Done!
It's November 30th and I've posted everyday since the November 1st.
It's been a little panicy (is that a real word?) but I made it.
Thank goodness I don't have to post tomorrow :o) Oh right of course PhotoHunt!
Friday, November 30, 2007
NaBloPoMo
Posted by Le laquet 1 comments
Labels: NaBloPoMo
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Thankful
In response to a very thankful someone aka Alison, I give you 7 things (one for every day this week) that I am thankful for :o) 1. My work ... I love spending time with young children. How much fun is that?
2. My friends ... Ruth, Kev, Su - where would I be without you?
3. IT ... I missed lectures in uni (they were first thing on Thursday morning. Wednesday night was union night! Hello?) but the headteacher of my first school gave me a laptop in March 1998. LIfe-changing? You betcha! And if it wasn't for her/it ... well, no laptop, no blogging, no husband, no Scrabulous *gulp*
4. My love of gastronomy ... sharing food with friends, family and love ones is almost as good as great sex or really fabulous new shoes ;o)
5. La belle France et les Français ... J'étais né au Pays de Galles et je suis Galloise mais dans mon coeur je suis Française!
6. My family ... whatever I do; how ever I fuck up; they're still my family.
7. Blogging ... Do I need to explain? After all NaBloPoMo ... well exactly!
Posted by Le laquet 4 comments
Labels: NaBloPoMo
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Even more notes to self
Good grief it's almost Christmas! When did that happen? We've got our first dress rehearsel on Monday and we don't know the words to When Santa got stuck up the chimney yet! NOTE TO SELF ... pay more attention when they talk about important dates! You're in charge, you just can't afford to look like a doofus! Speaking of almost Christmas ... cards? Presents? NOTE TO SELF ... what was it you said last time? Pull your finger out! NOW WOMAN! Your school work "to do" list for the weekend is growing. Yes, I know you crossed two jobs off it yesterday but it's still growing. NOTE TO SELF ... say no to anything else. You already have an ICT staff meeting to present on Monday and you can't handle any more work on top of that which you already have to do. Be brave. If the head/dep head/any combo of the two ask you to do something - just say NO! When the clinical psychologist asks you if you tackled your sniper - lie! Say yes you did! NOTE TO SELF ... but look convincing ;o) She's a trained professional and she'll see through you. And then go and deal with the sniper - because she's a vicious, truth-twisting, mardy cow-bag hiding behind baby-blues and a blond fringe and needs taking down a peg or two for your personal satisfaction!
Posted by Le laquet 2 comments
Labels: NaBloPoMo, Notes to self
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Tuesday night music
I must have shared this before ... just fancied a little James Taylor!
What a voice, what a tanktop!Posted by Le laquet 3 comments
Monday, November 26, 2007
So far removed from picture perfect
My parents came for the night. They've gone to Wales for a few days. They've borrowed my camera ... I feel bereft! I can't wait for them to come back ALREADY!
Posted by Le laquet 6 comments
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Unconscious mutterings #251
I say ... and you think ... ?
Filthy :: Rotten Scoundrels
Therapist :: Talk
Duck :: Donald
Slant :: Not parallel
Artist :: Da Vinci
Lease :: Temporary
Wish :: Upon a star
Doormat :: Welcome
Global :: Whole world
Apartment :: Home for a little while
Posted by Le laquet 8 comments
Labels: meme, NaBloPoMo, Unconscious mutterings
Saturday, November 24, 2007
PhotoHunt :: Hot
themes · home · participants This week's PhotoHunt was Hot ... I could of course gone and stalked the delightful Hugh, or the gorgeous Viggo for a week or two - but that just wouldn't have been right. So I give you instead ... my infamous* Lamb and Fig Tagine!
I don't think I realised how hard it is to photograph steam. Bit like catching it in your hand really :o) It was certainly hot and I think I managed to capture the steam. * It's the figs - poor love's bowels just can't cope!
Posted by Le laquet 13 comments
Friday, November 23, 2007
Blog roll woo-hoo!
*singing and dancing around* "It's Friday. it's Friday, I'm happy it's Friday!" *still singing and dancing around* "My parents are coming to visit, my parents are coming to visit" *stops dancing and singing* God, shouldn't do that as my support tights are now garroting me! Being busy at work doesn't really allow me to visit my blogroll as much as I would like, so I figured I would take me and you all on a little tour of them this Friday ~ I wish it was a real tour ... but I can't afford all your airfares!
So, first on my list is Absolute Vanilla ... (& Atyllah) ~ the alien chicken is quiet at the moment and even Ms Absolute Vanilla herself is feeling a little under the weather ... sick as a parrot in fact. Hope you're feeling better soon :o)
Over at Adventures of an Urban Cowgirl, the Cowgirl herself is celebrating her 30th birthday ~ I remember mine, at least I think I remember mine. All I know is that Dino is a much better 30th birthday than the watch I had. And now, it's time for me to go to work ... so I will finish this tonight. **UPDATE** I mean I will finish this for Monday! The Friday dottle of vain de table Francais got in the way :o( Hic!
Posted by Le laquet 0 comments
Labels: NaBloPoMo
Thursday, November 22, 2007
Ballsy-ness
It's been a really ballsy day. Tough on the old grey cells. Meetings with lots of "probing" questions and quick thinking. Lots of accountability. And a morning spent with a clinical psychotherapist - for professional development honest :o) SO ... this is as good as the post will get today. How many more days until the end of November?
Posted by Le laquet 1 comments
Labels: NaBloPoMo
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Blind!
I got all the way to work before I realised that they were both in the same eye, one on top of the other!* If you were on the A2 this morning - god was looking after you!
* Do you think I should be allowed out alone?Posted by Le laquet 3 comments
Labels: contact lens drama queen, NaBloPoMo, Savage Chickens
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
More notes to self
Weren't you listening when I said "don't forget your jacket"? The weather has (as I predicted) got colder and wetter and fouler* - are you stupid? Wait don't answer that Joanne! Note to self - leave a jacket in the car, one in school AND another at home. This can be used as an excuse** to buy a new jacket!
France is a month away today. Note to self - pull your finger out
* Hey I got a prediction right, maybe the met office will give me a job!
** You're right it's YOUR money, you don't need an excuse, because let's face it even the bit of YOUR money that is his money is YOUR money anyway!
*** ebay-er ~ noun : one who ebays ;o)
Posted by Le laquet 5 comments
Labels: NaBloPoMo, Notes to self
Monday, November 19, 2007
A frightfully British posting
Day number 19 of November and I've been awake for a while. I'm now sitting at the PC listening to the rain battering the office window. It's cold and it's damp and eventhough I have resorted to putting the central heating on and I'm wearing PJs and a dressing gown, I'm chilled to the bone! It's one of the things that I dislike most about winter - the whole "cold, damp, will that window in the roof that Simon fixed last winter hold?" thing. I checked the 5 day weather forecast on the BBC - other weather forescasting channels are available - and what a joy that is! Look at the wind indicator ... did someone just flick it around like a roulette wheel? Did they think "wind from the south, no the west, no north, no west, ah forget it"? Make your bloody mind up will you, so I know which way to point my umbrella so it doesn't blow inside out! There is a little ray of sunshine in this outlook. No unfortunately not a REAL ray of sunshine. A ray of sunshine along the lines of at least there's no snow in that picture. So, I shall shake out my souwester, doff my waterproof hat and wiggle into my wellies. The bloody weather eh? How British am I this morning?
Posted by Le laquet 4 comments
Labels: bitching and moaning, NaBloPoMo
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Unconscious mutterings #250
I say ... and you think ... ? Toasty :: Warm
Allegations :: Lies?
Herb :: Basil and oregano ... *wink* said the UK way! Not BAYzil and orAYganOH *wink*
Bacon :: Sandwich for breakfast
Neck to neck:: Cheek to cheek
Simon :: Husband
Heels :: Boots
Fundamentals :: At the heart of the matter
Middle :: Child
Seasonings :: Spicing up your life?
Posted by Le laquet 6 comments
Labels: meme, NaBloPoMo, Unconscious mutterings
Saturday, November 17, 2007
Randomness abounds
In a random YOU'RE IT fly by TAGGING, Absolute Vanilla (and her chickeny hijacker) bade me to come up with 7 bits of randomness ~ I believe she's trying to keep from more of my thieving ways ... it'll take more than that Ms AV!!
The rules are as follows ...
Link to the person’s blog who tagged you.
Post these rules on your blog.
List seven random and/or weird facts* about yourself.
Tag seven random [?] people at the end of your post and include links to their blogs.
Let each person know that they have been tagged by posting a comment on their blog.
1. I'm allergic to cat hair, it makes me sneeze and my ears swell.
2. I haven't been to London this year even though I only live 35.8 miles from Charring Cross (the centre of London).
3. My favourite tinned soup is Heinz Cream of Tomato. It gives me heart burn.
4. I have had mehndi on the palm of my left hand since Tuesday. I couldn't go to the loo for 45 minutes whilst it dried - I was fairly desperate by that time!!
5. I used to be on the school synchronized swimming team - I can hold my leg straight up in the air at a 90 degree angle from my body whilst floating on the surface of a swimming pool whilst wearing lipstick and a fixed grin.
6. I can't ice skate. I've never fallen over whilst ice skating but I just know that I can't ice skate.
7. My favourite Italian-y sounding word is piccolina. I call the girls in class piccolina. I call the boys piccalilli.
I'm not tagging 7 of you, just have a go if you fancy it :o) * Do I got to stop at just 7? I could be random for months at a time!
** I don't think it's a real Italian word!
Posted by Le laquet 3 comments
PhotoHunt :: I love France!
themes · about · participants
I love France, particularly the Basque and Lot regions. This photo is in the Basque country; a view of the beach at St Jean de Luz, looking south east towards the Pyrenees. I really do love France ... well, most things about it - the people, the language, the countryside, the beaches, the food* and of course the fact that my parents live there. Lots more French photos for you to enjoy ici.
* It must be said I don't much care for the accordion music.
Posted by Le laquet 10 comments
Friday, November 16, 2007
Here
... willing but unable to post! Router knackered. PC World here I come. NaBloPoMo don't panic ;o)
Posted by Le laquet 0 comments
Labels: NaBloPoMo
Thursday, November 15, 2007
All you have to do is *shuffle* aka IF YOUR LIFE WERE A MOVIE, WHAT WOULD THE SOUNDTRACK BE?
In which I steal a meme from the fabulous Kiwi ~ 50%Kiwi 50%Fruity. This is what you have to do ...
2. Put it on shuffle
3. Press play
4. For every question, type the song that's playing
5. When you go to a new question, press the next button
6. Don't lie and try to pretend you're cool ...
Opening Credits - Magic of love ~ Russell Wason and Lionel Ritchie
Waking Up - Don't come around here no more ~ Tom Petty
First Day at School - Right now ~ The Creatures ... had to include this actual video (not just a link) because I lurve it!
Falling in Love - When you say nothing at all ~ Alison Krauss
Fight Song - Ace of Spades ~ Hayseed Dixie ... if you haven't seen it/them, you deserve to! For the laugh!
Breaking Up - Round Here ~ Counting Crows
School Ball - Little L ~ Jamiroquai
Life is Good - The Boys of Summer ~ Don Henley
Mental Breakdown - Theme from the Dukes of Hazzard ~ Waylon Jennings
Driving - I said I love you ~ The Mavericks
Getting Back Together - Castles in Air ~ Don Maclean
Wedding - Big Yellow Taxi ~ Joni Mitchell
Paying the Dues - Mulder and Scully ~ Catatonia
The Night Before the War - Laura ~ Scissor Sisters
Final Battle - Hammer time ~ MC Hammer *snort*
Moment of Triumph - Sweet Home Alabama ~ Lynyrd Skynyrd
Death Scene - If I had a million dollars ~ Barenaked Ladies
Funeral Song - Copperhead Road ~ Steve Earle
End Credits - Baby it's cold outside ~ Tom Jones and Cerys Matthews
In conclusion: The girl's a
Posted by Le laquet 4 comments
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
My niece Laura went on and on* about Facebook 12 months ago and I completely dismissed everything she said about it out of mind. Poke someone? Why? Talk to complete strangers because they had the same surname as me** ... look I know I married someone I met on Yahoo! but don't you think that's taking things a little far? Nope, no Facebook for me - I had Blogger and that was just fine!
And then, at the end of July, the lovely Miss Leah - one of my fellow teacher's returned home to Bloomingdale, Illinois; so come September I was dragged kicking and screaming to Facebook as an easy way to keep in touch with her***. I mean look at that dance, that smile, you'd need to keep in touch too - right? So, I blithely entered the world of Facebook and soon I was, throwing sheep, trout-slapping, sending growing gifts and playing Scrabulous ~ I am such an addict I currently have 19 games underway ~ with the best of them.
I hooked up with a couple of mates from college, friends from work, an ex-colleague who is currently in Korea, my nieces - lovely. I'm a fairly social girl and it was nice to be able to just say hi to mates. Of course I searched for other friends - of course you do, pure nosiness makes you do that if nothing else. But nothing - no-one special. And then 3 weeks ago ~ I hit the jackpot!
I found a very, very good friend of mine who I shared a house with in college who had moved on and we'd lost touch! This was the kind of friend who'd have shared a toilet cubicle in a nightclub****, broken in to the park with you to ride on the roundabout at 3am, danced on the pool table in a dodgy pub, created a 3 foot penis as a birthday cake, danced in the back garden and got stuck in the brambles with, held your hair for you to throw up, cooked beans on toast for you at 4am after the park break in*****. A fab friend. A friend who'd I cried over loosing. So in honour of the wonder that is Facebook I give you a photo of Cherry and I circa 1995 in the backroom of the same dodgy pub we danced on the pool table in - wotcha Chesa ... it's good to have you back!
* ... and on and on and on and on - Mrs Doyle eat your heart out
** I still don't do this ... you never know who's out there!
*** Anyone who can walk down the school corridor, wolf whistle and holler "hey honey can I get some fries to go with that shake?" is worth staying in with touch with!
**** Maybe it's a girl thing? But wait - in a nightclub you guys "all share the cubicle!"
***** Yes mum, I'm sorry, we did all of those things! Trust me, I've edited the list ;o)
Posted by Le laquet 1 comments
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Notes to self
I had to scrape the car window yesterday morning for the first time. Whilst I was there, the impossibly tanned next-door neighbour turned up and I lent him my scraper - note to self, next time remember that it was him and his missus bonking (she's incredibly vocal ... When Harry met Sally eat your heart out) that woke both Simon and I last Saturday night at 3am! Let him suffer! Just because you've been lucky enough to be give an IWB doesn't mean it's yours and no-one else can touch it - note to self, stop being an absolute cow bag and let Katie use your room and that big picture screen once in a while! It doesn't have to be now, but it will have to be soon! The weather is going to continue to get colder and not warmer - note to self, don't forget your jacket again this morning, you've got playground duty and you will freeze! My gay best friend came to dinner last night. I was very pleased to see him! Very, very pleased - note to self, even if the man is gay, if you're that pleased to see him your husband will get the hump!
I am so struggling with NaBloPoMo - note to self, next year plan some posts in advance / keep some in reserve during October / don't do NaBloPoMo.
Posted by Le laquet 10 comments
Labels: NaBloPoMo, Notes to self
Monday, November 12, 2007
Happyland
Just for the joy it, I give you Chicken Happyland - form an orderly queue to leave! Well, it make me laugh ;o)
Posted by Le laquet 1 comments
Labels: NaBloPoMo, Savage Chickens
Sunday, November 11, 2007
Unconscious mutterings #249
Stroke :: Positive
Exclusively :: Just for you ;o)
Lash :: Out on the lash again!
Red carpet :: Frock
Credit card :: Cut it up!
Points :: Supermarket loyalty card
Domestic :: Goddess
21 :: My age minus VAT
Inject :: Medicine
Posted by Le laquet 4 comments
Labels: meme, NaBloPoMo, Unconscious mutterings
Saturday, November 10, 2007
PhotoHunt :: Flexible
themes · about · participants
We were coming home from a party and there wasn't enough room in the car for Simon ... so we bent him in half and he fitted in the boot! He looks happy because it was a very good party ;o) Luckily there were no rozzers around.
Posted by Le laquet 18 comments
Friday, November 09, 2007
Friiiiiiiiiiiiiiday!
Sorry I bitched and moaned yesterday/Wednesday but that's all over now because - WHOOP - it's the weekend, well as good as. I only teach on Friday mornings, paperwork in the afternoons - saves me bringing it home eh? And then it'll be Friday eve - officially the weekend. So, what are you going to do with it? We'll be eating lamb kebabs a la Fi tonight ... because they made me dribble when she wrote about them. I'm going to start re-reading this after being reminded about it by la bella Stella. I am going to breathe deeply and enjoy fresh air walking along this dotted red line. And I am joining friends for a long walk through the park and brunch on Sunday in Greenwich. It'll be fab. I know the wind will blow and it might rain (they've even had snow in Aberdeen) but I don't care because it's the weekend people! ENJOY!
Posted by Le laquet 5 comments
Thursday, November 08, 2007
31 questions :: yet another stolen meme
1. Where is your mobile phone? Who knows? Could be anywhere! I'm a nightmare for putting it down somewhere when it's on silent.
2. Describe your boyfriend/girlfriend husband? Tall, quiet, funny, calm, caring.
3. Your hair? Needs brushing.
4. Your mother? Is in France, hopefully persuading my father to shut down the pool for the winter.
5. Your father? With my mother? We can live in hope!
6. Your favourite item? Currently, new work laptop
7. Your dream last night? About my teaching assistant's loud voice. WTF?
8. Your favourite drink? Alcoholic - shiraz. Non-alcoholic - tea.
9. Your dream car? Would be red!
10. The room you are in? My office.
11. Your ex? Is in west Wales somewhere.
12. Your fear? Spiders!!!!!!
13. What do you want to be in 10 years? Happy :o)
14. Who did you hang out with last night? Simon
15. What you’re not? Skinny.
16. The last thing you did? Made my move on Scrabulous.
17. What are you wearing? Black trousers, red jumper.
18. Your favourite book? The Eight.
19. Last thing you ate? Jacket potato, steak and sauce.
20. Your life? Hectic would cover it.
21. Your mood? On the up - it's nearly Friday!
22. Your friends? Very important to me
23. What are you thinking about right now? Getting ready for school - I could do with hauling arse!
24. Your car? Full to the brim with petrol.
25. What are you doing at the moment? Answering these bloody questions that I stole from Fi. It suddenly occurs that all her answers were just one word. Was that the whole point of this?
26. Your summer? It's over, but it was French.
27. Your relationship status? Married.
28. What is on your TV? Setanta - he's an addict.
29. When is the last time you laughed? 20 minutes ago, reading this. What was he thinking? Can you imagine what the nude photos looked like? A carrot for god's sake?
30. Last time you cried? Umm, surprisingly I can't remember. I'll have a think about it and get back to you.
31. School? Yes, exactly, got to go there now!
Posted by Le laquet 2 comments
Wednesday, November 07, 2007
Isn't it Friday yet?
Posted by Le laquet 4 comments
Labels: bitching and moaning, life-work-balance problem, NaBloPoMo, school, work
Tuesday, November 06, 2007
Old friends
In June 1988 I started a recipe book ... not a recipe book like Nigella or Nigel* but a jotter (originally bought at Shabbytat) in which to scribble recipes that I'd seen and wanted to try / tried and loved and wanted to cook again / felt I should keep in case I needed them. Some are family recipes, some nicked**, notes about meals I've eaten and loved and want to recreate; some are very, very simple, others more challenging. Some are just lists - like the list of salads a French friend could just chuck together at a moments notice.
Way back in June 1988 my 18 year old self would very carefully in her best hand writing painstakingly copy out the recipes word for word. If I made a mistake I would tippex or even use my other friend Stanley to remove the page! These days I scribble, with whatever is to hand - been known to use a crayon and once even picked up a lip liner ... but thought better of it***!
The book is dirty, well not dirty, more like slightly grubby - it's been in the kitchen, it's got oil spots on it, there's a smear of pasta sauce**** on the back cover. But I love it and I'd be lost without it; in fact if there was a fire I'd grab it, my family history certificates and my back-up CD. Oh and Simon *flutters eyelashes* of course.
* Or any other cook, not one that has to begin with N.
** There's me and my thieving ways, at it again.
*** It's a gorgeous colour and Rimmel don't make it anymore.
**** It's a fab recipe!
Posted by Le laquet 3 comments
Monday, November 05, 2007
The garage roof and other burblings
I spent a lot of time yesterday looking out of the window, staring over the garage roof; in darkness and daylight. In daylight the roof is golden, littered with the leaves falling from the ash and oak trees at the bottom of the garden. In last night's darkness the night sky was illuminated with gold and magenta, violet and green. Fireworks at a local display; with Guy Fawkes night tomorrow and Divali next week they'll be a common sight for the next couple of nights. Nature and man-made wonder. All there above my garage roof.
I watched episode two of Long Way Down last night. I loved the first series, Long Way Round when Ewan and Charley rode from London to New York the long way round via Europe and Asia. In fact I am quite happy to spend a quiet Sunday watching the DVD set from start to finish, bolstered by the odd plate of olives, houmous and pita and a wee drop of red wine every now and again.
This time I followed the journey on the BBC and read the book before the serious started. Am I disappointed so far? Maybe a little - 2 episodes to get from London to John O'Groats, back again and then through Europe and into a Libyan sand storm. I fear there wont be enough time for really looking at Africa. But in answer to the question posed on the front cover of Brogue ... Ewan vs Sir Sean : Who's hotter? Even after last night's shower scene, with cleverly positioned "box" the answer has to be Sir Sean. Sorry Ewan!
Posted by Le laquet 5 comments
Labels: NaBloPoMo
Sunday, November 04, 2007
Unconscious mutterings #248
I say ... and you think ... ?
Assets :: Small donkeys?
Concern :: Parent
Over the top :: OTT
Supplies :: Needs
Mustache :: Moustache
Doug :: That chronic joke from school days ... "What do you call a man with a shovel on his head?"
Coach :: Bus
Bleachers :: Spectators' seats
Stripes :: Flag
Assortment :: Mixture
Posted by Le laquet 7 comments
Labels: meme, NaBloPoMo, Unconscious mutterings
Saturday, November 03, 2007
PhotoHunt :: Classic
As well as taking part in NaBloPoMo, I have been dillying and dallying and finally decided that I am going to try to do PhotoHunt every Saturday. Well, we'll see wont we? I can only succeed or die trying ;o)
We spent time during a residential trip rock pooling, there was no "worried about health & safety" bureaucracy, the children were fully briefed and full of the excitement/enjoyment of it. We left 2 hours later, tired but enormously happy. It was a truly classic British summer's day!
p.s. Those are the white cliffs of Dover there guys!
Posted by Le laquet 11 comments
Windy?
I could never do this when I was in school, not with my hands/armpits no part of my body. I couldn't even burp Baa, baa, black sheep (my brother's first party piece). Bit of a let down really! Enjoy this Manualism as I use NaBloPoMo as an excuse to give you Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody in hand farts. I'm off to see if I can video of him playing Fat bottomed girls!
Posted by Le laquet 0 comments
Labels: NaBloPoMo
Friday, November 02, 2007
Little bits of randomness flowing from me
Posted by Le laquet 5 comments
Thursday, November 01, 2007
Awake
I don't quite know what's happening but my sleep pattern seems to be pretty much fucked. All topsy-turvy and back to front - it 3:47am and I've already been awake over an hour and I'm not really sure what to do about it! I've considered going to see the doctor; but what can he do? Offer me sleeping pills ... is that a road I really want to go down? What I need instead is some way of working out why this is happening and what's causing it.
I'm sure that it's work. Or rather the lack of work-life balance that I am currently suffering. Too many jobs to do, to many "plates to keep spinning", back to that thing of too many people wanting their little bit of me, their ounce pound of flesh. And lets not even get into how this is going to affect home life and marital harmony!
I made a decision to try NaBloPoMo this year - there's no way I could consider writing a whole novel in a month but posting once a day for the dreary month of November - probably not such a difficult process. From this angle and awake at this time, the end of the month looks a long way away!
Posted by Le laquet 3 comments
Labels: bitching and moaning, home life, life-work-balance problem, NaBloPoMo