Saturday 31 May 2014

Sunday Stealing - Hey Nineteen!

Hey Nineteen!                             

Welcome back to Sunday Stealing which originated on WTIT: The Blog authored by Bud Weiser. Here we will steal all types of memes from every corner of the blogosphere. Our promise to you is that we will work hard to find the most interesting and intelligent memes. You may have heard of the expression, “honor amongst thieves”. In that age-old tradition, we try to credit the blog that we stole it from and we will “fess up” to the blog owner where we stole the meme. We also provide a link to the victim's meme. (It's our way of saying "Thanks!") Sometimes we edit the original meme, to make it more relevant to our global players, to challenge our players, to select the best questions, or simply to make it less repetitive from this new meme or recently asked questions from a previously featured meme. 
Let's go!!!


From the Archives at  QuizMeme:

To join in this meme click  *thisaway*

1) Where would you retire to?  Unlike McScrooge, I'm not a quiet country settings kinda gal, so it would have to be private but not far from town as I feel safer around sound.  I don't do summer I'm afraid, so it wouldn't be anywhere sunny.

2) What are your best physical features  I don't honestly think I have any. My hair's the only thing about me that stands out.  It's thick, strawberry blonde and you can see me a mile off because of it -  but that doesn't really comply.
 
3) What are your best characteristics?   I've been told that I'm patient and have a calming quality and able to deal with life problem solving, although that wasn't the case last Saturday when my painkillers got stuck in my throat and wouldn't shift!

4) What kind of books do you like to read?   I really like forbidden love stories - especially if the shock factor is high.   Nothing should stop the path of true love ( consenting adults x 2 may I say). A rather ikky example is The Thorn Birds.   Seriously, though, the subject fascinates me even though it usually ends in tragedy.

5) What are you reading now?  Choose Me by Kate Langdale.   It's about a young lad trying to fit in with the right family after his drug-addled mum commited suicide.   My daughter and son-in-law are in the process of adoption after James having testicular cancer when he was just 26.  So the book's kind of fitting right now.
 
6) Where would you want to retire to?  Still not changed my mind since No.1
 
7) What is your favorite time of the day?  Bedtime!
 
8) Where did you grow up?  On a council estate in a place called Langlees.  Bit of a dive now, but I had a happy childhood there.  Some really good stories and memories are attached to it.  It broke my heart to have to move when I sixteen.  I dream of my old house yet.
 
9) How far away from your birthplace do you live now?  About 4 miles and 5 minutes in the car.

10) Are you a morning person or a night owl?   An indoor night owl.   I love having the house all to myself when everyone is in bed.
 
11) What inspires you?  Music.   I can get ideas for a book from just one song!   I absolutely love Cirque De Soleil shows, too!

12) Can you close your eyes and raise your eyebrows?  Easily.
 
13) Do you have pets?  Yes.   A beautiful white and black cat called Boaby. He scares the shit out of the rottweilers next door.
 
14) How many rings before you answer the phone   Around 8-10 I'd say but I don't count.

15) What are some of the different jobs that you have had in your life?  Fish and chip shop girl, sales assistant in a superstore, school dinner lady, seasonal garden centre hand, classroom assistant and ABE & AEE tutor more recently.  I've another bowel operation coming up soon, so don't work right now.   I hate the medication I'm on.   It results in good and bad days.
  
16) Any new and exciting things that you would like to share?  Iceland Freezer stores are selling a new Blueberry Crunch cornet (four for a pound) and they are effing beautiful!!   Yup!  That's how exciting my life is!

17) What is most important in life?  Music, laughter and children.

18) Did you dream last night?  I don't think so. 

19) Do you remember your dreams?  When they're of Simon Baker, yes.  I try desperately to get back down to sleep sometimes!   But I do have some bizarre ones that I can usually attribute to something I've  done, said or watched.  Apparently we forget 90% of our dreams 10mins after waking.  
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Join  

Saturday 9

The Flintstones Theme

Welcome to Saturday: 9. What we've committed to our readers is that we will post 9 questions every Saturday. Sometimes the post will have a theme, and at other times the questions will be totally unrelated. Those weeks we do "random questions," so-to-speak. We encourage you to visit other participants posts and leave a comment. Because we don't have any rules, it is your choice. We hate rules. We love memes, however, and here is today's meme!

"Meet the Flintstones" (The Flintstones Theme) 
(Recommended by Harriet)

Unfamiliar with this week's song? Hear it here.
To join in the Meme fun click *here*
 
1) The song promises that, "When you're with the Flintstones, you'll have a yabba-dabba-doo time." So clearly Wilma was one accomplished hostess. What about you? Do you enjoy having company?  Outwith life celebrations (weddings, Xmas, birthdays, christenings ect) I prefer small gatherings.  To be honest, I actually enjoy my own company and doing my own thing.

2) Since lyrics say, "Let's ride with the family down the street/courtesy of Fred's two feet," we're assuming the pedal-powered Flintstone car didn't require much gas. Are you loyal to a particular brand of gas? Or do you fill up with whatever is nearby, or least expensive?  Not sure, I'll have to ask the bus driver.


3) Clearly a sharp-dressed man in stone-age Bedrock wore a long tunic and no pants. What are you wearing right now, as you answer these questions?  Me jim-jams....and I managed to hog the bathroom before my son did!

4) Pebbles Flintstone grew up with Dino the Dinosaur and Baby Puss the Saber-Tooth Cat. Did you have any pets as you were growing up?  Cats, dogs, hamsters, ferrets.  Not always at the same time though.

5) Mr. Slate is Fred's blustery boss at quarry, and he frequently threatens to fire Fred. Have you ever had a bad-tempered boss?  No. I wouldn't allow it!
 
6) It's estimated that during The Flintstones original run (1960-1966), it was viewed by as many adults as kids. Now that you're a grown up, do you still watch cartoons?  Not so often, but Tom and Jerry will never age.  Twatting each other with household items rather appealed to me as a child.

7) In 1961, The Flintstones was nominated for a Prime Time Emmy Award as Outstanding Comedy Series. Do you watch awards shows?  I really just watch comedy awards and the Oscars sometimes.

8) There are at least two Flintstones-themed amusement parks currently in operation. Do you enjoy scary rides?  Hell, no. I'm too jelly legged.  I've trapped nerves in the back of my neck so sometimes go for a spin for free!

9) Flintstones Vitamins are still on store shelves. Do you take a vitamin each morning?  Iron tablets occasionally, but I eat enough fruit and veg to keep the doctor happy!
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Friday 30 May 2014

Feline Friday (May) Peekaboo Si!

 I miss my cat Simon, (now in kitty heaven) who was fairly relaxed around cameras and recordings.  My favourite snap of him is this one peeking round the chair.  On his passing I bought in materials to paint this picture in acrylics to forever look down on us from the fireside wall.

Wasn't he the little poser...?











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Saturday 24 May 2014

Sunday Stealing (Memorial Day)

    

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                                 Random XV

                   Join In The Meme Via One Single *Click*





Welcome back to Sunday Stealing which originated on WTIT: The Blog authored by Bud Weiser. Here we will steal all types of memes from every corner of the blogosphere. Our promise to you is that we will work hard to find the most interesting and intelligent memes. You may have heard of the expression, “honor amongst thieves”. In that age-old tradition, we try to credit the blog that we stole it from and we will “fess up” to the blog owner where we stole the meme. We also provide a link to the victim's meme. (It's our way of saying "Thanks!") Sometimes we edit the original meme, to make it more relevant to our global players, to challenge our players, to select the best questions, or simply to make it less repetitive from this new meme or recently asked questions from a previously featured meme. 
Let's go!!!


Random XV


From: That Forthright Girl  

1. How old is the oldest pair of shoes in your closet?  My wellingtons, they're over 20 years old and saw me through many music festivals!


2. Did you buy Girl Scout cookies this year? If so, what variety?  Girl Scouts/Guides are fading out in Britain but given the choice it would have to be white chocolate chip!

3. Do you know how to ballroom dance?  No. I can do the Gay Gordan's but please keep that to yourself as I'd be mortified if anyone found out!

4. Were you a responsible child/teenager?  Erm........I had my baby girl at 17 and that brought responsibility with it in a flash.

5. How many of this year's Oscar-nominated movies did you see?  Philomena and 12 Years A Slave but I rather fancy The Wolf of Wall Street, although I'm not much of a Leonardo DeCapitated fan.

6. If you're going to have a medical procedure done, such as having blood drawn, is it easier for you to watch someone else having the procedure done or have it done yourself?  Either. I'm not in the least bit needle or knife shy.

7. What is your favorite day of the week and why?  Sunday. That's when my Magpie Tales prompt picture goes up. (See my other blog for details)  I love rhyming poetry!

8. What’s the best compliment you’ve ever received??  I sometimes get compliments on my hair for it's colour and thickness but I'm told I've a fairly nice singing voice.

9. Do hospitals make you queasy?  LoL. With my track record?  I've got more surgeons signatures on my middle and nether regions than I care to list.  I've had to get used to them, queasy or not!

10. At which store would you like to max-out your credit card?   Lemme think - probably a garden centre.

11. Are you true to the brand names of products/items?  Absolutely not.  Life's quite livable without labels!

12. Which is more difficult: looking into someone’s eyes when you are telling someone how you feel, or looking into someone’s eyes when he/she is telling you how he/she feels?  Wouldn't find it difficult either way.

13. What’s one thing you’re deeply proud of — but would never put on your résumé?  Probably some songs I've written over the years. 

14. What’s the most out-of-character choice you’ve ever made?  Hmmm......that's a toughie. Probably barging back in to see the doctor and demanding a second opinion.  I'd been putting up with pain that although wasn't life-threatening it was personally debilitating.   

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Saturday 9 ( Star Spangled Banner )

                      Joining In The Meme Takes Just One Click!

Being British I'll join in the meme giving answers as best as.  But I wish everyone a happy and peaceful Memorial Weekend.


1) Are you a veteran? Are there veterans in your family? (We are grateful and want to hear about it.)   My father fought in WWII and was a POW for 2 years.  His stories of the horrific and the heroic will stay with me for life.


2) Memorial Day also kicks off the summer season. What's your favorite picnic food?   Cucumber and salmon paste rolls, followed by jam & cream sponge cake.  Loads of sweets and wine.  In fact sweets and wine alone would do!

3) Let's celebrate the Memorial Day holiday with ice cream. What's your favorite flavor?  The best in the world is Häagen-Dazs Pralines & Cream Ice Cream.  If you don't have a nut allergy go for it!  I feign depression for the stuff!

4) This marks the weekend when Americans step up their outdoor activity and do things they may not have been able to do during the winter months. For example, when is the last time you rode a bike?  10 years ago that poor, poor saddle had the unfortunate job of carrying me and my arse 4 miles to Cockabendies Castle.  I haven't been back in the saddle since!


5) Or went hiking?  My hubby's a hairy hillwalking hiker but it's a bit too boring for me! 

6) Or rode a horse?   The closest I've been is a donkey ride at Blackpool Beach in 1984.

 
 
7) Or toasted a marshmallow?  Now THAT I've done more recently. Last Guy Fawkes night, actually, at a neighbour's display. 

8) As you answer these questions, is there an air conditioner or window fan on?  No.  It's actually just comfortable in Scotland right now.   Not too hot, not too cold, but that can all change by midnight. 

9) Crazy Sam needs your help: What song or a performer would you like to see featured in a Saturday 9 this summer?  I am being unashamedly biased as I'm promoting my older son's band  *Hotel India* who are right now recording a new tune after a year's break.   Some American friends play their videos up on huge office screens (thanks Jade!) but any American interest (no matter how small) is big to them!  Having an airing on US radio too, would be magic!  Here's their car-windows-open summer anthem from 4 years ago:
 
 
 
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Friday 23 May 2014

Feline Friday (May) Marshmallow Paws



Here, kitty, kitty.  You don't half get a bargain from marshmallow vending machine these days.....

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Saturday 17 May 2014

Sunday Stealing - Random Twenty

Random Twenty 





 Join the meme here                                                      
Welcome back to Sunday Stealing which originated on WTIT: The Blog authored by Bud Weiser. Here we will steal all types of memes from every corner of the    blogosphere. Our promise to you is that we will work hard to find the most interesting and intelligent memes. You may have heard of the expression, “honor amongst thieves”. In that age-old tradition, we also have our rules. First, we always credit the blog that we stole it from and we will “fess up” to the blog owner where we stole the meme. We also provide a link to the victim's post. (It's our way of saying "Thanks!") We do sometimes edit the original meme, usually to make it more relevant to our global players, to challenge our players, sometimes to select that meme's best questions, or simply to make it less repetitive from either this new meme or recently asked questions from a prior featured meme. 
Let's go!!!


From FanPop
 
1. Last time you had butterflies in your stomach? Every time I watch The Mentalist.  I think there's some wildebeest galloping about in there too!  I adore Simon Baker......

2. What was your last alcoholic beverage?  On my birthday back in January.  Of any decent amount anyhow.

3. Who can you trust?  I don't think I fully trust anybody - apart from my GP who has to be a confidant anyhow.

4. Where was your first kiss with your current significant other?  Man, that was many moons ago but I still remember.   In his car after a brief date.  It was a pathetic peck on the cheek from me to him.

5. Favorite Band?   At the moment I have to say it's Hotel India. They're recording a new single soon after a break of almost a year, so I'm promoting like buggery meantime!  This earlier video shows my son using a shaker - he's a shit hot drummer usually.  Feel free to have a little listen.......



6. What is something you've learned about yourself recently?  That I really am far too softhearted. 

7. Do you like anyone?  Er......I can think of one or two likely candidates....

8. Do you know anyone who is engaged?  My stepson - four kids later!!

9. What's your favorite number?  Eleven.

10. Who was the last person to make you cry?  My son - with pride at his exam results.

11. Did you ever go to camp as a kid?  No, but I did tent sleep overs with class mates.  We used to go pinching fruit from old Mr.Lee's garden! 

12. When was the last time you cried?  See number 10.

13. What is one thing you miss about your past?   My twin sister.  London has changed her, mind you.  I want the old Migi back!

14. What is one thing you've learned about life?  That friends really do care more than family.

15. Are you jealous of anyone?  Simon Baker's wife.

16. Is anyone jealous of you?  lol.........I very much doubt it!

17. Has a friend ever used you?  Oh, yes.  Especially in my teenage years.  I really need to say 'no' more often - even these days.

18. Has anyone recently told you that they like you more than as a friend?  I did have a lover towards the end of my first marriage, but nothing like that since!

19. Who was the last person you drove with?  I don't know what the bus driver's name was but he looked like a Wally.

20. What are you looking forward to? Same as I do every night - bedtime!

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Saturday 9 (Vacation)

  

                           Vacation

Welcome to Saturday: 9. What we've committed to our readers is that we will post 9 questions every Saturday. Sometimes the post will have a theme, and at other times the questions will be totally unrelated. Those weeks we do "random questions," so-to-speak. We encourage you to visit other participants posts and leave a comment. Because we don't have any rules, it is your choice. We hate rules. We love memes, however, and here is today's meme!


Vacation (1982)
Join in with the meme here

Unfamiliar with this week's song? Hear it here. 

1) Do you know how to water ski?   I can't even roller skate so water's got no chance with me......!

2) Do you have 2014 vacation plans?   None.  I usually try to fit in a trip to London to visit my daughter but never in the summer.  Too stuffy and hot then.  Mind you,  I have my stepson's wedding this July - health permitting. That's in London, too.  Yikes!

3) Do you have a passport?   No, but the kids do.

4) If you took a 7-night cruise, could you completely unplug -- no phone calls, no texts, no internet?  Easily.

5) Do you own a travel alarm clock?  No. Sleep and travel rarely mix for me.

6) Though the Go-Gos broke up in 1985, they frequently reunite for live performances. What's the last concert you attended?  Hotel India @ King Tut's. My son's the drummer.

7) Their first hit was "Our Lips Are Sealed."  Can you be trusted with a secret?  Absolutely. Only in extreme circumstances would I break a confidence.

8) In 1982, when this song was popular, the comedy Tootsie was in theaters. What movie makes you laugh? 
Drop Dead Fred starring Rik Mayall and Phoebe Cates. It's about a unhappy woman whose imaginary friend from childhood reappears to help her failing marriage. 
 
9) Sam is chewing on a Tums as she composes these questions. What's the last over-the-counter medication that you took?  I bought some menthol crystals for my face sauna to help a stuffy nose. 
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Friday 16 May 2014

Feline Friday (16 May) - Mighty Moggie!



This Friday's choice was a no-brainer.  This very recent video shows a little boy being attacked by a vicious dog until the family pet cat intervenes.  Tara the cat is truly heroic and will leave you amazed.  Some more info here but more to this story well deserves a thorough Googling!!


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Friday 9 May 2014

Feline Friday ( 9th May )





No matter how many times this video is viewed it never fails to teary-up my eyes.  Bless that ( rather cute himself )  fireman and his equipment!



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Monday 5 May 2014

Music Monday (So Far Away)

I watched a documentary about these guys with my son at the weekend and was quite touched by their story.  This song is in dedication to their talented drummer - nicknamed The Rev - who died at a very young 28.  I don't always like this kind of music but this song has such a beautiful middle eight and chorus, making it listenable - to an fart like me, anyhow.


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Come join Music Monday and share your songs with us. Rules are simple. Leave ONLY the ACTUAL LINK POST here and grab the code below and place it at your blog entry. You can grab this code at LadyJava’s Lounge Please note these links are STRICTLY for Music Monday participants only. All others will be deleted without prejudice.






PS: Because of spamming purposes, the linky will be closed on Thursday of each week at midnight, Malaysian Time. Thank you!


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Saturday 3 May 2014

Sunday Stealing - TV Meme part two



       Just click on this little link to be part of the Sunday meme


16. Talk Shows. Do you watch daytime talk TV? If so, do you prefer the calm shows like Oprah or the wilder side like Jerry Springer?  I prefer late night talk shows with celebrity guests. 

17. Which daytime talk TV show would you like to be on? What would the topic be?  The Jeremy Kyle Show asking him when the hang is this pile of shit show gonna end!

18. Before talk TV took over game shows ruled the airways during the day, which do you prefer? Or are you a soap opera fan?  I much prefer quiz shows.

19. Is there a game show (past or present) you think you would do really well on, as a contestant? I would quite have fancied a go at Who Wants To Be A Millionaire.  I've had some fairly good results at home, but it's a different kettle of fish when you're challenged live, I guess!

20. Who is your favorite game show host? Who is your least favorite?  Bradley Walsh of The Chase is my favourite.  He just can't hold a laugh in as this clip below shows: (keep in mind that the 'fanny' here is used under British context!)

I loathe Jeremy Paxman on University Challenge, he's a right paint-dryer!

21. Marathons. Have you watched any TV marathons? In part? In whole? Is there a show you’d like to see run an all day marathon? On the flipside is there a show you’d avoid in marathon?  I'm forever recording series of every kind of TV show to catch up with, so I couldn't really pick one in particular.

22. Out of curiosity, what’s the longest you’ve ever watched TV in one stretch? In excess of 24 hours.  I had a virus that made every muscle in my body ache and I remember hardly moving from the settee as it was agony.  Sleep was impossible too, then.

23. On the whole do you feel most Special Reports are really that special? Or are they simply annoying? What special report has effected you most? (IE: (9/11, Reagan being shot…etc)  The Dunblane Massacre of 1996 when that nutter Thomas Hamilton ran into a primary school and shot dead sixteen little 5 year old's and their teacher.  What an effect that left.  Households still light a candle at their window every March 13th, yet.
   
24. What is the (pick one: stupidest, saddest, silliest, most disgusting..) thing you’ve ever seen on TV?   Life of Grime and Hoarders make for difficult viewing at times.

25. What’s your fondest memory of something on TV? Hearing Glen Michael of Cartoon Cavalcade read out that my twin and I , aged 8 at the time, were the winners of the 'name the new stuffed toys' competition.  We won a book token! Remember the names still!

26. What’s the first show you remember watching regularly?  Monty Pythons Flying Circus, although I was too young then to truly appreciate it.

27. What shows would make up a perfect night of TV viewing for you?  Coronation Street, followed by a David Attenborough  documentary, then 8 Out Of Ten Cats Does Countdown, quiz-cum-comedy show, all rounded off with  Circque de Soleil - Worlds Away!

28. You get to create one show to put on the schedule, with any stars you choose. Who and what would it be?  Dinner Date with Viggo Mortensen, Simon Baker and Eric Stoltz as my dates.

29. Canceling or Not. What show(s) would you cancel without a moment’s hesitation?
Is there a show (previously canceled or just no longer airing) that you’d bring back, original cast and all?  All these f*****g property and holiday shows would be for the boot!  And for a return the delightfully sad little misfit from the 70's..........Oh, Calimero.





30. What’s the best series finale you remember?  I have to admit, I enjoyed Patrick Jane's demise of Red John from The Mentalist but it took way too long to get to that point.  You ended up not giving a shit about justice with the time they were taking over it.

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Saturday 9 - Blues In The Night

 

                              Join in the fun with a quick click here-a-bouts

Welcome to Saturday: 9. What we've committed to our readers is that we will post 9 questions every Saturday. Sometimes the post will have a theme, and at other times the questions will be totally unrelated. Those weeks we do "random questions," so-to-speak. We encourage you to visit other participants posts and leave a comment. Because we don't have any rules, it is your choice. We hate rules. We love memes, however, and here is today's meme!



Saturday 9: Blues in the Night (1952)

Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

1) Was last night a good night for you? Or were you singing the blues?  Just an average evening - me and the television keeping each other company.

2) In this song, Rosemary Clooney sings about hearing "big talk" she didn't quite believe. What's the last fib, tall tale or out and out lie you heard?  From my hubby promising that he'll begin creosoting the garden fence  next  weekend.  Best roll my own sleeves up, then!

3) Rosemary Clooney has a well-known nephew -- George, the Oscar winner and frequent People magazine cover story. Do you have any nieces or nephews I certainly do.  Seven nephews, four nieces and from those, two great nephews and two great nieces!

4) Ms. Clooney married the same man twice. They married, had five children and divorced. Then three years later, they tried again ... and divorced again. Have you ever been tempted to give it another try with one of your former loves?  Nah.  My second marriage has lasted 25 years and counting but I'm still under the hope that Simon Baker will one day leave his wife for me.....*sigh*

5) Singers as diverse as Linda Ronstadt, Bette Midler and Amy Winehouse have said they admired and were influenced by Rosemary Clooney. If you could meet any artist (singer, writer, actor, director, painter, musician ...), who would it be?

  I have been lucky enough to have met him!  Brett Anderson of British band Suede.  I once played a charity busk for 24hrs solid in my twin sister's pub-restaurant performing my favourite bands' songs. It was in honour of my friend's little girl who had suffered a brain tumour at four, and for the Clic Sargent children's charity. Anyhow - the band got sniff of the busk and invited me to meet them at their next Scottish gig.  I spent time with them in their changing room and also had a song dedicated to me.



 
6) 1952, the year this record was a hit, is also the year the "Big Bang Theory" was introduced by physicists Ralph Alpher and George Gamow. That is too lofty a topic for this humble meme, so instead we'll just ask: Do you watch the TV show of the same name?  I do from time to time, particularly like when the Indian chap talks to his parents via the laptop.  They're so funny.

7) Sam Winters just broke her right thumbnail. While she won't go so far as saying it has her singing the blues, she must admit it bugs her. What little annoyances are you dealing with today?  I'm waiting on my son dropping off his little Jackahuahua any minute now, as he flies off to Portugal tomorrow.  This wee dog has the face of an angel and nature of a tyrannosaurus rex.  It'll be the longest week of my life!
 
8) The house next door to Sam's has a FOR SALE on the lawn. Are you contemplating a move?  I've been in this house 25 years now and I'm going nowhere fast!

9) What's your search engine of choice: Google, Bing, Yahoo or Ask?  One of the most repetitive questions I ask is  "Do you want me to GOOGLE that?" 



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Friday 2 May 2014

Feline Friday (2 /5/14)








                                       And I still reckon he's a looker!

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