Year Two 31/365 : Happy Halloween (American Style)


Here are our Halloween pumpkins this year! I am very glad I brought some pumpkin carving templates with us in the move because you can not buy them over here. Although I was pretty popular at work because of them! There were quite a few people that made copies for their own pumpkins. Which made me happy as it was a way for me to pass on my American Halloween vibe! It will be my mission to get every man, woman and child to celebrate Halloween as we do in the good old U. S. of A.

This was my open invitation to trick or treaters but as the same as last year... nobody came! Ugh.


This is Andy's evil Gargoyle!


I think this is a cute little ghost in a graveyard but Andy says it looks like a goalie ghost trying to save a penalty!


I am also happy to report that the pumpkin seeds have been washed and are now drying so that I can bake them tomorrow. Yummy!

[Side Note: You may notice that I added the tag 'Holiday Non UK' because to me it is just not the same as in the US, but as I mentioned above I am on a mission.]

High: 58°
Low: 51°
Forecast: Cloudy
Sunrise: 8:08 AM
Sunset: 5:39 PM

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Year Two 30/365 : 21st Century Breakdown


Andy and I were in Manchester at the MEN to see Green Day tonight... this is the second time we have been to see them and it was simply amazing!

It is unbelievable to think that Billie Joe, Tre and Mike have been a band for 21 years but when you see them together you can believe it. They have such chemistry together and put on such an amazing show.

I was happy to see that there were so many Brits that also love some good American punk music. I did however have a bit of an odd moment when they were singing 'American Idiot'. I did wonder what thousands of British people think of when they sing 'I don't want to be an American idiot'. hhmmmm...

I honestly believe that Oasis should be ashamed to even say they are from Manchester after this show. Here are three guys from Southern California who have been a band for only a few years longer than Oasis and they come to their home town of Manchester and show them how it should be done.

Next time Green Day are back in England you can count on Andy and I being there again!


High: 61°
Low: 50°
Forecast: Low Clouds
Sunrise: 8:06 AM
Sunset: 5:41 PM

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Year Two 29/365 : Inside Joke?


Not sure if I should laugh or not... this pet owner must have a sick sense of humor!

I wonder if any of my readers can point out what I am on about? Pretty sure Meg will be able pick it out.

Any guesses?

High: 59°
Low: 51°
Forecast: Clouds and Sun
Sunrise: 8:04 AM
Sunset: 5:43 PM

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Year Two 28/365 : Too Soon


Well... Lisa didn't move far but today was the day. Pretty much right after we got to work she got told it was start moving over to her new team.

I sent her a text letting her know that I missed her around the time I took this photo. I hope she doesn't think I'm stalking her when she reads my blog for today...

High: 58°
Low: 48°
Forecast: Partly Sunny
Sunrise: 8:02 AM
Sunset: 5:45 PM

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Year Two 27/365 : Darkness Falls Across The Land...


But the midnight hour is not close at hand! This photo was taken at 5:25pm when we got home from work.

I have always loved when it starts getting darker earlier in the day and I have a theory about it.

When you come home from work on a normal day it is light outside. You go inside cook dinner, etc.. and then it turns dark and you wonder where the time at home has gone and you start to think about going to bed. However... if it is already dark when you get home then you do the same routines but there is nothing to automatically make you think that your night has flown by and that it is already time to go to bed because it is dark outside in turn making it feel like time is crawling by.

That's my theory anyway and I'm sticking to it. Regardless I love this time of year!

High: 57°
Low: 51°
Forecast: A Couple of Showers
Sunrise: 8:00 AM
Sunset: 5:47 PM

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Year Two 26/365 : Oh How She Makes Me Laugh!


Meet Lisa. She is my co-worker neighbor and she flat out makes me laugh. There are no ifs, ands or buts about it... she makes me laugh and a day without a little Lisa laughter is a very sad day indeed.

But I have a feeling she is going to be moving desks soon as she is going over to another team. When that happens we will just have to laugh with each other across the room instead.

Today is a double photo, there was a rainbow as we were driving into work this morning. I'm sorry the photo is all wonky but I was trying to hurry up and take it before a building got in the way.


High: 55°
Low: 48°
Forecast: Partly Sunny
Sunrise: 7:58 AM
Sunset: 5:49 PM

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Year Two 25/365 : It Could Be Worse...


I could be a Bolton FC Supporter! *shudder*

We only had to travel a few miles to the match today but unfortunately the result did not go our way. We were down 0-2, we came back after half time to 2-2 and then lost in the last 5 minutes 3-2.

I was shocked at how many seats were empty at the match. There are empty seats at Goodison but usually only the ones that have restricted viewing because of the old stadium and there are poles in the way for some seats.

Bolton even had cheerleaders on the pitch prior to the match... hahaha But the worst part was that they have a drum that they bang every time there was a goal kick and when they needed to try to get the home 'crowd' involved.

So yes we lost, we are not on our best form but I know we have 12 players injured right now who will be back this season. So yes we lost... but I could support Bolton!

Oh and while we were at the match we spotted a couple of things. James who is a co-worker has season tickets to Bolton (sorry about this anti Bolton blog James...) and I spotted him in the crowd. I guess it was easy to pick him out because of all of the empty seats (okay that was the last dig I promise).


And then when we were leaving Andy spotted an American flag hanging from the other side of the stadium.


High: 58°
Low: 51°
Forecast: Mostly Cloudy
Sunrise: 7:56 AM
Sunset: 5:51 PM

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Year Two 24/365 : Spot The Difference


Yes the load of trash is still blocking the back alley but if you refer back to Year One Day 301 you will notice that there used to be a load of beautiful ivy that ran down between these two houses. But I noticed this week they had started to take it all down.

It is a shame really because I love houses that have ivy growing on them and now without it... just not as pretty!

High: 59°
Low: 48°
Forecast: Clouds and Sun
Sunrise: 7:54 AM
Sunset: 5:53 PM

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Year Two 23/365 : Dress Down Fridays


At my job we have always been allowed to wear jeans on the last Friday of the month if we paid a £1.00 which went to a local charity. But why are Imy (right) and myself (left) wearing jeans when it is not the last Friday you might be asking? There has been a business change and now it is dress down day every Friday. YAY!!

Since I had yesterday off I received a text at around 4:15 or so from Nicola and Laura C who were passing on the good news. Well when Andy got home at around 4:40 I told him and he said he had not heard anything about it so he called his department and they told him they also have not heard anything. He then told me that I couldn't wear jeans if he couldn't... So I called HR and again they tell me that they know nothing about it. I explained that my department had been told and she said they must be playing a trick on me. She said she would check and then call me back.

About this time Laura C confirms that a confirmation eMail had finally been sent to the entire company at 5:04pm and then HR called back to confirm that Dress Down day will be every Friday as of tomorrow.

*whew* that was a lot of drama but I am so very happy to be able to dress down once a week.

High: 57°
Low: 48°
Forecast: Cloudy
Sunrise: 7:52 AM
Sunset: 5:56 PM

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Year Two 22/365 : What a Relief!


Our car has been making a strange rattling metal sound for a couple weeks now. We called and booked it into a local garage last week but today was their first opening. It actually worked out perfectly because I am working on Saturday which means I have today off as my day in lieu.

Andy and I dropped it off before 8:00am this morning and then he went to work and I went back home a nervous wreck waiting for the mechanic to call with the news.

Well... it didn't take him long. At 8:53 he called to say that it was a warn/loose section of the exhaust that needed to be replaced. Parts, labor and VAT (tax) would come to £41.17 ($68.23)! I was overjoyed! I told him to get crackin with the repairs and at 10:15 he called to say it was done and that I could come after it.

Since it is a local garage I walked down, paid and then took it for a test run. The noise has completely stopped and I am so relieved.

*whew*

High: 54°
Low: 47°
Forecast: A Couple of Showers
Sunrise: 7:50 AM
Sunset: 5:58 PM

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Year Two 21/365 : Only 30 More Sleeps!


After work today I had the pleasure of taking £77.00 to the local movie theater to buy 11 tickets to see New Moon on November 20th at 7:00pm.

There are 11 of us girls from work all going out that night for some yummy food and then to watch some even yummier men in New Moon!

This is going to be a great night out... and yes I will be wearing my Twilight hoodie!

High: 54°
Low: 49°
Forecast: A couple of Showers
Sunrise: 7:49 AM
Sunset: 6:00 PM

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Year Two 20/365 : Sleeps Anywhere


This cat will sleep anywhere. Yes he is asleep in this photo and his head kept doing that cute little falling back thing. He would then open his eyes and pull his head back up straight. Then doze off again and so it continued.

Rooney is crazy but very cute!

High: 50°
Low: 48°
Forecast: Periods of Rain
Sunrise: 7:47 AM
Sunset: 6:02 PM

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Year Two 19/365 : Flu Shot


They were giving out free flu shots (or flu jab if you are from around here) at work today so of course I jumped at the chance.

I have been getting a flu shot for many years and last year was my first time without one in sometime. I ended up getting really sick. Not with the flu but with a double ear infection and strep throat. It probably has nothing to do with me not getting the flu shot but I sure do blame it on that!

High: 50°
Low: 38°
Forecast: Times of Clouds and Sun
Sunrise: 7:45 AM
Sunset: 6:04 PM

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Year Two 18/365 : Bowling


Yesterday was Andy's sister's birthday... Happy Birthday Tracey!

So to celebrate and spent a little time with the family and went bowling. Well they did the bowling and I took pictures and cheered them on. I haven't bowled in years because the last time I went it did my back no favors the next day so I decided to give it a miss to prevent any aches and pains tomorrow.

This is Hazel, Andy's mom, in the picture. This was her last frame and she tried throwing the ball between her legs.

Andy ended up winning by a large margin but everybody had a great time!

High: 54°
Low: 41°
Forecast: Cloudy
Sunrise: 7:43 AM
Sunset: 6:07 PM

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Year Two 17/365 : The Chang Elephant


We were back at Goodison Park today for a match against Wolverhampton. We drew 1-1 with a late goal by Bilyaletdinov. I love this kid and I am so glad that he joined Everton! His name will be on the back of my next kit! However we should be winning games against teams like Wolverhampton and I really hope we find our form soon.

Before the match the Chang Elephant has a walk around the pitch so today I decided to take his picture. The earth globe thingy to right is new and must have had something to do with one of the promotions they had going on today. Chang is Everton's sponsor and their logo has two elephants on it, that is why it is an Elephant... in case you were wondering.

High: 53°
Low: 40°
Forecast: Mostly Sunny
Sunrise: 7:41 AM
Sunset: 6:09 PM

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Year Two 16/365 : Morning Ritual Interrupted


I always get out of bed first in the mornings. I usually tend to take my showers at night but I always wash my hair every morning.

I will go and wash my hair and when I am done with this Andy usually rolls out of bed and I continue to blow dry and straighten my hair.

After I am done with this I go back into the bedroom to make the bed.

Well not this morning.

This is what I walked into the bedroom to find... Now I don't know about any of you but there was no way I could disrupt this scene, I mean look how cute they are!

I would like to point out that Rooney (top left) does actually bury himself under the covers. This was not an effect faked for the purpose of taking a cuter photo. In fact I was shocked that he left his head out as he usually goes all the way under. There is hardly a day that goes by that we come home and do not find that he has dug himself up and under the covers on our bed.

High: 56°
Low: 37°
Forecast: Partly Sunny
Sunrise: 7:39 AM
Sunset: 6:11 PM

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Year Two 15/365 : Seasons of Change


The canteen (cafeteria) at work is always the following:

1) Busy
2) Hot
3) Loud

For the above reasons Andy and I have started eating our lunch in the car. I love it!

It is quiet, we can chat or we can each do our own thing for 30 minutes. He usually plays something on his iTouch and I check my eMail, Facebook and text Meg (have I mentioned how much I love my iPhone?).

Our building is right next to a canal but unfortunately there is this rather steep hill and fence blocking us from having a nice place to walk on our lunch. Since we only get 30 minutes it wouldn't be worth the walk down the street to the next closest opening.

However one day I will make it over there so that I can share a picture.

High: 53°
Low: 51°
Forecast: Late Showers
Sunrise: 7:37 AM
Sunset: 6:13 PM

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Year Two 14/365 : Move Along... Nothing To See Here


When I complain about a Roundabout to anybody I am told that they are far superior to stop signs as they were built to keep traffic moving and to prevent queuing (Their words not mine).

Well I can tell you right now... the traffic is stopped in this picture and it is usually stopped like this on our way home from work.

So much for keeping it flowing.

High: 57°
Low: 47°
Forecast: A Couple of Showers
Sunrise: 7:35 AM
Sunset: 6:16 PM

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Year Two 13/365 : One Is Okay


When we were leaving work today I made Andy wait to go until this car backed up and left.

Was this to be a safe driver or did I spot some unknown danger I wanted to avoid? No way... it was purely for blog purposes!

When we moved over to England I had noticed that either a lot of people were driving around with a burnt out reverse light or I was the one that wasn't in the know.

Well it turns out that the above picture is quite normal and legal. On many makes and models there is in fact only one white reverse light.

I find this very odd.

High: 54°
Low: 51°
Forecast: A Couple of Showers
Sunrise: 7:34 AM
Sunset: 6:18 PM

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Year Two 12/365 : Air Show?


On the way home from work I noticed these weird lines in the sky.

Manchester Airport is around 20 miles from where we live and I do see airplanes fly by now and again but is this what we would be able to see on a daily basis if it were this clear all of the time?

High: 54°
Low: 39°
Forecast: Party Sunny
Sunrise: 7:32 AM
Sunset: 6:20 PM

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Year Two 11/365 : Junk


This dumpster (or 'skip' if you are English) has been here for a few weeks. I can only assume that one of the houses on that side are remodelling.

This being here is bothering me for a couple of reasons...

1) It is dirty looking and I would rather not have to look at it.

2) It is blocking the access to the back alley which we use when the main road we are on is too busy to back out onto or when there is a utility truck blocking our way. But with this dumpter here we can not go down it.

Annoying.

High: 52°
Low: 40°
Forecast: A Couple of Showers
Sunrise: 7:30 AM
Sunset: 6:23 PM

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Year Two 10/365 : Heavy Fog


Excuse the horrid phone line pole (at least I think those are phone lines) but I wanted to show you what I woke up to this morning. I thought there was moisture on the window but it was in fact just fog outside.

This was at around 10:00am this morning but the sun started to come out a few hours later and it cleared away the fog.

I have absolutely nothing planned this weekend and I hope to keep it that way! It should be a nice relaxing weekend.

High: 51°
Low: 46°
Forecast: Times of Clouds and Sun
Sunrise: 7:28 AM
Sunset: 6:25 PM

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Year Two 9/365 : Rain... Rain...


Here to stay and I would not want it any other way!

I love the rain and I love that it is getting colder outside. Was on a late at work tonight so in from 12:00 - 8:00pm but after that the weekend starts! YAY!!

High: 51°
Low: 48°
Forecast: Periods of Rain
Sunrise: 7:26 AM
Sunset: 6:27 PM

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Year Two 8/365 : All Dressed Up


Winnie the Pooh has put on his pumpkin costume and is ready for Halloween.

On Monday my laptop crapped out on me and it wasn't until tonight that I got everything up and running again. *whew* Glad I was able to retrieve all of my eMails and most of my files. Thankfully I had just copied all of my 365 photos from the last year onto my external hard drive.

I think I will be making sure to be more diligent with backing-up my files in the future.

High: 53°
Low: 40°
Forecast: Mostly Cloudy
Sunrise: 7:24 AM
Sunset: 6:30 PM

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Year Two 7/365 : Beautiful and Delicious


My Mother and Sister in Law went to Brugge, Belgium for a couple of days and they just got back tonight. My Mother in Law brought me back this wonderful box of chocolates!

I was amazed when I opened up the box!

Look how beautiful these chocolates are... I would say they are too beautiful to eat but we all know that is not true.

My favorite is the one that looks like a Strawberry. It is actually white chocolate with red coloring and little sprinkles of sugar.

Yum. Yum.


High: 56°
Low: 42°
Forecast: Rain
Sunrise: 7:23 AM
Sunset: 6:32 PM

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Year Two 6/365 : Whoops!


Buy something the day after the display date but a day before the best before date and get it for more than 50% off?

Yes please!

We had breakfast for dinner tonight and these mushrooms were delicious!

High: 57°
Low: 56°
Forecast: Periods of Rain
Sunrise: 7:21 AM
Sunset: 6:34 PM

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Year Two 5/365 : Away Day


This morning I bought tickets for Andy and I to go to the away match against Bolton on October 26th.

Since we had to run to Asda after work... and since Bolton's stadium is right in front of Asda I figured I would take a picture of it. On match day I'll take a picture from inside to share.

Last season Andy went to the Bolton away match but I didn't. However this year should be better for him. The match last season was right after we moved here and he bought a ticket in the Bolton end thinking he wouldn't be able to get a ticket in the Everton away section.

Well Everton ended up winning 1-0 in a last minute goal in stoppage time... Unfortunately he wasn't able to celebrate it too much since he was sitting in the middle of Bolton supporters. Hopefully we win this year and this time the celebrations will not be muffled!

High: 51°
Low: 41°
Forecast: Partly Sunny
Sunrise: 7:19 AM
Sunset: 6:37 PM

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Year Two 4/365 : Young Andy


Andy and I were in Liverpool today for the Everton match against Stoke. We park pretty close to Andy's old school so I thought I would share a picture of it. He was here from 1989 - 1994 for secondary school.

We drew today 1-1. Honestly we did not play our best so to come out of the match with a point I think we did really well. We should be beating teams like Stoke though!

High: 52°
Low: 44°
Forecast: Sunny To Partly Cloudy
Sunrise: 7:17 AM
Sunset: 6:39 PM

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Year Two 3/365 : Blown Away


It is hard to take a picture of the wind but if you look at the taller trees you can tell how bent over they are.

Made me glad our house was made out brick!

High: 55°
Low: 44°
Forecast: A Couple of Showers and Windy
Sunrise: 7:15 AM
Sunset: 6:42 PM

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Year Two 2/365 : It's All About The Tog


So I made the switch today. I removed our 7.5 Tog Summer Duvet and put in our Winter one which is 15 Tog. As you can see from the above picture our cats love the switch.

Rooney just sinks down into the feathery warm goodness.

High: 51°
Low: 48°
Forecast: Rain
Sunrise: 7:14 AM
Sunset: 6:44 PM

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Year Two 1/365 : Traffic Control


These things in the road are quite annoying! As you can see the road would not normally narrow but because of these only one lane of traffic can get through at a time.

In the above scenario we must give priority to oncoming traffic but thankfully there was nobody coming.

I know these are just used as traffic control but just put in a speed camera if you want to slow people down.

High: 54°
Low: 41°
Forecast: Afternoon Rain
Sunrise: 7:12 AM
Sunset: 6:47 PM

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