Going to see Grumpy Old Women tomorrow and by coincidence I read a piece in the paper written by Judith Holder who I believe was the co-creator of the show.

She listed some of the questions you need to ask yourself to see if you rate as a GOW. Oddly enough it was one quiz where I did quite well - lots of ticks!

Here are some of the questions:

- Do you read the Lakeland catalogue and tick things you want, such as the banana guard, the gravy separator and sock drawer tidier?

I can go one better than this as I am the proud owner of a gravy seperator and sock drawer tidier - despite usually making bisto gravy which doesn't need much seperating and not owning that many socks. Would love a banana guard - but unfortunately can't stand bananas.

- Are your pants the largest on the washing line?

Well yes I do have a couple of pairs of slightly larger than fashionable knickers - for those days when you feel you need to be extra comfy (ok - Monday to Sunday)

- Are you inexplicably attracted by craft shops?

'Fraid so - bit of a family joke this one - if they want to keep me happy they will point me in the direction of a good craft show.

Some questions I didn't do so well on...

- Recently heard a Barry Manilow song I like - err no I don't think so.

- Have I bought myself a bird table - not yet but could be an idea for xmas (only joking Santa!)

But there was one question that confirmed me as a GOW big time -

- Your idea of a multiple orgasm is getting a full refund and an apology from the manager?

YES YES YES

Do you believe in the power of positive thoughts?

I was thinking about it on the way home from work - with my petrol guage showing past empty. I had driven past one petrol station - dismissing it as it is rather awkward to get out and on the wrong side of the road. I decided to carry on to the next one - on my side of the road. As I was getting closer, whilst putting my petrol saving skills to full stretch, I suddenly wondered if it would be open. Why I thought this I don't know - it is after all a 24 hour super petrol station - which I have never seen closed. Until today! So I turned round and drove back - using even more petrol saving skills - you can go a long way in neutral if you put your mind to it. Trying to be positive - now the first petrol station was on my side of the road!

Ok - I know I couldn't have changed this situation - not even the most positive thoughts can get do that - but why did I even wonder if it was going to be closed? I'm sure I wouldn't normally have given it a second thought.

I do believe in the power of positive thought. If ever I have to do a presentation or anything like that, I try and fill my head with thoughts of success not failure - and usually it works.

I also get the best example on a near daily basis. Hubby and I usually respond to each others "Have a good day" send off, with the reply "I'll try". Tom on the other hand always says "I will" And whilst we are trying, he usually does...

An Alarming Discovery

I stood on the scales this morning, for the first time in months, and found that my weight was only just the right side of 12 stone! I must say that I feel quite horrified by this discovery.

I went off to work and announced to every-one within earshot this alarming news. Isn't it funny how when you have something like this to say suddenly quite a few people seem to be in earshot. Some people refused to believe me - as if I'd make up such a thing. If you are going to lie about your weight you go the lighter side of the truth surely.

Still, for a few minutes I felt swept along with the general opinion that it can't be right. In my usual "put things off if you can" attitude I did contemplate buying another set of more reliable scales before taking the situation seriously.

But no - I can't deny the truth - which if I'm honest is backed up by some very tight waistbands - I'm whispering this bit, "I need to go on a diet".

I have contemplated blogging the gruesome details of what I eat etc - hoping that this will spur me on. But I think that's far too much effort and very dull - who needs to know I chewed on a Ryvita for half an hour. So I will just report on major landmarks in my efforts to reduce my own personal landmark.

The latest idea to hit nurseries seems to be gym equipment for toddlers. I have watched the TV in disbelief, seeing 3 year olds 'working out' on mini treadmills, steppers and exercise bikes. Even more alarming than the equipment itself was the mum who welcomed it all saying that she was worried about her child becoming obese and this exercise should help him on the road to a healthy life.

Now I have nothing against gyms (don't feel the need to go there myself but whatever takes your fancy I say) but it is a well recorded fact that some people get addicted to the buzz they get from hard exercise. These mini treadmills come complete with distance monitors and calorie counters. Surely this is totally wrong to be encouraging children to think about exercise in this way at such a young age. What happended to good old running around.

Surely kids that age should get their exercise from active play not 'working out'? It seems to me it is a lazy way for adults to 'exercise' the kids rather than organsing proper activities for them.

Suefromengland asked me to do this about 3 months ago - always was rather slow but here goes...

Top three things that.....

scare me:
The dark (not good now the clocks have gone back)
Creepy films
Getting stuck under a boat (would that ever happen?)

make me laugh:
My family and friends
The people I work with
QI

I hate:
Dogs
Tony Blair and George Bush (ok so I don't know them but I don't like what they are doing)
Not being right!

I don't understand:
The political situation in Afghanistan
How this computer works
Why I'm the only one in the family who is able to load the dishwasher

I want to do do before I die:
Have a long and happy retirement
See a firework display at Sydney Harbour
Understand the political situation in Afghanistan (just joking)

I can:
Play the piano
Knit
Make my kids laugh (with me or at me I'm not sure)

I can't:
Ride a bike (honest I can't)
Swim more than a length of a very short pool
Forget all the bad things any-one has ever told me (and I mean all - that's some baggage!)

I'm listening to:
Tom talking to my mum on the phone
My tummy rumbling
Radio 5 live

I like to drink:
Wine
Coffee (with milk and sugar please)
Gin and tonic (if I'm feeling flash)

That's all folks....