Friday Five!

Following Wren's example, and being early this week instead of my usual late.

1. We've had a great visit with MIL, with some visits from mom and my niece Shanna. MIL leaves for home Saturday. Time went so fast.

2. We're not doing a lot for the 4th, but we'll probably get something to eat and go watch the fireworks. MIL really enjoys them on the years she is here. She says it is much better to watch them when it is warm than in the cold like the Christmas ones are.

3. Yesterday and today have been in the upper 70's, which is so pleasant after then upper 90's to 101 we have had lately. Tomorrow is to be more of the same.

4. Joey survived his first crash landing into the wall (twice in fact) yesterday, with out birdie brain damage, concussion or cracking his skull. I think it was harder on me than it was on him. I have never understood why birds fly into walls.

5. I'm looking forward to being off work the next two days.

Glad Joey is OK!

Happy July 4th everyone!  It is business as usual here in the UK.

1.  I got two possible gigs from playing at the farmer's market last week! 

One is definite--I'll be playing inside of Nostell Priory (a Georgian Era mansion) and I get to wear an 18th century costume and am allowed to busk (with an appropriately posh and old-looking receptacle for the money.

The second one I have to phone up and find out about today. 

2.  I've been having some crazy dreams lately.  Last night I dreamed Dylan had died. 

3.  My beloved area manager has announced that he is taking voluntary redundancy.  He is the main reason we all work so hard.  Morale has already dropped.  He is going to be missed big-time. 

4.  I tend to stay away from political arguments but lately I've been saddened by the news of three Israeli teens being killed and the the Palestinian boy being killed (but as we know it's been going on for ages).  I can't understand how on the one hand Palestine is seen as totally wrong and evil in everything and on the other hand it is Israel who is totally evil.  Can't people see the wrong on both sides?  All of those kids were innocent.  I don't think the madness in the middle east will ever end. 

5.  On a happier note (hmmm, thinking....) just a few weeks until we are off to Ireland for two and a half weeks! 

Better late than never!

1. Monday was my aunt's 88th birthday -- we went to my cousin's for a celebratory cookout.  Gave her some hand lotion/soap from M&S!

2. Think we've solved the problem of wedding present for (another) cousin's eldest:  DS will print one of his photos of the beach where they all go in Maine and we will pay for the framing.  (He does great photography!)

3. For the past two weeks we have been attempting to clear 'my' house now occupied by DS and Kenny, Kenny's dog and our own Maxwell and 40 thousand mice!  (Maxwell has not been doing his job  )  So many trips to the dump and Goodwill cannot begin to count.  Exhaustion. 

4. Independence Day was a non-event for us.  So much rain anyway.  Talked to my best friend in California.

5. Last minute dump runs, move most of my stuff to the bedroom in the basement so the guys have more room for their clobber, cram about 2 dozen tee-shirts, 5 pairs of summer pants, 2 pairs of shoes, a dress, 2 skirts, 4 lightweight cardigans, lots of scarves, necklaces and bracelets, mini-size deodorants, 2 boxes of Endangered Species dark chocolate, tube of Neosporin and more into two suitcases (plus DH's stuff) -- flight home on Saturday.

Woot!

1. It's Friday and I'm actually using the internet this morning and I'm not in the rush this morning because:

2. I finally got it together and cleaned and tidied the house in preparation for the weekend.

3. Have the bones of a menu and shopping list already going.

4. Car is in the shop [finally] for an oil change and radiator flush. Picking up in a few minutes.

5. All of us are bathed, have had breakfast, and are sitting at the dining table enjoying a pot of tea. Fix beds, wash breakfast dishes, brush teeth and we are off to get the car and shopping!

This means we will be gone most of the day and when we come home to make dinner the house will still be tidy and for the first time in as long as I can remember, Friday evening should be nice and relaxing for the Hubs [and me]

Saturday Five

1 - 3. Survived the first week without my sister. It sucks, it is crap, but we are all  banding together and learning to find a way to miss her but carry her in our hearts and keep on living. Planning a Celebration of Life for next weekend is giving us something to focus on for now, and going through pictures to have sitting around has brought a flood of happy memories

4. Woke up to the news Tommy Ramone has passed. Musical hero of mine. Loved those guys.

5. Just don't think I like Saturdays right now.

I'm sitting here hoping people will post their joys and highlights of their week, and not feel they shouldn't after my post.  I love seeing everyone's joy on here and am definitely happy for distractions.

I was venting as part of the healing process, and I am slowly going to get there. I enjoy sharing in people's happiness, and don't mean for my post above to seem like a downer.

Aww big hugs TamaMoo!

1.  I was also sad to hear of the death of the last of The Ramones.  I saw them live 5 times.  They were one of my favorite bands when I was in my late teens / early 20s. 

2.  Work is really hard right now, but I'm plugging along.  Will be sad to see my area manager leave at the end of the month. 

3.  It looks like the weather for today has taken a turn for the worst, so I think I won't go up to the Dales after all.  I'll probably stay home and hang with hubby and Dylan. 

4.  And speaking of Dylan, the house 5 or 6 doors up has been sold and new people have just moved in.  On my way to work yesterday I saw a black cat in their front window and thought 'Aww, they have a black cat just like Dylan'.  And then I realized it *was* Dylan!  He's such a mooch!  Befriending the new neighbors before they've even unpacked! 

5.  Have recently scored the perfectly fitting (not too long, either!) M&S jeans and a black cropped cashmere (also M&S) cardigan at work 

3.  It looks like the weather for today has taken a turn for the worst, so I think I won't go up to the Dales after all.  I'll probably stay home and hang with hubby and Dylan. 

I wouldn't rule it out too quickly - it's poor this morning, as there's a front moving through, but it should stop raining and brighten up by lunchtime/early afternoon . There is a small chance of a heavy (possibly thundery) shower or two in Yorkshire late afternoon/early evening, but it should be a nice, but generally cloudy, afternoon.

The coded aviation forecast for Leeds airport only has rain and low cloud until 11:00am and then dry, with good visibility and decent cloud bases for the rest of the day (they haven't put any showers in though, but it's an aviation forecast for the planes and so there's certain restrictions/criteria in what can be put in it).

Aww big hugs TamaMoo!

1.  I was also sad to hear of the death of the last of The Ramones.  I saw them live 5 times.  They were one of my favorite bands when I was in my late teens / early 20s. 

Thanks, Andee. Hugs definitely help. I am jealous of your five times of seeing the Ramones.  Hooray for your perfect fit fantastic score!

I wouldn't rule it out too quickly -

You were so right!  I decided to go up after all and the weather from Hawes down to Leeds was gorgeous!!

Thanks, Andee. Hugs definitely help. I am jealous of your five times of seeing the Ramones.  Hooray for your perfect fit fantastic score!

You are welcome.  And Gabba Gabba Hey!

1. Finished a v. disappointing Anita Shreve: Stella Bain 

2. Our fave cafe has changed their price list -- so having to cut back on the daily visits.

3. Finally saw the GP about my sore tongue; she confirmed my suspicions of "Geographic Tongue".     Not much you can do about it (but not serious).

4. Spent an afternoon, cleaning, dusting and culling one bookcase.  Not been cleaned in years  .  DH sorted some 'heirlooms' from his parents' loft.  (Anyone collect 1930's bric-a-brac?)

5.  The Proms are starting!!  Maybe a London jaunt in the offing.

1. Finally getting a job, in my favourite part of London!
2. Looking for new work clothes, feels like going back to school.
3. The annual chili cookoff at my friend's house tomorrow.
4. Having a cool living room to sit in while it heats up outside.
5. Showing my mom my holiday pics from Devon this week (quick tip, if you have a smart phone, download the viber app and get your loved ones to do the same, you can send text, photos and call for free.)

1. I've been working from home the last few months doing social media stuff for Lonely Planet but was asked to cover someone in the office who went on holiday, so I got to be in the office for a few days. Nice to still feel part of the team.

2. While in the office, one of the editors forwarded me an email mentioning they were looking for an image researcher and hoping for an internal candidate so they could move it along quickly to meet a tight deadline. Nice to be thought of.

3. I found out last night I got the job! I started today and can work from home for the most part, so I avoid 3 hours of commuting every day!

4. My new manager and my social media manager have no problems with me carrying on both jobs since they don't conflict. It'll be a bit busy for a month while the two roles overlap, but the social media hours are less than my commute would be to the office, so I figure I still come out ahead.

5. The weather is beautiful and did I mention I get to work from home for the rest of summer? Woohoo!

1. Found out our offer was accepted on a flat we want to rent.

2. got the application and instructions to make a holding deposit to take it off the market today

3. my third driving lesson is tomorrow and although I seem to lack all the confidence I once had in driving I'm excited for it

4. I was smart enough to by a fan laster year and am so thankful I have it today!

5. My favourite...the new flat fits a king size bed! Which is be perfect as both DH and I tend to be bed hogs!!

2. Our fave cafe has changed their price list -- so having to cut back on the daily visits.

Is this The Bowery?  Is it expensive now?  I love that place, mapleleafgirl and Mrs.Robinson and I meet up there often, we should all 4 of us meet up soon.

3. Finally saw the GP about my sore tongue; she confirmed my suspicions of "Geographic Tongue".     Not much you can do about it (but not serious).

Huh, that's a new one, never came across that before!  I imagine ice and very cold things like popsicles (ice lollies!) and ice cream would make it feel better?

4. Spent an afternoon, cleaning, dusting and culling one bookcase.  Not been cleaned in years  .  DH sorted some 'heirlooms' from his parents' loft.  (Anyone collect 1930's bric-a-brac?)

I think you can get some good cash for 30s vintage brica brac, I'd try selling on ebay!  (or you could just donate it to my shop!  )