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Earthquake!

Posted by on February 27, 2008 Leave a Comment

We had an earthquake last night… an earthquake! In England!!! Obviously it wasn’t up to the standards that other countries suffer them, but it happens so rarely here that it’s big news when it does. The last time I remember feeling an earthquake was in 1984. But that was mild in comparison with last night, well more like this morning. It was close to 1am.

There I was, lying in bed minding my own business, drifting off to sleep. Gary was snoring away next to me. The next thing there was this loud rumbling sound followed by, what felt like, the bed shaking. Gary almost leapt out of bed and went to the window, where he said he could feel the window vibrating. This felt like it went on for about five minutes but apparently it was only 30 seconds or so. At first he thought someone had broken in, followed by the comment that it couldn’t be an earthquake because it would have set off all the car alarms, so it must have been something overhead. Needless to say, after feeling and hearing that, I found it even more difficult to go to sleep and lay awake for most of the night.

The earthquake was all over the news this morning. According to tv and news website reports, the of the quake was 8km east of Market Rasen,Lincolnshire and 22km south of Grimsby and was a 5.2 on the Richter Scale.

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Me – A to Z

Posted by on February 24, 2008 Leave a Comment

A

If you were an ANIMAL, what would you be?

I’d be a lioness. I like nothing better than stalking my prey and playing with my food!

B

BOOKS: What’s on your reading list?

How long have you got. I believe I have 54 or so books on my reading list currently. They include:-

  • Dancing with Werewolves – Carole Nelson Douglas
  • Poltergeist – Kat Richardson
  • Iron Kissed – Patricia Briggs
  • Stroke of Midnight – Anthology
  • Beg for Mercy – Toni Andrews
  • No Rest For The Witches – Anthology
  • Wraith – Phaedra Weldon
  • Stray – Rachel Vincent
  • Ashes to Ashes – Jennifer Armintrout
  • Many Bloody Returns – Anthology
  • Stormed Fortress – Janny Wurts
  • Witchcraft Out Of The Shadows – Leo Ruickbie
  • Greywalker – Kat Richardson

C

COMPULSIVE about anything?

Ummm… buying books *nods*

D

DREAMS – Do you … dream in color? remember your dreams? keep a ?

I do dream in colour, I do remember my dreams. I occasionally keep a dream journal.

E

EATING – what’s your usual snack?

Chocolate

F

A Few of your FAVORITE Things

Books, music, books, computers, books, books, books.

G

GIGGLES! What (or who) makes you laugh? Do you have a ?

My other half makes me laugh… a lot! Not always intentionally either :smirk: I have a dark sense of humour, usually I find humour in things most people would cringe at

H

major HOT Button:

I don’t really understand this statement!

I

I am ______________

insane?

K

Also KNOWN As… Aliases? ? A perhaps?

Azh, Lee, Azhria,

L

I LOVE …

My kids, my other half (only smoochy bit, don’t get used to it!) my cats, my books!

M

How do you feel about MEETING people? Do it all the time? Rarely? Parties or 1-on-1?

I’m not a fan. I’m really unsociable! I prefer to socialise online, that way I can control who I talk to, how long for, etc.

N

What’s the story of your NAME? were you named after anyone? Do you go by a nickname? Any aliases?

My real name has no story behind it. It was probably just pulled out of a hat when I was born!

O

OBSERVANT – What’s around you right now? What do you see?

My monitor, my external harddrive, a half-eaten bag of minstrels on my desk, my wireless mouse, my razr V3, two full bookshelves to either side of me and two shelves above my monitor (one full of books, one full of egyptian gods/goddesses, my athame, my wand and my besom as well as numerous pentagrams, goblets and crystals.)

P

Who are the special PEOPLE in your life?

My kids and my other half.

Q

Any Little QUIRKs About Yourself:

Probably, but you’d have to ask my other half what they are.

R

What do you like to do for RECREATION?

Build forums, blogs, use photoshop, annoy people!

S

Do You SING in the Shower? In the car? For your friends?

God no!

T

What’s at the Top of your TO DO list?:

I don’t have a to-do list. I make it up as I go along!

U

Any UNUSUAL Experiences:

Many!

V

VEGAS, Vienna, Venice, Vladivostok… How far have you traveled? What’s your favorite City?

I’ve travelled outside of the UK only once and that was for a weekend in Amsteram – where I spent the entire time in heaven (it was a bookshop over five floors!)

W

WINTER, Spring, Summer, Fall… What’s your favorite season? What makes it special?

Autumn. Summer’s too hot, Winter’s too cold, Spring’s got too much sunshine. Autumn is pretty!

X

EXes – Things You Don’t Do Anymore (but did, once (would you, again?))

Don’t think so, nope

Y

Any secret/deep YEARNINGS?

I’d LOVE an unbroken night’s sleep! OH wait, that’s not really secret.

Z

ZERO to ZENITH – Where are you in your life? Still growing? On an upward (or downward) curve? Just skating along?

I’m at a pretty good point in my life at the moment. I’m settled with my partner, my stepkids and our four daughters. We have our own house and, although we struggle along on a single wage, we’re happy enough.

Now I ask you guys – Rich, Helena, Avery for definite – what’s your A-Z? Anyone else who wants to do this, drop me a link to your blog post!

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What’s your take on touchy-feely stuff?

Posted by on February 24, 2008 Leave a Comment

For example, when you first meet people are you a hand-shaker, hugger, double-kisser or way more standoffish? What about later on in ….are you touchy-feely, need your space or have a total quirk about not liking to be touched somewhere that we’re supposed to know if you don’t tell us? Ahem. Moving on. Lastly, what about PDAs ()….are they cool, obnoxious, somewhat okay, never okay, or something entirely different?

Ohhh, where to start!

  • When I first meet someone the last thing I want is them invading my space… see this circle around me *waves arms in a wide circle* that’s MY space, stay out… step away from the zone! I can’t abide people who I’ve never met smothering me in any kind of hug or kiss session… get thee behind me, touchy-! It’s the quickest way to get me to dislike a person on sight and, believe me, it’s happened……….. more than once! I mean, come on!!!!!! Why, pray tell, do people feel this need to get all touchy with someone they’ve met for the first time three seconds earlier? It just makes me suspicious. A I can cope with – but even then, unless it’s an interview or some other kind of , I would question just why someone would be stuffy enough to feel they’d have to shake my hand. A simple “hi, how are you?” is more than adequate with me. Or even a “It’s so cool to meet you, finally!” I can cope with that too. But no touching, goddamn it! NO TOUCHING!!!!! :grr:
  • On to stage two – this is where we’ve met once or twice now and are moving towards a of some kind. Just in case you hadn’t figured it out yet, I’m not a touchy person, I prefer not to be touched, thank you! But at this stage, 9 times out of 10, I can cope with a quick hug – I prefer it over stupid air kisses (What the hell are they all about anyway?) – but I would still prefer to keep that space I alluded to earlier… *waves arms around in a big circle again* Just imagine we’re talking over a fence (with some kind of barbed wire over the top of it so you can’t lean over :p )
  • In a relationship, now that’s an entirely different matter. With my other half I can be as touchy-feely as I like (which he’ll be quick to tell everyone isn’t very often. Damn it, I’m not a touchy-feely person!!!!) but public expressions of affection by my other half don’t bother me at all. Although I do draw the line at tonsil tickling in the middle of tescos! That’s not to say there hasn’t been certain times when serious gropage has gone on in the freezer section *sniggers*

All that aside, what it boils down to for me is the person attemping the touching. When I first met my mother’s current husband, he came at me across the carpark (I had no clue who this guy barrelling towards me was) and threw his arms around me in some kind of dramatic hug. He was met with a stiffened spine and a glare that demanded “what the hell are you doing?”. From that point on, I disliked him. I still do. I’m told he’s quite a nice guy. Tough luck, I dislike him immensely – there’s more to it than the deluded hug, but that’s another post. What he did was set the wheels in motion and got my hackles up by invading my space without invitation. A big no-no. Don’t do it… not if you want to live!

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Family Visit

Posted by on February 22, 2008 Leave a Comment

Gary’s sister came over today with her . She lives a few hours drive away so this was the first time she’s been able to come down since was born. She is staying at the MILs so we only got to see her for a couple of hours. But it was a nice visit and the kids were pleased to see their cousins. Needless to say, the whole time they were here all the kids were tearing around the house making . But two more kids didn’t really make much of a difference to the noise levels here!

got a bit upset when they left – she gets a bit overwhelmed I think. She adores having people come over and gets really excited so when it’s time for things to finish she gets a little teary-eyed. Still, it meant the girls had a pretty late night and didn’t get in bed until 9pm. I’d like to think that we’d get a lie-in in the morning because of it, but it’s unlikely. I’ put on them still waking up at 6am, but we can hope!

Gary’s watching the third as I type. It isn’t really grabbing my attention at all, in fact it seems to be very boring and bland from the bits I keep glancing up and watching. I’m giving serious consideration to going to bed. Dunno what it is about having visitors but I’m always shattered after they leave. Probably the unsociable part of me needing to work hard to make conversation and it tires me out!

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You show ‘em Paul!

Posted by on February 21, 2008 Leave a Comment

Did anyone see the ? Or more to the point ’s performance. Wonderful as always (yeah, I’m a fan.. so shoot me :p ) what made me laugh was the video montage he played in the background. He dedicated Let it Be to Linda (the love of his life) and Hey Jude to (written for John’s son Julian). The playing in the background had shots of both Linda and John, but none of his soon to be ex-wife Ms Heather “I’m a whining ” Mills. Apparently, she was even trying to get an invite to the Brits, but the bosses had been warned to keep her away from it. Good call!

I don’t think realised just what Paul McCartney is to Britain. Love or loathe his music, he’s one of ours. A cheeky scouser who came from nothing with his three mates – although Ringo replaced their original drummer who, just to give some pointless trivia, ran a chippie for years in ! – and became one of the biggest and best “” on the planet! How did she even think she’d get away with treating him the way she is – regardless of what went on behind closed doors.

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The Cooking Adventure

Posted by on February 19, 2008 Leave a Comment

I know.. I know… it’s laughable! The thought of me…. me actually cookin something. And I don’t mean just throwing something in the oven and leaving it to burn. I actually mean getting the ingredients together and actually preparing a meal! I just don’t have the patience or the interest really to be the kind of person who stands every preparing “proper” meals and, although the kids should eat more vegetables and home-cooked meals, with the size of the family it just isn’t practical. The cost would be astronomical if I were to start preparing full meals every day. So usually, I’ll compromise. I’ll make a , Sweet & Sour or Spag Bol but I won’t make the sauce from scratch. I’ll do a (so long Gary prepares it :p ) and I’m happy to make a casserole on occasion.

I’m really building this up, huh! Thing is, the meal I’m making today isn’t something extravagant or even difficult. I think my dad must be haunting me, to be honest, because it was one of his favourite meals and something I’ve never cooked in the whole time Gary and I have been together. But for the last few weeks it’s the only thing I can think about eating – and no, I’m not pregnant before anyone asks!It’s a dish called . *waits patiently for the laughter to stop* I did say it wasn’t something difficult! But you haven’t understand, I hate cooking!

I know how to make Scouse, but out of curiosity I did a search online to see if there were any – there are, but that’s not the point. What I did find was the history of Scouse – which I’m going to share with you all!

Scouse was brought to by Northern European sailors, it was originally called Labskause. This was finally shortened to Skause and over time the spelling changed to the more Anglicised version we have today, Scouse. The people who ate Scouse were all generally sailors and their families and eventually all sailors within were referred to as Scousers. Time has now taken its turn and everyone from the region of is known as a Scouser.

I dunno if it’s just me, but I found it really funny to discover that Scousers were named after a meal.

[Read more...]

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Silly Boy!

Posted by on February 18, 2008 Leave a Comment

The following entry will not make any sense unless you read Teenagers and Lying Kids first!

Number 1 has been away from home for just over two weeks now. We’ve not heard from him at all in that time. The only reason we know he’s not dead is because his have spoken and seen him. Relayed via his brothers, we have been informed that he does not want us to have his new address unless we have “an extremely good reason for needing it” and also that we are not to telephone him unless his sisters “are so ill, they’ve been rushed to hospital”. Thanks, mate. Nice to know you care and appreciate all that we’ve done for you over the years!

Not that it matters, as anyone who knows me or Gary will be aware that if we really want to know something, we will find out regardless of how much people try to hide it. Last week a letter dropped through the door addressed to Mr R**** (obviously I’m not putting the surname there :p ) Because it didn’t state a first name, I assumed it was for Gary and opened it (I generally open all the mail). Upon opening though, I realised it was for No.1 stepson from his place of work, asking why he hasn’t turned up for the last 2 1/2 weeks and not contacted them at all. I telephoned his grandmother to relay the message and she rang back to inform me that she’d finally got through to him and he’d admitted to not having gone to work since moving out. I’m curious to know how he’s managed to get any to pay his rent and everything else. He promised her that he’d call them and say he’d go back to work. Well, I got a phone call the next day from his place of work, asking to speak to him. What could I say? I wasn’t going to lie, so I told them the . They said if he didn’t get in touch by the 20th Feb, they’d fire him for with no chance of a reference for any future employment. Now, bear in mind here, that this is the first job he’s ever had and – judging by his – probably the last job he’ll ever have too!

But back to not having any contact for him. Dream on, boyo, if you really think we can’t contact you if we really want to. We’re a lot more creative than you give us credit for!

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Wallowing in Self-Pity

Posted by on February 18, 2008 Leave a Comment

It’s school half-term. Need I say more? A whole week with all the kids at home. I don’t think I can cope with the ! :p It wouldn’t be so bad if the would actually grasp the concept of the fact that they don’t need to get up at 6.30am! (Not that they need to get up that early on a school morning either, but I can cope with it then.) I think I’d kill for a lie-in beyond 8am. Before you tell me to get a grip, remember that half-term for me means six kids at home – not your average 2.4 (I wonder how you get the .4 of a child, I have visions of just the legs or maybe the head and arms….. :oh: ).

The oldest boy – if you’ve been keeping up with the saga – has left home, so that leaves the (DJ and JD) and the girls, who are all under 6. The two boys swing between getting along fine and hating each others guts on a minute to minute basis so it’s hard to tell what is going to happen at any given moment and some days I just can’t be bothered with the aggro. Luckily, today they managed to get through the whole day without resorting to violence and it was left to the girls to drive me insane instead.

From 8am to 5pm, Erin and have done nothing but fight. Screaming at each other constantly at full banshee volume. My ears are still ringing from the noise. , while better behaved, was just as loud. , the babe, was peaceful as ever – which is a nice change from the rest of em! There was a unanimous decision made by Shannon, Erin and Caty to watch at 8.15am. My ears are still ringing from the of pretend terror whenever a dinosaur appeared on the screen. I say pretend as none of them are phased in the slightest by of any kind. And that seemed to set the mood of the day. By the time Gary came home from work, I was ready to murder them. What a terrible parent I am! :D

But now here I sit, upstairs on my pc for a change instead of lounging on the sofa with my laptop. My ears are still ringing from all the noise, but I’m starting to chill down as I listen to Blue October and surf the net, looking for goodies to add to my little blog and my forums. Tell you what would be nice. Some of you lurkers actually saying hello instead of just popping in, reading my waffle, and departing without so much as a wave as you pass by! :lol:

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A small dose of insomnia!

Posted by on February 18, 2008 Leave a Comment

I went to bed tonight at around 11.30pm yawning my head off and barely able to keep my eyes open, yet once I was lying in bed I spent the next hour . Goddess, I hate it when that happens! Things start going through your mind – they’re not even important or exciting things – it’s just a case of my mind not having shut down properly. Usually I’ll read for an hour once I’ve gone up to bed but I just didn’t feel like it, so there was no cooling off period. After lying there tossing and turning, listening to the baby snoring on one side of me and Gary snoring on the other, I decided it really wasn’t worth the effort and came back downstairs. I figure I might as well come on here and just mooch for a little while to give my brain time to chill out. So here I am, waffling about nothing and wasting time until my eyes start drooping again when, hopefully, sleep will not evade me! The problem with on a Sunday night is the fact that Gary has to get up and go to work tomorrow, so it’s not like he could get up and deal with the while I catch up on a little sleep. And the are so bloody noisy, there’s no way I will manage to get to sleep beyond 8am anyway! Not to mention the fact that will want her bottle around that time too.

We watched the latest episode of Lost tonight. Does anyone else watch it? All the flashforwards going on are confusing the hell out of me and annoying the shit out of Gary :lol: The writers have stated that we’re going to get answers this season, but I get the impression we’re going to end up with even more questions too. But it’s still holding my attention, so I’m hoping they manage not to ruin it.

I also attempted to watch today. It’s a Russian vampire movie – of course i didn’t realise it was actually in Russian when I bought the box set of that and ! But they’ve both got rave reviews so I figured I’d give them a look anyway. Unfortunately, because they’re subtitled you really need to be able to sit and stare at the screen so you don’t miss anything – and that’s a mission impossible in this house with the kids running around screaming! Might have to wait til the school holidays are over and try and get an afternoon of peace to watch them in! Will let you know what I think about them then.

Well I think that’s pretty much it. It’s almost 1am now so I suppose I should try and get some sleep before they wake up at 6.30am. I imagine I’ll be back later to about the fact I’m tired!

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Odd online Quizzes

Posted by on February 17, 2008 Leave a Comment

What is it with online . Most of them… okay, if I’m honest, ALL of them, are bloody stupid and pointless. But everyone and I do mean everyone will do at least one of them at some point!

Take this one for instance:-

Are you an Attention Whore?


You Don’t Need Extra Attention


You’re perfectly happy with who you are, and you don’t need attention to feel good about yourself.

You prefer to let your actions and accomplishments speak for themselves.

Working hard to get people to like you is your idea of a nightmare.

You’ve got a lot going on, and anyone with half a brain will notice that on their own!You come across as: Confident and serious

People may wrongly think you’re: Stuck up and shy

Obviously I couldn’t resist doing this one – the title of it was far too tempting for me! I couldn’t tell you how accurate it is though – do people see me as confident and serious or that I’m stuck up and shy? Who knows, no one’s ever told me :lol:

But then you see ones with a title like:-

What Punctuation Mark Are You?

And I just think “What, now?” Just how on earth can some questions tell you what you should be or what it means to be that particular one. That’s just stretching the too far, I feel!

Now how many of you clicked the link and did that quiz? :p

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