GUINEA PIGS & SHARKS...

After months of "harassment" from my girls I finally caved... but instead of getting a dog, I bought 2 new guinea pigs! We have called them fluffy & Guylian (yep, after the chocolate - my daughters favourite!) and they are SO sute... I have had a hamster before but I did not like the feel of the little feet on my hands. But, guinea pigs are so soft and nice to touch.

They do poo everywhere, but my daughter is in charge of cleaning the enclosure! We have made a make shift run in the garage using the cardboard box the enclsoure came in and a spare plank! It works and they seem happy to be moved around now. They even stay waiting for us now (animals, huh! ... humans = FOOD ... Lol)

This is pet training... in a few years time, if the guinea pigs are well looked after we will look into a dog. Since guinea pigs live for 4 to 8 years I have given myself some breathing space! Phew...

Anyway, seeing as they got there pets I decided to indulge and get some more of my favourite ... FISH! I finally own a SHARK... two in fact - silver sharks! They are so graceful... can't afford a tank to house a Great White yet! LOL

They make a great addition... and our male gourami now has two females to keep him company... hmmm!

Do any of you have pets? If so, which ones? Go on then, leave a comment and tell me about the fun you have...

Speak soon,
Vanessa :) xx

Beautiful Blogger & HUG Nomination

Thank you Kaykay for nominating me... I decided to give one the awards a miss! But, thanks for the other two.

Vanessa :) xx

PS: For the nominees, you are not under any obligation whatsoever to take the awards.
 

The Rules:
1. Copy and place the Beautiful Blogger Award in your post.
2. Thank the person who nominated you and link back to their blog.
3. Tell 7 things about yourself.
4. Nominate 7 fellow bloggers for the Beautiful Blogger Award, tell them by posting a comment on their blogs.

Now 7 Things About Me:
1. I used to be a competitive swimmer
2. I love listening to music
3. My favourite novel is Pride & Prejudice
4. I was born & raised in Gibraltar
5. I am bilingual (speak Spanish... seeing as I am Gibraltarian/ llanita! ha ha)
6. My favourite desert is Tiramisu
7. My signature dish has to be... (so many to choose from - HA) ... Gambas al Pil Pil (Prawns in a chilli sauce)

My Nominees

Angela Kelman
Gary Alan Henson
Carol Hedges
Charlie Plunkett
Olga
Scarlett Flame
Gary Henry

The HUG Award© was initiated by Connie Wayne at A Hope for Today, which promotes hope, love, peace, equality, and unity for all people.

The HUG Award© is for people with an expectant desire for the world, for which they: Hope for Love; Hope for Freedom; Hope for Peace; Hope for Equality; Hope for Unity; Hope for Joy and Happiness; Hope for Compassion and Mercy; Hope for Faith; Hope for Wholeness and Wellness; Hope for Prosperity; Hope for Ecological Preservation; Hope for Oneness

This award also:
- recognizes and honors those who help keep hope alive in our current world, which is plagued by war, natural disasters, and economic recession. They nurture hope, in any of the above areas (in italics), by the work they do, or in their personal lives with things such as blogging, public speaking, charity work, etc.
- is for people who, without giving up or compromising their own religious, spiritual, or political beliefs, are able to nurture hope and respect the dignity of all people.
- is for those who, without bias or prejudice, use their resources and gifts to make the world a better place for everyone.
- is for people who have a hope or an expectant desire that the work or talents they use in things such as blogging, public speaking, charity work, etc., will make a positive impact on the world.

Shropshire, Stratford, Oxford & more... ENJOY

It’s been a while since I last blogged and there is a reason for this! EASTER…

I spent the first week at my sister’s house in Shropshire. I find it hard to believe there was snow there still! It was cold… but inside my sister had a log fire, which when lit was like being next to an inferno (roasting…).

Whilst there we visited a lovely farm…

And took the kids to Drayton Manor Park (fantastic & OUTSTANDING value for money)… 

My youngest loves Thomas the Tank...

so she was in heaven!

The older two thought the rides were incredible!

My sister then took my older kids to the Harry Potter studio so our family shrunk to three and we spent the day in Stratford upon Avon (where I got the chance to row…



Absoutely beautiful...

and did not loose an oar – unlike my husband (who then had to go retrieve it! HA…)

And then made our way to Oxford, where we spent to night in a very nice B&B.  The following day we visited the Botanical Gardens before we picked up the older two.  We returned to Oxford and did the bus tour (interesting, but probably not worth the £35 we paid…)

After a lunch with a few very tired and “ready to go home” kids we made our way back to the Isle of Wight.

The only downside to the second half was the fact I have been plagued by migraines… worst ever!  It made working on the computer, or doing pretty much anything difficult. I tried to do stuff with the kids, we went for walks, etc… but nothing made it better.  And finally, today (a week later) a friend on Twitter (@strawberriesncr) suggested it might be hay fever related.  So, I found my stash from last year (still in date … phew) and as soon as I had some I felt instant relief! I am such an idiot!

I am definitely allergic to pollen (I am also allergic to cats) so now it all makes sense… I was getting depressed about the fact I felt so lousy! 



My Artists!

So, overall life is good... hope you enjoyed the pictures - the sun was shining!

Vanessa :) xx