Top Of The Pops When I Was Born

This is an interesting one, for Mummy at least.  She’s feeling totally horrified and very old!  I’ve been tagged by Joanne at The Blunt Truth to share what was at Number 1 when I was born.  I had no idea so I enlisted Mummy’s help.  Turns out it was a song called “Gettin’ Over You” by David Guetta featuring Chris Willis, Fergie and someone/thing called LMFAO.  Charmed, I sure.

We’re none the wiser.  Mummy had heard of Fergie (didn’t she marry Prince Andrew?) but apart from that, there’s not a lot that jumps out at us.  In fact, we’d never heard of any of the songs in the whole Top 10, and that’s what’s making Mummy feel old.

She’s been a die-hard Radio 2 listener for years now, (at least ten) since all the people she used to listen to on Radio 1 now have shows on Radio 2.  And they play ‘proper’ music, with a tune, not just boom boom boom.  I guess she might as well be saying, “Back in my day,” or “When I was a girl,” but then she really would be old.

Worth mentioning that some guy called Elvis was Number 1 when she was born?  See – really old.

CB x

Shoesday Tuesday (on Thursday)

A like a good meme, and this one (Shoesday Tuesday) sounds like a GOOD meme!  I realise it’s actually Thursday but I’ve just discovered it and I just can’t wait till next week.

So here it is. I love shoes.  A lot!  I love choosing my own shoes, I love playing with other people’s shoes, and I have an eye for a beauty.  I was building up a nice little collection (nothing like Mummy’s, but then she has a few years on me) and then would you believe, my feet have grown! I’m back to square one!

I chose myself a pretty red pair at the shoe shop, and Mummy got me some more flashing trainers, but my photos this time are of my ‘old’ shoes.

These are my every day shoes, a couple of pairs to cover all my outfits.  Both Clarks, you can’t go wrong.

These boots were made for walking, and that’s just what they did. With short skirts, with shorts and tights (yup, I’m with it, down with the kids) or even skinny jeans.  Thank you, Sainsbury’s, for bringing these into my life.

My trainers.  The flowers flash on impact so they look really cool when I'm running around.  Mummy's tried to show you that by keeping the flash off, but it doesn't really show up. Clark's again.

And finally my party shoes.  They don’t really need an introduction; they sparkle, they party, I boogied on down in them, so much so that I started rubbing off the sequins on the toes.  My fault, not Monsoon’s.

So there you have it.  Always up for talking about shoes.  Have a look at some others at Blue Bear Wood.

CB x

Saturday = Another Caption Day!

It’s Saturday! That can only mean one thing . . . #SatCap with Mammasaurus!  Give me a caption for this photo, you lovely people!  (Then have a look at some others here, if you fancy.)

You Get The Picture - It's Back!

I know Christmas is officially over for another year and Twelfth Night has passed now however you count it, but because I gave this meme a rest over the festive period, I didn’t get a chance to show you my angel. Here she is. She was my Christmas card to Mummy and Daddy.

So, what have you got for me this week?
CB x

My Favourite Christmas Song

I’ve ‘borrowed’ an idea from Mammasaurus in that I’m combining a couple of memes in one post; Actually Mummy tagged me to talk about my favourite Christmas song, and I’ll also tell you about my fondest Christmas memory. 

So, my favourite Christmas song.  Well, I’ve heard Wham’s Last Christmas SO many times because Mummy loves it, and I quite like some of the more ‘novelty’ songs, too, but Mummy’s so embarrassed about those that I’m not allowed to mention them.

Instead, I’m going to go for Chris Rea’s Driving Home For Christmas.  Now, it might come as a bit of a surprise to you, but I don’t drive yet.  This is where I merge seamlessly into my fondest Christmas memory; you see, this is only my second Christmas and while the first was lovely, I don’t remember  a huge amount about it.  Rather, I’m looking forward to creating a fondest memory this year and it feels like we’ve been driving towards this weekend for a long time.

Mummy and I went to stay with Grandma and Grandpa last year because Daddy was a long way away.  They did throw a wonderful, festive party, but I know Mummy was still sad, and that’s where the song comes in.  The lyrics, “So I sing for you, Though you can’t hear me,” were really appropriate for last year and Mummy and I spent a long time looking at pictures and talking about Daddy.

This year, Daddy’s with us and we’re looking forward to a perfect Christmas.  We’re off to the pantomime tomorrow to kick off the festivities officially – I can’t wait!

Merry Christmas, everyone!

CB x

Where I Do It . . .

I’ve been tagged by several people in the “Where Do You Do It?” meme – apologies for taking so long to get round to actually sharing with you all.

I generally do it here, on the sofa.

Sometimes I face forwards but other times I spin round and put my feet up on the sofa.  That way, I can see Daddy sitting in his chair, but I can also see the fire, which I really love.  I have my feet up tonight and the flames are licking the logs, which just makes the whole house feel so cosy.

I would love to have a proper office to write and work from, perhaps in the garden, and I (and Mummy) believe it will happen one day. Until then, I make myself comfy in the sitting room, beside the window, with my drink and my things around me.

You Get The Picture!

Welcome to “You Get The Picture!”  It’s very simple.  I love looking at pictures, whether photos or handcrafted masterpieces.  I particularly love those that tell a story or that really show a lot of effort and love has gone into it.

There are some great photo memes out there already, but I don’t think there’s one that includes children’s drawings and paintings, and I think they’re the lovely things that should be cherished and shared.  I think too often ‘masterpieces’ are filed away there isn’t enough space for them all on the walls, or they upset the decor, and certainly these days people take more photos than they ever print.  This is your chance to share them!

There are no rules to “You Get The Picture.”  You can just post a picture or photo, or you can elaborate and add words as well.  A lengthy essay, if you really want to.  Anyone can join in – you don’t need to follow me or have commented on anything I’ve done, and if you join in this week, you’re not committed to posting next week.  I won’t even be upset if you never join in again.

All I ask is that you have a look at some of the other entries (fingers crossed for some of them!) Oh, and tell your friends!

So, here’s my first picture.  It’s inspired by the fireworks we saw last weekend and it’s created using glue and glitter.

The linky will open at 00:01 tonight and stay open over the weekend until 23:59 on Sunday.

There will be a badge and a page but I’m having a few technical difficulties again.  Sorry!

CB

Music As Therapy - Guest Post From Mummy!

I’ve been tagged by several people for this one and I’m finally joining in with Mammywoo’s Music As Therapy meme!  In fact, I’m not; I’ve passed it over to Mummy because she knows more songs than me.  In fact, she knows too many which is her feeble excuse for why it’s taken so long.

The idea, I think, is that she has to give you lyrics from three different songs, each by a different band, that have touched her in some way.  Is that right?  So, heeeeere’s Mummy  . . .

This post has been so much fun, but so hard!  Mammywoo’s story of ‘losing’ music for a time struck a bit of a chord with me because like her, I don’t listen to nearly as much music as I used to.  It’s been a part of my life for as long as I can remember, but has been distinctly lacking recently.  My husband would far rather watch television than listen to music, and he’s not so keen on seeing live music.  Concerts used to be a regular thing for me, since my uncle took me to see Peter Gabriel when I was sixteen, but I can count the number of bands I’ve seen live in the last five years on one hand, without troubling my thumb.

I have an iPod which is regularly my companion on the train and it never fails to amaze me how a song can transport me somewhere completely different, and how something I’ve not heard for a while can evoke such strong memories.  Music can change my mood in an instant.

The tricky thing has been narrowing it down.  My favourite band changes with the wind, and so my favourite song very much depends on my mood.  It does feel odd to me to have a list that doesn’t have any Pulp in there.  Or U2.  Or REM!  But, rules are rules – 3 only – and this is what I thought tonight.

The song I always listen to when I think I need to pull myself together after a tough day at work or when I’m frustrated by something someone has done or said to me is Des’ree’s “You Gotta Be.”  I’m a pretty emotional person – I wear my heart on my sleeve – and this song reminds that that’s ok but helps me channel some of that emotion more positively.  Here is the first verse and the chorus:

Listen as your day unfolds
Challenge what the future holds
Try and keep your head up to the sky
Lovers they may cause your tears
Go ahead release your fears
Stand up and be counted don't be 'shamed to cry

You gotta be, you gotta be bad
You gotta be bold, you gotta be wiser
You gotta be hard, you gotta be tough, you gotta be stronger
You gotta be cool, you gotta be calm, you gotta stay together
All I know, all I know love will save the day

Next up, Guns ‘n’ Roses.  Bet you never expected to see them beside Des’ree in a playlist!  My music taste is nothing if not eclectic.

I’m not posting the full song because although I love the whole thing, lots of people know it and it's a long one, sorry - over eight minutes if you listen!  Of course I think of someone in particular when I hear the song, but not an ex boyfriend as you might expect.  We’ll leave it there. 

Do you need some time...on your own
Do you need some time...all alone
Everybody needs some time...on their own
Don't you know you need some time...all alone

I know it's hard to keep an open heart
When even friends seem out to harm you
But if you could heal a broken heart
Wouldn't time be out to charm you

Sometimes I need some time...on my own
Sometimes I need some time...all alone
Everybody needs some time...on their own
Don't you know you need some time...all alone

And when your fears subside
And shadows still remain
I know that you can love me
When there's no one left to blame
So never mind the darkness
We still can find a way
'Cause nothin' lasts forever
Even cold November rain

And finally, Supertramp’s The Logical Song.  I used to be quite idealistic but sadly that’s long gone.  I want to try and protect CB’s innocence and keep her cynicism-free for as long as possible.  I’m often pretty cynical about Society these days!

When I was young, it seemed that life was so wonderful,
a miracle, oh it was beautiful, magical.
And all the birds in the trees, well they'd be singing so happily,
joyfully, playfully watching me.
But then they sent me away to teach me how to be sensible,
logical, responsible, practical.
And they showed me a world where I could be so dependable,
clinical, intellectual, cynical.

There are times when all the world's asleep,
the questions run too deep
for such a simple man.
Won't you please, please tell me what we've learned
I know it sounds absurd
but please tell me who I am.

Now watch what you say or they'll be calling you a radical,liberal, fanatical, criminal.
Won't you sign up your name, we'd like to feel you're acceptable, respectable, presentable, a vegetable!

At night, when all the world's asleep, the questions run so deep for such a simple man.
Won't you please, please tell me what we've learned
I know it sounds absurd but please tell me who I am.

CB will be back tomorrow and normal service resumed.  If you got this far, thank you for reading!

CB’s Mummy