30.12.08

This Robin was the first bird to venture into the garden for the Christmas leftovers I put out this morning. Unfortunately the masses of black birds scared him off before I got a closer shot.

29.12.08

I've been holding onto these sparkly letter stickers for over two months now, waiting for something nice to use them for. I thought they deserved a photo as I appear to have become quite attached to them and they're about to get used up.

28.12.08

I love cats, but not so keen on the whiny one from next door. Especially when I walk into the living room in my pajamas and it's watching me through the window.

27.12.08

Too ill to be bothered with blogging - I've had a stinking cold since Christmas day.

26.12.08

A nice long Boxing Day walk to build up our appetites for turkey leftovers.

25.12.08

A traditional Griffiths family Christmas starts with a posh breakfast. Bucks fizz, croissants and smoked salmon.

24.12.08

In the words of Willy Wonka, 'So much time and so little to do...Strike that, reverse it'.

Right now I look as disheveled as the angel on my Christmas tree.

It was only after taking this photo that it dawned on me what an odd collection of Christmas Angels I own.

23.12.08

I rewarded my efforts at last minute Christmas shopping/wrapping with a vintage chocolate button. They came in a beautiful Tiffany blue box and it was as much fun opening the tissue paper inside as it was eating one.

22.12.08

The bright lights of Wolverhampton on the way to the Civic to see Ocean Colour Scene. We followed up the gig with a late night Christmas food shop at Asda.

21.12.08

A very traditional winter afternoon at Mom's house. Family, food and fire.

20.12.08

My monthly ladies night out started with a very swish G&T with my Mom before I left.

19.12.08

We had a lovely leaving/Christmas/birthday party at lunchtime today. But not even a gingerbread house could stop us feeling sad about losing one of Comms 4.

18.12.08

It's funny the things you hold onto. A ring my Grandpa never wore and a sentimental little book from the sixties accompanied me on my train journey home from work today.

17.12.08

We are losing one of Comms 4 on Friday, so today we went out for a farewell lunch. As with many a good meal, it started with bread and ended in espresso.

16.12.08

Guides Christmas Party! Marshmallow snowmen and iced ginger hearts. Luckily there were enough sweets left over for me to make a batch of snowmen for the office.

15.12.08

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

14.12.08

Home and unpacking. Too busy catching up this blog to worry about the composition for today's photo.

13.12.08

Ended the holiday as we began, with drinks from the cool box.

12.12.08

Macy's Holiday Parade at Universal. Very cheesy but charming all the same. I ran into Santa later on that evening at the hotel.

11.12.08

We went to the mall today, but ended up having more of an adventure in the local Wallgreen's Drugstore buying blue mascara and Swedish Fish.

10.12.08

Sometimes shots just don't work how I want them to, but I think this works in it's own way.

09.12.08

Went on the ride, saw the trooper, had to get the t-shirt for my collection.

08.12.08

Busch Gardens had some incredible animals, the tigers were beautiful.

07.12.08

Shopping - New Boots!

06.12.08

I didn't manage any photos that did the cars at Old Town justice, but this is a nice example of the amazing paintwork on some of the cars at the Saturday Cruise.

05.12.08

One for the boys today, Kennedy Space Centre.

04.12.08

Universal's Islands of Adventure had the best selection of rides by far, Spiderman, the Hulk and Jurrassic Park all in one place! I have to go back for the Harry Potter ride when it's finished...

03.12.08

Did you know America runs on Dunkin's? 13 years have past and I still love these donuts!

02.12.08

Tourists must all come away from Orlando with almost identical holiday snaps, and I'm no exception. I had lots of photos from the Shamu show at Sea World but decided to share this Dolphin because I love the perfect line of teeth on show.

01.12.08

Disney's Magic Kingdom and Epcot today. The giant golf ball at Epcot doesn't look so space age any more now I'm so used to the Birmingham Selfridges building.

30.11.08

Our first theme park. Today we rode Jaws, The Mummy, Men in Black, ET and the new Simpsons ride.

29.11.08

A cool box of soda and beer welcomed us to our holiday when we arrived at Orlando airport, just like when I used to visit as a child.

28.11.08

The night before holiday, all packed and clothes out ready for our 5am start. I am REALLY excited!

I've been wanting to go back to Orlando for over a decade. So although I will be taking daily photos I won't post anything here until I get back. I think it will do me good to have two weeks cold turkey. No blog. No laptop. No Facebook. A proper break.

See you in a fortnight...

27.11.08

A quick trip to Spitalfields Market.

26.11.08

I've been really busy this week, but each day when I've got home from work Stu has been in the kitchen plating up my dinner for me. Mmmm...

25.11.08

How to keep an 11 year old happy for an hour:
Glue
Googly eyes
Pom Poms from some cheap boots
Woolly hat off an Innocent Smoothie

Looking back at the last month, Guiding appears to be taking control of my blog (as well as my evenings, weekends and lunch hours).

24.11.08

Five sleeps left until we fly to the Sunshine State!

Which means only five evenings left to get on top of a mountain of Guide stuff. Why is it that when it's voluntary you feel more compelled to put in the extra hours?

23.11.08

Eat me! Eat me!

These foam mushroom sweets are Stuart's favourite, but this big box of them is for a Guide activity - they will eventually become hats for Marshmallow snowmen.

22.11.08

I passed my Driving Theory test today. I really have no excuse not to learn now, best find myself an instructor. Eek!

21.11.08

Another day, another gig. Tonight it was T Ford and The Sun Kings at the village hall.

20.11.08

When the security guard searching your handbag comments on its well co-ordinated contents, you really have to ask yourself, have I gone too far?

19.11.08

I love the way the mug only appears in the lens. This shot using Mom's magnifying glass may lead to more, hopefully taken in better light but with the same beautiful table as a backdrop. Very Sherlock Holmes.

18.11.08

My quick snap of the Codsall village Christmas lights on the way home from Guides didn't really do it justice.

17.11.08

Porquoi m'accuser, moi?

16.11.08

What happens when two Guide leaders get together after not seeing each other for 12 months? A long gossip while trying out a second hand badge maker.

15.11.08

Today we tried out the new Cosford to Marylebone train service and spent the day at Borough Market and the South Bank. Pottering about by the river is one of my favourite things to do.

14.11.08

Shopping for craft equipment brought a welcome relief to hard few days. I can't wait for my holiday.

13.11.08

No time for playing with the camera today. A quick shot from the bedroom window this morning was all I could manage.

12.11.08

I took photographs to represent November for the County calendar this evening. Took this shot as a group of girls started stuffing their guy.

11.11.08

'You could fit two dead bodies in that boot.'

Carolyn lucked out with her courtesy car after an accident a few weeks ago. Note the seat heater button above the screen. It is an enormous car but very cool.