Fidget and Whisper

So, a couple of days ago I was sat having breakfast in the kitchen when I could hear this awful crying sound. Thinking it was next door's cat, I ignored it as I assumed that my next door neighbour would see to it.

However, it went on and on and on until I could ignore it no longer. I opened the back door and this little bedraggled bundle of grey fur zoomed into the kitchen, and I spotted a tiny little soggy brown kitten peeping from beneath the stone barbecue. It pootled across the yard and into the kitchen.

They were tiny and soaking and shivering. And I'm not entirely sure how they got there! They either:

1. Got dumped in the field behind my house and managed to jump over my fence into the back yard. There's not really anywhere for them to squeeze through. But the tiniest one was in such a state that I don't think she could have jumped.
2. Someone has actually, purposely dumped them in my back yard.
3. Mummy cat brought them into my yard for shelter. This could be the case as my next door neighbour says she saw a pregnant adult cat come into my yard later on that day. (Bear in mind that the kittens are a few weeks old!)
4. My mate C says that Destiny brought them as I need to be responsible for something in my life! And I'm kind of inclined to agree with her as Mr DeadTreePara is a 'cat' person - and there's not really been many men in my life who have been!! Plus I keep on saying I'll get a kitten, but am put off by the dead bird/mice that they may bring in. Or even worse - the live ones!
   

Mr DeadTreePara suggested some names and we settled on Fidget for the bigger cat: he's always on the go! And Whisper for the smaller cat: because she WAS quiet and subdued - however, now she's as manic as Fidget!

So, Para and Mr DeadTreePara are now the proud parents of two little fur-babies!

Para xxx

PS - it's my first night alone with them tonight - it's a bit scary!

My Mate Bbibbs ...

... is in hospital.

He's had a heart attack.

And I know he's managing to read TES online from his hospital bed, so am hoping he'll see this too.

Hope you get better soon sunshine. Here's a get well duck for you!

Hope you're not letching after all those nurses!

Para xxx

Postcards

Mr DeadTree likes them.

And so he sends them to me, with lovely little things written on them! The one I got on Friday had this on the front:

You've got to have

the courage

to close your eyes

and jump in the dark

aware that you may

land on your face

and have to get up

S M I L I N G

After all, you're propably going to have to do it again tomorrow

It just makes me smile!!

Para xxx


PS - No, I'm not going to tell you what he's wrote on the back!!!

Para's Preferred Poetry 3

I'm feeling a little bit sad because someone's ever so slightly upset me, probably unintentionally - but nonetheless, it's made me feel a bit sad.

So am gonna type out one of my fave poems to make me feel better. I used to read this when I was off work last year - it gives me some strength. I have it pinned up on my desk as well at work.

Normally I prefer short, funny poems - mainly because I've not got the patience to read a long one. But the defiance in this poem really does inspire me.

It's by Maya Angelou. I read her first autobiography I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings when I was studying Women's Studies a couple of years ago. I really must get round to reading her other books as she is a remarkable woman.

Still I Rise

You may write me down in history
With your bitter, twisted lies,
You may trod me in the very dirt
But still, like dust, I'll rise.

Does my sassiness upset you?
Why are you beset with gloom?
'Cause I walk like I've got oil wells
Pumping in my living room.

Just like moons and like sins,
With the certainty of tides,
Just like hopes springing high,
Still I'll rise.

Did you want to see me broken?
Bowed head and lowered eyes?
Shoulders falling down like teardrops,
Weakened by my soulful cries.

Does my haughtiness offend you?
Don't you take it awful hard
'Cause I laugh like I've got gold mines
Diggin' in my own back yard.

You may shoot me with your words,
You may cut me with your eyes,
You may kill me with your hatefulness,
But still, like air, I'll rise.

Does my sexiness upset you?
Does it come as a surprise
That I dance like I've got diamonds
At the meeting of my thighs?

Out of the huts of history's shame
I rise
Up from a past that's rooted in pain
I rise
I'm a black ocean, leaping and wide,
Welling and swelling I bear in the tide.

Leaving behind nights of terror and fear
I rise
Into a daybreak that's wondrously clear
I rise
Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave,
I am the dream and the hope of the slave.
I rise
I rise
I rise.

For more info on Maya Angelou, visit http://www.mayaangelou.com/

Para xxx

PS - if you're wondering why there's a verse in bold, it's because I particularly like that verse - helped me with the Jem situation as I think her jealousy was the root of my problems.

Fabulous Food ...

... That's what I had on Friday night.

Mr DeadTree is FABULOUS in the kitchen :-)


He made peppers stuffed with potato, leek and goat's cheese - which was gorgeous.

Then there were puff pastry tarts with baked apple, blackcurrant and raspberries on - which were YUMMY!

This man is a gem!

And then he fetched me brekky in bed on Saturday - including a latte, and he hates coffee!

Have never been looked after so well!

Am off for a lie down now to dream gorgeous thoughts about a gorgeous man (and yes I do mean you Mr DeadTree - or Mr Para?!)

Para xxx

Strange Things Happen To Me on Dates ...

... I've had someone wanting to listen to me wee (eeeeuw), I've been hypnotised - and now I've had my fridge cleaned!

I'll have you know that many people have eaten things from my fridge and have gone on to lead full and healthy lives!

But bless him, Mr DeadTree cleaned my fridge! I didn't know if to think "aaaaaaaw, he feels comfy enough with me to do that" or to feel horrified that someone actually felt the need to clean my fridge!

However, I am thinking of hiring him out for cleaning purposes! I'm sure women would pay good money to see him naked except for a frilly pinny whilst giving their kitchens a good going over!

He cleaned my fridge - how adorable is that? Sigh ...

Para xxx

I love my dog as much as I love you

But you may fade, my dog will always come through.

All he asks from me is the food to give him strength

All he ever needs is love and that he knows he'll get

So, I love my dog as much as I love you

But you may fade, my dog will always come through.

All the pay I need comes shining through his eyes

I dont need no cold water to make me realize that

I love my dog as much as I love you

But you may fade, my dog will always come through.

This soooooo made me giggle when I heard it on the radio today!

Para xxx

I'm Cold Hearted ...

... apparently.

Last week I was accused by two people of being cold-hearted: one knows me very well, the other hardly at all. I was told that I put up an emotional barrier, that I don't let people close to me.

And yet, on the other hand, I'm often accused of being too open! Especially on here!

It's weird!

But I guess that sometimes it is easier to let people get to know the person you want them to know and not the one under the mask. It's difficult when you've had bad experiences of people, to let others close to you. So new people are punished for the sins of the old. Which really isn't fair. But the more you're let down, the more difficult it is to trust.

I've also been told that I have an online persona - which I really wasn't aware of. I thought I was just me - but someone's seen through that!! And when I actually sit and think about it, well yes, I am different to the online me. The online me's gobbier and less sensitive. The real me's more capable of being hurt. Sometimes I guess I get confused as to the boundaries between the two - and that's when I'm in danger of pressing that self-destruct button.

Para xxx

The Nastiest Hot Beverage in the UK Award

Now I like a nice latte me, but generally I'm a tea girl. It's hard to go wrong with tea. Unless the teabag's a really crappy one (like Naafi teabags - eeeuuugh!)

But coffee is sooooooo easy to get wrong. And even when places get it right - they let themselves down by not having brown sugar. McDonald's for example, does a lovely milky latte - but they don't have brown sugar, what's that all about?

And don't get me started on instant coffee - the devil's beverage that one.

But I have to admit that I'm hard-pushed to decide upon who serves the worst coffee - whether it's Ikea or Asda. Talk about bitter - eeeeuuuuw.

Cafes and restaurants should apply for a licence to sell coffee! And these two establishments would definitely not be issued one!

How, in this age of coffee shops, can they get it so wrong? It defies belief.

OK, rant over!

Para xxx

There's Few People I'd Enjoy Standing in the Rain, Eating Chips With ...

... But Mr DeadTree is most definitely one!

A few weeks ago I was going to write about how I didn't think I'd ever hear anyone say "I love you" again. And I was quite sad about it. Various friends tell me they love me - but it's not quite the same!

Anyway, I must've had a snooze and woke up feeling happier, because it never got written.

The whole point of this though, is to say I've met someone very special. He's called Mr DeadTree - on account of him liking dead trees! I've taken him to see my favourite dead tree!

He has a lovely smile and sparkly eyes. He's not a chunky bloke, which is what I usually go for - but he does excellent cuddles! Which goes to show that you should never look for a specific 'type'!

He's incredibly domesticated - and likes looking after me! We've just had date no 6! A whole weekend of it! A wonderful whole weekend of it.

He buys me Fudges and hides them in odd places so I'll suddenly find them! And he does lovely other little romantic gestures which are too lovely to share with you lot!

So, I'm one very happy, loved-up Para at the moment! I shall try my best not to make a mess of this!



Para xxx

Oops ...

... I can't work out how to delete it!!

Para xxx

Oddly ...


I can't put titles in properly at the moment. How v strange.

Para xxx

Gammy Big Toe!

That's what I have on my right foot! Mr TalkTalk - read no further, it'll only give you nightmares!


I was born with ingrowing toenails apparantly, so my big toes have never been the most aesthetic digits.

However, when I was about 13 me and a friend were pulling a drawer of my chest of drawers open; I couldn't manage it on my own as it was too stiff. We both left go of the handles at the same time and it dropped on my big toe - OUCH!!!

The toe nail fell off over the next few weeks and it was very very painful. So when it started to grow back it was suggested that i have the toenail removed.

So I went into hospital and had an operation to remove the toenail, and strangely some skin at the side of my toe.

The nail grew back - only now it's three sided. It grows until it gets uncomfortable. Mr TalkTalk, if you've been Para's big brave boy and read up until here, now is definitely the time to look away.



So, I have to yank out both sides (not really visible on the pic as they grow inwards) - this is painful for about a day. Otherwise the sides of it just grow into the skin and hurt me. Then I can cut across the top like a 'normal' toe!

I sometimes get a bit conscious of it because I think people probably think it's a fungal nail infection - it's not!! It's just a gammy big toe!!

Para xxx

Am feeling a little bit upset right now.

In fact, I've just been having a bit of a blub. I am way too emotional for my own good me.

I emailed MusicMan to end things. Not that there was THAT much to end, being as we'd only seen each other four times!!

But it's made me feel really upset because I very much like him. But we don't get to see each other and I need attention!!

I would love to spend more time with him and get to know him better, but we're geographically and lifestyle incompatible!

But, I very much value his friendship and am sure we'll stay in touch.

Thanks MusicMan. You're adorable.

Para xxx

A Music Festival Virgin ...

... that was me; until weekend.

Well I guess actually, I still am, having had nothing more than the equivalent of a quick fumble!

I got my ticket to the nearby music festival, and I went along to the steward training on Friday. I reckoned that as I'd never been to such a festival before, and no-one would come with me, that I might as well do somet useful whilst there so i didn't look like Billy Nomates!!

So, by Friday lunchtime I was a fully trained and very muddy steward. When I say fully trained, I mean that I knew I'd to look out for piles of rubbish, tents camped too close together and any drug dealing activity. Oh, and I had a sheet that told me which fire hydrant to use in case of a fire.

I served my traineeship with the great unwashed, facial pierced and dreadlocked and khaki-clothes wearing fellow ticket holders. Me? Yup, I was in a bright red waterproof, blue walking trousers and a pair of pink wellies! How out of place did I feel?!

Anyway, I managed to get what I thought was the crappiest shift - shift 12: 6am-12 noon on Monday. When the festival was over and done with and everyone was leaving!

So, I braved the event on my own on Sunday afternoon - and again I felt so out of place that I couldn't wait to leave! So I actually had a ticket for a music festival and never actually heard any music. Well, there was some strange noise coming from a clump of trees - but I'm not convinced it was music!

So, Monday morning, bright and early, I report to the site office caravan. I dunno who was more shocked - me to be up at such a godforsaken time, or Nick (one of the organisers) cos someone had actually turned up at such a godforsaken time!

So, armed with my high viz jacket and a walkie talkie (ooooh the power!) I set off for a walk round the camp site! Squelching through the mud and probably waking all those campers who were asleep - mind you there were still some parties going on, so I wouldn't have been that disturbing a sound!

Then, approaching the festival site, I was kidnapped! By the security men! I have to say - I was hardly an unwilling victim! Plus it started pissing it down - and sitting chatting with four young men under a pink tent was a preferable option to trudging around outside!

We had a good giggle and a natter and played silly games. And I also had the misfortune to encounter one of them big ear piercings - you know the type where you can see through the ear. Yuk, it was disgusting! He took the ring out so I could see through his ear - and eeeeeuuuuw, the stench was awful! They were all so lovely I wanted to adopt them all! Especially the young Scottish one - until he said he only cooked Vegan food!! No good in my house, matey!

I was then instructed to go and stand at the entrance and deter cars from entering the field; stop people from turning left onto the main road and generally be nice and cheery to all the departing festival goers!

As I was stood under me big red umbrella, waiting for people to go, there appeared a young man who wanted shelter from the now torrential rain, and directions to the nearest bus-stop. Turns out he was a student from work! Eeeek!

Then, as we were stood chatting, three guys turn up to move a car that's been abandoned near the entrance. It won't start. I've now got three grown men in despair, in totally inappropriate clothing for the mud (OK, so one of them DOES have wellies on!!) who haven't a clue what to do. So I just get into teacher mode! Instruct them to ring a breakdown service; manage to lift the bonnet up cos one of them just cannot do it; give instructions to the AA as to where to find them.

So they sit in the car awaiting the AA out of the torrential rain. "They were fantastic last night them," says the student. "Oh aye?" asks me "who are they then?" Apparently they were one of the acts - the Dub Pistols. It meant nothing to me! But I'm sure it'll mean something to someone somewhere! All I know is that they were three blokes who needed little old me to sort them out cos they were having a major panic! The AA sorted out the problem. I sent the blokes on their way with a stern lecture about wearing appropriate clothing next year and made them give the student a lift to the village to get the bus!!

I had such a fab time (despite being slightly scared of the irate farmer whose land the festival was on) that I did extra time and was asked to get involved with organising the stewarding next year. Fab! Loved it!

Happy, smiley, muddy Para!

Para xxx

Argentinian Man

Welcome and thank you for reading my blog.

Would love to read yours - but I don't understand the language!!

Para xx

More Naughty Dreams

I am so not going to go into detail, but I had naughty dreams about the following people last night:

• MusicMan - and he is the man who makes my dreams come true, so he better make this one come true! And it was very, very naughty! Hehe!
• Mr TalkTalk - now you're probably wondering who he is. In fact I'm wondering if he realises who he is! But that was only mildly naughty.
• Mr DeadTree - You're probably wondering who he is as well! But he'll know who he is bless him. And that was not really naughty at all! (Sorry!!)

But I also dreamt about Hubby No 1 last night - now that might shock some of you, cos I've never mentioned his existence before! Will write about him at some point in the future though. This wasn't a naughty dream though (praise be!) but he did annoy me intensely in it!

Anyway, I know this is rather a boring post for the first one of July, but I have a busy life to lead!

Para xxx