Mentaliscious

Mostly cloudy with a chance of numb

2012-01-22T20:02:00.002Z

I had a headache this morning, all nasty and gnarly in my noggin. So I slept. Probably 13 hours in total. And now I feel a little numb, like all my shiny has been dulled..... Don't worry - I get what I mean :)

Today I am feeling grateful for the little things: the stove being lit all day to warm us; pretty wool to keep on crocheting the Jitsuqueen's festival poncho; somebody else taking the dogs out for a walk; books to read & beds to sleep in...

And the awesome husband who takes my moods and headaches as gracefully as he does.

Hoping the week to come is wonderful.

{this moment}

2012-01-20T13:04:00.001Z

{this moment}

A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savour and remember.

{this moment}

2012-01-06T15:42:00.003Z

A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savour and remember.

{this moment}

2011-12-30T19:20:00.003Z

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savour and remember.

{this moment}

2011-12-23T15:04:00.002Z

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savour and remember.

Wishing for the light

2011-12-21T21:39:00.002Z

Now don't get me wrong, I loves me some autumn and winter but my soul is desperate for bright, brilliant, awe inspiring sunshine. We wake up and it's dark, we go to bed and it's dark.. Dark, dark, dark like a seemingly endless night.

I'm turning as many lights on as I can; wall lights, ceiling lights, table lamps, fairy lights and let's not forget some beautiful candlelight. All in the vain hopes that some of it might permeate through my dull eyes. They say that the eyes are the doorway to the soul - that's perhaps why I keep holding my head skyward and squinting as hard as I can to find the ever illusive sun.

I shouldn't be moaning, life is good - beautiful children, happy home, awesome husband, crocheting to be done, lovely foods to be cooked and eaten to celebrate this Christmas... See, I've stopped moaning - taken stock of the goodness and moved on.

{this moment}

2011-12-16T13:31:00.002Z

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savour and remember.

Cool Yule

2011-12-05T19:42:00.004Z

Sly and the puppy wish you all a very Cool Yule!

You know those dark nights I mentioned - well they are heralding the festive season in at a gallop! Every time I venture out into the cold, dank air of December, I am greeted by the twinkling of Christmas trees in the windows of the houses I pass. These windows that used to feel like soulless openings into dreary boxes have been transformed into scenery reminiscent of bygone eras, Dickensian London by gas light? Or should that be more like "The Muppet's Christmas Carol"

Either way, it's lovely and cheery and makes folk smile.

This is our mini tree and yes I know it's pink. Very pink....

More fairy lights anyone?? Oh go on then, you've twisted my arm...

Autumnal chill

2011-11-19T14:22:00.003Z

The nights are drawing in. Darkness greets us at either end of the day - although those "either ends" are getting closer together each and every day that passes.

We are getting enormous pleasure from lighting the stove in the evening. It's easy to imagine a bygone era when technology wasn't so intrusive and long, cold nights were spent gathered around the fire.

I yearn for that simplicity. And for Starbucks.... (juxtaposition much?)

I think someone keeps checking to see if it's still warm :)

25 things

2011-11-11T20:12:00.003Z

1. I still haven't decided what I want to be when I'm all growd up but it probably involves Hawaii and a serious surf career.

2. I have a *cough* slight addiction to Starbucks coffee.

3. I want to travel the world or at least have the balls to do it!

4. I wish wholeheartedly that I was prettier/thinner/more intelligent and yes I know that's shallow of me.

5. The husband is the other half of my soul and I can't even breath without him.

6. My 2 adorable children get all their good looks, talent and mojo mostly from me... :)

7. I fully believe candlelight is the only way to light a living room on a dark stormy evening.

8. Fire pits, I love to sit out in the garden in front of a roaring fire pit. Mo colder mo better.

9. I really want a wood burning hot tub. REALLY. But they're around about £3000.

10. I adore newfoundland dogs.

11. I always leave the last bit of my cornetto cone - the part with the solid bit of chocolate in it.

12. I am always jealous of people who can speak more than 1 language fluently.

13. One of my dreams is to witness the northern lights- swoon..

14. I could look at other peoples photos all day. Even the holiday snaps...

15. Blade is really cool. I mean how cool would it be to be a day walker??

16. My creative ideas are awesome but my talent is zero. I normally tell the Jitsuqueen (my lovely daughter) what my idea is and she does it for me. And vice versa. We are the artistic versions of Jack Spratt.

17. I automatically give preference to Australians due to the fact my sons heart surgeon was from down under and therefore I love ALL things Aussie. Except their big spiders.

19. I have a large hole where religion should be and don't know if it will ever be filled as I think which ever deity decided to make Sly's (my lovely sons) hearts plumbing back to front isn't very kind.

20. But I am very spiritual.

21. Autumn, winter - yes. Spring, summer-no.

22. Rollerskates are waaaay better than rollerblades.

23. I call my old secondary school "The Hellmouth"

24. I love weddings and troll the tinterweb looking at wedding blogs and photos. And yes I know what a saddo I am. :)

25. If I wasn't married to Sherm I'd be married to Wolverine. End of.

Thursday blues

2011-11-10T21:23:00.004Z

I have the Thursday blues. And mauves.

I am being driven slowly silly by the whooshing noise in my right ear...Grrrrr *shakes fist angrily* and have stooped so low as to actually make myself a Dr's appointment. How very dare I.

Here are 2 pics. The GIANT puppy and a photo of the Sly, Jitsuqueen and Chachi at Halloween.

TTFN

Lethargy bug

2011-11-07T19:24:00.002Z

See, even the puppy is tired!!

I'm not ill. Not even a little bit. No sniffles or coughs. Unfortunately I seem to have been struck down with a bad case of the lethargy lurg..

If I had a jam jar full of energy I might even stay awake for more than 10 hours a day. Tiredness is my enemy at the moment and I'm surviving by writing down short "to do" lists on bright n' cheery yellow post it notes and patting myself on the back as I stumble back into bed as the night draws in, hopefully having completed more than 80% of the lovely, lemony list.

Sigh.

I think I may have to try the "Thankful/Grateful" meme that is going around the blogs I read. At least I would then be happy and tired :)

The one with the bitter sweetness

2011-09-15T10:53:00.004+01:00

So, Sly turned 15 this week. A cause for celebration one might think but for me it is always a bittersweet time.

I'm always torn between being totally elated that he's a year older and the fact that no one knows how his heart is going to end up. And let me stress that as far as we know his likkle ticker is doing brilliantly. His surgeries were corrective, leaving him with just very, very mild valve leakage. His cardio appointments are down to 1 every 2 years - yay! But no one knows what tomorrow brings do they? Hence the bittersweetness.

Sometimes I think it's just my silly brain going into overdrive, anxiety sits on my shoulders like a small child with tired little legs, all mardy from walking too far...

Actually I'm fairly certain it's my silly brain trying to see how hard it has to prod me before I break a little...

So, my Sly is now a 15 year old, with a fine moustache already adorning his top lip (that's them thar Indian genes!), his love for video games knows no bounds and he is going to make a fine young man with decent morals and general goodness abound.

And I'm going to try and remember to celebrate each year of his that passes and party like it's 1999...

Sly- you're well loved.

Silly brain- go away.

Top hat and cane- you are very probably Sly's bestest presents this year. xx

The one where the awesome husband is awesome

2011-09-13T12:52:00.002+01:00

Awesome husband.

So, the dude that I am married to is awesome. Not your normal kind of awesome that is used to describe great cake or a pretty picture. I'm talking monumentally awesome, right up there with histories great painters and true love and REALLY great cake.

I call him "the best anti depressant" cos whenever I'm near him I'm happy. No need for mind altering drugs when you've got an awesome husband.

I guess I'm all soppy about him because we're coming up to out 18th wedding anniversary. 18 years and it only feels like 5 minutes.

Sometimes I have to think hard when I turn around and see 2 young adults in the house, I forget my children are practically all growd up. And fine people they are too.

Jitsuqueen with all her talent and beauty. She doesn't realise that she's like the sun and people want to be near her just because she's got such a happy, sunny disposition. People are drawn in like moths to a flame and they find they just want to stay there shimmering in her golden sunlight.

Sly, don't get me started on this young man. Seriously. He was born a superstar and just keeps growing into a bigger superstar. And man oh man is he funny, he has us in stitches just by being himself. I see him struggle with difficulties that you or I would find a breeze, life doesn't sit easily with him but he battles on with his 'emergency cola and maltesers' (stashed away in his lair) for when he can't cope anymore. I love to hear other momma's moan about how sugar makes their kids hyper, not at my house baby! Sugar is the king of all calmness here at the The Shire.

Do you know what?? I'm all sorts of lucky.

The one for Jitsuqueen

2011-09-08T22:43:00.003+01:00

Dearest Jitsuqueen,
I have just had an epiphany about you and college (& to some extent my school days also)
Anyhoo, you know all the teen movies they make - I am number 4, Mean Girls, The Craft, Pretty in Pink, Real Genius, and all the 80's teen classics, all the 90's teen classics.

In fact ALL the movies about school/college/growing up, the thing they all have in common is that the one who doesn't fit in, the one who stands out, who gets picked on, who is the nicer person (even though they aren't the popular stereotypical prom queen.)
WELL THESE ODD ONES OUT, THEY ARE ALWAYS THE ONES WHO COME OUT ON TOP AND WHO HAVE THE LAST LAUGH AND WHO SUCCEED IN LIFE AND ALWAYS LOOK FORWARD AND KEEP ON LIVING LIFE TO THE MAX.

So, even though the thoughts of going back to college are a bit daunting and nerve wracking - the people who are nob heads there are now probably having the time of their tiny, little lives with nothing to look forward to. They will spend the rest of their days thinking how great school and college were....That's because they aren't living for the brighter, bigger future they were meant to have- it's because they decided to blow it all now.

You are the odd one out, the pretty one who is intelligent too - brains AND beauty!!! The one who has to sit on her own at lunch instead of with all the nobs (cos you are not a sheep and you don't follow the herd), you are the one they pick on because they all know you will be passing them by, on the way up, as their lives are sliding down. They are jealous of all that you'll be.

We all love you (even Litha).

Have a great year at college and remember that it doesn't matter who talks to you or doesn't talk to you, cos right now - these very minutes that are passing by - you are starring in your very own John Hughes movie classic. Make it all count.

Love you,

MM xx

The one with a bit of info

2011-09-02T11:10:00.008+01:00

So, out with the old and in with the new....

Out: Jitsuqueen's old boyfriend. In: The new boyfriend, whom I shall call Chachi as the 2 of them remind me of Joanie and Chachi from Happy Days.

Out: Ideas of only having 2 dogs. In: The new Newfie puppy called Sprocket AKA fluffmeister.

Out: The old driveway and steps. In: Brand. Spanking. New. Shiny. Happy. Building. Work.

Also we had us a little ol' 3rd wedding. Not content with the 2 original ones, we decided to renew our vows with a few close family and friends.

In-between all that we have had normal daily life with Jitsuqueen starting at college (makes me feel old!), dog walks, work, fun, fire pit nights, laughs, cinema trips, lovely food, firm friends,happiness, sadness, challenges, sleeeeeep, music. And a bit more besides.

Joanie loves Chachi...

Sprocket the Newfie at 13 weeks.

Sprocket @ 18 weeks.

6 months.

7 months & looking slick....

Sly and his big dawg..

Builders doing their thing.

Scene of awesome wedding vow renewals.

Outstanding nephew Grant.

Momma & Sly.

Joanie <3's Chachie (again....)

Amazing husband is amazing!!!!

Just our normal selves.

Favourite restaurant who outdid themselves.

So good we wed it thrice...

The one with the nearly an update - update.

2011-08-16T11:28:00.001+01:00

I have been a while eh? But I'm soon to be back in the land of blogging. Stay tuned. xx

The one where I was in a different dimension...

2010-09-16T11:06:00.012+01:00

So, May huh, that's a long time no blog eh???

In between times we have had good days and bad days, off days and on days, sad days and happy days, high days and holidays, college days and boyfriend days and conker days and birthdays!!!

Pics of said days.....

Sculptor Andy Vickers doing his thing and rocking the bandana.

Jitsuqueen, the Willster and likkle cuz's numbers 1 and 2

Sly and Jitsuqueen on Jitsuqueen's birthday.

Moustaches???

Jitsuqueen and "the boyfriend" Willster

She's sooo purdy.

Sly's birthday...

Sure I'm gonna clean my hovel up Moonstone Momma..x

New addition to M n J's family! Sweeeeet and called Toby...

Me - urghhhh. Before going to a party. Don't I look excited....

Said "exciting" party.

Band night!

Sound and lights woot.

Mi familia. x

Moonstone Momma and Jitsuqueen.

Da guys.

Who is that handsome fellow with the mighty stride??

Jitsuqueen and the Willster.

Skilllllls.

Jitsuqueen and one of her birthday presents.

Hopefully I'll do better than 4 months between posts this time!

Laters! MM xxx

RIP to wee Heather

2010-05-14T10:49:00.004+01:00

Sad news this week from our beloved family in Scotland....

Wee Heather the spaniel passed away last week. Much loved and always treasured. And quite possibly the reason we got our demented dog of doom, Litha.

Lot's of love to the Thomson's who will obviously be feeling the loss so keenly.

Jim an' wee Heather

Go on, admit it - she's definitely laughing in this one...

She'd found a ball throwing partner!!

Chilling out Heather..

The one with the reason I love all Australian's AKA a trip back to 1997

2010-05-02T23:11:00.012+01:00

So, I love all people from Australia. I go weak kneed at the sound of their dulcet tones uttering words like "strewth" and "you beauty"

The reason for this, is this guy, Big Kev Watterson ↓↓↓↓

- AKA Mr Kevin Watterson the Cardiothoracic surgeon. Born 'n bred in Australia. The man who saved Sly's life when he was born with a dodgy heart.

J'adore this man. In fact if he asked me to run away with him I wouldn't even hesitate to pack my bags, actually Sherms would probably help me pack whilst muttering "you mustn't keep him waiting you know". Did I mention he SAVED SLY'S LIFE ??? 2 open heart surgeries on my little man way back in 1997... Twice he touched Sly's heart in a way that even I, as his Mum will never be able to do. Twice that he gave me reason to live. Twice that he gave Jitsuqueen her brother back. Twice that he made it possible for Sherms to have his son at his side.

Can't believe he was ever little enough to bathe in a sink! Looks like he's enjoying it eh?

This is after his first surgery. Notice the big zipper scar?

After his second op. I have no words to describe this pic.....

Jitsuqueen age 2 who came running into PICU and kissed her little bro whilst taking absolutely no notice of all the tubes,drains,alarm,blood, guts and gore. Whadda gal!

Rockin' the Thomas the Tank Engine socks there buddy!!

We had to wait days to give him his first cuddle after surgery, it was torture for us all I think and I was probably quite mean to any passing nurses until I could hold him in my arms.

You can tell he's on the mend from the happy, yet tired Daddy face!

I love him! I want to kiss his sweet cheeks right off that beautiful face!!

It's been 13 years since his very first diagnosis, 13 years of love and hugs and tears and fears.

He's doing really well now and his cardiologist is uber pleased with him.

So are we. And yes, I could still kiss those sweet cheeks of his right off his face!! x

The one with all the monkeying around...,

2010-04-29T11:16:00.011+01:00

Yo, yo, yo all you people in da house - make some noise!!

Sorry about that, I've just been watching some you tube late 80's/early 90's music vids... here comes the hotstepper, superfreak, stereo m.c's an' the like. Ah - takes me back to my "yoof."

So the bloke, Jitsuqueen and Sly went to Go Ape for a little monkeying around in the trees!! I got to stay home and have a "me" day - how's that for an epic win!! I'd love to say I lazed about all day but that would be a fib...However, I did take the opportunity to do some gardening/house stuff (the building - not the music..) and had many tea breaks (with biscuits!)

which was my kind of lazy.

See, I managed to move the huge tree stump and buddha!

Go Ape, Buxton

Very handsome husband and Tom & his tongue!

Sly all harnessed up.

Jitsuqueen with her friend Annie.

Obviously Tom sat on something icky or damp...

Practise run before being let loose in the tree tops.

Sly was too busy playing out scenes from Hellboy to realise the paper cones were for the water cooler behind him...*sigh*

Press play pls.

The one with the Gujarati wedding....

2010-04-20T11:29:00.014+01:00

Sooo, we went to a wedding recently. We had a whole weekend away with Sherm's family - well some of his family anyway!

Photos aplenty, although it's kinda hard to condense a 3 hour wedding into a few pics but here goes!!

The groom and bride are separated by a curtain (antarpaat) which is lowered after the priest begins the ceremony.

The brides parents.

Beautiful mandap decorations (the area where the ceremony takes place)

All brides deserve a red carpet on their special day don't ya think??

Family members are very much involved in a Hindu wedding.

My gorgeous children, Jitsuqueen and Sly 5001

The happy couple, Parul and her new husband Sanjeev.

Family!

From left to right: Kirit, Sherm's sister Mala, their cousin Nikhil (Kirit's younger bruv) who is also brides father and Sherm (my wonderful bloke)

Food, om nom nom.

Me and my guy

Sly 5001 - son extraodinaire!!

Left to right: Sherm's Ma, Taru Masi, Indu Masi & Pramla Masi. All sisters.

Sanjeev & Parul

Part of the crowd, ready to see the bride & groom off.

Family members who are stopping the car from leaving until the groom gives them some money!! Very playful!

Is it not weird that the girl the guy is holding onto isn't his wife?? He didn't let go either....

Hmmm, nuff said...

Traditional coconut smashing as the couple leave.

Jitsuqueen & her Aunty Mala Faiba

Awesome children

2010-02-27T23:00:00.003Z

How about this from Jitsuqueen and Sly5001 aka moon children of mine...

Snap Happy

2010-02-22T19:29:00.006Z

Hey, hope all is well wherever you are... And if not well, I'll settle for tolerable after tequila.

Snap happy to get me back into the saddle. x

BEFORE

Just how awesome is this pic ↓ after being magicked?

AFTER

Cam after he'd been avatarred with the same brush.

McWembley hoots mon...

Speechless..

Surprised we didn't raze the whole village to the ground with the sky lanterns!!

Of course they are both always this well behaved and sober!!

The Fog - minus the zombie lepers and lighthouse.

Just 3 dudes hanging..

Some pose from "Heroes"

Obviously the pub in Narnia.

Don't let them faces fool ya - they were cold and it wasn't clever!

Did we mention the snow??

More snow..

Aliens...

2010-02-22T19:23:00.002Z

Twas Aliens guv, there I was, minding my own business way back in Oct '09 - wandering along and suddenly here I am, bloody February 2010!!!

Like an episode of Dr Who........

I'll try and forget all about the probing and get back to doing what I do best - uploading photo's and talking a load of drivel....

The one with Fright Night

2009-10-29T10:40:00.010Z

Here in not so sunny Sheff we have a brilliant Halloween festival on the Sunday before all hallows... It's called fight night and the whole of the city centre is cordoned off to traffic and becomes a pedestrian friendly zone!

Then the fun begins with rides and market stalls, Storm Troopers wander around along with giant Frankensteins and blokes sitting in baths of maggots..(wtf??), Freddy Kreuger is sat in the haunted school bus ready to scare unsuspecting members of the public as they peer in through the windows, Daleks and Cybermen..

The smell of roasting chestnuts and the laughter of giddy children thrilled with the sight of stilt walkers and jugglers. Quite awesome really.. I think it attracts well into the tens of thousands.

We had a good night and Cam coped well with the crowds.

Photo's a go go..

Even Superhero's need a break from fighting the forces of evil... Bet he's having a girly latte with vanilla syrup and whipped cream.

I'm obviously going about this cybersex thing all wrong...

Marge was sat next to us but left before Homer arrived - domestic issues I think.

Cam doesn't look unduly scared does he??

One meets such a nice class of Storm Troopers in the Winter Gardens at this time of year..

Anyhoo, radioactive man landed safe and sound after his extended trip to the far north of radioactiveland... He's at the hospital next week so we'll be able to see if the treatment has worked. And to be honest he's shown no signs of turning into the Hulk yet and frankly we're a tad disappointed at this as we have many screw top jar lids that need opening in a Hulk smash kinda fashion..

Five go mad in the woods.

See, told you we went MAD!!!

Ta da, Litha power!!

Our other pooch - Mrs Wembley didn't join us in the woods as she's spent the last couple of weeks recovering from some emergency surgery. It was very touch and go as to whether she'd even survive but I'm happy to say that she's definitely on the mend now. A big thank you to my Pa and big brother who helped us out no end with trips to the vets and lifting and carrying etc.. I couldn't have done it without them.

We even had to lift her head to drink and for 4 days we thought she wouldn't walk again... But Yay she's all betters now!! This was the beginning of Oct 09

28th Oct 09 -- see how she's cleverly hinting that the light is too bright and that we need to hoover...?

And now the Halloween preparations begin, Loll will be decorating the front garden soon and they are currently gutting pumpkins, with an evil Norman Bates glint in their eyes (the kids that is - not the pumpkins...)

Then we'll be getting the tombstones out and Bob's your uncle, scary house completed!

Happy Hauntings for Halloween all you ghosties and ghoulies. xxx

The one with all the autumn...

2009-09-27T12:52:00.012+01:00

Hey all bodies, hope you are all well and hopefully have been eating something tasty and listening to something kick ass on your ipods.

We are at present Superstar husband-less (I wonder if I ever gave credit to Rae over at Journey Mama for coming up with such an awesome husband name?? If I didn't - thank-you Rae!!!)

He is still north of the border being radioactive *still!!* We are a third of the way into his temporary isolation and it's not something I ever want to get used to - this being husband-less thing... It was also our wedding anniversary last week and he sent me these flowers all the way from radioactive land....Twas the first time we've ever been apart for our anniversary, 16 years of wedded bliss and 2 lots of flowers in 1 year -- EPIC WIN!

So autumn is finally here!! Yay and swoon as it is my most favourite time of the year.

The smells, the colours, crunchy leaves under foot,warm sunny days followed by crisp autumnal evenings.... I could wax lyrical about the bounty of autumn!!!

And I did - on facebook, with a friend who loves it as much as me.❤

I treated the kids to a late night, outdoor, autumn equinox picnic on Tuesday - in their pj's!

Where girl child treated us to this delightful gurn.. Although I didn't notice it was a full moon that night- check out the werehamster behind her! !!

Two of my favourite things joined together!! newfies and doggles!

Litha has had her ears trimmed, she looks silly no??

Uncle Jum and the doggies..

Don't tell Litha but Wembley is his favourite *shhhh*

His Daddy's good looks.

Laters!! xxx

The one with the boy...

2009-09-18T14:32:00.006+01:00

So the boy turned 13... Wow. It's kinda awesome even though I do say so myself..

He just seemed to want to spend the whole day eating - so that is what we did!!! First stop was Subway for lunch followed by Pizza Hut for tea and finishing the evening up nicely was Pizza Express for Bambinocino's.

Epic win on the food front.

Birthday eve

Obviously their good looks come from their fathers side of the family...

Ahh, birthday Cam.

1 month shy of being together 20 yrs, you'd have thought I could've learnt how to smile properly in that amount of time....

Birthday crane.

Meat feast with what passes for meat these days - which part of the cow is shaped in funny x's??

Cam Corleone.

And no Kate, he hasn't made me an offer I can't refuse yet...

Hmmm cake *puts head to one side and drools Homer Simpson style..*

Bambinocino's racked up for the boy.

Scary McScary of Scaryville town

Muhahahaha... Night of the living parents....

The one with Old Macdonald...

2009-08-30T21:46:00.003+01:00

So, which one is the clown???? Answers on a postcard please!!!

Anybody else having a Stephen King "IT" moment???

The one with the birthday

2009-08-30T21:01:00.008+01:00

So the girl child has reached the ripe ol' age of oldish. I am now officially old .....

Here are plenty of photo's a go go....

The birthday girl...

Who went to town with her friends on her birthday......

To spend her birthday money on these ↓

She clicked her heels 3 times "I want to go home, I want to go home, I want to go home"

But that didn't work so they all had a rest Goldilocks styleee...

And her amazing buddies even got her a cake!!!!!

Then a couple of days later she had a celebratory BBQ....

With her buddies and a jar of friendly Nutella.

Which got everywhere....

Including on her Momma....

But not on the cake.... Which we ate..

THE END

The one with all the random photies.

2009-08-15T11:41:00.012+01:00

So a funny thing happened in Tesco, Superstar husband went off to fetch his six pack of soft drinks cans that he has for work and I meandered down the next aisle for my shopping pleasure when all of a sudden I was taken unawares by the Superstar husband (cans of pop in hand) saying "I've just dropped one..."

Quelle horror I think to myself, he's openly farted in the soft drinks aisle in Tesco...

"Was it a big one" I ask nervously, checking to see if I'll need to do a runner cos of the terrible odour..

"No you numpty!" he says- "I dropped one of these" gesturing to the six pack of summer fruits soda in his hand.....

Cue me dissolving roflmao style..

We've had a fortnight of hospital/doctor/orthodontist appointments...aka too busy to have a life.
So for your viewing pleasure ---- random photos of yester week/month/year..❤❤

Paint, nuff said.

Burbage, within the glorious peak district (which is practically our back yard).

For those of you old enough to remember Allo Allo....

Loll and Royce Gracie. When she was about 6 she decided she would marry one of his sons so that she could get her training for free as seminars with him cost about 25 or 30 quid.. Smart girlie!!!

The Camster.

Hmmmm, glasses that match scarf AND hair. Accessorize that you crazy foooool!!

Finally found Loll's Simpson avitar.

Magnolias by Loll some time in '07 or '08.

And finally the piece de resistance.... my beautiful children in "Quack Quack, a tale of a duck and its hunter.." created about 7 or 8 yrs ago.. Quack quack waddle waddle..... Surwim.

Ps. The one with the 51 things....

2009-08-03T21:27:00.003+01:00

It's Happy Hour Again........

The one with the Superstar husband that lurves me...

2009-08-03T19:00:00.011+01:00

Lookie look look. He bought me flowers!!!!

The Superstar husband bought ME flowers...

He loves me!!

A lot!!

Flowers don't make a regular appearance in his hands as he walks through the door but they sure did on Friday! I did in fact ask him at the beginning of July if he'd please, pretty please with lots of cherry blossom on top get me some fleurs before the end of July (and luckily I managed to remember to say July "2009" at the last minute!) as sometimes girls like that sort of thing. I think apart from some last yr when I had the dread chicken spox it's been around the 2 yr mark between floral gifts so I felt it was, y'know overdue...

Anyhoo, Friday was the 31st of July and I'd been dropping oh so subtle hints about the end of the month drawing near and he finally took my sledgehammer advice and at 4.30pm on Friday 31st July (2009) he came in the house with a sheepish grin and flowers created to make you weak at the knees.

Loll has got a new phone for her birthday. It's very shiny and pretty and does LOTS of things. It doesn't however, make tea or coffee or fetch beer from t'fridge.

The newest addition to our lovely city... a big mother trucker of a wheel. The boy child, girl child and superstar husband went on it over the weekend and t'was lovely because they got to see dusk approaching and the city lights twinkle.

And finally, me,the superstar husband and the boy child as Simpsons...

The one with the Jammy....the Ham*star

2009-07-24T19:34:00.006+01:00

Cam had a hamster called Jammy Dodger. He was the bestest and brightest of all hamsters...infact you could call him an awesome Ham*star*...

The Jamster(a pet name for him) lost his battle with old age yesterday - he was 2 and 7/12 years old which is pretty good going if you ask me!

He was and always will be a good friend to Cam, he was his first true pet and will always have a special place in Cam's heart. Cam loved him very,very much.

He loved being in his ball and always made a beeline for the kitchen.

Also he loved tormenting Litha the pooch by making his hammy ball chase her round the room!!!

He was really tame and loved to be held and fussed over and definitely had an addiction to sunflower seeds!!! We once saw him stuff around 60 sunflower seeds into his mouth in one sitting and then he couldn't get back through the tube into his house because his cheeks were fair bulging with the seeds....*sigh and smile*

Jammy Dodger 31.12.06 - 23.07.09 LOVED & MISSED

Hey, the one with sweet f.a

2009-07-11T11:19:00.008+01:00

Not much happening at the mo, well you can read between the lines of this as *shed loads of things happening at the mo - mostly involving lack of money, luvvy drama group trials 'n tribulations and Camism angsts*

Superstar husbands dodgy thyroid has decided to start batting above the national average again.. *sigh* This means we are back to the old block and replace scheme of meds and hope that he stops feeling soooo shite asap. Tired, heart racing, losing weight (fast) shakes and feeling overly hot (not in the he's so handsome way either - although he is...) ALL the bloody time.

Girl child is at the moment rehearsing furiously for Copacabana (the socks in this pic say it all don't they?? they just scream aye carumba!).

Unfortunately due to some "in house politics" things aren't going quite as well as they could. (Read that last sentence as "really crap and could do with some napalm to liven it up.")

Loll is just hoping to get through it best she can.

On a positive note though, she has been promoted at Ju Jitsu and is now at age 14 their head (kind of..) honcho who will be teaching and generally being a really useful engine (believe me it's not wrong to use Thomas the tank Engine quotes).

She has 2 blackbelts already and when she's 16 she will take the senior black belt. She also is well trained in Kobudo and is all set up to teach the younger kids some of the advanced weapons shiz she knows.

Am I bragging?? Well, yes, actually I am - if you don't like it - then tooooo bad. Loll is just that awesome.

As for boy child, he's not doing too well at the mo. His obsessive compulsive disorder is gathering momentum and to be honest - he's struggling. So are we. I'm not going into it too much on here but suffice to say it's horrid and it breaks my heart to see him try and cope with it. I have bought a couple of books that explain it a little better and Loll is at present reading one of them. Hopefully it might help her understand it but let me tell ya, she is the most nurturing, caring big sis that we could've ever wished for for Cam. Her heart is big and her shoulders bigger.

The boy is as ever truly amazing and puts up with crap at every turn and still manages to put a smile on our faces...

For example,

Sherm; "Jo are you feeding Litha bits of your tea??"

Jo; "Oh Sherm how could you suggest such a thing?? I know how you feel about feeding the dogs from the table. I'm shocked that you'd even THINK that I'd do such a thing.... I'm just dismayed that you'd believe that of your own wife???"

Cam; "So why's Litha sat next to you chewing then Mum????????"

I was soooo busted..

Cam's 1st vlog. He needs to work on content though!!! At least he looks mega in that hat!!

Cam - you are verily the most fantastic dude we know! Love ya buddy!

The one with just the one photo.

2009-07-03T11:53:00.002+01:00

Cam was just too tired to hold his own book up to read...

This is a job for super sis!!!

The one with the superstar husband.

2009-06-23T20:46:00.005+01:00

Now be honest, who wouldn't want to wake up to this, like, every morning.... I swear I am just the luckiest woman ALIVE!!!

Quadtastic..

That's not a lead in his hands; it's actually his reins, I keep hold of him incase he gets a whiff of lager and is off!!

Grimace or a smile?? Depends on where my hand is eh??

I mean, have you looked at my kids - how awesome must the man be who gave me sprogs like these.

Waiting to be drip fed beer from the ceiling...

The big dog with the big dawg....

Later on in life he used these very sunglasses to gouge out a chunk of his eye. Really he did!!

I am married to this and do ya know what - I am as happy as the proverbial pig in whatsit....

Love you superstar husband!!!!!❤❤

The one with the bees...

2009-06-22T14:00:00.009+01:00

What does our shed and the alphabet have in common??? See below ↓

We have a bee!!!! (geddit? we have a bee and so does the alphabet...that one was pure genius eh!!) Actually we have loads of bees nesting I think, it's strangely soothing watching them fly in and out - we've been watching the little colony steadily growing. If there is actually a cause of the decline in the bee population it'll be the little dog (2 pics down) who is a professional assassin of bees and frogs.

Tasty or rude!!

Hire me - I'm a hit dog.

Hanging tuff...

Crazy owl children.

Gorgeous as always..

McDoodle

Rawal Flately

The beginnings of 1000 cranes.

Moody!

Happy.

Painting of the flower below by Loll.

Flower of the above painting by Loll ..... duh...

Creation by Jo n Loll.

The one with the artist formerly known as Jamesy

2009-06-14T17:56:00.008+01:00

It just landed there..

No really, give me one more minute and I'll be able to lick that shoulder!!

Scotland the brave - BBQing at -3 degrees....

Me n' him after the brandy.

Wee Heather n' the artist formerly know as Jamesy.

Playing Buzz.

Obligatory nostril shot.

Jimbo, we LOVE yoooooooo!!!

The one with not so recent piccies

2009-06-07T20:13:00.004+01:00

Us Rawals.

Ommmm....

Ahhh, love loves.

Yes I know, you'd be forgiven for thinking we'd time warped back to the 80's...

The one with the commission..

2009-06-02T20:33:00.005+01:00

Loll has painted her first paid commission after we were contacted by a local guy who saw an article in the local rag about Loll winning the painting comp..

She was obviously over the moon as he pressed cold, hard cash in her warm, eager, artistic hands!

The guy's son is getting married this weekend and his soon to be daughter in law is having hydrangea's as one of the wedding flowers. And like wonderful soon to be parents in law they are giving this to her as a special wedding gift. How awesome are they? Such a thoughtful idea. And lucrative for Loll!!

The one with all the water....

2009-05-31T21:17:00.000+01:00

Padley Gorge 31.05.09

Hmm, bit wet now Mummmm.

Weeeeeeeeeeeee, here I go!!!

In for a penny, in for a pound.

Idon't know what you mean Cam, it's not THAT cold...

Just 2 purdy ladies.

Loll on the look out.

Youngish love

The one with the stuff

2009-05-28T19:07:00.002+01:00

So I was trying to think of a good title for this pic but I can't stop thinking of Russ Abbott thanks to one of my cyber buddies..

Happy in our post eurovision glow

Everytime a raindrop hit him Grant died a little bit inside. Ah bless.

Mala against the setting sun..

Mexican Grant

Snowfall Feb '09

Scarborough fare? May '09 Loll had a day trip to Scarborough with her best friend Beth where they happened upon this awesome painted wall.

1st prize...

Our lovely lady Lord Mayor and The Jitsuqueen