I suppose you're keen to find out what happened at last night's birthday meal? Well, let me say that I took a day's sick leave today to recover and it's the first and indeed the last time I ever take a day off to nurse a hangover.
Father drove myself, Mother, Auntie and cousin Eleanor in the new 7 seat Hyuandai car (complete with leather seats!) and we arrived at the Bienvida restaurant in good time. We were met by my friend Emma and her sister Fiona, so a girlie night out for all of us. Now, I don't know if you've ever been to the Bienvida but it's a bit like stepping back in time, there's anagylipa wallpaper adorning the walls, thick dralon curtains, peach tablecloths and napkins folded in various formations. The waiters were attentive and the set menu very reasonable.
We ordered the 'Thursday Thriller' which consisted of a choice of soups or prawn cocktail for starter, lamb, steak or vegetable medley for main and a selection of desserts from the sweet trolley to follow - all this for the princely sum of £12.99 per person! We also purchased two bottles of wine for the table, one white, one red. It didn't take long before cousin Eleanor was guzzling back the wine and laughing like a drain - I exchanged some fierce looks with Emma, she's well aware of Eleanor's past history, especially the 'Christmas Fiasco'.
The conversation at the table was lively - we discussed whether Gordon Brown enjoys collecting stamps and the legacy of the credit crunch, however this free and easy ambiance wasn't enough for Eleanor who'd ordered another bottle of wine, much to the disgust of Mother. Eleanor then proceeded to go to the bar and order a few additional drinks, a pitcher of strange coloured liquid and some 'shots'.
Now the rest of the evening was a bit of a blur - I do recall pinching a waiter's behind and singing 'I will survive' at the top of my voice. Emma also left at some point after being rather shocked by the amount of alcohol which had been imbibed. I think I had a conversation about Mr A with Eleanor at some point because she asked me if he was a good kisser and I replied that I wouldn't know if he was or not! She then decided to start singing 'Like A Virgin' at full volume until Mother silenced her with a rather barbed comment which I'm loathe to repeat.
The next thing I remember was being put to bed and the room spinning....
A blog about a strange forty-something woman who lives in the London suburbs, likes wearing acrylic and saving money.
Friday, 26 February 2010
Thursday, 25 February 2010
Today I am 40
Yes, it's happened, I'm now a 40-year-old spinster but I don't feel too bad about it! Woke at 7am by Mother carrying a tray containing a large cup of tea and an enormous cake fashioned out of Mr Kipling's finest cakes. There were slabs of country fruit cake, French Fancies and Battenberg cakes all fashioned into a large mass by mother's impressive ribbons of icing. She'd written 'Happy Birthday Margaret, 40 years yg' When I asked her why the last word was somewhat deficient in letters she replied that 'the icing was running out and she hadn't time to make any more.'
I sipped my tea and ate a slice of cake, both of which were scrummy and discussed plans for the day. As you already know, I'm going out for the day with my cousin Eleanor in London whilst Mother is keen to get her hair re-set at the pensioners' special, which is only available on Thursdays between the hours of 11:15 and 12:05.
Mother gave me my presents which consisted of the following items purchased from M&S: 6 pairs of opaque tights, a tshirt with a daringly low neckline, a bronze satchel and a ceramic biscuit barrel in the shape of the pig which makes an 'oink!' noise when one lifts the lid. I thanked Mother profusely for my lovely gifts.
At 10 am precisely I met Eleanor at the local station. I was keen to ensure that Eleanor took full advantage of the Gold card discount I could provide for her one day travelcard (a saving of £2.20!) I also managed to pick up a 2for1 London booklet and we used it to gain a discount on the Handel House Museum (HHM).
The HHM is a strange place, the woman on the reception desk was in a neck brace and therefore couldn't move her neck to gesture where the entrance was, which was rather confusing! We finally took the lift up to the house and enjoyed wandering around the various rooms. Whilst we were in there another visitor was invited to 'leave his rucksack at reception' and another asked to play Handel's pianoforte - the cheek! After 2 hours Eleanor was clearly bored and I had ensured that I'd eked all possible value from our tickets and we duly departed.
We ended up in the Civil Service Club again and Eleanor was keen to order a pint of Peroni for herself but it was orange juice all the way for me. Whilst there she spotted a friend of her husband's, George and they chatted about 'the good old days of the civil service when everyone used to get tipsy at lunchtime'. Now call me a prude but that behaviour is deplorable!
After 2 pints we all left as George had an appointment with the Minister and Eleanor and I journeyed to the National Portrait Gallery, we had a lovely time wandering around before it was time to go and catch the train.
I'm really looking forward until tonight!
I sipped my tea and ate a slice of cake, both of which were scrummy and discussed plans for the day. As you already know, I'm going out for the day with my cousin Eleanor in London whilst Mother is keen to get her hair re-set at the pensioners' special, which is only available on Thursdays between the hours of 11:15 and 12:05.
Mother gave me my presents which consisted of the following items purchased from M&S: 6 pairs of opaque tights, a tshirt with a daringly low neckline, a bronze satchel and a ceramic biscuit barrel in the shape of the pig which makes an 'oink!' noise when one lifts the lid. I thanked Mother profusely for my lovely gifts.
At 10 am precisely I met Eleanor at the local station. I was keen to ensure that Eleanor took full advantage of the Gold card discount I could provide for her one day travelcard (a saving of £2.20!) I also managed to pick up a 2for1 London booklet and we used it to gain a discount on the Handel House Museum (HHM).
The HHM is a strange place, the woman on the reception desk was in a neck brace and therefore couldn't move her neck to gesture where the entrance was, which was rather confusing! We finally took the lift up to the house and enjoyed wandering around the various rooms. Whilst we were in there another visitor was invited to 'leave his rucksack at reception' and another asked to play Handel's pianoforte - the cheek! After 2 hours Eleanor was clearly bored and I had ensured that I'd eked all possible value from our tickets and we duly departed.
We ended up in the Civil Service Club again and Eleanor was keen to order a pint of Peroni for herself but it was orange juice all the way for me. Whilst there she spotted a friend of her husband's, George and they chatted about 'the good old days of the civil service when everyone used to get tipsy at lunchtime'. Now call me a prude but that behaviour is deplorable!
After 2 pints we all left as George had an appointment with the Minister and Eleanor and I journeyed to the National Portrait Gallery, we had a lovely time wandering around before it was time to go and catch the train.
I'm really looking forward until tonight!
Wednesday, 24 February 2010
My last day of being 39
I'd like to say that it was a good day, but sadly it wasn't. I attended a group meeting of all of the Records Managers in the Department but there weren't enough PowerPoint slides to keep my interest. There wasn't even any refreshments either - I recall a time when ALL meetings included a selection of coffee, teas and biscuits, those days have long gone!
It rained pretty much all day, the only highlight was popping to Sainsbury's at lunchtime to purchase some apples and a multipack of salt and vinegar crisps for my office drawer. At just £1 for 6 bags this represents excellent value.
Walking back from the station I had to run to avoid the numerous puddles which lined the side of the main road. I nearly got caught by a double decker bus!
Ho, hum - off to bed in a minute because I want to get an early night tonight. I'm off to London with my cousin tomorrow. I'm hoping to take advantage of the London 2for1 offers which abound. I quite fancy visiting the Freud museum.
Not sure what's been planned for tomorrow night but Mother told me to be ready at 8pm and to wear something 'smartish' (isn't she aware that I don't own any clothes I would deem 'scruffy'? I fear it's a trip to a local restaurant, but I'll let you know tomorrow night if I'm not too squiffy!
It rained pretty much all day, the only highlight was popping to Sainsbury's at lunchtime to purchase some apples and a multipack of salt and vinegar crisps for my office drawer. At just £1 for 6 bags this represents excellent value.
Walking back from the station I had to run to avoid the numerous puddles which lined the side of the main road. I nearly got caught by a double decker bus!
Ho, hum - off to bed in a minute because I want to get an early night tonight. I'm off to London with my cousin tomorrow. I'm hoping to take advantage of the London 2for1 offers which abound. I quite fancy visiting the Freud museum.
Not sure what's been planned for tomorrow night but Mother told me to be ready at 8pm and to wear something 'smartish' (isn't she aware that I don't own any clothes I would deem 'scruffy'? I fear it's a trip to a local restaurant, but I'll let you know tomorrow night if I'm not too squiffy!
Monday, 22 February 2010
Records Management
I'm home bright and early today because I attended a 'Records Management Workshop' which took place in our records store based in Croydon. In many ways Croydon would be an ideal place to live - it's served by a huge array of trains, is located in zone 5 and best of all, one of the opening sequences of the fabulous TV comedy 'Terry and June' was filmed at the Whitgift Centre!
Anyway, I digress. I take my job as records manager very seriously indeed and love deleting incorrectly or inapropriately named files. Someone once unkindly called me a 'jobsworth' and a 'filing nut' but when I do a job, I like to do it right! Therefore it's always pleasant to meet up with fellow RMs and find out their 'tricks of the trade' so to speak. The highlights of the day were the trip around the 'marked for burning files' and the sandwich lunch, which is always pleasant.
Whilst on the train home I switched on my mobile. Many people would take the mickey out of my telephone because it dates back to 2002 but my mantra is 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it' and I can confirm that the the Nokia 3210's a wonderful handset. I keep it spick and span by carrying it around in a sandwich bag and refusing to switch it on until absolutely necessary. I adhere to a strict 'pay as you go' system and don't have voicemail. Some may get annoyed by this but I don't see why I have to pay to pick up other's messages.
My handset beeped and lo and behold, there was a text from Mr A. He apologised for not being around this week but he's stuck in a series of meetings in Brussels. Last week on our date he tried to explain the history behind the European Union but I must confess that I found it rather tedious and started to drift off. He assured me that he'll steal a showercap from the hotel for me (I said that Mother likes to keep her seedlings warm with them!) and that we'll definately meet up next week.
Anyway, I digress. I take my job as records manager very seriously indeed and love deleting incorrectly or inapropriately named files. Someone once unkindly called me a 'jobsworth' and a 'filing nut' but when I do a job, I like to do it right! Therefore it's always pleasant to meet up with fellow RMs and find out their 'tricks of the trade' so to speak. The highlights of the day were the trip around the 'marked for burning files' and the sandwich lunch, which is always pleasant.
Whilst on the train home I switched on my mobile. Many people would take the mickey out of my telephone because it dates back to 2002 but my mantra is 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it' and I can confirm that the the Nokia 3210's a wonderful handset. I keep it spick and span by carrying it around in a sandwich bag and refusing to switch it on until absolutely necessary. I adhere to a strict 'pay as you go' system and don't have voicemail. Some may get annoyed by this but I don't see why I have to pay to pick up other's messages.
My handset beeped and lo and behold, there was a text from Mr A. He apologised for not being around this week but he's stuck in a series of meetings in Brussels. Last week on our date he tried to explain the history behind the European Union but I must confess that I found it rather tedious and started to drift off. He assured me that he'll steal a showercap from the hotel for me (I said that Mother likes to keep her seedlings warm with them!) and that we'll definately meet up next week.
Sunday, 21 February 2010
A quiet weekend?
Question: is there such a thing as a quiet weekend these days? Answer: no, not if you live in our house. Mother and Father had left at 7am - ostensibly to miss the traffic en route to their craft fayre extravaganza in Crawley. They were showcasing their unique brand of life sized plaster models of cats - Father's a whizz with a brush and some Humbrol enamel paint!
I thought I'd have a lie in until about 8:15am but this was rudely cut short when I heard shouting, hollering and car doors slamming eminating from next door's driveway - it was their version of family Sunday once more. Now, from reading this blog you'll be aware that I'm not a person to judge my fellow man but the Macpherson-Webb family (MW for short) aren't really 'our' kind of peeople.
Mr MW favours wearing vests all year round and has a fantastic array of tattoos adorning his torso and lower legs (I haven't seen any other parts of his body exposed so he may be further inked - who knows?) Mrs MW (if you can call her that, I believe the term used to be common law) likes wearing sportswear purchased from the local market teamed with scuffed plastic stilletto heels. Both partners are loud, foul mouthed and smoke at least 40 cigarettes per day and consume a great deal of alcohol (I've checked their recycling box for evidence.) They have four children named: Beffany (sic - yes that is the correct spelling), Tyrowne, Saffire and Tweezle who range in age from 15 down to 3 and have unique characteristics all of their own.
By 10am four more cars were parked haphazardly along the road and their 'get together' was in full swing. My walls reverberated with the sounds of their 60 inch plasma TV's speakers belting out their games console kareoke game. Honestly, the MW version of 'The Greatest Love of All' is one performance which is somewhat unforgettable - for all the wrong reasons!
At 3pm Mrs MW served up her 'all day breakfast special' which she'd cooked on the instant BBQ to her hungry hoard. Smoke billowed out of the filthy contraption and I was forced to bring the cat in, lest her fur should smell of carbonated pig fat.
I am writing this now at 5:30pm having put up with the thumping and banging which has been occuring all day. I would surmise that Mr and Mrs MW's superking bed is now rather less springy than it once was because of the sheer amount of bouncing which has occured on it today. In some ways this is a blessing - I had been wanting to complain about their disgusting carry on during last year's power cuts - it makes me sick to the stomach!
My 40th birthday looms even closer - Thursday's the big day....
I thought I'd have a lie in until about 8:15am but this was rudely cut short when I heard shouting, hollering and car doors slamming eminating from next door's driveway - it was their version of family Sunday once more. Now, from reading this blog you'll be aware that I'm not a person to judge my fellow man but the Macpherson-Webb family (MW for short) aren't really 'our' kind of peeople.
Mr MW favours wearing vests all year round and has a fantastic array of tattoos adorning his torso and lower legs (I haven't seen any other parts of his body exposed so he may be further inked - who knows?) Mrs MW (if you can call her that, I believe the term used to be common law) likes wearing sportswear purchased from the local market teamed with scuffed plastic stilletto heels. Both partners are loud, foul mouthed and smoke at least 40 cigarettes per day and consume a great deal of alcohol (I've checked their recycling box for evidence.) They have four children named: Beffany (sic - yes that is the correct spelling), Tyrowne, Saffire and Tweezle who range in age from 15 down to 3 and have unique characteristics all of their own.
By 10am four more cars were parked haphazardly along the road and their 'get together' was in full swing. My walls reverberated with the sounds of their 60 inch plasma TV's speakers belting out their games console kareoke game. Honestly, the MW version of 'The Greatest Love of All' is one performance which is somewhat unforgettable - for all the wrong reasons!
At 3pm Mrs MW served up her 'all day breakfast special' which she'd cooked on the instant BBQ to her hungry hoard. Smoke billowed out of the filthy contraption and I was forced to bring the cat in, lest her fur should smell of carbonated pig fat.
I am writing this now at 5:30pm having put up with the thumping and banging which has been occuring all day. I would surmise that Mr and Mrs MW's superking bed is now rather less springy than it once was because of the sheer amount of bouncing which has occured on it today. In some ways this is a blessing - I had been wanting to complain about their disgusting carry on during last year's power cuts - it makes me sick to the stomach!
My 40th birthday looms even closer - Thursday's the big day....
Wednesday, 17 February 2010
'Eat me' dates
Well, I've eaten a good dinner as my mother would say and I'm sitting here typing up the events of last night's date. I was somewhat disappointed that Mr Average had 'too much month at the end of the money' and as a result, didn't have enough to even go halvsies on a Wetherspoons Grill Club special so we ended up going to the civil service club instead. Now, don't get me wrong, I don't mind the place and to be honest my cousin even held her wedding reception there but it's not as cheap as it was, much to Mr A's chagrin!
We chose a seat near the door and scanned the clientele - they ranged from porters to fully blown officials but one thing was clear, they were more than a little odd - one gentleman was blatantly sticking his hands into his pockets in a gesture which I believe is known as 'pocket billiards' and there was a group of colleagues who looked as though they were rejects from Top Of The Pops in the 1970s! There was also a rather lovely comb over which was carefully arranged on top of the man's head to conceal his increasing baldness.
After two white wine spritzers I started to loosen up. Mr A was being as amusing as he usually was in the office - quoting lines from Monty Python and enthralling me with his knowledge of pretty much anything (I'd imagine he's a whizz on a quiz team!) I appriased his appearance: sandy coloured hair, blue eyes and a clear complexion. He's tall though, which is always a bonus because I'm a strapping 5ft 9incher. His dress sense could improve though, so if we hit it off I'll take him along to M&S, Next and Burton and try to improve his wardrobe.
At about 21:15 I decided that it was time to go home - after all mother does worry if I'm out too late and Mr A decided to walk me back to Charing Cross Station. Whilst waiting for the 21:39 he tried to kiss me, now I've no problems with holding hands with friends in public but I do baulk at public displays of affection, especially on Tuesday nights in February, so I gently pushed him away. I don't think he minded though because he grinned and said he'd see me at work the next day. Whilst on the train I ruminated on the evening just passed, it had been fun but was it really 'living?' After all, I am turning 40 next week....
We chose a seat near the door and scanned the clientele - they ranged from porters to fully blown officials but one thing was clear, they were more than a little odd - one gentleman was blatantly sticking his hands into his pockets in a gesture which I believe is known as 'pocket billiards' and there was a group of colleagues who looked as though they were rejects from Top Of The Pops in the 1970s! There was also a rather lovely comb over which was carefully arranged on top of the man's head to conceal his increasing baldness.
After two white wine spritzers I started to loosen up. Mr A was being as amusing as he usually was in the office - quoting lines from Monty Python and enthralling me with his knowledge of pretty much anything (I'd imagine he's a whizz on a quiz team!) I appriased his appearance: sandy coloured hair, blue eyes and a clear complexion. He's tall though, which is always a bonus because I'm a strapping 5ft 9incher. His dress sense could improve though, so if we hit it off I'll take him along to M&S, Next and Burton and try to improve his wardrobe.
At about 21:15 I decided that it was time to go home - after all mother does worry if I'm out too late and Mr A decided to walk me back to Charing Cross Station. Whilst waiting for the 21:39 he tried to kiss me, now I've no problems with holding hands with friends in public but I do baulk at public displays of affection, especially on Tuesday nights in February, so I gently pushed him away. I don't think he minded though because he grinned and said he'd see me at work the next day. Whilst on the train I ruminated on the evening just passed, it had been fun but was it really 'living?' After all, I am turning 40 next week....
Tuesday, 16 February 2010
Waiting in vain?
Tonight's the night of my date with my colleague - let's just call him 'Mr Average'. I'm looking forward to it and have worn a polyester non crease skirt to ensure that I look daisy fresh when we rendezvous at 5:30pm. We going to the Jolly Pig, a Weatherspoons nearby because Tuesday's their 'Grill Club' (the only thing you should know about Grill Club is that you don't talk about Grill Club' - tee hee, a little film based humour to lighten the day!
Grill Club is rather yummy, you've many options to choose from via their impressive menu. I tend to plump for an 8oz sirloin with a glass of red wine to really ensure that I get my full value from the offer but we may be able to invest in the 2 steaks and a bottle of wine - bliss. The other thing I like about Weatherspoons is their fine array of fake books on the wall, which is always pleasant.
I do hope that he doesn't try and kiss me as I've had a corned beef sandwich for lunch and despite consuming a number of mints, the aftertaste isn't going away. Saying that, we may end the date on a firm handshake, which is always enjoyable to both parties.
Grill Club is rather yummy, you've many options to choose from via their impressive menu. I tend to plump for an 8oz sirloin with a glass of red wine to really ensure that I get my full value from the offer but we may be able to invest in the 2 steaks and a bottle of wine - bliss. The other thing I like about Weatherspoons is their fine array of fake books on the wall, which is always pleasant.
I do hope that he doesn't try and kiss me as I've had a corned beef sandwich for lunch and despite consuming a number of mints, the aftertaste isn't going away. Saying that, we may end the date on a firm handshake, which is always enjoyable to both parties.
Monday, 15 February 2010
A perfect picnic
Today is Mother's birthday and I have taken a day's annual leave to help her celebrate it. She refuses to state the year she was born but I'm guestimating it to be 1946 to coincide with Grandpappy's return from the war, it could be earlier if you took heed of to the gossip at the time as it was said that Grandmammy never wanted for chocolate or nylons. Anyhow, Mother's a woman who's keen on picnic lunches to off we duly set off in Father's new car to the dockside shopping centre to whet our appetite so to speak.
Now I love Marks and Spencer - they have a fantastic selection of acrylic knitwear in a myriad of colours which really flatter a woman nearing her 40th birthday. I also like the way in which they're easy to wash and wear and don't need a great deal of shaving with my Remington fuzz away. I purchased a new cardigan for the princely sum of £12, it's chocolate brown with satin buttons which will look rather snazzy with my new corduroy skirt. I adore cord it's both warm and will never date, which is always a bonus, although it does wear out around the bottom if one's a prodigious walker.
After two hours of wandering around the shopping centre we were all hungry so we retired to the car and drove to our normal picnic place overlooking the docks. Sadly the bridge was closed so we were forced to drive some 10 minutes and park in front of an empty lagoon. The picnic was fantastic - spam and egg sandwiches, mini pork pies, slices of quiche and crisps. I'd made some of my famous mince pies and we sat and munched together in companionable silence. I love drinking coffee from a flask and especially enjoy the way that everything slightly tastes of plastic, why oh why can't we purchase tartan flasks any longer? It's aluminium all the way now - pah!
Now I love Marks and Spencer - they have a fantastic selection of acrylic knitwear in a myriad of colours which really flatter a woman nearing her 40th birthday. I also like the way in which they're easy to wash and wear and don't need a great deal of shaving with my Remington fuzz away. I purchased a new cardigan for the princely sum of £12, it's chocolate brown with satin buttons which will look rather snazzy with my new corduroy skirt. I adore cord it's both warm and will never date, which is always a bonus, although it does wear out around the bottom if one's a prodigious walker.
After two hours of wandering around the shopping centre we were all hungry so we retired to the car and drove to our normal picnic place overlooking the docks. Sadly the bridge was closed so we were forced to drive some 10 minutes and park in front of an empty lagoon. The picnic was fantastic - spam and egg sandwiches, mini pork pies, slices of quiche and crisps. I'd made some of my famous mince pies and we sat and munched together in companionable silence. I love drinking coffee from a flask and especially enjoy the way that everything slightly tastes of plastic, why oh why can't we purchase tartan flasks any longer? It's aluminium all the way now - pah!
Friday, 12 February 2010
The perils of commuting
I have been working in central London for a number of years now and my daily commute seems to be getting worse lately. Take my friend Emma for example, she works in Docklands which is zone 2 and saves £500 a year on her annual Goldcard as a result. Mind you, she does take great steps to avoid zone 1 fares - I've seen her skirting around the edges of London to avoid such a fate!
On Tuesday there was a tiresome man who decided to bore the entire carriage about his uneventful life via his iPhone, ditto Wednesday. Wednesday evening was awful because my train was cancelled so I ended up having to change half way instead; I duly rushed to change platform and lo and behold the only free seat was sat next to a very large gentleman who took up more room than his fare permitted - quelle horreur! Spent most of Wednesday evening trying to realign my left shoulder via a series of yoga and pilates moves.
Anyway, every cloud has a silver lining and all that - I've been asked out on a date by an office colleague. He has a name, but in case people I know are reading this blog, I'm keen to protect his identity so for now, I'll just refer to him as 'Mr A' - a nod to Carrie Bradshaw's moniker for her on/off love 'Mr Big'. The other information you'll be interested to read is that he's three grades my senior, a former faststreamer with ambitions to become a Senior Civil Servant during the next decade and single since he split up with his librarian girlfriend, Sarah. He was romantically interested in another colleague, but his advances were rebuffed and mutual friends tell me that he was more than a little upset about that. To save on money, he's keen not to take me to dinner on or around Valentine's Day because, as he rightly states, it's a commercial rip off. I'll keep you informed of what happens....
On Tuesday there was a tiresome man who decided to bore the entire carriage about his uneventful life via his iPhone, ditto Wednesday. Wednesday evening was awful because my train was cancelled so I ended up having to change half way instead; I duly rushed to change platform and lo and behold the only free seat was sat next to a very large gentleman who took up more room than his fare permitted - quelle horreur! Spent most of Wednesday evening trying to realign my left shoulder via a series of yoga and pilates moves.
Anyway, every cloud has a silver lining and all that - I've been asked out on a date by an office colleague. He has a name, but in case people I know are reading this blog, I'm keen to protect his identity so for now, I'll just refer to him as 'Mr A' - a nod to Carrie Bradshaw's moniker for her on/off love 'Mr Big'. The other information you'll be interested to read is that he's three grades my senior, a former faststreamer with ambitions to become a Senior Civil Servant during the next decade and single since he split up with his librarian girlfriend, Sarah. He was romantically interested in another colleague, but his advances were rebuffed and mutual friends tell me that he was more than a little upset about that. To save on money, he's keen not to take me to dinner on or around Valentine's Day because, as he rightly states, it's a commercial rip off. I'll keep you informed of what happens....
Saturday, 6 February 2010
Alan Carr: Chatty Man
Whilst my parents were out purchasing dented tins to restock the cupboard I decided to be a bit naughty and watch Alan Carr on our 'on demand' facility. I sat on the sofa with my crackers and cheese and was duly entertained by Mr Carr's unique brand of camp humour. Unfortunately I was disturbed during Vinnie Jones's interview by the Betterware man knocking on the door who proceeded to ask for payment for the handwashing mat I had ordered a month previously. Although I admired the Betterware man's commitment to providing households with a myriad of superflous and somewhat useless items, I was dismayed that he couldn't provide me with the 5p change and asked him to call back when he had the correct amount about his person.
I think I will spend this Saturday afternoon pairing all of my odd socks. Some people may deem me boring but as I don't drink, smoke or drive I feel as though I should be allowed some kind of fun in life. Tomorrow will herald a walk out to the local manor house as I believe that they have updated their priceless collection of carved bookmarks. Life is good.
I think I will spend this Saturday afternoon pairing all of my odd socks. Some people may deem me boring but as I don't drink, smoke or drive I feel as though I should be allowed some kind of fun in life. Tomorrow will herald a walk out to the local manor house as I believe that they have updated their priceless collection of carved bookmarks. Life is good.
Thursday, 4 February 2010
After dinner mince
I'm sitting here typing in praise of good old mince - it makes a fantastic meal. Mother, whom I'm unhappy to critize is a somewhat basic cook at times loves the stuff and purchases it in bulk from freezer stores such as Iceland. Father loves minced beef, he was what my mother would call 'a fussy man' when she met him back in the late 1960s, Grandma had spoiled him and allowed him to remove skin from tomatoes at the table as well as other terrible crimes such as picking gristle from hearty stews.
Anyway, I digress, my friend Alice has given me a belated Christmas present of 'Queen's Greatest Hits' which I asked for because my last copy was eaten by a fox last summer. I must confess that I was slightly peeved with Alice because when we last met up for a meal at Zizzi's she forgot to include me within the special offer her friend brought along and to add insult to injury, I had allocated 85 minutes of my time to enjoy the CD on the 27th December, the upshot of which put my schedule out completely.
Must go, VH1 Classic are playing '20 Greatest Videos of the 80s' and I need to pay it my full attention before Mother turns it off.
Anyway, I digress, my friend Alice has given me a belated Christmas present of 'Queen's Greatest Hits' which I asked for because my last copy was eaten by a fox last summer. I must confess that I was slightly peeved with Alice because when we last met up for a meal at Zizzi's she forgot to include me within the special offer her friend brought along and to add insult to injury, I had allocated 85 minutes of my time to enjoy the CD on the 27th December, the upshot of which put my schedule out completely.
Must go, VH1 Classic are playing '20 Greatest Videos of the 80s' and I need to pay it my full attention before Mother turns it off.
Hello!
Hello, let me introduce myself - my full name is Margaret Estella Weaver, I'm a civil servant in a central Government department, live with my parents and am about to turn the big 4-0.
Does it worry me? Well, it does and it doesn't. Some say I was born old, I love order and detest chaos. I've a very small extended family which includes my parents, Pat and Jim and our beloved cat, Sir Humphrey (we're all huge Yes Minister fans in our house!) My father has a sister, Marji who lives nearby with her second husband Roderick, her first husband having expired from a heart complaint at a very early age. Marjorie has two children, a daughter called Eleanor, who's also a civil servant and is married to a rather flashy sort called Roger and they have a small son called Sebastian - goodness knows why she named him that, he'll only get teased at school! Her other offspring, a son called Alexander left the family years ago after a row; I belive he resides in Lowestoft now.
That's enough for now, the rest of the internet calls. I'm thinking of upgrading my cardigan collection, the one I'm currently wearing is very bobbly and is looking slightly mis-shapen. I do love acrylic and polyester, they're such lovely fabrics. I'm planning to purchase a pair of those trousers which promise a flatter tummy - such fun!
Does it worry me? Well, it does and it doesn't. Some say I was born old, I love order and detest chaos. I've a very small extended family which includes my parents, Pat and Jim and our beloved cat, Sir Humphrey (we're all huge Yes Minister fans in our house!) My father has a sister, Marji who lives nearby with her second husband Roderick, her first husband having expired from a heart complaint at a very early age. Marjorie has two children, a daughter called Eleanor, who's also a civil servant and is married to a rather flashy sort called Roger and they have a small son called Sebastian - goodness knows why she named him that, he'll only get teased at school! Her other offspring, a son called Alexander left the family years ago after a row; I belive he resides in Lowestoft now.
That's enough for now, the rest of the internet calls. I'm thinking of upgrading my cardigan collection, the one I'm currently wearing is very bobbly and is looking slightly mis-shapen. I do love acrylic and polyester, they're such lovely fabrics. I'm planning to purchase a pair of those trousers which promise a flatter tummy - such fun!
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