Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Birthdays

First - a big thank you to everybody who sent me birthday greetings. I will try & reply to you all as soon as I can. Hopefully before my next birthday. I am so gonna get those two for telling everyone though!!

I thought I'd try and tell you that by the time you reach my age you stop celebrating birthdays. That's what people always say isn't it?? Well trust me, that's total bollocks. You're never too old to celebrate. Ok. I'm not such a big kid about birthdays as I am about Christmas and I did refuse to celebrate a few years ago (but then I'd buried my brother on my birthday the year before so I didn't really want to remember much that year). Now though I make sure I have a great time - celebrate your birthdays folks. Getting older might suck but it's as sure as dammit better than the alternative. Having another birthday doesn't make me depressed that I'm getting older - it makes me happy and grateful that I'm alive to celebrate. This year I even went out for a posh meal. I figured it was safe since I'd burnt the boxers-of-doom. I was right it was safe. I didn't even wear my drink (unlike Friday). But I'll tell you about that tomorrow.

Ze

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Monday, March 30, 2009

Slacker

E has been doing double duty these past few days checking my links and hers. Today I returned from the Woodland Park Zoo just in time to check the last site and write the words. Now that's my kind of update.

Tamara

p.s. Don't forget to wish Ze a happy birthday!

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Sunday, March 29, 2009

Sunshine

Our spring season continues with sunshine following up on yesterdays rain. As the family went off to see Monsters vs. Aliens leaving me to complete my cookie a month duties. Upon their return some fresh coconut macaroons will be waiting. I will also have dinner well on its way.

Tomorrow does bring us one thing beyond Monday, Ze will have completed another year on this planet with us. Giving us the opportunity to have more stories to look forward. If you get the time throw her a birthday wish!

Have a great evening and enjoy your updates.

Elisa

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Saturday, March 28, 2009

Quiet Saturday

The rain fell all day long. Spring is here, yipee! I spent the day near the fireplace with a sick and quiet 8 year old. She has a bad cold and a horrible sore throat, at least the doctor said it was not strep. Hence time and rest heals all.

Tamara, her mom and the rest of the boys headed downtown to the Whirligig at Seattle Center. Other than my daughter feeling like crap, I think I had the better day.

On a different note for all you folks looking for something fun which you can be a part of it, join Phair at her web site and check out Shipwrecked.

Now back to your updates, enjoy them!

Elisa

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Friday, March 27, 2009

Finally

The day is done. Enjoy 'em.

Tamara

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Thursday, March 26, 2009

Is it only Thursday?

The week seems to be going by slowly, hence the weekend is still one day away. Not sure if I'm on the verge of some type of cold or what, but I've been very tired all week and I almost went and took a nap, however your update came first. Enjoy it!

Elisa

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Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Nowt to say

Can't think of much to write tonight. I (touch wood) don't seem to have had any personal disasters lately to share with you. I haven't won the lottery so we can't celebrate and drink good ales. I really don't want to fall back on that good old English standby and bore you to death with the weather (colder today, very windy, rain forecast for tomorrow). It's supposed to rain heavily on Friday - which is completely expected as I'm meeting a friend (currently residing in Plymouth) and every time she makes the short trip up to Exeter it absolutely chucks it down. The kid (my cousin) - if she can walk - she's hurt her knee and is on crutches - and myself are meeting up with her and her girlfriend (if they ever manage to get out of bed). Her girlfriend lives somewhere in the middle of America (one of the "I" states I think - where they get tornadoes and stuff) and they don't get to see each other (in person) that often. So when they do, you could probably power the National Grid with the energy. Lucky bastards.

Since I seem to be uncharacteristically short of things to say, stories to tell or opinions to state forcefully, I might as let you get on with your reading. Passion & Perfection updated (thanks E for pre-sorting them for me) so there's a fair few for you. Goodnight and may your God/s go with you.

Ze

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Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Mothers

This past Sunday was Mother's Day here in the UK. Or to give it its proper name Mothering Sunday. I know that other places (such as the USA or Aus) have a different date for their Mother's Day but we haven't yet separated it from its origins, which were actually a religious holiday for our mother the church and nothing to do with female parents. Seems a bit mean really as fathers have their own separate day. The day does coincide rather nicely with all the council-planted displays of daffodils flowering in the parks. By Monday it looks as if we've been hit by a plague of daffodil-munching locusts. My own mother died a fair while ago so I couldn't have visited her even if I had felt so inclined, I did give my usual passing thought to hoping that wherever she is now is nice and warm.

I do send a card on this day though. Many, many years ago (as a teen) I was in hospital for a bit having been rather badly injured. One of the nurses there was brilliant. She always seemed to go above-and-beyond the call of duty while caring for me. She even brought a couple of changes of clothes for me (mine had been wrecked). I always associated that quote with her. The one about the kindness of strangers. I can't remember where it's from - which probably means I hated the author or the work as I try not to remember books/plays/films etc. that I dislike (easier these days *g*). I didn't get a chance to thank her or say goodbye properly when I left the hospital but in one of those truth-is-stranger-than-fiction moments I wound up dating her daughter (same age as me) about ten years later. I don't know which of us was more shocked when she took me home to meet her mam. The relationship with the daughter's long gone but her mother kept in contact all these years. She's been damned good to me and always called herself my second mam. So she always gets a card. And a visit if I can. Always need to keep a place in your life for special people like that. They're rare.

Ze

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Monday, March 23, 2009

One down...four to go....

It's our last full week of school before Spring Break. Yeah, weird to me too. We just had a break in February now here comes another one in March. Not that I'm complaining. I'm all for that break.

Mom arrives tomorrow evening to spend the break with us. We're planning on taking her to some of the places she didn't get to see during her month long stay at Christmas.

Y'all enjoy the updates!

Tamara

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Sunday, March 22, 2009

Evil Fried Chicken...

...that's for dinner. We got to lay around like slugs until late morning. The rest of the day has held chore time and it will continue into the evening. Then snuggle down early enough to allow us to get up bright and early for another day at work. These days one can only feel lucky to be able to do that. Hence we hope it continues.

End of the weekend and yet just another day here at UE. So on that note, enjoy your update!

Elisa

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Saturday, March 21, 2009

Be Prepared

We got up nice and early this morning to get my Oklahoma driver's license turned into a Washington driver's license. Unfortunately both of us missed the information on the web site about me also needing to prove I lived here. So it's back next week with proper documentation in hand.

Then we grabbed Mike and headed to the tag agency to get the van officially registered here. Yeah, more paperwork needed there as well.

In the end not much was actually accomplished today. Good thing my Saturday is only half over.

Tamara

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Friday, March 20, 2009

Slug and Friends

Today was a day off from work. I did some laundry and put food in the crockpot for dinner. I also got the opportunity to remember why I hate shopping for clothes. Hence, I came home with socks. Better luck next time. Then I chose to spend the rest of the afternoon getting reacquainted with Friends, the TV show that is. I recently purchased the entire series on DVD and spent a good couple of hours laughing. Made the day much better.

So now back to the updates, enjoy.

Elisa

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Thursday, March 19, 2009

The Day Before Friday

I'm sitting here trying to come up with something good to ramble about. Sad to say I'm coming up with nothin'. It's been a long week and I'm ready for Friday. How nice that it arrives tomorrow.

Tamara

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Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Spam

No, not the former trademark brand-name of a variety of luncheon meat called spiced ham. I'm talking about that ubiquitous rubbish that turns up in my email. Weird stuff. A bit comes via a yahoo group or two but most is directly addressed - probably still via yahoo groups with addresses culled by bots. It's the subjects that I find weird. Ok - there's the odd email (frequently entirely in upper-case) from somebody in Nigeria who can't spell for toffee but is just dying to give me anything from four to ten million dollars simply because I have a kind face (hah!!) if I'll just be completely stupid enough to send them my bank details or a fee of several thousand pounds. Those don't turn up that often these days. Then there are the ones that tell me Natasha a 26 year old from Russia is simply desperate to meet me (must be that kind face again) because she just knows I'm the man for her (boy is she in for a shock). Or the porn ones which always seem to say nothing but "great site click this link" - yeah right - my face looks kind but does it really look that stupid (do not answer thank you!!). These are all mildly amusing.

The ones that really make me laugh though (sometimes I'll even open them and read them just for extra chuckles) are the ones that offer to increase the length, girth or ability of a body part that I don't possess. The descriptions of what this wonder drug will do for my (non-existent) "manhood" or the various feats of human endeavour that I'll be able to perform with it are hysterical if you're in the right mood. Though sometimes I'm torn between wondering if men are really that insecure and wondering if they think that women really like to be "pounded through the bedsprings" or "impaled on a massive tool" (my mind always pictures a box of giant chisels for some reason). Men must be a lot more insecure than women. After all - none of the Spam ever offers me a wonder drug that will increase the size of a couple of body parts I do have. Not that I'd be interested. While I may not be particularly well-endowed in that area I've always thought that more than a mouthful is a waste... and on that note, enjoy your updates and have a good week.

Ze

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Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Paddy's Day

Happy Paddy's Day to those of you who are Irish or of Irish extraction. (And all those strange Yanks who celebrate even if they don't have a drop of Irish blood anywhere in their ancestry). I don't tend to celebrate, my mother was Irish, I'm English. Ok English with Irish blood. But I was born and bred in England and me Da was English. I have to admit I've always been a bit baffled by that American custom. You know the one where you aren't American. You're Irish-American or Italian-American or African-American or Polish-American - even if it's centuries since any of your ancestors were anywhere near wherever it is. It almost makes it seem you're ashamed of being simply American, you have to claim something else. Or that you're more proud of being that something else. Now I know that's not the case so don't shoot!! It's even more curious because I've never noticed anybody declare that they're English-American. English ancestry, sure. English descent, yep. (Much as I say I'm English with Irish ancestry). But never English-American. Maybe the English-Americans are ashamed of being English. Lord knows I can understand that.

Beautiful weather today. And yesterday. Sunny & spring-like. Got loads of work done. It's great now the days are drawing out. Longer hours of daylight means more overtime - and I need to start some serious saving. I'm scheduled to visit E & Tamara in September and so far I only have enough to afford airfare to somewhere in the middle of the Atlantic!! Maybe I should practice my rowing.

Ze

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Monday, March 16, 2009

Spring Time

As much as many folks are complaining about the up and down of our weather it's actually starting to feel more like Spring to me...as long as the weird snow that has been falling continues to melt. With the change in our daylight hours our evenings seem longer after work, it creates that sense of change. Feels good! I'm ready to work in the dirt and pull some weeds.

Short week for me as I took Friday off as a mental holiday (in desperate need). With tomorrow being the big green day, my daughter has an Irish Dance recital, which should eat up a large portion of work and be fun on top of it. Not much will get done at my desk however, leaving the rest of the week filled to the brim.

So to all you Irish celebrators tomorrow, be careful have fun and luck! Now back to your updates, enjoy.

Elisa

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Sunday, March 15, 2009

Spring?

I'm ready for it. This morning we woke up to snow. Granted, the snow was gone by 10:30 and replaced by rain. Now we've got a nice bit of sun going but it's 43 and windy. Brrrr.

Word from the crew who saw Race to Witch Mountain was that it was fun. As for Watchmen...I'm not really sure why that comic book series has always been longed for as a movie. The comic medium fit the tale perfectly. The movie was entertaining but not as good as the comic story. At least they didn't muck it up and make it totally unrecognizable from the source material.

I did get a big kick out of Jackie Earle Haley's portrayal of Rorschach. It's a shame that Alan Moore (writer of the Watchmen comic series) won't ever see the film. I think he would have been pleased seeing his creation brought to cinematic life so skillfully.

Tamara

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Saturday, March 14, 2009

Movie Day

I get to go to the exciting Race to Witch Mountain with the younger two while Tamara,Mike and Duncan finally get the opportunity to see Watchmen. To be honest I could care less about either, hence me taking the young'uns fits well. We just got done eating lunch now will wait for the next event...movies. Then come home eat leftovers and be slugs the rest of the night.

Tomorrow we'll do some basic chores and make sure Tamara gets in a haircut, other than that a nice slow weekend. Hope you all get the opportunity to enjoy some of it as well.

Back to the regularly scheduled fun.

Elisa

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Friday, March 13, 2009

Another Friday the 13th

I'm a little bit superstitious. For example...I have three watches. I wear one for a full week then I go to the next watch. When two of my watches ended up with dead batteries I was a little upset because I was going to have to wear a watch out of order. When nothing catastrophic happened I was relieved. Of course, once the batteries arrived from Ebay I went right back to my watch schedule.

Today is Friday the 13th. A day that many feel is unlucky. Not me. I got the day off from work. I picked up two weeks' worth of comics. I purchased tickets to the Emerald City ComicCon and got a buttload of clothes and rugs washed. I also managed to get both kids to tidy the living room at Mike's house. Duncan was supposed to do it on Saturday but it always ends in frustration. Mike is less than helpful when it comes to tidying his house. Duncan gets ticked off at him, mouths off and the fight begins. This way I've assured myself a peaceful Saturday.

So...this Friday the 13th has turned out to be a good one for me. Now I'll just keep my fingers crossed that the rest of the day goes as smoothly.

Tamara

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Thursday, March 12, 2009

All blank

Not many words from me tonight, hence enjoy your updates!

Elisa

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Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Nail-biting

I hate penalty shoot-outs. I really, really hate them. Especially when it's my team doing them. We're through to the quarter-finals but oh boy was it tense. I really hate penalty shoot-out. All four English teams made it through. Surprised the hell out of me. There are some good - no - some great teams in the quarters with us. I'm pessimistic about getting any further.

Got home early today. Since somebody broke the mini-digger yesterday we couldn't use it today. This meant all the work was done with hand-tools. Again!! The only bit I didn't like was clearing & levelling the bank. It was covered in primroses and it seemed such a shame to dig them all up. Once we'd done as much as was possible the boss said we might as well pack up. After checking that this would be paid time (very important to make sure of these things when you're a self-employed sub-contractor) we went. Happiness is sitting at home, starting a riot in a yahoo group and being paid at the same time.

Ze

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Tuesday, March 10, 2009

I swear...

it wasn't my fault. Honest. That is unless I'm such a disaster area that, in addition to my own calamities, I have a one-hundred-metre radius of doom that infects all around me. I wasn't the one operating the mini-digger (back hoe) when the motor over-heated and engine seized. And I wasn't the one operating the replacement digger when that threw a caterpillar track. So I can hardly be blamed for the fact that the aforementioned caterpillar track flew through the air, hit a pile of scaffolding poles and sent one spinning end-over-end like a tossed caber. Or that said pole then did a number on the windscreen of the boss' Mercedes while he was visiting the site, can I?? I didn't suggest parking there. In fact I told him it wasn't a good idea to park that close to the poles. I said if one of them slipped it might hit his car. So how is it that he's blaming me?? He said I made it happen by saying it might. He said I'm a self-fulfilling prophecy all of my own. He also said that I could stand stock-still. in the middle of an open field, totally silent and still cause an accident. He said if I wasn't such a damn' good worker he'd have the digger scrape out a trench to bury me in. And if his car didn't need a new (and expensive) windscreen he was going to give me a raise. Anybody know a good way to remove a digger-driver (and hide the body??)

Ze

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Monday, March 09, 2009

Better

Today went much better than I expected. Yesterday we did the spring forward and sometimes it can hurt. The kids were hard to get up and going this morning, which I expected. I made sure and got to bed nice and early so I'd be ready for the day.

I thought we might have some issues at school but the day went pretty smoothly. Nothing out of the ordinary for a Monday anyway. Short week for me (off Friday). It's nice to be well on my way to the week being done.

Tamara

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Sunday, March 08, 2009

American Car Company

I don't own one. And after having to deal with Tamara's this week I know why. I can also make assumptions about why they are in serious trouble with their future outlook.

Tamara's car contains a recalled item. She actually has a letter with all the appropriate numbers and such. The dealership doesn't give a shit about the letter since the car VIN number did not show up on the main web site, hence sorry, cough up the $500 dollars for something that we know is faulty.

I don't do well with that kind of stupidity so a letter was written to Chrysler LLC and perhaps in 6-8 weeks we can see her money returned. One way or another.... I'm confident that I will not buy an American vehicle and I can guarantee that no one in this family will return to that dealership for ANYTHING.

So now I'm done venting ...you all have a great night, and enjoy your updates.

Elisa

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Saturday, March 07, 2009

Wacky

It's snowing again. Glad we've got the fireplace going. We're more than ready for spring.

Enjoy 'em.

Tamara

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Friday, March 06, 2009

Ramble from phair

Phair once again shares.
TOTALLY F*CK*D

Even now as I think about it, I don't know how this year went so horribly wrong so soon. Hideous weather with snow accumulations climbing higher and higher in sharp contrast to my ever dropping 401K seemed to trigger the chain of disasters. The doc telling me surgery was not optional any longer AND it would be a three for one special was breaking news in January. Oh joy. Why stop the free fall into the abyss? Let's march into February.

Not to be left out of a national trend, my company lost its contract at the location I work days before my surgery. They didn't have another slot for me in any of their other locations. At the very last minute, the location bought my contract out. They tell me because they played such hard ball, the fee to keep me was half price. Great, just what a girl needs to know - she's on sale. But, the IRS doesn't think I'm a bargain. Nope, not at all. I'm a luxury item. It seems they will be needing 2K more from me PDQ, if I could be so kind.

Think it can't get worse. You'd be wrong, friend. In a whooping death blow from the left field, Fanta changed to all natural flavors. And, do you know what it tastes like? The outside of an orange peel - the part most of us don't use regardless of how good it might be for us.

So, tonight I sit here recuperating from multiple abdominal surgeries. The pain is easing and I have a job to go back to in a few days. Ordinarily, I'd be in bed by this time to help the healing process but I can't. I'm waiting for the heater guys to show up. A little while ago I notice the house getting colder and went exploring in my cellar to find the boiler is off...not boiling...silent...not heating...you get the drift. I guess this is how I roll this year.

It is my fondest wish this night finds your situation better than mine. If not, remember misery loves company.

phair


Okay folks, my suggestion is send some better luck her way. She could use the break. Have a great night and enjoy your updates.

Elisa

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