And so Christmas truly is over now...

Today is my last official day of annual leave, so, apart from the weekend, Christmas is truly over.  I commiserated this fact by watching The Muppet Christmas Carol, as I missed it over the actual Christmas period (it was on but I was busy in the kitchen for most of it).

Cold finally seems to have left after 10 or so days, still feeling a little drained tho.  This means I haven't got done quite as many things as I'd hoped I would, but not to worry, there's still the weekend and tbh we have the rest of our lives to be "sorting out stuff" LOL!

Today also marks my first week of not drinking alcohol, although if I'm honest, one week isn't really a challenge. Do I feel any better for not having drank at all this week?  Not really...but that's probably more down to the fact I've had the stupid bad cold.

I tried to start a hashtag game on Twitter a few days ago.  Inspired whilst watching Shallow Grave with my eldest step-daughter (first time for her), we were discussing how films would be a lot shorter if certain things happened...a few people ran with it and I must say I was enjoying it...will list a few here that I really liked (including some of my own - so sue me!):

FallenAngel2106  

Alex, David & Juliet call the police on discovery of dead man in room, handing over the money too ~ Shallow Grave #howtomakefilmsshorter

Kristieface  

It's genuinely just a fucking wardrobe -Narnia #howtomakefilmsshorter

SirFletchPhelps  

Dante doesn't bother answering the phone. Clerks #howtomakefilmsshorter

V511  

Mistaken for a whale by Japanese fishing boat - Jaws #howtomakefilmsshorter

toysintheattic  

Nemo stays with the school. - Finding Nemo #howtomakefilmsshorter

V511  

'Who is Keyser Soze?' It's that dude over there who looks like Kevin Spacey #howtomakefilmsshorter

FastOlly  

Half day closing at the bookshop - Notting Hill #howtomakefilmsshorter

FallenAngel2106  

Inigo Montoya's father only suffered a flesh wound ~ The Princess Bride #howtomakefilmsshorter

jeskaruthbow 

Brad and Janet don't get a flat....Rocky Horror #howtomakefilmsshorter

FallenAngel2106  

Horton DIDN'T hear a Who ~ Horton hears a Who#howtomakefilmsshorter

SimonAstrocreep 

Bella staked edward-twilight #howtomakefilmsshorter

SeverenS4R 

There can be more than one - Highlander 1, 2 & 3 #howtomakefilmsshorter

SeverenS4R  

Harry never met Sally - When Harry Met Sally #howtomakefilmsshorter

And the one I'm personally most proud of...but is possibly quite wrong...

FallenAngel2106

Schindler can't find a pen ~ Schindler's List #howtomakefilmsshorter

Come join in and play :) 

I had most excellent Doctor Who dream last night...

I woke up this morning after having a very exciting Doctor Who related dream.  For once, it was more like an episode and no kissing of timelords took place.

Although I can see things clearly in my head (as I can recall dreams quite well, plus I also spent my initial waking moments going over the dream to help the remembering), I doubt in this blog I would get it all down in any way that you would see the same pictures I can...but I'll give you the brief low down (as I did to the meester this morning).

The dream (or episode!) began with my daughter (Claudia) and I heading off to a museum (think cross between a big old Georgian house and the Natural History Museum).  As we come through the main part of the museum, you can't help but notice the number of shields or statues holding shields (think crusades types here).  A banner reads something like (as it's very hard to read in dreams) "The shields shall bring them together and they shall rise".

We then head upstairs to a very surreal room.  Here the room is full of statues and artwork of the "follow you wherever you go" type.  Things feel very old and yet there is some form of hologram stuff going on.  I realise Claudia is no longer by my side and I look for her.  I see her lay on a slab in the room, talking to a hologram-esq statue that is lay next to her.

When I get there, I see it is the Tenth Doctor (or at least a statue of him sleeping).  I lie down next to him, pull out my phone, and take a photo of us.

Then things get weird.  All the statues with the shields begin moving and they aren't being nice about things.  They are trapping people.  This is happening all over (don't ask me how I know).  The Tenth Doctor has gone.  It would appear the photo taking woke everything...

My "dream perspective" then appeared to shift to the Tenth Doctors.  He managed to escape the room before the shields trapped him there, knowing he needed to go back in time to before he was frozen as the sleeping statue to fix things to stop the shield statues from taking over the place.  He sees himself falling through time (he has no T.A.R.D.I.S. as he's not the latest incarnation of The Doctor).  Whilst falling through these times, he sees himself in many times and faces.  At one point he is somehow falling/climbing down a slowed down Eleventh Doctor (who is with Amy)...as he gets to his ankle (Tenth Doctor is head down here), he sees a year (1978 as it goes) crudely written on it.  It is then he realises he has been very clever, and that he has already planted clues to the dates/time he is passing through...

Sadly I wake before the solution to the whole thing happened...but it was all very exciting!  My own private Doctor Who episode!  Here's hoping it was a two-parter...

My daughter narrates EVERYTHING she does

My daughter is a chatterbox.  She doesn't stop.  From the moment she wakes in the morning until she goes to sleep at night it is chatter chatter chatter ALL THE LIVE LONG DAY!

I think she is virtually incapable of doing any task without narrating what she is doing.

She was very chatty as a baby too.  From the moment she discovered she could make a noise, she would.  She wasn't a crying baby (ok there was a phase involving teething), but good lord she would baby babble for Britain.  And they were (baby) sentences too, conversations took place, admittedly only she knew her half of the conversation, but they took place nonetheless.

By the time she got to nursery she already had lots of words and sentences and tbh sounded like a little old fashioned old lady ("golly gosh" was a favourite phrase).  By the age of 3, the nursery staff often forgot she was so young because she had such a good vocabulary.  Our fault, of course...we stopped dumbing down words (perhaps too early!?!).  

Now, aged 6, we still get complimented on her vocabulary.  We still don't dumb down, and questions of "what does that word mean, Mummy?" get explained - so at least she knows what the words being used around her mean.  This has been amusing in her younger days...using overheard words in completely the wrong context.

But she finds words very important, as they are.  She LOVES to read.  She reads a lot.  By the age of 4 she had over 200 books.  She probably has a number way over that still, even though we have donated many of her baby books to charity - to put it in perspective, she got a set of 10 Jacqueline Wilson books for Christmas, along with two annuals and a beautiful musical pop up Peter Pan...so the numbers increase regularly!  

Currently Roald Dahl is a favourite, which pleases me greatly.  We did have an issue that her school library wouldn't let her take any Dahl home as "she wasn't old enough".  I was quite surprised by this, so sent her back in to ask again stating that Mummy said it was ok.  I was fully prepared to head into the school had she not come home armed with a copy of The Twits :)

Anyhoo, I digress from my original passing thought of her narrating the things she does.  Many think that comes from me, but I know it actually comes from her Daddy.  He's a lot more wordy than he realises...so for once, I don't have to take the blame...

Today is a sad day...

...not only have I de-decked my household of Christmas brightness...but the tenth timelord announced his engagement!!!

*drops to knees, throws arms into air, head back, tears streaming down face*

NNNNOOOOOOooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

A-hem

I'm sorry, where was I?

Oh yeah, Christmas decorations and trees have all come down today.  I always get sad when I have to take them down.  I really REALLY love Christmas.  I love the sparkle, the smell, the trees, the lights, the presents, the company.  Seriously, the only things I don't like about Christmas are Cliff Richard and Mariah Carey singing (I love nearly all other Christmas songs tho!)  

In fact, I love Christmas songs so much that my husband and I had Fairytale of New York (Pogues/McColl version obviously) as our first dance at our wedding.  Whenever we hear the song it reminds each other of the other (as an "our song" should) and if we are together and we hear it, we always dance to it...except this year...this year that never happened...maybe it's not too late tho...

Our sixth wedding anniversary is speedily approaching at the end of this month.  Hopefully it will be a more successful one than last year!

Every year we kept saying we would go away for the night for our anniversary, but never quite got around to doing so...except for last year.  We got a bargain deal on a suite at a very nice London hotel (near enough half the normal rate, but still over a good couple of hundred!).  We packed an overnight case, went to work, and then met at the hotel late afternoon.  The room was just gorgeous.  The meester and I went to the hotel bar for a couple of afternoon cocktails, before heading back up to the room to scrub up for a night out in London.

Now I should point out that our little girl was being looked after by her big sister, so we'd already had a couple of calls from home.  Whilst getting ready I got the call didn't want to get...my (near) 17 year old cat, Monet, was bleeding out.  She'd been losing weight for a while, but always had a healthy appetite, so it was pretty much just age that was making her skinny...sadly her appetite had gone in the week leading up to our anniversary, so I knew the end was near.  

Needless to say the call had upset me, and I wanted to get home.  We repacked, paid up and left to get home.  Monet was settled and very quiet and I realised there was only one thing we could do for her.  The girls said their goodbyes and we took Monet to the emergency vets.  He checked her over, in case there was something that could be done, but sadly there wasn't.  He was amazed to meet such an old girl.  Heartbroken I said my goodbyes and watched as the life left my little old girl.  I was left to be with her for as long as I wanted, before we left her there to be cremated.  You have got to feel sorry for my husband, he shelled out an excessive amount of money and I didn't even put out!

The house seemed so empty without her.  We've always had cats in the house.  I just don't remember a time when I didn't.  A week after we'd said our goodbyes, Monet returned home and was placed next to my old cat (in little wooden urns, not stuffed btw!)...this was the Saturday...on the Sunday we went to a rescue home and brought home two black and white cats (6mths and 1 yr) who were renamed Rose and Doctor.  At first I wondered if it was too soon, but then I realised that Monet would want us to give a home to other cats who needed one.

Nearly a year on and I miss the old girl, sitting here crying whilst I type this out, but Doc and Rose have filled the house with furry love and good lord are the pair of them funny.

So I shall leave you with a photograph of my old girl, Monet...miss ya...oh and Father Christmas was very sweet this year, he brought my Baby Girl a soft cat toy and it is called MonMon (nickname of Monet).

What day is it?

So far today, I have thought today was Sunday, Tuesday, possibly Wednesday and a might be Monday.  Haven't been in work since the Wednesday before Christmas...I don't return until the 10th January (which I KNOW is a Monday), so I've done what most people do this time of the year and completely forget what actual day of the week it is.

Brief visit into London to see my big Bro this afternoon.  Got a call from him yesterday.  He and his g/f have been Stateside for three weeks over Christmas and their little sporty number had a flat battery on their return so we were needed to jump start from the Jaaag.  This means I learnt TWO things today.  Firstly, the battery is in the boot of my brother's (g/f's) car...secondly, the battery is ALSO in the boot of my Jaaag!  Feck me, I'd have been searching for hours!!!  I really should show more interest in the car, I guess.

I currently find myself in front of Gigglebiz starring the talent that is Justin Fletcher (the little lady's choice of televisual viewing, I might add).  Those without children will have little or no idea as to who Justin Fletcher is...the parents of children under the age of 10 will know he is a god amongst kids tv people.  He's a very clever and inventive chappie with a lot of talent, and a key thing of me...he can make my daughter sit still and laugh her little bottom off!  He is also immensely less irritating than 95% of other childrens tv personalities within this viewing age bracket.  A couple of years ago there was a petition, signed by about 4000 people, to then PM, to make Justin an OBE for his work...he got himself an MBE instead.  Put it this way, if I were stupidly rich, I would pay this man an obscene amount of money to entertain my child on a weekly basis.

Am a little sad today as it's my last day with my Christmas decorations up.  I know 12th night isn't for two days, however as I have a lot of sorting out to do in the house, they will need to come down a day early...is it wrong of me to play Christmas songs to take them down (as I do when I put them up)?

Cold still here, still trying to get rid of it.  It was not aided by small child sleeping with us last night as she "felt sick" - well, try sitting still, darling, go on, it's called "resting to allow your body time to mend"...

Day 2

Today has been a PJ day for 75% of the household...sadly the older step-daughter had to work.

The cold that was leaving me seems to have taken a brief step backwards and made me very tired and drained.  This had made today a West Wing day, interrupted at lunchtime to watch the Tenth Doctor's final outing (oh yes, cried again!).

The meester took me to see The Voyage of the Dawn Treader yesterday.  I do love Narnia so very much.  The books are fabulous, despite the obviously thinly veiled preaching towards Christianity in the latter books.  The film was wonderful, the casting was brilliant...who knew that the annoying little shite from School of Comedy would end up such an excellent choice as Eustace?

Last night also had a Morecambe and Wise night on the Beeb.  They showed the Christmas Special from 1976 (the one with Elton John and Angela Rippon) followed by the bio-pic by Victoria Wood called Eric and Ernie.

I'd been waiting to see this since I'd seen it was in production, not only as I love M&W but because I do think Wood is a great entertainer.  The programme did not disappoint in any way except that it was only 1.5 hours...I could've happily watched double that, the writing, acting and production was just that marvellous.  Well done to all involved and thank you.

A documentary on the making and about M&W followed...all in all a truly fantastic night of television...something that cannot be said all that often.  You might have programmes on you like or enjoy, and believe me, I like my television, but often I find I'm watching out of habit rather than because it's something I think is going to be special...last night, it truly was special.

Only the trailer immediately afterwards left me wanting time to fast forward...Hattie.  The story of Hattie Jacques, queen of Carry On, a woman I've loved since I was a child.  It's starring Ruth Jones from Gavin and Stacy fame...only the trailer threw in something I hadn't realised beforehand...and that's Aidan Turner starring as her lover. OH. MY. GOD.  I lust that man...I'd wanted to watch Hattie before I knew he was also starring, now I want it on immediately.

That brings me onto the excitement for today...the new series of Being Human trailer is on the Beeb tonight, but being released early on FB for fans of the show...can't wait for 9pm!

Oh dear, really has been a PJ day...this entire blog is about tv...hey ho, will leave you with the tip that if you get the chance, check out Eric and Ernie on BBC iPlayer.

Fear not, tomorrow I venture out of the house so might have something more exciting to blog about :)

2011...the beginning of plans...

Well a very happy new year to you! I trust this blog post finds you at the start of 2011, full of hope for the coming year. 

I have a few things I have to do this year. 

Number one of the list is I am stopping drinking alcohol for 2011.  There are a few ground rules that I am going to live by:

1. Special occasions, such as wedding anniversary and MY birthday, can be exempt from the no drinking rule;
2. I can't make up special occasions so it's a drinking day (Rar it's Tuesday and that's a special day because it's got a Tue in it!);
3. It's not the end of the world if I don't make the whole year...but I'd really like to give it a good go.

There's no particular reason for the giving up.  I don't have a drink problem.  I don't have problems with my kidneys or liver.  I just felt like doing a year without alcohol.

It can't hurt, as I have to lose (at least) one and a half stone in six months, that the slight lowering of calories from taking out what alcohol should contribute a small way to helping me with that goal (a specialist doctor set that goal, my appointment is in June - I want to be able to go to that appointment and stick two fingers up to the sarcastic twat).

The other thing I am going to attempt to do is a blog a day...might be a long blog, might be a short one, but I want to get used to doing it and MAKE myself do it.  Maybe it's going to end up a public diary for want of a better description (I can hear the unsubscribing now!).

In all that I shall try not to be too boring, I may even occasionally manage to be witty.

So, other than the alcohol and lose weight things, what have my initial plans got in store for 2011?  Well my Winter Ball is already booked for November so have stuff for that to finalise; am planning to organise another treasure hunt; would like to get up to the Edinburgh Festival again; to see a few London shows; a mini getaway would be nice, nowhere flash, just away; I'd quite like to get my bike back on the road this year and I'd like to save some money for once in my life!

Otherwise I'm hoping for a generally happy and hopefully healthy year (not boding well that it starts with us all having the plague or lurgy or some other equally evil illness!) for myself and my loved ones.

Here goes...