Waste of a Sunday

So, my nephew came back to say he had to go in to work anyway, no me... no Monaco Grand Prix, I'm sure he's more upset about the GP.  God-daughter got back to have a quick check in and invite me over next week, her friend was heading over on Saturday night though so we only had a little catch up.

So, I attempted to watch the Eurovision song contest, and after just 24 minutes of a 3 hour, 15 minute show, I wondered what the heck I was doing.  I'm so sorry Albania, but that song was just dreadful, it made me want to switch off, or kill myself.  It was only Graham Norton's sarcasm that kept me watching for a limited period.  Can I just mention that it didn't improve much after Albania.  Lithuania, what were you thinking?  When I watch the Eurovision song contest, I feel like I'm watching television in 1982, every year, it is forever, 1982.  Don't even get me started on the Russian Grannies.  For those of you who didn't catch it... think; "Birdie Song," in Russian.  Love Russia but come on, you can do better than that.  Okay... it might get under your skin a tad, in a really annoying way, okay... they may have come third.

I kept looking at the clock and thinking oh God, it hasn't even been an hour yet, it had only been 40 minutes at one point.  Yes... it was that bad, trust me.  But it's tradition and you feel like you should watch and support.  I try to get behind each country thinking yes, you've practiced for months, this is the best possible chance you have... give it your all!  But 99.9% are just so bad you want to drown yourself in a vat of stagnant rain water.  Cyprus was catchy.  Good beat, nude coloured dresses and bright red lipstick.  Someone had their thinking cap on.

I actually liked Estonia, haven't a clue what he was on about, but he sounded very passionate and he was in tune.  What more can you ask for... in the Eurovision?  Sweden was catchy, Turkey reminded me of Fiddler on the Roof, in a 1960's way, i.e.... not good.

Graham Norton gave Germany a really good introduction so I watched and waited, singer bloke had a pleasant face, good voice, not pitchy at all, well presented, good tune, really good!  I like this one.  It won't win.

I have to confess that 95 minutes of this "spectacular," was more than my body and soul could take, despite Germany, so I took both of them off to bed and out of their misery.

Sweden... which wasn't bad at all, won, we came... second to last, I know... shocker.

It's now Sunday and I woke around 3am and couldn't get back to sleep.  I didn't feel right and felt very thirsty but even a long drink of cold water didn't get me back to sleep.  I got up and worked out with a stitch and then my dicky tummy started. 

I was useless for most of the day, all I could manage was catch up on TV with the iPlayer, I felt dreadful, bad tummy, terrible headache, such a waste of a day, I did nothing.  I think I either over did the gardening in the heat yesterday, or I'm very dehydrated.  I'd just really like to curl up and go to sleep.

Busy Day

It's Saturday 26th May.  I slept like a log and my alarm woke me just before 6am.  I rose with purpose, had lots to fit in.  I jogged for an hour then did 15 minutes of toning by which time the sweat was dripping off me and my hair was curlier than you would believe.  Shame it was so full of sweat and in need of a wash, or I could have gone out with it looking as it did.

I headed for coffee and after a chat with the Barista's, no sooner had I parked my bottom and thought, must text God-daughter and email sister V, than said sister phoned me!  Weird huh?  Anyway, she was phoning to tell me that her son, my nephew, had found a property, his bid had been accepted, and he'd moved in!  All happened in about 4 weeks.  Really pleased for him and it was great to hear from my sister, we haven't spoken for months, she sounded exhausted but happy.

After shopping and recycling, I got home to complete 4 hours of gardening, (arms are still shaking,) followed by an hour of window cleaning.  Never got to actual "housework."  I'll have to give it a quick once over tomorrow before I'm back in work on Monday.  I have no more elbow grease left in me today, it was all I could do to get the streaks off the window panes.

Weather is glorious again, hot but with a breeze, the best kind of weather.  I've sent my nephew CJ a text to say, I know you invited me round tomorrow for coffee but it's the Monaco Grand Prix, (which he'll want to watch,) so if he wants to ditch me until next week... that's okay, still waiting to hear back from him.  And I've sent my niece / God-daughter a text.  Been too long since I touched base, waiting to hear back from her.

I feel like I'm spinning several plates in the air today but so far... none have smashed, yet... I am bragging.  Oh, also took the scissors to my hair again earlier, Louise, (hairdresser,) will kill me.  I'm feeling exhausted and gazing at a pure blue sky.  It's the Eurovision song contest tonight which no doubt I'll see all or at least some of, come on Englebert.  I'm covered in scratches, punctures, scrapes, and my arms feel like they'll drop off, but I feel great.  Where is my bed?

Mornin' Miss

I'm in work Monday - Friday this week.  This is not usual, I aim to get Friday's off either with time in lieu or using annual leave.  Anyway, I was in a whole week this week.  The week seemed to last forever, not because it was seemingly extra long, but because, well, the work I was doing was mind blowing.  Imagine doing your usual job, which is bad enough, but in extra slow motion.  That's about the best way to describe it. 

Every day has been baking hot, plus, the air con in work has been on the fritz, as in... non existent.  We only moved into this; "intelligent building," last August and let me tell you, it's not so smart.  So, not only does it fail to self regulate things like temperature, air con doesn't even work, let alone regulate.  As a result, we baked and waded through lethargy Monday - Thursday, by the time we got to Friday, they finally got the air con working, and I had goose bumps all day, but I'd rather have that than the sweat fest that was Monday - Thursday.

Thursday morning, as I got the car out of the garage around 5.25am, an old man, who I've seen a couple of times before, was heading along the road, his dog was taking him for a walk, and he could barely keep up. He was walking but almost breaking into a jog.  I'm usually quite... I suppose, on guard, either with strangers or at weird times, anyway, I've seen him before and he seemed harmless, so this time, I was the first to offer a; "Morning."  The old man immediately responded with; "Mornin' Miss."  Then seconds later... "Mornin' Darlin."  It was quite sweet, and I was glad I made the first move.  I remember the first time our paths crossed and he'd shouted; "Mornin,'" as I was about to get into my car, he immediately followed with; "are you going to get into your car now?"   He made my day, I hope I figured somewhere in his.  Hope he continues to keep up with his dog.

Wringer

Slept great Saturday, in my newly made bed, I retired pretty early and woke around 5am.  Up and jogged for an hour, was aiming to do the same tomorrow but one hip and one knee are starting to complain, so I'll see how I feel tomorrow, at the moment... feel like I need replacements.

Mr Regular was in Starbucks again this morning, as was my friend Fay, so we had another catch up, Fay and I that is... good to talk.

The walk in cupboard has been emptied and put back together, I can now actually walk into it, who knew?  While sorting, I found boxes that will need time to go through them, but I have time right?  No rush.

I have my afternoon planned, I'm sorting and sifting through old mags, tearing out anything I want to revisit, (love the decorating articles,) then going to a have a SATC fest as there is a run of old episodes on this afternoon.  Then, I get to catch up with L and then only a matter of hours before I do the same with you... hopefully.

I caught the tiniest bit of Andrea Bocelli Live in Central Park, I heard him sing part of "Time to Say Goodbye" with the lovely Ana Maria Martinez, one of my favourite songs, and then his encore "Nessun Dorma", just, well, beautiful.

http://youtu.be/oL9uaX6fL4I   and of course I had to give you, http://youtu.be/C4ZfMxE_8Og

So, while we're on the subject, I didn't see this on TV, but found it on YouTube.  I've loved this since I heard Josh Groban perform it with Charlotte Church. 

Well, in the time it's taken me to write this, I thought I'd find you my favourite version; http://youtu.be/ckH3V_xOCnQ

Then I found this, and this never hurts, a reminder to never judge a book; http://youtu.be/VSrAJsWvEIc

It's now Sunday, and it was so good to chat in person, I've  been waiting for days for this and I woke early just thinking about it.  After a busy day, it's now 4pm, I'm feeling a little bereft and a little annoyed with myself for not getting a grip for heavens sake!   I had such a lovely time with my Dear Nephew CJ, he picked me up, literally, and said I was as light as a feather, well, I'm less than half his weight so guess I feel light?

B came over to garden for me, lovely chat with L, CJ texted me to say thanks for coming over and we made a date for next weekend, JR phoned me from down south then a friend texted me.  Wow, I feel quite cared about!  Feel like I've been through the wringer this week a bit but I'm now floating on the surface, slightly unconscious, but alive enough to write again.

Home, finally

Did I tell you that I finally took the plunge and wore the pants, (the Modern Boot if you will.) The ones I got in the Gap January sale for work?  Compared to my old pants, they feel like leggings, or jeggings, (what in the heck are those anyway?)  So yes, compared to my old ones, they feel very... fitted, but I can't believe that they fit and yes, they are actually comfortable.

Today, Saturday, in the middle of ironing and sorting, I watched, "The Proposal,"  love that film, Sandy Bullock at her best and Ryan Reynolds is so understated, love him, and don't even mention the legend that is Betty White, I could watch that one again and again, it's a classic in the making.  Also watched this week... again... "Fracture."  Anthony Hopkins is as smooth as silk and Mr Gosling, just brilliant.

Years and years ago... maybe 12?  Maybe more.  B bought me a large, framed print of that iconic image of Grand Central Station, you know the one with the light streaming through the windows?  Judging by the Trilbies, I'd guess it was taken in the 1940's.  At the time, I thought, wow, love it but it's big.  I had nowhere that it would go.  Fast forward to me clearing and sorting out last weekend and add that to me being in need of art, and B's present is now hanging in the dining room.  Looks pretty good if I do say so myself, and I'll never get tired of looking at that image, I could live in Grand Central, it's so beautiful and I've had so many memorable trips to NYC, well, it's perfect... finally, thank you B.



My cousin L is home, we've only texted, but I just feel better knowing that she's where she should be.

Corner

I am feeling much more positive today.  I slept soundly, (I was woken after an hour or two by a friend sending a supportive text, she works evenings, then I promptly drifted back to nod.)   Slept right through until 5.30am, it felt great.  I browsed on my laptop while I had breakfast, (coffee, black grapes and Total yoghurt,) then jogged for an hour then had a really great stretch, really do think this is the answer to my dodgy back.

Headed off for coffee at my usual haunt, Mr Regular was there and complained that I was not on schedule, (it's usually a weekend when we bump into each other in there,) my friend Fay was there and she's been on a couple of dates with someone new, and it was great to catch up, loved sharing her nerves with her.

So I wrote a little and read a little, it was all perfectly normal and soothing and I felt better for being there.  So glad I took today off.  One of my horoscopes this morning said that I need to "feed my spirit," I feel like that's what I've done today, so far.

I food shopped and recycled and returned home to iron, and to empty... you know the walk in cupboard in the dining room which I can't actually walk into?  Well, I emptied that in between the washing and ironing, (I haven't actually put it all back yet.)

Did you hear that Donna Summer passed away?  Very sad.  The first thing on the radio I heard this morning, in the car, was a tribute to her, they opened the show with it and played; "No More Tears," which she recorded with Babara Streisand.  The original is the best, but the most animated clip I found was of Ms Summer performing this with my gorgeous boys; Westlife.  It helped get me all fired up this morning and transmitted lots of positive vibes, enjoy; http://youtu.be/hROp4Qc_JA8 

Bad Karma

I have some really bad karma going on.  I don't know what I've done wrong but I am the proverbial magnet for the bad stuff.  In the past two weeks, (and these are only the highlights,) my house alarm has broken, my porch light has broken, both the bulb and the shade, I needed a new car battery, I've had to say goodbye to a good friend, I've had a woman almost run into me in the car, I've had my pay messed up by incompetents, my new, two week old liquid eyeliner broke beyond repair, I've dropped and smashed several things, but only anything that would either splatter over an inordinate surface area or smash into a million pieces or bleed into a stain the size of Eastern Europe... need I go on?  If you had a small-ish child, you would not let me within feet of them at this moment, I am dangerous be told. 

What the heck is going on?  If I tried, even a little bit, I might feel sorry for myself, but I'm fine, just wondering what I have to break or say goodbye to next.

I'm looking forward to the weekend, I'll hopefully get to catch up with you, and my cousin L is home from her hols and we can catch up too, although I'll struggle find anything good to tell her, I might have to make something up and save all the negative stuff up for another week, do you think?

It's now Thursday and I wasn't planning to be off tomorrow, but I was down in the register at work to be off.  Having had the week I've had, I decided to quit while I may actually be ahead and to put this week to bed early.  I'm hoping to sleep long, rise early and jog away the negative vibes Friday morning, then it's healthy eating all the way, (I've eaten rubbish for most of the week... comfort food.)

Can't wait to chat, so much to tell you x