The Sun is Shining!

Oh, I'm so happy! The sun is not only shining, but it actually feels warm. The air is still so it feels like it's going to be a deliciously pleasant day. I won't go so far as to say hot, but certainly sunglasses and sundress weather. I haven't had a shower yet, must shave my legs *lol*.

I've already blown up the paddling pool and in true English fashion I'm waiting for the water to warm up. In Oz, of course, we would leap into the pool straight away and have to get out when the water got too hot, but I'm taking the upsidedown-ness of this shared summer ritual in my stride. I've boiled the kettle and I'm going to have a lovely coffee in the sunshine. Happy summer time!

One Flaw in Men

So, a bit of a sequel to the One Flaw in Women post. A friend asked for a serious attempt at an equivalent one for men, so I resisted the urge to guffaw and make some rude comment about it being very short, or only one flaw? and set about the task of making a serious attempt. Us girls always love to malign our counterparts but it's good to remind ourselves just why we love them so much.

Men have strengths that amaze women.
They bear hardships and they carry burdens,
but they hold happiness, love and joy.

They smile when they want to scream.
They sing when they want to cry.
They cry when they are happy and laugh when they are nervous.
They fight for what they believe in.
They stand up to injustice.

They don't take "no" for an answer when they believe there is a better solution.

They go without so their family can have.
They go to the doctor with a frightened friend.
They love unconditionally.
They cry when their children excel and cheer when their friends get awards..

They are happy when they hear about a birth or a wedding.
Their hearts break when a friend dies.
They grieve the loss of a family member, yet they are strong when they think there is no strength left.
They know that a hug and a kiss can heal a broken heart.

Men come in all shapes, sizes and colours.

They'll drive, fly, walk, run or e-mail you to show how much they care about you.

The heart of a man is what makes the world keep turning.

They bring joy, hope and love.
They have compassion and ideas.
They give moral support to their family and friends.
Men have vital things to say and everything to give.

However, if there is one flaw in men, it is that they forget their worth.

Wow, would you look at that. Men and women aren't so different after all. So look into the eyes of your beloved and know you are looking at yourself, except your beloved sees so much more in you than you do in yourself.

I thought this was a joke, I really did!

I know I've been living here in the UK for 7 years and I should be a) acclimatised and b) used to the English idea of hot, but this article seriously made me check whether it was in the Odd Box section or something. 'Prepare for a heatwave' UK told. So I read on, expecting to read about searing temperatures. The article has a number of suggestions for coping with extreme temperatures. Identify the coolest room in the house, stay cool by painting your house white (at this I checked the date. April Fool??), plant shrubs for shade and identify a fair weather friend, someone you can call on in the event of a heatwave. I read on, interested to see exactly what fearsome conditions are anticipated this summer. I quote: "In London, this would mean daytime temperatures had exceeded 32C and night-time temperatures were over 18C degrees. In the North West, it would be 30C and 15C, respectively." Heatwave!? Honestly people, this is what summer is supposed to be like. Bring it on, baby, I can't wait! Proper hot! Hooray!!!

I have a memory...

When I was very small, I remember being scared about something. I don't remember what it was I was afraid of, but I couldn't sleep. Dad was on a camp bed next to me and I remember he held my hand until I fell asleep. It must have been quite uncomfortable for him, holding my hand across the space between our beds. I woke up in the morning, realised we weren't holding hands anymore, but remembering he had held my hand until I fell asleep and I loved him so much for that.

The dad who did that isn't around anymore. Dad is still alive, that's not what I mean. The dad who would do what what needed to make me feel safe and loved is long gone and I'm very sad about that. I think he must be there somewhere, but not for me.

Tonight, my son was scared. He had a bad dream. I carried him back to his room, put him into his bed, then sat by his bed holding his hand. I was really uncomfortable. I needed to go to the toilet. I waited until I thought he was asleep and tried to move, but he stirred and his fingers grasped for my hand. It was ages before I could move, then I came back and lay on the bed beside him. It's late and I need to go to my own bed, but in a moment I will go back to his room and check he's okay. He may well stir, and I will lay down beside him again and wait for him to fall asleep. He probably won't remember me doing that in the morning, but I don't care. I want him to feel safe and loved and I will always do that for him, no matter how old he is.

One Flaw in Women

A friend sent this to me today, and I thought I'd share.....

Women have strengths that amaze men.
They bear hardships and they carry burdens,
but they hold happiness, love and joy.

They smile when they want to scream.
They sing when they want to cry.
They cry when they are happy and laugh when they are nervous.
They fight for what they believe in.
They stand up to injustice.

They don't take "no" for an answer when they believe there is a better solution.

They go without so their family can have.
They go to the doctor with a frightened friend.
They love unconditionally.
They cry when their children excel and cheer when their friends get awards..

They are happy when they hear about a birth or a wedding.
Their hearts break when a friend dies.
They grieve the loss of a family member, yet they are strong when they think there is no strength left.
They know that a hug and a kiss can heal a broken heart.

Women come in all shapes, sizes and colours...

They'll drive, fly, walk, run or e-mail you to show how much they care about you.

The heart of a woman is what makes the world keep turning.

They bring joy, hope and love.
They have compassion and ideas.
They give moral support to their family and friends.

Women have vital things to say and everything to give.

However, if there is one flaw in women, it is that they forget their worth.

And here's another one:

Lolcats

This website is so funny. Will do horrible things to the minds of every English teacher out there though...



see more Lolcats and funny pictures

Vanishing Act

I love this!

Art student's car vanishing act

Sara Watson took three weeks to transform the car

A design student made a battered old Skoda "disappear" by painting it to merge with the surrounding car park.

Sara Watson, who is studying drawing at the University of Central Lancashire (Uclan), took three weeks to transform the car's appearance.

She created the illusion in the car park outside her studio at Uclan's Hanover Building in Preston.

The car is now being used for advertising by the local recycling firm that donated the vehicle.

'Just amazing'

Ms Watson, a second year student, said: "I was experimenting with the whole concept of illusion but needed something a bit more physical to make a real impact."

She was given the Skoda Fabia from the breaker's yard at local firm Recycling Lives.

Owner Steve Jackson described her work as "amazing".

"When I first saw the photos I was convinced it was something which had been done on the computer," said Mr Jackson.

"But when you look more closely you see the effort and attention to detail she has put into it. It is just amazing."