Got told on Wednesday that I needed to order something urgently.
Got told on Thursday that we needed it before the weekend (eventually got it down to we actually have enough to last until Monday)
Got it ordered today. It's arriving on Monday.

This is an order that would normally take a couple weeks to come through, if I wasn't chasing around, grovelling, begging, trying desperately to get someone to authorise it when no-one was answering their phones, getting people to bend the rules (people are occasionally very awesome) and generally losing sleep.

Also, asbestos surveys, health and safety inspection reports and swine flu.

I'm glad it's the weekend.

Saturday: Usual. John, Rich, Kirk and Hamish over for D&D, roast and cinnamon rolls (came out quite well). Fun but uneventful.

Sunday: Went to Dartford for Imogen's christening. Missed the actual christening, but went to the pub afterward and saw all the family. They were fun. Emily, who last time I saw her was too tiny for newborn clothes, is now happily walking around. Imy is gorgeous and able to walk if someone holds her hands but hasn't actually mastered standing up to do it on her own. She'll crawl along happily, then decide she wants to stand up, can get her legs up...but her hands are still on the floor and she's kinda stuck and looks a little like a crab. A very cute crab. Lauren is also gorgeous and proper girly, lots of pink in evidence. Afterward went to see Gray's friend Katie and her little girl Lily. Lily threw up on my hand, and looked absolutely ecstatic about it. I love her. Katie is very wise in that she gets many clothes for Lily from car boot sales. They look as good as new, babies don't wear clothes for long enough to wear them out, and she gets through lots of clothes per day apparently, due to being a baby and being good and throwing up. Specifically, throwing up adorably. Came home, saw an awesome accident on the M1, van on its side, paramedic sitting there looking bored (so it's OK that it looked awesome because no-one was hurt), fell into bed, slept.

Today: Couldn't find my main handbag this morning, could only find the tiny one I took to Dartford yesterday. Only a problem because my main one has my diary in it and pretty much my life is in my diary. Came home this evening and found it immediately of course.

I am now starting to plan my birthday. There will be a chocolate fountain in evidence, I bought it tonight. Second hand but never used, the box was only ever opened to check that things were there. Happy happy :)

Today, I got told off by a tiny Portuguese woman. I also got my hair cut. The tiny Portuguese woman was the hairdresser, and she told me off because I told her when I last got my hair cut (a little over two years ago). She then did a lovely job on my hair, didn't charge me much at all, and got me to promise to come back in around 8 weeks. Then, in a fit of girliness and because I've been thinking about it for a while, I went and bought myself some make-up so I can make myself feel all pretty and girly. I felt a little silly buying it but actually, it's probably more silly to be a grown woman and not own any make-up. Or at least, more unusual. If this goes on I might actually one day grow up to be a real girl... ;)

My.
Feet.
Hurt.

For those who didn't already, look through the sub-albums in the photobucket holiday album, there is more to it than 3 pictures of a woodpecker. Honest.

Uploaded to Photobucket :)

Go look!

http://s139.photobucket.com/albums/q290/sootycat_lover/2009%20Devon%20holiday/

This was so cool - we got stalked. By a house.

No, seriously.

We were driving down on Monday and we saw this house on the back of a trailer. It was weird, and cool, and something I'd only ever seen once in my life before.

On Tuesday, when we were driving to Exeter, we saw another house on the back of another trailer.

On Wednesday, when driving between the Great Plantation and Kents Cavern, we saw yet another house on yet another trailer.

Or, was it the same house all along...?

(The rest of the holiday report is here if you haven't already seen it!)

(Doing this for Hannah, by the way!)

Monica Geller. The ultimate hostess, who wants nothing more than to have a beautiful family and struggles to. Oh yeah, and she married a total geek ;)

Basics

Full Name: Carolyn Wybray Maria Davies
Single or Taken: Taken
Sex: Girly
Birthday: Next month
Sign: Leo
Siblings: 1, with no luck when it comes to travelling
Eye colour: Blue
Shoe size: 7
Height: 5'5"
Country born: England
Innie or Outie: Innie
What are you wearing right now: My ridiculously colourful summer dress
Where do you live: In a house on a road in a city in this country on this planet in this solar system in the Milky Way.
Righty or lefty: Righty
Any pets: Sooty

Opinion

What errand/chore do you despise? Loading and unloading the dishwasher
TV show you miss? Oh I don't know...sesame street
Can boys and girls be "just friends"? Sure, why not
Is flirting cheating? Not usually
Would you rather have 1 great friend or 5 pals? 1 great friend of course
Are clothes cool? They can be
Is it ever ok to ask out your ex's best friend? Nope, it's slutty.
What do you think of plastic surgery? If it's purely for cosmetic reasons it doesn't solve the problem. That doesn't include reconstructive surgery though.
Would you consider yourself adventurous? Sometimes, depends on the context.
Who's most important in your life? Gray
Who do you think is like you the most? Sooty.
How do you feel about your hair? I'm starting to think I should cut it
What do you think about gay marriage? I'm totally in support of it
Does mind over matter work for you? Sometimes
Does drinking alcohol make you act more like your true self? No, it makes me act like my drunken self and talk utter shit and if I'm really lucky talk myself into real trouble
How often do you hold back from saying what you are thinking? Not that often actually. I sometimes rephrase things before saying them so the person I'm saying them to will keep listening.

Are You

Are you a beach, country or city person? Beach
Can you change a car tire? Never tried but I know how to in theory. Daz explained it to me while he was changing mine for me.
Can you shoot pool? Nope (ask Sophie!)
Would you sing karaoke in front of co-workers/friends? Only if I was sober
Are you an adult? Yep
Are you sick? Nope, mostly allergic
Are you paranoid? Nope
Are you afraid to die? I'd rather live a while longer
Are you currently planning a trip? Nope
Are you a sugar freak? Not particularly

Preferences

Why did you wear the shirt that you have on right now? It's a summer dress, it's a summer day
Get up early or sleep in: early? Early
Who is your favourite cartoon character: Maggie Simpson
Beach or lake?: Beach
Cowboys or Indians: Indians
Cops or Robbers: Cops
If you had to pick one, which cast member of Lost would you be? Sawyer
Who from school would you like to run in to? Kate Gee
Raskolnikov (Crime & Punishment) or Leo Myshkin (the Idiot)?: Having not read either of them...Raskolnikov
If you could get away with it, whom would you kill? The only person I can think of is Simon Ferrie
What famous person would you like to have dinner with? Barak Obama
What famous person would you like to sleep with?: Christian Slater
At this point in your life would you rather start a new career or relationship?: Neither. If I have to pick one, career.
Pencil or pen? Pen
Ancient Egyptians or Mayans? Egyptians
Which is worse, a bad relationship or a one night stand? Bad relationship
If someone called you a bitch would you be offended? Probably. Unless it was Kerry.
Would you rather shower or bathe? Shower
Do you like Fall? Yeah, it makes the trees pretty
You need a new pair of jeans, what store do you go first? Yours
Where do you wish you were right now? I'm good here

Lasts

Last time you puked from drinking? Fucking years ago!
Last book you read? Minority Report (much more interesting than the movie)
Last two numbers in your phone number? 14
When was the last time you were up all night? Um...ages.

Favourites

Where's the best place to eat a romantic dinner? Home
Favourite style of underwear for the opposite sex? Boxers
Favourite NON sexual thing to do at night with someone of the opposite sex? Shooting the shit and watching trashy movies
Favourite guilty pleasure? Chocolate
Favourite movie you wouldn't want anyone to find out about? I don't care what movies people know about!
What's your favourite drink? Water
Favourite Winter Olympic Sport? Really don't care
Favourite sport? F1
Where is your favourite place? Devon
What is your favourite possession?: Tapestry frame

What

What bill do you hate paying the most? Council tax
What do you really want to be doing right now? Cross stitch
What did you want to be when you were growing up? Ballet dancer or vet
A secret that you wouldn't mind everyone knowing? In my head, I'm slim and gorgeous and altogether hot
What's your favourite lunch meat? Ham
What do you get every time you go into Shopper's Drug Mart? And this would be something we don't have over here...
What Hollywood star do you think resembles you best? I have no idea
What do you want when you are sick? Ice cream
What is the last radio station you listened to? Radio 2
On the way to the electric chair - what's your last meal? My nana's roast dinner
What are you listening to? Stargate Atlantis
What brand of shampoo is in your shower right now? Alberto Balsam
What movie is in your DVD player? Um...none.
What side of the bed do you sleep on? Window side
What magazine(s) do you buy regularly or subscribe to? World of Cross Stitching and CrossStitcher
What do your pants look like? Animal print
What kind of cologne/perfume do you wear? On the rare occasions that I do wear perfume, Light Blue by D&G
What are your plans for Saturday? Cross stitch joy and mustn't forget to take the meat out of the freezer for Sunday
What is the dumbest thing you have ever done with your cellphone? Let it get stolen
What was the last thing you were invited to? The gig at Lamplighters
What item should never be shared? Vibrators
What do you usually order at Taco Bell? Never been
What is the best thing about winter? Seeing family
What makes you feel like you are young again? The stupid songs I used to dance to
Whats on your mind right now? I want a drink

Other

When is the last time you danced on a bar? Never actually on a bar.
Name of your first grade teacher?: Don't remember, but my first teacher at LGS was Mrs Everett.
How many colleges did you attend? Didn't go
GAS PRICES First thought? Fucking overpriced!
First thought when the alarm went off this morning? I woke up before it today
Last thought before going to sleep last night? woeilfdc
If you didn't have to work, would you volunteer at an art gallery? Nope
Worst relationship mistake that you wish you could take back? Dating Simon
Have you ever had to use a firearm? Nope
Strangest place you have ever brushed your teeth? Never really brushed my teeth in any strange places
Number of texts in a day? Lots
How many jobs have you had?: Um...*counts*...5. And one unpaid.
Are you where you thought you would be at this age?: I never thought this far ahead
Is it easier to forgive or forget?: Forgive
All expenses paid vacation to where? Tour the USA
Where was the last place you slept (other than your bed)? The bed in the cottage
Would you live with someone without being married to them? I do at the moment!
Best Friend? Mal
Any enemies?: Nope
Have you ever flirted with someone you had no interest in? Yep
Ever kissed a random person and then walked away? Yep
Where do you spend most of your money? Mortgage, bills, running the car, food
Have you and your friends ever gotten a piercing at a piercing party? Nope
Who was the last person you wrote a letter to? Don't remember, but I need to email Danielle
Have you ever been confused? Oh good God yes
It's Thursday at noon, where are you usually? Just got on my lunch break
Who are the last four people to send you a text message?: Mal, Gray, Pip, Fay
What time do you wake up for school? Bit old for school
Who's in your house?: Me and Gray. Sooty's around somewhere too.
How many states have you been to where all you saw was the airport? Just one I think.

Do You..?

Do you planning on remaining in your current Job? For the forseeable future, sure
Do you see yourself married in the next five years? I wouldn't discount the possibility
Do you think marriage is an outdated ritual? God no
Do you cheer for the bad guy in a movie? Not usually
Do you like the person who sits directly across from you at work? I have an office to myself
Do you have a teddy bear? Yep
Do you want to go to California? Sure, why not
Do you kiss and tell? I try not to make a habit of it
Do you believe in angels? No
Do you have a boyfriend/girlfriend? Yes
Do you have hairy legs? Nope
Do you watch MTV anymore? Nope
Do you wish you lived somewhere else? God yes
Do you like roller coasters? Sure
Do you enjoy spending time with your mother? Don't have much chance any more
Do you enjoy the calming effects of turkey? I'm not overly fond of turkey; I do enjoy the calming effects of having eaten too much though.
Did you ever bring a weapon to high school? Hell no
Did you ever go to Sunday School? Nope
Do you ever think about the price of gasoline? Every time I fill up the car
Do you sleep with a fan on? Not usually
Do you think you have a good handle on spelling? Yep
Do you ever type "kik" instead of "lol"? I never type "lol" so no I don't misspell it
Do you know how to play chess? More or less. I'm very bad at it.
Do you want to take something back that happened in the last week? Nope

Of course, when he was trying to travel from Albany to Detroit to Paris to here, the travel plan would have been ambitious for someone not cursed with the worst travel luck of anyone I know. Unfortunately, Andy is cursed with the worst travel luck of anyone I know. Perhaps more unfortunately, he's also currently stranded in Detroit.

He's been booked onto a different flight tomorrow, which will be going to Amsterdam then Birmingham, coming in to BHX at around 9 o'clock. Now, his week-long holiday was already cut short by one day when his flight was moved from yesterday to today. Now it's been moved to tomorrow, he's heading back next Monday anyway, and at least this time he'll have an excuse for not adjusting to the time difference...

Day 1: Monday. Couldn't set off from Leicester until about 4pm, due to commitments which couldn't be moved because certain public-sector beurocrats are particularly inflexible. I drove all the way because Gray wasn't feeling well. I don't recommend it. Arrived at the farm about 8.45, having made two false stops due to poorly-written instructions which made no reference to the blaringly obvious landmarks (such as the red sign that denoted the entry to the farm) and did appear to reference landmarks that were far more subtle (it said turn at the sudden bend, so we did, and we found a farm, but it was the wrong one. Grumble grumble.) Looked around the cottage, it was lovely. Investigated the cupboards to find that we had lots in terms of crockery and glassware, the only consumables were tea and coffee. Which neither of us drinks. Passed a Little Chef on the way in, and resolved to go there for breakfast in the morning.

Day 2: Tuesday. As previously decided, went to Little Chef for breakfast. Went to Exeter for the rest of the day. Found a second hand bookshop, where I was very restrained and only bought 5 books (read one during the remainder of the holiday and was sorely disappointed - but pleased I'd spent less than £2 on it!) Also found a cinema and watched Terminator 4, very much enjoyed. Loved how they got Arnie in again, with the aid of visual effects, thought it very appropriate that they got him in as he appeared in the first film. Fantastic and utterly not-forced incorporation of the two vital lines, "Come with me if you want to live" and "I'll be back". Found a little bead shop with a website which I apparently mis-remembered the address for because I can't find the damn thing again. Should've bought a selection of beads and buttons while I was there but missed the opportunity. Suitably disappointed about that.

Day 3: Wednesday. Found mum's wood - see here for more details. Absolutely perfect for her. While sitting on her bench I got to the point I nearly expected her to come walking around the corner. I like that the bench isn't on the way to anything, it isn't a means to an end, it is an end in itself. I also like that the wood itself is fucking difficult to find! Both of these things mean that if you're there, you're there very deliberately, this is not a place you're just passing through and you're not going to see her name by accident. Mum was not a showy person, she wouldn't want to be jumping out at you proclaiming her presence (as a wood very much on the beaten track or a bench on the trail around the wood would). Thousands and thousands of buttercups around. Afterward, went to Kents Cavern, Britain's oldest home, and thought about Adele a lot. See here for more details. The guide taking us around the caverns was very informal/familiar. I liked that, but it got a bit...tired. Very lovely place though. Could've done more walking around but my legs were knackered already from all the walking around Exeter yesterday. Bought rock for people at work. One person in particular requested a stick of rock so many times I nearly told her exactly where she could stick her rock...but didn't because she's a mini-manager. I suggested to her manager that she could instead. Humerous intent was understood. I got sunburned, on my chest and my head. Suddenly I understand why mum always wore those horrible big straw hats on holiday. I am resolved to putchase a similar hat for future holidays - but mine will be much cooler and not made of straw.

Day 4: Thursday. Went to The Castle, Bude in the morning. Turned out to not be a castle at all, but a manor house, particularly concerned with a few local heroes who are obviously under-recognised in history. Didn't take anything like as long as we'd expected it to to go around completely. Went to an owl sanctuary also in Cornwall in the afternoon, which was lovely. I love owls, I think they're fantastic. There was a dedicated bench there as well, more tragic than my mum's because it was dedicated to the memory of a 7 year old.

Day 5: Friday. Came home. Gray drove all the way even though I'd intended to take over half way, because I forgot to actually insist on it. He had previously expressed willingness to drive all the way home in the name of fairness because I drove all the way down.

All in all, I had a wonderful holiday, and it felt SO good to get away from work. Absolutely loved seeing mum's wood in particular, she would've loved that place.

...go to look at a single pine bedframe and are *surprised* that they won't be able to fit it into their sedan car?

Apparently, the kind of people who just came to look at my old bed that I'm flogging.

Anyone want to buy a bed? Allow me to rephrase, anyone want to come and collect a pine single bedframe which, while it will come into pieces, will come into pieces the largest of which is still 6 by 3 feet.

fucking people...

Framed him today :)

Obama is finished!


Next: Eeyore (to be started today)
Also next: Mitten (to be started when I can make up my mind on colours - hopefully tonight)
Obvious ongoing WIP: Willow tree (to be put aside while I do Eeyore and my mitten, so I can get Things For Other People out of the way!

At some point I'm going to get a nice brown frame and plain/creamy coloured mount and get Obama framed up for dad. But other than that, he's finished. Turns out dedicating all the time I can spare at the weekend (so not when I'm cooking or going to the movies in Cov) works out well!

So, it turns out we can fit 7 people around our dining table...but only just. Also, cooking all day is awesome fun for me and gets me lovely compliments from lovely people :D

I won't be buying frozen broccolli again, it was horrible. I actually managed to make *too much* food. There is apparently no such thing as too much stuffing or too many roast potatoes, though. Awesome.

Current ongoing cross stitch projects:

Willow tree (11.7% at last count)
Obama (about 25%)
Mittens (charted - but I'm still making up my mind!)

Planned future projects and timescale:
Eeyore when Obama is finished
Bluetit sampler when Eeyore is finished
Longstitch kit at some point
Just about every other chart I own, if I live to be at least 200 and retain my eyesight

Would like to send out a great big love to everyone on my flist because no-one seems to be having a particularly good time of it right now.



LOVE YOU GUYS

I wanted a challenge.

I don't any more! 2 strands over 1, on a hand-dyed 27-count from Polstitches. Adapted from a chart for a cover kit from Cross Stitch Crazy. It was *intended* to be done on 14-count and have fractionals and much more backstitch in it. I think it's really pretty, and so does Gray :D

And it helps if I include the link to the picture...

Clearing out a bunch of charts I'm not going to do. £1 each, free postage within the UK, don't know how much overseas postage would be, or I'm open to trade.

All of the pics are here (it's two pages long) and I can get more detailed info (designer, stitch count, etc) if you want. OK, I don't know the designer for all of them, but I do know what magazine etc they all come from.

Anyone want anything?