This festival, coming between autumn and winter, marks the Day of the Dead. For Pagans, it is a time for honouring departed spirits and reflecting on changes in their lives.
Samhain
Find this year's date in the multifaith calendar
Pumpkins, autumn produce, in a basket
Samhain (pronounced 'sow'inn') is a very important date in the Pagan calendar for it marks the Feast of the Dead. Many Pagans also celebrate it as the old Celtic New Year (although some mark this at Imbolc). It is also celebrated by non-Pagans who call this festival Halloween.
Samhain has been celebrated in Britain for centuries and has its origin in Pagan Celtic traditions. It was the time of year when the veils between this world and the Otherworld were believed to be at their thinnest: when the spirits of the dead could most readily mingle with the living once again. Later, when the festival was adopted by Christians, they celebrated it as All Hallows' Eve, followed by All Saints Day, though it still retained elements of remembering and honouring the dead.
To most modern Pagans, while death is still the central theme of the festival this does not mean it is a morbid event. For Pagans, death is not a thing to be feared. Old age is valued for its wisdom and dying is accepted as a part of life as necessary and welcome as birth. While Pagans, like people of other faiths, always honour and show respect for their dead, this is particularly marked at Samhain. Loved ones who have recently died are remembered and their spirits often invited to join the living in the celebratory feast. It is also a time at which those born during the past year are formally welcomed into the community. As well as feasting, Pagans often celebrate Samahin with traditional games such as apple-dooking.
Death also symbolises endings and Samhain is therefore not only a time for reflecting on mortality, but also on the passing of relationships, jobs and other significant changes in life. A time for taking stock of the past and coming to terms with it, in order to move on and look forward to the future.
Ancient Celtic celebrations
Not only did the Celts believe the boundary between the worlds of the living and the dead dissolved on this night, they thought that the presence of the spirits helped their priests to make predictions about the future.
To celebrate Samhain the Druids built huge sacred bonfires. People brought harvest food and sacrificed animals to share a communal dinner in celebration of the festival.
During the celebration the Celts wore costumes - usually animal heads and skins. They would also try and tell each other's fortunes.
After the festival they re-lit the fires in their homes from the sacred bonfire to help protect them, as well as keep them warm during the winter months.
(Above taken from this page).
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Saturday, October 30, 2010
October 2010 craft update
OK, it's time for October 2010's craft update! So...
I finished knitting the biggger blanket for Emma-Jane, which I plan to give her for Christmas. Well, I plan to get her a toy too... Not that she'll be bothered since she's only going to be a little over 9 months old, and - from what I know of babies of that age - will be much more interested in the brightly coloured wrapping paper. But never mind, that's babies for you, lol! Anyway, here's the blanket that I made her...
I'm in the middle of knitting a scarf in similar colours for a pink loving person I know. But that's about the only other thing I've done, since various things have given me reasons not to be doing the craft projects I'd hope to be doing. I don't mean reasons as in excuses, because I did want to do the projects. I mean reasons as in genuine reasons why I didn't get to do things. I'd say, "right, today I'm going to start on those craft items," then something would crop up, and the projects would be forgotten, and another day would have gone by without me getting them done. I had hoped to make a small handmade gift each for family members and friends - like I did last year - but, although one person will have a little somethin and one or two others "might" get something, most people will not end up getting handmade gifts this year. I feel badly about it, but with Christmas only eight weeks away... Well, I'm running out of time fast! I should be able to finish the scarf and make one or two items in time for Christmas this year, but that's about it. *Sigh*
I'm in the middle of knitting a scarf in similar colours for a pink loving person I know. But that's about the only other thing I've done, since various things have given me reasons not to be doing the craft projects I'd hope to be doing. I don't mean reasons as in excuses, because I did want to do the projects. I mean reasons as in genuine reasons why I didn't get to do things. I'd say, "right, today I'm going to start on those craft items," then something would crop up, and the projects would be forgotten, and another day would have gone by without me getting them done. I had hoped to make a small handmade gift each for family members and friends - like I did last year - but, although one person will have a little somethin and one or two others "might" get something, most people will not end up getting handmade gifts this year. I feel badly about it, but with Christmas only eight weeks away... Well, I'm running out of time fast! I should be able to finish the scarf and make one or two items in time for Christmas this year, but that's about it. *Sigh*
Friday, October 29, 2010
Furkid Friday: 29/10/2010
Hi humans, this is Gwydion again.
Well, there's not much to say this week. As Kero told you last week, I had a cough last week, but I've been fine this week (despite all the cold, wet weather we've been having).
Kero has enjoyed lots of walkies. I don't know where he goes, but he enjoys it anyway. He always comes back with his tail wagging, and with a grin on his face. You know what's really funny though? He comes home, and right away wants out in the garden. I swear he doesn't think I'm capable of protecting the garden from intruders while he's out! I mean, I may be small - though I have grown a lot since coming to live here - but I can definately do a great alarm call that gets the humans' attention, so I think I could alert the humans if anyone snuck in to our garden without permission from either myself or Kero. I think Kero disagrees though. Well, whatever!
That Mamgu human hasn't been around as much. I thought perhaps it was the rain keeping her away, but Kero told me she has a new home. He went to see it last Friday night. He had a really good sniff, used the garden, sniffed some more, walked in to a bin, sniffed more, investigated the garden properly, and then sniffed some more before the humans decided it was time to come back here. The way I hear it, the humans took him to have a sniff about because his nose was practically glued to Mamgu's clothes (because of the new smells) and they were hoping he'd give it a rest.
Yeah, I know, so much for not having much to say this week. LOL!
Squeak soon,
Gwydion
Well, there's not much to say this week. As Kero told you last week, I had a cough last week, but I've been fine this week (despite all the cold, wet weather we've been having).
Kero has enjoyed lots of walkies. I don't know where he goes, but he enjoys it anyway. He always comes back with his tail wagging, and with a grin on his face. You know what's really funny though? He comes home, and right away wants out in the garden. I swear he doesn't think I'm capable of protecting the garden from intruders while he's out! I mean, I may be small - though I have grown a lot since coming to live here - but I can definately do a great alarm call that gets the humans' attention, so I think I could alert the humans if anyone snuck in to our garden without permission from either myself or Kero. I think Kero disagrees though. Well, whatever!
That Mamgu human hasn't been around as much. I thought perhaps it was the rain keeping her away, but Kero told me she has a new home. He went to see it last Friday night. He had a really good sniff, used the garden, sniffed some more, walked in to a bin, sniffed more, investigated the garden properly, and then sniffed some more before the humans decided it was time to come back here. The way I hear it, the humans took him to have a sniff about because his nose was practically glued to Mamgu's clothes (because of the new smells) and they were hoping he'd give it a rest.
Yeah, I know, so much for not having much to say this week. LOL!
Squeak soon,
Gwydion
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Happy birthday Tamara
Today (October 28th) is our niece (Kelly's sister's daughter) Tamara's birthday.
So, though I doubt very much she will read this, I wanted to say, "happy birthday Tamara!"
So, though I doubt very much she will read this, I wanted to say, "happy birthday Tamara!"
Planet 51
"Lem is just an average teenager working on getting the girl and furthering his career at the local planetarium - except that he's an alien. At least to U.S. astronaut Captain Charles T. Baker who lands on Lem's planet hoping for a quick flag plant and a hasty return to earth and his millions of screaming fans. But on this alien planet the media has tagged spacemen as brain-eating, zombie-creating monsters, causing Baker to run for his life and into Lem's house. Now it's up to the green native to get the clumsy astronaut back to his spaceship before military dictator General Grawl and mad scientist Professor Kipple manage to exterminate the Earthly visitor."
(Above taken from this page).
This was a pretty good, kinda cute movie... An interesting twist on the alien invasion movies you usually see.
(Above taken from this page).
This was a pretty good, kinda cute movie... An interesting twist on the alien invasion movies you usually see.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Aliens In The Attic
"Stuart Pearson heads with his family to spend a summer vacation in Creek Landing, Michigan, with his brother Nathan Pearson and his sons and their mother Rose in an old lake house they had rented. When the television has trouble with the image, Stuart's son Tom and the arrogant boyfriend of his sister Ricky Dillman go to the attic and then to the roof, where Tom meets his cousin Jake and they find the antenna dish totally destroyed. Sooner they discover four alien invaders that are preparing an invasion of the Earth that use a mind control weapon that only affects adults and they lock the quartet in the attic. Now they need to a find a way to force the adults to leave the house and discover the vulnerability of the invaders to plot a defense plan to save our planet."
(Above taken from this page).
Kelly and I both watched this, and we both thought it was fantastic. It was a funny and cute movie. If you haven't seen it yet, then you may want to. At least, I think so!
(Above taken from this page).
Kelly and I both watched this, and we both thought it was fantastic. It was a funny and cute movie. If you haven't seen it yet, then you may want to. At least, I think so!
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Leak update
About lunch time today we finally had a visit from someone from the council who was here to look at the leak. After being out there for half an hour or so, he came back to us and told us it was all down to a rusted screw that had caused some pipes up near the roof to come undone. Before he left we mentioned the hole in the roof itself, and he just said, "oh, well, I'm not here to fix that. The leak should be fixed though."
I wont go in to the details of the whole conversation, but the short version is that the guys who are meant to be coming to actually fix the roof are working on other roofs so can't do it right now. We know that's true, because the roofs in question are near here, so Kelly's seen them at work, and they've spoken to me when I've been out with Kero.
My issues are that:
1. They've been working on the roofs over there for 5 weeks now, and had actually started seeing to ours first (they stopped while waiting for the aspestos to be taken care of, and were "meant to" start working on our roof again back at the end of July).
And, 2. What? The council only has one group of guys to do each job? Because, if that's the case, then it's no wonder it takes them so long to do anything! And, wouldn't it be a bit stupid to have that few people to do the work when you own about 75% of the homes in an area? Surely they've got more people than that who can fix a roof!
*Sigh*
Still, it's rained since the guy left, and we've not had any obvious leaks that I've noticed. So, I guess they fixed the immediate problem. I doubt very much that replacing that screw to fix that pipe has done much to help the guy upstairs though. I also think that would have only fixed the immediate problem, since if the screw was that rusted, the pipe probably wasn't replaced when the work was done recently, and if it wasn't replaced, chances are it's going to need to be replaced in the not too distant future. *Sigh* If only they'd do the whole job instead of just patching things up or doing only what "has to" be done. It would save a lot of hastle (not to mention their money... As Deanna pointed out in the comments of yesterday's post).
I wont go in to the details of the whole conversation, but the short version is that the guys who are meant to be coming to actually fix the roof are working on other roofs so can't do it right now. We know that's true, because the roofs in question are near here, so Kelly's seen them at work, and they've spoken to me when I've been out with Kero.
My issues are that:
1. They've been working on the roofs over there for 5 weeks now, and had actually started seeing to ours first (they stopped while waiting for the aspestos to be taken care of, and were "meant to" start working on our roof again back at the end of July).
And, 2. What? The council only has one group of guys to do each job? Because, if that's the case, then it's no wonder it takes them so long to do anything! And, wouldn't it be a bit stupid to have that few people to do the work when you own about 75% of the homes in an area? Surely they've got more people than that who can fix a roof!
*Sigh*
Still, it's rained since the guy left, and we've not had any obvious leaks that I've noticed. So, I guess they fixed the immediate problem. I doubt very much that replacing that screw to fix that pipe has done much to help the guy upstairs though. I also think that would have only fixed the immediate problem, since if the screw was that rusted, the pipe probably wasn't replaced when the work was done recently, and if it wasn't replaced, chances are it's going to need to be replaced in the not too distant future. *Sigh* If only they'd do the whole job instead of just patching things up or doing only what "has to" be done. It would save a lot of hastle (not to mention their money... As Deanna pointed out in the comments of yesterday's post).
Race To Witch Mountain
"Walt Disney Pictures resurrects one of their time-honored franchises with Race to Witch Mountain, a family-oriented sci-fi adventure that tells the story of two alien visitors (AnnaSophia Robb and Alexander Ludwig) whose search for their spacecraft gets them caught up in an adventure with a cab driver (Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson) and a UFO specialist (Carla Gugino). As the group races toward the mysterious mountain in the Nevada desert that has mystified scientists and paranormal researchers for years, the government, gangsters, and an extraterrestrial bounty hunter attempt to prevent them from reaching their intended destination."
(Above taken from this page).
It was a pretty good movie, but nowhere near as good as "Escape To Witch Mountain" was.
(Above taken from this page).
It was a pretty good movie, but nowhere near as good as "Escape To Witch Mountain" was.
Monday, October 25, 2010
Water, water everywhere
When I got back from town with Mam on last Monday morning, the floor was really wet near our sink. First thing we checked was if our pipes had any leaks, but they seemed fine, and there was no sign of water in the bottom of the cupboard under the sink... Only on the floor around the area. Then we realised that Mam's phone - luckily her old one - was sitting in a puddle of water on the windowsill. But where had it come from? We figured that out when the guy upstairs came home and turned his tap on. Within a couple of seconds we had water pouring down from the ceiling, hitting the exact spot where Mam's phone had been, and cascading down the wall near that spot, forming a huge puddle.
The council came outt the following morning and discovered a slight leak in the pipes under upstairs' sink, fixed it, and went away. Mam's phone was ruined, but they didn't care. We were a bit annoyed about it, since they've supposedly just redone the plumbing upstairs before he moved in, so there shouldn't have been any leaks. But there you go!
We've had dry weather, and the reason I'm saying about this now is that it's relevant. Because the rain showed up on Saturday. And so did more water. It was running down the wall near the spot that had the huge leak last week. First thing we did was go see the guy upstairs, but this time not only was it not his doing (he was in a totally different room, and had no water running) but he was having the same issue. This time the water is coming from up near the roof of the actual building. He's had it happening for a bit and been reporting it, only nothing's been done. So we reported it, and were told they would make a note of it and "deal with it first thing Monday".
So, they called us first thing this morning (which surprised me, actually) to ask for more info - since "apparently" they can't do anything on weekends *rolling eyes* - and claim he's not reported it so it can't be that bad (despite us knowing for a fact he's been to see them about it, phoned, etc, because he's told us on previous occasions, plus it's been reported by us and Eleri in the past). It's the issue they were "meant to" come back to fix... The one that led to the scaffolding being up, then being removed... Yeah, that's right, it's STILL not sorted!
Are they sending someone out? *Shrugs* I have no idea. It doesn't sound to me like they are, personally. My plan is to give them today and tomorrow (unless it gets worse, in which case they'll know about it) then call them again, making sure he also does.
In the meantime, my plan is to hope it doesn't rain too much, and keep anything that water can damage away from that area. Not to mention keeping things on hand to mop up water with (with where it is, there's no way to put a bucket or something there to catch the water).
Good thing I haven't gotten to the painting yet, you think?
It's OK when it doesn't rain. Unfortunately, this is Wales, and it's well in to Autumn, which means we're due for a fair bit of wet weather. I don't suppose the really cold weather we're having is going to be helping any leaks either... If I'm not mistaken, things like really cold nights with temperatures rising a bit in the day (though not a lot in our case, admittedly) only help widen holes in things like roofs, etc.
The council came outt the following morning and discovered a slight leak in the pipes under upstairs' sink, fixed it, and went away. Mam's phone was ruined, but they didn't care. We were a bit annoyed about it, since they've supposedly just redone the plumbing upstairs before he moved in, so there shouldn't have been any leaks. But there you go!
We've had dry weather, and the reason I'm saying about this now is that it's relevant. Because the rain showed up on Saturday. And so did more water. It was running down the wall near the spot that had the huge leak last week. First thing we did was go see the guy upstairs, but this time not only was it not his doing (he was in a totally different room, and had no water running) but he was having the same issue. This time the water is coming from up near the roof of the actual building. He's had it happening for a bit and been reporting it, only nothing's been done. So we reported it, and were told they would make a note of it and "deal with it first thing Monday".
So, they called us first thing this morning (which surprised me, actually) to ask for more info - since "apparently" they can't do anything on weekends *rolling eyes* - and claim he's not reported it so it can't be that bad (despite us knowing for a fact he's been to see them about it, phoned, etc, because he's told us on previous occasions, plus it's been reported by us and Eleri in the past). It's the issue they were "meant to" come back to fix... The one that led to the scaffolding being up, then being removed... Yeah, that's right, it's STILL not sorted!
Are they sending someone out? *Shrugs* I have no idea. It doesn't sound to me like they are, personally. My plan is to give them today and tomorrow (unless it gets worse, in which case they'll know about it) then call them again, making sure he also does.
In the meantime, my plan is to hope it doesn't rain too much, and keep anything that water can damage away from that area. Not to mention keeping things on hand to mop up water with (with where it is, there's no way to put a bucket or something there to catch the water).
Good thing I haven't gotten to the painting yet, you think?
It's OK when it doesn't rain. Unfortunately, this is Wales, and it's well in to Autumn, which means we're due for a fair bit of wet weather. I don't suppose the really cold weather we're having is going to be helping any leaks either... If I'm not mistaken, things like really cold nights with temperatures rising a bit in the day (though not a lot in our case, admittedly) only help widen holes in things like roofs, etc.
The Children - horror movie
"You brought them into this world. Now ... They will take you out."
Plot:
"A relaxing Christmas vacation turns into a terrifying fight for survival as the children begin to turn on their parents."
(click here to visit the IMDB page for this movie).
I only actually watched this one because Wayne wanted to, so we recorded it on our Sky box for him, and he came to watch it when he could. Anyway, as a movie itself it was good. It wasn't my cup of tea though... A bit too disgustingly graphic for my taste. I'd have turned it off if Wayne hadn't been enjoying it.
Plot:
"A relaxing Christmas vacation turns into a terrifying fight for survival as the children begin to turn on their parents."
(click here to visit the IMDB page for this movie).
I only actually watched this one because Wayne wanted to, so we recorded it on our Sky box for him, and he came to watch it when he could. Anyway, as a movie itself it was good. It wasn't my cup of tea though... A bit too disgustingly graphic for my taste. I'd have turned it off if Wayne hadn't been enjoying it.
Sunday, October 24, 2010
A birth and some birthdays
It was my friend Pia's birthday on October 19th, so a belated happy birthday to her. Also, congratulations to her, since just two days before her birthday (so, on October 17th) she had a baby boy. His name is Max, and he is Pia's third child (she already has 5 year old Emilee, and 2 and a half year old Ryan). So, welcome to the world, baby Max!
Also, today - October 24th - is the birthday of two other friends of mine. Some of you may know these people too, they are Barb/CelticSpirit and Louise. So, happy birthday to the two of you as well! I hope you have a great birthday today! :)
Also, today - October 24th - is the birthday of two other friends of mine. Some of you may know these people too, they are Barb/CelticSpirit and Louise. So, happy birthday to the two of you as well! I hope you have a great birthday today! :)
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Harry Potter recipes
I thought the Potter fans among my readers - which is, if I'm not mistaken, most of you at least - would appreciate these recipes, which I found on various sites recently and posted on my recipe blog. I was actually looking for the pumpkin pasty recipe, and found the others too. As you will see when you scroll down, I found a couple of different ones for pumpkin juice and butterbeer.
Drinks:
Pumpkinshake
Rosmerta's Pumpkin Juice
Pumpkin Juice
Rosmerta's Butterbeer
Hot Butterbeer
Mildly alcaholic Butterbeer
Chocolates and sweets:
Treacle Fudge
Licorice Wands
Acid Pops
Peppermint Toads (recipe can be used to make chocolate frogs)
Cockroach Clusters
Other Food items:
Mrs Weasley's Stew
Disappearing Pretzel Wands
Harry Potter Treacle Tarts
Pumpkin Pasties
Cauldron Cakes
Anyone up for a Harry Potter themed party?
Drinks:
Pumpkinshake
Rosmerta's Pumpkin Juice
Pumpkin Juice
Rosmerta's Butterbeer
Hot Butterbeer
Mildly alcaholic Butterbeer
Chocolates and sweets:
Treacle Fudge
Licorice Wands
Acid Pops
Peppermint Toads (recipe can be used to make chocolate frogs)
Cockroach Clusters
Other Food items:
Mrs Weasley's Stew
Disappearing Pretzel Wands
Harry Potter Treacle Tarts
Pumpkin Pasties
Cauldron Cakes
Anyone up for a Harry Potter themed party?
Friday, October 22, 2010
Furkid Friday: coughs, walkies, etc (FD)
Hi humans, it's Kero here.
Gwydion developed a bit of a cough last weekend, so Mami got him some medicine that she poured all over his veggies each day. He had some Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Now his cough seems much better. Mami says she's glad, because she was hoping to avoid taking him to the vet. Mami says it's less money and less hastle if things you can just buy from the shop work. I heard her telling Mamgu that if she needed to take him, she would, but she was hoping to just give him the medicine stuff and not have to shove him in his carry box and take him to the vet. As for me, I think that little guinea pig had a really lucky escape! When I was sick earlier in the year, I got taken to the vet. Mind you, mine wasn't just a cough... I was being sick, plus I had that lump by my eye. But, anyway, Gwydion had a lucky escape, is fine now, and didn't end up going to the vet for his cough, and Mami has plenty of the medicine left, so if his cough shows up again she can give him some more medicine right away, and catch his cough quickly again.
I've been on some great walkies with Mami. We walked further, so I had some new places to sniff. I kind of wanted to go further again, but I was a bit nervous about it, and since Mami seemed to be too, we both agreed not to go further just yet. We've also had some extra walkies, since most days we've gone at least two times!
I figured out how to get over the fence in the back garden, and thought it was great fun having Mamgu and Dadi chase me about to get me back in. They, apparently, disagreed though, since they've now made the fence higher, and I can't jump it any more.
Willow came for a sleepover last Friday night. She was meant to stay for the whole weekend, but her and I kept fighting over who was getting which treat, so Mamgu decided to take her back to the house. Well, in my defence, the treats were my chewies from my treat tub. Also - as Mami and Mamgu pointed out to Dadi - both Willow and I are used to having our stuff to ourselves. I know we spent those couple of months sharing stuff - or trying to - at the start of this year, but we've spent most of the rest of our lives not having to share. Well, I did have to share a lot for the first couple of years, but that's it. And, I mean, I'm almost 6 and a half, and Willow is almost 6, so it is understandable that neither of us is eager to share, really.
I haven't had as many leftovers this past few days. Mamgu is eating more of her dinner. It's good in a way, because it means she's eating better. But, in another way, it's not good, because it means less leftovers for me. That means I have to mostly just eat dog food! Can you believe it? Well, at least the humans are feeding me on Cesar... That's a good brand, and has a picture of a Westie on the packaging, which can't be a bad thing, can it? But, still... I'd much rather human leftovers than dog food!
Someone is parking their car outside, so I better publish this so I can go bark at them.
Licks and sniffs,
Kero
Gwydion developed a bit of a cough last weekend, so Mami got him some medicine that she poured all over his veggies each day. He had some Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Now his cough seems much better. Mami says she's glad, because she was hoping to avoid taking him to the vet. Mami says it's less money and less hastle if things you can just buy from the shop work. I heard her telling Mamgu that if she needed to take him, she would, but she was hoping to just give him the medicine stuff and not have to shove him in his carry box and take him to the vet. As for me, I think that little guinea pig had a really lucky escape! When I was sick earlier in the year, I got taken to the vet. Mind you, mine wasn't just a cough... I was being sick, plus I had that lump by my eye. But, anyway, Gwydion had a lucky escape, is fine now, and didn't end up going to the vet for his cough, and Mami has plenty of the medicine left, so if his cough shows up again she can give him some more medicine right away, and catch his cough quickly again.
I've been on some great walkies with Mami. We walked further, so I had some new places to sniff. I kind of wanted to go further again, but I was a bit nervous about it, and since Mami seemed to be too, we both agreed not to go further just yet. We've also had some extra walkies, since most days we've gone at least two times!
I figured out how to get over the fence in the back garden, and thought it was great fun having Mamgu and Dadi chase me about to get me back in. They, apparently, disagreed though, since they've now made the fence higher, and I can't jump it any more.
Willow came for a sleepover last Friday night. She was meant to stay for the whole weekend, but her and I kept fighting over who was getting which treat, so Mamgu decided to take her back to the house. Well, in my defence, the treats were my chewies from my treat tub. Also - as Mami and Mamgu pointed out to Dadi - both Willow and I are used to having our stuff to ourselves. I know we spent those couple of months sharing stuff - or trying to - at the start of this year, but we've spent most of the rest of our lives not having to share. Well, I did have to share a lot for the first couple of years, but that's it. And, I mean, I'm almost 6 and a half, and Willow is almost 6, so it is understandable that neither of us is eager to share, really.
I haven't had as many leftovers this past few days. Mamgu is eating more of her dinner. It's good in a way, because it means she's eating better. But, in another way, it's not good, because it means less leftovers for me. That means I have to mostly just eat dog food! Can you believe it? Well, at least the humans are feeding me on Cesar... That's a good brand, and has a picture of a Westie on the packaging, which can't be a bad thing, can it? But, still... I'd much rather human leftovers than dog food!
Someone is parking their car outside, so I better publish this so I can go bark at them.
Licks and sniffs,
Kero
Thursday, October 21, 2010
More new kitchen stuff (FD)
On Monday Mam and I got some more kitchen stuff. In my case new stuff to replace old stuff, in Mam's case just stuff in general for her new home. Right now seems to be a good time to get stuff, since for some reason a load of household items are on sale... Pre Christmas sales, I'm guessing?
Anyway, my kettle was getting a bit iffy. Sometimes it would turn itself off again after you turned it on, so you'd come back in the room after going to do something a minute, and your water would still be cold. Other times it turned itself back on if you were just a little heavy handed when putting it back on its stand thing, so you'd have to wait a sec to make sure it was staying off before you walked off. But other times it worked just fine. Now I have a new one though...
And a new toaster to match...
My microwave worked just fine, but the push button one was really tricky for me to work, and since Mam needed a microwave for her new place (and I'd been considering switching to a twisty knob one anyway) I suggested I got a new microwave and she had my old one. This is my new microwave...
We'll be putting raised marks where each number and setting is marked on the microwave, then I'll know how far to turn the knobs. Much easier than trying to find buttons that I can't feel, and which can't easily be marked (we tried, and the fact it's a totally flat surface means that the bumpon things start sliding after a few uses, then eventually fall off). This one is also slightly bigger than the old one, as well as a higher wattage (old one was only 700 watt, new one is 800 watt).
This next item isn't something I needed. It's something I wanted. I used to have a toasted sandwich maker, but it broke. I used to have a donut maker, but Mam now owns it (I gave it to her when we were going to move up there). And I also used to have a waffle maker (it made Mickey Mouse shaped waffles) but that also now belongs to my Mam. It wasn't a big deal, but when I saw this snack maker I decided I really wanted it. It makes toasted sandwiches.
But the plates in it are removable, and it comes with two other types. One is for making waffles.
And the other is for making donuts.
How could I pass on it when it was the same price as just the waffle maker I'd had? I mean, I technically got the donut maker and toasted sandwich machine for free! And with the plates being removable, it's easier to wash than the actual seporate machines, since you can just pull the plates out and wash them with the rest of your dishes. No, it wasn't something I needed. But sometimes just wanting something is enough... Right?
I don't plan on getting any more new things for the house (OK, flat) until after Christmas now. Not unless I see something that's a real bargain that I can't pass on anyway! ;)
Anyway, my kettle was getting a bit iffy. Sometimes it would turn itself off again after you turned it on, so you'd come back in the room after going to do something a minute, and your water would still be cold. Other times it turned itself back on if you were just a little heavy handed when putting it back on its stand thing, so you'd have to wait a sec to make sure it was staying off before you walked off. But other times it worked just fine. Now I have a new one though...
And a new toaster to match...
My microwave worked just fine, but the push button one was really tricky for me to work, and since Mam needed a microwave for her new place (and I'd been considering switching to a twisty knob one anyway) I suggested I got a new microwave and she had my old one. This is my new microwave...
We'll be putting raised marks where each number and setting is marked on the microwave, then I'll know how far to turn the knobs. Much easier than trying to find buttons that I can't feel, and which can't easily be marked (we tried, and the fact it's a totally flat surface means that the bumpon things start sliding after a few uses, then eventually fall off). This one is also slightly bigger than the old one, as well as a higher wattage (old one was only 700 watt, new one is 800 watt).
This next item isn't something I needed. It's something I wanted. I used to have a toasted sandwich maker, but it broke. I used to have a donut maker, but Mam now owns it (I gave it to her when we were going to move up there). And I also used to have a waffle maker (it made Mickey Mouse shaped waffles) but that also now belongs to my Mam. It wasn't a big deal, but when I saw this snack maker I decided I really wanted it. It makes toasted sandwiches.
But the plates in it are removable, and it comes with two other types. One is for making waffles.
And the other is for making donuts.
How could I pass on it when it was the same price as just the waffle maker I'd had? I mean, I technically got the donut maker and toasted sandwich machine for free! And with the plates being removable, it's easier to wash than the actual seporate machines, since you can just pull the plates out and wash them with the rest of your dishes. No, it wasn't something I needed. But sometimes just wanting something is enough... Right?
I don't plan on getting any more new things for the house (OK, flat) until after Christmas now. Not unless I see something that's a real bargain that I can't pass on anyway! ;)
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
The rest of the "before" photos
OK, you're finally getting to see the rest of the photos from before the council work happened. There aren't "after" photos for these rooms, because I saw no point in doing "after" photos until the redecorating in the rooms is done, since most of what happened in these rooms is adding of electrical sockets and such, so it's not all that noticable to be honest. Anyway...
First, our bedroom...
All the blankets on the bed are because we prefer blankets to proper quilts/duvets, but both Kelly and I have different requirements for blanket thickness. So, we keep a couple of blankets on it and then have the option to get under as many (or as few) as we want to. Mostly I just have one blanket, but quite often Kelly crawls under the whole blanket stack. He says he gets cold... Whatever! You could fry an egg on him! (not that I'd want to eat it after it was fried, and not that I've ever tried frying an egg on him... That would be a waste of an egg, after all!)
Anyway, this next room is the guest room. It's decorated with Harry Potter posters because it was originally our room, because it's the darker of the two bedrooms (yes, despite the bright red walls) and when we moved in here - before I had my second eye out - I couldn't cope with light sometimes (too much pain) so we thought it was best for us to have that room. But after I had my eye out we moved in to the front bedroom (which wasn't decorated by us).
Excuse the pile of boxes on that armchair. The guest room is sort of doubling as a storage room at the moment until the redecorating is sorted properly in the other rooms and the things can get put away properly. The guest room will be the last room to be decorated, so it makes sense for the stuff to be stored in there for now.
Next is the front door, and the hallway...
And now for the living room....
Yes, that's Kelly sat at the desk there. That's his own desk he's sat at... The one with the laptop, brailler and phone on it is my desk. As you probably noticed, Kero got in on the photo shoot too. LOL!
Actually, he got in on it twice, since this photo got taken when the others did too...
I will get new photos when the decorating work gets finished (so probably not until after Christmas now... Unfortunately!) Well, you'll probably see more of Kero (and possibly Kelly) before then. But I'm talking about photos of my home.
First, our bedroom...
All the blankets on the bed are because we prefer blankets to proper quilts/duvets, but both Kelly and I have different requirements for blanket thickness. So, we keep a couple of blankets on it and then have the option to get under as many (or as few) as we want to. Mostly I just have one blanket, but quite often Kelly crawls under the whole blanket stack. He says he gets cold... Whatever! You could fry an egg on him! (not that I'd want to eat it after it was fried, and not that I've ever tried frying an egg on him... That would be a waste of an egg, after all!)
Anyway, this next room is the guest room. It's decorated with Harry Potter posters because it was originally our room, because it's the darker of the two bedrooms (yes, despite the bright red walls) and when we moved in here - before I had my second eye out - I couldn't cope with light sometimes (too much pain) so we thought it was best for us to have that room. But after I had my eye out we moved in to the front bedroom (which wasn't decorated by us).
Excuse the pile of boxes on that armchair. The guest room is sort of doubling as a storage room at the moment until the redecorating is sorted properly in the other rooms and the things can get put away properly. The guest room will be the last room to be decorated, so it makes sense for the stuff to be stored in there for now.
Next is the front door, and the hallway...
And now for the living room....
Yes, that's Kelly sat at the desk there. That's his own desk he's sat at... The one with the laptop, brailler and phone on it is my desk. As you probably noticed, Kero got in on the photo shoot too. LOL!
Actually, he got in on it twice, since this photo got taken when the others did too...
I will get new photos when the decorating work gets finished (so probably not until after Christmas now... Unfortunately!) Well, you'll probably see more of Kero (and possibly Kelly) before then. But I'm talking about photos of my home.
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Why didn't the chicken cross the road?
I was originally going to wait for Iggy to get a chance to sort these photos before I mentioned the fact I managed to extend my walk a little. But I changed my mind when the post I wrote on Sunday seemed to cry out for the walk information to be added. So, as a result, you are getting the photos seporate from the text. It doesn't matter though, you're still getting both. Besides, there's more to the text. So...
I began my walk as normal, taking my camera because it was one of those beautiful days you tend to get some time in Autumn... You know? The days that remind you of Summer, and give you another chance to enjoy the sunshine before Winter shows up. Anyway, I wasn't sure what I'd planned to photograph, but I could hear a plane, so I decided to try and track its progress. I sort of got a shot of it in the distance, but didn't get a decent shot of it.
Anyway, I continued my walk, taking a couple of shots of the trees along the way, just for a, "here's what our walk looks like during October," type of photo shoot.
Then I got to the end of the path.
I'd just been reading certain posts that made me think, and a piece of one of them hit me at that moment. It was a part of the post where the old, "why did the chicken cross the road?" "To get to the other side," joke was mentioned. I remembered then another version of the joke, one made up by a little girl I knew - or, possibly not made up by her, but I only ever remember her saying it - when I wasn't interested in hearing that chicken joke again. She told me she had a new one, so I allowed her to tell me:
"Why didn't the chicken cross the road?"
"I don't know... Why?"
"Because it was too much of a chicken!"
Not really all that funny - unless you're about 5 years old - but it obviously stuck in my mind, and I remembered it then.
Anyway, I decided that this chicken needed to stop being such a chicken. So I took a deep breath, looked for something to follow with my cane (finding a perfect low wall).
And walked to the bridge that the river goes under.
Now, I could have continued up the road, or gone back and gone the other way down the road.
Or, I could have been the chicken who crossed the road.
Or, I could have been a brave little chicken and walked in to town.
But then a nasty leaf monster snuck up on me, so Kero and I came home instead.
So, why didn't the chicken cross the road?
Because she was attacked by a vicious leaf monster!
I began my walk as normal, taking my camera because it was one of those beautiful days you tend to get some time in Autumn... You know? The days that remind you of Summer, and give you another chance to enjoy the sunshine before Winter shows up. Anyway, I wasn't sure what I'd planned to photograph, but I could hear a plane, so I decided to try and track its progress. I sort of got a shot of it in the distance, but didn't get a decent shot of it.
Anyway, I continued my walk, taking a couple of shots of the trees along the way, just for a, "here's what our walk looks like during October," type of photo shoot.
Then I got to the end of the path.
I'd just been reading certain posts that made me think, and a piece of one of them hit me at that moment. It was a part of the post where the old, "why did the chicken cross the road?" "To get to the other side," joke was mentioned. I remembered then another version of the joke, one made up by a little girl I knew - or, possibly not made up by her, but I only ever remember her saying it - when I wasn't interested in hearing that chicken joke again. She told me she had a new one, so I allowed her to tell me:
"Why didn't the chicken cross the road?"
"I don't know... Why?"
"Because it was too much of a chicken!"
Not really all that funny - unless you're about 5 years old - but it obviously stuck in my mind, and I remembered it then.
Anyway, I decided that this chicken needed to stop being such a chicken. So I took a deep breath, looked for something to follow with my cane (finding a perfect low wall).
And walked to the bridge that the river goes under.
Now, I could have continued up the road, or gone back and gone the other way down the road.
Or, I could have been the chicken who crossed the road.
Or, I could have been a brave little chicken and walked in to town.
But then a nasty leaf monster snuck up on me, so Kero and I came home instead.
So, why didn't the chicken cross the road?
Because she was attacked by a vicious leaf monster!
Monday, October 18, 2010
The Land Before Time
"The Land Before Time is a series of animated films about dinosaurs. The series began in 1988 with The Land Before Time, directed and produced by Don Bluth and executive produced by George Lucas and Steven Spielberg. It was followed by a total of 12 direct-to-video sequels, though none involves the participation of Bluth, Lucas, or Spielberg."
"The following is a list of the films in the series for The Land Before Time. All sequels have since been renamed without the numbers in their titles.
Films:
* The Land Before Time (1988)
* The Land Before Time II: The Great Valley Adventure (1994)
* The Land Before Time III: The Time of the Great Giving (1995)
* The Land Before Time IV: Journey Through the Mists (1996)
* The Land Before Time V: The Mysterious Island (1997)
* The Land Before Time VI: The Secret of Saurus Rock (1998)
* The Land Before Time VII: The Stone of Cold Fire (2000)
* The Land Before Time VIII: The Big Freeze (2001)
* The Land Before Time IX: Journey to Big Water (2002)
* The Land Before Time X: The Great Longneck Migration (2003)
* The Land Before Time XI: Invasion of the Tinysauruses (2004)
* The Land Before Time XII: The Great Day of the Flyers (2006)
* The Land Before Time XIII: The Wisdom of Friends (2007)"
(Above taken from this page).
I haven't seen all of the movies from this series, but I have seen many of them, and I watched VII and IX recently. If you ask me, they are all fantastic movies, and worth watching... They're meant as children's movies, but adults can enjoy them too!
"The following is a list of the films in the series for The Land Before Time. All sequels have since been renamed without the numbers in their titles.
Films:
* The Land Before Time (1988)
* The Land Before Time II: The Great Valley Adventure (1994)
* The Land Before Time III: The Time of the Great Giving (1995)
* The Land Before Time IV: Journey Through the Mists (1996)
* The Land Before Time V: The Mysterious Island (1997)
* The Land Before Time VI: The Secret of Saurus Rock (1998)
* The Land Before Time VII: The Stone of Cold Fire (2000)
* The Land Before Time VIII: The Big Freeze (2001)
* The Land Before Time IX: Journey to Big Water (2002)
* The Land Before Time X: The Great Longneck Migration (2003)
* The Land Before Time XI: Invasion of the Tinysauruses (2004)
* The Land Before Time XII: The Great Day of the Flyers (2006)
* The Land Before Time XIII: The Wisdom of Friends (2007)"
(Above taken from this page).
I haven't seen all of the movies from this series, but I have seen many of them, and I watched VII and IX recently. If you ask me, they are all fantastic movies, and worth watching... They're meant as children's movies, but adults can enjoy them too!
Sunday, October 17, 2010
New look for my blog
My Mam wanted a new look to her blog, so while she was fiddling in Blogger templates I asked her if she would sign in to my blogger account and help me sort out a new template for my blog. I'm hoping the new look template will illiminate the issue that people kept having with the weird way my sidebar kept appearing (that's right, Rita, it wasn't just you... Mam and Kelly have been having the issue on and off for some time).
Walks and phones (kinda FD)
It's been really quiet on the blogs lately, hasn't it? I guess everyone's enjoying the Autumn while it's still here to enjoy, and before Winter shows up and has everyone stuck indoors most of the time. Not that I blame everyone for that. After all, there's nothing like a walk on an Autumn day! Mind you that could be said about any season really. I mean, in Autumn you have the crispness of the air, the colours of the leaves, the sound of them crunching under your feet, and the smells of Autumn feasts cooking. But in Winter you have the snow crunching under your feet, the smell that's in the air when it's been snowing, the smell of Winter treats baking, and the welcome sounds of Robins, and those other birds that don't fly South for Winter. Then there are the sounds, sights and smells of new life beginning in Spring, and the sweet smells of the flowers, warmth of the sunshine, etc, in Summer. Well, you get the idea! But there's something about Autumn that seems to drive people outside. Even people who have spent most of Summer inside come out of the woodwork in Autumn. Perhaps it's the promise of the dark, cold days and nights of Winter? Perhaps the chill in the air in Autumn reminds them of the cold months to come, and that's why people seem to be out a lot more in Autumn? I don't know! But one thing I do know is... People have to be somewhere, and they certainly aren't on their blogs! ;)
Speaking of walks... Kero and I have been going a little further for our walks. Not terribly further, but far enough so that I'm not able to cling to my comfort zone (AKA the path we usually walk on). Along the road a bit from where the path ends is a bridge that crosses the river that's the other side of the grass, trees and fence the path is near. I've been up near the bridge with Kelly once when we wanted photos of the river, but that's it. I decided to go to it again on my own though, and have even been brave enough to cross the bridge. That's as far as I've gotten so far, but it's definately out of my comfort zone - though I am starting to get more comfortable with that extra part being added to our walk - and that's what I was aiming for. Now to get comfortable with that, then find out what's the other side of the bridge (there should be more to the path we walk the other side of the bridge. If I'm not mistaken, I should be able to walk the other side of the river). I also need to get up the courage to do the walk to town on my own. I know the walk, and can do it with another human walking beside me. I just haven't gotten up the courage to do it on my own. I did it a couple of times when we first moved here, but I still had light perception then. Light perception - or having a lack of light perception - actually makes a huge difference, believe it or not. That's why I haven't been able to do the walk on my own since losing my light perception. I'll get there in the end though. It just takes time!
Having a mobile phone to take with me helps, because I know I have it if I end up lost or something. That's why I'm on a contract not on pay as you go. Because then I don't run the risk of having no credit on my phone if I need to make a phone call to have someone come find me (which only happened once, but there's always that chance).
Speaking of mobile phones... I've got a new mobile phone. It's a Nokia E52. My old phone was about 3 years old, and not working too well any more (between still having its original battery, and being dropped several times... Well, it had done well). Anyway, my contract offers me free upgrades at intervals in return for me renewing my contract with them. I didn't take the upgrade when it was first offered (about 18 months ago) because my phone was fine, so I saw no reason to have a new one. But with the old phone keep switching itself off, not charging properly, deciding to stop talking to me from time to time (so that I had to turn the phone off, then turn it back on in order to make it speak again) and being too old to easily get a battery for (without paying through my nose for one, anyway), I decided it was time for me to accept the free upgrade. So, Mam took me to the shop, I asked for my upgrade, they sent the phone away to have the speach software put on it, and I waited. I didn't wait patiently, because when my other phone got sent off it was a lot of hastle getting it sorted. I found out the day before my phone came back though that the model I have now was made especially for the software to be put on (where as my old one was just compatible with it). So I did have high hopes of an easy time this time. Then, on Friday, I was told my phone was ready to be picked up, so Mam took me to get it. I like it! It's a posh phone - which I wouldn't have been having if I'd had to pay for the handset, because I couldn't have afforded to spend that much on a phone... Needless to say, I renewed my insurance along with my contract... Just in case - and I've been enjoying finding out how it works. I told Carl about it, and he might get one too (he's on the same contract as me, and has also been owed an upgrade, but - despite his phone playing up too - was reluctant to get the upgrade because of the requirement of a compatible phone). So I told him how quickly it was sorted this time, and he's considering having the same thing. He knows the make of the phone so he can ask for it spacifically if he does get the upgrade/replacement phone he could do with getting. Anyway... There are all sorts of cool things on it (most of which I'll never use, but still). But, you know what? All these cool features on my phone, and do you know what I'm most excited about? It has a message tone of a wolf howling. Never mind the GPS, or anything like that. No, what matters is the wolf tone that's on it (which is my message alert tone now, because I thought it would be a cool one to have).
The mind is pleased by so little, isn't it? LOL!
Speaking of walks... Kero and I have been going a little further for our walks. Not terribly further, but far enough so that I'm not able to cling to my comfort zone (AKA the path we usually walk on). Along the road a bit from where the path ends is a bridge that crosses the river that's the other side of the grass, trees and fence the path is near. I've been up near the bridge with Kelly once when we wanted photos of the river, but that's it. I decided to go to it again on my own though, and have even been brave enough to cross the bridge. That's as far as I've gotten so far, but it's definately out of my comfort zone - though I am starting to get more comfortable with that extra part being added to our walk - and that's what I was aiming for. Now to get comfortable with that, then find out what's the other side of the bridge (there should be more to the path we walk the other side of the bridge. If I'm not mistaken, I should be able to walk the other side of the river). I also need to get up the courage to do the walk to town on my own. I know the walk, and can do it with another human walking beside me. I just haven't gotten up the courage to do it on my own. I did it a couple of times when we first moved here, but I still had light perception then. Light perception - or having a lack of light perception - actually makes a huge difference, believe it or not. That's why I haven't been able to do the walk on my own since losing my light perception. I'll get there in the end though. It just takes time!
Having a mobile phone to take with me helps, because I know I have it if I end up lost or something. That's why I'm on a contract not on pay as you go. Because then I don't run the risk of having no credit on my phone if I need to make a phone call to have someone come find me (which only happened once, but there's always that chance).
Speaking of mobile phones... I've got a new mobile phone. It's a Nokia E52. My old phone was about 3 years old, and not working too well any more (between still having its original battery, and being dropped several times... Well, it had done well). Anyway, my contract offers me free upgrades at intervals in return for me renewing my contract with them. I didn't take the upgrade when it was first offered (about 18 months ago) because my phone was fine, so I saw no reason to have a new one. But with the old phone keep switching itself off, not charging properly, deciding to stop talking to me from time to time (so that I had to turn the phone off, then turn it back on in order to make it speak again) and being too old to easily get a battery for (without paying through my nose for one, anyway), I decided it was time for me to accept the free upgrade. So, Mam took me to the shop, I asked for my upgrade, they sent the phone away to have the speach software put on it, and I waited. I didn't wait patiently, because when my other phone got sent off it was a lot of hastle getting it sorted. I found out the day before my phone came back though that the model I have now was made especially for the software to be put on (where as my old one was just compatible with it). So I did have high hopes of an easy time this time. Then, on Friday, I was told my phone was ready to be picked up, so Mam took me to get it. I like it! It's a posh phone - which I wouldn't have been having if I'd had to pay for the handset, because I couldn't have afforded to spend that much on a phone... Needless to say, I renewed my insurance along with my contract... Just in case - and I've been enjoying finding out how it works. I told Carl about it, and he might get one too (he's on the same contract as me, and has also been owed an upgrade, but - despite his phone playing up too - was reluctant to get the upgrade because of the requirement of a compatible phone). So I told him how quickly it was sorted this time, and he's considering having the same thing. He knows the make of the phone so he can ask for it spacifically if he does get the upgrade/replacement phone he could do with getting. Anyway... There are all sorts of cool things on it (most of which I'll never use, but still). But, you know what? All these cool features on my phone, and do you know what I'm most excited about? It has a message tone of a wolf howling. Never mind the GPS, or anything like that. No, what matters is the wolf tone that's on it (which is my message alert tone now, because I thought it would be a cool one to have).
The mind is pleased by so little, isn't it? LOL!
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Pets - new page
I have decided to make the pets' page a tab on my blog instead of a seporate page entirely, but you can't add photos directly to the pages (or, if you can, I can't find the "add image" button). So, that means I need the html codes for the images. Because of this, I'm writing this post, in which you can see photos of all the past and present pets I have photos to post of. I will tell you who is who in this post, but if you want to know more about them you will need to check out the page.
Stew Pot AKA Stewie
Little Shiloh
Samhain Magik
Castellan Keroberous
Jayde Bramblerose
Gwydion
Charlie's Angel
Mr Sirius Black
Hamlet De Hammie
Butterscotch Pudding
Treacle Topping Sparkles Moglyn AKA Topsi
Megan Zara Rose
Myskanco Dakoda Diero
Myskanco Chance Silva Flame
Ayla Malaika
Seren
Nemo
Kian
Katie
Flounder
Comet
Cody
Blue
Alpha And Bravo
Alex
There are other past pets mentioned on the page, but I don't have photos of them, so to find out anything about them, and to find out more about the pets in this post, you need to check out the page. There's a similar page on Kelly's blog, which you will already know about if you follow his blog, and may want to take a look at if you don't (especially if you are either a cat or dog lover).
Stew Pot AKA Stewie
Little Shiloh
Samhain Magik
Castellan Keroberous
Jayde Bramblerose
Gwydion
Charlie's Angel
Mr Sirius Black
Hamlet De Hammie
Butterscotch Pudding
Treacle Topping Sparkles Moglyn AKA Topsi
Megan Zara Rose
Myskanco Dakoda Diero
Myskanco Chance Silva Flame
Ayla Malaika
Seren
Nemo
Kian
Katie
Flounder
Comet
Cody
Blue
Alpha And Bravo
Alex
There are other past pets mentioned on the page, but I don't have photos of them, so to find out anything about them, and to find out more about the pets in this post, you need to check out the page. There's a similar page on Kelly's blog, which you will already know about if you follow his blog, and may want to take a look at if you don't (especially if you are either a cat or dog lover).
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