Life of Jembie

A Brand New Start

2007-01-02T01:56:00.000Z

I decided that with the New Year I would ditch this tired old Blog and start New for 2007 so change your Bookmarks everyone cos all the action is going to be Here in future.

Thanks for reading...I couldn't do this without you!!!

So this is Christmas - And what have you done?

2007-01-02T00:42:00.000Z

Not a lot actually.

Christmas Eve - As it was a Sunday I thought it would be nice to go to the pictures as the day was ticking away too slowly as it was. The movie? Santa Claus 3 - The escape clause. I thought the cinema would be pretty quiet as who goes to the pictures on Christmas Eve? Well half of bley Derby that's who. It was packed.
Debz came with us and I treated the kids to one of those huge refillable Pepsi cups for £3 each. Worth the money though as they are using them all the time now.

After the pictures we walked across to KFC and just managed to get in before they locked the doors. As we sat eating it was hilarious watching the hoards of people as they tried to get in. There was a huge sign on the door saying they closed at 7pm but they seemd to think that if they rattled the door hard enough they would get in.
After finishing a very satisfying meal we walked home and had Hot Chocolate with marshmallows and Minty Viscount biscuits.

Christmas Day - I was awoken by DS at 8am on the dot and we all ambled downstairs. As usual I let everyone open their goodies first as the best bit is watching all the others for me.
Santa bought me quite a little selection of pressies. DS & DD bought me a DCFC scarf as well as some choccies. I got the Complete Doctor Who series 2 DVD boxset from Ange & Debz; Lots of smellies; Choccies; Nanny McPhee on DVD from Debz; Avon Celebre perfume; A gorgeous mug with a picture of my DNiece on as well as quite a bit of money too.

I was a bit naughty to DS & DD this year as they had quite a few small pressies but I kept their big presents back until Breakfast. So when they came through for their big fry-up there were more for them to open.
A new phone and a freeview box for DD and a Nintendo Wii for DS. I think they were surprised!

The rest of the day was one big slumped blur after lunch and I can't really rmember any of it...

Boxing day - As usual we spent Boxing day at Ange's. She and DNephew were at the match in the afternoon but we listened on the radio. It wasn't long before they were home and we were eating, drinking and playing DVD games. We didn't stay too late as Debz had to get up for work the next day.

The rest of the week was quite unintersting to be honest. Most days the curtains didn't get opened at all and the door stayed locked. Not much point in going out if you have all you need right here.

Thursday 28th - Today I did a mad thing. I am not usually impulsive with money but I read on MSE that Argos were selling Xboxes with 4 games for £50. I never thought I would be able to own something like an xbox so I reserved on online along with the Pink PSP that I did want so much. Thing is they didn't have both the console and the games in Derby so me and the kids hopped on a train to Burton-upon-trent and went to their Argos instead. It only cost a fiver train fare and the train takes 8 minutes.
I think that the whole of the country must have decided to go to Burton at the same time as the shopping centres were heaving. By about 3.30pm we were knackered and our feet were dropping off.
We went to McDonalds but they were queing out the door. We went round the corner and found that Subway were empty. Now I know I said before that I hate Subway as I panic too much but when you are the only customers it isn't so bad as you have time to choose and there was no rushing to the next people.
We bought some Dinky Donuts on the way to the train and had them with Hot CHoc when we got home while we all had a go on the XBox. (forgot to say I kept one of the games and gave the other 3 to Debz for her boyf)

And that was pretty much Christmas for us.

A HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU ALL!!!!

I love it when you call - Part deux

2006-12-24T23:14:00.000Z

So It's Christmas Eve, We are sat round the front room listening to Christmas songs (With Sara Cox blaring in the other room) when my phone rings. I looked at the screen Unknown caller. So I answered it.
On the other end is Sara Cox. Not Sara Cox speaking to me but just gabbing away on her show. So I sit listening, wondering if I am going to go live in a minute. A few minutes go by, then a few minutes more and nothing is happening. She is still talking to the nation and nobody has addressed me at all. Then she goes to a song The Darkness - Don't let the bells end. So I thought this would be when she finally speaks to me...but still nothing. So I decided that maybe it was an error and hang up. BAD IDEA!!! A few minutes later I get a Voicemail message.

It was only Andy from the JK and Joel Early breakfast show. He apologised for my prizes not arriving but said he needs to talk to me. Then he wished me a Merry Christmas and hung up. I tried to ring him back but the Radio 1 lines were busy. I texted a few times too but to no avail so now I am stuck in limbo...When am I going to get my prizes? What does he need to speak to me for? Will I ever hear from him again????

Chivalry is NOT dead!

2006-12-20T23:32:00.000Z

On Freecycle Derby the other day, someone was offering a whole box of Match-day programs from the Ted McMinn Benefit match back in May. When I replied that I would be interested, I found it was Mrs McMinn herself and they were getting rid because they needed the space at Pride Park.
So today I took a walk up to Pride Park itself to pick up the box of programs.
I knew it was going to be heavy so I decided that I would have to take my trusty shopping trolley. Now I know they are really the accessories for the more elderly lady but when faced with carrying very heavy boxes,why not make it easier on yourself and take the wheels.

It took me about half an hour to walk up to the stadium then when I got there I wasn't sure exactly where I was supposed to go. After walking round the entire Stadium, I finally found the Security office and 15 minutes later I was walking out with a trolley that was way heavier than when I walked in.

I wouldn't normally take the trolley into town - mainly because I hate those old ladies who trundled them through busy areas running over everyone and everything that gets in their way and poking ankles and shins. I had no choice though really as otherwise it would mean making several more trips than I needed.

I had to pick up frozen pizza for tea and some supplies to feed us in the next few days leading up to the big day.

When I got everything on my little list I went to wait for the bus. I could have walked home but my back was getting sore again and I just wanted to get home and rest up after pulling all that weight in the trolley.

As I got on the bus it was a lot more packed than I had thought so somehow I had to get the trolley up on the rack and go sit at the back of the bus. I managed it to the surprise of 2 ladies sitting in the seats in front. I did say to them though that it would be a different story when I come to get off.

So my stop was coming up, I hit the bell and got up just as the man in front did also. He asked the guy next to him to watch his stuff and he proceeded to grab my trolley off the rack. As the bus stopped he took it right off for me. I was quite speechless as you don't see that too often these days. I blushed as I thanked him and wished him a Merry Christmas!

So you see, Chivalry isn't dead altogether :-)

The big Christmas shop

2006-12-20T07:07:00.000Z

Its that time of year again when you face the crowds to go to *Insert supermarket here* and fill up your trolley with a load of rubbish.

This year I have been really good and bought a few things each week so my list isn't that massive. I did a dummy shop online beforehand and it only came to £24 so given that my budget was £50 I had a lot of scope for treats and extras.

Of course the place was absolutely Rammed but as I had my list I thought I would be fine.
I had my phone with me on calculator duties and a pen ready to tick things off as I bought them.
I managed to miss a few things first time around mainly because there was so many people I couldn't see what I wanted so I did a second circuit which was easier as once I had everything ticked off my list I knew how much I had left for extra treats.

I decided to take advantage of the 2 for £16 on Lager as I don't usually have Lager at Christmas. A great offer - 40 cans of Carlsberg lager for £16 which is about 40p per can...A great deal for saying that usually is it £3-4 for a pack of 4.

When I got to the till the woman on the checkout offered me help with packing for which I bit off her hand as I am absolutely pants at packing. I have no idea why Supermarkets these days have taken away all the packing tables that they used to have at the end of the checkout. They scan way too quickly for me to pack it away as it comes down.

However, she was going way too quick for me to keep up so I just chucked everything in the trolley. When she finished, all she did for me was put the eggs and tv mag in a carrier bag and the frozen mince in another bag.
She said to me" See you didn't need my help really" I looked at her open mouthed..."What? You were going far too quick for me, I have just tossed it all in the trolley. I guess I will have to go and pack it outside somehwere."
She just laughed and gave me my receipt.

So I had to go and find somewhere to stand and pack away all my shopping so that I could get it in the taxi. It took me about half an hour to do it and I was getting in everyone's way and there was lots of tutting and swearing under the breath as other customers swerved out of my way and bumped into each other.

On the up side, the taxi only cost me a fiver which was cheaper than it would have been to have it delivered.

Unpacking the shopping at home is a lot more fun too!!!

But you never call at all

2006-12-18T10:27:00.000Z

The best thing about not going to gigs was always being sat at home and getting that surprise phone call so I could still listen to Alistair from the comfort of my sofa.

Last night was the annual Griffin Xmas gig in York.
As I sat watching The Hogfather on Sky, I kept a sneaky eye on my phone but sadly it never rang.

I love it when you call

2006-12-18T09:34:00.000Z

I awoke this morning to the luscious voices of JK and Joel as usual with an urge to text in the show. I haven't done so for ages so when they played the jingle for the Radio 1 Christmas party I texted in to ask if they were going to be there seeing as they don't normally do Fridays.

As I lay listening to see if they answered my question, everything went Quiet and dark - The electric had gone!
I had suspected it might go but was hoping it would last until DS had gone to school.

So I got up and got my coat on and traipsed to the all night garage. As I walked bleary eyed my phone in my pocket started vibrating. It was only Andy the producer off of the JK and Joel show asking me if I wanted to be on the competition ANDY'S BOX. I was surprisingly calm although a little scary. I hate that horrible nervous laugh I have but I can't stop doing it.
However, mid conversation my phone died and I thought I had lost my chance to be on Radio 1 for the first time ever.

I got home from the Garage and put the electric cards in and decided to text back to the studio just in case they hadn't managed to get anyone.
10 minutes later I was on the air EEEK!!

Somehow the Adrenalin took over and I managed to actually say something. To my actual surprise I was the winner. PHEW I managed to make it through chatting to JK and Joel without getting weird and stalkerish or getting tongue-tied and starstruck.

I haven't listened back to it yet...not sure if I will at all to be honest but I can't even remember what the prizes were as it was all a blur really.

Here's the clip...remember to right click and save as
Jen on the radio

Can't wait for my prizes.
I will of course update you when they arrive.

Shopping on line

2006-12-13T07:23:00.000Z

Somebody please stop me I am out of control. I am so glad I can't get a real credit card because this is just the reason people like me can't have one.
Christmas morning this year, we won't be able to get in the front room for all the bargains I keep finding. What is worst is I am spending my Christmas money on my children and I am going to end up not being able to buy the items I want for myself! I want a new camera but I am having trouble finding exactly the right one.
I am also desperate to buy myself a Pink PSP just as a frivolous treat. I have wanted one ever since I bought the one for DD. It would be great to watch movies and stuff in bed and I would love to get back into playing The Sims. I want to get myself some Lush goodies too and I really want a new DVD recorder (Yeah I got quite a bit of Christmas money)

I promise I have bought my last present now. Once they are all wrapped that is it. I have to focus on buying food for Christmas now but this will be done instore as I think I have missed all the Christmas delivery slots at the major supermarkets.

Anyway, I now am awaiting delivery from Ebay, Amazon & LXDirect.
I can't wait till Christmas to see everyone unwrapping!!!

Get fresh at the weekend- Showing out!

2006-12-12T07:12:00.000Z

Phew what a weekend!
I am not used to all this activity. Weekends are usually all about staying in bed til lunchtime and lounging around in my pyjamas. I need another weekend to recover now.

Saturday night we all went out to celebrate Ange's birthday. Of course I ummed and ahhed about going. It isn't that I want to be anti-social, it is just that I am out of practise of going down town and I wasn't sure I would cope. I was also worried that it would mean me sat in the corner talking to my drink because as always I was the odd one out.

It wasn't too bad actually. For a start it seemed to be a pub crawl of places I had never been before. Can you imagine, I have lived in Derby now for 26 years of my life yet there are many pubs in town I didn't even know existed. This was interesting as they are tiny little pubs that you have to somehow squeeze yourself into a spot and then kind of bend yourself out the way each time anyone wants to go to the loo.

I started off drinking pints. £1.90 for a pint is an excellent price and you can't pass that up. However I forgot to bring out my inhaler so I had to switch to spirits because lager seems to bring on my Asthma for some reason. I mainly stuck to Vodka and Diet Cokes for the rest of the night, occasionally ordering a Reef.

It all fell a bit flat when we reached the final pub though. This is Ange and Rob's local and they know everyone in there and so does Debz. Zoe suddenly started to feel ill. She kept going out to get air but it wasn't helping and they decided to go home.
I am not sure what time it was when we left there but we just had to get food on the way home and paid the obligatory visit to Benny's for Pizza and of course Debz had Chicken and chips.

When we got back to the house Debz phoned for a taxi and was told it would be an hour so we had plenty of time to eat.
By the time me and the kids got home it was well after 3am.

No rest for the wicked! Sunday morning meant a trip back to Ange's as her Godmother was coming to visit. (I think I have explained the situation before so won't go into it again)

I got up about 10.45am and as I sat eating my breakfast the phone rang. It was Ange saying that they had arrived and were coming to fetch us. I told her to give us time while I had my breakfast and got the kids up. I tell you it's no mean feat getting DD up on a Sunday morning.

Eventually we were all ready and did indeed get picked up, also stopping on the way to pick up Debz too.

We stayed at Ange's until about 3pm and it was nice to see Wendy and Charlie again. Of course Ange and Rob had been to stay with them in the summer but it was about Easter since we saw them.

When we got home, DD had homework to do and then we sat down to watch Chicken Little. I had been looking forward to watching it all week thanks to LoveFilm.co.uk

A present for Everyone

2006-12-08T06:41:00.000Z

I really had a great day on Tuesday. I went with Debz to help her with her Christmas shopping.
She only gets one day off a week and this was the only day before Christmas that she would be able to shop so she had to do it all in one trip.

We met and McDonalds first and decided to have lunch. Whenever I go with the kids I always um and ahhh about having something new but for fear of not liking it I end up with either a Big Mac or a Quarter pounder. So this time I stuck to my word and had the Chicken Tikka Deli sandwich. It was indeed very nice if not very messy and I even kept my cool and answered confidently when the girl on the till asked if I wanted it on White or Brown.

After filling our stomachs we made our way to Woolworths where the bulk of the shopping was to take place. Debz had an idea what she was buying each person which made it easy.
I love looking round toystores. Of course I regret not being able to buy everything I see but it is fun having a play with everything. If only I could buy DNiece the singing Care Bear or the little puppy that sings or the big dancing Dora. If only I could buy the remote control K-9 for DD or any of the Doctor Who toys.

We came out with lots of bags and had more places to go.
The problem gift became DNephew's gift. He is getting a VSmile from Mum and Dad and so we are all buying him the game cartridges for it. Debz only problem was that she is buying her her presents with Vouchers that she got from Ange's Hamper catalogue so she only has a limited amount of choices and none of the shops that took the vouchers had any decent games. In the end I bought it from ELC with my card and Debz gave me the vouchers. They would come in very handy so it was no problem as I have someone very special that I am not going to see this year for Christmas but still wanted to give them a gift.

It was nearly 3pm when I got home from town. My feet and legs were aching and I was knackered but I felt good that I had spent a nice afternoon with my sister and we had accomplished everything we set out to get and Debz only has a couple of bits to get now.

I have done all my present buying online this year so I have missed the excitement of doing the shops and the smugness of having all those bags to take home and wrap. In fact it is hard to keep up with what I have bought as everything is arriving in dribs and drabs and I have probably bought way too much...I see how easy it is to do that now.

Salutations and Celabrations

2006-12-05T08:40:00.000Z

As I blogged last night Yesterday was the birthday of Middle sister Ange.

The day started for me when I caught the bus into town to go meet our Nan who was coming up from Coventry. She would be staying over at their house and then going back today (Tuesday)
The bus was due in at 12 and I got there in plenty of time...Actually I was there way too early as I had planned to pop round the shops and get a few bits first but town was so packed I really couldn't face the crowds.
At 12 I saw the bus approach and got up to go greet Nan but when the doors opened, No one came out. I asked the driver if he had just come from Birmingham but he said that he had come from the depot as he was due to swap buses when the Brum bus gets in. It was getting on for 12.15 and we were getting worried (Ange had turned up by then) I asked the new driver if he knew what was keeping them and he phoned up the driver of the other bus to see what the hold-up was. He was told that they were going to be 15 mins late. Well that was already way past.

Finally the bus arrived 25 minutes late and Nan told us that they had had to wait at Brum for another bus coming in.
We jumped in a cab and went off to Anges house.
Although I have had 2 children of my own and contributed from time to time with looking after DNephew, I neer cease to get excited when I see DNiece. When I walked through the door she had a big smile on her face and said "Hiya Jen" then when Ange walked in she yelled "Mum Jen!" As I tried to bring her attention to the fact that Nan was behind us.

I couldn't really stay as long as usual because I needed to get back home in time for DD & DS to get home from school. As we were all going out in the evening, we needed enough time to get ready and get our own taxis up to the restaurant.
Ange made a huge batch of toast and we all sat around eating toast and drinking coffee and catching up with Nan's news. To add to the occasion B-I-L's brother John arrived with a big bunch of flowers for Ange. He stayued for some toast and tea as well. It seems that I only see John on birthdays these days. It's a shame that he and his wife live so far away now as I really love chatting to him, he is the kind of guy you can just talk about owt with.

Another factor in the length of my stay there was that box 1 of my Christmas hamper was due to arrive. This is the frozen part - my Turkey; joints of Pork/Beef/Lamb; sausages; Bacon and other meat products. Luckily it arrived in time which is more than I can say for my taxi that only just got me home in time for DS strolling up the street.

Plans for the evening were to all meet up at the Brewers Fayre. The best thing about eating here is the kiddies supervised play area and of course the fact that you can get Nectar points on everything you buy.

The roads were horrendous and our taxi driver decided to take us on a tour of the city so as to avoid the traffic. He did a good job and we didn't get caught in any jams at all. As usalu though this meant that we were first to arrive and had to stand at the door waiting for everyone else. Debz was next to arrive and no sooner had we ordered a drink than Ange Rob Nan and the kids arrived too. We couldn't eat yet though as Ange had also invited Zoe who had to come straight from taking her little DD to Ballet class.
The children had a chance to have their hour of play (Which DS gets to join in with on account of he is watching the younger ones) whilst Nan gathered together everyones orders and got the food arranged. It was quite weird all 12 of us sat at this huge table.

I decided to have something a little different. I went for the Chilli, Lime & Coriander Glazed Chicken With chips and salad.

DD had Cheese and Bacon burger and chips which also contains Onion rings and was absolutely huge.
DS went for the Half a roast chicken and all the trimmings.

I have never known us lot to all be together and it be so quiet. I was so proud of DNephew as I hardly heard him at all and he ate all his pasta. I don't think DNiece was as good with the food but she didn't play up, just sat there happily. Of course she was in her element when the waiter brought them their colouring books and crayons which is the free gift they get with the kids meals.

I really couldn't fit in dessert but of course Debz and DS could. As always when we come to this place DS had the Chocolate induldence. Or as I have named it Death by Chocolate. Debz had the Black forest pudding and DD the Sticky toffee pudding.

It was a lovely evening out with the family and it was 9pm before we knew it. Debz was going back to Ange's for drinks but unfortunately as it was a school night I really had to get my 2 home to bed as otherwise they would never be up in the morning.

Only downer of the evening was when we got home to find all the lights out and had to traipse all the way up to the all night garage to get electric cards.

The best thing of all about Ange's bithday is that when it is over you know it is only 3 weeks to Christmas which will go in a flash!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANGE!

2006-12-04T23:53:00.000Z

Just wanted to say Happy Birthday to my darling younger sister Angela-Marie.
How old are you again Sis??!

High School musical

2006-12-02T00:20:00.000Z

I have been checking my stats for this blog and my hits have gone through the roof the last week or so. OK I should be pleased and believe me I am but when I look closely at the people coming to my blog I find that they all searched the term HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL
This is peeps from all over the world too and all because I posted an entry after watching it weeks ago when it first premiered in the UK.

While I am on the subject, As you can imagine, I can't wait to buy the DVD on Monday and I might even stretch to the CD too.

Finally got rid

2006-11-28T15:15:00.000Z

Well all the stuff I offered on Freecycle has finally gone this afternoon.
None of the people that replied to my offers actually turned up so I gave it all to a guy that is collecting for a project for disadvantage kids and families.
At least I know it has all gone to a good cause and instead of getting all mouldy in my cupboard it is being used for good.

The waiting game

2006-11-24T10:51:00.000Z

As I mentioned in the last entry, I offered a lot of stuff from my cupboard under the stairs on Freecycle. I had lots of responses and had to choose who to say yes to.
Once I decided who should get my offerings I emailed them with my address but now the hardest thing is sitting around waiting for people to turn up on your doorstep to collect their freebies.

It is much worse than waiting for the Gasman/Cableman/Delivery van because while I am waiting for them to turn up, the said items are littering up my front room. If I put them away somewhere then It will then be a hassle when people do turn up to find the blasted stuff.

Someone has had the right idea. I noticed this morning there is a post on there by someone who has posted that if you don't give a time you are coming you don't get the stuff. I wish I had thought of that!

A feeling of accomplishment

2006-11-23T08:20:00.000Z

For ages now I have been promising to clear out the cupboard under the stairs.
It is a huge space yet it was so piled high with junk that you couldn't find anything in there or fit anything else in. With Christmas coming up I really needed to fish out the decs and sort out what needed chucking and what would be OK to use again this year.

I knew it was going to be a long hard job so I had provisions on hand .
I couldn't believe the rubbish I had stuffed in there. I found old bills and empty envelopes, broken toys, junk mail, brochures, magazines and empty boxes. I filled 2 black bags of rubbish and both paper recycle bags.

I got out the bags from last Christmas and found 3 years worth of leftover cards in boxes. This is because every year I don't sort through the leftovers, I just buy new ones. There is enough paper/cards/tape/gift tags in there for me to not have to buy anymore for at least the next couple of years but I bet I do.
I also chucked out a few old decorations and bits and pieces that I bring out every year and don't use so I decided as they were just taking up space it was time for Bye-bye!

By the time I finished, I only put 1 box of junk back in along with the Christmas bags and now it is possible to walk right in to the cupboard and all the way to the back wall. I doubt it will stay that way for long but I now feel cleansed.

A lot of the stuff I pulled out from the cupboard is all the children's clothes stock from when I used to co-own a market stall. I have decided to give all this away on Freecycle. Apart from 1 or 2 things I am going to try and sell on eBay and a few things I am saving for DNs for Christmas pressies...there is no point in keeping it and I may as well let it go to people who really need it.
I have also sorted out all the old kiddies toys from when DNephew used to stay here and have advertised that on Freecycle too.

I don't want to do this anymore

2006-11-22T08:51:00.000Z

This being sitting here staring at whatever particular wallpaper happens to be on my computer screen wondering what to do next. My enthusiasm for anything seems to have evapourated into the ether. I can't even drum up the excitement to go and work on my store.

This week a limp attempt at a gig announcement was made by the Griffin team. Some would think it was just a token gesture and he didn't even want an audience as it was like getting blood out of a stone trying to find out any kind of details. Then again if you really want to be there then you will find a way.
There once was a time when I would be jumping up and down through hoops and running round like a blue arsed fly trying to make sure I would be there. Sadly though I have burnt all my bridges for people to go with or to book my ticket or my accomodation or make travel arrangements for me.

It's Thanksgiving Weekend in the States though now so I am going to tie myself to this chair and get some work done as this is when all the holiday sales start and I am going to need the money to pay off all my Christmas debts

Major Catch-up

2006-11-17T15:05:00.000Z

I am sorry it took me so long to blog the whole of my holiday. I struggle to get on here these days and because I hadn't written anything down while I was away, I was struggling to remember stuff most of the time.

I haven't been around much in the past week because last Friday (10th Nov) I started to get a really bad headache. I took loads of painkillers but it was still there when I went to bed. I just lay there hoping that by morning it would have faded away. Then I went to bed Saturday night hoping it would be gone Sunday morning.
When I went to bed Sunday night I told myself that if this headache was still there Monday morning I would definitely go to the doctors. This isn't just any headache either. I knew It was sinuses because I could feel it in my face. My temples and my cheeks felt like someone was continually passing hot pokers through them. My nose was very tender and have you ever seen that Capital One add where the bloke has a woodpecker on top of his head?

Monday morning I dragged my sore head out of bed to crawl along to the Docs and on confirmation from him that my sinuses were indeed severely swollen, I was put on a course of Anti-biotics.
Monday turned out to be the worst day yet. I crawled back home and went straight back to bed and then I spent most of Monday night throwing up in the bathroom.
I spent Tuesday and Wednesday in bed and only started to feel the pain easing when I got up on Thursday.

The pain hasn't gone completely even now but hopefully it shouldn't be too much longer. I do keep getting sudden pain in my temples or eyes every so often but that is pain that I am used to as I have a long history with my sinus trouble but I have 1 week left of my anti-biotics and another 6 weeks of my awful nasal spray that always makes me cough and sneeze.

On a lighter note - I am looking forward to Children in Need tonight especially Celebrity Scissorhands on BBC where our 5 intrepid celebrities will be making up the stars before they go on stage.

GOOD LUCK! To Scott Mills!!!

That Friday feeling

2006-11-12T00:07:00.000Z

Last day of the holiday and I wanted to make the most of it.
I thought the best way to spend our last full day up North would be to catch the bus into Filey to see the sea for the last time and spend the remainder of our money (well maybe not all of it)
The only problem was that it was a terrible day. The wind was swirling around andthe rain was on and off. As I said in an earlier entry DS had fogotten his coat and his trainers were falling apart. I had planned to buy him new ones during the week but just hadn't found anything to suit. Once in Filey we had a look round a couple of Charity shops to see if we could find some cheap trainers and a cheao coat that would at least keep him dry but no luck. The kids both bought some rock for their friends back home and I bought a couple of gifts and we ventured down to the very cold and wet beach front.

We had some time in the arcades (I know we were addicted) however After a week of it I had just about worn out any enthusiasm I had at the beginning of the week.
We had another wander around the lifeboat shop and I bought DS another little badge to replace the one he had bought the last time we were there.
I don't think I mentioned it before, He had bought himself a little pin badge and lost the back of it before we had even walked 100 yards from the shop.

As we were waiting for DS to buy some nougat from the little stall I noticed that thre was a little cafe up some stairs and suggested we have our last lot of Fish and chips - Only we didn't end up having Fish. We all had Burger and chips instead. Proper massive burgers with loads of chips and salad. I was so glad that we had come in as we certainly wouldn't be hungry for the rest of the day.

I managed to get DS a little waterproof jacket for a couple of quid and I got him an umbrella too so although his feet would be soaked through, his body and head would be dry.

After walking around the town for a couple of hours and the little market that was at the back of a pub we went off to catch the bus. It was Curry night in the camp restaurant and I wanted to be early before it all disappeared and get into the showroom early for the last night of the character show and party dances as well as the second show of 2togo.

Once we got back to the caravan, everyone else was already off to the showroom so I just had to get changed and we were off out again.

Unfortunately as I had eaten that big lunch, I couldn't face the curry. I ordered a jacket potato instead with Chilli filling. We had to wait for ages for it to come and I was disappointed that we missed the last character show. We did make it for the party dances though.

The final variety show of the week was a great parody of the movie Fame It was a very condensed version of course but it showed what great actors the group are and included the great hit from the TV show off of the early 80's... Hi-Fidelity.

Unfortunately for the second night running DNiece wouldn't settle so Ange, Rob and DNephew left quite early and for the second night running we styaed later than they did. However, It wasn't that later, We stayed for the end of the Party dances as DS really enjoyed them and then we met the others in the arcade finishin off all their 2ps. I did get back to the caravan before them though as I ran out of change and the change machines were all empty.
There was also a very dubious couple of 20s chavs kicking all the machines to get the money out of and I didn't like the atmosphere.
The others weren't far behind though and they caught me tucking into my Candy Floss that I had bought from Filey.

Thursday - I see the sea - The sea sees me...

2006-11-09T08:28:00.000Z

Thursday was my favourite day of the week if I am honest. I didn't want to spend another day just hanging around the park and after our couple of hours in Scarborough on the Tuesday I wanted to go there again.

Me, DD & DS caught the bus from outside the main entrance. It was quite cheap at £8 return for all of us and it was a lovely journey as the bus stopped at all the other holiday camps on the way. We also got to see the sea for the latter half of the journey too. The view over Scarborough is Gorgeous. It is a long time since I was lucky enough to enjoy the wonderful English Landscape. I made many trips up to the North Yorkshire coast during the Griffin years and I was spoilt for great views and being on this bus brought that back home to me.

Once we got off the bus in the town we followed a sign to the beach with lead us to ask this question...What is the obsession with Hills? I mentioned that in Filey you have to go down a steep hill to the front and I know that there are some very famous steps in Whitby that take you down to the beach and here we are in Scarborough with a massive hill down to all the attractions. It is OK going down but you know going up is going to be much much worse.

We wandered down the street going in and out of the arcades and shops.

I managed to pick up a little denim handbag for DNiece's birthday as she has nicked her mum's bag to play with. As it was getting on for the end of the season the pusher machines were loaded up with prizes. So if you were lucky you wouldn't only get 2ps falling down into the tray but you may get a prize or 2 as well.
There were tons of keyrings on offer as well as little trinkets, watches, 50ps, figurines wallets, purses and in the 10p machines there were actual mobile phones. I can't imagine they would ever fall but it entices you to play all the more just to try and win one.
I was very lucky. I won 5 keyrings altogether. DD won a few too but unlucky DS wasn't as lucky and nothing seemed to fall for him.

For our lunch we went in a lovely little cafe and had toasted sandwiches. They were absolutely gorgeous. DD and I had Cheese and Ham and DS had Tuna. We went next door in the chocolate shop for a drink so that we could get a good whiff of the chocolate...Unfortunately I couldn't really afford any of their fantastic Chocolate creations so we went and bought treats and rock from the Rock shop further down.

I had to make sure I bought some fresh fish while by the sea so I bought some fresh boiled Crab and some Crab stix to make sandwiches for going home on Saturday.

We also made sure we made a visit to the Lifeboat station again and I actually remembered the picture this time.

Time was getting on and so we decided to find our way to the town centre and have a look round the shops. I realised that I had absolutely no idea about where to catch the bus back as we walked back through the town a different way to the way we had come. The first obstacle was to get back up that hill. I had to take it in stages and it wasn't untill we were halfway up that we noticed there is a lift from the beach to the top and we could of so easily caught that but at least we had got plenty of exercise.
We did find the bustop quite by accident in the end but we were certainly ready to go back by then.

Wednesday, Wednesday Wednesday

2006-11-06T08:04:00.000Z

Wednesday turned out to be one of the most miserable days of our holiday. It was raining heavily all day and the wind was horendous.
I got up early and decided to go for the paper and some Bread and Milk. It was a battle and I came back wet and windswept. As with all mornings once DNiece heard me moving around, she was up and about with me. It made me laugh how she would carry all her blankets and her cup and teddies with her too and as with most mornings she went in the fridge and helped herself to a Cheesestring, had a couple of bites and left it lying on the floor.

This was actually one of the worst days of the week. I had exhausted the excitement of the arcades and other than that there wasn't much else to do on a wet day. I found it really hard to look enthusiastic. Added to that it seemed that my sister was getting a bit fed up of us being around. We all sat in the restaurant as they had some lunch and she told me their plans for the rest of the day were to go back and shower before going out to the club so I thought I would give them some space and stay away from the caravan for a few hours...Easier said than done as I said there wasn't too much to do.
We sat around a bit but I couldn't stand it much longer so I just had to go back to the caravan to get warmed up.

The weather didn't get any better, if anything it was getting worse - added to fact that DS had forgotten to bring a coat on holiday with him and he had pnly brought a pair of trainers that were falling apart so every minute out in the rain meant he got absolutely drenched with squelchy feet too.

I had bought some pasties from the camp shop in the morning so once the others had gone off to the club, I cooked some pasta and noodles and we had those with the pasties for tea. DS wanted to go up to the club so he took DD's coat because she wanted to stay back with me.
I did think in the back of my head that if the rain died off I would take a walk up there later but it never did so Me and DD had a quiet night in.

Tuesday - A very nice man, A very very nice man

2006-11-06T06:20:00.000Z

We got up Tuesday morning and it was a gorgeous day. The sky was Blue the Sun was out and it seemed that the wind had died down a bit.
Ange decided that it was too good a day to waste and suggested that we all get in the car and take a trip to Scarbro. So we all piled into the 7-seater. DS and me in the back then DD sandwiched in between the 2 little ones and their car seats in the middle. Once we were all ready Rob turned on the ignition and...nothing. There was this clicking noise but apart from that nothing else happened. He tried a couple of times but it was no use the battery was completely dead.
So it was all out again and the AA had to be called.

Eventually the very nice AA man found the problem and sorted it but he said that in order to charge the battery fully, the car would have to be running for 45 minutes. Ange and Rob decided it was worth still going to Scarborough as otherwise the whole day would be wasted. So off we went.

I was surprised how close to Scarborough we were, it seemed to take no time at all to get there which was a good job really as we only had a couple of hours as Ange would have to get back to the camp-site to queue up for a table for the evening.
We did have a good couple of hours walking along the front and going into all the arcades which were highly superoir to the ones in the camp or even in Filey. We got rid of a lot of 2ps. We also sampled some of the local fish. I decided to buy a fresh Crab salad sandwich for me supper later and Ange bought a little variety plate of Cackles, mussels, crab stix and shrimps. The best part of going to the seaside for me is the huge array of fresh shellfish.

Of course I can't mention Scarborough without mention my favourite attraction of all...

Our trip to Scarborough was over all too quickly and before we knew it the time had come to all pile back in the car and get back to the caravan. I did promise the children that we would go back before the holiday was over as there was lots we missed out on.

I had kind of planned that I wouldn't stay long in the club that evening. If I am honest, I didn't want to miss CSI on the TV so I planned to stay till 10 and then go back to the caravan for teh TV but I seemed to be enjoying myself so much that I didn't realise the time go by and ended up staying till the end again.
The best thing about the show nights was that you could nip out and have a go on the arcades if you were getting bored. I must have poured loads of money into those machines but it passed the time.

When we got back to the caravan I had my gorgeous Crab salad sandwich for me supper as I had planned and it was most enjoyable. I couldn't wait to get back to get more...although I haven't even mentioned the fish man that comes round the club each night...

Monday Evening - Yes I shall go to the Ball

2006-11-02T23:14:00.000Z

As we got back to the caravan the rest of the family were just getting ready to go out.
We ate our oversized cream cakes and got dressed to meet the rest of the family in the showroom.

A new influx of Half term week holidayers meant that the room was absolutely heaving and there were suddenly about 3 times as many children as there had been the previous 2 nights. It also meant much longer queuing at the bar. In the room there was also a Children's bar named the Wonderbar (Or as the sign said 'Wonderbra') where you could purchase slushes and Milkshakes and a variety of kiddies sweet things. Even the queue at the Wonderbar was huge.
I arrived just in time for the Party dances with the Funstars and the jungle characters. Now even though I may have protested, this was my favourite part of the night. It was also DS's too as he would always be down there on the dance floor joining in.

The entertainment this evening was the Panto - Cinderella - performed by the resident group MP3. It was very good and highly interactive. They had the traditional girl playing the Handsome prince and performed recent chart hits. There was lots of Adult humour in it too. Highly amusing and very enjoyable.

After the Panto I decided that I didn't fancy the Magic show. I was also quite tired from our day out and decided to go back to the caravan. I planned an evening of TV but managed to fall asleep as the next thing I knew the family were coming back. All excited and of course telling me all about what I had missed. We all had Hot chocolate and toast before heading off to bed.

Monday - Fish & Chips by the sea

2006-11-01T15:50:00.000Z

The plan for Monday morning was to get up and go have cooked breakfast in the camp restaurant.
It was a pretty good deal. A full English breakfast or a full Veggie breakfast for £1.95. As always DD didn't fancy owt to eat but DS had the Veggie which consisted of Omelette, hash brown, Mushrooms, tomatoes and Beans. We had to wait a while as the Omelettes were cooked fresh to order and it took them so long that they forgot that I had asked for no beans. He left the beans but he loved the rest of it.

My Full English was 2 rashers of Bacon, 2 Sausages, scrambled Egg and Beans. I really enjoyed it and it set me up for the day.

After Breakfast I decided it would be nice for me and the children to go into the local town of Filey and have our first visit to the beach to remind us we are actually by the seaside.
We had a lovely stroll through the town. It is only a small town and could be covered in less than half an hour. There wasn't a lot to see so we decided to find our way to the sea-front. It was a very long and windy hill but we finally saw the beach. The sun had come out and there wasn't a cloud in the sky. I had put my big coat on but I was sweltering as we walked along the front. There were lots of people on the beach. It wasn't quite sunbathing weather but there were lots of kiddies in their wellies with their buckets and spades building big sandcastles.

One thing I always had instilled into me was that we must support the RNLI. My Mum grew up in a small fishing town on the Norfolk coast and I know that she lost many friends through the Lifeboat service. Both my mum and my Nan would always make sure that we gave to the Lifeboat service when traveling to any seaside town. So I made sure that I passed this onto my 2 as well. We had a look round the tiny Filey Lifeboat shop. I bought a pen as a souvenire and DS bought a pin badge. DD also bought herself a Pen too.

There was quite a good amusement arcade next to the Lifeboat station so we went in there for a while (Of course I had fogotten my bag of 2ps)

We were getting pretty hungry by now so I offered to get Fish and Chips from the gorgeous smelling take away stall next to the arcade. Me and DD had Fish and DS had a battered Sausage. We sat on a wall on the front and looked out to sea while we ate. It was a fantastic afternoon. The tide was out though and you could walk for miles without meeting any water.

Before long I knew I had to face the steep hill back upto the town if we wanted to get home.
We had another look round the town to but rock andsouvenirss. I also had to write my postcards and send them to make sure they arrived before I got home.
We found a Birds cake shop and I treated us to cream cakes. DD and DS also got themselves Cheese & Onion pasties.

Sunday - A change is as good...

2006-11-01T14:07:00.000Z

I didn't mention that Saturday night it became apparent that we had no gas in the caravan so we couldn't put the fire on or get any hot water. So my first job Sunday was to go find out what was wrong and also to get myself a key. There is no way we could have coped the whole week with only 1 key between us.
DD and I went along to reception and they were more than happy to give me the key to the 'backdoor' of the caravan. The gas problem was also quickly solved as all they needed to do was change the gas bottle.

We spent a little time in the arcades and whilst the rest of the family went to see the afternoon show, I decided to take the chance to have some time to myself and went back to the caravan. It was weird only having 5 channels on the TV so all I could find to watch was the X factor re-run from Saturday night. Hence the change is as good as a rest title. Ange and the rest of the family got home just in time for the results and then it was time for everyone to get ready to go out for the evening. The only way to get a seat for the evening entertainment was to go early and queue.

We went to Burger King for our tea. As it was the end of the season they didn't have everything on the menu but they did have our old faves. Whopper with chees for me, Double Bacon cheeseburger for DD and Chicken for DS.

My plan was just to go for a couple of hours and maybe a couple of pints and then spend some more quality time in the caravan on me todd. However the entertainment was very good and I ended up staying till chucking out time. The Variety show was the lads and lasses of the Funstars (Haven's equivalent of the Red coats) and they did a show called Chartbusters. A trip through the ages of the 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s with all the costumes and top tunes of the decades.

The evenings cabaret act were former X factor contestants 2 to go. As I never watched the first series of X factor, I hadn't heard of them but I thought they were really good. They are Emma and Pete. I thought Pete was amazing as not only is he blind but he plays the keyboards, sings and plays Sax. They announced that they would also be doing Friday night so I was looking forward to seeing them again.

Another feature of the Haven holiday experience is of course the Tiger club with its chief member Rory the Tiger along with all his other jungle friends - Bradley Bear, Anxious the Elephant, Greedy Gorrilla, Naughty Ned and Polly. every night the kids get to join in the party dances with the Funstars and the characters. Although you try hard not to, in the end you can't help but join in and although I probably shouldn't admit it, I remember all the moves to them all.

Saturday - Those trains again

2006-10-30T11:07:00.000Z

As all jembie journeys recently it just couldn't go smooth could it!
DD went to Ange's on Friday night as she was travelling with them in the car but me and DS had to catch the train which was leaving Derby at 10.49am. I had already ordered our tickets and we were to pick them up from the machine at the station. We got there in plenty of time and although I was scared of the damn machine, I got my tickets without a hitch. We even had reservations so as to cut out the seating hassles- Or so I thought.

The train was dead on time and we boarded to find our seats...Guess what? Surprise Surprise! as it was a Virgin train we were travelling on, they had had problem with the computer. Not only were our reservations not made but we were booked on Coach D and there wasn't even a coach D!!!
Luckily though we managed to find 2 seats at a table once we persuaded a German man to move over and let me sit down. The train got very packed and I was grateful that we got on at Derby as further passengers had to stand. I wouldn't have fancied standing all the way to York.

So we settled down in our seats and got comfy with our MP3 players and our food. DS had his magazine and his Nintendo DS.
As we passed through Leeds, I got a text from DD saying that they were at the camp already. We still had the second stage of the journey to go. We had to change at York and then again at Scarbro' It would be another couple of hours before we would hit land.

When we eventually reached the park we met up with the rest of the family and had a drink in the bar. Soon we had to get to the caravan and do the unpacking - Well sod that I decided to just leave everything in there. DD and I were sharing a room and there wasn't room to swing a gerbil let alone a cat and it wasn't worth getting everything out. I just shoved the cases under the beds out of the way.

I had made the decision that for the first night we should all eat together. We all got changed and went down to the bar/restaurant and got a table. There was quite a good menu and most the meals were priced between £6-10. I went for the traditional Bangers and Mash which was absolutely gorgeous. DD had CHees and Tomato Pasta and DS went for the Sweet and sour chicken.

After the meal, the children spent some time in the arcades and we went into the Showroom. The good thing about going to a Holiday camp (Haven on this occasion) is the evening entertainment. In fact it is that good that you have to get there early for a seat. We couldn't find any spare tables anywhere so just had to find some spare chairs in a corner. We got chatting to a woman there who actually owns a caravan on the site and wasn't happy that she couldn't get a table to sit at even though she pays £3000 to the camp every year.
I enjoyed most of the show but the cabaret were awful and I ended up leaving to go back to the caravan because I just couldn't stand them any longer.

The rest of the family got back to the van about an hour later as they wanted to stay for the Party dances at the end of the night. Party dances which after a week of it I am quite ashamed to say that I do know off by heart...

I'm Baaaaack

2006-10-29T12:59:00.000Z

Well If you have missed me (Which I seriously doubt) You will be pleased to know I have been on a short break up North.
I didn't mention it before I went as I was a bit cautious to let the world know my home would be empty for a week. You can understand now what all the laundry stressing was about. I ended up going to the Laundrette after all and paid £10 to do 4 loads of washing. I am also envisioning a long trip tomorrow to wash all my dirty holiday stuff as well as the kids uniforms in time for school on Tuesday. Fear not though as the washer is still be under warranty and so I will be able to get an engineer out to sort it next week.

So a week long entry coming your way soon to share with you the ups and downs of our Hi-de-Hi Holiday in North Yorkshire.

Laundry update

2006-10-20T21:21:00.000+01:00

It seems I wasn't as handy as I thought. The washer kept spewing different error codes at me and in the end locked up completely.

I had to pack in all the 4 loads of washing that needed doing into a suitcase and drag it up to the laundrette.
When did it get so expensive to wash clothes? I took a bit of change with me but it turned out to be £3 per washer...How on earth do the residents of Albert Square manage???? It cost me £10 altogether then I had to drag it all back again and my back is just about done in. Can't wait to get into bed tonight but I bet I will be stiff in the morning LOL

By the way, anyone want any Chicken soup? I seem to have made enough to feed an army

Washing Machine engineer - ME

2006-10-20T10:06:00.000+01:00

The last thing I wanted to be doing today when I have so much to do is be on my hands and knees servicing my Washing machine.
I have about 6 loads of washing to do. I put a load of towels in first as they are quicker to wash but longer to dry. I went off to do some dusting only to come back and find the washer lit up light Blackpool Illuminations. So went to the draw to find the instructions to find out what FP means and of course they weren't where they should be. Oh yeah I found the instructions for the Dryer; Fridge Freezer; cooker; my old stereo from 3 stereos ago; my old Camcorder; Kettle; 3 sets of toaster instructions but no Washing machine. I turned the house upside down looking in all the usual places for these kind of things and finally found them in the cupboard in the living room.

According to the pretty lights, It was the water in hose that was blocked or the filter was blocked and stopping water coming in. So I got the washer out from the wall (EWWW!) and checked all the connections but they were all fine so the next job was to get down on me hands and knees and open up the filter.
I gathered up all the dirty clothes from the floor to put underneath and catch the water. Before I knew it, I was knee deep in water - It's no wonder the blessed thing wasn't working. So after several goes at rocking the machine so that all the water flowed out, I cleaned the filter and put it all back together again.

Now it is all working thank god! The last thing I needed today was to have to take a trip to the Laundrette.

So clothes sorted, shopping sorted, just got the worst jobs to do which is the vaccuuming which I hate so much because I am already in considerable pain with me back and bending to vaccuum is only going to aggrevate that.

No doubt I will post another entry later but I promise not to moan too much...

Life is a Rollercoaster

2006-10-16T17:30:00.000+01:00

After the upset and misery of Fridays unsuccessful job interview, Saturday brought me my second lottery win in 2 weeks. Another tenner to add to the holiday fund. Made me a bit chirpier anyway

It is weird, I gave up playing the lottery regularly years ago but it is only since that spider dream that I have started playing again and 2 wins in 2 weeks is really good going especially as lot of people can go for months and not win owt at all.

How manay weeks to make me a millionaire then if it continues???

Sorry you have not been successful

2006-10-14T13:21:00.000+01:00

Par for the course for me really. I thought myself lucky to get an interview at all. The amount of application forms I have filled in and CVs I have sent off and cover letters I have written in the past year this is the first actual interview I have got to in months.

It started off badly with the fact that it was Friday 13th. I was still pretty positive though. I put me best clobber on, did my hair even wore me best coat.

I thought the interview went well. I managed not to blank too much and the couple seemed pretty positive when I left. I had decided not to tell anyone just in case I jinxed it but when the call came about 7pm It didn't make any difference. I am at the point now where I feel like giving up this whole job-hunting business. It's OK the government telling me I have to go to work but if no one will give me a job what can I do.

I have to say that this is the first time rejection has really upset me and I actually broke into tears when I put the phone down...the realisation that I am practically unemployable I guess

Everyone knows that my ultimate dream is to have my own business but it's a catch 22. You can't start your own business without capital and you can't get capital without first having a job to earn that money to set up your own business in the first place. I am a bad credit risk too so I can't even borrow that money. I guess I will just have to keep suffering the rejection for as long as it takes

Rain Rain go away come again another day

2006-10-12T08:06:00.000+01:00

Wednesday was a terrible day. I had planned to go over to Debz' so we could go round to the Cash and Carry place together. She is managing to walk a lot easier now but wouldn't have managed to walk round and carry a basket.

I ended up having to take a taxi over there which I was a bit loath to do as it would eat into my holiday fund yet again. However I decided that if the rain was going to continue then it would be better for the kids to just come there from school and meet me then we could get a taxi home again. Debz house is just a 5 minute walk from school so they wouldn't get as wet as if they had to walk all the way home.

Everytime we go to the Cash and Carry it is a different experience. This time we got stuck behind a couple of women who were determined to look at every single item in the place. Deb on her crutches and me with the huge trolley that takes up the whole of the aisle with it wonky wheel that takes you everywhere but where you want to go. I could hear tutting behind me but I couldn't do anything. We were gridlocked for what felt like a lifetime and these women weren't in any hurry just to mind out of our way so Deb could limp past on her crutches.
I hate it when it is like that cos then I just want to get out of there so I miss seeing stuff and end up not getting what I went in there for.

In the end I spent £13 and only half of that was on Chocolate and treats. The other half was on household items (mouthwash; candles; batteries; tumble drier sheets; washing powder; socks) Incidentally when I got home and went through my receipt, I found that I had been charged for 2 extra items I didn't have. There were lots of stuff that was 10 for £1 and the cashier must have counted some twice. That is the other problem, you can't get the stuff out of the trolley quick enough so they just count it in your trolley which leads to those kinds of mistakes.

I waited at Debz' for the kids to come out of school and as they were drenched I got a taxi home straight away so they could get home and change into dry clothes.

Had to go back out twice in the rain, once because I needed potatoes for tea and then again because the electric went...I hate that when you are just settling down to the TV and it goes off.

Of course it is gorgeous today. Lovely and sunny outside!!

Hey It's nearly Christmas!

2006-10-10T23:52:00.000+01:00

Don't knock it! I have started buying presents already and that is a big achievement for me. I have decided that I am going to be on top of it all this year and just sit back and relax for the last week before Christmas day.

It is being helped by me being a member of this group. Most of you reading this are going to hate me but I am getting really excited about it already...I am going to make Christmas last as long as poss this year as I am always so busy running around that I don't get to enjoy it.

It's just a dreeeeeeaaaaaam

2006-10-08T00:54:00.000+01:00

There is a woman that I know that I envy so much, you would think I would hate her but I don't. I actually aspire to be her. She has the life I would love, the looks, everything in fact. I haven't seen her or spoken to her for so long yet last night my dream was focussed around her. She probably won't read this and even if she does I don't think she would realise that I was talking about her but if she does I want to apologise because in my dream she was Bev from Corrie. So as not to get confused from this moment on I will call her Bev.

The dream began when I was in this large Big Brother style house I had found something in the photocopier that belonged to Bev and proved to me she had been keeping secrets. I confronted her about these secrets but she pretended not to know what I was talking about. It appeared we were to be taking a Helicopter flight to Paris. Although getting in, it felt more like a space shuttle than a Helicopter (Not that I have ever been in one you understand) There were about 10 poeple in all. Some I recognised from Griffin events and some people I had never seen before - although in the dream I seemed to know them very well including another single mum with a small child.

The flight took off and was all going so well until we started to dive. The Helicopter was swirling round and round and descending at a great speed until it hit the ground. There was lots of smoke and screaming. I could feel myself trapped - my legs were numb and my vision was blurred. I could feel pain and my head was spinning. I stretched out my arms and was desperately grabbing at the grass and trying to pull myself out of the wreckage. It was then that I could see some kind of apparition before me. It appeared as a black mass of cloud floating towards me and as it got closer it took shape as a black Panther. It roared towards me and suddenly I could feel it on top of me and then the whole form seemed to enter my body. I immediately felt stronger and I kicked off the metal from my legs and jumped out. I stood and watched as the emergency services pulled other survivors from the pile of metal and loaded them into a mini bus. At this point I turned and walked away.

It felt like I was walking for hours when I finally found the city. I wasn't sure where I was but then I saw a sign for Anfield football ground and knew I was in Liverpool. I walked through the town (Which looked a lot like Derby to me!) I walked past a small group of people and then I heard someone shout my name. I turned round and it was Bev. I looked at the group of people she was with and noticed one of them was Will Young. As I walked over to her, he kissed her cheek and said he would see her later. She said she would take me to the station. She charged off through the town with me hurrying to keep up. I was just wondering to myself how she could walk so fast in those spiked 6 inch heels when I was rudely awoken by the postman at the door.

I lay in bed for a while running over the dream in my head. The irony of the situation being that I know in real life "Bev" can't stand Will so I can't imagine her ever wanting to get to know him.

I drifted off to sleep and drifted back into the dream. This time I was with DS. We were hunting for the Train station (still in Liverpool but not absolutely sure where the actual place I was seeing is located) and I was sure I knew where it was. I saw a sign for the Train station and charged off triumphant. We got there and found it was just a link to the station.

The link was just an MPV. We were invited to get in and put seatbelts on and the car roared off. It wasn't long before we reached the destination. Heaven knows where we were supposed to be. I asked the driver about payment and she pointed to a basket "Just make a donation is all we ask" I chucked a load of £2 coins in the basket and DS and I walked off.

We walked through a huge market where there was a large theatre in the middle. I recognised the voice coming from the stage and as we went to the front I saw that it was Will again. He waved and said "Hello there". I was about to wave back when I realised I was stood next to Bev and it was her that he was waving to and saying Hello. Before she could talk to me, I grabbed DS' hand and led him through the crowds. I saw there was an ice rink and headed towards it thinking we would see DD there. What I did see was My parents and of course there she was again - It was Bev with Will. They both hugged my Mum then my Dad and then skated off together.

I don't know what it was that made me wake up again at this point. The whole thing was rather crazy reading back and I can't think what it all means. I think Will might have been there because I watched Mrs Henderson Presents the other day but that is all that I can work out. I don't know where Bev came from or the person she was meant to be but the one thing is I am glad I got to see my parents again.

Is that what the Spiders were all about?

2006-10-06T07:24:00.000+01:00

To dream of a spider, denotes that you will be careful and energetic in your labors, and fortune will be amassed to pleasing proportions.
f you dream that you see many spiders hanging in their webs around you, foretells most favorable conditions, fortune, good health and friends.
To dream of a large spider confronting you, signifies that your elevation to fortune will be swift, unless you are in dangerous contact.
For a young woman to dream she sees gold spiders crawling around her, foretells that her fortune and prospect for happiness will improve, and new friends will surround her.

This past week I dreamed of Spiders 3 nights in a row. In the most horrendous of these dreams I was in my dining room and there seemed to be spiders everwhere. In the kitchen there was this huge Spider spinning a web that was encompassing the whole room and around the room there were various other Spiders hanging on webs.
In another dream there was a huge Spider the size of my hand running round the lounge and I was trying to hoover it up.

Now it may be that my inherrent fear of Spiders was just playing out in my dreams. I hate this time of year as it is when the Spiders come into the house. I sit in the lounge in the evenings paranoid that one is going to run out in the room and I spend my time by being distracted with imaginary things I am seeing out the corner of my eye.
I did the research and was pleasantly surprised that my scared of Spiders theme could also mean that I was maybe going to come into some money somehow.
Excited by this I decided to have a go on the Wednesday draw of Lotto. I don't think I have played on a Wednesday ever before but there is always a first time for everything.

Imagine my delight when I finally got round to checking my ticket last night to find that I got 3 numbers and won a tenner YAY!!!

Now what will I do with all my newly found wealth?!!!

2006-10-05T23:30:00.000+01:00

"What you need is a Shopmobility scooter!"

I always knew I would make a crap Nurse and I have proved it to myself this week. I think the thing is that I am just too darned lazy LOL

Last week my little (and by little I mean younger than me because she certainly isn't shorter than me ) sis had an op on her foot . So this week she has been housebound and struggling around on crutches. She has to take 6 weeks off work but even after a few days she is already frustrated going stir crazy.

I went up there on Monday because she had a problem with her computer that she wanted me to look at. It wasn't until it was nearly time for me to go home that I found exactly what the problem is. Someone else that uses the computer (Who shall remain nameless for obvious reasons) has been visiting some less than pleasant sites which have installed several little viruses. So my plan was to come home and research further then go back on Wednesday and sort the problem out.

I spent all day up there Wednesday. It was then that I realised I am crap at taken care of invalids. I found that although I would offer help with simple tasks...I always seemed to wait until it was too late and she had struggled to do the easiest of things herself. Although she said that she shouldn't rely on me as she would have to do it all herself when I am gone, I should still have made more of an effort.
I did go shopping for her though but on my return, I managed to not only lock myself out of the house but I locked them into it. I had to bang on the door until her landlady came down to let me in and then I had to post the keys through the door so that she could complete the task.

So she has her first appt at the hospital tomorrow when they will take the dressing off to see how it is healing. Hopefully things will be all OK and I am hoping that she will be able to come here at the weekend as I have to confess I never do feel very comfortable at hers with her other housemates...I never feel like I can relax...

Mr and Mrs Smith

2006-10-01T23:08:00.000+01:00

"Happy endings are just stories that haven't finished yet"

Although I bought the DVD in June, We only just got round to watching Mr. and Mrs. Smith this afternoon.
If you don't know this is the movie starring Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie.
I have to admit it was quite different to what I had expected but I really enjoyed it. I watched it with DD and as usual DS got interested towards the end. I thought that Pitt and Jolie had a huge amount of on-screen chemistry which obviously spilled over to the real world.

The movie has everything you could want. A bit of action, humour, romance and suspense.
My favourite scenes were the scene in the car and then the scene in the hypermaket.

Only gripe about the DVD is not enough special features for me. I like it best when they have an out-takes feature and maybe some interviews with the cast.

I will be watching out for the sequel to the movie and wouldn't even be surprised if there turned out to be a 3rd to complete todays trend of movie trilogies.

All the fun of the fair

2006-09-27T23:10:00.000+01:00

I have never really been a big fan of fairgrounds (Except for Il'son fair but that holds so many great memories for me it is a different kettle of fish altogether) so when Deb said she wanted to go to the fair I decided I would let the kids go and have some quiet time at home.
I changed my mind though as I thought it would be nice to have this one last family outing before Debz has her op. Things have been a bit mad round here lately too so I thought it might be a nice way to wind down from all that.

It was only a small affair. Ghost train, funhouse, waltzers, teacups, elephants, couple of hook-a-ducks, trampolines, Dodgems, shooting gallery, toffee apples, burgers and Candy Floss. It wasn't very busy either which was just the ticket as it meant no wiating to get on rides and you know how I hate crowds anyway.

DN enjoyed himself on the funhouse with DS. To get in you had to go up these wacky steps and DN had a bit of trouble so they stopped them moving so he could get up but even when DS went on I had my heart in my mouth a few times as I thought he was going to lose his foot or even fall backwards.

Deb and DD went on the Ghost train whcih was extremely noisy, as we stood waiting for them all we could hear were screams - not really sure if it was coming from them or not. After that the boys went on the Tea-cups and the trampolines and then everyone but me and DS went on the Dodgems. They certainly got their money's worth as they seemed to be o there forever.

Before we came home I decided to treat myself to some Candy Floss and some Cinder toffee to bring home.

Overall for a gal who doesn't like fairs, I had a pretty good time.

Fact Finders

2006-09-26T13:00:00.000+01:00

As if I wasn't taking part in enough market research programs and doing enough surveys, I have just signed up for Fact Finders

Basically I get a scanner that they call a wand and everytime I go grocery shopping I have to scan the item and input how much it costs, where I bought it from and whether it was on offer or not. You get so many points a week which you can ultimately exchange for gifts from their catalogues. The gifts do cost an humungous amount of points though so it will take a while before I can get that stereo system or mobile phone holder (Not that I want one but just saying).

I just had my monthly shopping delivered from Iceland so it was my first big go with the wand and I have to say it is very time-consuming and the frozen items were starting to thaw by the time I got them to the freezer (Not to mention the job of squeezing everything in)

Hopefully it will become a habit that I will just be able to fly through but I have to remember to scan every single item that I buy and also the kids have to scan all their purchases too.

Watch out for the next entry on the subject where I will be ranting about the bley thing LOL!

Sent to Coventry

2006-09-25T11:12:00.000+01:00

Another weekend of Public transport mayhem was abound as our whole mob descended on Cov to visit the Grandparents. I am beginning to think that we can't travel as a family without something going wrong . Things don't seem to go wrong if any of us travel separately but once we are all together any disaster that can will strike.

The service from Derby was fine, no hiccups there. Only when we got to Brum did it all start to go wrong.
We got onto our train that would hopefully take us to Coventry in the shortest time. When we got on it was apparent that we wouldn't get to sit down. So we found space in a vestibule (Why do we always end up near the toilet?!) We must have sat there for about 20 minutes when we got a message that they were late because they didn't have a driver. Then they found a driver but he could only go as far as Reading (Train was going to Southampton) then we were told the train wasn't going anywhere so everyone had to get off.
We changed our plan a little as Debz said we could get on the local train as there is a station near Nan's and we could just get a taxi from there. I liked this train as it was a new local train and very luxurious as locals go.

It went to plan and once we got off at the small roadside station a taxi soon turned up and Ange, Rob and the 3 kids all went off. Of course that left me and Debz waiting forever for the next cab and she ended up having to ring again.

We finally got to Nan's knackered and absolutely starving. A lovely meal of jacket spud and roast beef and I felt a bit happier.

It was a bit of a manic afternoon as we only had 3 hours before we had to get a train back. The trains on a Sunday really are atrocious these days I don't know how people cope if they have to commute on Sundays.

Coming home was just as traumatic. First of all we ordered 2 cabs for 5.45 but the first didn't turn up until nearly 6 and the second one actually had rung up my Nan for directions. He didn't arrive until after 6 and as Deb will confirm, I had a real big rant at him as I was now really fed up with the bad service we had gotten all day.
We needn't have worried anyway as our train was delayed by a few minutes going home. When we got on that there were no spaces to be found. Luckily as DNiece was falling asleep, Ange managed to find 1 seat, then as we got into Brum loads of people got off and we managed to find a few odd seats - Only to find that they were all reserved. Luckily the people to whom those seats belonged didn't materialise and only DNephew had to give up a seat and sit on my knee. So I spent the rest of the hour journey with him showing me his trick of pulling out a 2p piece from his arm/ear/head/tummy etc....

You would think that once in Derby it would all be over too but the queue for taxis was massive outside the station and where as the queue of taxis is usually massive there were none to be seen and they came in dribs and drabs. Apparently the reason for this is because the month of Ramadan has now begun so as soon as it is dark, all the Muslims are off home to feed their faces. No offence meant there by the way. They fast all day and can only eat once the sun goes down so I guess you have to be hungry by the evening. Follow the link as it has some very interesting info even I was never aware of.

I managed to get home for Casualty in the end.

Age is just a number right?

2006-09-23T01:24:00.000+01:00

Living with teenagers, you have to relate to things on their level and be interested in what they are interested. I find this incredibly easy a lot of the time because I seem to have a mental age of just 16.
I also enjoy all the same tv shows that they love and the channel that is mostly played on our TV is the Disney Channel.

For the past 6 months (or what seems like it) Disney have been advertising their brand new movie High School Musical. Sneak previews of trailers plus showing songs from the movie as stand alone videos. We practically knew all the songs (And dance routines) before the movie even had it's first play.

Tonight was the long awaited Premiere on UK TV of the movie so we all sat down in great anticipation.
How enjoyable it was. Like an excited teen, I was into it as I laughed and cried along with everyone else. It was almost like a modern day Grease. Boy meets girl on vacation and falls for her but then the holiday ends and they go their seperate ways only for the boy to find out that her family moved to his town and she is now at his school but his friends all disapprove. It even had the same "We go together like ...." type finale.

I won't spoil it by giving the rest away as I know you are dying to see it now I have told you how exciting It was.

It was so good that we ended up watching it again when it was repeated at 9.30pm

Oh and at the end of the movie the channel showed the trailer for High School Movie 2!!

Just wanted to add that I just went to IMDB to get the link for Grease only to find that HSM did actually have the working title Grease 3...Obviously I was a little closer to the mark than i realised...

Are there secrets inside?

2006-09-21T18:37:00.000+01:00

I was sat on a train to Nottingham this morning with my MP3 player blasting in my ears.
Alistair started singing Secrets inside and I seemed to go into fantasy movie mode. As if watching a soppy movie or soap when someone has just died, I was getting flashbacks running through my head of past poinient Griffin moments. One such moment that was recurring was the last time I saw him at the Bedford but it wasn't of him on stage but out in the bar. The moment that I tried to stifle giggles as Victoria slipped down the steps whilst trying to make a cool entrance. That moment seemed to be the one and only time I actually exchanged smiles with Charlotte as she too was stifling her guffaws. Not that I wish any ill of Vix it was just the intensity of that moment that made it all the more funny.

Another recurring scene in this emotional flashback sequence was of course of the very first moment that I saw Al sing SI at the Bedford. I was jammed in the corner on the sofa under the stairs with my jaw on the carpet swimming in a pool of drool. It is moments like that which will never return and make the whole of those 3 years so special.

Other moments that were recalled were that time in the Bedford when Caroline and I had that special moment chatting to Al on the landing. It was only a few minutes but he had come over to us and wasn't in any hurry to get away although we seemed to be but we were also steaming so that might have had something to do with it.

I was broken from the fantasy by a tap on the arm as the woman from across the aisle asked if I was OK. I hadn't even noticed that tears were falling down my face. I wasn't sad though, didn't feel maudling or depressed. I wasn't disturbed by the images in my head. They must have been tears of happiness, good memories passed that I can never get back.

It's all in the game

2006-09-21T09:42:00.000+01:00

When it comes to Cup football and Derby County, you don't usually get very excited. It was quite a surprise in the last round of the Carling cup when we (The Rams that is) beat Stockport County 1-0.

Round 2 was yet more lower league oppostion and yet more hesitance to get excited. Not that I don't support my team 100% but if you don't expect anything you don't get disappointed.
After an hour of play Derby were losing 3-0 and we knew it was curtains as far as this cup run was concerned - Fast forward to 94 minutes and we were drawing 3-3 after one of the most exciting 30 minutes of cup football this season ;-)

Going into Extra time Derby were down to 10 men as Lupoli had been sent off for 2 stupid yellow cards and it was obvious (From what the commentators were saying) that Doncaster were playing for penalties.

OMG I don't whether it is worse watching a penalty shoot-out of just listening to it. After 5 brilliant well-taken pen from both teams it was down to sudden death. I couldn't breathe and my stomach was in knots...I daren't move in my seat - 6 all, 7 all...Then the end came when Lewin Nyatanga scuffed his shot and sent it wide. The most annoying thing then happened cos normally in a penalty shoot out, when someone misses - the next player usually misses too but not of course when It is Derby.

So we are out of this year's cup run - Bring on the FA cup that is what I say!!

Do you have a Mayor in Nottingham? - I'm having a 'mare

2006-09-18T15:22:00.000+01:00

At last the time came for the day I have been waiting for since March. Will Young at the Nottingham Arena.
Ange & Debz went last year but I couldn't afford it, so this year I told them I was coming even if I had to pay for the tickets £1 a week.

When we got into Notts, the first thing we wanted to do was go eat. The only place we could find near to the Arena was Subway though and I HATE Subway. OK so the food is good and it is a lot healthier option than McDonalds or Burger King but there is so many questions and I get all flustered and don't know how to answer (that's if I can even hear what they are saying). We needed to eat though so I went along with it.
I took ages choosing something simple so that I wouldn't be bombarded with questions and when It was my turn I told him what I wanted and the first thing he said was "Which bread would you like?" ARGH!! I don't know. How do I know which one to choose. Surely if someone doesn't express a preference then you just give them plain? Then do I want single or double cheese??? What Salad? Sauce? Toasted or Microwaved? Drink? Free cookie? Which cookie? White chocolate or dark? My nerves were frazzled by the time I sat down.

After food we went to the pub across the road for a few drinks. As you might have guessed, this being the nearest pub to the arena - It was full of other fans and there was nowhere to sit down. It got even more packed when it started to rain and everyone who was sat outside came running in.
Luckily the rain passed and at about 7.30pm we decided to walk round to the arena and check out the support act.

When we got inside something struck me about the Will Young audience. Some of you might recognise this crowd. There were lots of families, married couples and women over the age of 30. Of course there were teen girls too but I think they were highly out-numbered. Nothing wrong with this of course and Will obviously has no objection nor do his management or record company...

We went and had a look at the merchandise. Of course if we didn't have to save our money for the Taxi journey home, we may have been tempted but even a keyring was £5. Ange was rather taken with the WY mugs but at £9 a time it was a bit steep. I really loved the black shopping bag with the tour logo on but it is a hell of a lot of money. We didn't even get a tour program as they were £15! There were some great t-shirts for this tour and there was even a tea-towel with an image on from Spin to win that I would have loved.

We went to take our seats. I couldn't believe how close we were. We were definitely going to get a good view.

"I wrote this in my kitchen"

The support act was a woman called Anna Krantz. She was a singer/songwriter who I decided was the female equivalent of James Fox. Very MOR Easy listening style. I don't think Ange was too impressed with her but I thought she was OK. They were selling her CDs along with the WY merch and at the end of her set she announced that she was doing a signing in the foyer but I can't imagine that many people would go up to meet her as they wouldn't want to miss Will. The women behind me had gone off to the loo when she finished but had to come running back when Will came on.

"It's a way to pay the bills
But I need to get my thrills"

When Will first appeared on stage I went all weak at the knees and quite breathless. The dancers appaeared first from the front of the stage. They were dressed as flight attendants and Will followed dressed as pilot.

Now you would think that with my last 3 years of Griffin gigs reports I would be able to bring you a good concise report with set list etc...but it all went by in such a blur that I can't remember the order of things or exactly what Will said.
I do know he was extremely good at playing the crowd. Some artists would see it as heckling but Will revelled in the shouts from the audience. Every time someone screamed "I love you Will" he would shout back "I love you too" and you know? I honestly believe he meant it. He seemed so humble up there. He made a remark about being just a little man and a bit of a nerd.
He is very quick witted too. Someone near to us shouted out "Show us your arse!" he replied with "You can see my arse, It's there"

The first set change came for the song All I want. He came out with a sexy pair of jodhpurs and a riding jacket. The trousers didn't leave anything to the imagination I can tell you. The funny thing is...He knew that. He loved shaking his little tush and thrusting his groin to tease his army of fans.

The next set/costume change came for All-time love. I think this was one of my fave numbers of the night. 3 huge black boxes appeared on-stage and as the music started they slowly opened to reveal Will dressed as a tin soldier slowly turning round as if he were in a music box. There was a Ballerina in each of the other boxes. ATL actually made me cry. My other fave was Spin to win. On the backdrop, comedy footage was played of Will playing the host of a 70's game show called Spin to win. On stage he had the backing singers at Game show style podiums and he and the dancers all wore 70's costumes and big 70s hair.
The dance routines were Awesome. Will certainly has the moves to go along with his gorgeous voice and as far as I could see it was all perfect. Will obviously loves his dancers and has great respect for them. Some artists just treat the dancers as props but he obviously expects it all to be like one big happy family on tour.

"I'm just a little person and a bit of a nerd really"

After Spin to win and then Who am I, it was time for a little acoustic session. There was a lot of banter at this point. Will introduced his singers and told the crowd that one of them (Brendan) was from Nottingham and had been doing toursof Notts for the crew that day. They then sang Stronger and Fridays child, I had forgotten how much I love that song and wish I could find my copy of the album to play it again.

The whole thing was over 2 hours long. There were lots of set changes and costume changes and huge dance routines. He sang the whole of the Keep on Album and a few tracks from Friday's Child and of course he had to do Light my fire. I was a bit disappointed that he hadn't done his cover of Don't cha from Jo Whiley's Live lounge earlier in the year but I guess that there was enough in there already.

When the curtains went down and everyone disappeared off-stage I realised he hadn't done Switch it on so that must be the encore...sure enough he appeared a few minuted later. In a fantastic outfit of very tight white trousers and black shirt. This was the best dance routine of the evening - a final bit of thrusting and butt wiggling to send the audience home happy.
When the curtains went down for the final time I was hot and sticky and exhausted. It was almost 11pm and as we had missed our last train at 9.41pm and our last bus at 10.30pm we had to settle for paying £25 for a cab all the way home. It was worth it though as it was a very comfy taxi and the journey was way better than the bus or train would have been.

I just want to say thanks to Ange for getting the tickets and Thanks of course to Mr Will Young for a fantastic night out - As Ange said, Can't wait for Next year!!!!

Mumum Dada, Mumum Dada...

2006-09-17T11:59:00.000+01:00

It felt quite weird leaving my own children at home to fend for themselves while I was off looking after DNiece & DNephew. The thing is if DD is old enough to look after them then there seems no reason why she can't stay at home with her brother.

DNiece was a delight to be with. Although Ange did say that she was a bit under the weather we had a great time. I get really frustrated though when I can't understand what she is trying to tell me although she tries her hardest to make me understand. That's not to say that there isn't stuff I could understand. She got a little book out that she likes to point to the pictures and say what they are. Her favourites being Cheese, Bananas (nanas) and Cat (Although technically it was a tiger but I wasnt about to confuse the poor girl)

After DNiece had gone to bed DNephew and I played a couple of board games and I could sense he was getting tired cos he was being a bit moany and more or less without a fight he toddled off to bed.
The one thing I can't believe is that with there 10,000 $ky channels, I couldn't find anything worth watching. I watched Kingdom of Heaven with the gorgeous Orlando Bloom but didn't really get it although it was worth just 2 hours of drooling ROFL!

The most entertaining part of the night of course was when Ange and Rob came home because anyone who has met my sister when she is drunk will understand...

Busy Busy Busy

2006-09-16T11:35:00.000+01:00

I have been very busy working on my store. It is ages since I buckled down and just worked all day on it. I still have to send my newsletters out though.

I have been mostly doing Halloween stuff but working on a few christmas things too.
My fave of all the Halloween stuff is this Boo design

I know that here in the UK we don't really go big on Halloween although the shops try to make us but it seems to be big business in the states from what I have seen of searching the Cafepress marketplace for other halloween designs.
Look at this lot

I had a go at some party invitations too

I don't think I will get mush more done this weekend though as It seems I have to babysit tonight and it's the big night out tomorrow!

Save the last dance

2006-09-15T06:54:00.000+01:00

The Only Person You Need To Be Is Yourself.

I think I have proved in the past that I am a big soppy wuss when it comes to movies. Thursday night though I seem to have surpassed myself.

I finally got to see a movie I have wanted to see for ages. Save the last dance - which stars one of my favourite American teen/coming of age/RomCom actresses - Julia Stiles

I was prepared that I might cry at some point during the story but it seemed to come at the times when nothing much emotional was going on and the floodgates just opened for me.

The movie is about a girl who is auditioning for a place at Juliard as a ballerina when her mother is killed in a car accident. She gives up dancing and has to move to Chicago to live with her father on the South-side where it is mainly a black population. She meets a nice black guy who is hoping to get away from the crime and become a doctor. I think that one line in the dialogue probably describes it better than I can when Julia's character Sara says
"We spend more time defending our relationship than actually having one"

You want random??

2006-09-12T09:22:00.000+01:00

I have been laid up with flu over the weekend... I love that phrase...Laid up. What does it mean exactly? I wasn't laid up I was laid down...on the sofa mostly.
Saturday afternoon I flaked out on the sofa to listen to t'Rams on the radio and snored my way through most of it...For the rest of the time I was either shivering or sweating or both at the same time.

I wanted to post an update last night but I was sat here watching Waking the dead when from out of nowhere appeared the biggest spider you have ever seen. I jumped off the sofa and creeped over to it but it ran off into the corner. So of course I couldn't sit in here anymore knowing that it could appear again from anywhere so I had to miss the end of the program and just went to bed. That was 10.45pm the earliest I have been to bed for ages. I have Freeview up in my bedroom and I couldn't find anything on any freeview channel to watch so I ended up turning it off and going to sleep about 11.15pm

Strange that I overslept this morning - Well not overslept as such. I woke at 4.30 when my alarm went off but can't remember any of MyTunes. I must have drifted in and out of sleep because I remember JK & Joel saying they needed more callers for Trucking Diesel and I was dreaming that I was in the studio with them (LUCKY ME!!) I was in a bed and had a baby in my arms. They were just sitting at a desk like they were in a staffroom. I said "If you don't get any more callers I will do it" and then Joel came over and put a headset on me. I woke up then and listeded to TD but then I fell back asleep and didn't wake again until 6.30

Oh well it's all good. DS was off yesterday but has gone back to school today YAY!

How was that for Random?

Its mine - ALL MINE!!!

2006-09-08T14:49:00.000+01:00

2 years ago i suffered a great tragedy...My trusty puter died. I was devastated. As I had been on my own with my children for nearly 10 years then, the computer was my lifeline. Also at that time we were still in the middle of Griffin Mania and the virtual world that was griffinfans.co.uk (Don't go there it doesn't exist) was the centre of my universe. Without my computer I felt like my arm had been hacked off.
I was in turmoil though because I could hardly afford to buy a new one. Unlike most people I couldn't even get a loan or an overdraft or buy it off my credit card.

That is when I discovered a company called Brighthouse that became my saviour.
They are a company that specialise in giving credit to those that can't get it else-where. Of course you do have to pay over the odds for the privelige and they charge a whopping 29% APR.
However they don't do a credit check on anyone, they just need the names and addresses of 5 referrences.
So I took in my passport and my tenancy agreement with my list of 5 people and came away with a spanking new PC with a fantastic monster flat screen monitor and a hard drive so big (Well bigger than I had ever known) that I thought I would never fill it (Ha thats what you think)

So after 2 years I finally paid the last £7 today and the computer is now all mine. I have added a couple of new things to it over the last couple of years like a DVD writer and a TV card and i have almost filled the 75gig hard drive but I feel that it is a total accomplishment for me that now it's mine and I don't have to worry about giving it back. (One of the great things about the contract is that if you get into difficulty with the payments you can give it back and they hold your payments then if you want to take it up again later when you can afford it you can)

We are sorry to keep you holding, your call will be dealt with as soon as possible

2006-09-07T12:35:00.000+01:00

Yeah that's what you have been saying for the last 20 minutes.
I was wound up when i picked up the phone and dialled but now I can hardly remember what I was ringing about. I am not putting the phone down though as i will only have to be on hold for another zillion hours when i get annoyed and ring again. I am writing this at 12.33 so i will see what time it is when they finally speak to me..Are you impressed that i am typing one-handed? Thankfully i can go back and correct typos later.

They could have some better hold music too cos this is driving me mental...some kind of cheesy lift musak....oooh I'm through!! 12.37

Well what a waste of time that was. Apparently I got my information wrong so I have been sitting in every day waiting for someone who was never coming in the first place GRRRRRR!!!!

Stupid, What's the score? Stupid, Stupid whats the score??

2006-09-06T23:41:00.000+01:00

Not that I am inferring that Macedonia are stupid or anything after all, How would I know as I don't have stupid $ky $ports!

OK England were playing against Macedonia tonight in a stupid euro championship qualifier but who's stupid idea was it to show it on Stupid $ky Sports so that I couldn't see it? Why can't the Stupid BBC show it too? Why did I have to miss that last stupid 10 minutes of the 4400 just to see 20 stupid minutes of the game and who's stupid idea was it to show it in a stupid box in the middle of the stupid screen so I could hardly see it on my stupid widescreen TV and while we are at it why was stupid Jonathon Pearce commentating and not John Motson?

PS England won by the way - 1 goal to nil
PPS Crouch scored again
PPPS I hate $KY!!!

DON'T PANIC!!

2006-09-04T01:41:00.000+01:00

I was just flicking through the channels earlier to find something to watch when I came across The Hitch-hikers guide to the Galaxy. I have never really seen much of it (Actually I can't say for sure because I might have watched it when it was on originally but I was too little then) So I thought I would leave it on. I didn't realise that paramount 2 were showing the whole series in one night so here I am after having just watched every episode.
I think DD will vouch for the fact that it is actually very funny as although she was sat here at the computer, she was chuckling away to herself.

Now I want to get into it. I have been looking on Ebay to see if I can buy the whole thing in a box-set or something and I am also going to look into getting the recent movie re-make.

Now I am going to bed but I can imagine I will be dreaming about big fat green aliens, 2 headed men with 3 arms and Mice ruling the world (Or is that hairdressers LOL )
The web-site is really interesting, I could spend all night on there but I am not as I just said I am going to bed!

Self Service

2006-09-02T15:26:00.000+01:00

You would think that everytime I go to Somerfield I would learn not to use the Self service till but I just can't help myself.

Today the queue at the main till was so long I just couldn't be arsed to wait so as no one was using the self serve I decided to go on there. Of course I only scanned in 2 things before it started playing up and telling me to wait for the attendant. Well as you guessed, there is no attendant around so I am left standing there like a Lemon. It kept telling me take the item out my bag and put it back in again and it scanned one item twice and I couldn't get it off there.

I did it in the end but I am adamant that next time I will go to the normal human person to pay for my shopping

School shoes

2006-09-02T00:34:00.000+01:00

Got them!!
I had £15 left for DS's school shoes and lo and behold they were £14.99 so I have 1p left from my school uniform budget...what am i going to do with it?

I decided to not buy school shoes for DD as she won't wear them anyway so why should i waste the money? If she gets told off for wearing her trainers then she will just have to fork out and buy her own shoes.

I do have to buy them a few stationry bits but i can get them from the £1 shop and that won't break the bank ;-)

International blog day - Part 2

2006-09-01T14:31:00.000+01:00

As Nik has commented we should have blogged our 5 fave blogs I will give you them too

1 - Distant Aggravation
Because if it wasn't for Corinne and her fantastic Blogging adventures I would never have been inspired to start blogging for myself

2 - What's the Frequency
Without Nik I wouldn't have anyone to steal ideas off of would I?!

3 - Sibri's World
Because we have been friends for 20 years and that is an accomplishment in itself. The fact that we can now keep in touch through the wonderful world of Blogging is just amazing.

4 - Corners of my mind
I just love reading the stories of Rosie's travels and she takes amazing photos

5 - Tottyland
Have you seen the gorgeous guys that appear in this blog? Who wouldn't want to Bookmark this page??!!!

International Blog day - Well better late than never

2006-09-01T00:48:00.000+01:00

Nik says that Aled (from the Chris Moyles show) says it is (was) International Blog day and we should write a blog and link to 5 other sites.

OK then here we go

The best thing to do is link to the 5 sites that I know the best where you might find me hangin out if you are bored...

1 Cafepress.com
As I have been a Cafepress shopkeeper for over a year now I have to log on to find out how many millions I am earning (Yeah right) and I like to keep up on what other shopkeepers are up to as well as finding and giving help in the forums.

2 Myspace.com
I got pretty addicted to MySpace pretty quickly and I have noticed that there are a world of new and exciting bands and artists out there. Myspace is there for loads of different reasons. I use it to keep up with friends all over the country/World as well as check out new music and also to keep up with certain celebs who have profiles up there.

3 UnofficialMills
For the past couple of months I have enjoyed chilling out on the forums and talking not just about Scott but the whole of Actual radio1. It is a lot nicer than a lot of the forums I have been on and I love it. The site itself is very well done and is full of great info about Scott's career and also about Laura, Chappers and even Dave. Scott also hangs out there a lot too.

4 Last.FM
If you haven't got a Last.FM account then get one now. It is a great way to listen to music that you love as well as discover more new music. I have been on there for over a year now and I have discovereda lot of interesting bands as well as developing my own personal radio station and meeting other music lovers.

5 The Rams
Its where I go for all my Derby County news and I would be lost without it!!

When the past comes back to haunt you

2006-08-30T16:09:00.000+01:00

Idley walking through town, Griffin singing in my ears and my head wrapped up in some fantasy or another I looked up as I went up the steps into the market and suddenly I went into hyper mode. My heart was beating so fast I thought it would explode. My chest was tightening and my feet started walking so fast I am surprised there wasn't smoke coming from them. The rate I was walking I could have landed in Notts before stopping but I had to come to a halt to take a puff on my inhaler.

The reason for my sudden panic attack? I saw someone from my deep and murky past who I haven't seen since my Mum's funeral but obviously can still summon up a load of emotions for me.

Now my head is full of stuff I thought I had buried deep in the archives and I can't stop thinking about them.

My biggest thought - Why couldn't I take a deep breath and go over and say Hi instead of running off and ending up a total emotional wreck?!!!!

...Will be delayed by 20 minutes

2006-08-29T12:25:00.000+01:00

So we have had a lovely day by the seaside, we were knackered and our feet hurt so we decided to go get the 17.43 train home. I knew it would be a long journey as we had to change at both Chester and Crewe.

We got into Crewe with 15 minutes to spare so we ambled to the platform. So as the time went by the train was nowhere to be seen and an announcement came over the tannoy that it would be 20 minutes late. I really needed to sit down and as time went by even more there were more and more people arriving at the platform for this train that was just going to Crewe. half an hour later and the platform was filled with loads of drunken people. These weren't drunken football yob either. It was well-dressed people who I would have guessed had been at the first day of the races at Chester.

Finally the train arrived and the people all crammed onto it. It was full of drunks. We didn't get to sit down at all and there was loads of noise and swearing and drunken singing. I was very embarrassed by it all and added to the fact that I was exhausted and desperately needed to sit down so this made the whole experience even worse. For some reason the train wasn't moving we guessed that the alert of cleaners meant that someone had thrown up somewhere on the train but it seemed an age until the train finally got moving. I had to face facts that we had most likely missed our connection from Crewe.

When we finally reached Crewe at 19.30 we found we had missed our train home and the next wasn't until 20.50
What do you do in a dirty old train station when you are all exhasusted and hungry and spent up? Not a lot I can tell you...

It was about 10.30pm when we finally got home. Sausage cobs for everyone then a bit of CSI on the TV before all crashing out. Believe me, I didn't see much of Sunday

Fish and Chips by the sea

2006-08-28T01:25:00.000+01:00

All through the holidays the one thing that has kept us all going has been looking forward to our trip to the seaside.

Just like last year we decided to go to Rhyl. We panicked a bit a couple of weeks ago because they have changed the schedules so we had to go on a Saturday instead of Sunday. Unfortunately Ange decided that they wouldn't be able to make it after all as she has too much to do so it was just Me, Debz, DS, DD and her friend.

The journey there was very smooth. No problems with the trains and we arrived at about 12.15 which gave us a good 5 hours to have fun. We all went for lunch first before we split up and went our separate ways.

I felt a bit sorry for DS as he went off all on his todd but he seemed quite happy. I wouldn't have minded him tagging along with me and Debz as we would probably be spending most of our time in the arcades anyway.
Well actually we did spend most of our time (and money) in the arcades. We love the 2p machines you see. You know the money fall kind of games? You put your 2ps in and a slider pushes it into a big pile with all the rest. If you are lucky it will be the one that topples all those hanging over the edge.

These days you have the added bonus of all the little prizes that are also inside the machine. This is what drives me on as I would be playing for the keyrings and if I stood there all afternoon and put £'sworth of 2ps in I wouldn't stop until I got what I wanted.
I did quite well in the end I got an England flag keyring, a cheap looking Bart Simpson keyring, A dolphin keyring, a squashy stress reliever keyring and a spiky ball keyring. Debz also gave me 2 cheap metallic looking ghost keyrings as she didn't want them.

We took a break from the arcades for a bit and went round the shops (I have a special blog entry to make about that) then we decided to go and have a sit down for half an hour in the pub.

This isn't somehting I am used to doing usually. Since I have had the kids I have not really been able to go for a drink on a day out but as it was just the 2 of us I thought it wuld be nice and our feet were killing us so we needed to give them a rest too.

At 5pm we met up with the children. Debz had promised ice creams so they went for ice cream and Deb decided to treat herself to a burger. I was seduced by the smell of donuts so I bought myself 5 donuts for £1.50 (No I didn't eat them all at once)

Posting this now but will finish tomorrow as I have lots more to tell you...

Whoodoo? What Whoodoo??

2006-08-23T15:59:00.000+01:00

So last night was Stockport County Vs Derby County in the first round of the Carling cup.
In the previous 4 years Derby have played lower league opposition in the first round and lost.

I wasn't expecting miracles. So far this season we have lost won and drawn and the new manager Billy Davies has been making a lot of changes. I have to admit that I was listening only half heartedly to the commentary on BBC Radio Derby and I was prepared for the disappointment of what was to come. They seemed to play well in the first half and scored courtesy of Club captain Michael Johnson.

Of course as usual they played a totally different game I the second half and listening along it was only a matter of time before the other team equalised then sneaked another for the win. So imagine my surprise and Great Joy when the final whistle went and The Rams were declared victors. Through to the second round and looking forward to a good run this year with perhaps a visit to Stamford bridge or Old Trafford or maybe even a visit to the new Emirates stadium on the cards. I hope I am not jinxing it by saying that...

2006-08-23T03:13:00.000+01:00

It's 3.08am and I am still up. I am going to be in a mess in 2 weeks when the kids go back to bed. I have been writing some autographs letters and trying to decide what I am going to do as to putting stamps on for reply postage.

No I am not having a competition with Mr Joel to see who can stay logged into Myspace the latest although I think he actually logged off ages ago.

I will write a better entry tomorrow to celebrate the fact that Our beloved Rams won their game today which is the first time in 4 years that they have gone through to the second round in the League cup!!!!!

Sinchronicity

2006-08-21T01:21:00.000+01:00

There has been so much good tv recently and I haven't even blogged it!
How can I have got to the end of this wonderful series wothout actually talking about how good it was?

So anyway. Sunday nights 10PM on BBC Three. Sinchronicity starring Paul Chequer and Jemima Rooper from As if.

Paul plays Nathan who has fallen in love with his best Mate Jase's girlfriend Fi (played by Jemima) Nathan also finds out that Jase is Gay and having an affair with a rather dishy doctor by the name of Mani (played by teachers star Navin Chowdry)

The series is all about the chaotic lives of Nathan/Jase/Fi and concluded with an excellent Sliding Doors style finale. I really hope that there is scope for a second series but if not then I hope that Paul Chequer gets cast in something else pretty soon. I think he could very well fit into EastEnders as maybe a new love interest for Sonia or Carly. Or even how about The Bill as a new sexy young Probationer...

Premonition or Coincidence?

2006-08-19T01:05:00.000+01:00

My body clock is pretty messed up at the moment. I am going to bed really late (As you see by the timestamp on this entry) and so getting up really late too.

Thursday morning I went to bed after early breakfast with JK and Joel and dozed off during Moyles.

Now I have to tell you I have a friend called Brian who I have known for 20 years but I haven't seen him for quite a while and haven't seen him for even longer...

In my dream I was with JK & Joel and we were going to stay with Brian. He lived in a house that was situated within a school. Several things jump out at me at this point.
1) Why am I dreaming about Brian
2) Why has it taken this long to dream about JK & Joel
3) Why is Brian living in a school?
Anyway. We were shown to our rooms and then I heard singing and noticed that Joel was running round the halls naked in just a small towel ( As in that Lynx ad) There was lots of screaming from distraught teachers. JK (Who was looking exceptionally HOT in this particular dream) had to restrain Joel and as Brian called us together to explain why we were there, Joel was having a great time flexing his pecks and showing off his (Apparently) new found buff physique.
Unfortunately this is where I was woken by some silly bint at the door who didn't even know where her friend lived and when I went back to bed to continue the dream sadly it wasn't to be.
I did however manage to conjure up the last image from the dream in my head and managed to hold it there for most of the day.

Now for the spooky part...I found my phone in my bag with no power so switched the battery over and when I turned it on there was a text from Brian...OUT OF THE BLUE!!!

So what happened? was it just coincidence that I should dream about him then he texts me? Was is a spooky premonition that I was going to hear from him? You Decide!!!

Tips for going to Theme Parks

2006-08-16T23:45:00.000+01:00

Number 1 - If you are planning on going on any kind of water ride, DO NOT WEAR DENIM!!!

So Tuesday was our annual family day out to Drayton Manor Park and zoo. It was planned for months and everyone was looking forward to it and getting really excited.

We arrived at the park just after 10am before the rides had even opened. We had a plan, DS would go off with Ange and Rob around the younger area of the park and DD would come with me and Debz around the bigger rides.

Last year (As you may remember if you have been reading that long) we tried out the G-Force ride. It was a 3 hour wait for a 10 second ride. This year we had no desire to go on again and decided that we were going to go on the ShockWave. Now contrary to what JK and Joel might believe, The Shockwave has in fact been at Drayton for 14 years and is not - as they said on their show on Monday - new this year. Debz has in fact been on it the year it first arrived but I have never been on before.

Debz had persuaded DD that she should come on it and although she had been telling me for weeks that she would, when we got there she wasn't so sure. However we convinced her that she would regret it if she didn't and although it is really nerve wracking while you are waiting...It is all worth it and once you are on it goes in a flash.
We all felt a little sick while we were waiting but the queue wasn't very long and soon we found ourselves being trussed into our seats. DD was shaking severely but I was sure that she would be fine.
As I said, the ride is over in a flash and the adrenaline rush is well worth it. DD was in fact glad that she had followed us on the ride.

After the Shockwave we headed for the StormForce 10...A little more exciting twist on the LogFlume theme. Last year we went on and we hardly had to queue at all. This time we queued longer that we did for the Shockwave. We knew we would get wet as that is what it is all about but I wasn't quite prepared for what was to come.
I ended up sat in the back of the car next to a bloke who was with his girlfriend. As we were travelling up the first incline, we both realised that we were the ones that were going to feel the force of the water first. At the top, you are turned round and the boat comes down backwards.
As we fell backwards, we hit the water and I felt my back get soaked but then a huge tidal wave hit from the side and we were drowned. The water was so cold and I gasped in shock as I was soaked through to the skin. I struggled to get my breath and everone screamed as we seemed to have taken on a whole boat of water. At this point I wanted to get off because you might have guessed by now that I made made the stupid mistake of wearing my Jeans and my denim jacket.

The first thing I wanted to do when I got off of the boat was to take my inhaler...the second thing I would have liked to have done was change out of my clothes and wrapped myself in a nice big warm towel...I had to settle for paying £2 for 3 minutes in the human drier. I had never tried it before as I had never been wet enough. It was quite a nice experience. It is like a little tanning booth with infrared lights and a big drier...it did managed to dry my hair and make me look less of a drowned rat but my jeans were still sticking to me and my jacket was never going to get dry. The only draw back of the dryer is that everyone can see you - I thought they should maybe put a door on it so that you can dry in private and it would intensify the drying process too.

After that we didn't really want to go on anymore rides. We had had our thrills LOL

We met up with the others and had lunch then went round the zoo. We got to see the Penguins feeding time which was really cute as they had lots of baby penguins who are very enthusiastic at dinner time.

We also got to see the reindeer that they have not long welcomed to the Zoo. I think that made DD's day...

The reptile house was amazing and I got some great pics there too...

The rest of the afternoon seemed to fly by. Lots more rides were had by the kids and by 6 o'clock when the park was closing we were all exhausted. I could hardly walk as my feet were hurting so much and I was looking forward to sitting down on the train home.

The only bad part of the day (Apart from the fact that 6 hours later I was still very damp and very cold) was there was mix-up with ordering of taxis and although Ange and Rob got to the train station pretty early, the other 4 of us were left waiting another half an hour and the taxi driver had to go round at breakneck speed and run 2 red lights to get us there in time for the train.

In the taxi home DD said..."Can we go to Drayton Manor next year?"

I wish I had a shower

2006-08-15T06:57:00.000+01:00

A random title I know but I am off out later and my plan was to get up early and have a bath while listening to JK and Joel (As you do)
Well got up and there is no clean towels so had to put the towels into wash on a quick wash...they finished and now they are in the drier... All the time this is shortening my actual time for getting ready to go out cos I am going to be in the bath at least an hour where as if I had a shower I could be in and out in 15 minutes.
All this means that I am going to end up going out with wet hair or I will get all flustered and hot and bothered trying to dry it.

Free Sample - AND THEN SOME!!!!

2006-08-15T00:37:00.000+01:00

On August 8th I applied for this offer

I love Pantene and I love trying out new Hair products.
I expected those little bottles that are enough for 1 wash or even just sachets but when It came today, the postman had to knock because it wouldn't go through the letterbox.

That is just 1 week and you get Full on Full size bottle of the shampoo and Conditioner which will do me very nicely THANK YOU!!!!

Gotta have a dream

2006-08-13T11:55:00.000+01:00

I have been having some weird ones lately.

The other night I had 2 very vivid dreams. The first dream was very deep and dark and I woke up crying my eyes out. I can't remember the dreams actually involving anyone I know.
I was trying hard to stop my 2 best friends (In the dream) from splitting up. There was lots of fighting and throwing of stuff and in the end they stayed together but dumped me. I lost my home and had to move into a smelly hostel. I had loads of bags of stuff and I remember lots of shoes. They were all men's shoes and they were all the left shoe!
In the hostel there was only 1 toilet and it was right in the front of the building. There was a door on it but it didn't work so when you were in the toilet all the weirdos would come and keep opening the door. As I said I woke up crying and then just couldn't stop crying for about half an hour.

I got back off to sleep eventually and the second dream I was a detective or an FBI agent of some kind. We were doing a stake out of a book store and had planted some secret papers to watch who came to search for them. As we watched I could sense that Alistair was near me watching me. When the criminal came and took the papers, it turned out to be Vicki Griffin. She was arrested and I realised that Alistair must have been there as a distraction for me...proving that he still can be I suppose.

Last night another dream. This was also very intense and seemed to be really long and drawn out.
I was part of a theatre company. I think I was part of the backstage crew. In the middle of a performance, the ceiling came through and the whole lighting rig came crashing down as well as all the water pipes. I remember that all the girls were dressed as can-can girls.
It is all a bit of a mash-up in my head now. I kept locking myself in the bathroom and there were these workshops going on in the dining area. There was also this bit where I was nearly car-jacked but when the thieves realised I was from the workshop they backed off (Surprisingly as I don't drive in real life)

I don't understand what any of this means. How does our brain make up all these people to put in our dreams? I never seem to dream much of people I actually know and when I do, it is random people I probably haven't seen for ages or only even met once.

I know the kinds of dreams I would like to be having but they just ain't happenin' at the moment...

It's oh so quiet...

2006-08-10T18:22:00.000+01:00

I have been sat here idly at the computer all day. Not really achieved much but I just looked up at the clock...6pm...I realised DS went to his mate's last night and hasn't been home all day.
OK so said mate only lives across the road, I could stick my head out the window and he would hear me from mate's bedroom.

I thought shall I just see if he comes back soon or should I go across and speak to the mum. Would it be really cheeky of me if I just idly forgot again?

I decided it was only good manners to go across and see if they were alright.
She has fed and watered him and they are playing happily upstairs so I have come back to my computer.

I could have done so much here with the house to myself all day but I just didn't realise...It is ironic really isn't it that when we do get time to ourselves, we just waste it.

So I am cooking for just me and DD - and who knows what time she will be home!!

Aint no pleasing you

2006-08-09T11:22:00.000+01:00

OK so at the beginning of the holidays I gave DD and DS a lecture about not wasting the holidays by sitting around the house for the entire 6 weeks. I was expecting to see them for some of it though. DD has been out all day everyday and I have hardly seen her at all. Add to that the fact that she never eats before she goes out which means she doesn't eat anything until she gets home about 7pm.

DS on the other hand has to be moved with a crane. If he does go out it is only to the house across the road which is hardly getting him any exercise is it.

At the beginning of the holiday I gave them a challenge that if they could clear the back garden for me then I would give them a fiver each but as you can imagine nothing has been done as DD is never here to be doing any work.
Ultimately I am glad she is out with her mates having a good time as I would go spare if she were under my feet the whole time.
We haven't even made our obligatory trip to the museum yet...

If it's not one thing....

2006-08-08T09:49:00.000+01:00

.....It's another

Since my horrible varuca experience, I have been OK until this week where i seem to have developed a horrible growth on my leg. I would guess that it is a nasty reaction to a bite of some kind but it started off as a spot about 5mm in diameter but now seems to have grown to about 3 inches in diameter and still growing. I could cope with that if it wasn't for the nasty gloopy green stuff that seems to be sitting in the middle of it.
I can't believe that I have reacted like this to a bite as normally they don't bother me at all. They itch a bit but then they disappear after 24hrs. This thing has been growing since Saturday night.
I have taken to rubbing in Dettol cream around the red bits which is soothing the pain a little but I really don't want to have to traipse to the doctors with it. A friend suggested asking the pharmacist but I find it a little embarraing hoisting up my trouser leg in the middle of the chemist, especially as it is just by my knee. maybe I could take a picture of it on my phone an show that to the pharmacist LOL

Apart from hideous growths there is nothing else in my life to report.
I have done nothing and been nowhere. The holidays are long and boring when you have no cash.
Believe me if anything exciting does happen, you will be the first to know...

Snakes on a plane

2006-08-05T15:29:00.000+01:00

Hi everyone!

We're excited to announce that New Line Cinema is partnering with CafePress.com to permit fans of Snakes on a Plane to become official licensees of Snakes on a Plane merchandise - creating a unique program in the true ‘citizen’ spirit of the movie. This interactive promotion allows our network of over 2.5 million members to unleash their creativity to transform Snakes artwork and ideas into unique gifts and share in the revenue stream. This completely unique approach to fan licensing, has never previously been embraced by any motion picture studio.

Snakes on a Plane Fashion report

Quickie

2006-08-04T10:21:00.000+01:00

Had a letter from my housing association this morning about a merger with other associations. There are some meetings for tennants but they are way too far away for me to get to.

What appalled me was the amount of bad spelling and bad grammar in this letter. This is supposed to be a professional organisation and they are letting letters like that go out to their clients.

I suppose it is the dumbing down of society - probably most of the tennants won't even notice the mistakes.

A bland new week

2006-08-02T00:09:00.000+01:00

So here we are, the second week of the summer and all the days pretty much merge into 1.
Yesterday (Monday) I was up at the crack of dawn and realised that getting up while it is still dark is no fun without JK and Joel. James King is OK but can he do cool mash-ups? or an impression of Dev from Corrie? NO!!
The reason I was up so early was because I forgot to take the bin round Sunday night and neeeded to make sure it got emptied. Once I had got up and got dressed for that there was no point going back to bed and anyway I was expecting delivery of my new Tumble dryer so the kitchen had to be sorted and the old one put outside.

The dryer came at about 1pm and the lads who brought it were really nice. It was quite embarrassin though that they spent ages in my dining room looking round all my autographs on the wall. I thought I would never get rid of them.

Today the only event was when I ballsed up by not setting my new Gas card before I charged it so I have paid £10 and still don't have any gas until someone can come round on Thursday to reset the metre and give me £10 emergency credit. So tomorrow I have got to be creative and cook something that doesn't need the oven. I knew that buying that George Forman was a good idea. Tonight we had sausage sandwiches and I think tomorrow I will do Pork chops with Potatoes and veggies that i can do in the steamer anyway.

I never did mention the weird dream I had about JK and Joel did I? Me and Ange going to watch them at work and JK wearing something straight out of Dexy's Midnight Runners standing in the corner rolling cigarettes. All very Bizarre...

Being Auntie

2006-07-30T15:58:00.000+01:00

Saturday was an interesting one.
The Rams were playing Bolton wanderers in a pre-season friendly and Ange had 4 tickets. I sort of waded in and suggested she take DD with the spare ticket and offered at the same time to babysit for DNiece. DD was on babysitting duty in the evening as they were all off out to celebrate Debz' birthday. (I opted not to go - maybe i will post about that at some time in the future)

I was a bit worried as DNiece can sometimes be very clingy to mum sometimes and as I don't see her as often as I would like I don't think she is totally comfortable with me but I needn't have worried. Having DS with me helped as she loves him and was quite happy playing on the slide with him. We had a little game of kicking the ball to each other and playing skittles with the Fruit shoot bottles then we went inside.

We played Pe-Po for a long time then while I was in the other room she fell asleep on the floor by the front door and that is where she stayed for the entirity of the footie so it meant I could more or less listen to the game on the radio. She woke up about 20 minutes before they came home and i have to say it was the easiest babysitting job I have had.

When they returned from the match (Derby won 2-0 by the way) DS and I made our way home as they were all getting ready to go out and I wanted my tea.

It was really weird that it was the second night this week that DS and I had been the only ones at home. Of course it should have been only me but for some reason DS didn't get a place at camp this year. That would have been really weird...
So I let DS stay up later and we watched Bring it on together...I have seen it loads of times but it is a really good movie and we seem to be having a bit of a season of Kirsten Dunst at the moment. Bring it on again which is the sequel is also surprisingly good although Kirsten isn't in that one.

Passing on my knowledge

2006-07-26T14:28:00.000+01:00

I am so proud that DD has taken up my favourite pass-time of collecting autographs.

She received her very first reply this week to a letter that she sent to Actor Peter Wingfield.

It is made even more exciting by the fact that I was her age when I first started collecting.

I DID IT!!!!

2006-07-26T00:05:00.000+01:00

Over the past 36 hours I have had next to no sleep at all and have been sat here cussing and fuming at stupid technology.

I bought a Netplug networking kit to try and put an end to all the fighting over who's turn it is on the computer all the time.

The box says you can be up and running in 10 minutes...YEAH RIGHT!!! After 12 hours of nothing and doing a system restore about 4 times I gave up whilst mumbling under my breath and swearing never to try again but you know me...Of course I had to have another go.

This afternoon while everyone was out I tried it again and God knows what I did because both computers are still saying it's not workig but I can get internet and MSN on the other PC in the dining room now so WOOHOO!!!

I did want to reformat that PC and put XP on it but after all that trouble I don't think I will bother now, it is fine as it is...

Burn baby burn

2006-07-25T15:01:00.000+01:00

Every year I assure myself that I don't need sun cream yet every year I end up in agony.
Last year I went to Rhyl to see James Fox in a summer festival and came home burned all down one side of my body.

On Sunday, I went out with the family to the annual Co -op Fun day at my local park. For years we have been going to it. For the first 5 years or so I would be up at the crack of dawn on the Sunday morning to help fetch and carry and set up the Gazeebo. Since the kids left infants though and I have drifted away from the school I have been able to go down there and relax and have fun with the kids.

There was lots of rides and stalls for DNephew to spend his mum and dad's money. He dragged DS on the fun house and on the bouncy slide and on some other ride. DNeice was very happily sleeping in her buggy for most of the afternoon but when she woke she was over the moon with the new cuddlies that Ange and Debz had won for her.

There was also an arena where lots of activities took place.
There was the Stannage family. Young Aaron Stannage who is only 10 years old jumped his motorbike over a ramp and then over his mother. His dad Mark Stannage then set himself alight before jumping from a great height.
Then there was Bob Hogg and his sheepdog that likes to round up ducks and DNeice's favourite which was the Battling Cumberland Giants. She was clapping and cheering along (Until some very rude people came and stood in front of her.

We left eventually as it was just too hot and everyone's leg/feet were aching.

So I got home to find that I have burnt my arms and my forehead and nose and worst of all the top of my head which makes it very painful for brushing my hair.

It was a great day out though and I love spending so much time with my family...It should be like that more often!!!

School's out for Summer

2006-07-22T23:24:00.000+01:00

Friday the kids broke up from school for the 6 weeks holidays.
It has been fantastic weather over the last few weeks but today the storms came.
I had arranged to go see DN in his last swimming session as I always wondered what they did in play lessons. (besides, Ange still had my phone and I wanted it back)
It was as hot and humid as it has been which made walking to town really hard.
After swimming, we went and stood in the foyer of the sports centre and that is when the heavens opened. There was crashes of thunder and the lightening lit up the sky. We weren't going anywhere...
We waited for about 20 minutes but the storms weren't letting up. We all decided to just brave it and go. So we got drenched just walking to the top of town - You can imagine that by the time we arrived back home we were absolutely soaked to the skin.

The storms lasted about 2 hours and now it is just as hot and sticky as it was before the storms.
Good news is at least the children will have some great weather for at least a small part of the summer.

Twinkle, Twinkle little star

2006-07-20T14:34:00.000+01:00

Another chance for me to get all soppy and show off how proud of my children I am...

Last night was the school concert, We wouldn't normally bother with these things as it is a long trek up to school at that time of night but I was glad to go as DS was playing his Clarinet. I also invited Ange & Debz along and even DNephew came too.
As you know it was absolutely Scorchio last night and I had already changed clothes twice so it was a rush to get my clothes washed and dried and I wanted to leave in plenty of time so as not to have to walk too fast otherwise I knew I would be soaked and uncomfortable again.

There wasn't a very big turn out to watch but it wasn't really surprising as although there is lots of bands and musical groups, they more or less consist of the same few children.

The precedings were started as always with the school Steel band. I say as always as they are the school's pride and joy. They are well known in the city and have a great repuation. Most of DD's friends are in the Steel band but I think that has a lot to do with the fact that it was started the year they started at the school so who knows what they will do when this lot leave the school.

DS' first appearance came half way through the first half when he took part in the woodwind band playing the school Ballad (which was written by the music teacher) and the Gypsy dance.

There was a 20 minute interval so peeps could re-hydrate and go for wee/smoke breaks. During the first half we had also been treated to piano solos, guitar, Violin solos and the school choir.

The second half began again with teh Steel band and then before the woodwind section came out again, the teacher called out DS to the stage. I was quite surprised as he stood up there all on his own and played a superb solo piece - Twinkle Twinkle little star - He was very nervous but he was excellent. I had a big lump in my throat at that time and when he finished he got a great round of applause and some cheers and whistles too. I know that would have done hin the power of good as sometimes he just has no confidence in himself at all.

There was a bit more choir and guitar and the whole thing was finished off as it started with the Steel band and their signature tune which is the school song again written by the teacher himself.

We came away at about 8.30 and it was a lot cooler walking home than it was walking up there.

Guard the boat, mind the tide... don't touch my dirt

2006-07-19T13:55:00.000+01:00

I promised myself that once i got some money this month I would treat the kids and take them to the pictures as a reward for what an excellent year they have had. I also promised that I would not be tight and I would push the boat out and buy actual Cinema popcorn (Without having a mental breakdown when I saw the price of it)

It was a bit hard to get organised as DS had an opticians appointment at 4.20 and I knew that if he had to have new glasses then we might not make it. I also had to negotiate getting DD home before 6 without giving the surprise away.
DS did have to have new glasses but they wouldn't be ready in the usual 1 hour so luckily we were out of there by 5pm. When I got home I rang DD and told her she had to come home.

We got to the cinema in time for the 7pm showing of...Yes you guessed it...Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest.

It took me a whole year to watch the first film as we had watched half of it at Shona's house when we stayed there in 2004 for MML but we didn't get to watch the rest of it until much later when I was able to borrow it from a friend. So this time I decided we were going to watch the entire film altogether.

Before you ask, YES I did nearly have a coronary when I found that 1 bag of regular Popcorn is £3.55!!!! I had promised though so I gritted my teeth as I passed the cash over to the cashier. A whole McDonalds Value meal costs less than that, No wonder people prefer to take their own treats to the cinema these days.

The movie was fantastic. I thought it was a lot funnier than the first. Johnny Depp has to one of the greatest actors of today. I absolutely love Captain Jack Sparrow! You do forget that it is even Johnny under there.

Of course, after we see a movie I always ask the obligatory question of which is your favourite scene and we were unanimous on our answer this time. It had to be the Water wheel scene - in fact the whole of that sequence with the chest and the heart.

Pintel: [watching Norrington, Will and Jack fight whilst Elizabeth is screaming] How'd this go all screwy?
Ragetti: Well, each man wants the chest for hisself, don't 'e? Mr Norrington, I think, is trying to regain a bit of honor. Old Jack's looking to trade it, save his own skin. And Turner there-I think 'e's trying to settle some unresolved business twix him and his twice-cursed Pirate father.

I also loved the swinging cage scene too.

I couldn't believe it when the credits rolled though and DD said it was 9.45pm I knew the movie was a bit longer but I didn't realise it was that long. We stayed through the credits though because on Radio 1 entertainment news they had said there is a scene at the end so we waited and waited and those of you did the same will know what we were rewarded with for staying. The people sitting behind us had heard me say about the scene at the end and so they stayed too but weren't too happy LOL!

When we got out of the cinema it was getting dark but it was still so warm. We decided that we would walk back home and get some food from a local take-away.

It was well after 11pm when the kids finally got to bed but it was well worth it.

One Year on

2006-07-18T09:21:00.000+01:00

Well what a milestone this is.
It was One whole actual year ago that I posted my first ever Blog entry.

What a year it has been and as I read through previous entries - What a load of tripe I have written on some occasions. Sometimes I wonder why I do bother but there have also been some great memories some good laughs and a lot of tears shed.

I don't want to Babble on as it is just way too hot to sit here tapping away on my keyboard but I want to thank everyone who has stuck with me. I have a few regular readers that I want to say hello to and I want to say congratulations for sitting through all the crap that appears on these pages from time to time.

As summer is upon us the blog is going to be more dis-jointed than normal as I fight it out with the kids to get on the PC at all but hopefully there will be a few exciting adventures to tell you about and maybe a few interesting piccies if I can get the actual camera to work...

Stop delivering these letters to me

2006-07-13T23:47:00.000+01:00

For a while now I have been getting these letters that are addressed to someone else.
At first I just returned them straight away but I realised that the postcode is wrong and is actually the code for the opposite side of the street. So as the IR aren't getting it that this person DOESN'T LIVE HERE, I am now considering actually knocking on all the doors across the road to see if I can find the right person.
Ridiculous that they don't know their own address though...I also got a few letter for someone else with the same Postcode so someone is obviously really mixed up.

Going for Gold

2006-07-12T23:50:00.000+01:00

It's that time of year again when all the children donn their PE kits and have a go at School Sports day.
DS opted not to take part this year but DD was put forward to compete for their house in the Shot Putt.
How proud do you think I was when she brought home her Gold medal?!!!
She won points for her house too and the house was the overall winner at the Sports day.
An excellent end to the year if you ask me what with her getting a level 7 in her maths SATs too

Must try harder

2006-07-12T11:41:00.000+01:00

Well I have done my first actual radio show review for JKandJoel.net.
I was covering the Tuesday Drivetime show and you can find it here.

It was bloody hard work though. I never realised how hard it would be and I am not sure if I am up to the job for Thursday...I definitely think I need to try harder next time. It is hard to be honest and informative at the same time.
Maybe after I have had a few goes I will be ok...Let's hope eh?!

My reward for switching

2006-07-10T12:15:00.000+01:00

Remember ages ago when I got so mad with British gas that I switched suppliers there and then?
Well the other day I recieved a check for £12.50 from Energyhelpline.com
just for using them to switch..It was a very big and very welcome surprise I can tell you!!!
So you should pop across and see if you can save any money at all by using them to switch. They have a great comparrison for fuel suppliers as well phone and broadband suppliers too.

Additions to the website

2006-07-09T15:21:00.000+01:00

I have now added an Astrology page for all kinds of lovely little things including your Daily horoscope, Chinese astrology, Palmistry, Numerology and even a neat little Love compatibility test.

Check it out here

An evening out for a Proud Mummy

2006-07-08T13:27:00.000+01:00

Friday night was presentation evening at school and to my surprise, I received an invitation to attend, through the post. I wasn't surprised that one of my children was getting an award, I was surprised as I didn't know they had a presentation evening.

The presentation itself was at 7pm but the evening was to begin at 6pm with a buffet and drinks.

We arrived alittle before 6pm and I was glad we did as it meant that we could grab ourselves a table. Later arrivals just had to stand precariously around the room. I was so relieved that I had decided not to dress up as there weren't many people dressed up and it was way too hot for that.

They had the School Steel band playing (Don't they always) and we were enjoying it so much that the Assistant Head had to come and tell people that the food was there for the taking. Of course DS didn't waste any time and was front of the queue.
There was 100 pupils and their families and masses of food. There were also glasses of wine for the adults and orange juice for the children. After DS came back with his mountain of food, DD and I went to get some food too. There was so much to choose from like little cheese sandwiches; sausage rolls; cheesy rolls; pizza; mini quiches; tuna sandwiches; egg and cress sandwiches; little salad cobs; cucumber sticks; carrot sticks; cauliflour; broccoli; other raw veggies; chicken nuggets; vegetable nuggets; onion bajis and then there was a huge plate of little cream cakes of all varieties as well as a huge basket of fruit.

We sat down with our huge plates of food and listened to the band. At this point I suddenly felt very lonely. Lots of people were milling about chatting to other parents and I didn't know anyone. I did spot someone that I know. Her daughter was in the year between DD & DS but they were all in the same gang at infants school. We always used to walk to and from school together and they only live in the next street yet I haven't seen her for over a year. I kept trying to catch her eye and eventually managed to catch her as we were walking into the hall.

We took our seats and the presentation was immediately underway. DS was 3rd and they were speeding through it, I didn't even get a chance to clap him as he went up as I was too intent on making sure I could get a picture. There was a big massive screen in the corner (Which reminded me of being at a football match) and as the child came up to the stage their name and the award information came up on the screen. Unfortuantely I didn't get to photograph that as it was so quick. As I mentioned earlier, there were 100 children receiving awards so it went on for quite a bit but I knew quite a few of the children so that was nice that I could at least applaude other children I knew.

The guest speaker for the evening was Alan Brown. He is a former pupil at the school and is now known for being the executive producer on such shows as The Apprentice and Dragons Den to name but 2.
Even I found him very inspirational as he talked about his time at the school including a story about Brian Clough which brought a tear to my eye. He went on to tell about how he ended up working for the BBC and a small event which happened at school which mapped out his whole future for him. I was quite emotional and excited at the end of his talk.
When Alan finished, he was asked if he would do the big unveiling of the plaque to officially open the new hall as they have recently had it refurbished.

Drive-by plug

2006-07-07T08:24:00.000+01:00

So I have been a little distracted the past few days and haven't been posting as I should.
The fact is that I promised to get my site re-launched by the 1st of this month and I was nowhere near getting it finished. Bloody coding issues and the fact that it looked great in firefox and crap in Internet Explorer.

Anyway, it is half done so if you wanna look at it the address is www.freewebs.com/jembieram
I am trying to get myself a domain name, I even bought one but having trouble getting it directed at the site itself, think I have been conned to be honest...

There are lots of new features on there, Daily laughter column, Daily recipe with a main and a dessert, 2 free ecards pages where you can send as many as you wan t (Please do that as I could earn money from it ;-) ) There are also 2 t-shirt/Gift stores (As well as my JembieCreations store) one is a random store with all sorts of designs for just about any tastes and the other is a specially selected Summer store. Oh and don't forget my daily updated celebrity news pages.

Still to come is CD and DVD stores as well as a little general shopping portal to cover anything you could possibly want.

More updates to come.

Thank You!!!!

I can walk again

2006-07-06T06:11:00.000+01:00

I haven't mentioned this before as I didn't think that anyone would want to know but for the first half of this year I have been practically crippled by a huge verruca on the middle of my foot. The doc refused to do anything because he said that the location of it would mean they would make it worse.

I tried some of that Watner stuff that cost £12 and was supposed to freeze it off but it did nothing.

So a couple of weeks ago I bought some Scholl verruca gel just out of sheer desperation.
HOORAY!!!!! it worked. The horrible painful little bugger has now completely gone and I can walk again. It is going to save me a hell of a lot of money in bus fares although now I can't use it as an excuse when I don't want to go out...

Hot! Hot and even hotter

2006-07-03T09:23:00.000+01:00

Saturday was the school Summer fair. It was very hot and there was the England game to look forward to but I wanted to go up and support DS as he was performing in a little drama display. He also had some artwork displayed that I wanted to go and see.

I got up there a little later than planned as I had gone to draw some cash out the ATM and there was none there. Iwasn't happy so I came home again to find out why.

I was a little disappointed with the fair as last year they had a huge field full of stalls and events but this year there was hardly anything.
It had been Enterprise week at school and there were lots of projects that the children had made themselves with a little competition to see which group can make the most money.

There was a book stall; a stall selling little handmade bugs; a cake and biscuit stall; A basketball game; a jewelry stall; a couple of tombolas and a barbeque.

I stayed to watch DS in his little play but It was so hot I just couldn't cope with it anymore plus the added fact that it isn't fun just wandering around on your own with no money and being eaten alive by midges.

I took a slow walk home in time for kick-off

They think it's all over...yada yada yada

2006-07-02T12:06:00.000+01:00

I could post a whiny "Why we lost" entry or a moany "Bloody England" entry but I am not.
Along with most of the country I was hiding behind my cushion as our boys stepped up for the penalties but I guess it just wasn't to be.

They played like heroes in the second half with 10 men. Well done to Owen Hargreaves for being the only player to play like he meant it and the only 1 to score from the penalty spot...My new fave England player from now on!!!

The worst thing for me about when England go out of a tournament or when England lose a match even is that now for the next 6 weeks they will be tearing the whole thing to pieces analysing every little thing about it. The media won't be able to move on, they can never let it lie. Right up until the next tournament they will be picking at the team when they should just be looking forward.

I am not looking forward to Moyles in the morning so maybe I will find some other breakfast show for the next few days.

Some kind of weird and empty world

2006-06-29T06:02:00.000+01:00

Wednesday was a really weird day. It seemed to go on forever and then there was nothing to get excited about or look forward to at the end.
No football you see!!

I have been getting used to sitting down at 4pm with me Pringles to watch the next game (Whatever it may be) I didn't quite know what to do with myself.
So I did get a chance to listen to Scott Mills for the first time in ages and I decided to clip this week's Early Breakfast shows. Oh yeah and the Joe Cole jingle from Moyles which DD wanted as a ringtone.

Actually got to watch The Bill for the first time in ages too, not sure if I actually missed any...That new seargant who was snogging Sam Nixon seems to have disappeared. Then found out that Property Ladder was on at the same time as The Bill.

Have decided that the launch for the new look website will be July 1st...That is only 2 days but it gives me a bit of time to get it all together.

So easy to start something...Harder to finish it!

2006-06-28T06:39:00.000+01:00

So yesterday I decided I wanted to revamp my homepage Home of Jembie as I was getting bored with the way it looks. I troweled the interweb for some templates as I am too soft to try and write the whole code myself. Now I have so many that I like so I am trying them all out to see which one I like the best when finished.

Thing is I am getting bored with it now. Some of the templates are great but I think it involves too much work to transfer all the content into a new layout and make it look anywhere near OK. I have had to ditch some things that were getting old and tired anyway (I could do with a writer to write my articles for me)

I am persevering though and I will have it all completed in the next couple of days...I promise!
I am also adding a lot more pages which is exciting as I have had many ideas in the past for new content and more features but just haven't been able to incorporate them into the current design.

Seperated at Birth?

2006-06-27T06:27:00.000+01:00

Owen Hargreaves and Orlando Bloom????

Phew! We're through again...

2006-06-26T06:25:00.000+01:00

Ange told me the other day that they were going to the Pub to watch the game and asked if DD would like to start her babysitting career Sunday afternoon.
I wasn't keen on going to the pub really as I know I had no money. I would much rather have stayed at home with my pringles.

Sunday morning I wanted to go to the pub even less. It was very hot, I was running behind and the clothes i wanted to wear weren't dry (tumble drier has died completely now!)

I did get to the pub in the end with D, A&R leaving DD to look after DN&N (And DS of course)

The pub is really a bit awkward for watching footie. They have a TV screen up in the corner but the shape of the pub means it is very limited viewing. I thought I had got a good space until some bloke came and stood in front of me so I ended up sitting and watching it on the tiny portable.

When Beckham scored, no one was really sure that he had scored until all the players were running after each other and celebrating - That is when all the people in the pub jumped up and started cheering.

It was a bit worrying to see Becks throwing up after he scored but i thought it was just the heat...It is about 100 degrees out there and they are running around for 90 minutes so you can forgive him for feeling a bit off. I said all he needed was water!

So England are through again to the Quarter Finals and not a penalty in sight so far...

I think that if we get to the final then Frankie Lampard is destined to score the winning goal. He is trying so hard bless him...He must have had the most shots for a single player in the whole of the tournament so far - 1 of them has got to come good for him eventually

Lets Skate

2006-06-25T09:24:00.000+01:00

One of DD's resolutions this year was to go ice skating. Last year we were hoping to go to the large outside rink in Brum at Christmas but we never got there. She decided that she wanted to go for her birthday treat. So yesterday we got up early and caught the train to Notts as that is where the nearest Ice Centre is located.

Years ago before I had the children, me and their dad used to go ice skating all the time. We were lucky as we lived near the rink in Sheffield. Every time I would get on the ice and spend most of the session just going round the sides but by the end of the hour I would have built up my confidence and be skating round like a pro. Thing is that never followed on to the next time so I only ever spent about 10 minutes actually skating.

The kids have never been ice skating before so this was going to be something very dofferent for them.
DD seemed to take to it well, only after being on the ice a few minutes she could let go and skate off.

DS took a little longer and managed to fall down a couple of times before finding his confidence and balance. He was skating without the help of the sides after about an hour

Me? Well i didn't manage to find my confidence this time. I managed to get all the way round 1 and a half times but my feet and legs were throbbing so much that I decided to call it a day. I was quite happy with my achievements though. I would like to go and give it another try sometime.

After skating we went for lunch at Pizza Hut. All you can eat Pizza buffet for £3.99 is just the thing. Then we had a look around Nottingham before catching the train home in time for the Germany V Sweden game.

We did have a little treat though. Greggs have some special world cup cakes on offer and I couldn't resist this gorgeous Apple Danish with the Endland flag on the top

The kids got these cute little cup cakes with England flags on the top too.

Socceroos are through

2006-06-23T15:42:00.000+01:00

Although I am most obviously supporting England through the World cup, It seems that Australia have become my second team and in addition I think I have just added Harry Kewell to my growing celebrity crush list...

Putting all the controversy of the game aside, I think that Harry had by far his best game of the competition so far and it will go down in history despite everything else, that the goal that sees them through to the 2nd round has his name on it.
He had so many chances during the match and I said to my kids that he would definitely score before the final whistle blew...And he did!!!

I am just hoping that now England can avoid having to play them!

If anyone else is as taken with Harry as I am...I Love Harry

It's a family affair

2006-06-22T05:45:00.000+01:00

(Title taken from Peter Gadsby as he talked about the new era of DCFC)

Wednesday night we had a very special evening out.
Peter Gadsby and the new directors at Derby County invited fans to a special forum at Moor farm which is the Rams Training facility.

It is a few years since I last met up with Ann so it was great to see her again when she came to pick us up about 6pm.

We arrived at Moor farm and after getting our tickets from Jim Wheeler, We were taken on a tour around the facility. Forgive me for not taking in all the facts as we were shown around the 43 acre site...It was very impressive, especially after having visited the previous training ground at Raynesway which basically was a hut LOL

The indoor training pitch was the highlight of the tour itself. We were introduced to one of the academy Coaches - Darren who told us about what goes on and the players that they work with. I was very proud of the reputation that DCFC has built up with the Youth program and the academy as a whole. I think one of the main strengths away from what happens on the pitch within The Championship is the fantastic Community program that we have. I have had personal first hand experience of that when the coaches have been out to the kids school. Both at infants and juniors level I have seen them working with the kids and I was very impressed there. It is excellent that after all that has happened with the last regime at DCFC that none of that was ruined.
I loved the feel of the Astroturf on the feet and DD commented that she was wearing astroturf trainers so it would probably be the only time they got to see the real stuff. There was a family in our party with a little boy (Probably about 2 yrs old)they got him out of his pushchair and let him run around with a ball which was really cute. Darren had told us that he used to play for the club and as we moved on, our guide told us that he was actually Lee Holmes' brother (Young Rams prospect)

We moved into the main building where we were shown round the gym and the dressing rooms and the education room which was very impressive. Along the walls are pictures of other sporting heroes, I guess it is meant to be inspirational but personally I am not inspired by Rugby players/Golfers/Rowers. Also along the main corridor were shirts of successful academy stars. DS was very excited to see Number 6 Riggott...In fact I think if we went home then he would have been content.

The end of our tour brought us into the Bistro which is the catering for the academy. It was a bit smoky as we walked in as they had a Barbeque going on in a marquee that was attatched to the room. It was a bit gruesome on the eyes and I was glad I brought my inhaler. Not that I am complaining, It was just unfortunate about the weather. There were dark clouds overhead and it was very windy which unfortunately was blowing the smoke the wrong way LOL.

We joined the queue for the food of which there was lots of choice. They had done an amazing job. There was Burgers, steaks and Chicken on the bbq; Lamb or Beef Kebabs; Sausage and Onions; Curry and Rice; Baked Potatoes; Boiled potatoes; lots of choice of Pasta Salad; Coleslaw; Salads; lots of choice of Rice;Garlic Bread; Dressings and bread.
I had some Hotdogs and a Gorgeous Lamb Kebab along with some salad. At the end of the table was a huge Cooler with cans of Lager, Bitter and bottles of wine so I helped myself to a can of Fosters and a cup and there was orange squash which the kids had.

The room was pretty full so we sat at the side at first until a table was available. As we sat and ate, It was great to see the directors and the Chairman himself just wandering round the room chatting to people. I have to make a confession that I didn't know any of the directors before that.

After they had eaten, the children were all whisked away for a rendezvous with Rammie. DD & DS weren't quite sure about it until the word prizes was mentioned then they were all for it. I got myself another can and sat with Ann and her mother. Jill Marples came up for a chat and I have to say I was well impressed. She is very down to earth and there are no airs and graces or feelings of self-importance and the most important thing is how the passion for the club and fans comes through. This is something I noticed with all of them...They have that passion to really make this club the big success that it should be.

The waitresses brought round more beer before we settled down and PG himself got up to address the room.
I was very excited with his enthusiasm.

This is where you are expecting me to talk about the questions and answers in depth and although I could have taken notes, I would have missed everything in that case and I wanted to hear everything that was said and take it in. So I will just account what I can remember.

There was a very long winded discussion about consultation with season ticket holders.
There was also a question about the Steve Bloomer Project which basically is a plan to get a statue up. I liked the fact that PG didn't just say Yeah lets do it. His view was that it may not be what all the fans want. I personally think that he may want to have a Clough memorial as he mentioned that being a possibility.
There were lots of questions about Billy Davies. I wasn't very impressed when the appointment was first made but when they went into detail about why they picked him and what his plans were for the future I was a lot more excited. It would have been nice if he had been there so we could meet him and get to chat but hopefully there will be more chance for that in the future.

One thing I was disappointed with was the fact that he has no plans to bring back the reserves. Personally my view is that is a big mistake. There is so many positives in having a reserves team. It is a great way of getting young fans in, It is a brilliant way for people like me that can't afford season tickets or regular match day tickets to get along and see the club play especially as they used to use it for injured players to get back match fitness so you would get to see the big stars play from time to time. My 2 kids cut their teeth on reserve games and it is such a shame that it isn't still there for DN, now that he is 5 Ange would love to take him to football but full league games are just too much for him.

Although they couldn't go into too much detail there was bound to be some questions about the previous owners and they did manage to give a few hints at the total lack of good business sense in the way the club had been run. The classic story has to be the 'Director' that had himself a free company car and then charged the club 40p a mile for travel expenses.

The Q&A session was way too short and before long Jim Fearne was telling us that was it. He invited some Questions from the floor and was met by people just wanting to say thanks to the new board for putting the last lot out of their misery.

I have to admit that the last couple of years at Derby County had brought a feeling of apathy and disinterest but now I have a new found excitement and confidence about the future of the club and look forward to going to many more forums too.

When I fetched the children from their activities they were very sweaty and very happy. They didn't manage to win any prizes but they had a good time. DD was told by the coach that she should get herself in a team. If only we could find a suitable team for her...

Unfortunately, I didn't get to take any pictures as my camera has gone kaput. I am most upset about that but what can you do!!

Stevie G for Captain!

2006-06-21T06:28:00.000+01:00

I believe that Beckham's time is nearly up as captain of the England team and the next Captain is right there in front of us.
Gerrard only came on for the last half hour but his attitude from the minute he stepped foot on the pitch seemed to change the game in itself.

Gotta mention Joe Cole's Fantastic goal that seemd to come out of nowhere and flow right into that far corner (Or Joe Cool as the commentator inadvertantly called him!) I agree with the ITV team that it is so far one of the goals of the tournament.

Come On England!!!

Love and Monsters

2006-06-18T11:14:00.000+01:00

Last night I realised that I have definitely joined Corinne in the I love DT club. Although I don't own a David Tennant doll, I would definitely consider one.

Although last nights episode of Doctor Who was a good one and also a very special one, I found myself counting the seconds until the next appearance of the Doctor and Rose. They only made a cameo appearance right at the beginning and then again at the end.

In the Real world, the reason for this is because at the same time they were filming this episode they were also filming the previous double header (Impossible Planet & Satan Pit)
The reason this was rather a special episode though is because the monster - The Abzorbaloff - was designed by a 9 year old boy who entered a competition on Blue Peter
Another aspect that made the episode special was that the Absorbaloff was played by comedian Peter Kay who did an excellent job. The Absorbaloff was supposed to be scary I guess but I just found him hilarious.

Oh are we the only ones that sit here while watching Dr Who and point out stars that have been in other things? DD pointed out another HP connection "It's Moaning Myrtle". I noticed that the characters of Bridget and Bliss were Bobbie and Louise respectively from The Bill and Two pints of Lager and Elton was of course from such things as The Hustle and Green Street.
Not an episode goes by when there aren't at least 2 actors that you recognise and even on Confidential they touched upon this with a montage of the stars had appeared through the ages of Dr Who.

I have found some great DT Wallpapers by the way...In fact I may re-visit this site quite often