His name is Google

That Big Brother Bloke...his name is Google.
It was my birthday at the beginning of July. A working day and  hey, a normal day except that it was super nice too. We didn't go out and celebrate or do very much away from our normal routines; I didn't really feel the need and probably didn't have the inclination. It was a Tuesday though and we were doing an installation or delivery early on the Wednesday morning, which meant I had to schedule my WOYWW post. It was the first time I'd turned the PC on all day and I was surprised to see that Google's doodle was all cake and celebration.

My first thought was 'oh, I wonder what famous people have their birthday today too'. Well you would wouldn't you. Kings and Presidents get the Google doodle treatment.

 Not so. I damn near had a heart attack.

Will you look at that! I know it's a stock image and I know that Google must do this for millions of people every day. But it's kinda creepy isn't it, having confirmation that all your personal data, given willingly or not, is being stored and used. I'm not naive, I know it's been this way for ages. I recognise that as an android tablet owner and blogger blog owner, Google is all over my life.  I don't want to put the freak out music on; this isn't a major rant; if it wasn't Google it would be some other organisation, frankly. But my feigned ignorance was a sort of protection bubble. And so for my birthday, quite unwittingly, Google gave me the jitters!

What's On Your Workdesk? Wednesday 321

Well thank you for asking...it's a bit messy but there is actually some work in progress. A minor miracle. I injured my wrist at the end of last week and have been splinted and off work. And bored. But the lack of use is working and my fingers are good to type now, so it's all good. And if you have me on your Facebook friends list - I'm sorry. I did whine; I felt sorry for myself. But I'm over it now, so it should be safe to look at your feed again!

It's a bit dull in here, the light's not ideal for this, but hey, we can see the main horror! An old book that I continue to use the pages from for inking and stamping upon projects. Sacrilege for some, fine for others. Better than sitting unused and unloved on the shelf of a charity shop if you ask me! The tree landscape is for a workshop next week..am dithering over the mount colours. That accounts for the spillage of gel and felt pens too. The tin is full of pieces of cut and dry foam, and you can see two ATG guns, rolls of tape and two pairs of scissors. Seriously, I have a problem. How marvellous! The little book with the house shape on it is actually an address book of Deskers...I promise it's in safe hands!
Come on then, join the others, share your desk, floor, lap table and views of what you're doing...we need to know. OK. I need to know. There are links at the top of this page to tell you how if you're contemplating for the first time...either way - jump in, we don't bite and the water's always bath warm!

T Tuesday

I am suffering a black coffee this morning because there's no milk. Miss Dunnit's current squeeze is on his way to the shop now...bless him. He might as well. She's still in the shower, making the most of our patience; knowing that we will try hard not to hurry and chivvy her - for today is her birthday.

I'm not entirely sure how it happened, but she's 22 today. There is a card and a gift..some money. At that age, as an only child, there isn't much you want as a gift because you've already had everything on account of being spoiled all your life. Or so general perception would have you believe. Honestly, I've taken more flack for having a 'lonely only' child than I ever did for not having a child at all in the 10 years before she arrived.

The agony of not having siblings has definitely scarred her. She doesn't drink hot drinks. I really consider this a parental fail. I can hardly believe that I've raised a girl that doesn't drink coffee. Or tea. Sometimes, and I think this morning may be one of those times, I can tempt her into a hot chocolate. Big deal! 
When she and the boyfriend return to their own lives by the sea and I survey my empty nest, I have a fleeting thought that if I had a another run at this parent thing, I'd work harder at getting it right. It doesn't last long. 

Fearless, Shameless

This fearless Seagull knows no shame. He was begging, for sure. His staring match with Mr Dunnit was a giggle enducer - probably the cocktails that three of us were drinking made it funnier.....

Seriously, this chap stood his ground on the pavement outside the restaurant and just stared and stared. It was a Mexican restaurant and we did consider going out and giving him a couple of jalapenos to try, but that would really be cruel, after all, they were making my mouth burn! The restaurant was very busy and the pavement and road were not without users, but he stood his ground. It's fair to say that seagulls have long been considered a nuisance. You gotta wonder why we don't eat them....I mean that would really solve the problem, right? Well, apparently, way back in Medieval days, we did eat them. But you don't need camouflage or a sense of the danger of humans when you taste so salty you're inedible, right?

What's on your work desk? Wednesday 320

If you're of a mind to join us for this strangely compelling Wednesday activity, there are instructions on how to link and a few rules  on the linked pages shown at the top of this post. Don't be scared, it's easy!
My desk is a shambles of unpacked workshop baskets from almost a week ago, and unpacked and unfinished stuff after a crop at the weekend? Good grief. I need to exercise the magic of making time to sort it out, it puts me off and it's my desk!

You can see that along with the WOYWW6 ATCs, I still haven't used or put away the handful of postcards I bought when we were in Granada last year. I can't. I like them all too much. There's evidence of shopping too, two stamps from Indigo Blue and some teeny emoticon type facial expressions. I'm not sure why I like them, we'll soon see if it was a ridiculous indulgence! I've had a desperate plea from a reader for help in finding the Stampendous Ranunculus clear stamp set...discontinued last year...does anyone have one they'd be prepared to sell? Let me know, I'll put you in touch! Now, link your WOYWW post here so we can visit, see what you're up to and what you're currently investing in!

T Tuesday

Well it's been a fortnight since my only child up and left home. Of course I've missed her horribly. Luckily, she left a trail of unfinished packing, full cupboards, bric-a-brac (to be tactful) and a basket filled with laundry. How odd. I can only presume that she was very confident that she would be seeing us again fairly soon! Her job means that her days off don't match ours, so we motored gently down to Worthing yesterday, to catch her at the end of her working day. Spent the afternoon strolling the prom in the sunshine. The Rotary Club had a multi charity fundraiser going on, so there were lots of stalls to poke about and look at. There was a funfair. And the beautiful sea, which was azure and sparkly, on such a lovely sunny afternoon. I didn't photograph the sea. I was utterly distracted by people watching and the thought of a cuppa.

Look at that. Vintage crockery for a cream tea in the sunshine at the Vintage Cinema Tea Rooms. What's not to love. Another stroll to the little flat that Miss Dunnit and her current squeeze are settling into and a touching reunion. We went out for supper like regular double daters and had a fun evening. The best bit is there is no sadness in leaving - she's happy, and that makes everything OK. I'm happy too - discovering this tea shop has made Worthing and the seaside even more attractive!

What's On Your Workdesk? Wednesday 319

If you're new to the WOYWW thing, please forgive us a little solemnity today, this post is for Eliza, who passed away last Wednesday, very suddenly.
In the prime of her life, working hard, living hard, loving hard and enjoying being herself, Eliza had spent the day with her very best friend and another of our WOYWW friends, DeDe. I'm sure therefore that she had a really happy day. 

 Eliza and I didn't meet. We were separated by 12000 miles. And joined by the internet, crafting, having a daughter and woman hood. I get the impression that she was fiercely independent and utterly able. She really enjoyed the posts I made about small achievements - her comments on these were encouraging and often genuinely funny. I could almost hear her laughing and saying 'good on ya'! She bragged with love and affection about her friendship with DeDe and with love and pride about Myrene...she even managed to get Myrene to agree to be in some desk pictures. And how could Myrene refuse when Yoda was so willing to pose!  Eliza's craft skills were out of my league - oh she had such a thing with colour! This is her latest ATC gift to me, for the WOYWW6 Anniversary - plucked form the pile still sitting on my desk, inspiring me at every shuffle. Gorgeous. Every detail speaks care for detail and the enjoyment of the craft.... you only have to page through her blog a little to discover how busy her life was and how much she enjoyed the down time of crafting. 

The message on Eliza's ATC isn't difficult is it. Tempus Fugit. Time Flies. And I'm perfectly sure that she meant it to be a life lesson for all of us...I can envision her 'seizing the day' every day; cramming it full of love and vitality. Bless you Eliza, my word how you will be missed and don't worry...we'll check in on Myrene and DeDe.
Link your desk here why don't you and if you knew Eliza, do share a memory...I know she'd love it.