Shirley on Life

Art for our home

2011-11-20T12:50:00.001Z

Ridiculous

2011-05-23T06:58:00.002Z

It's been a ridiculously long time since I last posted, honestly if the Blogger app on the iphone worked I would update more often!

Anyway what to tell.... since my last post back in January I have;

Repaired/renewed my relationship with my sister after 19 years, it's such a wonderful blessing.

I have lost over 1 1/2 stone following the Slimming World plan. I am determined to keep this up and lose another 8 stone. However this determination sometimes falters in the small details of life so weight loss is a bit slow.

Hmmmm not much else really. I have come to the realisation that my life is utterly boring!

So I'm trying to be more sociable!

Oh and if I blog more it will encourage me to have something to blog about.

The piccie is of me with blonde hair! I'm still not entirely used to it.

Fishy Feet and Facebook

2011-01-24T17:25:00.003Z

So I've been back at work for a fortnight and feeling much better!

Not much to report, I gave in and asked my brother Peter to fit the new bath and tile the room, so he's doing that this week.

Also in the plan this week is a Fish Foot Pedicure with my mate Jo, I shall endeavour to get photos and show you all in the next post.

On Friday I'm going out with my sister, we haven't seen each other for ooooh 20 years nearly! No falling out just one of those things that happen. I'm ever so scared but without being horrible she is too and that makes me feel better! The wonders of Facebook eh?

One week in

2011-01-07T20:00:00.002Z

One week into the New Year and I'm still not well! I went to the Doctors on Tuesday who wanted to send me to hospital with suspected Quinsy. I really didn't want to go so I managed to persuade her (almost silently) not to send me, so I was given strong anti-biotics and she made me promise to go straight to A&E if I worsened, and back to the surgery if no better.

Well I told myself I felt a bit better!

After almost a fortnight of pain, I could finally close my mouth yesterday.

Anyhow I'm off until Wednesday, and starting to feel well enough to be bored.

Paul has started in on the bathroom. After fitting the new basin last month we now have to paint the lounge ceiling!!! Bless him for trying, he's a bit scared of starting the tiling now.

My only resolution this year is to be far more organised about Christmas!

Christmas 2010

2010-12-26T23:46:00.001Z

Well, not the best Christmas we've ever had. I came down with flu two days beforehand, had to take time off work which I was upset at.

Christmas Eve I had no choice but to cook the bird, Sam helped enormously. I sat down every five minutes for ten minutes! Paul was not feeling well by the evening.
Christmas day came we tried to be jolly, after dinner Paul went to bed and I slept on the sofa!

We didn't even have dessert, no sweets were touched!
Boxing day and Dort is at the BF's, Paul spent the day in bed.

By evening Sam has the fever and feels dreadful, I'm at work now, as it's only a sleep-in. But cannot lie down for the coughing starts!
But you know despite being ill pretty much all December, I consider myself blessed. I have a wonderful husband and two amazing kids,

anything else is gilding on the lily and can be lived without!
Happy new year all xxx

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Aglow

2010-02-20T21:43:00.003Z

Well it hasn't exactly been all go here. The job hunt goes on...and on....

But I'm ok with that.

Last night we went to a meal hosted by Aglow International (Romsey chapter).

There was so much fun and laughter at our table, it'll be a wonder if we're allowed to return!

It was a fantastic evening, there was a speaker who was also a Mime...I know the incongruity of that has only just occurred to me! But he did speak and he did mime too! Just not together!

The talk was on giving what you have to God. He used the feeding of the five thousand as his text.

Speaking of the boy who supplied the five loaves and two fish he said

"It wasn't much and could never be enough, but it was all he had"

Those words spoke to me and I hope that I remember that in the future that God does not ask for more than we have and anyway He will supply what we lack.

The mime was fabulous.I admit, I did inwardly groan when I heard him say he would mime, and shame on me because it was fabulously moving.

I missed my date for the Vitamin B12 injection, it should have been the 4th January! I have an appointment on monday for it, better late than never! It means the dizziness and palpitations have got a bit out of control, not to mention the breathlessness! But I know by Tuesday I will feel much better.

I must make a note to remind me in future!

I'm preaching on the 7th March and leading Worship the day before at my Footsteps course and instead of working on that I'm blogging!

Heyho for procrastination!

Yawn

2010-02-01T23:13:00.002Z

Paul is on late shift this week, it means he gets in at about 7.30am and sleeps until 2pm, then has a nap at about 5pm!

What this means to me is that I'm thoroughly bored, with no one to talk to all day and I can't even hoover the stairs, or clean the bathroom. As I also craft in our room I can't craft either. Even cooking is a no no as it wakes him up!

So I'm not looking forward to tomorrow!

Oh I do have some news! The Sunday before last I led worship at our church! I was ever so nervous, trying to make sure the timings were right, and that the songs/hymns went with the sermon. However I tried I could NOT make the songs/hymns go with the sermon. The sermon was on Jesus healing the lame. Well I couldn't get my head around that and besides the word I had was Faithfulness. So I based the worship on the faithfulness of God, you know the first eight verses of Psalm 89 mention God's faithfulness FOUR times. To me that means that God's faithfulness is Extraordinary, even in heaven the Angels cannot stop praising him for it.

God does not promise to heal all our diseases but he does promise "the lame shall leap like a deer" (Isaiah 35:6) I believe this is the freedom that comes from His spirit living within me.

I know there have been times when I have been 'lame' in my spirit, weighed down with burdens I am not meant to carry, worries that I cannot change by worrying.

Anyway the consensus of opinion was that I did well. The timings were fine. I did warn the Pastor to have either a ten minute or a forty minute sermon ready, he ignored my warning yet everything worked out fine!

In March I have been asked to preach on "Jesus, strong against temptation" I'm looking forward to it!

The college course is going well. I have finished MS Excel (and passed) and am now learning MS Access, I'm enjoying it, but why do I dread it all day Monday?

Signing in

2010-01-19T21:24:00.002Z

Just a brief sign in. The flu I've had since the end of December is still making it's presence felt. With sinus pain, and deafness. Can I just have a mini rant...when someone tells you they are deaf it is NOT FUNNY to say "Pardon?" It's NOT funny at all and after 30 years of having to put up with this stupid 'joke' I refuse to excuse people anymore. So if you say it to me, expect a blank look, and I may even tell you to your face it isn't funny! Consider yourself told!

The recent snow spell was wonderful soup weather, unfortunately I still haven't had my camera back from my brother, so no photos!

The course at College is going quite well I have passed the Word Processing module, and next Monday I have the Excel exam and move on to Access!

This Sunday I am leading the church service for the first time ever and am quite nervous. I have almost sorted the order of service out, but am stuck on Hymns! Praying for divine inspiration.

Anyway will sign off now as I'm bored.

Souped up

2010-01-05T01:32:00.002Z

I love making soup, this is something I learned about myself last year, and the thing I love most about making soup? Is eating soup!

Now if your only foray into the consumption of soup is limited to the tinned or packet varieties you have missed out!

Soup is given to the homeless as it's nourishing, cheap, and easily digestible, I don't believe this to be true of the tinned stuff. Homemade soup is so satisfying and the best bit....it always looks like soup! You can't go wrong can you? Even the worst cook can make it.

My mum used to use packet soup as a gravy, sausage and mash with golden vegetable soup is lovely! Odd perhaps but this is the woman who put onions in everything, rice, mash, roast chicken.

Speaking of onions my favourite is Onion soup, it's cheap, warming, low fat and tastes delicious! Of course it's only low fat if you don't add the cheese on toast!

I think a little challenge to myself is to make a different soup each week, although the summer months aren't usually a time to enjoy soup ...so I will make salads instead in the summer!

I will share with you my results!

I read in a magazine an article that listed ways to stay happy and healthy this winter and one of them was to fill a flask with soup, a bag with rolls and apples and wrap up and meet a friend or two in the park. I think this is a FAB idea!

My friend Jo and I have 'car park picnics' in that we meet for the day and take a packed lunch, we often end up eating in the car!

Right off to add Onions to the online shopping order!

Toodle pip!

Bed and BORED

2010-01-02T17:49:00.002Z

Well I've been in bed for four days now with this blessed flu and just about fed up!

I can't sleep properly because of the cough! So I've added up that I've had 6 hours sleep in 3 days, in 20 minute naps!

I'm exhausted and my ribs ache from coughing, my throat is raw (literally as the coughing has made it bleed). But I am feeling a little bit better today.

The sad thing is that today was the first Craft Group meeting that I helped to set up with my friend Jo (It was MY idea too) and poor old Jo has had to do it alone! We started off quite gently though and only invited friends and the ladies from church, so it's not as if hordes are coming!

We said we would do a 'make and take' each month, obvioulsy I haven't been well enough to even arrange that. As soon as I'm feeling fitter I'll prepare a couple in advance just in case!

Pete my brother has my camera at the moment but as soon as i get it back i hope to pepper this Blog with fantastic photos! (yeah riight!).

It's only the 2 nd of January and I've read three books! I'm going to TRY to list them all this year...that may be a LONG list!

The last day

2009-12-31T01:35:00.002Z

I write this on the last day of the year...I know I wrote the last post just before this but wanted to make a different tone to this post!

2009 has been an odd year, it wasn't all bad, it certainly wasn't all good!

The result of giving up my job has certainly been the hardest to bear, but I still know that I made the right decision. I know that the financial repercussions will go on for a while yet, and there is still more to come. But the strain of the job was literally stealing my life, I was too tired, cranky, and paranoid to even enjoy time off and it's taken me some time to recover!

But I'm hopeful that God has much better in store for me, and whilst I may chafe against his timing I know that He has the best plan for me.

That's been the best part of 2009, that of coming 'home' to God. I know some of you reading this do not believe and that's your prerogative, and I wish you well, my hope is that you will allow room for my faith to be a part of who I am.

I have been a Christian for 19 years. But I have spent so much time turning my back on God it's more like 10 years! I know that I am at my happiest when I'm not running away, but sometimes I find it hard to trust that what God wants for me is best!

I've been challenged recently in my faith, when I realised that whilst I trust God to do the best in MY life, I'm not sure about my family! I'm working on that prayerfully!

I did receive a card from a lady in our church who put a note in to say that I have made a difference to the church, and was an answer to prayer! How lovely is that? I did have a little tear!

So onto 2010, and what is in store? I'm hoping that I will get a job soon so that I can sort out those financial troubles. My aim is to be debt free in five years!

I'm also looking forward to ways in which I will grow. This year I have seen myself grow Spiritually and emotionally, even though I tend to get tearful far more now, I think that may be a good thing!

It already appears that I will be taking a greater part in the church which is scary!

Also as our children grow up, our family is evolving, and this Christmas really brought that home to me, with Steph off to her friends on Christmas Day, I was out alone on Christmas Eve at the midnight service. We need to find ways to help it change for the better, and not fall into the trap of harking back to the past, for in living in the past discontentment lies.

So I'm thinking a new Tradition for 2010...hmm I will have to think!

So to all who are still here, and have not given up on this drivel, I wish you all a Happy New Year!

Is it worth it?

2009-12-31T01:20:00.002Z

I've dropped off the blogging- go- round and am wondering if it's worth getting back on?

Before I decide my blogs fate I will update!

Well the last time I wrote i was enrolling at college for the CLAIT course, I have started and passed my Word processing section, am now working on Excel which is a bit harder for me as I have no idea how to do spreadsheets and graphs...yet!

I also started the Footsteps course run by Southern Counties Baptist Association. It's going well I'm enjoying it immensely!

The run up to Christmas was harder this year, obviously without a job I didn't have any money and although Paul gave me plenty to spend, it wasn't the same. I felt a bit under pressure to buy stuff he would approve of! Though Paul didn't really care one way or the other, I guess my Pride was taking the fore again.

Christmas itself was lovely and peaceful, Sam wasn't too well but managed valiantly! I now have the col/flu that he had and am feeling rotten! However as I rarely get colds I cannot complain.

Paul spoiled me as usual, and I just love the fact that he buys all my presents himself, without me having to give him instructions and a list! I love that he chooses clothes for me which can't be easy and very rarely gets it wrong (I finally admitted to him that I don't DO check patterns so no repeat of last years shirt that I wore occasionally to please him!).

He's such a sweetie!

I don't know if he was as pleased with the thong I got him (as a joke) though!

Being back in the 'fold' at church helped alot this year, I was involved in quite alot! Even getting to 'play' Mary! Our Nativity was 'acted' by adults reading letters from various characters in the Nativity. My favourite was the Angel Gabriel played exuberantly by our Pastor's wonderful wife.

2009-09-01T17:35:00.003Z

This morning I went to the shore. I like to sit in my car and do my Bible reading whilst watching the waves. I like to have a brisk walk along the shore too as it's cooler there! The monster workout on my calf muscles is hard work though!

After that I went to the local college to enrol in an evening class in IT. It can only help with the job hunt.

It doesn't start until november so that's good.

Last night I saw a friend online on Facebook, now she added me, although we haven't had any contact for a couple of years. It was all a bit of a muddle but we just drifted apart. However I got the distinct impression last night that she is (I can't think of the correct word, not angry, maybe annoyed) with me for some reason. It was a really stilted 'conversation'. She isn't the most gregarious of people, but even so this was odd. I don't like to think of her having a reason to be annoyed with me, but I cannot think of anything!

I would really loathe to think that there is some hurt I have caused her albeit unwittingly.

Anyway later on I phoned my dear old Ma and found that she is without milk I was going to go there today but decided to go last night, it was quite nice to nip out at 10.30 at night the roads were clear! Sam was gutted as the chocky bar i bought him ended up in the bag we gave Grandma, I don't think he would have minded quite so much if Grandma could have eaten it herself! She's going to give it to my little neice Kasey instead!

Now I'm not a confrontational person, but I wonder if I should ask her what is wrong?

I'm Baaack!

2009-08-30T23:21:00.003Z

Phew it's been a while hasn't it?

What's happened?

Well I went to Edinburgh in March and had a great time with Jennie and Dyzzy, I came home and on my return to work discovered that martin McColls were pulling out of the Post office and we had three months notice.

Then the nightmare got worse, I was already incredibly stressed and it got worse as it went on.

The new owner of the Post Office was not my sort of person and made it very clear that I wasn't his = more stress,

Staff left and because of the situation we had noone to replace them = more stress,

Staff decided not to do overtime = more stress

I was at the point of doing a runner, I couldn;t see the wood for the trees and then i made the decision to leave.

I have never felt so free in my life!

I have now been unemployed since 20th June and although i'm looking for work nothing much has come up. I'm ok for money, not brilliant and I know I must find a job soon. However i think it might have to be part time.

Anyway apart from all that at some point in the year i went back to church. I went back to the first church I ever went to (which is the other side of Town) and it was like coming home.

I have never felt so welcomed and comfortable in a church before!

It helps that my best mate goes there too, but I didn't actually tell her I was coming I just turned up!

What I've also found is that I'm happier now than I've ever been, not that Wow that was a good day sort of happy that disintergrates when things go wrong, but that 'I can be happy even when everything is rubbish' I suppose I mean inner joy.

I don't like to go on about my faith because people always remember the times when things weren't so great and those time when I wasn't so great, and use that as ammunition that Christians are fakes.

Well i'm a real Christian, I fail, I flounder, I make mistakes, I say stuff I shouldn't, I do stuff I shouldn't, sometimes I'm a crap human being, let alone a crap Christian.

But we're all like that. It's other people who call us hypocrites because we fail their expectations.

So I'm not perfect, I don't pretend to be, I know I never will be, But I am happy in my faith.

Last week i was looking up courses I could do to learn more about serving God through the church, Preaching, leading worship, pastoral care etc and found a course I really wanted to do, but the cost was prohibitive.

Then this morning our Pastor Paul asked me if I'd like to go on the course! The very one I had looked at! I was stunned and so was he when I said I'd love to, he was expecting to have to persuade me!

Now I believe that is God's doing, neither of us had mentioned courses apart from Paul jokingly saying I should become a Pastor! I love how the big guy works sometimes!

So come September 19th I'm in training! Part of the course is keeping a journal and I thought I'd like to share some of it with you too!

Long Time

2009-02-23T23:41:00.002Z

I haven't updated as often as i wanted to. Life keeps getting in my way!

I've booked a flight to Edinburgh on my Birthday and am very excited about that, I'm staying at Jennies flat and the delectable Lyzzy is coming too!! YAY!

I'm seeing Jo every fortnight and that is a bright spark in my life.

Some updates, I failed in making my lunch every day, but I am making it more than buying, so that's an improvement!

I lost weight in January yet have put on in february, so a failure there too! In my defence I've been more than a little bit depressed, but will have to rise above it. Work is really getting me down, I can barely drag myself there lately, hopefully i will snap out of this!

2009-02-09T23:16:00.001Z

1. Be positive without moaning for a whole day (0/1)
2. Go fishing (0/1)
3. Go on an adult only picnic with Paul (0/1)
4. Have a weekend away with Paul (0/1)
5. Have a weekend away alone (0/1)
6. Go to Galway (0/1)
7. Hire a car (0/1)
8. Eat breakfast for a month (0/1)
9. Eat vegetarian for a week (0/1)
10. Buy a chest freezer (0/1)
11. Fill the chest freezer with homemade meals (0/1)
12. Batch cook enough meals for a month (0/1)
13. Batch cook eight cakes (0/1)
14. Have a family picture taken (0/1)
15. Pay the toll for the car behind me on the bridge (0/1)
16. Make and fill a birthday book with cards (0/1)
17. Drive somewhere I’ve never been alone (0/1)
18. Get rid of my fear of rabbits (0/1)
19. Learn to swim (0/1)
20. Read the news every day for a month (0/1)
21. Dye my hair a much lighter colour (0/1)
22. Take my iron tablets every day for a month (0/1)
23. Eat fruit four times a week (0/143)
24. Get new glasses (0/1)
25. Have a whole month without spending money on anything but essentials (0/1)
26. Use the bbq at least twice in the summer (0/4)
27. Make a recipe box (0/1)
28. Repaint the living room (0/1)
29. Repaint the kitchen (0/1)
30. Repaint my bedroom (0/1)
31. Remodel downstairs cloakroom (0/1)
32. Garden for half an hour once a week (0/143)
33. Go to a choral concert (0/1)
34. Choose a church to go to (0/1)
35. Go back to church (0/1)
36. Read five biographies (0/5)
37. Take more photographs (0/1)
38. Visit a local village (0/1)
39. Go to a Farmers market (0/1)
40. Make a new friend (0/1)
41. Make an item of jewellery every month for a year (0/12)
42. Visit my mum once a week (0/143)
43. Use my sewing machine for cards (0/1)
44. Use my sewing machine to make a handbag (0/1)
45. Sew an apron (0/1)
46. Decorate pillowcases for Christmas stockings (0/4)
47. Make at least one Christmas present (0/1)
48. Go to Edinburgh (0/1)
49. Go to the cinema (0/1)
50. Read 4 works of Shakespeare (0/4)
51. Blog weekly (0/143)
52. XXX monthly (0/143)
53. Go strawberry picking (0/1)
54. Go down one dress size (0/1)
55. Go down two dress sizes (0/1)
56. Go down three dress sizes (0/1)
57. Go down four dress sizes (0/1)
58. Go down five sizes (0/1)
59. Go down six sizes (0/1)
60. Book another cruise (0/1)
61. Join a craft club (0/1)
62. Exercise every week (0/143)
63. Give up crisps for a month (0/1)
64. Have a pedicure (0/10)
65. Learn to spot 10 wild birds (0/10)
66. Go to bed before 11pm
67. Send five non essentials texts per week (0/143)
68. Plant hanging baskets
69. Give myself a manicure once a week (2/143)
70. Give myself a facial once a week (1/143)
71. Plan a week’s menu and stick to it (0/1)
72. Book a smear test (1/1)
73. Have a smear test (0/1)
74. Go to see my ENT
75. Make four cards a month
76. Sing daily
77. Visit Peter and family once a month
78. See a dentist
79. Get eyes checked
80. Take something to the tip when I get petrol (0/33)
81. Keep the work diary up to date weekly (2/143)
82. Clean the car inside monthly (0/33)
83. Clean the car outside monthly (0/33)
84. Join the Gym (0/1)
85. Do the GP referral 16 sessions (0/16)
86. Tidy desk every Sunday afternoon (0/143)
87. Get clothes ready for work night before one week (0/143)
88. Read one bible verse per day at lunchtime (0/1001)
89. Do not swear for one week (habit breaker) (0/1)
90. Eat a yogurt daily (4/1001)
91. Laugh daily (9/1001)
92. Send a random letter (0/1)
93. Enter a competition (0/1)
94. Do a Master life daily plan and stick to it (0/1)
95. Take off make up every night (9/1001)
96. Play pitch and putt with Sam (0/1)
97. Take Sam, Kane and Kyle swimming (0/1)
98. Try roasted chestnuts (0/1)
99. Recycle one item for every item bought
100. Carry re-usable shopping bags
101. Read 4 biographies

Discoveries

2009-01-13T22:36:00.002Z

I've done well on my taking lunch to work regime and it's made me a bit more creative in the kitchen.

For instance I love BLT's but I hate that soggy bread from the tomatoes, so I wondered what would happen if i toasted the bread.

Well i would have preferred Malted brown bread but only had white. I lightly toasted it waited till cool and made my BLT as usual.

The next day the bread wasn't soggy at all but it was chewy, which sounds horrible but is really nice and different! It was a hit with Sam too the fussiest sandwich eater on the planet! It's fab with Chicken Lettuce and Tomato (CLT) too, and we're having that tomorrow. perfect too if your bread is 'less than best' as it's perfectly disguised!

I lost 6lb this week which is probably 4lb of water so a good loss of 2lb is fine with me.

Dort had some bad news. Because her Epilepsy tablets have failed to work as well as they did and some of her absences have come back she has to have a brain scan and another 24hr EEG.

it means that she cannot learn to drive for at least two years and any chance she had of joining the Navy is now gone.

It's so sad for her, but I'm hoping she will discover something else instead.

And finally;

I made a totally random discovery whilst putting away some Christmas Wrapping paper.

I keep the bottom drawer in my bedroom for Christmas wrap and cards, anyway as I pulled it out the entire drawer came out and the top roll fell out and into the space below the drawer...and it's a perfect place to store it, after all I only need it once a year and it will keep dust free under there! So now the original drawer houses Birthday wrap and cards! Cool huh?

I'm going to be looking for other random storage places from now on. It's called thinking outside the drawer!

Cars and Craft and Daft me!

2009-01-09T21:18:00.000Z

Mum mentioned on the phone last night she needed to load her Gas card and that she would ask Karl if he popped in.
As I knew I would be about early today, and I know Karl's knack of not being there when you need him, I told her to leave it on her stairs and that I would swing by after dropping Sam and Dort off.

That part went ok, I get to her house and she's left a note asking for a couple of other bits (neither of which i can get at the local shop grrrr), so off I trot to Sainsburys, and then into work to get the Gas.
I had to buy a few bits for the lunch I was cooking at my friends, I went back to the car, opened the boot and started to sort the shopping into Mum's mine and stuff for lunch. Finished and shut the boot.....only I'd locked the bloody keys in the sodding boot!

So Paul came out and we sat in his freezing car (too mean to keep it running), till the AA man arrived about two and a half hours later!
The wonderful AA man got me in and I set off to my friends' house.
I'd phoned in the mean time and her husband had started cooking for them three (her Mum) and that would I be ok with a sarnie. I said of course I would! I'd forgotten to bring my Tranexamic Acid tablets with me so was feeling a bit faint by the time I left.
She also managed to offload onto me half of a kit she'd bought from Create and Craft, because she said it was so awful she couldn't keep it all! I'm gonna make mum cards with them I bet she'd love them!
But it wasn't quite what I expected of the day, though it turned out ok in the end!!!!

2009-01-07T22:21:00.004Z

Oh the joy of being back to work....NOT!

I cricked my neck again over the holiday so have been in alot of pain and been taking an awful lot of painkillers. It's gradually easing off now thank goodness.

So the first three days and I've been a good girl and made sarnies every day, saving pennies!

Monday was leftover beef with mustard

Tuesday Roast chicken with lettuce

and today was Ham and cheese.

Tonight we had Spag Bol for tea as it was part of a batch cook i did weeks ago it was on the table in 15 mins which is lovely after a long day at work. I'll share the basic recipe here although the original was Antony Worral Thompsons I have adapted it slightly.

1 kg Beef mince (£4)

500g carrots grated (35p)

2 large onions chopped (60p)

4 cloves garlic (or a HUGE squeeze of the puree stuff) (25p)

1 tube of Tomato Puree (25p)

4 Bay leaves (20p)

1 tsp Herbs de Provence (20p)

2 cans plum tomatoes (chopped in the can with a pair of kitchen scissors) (60p)

1 Bottle Red Wine (I use cheap plonk, Lambrusco) (£1.80)

That's £7.65 which I then divide by four, making that £1.91!

You can add smoked bacon at the beginning and celery for extra flavour, but I don't bother personally.

Brown the mince (in batches if necessary) drain of fat. Whilst mince is draining fry the onion and garlic until soft, add the carrots and mince and stir well. add the tube of tomato puree and the wine (it will seem very watery at this stage but don't be alarmed).

Add the Bay leaves and herbs de provence and bring to the boil. Turn the heat down low, ver low and simmer with the lid on for 2 hours. If the mixture is still watery turn up to a rapid boil and reduce. This is the basic mince, it has a smooth texture and flavour, the mince is tender and simply tastes better than when it is cooked quickly. Divide the mixture into freezable containers and freeze. defrost overnight in the fridge.

The basic mince can be used as is,but I find it lacks a bit of body so for Bolognese I add

1 small jar of shop sauce (I know this seems like a cheat but the depth of flavour you've already given it will make this exceptional), and lots of Mushrooms, and chopped peppers if liked simmer for as long as the pasta takes to cook et voila!

For Chilli, add a tin of Chilli Beans and paprika, and chilli powder to taste, My kids also like sweetcorn with theirs. Serve with Jacket Potatoes and a tomato and spring onion salad.

Beef cheddar: add some beef stock, or cheat and use gravy granules, and a handful of strong grated cheddar, serve with cabbage and mash.

Cottage Pie; add frozen diced veg and beef gravy top with Mash and bake in the oven (Or really cheat and simply heat the mince mix in a pan, mash the spuds and flash them under the grill in the saucepan to give it that crunchy topping),

Lasagne, again add a small jar of shop sauce, and some spinach, either frozen or canned (well squeezed) or simply stir the fresh leaves uncooked into the mince mix and then layer in a lasagne as usual.

I've included prices which that are true today at Tesco. Even when you add the extra ingredients it still works out cheaper than Jamie Olivers £5 meals!!! Ok so you're serving less meat than previously and the carrots are a filler, but it cheaper on your pocket and better for you!

A New Year!

2009-01-03T21:46:00.002Z

OK so the resolution is to save money.

I have a freezer full of yummy sandwich meats, all I've done is bought a slightly larger joint of meat than I needed and sliced and frozen the excess!

So next week I have roast beef, Turkey and stuffing, and roast pork to add to the usual repertoire of cheese and ham!

I've also tried and tested some soup recipes and will be making Mushroom Soup and Corn Chowder next week too.

I calculate I will save £15 next week alone! Which is good as I'm skint till the end of January!

As soon as January ends I'm booking myself in for some swimming lessons....eeek!

On the cruise last year I felt very left out when Paul and the kids were swimming, and I;m determined to learn.

As this blog is a positive zone I refuse to tell how much weight I want to lose this week and will be telling only when I lose. My aim is to lose some weight every month!

Tighten up!

2008-12-06T01:51:00.002Z

I've been having a look at what I spend each month and you know? I waste so much by not making my own lunch....it's just too easy to go grab a sarnie from the shop!

But I'm making a new resolution and that is to not only take a bagged lunch but to prepare and plan for it.
I already do a spot of Once a Month Cooking and it really does save money, and time in the long run. I can tired and cranky and not in the mood for cooking yet have a home cooked meal on the table in half an hour with minimal fuss and I love that!
I've been so busy lately that I haven't done any batch cooking and boy does it show in the old bank balance!
Because I haven't had the ready standbys I've been phoning out for takeaway and it's costing a BOMB!

So for now I'm going to be buying all those two for one deals and cooking up a storm on my days off! And just because I'm mean I'm gonna share with you! I'm going to put the money saved (about £3 a day) aside and then have a worry free Christmas next year (I hope)!

Mad Dogs and scottishmen

2008-12-04T07:10:00.002Z

Oh what a wonderful world we live in!
One of my pet 'pet' hates is people who own dogs but don't know how to walk them properly on a lead!
You know the ones they're at a 45 degree angle to the road as their dog pulls them through hedgerows, or the ones who have to go back and walk around lampposts to untangle the leads?
then stride off with the dog on the other side of the pavement and thir arms at right angles to the body.

Well yesterday as I went to turn right out of the close, I saw a man with an extendable lead (don't START me on them!) his dog was in the middle of my side of the road absolutely refusing to budge, his head was down and his front legs locked! Do you know his owner had to cross the road because that's what the DOG wanted! sheesh!

So then we come to a mad scottishman, he came in to get his passport application checked, his form was wrong so Kam asked me to go over and check it (I have a rule that no passport is refused till I say so), as soon as I saw the signature on the back I knew it wouldn't go as he'd signed outside of the box!
So I told him and he said "Oh you're just effing nit picking now!" I told him I wasn't and that the Passport Office would refuse it he interrupted me to say "I'm not effing talking to you, I'm talking to the man here" pointing at Kam, so Kam told him again why his passport was wrong, and he said "you're effing useless here".
So I picked up his documents handed them back to him and told him that he was welcome to send his form off as it was, and that if he got a passport out of them he'd be lucky, but we weren't prepared to take his abuse any longer"
He then went on shouting that I was rude, incompetant etc etc.
He then said he wanted to make a complaint against me and my office.
I said "Please do that sir, here is the number you need to ring" and hurriedly wrote down the PO helpline number.ThenI told him to leave.

He came back a while later andasked to speak to me.
I went over and he said "Are your against me cos I'm scottish?" I was so surprised I laughed....because until that moment I didn't even KNOW he was scottish! He then said that I'd given him the wrong number and when he showed it to me I said "Oh yes you're right I have, I've put the southampton code down by mistake give it here I'll put the proper code on"
"You thought as I was scottish I wouldn't phone, you treated me like that because you're against us and that's a serious offence I'm going to have you for it"
I told him the reason I gave him the wrong number was because his attitude had upset me so much I'd written the code for Southampton, but apparently it's really cos I'm racist.

i wonder should I counter claim for discrimination on the grounds of my sex or being deaf?
So there you are what a perfect perfect day!

But you know what? It was still funny!

Gosh!

2008-12-03T03:21:00.003Z

A whole year has gone by and no blogging!

I suppose i really ought to give it up, but I don't really want to!

Just to update on the last post I came off the anti depressants recently and although I still feel angry most of the time I think I'm better off. A friend of mine pointed out that I didn't want to say stuff to people fearing their reaction, but internalising all the annoyances and trying to ignore them not only made me sick but also didn't help the situation!

So here is a new Shirl who speaks her mind! Scary ain't it?

I was asked today why I laugh so much, and all I could say was that i found everything funny (mostly). She told me I wasn't normal to be so happy all the time.

But it's not happiness is it, really.

I'm a terrible show off and I love love love to make people laugh, but you can't do that without a laugh yourself can you?

Well that's me back in the blog world and if i can figure out an easy way to update off line and then transfer you shall be hearing a lot more from me!

Feeling Fine

2007-12-21T11:38:00.001Z

Sorry I've not been around, I've not been too well recently, feeling opressed and depressed. Well I finally gave in and saw the Doc and she put me on Anti depressants and I feel like me again!
I'm even smiling which, is something let me tell you!

Anyway I hope you are all feeling grand too and I wish you all a Merry Christmas, come the New year I will update regularly I promise!

Advent

2007-12-02T11:31:00.000Z

I've never taken part in an advent swap before but when it was mooted a few weeks ago by some dear friends I thought "Oh yes" especially as some of us have had a rotten time of it!
Yesterday I opened up my lil pressie and found two lil sharpie pens in pink and purple and some really cute lil Orkney soaps!

Today a fab Rhonna Farrer stamp and themost exquisite quilled Christmas tree!

Jennie, Lyzzy and Ginger you are the BEST girls! Love ya!

Random twitterings

2007-11-25T01:04:00.000Z

I wondered, why there was Weetabix on my bathroom tiles?
I was further puzzled, when I remembered there was no Weetabix in the house.
Several hours later...I realised it wasn't in fact Weetabix that I cleaned from the tiles, but Aapri facial scrub!

I am absolutely loving Maroon 5's song "Won't go home without you", tis sad, just how I like my songs to be!

Why don't Driving Lessons cover essential stuff like how to unfreeze your door lock?

Feeling sad tonight, a young boy the same age as Sam was killed last night in a hit and run accident, just five minutes walk from here. His big sisiter is a friend of Dort's.
How utterly dreadful must the Mother feel tonight?
Also sad that a dear woman friend is nearing the end of her life, leaving a wealth of friends and family who will miss her very very much. May your journey go peacefully, and don't row with St Peter... he might not let you in! xx

I can't leave you all on a sad note, So I will end with this quote:

Let us be grateful to people who make us happy;

they are the charming gardeners

who make our souls blossom.
Marcel Proust

Nets Challenge

2007-11-18T23:00:00.001Z

To make a Christmas Card without using Christmas Paper! Well I did it and here it is!

Life

2007-11-18T20:48:00.000Z

Life keeps getting in the way of blogging lately!
Work has been horrendous, will see it out till January then decide whether to stay or not I think.

Had a wonderful day with my friend Jo on Tuesday, we giggled all around town, especially as I made her try on riduculous clothes! Best bit is she's coming back in four weeks time ...only for Christmas but even so that's brill! I get to see her before Christmas as I'm delivering our old Christmas tree to her house.

I've been crafting a storm lately and cannot show you a thing as it's gifts!

My car failed it's MOT and cost me........£6 to have it fixed!!! Fantastic eh? Good old (ugly) Betty!!
Got a lovely new bed delivered.. but it juts out more then the old one and I have bruises all over my legs from knocking into it!
Not much else to say my entire life revolves around work at the minute and I hate it!

2007-10-30T15:41:00.001Z

I bought the funniest book today, can't tell you what it is but I giggled all round Borders reading it! I'll tell you what it is on Christmas day!

One excerpt though..."when at the Post Office, and the clerk asks where your parcel is going...don't be fooled, the name will do"

I sorta wish it was going in my stocking!

LO LO LO!

2007-10-29T13:31:00.000Z

Well I suppose I really ought to make a decision on this blog business, either I update it or fold it!

I'll update today I think!

Hmmm, well in the weeks since I last blogged I've been on my second crop, can't share anything with you from that as I didn't get a kit (mix up with the ordering) and I didn't have anything decent in the bag I took, typically I picked up the one I HADN'T packed for the crop!

So I simply mucked about with card and paper all afternoon, waste of money really.

I have made a few LO's though and will share them in a min. One of them is a scraplift, my first

ever! It's this one of Ginger and is a lift of the fabulous Karen.

Work has been a bit manic, there's talk of me running two PO's now simultaneously! it is just talk though.

Dort had her 16th birthday...where do the years go? Sam is soon to be 11 too!

I'm currently having a few days off, and procrastinating on what I SHOULD be doing, ie making cards and gifts!

Anyway that's about it. ttfn!

2007-09-19T00:07:00.000Z

1. YOUR ROCK STAR NAME: (first pet & current car) Sooty Sunny
2.YOUR GANGSTA NAME: (fav ice cream flavor, favorite cookie) Vanilla Oat
3. YOUR "FLY Guy/Girl" NAME: (first initial of first name, first three letters of your last name)
SSaw
4. YOUR DETECTIVE NAME: (favorite color, favorite animal) Green Gorilla
5. YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME: (middle name, city where you were born) Marie Southampton
6. YOUR STAR WARS NAME: (the first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 letters of your first)Saw Sh
7. SUPERHERO NAME: (2nd favorite color, favorite drink put "The") The Pink Tea
8. NASCAR NAME: (the first names of your grandfathers)granville ? Martin.......(father an orphan)

9. STRIPPER NAME: ( the name of your favorite perfume/cologne, favorite candy) Chanel (no19) Caramel
10.WITNESS PROTECTION NAME: (mother's & father's middle names ) Bernadette Eric

Thanks for tagging me Sue!

Oh and WELL DONE ANNA!!!!!

Life!

2007-09-18T23:32:00.000Z

It's been another long time since posting, honestly life keeps getting in the way lately!

But not that I'm complaining life is just fab at the minute!

The horrible work situation has been rectified, I sort of hinted that if there wasn't a change I would be off and the change happened! It's a bit of a muddle trying to teach the girls to work to the new system but we'll get there!

So work has become so much more enjoyable. I have a deputy too, one of the staff that left asked to come back and be my deputy so I get to have time off again, no more six day weeks! YAY!

The best thing about that is I get to see Paul, boy do I miss him! I only see him saturday afternoons and Sundays, and alot of Sunday is taken up with Sam's football! He told me the other day he can't wait for me to have a day off, as he misses me too. Bless!

I have the appointments through for the nuclear tests, they're one week apart and at least an hour each. The first one I have to have my naturl radioactivity tested via a scan, then I take a pill that has Vitamin B12 and a radioactive whatsname in it. I get scanned again and then a week later I have another scan! Strange stuff eh? Then they can see where the Vitamin B12 is going.

I went to my first ever crop and loved it! Really friendly bunch.

Errrrm, I think that's it!

Oh no I got new photos of Faith and she looks soooo grown up! *sob*

Oh golly!

2007-09-09T21:58:00.000Z

It's been a long time since I blogged!

I'll have to work backwards I think, my last post told about my Endoscopy and last friday I went for the results....negative on Coeliac desease thank goodness, I'm being referred onto Nuclear Medicine for a Schilling test to see if it's Pernicious anaemia. Still not nice (regular injections of Vitamin B12) but managable.

I went back to work after 2 weeks off, and the office was a mess, not physically, but the work was so far wrong I cannot put it right! I've been telling management since before I took the job on that the fact that we run differently from every other office in the company meant that when I went on holiday the office would be impossible to run! So I was expecting it to be wrong but not as wrong as it was!

The first week an Agency Manager came in, faffed around, they didn't leave until 8.35pm and still didn't do it right....the office was showing a £17,000 overage!!!!

The second week another manager came in and didn't balance at all!

So currently I have a £18,500 deficit that seems to only get bigger each week...a headache in other words! Still it cuts off this week and if the PO want t audit me I'll not be worried I have done nothing wrong.

I have also requested a system change and they say it will happen on thursday, I truly hope so.

Whilst I was away there were major problems caused by this and one day no one could open the office....so instead of talking it through on the helpline, they called the old boss in! I am LIVID! I told them they should have phoned ME if thngs were that bad.

Apart from anything else some of the 'helpful' things she did have made things much worse, and I think I'm supposed to be grateful!

She's been phoning people at home, and slagging me off too, and i am sick of it. The woman is off sick, and shouldn't be in the office at all. She's no intention of coming back, she is terminally ill.

But she cannot leave it alone.

The driving is fabulous! I love it! I am having some problems mainly with stalling, Paul has given me some tips about that and they're helping. Then on Saturday he suddenly said "I know why you're having problems...you learnt to drive in a Diesel, and it's harder to stall those".

Eureka! I'm not a totally crappy driver; just inexperienced!

On Saturday I'm going to my first ever crop (a meeting for scrapbookers to all craft together for you non scrapbookers). I'm nervous as I won't know a soul, but this is MY year for trying something new and being brave.

Discovered a new (to me) Author Isla Dewar and I think she's fab!

Oh and one of my new duties as car driver is to drive Sam to his Home matches (my lack of nagivational knowledge of my home town has Paul scared witless he'll never see me again!).

Last week was the first game of the season, and they won 2-1! Sam is the one in the middle with full face shot!

Endoscopy

2007-08-25T00:00:00.000Z

Today was the day for my dreaded endoscopy, and because I had no one at home i had to opt for the throat spray option...NEVER again!
I was told it would be uncomfortable, what they didn't tell me (because they can't tell) is that I would retch all the way through!
At one point I got really scared, I couldn't breathe and panicked.
The nurse asked the Nurse Practitioner who was doing the procedure "Is this alright?"
and the NP replied "it's fine it affects some people this way sometimes".
Of course because of the retching it all took longer, which meant more retching! But finally they got their four biopsy pieces and I was allowed to go!
All I can say is that next time...if there is one, I'm having the sedation and Paul can jolly well take time off! Mind you I've got a feeling it will be noted on my notes!

Anyway apparently my doctor may have the results in a week, I have to see the consultant in two. So we will find out then.

In other, more pleasant news, ww have resumed our "theme nights" and tonight was mexican night (maybe not the best choice after an Endo but hey ho!) We enjoyed it thoroughly, Dort and I both had chilli mince in our tacos and Sam had bolognaisy type mince that I make in bulk to this recipe. It's a fabulous recipe, I add grated carrot (a wartime bulking trick) and leave out the chicken livers, we tried it once but i wasn't keen. I freeze it in batches and it's so delicious I can't eat mince any other way! When we have bolognaise I still add a jar to it though, and gravy and veg to Cottage pie.
I think maybe our next one wil be american night again as the kids are begging for cornbread!

I had a lovely phone call from my mate Jo in Spain, I love hearing from her, and of course I wanted to tell her all about passing my driving test, as she has been praying that I would for 10 months! What a fab end to a not so fab day!

Oh and I got a fabulous congratulations card from my mate Dyz! I'm so thankful for my friends.
ttfn

She's quite amazing

2007-08-22T19:20:00.000Z

Jennie sent me these totally gorgeous flowers for passing my test!

Aren't they beautiful? No more beautiful than she is, she has the kindest heart of anyone I know, and my hope for everyone is that they have a Jennie in their life too, because believe me life is grey without her!

Guess What?

2007-08-20T13:56:00.000Z

I passed my driving test today!!!!

I can hardly believe it as I really cocked up a few things, or so i thought!

I'm so happy I can't stop smiling! I pick up the car tomorrow, it's all insured yay!

I'm Thrilled

2007-08-18T00:18:00.000Z

And humbled to have received this Award, the REAL sweet Shirl has given in to me!
It awards my ability to chat informally!Whoops when I read the award again apparently I'm being honoured with TWO awards, I believe I'm awarded the thoughtful blogger award too!I'm just too blessed!

Now I have to award my fellow Bloggers!
I award the Thoughtful Blogger award to

Liz, I know Shirl awarded her too, but I just wanted to say that she has helped me without ever knowing it. Spiritually she gives me a knock in the right direction at the right time. She sometimes has me laughing out loud and once or twice I have cried alongside her.

I would like to Bestow the Power to Schmooze award upon:

Anna; for fantastic photo's, engaging adventures, and for making me feel inadequate with all that she crams into life!

Sue ; Now I know she thinks it's a big joke, her being my scrapping hero, but she does inspire me, and she has the same taste in girly things I do. Her posts are a delight to read.

Lyzzy ; Now this woman is quite amazing....anyone who is willing to take me on as a friend has to be! Life's been a bit poop to her this year, but does it get her down? Does it heck! She's full of life and fun and put simply...wonderful!Lastly but by no means least

Heather ; I had the great pleasure in meeting Heather in June and was smitten! I had already been reading her blog on a regular basis, my only complaint would be that she makes me want to make stuff. Oh and she ought to put more photos of her wonderful creations on her blog for me to ogle!

I wish Blogger would let me comment on Blogs again soon!

Thanks Shirl! Once that driving licence is mine....I'm coming to see you!

night night blogettes!

2007-08-17T23:54:00.000Z

London

2007-08-17T13:14:00.000Z

Ok, so I've told you about meeting Dyz and Sue, well I forgot to mention my dedicationa nd determination.
The trip meant that Sam and I were up and 5.45am in order to get ready to get the coach at 7.20! Three hours on a coach, then tubes etc, was exhausting!

Anyway back to the Wednesday, we woke up fairly early, in our very comfortable Travelodge bed and watched Big Brother..then we got up and walked over the road for breakfast at McDonalds....not my choice of brekkie but there you go!

Dyz came to pick us up and dropped us off at Cockfosters so we could get the tube back into the city.

We got off at Covent Garden and then got a bit lost....despite me buying a map too, I'm a silly cow and read it wrong and we ended up in Holborn!

Anyway we realised our mistake and made our way back to the market, on the way Sam said he wanted a paper...for the footie stuff and as he was putting it in the bag he realised we had pinched Dyz's bag with her and Beth's jackets in! As if we didn't have enough to carry!

On reaching the market we saw this guy, standing on a 10 foot ladder and juggling knives!!!

We found a really cute gift shop, bu I could only look in the window as I was worried we'd knock something off a shelf if we went in.

In case you fancy a look for yourself it's called Octopus, the address is 54 Neal St, Covent Garden, unfortunately there is no web address!

I just love those teapots and toasters, there are also leather handbags shaped like watering cans (modelled by Fizz on Corrie I believe).

So then we had a wander and got on the Big Bus Tour, and I wish we'd done that earlier cos it's fab! You see all the bits of London that you'd usually miss, and you can get off and on as you like, the river cruise is free , unfortuantely we didn't have time to do them all.

Sam and I went for a coffee/hot chocolate at Costa and then dashed off to the tube, thanks to some duff info from a London Transport worker we almost missed our coach home, we had to practically run from the train station to the coach station!

The return journey was uneventful. And that's that!

TTFN!

Meeting friends

2007-08-16T16:59:00.000Z

We had a wonderful time meeting Dyzzy and Beth, we met up at the Science museum, very hot and flustered after carrying our rucksacks, and the underground is so hot and humid!

Meeting Dyz was great though she's such a wonderful warm woman!

Sam and Beth got on straight away which was fabulous.

Sam and I mastered the underground, and apart from a little funny turn I was fine with the 'edges'!

Went back to Dyzzy's for a scrumptious dinner of Lasagne, and met her son Carl, who is a lovely young man. Also met Tom Dyz's husband who is also lovely and has a lovely geordie accent.

We met up with the delectable Sue, and I have to say it, photos do NOT do her justice, she is a very pretty girl and fun too! Unfortunately all the photos I have of the three of us make us all look dreadful and I wouldn't be so cruel as to publish them.

We had a good natter over diet cokes, even had a chat to Anna on the phone, she's always sweet, bless her.

I'll blog about our adventures on the wednesday later.

TTFN!

I cannot WAIT!

2007-08-06T20:04:00.000Z

To meet Sue.....I was simply so awestruck at the thought of meeting my scrapping hero that I didn't mention her!
In case you don't know her this is her blog. She is Uber talented and a shopper extraordinaire.
Her use of flowers....and her stash of ribbons makes me drool.
Her daughters are beautiful too, hope we meet them!

I'm so excited!

2007-08-05T09:13:00.000Z

I've just booked for Sam and I to go to London!
I'm meeting Dyzzy and her daughter Beth, and we're gonna have fun!
Staying over in Hatfield And Sam and i are heading back into London the following day...we haven't decided what to do yet though!

Long time....

2007-08-01T22:15:00.000Z

no see! I've been busy busy busy! Since I took over two staff have left, to go to full time jobs, and another is leaving in September to move North.

I'm working six days a week and let's just say I'm looking forward to a fortnight off in a couple of weeks!

My driving test is weeks away and I'm excited/terrified at the same time!

Not much else to report, I've been too tired to even do anything.

Oh I did read the last Harry Potter book, and was a bit let down, it didn't have the 'sparkle' of the other books, but I can always re read those!

I know these are more photos from our weekend away but I love these two! Dyzzy is just so lovely! The ace photographer is Archi, (do you know I dont know her real name....or I do and I've forgotten!).

Ha ha Blogger!

2007-07-14T22:05:00.002Z

It seems I spoke too soon after over a week of NOT being able to comment on other blogs, blogger waited until I posted that before allowing me to! But YAY!

2007-07-14T21:19:00.000Z

Ooooh no blogging for ages! I'm so busy lately, sorry.
Apologies to everyone. I have been reading your Blogs but for some reason I cannot comment on any of the Blogger ones, if I look at the comments page it refreshes over and over again; so it goes all jiggly and cannot comment! Grrrrr

I had my appointment with the Gastroenterologist, and the upshot is that he's 98% certain that I have Coeliac disease. I've had a blood test, which is often inconclusive so will have an endoscopy with a biopsy to be sure.
Now I keep looking at things in shops and thinking "oh that'll be off the menu"!
Never mind, it'll help me slim!

Our new dining table came last week and is beautiful....but makes the house look shabby!

Nothing much to report, oh except the new lad I took on is brilliant and so quick on the uptake, that MY boss has asked me to train him as Deputy...already! He is made up bless him.
I'm so impressed that some things that take weeks for my other staff to learn, he has picked up first time.
I also took on another lady, she's my brother's Mother in Law, although I've only met her at the wedding. But she seems ok , she's only worked one day so far.

Ok TTFN!

No worry

2007-07-04T20:15:00.000Z

This photo is of...Lyzzy, Jaffne, Giger and me! These girls just light up my life, I'm so thankful for them! I think Ginger looks so stunning in this shot!

Below is a terrible pic of Debs, thanks to who I keep talking in my head in a Geordie accent! She's so funny and sweet and tiny, but with a tall head don't you think?

Poor Heather, shes obsessed!

Life is good at the moment.
I'm enjoying the job, apart from losing two members of staff (to full time jobs I hasten to add), the new lad I've taken on is really keen and will be an asset to the office I think, bless him.

Didn't enjoy tonight much as I didn't get in till 8 pm! Some bozo in the office counted £720 as £1000 so we were over by £250 and had to look everywhere to find it! Hang on! I hear you cry that doesn't compute! Well no, it doesn't and we ended up being £30 short in the end.

Still it's not as bad as it has been!
My old boss phoned this morning...she's heard about the girl quitting and was phoning to see if she was right in her prediction that she wouldn't work her notice! She's coming in to see us on Monday...I could do without that! Still it's my office now.

I'm due for my injection this week but I'm holding off having it, as I have an appointment with a Gastolenterologist on friday, and I'm not sure if he'll want blood tests done, not looking forward to the appointment at all!
I asked my GP what to expect, he said "Oh I expect they'll tell you, I'm over reacting!"
Gee thanks doc!

I restart my driving lessons on tuesday and have a test booked for August! Eeeek!

We bought new Leather sofas on Sunday, but have to wait 12 weeks for delivery, with a bit of wrangling I got a free dining table with six leather chairs for free too!
Well they were giving away a hardwood patio set with the Sofas, but it was HUGE, much too large for our garden so I asked if I could have the dining table instead! How cool is that?
We have a lounge/dining room so it will be nice to have it all new! Now I'm shopping for accessories and Paul is gonna have to paint the lounge mwahahahahaha!
I'm going to have a go at tiling our downstairs loo! I must be mad.
Well that's all my news! here's some more photos of our weekend!

The one of me (and all the nice photos) was taken by a fab woman called Jen who is a true artist, she's also gorgeous!
This is a photo I took of Heather and i love the expression on her face, you would never believe to look at her that this woman is SO NAUGHTY!!! She's fab! And so are her Katie Prices!

Weekend Away

2007-06-25T22:26:00.000Z

All my photos of our madcap weekend are poor quality!
But this one sums up the entire experience for me!
I don't think I've laughed so much in an age!
We went to Debden in Essex on Friday night and stayed until Sunday afternoon, with hardly any sleep in between! All the others took scrapping to do and actually crafted! Me? I just watched and played with a few scraps!
I cannot wait for the next one!

Gorgeousness!

2007-06-20T19:16:00.000Z

That's what this lil girl is!

Dort and I went to visit Faith and Ruth on Sunday and she is lovely, even though her mum said she's in a grump with her teeth bless her.

Her development is good, and she's only a week behind Dort on sitting up!

She's so smiley, loves having the palms of her hands kissed noisily!

She kept putting her hand over my mouth to make me kiss it...or maybe she was telling me to shut up LOL!

In other news, the interview went well and I've taken the young man on! Oh it's hard work being a boss! MY boss said "Oh I like that new boss at B******* Post Office she gets things done!"

Throw Away!

2007-06-16T19:05:00.000Z

I've spent the last two weeks throwing out of date supplies out of the office!
The shop mananger reckons I filled two bins (the commercial ones), he was a bit miffed as he had nowhere to throw his stuff! Still the office looks great, professional and clean and tidy.
I lost a member of staff this week, she has gone to another job with more hours, I can't blame her but she will be missed.
So on Monday I have to conduct my first interview! EEEEEK!

Work has been slow because it's middle of the month, so we will see how good I am when we're manic at the end of the month.

Been feeling exceptionally tired this week and wondered why, then last night my ear started playing up again, whilst looking for painkillers I found the other packet of antbiotics I should have taken!!! I've started on them again and the ear seems better I just hope it works.

Friday I'm off to Debden to meet 26 other mad hatters, only one of whcih I have met before (the totally gorgeous nutcase that is jaffne!).
Hopefully I will have photos to share!
Oh and I'm meeting Faith tomorrow!

I love it!

2007-06-08T16:16:00.000Z

Being the boss I mean!
I've managed to clear alot of rubbish that was cluttering the office, had a light fixed that has been 'out' for eight months, and the staff have said the atmosphere is better!

However I also had to have most of Monday off as i was ill with Mastoiditis, and it was bad let me tell you! On Thursday last week I woke up with blood in my ear, and a little bit of pain, so I phoned the doc and he wrote me a prescription for Erythromycin which usually works ok. On saturday I felt dreadful but mananged to get through the morning and then had to meet my friend Jo for lunch, I couldn't put it off as she was flying back to Spain this week. We had lunch...a very painful business for me as my ear, jaw and face was swollen as well as the bone behind my ear.
I was taking the strongest painkillers I could find but was feeling awful, and kept feeling like I was going to cry....I now think this was a physical response not emotional. Anyway we were walking down some stairs and I felt faint, but told Jo I felt dizzy so she wouldn't worry, Paul went mad when i told him as I could have fainted and fallen a loooooong way down those stairs!
So Sunday I was ill and Monday I just about dragged myself into work arranged for cover and took myslef to see the doctor who prescribed Ciprofloxacin which is an Antibiotic for bone infections, I took two on monday and....was back at work on tuesday! They were brilliant! The swelling was down by half! Saw the doc again tuesday so he could suction my ear under the microscope and he was amazed at the reduction in swelling.
However the suction made me giddy and he and the nurse had a right old laugh at me listing and having to grab hold of things as I tried to leave!

So all in all a rubbish start to the week and a fab end!
Sorry I haven't read any blogs this week I will get round to you all soon!

Managing!

2007-05-29T19:30:00.000Z

Well I'm now managing the Post Office, still not officially but there you go! They have started advertising my job so who knows what is going on!

The shop manager has now been told he has Pulmonary Fibrosis, meaning that his prognosis is 3 to 6 years! If I believed in jinxes I would say the place is cursed, after all one Mananger actually died on the premises two and a half years ago!

Driving lessons are going well, I'm running short of the money to pay for them though!

On the plus side, we have booked our cruise! Yup it's a definite! We can hardly wait and it's all we can talk about! Two families in our Close have decided to go on cruises too, though thankfully not ours!

Sad Day

2007-05-24T16:43:00.000Z

My boss left work today, she's not officially leaving but is on sick pay, so I won't be manager for some time although my company has started to advertise my job! Eeek!
She's officially on holiday for a week and then sick.

I have not stopped crying all day, Although she was horrid to me at times and I tied myself in knots trying to please her, she was very very nice when she was nice!
Paul made me remember the weekends that I made myself ill through worry over work, because she was impossible to please.

But since her diagnosis she has been so much better, and it's that I shall miss.
She has a fabulous sense of humour and we laughed so much!

I'm also terrified of filling her shoes!

And whatever else happens I know that the only reason she is leaving is because she is dying, and it feels so wrong that someone so fit and healthy should be dying!

Bye bye

2007-05-22T18:50:00.000Z

I lost 4 lb this week! A step on the road and I'm thrilled! I was so thrilled I walked home from Weightwatchers and felt even better!

I had to go to Portsmouth today for a training brief, oh how boring! Getting there was fine and dandy but coming back was a bit of a farce as I couldn't figure out what trains to get, so I toddled off to ask a man, and eventually he says oh you need that one (pointing to the ceiling as the platform is above the main station), and as he said it the train pulled out!
Ho hum!

I have a little thing about 'edges' I cannot bear to see other people go near an edge they can fall off. It makes watching TV difficult too...Cliffhanger arrrgh, anyway Train Stations are a nightmare, I cannot bear it especially when people walk over the yellow line...this morning I was desperately trying NOT to drag a man back from the edge, and this afternoon I had a nightmare of a woman who not only stood over the line but was bending over to keep her bags upright!!
Anyway, this is becoming more than just a little 'thing' and needs sorting out, so if anyone can help me help myself please do!
Coupled with that i seem to do alot of imagining the worst...for instance I tripped slightly on a kerb and kept imaging falling over....falling into a car etc etc, I couldn't stop the more I tried NOT to the more I did it! I think I'm a bit old to suddenly develop OCD and I'm determined not to allow it houseroom.

As a friend of mine says, you can allow the thoughts to fly around your head...just don't let them make a nest in your hair!

2007-05-16T20:04:00.000Z

Oh I'm so excited! I found out this beautiful little girl is flying over from Australia next month so I will finally get to meet her! It's so bizarre that a little girl born on the other side of the world can have such an impact on a dotty woman like me!
I cannot wait to meet her. I can't wait to see her mum again too.
Expect to be bored witless!

New me

2007-05-13T21:26:00.000Z

Well I suppose it won't hurt to tell you all that it looks like I'm taking over as Manager of our PO on 25th May, it won't be official until 31st July so lets hope I don't ruin it all before then!

In celebration of this, I have decided to make some changes, not all life changing but life enhancing!

Firstly is I MUST make the decision to lose weight every day, and to take that decision seriously!

Secondly is to get my finances under better control.

Thirdly to take regular exercise, hopefully walking down to the shore at least once a week, and to walk more generally, until I get the weight down enough to do some more serious stuff!

And this is a small frivolous change, i'm going to gradually improve the contents of my make up bag, I got away with cheap products in my 20s but they are not doing their job now I'm hurtling towards 40!

Thaks to Anna for reminding me to blog these decisions, I will echo her question...What decisions have you made today?

Do do do

2007-05-08T10:29:00.000Z

Ok the title is rubbish I cannot think of one today!
Just had my driving lesson, and he said I did well and seemed more relaxed...but then HE didn't keep telling me how to do stuff so I wasn't trying to think, drive and concentrate on listening at the same time!

We still haven't booked our cruise but we're getting there, Paul has emailed a few places to try and get the best price.

We did nothing this weekend, Paul was shattered so slept alot and of course the Snooker was on all weekend! I finally had enough and told him that next year I'm taking myself out for the Bank Holiday and they were welcome to waste it watching blimmin snooker!
The highlight of the weekend was watching Heroes last night, it just keeps getting better!

Just had to ground Dort again for a pigsty bedroom, if it's not clean in two days I'm taking the door off it's hinges!

Sometimes

2007-05-02T23:09:00.000Z

I wish my faith involved the lighting of candles for people, a physical reminder of the prayers we're saying for them.

But it doesn't and anyway my online friends wouldn't see it anyway!

But here is my candle and please know that if I've told you I'm praying for you, then I AM!

May His light shine in your darkest times.

Monday monday

2007-05-01T21:44:00.000Z

Well today was my day off, but I had to go in at 2.30 so my boss could go to the hospital for her scan results. Apparently they were very good, so she's been given a good few months more than before.

Work was manic! So many people leave it till the last possible moment for everything and then complain at having to queue!!! If you need a passport for a holiday in June for goodness sakes get it in plenty of time so you can choose a day when it isn't so busy!
As for Car taxes..come on you've had at LEAST six months notice that it's coming so why not come in on the 15th of the month and save the rush?
In any case I wish people would stop blaming US for their having to queue.
I haven't got a hotline to Gordon Brown either so it wasn't me who told him to put your car tax up by the way!

We didn't finish work till 6.12pm and Sue (a colleague) and I were going to Weightwatchers which started at 6 pm...no pressure there then!
We got there and weren't the last so that was good. I weighed in at EXACTLY what i'd estimated (I don't own scales). I was hoping I had over estimated though :(

So day one of the diet and I've done ok although I don't think I've eatedn enough! I don't eat breakfast and couldn't make the cooked lunch in the book, so had a Sardine Salad, which was lovely but my body craved bread all afternoon!

Can I say thanks for all the support I've received both publicly and privately regarding my last post. I've drawn a line under it now, dunno if I can forget but I will try to forgive.

We are sailing.....

2007-04-29T21:54:00.000Z

Well not until next year but we have decided to go on a cruise round the med! How wonderful is that?
I simply cannot wait, and as I now have an incentive I'm joining weightwatchers, hopefully tomorrow, although as it's at 6pm it could be tight for time with work or maybe thursday as it's a bit later at 7pm!

I've kept my mouth shut about something that has been getting to me for ages.
A certain person, has been bad mouthing me to anyone who will give her five minutes, and I want to know why? What the hell did I do to you? Because as I see it, I've never done anything to you, I've never been rude, I've never ignored you, as you have me.
Yet you accuse me of being 'A total bitch'!!!
I just wnat to let it be said, that your total lack of honesty has made me dislike you.
There; it's said, now you have something to complain and bitch about, may you enjoy every moment!

Bongela?

2007-04-26T19:47:00.000Z

Poor Dort has lost her hearing, she has an appointment to see the docs though.
As I'm as blind as a bat without my glasses I put my makeup on using a hand mirror (well I don't use the mirror as a trowel, I mean I use it to see my face!!), this morning I couldn't find it, and then remembered I'd seen it in the bathroom, where Dort had obviously left it!
She was in the bathroom so I knocked the door and asked her for my mirror, She answers "Bongela?" I had to laugh! I asked her why would I be asking you for that? She says "Well I thought it was strange!"

Oh she is a daftie!

2007-04-24T21:43:00.000Z

Good Driving lesson this week. My boss has asked me to swap my day off to Monday instead of tuesday, and so my lesson was at 8.45 monday morning, i think considering I live next door to an infants and Junior school, it was maybe, ill advised! However even though I had to travel at 15 miles an hour due to the traffic I did very well!

My dear friend Lyzzy came out of hospital on sunday, lets all hope and pray she makes a speedy recovery!

My Mum has eaten! She had a fried egg (she's been craving them bless her), but only managed the yolk, she said the jam had bits in it so was uncomfortable to eat. I think I'll buy a jar and sieve it for her.
She's also tried chicken noodle soup so this is fantastic news!

Well TTFN!
xxx

What I've been up to!

2007-04-22T16:00:00.000Z

This is a LO that I started last week and finished today! It's my take on Pencil Lines sketch, I'm really happy with this, I had a go at triple embossing and the effect is so cool! Mind you my bedroom is covered in embossing powder now!
The photo's were taken at Weymouth in August 1997.

These three pics are of the decorating I did of some triangular pots that someone gave me, she got them free from a bank that was closing down!
It's all on one sheet of paper and goes inside the pot, but I couldn't take a photo of that because of glare and reflection on the plastic!

S'not funny

2007-04-21T22:04:00.000Z

Not even a little bit! Just reached the "I don't want to talk it hurts" bit of the cold!

This morning I had a chauffeur driven bus to work, it makes me depressed to know everyone else who is usually on the bus at 8 am is in bed or gearing up to watch Saturday Kitchen lol.

By 8.25 I had done my Mums shopping and I bought her....food!!! Yup she's gonna try eating, so I bought her some eggs and bread, as that's what she fancies, then I mentioned that my boss had a thing for Blackcurrant cheesecake and jam as it was all she could taste with the chemotherapy and Mum said "Oh I love blackcurrant jam (I never knew that) can you get me some too?"

I just hope she manages it.

Worked till one o'clock dropped the shopping off and came home had lunch and then went upstairs to do some crafting but...my bed looked mightily inviting, so I had a lil nap, and then made a Layout of Sam as a baby. I love it but it needs something else so I will finish it tomorrow, provided; I can think of what it is, that it's missing! I will take a photo tomorow.

I also made a lil ATC for someone who's swapping one of her lovely ones, so i hope it's ok I've had the idea in my head only the execution didn't go as well as planned, I will show you that tomorrow!

Photos is of Dort avoiding the camera on our trip to Gunwharf Quays!

Sniff

2007-04-20T23:19:00.000Z

Yup I got a horrible cold and feel yucky, but.......in a few days I'll be fine, so no whinging here...well maybe a little bit!

Looks like work may change for me soon, I'll update later.

My days off have been switched to Mondays, so I'll actually get to spend time with Paul whilst he's awake! That'll be a novelty!

TTFN

My future??

2007-04-18T21:08:00.000Z

Jennie saw this on Etsy and thinks it's my future self writing!

Bio
I'm a rather grumpy old lady, who enjoys painting, playing guitar,
gardening, and (usually) grandchildren. I count butterflies, grow asparagus, and
sit at the back of the bus so I can study ears.Nobody has yet taught me how to
paint.

(http://www.etsy.com/profile.php?user_id=40425)

Jennie you know me soooo well, but I think unless I change my mind, I'll be drawing! Hey no one has taught me that!

I've had an ok day, horrendous headache, with flashing lights like a migraine at lunchtime which is topsy turvy, as it would usually be the flashing first then the headache. Hey! I've just remembered that Paul had exactly the same thing the other day! Strange trust him to copy me!

Got home from work to find out the doctor had just rung with my blood test results, and as I was feeling a bit fragile, I got a bit stressed and worried. Even though he told my Dort that there was nothing to worry about. But he's ringing again tomorrow, typically I'll be at work as I'm working the afternoon so my boss can have the afternoon off. Paul will either take a message or give him my number!
I have nothing of my own to show you but browsing Etsy I saw this and I really like it so i thought I'd share! You can also see it here .

Please read (and sign hopefully)

2007-04-17T15:17:00.000Z

A friend of mine has Kidney Cancer and posted this on a forum:

"This type of cancer is very difficult to treat because it doesn't respond
to chemo or radiotherapy. My online research has discovered that there is a new
drug, which has been licenced for use in this country, but which most people
don't know about. It is expensive, but for most people there is no alternative.
Please have a look at this petition , and sign it if you feel you can.http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/kidneycancerRCC/sign

Thank you"

You will receive an email back and need to click the link to register your signature.

It's a worth while cause as deciding medical treatment according to post code is immoral.
But do as you see fit!

Jab jab jab part deux

2007-04-17T09:47:00.000Z

Well I've had my jab, and apparently the doctor had the blood nurse stumped by asking for something she'd never heard of, she had to look it up in a book! (I dread to think what they will find next!!!)

Talking to the other nurse, about the Vitamin B12, I said that the symptoms are so much worse than they were before, and she said that it's common for patients to say that even though the levels are much the same. I don't know if it's that my body finally gets what it wants and throws a fit when it wears off?
It didn't seem to hurt quite so much today, so that's a good thing.

TTFN!

Jab jab jab

2007-04-17T00:57:00.000Z

I finally get to have my injection tomorrow, whoops I mean today! ( I should be in bed)
I'm dreading it because it hurt so much last time, but looking forward to getting rid of the palpitations, I cannot describe to you how dreadful they make me feel, whilst I'm not actually 'unwell'. But at least there's a 'cure'.
My driving lesson is not until 2pm, I wonder if I'll be any better later in the day, I've had all but one of my lessons first thing in the morning so far.

I added to my stock of Sam Tags but haven't scanned them, I must say it's nice to have a lil box of pretties on my desk, I'll try and do Dorts this weekend.

Anyway, to the dear friend facing an operation this week may I just say, my love, prayers and all my thoughts are with you.

Even more good news!

2007-04-15T10:01:00.000Z

The car that I'm getting is about 14 years old BUT, has only done 40,000 miles and been serviced every year!
Ok it's not the sexiest car on the planet but it's all mine!

Oh my goodness!

2007-04-14T19:29:00.000Z

Paul went to his Dad's to wash his car for him, he's been nagging him for weeks, which is daft as Les isn't allowed to drive anymore!

Anyway when Paul got home, he asked me if I'd like his Dad's car, I asked how much and he said for nothing! How BRILLIANT is that?

Just gotta pass that test now!

Today I've been in a crafting frenzy, well not really but I've enjoyed myself making these,

I made a box to keep them in too but I have to photograph that!

FAB!

2007-04-10T09:21:00.000Z

I'm back! And I've just had the most fantastic driving lesson. Steve had a new clutch fitted so I stalled it 10 times, but didn't break the record (only equalled it lol).

I did a parallel park, two turns in the road and an impromptu reverse round a corner absolutely perfectly! Woot woot woot!

Now to the reason I disappeared, I'm not going to tell. I'm going to continue to cut back on PC time, there's a world out there I intend to grab!

Now I had a lovely Easter nothing too strenuous, or exciting but lovely all the same. We went to Gunwharf Quays yesterday in Portsmouth and I took this pic of The Spinnaker Tower...there was no way I was gonna climb it!

I finished the beading kit that Tracey T sent to me...it was easier than I thought it would be. I'll post pics later!

TTFN!

2007-04-05T19:23:00.000Z

Ok my on line shopping is done, I'm not expecting any urgent emails....so I'm off for a while.
See you when I get back!

Photo challenge

2007-04-03T22:27:00.000Z

Ok I don't do blog challenges so I'm challenging myself and you can join in if you choose to!

My challenges are to take photos of

1 Where I live, the house/street/city view.
2 A favourite place,be that the beach, the country, a favourite chair!
3 My favourite people
4 My favourite time of day....interpret as you want.
5 Myself!

We have a nice long weekend, so this should be easier.

Oh well.

2007-04-03T15:03:00.000Z

I woke up this morning at 6am with a really bad headache, it felt like a migraine so I took some pills and texted my driving instructor to say I wouldn't make the lesson today...that's £18.50 worth of headache! When I woke again at 9 I felt yucky still but not quite so headachy. The palpitations have subsided slightly thank goodness!

I've been playing with photos and stuff thanks to a link TraceyT gave me, and came up with this

I don't think it's half bad for a first attempt!
Here's the link Trish Bayley

Watched Heroes on Sci Fi last night, I love love love this show, and it cheers my Mondays up knowing it's on!
Tonight is Holby City and CSI night. You see i'm taking time off the computer to watch TV and make stuff!

TTFN

Thump thump

2007-04-02T23:22:00.000Z

Back to work today and the palpitations that have been constant companions for two days didn't disappear! I was hoping that being at work and being busy would make them go away, but the awful thing was the more I talked or moved the worse they became. It's certainly worse than ever before, and it's my own stupid fault for putting off the dreaded Vitamin B12 injection, I should have had the second one a month ago. Now I can't get into see the nurse till the 17th April. So I guess I will have to live with this, maybe I'll learn my lesson huh?

Driving lesson tomorrow, so I should be in bed now! But I dozed off on the sofa (another side effect of the anaemia) so I feel alert right now.

Sam has been invited to go bowling with his friends tomorrow, oh he's excited bless him!

Oh another laugh aloud moment.
Kate my colleague was serving a woman the other morning who was being really vague and not quite with it, she then she says really loudly, "Sorry, I'm not with it I've just had a blood test"
My customer looks at me and whispers "Where from... her head?" Well of course I laughed and I shouldn't have done! But it does make me smile still because I'm a norty one!

Night night.

Bad Girl!

2007-04-01T20:57:00.000Z

I have been a bad blogger, but to be honest I've had nothing to say, and much as I like to waffle I really couldn't be bothered!
I've been trying to get some stuff done, and now have some cards in reserve, so I feel safer now!

I haven't had a driving lesson for two weeks as Steve had to put it into the garage last tuesday to have the clutch done. I don't think it was my fault.
It will be good to get behind the wheel on tuesday,
Next week I will be cooking, I'm so fed up with trying to find something quick and nutricious when I get home at night, and friday night I got home at 7pm! So I thought I'd batch cook and freeze some stuff, casseroles, and mince that sort of thing. So that's my Good Friday sorted.

My plan to stay offline is going okay, I've cut down by half so that's good.
My other plan is to decorate the house room by room, not that they necessarily need painting but they do need accessorising so I'll be scouring the town for bits and bobs!
Told you I had nothing interesting to say huh?

Oh Laugh out loud moment on the bus....reading a book, the main character has gone to LA to seek stardom. Whilst talking to the owner of a ber named Ladyboys she says..
"I'm surprised you got away with allowing smoking in here, It's really hard trying to bum a fag in LA"
The owner replies "Learn proper english lady!"
Well I laughed.

Pinched from Jen's Blog

2007-03-22T19:13:00.001Z

Your Dominant Intelligence is Linguistic Intelligence

You are excellent with words and language. You explain yourself well.
An elegant speaker, you can converse well with anyone on the fly.
You are also good at remembering information and convicing someone of your point of view.
A master of creative phrasing and unique words, you enjoy expanding your vocabulary.

You would make a fantastic poet, journalist, writer, teacher, lawyer, politician, or translator.

What Kind of Intelligence Do You Have?

My Mum

2007-03-21T00:22:00.000Z

Here is one of the two photos in existence of my Mum, she's the one in grey, the other woman is my Aunt Kathleen, this was taken last summer in August and she's just got herself back up to the weight she was here, (just under 7 stone)!!!
She's doing ok, I bought her some multivitamins and made her promise to take them, and she reckons she has felt better since then...we were told that she didn't need them before because her food substitute is so complete...obviously not! I can tell just by listening to her on the phone she is brighter, and when I saw her last week she actually had the energy to talk to me!
Im so pleased to finally have a photo of her, she won't let me take any, and obviously Noel (Kathleens husband) persuaded her.

As Maria would say in other news, it looks like my driving test could be as little as four lessons away! EEEK!
Have a great wednesday, I just hope the office balances ok.

Back to Work!

2007-03-19T00:09:00.000Z

Paul and I are back to work tomorrow, neither of us are looking forward to it!

It's been a lovely week off, and I've made some decisions, well really I have remade decisions to cut sown on internet time....what a time stealer it is!

I'll leave you with a pic of Dort with her EEG electrodes on and a pic of the pack she had to carry around all day....it weighed a tonne! Paul took the photo of Dort as i forgot!

More on the Art Journal!

2007-03-16T20:15:00.000Z

I had a crafting afternoon and managed to get almost up to date with the art journal, I would have done them all only I forgot to look to see what it was!

4) a Symbol you love....says it all!

2)Use some Ephemera, I really struggled with this one, and finally came across the tag that Sam had in his new footie shirt, so i used that!

6) Love Love Love

7) Shoes there's always a story to tell.... these look like my first pair of 'heels' only mine had 4 inch heels and I LOVED them, couldn't stand in them now let alone run as I used to! Mind you I was 14 then!

8) Who or what do you miss?

I miss family bath time, Paul would get in from work and he and the kids would get in the bath together, we lived in a little flat then and I would be cooking his tea in the kitchne and talking to them all in the bath!

9) Inspiration Found... I often get inspired in those 'lucid dreams' as I wake up.

Happy Birthday to me!

2007-03-13T14:06:00.000Z

I've had a fab birthday, even if my Mum forgot! She's a daftie!
I've been inundated with cards!

I had a beautiful AMM tote from Lyzzy, she's such a norty girl but gosh she's a sweet one (just don't tell anyone she tries to hide it!) Check her out on her Blog, tramping!

I had a lovely little packet of goodies from Maria, she's made me some lovely shabby chic door hangings and well, I LOVE these!

Jaff was typically overgenerous and paid a big chunk of the cost of our trip to Debden!

My family have been amazing and have given me lots of money, so i should have enough to finish my driving lessons now.
Oh and Paul bought me a top!

I'm thoroughly spoiled!

Art Challenge

2007-03-12T00:37:00.000Z

I decided to join in albeit late, to join in on Emily Falconbridge's mini art album challenge.

Week one
"Something that makes you proud"

I chose my marriage.

Week Two
"Something Powerful to you"

I chose forgiveness, as if you choose to forgive, you take away the power to be hurt by those who sin against you.

Week three
"I am"

I am blessed, with a happy loving marriage, two beautiful children, supportive friends, and my health!

Start Living

2007-03-07T22:10:00.000Z

My List, by Toby Keith lyrics

Under an old brass paperweight is my list of things to do today

Go to the bank and the hardware store,
put a new lock on the cellar door
I cross 'em off as I get 'em done
but when the sun is set
There's still more than a few things left
I haven't got to yet

Chorus
Go for a walk, say a little prayer
Take a deep breath of mountain air
Put on my glove and play some catch
It's time that I make time for that
Wade the shore and cast a line
Look up a long lost friend of mine
Sit on the porch and give my girl a kiss
Start livin', that's the next thing on my list

Wouldn't change the course of fate
but cuttin' the grass just had to wait'
Cause I've GOT more important things
like pushin' my kid on the backyard swing
I won't break my back for a million bucks
I can't take to my grave
Why put off for tomorrow what I could get done today

Chorus
Raise a little hell, laugh 'til it hurts
Put an extra five in the plate at church
Call up my folks just to chat
It's time that I make time for that
Stay up late, then oversleep
Show her what she means to me
Catch up on all the things I've always missed
Just start livin', that's the next thing on my list

So my dear friends what's on your list today?
I have a list to write I think!

Wired up Teef!

2007-03-07T00:31:00.000Z

On Sunday I prepared a Lamb stew to go into the slow cooker on monday for our tea so i didn't have to cook, but I was poorly on Monday and slept all day, but the slow cooker still got tea ready for us!
Sam sat eating his and getting all grumply bummed because of his wobbly tooth! Now this stew was as soft as butter, no chewing required, and is one of his top five fave meals, so I told him he was over reacting.
Afterwards I gave him some of the chocolate that Paul bought me on Sunday and couldn't face, and his tooth came out! Hooray! I'm a £1 poorer but thank goodness he isn't whinging!

Dort has to go to Hospital on Thursday for her 24 hr EEG, you know they recommend carrying the letter around with you afterwards in case bus drivers think you are suicide bombers!!!
Anyway she's worried about how she will look, typical 15 yr old eh?
Me? I'm looking forward to taking photos to torture her with!

I managed to make two cards today, but they're both upstairs and I don't want to run up to get them!
Reading a new Katie Fforde book, I'm slightly concerned that my reading matter is becoming lighter and fluffier, goodness I'll only manage magazines soon, but please please spare me the likes of Take a Break, Closer etc!
I met a woman recently who told me she loved to read, and when I asked her what she liked to read she told me, "Oh Chat and Closer are my favourites"
Is that reading?
I'm a snob aren't I?

Anyway ttfn!

I went all technical!

2007-03-04T21:18:00.000Z

Because The Lounge is closing today, and many of us don't want to have to resort to posting on UKS, I went mad and started my own forum.
It's not flash but it's a place we can keep in touch.
I didn't want to miss out on hearing if Caro has a girl or a boy....it WILL be a boy though!
Anyway all are welcome to join us at Our House.
Pauls birthday was today so I did the roast, and as I am the only one who can cook beef that what we had; it was scrummy!

This girl makes me Smile!

2007-03-02T21:14:00.000Z

Isn't she beautiful? This is Faith my friends little girl she is so adorable and doing so well. Her mum has asked for prayer for her neck to become stronger. Apparently they're going to a Hydro pool with other disabled children and loves it!
I just wish I could have a real squidge.

Driving

2007-02-27T22:59:00.000Z

I wasn't going to post about my driving lesson as it was so rubbish!
Steve said he'd give me a mock test; five minutes later I asked him to stop!
(Mind I'd already failed). There's a particularly nasty mini roundabout that I Completely fluffed and ending up driving over the kerb, and I seem to have a block about, so we practised that instead!

Prince Charles reckons that getting rid of McDonalds would be a good start to healthy eating!
How about lowering the hours worked by both parents in this country, to allow them to cook meals from scratch without it eating (!) into the evening?
I know there are meals you can make in minutes, but if you aren't getting in until after 6pm and the kids need to be fed, homework done, washing, ironing, housework, washing and drying up to be done, and still get yourself to bed before midnight, as you have to be up again at 6.30am, what would you rather do?
Start dicing carrots or throw something in the oven?
Sorry if I offend feminists, but it should be a choice that women with children go out to work not made compulsory by economic pressure.
I can't see what we have won in the fight for equal rights. We now have the right to leave our children in the care of another woman, whilst we go out and work ourselves into heart attacks (the rate of women having heart attacks has increased dramatically).
Great! Now we are just like men.
But I'm not like a man, I have as many maternal feelings as any other woman.
I only work 30 or so hours a week, and I cope because I'm home two days a week when they get home from school, but I would dearly love to be home for them every day. Sadly that isn't possible and still have a home.

True Inspiration

2007-02-26T19:49:00.000Z

A dear friend of mine has changed my view of scrapping.
She recently made a small scrapbook using photos sent to her of a little boy who tragically died during his birth. She sent it to the couple and I know how much they will treasure that tangible link to him, the poor parents left the hospital empty handed and with hearts full of pain, sorrow and love for that little boy. And my friend captured that, she had help from other crafters, but it was her idea. It was quite simply beautiful.
To me this is the essence of scrapbooking.
Life is measured not in time, or dates, but in those moments that move us.
People are not remembered fondly by their achievements,(Isambard Kingdom Brunel is remembered but are you fond of him?) but how they made that person feel.
In my scrapbook, I want Lo's that remind me of how delightful my friends and family are, I want to remember smiles and laughs and tears and tantrums.
I want the papers and embellishments to enhance the photos, and not be the main event.
Does that make sense? Well never mind I know what I mean!

you know...

2007-02-25T23:06:00.000Z

I'm glad I don't voice my opinions often. (nuff said)

Anyway the weekend has passed uneventfully, we went to M&S yesterday and bought yummy ready meals for last nights tea. Then Paul got a migraine and didn't have his! Still my Liver and Bacon and garlic bread was yummmmy!

We also bought Dort some school trousers in Sainsburys for £10, and as they had a 'Spend £15 get a fiver back' offer on we bought her a tee shirt too for free!

We have a job getting Dort school trousers, if they were black it would be no problem but they have to be Navy and long! SchoolKit only do trousers that wouldn't have fitted her at 12 let alone 15!

So normally we buy them from the very uncool M&S, and Dort hates them.

I was very good today and cleared out the clothes on the floor of my wardrobe! Every six months or so I fold up some clothes I hardly wear and put them in the bottom of the wardrobe, then, if, in another six months I haven't worn them or wanted to, I throw them out! I threw out loads, and a pair of boots and three pairs of sandals!

I know, I know I should take them to Charity shops, but face it it will never happen, I tend to bag them they sit in the corner for a few weeks and end up in the bin anyway, what am I waiting for?

Finished reading Shopaholic Abroad last night. I do love Chick Lit. Maybe it's not cool to admit to but why should I be snobby?

Anyway sometimes I find the shopaholic books a bit hard going and you know why? Because at times I am just like Becky, ok I don't get thousands of pounds in debt but I do hide bills sometimes....and pretend I didn't see them!

Text Death

2007-02-23T23:00:00.000Z

Ok anyone who is mad enough to give me their Mobile number is subject to totally random texts, often between 7.30 and 8.30 in the morning as I'm bored standing at the bus stop. However because I'm stooopid and washed my phone in the washing machine a couple of months ago, I've had to use an old handset that is frankly past it's best.

The darn thing turns itself off in the middle of conversations, and ignores texts altogether,
so what I am trying to say my lovelies is if you are missing your early morning Shirley sayings, it's not because I don't love you! Good news is after begging my beautiful little brother, he is going to pop one of his old sets through my letter box, gosh I love that boy!

Have I told you about him? I can't remember but it's worth saying twice. He was the scrawny kid (well I was pretty scrawny myself but a million feet taller than all the kids in school!) we used to have to drag him away from drains in case he fell down them!
He suffered so badly with asthma that Mum was terrified he would die in his sleep.

Before you think she was hysterical, let me tell you my Grandfather, had his first asthma attack on the day of his best friends funeral and died at the age of 42!

So as a result of her fear, I had to share a single bed with Karl for years! He was such a meany! He had these killer long nails and would dig them into my hands and take the skin off, I was 12 before I discovered what my hands looked like without crescent shaped scratches and scars.

But he was so cute, with big blue eyes and dark lashes! And he had no warmth in his little skinny body, so every morning I would get up early and go down to the kitchen and turn on the oven and warm his clothes by it.
I'd forgotten all about doing it but he reminded me of it a couple of weeks ago.
I treated him dreadfully too pretending I was dying of thirst to make him get up and get me water, he told me that he really believed I would die if he didn't!

Oh but how we would laugh!
We have another brother Pete who is between us in age and was a typical middle child (naughty) and just didn't understand the humour we had, he is funny too but in a totally different way, oh Karl can still reduce me to tears of laughter in ten seconds flat!
Mind you he and Pete often ganged up on me but did I tell you I was tall? I got my own back!!!

He's got his bad points, but heck he's my baby bruv and I would (and have) fight anyone for him! Mind you he's a big lad now, and the beer has put paid to the scrawnyness, not that he's fat just filled! I love this pic of him at Pete's wedding.

What's for Dinner?

2007-02-22T20:17:00.000Z

Errrr pasta!
I really ought to be awake whilst online shopping as this week I ordered 6 kilos, yup SIX KILOS of Penne pasta! Mind you it only cost me £2. I forgot to get cereal so I think Sam should eat Pasta and milk for brekkie! Oh but he can't as I forgot the milk too, whoops!

I've kind of lost my mojo crafting wise, so I need some inspiration.
Haven't taken any photo's for ages either. Which is rather disappointing.

Warning!!!! Combustible Female

2007-02-21T22:01:00.000Z

You Have to read this, it's on Liz's blog and is named Animal Diaries. I giggled for ages over it Thanks Liz!

What a day! Everything that could have gone wrong did, well maybe not everything but as near as dammit!
I had yesterday off and the relief manager managed to mess up big time! I thought they were paid so well (twice my hourly rate), because they knew procedure, well they don't that's for certain!
I'm hoping that the poor woman who bought Aus$1780 in Travellers Chques hasn't yet left the country and still has time to get the Aus$80 she wasn't given, I've written to her so I hope so.
I only found out about that because the oh so experienced Manager didn't know the 'new' (six months) procedure. Crikey oh Riley!
Then the electrician decided to turn off our electricity the pillock! So 25 minutes was spent in rebooting computers and apologising to customers.
Oh well only a half day tomorrow!

Coldsores are not cool Mama!

2007-02-20T22:55:00.000Z

I woke up on Monday morning with not one, not two, but three coldsores, my lips got really dry at work on friday and I think that set them off. Anyway fed up with feeling like a leper, I borrowed some money from Sam to get my nails done today instead of Saturday.

Oh it's so nice to have pretty nails!

I took some (bad) photos of them!

Having my nails done is my only vice really, I know it's vanity but I like it! I go to a fab little place that does them Hong Kong style -with drills. I've had my nails done the other way and found it lumpy, misshapen and prone to lifting.

It's a funny little family business, Mum does my nails and her son paints the designs, her daughter and other son also work in the business too, but I've only had these two. Mind you they do talk to each other alot in Chinese, which I know could put people off, but I'm not a small talker so it's suits me just fine.

Had a driving lesson today, Steve thinks I'm doing really well, although I did do a turn in the road mighty fast for him today (There was a van waitng one side and a learner driver the other I felt slightly under pressure). But I did it in three moves! Anyway he's going to do me a mock test in a couple of weeks, and if I'm close he'll put me in for my test. EEK!

We had our pancakes tonight and very scrummy they were too. The house blinking sticks of them now though, and I have to do it all over again for Paul and co on Saturday as he missed out!

Have you seen the series Heroes? I saw it last night and it was fab, very absorbing, and very Sci Fi. I've been having withdrawal symptoms of Sci Fi since Voyager finished.

And on Ali's recommendation I went to the library and got Jim Butchers, The Dresden Files books, sadly though not in the order they were written.

That's it -my boring life!

Folk Art

2007-02-17T22:41:00.000Z

Today was the day I was dreading and now it's over I feel relieved, spent all afternoon in bed with a horrid headache but feel better now, it's the tension of the day, I took some Syndol at 8pm anf they are fab.
Paul took us to Whitely village this morning- a local outlet village and it was rubbish we spent more in Tescos! I saw something I liked in a craft shop but it wasn't priced and I hate that! So I didn't buy it.
I've wanted a heart door hanger for ages that I saw in a magazine but typically not mentioned in the where to buys! So tonight I thought I'd have a look at Ebay and found someone selling really cute folk art (I just love that Folk art look). So I will be ordering some blanks and will decorate them myself. I'm looking forward to that.

So all I need to do is to do some crafting. Today has been a washout in that respect but tomorrow is another day.

I can't do numbers!

2007-02-15T15:22:00.000Z

Oh we finished work so late last night, as last week I booked in some stock wrong.
I mean 10x10=1000 right???
Well anyway thankfully the boss wumman also cocked up and hers took much longer to correct mwahahahaha!

Been to work today and came home stinking like an old ashtray, we have stocktakers in and they all smoke so it's bad enough with one or two at a time but with 8 of them it's just unbearable and I've been a bit wheezy since.

Still I'm home now and it's ER night, I just love that programme!

Yeeeehaaaa!

2007-02-13T18:37:00.000Z

I passed my theory Driving test today!

I got 34 out of 35 questions right, although I have gone over the questions and the one I got wrong I went back and put 'right' and was right the first time.

The hazard perception was probably harder than I imagined, I had one clip thrown out for over clicking! I though I'd failed it then but obviously I didn't.

I'm thrilled so it's all on for the Practical now!

Thankyou so much for you kind wishes and emails. I really appreciate them, I'm still feeling sad but trying hard to overcome it.

As our Maria would say, In other news, I've had a craving for Lemon Meringue Pie and Bananas this week, which is surprising as they aren't my favourite foods by a long chalk!

But I am quite run down and have a mouth full of ulcers so maybe it's the potasssium in the bananas I need, the lemon meringue is because I'm a pig!

Puffy eyes and a big red snoz

2007-02-08T21:44:00.000Z

I haven't felt like blogging lately, been very down, and not feeling that much better today.
I know the reasons and will come through ok, but suffice it to say this is not a good month for me.

I also have horrendous hay fever, I ... the whole country is gripped by severe weather and I get hay fever! I'm allergic to tree pollen and though our trees aren't in flower yet we are affected by the Isle of Wight for some strange reason, anyway i have streaming itchy eyes and have been sneezing since 8.30 am, and yes ladies you know what THAT means!!
I had a little sleep and feel a bit better now. I thought you should all see my puffy eyes and big red nose, normally I have a cute button of a nose but the sneezing has enlarged it! Look my mascara is under my eye...yuk!

Next week is a tough one for me, a sad anniversary, but hopefully I have enough to keep me occupied to stop me from getting really down.
I have my Driving theory test on tuesday so wish me luck!

Speshal

2007-02-03T15:41:00.000Z

I was commanded by the very talented Clare to do this weeks Speshal Dare, so I did!

Tis a birthday card for Paul, we don't do Valentines, but thinking about it, will he want a card with his own pic on it? Well never mind!

I've got loads more cards to make but this was fun to do!

Grounded!

2007-01-31T22:47:00.000Z

I went into Dorts room yesterday....well I went half a metre inside I could get no further!
A car bomb would cause less devastation!
I saw plates, bowls, mugs, MY make up, clothes, clothes, and more clothes all over the floor.
I went in there to get a hairbrush, despite buying her 7 for christmas! She probably can't find hers.

Anyway I went downstairs and told Paul I was going to ground her, not only that but I was taking her phone from her too.
"Good luck with that, he says smugly, you'll never get it off her"

Dort walked in after school, I asked "Can I have a a look at your phone?" and she handed it over without a murmur.
Her face fell somewhat when I told her that she would get it back in a month.
That she was confined to her room after school, and at weekends, when she wasn't eating with us. But to her credit she took her punishment without dissent.
Secretly I think she was fed up with her bedroom being in such a state!

Went back to work today, and what a mess the relief manager left it in! T'was not a relief for me.

Phoned Mummykins tonight and have a shopping list a mile long to do for her tomorrow. I wouldn't mind but the only 'food' on it is 80 teabags and FOUR yes FOUR bags of sugar!
She says as she can't taste anything but sugar she has four sugars in her tea....unless no one is watching and then she has 8-10!!!!
Just as well she has no teeth eh? Poor lamb she weighs 5 st 8lb, but is happy enough in herself.
The lump turned out to be nothing, I'm such a worry wort!
It was probably all that sugar! Bless her.

I did a quiz I found on Liz's blog to find the best religion for me, apparently I'm 96% in tune with Christianity, and only 67% in tune with Judaism, Satanism, Paganism and agnosticism feature very low I'm relieved to say!

All Grown Up?

2007-01-29T21:33:00.000Z

I finished this LO on sunday but for some reason Blogger decided to hate me.
Unusually for me I will say that I like this, there are things I would do differently but I can see where I'm going, and one LO a week is good huh? Considering I have made six cards, and decorated another four pages of my birthday book.

I totally wasted my day off today and I don't care! It was so nice to do nothing all day, I did my scrubbing yesterday and so I feel justified!

Sam has been off today poorly, it's only a cold, but he has a tendency to throw up when he has catarrh and we thought he was safer home when he said he felt sick this morning.
Sam stopped footie training in November last year; after weeks of arriving at training to find it had been cancelled, then a team mate asked a coach why Sam wasn't told, and the coach said "He's not on the team it isn't important"!! so Sam understandably left.
Another coach (our neighbour) asked him yesterday to come back, and his wife todayasked Paul why Sam left. Typically he didn't tell her the REAL reason, which I would have done. Anyway they want him to go to trials next week, I'm encouraging him to go as he needs the exercise.

Another driving lesson tomorrow morning, and after that I'm off to change my library books. What an exciting life I have. I simply have to send the ATC's I've done too, they are all ready just need posting.

Dort wants to go to a local music venue, and says that it's ok because it's for 14+ year olds. I say that she's too young, it used to be a pub years ago, in a rotten area that is now almost solely habited by Students.
"At 15" I said "you're too young".
She said "that isn't a a valid argument".
I replied (using my only Ace) "I'm your mother I don't need a valid argument to say no".
I'm finding it very hard to accept that sooner or later she will be off and going to pubs and clubs, and horror of horrors having boyfriends, so I guess the quote on the LO is especially poignant.