yoo hoo!

Hello, everybody.

This is weird, the German keyboard has changed over the 'z' and the 'y' - so my typing skills are tested.

I am here at the base of the Kanzelwandbahn - ie, one feckin' big hill! Been up and down in the gondola - fighting vertigo all the way up and all the way down! Found a fab shop 'crystal ground' that sells clothing, skis plus the most lush coffee and has internet!

I've decided I am not a skiier, I am a born spectator.

Let me be clear here - I don't actually know if I am any good at it (although the instructors said I started well!) - I literally did not like the feel of the skis under my feet. I spent most of the first day in tears and at the end turned my skis in. After that I am politely asked each day if I want to put my skis on and I equally politely refuse! :-)

It's taken me three days just to learn how to walk on snow! I have fallen three times; I have twisted my ankle, ricked my neck, gained various bruises and cracked my back (the latter this morning!!

We're off to find the swimming pool and sauna tonight. I haven't decided if the lads are ready for CQ in a swimming cossie!! Tomorrow we're eating out although the food in the lodge is excellent.

All for now - 8 minutes of my half hour left and I need to check my emails!

cq

I say ... and you think ... ?

Another one stolen from Le Laquet!

She’s got some good stuff – go on over and have a look. She’s also a fellow Purple Person!

Alone :: Always alone with the Monster in my head!

Science :: crap at it! I got an ‘unmarked’ on my Chemistry O’level!

Deposit :: Can’t buy a house without one! Well, you can, but here it’s the norm.

Faithful :: Me and MB – I think! :-O

Tender :: Kisses from my Aginothlings, I especially love the tender kisses I get from LMB.

Chocolate :: The devil made it and women can’t survive without it…….

Homework :: noooooooo = my Occupational Health and Safety course which starts on the 6th Feb has LOTS of homework apparently…..

Tamper :: proof lid; I can never never open them. You know the ones on bottles of bleach and paracetemol. I'm sure there are loads of 5 year olds out there who manage it with no problem; me not a hope in hell!! (comment by le laquet kept, because it is SO true!)

Friend :: MB. Crazies. Evilboss. Blogbuddies. ‘Friends are the family you choose for yourself’

Wire :: less – oh, I would sell my soul for a laptop and wireless connection……….

Growing Old Disgracefully – the only way!

For your entertainment...left by CQ before she went to Bavaria...Aginoth

I feel like my body has gotten totally out of shape, so I got my doctor's permission to join a fitness club and start exercising. I decided to take an aerobics class for seniors. I bent, twisted, gyrated, jumped up and down, and perspired for an hour. But, by the time I got my leotards on, the class was over.

--- Reporters interviewing a 104-year-old woman: "And what do you think is the best thing about being 104?" the reporter asked. She simply replied, "No peer pressure."

--- The nice thing about being senile is you can hide your own Easter eggs.

--- I've sure gotten old.! I've had two bypass surgeries, a hip replacement, new knees. Fought prostate cancer and diabetes. I'm half blind, can't hear anything quieter than a jet engine, take 40 different medications that make me dizzy, winded, and subject to blackouts. Have bouts with dementia. Have poor circulation; hardly feel my hands and feet anymore. Can't remember if I'm 85 or 92. Have lost all my friends. But, thank God, I still have my driver's license.

--- A 97-year-old man goes into his doctor's office and says, "Doc, I want my sex drive lowered." "Sir," replied the doctor, "you're 97 Don't you think your sex drive is all in your head?" "You're damned right it is!" replied the old man. "That's why I want it lowered!"

--- An elderly woman decided to prepare her will and told her preacher she had two final requests. First, she wanted to be cremated, and second, she wanted her ashes scattered over Wal-Mart. "Wal-Mart?" the preacher exclaimed. "Why Wal-Mart?" "Then I'll be sure my daughters visit me twice a week."

---My memory's not as sharp as it used to be. Also, my memory's not as sharp as it used to be.

---It's scary when you start making the same noises as your coffeemaker.

---The good news is that even as we get older, guys still look at our boobs. The bad news is they have to squat down first.

---These days about half the stuff in my shopping cart says, "For fast relief."

---I've tried to find a suitable exercise video for women my age, but they haven't made one called "Buns of Putty."

---Don't think of it as getting hot flashes. Think of it as your inner child playing with matches.

---Don't let aging get you down. It's too hard to get back up!

--- Remember: You don't stop laughing because you grow old, You grow old because you stop laughing.

- --THE SENILITY PRAYER :
Grant me the senility to forget the people I never liked anyway,
the good fortune to run into the ones I do,
and the eyesight to tell the difference.

It's a Culture Thing...

A little Indian boy asked his father, the big chief and witch doctor of the tribe,
"Papa, why is it that we always have long names, while the white men have shorter names - Bill, Texor Sam, for example?"

His father replied, "Look, son, our names represent a symbol, a sign, or a poem for our culture not like the white men, who live all together and repeat their names from generation to generation.

Also, it is part of our makeup that in spite of everything, we survive.

For example, your sister's name is Small Romantic Moon Over The Lake, because on the night she was born, there was a beautiful moon reflected in the lake.

"Then there's your brother, Big White Horse of the Prairies, because he was born on a day that the big white horse who gallops over the prairies of the world appeared near our camp and is a symbol of our capacity to live and the life force of our people. It's very simple and easy to understand.

"Do you have any other questions, Little Broken Condom Made in China?"

Cat Rules

1. The cat is not allowed in the house.

2. OK, the cat is allowed in the house, but only in certain rooms.

3. Ok, the cat is allowed in all rooms, but must stay off the furniture.

4. The cat can get on the old furniture only.

5. Fine, the cat is allowed on all the furniture, but it is not allowed to sleep with the humans on the bed.

6. The cat can sleep on the bed, but not under the covers or on the pillow.

7. OK, The cat can sleep under the covers and on the pillow by invitation only.

8. Well, ok, the cat can sleep under the covers every night and on the pillow too.

9. Humans must ask permission to sleep under the cover with the cat; only the cat can sleep on the pillow.

3 things you don't know about me!

(Not) tagged by the gorgeous Le Laquet, but I liked this one!

I have to think of 3 things that you don't actually know about me!

Blimey!
This is a toughie, I don’t think there are three things you WANT to know about me………and you all know my quite well thanks to memes and Q&A!, nevertheless I am going to do my best to rise to the challenge!
There is of course a catch!! According to Le Laquet's rules ... the first 3 commenter's are tagged!
No lurking, because, that's just the easy way out :o)

I am 5’8½”. Tall, but not tall by my family’s standards. My mother was 5’10” in her heyday, my eldest brother is 6’4” and my second brother is 6’3”. My dad was reputedly over 6’ too. I have also inherited my mother’s broad shoulders (all that peat carrying in her ancestry, no doubt!) and very long arms. I also have a 33” inside leg!

I am half Scottish, quarter English and quarter Cornish. It might only be a quarter, but my Cornish blood runs strong. My Scottish blood warms to the sound of the bagpipes, but my English blood is rather watery.

I am not only stunned that my blog is still going strong after four months, but amazed that all you loyal blogbuddies still come visiting!

Wordless Wednesday

cq [shaking nervously]

The Good Wife's Guide

Being a SAHH (Stay At Home Housewife) these past couple of days while I get ready for skiing, I thought it might be time to study The Good Wife's Guide From Housekeeping Monthly, 13 May, 1955 - just to make sure I am doing it right - needless to say, it needs a little updating! I have amended where necessary...........

Have dinner ready. Plan ahead, even the night before, to have a delicious meal ready on time for his return. This is a way of letting him know that you have be thinking about him and are concerned about his needs. Most men are hungry when they get home and the prospect of a good meal is part of the warm welcome needed.

OK - well, normally I get home after him, so that means he should have a meal ready for me? [dons kevlar vest] I'll let him know.......

Prepare yourself. Take 15 minutes to rest so you'll be refreshed when he arrives. Touch up your make-up, put a ribbon in your hair and be fresh-looking. He has just been with a lot of work-weary people.

15 MINUTES! After a day running around after 40 people it'll take more than 15 minutes........

Be a little gay and a little more interesting for him. His boring day may need a lift and one of your duties is to provide it.

He had a boring day? oh baby, let me tell you. Once you have reviewed several functional plans, ensured everyone's health and safety, dealt with the difficult world of IT, balanced the politics of several managers........oh never mind - so, how was your day, dear [ingratiating smile]

Clear away the clutter. Make one last trip through the main part of the house just before your husband arrives. Run a dustcloth over the tables.

I assume by dustcloth you mean industrial cleaner?? And all the clutter is his - why should I clear that away.......he put it there........

During the cooler months of the year you should prepare and light a fire for him to unwind by. Your husband will feel he has reached a haven of rest and order, and it will give you a lift too. After all, catering to his comfort will provide you with immense personal satisfaction.

woo hoo! Central Heating!! :-P

Minimize all noise. At the time of his arrival, eliminate all noise of the washer, dryer or vacuum. Encourage the children to be quiet.

[shrieks with laughter] Right, Charlie? Pandora? No fighting because your daddy is home.......like that's gonna happen in this lifetime.......

Be happy to see him.

One word - PROZAC....!

Greet him with a warm smile and show sincerity in your desire to please him.

I am not a number, I am a free woman - sort of.........

Listen to him. You may have a dozen important things to tell him, but the moment of his arrival is not the time. Let him talk first - remember, his topics of conversation are more important than yours.

Yeah, right - after 20 years a glum silence is the norm........

Don't greet him with complaints and problems.

But that takes away all the fun!

Don't complain if he's late for dinner or even if he stays out all night. Count this as minor compared to what he might have gone through at work.

If he's late, the dinner goes in the bin - no complaints..... If he stays out all night, the doors are locked - no complaints! Cool, I'm getting the hang of this housewife lark!

Make him comfortable. Have him lean back in a comfortable chair or lie him down in the bedroom. Have a cool or warm drink ready for him.

He can do that himself - what is he? Useless? oh hang on, he's a BLOKE :-)

Arrange his pillow and offer to take off his shoes. Speak in a low, soothing and pleasant voice.

Have you SMELT his feet lately??

Don't ask him questions about his actions or question his judgment or integrity. Remember, he is the master of the house and as such will always exercise his will with fairness and truthfulness. You have no right to question him.

I don't - but then I don't need to; I know I am always right :-)

A good wife always knows her place.

Yep, in CHARGE!!

Nice to see these old advice columns are still so pertinent.......

cq

Monday Memories

Ah - late night/early morning blogging!

This week's memory revolves around my cats. So you get four memories for the price of one.

Pandora: 16 years and going (reasonably) strong. We nearly lost her as a kitten when she came down with a mysterious virus that made her paralysed temporarily. I still remember placing her in her litter tray at appropriate moments! Her life was made complete by the arrival of Ambrose when she was about 18mths old - and destroyed when he died suddenly ten years later. Since his death she has been ill a lot with her nerves and has aged really quickly. But Uncle Tim (her wonderful vet) thinks she'll see out 20!

Ambrose: We had him before the computer and before the digitalisation of photos, so no photo at the moment but the one above is the gorgeous scrapbook made by a friend at work. He came to us at three months, this huge ginger kitten. He was incredibly careless and his vet records ran to several pages as he had a habit of cutting his paws on - oh glass, barbed wire, fence splinters....... He and Pandy were best of friends for ten years, until he was killed on a road on New Years Eve 2000. We still miss him terribly. Pandy was inconsolable and, although she didn't see us bury him, she slept on his grave for three months. He was My Boy.

Echo: We were settled with Pandy but thought she was lonely. Meanwhile my neighbour's cat was pregnant. She decided to give birth the weekend they were away, so I took her in my house and acted as midwife. Good thing too, as number two kitten was huge and got stuck and I had to forcibly deliver it. And when the runt (number three) finally arrived she would not breathe. I actually gave a kitten CPR, not easy on something the size of a matchbox! MB was out that night and when he returned he poked his head into the room, saw all the blood and went to bed! We were given the pick of the litter and chose the runt - Echo. Echo had a short happy life, she was stolen from us on the same road at only 22 months.

Charlie: We were stunned by the deaths of Ambrose and Echo in less than four years. Echo in particular as it only was 10 minutes after we saw her in the garden that the vet phoned to say she'd been brought in DOA. But we toyed with ideas and names, and decided we would take a homeless kitten (if one turned up with no home) or a special needs one (deaf, blind etc) as any future feline would be an indoor cat! The name we settled on was Charlie - but this was all hypothetical (AP - After Pandy!). But then I got an email about 'Charlie'. Coincidence or Fate? Found on a roadside in hawk country with his brothers, little Charlie couldn't get a home. We thought about it for - oh - about 30 seconds and took him. The rest, as they say, is history!

cq

Show Me The Snow........

Jacket - check
Hat - check
Muffler - check
Salopettes - check
Gloves - check
Goggles - check

ok - where dat snow..........

cq

Ten Commandments

Commandment 1.
Marriages are made in heaven. But so again, are thunder and lightning.

Commandment 2.
If you want your wife to listen and pay strict attention to every word you say, talk in your sleep.

Commandment 3.
Marriage is grand -- and divorce is at least 100 grand!

Commandment 4.
Married life is very frustrating.In the first year of marriage, the man speaks and the woman listens.In the second year, the woman speaks and the man listens.In the third year, they both speak and the neighbours listen.

Commandment 5.
When a man opens the door of his car for his wife, you can be sure of one thing: Either the car is new or the wife is.

Commandment 6.
Marriage is when a man and woman become as one; The trouble starts when they try to decide which one.

Commandment 7.
Before marriage, a man will lie awake all night thinking about something you say. After marriage, he will fall asleep before you finish.

Commandment 8.
Every man wants a wife who is beautiful, understanding, economical, and a good cook. But the law allows only one wife.

Commandment 9.
Marriage and love are purely matter of chemistry. That is why wife treats husband like toxic waste.

Commandment 10.
A man is incomplete until he is married. After that, he is finished.

Bonus Commandment story.
A long married couple came upon a wishing well. The wife leaned over, made a wish and threw in a penny. The husband decided to make a wish too. But he leaned over too much, fell into the well, and drowned. The wife was stunned for a moment but then smiled, "Wow! This stuff really works!"

cq

Friday Thought

BlogWarning

Everyone,

I have just deleted a comment of utter filth.
I know it wasn't real, because I recognised the profile and that person would NEVER use language like that - especially around me.

Has anyone else come across profile cloning?

Should the victim re-profile himself?

cq

Thursday Thirteen

Thirteen Things about my impending Ski Trip 1. This time next week I'll be in Bavaria! 2. I'm terrified. 3. I think I have everything. 4. My Aginothlings gave me a wonderful torch for my birthday to use! 5. Mind you, I am going back to the ski shop, as I think I'll need more socks [holds nose delicately] 6. We picked up our ski kit yesterday. 7. I felt like a beached whale next to the slim, small Army chappie dishing out salopettes (ski trousers). 8. But I fitted into them, so no biggie. 9. Splashed out on new suitcases today - our local supermarket was selling three suitcases for £30. And they fit inside each other! 10. I will not be driving through the night to catch the early morning flight, I will be snuggled up in a local hotel room! 11. Dreading my first 'tumble'...... 12. Bonding well with colleague S, as I think we will be sharing a room - being the only girls going........ 13. I couldn't have done this without the support of my Crazies, my colleagues and my blogbuddies. And there is someone I think who is interested........ :-) Links to other Thursday Thirteens! Uisce Mrs Aginoth Mar Lazy Daisy Killired Yellow Rose WendyWings

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

cq

Brokeback Mountain

Review as promised - sandwiched in between work and cooking the dinner!

Scenery - breathtaking.
Script - understated and thoughtful.
Performances (Ledger and Gyllenhaal) - fabulous, I was very impressed.
Direction - stupendous.

I thought this film explored the 'forbidden love' angle very well. The family segments enhanced the affair, rather than restricted it. The pent up desire of Ennis and Jack was almost palpable. When they meet again after a few months, you can feel the attraction.
I liked that the casting directors and Ang Lee cast such masculine men - it was 'Marlboro Man meets Wrangler Man' - literally. A ranch hand and a rodeo rider.
The sex scenes were actually quite restrained - when compared to the portrayal of heterosexual or even lesbian scenes. Homosexual love is newly charted territory in mainstream cinema, and this film has set a very high benchmark. Whatever comes next will have to be damned good.

Evilboss, who accompanied me, has made some excellent comments, but I will have to add those tomorrow, 'cos they are at work!

Summing up?

9/10 - near perfect film, definitely on my DVD list.

cq

Wordless Wednesday

cq

Brokeback Mountain

OMIGOD..........

Tissues were required.........

We laughed, we cried, we loved........

Fabulous!

More tomorrow.........

cq

[yawn]
00.25: sleeping pill has been taken as I have a long day tomorrow.....

ps - The felines' Secret Paw has arrived and is sitting in our Post Office - I will pick it up tomorrow.......more on their blogs tomorrow evening.......

INSOMNIA SUCKS!!

That is the end of this public information message.

cq

Nothing Much Today....

Well, the secret is out! We know where Eric 'Teh Blogfather' Mutta has flown away to.......
Tanzania
and his first blog from the Motherland has arrived......... :-)

and as I am not feeling very talkative today (UM is still here, making its presence felt), I will merely post a picture..........

and say - 'I'm gonna see that tomorrow!' [packs extra pack of tissues]

cq

Update

With 11 days to my skiing trip you may all have noticed a new addition to my blog.......over there ----->

See? new name :-D

Name is Aginoth - Mr Aginoth. His Mission, should he wish to accept it, is to be my blogkeeper while I am skiing. I don't know if I am going to be able to use my phone in the Bavarian mountains, let alone the internet! OldOldLady asked where I am going so this map gives you an idea of my destination - but I can't tell you exactly.....it's near Munich [makes zipping mouth motion]

So I have lined up a couple of housekeepers, Aginoth and cyberkitten (if kitty ever gets around to 'accepting the invite'!) to look after my blog and keep you informed of any broken bones, avalanches etc etc.......

Oh - and Boys?? Absolutely no politics or religion - this is a stress-free blog.....I'm sure my regulars will keep an eye on things :-)

Charlie and Pandora's blogs will gather dust for 8 days, as will the story store - but I do intend to try and write while out there [dusts off slate and chalk...........]

cq

The Secret is Out

I always knew LMD Aginoth would come around :-)

I have been enthusing about her reaction to me for dramatic emphasis! She only 11 months old. When I first met her, I would arrive and Mummy would leave - of course she is scared of me.
I did play on that, although I have been impressed she has kept it up so long....... :-)

Last night a little yoghurt helped, and then, as she wasn't very tired and everyone was 'watching' the film [snigger], I played with her for a bit.

Playing with an unwilling child.
Pick up a toy - preferably one of theirs - something small and colourful. A noise is good too (I started with books with bells and squeaky bricks!)
Play with it yourself.
Make it look fun.
Make them want to play with it too.
When they sidle over to have a look, draw it to yourself to make them come closer.
When they are as close as they are going to get - hand it over!
Find another toy.
Repeat.
Until the child (and not you!) is sick of the game - then retire.
If you have done it right, when you hold out your hand, baby should give you a toy back.

Friendship on LMD's terms :-)

You see, dramatic licence apart, after 20+yrs with children of all ages nothing really surprises me any more.

But it was fun while it lasted. I got laughs (always the clown!) and LMD got extra cuddles and fussing. So it worked out well for both of us.

LMB got to be put to bed by her precious cq (this is becoming a routine when I visit!) and we read 'Bear with his nose in the air' - a lovely little book with the opportunity for sounds and actions and much girlish giggling. By the end of the book, we were saying in chorus " 'I don't care!' said the bear, with his nose in the [pause, lift nose to ceiling] air!!"

A Jnr is becoming a proper little boy with handheld game (don't ask, no idea!) and his energy - such boundless energy.......

Whenever I spend time with children it not only reminds me of everything I lost in not being able to have them - but also everything I gained in being able to be part of such wonderful families through my life.

Altogether a lovely afternoon and evening - even though the entire room ripped apart a film I like, but that was ok too..........'cos everyone is entitled to their opinion. I just looked over now and then and said pointedly 'I like it!', and then let them get on with their critiques!
The film was The Island: Ewen McGregor, Scarlett Johansenn, Sean Bean.

I like my friends! They are patient with me and understanding of my (many) foibles. They are kind and loving and supportive.

Thank you, Aginoth, Mrs Aginoth, cyberkitten, sleepypete and RCA.

Question for today - from last night........What is the word for a group of bloggers?
A post of bloggers?
A rant of bloggers?
An insanity of bloggers (I like that one!)?
An addiction of bloggers ('My name is cq and I'm a blogaholic!')?

cq

Afternoon (and evening) Delight

Momentarily the Crazies are off to the Aginoths........ :-)

Interesting concept - this time, without exception (as weeble can't make it!), it will be 100% bloggers!! All bloggers!!

I wonder how the conversations will go.......?

Ok, so far, so good. Four of us discussing blogging and one checking the footie online. The children are, as ever, pleased to see me - with one exception - LMD is, as usual, my Number One Fan (screams cries - finally stopped, but doesn't like me looking at her!) So I am industriously ignoring her. One day she'll like me, Mrs A assures me! :-)

ooh - luxury!! Blogging and watching TV. This is something I don't get to do at home! I like coming here :-)

Watching The Island [dribble: Michael Clarke Duncan!] and doing some gentle blogging.....

cq

Blog Plug Day

It's a quiet day here in the Palace so let's see what's happening out there in blogland.

Our MIA has made an appearance. Eric blogged from Dubai airport last night! But keep on dropping comments on hippo, make him feel the loooooooooove.... :-)
Utenzi reminded me of another MIA blogger, Yaeli, who is currently out of reach on Vanuata. Nip over and wish her well in her endeavours!

We have some cottage industries thriving in blogland.
Chele in La is selling some rather cool blogging t-shirts.
Thumper is worth a visit - books, shirts, mugs, mousemats - even better if you like psychokitties or pesky Buddahs!
Stephanie has a successful business selling all things lush and smellie - candles, incense, web design and even tarot readings!
Diva Kitty's Mom is dusting off her knitting needles and will create a blankie of your choice - and this one is for charity! :-)

Wendy is debating the latest rash of Blog Awards. Did you win one? Do you agree with them? are you a blogfollower or a blogleader?


and finally

[roll of drums, clash of cymbals and triumphant fanfare of bugles]


Today is Jean-Luc's birthday!! Pop on over and say hello. Apparently he is going to tell us all about his party, Enterprise parties are always most entertaining......I do hope there will be cake and jelly!! :-)

And a little something I found for JL - I thought it would look good on the wall of his Ready Room by that dinky fishtank!:

Anything else of note happening in blogland?

cq

Blogger MIA

We are missing a fellow blogger.

Blog Buddy Eric Mutta flew out in a big silver bird to deepest darkest East Africa and has not yet reported in to his faithful readership.

A small contingent of his harem is keeping hippopotomonstrosesquipidelian warm for his return to the blogfold.

When you call in and say hello here - pop to the link and leave a comment for Eric on his return - let's see how many comments we can get on his blog :-)
Don't forget to say CQ sent you!

btw - Eric is also inextricably entwined with Teh Blogfather whom most of us know :-)

UPDATE: [twilight zone music] the power of blogger!! Eric has just this minute sent a comment to hippo!! Two weeks of silence ended! :-D

cq

Facelift

So - what do you think?

Got rid of the acres of white, the nasty header picture and and the pink script.....
btw - the new header picture is of Table Mountain, SA, until I find or create a suitable Crazie one :-)

ah..........purple.........[wriggles delightedly]

And don't forget to read down - there's some GOOD stuff on here :-)

oh, and as it's 'Michele Day' - sign my guestmap so I can see where all you nice people hail from.......

cq

Thursday Thirteen

Thirteen Things about craziequeen 1. Another First for 2006. 2. First Thursday Thirteen - now to think of 13 things to tell you! 3. I am petrified of dentists. 4. I once broke a dental nurse's fingers when she kindly let me hold her hand. 5. I always take Albert the Dentist Bear. No bear - no treatment. 6. I suffer from an inner ear imbalance which makes me stagger. 7. It also makes me black out on funfair rides that challenge your vertical focus. (ie, if I am, or think I am, upside down I lose consciousness). 8. It even affects me in 3D cinemas. I lost consciousness in a 3D cinema in Alton Towers watching a corkscrew ride. As soon as the ride went upside down I collapsed. 9. I have 11 Crazies. 8 adults and 3 children. That's not counting silentmum and boo in Calgary. 10. I would be lost without my Crazies. They have been my friends, my family, my rocks for seven years. 11. MB and I have been together for 20yrs. We never married, never really saw the point. 12. I'd kinda like to be married now. 13. If we could afford it, I would LOVE to be a SAH housewife. Links to other Thursday Thirteens! (leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!) starting the ball rolling with some Thirteener BlogBuddies. Uisce Mar Wendywings ivoryfrog Yellowrose Sweet Cin

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


cq

It is SO ditched...

Frappr is SO gone. Frappr was NOT a user friendly map.

Welcome Bravenet!

There's a little icon to your right - look, see? - with a globe (nice piccie!). Now click on that.
WOW - surprise, surprise a proper little map pops up. Not a stupid Google piece of crap that does everything EXCEPT act as a guestmap!

I stole the idea from Oreo - cos I liked HIS map.....it was easy to use.....and easy to see.......

Told you it was a work in progress [snigger]

cq
can you see I am not impressed with Frappr??

Explaining the Unexplained

Cool - not a word from me, and still 11 comments from my faithful readership! :-)

OK, picture number 1:
I am terrified of the dentist. I had a very bad experience in my teens which has blighted my life. Then in my twenties I was introduced to an excellent dentist who used Gas and Air (yes, YellowRose, it is fantastic stuff!). Gas and Air is now not used at all in the UK, so I can't find a dentist who uses it. My old GP prescribed Beta-Blockers because my fear causes me to have heart palpitations which just get worse and worse.
Now there is no Gas and Air, I can't use the usual sedation, Valium, because, being a depressive, it tips me over the edge. My new GP prescribed me some sedatives, but they don't touch my fear, so I rely on my Beta-Blockers and my dentist!
Yesterday I had a check up. Not the end of the world, but I needed to take my Beta-Blockers just to get me to the surgery.

What makes everyone laugh? My dentist is an Iraqi. A lovely man, I hasten to add, but we don't have the best history with Iraq!

Picture number 2:
The bear is called Albert. He is my 'dentist' bear. Luckily my last two dentists have been totally understanding about my fear.
The previous one was not at all fazed by a 20something coming into his surgery with a teddy bear, holding her mother's hand.
My current one has written on my notes 'very, very nervous patient. Always brings teddy bear', so the staff are not surprised at a 40yr old woman coming in with her teddy bear.

The Ferrero are not left over from Christmas, Mrs A, I didn't actually get any for Christmas - although I got a lot of chocolates! So I treated myself :-)
The crisps are ludicrously expensive Walkers Sensations (Sweet Chilli Flavour) and were my reward for doing the whole 'dentist' thing.

Thanks to Uisce for the Wordless Wednesdays idea - think I'll keep this up!
And thanks to him also for introducing me to Sirius Satellite Radio. I am currently logged on as a guest listening to their 70s sounds :-) I am thinking I may register full-time.......

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Wordless Wednesdays II

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Wordless Wednesdays

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http://www.offthemark.com/dental/dental03.htm

Sweet Jesus!!

OMIGOD

I've gone blind!!

17" and I am blind!!

[takes off specs]

[rubs eyes]

[finds contract/brightness controls]

BLIMEY!

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[waves to MB - thank you, darling!]

and to celebrate our screen being 'super-sized' I have found out how to dump PINK and get PURPLE instead......just don't ask me how!

Latest Gimmick

I have a Frappr Map - yeah, yeah, I know, but then I was always the last to get the cool toys.......

Click on Craziequeen's Frappr Mappr to leave your mark wherever you lay your hat!
I know it's not snazzy - but it's a work in progress :-)

I got a Frappr Friend before I realised I had a Frappr! Hi David in Big Bear Lake (why don't we have cool place names like that!)

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What Does Your Birthdate Mean?

Your Birthdate: November 4

You have an extraordinary character - moral, responsible, and disciplined. Your sincerity and honesty shine through in almost every situation. Driven and focused, you rarely let your emotions get the better of you. You're level headed and rational. People count on your to look at things objectively. Your strength: Your unwavering loyalty and ethics Your weakness: Your rock solid stubbornness Your power color: Navy blue Your power symbol: Shield Your power month: April

What does your birthdate mean?

Found on dawn's bloggie, I kinda liked this one :-)

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Apples and Wine

Women are like apples on trees.
The best ones are at the top of the tree.
Most men don't want to reach for the good ones because they are afraid of falling and getting hurt.
Instead, they sometimes take the apples from the ground that aren't as good, but easy.
The apples at the top think something is wrong with them, when in reality, they're amazing.
They just have to wait for the right man to come along, the one who is brave enough to climb all the way to the top of the tree.










Now Men.... Men are like a fine wine.
They begin as grapes, and it's up to women to stomp the shit out of them until they turn into something acceptable to have dinner with.

[tee hee!]

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Memory Lane

Something I was looking for on google last night triggered a very strong memory. I crave my dear Readers' indulgence while I wander down Memory Lane.

When I was a little girl I went to Quaker Camp in the summers.

Flash memories:
Communal 'dormitory' tents for the children with a few family tents - being very young I had my own tent with Sister H, but at 12 I went into a group tent. Oh, the excitement!

Elsans - camping toilets with the necessary 'elsan cleaning' duties. Basically buckets with 'elsan fluid' in the bottom and lids. Such roughing it!

Open air worship in the mornings, with dew still on the grass and the blue sky spread out above our heads.

Sasha dolls - they were huge when I was about ten, 'baby' dolls that came in Black or White. My friend Imogen had a Black one, I wanted one!

Penknives - all the boys and most of the girls carried penknives for various whittling purposes. They came in useful when there were storms and guy ropes had to be cut quickly!

Communal food preparation - everyone was broken down into teams and each team had daily chores; vegetable peeling (for 100!), wood collecting (for the nightly bonfire), elsan cleaning, litter picking etc etc.

Injuries - due to the nature of us wild children, there were many small injuries and a few broken bones. My brother J had one of the worst, he was playing with a friend's penknife and almost cut his finger off! There was usually one big incident a year.

Leaving the parents at home! - the biggest thrill for me was getting on that bus with my battered suitcase and leaving Mother and Dad at home.

Boys and Girls - well, even good Quaker children had hormones!

Getting to go very young - I was only 9 when I first went and usually children under 12 had to have their parents there. But my big brave brother A was my guardian at the grand old age of 15!

Being sick one day and not going on the hike, staying in camp lying in a sunkissed field listening to the camp heartthrob play his guitar all afternoon.

The nightly campfire - songs and stories, guitars, flickering firelight, cocoa in plastic cups, and dampers! (dampers - flour and water mixed to dough, wrapped on a stick and dumped in the fire until nicely burnt. Delicious with jam (jelly)!)

And what triggered this flow of memories?

I found this song - which was sung with gusto around the campfire every night with actions!.....

Little Bunny Foo Foo,
Hopping through the forest
Scooping up the field mice
And boppin' 'em on the head

[spoken]Down came the good fairy and she said

"Little Bunny Foo Foo,
I don't want to see you
Scooping up the field mice
And boppin' 'em on the head.
I'll give you three chances,
And if you don't behave
I'll turn you into a goon!"

The next day:

Little Bunny Foo Foo,
Hopping through the forest
Scooping up the field mice
And boppin' 'em on the head

[spoken]Down came the good fairy and she said

"Little Bunny Foo Foo,
I don't want to see you
Scooping up the field mice
And boppin' 'em on the head.
I'll give you two more chances,
And if you don't behave
I'll turn you into a goon!"

The next day:

Little Bunny Foo Foo,
Hopping through the forest
Scooping up the field mice
And boppin' 'em on the head

[spoken]Down came the good fairy and she said

"Little Bunny Foo Foo,
I don't want to see you
Scooping up the field mice
And boppin' 'em on the head.
I'll give you one more chance,
And if you don't behave
I'll turn you into a goon!"

The next day:

Little Bunny Foo Foo,
Hopping through the forest
Scooping up the field mice
And boppin' 'em on the head

[spoken]Down came the good fairy and she said

"Little Bunny Foo Foo,
I don't want to see you
Scooping up the field mice
And boppin' 'em on the head.
I gave you three chances
And you didn't behave
Now I'm gonna turn you into a goon!

POOF!!"

and the moral of the story is:
[yelled] HARE TODAY, GOON TOMORROW

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Newbies

All blogs should welcome newbies.

I have several newbies on the Palace doorstep.

Mother Damnable - go visit our blogging wiccan in London - she has a fun blog, something different and somewhere to get recharged.
In fact, her latest post has introduced me to Charlies Suniga's music - it's lovely.....[hums along] and the slide show is fantastic.

Vanessa is so new to the Palace, she still has a shine on her. She's from Arkansas, and I can see something of myself in her. Go say hello :-)

Cin is one those Thursday Thirteeners :-) all the way from Vancouver. Most likely wandered over from uisce's place! Another nice friendly blog to go visit.

And then there is Hoss. 'Good life and comic times in The Old Folks Home' in Salem (explains a lot!). He hasn't been here yet, but I went to see him on recommendation and he is a scream.........very, very popular!

So many bloggers, so little time :-)

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Blogging Away

There were so many meme's flying around over Christmas and especially the New Year that I stopped doing them!

But I did promise myself I would do an adlib blog at some point about everything.

Blogging - what to say?
Thanks to Aginoth and Mrs Aginoth for introducing me to the blogosphere and helping me set up.
Thanks to Michele for her weekly M&G game without which my blogroll would be much poorer.
Thanks to Jean-Luc and OOL who I now count as personal friends as well as blogbuddies.
Thanks to all the lovely people on my blogroll who welcome me to their blogs and listen to what I have to say!

Crazies.
Well, 2005 was an odd year for my Crazies. There was no Crazie Holiday last year, which most of us missed - despite the inherent bickering that occurs. We had a breakup in the group which made lives a little tense for everyone, but we seem to be getting past that.
And I am pleased to say that three Crazies (cyberkitten, sleepy and rca) have followed me into blogland, and one remains a lurker!
'Friends are the Family one chooses for oneself'! I think one of the comments on my blog summed it up 'You have a lovely family' - don't I just!

Skiing
Oh dear, I have now moved into the 'terrified' phase, despite all the encouragement from Mar.
I will be travelling to a hotel the night before and staying there while the others drive through the night (brains, see!), meeting them at the airport for our flight to Munich. Then a brief hop up into the mountains to the lodge.
I was most comforted by our organiser D, who, when I told him how scared I was, said 'If you don't like it, you don't have to do it - just watch!' :-) Thank you D.

Felines
Still fighting, although the war is dying down a little bit. But Pandy, being Pandy, still lashes out at Charlie whenever possible. I've noticed Charlie has some light scarring on his ears, so it looks like Pandy's claws work even if her teeth don't!

Christmas
I had a lovely Christmas. I enjoyed writing all those holiday memories and everyone coming to see them.
Even though Charlie repeatedly destroyed the tree, it was up for Christmas Day and it was up for Crazie Christmas.
Fave pressies? All of them :-) I'm easy to please.

New Year
No resolutions here, except maybe not to be so naive. I don't do resolutions. We tuned in to see the fireworks at midnight and raised a glass to each other in our time-honoured 'couple' way.

Me
I wasn't sure about this blogging lark. I am a very introverted person naturally (hence Mrs A comments about learning about me from my memes!) and struggle in company, usually leaning on MB or cyberkitten. So my blog was a bit of a mish-mash until I decided on a diary style. Thoughts, feelings, happenings, stories, jokes, pictures - like the diaries we had as children, when you stuck in pictures and retold jokes! Although my diaries never existed as long as this blog has.
This blog was started on the 28 Sep, so I have broken the 3 month bar with time to spare.

UM
Yeah, it's still around, making me feel small, insignificant, useless, tired etc etc etc.......but blogging does help! Perhaps I should tell my doctor! :-) Oh, and I'm trying to keep my whinging to a minimum - 'cos there's nothing as depressing as a depressing blog!

Here's to the next three months!

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Four Things Meme

Wendy tagged me with this a couple of days ago. She also tagged OOL, so keep an eye out for that!
ok - I rushed this out last night without thinking about our friends across various bodies of water.....so here is some clarification.

Four jobs you've had in your life
Nanny - my mum said I couldn't leave school without a job. So I got the Friday evening paper, found a live in homehelp job, interviewed on Sunday and started on the Monday! From homehelp I advanced to Nanny, also known as Slave.
Garage attendant - whilst working during the day I pulled the graveyard shift at a local garage. When it all went quiet we used to play with the rental vans!
Shop Assistant at Marks and Spencer - again, while holding down a full time job, this time over Christmas, I did 20hrs or so a week in M&S. I liked the customers.....that's all I'll say about that!
And the biggie - Civil Servant. No bowler hat or black umbrella for this British Civil Servant.

Four movies you would watch over and over
Pirates of the Caribbean - Depp.........nuff said!
The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe - awesome! yes please!
Ice Age - a classic with the adorable John Leguizamo as Sid the Sloth.
Lilo and Stitch - love it; funny, lots of music, colour, jokes - what's not to like!

Four places you have lived
Devon - as a baby
Gloucestershire - as a child
Oxfordshire - as a young adult
Gloucestershire - as a slightly older adult

Four TV shows you love to watch
Boston Legal - 'Denny Crane!' - magic!
Huff - Hank Azaria is fantastic in this.
House - Hugh Laurie being a gruff American; worth the Sky subscription alone!
Simpsons - everyday :-)

Four places you have been on vacation
Holland - as a child with my parents
Sri Lanka - as a teenager while my dad worked there
Spain - first few holidays as a poor young 'couple' with MB. Eurocamp - never again!
Tunisia - we love it there! Hot, friendly and cheap! Been going for twelve years now.

Four websites you visit daily [not including my blog!]
www.bbc.co.uk - news, news, news......
www.welcomecottages.co.uk - Crazie Holidays!
http://eponinealittlemonster.blogspot.com/ - amongst others I always check on the Cowboy :-)
http://www.uk.zylom.com/ - easy games for my simple brain.

Four of your favourite foods
Egg and Chips - common, but delish!
Vessen herb pate - which they don't make any more! Only that revolting stuff in tubes :-(
(as it's no longer made, I can't do a picture. But it was a delicious vegetarian pate, superb on hot toast or fresh bread, which came in teeny little foil containers. Scrumptious - I was heartbroken when they stopped making it!)
Walkers Crisps - yep, I'm a crisp fiend! For our US friends - CHIPS! :-)

My own cheese risotto

Four places you would rather be right now
Calgary (with silentmum and Boo)
WSM with the Aginoths (Weston Super Mare! I know - terrifically exotic and windswept..)
BC (with dawn)
NZ (with Wendy)

Four bloggers you are tagging
dawn
Jean-Luc
June
Mar-see-ah

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