Challenge – Fail – miserably!

I could have confessed to failing last week's challenge much sooner. I just couldn't bring myself to admit to such abject failure. I started with the very best of intentions and phoned an aunt on Monday evening, sadly she didn't really seem to want to talk and the call lasted only a few minutes. I actually felt quite dejected but resolved to carry on regardless. Tuesday was Julie's turn – except that she sent an email early in the evening explaining that she was really busy – could I call on Wednesday. That sort of took the wind out of my sails and I lost the impetus to keep the challenge going. I did call her on Wednesday but sadly that ended up being rushed because of John's birthday celebrations – dinner was being cooked and the lovely Carl, my reflexologist, was due at 7.30.

So there you have it – I made no further attempts to call anybody after that. I think I may be a little phone-phobic actually – I don't find it the easiest thing in the world to pick up the phone and talk to my nearest and dearest and I have absolutely no idea why! So if you are reading this and I owe you a phone call or two – please forgive me, it's nothing personal I'm just really bad at keeping in touch by phone!

I've decided not to set a challenge this week – I can just feel it's going to be a bit of a pig of a week at work, don't ask why I just have a feeling in my water! If I'm wrong I'll gladly admit to it – my boss is away as well this week so that leaves lil' ol' me to keep things going – deep joy!

Hope this week is all you would wish it to be for yourselves – I'll catch you later in the week.

Sunday Stealing – The Ellie Bellie Meme

I liked the look of this one this morning! For the first Sunday in ages I wasn't putting off meme-ing! So here we go thanks to Sunday Stealing here is this week's meme!

The Ellie Bellie Meme

What are your most common nicknames? I suppose I've had several over the years – Fevvers when I was very young (rhyming – geddit?), my oldest friends would have called me Hev and probably most recently Sparkle (again rhyming!)

What is today's weather? Blue skies, nothing but blue skies – tad nippy though, weather is just starting to turn.

Where did you go on vacation this year? I've been lucky this year. Caribbean earlier in the year and Baltic Capitals more recently.

What did you do there? A lot of sightseeing!

Where did you stay? On a ship – both times.

What job do you do? Manager- admin type things

Describe where you live. On the outskirts of a large town but not far from the countryside and the coast.

What do you usually do on weekends? Depends on the time of year! Always housework but during the season I go to football when it's a home game. Occasionally meet up with friends as well.

What food hits your 'bliss spot'? Difficult one – I love crispy duck with hoisin sauce and shredded cucumber and spring onion!

What drink really does it for you? A lovely cup of Earl Grey tea!

Describe the first friend that comes to your head. Shorter than me and blonder than me! (oh – and a whole lot slimmer than me!)

What was the last restaurant you went to? Had lunch in Arlington's yesterday – becoming a habit!

Where would you like to live if you had unlimited moneys and nothing stopping your dreams? I'd love a house large enough to be sectioned off so that the boys could become independent of us – probably still in the same general area that I live in now.

What is the likeliness of you achieving this dream home? Absolutely zero unless I win the lottery, which won't happen too soon as I keep forgetting to do it!

What do you like to do in your spare time? Daft question – blogging, Twittering, Facebook-ing! I do try to read as well from time to time!

What's your favourite genre for TV programs? Sadly healthcare related, be they fiction or documentary/reality and sport – football and cricket!

What's your favourite genre for music? I love soul music and anything Motown.

What's your favourite song that's sad? Now this one goes back many years – 'Love Theme (Evergreen)' from A Star is Born by Barbra Streisand.

What's your favourite soppy film? Pretty Woman.

How about your favourite chick flick? Four Weddings and a Funeral.

What are you looking forward to at the moment? Going off to Ikea to finally (fingers crossed) complete the dining room redecoration project!

What are you dreading at the moment? Absolutely nothing.

How would you describe your personality? Open, friendly, sometimes serious.

If you had a personality eraser, what part of yours might you erase? That bit of me that flares up too quickly in temper!

You are given $5000 to spend in 1 day, what do you do with it? Remember, no limitations! Hire a limo to a nice country hotel, spend the day being pampered to within an inch of my life and spend the night in uproarious luxury! (If I chose the right hotel I'm sure I could spend that much – of course I'd take my friends as well to make sure I did!)

What is your biggest fear? That my boys will never become independent of us, housing costs are so high they'll still be with us in their thirties!

I’ve been so very lazy this week...

...I hope you can forgive me for not posting anything original since Monday – no excuses, not been particularly busy, I guess just not felt very creative!

It was my darling husband's birthday on Wednesday – what do you buy for the man who has everything but never uses any of it? I had no idea, couldn't think of anything original – he particularly said, in a totally unsubtle way 'tell the boys not to buy me books this year'! OK, no help there then. I had the bright idea of Ticket Master gift cards – I promise that I did attempt to find tickets for a show in London but after about 5 hours minutes, I gave up – just seemed so darn complicated. I really wanted to get tickets for Hairspray – but would he want that? I couldn't find a Saturday that didn't clash with football (I know, you have to question my priorities here)so I thought, yep it's voucher time! John actually seemed quite pleased – oh, and I also added a voucher for Pizza Express so we could eat as well!!

We had a day off yesterday so John decided to look for his show. He thought he'd stay local and opt for Jools Holland at the Ipswich Regent. A nice local venue, five minutes or so down the road, easy(ish) to park or get one of the boys to chauffeur for the night. The only problem was we could only have seats in row V – up against the wall, not a good option, especially when he thought he'd compare the tickets with another ticket site and could get better tickets, five rows forward and in the middle! Scrap that idea. 'Was there something in particular that you had in mind?' he asked me. Golden Opportunity. 'Well.....I had thought about Hairspray' hurriedly followed by 'but they're your tickets – you choose!'

Result – 3^rd October – Hairspray tickets available (I was already feeling 'the motion of the ocean') problem – you need a security code on the card to book on line. We have no code on the back of the card. But you can book by phone! Or not – the next thing I hear is him yelling, yes yelling, at an automated telephone service that couldn't even hear him! Meanwhile, I'm thinking I'll make the most of this and find a hotel for the night – maybe make a weekend of it! Net result – no show booked, no hotel booked, no plans made! I'll have a go at speaking with the nice automated telephone lady to see if I can book tickets, if not well – who knows!

 

The Hormone Guide

The Hormone Guide
Women will understand this!
Men should memorize it!

Every woman knows that there are days when all a man has to do is open his mouth and he takes his life in his hands! This is a handy guide that should be carried like a driver's license in the wallet of every husband, boyfriend, co-worker or significant other!

DANGEROUS	SAFER	SAFEST	ULTRA SAFE
What's for dinner?	Can I help you with dinner?	Where would you like to go for dinner?	Here, have some wine.
Are you wearing that?	You sure look good in brown!	WOW! Look at you!	Here, have some wine
What are you so worked up about?	Could we be overreacting?	Here's my paycheck.	Here, have some wine.
Should you be eating that?	You know, there are a lot of apples left.	Can I get you a piece of chocolate with that?	Here, have some wine.
What did you DO all day?	I hope you didn't over-do it today.	I've always loved you in that robe!	Here, have some wine.

 
 

Forward this information to all of your friends and those who might need a good laugh...
and men who need a warning.

And, have some wine.

 

For Mums everywhere!!

Early morning gem courtesy of another Tweet - starting to feel really lazy this week!

People of Walmart

Every now and then the odd gem gets tweeted on Twitter this could be one of them, dependant on how you view Walmart shoppers! Or the English equivalent Asda!

Wordless Wednesday

Let the pictures do the talking!!! Another belly laughing session - enjoy!

Tough Love

An inbox special

Tough Love v Smacking - Good Argument

Most people think it improper to smack children, so I have tried many other methods to control kids when they have one of 'those moments.'

One that I found effective is for me to just take the child for a car ride and chat.

Some say it's the vibration from the car, others say it's the time away from any distractions such as TV, Video Games, Computer, iPod, etc.

Either way, the child usually calms down and stops misbehaving after our car ride together.

Eye to eye contact seems to help a lot too.

Due to the success I have had I've included a photo below of one of my sessions with my son, in case you would like to use the same technique.





This works with grandchildren, nieces, and nephews as well as friend's children……..

Challenge – Pass!!

Yay – I passed last week's challenge – with bells on! Well, when I say passed I achieved 80% which in terms of most exams is a good pass rate. I confess that I didn't walk home on Thursday evening because I needed to go shopping first and that is far too far to walk – in either direction – at the end of a day. Not only did I achieve the 80% pass on walking but I also kept on top of the ironing for the whole week which was brilliant. Another confession. One night I made such a noise about putting the ironing board up, John's conscience kicked in and he took his turn – but the net result was the same, right – the ironing was done! Oh – and I read most evenings before I fell asleep. All in all I consider that a good pass. So what about this week?

I've been taking my inspiration from If You Give a Mom a Moment which is Erin's blog. She calls her challenge FJ1W – For Just One Week. This week she has gone to a whole new dimension and is now calling the challenge FJ1SS – For Just One Stinking Semester. She's going to become a fitness junkie – sorry but I can't follow that! So what am I going to do? Building on last week I'm still going to do the walking, the ironing (or something similar) and the reading and I'm planning to add *fanfare* socialising! I'm going to make a real effort to catch up on all those phone calls that are long overdue. I've become far too reliant on email and Facebook over recent months so it's time to go back to the good old fashioned phone call – beware you have been warned if your number's in my phone book – oh, and if I don't get around to calling you, please don't take it personally – I'll have run out of time! This is actually going to be quite some challenge, given my limited capacity for staying awake during the evening.

OK – who's going to be first on my list.......

Who remembers when phones really looked like this?

Sunny Summer Sunday

What a great day today has been, woke up to glorious sunshine and that hasn't changed all day! I've been quite lazy because it's been too hot to do much although the ironing is up to date! I had a sneaky peak at today's Sunday Stealing meme and though 'nah, not for me this week' then mentioned it to number 1 son who promptly threw himself into it – he who mocks mother's blogging, by the way! You can see the results below.

I have had so many visits to the Ramblings today and more comments than ever – thank you to all of you who have taken the trouble to share a little piece of my world, I hope you can find time to come back!

You might remember a couple of weeks ago I wrote about meeting up with Janet? (a reminder) Well I am pleased to announce to the blogosphere that we have a new member, please welcome Janet at Just Jotting , treat her gently and be nice to her, please! For somebody who didn't have a clue what she was doing first thing this morning she's done pretty well.

As I'm writing this England's cricket team have just won the Ashes, for my friends across the pond this is a competition between Australia and England which holds such meaning and memories – a real grudge match and most often won by the Aussies – ha ha not this year!

Sorry, just composing myself again *straightens up and smoothes self down*. Ahem, where was I. Oh yes, remember when I started all this blogging business that I was having problems with my frost free freezer? (a reminder) Well the problem has recurred. Only the top half of the freezer was cold and the top had frozen again, yesterday number 1 son assisted in the defrosting of the freezer and the removal of another bag of rotting food. I've been all through the instruction manual and no where can I find anything that tells me to defrost it on a regular basis, so it will be a week of wait and see if it goes back to 'normal service' if not another, no doubt hefty call out charge to get it looked at.

Lovely future daughter-in-law received her exam results this week and has the grades for the university of her choice and is going to study radiography in September. She loves cooking at mine and asked me if I'd like some cooking apples to make crumble or something – of course I said yes! A few hours later she arrived with a huge bag of apples, now I just need to decide what to do with them! I'm thinking something savoury as well as something sweet – any ideas? Apple chutney is calling but I'm not sure I could stand the thought of the vinegar cooking for hours and hours – I'll let you know the decision, meantime they are safely in the fridge to keep fresh.

Ah well, another weekend over, time to do all the getting ready for next week things and prepare mentally for the week ahead!

Don't forget to check in tomorrow for the results of last week's challenge and see what gem I can come up with for next week!

Bye for now

Sunday Stealing – Jodi’s meme

I really was not going to do this one – it seemed far too darn hard and complicated, however my 21 year old son came to the rescue so here it is – Jodi's meme from Sunday Stealing.

The requirements of this one are to answer the questions with song titles from one artist and to only use each song title once, so here goes.

Songs by Pink (half of which I confess to never having heard!)

~Are you a male or a female – Stupid Girl

~Describe yourself - Sober (boringly)

~How do you feel right now – Numb (not really)

~If you could go anywhere, where would you go – Funhouse (?)

~Your favourite form of transport - 18 Wheeler (so not!)

~Describe your morning routine - Just like a Pill (I take mine at night but heh!)

~Your best friend is - Dear Mr President (Sorry to my BFFs)

~What's the weather like - Stop falling (Pretend it's raining OK?)

~Pet peeve - Family portrait(s)(hard to get everyone together!)

~If your life was a TV show what would it be - Private Show (nothing else remotely selectable!)

~Your relationship - Is it love (of course it is)

~Your fear - Split Personality (?)

~What is the best advice you have to give - Get this party started

~If you could change your name what would it be - M!ssunderstood

~What do you say when you're frustrated - There you go (not really!)

~Thought for the day - I'm not dead

~How would you like to die - Gone to California

~Your soul's present condition - Long way to happy (not really as well!)

~Your motto - Don't let me get me (actually quite an apt one – I'm my own worst enemy!)

That was quite fun in the end! Number 1 son has now just come up with a load of brilliant suggestions from another great artist – maybe next time!

Really Funny - even if you're from East Anglia!!!

What’s in a name?

I'm really sorry that I can't credit this post back to where I read something similar but my brain is absolute mush at the moment and I can't remember where I saw it. If it was your blog, please send me a memory jog and I'll add the credit!

Whilst blog-hopping the other day I came across a post about the naming of blogs and I thought back to the day I decided to start Rambling. At the time I thought I was sooooo original in my blog name, to be honest I didn't think for too long what to call it – it just sort of appeared on the page. Until I came to save it and I found out I was in no way original. There are loads of other Random Ramblings. Somehow I thought I was going to be unique but there are clearly other people with the same warped mind as me in the blogosphere (hey – no spell check fail on that one!)

So to answer the question (are you getting the idea about the title now...?) I called the blog Random Ramblings because it is just that! Nothing to do with walks in the English countryside, just the complete and unabridged version of the contents of my mind at the time – phew – glad I've got that off of my chest!

By the way thanks to those of you who have commented on the last post, it's great to know that you've taken the time to share your thoughts with me. Still no resolution and I fear this may rumble on for some considerable time but at least it's the weekend and nothing more can happen until Monday!

Have a great weekend – whatever you may be up to ;)

Just a quick post

I have had a tough few days work-wise this week, I've had to deal with a very unpleasant situation which still isn't resolved and seems to have evolved daily. I don't think any management course would have prepared me for this one and I'm really hoping for some divine intervention from somewhere. At the moment I have one very unhappy member of staff who feels that her world is falling around her ears and however hard she steels herself against it there's no protection.

I hate conflict - life is far too short and at the end of the day, work is work and shouldn't rule your life. Perhaps I'll have some inspiration during tonight's sleepless spell. Heaven knows I need something!

Witty Wednesday

A lazy post today – copied straight from the inbox – please feel free to laugh out loud, it's really good for you!

1. Two antennas met on a roof, fell in love and got married. The ceremony wasn't much, but the reception was excellent.
   
   2. A jumper cable walks into a bar. The bartender says, "I'll serve you, but don't start anything."
   
   3. Two peanuts walk into a bar, and one was a salted.
   
   4. A dyslexic man walked into a bra.
   
   5. A man walks into a bar with a slab of asphalt under his arm, and says: "A beer please, and one for the road."
   
   6. Two cannibals are eating a clown. One says to the other: "Does this taste funny to you?"
   
   7. "Doc, I can't stop singing The Green, Green Grass of Home."
   "That sounds like Tom Jones Syndrome."
   "Is it common?"
   "Well, It's Not Unusual."
   
   8. Two cows are standing next to each other in a field. Daisy says to Dolly, "I was artificially inseminated this morning."
   "I don't believe you," says Dolly.
   "It's true; no bull!" exclaims Daisy.
   
   9. An invisible man marries an invisible woman. The kids were nothing to look at either.
   
   10. Deja Moo: The feeling that you've heard this bull before.
   
   11. I went to buy some camouflage trousers the other day, but I couldn't find any.
   
   12. A man woke up in a hospital after a serious accident. He shouted, "Doctor, doctor, I can't feel my legs!"
   
   The doctor replied, "I know, I amputated your arms!"
   
   13. I went to a seafood disco last week... and pulled a mussel.
   
   14. What do you call a fish with no eyes? A fsh.
   
   15. Two fish swim into a concrete wall. The one turns to the other and says, "Dam!"
   
   16. Two Eskimos sitting in a kayak were chilly, so they lit a fire in the craft. Not surprisingly it sank, proving once again that you can't have your kayak and heat it too.
   
   17. A group of chess enthusiasts checked into a hotel, and were standing in the lobby discussing their recent tournament victories. After about an hour, the manager came out of the office, and asked them to disperse.
   "But why," they asked, as they moved off.
   "Because," he said. "I can't stand chess-nuts boasting in an open foyer."
   
   18. A woman has twins, and gives them up for adoption. One of them goes to a family in Egypt , and is named 'Ahmal.' The other goes to a family in Spain ; they name him 'Juan.' Years later, Juan sends a picture of himself to his birth mother. Upon receiving the picture, she tells her husband that she wishes she also had a picture of Ahmal. Her husband responds, "They're twins! If you've seen Juan, you've seen Ahmal."
   
   19. Mahatma Gandhi, as you know, walked barefoot most of the time, which produced an impressive set of calluses on his feet. He also ate very little, which made him rather frail and with his odd diet, he suffered from bad breath. This made him (oh, man, this is so bad, it's good) ... a super-calloused fragile mystic hexed by halitosis.
   
   20. A dwarf, who was a mystic, escaped from jail. The call went out that there was a small medium at large.
   
   21. And finally, there was the person who sent twenty different puns to his friends, with the hope that at least ten of the puns would make them laugh. No pun in ten did.
   

   
   

   I thank you !!!!!

Challenge Fail

Yes - I failed last weeks challenge when I promised to read for half an hour every evening. One miserable night was all I managed. I blame my choice of reading material, I normally force myself to finish what I start but I think this time I'm going to concede defeat and pull back the cover of one of the three lovely new books just waiting for me.

This week I'm challenging myself to walk to and from work, I've managed it tonight, yes I know it's only Monday but it's a better start than last week! I have a confession though, it's not much of a walk really - I can see work from my front door! It usually takes me about 15-20 minutes door to desk and vice verse. The trouble is once I reach the building I see so many people in the long corridor it can take me twice as long! It's amazing the number of people who need to have corridor meetings at 8 in the morning!

I'd just like to point out that this is not a caricature! I can only dream of being that slim and wouldn't even be able to contemplate walking in those heels! I'm one for the comfortable options now when it comes to footwear but that's a whole new story...

Sunday Stealing – The Blame Tara Meme

I know I've said it before but I really thought I meant it this week! This post was going to start with 'Sorry – no Sunday Stealing this week' but I've given in! Only 10 questions how hard can that be?????

OK – here goes this week's Sunday Stealing Meme

The Blame Tara Meme

1. Who do you think is the hottest Movie star?
   

   
    

   Mmmmm – not really a movie kind of person but I do have a very soft spot for Hugh Grant – OK, I can hear you all but there's just something about him OK?
   

   
    

2. Apart from your house and car, what is the most expensive thing you have ever bought?
   

   Probably our first computer, seems like forever ago now but probably only about 10 years ago
   

3. What is your most treasured memory?
   

   That's a hard one – I probably need to say I have three if that's allowed. Firstly my wedding day, at the time it flew by but looking back I remember quite a bit of what happened, second & third has to be the births of my sons (sorry don't mean to sound mushy but it's a mushy kind of question)
   

4. What is the best gift you ever received as a child?
   

   Can't remember many gifts – possibly a doll that cried!
   

5. What is the biggest mistake you have ever made?
   

   I have had to have a good think back about this one. I think possibly being offered a new job and then telling them I was pregnant (too honest for my own good, remember), the offer was retracted!
   

6. Give four words to describe yourself
   

   Loyal, friendly, slightly crazy and protective (well, it did say four words!)
   

7. What was your highlight or lowlight of 2008?
   

   
    

   Watching my dear friend and her family struggle following the breakup of her marriage – that was a real toughie (sorry if you read this but it was/is)
   

   
    

8. What was your most embarrassing moment?
   

   
    

   Can't think of anything really but I'll tell you a story about a friend (who may or may not ever read this). She was working as an IT trainer and had a particularly dull group. Presenting on projector she decided it was time for a coffee break and proceeded to type that on to the screen (almost) she typed 'Does anybody wan* a coffee break?' (substitute the * for a letter other than the 't' she intended – not even very close on the key board!)She only realised what she had written by the very audible intake of breath from the group!
   

   
    

9. Tell something not generally known about yourself
   

   Ooh, don't really know – I'm a bit of an open book really, heart on my sleeve and all that.
   

10. If you were a cartoon/comic strip character what would you be?
    

    I think I'd have to go back to those 1970s teen magazine comic stories – remember the ones about the shy, lonely girl on the edge of the crowd just longing to be in with the in crowd?

What would you think...

...if you had a day off and went back to work to find that a new person had started and had been given your desk? And your computer. And your phone. And when you ask how you're supposed to work, your boss says 'jump on somebody else's PC when they go out?'

As a manager I was horrified when number 2 son came home last night and told me what had happened - it just beggars belief that any manager could put their staff in this position, whilst still expecting them to function fully. He has ended up sitting at a table with no computer (they realised at the end of the day yesterday that they would need to order one - doh!) and a phone that wasn't connected into the system - therefore no sales opportunities.

My heart bled for him last night, he seemed so vulnerable and bereft and for once actually seemed to want our advice - progress perhaps. Of course our advice wasn't what he wanted to hear because it was that he should talk to his boss to tell him how he felt - apparently not an option as they have an open plan office and everybody else would hear. Personally I would have just said it but then that's me - fly off the handle, get it off my chest and move on. Unfortunately (or perhaps fortunately) he is more circumspect in his moods, preferring to brood for several days rather than confront the issue head on.

He's just come home tonight having not addressed the issue but is happier in himself, thankfully. All of my fears for this job seem to be coming true, I can only hope that the branch manager realises what he's done and how insensitive he has been, however I feel that may be a hope too far.

Should Auld Aquaintance...

I've had a lovely day today - I went to a funeral. I can hear your sharp intakes of breath on that one - lovely day, funeral??? Yes it was a lovely day. My aunt died last week at the grand old age of 88, she had an interesting life in which she worked full time for the most part.

This particular aunt held a very special place in my life because she introduced my parents to each other - in other words if it were not for her I would not be here. Some who know the story might say that it's her fault but I'm taking the positive line on this one for a change, because if I wasn't here then neither would my boys be - this could start getting very deep now so I should probably stop before I'm out of my depth.

Any way, what made it so lovely was that I was able to meet up with my cousins who I see so rarely. John and I were sitting in the car park when a couple walked across to their car. Having not seen Paul for at least 25 years I wondered it if was him, but I was undecided - I remembered him being taller or was that just because I was smaller? I kept looking trying to be as discreet as possible and decided to casually get out of the car to sort out the flowers that I had brought (whilst still peering across the car park) to my shame I suddenly realised that the female was my cousin Lesley - how the hell I'd not recognised her I do not know but I did confess, my excuse was that I was focused on her partner Julio who I had not seen for about 20 years and I was clearly blinded to Lesley's presence! (I had seen Lesley only 18 months ago - hence the shame)

Anyway as it was Paul's Mum's funeral of course he wouldn't be in the car park before the funeral party - doh! When the party arrived I recognised Paul straight away - slightly older looking but still easily recognisable, his brother Peter was even more recognisable as I'd only seen him 18 months ago as well.

A lovely simple service, not many mourners but our family is diminishing annually now, and once the distress of the removal of the casket was over the mood lifted and reminiscences abounded.

We all realised that we are now the older generation, Helen was the last of the siblings. It made me realise that I really know nothing about the paternal side of my family - I spent too many years estranged from my Dad to be able to ask the right questions - now it may be too late, I never knew my grandparents as they both died very young but I feel an urge now to find out more about that side of my family, trouble is, where do I begin...

Oh my failing memory!

After completing yesterday's meme I realised that I had lived in my current house for 11 years! I therefore mislead you about where I lived 10 years ago!

After a great weekend, I was quite enthused about going to work today. I've realised that I haven't blogged much about work lately but here's a little something to make up for it, with the minutiae removed. I needed to laminate some handouts which I'd printed on bright gold coloured paper – trying to make them unmissable. The problem was, when I found the laminating pouches, some bright spark had used almost the whole box for small items – no multi items in one pouch –oh no, they had used the nice straight edge and cut the pocket about 2 inches from the edge, leaving the remainder of the pouch in two pieces and next to useless! So there I am with 10 A4 sheets that I intended to cut once they were laminated and 15 half pockets, no guillotine to hand and time running away! Picture this if you can, trying to line up the darn pockets and put the halved A4 sheets in centrally to put through the laminator – what a mess I ended up with! And then when I ran out of scraps I had to use A3 pouches for what was left – another puzzle to fit together! Anyway – net result was passable – hopefully they'll have the desired effect!

I later turned detective – given a report containing data which I knew just couldn't be right – that gut instinct when you know your area and have to challenge the impossibilities! I think I have the answer to the cause of the problem but putting it right....that could be a whole new ballgame, let's just hope that it can be done by the flick of a switch (or its electronic equivalent)!

As usual when I arrived home I powered up the laptop and had my daily fix of Twitter, Facebook & blogs I'm always drawn to Erin's blog and just lately she has been setting herself a weekly challenge, I thought I'd join in. My challenge this week is not sit with the laptop every evening and read my way through virtuality (new word just made up)but instead to read a book! Yes – a book! I ordered two yesterday – The Time Travellers Wife and The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, but before I can start those I must read Sushi for Beginners which arrived two weeks ago – oh and then there's the book I 'swapped' on the ship, the title of which I can't remember (yep – it's that good) – what's that you say – no chance of reading them all? Well not this week anyway!

The Then & Now Meme – Sunday Stealing

This meme from Sunday Stealing includes some rules – it is the first one I've come across that does, some challenging questions as well – mainly because I have to trawl back through the mire that is my memory – but here goes:

• Think back to 10 years ago this month (August 1999)
  
• Write truthful answers and elaborate - this makes is more interesting!
  
• If you don't have a scanner you can omit number 14, but if you can you should do it!
  
• It's about personal changes – have fun!
  

Then August 1999

1. Age – 39
   
2. Romantic Status – Married
   
3. Occupation – something admin – I think that was a time when I worked in IT
   
4. Fun night out – fun nights in with friends – too tired for fun nights out!
   
5. My BFFs – had to look this up (it means Best Friends Forever), probably Julie & Linda
   
6. I spent way too much time – worrying about number 2 son!
   
7. I spent not enough time – on myself!
   
8. I wanted to be when I grew up – err – I was already grown up!
   
9. Biggest concern – number 2 son
   
10. What my biggest concern should have been – this is obviously aimed at a younger audience, I have no idea – my family were paramount
    
11. Where did I live – Colchester
    
12. Dumbest thing I did that year – mmmm can't think of anything for that one
    
13. If I could go back to then and talk to myself I would say – 'Stop being so hard on yourself – life is not perfect!'
    
14. Picture of me then – I promise that I have looked for one and can't find anything!
    

 

Now August 2009

1. Age – 49
   
2. Romantic Status – Married
   
3. Occupation – Manager in health service
   
4. Fun night out – what's a fun night out? Oh – probably going to football, that's generally the extent of my nights out these days!
   
5. My BFFs – had to look this up (it means Best Friends Forever), Julie, Linda & Shirley
   
6. I spend way too much time – worrying about number 2 son! Nothing changes really! Oh – and too much time on t'internet and blogging stuff (had to add that one)!
   
7. I spend not enough time – keeping up with the housework L
   
8. I want to be when I grew up – err – I am already grown up! Now I just want to retire!
   
9. Biggest concern – how the hell I'm going to be able to keep working for at least 10 years more!
   
10. What my biggest concern should be – I have no idea – my family are paramount (still)
    
11. Where do I live – Ipswich
    
12. Dumbest thing I did this year – come on, I'm so grown up I don't do dumb things anymore!
    
13. What I think I would say to myself in 10 years – hopefully, keep goiing only another five months to retirement!
    

Summary

1. What do I miss most from 1999 – hard to say, the boys were a lot younger and more dependant then. Do I feel less needed now? Probably not they have always been independent – that's the way we brought them up.
   
2. What do I miss least from 1999 – again hard to say, in fact I can't think of anything
   
3. What have I accomplished in 10 years that I am most proud of – sorry but it's going to be the passage of time for the boys to grow into young men, that's an accomplishment that we can all be proud of
   
4. What have I not accomplished in 10 years that I wish I had – perhaps financial security, no mortgage left to pay – otherwise I'm quite happy with my lot, thank you!
   

New friendships

Started today on the wrong foot! I had my regular hair appointment this morning – something that John had kindly written on the calendar for me. I'd got in my mind that my appointment was 11 o'clock but the calendar said 9 – so off I went, the lovely Angela looked surprised to see me – so early! Yes – my hunch was right, my appointment was at 11! Fortunately I only live a five minute walk away so I trundled back home, gave John a ticking off (of course) and proceeded to get on with some housework (clothes now in loft and bedroom hovered – hurray)before returning back to the hairdressers.

You see, I had reason for wanting today to be just right. Earlier in the week I arranged with my virtual friend Janet to meet up, for the first time, for lunch. This is where the doubt about the hair appointment timing had first come to my mind, but I digress. Janet and I became friends on Twitter earlier on in the year through a case of mistaken identity and have built up a friendship through cyberspace in the meantime. We live only a couple of miles apart and have discovered similar traits as we have discussed many things on Facebook and Twitter.

I know that Janet won't mind me saying that both our husbands had expressed their worries about us meeting – I think that they were worried that one or other of would hit the other over the head with a blunt object and bundle them into the boot of a car!! Obviously this did not happen – trust me Janet survived and will be reading this at some time!!

We arranged to meet at Arlingtons at 1pm for lunch – the original plan was for coffee but two hours later it was just as well we'd changed our mind and had lunch! We chatted away about our life stories and other halves and I think I speak for both of us when I see departed as real life friends – no longer virtual.

We left each other with a hug and vowing to meet again soon – before we introduce the husbands to each other!!!

A quick trip to Lakeland to buy a new mop for the laminate floor - John destroyed the other one – and it was home to recount my adventure!

The day was well and truly crowned by the result for the Norwich City/Colchester United game (1-7!!!!!!) - apologies to those of you who don't appreciate the intricacies of football and the rivalries between Ipswich and Norwich, but even though poor Norwich no longer play in the same league as us, we still have to celebrate when results go against them!

Looking forward to tomorrow – first up the meme from Sunday Stealing and then my beloved Ipswich town are on the TV at lunchtime playing at Coventry – sorry to go all blokey but bring it on!!

 

Grrrr - can't get this to post properly - but you get the idea!

Beautiful Blonde Pole Dancer

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Gotcha!!!!!

Work for Wednesday!

I had a day off today! After a very slow start I debated whether or not I should write a list of things I needed to do or just face up to the day drifting past without much productivity.

After a flurry of activity I decided I would write a list and added the things that I had already done (is that cheating?)

Anyway – here is said list, with all the completed things marked off

Vacuum pack clothes to put in loft

Put clothes in loft – need somebody else to do this for me

Sort out the rest of the clothes

Wash door mats

Do the ironing

Hoover bedroom

Sort out the textiles for recycling – not for charity shop

Take old towels to local RSPCA centre

Attempt some gardening

I think I actually did quite well! With the help of future daughter-in-law I recycled the textiles and took the towels to the local animal centre and even managed to spend an hour or so in the garden – if I could have one wish it would be that I had a neighbour who tended his garden. The garden next door is wall to wall weeds and all he does is mow it two or three times a year which results in brambles and coarse grass growing through into my garden – no matter what I do I can't stop it.

On the subject of future daughter in law they are continuing their mission for the perfect wedding venue and yesterday visited this lovely place, they even gave them a quote for what they think the cost will be in four years time! So far this is the venue of choice, I hope that they don't think I'm, being too negative when I tell them to slow down a bit but I think it's too soon – am I being hard?

Dinner calls – ready made lasagne I'm afraid, I can't be too much of a domestic goddess!

Remember the wedding video????

Well, here's the aftermath (very cleverly acted!) Thanks to Tiburon have a click and take a look!

Wedding Invitation

I hope you can read this....I promise that this is not something that I would ever do.....

And the photographer said 'Say Cheese'

Sunday Stuff

An interesting day today! Apart from being woken up obscenely early by a neighbour this morning, today has been good.

As you can see below I dutifully started the day with Sunday Stealing's weekly meme – by the time I was half way through I was beginning to wonder why I'd started but quitting is not in my nature. (And no – the bedroom still isn't done, but as Julie has already grounded me and stopped my pocket money, there's not a lot of incentive to do it now!)

We had a blast from the past via Facebook this morning, somebody that John worked with nearly 30 years ago made contact with me and in turn I put them on to him. He appeared to be quite excited – even managing a little instant messaging at one stage! Of course as he was sitting Facebook –ing he wasn't exactly in a position to criticise me for blogging, tweeting and generally surfing! The first half of the morning just slipped past even though the ironing board stood poised with the iron on its holder, a quick trip to the supermarket and back to do the ironing.

A few weeks ago I came across BookCrossing and sort of parked the idea at the back of my mind while I planned the holiday, intending to do something when I came home. Well today I registered on the site in preparation for my first book cross. Not knowing anybody else who does this I sought out advice from the Twitter community – I had five or six replies from people I don't know (even via Twitter) encouraging me to make a start. Watch this space and I will let you know how I get on! The problem is though that I seldom read a book these days unless I'm on holiday – too busy blogging!

John and I took the opportunity to pay our respects to Sir Bobby Robson today by visiting the shrine that has appeared in Portman Road outside the football club. I think it would take a very hard hearted person not to have been moved. To my international readers, Sir Bobby was the manager of Ipswich Town Football Club from 1969 – to 1982, arguably the best period in the club's history. He also managed the English national team and is regarded as a national treasure.

I treated the ironing board to some new wadding – wow, what an interesting life I lead! John kindly cut it to size for me and I made sure it was worth it, oh my what a lovely smooth ironing session I had!

Better stop now, dinner needs to be cooked number two son and GF have just arrived so I'd better show willing!

Thanks to all of you who have passed by today – it's been fun!

Sunday Stealing – The Alpha Meme

Sunday sure comes round quickly and with it the weekly meme from Sunday Stealing, I took a look at this weeks and I thought 'Nah, can't be a***d' but then I thought 'I've started something now so really shouldn't duck out when I don't like the questions'. So here goes:

My roommate and I once: See last week's meme, I've never had a roommate so can't answer this one (see what I mean?)

Never in my life have I: Played hooky, not from school or work. I've always been frightened of being caught out, even now if I am away from work sick I will not leave the house!

High School was: Defining! I had such grand plans and for what? Left school at 16 and worked virtually ever since, apart for a couple of years when the boys were young. Still I suppose I haven't done too bad considering.

When I'm nervous I: go to the loo a lot! (What else would you expect???) Oh and I get a dry mouth (does that sound better?)

My hair: Is probably longer than it has ever been, last time I went to the hairdresser I wanted it long enough to put up when we were on the ship to stop the wind blowing though, so I had barely nothing cut off – this time next week, however, it will be shorter (but not a lot)

When I was 5: was a long time ago, I can vaguely remember being at school and walking through deep snow to get there.

When I turn my head left: I see the other end of the sofa where John will probably sit for most of today reading the Sunday paper (he's not there just yet though!)

I should be: doing something other than this stupid meme, like tidying my bedroom (note to Julie – no I didn't get it done yesterday!)

By this time next year: mmmm, we'll all be another year older?

My favourite aunt is: all of them! (that's an unfair question memer)

I have a hard time understanding: lots of things! Why people insisting on trying to fix things that ain't broken, I'm all for progress but sometimes it's not needed!

You know I like you if: I'm not always polite to you!

My ideal breakfast is: cereal with ice cold skimmed milk, really refreshing

If you visit my home town: now, does this mean my current home town or my original? If it's the current one you'd find an area outside the football club that is currently a shrine to Sir Bobby Robson(details here), who died on Friday. If it's the original you will find the home of Eastenders TV series!

If you spend the night at my house: be warned you will probably be woken up earlier than you would like!

The animal I would like to see flying besides birds: errr – an elephant? (I did warn you I didn't like these questions)

I shouldn't have been: sorry – really don't think I have even a stupid answer for this one!

Last night I: went to a wedding reception!

A better name for me would be: MUG – that's what I seem to have invisibly (to me) written across my forehead!

I've been told I look like: err – nobody!

If I could have any car it would be: I'm a simple girl when it comes to cars, but I suppose a nice little sporty number would be OK!

 

See, I told you I nearly didn't do it! Can you see why?

Hope some of the answers brought a smile to your face – thanks for reading it anyway! Happy Sunday