Life is for living!

The Candytuft and White Lilac have faded away, but there is life bursting out everywhere in the garden.

The roses are in bud and a few of them are already unfolding - ready for 'flaming June' - that's a laugh!! Even though the water situation is quite bad here in Blighty, I would still like us to have some kind of a summer, although it's not looking too good at the moment.

Yesterday, I went with my younger son to the pictures (cinema) to see the latest X-Men film. I did enjoy the film, but was disappointed with some of the events in the film. I won't spoil it by telling you anything that happened, suffice to say it is not true to the original plotlines. I did spot Stan Lee, doing his little bit. I went to the Staples Corner 'UGC', which doesn't charge west-end prices, but even so, it still cost me £20 for two tickets, 1 large Coke, 1 large Nachos with everything, 1 bottle of water and 1 small sweet popcorn - SCANDALOUS!!!

I phoned my sister (Palmers Green) yesterday, just for a chat. We usually talk/see each other at least once a week, but for some reason lately we havn't been in touch. She is having a new kitchen fitted - it has been her dream for at least 15 years to have a kitchen, which she can run a home business from - making cakes and cake decorations. Hopefully, I can get hold of some photos to show you some of her stuff - the cakes are delicious!! Anyhow, she is innundated with plumbers, electricians and such, all the kitchen units are lined up along her house, waiting to be fitted - I bet her, her husband and two children will be ecstatic once it is all done.

Just had a quick look in my photo folder and found these pictures (not brilliant) the cake was for our little niece last year.

A close-up of the figure

I am still sitting around in my PJs, having a really lazy morning - well I have already washed two loads of clothes and hung them out to dry, washed a few dishes, paid the window cleaner, ironed a shirt for my older son....erm, I think that's it for now.

I am now having a cup of coffee and watching David Lynch's 'Dune' for about the 100th time. I know that it was panned/hated when it came out some years back, but I just love it!! Sting - looking much younger - looks really fit especially in his tight fitting pants. I also have a thing about David Bowie in 'Labyrinth' as the Goblin King, too sexy for words!!!

I was going to subject you to pictures, but I think Blogger is having a little hiccup, perhaps I will add them later??

It's such a lovely day today, perhaps I will take myself off for a walk, I definitely do need the exercise, although the ever-present alien in my stomach has not threatened to burst forth lately. This is mainly due to the fact that I have been trying to be sensible (for once) with my eating and have not stuffed myself full at every meal. Shame the weighing scales don't notice my efforts, ah well!! That's life!!

Bye for now

You think my life is bad

This is just a short one.

I have been reading other peoples blogs Paradise Driver and came across this link for a photographer who has taken photos of rooms/apartments in Hong Kong, which are small to say the least. Anyone in this country who moans about the state of British housing, should try living in one of these. I certainly could not - there are no windows that I can see and where is the toilet/bathroom?? Most of the people who live in them are old and in their underpants.

No 7 - Looks quite cosy
No 15 - Seems bright and spacious considering their are several people seated in this small area
No 25 - Even manages to have a partition!!
No 36 - Does she even live here or is it just for storage?
No 48 - Looks surprisingly spacious (have they been to IKEA?)
No 85 - The bed is obviously the most important thing in his life.
No 94 - What does he do with those rubber gloves??

The women in general seem to have more clutter than the men

We should count our blessings!!

Until later.

One moment in time

Sometimes life is just rushing by so fast, you just don't notice the small things in life that make you happy - the sun shining, clean washing on and off the line, a bird twittering in the trees, tea and toast on a Sunday morning and time to sit and appreciate all of these things.

I have had the cleaning bug today and have been vacuuming and dusting,washing and sweeping, polishing and pruning and trying to rid my nose hairs of the testosterone smell of my younger son's room (no luck there - it needs fumigating!!). I have just sat down after all the bustling about and I can hear a blackbird saying goodnight to whoever wants to listen, I can see and smell my white lilac tree, in full bloom, there is a breeze blowing the tall grasses in the garden. All is right in the world.

Yesterday was a reasonable day, we had a family event to go to. One of my nieces was making her Confirmation (Catholic thing) and my younger son was her sponsor.



The church service was tedious - I am a bit of a lapsed Catholic and really do not enjoy the pomp and ceremony of the Catholic church - I quite enjoy the singing though.

This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine
This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine and so on and so forth.

After the service my sister-in-law and her husband took us to a Chinese buffet in Kilburn High Road.(NO FOOD WAS GOOD ENOUGH TO DESCRIBE HERE) It's not a patch on Dragon King, which I love going to and have mentioned several times in this blog, but it was nice for us all to get out together and we enjoyed each other's company if not the meal.

On Friday it was the last day for all the Year 13 students, it was a happy and sad day, loads of the kids came in with cards and little gifts for us and there were a few watery eyed farewells. The school laid on a big bbq for all the leavers and staff, complete with bouncy castle which was greatly appreciated by staff and students alike.

Mad member of staff enjoying the bouncy castle



Students enjoying the same



We were also privileged to be entertained by 'Erik Windrich', who works at the school. Erik used to be a teen idol in 80's South Africa, he was in a band with his brothers called 'evoid' and they had number one hits at that time. Erik entertained us with old Bob Marley songs and was a great hit with staff and students alike.



He still plays concerts now and is a really wonderful and charistmatic guy, who has time for everyone.

After loads of hugs from all our favourite students, it was time to say a fond farewell and wish them all 'Good luck' for the future. I am on half-term holiday this week, so time to re-charge the batteries and take it easy (fat chance).

Signing out now. Jo xx

The Way It Is

Sitting here listening to 'The Prodigy', it's on my son's itunes list, their stuff really does it for me - don't ask me what 'it' is, it just is.

Wednesday is my day off and this is what I did today.

Got up bright and early this morning off to my GP for blood test and BP - thankfully BP was down so I can relax a bit, which in turn should bring my blood pressure down more.

I have spent most of my day 'doing' paperwork, paying bills, ringing the tax man, renewing direct debits, quibbling over bank charges - for some reason I have been charged £68 in bank charges this quarter, which makes me even more overdrawn at the bank - I keep telling my bank this, but they keep telling me that this is how banking works - you pay in money that you have worked hard to earn and they take out as much as they like as and when they feel the need - what's that all about???

My younger son is off school on 'Study leave' - not much studying going on there. He has two exams coming up in June and until then he doesn't need to go into school - I don't remember ever having all this time off for exams. Most kids don't actually do any studying, they seem to spend half the day in bed and the other half playing computer games or skiving off with their friends. He was a good boy today though and took his old mum out to lunch (me). We went to Chiquitos in Staples Corner - he paid!! We ate:

Potato skins stuffed with sour cream and cheese

Fiesta Nachos (nachos covered with cheese, onions, salsa and chillies and served with guacamole, sour cream and salsa dipping sauces)

Philly Cheese Steak Sandwich (served with chips and salad) in ciabatta bread

Loads of Mayonaise for me (cholesterol be damned!!)

Got back home and got stuck into the paperwork and clearing out junk out of drawers. Found loads of old photographs amongst the rubbish - have to put them in a proper album.

This first one was taken when my Dad was doing his National Service in the early 50's - he is in the front row, second from the left - really skinny!!



Here is one of my Mum, for some reason she wanted to be a Nun and joined a Convent in Spain, she was about 14 years old - they told her she was not really suitable material for a nun - they suggested having children (so she had seven of us!)
She is in the centre of the photo, just behind the first row, holding up her hands.



Both my parents have been/still are great parents and the rest of my brothers and sister and I are lucky to still have them with us - relatively healthy.

Decided to take a break, I am all papered out and have just realised it's one of my work colleagues' birthday tomorrow and I haven't bought anything for her. I can't be asked to go to the local shopping centre Brent Cross so I think I will probably go to Asda, near Wembley.

Well I had better get ready and shoot off.

This was the day that was. Bye Jo xx

This is my life and I want to stay here always!!

Well I don't really want to stay here always. Only until I get too old to wipe my own ass and all my hair and teeth fall out - that's certainly something to look forward to!!

Today has been an ok day. The kids at school were nearly all doing exams of some sort or another. The library was used by the special needs department - we have a lot of special needs students in our school, both medical and mental conditions. We have two girls in wheelchairs - one has cerebral palsy and the other has spina bifida - both are very bright and happy children, which makes me feel a little ashamed that I can't cope with losing my hair or teeth. Some of the other kids have dyslexia and need to have the papers read to them and some help with writing, some of the children are just plain spoilt.

We did finally finish making up our 'Staff as Children' display and it has been a resounding hit, not only are the kids really excited trying to guess who the people are, but even the staff are bringing their mates in to look aswell. I must take a photo to show you - most of them look really cute - especially one that looks like Tin Tin, with white blond hair and a little quiff.

I did take a picture of myself in to school - I really hate having my photo taken and the one I took in was of me in my Holy Communion frock(Catholic thing) looking really glum. I don't think I ever was a particularly pretty baby and my mum always gave me strange hairdos such as the one below.

I've always carried a bit of extra weight, well you never know where your next meal is coming from!!

On a down note today - my neck/shoulder is killing me - I seem to be all aches and pains lately. Yesterday morning I woke up with a frozen neck/shoulder, which is really quite painful. I tried taking it easy all day yesterday and wrapped a scarf around my neck to keep the muscle warm - I went to bed early with a couple of anti-inflammatory pills and thought that I would be better this morning. No way, it was worse and I had to go into work (Yes I am a bit of a martyr) - so off I toddled all hunched up and feeling really sorry for myself. My work colleague for the day (we are all part-timers) told me she had some muscle rub at home (she lives close to the school) and asked if she could go and get it for me. Bless her, she came back with the rub and a heat and cold pad for me. She started rubbing the stuff in and suddenly announced that she was really enjoying rubbing my neck and shoulder and that she had looked forward to it - I am not a homophobe,but I thought it was a bit innapropriate as I am her manager - she saw my face and started laughing - well she certainly fooled me!! The stuff she rubbed in was really good and definitely took the worst of the pain away - she has let me take it home with me, so I shall put some on before I go to bed.



Next week is half-term and I don't have to work, Yippee!! I plan to go to the cinema to see at least three films. Like my sister Angie, I also intend to go and see 'The Da Vinci Code', don't you just hate it when film critics try and be all intellectual and tell us a film is rubbish. I like making my own mind up about those types of things - One man's meat is another man's poison - it's just as well we all have different likes and dislikes, it would be a bloody boring world if we all liked exactly the same things!!

I also want to see the new X Men 3 film, I really enjoyed the other two and have watched them over and over on DVD. The other film I want to see is a kid's film, we have the book in our library at school and it seems to be popular, it's called 'The Thief Lord' by Cornelia Funke. I love fantasy films especially childrens' ones, it makes me feel like a big kid again, sigh!

Oh well, blood test and BP tomorrow at 8.30am, not looking forward to it, but it must be done.

Off to cook dinner now:

Boneless Pork Loin with peppercorn sauce

Boiled White Rice

Fine Green Beans

I am already drooling, ah me and my food.

Happy eating. Jo xx

Life is Gay and happy

I just spent around half and hour writing tonight's blog - I pressed the publish button and the whole bloody thing disappeared!! What is going on??

Let's try again. This time I will make it shorter.

Last night was the best night out I have had in a long time. I went to a gay bar in South Ealing called West 5. I am not gay but I had been invited by one of my teacher friends from the school I work at. He is formalising his 8 year partnership by making it legal with a civil ceremony and last night was his and his partner Chris' stag do. There were loads of people from school there and the place was really jumping. Apart from the main room with the bar and dance floor, there was another room with a grand piano, where a drag queen was singing loads of show tunes, which all the audience was singing along to. There was another room, which had been specially opened for the night with loads of food laid on - my favourite subject:

Assorted selection of cheeses (I tried the Wensleydale)
Samosas
Pakoras
Spicy Spring Rolls
Pates
Sandwiches
Dips with various dipping vegetables
Home made Garlic Bread (especially delicious)
Assorted hams and other meats

I could go on, but I think that's enough to whet your appetites.

I also met the hugest drag queen I have ever seen called 'Gloria Swansong' she/he is a big american guy, who probably weighs around 30 stones. Her black beaded evening dress must have weighed about 3 stone on it's own - she was chatting-up everyone, men and women. She was also very, very drunk and kept crashing into things and people - I wouldn't fancy being squashed under that!!

I had two and a half glasses of red wine, which I am sure I have mentioned before is more than enough to get me drunk - I have a very low tolerance to alchohol and so was feeling more than merry. At this point my boyfriend decided he had had enough and wanted to go home, it was about 11pm - but then the poor darling had been up for work at 4am so he was absolutely dead on his feet.

I really wanted to stay longer as I was looking forward to joining in the singing in the piano room, they were singing songs from some of my favourite musicals:

The Sound of Music
West Side Story
The Wizard of Oz
The King and I
South Pacifice
Calamity Jane

and loads of others.

I really enjoy singing and I have most of the above on DVDs, which my children have bought for me. However, they don't like me singing in front of them, although I don't think my voice is that bad - it definitely sounds best in the bathroom though (good acoustics)!

This morning when I woke up I had the worst hangover ever, I just can't believe that two and a half glasses can do this to me. I spent most of the day in bed or on the loo (no details will be forthcoming)!! I always say that I will never drink again, but since I drink so rarely I always forget my previous resolution - I must just be a masochist??

Back to work tomorrow, I should be fine by then, I hope.

Big kisses Jo xx

It's a wonderful life!!

Yesterday was a blue day, today has certainly been a multi-coloured all singing all dancing day.

I had to get the bus in to work today, my car still being nursed at my local garage, so I had to leave my house by 7.30am the latest. I got to work about 8.10am, where everyone seemed to be in a mad, grumpy mood. On days like these, I always think a little song can pick you up - that is as long as no one tells you to shut up.

There were several fights in the library today - mostly year 10 boys - there must be an excess of testosterone in the air!! We had exams going on in the rooms adjoining the library, so we had the authority from on high (The Management) to close the library and just keep the computer room open, which didn't really help much as 300 year 10's were floating around unsupervised (as usual) and we the minions have to sort out the mess every year.

I have been trying to sort out a new library software system for our libraries as the one we have now is rubbish (crap) - I have spent all day emailing: the deputy head, head of IT services, Manager in charge of E-learning credits, Company we want to buy the system from. I nearly had them all agreeing to a meeting date in July, when I was told that we probably wouldn't be able to buy the system anyway as the school has severely overspent their budget. AAAAAGH!!!

My lovely reliable car came back to me today after I had paid out £192.00 for parts, labour and £20 worth of diesel. This was a very expensive lesson for me - I had just managed to break-even on my bills and my overdraft wasn't up to the limit for a change (well now it is). I think I might even give it a wash this weekend before Thames Water bring in their Drought Order, which will mean that I won't be able to wash the bird poo off my car - Its only been on there for two weeks!

My car is a white Peugeot 405 and I paid £100 for it, from a man in Oxford. It has electric windows and sunroof, which work, a working stereo, it even has heated wing mirrors - not bad for a hundred quid.



By the time I got home tonight it was about 6.45pm, I was too tired to start cooking so I decided to go to the local 'Tennesee chicken' shop, which is like KFC, but it has more variety. I don't really like chicken that much, I could eat a whole bucket of just the coated skin, but that wouldn't really be very healthy, so I thought the healthy option of ribs and fries with lashings of mayonaise, would be far healthier (what do you think?)

Yesterday,I went to help a relative of mine at a charity shop she manages, I usually go on a Wednesday to help her put out her new stock and do the window for her - I really quite enjoy this as it can be a bit of a challenge fitting all the new stuff in quite a small shop front - this week it is an England theme. All the shops are jumping on the bandwagon and sticking England flags on everything from Aprons to Yoghurts, although I have seen a few other items with Brazil and Italy flags on them.
Well we will be wholly supporting England in the World Cup 2006 and are in the process of preparing a big display complete with hopefully all 32 flags of the competing countries.

Well that's enough patriotism for now. Good night all. Jo xx

My life

A bit down today(Blue infact) - car is still not up and running - I have already spent £111.99 on trying to clear the car out of the unleaded petrol I put in my diesel tank. The garage have been really great as usual, but when I went to pick up the car it was out for a test run, I heard it coming back and it sounded a bit ropey. They wouldn't let me take it until they have given it a thorough going over - so the boss' wife gave me a lift home.

This morning I had an appointment to see the nurse and get my blood pressure checked, as usual I was rushing and stressing about the money it was going to cost me to get the car repaired. By the time I had the bp taken it was up to 160 over 100, which apparently is quite high. It has been high several times now, so they are now considering giving me medication, which I am not really keen on. Next week I have to fast from midnight and go in for a blood test and bp check again - hopefully this time I won't be so stressed.

I'll have to get the bus in to work tomorrow - not a bad thing really as I need the exercise and I have not really been too active of late.

Only a short blog as I have a bit of a headache and my nose is bunged up with this bloody cold!!

Hopefully tomorrow will be a better day.

Jo xx

This life

I have not really been much in the mood for blogging - I have a stinking cold, it has just started raining and yesterday I very cleverly put £20 of unleaded petrol in my diesel car and drove down the road wondering why the hell it was so sluggish. This is what comes from rushing - More haste, less speed - I have never quite understood this saying, since both words imply hurrying??

I hurried to get home from my boyfriend's house, I hurried to get money out of the cash point at the petrol station, I parked my car a little too far from the pump and had to really stretch the hose to reach my car, I wondered why I had two choices of petrol, premium unleaded and unleaded (I only ever previously had one choice). I did not however register that I was placing a green hose into my car instead of the black (diesel) hose. STUPID, STUPID, STUPID!!!

I have left my car parked up until, Wednesday (my day off), when I will call the AA and ask them to tow me to my garage, where hopefully they can sort out the problem.

On a brighter note, my weekend in Bruges with my friends was relaxing and Bruges is delightful!! We stayed in some apartments called Bauhaus about 10 minute walk from the centre - the boys stayed in one apartment (6 boys/men) and the girls/women (two of us) stayed in a smaller apartment next door. They were the IKEA flats, everything was from the Swedish shop we know and sometimes have a love/hate relationship with - nice and clean, with his and hers bathroom sinks and one very small shower.

This is the view from my bedroom window - I don't know what that building is - maybe a Church?

There are canals and loads of picturesque houses all around, here's a couple of pics, just to give you a flavour of the place.

A rear view of some of my travelling companions

A not very good picture of a lace shop, typical of this area

My friend Dave and I spent several hours sitting in a canalside cafe/bar, people watching - that is to say bitching. The challenge was to find at least one good looking male and one good looking female - believe me it was tough going - that is until we both spotted the same guy at once and a synchronised oooh left our lips at the same time!!

We had wonderful capuccinos that were like a meal, they came with:

A separate pot of whipped cream (Slag in Flemish?)

A delicate biscuit

A delicious Belgian chocolate

Extra pots of cream

Loads of Sugar Sachets

I did eat loads over the two days.

Belgian bread with several types of Belgian Cheese, Gouda, some really smelly(but tasty) cheese, cheese with mustard seeds and different Belgian sausages - don't ask me what they are called, I just eat the food, I don't analyse it.

Flemish Beef Stew (with a gorgeous sauce)
Fillet Steak in a wonderful Pepper and Whisky sauce with Frites (chips) Frites with Mayonaise Hot Waffles with chocolate sauce

My friend Arthur was a bit more adventurous and ate Curried Mussels, sounds vile, but apparently taste quite delicious, I was going to take a picture, but unfortunately my camera battery decided to die at that moment. One of my other friends took a picture so I might be able to post a photo at a later date.

This post is dragging on a bit, but I just wanted to tell you about something, which happened yesterday at work. All our Year 11 students were dismissed for study leave at 2.30pm - at around 3.30pm they went on the rampage with eggs and flour. Normally I would just laugh it off, but one of my staff was hurt by a flying egg, which hurtled through the door of the library and smashed into the side of her face. Initially, when she told me what had happened I tried to stifle a giggle, especially when she kept calling the egg a 'heg'(she is italian). She was so upset that I felt guilty that I had laughed and I have phoned her a couple of times today to find out how she is(my guilt is choking me).

It's one of my little brother's birthday today, he is thirty something I think?? Or is it the big 40?? Anyhow, Happy Birthday to you Joe.

Love and Kisses Jo xx

I'm so busy, my head is spinning!!

Yes I really am busy, busy at home, busy at work, busy in life!

I have just realised that I have been a bit down recently, I only realise it because I am feeling marginally better. I get like this sometimes, but it never lasts for long. I know I am feeling better because I feel that I need to do something about the mess in my house, the mess at work and any mess in my life(thankfully the last one is not too bad).

I just thought I should inform you that the problem with the Feminax (my legal drug) has now been resolved. Firstly, my boyfriend very kindly scoured the small chemists to obtain a small supply of the aforementioned womany tablets. Secondly, panic over - they are still manufacturing Feminax with the magic ingredient, hyoscine - they just decided to change the packaging - don't you just hate it when they do that.

I also hate it when manufacturers change the recipe of something or even the name. This is an event, which happens with increasing frequency since we have become more involved with the EEC (European Economic Community) Snickers (a peanut/chocolate bar) used to be called Marathon. Cif used to Jif. Starburst used to Opal Fruits. These are just few of the ones I can remember.





Had a nice but hectic day yesterday. It should have been my day off, but I had arranged to go to a school in Maidenhead, Berkshire. It was like a reconaissance mission to find out whether a computerised Library system would be suitable for where I work. One of my work colleagues, who also happens to be a mate came along with me for moral and technical support. We made a reccy of their equipment and grounds, asked about any problems, past or forseeable and were quite impressed by their friendliness and efficiency. It was quite a large boys school, Desborough (1200 boys) - too much testosterone flying about for my liking - we were there for about one and half hours and then left.

As it was still quite early and we were skiving(avoiding) work, we decided to go for lunch. There wasn't much in Maidenhead and it was hell for parking, so my friend Steve who knows the area quite well, suggested going into Marlow in Buckinghamshire, which is about 10 minutes drive from where we were.

Marlow is delightful, I have never been there and I would love to go back and have a proper look at the place. There was a lovely main street, with loads of pretty little shops. Loads of pubs and restaurants, which offer food of all varieties. We didn't walk down as far as the river but Steve told me that the bridge is really something to see - I googled for an image and here it is below - as you can see it is quite pretty.



We had a nice lunch in one of the pubs (I can't remember the name of it) we had:

Caramelised Onion, Fig, Pear and Chestnut Tart

Chunky Chips with Mustard Mayonaise

Mixed Salad with Rocket

I can't face a drink at lunchtime and Steve was driving so we had a soft drink each (Honestly we did!!). We left around 3.30 pm and it only took us 30 mins to get back into London, amazing when you think that all the schools were turning out and all the Mummys were out in their monstrous 4 wheel drives (why you need a 4wd to ride around central London, I will never know)!!

When I got indoors I felt absolutely shattered, strange considering I didn't drive - I went to bed and slept solidily for three quarters of an hour, the alarm went off so I got up, complete with creased face and a bed head (hair all sticking up). I had to go back to school for a parents meeting, which was starting at 7pm - the little darlings are going away on school trips in July - they will be going to Belgium, Holland, Greece, Wales and Devon all in all 300 kids will be moved around the globe by my school, and I have the pleasure of escorting the group to Belgium.

I've gone on a bit, I have to pack my stuff for tomorrow (Bruges).

Chips and Chocolate here I come.

Jo xx

So much time, so little to do - or is it...

I haven't written my blog for the past couple of days as I have been very busy reading - what you say - when your house is in a mess!! Well I say 'yes' I jolly well will read my books.

I have read Chinua Achebe's short book called 'Things fall apart', it was something I have wanted to read for a while - a short book just over one hundred pages long, but gripping nonetheless. It tells about a tribe in Nigeria around the time when the Christian missionaries began to spread the "good word". By our standards, their customs would seem barbaric, but Christianity ultimately was the thing which destroyed their way of life. Read it, it's good.

The second book I read was published in 1979 and at the time was a huge bestseller. Virginia Andrews' 'Flowers in the Attic' is at the same time tender and horrifying and show the power that a mother's so called love can hold over her own flesh and blood. Also read it, it's harrowing, but very readable.

I am still trying to read 'et tu babe' Mark Leynar, but was waylaid by the other easier reads, I will plod on with Mark.

With all this sunshine and rain, my garden has run amok. I have not been able to cut the grass for several reasons, bad foot(sprained ankle), lazy sons, I couldn't be bothered and finally reading took precedence over everything.

Below is a photo of my long grass

The grass is so long now, that I fear I will have to go out with my machete and chop my way through the undergrowth to the back of my garden. There are two other reasons why I hate cutting my grass:

Frogs and Fox Poo!!

The frogs make a mess when the lawnmower goes over them (by accident) and the fox poo just stinks!!

This weekend I am going away with some friends from work. We are going to Bruges, where I am sure they will try many types of the Belgian beer on offer, I will try some as well, but I have found that as I get older my body just cannot cope with any amounts of alchohol - two glasses of wine and I'm anybody's.(True) It should be a laugh, there are about nine of us going, two girls (women) and seven boys (men), they are all perfectly behaved(really). The boyfriend is not too happy when I go away with my friends, but I don't care. He is the one with the hang-ups and insecurities.

We will be travelling to Bruges on Eurostar, which I have to say before I went on it I was petrified of going into the Channel Tunnel - once I made the first journey I realised I had been scared about nothing. It is definitely a comfortable way to travel and I would recommend it to anyone.

My son went to a wedding in Finland last year, which he thoroughly enjoyed. He found the people kind, generous and extremely friendly. He had gone to a work colleagues wedding (they paid for the hotel). The friend recently went back home and bought him back a very strange looking drink, that he is a bit reluctant to try. It looks like motor oil - very dirty motor oil.

Photo of weird drink

Has anyone out there in Blogdom ever tasted this drink and what the heck does it taste like???

Can't think of anything more I want to write, so I will bid you adieu mes amies.

Jo xx

Dollis Hill, a great place to live!

I thought you might like to know a bit about the area, which I live in. It is not right in the centre of London, but it is still within 20 mins by car or tube to the West End.

I have two stations nearby Neasden and Dollis Hill, both are quite a bit of a walk, but on a lovely day, such as the ones we have had in the last couple of days it is either a nice stroll through the park or a walk down Dollis Hill Lane, towards the Neasden Roundabout.

Here is a picture of Dollis Hill Station(tube sign), complete with obligatory graffitti, I didn't take this one.

My local park is called Gladstone Park, it is quite a large area and has beautiful views over London. On a clear day you can see as far as the London Eye. The land and Dollis Hill House was originally owned by a wealthy family (can't remember their names).

William Gladstone(ex-Prime Minister) used to come and visit quite often. Mark Twain also came to visit in 1900.

Mark Twain by Gladstone Pond

Gladstone view(not a particularly brilliant picture)

A really interesting bit of history surrounds a large building sited right at the top of Dollis Hill. It used to be a Post Office Research Station - The code breaking computer(Colossus) of Bletchley Park (Enigma Code) fame, was built here during the Second World War. This was also where the first speaking clock was developed. The research station was closed in the 1970's - Cadburys Schweppes took the building over, also for research - they left in the late 80's. The building laid empty for over 10 years and in the late 90's was converted into private flats - a crying shame I think.

Here is a picture of the building(my house is in one of the little roads nearby)

To the east of my house lies Wembley of Wembley Stadium fame, home of football (that was), this is where England won their only World Cup Victory in 1966. Fingers crossed for this year.

The new Stadium is still being constructed (well overdue), but looks really impressive. I can see it from the bottom of my road.



The old stadium had a lot of character and it was really sad when they pulled the old Wembley twin towers down. I tried to get a decent photo, but for some reason all the decent sites were blocked.

I have lived in this area for 20 years and it is like a little oasis away from the hustle bustle of Cricklewood to my west and Neasden to the east. Near enough to hit the night life, should I so wish it and far enough for a bit of peace and quiet.

Have a jolly good night. Jo xx

What a life!!

I have just spent a pleasant 2 hours watching a Netball tournament. Not that I particularly enjoy watching this game (boring version of basketball), but it was Staff against students, so it was a lot of fun watching some of the less fit members of staff, get extremely sweaty and red in the face (big up - well done to them), I certainly wouldn't have been able to run around in today's heat for two hours!! The other bonus of sitting on the sidelines is that you get to hear all the school gossip, who is having affairs with who, who has been promoted, who is leaving to have a baby plus all the other stuff that happens in a large school (I will not repeat anything I have been told in confidence, but.... No really I'm just not that kind of a person).

Recently I have been thinking a lot about taking a holiday, in which I don't do any sightseeing, I don't have to trudge around visiting family, I don't have to worry about anyone but me. I thought I should go away for a week in the school summer holidays, to Spain for some sea, sand and sangria. Take a few good books with me, eat loads of food that I want to eat, swim for hours in a pool or in the sea, take long walks and get a nice healthy glow.

I made the mistake of thinking my boyfriend would like to come with me, he needs a relaxing holiday as much as I do - so I broached the subject - his response,

'Oh I don't think Susan (ex-wife) would be very happy with that'.

My response,

'What the f*****g hell does it have to do with her, it's none of her f*****g business what we do with our lives!!'.

I completely lost it with him and complete with many expletives, I proceeded to ask/tell him why his ex-wife of at least 7 years should have any say in his life. I then told him, 'I'm going on my own' to which he replied, 'What have I done to upset you?'. (Game's up)

I don't hold a grudge so once I had a good cry (frustration and anger) we made up. I still don't actually know whether or not he agreed to come with me - this may be a moot point as I don't have a pot to piss in (I'm skint, broke, boracic), but I am still quite happy.

Food I have to look forward to when/if I go to Spain

Calamares

Sepia a la plancha with Aioli

Paella Valenciana

Arroz al horno

Tortilla de patatas

Ensalada mixta (with beautiful, big, flavourful Spanish tomatoes)

Gambas al ajillo

Patatas bravas

I could go on all night, but my mouth is beginning to water and I really am trying to lose some weight for next weekend's trip to Bruges (Belgium). Where I will probably eat:

Chips and mayonnaise

Waffles

Carbonard

Mussels

STOP, STOP, STOP!!


I am this moment listening to some stuff by Enya, Sail away and other bits. My boys bought me Amarantine, last Christmas, it's ok but a little bit samey (if you know what I mean).

I think I will go off to the Land of Nod (Sleep) a bit earlier today, I seem to be somewhat sleepy.

Sweet Dreams. Jo xx

Feeling hot, hot, hot !!!

Phew, what a scorcher it has been today! It's a shame I couldn't really appreciate the weather as I have been stuck inside most of the day - still making photo frames for staff pictures. I think the temperature reached 23C, not quite sure what that is in Fahrenheit.

Here in London we already have a hosepipe and sprinkler ban in place and this morning there was talk of making it illegal to wash your car in some parts of the Southeast of England. I don't want to be a scaremonger, but I think I will be getting a few large bottles of water in from the local supermarket, just incase??

No photos today, I just can't be asked at the moment.

Have spent most of the day singing with the young guy who works with me. We have been humming the theme tune to 'Black Beauty' singing the theme tune from 'It ain't half hot Mum' an old TV (BBC) programme, and 'Shaddup you face' by Joe Dolce (or something like that).

Yes I know they are really odd songs to be singing or humming, but don't you ever get those days when the weirdest of songs/tunes keep going round in your head (no), well maybe it's just me then. Anyhow, I really quite enjoyed our little sing-song, although we did get some very strange looks from the kids, when they came in to ask for paper or to take a book out.

I am just off to my boyfriend's house now as we will not be seeing each other for a couple of days, he has some heavy duty clients to drive around for the next couple of days and he misses me so (aahhh, so sweet).

Hasta mañana amigos

Jo xx

The pleasures of the National Health Service

Today I have spent 5 hours using the NHS.

I am a great fan of the NHS although it does get a battering quite often from the British public. I have had my monies worth for my National Insurance Contributions and have always been well looked after wherever I have been.

Today I have been in Northwick Park Hospital, which has been in the news alot and not for good reasons. Most recently it has been in the news for Drugs trials gone wrong and around a year ago it was embroiled in a Maternity Scandal, wherein figures were published giving it as one of the worst places in Britain for women to give birth (high mortality rates).

Luckily for me, I only had to go for an XRay, as my ankle is still very painful and more/darker bruising seemed to be appearing. My GP(Doctor) thought I should get it checked out, just to make sure I didn't have a chipped bone - panic over everything is ok and I will apparently live to a ripe old age.

Northwick Park & St. Mark's Hospitals are like a small village and cover a huge area, which backs on to the world famous Harrow Boys School playing fields. At this point I was going to download a picture, but there seems to be something wrong with blogger's picture downloading thing - maybe I will try later.(did try later now working)



My car had decided to play-up and just wouldn't start this morning - I had to walk to the Doctor, which luckily is only 10 minutes walk away, but with my bad foot and today's warm weather by the time I got there I was sweating like a pig- a friend of mine always says 'Ladies don't sweat' - she is refering to one of of those little rhymes/sayings;

Horses Sweat
Gentlemen Perspire
Ladies Glow

But believe me folks, I was SWEATING!! Not only was I sweating, but my blood pressure had shot up and the doctor couldn't find my vein to take a blood sample - to top it all she said she couldn't find my vein, because I have such round arms(fat)!! I felt so beautiful at that very moment.

My kind sister-in-law (well ex sister-in-law actually) offered to take me for my XRay, which was nice (Fast Show fans will know what I mean). As it is her birthday on Friday I paid for lunch for us after we finished at the hospital. We went to Debenhams in Harrow and ate in their restaurant, which wasn't really that impressive. The meal was reasonably priced and plentiful, so I suppose that was something. We both had:

Scampi

Chips

Peas

Tartare Sauce

Buttered Roll (was going to link to Urbandictionary.com,but didn't think sounded like anything I would do with a piece of bread) CAUTION: not for under 18's!!!

With this food we had a pot of English tea (rosy lee) it all came to a grand total of £9.90 - not bad eh?

I thought your were on a diet (I'm sure I heard someone say) yes and I will be having fruit and Peppermint tea for this evening's repast.

Back to work again tomorrow.

Jo xx

Oh what a May Day!!

Today on this May Day bank holiday I have not really done very much - this is quite normal for me. I work hard when I am at work, but when at home lassitude overcomes me and I couldn't normally tell you what I have been doing.

The morning started around 9am - this is late for me - I usually get up around 6.15am on a weekday and around 7.30am weekends.

I went to bed last night watching a DVD 'Lost in Translation' with Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson. I haven't decided whether I really enjoyed it. It is a strange film and to me it was more about a slice of life (japanese style) than necessarily any relationship between the star actors. Tokyo, if this film is a good representation, is mad and noisy and I think if I had to live there for too long, I would probably go crazy!

As I said, I got up around 9am - one of my nephews stayed over last night to watch the wrestling with my younger son and they were both crashed out on the couches in the front room. I crept around trying not to wake them, my son kind of woke with a start, said something like 'ugh' and then went back to his gentle snoring. They both woke up a couple of hours later and like the little robin chicks in my Dad's greenhouse, they clamoured to be fed.

Rice Krispies with milk and sugar for my nephew(he says he is watching his weight)

Toasted Bacon Sandwich, with sliced tomatoes and mayonaise for me and my son (we should be watching our weight, but what the hell!!)

I washed mine down with two cups of coffee - Kenco Columbian blend, at present.

I washed the dishes, did a couple of loads of washing, contemplated my navel several times and read a bit more of my current book 'Et tu babe' by Mark Leyner.

I spoke to one of my sisters, who said she was going to visit my mum and dad and to baby sit for one of our brothers. She was babysitting our youngest niece(such a dolly) whilst her parents were taking her big brother (9 years old) to bowling with friends (a birthday treat). We don't get to see the baby of the family too often as my brother and his wife live in Chorleywood, so I thought I would go and visit too.

Poor little love was a bit under the weather (ill), she had an ear infection and a bit of a temperature. Even with all this, the little darling was singing and counting and being scary, as only a (nearly) two year old can be. We took her out to show her the robin chicks, but I think she just wanted to eat them.

I took a photo of the chicks, but they were a bit quiet, so you can only make out three in the picture.

We tried to keep her amused by playing games of peep-bo and reading her stories, but the poor darling was all hot and bothered and missing her mummy. We started singing songs to her and that seemed to calm her. Her mummy is a teacher and teaches music (I think) at school, she also has a wonderful singing voice and I am sure must sing to her little girl a lot, because it calmed her down immediately.

My youngest sister also came to visit and with her came her youngest daughter, so we had a pleasant few hours talking and singing to the baby. I know we must sound like the Von Trapp family from 'The sound of music', but we really do enjoy singing and can harmonise quite well. When we were little and my parents had visitors, we regularly had to sing infront of them (shame), i'm sure it must have been embarassing for them too.

I forgot to mention yesterday, that my boyfriend bought me another one of those silly toys he likes to buy me, this time it was a Blackbird, soft toy, with it's call recorded. When you press it's back it sounds exactly like a blackbird - I think I will test it in my garden to see how the real blackbirds react!

Not a very good photo, I should have taken it in daylight.

Here is a photo of my mum in her favourite outfit, a red cardigan, with pockets(she has two or three of these) and shapeless trousers.

My sister(Palmers Green) says that my mum always looks like a person of no fixed abode, a tramp, a hobo, a mess!!

Back home around 7pm ate some pasta with cheese and butter and watched Eastenders.

Couple more loads of washing.

Read other blogs.

Write my blog.

Go to bed.

Sleep.

Bye

Jo