Saturday 9. It's Not Unusual!

                                 Please link up to Sam's weekly Saturday 9 via this click!
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                                            The ageless and ever Welsh rarebit!  Listen and watch all the screaming fans in the video at the end! 

1.  Will you be out and about this weekend?  Been spending the weekend tugging at my strawberry patch - then wer'e thinking of venturing outdoors for a tidy up in the garden!

2.  Could the room you are in right now, benefit from a thorough cleaning from a vacuum? 
 Let's make that 4 rooms. Or five.

3.  When you were growing up did you collect signatures and sayings from your friends?   At the end of a school year it was customary to bring in your uniform's shirt and get classmates and teachers to sign and mark it!  The tradition holds till this day!

4.  If you could choose one new article of clothing for your wardrobe today what would it be?  Bottoms to match a top I'm wearing to my son's engagement party next week!

5.  Tell us about a character from a book you wish you were friends with in real life.  Peter Pan.  You'd get from A-B pretty fast if he was around!

6.  Do you share your birthday with anyone famous?  Just Googled it and Mimi Rogers is as good as it gets.




7.  When you were in first or second grade what did you want to do when you grew up? A zoologist.

8.  Do you have any aspirin in your medicine chest right now?   Every other remedy but!  I'm more your ibuprofen kinda girl.

9.  Random:  You've just entered a public restroom.  Would you rather find a towel dispenser or a hot air drier?  Not fussed really.  Sometimes my jeans finish the job off!

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This has been a pleasure to do!  He sure did record some terrific music.  I actually took my twin's mother-in-law way back in the 80's to her first ever Tom Jones concert.  She near pissed her pants with excitement.  Thank goodness for all those knickers flying around!

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Sunday Stealing - Meme 17

                                    The Fun Starts Every Sunday here.

1. Are you a jealous person?  I think everyone is capable of being emulous from time to time but it lessons as you age.

2. When is the next time you're travelling out of state?  Considering that I live in Britain,  that'll be no time soon...!

3. Can you write your name in a foreign language?  I know the French and the German versions.

4.  When getting ready for something do you listen to music?  I most certainly do.

5. What is your favourite day of the week?  Sunday. 

6. What something did you do yesterday you'd wish to do today?  Sneak off to bed with an even bigger bar of chocolate......

7. If you woke up tomorrow speaking a foreign language, which would you want that to be?  Dutch.

8. What did you last order online?  Pizza.

9. Do you have any specific hobbies?  I love poetry - humorous in particular - and take part in this group Magpie Tales on Blogger every Sunday.

10.  What recent song have you discovered that you would like everyone else to hear?  It has to be this one I discovered searching for info on the Eurovision Song Contest.  Quirky and cheery.   Lena with 'Satellite'

11. Favourite winter accessory?   My daisy wellingtons.

12. What did you last eat?  Porridge. 

13. Look to your left. What's there?  My study wall.

14.  How long does it take you to fall asleep?  Depends on how long the chapter is!

15.  Is there a TV in your room?  There is.

16.  What comes to your mind when I say red?  Poppy fields.

17.  Name something you think is pointless?  Dishwashers and appendixes.

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Saturday 9. Stop! In The Name Of Love

                                 Please link up to Sam's weekly Saturday 9  right here!
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                        This week's Saturday 9:   The Supremes

                                 Stop! In The Name Of Love


                        Unfamiliar with the song?  Hear it here


1. When was the last time you got dressed up?  For my stepson Sean's wedding (see my other blog for details!).

2. Can you think of an opportunity you missed?  I'm miffed I didn't stay on at my Community Education higher training course longer.  I'd have had a free car by now!

3. Tell us about a time your persistence paid off......I made a bird house out of old wood odds and ends and with help from a library book, succeeded in hanging it outside where a couple of bluetits soon after nested in! Result!

4. Do you know the lyrics of  'Stop In The Name Of Love'?  Yup! I sang along fine just then.

5. When you were in the park what did you run to first?  I've always been a swinger.......

6. What do you have on your feet right now? Pink fluffy mules.

7. Tell us about a time you ''played hurt''.......I can't think of any to be honest, but I once managed holding in a pee for the duration of my son's drama musical if that counts......?

8. Are you a good swimmer?  Reasonably good.

9. Are you good at multi-tasking? Anything over 3 tasks at a time then I've no chance!

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*I really missed Saturday 9 in my absence but gad to see it's still going strong*

Feline Friday

Now THAT's snug.........

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ps.................could any kind FF participent remind me how to grab the code to link the other posts underneath?  The codes aren't popping up like usual.  I'd be very grateful....Helena...xc
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Feline Friday - The Goodbye

I lost this little guy three weeks ago. So quick and without warning. He was only nine.  I've no doubt his memory will live on through future FF's.

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Kitty ParTAY Pic (July)

Just a couple of photo's for Friday's art group - Kitty Pics!  Here's this week's entries from me:        And to join in the catty arty stuff just click the.....meow!

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Sunday Stealing - One Thing

Join in this weekend fun right here right now..!

One Thing ..... 
That makes you smile: Babies

That makes you cry: Some film endings

That you love to do on the weekends:  Blog in peace - house all to myself! YAY!

That you do for only yourself:  Buy cashew nuts!

That you have in your underwear drawer that's NOT underwear:  My swim suit.

That you do before going to sleep:  Read a chapter of a book - or a comic if I'm too tired. 

That you do within the first 15 minutes after waking:  Poo!

That's in your purse:  Mini hairband and brush. Hair band and mini brush - I never can tell when the next flush will be!

 that you actually LIKE to clean:  I'm not too bothered while cleaning the windows.  I love the smell of Windowlene - but not as much as I like creosote. I'm in inhale heaven with that! 

That you DETEST cleaning:  The oven. Hard and booooooring!

That other people would find odd about you:  When I tell them I'm not too keen on The Beatles.

That you would buy if I handed you a $100 bill:  Probably new shoes for my stepson's wedding.

That you feel you HAVE to do before you die:  Write a novel.

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Saturday 9 - Already Gone

Join in the meme fun right here right now! 
 If you're not familiar with today's song, you can hear it here.

1) Eagles lead singer Glenn Frey proclaims that he's "feeling strong." How would you describe yourself this fine Saturday?  A lot cooler than I did this morning.  I don't do summer well.

2) The song begins with a rumor: "I heard some people talking just the other other day ..." Have you heard anything juicy/interesting lately? Please share:   My daughter did some baking recently and let's just say it wasn't quite the cup cakes I used to bake with her......but it made me giggle.

3) When "Already Gone" was popular, the news was dominated by Richard Nixon and the Watergate scandal. What do you consider today's top news story?  My son brought down his previous night's glasses and rubbish without having to shame him into it!  Might not have made the papers, but it was a win for me!

4) In the 1970s, Eagles Glenn Frey and Don Henley were at the center of a social circle of very creative people, including singer Linda Ronstadt, singer-songwriter Jackson Browne and actor-comedian Steve Martin. How do you express your creativity?  With words too.  May it be for song or for verse.  A lot of this is aired through Blogger group, Magpie Tales, each Sunday.  We're always welcoming new writers and poets.....( hint hint ). 
 
   
5) Even though they broke up in 1980, the Eagles are currently on a reunion tour, and after knowing each other more than 40 years, Frey and Henley still consider each other friends. What quality to do you value most in a friendship?  Patience, trust, respect and humour.

6) Are there any mirrors in the room you're in right now?  Just the one on the fireside wall. I've a collection of lipstick kisses on it, one from each visit my daughter makes.  I clean around them very carefully.

7) What's the last beverage you drank with ice?  Diet Irn Bru.

8) Whole, skim, 2%, half-and-half, almond or soy ... what kind of milk is in your refrigerator right now?  4ltr of Graham's Semi Skinned.

9) Sam likes to mix sliced almonds into her salad. What do you think makes a good salad?  A little oil, some seasoning and a good old toss!

 

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Feline Friday - Pussy and the Pest

A past picture.  My beloved moggie Simon, graciously putting up with my niece Rachel.  He's in kitty Heaven, she's now a teenager but they were once a comical twosome! 

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Saturday 9 - Yankee Doodle Dandy

I'm NOT a Yankee Doodle Dandy but.........I'll take the quiz anyhow! Happy July 4th to all my American visitors!

Join in this Meme....by clicking this link!

1) This week's song was performed by James Cagney in the famous movie of the same name. Do you plan on going to the movies this holiday weekend?   I don't visit the cinema much at all - quite happy waiting on the pirate copy DVD!

2) Though known for his larger-than-life screen presence, Cagney was only 5'5". How tall are you?   I'm 5ft 4in, in my iffy little socks!

3) During the Revolutionary War, General Washington celebrated the 4th of July by giving his troops a double ration of rum. Will you imbibe any spirits this holiday weekend?   No - I'm not much of a drinker. I had a couple of wines last night, so that will do me for a good wee while.

4) American history was one of Crazy Sam's best subjects in school. In which class did you earn your best grades?  English, Music and Art  

5) The Fourth of July means we're in the middle of summer. Are you careful about applying sunscreen?  Careful?....I'm effing paranoid!  I burn so easily in the sun.  I get told I'm a bit of a misery guts but I'm rarely out when it comes to summer.

6) Mosquito bites can be a major summer annoyance. Are you scratching any itches right now?  I'm not, despite the Scottish midge being at it's annoyingly best.  Maybe hiding indoors works!

7) Emergency rooms report an increase in wrist injuries in summer, with people falling off bikes and skateboards and jamming their wrists catching hard-hit softballs. Have you ever had a sports-related injury?  I twisted an ankle at gymnastic practice once, many moons ago but nothing too bad since!

8) New York is home to Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest every year on the 4th. Will hot dogs be consumed in your household this weekend?  Sadly, no. We really only have them at barbeques or on kiddy request!

9) Atlanta hosts a 10K Peachtree Road Race every 4th of July. Are you a runner?  Hell, no!  I'm too top heavy for that!   

Kitty Par-TAY! Feline ART Friday

I'm in a creative mood tonight, so thought I'd try my hand at some computer kitty art via Feline Friday.  Not quie sure of the art wanted but I've had a go.........

First one is having a Queeny hissy fit:

Next one of my own moggie Boaby:

Here's hoping this new fun group really takes off......... !

It's bed time in Britain so I'll catch up with the entries tomorrow....night night!

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Feline Friday - Patriotic Puss Puss

                                                

        I made this puddy tat pic for his friends overseas...!

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Sunday Stealing: If You Could.......

                             Join In This Fun Meme here.

IF YOU COULD: 

Travel anywhere, where would it be?  I'd love to visit the museums and art galleries of Amsterdam.  I love the works of Rembrandt and Vermeer.  But I'm shit-scared of flying and haven't flown since the 80's.

 Meet anyone, who would it be? Duh! Simon Baker of course...!!   Judge Judy and Debbie Harry share a joint second place!

 Bring anyone dead back to life, who would it be?  Outwith loved ones, the recently deceased comedian Rik Mayall.  The majority of Britain was devastated at his early exit.  The man was a comedy genius!  

 Be anyone for a day, who would it be?  Duh!  Simon Baker's mistress, of course!  Seriously though - a ballerina of some standing (and twirling!)  I always wanted to dance on stage!  

 Get anything for free for the rest of your life what would it be?  Haagen Dazs Praline and Cream, ice cream.  Just one tub a day and we've a deal!

 Change one thing about your life what would it be?  You know what.....I'm such routine driven that I reckon change would be too much of a challenge.  I get by.

 Have any superpower what would it be?  I'd be 'Steamy-Clothes-Female-Type-Thing'  where all she has to do is stare wide-eyed at the ironing pile and it smoothes and hangs itself up in seconds.  Can you imagine how much in demand a heroine like she would be...?

 Be any animal for a day which would you be?  I'd be a bird for that wonderful bird's eye view. I'd soar for miles and miles.

 Date anyone who would it be?  Duh!

 Change one thing about the world what would it be?  Suffering. Of any manner. 

 Live in any fictional universe which would you choose?  Not too sure - come back to this.

 Eliminate one of your human needs which would you get rid of?  That's a toughy, but if I had to it would be the need of a telly in the bedroom....(it's a need in my world!)

 Change one thing about your physical appearance what would it be?  Smaller boobs. They've been the bane of my life!

Change one of your personality traits which would you choose?  I couldn't.  I reckon I'm stuck with them now.

 Be talented at anything instantly what would you choose?  Portrait painting rather than the cartoon and caricatures ones I do.

 Forget one event in your life which would you choose?  The birth of my second son - he was born with some facial  bruising and rather blue as the midwife said I wouldn't be giving birth until the afternoon (she told me that at 7am).  Half an hour later he arrived and was whisked straight into an incubator.  I had to wait 12 hours for a cuddle with him!  It still comes to me every now and then so a smoother birth for us both would have been less stressful - but he was okay in the end!

 Erase an event from history (make it so it never happened) which would you choose?  WWII.

 Have any hair/eye/skin color, which would you choose?  I'd keep my hair colour but would like green eyes as I think that looks better on a strawberry blond rather than grey.  I'm very happy being pale skinned and never sunbathe.  People make too much of this tanning nonsense.   To be honest, some tans look awful with bright blonde hair and would look even worse on a ginger!

 Be any weight/body type, which would you choose?  Small boobs, fairly athletic.....no hope in hell of that ever happening!

 Live in any country/city, where would you choose?  I'm very much settled here but having a second home in the heart of London wouldn't be too bad either. 

 Change one law in your country, which would you change?   I'd make sure that dog-shit leavers were fined on the spot.  I hate seeing poop about when there's bins in abundance and free poop bags and scoops from the council.

 Be any height, which would you choose?  I'm quite happy way down here, thank you. 

Have any job in the world, which would you choose?  Dog Shit Warden.

 Have anything appear in your pocket right now, what would it be?  Jelly Babies

 Have anyone beside you right now, who would it be?........erm, you know, I can't quite think of anybody right now..........Duh!

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Saturday 9 - I Feel The Earth Move

                        I Feel the Earth Move

If you're not familiar with today's song, you can hear it here.

This week's recommendation is from Blue Country Magic

Joining in the meme fun with this simple click.

 

1) This song is from the album Tapestry, one of the all-time best-sellers (more than 25,000,000 copies sold worldwide). Is it in your collection?  Not mine, although I've heard of the album.  One of my older brothers is more likely to have it, though.

2) It's about that glorious passion you feel when you first fall for someone. How many times have you been in love?  Twice. It's something I recall from time to time when daft little associations jog my memory.

3) San Francisco radio stations briefly removed "I Feel the Earth Move" from their playlists after the 1989 earthquake. Have you ever been in an earthquake and literally felt "the earth move under your feet?  No earthquakes in Scotland but when my son and his band all practice in his room it gives me a little idea of what one may be like.
 

4) Carole King is the first and only woman to win the Gershwin Prize for songwriting from the Library of Congress. Here's your chance to brag a little -- tell us about an accolade you have received?  I really don't have anything too amazing to boast about, but I once raised money for a kid's cancer fund by singing and playing songs on my guitar for 24 hours.  The story ran in a few newspapers so I guess this covers as my accolade but charity money is raised in far more exciting and amazing methods, so consider this half a brag!

 
5) Carole wrote "You've Got a Friend," which was a mega hit for her good pal, James Taylor. King and Taylor have known one another for more than 40 years, but have never been romantically involved. Do you have any platonic friends of the opposite sex?  I think we all do, but as far as secrets and stories are concerned I usually choose same sex confidantes - particularly my neighbour Liz, next door.

6) Like more than 80% of the population, Carole is right handed. Are you right handed, left handed (10%) or that most rare of all, ambidextrous (less than 10%)?   My father was ambidextrous and my mother left-handed but I turned out one of that 80%.

7) One of Carole King's earliest hits was Little Eva's "The Loco-Motion." Little Eva was the teenager King hired to care for her young children. Tell us about a sitter who cared for you when you were little.  I remember Denny, who was the wife of one of my mother's old school friends. Robert was in his forties and the boss of the Barr's Soft Drinks Company while Denny was in her early twenties.  She was really funny and sweet, but had a hard time from meddlesome old ratbags who looked down on that sort of thing.  But apart from she, my family was so vast that a babysitter was easy to book.

8) Beautiful is the title of the Broadway play about Carole King's life. If we were producing your lifestory, what would you want us to call it?  It Wasn't Me!   I'm an identical twin and would love to have a book of our story from childhood to the present day published. It'd be dramatic enough - believe me!  I'm not too sure how a play would pan out though.

9) Carole wrote "Pleasant Valley Sunday," the Monkees' song about conspicuous consumption. When Crazy Sam looks at her crowded shelf of hair products (paraben-free conditioner, keratin-restoring conditioner, hair masque, hot oil conditioner …), she realizes she's guilty of it herself. Have you bought anything recently that you later decided was a waste of money?  Yeah - an under-wire bra. Even with a 'proper' fitting in a undies shop, I still get that wire digging into my ribs at some point down the line.  I'm thinking of replacing the wire with pipe cleaners. They're bendy but not so viscious.........

and there endeth my Q'd this week. Will be visiting you soon!

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Feline Friday - Kitty Curl

Here's my summer-lazy cat, Boaby, having a quick close-to-the-edge nap on the old garden furniture.  Ain't he a cutie?

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Saturday 9 - Little Red Corvette

                         Join in the meme fun by clicking this link

1) The subject of this song is frankly sexual. Do you blush easily?  Blush? No. Hot flush, yes, with the speed of a Tsunami...! 

2) Prince is his real name (Prince Rogers, to be exact). Growing up, his relatives called him "Skipper." Do you have any nicknames within your family?   Nicknames are widely used within my family and friends - especially from my husband.  Got a nickname for everyone he has - mine are listed on my sidebar.

3) Prince says he's "obsessed" with Mozart and reads whatever he can find about the composer. What's the last book you read?  Choose Me by Kay Langdale.

4) Between Prince and The Beach Boys, the Corvette is a much sung-about car. Tell us about your vehicle.  Quite an old Astra Zafira, which I clean and the Cheaper Half drives.

5) In the 1980s, when Prince was popular, MTV could turn a song into a hit. In 2014, how do you hear new music?  Mostly from the music stations on telly and my son usually has something banging on from upstairs. But I'm willing to listen to anything - apart from R&B, rap and heavy metal.  That's all just repetitive piss to me.

6) In 1982, when "Little Red Corvette" ruled the airwaves, Braniff Airways shocked the travel industry and threw passengers into chaos by declaring bankruptcy. When did you last fly? Did your trip go smoothly?  My trips never go smoothly no matter what method of travel I choose!

7) 1982 is also the year Disney opened Epcot. Have you ever been to a Disney park? If only!

8) 1982 is the year Cheers premiered. The sitcom was set in a bar where "everybody knows your name." Tell us about your favorite local bar or restaurant.  Don't really frequent bars these days but I do enjoy a few hours in Ricky D's - who do an 'eat all you can' world buffet.

9) The 1980s were considered a highpoint in professional tennis, with Jimmy Connors and John McEnroe dominating the sport. Do you play tennis?  I love watching tennis but playing badminton....sadly not so much these days.

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Feline Friday - Kitchen Kitty Cat

Loved this picture while perusing images and added a little kitty dialogue, too.  My cat, Simon, was very much a kitchen cat!

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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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