Not *quite* as green

in the photo than in reality.
My temperature was playing up again so I was wondering around the garden trying to cool off and looking for green-ness when I noticed the barrel thingy was frozen over. It looked so odd - the top was solid like glass and all the algae stuff had settled on the bottom. Of course I couldn't get a picture to capture the sight properly but this will have to do.
Hopefully I'll be feeling a bit better by tomorrows photo of me.
xx

Deceptive weather

As you look out the window and think, ooh - t-shirt weather.
Lies.
Well, I guess you could wear a t-shirt if you wanted.
You might catch pneumonia but, you know, whatever...

look, look, can you see it?!

Day started and ended with grey skies and rain.
Just a little hint of blue in between.
Nice.
xx

Quoted

So, my nan and granddad were coming over with my great aunt.
She rang my nan this morning to say that her daughter has the day off work.
Nan assumes this means aunt won't be coming.
Aunt says no, daughter'd like to come over too.
Nan says that would be good as daughter could drive her car.
(seeing as nans car is a little 3 door, it would save aunt climbing in and out.)
Aunt says, actually -

I coudn't stop laughing all day.
I might get a t-shirt printed up.
(I'm laughing again at the memory. brilliant.)
xx

I couldn't quite work out

how to shrink this to the right size to upload it to UKS and still have it visible without a magnifying glass.
So, as today is all about my feet (so to speak) here it is.
Ta daa.
And I really do miss it.

I'm all for a great sky shot

These, while not 'great', I like. Even if it was me that took them. That's allowed. It's not like I praise myself often.
There's 1 hour between the two if you're wondering.
I took the first one when I suddenly remembered it was ttv day and I needed the light. Turned out I needn't have worried as this amazing sunset hit later but I like them both.
Also found out I can sort of manage to take them with my compact aswell as my DSLR so that's a bit less clunky. Yay.

this weeks self portrait has a guest star

I was trying to get a photo of The Fluff for my phone, it didn't quite work but I think it works for a Monday photo.

Green with a touch of purple

Now this is what I like to see.
Bit of colour in the garden.
Bit of life after all the rain, snow and ice.
Granted the petals have already been nibbled but I can't really blame the whatever it was - it's not like the flowers are plentiful at the moment.

Blanket day

So it seems my temperature has gone down just in time for the cold weather to make a come back.

Of course.

I can't believe I'm annoyed that I don't have a temperature (I'm rolling my eyes at myself right now, just so you're aware)

Fingers crossed for sleep tonight.

x

You know those days

where you're hoping the weather will be cheery, so it can give you a smile?
Yeah, not so much today.
Ah well.
Sometimes I like a bit of rain.

So it would appear

A phone camera with no flash doesn't work too well at night. Go figure.
I couldn't find a bloomin' thing that made me smile today - injection's made me feel awful, my arm is killing me and I woke up a million times as every time I turned over - ouch.
See, this is why I'm feeling moany - lack of sleep. It always makes you all negative. Well, it does with me anyway.
Anyhoo, just about to go to bed and declare today a bust, this little guy curls up under my legs and looks up with those eyes.
Bless.
No attacks lately either, might help that the weather's been a bit warmer and he can go outside. Because, as you know, we control the weather and only make it rain to annoy him.
Here's hoping for a better nights sleep.
xx

Blah

Started the day at the doctors. Tried out covert photography with new phone cam - seeing as it's a teeny lens and there's no flash, it wasn't so bad.
Nurse was nice enough - you know how nurses can be? I've known worse, believe me. Anyhoo, small discussion over what vaccinations I should/shouldn't be having and the next thing I know her and mum have decided to stab me there and then. Of course I go into immediate panic mode, but I suppose it was best to have it done there and then without the build up, would definitely make the worrying worse. And it wasn't as bad as would have built myself up to imagine either. I guess it was more a fear of the unknown? Either way, I'm not so worried about next time.

Why is it when other people take pics of their feet they look fine? Whenever I take them I either look like a midget or 10ft tall. Also like I'm leaning backwards somehow...odd. I don't see us getting any snow this week, lots of rain but definitely no snow.

So, now I'm home and in pain. Funny how it's just below the injection that gets sore and not above it.

Another attempt with the phone. I remembered I'm also supposed to be taking pictures to sum up January for Shimelle's thingy on UKS. Figured proof of needle is something to remember. Not the pain. Don't want to remember that. Or the temperature. Pfft.

Still, at least I can now stab myself with a rose thorn and not worry too much. Silver linings at what not. Should come in handy with my annual rose pruning...

In an attampt to cheer my mopey self up I caved and cashed in my Christmas iTunes voucher. New music is always worth a smile and even better when you don't pay for it (in a legal way, of course...) Bought The Perishers and Lissie.

Still have quite a few on the list -

*Another Perishers

*New Moon (not as desperate for the film as I am for the album - have you seen the list of artists? Goodness me.)

*100 Monkeys

*Good Old War

*Cast Spells

I'm so obsessed with music again. I go through phases. I wonder when my book phase will kick in again? Or even my movie phase. I feel like I haven't bought any movies in ages. Ah well. Supposed to be saving not spending right now anyway.

Yup.

No spending.

MmHmm.

Goooood luck.

Spend heavy

New glasses.
New phone.
That's it.
Less spending, more saving.
Hmm.
Good luck to me.

Eurgh

Old lady pose for old lady feeling me.
I swear, I have muscles aching that I didn't know existed.
It's day like this where I'm glad I don't give in a take pain killers daily. I used to never think I'd get past the pain. I remember people saying you learn to live with it - I figured they were insane. Turns out, they were right. You do learn to live with it. Makes you wonder how much you're in when you do start to feel it though.
That said, better get to resting as tomorrow's a busy day...

Nothing but blue skies

Sooo...I was preparing for the weekend rain...
Ah well.

Another productive day today. Nearly finished my CJ to send off - just need some brown ink. It probably isn't vital, but you know what happens when you get an idea in your head? Well, I have an idea in my head and my brown ink has dried up. There are worse things in the universe of course, but it's blimmin annoying. I'd be finished by now otherwise.
I really like what I've done so far. I can't wait to see it finished! Although that won't happen until the end of the year and I swear I'm not going to wish this year away like I did last year.
Far too many plans for this year!
xx

And here's the rain they promised

So, who knew the weatherfolk do actually predict the weather right round here on occasion.
Go figure.
So, I feel like death but had a rather productive day. Finally managed to put the finishing touches on the tag book we all made at the Magpie retreat last November. It was basically finished anyway but I added a cover and a page with our group shot on.
Also *finally* made a start on putting together my CJ for posting on 1st Feb. Cut and hole punched the blank pages, stuck some paper down on the front and cut the papers for the sign in page. Also die cut a bunch of labels for my magpie friends to use for signing in on. With my last one I didn't leave any room for them to put pictures in but this time there will be! Mwah-ha-haa

Think I've found a nice camera that may be on offer at Tesco (if not, it is on Amazon) and also the phone I would like.
That's a whole bunch of electronics in one go isn't it?
The phone is funny. I saw my friend had one when we went to go see Joseph and she says it's great (tocco lite). I remembered, when I was checking review sites, that it didn't have that great a general review so I skipped over it. When Nat said it was good I figured I'd have a closer look. Turns out the thing that was making it lose points was the fact that it wasn't 3G. I think I've used the internet once on a phone in my life. Didn't care for it *at* all. Goes to show I should pay closer attention in future as other than that (and a few gripes about there not being a stylus) the reviews are pretty glowing. Just have to wait for a new mobile offer at Tesco - seeing as the last one finished last Monday...!

Oh, and another reviewer gave it bad marks as it didn't store as many texts in his inbox as his last phone.
This one only holds 300...
Yeah, mine currently stores 19...(one of the many reasons it's annoying me)
I think I'll survive with *only* 300.

A brief glimpse of blue

It was nice to see some blue after all the white and grey we've had the past couple of weeks - though apparently I need to treasure this picture as the rain is rolling in...

I tried really hard

to find something that made me smile today. Luckily I received my new calendar in the post. I ordered it from Etsy and it's beautiful. Even more pretty in real life than online. Luckily.

Today was an interesting one. Had to go for the docs for a check up and mum made me ask about having the vacinations I missed when I was younger. She checked my records to find out which ones I had done and sounded shocked when they computer brought up nothing...traumatic childhood experience with an evil nurse has left me somewhat scared when it comes to needles.
Anyhoo, she left a note for the nurse who called this afternoon to set up an appointment for a discussion about what to do...
I'm now envisioning a years worth of injections. My stomach's already started to churn. I asked mum to make the appointments for me so I won't know when they're coming - I hope that plan works.

I feel so stupid being so scared of just a needle. I mean, I'm so lucky to have the option. All the coutries where they don't have the chance to be protected from things.

I just need to keep chanting that over and over in my head...

Wet wednesday

Snow's basically gone. Rain is falling. Not cold enough for it to turn to ice (yet...)
Meh.
I hate inbetween weather.
Trip to the doctors tomorrow (blah) so I'll really have to hunt for something to make me smile!

xxx

sha-la-laa Joseph

Turns out technicolour was right. Amazing technicolour dreamcoat. I can't believe I forgot that.

Show was amazing and Poole Lighthouse is a very nice theatre - small-ish but great sound and perfect tiered-ness with the seats. Only problem was the scenes in the cell with the smoke - it spread up quite quick *cough cough*

My goodness it was cold outside though. When we crossed over the road it felt soo bitterly cold it hurt! Br-blinking-rrr...

Just incase you can't work it out, above picture is of Pip (my cat) pulling his 'rabbit' face. He ends up in the most bizarre postions when he's asleep.

xx

Monday, monday

Too tired. Too cold. Too sore. This is what you're getting and count yourself bloomin' lucky.

I kid, I kid!

All above is true though (well, minus the 'count yourself lucky' bit) I am sooo cold today, so tired (not sleeping for some reason) and all my muscles ache. Which is odd as I haven't really done anything for the past couple of days.

Hopefully I'll feel better tomorrow as (if the weather stays as is, or even better - gets nicer) I'm going with a friend to see Joseph and his...Technicolour Anorak...ok, I have seriously forgotten what it's called! Definitely Joseph....oh for goodness sake...dreamcoat? I'm not sure technicolour's right though...sigh...

I saw it a few years ago at the Pavillion (which makes it sadder that I can't think of the name) and this time we're going to see it at the Lighthouse in Poole. Never been there before - mostly because their website has to be one of the most confusing and god awful theatre websites I have ever been on. But darling friend booked the tickets (ooh, I owe her money! good reminder...) so I didn't have to worry about that too much.

Anyhoo, see you tomorrow with my TTV. Which, sadly, won't be themed on Joseph at all. Mostly because I still haven't made the tube so can't have the cam in daylight. But also, wouldn't really want to take the whole kit to a theatre anyway as knowing me, I'll break it.

xx

Sunday, sunday

It would seem that the bulbs don't mind the snow that much. I would have thought that they would myself, but there you go.

Once again my green pic isn't all that green. I'll have to work on that one.

A closer look

Managed to 'borrow' ma n pa's camera for my macro today - they have a far better one so I could get right up close to the snow. Icy.

Also thought I'd upload a pic we took of one of the birds I was talking about yesterday. If anyone wants to dispute the Fieldfare status I've placed upon them feel free - bird books are never quite the same as seeing them in 'real life'.

Hope everyone is having a snuggly warm weekend, I know I am - stupid aching muscles needing hot water bottle on them...

xxx

One week later...

What a difference between last weeks sky and this weeks - better change the view next week though otherwise it'll look odd/ruin the flow if I'm nowhere near the loft on a Friday in the future.

Today was...tiring...
Went bed shopping. I've had this base for nearly 10 years and it's getting so creaky I'm worried each time I climb in it'll fall apart! They had a sale on at homebase plus 10% off today and tomorrow so new bed frame, delivered, £80. Nice.
It's a metal one, so I'll have to get some tubs/boxes for underneath. Having had a divan w/storage base for this long I don't think it's possible for me to give up the extra space it added! Still, with my craft bits moving up to the loft now it should give me some added room in here. Which I most definitely need!
See, I have the belongings of a 25 year old but I still live with the parents (not that I have much of a choice) but it does make for a bit of an overflow into the other rooms in the house. Dad says he's going to have a major sort out of the loft loft (storage loft not room loft) once the weather gets warmer. I told him I don't mind as long as he doesn't use his shouting voice.
I predict tears before summer.
Whether it will be from me or from him when I throw a box at his head who knows?

Anyhoo, *finally* got all my 365 pics printed off and in their album. Just have to decorate it now...really should have done it a month at a time - such a daunting task now! Next year will be much easier - just one day at a time (quite literally!)
xxx

Smile, it's Thursday!

I didn't have a bloomin' clue what my Thursday theme was going to be so I figured I'd do the trick I played yesterday - just take a bunch of pictures and see what jumps out at me.
There were this giant flock of Field Fares that descended on us this morning - and it was impossible to get a picture of them. The slightest bit of movement from something other than a bird or plane and poof, they were off. At one point a few of them (trust - times above amount by at least 5, there were a *lot*) landed in the tree outside and I managed to snap this pic through the window. Yes it isn't the best picture but I captured the memory so it's all good.
So then I got to thinking of themes...

Nature? Well, with 'green' Sundays I imagine I'll be using nature as a fall back there quite often so probably not the best idea.

Birds? Not round this way - that was a rarity, and unless I want about 45 (minimum) shots of pigeons it wouldn't be the best idea.

Then I got it - things that make me smile! They did - it took forever, running back and forth looking out the windows, just for me and mum to get a good view to identify them. Then another half hour or so going through bird books trying to identify them.

It's a photo that makes me smile because it as a smiley memory attatched.

Imagine a whole album with just pictures that make you smile...
I'm sure you have some. I'm not talking about the obvious children/partners/pets shots, I mean the ones that people look at and you know they're thinking 'why did they take a shot of that?!' Those kind of pictures.
I want a smile album by the end of the year. So that's my plan.

And that's the seven days themed.
I'll see you tomorrow with my sky shot!
xxx

Well waddaya know

we did actually get snow. Never saw that coming. Weathermen usually lie about these things. Granted it was supposed to start yesterday afternoon and didn't actually start until 10am this morning but still, snow!

The photo theme for today (as I needed to document this rare occasion somehow) is 'The World at my feet' (see pic with Pip above).

I think it could work, a different way of documenting what I've gotten up to that day. Just need to find some interesting floors for Wednesdays...

Pip was funny. He wasn't the slightest bit happy about going out in it until we went with him - then it was all we could do to get him in! After a relentless half hour spent defending the garden from an attack by the deadly deadly snowflake he proceeded to pass out on the sofa and spent the next 5 hours snoring his head off. Bless.

Welcome

To TTV tuesdays...

A very dodgy looking TTV tuesday...

Out of all the skills that I hope to improve this is definitely one of them.

I imagine the construction of one of those tube things to block out the light will help me immensely...better get on that before next week...

That thing to the left btw is an easel with a picture mum did in pastels. I just couldn't get the lighting without it glaring off the lens...really need the tube.

It also should be on the right.

I forgot to reverse it.

This is absolutely a work in progress.

Tis me

I know you can't see me all that well, but trust me when I say - the way I feel at the moment, you don't want a close up!

Still, it makes for a more rounded portrait in a way - all my junk giving you a glimpse into the chaos of my life (I really need to sort it all out!)

Stack of CDs that don't have a home - can you see the pile on top of my rack behind me? Yeah, they don't fit either. I really need a better sheving system...

Few bangles, iTunes voucher, hair grips, necklace, camera batteries that need charging, Dream Cream (miracle cream for my eczma covered hands), box full of BPAL and my shiney "new" kodak duaflex - which will be coming in handy for my TTV day.

Urgh...my room needs cleaning...
xxx

Green Sundays

Why green for Sundays you ask? Well, Sundays is pretty much the only day we can guarantee dad will have off so it's much more likely I'll be immersed in nature (woods, rivers walks etc) on a Sunday. Logical, no?

I thought I'd take a picture of on of my potentially ressurected orchids (see the leaf, do ya? do ya?!) It's amazing what a new pot with a bit more room for the roots to a) grow and b) not be immersed in water can do. The leaves are so strong now - before they were so floppy they folded over the size of the pot. You can still see the crease marks where they bent, but now they're all strong and wonderful.

Umm...I sound like the crazy old spinster lady obsessing over her plants don't I? Wow, that's kicked in a few years early...and I have the cat too...hmm...

For some reason the picture didn't come out very green so I edited it a bit. I think it was the lighing in the bathroom. I might re-take it tomorrow in proper day light as the leaf looks really dirty too for some reason...odd...

In other news - Christmas decs were taken down today, boo! I hate how bare it seems when they first go away. I love all the cozy fairy lights all over the place...oh well, if we kept them up all year round it wouldn't be quite as magical would it...

That was it really. My dizzyness is back - joy - so I couldn't manage much. I've walked into so many things the past few days I've got a delightful new collection of bruises all down one side of me including one very painful one on my hip that I can't for the life of me remember getting, or how I could have gotten it in the first place! I went round the house today seeing if there's anything hip height for me and there's nothing! Very strange...

Anyhoo, self portrait for tomorrow...better dig the makeup and trowel out...

xxx

And henceforth

Saturdays shall now also be known as macro day.

Turns out it was a smidge cold out today. Still, made for pretty patterns on the windows.

So, I had 3 days worth yesterday...just added macro to the mix...just 3 more ideas yeah?
I would kind of like to make them travel/idiot proof, iykwim? For example, if I forget that I haven't taken a picture of the sky until, say, 11pm, the sky will still be there. (I figure if it isn't I won't be worrying so much that I forgot a picture...) Unlike, for example, a picture of a certain view every Thursday. Or at a certain time. Though I may still take a pic of the garden at the start of each month just to see the changes...
Same theory works for TTV (as long as I remember to take my cam with me on a trip..), self portraits, 'green' and now macro.
Sooo...3 travel/idiot proof things...hmm...

Yup, definitely with need for blog surfing...
xx

New beginnings and all that

By default my Fridays shall now be deemed 'Sky Days'. Mostly because I couldn't find anything else to photograph. Still, a years worth of Friday skies should be somewhat interesting yeah? To a meteorologist...

I think what I'll do, once I've found out what my weekly/daily themes are is put together a mini-ish of the days. So by the end of the year I'll end up with seven books. It'll be good because I can never make up my mind anyway so if I can't decide between 3 or 4 ways of embellishing something, no matter, pick 'em all and a few more to boot!!

Still haven't completely decided what each day is going to be yet (apart from Fridays, obviously) but I think I'll do 1 self portrait a week.
On Mondays.
Mondays are good...

There will also be a TTV day. And I think I might go for a specific colour day. I think maybe green? At least I'll know if all else fails I can just grab a plant...

Hmm...that's 3 things. That isn't even close to being 7. Me thinks I need to do some blog surfing for a bit of inspiration...

Anyhoo, back this 'new beginnings, 1st of January' what-have-you.
This year is going to be a good one.
I don't know why, I can just feel it.
I'm now pretty certain it's the St. Johns talking but who cares. Positivity is positivity, right?!
Yes.
Where was I? Oh yeah, this year's gonna be a good'un.
There shall be a whole bunch of new babies coming into my life. Honestly, I can't remember a time when there wasn't anymore - someone always seems to get pregnant before the last one's been born. It's just been a constant whirl of new babies for the past 3 years, I'm going to start forgetting/mixing up names soon...

What else? Umm...holiday! Pagham again, but at least we know it's pretty and there's stuff to do. Plus (hopefully!) another Magpie retreat. So much fun on the one we just had! I'm going to see Joseph and his colourful coat in a couple of weeks and possibly The Sound of Music again in the autumn. I remember going to see it when I was younger - Nan and Granddad bought us all tickets as they were friends with the woman playing Mother Superior. And I went to drama school with one of the boys playing...umm...Friederick? That's the only name I can remember...it wasn't a big part. They cast the 'un-important' parts with local kids. Saves on costs and child slave labour inquiries I guess...

Wow I've been rambling again.

Okay, so here's to 2010. *raises imaginary glass*
Hope it's a good for you as I imagine mine will be for me!
xxx