Batten down the hatches!

I'm feeling a little like Eeyore

original sourced here

I was so enjoying the sunshine. The warm glow on my skin. The smell of sun cream and cut grass on the light breeze. The fun and games punctuated by laughter and screams. And the colour it brought to my life. I enjoyed having it all in my life again, it was nice while it lasted.

Now the storm is on the horizon again. The pressure is building, starting to feel truly oppressive.  I knew it wouldn't be long, I knew I couldn't out run it and there it is creeping closer. Stormy grey clouds looming and starting to block out the light. This time I don't think there is any dodging the eye of this storm. Soon the first cracks of thunder will rumble out. Then the light show will begin, few may even be struck by bolts of lightening.

find original here

It's interesting to see how people prepare for a storm:

1. The Ostrich - stick their head in the sand and make believe nothing will touch them.
2. The Leopard - watch them take off and attempt to out run the storms path.
3. The Beaver - build, re-build, shore-up, all in an attempt to minimise the effects of the storm.
4. The Humming Bird - known for their fantastic rate of flapping.

Storms, in general, don't scare me. I love our little British efforts (most of the time they're a flash in the pan with no damage); the anticipation, the show and then the relief of the rain. I get the feeling though, it's going to be quite some time before we will get to dance in the rain with this storm. And that is what worries me, that is what sends me through all of the above character types (not an exhaustive list sourced from anywhere other than my brain). With only the leopard removed from the equation, I won't run again, I wonder which I will settle on.

Yet I can't help but think this storm we're facing is just a baby compared to the ones our Grandfather's and their Father's before them faced. Who are we to fear when they faced World Wars and Depression?

Do you know which character type you are? Is it listed? Or do you behave completely differently when a storm is on its way?

Fume induced memories

Today I remembered how painting with a roller makes is feel like it is raining inside, however it doesn't taste as good as rain (note to self keep your mouth shut whilst painting)!

I remembered how I love the prickly feeling of rubbing the little dots of paint off your skin.

Also discovered that this hand position makes for a cool shadow puppet crocodile - do you see it or is it just me? (hope the white paint spots show up ok)

But how I don't really love seeing spots!

Not sure you can see the white spots all over my glasses but trust me I can see them!!

 

Finally I realised that although I could clean up my step ladders I don't think I ever will, they wear the map of our lives like a badge of honour. Holding there so many memories of every life change we have ever encountered. I also hope that my Mum never cleans hers either as they map out my life before the other half; the sadness, the hope and the sheer creative flare I had once!

 

Who knew that decorating could hold so many revelations and so such inspiration, off to type up a story that came to me while I wait for paint to dry (well it's got to be better than watching it dry, no?)

Random Thursdays goes Mad Lib

I love Kicking Corners it is, in my daughters language, my favouritest blog ever. Tonight you were going to be subjected to a wonderfully random blog about the size of rain drops. Cliff notes version; we have had every sort of rain today from big fat drops slow, big fat drops torrential, all the way to that fine drizzle that 'wets you through'. Ok, I'm bored of this already and am so glad to have a call to madness to follow, it is going to make this post soooo much more interesting!

Ok so from what I gather I have to answer a few questions and then go back to Kicking Corners to see the magic happen...Here goes:

1. Number - 7

2. Two things you need to survive - Chocolate and my family (obvious and corny...sorry)

3. Favourite Season - Spring (I like all of them but when pushed!)

4. Onomatopoeia for something repeating three times (ex: “thwack, thwack, thwack”) - Snap, snap, snap

5. Size adverb - Huge (pronounced huuowge)

6. Colour adverb - Deep

7. Scary person, thing, or animal - Me in a bad mood

8. Common greeting - 'ya alreight mi cocker' (apologies for the local dialect here I couldn't resist)

9. A complete thought, random or otherwise - Why is it some rain wets you more than other types of rain when it is all just water?

10. Verb ending in “ed” - Squished

11. What would your reply be to someone saying, “You don’t look like you want to do this. Are you afraid?” - Nah, I look like this all the time. Same as everything I say is with a sarcastic tone!

12. Place - By the sea

13. Type of building - Castle

14. Flat object - Plank

15. Verb - Learn

 

That done, and it was fun, all I have to do is visit Kicking Corners tomorrow to find out how this will translate in to my 'Mad Masterpiece'. If you fancy having a bash, go ahead, either in the comments or on your blog. Do you have the guts to surrender to the madness? Go on, 'I dare you'.  I am so excited I don't think I can wait until tomorrow.

Random Thursdays Arrives

My first random Thursday and have my thoughts been random today!!

Have you ever noticed that you can't find something when you are looking for it? I know, I know, once you have found it you are no longer looking, that is not what I meant! I mean when shopping, if you go out with no idea of what you are looking for, or even no money to spend, then you seem to be surrounded by things you like and want to buy. The minute you have money, or have something specific you need to buy, there is nothing in sight!! This has plagued me for the last six months. I have been looking for some jewellery to wear with an outfit for a wedding and eventually today I have found it. I wanted to dance around the shop shouting HALLELUJAH at the top of my voice. My kids were grateful, however, that I refrained and opted instead to thank the assistant profusely for his patience following the half hour it took me to decide! Now all I need is........

Almost immediately after this I spent a good 15 minutes wondering what the best seagull defence technique is whilst eating an ice cream; to prevent it being stolen and eaten by said pesky birds. Do you spend your life shooing and not actually eating, thus leaving the delicious, in this case turkish delight flavoured, ice cream open to attack? Do you go for the good old fashioned stoop over the delicious treat stealing licks in between look out duty, risking an unsightly ice cream addition to your outfit? Or is the best thing to just eat and enjoy, ignoring the hawk like gaze waiting for you to become distracted leaving an opening to swoop in. Random I know, but a funny way to be distracted whilst watching boats bob on the water sat on the river bank.

view image here

Just to make this post a little bit more random I saw some beautiful sights around today so I thought I would share some images with you.

Even on a rainy day there are still those little moments that bring a smile to your face like; rainbows or simply getting soaked whilst running for cover in a down pour that arrives out of the blue, then falling about laughing because you are so wet!

Final random share for today, this cute little flower growing in the most unlikely of places; in a crevice in a wall! If this little chappy can hang on and put out such a lovely display of flowers in such a tiny and inhospitable place, surely we can hang on and put on our own display, even if things conspire to make it hard for us!

Magic Moment:

My magic moment today comes to you courtesy of my other half jumping up and down like a big kid at the window of a bakery. He had seen the biggest iced belgian bun we have ever seen, with a cherry on the top. It was nice to see his inner child make an appearance, and yes the nibble I had tasted goood! Sorry, there is no picture of this one...it didn't last long enough for me to get the camera out!!!

I hope you have enjoyed my random thoughts for today, just a little insight into my mind! What random thoughts have you had today?