Lottery win............

No ‘begging’ comments please – I haven’t won!


Following on from my Flash Fiction yesterday, I think everyone has a dream of winning the lottery. For one British couple that came true recently.


Brian Caswell 73 and his wife Joan 71, from Bolton in Lancashire about 11 miles away from where I live, won half of the £50m jackpot on the Euromillions – that’s £25m! !!!!

Can you imagine winning that much money? Well yes of course we can all imagine it, but how do you really think you’d cope if you actually won it?


If you were still working it would make a huge difference to your life – you’d never have to work again, unless you wanted to of course, but who would? Retired – you’d never have to worry about whether your pension was enough to live on.



Apparently Mr & Mrs Caswell has two daughters and four grandchildren, I would imagine their money situation will never cause them a sleepless night ever again.



If you won such a huge amount of money how would you decide how much to give to your family? Would you draw the line at close family or would you include aunts, uncles, cousins? Would you give money to friends?



Once you’d ‘treated’ all those you wanted to, what would you do then? Would you buy a house, car, boat, holiday home, what? Would you travel the world staying in the best hotels? Would you just invest the money and live off the interest?



Would it change your life for the better? It would definitely change mine and the lives of all the people I love!



Tell me in your comment what you’d do with a win like that.



P.S. No wordzzles today, I just wasn’t inspired at all!

Friday 55 Flash Fiction # 80 One Good Turn..

The old man blinked, vaguely recongising the boy from the shopping precinct.

"This is for you" the boy handed him a cheque for £5000

"What's this for?" he asked

"To thank you" replied the boy smiling.

"Remember when you gave me £2 last week?

Well I spent £1 on a lottery ticket and won £50,000".

Friday 55 Flash Fiction is brought to you by G-man (Mr Knowitall). The idea is you write a story in exactly 55 words. If you want to take part pop over and let G-man know when you've posted your 55.

Another jaunt........

Our latest jaunt was another train trip, this time to Aberystwyth in Wales, with our good friends K & T – we like trains can you tell?

K & T

We picked the train up at our local station at 7.45 a.m. on Saturday morning and the weather looked promising. We took a bag full of food with us for our lunch and tea on the train, consisting of chicken, ham, pasta salad, green salad, ciabatta and wine of course. We were in First Class carriages so were very comfortable and had a huge picture window which enabled us to take in the beautiful countryside and the ever improving weather on the journey. We didn’t stop talking all the way to Wales – about what we would do when we got there, what trips were coming up that we have booked and could book.

The trip was organised by the Class 40 Preservation Society, who preserve Diesel Engines, we prefer Steam Engines but beggars can’t be choosers and it was a nice red and yellow engine.

We arrived in Aberystwyth spot on time at 12.40 p.m.and were able to leave our packed tea on the train whilst we went walkabout. We headed out of the station straight down to the sea front. The weather was glorious, sunny and hot, and we really didn’t need the light jackets we’d taken with us.


The first thing we saw as the train pulled in to Aberystwyth Station was the Vale of Rheidol narrow guage railway. The Preservation Society were offering trips on it but we declined as we wouldn't have had time to go on that and walk down to the sea. We did get a photo of it though.




We really wanted to go for a paddle in the sea but the only things we hadn’t brought with us was a towel and the kitchen sink!

However, we did breathe in plenty of the wonderful sea air and took a long, leisurely walk along the prom past the university (or a small part of it).

Part of Aberystwyth University

Isn’t it wonderful to have a university right on the sea front? K’s nephew is a student at the university and we were hoping to meet up with him but unfortunately he was a home in the town we’d just departed from and wasn’t due back in Aberystwyth until we were due to leave – sod’s law! Anyway we rounded the headland intending to walk to the harbour but it was a lot further that we had originally thought so we didn’t bother.


After a leisurely stroll through the town we stopped at a pub and went in for a drink and a rest – the early start and the sea air had practically knocked us out! The pub was empty, except for us, then suddenly it was invaded by a ‘hen’ party – all dressed in pink tutus and leg warmers!

Things suddenly got very noisy and we were missing the sunshine so we decided to go to another pub across the way where we could sit outside, which we did, enjoying the beautiful weather until it was time to get back on the train. We were only actually in Aberystwyth three hours but we made the most of it and thoroughly enjoyed it.



Our journey back was very relaxed, we ate our packed tea and had some more wine etc and even managed a little snooze. The Preservation Society arranged a raffle on the journey home with 12 really good prizes but unfortunately we didn’t win any.

We arrived at our home station at 9.15 p.m. in plenty of time to walk to our local pub and finish the day off with a couple of drinks before we went home to a much needed bed. We were exhausted but we’d had a fantastic day and are now looking forward to our next train trip, which I think is in August but I’ll tell you more about that when we’ve been.

Us making our way to the pub from the station.

Portrait of Words # 10

Jeff (A Word in Edgewise POW) has started up this monthly challenge, derived from a previous challenge from R.E.H.'s "Picture Fiction Challenge". Do pop over to Jeff's to read the other entries, you won't be disappointed. You can get the portraits for this month's challenge here.

Jeff says the rules this month are:

In case any of you have wondered why each month the layout of our Portrait of Words challenge changes I thought I'd let you know. In an effort to keep this writing challenge interesting, some months I'll give you categories for the photos such as a "purpose", "backdrop" and so forth, while other times it will be more of a free form challenge. Hopefully, this will keep things from becoming stagnant. As always, you are welcome to offer any suggestions you may have . Leave a note in the comment section or email me.This month we have four photos from which to create a story and I'm asking that you include each photo within some part of your story. Easy peasy right?

Here's my story:

Aimee Farrell sat on the chair in the corner of the room and closed her eyes. She really didn’t want to go through all this but she must.

The story unfolded.

She had been 18, flushed with pride at having passed her exams and was taking a gap year before starting a Languages Degree at Cambridge University. Her plan was to travel round Europe before having to work her socks off at Uni, get a job and hopefully get married and start a family. That was her future, this was now

Her parents were very supportive and had given her the proceeds of an endowment policy they’d taken out on her when she was a baby, which had just matured. £3000 would pay her air fare to Paris and make things easy for her until she found some work, she wanted to work so she could keep some of the three grand for a rainy day.

She was a pretty girl, forever changing the colour of her hair, wearing colourful clothes and never without her Ipod full of the latest music. She would be travelling with her best friend Jackie so her parents weren’t too worried, they were sensible girls. The night before they embarked on their trip their parents took them out for a Chinese meal at their favourite restaurant and joked that it may be the last decent meal either of them would be getting for a while so to help themselves to more spring rolls.

Amidst hugs, kisses and farewells at the airport the two of them gathered up their rucksacks and were eager to board the plane to Paris, their first destination, promising to keep in touch via internet cafes wherever they could and telephone, reversing the charges of course.

Things went well, they found work in cafes and fruit picking so were able to conserve their initial funds. They had a great time seeing different places and meeting wonderful new people, picking up the language of whatever country they were in easily. They arrived in Amsterdam and found cheap accommodation in a bedsit over a sex shop. The girls who plied their trade in the shop below were all friendly and they looked out for the two teenagers from England. They had such fun in Amsterdam riding round on bicycles like everyone else. One time she had got a bright yellow bicycle with a basket on the front in which she carried a pot plant of chrysanthemums and hadn’t wanted to give it back. She vowed to get a bicycle just like it when they eventually got back home, she could see herself riding round Cambridge on it.

All was going well until one night when Jackie had gone out on a date with a Dutch boy she’d met, leaving her alone. She decided to stay in and read and listen to music. “Go and enjoy yourself Jackie, I’ll be fine, see you when you get back and you can tell me all about it” she said.

It was gone midnight, she was sitting looking out of the window listening to her Ipod and watching the people coming and going on the street, she didn’t hear the door open or see the man enter the room. Somehow the girls downstairs hadn’t seen him open the door to the stairs that led to their room, they were usually so watchful. What followed was her worst nightmare. The man was drunk and without any preamble he grabbed her and forced her onto one of the beds. She screamed of course but the streets were lively with tourists and the girls were busy downstairs so no-one heard her. When Jackie returned she found her beaten and bleeding and was in a state of shock. Jackie called for the girls downstairs who got her to the hospital and stayed with her whilst Jackie contacted her parents. Within two days she was back home in her familiar bedroom but now she needed counselling to help her face going back to see the man responsible for the attack in court. He’d been so drunk he’d passed out in the room.

Aimee sighed deeply and said “Well my dear, now you have opened up about it, things will get easier you know. Another few sessions would help you I’m sure. Shall we say the same day and time next month?”

It was difficult listening to other people’s problems but Aimee Farrell was a counsellor and that’s what counsellors do.

Saturday Wordzzle # 67

The idea is, every week Raven (Views From Raven's Nest) gives you between 8 and 10 words/phrases and you have to create a small but coherent paragraph using every one of them and the same with the mini challenge. You can do either, both or a megawordzzle using all the words, or even all three, it's up to you, you can post them on your blog or email them to Raven. If you join in go to Raven's and put your name on the Mr. Linky so other participants can come visit you.

Here's my efforts, complete with my doodles.

This Week's Ten Word Challenge is: nausea, everything is on sale, expect great things, frying pan, pledge, birds of a feather, stick, Saturday morning, liver and bacon, caterpillars

“I expect great things this Saturday morning” said the store manager. “Everything is on sale from walking sticks to frying pans and we must all do our bit, like birds of a feather and all that you know. I give you my pledge if we sell everything today I’ll treat you all to liver and bacon for lunch at the café.”

That was a promise guaranteed to make everyone nauseas and ensure they were as slow as caterpillars when it came to selling the stock!

For the mini challenge: aggravation, protective, bargain basement, take me out to the ballgame, break a leg

“I’m stuck here, in this bargain basement of an apartment, day after day with nothing but aggravation from the neighbours. Trust you to break a leg when you promised to take me out to the ballgame” she said, putting a protective hand over her stomach and her growing child. “You’re a waste of space” she said. She got no response; he wasn’t listening – as usual!

Megawordzzle


It was Saturday morning and he was having a lie-in, after being out with the lads the night before, when he’d heard her rattling the frying pan on the cooker and the smell of liver and bacon assaulted his nostrils waking him with a feeling of nausea. Then Carrie was shouting him for him to get up.

“You promised to take me out to the ballgame and shopping first, everything is on sale at the mall and it’s not bargain basement stuff either!” she called.

When Carrie agreed to his night out with the boys she said “OK but I expect great things in return!” and of course he’d agreed, anything to avoid aggravation. He didn’t mind going to the ballgame, but shopping was his penance.

The night out had gone down well, they’d gone on a pub crawl and ended up at a club, after which he didn’t remember a lot. He opened one eye and scanned the room; he was in the spare bedroom so he wouldn’t have disturbed Cassie when he came in. He threw the covers back and tried to swing his legs out of bed, only to find one leg wouldn’t move. Looking down he was amazed to see his right leg encased in plaster! “What the f….?” he said to himself. How on earth had that happened, he couldn’t remember a damned thing. Picking up his mobile phone he dialled Gary’s number.

“Gary, what the hell happened last night, how did I manage to break a leg?” he asked.

“I didn’t know you’d broken your leg mate, you were dancing on a table and fell off and cracked your head so we took you to hospital and left you there” Gary told him.

“Oh thanks a lot, what happened to ‘we have to stick together, birds of a feather’ and all that?” he said.

Well there was nothing for it he’d have to get downstairs and face the music, Cassie would be furious. He grabbed a robe and made his way downstairs like a caterpillar – slowly.

Of course Cassie went berserk and gave him a right ear-bashing; she made his life hell all weekend. He vowed to take the ‘pledge’, no more beer, ever again.

Sunday came and he told Cassie he’d have to ring work and explain he wouldn’t be in.

“No need” said Cassie “I’m going to cut the plaster off!”

“You can’t do that! I know you’re a nurse but my leg won’t have set yet” he told her clutching his plaster protectively.

“You haven’t broken your leg. My friend Jackie was on duty at the hospital when you were brought in drunk and she telephoned me. I told her to get your leg plastered and send you home in a taxi. I hope you’ve learned your lesson!” said Cassie in-between laughing fits.

I'm off on another jaunt so I'll catch up with everyone on Sunday - Have a great weekend.

Friday 55 Flash Fiction # 79 Trust Me

She was terrified as he inserted the needle into her arm.

He'd promised her it wouldn't hurt and she would feel great.

She drifted off, feeling pleasantly happy, light and relaxed.

Later, coming back to full consciousness, she was glad she'd trusted him........

The mirror told her the liposuction had worked - her saddlebags had disappeared.

Friday 55 Flash Fiction is brought to you by G-man (Mr Knowitall). The idea is you write a story in exactly 55 words. If you want to take part pop over and let G-man know when you've posted your 55.

I'm out tonight folks and out all day tomorrow so won't have time to visit, but I promise I will catch up on Sunday.  Have a great weekend.

Tragedy.......

Someone sent me this and with everything that's going on in our Government at the moment I thought you might like it.

Gordon Brown was visiting a primary school. In one class they were in the middle of a discussion related to words and their meanings. The teacher asked Mr. Brown if he would like to lead the discussion on the word 'tragedy'.So the illustrious leader asked the class for an example of a tragedy.


A little boy stood up and offered: 'If my best friend, who lives on a farm, is playing in the field and a tractor runs over him and kills him, that would be a tragedy'.    No, said Gordon - that would be an accident'.

A little girl raised her hand: 'If a school bus carrying fifty children drove over a cliff, killing everyone inside, that would be a tragedy'.‘I'm afraid not,’ explained Gordon, ‘that's what we would call great loss’.

The room went silent. No other children volunteered. Gordon searched the room. 'Isn't there someone here who can give me an example of a tragedy?'.Finally, at the back of the room, little Johnny raised his hand. In a quiet voice he said 'If a plane carrying you and Mr. Darling was struck by a 'friendly fire' missile and blown to smithereens, that would be a tragedy'.

'Fantastic!' exclaimed Gordon. 'That's right. And can you tell me why that would be tragedy?'.

'Well,' says little Johnny 'it has to be a tragedy, because it certainly wouldn't be a great loss and it probably wouldn't be an accident either'.

Love Potion.......

Someone sent this to me, I thought you might like it.

All of you ex-educators and lovers of proper English will appreciate this story.

On his 74th birthday a man received a gift certificate from his wife.  The certificate paid for a visit to a medicine man living on a nearby reservation. The medicine man was rumored to have a wonderful cure for erectile dysfunction. After being persuaded, the man drove to the reservation, handed his ticket to the medicine man, all the time wondering what was to come.   The old medicine man slowly and methodically produced a potion, which he handed to the 74 year-old. With a grip on his shoulder the medicine man warned

“This is powerful medicine and it must be respected. You take only a teaspoonful and then say '1-2-3'. When you do that, you will become manlier than you have ever been in your life and you will be able to perform as long as you want."

The old man was encouraged. As he walked away, he turned and asked "How do I stop the medicine from working?"

"Your partner must say '1-2-3-4'" the medicine man responded. "But when she does the medicine will not work again until the next full moon."

The old man was very eager to see if the potion worked so he went home showered, shaved, took a spoonful of the medicine and then invited his wife to join him in the bedroom. When she came in he took off his clothes and said,

"1-2-3!"

Immediately, he was the manliest of all men.   His wife was excited and began throwing off her clothes…and then she asked,

"What was the 1-2-3 for?"

And that, boys and girls, is why we should never end our sentences with a preposition – or one will end up with a dangling participle!

Saturday Wordzzle # 66

The idea is, every week Raven (Views From Raven's Nest) gives you between 8 and 10 words/phrases and you have to create a small but coherent paragraph using every one of them and the same with the mini challenge. You can do either, both or a megawordzzle using all the words, or even all three, it's up to you, you can post them on your blog or email them to Raven. If you join in go to Raven's and put your name on the Mr. Linky so other participants can come visit you.

Here's my efforts, complete with my doodles.

This Week's Ten Word Challenge is: swashbuckler, heads-up, dry martini, recovery, jungle gym, whiskers, bathing suit, spade, circular reasoning, abrasive

“Heads up boys” cried Captain Whiskers as he somersaulted across the deck of the boat in his bathing suit, waving a plastic cutlass in an effort to look like a swashbuckler.

The abrasive boss of the cruise ship told him many times in a round about way that he was just a tad too enthusiastic, but circular reasoning just didn’t have the desired effect, he still used the boat like a jungle gym. Eventually the boss had to call a spade a spade and tell him straight to lay off the dry martini whilst he was working or he would find himself in recovery in the local hospital.


The Mini Challenge: butter wouldn’t melt in her mouth, stagnation, chart, star crossed lovers, apricot brandy

Sipping her apricot brandy, looking as though butter wouldn’t melt in her mouth, the author of ‘The Star Crossed Lovers’ checked the book chart to find out how her latest novel was doing this week, only to find it was still stagnating at the bottom of the list.

Megawordzzle

Kitty’s phone rang, it was her friend Jean giving her the heads up about a jungle gym she’d noticed for sale in the local paper, it was a bargain and Kitty had been looking for one for ages to install in the garden for her two kids. Since Ged, her husband, walked out on her and the kids she had become an avid bargain hunter, she had to be, money was tight.

The man at the other end of the telephone seemed rather abrasive but she made a note of the address, which was within walking distance, and said she’d be there about two o’clock to take a look. From his voice she imagined him to be somewhat of an ‘old colonel with huge whiskers’ type and was pleasantly surprised when the door was opened by a good looking man about twenty five. He looked a bit like Errol Flynn Kitty thought, a proper swashbuckler, the sort of man with muscles capable of wielding a spade. Putting on her ‘butter wouldn’t melt in her mouth’ face she made small talk while he led her through the house to the garden to view the gym, all the while trying to convince her with circular reasoning what a bargain it was. He explained that he had not long moved in and the gym was already in the garden but he didn’t have any children so had no use for it. The gym was just what she was looking for and David (the man) kindly offered to deliver and rebuild it in her garden.

“How kind” she simpered in a voice as sweet as apricot brandy.

Kitty wrote down her address and telephone number, the number on the pretence that he may not be able to find the house when really she was hoping he may keep it and ring her in the future for a date.

“I’ll be there about seven” he told her.

Kitty rushed to school to pick the kids up then hurried them home and gave them their tea after which she packed them off to her mother’s for a couple of hours. Taking a quick shower she changed into a dress that resembled a bathing suit it was that brief and quickly tidied her hair and put on some make-up. She just had time to check her astrological chart and pour herself a dry martini for dutch courage before he arrived.

The doorbell rang and Kitty almost fell over her own feet getting to the door. Opening the door with a flourish Kitty put on her sweetest smile which froze on her face.

“Hi, this is my partner Paul” he said introducing the man standing by his side. “He’s come to give me a lift.”

A partner? He’d never mentioned a partner, especially not a male partner!

Making a quick recovery from the shock Kitty showed them to the garden and ran upstairs to throw on a pair of jeans and a sweater.

“Back to stagnation for me” she thought “housework and looking after the kids, I’m never going to meet anyone! We were star crossed lovers, never meant to be.”

Friday 55 Flash Fiction # 78 Candidates

Who to choose for the job?

Such a difficult question when there are so many candidates.

How do you know who will do the best job.

Who is committed, who is honest, which one can be trusted.

But an important thing to know now is…….

Which one of the candidates will NOT fiddle their expenses!



This is the question I, and millions of others, had to face yesterday at the Polling Station for the EU elections and will be the same at the General Election when we get one!

Friday 55 Flash Fiction is brought to you by G-man (Mr Knowitall). The idea is you write a story in exactly 55 words. If you want to take part pop over and let G-man know when you've posted your 55.

If it sounds too good to be true, it usually is…….

I recently got a telephone call from a company called Club La Costa telling me I had won a seven night luxury European holiday for four, flights and accommodation paid.

“WOW” I thought, then “Yeah right”.

“Thank you, very nice” I said “what’s the catch?” being the distrusting soul that I am.

“There’s no catch the lady told me, you just have to turn up to one of our exhibitions to claim your prize and we will even give you £50 worth of high street cash vouchers for turning up! Which of these places and dates is suitable for you?” she asked rhyming off a list.

The nearest was in Manchester and one of the dates was last Friday 29th May, when it so happened we had decided to go on a little shopping expedition to Manchester as it was half term, we usually do this when I have a week off work.

“Great I’ll confirm everything in writing for you” she told me.

A few days later the letter arrived outlining everything she had told me on the phone and asking me to telephone to confirm we would be attending and which store I would like the vouchers for, which I did, requesting Marks and Spencer’s vouchers. It also said we could be assured we wouldn't have to sign up or buy anything to claim the vouchers and the holiday.

Fair enough I thought though MWM was very sceptical “It’s a time share exhibition, they’re selling timeshare” he said.

“Of course it is, but we’re not going to buy, all we have to do is sit through two hours of sales chat, say thanks but no thanks and collect the vouchers and the holiday voucher, and as we’re going to Manchester anyway why not?” He agreed.

We hopped on the bus at 9.45 a.m. and did some shopping from my list, I’m a great one for lists. We then went into Marks & Spencer where I had a look round deciding what to spend the vouchers on, MWM had kindly relinquished any right to a share of the vouchers. I found a swimsuit, a skirt and a jacket in readiness for when I returned with the vouchers, obviously they came to more than £50 but I was prepared to spend a bit more. We then went to Tiger, Tiger at the Printworks (which I can recommend), sat outside in the sunshine (they do get sun in Manchester occasionally) and had a lovely lunch with a glass of wine. I had Penne in Rich Tomato Sauce with Chargrilled Chicken and MWM had Pesto Chicken Salad which we both really enjoyed, we then strolled up Shudehill to the Crowne Plaza hotel where the exhibition was being held.

In reception we had to fill in a form confirming the details we had already given and produce our passports to prove who we were, then a very nice young man called David introduced himself and took us through to the exhibition room, after inviting us to help ourselves to coffee.  He asked if we'd ever been to one of these exhibitions before , we told him we hadn't.  "Not even when you've been on holiday?" he ventured.

"No" we said.

"How come?" he asked.

"We've always resisted, we don't want a timeshare" we told him.

"Why did you come to this?" he asked.

"Because you offered me £50 worth of M&S vouchers and a free holiday" I said, I'm always honest.


He asked what we were expecting and I told him “I expect you are going to try to sell us a timeshare apartment.”

“Wrong” he said “I’m going to give you the opportunity of a lifetime to make your holidays for the next three years cheaper!” Oooer how exciting we thought, raising our eyes to heaven.

Right, what it boiled down to was we pay them £4000 up front and they promise to act as travel agents for us. We would get the opportunity to take six holidays in the next three years, anywhere in the world where Club La Costa have luxury accommodation, and it would only cost us £150 for the accommodation for one week (not each). We then have to pay for the flights, and transfers, which they will also arrange. “All sounds very interesting” I tell him “but we don’t have £4000 lying around to invest”.

“No problem” says David “you can pay £129+ a month for the next three years!”

I laughed, MWM laughed, David didn’t. We declined.

“Why did you come if you’re not interested?” he asked “It must have cost you in time, petrol and parking” he said.

“We were coming to Manchester anyway and it cost us £4 to get here because we came on the bus, MWM has a free bus pass and I got a day saver” I explained.

He wasn't amused and knew then there was no point in going for the hard sell. He handed over two £25 Marks and Spencer vouchers and the form to book the ‘free’ holiday explaining the rules for booking the holiday which were:

Within the next two weeks we have to
(a) state which destination we want - Portugal, Costa Del Sol or Tenerife
(b) state which airport – Northwest (which could mean Manchester or Liverpool)
(c) give four dates when we can travel in the next 18 months the first one being at least 3 months hence and subsequent dates to be 8 weeks apart.
(d) Send the form and £29.50 each person administration fee.

They will then let us know if any of the dates are available and which airport we can travel from (this may or may not be the airport of our choice – i.e. we could be expected to travel from London or Glasgow or anywhere else and this would incur another charge. We then have to pay airport charges of £64+ each plus transfer charges. You get the picture – the free holiday isn’t free and I read (before we went to the exhibition) that the ruse seems to be that they get your £29.50 each, which more than covers the vouchers you’ve been given, then the charges just keep piling on so you abandon all thoughts of the holiday and can’t get your £29.50 each back!

Anyway we’ve decided to give the ‘free’ holiday a miss, preferring to spend our money on a self arranged holiday, but I spent the vouchers within half an hour of receiving them to make sure they were real – the jacket, skirt and swimsuit are lovely!

So I think that the saying “If it sounds too good to be true, it usually is.”,  in this case isn’t completely true, after all I did get £50 for quite an entertaining two hours of my time, with a cup of coffee and some fizzy water thrown in.

What say you? Have you received a free holiday from Club La Costa?

65 Questions.....

you've never been asked. That's what Mimi says this meme is called.

Anyway, Mimi tagged everyone that read it and when Mimi tags you, you do it. So here goes.

1. First thing you wash in the shower? My hair


2. What color is your favorite hoodie? It takes me ages to get my hair right, why would I want to put a hood on it????


4. Do you plan outfits?  Like a military campaign.


5. How are you feeling RIGHT now?   Relaxed, as I've just spent two hours reading a book in the sunshine in my garden.


6. What's the closest thing to you that's red?  The cropped trousers I'm wearing.


7. Tell me about the last dream you remember having?    I had a really strange dream in the early hours ofthis morning, it was all about me retiring from work.  I plan to retire in December so it must be on my mind.


8. Did you meet anybody new today? No not today, I've not been anywhere to meet anyone, I've only been in my garden.


9. What are you craving right now?  A nice cup of tea, I'm going to make eyes at MWM in hope he'll make me one!


10. Do you floss?    Of course doesn't everyone?


11. What comes to mind when I say cabbage?   The smell!!


12. Are you emotional?  Yes, I can cry at the drop of a hat!


13. Have you ever counted to 1,000?   No I got fed up when I got to 100.


14. Do you bite into your ice cream or just lick it? Oh lick it definitely, it lasts longer.


15. Do you like your hair?   At the moment yes, but tomorrow maybe not.


16. Do you like yourself?    Yes I'm happy with myself.


17. Would you go out to eat with George W. Bush?    Why not, if he was paying.


18. What are you listening to right now?   I'm watching Celebrity Mr & Mrs on television.


19. Are your parents strict?  Yes they were strict but never so much that I felt the need to rebel (well not too much )

20. Would you go sky diving?    Do you think I'm stark staring raving mad?????


21. Do you like cottage cheese? I love cottage cheese with chives.  I have it at least twice a week on salad for my lunch.


22. Have you ever met a celebrity?   Yes when MWM and I appeared on The Generation Game on BBC TV in 1981


23. Do you rent movies often? No we watch them on sky or people lend them to us.


24. Is there anything sparkly in the room you’re in?     Yes the crystals I have hanging in the window.


25. How many countries have you visited?  14 countries roughly but many different islands and resorts.


26. Have you made a prank phone call?    No, I couldn't disguise my voice.


27. Ever been on a train? We go on train trips all the time just for fun.

28. Brown or white eggs?  Depends on what colour my son's hens lay - they're my favourites 


29. Do you have a cell-phone? Yes - I text a lot.


30. Do you use chap stick?   Yes, otherwise my lips dry out rapidly and I have to keep them kissable for MWM

 31. Do you own a gun? Absolutely not, it's illegal here anyway.


32. Can you use chopsticks? Yes, I always use chopsticks when we go to a Chinese restaurant.


33.Who are you going to be with tonight?  MyWonderfulMan

 34. Are you too forgiving?  I can be but I never forget.


35. Ever been in love?  I am in love.

 36. What is your best friend(s) doing tomorrow? She has the week off work and will be looking after her grandson tomorrow.


65. Have you ever crawled through a window?   No I don't do crawling, through anything.


If you were reading this thinking I'm not doing this it would take too long, you have now had a pleasant surprise because there's not 65 questions,  so go on have a go if you've nothing better to do, I'm not tagging anyone it's up to you.