Keris Stainton

Harry and the piglets

Okay, so first of all I absolutely, definitely turned this video and I saved it with a new name and everything, so I don't know why it's turned back. If you get a crick in your neck, I can only apologise.

Also, the reason Harry's in the corner and there's much more piglet action than Harry action is because H has taken to obsessively watching himself on video and I thought he'd actually be more interested in the piglets than in his reaction to them.

Finally, you'll need the sound on...

Er...

I know I need to blog about something, but what...?

I could post another Harry video (there's one of him bowling and another of him laughing at piglets), but I've been flogging the Harry horse lately...

I could write about the lovely dream I had about David Tennant (there was snogging), but when I woke up I couldn't stop thinking about Christopher Eccleston. What's that about? (And how scary were the scarecrows in this week's Dr Who?)

I could even moan about how due to an unfortunate series of events (i.e. it was David's fault) our bank returned two direct debits (totalling £12) unpaid and charged us £76 for doing so...

Oh! I know! Last week I discovered So a Blonde Walks Into a Blog and my life has improved as a result! First of all she (I don't know her name, she calls herself aBlondeBlogger) recommended Leslie Schnur's second novel Late Night Talking. I LOVED Schnur's first book, The Dog Walker, and didn't know this one was out. I emailed. It arrived yesterday. (I love my job.)

Following my stressed out post, BlondeBlogger also recommended Meditainment's meditation CDs. I googled them and found the website where you can download hundreds of guided meditations for a small fee and there's even a free one, which is fabulous! Thank you, BlondeBlogger. (I *heart* the internet.)

Noooooooooooooooooooooooo

No more Gilmore Girls. I simply can't stand it. *weeps*

Zoo fatigue

I'm sorry to keep going on about Harry, but what with work, watching the final (ever!) episode of Gilmore Girls (I'm ekeing it out 10 minutes at a time) and the Knittens I haven't got much time to think of exciting blog posts. Sorry.

Anyway, Michelle's lovely post and pic of her gorgeous son Elliot reminded me of this pic, one of my favourites of Harry, taken at the zoo on his first birthday.

More Knittens

I can't believe some of you actually want to buy them. You're so sweet!

I was thinking £5 including P&P. Does that sound reasonable?

Off to finish another in front of Springwatch. Oh, the glamour.

Happy birthday to meeeee!

So yesterday morning I was woken by David, who'd got up at 6 and made orange, honey and ricotta pancakes with raspberries which we ate in bed along with Harry and a birthday balloon (the balloon was a bribe to make Harry stay in the bedroom).

I opened my cards and presents (including a fabulous one from Sarah, which I'll have to take a photo of) and then took H to preschool. Watched the third to last (I think) episode of Gilmore Girls online and did a bit of work then my mother-in-law came with a gorgeous bunch of pink peonies (which I'll also have to take a pic of) and a strawberry tart. We collected Harry, had lunch and then David came home (early) with another gorgeous bunch of flowers.

We went to Borders where I bought the new O magazine and then here. It's such a peculiar place, but really cool. It reminded me of Solvang, California - completely random. We had a lovely dinner, followed by a walk on the canal and then home for wine and Friday night telly. Lovely.

Today we headed over to my family for lunch. My nephews Jake and Toby (I know these pics are more me than the boys, but if I want a photo I have to grab em)...

... recently got a trampoline and Harry stayed on it pretty much all afternoon (generally accompanied by Toby). It was kind of like having a cage full of kids in the garden. Of course, we're now planning to get one ourselves.

Also, I made another knitten and, since Angie said my faceless knitten would give her nightmares, I attempted a face:

And now I've got a knitten that looks like Hitler. Great.

(Luckily I've left the wool so I can undo it all and have another go.)

Babble-on

Thanks for the birthday wishes. I had a fabulous day, thanks for asking. I haven't got time to tell y'all about it right now cos I'm off to the homestead for more cake, but I will write more because it was as close to a perfect day as I've ever had!

Over to Harry. I'm not sure if I've mentioned that he's become obsessed with "driving" the car. Now before we go anywhere he has to have a couple of minutes in the driving seat. At first he had to beep the horn before we were free to go, then it was the hazards, now it's the wipers. He can put the front wipers on and then, in order to get him over into the back seat, I have to put the back wipers on. It's amazing actually how much he's picked up by himself: he waggles the gearstick, yanks the hand break, turns the radio on and off, he even reached round and pulled the seatbelt around himself. And we have to make sure the full beam isn't on before we set off. What? You'd like to see? Okay!

I love how he's got the David Gray head wobble down pat.

N.B. How Scouse do I sound saying, "Are ya dancin'?" Doesn't it make you want to reply, "Are ya askin'?"

Can I interest you in a Knitten?

Lord, I'm exhausted. After yesterday's cry for help post (thank you for all your fantastic comments), I pootled over to the new Shiny site, Crafty Crafty, which led me here, where I was struck with an overwhelming urge to knit a kitten (don't you hate it when that happens?).

I knitted frantically when pregnant, but the urge wore off as soon as the boy was out and I haven't picked up my needles since, but once I'd copied down the pattern I didn't stop knitting until I had a newly knitted kitty pal. (You know I wanted to say pussy pal then, but I was worried about searches. Oops.)

He's not quite right, having a gammy leg where I sewed it up wrong and some blue bits where I ran out of white stuffing, but he's very cute all the same, dontcha think? (You can sew a face on of course, but I like him without. Also I'm even crapper at sewing than I am at knitting.)

I'd quite like to get better at it and see if I can sell some to supplement my sponsorship.

I need a hard drive for my brain

Do you ever wish you could just switch your mind off for an hour or twelve?

I've got so much to think about, family, work, money, health, the house, big (huge) future plans (choosing a sodding school). Everything involves reading (well, it does for me) and thinking and discussing and pondering and planning and, yes, obsessing. I never get a moment's peace!

I've been meditating (a little bit - I can only manage about five minutes before I get antsy) and doing yoga again, but I still can't switch off. Luckily it doesn't stop me going to sleep (after five minutes thinking about comforting Daniel following Saturday's terrible disappointing usually sorts me out ... as it were), but if I wake up in the night then it's open season.

If there was just a switch that I could flip to transfer everything for safekeeping from, say, 8pm to 8am I'd be a very happy bunny.

Joyful Nostalgia: Forest Paper by Thinkcollective

How much do I love this wallpaper?

I have no idea how much it costs, but if I had a free wall to stick it on (or any capabilities in the wallpaper hanging department) I would be buying it forthwith.

[via Apartment Therapy]

Dear anonymous...

Can whoever left a comment on the scan request post please email me with your details.

You've got a "strapping" 5-month-old and your comment was regarding an early scan and the Lucozade test.

Thanks! :)

Another request!

I'm starting to feel like Simon Bates! This time it's from my friend Joanne:

I seem to remember you lived in London for a while before moving back north.  Can we have something on how much nicer it is outside London?  Am contemplating a move and need some inspiration!

Yep, I lived in London for 8 years from age 18 to 26, which means that I've actually been back Oop North longer than I lived in London (this surprises me since living in London was such a defining period). I'd wanted to live in London from the age of 10, but the dream was much better than the reality. I do think it's a nice place to visit and I think it would be a great place to live if you were rich. But we weren't rich. In fact, we were pretty poor.

The biggest difference for me is quality of life. In 8 years in London I had one holiday (which I got my mum to book for me in a Northern travel agent because they were cheaper than London agents). Since moving back we've had a holiday every year.

In London we couldn't afford a car (and, to be fair, you don't need one) but it meant that at weekends we were limited by public transport (and lack of funds). Sundays were often spent in the laundrette.

Now I know that some people think Northerners are friendlier*, but I didn't find people in London to be unfriendly (then again, I mostly lived in areas populated by immigrants rather than "Londoners"). I do find Northerners to be incredibly friendly though. Strangers talk to you in the street (and not to say "I want to lick you all over" as a stranger once said to me in London) and on public transport, etc. Actually, that was a massive shock to me when we first moved up. On the bus one day someone asked the driver to stop at "first lane, second ginnel" and he did! Not at a bus stop, just at a random point!!

Um, what else? Well it depends where you're going to live, but the countryside is much handier. Yes, it rains more, but not that much more. Probably.

Does that help?

P.S. I was actually massively shocked by Evil Katie in The Apprentice's comment about Adam: "I would like to be the person that secures Adam's exit and his route back to the north and his northern chums where, I do feel, he rather belongs." WTF?  I was genuinely unaware that such a divisive attitude still existed in 2007. Staggering.

* Shopkeepers in the North are Nice by John Shuttleworth

When I go shopping in the North I find
the service is always splendid
A cheery smile you can count on while
the right change is being tended

If anyone dares criticize their wares
they never will be offended
If it needs repairs they'll even lend you theirs
while yours is being mended

Shopkeepers in the North are nice
They ask after your kids and wife
And when you've had a good chinwag
they pop your provisions in your bag.

But when I go shopping in the South I find
the assistants are so haughty
Standing there with their nose in the air
as if you've done something naughty.

My "how-do-you-do?" in the chipshop queue
was received in total silence
My "take care, cock!" in the butcher's shop
was met with a look of violence...

Finally

I know I'm way, way behind the pack here, but I've just fallen in love with Joss Whedon. Read this.

Hmmm... (updated)

The excited response to my recent posts about breastfeeding and tests/scans (thanks for all your stories by the way) has made me think about maybe starting a parenting blog.

What do you think? Would anyone be interested?

Okay. So if I was to start a parenting blog, what would I call it (I'm rubbish at this kind of thing, sorry).

Noooooooooooooooooooooooo (updated!)

You can read my review here (sniffle).

Yikes

How amazing is this picture taken on Wednesday? I got it from here, where you can read all about the terrible weather bashing New York (but try not to read anything else).

Operation Make Jilly Laugh!

After yesterday's special request, Jilly left a very sweet comment, "That's the first time I've laughed out loud in ooooooh, 3 days.  Thank you, thank you, thank you, I think I love your kid."

So I couldn't resist posting another one, could I? I definitely turned this one so I don't know why it's the wrong way again. Oh and that's decaf, don't worry.

I'm not very good at posting pictures, so if you can't see a picture here, please let me know. Thanks. 

Have you got any Spandau Ballet?

Yes, requests! I've had a request! Lovely Jilly has asked for more Harry. Yes, I appreciate that some of you might well be going, "Oh god, not more laughing bloody toddlers", but tough! Jilly requested it!

This was filmed in Ambleside and he was laughing at David doing air drums. Yes, air drums. (And, yes, I know he falls off screen halfway through - I was laughing! - but he comes back!) Also, I did actually turn it around before uploading it, but it didn't work. Don't get a crick in your neck!

Procrastination, thy name is Keris

Today I have a lot to do. Loads. Tons. Masses. So what have I spent most of the morning doing? Yes, reposting the first month's archives of this blog. Why?

Because my old blog is still out there not looking as good as this one and someone may Google me and find that one and not be as impressed with me as they would be if they came here and so it must be deleted. But before I can delete it, I have to check that all the posts are here in the archives because it would be terrible to lose, you know, the one about me burning a whole in my trousers with the iron and while I'm checking them I might as well tidy the formatting, correct any lingering embarrassing spelling mistakes, and set the categories, mayn't I?

And so it's 11.44 and February 2003's posts are looking spiffy. And I haven't done a bit of work. (Incidentally, if you subscribe to one of my (many) feeds, you'll find yourself taking a stroll down memory lane. Sorry about that!)

Updated: Added a link to Feb 2003 because I don't want all my hard work to go to waste. Also, today probably wasn't the best day for me to forget that Harry's coming home two hours earlier than usual. Yeah, I can fit a full day's work into 4 hours. No problem...

Jill! I can't find your email address (though I was sure I had it...). I just wanted to say a huge thank you for sponsoring me. Thank you! :)

Pregnancy scan stories needed

I'm writing yet another article for a national Parenting magazine, this time about the various scans and tests you have to have during pregnancy. I'd love to liven it up with some first person experiences, good or bad.

I'd particularly like to hear from anyone who has had the test where they get you to drink lucozade then test your blood, CVS, or amniocentesis, but even stories about ordinary scans/tests gratefully received. You can either leave a comment or email me. Thanks!

It gets right on my...

I've "done" international politics, how about some national? (Won't be doing local - too depressing.)

I've just read an article about how women are "ignoring" the government's advice to breastfeed exclusive for six months. The piece ended:

The figures were released on the first day of National Breastfeeding Week, which will see the launch of a breastfeeding manifesto in Westminster on Wednesday.

"The launch of a breastfeeding manifesto." Really? Let me just consult my diary from almost three years ago...

I'd planned to breastfeed and, despite everything I read, expected it to be easy and "natural". It wasn't. The midwife tried putting Harry to the breast not long after he was born, but he wasn't interested and I was very dopey so they gave him a little formula instead. Then I was semi-conscious all afternoon so he had to have more formula.

Once we went up to the ward I tried feeding him, midwife showing me how, and he seemed to do fine. Over the next few days I fed him but he would fall asleep almost immediately. I don't think there was a single feed when I didn't have to call for a midwife to help. They suggested tickling his feet to wake him up. If that didn't work I had to gradually get him undressed until he was down to his nappy and then, if he was still sleepy, blow gently on his face. All of this was supposed to keep him wakeful enough to feed. It didn't work.

One of the midwives suggested I was "firm" with him. How can you be firm with a two day old baby? Anyway, once we were home with all the contradictory information ringing in my ears (express some, don't express, give him a little formula, don't give him any formula, etc.) I thought it would be okay. It wasn't. Harry and I got into a wrestling match at every feed. We tried all the positions (the only one that seemed even remotely successful was lying down - which has actually recently been found to be the best position) and we both got very upset and frustrated.

Then, on the Monday night (he was born on Friday), he fed and I could hear him swallowing and could actually feel the milk gurgling through his little body. And I realised that was the first time. No-one had told me to expect this or that that was a way of telling he was actually feeding. Once I discussed it with the midwife the following day, we realised that had probably been the first time he'd actually fed. Can you believe it? Three and a half days old.

I was really annoyed with the hospital, I still think they should have checked. I even mentioned that he hadn't really had any wet nappies and they said that was normal with breastfed babies, plus he was jaundiced, which is apparently another sign. And apart from anything else, surely it's not normal to have to strip them off to keep them awake. Thank god he fed on Monday night - he probably would have ended up back in hospital otherwise.

Anyway, I decided to express* and then I could see him feeding and that made a huge difference immediately. He slept better, winded better, looked better and we were all happier.

You see, I didn't "ignore" the advice at all. I did what was best for me and my baby. And I didn't need a sodding Government manifesto.

* In retrospect, I think expressing was actually a mistake and if I was to have another baby with the same feeding problems, I'd go straight onto the formula with no qualms at all.

Thank goodness for Fabio

I decided I didn't want a depressing, outraged post at the top and luckily, thanks to Meg Cabot, I had this photo saved.

How can I be depressed when there are books called *splutter* Gentle Rogue, with covers featuring *snort* Fabio?

And just in case you haven't already seen them (or even if you have), go and laugh yourself sick at  these and these! 

Another racist shock jock sacking

I'd never heard of Jeff Vandergrift and Dan Lay until I just saw the headline that they'd been sacked for a racist prank call to a Chinese restaurant. The article said they'd ordered "shrimp flied lice" and made disparaging comments about Asian culture. I must admit, I was kind of amazed that two (presumably) grown men could find "shrimp flied lice" funny so I tried to find some more info. Unfortunately, I found a recording of the segment.

You can listen to it here. I have to warn you, it's quite staggeringly offensive and depressing. I'm absolutely astounded that anyone, anywhere thinks this kind of crap passes for entertainment and even more astounded that it took so long for the radio station to fire them. And just when I thought I couldn't be more offended, I clicked on a press release and read the comments. Some days I just find the world so depressing.

D'oh! A deer...

Just realised I haven't yet written about the exciting events here last Saturday.

I was sitting in bed and, in the factory car park opposite our house, spotted what I thought was a large dog. I then realised it wasn't a large dog, but I wasn't quite awake enough to tell David what it was, so instead I just sat bolt upright and said, "Look! Look! Look!" David looked. And said, "Oh my god." For it was a deer.

I jumped up and, realising the car park gates were open, ran downstairs and rang the factory. "You probably already know this, but there's a deer in your car park." "A deer? Is there? Oh, bloody hell, I see it now!" I suggested they lock the gates so it didn't get out onto the main road.

After running back upstairs to have another look, I rang the RSPCA. They gave me an emergency number and also told me to ring the police. The police sounded utterly disinterested, but said they'd check it out.

Parking Harry on the window shelf so he too could enjoy the sight of a wild animal frolicking amongst the parked cars, I rang the RSPCA emergency line and got a recorded message. "If the animal is injured or being abused, press 1. Otherwise press 2." I pressed 2. "If the animal is causing a nuisance in your garden, press 1. Otherwise press 2." 2. "If the animal you're calling about is a snake, press 1. Otherwise press 2." 2. "If the animal you're calling about is a bat, press 1. Otherwise press 2." I was slightly concerned that we were going to have to go through ever flamin' animal in the world, before I could press 1, but the next message was "If you are calling about any other wild animal, press 1." I pressed 1.

At some point during the above, the deer wandered out of the car park (blokey having not yet shifted his arse and locked the gate) so I dispatched David to chivvy it back in. Before he made it outside, it went back in of its own accord, robbing me of the surely hilarious sight of David chivvying a deer, but it was probably for the best.

The deer then stuck its head through the railings directly opposite our house, causing me to worry for a second that a phone call to the fire brigade would be next, but it just had a bit of a sniff (at our car!) and then returned to bounding around and jumping over the small barrier.

It was so beautiful. It didn't seem to be scared, just a bit disconcerted. Finally the security guard came and locked the gates and, along with another fella, they did some chivvying of their own towards a gate at the back of the car park that I've never noticed before, but that obviously leads on to some parkland behind the factory. Once the deer spotted the gate it happily tripped through it and the security guard and Harry applauded.

I was still on hold to the RSPCA's emergency line. I hung up.

Yellow ribbons for Madeleine

I haven't written about this and, to be honest, I haven't even read much because I find it unbearable, but I saw this on Linda's site and it made me cry. I'm still crying, in fact. So I thought I'd share it.

Duvet day (I'd like a)

Today I woke up feeling a bit ... crummy. I had a lie-in, but couldn't get back to sleep. Got up and had croissants for breakfast and then went to Clitheroe, which is a lovely place, but I couldn't get up much enthusiasm. Had lunch, came home, felt even crummier.

Harry went to bed. David went to bed (wearing his iPod). I sat on the sofa and decided I'd just read. Read read read until Harry woke up. Could be 2 hours. Couldn't remember the last time I just sat and read for a couple of hours...

About 20 minutes later my eyes were burning. I was yawning. I went to bed. I slept for over an hour. Possibly an hour and a half. David woke up. He woke me up and then we woke Harry up. It was 4 o'clock. We'd all slept the afternoon away. But.

I'm still tired. And I still feel a bit crummy. And I want to spend the day in bed just reading. And maybe writing. Perhaps on Tuesday...

The world's gone mad...

Randomly surfing the other day, I found a site* that had put together a bunch of comparisons of different celebs in the same outfits.

No whatever you think of Lohan or Halliwell, clearly - clearly - Geri looks much better in this outfit than Lindsay, but every commenter on the site thought Lindsay looked better.

She looks ill! You can see the bones in her chest! You could pierce something with that shoulder bone! That bodice needs bosoms! And, although, Geri's shoes don't go with the dress, she looks great!

I appreciate that starlets are skinny these days, what I don't get is that people actually think they look better that way! Women should look like women! That is all.

*I'm really sorry, I thought I'd saved the site, but I can't find it. If it's you, let me know and I'll give you credit!

I knew this day would come

I'm going to have to kill my husband.

We have this running joke where he mentions a woman's name, someone he works with, and I say, "Huh. You've never mentioned her before." And act all jealous, like.

Today I rang him to tell him he'd forgotten to take Harry's shoes to Grandma's and Harry was going to have to go to the park in slippers. Then I said, "Where are you?" and he said, "We're stuck in traffic." So I said, "Who you with?" and he said, "Elizabeth." So I said, "Elizabeth" in a kind of squeaky, sing-songy, sarcastic voice, which was meant to imply, "Ooh, Elizabeth, I love you, Elizabeth," kind of thing. Mature, I know.

Can you guess what I'm going to say?

Yep. He had me on speakerphone.

Nooooooooooooooooo!

I've never met Elizabeth (at least, I don't think so) and I begged him to explain to her that it's sort of an in-joke and I'm not demented (although it's certainly possible that I am). Or you know, maybe I have met her and now she thinks the "Elizabeth" was taking the piss because I didn't like her (rather than, you know, not remembering her at all). He said she's going on holiday and she won't remember, but if she's anything like me she'll spend the entire holiday wondering what she's done to make me say her name in such a facetious manner.

I'm going to have to kill him.

Ooh, politics (they said it would never happen...)

Hillary Clinton recently appeared on a US entertainment show called The Insider.

Presumably research has found that women don't see Hillary as feminine enough (much as people thought Margaret Thatcher may as well have been a man), so how did Hills prove that she's really a woman's woman?

Well, she admired the interviewer's shoes, admitted to dieting ("ration your chocolate so you don't go overboard"), and talked about fashion and beauty.

Thankfully she also talked about equal pay, but I'm pretty offended by the idea that in order for me to find Hillary relatable they think I need her to talk about shoes, diets and fashion. She's an incredibly intelligent and accomplished woman and surely that's more important than the fact that she can no longer wear her "winter wardrobe" and has got a great colourist. Sigh.

F**king Plumbers

You may remember the leaky pipe saga, but it's so boring I won't go into it again. We finally got a plumber to come round yesterday and repair it. It only cost £100 and I was incredibly relieved that it was finally dealt with (it's been almost a year since the leak started).

That is until I noticed that it was still leaking. Through the new plastic pipe. So I rang the plumber and said, "The pipe's still leaking." And the plumber said, "Oh f**k, is it?"

Now, I'm no prude (as you know) and I don't mind swearing. I have been known to swear myself when the occasion has called for it, but don't you think that's a bit unprofessional?

Most important person in his life, my arse...

Claire's lovely post about her gorgeous son Joseph's* constant chatter just reminded me...

Harry mastered Da-da ages ago, but will not say Mummy.

The other day I said, "Say Mummy!"
"Me-Me!"
"No, Mummy!"
"Nummy!"
"Mummy!"
"Me-num!"
"Oh, forget it."

*Joseph (and Claire) are also responsible for my most often repeated parenting story (although there's competition from Emily):

"Yesterday, as I drove over a speed bump a little too fast, [Joseph] interjected with: 'That was a f*ck sake bump, wasn't it mammy?'"

Household tips and Horoscopes

Thanks to DollyMix I've just discovered The Onion's special Mothers' Day Household Tips. My favourite:

Do you often find yourself wishing there were more hours in the day? Juggling a career, a home, and a relationship can be hard, but you can't let any one of those things go, or you will be a failure as a woman. Taking a regular dose of methamphetamine will give you the energy to successfully manage all three and spare you the inconvenience of sleep.

I love The Onion's horoscopes too, but I never remember to check them. I've just discovered there's a feed, which will improve my life immeasurably!

Scorpio Your local EMTs have a hard, gritty, often tragic life, broken up only by their hilarious weekly calls to your combination distillery and chimp farm.

Reminds me of my favourite ever Far Side cartoon:

New York update

Thank you so much to everyone who has sponsored me. I'm so touched by all your support, I really am. Much as I appreciate all the blogging friends I know and love sponsoring me, it boggles my mind that I've been sponsored by people I've never heard of! You're all so lovely and I'm well on the way to target.

Of course, if you haven't sponsored me yet ... what are you waiting for? :)

If you don't or can't afford to sponsor me (or even if you have and can!) there's another way you can help:

I've been completing surveys for YouGov for a while now and I've got about £25 (you generally get 50p per survey), but you need £50 to be able to withdraw anything ... unless you get friends to join in. Which is where you come in ... if you sign up here, not only will you earn money for surveys you complete, but I will too (for your first three months).

If and when I get to £50, I'll be donating it to The Childrens' Society as part of my sponsorship, so your help would be appreciated! Thanks!

Listen

It's the call of the Horn!

Why yes, I am old enough to be his mother. Thanks for reminding me.

*Squeal*

Completely forgot to say ... we've got an interview with Marian Keyes on Trashionista! Marian Keyes!! Check it out. (She's a goddess.)

Embarrassing kids needed!

I'm writing an article for a national parenting magazine about the countless things kids do to embarrass their parents in public ... from making a scene (throwing food, running around) in restaurants, to tantrums in the supermarket (cue tutting), to commenting on people's appearance ("Why's that man's hair so funny?", and more ("Who trumped?").

Please send me your amusing anecdotes asap! (Children must be aged 1-5. No photos required except for one particularly embarrassing/hilarious featured case study, but you will need to be named.) Thanks!

Meme Week!

Maureen tagged me with this one.

1. What color is your bra?
Pink with white dots. Really.

2. Do you ever lie about your age?
Not intentionally, but I usually go up a year about six months before my birthday. A hangover from when older was better... (those days are gone).

3. Do you prefer "sensitive boys" or "tough guys"?
Oh god, sensitive. I do wish I'd had a go of (or on) a tough guy before settling down though.

4. Do you prefer blonde or dark haired guys?
Definitely dark. Never liked blonds apart from Bros (and you can't get much blonder than Bros).

5. Do you own any designer handbags?
No. But if I did it would be this one.

6. How many things in your past do you regret?
Too many to count, but I'm trying to get over myself.

7. Do you have a best friend?
I'm not sure. Define best friend.

8. What do you want to be when you grow up?
Ooh ... myself. (Or Lorelei Gilmore.)

9. Have you ever kissed two people in one night?
Christ, I've hardly ever kissed one person in one night!

10. Who was the last person you had sex with?
Myself.

11. Have you ever had your heart broken?
Only when Bros split up.

12. You ever thought about having plastic surgery?
A tummy tuck would improve my life immeasurable. It could also kill me though, which is why I'm not going to bother.

13. Have you ever wanted someone but you knew you couldn't have them?
God, everyone I met from aged 13 to 23.

14. Do you like your life?
I sometimes forget and take it for granted, but I really do.

15. Do you shop at Hollister?
Never heard of it. I do shop at Morrison's though.

16. Has one of your friends ever stolen a boy from you?
I've only had one boy and I've still got him.

17. Has one of your friends ever stabbed you in the back?
Not that I can think of.

18. Did you forgive them?
Oh dear, does that mean everyone usually answers yes to question 17. How sad.

19. Who was your first best friend?
Angela. (Hi, Angie!)

20. Do you have more friends that are girls or boys?
Definitely girls.

21. Were you into Britney Spears?
Not so much, no.

22. Have you ever skipped school?
Only in the sixth form when you didn't really have to go (did you?).

23. Has anyone ever cheated on you?
Not that I know of.

24. Have you ever slapped a boy in the face?
Only when I was a stroppy teen.

25. What is one of your biggest fears?
Death. And not living my dreams.

26. Have you ever cried yourself to sleep?
Yes, but not lately.

27. Have you ever not been able to get someone out of your head?
Of course, but not lately. Unless you count Justin Hawkins (and I bet you don't).

28. Do you believe in the saying "once a cheater, always a cheater".
I think so.

29. What color is your underwear?
Black today.

30. How much stuff do you own from Victoria's secret?
No. I think I might buy some in New York because my underwear's a disgrace.

31. So far, do you like this survey?
It's okay, but I'm getting a bit tired...

34. Have you ever had a good feeling about something and was right about it?
All the time. You should always trust your gut (another reason not to have it surgically removed!).

35. Do you ever wish you were famous?
Mmm. I used to, but now I'm not sure.

36. Do you ever wish you were a man?
Funny, that's not something I've ever thought about ... so no.

37. Do you think men will open this just because it's labeled "female survey"?
Only if they think it's porn.

Meme Week!

My Autobiography

Fill this out IN YOUR OWN WORDS and repost as, "My Autobiography" ... And use your own answers, not anyone else's. [via Random Ramblings]

1.Where did you take your profile pic?
In the front room in front of our freshly painted blue wall.

2.What exactly are you wearing right now?
Jeans, white "pumps", pink T-shirt.

3.What is your current problem?
Ah. Well deciding on a big life move...

4.What makes you happy most?
Harry.

5.What's the name of the song that you're listening to?
No music on, but if there was it would probably be Absolutely Zero by Jason Mraz.

6.Which celeb you would marry?
George Clooney. Obviously.

7.Name someone with the same birthday as you?
Dave Lee Travis.

8.Ever sang in front of a large audience?
Only as part of a choir.

9. Has anyone ever said you looked like a celebrity?
Why yes. A French man and two small boys once mistook me for Kylie. My best friend at school's brother said I looked like Janet Jackson. ???

10.Do you still watch kiddy movies or kiddie TV shows?
Yes. With Harry, but I'm happy to watch them without him too.

11. Do you speak any languages?
English (arguably). Un petit peu de Francais.

12. Has anyone you've been really close with passed away?
My mum and all my grandparents.

13.Do you ever watch MTV?
Is South Park on MTV? If so, yes. If not, no.

14.What's something that really annoys you?
Bigotry and anti-social behaviour.

There's loads more, but I'll stick it over the cut...

25 TV Hubba Hubbas: 25

Finally! I know you've all been on tenterhooks, dying to know who my 25th TV Hubba would be!

Well it's the other Doctor, isn't it. Why? Just look at that picture. If there's one thing I can't resist it's a hot geek.

I'm not loving this latest series so far, I think the scripts have been a bit weak, and of course I miss his relationship with Rose, but he's just gorgeous, isn't he.

So it took a lot longer than 25 weeks to get there, but we got there in the end. Next week ... something new for me forget to do.