Saying goodbye to summer.............

As the sun rays diminishes into early nights,
I will remember my memories of summertime delight.

Days out to the park, the seaside too,
with the endless light
we found plenty to do!

We watched the sunsets,
and the moon rise, I even did a dance,

and sat on big fellas knee
to look out the window
whenever I had the chance.

I saw the clouds shift shapes before my very eyes
I took a picture of a rainbow

and forever I gazed filled with wonder and surprise.

I fed the birds before they flew away,
the told me they were going on holiday,
Somewhere where it was nice and hot,
and the hotel had a bar that was open around the clock.

I tried my hand at taking moving pictures,

by jumping on the bed,
But I pressed the wrong button (you know me!)
and now you can not see my head!

So goodbye summertime,
I thank you for the days,
I will still think of you always,
and your beautiful bursting rays.

(I am reading Oscar Wilde at the moment,
what can I say,
I am rhyming almost now every day.
This post was hard, it took me ages,
but it's not so bad, the book I am reading
has nearly 1000 pages!)

I have a head like a scambled egg

Hello, well I wasn't expecting my pictures like
this but hey,let's just run with it.




























I am resorting to writing lists for my blog, as I continue to miss out on things like Wish cast Wednesday and Friday shoot out I always forget, until I read about everybody elses! But now I have plucked up the courage (come on, only took me a year) and I have now committed myself to projects and I must remember them! (Mrs B I haven't forgot! I got you on my list!).

Time, slow down!

Does anyone feel like time is the image of every one's individual sand timers and sometimes is goes really fast and there is no way to stop it, you just gotta keeping running along with time or you will fall down?

The pictures in my collage if you like ha ha, is a snapshot of the week for me and the big fella. I was going to bore you with a big written spiel, but today I am writing a list to represent the pictures. I will all love a list don't we? I think you are probably thanking me right now. I did a two part series for a blog award for heaven's sake! Too much Claire!

Photo list:

* Watching the moon set through my big basil herb pot on the table.

*Scrying in the puddles.

* Stationary shopping!!!!! "Tis the season to be".........oh sorry,that's the next big season, right. ( found a treasure trove of a shop! Filled with nowt but stationary. Even had it hanging from the ceiling. Heaven.) September stands for stationary in my eyes.

*Autumn in the living room

* Big fella and me in a museum - stuck in the aquarium for two hours. He's a pisces, was can I say? He is just memorised by them.

*I let my friend eat my cake/bun/gorgeous/wrong/nearly didn't,

ice creamed finger when she called round unexpectedly the other day. Now that's friendship. I am keeping the photo though.

Hope all is going well for you and let the weekend commence!

MeMe award part two (cause I go on a bit)

Hi ya! All ready to continue with the second part of the MeMe award? Let's do it! ( oh my god, i am making this sound like a workout)

4) I love chocolate biscuits. Especially anything with marshmallow inside. As I ate a packet earlier on today, we don't have any left. I do not wish to speak further on the topic as I am very upset. I will have to make do with the bumper pack of tortilla chips and dip. There is also ice cream in the freezer so it might turn out OK.

5) Big fella was my boss when we started dating.
Yes, that is the kind of hussy I am.
I was desperate for a job,
he was desperate for a day off.
It proceeded from there. (not right there, about a year later. I'm not that bad.)
I am making our union sound quite dodgy but I will soon be dedicating a post about our lurrve story at the fabulous blog teacups in my peony's Love story project and it will explain all!.
See link on side of my blog to tune in and join in!

6. I was once deported from Canada.

Mmmmmm. Yes I will let that marinate with you a minute. Shameful as it sounds, it was not for drunkenness and disorderly behaviour as you might think.
I was fourteen, staying with my aunt in New Jersey and a friend suggested driving up to Canada to see Nigeria falls. So off we went. After a long drive (oh so long) we finally get there.
We are waiting to go through customs I suppose, and my aunt realised that unless you were an American citizen, you could not get through without a passport. I left my passport behind in my aunt's house.
So my aunt and friend just told me to lie and if they asked was I a American citizen just put on an accent and say yes.
So I did. Through to Canada we went without a second thought. We saw the falls and even went on the boat and wore the blue plastic coats! We then went into the most scariest haunted house ever, (that's another post) and went to the museum of the world's most notorious serial killers. As you do.
So, tired and weary we decided to driving back down stopping off at some other places as a sort of road trip.
As we went through customs my aunt's friend was asked were we all American citizens and she blurted out " No, this young girl is Irish" forgetting the huge big lie I had told them earlier. Oh oh. Well, when I told them I didn't have a passport, we got in big trouble.
I was interviewed by loads of people, and I think because of the state of the troubles in Belfast at that time and it being where I am from, it turned a wee bit scary. (What was more scary was interviewers accents. I didn't not understand the french aspect of the country at that time and was totally confused.)
My aunt and friend had to get my passport back at her home (they were sharing driving as it would be quicker) while I was in the police station. It was a bit of a nightmare! So the moral of this tale, never lie! Canada by the way was wonderful and I have lovely fond memories of my time there (apart from Buffalo police station. I have photograph of me standing outside it with the most horrific outfit and hair do. No wonder they held me when they saw me.)

7. After reading this you are probably wondering what the hell you got your self into when you started reading this so I will leave this with you:

If you were ever a person in the street who needed some assistance I would be more than happy to help you.
I give up my bus seat to one's that need it and if I thought you were struggling with your shopping bags, I would take no hesitation in offering some help.
I would always give you a smile passing in the street and I love your blog! (not blantant at all.)

That does make me sound so bad does it? Well thanks for putting up with me I will now pass on the award to:

Barry: It's in the way he writes his posts. You know the kind of blog I am talking about. Go check him out and become inspired.

Rudee: Rudee has at the time of writing this post has one day left! If you do not know what I am talking about go link and cheer her on and see what all the fuss is about. One word hint: Beautiful, winner or not. Best of luck Rudee!

Lemon: Beautiful blog and creativity rules over there! Wonderful photos too!

Dede: This lady deserves awards! So supportive in comments (this is my thank you)and blogtastic words and photos!

Audrey: Simply because I miss her.

Barbara: This lady has been entranced by her lovely sister Sarah at cottage garden studios to join in at blogging! What a wonderful writer Barbara is and is funny to boot too! I know you have been here a wee while now but anyway, welcome!

Holly: for bringing back lost childhood memories of golfing with my dad. Thank you Holly.

Everybody, feel free to do as you wish with this award, i just feel you deserve it!

OK that's it, you are free to go, oh one last thing?
Is anybody free for a celebration due to a certain blog turning one? I just realised that I started blogging one year ago in September! We have got to have some kind of celebration of some sort, yes? My blog has been through a lot to be fair. There will be all kinds of goodies, so i would love to see you there! (Party hats included of course!) Keep an eye out it will be happening soon! All the best!

MeME award Part one (don't ask)

Hello to everyone! Well, before we go any further, has anyone noticed anything different around here? Yes, the links, pictures, awards....................A THIRD COLUMN? Yes, it's true. The very technically challenged Claire as had a major breakthrough in blog land. (Yes, I did it all myself.) Let me tell you how it all began.

Monday: In work, everything was fine and dandy, until nearing the end of my shift and I felt the need for the bathroom a few more times than is necessary. Unfortunately I had a very nasty bladder infection. It continued well into the night (stuck in the bathroom) and I rang my boss to say what was up and that i was going to the doctors the next morning pronto. (By the way Holly, after reading your post on cleaning the bathroom, lets just say my bathroom is sparkling right now!)

Anyway, doctors, potion, and feeling a lot better. "What has this got to do with your blog?" I hear you cry ( I just wanted a wee bit of sympathy before I told you OK?)

Well with this unexpected time off, I was at home and found myself searching through your lovely blogs. I love all the creativity and life surrounding them and the designs are fantastic. I wanted some!

So I made a large pot of coffee, stuck on some feel good tunes and researched (googled) until I found the person who could tell me how to complete (certainly in my eyes)this mammoth task. I had to edit the HTML (I know , I don't know what the hell it is either) and change some things around.

I had some tools with me, with paper and pen to write down what I had done (that's how bad it is) and eventually I did it! I nearly fell to my knees!This took me the whole day! I have no life! Confidence in blogging going up! (Wait and see, within two weeks I will probably wipe this whole blog page in some stupid attempt in going too far)

So maybe I am not technically challenged, maybe I just take my time. (Or don't pay enough attention. Either way really.)

Any road, on to Oscar's moment (that what awards are called in this blog!Why? Because that is what it feels like!)

Lovely Mel has given me this wee beauty:

The Me Me award. Basically it goes: I mention seven things you may or may not know about me and the pass it along to seven other blogs of your choice! Get comfy, I tend to go on a bit:

1. At one point of my life I was obsessed with the boy band Take That. Or more to the point Robbie Williams. At a tender thirteen years of age, I wrote a contract on fresh notebook paper and even used a Parker pen (to make it more authentic you see) to certify that I will never stop loving Robbie Williams no matter what. Signed Claire Hughes Williams. TLND (true love never dies) and showed it around all my friends in school (Take That fan club) just to point out I really loved him the best and if I ever met him, which I sooo would, I would show it to him. (Cringe overload)
I never knew what happened to that contract, I only know that one morning I woke up, grunted and became a grunger! (Thankfully this did not last too long, I was such as miserable git. I still love the rockin though!)

2. I love the Autumn. Love it! The thought of sticking on your wellies and going for a good ole crunch fest through the gorgeous carpet of gold and red leaves make me go Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!
(Note: Please do not go into a field of fallen leaves which also occupy
cows at the heart of this season. Cows in the field means cow dung in the field. Underneath that golden carpet of leaves.
I tried to bust this theory that was given to me by big fella by kicking the leaves in his face one crisp autumn morning last year on a gallivanting day out. Turns out theory was in fact true! A very quiet drive back home ensued.)

3.) I love Marylin Monroe, (Everything.I just do) Victoria Beckham (She is very funny. She is.) and Drew Barrymore. (Who doesn't love Drew?)
Which seems to surprise a lot of people when I tell them that. Like saying "really,oh, I didn't think you would like her." What the hell is that supposed to mean?
What do these people do at night, actively think up what celebrities I could be interested in, judging by my personality and appearance? I would never do that! (Ahem)
I took the person up again on it recently and she said " Oh, I thought you said Marylin Manson." Ah, clears that one up then. I also reminded her that Marylin Manson is fact a man in which she didn't believe me. She didn't believe me about Prince either when I told her.

I have decided not to bore you too much and continue the top seven in tomorrows post. Just in case you fell asleep! (Also, the Oscars is about six hours long.) Pop by tomorrow for the count down from number 4 to number seven! Also the people I am nominating. All the best!

To Burger King or not to Burger King.......that is the question

Howdy do everyone! Hope you are all well. Do you want to come with me on a run down on one of my ever eventful weekends? Come on, I'll give you a piggy back.

On Friday night I met up with a very dear friend. We put our glad rags on, I diffused my hair to candy floss and off we went. After a few drinks in our local and giggling at random past memories, we went to an under ground type basement club and they played the best music! Old school classics such as the Rolling Stones, Elton John and even a bit of Chaka Khan. Well, considering my hair and all, this became my song and made a right fool of my self trying to justify that. Girly giggles all night and we can't wait to do it again!

Saturday: AKA, the anniversary.

Being the good girlfriend that I am, I let big fella have a lie in.I got up early and saw that it was a glorious day, so I decided to go on an adventure.

I made my way into town and went to the Liverpool cathedral, or Gotham towers as I like to call it. Doesn't it look like where batman would live?
I had never been inside before and boy was it huge! It literally took your breath away as you stepped inside.
It was so huge, I couldn't get the whole picture and nearly fell backwards trying to get it all in the camera frame!

I truly love walking around huge buildings admiring the architecture and soaking up the history. Whenever I am in a religious place such as this, I always light a candle for my mum who passed away a few years back and I found myself getting a bit teary.

I saw out of the corner of my eye an open exit door so I decided to go out for a bit of fresh air. I was lead down a flight of old stone steps and into a different world. You see, the cathedral is smack bang in the city centre, so I was intrigued to go down the path which seemed to go under ground..

It was a strange winding path of tunnels and gravestones.

Which lead to a park. It was so quiet and peaceful you could not hear all the hustle and bustle of city life above. Just the the sound of beautiful song bird and rustling leaves. As I was gazing around in wonder, I noticed an elderly man was sitting on a bench. We greeted each other and he began to tell me the history of this enchanting place. He told me that in the sixteenth century this plot used to be a quarry, hence and the pathways under ground and tunnels. Then as they built the cathedral, and the stone was not longer profitable in the quarry, they used it as a burial ground. As time went on it was decided to move all the gravestones off the ground and put them all along the pathway and build a park.
This was the only part where they kept the graves stones in there rightful place. The man told me a lot of his family tree was buried here and he comes here every Saturday as part of a volunteer group called the friends of the park to keep it clean and tidy as there is no security and vandals thrive in it.He had been doing it every Saturday for thirty five years. I told him how wonderful that he does that and told him I would definitely pop down some Saturday to see him again.

As we were talking, a butterfly floated along to the leaf beside me and I got my camera out to capture a picture. The man asked what I was doing and I asked him if he wanted a go and try out the camera. So he took this picture! Beautiful!
So that was my adventure to Liverpool Cathedral, an amazing building and secret gardens that I got so carried away talking about the history with my new friend I didn't investigate the rest of the park. Something to do next week is sorted anyway!

I soon got a phone call from big fella asking to buy milk and come back with it quickly because he can not open both eyes properly without his morning coffee.

Once big fella was dozed up to the eye balls with caffeine he told me we were going on a day out for our anniversary and it was a surprise! WEEEEE! So happy! We hopped in the trusty steed called car and as big fella drove, we grooved and sang along to Bob Marley with the with the windows down and sunshine on our smiling faces. It was that kind of day.

We went to the beach!!!! Big fella knows how I love the sea, and we got some chips and went for a long walk along the sea front and on the way back we gobbled up a large ice cream.
Perfect!



As we were walking back to the car, we saw a large flock of birds doing a weaving hypnotising dance in the sky.It couldn't have been a better way to spend the day together. Well done big fella, well done.

We went home to rest our achy feet and have a cup of tea. I started to think about dinner. I wonder, did he plan a night out as well?
I waited as we sat there drinking our tea, with big fella starting at the sea world attraction/fish tank. Twenty minutes later I had to click my fingers a couple of times to get him out of his goldfish trance to suggest dinner.

At that point I just knew he was thinking beans on toast (its the way he pulls a face when he is thinking about beans) so I blurted out that it was "ouranniversaryandweshouldgooutfordinnerIreallywanttoeatout!" I only realised I screeched this sentence a mile a minute in a pertinent five year old voice. Jeez, I guess I really did want to go out. I gave him hint by asking him where my favourite place in the world I like to eat. I slowly saw him make a connection and gave me a knowing smile and nodded.

I hoped he had the same place in mind as I did (the little Italian restaurant we went to on our first date and Claire here was very nervous so just to do the trick, drunk too much wine with her carbannora (as i called it then) and convinced herself and downright demanded that every one in the restaurant would enjoy a rendition of Shirley Bassey's Gold finger sung by moi. Quivering lips and all. I truly thought the big fella was going to be the put in the "one that got away" file after that.)

But as we drove further away from town I realised our destination was not there. Any way, big fella keeps on joking about how I am barred from there so............................
Where were we going? We just kept on driving somewhere. Eventually I remembered the next stretch of road as Big fella and I once got a burger king from here and I stated that burger king was my most favourite food eve.........
Oh. As we indicated into the drive throug I saw big fellas face full of pride as he said "You see, I do listen to you, I do remember!"

He was right.

I never told him my favourite place was the Italian restaurant, I can't remember the main course for heaven sake, so I never brought it up. Only in my silly skull. But I did tell him about burger king.
His face was such a picture of happiness and pride, I laughed and laughed! He did take me to my favourite place to eat. As he knew it.

We splashed out and got extra large and big fella even bought a kids meal to get me a crown! As we were sitting in the parking lot, I heard a child crying to his mum that he didn't get a crown. Poor mum looked very stressed so I asked big fella if he would mind if I gave my crown to him which he gracefully agreed to. I jumped out of the car and handed it to the boy. His eyes lit up, mums face looked so relieved, she thanked me over and we had a supportive squeeze of the arms which was a lovely moment and making me go "Awwww" over and over randomly throughout the rest of the day at the thought of it. Which must have been strange for innocent by standers near me.

As we basically stuffed our faces in the car I turned to look at big fella and laughed as his face was covered in red sauce.Here's how the next conversation went.

" Aour ace s overed i read auce!MffffMffff!"

Translation: "Your face is covered in red sauce! LOL!"

"oww tis Shours! Ghawfff! Mmmmm!"

Translation: "So is yours! Double LOL! yum!"

We had a face full of burgers and were talking with our mouths full. It was a juvenile, childish anniversary moment.

And the burger was the best food in the world. Just as big fella is the best big fella too.

Awards and anniversery surprise please big fella?

Oh wow! Make that a double wow, as I am late giving my thanks and gratitude for this wonderful award! The lovely Dede has given me this award and I love it!This is her first award as well and I am honoured that she thought of my blog to pass one on to! I am really touched! I had seen this floating about and was so happy when I got one of my own! Thank you so much!

Now the science:

If you've been bestowed The Domestic Witch Blog Award:
~ Pass the award on to 3 blogs about Domestic Witchery that you really enjoy.
~ Include the award in your blog post.
~ Link the nominees within your post.
~ Don't forget to mention the person who gave you the award.
~ Let your chosen winners know that they received The Domestic Witch Blog Award by commenting on their blog.

Done, done and doing now.

I always feel everybody deserves an award in many different wee ways,people such as:

Beth who made me smile so much today as her post was was my first reading of the day and it was simply beautiful. Please do link and let her magical way with words weave through your mind and grant you beautiful thoughts and memories.

Cinner who, even though had a particularly eventful day during the week, through out all this managed beautifully to see the positive side and laughed the bad episode away. A wonderfully positive lady who is inspiring and the kind of people we all need in our lives! Thank you Cinner, you deserve this award because you turn negativity into positive ways of thought, and that is pure magic!

And last certainly not least, the wonderful Omi, as her drawings make me laugh out loud every time, because it basically seems to represent me! Even the hair is accurate! So funny, you must go have a look! Omi, thank you for the giggles every time!

Please feel free to do as you wish with this award ladies, I just feel you deserve it!

I certainly could go on, but I must dash, it is that time of year again and big fella and I have been together four years! So as in romantic gesture, he says he plans to take me to Burger King. But not the local one,oh no, it is our anniversary after all, we are going to one all the way across town because, as big fella states "The red sauce tastes better there."

Of course.

Can you tell how thrilled I am? Who said romance was dead eh?
I will tell you all about our oh so magical night tomorrow. Cinner, I need a bit of your magic! I hope for his sake that he is joking. Tell you all tomorrow!

My diffuser is making a mockery of me.

Hello every one I hope you are well! Thank you all so much for all your sweet words of encouragement over my last post. All I shall say is, it is a work in process, but there is always light at the end of the tunnel. Thank you again, procrastination is officially my word of the moment, and I keep on peppering it in conversations, such as,

"Big fella, look out this window here. That bird has been sitting on that rock for three hours now .How do I know? Because I have been watching him all that time! That bird is just procrastinating. Procrastination, that's what that is!"

This weekend was a friends birthday, and he had asked us to join him at a Chinese buffet in town to celebrate. As we (I) are being frugal for now, I suggested (demanded) that we take the train, instead of driving claiming it would do us good to walk to the train station, saving cardboard omissions (as I was soon corrected about that one, I am still learning new words) and saving the whales.Walking soon was a bad idea from my point of view:

a) I am now addicted to my diffuser hair dryer. Chaka Khan is my inspiration. You see, before diffuser came into my life, my hair was like two Cocker spaniels dog ears hanging from my head. This hairdryer is a novelty,and trust me, when I see the soon to be developed photos, I will learn my lesson. But for now diffuser rules and will not learn my lesson until it is too late.

b) We live in a abnormally windy part of town, being by the water and all that. Lets call it turbo charged nature's diffuser! As you can see from the picture below, my hair was raising like yeast two minutes out the door. (I also reminded myself of a 80's John Mcenroe)

It was beautiful clear evening, with a bright blue sky, showing nature in all its beauty.



It also showed that autumn is right around the corner! Squeal!!! I love this time of year! My favourite! I have taken a picture of my street now, with just a small lining of leaves, and I will take a picture when all the leaves turn golden orange and red to see the complete change of season. This we be our first autumn living together for the big fella and me, and I am look forwarded to some leaf crunching and confetti of falling ones. Perfect season for picture taking!

We got the train soon enough, yet in reality due to the price of the tickets, we would have been better taking the car. Which big fella reminded me the whole train journey down, In which I decided to repeatably press the camera shutter button in case I belted him with the camera just to shut him up. I ended up with a about sixty of these types of pictures.
The train goes quite fast doesn't it?

I had, remarkably, never been to a buffet restaurant and was amazed to find it was a restaurant where you could eat everything! Heaven!
(As I went up for a third helping, I had quite a dark thought of asking the waitress for a bucket so I could fill it up and bring it home. We don't mind eating Chinese food for a month you see.It said unlimited on the menu.)

Unfortunately I can be quite the greedy girl and I went too far with the soy sauce.My dessert was ruined.

It was lovely to catch up with friends and have a good laugh and a great time was had by all.

Since we bought return tickets we got the train back home again.
Due to the unusually humid evening, the air and all the curling products my hair had turned, as the big fella described it so sensitively, Side Show Bob like to the point that he point blank refused to walk alongside me for the reminder of the walk home. (My hair kept getting in his way to be fair.)
I hind sight, from this photograph I think Side Show Bob is slightly inaccurate. I would think more along the lines of little Chucky from the cartoon Rug Rats would describe my hair slightly better.





Yes, that looks just like Chucky standing right there, going "Thommyyy"

I am away to write some lists of things to do for the week! Here's hoping I don't lose them! Take care everyone!

You know there one where your comments come back to taunt you?

Today, I had a very good day in work, everything running smoothly, everybody happy and smiling (Well, nearly everybody, I was any way.) and I got off early. Bonus! (Oh, how very Bill and Ted of me.) Today is a good day! I danced home with my earphones on, popped the key in the door and smiled. Home. My plan was a afternoon of blog time and coffee drinking. I had already decided this around 11am this morning.

In the hallway there was a letter, addressed to Mr Big Fella. So, as I am known to lose letters, (only the once, but there was murder.) I left Big fellas letter for him to pick up and heaved myself up those bloody stairs.

Kettle brewing, and computer on (but no biscuits. Disappointing. And no Big Fella. Not so disappointing)
I grabbed my cuppa and settled down for a bit a blogging R+R. One of the first blogs I read was the lovely Alicia in which her post was entitled Procrastination Inoculation. Now, I knew of the word procrastination, Big Fella uses it all the time. "Claire, stop procrastinating!" in which I would return with the very mature reply "Whatever! Back to point,I said I will do it later! OK?" (W hand gesture fully included of course.)

I read her wonderful witty post, (no, I am not going to type it out, read it yourself, that's why I linked it. I did link didn't I? Oh, I'll do it later.)
I realised this is me! Ah, so that's what Big fella means! I will write out my comment back to her though as it will hopefully serve its purpose to this sorry tale.

Comment in Italics, yes italics, I found the button. Eventually. So I have to show off.

"I always wanted to know what that word meant, and that is me down to a tee! There are in front of me right now, two letters that needed to be posted last week, a very untidy table and a empty cup of coffee! I cant even make myself another one! Don't even start me on the house work! I do love ticking of a list of things to do though. When i can be bothered to write it!"

Just as I pressed send button, I heard Big fellas big feet thundering up the stairs. (and that's him tip toeing). As he walked in, I saw the letter in his hand as he opened it. "Did you pay the council tax bill?" "Yyyyyyeeeeeessssss...................."I replied shaking my head. I completely forgot about it.That's one my bills. It was paid, just inside the envelope, getting dog eared on the table in front of me. Ends up, the people at the tax office frown upon this it would seem and slapped us with court summons and a bill for £700.00. To be honest I didn't even read the letter I just saw in bold, our names, court date and the one that turn my blood to ice, pay immediately. ( I found bold button too.)

I got very upset, to say the least. We can not afford it. I have a great fear of something like this happening, everything slipping, like a thread unravelling the tapestry of your life. I have seen it happen many times in my line of work, and it can be swift, bewildering and increditability harsh, putting me in the acute knowledge that it could anytime happen to us.

Big fella and me, are just about keeping our heads above the choppy waters financially, as I know many of you are in that same situation. We must hold on tight I guess. We have to.

I also don't like the idea of court,I have seen Judge Judy, she is bloody terrifying! The whole subject left me mortifying as well. I had dragged big fella into this too, I couldn't believe court was involved. I have never gotten in this situation before, and my heart broke for any one who has to read a letter like that posted through their door.

I calmed down slightly taking a moment to ponder on that thought. I was starting to get confused. I would never let myself get into a situation like that if I could ever help it. There was no reminder letter, no red letter reminder, and it was just out of the blue. I decided there was nothing to do but ring them tomorrow (No procrastation there, the office closes at 1pm on a Tuesday. As you do.)

In the meantime, procrastination was not going to be my middle name anymore. After some tender words and hugs from big fella, telling me it would be alright, (he is the greatest big fella alive) I cleaned up that scrubby table and the rest, did laundry, wrote a list and ticked it off, including changing all my accounts to direct debit and paid any remaining bills I could.

Now I am here telling you with red rimmed, bloodshot eyes, shaky hands and a huge frizz bomb on my head. I was a given a diffuser hairdryer by a very thoughtful friend. Diffusers are weapons! I have never had hair like it, I am swaying to and fro as I type this with the weight of the bomb, but I secretly love it! My new choice of weapon is a diffuser. I never thought I would hear myself say that.

I am so lucky to have big fella, he is lovely jubbly! He told me to get a hold of my cacks (means trousers. My dad says it all the time)and calm down, just read the letter properly and it will all be sorted tomorrow, he will go down with the letter and pay it first thing. I am a procrastating pillock.

As big fella shooed away my sniffles, we had a moment.

"You do make life very hard for yourself Claire."

"Is that what procrastination means, Big fella?" I was all muffled because my face was all squashed by his belly with a hug. Behave yourself, we were standing, that's how tall he is, and I am very small.

"In a way, Claire, in a way..........................."

Right, I am away to write my list of things to do for tomorrow, with big tick box included, but i might use gold stars instead. I will also go and finally read that letter I tried unsuccessfully to burn and go over it properly calmly and rationally. With big fella hugs on stand by.

I am the Pheobe Buffay of the group.

Hello everyone, I had a slight case of writers block (still on going) and the example I will give later will decipher how dire things were becoming. I have been keeping up with you all and enjoy read your posts regularly to see what you have been up to.

Well, I was having a little word with myself throughout the week, and decided few changes are desperately needed for the quest for happiness so to speak. You know, get out more, stop being lazy, and making better use of my time! (After reading all your blogs of course)
I watched the sunset on Friday night turn the sky a fierce red glow in its dying amber's, (this I am always happy and thankful for)
So, I thought to my self, if you want happiness, go get some girl! So I started by putting on my shoes and taking the pictures in its full glory outside without window pane and dirt blocking it. I think we can scrub out laziness there!
Happiness already. (Not so much so when I realised I had forgotten my keys to get back inside. Thank God big fella wasn't listening to music with his earphones in, I could have been out there for hours. He wouldn't even realise I wasn't there until he got hungry.Which isn't that long actually. It would have been OK come to think of it.)

On Saturday it was big fellas mummy's birthday, so me and the big fella got her nice perfume, and a totally inappropriate card ( Old fashioned photo of a woman in a bathing suit, holding huge crab high in the air,looking downwards,with the caption underneath saying "Thankfully she soon found what the source of the irritation was". At least it said Happy Birthday when you opened it.)

Of course the dirty swines that we were, we wet ourselves laughing when we saw it! We just bought it without thinking who it was actually for. Cue very awkward moment in restaurant when she opened it up in front friends and family.
After many whispered apologies over the table and cringing, we went out for walk by the water. This is big fella and me. (That's big fellas mum behind us, letting rip about how she wasn't putting that card on show on her mantle piece. Yes, big fella is big and yes my hair, even as shadow, looks dreadful. Medusa springs to mind.)

Filled with food and apology accepted, we went home. Home was starting to look untidy, messy and just a touch beyond clutter. I had to sort it out. It will make me happier! So, I decluttered, decluttered, decluttered. Thanks to Shell (link please for some solid gold inspiration from the sweet lady), I also made use for my drawer. It now sits nicely next to the bed. Thank you for the great tip!

I gave away books, lamps, even a TV, (see why soon) to friends and workmates. Somebody mentioned doing a car boot sale, and I agreed but yet, I would love to sell my own things that I make.

Ah,ha! I remembered that I was going to open a stall with my stuff at Christmas. I decided to get to work. I starting writing a list of things I could make and sell, and the materials such as wool and darning needles, and soon realised that that would have to wait for the moment but I did have a pen and paper. So I drew these.
I messed this one up I think, she looks a wee bit alien like. I also got impatient with the tail.

This one is entitled Dancing in the moonlight.
I like this one best.

Sunday: Flea Market day! (Did I not just declutter yesterday?)
I got this large dolls house wardrobe furniture for 50p. I am going to add a couple of shelves, paint it, and maybe sell it as a aromatherapy cabinet!
This candle was a £1..00 including stand. Gift! Have you ever seen the film Hocus Pocus? It reminds me of the black flamed candle! Consequently I will now never light it in fear of unleashing something dreadful like Kenny G making a comeback or something. (sorry all Kenny G fans out there. Its just the hair he has. I'm jealous.)
It could also be used as a press of some sort because it is hhheeavvyy!
But, that's all I got! Honest! I will continue to go to the flea market very week, but just buy things that might be use to make for my market stall. And anything else that catches my eye.OK, Big fella will have to supervise.

Now,I have a wee bit of a situation. Should I do this market stall? To be honest, big fella has quite the constructive criticism mode switched on, and doesn't really like my drawings. That doesn't sound right. What I mean is, they are not to his taste. (But that's not what I am thinking.) Which is absolutely fine, but yet old fear and doubt is creeping in mind like last time. Am I going about this the right way? Is a market stall even the answer?Is it to the person's taste, or I am kidding myself altogether? Oh bother!

I feel maybe I am like one of those poor contestants on American idol, who thinks they "have what it takes" yet to everyone else it is abundantly clear they haven't. I don't want to be that person. But I will keep on truckin with drawing, because I enjoy it!
I don't really want to ask my emmediate circle of friends, as it is not to their taste either in a sense they would not buy it for themselves.We are all different, which is what I love about them. I'm am the Phoebe Buffay of the group. Here are some other reasons why this title suits me:
(This is the writer block stage. I am sorry.)

1. I do not like the films Pretty Woman, Footloose, or Dirty Dancing. (gasp!) The looks I get when I mention that. (Though I will state in the film, Patrick Swayze, he makes me quiver!) A large percent of my friends beg to differ on my lack of appreciation for these films.

2. Other films I don't like are Top Gun and Cocktail. Simply because of Tom Cruise. I don't know what it is, this is even before the Scientology stuff. Gerry McGuire I can take, if not because of the cute little boy in it. But yet, Tom cruise has gone up high in the meter scale of like in my world since playing Les Grossman in Tropic Thunder. Because it is nothing like him. I'll give him that one, he stole the show in the film. (Imagine that was really him behind closed doors.Think about it................. Oh Katie run!) In other words I like him for the reasons others wouldn't. They like him being the good guy, I like him as the bad guy.

3. I don't know how to drive: Don't as in won't. I am basically scared of it. I had lessons for a year when I was eighteen, and I was stupid and didnt complete them.
I am slightly tense being in a moving car, due to a car accident in the US when I was younger. Nothing too major at all, it was more the shock, but boy, it has effected me large. The only person I trust in a car is my daddy. Not even big fella. Especially not big fella. Nah, not really, but he does make me flinch every once in a while. So I prefer walking. Only sometimes though. I will accept a lift I will just be quietly nervous about how the person drives.

4. I am a bit scatty and clumsy. I think this blog alone will prove my point. I leave comments sometimes that I mean so sincerely to someone, yet when I think back ,it didn't come out that way and I am embarrassed beyond belief.I only catch on about two months later. I even do it in posts. I get my words all jumbled up, I write junk... are you still there?

5. Last but not least:
I don't watch TV. EVER. Don't get me wrong, I will watch DVDs until the cows come home. But the television will never be on in this house, unless big fella is here.I I just don't like it. I have to read a weekly TV magazine just to have a proper conversation with some people I know.That's all they talk about. (So I read updates on shows to keep in touch. Which is quite scary, yet on a positive spin, effective.)

So to a lot of my friends, I am the kooky one.You know what, that sits alright with me.