Good TV!

It's Wednesday here, and it's a big day in TVLand!

Of course, at 8:00 was Friday Night Lights, which is Dave's favorite show (it helps that I like it, too!).
Then at 9:00 was Ugly Betty (the one where they go to Mexico), and on Channel 4, Big Brother started, and they are introducing the new housemates. Right now, there are 11 women. I don't follow Big Brother. There is way too much vulgarity, and obscenity, and anger, and just plain annoying behavior for my taste.

But, at 10:15 on Channel 4 is the Season Finale of Desperate Housewives! Yay!!

We're always behind on American TV here in the UK...which might explain why were are just now starting Grey's Anatomy! Yay me!

So, tomorrow night is ER and Grey's Anatomy, then Friday night it's NCIS.

I watch too much TV! But, for what it's worth, it makes me feel connected to home! :o)

Happy Season Finales!

Oh Kermie!

I found this test, and wondered how I would do. I'm surprised at some of the results, but with 23 questions (half of them from my childhood!), it can't be 100% accurate! It's funny, tho. You should try it!

Your Score: Kermit the Frog

You scored 79% Organization, 35% abstract, and 72% extroverted!

This test measured 3 variables.

First, this test measured how organized you are. Some muppets like Cookie Monster make big messes, while others like Bert are quite anal about things being clean.

Second, this test measured if you prefer a concrete or an abstract viewpoint. For the purposes of this test, concrete people are considered to gravitate more to mathematical and logical approaches, whereas abstract people are more the dreamers and artistic type.

Third, this test measured if you are more of an introvert or an extrovert. By definition, an introvert concentrates more on herself and an extrovert focuses more on others. In this test an introvert was somebody that either tends to spend more time alone or thinks more about herself.

You are very organized, more concrete, and more extroverted.

Here is why are you Kermit the Frog.

You are both very organized. You almost always know where your belongings are and you prefer things neat. You may even enjoy cleaning and find it therapeutic. Kermit also likes to keep things neat. When he's a reporter he dresses up in his jacket and hat, and you rarely see him make a mess.

You both can be concrete thinkers. Kermit spends a lot of his time as a reporter collecting facts and teaching others. Sure he did sing "The Rainbow Connection," but that wasn't when he was on Sesame Street. You probably know what you want in life, and you have a real plan toward achieving it. You may have dreams, but like Kermit you don't let them control your decisions.

You are both extroverts. Kermit gets along with everyone. Sure a few folks annoy him, but that's just because they are annoying. Kermit likes to meet new people when he does his job as a street reporter. You definitely enjoy the company of others, and you don't have problems meeting new people... in fact you probably look forward to it. You are willing to take charge when necessary or work as part of a team.

Oh, and in case you were wondering, Kermit starred on Sesame Street years before The Muppet Show.

The other possible characters are
Oscar the Grouch
Big Bird
Snuffleupagus
Ernie
Elmo
Cookie Monster
Grover
The Count
Guy Smiley
Bert

Link: The Your SESAME STREET Persona Test

Stanky Day

It's Jet. Well, it's not his fault. Jet is 4-years old, and I don't think he knows how to take a walk. Sad, really. That's part of what I'm doing with him. I'm getting him to learn how to take a walk. And enjoy it! Unfortunately, there are some unpleasantries associated with walking a dog. I know you know what I mean.

Normally, it's not a big deal. I have a little bag, we walk, we stop, I clean up, I tie a knot, we walk on, I throw it away when we get to Jet's house.

Today challenged me in ways I have not been challenged in many, many years. We started out, as normal, Jet was fine, not pulling the lead like he does after about 32 seconds, and we were chatting about what's new, etc. (as you do), and eventually he pulled off to a little patch of grass. I knew what was coming (or thought I did, at least!), and pulled the baggie out of my pocket.

*warning: don't read on if you have a weak stomach or a propensity towards vomiting.*

Jet hunched down and successfully eliminated a fair amount of waste. However, he did not stand up as normal...he kind of hunch-walked about 2 metres away, and waited. Then, well, poor guy was sick. The smell was awful. Serious stank. Then I waited. For the waves of nausea and dry heaving to pass long enough for me to scoop up as much of it as I could, and cover the rest with grass clippings. And then more waves of nausea. I was taking deep breaths. I was trying to think of other (pleasant smelling) things. I was praying "Dear God, in the name of Jesus, and Grandmas, and all things holy, please please please don't let me hurl my chocolate milk right now in this lady's garden. Please?" (He answered that one.) And after a t.r.e.m.e.n.d.o.u.s.l.y long minute, I was able to stand and start walking. But the waves of nausea and the dry heaves did not pass. I kept smelling The Stank. (I can smell it now! Gah!) Thankfully Jet lives in a neighborhood where people like to grow flowers and pretty smelling things in their front gardens. So, I literally stopped to smell every rose for the next 18 houses.

I was able to return to normal, pretty much, for the rest of the walk...as long as I didn't think about what I was carrying! And for the last 50 metres when Jet was really pulling on the lead, I had to say to him "Look, buddy. I'm carrying a bag of your stanky poo. There is nothing I would like more than to sprint home and get shod of this bag as fast as I can! But that's not what we're gonna do because I look too cute today to run down the street with a bag of stanky poo in my hand. So. We are going to walk at a nice, sophisticated pace all the way home."

And walk we did.

Oktomat is UP!

I promised new pictures from my new goofy camera, and I've got 'em! :o) Supposedly there's a way to create "minimovies" and I'll let you know once I figure that out, but for now, here's the show!
Here's a house in Norfolk, England, which probably dates back to at least the 1800's.(photo deleted)

Here's me twirling around in the back garden (but you can't really tell that)(photo deleted)


Here's Jet (the Poodle I walk) on a rainy day. He's not excited about cameras. (photo deleted)

The grill of a classic Mini Cooper.(photo deleted)

And, finally, my favorite...the one that made me laugh outloud as I was walking down the street:

A classic convertible that we drove by on the motorway.

New Counter Space

Big Blogger Fun!!

Over at Kinsey's place, I saw her new counter, and I just had to have one, too! (I love to copy Kinsey!)

It's sooper-cool! It tells me where you are and how long it's been since you've been here! Yay! Go and see for yourself! It's in the lower right-hand corner, you may have to scroll down...but you can't miss it!

If you want one for yourself (because I'm so cool, and you want to copy me...), you can find it at NeoWORX. I think there's a 2-week trial, and then you have to fork out £10.99, but I'll get a whole year's worth of knowing who's been here and when...so I think I'll go for it!

:o) I'm watching....

Random Ramblings and Stuff

This has sure been a quick week!

We had a big party last Saturday, and all my energies went into making sure people had enough food and drink and a place to sit (or stand, whatever!). It was a lot of fun, and it was actually in honor of James and Natalie, who are saying their good-byes to Guildford (photo deleted)

...so it was extra good for me because they did all the mingling and chatting, and I got to just do stuff! That's my favorite kind of party! :o) James had lots of surprises that day -- he got taken out of bed and whisked away to a gory game of paint-ball, and then about the time he got settled down, it was time to come over here for the party (about which he knew). (photo deleted)

He and Natalie charmed the masses, of course, and then at about 8:45, or so, and unsuspecting James was blinded with a filthy laundry bag, put into the back of the car and driven around in circles (literally!) for about 1/2 an hour...then brought back here for a surprising couple of hours of poker with the fellas. A couple of the ladies and I took Natalie away to chill out and chat and open a few lacey lingerie presents :o) She liked 'em! I'm sure James will, too! ;o)

It's been rainy, and ugly, and cccccccollllld here lately! Thankfully, the sun broke out for a few hours on Saturday for the party, but then it went away again. :( I am very tempted to break out the long johns again! Ew! Maybe next week...

I'm working on another couple of scrapbook pages for our two sponsored kids in Ecuador. This time it's Barcelona and France. Barcelona is done, France is very not done...and I have to mail it on Saturday! So I've got to get to gluing! I really do enjoy doing these pages. I know the kids really appreciate the little bit of effort I put into it, and it's a chance to share our lives with them.

All the kitties are doing well. Oh, but I have a new job from the Cinnamon Trust...his name is Jet, he's a 4-year old toy poodle, and his mama is Mrs Hitchcock, who is 89 years young, and just needs someone to walk Jet a couple of times a week. Jet doesn't really like walking, yet. He's used to being a lazy-bones, but I'm going to keep walking him till he likes it, dangit! Here's a photo from today. He's not very cooperative with the camera, but aren't the poppies pretty? :o)(photo deleted)

The Cinnamon Trust really is a cool thing. Has anyone heard of anything like it in America? Their motto is "helping the elderly and their pets" and they facilitate elderly people being able to keep their pets with them as long as possible. Great, huh? People walk dogs, or take pets to the vet, or foster them when the owner is in the hospital or taken to a permanent care facility. Seriously, if you know of anything like it over yonder, I want to know!

And, finally, my kitties gave me a new goofy camera this week, but I haven't had any film developed yet. I promise to post some photos when I get some, but it's an "oktomat", and basically, the little camera has 8 little lenses, and when you push the shutter down, over a period of 2 seconds, it takes 8 sequential shots! And all 8 are printed on the same photo! Cool, huh? I can't find very many good photos on the web to share with you, but here's a link to one of a guy named Pedro: (click here) Otherwise, you'll just have to wait like patient bunnies to see the fruits of my new photo-labors!

That's about all I know for now. Hope you have a great weekend!

Oh, Alley Phat, Full of Grace

Oh, Alley Phat,
Full of grace
Does Mama call your belly
Monkey butt to your face?
(posted by Julie, 5:00 pm. on Monkey Butt blog)

Hee hee! That's great! (of course I call her that to her face!!)

I took this shot of Alley Phat sitting on my lap. Dunno 'bout you, but me thinks it's not so healthy for the kitty to be 3.5x wider in the caboose than she is in the noggin! I can't seem to get her to diet, though, and the only exercise she gets is jumping up into my lap!

Aw, but she loves her Mama, and that's all that matters to me!

Fun Pics

Saturday I picked up a packet of photos from our fish-eye camera that I had taken to be developed. This roll of film spanned about 6 weeks, so there was a good variety of stuff on there! :o) I've added my 4 favorites for your viewing pleasure:

1. From my birthday in March:

2. A random dog in Florence:

3. A random Dave in Florence:

(I shall not comment on similarities...)

4. Tulips and the Palm House at Kew Gardens:

Lovin' The Clean

So Wednesday was a super-crazy day. Up at 7, on the scooter at 8 to take it and drop it off to get the MOT (=emissions test) done, walked home, shredded old paperwork, took winterizing film off the windows, cleaned the kitchen, got a washing machine delivered and installed, went to an appointment, went to the grocery store, walked back to get the scooter, rode it home in 5:00 traffic, planted some flowers, convinced Dave to go out to dinner, then finally fizzled around 8:30 that night! :o) I don't often have days where I'm such a busy bug, but I love it when I am!

So, yes, I am the proud user of a new washing machine!! Love it!

It spins SOOOOO well that I don't have to dry the clothes for nearly as long as I used to! Woo and hoo!

Hey, but I learned something new about washing machines in the UK. I don't know if this is the case for new washing machines in the US. Here, new machines are all "cold-fill-only"...which means that the machine heats the water to whatever temperature the wash cycle needs. Fascinating, huh? Apparently this is better for the environment. I think that's great!

AND I get clean clothes, too!(photo deleted)

Also, this new machine has a digital display which (depressingly) tells me how much time is left on that load. Like, 2+ hours for a load of white clothes. Gah! It also tells me when the cycle is over! :o) Like the non-rotating drum isn't a signal! And, one cool feature of coffee-makers everywhere...it has a delay feature so I can put the clothes and detergent in, set the delay, and it will start the cycle later! Which is great because I always intend to start the wash when we're done with our showers, but I always forget...now it's not up to my brains! Finally!

Clean clothes to you, and a merry good-night!