Me & My Hubby Meme.......

Bella tagged me for this meme, sorry for the delay Bella. I have to tell you eight things about me and MWM, here goes.....


1. MWM and I met when I was 14 and he was 15 - that was 43 years ago. We split up for eight years - he got married, I didn't.

2. We met only once, in passing, during the eight years we were apart. When we met again we stayed together- that was 35 years ago, we have been married 33 years in December.

3. We are both Scorpios.

4. MWM is the quiet one, I like to party!

5. I love savoury, MWM loves sweet.

6. MWM is calm, I have a temper.

7. I used to smoke, MWM has never smoked.

8. We love each other more now than we did 43 years ago, though I didn't think that was possible.



I'm not going to tag anyone - if you feel like having a go please feel free, but let me know so I can check yours out - I'm nosey!

I'm off out today, for lunch with friends, will catch up with you all tomorrow. Have a great Sunday.

New Hair Colour....

I decided to have my hair colour changed yesterday, what do you think? Be honest. It doesn't look too red on the picture but it looks really fiery red to me!




Anyway it's too late now, it's done. MWM likes it, if I don't get used to it I can always have some more blonde highlights put in until it grows out can't I?

I also did a bit of shopping and bought these...



An absolute bargain from T.K. Maxx. The skirt was £10.00 with a RRP of £69.00, and the top was £5.00 with a RRP of £39.99. The skirt is lovely and floaty and the top is linen - it says dry clean for the top but I never take any notice of the washing instructions so I'll just put it on a delicate wash - if it disintegrates it doesn't really matter for 5 quid does it?

Luckily I have shoes and a bag which match so no need for a trip to the shoe shop - the credit card has just breathed a sigh of relief!

Inspirational.....

Mike at Mike's Homefront has given me this award. I know you're thinking "Another one?" Well it would be rude to refuse and it will look lovely on my sideboard sidebar so I am accepting it with open arms.

I have to pass it on and I will try to choose bloggers who haven't already received it, so here goes.

Another Tangential Thinker- Get's you thinking.
Flowerpot Days - Always has something interesting to say.
Skittles - A blog full of everything.
Us Danes and Our Family - lots of stuff going on here.
Pig In The Kitchen - a great read plus recipes for those with allergies.
A Place I Call Home - interesting, funny and real.
Cursuum Perfidio - A fantastic wordsmith.

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HOW BORED ARE YOU?

Josie Two Shoes at Picking up Pieces posted this recently and invited anyone who wanted to have a go to copy it, so here goes.....

1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? No, but my granny chose my name. I hated it when I was younger but I don't mind it now. It's not Akelamalu by the way! ;)

2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED? Yesterday, after reading an email I received.

3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? If I've written in a rush then no because it looks like a spider trod in some ink and hiked across the page! If I use a fountain pen and take my time then it's passable.

4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT? Corned Beef with raw onion.

5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS? I have two grown sons and they have children.

6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? I think so. I make a wonderful friend but an awesome enemy, so I'd rather be my friend!

7. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT? I try not to, but it does slip in unoticed sometimes!

8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? No, I had them removed when I was about 5 years old. I can still remember the nurse giving me ice-cream when I'd recovered, but I didn't want it I just wanted my mummy!

9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? Are you mad???? I'm certainly not! I get dizzy standing on a chair!

10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? Oatibix but I prefer fresh fruit salad with a little Greek yoghurt and honey.

11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? I don't have any shoes with laces. I usually wear toe-post sandals in summer and boots in winter.

12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? I think I am strong-minded, but physically no. Perhaps I should take up weightlifting?

13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM? Raspberry Ripple.

14. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE? Their Eyes and then their hands.

15. RED OR PINK? Definiely Red. I love strong colours.

16. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF? My weight, I really must do something about it!

17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? My two eldest grandchildren and my Mum, who have all passed away.

18. YOU WANT EVERYONE TO BLOG THIS? Of course, I'm a nosy bugger!

19. WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING? Turquoise cargo pants and white t-shirt.

20. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE? Fruit salad, yoghurt and honey for breakfast.

21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? The clack of the keyboard as I type.

22. IF YOU WHERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? Yellow - a lovely sunny colour.

23. FAVORITE SMELLS? Babies, flowers and roast lamb .

24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? An annoying unsolicited telephone sales person. Ggggrrrrrrr.

25. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU? Sure, she's a fellow blogger.

26. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH? I'm not really into sports but I have been known to watch tennis.

27. HAIR COLOR? I'm a natural blonde but I have a little red but in to add some interest.

28. EYE COLOR? Blue

29. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? NO, jeez I couldn't put anything in my eyes they'd water that much the lenses would float away! I do wear glasses for reading though.

30. FAVORITE FOOD? Can't answer that because I just LOVE food, full stop. The only thing I don't like is butter beans.

31. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS? Happy Endings, I love soppy films, I love having a good sob - pass the tissues!

32. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED? Two Weeks Notice - Hugh Grant & Sandra Bullock (on television). I intend going very soon to watch Shrek 3.

33. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING? White

34. SUMMER OR WINTER? Definitely Summer, I hate Winter.

35. HUGS OR KISSES? Both, lots and lots.

36. FAVORITE DESSERT? Not really a dessert person I prefer cheese, but if I had to choose -Strawberries and Cream.

37. MOST LIKELY TO POST THIS ON THEIR BLOG? Anyone who can't think what to do for today's post like me!

38. LEAST LIKELY TO BLOG THIS? Anyone who is never short of stuff to blog about!

39. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW? The New Harry Potter.

40. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD? Haven't got one.

41. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON TV LAST NIGHT? Eastenders, then we went out.

42. FAVORITE SOUND? Children's laughter, in fact any laughter - the best medicine.

43. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES? Beatles, but I like the Stones as well. In the 60's you weren't allowed to like both!

44. WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME? Australia.

45. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT? I don't think so, but you could ask my man. ;)

46. WHERE WERE YOU BORN? England

47. WHOSE ANSWERS ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING BACK? Everybody!

48. WHAT TIME IS IT NOW? 09.00 British Summertime.


Ok blogging buddies, if you have nothing better to do, or want to save this for later copy and paste it when/if the mood takes you. Be sure to let me know so I can check it out. Like I said I'm a nosey bugger.

El Gouna Part 5...............

This is the last report of our recent holiday - What do you mean thank God for that?

Apart from the things I've already told you about the only other activities we took part in were - sunbathing, swimming (well me anyway), a bit of walking, sleeping, eating, drinking and reading. We did a lot of reading, mainly round the pool, inbetween sunbathing, swimming, walking, sleeping, eating and drinking! I actually read 8 (yes 8!) books and started my ninth at the airport on the way home. Here's what I read:

1. Gravity - Tess Gerritsen
2. Call After Midnight - Tess Gerritsen
3. The Broker - John Grisham
4. The Jester - James Patterson/Andrew Gross
5. The Blue Zone - Andrew Gross
6. Ghost Girl - Torey Hayden
7. Cross Bones - Kathy Reichs
8. The Operative - Duncan Falconer
9. The Cold Moon - Jeffery Deaver
   

I can recommend them all. I finished #9 yesterday and the only reason it took me so long to finish this one is because I've been blogging instead of reading! I've now started the new Harry Potter book.

Back to the holiday. I can thoroughly recommend El Gouna as a relaxing holiday destination. If you want to see the historical sights of Egypt then I recommend you do the Nile Cruise. The Three Corners Ocean View Hotel is superb, we couldn't fault the hotel at all, the rooms were comfortable and clean and I would defy anyone to say they couldn't find something they like on the breakfast, lunch and dinner buffets.

The staff were brilliant, couldn't do enough for you, and they all had a great sense of humour, particularly the cleaning staff! Every couple of days we'd get back to our room to find a different towel sculpture on our bed - I took pictures of them which I've put in a slide show for you. On the day we were coming home I made my own towel sculpture (a skinned chicken) and left it lying on the bed with a tip and a note to the cleaners thanking them for looking after us.

I took a chance not taking a crutch with me on holiday, deciding that I really had to start managing without it. I'm glad I did because my knee has become much stronger and more normal with the exercise of swimming, walking and climbing on and off boats! I think the sun had a lot to do with helping my knee recover too.

All in all we had a wonderful holiday and luckily as it is now school holidays I don't have to go back to work until September - you all hate me don't you???

I'll leave you with the last pictures of our holiday - The Towel Sculptures.

Read El Gouna Part 1, 2, 3 and 4.

Happy Birthday..............

Our eldest grandson SAM who is eight years old today.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SAM

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We had a great day out in Manchester yesterday. The sun was shining and I walked round all day pain free! We travelled by bus as we knew we would be having some alcohol with lunch (we don't drink and drive).

I bought some crocs.

I already have some luminous green and pink toe-post crocs, which I bought for my recent holiday, but these new ones are a bit like ballet pumps.

I also stocked up on Aveda Shampoo, (Manchester is the closest place to where I live to buy it), also my favourite eye-shadow collection, and I bought some 'Pinch Me' gel blush.

We went to the Printworks and sat outside in the sunshine at Cafe Rouge, where we had a glass of house red whilst we waited for Yum-Yum's to open for lunch. Yum Yum's do a Chinese Buffet, where you can eat as much as you want for £6.00, delicious, especially nice with the bottle of red wine we ordered.

After lunch we scouted round the newly refurbished Arndale Centre , MWM wanted to ride on the Wheel Of Manchester but I don't like heights so that was a no-no, as he didn't trust me not to exhaust the credit card whilst he went on his own!

Then it was time to catch the bus home. We had a great day and I am just so pleased with myself having been able to walk about all day without having to sit down every five minutes - I really can't remember the last time I was able to do that.

Quick Giggles Part Three.......

I'm off out for the day today to Manchester - shopping, lunch and a few glasses of wine, so I'll leave you with the following.............

THE POLITICALLY CORRECT GUIDE TO GUYS

He does not have a beer gut;
He develops a Liquid Grain Storage Facility.


He is not quiet;
He is a Conversational Minimalist.


He does not get lost all the time;
He discovers Alternative Destinations.


You do not buy him a drink;
You initiate an Alcohol-For-Conversation Exchange.


He does not fart and belch;
He is Gastronomically Expressive.


He is not a cradle snatcher;
He prefers Generationally Differential Realtionships.


He does not have a rich daddy;
He is a Recipient of Parental Asset Infusion.


He does not hog the blankets;
He is Thermally Unappreciative.


He is not a male chauvinist pig;
He has Swine Empathy.


He is not afraid of commitment;
He is Monogamously Challenged.


Read Quick Giggles part 1 and 2.

El Gouna Part 4..............

We didn't do many trips on this holiday apart from the bus trip Downtown, the Lagoon trip and a boat trip to a nearby deserted Island called Mahmya , which is in fact a National Park.

We were picked up from the hotel at 8 a.m. and taken to the harbour at Hurghada to pick up the boat. As we came to board the boat I stopped and said "There's no way I can get on there!" I love sailing (apart from in little boats where people keep standing up and down!) but this boat was a bit too far away from the jetty for me and I knew there was no way I would be able to jump it. My knee is much stronger now but I still have to go down on my bad leg and wouldn't trust a jump landing on it if you know what I mean. I explained I'd not long had an operation (showed them the impressive scar) and they said "no problem" they just hauled the boat in a bit more and practically lifted me onto the boat! A young couple from our hotel, who were on the same trip, asked me later if I'd had a knee replacement to which I repled yes. When I told them I'd had the operation in February they were amazed at how well I am doing because they just happen to both be physiotherapists and knew what was involved. This pleased me no end because I thought it was taking too long to recover.

Anyway, all aboard, we set sail to Mahmya Island about a 50 minute journey and a very pleasant one, MWM and I spent the 50 minutes sunbathing on the front of the boat and scanning the horizon for dolphins (no luck there unfortunately). As we approached the island we could see that the beach had oodles of thatched umbrellas for shade and thatched buildings dotted about and there were quite a lot of boats arriving. We had to decant into a smaller boat with an outboard motor to be taken ashore and were told we would be left to our own devices - sunbathing, swimming, snorkeling etc until midday when we would be taken back aboard our boat to visit another coral reef for more snorkeling.

The beach was absolutely beautiful, white sand and plenty of shade. You only needed to go ankle deep to see tropical fish swimming around your feet, I went a lot deeper to do some snorkeling but MWM (who doesn't swim) tried the mask and snorkel in about two foot of water and really enjoyed it.



Noon arrived quite quickly and we were back on board for the second part of the trip. I was a little apprehensive about getting on and off the boat by the ladder (I certainly wasn't going to jump in) to go snorkelling but I had no trouble at all and the underwater view was worth the effort. I don't stray too far away from the boat though because I'm not the strongest swimmer in the world but I do like to give it a go.

After about an hour everyone was called back on board to be taken back to Mahmya for lunch. We did the decant into the smaller boat again and were asked to make our way up from the beach to the restaurant. It was just a whole load of tables and benched covered by a thatched roof with a buffet table but the food was delicious.

I don't normally take photographs of toilets but this time I did because what they looked like outside was nothing like what they looked like inside! I was expecting a hole in the ground but it was like walking into the Tardis! Wait until you see the photos you'll understand what I mean.

We had another hour on the beach which MWM and I walked along hand in hand then we sat in the surf relaxing. All too soon it was time to board the boat again for the trip home, we were worn out but very happy. We just had time for a power nap at the hotel before we got ready for yet another evening of eating and drinking and relaxing.

Tune in again for the last part of El Gouna (Part 5).



Read El Gouna Part 1, 2 and 3.

What's blooming?.......

Youngest son Dan's Fi-ver is bringing Kai and Nathaniel over for lunch today whilst Fi is working, so we get to play with the grandkids! Kai's favourite food is Yorkshire Pudding, so that's what we have to have, regardless of whatever else is on the menu. I taught MWM to make Yorkshire Pudding years ago, before I went into hospital for a(nother) operation so he could take over making Sunday lunch whilst I was laid up. He is now the MASTER Yorkshire Pudding Maker - far better than me, so it's his job now (good ruse eh girls?).

Entertainmentwise I found this at Lettuce's blog yesterday - SCREAMING BEANS - have a look it's literally a scream.

By way of a change a rare slice of sunshine on Friday got me out in the garden. Here's what's blooming at the moment. Hope your Sunday is good.

El Gouna Part 3..............

The hotel arranged a complimentary Lagoon trip for all it's guests. As you will have read in El Gouna Part 1 all the resort hotels are built around lagoons interconnected by bridges.

The lagoon trips started at 4 p.m. (when it was a 'little' cooler) and we had a short walk down to the marina to pick up the little boat. There were a lot of people on the boat who, for some reason best known to themselves, all wanted to sit on the same side of the boat, and some of these people were huge! Now don't get me wrong I have nothing against big people, (I'm one myself, which is why you won't see many pictures of me on here!), but the boat was in danger of turning over until the guide (one of the animation team) politely asked some of them to shift their a$$es to the other side! That was a bit of a hairy moment but the boat stopped rocking and we set off. Phew!

As we set off along the lagoons our guide was explaining about the origin of El Gouna and pointing out the different styles of hotel, whilst the 'captain' of our little dingy boat tried to maintain the balance as numerous speedboats whizzed passed us causing great swells! Some members of the group decided to keep standing up to get better shots for their photographs (sit down you *******) as I clung on for dear life. As you will see from the slide show MWM managed to get some good shots, if it had been left to me you'd be seeing nothing!

The views were magnificent as were the hotels and private residences. The owner of the land El Gouna is built on has a house on a little island of it's own connected to the next island by a bridge. We also saw a house which is reported to belong to Omar Sharrif.

The whole trip took about 45 minutes and was really quite pleasant, once everyone had parked their bum and stopped trying to tip the boat over. When we got back to the hotel I went for a much needed Rum and Coke and a lie down!

See El Gouna Part 1 and 2.

It's a dog's life.............

"Come on dog let's play!"

"But Mum said we have to go to sleep Nathaniel!"

Schmoozers............

Shaz at Us Danes and our Family and Mark at the Green Fingered Photographer have ever so kindly awarded me with this "Schmoozer Award".


What is a Schmoozer?


. . ."As it goes, schmoozing is the natural ability “to converse casually, especially in order to gain an advantage or make a social connection.” Good schmoozers effortlessly weave their way in and out of the blogsphere, leaving friendly trails and smiles, happily making new friends along the way. They don’t limit their visits to only the rich and successful, but spend some time to say hello to new blogs as well. They are the ones who engage others in meaningful conversations, refusing to let it end at a mere hello - all the while fostering a sense of closeness and friendship".


After reading that what can I say but I'm honoured Shaz and Mark and I thank you kindly.


I have to pay it forward (this is the bit I like best) so I hope the following will please accept the award and pass it on.


Bella at (the mad) Household of La Bellina Mammina is a lovely blogger who fits the description of a Schmoozer to a 'T'.


Annelisa (Words that Flow) is taking a break at the moment after the loss of her dear friend but when she is blogging she is the kindest, most supportive blogger.


Now I know Miss Bee (Muffin53) has already been awarded a Schmoozer but she's such a lovely supportive blogger that I think she deserves another one.


Ruth at Me, My Life, My Garden and There are a million stories in the naked city, is such a lovely lady who always has a kind, funny, witty word to say. It's like sitting in your kitchen over a cup of coffee talking to her.



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On the subject of BOYS TOYS

Can any of you boys tell me why - because MWM wanted the new XBox 360 Digital we have had to have a new Sky+ HD Tuner and replace our two year old Philips 26"Flat Screen Television for a new Philips 32" HD Ready Flat Screen Television?


I don't see the logic!!!??????

El Gouna Part 2......

Downtown is the other main place to go for entertainment in El Gouna and as you can imagine every time 'Downtown' is mentioned everyone bursts into the Petula Clark version of the song!

We only did one trip Downtown, during the day, which wasn't such a good idea as we went after lunch and of course most places were shut - hence the old saying "Only Mad Dogs and Englishmen(women) go out in the midday sun"! Anyway there was a local bus stopped right outside the hotel every 15 minutes, which would take you Downtown for 50 pence each for an all day ticket, so we thought why not. The bus was a real boneshaker, though very colourful as you'll see from the photograph, and the place was really pretty with a lovely little craft centre, but the stalls were shut when we went. Undeterred we had a walk around and then sat in the square and had a cooling beer before we hopped on the bus back to the hotel.

The main place to relax after our evening meal was on the sun terrace - too hot to use during the day but lovely at night. There was a resident singer and the animation team did a quiz and bingo once a week. The quiz was fun, but the Bingo - well let's just say I was glad when someone won because I couldn't make head nor tail of it and I know how to play bingo! It was good fun though.

There was a Caberet show in the outdoor theatre at the new Duport building (the second part of the hotel), this was organised by the animation team, who really put their heart and soul into the productions.

Just outside the hotel was Peanut's Bar where you could either sit inside (air conditioned) or on the terrace enjoying the marina and the cooling breeze, which was evident most evenings.

Down at the new part of the hotel they had the Duport Pool Bar which had fantastic four poster type loungers all around the circular pool with a bar selling drinks and food. It was at night that the Pool Bar really shone though when it was transformed into a boudoir! See the slide show to see the transformation. All the loungers were scattered with huge multicoloured cushions and guest DJ's were hired playing anything from Latin to House Music - we went there most evenings.

Because we were all inclusive all drinks at the hotel, Peanuts and the Pool Bar were free until midnight for us, and it was great that we weren't restricted to just the hotel bar.

You might think we spent most evenings eating and drinking - you'd be right, but hey that's all part of the holiday right?

El Gouna Part 3 coming soon. See El Gouna Part 1 here.