Bright and sunny for a change - yes don't all hurry out there to soak up the rays, you never know we may, just may, get to see some sun at another point this year - no guarantees, but surely we have had enough rain.

Oh ok then, run out there and bask in its goodness, afterall, it will rain again tomorrow - just for a change wouldn't want you to get too used to the sun would we after all, you may get used to it

The moon last night was very round and bright. She appeared looking down at me as I was closing the curtains before retiring to my bed. I wished her goodnight and told her of my fears and how my day went. A couple of stars appeared beside her, and I slept well. Strangely today I feel quite upbeat so thank you Lunar

I have to pack at some point today when I have been to work. I am off to Brighton tomorrow morning for the weekend, so of course it will be cold and wet. We have had an argument over suitcases, I only need a small one as it is only me going, yet he wouldn't let me buy one saying it was a waste of money when we have suitcases in the loft. I tried to explain that the small ones were falling apart but he knew better. So into the dark recesses of the loft he goes, huffing and puffing and making a big noise. He appears with a large suitcase.

"I am not taking that," says I.

"Why?" he asks

"Because I am only going for a couple of nights and I have to go by train, it is not suitable."

"Well all the others are damaged."

"es I know I told you that!"

so this morning before work I have to pop to the shops to get

things for the buffet at lunchtime
a suitcase - small in size
deodrant
milk

Then when I get home this evening

Cook dinner
run the iron over a few clothes
clean bathroom
run Si to swimming pool as he starts training for competitive swimming today
go and visit a friend

and not enough hours to do it all in!

Right enough of boring you to tears on this fine morning, but before I go I will just say my heart goes out to those families of those three soldiers that were killed in Basra earlier.

right see you all after the weekend

hugs xx

Son is only allowing me on here for a little while so that he can then get back on and browse throught he pokemon website, chat on msn and check out the Nintendo forum do his homework.

Has no consideration at all for my needs, in fact he had the check to tell me that while I was waiting I could do some ironing!

Remind me why I had children again lol

Yesterday turned out to be very hectic indeed. Managed to get a science display board finished (at last) and RE board and marked some books as the teacher is behind with her marking due to having to be taken out of class to attend meetings.

I will be glad to see the end of this year.

We are hoping to find out where we will be next academic year as regards classes etc, and who we will be working with. I am hoping to stay with the teacher I am currently with though that may mean going into year 6 which I am hoping I won't have.

Everyone is feeling tired and run down. I have come out with a cold, others have that stomach bug that is doing the rounds and one is now on longterm sick leave with something or other.

I also had to sit on a very long Governors meeting yesterday as well - why is it people argue about the little things yet, when there is something more important on the agenda, they just give it a brief mention? I really did feel like screaming yesterday.

Today I am back to sit on another committee at 8.30 then head off to work afterwards. There seems to be no let up.

Still 3 weeks to go and counting

In other news, it looks like rain again - tell me was that really sun we saw yesterday? I was beginning to forget what it looked like

Have a good day xx

The sun is trying to appear through very dark clouds. It rained here last night, but thankfully nothing like as serious as some parts of the country are getting it.

People are being airlifted from their houses in case a dam holding back the Ulley reservoir threatened to break. Three people have lost their lives in the floods, people on the radio telling how they have lost their homes - as we sat and watched it on the news yesterday hubby commented on it being like something you see overseas, not on our little isle.

Scary.

There are flood warnings in most areas. Though not here yet, I know that the River Lea burst its banks near the town centre yesterday and as that is a stream most of the time, it makes you realise just how much rain we have had, though in all honesty nothing like the people in Yorkshire who had a Month's worth in one day.

The radio has issued a list of roads in England and Wales that are closed today due to them being under water. Lots in Shropshire, Yourkshire obviously.

My heart goes out to all those affected.

Eldest Son had a spelling test in school today.

"how well do you think you did?" I asked him with interest.

"ok, except they asked us words that you will never find in a dictionary, and never use"

"like what?" I enquired.

"Psychoanalysis and mastication" he replied.

"err they are in the dictionary" I said.

"no they aren't I looked them up, and they are not there"

So to prove a point I looked them up and showed him.

"Oh well that is two I got wrong then", he says.

I have decided he needs to learn some new words to expand his vocabulary - perhaps I will direct him to Juzzy's word of the day

Yes Monday has arrived again, another week has started. A lot going on this week and in between I have to find time to catch up with all I have to do still as well as pack for next weekend.

Dressed in black this morning to suit my mood, which is slightly better than it was yesterday, but it may have something to do with the only clothes I could find were black - must do some ironing at some point

I don't start work until 11 today but I have to scoot round the shops for a few bits and pieces before I start. I also have to visit the bank and transfer some money over so that I can pay a couple of bills that have come in as well. Too much to do and so little time

Right enough waffling on, will have to put the hoover round before I leave this morning so better go and get a move on!

Edit: In other news, hayfever has kicked in again, yet it is raining!!!!

Have a good day

ANGELS

Seek an angel with an open heart
and you will find one.
The way you know an angel
is by your feeling.
Angels may not always come when you call them,
but they always come when you need them.
An angel is someone who helps you believe
in miracles again.
Sometimes you know angels only by the miracles
they have blossoming in their paths
after they have gone.
An angel is someone you're always happy
to bump into.
An angel is someone who
raises your spirits.
An angel is someone you feel you've known
forever even though you've just met.
An angel is someone who helps you grow.
Angels make you feel welcome in this world.
Angels encourage your best qualities
and hidden talents.
Angels give you those gentle pats on the back
when you sometimes need to keep going.
Angels give you direction.
Angels gently push you out of your little self
and into the broad arena of love.
Angels remind you that you are enough.
Angels help you see your life in a better light.
An angel is someone who brings out the best in you.

~Author Unknown~

It has been a weird Sunday. I slept late catching up on sleep that I had missed over the last couple of nights so far.

I had every intention of doing some ironing, but instead read my book.

I had a child in tears because he was trying to get out of doing his homework that I made him do as it has to be in tomorrow.

Nigel and Simon went to work.

I am beginning to hate Sundays as much as Mondays.

Nigel always working - I know it is a good thing and we need the money to pay for essential repairs etc, but we hardly get to see each other or spend time as a family.

I am fed up spending my time trying to catch up on housework, washing nad ironing, of not being able to get washing dry because of the lousy weather.

I hate having to ask for help, why doesn't it just happen?

I hate being the only one to help with the kids homework.

I hate................

there it is self pity. Sundays are spent again trying to catch up on things except today I laid on the sofa and read my book, refusing to move. I didn't do a thing, everything can rot, I have had enough.

Its unfair to complain, but I did and yet their best efforts to please me will not last long and it will be back to me to get on top of things again.

I feel alone. I am surrounded by really good friends and a loving family, yet I feel alone.

That isn't right either.

I am a mess, a self pitying one at that, but a mess anyway.

Ah well a few more hours and work beckons

Oh joy!

Right that is enough for tonight.

Off to bed to read now, and catch up on some much needed sleep.

See you all sometime tomorrow

Hugs xx

So the kids are watching this:

And I wasn't taking much notice of it until I saw this yummy, rugged looking man:

Who also happens to be one of my favourite actors.

And for those of you that are Patrick Swayze fans he is in this as well with long hair.

Funny how all of a sudden the film seems quite appealing

I am so sorry the council tax is late this month.

I take full responsibility.

I decided to go shopping for some food for my hungry kids and hubby.

The bill came to the exact amount that you charge me for the services you are supposed to supply but neglect to do so.

I hope that this is acceptable and so sorry for the inconvenience caused to your computer systems, and the bimbo you employed to answer the phones when I recently complained about the fact that you had not collected the bin despite it being in the designated spot.

I hope you understand that my kids are my first priority and you will be paid just as soon as you manage to provide the service you are charging me for.

regards

xxx

So hubby has just made a delicious indian meal, Chicken korma, Chicken Tikka, Bombay potato, Butter chicken and some sort of lamb dish, with pilau rice and Naan bread - all microwaveable courtesy of Tesco

Well you didn't really think he could cook did you?

It isn't funny to come up quietly behind your wife/girlfriend/partner and try and undo her bra and make a silly noise while she is trying to type!

Name 15 people in your family (still alive)
Hubby, son 1, son2, mother, sister, nan, aunt, uncle, 2 cousins, cousins wife, MIL, FIL, BIL, SIL, nephew,

Name 14 movies you like

Armageddon, Tristian and Isolande, Casanova, Pride and Prejudice, Mr and Mrs Smith, Lucky 7, POC I, II and III, Knight's tale, Transporter , Transporter 2, The importance of being Earnest, Troy

Name 13 things you like to do

Cross stitching, reading, swimming, spending time with hubby and kids, walking the dogs, chilling in front of telly, pilates, catching up with friends, listening to music, eating out, going to cinema, eating out, working with children

Name 12 artist/bands you like
Metallica, Nirvana, Foo fighters, Evanessence, Meatloaf, Savage Garden, The Eagles, Feeder, Bon Jovi, Megadeth, Van Halen, Bryan Adams ( there are so many I like)

Name 11 friends
Sue, Michael, Andy, Alison, Jackie, Cathy, Sam, Julie, Simon, Siobhan, Garry,

Name 10 songs you like
Bed of roses, Nothing else matters, Truly madly deeply, Oblivion, Trust, Unforgiven, Poison, Heaven, unstoppable, November Rain

Name 9 animals you like
Dogs, tigers, elephants, pandas, lions, dolphins, manatees, otters, badgers

Name 8 things you've done this month
blogged, ridden a bike, chaired a meeting, sat on an exclusion committee, worked, cooked, washing and ironing.

Name 7 shows you like
Don't watch much telly, so can only name one : How to look good naked

Name 6 ice-cream flavors you like
Only like vanilla or Raspberry ripple

Name 5 names you like
Simon, Richard, Rhiannon, Louise, Stephen

Name 4 foods you like
Four are you sure? Italian, Chinese, mexican, Vegetarian

Name 3 of your favorite colors
black, red, lilac

Name your 2 best friends
Sue, Jackie

Name your ..1 lover/crush/boyfriend/husband
My hubby

Copy and paste, then delete my answers and put your own.

It has been a bit of a bleurgh day so far.

Rain all day, trip to town (treated myself to a few tops and a skirt) and then home again.

MIL has just gone and taken her bird with her, not impressed that I am 'gallivanting' off next week - well it isn't like the kids and hubby are really going to go to pieces without me here for a couple of nights is it?

While in town we had a brainwave, and decided to update the photos of the kids that we have as the last time they were done was about 6 years ago. So found a bloke in the market that takes portrait photos and showed us some of the ones he has done recently - and he is good. So after convincing hubby that we needed to have a family portrait done, we booked in with him on the 14th July. Haven't broken the news to the kids yet though, and I really should find something decent to wear, don't want too formal or too casual, just natural - hmmmm difficult one

The rest of the day I have sat in front of Kerrang and cut out all the letters and pictures that I need for the Science display - and just found out that I have forgotten to do some titles for some of the pictures! Never mind I will sort that out on Monday.

That's all for now need to change the CD think hubby is getting fed up with this one playing:

I have something to tell you before I announce it to my family........................

Another spur of the moment decision I have made, I have decided it is time for me to change direction with my life and become a Red Cross volunteer.

In mid July, I will head off on a training course and will be stationed just off the coast of Iraq. Britain needs my help and I'm here to give it.

Attached is a picture of the rest of my group. I know it's a bit unexpected but I'll keep in touch xx

An award should go to the Virgin Airlines gate attendant in Sydney some months ago for being smart and funny, while making her point, when confronted with a passenger who probably deserved to fly as cargo.

A crowded Virgin flight was cancelled after Virgin's 767s had been withdrawn from service. A single attendant was re-booking a long line of inconvenienced travellers. Suddenly an angry passenger pushed his way to the desk. He slapped his ticket down on the counter and said, "I HAVE to be on this flight and it HAS to be FIRST CLASS".

The attendant replied, "I'm sorry, sir. I'll be happy to try to help you, but I've got to help these people first, and I'm sure we'll be able to work something out." The passenger was unimpressed. He asked loudly, so that the passengers behind him could hear, "DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA WHO I AM?"

Without hesitating, the attendant smiled and grabbed her public address microphone:

"May I have your attention please, may I have your attention please," she began - her voice heard clearly throughout the terminal. "We have a passenger here at Gate 14 WHO DOES NOT KNOW WHO HE IS. If anyone can help him find his identity, please come to Gate 14."

With the folks behind him in line laughing hysterically, the man glared at the Virgin attendant, gritted his teeth and said, "F... You!" Without flinching, she smiled and said, .................

"I'm sorry sir, but you'll have to get in line for that too."

..................................................................

The origlinal and better version than the rubbish Cascadia sings

Hubby did go to work eventually after he managed to sabotage my efforts to read blogs this morning by leaning over my shoulder and having a lok.

Two hours later he is back home.

Why? I ask him.

My beautiful wife is at home and thought I would spend some time with her, he says.

Oh great!!!

So having done the dutiful wife bit, he is now dusting and re doing the hoovering for me.

Right I am off now to collect youngest from school.

For reminding me on your blog how great this song is

Nicked from Gilraen

map showing some of the counties in this small isle of ours that I have visited/stayed/ or lived at. Hmm must persuade hubby to holiday up north in future

I've visited the counties in yellow. Which counties have you visited? made by marnanel map reproduced from Ordnance Survey map data by permission of the Ordnance Survey. © Crown copyright 2001.

Can be found here

The end of the week has arrived, I have the day away from that hell hole they call work, and all is right with the world.

Well it would be if it would only stop raining - twice so far I have got wet and not happy with this weeks wi either!!

10001 things to do and not enough time to get them done in, plus a ton of ironing, washing and tidying up - though I am rather tempted to pick things up and just bin them!

Right enough of this spent too much time on here catching up better get myself into gear and start the dreaded housework!

Have a good day x

It had to be this:

Things are just desperate

and on that note I am heading off to my bed to scream into a pillow or two

Sweet dreams xx

The Ugly Frog

An older lady was somewhat lonely and decided she needed a pet to keep her company. So, off to the pet shop she went. She searched and searched. None of the pets seemed to catch her interest, except this ugly frog. As she walked by the jar he was in, she looked and he winked at her.

He whispered, "I'M SO LONELY, TOO. BUY ME AND TAKE ME HOME . YOU WON'T EVER BE SORRY."

The old lady figured, what the heck! She hadn't found anything else. So, she bought the frog. She placed him in the car, on the front seat beside her.

As she was slowly driving down the road, the frog whispered to her "KISS ME AND YOU WON'T BE SORRY."

So the old lady figured, WHAT THE HECK, and kissed the frog.

IMMEDIATELY
the frog turned into an absolutely gorgeous, sexy, young, handsome prince.

THE PRINCE THEN RETURNED THE OL D LADY'S KISS .

SUDDENLY THE OLD LADY FELT HERSELF TRANSFORMING FROM HIS KISS.

THE OLD LADY.......CAN YOU GUESS WHAT SHE TURNED INTO?

COME ON GUESS !

OOOOOOOHHHHHHH COME ON -- DON'T BE A POOP!
*
*
*
*
*
SHE TURNED INTO .
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*

THE FIRST HOLIDAY INN SHE COULD FIND!!!

She's old.......NOT DEAD!!!!!

A couple had been married for 50 years. They were sitting at the

breakfast table one morning when the wife says, "Just think, fifty years

ago we were sitting here at this breakfast table together."

"I know," the old man said. "We were probably sitting here naked as a

jaybird fifty years ago."

"Well," Granny snickered. "Let's relive some old times."

Where upon, the two stripped to the buff and sat down at the table.

"You know, honey, " the little old lady told the husband, "My nipples

are as hot for you today as they were fifty years ago."

"I'm not surprised," replied Gramps. "One's in your coffee and the

other is in your oatmeal."

I fear it's too late.... I Said, "I fear it's too late"!!

An elderly Essex Lady called 999 to report that her car has been broken

into. She is hysterical as she explains her situation to the Operator:

"They've stolen the stereo, the steering wheel, the brake pedal and even

the accelerator!" she cried. The Operator said, "Stay calm. A Police

car is on the way." A few minutes later, the officer radios in.

"Disregard." He says."She got in the back-seat by mistake."

______________

FAMILY

Three sisters ages 92, 94 and 96 live in a house together. One night

the 96 year old draws a bath. She puts her foot in and pauses.

She yells to the other sisters, "Was I getting in or out of the bath?"

The 94-year old yells back, "I don't know. I'll come up and see."

She starts up the stairs and pauses "Was I going up the stairs or

down?" The 92 year old is sitting at the kitchen table having tea

listening to her sisters. She shakes her head and says, "I sure hope I

never get that forgetful, knock on wood." She then yells, "I'll come up

and help both of you as soon as I see who's at the door."

________________

"I CAN HEAR JUST FINE!"

Three pensioners, each with a hearing loss, were playing golf one fine

March day. One remarked to the other, "Windy, isn't it?"

"No," the second man replied, "it's Thursday." and the third man chimed

in. "So am I. Let's have a beer."

_________________

SUPERSEX

A little old lady was running up and down the halls in a nursing home.

As she walked, she would flip up the hem of her nightgown and say

"Supersex.." She walked up to an elderly man in a wheelchair. Flipping

her gown at him, she said, "Supersex." He sat silently for a moment or

two and finally answered, "I'll take the soup.

___________________

ROMANCE

An older couple were lying in bed one night. The husband was falling

asleep but the wife was in a romantic mood and wanted to talk. She said:

"You used to hold my hand when we were courting." Wearily he reached

across, held her hand for a second and tried to get back to sleep. A

few moments later she said: "Then you used to kiss me." Mildly

irritated, he reached across, gave her a peck on the cheek and settled

down to sleep. Thirty seconds later she said: "Then you used to bite my

neck." Angrily, he threw back the bedclothes and got out of bed. "Where

are you going?" she asked. "To get my teeth!"

__________________

DOWN AT THE RETIREMENT CENTER

80-year old Bessie bursts into the rec room at the retirement home.

She holds her clenched fist in the air and announces, "Anyone who can

guess what's in my hand can have sex with me tonight!!" An elderly

gentleman in the rear shouts out, "An elephant". Bessie thinks a minute

and says, "Close enough."

______________________

OLD FRIENDS

Two elderly ladies had been friends for many decades. Over the years,

they had shared all kinds of activities and adventures. Lately, their

activities had been limited to meeting a few times a week to play cards.

One day, they were playing cards when one looked at the other and said,

"Now don't get mad at me. I know we've been friends for a long time but

I just can't think of your name! I've thought and thought, but I can't

remember it. Please tell me what your name is." Her friend glared at

her. For at least three minutes she just stared and glared at her.

Finally she said, "How soon do you need to know?"

_______________________

SENIOR DRIVING

As a senior citizen was driving down the Motorway, his car phone rang.

Answering, he heard his wife's voice urgently warning him, "Geoffrey, I

just heard on the news that there's a car going the wrong way on the M1,

please be careful!" "Hell," said Geoffrey "It's not just one car. It's

hundreds of them!"

______________________

DRIVING

Two elderly women were out driving in a large car - both could barely

see over the dashboard. As they were cruising along, they came to an

intersection. The lights were red, but they just went on through. The

woman in the passenger seat thought to herself "I must be losing it. I

could have sworn we just went through a red light." After a few more

minutes they came to another intersection and the light was red again.

Again, they went right through. The woman in the passenger seat was

almost sure that the light had been red but was really concerned that

she was losing it. She was getting nervous. At the next intersection,

sure enough, the light was red and they went on through. So, she turned

to the other woman and said, "Mildred, did you know that we just ran

through three red lights in a row? You could have killed us both!"

Mildred turned to her and said, "Oh! Am I driving?"

I needed this to cheer me up - Enjoy!!

Weather: Dull

Sun: trying to shine through the dark clouds but it really looks like it will rain.

So after a night full of dreams again about nothing in particular, I wake up tired, with a sore throat, itchy eyes and nose that is running away. Oh the joys of hayfever.

Taken my medicine like a good girl and now need to get my act together to get to work. Am working all day today, though I don't need to really, but I have a lot to do and the extra hours I will keep for nearer to the end of term so that I can wind down by taken my hours back then.

And yes the countdown has begun it feels like it has been a long term.

In the meantime I am feeling a little like this though the dogs are the ones that get the shock - we don't have any cats!

Right better be off to work now

Have a good day

Hugs x

Today at the drugstore, the clerk was a gent.
From my purchase this chap took off ten percent.
I asked for the cause of a lesser amount;
And he answered, Because of the Seniors Discount.

I went to McDonald's for a burger and fries;
And there, once again, got quite a surprise.
The clerk poured some coffee which he handed to me.
He said, For you, Seniors, the coffee is free.

Understand---I'm not old---I'm merely mature;
But some things are changing, temporarily, I'm sure.
The newspaper print gets smaller each day,
And people speak softer---can't hear what they say.

My teeth are my own (I have the receipt.),
and my glasses identify people I meet.
Oh, I've slowed down a bit...not a lot, I am sure.
You see, I'm not old...I'm only mature.

The gold in my hair has been bleached by the sun.
You should see all the damage that chlorine has done.
Washing my hair has turned it all white,
But don't call it gray...saying blond is just right.

My car is all paid for...not a nickel is owed.
Yet a kid yells, Old duffer...get off of the road!
My car has no scratches...not even a dent.
Still I get all that guff from a punk who's Hell bent.

My friends all get older...much faster than me.
They seem much more wrinkled, from what I can see.
I've got character lines, not wrinkles...for sure,
But don't call me old...just call me mature.

The steps in the houses they're building today
Are so high that they take...your breath all away;
And the streets are much steeper than ten years ago.
That should explain why my walking is slow.

But I'm keeping up on what's hip and what's new,
And I think I can still dance a mean boogaloo.
I'm still in the running...in this I'm secure,
I'm not really old...I'm only mature

A man starts his new job at the zoo and is given three tasks.
First is to clear the exotic fish pool of weeds. As he does this, a huge fish jumps out and bites him. To show the others who's boss, he beats it to death with a spade.
Realising his employer won't be best pleased, he disposes of the fish by feeding it to the lions, as lions will eat anything.

Moving on to the second job of clearing out the chimp house, he is attacked by the chimps who pelt him with coconuts. He swipes at two chimps with a spade, killing them both. What can he do? Feed them to the lions, he says to himself, because lions eat anything. He hurls the corpses into the lion enclosure.

He moved on to the last job, which is to collect honey from the South American bees. As soon as he starts, he is attacked by the bees. He grabs the spade and smashes the bees to a pulp. By now he knows what to do and throws them into the lion's cage - because lions eat anything.

Read on if you have to but you may regret this.....................

Later that day a new lion arrives at the zoo.
He wanders up to another lion and says "What's the food like here??
The lion says "Absolutely brilliant. Today we had fish and chimps with mushy bees."