31 Things for 31 Years

This is my last day of being 31 but shhh - don’t tell anyone - *whispers* I’m just masquerading as an adult until someone catches me and sends me to the naughty step! I suspect that everyone else is pretending as well but we’re all too scared to tell each other!

So I have collected 31 pieces of wisdom that have come to me over the past 31 years and 364 days which I will now share with you.

1. It’s not bad people you should worry about but instead those that pretend to be good/nice/kind.
2. A perm is very rarely a good idea.
3. Life is better with a dog.
4. Sometimes a hug is all you need.
5. Your mum is capable of cheating at Scrabble. Be alert!
6. Uisge beatha (pronounced oosh-gah bah-ha) is not a good name for a puppy.
7. Watch where you’re walking when you’re wearing new shoes. Or just at any time really.
8. Fuzzy socks will attract bees. Decide if you’re willing to risk it.
9. Don’t laugh at people who think weather vanes and full moons are scary.
10. You will eventually like coffee. And onions. Be patient.
11. Never apologise for being you and liking what you like.
12. Don’t let your thoughts and feelings be the only ones you don’t take into account.
13. It’s okay to be scared of children.
14. Don’t settle for someone you know isn’t right for you just so you’re not alone.
15. Always take a jacket and a tissue with you.
16. Wear the kind of underwear that your mum wouldn’t be embarrassed about if you got hit by a bus.
17. Do what makes you happy.
18. Eat chocolate.
19. Don’t put yourself down. You’re awesome.
20. Always keep your teddy bear near you for a hug.
21. Take a nap when you need it - whatever age you are.
22. Remember that everyone is going through something - a smile or a kind word from you might make life worth living for another day.
23. On the other hand - some people are just mean. Walk away.
24. No matter what size you are - you’re still the same person on the inside.
25. I promise that things are going to get better. Don’t give up.
26. Don’t pretend to be stupid just to fit in.
27. If you feel like a fish out of water - find another pond. Your fish are waiting.
28. Don’t feel obliged to do anything that you don’t want to do.
29. It’s not time wasted to watch clips of cats, proposals or soldier homecomings on YouTube for hours. If you’ve had fun then it was worth it.
30. Don’t leave changing your bed sheets to bedtime. There’s nothing worse than realising you can’t slip straight into bed.
31. Laugh as much as you possibly can. Don’t worry if other people think you’re daft. “His bow tie made it look like he was being attacked by a bat.”

The Simple Life...

More Conversations with Tilly...

Just over six weeks in and things continue to be, well, strange regarding with my dealings with Tilly.

I find myself moving into the role of grown up - a real grown up - where I am the disciplinarian and the person that always says no. It's disconcerting and I feel rather like a giant stick in the mud. Is this what happens when you become a parent?

On the other hand, my mum and dad have taken on the role of "the indulgent ones" who spoil and rile Tilly up and send her back to me. I feel there might be some sort of payback going on here. It's definitely suspicious!

And there continue to be more conversations with Tilly of a strange and disturbing nature as evidenced below:

"Well, em, I really don't know what I'm supposed to say about this..."

Said to Tilly when I discovered all the heads of my snowdrops sitting neatly beside the pot of (now headless) snowdrops. All the while she looked at me with an expression that clearly said: Look what I did - are you proud? No. The answer is no, I'm not!

"Kindly stop licking the wall."

"Don't worry - it's just a prostitute!"

I had paused the telly during an episode of Cops and it just so happened to freeze frame on a *cough* lady of the night. In an appalling (yet hilariously well timed) twist of fate, the reason that I had paused the telly was because my sister had started a video chat with me and her face had just appeared onscreen. So, it may have appeared to some that I was referring to her. Oops!

"You really don't want to eat that."

Think of everything you wouldn't want to eat and things it's not possible to eat, and there's a good chance that I've said the above in reference to that object.

"Come out of the dishwasher."

No word of a lie - this has been said more than once! I'm talking full body in the dishwasher.

"It's okay, I don't like him either."

Said when Tilly ran inside in fear because my odd neighbour was being very noisy.

"If you eat him, he won't be there anymore."

Some wise words about life given to Tilly regarding the orange pony (who, like the pink pony, also no longer has a nose).

 "You're almost through to Australia, for crying out loud!"

Said in horror when I saw the extent of the hole Tilly was digging in the path.

No doubt more daft things will be said soon. I just wait for the day that she answers me back!

Nice words...

Are you laughing at me?

You can always count on Jane Austen to come up with some awesome quotes.

This year...

I always love resolutions and the start of a fresh New Year.

There two images show just how I'm feeling at the moment.