Out with the old ....

M&S were holding a special 20% off homes stuff yesterday. As soon as I found this out I had a burning desire to go there and make a purchase. At the back of my mind I had decided that we needed new plates etc. Nothing fancy – just an everyday set to replace the ones that are gradually getting chipped and manky. I knew that if I mentioned this to hubby he would try and put me off. He hates shopping so I was going on my own and decided that if I just went and bought something it would be too late for him to argue.

So off I go – chose a set – very reasonable – also very heavy. Dragged them back to the car – arms now an inch longer than before. Get them home – run the gauntlet of the “what have you done that for?” and the “there’s nothing wrong with the old ones” – and start to unpack them straight into the dishwasher for the inaugural wash. First plate in – hit a snag - they were too big for the dishwasher! Pack it all up again – very disappointed. Hubby sees the boxes back in the bag and thinks he has won. But oh no – by now I needed new plates if that was the last thing I did – straight back to M&S (with strong son this time to help with heavy lifting) choose another set – slightly smaller (but no lighter) and head back home again – feeling very pleased.

Back home – whip off the labels quickly – and put it all in the dishwasher – before he has a chance to say anything. Now they are mine!!

All was going well until friend pops in for cup of tea. Hubby comes down and starts to unload dishwasher, notices the new additions and starts a mini chunter – what was wrong with the old ones etc. I try and point out the positive aspects of the shiny new crocks when friend joins in with him! “Did you need new” she says, “I like the old ones”.

Still I am very pleased with my purchases (which were also quite a bargain of course). Cooked a feast last night so we could all admire new crocks with food on – and even he admitted it was an improvement on the old. Result!

Faking it

At this time of year when more bits of me become uncovered I contemplate whether I should stay pale and interesting or slap on the fake tan. Usually the fake tan route wins - and I end up pale and streaky. I never seem to learn how to do it.
This morning I tried again. Started with a bath and a rub down with rough cloth (my version of exfoliating) followed by careful application of self-tan cream. Even as I was doing this, at the back of my mind I was thinking I had heard something about tanning cream going off after 6 months - mine was over a year old.
What to do - already done one leg - will old cream a) do nothing b) go green or orange c) bring me out in a rash - or worse.
I briefly contemplated the situation and decided that whatever happended it may look better if both legs matched. So I went on with leg 2. As I write this nothing has happended - yet - going out this afternoon so may need to wear long trousers!

A few years ago a friend at work went off to a salon to be tanned all over for a special summer wedding. Whilst she was gone I changed her screen saver to read "You've been tangoed". Unfortunately she came in before me the next day - looking extremely orange and not too amused at my little joke...

A poem

I thought I would post one of my poems.
This one is called 'Waiting'

I sit in silence -
but is it?
My body is still but my senses strain to take in the signals of a world beyond the room.
Sounds seep in through the walls, under the door,
People talking, laughing, phones ringing,
Footsteps fast and slow,
Humming from the air conditioning.
Scratching of pencil over paper,
Heads bowed.
Thoughts and ideas captured on the page.
I feel I should do the same, but I can't
The paper in front of me is blank, the pen untouched.
Time's nearly up.
I can feel the tension in the air,
As I glance at the clock, a shiver of anticipation flows through my body.
Waiting nearly over.
"Put down your pens"
A sea of faces lift up like flowers to the sun,
My time has come.

Tracing your roots

I have never been particularly inspired to do this in the past but recently felt an urge to know some more about my family history. I think it is because as my parents get older I am realising that as time moves on the 'story' of our family shifts and if we're not careful bits disappear. My dad and aunt told me some things about their parents and grandparents and I have used this as a starting place for my research.

I did a bit of delving into census records but didn't get very far - until my friend Bev had a go for me and uncovered another few generations. (thanks Bev). We are now back to 1826 - and instead of thinking my roots were firmly in Birmingham I find that some of my ancestors came from London.

It is really weird finding out the family names which have long been forgotten - might have had some influence on the naming of my own children had I known - although the youngest is named after his great grandfather.

On my mother's side I have loads of nameless photos - relatives I guess - but we have no idea who they are. I find this a mixture of intriguing and spooky. It has inspired me to make more effort to mark my own photo's, as although it is rather tedious to do, I think in generations to come they may well be poring over them and wondering who the children on the old fashioned roller coaster were.

This photo is of my grandmother in the 1920's.

Growing pains

It's something that all parents of teenagers have to face at some time or another - but yesterday was my first. We were having friends round for the evening and I was busying myself in the kitchen when Jack came in and asked if he could go to the cinema - his friend (who had recently passed his driving test) was going to take them. With friend on the other end of the phone I had to say yes or no quickly. I wasn't keen on the travel arrangements - but frankly couldn't think of a reason why not without seeming like some ridiculously over protective parent. So I said yes - then checked with hubby - didn't want him blaming me if something went wrong.

I think I have an overactive imagination - my thoughts went to the road he was going to drive down - a dual carriageway - could be very fast - driving conditions - rainy and dark - nervous new driver at the wheel. I told Jack to make sure he put on his seatbelt - and was rewarded with a rather withering look.

So I let him go - peeping out from behind the curtains to look for signs of dangerous driving by friend - not too easy to achieve in a small cul-de-sac! Then spent the rest of the evening wondering how he was getting on. The film seemed awfully long - he finally came home at 11.30 - had had a good time - no signs of whiplash or injury - and I have so far managed to resist the urge to close question him on friend's driving ability.

Sofa so good…

They came today to take away our two old sofas. I know it sounds a bit odd but I felt quite upset - in fact Icouldn't watch them leave. I remember laughing when some-one told me that their son had sat in the garage on their old sofa for 6 months after they had got a new one. But now I can see how he felt. I might have to go and visit them in the charity shop that I have sent them to.

I have been going on for months about the state of them - they were 18 years old and frankly were showing the signs that they had seen active service. People would come round and get lost in them, they were so saggy. We ordered bigger, better, new ones about 3 months ago and finally heard last week that they are to be delivered tomorrow.

Strangely since the delivery date has been set the old ones have become very comfortable. The lived in look that really annoyed me has looked more appealing (shabby chic? - may be stretching it a bit I think). Where I used to complain that there was not enough room for two of us to put our feet up - suddenly it is rather cosy.

Anyway they have gone, leaving a bare space which hopefully will be filled by the new ones tomorrow. Next problem is that as soon as the van went down the road hubby starts to measure up the door frame and can't see how bigger and better will fit through the door .........

Later With Jools Holland

Just watched "Later With Jools Holland". I know, its a programme for cool people, but I do love it. He always has the most amazing group of guests. This week there was a Mexican brother and sister called Rodrigo and Gabriela, playing acoustic guitars. The way they played was amazing, especially Gabriela. Don't usually 'dig' guitar music, but this was something else.

There was also a woman who sang whilst someone else hit her on the back - bit odd I know - this was the sort of thing I did when I was about 6 - never realised I should have kept on with it and one day it would become an art form.

It's only a game

Just been to play badminton. Tom suggested it yesterday and as I am on a get fit campaign I thought it sounded like a good idea. Hadn't played for a while but no reason not to have another go. So I booked the court and we set off this afternoon for an hours healthy exercise.

The two of us arrived at the courts ready to do battle - in a friendly mother vs son sort of way. We played a game (of sorts) and he won - but only just - it was very close honestly - although he spoilt it at the end by saying he had let me catch up. I tried to counter this by saying I had let him win - but he had seen how I play and just howled at the suggestion.

There were 4 champs on the court next door - in fact two did have on tracksuits which said they played in the English Open. Found this all a bit off putting. They were far too energetic. I preferred my gentle approach to the game. In fact I found it very good all round exercise - especially all that bending down to pick up the shuttle-cock.

A mid year resolution

I was late to work today – can’t blame the traffic, or even the kids. The reason was quite simple – I couldn’t find a thing to wear. Can’t say that this was due to a shortage of clothes – I was in and out of 6 outfits before I felt satisfied to leave the house. It seems my body is not ready for the warmer weather that seems to have made a brief appearance and requires rather less layers to cover up flabby bits. There is some-one in my office who is expecting a baby in August – quite frankly in some of the get-ups I had on this morning I look like my baby is two weeks overdue.

So I have set myself a mid year resolution – to sort out the body – it needs to eat less, exercise more and generally get itself into some sort of shape.

As I drove into work I got more and more determined that action needed to be taken. It is 11 weeks to my holiday and so if I lose 2 Ibs a week (which they say is quite achievable) – that’s 22 lbs – which would be fantastic. And I have been very good today – I have been offered some chocolates – and ok I did have one – but chose a very crunchy chewy one – so probably worked off a few calories in the process of eating it……

Just heard on the radio about a German hotelier who charges his guests according to their weight – another incentive to lose some!

Another hair-raising experience

Yesterday my son decided he wanted to have his hair cut. He has quite long hair - which he is very protective of - so any request for a hair cut must be acted upon immediately.

He really wanted me to do it - but I have had mixed results in the past with my amateur hacking - his hair is very straight and doesn't take too kindly with my haphazard chopping technique.

His reluctance to go to a professional is because we've had some difficulty making sure that his specific wishes are carried out to the letter. One local barber is now definitely a no-go zone as far as Tom is concerned. They seem to be able to do one cut - and it isn't the one he wants! He finds their technique of haircutting whilst watching the television a bit off putting as well. Fussy boy!

Anyway - not being organised (or is it telepathic) I hadn't booked him for an appointment anywhere so we decided to go into town and take pot luck at a "No appointment Necessary" place.

Arriving at the first one, we joined two other women in the reception area. We sat down and started browsing through some magazines and chatting. I don't know why, but after 10 minutes of waiting I decided to ask the woman next to me whether we were doing the right thing by just sitting there - was I likely to be in for a long wait. Oh she said - you need to book in - you can't just sit down. Hello??? - why had she not told me that - I could not believe that she could have watched me come in - listened to me talk to Tom about his hair cut and what to ask for - and not think to mention that I needed to book. Perhaps I am an interferring person but I would never let some-one "do the wrong thing" like that. So I went over to the reception desk - only to be told I was too late - they weren't accepting any more "bookings". After some controlled breathing I managed to get out of the shop without blowing my top.

We then went to shop number two - which was closed (had they heard we were coming?). By this time my temperature was rising - this hair would be cut ....

Walking past another hairdressers I spotted the "appointment not always necessary" sign and strode in pulling Tom along in my wake. The place was empty of customers and after a few minutes of consideration - careful looking at the appointment book - the answer came that they could fit us into their busy schedule. We explained what we were after and I went to sit down and relax. No sooner had I picked up a magazine - ok 5 minutes later - I was being a bit slow - he was finished - and yes he was sort of smiling. I think it looked shorter - he certainly won't be burdened by people continually saying "you've had your hair cut".

How much I said. After some more deliberation - and enquiries about his age (not sure why that mattered) it was decided that the cost was going to be £12. This seemed to be outrageous in terms of cutting time spent - they must charge for deliberation time as well.

So then the great dilemma - do I complain - swiftly I had to weigh up the facts:

• I always complain - I have reputation to think of
• £12 is a lot, for what we got (that rhymes)
• Tom would not be happy - and he did seem happy with what they had done / not done (delete as applicable)

.... So I paid and made a mental note to self - to ensure I pre-empt the vague possibility that one day - perhaps in 3 months time - he might again utter those dreamed of words - I need my hair cut.

I will if you will ...

I have always considered myself to be reasonably green (in the environment sense not naive). Today a report has been published to urge the government to encourage us to be more green. This sounds great in theory but the practice seems so much harder. I often feel that my own efforts are just paying lip service to a much more important issue that frankly is out of my control.

Last year we went on holiday to Germany – the place we stayed was equipped with what seemed like loads of rubbish bins – each with a set purpose – bio degradable, paper, cans, glass etc – all needed to be sorted. Quite frankly it became something of a full time job to ensure that everything was done properly. And we did take it all very seriously. No-one could throw anything away without a heated debate about which bin we should use. (You can tell what an exciting holiday we had). I thoroughly enjoyed this feeling that I was helping the environment by separating my peelings from my paper. So much so that when I got home I went on to the web and made a donation to a charity to carbon neutral our flights to round things off.

Then the doubts start to set in – frankly do my little efforts make any difference when no-one else seems to be that bothered. Why should I get on my bike to save the environment when my neighbour buys one of the biggest gas guzzling 4x4’s on the market. Wouldn’t it be better if manufacturers cut down on the amount of packaging they used in goods to avoid the need to recycle so much – rather than me struggle to fit all the stuff in my green wheelie bin.

So is it really a case of ‘I will if you will’ or should we pseudo greenies carry on with our bit and hope that little efforts here and there make a big difference some-where along the line?