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One book down
2007-05-11 17:47:00
It has been a very long time since I've blogged about the books I've been reading, and that's because I haven't been reading. It's been a weird few weeks without books, and I feel somewhat ... lost, but I can't bring myself back as yet. I don't know how to explain it. But I did read this, one of my Dystopian Challenge books, Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick awhile back. It was OK. I didn't love it, I didn't hate it. It's the book that Blade Runner was based on, and while I know I have seen the film, I don't remember the details so I went into reading this book without much of an idea of what it was about apart from the fact that it was set in a dystopia. I hadn't read anything by Philip K. Dick before, and possibly this wasn't the best book to jump in from? It's about a bounty hunter in a future covered in radiactive dust where having a live pet is the ultimate symbol of prestige and all animals are sacred, even spiders. Rick Deckard is set the ta...
More About: Books , Book , Down , E Book

Top 7 according to N
2007-05-11 13:48:00
Elliot's bedtime routine goes like this:By 8:30, we clear up the toys in the living room and head upstairs, where Elliot is changed into his pyjamas and has his teeth brushed. We then say our prayers together, and then N reads a story. N is sometimes not home by this time, in which case I do an abbreviated version of the above. N decided as a special treat, he would read Elliot N's 'Top 7' books for bedtime every night for a week. It appears that the best books are books with lots of dialogue (so N can talk in funny Scottish or Scouse accents), books with lots of rhymes (a la Julia Donaldson, and yes, don't we have a large collection of her books), or books that allows us to join in together making funny noises like animal sounds. Here's the list (a little mixed up and not quite in the right order):1. My Best Friend, Bob by Georgie Ripper2.Webster J. Duck by Martin Waddell3. A Squash and a Squeeze by Julia Donaldson4.Room on the Broom by Julia Donaldson5.One Ted Falls out of B...
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Mother's Day Giveaway..
2007-05-10 13:07:00
...over at 5 Minutes for Mom! Enter to win a ipod, beautiful jewellery, mommy business cards and more. Check it out :) (I hope I win, I hope I win, I hope I win!)
More About: Give , Away , S Day

Uni classes
2007-05-04 18:49:00
Have I mentioned before that I want to go back to university and finally finish my degree? I do. Though because of everything that's happened (I was studying one subject then changed my mind and went into a different direction, failed at it and wasted a lot of money and time) I don't feel very confident going back. I feel like I failure and I hate that I messed up, but this time I do have a lot of interest in the subject that I'd be studying (the degree would be for social sciences) and I'm looking forward to moving on with this part of my life, but I'm still afraid. Anyway, I thought I'd share some of the courses I'd be looking into taking. I'd only have to take 5 of these, but I can't narrow it down:An Introduction to the Social Sciences: Understanding social ChangeChild DevelopmentChildhoodPersonal Lives and Social PolicySocial Psychology: Critical Perspectives on Self and OthersExploring PsychologySocial Policy: Welfare, Power and DiversityWorking with Children and...
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Death by Brownies.
2007-05-03 18:47:00
You know how one of my goals on my huge list, is 'bake once a month'? Well, I thought that I'd start with brownies for this month. Who doesn't love brownies? Well anyway, they came out great, and I added huge chunks of quality milk chocolate into the batter to make it really rich and gooey. And then I ate three huge chunks, feeling very proud of myself. And then I suffered. All day long. It was such a huge surge of sugar and chocolate to my system, you really should only eat small amounts. This I know now. I threw out all the rest of those damn brownies.
More About: Death , Brownies , Brownie

I had a dream...
2007-05-02 23:10:00
And I'm so thrilled, because this is the first time in about 9 months that I've remembered it! So please forgive my excitement, but I've got to share it! It was one of those dreams where I kept jumping from scene to scene:It starts off, and I'm in our old Cherokee Jeep, it's me, my father and my brother and it feels like we're on one of our old family road trips from when I was 10, but there's no pillows or blankets or bags or the cooler filled with Dr Pepper in the car or anything, so it feels strange. It's really late at night and we're on a highway. There's signs up ahead which say the highway is splitting into two, and we've got to choose which exit to take. To the right, we'd be headed into France and the rest of Europe, and if we choose left, we'd be headed into Southeast Asia. The car goes towards the left, and as it does...I'm now in an outdoor theater, like the one in Regent's Park that N and I went to once when it was showing A Midsummer Night's Dream , and ...

101 Things in 1001 Days
2007-05-02 13:24:00
(I saw this over at Books Lists Life as well as other places. I thought, 'what the hell, everyone needs goals' and decided to jump on board. I'll try and update when I cross stuff off, and it'll make me feel all special and important, and that's always nice. The Mission: Complete 101 preset tasks in a period of 1001 days.The Criteria: Tasks must be specific (ie. no ambiguity in the wording) with a result that is either measurable or clearly defined. Tasks must also be realistic and stretching (ie. represent some amount of work on my part).Why 1001 Days ? Many people have created lists in the past - frequently simple goals such as new year's resolutions. The key to beating procrastination is to set a deadline that is realistic. 1001 Days (about 2.75 years) is a better period of time than a year, because it allows you several seasons to complete the tasks, which is better for organising and timing some tasks such as overseas trips or outdoor activities.And I've posted this lis...
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It All Happens on This Day
2007-05-01 13:50:00
I married into a family that has a weird history, particularly on this one day, May 1st. Let me explain: my sister-in-law was born on 1 May 34 years ago. My father-in-law sadly passed away on 1 May 7 years ago. My grandfather on my father's side would have been 99 today. An aunt and uncle were married on 1 May (not sure of year). Contracts were signed and exchanged for a first house on 1 May. Last year, I was admitted into hospital with pancreatitis on, you guessed it, 1 May. For this family, things happen on May 1st, and let's hope it's something good this year.
More About: Pens , S Day

Note to Self
2007-05-01 13:42:00
Self,The next time you're awake at 10:30pm and feel a bit peckish, do not under any circumstances decide to nip downstairs and eat a huge bowlful of Chinese leftovers. As tempting as cripy chilli beef is, it is not worth a sleepless night with that resting heavy on our stomach. You'll thank me for it, I promise.-Me.
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TT: Books I'm Looking Forward to Reading (in no particular order)
2007-04-26 13:15:00
1. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by JK Rowling- who ISN'T looking forward to reading this one? I'm considering reading all of them again before starting this book, but I know I'll never have the time!2. The Lollipop Shoes by Joanne Harris - A sort of sequel to Chocolat. She went a bit off since Coastliners, I hope this is a return to what we all used to know and love... 3. The Voice of the Gods by Trudi Canavan - I've loved this series! And am looking forward to sleepless nights reading it!4. The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak - I've heard good things about this book!5. Outcast by Michelle Paver - So long to wait! I'm a bit disappointed because I've always read the books as advance reading copies and now I don't work in a book store! Wah!6. New Moon by Stephenie Meyer - I've read the first book in the series maybe 10 times already! I seriously had a dream the other day about these books. That's slightly worrying.7. How to Be Popular by Meg Cabot - I heart Meg Cabo...
More About: Books , Reading , King , Part , Ward

Friends
2007-04-25 14:53:00
It's always been difficult for me to make friends.My family moved around a lot when I was younger, and I had so many first days at a new school. I was always shy and awkward and I always waited for other children to come to me, and never the other way around.Luckily in 8th grade through high school, I had some wonderful friends. I had some great times with them, and when I moved to England, a few of us still kept in touch. It'll never be the same as what it was, but it's nice to retain childhood friends. It's a reminder of who I once was, and a glimpse into the ways I've changed over the years. Recently, I've reconnected with old school friends as they're getting married and having their children, and I miss them...In England, I found it difficult to make friends of my own. For years, my only friends were my husband's friends and I never felt more lonely. Gradually I made friends through work, and when I got pregnant, I made great friends during my antenatal classes. Our chi...
More About: Friends , Ends

Would you buy things from me?
2007-04-24 13:57:00
Ever since I gave up work, I've been looking for ways to bring in some money aside from going back to work. I've tried selling unused items around the house on ebay, which was short-lived, and since then, I've been looking for something that would last a bit longer. I don't have any special skills, like jewellery-making or anything, but I really want to do SOMETHING. Here are the options I've found ... selling Usborne books or selling Phoenix cards. I'm not sure how viable it is to try and sell both, but let me ask you - would you buy either from me? How good do you think either option is for me? I need help and advice!
More About: Things , Thing , Would

I ate 6 doughnuts in 2 days!
2007-04-23 11:44:00
We decided to head out to a big shopping centre in the area for a day out on Saturday. We were after THIS for Elliot, but also ended up buying him THIS. As we were walking around, we noticed a massive crowd of people and a whole lot of Krispy Kremes... that were going for free. Free. Krispy Kremes. While I got pushed around in the crowd, N snagged us a box of 12 original glazed. I had a good weekend. What did you do?
More About: Days , Nuts , Doug

Welcome to the Neighbourhood
2007-04-20 12:47:00
When we moved here six months ago, we were offered a 'Welcome to the neighbourhood' pack, which included flyers of things to do in the area, lists of doctor's surgeries, the number for the police department and fire station... that sort of thing. Nothing was too surprising, as we'd looked everything up on upmystreet.com pretty thoroughly before moving in. Or so we thought. Check out what we found listed under 'Nearest Hospitals':Broadmoor HospitalYES! Broadmoor Hospital, formerly known as Broadmoor Asylum for the Criminally Insane is right on my doorstep!
More About: Come

Something a little sad
2007-04-19 15:36:00
I was tidying up our smallest bedroom yesterday, and came across some wedding things in the wardrobe. I know I don't fit into my wedding dress any longer, but just for the hell of it, I tried on my wedding shoes. I don't fit into them either :( I can't imagine ever wearing them again on any occasion, but it just seems sad, to not have that option.I shouldn't have been surprised, I don't think. It's amazing how much my body shape has changed since having my little boy. Either that or I've always worn the wrong clothes for my shape, but none of my clothes seem to fit in the same way as I remember just last summer.
More About: Little , Something , Thing , Litt , Some

I WANT ONE!
2007-04-19 13:12:00
I've noticaed all the contests and prize giveaways over at 5 Minutes for Mom before, and this isn't the first time I've thought to myself 'oh wow, I'd love to have THAT!' but this is the first time I've realised I CAN enter to win! (most of the prizes need to be sent to US postal addresses, and it's just occurred to me that I can have any prizes sent to my father's address and he'd never mind sending whatever prize along in his latest care packages!) So here we go, I really, really want this 9" digital photo frame from Philips! Check out 5 Minutes for Mom...
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There's nothing I hate more than...
2007-04-18 17:52:00
Ironing. Sleeves and collars are the worst. I think that's why I haven't ironed in the last six months, and we're living in the House of Wrinkles. Until today. Today I caved in and ironed far too many shirts and tops and just maybe I'll have to find some place permanent for my iron.
More About: Hate , Nothing , Here , More , There

Why I will never be paid to review movies...
2007-04-17 18:32:00
I've watched three movies recently. The Lady in the Water - It was OK, nothing great.X-Men 3: The Last Stand - It was OK, nothing great.The Devil Wears Prada - It was OK, nothing great.What would you do without me, huh? :)
More About: Movies , Review , Paid , View , Will

Big long list of books
2007-04-13 09:14:00
I saw this on another blog I read. Sorry if it's become overly complicated. I'll give you the key in just a second. It's strange that lists like these really inspire me to read those books I haven't yet got around to. And more because it makes me feel special to have more titles in bold, because it makes me feel like I'm winning :) There were a ton of titles on that list, that I've started and didn't finish. (The English Patient, Catch-22, Les Miserables, the Gabriel Garcia Marquez books) I'm not sure if I'll ever go back to them. Anyway. Bold titles are books I've read. (54/100) Italicised books are books I'd like to read. + before a book means I own the book, * in front means I've never heard of it. Enjoy? 1. + The Da Vinci Code (Dan Brown)2. Angels and Demons (Dan Brown)3. + Pride and Prejudice (Jane Austen)4. + To Kill A Mockingbird (Harper Lee)5. Gone With The Wind (Margaret Mitchell)6. + The Hobbit (J.R.R. Tolkien)7. + The Lord of the Rings: Return of t...
More About: Books , List , Long

TT: TV Programmes
2007-04-12 13:32:00
1. 24 - I didn't love this series immediately. It was a bit slow to get going, but now I'm thoroughly enjoying it! I've loved 24 from the start, even last season when they killed off some of my favourite characters (Tony Almeida, Edgar Stiles) (Is it wrong of me to be glad that Audrey Raines is dead?)2. Lost This was another season I just wasn't sure about from the start (or was that last season) We're behind in America, and I always seem to look at sites with spoilers, but nothing has been too badly spoiled, thankfully.3. Heroes Love, love, love this show. Could Hiro's character be any sweeter. And yes, I have a mild crush on Peter Petrelli. 4. Jericho I've been watching this show on Hallmark, and we're a million years behind the American showing. I couldn't even tell you what it is that makes this show so gripping, but it is.5. Ugly Betty I love Betty Suarez! There's so much humour and heart in this programme!6. Miss Match I know this is really old and I did watch gli...
More About: Prog , Program , Gramme , Programme , Gram

Reading List
2007-04-11 15:57:00
I have so many books to read at the moment. There's a ton of books on my TBR pile, but they always get pushed back as soon as I bring that stack of books home from the library. I went looking for a specific selection of books and came back with entirely different books:We Need To Talk About Kevin by Lionel Shriver, which I'm currently reading and it's going very slowly because of the content of the bookThe Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay by Michael Chabon (because Kate recently read it, as did Ryan in the first series of The OC)The Great Gatsby by F Scott Fitzgerald, which I've strangely never read beforeFahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury - part of the Dystopian Challenge over at Books List s LifeOryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood, also part of the challenge - I'm looking forward to this one because I recently read and loved The Handmaid's TaleDo Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K Dick - Another Challenge book - my husband just emailed me to say he managed to ge...
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My Visual DNA
2007-04-10 13:21:00
Read my Visual DNA? Get your own VisualDNA?I've seen this around, thought I'd share mine. Elliot isn't feeling well, so might not be able to post much this week :(

Friday Favourites
2007-04-06 18:43:00
I still have some missing files on my computer and I've lost my blogging notebook which had all my FF ideas, and I'm so tired, so here are a random selection of my favourite bloggers, who all have something more interesting to write about than me:Tasha at A Day In The Life Of... is such a lovely person, with two adorable daughters! She's stressing out at the moment about her approaching wedding, so go visit and give her wedding advice and stuff!Jessica over at Oh The Joys always, always has me in fits of giggles. Seriously not a blog to read whilst the kids are asleep or if hysterical laughter may annoy others.And then there's DraMa from The Emancipation of a Drama Queen and Amber from Crazy Bloggin Canuck, both of whom I've just found and totally love already!Go and say hello to Gina at Just Another Day and Stephanie from For Better of For Worse who are perfect for great daily reads!And last but not least, Lisa from Books. Lists. Life. a new blog I've found, and I totally spe...
More About: Friday , Favourites , Frida

TT: Things I've Been Putting Off Lately
2007-04-05 10:31:00
I'm such a big procrastinator. I never do things straight away. It's a habit I've been trying to break, but very unsuccessfully. Here's my latest list of 'to do another day'1. Blogging. I don't what's been going on lately, but I just haven't been in the mood for it. Plus my creativity levels are at an all time low. I'm working on it. I think more sunshine is just what I need!2. Reading blogs/commenting. All I can say is SORRY!3. Emailing. I probably should have just written 'all things computer-related' but I've always been a bit long-winded :)4. Housework. I'm sure this would be on everyone's lists, right? At the moment, I still have three loads of laundry to do, the bedlinen to be changed, the hoovering to be done upstairs, the kitchen floor to be swept and the dusting. Sigh. Possibly some ironing.5. Going to playgroups. I feel bad about this one, because everytime we go, Elliot has a fantastic time, but all the other mothers are so distant and unfriendly, it puts m...
More About: Putting , Things , Lately , Late , Thing

Shortlived excitement
2007-04-03 13:17:00
I got really excited this morning. I was playing with Elliot in the living room when a delivery van pulled up in front of the house. I pretended not to notice it there because I really wasn't expecting any packages. But then my hopes shot straight up when a man carrying a massive parcel rings the doorbell. Of course I haven't yet changed out of my pyjamas or brushed my hair, but whatever, I've got a package! I fling the door open, big smile on my face and what does Delivery Man say?'I've got a package for next door, but no one's home. Do you mind signing for it?'
More About: Short , Excitement , Lived , Temen , Excite

Ah, the memories..
2007-04-02 21:53:00
I was tweezing my eyebrows earlier, and I remembered something that happened back in 8th grade. I was sitting in my favourite class, and the desks were pushed together into small groups. I (unfortunately) was seated with a vaguely popular and obnoxious boy and a sort of ice-queen. Rude, obnoxious boy points to Ice Queen and referring to the shaky little lines that stand in for her eyebrows and says 'Plucked' then points to me and says 'UNplucked' and back and forth. I wanted to die. And all those years ago I felt humiliated and wanted to come up with something clever and cool to say, which also incorporated the fact that Ice Queen had a mother and older sisters whereas I just had my father and a brother, neither of whom had ever plucked their eyebrows. Instead I said nothing. It was so hard being 13 and not having the courage to stick up for myself.
More About: Mori , Memories , Memo

More Posts.
2007-03-28 18:46:00
Those moments.. I've been having those moments lately, the ones where I think 'god, I'm old' You know those moments... I'd walk into the kitchen for something and think 'what did I come in here for?' or as the shampoo is being rinsed out of my hair, I'll think 'did I shampoo already?' Is it just me? I've heard (a myth, surely?) this thing about women losing brain cells after giving birth, but I never really considered it until now :) ...Babies.I want another baby. The feeling's kind of crept up on me in the last few months and just this week it's bashed me over the head. It's partly to do with the sheer number of pregnant friends I have. (Congratulations to Beth and Katie, Stephanie, Christie, Daniela, and bum, I think there was one more!) And it's partly to do with N working our old video footage of Elliot into a DVD over the last few days. I can hardly believe anyone was so small and beautiful! Elliot is now 16 months old, and I don't want Elliot's newborn ...
More About: More , Posts

I'll Update Soon..*EDITED*
2007-03-26 20:58:00
***Edited - Please disregard the following. I completely did not mean to solicit any of you to buy me books. Desperate times, and all!I know I missed last week's Friday Favourites and have yet to post today's Meet the Guys Monday. I didn't mention I'd reached my 400th post or tell you about N's birthday. And I should post what's been going on lately, and there are two ladies who need some congratulations and everyone has been lacking my comments lately, but really, what I'm can't contain anymore is my excitement over THIS BOOK. Someone please buy it for me. I've put it on my WISH LIST. Seriously. Buy this book for me, I'm broke. I had an advanced copy of the first book Twilight, and I seriously read it in one sitting, closed the book and then READ IT AGAIN, I loved it that much. I NEED THIS BOOK! (and I can't believe it was released ages ago and I missed it before now!)
More About: Books , Update

Meet the Guys Monday
2007-03-12 14:39:00
This will have to be quick today because I missed out on when I usually write my blog entries (when Elliot's taking his nap) and now I only have a limited time on my laptop until Elliot want to come play with the mouse or keyboard (we've set up a wiresless mouse and keyboard so I don't have to cramp my fingers using the laptop's).Today's Meet the Guys Monday is dedicated to Jack! Everyone say hello to Jack. He's the largest of our guys and the oldest. N and his sister were both given bears, one large and one small. N got the small one, his sister got the large one. Each wanted the other, so they swapped (at least I think so) And so this adorable large bear lived on the N's parent's couch for 20 odd years until the arrival of a cute, charming American girl who swept in and decided that this large bear MUST not go another day without a name.N and I do have a tendency to name our Guys after television/movie characters and you must be thinking 'Jack from 24? Jack from Lost?' O...
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I'm FAMOUS!
2007-03-10 23:35:00
The lovely, lovely Susan and Janice over at 5 Minutes for Mom have interviewed me. Check, check, check it out! I am absolutely giddy with excitement over it!
More About: Famous