7/5/12 Bank Holiday

Today is Bank Holiday Monday. As usual the fantastically predictable British weather has not broken the habit of a lifetime.... IT IS RAINING!

The miserable weather doesn't affect me for I am up to my eyes in essay writing, however, it is not nice for Bubbles, who clearly would love to play outside in the fresh air.

Instead, with a big huff, she settled down on the chair next to me to supervise my studies and make sure I do no more of that procrastination nonsense!

It is good to have some company while I write, and the frequent little chirrups and sighs I hear from Bubbles remind me that she is always my constant companion, always near, always making sure I am ok, exuding warmth and love just by being here

6/5/12 Skim Reading

As an Open University student, I seem to have mastered the art of not one but two very special study techniques: The technique of procrastination and the skill of skim reading!!!!

No doubt my fellow OU readers will agree that these are two very important skills and techniques; valuable to every student!


Over the last five years of me studying through the Open University, Bubbles has witnessed the attainment, development, application and reinvention of these skills to almost record breaking new levels. I think she would be surprised if there was ever an essay I approached without "faffing!"

So having demonstrated all day yesterday, the skill of procrastination, I now needed to utilise the art of skim reading - and FAST if I would ever be able to get my essay written by the deadline.

Hmmmm, where to start?

                                                        I think I'll start with a cup of tea....

5/5/12 The Voice

I woke up today, the start of a Bank Holiday weekend in a cold sweat and mad panic. How exactly would I formulate my latest Open University assignment? Obviously I would need to use my course books for the theories and evidence to support my arguments (wafflings) but I would also like to find my own examples to include.

Hmmmm, I spent a most unproductive day writing nothing!

Deciding that today was really a bit of a lost cause and realising that I still was not feeling very well from my cold (violins please) I decided to snuggle down for a relaxing evening on the sofa watching The Voice.

Suddenly, it struck me! "Aha!" I shouted, sitting bolt upright and grabbing at pen and post it notes, making Bubbles raise her head questioningly from her position on the back of the settee

My other half jump out of his skin, spilling his drink. He looked at me, eyebrows also raised questioningly. "Will.I.Am" I announced. "He's my inspiration!"

My other half looked even more confused at THAT wild statement but in fairness, both he and Bubbles are quite used to my bizarre announcements! They both proceeded to continue watching TV; ignoring my under-breath mutterings as I fervently scribbled away on my post it note. I had suddenly thought of an example for my essay involving the U.S. rapper, as I watched him on The Voice!

Satisfied with my sudden brainwave I was now able to sit back, relax and enjoy the programme....

4/5/12 Lots Of Cuddles

Today has been a PYJAMA DAY!

I have enjoyed a nice, long lie-in with lots of cuddles from Bubbles, who has entertained me once again with her wardrobe antics.

Tonight we are having a take away (for medicinal purposes of course) as there is nothing like a good, hot Madras to clear the sinus' and cure a cold. Well, that's my excuse anyway!

3/5/12 Ill

I woke up this morning wondering where Bubbles was, as she was not in her usual place asleep on the bottom of the bed or on the landing. Then on squinting (then sensibly putting on my glasses) I realised there was a cheeky cat looking like a rather long sausage all stretched out along the top of the wardrobe; fast asleep!

The rest of today has dragged on in a blur of feeling pretty yuk, carrying around my very own toilet roll as a constant companion for my sneezing! (Well the tissues lasted about twenty seconds, I have sneezed that much!)

With a temperature of 102 degrees I am pretty sure I am not well; no wonder I spent the day shaking and feeling grotty. I am really looking forward to my lovely bed and a very looooooooong sleep!

Although feeling unwell (get out the violins) I am feeling very well looked after by my other half making me loads of hot drinks and good food, my Mum who has sent me about a month's supply of fruit and Bubbles; who, as ever, when I am not well, is a truly loving companion.

 

2/5/12 Croaky

Have woken up this morning with hardly any voice, a chesty cough and what would appear to be the beginning of a cold. A dreary subject to write about I know, so I will not dwell but I do suspect that yesterday's soaking has a lot to answer for!

So, a fairly quiet day in my household today you may think? But no! Bubbles has today been extremely vocal. I think she is trying to make up for my quietness! She has been miaowing on the bannister, miaowing on the wardrobe and sitting right in front of me on the floor miaowing at me as if having a little conversation!

 
I have taken the philosophy "feed a cold" quite literally and enjoyed a hearty meal of chicken pie, jacket potatoes and veg followed by (lots of) cake! Then promptly fell asleep for my very own cat nap on the settee.

1/5/12 A Winter's May

Hmmmm, this time last year I was in the sea! Yes, really. On 1st May last year I was happily body boarding in the surf at Porth Ceiriad, North Wales, whilst my other half basked in the sunshine on the beach. It was really glorious weather. This year, however, 1st May has been more like a winter's day with freezing cold rain, wind and generally miserable weather.

I received a complete soaking including my jumper somehow becoming wet through my usually excellently waterproof cagoule. Not impressed.
                                                 
Bubbles, however, couldn't really care less what the weather does. She is far too interested in her current wardrobe explorations, which seem to be her absolutely favourite hobby at the moment. (Even more favourite than her usual game of jumping out at my legs trying to trip me up!)

I know she has been up to mischief on the wardrobe again because there is EVIDENCE! Apart from the telltale loud "thud" I hear as she leaps off, I also discovered my hairdryer and a pile of clothes, knocked onto the floor.... with a very guilty looking cat sitting on the floor looking at my hairdryer and then at me in a most apologetic manner!