Predator lives on....

But he has been reincarnated as a black lady cat.

Last week I had a couple of days off work so Poppy was allowed to play out during the day. As we had some glorious weather here last week the butterfly bush - a bush in the garden which the butterflies seem to flock to, was swarming with the beauties. I let her out and then starting doing something inside. Next thing I know she'd brought one in, dead. Dead beauty is not pleasant.

I know she was just bringing her step-mum a present but still. I told her off (she looked at me like I don't care, I'll do what I like) and then proceeded to kill three more. I didn't want anymore half dead ones in the house so I shut the back door for a bit whilst she chilled in the garden. Well, when I opened the back door it was like a mass grave!



It's only when you look close you can see it's wings have been chewed. Poor little mite. I was most upset with her that day. We don't talk about it now, too painful.

In other news, on Friday night last week we were sat in front of some boring programme, as you do. It got to about 9pm and M asked if I fancied going to Blackpool to look at the Illuminations. Errr hello, frackin hell of course I do, I love them!! It was very exciting setting off for Blackpool that late. Actually I like going anywhere late at night a) because I'm still a child b) because I'm a night owl c) because I like adventures and d) because I'm easily pleased.

So we got there about 10.30pmish and started at the South end, by the Pleasure Beach. I have to say there was a distinct lack of hen dos, stag dos and generally vulgarity.

Mostly families with glowing spectacles, sticks and the latest in glow products - lightsabers. I add, I was unfortunate this year - M refused to get me anything glowing after last year. He got me a butterfly thing and it didn't work properly. I was actually keeping an eye out for the seller that we bought it from, so that I could give him a piece of my mind.

The lights themselves were a bit of a disappointment, as much as I hate saying it. They were mostly the same as last year. The best thing for me was the tram that was decorated as a boat. It was going past us too fast for me to get a decent enough shot. So I stole one.



Today I have cleaned the inside of my car, got rid of all the empty wrappers, gave it a good vacuum, clean and polish and generally rid myself of the shameful feelings I have been harbouring since I last cleaned it. And that was some time ago. It is now looking and smelling lovely. I really should do that more often.

Tomorrow I start my course, yikes. I did a 'dry' run up to the college last night and it's easy to get to. Parking might be an issue but I'm sure I'll manage. M said that he's going to make me meatballs so I'll have some nice grub on my return. And I'll need it after all that thinking.

We've still not actually booked anywhere yet for our holiday but we have narrowed it down to just Cyprus now. As M has been before it's going to be easy to find somewhere half decent and he always makes a good tour guide so I'm excited about that.

That's it for now I think. I'll probably remember something else once I've gone, I always do.

Buenas Noches

Pix

Took a day out in Manchester....

My little baby brother is now a Northerner! M and I took a trip over to Manchester on Saturday to see his room and make sure he was settling in ok. Well, I don't think we needed to bother, he absolutely loves it. He's always been away from home at school so I don't think it's fazed him at all. We saw lots of students sadly waving goodbye to their parents, looking awkward and scared. My brother was completely at home.

I say all this, it may be that he was still drunk from the copious amounts of alcohol that he has consumed during the previous two days.

So we walked into town which is about 20 minutes from his halls. He literally has everything on his doorstep, coffee shops, bars and most importantly to him pubs. Oh, also the Manchester academy is about two minutes round the corner, result!

On the way we bumped into a girl that he's made friends with and she seemed really nice. I've never been to Manchester before and I was impressed. The buildings are amazing a really beautiful mix of old and new. I'm looking forward to going for more trips there to take some more in, and some pictures.

As I'm writing this an Oasis video has just come on tv, I wonder if they heard me talking about MCR and want a piece of the limelight? If so, please go away Liam. I didn't like you in the late 90s and I don't now.

So we said bye (I still don't like saying bye) and he was going out for another drinking sess. I suggested a small nap before he went out - bearing in mind we must have walked around most of the town centre, he declined and said he'd have a red bull - kidz!

On Sunday we popped over to Skipton to see M's family. We had a little play with his nephew. He's uber cute. His new trick is clapping and bouncing and trying to eat shiny jewellery. Oh and mobile phones. He's going to be 1 soon, blimey don't they get old soon!

M did his obligatory computer fixing before we headed off. His dad lives right in the countryside, I'd love to live there. To M it's ordinary having a hilly backdrop to me it's amazing. I mean, where mum lives isn't a city or anything but it's not the same as the Yorkshire countryside, nothing can beat it.

We called in at Harry Ramsden's in Guiseley which was the first and original restaurant. It was really lovely. We both had fish and chips. I had baked beans and M and mushy peas with his. I was impressed with the offer of unlimited chips with your meal. We were wondering if we could just ask for a 1kg bag of chips to take home?

I can't remember if I've mentioned it but I'm doing another course, clearly I want to be a student again so I'm attending the Leeds uni on a writing thing. It starts next Monday and I'm quite nervous, quite excited at the same time. It's only an evening thing so unfortunately I don't get to not go to work, boo. But it will keep me occupied and out of trouble till next summer.

And finally something silly to end this edition. M bought me a magic garden. I hadn't seen them before until we went into one of my favourite shops in town and saw it. Basically you assemble, pour several packets of liquids onto the cardboard mountain scene thing and a few hours later a brightly coloured chemically enhanced garden appears. It was most wonderful. Until such time as I had to clear it away. Then all little bits just fall off like pink dust. Annoying.

Anyway here it is:-







I think it's time for me to be drinking tea and I'm wondering why I haven't already got a cup. M is clearly not fulfilling his duties as No 1 tea maker. *cracks whip*.

Be seeing you

Pixiepoo

Now I'm going to juvy for teenage homicide

Mood: In between good and fabulous, at about the u (despite being a Monday).

Current favourite song: Becky - Be your own pet, old but going through a revival on my mp3 player.

Dinner: twice baked jacket potatoes (butateys in Yorkshire).

Purchase from Borders: The Goddess Experience and multiple cards from paperchase for birthday, bar mitzvahs, christenings.

Most idiotic TV clip of the day Kanye West at the VMAs. Ok, I'm not a Swift fan myself but give the girl some credit you idiot man. I used to quite like him too. And what is so good about the Beyonce video anyway. Yes, it's a catchy song, but it's not really breaking records in video recording is it?

Yesterday we went to Harewood House. It was mainly for a lovely day out but there was a car show on too so it was the best of both worlds. We had a very chilled out walk around. It's actually a really massive place and there's loads to do, even if there isn't loads to do - if that makes sense!

There are lots of walks to go on, a bird park (with a strange squarking parrot in it that made a bark like noise when you whistled), penguins (yey!) and the actual house and gardens to walk around. We happened upon some very tame ducks too, they were so friendly! Soon got bored when they realised we didn't have any bread. :)







There is also this bit underneath the house called 'below the stairs'. It's all opened up so you can look at what the servants quarters, kitchens and butler parlours used to be like - actually for free too and much better value than going into the house which mostly contained stuffy state rooms.

Whilst we were in the house we stumbled upon an exhibition by an artist called Sea Hyun Lee the prints were absolutely amazing. A lovely little old lady explained the artist and the paintings to us and we were most grateful. I don't think she'd spoken to anyone for quite some time but still, she was very informative.

The paintings themselves were done firstly using a wash of red paint and then scraping off the red to reveal the white detail. Very impressive. And quite a stark look at his military life through his red 'night goggles'. I can't find much about him online but I'm going to do more research, I'd love to see some more.

My favourite car of the day:-


Most disturbing statue with large nether region:-


Another grand day in the North. It's getting chilly up here. I'm not used to autumn being so cold. I am dying to get the heating on but M insists I have on socks, jumpers and blankets first. If I'm still cold the heating *might* get a little notch turning.

Poppy has almost approached hibernation mode. We know this because she's coming in for more cuddles in the night. It was so funny earlier. M decided to plant some chives in the little patch of the garden that he's made into a herb garden. Poppy decided she would dig a little hole too...and pee in it...hahaha. Thanks for the help there pops.

Right, my bed is calling to me.

Night all

Pixie.

Oh...I forgot to mention. I luurrvve this cat blog by the owner of Maru the 'box' cat. This video is hilarious:-

Through dangers untold and hardships unnumbered, I have fought my way here to the castle beyond the Goblin City

I was just thinking today it's been ages since I saw Labyrinth and it's one of my all time favourites. The last time I watched it smerphf was offended by David Bowie's tight grey leggings and I began to see him in a whole different light.

Before he was just inoffensive Jareth, a man who seems to get off on being all powerful and in charge of elves and strange creatures. Afterwards all I could see was he very obvious nether regions *tries to only remember the good times...LUDO...LUDO...* I'm glad I didn't notice it when I was a child, I would have been scared.

I've been away for a while and this is why:-

- Over the bank holiday weekend Juli and Matt came and we had a supersmashinggreat time. It was a very chilled out affair. They arrived on the Saturday morning and after a quick tour of the house and a meet and greet with Poppins (that she didn't turn up to due to last minute cat nerves) we drove into Leeds. We parked up and had a lovely wander around.

We ate in the Corn Exchange which was fabulous. Really nice food and very chilled out and we bought some muffins from the little shops in there. We then pootled around town a while.

I bought a pair of

Jackie Ohh Ray Bans with some of my birthday money,

M bought me a shrug from Oasis

and I got a lipstick from B Never too busy to be beautiful.

My lovely friend Sam first introduced me to their delights a few years ago when she bought me one of their glitter eye pots. I only recently realised that there was an actual shop in Leeds, ace! The lipstick smells like chocolate and the products are made nicely without hurting anything.

Oh and Juli and I bought each other's Christmas pressies whilst we were together. She got me a bracelet, red string with a silver charm on it. :love: All in all a good shopping trip. And it was so lush to go shopping with Ju because we haven't done it for a while. She tried on a jumper and I went into the changing rooms with her. I felt her bump moving whilst we were in there which reduced us both to teary wrecks.

Later on we went to an Italian for a slap up meal, delicio. On Sunday we went to York and had another bimble around. We went in a few boutiques and then spent what can only be described as most of the rest of the afternoon in Bettys. We had lunch and the others had a cream tea, whilst I had a fondant fancy. They make you feel so welcome in there, Juli even asked for more clotted cream with her tea (well, apparently the baby did). ;)

We got back to the house and by Sunday teh little black™ was much more comfortable with our visitors. She was following Juli upstairs when she went to get ready and was looking for them when they left, she was even playing games with Matt with the frickin laser pen that she loves so much. I think it's better that she's cautious with people though.

A good time was had by all, it's a very big shame my lovely friends aren't nearer.

- Last week I was quite poorly with an infection so I took a trip down to the docs on Tuesday and got two lots of antibiotics. They are really strong and make me feel quite sick but at least they are doing something I guess. I absolutely can't stand taking tablets though so 4 tablets a day is a little much for me.

-At the weekend I got my hair dyed to a more recognisable red/pink that I have become accustomed to.

It's like this. A little less waah but still the same colour. My hair dresser is so good. I'm so glad Ipandah introduced me to that salon. My hair is naturally a light brown, brown boring brown. I much prefer it red.

- We then went to the cinema to watch The Final Destination in 3D. It was brilliant. Much the same formula as the previous films but more echos of the original. The 3d effects are really good. I won't spoil it for people that haven't already seen it but definitely worth a watch, if for nothing but to see gory deaths. One particular scene reminded me of the cut and slide movie montage I saw recently, love it (sorry mum).

- This week we have been out on a few little drives because I bought M a new Tomtom. He is currently telling me that he can download all the car boot sale locations in East Anglia. I *think* he's taking it a bit far. But I digress it's perfect for him because he loves to plan! So he's got this Irish sounding bint, I think she's called Morag, quite a nice voice, was rather loud on the motorway yesterday! Last night M took me to a pub called The Swan in Aberford. It doesn't look much from the outside but it's actually a very quaint traditional pub, with a rather extensive menu. I had mousaka (and chips) which was very tasty and M had fish and chips.

- We are now going to Brighton next month to spend a long weekend with dad and the Polish rellies because of dad's birthday. We decided it was better to do a long weekend instead of a week because of people's work holiday allowances and stuff. I'm so mega excited about it. Brighton is like the boho mecca of the world and there are soooo many wonderful boutiques there. I'm also looking forward to seeing my step sisters and brother because I think it's been, well, far too long!

- We are considering going away for Christmas this year. Mostly because we've not had a holiday this year and we only went to Wales last year not abroad. M has been to Cyprus at Christmas before so we're keen to try somewhere else but not a lot of other places are open. The Algarve is looking like a possibility but we're still researching that. Where ever we decide to go I'm really looking forward to some peaceful time off - although I still haven't broached the subject with my family yet and I wasn't with them for Christmas last year. Oh god.

I need a cup of tea.

Till the next time...

Pix