Weigh In Day

I didn't go to Weight Watchers last week (naughty me!), so I expected to have put weight on when I went for my weigh in today. I hadn't. I lost another pound and a half. Not bad, considering I haven't felt very well and haven't been to the gym lately.

Made It!

5000 posts! Wow, and it only took a couple of days over a year! That's not too bad, guys!

And Closer ...

4998!

Getting Closer ...

As of now, I'm four away from 5000 hits on my blog ...

You Might Be a Redneck ...

I took a vocabulary test of sorts to see if I'm more Yankee than Rebel a little while ago and discovered that, despite spending the first 30 years of my life in Texas, I am "53% (Dixie). Right on the Mason-Dixon Line".

At least that explains why people in England who meet me for the first time say "but you don't sound like Sue Ellen!"

Doctor's Appointment ... Ewwww ...

I was on my way out the door to uni this morning when I commented to Simon that my stomach was hurting again. Guess who didn't make it to uni. I've made an appointment with the doctor for this morning. I just hope it's something simple. I'm nervous.

* * * * * * * * * *

A bit of relief! He says it's not an ulcer -- at least not yet. It looks (or sounds) like an acid problem due to stress. The stress part wasn't a surprise. He thinks I'm stressed from uni, but I don't think it uni related. It's family related!

Idiot Celebrity Pics

It's been a while since I've picked on the celebrities I think are pointless ...


Jordan: Still pointless. Boobs do not equal talent. End of story.


Victoria Beckham: Still pointless. Sky News Showbiz has put her in a list of A-list celebrity mums just because she doesn't actually do anything else. I debate classifying her as an A-list celebrity along with celebs such as Angelina Jolie, Emma Thompson and Julia Roberts. At least they have acting talent.

Stepford Child

What has happened to Jack? In the past 24 hours, he has learned he likes mushrooms and Brussels sprouts, volunteered to load the dishwasher, and started reading the first Harry Potter book. He even went with me to walk the dog.

For a seven-year-old boy, that's absolutely amazing!

On the other hand, the other two are being typical teenagers. Malorie went with me to my university library so I could grab a book and photocopy a couple of chapters. With the abdominal pains I've been having, I didn't want to go by myself in case I had another attack. She actually volunteered to go, then complained the entire time about my choice of CD in the car (Now 60 Disc 2), and how boring it was in the library (for the whole 15 minutes she was forced to sit reading a newspaper). Now that it's late on a Sunday evening and I'm trying to study, she's decided she wants me to colour her hair.

Braden has spent all day on the X-Box. He also volunteered to go with me to the library, but I didn't see the need for both of them to go. I had to tell him several times in the past 24 hours to take a shower, and he finally did. Then it was back on the X-Box since I wouldn't let him go out with his friends.

But Jack has decided that he wants to clean the kitchen now ...

I'm a Celeb Yet Again

They've been in the jungle a week, and I have an updated opinion of most of those in the camp.

Antony Costa: I figured he'd be just another former boy band idiot, but he's the strong silent type. He had a "moment" when he had to saw a tree trunk in half with Carol Thatcher, but fatigue and starvation probably had a lot to do with that.

David Dickinson: I still think he's funny, but he's bitchy. His rampage about women taking over definitely put him on my wrong side!

Jenny Frost: I would have thought she'd be this year's Natalie Appleton, but she's a pretty strong, mild-mannered character. She's moving up in my estimation.

Jimmy Osmond: Squeaky clean, but he managed to evade the rules for almost a week with his battery operated teddy bear.

Sheree Murphy: I agree with her that, as camp leader, the men should have given her more respect, but other than that, she's screaming and whinging way too much. She's moving down in my list of favourites!

Carol Thatcher: My god, no other celebrity has been able to eat those nasty things like vomit fruit, fish eyes and kangaroo testicles with such gusto!

Elaine Lordan: She's still not in there, and isn't going to be in there ... I hope she feels guilty sitting in her posh hotel, but I seriously doubt she does.

Kimberley Davies: Oh geez, anyone who takes make-up in as their luxury item is as vain as they come. I'd have taken something in to help make me more comfortable or less homesick. She's definitely playing to the cameras!

Jilly Goolden: David doesn't like her, but I do. She's a strong woman. What's wrong with that? At least she's not lazy.

Sid Owen: I haven't changed my opinion of Sid. He's still a nice guy and deserves to be the favourite.

Bobby Ball: Lazy. He's used to having his missus wait on him hand and foot. I hope he has a new appreciation for her when he gets home!

Tommy Cannon: Unlike his comedy partner, he didn't mind getting stuck into the cooking. He's quieter, but I like him.

Sick as a Dog

I only have two lessons until my first Tae Kwon Do grading, and I'm missing one of them today. Man, did I have the worst stomach pains all night! I tossed and turned, tried eating the usual foods for stomach ache, and eventually crashed on the living room couch, where I had very unusual and vivid dreams. Thank goodness the pain has eased off, but I still feel horrible. I have a raging headache, but I don't dare take anything for it in case it upsets my stomach again.

Talk about the climactic ending to my rotten week! At least I hope that's the end of my rotten week.

Only In America ...

Whoever did this: 1) has to be a guy; 2) has too much time on his hands; 3) is either single or soon will be.

Check out this light display.

My Christmas Wish List (So Far)

From Amazon.com


From Boots.com


From WishingFish.com

Bit Better Day

I'm still devastated that I'm not going to Silverstone tomorrow, but I seem to be getting over it quickly. Ricky's chicken pox don't seem too bad (a few on his stomach, a few more on his back, a couple on his arm). He still has to have time off school because he's contagious, but at least he isn't covered in them like the first time.

I went to a careers advisory meeting this evening, and I think I've decided to apply to be a probation officer as well as applying for the MSc programme. I won't limit myself to those two either. The ladies that came to speak from the probation service were really nice and made sure I have their contact details if I have any more questions.

And I even cooked a lentil soup tonight that turned out lovely. Simon didn't like it, but Ricky and Jack did, and more importantly, I did as well! I'm sure Malorie will like it, too. She'll eat just about anything.

"I'm a Celebrity" is on twice tonight on ITV, they've added Cannon and Ball to the mix, and there's a live trial tonight. They've got some videos of what's been going on this year on their website.

Yep, things are looking much better!

I Hope He Was Joking

With Ricky sick with the chicken pox, and now Jack sick with a bad cough, I told Simon that I was going to make arrangements to go to my Equity and Trusts seminar next week instead of today. I still have to go to campus because they're having a presentation on things to do with a law degree that don't actually involve becoming a solicitor or barrister. I commented to Simon that it's important because I need to find a job after graduation.

Basically he commented back that I need to find a job NOW while I'm still studying.

If I weren't so anti-domestic violence, I would have slugged him. Hard.

Poor Ricky

The doctor says he most likely does have the chicken pox again. I know it isn't unheard of, but it's still worrying.

And Jack has never had them! I've heard of brotherly love, but Ricky seems to keep getting them in Jack's place. The first time around, no one else in Ricky's school had chicken pox. Jack was going to nursery in a different school, and just about everyone in his class had them.

Instead of Typhoid Mary, maybe I have my own Chicken Pox Jack!

I'm a Celeb Update

I just had a look back at my post about last year's "I'm a Celebrity ... Get Me Out of Here" and saw how I recorded my thoughts about each of the contestants. I've decided to do the same again so I can look back next year and say "Oh yeah, I remember that!"

Antony Costa: Hmmm, I don't know what to say about Antony. He seems pretty laid back so far. The only memorable moment I have of him so far is of him sticking the bar of soap into his pants to wash his bits. Yes, I know. I'm sad. He hasn't done a Trial yet, and he's not stirring up trouble.

David Dickinson: Now he's a surprise. I expected an antiques expert to be quite stuffy, but he can F and blind with the rest of them! He's very funny, too, is our "Chips".

Jenny Frost: I wonder if she thought that, after another former Atomic Kitten singer won two years ago, she had a real shot at winning this round, but I don't think she's going to do it. She seems nice enough, but the conversation where she described her dog's accessories ... Too much time and money on her hands springs to mind.

Jimmy Osmond: Squeaky clean in the nicest possible way. He brought a teddy bear with a recording of his kids' voices into the jungle. Bless! He's non-confrontational, easily pleased, but sticks to his convictions without pushing them on anyone else. I admire that kind of person. And he showed he was tough when he faced those kangaroos. Man, those things had some major claws on them!

Sheree Murphy: Now she makes me think of what I hope I'd be like if I were stuck in that Australian jungle! I would have hesitated at jumping out of a perfectly good plane, and I would have jumped on my bunk if I'd seen a snake, too. She seems really sweet.

Carol Thatcher: Oh Carol ... I wonder what Mummy thinks about you having a pee by the side of your bed (not once but twice) and letting Sid think he was getting up to have a piss in his sleep????? Still, I expected Carol to be a bit of a snot, but she's not. She has the posh accent but otherwise seems down to earth. Maybe it's a case of rebellion against the ultimate Conservative lady.

Elaine Lordan: My god, she didn't last a day! I think if she had stayed in, she would have been the total drama queen of the group. Instead I think the mantle has passed to Kimberley ...

Kimberley Davies: I liked her at first, but she's getting on my nerves. Unlike Jimmy, she doesn't seem as nice when she is faced with eating/drinking something she doesn't like. And I thought she totally wimped out on that last Trial. It's like she got to four stars, thought no one else has gotten more than four, and quit.

Jilly Goolden: It seems that she and David are getting on each other's nerves a bit, but I think she's an okay person. She doesn't kiss anyone's ass, but she's not a dictator either. Just right, in my humble opinion.

Sid Owen: When I first heard that he was one of the contestants, I thought "Oh geez ..." But I actually like the guy. When the group was confronted with the fact that one of them was pissing in the middle of camp, Sid admitted that he wet the bed until he was 8 and so was worried that he might be "sleep-peeing". That took a lot of courage, and I think he should be a role model for the under 8s who have that problem!

Oh, Just Shoot Me

In a continuation of my theme this week where I whinge and complain about how crap things are (see What Did I Do To Deserve This?, Oh, It's Going to Be One of Those Days, and Dream Bubble Burst), to top things off nicely, it seems that Ricky has a case of the chicken pox.

Wait a minute. Strike that. Ricky has another case of the chicken pox. I remember vividly the last time he had them because he was still scabby when I went to London a few years ago to be on "The Weakest Link". Jack has never had them, so when my ex told me Ricky had them, I thought at first he was just confused and got their names wrong. Nope. Of course, now I'm worried about him, but he has an appointment with the doctor first thing in the morning.

I had an hour long Tae Kwon Do class, and at the end of it, I nearly passed out. I've "Switched" my Weight Watchers plan from counting points to "No Count" as of today because lately I've been snacking on junk too much. I thought a change of diet would motivate me back into my weight loss. Instead of counting my food intake up to 19 points, now I eat three meals a day of how ever much I want (the catch is that the food has to be on the list of No Count foods) because hopefully I'll be full enough not to want to snack. I think that it bit me in the ass today. I usually have a cereal bar before Tae Kwon Do, but I didn't today. Must make a note to save some of my bonus points for a pre-class cereal bar ...

Dream Bubble Burst

The opportunity for a chance-of-a-lifetime day out at Silverstone came up recently. The Mark Webber Supporters Club, of which I am a member, had a competition, courtesy of Castrol, for this prize:

The winners get to drive real single-seater racing cars around the famous British circuit, plus get personally coached on the finer points of driving by Mark!

The day also includes:

- A Hot Lap in a BMW with Mark behind the wheel (if you think you can handle it!)

- A tour of the BRDC suites at Silverstone where past and present F1 stars mingle

- A Photo and Autograph opportunity with Mark

- Group lunch

- A trip to Williams F1 at Grove for a tour of the Museum and illustrious Trophy room

Well, the day out is on Friday, and since I haven't heard anything, I'm 99.9% sure I'm not one of the six winners. Unfortunately, no one seems to know who the winners are. I wish I knew. I'd like to arrange accidents ... I mean ... congratulate them!

Oh, It's Going To Be One of Those Days ...

It's not even 9.00 am, and I can already feel it. It's going to be another crap day. I'm missing my 10.00 Equity and Trusts lecture because Simon didn't sleep last night and is too out of it to drive me to the tram station until he's had some rest. It's only the second lecture I've missed this year. The first was yesterday when I missed Land Law because of a migraine.

There are people out today who have no business being out. When I took Ricky and Jack to school, three teenage girls walked straight out in front of my car on the busy main road where I was doing 40. They thought it was funny. Then on my way home, a mum with two small children walked out in front of me. And when I got to the top of a blind hill, a guy in an oncoming car decided he was going to come through regardless of me already being there. He wanted me to reverse back a block! No chance. There were cars behind me, so where could I have gone. He gave me a dirty look, so I gave one back. Stupid man. At least that's one advantage to having a big 4x4. In his little Peugeot, did he really think he could run straight into me and win? At least he used his one brain cell long enough to give way.

Yep. I can tell this day is going to be one of those where I wish I'd stayed in bed.

And it just gets better ...

On the way to uni for my afternoon lecture and seminar, an elderly man and woman pushing another elderly woman in a wheelchair tried to outrun the tram. They made it -- just! And I saw a woman drive her small car up onto a very big kerb just so she could bypass a fairly fast moving queue of traffic. I hope she damaged the undertray of her car!

To top it off, my best friend has had bad news today, and I haven't heard anything about that contest I entered that I so badly wanted to win, which means I haven't won. I'd cry, but the tears just don't want to come out.

What Did I Do To Deserve This?

Suddenly my life has taken on the title of a song by the Pet Shop Boys. I let my family lull me into a false sense of serenity. I thought they actually liked each other. Obviously I was wrong. One weekend of no aggravation, and I thought it was downhill from here.

It's not the little two. They're still too young to have that much animosity. I made enquiries and got excited about the possibility of Braden starting Tae Kwon Do classes tomorrow, but of course as soon as I did that, Simon informed him that he's not allowed to go anywhere tomorrow, not even Tae Kwon Do. Braden ran to me to say he's been grounded for not being psychic.

Malorie was asked to go fetch something from the shop, and it took her 30 minutes. The shop is a five minute walk, max. That's at a crawling pace. Then she came in and started nagging at everyone and aggravated Simon by not making him a cup of tea when he asked her to.

I don't know whether to blow up in rage or cry, but I do know I can't cope with much more of this.

One Year Anniversary!

I just realised that today is the first anniversary of my blog! It was one year ago today that I had a look at Gary's blog and decided to start one of my own. I never seem to have original ideas.

My, how things have moved along since my first post!

My Reality TV Fix

In general, I hate reality TV shows. Most of them are total rubbish. I don't watch "Pop Idol" or "X Factor", and I absolutely refuse to watch "Big Brother".

But ...

Tonight my one reality obsession starts. "I'm a Celebrity ... Get Me Out of Here!" It's stupid. It's cruel. It's my favourite. The family has to relinquish control of the television in the living room for the next two weeks or so while B-list celebs deal with creepy crawlies, heat and near-starvation in the jungle of Queensland, Australia.

I know. I'm sad. Pathetic even.


Antony Costa, boyband singer from "Blue"


Carol Thatcher, daughter of former Prime Minister Margaret


David Dickinson, antiques expert


Elaine Lordan, who used to be on "East Enders"


Jenny Frost, girlband singer from Atomic Kitten


Jilly Goolden, wine expert


Jimmy Osmond, the youngest Osmond and brother to Donny


Kimberley Davies, former "Neighbours" actress


Sheree Murphy, former "Emmerdale" actress


Sid Owen, another former "East Enders" actor

My faves at the moment are Carol (despite her mother and my liberal leanings) and Sheree, though I can't say I dislike any of them. Elaine seems like she's a whinger, but she's also been taking out of the jungle to hospital, so I hope she's all right.

Tae Kwon Do - DOH!

I've always been more of a lover than a fighter, so it's no surprise that, when I started my Tae Kwon Do lessons, I really did hit like a girl. I still do, but I've been learning to put some power behind my punch.

I think I hit the punching bag just a little bit too hard yesterday. My knuckles are a lovely shade of black and blue today, and the photo just doesn't do the bruising justice. Still, I'm sure I'll toughen up in no time!

My Poor Jack!

Poor little Jack! This morning he didn't want to get out of bed, so I went up to drag him out. He sleeps on the top bunk of the bunkbeds, and when he was climbing out of bed, I grabbed him and gave him a big hug.

Only when I did it, I pulled some muscles in my back so badly I couldn't even manage to drive the monsters to school this morning. Jack thinks it's his fault, and no matter how many times I tell him I hurt my back myself, he just won't listen.

Awwww, poor baby!

Halfway Pics

Note: I posted this a few days ago but decided to change the "during" picture. Yes, I know, I look like a deer caught in headlights, but I hate being in front of the camera. Still, I can get a better idea of what I look like to other people by seeing a photograph.

Since I'm just over the halfway point in my weight loss, I'm going to post a "before" picture and a "during" picture. I know Gary doesn't like me referring to my "before" stage as me being a pink marshmallow, but if I keep calling it that it will remind me not to let myself get to that stage again!

I know I still look a bit pudgy in the middle, but in the pink marshmallow pic I couldn't get my backside into a pair of size 16 jeans, and in the other, more recent picture I'm not only in a size 14, but they're baggy and will soon need to be traded for a size 12!

Before:


During:

Men! Sheesh!

Okay, I feel there's a bit of sabotage going on around here! How come Simon always makes fun of me for taking so long to get ready (when, compared to other women, I'm pretty fast at hair and make-up), but most of the time I'm ready before him anyway? And how come, when I have some place to be and need him to take me, as soon as I'm ready he decides there's something else he needs to do? I told him fifteen minutes ago that I was ready "just let me grab my books". Now he's upstairs doing whatever it is men do in the bathroom for fifteen minutes. He did the same thing on Monday. I was meeting Jamie, Chris and some other people from uni to see a film, and as soon as I was ready, Simon decided he needed a shave. He was only taking me to the tram stop!

I feel PMT coming on.

Another Half-Pound Off

I've lost 32 pounds total! Woo hoo! Two stone four pounds off! One stone eight and a half pounds to go!

My size 14 jeans are dropping off me now. I've definitely got to try to find some that fit! No complaints from me though.

Where Did I Go Wrong?

It's Sunday evening, and I'm chilling out in front of the telly watching the replay of the V8 Supercar race from Australia. Mark Webber is doing some of the commentary.

Malorie has just looked at me with a disgusted look and asked why I can't find a "girlie" hobby like shopping. I've told her this is a girlie hobby. I'm a girl. It's my hobby. Therefore, it is a girlie hobby.

Where did I go wrong? I've tried to raise her not to believe that she's limited by her gender. She can do anything she sets her mind to. And she wants me to take up shopping as a hobby.

If she only knew that part of the reason I'm watching is that Mark's voice gives me chills, she might understand, but I'm not going to tell her that. She thinks I'm weird enough as it is!

20 Year High School Reunion

I've finally seen some pictures from my high school reunion back in June. I understand there wasn't much of a turn-out, which doesn't surprise me because the organisers (a "professional" reunion organising business), didn't give people much notice. Not everyone lives in the Dallas area and can just take off for a weekend away. Plus the cost of attending the reunion was extortionate!

But anyway, one of my classmates took a few pictures, and she was nice enough to share them with me through her sister. I recognised most of the people, but there are a couple I'm clueless about!

The funny thing is seeing the guys! I always wondered what they'd look like as adults, and never in my wildest dreams would I have pictured them the way they are! A couple haven't changed a bit, but the others ... Well, I think I'll stop with that thought trailing off into the distance.

Une Meme Extraordinaire!

Nicked straight from the pages of Gary's Garrulus Grommeler blog ...

Name someone with the same birthday as you
Charles Dickens; Sir Thomas More (I wrote my honors thesis at ETSU about him!); my best friend in high school's brother Jerry Castillo; Chris Rock; Laura Ingalls Wilder (one of my childhood heroines); James Spader (love that guy!); Garth Brooks

Where was your first kiss?
At Skateland in Garland, Texas, when the guy who lived across the alley from me followed my best friend and me there. Fortunately I dumped him for Eric Zahn not long afterwards.

Have you ever seriously vandalized someone else's property?
I've wanted to but I've never done it.

Have you ever hit someone of the opposite sex?
Only in Tae Kwon Do class.

Have you ever sang in front of a large group of people?
I was in my school choir and had a couple of solos. Oh, and I had a bet with my best friend Michelle recently that I lost, which means the next time we go out, I have to sing karaoke ...

What's the first thing you notice about the preferred sex?
The eyes ...

What really turns you on?
I missed reading this question when I read it on Gary's blog ... *blush* But the short, non-porn answer would be having the back of my neck nibbled on.

What do you order at Starbucks?
Do you know just how out of the way Starbucks is? I've been there a grand total of ONE time, and on that occasion I ordered a mocha-whatever-it-is.

What is your biggest mistake?
Except for the fact I have two lovely kids, it would have to be my first marriage.

Have you ever hurt yourself on purpose?
Well, I've set myself up for some major emotional hurt, does that count? How about letting people take pops at me in Tae Kwon Do? Other than that, the answer is no.

Say something totally random about yourself.
My belly button is healing up nicely after having it pierced. I need to clean the toilet because there are five males in this family who need target practice. I want to win the Formula One competition I've entered and will be devastated if I don't. My son Ricky gives really nice hugs.

Has anyone ever said you look like a celebrity?
Yes, when I was younger, a guy in a bookshop in London said I looked like Linda Hamilton (from "The Terminator"). A few people in Texas said the same thing. I never saw a resemblance. Oh, and Eric Zahn (as mentioned above in the first kiss question) recently told me by email that if I had a movie made about my life, Roseanne Barr might be a good choice to play me. I said she has the right sense of humour, wrong body shape.

Do you still watch kiddy movies or tv shows?
Depends on the movie, and I like watching "Rugrats".

Did you have braces?
No.

Are you comfortable with your height?
The only time it bothers me is when I buy jeans or other trousers. They're always too long in the leg. My second ex calls me "Munchin" because he thinks it's funny I'm only five foot four inches. Simon calls me a midget for the same reason. My son Braden towers over me now. But I've been this height since I was 12, so I think 26 years has given me a bit of time to accept it!

What is the most romantic thing someone has ever done for you?
Hmmmmmmm ... I'll have to get back to you on that one.

When do you know it's love?
When you can't get them out of your head when you're apart; when you're so comfortable with that person you feel empty when they're not with you; when you finish each others thoughts without annoying each other.

Do you speak any other languages?
American English and British/Derbyshire English are two different languages. Does that count? If not, a bit of Spanish I picked up in Texas and my high school French.

Have you ever been to a tanning salon?
Nope, don't like the idea of skin cancer to go.

What magazines do you read?
F1 Racing, the weekly TV magazine, Country Walking, Weight Watchers and a couple of scrapbooking magazines.

Have you ever ridden in a Limo?
Yes, after my grandfather's funeral and on my (third) wedding day.

Has anyone you were really close to passed away?
My grandfather. It was 11 years ago and I still can't believe he's gone.

Do you watch MTV?
Not really, but they usually have MTV or some other video channel on in the gym which is why I take my MP3 player with me.

What's something you really like?
What a question! I know it's my blog but there are still limits to how much I should post ... I really like lots of things!

Do you like Michael Jackson?
I was a fan of his in the early 1980s, and I still like songs like "Beat It", "Thriller", "Man in the Mirror", etc., but I will never again buy one of his CDs or do anything else to support a man I believe to do horrible things to children, despite what the jury said!

Can you dance?
I was on the drill team in high school, and I still have a bit of a sense of rhythm, but there's no way I could do the can-can like I used to!

What's the latest you have ever stayed up?
Geez, I've stayed up all night for one reason or another. Like on the trip to Brussels in February, I couldn't get comfortable and drop off to sleep because Dennis's big feet kept kicking me!

Have you ever been rushed by an ambulance to the emergency room?
Nope.

Do you read these when someone fills them out?
It depends on who the "someone" is. Is it someone I like? Is it someone I can't stand? Is it someone I even know?

I've Just Eaten ...

... a real packet of crisps! Not a low-fat, healthy living, no-added-taste packet of crisps, but a real one! Walkers Turkey & Bacon flavoured crisps.

Hey, I haven't had crisps in over four months now. But if I put weight on this week, I'm sure it'll be another four months before I eat any more!

Weight Loss Progress

After putting half a pound on last week, I took two and a half off this week!



I'm considering moving my goal weight from 133 to 140. It's not so I don't have as far to go until I can say "I did it", but because I don't want too get too skinny! I'll play it by ear. If, when I get to 140 (10 stone even) I look like I could use losing a bit more, I'll move the goalpost back to 133. I'm leaving it as 133 on here for now though.

Yes, she's rambling again ...

My Head Hurts

It's no wonder I'm losing track of what day of the week it is. I have hardly stopped dashing from one task, class or chore to another since starting back to uni a month ago. I've been forgetting things I need to do and doing things that it turns out I never needed to do in the first place. When I try to talk to people, I get muddled and sound like an idiot.

I stopped for two minutes to say hello to a friend, but either he was busy or I sounded so weird he was avoiding me. I don't blame him if he was. He said he had a hangover, and I pointed out that that isn't the way to start the week since it's only Wednesday. Only it isn't. It's Tuesday.

Otherwise, today was such a lovely day (i.e. we had torrential rain) that people in Sheffield suddenly forgot how to drive properly. The trams were running so late all the passengers were packed in like sardines. I didn't get a seat until I was almost back to the Park N Ride. One woman kept hitting me with her bag, then gave me dirty looks and checked inside to make sure I hadn't stolen anything.

Well, tomorrow is Tae Kwon Do, and I'm looking forward to going in and relieving some stress, though hopefully I'll manage not to punch Amy in the nose again.

Music Memories

I've been converting some of my CDs to MP3 so I can put them on my MP3 player to drag along on tram rides to uni and work outs in the gym. They only play R&B and rap on video channels in the gym at uni, so I need some of my own music to keep me sane.

One of my CDs is of songs from the '70s, and boy! are the memories of my childhood flowing back ...

Kansas - "The Point of Know Return": Skating at Fifth Wheel in Garland with my best friend Elizabeth and wishing boys thought I was pretty enough to ask me to slow dance. One really cute Brazilian guy did ask me to skate once, but I never saw him again after that. I guess he went back to Brazil.

Shaun Cassidy - "Da Doo Ron Ron Ron": My first concert! My friend Amy Smeltzer's mom took us, and the opening band played cover songs of the Bay City Rollers.

Olivia Newton-John - "Don't Stop Believing": The first album my parents ever bought me ... okay, the first one that wasn't "Sesame Street". Obviously by "album" I mean a disk-shaped vinyl object that played on a rotating table with a needle.

The Partridge Family - "I Think I Love You": One of my favourite shows as a kid. Yes, I loved David Cassidy as much as his half-brother Shaun (see above) but thought Danny was a pain in the ass.

The Monkees - "I'm a Believer": Another TV show with memories. I actually met Micky Dolenz at an autograph signing in Dallas once, but I gave the autograph to my sister Kim. She was (probably still is) Monkee mad.

Bee Gees - "Night Fever": My uncle Keith (always a very cool uncle) gave me the "Saturday Night Fever" album. My parents never would let me see the movie though. I finally saw it when I was in my early 20s and couldn't see what all the fuss was about. Very tame by today's standards!

Bette Midler - "The Rose": This was one of the first songs I ever learned to play on the piano!

Donna Summer - "Hot Stuff": This always reminds me of "The Full Monty" ... right, that's not a childhood memory, but I think of this song every time I go to uni because the tram goes directly in front of the building where the scene was filmed of the guys in the dole queue dancing to "Hot Stuff".

I'm sure I'll have tons more memories to post when I get to my 80s collection! That was my decade!

Bonfire Night Continues

"Remember, remember the fifth of November".

Well, it's now the sixth of November and my neighbours are still setting off their fireworks. They were setting them off well into the wee small hours of this morning, stopped while there was a semblance of daylight, and started back up again as soon as it was dusk.

Last year's experience put me off fireworks. We went to our friends' house, and Graham set off fireworks in his back garden. Now, I know I accuse Graham of being the English version of Tim "the Tool-man" Taylor, but he knows how to set them off safely.

Unfortunately, the people in one of the adjoining gardens didn't. The shot a rocket straight through the hedge, and had I been four inches to my left, I would have been hit full on by it. I'm still waiting for an apology. I know I won't get it though. They thought it was funny at the time and probably still do. I can remember hearing the sounds of them laughing their heads off while I was nearly pissing myself in shock.

I'm not afraid of fireworks though. Don't get me wrong, I will gladly go see professional displays, but with my neighbours (yes, those neighbours) setting theirs off for the foreseeable future, I'm staying firmly indoors! I just hope they run out soon because the sound and the smell of the gunpowder has given me a headache.

I Want to Win!

For the next two or three weeks, I seriously doubt I'll be able to go a single day without offering prayers to the racing gods that I win one of the prizes in a competition Kate and I have entered: a chance to drive a single seater race car with instruction from a real driver!

I have butterflies, and if we don't win, I know that I, for one, will be crying hysterically! As a matter of fact, I'll probably cry hysterically if we do win!

Some People Have No Lives

When I came in from my Tae Kwon Do class today, Simon was trying to lower his blood pressure. He's had some prank calls today informing him, "I'm f***ing your wife".

There are some people who just have no lives of their own worth two cents, so they think they'll get their jollies by trying to wreck other people's lives.

Well, if this caller is someone who actually knows me, and if you read my blog, it didn't work. You've annoyed us, but whatever you're trying to do isn't working. Get a life.

Weigh In Result

It wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be! I only put on half a pound, and since I lost three and a half last week, I'm not disappointed. I knew I hadn't been a good girl! Hopefully I can take that off and a bit more before next Wednesday. I have a week to do it!

This weekend my ex actually asked if I was anorexic. I'm still heavier than I was when we split up, so I don't know how he came up with that!

I Have to Weigh Myself in the Morning ...

... and I haven't been an angel on my diet this week! On Friday, we went to Matlock Bath and I had that portion of chips with half a fish. The plan was to have a long walk in the hills first, but it was pouring down rain. Ordinarily, that wouldn't have stopped me, but the hills were really slippery, and Malorie and Braden don't have proper hiking boots. We had a short walk along the river. Definitely not enough to work off my fish and chips! But boy! did I enjoy them! I think I deserved that treat since I've been working so hard on my fitness level.

I skipped my work-out on Thursday. I went shopping instead. I also didn't work out on Saturday. I went to my Tae Kwon Do class, but it wasn't very strenuous. I learned a lot though. I also only had half a work-out on Sunday because, being a complete idiot, I forgot to eat breakfast before I went, got dizzy and came home. Better half a work-out than none, I suppose!

So I'm fully expecting to put on a pound or so when I step on the scales in the morning. Watch this space ...

Stressed Out

Okay, I admit it. I'm one step away from the looney bin. Actually, that might make a welcome break, but there'd be too much to do when I got out to make it worthwhile!

My work load at uni is increasing. I expected that, and I can cope with that. I thrive on an academic challenge.

But I got home, and the first words out of Malorie's mouth were, "I've told my dad we aren't going over for Christmas and he says yes we are, there is no other option".

It's a shame I can't conjure plane tickets out of thin air. The amount he pays in child support was never great, but with the exchange rate it's ridiculously low now. I've never asked to have it increased in the years since our divorce (1995). However, it's not enough to even partially support two teenagers and pay for international flights. I couldn't have done it without my dad's help as it is, but he can't conjure plane tickets out of thin air either.

He's threatened to ring back tomorrow to "have a word" with me. I already know what he's going to say, and that doesn't change a single thing. I can't pay for plane tickets with nothing. If he wants to pay for the tickets, that's fine by me.

There is a plus side. This is the year I have Ricky and Jack with me for Christmas, and it's the year Simon has Daniel. It will probably be the last time I have all of my kids under one roof for Christmas, at least while they're kids. I think I deserve that much, regardless of what one ex-husband thinks. I'll bet my other ex-husband would actually agree with me for a change.

Well, I've decided not to let it get to me. Unfortunately it won't be long until Malorie and Braden are 18. The silver lining to that is that I don't have to fool with their dad once that happens. Halleluiah! (I hope I spelled that right, it's been one of those days ...)