Hello blog fans - I do apologise for not blogging for 2 weeks - I have been busy (it was my birthday last week) but ... it does NOT mean I am running out of things to say........ as if !
In fact, I seem to have more and more things I want to blog about - just have to figure out which ones to start with!
ANYWAY today's blog is about our old flat. The story behind the flat has followed me since I was a little girl. This is a long one but bear with me ......
2 old Victorian houses were owned by my Godfather. They were huge, 3 storey houses. My Godfather died when I was quite young but we still used to visit my "Aunt" quite regularly. My memories of the house then were that it was very dark and I used to be a little frightened of the long, dark, cold hall landing. Eventually, she decided to move ... and sell both 54 and 56 Bedford Road.
Dad mentioned the 2 houses to my brother initially - he was 2 years older than me and, with a friend, did consider buying them - I am not sure why he backed out in the end - it may have been because there were sitting tenants (my "Aunt" had been renting out rooms in both houses).
So ... because my brother did not want to buy, my Dad mentioned it to me - I never really THOUGHT about it properly. All I thought was that sitting tenants could be a problem and why would I want to be a landlord at 18 ... with all that responsibility ? The whole idea of buying houses hadn't really hit me - home ownership seemed much too grown up to me !
Now ....... I may need to be corrected on this ..... but if I recall properly - the asking rate BECAUSE of the sitting tenants - was either £12,000 each or (even worse and I seriously think this was the figure) £12,000 for BOTH 3 STOREY HOUSES !!!!!!!!!!!!
OMG - I know this was in the early 80's but ARGGHHHH !!!
I did not look at the long term prospects - I did not think about the opportunity of starting out owning 2 houses - I did not have any idea of what it would be like to be a property "mogul" (how different life could have been ????)
I turned it down - so - my Uncle bought the houses and converted them to 6 flats - all modernised - new kitchen and bathroom units, nicely painted and decorated.
Well that took him several years - 3 or 4 I think - The tenants had to leave first and he was doing other jobs at the same time so this was a slow project.
GUESS WHAT - by the time he finished converting the houses - I was with Mark and looking to move out of home ........ a nice flat or maisonette would suit us just fine ...... We bought one ... yes .... one of the flats my Uncle converted - and we paid 3 times the original whole house figure !!!!
As most who know me will know, we were generally happy there and it was great that the flat was spacious. It was really only the arrival of Dan that made us reconsider the space. We overcame that problem by buying a sofa-bed so Mark and I slept downstairs and the kids had the big room upstairs ....... well that was the plan ...... except that less than a week after buying the sofa-bed ... came the accident...........
I think that is what coloured my view of the flat - At the time I used to think that I should have bought the houses when I could, but I certainly did not have the skills or time or money to have converted them - I would just have sat on them and probably not made much money on them, so I was able to dismiss that. It was what came next, that I spent too much time regretting.
The whole aspect of Mark's death made the flat become our security blanket - the kids and I hid ourselves away there and, even though I dreamed of moving so I could have a garden, - truth be told I NEEDED the stability of staying put, at that time. The kids bonded incredibly well - because they HAD to - they shared the bedroom ......
3 years after Mark died we moved ....... I kept the flat - it was nice being able to move out gently - again I think I needed that - it was another grieving period.
I did a lot of work on improving the place - although my Uncle had converted it, it still had the old Victorian Sash window (that let in a gale in the Winters) it had damp, and, after 7 years of hard wear and tear with 3 children plus others I looked after, it needed decorating and new carpets. I engaged a painter & decorator, laid new carpets and replaced the windows with double-glazed, sash lookalikes.
Anyway - I rented it out for a few years until I needed the money for school fees ........ Then I sold it !
THIS was my big regret - I joke about the regret being that I didn't buy both houses to start with but in reality, my regret is selling it, once I had done it up ...... YES I needed the money but I kept hanging on to the idea that I could have carried on renting it out and then been able to pass it over to the kids when they needed it.
That regret has been with me for the last 13 years! It even intensified last year when both Jess and Gina wanted to move out .......... Until last Saturday! The flat is up for rent so Jess called to ask for a viewing. The owner is still the girl I sold it to, back in '99. I tagged along to the viewing!
It was nostalgic, emotional and very therapeutic.
I realised that the flat was dark, as I recalled when I was a little girl - it IS an old Victorian house - it was cold - I know it was not currently lived in but it just seemed cold - the bathroom had been redecorated and was no where near as aesthetically pleasing as when fresh and new in 1988 - AND they still had a problem with HUGE house spiders from the cellar !!!!!!
Jess won't be looking to rent it as they are not allowed the dogs. As a freehold flat there is a consortium of all the flat owners to ensure the general maintenance for the whole building is kept up. One of the new rules is that they now won't allow dogs.
So even if I had continued to own the place ..... I would probably have had to agree to that.
It just seemed unloved, paint peeling off the bannisters, wallpaper bubbling, carpet a little grubby - and I know that's because it has been rented out but it was a real REVELATION.
This revelation is, that I was looking at it through fresh eyes, not rose-tinted glasses. The reality back then was that I needed the money at that time. If I had continued renting the property out, I would have to maintain it, replace anything that needed replacing, deal with the further damp problems that the current owner has had to deal with AND go through the hassle of actually renting it out.
I know that if you have 3 or 4 flats to rent out, you can make some money - but this was just the one flat .......... and I think I have finally, after 13 long years, laid that ghost to rest ...........
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Garden transitions
It's Spring ...... time to look at the garden properly and tidy up all the Winter debris........ Eurgh !!!
Seriously .... do I have to ????? Well, yes... I guess I do.
When I first moved here (1996) I was sooo keen on getting the garden how I wanted it - I did most of the work myself - creating the flower beds, planting the bulbs or roses, creating a place for the swings, slides and climbing frame (with a chipped bark surface) for the kids to play.
Now THAT was hard work ... I literally cut down weeds that were waist high (this was my Lara Croft moment - in my shorts and strappy t-shirt with big garden boots and hair in a pony tail - yes I had a pretty good figure then and my neighbour mentioned my similarity with the Tomb Raider character .... ahhh I can dream).
Anyway, I digress .......... I LOVED it .... I was younger, fitter and pretty much single. One of my partners during this time helped in his own way by organising my shed .....
As you know..I hate spiders, so keeping a clean shed was paramount. He put up shelves and holders for each and every tool - if you looked you would think it was a bit OCD ... but it really helped me and I was very proud of my clean, clear, tidy shed!
I even loved mowing the lawn - it was therapeutic (it helps that freshly mown grass is one of my favourite smells)
For a while back then, I thought I was going to inherit my parents love of gardening. BUT I was kidding myself .... I love the GARDEN, NOT gardening!
When it was a necessity and I was the only one doing it, I must have convinced myself that I enjoyed it ..... but in reality, apart from the mowing, the rest was a pain ......I just knew it had to be done, if I wanted to keep on top of my garden.
However, since Greg has been around things have been very different. First and foremost he absolutely transformed the garden from a sloped one that, although grassed, was pretty much unusable. He shovelled 80 tons of earth (along with a little help from me, the kids and my Dad) to level off the whole garden - suddenly we had a garden where we could put up a gazebo ..... or even a party tent (which we did for our wedding).
I had always wanted a pond but, even when in Lara Croft mode, I did not have the strength or stamina to dig deep enough for that .... so Greg helped me clear the Play Area (the kids had grown up) he dug the pond out and we created a lovely gravelled seated space around it (we did have some professional help to finish off because we were only a couple of weeks away from our wedding and the evening reception was to be held at home!)
Then, with the help of my Dad again, Greg built the patio ...... so you can see how the places to maintain have lessened, only a few flower borders and the grass.
Greg also does the mowing ......... I do not complain as I can't even bring myself to go in the shed these days because ..... after 5 years of female neglect ..... the shed has become his domain - a typical MAN'S messy shed - don't get me wrong, I certainly don't mind - but it does mean that I am very reluctant to get even the basic tools out for a bit of weeding and tidying.
Hence my decision to have an easy herb garden - very straightforward having the herbs in pots !
SO anyway, now that I don't HAVE to look after the garden.....I don't really want to ....
Although on days like today I do feel a little guilty, as I am at home and he is working hard. Then again ....... I can always do some ironing, so it looks like I have done something productive on my day off ..... and as long as Greg keeps on top of the gardening ..... I get to enjoy it!
Now that's a WIN/WIN situation if you ask me !!!!!
Seriously .... do I have to ????? Well, yes... I guess I do.
When I first moved here (1996) I was sooo keen on getting the garden how I wanted it - I did most of the work myself - creating the flower beds, planting the bulbs or roses, creating a place for the swings, slides and climbing frame (with a chipped bark surface) for the kids to play.
Now THAT was hard work ... I literally cut down weeds that were waist high (this was my Lara Croft moment - in my shorts and strappy t-shirt with big garden boots and hair in a pony tail - yes I had a pretty good figure then and my neighbour mentioned my similarity with the Tomb Raider character .... ahhh I can dream).
Anyway, I digress .......... I LOVED it .... I was younger, fitter and pretty much single. One of my partners during this time helped in his own way by organising my shed .....
As you know..I hate spiders, so keeping a clean shed was paramount. He put up shelves and holders for each and every tool - if you looked you would think it was a bit OCD ... but it really helped me and I was very proud of my clean, clear, tidy shed!
I even loved mowing the lawn - it was therapeutic (it helps that freshly mown grass is one of my favourite smells)
For a while back then, I thought I was going to inherit my parents love of gardening. BUT I was kidding myself .... I love the GARDEN, NOT gardening!
When it was a necessity and I was the only one doing it, I must have convinced myself that I enjoyed it ..... but in reality, apart from the mowing, the rest was a pain ......I just knew it had to be done, if I wanted to keep on top of my garden.
However, since Greg has been around things have been very different. First and foremost he absolutely transformed the garden from a sloped one that, although grassed, was pretty much unusable. He shovelled 80 tons of earth (along with a little help from me, the kids and my Dad) to level off the whole garden - suddenly we had a garden where we could put up a gazebo ..... or even a party tent (which we did for our wedding).
I had always wanted a pond but, even when in Lara Croft mode, I did not have the strength or stamina to dig deep enough for that .... so Greg helped me clear the Play Area (the kids had grown up) he dug the pond out and we created a lovely gravelled seated space around it (we did have some professional help to finish off because we were only a couple of weeks away from our wedding and the evening reception was to be held at home!)
Then, with the help of my Dad again, Greg built the patio ...... so you can see how the places to maintain have lessened, only a few flower borders and the grass.
Greg also does the mowing ......... I do not complain as I can't even bring myself to go in the shed these days because ..... after 5 years of female neglect ..... the shed has become his domain - a typical MAN'S messy shed - don't get me wrong, I certainly don't mind - but it does mean that I am very reluctant to get even the basic tools out for a bit of weeding and tidying.
Hence my decision to have an easy herb garden - very straightforward having the herbs in pots !
SO anyway, now that I don't HAVE to look after the garden.....I don't really want to ....
Although on days like today I do feel a little guilty, as I am at home and he is working hard. Then again ....... I can always do some ironing, so it looks like I have done something productive on my day off ..... and as long as Greg keeps on top of the gardening ..... I get to enjoy it!
Now that's a WIN/WIN situation if you ask me !!!!!
Monday, March 12, 2012
My Comfort Blanket
This is an official warning to all who know me ........
For the next few months ... approach with extreme caution - there is a manufacturing/licensing issue with Syndol ... so until supplies resume or you are certain I am not under any of my 12 or so migraine trigger points ... assume it is a CODE RED!
On a serious note, as I have mentioned in a previous post, I do suffer with migraines.
However, in the last few years I have usually been able to prevent the frequency of those full-on, head-thumping, room-pacing, unforgiving, throwing-up migraines, through taking a well-timed Syndol. I know my triggers and I know the signs that inform me I am about to get more than just a normal headache. It is also not just me ........ both my Mum and my previous Boss could also see in my eyes and be able to tell with my speech when I was at the "tipping point". That is my own term for the tipping point at which I know that if I take one or 2 tablets, I can ward off the full, nightmare migraine.
What is important here is that this prevention has only been possible in the last few years since I discovered Syndol.
I have tried many other painkillers, specific migraine ones, alternative therapies, food combinations, even pill combinations (cue my last migraine when I had no Syndol left in the house and shockingly for my body I mixed a co-codamol with a feminax with a nurofen plus ....... nope that didn't work!) that have resulted in little or no relief.
So I had got to the point where, whilst definitely not addicted (only taken when needed and literally.... once the migraine had been stopped or been "got over" ..... then no need for taking any more) I completely admit to loving this little yellow pill and to making sure I always had some with me.
I had at least 2 in my little pill box in my handbag, always kept a blister pack in my bedside cabinet and usually had some in the bathroom cabinet with the general paraphernalia of "First Aid" stuff. I even began building up a supply "in case of emergency"
Arrgghh - THAT EMERGENCY IS HERE !
My stockpile has been depleted - the chemists have been out of stock for the last 3 months.
One of my main triggers (and many other middle aged women too, it seems, from the "help I need Syndol" tweets) is my period, presumably hormonal ? I get the warning signs at least 3 times during a normal month and feel that I can manage these signs and therefore the potential migraine, well ...... as LONG as I can reach a Syndol at the right moment - THAT TIPPING POINT!
So this afternoon at work I began to get that tell tale sign.......I had some Syndol but am down to my last blister pack ....... do I try to mix one Syndol with Paramol (a similar migraine over the counter pill but just NOT as effective) .... do I try to hold out and hope for the best (no .... really silly ... I know I will end up with a full on migraine that will then have me out for a minimum of 12 hours and can be up to 24 hours) ..... do I keep popping ibuprofen or nurofen or similar (where I would probably be popping far more than the stated dose and cause all sorts of internal issues for my body)
NOPE ..... I had my 2 Syndol and .......... after just a couple of hours ... I am back to normal.
So whilst I am trying to self monitor more effectively and looking for any and every alternative .... please take heed of the warning at the start of the blog ....... because without my little yellow comfort blanket I cannot be responsible for my actions !!!!!
For the next few months ... approach with extreme caution - there is a manufacturing/licensing issue with Syndol ... so until supplies resume or you are certain I am not under any of my 12 or so migraine trigger points ... assume it is a CODE RED!
On a serious note, as I have mentioned in a previous post, I do suffer with migraines.
However, in the last few years I have usually been able to prevent the frequency of those full-on, head-thumping, room-pacing, unforgiving, throwing-up migraines, through taking a well-timed Syndol. I know my triggers and I know the signs that inform me I am about to get more than just a normal headache. It is also not just me ........ both my Mum and my previous Boss could also see in my eyes and be able to tell with my speech when I was at the "tipping point". That is my own term for the tipping point at which I know that if I take one or 2 tablets, I can ward off the full, nightmare migraine.
What is important here is that this prevention has only been possible in the last few years since I discovered Syndol.
I have tried many other painkillers, specific migraine ones, alternative therapies, food combinations, even pill combinations (cue my last migraine when I had no Syndol left in the house and shockingly for my body I mixed a co-codamol with a feminax with a nurofen plus ....... nope that didn't work!) that have resulted in little or no relief.
So I had got to the point where, whilst definitely not addicted (only taken when needed and literally.... once the migraine had been stopped or been "got over" ..... then no need for taking any more) I completely admit to loving this little yellow pill and to making sure I always had some with me.
I had at least 2 in my little pill box in my handbag, always kept a blister pack in my bedside cabinet and usually had some in the bathroom cabinet with the general paraphernalia of "First Aid" stuff. I even began building up a supply "in case of emergency"
Arrgghh - THAT EMERGENCY IS HERE !
My stockpile has been depleted - the chemists have been out of stock for the last 3 months.
One of my main triggers (and many other middle aged women too, it seems, from the "help I need Syndol" tweets) is my period, presumably hormonal ? I get the warning signs at least 3 times during a normal month and feel that I can manage these signs and therefore the potential migraine, well ...... as LONG as I can reach a Syndol at the right moment - THAT TIPPING POINT!
So this afternoon at work I began to get that tell tale sign.......I had some Syndol but am down to my last blister pack ....... do I try to mix one Syndol with Paramol (a similar migraine over the counter pill but just NOT as effective) .... do I try to hold out and hope for the best (no .... really silly ... I know I will end up with a full on migraine that will then have me out for a minimum of 12 hours and can be up to 24 hours) ..... do I keep popping ibuprofen or nurofen or similar (where I would probably be popping far more than the stated dose and cause all sorts of internal issues for my body)
NOPE ..... I had my 2 Syndol and .......... after just a couple of hours ... I am back to normal.
So whilst I am trying to self monitor more effectively and looking for any and every alternative .... please take heed of the warning at the start of the blog ....... because without my little yellow comfort blanket I cannot be responsible for my actions !!!!!
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
weight loss .... weight gain ... weight loss ...
Thankfully, I am not strictly a yo-yo dieter.
Like many women ..... my weight has always varied a little over the years - but I have been lucky enough that it has not varied massively and any gain has been slow and steady over several years and (my excuse is) in relation to my age.
I was a very happy 7 and a half stone for most of my early adult years - only gaining and losing with each of the pregnancy's. After Mark's death I did lose quite a lot of weight quickly but not that unhealthily - I was eating really well at the time - it was just stress and I went down to 7 stone BUT ... bear in mind I am a tiny 5 footer ..... so this was still healthy for my height. I soon went back to the standard 7 and a half within about a year and maintained this until my mid 30's.
Then a stone crept up on me over about 3 years .... I am sure this was due to my metabolism slowing and also because I had taken an administrative job at a school so was no longer running around manically with the children. This levelled out and remained static for about 5 years.
When I got married in 2007 I weighed 8 and a half stone - still a healthy weight for my height and a healthy BMI although this was now edging towards to the upper limits.
It has been in the last 5 years that I really don't like how the weight gain has continued ..... albeit slowly. I know that I have slowed down even more in terms of my activity levels - I used to swim 3 times a week. I used to go out and party most Friday and Saturday nights dancing in high heels that I could not imagine teetering on now! I know that getting married and settling down often leads to weight gain. I know that after each "all inclusive" holiday Greg and I have been on, I have put on a few pounds and never lost all of it as easily.........
HOWEVER ....... I am happily married, in my late 40's and still under 10 Stone (only just after the Cruise !).
I know I am not that unhealthy after seeing some of the other people on the cruise (yes, even those my age) struggle to climb the steep slope to the fortress at Cartagena, which I managed quite well ... even in the heat. I know that when I do manage to get a swim in, I can still do my 32 lengths AND .... even after putting on 4 pounds in 2 weeks on the cruise ..... I have already lost 2lbs in one week so am on track to go back to my starting weight.
I would like to miraculously lose half a stone, as many of us would, but equally I know that I am not likely to do anything long term about it .....
So I find myself at the stage where I accept myself for the weight I am and ..... although not entirely happy with it (I do reminisce about being a size 8 again) ..... I can at least say that a size 14 top and 12 bottom is not too bad at my age .......... and good for a Nana !!!
Like many women ..... my weight has always varied a little over the years - but I have been lucky enough that it has not varied massively and any gain has been slow and steady over several years and (my excuse is) in relation to my age.
I was a very happy 7 and a half stone for most of my early adult years - only gaining and losing with each of the pregnancy's. After Mark's death I did lose quite a lot of weight quickly but not that unhealthily - I was eating really well at the time - it was just stress and I went down to 7 stone BUT ... bear in mind I am a tiny 5 footer ..... so this was still healthy for my height. I soon went back to the standard 7 and a half within about a year and maintained this until my mid 30's.
Then a stone crept up on me over about 3 years .... I am sure this was due to my metabolism slowing and also because I had taken an administrative job at a school so was no longer running around manically with the children. This levelled out and remained static for about 5 years.
When I got married in 2007 I weighed 8 and a half stone - still a healthy weight for my height and a healthy BMI although this was now edging towards to the upper limits.
It has been in the last 5 years that I really don't like how the weight gain has continued ..... albeit slowly. I know that I have slowed down even more in terms of my activity levels - I used to swim 3 times a week. I used to go out and party most Friday and Saturday nights dancing in high heels that I could not imagine teetering on now! I know that getting married and settling down often leads to weight gain. I know that after each "all inclusive" holiday Greg and I have been on, I have put on a few pounds and never lost all of it as easily.........
HOWEVER ....... I am happily married, in my late 40's and still under 10 Stone (only just after the Cruise !).
I know I am not that unhealthy after seeing some of the other people on the cruise (yes, even those my age) struggle to climb the steep slope to the fortress at Cartagena, which I managed quite well ... even in the heat. I know that when I do manage to get a swim in, I can still do my 32 lengths AND .... even after putting on 4 pounds in 2 weeks on the cruise ..... I have already lost 2lbs in one week so am on track to go back to my starting weight.
I would like to miraculously lose half a stone, as many of us would, but equally I know that I am not likely to do anything long term about it .....
So I find myself at the stage where I accept myself for the weight I am and ..... although not entirely happy with it (I do reminisce about being a size 8 again) ..... I can at least say that a size 14 top and 12 bottom is not too bad at my age .......... and good for a Nana !!!
Sunday, March 4, 2012
Emotional roller-coasters and RIP Audrey!
After the Cruise I am catching up on my TV viewing .......... and have just discovered that Audrey died :-(
For those not in the know - Audrey is a character in the Aussie soap ... "Neighbours" ..... She is the Kennedy family's DOG.
In the same week Charlie dies - she is a policewoman in the rival Aussie soap "Home & Away" (yes ....... I know .......... my weakness is Aussie soaps - OK!)
I was very upset when Audrey died - a very poignant moment that truly touched me - and I shed a tear, however, I was not so upset at Charlie's death - even though hers was in a violent way and Audrey was just gently "put down" !
So what is that saying about me ????? I am concerned about my own moral/emotional compass!
I am pre- menopausal and for those empty nester, pre-menopausal 40 something women out there - you will probably identify with the roller coaster ride our emotions do seem to play on us !!!
While on the Cruise (I have been on a cruise you know ....... just got back ...... just in case anyone needs a reminder!)
Anyway, while on the cruise, one of the Movies shown on the BIG screen "Movies Under The Stars" was "Dolphin Tale". Now this is based on the true story of a Dolphin who has to have his tale amputated - you can in fact see this Dolphin at Clearwater Marine Aquarium (in Florida I think) or even on the live webcam ...... http://seewinter.com/
I decided to watch the film in my cabin rather than on the big screen, in public ........... THANK GOODNESS I did .......... I was in bits - absolutely blubbing ! AND it has a happy ending !
Why am I currently such a sucker for animals ? Or is it just the timing of watching these programmes? Some days I can be hard as nails whereas others I can sob at the slightest thing ........... and I haven't even got to the hot flushes stage yet !!!!
I used to work on a farm and was pragmatic enough to accept that the animals I cared for would end up on someone's plate and it never really bothered me. I also kept many animals as pets ...... fish, hamsters, guinea pigs, rabbits, cats ....... of course I was a little upset when they died (kind of in relation to my age - more upset when younger - when the guinea-pigs died I was 18 and had far more important things to worry about !!) BUT I was quite accepting of their deaths too.
SO I am sure that my current reactions are ... related to my age (and perhaps the good acting of the neighbours cast LOL <~~~~~ we can debate this another time).
The whole empty nester thing and the emotional roller coaster that my hormones are putting me through are just emphasising some of these more poignant moments I read about or witness on screen (whether small or big).
So for now I will make sure that I watch any films or TV programmes with animals (or people) in poignant situations, in private ....... that rules out lots of trips to the cinema then ..... and I will hope that this phase in my life passes reasonably quickly ........... ALTHOUGH - I know I am not even at Menopause yet, so ....... watch out world .....
When that happens I think I had better tape a warning message to my forehead !!!!!!!
For those not in the know - Audrey is a character in the Aussie soap ... "Neighbours" ..... She is the Kennedy family's DOG.
In the same week Charlie dies - she is a policewoman in the rival Aussie soap "Home & Away" (yes ....... I know .......... my weakness is Aussie soaps - OK!)
I was very upset when Audrey died - a very poignant moment that truly touched me - and I shed a tear, however, I was not so upset at Charlie's death - even though hers was in a violent way and Audrey was just gently "put down" !
So what is that saying about me ????? I am concerned about my own moral/emotional compass!
I am pre- menopausal and for those empty nester, pre-menopausal 40 something women out there - you will probably identify with the roller coaster ride our emotions do seem to play on us !!!
While on the Cruise (I have been on a cruise you know ....... just got back ...... just in case anyone needs a reminder!)
Anyway, while on the cruise, one of the Movies shown on the BIG screen "Movies Under The Stars" was "Dolphin Tale". Now this is based on the true story of a Dolphin who has to have his tale amputated - you can in fact see this Dolphin at Clearwater Marine Aquarium (in Florida I think) or even on the live webcam ...... http://seewinter.com/
I decided to watch the film in my cabin rather than on the big screen, in public ........... THANK GOODNESS I did .......... I was in bits - absolutely blubbing ! AND it has a happy ending !
Why am I currently such a sucker for animals ? Or is it just the timing of watching these programmes? Some days I can be hard as nails whereas others I can sob at the slightest thing ........... and I haven't even got to the hot flushes stage yet !!!!
I used to work on a farm and was pragmatic enough to accept that the animals I cared for would end up on someone's plate and it never really bothered me. I also kept many animals as pets ...... fish, hamsters, guinea pigs, rabbits, cats ....... of course I was a little upset when they died (kind of in relation to my age - more upset when younger - when the guinea-pigs died I was 18 and had far more important things to worry about !!) BUT I was quite accepting of their deaths too.
SO I am sure that my current reactions are ... related to my age (and perhaps the good acting of the neighbours cast LOL <~~~~~ we can debate this another time).
The whole empty nester thing and the emotional roller coaster that my hormones are putting me through are just emphasising some of these more poignant moments I read about or witness on screen (whether small or big).
So for now I will make sure that I watch any films or TV programmes with animals (or people) in poignant situations, in private ....... that rules out lots of trips to the cinema then ..... and I will hope that this phase in my life passes reasonably quickly ........... ALTHOUGH - I know I am not even at Menopause yet, so ....... watch out world .....
When that happens I think I had better tape a warning message to my forehead !!!!!!!
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Home
We are back ......
I am happy to be back - to see my family and home and just be "anchored" again.
BUT oh ... what I wouldn't give to have won the lottery and then be able to book another holiday/cruise again for next month !!!
Having said that -my DAH has got the bug - he is addicted - he was slightly unsure as to whether or not he would enjoy Cruising and embarked on this holiday with some trepidation, concerned that it would be too formal for him and that he may not have enough "freedoms"
How wrong he found he was ... (thankfully for me!)
I loved it as it was absolutely my thing - OK - so some people have described cruises as Holiday camps at sea ... and I can see why - there is a holiday camp atmosphere and just loads of organised activities to take part in BUT ..... you can enjoy the cruise without taking part in any of these organised events and can make yourself as scarce and private as you wish .......... or as well known as you could wish to be. Greg was on first name terms with the barmen (of course), our room steward and the security officer (was that a good thing ???)
Whereas I am much more retiring (I am on holiday anyway) and was only known by association!
I used room service much more than Greg, as we were lucky to have a balcony so I did a lot of my reading and sunbathing in the privacy of the balcony and just had the luxury of ordering coffee and freshly baked cookies delivered to our room.
We saw the wonder of the Canal - it really was totally awesome and I don't usually get impressed by engineering feats or man made things. We saw the splendour of the rain forest and the BLUE, blue, BLUE seas of the Pacific and Caribbean Ocean.
The whole thing was so laid back and entirely UP TO YOU as to how you wanted your cruise experience to be - The food was great and you could choose the formal or informal options and absolutely NOTHING was too much trouble for the staff.
We accept that other cruise lines may not offer the same standards - we left just after the Costa Concordia tragedy and came back to the news of the Costa Allegra difficulties. I sympathise with those people and had we been unlucky enough to have been on either of those ships I am sure I would not be Cruising again and this would be a very different blog!
However, we were not with Costa .......
The tag line for Princess Cruises is "Escape Completely"
Enough said !
I am happy to be back - to see my family and home and just be "anchored" again.
BUT oh ... what I wouldn't give to have won the lottery and then be able to book another holiday/cruise again for next month !!!
Having said that -my DAH has got the bug - he is addicted - he was slightly unsure as to whether or not he would enjoy Cruising and embarked on this holiday with some trepidation, concerned that it would be too formal for him and that he may not have enough "freedoms"
How wrong he found he was ... (thankfully for me!)
I loved it as it was absolutely my thing - OK - so some people have described cruises as Holiday camps at sea ... and I can see why - there is a holiday camp atmosphere and just loads of organised activities to take part in BUT ..... you can enjoy the cruise without taking part in any of these organised events and can make yourself as scarce and private as you wish .......... or as well known as you could wish to be. Greg was on first name terms with the barmen (of course), our room steward and the security officer (was that a good thing ???)
Whereas I am much more retiring (I am on holiday anyway) and was only known by association!
I used room service much more than Greg, as we were lucky to have a balcony so I did a lot of my reading and sunbathing in the privacy of the balcony and just had the luxury of ordering coffee and freshly baked cookies delivered to our room.
We saw the wonder of the Canal - it really was totally awesome and I don't usually get impressed by engineering feats or man made things. We saw the splendour of the rain forest and the BLUE, blue, BLUE seas of the Pacific and Caribbean Ocean.
The whole thing was so laid back and entirely UP TO YOU as to how you wanted your cruise experience to be - The food was great and you could choose the formal or informal options and absolutely NOTHING was too much trouble for the staff.
We accept that other cruise lines may not offer the same standards - we left just after the Costa Concordia tragedy and came back to the news of the Costa Allegra difficulties. I sympathise with those people and had we been unlucky enough to have been on either of those ships I am sure I would not be Cruising again and this would be a very different blog!
However, we were not with Costa .......
The tag line for Princess Cruises is "Escape Completely"
Enough said !
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