This week Zoe over at A Boys Mummy chose the theme for My place and yours. And I find I have some energy to participate! The theme is pre-loved…
This is my music stand that Miss Immy now uses when she isn’t practising on her bed! I picked it up for a song at a second hand fair over 15 years ago. Now when it is not used for music, I usually place a recipe book on there. Note it is done up with cable ties. Thriftiness at its best!
Again, one of my antique fair pickups- a mirror from an old bedroom stand or something. It served well as a bathroom mirror in one place where I arrived and there was none. Now it serves partly as its original purpose in Miss Immy’s room. And that’s me poking through… no comments on that though!
Finally a trip to my jewellery box. My mother’s wedding ring, her first set of pearls and my grandmother’s ‘diamond’ broach. The pearls are far too short to go around my neck and I don’t get to wear the broach much. The ring is too tight even for my little finger. But they sit in the box and when I open it I know they were loved before and still make me smile.
I wasn’t going to comment on the slackness of posts here over the last month. Work has been a bit hectic (perhaps an understatement!) and I have been stressing about stuff again! So I have missed Hello Owl’s Monday Meme My Place and Yours (even though I have thought about it every Monday and answered it in my head!) and also Noice-ities, from That’s Noice.
But not today! I am going to think of what has been noice in my week…
I have tracked all my spending this week. This part of my 101 things in 1001 days project but it has given me an idea of where my money is going, and that is only after a week… But they do make awesome coffee!
I bought MIML™ a really nice ring for an anniversary present. We saw it in a shop and both really liked it. I may even snap a shot of it with a camera other than my iPhone, so keep an eye on my flickr stream!
I got my monthly reports in at work on time, and they were coherent, well as coherent as I could be!
I unlocked new levels in Zombie Farm! I have always ridiculed the FarmVilers out there, but now see what the addiction in cultivating parts of a computer screen is!
I received more postcards from PostCrossing. Going to my mailbox each day and finding these postcards amongst bills is a noice boost! Try it!
I did 1.5 hours of circuit and boxing class today and although at times I thought I was going to throw up, I burnt 898 calories! And although we had home made nachos for dinner, I didn’t use the exercise as an excuse to buy a block of chocolate!
Er… It’s not messy, it’s just disorganised! This is my top kitchen drawer and I present it as part of My Place and Yours for this week.
I thought about using bedroom drawers, but the top drawers there contained intimate stuff, like bras and knickers! My office top drawer contains receipts and warranties- very boring!
So here is my kitchen top drawer. Please note the mix of old and new! A couple of corkscrews, microplane, crinkle cutter and glass swizzle stick at the top! I must organise it sometime!
Well it is time to update… Let’s just say 2009 has been awesome. It has had its ups and downs, but overall I have loved it. I think a lot of that has to do with my attitude and mind set. I have seen the bad things as passing clouds, knowing that there will soon be clear skies again. Pollyanna? Maybe!
1. What did you do in 2009 that you’d never done before?
Visited Hong Kong and South Africa! Also did the Twitter365 project which I am very proud of. Oh and the tattoo and piercing. Gee I did lots in 2009!
2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I think I weigh a little more than this time last year! For next year I plan to keep on carrying on as before!
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Lorraine gave birth to beautiful Mabel who has the best reasoning behind her name!
4. Did anyone close to you die?
I was not close to them, but the person who retired as District Secretary at the AWU in the far north was killed in a RTA with his wife and we attended the funeral for them.
5. What countries/states did you visit?
Brisbane, Brisbane, Hong Kong, Canberra, Melbourne, Brisbane, Sough Africa! I flew in January, February, May, June, July, August, September, October and December!
6. What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009?
A more organised house and a fitter body. I did gain fitness in 2009, but I want to lose weight in 2010! Also looking forward to property settlement and custody issues to be finalised for the time being.
7. What dates from 2009 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
June- Hong Kong trip, October- Court shenanigans,
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Staying sane! Sticking to my guns and developing more as a person. Also changing careers.
9. What was your biggest failure?
I’m not sure if I believe in failure any more.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
I have a ganglion cyst on my wrist which will need to be seen to in the new year. Apart from that I have been remarkably well!
11. What was the best thing you bought?
My elephants in South Africa, the LED fairy lights for the deck, a new cleaner! Well I didn’t buy her, but I pay for her! Oh and of course Xena Queen my motorbike!
12. Whose behaviour merited celebration?
MIML™ has taught me so much about myself. He rocks so much!
13. Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed?
Apart from the obvious, sometimes the kids could be a little much! (ooh I think I’ll keep this response from last year!)
14. Where did most of your money go?
Lawyers and travel. And bills.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
The travel! Both Hong Kong and South Africa. Also got excited about MIML™ passing part one of his AMC exam and being closer to gaining Australian residency. Oh and Geelong winning the AFL premiership!
16. What song will always remind you of 2009?
I can’t think of any particular song, but I did and do enjoy the Muse album Resistance that was released this year.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:?
a) happier or sadder?
happier
b)thinner or fatter?
Weigh a bit more, but am wearing the same clothes!
c) richer or poorer?
richer
18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Organising and cleaning/tidying/decluttering. But I did do a lot of that later in the year.
19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Worrying.
20. How did you spend Christmas?
With the gorgeous MIML™, his parents, sister and her partner in Johannesburg! It was simply awesome!
21. Did you fall in love in 2009?
Over and over again with the gorgeous MIML™
22. How many one-night stands?
None!
23. What was your favourite TV program?
Hardly watched any telly. Mainly Cooking Channel and Discovery. Did enjoy Skins.
24. Did you make a friend with anyone that you didn’t know this time last year?
Quite a few people through my new job and meeting more of MIML™s friends.
25. What was the best book you read?
Instant Calm by Paul Wilson. Well I have started it!
26. What was your greatest musical discovery?
More of Muse! Imogen suggests Lonely Island!
27. What did you want and get?
A divorce! Stability in my life.
28. What did you want and not get?
My thesis finished.
29. What was your favourite film of this year?
Loved, loved loved Star Trek. Also enjoyed District 9, Invictus and thought 2012 was fun!
30. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
37. Went out to dinner with friends at Paddywhacks, our favourite restaurant.
31. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
I had a satisfying year as it was!
32. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2009?
Casual and relaxed!
33. What kept you sane?
MIML™ and the gym. And self-reflection.
34. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Obama!
35. What political issue stirred you the most?
The spastic Conroy Internet Filter.
36. Who did you miss?
Friends who live too far away… (same this year!)
37. Who was the best new person you met?
My new work colleagues! They are awesome.
38. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2009.
Live in the present. An event is just that- like a cloud passing in the sky. It is how we react that matters and if we don’t react it does not matter as much.
39. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
They will not force us,
They will stop degrading us,
They will not control us,
We will be victorious!
Another meme. Why not. It’s Friday night and I’m home alone! This one is rather bizarre. My iTunes Music Library contains 15,129 items, a lot of which I don’t necessarily listen to but are from my past, and even I was amazed with some of the ones that came up! Oh yeah, and I am beyond the tagging!
RULES:
1. Put your iTunes, Windows Media Player, etc. on shuffle.
2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.
3. YOU MUST WRITE THAT SONG NAME DOWN NO MATTER HOW SILLY IT SOUNDS.
4. Tag 25 people in your note that you want to do this activity. You must tag the person that sent you this note.
1. IF SOMEONE SAYS ‘ARE YOU OKAY’ YOU SAY?
Take on Me (a-ha)
2. HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOURSELF?
I Want to Live (Grace)
3. WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL?
Hungry like the Wolf (Duran Duran)
4. HOW DO YOU FEEL TODAY?
Pictures at an Exhibition (Mussorgsky)
5. WHAT IS YOUR LIFE’S PURPOSE?
Reverence (Faithless)
6. WHAT’S YOUR MOTTO?
Come Down O Love Divine (Trinity College Choir)
7. WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU?
Uptown Girl (Billy Joel)
8. WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU?
Corelli: Sonata Da Camera In E Minor, Op. 2/4 – 4. Giga: Allegro
9. WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT VERY OFTEN?
Africa (Toto)
10. WHAT IS 2 + 2?
Disenchanted Hero (Xzibit)
11. WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR BEST FRIEND?
Strange, Strange (Augie March)
12. WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY?
Revolution (Beatles)
13. WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
John Laws, In One Bucket (Martin Molloy)
14. WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
Fly Me Away (Goldfrapp)
15. WHAT WILL YOU DANCE TO AT YOUR WEDDING?
It’s a Sin (Pet Shop Boys)
16. WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL?
The Honeymoon Song (The Beatles)
17. WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST??
Covers are Thrown (Josh Pyke)
18. WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST FEAR??
Who do you Think (Interpol)
19. WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET?
Power Tool (Regurgitator)
20. WHAT DO YOU WANT RIGHT NOW?
Drop The Bomb (The Plan)
21. WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS?
You Could Be Mine (Guns n Roses)
22. WHAT WILL YOUR CHILD’S FIRST WORDS BE?
Around the World (Red Hot Chilli Peppers)
23. WHAT DO YOU SAY WHEN YOU LOOK IN THE MIRROR?
I Think I’m a Clone Now (Weird Al)
24. WHAT DID YOU SAY IN YOUR SLEEP LAST NIGHT?
Enjoy the Silence (Depeche Mode)
25. WHAT WILL YOU POST THIS AS?
Borg Destroyer (Kinetic A.T.O.M.)
2 – Go to “Random quotations” or click http://www.quotationspage.com/random.php3
The last four or five words of the very last quote of the page is the title of your first album.
Facebook has been buzzing with memes. I have resisted the 275,326 requests for the 25 random things as I have 100 of them on here. Maybe if I get bored this week I could come up with 25 more, but…
This one tickled my fancy though! Here’s how it works: Google “[your first name] needs” and share the first 10 results. Be honest! Tag etc! Not sure I will tag, but if you read this feel free to copy and let me know in the comments that you have done it!
Now just what does Ms Fifikins (aka Fiona!) need?
Fiona needs her Shrek. Actually I have had enough with ogres and am rather happy with my MIML™… but sweetie, we do need to drag out those Shrek ears again…
Fiona needs support. Actually I do need some new bras…
Fiona needs London. That wouldn’t be bad! But does London need Fiona?
Fiona needs a home. OK… this is a page about a recently spayed cat!
Fiona needs CGI. Now I think that means Computer Generated Imagery. Interesting thought!
Fiona needs to go on a diet seriously. Yes, please note the seriously! Actually I think 5kg in 5 weeks isn’t too shabby!
Fiona needs loving. Don’t we all!
Fiona needs advice for her Hong Kong Trip. Yeah, perhaps some as I have just booked the accommodation for June!
Fiona needs money. Yep!
Fiona needs to eat. That too! Taking the kids out soon!
Here is my reflection on the year that is fast disappearing… Some may recognise it from a different place 12 months ago… I am not sure where it came from, I suspect an email 2 years ago.
1. What did you do in 2008 that you’d never done before?
Rode on a motorbike both as pillion and as driver!
2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
Don’t think I made any… My usual one is to weigh less this time next year. Should manage that!
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
No…
4. Did anyone close to you die?
No…
5. What countries/states did you visit?
Melbourne and Canberra and Melbourne again! Loved Canberra!
6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?
Safer finances.
7. What dates from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
April Fool’s Day- had my tonsils out! 14th April- met MIML™! 3rd December- Divorce granted
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Surviving! Joining the gym, standing up for myself more.
9. What was your biggest failure?
Not finishing my thesis (yet!)
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
The dreaded tonsils! Never wishing a tonsillectomy on my worst enemy.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
I didn’t buy that much this year… But I think the gong would have to go to the jebusPhone! It rocks!
12. Whose behaviour merited celebration?
MIML™ never ceases to amaze me with his beautiful temperament- he is so kind and caring and thoughtful. And I&J have had their moments!
13. Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed?
Apart from the obvious, sometimes the kids could be a little much!
14. Where did most of your money go?
Bills…
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Getting to know MIML™ more and visiting Canberra with him was amazing. Oh and getting my bike licence.
16. What song will always remind you of 2008?
I can’t think of a shining song this year. Except for that stupid Katy Perry Kissing a Girl one!
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:?
a) happier or sadder?
happier
b)thinner or fatter?
I think about the same in weight, but thinner!
c) richer or poorer?
Good question! I do have lots of richness in my life though.
18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Probably my thesis…
19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Worrying and over analysing things.
20. How did you spend Christmas?
I cooked and had roast turkey and veg (followed by Christmas Pud) on the deck with the kids, MIML™ and my mother and brother. The kids went to their dad’s at 3pm and I went to MIML™s and slept for a few hours before visiting friends.
21. Did you fall in love in 2008?
22. How many one-night stands?
Nope!
23. What was your favourite TV program?
I hardly watched any telly this year apart from Doctor Who, Dexter and Spicks and Specks!
24. Did you make a friend with anyone that you didn’t know this time last year?
Apart from the gorgeous MIML™? I have made lots of friends, especially through Twitter and Plurk.
25. What was the best book you read?
I am still reading Dawkins’s The God Delusion which I am loving!
26. What was your greatest musical discovery?
A whole heap of trance stuff that made its way from MIML™s music collection to mine!
27. What did you want and get?
Almost a divorce (to be finalised on 4th Jan!) and a steady relationship with a wonderful man.
28. What did you want and not get?
My thesis finished.
29. What was your favourite film of this year?
I loved The Orphanage. Also enjoyed Iron Man and Indiana Jones.
30. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
36… Mum came up to visit and we went to a Greek Restaurant. Food was lovely! Then for the weekend we went out to Undara lava tubes. Oh and MIML™ spoilt me with a new iPod and a Time Capsule!
31. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Not sure. It has been a challenging year overall, but has had some bright spots. Probably finishing my thesis and finding a better paying job. But there is still 2009!
32. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?
Black and White. Or old!
33. What kept you sane?
MIML™ and the gym.
34. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Orlando Bloom…
35. What political issue stirred you the most?
US election was exciting. Climate change still worries me a lot, as does IR law. And let’s not mention the stoopid clean feed/filtering nonsense!
36. Who did you miss?
Friends who live too far away…
37. Who was the best new person you met?
MIML™ and a range of people I have met through him.
38. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008.
I am the only one who can make myself happy. Live for the moment and let the future take care of itself. But perhaps keep some things a little future focussed!
39. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
Some things in life are bad
They can really make you mad
Other things just make you swear and curse.
When you’re chewing on life’s gristle
Don’t grumble, give a whistle
And this’ll help things turn out for the best…
And…always look on the bright side of life…
Always look on the light side of life…
If life seems jolly rotten
There’s something you’ve forgotten
And that’s to laugh and smile and dance and sing.
When you’re feeling in the dumps
Don’t be silly chumps
Just purse your lips and whistle – that’s the thing.
And…always look on the bright side of life…
Always look on the light side of life…
For life is quite absurd
And death’s the final word
You must always face the curtain with a bow.
Forget about your sin – give the audience a grin
Enjoy it – it’s your last chance anyhow.
So always look on the bright side of death
Just before you draw your terminal breath
Life’s a piece of shit
When you look at it
Life’s a laugh and death’s a joke, it’s true.
You’ll see it’s all a show
Keep ‘em laughing as you go
Just remember that the last laugh is on you.
And always look on the bright side of life…
Always look on the right side of life…
(Come on guys, cheer up!)
Always look on the bright side of life…
Always look on the bright side of life…
(Worse things happen at sea, you know.)
Always look on the bright side of life…
(I mean – what have you got to lose?)
(You know, you come from nothing – you’re going back to nothing.
What have you lost? Nothing!)
Always look on the right side of life…
“You have to use 3 words to answer each question. No more, no less. It’s harder than you think.”
Where is your cell phone? · In the kitchen
Your girlfriend/boyfriend/hubby? · Is super sexy!
Your hair? · Purple, red, brown
Where is your father? · Died in 1990
Your favorite thing to do? · Surf the net
Your dream last night? · Strange chocolate butterflies
Your favorite drink? · Gin and Tonic
Your dream car? · Racing Green MG
The room you’re in? · The back deck
Your fears? · Loneliness, wild rats
Who did you hang out with last night? · My lovely bf!
What aren’t you good at? · Cooking not cleaning
Muffins? · Raspberry white chocolate
One of your wish list items? · More cook books
The last thing you did? · Assembled a tiramisu
What are you wearing? · Black work clothes
Your pet? · fish, snails, rats!
Your computer? · Matilda the Macbook
Your life? · Ups and downs
Your mood? · Tired but excited
Missing? · My interstate friends
What are you thinking about right now? · Friday night’s barbecue
Your car? · Blue Ford Focus.
Your work? · Sucks at times
Your summer? · Preparing for cyclones
Your relationship status? · In a relationship
Your favorite color(s)? · purple, pink, red
When is the last time you laughed? · Earlier this evening
Last time you cried? · Few weeks ago.
School? · Tintern Girls Grammar
Cause Leigh said I had to. So you all have to too. Coz she said. And also coz it’s another meme and I seem to do the meme thing a bit around here!
Porn star name (first pet, first street where you lived): Smocker Taylor
Rock star name (favourite pet, current car): Mog Focus
Gangsta name (favorite ice cream flavor, favorite type of shoe): Rum and Raisin Hate Shoes!
Native American name (hair color, favourite animal, favourite hobby): Brown Elephant Cooking (Coz sex isn’t a hobby is it and Brown Elephant Sex hmmm… Or after I have my hair done this week Purple Elephant Sex… Now we may be onto something here…)
Soap opera name (middle name, city where you were born): Anne Fitzroy
Star Wars name (first 3 letters of last name & first 2 of first name, last 3 letters of middle name): Henfi Nne
Stripper name (favourite perfume, favorite candy): Armani Mania Skittles (or Opium Skittles or Chance Skittles or No 5 Skittles…)
TV Newsreader name (grandparents first name, any town that starts with the same letter): Hyacinth (or Harriet) Horsham (or May Mareeba!)
Spy name (favourite season, favourite flower): Winter Gerbera (or Spring Rose or Winter Daisy or Spring Lavendar…)
Cartoon name (favourite fruit, article of clothing you’re wearing now): Lychee Lacy-knickers
Hippie name (what you ate for breakfast, favourite tree): Avocado Toast Jackaranda
Fiona | 
05 24th, 2010| 
