The Gallery … The Kitchen

For this week’s gallery theme of the kitchen, I give you my middle son and his dreams of becoming a chef. 

Ladies and gents, give it up for the the future Jamie Oliver …

*love*

You’re all I have …

I’ve been very fortunate enough to have gone to some fab concerts in my blankety-blank years on this planet.

Some were jaw-dropping, show stopping amazing performances at sold out arenas while others were at smaller more intimate venues where the vibe and music were raw and effortless.

When asked which is a song from the best gig I’ve ever been to, I have to admit that I struggled.

But, not for long.

Because then I remembered and smiled. A big cheesy grin.

It was back in 2005 when Snow Patrol were just starting to get a name for themselves over here. When I saw that they had added a new date in St Petersburg to the last leg of their US tour, I jumped at the chance to score a ticket. However, my pal was coming over on holiday with her daughters. I made a quick call to ask her if it was something she would want to do while here — I don’t think she even let me finish the sentence before squealing “yeeeeeeeeeessssss” and ordering me to get said tickets booked immediately.

The concert was at the State Theatre which is actually an old cinema with what I think is still some of the original seating. Let that sink in while I go on and say that although the place was old, cramped and fusty, we had a fab view of the band from wherever we were. The place was also small enough that we could almost touch the band or maybe give them a bit of mothering as we called it. *cough, cough*

Whatever that means.

They played all the great tunes from Final Straw like Run and also some new tunes which Gary Lightbody told the audience were soon to be or had just been recorded for their next CD. One of those songs, I’m sure was Chasing Cars, but as gorgeous a song as it is, that one didn’t stick out to me at the time. I’m not sure why. I was probably in the loo or something.

Anyway, this was the one that had me up and outta my seat … a great song from one of the best gigs I’ve ever been to … it’s called You’re All I Have …

Silent Sunday …

Thankful for …

In case you hadn’t heard, it’s Thanksgiving here today.

It’s a lovely day spent with family … watching the Macy’s parade, stuffing our faces and giving thanks for what we have … then dashing out at some ridiculous hour the following morning to the infamous Black Friday sales and buying what we don’t need.

Baffling I know, however, it is a fab holiday that makes me pause to reflect on all I’m grateful for …

… starting with my boys. I truly love them with arms wide open and am so proud of the young men they’re growing up to be.

I’m so thankful for my mum. As many times as we clash on things, thankfully we agree on more. She is there for me no matter what and I know she only wants the best for me which makes me very lucky indeed. There’s nothing I feel I can’t do with a champion like her in my corner.

And, the rest of my gorgeous family. I love you all very much … even the crazy ones. I’m not pointing any fingers, but I’m casually glancing in your direction. Yes, yours. Anyway, I’m so very grateful to have you all in my life.

I’m thankful for my friends … both new and old. I just have to give a shout out to those who have been there for me throughout this past difficult year … I know I don’t always make that easy, but thanks for being there, for checking up on me and making sure the boys and I were okay, for picking me up, making me laugh and sometimes making me cry, for pushing me when I needed it and for just being a friend. You know who you are.

Before I compose a song, I shall move on and say that I’m grateful for the technology that enables me to keep in touch with those I love and cherish.

I’m also thankful for my new job. Love it, love it, love it. Who knew you could get paid to watch television shows and write about them?

I’m grateful that I finally learnt how to negotiate roundabouts especially that ‘orrible one down near Rochester in Kent. The reason being is it’s come in handy as there’s about five new roundabouts built since I left and all along my commute. So, instead of feeling like I’m the only one without a fecking clue, I’m now the one yelling helpful instructions … often laced with an obsenity or two.

I’m grateful for the Black Friday deals that I am probably going to drag my happy ass out to in a few hours time. Trolley dash anyone?

And, for the coffee I’ll need to keep me awake for the above trolley dash.

Also for the sun, the moon, the stars, rainbows … single and double ones, snow, rain, the sea, sand and all things nature, music, movies, books, wine, laughter, heartbreaks, love, good health and life.

Skin and such …

When I saw the theme for this week’s Mix Tape Monday meme was music you listen to when you’ve got that lovin’ feelin’ I was all what the what?

She wants me to reveal what?

A song I like to what the what to?

That’s a bit personal, innit?

Well, at first I blushed … and then, after I regained my composure, I thought where on earth do I start?

Bahahahahaha … only joking.

Honest.

*blushes some more*

All righty then … moving along … I’ve picked a gorgeous, love song for the theme. Sorta. It’s called Skin by Rihanna and it’s perfect for cozying up to with that special someone …

Silent Sunday …

Saturday is caption day …

What’s the caption?

Fo’shizzle …

My five-year-old has an excellent vocabulary for his age, if I do say so myself.

He often uses words that astound and amaze me.

Such as the other day when he told me a story that involved the words “actually” … which is actually his new favourite word… “particles,” “solar,” “distance” and “astronomy” — I’m pretty sure he was telling me about the distance to the sun, but I’m not entirely sure.

Anyway, despite his genius, I have noticed he has difficulty with the use of pronouns in his speech.  I see him struggle and pause when it comes to using “he,” “she,” “his” or “her” when he’s talking.

I try and ask him questions that will get him to use the correct pronoun, but the poor wee scone does get frustrated.

So, instead he’s come up with his own simple solution in that he’s created one unique, slang word that just takes care of them all.

And, the word?

It’s “shiz.”

I’ll give you an example of how he uses it, “Look mum, Gabriella is getting in shiz car.”

or

“Jordan wore shiz Batman costume to the Halloween party today.”

It does make me chuckle when I hear him use it because I think he sounds like an urban rapper.  It’s so adorable, but I do wonder … just a little bit … if it has something to do with the fact that he loves that style of music.  Not that it’s all he listens to or anything.  *coughs*

Either way, Snoop ain’t got nothing on shiz, but I have to do something about it.

Any thoughts or ideas would be very much appreciated.

Fo’shizzle.

Because they asked where I do it …

Where do I do it?

This apparently is the question du jour in the blogosphere asked of me by the lovely Paula from Battling On and the recently lachrymose Keith of Reluctant Housedad.

And, my answer?

Well, it’s anywhere I can get it.

But, usually on ma bed … heads out of the gutter, people … we’re talking where I blog.  And, now I’m supposed to provide a photo of said spot where I do it so here ya go …

Paula has also presented me with some versatile blogger thingy where I’m supposed to reveal seven facts about me and like her, I’m not really sure what I have going on in my life that would be of interest, but here goes nothing …

1.  I just started  a new job

2.  I have no mummy guilt about working … not really sure what to think about this

3.  I’ve had three sex dreams in my life … that I remember

4.  I’m about to join a gym because I’ve been told that will firm up my pot belly

5.  I discovered gin and tonic this year … apparently it’s an alcoholic beverage commonly referred to as a G & T

6.  I’m not quite as OCD as I was a year ago … for example, I no longer feel the need to alphabetise everything … of course, this could revert when and if I’m ever surrounded by my own stuff again

7.  It hit me earlier today that Christmas is going to be … once again … very, very different for my children … I have a whole lot of mummy guilt about that

And, now I’m tagging …

Mum of 4 because I’m nosey and want to see a photo of her new and gorgeous office

Gone Bananas because she spent the past week organising and sorting her desk and I’m sure she’s looking for an excuse to show it off

Bitchin’ Wives Club because I just wanted to say hello and see how the heck she’s adjusted to life back in the USA

==========

Please note that the above three blogs are not alphabetised.  Go me.

Yo, I’m a little bit country …

This week’s prompt over at Mix Tape Monday is a guilty pleasure.

*gulp*

I could bullshit you all and say there’s a lot of music on my iPod like Britney or the Glee cast that’s a guilty pleasure for me, but truth be told, I’m quite open and honest about how much I heart that … erm … choice of music. Don’t judge … now, enough with the comments from the peanut gallery.

I do have a guilty pleasure in music that I must confess.

It’s that I’m a little bit country.

Eek.

Yes, I like country music.

There, I’ve said it and now I feel so much better. Let me say it again … name is Karen and I like country music.

Kinda.

Not the country music of old, but that new country pop sound like Taylor Swift or the Band Perry. It’s been quite popular on mainstream radio lately … and I’ve been finding myself singing along … fake microphone … ye know, like you do … with country accent … probably looking quite the part too … angst and emotion in the face and all.

Okay, maybe not quite that bad. *coughs*

Anyway, I give you Lady Antebellum’s gorgeous, gorgeous song Just a Kiss … now, go pull out your fake microphone and sing-a-long with me …