I drank your Cappuccino!

If I was having coffee

I’ve seen the If we were having coffee posts going on for a while now, I had a look back, but I can’t find a recent one to link back to, so thank you to the person who’s idea this is. I’ve never before done one of these, but I have a few bits and bobs to share so figured that now was  as good a time as any, hide your cappuccino’s people, here I come!

If we were having coffee, I would tell you that it is exactly three years ago today since I hurt my leg. It’s hard to believe that so much time has passed, most days it still feels like yesterday. While swapping things over on my mobile phone, I came across notes I had made on Evernote regarding my progress, how far my leg was bending, how physio was going and some pictures of Alien leg. At the time I thought I would never be the same, in some ways I was right, I’m not the same, I can’t do a lot of the things I used to and I have to live with pain, but I am walking and as normal as I will ever be. It goes to show that the things that knock you off your feet are just steps that need negotiated. Even though it doesn’t feel like it at the time, we get up and we get on, and we adapt to the new situation.

If we were having coffee I’d probably be on my second cup by now and half way through a caramel square, because that’s how I roll. I’d have my phone out and I’d be showing you the stats on my blog, completely amazed at the fact I have reached 900 followers. You’d probably tell me that clearly those people lead very boring lives if they find me interesting and I’d totally agree, but I’d tell you that I love them all, and they have made life more livable on more than one occasion.

You’d also notice and point out the fact that I had now moved on to a piece of cake and I’d tell you that’s because I am hungry. I had amazing plans to make some nice stewed steak with carrots and gravy but it didn’t quite work out. Being polite you’d ask me why and I would tell you that my crock pot was broken so I had to order a new one which arrived on Friday. I was quite excited and eagerly opened the box, which was rather large for a slow cooker, only to find a suitcase. I actually had to ask the Fathership if my eyes were deceiving me because I couldn’t quite believe it myself, but sadly they were not, it was most definitely a bright blue suitcase. W T absolute F! I can’t cook in that says I and gets straight on the phone. Needless to say it’s going back and I am going hungry!

Last but not least I’d tell you that I saw the RAF Red Arrows for the first time (that I can remember) in my life. Quite a sight. The Mothership may forget many things, but never the men in the red planes. Even though she hated us (the Fathership and I) because we took her out of her normal routine and could hardly see them, because they were quite small and hard to follow from where we were, when she saw the signature smoke trails she cried and waved. She was never going to let on she enjoyed it though or was happy we took her, she was way to pissed off for that. Sometimes you’re damned if you do and you’re damned if you don’t, so all you can do it try and hide from the aftermath!

It’s at this point I’d pay my bill and ask you same time next week?

Who turned up the heat?

It’s been sweltering here this last few days and it’s taking it’s toll. I remarked to my friends last night that I feel like I am turning into an old lady, I’m hardly able to make it past 10.30 these days without my eyes starting to close. To someone who is a night owl, that’s a complete nightmare. To top that, I’ve been waking up at 6am, seriously WTF! that’s the middle of the night, and not good when you have to go to work and spend 8 hours in a hot office. Oh the joys, I am most definitely not a fan of summer.

The weekend went well, I had two whole days off from the chores that I usually undertake, the only problem with that is it still needs to be done. I’m off tomorrow and already my day is full of bookwork for the Fathership, and all the housework, I’m worried there are not going to be enough hours in the day.

The two days at the weekend are the first time I have stayed at my Sisters on my own since my leg injury in 2012. It was nice to not have any worries, but I still wasn’t able to shut off thinking about what was going on at home.

I bought a hedgehog, not a real live one of course, but a little bread roll that bears similarities and has picked up the name. I enjoyed it sitting in the sunshine with a chicken salad. Eventually, despite the breeze, the heat drove me back indoors.

All to soon it was time to head home and after a conversation  with the Fathership I was a little unsure what I was going home to. Initially frosty, it seemed to calm down, I think the Mothership was glad she knew where her next meal was coming from. Beans and toast it would seem, is not acceptable fodder for day to day.

I’m hoping for slightly cooler weather to come, I’m not sure I’m going to be able to survive in the soaring temperatures. Rain is forecast for the weekend, unfortunately, so are thunderstorms, there’s just no pleasing me is there.

Onwards and upwards, time to kick back and catch up on some of the My Kitchen Rules I missed, whilst fanning myself with last weeks TV magazine. I’m such a classy girl :)

Hope all is well with you lot, till next time eejits!

Freestylin on a Saturday

Wee Blue Birdie set me a challenge, it’s a good job I like her or I’d have had to tell her to feck aff! I am still not a fan of challenges, but that said I have caught her up in a couple, so I think it’s only fair that I accept hers. I believe this one is known as the Freestyle Writing Challenge and my subject as set by the bird is:

Where would you rather be right now?

Timer is set….let’s go!

Right now, I am quite happy where I am, that’s because I am having a night off. I am staying at my Sisters and I have no one to look after but me myself and I. That said, if I had been doing this challenge from home I would probably have said something completely different, so that’s what I shall base my answer on.

You would find me sitting outside a cafe, a cappuccino in front of me and with most likely a froth moustache that makes people giggle as they pass by.  My laptop is in front of me and I sit only sipping my coffee, but drinking in my surroundings. I have no idea where this street is, but the sun is shining and it’s warm outside although not uncomfortably as there is a nice breeze.

One side of the street is tree lined and the leaves dance and wave to the birds that ladorn it’s branches and provide music for the masses.

I people watch and occasionally type. What a way to waste a day.

~

Not very many words in 10 minutes, but challenge complete none the less. If you would like to give this a try I am going to paste the rules and my prompt below, however I am not going to nominate anyone. How about everyone gives it a go, that sounds like a plan to me :)

The Rules

Here are the rules:

1. Open a blank document.
2. Set a stop watch timer to 5 or 10 minutes, whichever length you prefer.
3. Your topic is at the foot of this post BUT DO NOT SCROLL DOWN TO SEE IT UNTIL YOU ARE READY WITH YOUR TIMER!!!
4. Once you start writing do not stop until the alarm sounds!  Do not cheat by going back and correcting spelling and grammar using spell check (it is only meant for you to reflect on your own control of sensible thought flow and for you to reflect on your ability to write with correct spelling and grammar.)
5. You may or may not pay attention to punctuation or capitals
6. At the end of your post write down the number of words to give an idea of how much you can write within the time Frame.
7. Put the whole document onto your post and nominate 5 others and give them a new topic. Remember to copy and paste the rules in!

Don’t cheat – set your timer

scroll

d

o

w

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Your topic is….

What’s one thing you would love to try, that you’re not sure you are brave enough to?

I’ve said it before, but…

This last week I returned to some kind of normality with regards to blogging, both reading and writing. It felt good. It reminded me how much I miss it.

Whilst reading this week I came across a lot of posts from writers thanking their followers or giving us, the reader an insight as to why they started blogging in the first place.

One such post was the wonderful I Am A Thief by J T Carlton, and it was while leaving a comment that I got thinking about the wonder that is the world of the blog.

We all start for various reasons, be it a form of therapy, entertainment, a break from boredom or the sheer relief of expelling the thoughts from our heads into a different type of receptacle. No one knows what to expect, especially in the early days when things are a little slow to start and tentative alliances are being formed.

I know for me, there were days when I wanted to give up because I really did feel like a small fish in a big pond. Even though I started writing for myself, I cannot deny that those little notifications were a delight, pushing me towards wanting to be more than I had originally thought.

If we tried to explain to outsiders, those who do not blog, the relationships that we forge as a result of writing and being part of a community, they would find it hard to understand. They would perhaps berate us for talking to strangers, because after all as children, that is what we are taught not to do.

The internet is a scary place and as such, it should be treated with caution. It’s OK to put yourself out there, but first and foremost, never lose sight of who you are and always trust your instincts. If something doesn’t feel right, then it probably isn’t. Gut feeling is a remarkable addition to this so called life.

Still though, despite all the barriers, we start to gain followers and form friendships and the art of blogging soon becomes more than we ever imagined it could. I have become a square in the patchwork quilt that is WordPress, not overly important, but essential all the same, because all our little squares, well we keep the whole thing together.

I’m never going to be an amazing writer, I am under no illusions, but that doesn’t matter because for me, it’s all about the community.

Life is hard, more so for some than others. I often wonder when I read the posts of some I follow how they can even carry on, yet still they do, with a strength and spirit that is nothing short of superhuman, even if they do not realise it themselves.

I can’t always interact, sometimes I become so emotionally invested in my own life that I have nothing left to give but on those days I still read and ‘like’ where I can. Slowly but surely the craft that is the words of others pulls me to the surface, have you met my followers, seriously, what’s not to love. I am extremely blessed.

So I too am going to thank my friends here, even though I know I can never convey in words just how they all make me feel.

Thank you for making me feel accepted and a part of something amazing. Thank you for loving me just exactly as I am, flaws and all. Thank you for being there and bringing me sunshine on the darker days, laughter on the sad ones and virtual hugs just when I needed them most. You have been an inspiration and my life is better because you chose to weave your way in.

I’ve said it before, but…..thank you, from the bottom of my heart.

Reasons to Smile

Let me make a short post!

It’s been a taxing week and I’m tired. That special kind of tired that makes your eyes sting and the world seem like it’s going to come crashing in around your head at any time. Note to self: go to fecking bed on time.

It’s hard sometimes to find reasons to smile even though my rational self knows that there are many.

I found one today though, well two actually. The first came in the shape of a most delightful gentleman I had to escort to a meeting. It’s been a while since my heart fluttered for anything other than a reaction to my anti histamines, but boy did it today. It felt like a moment, only a miniature time stopping one though, for it lasted no longer than two minutes, but it was enough to make me smile. I shall never see the object of my immediate affection again, but that’s ok as imagination is usually much better than reality.

Buoyed by a happy heart and the fact that it was home time I pressed play on my IPod for the walk to the train to be greeted by tunes from the the new Penguin Cafe  Orchestra CD my sister got me for my birthday and the smile just widened. I was in fear at one stage it might even split my face in two.

No doubt when I get home the shit will hit the fan as it usually does, but for the next 30 minutes I’m basking in the sunshine, the music and the beating of my happy heart!

3 Day Quote Challenge – Day 3

It’s the final day for the quote challenge, it’s been fun and I have a few new ones written down for my collection once I get time to update my page.

3 Days – 3 Quotes – Day 3

Life is like a camera. Just focus on what’s important, capture the good times, develop from the negatives, and if things don’t turn out – take another shot.” – Unknown

My final quote is yet another one I should remember and quote to myself, that instead of beating myself up in advance, I just need to give it my best shot.

3 Day Quote Challenge – Day 2

Following on from my post yesterday in relation to the quote challenge:

3 Days – 3 Quotes – Day 2 

“Try to be like the Turtle – at ease in your own shell” – Bill Copeland

This one I love, sadly it is also one that I forget at times when I need it most. As someone who is far from comfortable in her shell, even after all this time, it is one I would do well to remember :)

3 Day Quote Challenge – Day 1

Both Ritu from But I Smile Anyway and Dean from A Wee Bit Wordy put me up for this challenge. Let me just say, I am still NOT a fan of challenges and usually do not participate, bah humbug and all that malarky, however that’s twice now that my crafty friends here have put before me challenges that were too tempting to pass on, darn it people, you know me to well!

The thing is, I like quotes, I have a page dedicated to ones that I find and like, so this should not be too hard for me, although it will be repetitive for you if you have previously read my quotes.

I’m not going to nomintate 3 people as I am supposed to, I am not a rebel, just still weighted down with the guilt of shafting nominating 10 people for the Love / Hate Challenge last week.

For anyone who does want to pick up the challenge, here are the rules:


The challenge is about posting your favorite quotes or your own quotes for 3 days in a row.

The rules of the challenge include:
Thank the person who nominated you
Post a quote a day for 3 day
Each day nominate 3 new bloggers to take part


3 Days – 3 Quotes – Day 1

“A smile is a curve that sets everything straight.” – Phyllis Diller”

That’s so very true, you never know the effect a simple smile will have on someone else’s day, and it’s free!

Is Summer coming?

Everyone is all a dither, there have been strange sightings in the sky, some say it is sunshine, but others disbelieve due to the fact that it has not been seen on the Emerald Isle for some time. I’m warm and itchy and generally uncomfortable in my clothing, so I think for me, that signals it’s at least getting warmer. Don’t worry though, I have no intention of stripping off and running through the bluebells. Poor, poor bluebells.

Last night I put my phone on to charge, which would have been great if only I had remembered to turn on the plug…..doh!! I went to work and due to the fact that it was busy all day, I never even got to plug it in. Fast forward a few hours and I am sitting on the train at the start of my journey home, ready to have a few hands of Yahtzee and catch up on blog reading and bam, there’s only a slither of battery power left. When travelling by NIR, you always need to think ahead, at any time there could be a train failure, or leaves on the line, and without a mobile phone, how would I ever be able to inform the Fathership of my late arrival.

Weighing up all these options in my head, I decided it best not to use the phone and instead opted for the Ipod Touch. Whilst virtually redundant now for most things, it still plays music, and plays it rather well might I add.  I listen to tunes sometimes whilst working on my computer, rarely however when I am blogging as I find it distracts my thoughts, but today, between the music and the sunshine, the thoughts were coming thick and fast. Snippets of poems like the old days, adventures for May and perhaps even for Polly Carmichael who I have not written about in a while.

I had no paper.

I had a pen, but no paper.

I had no phone, the mere slither of battery power left rendering it almost useless to write a post with.

I had a redundant Ipod touch, great music, no WordPress.

Bollocks.

I came home and I’ve got nothing. All my great ideas disappeared like the sun!

Do you love it or hate it?

Love - Hate Challenge

The lovely Judy from Edwina’s Episodes kindly requested of me that I complete the Love – Hate Challenge. Strangely enough, I had seen this earlier on in the day on another blog and thought it looked quite interesting, so I was glad to see the invitation. Thanks Judewina (I like both names so I’m renaming you for the purposes of this post).

In this challenge I have to list ten things  I love, closely followed by 10 things I hate and then shaft nominate 10 other bloggers to complete it too.

Things I Love

  1. My family and friends, which also includes you, ya bunch of randomers. I love each and every one of you.
  2. The smell of fresh cut grass – As long as I have not had to cut it, because then all I can smell is petrol and sweat.
  3. Coffee – I could not exist without it. lifts cup, sips and continues……
  4. Music – It really does make the world go round.
  5. Grey’s Anatomy – It has managed to surpass any other TV show I have ever watched in the love stakes. It’s like a bad relationship, it’s made me happy, sad, cross and cry and yet I still keep going back for more!
  6. The Lord of the Rings Trilogy – I especially loved Legolas and even had a bit of a girl crush on Arwen.
  7. Stationary (by way of clarification, I mean pens etc, not standing still) – Hmmm that might be more of a fetish than love, swiftly moving on.
  8. My Camera – My Sister bought me it as a present and it takes the most amazing photographs despite the fact that I have no idea how to use it properly.
  9. GTA V – It’s my release. I’m not a fan of career mode, but I love playing online with my friends. I am BADASS! Shame the same cannot be said for real life huh!
  10. Pom Bears – I can’t believe I made it to number 10 without mentioning food, and no the coffee does not count thank you very much. For my last slot, I need to confess that I am totally in love with these little bear shaped crisps (original flavour). I try to tell myself they are better for me than ordinary crisps as they are Gluten Free and contain no artificial flavours or colours. The fact is it wouldn’t matter, they are delicious and I am addicted and that’s pretty much all there is to it.

Things I Hate

  1. Cold Callers – I cannot express how much I dislike these people. My new tactic after reading various articles on the internet, is to ask said caller the name, address and contact details of their company. When they ask me why, I inform them I am registered with the telephone preference service and should not be receiving calls of this nature. 9 out of 10 times they will hang up. Result!
  2. Ice and Snow – I like it when I am inside looking out at it, but I don’t like it if I am outside and trying to walk in it.
  3. Politics – I’m not even going to justify that comment, it is what it is and I need to stay awake to the end of this post.
  4. Jam – It’s really strange but so many people are actually horrified when they find out I don’t like Jam, especially on my toast in the morning. WTF, is there some unwritten rule that I HAVE to like it.
  5. Changing Trains – I’d love to be able to just get on a train and stay on a train until I reach my destination, but no, that would be far to simple, right Translink!
  6. Being indecisive, I think.
  7. Smoking – I smoke, and I hate it. I am trying (albeit unsuccessfully at the minute) to quit!
  8. Nails on a blackboard or other similar screeching noises – it makes my teeth hurt.
  9. Clothes Shopping – It does nothing for my self esteem when I stand in garments that are clearly not suited for my shape looking into mirrors that are clearly not designed to flatter. If I ever win the lottery I have every intention of starting my own clothes line. There will be a straight choice between black or navy.
  10. Birds shitting on my clean washing when it’s hanging on the line to dry.

I have to be honest and say that I found the things I hate bit quite hard, no doubt tomorrow on the journey to work I’ll be all ffs this and ffs that as I remember things I should have included.

So here are the people who I would like to see complete this challenge, however no one is under any obligation to do so and there will be no complaints from me, as I usually shy away from them myself.

Mental in the Midwest

Steve Says

A Prompt Reply

Wee Blue Birdie

Here There Be Spiders

Knocked over by a feather

Not A Punk Rocker

My Life, My Way, My Words

Rebelle Angel

Bluefish Way

If I have not included you, but you like the idea of this, consider yourself invited, and as I said before, to any of the ten nominated, if you have already done this or you just can’t be arsed, feel free to pass it on by.

Till next time Eejits!