see you in November

Tomorrow, at some unearthly hour, we’re off to Greece. We’re having a holiday alone, sans les enfant, just him and me.

We went away in the summer all six of us and as I mentioned (but it seems to have disappeared from here) we have a 40 year age differential between the lot of us which does not make for the easiest time spent together. However on thinking about it, it’s not so much the age gap as the sex gap. We girls, whilst technically aged 7, 15, 19 and 40 something, are all actually 17. We are mostly happy doing all the same things as long as mine has gin added. The boys (5 and 36) alternate between 5 and 55. They like to jump in swimming pools making big splashes, we like to swim whilst keeping our hair and faces dry. They play crazy golf – we don’t get that. They don’t like shopping, we do. We like to sing in the car and on the street and along to background music, they get embarrassed. We like pink, they like mud and climbing up things, we like taxis. And so it goes on. And on and on…
I keep telling myself, only 13 years till the last one’s in college!

Anyway, I’ve got diverted from the gist of this which is that we’re off for a cultural and romantic break ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!

Bye for now
xx

It works!

now I see you

my idea of DIY

I’m so excited, I’ve just ordered this off tinternet.

What’s more I have ordered the deluxe, rechargeable version so there is no fear of it running down at an inopportune moment.

I expect to be fully satisfied :o)

not finished yet...

The drink you see is to celebrate Carmy's promotion.
The rest? Still all my own work - the grouting is foul. I now have permanently black nails and I'm only about a 5th of the way through. Good job Carmy gave me an excuse to stop and start drinking.
"hic"

DIY: actually I'd rather someone else did it

* note wall

This is mine and it's full of liquid gold. It must be because I have just had it filled and I shall be paying for it until 2011, or thereabouts.

So in an effort to keep clean and warm AND eating, I was inspired to buy this:

because I have a lot of these:

(it's the trees we're looking at here)

Sadly this plan (A) has faltered just a little because I don't have one of these:

So I am making one: Plan B
I have purchased some tiles and stuff to stick them on with, and a large piece of black flint on which the logburner can sit, or is it stand. I will have to get some twin-walled chimney type stuff and make a hole in the ceiling and roof, and poke it through.

I am doing this because Himself, who is wonderful in so many ways, is not gifted in the DIY department. Nor is he able to discern those who are. Hence he has left me alone this morning with a tool box and the corner of the living room. I have done this so far:

I don't really know, I have to admit, what I'm doing.

Taking off the skirting-board was easy and fun. The dado rail (is that what they're called?) was trickier but I have cut what's left to the correct size (well maybe) with my trusty junior hacksaw.

I've spent a happy 2 minutes peeling off bits of wallpaper.

Then I got bored and decided to take pictures of what I was doing and put them here - which is easier.

I shall go back to it in a minute and continue peeling off the wall paper so there's none left - that will be an achievement!

So. . . I need help don't I?
* I fell off that wall in the summer and knocked myself out. I was found by my neighbour and taken to A&E where the 12 year old Doctor told me I was a very silly girl, lucky for him I couldn't see straight to deck him.
And later that same day

Well?
are you not impressed?
At this rate I might be finished by Christmas, and all my own work!
1900hrs and I'm signing off for a very large G&T and a long bath. xx

songs

Tag by Cherry!
Songs that mean something, right? – not favourites. Although there is obviously some overlap.

The man who plays the mandolino – Dean Martin
I remember hearing this emanating from downstairs, when as a small child my parents had dinner parties. It wasn’t the only song ever played (lots of Dean, Frank, Glen and much jazz) but for some reason it left an impression.

Silver Machine- Hawkwind
It was understood that at 70s discos you would sit on the floor and shake your head to this.

Layla – Derek and the Dominoes
First serious boyfriend referred to me as Layla

Stairway to Heaven – Led Zeplin
How I loved Jimmy Page. Knebworth 79 – fantastic.

Sunshine after the rain - Elkie Brooks
First broken heart

She’s not there – Santana
This and Black Magic Woman reminds me of my first taste of independence.

Don’t fear the reaper – Blue Oyster Cult
Went to see Blue Oyster Cult with my best friend ever. He died aged 27 of kidney failure. Please carry a donor card – thank you.

Auberge - Chris Rea
Just love this – no reason

Come away with me – Norah Jones
Just for Himself

Take your mama out – Scissor Sisters
Singing along in the car with my daughters and being the only mother who knew the words along with those to Comfortably Numb from the first time round. (prefer Pink Floyd version)

(I’d also like Perfect Day by Lou Reed just because)

These are the first 10 that came to mind – I’m sure tomorrow a different 10 would surface. Anyway I tag FE, and Carmy.

waiting for ...?

Where has my life gone? I don’t seem to exist before September, at least not on here. I distinctly remember writing some rubbish. Maybe there are Blog police who come and wipe out anything not up to standard? Or maybe they are Life police because I have lost lives before.
I once had a profession and a career.
Then (suddenly) I was a mother without a clue.
Then I managed to misplace a husband.
Then he was replaced by a boyman and someone else’s children (even less of a clue).
I have a different job but it doesn't feel like a real job although I have taken (to my own surprise) qualifications in it. why?
I'm not unhappy at all, it's just all this seems to have happened without my complete say so. I’m not one to make plans but I do feel at my great age I should know what’s going on. Nothing ever feels completely and substantially existent. . .

mad eh? and I've only just realise!

ps
this is a plaster (bandaid) Pammy

I could be redundant soon!