Warning: Do NOT Press The Red Button (hehe)

Put The Big Red Button on your site

Made On Graphita

Made On Graphita, originally uploaded by LadyBanana.

Feeling kind of stuck inside today so been playing with photos (again!) at a new site I just came across - Graphita

This Is Not Good News

What a weekend its turning out to be, severe weather warnings of more torrential rain for most of England and now the terror alert for UK is critical.. See BBC

Please can we have some GOOD news, oh and some good weather!

A Really Lovely Kitty Story

Unbelievable but true, this lovely kitty turned up 10 years after disappearing from home - click the pic for full story..

One Minute Space Art

This is amazing... Just wanted to share it!

The 1 Minute Painting - video powered by Metacafe

Smoking Ban Survey For England

A local radio station here in London is running a survey on the Smoking Ban which comes into effect tomorrow at 6am. There are 2 separate surveys for smokers and non-smokers.

I have nothing to do with this survey, only that I am a very keen supporter of this ban and feel relieved that I will soon be able to go out to any pub, restaurant or public building and not have to smell, inhale or leave stinking of other peoples smoke!

But I add the survey here as it would be great to get as many people as possible to complete it! Obviously it's just for those affected by this new ban ie.. Those currently living in England..

So to add your views go here to LBC

Another Nice Way To Display Photos

Came across Vuvox where I created very very simply, this photoslider display.. There are several options so you change the way it displays - it's worth a little play around with!

You can use photo's from Flickr, Picasa or an RSS Feed.

My Cutty Sark Photo Is Displayed!

A few weeks ago I received an email from Schmap. I had never heard of them but it's a site that lists attractions and landmarks in London, an online tourist guide.

They asked my permission to use a photo I had taken of the Cutty Sark and have displayed on Flickr. There is no fee for it but I agreed feeling quite pleased that one of my humble photos was considered to be good enough to display.

Today I recieved a further email to inform me that it was now being displayed on the Schmap page.

To see it click the link above and go to Cutty Sark entry!

The photo itself is even more interesting now as the poor old Cutty Sark was totally burnt out in a fire on 21st may 2007.

Work, Makeover And A Meal

Today was very busy at work, as usual. Only had time to use Twittermail a couple of times, but it did make me feel quite pleased, being able to twit from work.

When I had finished working instead of coming straight home I hopped on a bus and went down to Oxford Street, had a browse around the shops then met up with my partner for a lovely meal in Garfunkels.

Whilst I was browsing in Debenhams, I was approached by one of the ladies from a beauty counter asking if I'd like a makeover, normally I say no, but as I was about to meet my partner I thought why not, nice to make a bit of an effort! So she layered on all different types of gloopy stuff and I was quite impressed with the end result actually. Then she wanted to sell me all the products at a special discount of £40, so I made my excuses and left. I do wear very minimal makeup but I wouldn't spend that much in one go!

Just About To Go To Bed When,

I came across this - Twittermail

This enables you to Twitter from your email account, which is brilliant as I will now be able to twitter from work and no one will notice as it's OK for me to have my email open but not really to be looking at websites or have chats open! It is the NHS after all..LOL

Anyway, back to the idea of bed, I know it's only about 9pm but I am really knackered, it's felt like a very long day workwise and I'm starting to seriously think about a job change, I have been there 7.5 years now!

Something to think about...

Simply Mesmerizing

Came across these beautiful dancers - Thousand-Hand Guan Yin, just had to share it here.

I Want To Ride A Bicycle

Recently I keep thinking about cycling. I've not ridden a bike in years but it seems so appealing to me, apart from the thought of cycling through London traffic that is! I don't own a bike and I'm not sure if I should buy one as who knows it may be a short lived fascination. Plus the fact I have no suitable place to keep it and the weather is frequently too awful to venture out on two wheels.

So an alternative would be to hire one to see how I like it, I may have lost the skill of cycling now... (hehehe) As I walk to work every day, I pass by these bikes, they are waiting to be hired, and it seems no one uses them as they are always there.. So I am very tempted.. Maybe when the weather improves!

They can be hired from HERE

Monday Mumblings

This evening is really rather chilly. Quite glad to have the laptop right here on my lap keeping me warm.

Last night I joined Jyte and was quite transfixed with it, voting thumbs up, thumbs down for all sorts of things and also making a few claims myself.. Funny thing though when I looked at it this morning I wondered why I had been so immersed in it, as in the light of day it seems rather ridiculous.. It has the potential to be very good but the sort of silly nonsensical claims being made there spoil it for me - maybe because I'm past my teens! Anyone used/using it? let me know what you think..

This morning I had the perfect excuse for not doing much as I was waiting in for an electrician to call to change my electricity meter for one that actually belongs in this century! It didn't take too long and I wasn't without power for too long either.

Whilst wasting time this morning I came across this video of a "talking" cat - well I don't know what it's saying but it certainly made my (neighbours) cat (who was sleeping on the sofa beside me) leap up with total confusion on her face. She climbed all over me and the laptop in an effort to work out who and where the "talking" was coming from. It was very funny.. If you have a cat, play this in earshot of the cat and see what happens!



Then I went to work, I hate the start of the week, back to working in the horrible little room with no window so no natural light, I privately call it my prison cell as that's I how I feel imprisoned there for up to 8 hours a day..

Crap Weekend..

This weekend has been pretty crap. Lots of tension in the flat. My youngest, E, continues to try to sort out her stuff. That's all the stuff she bought back from uni. My older daughter, R, and her are frequently bickering and yelling about something or other. Music continually blaring from the bedrooms, which winds me up no end. I went down to her room and turned it down, as you may well imagine she was not amused, it wasn't long before she turned it up again.

I think the next few days are still going to be difficult. I think it's going to take a while for E to settle back into home life and accept that she cannot do as she probably has for the last 9 months living in her own place. I bet by the time she does settle down it'll be time for her to return to uni, she has another 2 years to go!

It's crazy, when E left to go to uni I was very upset. I missed her a lot and found it difficult to get used to her being away, being my youngest baby and all that. Now she's back it raises feelings in me I don't quite understand. I guess because you get used to a situation and then its all upheaval again. Can't live with 'em, cant live without 'em.

Then comes the issue of mealtimes. I usually don't mind cooking. Fairly simple healthy food most of the time. But having one with total dairy allergy, one vegetarian and still accommodating the likes and dislikes of us all, it makes cooking a rather tiring chore. Added to that everyone comes home at different times expecting, hoping for something nice to eat. I am not running a cafe here is what they need to understand. I work full time and perhaps it would be nice to come home sometimes and be cooked for - I dream on ...

I don't think it helps that I seem to be entering that PMS time of the month, where I find it hard to tolerate anything I find I don't particularly like.

Th weather has been completely crap as well, it's been very cold, dull and wet. Not conducive to a day out at all. Then it's going to be back to work tomorrow for another 5 days, I could scream, I so need something "nice" to happen.

Maybe next weekend....

Glastonbury Music and MUD!

Can you imagine camping in a mud bath? Slopping around all dirty and wet for 3 days? Well this is what happens when you go to the Glastonbury Music Festival!

I just cannot understand how anyone let alone 177,500 people are keen to do this each year! I know they don't go for the mud but for the music, but more often than not, it rains and rains...

Good luck to them I say, looks like this couple are enjoying themselves!



More on Glastonbury HERE

My Saturday

Today has been a bit of a messy day in that I've done bit and pieces but nothing particularly great. Took a whole load of clothes and unwanted stuff to the PDSA charity shop in the local high street.

Popped into Specsavers and tried on lots and lots of glasses as I think it's time for a change.. just going to take a long time to make up my mind. However they do have offers on at the moment, so maybe better decide soon!

Took a couple of pictures of my visiting cat and local flowers. Dying to get out somewhere different and take a whole lot of (hopefully) interesting photos. I don't know anyone else who enjoys simply taking photos for the fun of it, would be nice to have a snapping buddy! Any offers? lol

Was very lazy today as I didn't feel like cooking so bought pizzas from Sainsburys - 2 for £4.00, cheap as well as easy!

My local high street has more than it's share of £1 shops... But I notice lately a lot of things they sell there I can buy elsewhere for well under £1. So be careful, all is not as it seems.

Do other countries have the equivalent of these cheap (sometimes) £1 shops?

Right, now time for a little browsing, see if I can find anything interesting and new to do!

Is This Blog Safe For All?

Yep, seems it is!




Found this at CyberChocolate

"Shouting" At Bugs

As you may well already know my neighbours cat is a frequent visitor. She's so funny sometimes the way she "shouts" at flying insects! This evening I had my mobile phone close to hand so quickly took this little video of her. It's not very good quality and somehow the lip sync isn't quite perfect but it's her making the funny noises!

Gold Star Tomorrow!

Way back in July 2000, not long after getting my first PC (I was an Amiga user before that) I joined my first ever social site FEESCH. This is a site purely for UK users, which used to be limited to ICQ users only. In recent months however with the decline of ICQ usage it has opened to others (still UK only though)

I met online and offline quite a few people from Feesch and attended a few of the meet ups a few years ago. But I've not really used it much recently.. I think my life has changed so much over the past few years and I don't seem to have enough time to get as involved. Also since being with my partner I am no longer a "free" woman and that led to a very sudden drop in people chatting to me, both through Feesch and MSN.. Oh the guys I thought were "friends" were so obviously not and just sniffing around like dogs.

Another negative for Feesch is that your profile is limited to a very small amount of characters unless you pay £10 per year. While this is not a huge amount of money it's difficult to justify when there are so many more alternatives around these days. My extended page was paid for by a very kind and generous co-feescher, but this expires sometime later this year and I doubt I will renew, although I'm sure I will remain a member but with limited profile.

Anyway back to the point.. I just received an email informing me that tomorrow I will be Gold Star for the day on the Feesch pages. This is randomly picked and highlights one lucky user for 24 hours!

Thursday Thoughts

I'm so relieved it's Thursday evening.. it's been a long and sometimes difficult week for me. Hassles at work and home have left me feeling rather stressed out and I'm getting (I think) a crop of mouth ulcers which so often happens when I get tired and/or stressed. Just got Friday to go but I only do a half day which usually goes quite fast!

My flat is still looking a bit like a garage sale but it's not as bad, my daughter will hopefully get it all sorted at the weekend.

Today being the 21st June is the longest day of the year, quite a depressing thought that from now on the nights will be drawing in again. We've not even reached proper summer and the daylight hours are already in decline.

On that note I need to book a holiday, seems I'm not going to get to Dubai anytime soon so maybe it's time to look for a nice cheap deal to Greece, Spain, Portugal or somewhere nice. Just need to get away from the hustle and bustle of London for a bit.

Home To The Tip

My home looks like a tip right now and I can't imagine how all this stuff is going to settle in with us.

This "stuff" all belongs to my daughter who has, today, come home from uni for the summer! It's amazing how much stuff she has amassed over the past 9 months, everything you can imagine and more.

How one young lady needs so many shoes is beyond me, she must have enough pairs to have worn a different one each day for the entire 9 months!

Anyway, better keep this short as she needs my help in hiding some of the stuff to enable us to have room to move around in this tiny flat... wish me luck!

I Did The Colour Quiz

I took the Colour Quiz and here is the outcome:


Imaginative and sensitive; seeking an outlet for these qualities--especially in the company of someone equally sensitive. Interest and enthusiasm are readily aroused by the unusual or the adventurous.

Has an unsatisfied need to ally herself with others whose standards are as high as her own, and to stand out from the herd. This desire for preeminence isolates her and inhibits her readiness to give herself freely. While she wants to surrender and let herself go, she regards this as a weakness which must be resisted. This self-restraint, she feels, will lift her above the rank and file and ensure recognition as a unique and distinctive personality.

Willing to participate and to allow herself to become involved, but tries to fend off conflict and disturbance in order to reduce tension.

Believes that she is not receiving her share--that she is neither properly understood nor adequately appreciated. Feels that she is being compelled to conform, and close relationships leave her without any sense of emotional involvement.

Feels that things stand in her way, that circumstances are forcing her to compromise and forgo some pleasures for the time being.

Intense, vital, and animated, taking a delight in action. Activity is directed towards success or conquest and there is a desire to live life to the fullest.

Takes a delight in action and wants to be respected and esteemed for her personal accomplishments.

Now some of that does ring very true, but being a cynic I don't really believe in such things - interesting though..

The Endless Task Continues...

All day I have been continuing my scanning and the excitement is starting to wear very thin. I keep wondering why the hell I'm doing this, who even cares, do I? The photos do not even look that good, it's shocking to see the poor quality of photos we used to have to put up with. But now I have done so much of it I don't want to give up or it's just silly...

Anyway I've taken a break for now, just hope I still have some motivation to continue later, or tomorrow, or the next day or week.. Hmmm... no, seriously it must not be left half done! Just got to make sure no one comes along and mixes up the piles I have and haven't done!

Scanning The Past

Today I have done something I have wanted to do for a long long time! I have made a good start on scanning in the photos of many years gone by. Photos of my children as babies, growing up over the years, I can't believe we had so many birthday cakes!

There are still absolutely piles of them left to do, and then after that I have loads of very very old photos in black and white. Some of them I'm not even sure who they are, but they came from my parents house when I had the unenviable task of clearing it about 10 years ago.

It's a real trip down memory lane and I'm so pleased I have begun. Got a long way to go but maybe I'll have another session tomorrow, especially if it's a bit stormy and wet out as it was today. Not sure if I'm going to make them public or keep them just private for family.. Maybe I'll pick a few for posting..

Thursday Things

Had a very busy day at work today, Thursdays usually are though. Things happened today that made me rather happy, rather pleased with myself, I'm not going into details but it was something I've been quite angry about for several days but today it was resolved and has turned out OK.. Makes a change to feel good about things at work!

Last November a colleague and good friend of mine retired from work and went to sort out building her house in her home of Mauritius. Today she came to visit us and show pictures of the house, it's absolutely fabulous. She's only here in London for a short time while she sorts out more of her belongings as she prepares for her final big move, but it was lovely to see her, I do miss her!

Then on my way home from work I popped in to Sainsburys (a big supermarket) to get some bits for tonights dinner (curry - yum!) There I was watching the sheer quantity of carrier bags people were using, this being despite the fact that Sainsburys has twice recently given away loads of strong re-usable bags. I wonder was it actually worth it! Must add however, that I did re-use mine...

Noticed a new video upload facility here within blogger, so thought I'd give it a go with a little movie I made of my visiting cat (from next door). She loves this furry cushion and sometimes pads away at it for ages with that far away gaze in her eyes...

I've Been At It Again!

I've been at it again, thats Cameroid-ing again! Some I've added a little photoshopping as well...

I know they're silly but it's fun.. see more of them at FLICKR

Can You Spot A Fake?

Lots of pictures, some real some fake, but can you tell which is which..

I did the quiz and this is my score:

You answered 36 items out of 50 correctly.

Your score is 72%. Good job!

To try yourself click HERE!

Not Sure About Facebook

Sometime ago I joined Facebook, I don't know why it just seemed like one of those things I wanted to join. However as much as I think it's really quite fun, I'm not sure about it as I think I must be about the oldest on it. I mean there are not many around from the dark ages on there!!

I think it's unlikely I will find any of my old classmates, I have done a little searching but just as I thought came up with no one, well not from my era anyway.

I was born in Oxford and grew up in a little town of Witney and was pleased that it is actually in the list!!

I suppose it doesn't really matter as there are no rules and it's all free, so I'll just hang around in the background, forever the wallflower and see how it develops..

Ohh and it's sometimes quite nice to take a peek at my kids (grown ups) profiles.. hehehe...

(If any nice persons would like to add me and befriend me there that's fine LOL)

It's Only Tuesday

Last night I slept with my new chillow pillow.. from about 11pm till 1.30am that is.. then I woke up feeling very hot. The pillow was no longer nice n cool but hot and seemingly radiating heat. I got up went to the loo, got a cool drink and went back to bed, hoping it would be again cool, but alas it was still very warm.. so I gave up with it and used another ordinary pillow without the chillow inserted. I never did get back to a quality sleep so have been tired all day..

Work was busy and on more than one occasion I had to stifle a yawn as I was speaking to both patients and colleagues. It was one of those days, even though busy, just seems to go on and on, so that by the time I left for home I really felt like I'd been there for at least 2 days, it must be Wednesday by now..

I would like to do something different tomorrow, but I doubt that's going to happen!

Now This Is Cool!

A few weeks ago I completed an online survey for MySay. Then I forgot about it, as you do. However a few days later I received an email informing me I had won a £25 Amazon Voucher! I was so pleased as I don't remember winning anything ever before!


So I began scouring the pages of Amazon to find something nice.. Then amazingly I came across something I didn't even realise actually existed. It's something I had often joked about inventing myself when I was feeling very hot on my pillow in bed, you know, when you just can't find a cool spot to rest your head..

Well it's the Chillow Pillow I ordered it straight away!!

So today it arrived.. I've had to fill it with 2 litres of water, roll it up to expel as much air as possible and now its settling down and hopefully I'm going to have a nice cool place to rest my head all night long! I'll let you know how it goes!!

26 Years And Changes

Today is my sons 26th birthday and it's the first birthday he has spent away from home. Well, when I say home I mean London as he had lived in his own flat for quite a while before. Now he's in Dubai it feels very different. This time last year he had a barbecue party at his flat with us and all his friends.. So today I woke up feeling a little sad, but after ringing him this evening and hearing how happy he is and hearing how his housemates have made him a wonderful meal and bought pressies for him I feel a whole lot happier.

I do find birthdays one of those times that really rubs it in how things have changed recently - how I am now barely needed as a mother. I know thats the natural way of things and I'm happy my "kids" are all growing up so well.

But now I need more in my own life, something to fill the ever increasing gaps, but I really don't know what to do now. I'd love to travel more but it's so costly and with a full time job 5 weeks holiday a year isn't going to take me very far...

A whole change of life would be wonderful and recently as I read Jo's blog "A Boatwomans Diary" I try to imagine what that might be like, living on a boat... Well I guess I'll never know..

New SlideFlickr Shows

I love this new site SlideFlickr which enables you to embed the new style Flickr slideshows using your choice of photos. This slideshow is my "Most Interesting" photos...

Phozi Play With Your Photos

Another site to play with photos either uploaded or from your webcam!

The Wonder Drug

This is just an update for anyone who may be interested, on a post I wrote a couple of weeks ago HERE about my migraines. As I said I was given a new medicine to try called Zomig and today I had to use it for the first time.

I was feeling all the typical symptoms and as I was at work I was really hoping not to get a full blown migraine. So with doubts in my mind, I took the pill and amazingly, wonderfully it worked. It gave me about 95% relief within an hour and that was enough to enable me to get through a busy noisy afternoon at work in a baby clinic!

So to me it's a wonder drug and if it works like this every time I will be one very happy lady!

Relief For Another Year

I now feel very relieved. Just got back from the hospital and everything is fine. I have very "nodular" breasts but no problems. Just have to repeat the whole process in a years time, which is good, very reassuring!

Next to the hospital is Hampstead Heath a beautiful large green wooded area, with a pond where I took some photos today. I arrived early for my appointment so better than sitting in the waiting room I strolled to the heath and spotted a delightful family of swans..

It was a real pleasure to spend some time out in the open when usually I'd be sitting at work in my miserable dull little room with no windows.... If only was rich enough to give it all up!

Click HERE for all my Hampstead Heath photos!

Results Tomorrow...

Tomorrow I have to visit the hospital for the result of my yearly mammogram. I'm not really worried but if honest I suppose there is a little anxious "what if" lurking in the back of my mind. Two years ago I had a large fibroadenoma removed under general anaesthetic - it actually sounds worse than it was, in fact I was surprised how little it hurt afterwards. I still had 2 weeks off work to recuperate though! I think the fine needle aspirations and biopsies I had before that were more frightening and painful!

The reason I have this yearly mammogram is because my sister was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 38, she struggled with it until it finally got the better of her and she passed away just 4 months after her 40th birthday.

So.. tomorrow will be a long day, work in the morning then off to the hospital - I don't think I will go back to work afterwards though, I'll tell them I was delayed in the hospital, I maybe go to the park and relax for a while, have a little time for myself. Just don't tell my boss!!

Draw And Dance

Something to amuse you for 10 minutes - maybe :)



Click to Play!

African Hunting Dogs

I made this little video when visiting London Zoo back in May. I only just found a piece of software to make it smaller and enable me to upload it to You Tube. If you're interested I used PocketDivX it was nice and easy!

Anyway, these are the African Hunting Dogs. We watched the zoo keepers string up the meat, hanging it just high enough so the dogs would have to work for their food. When the keepers were safely out of the enclosure then the dogs were set free to tear the meat apart and get their fill!

Let Me Get That Banana!

Just had to add this funny as it has a banana in it!!

Sunday Shopping Chores

The last few weeks I've been going through a frustrating phase of "what shall I wear?" Or rather what should I buy to wear... I no longer feel sure of what suits me or what I like. Don't want to dress too young or too old. Need to find clothes that fit my (I believe, difficult) shape. Things that mix and match with what I already have, things that do not cost the earth, and things that are fashionable enough but not too trendy that they last only a few months without looking "wrong"

Matters are made even more confusing as I have 2 daughters who are not afraid to tell me in no uncertain terms when I come home with something that is not right for me!

So today I went shopping in Oxford Street on my own in the hope of finding a few new bits and pieces. I did manage to get 3 tops and a (not particularly needed but it is a lovely green) handbag!

Next problem was shoes. At only 5ft 3 I would love to wear heels but as I tend to walk a lot rather than take the bus they are not that practical. Anyway to cut a very long story short I bought a pair of leather flip flops and some pretty black pumps.

Better keep them out of site of my girls or they will find something wrong with them!

As women we are supposed to love shopping, am I the ONLY one that finds clothes/shoe shopping such a chore?

21 Years Old - Again!

I agree I certainly don't always act my age but 21! I'm not sure about that. Not sure I have the energy of a 21 year old anyway!

You Are 21 Years Old

Under 12: You are a kid at heart. You still have an optimistic life view - and you look at the world with awe. 13-19: You are a teenager at heart. You question authority and are still trying to find your place in this world. 20-29: You are a twentysomething at heart. You feel excited about what's to come... love, work, and new experiences. 30-39: You are a thirtysomething at heart. You've had a taste of success and true love, but you want more! 40+: You are a mature adult. You've been through most of the ups and downs of life already. Now you get to sit back and relax.

What Age Do You Act?

Women In Art

A few days ago I posted this video on my StumbleUpon Page, but having visited the page today and watching this again I just have to add it here - I think it's beautiful, how about you?