Yes, it's that time again already and as you know, another birthday has rolled around again, seemingly less than twelve months since the last one. I received several text messages with warm greetings, one of which advised that I share my birthday with; Usain Bolt, Kim Catrall and Kenny Rogers. What can I say? Athletic Super Hero, Goddess, Heroine and SATC stalwart, Legend. Good company huh?
So I took myself off for a coffee and a chill first thing this morning, oh, I should say that yesterday, I treated myself, (I say treated myself but it was free, nevertheless, a treat,) of a hand and arm massage with the very handsome Michael at Jo Malone. With strict orders to stay away from anything sweet, we chose together a ginger and something concoction which was gorgeous.
Back to the day itself and my coffee was lovely and low key, didn't mention it was my birthday, you know I hate fuss. Returned home and within half an hour, one of my sisters had arrived with a lovely plant, shopping voucher and bottle of wine. We left to pick up another sister then headed out for lunch at a nearby pub, one you and I have been to a few times in fact. I was aiming for a light lunch as I'm out later with another sister at Wagamama's, my favourite.
Lunch was lovely, I asked lots of questions and the conversation flowed, food was nice, as was the large glass of wine I had and I didn't feel overly stuffed by the end... in preparation for Wagamama's.
The three of us descended back to sister's for coffee and more chat which revolved around what great age I am, (I'm rolling my eyes right now,) followed by a lengthy chat about.... euthanasia. I'm not kidding. Not that it's not an emotive subject, not that I don't have thoughts and feelings about the subject, and you can call me a prima donna, but I just don't think euthanasia is a happy birthday subject. After a while, one of my sister's noticed I was abstaining from the conversation and promptly changed the subject.
After a little while longer, I'm deposited at home and within an hour, I'm being picked up again and Jan and I are off to W's. I could honestly eat there every day.
If you remember, the seating arrangements are that the tables are long with benches and they seat, I'm guessing six to ten people. Jan and I are seated next to the wall, which I like. Our gorgeous waiter, looks like front man Ricky from the Kaiser Chiefs, who I have a soft spot for anyway, and now I have one for my, sorry, our waiter.
Jan and I have a variety of starters, including lollipop prawns, edamame and duck gyoza, followed by mains of yaki soba, (we always have yaki soba and it's always delicious.)
Jan has desert and I have my customary glass of wine in lieu of desert plus a flash of that dazzling smile from our waiter.
Jan drops me off at home and I throw myself into the bathroom for a quick shower, I then proceed to make my bed, for some ridiculous reason, I decided to start my housekeeping a day early and stripped my bed when I got up this morning, I totally failed to factor in that it was probably the one day in the year I could give myself the day off and that if I didn't remake my bed before the festivities, I may be slightly tipsy from a little merry making to commemorate the occasion, by the time I got home.
Anyway, within 30 minutes, I'm taking to you, an almost perfect end to an almost perfect day but after I'd spoken to you, my cousin Lyn phoned me for my final birthday phone call of a long, but lovely day. I'm tired, but can't believe the day is over. Another year has begun.
Sunday, 31 August 2014
Thursday, 28 August 2014
Wedding Day
So it's wedding day. First family wedding for a few years and my cousin PQ's big day. As you know, my family isn't exactly harmonious so I've been half dreading this day and it's really taken the shine off the build up. All I can do is remain...'Switzerland', (neutral) and hope for the best. I've set my alarm for 7am but I'm wide awake at 6 so I rise for a decent cup of coffee, or as decent as I have in anyway.
My appointment to have my hair put up is at 8.45, I arrive ten minutes early and my hairdresser hasn't arrived yet.
When she does arrive, I show her the picture on my camera of how her colleague put it up for me for the last wedding I attended. I loved it and felt amazing with that 'do'. 'You don't want it like that, it's softer now', (says the colleague who put it up for me last time.) Why do they do that? If I went in to to the hairdressers and said, 'I'd like a skinhead please.' I can understand they may say, well I don't actually think that would suit you. But if I want my hair up in a certain way... the way they did it before, a really classic and lovely way, why can't I have that?
Anyway, it was fine, not totally happy with it but it was OK. Really need to learn how to do myself though, it cost and arm and a leg.
I got home at 9.30am from the hairdressers and we were aiming to leave at 10, I still had my nails to do, finish my make-up and to dress and check overnight bag.
I spent most of the hour long journey to the church in silence, I was just tense about what may occur, whilst hoping for the best.
The church was beautiful, old, small, intimate, full of character. There really aren't that many of us but we filled the space, it couldn't have been more perfect.
I thought I was tough enough to withstand the service. I've been to several cousin's weddings, one nephew's wedding and several friends, plus two sister's. So I thought that I was tear-proof, experienced enough to make it through the service, but I did almost lose it. Within a very traditional service, the love between PQ and K was palpable and very touching.
With the formalities over, the bride and groom exited the church and so did the rest of us, within five minutes, the heavens had opened and my giant brolly had me, two of my grown up cousins and a baby cousin sheltered beneath it. After a few minutes longer, with the wind picking up, we all retreated back inside the church to shelter and where, happily, tea, coffee and biscuits had been laid on.
So the bride, unbeknownst to us had arrived by Ferrari, driven by proud Dad. After a few photos, in between showers, the bride and groom left by said Ferrari. It was amazing, seeing them drive off in that amazing car with the traditional tin cans tried to the back with string.
The day was long, but in a good way. We chatted, mingled, ate, had a little wine, it was a perfect day.
I caught up with my cousin's, some of whom I haven't seen for a few years, and it was just lovely. At 1.15am, we all toddled off to bed. Another occasion, another moment in time.
My appointment to have my hair put up is at 8.45, I arrive ten minutes early and my hairdresser hasn't arrived yet.
When she does arrive, I show her the picture on my camera of how her colleague put it up for me for the last wedding I attended. I loved it and felt amazing with that 'do'. 'You don't want it like that, it's softer now', (says the colleague who put it up for me last time.) Why do they do that? If I went in to to the hairdressers and said, 'I'd like a skinhead please.' I can understand they may say, well I don't actually think that would suit you. But if I want my hair up in a certain way... the way they did it before, a really classic and lovely way, why can't I have that?
Anyway, it was fine, not totally happy with it but it was OK. Really need to learn how to do myself though, it cost and arm and a leg.
I got home at 9.30am from the hairdressers and we were aiming to leave at 10, I still had my nails to do, finish my make-up and to dress and check overnight bag.
I spent most of the hour long journey to the church in silence, I was just tense about what may occur, whilst hoping for the best.
The church was beautiful, old, small, intimate, full of character. There really aren't that many of us but we filled the space, it couldn't have been more perfect.
I thought I was tough enough to withstand the service. I've been to several cousin's weddings, one nephew's wedding and several friends, plus two sister's. So I thought that I was tear-proof, experienced enough to make it through the service, but I did almost lose it. Within a very traditional service, the love between PQ and K was palpable and very touching.
With the formalities over, the bride and groom exited the church and so did the rest of us, within five minutes, the heavens had opened and my giant brolly had me, two of my grown up cousins and a baby cousin sheltered beneath it. After a few minutes longer, with the wind picking up, we all retreated back inside the church to shelter and where, happily, tea, coffee and biscuits had been laid on.
So the bride, unbeknownst to us had arrived by Ferrari, driven by proud Dad. After a few photos, in between showers, the bride and groom left by said Ferrari. It was amazing, seeing them drive off in that amazing car with the traditional tin cans tried to the back with string.
The day was long, but in a good way. We chatted, mingled, ate, had a little wine, it was a perfect day.
I caught up with my cousin's, some of whom I haven't seen for a few years, and it was just lovely. At 1.15am, we all toddled off to bed. Another occasion, another moment in time.
Sunday, 10 August 2014
Gorgeousness Personified
I have been ogling this gorgeous burnt orange dress from Warehouse which is just stunning. It looks like a Victoria Beckham style, if you can remember one of her first collections. Sleeveless, mid calf, pencil skirt, fitted bodice with delicate pleating detail close to the high neck and a stunning, crossover at the back which leaves your mid back to waist level exposed. I've been eyeing it up for days, every time I walked past the shop on my hunt for earrings for the wedding, I'd look longingly at it.
After my coffee-through-a-straw, I wandered a little, I didn't feel too bad, bit of a headache but starting to thaw. After looking around the sales in a few shops, I headed into, "the" shop, and there it was, looking gorgeous.
I had to try it on didn't I? It took a bit of patience getting into it with the crisscrossing going across the back, had my hand through the wrong hole a couple of times. When I did get it on, adjusted and smoothed down. Wow.
Before you get excited, it didn't quite fit, it wasn't too far off but my bum was just too big for the pencil skirt, only just too big I should add and what didn't enhance it was the fact that I was wearing lace kickers, so I additionally looked like I had the worst, cellulite ridden backside you've ever seen in your life. (Desperately wanted to explain orange peel effect to shop assistant but decided against it in the end and tried not to turn all the way around while I was looking at myself in the mirror.)
If I lost a few lbs and wore the right underwear, it would look amazing, I may end up getting it just to admire and not even wear... ever. That would be just fine, it's so gorgeous.
After my coffee-through-a-straw, I wandered a little, I didn't feel too bad, bit of a headache but starting to thaw. After looking around the sales in a few shops, I headed into, "the" shop, and there it was, looking gorgeous.
I had to try it on didn't I? It took a bit of patience getting into it with the crisscrossing going across the back, had my hand through the wrong hole a couple of times. When I did get it on, adjusted and smoothed down. Wow.
Before you get excited, it didn't quite fit, it wasn't too far off but my bum was just too big for the pencil skirt, only just too big I should add and what didn't enhance it was the fact that I was wearing lace kickers, so I additionally looked like I had the worst, cellulite ridden backside you've ever seen in your life. (Desperately wanted to explain orange peel effect to shop assistant but decided against it in the end and tried not to turn all the way around while I was looking at myself in the mirror.)
If I lost a few lbs and wore the right underwear, it would look amazing, I may end up getting it just to admire and not even wear... ever. That would be just fine, it's so gorgeous.
Friday, 8 August 2014
Root Canal
Did I tell you that I needed a root canal? Well I've needed one since, well, I was told I needed one in June and my appointment was finally this morning. As petrified as I am, I just couldn't wait to go this morning and I arrived twenty minutes early, I just wanted to get it done. Yes, I need a root canal but I need to get rid of the abscess that I've been carting around for weeks, even more.
The appointment was at my usual place but I had never seen this dentist before, he was lovely, talked ten to the dozen and sounded just like 'Fronk' from "Father of the Bride". It was so distracting but in a really great way, beneath the rubber damn thingummy stretched across my mouth, I was often trying not to smile, he wasn't even joking, I just couldn't stop thinking about Fronk as he chatted away.
A couple of hours later, I'm sipping coffee through a straw, feeling a bit tingly and still numb, but not too bad. It's only half done, unsurprisingly, there is quite a bit of infection so we, Fronk and I, need to see if it settles before the final filling goes in. I return to Fronk in a few weeks, fingers crossed it's good enough for the wedding next week, for now, I'm wearing some kind of medicated temporary ensemble.
The appointment was at my usual place but I had never seen this dentist before, he was lovely, talked ten to the dozen and sounded just like 'Fronk' from "Father of the Bride". It was so distracting but in a really great way, beneath the rubber damn thingummy stretched across my mouth, I was often trying not to smile, he wasn't even joking, I just couldn't stop thinking about Fronk as he chatted away.
A couple of hours later, I'm sipping coffee through a straw, feeling a bit tingly and still numb, but not too bad. It's only half done, unsurprisingly, there is quite a bit of infection so we, Fronk and I, need to see if it settles before the final filling goes in. I return to Fronk in a few weeks, fingers crossed it's good enough for the wedding next week, for now, I'm wearing some kind of medicated temporary ensemble.
Thursday, 7 August 2014
Changable
Well, I've had a great weekend, you know the kind where you breeze through tons of chores in the blink of an eye? I'm feeling very proud of myself.
This place is about 90% 'cleansed' and clutter free and it's true what they say, getting rid of the clutter, cleanses the mind, I feel great.
Saturday was hot and made the chores hard going but today, Sunday is much cooler, there is a welcome breeze flowing through this place and it feels just lovely.
*****
Weather has taken a distinctly downward turn but I'm quite happy about that. Sunshine is lovely, mega heat is uncomfortable and brings one sleepless night after another.
So it's now the following weekend, I can't believe how these weeks are flying by. Weather remained cooler and changeable but I've managed to dodge the rain for the most part.
We entered August this week... can't believe it, which means my cousin's wedding is only days away now. I had a coffee date on Thursday for a couple of hours and it was lovely to chat and to listen. It was around 7pm when I was heading home and I was starving and so diverted to the best 'chippy' in town for chips and gravy, (I've been craving it for days now.) Walking down the road I see a biker on a bench eating chips. 'You don't recognise me do you?' Why do people keep saying this to me?
A few minutes later, I've seen past the biker jacket and the blacker than black sunglasses, and it's my sister's neighbour, who I've known for about twenty years, and who gave me a poppy plant this year.
I actually get to enter the chippy and seconds later, one of our old customers comes in and gives me a kiss on the cheek. It was lovely to see him and I was picturing his wife the whole time, such a lovely couple, (could I remember the name? I did, but only several hours later.)
Friday and I reluctantly get myself roped into selling cakes for a local charity, not that I don't support the project but I was just hoping, to blitz the pile of post on my desk. Instead, I had a blast reliving colleagues of their hard earned £'s for the sake of some fancy lbs disguised as cupcakes, carrot cake, lemon drizzle and such like.
I finish work for the day and for the third time this week, I head for the supermarket to pick up the fizzy water I like, (they've been out of it the previous two evenings I've called in.) I'd only just set foot into the store when I eye up one of my sister's checking out some discounted chocolate. It's lovely to see her, we're not... not speaking, we just don't speak much, or see each other very often. And so we exchanged warm hugs and kisses, she looks amazing, (I hope I look as good as she does in sixteen years.)
I've heard stories over the years that my sister wasn't too keen on my arrival but thinking about it now, at the age of sixteen, no, she probably didn't herald my arrival. The story also goes that on my arrival from hospital, aged... hours, our Mum handed me to my (thankfully non sociopath,) sister and left us to go into the kitchen. My sister fell instantly in love with me, (of course,) and Mum, cried.
It was so great to see her. I have time off work in September and by then, she should have some free time and so we've pencilled each other in for a proper catch up.
This place is about 90% 'cleansed' and clutter free and it's true what they say, getting rid of the clutter, cleanses the mind, I feel great.
Saturday was hot and made the chores hard going but today, Sunday is much cooler, there is a welcome breeze flowing through this place and it feels just lovely.
*****
Weather has taken a distinctly downward turn but I'm quite happy about that. Sunshine is lovely, mega heat is uncomfortable and brings one sleepless night after another.
So it's now the following weekend, I can't believe how these weeks are flying by. Weather remained cooler and changeable but I've managed to dodge the rain for the most part.
We entered August this week... can't believe it, which means my cousin's wedding is only days away now. I had a coffee date on Thursday for a couple of hours and it was lovely to chat and to listen. It was around 7pm when I was heading home and I was starving and so diverted to the best 'chippy' in town for chips and gravy, (I've been craving it for days now.) Walking down the road I see a biker on a bench eating chips. 'You don't recognise me do you?' Why do people keep saying this to me?
A few minutes later, I've seen past the biker jacket and the blacker than black sunglasses, and it's my sister's neighbour, who I've known for about twenty years, and who gave me a poppy plant this year.
I actually get to enter the chippy and seconds later, one of our old customers comes in and gives me a kiss on the cheek. It was lovely to see him and I was picturing his wife the whole time, such a lovely couple, (could I remember the name? I did, but only several hours later.)
Friday and I reluctantly get myself roped into selling cakes for a local charity, not that I don't support the project but I was just hoping, to blitz the pile of post on my desk. Instead, I had a blast reliving colleagues of their hard earned £'s for the sake of some fancy lbs disguised as cupcakes, carrot cake, lemon drizzle and such like.
I finish work for the day and for the third time this week, I head for the supermarket to pick up the fizzy water I like, (they've been out of it the previous two evenings I've called in.) I'd only just set foot into the store when I eye up one of my sister's checking out some discounted chocolate. It's lovely to see her, we're not... not speaking, we just don't speak much, or see each other very often. And so we exchanged warm hugs and kisses, she looks amazing, (I hope I look as good as she does in sixteen years.)
I've heard stories over the years that my sister wasn't too keen on my arrival but thinking about it now, at the age of sixteen, no, she probably didn't herald my arrival. The story also goes that on my arrival from hospital, aged... hours, our Mum handed me to my (thankfully non sociopath,) sister and left us to go into the kitchen. My sister fell instantly in love with me, (of course,) and Mum, cried.
It was so great to see her. I have time off work in September and by then, she should have some free time and so we've pencilled each other in for a proper catch up.
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