An apology (again)

I spend most of my time apologising on here lately. Mainly, for not writing anything for ages. I know I'm crap, but I've been really busy recently, and had lots going on, including some weird and depressing stuff. It's all been bizarre! Anyway, I meant to write a proper post today but time has, yet again, run away with me. So, I'm simply going to say that I'm going to Florida for two weeks tomorrow, and if I can get on t'interweb there, then I'll try and explain what's been going on. If not, I'll force myself to sit down and blog when I get back! I'm rather annoyed, I used to have nothing to do, now I'm busy all the time.

Lord, best go, I have to be up in 5 hours.

iP

Pandah talks TV

Has anyone been watching Bionic Woman? I can't decide whether I like it or not. I like the main girl, but Starbuck being in it is kind of ruining it for me. I think it's cos she was such an ass in the last series of Battlestar. As she's pretty much playing the same character, I keep wishing she'd naff off. I've heard reports slagging Michelle Ryan off and singing Katee Sackhoff's praises, but I have really warmed to MR, and I like her. I like her overall look too, but that's just down to my weird demi-goth thing. I think Eliza Dushku would have made a better nemesis, cos they look similar (thus looking like that Will guy had a 'type' to obsess over), and she's....erm that's it I think. She's good though! I love Tru Calling, and we all know she did a good job of being Faith. I don't know, I shall stick with it anyway, but KS is annoying me.

I also love Keith Lemon's Very Brilliant World Tour. Hilarious! It's proper laugh out loud stuff, like TV Burp. My favourite line so far is, 'When in Vegas, do as the Vegesians do.' If you've not seen it though, you'll not have a clue what I'm talking about, or why that line is funny!

We watched 1408 last week, which was okay, but the ending was a bit crap. We also watched The Business, which is quite old, but it was really good. My friend told me I wouldn't like it at all, but I did! So I'll ask her about that today, cos I don't understand what she's on about. Recently we've watched quite a few films, DVD rental is great, and has saved me a fortune. There's nothing worse than buying a DVD then finding it's shit. We saw Fantastic Four, which was really good, despite loads of people saying it was crap. Then we watched the second one, Rise of the Silver Surfer, which everyone said was brilliant, and we thought it was average. The Fountain was amazing, and even though I don't like Hugh Jackman, I thought it was a beautiful film. I was excited about Sunshine, but really struggled. I just didn't like any of the characters, and though visually it was cool, I was rather bored, and I'm not sure if I even saw the end or not. I went off at one point and came back, but I don't recall much. In fact, I can't really remember much about the film in general, but that's probably because I was bored. I wanted to love it, but didn't. I really want to see La Vie En Rose, it's on my list, so I hope I get it soon! And I need to see the new Rambo, but it's ages since we've been to the cinema cos of Ozzy.

The bloody Apprentice is coming back on again I see. Is it me, or is it just on ALL the time. I hate it! And Am sick of seeing clips, and a million repeats of it, or a highlights show. It really does my nut in, and I hate Sugar, he's a twat. Grrrr!

Ooh, rant over, bit of blog tourettes there.

Have a singing lesson tonight, have to practice the three numbers I've learned. I'm doing 'You oughta know' (Alanis Morissette), 'Misery Business' (Paramore) and 'I dreamed a dream (from some musical). They are all different songs that mean you have to do different things with your voice, and I'm struggling with Misery Business cos it's really hard to sing! If you didn't have to breathe it would be doable. Snaps to you Hayley Williams, I can't do it! Mind you, she had singing lessons, so I'm sure when I've had a few more (I've only had one) I'll be able to do it.

Right, best go, Hefty's getting up.

Cheer up Charlie, look at your hair!

I had a moment of Wonka Inspiration whilst reading Sparky Malarkey and felt the need to post a picture of Charlie Bucket, from the original Willy Wonka film.



What great hair! The hair debate led to my inspiration by the way, for anyone who went to SparkyBlog and looked for Wonka stuff. I'm so vague sometimes.

Pandah-monium (in my head)

This is my 228th post in nearly 2 years. That's poor isn't it? And it's a month since I last wrote anything. I'm not sure what happens to me, but sometimes I just can't seem to sit down and get on with writing something. It's not like I don't have anything to say, but I seem to lose my momentum after a few enthusiastic fits and starts. Since the beginning of 2008, which got off to a pretty crap start, I've felt a bit distant from myself, and think I must be having some sort of pre-30 crisis. Not sure why, I'm not bothered about being 30, and it's not for 2 years, but I can't think what else it is. Unless it's a post-25 crisis, but I can't even begin to get my head round that idea! I'm wondering if it isn't down to the arrival of Ozzy.

I'm sort of a parent now, and my previous life full of free time is gone, as I now spend all day taking him outside, playing with him, brushing him, feeding him, stopping him from doing stuff, and walking him. I can't spend a leisurely half-hour deciding what make-up look to go for, and whether to goth it up or play it down, I have to be darn quick, and slap on the red eyeshadow ASAP, pull on clothes whether they match my face or not, and get back downstairs before he stops howling! We're considering getting another dog, as Ozzy is a very clingy dog, and though it's a breed trait, it's very limiting. It's not that I want to go out foe hours on end, but if I just pop out for an hour or so, he's dreadfully upset when I get back. He's better than he was, but I have to put him in his pet carrier so he doesn't destroy anything, and if he needs the loo there's nowhere else to go! I wash his bedding a lot! I've left him just on the middle floor a couple of times, and he's been okay actually, but we haven't had a night out for so long, and I think it's starting to affect me. I'm not talking about clubbing or anything, but I miss not going to the cinema, or just out for dinner. We used to go out 3 or 4 times a week, and it just stopped altogether, which had made it harder to get used to. I think if we get him a friend, they can keep each other company, and we can maybe get out every now and then.



I think it's put me off having a child though. I feel a bit trapped, which is stupid because I don't work (which is great!), and am not tied into any dramatic domestic schedules. I just feel a bit like I'm losing myself a bit, and recently, I've realised how much I'd like to be more of a proper goth, but I can't because Hefty doesn't like that look AT ALL. Teetering on the edge of being a demi-goth is making me feel incomplete, and frustrated because I know I can't go any further. So I'm having an identity crisis as well as the other one! But I keep thinking, if this is what I feel like now, what would I be like with children? I think I'd be ten times worse, and am half-wondering if the reason I've got such bad Endometriosis, is that my body agrees!

I have joined a band though, and think this might be therapeutic. If I can goth it up on stage, then perhaps it will counteract my funny feelings of normality. It's just going to be covers and stuff, round pubs, but I reckon it'll be good experience, and will help my confidence.

Good god! I've had a right rant there! I should write something less depressing, for all our sakes!

So it's been Easter! I bought Hefty a dvd about the font 'Helvetica', a chicken egg cosy, and I baked him some flapjack in the shape of little chickens! I decorated the house up on Friday whilst he was still snoozing, and was delighted that it was sunny. Unfortunately, he forgot, so I didn't get anything. Not even a card (I'd got him one from me and one from Ozzle), and he felt bad. He's ordered me something but it's not really the same is it. It's not like he forgot an anniversary or anything, but I love Easter, and always make a big thing of it, and have done since we met, so he should know by now. I've not said this though, as he obviously did feel bad about it, and I don't think me going on at him would help anything. I was just a bit upset, cos I'd gone to so much effort. I'll let you know what he gets me anyway, when it eventually arrives!

I saw my folks on Friday, saw the BIz, my sister, and then came home to watch Murder She Wrote. Ooh, it was the Jonotron's 21st birthday on Friday! But he's in Australia, so we didn't get to celebrate. I ordered him a card from the Australian Moonpig, only to find out he'd moved from the address I sent it to :0( He says it'll come through on mail-redirection at some point, but I was doubly disappointed on Friday because of this. He had some kind of party in botanical gardens, all very random, have yet to hear how it went. On Saturday I raced around all day! Had to go to the farm shops (my new obsession), Hefty got his hair cut, I cleaned and tidied and made a Victoria Sponge Cake and a Lime Cheesecake. I don't know why I've capitalised the cakes, but I'm not going to change it. Hefty's parents came up on Sunday - hence the preparations - and they had lunch and dinner, so I was tidying up all day. They left at about 10.30pm, and I was asleep on my feet by that point. Yesterday, I didn't really do anything, just slept cos I was so tired.

Today, I think I'll do the same! Although I might have to go shopping at some point with my sister, as she's having a party on Thursday and I said I'd take her to Costco to look at party food. I can leave Ozzy with her dogs so it'll be cool.

On Thursday, I'm attending this:

Zombreeze

I'm going with my cousin, who's a proper goth, and we're basically just going to go as goths, cos that'll make us look a bit dead. If it gets in the GBoWR I'll be rather excited though! My claim to fame! It's doubly brilliant though as it means I can be a full goth for the afternoon, and Hefty can't say anything cos it's for a valid reason!!! Ha!



Right, Ozzy is pestering me, I shall have to go, he keeps trying to chew my ear.

I shall try to blog properly from now on, with regularity!

Ciao.

iP

Brief encounter

Well, it was sunny today, hurrah! About time too, as it was a pretty abismal weekend weather wise. Hefty has been ill all week, and got considerably worse on Wednesday which ended up with him being in bed all weekend. Before the weekend began though, on Friday night we attempted to watch 'Smokin' Aces'. What an absolutely, undeniably APPALLING excuse for a film. Slow doesn't even begin to describe it. And then there's the mumbling, incomprehensible dialogue, not to mention the characters, whom, quite frankly, I didn't give a toss about. Also, it was penned as a dark comedy, hmm, not so much dark as smoggy, and comedy? Highly questionable!! It's one of those films where the trailer is better than the actual event. RUBBISH! Luckily, we also had 'Severance' to watch, and thankfully it saved the evening. It wasn't groundbreaking, but it was entertaining, easy to watch, and Danny Dyer was hilarious. Hurrah for 'Severance'!!!

Oh dear, I suddenly feel very sick. I must go.....eugh.....

Pondering

Okay, so despite the time Blogger is going to print when I've done this, it's currently 03:37, and I haven't been to sleep yet. A wild night out partying with the posse? Niet. I just can't sleep. I was struggling anyway, but when Hefty got phoned at 00:30 to fix some kind of computery thing, that was it. I gave up and watched Tales of the Unexpected. Hefty returned an hour later, and I decided to just get up. So here I am.

It's very foggy outside, rather eerie, but I'm inside so it's not a huge issue for me.

Someone is finally coming to measure up for our new kitchen tomorrow! Well, tonight. Hopefully all will be well and we'll have some kind of idea when it'll be in. Roll on that day, I'm sick to death of living with the most impractical use of space ever. We're also having someone round on Saturday to look at landscaping the garden for us, so it's all go at the Pandah Palace!

That could quite possibly be the extent of my news. Which is pretty poor. Problem is, I've not done anything since I last blogged, so it makes it tricky.

Hmm. Well, I shall ponder on that thought, and try and think of something interesting to do, so that I can write about it. At the moment, I'd just like to go to sleep, but that's obviously not going to happen so I'll stick with me ponderin'.

Fame (sort of)

Today was exciting, on our way to the local farm shop to stock up on veg, we stopped at the newsagent so Hefty could buy a paper. He bought the Observer, which is fine, though I prefer the Telegraph myself, but in the music bit there's a story about Goths, and there's loads of pictures of them. Naturally, being a Demi-Goth, I had to read it, and upon doing so, and scanning the plethora of Goths, I spotted my cousin amongst them!! I was very excited about this! She's in the national press for frak's sake - it's frikkin awesome!!!



Clearly, she's a full on proper Goth, which I'm not allowed to be, so I think that's why I find it so cool, cos she looks brill to me, and I know I'll never be able to do it. But after the wedding in April (the one in Florida when I'm a bridesmaid), I'm going to at least get dark hair back again, as being blonde sucks. Plus, now I've found a groovy hair-dressers near by, I won't have to do it myself! And they do colours like green and pink and stuff! Super!

Going to watch Blazing Saddles tonight, I've never seen it! But we bought all the DVDs we could think of the other day, and that was one of 'em. Still waiting for Weird Science though, it's out of stock! Boo :0(

Ciao!

My Gmail Spambox Mystery

For some reason, I get emails like the following, every day in my Gmail spambox:



I'm not at all sure why they come to MY spambox, but it's got to the point now where I look forward to reading them, after all, these mystery spammers sure have a way with words.

Hmm.....*pauses for thought*

*decides there is no answer, and stops pausing and thinking*


In other news, I have to object to the HORRIFIC cover of an already BAD song on the new Jaguar advert. As if 'Hush' by Kula Shaker wasn't evil enough, some spanner has covered it. It reminds me of an 'Indie' tape I once bought. It was so cheap I thought it was a bargain, but when I got home, I realised it's cos no-one singing on it was in an actual band. Not one of consequence anyway. I woz robbed.

Anyway, just a brief post, felt the need to get these things off my chest. I'm off to watch Family Guy on BBC3.

G'bye!

Blogging along

Well, thought it was about time I blogged again! I'm only going to say that things have been pretty crap recently, but hopefully it's all calming down, so I'll not go into it all, just look forward to bigger and better things!

So, first off, young Ozzy had his first hair cut on Tuesday. Below is the 'before' picture of his woolly highness:



And here is the 'after' one:



He looks all tiny again! He was very well behaved though, so at least that's one area I don't have to worry about!

Randomly, I had some Angel Delight the other day. For some reason, I'm not sure if I didn't see it on TV or something, I just felt the need, and when I discovered it was only 56p, I felt even more compelled to get some! I got butterscotch, which is pretty much the only flavour I can have, but it suits me! And I can honestly say, it was really nice! I'm not going to make a habit of it, it's probably uber bad for you, but I really enjoyed it, despite Hefty's claim of it being 'vile' after he'd nicked a spoonful. Yum yum say I! I thought this picture summed it up best, not least because I used the same bowl!



Valentine's Day today apparently, load of old tosh! Not into it myself, my parents never did it, and going to a girls school meant that I didn't grow up with it there either, and so now, I'm just not interested. Seems kind of tacky, but each to their own. Hefty always says it's better to make an effort everyday, and that it's an excuse for people who don't to do something nice. Here here!

Not sure I have a great deal else to say at the moment, but I'm back on the blogging bandwagon - and that's the main thing!

iP :0)

Munch and Puffs

I discovered an exciting new cereal in Waitrose called Gorilla Munch, and not only does it taste like Corn Pops (remember those?), it's actually good for YOU and the environment. Oh, and the packaging is hilarious, behold:



What's also exciting, is that you can get Pandah Puffs! Though, UNfortunately, they aint at Waitrose :0(



The search continues....

Ouch!

Yesterday, Ozzy was particularly hyper, and though I was trying to rest because I have somehow hurt my right shoulder (and the pain leaked into my neck and between my shoulders), I was having to pull him away from plants, coal, carpet etc. every 20 seconds, so I decided to brave the elements and walk him. Now, I normally take him round the village, but this time, I decided to drive to the local stately home and its grounds, as it's a good long walk, guaranteed to tire out the biggest of hounds!

So we got there, and it was raining, but it didn't faze me, or Ozzy, so we set off. It was all grand, until we got to the top of the hill we'd scaled, where the house is. I wanted to give him a good run, so I took him on to the grass, which was all fine, until I stumbled upon a boggy bit and slipped royally. I landed with a HUGE thud, right on my arse and skidded on said body part for about 2 metres. I was absolutely filthy, as you can imagine. But also, I'd put my arm down to break my fall (my left, as I'm left-handed), and felt the biggest judder run through my shoulder when I did. I had to sit there, in the mud, for about 5 minutes, as I thought I'd really hurt myself. However, sitting in cold, wet mud, isn't much fun anyway, but when it's soaked through to your pants, you have to think about getting up really. So I did, and realised it was okay, so we headed back to the car. Needless to say, by the time we got there, we were both caked in mud, and I had to sit on a puppy pad to protect my car seat!

I got in, and had to remove my trousers in the hall, and run upstairs to bath Ozzy. He was really dirty, and I tried to take a picture, but it hasn't really captured just how filthy he was. Anyway, I bathed him, then had a shower myself, and spent the rest of the afternoon asleep, because I was shattered, and in pain.

Well, I have woken up today, and OMG I am in PAIN, PAIN, PAIN!!! Now, I have 2 f*cked shoulders, my WHOLE neck hurts, and I feel sick! From the pain! I can barely move my left side, it's awful. I'm taking some Nurofen, but I think I'm going to have to go to the doctors to check I haven't done something more serious.

Ooh it's all one big adventure at the moment! By the way, I had flipped that picture of Ozzy, but for some reason, it'll only come up like that, so you might have to bend your neck to look at it (something I can't do!).

I've got to go to the hairdressers shortly, not my favourite place, well, I say that, I like the place, and the girl who does it, I just find sitting down for a couple of hours whilst someone fiddles with my hair, kind of boring. Luckily, I'm taking my DS with me, which should stave off the boredom. I'm just not looking forward to it cos I'm in pain! Oh well.

Anyway, have to go wake Hefty up so I can get ready (he'll need to dogsit).

Ciao for now.

iP

Oddness

I can't sleep. It was my Grandpa's funeral today, and I feel strange. It's been an odd week all round, bit of a blur, and I'm not sure I've really taken it all in. There were two services, one for his wife and her family, and one for us. They refused to go to the burial because they don't believe in it and don't think he should be buried next to my Grandma, so we sat through this weird service thing first. The priest wasn't great, he stuttered a lot, kept fluffing his lines, it was an all-round mess of a service. I know this is going to sound really stupid, but Catholic funerals are so depressing. I've known other funerals where it's really been a celebration of the person's life, and it's been comforting. This one just seemed cold and sad, and the organ music was a bit over-done. I don't know, I prolly shouldn't be slagging it off, but it didn't help at all. Afterwards, we went to the graveyard for the burial, and that seemed a bit better somehow. It was slinging it down which sucked, but it was a bit more moving and personal. I don't know, I just feel strange. I don't think it's sunk in yet. This evening I was in the kitchen putting glasses away, and I realised that my Grandpa had bought them for us, and I started looking round and saw other things he'd got us, and I got quite upset. I sat on the kitchen floor and sobbed. Ozzy came and laid on my knee, licking my hand, bless him. Dogs really do pick up on things, it's amazing.

Young Ozzy had a better day than us, as he went to Ming's house! He was there for nearly six hours I think, and when we went to pick him up, he was casually strewn over Ming's sofa like he owned the place! He came away with a new toy too, a rattley ball, which he loves! So at least one of us had fun today. I owe Ming BIG TIME for this, he worked from home so he could do it, so I'm buying in the Angus Burgers for life!! Thanks Ming!!! :0)

We've nearly sorted out our new kitchen too, just have to go in and sign and then we're on our way. It's called Kelmscott Modern Oak, and it's from MFI. I tried to get a picture off the website but it wouldn't work. It's lovely though, and I can't wait, as then we'll have space for all our appliances, and get to buy new ones! I can finally get my KitchenAid Mixer to match my blender, and we're having a built in coffee machine, which will rule!

So that's my news so far. The Jonotron is coming to chillax at Pandah Palace tomorrow. Looking forward to that, though I don't know when he's going back to Oz, it might be the last time we do it for a while. We're going to watch DVDs, and eat Cheestrings and Frubes like we did when we were kids. Brilliant.

I just read 'Vortigern's Machine and The Great Sage of Wisdom'. It was alright. Good pics. Need to read my Love and Rockets books but haven't had time. Also need to watch Peep Show! So much to do.

If I could only get to sleep I might be able to get up tomorrow and do some of these things. I still feel odd though. So I'll keep watching 'Beyond the Valley of the Dolls.'

Sigh.

Sad news

My grandpa died last night. Unfortunately, it's turned nasty. My mum found out second-hand from my auntie, who his wife had called along with everyone else except our family. None of us have been told directly, and when my mum called to speak to her, she wasn't allowed, and was spoken to like dirt. Her family told them they would sort everything out and my folks should just enjoy the rest of their holiday.

What's wrong with the world? I can't believe she wouldn't ring my mum. Or us. I wasn't involved in any of the mess yesterday, I could have been told. It's disgusting, and then for them to speak to my mum like that, it's horrendous. It makes me very angry, but it's so upsetting more than anything else. All because he wants to be buried, and buried with his first wife at that.

The only comfort I have is that when we left him yesterday, he was sleeping, and peaceful. We'd been there near the end at least.

I guess now the real fun begins.

FFS!

My god. We're only 6 days in to 2008 and it's a shitter. where do I start? I think, bullet points would be an idea, as there's too much to rant about:

Ozzy has a displaced hip, and has to stay in his pet carrier for TWO WEEKS!! For a hyperactive puppy (and his owner), that's an effing long time. He will also have to have regular check ups and x-rays until he's fully grown, to make sure it doesn't affect the way his leg grows. Otherwise, he might end up deformed.

SuperSaz is out of hospital and staying with us, but no better. Hospital were useless. They told her one thing she had wrong with her but said it wasn't that and she'd need a CT scan. Then they said, oh actually it IS that, forget the CT scan. She's got to see how she is for a week and if no better go back. GREAT! Not at all a waste of everyone's effing time! She could have been cured by now if they'd made some kind of frakking effort! So I'm taking her to the docs tomorrow to try and sort it out.

My grandpa is very ill with terminal cancer, and though at home on a hospital bed, is apparently on his way out. It's horrible, but what's making it worse is that my step-grandma has made all these lies up about him and the situation, so that we're not really sure how he is. And, he's always said he wants to be buried with my grandma (she died nearly 30 years ago), and she's saying he's changed his mind, which he hasn't, and she had a HUGE argument with my sister and slagged her and my mum off! I just sort of stood there, it was awful. Basically, she doesn't believe in burial, but says if he wants to be buried, it should be on his own somewhere, cos she's looked after him for 20 years. But as she wants to be cremated I don't see the point even if she got her own way! But it isn't about her, it's what he wants, which she seems to be forgetting. Neither me or my sister think that shouting about it all when he's in the next room is good for his health though. But the nurses who came, went and discussed it all with him, and it's now written in his notes, so she can't keep spouting this rubbish. As we left, she had another shouting session and we left (me still keeping quiet), with my sister slamming the door. Then, we had to go back to my sister's and try and get hold of the folks to warn them about it all. Eventually my sister spoke to my Mum, who was uber angry, and will be ringing my step-grandma to put her straight, but it's all a bit crap, and going round there now is going to be very awkward. As if it isn't all depressing enough without her causing loads of trouble. And it turns out, she rung my auntie, who rung my sister, and was telling a completely different story and lying again saying my sister had just laid into her for no reason! Aaaagh!!!!

Also, I have a stinking cold, Hefty does, SuperSaz does, my sister does, and so does her husband!!! I feel HORRID! And am not sure how much more I can take!

So, that's why I've had enough! I'm tired, ill, pissed off, stressed, and waiting for the next thing to go wrong.

Hmph.

Happy New Year?

Well, I had hoped to get a post in before the new year, but things haven't really gone according to plan. Where do I start?!

Ozzy has kept us busy, he's a hyperactive little fella and hard work, but thoroughly adorable. He's quite naughty, but it adds to the charm!

Christmas has gone too quickly as per usual. I had a nice birthday, though as it was the day after we got Ozzy, I was shattered, after a pretty sleepless night. I don't remember a great deal about it, I mean it was nearly a month ago now, but it was alright.
Hefty had a nice birthday too, I bought him the complete Sopranos boxed set and a wickedace Rocky dressing gown, which is essentially a dressing gown version of the silk ringside gown Rocky wears.



His folks came up too which was cool, it's always nice to see them. Then Christmas came and went! I got some cool stuff though:

Peep Show DVD boxed set
Special Edition Black Hawk Down (3 discs!)
Open All Hours Series 3 (I've only one more to get now!)
Two Love and Rockets Books: Maggie the Mechanic and Heartbreak Soup
A big Remy from Ratatouille toy
A cartridge with about 20 Nintendo DS games on it
Loads of Soap & Glory stuff
A Mr T mug
A breakfast set
Humble Pie - Gordon Ramsay's autobiography
A Mutts Gone Mad calendar
Cesar's Way - A book by the Dog Whisperer from Sky
Toys You Pestered Your Parents For book
Dark Chocolate Liqueur Chocolates (good old Step-Grandma, managed to buy a product with the two things I'm most allergic to in it)
Milky Bar Buttons
Thornton's White Chocolate Snowman

I'm sure there was other stuff, but I can't look because of the reason New Year was a bit of a washout. To begin with, SuperSaz was taken into hospital on Saturday with suspected Appendicitis, they've dawdled to say the least, and she's STILL in, not knowing what's wrong with her, when she can come out, or what they're doing for her. If it had been life-threatening she'd have probably died by now. Punks. She's still in pain but they can't do all the tests they need to do at once cos there's no-one to do them, so they're doing one every two days at the moment!!! It's well shit. So last night, we spent the evening in hospital with her, as she's on a ward on her own! There's no-one else at all! Just five empty beds! Not the best way to spend New Years Eve. I hate it anyway, as does she, but we were supposed to be spending it together at our house with a Chinese and a film. We left her at about half 10, cos my sister was dog-sitting Ozzy, as he doesn't like being on his own. I'm trying to get him used to it gradually, but leaving him for three hours wasn't an option, so we've been leaving him with her and her lot (Sophie, Sugar and Henry). Well, Ozzy's hyper anyway, and because there's only three weeks between him and Henry, they play like maniacs, and as we were leaving hospital, she rang to say they'd had to take him to the emergency vets cos he'd had an accident. He's pulled a ligament in his back leg, and can't walk at all. I have to keep him confined to his bed for the next two or three days cos he needs complete rest, which means I have to sit with him constantly otherwise he fidgets and starts yelping! We've got pain killers for him but he's really subdued. It's awful. I've had no sleep, I was up all night panicking about him, so am plying myself with coffee to stave off the tiredness and pounding headache. I told SuperSaz to stay with us when she comes out cos she lives on her own, and I want to look after her, so Hefty is getting the spare bedroom ready. But it feels like we're running a hospital! My sister's really upset cos she feels like it's her fault, but he's so hyper it could have happened anywhere, at any time. He's so full of it I'm surprised it hasn't happened sooner. It's typical it happened on New Years Eve though, the tablets cost £2.00 and the call-out charge was £85.00!! With VAT it's come out at one hundred squids!!!

So, not the best Christmas OR New Year really! Poor Ozmond, and SuperSaz!



I always hated January anyway, roll on February!

Hope everyone else had a better time, though it can't have been hard!

iP :0(

Ozzy

This is my puppy Ozzy! He's so lovely, with his little whiny noises and general squeaking! He's also uber fluffy! He's currently lying spark out on the kitchen floor, bless him. He's been very good so far, I hope it lasts!

Henry

This is Henry by the way. Let me tell you, there's nothing more wonderful than being attacked by a puppy that just wants to lick your face and nuzzle you! Whilst wagging his little tail and making squeaky noises!! It's the cutest thing ever! :0) I hope my puppy is as loving as this little guy!

December - The pros and cons

Well, my friend came round for dinner the other night and it was lovely! Hefty was on form and made the best veggie mince lasagne ever! We're not veggies but she is, and we had to come up with something we'd all want to eat. Luckily, there's this lovely stuff which I think is just called Veggie Mince (they have it in Sainsbury's and Waitrose) and it tastes like meat, not like nasty Quorn which is rank! After she'd gone, I realised how much I like entertaining, so I might do more!

Went to my sister's today as she's been uber ill with flu and was too tired to get to mine. Plus, her boss seems to think she's not actually ill and though she blatantly is, she was worried she might call round like she did the other day. We had lattes and did some chatting before going to pick the Biz up from nursery. When we got there she was asleep, which never happens, and then we couldn't find her shoes and spent half an hour scouring the place. Then we found them in another child's tray and think she did it on purpose cos she never wants to leave. Then, she still didn't want to leave but we managed to bribe her out with the promise of cuddling Henry (my sister's new puppy) and listening to Phil Spector's Christmas Album in the car. It worked, then when we got home she had a massive strop and wouldn't stop screaming, crying, and shouting 'No!'. She can be a right little sod and I really feel for my sister as she's so run down, she's ill all the time at the moment and it stresses her out big time. I tell people about Biz and they say "You should do this" and "This will work" blah blah blah. Unless you have her with you, I don't think anyone can appreciate how difficult she is. She's so stubborn and strong willed, she just doesn't behave and doesn't care what you think of her. She's a punk! I reckon even Supernanny would be stumped on this one. Maybe I should call her and find out!

When I got home there was a stack of cards on the door mat! Getting very excited now, I have lots of cards and some presents and once the tree goes up tomorrow that'll be it! The best things about having a December birthday are:

- You get to have your presents under the Christmas tree, or if you're very special (like moi) you have your own birthday tree! Which is just a Christmas tree that goes in your bedroom and is only for birthday presents!

- You get to open your advent calendar on your birthday!

- Most people are in a good mood cos they like Christmas.

- There's loads of nice food in the shops - yum!

There are downsides too though:

- Finding a birthday cake isn't easy, shops seem to think that only Christmas happens in December and therefore people only want fruitcake (I hate fruitcake).

- Shops also think that people only want Christmas cards, and sometimes you get pretty crappy ones, but it IS the thought that counts, and not the person who buys you one's fault.

- The later your birthday is in December the worse it is. I'm okay cos the 3rd is early enough for people to only just be getting to grips with the festive season, but poor Hefty's is the 17th. He's never had a party cos the kids had all broken up from school and were too busy. Also, everyone has got to that "Aagh, it's a week til Christmas!" stressed stage, and are no longer in a good mood. Also, booking to go out for a meal is nigh on impossible.

- You have to wait a whole year for your birthday AND Christmas, so you don't have much mid-year excitement. Hefty and I remedied this by getting married on the 25th June, EXACTLY 6 months between then and Christmas, problem solved!

- You tend to get one present which is classed as a Birthday/Christmas present, rather than 2. Let's face it, having 2 to open is much better, and anything less is just laziness!!!!

- Your Mum says stuff like "Once your birthday's out of the way we can concentrate on getting sorted for Christmas." Maybe that's just my Mum. Frankly though, it's not nice to be told your birthday is essentially in the way of more important stuff.

That's all I can think of, but it's a substantial list!

Looking forward to Monday though, Hefty's got the day off, we'll have a puppy, and we're getting a new TV. Also, SuperSaz is coming round - yay!! Ooh, I've got a good birthday cake too, it's a SpongeBob one, I'll be sure to post a pic!

I am currently loving a band called Shiny Toy Guns, which is kind of electro pop stuff. I'm also loving New Young Pony Club, and CSS. I'm going to get their CDs when I get my allowance in a week, as I've been thinking about it for too long now! I'm really bad at buying music, I just forget what I like and don't seem to get round to it. I suppose it's cos I only really listen to it in my car, so once I'm out, that's it! Blank memory!

Right, I'm off to find a top cos I'm cold. Meeting my friend for lunch tomorrow then getting puppy on Sunday!! Let's hope he looks distinctive and I can think of a name!

iP

Forceps and other tales

Well I've been busy again! I really should blog more often, with regular little snippets of information rather than mahoossive postings that look like too much effort to read! I shall do a brief summary and try harder in future:

1. Went on another mad cleaning frenzy last week, and discovered how much lovelier houses look when they have clean windows!

2. Saw my Grandpa who marvelled at my opening of the carton of Tropicana they'd struggled with all week.

3. Bought a new clock for our mantel piece - modern yet antiquey (I think so anyway).



4. Designed our new kitchen and got very excited, just need to save up a bit of money now!

5. Went out for dinner with some friends and had the nicest Hawaiian pizza I've had in AAGES.


That could be about it.......Ooh, I'm not sure if I blogged about my cousin's baby? Well, earlier in the year (I can't remember when), my cousin's girlfriend had a baby boy, and they called him 'River'. Hmm. So, now, my other cousin (his brother) and his girlfriend have also had a baby, and they've called him 'Blue.' So it just goes to show, being posh isn't good for you, or your children.

Today, Ming and I went to the Thackray Medical Museum, which was random, and wholly enjoyable. I now know what an iron lung does, how to amputate limbs, all about different types of medical instruments, and that no matter where you go, the gift shop is always full of tat. There were at least 3 groups of school kids in as well, and they were all mutants! They were all above 6 ft, even the girls, we felt like we were in Land of the Giants. There were also sections where they'd tried to recreate Victorian streets and houses, the kind where you walk through and everything stinks of shit. It was really good though, and we did lots of laughing. Especially in the limb section where they had a list of famous amputees. We only knew Heather Mills, but the others seemed to have actually achieved stuff, rather than just marrying a Beatle. Afterwards, we went to Burger King, mmmmm. It was a brill day, only marred by the headache I acquired just after I'd left Ming's house. Still it seems to have worn off now, probably thanks to the gel Ibruprofen (?) thingys I took.

Anyway, it's my birthday next Monday, that seems to have come round quickly! I'll be 28 - aagh! Getting the puppy on Sunday though, much more exciting! Still no name, nobody can agree, Hefty doesn't like Brillo, my Mum thinks he should have a good strong upper class name, it's a mare. I'm hoping he really looks like something or I'm buggered. Maybe I should ask my cousins, they seem to be quite good at coming up with unusual names

My friend's coming for dinner tomorrow night, she's lovely so I'm really looking forward to it :0)

So that's my news summed up. I shall try and be better, I just seem to start doing stuff and before I know it, time has run out!!

I'm rubbish.

iP

Never a pair

Well well, I've got slack again! I'm still not fully recovered though so it's not solely due to laziness!!

So I'm still very tired and congested since having the flu thing. Hefty got me some Sudafed tablets yesterday, which were a revelation! You're not allowed to take more than 4 in any 24 hours though so I can't have anymore until tomorrow! Still, they've done a pretty good job so far so I'm not complaining!

Not sure I have much to say today.......ooh, I went into town on Friday and quite frankly, it was shit! There was nothing in the shops, and what was, was rubbish! I've never felt so un-Christmassy whilst Christmas shopping!! It was most disappointing, so I'm going to stick to online shopping from now on. I know it's still November and they might not have everything out yet, but WHY haven't they? It's not like most shops don't start Christmas in September anyway, why is this year different?!!!!

In other news, there's a phenomenon that has had me puzzled for quite some time now, and I'm not sure if it only happens in my part of the world. Does anyone else ever notice that the roadsides are strewn with shoes (never a pair), gloves (again, never two), and other articles of clothing that you can't make out? Today, I counted two boots (individual ones), a glove, and something which I couldn't make out but appeared to be made of wool. I see these things all the time, whichever part of this city I drive through. I just don't understand where they're coming from? It makes no sense? You can't just lose a shoe on a road, surely?!! It's all very odd anyway, but I wasn't sure if it only happened in Yorkshire.

We're going to design our new kitchen tonight, which will either be really exciting, or extremely boring. The one we got in this house is pretty poor, to say the least. Not only is it crap quality, there's hardly anything of it! We have a big kitchen, but they only put a couple of units in as they were selling it as a dining kitchen. Fair enough, but the dining bit is next to the dining room!! Talk about dining over load! It really is crap for a 4 bedroomed three storey house. We have 2 main cupboards (one of which is under the sink and so can only house under the sink style products), 2 thin shallow ones, and another wide but shallow one. Oh, and 2 drawers. Big frakking deal. When we first came into the house having not seen it, I cried with disappointment. We've complained numerous times but Persimmon are clearly not willing to do anything about it so we decided we'll just have to pay for a proper one ourselves. If we couldn't afford to do so I'd be mighty pissed off, and even though we can I'm mighty pissed off, but at least I don't have to live with it for much longer. We're just getting a quote tonight, as Hefty likes to pay in full for everything, he doesn't do credit, but at least we'll get an idea of when we can have it done. I really can't wait, as though I love my house, there's always been something missing, and it's always been the kitchen! Not having one is really depressing, as it feels like a really big bedsit at the moment, and it made Christmas last year a nightmare. There's hardly any workspace either so we can't both do kitcheny things at the same time which is annoying. I don't know how we've put up with it for so long, but thank gods it's not forever!

Next week I'm going out for the day with Ming, as he's on holiday. As we only do random things together, we've decided to visit the Thackray Medical Museum, which should be a mini adventure. They have a Victorian Amputation Exhibition section, can't wait!!!

Well, need to do some washing now, a Domestic Engineer's work is never done!

iP