12th December 2014 - Furry Friday!

Another morning with no lie in because Paul has to work. Boo.

My idea was to stay in bed for a little while, which was facilitated by Maia, cuddling me and the electric throw...

But there are chores to be done and do I got them done! Meaning the ironing.

It took longer than I anticipated to get it all done, but it did get done! I then got to chill for a tiny bit longer before I headed out to meet T from work as it was time for our annual Christmas drinkypoos!

We headed to the pub at the station by her house and had a few drinks. Her husband joined us for a cola and we chatted to some of the locals for a while.

One of the locals wasn't quite like the others

This is Ollie. He's quite old and very adorable. He enjoyed playing fetch with me and his Santa toy (which wasn't new and still had it's squeak!) and the usual tug of war games you play with dogs!

After a few drinks, we headed back to T's house for a bit of food and some fizz! I also got to catch up with mini-me, who is another year older and about 5 feet taller! She won't be mini me much longer!

I seemed to be there for not very long at all but the train I was going to catch came and went, so I decided to wait for the next one which came and went. I HAD to go for the last train so headed to the station with about 5 minutes to spare.

It didn't turn up. It was 35 minutes late. T's husband stayed with me, which was very kind of him but it was getting to the stage that I was going to be staying at their house. Thankfully I didn't need to and headed on the drunkards train home. I was tipsy but was positively sober compared to the others on the train!

I got home at about half 12 and Paul wasn't back from his Christmas party yet...so I text him, but got no response...so went to sleep.

I woke up about 1.15 and he still wasn't in, so text him. Nothing.

I then fell asleep for a little while and woke to a missed call at 02:02am. Called Paul back. Nothing.

I was awake then.

Texts for a very long time. Finally got hold of him at 3:40am. He said he'd come home...

PREVIOUSLY...

2013

4th December 2014 - Normal use of an afternoon!

We didn't want to go to the gym this morning. But we did! Aren't you impressed? We felt better for it! 

Then to work for a few hours. Yep - got one of my cheeky half days off again today!

So what else would I do but get the ironing board out and get my chores done!

Not that much there. Didn't take me too long! I then cuddled up under the heated throw and watched some tv. It was a hard life for all of us!

Barney chilled out, literally, on the kitchen floor. He wasn't very social. Just waiting for his din dins. Just like I was!

When Paul got home we relaxed for a while, had dinner, watched tv and ate cheesecake.

Lemon Gu cheesecake t be exact. Mmmmmmm!

PREVIOUSLY...

2013

21st November 2014 - Shivers!

I started the Friday with a couple of grumps. Firstly, Paul had to work. Secondly, Felix let me DOWN.

We feed our fussy cats Felix 'As Good As It Looks' cat food. It's not the best, I know, but Maia is soooo fussy that it's pretty much all she would eat for a while!

Not much longer. Todays' offering was beef and carrots. Allegedly.

See - labelled as beef and carrots. So you get the idea of what you think you're going to get when you open the packet.

Um. I'm not convinced that there is much in the way of beef...or even carrot in there.

Maybe it's all fallen to the bottom half of the packet?

Nope. No beef in there either! I even mushed it up to try to find some. Nope. Just jelly. Cue unimpressed Cagga.

Anyway, I didn't feed them any of the packet. I threw it all away and gave them one of the expensive ones we know is pretty much only meat! Screw you, Felix!

After I had calmed down a little, I needed to make the most of my day, so I got the ironing board out and got all the ironing done. Will a little Hobbit commentary in the background for entertainment!

I don't normally do the ironing downstairs but as I was alone, why not? Maia came to join me and curled up on the radiator behind me!

I may have taken a million and one pictures of her because she looked so damn cute! She was also snoring. A LOT. She's very loud. I don't know whether to be concerned or not. Hmmm.

Barney was also being cute, just in case you were wondering!

He can't just sleep on the bed, oh no. He has to have the fleecy blanket as well.

More Maia. AW!

I got the ironing done and sat down for a while before preparing myself to go out. Yes, I had to leave the house. Shocking. I don't like having to leave the house but we had made plans!

It was pouring with rain outside and the wind was really strong, so my umbrella broke fairly quickly into my outdoor journey.

I met Paul from work and we went to have dinner at Nolita Cantina, which is a little place we had never been to before!

Paul had a bacon and blue cheese burger which I didn't take a picture of. I had belly pork in Dr Pepper sauce.

I didn't use my flash as I feel as though people would judge me for taking pictures of my food. I'm a blogger! Don't they understand?!

The sauce was very rich but I enjoyed it very much! We will definitely go again!

From there we went to have a couple of drinks before our evening really got started. We went back to Brewdog, where we went last weekend for a few.

It's quirky. They encourage you to play games. On our table we had an interesting option...

Dinosaur Top Trumps! We didn't play but we had a look through at the various dinos. I found my instant favourite dinosaur of all time.

Obviously.

We also found something that I can't believe exists.

Really? REALLY?! That's something out of a horror movie, not real life!

Anyway, instead of a beer, as I didn't fancy a beer, I had a beer cocktail!

It was called 'Punch Drunk Punk' and it was very nice (and boozy) and I enjoyed it so much I had another one!

Then it was onto the Philharmonic. We were not going to see a show, though. Well, not in the way you would imagine anyway!

We were going on a Shiverpool Ghost Walk!

We were trying to look afraid. We more shivering more from the cold and rain than the fear!

The girls who took us round were good fun and there were about 20 of us! I was really impressed and would recommend it to anyone looking for a fun evening!

We went back to the Philharmonic Pub where we started from and needed to warm up before heading home. So I reacquainted myself with my friend from earlier in the week!

Mmmmm! Mulled wine!

We went home and I went straight to bed as I was exhausted! Good times!

PREVIOUSLY...

2013

16th October 2014 - More of the same!

Didn't have the best sleep, which I never seem to do when Paul is away. Barney decided that licking the base of the fabric-covered bed seemed like a rather fabulous idea at silly o'clock. Not the best way to get Mamma's attention, pal. I put a pillow over my ears and got a few more minutes sleep!

I had a little FaceTime with Paul, who was rushing to get all his stuff packed and get to the office for his day in Kent. I procrastinated a little then headed to work myself.

Blah blah, work, blah blah. I was a long day and I was super fed up by the end of it.

When I got home, I followed Paul's progress back up north via an app that Apple gave us! Thanks for that! I do like to be able to stalk my husband while he's away!

Then it was time for my usual Thursday night ritual of finishing the ironing I got bored doing on Tuesday night!

It didn't take long but then I was a loose end! I potted around a little and entertained the kitties, had a bit of a sing song with myself but then got bored. Maia was bored. Barney was bored.

Barney decided to steal my dressing gown. He looks better in it than me!

I chilled until Paul got home when we decided to watch the rest of the ep of Shield that Chris and I didn't get around to finishing last night!

After that, I nodded off!

PREVIOUSLY...

2013

30th September 2014 - Use It!

Wasn't in the best of moods again this morning after a lousy sleep but to change the record slightly, we went to the gym! I KNOW!

Then, even though I didn't want to go in, I went to work. It was a horrible day. I felt like people were getting at me left right and centre. Can't do right for doing wrong. I tried to top caring about it but that's easier said than done.

Luckily, being so busy means that the days fly by and home time came quite quickly. I did have stuff to do at home as well so couldn't sit around feeling sorry for myself. The ironing wasn't going to do itself.

I have to protect the ironing while I'm doing it otherwise at least one at will curl up on it and cover it in fur / give it more creases / look so cute I can't move them off the ironing!

Paul called me for dinner so I used that as a valid reason to stop ironing for the night!

Paul had noticed a marinade in the cupboard which he had been given as part of a set for Christmas from my brother. It was best before the end of the month so we had best use it, given that this is the end of the month!

It was really nice! Sad we didn't discover it earlier!

We watched the start of the brand new episode of Castle then some more Stargate, then headed to bed once more as I was shattered!

PREVIOUSLY...

2013

1st September 2014 - Happy Half Birthday, Edward! :)

My gorgeous little nephew is 6 months old today! YAY!

Photo stolen from Annabel's facebook!

I just love his little smile! It makes me so happy! My current favourite picture (which pretty much changes every single time my bro or Annabel posts a new picture) is this one:

Photo stolen from Michael's facebook (I think)

We bought him that cardigan! I love it! Such a happy little boy!

***

Taken from Tumblr

How is it September already?! Wasn't it only just my birthday?!

Anyway, we had a little lie in the morning and didn't gym. Instead straight to work and a busy day was had. Nothing particularly interesting happened. I had a productive day!

I came home and fed the cats as I usually do. I then noticed another daft thing Barney does.

Why eat from the front of the bowl, where the side is low and it's easy to get to, when you can eat over the high side?!

Cats are weird.

I then decided to tackle the ironing as there isn't a lot and I wanted to get it done.

The iron had other ideas. I don't think it wanted to be disturbed today. I got most of the work done but as I was rearranging a sleeve, it decided to attack me.

It fell on my hand.

It hurt.

WAAAAAAAA.

I feel like that dude out of Home Alone!

Taken from Hero Wikia

I know it's not on my face, but I feel as though it's just as obvious!

We had dinner and I sat and felt sorry for myself for a while.

As soon as the heat in my hand started to fade we went to bed. That's that!

PREVIOUSLY...

2013

26th August 2014 - More of the usual

We didn't go to the gym this morning. My poorly sickness of yesterday probably meant that we shouldn't. Any excuse to be lazy, right?

Paul waited around a little later than usual this morning so he could give me a lift to work as I wasn't on top form. He's a good boy! I appreciated it!

It was a really busy day in the office, not assisted by the fact that our system kept going down. Oh, and A was checking his emails while he is on holiday and sending extra stuff for us to do. Talk about frustrating! You're on holiday, pal! Forget about us!

After work I came home, pondered for a while about being lazy then remembered I did that all weekend, so got on with my usual Tuesday job of doing the ironing. Fun fun fun.

My ironing board cover has looked prettier but that's what it is! It's the only vaguely interesting thing I could take a picture of today! Running out of ways to photograph the ironing. I need to do more interesting stuff on a Tuesday!

Once I finished we had dinner, watched some tv but I was feeling tired so came to bed to read for a while but mostly to sleep. Head colds make you tired. True story.

PREVIOUSLY...

2013

14th August 2014 - It's Done!

Not a bad sleep but too sleepy to be getting up to go to the gym. Next week = new start for us. Lots more gym and better living. I think we're having a weekend off the booze as well! Let's see if that keeps up!

It absolutely threw it down with rain this morning, literally just  for the duration of my walk to work. It came down heavy as I stepped out of the house and stopped as soon as I got to the front door. Grr. My legs were soaked!

It got so bad that I had to take off my shoes so they could dry out! Luckily for me I had my fluffy slippers here so was able to keep my feet toasty warm!

It's a good look, with my suit trousers, no?!

It was a mad busy day but got a lot done and was pleased with it! Go me!

The one kicker is that I was sending a LOT of emails out that were a bit on the snarky side, which meant that I was getting the retaliation. I'm just the messenger! Be nice to me. So whenever I saw the new email icon, I approached it in fear!

I quickly opened it to get rid of the notification then closed it again like a wimp! I'll print it later! I'm on my lunch! I don't want meanies ruining my break!

No rest for the wicked today though, as when I got home I was determined to get the ironing DONE. I mean all of it. All that holiday stuff that has been there since we got back. I want it GONE! So I got on with it, stopping for a quick 45 minute break for my tea (chorizo burgers...mmm!) and an episode of Stargate.

I did it. By 9pm it was finished!

Maia was so happy it was empty, she put her favourite piece of lace in there in playful celebration!

Yes, Frodo. I feel my ironing challenge IS as big of a deal as you casting the One Ring into the fires of Mount Doom! Shame I didn't have an eagle to carry me to bed as well!

I played with Maia for a while once I finished as she was feeling feisty. Then Barney came and made it all about him so Maia wouldn't play any more. These two cannot play together. That it impossible. I feel sorry for Maia as I don't get to play with her very often as Barney always takes over. He's such a spoiler.

We then went to bed and hoped for a good night's sleep. As we do every night!

PREVIOUSLY...

2013

31st July 2014 - Treats

After starting the week well, it's all downhill from there. We couldn't go to the gym this morning and can't tomorrow either. Disgraceful. Work sort of takes priority though.

Wish it didn't. Especially as the computer systems didn't want it to be our priority, failing to work and all that. Yep - another day of naff connectivity. Our internet is fine, but we just can't make a connection via our secure network. RUBBISH!

Both T and I didn't feel particularly amazing today either. We were both feeling a little sick and fuzzy. Food helped a little but didn't cure us. Not good.

I think it's mostly because our jobs sort of change tomorrow and we have no idea what we are doing. The worry of doing new stuff without any training whatsoever and very little in the way of support, more of a "it's so straight-forward you've just got to get on with it and it'll get easier" doesn't really make us want to do it in any way. Hmph.

I called my parents on the way home and caught up on a nearly a week's worth of news when I was obstructed from getting into my house by a delivery. Fearing it's safety, I brought it inside, which isn't easy to do when one hand is one the telephone!

New recycling wheelie bin! Isn't it ace! We've been here for over 6 years and have never had one, choosing to use whichever ones are out in the alley but as we recycle a LOT Paul has harrassed the Council into giving us our very own! :)

After I finished on the phone with both parents, I decided to get on with the pile of ironing that isn't getting any smaller by itself. Wouldn't that be awesome if it did?!

I discovered that our Amazon Prime membership meant that we could watch loads of tv boxsets and movies for free, as they took over LoveFilm! It's actually better than Netflix in my opinion, at the minute. So I started rewatching Arrow, as loads of stuff has been all over my tumblr and I wanted to reminisce!

Paul came home and we had mushy dinner of scrambled omelette with beans and sausages. It was a pretty awesome dinner but very messy! I then did some more ironing until Barney climbed into the basket and curled up (on top of my white skirt, non the less) which I took as a sign that it was time to stop!

Speaking of Barney, we saw loads of stuff online today about people who state the reason they don't adopt black cats is because they aren't as photogenic in selfies.

We pooh-pooh that!

Maybe it's the people that aren't so photogenic and nothing to do with the cats?!

Sure, black cats aren't as distinctive as others and not as individual, but that's so superficial! I pretty much forced Barney into our lives and we wouldn't change it for the world! He doesn't need spots/stripes/colours to be individual - his daft personality makes him so!

BLACK CATS FOR THE WIN! Adopt yourself a black cat, people! They're awesome! They look good with every outfit and make excellent snuggle buddies in the night! :)

PREVIOUSLY...

2013 

24th July 2014 - Play time!

At the time of writing this, I am 4 views away from 20,000 blog views! Wow! As I don't get that many reads per post (can't blame people, I don't say anything interesting!) this is an achievement to me! So thank you, readers! :)

Another pretty crappy night's sleep. We set the alarm again for the gym and again, we were so tired we decided an extra hour in bed was more important. Next week. Promise.

Another long hot day in the office. I'm not going to complain about the heat as I don't want it to go away really! Just tone it down a little!

I got in and had to psych myself up to do more ironing. I am determined to get it less. I know I still won't finish it all. :( Mostly because I had no desire in the world to iron this evening! We watched a load of episodes of Big Bang Theory (it was on in the background and helping me procrastinate a little) and I got some done. I've done all the work and every day wear so I'm down to the holiday clothes/not so important stuff. That's not too bad. There'll just be a load of washing or 3 from this weekend going on top of it. Think I'm going to cry.

Once I'd had enough of my iron, we headed upstairs to read for a while and also play with Barney so he can get skinny. The only problem being that Barney wanted to play about as much as I wanted to iron. Grr.

He's crossing his paws in defiance to my attempts to get him to chase the ball or jump for the toy. I think he likes being a tubster!

PREVIOUSLY...

2013

22nd July 2014 - More of the same!

Short post today. Soz!

We didn't gym again. Bad Cagga. Mostly down to the fact that we had another terrible night's sleep! The alarm was set for the gym but Paul slept through it so I switched it off so he could get a little more sleep. I figured he needed it.

Work was nothing particularly interesting. Another busy day of getting stuff done! That's about it!

After work I headed into the house and got straight to work. Yep, all work and no play. My usual mid-week treat of a giant pile of ironing awaited me!

Whereas we usually only have one week's worth, we have the week before we went away's washing plus the holiday washing. This isn't all getting done tonight. No, sir!

I got all the important stuff done but nowhere near all of it. I'll have another go on Thursday I guess. Stupid ironing.

We then went to bed early to try to have a better sleep...

PREVIOUSLY...

2013

8th July 2014 - Filthy Little Thieves!

A normal-ish get up for us both this morning. We could have gone to the gym, probably...but didn't. Paul's away from tonight for a few nights so we were spending our last few hours together. Aw.

The trains are currently off at our local station, so Paul called a cab to get into town with all his stuff and I waited with him. And waited. And waited some more. We've not waiting this long for a taxi before! Especially this early in the morning. We used the time to put away the dishes and clean the surfaces! How productive of us!

Paul said goodbye to his precious iPad (and the cats and I!) and headed out on his adventure, leaving me and the kitties on our own in our quiet little house. Waaaaa!

Made it into work. It wasn't an awful day but it wasn't in any way amazing either. Just meh. Got through it with little to no difficulty anyway, which was nice.

After work I headed to Tesco in 'The Swan' to get a few odds and sods for our holiday and I also called my parents to have a chat to them as well. They didn't really say much and I didn't have a lot to talk about so it wasn't worth the air time really but never mind!

I got in about an hour later than I usually would and fed the kitties, plus spoke with Paul so at least I knew he had arrived safely. I had my dinner (lamb meatballs) and washed up. Then set to ironing the clothes we had bought at the weekend, ready to pack them away and them to get all creased again...

Whilst ironing I discovered this:

They left a tag in a pair of Paul's shorts! No wonder some alarms were going off around us! We couldn't find it when we looked for it and no security guard was bothered by it but still - this is annoying! Luckily I found the receipt so we can hopefully take them back and get the tag removed! We'll find some time some where!

It didn't take long to finish the ironing, thank goodness, as it's all I seem to do! I watched the end of The Desolation of Smaug as I did it to keep me company. I then took it all upstairs to put away and noticed utter cuteness!

Yes, I cut the handles as soon as the bag was empty as I knew that they would want to play in there! Maia LOVED it! She was playing with the cut handles and rolling around purring her head off! It was lovely! This is pretty much the only thing those paper Primark bags are good for. Any sign of rain and they fall apart! At least Maia's enjoying herself!

I played with Barney for a while downstairs and he had a good time too. I then took myself off to bed with my book. I couldn't sleep. I don't like it when Paul's away. Plus the neighbour was warbling her little heart out. All very nice, except when you want to sleep! SHHHHHH!

PREVIOUSLY...

2013

7th July 2014 - More of the usual!

Another regular Monday morning of us being rebels and not going to the gym. We are awful. We will rectify it soon. Promise.

Psyched myself up for another week in work. I got to the office to find all the shutters down. Huh. I knew T wasn't feeling great so might be a little late but A or BossMan T is usually in. Nope. I opened up and started questioning if it was actually Monday. Then I remembered that A and BossMan T were having a meeting in town this morning. OK, phew.

T wasn't too late in but really wasn't feeling well. She'd had KFC the night before and was blaming that. Sounds reasonable!

We didn't have too bad a day at work. It went fairly quickly to be honest! I was doing some housekeeping and making sure that everything was as up to date as it could be. This results in an efficient machine! It also meant the hours flew by!

After work I prepared all my stuff for the usual Monday night iron when Paul picked me up and we went out to get a few bits and bobs and FINALLY take all our stuff to the charity bins!

The Tickled Pink bin closest to us got the pleasure of my old clothes!

When we got home, we had dinner of omelette and watched the latest True Blood. Paul then washed up and I ironed. We also played with the cats because thems the rules! Barney was on form and Maia joined in a little! It was nice!

Then to bed to read for a while. Paul had some packing to do as he's away for a couple of days. I sat and read. The ever helpful wife!

PREVIOUSLY...

2013

30th June 2014 - Monday Monday. Can't trust that day!

Neither of us have any desire in the world to get up this morning and go to work. Needs must and we got up.

Paul dropped me at the office and went to get a few odds and ends before going into the office himself. He got a phone call from his boss telling him that he was working from home today. Well, that meant that Paul did too!

Lucky so and so!

I had a pretty lousy day at work which I won't go into right now but it was sucky. :( I managed to get through the day but it was really really rubbish.

Paul came to pick me up from work and I got straight on with my usual weekday job of ironing. It didn't take me too long, which is good! I like it when that happens!

All the ironed shirts today plus Paul's shirt from today that he didn't end up needing to wear, working from home. Less washing for me! Yippee!

We watched True Blood at relaxed for the rest of the evening. Paul was working and we had a fairly early night. It's never fun when you're still trying to recover from your hangover of the day before!

PREVIOUSLY...

2013