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I can't please everyone and you might disagree with something I've said so share your view - just don't be a dick about it.

Sunday, 13 March 2011

Love is ...

What is love?  Is it a feeling?  Is it something you can have in different levels?  Or is it the one, real thing you have with the person you (hopefully) spend the rest of your life with?

No doubt you’ve all said, ‘I love you’ to other partners before the partner you are with now but was it real?  You thought it was real at the time, right?  Or sometimes did you just say it out of habit?

Me personally, I think the difference is that when you are in real love with someone and after the initial infatuation has been replaced with routine, you still get those little nervous, expectant butterflies when you think they might be on their way to see you.

One of my colleagues, Lisa, said that she could sense real electricity between Him and Me when he came into our office. 

This is after we’ve been together for 6 years, through real ups and downs, drama’s, emotional turmoil, two amniocentesis’s, two births, a miscarriage, huge arguments, huge laughs and initially making lots of mistakes and finally, starting to grow up together. 

I am no expert by any stretch of the imagination and I probably mess things up more than others do.  I said before I am tactless but I am also hot headed, opinionated and sarcastic.  I'd say that although I am low maintenance deep down, I am in no doubt that I am anything but hard work, in a relationship sense.  Sometimes I feel like I shouldn't have to explain myself and I feel angry and let down if I feel He doesn't understand where I'm coming from straight away.  He can be an utter d*ckhead too but it works.  Finally, after all the sh*t and doubt and upset, we are in that place where you know, you are with 'the one'.

Here's what I think love is;

Wanting them to love your new favourite song

Watching for their reaction to a sketch/joke that you think is funny

Needing them to publicly be in your corner, even if they disagree with you in private

Buttering their toast last, so that it stays warmest

Standing there, waiting thirstily with a new jar of coffee in your hand, for them to finish their morning poo, so that they can break the foil with a spoon

Holding their face and silently looking into each others eye’s til you actually feel your heart swell in your chest

Sitting at the harbour, on a romantic table for two, thinking, “I can’t wait to squeeze that gargantuan blackhead on his nose” and when you get home, although he finds it disturbing, he actually lets you do it

Your brain being consumed with thoughts of them throughout your day

Jumping to their defence, like a fearless lioness protecting its cubs, when they’re threatened then thinking afterwards, “Shit, they would’ve eaten me”!

Worrying about them unnecessarily

Literally wanting to rip each others heads off then, after getting ten minutes away from them, returning and nonchalantly asking some frivolous question about whatever

Being yourself around them, including not fake laughing at their jokes, or pretending the dinner they’ve cooked you is nice

Massaging their feet whilst watching telly, then stopping to have a sip of wine and realising your fingers now stink of cheese.  Then carrying on regardless

Possibly biggest test of all – mixing up your CD’s with theirs! Who can be arsed going, “this one’s mine, that’s yours, no, that one is mine”, when you’ve split up? So, if you’re not sure it’s real love, keep your CD’s in separate stands

Knowing that they are your soul mate and you cannot be without them.

He just walked in the kitchen and I collared him to ok this post before adding it on here and he said, “love is, walking into the kitchen just to grab a beer because you’re in the middle of a game of Black Ops (xbox) and she’s sitting at the computer, in stripy socks and an inside out sweatshirt going blah blah blah and you stand there listening because you want to be near her”!
Him & Me
Songs often sum love up, when we can’t.  I’ll leave you with a line from a Stone Temple Pilots song that I think is quietly powerful ….

“If you should die before me, ask if you can bring a friend”.

Jessie J - Who You Are (Live @ Times Square)

Something Old, Something new, Something Borrowed, Something Blue

Morning !  (added at 16.55 - I'm not feeling the Jarvis Cocker show, 4 - 6. Maybe I just don't get it ).

We we listening to http://www.bbc.co.uk/6music/ this morning in bed, (kids watched Cbbc downstairs for a whole 40 minutes!!!) and DJ Jo wood had a section on her show where she asks a listener to phone in and discuss & play four songs; Something old etc

The listener selected, started talking and me & HIM were intrigued.  What would she choose for her 'something old' track? Drum roll....................... Diamonds & Pearls by Prince!

What??? 

Surely she could've racked her brains and come up with something better than that sparkly, lightweight tosh?!  It's not even a good Prince song.  Had she chosen, Purple Rain, or even Darling Nikki, I could have understood. 

HE bristled throughout the entire song, especially the tinkly bits.  Prince repulses HIM anyway, haha.

I find it amusing and I even enjoy making HIS skin crawl sometimes.  If i'm feeling particularly irritating, I'll ask Him if he has any requests, to which he usually answers, "YES, F*CKIN' SHUT UP"... the only two choices I give him are Bright Eyes from Watership Down,  or Last Christmas by Wham (in which I eccentuate the whispered 'happy chrissstmassss' bit). 
Knowing his hatred for Prince I think I'll add a third option of Could You Be The Most Beeeeeeauuuuuuutiful Man in the World.....he'll love that!

Anyway, after Diamonds& Pearls had finished, it was time for the listener to play her Something New choice.  It was something oldish by Shirley Bassey.  I don't mind Dame Bassey but I find her songs quite similar and definitely not 'new'. 

For 'something borrowed',  she p;layed something sounding a bit like The Enemy crossed with The Clash... and I've forgotton what she'd selected for Something Blue.  Nothing outstanding anyway.  

But see, that is why music is so fantastic.  One man's favourite will be another man's most hated.

What would you choose and why? 

This is what i'd have chosen;
Something Old - Summertime by Janis Joplin, she makes me screech along with her and feel her pain.  Her voice was so emotive.  She sounded so sincere, like she meant every word and every wail and this particular song gives me goosebumps. 
OR, Positively 4th Street by Bob Dylan - brilliant lyrics to sing loudly if ever you've been wronged by someone.
OR, not that old but Red Hot Chili Peppers are my favourite band of all time, so most of their songs, particularly off the By The Way album, could be played at anytime.
Something New - Passout - Tinie Tempah, just because it makes me, HIM and our kids leap about in our kitchen, everytime it's played.
OR Cee lo Green, Jessie J, Noah & the Whale...all for the same reason.
And now, loads of bluesy/folky/country/bluegrassy sounding stuff i'm hearing on Radio 6 that i've never heard before.
Something Borrowed - Long Lankin by Steeleye Span.  This is most definitely borrowed from my Mums collection.  Thanks to Maddy Priors clear and haunting vocals, brilliantly talented musicians and an eerie tale of an unwanted visitor, the song is as atmospheric as a good book. 
Something Blue - Songs that always move me to tears, for various reasons are, Nothingman by Pearl Jam  -  Rhinestone Cowboy by Glen Campbell  -  Moonriver by Danny Williams  -  Days by Kirstie Maccoll  -  Fix You by Coldplay  -  Other Side of the World by KT Tunstall  -  Change by Blind Melon  -  All Apologies by Nirvana  -  Fernando by Abba   -  Run by Snow Patrol  -  Good Riddance by Green Day and the theme tune to Born Free!

It's really difficult just picking just one song for each category and I have failed miserably but hey ho.
HE has chosen the following and written why;

Something Old When the Tigers Broke Free by Pink Floyd because it is absolutely top notch and they just dont make them like that anymore, it evokes many differing emotions, amazing how you can feel happy and sad at the same time. 
Pulp,  their first album especially (his and hers) brings back memories of being a teenager and the transformation from drum and bass and going raving, into going to gigs and festivals.
Then of course Live Forever, Supersonic, Slideaway by Oasis, The Charlatons, Stone Roses, The Smiths, not going to name the songs as it would do some of their other songs an injustice.
Something New Rolling In The Deep by Adele, because it's a new example of a beat that starts and goes full circle, my favoruite type of beat, the perfect example would be Columbia By Oasis. Must add as well the last song I heard on the radio then had to find it on you tube was the Drums, I wanna go surfing, a happy whistling tune.
Something Borrowed Joan Armatrading,  'me myself and I', as it used to make me sing out loud when my mum  played it
Something Blue Nightswimming, REM, I love the Piano, always make me feel sad.

Back to me - Aw he really wasn't interested in putting his addition at first, grumbling, "it's your blog", but once he got started, I couldn't stop him! The power of music eh?

We just played When The tigers Broke Free and are now listening to Columbia by Oasis...both his choices.  It's necessary to listen to other peoples music from time to time as it opens you up to so many possibilities and for some people, it's the only way they can get in touch with their emotions and connect with others or 'express themselves' - (another two good songs right there, either by NWA or Madonna)!

If you do You Tube any of our songs listed, it'd be interesting to hear what you thought, good or bad!  I'd also love to hear what your choices would be.

Below I have copied the BBC Radio 6 music schedule for today.  I'm particularly interested to hear what Jarvis Cockers show will be like at 4pm.  Cerys Matthews played some wicked stuff I hadn't heard before.

ENJOY!

  •      Morning
  1. 07:00–10:00
    Another listener gets sonically hitched on Married to the Music.
  2. 10:00–12:00
    James Blake session tracks for Cerys, plus Sunday multi-genre book-themed musical delights


  • Afternoon

    1. 12:00–13:00
      Matt Everitt in conversation with Andrew Weatherall.
    2. 13:00–16:00
      Huey talks to Ian Anderson, the singer and songwriter from the band Jethro Tull.
    3. 16:00–18:00
      Dodgy opinion, crackpot theories, hare-brained schemes and beautiful, beautiful music.




  • Evening

    1. 18:00–20:00
      Van Der Graaf Generator's Peter Hamill previews the new album from the prog veterans.
    2. 20:00–22:00
      DJ and producer Ben Watt continues his 6 Mix residency.
    3. 22:00–00:00
      Join Guy as he ransacks his record collection to find tunes for your late night enjoyment.




  • Late

    1. 00:00–01:00
      Don Letts - Culture Clash Radio, including Babe Ruth, Shorty the President and Lanu.
    2. 01:00–03:00
      Featuring Bath quintet Kill It Kid and session tracks from Lulu and The Lampshades.
    3. 03:00–04:00
      7/13. Johnnie Walker explores how Atlantic signed acts that could emulate the British Invasion.
    4. 04:00–05:00
      Live Turin Brakes from 2001, plus sessions from Ian A Anderson and BMX Bandits.
  • Saturday, 12 March 2011

    Hello én a magyar néző! And hello American viewers!

    Obsolete...

    Spent the day at the pool with the kids & HIM. 

    It was great going down the slides with my daughter on my lap. 

    This is a fairly new thing for me as I was always too scared as a kid after getting 'elbow burn' from descending a bumpy slide sideways but I get egged on now, by HIS more outgoing, brave, chavvy side.

    I am definitely more of a nerd than HIM, (even though HE nearly always has something stuck to his shoe, be it toilet roll, a drawing pin or chewing gum - he even drove along with a long strand of toilet roll on his tyre once).

    We were watching the kids in the garden this morning after HE'd mowed the lawn and I made the observation that our daughter is confident and very much like him, apart from the stubborness and our son is such a little nerd.  It's a contstant struggle trying to quash the nerdiness from taking over him, with trendy clothes and Vans; he is our Gorgeous Geek. 

    At the pool, just in the queue, waiting to have a last go on the slide, I overheard a group of young boys in front of me exchanging tips on how to go the fastest.  They were only about ten yrs old and looked fairly civil so I piped up, "If you sit up but lean as far forward as you can, you go really fast"... they just looked at me vacantly............so I continued with nervous enthusiasm, "Yeah coz the first time we went on it, I thought we'd go nice and slow if I sat up but we flew down so fast that she was screaming"!  The ten yr olds smiled at me with raised eyebrows.  I thought to myself, "good, they're impressed...now stop talking".

    I then watched, waiting my turn as one by one, completely ignoring my advice, they laid down flat and went quickish, down the slide.

    I must be so old that it's impossible for me to have any cool tips. Therefore, the boys smiles had just been the kind of smiles you indulge an OAP with, who's suffering from dementia but insists on telling you the same story for the 5th time that visit. 

    At that moment, I felt obsolete.  That was until me and my daughter landed with a splash at the bottom to see HIM & our son smiling and waving at us. Not sympathetically either!

    Other things that made me feel a bit hmm, today were;

    Katie Price on the cover of stoooopid Heat magazine, going on about how happy she is that her marriage had ended and she's hooked up with another young wannabe.  I like her but my patience is wearing thin, (I'm sure she'd be upset to hear that).  She appears to be losing her warmth.  I know she's had so much botox that her face doesn't have any expression anymore and this will only increase the feeling of the public that she is 'uncaring and cold'.  It's very hard for her to look anything but unmoved, if her face is completely numb.

    I don't understand why anyone would get divorced and then want to celebrate by getting photographed, going with loads of people who mean absolutely nothing to them.  It's so transparent.  Have some ME time!

    The cottage pie I had made last week had to be thrown away with only half of it eaten - what a waste of food.

    I was considering buying my son an Arsenal book, covering from 1886 - 2010 but decided against the purchase because as it ended at 2010, it was already out of date!

    Sorting through unwanted old toys and baby clothes that are too small is sad.  Worst of all is chucking once favourite toys into the tip because no one wants them anymore.

    I bought a TV/ VHS combi from a colleague at work for a fiver, just so I could watch old comedy sketches that Me and my gorgeous Irish friend Catherine had filmed in 2001.  These are the ones we sent to Channel 4 and as a result, ended up having interviews with Talkback productions. 

    I was so much slimmer in the video and looked care free.  This meant I was watching and laughing furiously at bits and reminiscing about friendships past and younger, wrinkle free skin.

    It was also strangely poignant using a VHS again.  There was no rewind button so I had to wait til the tape ran to the end and then it noisily rewound automatically.  I felt sorry that I'd discarded all my old tapes now.

    On the way to the pool, HE was listening to the talksport radio and I suggested we have some music on.  He recently had to replace his boy racer with a middle aged mans car.  To top things off, his old car had a CD changer where as the 'new' car just has cassettes.

    The previous owner had thoughtfully left Elton John and three 'The Corrs' tapes!   HE has since bought Oasis, Bob Marley and a Best of Elton John tape.

    At one point, HE must've pressed the play button only half in because Bob suddenly sounded more like one of Cinderella's mice than a 'Buffalo Soldier'.  This reminded us of being little and taping the charts off the radio on a weekend as youngsters.  Having to press play and record at the same time and trying to press stop before the DJ started talking.  I remembered numerous times I'd be taping Adam & The Ants, or Bananarama and my Mum would come in and ask if I wanted an Ovaltine and I'd wave my hands frantically and whisper, "SSSSHH,  I'M RECORDING "!!!

    I am however, pleased that I have managed to recycle something that had been forgotton about for a good many years.  Worzel Gummidge. 

    I You Tubed whole episodes and got the kids watching them.  I think I finally said 'that's enough' after they'd sat through three episodes in a row.  A mean feat engaging the interest of a 2 & 4 yr old for that long and something that modern programme makers often fail at doing.

    When starting this blog, I didn't realise how much I'd enjoy going over stuff from the past, or quite how much things are just taken for granted, chucked away and forgotten.   Everything is too convenient and easily replaced nowadays.  I know I'm moaning but just imagine for a minute, you at aged 9.  

    Now imagine how that 9 year old would feel if he or she were taken out of their paisley carpeted bedroom and placed in 2011?

    I think this is why I enjoy boot fairs so much.  There's something very cosy and familiar about searching for treasure in other peoples rejected things. 

    I hope we don't get forgotten when we are old-er and I hope the world slows down a bit before it's too late, just so we can all stop from time to time and smile.

    http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/console/bbc_6music

    http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/console/bbc_6music

    Radio 6 is my new station...shame I can't listen to it in the car though.... they are trying to revive 'Swap Shop' and the music has been spot on too! Good chat, funny and great new & old tunes...JUST WHAT THE DOCTOR ORDERED!

    http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00sz345

    Radio 6 is cool at the moment.... Jo Wood 7 - 10 am Saturday morning...

    Friday, 11 March 2011

    Happenings, thoughts and other stuff…

    Japan
    I wont talk too much about this, as I’m not knowledgeable enough and will end up sounding pathetic but I can’t write today’s post without mentioning the earthquake and tsunami in Japan
    I hope everything settles and they get as much help as possible and can rebuild their lives eventually. 
    It’s a chilling reminder of how nature can turn on us and cause such destruction on such a huge scale.  It makes us feel mortal and our worries seem insignificant.
    HITLER’S HOLIDAY SNAPS
    Life magazine have just published photographs that were confiscated by the American army years ago, from Eva Braun’s private collection. 
    Looking at them they seem unremarkable but given who her boyfriend was, the normality of the pictures is what’s so disturbing.   This one I found the most powerful:
    The juxtaposition of his gentle affection towards a dog and what he was allowing to happen to human beings, screams out from this photo.
    If only the little dog had been working within the French Resistance and had been receiving information, through an ear piece, about the kindly gentleman petting him and the pain and sorrow he was inflicting elsewhere, he’d have leapt up and ripped the moustache off his lip.  I’d have paid to see that photo.
    SCARY BOOKS
    For no reason at all, I thought today about The Isamores Child – or Issamors Child, something like that. 
    It was a book that I never read because the cover scared me so much.  It sat on my bookshelf when I was little and no matter where I positioned it, It always made it's way into my eye line from my bed in the dark… I think it was a blackish cover with a small, white, ghostly figure,  running through trees.  I googled it and couldn't find it. 
    Going on A Bear Hunt – this book is popular now but at one stage, at my sons nursery, all the kids there were frightened of it. My son kept using bears as the reason he couldn’t go up to the loo on his own, or couldn’t go to bed.  I YOUTUBED it for him and we found an American dad reading it to his daughters.  You can't see them and he's used photo's to illustrate the story.  At the end, you see two eyes.  This terrified my son and still does but we bought the book and read it when we want to be scared.  Very ocassionally.
    The Cake Struggle
    Why is it that as soon as I think, ‘right, that’s it, no more crap, just good food and exercise’, people bring in cakes to work?  It’s that old ‘you want what you can’t have/ grass is always greener’ type thing isn’t it?
    Maybe if HE told me that I was banned from using the hoover/polish/mop, the house would be clean and tidy!  (HE's just read this over my shoulder and informed me I am now banned from sex, snogging and all attention-giving).
    Did Frank Sidebottom influence Bo Selecta?
    Do you remember Frank Sidebottom?  I just thought, isn’t he rather similar to the Bo Selecta character of Craaaaig Daaaaavid?
     
    That's it for today.    Body Dysmorphia has also crossed my mind today but it's a big subject that I think I can talk about on a later post.
    Thank FUDGE it's Friday eh?  Have a good weekend ;)

    Thursday, 10 March 2011

    JEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEESUS!!!!!

    As we put the kids to bed last night, I noticed a large black spider in the corner of the ceiling between the kids bedroom and ours. 

    Now, we don't have too many creepy crawlies in england that can do too much harm to a human so it wasn't a case for the baseball bat but it was enough for me to go, "cor look at that kids"!

    The four of us stopped what we were doing and stood silently 'appreciating' the thing. 

    We put the kids in bed and said goodnight.

    As we walked across the landing to the top of the stairs, I said to Him, "do you think we should leave him there? I don't want him crawling across the kids faces whilst they're sleeping".  He replied that the spider would be fine up there and to just leave it be and we went back downstairs.

    It was still just sitting there as we retired for the night and yet He was adamant that we should just leave it as it wasn't doing any harm. So we did.

    The next morning, this morning, we were charging about getting dressed and making coffee and brushing hair and kids teeth etc but I did notice that the spider had gone. 

    I don't know about you but I prefer it when I know exactly where they are, so the sudden realisation that it had got bored of watching us from the ceiling and had ventured onwards, to explore our home, didn't fill me with joy.  Still, we had to get ready for work and nursery so we just carried on.

    Our son has learnt how to wink and was making us laugh a lot this morning because far from looking cool when he does it, he looks just like one of the Munchkins from the Wizard of Oz...
    the ones that sang 'we represent, the lollipop guild'... and our daughter was refusing to let me brush her hair, so I had to wrestle her on the floor in the kitchen, ridiculous!

    I kissed them all goodbye and they left. 

    I was already dressed in loafers, thick patterned tights, smart grey shorts and a top.  I just had time to down my coffee and run upstairs to brush my teeth before leaving too.

    Standing in the bathroom,  looking in the mirror and pulling 'teeth brushing faces', I felt a sharp nip on my right thigh.  Like a pin prick.  I pulled my shorts up to see if the label has scratched me and I got another sharper nip, panicking, I brushed my hand across my thigh and felt my palm roll across something. As I looked closer, (hoping up and down on the spot at this point) I saw the big black spider trying to wriggle out of my tights! 'AAAAGGGGHHHHHH JEEEEEEEESUSSS"!  I SWORE A LOT AS I SAW THAT THE BLOODY THING HAD OBVIOUSLY CLIMBED INTO MY TIGHTS AND WAS TRAPPED INSIDE THEM,.......WITH MY LEG!

    I got him out and stared at him, all rolled up and dead on the bathroom mat.  I have goosebumps even now! 

    The last time I felt that sudden panicky fear was when I was swimming in a lake in Australia and some old local chap shouted across to me from the land, "ERE LAV, there's an eight foot baracuda in there that'll suck the thong roight off ya foot"!

    Shudder.

    Wednesday, 9 March 2011

    Hey Nonny No and a Nonny Nonny What?!

     


    I'm quite partial to a drop of folk music. 

    Yes alright! Scoff if you want. I do know it's not cool.  I do understand that to most people, seeing a group of oddballs, singing through their noses, in harmonised rounds with a hand cupped over one ear, heads bobbing sideways coming together in one cringeworthy, morris dancing, sheep racing crescendo is repellant. But I LIKE IT.


    I have my Mother to thank/ blame for that.  She played A LOT of Steeleye Span to me & my brother throughout our childhood. 

    I have clear memories of us skipping ferociously around the living room, nodding insanely to each other as we passed by, in mid air. 

    Mum was meant to be hoovering or dusting but once the needle was lowered and the crackles gave way to Peter Knights furious fiddling (!) the housework was quite rightly tossed aside.  We must've looked like absolute mental patients!   It was brilliant!

    She'd also sit us on the settee and make us say 'Ice creeeeeeeeeeeeeeam', in a round.  (My partner cannot harmonise at all). ((YES! I WIN THE HARMONISING)).

    HE refers to it as 'pinch it, prick it, poke it music'. 

    HE says, sneering and smiling in equal measure, "it's not rubbish, it's musical but it's just, fuckin, away with the faeries stuff innit"?

    Whilst making the dinner this evening I played and sang along loudly to Galtee Farmer and HE just went about His business, ocassionally shaking his head sympathetically at me.

    Steeleye Spans lyrics are often dark and medieval.  Ye Olde England was a hard place to live in I imagine.  I love the phrases and the feel of the music and with Maddy Priors clear as a bell, haunting voice added, it is so atmospheric.  I don't understand how anybody could listen to Long Lankin and not get goosebumps.

    We all, with my auntie Sunny, went to see Steeleye' in concert, twice! I was about 5yrs old.  I loved it and remember them throwing Smarties out into the audience.

    On the other hand, even I cringe at some of it.  My brother and mum skip merrily onwards, further down the winding path into Folk land whilst I sort of hover just inside the gate.

    Also from by my mums record collection is Bob Dylan, Peter Paul & Mary, Donovan and The Stones.

    Mum liked the idea of being a hippy but would never have done enough drugs to become a fully fledged one.  Years later, I tried to help her with this lack of commitment when upon her return from the shops, she announced to me in a shocked, breathless tone, that the staff in the pet shop were going to have to remove the Cat Nip from the shelves as 'street kids' were coming in and buying it in order to 'get high'! I promptly threw her a couple of sheckles and sent her straight back to purchase a box of the stuff to make a bong with.  Oh how we coughed!

    On the subject of half-arsed drug use,  I remember that for years there was half a joint in the kitchen drawer that Mum was too scared to smoke but too nostalgic to throw out!

    Back to folk.  I think alot of this goes hand in hand with folk music.  Summer festivals in the English countryside, battle re enactments, (accountants & librarians dressed as jousting knights and busty maidens).  Drinking cider and sipping Mead. 
    Paganism.  Alternative medicine and falconry hahahaha  (sorry but it reminds me of Craaaaaig David).

    Poor fashion sense is a pre requisite, as is the stench of patchouli and other foul incense, (it's called incense because the stench of it incenses everyone else)!

    So, I'm not a complete weirdo but I do have a place in my heart for hey nonny no-ing.  I urge you all to listen to Galtee Farmer, then Long Lankin.  In a quiet room.  Eyes closed.  'You tube' it.

    Steeleye Span are playing soon, April 2nd, at the Gulbenkian theatre in Canterbury.  There's also a 'magical faery festival in Canterbury, see link below and may I add for your perusal, a fabulous wand smith at http://www.woodlandwands.com/ and also, if you'd like to try Reiki, contact Kelly at http://www.fillyourface.com/  it's all brilliant.  The Magical Faerie Festival - Faery Fest by The Magical Times Magazine
    www.magicalfestivals.co.uk   RIP TIM HART!

    Tuesday, 8 March 2011

    International Women's Day


    All my lovely ladeez, All my lovely ladeez, Now putchya hands UP!

    Well, haven't we come a long way since getting the vote? Cheers Emmeline!

    I thought I'd take this opportunity to express my gratitude to the women in my life, past and present.


    From Mums with big boobs n bums, to sulky teens in skinny jeans, sexy singles, gym bunnies, lesbo's, mafro's, toddlers and Nans,
    HIP HIP HOORAY FOR US, WOMAN!

    Sarah W P - You are a late comer as I couldn't remember you from school days, (for one drunken evening)! And I can't believe you remembered me, I was so bland!  You are such a funny lady.  I have discovered your massive personality via Facebook.  You are definitely a force and someone I feel akin to.  Very pleased to vitually meet you Sarah!  You are one of my special ladies haha ;)

    Zoe - aww you made my days at Do It All pass by a little quicker and we share that very bad and dishonest secret. That was a very funny day.  Little memories like that creep into our subconcious from time to time snd bring smiles to our faces.  Pleased we are chatting once again via FB and thank you for following me on here. Your dogs are luscious by the way!

    Susan P - Tomato! Aw Beautiful Sue, I hope you have enough love around you to help you through difficult times.  You're lovely! I have memories of us trying not to laugh at such silly things, while others rolled their eyes and tutted.  And you cooking Jamaican dumplings, rice and (kidney beanS, PLURAL not PEA) hahaha x

    Midwives - The two last midwives who helped bring my daughter into the world were just brilliant, thank you!- (I'd just like to apologise now to the ones involved in my sons birth - the poo!!!! i'm so, so sorry).
    .
    Jen & Joy - statuesque and serene, with infectious smiles that stretch from ear to ear.  Real genuine, caring, strong women.  Wonderful memories of cosy Christmasses with numerous cats and lots of laughing. And Jen who, for a very short while looked up at me while I made up your little girls face & 'styled' your hair. I love you both.

    Sunny - Fiesty and fun loving and oddly ageless. Courageous, stubborn and talented. Took me on my first holiday and I still laugh when I picture you falling in the mud on that moped.  You shoulda learnt! Love you.

    Nic  H-C- I never see you as you live so far away but I remember how we thought we'd be Police women but more like Charlies Angels, than Cagney & Lacey.  I think we've both paid for being the loud, bolshy ones, by being rewarded with even louder, bolshier daughters ;)

    Sharon - I am looking forward to learning Scottish.  It's so strange how I can't be arsed with most people but with you, I am drawn even though I only 'get' every other word.  I am honoured to have been invited to your reception, (not the actual wedding tho eh doll? maybe the next one haha).  Looking forward to being good pals with you x

    Janet - Make more chocolates.  You were put on this earth to make stuff.  You've amazed me this year.  I hope people begin to appreciate just how unbelievably gracious you are.

    Lola - You surprise me and impress me almost every day,  (who actually makes paneer?!) Your determination and drive is magnificent.  Your Mum would be proud of you. Your mind is filthy! ;)

    Justina - You need to slow down and smell the flowers.  You're a gorgeous woman who needs to realise her own worth.  Take influence from others you admire but allow yourself to grow.  You're so much more together than I was at your age, I hope you enjoy your youth before you grow up too much.  Be confident, you're fantastic x

    Kelly - You bright and sparkly star you! I hope you get what you want. You're being so brave dolly. You bring such light into the lives of those around you that you deserve everything you wish for.

    Marie - Marie, Marie, Marie hahaha I love you girlfriend!  I feel lucky that I get to spend our precious fleeting 'mummy time' together.  You're strong and funny and cocksure.  I hope we get more 'us' time as we need it sista!

    Tori - I hardly know you but I understand the work life balance thing.  I got a warm, genuine feeling from you at the New Year buffet (it could've been that your Tenar Lady Pants had burst) and I hope you'll be around for ever. 

    Linda Twaddle - I feel very lucky to have stumbled upon our virtual relationship.  You really are a great woman.  Interesting, encouraging, artistic and fun.  I look forward to hearing more of your thoughts and adventures.  I may become the crazed superfan after all! ;)

    Caroline and Vicci - You introduced me to the naughtier side of life.  You taught me to swim properly and how to dive in!  Thank you for such wonderful, life changing experiences x x x x x

    Jayne C, Nadine, Claire and Karen - we lived together in Tenerife and you were great friends and allies and Jayne, you are annoyingly just as gorgeous now as you were then!

    Cathybum - We shared such hilariousness, it's a crime that we hardly speak now.  I love you and want you to know I am here for you, oh and as soon as I work out how, I will upload our comedy sketches, ok Princess? x x x

    Sarah C - Just keep doing what you're doing Sar and you'll reap the rewards.  You mean the world to me and so many others.  You're amazing.

    Char - You are soooooo funny and are soooooo wasted in your fabulous job.  I wish you'd go and do Am Dram, I would go and watch every play!  You and Sarah C make my days manageable.  Thank you.

    Nan Ada - I was a little too young to have really appreciated you and I wish I had known you better but I remember you were a strong willed and fearsome woman with a face that lit up when you laughed.  You and my Dad both laugh the same way, head down, hands covering the face.  I'm smiling whilst typing this Nan x

    Nanny Joan - Now I feel sad. You were wonderful. Such a beautiful woman. I miss your calypso, hip swaying as you got my Alpen from the cupboard and the way you'd burst the silver top milk open with one jab of your elbow.  I wish you'd met your grandaughter.  She looks like you, in your crossest photograph.  You are so missed by Mum and me.  Grandad missed you the most though so it pleases us that you're together again x x

    Mum - You little mouse.  You are more of a lion and will out live us all!  I love your quirks and I love you being my Mum.  You're so set in your ways, yet so gullible too.  I hope you stop reading the Daily Mail this year.  I'll get the independant delivered to your door x x x

    Ams - My beautiful little girl.  You are part of me.  I will try to steer you towards being yourself so that you stay as you are and don't get bogged down by the mundane, realness of routine.  I will encourage your personality and help you channel your energy. We will discover new things together and you will explore life for yourself.  You're clever, grumpy, so confident and yet so caring and gentle too.  You seem older than your years and always have.  You brighten my days Ams and I will be here for you throughout all of them. X

    Happy Women's Day !

    Monday, 7 March 2011

    Periods, Hormones and Moods.


    I’m warning you now, if you are male, or if you are adverse to hearing about that time of the month etc, then this post is definitely not for you.  

    This is not a funny or light hearted post.  It’s not an uplifting, or happy post.  In fact, it’s not nice, period.

    Each woman is affected differently to a certain degree. I know that there are a few who don’t seem to be affected at all, or can handle all of it and take it with a pinch of salt.  I am not one of them.  I wish I was. 

    I don’t suffer too badly from pains and I know people who do.  I feel sorry for them, as I would for any innocent person who is experiencing discomfort but I have a feeling that it has to be easier to live with than the mental side of it.  You can take tablets that will rid you of the pain and have no side effects.

    I am not trivialising period pain at all.  I am just trying to get my point across.  I suppose it works both ways and unless you have it, you can’t comment.

    I go through stages.  I can be irritable, emotional, argumentative, forgetful, clumsy or mothering.  Mostly, I am ‘evil’ one to two weeks before my actual period. 

    According to Him, I am, ‘horrible, over the top and not from this planet’.  He says that during that week, he can say one thing and I will take something completely unrelated from it. 

    During ‘red week’ apparently I am distant and separate.  The following week, he says I am highly sexed and ‘all over him’.  The week after that, I am indifferent. ?!? Good eh?  

    The weekly schedule I have, would suggest that I am only ‘normal’ for 1 to two weeks of every cycle.  The ‘time of the month’ has gotta be the least accurate name for it.  I remember being taught about this at school and the nurse said we would lose about one teaspoons worth at most and that it only lasts 3 days.

    I can be filled with self loathing during, well, I actually don’t quite know when, in relation to ‘Arsenal playing at home week’, but I can literally hate myself.  I doubt myself,   shout and act instantly on irrational anger and then feel incredibly emotional and guilty afterwards.  It is not something I feel able to control really. I’m not as bad as some who go and cause physical damage on people and blame their periods.  Those poor women!

    I get a real prickly rage in my arms and chest.  I grit my teeth and try not to get into conversation with anyone I care for, for fear of saying something hateful and then feeling overcome by guilt and bursting into floods of tears.  Embarrassing for all involved really!

    The rage and upset is definitely the worst part of it.  I have suggested taking pills for it but oddly enough, He has talked me out of it.  So, I have never even enquired at the Doctors. 

    I read an article a while ago where the woman who’d written it said something along the lines of, ‘stop living with it. It is your choice to do nothing about it when you know there are pills that can quash it. Therefore, it is your choice to be like it, stop moaning. That’s what I did and although I was apprehensive, I haven’t regretted it once’.

    I don’t want to be reliant on anything.  I definitely don’t want to change my personality, or become a different person, (I’m thinking Jack Nicholson’s character after the lobotomy in ‘One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest’)!

    I get head aches, sometimes feel dizzy, as though I am not focussing correctly and can’t finish things I’ve started, (apart from chocolate).

    
    Hormones are such powerful things.  We're thinking of booking our holiday and I am desperately farting about with dates so as not to go when I am at my most ferocious or fragile.  I don't want to attract sharks either!
    WOAH BODYFOOOORM !
      People trivialise the effects of hormones and men roll their eyes at women, using them as an excuse for being ‘difficult’, or ‘high maintenance’.  I bet if Hitler, Pol Pot and Genghis Khan had been women, there’d be a few historians and psycho-bods raising a collective eyebrow and giving a nod in agreement towards the probability that they were ‘on the blob’, during their worst acts of tyranny!

    I met my friend Marie for a coffee the other day and as I walked over to her, thought how well she looked.  Fresh faced and apart from wearing a dodgy teal coloured jumper thing, (which I later questioned her about – helpful, I know), she looked younger and very pretty.  Her reply was that she felt awful.  She thought she looked like shit! For the next 5 minutes, I listened astounded, as she verbally destroyed herself.  Bearing in mind that this is the same Marie, whom I say should be a therapist.  A woman who is normally so together and so fantastic at advising others and also doesn’t worry about what others may think if she feels she is right, (and usually is), had just crumbled before my very eyes.

    At work, we can usually tell when each other are hormonal.  My poor colleagues get the brunt of mine and I sincerely apologise to them for that.  I get snapped at regularly by them as well.

    So, what am I going to do about it?   I don’t know.  I bought Agnus Castus and I think I felt a little more emotional whilst on it.  I take evening primrose sporadically and so I don’t think it’d be able to do its magic.

    I have no idea what the best coping mechanism is.  Actually, I don’t want to cope with it.  I want to be rid of it.  I have had my beautiful babies and don’t want anymore.  I could have a hysterectomy!!! Knowing my hormones, I’d probably grow a full on pirates beard! 

    So, come on, what do you do? How do you cope? Have any of you taken happy pills? Or do you have other remedies?  Is there some ancient pagan secret that can completely rid me of all the crap and make me instead feel like the sexy high priestess of womanhood and femininity? 

    Let me know… Laters Blood!

    Here's a couple of links you might enjoy


    www.goop.com