Well, here’s the first of our Tuesday Teasers.  I will try not to make them too difficult to guess, and will add a little clue if I think it’s needed.

The first person to guess the item correctly gets a Magnabeetle of their choice.  Have fun!

They’ve been around for generations
Nothing much has changed
Now they’re made by automation
But the end result’s the same

You can find this item in many countries around the world  Though they may not all look the same, the portion shown in this photo is a must.

Now I think that’s enough clues – start guessing!

**EDIT** If by my bedtime tonight, which is about 2am UK time, nobody has come close, I will add a second photo and clue to help you, and let it run until someone either gets it right or I think that nobody will.  In the event of nobody getting it right I will decide if anyone is close enough to get the Magnabeetle.

We hope you all have a happy and peaceful 2010.

Oops! Should I have used my header doodle?  Well this is the real me doodle – just this once.

We’re getting ready for a family gathering with lots of games tonight.  Hopefully we will have fun.  We will be remembering Sindie especially, as this was always her night.  She organized all the games, and laughed uncontrollably, all night long.  I expect we will raise a glass to her.

Happy New Year!

Because it was Bank Holiday this weekend, and because my sister has come over from Spain and is staying with Mo and I at the moment, I have had no time to write a post.  I thought I would shift the reponsibility over to you, my readers.

Most of us know the famous line from the film ‘Love Story’, but for those of you who don’t it’s  “Love is never having to say you’re sorry” I don’t believe it’s true, far from it actually.  I think we all have to say sorry to our loved ones, often.

Anyway, what I want to know is what you think love is.  It can be as serious or as funny as you like, and you can list as many as you want to.

OK, I know, this is a filler post and I’m asking you to do all the work but humour me, please.

Love is……..

I know I said that I wouldn’t write award posts, but I did say that I might at times.  This is one of those times and you’ll probably see why as you read on.

I received these two awards from Annie @ A nice place in the sun.  The first one is ‘The 2009 Friendly Blogger Award’.  I know I’m not with Blogger but I used to be so I hope that counts.

The second one is ‘The Zombie Chicken Award’  This one, not only made me chuckle but it made me fluff my feathers a bit.  When you read the rules you see that it’s quite an honour to receive this award.

The rules of the zombie chicken say…..

“The blogger who receives this award believes in the Tao of the zombie chicken – excellence, grace and persistence in all situations, even in the midst of a zombie apocalypse. These amazing bloggers regularly produce content so remarkable that their readers would brave a raving pack of zombie chickens just to be able to read their inspiring words. As a recipient of this world-renowned award, you now have the task of passing it on to at least 5 other worthy bloggers. Do not risk the wrath of the zombie chickens by choosing unwisely or not choosing at all…”

To think that anybody would brave a raving pack of zombie chickens just to read my words is amazing, if not stupid!

Well I have chosen just some of the many blogs I read regularly and who I think deserve, firstly

‘The 2009 Friendly Blogger Award’

There are so many bloggers that show warmth and friendliness, but I can’t possibly list them all, so here are just five of them.

Eric & Flynn’s mum @ Two Devon Cats
Mary @ Work of the Poet
Sandee @ Comedy Plus
Penny @ Black Cats Follies
Speedy @ Speed Cat Hollydale

Now ‘The Zombie Chicken award’

I dread to think what a zombie chicken would be like, let alone a whole pack of them, but I would brave them to read your blogs, honest.

Kathy @ The Junk Drawer
JD @ I Do Things
Drowsey @ Drowsey Monkey
Jay @ The Depp Effect
Jenn @ Cabbages ‘n’ Kings
Maureen @ I’d rather be blogging
Swubird @ Swubird’s Nest

You can either take these awards and post them, or you can just say thank you and leave them here.  But remember, you risk the wrath of the zombie chickens if you do not pass that one on.

I know Leona Lewis may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but I was listening to this track in iTunes and just had to post it. It’s one of my favourites at the moment. I love the music build up throughout the song. I can imagine myself playing in that band

You need to turn up the volume on this one!   I do – nice and loud!

What I like about Leona Lewis, besides her unique voice, is that she is a sweet, unassuming and gentle person.  I hope she stays that way.

I was so surprised that two people were only one away from the correct number of Maltesers in the jug, and that they were either side of the correct number!   Now, without any further ado…..

….. the winners are …..

JenniJ From in the Bubble – who guessed 184

Kathy The Junk Drawer – who guessed 182

The correct number was 183!

As JenniJ was the first to make her guess, she can choose if she wants the Magnebeetle or the EC’s.  Kathy can have what’s left!  No, not really.  Kathy can also choose.   Can anyone tell me how many EC’s I need to send for the recipient to actually get 500?

Well done both of you and thank you all for taking part.  It’s been such fun – especially having to eat the evidence!

My somewhat depleted box of Maltesers

I won’t be around much (if at all) on Sunday, so I thought I’d give you an update on the Maltesers Competition.

We have two people who have guessed within one of the correct amount!  Unless someone comes up with the correct number it looks like we have the winners!

I’ll let you know who they are on Monday.

It’s here! My 1st Blogoversary. I know I had a false alarm once before but it’s one year today since I started blogging publicly.  Drowsey Monkey sent me this cake a long time back and I bet she thought I’d forgotten it.  There’s also some cute little cupcakes, I baked myself – remember, I lie!

What a year it’s been.  I found lots of great blogs to read, made many lovely friends.  I’ve learned a lot of American talk, and probably left a lot of British talk around in comments too.  I’ve become confused as to how to spell certain words like humor…er.. I mean humour, and Mo recognizes the back of my head more than the front now.  She’s acclimatized to the sudden outbursts of laughter that interrupt her TV viewing at regular intervals, and often pauses her programme so I can read her whatever it was that caused such laughter.  It’s been a great year.

As it’s my blogging birthday, It seemed fitting to mark this milestone with something, so let me introduce you to the Magnebeetle!

Yes it’s a Beetle fridge magnet, and you can win one of these – you know you want one….. don’t you?  Oh oka-a-y, if you would rather, you can have 500 EC credits.

I thought I would make this even more yummy by having a ‘How many Maltesers are in the jug’ competition.  I have to admit, it is more yummy for me than any of you though!

I don’t know if you all have Maltesers, so to help you get an idea of the size, here’s me holding one.  The jug is 7 1/2 inches from top to bottom.

I will also tell you that Mo bought a large box, so there are quite a few in the jug.

I think I will have two prizes, well I’m like that.  The first two correct guesses will win.  If there isn’t a correct guess, the first two people who guess the closest to the correct number will win.

I will keep this post up for a few days, to give everyone a chance.  Happy guessing!

I was tagged for this meme by Kat of Candles, Crafts and Whatnot.  Well, I kind of tagged myself because I thought it was a good one to do, so she very kindly tagged me anyway.

The Rules for the MEME are:

1. Put your Music Player on shuffle.
2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.
3. YOU MUST WRITE THAT SONG NAME DOWN NO MATTER HOW SILLY IT SOUNDS.
4. Tag your friends – Well I won’t tag but feel free to do it if you like.

I have 1437 songs in my iTune library.  My taste in music  is exceptionally diverse, so I thought it would pick a great mixture.  My iTunes could do with a lesson in shuffling because it not only picked out some of the more boring albums, that I never listen to, it repeated albums and didn’t go near many of my favourites!  But I stuck to the rules, even though I wanted to try again.

So here is the list it chose for me anyway.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOURSELF?
* Can’t Help But Wonder Where I’m Bound – Tom Paxton (Pretty true of most of my life)

WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A BOY?
* Unbreak My Heart – Il Divo (Who doesn’t?)

HOW DO YOU FEEL TODAY?
* Oh Boy! – Buddy Holly (That just about says it)

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE’S PURPOSE?
* Crying Game – Boy George (Never!)

WHAT’S YOUR MOTTO?
* You Raise Me Up – Paul Potts (I suppose that could be true)

WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU?
* Take a Look at me Now – Phil Collins ;O)

WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU?
* I’m You – Leona Lewis (That may be about right, if my parents were alive)

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT VERY OFTEN?
* I Can’t Get Started – Rod Stewart (Ha ha! That’s soooo true)

WHAT IS 2 + 2?
* All I Really Want – Alanis Morisette (!!)

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR BEST FRIEND?
* Calling Me Angel – KD Lang (??)

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY?
* Fire – Alison Moyet (It certainly has been in the past)

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
* My One True Friend – Bette Midler (Well I am trying to love myself. Does that count?)

WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
* Shake Your Body Down – Odyssey (He he)

WHAT WILL/DID YOU DANCE TO AT YOUR WEDDING?
* Bésame Mucha – Sally Doherty (If I knew what it meant I might know if is is apt)

WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL?
* Angel Eyes – Bryan Ferry & Roxy Music  (That would be nice)

WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST?
* É Luxo Só – Sally Doherty (Anybody understand this?)

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST FEAR?
* Don’t Stop The dance – Bryan Ferry & Roxy Music  (Yep I want to live for a long time yet)

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET?
* Chimes of Freedom – Joan Baez & Bob Dylan (??)

WHAT DO YOU WANT RIGHT NOW?
* You Are Loved – Josh Groban (??)

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS?
* Jagged Little Pill – Alanis Morisette (I haven’t listened to all of these lyrics, but it doesn’t sound too nice)

WHAT WILL YOU POST THIS AS?
* Blue Moon – Rod Stewart

*Don’t forget my 1st Blogoversary here on 27th.  There’ll be a fun competition and some cake :O)

I Was given this award by Kat at Candles, Crafts and Whatnot I liked the sentiment so decided to post this one.

I must list 5 reasons why I think my life is “grand” I am supposed to pass it on, but any of you that would like to do it are welcome.

I think my life is grand because:

1. I have everything I need to have a happy life, but still have things to hope for.

2. I have a lot of hobbies to keep my mind active, like playing guitar, photography, painting and let’s not forget blogging!

3.  Since I started blogging, I have made some wonderful friends from different parts of the world. I didn’t expect it, or think it was possible!

4. I’m able to laugh easily. Every day Mo and I have a laugh and giggle over something, sometimes bringing tears to our eyes. Of late it has often been when Mo is on our Wii :O)

5. I have my faith. It has changed my life immeasurably, making me a much happier and more relaxed person.

I also received this award from Shinade at The painted Veil that came with a lovely message for me :O)

Thank you both!

One last thing!

If you look over at my sidebar you will see that it’s not long now to my first blogoversary.  Watch out for a fun post!