Thursday Thirteen #3

heres one I made earlier.

Thirteen Things that make me smile



1Â…My son. If itdidn'tt lackoriginalityy, he'd be all 13 things!

2...Thee smell of an autumn morning.

3...Myy work mates. The best thing about the job is them really.

4...Bakingg bread.

5... Terry Pratchett's books!

6... (at this pointIi had to stop for a few minutes to think of other things!) My family.

7...Musicc that needs to be headbanged too!

8... 'A Town called Eureka'......Aa fantastically funny new series on Sky One.

9... A hot bath, a glass of good wine, a good book, scented candles and 3 hours of not needing to do anything but enjoy.

10... Special people who can coax a smile out of me no matter how down or crappy I feel.

11... My son.Welll he is the best thing in my life.

12...Cleaningg (its shameful I know!)

13...Thee first cup of coffee of the day.


Links to other Thursday thirteener's!

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. Its easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants



Thursday Thirteen

dont panic

i know this will set people worrying, they dont need to, but I wont be blogging for at least a couple of days. things seem to have gotten a touch too much, and i just dont have to mental capacity to blog as well, certainly not to be light and cheery. But i am ok, just very very 'bleugh'.

Monday Madness

Ok, I know my posts have been meme heavy lately......but in fairness, theres not much going on in my life lately, and certainly nothing exciting enough to share with the world.......so here's another meme!

Monday Madness

1. How do you eat an oreo cookie? (from tricia) Being remarkably English I can honesty say I have never eaten one!
2. How long does it take you to eat lunch? 7-8 minutes. If I actually remember to eat it!
3. Caffeine or decaf? CAFFEINE.......lots and lots of caffeine.
4. Chicken or beef? Chicken, cos its cheaper.
5. Pen or pencil? Whatever's closest or hasnt been stolen by the boy!
6. Autumn or spring? Autumn. My favourite season, crisp air, brisk winds, beautiful colours; whats not to love!
7. Baseball or basketball? Neither on account of them being sports.
8. 'Survivor' or 'The Amazing Race?' Again neither, I DETEST reality TV with a firey passion.
9. Come up with one question I can ask our Monday Madness participants in the weeks to come. In a crisis, are you calm or do you panic?

Monday Madness Meme

I knew I forgot to do something on Thursday!

Booking Through Thursday

1. Do you tend to read more books written by one gender over the other? There's a fair representation of both genders on my bookcase. I truely have no preference. As long as something is well written, I'll read it!


2. If so, which one? Men? Or women? Is this a deliberate choice? Or just something that kind of happened? ummmm.............all of my books are something that 'sort of happened', if I am attracted to a book or author, then I read it.


3. And (without wanting to get too personal), is this your gender? Unless I'm more confused than I thought, no!!!!!LOL

Thursday Thirteen, Edition #2

I always mention my addiction to books. I never fully explain the extent of my problem. So I thought that the books that I've read since the 1st of September would be a fantastic 'Thursday Thirteen' on account of the fact that I'm on my 13th book so far this month!!! I have a tendancy to read as many as books by the same author as I can which is why you will see the same authors in the list. I'd have written a list of my favourite authors, but that would have to be a list of 60 odd. I am an addict and I either need help or a life!

Thirteen Books I've read this month.

1…'A Game of Thrones' - by George R.R. Martin. Its the first in an epic series of fantasy books, all knights and honour and intrigue and politics. I was hooked on the first page and went on to also read...

2...'A Clash of Kings', Book two by George R.R. Martin.

3...'A Storm of Swords: Steel and Snow', Part ONE of book three!!!(George R.R. Martin again!)

4...'A Storm of Swords: Blood and Gold', Part TWO of book three!!!(and again with the George R.R Martin!)

5...(last one by George R.R. Martin!) 'A Feast for Crows', Book four!

6...'The Killing Floor' by Lee Child. Am loving the protaganist in his books, rough, manly, and addictive!

7...'Tripwire' by Lee Child.

8...'Echo Burning' by Lee Child.

9...'Going Postal' by Terry Pratchett. I LOVE this man, I want to be his stalker. His writing actualy makes me laugh out loud frequently.

10...'Priestess of the White' by Trudi Canavan. Having read her first trilogy last month, I had to read this!

11...'Shadowfall' by James Clemens. The next book in the series goes into print next month, so I wanted to recap on the first book!

12...'Proven Guilty' by Jim Butcher. I had to order this one from amazon as it doesn't come out in the UK til next year, but I've already read the others he's written.

13...'The Enemy' by Lee Child. But I'm only half way thru this one!

Links to other Thursday Thirteens!

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants




Thursday Thirteen Books

Monday Madness and Tackle it Tuesday!

Ok, so we'll start with the Monday madness, as it is still officially Monday.

I was instructed to wait in today between 8-6, for an engineer who would come and fit my pre-pay gas meter. Which I dutifully did, it gave me chance to do my Tackle it Tuesday project.

Then, at about 2:30 I decided to just double check what was going on with this blokey from the gas company. It would seem that they hadn't booked the job in properly. Now I have been raving about this company's incompetence for endless posts, cos they really are incompetent, but frankly, I booked this job 4 weeks ago, sorted out people to take my boy to school and so on, and THEY screwed up AGAIN, NOT ME!!!!!! GRRRRRRRRRRRR. I was NOT impressed!!!!!!

That's actually about it for Monday, as I DIDN'T LEAVE THE HOUSE!!!! So, on to

TACKLE IT TUESDAY

Project:Paperwork

As with last week I kinda bit off more than I wanted to chew. I THOUGHT that sorting out my paperwork would be a simple case of putting things into piles, until I realized that there were A LOT of phone calls I had to make to sort things out too. It was actually 3 hours worth of phone calls to official people. I started talking to my neighbours just to talk to humans! I have heard every single variation of Greensleves, and been on hold for a total of 50 minutes...........50 MINUTES!!!!!!!!!

So, here is what I started with...

You may notice that these yellow and black tubs feature heavily in my storage spaces, they are FABULOUS, they are the ones that fold down flat and hold a stupid amount of stuff, I LOVE THEM!!!

5 HOURS later, after phone calls, shredding, and much sticking on of labels I now have...

JUST ONE BINDER........YAY!!!!! Inside I have dividers, neatly labeled address labels that I picked up from work cos they were cheap, describing everything behind each divider, along with what action I have taken regarding whatever it is up to today's date. This then means that at a quick glance I can not only see what paperwork I have, but what still needs dealing with, what bills are unpaid, and what school notes/hospital appointments I need to book etc!!!!!!

I am so chuffed, mainly because now I can find everything, and tomorrow, I am heading to the CAB, (for anyone who isn't based in the UK, it is a fantastic free service run by volunteers who will negotiate repayment plans for your bills for you, give you debt management advice, legal advice, you name it) cos thou I'm not heavily in debt, I'm definitely feeling the pinch of dropping from a household of two full-time earners, to being a part-time worker who keeps losing benefits, and is currently on an income of less than £600 a month!!!!!

Also, I'm sick of eating baked beans on toast!

Happy Tackling to all Tacklers!!!

Daily Life Tackle it Tuesday

(insert appropriate title here as I can't think of one)

I have to admit that I am posting more out of boredom than anything else.

There is nothing on the telly, I need to take a little break from my book (thou it is stunning, but I think completing a 502 page book in a couple of hours just shows how dull my life is!)

I have to comment on my boy. I would add a picture of the most stunning injury that he has ever had, but he wouldn't stand still long enough for me! He had an 'incident' at school, his new teacher was terribly apologectic, obviously being totally unaware that my son thinks he's made of rubber, and will randomly throw himself into/onto/over things just to see if he can.

Anyway, the 'incident'...it would seem that my boy pi**ed some kid off, one who was bigger than him (so anyone in the school really) and got pushed over, onto a pile of Duplo, on his head. Only my son could do this, and end up with two neat Duplo bumps, from the top of the bricks, imprinted on his forehead for all to see. He had his forehead iced down, and in true Edward style he cried out..."Get off, I have to go and finish my hat!" The boy has NO concept of pain...unless he wants kisses. He's gonna be straight!

Thats about it really, unless everyone really wants to know about the endless piles of bills sat in my kitchen, or my various problems with my various lumps and bumps (its been a crazy day!)


Oh, and theres this I forgot to post earlier!

I've got an interview at "5 Minutes for Mom".

Have you been to 5 Minutes for Mom before? It's a moms blog run by two wahms who own a retro collectibles specialty store and a kids furniture and toy store. They love helping other work at home moms promote their businesses. So take a stop over at their blog and help support all mom blogs and mom sites.


Daily Life Parenthood 5 Minutes for Mom

Sorry I'm about an hour late!

Booking Through Thursday

1. We asked last week about what draws you to your favorite kind/genre of book. This week, we want to know--how often do you depart from that comfort zone? If you love mysteries, do you ever read fantasy? If you primarily read cookbooks, do you ever read a good romance? I will happily read anything that contains words! These days I've been reading everything from Terry Prachett to peoples blogs online. I just can't resist reading!


2. How MUCH variety is there in your reading? Do you mostly stick to one type, with just the occasional toe-dip into a different style? Or do you generally read a variety of things, just, maybe more of your favorite style than anything else? I tend to stick to one author at a time! Just lately I picked up a book by George R. R. Martin, loved it, so read the rest of the series thats out at the moment (A Song of Ice and Fire). If I'm attracted to an author, or a particular book seems to be telling me to buy it then it doesn't matter too much which genre it is. This being said, I own more Sci-Fi/fantasy books than anything else!

Thursday Thirteen

OK, so this is my first 'Thursday Thirteen'!!!!! I'm actually a little excited! I guess I should call it Edition #1 but I'm doing the one suggested for Edition #57!

So, 13 things I like about myself....thats actually far harder than it sounds but I'll give it a go!

Thirteen Things I like about myself



1…. My hair. I know it sounds odd but I do love my hair, its thick, full and annoying most of the time but I still love it!

2.... My sense of humour. I'll admit that it can be an aquired taste at times, but I find myself funny!!!!

3.... My dress sense. It might not always be fashionable, but I do look good most of the time!

4.... My ablity to make meals out of nearly empty cupboards. My son and I have had a few strange meals, but I always seem to manage to find something. (I truely don't know how!)

5.... My memory. Its not quite photographic but I do have crystal clear recall on the strangest things. I never really think about it but I just have the strangest things in my head!

6.... My addiction to books. There are far worse things I could have become addicted to at points in my life, I'm glad that it was books!!!!

7.... My son. Not something about myself, but a reflection of it. A happy, healthy, well-adjusted boy who is growing up too fast, and who's teachers told me that there was no change in his behaviour when his father left, which to me says I must be doing something right!

8.... My commitment to my family. It has never mattered how much they beat me down (metophorically!) I still love them and stand by them. This can only be a good thing.

9.... The fact that now I have the strength to not take whatever s**t is dished out to me (unless its from my parents!). Confiedence in oneself is a beautiful thing.

10.... That I am still naive enough to be surprised when people betray me.


11.... The 'twins'. I can't do a list about things I like about myself without added them!

12.... That I still write letters to my friends. Even the one's I have email addresses for!

13.... That I managed to actually write this. Its taken me the last 45 minutes!




Links to other Thursday Thirteens!

1. Tracie

2. My two cents

3. caylynn (couldnt find a link!)

4. incog & nito (no link again)

5. Mommyba

6. Tink

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants





Daily Life Thursday Thirteen

TACKLE IT TUESDAY!!

As a first time 'tackler' I must admit it launched into this far to vigorously.....I really did......I thought I would simply sort out my bookcase



But to do that, I needed some tubs of books from one of my cupboards (which as you can see also needed 'tackling')



Then I tripped over my clean clothes and I saw where I was going to put those clothes




and nearly died when I saw the state I'd let my room get in. I'm only ever in there to sleep, so just lately it's ended up kinda neglected..........So I got stuck in.

I've always found it fascinating to look back at all the random 'stuff' that gets collected in a short space of time, even if I'm then going to put it in the bin, but really, I had an EXCESSIVE amount of stuff. For instance, I owned 21 sets of various nightwear........21........WHY?????

As I looked through them I realised that a few of them were from when I was 18 and still living at my parents...............I think I have a problem!!!!!!!

Then there was the 58 pairs of socks......I KID YOU NOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!..............58 seems just a little ridiculous, and some of them were only held together by a hope and a prayer!

Also, in my bedroom cupboards was a dis-mantled junior bed that my son hasn't slept in for at least the last 2 1/2 years, that one made it into the loft finally, and barely fit. So there was I, balancing on the top of a ladder, trying to wiggle the base of this bed into the loft and realising that I am also at the TOP OF THE STAIRS..............And singing along to my MP3 player and adding a lil jiggle or two..............I am officially crazy!

As I was cleaning, sorting and throwing out, I was also picking up things like lighters and pennies and popping them into my pocket...........this pic is actually of exactly what was in my pockets when the weight got so bad my jeans fell down all by themselves!!!!



Within my pockets I discovered I had picked up, 10 lighters, a screwdriver, some batteries and over £5 in loose change!

However, I persevered and here are the 'after pics'




All my clothes are now hung up, and the linen is all in the tubs on the top shelf.




This pic is not taken well, but it is of the other cupboard and you will notice the lack of plastic tubs!



Another not so good pic, but this is where the bookcase was.......unfortunately as I wentto move it into my empty cupboard...it fell apart!

And one of the 12 bags of rubbish, broken chest of drawers and box of broken toys I should have thrown out 3 months ago, cos this has to be seen to be believed.




Next week, I'm doing my paperwork, where I can sit all comfy and not have to do any heavy lifting or ladder climbing.

Any other visiting 'Tacklers', let me know and I shall make a list!

Daily Life Tackle it Tuesday

tired girlie

Damn I'm tired. But I know why.........

The 7am start this morning, trying to motivate the boy and convince him he needed to eat breakfast.

Doing an hour and a quarter of intensive cleaning for mum......you know its bad when you're working up a sweat!

Doing more than the same at home, then having the boy take 30 minutes to get home.

Going into work and discovering the 2 trolleys and bottom of a cage of milk to work, the best part of 4 bread trays, and 69 (yes 69) boxes of wine to work, plus the loose bottles. I have to admit that I only managed to face up a few bits......but I did get everything else done . The only issue now is that it hurts to walk.

Tonight, I am going to bed to rest up before I tackle something tomoro, not sure which part of the house to start with, cos theres SO much to do!

Back to school checklist

Find everything the boy could possibly need for school.
Discover the hiding place of the new school shoes.
Name EVERYTHING that could possibly get lost/stolen/eaten/hidden.
Locate child's 'secret hiding places' for PE bags, plimsoles, and other essential items.
Hem, wash, dry, iron all new school uniform.
Twist ankle trying to find school jumper that is inexplicably under the bed.
Name lunchbox, juice bottle, spoon.....or they never get seen again.
Make school lunch while resisting the urge to eat the Hula Hoops and KitKat
Collapse exhausted with coffee, light a cigarette and panic about what you could have forgotten
Dash upstairs and change EVERY alarm you can find whilst praying that they might possibly wake you in the morning

Thats it, I'm done for the night I reckon!!!!

Daily Life Parenting Back To School

OH THE CHAOS

I wanna take my ball and go home now please.

This weekend has been chaotic, crazy and full of madness.

Work has been crazy, I did loads of stock yesterday, and much supporting of B. I have no problem with this, cos on this one I do feel that she can do with the support. If she was in the wrong, I'd likely be the first to say something, most people know this about me (first hand for a lot of people). However, I'm definately on her side on this one.....which may seem strange as I've not been the most supportive of our new assistant manager up till now, but to be fair, she's doing alot better than she was just a few weeks ago.

On top of work I'm having fun turning up trousers by 3 inches, and name tagging everything, and finding everything for the back to school tomoro! I'm sooooooooooo excited! On the down side, it means I'm back to cleaning mums every morning, but never mind!

And then, my Aunty Sally was taken to casuality today. She's home and feeling a bit better now, but the Doc's aren't sure what the problem was/is, so I'm crossing my fingers and hoping like mad that she's ok.

I'm sure thats all the glamour and excitement in my life at the moment, with the exception of my new template. Regular readers (so, dave and graeme) will be more than aware that me and templates for this blog have been having an odd relationship lately (to say the least). I loved my last template, but commenting was complicated, and as I want to start doing things like 'Tackle it Tuesday' and 'Thursday Thirteen' commenting needs to be simple!!!!!!!!!!

And thats definately it. I have nothing more to say, and certainly nothing interesting!

Work Daily Life Chaos

PS

commenting ISNT working yet!

a quick note

I'm still playing with this template, so not everything works as yet..........give me time thou!!!! I'm trying to make commenting and so on easier, thou its proving harder than I hoped, I think I've looked at about 4,500 templates!

Busy girlie!

I have been busy today, but haven't actually done anything that I need to do!!!!

I've signed up with Blogrolling..........my links page is now completely up to date, and if anyone would like to be added to it, just let me know.

I've also signed up properly with 5 minutes for mom .....which is FABULOUS..........it is STUNNING, and I happily send any mothers that way!

Thats about it really, so now I have to tidy up like a maniac so that its at least presentable before my sitter gets here!