You're wondering where I've been and what the heck I've been up to? Well, I don't actually know where the past two weeks disappeared to, it wasn't doing housework because this place is a tip. Each Monday to Friday have been busy, changes by the day, more and more worry piled on the top of existing worry about jobs and selections and options and my weekends just evaporate. Each 48 hour segment feels like 90 minutes maximum, isn't that just typical?
One thing I did do last Sunday was accept an invite from CJ for coffee at 11ish. I rapped on the door and bent head first to untie boots, as I lifted head up, this vision of pride and handsomeness greeted me. "Have you lost weight?" Were the first words out of my mouth and this cheeky and knowing face smiled back at me. In three weeks, CJ has lost 14lbs. He looks great, happy and strong, just what an Aunt wants to see. We were having a great chat but I had to cut it short to get back home for B calling in after church.
My own workouts, other than my "Jane Fonda" leg lifts, have dried up recently, between a muscle spasm in my back and total lack of motivation, that's all I've managed. I am on a bit of health kick though. Alcohol consumption down, veggies up, porridge up, sleep up. All good things.
Oh, eyebrows were waxed at the fair hand of the lovely Mandie yesterday, so I feel slightly more human today.
Did I tell you about my eldest sister's cholesterol? I was told she had a reading of 20, this week, I found out, from the horses mouth that it was actually 23. So a couple of weeks ago, on my last visit to my GP, I mentioned this and another sister having high cholesterol and two of my cousins and asked if she thought I should have it checked? GP loved the idea and told me that "they", the doctors, love people asking for tests. Who knew? Anyway, a week later I went for my test and a few days after the fasting blood test I got my results, sugar at 4.4, cholesterol at 4.6, both normal. Just need to sort out my BP now.
Showing posts with label CJ. Show all posts
Showing posts with label CJ. Show all posts
Saturday, 16 February 2013
Sunday, 20 January 2013
Why So Long?
Hi Col, so glad I got to speak to you on your birthday and hope you liked the little tiny KG I mailed over, (you hadn't opened when we spoke.) Not an original creation from moi, but figured Mr Geiger needed the business.
I've been a little slow writing to you lately, the weekends are whizzing by and I lost one whole weekend as I was locked out of my laptop, well, my writing bits and bobs, you know when you need a password reset and you follow the instructions but it still doesn't reset, and there is no help desk number? I was so frustrated that day but anyway, here we are, better late than never.
So I'll give you a quick recap as I can't remember what I told you on our brief BD chat, work is dire, not one chance of losing job but two, think I'll know on both counts within 6 months. Absolutely freezing cold, had the heating on constantly (very low but still, what the heck is the next bill going to be?) It's just too cold to be without heat. Work is cold too, by Friday I had increased the layers to, bra, thermal vest, t-shirt, long sleeved t-shirt, shirt, no longer cared what I looked like, layers are the key.
Snowed heavily on Friday morning, I was in work for 6.30am, it began to snow around 7.30am and was constant and blizzard like, the field before the woods that I can see from my desk was completely covered by a white blanket by 9am. The office workers drifted off one by one as schools telephoned parents to say they were closing and then workers who got the bus to the office had to leave as the buses were stopping, that's how bad it was, or at least how bad our roads are, we can't cope, can we?
Anyway, despite our team being the only ones left in the office, bar two people, our manager, (who manages us remotely, from a different town... and from home on a Friday,) finally agreed to allow us to risk our lives in the now, heavy snow. A good manager is worth their weight in gold, I remember having good managers.
I had to unearth the car from beneath the snow then gingerly crawled home at snails pace. We've had it worse but it's bad enough. Getting in and out of my Close is, as usual a nightmare but so far, that's been the worst part. We are set for more snow daily until Thursday, really hoping that will be it for this year.
Saturday disappeared, rose early, did a little exercise, stripped bed, washed, coffee'd, ironed, emailed and the day was practically gone.
Slept horribly last night, couldn't get comfortable and too many noises, at least one cat well, possibly two chasing each other across my roof in the middle of the night and the sound of something falling, possibly a clump of snow freeing itself from the rooftop.
Today, well, I finally rose, did my usual, (as of the last three weeks,) 10 minutes of yoga/toning hybrid which always leaves me in agony. I know that you're probably wondering why I persist? Well, it's to lengthen, strengthen, and not to mention, firm the tush, and I keep thinking that it will eventually get easier. It's true that after the first week, my thighs were in pain until Thursday. Week two, just the hip that was in excruciating pain. So far today, after third attempt, still the hip, so you see, next week could be key don't you think?
So I left for my usual coffee, and despite wheels spinning, managed to just about get out of the Close, after that, roads were fine. Had coffee and while I sipped, it started to snow again, I didn't want to hang around in case it got bad, quickly so I headed off for home, well to CJ's as he was upgrading something on my laptop for me. An hour and a bit later and I headed home, had just missed Bee calling in after church and so I set about making an egg tartlet, that's fine, I can do that, and a frittata. Love frittata, it's just emerged from the oven, doesn't look pretty but I'll do the taste test later, it's too hot at present and I enjoy it cold anyway.
So there we are, up to date finally. This week we have snow, dentist tomorrow, Dr's Tuesday, a week of fun to look ahead to. Hope it's not too hot over there for you ;)
I've been a little slow writing to you lately, the weekends are whizzing by and I lost one whole weekend as I was locked out of my laptop, well, my writing bits and bobs, you know when you need a password reset and you follow the instructions but it still doesn't reset, and there is no help desk number? I was so frustrated that day but anyway, here we are, better late than never.
So I'll give you a quick recap as I can't remember what I told you on our brief BD chat, work is dire, not one chance of losing job but two, think I'll know on both counts within 6 months. Absolutely freezing cold, had the heating on constantly (very low but still, what the heck is the next bill going to be?) It's just too cold to be without heat. Work is cold too, by Friday I had increased the layers to, bra, thermal vest, t-shirt, long sleeved t-shirt, shirt, no longer cared what I looked like, layers are the key.
Snowed heavily on Friday morning, I was in work for 6.30am, it began to snow around 7.30am and was constant and blizzard like, the field before the woods that I can see from my desk was completely covered by a white blanket by 9am. The office workers drifted off one by one as schools telephoned parents to say they were closing and then workers who got the bus to the office had to leave as the buses were stopping, that's how bad it was, or at least how bad our roads are, we can't cope, can we?
Anyway, despite our team being the only ones left in the office, bar two people, our manager, (who manages us remotely, from a different town... and from home on a Friday,) finally agreed to allow us to risk our lives in the now, heavy snow. A good manager is worth their weight in gold, I remember having good managers.
I had to unearth the car from beneath the snow then gingerly crawled home at snails pace. We've had it worse but it's bad enough. Getting in and out of my Close is, as usual a nightmare but so far, that's been the worst part. We are set for more snow daily until Thursday, really hoping that will be it for this year.
Saturday disappeared, rose early, did a little exercise, stripped bed, washed, coffee'd, ironed, emailed and the day was practically gone.
Slept horribly last night, couldn't get comfortable and too many noises, at least one cat well, possibly two chasing each other across my roof in the middle of the night and the sound of something falling, possibly a clump of snow freeing itself from the rooftop.
Today, well, I finally rose, did my usual, (as of the last three weeks,) 10 minutes of yoga/toning hybrid which always leaves me in agony. I know that you're probably wondering why I persist? Well, it's to lengthen, strengthen, and not to mention, firm the tush, and I keep thinking that it will eventually get easier. It's true that after the first week, my thighs were in pain until Thursday. Week two, just the hip that was in excruciating pain. So far today, after third attempt, still the hip, so you see, next week could be key don't you think?
So I left for my usual coffee, and despite wheels spinning, managed to just about get out of the Close, after that, roads were fine. Had coffee and while I sipped, it started to snow again, I didn't want to hang around in case it got bad, quickly so I headed off for home, well to CJ's as he was upgrading something on my laptop for me. An hour and a bit later and I headed home, had just missed Bee calling in after church and so I set about making an egg tartlet, that's fine, I can do that, and a frittata. Love frittata, it's just emerged from the oven, doesn't look pretty but I'll do the taste test later, it's too hot at present and I enjoy it cold anyway.
So there we are, up to date finally. This week we have snow, dentist tomorrow, Dr's Tuesday, a week of fun to look ahead to. Hope it's not too hot over there for you ;)
Sunday, 30 December 2012
December 30th
It's December 30th and here at least, it has finally stopped raining, the sun is trying to shine, it's still cold but it is still December, so... well. I slept pretty well but my back/hip, whatever it is, that painful lower left quadrant, kept disturbing me, not sure what I did yesterday but those two physio sessions are now a very distant memory, in fact, it's as though those miracle sessions now never happened.
I'm here at my usual Sunday morning haunt, I've had a lovely coffee, read a little, wrote a little, people watched a little, chatted to the girls behind the bar, after this, I need to recycle then I've been invited for coffee with my nephew CJ and Bee may call in after church.
So CJ and I discuss the coming year, our aims, mostly his and it was unsaid, but we both know that I am going to be his head coach for the coming year, I'm proud to do the job. I will be Burgess Meredith's 'Mickey Goldmill' to Sylvester Stallone's 'Rocky Balboa.' Amongst many plans, he is going to get into peak physical condition, aiming to run a few 10ks and I need to find him a new hairstyle, see the power I have?
Later I'll be heading home to sort, (if my back/hip allows,) and iron, my life is so exciting. Bee doesn't call in, she overslept and didn't make it to church, think she is still jet-lagged.
I'm here at my usual Sunday morning haunt, I've had a lovely coffee, read a little, wrote a little, people watched a little, chatted to the girls behind the bar, after this, I need to recycle then I've been invited for coffee with my nephew CJ and Bee may call in after church.
So CJ and I discuss the coming year, our aims, mostly his and it was unsaid, but we both know that I am going to be his head coach for the coming year, I'm proud to do the job. I will be Burgess Meredith's 'Mickey Goldmill' to Sylvester Stallone's 'Rocky Balboa.' Amongst many plans, he is going to get into peak physical condition, aiming to run a few 10ks and I need to find him a new hairstyle, see the power I have?
Later I'll be heading home to sort, (if my back/hip allows,) and iron, my life is so exciting. Bee doesn't call in, she overslept and didn't make it to church, think she is still jet-lagged.
Wednesday, 14 November 2012
11/11
Today is Sunday, my friend Carol texted last night to ask if I'd be at Starbucks this morning and so we arranged to meet. Carol is a tall, pretty, whirlwind who manages to speed up time. Any time you're with her, it just whisks by. We chatted at breakneck speed to cram everything in, in the little time we had. It was lovely to catch up.
After a brief shopping expedition, (French Connection... no purchases.) I observed the two minutes silence for armistice day in my car, listening to sounds from the Cenotaph at 11am from BBC Radio2 and largely thinking of my Grandad who was severely wounded in WWI.
My Grandad was in the Home Guard in WWII, due to age and disability. Have you ever seen "Dad's Army?" It was a show from the 1970's, it's a classic which sadly isn't shown much any more. The comedy is based on the Home Guard of the Second World War, one of the character's was "Jones," played by Clive Dunn. Clive Dunn played old codgers for the best part of this life, he played old even when he was far from old, but this week, at the age of 92, he passed away in Portugal. I have very fond memories of this actor and all of the kids TV programmes he was in, I think it's quite fitting for him to leave us this week. A former serviceman himself, he will be remembered.
In the wake of Doctor-gate and the Manuka Honey debacle, I'm wondering what else can I do to help myself, I have a week and a half before I head down to Southampton for a catch up with friends. I'm thinking I'm going to factor in oily fish and leafy greens, as that's all that's missing from my usual, pretty healthy diet. My doctor really can't say that I'm not trying.
Having said that, I'm considering, (and I have been for the past 24 months,) going for physio. I've been for my "angels wings," (that's shoulder blades that stick out to you and me,) but my back and neck are no fun. It may be the arthritis but if there is anything I can do to aid sleep and lessen pain, then I'm all for it. I'm very close to booking an appointment.
I've totally lost the plot and so, back to Remembrance Sunday, and after my little bit of shopping, I head to darling nephew CJ's for coffee after my invite arrives via text . All is not well, Cooke, the cat, seems to have been in a fight with something and is lethargic and craving CJ's bed, so much so that CJ, being the soft touch that he is, when Cooke was sprawled in the middle of CJ's bed last night... darling nephew slept on the sofa, some woman, somewhere, will be extremely lucky to end up with him, I mean CJ, although Cooke is also an asset.
CJ is obviously worried about Cooke and the pair will pay a visit to the vets tomorrow and I wait with baited breath for an update.
Egg and chips for lunch/tea and then B arrives, very late afternoon as she's been dropping stuff off for the church fair next weekend... she's away all next week.
Bee brings me my annual, single persons Christmas hamper. Normally, although it's given with love, it's usually pretty depressing, microwave turkey dinner for one etc, I'm exaggerating but everything in that basket is a reminder that I'm on my own, single portion of this and single portion of that. But no, not this year, due to lack of time, B has several holidays booked, back to back, and the fact that B usually chooses things I would never eat and I usually end up giving them back before they reach their expiry date in January, this year's hamper is a small bottle of Baileys, haven't drunk that in years but sure I can help it down with lots of ice, a bottle of wine and £20 to go shopping with for Christmas food. Best hamper ever and I'm sure I'll buy lots of consumables with that, so far on my list are cheese, crackers, paxo, cranberry, turkey, bread, crisps, wine. I know... the high life huh?
After a brief shopping expedition, (French Connection... no purchases.) I observed the two minutes silence for armistice day in my car, listening to sounds from the Cenotaph at 11am from BBC Radio2 and largely thinking of my Grandad who was severely wounded in WWI.
My Grandad was in the Home Guard in WWII, due to age and disability. Have you ever seen "Dad's Army?" It was a show from the 1970's, it's a classic which sadly isn't shown much any more. The comedy is based on the Home Guard of the Second World War, one of the character's was "Jones," played by Clive Dunn. Clive Dunn played old codgers for the best part of this life, he played old even when he was far from old, but this week, at the age of 92, he passed away in Portugal. I have very fond memories of this actor and all of the kids TV programmes he was in, I think it's quite fitting for him to leave us this week. A former serviceman himself, he will be remembered.
In the wake of Doctor-gate and the Manuka Honey debacle, I'm wondering what else can I do to help myself, I have a week and a half before I head down to Southampton for a catch up with friends. I'm thinking I'm going to factor in oily fish and leafy greens, as that's all that's missing from my usual, pretty healthy diet. My doctor really can't say that I'm not trying.
Having said that, I'm considering, (and I have been for the past 24 months,) going for physio. I've been for my "angels wings," (that's shoulder blades that stick out to you and me,) but my back and neck are no fun. It may be the arthritis but if there is anything I can do to aid sleep and lessen pain, then I'm all for it. I'm very close to booking an appointment.
I've totally lost the plot and so, back to Remembrance Sunday, and after my little bit of shopping, I head to darling nephew CJ's for coffee after my invite arrives via text . All is not well, Cooke, the cat, seems to have been in a fight with something and is lethargic and craving CJ's bed, so much so that CJ, being the soft touch that he is, when Cooke was sprawled in the middle of CJ's bed last night... darling nephew slept on the sofa, some woman, somewhere, will be extremely lucky to end up with him, I mean CJ, although Cooke is also an asset.
CJ is obviously worried about Cooke and the pair will pay a visit to the vets tomorrow and I wait with baited breath for an update.
Egg and chips for lunch/tea and then B arrives, very late afternoon as she's been dropping stuff off for the church fair next weekend... she's away all next week.
Bee brings me my annual, single persons Christmas hamper. Normally, although it's given with love, it's usually pretty depressing, microwave turkey dinner for one etc, I'm exaggerating but everything in that basket is a reminder that I'm on my own, single portion of this and single portion of that. But no, not this year, due to lack of time, B has several holidays booked, back to back, and the fact that B usually chooses things I would never eat and I usually end up giving them back before they reach their expiry date in January, this year's hamper is a small bottle of Baileys, haven't drunk that in years but sure I can help it down with lots of ice, a bottle of wine and £20 to go shopping with for Christmas food. Best hamper ever and I'm sure I'll buy lots of consumables with that, so far on my list are cheese, crackers, paxo, cranberry, turkey, bread, crisps, wine. I know... the high life huh?
Monday, 29 October 2012
Family
It's Sunday, and in light of recent events, I have made an extra effort in contacting those that are special to me. One of those efforts, resulted in a phone call to my cousins N & I, I don't normally phone, I usually email. We chatted for over an hour, it was as if we saw each other yesterday and that not a moment more had passed since. It was lovely. We chatted about family and my new job and my 'love life,' such that it is. Started talking to N, we chatted about all kinds then I got passed to I, she is so straight talking and so true, she always makes me think and laugh, she is a mirror, not necessarily a mirror you want to look into, but a mirror, non-the-less.
When I was little, I thought I came from a big family, truth is I don't. Or, I don't now. We are a small band, that fact alone should make us closer but it doesn't. I've just counted and there are twenty three of us, that includes the lost souls who have joined the madhouse. Enough to fill a small room you would think.
Truth is, because of family issues and disagreements, we'll never again be in the same room together, literally, at least not in my lifetime. I love those twenty three and hope they each find peace. Life is too short.
So, where does that leave me? I'm guessing that all I can do is tell the people that I love, that I love them. It's not easy, I think, and I'm trying to gain some perspective here, for instance, my nephew is around 26 years old, gosh he'll kill me, I've only recently had this conversation with him, I seriously can't remember how old he is. Anyhoo, my nephew, who is 26 or 27, grew up with his Mum and Dad telling him that they loved him, all the time. I think my nephew was the first person to tell me that he loved me. It was quite a moment. It was awkward, I didn't know what to do with it, it was like a floating elephant hovering over a sentence that lasted forever. But it's OK now. My nephew and I tell each other we love each other all the time, and it's normal.
But what about the rest of the family? Our relationships are not always easy, would I turn to them in an hour of need? Not necessarily. Do I love them? I do.
So, ten minutes ago, my darling nephew phoned me. He was early for his date and nervous and so we chatted. I gave the best pep talk I could muster and after announcing he had two weeks leave to take, we agreed we would have a cinema date sometime during that two weeks, then told each other... you know.
24 hours later and shocker, the date went well, well of course it did, I had every confidence.
When I was little, I thought I came from a big family, truth is I don't. Or, I don't now. We are a small band, that fact alone should make us closer but it doesn't. I've just counted and there are twenty three of us, that includes the lost souls who have joined the madhouse. Enough to fill a small room you would think.
Truth is, because of family issues and disagreements, we'll never again be in the same room together, literally, at least not in my lifetime. I love those twenty three and hope they each find peace. Life is too short.
So, where does that leave me? I'm guessing that all I can do is tell the people that I love, that I love them. It's not easy, I think, and I'm trying to gain some perspective here, for instance, my nephew is around 26 years old, gosh he'll kill me, I've only recently had this conversation with him, I seriously can't remember how old he is. Anyhoo, my nephew, who is 26 or 27, grew up with his Mum and Dad telling him that they loved him, all the time. I think my nephew was the first person to tell me that he loved me. It was quite a moment. It was awkward, I didn't know what to do with it, it was like a floating elephant hovering over a sentence that lasted forever. But it's OK now. My nephew and I tell each other we love each other all the time, and it's normal.
But what about the rest of the family? Our relationships are not always easy, would I turn to them in an hour of need? Not necessarily. Do I love them? I do.
So, ten minutes ago, my darling nephew phoned me. He was early for his date and nervous and so we chatted. I gave the best pep talk I could muster and after announcing he had two weeks leave to take, we agreed we would have a cinema date sometime during that two weeks, then told each other... you know.
24 hours later and shocker, the date went well, well of course it did, I had every confidence.
Friday, 7 September 2012
Prince Harry
You may, or may not have heard about the Prince Harry - Las Vegas debacle. Well, apparently, what happens in Vegas, does not actually stay in Vegas.
I'm a Brit, I'm a Royalist, but not for the sake of it, the Royals have to earn their stripes as far as I'm concerned, Prince Harry has more than earned his.
My darling nephew CJ kind of summed up the most recent debacle. Prince Harry has grown up in the Royal limelight. Some would argue that he lost his darling Mother, due to the press or public interest in her private life, who knows?
Prince Harry serves Queen and Country as do thousands of admirable males and females. Isn't everyone allowed to let their hair down sometimes? I would say so. Should everyone be allowed at least 5% off the radar? I would argue at least 5%.
My darling nephew, who, if he were in Harry's position, I would die defending, he argued that to represent Queen and Country, serve active duty, appear naked in the worlds press, then he deserves to be King.
Well, thankfully, I can patrol my darling nephew's thoughts and no CJ, Prince William is next, and rightfully in line to the throne, but I do know what he means and I'm proud that he's upfront enough to support a fellow, young man, who has so far, given his privacy for his country, and it seems, he continues to do so.
Prince Harry has now resumed his role as a helicopter pilot on active duty in Afghanistan. May his God go with him and may he and his comrades, all return home safe.
Some things should remain sacred, the Sun "news"paper, you should be ashamed.
I'm a Brit, I'm a Royalist, but not for the sake of it, the Royals have to earn their stripes as far as I'm concerned, Prince Harry has more than earned his.
My darling nephew CJ kind of summed up the most recent debacle. Prince Harry has grown up in the Royal limelight. Some would argue that he lost his darling Mother, due to the press or public interest in her private life, who knows?
Prince Harry serves Queen and Country as do thousands of admirable males and females. Isn't everyone allowed to let their hair down sometimes? I would say so. Should everyone be allowed at least 5% off the radar? I would argue at least 5%.
My darling nephew, who, if he were in Harry's position, I would die defending, he argued that to represent Queen and Country, serve active duty, appear naked in the worlds press, then he deserves to be King.
Well, thankfully, I can patrol my darling nephew's thoughts and no CJ, Prince William is next, and rightfully in line to the throne, but I do know what he means and I'm proud that he's upfront enough to support a fellow, young man, who has so far, given his privacy for his country, and it seems, he continues to do so.
Prince Harry has now resumed his role as a helicopter pilot on active duty in Afghanistan. May his God go with him and may he and his comrades, all return home safe.
Some things should remain sacred, the Sun "news"paper, you should be ashamed.
Sunday, 2 September 2012
September 1st
Can you believe it? The 1st? I can't. Don't feel like we have had a summer and all of a sudden, it's September, the month following my Leonine birthday month, (which I barely noticed this year,) and as we all know, September announces the beginning, or at least give you fair notice that Autumn is well on it's way, whether you are ready or not. The nights are drawing in, the mornings are already darker and before you know it, the leaves will be turning to shades of gold and orange and will be crunching under my feet.
I spent the 1st by firstly working overtime, as usual at the moment. I had then arranged to meet dear nephew CJ for a mini shopping expedition and general catch up. I have no idea if all men are like this but shopping with a man is a totally different kettle of fish to shopping with a woman. CJ at least, is quick to please and quick to decide. I choose for him, send him into changing rooms, he comes out to get my opinion and hey presto, we have a sale ladies and gentlemen. Same goes for cologne shopping. Do we need help? (the sprightly sales assistant asks.) Yes we do! I reply. She deftly asks CJ what he usually wears, deduces that he likes fresh but masculine scents and give us three to choose from. I veto one as it's too sweet for me, but leave CJ up to make his own decision. He chooses the one I would have chosen.
Two pairs of jeans and one cologne later and we're in Costa Coffee for a beverage, a little something to eat and a catch up.
I feel like death, hot, sweaty, tired and mentally drained after work, still, it is nice to catch up and I'm pretty sure my darling nephew doesn't care what I look like.
I get home, fall into the shower, devour a gorgeous, if I do say so myself stir-fry then catch up with my cousin L for an hour, it's been a busy week.
I manage to stay up until 9.30pm, a record for me at present and only the loud buzz and vibration of a "midge" close to my ear, disturbs me in the middle of the night. By 4.30am I'm wide awake and raring to go, fortunately, today... Sunday, my alarm does not need to go off until 5am, so I stay there and make the most of my sleep in.
I spent the 1st by firstly working overtime, as usual at the moment. I had then arranged to meet dear nephew CJ for a mini shopping expedition and general catch up. I have no idea if all men are like this but shopping with a man is a totally different kettle of fish to shopping with a woman. CJ at least, is quick to please and quick to decide. I choose for him, send him into changing rooms, he comes out to get my opinion and hey presto, we have a sale ladies and gentlemen. Same goes for cologne shopping. Do we need help? (the sprightly sales assistant asks.) Yes we do! I reply. She deftly asks CJ what he usually wears, deduces that he likes fresh but masculine scents and give us three to choose from. I veto one as it's too sweet for me, but leave CJ up to make his own decision. He chooses the one I would have chosen.
Two pairs of jeans and one cologne later and we're in Costa Coffee for a beverage, a little something to eat and a catch up.
I feel like death, hot, sweaty, tired and mentally drained after work, still, it is nice to catch up and I'm pretty sure my darling nephew doesn't care what I look like.
I get home, fall into the shower, devour a gorgeous, if I do say so myself stir-fry then catch up with my cousin L for an hour, it's been a busy week.
I manage to stay up until 9.30pm, a record for me at present and only the loud buzz and vibration of a "midge" close to my ear, disturbs me in the middle of the night. By 4.30am I'm wide awake and raring to go, fortunately, today... Sunday, my alarm does not need to go off until 5am, so I stay there and make the most of my sleep in.
Friday, 31 August 2012
Training Day
It's Thursday and I have had a busy week in work plus, all week I've been trying to fend off some kind of lurgy, the kind that has you sweaty but chilly at the same time and overly tired, so I've attempted to keep my days as short as possible and go to bed ridiculously early, as in... around 6pm. The worrying thing is, I have actually slept.
Thursday in work was a training day. Training day's, despite how animated the trainers are, can be pretty dry days. So much information to absorb, so few brain cells. The day ended with us being shown the interview rooms in which we are to work from. As usual, there are two panic buttons. One is silent, one sounded. No one knows which is which, but if you think you need to press any, then press both as chances are, one or the other won't work anyway.
Having worked previously, as you know, were you may wish to discreetly press the panic alarm, this revelation, did not calm my nerves. Work sucks.
Speaking of work. I have an interview on Wednesday... the one near home. I don't need to tell you that getting that job would turn my life around. The extra sleep alone, would turn my life around. I wasn't nervous when I read I had an interview. Then I realised the letter was dated on my birthday, do we believe in fate? As the interview day grows nearer, I am becoming more nervous. Especially after Thursday, so much depends on my performance at the interview. Still, I know that a lot depends on the day, how you click with the panel, how your fellow interviewees perform. You may as well flip a coin. What will be, will be.
Life has a habit of not finding the easiest road for me. This would be such an easy road, with regards to time alone. Usually, I would be thinking, "not a chance in hell," but I'm actually wondering, have I payed my dues? Am I due a break, for a change?
You know what? If I get the job, it would transform my life. If I don't, and I start my interviewing role, after I get over the safety issues, I know I'd be good at it. I am skilled, (if I say so myself,) at spotting, what I would be interviewing for. So, it's a win, win, right?
I sleep pretty well Thursday night, and Friday, is my day off. I wake a few times in the night but manage to toss and turn and drift back to nod. I finally wake at 5.50am, I feel like I've had a great amount of sleep, makes so much difference.
I laze for 20 minutes then I'm up. Breakfast and several coffee's, then jog, quite briskly for 20 minutes. It's not easy but my back has been bad during the week and I know that I need a good brisk jog and stretch afterwards.
J and I had planned to visit the latest M&S Mega store today, the most Eco friendly store the world has seen so far. J has not been feeling good of late and if I could be put in a room with Lupus, I would shout and scream and punch the living daylights out of it.
Anyway, I pick her up and we head out for breakfast, which was lovely, (I had scrambled, J had poached eggs on toast,) then we head to the store.
Store is fabulous, I love the curved and environmentally friendly ceiling. The one thing it's lacking, is signage. No signage in the car park, I noticed we'd parked opposite the David Lloyd Fitness sign so that we could make our way back there. Once you're inside the store, you need a floor plan. But it's lovely and the staff are all smiles and obviously proud, and so they should be. J and I had a coffee and an Eccles Cake before we left, just a brief respite before we head to the food hall. We just miss one of the head chefs creating something with duck and raspberries! Sounds delicious and I'm sure it tasted the same.
I've decided I should also write a "b" side to my posts, where applicable to do so. Sometimes there is another side to the story or, more of the story to tell, but at this time, I have no one to tell, or cannot tell, maybe one day, for now, they may have to remain unpublished.
I drop J off at home and head out to buy new hair straighteners, I know, as if life wasn't bad enough, my hair straighteners died on Wednesday, thankfully, God made it so that I was only three days away from pay day, overtime pay and still having a little birthday money to play with, and he let me get to work with minutes to spare before the heavens deluged their rain sodden clouds. Everything worked out perfectly... and £10 cheaper than I anticipated.
My darling nephew CJ texts me on Friday afternoon, what am I up to on Saturday? Yes, I am working. I'm going to fast forward the conversation to the point where I have declined an invitation to accompany him to a singles party as he'd feel more protective over me and we'd never get anywhere, and to where I am now clothes shopping with him on Saturday after work, ready for his singles night. Ah yes, the joys and perils of being a loving Aunt. Would not swap it for the world.
Thursday in work was a training day. Training day's, despite how animated the trainers are, can be pretty dry days. So much information to absorb, so few brain cells. The day ended with us being shown the interview rooms in which we are to work from. As usual, there are two panic buttons. One is silent, one sounded. No one knows which is which, but if you think you need to press any, then press both as chances are, one or the other won't work anyway.
Having worked previously, as you know, were you may wish to discreetly press the panic alarm, this revelation, did not calm my nerves. Work sucks.
Speaking of work. I have an interview on Wednesday... the one near home. I don't need to tell you that getting that job would turn my life around. The extra sleep alone, would turn my life around. I wasn't nervous when I read I had an interview. Then I realised the letter was dated on my birthday, do we believe in fate? As the interview day grows nearer, I am becoming more nervous. Especially after Thursday, so much depends on my performance at the interview. Still, I know that a lot depends on the day, how you click with the panel, how your fellow interviewees perform. You may as well flip a coin. What will be, will be.
Life has a habit of not finding the easiest road for me. This would be such an easy road, with regards to time alone. Usually, I would be thinking, "not a chance in hell," but I'm actually wondering, have I payed my dues? Am I due a break, for a change?
You know what? If I get the job, it would transform my life. If I don't, and I start my interviewing role, after I get over the safety issues, I know I'd be good at it. I am skilled, (if I say so myself,) at spotting, what I would be interviewing for. So, it's a win, win, right?
I sleep pretty well Thursday night, and Friday, is my day off. I wake a few times in the night but manage to toss and turn and drift back to nod. I finally wake at 5.50am, I feel like I've had a great amount of sleep, makes so much difference.
I laze for 20 minutes then I'm up. Breakfast and several coffee's, then jog, quite briskly for 20 minutes. It's not easy but my back has been bad during the week and I know that I need a good brisk jog and stretch afterwards.
J and I had planned to visit the latest M&S Mega store today, the most Eco friendly store the world has seen so far. J has not been feeling good of late and if I could be put in a room with Lupus, I would shout and scream and punch the living daylights out of it.
Anyway, I pick her up and we head out for breakfast, which was lovely, (I had scrambled, J had poached eggs on toast,) then we head to the store.
Store is fabulous, I love the curved and environmentally friendly ceiling. The one thing it's lacking, is signage. No signage in the car park, I noticed we'd parked opposite the David Lloyd Fitness sign so that we could make our way back there. Once you're inside the store, you need a floor plan. But it's lovely and the staff are all smiles and obviously proud, and so they should be. J and I had a coffee and an Eccles Cake before we left, just a brief respite before we head to the food hall. We just miss one of the head chefs creating something with duck and raspberries! Sounds delicious and I'm sure it tasted the same.
I've decided I should also write a "b" side to my posts, where applicable to do so. Sometimes there is another side to the story or, more of the story to tell, but at this time, I have no one to tell, or cannot tell, maybe one day, for now, they may have to remain unpublished.
I drop J off at home and head out to buy new hair straighteners, I know, as if life wasn't bad enough, my hair straighteners died on Wednesday, thankfully, God made it so that I was only three days away from pay day, overtime pay and still having a little birthday money to play with, and he let me get to work with minutes to spare before the heavens deluged their rain sodden clouds. Everything worked out perfectly... and £10 cheaper than I anticipated.
My darling nephew CJ texts me on Friday afternoon, what am I up to on Saturday? Yes, I am working. I'm going to fast forward the conversation to the point where I have declined an invitation to accompany him to a singles party as he'd feel more protective over me and we'd never get anywhere, and to where I am now clothes shopping with him on Saturday after work, ready for his singles night. Ah yes, the joys and perils of being a loving Aunt. Would not swap it for the world.
Monday, 20 August 2012
Day 23, Stop the Clock
So, it's day 23 in work. I woke around 1.30am and manged to get back off to sleep, think I was keen to start the day, the sooner you begin, the sooner it ends.
Got up at 4am, stripped bed, put a wash load on, hung that up and left for work. Today was jam packed but there was nothing that I could rush, so it all just sailed along of it's own accord and actually passed quite quickly.
I left work, laden down with bags and heavy things and a big, cumbersome umbrella. It was lashing down this morning and I needed that umbrella, now, the sun is brilliant and hot and I'm sweltering as I carry everything back to the car and juggle the giant umbrella.
I go to the supermarket on the way home and before I've shut the front door, the phone is ringing. Wearily, I pick up the phone, it's my nephew CJ asking what he has done so that I need to ignore him at said supermarket. He is of course kidding, I think I actually ignored him while I was driving through the supermarket car park, (which is not the same thing...) I reminded him that I'm blind and that I can't get used to the car he is currently driving, it's just not him. He then proceeded to ask me a shopping question.
So I thankfully, now have at least four days off work to look forward too. I can hardly believe it. I just hope that I break my sleep pattern immediately and begin to sleep like a normal person, I think a good nights sleep would work wonders.
Four days off... absolute bliss.
Got up at 4am, stripped bed, put a wash load on, hung that up and left for work. Today was jam packed but there was nothing that I could rush, so it all just sailed along of it's own accord and actually passed quite quickly.
I left work, laden down with bags and heavy things and a big, cumbersome umbrella. It was lashing down this morning and I needed that umbrella, now, the sun is brilliant and hot and I'm sweltering as I carry everything back to the car and juggle the giant umbrella.
I go to the supermarket on the way home and before I've shut the front door, the phone is ringing. Wearily, I pick up the phone, it's my nephew CJ asking what he has done so that I need to ignore him at said supermarket. He is of course kidding, I think I actually ignored him while I was driving through the supermarket car park, (which is not the same thing...) I reminded him that I'm blind and that I can't get used to the car he is currently driving, it's just not him. He then proceeded to ask me a shopping question.
So I thankfully, now have at least four days off work to look forward too. I can hardly believe it. I just hope that I break my sleep pattern immediately and begin to sleep like a normal person, I think a good nights sleep would work wonders.
Four days off... absolute bliss.
Sunday, 24 June 2012
CJ
So I also won £25.00 on the Euro millions. £25 million would have been better, but I was none the less excited by my win, which I swiftly converted into fuel. They say "it" comes in 3's, so I'm bracing myself for my next win. I'll keep you posted and let you know when I need to make my bed up.
When I returned home last Sunday after my lovely weekend away, I could not believe how quickly "bad" foods had had an impact on my body. I was feeling hormonally bloated too, but still, I only have to glance at cheese and my thighs and bottom expand.
It's Friday by the way and Mr Regular, (in Starbucks,) has already queried what I'm doing here today, and now he's asked me to keep an eye on his gadgets while he nips back to the car for something. I take my iPod out of my ears so that I'm extra alert and not distracted, I take my duties very seriously.
On the way here, I listened to the Chris Evans breakfast show on BBC Radio 2, I only caught the last embers of the interview but Boris Becker had been on and five minutes later, Chris declared that Boris was the easiest guest he'd ever had on. I've had a soft spot for Boris ever since he won his first Wimbledon, (which incidentally begins again next week,) he was, (if my brain serves me correctly,) something like 17 years, 7 months and 7 days when he won Wimbledon. I totally may have made that up, but the gist of the story is, I think it was his destiny to win that first Wimbledon Championship and I'm pretty certain we're around the same age, therefore, I must support.
Our good friend Sheila has invited me for lunch today. I haven't seen Sheila since December, and we only live 10 minutes from each other, shame on me. As usual when we get together, 4 hours passes in the blink of an eye. It's so lovely to catch up and we cover every subject.
My gorgeous and recently separated nephew CJ sent me a text last night to enlist my help in sofa shopping with him on Saturday. I love my CJ and I'd do anything for him, which means that I'm now double booked or at least somewhat stretched on Saturday.
I go out for coffee at 8.30am, shop a little, recycle, call in at B's for an hour and a coffee, head home and text CJ as I'm leaving to say that I'll be home in 10, at which point he picks me up and we head to the next town and a sofa showroom. CJ and I happily sofa hop, it's funny because in the instant our bottoms touch down on a sofa, we know if it's worth considering as a viable option. No dilly dallying for us, we are decision makers.
Quite early on, maybe our 4th sofa, we both like a brown leather, 4 seater. We circumnavigate the showroom which includes the "bargain, buy now" area which I rename the "sofa graveyard," then we head back to the brown leather named "Baron" for another sit down, measure up and photograph. Gosh we make a decisive team. At one point, after the third assistant has checked that we're okay, CJ offers that he wonders if they think that I'm, "his bird." I won't even go into the use of that particular colloquialism, just as long as they don't think I'm his Mother.
I loved spending time with my sweet nephew CJ, it was so easy spending time with him today. I don't know what I was singing, but I unconsciously was singing something I'd heard on the radio earlier, shows you how comfortable I am in front of him that I didn't even realise that I was singing. "I love your singing." I then waited for some kind of derogatory remark... it helps strip paint, scares the magpies away... something of that ilk but no... "it's so soft and gentle." How cute is my (grown up) nephew? I know, don't worry, I won't tell him he's cute, it's not very manly.
So, we headed for another showroom after the original but we covered this in less than 10 minutes, we did a kind of drive by version of the earlier showroom visit and I vetoed everything, it all looked cheap in comparison, not bargain cheap, just cheap. On the way home, CJ decided to take me to the nearest Starbucks for a coffee, which happened to be in the hotel that he had his wedding reception in. I told him that this was the first time I'd been back since his wedding and we laughed a little, he said that if there was a wedding going on, he might scream, "don't do it," but he was only kidding, I know he's a romantic at heard and he'll find someone wonderful in the not too distant.
I get home around 4pm, starving and having lost the will to now start my housework. I do very little except email and talk on the phone catching up with J, (CJ's Mum,) and my cousin L.
The film "Australia" is on tonight and not much else. I've seen the film a few times before and it's good, and there isn't anything else on that I'd rather watch so I indulge again, how can you not enjoy Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman in a sprawling landscape? I've never noticed it before, but in the last five minutes of the film, they play "Nimrod," from Edward Elgar's "Enigma Variations." They play this piece every Armistice Sunday in Whitehall and I have always loved it and found it moving, so when the time came, I requested that it was played for Mum. It is the most beautiful piece of music, and yes, I cried, again. Shocker.
http://youtu.be/NhnMd1Jl7SA
When I returned home last Sunday after my lovely weekend away, I could not believe how quickly "bad" foods had had an impact on my body. I was feeling hormonally bloated too, but still, I only have to glance at cheese and my thighs and bottom expand.
It's Friday by the way and Mr Regular, (in Starbucks,) has already queried what I'm doing here today, and now he's asked me to keep an eye on his gadgets while he nips back to the car for something. I take my iPod out of my ears so that I'm extra alert and not distracted, I take my duties very seriously.
On the way here, I listened to the Chris Evans breakfast show on BBC Radio 2, I only caught the last embers of the interview but Boris Becker had been on and five minutes later, Chris declared that Boris was the easiest guest he'd ever had on. I've had a soft spot for Boris ever since he won his first Wimbledon, (which incidentally begins again next week,) he was, (if my brain serves me correctly,) something like 17 years, 7 months and 7 days when he won Wimbledon. I totally may have made that up, but the gist of the story is, I think it was his destiny to win that first Wimbledon Championship and I'm pretty certain we're around the same age, therefore, I must support.
Our good friend Sheila has invited me for lunch today. I haven't seen Sheila since December, and we only live 10 minutes from each other, shame on me. As usual when we get together, 4 hours passes in the blink of an eye. It's so lovely to catch up and we cover every subject.
My gorgeous and recently separated nephew CJ sent me a text last night to enlist my help in sofa shopping with him on Saturday. I love my CJ and I'd do anything for him, which means that I'm now double booked or at least somewhat stretched on Saturday.
I go out for coffee at 8.30am, shop a little, recycle, call in at B's for an hour and a coffee, head home and text CJ as I'm leaving to say that I'll be home in 10, at which point he picks me up and we head to the next town and a sofa showroom. CJ and I happily sofa hop, it's funny because in the instant our bottoms touch down on a sofa, we know if it's worth considering as a viable option. No dilly dallying for us, we are decision makers.
Quite early on, maybe our 4th sofa, we both like a brown leather, 4 seater. We circumnavigate the showroom which includes the "bargain, buy now" area which I rename the "sofa graveyard," then we head back to the brown leather named "Baron" for another sit down, measure up and photograph. Gosh we make a decisive team. At one point, after the third assistant has checked that we're okay, CJ offers that he wonders if they think that I'm, "his bird." I won't even go into the use of that particular colloquialism, just as long as they don't think I'm his Mother.
I loved spending time with my sweet nephew CJ, it was so easy spending time with him today. I don't know what I was singing, but I unconsciously was singing something I'd heard on the radio earlier, shows you how comfortable I am in front of him that I didn't even realise that I was singing. "I love your singing." I then waited for some kind of derogatory remark... it helps strip paint, scares the magpies away... something of that ilk but no... "it's so soft and gentle." How cute is my (grown up) nephew? I know, don't worry, I won't tell him he's cute, it's not very manly.
So, we headed for another showroom after the original but we covered this in less than 10 minutes, we did a kind of drive by version of the earlier showroom visit and I vetoed everything, it all looked cheap in comparison, not bargain cheap, just cheap. On the way home, CJ decided to take me to the nearest Starbucks for a coffee, which happened to be in the hotel that he had his wedding reception in. I told him that this was the first time I'd been back since his wedding and we laughed a little, he said that if there was a wedding going on, he might scream, "don't do it," but he was only kidding, I know he's a romantic at heard and he'll find someone wonderful in the not too distant.
I get home around 4pm, starving and having lost the will to now start my housework. I do very little except email and talk on the phone catching up with J, (CJ's Mum,) and my cousin L.
The film "Australia" is on tonight and not much else. I've seen the film a few times before and it's good, and there isn't anything else on that I'd rather watch so I indulge again, how can you not enjoy Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman in a sprawling landscape? I've never noticed it before, but in the last five minutes of the film, they play "Nimrod," from Edward Elgar's "Enigma Variations." They play this piece every Armistice Sunday in Whitehall and I have always loved it and found it moving, so when the time came, I requested that it was played for Mum. It is the most beautiful piece of music, and yes, I cried, again. Shocker.
http://youtu.be/NhnMd1Jl7SA
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