Not a day of rest!!

Embee has been very busy today. The first thing he had to do was mend the cistern in the cloakroom. This involved fitting a new ball cock but it does seem to have resolved the overflow problem. I'm now anxiously waiting to see if the carpet will dry out without leaving any stains!

Doing this little job obviously put him in a working mood, because he then decided to go and try and repair our neighbour's gate. You would be right in thinking that you have read this before, he thought it was fixed the last time he did it, (I won't go into details but it might have had something to do with the 'old cement' not being a good idea~and no that was not Embee's doing!). I couldn't resist getting the camera out. He had no idea I was taking photos of his progress!


He went back after lunch and is now waiting for filler to set~ I think this is going to take longer than he expected! He's just come back in, and what was the first thing he did.......switch the TV on!!! But he does deserve a rest~(yes I am creeping!)~I've got to keep in his good books because I'm waiting for a shelter to be built to protect the tortoise's feeding area~ the birds keep stealing all the fruit I put out for them, and I cannot afford to feed the wild birds such luxuries!

Now I wouldn't want you to think I have been sitting around blogging while he has been working! I have done a couple of loads of laundry, washed floors, cleaned the porch, and the bathroom as well as getting all the green algae off the decking~ and yes I did take a photo to prove it!


It was my grand daughter's birthday a couple of weeks ago, but she is having her party today so I'm hoping the weather is as good in Dublin as it is here. Have a great time Mollie.

Archives:
2007: Name this tree

Meme music

Barbara tagged me for this music meme.
The challenge is:
List seven songs you are into right now. No matter what the genre, whether they have words, or even if they’re not any good, but they must be songs you’re really enjoying now, shaping your spring. Post these instructions in your blog along with your 7 songs. Then tag 7 other people to see what they’re listening to.

When I first read the challenge I thought that I had done this meme before but when I checked back it was a slightly different meme where you had to name 'three songs for ever'. Back then I chose Abba, Glen Miller and Eva Cassidy and I still go back to these old favourites time after time.

So this challenge is actually more difficult than I thought it would be because I listen to whatever is playing on the radio and I set a party mix programme on my itunes and the computer selects and plays from different musical genres.

One song that has been getting a lot of air time recently is Bleeding Love by Leona Lewis she is one of the UK's hot new stars after winning the X factor. All the video links are disabled but she is easy to find on You Tube.

Andrew Lloyd Webber and Cameron Mackintosh have been running a TV competition to find a new Nancy and three Olivers for a new West end production of 'Oliver' due to open in December.
So I've been watching the show each week to see which girls the public is voting for. Last week Rachel was out at the semi-final stage but she performed a very good Sally Bowles in Cabaret.

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Paul Pots was the winner of last years TV contest 'Britains got talent' and he has an amazing voice. This was his performance of Nessun Dorma that helped him get to the 2007 final.

The same contest is running again this year and I'm going to share some of the unknown talent competing to get to the final...
Escala~ very talented in my opinion..


This is Charlie Green who is 10 years old.

There are two other contestants I would like to have shown you, but I could not find videos. One a 12 year old girl with the most amazingly mature voice and a Scots lad (can't remember their names); both have got potential star quality, especially the girl. If you didn't know her age, you would think she was an adult just by the sound of her voice, which is very mature. She just might win the competition but we shall have to wait and see!

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Neil Diamond has been in the UK recently promoting this song...

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For my last song I opened itunes and Norah Jones "Long way home' was playing. So I found a video of her singing it.


So there you have some of the music I have been listening to during the past week.
I have decided that I will not tag anyone but if there seven of you out there who fancy doing this meme...please consider yourself tagged!


Archives:
2007: Witty Wednesday 8 The dentist and Frank

The stork came calling!!!

The news we have all been waiting for is the arrival of Karmyn's baby boy.

Congratulation to Karmyn for all the hard work, and to Dave, Jammin, Buttercup and we musn't forget the rest of the family, especially Grandma Pamela for letting us all know.

She says:
Our grandson was born at 1:59 pm today.(that was actually yesterday 28th)
Big feet, big toes, big fingers. 8 pounds 10 ounces.

I don't know about you but I can't wait to see some pictures!


Archives:
2007: Anyone for Walkies!

Witty Wednesday # 51 Management Course

I wonder if this is why Embee is not in management!!!!

FIVE MINUTE MANAGEMENT COURSE

Lesson 1:

A man is getting into the shower just as his wife is finishing up her shower, when the doorbell rings.

The wife quickly wraps herself in a towel and runs downstairs.

When she opens the door, there stands Bob, the next-door neighbour.

Before she says a word, Bob says, 'I'll give you $800 to drop that towel.'

After thinking for a moment, the woman drops her towel and stands naked in front of Bob, after a few seconds, Bob hands her $800 and leaves.

The woman wraps back up in the towel and goes back upstairs.

When she gets to the bathroom, her husband asks, 'Who was that?'

'It was Bob the next door neighbour,' she replies.

'Great,' the husband says, 'did he say anything about the $800 he owes me?'

Moral of the story:
If you share critical information pertaining to credit and risk with your shareholders in time, you may be in a position to prevent avoidable exposure.

Lesson 2:

A priest offered a Nun a lift.

She got in and crossed her legs, forcing her gown to reveal a leg.

The priest nearly had an accident.

After controlling the car, he stealthily slid his hand up her leg.

The nun said, 'Father, remember Psalm 129?'

The priest removed his hand. But, changing gears, he let his hand slide up her leg again.

The nun once again said, 'Father, remember Psalm 129?'

The priest apologized 'Sorry sister but the flesh is weak.'

Arriving at the convent, the nun sighed heavily and went on her way.

On his arrival at the church, the priest rushed to look up Psalm 129. It said, 'Go forth and seek, further up, you will find glory.'

Moral of the story:
If you are not well informed in your job, you might miss a great opportunity.

Lesson 3:

A sales rep, an administration clerk, and the manager are walking to lunch when they find an antique oil lamp.

They rub it and a Genie comes out.
The Genie says, 'I'll give each of you just one wish.'
'Me first! Me first!' says the admin clerk. 'I want to be in the Bahamas, driving a speedboat, without a care in the world.'
Puff! She's gone.

'Me next! Me next!' says the sales rep. 'I want to be in Hawaii , relaxing on the beach with my personal masseuse, an endless supply of Pina Coladas and the love of my life.'

Puff! He's gone.

'OK, you're up,' the Genie says to the manager.
The manager says, 'I want those two back in the office after lunch.'

Moral of the story:
Always let your boss have the first say.

Lesson 4

An eagle was sitting on a tree resting, doing nothing.

A small rabbit saw the eagle and asked him, 'Can I also sit like you and do nothing?'
The eagle answered: 'Sure, why not.'

So, the rabbit sat on the ground below the eagle and rested. All of a sudden, a fox appeared, jumped on the rabbit and ate it.

Moral of the story:
To be sitting and doing nothing, you must be sitting very, very high up.

Lesson 5

A turkey was chatting with a bull.

'I would love to be able to get to the top of that tree' sighed the turkey, 'but I haven't got the energy.'
'Well, why don't you nibble on some of my droppings?' replied the bull. They're packed with nutrients.'

The turkey pecked at a lump of dung, and found it actually gave him enough strength to reach the lowest branch of the tree.

The next day, after eating some more dung, he reached the second branch.

Finally after a fourth night, the turkey was proudly perched at the top of the tree.

He was promptly spotted by a farmer, who shot him out of the tree.

Moral of the story:
Bull Shit might get you to the top, but it won't keep you there.

Lesson 6

A little bird was flying south for the winter. It was so cold the bird froze and fell to the ground into a large field.

While he was lying there, a cow came by and dropped some dung on him.

As the frozen bird lay there in the pile of cow dung, he began to realize how warm he was.

The dung was actually thawing him out!

He lay there all warm and happy, and soon began to sing for joy.
A passing cat heard the bird singing and came to investigate.

Following the sound, the cat discovered the bird under the pile of cow dung, and promptly dug him out and ate him.


Morals of the story:
(1) Not everyone who shits on you is your enemy.

(2) Not everyone who gets you out of shit is your
friend.

(3) And when you're in deep shit, it's best to keep
your mouth shut!

THUS ENDS THE FIVE MINUTE MANAGEMENT COURSE

Archives:
2007: My Visitor

Meme ......... I've been tagged to Show and Tell!

I have also been tagged for a music meme and was hoping to post the two together but that one is taking me a lot longer to put together so if you read this, Barbara, is will be completed, hopefully by Thursday.

SHOW and TELL........

Misslionheart has tagged me to show my coffee cup. As I have done this before it is an easy tag as I'm using the same photo I used for a Fun Monday post in May last year. This is just a few of the many coffee mugs we own all with a story. I have added a couple more since then one was part of a secret swap sent by BS. Coincidentally I actually wrote the post about it on this day last year. My latest coffee cup was given to me at Christmas by my friend in Canada.

I know I'm not playing the game as I'M NOT GOING TO TAG ANYONE. However, I HOPE THAT SOMEONE WILL DECIDE TO TAKE UP THIS CHALLENGE!


Archives:
2007: My Secret Swap Surprise Arrived

Fun Monday # 68 Family holidays are best

Alison has challenged us to think about holidays this week. She says:

Vacations...this is the time of year when most of us go on vacations. Show us and/or tell us about your favorite vacation - where you went, what you did, etc. Pictures would be great. Let's all take a trip around a the world via our FM friends!!

If you could see the weather here today grey skies and rain, it's a pleasure to think back to sun, sea and a happy family holiday. I am always at my happiest when I have the family all together but these days that is quite rare so I'm going to show you a few pictures of the last time we hooked up with Sam in Orlando, Florida. This was way back in 2003 and I was quite surprised that Embee agreed to come~ did I give him a choice~ Hmmm can't remember now! We met up with Beccy Joules, and the grandchildren at Gatwick Airport (London) and all flew together.

We spent a week in Orlando and we couldn't wait to get into the pool....

Below the grandchildren meet the monster!

After the frantic activities and endless queueing in Disneyland, we were pleased to move on to the peaceful Anna Marie Island. You can imagine our delight when we arrived here... What could be better than a secluded pool....

We did visit Busch Gardens~ see the hippo?

Sam celebrated her birthday while we were there and one of the waiters kindly took a family photo...

The sea and the beaches were wonderful and so empty we were very surprised. However, being the beginning of June I guess it was outside the holiday season...... You know how much I love sunsets which is the perfect way to end a holiday....

I am looking forward to taking a holiday trip with you all so I'll see you later!

PS My friend Tina has just rung to invite me to join a group for a week in Corfu in September~ must check flights!

Archives:
2007: Inside the room of your soul

Facts from last week's news coverage pureed for your enjoyment!

Embee reads a lot of useless interesting information on Cefax.... here are a few snippets I picked up (actually I did read some it in the daily papers last week):

10 Things we didn't know before or maybe you did!!!!!.......

• brain chemical 'OXYTOCIN' makes us trust strangers with money even if they have betrayed us already (I clearly don't have much in my brain because I don't think I would be that gullible!)
• you can (lesson)lessen (spelling corrected as pointed out by no 1 daughter!) jet-lag by not eating (not difficult given the standard of cuisine on most airlines!)
  
• 27% of people have opened a bottle with their teeth (I'm not one of them!!)
• the $100 laptop now costs $75 (oh well~ someone needs to change the advert!)
• a larger proportion of rural homes than urban dwellings have broadband (so!)
• the word 'NICE' originally meant foolish or silly (I don't know about you but I was taught to think of an alternative adjective, even so I still use it sometimes!)
• skunks can be de-scented to make better pets (I don't think I would fancy a skunk as a pet-would you?)
• women drivers are three times more likely to suffer whiplash if their car is hit from behind (so watch out ladies!)
• Britain has 5th largest Jewish population in the world (I believe a lot of Jews settled here during the war and a lot of people are still coming here~ I won't get into a debate on immigration!)
  
• Archbishop of Canterbury Rowen Williams is deaf in one ear (I really needed to know this!)

Archives:
2007: Let's celebrate 'Friendship Friday'

Super hero

I had to find out which which super hero I am when I saw this over at Dahhhling I love you but give me Park Av, so thank you Cynthia for giving me a topic for today! Your results:
You are Superman

Superman 70% Green Lantern 65% Hulk 60% Spider-Man 55% Supergirl 50% Robin 45% Catwoman 45% Iron Man 40% Wonder Woman 30% Batman 30% The Flash 25%

You are mild-mannered, good, strong and you love to help others.

Click here to take the Superhero Personality Quiz


If anyone does this let me know which hero you are!

Archives:
2007: Quick and Tasty

Friday 40 Photo Challenge # 4 Sweet Memories

Robin's has given us a SWEET challenge this week!

I remember.......
Sucking and slurping
A round red delight
Cherry lips
Sticky face
Lasting forever
But bad for the teeth!

Sorry it's the best I could do!

Archives:
2007: Witty Weds 7 Skinny Dipping

Coffee with a friend....

I've had a couple of busy days and have not spent as much time visiting you all and commenting as I usually do. I mentioned on twitter that I had a baking day on Tuesday and this was partly because I have a friend coming for coffee today.
Of course I got a bit carried away and made far too much! So I expect I will be sending some home for my friend's husband. I haven't put in the recipes because I have posted both before!

Anyway instead of chattering here I'd better go and push the vacuum over the carpet and get everything ready! Hope I haven't made you feel too peckish with this photo!

Lemon Cake
Chocolate Muffins
Archives:
2007: My job for today

Witty Wednesday # 50..... Blondes and others

John thinks this is a WW must~ I've certainly heard it before and I may even have posted it but I'm not checking back on the past fifty Wednesday posts~ (reminder to self put better labels on each post)!

The Blonde Handywoman

A blonde, wanting to earn some extra money decided to hire herself out as a 'Handywoman' and started canvassing the neighbourhoods.

She went to the front door of the first house and asked the owner if he had any odd jobs for her to do.

'Well, I guess I could use somebody to paint my porch,' he said. 'How much will you charge me?'

The blonde quickly responded, 'How about £50?'

The man agreed and told her that the paint and everything she would need was in the garage.

The man's wife, hearing the conversation, said to her husband, 'Does she realize that our porch goes all the way around the house?'

He responded, 'That's a bit cynical, isn't it?'

The wife replied, 'You're right. I guess I'm starting to believe all those dumb blonde jokes '

A short time later, the blonde handywoman came to the door to collect her money. 'You finished already?' the husband asked.

'Yes,' the blonde replied, 'and I had paint leftover, so I gave it two coats - no extra charge .'

Impressed, the man reached into his pocket for the £50 and handed it to her.

'And by the way,' the blonde added ... 'it's not a Porch -- it's a Lexus.'

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I got this in an email from my friend Carol and unfortunately not all the animation uploaded and I'm not savvy enough to correct it!

GOD CREATED CHILDREN (AND IN THE PROCESS GRANDCHILDREN)


To those of us who have children in our lives, whether they are our own, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, or students...here is something to make you chuckle.

Whenever your children are out of control, you can take comfort from the thought that even God's omnipotence did not extend to His own children.

After creating heaven and earth, God created Adam and Eve.

And the first thing he said was
" DON'T !"





"Don 't what ? " Adam replied.

"Don't eat the forbidden fruit." God said.

"Forbidden fruit ? We have forbidden fruit ? Hey Eve..we have forbidden fruit ! "



" No Way ! "
"Yes way ! "

"Do NOT eat the fruit ! " said God.




"Why ? "

"Because I am your Father and I said so ! "God replied, wondering why He hadn't stopped creation after making the elephants

A few minutes later, God saw His children having an apple break and He was ticked !
"Didn't I tell you not to eat the fruit ? " God asked.



"Uh huh," Adam replied.

"Then why did you ? " said the Father.

"I don't know," said Eve.
"She started it ! " Adam said.

"Did not ! "
"Did too ! "
"DID NOT ! "

Having had it with the two of them,
God's punishment was that Adam and Eve
should have children of their own.
Thus the pattern was set and it has never changed.


If you have persistently and lovingly tried to give children wisdom and they haven't taken it, don't be hard on yourself.

If God had trouble raising children, what makes you think it would be a piece of cake for you ?

THINGS TO THINK ABOUT !

1. You spend the first two years of their life teaching them to walk and talk. Then you spend the next sixteen telling them to sit down and shut up.

2. Grandchildren are God's reward for not killing your own children.

3. Mothers of teens now know why some animals eat their young.

4 Children seldom misquote you. In fact, they usually repeat word for word what you shouldn't have said

5. The main purpose of holding children's parties is to remind yourself that there are children more awful than your own

6. We childproofed our homes, but they are still getting in.


ADVICE FOR THE DAY:

Be nice to your kids. They will choose your nursing home one day

AND FINALLY:

IF YOU HAVE A LOT OF TENSION AND YOU GET A HEADACHE, DO WHAT IT SAYS ON THE ASPIRIN BOTTLE:

(this should be a medicine cabinet that opens!)

"TAKE TWO ASPIRIN"
AND "KEEP AWAY FROM CHILDREN"!!!!!

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How quickly the years pass

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Tips for the ladies in year 2008

1. Aspire to be Barbie - the bitch has everything.

2. If the shoe fits - buy one in every colour.

3. Take life with a pinch of salt... A wedge of lime, and a shot of tequila.

4. In need of a support group? - Cocktail hour with the girls!

5. Go on the 30 day diet. (I'm on it and so far I've lost 15 days).

6. When life gets you down - just put on your big girl panties and deal with it.

7. Let your greatest fear be that there is no PMS and this is just your personality.

8. I know I'm in my own little world, but it's o k. They know me here..

9. Lead me not into temptation, I can find it myself.

10. Don't get your knickers in a knot, it solves nothing; and makes you walk funny.

11. When life gives you lemons in 2008 - turn it into lemonade then mix it with vodka.

12. Remember every good looking; sweet, single male is someone else's ex-boyfriend!

Have a fun day
Archives:
2007: These feet are made for stamping + Fun Monday #18 Ode to Computers

Names and numbers!!

I saw this over at Alix's and was saving it for a day like today when I wanted a quick post!

HowManyOfMe.com

There is 1 person with my name in the U.S.A. How many have your name?

Also checked my previous married name and only one person, however maiden name showed there are 52 people in the states with same name. This made me very curious so I did a little googling on my present name but didn't have any success! I may do a little more delving when I have more time.

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I borrowed this from A Florida Journal
What Number are you

You Are 6: The Loyalist

You have strong relationships and are intensely loyal. People find you easy to love and care for. You like your world to be stable and secure, no surprises. You're cautious. You prefer your inner circle to the outside world. At Your Best: You are courageous, a positive thinker, and expressive. You can take on the world. At Your Worst: You are secretly insecure - which makes you sarcastic, cold, and argumentative. Your Fixation: Doubt Your Primary Fear: Abandonment Your Primary Desire: Security and support Other Number 6's: Mel Gibson, Woody Allen, Jay Leno, Marilyn Monroe, and Julia Roberts.

What Number Are You?

If you haven't already done these give it a go for fun!

Archives:
2007: Race for Life

Fun Monday # 67 Collections...

I am really late publishing this post as I had problems uploading my photos and video. It messed up my day but better late than never!!


Mariposa has come up with a good theme for this week.

Collections...she says:

We all have them...and if you don't, you do....you just may not realize it. For some reason or another we all collect something and we collect it for reasons that will definitely make for good reading. So on Monday, I want to see your collection. If you don't have or don't want or CAN'T (wink) show us a picture, then tell us what the collection is in 10 words or less. Then tell us why you started collecting it.

I'VE JUST RR-READ THE RULES AND REALISED I'VE BROKEN THE 10 WORD RULE......SO SORRY.... YOU NEEDN'T READ ALL THE DRIVEL I'VE WRITTEN, IT'S PRETTY DULL, SO JUST LOOK AT THE PICTURES AND MOVE ON!!

I don't know where to begin because I have lots of collections (you might think I just hoard junk!) and in any case I have show you some of them, like fridge magnets, coffee cups and willow pattern china before. I actually think I have shown you my figurines and I had these units built to have them on display. Now I look with a critical eye I am rather cluttered with photos and paintings done by my grand children.... but these are also a collection of sorts! I started not long after we moved into this house and I saw 'Rosie picking apples' (3rd shelf, 2nd figure from left) and it just appealed to me and I then began collecting different series. I gave up when I ran out of space!


Above and below are two collections belonging to Sam I think that she would be happy for me to get rid of them but I can't bring myself to do that, as there are some quite old key rings and badges among the collection. The video shows some of the teapots that my mother used to collect. She has given them to Beccy who has no room for them so they have been packed in boxes for years. There are several Arthur Wood teapots, one of which I recently added to the collection. Before I repack them my mother is going to tell me the stories behind the collection so that I can record it for Beccy.

Sam has this teapot and hot water jug set (picture not very good) which also belonged to my mother It is quite unusual with the metal lid which is weighted.

So there we are that's all folks I will get around to visiting you all over the next couple of days.

Archives:
2007: Surprise Parcel

Fun Monday

IF YOU ARE VISITING TO SEE MY FUN MONDAY POST I AM HAVING A PROBLEM UPLOADING MY PHOTOS SO I DO HOPE YOU WILL POP BACK LATER. BLOGGER IS UNPREDICTABLE BECAUSE IT LET ME UPLOAD THE LOGO!

'Race for Life' Bristol 2008

I'm sure that everyone has been touched by cancer in someway, be it yourself, a relative or a friend and this is why research into the treatment and cure of this terrible disease is so important. This event has been running for a number of years but I got involved last year as you can read here.

I had been avidly watching the weather forecast all the week and if you believed the met office we were supposed to get rain! I woke up to an overcast sky and a cool breeze...but no rain, thank goodness. My friend, Tina, had decided to do the race on the Sunday with another friend so I wondered what it would be like walking alone with thousands of people all around you.
This got me thinking about cancer, because in a way that is how you might feel if you had the disease. You are battling alone whilst being surrounded by loved ones, friends and professionals who are all offering support, but it is the person alone who, bravely endures the treatment and actually fights the disease.

As we congregated at the starting point for the walkers, reading the tributes brought a tear to my eye. It took me back to the funeral of Sam's friend Sheena, who sadly died in October last year; it made me think of all the bloggers I knew who had written about their, and their family's personal stories of cancer. It made me thankful that my mother had her skin cancer removed successfully, earlier this year; and it made me pleased that so many people were supporting this event to raise money for research.



Luckily the rain kept off and being a little cooler it made the walking a lot easier. I managed to keep up a steady pace, and my knee and hip did not let me down, although today my knee is twice the size it is normally and a bit sore. Some 40 minutes later I was at the finishing line.....Embee tells me I am in this picture but I must be hidden!



These last two photos are not exactly flattering, but I just wanted to show you that I got my medal for completing the course.



I would like to say THANK YOU to everyone who sponsored me. I have raised £180 (approx $350) so far, which is a modest amount, but combined with everyone else's will make a difference.

Archives:
2007: Surprise Parcel

Happy Birthday Mollie 12 today

Today is my granddaughter's twelfth birthday. It doesn't seem that long ago that we were anxiously awaiting news of her safe arrival, and here she is speeding towards her teenage years.
Below are a few photos of Mollie taken this year:

Mollie often looks after her friend's pet rat, Rascal, and would like one herself!








Mollie enjoys baking and is a good little cook!











Mollie enjoys sport and is very active. Seen here taking a rest!











Neat and tidy for school!








HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOLLIE have a lovely day and I hope you enjoy our present to you (you will have to blog about it and maybe post a photo!)

LOTS OF LOVE From Grandma, Grandpa, and Granny Betty xxx

While Mollie is celebrating this afternoon, I will be completing my race for life walk and the weather does not look very promising. When I post tomorrow, I'll let you all know how I get on and, hopefully I will have some photos.


Archives:
2007: Happy Birthday Mollie 11 today