Happy birthday, Mam!

Today (December 19th) is my Mam's birthday. So, I wanted to wish her a very happy birthday!



Happy birthday, Mam! :)

Tori

Kero's korner: Christmas photos

Hi humans, it's Kero here!

Here are the Christmasy photos of me I promised you I would post once Mami got around to grabbing them off the camera and getting someone to sort them for us, which turned out to be my pal, Iggy!


Firstly, here are a couple of photos of me with my Mami, all dressed up...



The antlers I'm wearing are some Mami has had for several years. She didn't know she still had them, but Mamgu found them with the Christmas decorations when they were looking through them.

And here's the other photo... I was meant to be wearing a Santa hat, but it was so big on me it seems more like I'm wearing a scarf and ankle bracelets! Either way, I wasn't all that pleased to be wearing it. The antlers weren't so bad, but there was just too much hat for such a small dog!



If you want to see Willow's Christmas photos, then go and take a look at this post that she did a little while ago.

Anyway, I wont be doing a post next Friday, because Mami says that's when Santa Paws is coming, and I'll be too busy playing with - or chewing on - whatever he brings for me to bother with posting!

So, have a yappy Christmas!

Licks and sniffs,
Kero

The Golden Compass

"Young Lyra Belacqua is thrown into an adventure that takes her to the Arctic, and the company of witches and talking bears in this star-studded adaptation of the first of Philip Pullman's acclaimed trilogy."

(Above taken from this page)

This was another movie I watched recently, having wanted to see it for some time. I noticed while looking for a brief description of the movie that didn't actually tell you the plot, that many people were disappointed in the movie, and didn't enjoy it. Personally, I did enjoy it. I wonder if - perhaps - those who didn't have read the book? If so then that would make it understandable, because many people who read books then watch the films based on those books are disappointed by the movie. Anyway, I thought it was a really good movie. And, if the books are even half as good, then I know the books will be worth a read!

Tori

The Wishing Star

By ~Unknown Author~
As printed in "A Treasury Of Christmas Tales."

Davey looked out the window at the falling snow. Usually he loved snow, but today he was sad. It was Christmas eve, and the snow was so deep that it might ruin Christmas for Davey. Because of the snowstorm, Davey was afraid that his older brother Josh would never make it home for Christmas. "And I have such a special present for him," Davey said to himself. "If only he could get here!" With his best crayons, Davey had drawn a picture of the barn on their farm. He was going to give it to Josh for Christmas, to hang in his room at college. Davey turned away from the window with a sigh.
Just then, Dad called, "How about some help shoveling the driveway? We're going to try to make it in to town to finish our Christmas shopping. We also need to buy our Christmas tree, don't forget."
Davey ran to get his boots and coat. He followed Dad out in to the snow. He picked up his small shovel and set to work, while Dad used his bigger one. Helping Dad shovel the snow made Davey feel better. Soon, Dad and Mom and Davey were on their way to town.
Because of the snow they had to drive slowly. "I brought my picture for Josh with me," said Davey as they rode along. "Maybe I can find a frame to fit it when we get to the store."
"Good idea," said Mom. "I'll help you look."
When they got to the town, they went to the Christmas tree lot. Davey was the first one out of the car. He ran over to a beautiful, glossy, tall tree.
"Look at this one!" he shouted to Mom and Dad. "Josh will love this tree!"
Then he remembered. Josh probably wouldn't be home at all. Davey felt sad again. Mom and Dad came over to see the tree Davey had found.
"That's a great tree Davey," said Dad with a smile. "I think you're right. It's the one we should get."
Mom added, "And even if Josh doesn't get here to see it, he'd still be happy we had such a beautiful tree."
Later, at the store, Mom took Davey to the counter where the picture frames were sold. Davey looked at all the frames. Finally, he said, "I like this wooden one. It reminds me of the wooden barn in my picture."
The wooden frame was just the right size for his picture. Davey was very pleased. "I'm getting this just in case Josh makes it home for Christmas," he said.
Mom patted him on the shoulder. "I know how much you want Josh to be here tonight," she said, "but it is still snowing hard. I really don't think he'll make it. So you mustn't be too disappointed."
"At least I could wish he'd come," Davey said.
As they were about to leave the store, Davey saw a crowd of people. "What are all these people looking at?" Davey wondered. He ran to get a closer look.
Looking around the man in front of him, Davey could see what was at the center of the crowd. It was Santa! Children were sitting on Santa's lap and talking to him. "Can we get in line, please Dad?" begged Davey.
"Well, we're kind of in a hurry. We need to be home before the snow gets too deep," said Dad. "But since this is Santa, I guess we can spare the time."
Davey gave Dad a big thank-you hug, and ran to get in line. It seemed to take forever, but at last it was his turn.
When Davey climbed up on Santa's lap, Santa said, "well, well, and what would you like for Christmas?"
"I wish my brother Josh could get home for Christmas," Davey said. "But the snow is so deep that Mom and Dad don't think he can make it."
"I don't usually deliver people on Christmas eve, just toys," said Santa. "But, I'll tell you what. Tonight, before you go to sleep, make your wish on the biggest, brightest star in the sky. That's the wishing star."
"Will it really work?" Davey asked Santa.
"Well, you never can tell about wishes, so I don't make any guarantees," said Santa. "But it surely doesn't hurt to try!"
On the way home in the car, Davey saw that the snow was coming down harder and harder. When he and Mom and Dad were almost at the house, Davey talked about Santa's wishing star.
"We all make wishes every now and then," said Mom, "but sometimes they just can't come true."
"I'm going to try anyway," insisted Davey.
That night after dinner, Dad put the Christmas tree in its stand, and Mom and Davey joined him in decorating it with coloured lights and balls, and lots of tinsel. While they were working, Davey thought sadly, "it would be so great if Josh were here to see our beautiful tree."
Dad put the golden angel on the very top. "I think this is the best tree we've ever had!" he exclaimed.
Davey went over to the window and looked out. The snow had stopped falling. And there, right overhead, was a star Davey had never seen before. It was big, and bright, and sparling. It was the biggest and brightest star in the sky, just as Santa had said.
Davey looked at the star and said, "wishing star, please let my Christmas wish come true. I wish that Josh would come home tonight, so that we can all be together for Christmas." Then Davey closed his eyes, and wished as hard as he could.
Soon, Davey heard Mom's voice. "Time for bed, little one. If you go right to sleep, it will be Christmas morning before you know it."
Davey hung his stocking by the fireplace. He kissed Mom and Dad, and started up the stairs to his room. Just then, the three of them heard a sound just outside the front door.
"Who could that be?" asked Dad.
Suddenly, the door flew open, and there was Josh! Davey raced to the door, flung his arms around his brother, and gave him the biggest hug he could manage.
Josh had made it home after all. Davey's Christmas wish had come true!
Later that night, when Davey was in bed, he looked out his window. Sure enough, the wishing star was still high in the sky.
"Thank you, wishing star," he whispered. "I knew you could do it. You've made this my best Christmas ever!"


The end

Very sorry

I'm really sorry I've not been around much lately. I've had a lot going on, and - on top of that - I've not really felt much like blogging. I've spaced out movie reviews from movies I watched recently so as to provide posts on those days when something hadn't been scheduled, because I don't want people thinking I've abandoned my blog. Besides, even when I'm not going to be around, I like to have posts show up for every day on my blog! So, my appology is for neglecting your blogs, and for slowness in responding to comments. I have a few Christmas stories coming up, so I hope you enjoy those. Actually, apart from Saturday, there is something Christmasy planned for every day between today (see post below this one) and Christmas day. I hope you enjoy them all! I'll try to get on and catch up with blog posts, but I can't make any promises as to when that will be. As for catching you up on what's been going on... Well, I want to get Christmas out of the way before I do that properly, but I might see about catching you up on some stuff soon. We'll see how things go.

Enjoy whatever's left of your day... Stay safe, and - if it's as cold there as it is here - keep warm! :)

Tori

The Foolish Fur-Trree (LBE)

By Henry Van Dyke

"A tale that the poet Ruckert told
To German children, in days of old;
Disguised in a random, rollicking rhyme
Like a merry mummer of ancient time,
And sent, in its English dress, to please
The little folk of the Christmas trees."

A Little fir grew in the midst of the wood
Contented and happy, as young trees should.
His body was straight and his boughs were clean;
And summer and winter the bountiful sheen
Of his needles bedecked him, from top to root,
In a beautiful, all-the-year, evergreen suit.

But a trouble came into his heart one day,
When he saw that the other trees were gay
In the wonderful raiment that summer weaves
Of manifold shapes and kinds of leaves:
He looked at his needles so stiff and small,
And thought that his dress was the poorest of all.
Then jealousy clouded the little tree's mind,
And he said to himself, "It was not very kind
"To give such an ugly old dress to a tree!
"If the fays of the forest would only ask me,
"I'd tell them how I should like to be dressed,
"In a garment of gold, to bedazzle the rest!"
So he fell asleep, but his dreams were bad.
When he woke in the morning, his heart was glad;
For every leaf that his boughs could hold
Was made of the brightest beaten gold.
I tell you, children, the tree was proud;
He was something above the common crowd;
And he tinkled his leaves, as if he would say
To a peddler who happened to pass that way,
"Just look at me! don't you think I am fine?
"And wouldn't you like such a dress as mine?"
"Oh, yes!" said the man, "and I really guess
I must fill my pack with your beautiful dress."
So he picked the golden leaves with care,
And left the little tree shivering there.

"Oh, why did I wish for golden leaves?"
The fir-tree said, "I forgot that thieves
"Would be sure to rob me in passing by.
"If the fairies would give me another try,
"I'd wish for something that cost much less,
"And be satisfied with glass for my dress!"
Then he fell asleep; and, just as before,
The fairies granted his wish once more.
When the night was gone, and the sun rose clear,
The tree was a crystal chandelier;
And it seemed, as he stood in the morning light,
That his branches were covered with jewels bright.
"Aha!" said the tree. "This is something great!"
And he held himself up, very proud and straight;
But a rude young wind through the forest dashed,
In a reckless temper, and quickly smashed
The delicate leaves. With a clashing sound
They broke into pieces and fell on the ground,
Like a silvery, shimmering shower of hail,
And the tree stood naked and bare to the gale.

Then his heart was sad; and he cried, "Alas
"For my beautiful leaves of shining glass!
"Perhaps I have made another mistake
"In choosing a dress so easy to break.
"If the fairies only would hear me again
"I'd ask them for something both pretty and plain:
"It wouldn't cost much to grant my request,
"In leaves of green lettuce I'd like to be dressed!"
By this time the fairies were laughing, I know;
But they gave him his wish in a second; and so
With leaves of green lettuce, all tender and sweet,
The tree was arrayed, from his head to his feet.
"I knew it!" he cried, "I was sure I could find
"The sort of a suit that would be to my mind.
"There's none of the trees has a prettier dress,
"And none as attractive as I am, I guess."
But a goat, who was taking an afternoon walk,
By chance overheard the fir-tree's talk.
So he came up close for a nearer view;
"My salad!" he bleated, "I think so too!
"You're the most attractive kind of a tree,
"And I want your leaves for my five-o'clock tea."
So he ate them all without saying grace,
And walked away with a grin on his face;
While the little tree stood in the twilight dim,
With never a leaf on a single limb.

Then he sighed and groaned; but his voice was weak
He was so ashamed that he could not speak.
He knew at last that he had been a fool,
To think of breaking the forest rule,
And choosing a dress himself to please,
Because he envied the other trees.
But it couldn't be helped, it was now too late,
He must make up his mind to a leafless fate!
So he let himself sink in a slumber deep,
But he moaned and he tossed in his troubled sleep,
Till the morning touched him with joyful beam,
And he woke to find it was all a dream.
For there in his evergreen dress he stood,
A pointed fir in the midst of the wood!
His branches were sweet with the balsam smell,
His needles were green when the white snow fell.
And always contented and happy was he,
The very best kind of a Christmas tree.

(Above taken from this page)

Inkheart

Based on the book by Cornelia Caroline Funky

"Mortimer "Mo" Folchart and his 12-year-old daughter, Meggie, share an extraordinary gift for bringing characters from books to life when they read aloud. But there is a danger: when a character is brought to life from a book, a real person disappears into its pages. On one of their trips to a secondhand book shop, Mo locates a book he's been searching for since Meggie was three years old, when her mother, Resa, vanished into its mystical world. But Mo's plan to use the book to find and rescue Resa is thwarted when Capricorn, the evil villain of "Inkheart," kidnaps Meggie and, discovering she has inherited her father's gift, demands that she bring to life his most powerful ally, the Shadow. Determined to rescue his daughter and send the fictional characters back where they belong, Mo assembles a small group of friends and family--some from the real world, some from the pages of books--and embarks on a daring and perilous journey to set things right.

(Above taken from this site)

I watched this one Saturday too. It was pretty good, though I did feel they were in too much of a hurry to get to the big action scene at the end. I haven't actually read the book yet, so I'm hoping that - once I get a copy of the book so can do so - I find that's not the case with the book, and that they just did to Inkheart what they did to most of the Harry Potter books.

Tori

Dr. Seuss' Horton Hears a Who

"The imaginative elephant Horton hears a cry for help coming from a tiny speck of dust floating through the air. Suspecting there may be life on that speck and despite a surrounding community which thinks he has lost his mind, Horton is determined to help."

(Above taken from here)

Watched this one on Saturday afternoon. It was a really funny movie, and Dad and I both enjoyed it.


Tori

Christmasy decorations 2009

I just thought I would share a couple of photos of some of my favourite Christmas decorations.



And here's a photo of me covered in Christmas decorations, which was taken while Mam and I were putting up Christmas decorations last week.



For more Christmas decoration photos, check out this post on my Mam's blog.

Enjoy whatever's left of your day... Stay safe, and stay warm! :)

Tori

Fred Claus

"Fred Claus has lived his entire life in his brother's very large shadow. Fred tried, but could hardly live up to the example set by the younger Nicholas, who was just a perfect, well, saint. True to form, Nicholas grew up to be the model of giving, while Fred became the polar opposite: a fast-talking repo man who's run out of luck and money. Over Mrs. Claus' objections, Nicholas agrees to help his brother on one condition: that he come to the North Pole and earn the money he needs by working in Santa's Toy Shop. The trouble is that Fred isn't exactly elf material and, with Christmas fast approaching, Fred could jeopardize the jolliest holiday of the year."

(Above taken from here)

I watched this movie a couple of days ago. I really enjoyed it. I do enjoy most Christmas movies, actually, but there you go! Anyway, it was funny in places, touching in others. A good movie to add to your Christmas movie collection - if you have one - I think! I'd be happy to add it to mine anyway!

Tori

Kero's korner: decorations and photos

Hi humans, it's Kero here!

I don't know why - although, I think it's something to do with Santa Paws coming soon, since I think something like this happened before he came last year - but the humans have been putting up all kinds of strange decorations. Some make noises, some have lights, and others just seem to sit there doing nothing. It's those that just sit there I don't understand the point behind. They've been passing out cards too. Willow and I both got cards, so I thought I better have Dadi help me write some for people. Mami says she and Mamgu added my name on a few she's sending out though, so that will save me some work. I'm not too good with a pen, after all... It's the lack of thumbs, you know? Anyway, Mami and Mamgu are sorting photos of the decorations. I don't know when Mami will be ready to post them though. I suppose it depends on when she gets around to getting them off the camera, since she's so far done nothing towards sorting that. The photos that were taken of Willow and I are still on the camera too... That's why I'm not posting them today. I was going to, but if they're not even off of the camera, how can I?

OK, I will let this do for now, since the word "garden" has just been mentioned, and I don't want to miss out on an oppertunity to go outside and have a good sniff about. Especially since it's not actually raining at the moment, so I have a chance of some time in the garden without getting too wet!

Licks and sniffs,
Kero

Random question: The Christmas spirit

Many of us are struggling to get into the Christmas spirit. Partly due to things going on in our lives, and partly due to a dislike of how commercialized Christmas has become. This is completely understandable. But, ask yourselves this... What is the Christmas spirit, really?

I'm as guilty as the next person of failing to find the Christmas spirit this year. But - after much thought on the subject - I find myself wondering if the real reason for this is, rather than a result of the commercialization of the holidays and the greed of mankind, all my own doing? Is it really how others are behaving towards Christmas that is stopping many of us getting in to the Christmas spirit? Or is it, perhaps, more due to our own lack of enthusiasm for such things as charity donations, visits to the elderly, etc? Or, perhaps, due to the realisation that - though many people make an effort to help others at this time of year - throughout the rest of the year very few people keep up the spirit of giving that used to be associated with Christmas? Perhaps it's even a combination of the above? Or even something else entirely?

What do you think?

Tori

The Chronicles Of Narnia: Prince Caspian

"The Pevensie siblings return to Narnia, where they are enlisted to once again help ward off an evil king and restore the rightful heir to the land's throne, Prince Caspian."

Click here for the full synopsis.

I watched this earlier today, having wanted to watch it since it was in the pictures last year. I think it was last year? It's the new version. Anyway, it was really good, and I enjoyed watching it!

Tori

Enchanted

"A classic Disney fairytale collides with modern-day New York City in a story about a fairytale princess who is sent to our world by an evil queen. Soon after her arrival, Princess Giselle begins to change her views on life and love after meeting a handsome lawyer. Can a storybook view of romance survive in the real world?"

(Above taken from here)

I watched this tonight, and enjoyed it. It's a good movie... Especially if you're a fan of romantic comedies.

Tori

Rainy days and Mondays

Today is a rainy day, and a Monday. Actually most days have been rainy days lately. Mondays or not!

Mam and I both had to go to town today to run a couple of errands, so we ended up getting quite wet. That's nothing new these days though. I can't even remember the last day that it was dry for a whole 24 hour period at one go! The longest we've had recently is a couple of hours without rain.

Apparently November was the wettest month since records began. Well, I don't know if that's true or not... After all, I wasn't there recording rain fall levels for every single month from the start. In fact, I wasn't even doing so last month. But, anyway, I think December is trying to claim that title. Only, December is colder too! So we have the cold temperatures, and the rain. Not to mention the wind, hail and storms. Aren't we the lucky ones? Still no sign of snow though! :(

I'll get caught up on blogs tomorrow or something. Sorry... Too tired tonight.


Hugs and get well wishes to all in need of them!

Tori

Sunday's short scribble

It's Sunday today, and we're already almost a whole entire week in to December! Can you believe it?

We started putting Christmas decorations up today. We haven't done them all, but we've done a large chunk of them. When they're all done I'll see what I can do about getting photos for anyone interested in seeing them. There should be Christmasy themed photos of Kero and Willow soon too.

I'm mostly ready for Christmas, but am quite behind on sending out Christmas cards and such. By this time last year many of them had already arrived with people, but this year... Just don't ask! I really don't know where this year's gone, to be honest. It seems like just yesterday it was my birthday, but it was like three weeks ago that I had my birthday! Where did those three weeks go???

I guess whoever controls the planet speed didn't hear our plee for the speed to be decreased! ;)

Since I don't really have anything else I want to blog about today, I'd like to be able to say something along the lines of, "I hope you are all happy and healthy," and then to sign off with my usual, "enjoy whatever's left of your day!" But I know many of you are struggling with one thing or another, so instead I'll say, "I hope things improve for you soon!" And then I'll send huggs to those who need them.... And those who don't as well, because you can never have too many hugs, and hugs always help... Even if it's just a tiny bit! And get well wishes to those who need those too!


Tori

Quiz: What does your Christmas say about you?

Your Christmas is Modern

Your wish for the New Year is more happiness. For you, Christmas is secular holiday. Religion doesn't play a big part in it. You are patient when it comes to Christmas. You don't celebrate too early, and you don't like seeing holiday decorations in October. You like Christmas traditions, but you're not uptight about them. You do things your way. You like to celebrate Christmas your own way, and you don't like to have to compromise. You enjoy Christmas more than anyone you know. Some might call it an obsession! You like giving to your friends and family during Christmas. You focus on the people you're close to.

What Does Your Christmas Say About You?

Happy birthday Grandad

Today is my Grandad's birthday... Happy birthday Grandad!



(The photo in this post was taken during the trip Mam and I made to visit Grandad at the end of August).

Tori

Kero's korner: my time with Willow

Hi humans!

I've been spending lots of time with Willow lately. She has some fun toys, so I played with some of them. I ate some of her treats as well... Mostly rawhide, I think. I did find a bone too, but we argued over that and the humans took it away, which neither of us thought was right. But all of the humans agreed it was the best thing to do, so we had to just put up with it. It's so unfair! Humans think they get to do what they want, just because they can walk on their hind legs and have more flexible paws than we do. Don't they know it's meant to be what we want that goes?


Anyway, I gave in and played with Willow a bit. I don't bounce about much, but she seems to want to do it almost all the time. I really don't know where all this energy she has comes from! I didn't have half that energy when I was her age! I get tired just watching her sometimes. But I figured I'd play with her for a while. We had a good bounce about, then I took a nap on the back of the sofa while she threw a teddy around the room, then caught it again. It was my teddy, but Mami said to leave her to it, because - apparently - Santa Paws is coming soon, and he's supposed to be bringing more toys. So that's OK. If I remember rightly, he brings treats too! I'm sure that's what happened last year. I think Mami said he comes in three weeks.

I had walkies with Willow too. We walked by her house, so I had lots of stuff to sniff that I haven't sniffed in a very long time. It was nice to have doggy company for my walkies. Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't trade Mami's company for anything, but having another dog along for the walk is just awesome! I mean, if it weren't for her, I'd have missed a good sniffing spot this morning! Humans just don't notice things like that. I think it's those funny little noses you humans have... They just don't smell things as well as doggy noses do. It's not your fault. In fact, I feel sorry for you humans... You miss out on so many good smells with those tiny little noses.


Oh yeah, and I also taught Willow how to tell the humans when someone's at the door. She didn't know you were meant to bark when someone knocked at the door, or rang the doorbell. It's OK though, she does now. I bet Mamgu and Dadci are really pleased with me for teaching her that! Now they'll never miss knowing someone's at the door... Especially with that big, booming bark Willow has!

OK, well, I want to grab a quick nap before food time, so I'll let this do for this week.

Licks and sniffs,
Kero

Westie magnet

The above photo is of a birthday present I was given slightly late. In case you can't tell, it's a magnet in the shape of a Westie's head. I just thought I'd share a photo of it on here for the benifit of anyone interested in seeing it. I meant to post this sooner, but I've had a lot of stuff I've wanted to post first, so it's only today that I'm actually getting around to posting it.

Enjoy whatever's left of your day! Stay safe, and stay warm!

Thanks Eleri!

Tori

Calenders, my weekend, etc (LBE)

It's the first of December today, and you know what that means, right? Yep... Advent calenders start today! What? It's tradition! Since I've been old enough for them I think I've only ever missed one Christmas, and that was because I left it too late and couldn't find one anywhere! But every year since then I've grabbed one as soon as they're in the shops. I've had this year's advent calender - which is a Winnie The Pooh one - since early to mid October. LOL! And Mam helped me put braille numbers on it yesterday so that I can find the right doors myself, because finding the right door for each day is part of the fun... That's why they're all jumbled up!

Anyway...

As anyone who's been reading my blog since Friday will know, we spent the weekend at my parents' place.


We didn't do much on Friday, but on Saturday Mam and I went out for a large part of the day. It should have only been a couple of hours, but we ended up doing a couple more things than planned, plus we ended up having something to eat while we were out, since it was passed lunch time, we hadn't eaten since breakfast, and we still had a couple more things to do before going back to their place.

We went to Asda to check the price of Sky boxes, because I'm helping them put their Sky back on, but they need another box, and the person I talked to from Sky hardly spoke English, so I couldn't figure out what she was trying to say. Anyway, Asda sells accessories for the boxes (controls, new leads, etc) but they didn't seem to have the boxes. So we decided to go to Currys, because they deal with people like Sky and such, so they could give us a straight answer. And they did too! The Sky is being set up on December 8th. We were only checking prices and planning on waiting until after the new year, but they had an offer we wanted to take advantage of, and it ends just after Christmas (I believe the actual date is December 28th).


Then we went to Borders, and... Well, you can read my second Saturday post to see what happened there. It ended with Mam getting an audiobook for me for Christmas, and me having one for now. I got "The Borrowers" by Mary Norton. I did pick the Christmas one myself, but I can't remember what it was called. Which is good really, because then it will still sort of be a surprise. :)

After that we went and had something to eat in Tescos cafe, then did a couple of bits of shopping in Tescos. Then we went back to our place to fetch something, and ended up staying for a while talking to Eleri. And, after that, we had to go back to Tescos again, because we'd forgotten something. Well, at least we remembered then! Then we went back to my parents' place.

On Sunday, Mam and I started cleaning up their spare room ready for when Carl and Rachel come to stay for Christmas. Then she helped me play on her Nintendo Wii for a while. Turns out I'm quite good at pitching for her baseball game, and at bowling. In fact, the bowling game I can basically play by myself once she's got me through the main menu. I just need someone to do that bit and tell me my score at the end. I played the bowling game again Monday morning. I managed to almost catch up with her high score, and earned a silver medal on the bowling game for it. Mam's high score is 567, mine is 524! I think I got a bit over enthusiastic though, because my right arm started aching yesterday afternoon, and it's really killing me this morning. I am known for getting a bit too enthusiastic when weilding bats and balls of any kind though. And the last time I went bowling for real, I got so enthusiastic I ended up sliding a little way down the lane after the ball, and had to crawl as best I could close enough to the end to grab Kelly's hand and have him pull me up, because I couldn't stand up. LOL! And the last time I played a game involving a bat and a ball, I missed the ball and hit the poor dog instead. I didn't do any damage to anything during the short time I was trusted with the Wii baseball bat though. But we think that's because there was no actual ball for me to try and hit, and I just had to concentrate on the swing. Dad did ask that I stay more towards Mam's ornaments than his though, since it was her idea to let me use the bat itself. LOL!

I think that just about covers the weekend. We were going to walk the dogs, but it was absolutely pouring with rain, and not even they were interested in going for a walk. They only showed half-hearted interest even when their leads were touched, and when they saw the rain they lost even that bit of interest in the idea. So we didn't bother. I mean, they have a big garden there, and why get soaked when even the dogs don't want to set a single paw out of the door?

So, let me see... What else has been going on? Well...

The weather has been awful! Basically, rain, rain, and... Oh yes, that's right... More rain, of course! With the odd dry spell, thunder storm and hail shower thrown in! And this weekend we started getting proper frosts, especially first thing in the morning and last thing in the evening.


As you'll know if you've read the craft update I posted yesterday, I've been extremely busy with crafts lately. I've finished most of the projects I had that I wanted to make. I just need to make a couple more things that are to do with the handmade giveaway thing, and a couple of bits I promised to make for a family friend. Then I can see about making the couple of items I wanted to make for myself. After that, I may make a couple of bits and see if I can sell them on ebay. ;)

I seem to have achieved something resembling a sleep pattern. How long it will last is anyone's guess, but for now I'm managing a good 6 to 8 hours a night, and it is actually at night too! :)

And I've been joining in with the roleplaying sessions, since I don't mind an odd game, and the campaignes do sound interesting. Roleplaying is postponed until after the holidays now though, because this side of Christmas most people just don't have the time to fit sessions in, and - in the case of the GM (that's Games Master, for anyone who doesn't know) - do the necessary prep work for each session. So we decided it would be best for everyone if it was postponed for now. Which gives me more time to get around to getting more dice. I do have a set... It's a purple set I got from Kelly. He didn't actually buy it for me though. It was his, and I swapped it with him for the set I had originally, which I've had since I was about 8 or 9. I wouldn't have swapped it normally, but Kelly's set was purple! It doesn't give me enough dice for most of the systems though, so I need to go get some more. Bet I can't get any more purple ones though! Well, if that's the case, I'll have to just get what I can and put up with it.

I've not really been playing on Valhalla though. Carl (my brother) and I did have a couple of Saturday morning sessions together, but various other things kept happening, so we ended up only doing that for a couple of weeks before abandoning the idea, and I haven't really been on there since. I've been too busy doing other things. As it is I'm often not getting to blogs each day. It really is a good game, but it will still be there when I'm ready to play. Besides, Carl is spending a lot of time on another mud (multi user dungeon) type game he's found, so he's not exactly missing me while I'm not on Valhalla. In fact, until the next time we play together, when he realises I haven't really levelled up, he probably wont even realise I'm not playing... He could just think that I just haven't gotten around to updating my characters on Dad's forum. Well, unless he reads this, because if he does then he'll know for sure I've not been on. But he very rarely comes and reads my blog, so I doubt he'll read this post.

I have no idea what I'll be doing today. Well, I know I need to make bread, because I didn't bother when we got home yesterday (it was close to dinner time, so I didn't expect we'd need any last night) and we don't have any. But other than that? *Shrugs* I'll probably go and listen to some audiobooks and work on some more of those craft items I need/want to make. I do have a few audiobooks to listen to still from the ones Iggy sent me... Thanks again for those, Iggy... Plus I now have "The Borrowers" to listen to. So, unless something else I need to do crops up, I expect that's what I'll do. Either that, or I'll carry on working on getting the Christmasy posts I have planned for this month scheduled. No, I'm not telling you about them yet. I will soon though... Honest! Or, perhaps I'll do a bit of both? Work on posts for a bit, make bread, then go and listen to audiobooks while working on crafts? Yes, that sounds like a plan!

OK, well, I think that's all I want to say for now. Anything else either can - or needs to - wait a while.

I hope you are all happy and healthy!

Enjoy your day! Stay safe, and stay warm! :)

Tori