The Friday 5

In honor of William Shakespeare’s birthday, here are this week’s questions!


In A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Lysander says,
“Ay me! for aught that I could ever read,
Could ever hear by tale or history,
The course of true love never did run smooth…” How has this proven (or not proven) to be the case in your life?
 My true love, runs truer than any river.  I met him, I loved him. I still love him, I will always love him.
In Hamlet, the title character says, “Frailty, thy name is woman!” Who in your life has proven this not to be true? And if you’re willing to share, who in your life has proven this to be completely true?
I am frail. I just proved it to myself, by breaking under a bit of pressure at home and work, and had to lock myself in the loo. Pathetic.   On the other hand, sometimes, in fact, the majority of times, I amn't frail at all. I'm the strongest person I know. 
In The Merry Wives of Windsor, Pistol says,
“Why then the world’s mine oyster,
Which I with sword will open.” Ignoring the possible sexual meaning here, how do you feel about oysters?
Disgusted. They are snot in a shell. 
In The Merchant of Venice, Lorenzo says,
“The man that hath no music in himself,
Nor is not mov’d with concord of sweet sounds,
Is fit for treasons, stratagems, and spoils.” Do you agree, and have you known anyone who seemed to be completely unmoved by any kind of music?
No one. Everyone, even my husband who insist he is tone deaf, and sings flat, enjoys a bit of music, and has been know to be heard to sing. 
Is Shakespeare overrated, or is he truly the western world’s greatest writer?
No he isn't over rated, but if he had written in modern English, more people would have appriecated him. 

Sunday Stealing

Sunday Stealing: The Meme Time Meme

01. Real First Name:  Helen

02. Birthday:  30th April 1964

03. Where do you live: Troon, Ayrshire

04: What are you studying/What are you working as: Business Administrator

05. What makes you happy:  Life

06. What are you listening to now/have listened to last:  Meatloaf, strangely

07. What is particularly good/bad about your blog:  I don't update regularly, or be interesting enough.

08. An interesting fact about you:  I don't have a womb.

09. Are you in love/have a crush at the moment:  Yes Indeedy

10. Favorite place to be:  By the Water

11. Favorite lyric:   You to Me are Everything....

12. Best time of the year:  October

13. Weirdest food you like:  I don't really do weird.

RECOMMEND

01. A film:    Hearts and Souls. (If you love Robert Downey, and Want to cry happy)

02. A book:  The World According to Garp, By John Irving

03. A song:  How Men Are, Aztec Camera.

04: A band:  Biffy Clyro

PLUS

01. One thing you like about a blogger that you have not met:  Elle Dubya - Her Faith is Astounding

02. Two things you like about yourself:  My Love of Life, and my hair

03. Name three things that you need in a lover:  Warmth, Laughter, and Hugs

I'm staying out for the summer

Okay - Amazingly, yesterday. APRIL 10th. We had first BBQ. 


Amazing.  Steak, Sausage, Salad, Coleslaw, Potato Salad, Yummer.


The sky is blue, and it is hard to believe that 5 weeks ago it was snowing. Infact I think it was snowing closer than that. 


Life goes on huh!  I'm a bit sad that we didn't get Nunk home, cause I could have lost a fair bit of weight shoving him up and down the beach road in a chair! ;-)

So polite, you're busy still saying please

So, Sunday.  

Two weeks now since events kicked in motion probably the most emotionally exhausting week of my life.   Two weeks, which feel like a life time, but at the same time, strangely feel like the shortest time that has had the most happen in it. 

I'm wondering, now if, as my Cous Linda said, maybe my keeling over on Thursday was actually down to the emotion of it all.  I was rubbish.  from 9.30 pm on Wednesday night. My throat started hurting. Two cups of hot water with honey.  No joy.  Thursday woke up - Aching all over, throat like broken glass.  Couldn't swallow.   How many Beechams Flu Capsules can you take in one day?  Many many many, added to that, Coproxamol and Night Nurse.  Oh yes. I was well doped up. 

The Cremation was as nice as a cremation can be.  A coming together of family who should really come together more often, but as days are now, and lives are - we are all too far apart and too busy.  The minister was lovely and had written a lovely piece, and even managed to make me smile.  

South Beach Hotel laid on a lovely high tea. Sandwiches, Scones, Cake and Sausage Rolls.  We had time to catch up with family and old friends, and raise a cup to the Nunk. 

Today the sun is shining and life moves on.  It's harsh, but it's real.  I just did a search with the shiney new Windows 7, on Nunk, and was confronted with a whole lot of images I had forgotten I had.  So, maybe physically he is gone, but in our hearts, and in the bloody computer... he lives forever.

An Easy Opt out

I've had a rough week, I' can't think too much, or too hard. 

Open up your library (iTunes, Winamp, Media Player, iPod, etc.)
2. Put it on shuffle
3. Press play
4. For every question below type the song that’s playing. When you go to a new question, press the next button
6. No repeat artists…stuff happens (randomly!!)
7. No cheating or doctoring your list to make yourself look cooler than the person you took this from.

Opening Credits:  I Can Dream About You, Dan Hartmann

Song for a Winter’s Night: Welcome to the 60's John Travolta, Nicki Blonski

First Day of School: Let Forever Be, The Chemical Brothers
Falling in Love:  In a Big County, Big Country

Breaking up: One too Many Mornings, The Chemical Brothers
Prom:  The Mountains of Navaho, Scouting for Girls
Life’s OK:  Beyond the Sea, Bobby Darrin
Mental Breakdown:   Angels, Robbie Williams

Driving:   I feel for you... Chaka Khan

Flashback:   Black Eyed Boy, Texas
Getting Back Together:   Coming Up Easy, Paolo Nutini
Wedding Scene:  Do that to me one more time, Captain and Tenile

Sex Scene:   Bright Idea, Orson  (ha ha ha)

Shelter:  Oh What a Night, Four Seasons
Birth of Child:  Grow old with you, Adam Sandler (that nearly made me cry)
Final Battle:  Adult Education, Hall and Oates
Death Scene: Clothes Off, Gym Class Heros, Ft Patrick Stump
Funeral Scene: Back to Hell, Alkaline Trio

End Credits: I Will Follow, U2

Baby, Baby. Where did Our Love Go?

A week ago today, we were all sat laughing and giggling over tea, and playing at home with organs!

In the hours that came, just after a lovely evening meal, events unfolded that changed lives and stopped one heart beating for ever.  Nant hadn't been happy with Nunk in the afternoon, and when she left, promised to phone and let me know what the hospital said.  Sadly the hospital had already phoned when she got in.  They wanted her at the hospital and they wanted her quickly. 

We dropped everything and ran, well drove.  We left Sarah (sorry Sarah) in Prestwick as we drove on down to the Hospital at the far side of Ayr.  I thought we were never going to get there.  Nant and I ran in, praying we were in time.   Both of us had a little wobble in the lift, and then again when the auxilliary stopped us in the corridor.  Thankfully he was still with us, and better than that, he was sitting up in bed, giving cheek to the nurse who was sitting with him.   Nant gave him a big cuddle and then left to speak with the nurse, I sat with him, holding his hand, tears streaming down my face. "oh Nunk, what are you doing to us".  He just shook his head and told me that it was time.  That the infection in his foot was spreading and he just didn't want to fight any more.  Si and Steven arrived from the car park, and we all sat with him, as he continually fought with the nurses wanting to have his feet out the bed!

Eventually he settled, and Si and Steven left for the night. Nant and I settled down to a night by his bed.   In the morning we realised that we had to make calls.  We had to tell the rest of the family, but in doing so we knew we were acknowledging the inevitable. 

He didn't really speak again until my cousin arrived from the Isle of Man - only 5 hours after we phoned her.  He woke, and said "hello darling"

But still I be myself, I don't want-a to change a t'ing, Shutupadaface!

Difficult week, but a fulfiling one. 

I spent time with people I love and loved. 

Didn't sleep a whole lot, and said goodbye to a very speical person.

I didn't realise that death wasn't always something to be feared. 

It can be a celebration of life.

And this death was. 

Night Night Nunk. 

The Friday 5

Hello, and welcome to this week’s Friday 5! Please copy these questions to your webspace. Answer the questions there, then leave a comment below so we’ll all know where to check out your responses. Please don’t forget to link us from your website!
This week’s questions are in honor of big goings-on in the United States this weekend (not only Easter, but the NCAA basketball tournaments too).


What is your laundry basket like?
Full to overflowing.  Like my life. 

What in your life is threatening to go to hell in a handbasket?
Nothing. Is only life, why let things get to you in that way?

What was the occasion for your receiving your last gift basket, and what was in it?
I got a "basket" of flowers.  To cheer me after a death.  I passed one on to cheer someone else, and kept the other.

When could you last have been described as a basket case?
Today, yesterday and tomorrow

How’s your bread basket?
Kind of Floppy, well used, and has baked two buns.

Something in the way she mooooooos

Yes, Moo's.

I think that is a far more profound lyric, than moves...

I am a bit at tens and sevens.  I am going out today, on my own, to meet with people I have spoken with only on the interweb .  My daughter is concerned that I haven't researched them properly and  that I may be going out to meet with a sixty year old paedophile.   If that is the case, he is going to be sorely disappointed.

I know that they are all lovely people, I have seen photos from previous meets they have had. I always say I will go, and then find something else to distract me at the last moment.  I have a fear of people and open spaces.  

I am my own worst enemy and the interweb, is my greatest friend.  It allows me to be open, frank and friendly with total strangers and completely remove myself from personal interaction.   I have always been like this, and people who do meet me, think I am outgoing and the life and soul of the party, but it kills me. It seriously kills me.  

Once a person, told a rare friend that she thought I avoided work nights out because I was scared I would get paralytic drunk and embarass myself.  Maybe it was true, but it is not something I have done frequently, and certainly not with her.   it was only because I seen her doing the same thing repeatedly at nights out, and I often wondered to myself if perhaps everyone felt the same way about mixing in public, and her display of indecency was her way of dealing with it. 

Suffice to say, I am taking the plunge today.  These are good people who are gathering altogether to say hello.  I'm sure it matters not a jot to them whether I turn up or not, but I want to.  I want to be able to do this, go in and say hello and enjoy myself.

I shall report back later.

I dream to sleep, I sleep to dream

Hello, and welcome to this week’s Friday 5! Please copy these questions to your webspace. Answer the questions there, then leave a comment below so we’ll all know where to check out your responses. Please don’t forget to link us from your website!

How many hours’ sleep do you need in order to be at your best, and what’s the minimum you can get on a regular basis and still be functional?
12?  I love sleep, I can't get enough. If I could get away with going to bed at 8.30 and getting up at 8.30 I would be happy. As it is, 10,30 is about the earliest, on a busy day, and 7 is when we HAVE to get up. 

What’s your favorite sleeping position?
Curled foetally into the back of my husband, dribbling down his back!


What was the cause of your most recent difficulty sleeping?
A Very sore back. I slipped a disc, and for 2 weeks I pretended I hadn't. I didn't want to go to doctors because i thought it was something VERY, very serious.  Thankfully when I did eventually go, I was so relieved that it was only this, and found that the drugs do work!


When you can’t seem to drift off to sleep right away, what are some things you do to bring about sleep?
  Meditate.  I practise Reiki and I have found that a simple meditation will send me off to sleep without a problem.


When did you last doze off at an inappropriate time or in an inappropriate place?
When I worked in Glasgow and had my own office. I have the most amazing ability to fall asleep anywhere, and I really really did need a nap. I just propped my Chin on my elbows and fell into a deep sleep.  Someone opening the door 45 minutes later woke me up, and they were very apologetic because they thought they had disturbed me "working hard" ha ha ha ha.

Where did I go wrong, I lost a Sock

http://socksforhappypeople.com/ 

Launch today! 

They have been keeping me entertained all week with their amusing Tweets and Blogs!   Also, environmentally and economically aware.  Lovely, Lovely idea of "Buy One Give One Free". -Camel socks to children in mongolia who live on the streets and are prone to frost bite.

Check in and have a wee look.

Two Chappies with lovely hearts!

We Can leave Your Friends Behind....

We were left behind.  The boys all went to Las Vegas, purportedly to "conference", me thinks casinos, restaurants and fun is more on the cards.

I have tried to remained focussed, but am not.  Have piddled around.  So today I have to knuckle down and work really hard. 

Boy went out for a night out in Glasgow I lay away a long time wondering if I would get the "can you bail me out " phone call.  As it turns out they never left the flat..... they didn't leave their friends behind.

Jeez. I don't know about working. I could do with sleeping.

Is still raining.  I thought it was suppose to brighten up today.... humph.  Wet Washing Abounds.

When You Read you begin with Doh, Ray, Me

I just found the most fantastic Blogger....http://crochet-mania.blogspot.com/    OMG. I so wish that I had thought about actually looking for a sensible human being before who could show me how to crochet beautiful thing!

My Crochet pants, which, although beautiful are now a thing of the past, unless of course I crochet pants with flowers on them.

Am off now to pratise crochet flower! AM SOOOOO EXCITED. Thank you CrochetMania!

Friday 5 Lovely Jubly

Check in on Friday 5.... and leave a comment

Answers Coming Soon!

I don’t know about you, but I just hate smalltalk, and I’m no good at it. I actually had to teach myself, when I was in college, how to respond properly to such pleasantries as, “It’s nice to meet you” and “I’ve heard a lot about you.” For this week’s questions, how about giving a thoughtful (or sarcastic, or whatever) answer to these too-oft-asked chit-chat questions?

“Come here often?”
I come here, (being my work desk) 5 days per week.  This is actually quite reasonable all things considered.  That works out at 2 days holiday per week, which I like a lot. I fully appreciate that a lot of people work shifts and / or 6 day weeks, so I am totally fortunate that I have a job which is 8 hours a day, monday to friday, and my coming in and leaving varies daily.  I also have 9 bank holidays and 25 days holidays to day! Jees That is just amazing.  I used to work somewhere which had 20 days holidays.... Full stop.  I managed to talk them into upping us to 28 days, by the time I left, but that was kept rather quiet, so I tended to be the only person to make use of all the days available! tee hee.

“What’s new?”
Am looking round my desk, and thinking newest thing is probably my Ipod. And that is a year old. Am very pleased with my new found scrimping and savingness. I am trying to make as much money as possible to give me kids the best they can possibly have.  No 1 Child to USA and No 2 Child to Oxford. So for a while.... there will be nothing new for me.

“Wet / Windy / Cold / Hot enough for ya?”
I love the weather. Today it is mostly sunny / windy / cold.  Ayrshire is like that. We have all four seasons in one day and I love it.  I don't like getting wet, mainly because my hair is of that mad Scottish Type where it just frizzes up and looks awful. However, since I left the house this morning without even looking in a mirror, I believe I could get wet today and possibly look better!

“How’s it hangin?”
Mostly to the left. Is what people say to me.  With me, everything is kinda hanging low.  Boobs are drooping, belly is drooping, butt probably is too, but since I have a sore back, I can't get my head into a position to check it. However, having written that down in all honestly I will conscienciously work towards improving the situation and finding a brazier which holds me up, and a pair of tight fitting pants which hold me in.  No seriously. I will stop eating and walk more.

“How ’bout them  - Or the Scottish Version, "Which foot do you kick with"?”  
This is an element of Scotland I hate.  You are either Green or Blue, or Left or Right.   They have no football team for Jedi unless you count Partick Thistle, because they also are of another world.   Sport in Scotland, no I will re-phrase that. Football in Scotland is actually about religion. Despite what everyone says, your football team shows your "allegiance" to a Religion which is grounds for you to kick hell out of anyone who doesn't "kick with the same foot".   I refuse to have any interest in any of it - the odd occassion I have glanced in the direction of league football in Scotland I am horrified by the general lack of skill, and the communication skills of the players.   Mr Beckham may squeak, but at least I understand what he is saying.

 

Thanks for participating, and have a pleasant weekend!

Get my kids up make breakfast 1 egg 2 toast 3 weetabix

Trying to think what to have for lunch is a trauma. 

Yesterday I had a bag of Kettle crisps, but I think that was a result of the migraine which left me needing salt, salt and more salt.  That wasn't good.

Today, I have had Cous Cous. Moroccan Style. I think I have ate too much.

Sandwiches give me a sore back. (Bread related)

Wraps go soggy Quick.

Link Sausage Sarnies are GORGEOUS but essentially fat machines.

chocolate would be a good option, but not healthy.

Hmmm.

Oh My God I Can't believe it

I woke with a migraine this morning. I took a pill at 6 am. and contemplated how long it would take for pill to kick in and let me get up and get back about life.

I got out of bed at 9.30 imagining that 1010 train was feasible.  I don't know why but when I have a migraine, all rational thought goes out the window.  So I go downstair, and have a bacon buttie. And a cup of tea. Then I have a shower, by which time it is 10 and I have as much hope of getting that 1010 train as a cold shower in hell.

I phone mum.  She was going out!  I dry hair and phone Nant, and I say, can you run me to station in Troon. She says yes.  I run out of door. Hair half dried, and half straightened. I'm looking good. My trousers. (Which I couldn't get into 2 months ago) are on, but slightly cutting my butt in half. Thank fully I have loose and long top on.  I run the half mile to Aunt's house - down the road, up to the station, up and over the bridge. Through the tunnel, wondering why on earth people have had a bonfire in the inside of the tunnel?? Reach Nants, and realise, she has left her house and driven round to get me. 

What to do?  I was too confused  - I stood at end of street, and thought?  Mmmm Wish I had bought Nant a mobile last week when I was looking at them. Damn and Blast.

Eventually she found me! She had been at the house and the Station twice.... She was shouting at me telling me that she would run me to Ayr cause she made me miss the train, but I insisted train was good and time was not important.   She is such a sweetheart, I felt bad for upsetting her, but my head just can't get organised of a migraine day.

Friday 5. On a Friday. Seriously!

 www.friday5.org




When was the last time you had a serious deadline to make, and did you make it?
Last Friday when I was supposed to answer these questions, and no I didn't make it.  My week had been frantic.  And my personal time was of a premium. Laying comatose on couch was preferable. 


Do you generally plan for deadlines, or are they more likely to sneak up on you until you’re frantic?  
I have so many things to do, and other people to consider their deadlines are more important than mine. I fit my time in around theirs.Is all good. Is my reason for being.


When did you last set a deadline for someone else, and did that person make it?

I asked my husband to move the dead mouse from the back door before I barfed. No he didn't.  The cat went back and finished it off.

How flexible and understanding are you when it comes to other people meeting your deadlines?
Am very flexible and understanding because I am so rubbish.  Little things in life aren't that important. being there for the people around you is most important. If you manage that, everything else will fall into place. 


What were the circumstances the last time you hung up on someone in the middle of a phone call, or the last time someone hung up on you in the middle of a phone call?
I hung up on my mum, not on purpose, but because the stupid phone wasn't working properly.  I typically stick the phone under my chin, and then move my head which either hangs the phone up, or switches me to mute, and then everyone thinks I've hung up.  I'm pretty rubbish on the phone too. 

It's a bad, bad situation,

I've tried.  I've apologised.  I've sent many many emails.  I've tweeted.  I've blogged.

Nothing is working.

I didn't really do anything wrong, and I still apologised.

I thought it was important to acknowledge your mistakes, and I did, but that doesn't seem to matter.   You need friends in life, but it seems some people need other things more.

I'm gone now.  And won't bother you again.

Enjoy your life.

Doing anything just to get you off of my mind

Okay.

So you have a fight. But it wasn't so much of a fight.  It was one person completely going over the top and over reacting to a piddly little thing, not for the first time.  The first couple of times I let it go, being as they were, a tad mentalist anyway, you are prepared to let it go.  However, when this person is supposed to be your friend, and continues to overreact to the smallest of minor felony there comes a point where you react back.

I reacted once- to this treatment.  And I have been ignored now for over 2 months.   ONCE i did it - and I've never every complained the times its been done to me.

Friday 5. Link in and Join the Fun

Friday5.org 
 

Of all the hundreds of sizes and shapes bread seems to come in, what is your favorite?
Ooooh. Almond Croissant, but it has to be warm, and soft and all gooey inside.
 
What’s your favorite thing to eat with rice?
Just Rice, as pudding, with condensed milk and cream in it and a little sprinkle of cinamin. 


What are your feelings about milk?

A pint of milk a day, keeps, almost everything at bay. 

What was wrapped in the tortilla you most recently ate?
Fajita... although I was dreaming about cream cheese, grapes, and corriander in a wrap the other night.  I think I will do that on Saturday. 

How many staplers are there in your house and where are they?
Staplers?? Where did that question come from?  I think there are probably 3. One on the book shelf, and two in Toolibelle's room. She is stationery hoarder.