Gosh that takes me back to .....
Anyway we are off on holiday on Wednesday. As per my usual organised self I am working up to the last minute and have piles of washing and ironing to be done - with no time to do it.
The family are now entering the critical pre holiday stage where nothing can be worn that will be going with us. As our wardrobes are modest in size this is quite difficult and the next two days will see us sporting some interesting combos I fear. The ideal scenario is for the weather at home to be totally different from anticipated weather away. But in truth this is rare - so it will be a case of delving into the back of the wardrobe to pull out a rarely seen offering to wear.
Frankly I don't know why I pack so much as in truth we usually seem to wear the same things everyday - and bring back half the stuff untouched. (I can imagine our holiday chums shrinking with horror if they read this!). I didn't realise this was the case until my mother looked through our holiday snaps one year and remarked that we seemed to be doing an awful lot in one day as number 2 son always had the same clothes on. This year I am determined that we will all wear everything that is taken - even if it means some quick clothe changes on the last day to catch up.
Tomorrow is my birthday - and having flicked through a couple of random blogs I notice it is already tomorrow in some parts of the world - so I'm off for a birthday drink! Can't possibly iron on my birthday - can I?
Sunday, July 30, 2006
Thursday, July 27, 2006
Waxing lyrical
Last night I found myself going through a whole new experience. There I was lying on this strange bed, listening to soothing music playing...... whilst being covered in hot wax and having hair ripped off my legs.
It was my first visit to the waxing studio - and the jury is out as to whether it will be my last. It was all very odd.
I booked my appointment about a month ago thinking it would be a good thing to do in preparation for my holiday. Not quite sure why this holiday merits tidier legs but there you are. I'm not one for half measures - so it was full leg and bikini wax for me! I was told not to shave from then on so that I achieved an adequate length for removing. Well frankly if I had left them to grow from then to yesterday I would have had more hair on my legs than on my head. So I did cheat a bit.
On arrival at the torture chamber - I mean beauty parlour - my legs were inspected for signs of adequate growth. Unfortunately they passed, so there was no excuse to back out. Next thing I know I'm lying there with boiling (I am not exaggerating here) wax being applied. I thought that bit was bad until the strips were applied to pull it off - hair, skin and all it seemed. And so we went on. Having a perfectly normal conversation about life in general - whilst lying there with some-one inflicting the kind of pain that could send you down for GBH.
Then comes the bikini bit. I would have gladly passed at this point - but that didn't seem to be an option. Instead I was asked how high up I wanted to go. Not sure what the right answer to that one was.
Finally it was over and I staggered home, legs red and angry - hot wax applied on one of the hottest days of the year. Only one question to ask myself - why did I do that.
p.s. bought pair of shorts for my holiday from well known department store - they make me look like an extra from "It ain't half hot mum" - is it me or have I missed this look as a new fashion trend.
It was my first visit to the waxing studio - and the jury is out as to whether it will be my last. It was all very odd.
I booked my appointment about a month ago thinking it would be a good thing to do in preparation for my holiday. Not quite sure why this holiday merits tidier legs but there you are. I'm not one for half measures - so it was full leg and bikini wax for me! I was told not to shave from then on so that I achieved an adequate length for removing. Well frankly if I had left them to grow from then to yesterday I would have had more hair on my legs than on my head. So I did cheat a bit.
On arrival at the torture chamber - I mean beauty parlour - my legs were inspected for signs of adequate growth. Unfortunately they passed, so there was no excuse to back out. Next thing I know I'm lying there with boiling (I am not exaggerating here) wax being applied. I thought that bit was bad until the strips were applied to pull it off - hair, skin and all it seemed. And so we went on. Having a perfectly normal conversation about life in general - whilst lying there with some-one inflicting the kind of pain that could send you down for GBH.
Then comes the bikini bit. I would have gladly passed at this point - but that didn't seem to be an option. Instead I was asked how high up I wanted to go. Not sure what the right answer to that one was.
Finally it was over and I staggered home, legs red and angry - hot wax applied on one of the hottest days of the year. Only one question to ask myself - why did I do that.
p.s. bought pair of shorts for my holiday from well known department store - they make me look like an extra from "It ain't half hot mum" - is it me or have I missed this look as a new fashion trend.
Wednesday, July 26, 2006
As eldest son has just turned 17 we are enjoying the delights of teaching him to drive.
His only previous experience had been on a go-kart track at a local amusement park. I was his passenger and it wasn't very amusing - giving a whole new slant on white knuckle rides.
So we were cautious when approaching his first venture into the driving seat for real. We set off to a local car park after shop closing time. I explained the basics and off we went - kangarooing to a jolting stall - time after time. (I began to fear for my car's starter motor)
I actually found it really difficult to explain what to do. After a few false attempts I had to take the driving seat again - firstly because by this time we had kangarooed quite a long way (which was rather alarming) and secondly to refresh myself on how to actually do it!
Eventually he got the hang of moving off - and managed a few loops of the car park in 1st gear. Great celebrations. I then suggested he applied the brake to stop. Sadly this is not the best way to stop - you need the clutch as well or else it can be rather violent, but I'd forgotten that little detail.
Luckily no harm was done. The bruising on the ribs is slowly subsiding.
He has since been out (on the road) with hubby, a few times - and can now get into 4th gear and drive at 35 miles an hour. Not sure if I will be able to take him out for a while - think I am too chicken - will have to wait until he has got a bit more experience under his belt.
Saturday, July 22, 2006
The importance of being...
I was sitting having breakfast with my son this morning in a coffee shop in town. A couple came and sat down at the next table. I didn't take much notice of them at first - except to clock that he was dressed like a middle aged man in the first flush of mid-life crisis.
He then proceeded to have a ridiculous conversation with his wife which was clearly 100% for our benefit rather than hers. He started on a loud discussion on politics - giving her the benefit of his opinion of the current government and the state of the opposition.
He then went on to tell her about how he would be finished designing the missile programme by Christmas and that they had had a lovely holiday in Mauritius and would soon be off to the Maldives.
I was determined not to show I was listening - but did want to laugh. He went on and on telling her things she must have already known about their super lifestyle. It was so unnatural I couldn't believe it. She kept trying to bring the conversation back to the more mundane.
Eventually they left - him striding off with jumper slung over his shoulders and sunglasses on head. She was clearly not having a mid life crisis - but I'm sure if he carries on like this for much longer she will be having an entirely different sort of crisis.
I would love to know what was going on between them.
He then proceeded to have a ridiculous conversation with his wife which was clearly 100% for our benefit rather than hers. He started on a loud discussion on politics - giving her the benefit of his opinion of the current government and the state of the opposition.
He then went on to tell her about how he would be finished designing the missile programme by Christmas and that they had had a lovely holiday in Mauritius and would soon be off to the Maldives.
I was determined not to show I was listening - but did want to laugh. He went on and on telling her things she must have already known about their super lifestyle. It was so unnatural I couldn't believe it. She kept trying to bring the conversation back to the more mundane.
Eventually they left - him striding off with jumper slung over his shoulders and sunglasses on head. She was clearly not having a mid life crisis - but I'm sure if he carries on like this for much longer she will be having an entirely different sort of crisis.
I would love to know what was going on between them.
Monday, July 17, 2006
Wednesday, July 12, 2006
Saturday, July 08, 2006
Is it possible to get a motivation pill? I am certainly in need of one. All the things I strive to do just seem to go by the wayside - and then I get annoyed because in truth the only person I am cheating is myself.
For example - I was determined to lose some weight in time for the summer holidays. Set myself some realistic goals (2lb a week) but not done a thing about it.
I was in the wilds of Essex last week on my way back from a meeting, when I went past a McDonalds. I had spotted it on the way to the meeting and had filed away in my mind an idea that I could stop there for a late lunch on the way home. Told myself this wasn't part of the diet regime - but nevertheless on the way home I drive in.
As I'm going through the drive thru my virtuous side is arguing with my tummy about what should be ordered. I decide to have a happy meal - it will satisfy the hunger and give a junk food fix - without going mad.
Next thing I know I have ordered a Big Mac and Chips. I sat there looking at it, wondering what I was doing and how could this be part of a calorie controlled diet - unless I am trying to control my calories at 5000 a day. Anyway I ate it - couldn't quite manage it all - and it was very nice too.
I told myself that I wouldn't eat much in the evening to compensate (another little trick I like to pretend to do). Unfortunately by the time I had got home it was late - hubby was in charge of the evening meal and it was a trip to the chip shop all round...
For example - I was determined to lose some weight in time for the summer holidays. Set myself some realistic goals (2lb a week) but not done a thing about it.
I was in the wilds of Essex last week on my way back from a meeting, when I went past a McDonalds. I had spotted it on the way to the meeting and had filed away in my mind an idea that I could stop there for a late lunch on the way home. Told myself this wasn't part of the diet regime - but nevertheless on the way home I drive in.
As I'm going through the drive thru my virtuous side is arguing with my tummy about what should be ordered. I decide to have a happy meal - it will satisfy the hunger and give a junk food fix - without going mad.
Next thing I know I have ordered a Big Mac and Chips. I sat there looking at it, wondering what I was doing and how could this be part of a calorie controlled diet - unless I am trying to control my calories at 5000 a day. Anyway I ate it - couldn't quite manage it all - and it was very nice too.
I told myself that I wouldn't eat much in the evening to compensate (another little trick I like to pretend to do). Unfortunately by the time I had got home it was late - hubby was in charge of the evening meal and it was a trip to the chip shop all round...
Sunday, July 02, 2006
Yesterday England went out of the world cup. After a nail biting penalty shoot out (which I admit I watched peeping from behind a cushion) they lost out to Portugal.
The papers are full of it - the brave fight our boys put up. Steven Gerrard was quoted as describing himself and his team mates as having been "heroic out there, we threw bodies in the way of shots."
Ironically yesterday was also the 90th anniversary of the first day of the Battle of the Somme where 20,000 men were killed (in one day!!)
There has been some very interesting and thought provoking coverage of the Somme on TV - but sometimes when I hear the langauge which is in common use around things like games of football and other sporting events I do wonder if we are losing our sense of focus.
The papers are full of it - the brave fight our boys put up. Steven Gerrard was quoted as describing himself and his team mates as having been "heroic out there, we threw bodies in the way of shots."
Ironically yesterday was also the 90th anniversary of the first day of the Battle of the Somme where 20,000 men were killed (in one day!!)
There has been some very interesting and thought provoking coverage of the Somme on TV - but sometimes when I hear the langauge which is in common use around things like games of football and other sporting events I do wonder if we are losing our sense of focus.
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