31/365

Can you believe it?  It's the end of January already and I've managed to take a photo a day.  Today's photo is my calendar just before I turn it over to a new month.  It has a quote for each month.  Not normally my kind of thing but at 99p I couldn't pass it up!!

31/365

Time now for a game of bowls.  Getting a new hobby is great.  It certainly improves the social life :0)

30/365

The diet is still a work in progress!! Tonight I spent about an hour trying to get to grips with My Fitness Pal on the i-pad.  It's a daily record of calories, exercise and all things diet related.  I have to admit that I don't really know how to use it but I'll keep plodding along as eventually it might sink in....right?

30/365

29/365

Repetition is the word for today and at work it is constantly around.  Apart from giving me RSI in my shoulder it's there in a lot of my daily workload.

Sending letters home is just one of the many repetitive jobs I will never like.

29/365

What a re you reading?

I finished Twenty-eight and a Half Wishes by Denise Grover Swank in one day and I've now started on Twenty-nine and Half Reasons.  I like a bit of easy reading at lunchtimes.

For Rose Gardner, working at the DMV on a Friday afternoon is bad even before she sees a vision of herself dead. She's had plenty of visions, usually boring ones like someone's toilet's overflowed, but she's never seen one of herself before. When her overbearing momma winds up murdered on her sofa instead, two things are certain: There isn't enough hydrogen peroxide in the state of Arkansas to get that stain out, and Rose is the prime suspect.

Rose realizes she's wasted twenty-four years of living and makes a list on the back of a Wal-Mart receipt: twenty-eight things she wants to accomplish before her vision comes true. She's well on her way with the help of her next door neighbour Joe, who has no trouble teaching Rose the rules of drinking, but won't help with number fifteen-- do more with a man. Joe's new to town, but it doesn't take a vision for Rose to realize he's got plenty secrets of his own. 

Somebody thinks Rose has something they want and they'll do anything to get it. Her house is broken into, someone else she knows is murdered, and suddenly, dying a virgin in the Fenton County jail isn't her biggest worry after all.

When Rose reports for Fenton County jury duty she figures she's lucky to get out of a morning working at the DMV.  Instead, despite a disastrous encounter with the new assistant district attorney, Mason Deveraux, she's picked as a juror on a murder case. As the trial progresses, she realizes an ominous vision she had in the men's restroom proves the defendant is innocent. And there's not a cotton picking thing she can do about it. Or is there? 
As if things weren't bad enough, Rose's older sister Violet is going through a mid-life crisis. Violet insists that Rose stop seeing her sexy new boyfriend, Arkansas state detective Joe Simmons, and date other men. Rose is done letting people boss her around, but she can't commit to Joe either. Still, Rose isn't about to let the best thing in her life slip away.

28/365

It seemed like a long day today.  Mainly because my right shoulder has been aching all afternoon.  I was at the doctor last week who said I have RSI/Tendinitis.  I'm on painkillers for the next month and then I might possibly need a scan.

Anyway it was nice to come home, have supper made for me, have a wee glass of wine, light my candles and flop on the sofa.

28/365

27/365

Two weeks ago we had a memorial at school for Matthew who sadly lost his battle with cancer.  Leading up to the memorial his Mum & Dad had left a scrapbook in the reception for memories of Matthew that any of the staff or pupils may have.
They left stickers for people to fill in and place in the book.  As it was filling up I thought it looked a bit bare and wanted to make it more colourful for when his family read it later.

Being scrapbook minded (as I can be on occasion), I blew the dust of my Making Memories Star punch and punched as many stars as I could out of all the odd scraps of patterned paper I could find.  I then took them to work and glued them into the scrapbook.

Yesterday Matthew's Dad came into school and asked if we knew where you could buy some of the stars.  I told him I had punched them out and he asked if I would mind doing some more for the rest of the book that was filled in by others at the memorial.  Of course I said it wouldn't be a problem and he asked if I could do twenty.

I got a bit carried away last night and ended up with fifty.  If I can help Matthew's lovely family in any way it will be my pleasure.

27/365

26/365

A quiet day today.  A long lie, a spot of ironing, the AGM at the Outdoor Bowling Club (followed by a swift drinkie), changing the bed, eating supper, washing the dishes and a whole hour to myself.  No men and no dog!!

Time to watch Call the Midwife and put my feet up.

26/365

Same time next week?  Yes please.  :0)

25/365

Last night was "Date Night".  I told John I wanted to go the the pictures to see the new Jack Ryan film and he said that as it didn't start until 8pm we might as well go to the Qismat, Indian restaurant before hand.
Well I couldn't say no.  Could I?

25/365

A very nice Indian meal

followed by Jack Ryan - Shadow Recruit.

Both the meal and the film were really good (even if during the film I had to stick my fingers in my ears as the sound was TOO LOUD in parts !!!)  Is that a sign of getting older or just the sound man being deaf?

24/365

Last night there was a competition between the Indoor Bowling Club v the Outdoor Bowling Club.  My friend Karen and I went along to offer our support to the teams  :0)  Not a very flattering photo but a good time was had by all.

24/365

23/365

I thought "If I'm going to take up bowling I need a set of bowls.  I can't expect to use someone-else's every time I go".
I saved up my pennies, bought a second hand set and last night I took them for a spin.

One lady asked how I got on.  Not too shabby I replied  :0)

23/365

22/365

Not so much of what I did today but a bit of what John did.  He has a head full of ideas of what to do with old whisky barrels.  He bought a whole load of old barrel staves and lids from the local Cooperage at Craigellachie.

He's already started making something but I can't tell you what it is until it's finished.  Here's a sneak peek.

22/365

What are you reading?

Diary of a size 12 (size 14 in UK terms). by Sophie Quinn

I saw this and thought it might be a change from the books that always seem to have skinny minnie women as the main character.

26 Jan 14 - ETA.  This book has very little to do with being a size 12/14 (or any size really)

When Georgia McAllister – self-named fashion goddess, store-branded size twelve – applied for a new job as a CEO’s secretary, she was far from imagining she’d just taken the very first step towards her dreams. It’s definitely not easy to start a new career at thirty – could that even be called a career, by then?

Either way, she got it and she wasn’t letting it go, not even for the latest Chanel clutch she’d been keeping her eye on for months. But she might have to, if she doesn’t gather the strength to deal with Mr. OCD, Mr. All-kinds-of-rude-and-cold, Mr. CEO, Julian von Hauser

21/365

The Scottish Women's Rural Institute.  Or the "Rural" as known as in these parts.  I've been tagging along as a visitor with my friend Karen for the last few months so this month I joined and tonight I helped out as hostess.  This involved making sandwiches, pots of tea and putting a whole host of cakes onto plates.  It also meant serving all of the afore mentioned items to 25 hungry ladies.  Tonight's talk was all about Fair Trade and Donna and Mark from the Co-Op came along to tell us all about it.

Unfortunately it didn't quite go to plan as Donna had only just been given the new layout for presentations and Mark had never done one before.  They were like a comedy duo and I haven't laughed so much in ages. I think the only thing I learnt was that the Co-Op were the first supermarket to sell Fair Trade bananas back in 1994.

We got to taste a variety of different chocolates and sample some very nice red wine.  Lucky me :0)

Who said that the WI is just for old ladies?

21/365

20/365

Trying to keep on top of the ironing pile.  No matter how hard I try it never goes away.

20/365

19/365

Back in the apron again today for an afternoon of baking.  This time it was the turn of the mixer.  Several tubs of biscotti later and I'm HaPpY  :0)

19/365

18/365

We took the Teenager out to the local Italian for his birthday.  Pizza and ice cream and he's happy. Our friend and her son came along too.  We had all eaten and were about to go when I realised I hadn't taken a photo.  John wasn't too pleased about having to be in the shot, but there are just some things he has to do to keep me happy :0)

18/365

Shame I got half the restaurant in the shot too.  As it turns out though I know the lady in the red top as I used to work with her.

17/365

This boy young man of mine is 17 today.  How that happened I don't know.  I blinked and the years flew past.

17/365

I tried the best I could to get a decent picture but he just wouldn't play ball like he did a few years back.
There was a grimace.....

 An "if I smile like this will you take the photo"  smile......

 and a smile like his Dad.............. (This is how I smile mum).

Hmmm.  I think he needs to work on that smile.

Happy Birthday Samuel xx

16/365

Up at 6am to see John before he heads off to work.  Showered and dressed, lunch made, dog fed, Teenager up and in shower, lift to work, working day starts, busy, busy, busy, back home, quick coffee, have tea, tidy up, off to bowls, back at 10.30pm, cup of tea and now I'm ready for this........... my super, comfy new bed.   Bliss.

16/365

What are you reading?

It's not often I post two of these so close together but I find with Chic Lit it takes no time to read it and they all end up the same.
With that in mind this book is the total opposite.  It was free on i-books so I thought I'd give it a whirl.  It sometimes go into too much, unnecessary detail and rattles on too long but the story line is good so far.

“If you don’t pay me £250,000.00 in the next 48 Hours you will die”. The text on Josh Hammond’s BlackBerry was blunt and chilling. Surely it must be a joke, but when Josh is attacked in broad daylight and people around him start to die he knows that his blackmailer is deadly serious. Can Josh raise the money, can his attractive new bodyguard protect him, who is blackmailing him and why? He has 48 hours to find out. The first novel in the acclaimed City of London Thriller series is a hit which will enthral everyone who knows and loves its London settings.

15/365

Form filling.  Don't you just detest it?  I've been working at the school for nearly 12 years and I'm only just completing the Disclosure form. I've checked it twice and John is also checking it so hopefully I haven't missed anything out.

15/365

14/365

It was a sad day today as after school we had a Remembrance Service for one of our pupils who died on 3 January after a long battle with cancer.
Matthew Campbell. aged 16 was an amazing young man who will be deeply missed by his family, his friends, all the staff at school and everyone who knew him.  He did orienteering, running, was a member of the local amateur dramatics, played the cello in two orchestras and was in a string quartet and was absolutely determined to be a doctor.
My thoughts are with all of his family today.

14/365

13/365

A nice easy photo for today.  John and I (plus the dog) catching up on the second episode of Sherlock.

13/365

12/365

My friend Karen is going for an interview as a catering manger tomorrow and she has to take with her a scone and her favourite tray bake.  Being the kind friend I am, I offered to taste test them for her.   Well it would be rude not too :0)

12/365

Bang went the diet for today.

What are you reading?

It's a while since I posted one of these.  Probably as I didn't read as many books as I'd hoped last year.

I'm currently reading All that Mullarkey by Sue Moorcroft and so far it's not a bad read.  A Chick Lit if ever there was one but good all the same.

The writing’s on the wall for Cleo and Gav. The bedroom wall, to be precise. And it says ‘This marriage is over.’ 

Wounded and furious, Cleo embarks on a night out with the girls, which turns into a glorious one night stand with… 

Justin, centrefold material and irrepressibly irresponsible. He loves a little wildness in a woman – and he’s in the right place at the right time to enjoy Cleo’s. 

But it’s Cleo who has to pick up the pieces – of a marriage based on a lie and the lasting repercussions of that night. Torn between laid-back Justin and control freak Gav, she’s a free spirit that life is trying to tie down. But the rewards are worth it

11/365

A good night's sleep and today I can be bothered.  When I got up this morning I spent a short time reading through the Hairy Dieters cookbooks.  There are some really nice recipes in there I'm going to have a bash at.
I thought today I would start with Biscotti.  Cranberry and Almond Biscotti to be exact.  It's the first time I've made them and I am pleased to say they turned out well.  I'll definitely make them again.

11/365

John says he doesn't like the cranberries which is great as it means more for me.

Next on the Hairy Dieters list for today - Chicken Bhuna.

10/365

Friday night already.  I got home from work and thought "I can't be bothered".  Ever have that feeling? Where you can't be bothered to cook or eat for that matter.  Can't be bothered to think about what to do next.  Just can't be bothered.

I did bother to make the Teenager some tea and then John went and got a take away.  After that I picked up my i-pad, some chocolate eggs (yes they're in the shops already and Easter is months away) and a cup of hot tea, plonked myself on the sofa and vegged.  It was great :0)

10/365

9/365

Tonight was bowling night.  Not Ten Pin bowling but Indoor Bowling.  It's held up at the local Institute and John & I had a really good time.  We went along with friends of ours and it was a lot of fun.  Nothing too serious.  John's going to play out door bowls too from April to September, but it's not really my thing so I shall tag along as a social member :0)
I apologise for the standard of the photo today.  I stupidly put the phone cover on upside down and didn't notice that the cover had blocked the camera.  Still you get the idea.

9/365

Basically it's a case of rolling your bowl from one end, past either side of the stick in the middle and aim to get it as close to the white ball (the Jack) as you can.

Not as easy as it sounds :0)

8/365

Problems with the internet last night meant I couldn't post yesterdays exciting instalment of 365.  Still it's working now so here it is.............

8/365

The Haven, or as the Teenager called it when he was little the "Wax Shop".  I spent part of my lunchtime yesterday getting my eyebrows waxed.

I now have two :0)

7/365

At lunch time today I met up with my friend, Carol, for a blether.  It's been a while since I've seen her due to her being off work after an operation and the Christmas break.
We went to our local Costa and blethered so much I was almost late back to work.

OK I admit it.  I was a few minutes late.  Ooops :0)

6/365

It was back to work day today and after the shock of getting up at 6am it didn't turn out to badly.  It was busy to start with with pupils needing new timetables etc but it soon settled down once they'd all gone to class.

Today picture had to be a shot of the office girlies hard at work.  I took the shot just as I headed off to the staffroom for lunch.  Ha ha.

6/365

5/365

Today is the last day of the school holidays which means tomorrow, I have to go back to work.  Boo Hoo.
I could quite easily stay at home.  I have more than enough here to keep me busy.  In an attempt to make the holidays last as long as possible, today I did very little.  I sat and read a magazine, did some crochet and watched an old film on TV.

I did however, manage to peel the sprouts for tea.

5/365

I also managed to do 2 loads of washing but refused to get the ironing board out.

4/365

Today offering is John in the fruit isle in Tesco.  I thought we'd best get back into eating fruit sooner rather than later.

4/365

3/365

Today was the start of the diet...again.  It seems like a never ending cycle of dieting, not dieting, dieting.  You get the picture.  I started it on a Friday instead of a Monday as if I do over indulge at the weekend I still have all week to work it off.  Or at least that's my way of thinking !!

3/365

2/365

I was trying to think of things that I could take photos of this year instead of just random shots and I came up with the idea of making all the photos something that I do on the day of the photo.  i.e taking the tree down drying my hair etc.

So yesterday's photo is just that.

2/365

Restarting 365

Happy New Year to you all.  It's been four years since I took part in 365 photos in 365 days so I thought I might give it another try.
I can't guarantee I'll take a photo every day but I will give it my best shot.

Anyway to kick start the process here is a self timer photo of me taking down the tree.

1/365

A wee note for next time ............ put some make up on before taking a photo of yourself.