Did we have one?
Yes, I have been significantly slack at posting yet again - though there should be light at the end of the tunnel as my mum is getting me a (secondhand) laptop for my birthday/christmas! Yay!!! I will be back in business in the new year for sure! And determined to have a more exciting year next year! (Yes ATM I think AG's prediction may be starting to take effect!)
So, in the missing month of October, plus the start of Nov, the following highlights have occurred:
My baby sister's 23rd birthday (yes, it is sickening!)
A really great Rod Stewart and Queet tribute night with Lily, Gerii, Ava and Meg
Some more musical enjoyment at a Seth Lakeman concert (check him out - I had never heard of him before but he was great)
My dad's 68th birthday
Completely drenched Halloween cum Fireworks night at The Bride's
Typical crap friendness by late posting of ATM's card and pressie for her 37th birthday (hahaha, no hiding the truth here ATM!)
A whole week of peace and quiet when X went away with the school
Having to pay for the week of peace and quiet when X was poorly and had to miss Disco's birthday meal at Moroccan restaurant
And that's about it!
See you soon.... hopefully!
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Whoosh...!
Oh.
My.
God.
How, in heaven's name has it been TWO MONTHS since I posted?!!
Where oh where did that time go?!!
Seriously. That cannot be right!
The sad thing... 2 months since I posted and still absolutely nothing of any interest at all to report! Jesus, I need to get a life. Blogging without one is a tad depressing!!
Talking of blogging, which, after all is the whole point of this, erm, blog! I really, really, really must check up on you all. It seems like such a daunting task now I realise it's probably getting on for 3 months since I last updated myself on your (far more interesting than mine I'm sure) lives.
The main problem is pc access, which has led to laziness on my part and the ensuing 'out of the loop/out of the habit' nature of blogging. (That and nothing much to write about that I'm sure anybody would be interested in!) We are all settled with our pc/internet etc, but the pc is now in Y's bedroom - which although accessible is not really
a) suitable
b) enjoyable
c) always available!
Result - one crappy complex blogger!
I am hoping to get a laptop soon, so that I can get back to blogging/reading blogs in front of the telly of an evening - a most enjoyable experience I have to say! Rather than sitting in the depths of "the batcave" (as Y's new dark teenage room has affectionately been named) with a 15 year old huffing over my shoulder. Perhaps Santa will be kind, or I will win the lottery to speed it up. Perhaps I should run a charity blogger auction to raise the funds, lol. A kind of bid for secrets thing, rather than me selling off poor, defenceless, random bloggers, lol. Wonder what all of you bloggers would want from me...
Anyhoo...! Just checking in to say thank you all for all your support through the hell of buying and moving and to say "hey". I am still alive! Yay!! I still have no interesting and fabulous life! Boo!! And even less money! Double boo!! Will be back much sooner than 2 months time (seriously, where the fuck did that go!), I promise!
My.
God.
How, in heaven's name has it been TWO MONTHS since I posted?!!
Where oh where did that time go?!!
Seriously. That cannot be right!
The sad thing... 2 months since I posted and still absolutely nothing of any interest at all to report! Jesus, I need to get a life. Blogging without one is a tad depressing!!
Talking of blogging, which, after all is the whole point of this, erm, blog! I really, really, really must check up on you all. It seems like such a daunting task now I realise it's probably getting on for 3 months since I last updated myself on your (far more interesting than mine I'm sure) lives.
The main problem is pc access, which has led to laziness on my part and the ensuing 'out of the loop/out of the habit' nature of blogging. (That and nothing much to write about that I'm sure anybody would be interested in!) We are all settled with our pc/internet etc, but the pc is now in Y's bedroom - which although accessible is not really
a) suitable
b) enjoyable
c) always available!
Result - one crappy complex blogger!
I am hoping to get a laptop soon, so that I can get back to blogging/reading blogs in front of the telly of an evening - a most enjoyable experience I have to say! Rather than sitting in the depths of "the batcave" (as Y's new dark teenage room has affectionately been named) with a 15 year old huffing over my shoulder. Perhaps Santa will be kind, or I will win the lottery to speed it up. Perhaps I should run a charity blogger auction to raise the funds, lol. A kind of bid for secrets thing, rather than me selling off poor, defenceless, random bloggers, lol. Wonder what all of you bloggers would want from me...
Anyhoo...! Just checking in to say thank you all for all your support through the hell of buying and moving and to say "hey". I am still alive! Yay!! I still have no interesting and fabulous life! Boo!! And even less money! Double boo!! Will be back much sooner than 2 months time (seriously, where the fuck did that go!), I promise!
Saturday, August 23, 2008
I Remember You
"I remember you, you're the one who made my dreams come true, a few kisses ago
I remember you, you're the one who said I love you too, I do, didn't you know?
I remember too a distant bell, and stars that fell like rain out of the blue
When my life is through and the angels ask me to recall the thrill of them all
Then I shall tell them, I remember you."
Thank you Diana.
I remember you, you're the one who said I love you too, I do, didn't you know?
I remember too a distant bell, and stars that fell like rain out of the blue
When my life is through and the angels ask me to recall the thrill of them all
Then I shall tell them, I remember you."
Thank you Diana.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Missed me?
Well, I finally moved on 29th June! Yay!!! Spent 3 weeks with no telly, 3 and 1/2 weeks with no pc, and still have no (plumbed in) washing machine! Other than that, we are pretty much up and running :-) Still have lots of bits to do, but more than sorted really. Pictures will be posted soon!
As you can imagine, with no pc access I am just so behind in the world of electronic communications. My main email inbox (which is used for freecycle!), currently has 1674 emails waiting to be deleted! Most of them will be deletable, but still need to check nothing important in there. I dare not even check my google account to see how many posts you bloggers have managed in the last 4-6weeks!
So, just thought I'd pop in and say hello. Not much else been going on but moving I'm afraid, but I'll have to think back and update properly. Alas, for now... ciao!
As you can imagine, with no pc access I am just so behind in the world of electronic communications. My main email inbox (which is used for freecycle!), currently has 1674 emails waiting to be deleted! Most of them will be deletable, but still need to check nothing important in there. I dare not even check my google account to see how many posts you bloggers have managed in the last 4-6weeks!
So, just thought I'd pop in and say hello. Not much else been going on but moving I'm afraid, but I'll have to think back and update properly. Alas, for now... ciao!
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Close call
Just a quickie to say thank you all for your support and kind words. I have been so stressed that I haven't even being on the pc!
Anyway, you will all be delighted (though not as much as me though!) to know that I FINALLY exchanged and completed on Tuesday, the last day of my mortgage offer!!!
Will be back to check in soon, I'm off to paint... :-)
Anyway, you will all be delighted (though not as much as me though!) to know that I FINALLY exchanged and completed on Tuesday, the last day of my mortgage offer!!!
Will be back to check in soon, I'm off to paint... :-)
Wednesday, June 04, 2008
Maybe not
Well exchange didn't happen! Mortgage lenders suddenly came up with a shopping list of near impossible demands, and at this point (considering my mortgage offer runs out on Tues!) it looks like the whole thing is going Pete Tong.
I'm more than a little frustrated, and a few tears have been shed!
I'm more than a little frustrated, and a few tears have been shed!
Tuesday, June 03, 2008
Twice lucky...?
For the second time this week I have been told exchange will be tomorrow! Fingers crossed...!
Monday, May 26, 2008
Rotten luck
6 sleeps before X's 8th birthday, and corresponding party, it appears she may be chicken pox riddled. Again!
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Why I love...
...JRTC!
Another classic arrived in my inbox today. I think it speaks for itself...
"I know many people in the world live in worse conditions than me, I know many people in the world have less money than me, I know many people in the world suffer from illnesses worse than me... but I bet theres no one else in the world that gets an email from their mum and the first line starts....
Hi
Today I woke up with thrush.....
I do think that this may be the one thing I am missing out on by not having kids.... sharing my thrush stories in later life. I suppose I should be thankful that we weren't in the middle of Marks and Spencer as I still never got over the shock of that announcement..."
Another classic arrived in my inbox today. I think it speaks for itself...
"I know many people in the world live in worse conditions than me, I know many people in the world have less money than me, I know many people in the world suffer from illnesses worse than me... but I bet theres no one else in the world that gets an email from their mum and the first line starts....
Hi
Today I woke up with thrush.....
I do think that this may be the one thing I am missing out on by not having kids.... sharing my thrush stories in later life. I suppose I should be thankful that we weren't in the middle of Marks and Spencer as I still never got over the shock of that announcement..."
Monday, May 19, 2008
Signs
It suddenly occurred to me the other day that when the eternally lengthy move finally takes place, my postcode will go from...
*** *BJ (yes, I have had the comments!)
to...
*** *GF
A sign of changes to come...?
*** *BJ (yes, I have had the comments!)
to...
*** *GF
A sign of changes to come...?
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Requests
Extremely neglectfully I forgot to respond to requests from FB and JRTC! So, to rectify that unforgiveable oversight, a whole post dedicated just to them...
And, yes, I was VERY glad to wear them driving home again too!
For FB, the "flowers"....
Yes, that should probably read "shrubs and bush type thingies"!
For JRTC, with shoes being FAR more important than incidentals like houses and gardens :-) The leopardskin shoes in all their glory....
Oh, and I should just mention that of course I didn't drive all the way there in those! Instead, my black 'vegas' dress (cleavage no extra charge!) was accompanied in the car by these...
And, yes, I was VERY glad to wear them driving home again too!
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Finished!
The house is being formally handed over from developers to housing association tomorrow!
It's finished! At last!!
It's finished! At last!!
See...!
The front!
The back! 
The garden!
Monday, May 05, 2008
Back up
So, it's been a while...
Jenn came, she saw, she survived! It was good to meet her, and we all had a great time in Blah as I know Vi and Jenn have described.
Since then, my work team won yet another regional award (health this time!), which meant a swanky night out in posh frocks and gorgeous new leopard print shoes, and we are now waiting to hear if we have been shortlisted nationally. Fingers crossed all.
The house now has grass in the back and flowers in the front. Yay!! So just the drive to do now I think. Roll on builders!
Not much else to tell I don't think! Well, I did spend Friday night out with The Bride and a whole bunch of lovely policemen... but nah, no gossip I'm afraid!
Jenn came, she saw, she survived! It was good to meet her, and we all had a great time in Blah as I know Vi and Jenn have described.
Since then, my work team won yet another regional award (health this time!), which meant a swanky night out in posh frocks and gorgeous new leopard print shoes, and we are now waiting to hear if we have been shortlisted nationally. Fingers crossed all.
The house now has grass in the back and flowers in the front. Yay!! So just the drive to do now I think. Roll on builders!
Not much else to tell I don't think! Well, I did spend Friday night out with The Bride and a whole bunch of lovely policemen... but nah, no gossip I'm afraid!
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Moving
Have spent the whole day packing and moving boxes, and am now knackered!
Unfortunately, not to the house of my dreams but instead at work - in preparation for the premises move that occurs tomorrow. At least it will be out of the way before the home move!
Talking of house news, all is progressing. The house is getting there at last! Internally all appears to be done (from what I can see through the windows!), except the kitchen floor laying. Outside, which has been the hold up, the drive now has the first layer done, the fence has been erected, the path is laid, the mud is in! All it needs now is the pavements completing, the turf laying, plants planting and the drive getting its final tarmaccy layer.
Here it is yesterday (when fence wasn't quite finished!)
In other news, we have just been shortlisted for another award (the 3rd in the last 6 months!), a health one this time, and so myself and The Bride are off to a posh do next Wednesday evening to celebrate and find out if we've won. Time to get the posh frock out for that one! (If I can get into the damn thing!!)
On top of all that excitement, this weekend I will be attempting to entertain the lovely Jenn who is travelling from a land far, far away and stopping by to say hi to Vi and myself, (and Middy too I believe!) and will hopefully survive the excitement of Blah and the dullness of my little local area. So, if any of you happen to be passing our way this weekend, then please get in touch and join the international mini-blog meet!!
Finally, it would be completely remiss of me not to mention best friend JRTC's new family addition, their first Kiwi child, who is quite simply one of the most gorgeous creatures I've seen in a long time! Say hello to Derek ...
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Onwards
Well, Saturday was a pretty ropey day, but fortunately I had no kiddies so could indulge in a few tears, going back to bed all morning, reading all afternoon, some head clearing driving (and smoking) and then an evening with Lily before working from 11pm to 2am on outreach.
Sunday was another alone day, so I did pretty much the same again - without the tears or driving - and now it's back to normal service resumed. No point in continuing to dwell, however frustrating the whole thing is!
I am off work this week, thank goodness, so spent a lazy day with the kids (and a new Martina Cole novel) yesterday, with a trip to a local country park to get a bit of exercise and blow away the cobwebs in the afternoon, followed by a trip to a local farm centre this afternoon with X (Y declined!) to see some animals and end up on a 2 mile round walk!
In house news, I've now been told that it won't be completed until the end of May!!! For fuck's sake, though looking on the bright side it does give me 2 more paydays to save a bit of cash and pay for my carpets. The only problem being that my mortgage offer runs out the middle of June so they better get there fingers out or the whole thing will be off completely.
And that's about it at the moment! Oh, the excitement....!
Sunday was another alone day, so I did pretty much the same again - without the tears or driving - and now it's back to normal service resumed. No point in continuing to dwell, however frustrating the whole thing is!
I am off work this week, thank goodness, so spent a lazy day with the kids (and a new Martina Cole novel) yesterday, with a trip to a local country park to get a bit of exercise and blow away the cobwebs in the afternoon, followed by a trip to a local farm centre this afternoon with X (Y declined!) to see some animals and end up on a 2 mile round walk!
In house news, I've now been told that it won't be completed until the end of May!!! For fuck's sake, though looking on the bright side it does give me 2 more paydays to save a bit of cash and pay for my carpets. The only problem being that my mortgage offer runs out the middle of June so they better get there fingers out or the whole thing will be off completely.
And that's about it at the moment! Oh, the excitement....!
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Why?
I don't know why I do it:
1am - Good or bad, you're always missing. I'm still waiting for that to go away.
I know even less why he does:
Later - Are you asking or telling me "good or bad"? I think you may be confusing "missing" with "thinking about"!! You seem to have moved on just fine without me.
Right after - There have been times, a few times, just recently, that I have wanted to come home, come home to what was before. But I stop myself feeling that way, knowing it won't be the same. It can never be the same, it could never be as good as that again. So I stay.
1am - Good or bad, you're always missing. I'm still waiting for that to go away.
I know even less why he does:
Later - Are you asking or telling me "good or bad"? I think you may be confusing "missing" with "thinking about"!! You seem to have moved on just fine without me.
Right after - There have been times, a few times, just recently, that I have wanted to come home, come home to what was before. But I stop myself feeling that way, knowing it won't be the same. It can never be the same, it could never be as good as that again. So I stay.
Friday, March 28, 2008
I wonder...
I'm off to a restaurant in a nearby city called Fat Cats tonight for the Bride from work's birthday celebration. I wonder how much clientele they would get if they called it Stuffed Pussies...?
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Siesta
Went out last night with Lily and a couple of work colleagues for Spanish tapas, which was a lovely evening. Hadn't seen one of them for over a year and it's amazing how little people change over that period of time.
We ventured into town after the meal, where the delights of people watching were truly satiated for half an hour or more, before retiring to a quieter establishment where we managed to catch last orders and proceeded to chat some more until the staff had nearly finished clearing up and we were by far the last ones in there.
After the bitter cold drive home, and it certainly was cold enough to freeze the balls off a brass monkey, and a good nights sleep following reading a great book until 2am, I was rudely awoken at 6.45am by X excitedly informing me that it was snowing. An hour or so later and my mummy guilt dragged me out of bed to watch her making a snow bunny in the back garden, before she headed off to Daddy's for the day.
The rest of the day has been spent with me enjoying having the house completely to myself (Y at his dads for the weekend) and doing absolutely nothing, excepting the eating of chocolate and the watching of Columbo, until her return at 7pm. A most successful Easter Sunday in my book!
We ventured into town after the meal, where the delights of people watching were truly satiated for half an hour or more, before retiring to a quieter establishment where we managed to catch last orders and proceeded to chat some more until the staff had nearly finished clearing up and we were by far the last ones in there.
After the bitter cold drive home, and it certainly was cold enough to freeze the balls off a brass monkey, and a good nights sleep following reading a great book until 2am, I was rudely awoken at 6.45am by X excitedly informing me that it was snowing. An hour or so later and my mummy guilt dragged me out of bed to watch her making a snow bunny in the back garden, before she headed off to Daddy's for the day.
The rest of the day has been spent with me enjoying having the house completely to myself (Y at his dads for the weekend) and doing absolutely nothing, excepting the eating of chocolate and the watching of Columbo, until her return at 7pm. A most successful Easter Sunday in my book!
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Stars for the week ahead
Large corporations pay various individuals preposterous sums of money to sit on their boards. In return for these phenomenal salaries, they are required to attend an occasional meeting and rubber-stamp decisions that have been made by others. Meanwhile, a little closer to the cutting-edge, some people are putting in very real effort for very little reward or recognition. Hey ho. That's the way of the world. But it does not have to be the way of your world. You do now have the power to totally alter a key situation and, in the process, to earn a significant reward. Take that chance.
Friday, March 21, 2008
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Stressed
Very, very, very stressed about the house thing at present!
Not least because I have just discovered I will have to pay stamp duty of £750, which I hadn't factored into my budgeting, not to mention the £750 mortgage fee I'd forgotten about!!!
Aaaarghhhh!!
Not least because I have just discovered I will have to pay stamp duty of £750, which I hadn't factored into my budgeting, not to mention the £750 mortgage fee I'd forgotten about!!!
Aaaarghhhh!!
Thursday, March 06, 2008
Fringe benefits
For 24hrs - behold the new fringe...!
(Still getting used to it myself!)
Too late now...!
(Still getting used to it myself!)
Too late now...!
Tuesday, March 04, 2008
JRTC
There are lots of reasons why I love JRTC - excluding the fact she buggered off to New Zealand and abandoned me and her god-children of course! (Anything to get out of a bit of babysitting...!)
Anyway, I could list lots of reasons why she is my best mate, but I don't want her to get too big headed, so instead, I will share the email* I received from her today instead.
This email made me laugh out loud longer than I have for ages, so I figure as she will need to be "nice" on her blog (due to said parties reading it), I will give her the justice of reality here. Not to mention showing you exactly why I love her so!
To update you first - both sets of parents are visiting from England for a month, and they are currently on a road trip around New Zealand ...
Am on holiday currently with mum, mum and dad in-laws and Mr JRTC. Mr is currently watching TV, parents reading and I'm in bedroom hiding out before I machine-gun all of them. We must have been very bad in a previous life to deserve this.
My mum, previously known for her independence, has taken to doing anything that everyone else does i.e. will not make any decisions or say where she wants to go, lets people make her tea all day and not make any for anyone else, waits for her plate to be taken from her after dinner and when caught once or twice attempting to wash up she’s doing it with warm water - no washing liquid - and not putting it in the very modern dishwasher that would do it for her.
Mr JRTC's mum is mad for the saying "do you want to…?" which actually means "I want to and that means we're going to even if I have to manipulate any plans anyone else has to do it"!
Going to the supermarket is another "adventure". Mr’s mum will only eat healthy yoghurt, real orange juice, has to have blueberries on her muesli each morning, fresh bread, etc etc etc. Despite telling her I'm not eating meat she keeps asking me if we should have steak for dinner.
My mum does not care what we eat for dinner - but manages to put various cakes into the basket. Then my mum tries to explain to me that many vegetarians eat fish. We explain that those people are not vegetarians but simply people who don't eat meat, but she’s too busy still talking to understand anything we say.
We went for walk this afternoon and Mr’s mum wanted to go faster. After 2 minutes my mum looked like she was going to cardiac arrest but would not let us get the car. She then moped around the whole 20-minute walk - I think she forgot she is in the most scenic place on earth, and I have no idea why she came - apart from being nosey!
We have had one proper argument - she called me obtuse when I asked if she wanted a spatula to help stir the dinner, so I fulfilled her wish for the next couple of hours...
Still – Mr JRTC's dad is same as ever - doing as he's told! We've seen some nice stuff, and my mum keeps saying she’s having a nice time on the postcards...
13 days to go....
I feel your pain JRTC, I feel your pain!
* Names have been changed to protect the innocent - and their relations!
Anyway, I could list lots of reasons why she is my best mate, but I don't want her to get too big headed, so instead, I will share the email* I received from her today instead.
This email made me laugh out loud longer than I have for ages, so I figure as she will need to be "nice" on her blog (due to said parties reading it), I will give her the justice of reality here. Not to mention showing you exactly why I love her so!
To update you first - both sets of parents are visiting from England for a month, and they are currently on a road trip around New Zealand ...
Am on holiday currently with mum, mum and dad in-laws and Mr JRTC. Mr is currently watching TV, parents reading and I'm in bedroom hiding out before I machine-gun all of them. We must have been very bad in a previous life to deserve this.
My mum, previously known for her independence, has taken to doing anything that everyone else does i.e. will not make any decisions or say where she wants to go, lets people make her tea all day and not make any for anyone else, waits for her plate to be taken from her after dinner and when caught once or twice attempting to wash up she’s doing it with warm water - no washing liquid - and not putting it in the very modern dishwasher that would do it for her.
Mr JRTC's mum is mad for the saying "do you want to…?" which actually means "I want to and that means we're going to even if I have to manipulate any plans anyone else has to do it"!
Going to the supermarket is another "adventure". Mr’s mum will only eat healthy yoghurt, real orange juice, has to have blueberries on her muesli each morning, fresh bread, etc etc etc. Despite telling her I'm not eating meat she keeps asking me if we should have steak for dinner.
My mum does not care what we eat for dinner - but manages to put various cakes into the basket. Then my mum tries to explain to me that many vegetarians eat fish. We explain that those people are not vegetarians but simply people who don't eat meat, but she’s too busy still talking to understand anything we say.
We went for walk this afternoon and Mr’s mum wanted to go faster. After 2 minutes my mum looked like she was going to cardiac arrest but would not let us get the car. She then moped around the whole 20-minute walk - I think she forgot she is in the most scenic place on earth, and I have no idea why she came - apart from being nosey!
We have had one proper argument - she called me obtuse when I asked if she wanted a spatula to help stir the dinner, so I fulfilled her wish for the next couple of hours...
Still – Mr JRTC's dad is same as ever - doing as he's told! We've seen some nice stuff, and my mum keeps saying she’s having a nice time on the postcards...
13 days to go....
I feel your pain JRTC, I feel your pain!
* Names have been changed to protect the innocent - and their relations!
Monday, March 03, 2008
Nothing much to say
I'm afraid life is fine, but very dull at the moment.
I am spending far too much time on ebay, looking at (and sometimes buying) things for my lovely new house - which, as far as I know is still on track, although I still haven't had the mortgage offer or a completion date! I am hoping that it will coincide with the kids school holidays this year, which are the second and third weeks of April, and that doesn't seem very far away now! Have to admit that there is also a bit of me that thinks that something will go wrong and I won't get it after all, but I am trying to quash those demons with spending!
Not been up to much on the social life front. Went to a Bon Jovi tribute night with Gerii, Lily, her sister and assorted mates, and her neighbours the weekend before last, which was a significant step up from jazz, although very disturbing as "Jon Bon Jovi" was only about 12 it seemed to me, and a little disconcerting as a sex god in leather pants (as the real one is of course!). Was a good night though, helped along by her two neighbours who were both completed wasted! One of them ended the night being sick in her drive and then falling in it apparently! Fortunately that was after I dropped them home!
This weekend CJ came round Saturday night and we drank copious amounts of wine (see, I do drink sometimes!) and chatted until 3am! That was fine until I was woken every half hour from 7am onwards by X, wanting to do her "mothers day party"!
Oh, the excitement may just kill me!
I am spending far too much time on ebay, looking at (and sometimes buying) things for my lovely new house - which, as far as I know is still on track, although I still haven't had the mortgage offer or a completion date! I am hoping that it will coincide with the kids school holidays this year, which are the second and third weeks of April, and that doesn't seem very far away now! Have to admit that there is also a bit of me that thinks that something will go wrong and I won't get it after all, but I am trying to quash those demons with spending!
Not been up to much on the social life front. Went to a Bon Jovi tribute night with Gerii, Lily, her sister and assorted mates, and her neighbours the weekend before last, which was a significant step up from jazz, although very disturbing as "Jon Bon Jovi" was only about 12 it seemed to me, and a little disconcerting as a sex god in leather pants (as the real one is of course!). Was a good night though, helped along by her two neighbours who were both completed wasted! One of them ended the night being sick in her drive and then falling in it apparently! Fortunately that was after I dropped them home!
This weekend CJ came round Saturday night and we drank copious amounts of wine (see, I do drink sometimes!) and chatted until 3am! That was fine until I was woken every half hour from 7am onwards by X, wanting to do her "mothers day party"!
Oh, the excitement may just kill me!
Sunday, March 02, 2008
Stars for the month ahead
Your March Forecast: Here. Have a stick. First you can get hold of the wrong end of it. Then you can beat yourself over the head with it. And then? Well then you can pay the publishers of this page for the use of it. Who said anything about a gift? We were merely hiring it. Now you are indebted - and it is your own silly fault for not asking the price. Er... isn't it? An awful lot of people now seem keen to undermine your authority. They are trying to cause you to question your judgement or doubt the wisdom of a recent decision. You may not be able to stop them from trying, but you do not have to make things easy for them. Stand your ground this month. Gently but firmly.
Saturday, March 01, 2008
Work in progress 7
And finally the doors!
We're guessing what colour it will be painted - it would seem red, green, blue and black are the chosen colours for the rest of the properties.
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Blog book - last chance!
Don't forget!!! Tomorrow is the last day to send in your submissions for fabulous new blog book "You're not the only one..." all in aid of WarChild.
For further details go here - quick sharp!!!
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Saturday, February 16, 2008
All that jazz
Last night, at Bea's request - in order to celebrate her achieving 40yr status - 8 of us went to a jazz night at our local theatre.
Now, I'm not a great lover of jazz, I like a bit of Diana Krall every now and then but that's about it. However, the rules of friends birthdays are that they get to choose and you go along and make the best of it, so I resigned myself to it with little more than a "oh no, not jazz" kind of thought. Plus, you never know, cute men may be there to distract from the noise...
The place (which is only the small studio) was absolutely packed. And packed with men. Unfortunately, everybody, and I mean everybody (other than the 8 of us and literally 1 other couple), was over the age of 50 . At least! More than half were probably nearer their 70th birthday to be honest! Trust me. I would have taken a photo to prove it, but frankly the glare from the backflash of all those bald heads would have blinded me!
So commenced several hours of what can only be described as the dullest evening of my life! Yes there were a couple of nice tunes, and yes I quite enjoyed those, but frankly, that was about 15 minutes worth! And the crowd, apart from the odd subdued round of applause, were deathly silent the whole way through. Well, I suppose you don't sing out loud at jazz concerts and there was no dancing going on, so little else to do in the way of contribution other than some encouraging swaying of the head and foot/leg/hand jigging. We even got shushed by an elderly lady for whispering at one point!
Fortunately for me, Lena was next to me and amused me with several tales of debauchery and naughtiness, as we haven't caught up for ages, not to mention a few succulent pieces of gossip such as the fact that she snogged Sexy Gardener on his wedding night! This of course, led to me being able to reveal the shagging in the summer, so much secret high fiving occurred at our end of the row! It wasn't just me that found it all dull to be honest, Bea's new fella, Bo, actually fell asleep. Several times. And he's a massive music head! The rest of the crowd all seemed to enjoy it though, so maybe in another 40years I'll be converted!
So, the jazz ordeal came to an end, and I posed the question as to what we were doing next, expecting a few drinks in town, maybe a curry, only to be told by Bea that her and Bo were going home! At half ten on a Saturday night, for her 40th birthday celebration which we had all sat patiently and loyally through, not to mention forking out £9 each for the pleasure! In fact, they weren't going home the conversation then revealed, they were going back to SG's. Just the three of them, Bea, Bo and SG. Fucking cheek!
I was really pissed off about it! Still am to be honest. She's supposed to be coming round here tonight (Bo is obviously busy!) but I'm planning on cancelling it because I just cannot be doing with her. She's hard work at the best of times, but last night took the piss. It cost me £24, not including a few quid for drinks, to sit and be bored shitless for 2 and half hours, in the name of the importance of her birthday, for her to just fuck off at the end of it "because Bo has to work in the morning". Tough fucking shit! She saw him Monday night, and Thursday night (her birthday), and could have seen him Friday night and done something decent with the girls on Saturday night if she'd have got her shit together and bothered to ask him about his plans - or put her friends even slightly first. So, fuck her. I'll be enjoying the peace and quiet of my own house with Y tonight!
The evening wasn't a complete washout. Lena and I decided to go and curry anyway, and managed to catch up in lurid technicolor detail about the brief whispered snippets we'd previously shared. So, thanks to her, the last 2 hours of wine, food and gossip more than made up for the first!
Now, I'm not a great lover of jazz, I like a bit of Diana Krall every now and then but that's about it. However, the rules of friends birthdays are that they get to choose and you go along and make the best of it, so I resigned myself to it with little more than a "oh no, not jazz" kind of thought. Plus, you never know, cute men may be there to distract from the noise...
The place (which is only the small studio) was absolutely packed. And packed with men. Unfortunately, everybody, and I mean everybody (other than the 8 of us and literally 1 other couple), was over the age of 50 . At least! More than half were probably nearer their 70th birthday to be honest! Trust me. I would have taken a photo to prove it, but frankly the glare from the backflash of all those bald heads would have blinded me!
So commenced several hours of what can only be described as the dullest evening of my life! Yes there were a couple of nice tunes, and yes I quite enjoyed those, but frankly, that was about 15 minutes worth! And the crowd, apart from the odd subdued round of applause, were deathly silent the whole way through. Well, I suppose you don't sing out loud at jazz concerts and there was no dancing going on, so little else to do in the way of contribution other than some encouraging swaying of the head and foot/leg/hand jigging. We even got shushed by an elderly lady for whispering at one point!
Fortunately for me, Lena was next to me and amused me with several tales of debauchery and naughtiness, as we haven't caught up for ages, not to mention a few succulent pieces of gossip such as the fact that she snogged Sexy Gardener on his wedding night! This of course, led to me being able to reveal the shagging in the summer, so much secret high fiving occurred at our end of the row! It wasn't just me that found it all dull to be honest, Bea's new fella, Bo, actually fell asleep. Several times. And he's a massive music head! The rest of the crowd all seemed to enjoy it though, so maybe in another 40years I'll be converted!
So, the jazz ordeal came to an end, and I posed the question as to what we were doing next, expecting a few drinks in town, maybe a curry, only to be told by Bea that her and Bo were going home! At half ten on a Saturday night, for her 40th birthday celebration which we had all sat patiently and loyally through, not to mention forking out £9 each for the pleasure! In fact, they weren't going home the conversation then revealed, they were going back to SG's. Just the three of them, Bea, Bo and SG. Fucking cheek!
I was really pissed off about it! Still am to be honest. She's supposed to be coming round here tonight (Bo is obviously busy!) but I'm planning on cancelling it because I just cannot be doing with her. She's hard work at the best of times, but last night took the piss. It cost me £24, not including a few quid for drinks, to sit and be bored shitless for 2 and half hours, in the name of the importance of her birthday, for her to just fuck off at the end of it "because Bo has to work in the morning". Tough fucking shit! She saw him Monday night, and Thursday night (her birthday), and could have seen him Friday night and done something decent with the girls on Saturday night if she'd have got her shit together and bothered to ask him about his plans - or put her friends even slightly first. So, fuck her. I'll be enjoying the peace and quiet of my own house with Y tonight!
The evening wasn't a complete washout. Lena and I decided to go and curry anyway, and managed to catch up in lurid technicolor detail about the brief whispered snippets we'd previously shared. So, thanks to her, the last 2 hours of wine, food and gossip more than made up for the first!
Stars for the week ahead
Are you a thespian? Actors know how to put on a mask and keep wearing it, day after day, week after week. They can provide an impressive impersonation of any character they care to emulate. That's an option open for you, if you really want to put up a pretence. But why should you want to do that? Does it really matter what others think of you? Are issues of superficial status really so important? You don't have to be anyone this week, other than yourself. And remember, that's the you you are now, not the you you used to be. There's nothing wrong with changing and evolving.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Work in progress 5
Now isn't that just the cutest porch?
(Yes, I appreciate how sad it is that "cute" is the term that springs to mind!)
Monday, February 11, 2008
At last!
FINALLY, my offer letter came from the housing association on Saturday! Hoo bloody ray!
ALL I need to do now is sort out my mortgage, wait for them to build it, and then... find the bloody money. Aargh!
I'm seriously starting to panic about having enough money for solicitors fees, mortgage fees, first months mortgage, moving in costs, carpeting, furniture, and so on and so on! Perhaps I should put a little wish list on here for all you lovely bloggers to buy me a housewarming gift, lol!
In other news, I am generally much brighter in spirits now, after a dire week! I came down with a really awful cold Tuesday night, but literally had so much on that I couldn't miss work on Wednesday or Thursday so went in looking and feeling like crap. Did at least manage to get some major pieces of work off my desk though, so the juggling act is feeling slightly more manageable, and also stayed off work on Friday - which did me the world of good.
So, back to fighting fit, for now at least!
ALL I need to do now is sort out my mortgage, wait for them to build it, and then... find the bloody money. Aargh!
I'm seriously starting to panic about having enough money for solicitors fees, mortgage fees, first months mortgage, moving in costs, carpeting, furniture, and so on and so on! Perhaps I should put a little wish list on here for all you lovely bloggers to buy me a housewarming gift, lol!
In other news, I am generally much brighter in spirits now, after a dire week! I came down with a really awful cold Tuesday night, but literally had so much on that I couldn't miss work on Wednesday or Thursday so went in looking and feeling like crap. Did at least manage to get some major pieces of work off my desk though, so the juggling act is feeling slightly more manageable, and also stayed off work on Friday - which did me the world of good.
So, back to fighting fit, for now at least!
Saturday, February 09, 2008
Stars for the week ahead
Sometimes, when we take a leap of faith it is as if we sprout wings and soar into a sky of serendipity. Sometimes, we make much the same move, but we end up falling flat on our face. And this week? Well, surely you don't expect me to predict the outcome of your next brave step into the unknown? If I do, it will not be a leap of faith any more. You will be acting on information received. I will tell you as much as you need to know. It is this: regardless of how things pan out in the short term, this Valentine's week, you will be glad of in the long-term of all that you are about to do.
Friday, February 08, 2008
Reasons
I haven't checked on DM online for a long time really, but this has been a hard week so I couldn't resist the urge. He'd updated that very day to say...
"It's been so busy. I went to the UK and Paris for Christmas, then got back and moved my girlfriend in with me and now both in the process of moving (again) to Sunnyvale."
It still hurts like a punch in the stomach, but it also helps.
At it's simplest it gives me a reason not to contact him. It also gives us a reason not to be together.
"It's been so busy. I went to the UK and Paris for Christmas, then got back and moved my girlfriend in with me and now both in the process of moving (again) to Sunnyvale."
It still hurts like a punch in the stomach, but it also helps.
At it's simplest it gives me a reason not to contact him. It also gives us a reason not to be together.
Monday, February 04, 2008
Quicksand
I "worked from home" today. Just couldn't face going in, which I know is anti-productive because it will all still be there, and more, tomorrow - but I'm just so knackered.
Life all feels like a struggle at the moment. Probably just the weather, and I'm sure it will pass, but it all feels like hard work and little joy. That's it - I don't really take joy in anything very much these days. I can't remember the last time I had a really, really good laugh.
Perhaps its just getting older, perhaps its work, perhaps its just how life is sometimes - I don't know. I just can't be bothered.
And I miss him, even though he's never mentioned much these days. Even though its better than its ever been. Even though I went through the whole festive period pretty unscathed and without getting in touch with him. I miss him.
Life all feels like a struggle at the moment. Probably just the weather, and I'm sure it will pass, but it all feels like hard work and little joy. That's it - I don't really take joy in anything very much these days. I can't remember the last time I had a really, really good laugh.
Perhaps its just getting older, perhaps its work, perhaps its just how life is sometimes - I don't know. I just can't be bothered.
And I miss him, even though he's never mentioned much these days. Even though its better than its ever been. Even though I went through the whole festive period pretty unscathed and without getting in touch with him. I miss him.
Sunday, February 03, 2008
First night
Yesterday actually saw me venture out of the house in the evening, for what is the first time (I think) this year!
Went for a lovely curry with Lily and Gerii, followed by just a couple of drinks in the pub over the road, and home by 11.30pm!
It was just what the doctor ordered though, to be honest. I really can't be doing with pubs and clubs (must be getting old), and don't spend enough of my free nights out just chilling and chatting (especially with the benefit of food thrown in), so it was actually really nice. Gerii is all loved up with a new man, which is really good to see. I like it when my mates, especially those who have been single for a while despite being positively lovely, are going through what friend Disco would refer to as "all fluffy" times. I'm happy to live vicariously through them at the minute.
So, after a pleasant evening of civilisation, today was spent dissembling (X and Y old bunk beds - sorry Vi, you could have had them if I'd have thought ahead!), and assembling (Y's new high sleeper with double futon underneath), not to mention getting shot of several more bits and pieces on freecycle - which I am loving at the moment, as it means my crap is actually collected from me! - and a few big things going to the tip with my dad.
I'm certainly getting my house in order, even if the rest of my life does need a bit of a spring clean!
Went for a lovely curry with Lily and Gerii, followed by just a couple of drinks in the pub over the road, and home by 11.30pm!
It was just what the doctor ordered though, to be honest. I really can't be doing with pubs and clubs (must be getting old), and don't spend enough of my free nights out just chilling and chatting (especially with the benefit of food thrown in), so it was actually really nice. Gerii is all loved up with a new man, which is really good to see. I like it when my mates, especially those who have been single for a while despite being positively lovely, are going through what friend Disco would refer to as "all fluffy" times. I'm happy to live vicariously through them at the minute.
So, after a pleasant evening of civilisation, today was spent dissembling (X and Y old bunk beds - sorry Vi, you could have had them if I'd have thought ahead!), and assembling (Y's new high sleeper with double futon underneath), not to mention getting shot of several more bits and pieces on freecycle - which I am loving at the moment, as it means my crap is actually collected from me! - and a few big things going to the tip with my dad.
I'm certainly getting my house in order, even if the rest of my life does need a bit of a spring clean!
Saturday, February 02, 2008
Stars for the month ahead
If today is the first day of the rest of your life, what will tomorrow be? Why, the first day of the rest of the rest of your life! It's never too late to start afresh. But it is always hard to inject optimism into a scenario where the negativity is being artificially conjured. Or, to put it another way, you now have less of a problem than you think. That's precisely why it is proving so difficult to solve! If only there were more to it, you could do more about it. It is almost as if an anxiety is being exaggerated to prove a point'. So begin by getting real. Be honest with yourself and with those around you. Only then can you change whatever needs to change.
Friday, February 01, 2008
Odds and sods
Was mean't to go out tonight to celebrate a (not so close these days) mates birthday, but frankly couldn't be arsed!
The plan was that I would get X to bed about 8pm, then head out about 9pm, leaving Y to babysit her once she was settled. Lo and behold, there is a bloody school disco that doesnt finish until 8.30pm, so no chance of getting her home and in bed asleep by 9! Not to mention the fact that the beautiful new bed I ordered for her from Ebay was arriving about 8pm, and so needed putting together quick. By the time all that was done, and she was finally asleep in bed it was 10pm, and frankly I was going nowhere!
Can't say I was too bothered though. Work remains ridiculously busy and stressful - coming up to the end of financial year, and more than one pot of money to beg and plead for, not to mention the every day running of the service, a couple of nightmare clients, a steering group meeting to prepare for, a 2 year strategy to complete, my new line manager banging on about performance outcomes and HR nonsense, all within a local climate of a complete rearrangement of drugs services and young peoples services, both of which are not reflected in the current strategy and impact directly on partnership arrangements - so, (yet another) night in was fine by me.
The plan was that I would get X to bed about 8pm, then head out about 9pm, leaving Y to babysit her once she was settled. Lo and behold, there is a bloody school disco that doesnt finish until 8.30pm, so no chance of getting her home and in bed asleep by 9! Not to mention the fact that the beautiful new bed I ordered for her from Ebay was arriving about 8pm, and so needed putting together quick. By the time all that was done, and she was finally asleep in bed it was 10pm, and frankly I was going nowhere!
Can't say I was too bothered though. Work remains ridiculously busy and stressful - coming up to the end of financial year, and more than one pot of money to beg and plead for, not to mention the every day running of the service, a couple of nightmare clients, a steering group meeting to prepare for, a 2 year strategy to complete, my new line manager banging on about performance outcomes and HR nonsense, all within a local climate of a complete rearrangement of drugs services and young peoples services, both of which are not reflected in the current strategy and impact directly on partnership arrangements - so, (yet another) night in was fine by me.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Rays of light
Work has been hellish just lately, but occasionally all the stress and hard work pays off just right.
I have spent a considerable amount of time over the last few weeks arranging a conference day for more than 80 attendees from several different agencies around sexual exploitation in young people, and the fact that our county has no dedicated service at all, other than that which my organisation commissions (only 15hrs a week for a whole county in case you're wondering!).
Despite all the stress of organising, not to mention the fact that yesterday I had 90 delegate hand out packs (each containing 10 seperate items, 6 of which are different colours) to make up with both photocopiers in the building playing up, the big day loomed ominously quickly, and I'm pleased to report it went fantastically well. It may even lead to the 'powers that be' actually getting off their arses and commissioning a proper service!
However, after all that, with such a major piece of work now finished, my to do list doesnt seem to be any smaller....!
I have spent a considerable amount of time over the last few weeks arranging a conference day for more than 80 attendees from several different agencies around sexual exploitation in young people, and the fact that our county has no dedicated service at all, other than that which my organisation commissions (only 15hrs a week for a whole county in case you're wondering!).
Despite all the stress of organising, not to mention the fact that yesterday I had 90 delegate hand out packs (each containing 10 seperate items, 6 of which are different colours) to make up with both photocopiers in the building playing up, the big day loomed ominously quickly, and I'm pleased to report it went fantastically well. It may even lead to the 'powers that be' actually getting off their arses and commissioning a proper service!
However, after all that, with such a major piece of work now finished, my to do list doesnt seem to be any smaller....!
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Stars for the week ahead
Here comes an excellent week. You will like the way things turn out. Venus and Jupiter are forming a conjunction. That's a deeply reassuring sign of an improvement in your outlook. Now, I suppose I should inject a note of caution here. You are, after all, a Sagittarian. If we give you so much as an inch, you could end up taking up the entire distance from here to the moon. A positive astrological alignment does not automatically equate with a lottery win and a life of passion with your favourite film star. It may be a more modest attainment you enjoy. There is, though, no doubt that something will put a smile on your face soon.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Spreading the love
Seeing as there isn't much to see here, why not head over to here and spread a little bit of good kharma!
Bristol...
...city centre is a pain in the bloody arse!
Let's just say, the next time someone asks me to present at a conference nearly 150 miles away I'll insist I dont have to add an extra hour to my journey trying to find the bloody hotel!
Let's just say, the next time someone asks me to present at a conference nearly 150 miles away I'll insist I dont have to add an extra hour to my journey trying to find the bloody hotel!
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Stars for the week ahead
In some parts of the world, they leave their buildings deliberately unfinished. Even if the entire structure is an intricate work of art they keep one little section incomplete. This is to acknowledging the fact, that here on the earth there's always room for improvement! Nothing is ever as good as it can get. When we claim to have it all or pretend that we have solved all our problems, we are kidding ourselves. To be human is to wrestle with incompatible urges and to struggle with factors that are less than ideal. You don't really need a solution to your problem this week, you just need to see it as less of a problem!
Monday, January 14, 2008
Saturday, January 12, 2008
Stars for the week ahead
With power, comes responsibility. With responsibility, comes pressure. With pressure, comes a reduction in concentration. With distraction, comes loss of power. All of which is just as well really. Otherwise, we'd never have to keep on doing anything. We could just achieve what we wanted to once and forever. And then sit there becoming bored, frustrated and stale. Be glad of the fact that you are not all-powerful now and don't feel obliged to use what little power you do have too sparingly. You may have less responsibility in a certain situation than you imagine. You may also find that you've got far less of a problem than you think.
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Inclination
I have several posts half written, but no inclination to blog at the moment. All is well though.
Monday, January 07, 2008
Mire
Buying a house is a nightmare I am sure, but it seems buying a shared ownership house is even more fucking maddening!!
When I approached my mortgage broker (recommended by reputable site moneysavingexpert.com) I initially wanted a promise of a mortgage, as at that point, there was no guarantee that I would be offered the house, but I needed to prove for my application that I could get a mortgage if I was offered the house.
They assured me this would be fine, and due to the fact this is a shared ownership property and that my credit rating is not what it should be, recommended a particular company. They sent me some costings based on my application etc, and their communications with the lender. However, that seems to not be enough, as I have not had any direct communication or confirmation from the lender themselves to say I would be approved for a mortgage if offered the house.
As it happens, the housing association selling have already informed me verbally that I am going to be offered the house, although I have not yet received an offer letter as they are still working out figures for the rent part. This should be, at this point, incidental for the mortgage company as I only want an okay that I will be accepted for a mortgage (subject to the house meeting the relevant cost criteria of course). However, the lender my mortgage broker has recommended is already insisting that a valuation be done by a surveyor, even though the house is currently only at dry-wall stage, before being able to approve my mortgage.
Still with me? Trust me, I'm only just there! As a result, I cannot get my mortgage confirmed until the survey has been done, although the housing association are saying they are not happy with a survey being done as a) they havent taken ownership of the house yet, b) they haven't officially offered me the house yet!
Talk about going round in circles!!!
So, I have the housing association telling me that it isn't usual for them to have surveys done at this stage, or to fill in the form requested by the lender, and my broker telling me that it is usual, to ensure the plot exists, mortgage value is correct etc. And somewhere in the middle of all this is me, with no bloody clue as to what to do or when!
I am currently very tempted to approach a different lender independently, and see whether I can source what I originally wanted - an agreement to lend - without all this seemingly premature hassle from the mortgage company I'm currently applying to, as I'm just getting sick of it. That and a steady drip feed of documents to supply, which I could have done all in one go when I sent in my initial application form if I had been asked!! I understand the need to provide evidence, and get surveys, and all of that, but I don't really understand why it all has to be done now! Before I've even recieved an offical offer! The problem is that I may decide to do this myself and then just end up having to repeat the whole process entirely - not to mention the fact that I have already sent off a cheque for £190 valuation fee as requested.
Bloody house buying!!
When I approached my mortgage broker (recommended by reputable site moneysavingexpert.com) I initially wanted a promise of a mortgage, as at that point, there was no guarantee that I would be offered the house, but I needed to prove for my application that I could get a mortgage if I was offered the house.
They assured me this would be fine, and due to the fact this is a shared ownership property and that my credit rating is not what it should be, recommended a particular company. They sent me some costings based on my application etc, and their communications with the lender. However, that seems to not be enough, as I have not had any direct communication or confirmation from the lender themselves to say I would be approved for a mortgage if offered the house.
As it happens, the housing association selling have already informed me verbally that I am going to be offered the house, although I have not yet received an offer letter as they are still working out figures for the rent part. This should be, at this point, incidental for the mortgage company as I only want an okay that I will be accepted for a mortgage (subject to the house meeting the relevant cost criteria of course). However, the lender my mortgage broker has recommended is already insisting that a valuation be done by a surveyor, even though the house is currently only at dry-wall stage, before being able to approve my mortgage.
Still with me? Trust me, I'm only just there! As a result, I cannot get my mortgage confirmed until the survey has been done, although the housing association are saying they are not happy with a survey being done as a) they havent taken ownership of the house yet, b) they haven't officially offered me the house yet!
Talk about going round in circles!!!
So, I have the housing association telling me that it isn't usual for them to have surveys done at this stage, or to fill in the form requested by the lender, and my broker telling me that it is usual, to ensure the plot exists, mortgage value is correct etc. And somewhere in the middle of all this is me, with no bloody clue as to what to do or when!
I am currently very tempted to approach a different lender independently, and see whether I can source what I originally wanted - an agreement to lend - without all this seemingly premature hassle from the mortgage company I'm currently applying to, as I'm just getting sick of it. That and a steady drip feed of documents to supply, which I could have done all in one go when I sent in my initial application form if I had been asked!! I understand the need to provide evidence, and get surveys, and all of that, but I don't really understand why it all has to be done now! Before I've even recieved an offical offer! The problem is that I may decide to do this myself and then just end up having to repeat the whole process entirely - not to mention the fact that I have already sent off a cheque for £190 valuation fee as requested.
Bloody house buying!!
Saturday, January 05, 2008
Stars for the month ahead
'Come on, baby, let the good times roll.' Sometimes, it seems as though the good times are rolling right in without encouragement. Yet there are other times when it feels as if the wheels have stuck and no amount of pushing will ever get them rolling again. It is then that we face our fears, clear up our confusions and resolve our conflicts. Rarely do we have much of a good time when we are doing so. There may come a point, as you enter 2008, when you begin to fear that that the good times are not just failing to roll in, but are rolling away from you! But that's just because you are fixing the line down which those good times will eventually roll again. Be ready for your chances and your challenges in 2008!
Projects
Had a phone call from good friend Fran (another UKer departed to New Zealand) tonight, which was great. We just chatted generally, as you do when you've been friends for years, and caught up on the latest going ons in each others lives, and inevitably the conversation turned to men, or, in my case, the lack of.
I'm really not bothered about men at the moment. Really! I wouldn't say no if Mr Right (or even Mr Right Now) turned up on the doorstep, but I'm completely not bothered if that doesn't happen for a while, even a long while, and Fran said something that really got me thinking... "Well, in the past, you have gone out with a fair number of blokes more as kind of projects than because you met them, liked them, met them again, and so on".
Since the phone call ended I've been thinking about this, and I have to concede she does have a point! In the past, my "relationships" (and they have been many and varied) have been a lot about meeting blokes and getting them "hooked" I suppose, although not as mercenary or as consciously as this sounds here. More about getting myself caught up in that cycle unconsciously (more often than not, though not always), and then ending with an inevitable boredom once I realise they are where I want them.
They haven't all ended like that, of course, and it's interesting that in the main, the memorable ones are the ones that "didn't play the game", or rather that didn't let themselves become CG devotees! I think I might need to consider this, and the implications of this on any future relationships a little more. It's not a pattern I particularly want to continue, but it's really the only pattern I know.
I guess for now, both myself and the local blokes should be glad I have a house project to focus on instead!
I'm really not bothered about men at the moment. Really! I wouldn't say no if Mr Right (or even Mr Right Now) turned up on the doorstep, but I'm completely not bothered if that doesn't happen for a while, even a long while, and Fran said something that really got me thinking... "Well, in the past, you have gone out with a fair number of blokes more as kind of projects than because you met them, liked them, met them again, and so on".
Since the phone call ended I've been thinking about this, and I have to concede she does have a point! In the past, my "relationships" (and they have been many and varied) have been a lot about meeting blokes and getting them "hooked" I suppose, although not as mercenary or as consciously as this sounds here. More about getting myself caught up in that cycle unconsciously (more often than not, though not always), and then ending with an inevitable boredom once I realise they are where I want them.
They haven't all ended like that, of course, and it's interesting that in the main, the memorable ones are the ones that "didn't play the game", or rather that didn't let themselves become CG devotees! I think I might need to consider this, and the implications of this on any future relationships a little more. It's not a pattern I particularly want to continue, but it's really the only pattern I know.
I guess for now, both myself and the local blokes should be glad I have a house project to focus on instead!
Wednesday, January 02, 2008
Seasonal shenanigans
So, I've been away for a while, time to catch up on the festive period I guess!
Christmas Day started with an early morning call from X at around 5.30am, which was (just about) delayed until 8am when I fuinally succumbed to getting out of bed! We have a Christmas Day rule in our house that nobody is allowed downstairs until everybody is up and dressed, and no presents are opened (excepting their stockings and the present on their bed from Father Christmas) until after we have all had breakfast. As such, we managed to make present opening last until about 11am, and then set off to collect my littlest little brother from worktown, before setting off to spend the rest of the day at my little sister's in Oxford, along with biggest little brother, mum and her partner. The journey there was pretty uneventful, and much teasing of the encountered RAF boys on the base ensued, before getting to my sister's, whose small house was positively brimming with unopened presents, opened presents and the debris from the latter!
I had a pretty good haul this year, including; new hair straighteners, cool Ug type boots, several new CD's, a bottle of Advocaat, Robbie Williams calender, some nice smellies, new cordless house phones, and a lovely bracelet from Y, which is an Argos copy of the Links of London sweetie bracelet I wanted. Bless him!
The rest of the day was fabulously festive, and Christmas dinner was positively scrummy! I haven't seen biggest little brother for 2 years, so it was great to catch up with him as well as the rest of the family crowd, and it felt like a real family Christmas this year, including the obligatory teasing, provoking and loudness from us all together. Both X and Y were well behaved, and apart from an hour being lost at 11pm at night after leaving, the day was great.
Boxing Day was a more local, and quieter affair, with a slower start to the morning and then a short trip to my growing up town, to spend the day with my dad, his partner, her grandson and littlest little brother again. Much quieter, (with some lovely boiled ham and cheese sauce on the menu), but a nice relaxed day nonetheless.
More travelling on Thursday, as we set off to mate Mick's, in Manchester. We didn't set off until late afternoon, as he was working, but the traffic was just dreadful. Finally arrived about 6pm, and cajoled him into ordering pizza in as we hadn't managed to stop off on the way to eat. After being shown round his new home, settled the kids to bed and then settled down for an evening of wine, chatting and more chatting. Suddenly found it was 2.30am and I had drunk nearly a whole bottle of wine, without feeling slightly pissed (a miracle for me!), and then made the mistake of finishing the bottle and feeling bladdered! Finally staggered up to to bed around 3.30am!
Friday was spent mooching in the morning before heading off for the Trafford Centre, where more mooching occurred before a really rubbish meal in an 'American Diner', and then more mooching! Headed out of there around 5pm and sat for literally 45mins in the car park without even moving an inch!! Fortunately, X and Y managed to amuse themselves by guessing the flavour of Jelly Beans in the back seat and after a decision to exit the other way, followed by an illegal U-turn we finally managed to escape the car park around 6pm! More putting the world to rights in the evening, with less wine but a box of chocolates, and a much more reasonable bedtime! Mick was working again Saturday, so we set off home again pretty early and managed to get back in good time. It was lovely to see him, as I haven't seen him since he came up for a wedding in August, but I was glad to be home and be able to relax properly for the next few days.
And relax we did! Sunday and Monday were spent at home doing pretty much nothing! Managed to chat to JTRC for rather longer than her phone bill would like, but other than that I didn't do very much at all.
So New Years Eve had rolled around, and we were lucky enough to all be invited to Lily's for an evening of food, friends and copious amounts of Nintendo Wii playing, christened by ourselves as New Years Wiive! Lily had made some fabulous chilli, and other yummy delights and Mr Lily had set up the conservatory with the Wii projected onto the wall, so there was lots of room for kids (and adults!) to compete! Not the craziest of evenings, but really good nonetheless, and considering the number of children (and the fact mine were there!) there was no squabbling or upset at all. All managed to stay awake for NY countdown, (including X - just about!) and we finally got home at 1.30am.
Another year is here I guess...
Christmas Day started with an early morning call from X at around 5.30am, which was (just about) delayed until 8am when I fuinally succumbed to getting out of bed! We have a Christmas Day rule in our house that nobody is allowed downstairs until everybody is up and dressed, and no presents are opened (excepting their stockings and the present on their bed from Father Christmas) until after we have all had breakfast. As such, we managed to make present opening last until about 11am, and then set off to collect my littlest little brother from worktown, before setting off to spend the rest of the day at my little sister's in Oxford, along with biggest little brother, mum and her partner. The journey there was pretty uneventful, and much teasing of the encountered RAF boys on the base ensued, before getting to my sister's, whose small house was positively brimming with unopened presents, opened presents and the debris from the latter!
I had a pretty good haul this year, including; new hair straighteners, cool Ug type boots, several new CD's, a bottle of Advocaat, Robbie Williams calender, some nice smellies, new cordless house phones, and a lovely bracelet from Y, which is an Argos copy of the Links of London sweetie bracelet I wanted. Bless him!
The rest of the day was fabulously festive, and Christmas dinner was positively scrummy! I haven't seen biggest little brother for 2 years, so it was great to catch up with him as well as the rest of the family crowd, and it felt like a real family Christmas this year, including the obligatory teasing, provoking and loudness from us all together. Both X and Y were well behaved, and apart from an hour being lost at 11pm at night after leaving, the day was great.
Boxing Day was a more local, and quieter affair, with a slower start to the morning and then a short trip to my growing up town, to spend the day with my dad, his partner, her grandson and littlest little brother again. Much quieter, (with some lovely boiled ham and cheese sauce on the menu), but a nice relaxed day nonetheless.
More travelling on Thursday, as we set off to mate Mick's, in Manchester. We didn't set off until late afternoon, as he was working, but the traffic was just dreadful. Finally arrived about 6pm, and cajoled him into ordering pizza in as we hadn't managed to stop off on the way to eat. After being shown round his new home, settled the kids to bed and then settled down for an evening of wine, chatting and more chatting. Suddenly found it was 2.30am and I had drunk nearly a whole bottle of wine, without feeling slightly pissed (a miracle for me!), and then made the mistake of finishing the bottle and feeling bladdered! Finally staggered up to to bed around 3.30am!
Friday was spent mooching in the morning before heading off for the Trafford Centre, where more mooching occurred before a really rubbish meal in an 'American Diner', and then more mooching! Headed out of there around 5pm and sat for literally 45mins in the car park without even moving an inch!! Fortunately, X and Y managed to amuse themselves by guessing the flavour of Jelly Beans in the back seat and after a decision to exit the other way, followed by an illegal U-turn we finally managed to escape the car park around 6pm! More putting the world to rights in the evening, with less wine but a box of chocolates, and a much more reasonable bedtime! Mick was working again Saturday, so we set off home again pretty early and managed to get back in good time. It was lovely to see him, as I haven't seen him since he came up for a wedding in August, but I was glad to be home and be able to relax properly for the next few days.
And relax we did! Sunday and Monday were spent at home doing pretty much nothing! Managed to chat to JTRC for rather longer than her phone bill would like, but other than that I didn't do very much at all.
So New Years Eve had rolled around, and we were lucky enough to all be invited to Lily's for an evening of food, friends and copious amounts of Nintendo Wii playing, christened by ourselves as New Years Wiive! Lily had made some fabulous chilli, and other yummy delights and Mr Lily had set up the conservatory with the Wii projected onto the wall, so there was lots of room for kids (and adults!) to compete! Not the craziest of evenings, but really good nonetheless, and considering the number of children (and the fact mine were there!) there was no squabbling or upset at all. All managed to stay awake for NY countdown, (including X - just about!) and we finally got home at 1.30am.
Another year is here I guess...
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