Day 7: Pets

My first pet was a Guinea Pig. I named her Olga, after the guinea pig in Michael Bond’s book series. She lived in a hutch on our patio with her three sisters (although I don’t know if they were actually from the same litter) who belonged to my brother and my sisters. When winter came, we moved their home into the rickety old shed at the bottom of the garden. And installed a heater and insulation to keep them cosy during the cold months. Unfortunately, the move meant that my brother and I (who took it in turns to feed them every day) had to undertake the perilous journey down the dark and overgrown pathway to the shed. Happily, this did not continue for too long, as a brand new shed was built, at the back of the house.

Shortly after the four furry bundles had established themselves as members of the family, it was discovered that Olga was pregnant. Had been in fact when we had bought her. So four guinea pigs became six. But as my parents did not want the brood to multiply any further, Boris had to go to a new home, but Poppy remained with us. And forever afterwards Olga remained a little pear shaped.

But as happens with all furry creatures, one by one they left us for the dandelion field in the sky. I was desperate for another pet. After many years of persistence (outlined in an earlier post: http://jennyisinwonderland.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/introducing-teddie.html) my parents finally relented to my puppy pleas and Teddie arrived!

Day 6: Bank Holiday!

It was undoubtedly a rather glorious one! A perfect day to help my Grandma wash her lovely King Charles Spaniel. Poor Rowley was less happy about this prospect; the indignity hardly befitting his royal lineage!

I on the other hand, had a lovely time being spoilt. (Although a delicious lunch didn’t really do much for my ‘fit and healthy’ resolutions!) It really did feel like summer! When I came home, I sat in the garden a while enjoying it. I tried to photograph some of the rabbits who were doing the same, but as usual they were too quick for me! Flowers on the other hand are far more willing sitters!

Then Teddie came to investigate what I was doing!

Bank Holidays: Time for family, time to have a break, time to apreciate the small things...

Day Five: Fit and Healthy…?

In my case, not very!

Healthy? Well I’ve been trying to be more so; drinking water instead of fizzy drinks, having cheese on toast less frequently, things like that. My problem is that food just looks so good, plus I have a bit of a weakness for puddings!

And Fit? Certainly not! Long gone are my cross country running days! Well, they weren’t that long ago, but it is rather shocking how fast one’s fitness levels can plummet. Now I get out of breath just running to catch a train.

But as with every year, and most people every year, come summer I resolve to be more fit and healthy. Unfortunately, my plans for the ‘new me’ always commence tomorrow…which of course never comes.

The only real way to change this, that I can see, is to make small, achievable resolutions. And that is hardly a new piece of wisdom. But deciding not to have second helpings or walking up the stairs instead of taking the escalator is far more tangible and achievable that simply stating to myself 'I’m going to get fit'!

 

But I’m yet to discover a way to really make a change, that I see the results of.  I’d love to know what works for you?

Day 4: Five Favourite Blogs

I’ve been meaning to start a blog for several years but kept putting it off, for various reasons, but mainly because I felt it wouldn’t be as good as I wanted it to be and therefore should wait until it was. But things never seem to be quite how you want them to be, so I started anyway! But during those years, I stumbled across various blogs which hugely inspired me. Unfortunately I didn’t know ‘following’ methods back then, so am still trying to track them down.I’ve been looking forward to reading everyone else’s posts for todays BEDM, so I can discover some new ones. And here are some of my faviourite, though rather well known ones.

 
Zoella
http://www.zoella.co.uk/

 

I watched Zoe’s youtube videos before I discovered her blog, but am so glad that I did. I love her photography and her blog in general feels like a rather lovely place to be. I only wish she posted more often!

 

Sprinkle of Glitter

http://sprinkleofglitter.blogspot.co.uk/

Louise always makes me smile as she does many people I’m sure. I love how honestly she writes and the positivity that exudes from everything she does. I love that most days I’m greeted by a lovely new post in my inbox!

And some that I stumbled across more recently…

What Olivia Did

http://www.whatoliviadid.com/

Again, I love the photographs on this blog

The Freckled fox

http://www.freckled-fox.com/

 

I particularly enjoyed the vintage hairstyle tutorials

 

Beautiful Clutter

http://beautifulclutter.blogspot.co.uk/

 

A very recent discovery and I’m so glad that I did! Full of lots of picture of things that I love.

 

 

Day 3: Day in the Life

I love Fridays. But then I suppose, who doesn’t! When I was still at school I think my most memorable Friday was when Rebecca Black’s song went viral and so that day, obviously everyone was singing it! The nearest we ever came to being in a high school musical! This year, Fridays, being one of the few days I don’t have to commute into London, are a bit of a holiday and always follow the same pattern.
 

 

 

A lazy morning, chilling with Teddie, making phone calls and generally organising my life! I rather detest talking on the phone. There’s always the matter of who is going to hang up first, you don’t want to be rude, but you don’t want to keep them there for ages if they are busy. I don’t mind talking to friends on the phone, then we natter away for hours, but when its someone you don’t know, or don’t know very well, I’d really rather not! I then started making a set of necklaces, with a late Georgian inspired image.

Every Friday, I do the weekly food shop with my Mum, having had lunch in ‘Pret’ first. I thought I’d push the boat out this week and go for one of their new salads. It was the avocado that sold it to me, but I think I’ll stick to sandwiches next week. I’m a creature of simple tastes!

So pizza, chocolates and a film are a perfect way to finish the day!

Day 2: Spring is here...

But this evening I am not really feeling its joys. Traipsing across London with an incredibly heavy A1 portfolio, with no strap or handle, did something to dent them for me. I’m exhausted, my new blouse ripped and my hands are still sore and stinging.

But I got to see a very dear friend, which made the trek worth it! And eating Ben and Jerry’s whilst watching the boats go past and the sunlight on the Thames, and listening to the soft lapping of the water, is a perfectly delightful spring-time activity. So perhaps things are not so very gloomy!

And tomorrow, Spring’s 43^rd day if my calculations are correct (which in all probability they are not; maths has never been my forte) I have another day to appreciate the Season that seems to have only really just arrived! Though it seems Spring may not be with us along, so I suppose we had best enjoy her company while she remains with us.

For me, Spring means dressing optimistically and proceeding to shiver for the rest of the day; watching lambs in the farmer’s field next door, and coveting them; admiring the blossom on the trees and the new flowers in the wood; and having a good old sort out! When ever I think of spring cleaning I think of Mole from ‘The Wind in the Willows’ white washing his walls, which is a very comforting thought.

Day 1: Five Lines

The first day of Rosalilium's Blogging Every Day in May. Hopefully I manage to stick to it! So here they are...five lines about me:

I have a tendency to over-think and a tendancy to worry too much about what other people think

 

I fascinated by the past and worry too much about the future

 

I’m very competitive but don’t like competing

 

The world of books appeals to me rather more than my own

 

I still feel like I’m waiting for my life to begin

 

 

 

I tend to be the person wielding the camera, so have few photos of myself, even fewer that are tolerable. So here is one I took. For me it was a realisation that pictures in my head could be brought to life.