I am Sooooo…. excited! We kind of reluctantly went to the Gym tonight, both of us were tired. I had spent the day running a training course, which was a full on, non-stop 9.30 to 5pm job. I felt a bit hyper by the time I got home, talking all day being on my toes to answer strange questions and generally being Mrs Nice to all and sundry.
We were very good and went anyway on the proviso that we would only spend an hour up there. I was aware that the dance/fitness studio was being used for some kind of filming; Barry thought they were filming a dance video. Curious I set myself up on a machine with a good view. I suddenly realised I was watching Lillia Koppolova, the British/European Latin dance Champion rehearsing with Dominic Littlewood for this weeks ‘Strictly Ballroom’ programme. What a treat, it was unbelievable, I am still buzzing with excitement! I struggled at first to see what they were dancing as I could not hear the music, at one time I thought it was the Cha cha as they did the ‘Turkish Towel’ move which we incorporate in our routine but as they moved on I realised it was the Pasa Dobla. Wow it’s a good routine. Lillia appeared taller than I imagined until I looked at her feet, I swear she was wearing SIX-inch heels! Dom looked at slim and lean and as fit as a butcher’s dog. Go go guys, you get my vote.1
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Sunday, October 28, 2007
Bit of this and that
I have discovered the pleasures of face book! Oh what a time waster it’s going to be, but what fun! I am keeping in touch with people that I don’t see for months on end, including youngest son.
I did actually see both son’s last night, they very generously took us out for dinner last night to say thanks for getting them out of a tight last minute finance difficulty in the house buying stakes last week. We were treated to a meal at Le Petite Blanc in Birmingham, it was a real treat. Yummy food in beautiful surroundings. Rob is a bit of a foodie and knows all the best restaurants in the city and the best deals to go for. Petite Blanc does a really good value fixed price deal to catch the early theatre audiences so you get great food for a great price, just need to eat early, which suits us. Although looking at the al a Carte menu we must indeed go back and eat from that, once we have saved a few pennies!
I am embarking on an Open University Course next week, which is very scary. I have received all the information now and am poised to be contacted by my tutor and get going. It is an ‘openings’ course to help me get back into study as to be honest it’s been a long time! I am looking forward to the challenge but nervous that I may fail, although I tend not to do failure, if I decide to do something I usually carry it through but it’s usually physical stuff like jumping from the top of tall buildings clinging bravely to a bit of rope, or galloping around on mad horses. For instance I was told by some one in the Gym that I would be pushing it to row 1800 metres in 10 minutes at my age, at my age? How old does he think I am? I know I don’t look great in the gym, no make-up, frizzy hair, sweaty, not a pretty sight I agree but…. I did 1811 today! I aim to get to 2000 in 10 minutes by Christmas. Watch this space Rob! (Gym Rob, not Son Rob)
I did actually see both son’s last night, they very generously took us out for dinner last night to say thanks for getting them out of a tight last minute finance difficulty in the house buying stakes last week. We were treated to a meal at Le Petite Blanc in Birmingham, it was a real treat. Yummy food in beautiful surroundings. Rob is a bit of a foodie and knows all the best restaurants in the city and the best deals to go for. Petite Blanc does a really good value fixed price deal to catch the early theatre audiences so you get great food for a great price, just need to eat early, which suits us. Although looking at the al a Carte menu we must indeed go back and eat from that, once we have saved a few pennies!
I am embarking on an Open University Course next week, which is very scary. I have received all the information now and am poised to be contacted by my tutor and get going. It is an ‘openings’ course to help me get back into study as to be honest it’s been a long time! I am looking forward to the challenge but nervous that I may fail, although I tend not to do failure, if I decide to do something I usually carry it through but it’s usually physical stuff like jumping from the top of tall buildings clinging bravely to a bit of rope, or galloping around on mad horses. For instance I was told by some one in the Gym that I would be pushing it to row 1800 metres in 10 minutes at my age, at my age? How old does he think I am? I know I don’t look great in the gym, no make-up, frizzy hair, sweaty, not a pretty sight I agree but…. I did 1811 today! I aim to get to 2000 in 10 minutes by Christmas. Watch this space Rob! (Gym Rob, not Son Rob)
Friday, October 26, 2007
Confirmed, I am not naturally violent, but I am clumsy!
This week in the office we took delivery of some new sample balls to use in classes. They are really great, very tactile and can be inflated to different levels making them suitable for the very young children with small grasp and also for the Gymbob’s who are the 5-7 year old age group and can certainly give a ball some punishment.
We had to test that they soft enough not to hurt if they hit you in the face. My boss handed me one and asked me to throw it directly at her face…. What an invitation! Throw a ball to score a direct hit on the company’s technical director face.
I could not do it! I tried, with much encouragement but I just could not purposely throw something to actually try and hurt some one. In the end she had to throw it at me. She had no problem. Probably why she is a director and I am her assistant.
I fell off my office chair this week, confirming the view that I am a clumsy ass! I had gone to work in my smart skirt and low heels, but needed to load my gym equipment in my car. I changed into trainers for the job in hand but had sat to far forward on my chair, I felt myself slipping and tried to hoist myself back onto the chair. The chair had other ideas and shot backwards depositing me firmly on the floor in an undignified position. I did the jump up quick thing hoping no one had noticed, but of course every-one did. Still it was at least the third unlucky thing out the way. I had managed to break a windscreen (or at least a speeding police car did) on the company car with a stone that was flung up. I then was taking the same car to the windscreen mending man and managed to back it into a parked car. My only defence was trauma and tiredness, tired as I had been out on the road for days. Trauma, Simon was having last minute hassles trying to complete on buying his first house, dodgy solicitor! If one of your children hurt then you hurt even if they are men and run departments and boss lots of people around at work.
We had to test that they soft enough not to hurt if they hit you in the face. My boss handed me one and asked me to throw it directly at her face…. What an invitation! Throw a ball to score a direct hit on the company’s technical director face.
I could not do it! I tried, with much encouragement but I just could not purposely throw something to actually try and hurt some one. In the end she had to throw it at me. She had no problem. Probably why she is a director and I am her assistant.
I fell off my office chair this week, confirming the view that I am a clumsy ass! I had gone to work in my smart skirt and low heels, but needed to load my gym equipment in my car. I changed into trainers for the job in hand but had sat to far forward on my chair, I felt myself slipping and tried to hoist myself back onto the chair. The chair had other ideas and shot backwards depositing me firmly on the floor in an undignified position. I did the jump up quick thing hoping no one had noticed, but of course every-one did. Still it was at least the third unlucky thing out the way. I had managed to break a windscreen (or at least a speeding police car did) on the company car with a stone that was flung up. I then was taking the same car to the windscreen mending man and managed to back it into a parked car. My only defence was trauma and tiredness, tired as I had been out on the road for days. Trauma, Simon was having last minute hassles trying to complete on buying his first house, dodgy solicitor! If one of your children hurt then you hurt even if they are men and run departments and boss lots of people around at work.
Monday, October 22, 2007
Pictures of Mum
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Here are just a few of the 120 pictures included in our Birthday celebration of Mums life. One of her with her own Mother my grandma, see how they both have the same way of inclining their heads. My dad at a very young age in his Navy uniforn, you will see by his hat band he has not yet been assigned to a ship. He was actually sank twice during the war, he thankfully lived to tell us the tales of his exploits.
I was trying to teach Mum to Cha Cha Cha not so many years ago. ...And of course Mum riding my lovely Alfie who was a nice safe ride for young and old, all her grandkids have ridden him safely. I have recently discovered that Alfie has gone to horsey heaven after many years working at a riding school for the disabled.
Here are just a few of the 120 pictures included in our Birthday celebration of Mums life. One of her with her own Mother my grandma, see how they both have the same way of inclining their heads. My dad at a very young age in his Navy uniforn, you will see by his hat band he has not yet been assigned to a ship. He was actually sank twice during the war, he thankfully lived to tell us the tales of his exploits.
I was trying to teach Mum to Cha Cha Cha not so many years ago. ...And of course Mum riding my lovely Alfie who was a nice safe ride for young and old, all her grandkids have ridden him safely. I have recently discovered that Alfie has gone to horsey heaven after many years working at a riding school for the disabled.
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Party Planner
My Mum is soon to celebrate her 80th birthday, a birthday that earlier this year she seemed unlikely to make. ……However because she is such a tough cookie, stubborn, independent, hmmm who do I take after? And by the miracle of modern medicine and a little bit of fairy dust thrown in for good measure. We are about to give her a birthday to remember.
I have booked a birthday lunch in a beautiful Georgian Hotel in the town of her birth and childhood, Harpenden. The call has gone out to all the family who have all rallied to the call and are attending the big day. Aunty Joan has ordered the birthday cake, some of us girls have brought new dresses and boys have had to re-arrange work schedules, but we are on course. We have about 20 people attending, Mum exclaimed that she did not know that many people, but once I pointed out she had three children and eight Grandchildren just for starters not to mention partners, husbands, bothers etc.
I decided it would be a good idea to do a power point presentation of her life so show on the day. This is a bigger undertaking than I realised. I have employed Simon’s incredible talents and we had our first production meeting today. Mind you in the past weeks, attics have been raided, cupboards searched, relatives hounded and downright deceit employed in order to obtain relevant photos. The finished item is going to be fabulous. The next problem was what music to use on the production, some one suggested ‘little ‘ol wine drinker me’ by Dean Martin. I decided that was a no no, of course! I have gone for ‘You Make Me Feel So Young’ for the first part ‘Little Things’ for when the Grandchildren appear and ‘Do you Wanna dance’ for pictures of various wild family gatherings.
It has been an emotional roller coaster for me cataloguing in order, the memories of her life. She was such a pretty young woman, it is so easy to forget that the elderly lady who now needs lots of help to get safely through her day now was once a vibrant beautiful young woman who lived and loved life to the full. …And boy what a lot of fun and laughter we all had. I am choked to near tears every time I work on it as I see my beautiful late Dad, my pretty Mum proudly showing off babies, my gentle grand father and sweet grandma, not to mention all the children of myself and my sisters. I will have to have a box of tissues at the ready on the day, as I am sure I will not be the only one!
Thursday, October 04, 2007
A bit of a Grilling
Wednesdays is a day when I don't need to leave quite so early to get to work as I go to Nursery and I don't need to be their until 9.30. So do I linger over a nice cup of coffe and watch a bit of morning TV?, or do I have a long leisurely bath and read a book? Do I heck... I turn into whirlwind woman, as do most of the sisterhood who work full time and every spare minute counts.
This wednesday, I showered and dressed, cleaned the sinks and loos (of which we have three, why, when their is only two of us I don't know) made the beds, changed the towels in the bathrooms, put the towels in the machine to wash. Kitchen floor is decididly grubby so vac lounge, kitchen and conservatory. Wash kitchen floor, find some stale fruit bread when taking some bread out to make a sandwich for lubch, so switch grill on to toast stale fruit bread. Make lunch, get out meat from freezer for dinner tonight. Take dog for walk.
Enjoying a walk in the autumn sunshine when suddenly realise I had put the grill on!! Oh my God! will their be just a pile of ashes left instead of house and two peices of fruit toast. Bemused dog is them jogged home as fast as a woman not wearing a sports bra can jog.
Phew! House still standing, throw open all doors and windows to get rid of burning smell, wave a cushion at smoke alarm to stop it alarming the cats and dogs of all the street. Eat cereal for breakfast. Go to Nursery and Chloe asks 'why is your hair shaggy today, Sharon' Why indeed!
This wednesday, I showered and dressed, cleaned the sinks and loos (of which we have three, why, when their is only two of us I don't know) made the beds, changed the towels in the bathrooms, put the towels in the machine to wash. Kitchen floor is decididly grubby so vac lounge, kitchen and conservatory. Wash kitchen floor, find some stale fruit bread when taking some bread out to make a sandwich for lubch, so switch grill on to toast stale fruit bread. Make lunch, get out meat from freezer for dinner tonight. Take dog for walk.
Enjoying a walk in the autumn sunshine when suddenly realise I had put the grill on!! Oh my God! will their be just a pile of ashes left instead of house and two peices of fruit toast. Bemused dog is them jogged home as fast as a woman not wearing a sports bra can jog.
Phew! House still standing, throw open all doors and windows to get rid of burning smell, wave a cushion at smoke alarm to stop it alarming the cats and dogs of all the street. Eat cereal for breakfast. Go to Nursery and Chloe asks 'why is your hair shaggy today, Sharon' Why indeed!
Tuesday, October 02, 2007
Menopausal and Doggy Dancing
OK, so I’ve given up facebook! Does not work for me, back to blogging instead.
It is eons since I blogged but the girl is back…. Older and wiser, not!
Since I last wos ‘ere, I have been to Cornwall, got wet, been to Liverpool, had a great time, been to Herne Bay, had a great time in between medical emergencies with Mum. Who, I hasten to add is now in good health and enjoying life again, albeit with a dodgy ticker. Laughed, cried had some joyful times and sadly some black times. I think the dreaded menopause has caused me to have intermittent deathly sad moods when I could cry over a broken safety pin! Mad isn’t it!
Barry has changed jobs, absolutely hated the new one, so went back to his old one and now loves the new role he has in the old company. I am still in my old job and loving it most of the time and hating it in equal measure when I get stuck in terrible traffic.
Tashi is great, still doing mad dog things and being taught to doggy dance by me. We have lots of elements that he can do, like go round in circles, walk on his back legs, almost got the figure of eight but tries to take a short cut to get the titbit. He can jump and put his feet on my forearms and walk behind me with front paws on my backside. We just need to try and put it together.
My ballroom dancing days are on hold as I have a very painful foot with multiple bursars on the toe joints and a neuroma as well. So Doc say’s no dancing until it’s sorted. (Doggy dancing is Ok as I can do it in my ugly but supremely comfy crocs!)
It is eons since I blogged but the girl is back…. Older and wiser, not!
Since I last wos ‘ere, I have been to Cornwall, got wet, been to Liverpool, had a great time, been to Herne Bay, had a great time in between medical emergencies with Mum. Who, I hasten to add is now in good health and enjoying life again, albeit with a dodgy ticker. Laughed, cried had some joyful times and sadly some black times. I think the dreaded menopause has caused me to have intermittent deathly sad moods when I could cry over a broken safety pin! Mad isn’t it!
Barry has changed jobs, absolutely hated the new one, so went back to his old one and now loves the new role he has in the old company. I am still in my old job and loving it most of the time and hating it in equal measure when I get stuck in terrible traffic.
Tashi is great, still doing mad dog things and being taught to doggy dance by me. We have lots of elements that he can do, like go round in circles, walk on his back legs, almost got the figure of eight but tries to take a short cut to get the titbit. He can jump and put his feet on my forearms and walk behind me with front paws on my backside. We just need to try and put it together.
My ballroom dancing days are on hold as I have a very painful foot with multiple bursars on the toe joints and a neuroma as well. So Doc say’s no dancing until it’s sorted. (Doggy dancing is Ok as I can do it in my ugly but supremely comfy crocs!)
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Floating Away
Help our island is sinking! We have had the worst floods for many, many years. Whole cities are under water. Villages have been evacuated as they are in danger of being engulfed by a wall of water from a dam that is about to give way. Motorways are closed, rail links to the north non-existent. The TV news looks like one of those improbable disaster movies, except it is real!
We have been lucky in this area, the worst damage I have had is to my garden, my roses have been ruined, a minor price to pay. I have had some pretty hairy drives as where I work borders some of the worst hit areas. One member of staff has been unable to get into work as floods have trapped her in her town. The motorways have been like driving down canals I literally aquaplaned home yesterday and it took double the time it usually takes.
Rob has been to the Glastonbury festival (Mudfest! As it became) despite the weather he has had the time of his life. I had jokingly asked him to check out Shirley Bassey while he was there and do you what! He did! He said he was at a loose end as his friend, a reporter for the Asian radio network, had duties to perform backstage, he thought he would go and see our Shirl. He pushed his way to the front and said she was actually the highlight of the weekend! He said the hairs on the back of his neck tingled and that she was fabulous, still a great looking sexy lady for her age! Well I never expected that reaction from our Rob! I reminded him that she was the original showgirl before Kylie and Madonna came on the scene.
Sadly Simon is very poorly having returned from china with a little more than he bargained for, a nasty dose of Campylobactor. He is as fat as a runner bean at the best of times and he has lost a further stone in weight! He is on medication now so I hope he makes a speedy recovery.
We are of on holiday this weekend to Cornwall (if it has not floated away) we are hoping for some sunshine as we hope to walk a lot, Ta-shi is coming along with us as well, so I hope he enjoys lots of walks and games on the beach.
See you soon.
We have been lucky in this area, the worst damage I have had is to my garden, my roses have been ruined, a minor price to pay. I have had some pretty hairy drives as where I work borders some of the worst hit areas. One member of staff has been unable to get into work as floods have trapped her in her town. The motorways have been like driving down canals I literally aquaplaned home yesterday and it took double the time it usually takes.
Rob has been to the Glastonbury festival (Mudfest! As it became) despite the weather he has had the time of his life. I had jokingly asked him to check out Shirley Bassey while he was there and do you what! He did! He said he was at a loose end as his friend, a reporter for the Asian radio network, had duties to perform backstage, he thought he would go and see our Shirl. He pushed his way to the front and said she was actually the highlight of the weekend! He said the hairs on the back of his neck tingled and that she was fabulous, still a great looking sexy lady for her age! Well I never expected that reaction from our Rob! I reminded him that she was the original showgirl before Kylie and Madonna came on the scene.
Sadly Simon is very poorly having returned from china with a little more than he bargained for, a nasty dose of Campylobactor. He is as fat as a runner bean at the best of times and he has lost a further stone in weight! He is on medication now so I hope he makes a speedy recovery.
We are of on holiday this weekend to Cornwall (if it has not floated away) we are hoping for some sunshine as we hope to walk a lot, Ta-shi is coming along with us as well, so I hope he enjoys lots of walks and games on the beach.
See you soon.
Thursday, June 21, 2007
A Ballet Funny Situation
Thinking about ballet, as I have been. I remember a funny situation when I was doing my Gymnastic coaching training many years ago. I was training to coach boy’s gymnastics and part of it was a class to teach us some basic ballet moves to help with grace and form in floor routines. We all duly turned up on the appointed day to find a class of burly men and just us two girls. Well it was the funniest things to see all these chaps in trainers trying to get to grips with demi plies and full plies, arabesques and pirouettes. We stood at the back and tried, really we did to keep a straight face, but tears of mirth rolled down our face and we were nearly expelled from ballet class! Think Morecambe and Wise in tutu’s and you will get the picture!
My son Rob was the most graceful and balletic Gymnast in the region, he easily could of taken up dance if he had the inclination. …And no men dancers are not poncy they are the fittest chaps you will find with finely honed torso’s and strong muscles… and usually very easy on the eye girls, phew better take a cold shower… Byeeee
My son Rob was the most graceful and balletic Gymnast in the region, he easily could of taken up dance if he had the inclination. …And no men dancers are not poncy they are the fittest chaps you will find with finely honed torso’s and strong muscles… and usually very easy on the eye girls, phew better take a cold shower… Byeeee
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
A Bit of Art and Culture (for a change)
We went a bit Arty Farty at the weekend (well… maybe not the latter!) as we not only went to the ballet but also to Birmingham’s art gallery and museum. We used to be regular ballet attendee’s, we both love it. In recent years we had lapsed for no particular reason really. So… we now have to get to know a whole new bunch of young energetic and very talented dancers with the Birmingham Royal Ballet. We saw a three set programme, The Four Seasons (very clever choreography) Nine Sinatra songs (Ballet meets Ballroom) and Pineapple Poll (exquisitely charming)
I just loved it from beginning to end, I love to be transformed to the fairy tale world, where boy meets girl, loving looks are exchanged and there is usually a ‘happy ever after’. Beauty of physical movement, strength and agility is part of the charm as well.
I can no longer book tickets for Swan lake, my all time favourite as BJ has refused to see that one again as I must of seen various company’s dance this at least ten times. My favourite being Matthew Bourne’s version, with men as swans. (Girls you ain’t seen nothing ‘til you’ve seen a man in feathery pantaloons!!!)
We also visited the Art gallery to see the exhibition ‘How to Save the World’.
Lots of contemporary stuff (which I like) Damien Hirst, Barbara Hepworth, David Hockney and many others. My favourite of the day was a Hockney of two abstract little boys with an arm around each other like best friends. Kind of reminded me of Rob and Paul his very bestest friend at one time when they were about 8 years old.
We finished the day with a very authentic Chinese meal at a place called Wagumama’s! The highlight being the sweet, a pavlova of raspberry tamarind and chilli! Yep… that’s right chilli! It was fabulous and absolutely worked delish, yummy.
Diet started Monday….
I just loved it from beginning to end, I love to be transformed to the fairy tale world, where boy meets girl, loving looks are exchanged and there is usually a ‘happy ever after’. Beauty of physical movement, strength and agility is part of the charm as well.
I can no longer book tickets for Swan lake, my all time favourite as BJ has refused to see that one again as I must of seen various company’s dance this at least ten times. My favourite being Matthew Bourne’s version, with men as swans. (Girls you ain’t seen nothing ‘til you’ve seen a man in feathery pantaloons!!!)
We also visited the Art gallery to see the exhibition ‘How to Save the World’.
Lots of contemporary stuff (which I like) Damien Hirst, Barbara Hepworth, David Hockney and many others. My favourite of the day was a Hockney of two abstract little boys with an arm around each other like best friends. Kind of reminded me of Rob and Paul his very bestest friend at one time when they were about 8 years old.
We finished the day with a very authentic Chinese meal at a place called Wagumama’s! The highlight being the sweet, a pavlova of raspberry tamarind and chilli! Yep… that’s right chilli! It was fabulous and absolutely worked delish, yummy.
Diet started Monday….
Friday, June 08, 2007
Magical Mystery Tour and Oriental Mental Canine!
I am in the midst of organising a ‘Magical Mystery Tour’ for Robin’s Birthday! He has always wanted to do the ‘Beatles’ thing in Liverpool but never got around to it.
So we are taking ‘The long and Winding Road’ to spend his birthday weekend immersing ourselves in sixties memorabilia for me and BJ, history for Rob and Simon!
I have told him that I am doing it because, ‘She loves you’, we had some problems trying to get Hotels booked but Barry said it was Ok ‘We can work it out’ that was fine but I want to go this year not ‘when I’m Sixty Four! All is well now everything’s ‘Getting Better’. I have told Rob he has to be on his best behaviour, as I don’t want a ‘Revolution’ in the wine bar, or I will be talking about ‘That Boy’ for days!
So Rob, here is a present from ‘Me to you’, ‘A Day in the Life’ when the Owen clan will ‘Come Together’ so ‘Let It be’ a wonderful weekend.
Oriental Mental Canine
Simon and his on off girl friend Grace came over for Sunday lunch, along with Chai Chai, Graces cheeky little Shih Tzu. I am hoping that the relationship is back on for a while, as I adore Grace, she is funny, charming and beautiful. We have to wait and see on that one! Grace is Hong Kong/ Chinese and is rather homesick and keeps wondering about moving back to be near her mother. Can’t blame a girl for that!
Chai Chai is a canny little dog and has Grace wrapped around his little paw. He rules the roost and can be rather naughty. He got into a bad mood and tried to bite Barry when he bent down to stroke him, he then proceeded to growl and snap at all comers. Not in My Back Yard! I went down to his level and spoke firmly to him and stroked him, he still grumbled for a while but did not bite me, he eventually stopped growling and my point was made.
When we went out for a walk he walked at my heels all the time signalling he accepted me as leader of this pack! Grace was amazed and has asked for some tips, I don’t think she will carry them out though as the little dog is a bit of a child substitute I think.
I thought I was having an errant knicker incident again in the garden. I heard Grace saying ‘No Chai Chai, no eata pants’ phew! It was Ok, only the ever-errant L from Grace’s vocabulary; the dog was eating a plant!
So we are taking ‘The long and Winding Road’ to spend his birthday weekend immersing ourselves in sixties memorabilia for me and BJ, history for Rob and Simon!
I have told him that I am doing it because, ‘She loves you’, we had some problems trying to get Hotels booked but Barry said it was Ok ‘We can work it out’ that was fine but I want to go this year not ‘when I’m Sixty Four! All is well now everything’s ‘Getting Better’. I have told Rob he has to be on his best behaviour, as I don’t want a ‘Revolution’ in the wine bar, or I will be talking about ‘That Boy’ for days!
So Rob, here is a present from ‘Me to you’, ‘A Day in the Life’ when the Owen clan will ‘Come Together’ so ‘Let It be’ a wonderful weekend.
Oriental Mental Canine
Simon and his on off girl friend Grace came over for Sunday lunch, along with Chai Chai, Graces cheeky little Shih Tzu. I am hoping that the relationship is back on for a while, as I adore Grace, she is funny, charming and beautiful. We have to wait and see on that one! Grace is Hong Kong/ Chinese and is rather homesick and keeps wondering about moving back to be near her mother. Can’t blame a girl for that!
Chai Chai is a canny little dog and has Grace wrapped around his little paw. He rules the roost and can be rather naughty. He got into a bad mood and tried to bite Barry when he bent down to stroke him, he then proceeded to growl and snap at all comers. Not in My Back Yard! I went down to his level and spoke firmly to him and stroked him, he still grumbled for a while but did not bite me, he eventually stopped growling and my point was made.
When we went out for a walk he walked at my heels all the time signalling he accepted me as leader of this pack! Grace was amazed and has asked for some tips, I don’t think she will carry them out though as the little dog is a bit of a child substitute I think.
I thought I was having an errant knicker incident again in the garden. I heard Grace saying ‘No Chai Chai, no eata pants’ phew! It was Ok, only the ever-errant L from Grace’s vocabulary; the dog was eating a plant!
Sunday, May 27, 2007
A Llama Adventure
So… the great day of our Wedding Anniversary arrived, thankfully sunny and bright. Weeks ago I had organised a surprise day out for BJ. He tried and tried to guess what it was but failed. I am sure he was more than a little worried, as to celebrate my 50th year I did a terrifying abseil down an absurdly high (170ft) building. However yesterday we kept our feet firmly on the ground, much to BJ’s relief, and mine truth to be told! And went Llama Trekking!!!
BJ’s face was a picture when he finally discovered what we were going to do, I had even found a card with a Llama on it to give as an anniversary card. Luckily he thought it very funny indeed and said that he would never in a hundred years of guessed that! So of we went to find our new best friends.
On arrival we met Mary the Llama Farmer, a delightful lady who did not mind my 150 questions about these beautiful gentle beasts, we also met Hughie the friendly football mad Jack Russell and his son, seven week old puppy Archie who was an absolute delight but his prized possession of the day was a very dead mouse which he kept proudly dropping at my feet in the hope I would play with it with him!
We eventually met our Llamas, after an introductory talk about the history of them and instruction on how to handle a Llama!
First out came Spinach the leader of the pack (yes, they are herd animals so have an established hierarchy) He was rather aloof and noble and was handed over to Amanda one of the other two people on the trek. Next out came Dassett an incredibly handsome chap with a hint of mischief about him. Mary asked if I would be happy to handle him, apparently he was going through the ‘teenage delinquent stage’ and was known for tantrums, he is also being trained to carry the saddlebags. Up for a challenge and already in love with the gorgeous brown eyes fringed with the cartoon length lashes I was there in a flash to claim what was to be ‘the naughtiest Llama of the bunch’. Barry had the sweetest cutest little chap called Sam who was so unbelievably well behaved, although he had delusions of being the leader and wanted to sometimes lead the pack for a few minutes until something startled him and he then would drop back for Spinach to lead again. Dylan went with Mark, Amanda’s Husband and off we went into the beautiful English countryside.
Lamas are gentle creatures but with an incredibly inquisitive nature, they are interested in anything and every thing, ears pricked and eyes darting around to take every detail of their surroundings and log them for future reference. I was instructed to be very firm with Dassett and let him know I was in charge, as he would otherwise take liberties. This I did and we got along famously, apart from when he forgot he had saddlebags on and bumped them on trees and gateposts! This spooked him every time and we had a little dance about until a few soothing words calmed him, we both got wise to trees, gates and saddlebags and gave obstacles a wide birth. I chatted to him and he in turn nuzzled my hair in reply from time to time. All was well in llama world!….
We stopped halfway round our 5mile walk for a drink and give our friends a chance to nibble some grass (Sam and Dassett, not Amanda and Mark of course). Mary decided to adjust Dassett saddlebags as they had become unbalanced after being knocked about on errant trees. The trouble was she inadvertently left a strap dangling! We set off again but Dassett was unsettled and skittish, I pointed out the dangling strap but Mary thought it was OK, so we carried on around a cornfield. Suddenly the strap tickled Dasset and he leapt several feet in the air and bolted, I let go of the rope and he galloped off into the corn, bucking and shaking to try and rid himself of the offending saddlebags. I was mortified and terrified he was going to hurt himself, but Mary was calm and told the others to keep calmly walking and ignore Dasset. Sam was distressed and whimpered but the others just strolled along. Dasset eventually calmed himself and came to Spinach in extreme submissive mode, head and neck dropped, tail over his back, he allowed me to walk calmly over and take hold of his rope. Mary tried to right His backpack, but this sent him into panic mode once more and he tried to bolt again. I tried, I really did to hold firm this time but a startled Sam crashed into me I lost my footing and my grip and off he went again! He came back again to say sorry to Spinach and this time he was calm as we sorted out his pack and tantrum over as quick as it began, calmly and sedately strode onwards home, me whispering calm endearments and him nuzzling my hair until we returned to the farm.
What and amazing adventure!
I want a Llama now!!!!
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Scarey Cat, and other anecdotes
While cooking dinner tonight, dog was in the garden. I heard him 'woof' to come back in right in the middle of my stir frying. I knew the conservatory door was open so ignored his pleas to 'please let me in'. Finally I went to investigate and found him looking in the window and pleading to be let in that way, immpossiible! it's just a sheet of glass. I went to the door and called him, he came as far as the door but refused to come up the step looking very tentative at it. I couldn't make it out, how strange! I encouraged him in, but he would come forward and then back away. I was seriously puzzled by now and went out to investigate why the step was so scary. The funniest thing was that my usually bold, cocky little monster was afraid of a torn label from a catfood tin with a tiny disembodied picture of a cats face. Barry and I could not stop laughing at the ridiculousness of it. Dog was most put out and looked as if we sould know that maybe under the step the strange cat was hiding a monster of a body waiting to pounce!
I was sad to read that the famous retired flat race jockey, Lester Piggot is recovering in hospital after a serious heart attack, thought it a bit amusing that the headline was 'Piggot now in stable condition'!
At Leaps and Bounds today I got the kids really puffed out and hot by doing the song 'Jumping Jack' and as the title suggests it is a lot of star jumps for the whole song (always remember to spend a penny first, before undertaking this song girls.) At the end one very red little girl announced 'phew, I think I will go pop any minute' I knew just how she felt, bless her!
I was sad to read that the famous retired flat race jockey, Lester Piggot is recovering in hospital after a serious heart attack, thought it a bit amusing that the headline was 'Piggot now in stable condition'!
At Leaps and Bounds today I got the kids really puffed out and hot by doing the song 'Jumping Jack' and as the title suggests it is a lot of star jumps for the whole song (always remember to spend a penny first, before undertaking this song girls.) At the end one very red little girl announced 'phew, I think I will go pop any minute' I knew just how she felt, bless her!
Monday, May 07, 2007
Conservatory
As requested from my US friend, a very modest by American standards my little conservatory!
We are having our inauguratory meal in out new conservatory on what was one of the hottest days of last summer! PHEW....
Those present on this auspicious occasion were Simon, Rachel our lovely niece on Barry's side and her equally lovely Husband, Dan!
Saturday, May 05, 2007
Come back Iamhatter!
I was reading back over my 98 previous blogs! Good gracious where do I find the time?
I wish Rob was still blogging it sort of kept us connected. Come back jamhatter, we miss you! Lets start a campaign to persuade the boy back to our world of blog!
Leave a 'Come back Rob' comment on my blog, he reads my blog from time to time. He is always an amusing and witty read so lets encourage the boy back to our fold!
And as you can see girls, he is easy on the eye, not that I'm biased of course!
Friday, May 04, 2007
Boys Growing Up!
Our eldest Son has suddely become all grown up and bought a house! Well done that boy, may you be very happy in your sweet little house.
Both our boys have been living in the said house for three years now, renting it, but now the landlord wants to sell and a very trepidatious Simon applied for a mortgage and put in an offer. First offer turned down which was very mean and stingy of the landlord in my eyes as he has had an arm and a leg out of the boys in rent over the past few years, and they are sitting tenants. Simon upped the anti a little and the offer was accepted, hurray for Simon!!!
The little house is very cute, it's a very old 1880's terrace with a very homely musical ghost. Ghostey likes to strum the guitair sometimes, startling the wits out of Simon who is usually upstairs. The house is empty, apart from Simon when this happens and the guitair on its stand. I will have to do some research on the history of the house, it has a very positive atmosphere about it and I am sure it likes having Simon and Robin living in it.
Both our boys have been living in the said house for three years now, renting it, but now the landlord wants to sell and a very trepidatious Simon applied for a mortgage and put in an offer. First offer turned down which was very mean and stingy of the landlord in my eyes as he has had an arm and a leg out of the boys in rent over the past few years, and they are sitting tenants. Simon upped the anti a little and the offer was accepted, hurray for Simon!!!
The little house is very cute, it's a very old 1880's terrace with a very homely musical ghost. Ghostey likes to strum the guitair sometimes, startling the wits out of Simon who is usually upstairs. The house is empty, apart from Simon when this happens and the guitair on its stand. I will have to do some research on the history of the house, it has a very positive atmosphere about it and I am sure it likes having Simon and Robin living in it.
Wednesday, May 02, 2007
The Wheels of Life
I have spent many hours driving this week, in fact my wheels have turned themselves around 864 company miles. I have been north to Brighouse, east to Norwich, middle to London (oh, how I love those London drivers, so completely devoid of manners and road courtesy!). I have been to Stratford on Avon twice to see my adorable nursery children, Nearly forgot, Mansfield as well, so probably nearer 1000 miles.
Funny how the mind wanders though, on long journeys. I was on the M25 and passed a lorry exclaiming on it's side 'Slag cement,' Well, I thought I would'nt want that in my garden, what if the patio started to get it on with the footpath, or got flirty with the paving slabs, oh no, not for me that 'slag cement'. I definitely want a more refined cement suitable for partaking afternoon tea on,the sort you could sit on with little finger raised as you drunk the earl grey and ate cucumber sandwiches, a kind of cement that would comment 'have you seen what that stone statue is wearing over their in the rose bed? scandulous!'
It then got me thinking about other amusing notices, I love 'Beware Door Alarmed'. Don't you just want to either creep up and shout BOO, in order to alarm it even more, or creep past saying Shhh... to every-one else around, 'the door is feeling scared, so be quiet' As for the 'Lift' sign, no don't go their!
Garden
We gave up our allotment last year as we did not have enough spare time to deal with that and our garden. I am missing it now! My urge to grow stuff is deep rooted (ha ha). On my top decking I have in pots, Potatoes, beans, carrots, tomatoes, cucumber, chilli, beetroot, and lettuce. In a really dinky pot with little feet and a smiley face I have planted rocket, yes folks 'rocket man' is alive and well and in my garden.
We have revamped the garden somewhat, redisigning flower beds, digging new ones and BJ has built a fabulous sun deck which the pets just love! Any sunny day will find, Saffy the giant cat, Chloe the ancient cat and Ta-shi the doggly stretched out sunning themselves, what a lovely life!
Our 34th (oh my God) wedding anniversary is coming up and I have arranged a fun day out for me and hubby, I am soooo.... looking forward to it. Can't tell you what it is yet in case BJ reads this. My colleagues in the office think I don't like him very much if I am prepared to send him out to do this, but I am sure he will love it. I know I will, just hope be get good weather!
Mum update
Poor Mum is not doing very well at all, she is wasting away before our very eyes and is totally housebound. She is seeing the consultant this Friday, maybe he will help her with new medication. She just does not look like my Mum any more just a shadow of her former self. However the sense of humour and sharp wit is still thankfully still in situe!
Funny how the mind wanders though, on long journeys. I was on the M25 and passed a lorry exclaiming on it's side 'Slag cement,' Well, I thought I would'nt want that in my garden, what if the patio started to get it on with the footpath, or got flirty with the paving slabs, oh no, not for me that 'slag cement'. I definitely want a more refined cement suitable for partaking afternoon tea on,the sort you could sit on with little finger raised as you drunk the earl grey and ate cucumber sandwiches, a kind of cement that would comment 'have you seen what that stone statue is wearing over their in the rose bed? scandulous!'
It then got me thinking about other amusing notices, I love 'Beware Door Alarmed'. Don't you just want to either creep up and shout BOO, in order to alarm it even more, or creep past saying Shhh... to every-one else around, 'the door is feeling scared, so be quiet' As for the 'Lift' sign, no don't go their!
Garden
We gave up our allotment last year as we did not have enough spare time to deal with that and our garden. I am missing it now! My urge to grow stuff is deep rooted (ha ha). On my top decking I have in pots, Potatoes, beans, carrots, tomatoes, cucumber, chilli, beetroot, and lettuce. In a really dinky pot with little feet and a smiley face I have planted rocket, yes folks 'rocket man' is alive and well and in my garden.
We have revamped the garden somewhat, redisigning flower beds, digging new ones and BJ has built a fabulous sun deck which the pets just love! Any sunny day will find, Saffy the giant cat, Chloe the ancient cat and Ta-shi the doggly stretched out sunning themselves, what a lovely life!
Our 34th (oh my God) wedding anniversary is coming up and I have arranged a fun day out for me and hubby, I am soooo.... looking forward to it. Can't tell you what it is yet in case BJ reads this. My colleagues in the office think I don't like him very much if I am prepared to send him out to do this, but I am sure he will love it. I know I will, just hope be get good weather!
Mum update
Poor Mum is not doing very well at all, she is wasting away before our very eyes and is totally housebound. She is seeing the consultant this Friday, maybe he will help her with new medication. She just does not look like my Mum any more just a shadow of her former self. However the sense of humour and sharp wit is still thankfully still in situe!
Monday, April 23, 2007
Venus Woman V Martian Man
Last week we needed to speak to both the ‘green’ recycle collectors and also the ‘paper and tin’ collectors. We had two different results for our requests mainly because I dealt with the ‘green’ guys and Barry dealt with the other chaps.
The problem with our green bin was that it was really to heavy to be lifted onto the back of the recycling lorry as we had been digging out turf in order to lay the new decking, and it was big time heavy!
Barry thought the best idea was to put it out and hope for the best and that they would take it! If they did not we would have a lot of work bagging it up ourselves and taking it to the council tip, not a prospect I relished.
I saw the lorry approaching the house and told Barry I was going out to have a word with the chaps. He thought I was wasting my time!
The nice young man approached and I swung into ‘womanly wiles’ mode. “I’m terribly sorry but I think I have over filled my bin, if you think its to heavy for you just leave it and I will take some out for next week,” Flash of blue eyes, and a touch of the mans forearm, “I don’t want you hurting your back now”
Well what strapping young man is going to admit that the bin is too heavy in front of five foot nothing (admittedly middle aged) helpless woman. “I’ve moved heavier than that, love” he announced and proceeded to load it on the back of the lorry with a manly flourish. “There you are love” Mission accomplished!
Now, I am a big recycler and compost as much household waste as possible and save all tins and glass and paper for the recycler’s. I compost some of the paper and cardboard but I have not got a great deal of space and only a tiny garden, so most has to go in the recycling bins.
The collectors have been leaving the cardboard behind over the last while which I have been getting frustrated about as it grieves me to put it in the normal dustbin.
Barry saw these guys coming up the road this time and went out to have a ‘chat’.
Well, I thought World War three had broken out as such a row ensued. He used the “why the hell haven’t you been taking the cardboard” technique, which really put the backs up of the lads on the lorry. I thought that minute my own husband was going to be recycled! He was in danger of being picked up and put in the lorry!
After a fuming Barry came back into the house with the said cardboard, quite luckily in his hand and not stuffed somewhere unmentionable! I had to make a few phone calls to find out the reasons why cardboard had not been collected.
It seems they had been taking it mistakenly previously, as the council as yet does not have facilities to deal with it. I had a long discussion about the benefits of putting in place these facilities, which apparently are in the discussion stage at the council and hopefully will be in place shortly.
Moral of the story, it is easier to get what you want without having a tantrum and stamping your feet! Maybe it is a girl thing. However I don’t think so as I know my boy’s have used the technique to good effect, maybe they had a good teacher.
The problem with our green bin was that it was really to heavy to be lifted onto the back of the recycling lorry as we had been digging out turf in order to lay the new decking, and it was big time heavy!
Barry thought the best idea was to put it out and hope for the best and that they would take it! If they did not we would have a lot of work bagging it up ourselves and taking it to the council tip, not a prospect I relished.
I saw the lorry approaching the house and told Barry I was going out to have a word with the chaps. He thought I was wasting my time!
The nice young man approached and I swung into ‘womanly wiles’ mode. “I’m terribly sorry but I think I have over filled my bin, if you think its to heavy for you just leave it and I will take some out for next week,” Flash of blue eyes, and a touch of the mans forearm, “I don’t want you hurting your back now”
Well what strapping young man is going to admit that the bin is too heavy in front of five foot nothing (admittedly middle aged) helpless woman. “I’ve moved heavier than that, love” he announced and proceeded to load it on the back of the lorry with a manly flourish. “There you are love” Mission accomplished!
Now, I am a big recycler and compost as much household waste as possible and save all tins and glass and paper for the recycler’s. I compost some of the paper and cardboard but I have not got a great deal of space and only a tiny garden, so most has to go in the recycling bins.
The collectors have been leaving the cardboard behind over the last while which I have been getting frustrated about as it grieves me to put it in the normal dustbin.
Barry saw these guys coming up the road this time and went out to have a ‘chat’.
Well, I thought World War three had broken out as such a row ensued. He used the “why the hell haven’t you been taking the cardboard” technique, which really put the backs up of the lads on the lorry. I thought that minute my own husband was going to be recycled! He was in danger of being picked up and put in the lorry!
After a fuming Barry came back into the house with the said cardboard, quite luckily in his hand and not stuffed somewhere unmentionable! I had to make a few phone calls to find out the reasons why cardboard had not been collected.
It seems they had been taking it mistakenly previously, as the council as yet does not have facilities to deal with it. I had a long discussion about the benefits of putting in place these facilities, which apparently are in the discussion stage at the council and hopefully will be in place shortly.
Moral of the story, it is easier to get what you want without having a tantrum and stamping your feet! Maybe it is a girl thing. However I don’t think so as I know my boy’s have used the technique to good effect, maybe they had a good teacher.
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
End of Story for One.
I am sure Like me, a lot of people were delighted at the release of the British Navy personel from Iran last week. Glad that a young Mother was to be re-united with her young child, and all the sons given back to Mothers and Fathers returned to families.
The story then becomes very marred by the 'sell your story to the highest bidder' debacle. I made a point of not buying any paper with a 'sold' story or watch any documentary with any paid for footage. I did watch the news to make my informed decisions on the situation, but that was as far as I was prepared to go.
The very day of their release back into the arms of their very grateful families (Payment enough!) I was in the small town where I work at lunchtime, the main road had been closed an ITV newscrew were in attendance, the towns inhabitants stopped for a few very sad sombre minutes as the coffin of one of its Sons was carried through the sunlit spring flowered churchyard to be laid to rest after giving his life in service in Iraq. End of Story!
The story then becomes very marred by the 'sell your story to the highest bidder' debacle. I made a point of not buying any paper with a 'sold' story or watch any documentary with any paid for footage. I did watch the news to make my informed decisions on the situation, but that was as far as I was prepared to go.
The very day of their release back into the arms of their very grateful families (Payment enough!) I was in the small town where I work at lunchtime, the main road had been closed an ITV newscrew were in attendance, the towns inhabitants stopped for a few very sad sombre minutes as the coffin of one of its Sons was carried through the sunlit spring flowered churchyard to be laid to rest after giving his life in service in Iraq. End of Story!
Monday, March 19, 2007
To The Manor Born
We have just returned from a 'relaxing' weekend away! So how come I am absolutely knackered? Let me think, was it the fact that we did not go to bed before midnight three nights in a row, or was it that we danced four hours at time every evening. Or could it be that we were staying in a hotel within a wildlife park that I just had to walk around three times a day, to visit my new found best friends.
We actually stayed in the house where 'To the manor born' was filmed, a fabulous Country house in the depths of Somerset. The weekend was a Sixties weekend, the first evening we were entertained by 'The John lennon experience' which was great fun. Saturday evening was the high point though 'The Backbeat Beatles' were top of the bill and were F.A.B. as we used to say! We jived, bopped and twisted the night away, in fact we were congratulated by many for our 'Twist' we can still twist down to the floor and back up again! Good core stability!
We even got some early evening Ballroom dancing in, although we felt like the cabaret some of the time as we were the only dancers on the floor a lot of the time. It concentrates the mind though and we put on a good show! In fact the entertainment team thanked us for our lovely dancing on the last night. I sometimes think it would be nice for my boss who thinks I am clumsy unco-ordinated and dyspraxic to see me dance as I certainly become elegant poised and graceful on the dance floor, weird but true! Oh except for when the underwear goes astray of course.
The wild life park was just brilliant, we had full access all weekend, in fact our hotel room overlooked it. The animals were all so well kept and happy and some of them very tame. We wandered around early one morning before it was open to the public and two little marmosets that live free in the trees came down to see us, I sat and chatted to them in the same noises as they were making and they came right down and climbed onto our shoulders, they decided my hair was in need of grooming and Barry's jumper was so cosy that they wanted to join him inside it!
The rhia's were gorgeous and also very friendly, they had all been hatched in incubators so were very human friendly. They have a very nosy nature and the most gorgeous eyes with the longest eye lashes imaginable. We fed them the luscious grass on our side of the fence. We met some newly hatched babies in the incubator room who all thought we were their Mum and Dad, so impossibly cute!
The rhia's were gorgeous and also very friendly, they had all been hatched in incubators so were very human friendly. They have a very nosy nature and the most gorgeous eyes with the longest eye lashes imaginable. We fed them the luscious grass on our side of the fence. We met some newly hatched babies in the incubator room who all thought we were their Mum and Dad, so impossibly cute!
The meerkats were enchanting and busy little beings, the downside of visiting before the public was they had just been fed a meal of baby chicks, not the prettiest of sights, but hey, no worse than us sitting down to roast chicken really! I later caused a riot in their pen by giving them a bit of biscuit, they all sat and begged for more and growled at each other if they did not get a bit.
In the park they had a four acre Lemur wood, you walked through and they roamed freely among the trees and pathways. They loved to bask in the sun and were often found sat in a meditation position catching some rays on the paths.
We had to report an injured Wallaby to the office, poor chap had been fighting over a girl, yep! its that time of the year girls, when a young man's fancy and all that. He was bleeding profusely and looked very unhappy. However a keeper was immediatly dispatched to attend to him.All in all a very lovely weekend, we are going to do it again next year and book 'The Zoo keeper' experience.
Every time I go away I manage to forget something, varying from my vanity case to even my whole suitcase. I did not disapoint myself this time, I was getting ready for bed and suddenly found myself lacking in the nightwear department! Oh well, as I said it's that time of year! Actually I borrowed a very fetching baggy T shirt of Barry's, not quite the effect I was after but never mind.
Saturday, March 03, 2007
An Offer I Did Refuse and Children Are So Funny!
I returned to the office fairly late last Thursday after another trip out, this time to Esher in Surrey. I was desperate to catch up on some paperwork. Our marketing Director was in his usual flap, this time regarding an impeding TV advert we are about to film. He needed to drop some Model release forms over at Warwick and came bursting into our office to see if I would be prepared to finish early and drop them off on my way home. What he actually said however was,
'Sharon, how do you fancy an early night?' what could I say? Actually I said 'OK but I'm not a cheap date I'd want dinner first!' He was so embarrassed it was hilarious.
This week while carrying out my physical education session at nursery we were singing the Monkey song to get the 2-3 year old's warmed up. It goes:
Three little monkeys jumping on the bed
One fell off and bumped his head
Mummy phoned the doctor
And the doctor said
No more monkeys jumping on the bed.
Well one very bright little boy got to the second verse where Mummy phoned the Doctor and said 'Hello Doctor, the monkeys are jumping on the bed again!' How clever is THAT!
Oh, I dropped the forms off for the cheeky monkey marketing director the next morning.
'Sharon, how do you fancy an early night?' what could I say? Actually I said 'OK but I'm not a cheap date I'd want dinner first!' He was so embarrassed it was hilarious.
This week while carrying out my physical education session at nursery we were singing the Monkey song to get the 2-3 year old's warmed up. It goes:
Three little monkeys jumping on the bed
One fell off and bumped his head
Mummy phoned the doctor
And the doctor said
No more monkeys jumping on the bed.
Well one very bright little boy got to the second verse where Mummy phoned the Doctor and said 'Hello Doctor, the monkeys are jumping on the bed again!' How clever is THAT!
Oh, I dropped the forms off for the cheeky monkey marketing director the next morning.
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
A Nice Pot of Tea Please!
I haven’t really had a rant for a long time, but yesterday I had cause to become very cross and frustrated.
Remind me of the Country I live in, England! The greatest tea-drinking nation of the modern world, so why can you not get a POT yes a pot of tea at most motorway service stations.
As a fully paid up member of our great tea drinking nation I never, ever, ever, make myself a cup of tea by dunking a tea bag in a cup of hot water, even if I make tea for myself it is made in a warm pot out of good quality tea bags such as Twinings. Made in the cup results in either a tasteless brew of hot milky water or if you let it stand too long, the bitter taste of tannin makes it equally unpalatable.
I had to drive to Newcastle (and back) in a day for a brief visit to do an inventory on a Franchisee about to sell her business, a total of almost nine hours driving. On the way back I needed a real cup of tea brewed in a pot, surely not much to ask. I walked into the service station to be met with the usual disgusting choice of fat calorie laden rubbish and two ‘Costa coffee’ bars. On the overhead price list I could have, Cappuccino, Macciato, Espresso, Double espresso, Americana, Mocha, the list was endless. At the bottom as an after thought was cup of tea, or a pot of tea. Hurrah! A pot of tea!
I duly ordered the what was becoming a medicinal need, my pot of tea.
“Sorry love, I can only do you a cuppa tea”
“But it says a pot of tea £2.25 up their and I can see you have tea pots under their”
“Yeah, but we don’t have any lids for the pots so health and safety means I can’t give you one” I was getting pretty cross now as I was tired and desperate.
“Look, I don’t want a tea bag dangled in one of your ridiculously enormous cups I want a pot of tea, surely you have a lid somewhere”
She was a little puzzled that I would make such a fuss over a teapot, but she sent another member of staff out to the kitchens to locate a lid. I eventually got my most delicious pot of tea, but why the upsurge in these ridiculous coffee’s in place of our national brew!
I also ate a chicken wrap and today I am laid up food poisoning! Just what did she put in that pot?
Remind me of the Country I live in, England! The greatest tea-drinking nation of the modern world, so why can you not get a POT yes a pot of tea at most motorway service stations.
As a fully paid up member of our great tea drinking nation I never, ever, ever, make myself a cup of tea by dunking a tea bag in a cup of hot water, even if I make tea for myself it is made in a warm pot out of good quality tea bags such as Twinings. Made in the cup results in either a tasteless brew of hot milky water or if you let it stand too long, the bitter taste of tannin makes it equally unpalatable.
I had to drive to Newcastle (and back) in a day for a brief visit to do an inventory on a Franchisee about to sell her business, a total of almost nine hours driving. On the way back I needed a real cup of tea brewed in a pot, surely not much to ask. I walked into the service station to be met with the usual disgusting choice of fat calorie laden rubbish and two ‘Costa coffee’ bars. On the overhead price list I could have, Cappuccino, Macciato, Espresso, Double espresso, Americana, Mocha, the list was endless. At the bottom as an after thought was cup of tea, or a pot of tea. Hurrah! A pot of tea!
I duly ordered the what was becoming a medicinal need, my pot of tea.
“Sorry love, I can only do you a cuppa tea”
“But it says a pot of tea £2.25 up their and I can see you have tea pots under their”
“Yeah, but we don’t have any lids for the pots so health and safety means I can’t give you one” I was getting pretty cross now as I was tired and desperate.
“Look, I don’t want a tea bag dangled in one of your ridiculously enormous cups I want a pot of tea, surely you have a lid somewhere”
She was a little puzzled that I would make such a fuss over a teapot, but she sent another member of staff out to the kitchens to locate a lid. I eventually got my most delicious pot of tea, but why the upsurge in these ridiculous coffee’s in place of our national brew!
I also ate a chicken wrap and today I am laid up food poisoning! Just what did she put in that pot?
Friday, February 16, 2007
Murder On the Dance Floor
At our dance class this week Barry definitely got his own back for me drawing blood on his toe two weeks before! Dancing a new routine of the waltz he was having a problem with his quite frankly easy steps compared to my twiddly bits. All he had to do was Three steps back and a whisk. I had to do one step forward, a hook step and turn 45 degrees into a whisk open out, see! I told you in comparison his was easy. Any way he kept putting an extra step in his routine throwing mine completely out.
Jenny our patient dance teacher asked Barry "where did it go wrong for you Barry" His answer?
"Quite frankly at the altar, Jenny"
Do you remember how he had to hop around the dance floor in pain when I trod hard on his foot, well we nearly had a repeat performance. (Actually I thought it very funny)
However the night before I arrived home on valentines night not expecting anything from Barry, not that romance is dead but he does not think he needs a special day to tell me he loves me, which is a good point. He produced champagne and strawberries! Whet a lovely surprise, mind you I am the family entertainment after a glass of champers but hey, who cares, I drank it and had a giggly evening!
Jenny our patient dance teacher asked Barry "where did it go wrong for you Barry" His answer?
"Quite frankly at the altar, Jenny"
Do you remember how he had to hop around the dance floor in pain when I trod hard on his foot, well we nearly had a repeat performance. (Actually I thought it very funny)
However the night before I arrived home on valentines night not expecting anything from Barry, not that romance is dead but he does not think he needs a special day to tell me he loves me, which is a good point. He produced champagne and strawberries! Whet a lovely surprise, mind you I am the family entertainment after a glass of champers but hey, who cares, I drank it and had a giggly evening!
Sunday, February 11, 2007
Thursday, February 08, 2007
Bad Dog
Barry has taken drastic action to avoid tonights dance class! he has gone to France where I can't reach his toes. The dance class has been cancelled due to the heavy snow anyway so he need not of gone, he he. (he is working really, or so he tells me)
Last night I had a rude awakening about midnight when I was woken from my slumber by a loud noise from the kitchen. Burglars? Don't be daft the dog would of barked, would'nt he...
I crept downstairs and investigated the kitchen, Ta-shi was sitting in his bed with an expression of innocence on his face. However the evidence led me to his crime. He had pulled open a cupboard and managed to pull the deep fat fryer out emptying the oil out onto the floor. A trail of oily footprints led to Ta-shi's bed! What a bad dog. So at midnight I was trying to mop up oil with old towels and washing the floor. Not a happy bunny.
Then at 6.30 am my phone rang scaring me half to death, with Mum being so poorly. It was a cheerful Barry wishing me 'Good Morning' I grumpily remimded him that French time was an hour ahead of us here. Oops! I tried to go back to bed for a while as I was not working today. Only ta-shi started frantically barking in the 'Come quick there is a monster in the garden' way. I came downstairs to see what kind of monster we had lurking outside (its usually a neighbours cat) It was the large bush in the corner which was covered in snow making it look like a giant white man in the corner of the garden. I let him out to see to the 'monster' and he discovered the wonders of the snow and started dashing around in it like a bonkers dog, he loved it. Every time I called him indoors, he shouted to go out again, a bit like having a small child around again.
We later went for an exciting walk in it taking the little girls from nextdoor with us as their school was closed. So... I played snowballs, helped in a snowman project and acted my shoe size, what fun.
Mum update: Doctor has doubled her heart tablets as symptoms worsened over the last few days, my Sis say's she is looking a little better, more colour and breathing easier. I spoke to Mum on the phone who was very sad and told me she thinks she is going to die. What could I say to her? I tried to say that I am sure she will be fine and the Doctors will know how to treat her when the various test results are through. Was that the right thing to say, I don't know. Maybe she wanted to talk about the possibility of her life coming to a close, but it was not something I could discuss with her. She was very amused to hear of Ta-shi's antics though and had a chuckle at his naughtiness.
PS. The last blog re bike ride should of had two pics attached but it did not happen, don't know what I did wrong.
Last night I had a rude awakening about midnight when I was woken from my slumber by a loud noise from the kitchen. Burglars? Don't be daft the dog would of barked, would'nt he...
I crept downstairs and investigated the kitchen, Ta-shi was sitting in his bed with an expression of innocence on his face. However the evidence led me to his crime. He had pulled open a cupboard and managed to pull the deep fat fryer out emptying the oil out onto the floor. A trail of oily footprints led to Ta-shi's bed! What a bad dog. So at midnight I was trying to mop up oil with old towels and washing the floor. Not a happy bunny.
Then at 6.30 am my phone rang scaring me half to death, with Mum being so poorly. It was a cheerful Barry wishing me 'Good Morning' I grumpily remimded him that French time was an hour ahead of us here. Oops! I tried to go back to bed for a while as I was not working today. Only ta-shi started frantically barking in the 'Come quick there is a monster in the garden' way. I came downstairs to see what kind of monster we had lurking outside (its usually a neighbours cat) It was the large bush in the corner which was covered in snow making it look like a giant white man in the corner of the garden. I let him out to see to the 'monster' and he discovered the wonders of the snow and started dashing around in it like a bonkers dog, he loved it. Every time I called him indoors, he shouted to go out again, a bit like having a small child around again.
We later went for an exciting walk in it taking the little girls from nextdoor with us as their school was closed. So... I played snowballs, helped in a snowman project and acted my shoe size, what fun.
Mum update: Doctor has doubled her heart tablets as symptoms worsened over the last few days, my Sis say's she is looking a little better, more colour and breathing easier. I spoke to Mum on the phone who was very sad and told me she thinks she is going to die. What could I say to her? I tried to say that I am sure she will be fine and the Doctors will know how to treat her when the various test results are through. Was that the right thing to say, I don't know. Maybe she wanted to talk about the possibility of her life coming to a close, but it was not something I could discuss with her. She was very amused to hear of Ta-shi's antics though and had a chuckle at his naughtiness.
PS. The last blog re bike ride should of had two pics attached but it did not happen, don't know what I did wrong.
Wednesday, February 07, 2007
First Bike Ride of the Year
We dusted down the bikes, pumped up the tryes and went to Kingsbury water to have a gentle ride on Sunday. A beautiful winter sunny day, absolutely freezing but spectacularly beautiful.
Three Firsts and a Sadly
Its been a week of 'firsts' for me this week. I made marmalade for the first time! I have often made Jam but never marmalade. It was very theraputic, the hardest job was removing the pith from the peel before chopping it finely for the pan. The secret! A potato peeler! It did the job in no time. The resulting marmalade is delicious I may never eat shop bought again. I am now finding bits of orange peel stuck in all sorts of odd places though.
The next first, another culinary venture! I filleted two whole sea bass. I needed fillets for a recipe but the fishmonger only had whole fish. Ok, I know I could of asked the nice man in the white coat to do it for me, but how hard could it be?
I put the brace of fish washed and ready on my chopping board, I looked at them, and alarmingly they looked at me! So.... the heads had to go. One fishy was easily sorted and soon two neat little fillets lay de-scaled and ready for the pan. The other little fishy was reluctant to give up its skeleton, but with some determined pulling and cutting two more not quite so neat little fillets sat ready to be cooked over couscous, tomatoes, fennel and olive oil. All the more delicious knowing I had literally cooked it totally from scratch, if only I had been out and caught the little fishy's, but as I live in the dead centre of England I am about as far away from the sea as you can get on our little island home.
The third first, if you get my meaning. I , for the first time in ten years of ballroom/latin dancing actually drew blood on my poor husbands toe! We were learning a new complicated Cha cha routine I stepped forward instead of back and landed a heel lead full body weight step straight onto one of poor BJ's digit's! He was very gentlemanly about it and after two circuits of the hall hopping around clasping his foot said it was OK! I was mortified when I later saw his bare sore foot. ooops!
Sadly my Mother is very poorly at the moment, I dread every message received tone on my phone and am on tenterhooks. The fact that their are many miles between us makes it more difficult. I know she is almost 80 and has lived a difficult life with many mental health problems which has made our relationship difficult at times. But... she is my Mum for better or for worse, as they say, andI am not ready to lose her. She has been wickedly witty, funny and a loyal Grandmother (probably better at being a Grannie than a mummy) when the boys were small. Rob took his first steps to Grandma! She was delighted to have Grandsons after having three girls and was ace at story reading. Any-one reading my blog say a little prayer for my Mum! please...
The next first, another culinary venture! I filleted two whole sea bass. I needed fillets for a recipe but the fishmonger only had whole fish. Ok, I know I could of asked the nice man in the white coat to do it for me, but how hard could it be?
I put the brace of fish washed and ready on my chopping board, I looked at them, and alarmingly they looked at me! So.... the heads had to go. One fishy was easily sorted and soon two neat little fillets lay de-scaled and ready for the pan. The other little fishy was reluctant to give up its skeleton, but with some determined pulling and cutting two more not quite so neat little fillets sat ready to be cooked over couscous, tomatoes, fennel and olive oil. All the more delicious knowing I had literally cooked it totally from scratch, if only I had been out and caught the little fishy's, but as I live in the dead centre of England I am about as far away from the sea as you can get on our little island home.
The third first, if you get my meaning. I , for the first time in ten years of ballroom/latin dancing actually drew blood on my poor husbands toe! We were learning a new complicated Cha cha routine I stepped forward instead of back and landed a heel lead full body weight step straight onto one of poor BJ's digit's! He was very gentlemanly about it and after two circuits of the hall hopping around clasping his foot said it was OK! I was mortified when I later saw his bare sore foot. ooops!
Sadly my Mother is very poorly at the moment, I dread every message received tone on my phone and am on tenterhooks. The fact that their are many miles between us makes it more difficult. I know she is almost 80 and has lived a difficult life with many mental health problems which has made our relationship difficult at times. But... she is my Mum for better or for worse, as they say, andI am not ready to lose her. She has been wickedly witty, funny and a loyal Grandmother (probably better at being a Grannie than a mummy) when the boys were small. Rob took his first steps to Grandma! She was delighted to have Grandsons after having three girls and was ace at story reading. Any-one reading my blog say a little prayer for my Mum! please...
Sunday, January 28, 2007
Dogs Blog
Sometimes I am a lucky dog and go in the car with Dog-ma to work. She drives a long way some days and likes my company, and to be honest it is always a good dog day when she takes me. Some-times she sings in the car, which I think is very funny. It is the only place she is allowed to sing I think, as all her human family tell her to stop if she sings with them and make comments about cats being throttled. I like to hear her voice whatever it sounds like! She usually finds a park or sometimes a beach to play on if I am very lucky!
On Friday not only did I get the car pill (I get sick in the car sometimes) but it seemed as if Dog-da was coming to work with us as well! We left as usual very early and went on the long straight road, I tried to sit on the shelf at the back so I could watch the other cars go by but Dog-ma had taken it out to put lots of things in the back. Oh well! Have to have a kip instead.
We drove a long way, Dog-da was secretly impressed with Dog-ma’s driving through London, although I could tell he would not say it outright. I have discovered men people must not allow women people to be considered good drivers at any cost. However he did say that no way would he drive down the Blackwall Tunnel at 9am on a weekday if they paid him a thousand pounds. Dog-ma was laid back and told him ‘Welcome to my World’ in a resigned voice. I wanted her to sing, but she didn’t.
When we got to work she went in to do her work,but Dog-da stayed in the car with me, he looked at the black and white paper thing for a while, and then took me for a walk. It was OK, but Dog-ma would of found me a park to play in, but it seems that Dog-da could not find one. When Dog-ma came out from work we all ate sandwiches, I was given some as well, very nice eggy ones.
We set off down a different long road I could tell it was not taking us home. Instead we went to my second home. This is where my Dog-ma’s sister lives. I was very excited and could not wait for her to open the door, I rushed up to it and banged it hard with my front paws and barked. Annie thinks I am very funny and say’s she did not need to hear the bell to know I was here. I rushed in to say hello to her dog Wren, to be honest she is never very happy to se me and largely ignores my existence but I rush around her any-way. Shaky cat is there as well but he is not a happy cat either and spits angry cat words at me. He has a very grand name, Shakespeare, he is Son of our old cat Chloe and it seems the Kittens were born on Shakespeares birthday which is important to some Humans apparently. Anyway we all call him Shaky now. I try to find fluff cat that is always a happy cat and knows the rules of the ‘jump and bat’ game that I like to play. I have to jump and dance around and the cat sits and bats me with a soft paw if I get to close. Fluff cat (Humans call him Aslam) is no-where to be found and my Humans talk in hushed voices about him. When I went outside into the park which Annie say’s is the garden (I wish I had a garden like that one) I found a patch of fresh earth in one corner with a faint smell of Fluff cat. I tried to tell Dog-ma that Fluff cat was hiding under here but she would not listen. I hope he gets out soon.
In the lounge I spotted a new cat sitting on the fireplace, it sat really still and just looked at me. I growled but it still stared at me, I barked and added a growl but still it just stared. Every-one just laughed at this evil looking beast staring down from its perch. Dog-ma picked it up and put it on the floor. It was hard and cold not soft and fluffy, a toy of some kind that the humans like to look at! I still felt I had to growl at it every time I entered the room just to make sure. Humans have some very strange habits.
We then went to visit Grandma, which I always love. The Grand- ma Human likes to sit still a lot while the other Humans fuss about her. She loves me to sit on her lap and she pets me for hours.
To get to her rooms we have to go in the magic cupboard! The doors open we have to go inside, Dog-ma presses the button and a minute later the doors open and we get out again, it’s very strange. The magic thing is that it changes the colour of the carpet outside Humans don’t seem to notice this fact though.
The next day the humans leave me to guard the house, Wren is a deaf dog now and can’t hear if any strangers are about. Humans are painting the Grand-ma’s new flat apparently it is bigger and you don’t have to go in any cupboards to get to it, which seems to please every-one.
When all of them are home, I am in a bit of trouble because I got a bit bored with deaf dog not wanting to play so I found a plant asking to be emptied out of its pot. I also found the waste bin, which is usually good for a snack, so I emptied that out as well. The trouble is the Sister is a kind girl and does not eat any animals at all, so I could not find any tasty morsels no matter how far around the kitchen I spread it. Dog-ma was a bit cross but Sister laughed at me.
Later we had a strange little visitor, it was called a baby! It was a boy baby that is something called a Grandson. This strange creature suddenly turn Dog-ma and Sister into soppy gibbering wrecks who suddenly talk a funny language and use silly words. Babies are very funny little humans that can’t walk and make funny noises. I wondered if it could play ‘jump and bat’ so I danced about a bit to see. The baby made a strange noise, which truly did sound like a throttled cat, I woofed at Dog-da to tell him so. This pleased the baby who went ‘oof oof’ at me. I went and sat down quietly next to him so as not to make him make the cat noise again and guess what? He wanted to play ‘bat and jump’ He batted me rather hard on the head with his chubby hands so I jumped about until baby batted me again. This made the baby laugh and all the humans as well.
I like bedtimes at the Sisters house because I am allowed to sleep in the bedroom with Dog-ma. I start off on the end of the bed but the Humans don’t lay as still as sleeping dogs, so I jump down and make a cosy bed in the open suitcase, which is where I am found in the morning and Dog-ma is not to happy with crumpled clothes, oh well!
On Friday not only did I get the car pill (I get sick in the car sometimes) but it seemed as if Dog-da was coming to work with us as well! We left as usual very early and went on the long straight road, I tried to sit on the shelf at the back so I could watch the other cars go by but Dog-ma had taken it out to put lots of things in the back. Oh well! Have to have a kip instead.
We drove a long way, Dog-da was secretly impressed with Dog-ma’s driving through London, although I could tell he would not say it outright. I have discovered men people must not allow women people to be considered good drivers at any cost. However he did say that no way would he drive down the Blackwall Tunnel at 9am on a weekday if they paid him a thousand pounds. Dog-ma was laid back and told him ‘Welcome to my World’ in a resigned voice. I wanted her to sing, but she didn’t.
When we got to work she went in to do her work,but Dog-da stayed in the car with me, he looked at the black and white paper thing for a while, and then took me for a walk. It was OK, but Dog-ma would of found me a park to play in, but it seems that Dog-da could not find one. When Dog-ma came out from work we all ate sandwiches, I was given some as well, very nice eggy ones.
We set off down a different long road I could tell it was not taking us home. Instead we went to my second home. This is where my Dog-ma’s sister lives. I was very excited and could not wait for her to open the door, I rushed up to it and banged it hard with my front paws and barked. Annie thinks I am very funny and say’s she did not need to hear the bell to know I was here. I rushed in to say hello to her dog Wren, to be honest she is never very happy to se me and largely ignores my existence but I rush around her any-way. Shaky cat is there as well but he is not a happy cat either and spits angry cat words at me. He has a very grand name, Shakespeare, he is Son of our old cat Chloe and it seems the Kittens were born on Shakespeares birthday which is important to some Humans apparently. Anyway we all call him Shaky now. I try to find fluff cat that is always a happy cat and knows the rules of the ‘jump and bat’ game that I like to play. I have to jump and dance around and the cat sits and bats me with a soft paw if I get to close. Fluff cat (Humans call him Aslam) is no-where to be found and my Humans talk in hushed voices about him. When I went outside into the park which Annie say’s is the garden (I wish I had a garden like that one) I found a patch of fresh earth in one corner with a faint smell of Fluff cat. I tried to tell Dog-ma that Fluff cat was hiding under here but she would not listen. I hope he gets out soon.
In the lounge I spotted a new cat sitting on the fireplace, it sat really still and just looked at me. I growled but it still stared at me, I barked and added a growl but still it just stared. Every-one just laughed at this evil looking beast staring down from its perch. Dog-ma picked it up and put it on the floor. It was hard and cold not soft and fluffy, a toy of some kind that the humans like to look at! I still felt I had to growl at it every time I entered the room just to make sure. Humans have some very strange habits.
We then went to visit Grandma, which I always love. The Grand- ma Human likes to sit still a lot while the other Humans fuss about her. She loves me to sit on her lap and she pets me for hours.
To get to her rooms we have to go in the magic cupboard! The doors open we have to go inside, Dog-ma presses the button and a minute later the doors open and we get out again, it’s very strange. The magic thing is that it changes the colour of the carpet outside Humans don’t seem to notice this fact though.
The next day the humans leave me to guard the house, Wren is a deaf dog now and can’t hear if any strangers are about. Humans are painting the Grand-ma’s new flat apparently it is bigger and you don’t have to go in any cupboards to get to it, which seems to please every-one.
When all of them are home, I am in a bit of trouble because I got a bit bored with deaf dog not wanting to play so I found a plant asking to be emptied out of its pot. I also found the waste bin, which is usually good for a snack, so I emptied that out as well. The trouble is the Sister is a kind girl and does not eat any animals at all, so I could not find any tasty morsels no matter how far around the kitchen I spread it. Dog-ma was a bit cross but Sister laughed at me.
Later we had a strange little visitor, it was called a baby! It was a boy baby that is something called a Grandson. This strange creature suddenly turn Dog-ma and Sister into soppy gibbering wrecks who suddenly talk a funny language and use silly words. Babies are very funny little humans that can’t walk and make funny noises. I wondered if it could play ‘jump and bat’ so I danced about a bit to see. The baby made a strange noise, which truly did sound like a throttled cat, I woofed at Dog-da to tell him so. This pleased the baby who went ‘oof oof’ at me. I went and sat down quietly next to him so as not to make him make the cat noise again and guess what? He wanted to play ‘bat and jump’ He batted me rather hard on the head with his chubby hands so I jumped about until baby batted me again. This made the baby laugh and all the humans as well.
I like bedtimes at the Sisters house because I am allowed to sleep in the bedroom with Dog-ma. I start off on the end of the bed but the Humans don’t lay as still as sleeping dogs, so I jump down and make a cosy bed in the open suitcase, which is where I am found in the morning and Dog-ma is not to happy with crumpled clothes, oh well!
Being Kinder to Myself!
I have not blogged for ages, due to ‘unforeseen’ circumstances! Where does depression come from and why do we out of the blue suddenly suffer from it?
I am not in the least a depressive person and spend my life with the glass, half full and jolly any family member along if they have a personal crisis. Suddenly after a tummy bug at the beginning of December I ended up feeling as black as black.
I don’t do depression, I told myself! I was ashamed of myself and introverted into myself. I got a surprise every time I looked in the mirror as I looked normal, OK, not ugly and old, as I felt I deserved to look. I went to the Doc’s quoting insomnia as my problem, my Doc is a clever time giving Indian lady who saw through me straight away and sat and talked to me despite a waiting room full of far more needy and worthy patients than me. I, or we came to the decision of not taking medication as I have a fear of antidepressants which has sprung from living with a manic depressive and alcoholic Mother for all my growing up years (hence my shame and fear of depression)
Christmas was strange for me, it is a time of year that I love, as all the family is together. I tried to be as normal as possible with the support and help of Barry and got through it. I apologise now to any-one who found me strange and horrible! I tried to be me, but me had gone elsewhere for a while. I told no-one of my problem except Barry.
I am glad to say me, has returned! With patience and a period of being a little kinder to myself and some life changing decisions taken, I am almost back to myself. The only medication I have taken is wholesome food, fresh air, and a little St Johns Wort, a herbal remedy. And a belief that all things will pass in time.
I am not in the least a depressive person and spend my life with the glass, half full and jolly any family member along if they have a personal crisis. Suddenly after a tummy bug at the beginning of December I ended up feeling as black as black.
I don’t do depression, I told myself! I was ashamed of myself and introverted into myself. I got a surprise every time I looked in the mirror as I looked normal, OK, not ugly and old, as I felt I deserved to look. I went to the Doc’s quoting insomnia as my problem, my Doc is a clever time giving Indian lady who saw through me straight away and sat and talked to me despite a waiting room full of far more needy and worthy patients than me. I, or we came to the decision of not taking medication as I have a fear of antidepressants which has sprung from living with a manic depressive and alcoholic Mother for all my growing up years (hence my shame and fear of depression)
Christmas was strange for me, it is a time of year that I love, as all the family is together. I tried to be as normal as possible with the support and help of Barry and got through it. I apologise now to any-one who found me strange and horrible! I tried to be me, but me had gone elsewhere for a while. I told no-one of my problem except Barry.
I am glad to say me, has returned! With patience and a period of being a little kinder to myself and some life changing decisions taken, I am almost back to myself. The only medication I have taken is wholesome food, fresh air, and a little St Johns Wort, a herbal remedy. And a belief that all things will pass in time.
Sunday, January 14, 2007
A Friend who drifted in and out of my life in one evening!
We had a very interesting night out on Friday; again we went to the local Theatre. This time it was a Viennese evening, with music and dancing from the Strauss era.
The music and vocals were fabulous, the dancing abysmal and the costumes just awful! It looked as if the tatty evening dresses had been pulled out of a Tesco’s carrier bag five minutes before the performance. It probably did not help thet we were in the front row and could see all the glitches perfectly. However despite that we had a tremendously fun evening mainly due to a fabulous elderly man and his son who came and sat in the two spare seats next to us for the second half.
The first half of the performance I was sitting next to another old guy, who, frankly smelt dreadful, he could not sit still which made the pong worse he kept wafting his legs around which meant that the obvious incontinent problem was drifting constantly in my direction. I was so far over on my seat trying to avoid the aroma that I was almost sitting on Barry’s lap, he in turn thought I was being amorous and affectionally held my hand and snuggled into me. He was a little disappointed when at the interval over a much needed G+T I explained the problem. Like a gentleman he insisted on swapping places for the next half.
As we made our way back we realised two people had moved from further back to sit in the seats the other side of us, another elderly man was going to be sitting next to me!
This Guy made our night out a night to remember, he was a total delight and a fellow Kinsman quite literally as his name was Mr. Kingsman and he was Austro/ Hungarian (like my ancestors) he was very proud to tell me he was 86 years old, and he had the most beautiful smiley face with twinkly eyes, just how my Dad would of looked if he was still with us. (Actually he would have been 86 as well if he had lived)
This outing was a Christmas treat from his Son, Mr Kingsman new all the words to all the songs in both English and German, and sang them gustily with a most beautiful voice. His son tried to apologise and told him not to sing, but I told him it was fine with me, just let the guy have his fun. He was fabulous, we sat and chatted after the performance and I gave my new friend our programme, as he had not seen where to buy one. We parted with him giving me a big hug and kiss. I will probably never see him again but he made the evening very memorable with his total enthusiasm.
Oh, and he smelt wonderful!
The music and vocals were fabulous, the dancing abysmal and the costumes just awful! It looked as if the tatty evening dresses had been pulled out of a Tesco’s carrier bag five minutes before the performance. It probably did not help thet we were in the front row and could see all the glitches perfectly. However despite that we had a tremendously fun evening mainly due to a fabulous elderly man and his son who came and sat in the two spare seats next to us for the second half.
The first half of the performance I was sitting next to another old guy, who, frankly smelt dreadful, he could not sit still which made the pong worse he kept wafting his legs around which meant that the obvious incontinent problem was drifting constantly in my direction. I was so far over on my seat trying to avoid the aroma that I was almost sitting on Barry’s lap, he in turn thought I was being amorous and affectionally held my hand and snuggled into me. He was a little disappointed when at the interval over a much needed G+T I explained the problem. Like a gentleman he insisted on swapping places for the next half.
As we made our way back we realised two people had moved from further back to sit in the seats the other side of us, another elderly man was going to be sitting next to me!
This Guy made our night out a night to remember, he was a total delight and a fellow Kinsman quite literally as his name was Mr. Kingsman and he was Austro/ Hungarian (like my ancestors) he was very proud to tell me he was 86 years old, and he had the most beautiful smiley face with twinkly eyes, just how my Dad would of looked if he was still with us. (Actually he would have been 86 as well if he had lived)
This outing was a Christmas treat from his Son, Mr Kingsman new all the words to all the songs in both English and German, and sang them gustily with a most beautiful voice. His son tried to apologise and told him not to sing, but I told him it was fine with me, just let the guy have his fun. He was fabulous, we sat and chatted after the performance and I gave my new friend our programme, as he had not seen where to buy one. We parted with him giving me a big hug and kiss. I will probably never see him again but he made the evening very memorable with his total enthusiasm.
Oh, and he smelt wonderful!
Thursday, January 11, 2007
Hilight of 2006
It was a bit of a hardwork, not enough play year in many ways. However the absolute hilight for me was a very wet September morning high in the Abruzzo National Park Italy! We had set out for a walk from the little village of Pescasseroli and wound our way up to the castle ruins way above the little village lying in the valley below. As we were nearing the summit some sirens rang out from the little hamlet of pescasseroli, suddenly from the forest across the valley a good few wolves started to howl, it was incredible! I longed to see one of these fabulous creatures and scanned the hillside with binoculars but could not see them. I can say that I have heard real live wild wolves in their natural habitat.
As we continued our walk that morning a horrendous thunderstorm started so we sheltered in the castle ruins and watched as the storm tracked across the valley below. I have never before seen lightning flash below me, quite an exciting morning. We arrived back at the Hotel a few hours later soaked to the very skin but totally exhilerated! My beach loving, sun soaking colleagues think I am quite mad.
We were later told that the pack is about 20 strong so probably good that they were across the valley. However a German couple had seen a wolf cross the very path we were walking the day before.
As we continued our walk that morning a horrendous thunderstorm started so we sheltered in the castle ruins and watched as the storm tracked across the valley below. I have never before seen lightning flash below me, quite an exciting morning. We arrived back at the Hotel a few hours later soaked to the very skin but totally exhilerated! My beach loving, sun soaking colleagues think I am quite mad.
We were later told that the pack is about 20 strong so probably good that they were across the valley. However a German couple had seen a wolf cross the very path we were walking the day before.
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