A - Z Challenge 2018 - Theme Reveal

This will be my 4th year of taking part in the A - Z Challenge.  More information on the challenge can be found here.

I find it helps to have a theme for my posts so this year, having been watching the Winter Olympics, I decided to use sports.  Which might sound strange as I'm not really a sporty person and I don't even watch a lot of sport. 

Of course there are well known sports, especially those that feature in the Olympics but some sports are just weird and I've found there are many that I've never even heard of.

I'll be aiming to give my impressions on some of them at least, waffling away as usual. 

It's a shame that waffling isn't a sport.  I'm sure I could win a gold medal at it!

A - Z Reflections Post

This is my third year of doing the A-Z challenge.  I had high hopes of it being my best yet, in terms of getting posts done on time and visiting/commenting on other blogs, although I knew the first part would be tricky as I was due to be away on a cruise.  I prepared enough posts in advance to cover the time I was away and had the remainder part drafted.  So far so good.

Then the team threw a huge curveball in removing THE LIST!

Of course there was a big debate over this.  I would have preferred it if the list was kept but I could understand the issues the team were having. BUT I also knew I would find it hard to post a link on the days aboard ship.  

And then life took another turn.  My Grandson arrived - 11 weeks early.  I let my published posts go live but I opted out of posting a link on the site as I knew I wouldn't be able to visit and comment on new blogs so it didn't seem fair to invite people to visit me either.

Somehow I managed to finish and publish all my posts with nearly all of them going live on the correct day.  I also kept up reasonably well with my regular followers.  But that was it.

Did I enjoy it?  Yes and No.  Yes I was pleased that I managed to complete the posts but No sometimes it was hard and therefore not so enjoyable.  Did I feel part of it?  Not really but that was my own choice.  Will I do it again?  Probably but that might depend on how much time that little guy I mentioned earlier is taking up.  He is doing really well and we hope he'll be home soon.

Thank you - I made it!

Phew the A-Z Challenge is over and I made it to the end!

For those who missed the start my Grandson Nathan arrived the day before the challenge began.  11 weeks early.  It was a big shock and a worrying time.  But about half of my posts were already prepared and scheduled to post.  I also had a fairly simple theme so I decided I would try and complete the challenge if I could but family obviously came first.

I am pleased to say that my Grandson has made great progress.  He was only 2lb 6oz at birth but now, just over 4 weeks later he is 4lb 5oz.  He has also made it out of an incubator into a cot and is now wearing clothes!  (Although they are still a bit on the big side!)

When this was taken he was on a course of antibiotics but the canula has now been removed from his arm so the only invasive thing left is the feeding tube through his nose.  They are still monitoring his vital signs but it does make it easier to handle him and his Mummies love being able to cuddle him.

He's filling out nicely but he is still VERY small.  The next big thing will be to establish breast feeding.

Somehow, in between visiting the hospital, staying for two weeks at my daughter's house, hosting DIL's relatives from the US here plus my other son, DIL and their fur babies, I managed to post all 26 letters of the A-Z challenge, and most of them on the correct day!

I have to say a BIG THANK YOU to my regular followers for following the challenge and leaving me so many encouraging comments.  I know I have neglected you all a bit over the past month but I really do appreciate you still dropping by.  Hopefully I'll get back into visiting everyone now the pressure of the challenge is done.

Z is for Zone...A-Z Challenge 2017

My theme for the 2017 challenge is waffling on about random words!

That might not seem like a theme but if you read on you’ll discover it’s not quite as random as it sounds.  The words were generated using a word generator (https://randomwordgenerator.com/) and I opted for 4 words each day.  I might focus on one or try and incorporate them all into the post.

Choosing the words this way has given me a challenge and a common thread to my posts but it has also allowed me to be myself and just waffle!  It’s what I’m good at.  (Don’t worry, I’m aiming for around 500 words per post so hopefully you won’t get stuck here for too long 😉)

And the words for today are….

Zone
Zero
And 2 of my choosing (the generator let me down again)
Zombie &
Zizz 

Well I am not yet in the zone as they say.  The redecoration of our second spare room is almost completed.  There are still a few things to finish off but the carpet is laid and the furniture is back in the room including my bureau.  I haven't yet managed to sit at it with my laptop but that is my zone although the wifi doesn't always agree with me.  It's a fair distance from the router so I may have to consider a booster.  The bureau also needs sorting - I crammed lots of stuff into it when we were decorating.  I've also moved stuff from the kitchen as we have visitors here this weekend.

Normally I enjoy entertaining but due to the stressful time we've had the last few weeks this has been hard.  My energy levels feel pretty close to zero and I'm looking forward to Wednesday - visitors will be gone, hubby will be at work and I will have the house to myself.  Although I'm planning on being a zombie and not venturing out from under the duvet!

Actually I'm not a fan of anything zombie.  Horror films are not my thing and I'm certainly not a follower of The Walking Dead.  But on Wednesday I'm going to have a "me" day.  I think I have earned it.  Managing to get to the end of the A-Z challenge is definitely an achievement but I haven't done visits to new blogs and even commenting on friends blogs or replying to comments has been extremely limited.  All I've really done is get my posts up, mostly on time.  I hate giving up on a challenge.

What I really need now is a little zizz. No I didn't make that up, it means a short sleep or nap.  Although actually I need a big zizz! 

Are you a fan of zombie shows/films?  What's your zone?

Y is for Young...A-Z Challenge 2017

My theme for the 2017 challenge is waffling on about random words!

That might not seem like a theme but if you read on you’ll discover it’s not quite as random as it sounds.  The words were generated using a word generator (https://randomwordgenerator.com/) and I opted for 4 words each day.  I might focus on one or try and incorporate them all into the post.

Choosing the words this way has given me a challenge and a common thread to my posts but it has also allowed me to be myself and just waffle!  It’s what I’m good at.  (Don’t worry, I’m aiming for around 500 words per post so hopefully you won’t get stuck here for too long 😉)

And the words for today are….

Young
Yearn
Yard
Youth

Hmm not a great selection of words.  I could tell you about when I was young but it would end up being a pretty boring post.  I was a goody two shoes when I was little.  I did as I was told.  Listened at school and did my homework.  I didn't even particularly yearn for excitement.

I did have a period of rebellion during my youth.  At the end of my schooling I was very flattered to receive attention from one of the younger teachers.  Now I know that sounds really bad but I was almost 18, had finished my exams so technically had left the school and here was this attractive young man (25 I think) who wanted to take me out.  Of course it caused a big fuss at home.  What did I think I was doing?  Well I wasn't thinking.  But actually I was.  I don't know if he was just trying to show off to his friends or get another notch on his bedpost but he didn't succeed in either.  It was a very shortlived thing.  I wasn't totally stupid it seems.

Although there are other incidents I can recall not long after that I'm not particularly proud of but I escaped to proper adulthood relatively unscathed much to my parents' relief.  And then I was fortunate enough to meet my hubby.  Once I'd established that he was actually interested in me (our first few dates are a whole other story!) I never looked  back.

35 years on (33 married in June) we have a nice back yard or garden as we call it attached to our house and although I can't claim all the credit it's nice to be able to sit here as I am, looking out my kitchen window at it.  I'll soon be able to return to my other favourite spot which is one of the top bedrooms.  We got the carpet laid this week and the furniture, including my desk, is back in place.  It will be good to get back up there as it's usually quiet and peaceful and also overlooks the garden.

Do you have any youthful anecdotes?  Are you a gardener?

X is for cheating...A-Z Challenge 2017

My theme for the 2017 challenge is waffling on about random words!

That might not seem like a theme but if you read on you’ll discover it’s not quite as random as it sounds.  The words were generated using a word generator (https://randomwordgenerator.com/) and I opted for 4 words each day.  I might focus on one or try and incorporate them all into the post.

Choosing the words this way has given me a challenge and a common thread to my posts but it has also allowed me to be myself and just waffle!  It’s what I’m good at.  (Don’t worry, I’m aiming for around 500 words per post so hopefully you won’t get stuck here for too long 😉)

And the words for today are….

Not randomly generated - there seemed to be a problem with X words so I've cheated and resorted to an old dictionary (as in a Hardback version) and chosen the following:
Xerography (dry copying process - powder adheres to surface remaining electrically charged after exposure to light)
Xerophyte (a plant able to grow in very dry conditions)
X-ray &
Xenophobia (fear of foreigners) 

I have done a lot of xerography in my time.  Although we call it photocopying.  Having worked in a variety of clerical/admin positions during my working life the photocopier was a very useful machine.  Until it broke down.  Often because it was abused.  You probably know the scenario.  Someone is in a hurry.   The machine jams.  They think they've cleared it but it's still flashing up there's a jam.  Oh no worries.  Let's just turn it off and on again and it'll be fine.  Oops no.  Now it's totally jammed!  

I became pretty expert at clearing jams, installing new toner, working out the best way to copy complicated documents etc.  I was often the go to person if there was a problem.  I also got to know the repair guy pretty well in my last job.  We would share friendly banter.  There are definitely elements of my working life I miss.  But not enough to send me back into an office!

Now xerophyte is what all my indoor plants need to be.  I am pretty useless at remembering to water them.  I am improving though.  That comes from having more time at home.  Time to notice that the plants are starting to droop.  I don't actually have that many indoors, mainly because I do neglect them.  I have a spider plant that will cope with anything.  I also have an orchid that was in bloom when I received it and then I followed the instructions and cut it right back.  And then it did nothing.  For months.  I was on the point of throwing it out when I noticed new growth!  And it flowered!  Not at the top of a new elegant stem but close to the leaves.  But it flowered! 

I had two poinsettias at Christmas.  I've never managed to keep them far beyond the festive season but this year they seemed to be doing well.  There was new growth evident on the bare stems.  Until I stayed at my daughter's and forgot to issue hubby with watering instructions.  One has shrivelled and was beyond redemption, the other is hanging in there.  Time will tell if it's worth all my fussing around it.

I think my worst x-ray memory has to be when our daughter was about 15 months old and fell at my mother's house and bumped her head.  (The bump on her forehead came up like an egg.) The subsequent visit to the hospital was traumatic.  Partly because the staff seemed to give the impression we were terrible parents because we hadn't actually witnessed what she hit her head on (she was going to my Mum in the kitchen and fell somewhere in the hallway)  At one point I thought they were definitely considering contacting social services.  Then they decided Rebecca needed an x-ray.  Of course she wanted me with her but I was pregnant at the time, although it was early days so no obvious bump.  She had to settle for Dad.  Well she didn't.  She screamed the place down as I waited in the waiting area definitely subject to some disapproving looks from other people who clearly thought I was a bad mother not to be with my child.  I wanted to stand up and announce to the room why I couldn't be in the x-ray room but you know how I love being the centre of attention.  NOT!  Fortunately Rebecca was fine and I don't think she holds it against me.  Especially since I've now held her hand through childbirth.  Although the "yes you can, PUSH!" comments might not be so favourably remembered.

As for Xenophobia.  Not on my radar.  Born and bred in London it would be hard going through life that way. 

Are you an indoor gardener?  Got any funny bone stories to tell?

W is for Weakness...A-Z Challenge 2017

My theme for the 2017 challenge is waffling on about random words!

That might not seem like a theme but if you read on you’ll discover it’s not quite as random as it sounds.  The words were generated using a word generator (https://randomwordgenerator.com/) and I opted for 4 words each day.  I might focus on one or try and incorporate them all into the post.

Choosing the words this way has given me a challenge and a common thread to my posts but it has also allowed me to be myself and just waffle!  It’s what I’m good at.  (Don’t worry, I’m aiming for around 500 words per post so hopefully you won’t get stuck here for too long 😉)

And the words for today are….

Weakness
Weapon
Weigh
Wreck

As most of you know my weakness is for chocolate.  I love it.  My favourite are the round Lindor chocolate balls from Lindt.  I have made sure my kids know exactly what I like.  And Hubby of course.  I like all kinds of chocolate as long as it doesn't have nuts in it.  Not due to allergies just because I don't like eating nuts.  It's a texture thing.  One thing Hubby can be sure of is that I won't pinch any of his Ferrero Rocher which he enjoys.

As for weapon of choice well it certainly wouldn't be a gun.  I was going to say I don't think I could even fire one then I remembered that we went clay pigeon shooting last year and I quite enjoyed it.  But my shoulder didn't agree the next day!

I think I'm going to give up getting on the scales to weigh myself. The scales keep lying to me.  I can't possibly have done all the walking and moving around that I did recently while staying at my daughter's and not lose any weight.  It really wasn't fair.  I came home from there feeling a bit of a wreck but I was so sure I would be a few pounds lighter that it was a big disappointment to find I'd lost nothing.  Well except for my Fitbit charger and an iphone charger.

I located the Fitbit charger when I went over again earlier this week but was still trying to work out where I might have left the phone charger when I remembered that I'd thrown it out when the wires split.  Told you I was a wreck.  At least I started off with 2 phone chargers and I did remember where the other one was!

So all is not lost.  Yet!

What’s your weakness?

V is for Vigorous...A-Z Challenge 2017

My theme for the 2017 challenge is waffling on about random words!

That might not seem like a theme but if you read on you’ll discover it’s not quite as random as it sounds.  The words were generated using a word generator (https://randomwordgenerator.com/) and I opted for 4 words each day.  I might focus on one or try and incorporate them all into the post.

Choosing the words this way has given me a challenge and a common thread to my posts but it has also allowed me to be myself and just waffle!  It’s what I’m good at.  (Don’t worry, I’m aiming for around 500 words per post so hopefully you won’t get stuck here for too long 😉)

And the words for today are….

Vigorous
Velvet
Veil
Visit 

Well I need to be vigorous in my typing as I have 9 minutes to get this posted on the correct day.

When I think of velvet I tend to think of heavy velvet curtains.  The sort that keep draughts out and heat in.  I could do with some of those at the front of my house.  We face a large open space so when it is windy the house feels very draughty.  We don't have double glazing and we don't have a porch.  I'd like to get a porch added but hubby feels it will spoil the character of the house.  He's right about that but character doesn't keep the house draught free.  

We're working our way through redecorating the house.  When we get to the hall and stairs I will definitely be looking at installing a curtain behind the front door for the winter months.  Hopefully that won't upset hubby and it will help.

It's strange because hubby wants to keep the character of the house yet he hates a lot of the ancient traditions we still adhere to in the UK.  Especially things to do with the monarchy or parliament.  Fortunately he was happy to have a traditional church wedding (coming from a large Catholic family I think he would have found it hard to do otherwise!) so I had the full white dress, complete with underskirt and hoop (yes going to the loo was difficult) and of course a veil.  The dress was subsequently put to good use because I made a christening gown out of it which all three of our children wore.  The boys were too young to complain about wearing a dress. 

Oops midnight has just passed so technically this post is now late.  I guess I could always claim I wrote it during a visit to somewhere in a later time zone but I'm not sure anyone would believe me.  Timekeeping is not my strongpoint right now.  But at least I wasn't late for my wedding as my hubby was despite only being a 2 minute walk from the church.  Naturally I've never let him forget that one! 

If you're married did you have a traditional wedding outfit?  What's your timekeeping like?