Top Ten Thursday - Happy Moments

It's top ten Thursday and this week we're listing the things that have recently made our day, made us  laugh or at least smile, just a collection of positive moments! Thanks to Tamara, Part-time Working Hockey Mom, for the great theme choice.

This is my list of moments that have made me feel good during the last week.

1. Cat Yoga: when Cookie is grooming herself and it looks like she is contorting herself into the best yoga poses - I wish I was half as flexible.

2. Christmas Cups: I always love it when Costa Coffee get in their Christmas themed take out coffee cups, and I love this gingerbread one.

3. Coffee Delivery: this also involves the above photo. Earlier this week we didn't have enough milk left at home for my coffee that I take to work in my thermal mug, so just went without. I'd been at work about twenty minutes when a gorgeous Scotsman (Ken) walked in the door with a latte and a croissant for me - it really gave me a good feeling for the rest of the day.

4. Puppy Dog Eyes: this face when Bramble Jelly is trying to convince me that I should let her up on my knee for a cuddle.

5. Morning Radio: I love listening to the radio on the way to work for Gino and Grace, the two presenters. They always make me laugh no matter what mood I'm in. 

6. Hair Appointment: on Saturday I went and had my colour topped up and a trim, and it always makes me feel so relaxed by the time I leave. I love the head massage when having my hair washed, and I always fall asleep whilst my hairdresser is cutting my hair - she regularly has to gently move my head back up to the right angle.

7. Fancy Furniture: This chair and cushions is in the hairdressers and it makes me smile and wish I had something like that at home.

8. Hooded Cat: I was walking through the Victorian Market in Inverness at the weekend and found this hooded cat on the wall outside a new shop - smiles galore at discovering this.

9. My Beloved: how could I not have him in a list about things that make me smile, laugh, and feel good.

10. A Caticorn: This week one of my lovely colleagues gave me this card which, as she thought, is perfect for me. It's a cat, that's a unicorn, and it's covered in glitter - a caticorn. Everytime I look at it I smile and feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

What has made you smile this week? Before you go, make sure you visit Tamara's blog, Part-time Working Hockey Mom and see what my fellow bloggers have come up with.

Until next time, be good, stay safe, and give someone else a reason to smile this week.

Pamela & Ken
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A Hodgepodge of memories

Wednesday and it's time for a hodgepodge of thoughts, prompted by Joyce from the blog From This Side of the Pond - if you like blogging challenges then come and join us.

1.  In a rut, in a jam, in the groove, out of synch, off balance, out of touch...which saying best fits some area of your life currently (or recently)? Explain.

After my spectacular swan dive out of the shower in June I have definitely been off balance. I'm practically back to pre fall abilities, but still feel a little bit of nervousness when I'm getting out of the shower, but at least my beloved doesn't have to stand there and balance me anymore.

2. What is it about somebody else's style of work (coworker/employee/shared volunteer project/household chore) that makes you crazy? Why?

Interestingly, I was actually talking about this with a couple of people today at work - we were commenting on how noisy hospitals can be at night. Years ago when I worked in a hospital in London, there was another nurse who had no concept of talking quietly, even on night shift. When I was talking to her I would practically whisper to her to see if she would get the hint, but no, her volume of speaking never went below loud.

3. What's a tradition that always makes you feel at home?

Not really a tradition, but the silly little things we do for each other without even thinking that makes that sense of home be my beloved. One I will definitely say is how he will often appear with a hot water bottle for me even though I haven't asked, as he knows when I'm cold or have got achy joints. He really is my prince charming.

4. A favorite song with a girl's name in the title or lyrics? Any reason why this is a particular favorite?

So many songs I could choose here, including Romeo & Juliet (Dire Straits), Waltzing Matilda (purely because I'm an Aussie), and Patricia the Stripper (Chris de Burgh). I could have even gone with Barbie Girl (Aqua) as when that came out, the girls on the ward I was working on declared it was mine and my beloved's song (his name is Ken).

Instead I've gone for the Kink's song Lola - not necessarily because it is the best song in the world, but because as soon as I hear it I'm back on the cruise I took when I was 20, as one of the performers sang it every night and got us all to sing along.

I'm going to cheat slightly and add another one that has a really strong memory for me, and that is Wayne Fontana's song Pamela, Pamela. It was released in 1966 and when I was doing my nursing training in the 1980's I had the first two lines of the song sung to me by so many male patients that if I had a dollar for every time I'd be very rich. The funniest thing was that none of them knew what came next in the song - it was a good way to break the ice with some patients.

For your listening pleasure - Pamela, Pamela

5. Share a favorite quote, verse, or saying relating to gratitude or thanksgiving.

6. Insert your own random thought here.

It is a year today since our little Muffin Monster left our lives to go over the rainbow bridge - I have a lovely vision of her and Bertie Boo sleeping together in the sun until the day we're all together again. Muffin was such a funny little cat who loved us on her own terms and I still have visible scars from some of the times she didn't feel like being loved. We miss her and every time we see a black cat it makes us both miss her even more.

One of the last photos we took of Muff, when she wanted to come to Edinburgh with us for a night.

Until next time, be good, stay safe, and have a very lovely week.

Pamela & Ken
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Sparks of Life

Sparks is hosted by Annie at McGuffy's Reader and her words are the best to use to explain:

"I believe we are meant to be lights in this world. If we allow our light to shine, we can see where we are going. It is then that we can begin to truly see each other clearly. Together, we can light up the entire world!"

The aim is to post a positive quote, thought, poem, or verse, so here is my contribution for this week. 

Pamela & Ken

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Communing With Cats in Aberdeen

Those that know me know that I'm a little bit crazy about cats (I haven't got enough to be classed as a crazy cat lady yet, but give me time) so imagine my delight when going to a cafe where cats live and roam around whilst you're having coffee and cake. We visited the London cat cafe in 2014 and it was wonderful - read it here.

We booked to go early in the day and I'm so glad we did as there was only three other people there whereas when we left there was quite a large queue of people waiting to get in.

The cafe is very much designed to keep the cats happy and I love some of the design features that I would love to have at home for Princess Cookie Cat.

There is a large flat screen tv on the wall that is playing cat friendly things - birds, squirrels, and mice. The cats were loving it.

This is Theodore who has the most gorgeous eyes - a rich golden colour.

There was building work going on next door to the cafe and this lovely one was keeping an eye on what the workmen were up to.

Ken down on the floor talking to the kitty cats and taking lovely photos of them - I think he enjoyed it just as much as me.

The very handsome Romeo that Ken was talking to - apparently he tries to get away with a lot of mischief because of his very good looks.

On the left is Drago and on the right is Boo. Boo was so lovely and reminded us both of our little Muffin Monster who died a year ago, and Boo was such a crazy little thing and loved playing.

The gorgeous ragdoll Zeus, who as soon as our drinks and cakes arrived was up on the table trying to mooch food - of course we didn't give him any but it was lovely to have him visit with us. Note the really cute mug and milk jug.

Zeus and Drago surveying their domain from some of the various shelves around the room.

Ken annoying Drago with a bird.

Boo debating on whether or not to get involved in the bird teasing game.

I love that the cats do sit in the windows as per the title of the cafe - it must be lovely if you work in the area and get to walk past everyday enjoying the gorgeous kitty cats.

Drago and Theodore being extremely cute and loving on each other, again in one of the many window beds.

Our last view of the beautiful kitty cats as we left - it was so lovely spending an hour with them, and I can imagine that it must be great to visit this cafe if you live in a place that doesn't allow cats. If that was me I'd be there nearly every day.

There are signs like this all around Aberdeen, and they are full of really interesting facts about the city's past.

Have you ever been to a cat cafe? Would you if you got the chance? I'm sure you'll see this one feature in the blog in the future again.

Until next time, be good, stay safe, and say hello to the next cat you see.

Pamela & Ken

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Friday's Friendly Thoughts

One of my favourite things to do, apart from reading, is writing, so I love this blog link up at McGuffy's Reader. In the Friendly Fill-ins we're given written prompts (the words in purple bold) and then complete them how we wish.

1. My favorite part of November is seeing all the beautiful Christmas decorations totally taking over the shops. When we lived in London we would always go into Oxford street to see all the beautiful lights and window displays.

2. Every November, I try to be organised and do my Christmas cards, especially the ones for Australia as I always plan to post them before the end of the month - this doesn't always happen but I try my best.

3. For me, peace means so many things and I regularly wish I had a magic wand that I could wave over the world. I think that sometimes my head has difficulty switching off enough for me to be at peace, but then good thoughts are just as much of having peace as anything. I find a lot of peace in writing, putting my thoughts down on paper in a way that can soothe the soul. Enjoying nature, listening to music, being kind to others, communing with animals, and spending time with my beloved - all parts of living a peaceful life for me.

4. So far, my upcoming holiday plans are that I'm working almost to Christmas and then have a break until the new year. Keeping warm is another big plan I have, and by the end of December I start asking my beloved when it's going to be warm again.

That's it for this Friday, pop over to McGuffy's Reader and see what my fellow bloggers have come up with for their fill ins.

Until next time, be good, stay safe, and we hope you find peace this week.

Pamela & Ken
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Top Ten Thursday - Brighten up your November

Can you believe it's November already? Where did the year go? This weeks Top Ten is coming up with things that are going to help us brighten up those dull November days. Thanks as always to Tamara at Part-time Working Hockey Mom for setting the theme.

1. Time to get out gloves, scarves, and hats - colourful ones will help brighten up not just your day but the days of people who see you.

2. Take time to enjoy the gorgeous sunsets that we get at this time of the year - beautiful colours and crisp clear air here in the highlands.

3. Get out for walks in the fresh air and take time to stop and meet the locals.

4. Paint your nails in a bright, cheerful colour.

5. Go out and have coffee and cake at a nice little local cafe.

    

6. Wear brightly coloured socks that make you smile when you look at them.

7. Spread beautiful flowers around your home.

8. Enjoy the warmth of a fire, and if you haven't got one of your own, find a cafe that might have one.

9. Smile at all the gorgeous Christmas decorations that are now fully taking over the towns and shops.

10. Sometimes just curling up in bed reading with a beloved furbie can brighten up any day.

What's your favourite thing to do to brighten up November? Before you go, pop over to Tamara's Blog to see what my fellow bloggers have come up with.

Until next time, be good, stay safe, and have a wonderful November.

Pamela & Ken
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A Hodgepodge of Thoughts

It's Wednesday, it's Hodgepodge time. The questions are set by Joyce at the blog From This Side of the Pond - enjoy my answers.

1. What does/did Halloween look like at your house this year? Did you decorate? Pick pumpkins? Carve pumpkins? Expect trick or treaters? Wear a costume to a party or event? Make a costume? Feel glad you didn't have to come up with a costume? Cook a Halloween themed treat? Eat all the leftover candy?

I had to work until 8pm but my one concession to Halloween was painting my nails black for the day. My husband had one trick or treater call round and he was dressed as a star wars character and Ken got a joke for the treats. In Scotland trick or treating is called guising as children go door to door in disguise.

2. What are you waiting for? Elaborate

I am waiting for my next break with my beloved, not because I'm exhausted or need one desperately, more because we've just had a break and I love getting to spend so much time together exploring new things.

3. Do you wish you were friendlier, braver, more creative, more athletic, or something else? Explain.

I definitely wish I was braver. There are lots of points in my life where I wonder what would have been different if I'd been brave enough to really go after what I wanted.

4. When it comes time to paint are you a do-it-yourselfer or do you hire someone? What was the last paint job completed at your house? What room most needs painting now? How do you feel about wallpaper?

As we live in rental properties we don't really get to decorate, it's more that we accessorise. I'd love to have our own home (when we win the lottery) to paint how we wanted and I quite like the thought of one wall in each room covered in wallpaper as a feature wall. There are some lovely wallpapers around and I often walk down this aisle in the home improvement depot to imagine what our dream home would look like.

5. What is one specific thing you felt gratitude for in the month of October?

One specific thing that I felt gratitude for this month was the joy of sitting with my beloved, enjoying a meal in a restaurant, and just focusing on each other. I know that may sound slightly weird, but too often in life we don't focus entirely on the person we're with, even if that is by talking about problems, work, or the minutiae of life. Instead it's really good to just take that time to be mindful of each other, even if that's sitting, holding hands, and just being in the moment.

6.  Insert your own random thought here.

 We've turned our cat into an addict and she's driving us mad. Princess Cookie Cat is currently sitting opposite us in the lounge room, intermittently meowing quite loudly, trying to convince us to go into the kitchen and give her a cat treat. Without realising it, both of us had been giving her treats when we went in the kitchen and now she expects them all the time, and if we don't give her some she tries to wear us down with her meowing. She's still totally adorable, but she can give the worst death stare when we try and ignore her.

The picture of total innocence when she's sleeping

 What have you been grateful for this month? Before you go, make sure you pop over to Joyce's blog From This Side of the Pond and see what my fellow bloggers have come up with.

Until next time, be good, stay safe, and think of three things you're grateful for right now.

Pamela & Ken
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P.S: I'm now going to give in and give the demented feline some treats.