An appealing (appalling?!) dinner!

Posted on July 14, 2011 by thepogblog

Short and sweet tonight as all things are rather hurty.  

After a few bouts of pain that I’ve been informed are as bad as childbirth (and I’m not arguing – I thought I was dying), I was popped into hospital for a couple of days for a bit of investigation.  Entertainment was also thrown in, in the form of babysitting a lovely, very senile 92 year old who kept going for a wander and then losing her bed…

Anyway, I was encouraged to eat so I went for a jacket potato and rice pudding.  I know it’s the NHS (and don’t get me wrong – the staff were all lovely).  But I did envisage a bit of side salad…or something…anything to add a bit of colour…

Just thought you might be amused (?).

(Gall stones btw.  Operation to follow.   Joy)

:oS

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Hey honey, I’m home!

Posted on July 11, 2011 by thepogblog

You may have noticed that the typing coming from Pog Towers has been somewhat non- existent lately (or maybe I just have tabs on myself and there are far more interesting things going on in your life to notice the lack of my ramblings).

a teeny bit of Ithaca

Anyhoo, the lack of rambling has been due to the removal of myself, 40 socks and 2 pillows to the lovely Greek island of Ithaca. (It turns out that it’s not possible for me to just ‘sit’.  I now have to ‘sit and sew’.  This prompted a local to enquire near the end of the holiday ‘what is it that you’re doing?  I have seen you sewing in all areas of the island…’) I didn’t want to mention my absence before I went as I was worried that someone may read the blog and take it upon themselves to burgle Pog Towers for my valuable stash of, erm…socks.

There was, of course Charlie and Norman here guarding the socks.  They were fantastically looked after by a small army of friends, ably led by Sister 2 (thank you again Sweety).  Never was it more evident that the boys had been making the most of my absence though, than when I walked through the front door and discovered the lounge liberally covered in feathers and bird poo.  No sign of the bird though.  After much cleaning (me) and meowing (them) I sat on the sofa…and smelled a funny smell.  I put it down to the house not being aired properly for a while, ignored it and went to bed.  But the whiff was still there the next morning.  So I moved the sofa and found:

6 cotton reels, 1 bobbin, 1 chopstick, 2 biros and……………………

 ………………..yes, that’ll be 1 rotting frog.  Thanks for that then boys.  It’s good to be back :o)

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Fruit Loop Alert

Posted on June 23, 2011 by thepogblog

Ok, so the postman thinks I have a sock fetish (he’s not said it, but he does raise his eyebrows when he hands me the parcels of over the knee socks that are delivered with increasing frequency)…

All the staff at the local Tesco ask me if I am wearing or cutting up any socks or clothes that I buy…

At least one neighbour has noticed that the back seat of my car is full of pillows (well, they were on special offer and it’s amazing how many you need for Pogimal midwifery).  I wouldn’t keep them in the car normally, but have I mentioned how small Pog Towers is..?

And tonight I have excelled myself.  Having rescued a frog once from the paws of Charlie I found Norman chasing him (the frog, not Charlie) back up the garden.  I attempted to use myself as a human shield between the two as I heard myself shouting ‘Hop Mr Froggy, hop, hop away!’   So now that’s pretty much all the neighbours who will think I’m a fruit loop…

I need a break… :o)

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Popcorn Pog style

Posted on June 21, 2011 by thepogblog

I had a cunning plan that I thought could be a new strand of the un-fatness plan.  As it turned out though (and no doubt this will come as a real surprise to you), it didn’t quite work out the way I had hoped…

You see, since I gave up smoking 1.5 years ago (round of applause please), my ability to snack has come on in leaps and bounds.  Not snacking appears not to be an option as once a ‘smackeral’ thought has made it through the fluff and into my brain, I can’t concentrate on anything else.  Last year I spent every spare second I had cycling so it wasn’t an issue.  Unfortunately, Pogimal midwifery does not burn a comparable number of calories…

So anyway, I thought to myself that if I am going to snack, I should probably snack on something healthy (please don’t suggest raw veg and hummus.  I just end up exchanging the veg for lumps of cheese and ‘finishing off’ with a chocolate hobnob – dark, obviously.)  So…‘popcorn’ I thought after reading about its tummy filling abilities.  And as I couldn’t find ready popped popcorn without doses of sugar, salt or caramel, I asked to borrow Sister 2’s popcorn making machine.

Now, I’m not sure how many parts a popcorn machine should have, but I’m pretty sure there should be more than just the one.  Because Sister 2’s machine has no lid and no catcher.  Now, I’m not daft (contrary to popular belief), so I popped a plate on where I thought a lid should go and placed a bowl in front to do the catching.  It would seem though that once popped, popcorn can move in all different directions meaning you have to play a bit of a catching game as it pours out.  It also expands A LOT more than you expect so a few bowls are needed.  In addition, if a kernel should refuse to pop it burns.  Burning popcorn sets off the smoke alarm.  Repeatedly.  So while running around the kitchen with multiple bowls, a few stretches to kill off the alarm are also required…

If that had been it, I would have found the best snack.  One that integrates a workout into the smackeral time.  Unfortunately though, I discovered that the very, very best way to eat popcorn is while simultaneously munching a bite size Toblerone.  I’ve not decided which is best though – dark, milk or white.  I think I’ll do another quick experiment to try to work it out again.  Purely for research of course.  That doesn’t really count as a snack, does it?

:o)

and this is why I am a whale...

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Lessons Learned

Posted on June 19, 2011 by thepogblog

This is what I have learned this weekend:

 Norman believes that Pog Towers is a self service buffet.  (Although as he managed to break into the Go Cat and help himself while there was an open bag of Whiskas next too it, it’s probably safe to assume that there wont be an issue in swapping brands…)

 Charlie is partial to a spot of gardening

 If you make a Pogimal out of a pale pink over the knee sock, there is a danger it will end up looking like a giant penis.  I have given him a cap to stop any further boast of giggles as I’m worried his feelings may get hurt… (see him in his cap and other ‘newbies’ here)

A bout of RPI (Repetitive Pogimal Injury) lasts a good 5 days.  Happily, I am now on top of my orders :o)

The local phone box has once again been ‘accessorised’  I wasn’t aware there was an entirely bald  female tennis star, but then nobody could accuse me of following the sport (I lost interest when my school PE teacher gave up completely and let me sunbathe through tennis lessons).

So there you go :o)

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The Filled Nostril Cyclist

Posted on June 17, 2011 by thepogblog

I’m cheating for this post as this week has been very mean with the hours it provided (in that there have been nowhere near enough for the things I needed to do) and before I go to bed I have to finish at least three Pogimals for delivery tomorrow…

One of the things I do that you might not know about is I (badly) write a (daft) monthly column for a local magazine.  Initially it was on cycling in the locality and was quite sensible.  Now it’s cycling in the locality with a Pog slant.  Previous columns have charted my conversations with pheasants and my studies on the colours that make sheep baa (they ignore black tops, hate fluorescent yellow).  Anyway, my column was due this week so I thought I’d post that to give you a taste of Country Bumpkinsville.  Or rather, the smell of it… 

The Filled Nostril Cyclist

Early morning bike rides smell totally different to evening ones.  This morning was a veritable treat for my nasal passages.

There is a particular smell when you first step outside the house and into early sun, and it is lovely.  It’s almost worth hauling yourself out of bed for…

Through the first village the hedgerows smelled of…erm…dog pee.  So that was lovely.  I have to say, it didn’t improve much.  Having sneaked through some ‘road closed’ signs I squeezed past the group of workmen busily smoking as they surveyed the road.  I think I probably inhaled the equivalent of a Marlboro Light.  Bleugh.  The olfactory experience improved a little further on when I passed some huge puddles (also known as potholes full of water.  Note to the driver who called me a lot of not particularly nice names the other night when I cycled round them:  I may have lost my bike and drowned in them had I tried to cycle through.  Well, I would have at least got a puncture and / or fallen off.)  Anyway, the smell of early morning sun on early morning puddles is delicious.  Go and inhale one at your next opportunity.

We then progressed to frying onions.  I know.  At 7am.  Breakfast maybe?  Not a whiff of bacon though…there’s no accounting for taste.  On a few miles further and I passed a young lad in a very new looking uniform on his way to work.  He has a smell too.  Aroma de full-bottle-of-aftershave.  I sincerely hoped, for his colleagues sakes that he worked outside… 

Next, past the fish van that was set up and already serving fresh fish fromHastings.  Again, I could have managed without it, but it wasn’t offensive – just a bit…whiffy.

Back into the country and past some stables where the ripe smell of Country Bumpkinsville, also known as horse poo (but quite nice all the same) assailed me.  Then another squeeze past the smoking-like-chimneys workmen who had thrown some smoke making – tarmac breaking tool into the mix.  I actually tried to stop breathing as I passed that.  Double bleugh. 

Back down the hill home, I breathed in and out deeply.  The smells may be varied and some may not be great, but you wouldn’t want to fill your lungs with any of the air in a big city.  And here, well here, it’s just the best way to start the day.      

So there you go people; a little taste / smell of my local area.  Sorry for ‘cheating’ and not writing from scratch.  I have time to do a spot of Pogimal midwifery now though before I completely cremate my dinner…

:o)

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Pog the Porcupine

Posted on June 15, 2011 by thepogblog

I was told today that someone has been being calling me names behind my back…or whatever you could call the ‘grown up’ version of that sort of playground behaviour.

It’s ok though, because they chose the wrong people to call me names to and not only did they think it was a load of piffle, but they let me know too.

I was informed however that maybe I am a little bit prickly. I know. Me! Can you believe it? Well yes, ok, I admit to prickles when I feel the need for them. But actually, I’m not going to apologise. I feel I am more porcupine than hedgehog as I don’t have my prickly bits at the ready at all time. But sometimes you need them in reserve.

After all, nobody will appreciate the smooth bits without having to deal with the occasional prickle :o)

More appropriate playground behaviour perhaps?

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Jonah and the Whale

Posted on June 12, 2011 by thepogblog

Well it rained, everyone got a bit soggy, the open air service was inside and my new dress is covered in baby sick, but it was the best day and Gorgeous Godson is now, well, my Gorgeous Godson :oD.  I’m going to break my own rules, just once, and use a name (otherwise the pictures may seem a bit odd. Gorgeous Godson’s name is Jonah. And I am his whale :o) And there was a bit of a whale theme going on today…

my rather bad attempt on the whale theme

Also, a few helpful hints for you:

  • Having bought a large dress and a huge bra, it’s probably best to put them on together a little earlier than 10 minutes before leaving the house. Because yes, indeed, the bra may be bigger than the dress. And you may have to involve safety pins and need to keep a cardigan on all day to hide this fact.
  • In the same vein, changing your mind on shoes with two minutes to go is not a great plan if you’ve not worn the shoes before. Especially if you have to do any sort of walking / staying upright / looking god-motherly in a church.
  • It is possible to have 5 different puddings in a day, but it does make you feel a bit icky by bed time (or maybe that’s still just excitement…. :o) )

Jonah and the Whale

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An excitable Pog, a large dress and a huge bra

Posted on June 10, 2011 by thepogblog

I’m a little excited.  I am having a little people filled weekend.  Hmm.  That doesn’t quite cover it.  I am VERY excited as there is one little person in particular who will be the focus of my weekend.  Gorgeous Godson (to be) is about to loose the brackets and the contents of them.  It is his christening on Sunday so tomorrow I will be playing with him and his brother (Lovely Little Man) while their mum and dad continue on their quest to make 36 pints of home made lemonade for the party.  Actually, that’s not true – they’ve already made the lemonade (?!) but I imagine they will have more items on their to do list.  Then on Sunday I will become an official part of his life.

So excited about the whole thing I’ve been, that I decided to expand the fat wardrobe so I have a lovely summer dress to wear.  The very helpful assistant in the shop pointed out that I’d ‘definitely need a large’ when I picked up a medium (yes, she was right, but I’d have rather found out for myself).  I look like a flump in it, but I look like a lovely coloured flump and frankly, you can’t have everything.  

Having bought the large dress (thank you smug, skinny shop assistant) I tried it on at home with my strapless bra, forgetting I’d bought that when I was 3 dress sizes smaller.  The effect was more x-rated rather than child friendly and probably not appropriate for a church.  So I did a mad lunch time dash to M&S yesterday on a quest for appropriately fitting underwear. At least these days I get my moneys worth when it comes to this sort of thing.  Huge, it is…

And now, predictably it is due to rain on Sunday.  And it is meant to be an open air service.  So I will be a soggy flump-like god mother.  But I will be a god mother and that makes me very smiley.  And hey, if it really rains I can whip off my bra and Gorgeous Godson and Lovely Little Man can have a cup each and use it as a boat :o)

the heffalump quilt I made that I couldn't wait until the chistening to give to Gorgeous Godson :o)

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monks and paper bags

Posted on June 8, 2011 by thepogblog

Last night I want to see some monks.  They were of the Shaolin variety (Buddhist Kung Fu Master Monks).  I took Geeky Friend as a thank you for doing fantabulous things with the Pogimal website.

The evening  led to much pondering on my part…like:

  • Would it have been easier to organise an actual excited 5 year old out of the door on time than a thirty something year old acting like an excited 5 year old?
  • Would an actual 5 year old have spent more or less time than a thirty something year old acting like a 5 year old ‘practicing’ their kung fu moves before and afterwards?
  • Is there a group of Shaolin nuns somewhere that haven’t started touring yet?
  • Why do the monks bother with wardrobe changes when most seemed to involve the removal or addition of a sleeve?
  • Was the long and wispy beard that made occasional appearances actually of the stick on variety and passed around the group for their entertainment?  (My firm belief on

    post monk 'entertainment'

    the subject on this is that yes, it was).

  • Do thirty something year old boys ever grow up?

Mrs Geeky Friend, you have my sympathies ;o)

Geeky Friend, I’m only joking.  Sort of.  :o)

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