"Tickled Pink" a Brand New Meme

There's nothing like a good giggle, so I decided to start a new meme called "Tickled Pink" to run each Monday, most of us photographers are out and about with the camera at the weekends getting the good shots and the bad.

I love taking pictures and as those who visit my other blog "Just Look and You Will See" will know how much I love a well taken picture. But lets face it, more often than not they go a bit wrong and it can take 10 or 20 shots to get " The One" whilst these pictures we reject are not photogenically correct they are all brilliant in their own way.

So I thought it would be fun to see the mistakes that happen to get that "Perfect Shot" 

With all the snow I wanted to get some nice pictures of Badger Boo playing in the snow. As you can see he decided to spend a penny and his eyes make him look like some alien form has taken him over, plus it was all out of focus. Not his usual cute look at all...

I did get the shot later that day which can be seen here.

Looking forward to seeing your mistakes too.

 If looks could kill you wouldn't stand a chance against the laser eyes!

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Where Has The Time Gone?

It seems like an age since I last updated here, although I have managed to keep up with my photography posts and Badger Boo's posts The time is flying by and Retirement is good, I'm getting loads done, I've even caught up with the dreaded pile of ironing that has been bugging me for the last 18 months.

 I've come to realise that it was my job that was causing me the most of the problems in my life. So in fact they have done me a huge favour. I really miss the people and interaction, but the freedom I have now is amazing!

My house is now reasonably tidy, I've done a huge amount of de-cluttering and cleaning. I walk Badger Boo every most days now, and we have been having some great fun in the snow. Boy was I glad that I didn't have to drive to work in that this year.

I have completed several knitting projects and have started some new ones. The best one is:-  Himself's daughter  asked me to knit a little cardigan for her daughter, which is turning out to be quite a challenge as it's so small, I'm used to knitting stuff for myself the size of a 12x12 tent! The stitch is so pretty, personally I think it would look nicer in a cream or white, but she asked for pink so pink it is.

I now volunteer twice a week at The British Heart Foundation Charity shop which is great fun but jolly hard work, I have been sorting out the donations and it is pretty manual work, so by the time I leave I'm shattered but in a good way.

I've started a lunchtime knitting/social group in my local area, meeting weekly on a Wednesday from 1130 until 1430 details can be found here, and there is also a facebook group for it too. The numbers are small at the moment, but hopefully as time passes and word gets around we will grow.

So now, instead of there just being chinks of light in my life, it feels like somebody has ripped open the curtains, and the light is flooding in. I'm still in a lot of pain, but at least now I can take it easy when I need too, and get up and go when I want too. 

Life is good now, the diet has slipped a bit lately and I daren't stand on the scales, but who cares? I don't at the moment, maybe next week I'll knuckle down to it again, watch this space...

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Silent Sunday

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Photo of The Week

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Silent Sunday

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Dog's Eye View

What is Badger Boo thinking about here?

Can you think of a funny caption?

Now head over to Mammasaurus to check out other pictures in need of a caption.

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Silent Sunday

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Finally Climbed Off The Sofa

As most of you know I love to knit and I love my own company, but since everyone went back to work this week, I was sat at home and starting to feel just a tiny bit lonely.

So I heaved my big fat bum off the sofa and went down to the local British Heart Foundation charity shop, I am now volunteering two afternoons a week to start with, to see how I manage.

I have also decided to start up a "Social Group",  I have lived in Godalming for eleven years yet I know so few people in the area as I have always worked out of the area. So thought this would be a great way to meet new people and make friends. If you want to find out more head over to my other blog The Crafty Cuppa.

Things are feeling much more positive than they were this time last week, hopefully it will curb the Pinterest addiction I have developed since I Retired.

Sadly for Badger Boo his walks with Jacqui his Dog Walker have been cut to once a week, instead of four times a week. As now I'm not working he will have to put up with me walking him from now on. She is a fantastic lady, very reliable and I can't recommend her highly enough, so if you need a Dog Walker in my area check out her website I'm so glad I did.

Popped up to the allotment for the first time in ages to dig up a few potatoes for Dinner, and was surprised to see the Rhubarb was starting to grow so early in the year, so I had to get it covered up and protected as snow has been forecast for this weekend, I posted a picture of it as my Photo of The Week.

I was sad to see there were only the three female pigs in the field, that means the boys have gone to market. It's farm life but they are such friendly things I can't help making friends with them.

So as my first week of Retirement draws to a close, I'm getting used to sleeping late and doing what I want to do, when I want to do it.

This Retirement lark isn't too bad after all...

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Himself - What's the Point?

Himself came home this evening feeling rather pleased with himself, he had captured what looked like a really unusual shot of a tree in the dark surrounded by a strange aura.

He has no idea how he did it, and was unable to repeat it, as sadly it's not in focus. I think it's a pretty clever effort, but what's the point if he can't remember how he did it? It's like telling you a bit of gossip but not getting the juicy bits!

Night View No Flash.

Night View With Flash

He has absolutely no idea what he did ? BOINK **as I slap him round head for daftness**

Seriously he's starting to give me a run for my money now. Better book myself onto a photographic course ASAP as I can't have that!

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Photo of The Week

Considering the weather we have been having, I was surprised to find this growing on the allotment so early in the year, luckily I had my mobile with me to capture it.



Also linked with Mobile Monday Blog Hop

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Return to Work Today ~ But Not Me

How strange it feels that everyone is going back to work today. My diary is full of things to do this week, but as I sit here I feel strangely odd.

I can't get my motivation going.

 I phoned work for a chat to find out where my last pay slip was, as it hasn't arrived yet. Although my last pay check thankfully went into the bank on time. I went to the hospital this morning to see the Pysio-Terrorist who is pleased with my progress and discharged me, so my back is apparently much better now, I beg to differ, but I've had my six appointments.

Oh and I've also emptied the airing cupboard.

So what to do now I wonder?

Badger Boo is out with his Walker so he is having some fun with all his buddies, hope he doesn't roll in any Fox Poop, I don't feel up to giving him a bath today.

When I say I feel odd, it is hard to describe. I never realised what a massive part of my life work and the people there were to me. There was always someone to talk too or something to do, and as I sit here the only things I feel is bored and lonely, there is no one to phone and the TV is rubbish. Work certainly kept me entertained!

I've tried to do my coursework this morning, but I find it so boring, and do I really need to do it now? I could try to figure out how to write a CV I suppose. 

Whatever happened to the days when you saw a job, went for an interview and either got it or didn't? I went into a local retail shop before Christmas that had a job advertised in the window, I spoke to the manageress and was told to hand in a CV, even though we'd spoken for about 15 minutes. I haven't handed one in, as I haven't the faintest idea how to write one, and the job is still advertised! 

I can sell just about anything, I have the cheek to always get a discount and I have the "Gift of the Gab" so why should it matter whether or not I can write a stupid CV? 

I can't wait for tonight, cos its Stitch 'n' Bitch night at The Star, Godalming, so at least I will be out and about chatting to my friends. Think I'll go and make myself some Lunch now, then maybe go and have a look at that massive pile of ironing, I may even get around to doing some of it...

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A Trip to Olde London Town

My last post about the most amazing Christmas present Himself gave me, became a reality on New Years Day.

We caught the train up to London.

We were off to see War Horse at The National Theatre and it was so exciting and terrifying. 

That's right terrifying, I hate crowds, so rarely go up to London as there are just so many people, but Himself works there so knows his way around. I just hold his hand keep my head down and go where I'm led.

The trains weren't too crowded until we got to the Underground and it was standing room only, they whiz along and standing is not ideal when your not too steady on your feet like me. Nobody ever offers a seat, even when they are sitting in the priority seats for elderly and disabled, luckily I was able to wedge my self into a corner and hang on to the rail, Himself stood in front of me in case I over balanced, but all went well and we made it to Marble Arch without any accidents. 

 

Although one of the escalators we had to use wasn't working and I caused a massive traffic jam of people. I had to use the handrail on the left (a big No No apparently, you must always stand on the right) because I'm most unsteady on stairs and the risers on the steps were so much higher than normal steps. Luckily nobody moaned at me for being in the way, I suppose it was because they could see I was struggling. I have been moaned at in the past on London's escalators for being in the way, until etiquette of escalators was explained to me that is.

  We were staying at The Cumberland opposite Marble Arch. As we were early we went for a wander down Oxford Street to check out some of the shops. First stop the Rolex Shop, what a beautiful place, but it's one of those "If Only" shops I could never ever afford anything in there, but glad we went for a look to see how the other half lives!

Next stop was Selfridges what an amazing shop this is, the outside is amazing and still maintains the oldie worldie look, it has the most amazing clock out the front I just had to take a picture.

I also took what I think is a beautiful  picture of the whole frontage, which I have used as this weeks Silent Sunday picture in my photography blog.

Then it was time for a quick bite to eat in Subway (I was surprised how few eating places there are in Oxford Street) and time to go and book into the hotel. The Reception is amazing with several huge pieces of art and a water feature, which of course I had to have my picture taken in front of, yes very touristy of me, I think I look like the Honey Monster in this shot, what do you think?

Photo Credit

When we booked in our room was upgraded to an Executive Suite, it was amazing with a massive wide screen TV, I did take some pictures but deleted them by accident **slaps head at stupidity**. It was on the fifth floor with no accessibility issues at all.

Time for a quick change, then back onto the Underground to Holborn and the Theatre, it was dark by now and the Christmas lights were on in Oxford Street they were pretty spectacular, my picture really doesn't do them justice.

Whilst waiting for the tube I spotted this lipstick kiss on the window so took a picture for fun, I didn't have long as our tube was due any second (I could hear it in the tunnel) so the focusing is all wrong, but I thought it was a lovely piece of humour, maybe it was you who kissed the window?

When we got to the Theatre we were directed to our guide, a lovely lady, who escorted us round to the back of the building to the lift for disabled access, she left us in the bar area until it was time to go in whilst she went off to collect somebody else. She then escorted us to our seats and I was totally enthralled until the end. We had the most amazing view, the puppets are amazing and all the little actions of the horses were spot on, it was the most amazing thing I have ever seen. A little spoiler if you've not seen the show:- Watch the Goose, he is very funny...

I have read the book and seen the film, but the play is definitely the best interpretation of the story in my opinion  you feel you are right in the middle of all the action. It's an emotional story so don't forget to take a hanky. 

When it was all over we were escorted from our seats through the back area passing several of the actors on their way home, we said hello which made the evening even more special as we left.

There were no issues with my mobility and getting about in such an old building, as Himself had informed them at the time of booking and arrangements were in place when we arrived. The National Theatre staff couldn't do enough for us, they were so helpful and helped to make it a special night.

Thank you again to Himself for a wonderful Christmas present, what an earth I will get you next year to top that, I have no idea!!!

Silent Sunday