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Friday, 31 August 2007

Nursery Rhyme Quiz Part 1 ....


Fancy a bit of fun?

Try your hand at working out what Nursery Rhymes the following initials stand for. You can get the kids and grandkids to help you.

Example: B.B.B.S.H.Y.A.W. - Baa Baa Black Sheep Have You Any Wool - get the gist?

Email (through my profile) your answers to me in the next week, then next week I'll post the answers and the winner(s).


All those who get any right can claim this badge for their blog.

Josh at the Gabbatha very kindly made it for me, isn't he clever!







  1. O.K.C.W.A.M.O.S.


  2. J.S.C.E.N.F.


  3. O.T.B.M.S.


  4. L.J.H.S.I.A.C.


  5. T.O.A.T.P.C.W.T.S.


  6. T.M.T.M.T.B.A.F.P.


  7. L.P.F.S.A.T.C.


  8. R.A.C.H.T.B.C.


  9. J.A.J.W.U.T.H.


  10. P.A.C.P.A.C.B.M.

Good Luck.


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I've just noticed this is my 200th post and according to my counter this blog has had 23,818 visitors!


We're off on another jaunt early tomorrow morning and won't be back until late Sunday - so I'll see you Monday.

Thursday, 30 August 2007

Remembering a special person....



Today I am remembering a very special person - our grandson Reece. It would have been his 17th birthday today. I am taking some flowers to the grave that he shares with Sophie, our granddaughter, in the little church on the hill. He passed just before his sixth birthday and endured so much pain during his short life, but he taught us so much and will always be remembered, loved and missed.


The Red Admiral Butterfly has much significance in remembering Reece. At the end of the service for his funeral, in the little church on the hill, as the last notes and words of "Wind Beneath My Wings" rose to the eaves, a Red Admiral butterfly swirled and danced over the tiny white coffin, soaring ever upward until it disappeared. Our little grandson's last gift to us - his goodbye.




God Bless Reece, we love and miss you.

Wednesday, 29 August 2007

Not A Scare In The World....

Is the title of David's (Authorblog) post containing this weeks question. You remember last week's question was "What would you like to say to the girlfriend or boyfriend that first dumped you?"

Here's how it works:

David says - Every weekend, I'm going to ask you one simple question. Answer the question on your own blog, any time until Friday. Please link to this blog (or to this post) just so I can follow the progress of the notion.


And the question is:Do you believe in ghosts?




My Answer:


Yes, I most definitely do. I haven't actually seen a ghost but I have seen evidence that they are around. Many times I have put things down in the kitchen, turned to do something else only to find the item missing when I turn back around. When this happens I usually say "Right, I'm going out of the room and I want the 'whatever' back where I left it when I return" - lo and behold it's back where I left it when I return. You may think it's just my imagination but MWM has been there when it's happened. I have to say though it hasn't happened since we had the kitchen remodelled two years ago, so perhaps the ghost got thrown out with the old cupboards!


If you want to join in just follow the link to David's blog and let him know you're participating.

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ALSO........


Just to let you know that on September 27th, 1,000s of bloggers around the world in BlogCatalog's Blogging for a Great Cause Challenge.This Blogging Challenge will be: Bloggers Against Abuse September 27th, 2007The Outcome we are after is to be part of the largest group of bloggers to ever blog about an important cause, all on the same day.

So how do you participate?

On Sept. 27th, blog about putting an end to some sort of Abuse (you decide what kind of abuse to blog about).

You can see more details here.

Tuesday, 28 August 2007

Scattergories Meme....


Miss Bee was tagged with this meme recently and thought it looked fun so I pinched it, as she hadn't tagged me. I told her I was pinching it, I don't think she minds.


RULES: Use the 1st letter of your name to answer each of the following...they have to be real places, names, things...nothing madeup! Try to use different answers if the person in front of you had the same 1st initial. You CAN'T use your name for the boy/girl name question.


It's not as easy as you might think and I have added a bit of a twist, I've found a link for each word I've used - you can too if you like, it makes it a bit harder but more fun.



What is your name?Akelamalu


4 letter word: Aura




City: Aberdeen


Boy Name: Adrian


Girl Name: Anne


Alcoholic Drink: Asti Spumante



Something you wear: Astrakan Coat


Celebrity: Anneka Rice


Food: Angel cake


Something found in a bathroom: Antiperspirant


Reason for Being late: Ambled along


Cartoon Character: Asterix


Something You Shout: 'Allo 'Allo!




I don't do much tagging but I will this time so my victims choices for this are






Buffalodickdy (Opinions and Rectums)





Of course you don't have to join in if you don't want to but go on, I dare you, for a bit of fun!


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I just found out that Shaz (Us Danes & Our Family) gave me this


I have to say I love your blog too Shaz, there's always so much to read and I love the videos and tales about the Great Danes! I am duly honoured.
As the badge can only be passed on to one person at a time and I have so many blogs I love to read, I put all my blogroll in a hat and drew out just one

This is Jenny's blog and it is one of the funniest blogs ever. Be warned though Jenny uses some colourful language!

Monday, 27 August 2007

Eight Things.....

Leanne (Crow's Feet Anonymous) tagged me to write 8 Things You Shouldn't Say.

I've chosen 8 things you shouldn't say to a woman - MEN take heed!

  1. Your bum looks big in that.
  2. That colour doesn't suit you.
  3. I saw your husband out with a YOUNG woman.
  4. Your hair looks a mess.
  5. You need some deodorant.
  6. Are you wearing that for a bet?
  7. You've got Bingo Wings.
  8. Are your ankles swollen or are they just fat?

I'm not going to tag anyone just go ahead and give it a whirl if you like.

Sunday, 26 August 2007

Nice Matters........

My lovely blogging friend Bella (the mad) Household of La Bellina Mammina) has given me this lovely award. I know you're thinking 'bloody hell not another one!" but I don't care, I love 'em!!



This is what The Nice Matters Award is given for





"This award is for those bloggers who are nice people; good blog friends and those who inspire good feelings and inspiration. Also for those who are a positive influence on our blogging world. Once you've been awarded please pass it on to 7 others who you feel are deserving of this award."


Here goes:


Queenie (Queenie's Random Ramblings) is my very best friend in all the world so of course she must be nice.

Annelisa (Words That Flow) is one of the nicest people I have met since I started blogging. She's not been around much lately as she is mourning her friend, but she'll be back I'm sure.

Smalltown RN (A place I call home) a recent discovery of mine, has a lovely blog, is a bit of an action woman and is a thoroughly nice person.

Pig in the Kitchen is a great writer and shares some of her fabulous recipes - how nice is that?

Mike (Mike's Homefront) has a great blog, writes music but most importantly is a nice family man.

Sarge Charlie is a thoroughly nice man who loves Miss Bee and is sooooo romantic about her - very important.

Gewels (Imagined Life) has some beautiful photographs on her blog as well as interesting posts. She is a true jewel, inspiring and a nice person to boot!



The award is a bit pink for the boys but I'm sure you're both 'man' enough to wear it!


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And a little something to brighten your day.....


A biker was riding along a California beach when suddenly the skyclouded above his head and, in a booming voice, the Lord said,

"Because you have tried to be faithful to me in all ways, I will grant you one wish."

The biker pulled over and said,

"Build a bridge to Hawaii so I can ride over anytime I want." The Lord said,

"Your request ismaterialistic, think of the enormous challenges for that kind of undertaking. The supports required to reach the bottom of the Pacific! The concrete and steel it would take! It will nearly exhaust several natural resources. Ican do it, but it is hard for me to justify your desire for worldly things. Take a little more time and think of something that would honour and glorify me."

The biker thought about it for a long time. Finally he said,

"Lord, I wish that I could understand my wife. I want to know how she feels inside, what she's thinking when she gives me the silent treatment, why she cries, what she means when she says nothing's wrong, and how I can make a woman truly happy."

The Lord replied,

"You want two lanes or four on that bridge?"

Saturday, 25 August 2007

A walk in the country......

Yesterday MWM and I decided to go for a walk to what used to be our local pub. I say used to be, because it's a 1 1/4 mile walk so I haven't been able to do it for some time!

Anyway, as yesterday was such a lovely day we decided to walk there for lunch and walk back. It took us about 25 minutes and we are very lucky in that we are literally minutes away from some beautiful countryside. I took some photos on the way so you can see why we wanted to walk.

It was only 11.55 a.m. when we arrived at The Gardeners, so we sat on the bench outside for five minutes then went through to the Beer Garden when then opened. I had Broccoli Cheese Bake with crispy fat chips and some salad and MWM had a Cheese Baguette and Salad and we washed it down with a lovely cool lager whilst sitting enjoying the sun. Most pubs now have a seating area outside especially for smokers. I don't smoke any more but felt sorry for the smokers when I saw that not only do they have to sit outside but they're told what they can and can't do!






We stayed about an hour then set off back - it's uphill on the way back - I'd forgotton - I was knackered!








Have a great weekend!

Friday, 24 August 2007

A Birthday Celebration....

is happening today at Skittles place - it's her 1st Blogversary!


There's a big party going on, with loads of guests and I'm taking and



and and



There will be and a with plenty of




and so drop in and say to Skittles



and don't forget to take a


You're sure to have a



Here's my present to you Skittles, a virtual ticket


to anywhere in the enjoy!



HAPPY BLOGVERSARY SKITTLES

Thursday, 23 August 2007

Hollingworth Lake...

We took Kai up to Hollingworth Lake on Tuesday to feed the ducks. It's a beautiful place and only a 25 minute drive from where we live. The lake covers an area of 130 acres and the path around it originally measured two-and-a-half miles, beneath the cold waters was the old hamlet of Hollingworth.

The lake is still used for recreational purposes, and is classed as a national trust due to a nearby wildlife sanctuary. The lake was man-made in 1801 to supply water to the Rochdale Canal.

The lake boasts many watersports such as sailing, canoeing, swimming, rafting, rowing and fishing. Visitors can also take trips across the lake on the launch 'The Lady Alice'. The scenic walk around the lake is two and a half miles long and passes by a nature reserve with a bird hide. The lake is teeming with wildlife and is often used as a means of adventure activities for children, whereby they can catch various pond life. During the day Hollingwoth lake is a walkers paradise offering walks in all directions. A popular walk for families is around the lake itself, this is around two-and-a-half miles. If walking isn't your thing then you can just sit back and take in the breath taking views across the lake whilst enjoying a refreshing soft drink. Yes I said soft drink, though you can get alcohol there of course!


The Lake is a popular destination during the summer, especially at weekends as there are a couple of restaurant/pubs and cafes to provide sustenance. Lots of people take their own picnics and sit on the picnic benches or the beach, when the water level is low, however the lake is full at the moment due to all the rain and there isn't much beach. The weather alternated between boiling hot and a chilly wind but we fed the ducks and geese and had some ice-cream, (Kai had a lolly and half of Grandad's ice-cream), and plenty of fresh air. I took a few photographs because the views are beautiful, I hope you enjoy them.

Oh and do me a favour please and pop over to say HAPPY BLOGVERSARY to Ruth (Me, My Life, My Garden), it's been a very rocky 12 months for her but she's kept her blog going, and she's such a lovely lady. Thanks.






Wednesday, 22 August 2007

Creative - Me?.......

Lookeehere I've been given another award.


This one is from the very lovely and talented Rotten Correspondent - you notice I've struck out the rotten bit, that's because she's not! This is what she said about me


...because she has the most fabulous multi-media site I've seen. And also because I love pretty much everything she does on her blog.


How kind is that?


Anyway I have to pay the award forward as you do with all awards, so I hope the following folk will accept the award and pay it forward to keep the linky-love going.



Mimi Writes who's whole blog is a creative masterpiece.


Mark (The Green Fingered Photographer) takes some fantastic wildlife photos and will also let you use some of his pictures to use as banners on your blog, see here.


1 Million Love Messages - how much more thoughtful can you get than creating a blog that promotes love? Go and leave your message to a loved one today, it's easy.


Ruth (Me, My Life, My Garden) has created a beautiful, colourful blog, packed full of interesting gardening information and gorgeous pictures of her garden and the surrounding countryside where she lives.


The Experiment which was Mike's idea. It is, however, a story created by many writers who can all take the Creative Blogger Award and display it on their blogs.



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ALSO....

Ruth at Me, My Life, My Garden did a post about a post that David at Authorblog did recently, and it sounded fun so I thought I'd join in. Here's what David said......


Dump And Dumper

Here's some weekend fun for us to share. Every weekend, starting today, I'm going to ask you one simple question. Answer the question on your own blog, any time until Friday. Please link to this blog (or to this post) just so I can follow the progress of the notion.


And the question is:


What would you like to say to the girlfriend or boyfriend who first dumped you?



"Told you I'd get you back!" (I'm married to him!)


If you want to join in click here and let David know so that he can follow progress.


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Also Mimi found this piece of fun, so I pinched it - give it a try. This is my Peculiar Aristocratic Title:


My Peculiar Aristocratic Title is:
Baroness Akelamalu the Lush of Lardle Midhoop
Get your Peculiar Aristocratic Title





I have to admit the LUSH part is not far short of mark!!

Tuesday, 21 August 2007

Layer Meme......

I pinched this from Mimi's because I thought it was fun.



LAYER 1



Name: Akelamalu

Birth Date: November 18, 1900 and something
Current Status: Married

Eye Color: Blue

Hair Color: Naturally Blonde but now dyed Reddish


Layer 2



My Heritage: British through and through

My Fear: Dying before I get old

My weaknesses: Shoes, shoes, shoes oh and bags, bags and bags

My Perfect Pizza: Cheese, with a bit more cheese on top.


LAYER 3

My thoughts first waking up : I hope it's Saturday or Sunday and I don't have to go to work.

My bedtime : 10.30 p.m. weekdays/ Very late at weekends.

My most missed memory: Memories are there to be tapped into all the time so I don't miss any.

LAYER 4



Pepsi or coke : Coke
Single or group dates : Married so I don't date any more.

Adidas or Nike : I don't do trainers.

Tea or Nestea : Tea

Chocolate or Vanilla : Chocolate

Cappuccino or Coffee : Cappuccino

LAYER 5

Smoke : Not now

Curse : Only when I'm mad.

Take a shower : Preferably

Have a crush : Jon Bon Jovi

Think you’ve been in love :I know I've been in love

Go to school : Only during Term time

Want to get married : I am and I'd do it again.

Believe in yourself : Of course

Think you’re a health freak : Not at all
LAYER 6



Drank alcohol : I saw the add "Drink Canada Dry" and I wanted to give it a whirl, but MWM didn't want to emigrate.

Gone to the mall : Me, shopping??? Do I really need to answer that?

Been on stage : Yes.
Eaten sushi : Yes

Dyed your hair : As I did a post about it recently I guess I'll have to say yes!



LAYER 7


Played a stripping game : Only with MWM ((wink, wink))

Changed who you were to fit in : No, if folk don't like me the way I am that's their hard luck!


LAYER 8

Get married: There already


LAYER 9


Best eye colour : Brown
Best hair colour : Dark
Short hair or long hair : Long, short, bald - doesn't matter to me.

LAYER 10


A minute ago : Logging on

Hour ago : Sleeping

Month ago : Getting used to walking without crutches

Year ago : Being referred to a surgeon for my knee replacement surgery



LAYER 11

I love : MWM

I feel : Blessed

I hate : My boss

I hide : My nails

I miss : My Mum
I need : To retire from work


Anyone else feel free to grab the meme. Please let me know when you are finished. Now raise your right hand and repeat after me: I swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help me blog.

Monday, 20 August 2007

Thoughtful.......

Flowerpot has graciously bestowed this award on me. I'm busy moving all the other awards along the mantleshelf to make room! (you know this is tongue in cheek don't you?)


In truth I can't believe that me/my blog is that popular! Anyway I'm honoured that anyone would think I'm worthy of an award of any kind so I say thank you Flowerpot and I accept the honour with open arms.


I have to nominate five other people who are:-

Bella (the mad) Household of La Bellina Mammina who always has a kind word.

Dave who's words of wisdom make you think about life instead of just living it.


Talj (Talj's Balcony Paradise) such a thoughtful person who is raising money for charity.


Ron (Foot Notes) gives so much thoughtful and useful information on Reflexology and Aromatherapy.


MissUnderstood (A Sideways Look At Womanhood) who recently had to write and deliver a Eulogy for a friend. Go read it but have a box of tissues ready.

I hope you will all acccept the award in the spirit it is given and pay it forward to some other Thoughtful Bloggers.

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And just to make you groan smile.........


Count Dracula is on the pull in Glasgow. He spends the night drinking Bloody Mary's in various clubs and biting on unsuspecting women's necks.

He's heading for home, along Argyle Street sometime before dawn.

Suddenly he's hit on the back of the head. He looks round and sees nothing. He looks down and sees a small sausage roll. Mmmm, he thinks.
What's going on here?

A few yards further on and........BANG. Smacked on the back of the head again! He whirls round as quick as he can - nothing. Again he looks down and there's a small triangular sandwich lying on the ground. How odd!

A few more yards further along the street and........crash. Smacked on the back of the head yet again! He whirls round as quick as he can - nothing. He's getting really angry now. Again he looks down and there's a cocktail sausage lying on the ground. He stands and peers into the darkness of the night. Nothing.

He walks a few yards further along again when he gets a tap on the shoulder. With a swirl of his cape and a cloud of mist he turns as fast as he can. He feels a sharp pain in his heart. He falls to the ground clutching his chest, which is punctured by a small cocktail stick laden with a chunk of cheese and a pickled onion.

On the ground dying, he looks up and sees a young female. With his dying breath he gasps, "Who the hell are you?"

Wait for it...

Are you ready?...

Brace yourself...

This'll make your day...


... "BUFFET, the vampire slayer."