Feed the ducks!

Feed some ducks Day - I dutifully intended to set off in search of them at the Valley Gardens with a bag of bread crusts I've been saving (I've been freezing them - I wasn't going to feed them mouldy bread!) but unfortunately it absolutely tipped it down the one day I was free and, whilst I have a healthy degree of commitment to many of the challenges, I just wasn't prepared to venture out in torrential rain!

In fact there's only one thing the weather was good for - ducks!

At least I did better than last year when I ate duck instead of feeding it.

Take up hats!

Give up one thing and take up another thing Day - I didn't give anything up but John has - he's done fantastically well at giving up smoking so far this month :-) And I took up his corner in helping to support him!

Be ridiculously nice to your partner Day - I've been much nicer than usual (not that I'm not usually nice to him though!) since he's stopping smoking this month and I don't want to drive him to taking it back up again! So, he's had more texts than usual and a sandwich and drink waiting for him (with a supportive post-it!) when he's got home from each late shift!

Wear a hat Day - I have quite a few hats and would probably have already started wearing some by this time but as it's been unseasonably warm so far this month they've stayed where there are! However, it's been very cold indoors of an evening so...

Panda Pride!

Be proud of yourself Day - ?

Flirt Outrageously Day - ??

Jump out of something Day - ???

Learn about Pandas Day - This!

4 challenges in one week and, let's face it, the other 3 didn't stand a chance when one of them involved learning about pandas!

I already know a lot about them (like the fact that they have S shaped penises - which may well explain the reproduction difficulties ha!) so decided to use this day as the perfect excuse to hop on a train to Edinburgh (as you do) and go and see a live one for the first time!!

Now anyone who knows me will know that I have a huge collection of panda themed 'stuff' (a large amount of which is regrettably packed away at present), and there's not a room in our home where at least one panda can't be found. Not to mention the 2 small, and discreetly placed, panda tattoos I have.

I took a few photos of some of the pandas round the house (after just doing the lounge and kitchen I thought it best to stop!)...

Eventually I'd like to go to China to visit a panda sanctuary but in the meantime this is the next best thing, and was something there was no way Bernie was going to let me do without her being there to witness it! So off we trotted to Edinburgh Zoo to see the Ailuropoda Melanoleuca.

We couldn't have picked a better day, it was ridiculously hot and sunny, the views were incredible and we timed our panda viewing slot perfectly!

Apparently the male (Yang Guang (meaning Sunlight)) tends to get restless towards the end of the day so he kept coming in and out of the indoor enclosure to see us!

I added to my panda collection with a few bits and bobs...

...and I did learn that there's a panda tartan!

84% Duvet Day!

Be 84% naughty Day - see below...

Duvet Day - I've been waiting aaages for one of these, and it happened during a week when there just wasn't any opportunity to actually do it! I did have a few evening snuggles under the lovely rust-orange fluffy throw Pops and Olive got me for my birthday but that was all I could manage.

So, by my reckoning I managed about 16% of a duvet day. 

Which means I was 84% naughty by not achieving the challenge in full.

(work with me here)

October Mission!

So, October's Mission is...

Gazing into the future of contemplating my full potential, taking the helm on my ship called destiny (my ship would not be called destiny - my ship would be called) and taking charge of my tomorrows!

The dream Job, dream person, dream house (and dream cheeseboard) are all within reach.

I must first imagine them, think like a crystal ball, look into the cards, the tea leaves, my heart and design a SPECTACULAR TOMORROW!

September Mission - The Results!

YES!

This month was definitely a success, in a month where my mission was basically to make things I made all these things and had a wonderfully creative month!

I made dark chocolate peppermint slices...

...I made a start on making some Christmas decorations...

...I  got all creative thanks to the adult (no, not that kind of adult) colouring book which Bernie bought me for my birthday (very good for therapy and relaxation apparently)...

...and, in addition to all the creative makings I also...

• made a start on ebaying (with limited success so far but at least it's a start!)
• made a mess (what's the saying - you can't make an omlette without breaking some eggs? Well you also can't make chocolate peppermint slices without getting melted chocolate everywhere or Christmas decorations without getting glitter everywhere!)
• made a complaint, probably not what was in mind for the mission but it needed to be done!

Three for the price of one!

Broccoli appreciation Day

Have a donut Day

Learn a new fact Day

I combined all three!

I learnt the previously unknown (to me anyway) fact that such a thing as a broccoli donut exists (Korea's Dunkin' Donuts sells them) and I found a recipe to make my own broccoli, bacon and cheese donuts! 

Sounds wrong I know, but they were actually just like crustless quiche :-)

Funny weird pineapples!

Notice small things Day - Sometimes I fail to notice big things! I am making a conscious effort to focus on the small things though (every day) - and be grateful for them.

Recover from weird phobia Day - I've been trying to recover from my phobias for years haha! I seem to be doing this backwards - rather than getting phobias and recovering from them, the older I get the more I find there is to be afraid of!

I'm ok with spiders though, don't get me wrong I don't like them but when it comes to dealing with them in the house I'm definitely the man! 

This also applies to spiders in cars. When Bernie came to pick me up from the hospital after my nose op (can you believe it's been a year?!) she drove me home with an increasingly blood soaked bandaged face and deposited me at home with John. About a minute later the doorbell rang and it was Bernie asking for John's help (I thought she'd pranged the car as she'd driven away), when neither of them returned I grew concerned and hobbled downstairs (I was still wobbly from the anesthetic) to see what the problem was.

They were both stood there looking tentatively into Bernie's car for the spider she'd seen as she'd driven away and which she was unable to continue her journey home with. I knew that John was the last person who'd be able to help with an emergency of an arachnid nature so I ended up rooting around in the drivers area to turf the uninvited passenger out. 

I unsteadily extracted myself (and spider) from the car and turned around to face a cowering Bernie and John with a glass containing my eight legged captive in my hands and what looked like a blood soaked giant tampax taped to the middle of my face just as some poor chap walked past.

I dread to think what he made of the bizarre scene in front of him but by his concerned "Is everything alright here?" I assume it didn't look good.

Be thankful for pineapples Day - I do not like pineapples. 

And people who put pineapple on pizza are just wrong.

I also don't like digestive biscuits.

However...

...combine the two, add some squirty cream and a cherry and you have a surprisingly good dessert (I know, it just sounds so wrong - even to people who like pineapple and digestives)!

My mum used to make these when we were kids and everyone loved them!

Tweet something amazingly funny Day - That would be this blog, obviously.

Weird lovely dancing!

Develop a weird phobia Day - I have enough existing phobias to be going on with without creating any more haha! Among my existing phobias are;

• anything to do with eyes
• my ankles being touched
• scary movies (and books)
• leaving the house somedays ha!
• daddy-long-legs
• triple grate type things (they're not grates but I have no idea what to call them) on pavements
• driving
• swimming

In fact not just swimming - putting my head underwater. At a recent (and first) visit to the fabulous Harrogate Turkish Baths (gift vouchers are always welcome if you're at all inclined!) John fully immersed himself in the exhilarating plunge pool and suggested I do the same. I threw him a horrified expression and told him I couldn't possibly do that, when he asked me why not I earnestly told him that I couldn't breathe underwater. Apparently neither can anyone else.

Dance to work Day - I didn't dance to work, so, I'm going to make it up to you by sharing this beautiful video (yep, it made me just a tad weepy), you lucky things you (don't worry - it's not a video of me line dancing I promise!)!


Be lovely to everyone Day - I had a couple of days where I was definitely nicer to more people than usual, and spoke (to exchange compliments) with people I've never spoken to in the office before. That'd usually take a bottle of wine and a couple of beers (although not in the office obviously!) ;-)

Mission to Mars!

So, my name (along with thousands of others to be fair) will be going on a journey to Mars!

Courtesy of NASA I'll (in name only) be hitchhiking a ride on a silicon microchip aboard the Insight Mars Lander when it launches from Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, in March next year.

This mission, the first of its kind, is dedicated to investigating the interior of the planet. It will place a seismometer on the surface of the planet to measure quakes and learn more about the planet's interior using seismic waves and will also use a self-hammering heat probe to burrow deeper than ever before.

(cool yes?)

Intense Mystery

Be mysterious and slightly intense Day - Or be intense and slightly mysterious, or slightly be.

I admit it - when I searched for this I did find myself dancing along to it, I'm sorry.

September Mission!

So, September Mission is;

TRUE ARTISTRY!

To wield a pencil, or brush, or needle, or spatula

To create something new in this world, something daring, something bold

To add to the universe in a way only I can

To fill every September day this year with wonderful CREATION!

August Mission - The Results!

Ok, it's been a pretty crappy month what with having to say goodbye to Jemima and then poor Clyde so I hope I can be forgiven for just writing this one off and instead focusing on what I hope will be a better month next month.

Waiting on the world to change

Procrastination Day - I've procrastinated all week about writing this week's blog, if I'm not careful it'll be too late...

Still procrastination Day - Yep, you've guessed it...

Cat Adopters Beware!

Following my extremely distressing (and disgraceful) recent experience with the local branch of a well known cat charity/adoption centre I just wanted to warn others out there about some things to bear in mind if you're thinking about adopting an animal, particularly an older animal, in this way.

1) Never, never just take the word of the volunteer when they tell you the animal has been checked by a vet and is healthy enough to be fit for adoption. ALWAYS insist on seeing the veterinary proof of this - the charity's statement is not enough. Check any paperwork you're given (such as a vaccination record) is completed in full by the vet and important information such as weight and body score isn't left blank, you should also ensure you're provided with information (preferably written) about the animal's dental health.

2) Never take the word of the volunteer when they tell you the animal came from a previous loving home where their health needs weren't neglected, ask if vet records/treatment history is available to be transferred to your own vet.

3) If at all possible arrange to see the animal first before they're brought to your home and handed over, if the animal is obviously underweight/has matted fur/smells or you have any concerns at all don't proceed until you know what the cause is. Once the animal is in your home it's too late, even if you notice an obvious problem within hours.

4) Make sure you're aware of any adoption fees at the start - don't end up taken by surprise when they're mentioned for the first time at the point the animal is already in your home and you're expected to hand over £60 cash per animal.

5) Arrange for a check up with your own vet as soon as possible after adoption, it's worth paying for to ensure peace of mind.

6) Contact your own vet straight away with any issues, do not rely on assistance (or even a response) from the adoption charity in the case of any early concerns.

7) Don't rush out and buy toys, beds, carry cases etc for the animal until you know for sure it's healthy.

Four days after adopting 6 year old Clyde we had to have him put to sleep as he had severe end stage kidney disease and his poor little mouth was rotten with toxins. His extreme thinness, very matted fur and noticeable strange smell were all signs of a poorly cat, and were all overlooked by his previous owner, the volunteer who'd been engaged with him for a number of months and the vet he saw within the hour before he was handed over to me. I can't comment on the state of his mouth at that point but believe it highly unlikely that a cat in such an advanced stage of this disease would be showing no signs of a dental/gum problem just four days previously.

I contacted the adoption volunteer every day during those four days and expressed increasing concern at Clyde's condition. I requested confirmation that a health check had actually taken place,specific information about the result and some advice. I was ignored each time and am still waiting for a response to my questions despite the volunteer being aware of Clyde's subsequent death.

Feline kidney disease is a common and manageable disease, cats can live many happy and healthy years with the condition (Jemima lived with it for a decade after diagnosis) but only if they have a responsible owner and good veterinary support. Clyde was failed by all those, owners and experts alike, who should have cared for him and identified a problem - either early on to enable him to live a good life with the condition or latterly so his dreadful suffering could have been ended sooner.

Keep off the boat!

Keep the TV off - this is definitely not a problem one for me, I never bother to put it on!

Go on a boat Day - I spent the day at Harlow Carr, there are no boats at Harlow Carr.

Well, that was short and sweet - like me! 

Or is that simple?

Fetish Much?!

This week was all about the feet!

Pedicure Day - I'm kind of hesitant to put another picture of my feet on here, the last one is still the most viewed photo on the blog - usually as a result of a google search. I often do a pedicure at home (I don't mind me touching my toes), the rest of me may be going to hell in a hand-basket but I take care of my feet!

Bare feet Day - I'd go barefoot all the time if I could, I rarely wear slippers in the house and only ever wear socks (of the thick and fluffy variety) for snuggly comfort in winter (or when I'm feeling sorry for myself).

When I do have to wear socks they tend to be of the odd variety.

Literally.

Global celebration of toes Day - I have a thing about toes.

No.

Not that sort of thing.

I don't like mine being touched, which is a shame since I'd love to try reflexology at Kanchanas at some point - I'll have to feel the fear and do it anyway I think! It's like flip-flops, I've never been able to wear flip-flops - largely because my toes don't separate or move independently of each other (don't worry, I haven't got webbed feet or anything!) which mine truly, with his monkey feet, thinks is just weird.

He calls me flipper foot.

And can't understand why I can't swim since I have built in flippers.

Out. of. Order.

Biscuits and Pina Colada!

What is it with the biscuits?!!! There's usually biscuit related activities but this year it's more than a little obsessive - and yet there's only one 'Drink Champagne Just Because Day'?

Have a pina colada Day - I'm not overly keen on coconut flavourings so didn't want to overdo this one! So we shared a frozen pina colada slush puppy type thing :-) Putting lime and sugar on the rim of the glass helped disguise the any taste of coconut and I could have actually, easily, had another one - or several!

International eat biscuits Day - There is actually a Biscuit Appreciation Society, with over 3,000,000 members, check it out f you're into that sort of thing.

I've had quite enough of biscuits for the time being so instead chose to  remember my favorite biscuit related post - Eating Biscuits Day from way back in 2010!

And once again the week took a turn for the worst (in fact it started that way), this time, after 19 years, we had to say goodbye to my beautiful Jemima, gone to play with Rosie.