Halloween

Halloween in England is a bizarre thing.  It hasn't been celebrated in England until really recently, Nick says it's only in the past 10 years that kid's have started trick or treating - and not many even do that.  I'm not totally sure how to explain it but the holiday here seems a little forced. It feels like sweetest day in America, like companies are using it as a way to sell stuff, such as witches costumes and big bags of candy.  It seems like no one is entirely sure what to do or what Halloween is all about.

But I wanted to celebrate so last night Nick and I went into the City Centre to Fright Night - 

apparently England's biggest Halloween celebration...

The carnies were out in full force with their neon light makeshift rides and games that look easy but you never win.  I wasn't entirely sure what carnies have to do with Halloween but I guess they're both a little scary...

There were plenty of ghosts witches out and about...

Yeah, witches wear Uggs now, 

I hear they help keep your toes warm and draft free while riding your broom stick.

And street performers dressed up as zombies and playing with fire....

There were also hip hop dancing zombies and zombies stuck behind glass doors of the department store.

How scary is that Asian zombie?  He reminds me of the Grudge which was the last scary movie I saw, in highschool, and I had to sleep with my little sister after I watched it who was only like 12 at the time and probably not much protection from little grudge kids, but I was terrified... and looking at him now is giving me the heebie jeebies.  Eeeek!  I'm such a wimp.  

I hope you had a spooky and fun Halloween too!

Learning from Gaga

I just wanted to tell you that this morning, 

fueled by my Day Zero motivation, I got up before the sun.

I went for a run.  In the rain.

I've told myself every single morning that I was going to do this for about a year.

I failed to get out of bed (on much more pleasant mornings) over 365 times.

But today I actually did.

Somewhere between listening to U2 and singing Lady Gaga to a field full of cows, I realized something.

It's not supposed to be easy.

I know this seems so generic.  But it finally clicked for me.  

If being that fabulous person you want to be was easy then everyone would be fabulous,

and you would have nothing to be proud of when you accomplished something.  

What separates you from your role model?

And with that I'll leave you with a little inspirational music....

Oh and ps.  For those of you who are following my unemployment saga, today I worked for the first time since December last year!  It was really hard minimum wage work at the University where Nick works, but at least I finally made some money on my own.  Hopefully it will cover that lil shopping spree I took myself on yesterday...

Because Bucket Lists Don't Have Deadlines

Today is Day Zero, for me anyways. 

 Because this weekend I started my 101 things to do in 1001 days list.  

I know what your thinking, "Kelly enough with the lists already."   

Loud and clear, blogosphere... 

Let me explain.

Via

I love my bucket list.  LOVE it!  And I'm definitely working on it.  

However, the main problem with a Bucket List is there is no deadline - 

at least for anyone who's not terminally ill or something.
I might live for another 60 - 80 years, (my great grandpa lived to 100 - I got good genes)
 so really, there's no pressure on me TODAY.
Sure I do things when they are convenient for me,
but when is Riding Elephants in Thailand (number 11) going to be convenient?

See the problem?

The great thing about Day Zero is it gives you a deadline.  

We all know how much more we can accomplish when the deadline is looming, 

which is the beauty of Day Zero.  

And the 1001 days is a realistic deadline,

 its about 2.75 years so that gives you multiple seasons to plan ahead, 

but not too many that your goal gets swept under the rug.

The rules are simple : Tasks must be specific, with a result that is clearly defined.

I've pulled some tasks from my original bucket list and put them onto Day Zero.  

I've also added lots of new ones.  

You're welcome to view my Day Zero Project here.

Via

So what are you waiting for?
Get busy!!

We Live in a Cliche British Town

After Ebony and I played in London I took her back up to Sheffield to see my stomping ground.

The weather was grey and nasty and I can't imagine anything more cliche for her visit here.

I mean how predictable is it?!?

The fog and perfectly manicured gardens ...

The Very cliche red telephone box.

Of course she took the cliche tourist picture with it.

Warning : 

Although these look adorable,

 if you visit and try to get your picture inside of one, 

there is a 99% chance that when you open the door

it will smell very very strongly of urine.

There is an 83% that there will be photos of scantily clad women inside.

If you want, you can call them for a good time.

Cliche little village a couple miles from our house.  

Looking even more cliche in the fog.

We had tea in a little cafe / post office.  

Which is also a cliche thing to do in England.

And we said hello to some greedy ducks, who got a little too close for comfort.  

But I really like the awkward skinny black and white duck.

I wish I could have an awkward pet duck.

Since it's black, I'd name it Darkwing Duck.

I'd laugh at it walking awkwardly in my manicured British garden 

and we'd have our own supply of duck eggs, which is on my list.

Or maybe I'd have a goose and call it Silly.

Then it would really be a Silly Goose.

Happy Friday!

My Dog Matches My House

Did I ever tell you about when I volunteered at the pound in Chicago?

I loved it.  Playing with puppies is the best.

But you know what was not the best?

People who give their sweet puppies up -  for stupid reasons.

The pound isn't much fun for a pup.

I think I've told you this before, but my favorite "reason" was...

The dog didn't match my decor.

Yikes!

But isn't Heidi lucky?

See we painted the bedroom to match her. 

So she doesn't have to worry about such nonsense.

Good thing, huh?

Now she can get back to napping.

Do you let your dog sleep in your bed?

I hate it.  I think it's kind of gross.

Except when I'm cold.

She's pretty cozy.  

And I have to admit she's a good snuggler.

OK I guess I don't hate it that much.