Courtesy of the friend I call...

...Julie, and no - these are not our portraits!!

My kind of diet...

Breakfast
 
       1 grapefruit
       1 slice whole wheat toast
       1 cup skim milk
  
       Lunch
  
       1 small portion lean, steamed chicken
       1 cup spinach
       1 cup herbal tea
       1 Hershey's kiss
 
       Afternoon Tea
 
       1 The rest of the Hershey Kisses in the bag
       1 tub of Hagen-Daaz ice cream with chocolate chips
 
        Dinner
 
       4 glasses of wine (red or white)
       2 loaves garlic bread
       1 family size supreme pizza
       3 Snickers Bars
   
       Late Night Snack
 
       1 whole Sarah Lee cheesecake (eaten directly from the freezer)
 
       Remember: Stressed spelled backward is desserts.
 

Getting there – sort of...

After waking up at stupid o'clock yesterday morning and getting up not much later, the weekend has been quite productive. After a trip to the hairdresser for the magic stuff that turns my hair a different colour from the grey that peppers it, John and I went into town with number 2 son. Now this is a very rare occurrence and only happened because he had an ulterior motive – needing new clothes for the new job (I don't think I actually ever said that he had decided to take it, it wasn't the best deal in the end but his view is that if he doesn't try it he will never know. Not a fantastic reward package so the bank of Mum & Dad have agreed a deal with him to get him through the next year, fingers crossed it doesn't take much more than that to get on the financial ladder). We had a very pleasant lunch and then progressed to Burtons for a suit and shirts. This was payback for all those times I had dragged him around the shops when he was younger. I sat on the very uncomfortable shoe-trying-on benches for over half an hour while he carefully selected a suit to try on – when he finally made his selection he looked every inch the young man about town. Then came the shirts – could it be that difficult, I mean the choice wasn't huge but it took another half an hour to choose five shirts, each one came with a tie which was handy, although why he needs five different ties is beyond me...

Moving on, with mission accomplished, we made our way home to the joy of washing all of the shirts so that they would be ready for when he starts work, John always insists on new shirts being washed before he wears them – something about getting the creases out, that's what I thought was the point of ironing!

Today dawned wet and a little cooler, I managed to waste I don't know how much time composing the post previous to this before getting my finger out and getting on with the things I needed to do – you know, ironing, washing, shopping for my own holiday. Number 2 son decided that he still had washing that he needed for his holiday! Two machine loads later, plus I don't know how much ironing he's ready to pack the clothes into the case that he brought downstairs first thing this morning and left in the middle of the front room floor – with clothes delicately piled all around it. For those of you who know him, this probably doesn't come as any surprise. As I write this he is only just packing – he leaves in about 6 hours and needs to pick his girlfriend up and try to get some sleep before they leave, he doesn't change.

We are going to have a disrupted night tonight, John is doing the airport run again, leaving at 2am this time, I think I'll say good bye before I go to bed tonight, I may just manage to sleep through their departure!

Only two days at work this week, leaving me Wednesday to get ready to go away on Thursday! I still need to sort my clothes out – might just make a start now...

Sunday Stealing

I've just come across this great site Sunday Stealing where every week they 'steal' a meme( click here for an explanation of meme) from a blog, I found it via Becky and thought I'd give it a go. Some of the threads are going to be quite difficult for me to answer, but here goes:

1. I've come to realise that my chest size.......often gets in the way (when I come back from my holidays I.will.go.back.to.Weightwatchers.)
   
2. I've come to realise that my job........is just that, it's important to me when I'm there but my family and friends are my life.
   
3. I've come to realise that when I'm driving.........I need to be more aware of where I am, sometimes I am amazed at how I've got to where I've got to!
   
4. I've come to realise that I need........a cleaner! Seriously, life is too short to spend all my spare time worrying about the housework and ironing (note to sons – this will not include your rooms unless you keep them tidy!!!)
   
5. I've come to realise that I've lost.......the patience that I had with small children now that mine have grown up. I hope that it comes back when I eventually have grandchildren
   
6. I've come to realise that I hate it when.......John and the boys get mad at other drivers, no matter how minor the irritation is, patience is a virtue my loves.
   
7. I've come to realise that if I'm drunk......I'm going to feel real bad the next morning and for days to come, I actually don't get drunk (that often) any more
   
8. I've come to realise that money.....really can't buy you love or happiness
   
9. I've come to realise that certain people......really need to start thinking for themselves and to take some responsibility for their lives and decisions
   
10. I've come to realise that I'll always.....be hard on myself no matter how many times I try not to
    
11. I've come to realise that my sibling.....a hard one, died too young
    
12. I've come to realise that my mum....another hard one, had a very hard and sad life and also died too young
    
13. I've come to realise that my dad.... another hard one, was a weak man, very easily led by the stronger woman in his life to the detriment of our relationship
    
14. I've come to realise that my mobile phone ......is probably a total waste of money because I don't use it enough, it's also a source of annoyance to my family because I never hear it ring
    
15. I've come to realise that when I woke up this morning....I'd slept much better and it was raining
    
16. I've come to realise that last night before I went to sleep....I set the timer on the TV to turn off, as usual I fell asleep watching TV
    
17. I've come to realise that now I'm thinking ......I'm hungry and need my breakfast and perhaps I shouldn't have started this now
    
18. I've come to realise that when I get on Facebook......it's just another waste of time
    
19. I've come to realise that today...... I must start packing for my holiday
    
20. I've come to realise that tonight.....I will say goodbye to number 2 son and girlfriend when they go on their holiday
    
21. I've come to realise that tomorrow....I will only have to work two more days before my holiday
    
22. I've come to realise that I really want to..... have my breakfast – my tummy is rumbling but I'm on a roll and can't stop this meme
    
23. I've come to realise that the person most likely to repost this is.......actually I don't know! Perhaps Kathy?
    
24. I've come to realise that life......is very precious, I must use it more wisely
    
25. I've come to realise that this weekend......last year I was in Neosho, Missouri with Scott & Shirley, ahhh memories
    
26. I've come to realise that the best music to listen to when I'm upset is......something loud and old
    
27. I've come to realise that my friends are......always there for me, no matter the last time I made contact with them
    
28. I've come to realise that this year is......a real milestone for us all. Silver wedding, my (whisper it)50^th birthday and an engagement for number 1 son
    
29. I've come to realise that my exes were......an awful long time ago and part of my life's journey
    
30. I've come to realise that maybe I should......take more time for me
    
31. I've come to realise that I love......cruising and blogging!
32. I've come to realise that I don't understand......what makes everybody tick
    
33. I've come to realise that my past......got me to where I m today, generally very comfortable with myself and my life
    
34. I've come to realise that parties are......hard work if you are the host
    
35. I've come to realise that I'm totally terrified of......losing my family and friends
    
36. I've come to realise that my life......is good right now
    

Wow – that was actually quite good fun (save for the hard ones) – must go now though because I'm starving and need my breakfast!

A little Independence

Without meaning to state the painfully obvious, it's July 4^th tomorrow, to my American friends I wish you a Happy Independence Day, to my British friends – you need to know that I say that through gritted teeth! My real life US friends know what I mean by that, my virtual friends, please don't take me seriously! Until I had great friends in the US, I never realised the true meaning of the date – I mean, they actually celebrate Independence from Great Britain! Last year we had the good fortune to be in the US on the 4^th and what a great experience! The whole country unites as one under the flag – true patriotism. We went to a show in Branson, Missouri which told the story of Independence through song – we learnt a lot from that, not least that they all think the English speak like Dick van Dyke in Mary Poppins!

One thing that never fails to amaze us when were in the US is the way they treat their veterans and armed forces members, we could learn a lot from that here in the UK. I noticed last Saturday was Armed Forces Day – it came and went with the minimum of fuss and was mainly celebrated in one town – my question has to be why? (Sorry – a bit of a rant there)

Back to life a la Ramblings. Finally got a text yesterday from number 1 son – having a good time, really hot, going on a pirate ship to paradise island to swim with dolphins! Oh – and they've made friends already, how lovely! The modern day postcard without the view or the corny jokes!

Number 2 son had his last day at his old job today, no fanfare goodbye, no good lucks - I told him that he should learn from the experience when he becomes a manager and not treat people the way he's been treated, I'm sure he'll soon forget about them when he joins the glamorous world of the estate agents.

Busy weekend coming up, really missed number 1 son this week because he does loads around the house, never mind, martyred mother will carry on regardless. Promised to treat number 2 son to new work clothes so will go on a shopping spree tomorrow – I really hope the weather's OK, rain is promised and for those of you who know Ipswich you know that will mean a wet shopping trip – no malls around this way, mores the pity.

Counting down big time to the holiday now – suitcases down at the weekend, then we'll really know we're on our way and after the day I've had at work today it can't come soon enough.

Bye for now – thanks for calling!

PAINTED BATHROOM FLOOR

IMAGINE YOU ARE AT A PARTY on the tenth floor....
YOU'VE BEEN DRINKING......(not that you would...)
AND THEN YOU HAVE TO VISIT THE BATHROOM....
You open the door....

NOW, REMEMBER,
THE FLOOR IS JUST A PAINTED FLOOR!
KINDA TAKES YOUR BREATH AWAY.....DOESN'T IT?

AMAZINGLY SIMPLE HOME REMEDIES

Courtesy of my great friend Scott...

1. IF YOU'RE CHOKING ON AN ICE CUBE, SIMPLY POUR A CUP OF BOILING WATER DOWN YOUR THROAT.  PRESTO!  THE BLOCKAGE WILL INSTANTLY REMOVE ITSELF.

2. AVOID CUTTING YOURSELF WHEN SLICING VEGETABLES BY GETTING SOMEONE ELSE TO HOLD THE VEGETABLES WHILE YOU CHOP.

3. AVOID ARGUMENTS WITH THE FEMALES   ABOUT LIFTING THE TOILET SEAT BY USING THE SINK.

4. FOR HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE SUFFERERS ~ SIMPLY CUT YOURSELF AND BLEED FOR A FEW MINUTES, THUS REDUCING THE PRESSURE ON YOUR VEINS. REMEMBER TO USE A TIMER.

5. A MOUSE TRAP PLACED ON TOP OF YOUR ALARM CLOCK WILL PREVENT YOU FROM ROLLING OVER AND GOING BACK TO SLEEP AFTER YOU HIT THE SNOOZE BUTTON.

6. IF YOU HAVE A BAD COUGH, TAKE A LARGE DOSE OF LAXATIVES. THEN YOU'LL BE AFRAID TO COUGH.

7. YOU ONLY NEED TWO TOOLS IN LIFE:

WD-40 AND
DUCT TAPE...
IF IT DOESN'T MOVE AND SHOULD, USE THE WD-40.
IF IT SHOULDN'T MOVE AND DOES, USE THE DUCT TAPE.

8. REMEMBER - EVERYONE SEEMS NORMAL UNTIL YOU GET TO KNOW THEM.

9. IF YOU CAN'T FIX IT WITH A HAMMER, YOU'VE GOT AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM.

DAILY THOUGHT:
SOME PEOPLE ARE LIKE SLINKIES - NOT REALLY GOOD FOR ANYTHING BUT THEY
BRING A SMILE TO YOUR FACE WHEN PUSHED DOWN THE STAIRS.