Runnergirl’s Neighborhood

 

 

I'm not sure quite how it happened so fast, but my little girl is 2. 

She had a party with a bouncy castle and balloons and pink cake and icecream and swarms of menacing 2-year-olds rampaging around the garden in deceptively adorable party frocks.

She was asleep when the men came to deflate the bouncy castle and take it away.  Mr S and I didn't mention anything when she woke up, and were thus chilled by a scream some 45 minutes later;

WHERE MY BOUNCY TASTLE??????

We explained that the bouncy castle had come for the party and had gone away now, but if we were lucky maybe it would come back next birthday.

NO, she declared simply and stormed off to the garden where she spent a good 10 minutes examining the grass where the castle had stood, gesticulating wildly and muttering to herself,

Where my tastle?  Where it gone?  My bouncy tastle!  Gone!  Where???!!

As if hoping that by peering hard enough at the ground she might find it hiding behind a flattened blade of grass.

So, it's my birthday today and I'm only at my computer because some vestigial sense of propriety made me stop drinking Pimms in the sunshine and come back to check my emails before I went off to drink more Pimms and get more sunburnt. I've been in the pub since 1:30pm. We at Clerkenwell Towers don't give two hoots about Friday afternoons.

Oh, but it's been a lovely day - even if you discount the hours of drinking in the blazing sunshine - because look what greeted me when I came into the office:

Awww. How nice is that? There was a big bouquet of flowers too. I felt like Sally Field at the Oscars: "You like me, you really like me!"

And I'm wearing my red shiny birthday shoes. Everything is good.

I entered the flat from hell in a competition with one of the leading home mags for their reader home of the month. I found out today I won April's competition.

Whilst it doesn't compare to some, I've always thought my shoe collection non too shabby....

 

Black pointy flat mid calf boots

Red pointy flat mid calf boots

Burgundy flat knee high boots

Fake uggs

Brown knee high biker style boots

Black and orange puma trainers

White aididas

Nike gym trainers (gathering dust)

Black whicker base flip flops

Black leather flip flops

Gold flip flops

White leather GAP flip flops

Yellow flip flops

Gold tie front pumps

Silver pumps with woven front

Black ballet pumps x2

Puple suede kitten heels

White kitten heel sling backs

Black jelly shoe pumps

Pink kitten heel flip flops

Turquoise cut out kitten heel peep toe sling backs (these rip my feet to shreds)

Burgundy wooden heeled peep toes

Scarlet patent mary janes (wedding shoes!)

Black round toe high heels with flower on the front

Black peep toe wedges

Strawberry patterned white canvas pumps

Purple flat buckled ankle boots

Thats all that immediately spring to mind...

There are definately some spaces in there for more high heels.

 

How many pair of shoes do you have? Out of those pairs, how many do you wear more than a few times a year?
Submitted by fightinggale.

More accurately, how many have I never worn?  Let's see...

1. Black and purple knee-high boots (aka the Boots of Happiness)
2. Tan mid-calf clunky boots
3. Black knee-high lace up boots with ribbons (mid-heel)
4. Burgundy very high heel ankle boots (very expensive, too high to walk in)
5. Black high heel ankle boots with buckle
6. Black snakeskin knee-high boots
7. Black suede knee-high boots (flats)
8. Beige suede mid-calf boots (bought in Australia because I foolishly went on holiday without any boots)
9. Brown mid-calf, wedge heel boots (from Argentina - same reason as above)
10. Black pointy kitten heel, mid-calf boots (v. expensive aka Break-up Boots)
11. Brown pointy kitten heel, knee-high boots
12. Slightly metallic black, knee high, stiletto boots (round toe)
13. Black knee-high clunky boots with buckle
14. Cream knee-high high heeled boots
15. Red patent peep-toe wedges
16. Red silk peep-toe slingbacks
17. Black kitten heels with punched hole patterns
18. Black t-bar shoes (mid heel)
19. Red strappy sandals with flowers on
20. Red suede high heel sandals
21. Black patent brogues (mid heel)
22. Black mary janes with four straps
23. Black and grey (antique Italian leather) high heels with ribbons (very high, very beautiful)
24. Metallic purple adidas pumps
25. Pink and grey adidas pumps
26. Pink converse (in tatters)
27. Tan kitsons with roses on
28. Green suede and leather high heels
29. Electric blue suede wedge sandals
30. Pink polka dot mary janes
31. Pink suede stilettoes
32. Turquoise metallic kitten heels
33. Gold 40's style strappy wedges
34. White and black patent high heel mary janes
35. Black leather pumps with jewels on
36. Purple satin peacock slippers
37. Black velvet and satin stilettoes (too big, too high, only worn at home)
38. Brown high heels with satin bows
39. Purple snakeskin kitten heel mules
40. Satin brocade high heels
41. Gold leather pumps
42. Navy patent high heels
43. Brown pointy flats
44. Black pointy flats
45. Black suede wedge sandals
46. Black suede kitten heel sandals
47. Bronze sandals
48. Turquoise and gold beaded sandals
49. Lilac strappy high heel sandals
50. Brown cord wedges (not very comfortable)

There are probably more but I'm started to rack my brains for them and 50's a nice round number, hey?

How many pair of shoes do you have? Out of those pairs, how many do you wear more than a few times a year?
Submitted by fightinggale.

I was going to answer that, but then I got distracted by a clothes moth fluttering around my face.  There were a couple of abortive attempts to catch it and squish it before I eventually succeeded. 

After a split second of triumphal dancing, I realised that splatting it into oblivion on the cream sofa probably wasn't the best idea I've ever come up with.

Drat.

.:What I'm Watching:.

Avatar: The Last Airbender: Book 3, Volume 3. [As the third season of this Emmy-winning animated series unfolds, Aang wakes up to two significant surprises: The first is that he's trapped aboard an enemy ship of the Fire Nation, and the second is that he has a full head of thick, black hair. Meanwhile, as Aang's fellow prisoners Katara, Sokka and Hakoda explain the series of events that brought them to their current circumstances, Prince Zuko journeys home to face his father. ~netflix] seriously one of the best shows ever. it's in its 3rd (and i guess final) season. it is SO awesome. i loooove it. 5 out of 5 stars. also, steve got me a second plushie to go with my appa. it's MOMO!!! :D i love them both. hehe.

Bee Movie. [Comedian Jerry Seinfeld stars in this animated comedy as recent college grad Barry B. Benson, a worker bee stuck in a dead-end job making honey who files a lawsuit against humans when he learns they've been stealing the bees' nectar for centuries. Renée Zellweger, John Goodman, Matthew Broderick and Chris Rock are among the all-star cast members who contribute their vocal talents. ~netflix] cute and some lines made me laugh out loud. i think i liked the movie previews of it more than the actual movie. you know... when the people are dressed up as bugs... no? doesn't ring a bell? anyway, 3 out of 5 stars.

The Hitman. [Fu (Jet Li) is a down-and-out ex-soldier trying to scrape together a living in Hong Kong, all the while supporting his mother in mainland China. When an elderly business tycoon is murdered by "The King of Killers" -- and posthumously offers a sizable reward for anyone who brings his killer to justice -- Fu is recruited by slippery cop Norman Lu (Eric Tsang). Together, they track down the elusive villain using drop-dead martial arts maneuvers. ~netflix] it was all right. nothing special at all. gosh, but jet li looks young! the DVD cover makes it look like it's supposed to be a comedy, but it's not. 3 outta 5.

Iron Man. [After ultrarich inventor and weapons maker Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) escapes from kidnappers using makeshift power armor, he turns his invention to good by using it to fight crime. But when he must face the evil Iron Monger, his skills are stretched to the limit. Based on the Marvel comic, this captivating superhero tale from director Jon Favreau co-stars Gwyneth Paltrow, Jeff Bridges and Terrence Howard. ~netflix] LOVED it. hey, was terrence howard's speaking voice always that annoying? or was it just for the movie? oh, and jon favreau's a genius! how'd he make gwyneth NOT annoying?! amazing!!! hehe. 5 out of 5 stars. looooved it.

The League of Gentlemen's Apocalypse. [Royston Vasey is in danger of being annihilated. The inhabitants must find the creators of the show in the real world in order to save it.] i didn't like it as much as the other League of Gentlemen shows. it was still good, though. 3 out of 5 stars.

Lion King 1 1/2. [Timon and Pumbaa are best pals and the unsung heroes of the African savanna. This prequel takes you back -- way back -- before Simba's adventure began. You'll find out all about Timon and Pumbaa (where they came from, how they met, etc.) and tag along as they search for the perfect home and attempt to raise a rambunctious lion cub. Nathan Lane, Matthew Broderick and Ernie Sabella provide the voices in this entrancing musical tale. ~netflix] i guess it was all right. nothing new and original. they make it sound like it's an all new movie, but it's really not. it's like they just used the lion king's stuff and just added pumba and timon into the animation cels or something. kinda lame. but i love me some disney, so i'll give it 3 out of 5 stars, anyway. what? i'm biased.

• Living Goddess. [Filmed in Nepal's Kathmandu Valley, Ishbel Whitaker's documentary examines the lives of three girls thought to be reincarnated goddesses whose story unfolds amid the country's political and religious strife. Worshipped by Hindus and Buddhists alike, the three share a common divinity, but while Chanira and Preeti are sheltered from the outside world, Sajani's parents strive to create a normal life for their daughter. ~netflix] this netflix synopsis is totally misleading. first of all, i don't recall there being 3 goddesses. i only remember there being 2. if they did show a 3rd, they sure did her an injustice because i don't know who it's supposed to be. while the subject matter is fascinating, the execution was well... to be honest, not so good... the direction was kinda messed up. screwed with the flow of things. this could've been such an amazing documentary, but instead it just came across as just... ordinary and uninspired. 2 out of 5 stars. mostly for the poor execution.

Made. [In this comedic crime drama -- Jon Favreau's directorial debut -- aspiring pugilist Bobby (Favreau) and pal Ricky (Vince Vaughn) head to New York as representatives of Los Angeles mob boss Max (Peter Falk). Things aren't going well with Bobby's job, his boxing hopes or his girlfriend (Famke Janssen), and he hopes that helping out Max will fix it. But trouble hits when the two meet up with Ruiz (Sean Combs) and the gangsters of New York. ~netflix] it was all right. but vince vaughn's character? i have never wanted to punch a character in the face so many times. i used to like vince vaughn, but the older i get, the more he annoys me.

.:What Mia's Watching:.

Kipper: Kipper Helps Out. [Kipper, that agreeable dog with the sunny smile, learns some valuable life lessons in a series of six animated films in which he helps out various friends, both new and old. Episodes include "The Visitor," "Pig's Present," "The Butterfly," "The Bleepers," "Pig's Cousin" and "The Little Ghost," in which Kipper prevails over a fearsome haunted house. Great stuff for toddlers. ~netflix] it's a really gentle cartoon and very sweet. and mia and i really like it a lot. i would definitely recommend this for toddler viewing. 4 out of 5 stars. :)

The Wonder Pets! Save the Unicorn. [Linny the guinea pig, Ming-Ming Duckling and Turtle Tuck join forces to save a new crop of animals in distress in this family-friendly program that employs the fascinating technique of "photo-puppetry." In this collection of exciting rescue episodes, the Wonder Pets jump into a storybook to help a unicorn whose horn is lodged in a tree. Later, they head to the South Pole to save a baby penguin who's stranded on an ice floe. ~netflix] this has the episode Save the Penguin! yay! hehe. it's cute as usual. and mia loves the wonder pets... if she was rating it, she'd give it 5 stars, i'm sure. but she's not rating it, i am. hehe. and with the exception of the penguin episode, i'm only giving this one 3 stars.

.:What I'm Listening To:.

DJ Icey: Y4K. one of my early mother's day gifts! loved it. mia and i especially enjoyed our "dancey dance" time with it.

Supreme Beings of Leisure: 11i. SBL is music to chill out to. they've still got their trademark sound (which is a little like morcheeba) but this time around, it's a lot less trip-hop and a little slower. there are some tracks that i wasn't that fond of, but overall, it's a pretty good album. better than their second, but not as good as their first.

How many pair of shoes do you have? Out of those pairs, how many do you wear more than a few times a year?
Submitted by fightinggale.

An embarrassing number. Let me see, off the top of my head... (deep breath):

1.Blue suede heels
2.Black suede peep-toe heels (with golden birds on the ankles)
3.Black patent t-bar heels
4.Black patent peep-toe heels
5.Black leather pointed heels
6.Tan peep-toe platform heels
7.Red patent mary jane heels
8.Magenta suede platform heels
9.Green suede heels
10.Brown suede mary jane heels
11.White leather mary jane heels
12.Bronze court sandals
13.Grey suede pointed heels
14.Red wedge sandals
15.White wedge sandals
16.Brown wedge sandals
17.Tan wedge sandals
18.Pink silk heels
19.Black leather flats
20.Black patent flats
21.Green leather flats
22.Red canvas pumps
23.White canvas pumps
24.Silver ballet pumps
25.Bronze ballet pumps
26.Green Converse high-tops
27.Cream Acupuncture trainers
28.Black Diesel trainers
29.Stripy black & white sneakers
30.Red Stan Smith sneakers
31.Reebok running shoes
32.Black Havaiana flip-flops
33.Pink Havaiana flip-flops
34.Green Birkenstocks
35.Ugg boots
36.Cowboy boots
37.Black high-heeled knee-high boots
38.Brown high-heeled knee-high boots
39.Black shoe-boots
40.Grey suede mid-calf boots

I think there may be more, but I'm losing the will to live. I clearly need to change my name to Imelda Marcos. Or maybe I just need one of those shoe-closets from the film "Overboard". Where's Kurt Russell when you need him...?

Edit: These beauties are my latest purchase, number 7 on the list:

And, for Kate and Foxy, here are the shoes I wear when I absolutely have to have golden birdies fluttering around my ankles:

Gee whizz, I love shoes. Love love love 'em.

 

Favourite things include:  Boobie.  Other boobie.

Dislikes emerging:  When that silly woman takes the boobies away.

When faced with the prospect of No Boobie, he remains optimistic and simply opens his mouth wide and lunges about in the hope that he might fix upon a passing boobie in need of his attention.

 

 

And here's one for any parents of boys who may be reading:
Things I never expected to hear myself say:  "Darling?  How the hell do you get meconium off a scrotum?"  (Mr S claims not to know, on the reasonable grounds that he doesn't poo on his.)

Oh God, oh God. Why? WHY? My poor, poor London. We don't deserve you.

(Let's all hope and pray that he makes some terrible, unspinnable gaffe - like screwing Vladimir Putin's latest squeeze and then making a racist joke about it - that means he has to resign within the year....)