Hormones & Halloween

Not too sure if the Dolly is dressed up for Halloween or turning into
a goth!!

Steve Tilley started it!

Steve found a website that would rank his blog and posted a link on Facebook. And you know me, I'm a sucker ....

So Steve is ranked 309 in the category 'Christianity' blogs. Me? Well, I didn't dare risk investigating my ranking in the Christianity section, but I am ranked 259 in the category dubiously known as 'Life'. Out of 260 if I'm lucky!!

Rank your blog here.

63 days to Christmas

According to Judy's Facebook profile anyway. And as she has had her Christmas tree up in her study for almost a week now, she should know! 63 days will just be about enough time if you have toys or other items that need to be assembled.

Ever notice they put the age a toy is suitable for on the outside of the packaging, but never the IQ required to assemble it? It took three of us an hour tonight to assemble an item deemed suitable for a three year old.

And, while we're on the matter, 63 days should be just about long enough (at one bin collection a fortnight) to dispose of all the useless packaging you'll gather up as well.

Bah humbug.

Al Qaeda do away with washbags

I was just noticing today, as I prepared for an overnight Christmas shopping trip to Manchester, that thanks to Al Qaeda we no longer have to worry about wash bags and make-up bags. All toiletries in one zip-lock plastic bag, all cosmetics in another: sorted!

Only problem is, it's one less thing you can buy your mum for Christmas.

Chigley

Are you old enough??

Somehow managed to come across an episode of this children's classic on TV tonight and watched it with my 10 year old son. Who laughed the whole way through it at how ridiculous and old fashioned it was!

How much about it I had forgotten; not the song about the train - I was able to sing that word for word much to son's bemusement. But things like the men (please note it was strictly only men) who worked in the biscuit factory all clocked off at precisely 6 o'clock when the whistle blew and went for a dance in the open air with women who looked like they had been shipped in from Bavaria especially for the event!!

In this episode there were visitors from other programmes like the soldier boys from Pipin Fort in Camberwick green and Miss Lovelace - the hat maker from Trumpton, with her three dogs Mitzy, Daphne and Lulu.

Worth a google on YouTube if you're the nostalgic type.

With apologies to friends from Dublin

Yesterday Michael was the mascot for Ulster rugby in their Magners League top-of-the-table clash against our neighbouring province Leinster.

Such excitement I'm sure you cannot imagine, to be mascot at a sell-out match and share a pitch with such stars as Brian O'Driscoll and Gordon D'Arcy as well as all his Ulster favourites. And that was just me ;-)

With Paddy Wallace being 'rested' for Ireland duties, Ulster captain was Chris Henry. Now, last time Chris captained the side he forgot to take the mascot with him when he ran onto the field. No such misfortune this time - Michael had his hand stuck out blocking the entrance to the pitch from the moment Chris put foot out the changing room door.

Soaked to the skin with a dose of double pneumonia on the cards, but smiling from ear to ear. Thanks to all at Ulster Branch for making it happen.

Oh, and the result. Ulster beat Leinster 16-14; the first time they had beaten them since May 2004!!

Job well done son.

Wear it pink

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month and Breast Cancer Campaign is urging everyone to 'Wear it Pink' on Friday 30th October to raise awareness and funds for Breast Cancer research.

Find out more here. Then do it. Please.

When

An observation:

When Ulster rugby substitutes want to keep warm during the match, they go for a wee run round the nearest potato field.

When Edinburgh rugby subtitutes want to keep warm during the match, they climb aboard their ponsy exercise bikes at the side of the pitch.

When Ulster rugby fans see Edinburgh rugby substitutes on their ponsy exercise bikes, they sing ...

'You're not cycling, you're not cycling, you're not cycling anywhere ...'

I think that's fair enough under the circumstances

And as we're talking about rugby ...

This is going to be a big week in our house as my son is getting to be the mascot for the Ulster v Leinster top-of-the-table-clash derby match in the Magners League this Saturday at Ravenhill.

I'm not sure what he is more excited about; being the Ulster mascot and leading out the Ulstermen or being on the same pitch at the same time as Brian O'Driscoll!

If you get Setanta Ireland, (and let's face it, we live on the island of Ireland and although we got some Setanta channels, we didn't even get it even before they went bust!) you will see him do his thing live this Saturday evening.

Otherwise you'll have to go to Ravenhill or read about it here. Maybe.

Living it large

It's been a real busy week, but in between singing rehearsals, parent nights, book club and Heineken Cup rugby I have been applying myself to shortening my 'to-do' list.

I noted when I booked hotel number three on the list this evening that in the list of 'items provided in my room' it says sheets. Always good to know the basics are included in the price!

All joking aside though, if Travelodge gave loyalty points, I'd own one of their hotels by now!

To Do list

Book hotel in Bristol
Book hotel in Manchester
Book hotel in Paris
Book train to Brussels
Book hotel in Brussels

Sent from my iPhone

Autumn Poem

Another literary masterpiece by my son:

All the leaves are falling down.

Autumn is back!

Fireworks and burning bonfires.

Cold nights, Halloween nights.

Please don't get the frights!

Frosty mornings. Autumn is here!

I love this time of year