Look what's cooking for dinner

Winter is rapidly approaching in New Zealand and the days are getting colder. Yesterday, we decided to take advantage of the cold weather by staying in, cranking up the heat and playing scrabble. I'm very competitive when participating in any form of indoor game, (probably to make up for the fact that I suck at outdoor sports), so when Whitesnake took the lead, I was not happy. Of course, we had to continue playing until I overtook him. This never happened. I won a couple of games but never caught up to him.  I had to acknowledge defeat and be named Whitesnake's Scrabble Bitch...until next time. Was lots of fun though.

Look what we're having for dinner...Whitesnake's going to cook it first, hehe. I'm preparing a soup for starters and we're opening a very special bottle of wine ( it was a Wedding pressie), to enjoy with our Pork Belly. Yum. I cannot wait.

Off to make soup preparations.

See you tomorrow.

Love KB
xxx
 

Happy birthday, dear blog

My dear blog will be six years old on Sunday. It's hard to believe I wrote my first entry so long ago. We've been through a lot together; the break up of a fifteen year marriage, the break down of me (OK, make that the many breakdowns of me), a new romance, a different life, a divorce and a happy marriage.

Pic source : by Petr Kratochvil

She's always been there for me. I used to get so lonely when my ex was away for his job.  I'd write about my day and things that were on my mind to share online with perfect strangers who became great friends.

Since I've met Whitesnake, my dear blog has become rather neglected. Now when I have something to share or discuss, I do so with best friend, Whitesnake.

I do believe now that I am happy and settled, it's time to dust her off and start blogging every day again. I've missed my old friend.

Hmmm, now what to write about?

See you tomorrow.

Love KB
xxx

Happy holidays

Our time off is going well. Hair cut, eyes tested, pjs and jacket bought and Japanese food eaten. Going to stay in for the rest of the day, it's raining cats and dogs.

Love KB
xxx

I'm so lucky

My man is cooking lunch for us and a friend. Fish, prawns and Chardonnay. He isn't making the Chardonny, hehe! I'm so lucky.

Love KB
xxx

Holiday time

Looking forward to spending some time chillin' out at home with Coco and Whitesnake.

Happy days.

Love KB
xxx

Out of control

In the past I was in a controlling relationship, but when I tried to reach out to certain people they said I was overreacting or I should stick around and sort through the problems in the relationship. Thankfully, I came to my senses and eventually left the relationship, but although I believed I was emotionally abused for a long period of time, a part of me still believed what I'd been told and that maybe it wasn't as bad as I remembered. Even as I write this I find myself editing myself in case he reads this. Still afraid to be me when it comes to him.

Anyway, today I was researching the subject of 'controlling behaviour' for an article I intended to write for the Helium website. I was shocked by what I read, the controlling behaviour described could have been written about him and the way I reacted to him, there it was in black and white. I felt sick at first, followed by anger and a few tears. I'm not sure how I feel now, but I feel better. Since I left, there have been days I have struggled with the past and how it has changed me. I have felt guilty for the way I left him, especially after he made himself the victim in all this. I know I have done wrong and have to accept some responsibility for the problems in the relationship, but it helps me to see it printed in black and white, by professionals, that the way he treated me was wrong and to know that I shouldn't have had to go through that. It wasn't my fault.


Thankfully, I have found a wonderful person who accepts and loves me just the way I am, doesn't want me to change into someone I'm not, treats me as an equal and listens to what I have to say. I'm truly thankful for him every day.

Well I finally finished my article, didn't need much research help in the end, I knew enough on the subject as it turns out.


Love KB
xxx

Book reviews: Song of Susannah, by Stephen King

Song of Susannah is the sixth book in Stephen King’s, The Dark Tower series. With over 400 pages of a blend of western, science fiction, horror and fantasy, it’s an intriguing read. As with earlier books in this series, it is important to read the previous instalments to fully appreciate this book.

The Dark Tower series centres on the last gunslinger Roland Deschain and his quest to reach the top of The Dark Tower. The tower is the point where the hearts of all worlds join and something or something is trying to destroy it. Roland’s character was inspired by the Man with No Name, which was portrayed by Clint Eastwood and from Robert Browning’s poem, Childe Roland to the Dark Tower Came. He begins his journey alone but encounters many friends and enemies along the way.

Song of Susannah continues from where the previous book The Waste Lands ends. Our hero and his travelling companions, a young boy Jake Chambers, his pet Oy, a Catholic priest Father Don Callaghan and Eddie Dean a heroin addict, are on a mission to find the woman of their group. She is pregnant and missing. The party is separated to different times and place Jake, Father Callaghan and Oy arrive in New York of 1999, while Roland and Eddie go back to Maine 1977.

Susannah Dean is on a mission of her own. Since her pregnancy, she has been suffering from split personalities and is mainly under the control of a demon named Mia. It is important to Mia that this baby is born in a certain place and she is determined to reach it.

This book includes the usual revelations and horrors we come to expect from Stephen King. The characters are like family to us now and easy to return to time and again. This book is certainly not my favourite of the series but the suspense kept me turning the pages. The most enjoyable parts for me were the incorporation of Stephen King the writer and Father Callaghan from Salem’s Lot, into Roland’s journey. I imagine there will be mixed reviews from Stephen King fans regarding this book but it is part of the journey which must be taken before the final book in the series can be read.

‘One more turn of the path, and then we reach the clearing. Come along with me, will ya not?’ – Stephen King.

Giving up wine

Thanks to my husband for forwarding this joke to me. It made me LOL!

I was walking down the street when I was accosted by a particularly dirty and shabby-looking homeless woman who asked me for a couple of quid for dinner.

I took out my wallet, got out a tenna and asked, 'If I give you this money, will you buy wine with it instead of dinner?'

'No, I had to stop drinking years ago', the homeless woman told me. 

'Will you use it to go shopping instead of buying food?' I asked.

'No, I don't waste time shopping,' the homeless woman said.
'I must spend my time trying to stay alive.'

'Will you spend this on a beauty salon instead of food?' I asked.
'Are you NUTS!'
replied the homeless woman. I haven't had my hair done in 20 years!'

'Well, I said, 'I'm not going to give you the money.
Instead, I'm going to take you to dinner with my husband and me tonight.'

The homeless woman was shocked. 'Won't your husband be furious with you for that.
I'm dirty, and I probably smell pretty disgusting.'

I said, 'That's okay. It's important for him to see what a woman looks like after she gives up shopping, hair appointments, and wine.'

Love KB
xxx

Poem : What's forever for?

What's forever for
If I can't be with you
Long years lie ahead
Meaningless without you

What's forever for    
When I'm frail and alone
Waiting for the end
A heart without a home

What's forever for
I question every day
How foolish I was
To let you slip away 

P.S. I got him back though, so it all worked out in the end :)

10 ideas for fun dates on a budget

Fun dates don’t have to break the budget. With a little planning and imagination, there are many ways to entertain each other without spending a lot of money.

1. Visit each others childhood neighbourhoods.

Checking out old schools, homes and hang outs is a great way to reconnect to the past and sharing the experience with a date is a fun way to learn more about each other.

2. Sightsee

Many people live in a town without knowing much about it and save their sightseeing for when away on holiday. Pick up a visitor’s guide and visit local tourist attractions. It’s fun to explore together and in some areas cheaper or free for locals.

3. Be creative

Draw a portrait, write a poem or love letter for each other. Listen to romantic music, open a bottle of wine and stare into each others eyes for inspiration. This will result in a beautiful drawing or poem to cherish or outbursts of laughter at your lack of creativity, either way, a fun time.

4. Walk hand in hand

Walking along a sun soaked beach, taking a moonlit stroll or an energetic hike are wonderful ways to improve health and romance. Take a camera along to record images of the day to relive the moments over and over again.

5. Share a picnic

A picnic is enjoyable indoors or outdoors. Sharing food together is a fabulous way to connect and have fun. A picnic doesn’t need to be extravagant.

6. Cook favourite meals

Lean each others favourite meals and cook them together or for each other. Set the table, light a few candles, burn essential oils and share the meals when the cooking is finished.

7. Visit a psychic

Lots of fun for believers or non believers alike.

8.Take a class together

There are so many fun classes available these days, check out local community centres and schools to find something to suit both tastes.

9. Host a potluck dinner and invite a few friends.

A good time will be had by all with as little or as much cost as the diners prefer.

10. Take in a dress rehearsal

Many theatres open dress rehearsals to the public. A great time at a fraction of the cost of the feature play/musical.

There are so many fun, inexpensive ways to go on a date. Often, the best dates are the ones that cost less money but have more thought put into them. Try a few of these ideas and with a little imagination and creativity you’ll be coming up with more inspirational ideas in no time at all.

Poem : Just for you

All my love is
Just for you
Sounds corny
But it's oh so true

All my life waiting
Just for you
Never imagined
You'd feel it too


The rest of my life
Just for you
Old loves forgotten
Don't compare to you

Poem : The old me

The old me was weak
That is what you told me
Constant criticism
I began to believe your story

I finally found another
Who pulled me up, not down
The old me is no more
True love I have found

Poem : As it should be

Exhausted from the day just passed
I stumble into bed
You're lying there fast asleep
I rest my weary head

I toss and turn, I cannot sleep
You fold your arms around me
Your touch takes my pain away
All is as it should be

Poem : There you are again

There you are again
My trusted friend
Just when I need you most
You appear like a ghost

We've been through thick and thin
We probably will again
I close my eyes and think of you
And there you are again