ninety nine part two

Hello hello...

Remember last week when I did this post?

Well, it's finally time to continue with it.

So I did question 1 up to 47

so on to

...

48. Gone deep sea fishing

Nope, not really very interested in fishing to be honest

49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person

I would love to go and visit this, hopefully sometime soon.

50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris

Yep yepidi yep. A long time ago though and I was more interested

in the holograms at the top than the view.

51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling

I LOOOOOOOVE snorkeling. We did this quite often while living in Gibraltar.

I find it really relaxing looking at all the fish and the underwater world.

 It's like a little escape from reality.

52. Kissed in the rain

At some point we might have done that

53. Played in the mud

My favorite activity when I was a toddler! I used to find a big muddy puddle,

take my welly boots off and just splash around in it.

54. Gone to a drive in theater

No, we don't really have a lot of them here in the UK

55. Been in a movie

Only home movies! :)

56. Visited the Great Wall of China

On my list of things to see!

57. Started a business

A couple of years ago I had a little business selling polymer clay sculptures on a

UK craft site. I sold quite a few, especially christmas angels.

58. Taken a martial arts class

karate, I only went for about five lessons

59. Visited Russia

I've been to Latvia, Estonia and the Ukraine.

60. Served at a soup kitchen

No, I haven't done this

61. Sold Girl Scout cookies

Oh how I wish we had girl scout cookies here! They look scrummy.

62. Gone whale watching

While I was in the navy we saw a whale in the distance.

I was really spectacular to watch.

63. Got flowers for no reason

Ahhh, yes....it's been a while though.

Simon, if you read this... you know I love flowers.

64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma

No, it scares me.

65. Gone sky diving

Never will, fear of heights so jumping out of a plane doesn't appeal to me,

AT ALL.

66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp

Another school trip. We visisted Dachau.

I found it very depressing.

67. Bounced a check

Whoops, sorry!

68. Flown in a helicopter

I won a helicopter ride in the school raffle. The flight only

lasted about 15 minutes but I loved it! We even flew over our house.

69. Saved a favorite childhood toy

Barbie, she now belongs to emily.

70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial

No I haven't

71. Eaten caviar

As I child I loved how it popped in my mouth, then I grew older and

realised what it was, blah!

72. Pieced a quilt

I'm not very handy with a needle.

73. Stood in Times Square

Oh how I wish! Soon soon soon I hope!!

74. Toured the Everglades

Another soon soon soon I hope!

75. Been fired from a job

Glad to say I haven't!

76. Seen the changing of the guards in London

Yep, a few times now.

77. Broken a bone

No....I hear it's painful!

78. Been a passenger on a motor cycle

yes

79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person

I'll say it again

soon soon soon I hope!

80. Published a book

I would love to do this, have to come up with a good idea first.

81. Visited the Vatican

No and I don't really have the desire to.

82. Bought a brand new car

Last september.

83. Walked in Jerusalem

No.

84. Had your picture in the newspaper

Had to think a while about this...if I ever have I can't remember.

85. Kissed a stranger at midnight on New Year's Eve

Oh yes, one new years eve I was at a club and at midnight

everybody kissed eachother happy new year.

86. Visited the white house

Nope

87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating

Happy to say no, don't like killing animals.

88. Had chickenpox

As a young child, I remember all I did was play with my barbie's

and enjoy the time off school.

89. Saved someone's live

Not by myself, it was a team effort. We were in london with the ship
 (I was in the navy at the time)

and a lady had jumped of the London bridge, Somehow she'd ended up

between our ship and another one, so the alarm was sounded and we managed to get

her out of the water and on board the ship. She was not happy

90. Sat on a jury

No

91. Met someone famous

 I once had a chat with George Clooney

at Madamme Tussauds ;)

92. Joined a book club

At school

93. Got a tattoo

Haven't...and won't.

94. Had a baby

Two of them

Dylan

Dylan with emily

95. Seen the Alamo in person

No

96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake

No

97. Been involved in a law suit

Again, no.

98. Owned a cell phone

hmmm, yessssss.

99. Been stung by a bee

Yes and I remember it well. I was about six and my neighbour asked

if I could catch one for him. I did and for some reason the bee didn't agree.

Ouch!


Well there you go lovely peeps!
99 facts all done.
Would love to see yours, let me know if you do.

Cheerio

 

Coffee morning at my house, you are invited!!

Let's pretend we are all sitting in my living room,

having some coffee (or whatever else you'd like).

What would we say to each other?

Here's what I would say

I am so proud of my kiddies.I felt really guilty when we moved and took them out of

school and away from their friends. They have settled so well into their new

school, have started making new friends and the teachers are very pleased with

them. Their school work is just brilliant and they couldn't make me any

prouder even if they tried.

I would let you know about my husband. How strong he is and how

proud I am, even if he is getting on my nerves (a bit) at the moment! Haha.

I would show you a photo of the wendy house he build for the kids, all by himself!

Shoot, who needs a photo if you are in my living room, we'd go out into the garden and I'd show you,

I'd probably even make you go in it :)

I would tell you that I might have a new job soon! I went

and registered with and agency and they were very interested in my language

skills. Even though I feel excited about possibly going back to work soon, I feel scared.

I would probably swoon about foreign countries and holidays.

Everyone seems to be going somewhere exciting and warm and I'm just

stuck here. I want to go on a beach holiday and soak up the sun, drink cocktails at night

and just relax for a bit.

By now we'd probably be eating some cake as well

Looks good no?!

But on to the conversation...

I would tell you I am getting a bit fed up with my hair. I'm thinking

of having a restyle....maybe a fringe cut? Seems to be the rage these days.

Maybe I should just get some new curling thongs, but then I am so not handy

using them, at all!

We'd probably chat about stuff on the TV. One of the shows I love

at the moment is called "Revenge". Anyone else watching it?

Oh, and while we are on the subject books would come up as well.

I'm reading the second 50 shades at the moment, I would then show you a

previous post I did on Mr Grey

I would talk to you about my crazy friends and how I miss them.

Can't wait to meet up with them again soon. I feel I am

really missing out on all the juicy gossip.

I would tell you I need to get back onto that treadmill.

I'd possibly show you around my house (future post idea!)

When you have finished all the coffee and cake I would thank you for coming

and ask when we can do this again.

Linking up with these lovely ladies who are welcome for coffee any time

Why am I blowing kisses?

Yep, that's me blowing kisses.

Why you might ask.

Well...

Last week the lovely Dana from Simply You and Me nominated

my blog TheVersatile Blogger award.

Isn't she the best!

I feel so honoured to have received this and she deserves a huge thank you!

You should definitely stop by and check out her blog, it's full of delicious looking

recipes like york peppermint patty brownies, they look divine!

Today I am passing on this award.

Here are the rules:

1. Thank the Blogger who nominated you
2. Include a link to their site
3. Include the award image in your post
4. Give 7 random facts about yourself
5. Nominate 15 other bloggers for the award
6. When nominating, include a link to their site
7. Let the other bloggers know they've been nominated.

1. I met my husband in France. I was in a cafe with some friends and all of a sudden some

random guy took my jacket and ran out with it. Needless to say I ran after him giving him

an earful....and the rest is history, I married the jacket stealer, hahaha!

2. When I was 17 did a summer job in a nappy/sanitary towels factory. This was in the days before sanitary towels came individually wrapped and my task was to put the disposal bags in each pack. VERY interesting and important job! Hmmmm.

3. I have a BIG and irrational fear of spiders, especially those big black ones.

Tears, screams and pee pee pants come as a result of seeing them.

4. I love baking and decorating the kids birthday cakes. My most favourite cake was the one

I did for my daughters 5th birthday, it was rainbow coloured inside. 

5. I can spend ALL day in home and decoration shops. In my mind I am

constantly redecorating my house. Wish my wallet would be as excited as

my mind about decorating!

6. I wear lenses, without them I wouldn't see a single thing.

7.  When I was 18 I drove into a house...during driving lessons!! 

OK, over to the interesting part of this post, the part where I get to nominate

15 other fabulous blogs, and I mean FABULOUS, you should check each one of these out!

        1.Amy- Sweet Home Santa Barbara

2. Brittney- The Luycx's

3.Lauren- A joyful journal

4.Ashley- The Vanilla Tulip

5.Tiffany- The Coffeehouse

6.Katie- Girl on a mission...To lose the cushion

7.Brooke- Covered in grace

8.Shawn- Seriously Shawn

9. Impulsive Addict- Confessions from an Impulsive Addict

10. Jordann- Makin Memories Of Us
11.Rachel- Ma famille de trois
12.Savannah- Rolled Up Pretty
13.Cassie- Two in Diapers
14.Witha- Up Close and Personal
15.Rachel- Lists from the Heart

Wow, there we go.
Fifteen wonderful ladies and their wonderful blogs.
They truly deserve this award.
Have a great week my friends

Summer is here!

My little Emily on holiday in Spain 2007

Yesterday was the first day of summer.

Hooray.

I LOVE summer.

Beautiful sunny days, green leafy trees, berries growing on bushes,

grassy meadows, happy kids playing outside, vacations.

You can imagine my disappointment when I opened the curtains and

was greeted by a grey, rainy, thundery morning.

Hmmm, not my idea of summer at all.

What to do on a day like that?

Why bake cookies of course.

These were so easy to make as they dough came ready made. All I had to do was roll balls, stick some chocolate on top and bake.

Delicious!

Dylan the cookie monster

I smeared some peanut butter on top my cookie...

Oh yes and it was heavenly!

While I am on the subject of cookies I have to show you these

We made these a few years back. Dylan was in his Ben 10 phase judging by the t-shirt

we made him. No idea why I was wearing see through pants and Simon was naked. Hahaha.

I just love making gingerbread people.

 Definitely something I'll be doing again soon.

Oh, and before I finish this post I want to say a huge thank you to

Dana from Simply you and me

who awarded me the Versatile blogger award

Isn't she the sweetest.

I'll have fun passing this on next week.

Until then, have a fantastic weekend.

Send some sunshine my way OK.

Linking up here

Breaking dawn part two preview

Just came across this Breaking dawn part 2 trailer and just had to share.

I'm so looking forward to this.

Looks good doesn't it!

Ninety nine...here we go!

So yesterday I was browsing Amy's blog and I came across

this fun idea that I thought I would do today.

99 things I might or might not have done (yet).

Ready for this

here we go!

                                                                               1. Started your own blog

          Oh yes, you are reading it right now :)

2. Slept under the stars

I went camping in my friends back garden when I was younger,
we slept in a tent....does that count?

3. Played in a band

No, haven't done that...only pretended to when I was little.

 

 

4. Visited Hawaii

How I would love to!! Hopefully one day.

5. Watched a meteor shower

Not sure, don't think I have.

 

 

6. Given more than you could afford to charity
I've given my fair share

7. Been to Disneyland

I've been to Disneyland Paris, such an amazing place!

Would love to visit the ones across the big pond though.

8. Climbed a mountain
We went on holiday to Austria a few years back and climbed
a different one every day

On top of the Dachstein mountain (it was so cold up there)

Another mountain climb in Austria

9. Held a praying mantis
My husband has. We lived in Gibraltar for a while and one day
he had one on his arm and brought it in to show the kids.

10. Sang a solo

I sang a few solo lines..

11. Bungee jumped

Erm NO and I don't think I EVER will.

Scared of heights.

12. Visited Paris

Yes, yes I have, I think I was about 14 or 15.

Even went up in the Eiffel tower :)

13. Watched a lightening storm
Several, the best ones were when we lived in Gibraltar and
when we were on holiday in Austria. To hear the thunder roll off
the mountains and then see giant lightnings is quite spectacular.

Storm in Gibraltar

14. Taught yourself an art from scratch

I learnt how to make birthday cakes like these all by myself

and I also used to make these little creatures out of polymer clay

15. Adopted a child

Have had thoughts about fostering a boy or girl in an

underdeveloped country

16. Had food poisoning

Luckily I haven't had this yet.

17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
One day.
..

18. Grown your own vegetables
I've grown cress out of and egg head once.
I've also tried to grow parsley and other herbs...not very successful.

19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
Nope

20. Slept on an overnight train
Yes, went on a holiday to Switzerland when I was 15...on the
overnight train. So much fun and so nice to look out the window when
you wake up and see mountains.

21. Had a pillow fight
Who hasn't!

22. Hitch hiked

Haven't needed to do that yet. Honestly it would scare me, you

never know who you get in the car with.

23. Taken a sick day when you're not ill

Hmm, guilty! One sick day I travelled all the way from Belgium

to England...naughty!

24. Built a snow fort
I've watched my mister and the kiddies build one

25. Held a lamb
Not held one but I bottle fed one, so sweet!

 Ok, so I had to look for this photo and only realised we bottle fed goats and not lambs...my bad!

26. Gone skinny dipping
Hahaha....no

27. Run a marathon

One day I will do this. Have to get in the habit of running again first.

 

 

28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
I went on a school trip to Venice when I was 18. I loved it and
would love to go again. Didn't go on a gondola back then, maybe next time.

29. Seen a total eclipse
I seem to remember there was an eclipse about 15 years ago,
can't really remember much about it.

30. Watched a sunrise or sunset

Both

Sunset In Gibraltar, view from our balcony

31. Hit a home run
Never played base ball

32. Been on a cruise
Oh I sure would love to do that!
I used to be in the Belgian Navy, did I ever mention that before?
I love being at sea.

33. Seen Niagra Falls in person
No, but I've heard it's beautiful

34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
Gosh, my ancestors are from all over the place.
Belgium, France, UK and Germany.
I've visited all.

35. Seen an Amish community
I haven't

36. Taught yourself a new language

Not myself but I do know four languages

37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied

Yes, but then we spend it..on good things that satisfied us.

38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person

No

39. Gone rock climbing

No, only indoors and I was aching all over the next day!

40. Seen Michelangelo's David

No

41. Sung karaoke

Ah but yes, I believe I posted a photo earlier :)

Let me remind you again

42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
no

43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
no

44. Visited Africa
Been to Tunisia and Egypt

45. Walked on a beach by moonlight

While on holiday

46. Been transported in an ambulance

Unfortunately yes...I felt very awkward as well as I hadn't shaved my legs!

47. Had your portrait painted
I even have my own personal artist to do that, my daughter Emily

I just love my long fingers and flat feet! Hahaha.


Unfortunately I'm going to leave it at this for today as this is taking up
quite a bit of time. My kiddies would be disappointed if I'm not there
to pick them up from school.
But this has been fun so far no?
I'll continue this next week.

Awkward, me???

Cardigan, trousers, shoes: Next. Top: H&M

Posing for pictures is definitely NOT my strong point!

As soon as the lens is pointing at me I become all stiff and forced,

I get all uncoordinated, have no clue what to do with my hands, face or body

and the photo's that follow are usually hopeless.

I wish I could be as elegant as Katie, but then I don't have her long killer legs

and confidence in front of the camera.

Cori's photo's are always amazing, she's such a natural and she's so pretty. Really wish

I could be as photogenic as her!

With me, this is what you get

Awkward doesn't even begin to describe it!

Please please please all you fashion bloggers tell me your secrets so that for once I can post

a decent photo on this little blog of mine!

Linking up with these fabulous blogs (with even more FABULOUS photo's)

Grey...

Yep.

After hearing SO much about these books I jumped on the "Grey" bandwagon and decided to see for myself what the fuss is about.

I mean "Grey" is everywhere, no!? 

I can't open my facebook page without there being at least ten people commenting or statussing (is that even a word?) about this book / man.

People seem to be reading these everywhere, on the bus, train, in the park,...

So yes, I got them and started reading last Thursday.

Oh my!

I hadn't quite anticipated ALL of that and as for Mr Grey, what can I say.

I do love the books ( I say books because I started book 2 last night).

Not sure if I find it all very believable, I mean Ana...

THREE times on her very first night with a man EVER!

THREE TIMES.

yes sure...or am I just being naive here?

I've heard they are making this into a movie and the world seems

to be going crazy with who will play Mr Grey.

(Ian Somerhalder, Alexander Skarsgard, Alex Pettyfer, Matt Bomer)

I had a look around Pinterest for Mr Grey and my screen was filled with these images.

They seem to be the most popular choices.

Not bad at all.

Although the two "vampires" on top will always be known as Damon and Eric to me.

What do you think?

 Have you read the books or are planning to read them, would love to find

out what you make of them.)

Laters, baby.

The day my husband saved the coffee

Coffee.

Not a brew I especially like

unless

it's flavoured or iced coffee.

In winter time I love nothing better than a hazelnut latte, so so good.

I summertime I prefer the frappucino's, with a big dollop of whipped cream on top,

Heavenly.

So, today I wandered into a well know coffee shop and ordered two iced lattes,

not paying attention to the barista that's exactly what I got.

Cold lattes with ice cubes floating around in it, no whipped cream on the top.

Hmmm, not what I had in mind.

Turns out iced lattes and frappucino lattes are not the same!

No one ever told me.

Unfortunately I was in a rush so I just grabbed the cups and took them home.

Luckily my clever husband knew just what to do and whizzed them up into a

delicious drink using some vanilla ice cream and a banana.

Not bad.

Not bad at all!