Belfast

We are off to Northern Ireland today and start our adventures in Belfast, in the city. I have been there a couple of times over the years for work but have never really seen the city and got to know it. After one night we are off to a lovely cottage in County Antrim

West Bromwich and tempted to shop....

Speaking to you today from West Bromwich... or Great Barr to be exact. We are working here until tomorrow afternoon.
I am trying to decide whether to work tonight or whether to go out to the shopping malls near here: either Merry Hill or the Bull Ring...
Came down on the train so other half and I can go back home together in one car. I travelled standard class on a Virgin train: it was horrible.I got off the train feeling very sick and fed up. Too cramped, too much rattling around, no trolley with refreshments... I was not impressed. No chance of working on the lap top- too cramped, and I felt too queasy. Sigh.
No progress on the blog layout problem: have told other half he needs to brush up on his blog expertise pronto so that he help me with sorting it out...

Help! Help!

Yesterday all my side bar bits and pieces vanished and have gone to the bottom of the page. But...when you click on links on my most recent post the whole thing comes back the way it was...i am so puzzled and not sure what I have done. I have contacted blogger, and put a post on the help group but they have signposted me to a lot of links I don't really understand.
Anyone out there work out what has happened? Also- how do I back up the blog?
As you can see- I am not making much technical progress with this stuff.
ALL HELP APPRECIATED

weekend at the races, and a rugby tour

It is very windy and wild here today. My garden chairs are tangled and strewn across the garden. We are also getting intermittent heavy showers- the type that catch you out when you are buzzing here and there.

It is very beautiful though- the autumn leaves are a riot of colour and blowing all over the place. It is a lovely time of year here, and I think it is the best time for visitors.

Teenager is back from his two day rugby tour to Edinburgh. Other than a huge bruise on his leg he seems largely unscathed. They lost one match and won one so that's a good mix I suppose. As I said to him- it's all good learning, experience, practise and all that good stuff that mum's say.

They seemed to have a good time: two rugby matches, watching a live match, a visit to Pizza Hut, an evening at lazer quest, one night in the Holiday Inn in Edinburgh, a visit to Dynamic Earth in Edinburgh ( some type of visitor/educational attraction apparently)... and back again. Phew!

Other half and I, and our friend M, went to the Kelso races. We stayed at Ednam House Hotel and had a wonderful room as a treat. Other half bought fab flowers and champers ( he is so in the good books at the moment). Dinner was great, racing was great fun. Other half did well, but our friend M and I did rather badly this time. We did't mind- it was a great day out and much fun was had by all.

Ednam is where other half and I had our honeymoon night, and we found our signatures in the ancient hotel register which is still on the counter. It was lovely and very romantic. We have been married fifteen years next May, and it only seems like yesterday.I can't believe it has taken us all this time to get back there. I won't leave it as long next time: it was very peaceful and comfortable.

Monday morning: teenager is fast asleep in bed ( on half term now), I am up doing rugby laundry ( of course) and blogging. Other half is working in West Brom. I think teenager and I will plan our packing for our holiday to Ireland ( starts Friday -hurray hurray) and I will pop down to university to agree my dissertation topic with my tutor ( more about that tomorrow!).

Getting and keeping the show on the road

It never fails to amaze me how much there is to do in the morning at home. Despite getting everything 'done' the night before ( washing/ tumble drying/dishwasher loaded/ clothes put away/school bags packed) it all starts again when the alarm clock goes off. Other than the usual household ablutions, and breakfasting rituals, there seems to be a lot going on.....

The washing and drying process starts again. The dishwasher needs to be unloaded. There are shopping lists to compile, logistics to be organised, beds to be made, school runs to complete. By the time it's eight fifteen I feel like I have put in a full shift! Anyone else the same?

I just haven't got what it takes to be a yummy mummy. I think teenager is a bit old anyway to 'need' one now, and it's just as well. I may dream of being hair straightened, perfumed, made up and relaxed in time for the school run but the reality is, it isn't going to happen.

Unless I can have a full staff ( including chef, cleaners, car valeter, hairdresser, maid, gardener) in the house, and the discipline to get up at 5am to see a personal trainer before the day starts, it will remain a fantasy!

you should be a doctor- thanks to 'that British woman' for this one

You Should Be a Doctor

You are practical, sharp, and very intuitive. Optimistic and energetic, you are a problem solver who doesn't get discouraged easily. You are also quite compassionate and caring. You make people feel hopeful. You're highly adaptable and capable. You do well with almost any curve ball life throws at you. You do best when you: - Are always learning new subjects - Use your knowledge to solve problems You would also be a good therapist or detective.

http://www.blogthings.com/whatshouldyoubewhenyougrowupquiz/

Priceless- a real laugh out loud joke!

I loved this- thanks to my favourite aunt for sending it across. Had other half and I roaring! Woke half the hotel up this morning!



GORDON BROWN was visiting a primary school and he visited one of the classes. They were in the middle of a discussion related to words and their meanings. The teacher asked Mr. BROWN if he would like to lead the discussion on the word 'tragedy'.
So the illustrious leader asked the class for an example of a 'tragedy'.A little boy stood up and offered: 'If my best friend, who lives on a farm, is playing in the field & a tractor runs over him and kills him that would be a 'tragedy.'

No, said GORDON - that would be an accident.'
A little girl raised her hand: 'If a school bus carrying fifty children drove over a cliff, killing everyone inside, that would be a tragedy'

I'm afraid not, explained GORDON - that's what we would call a great loss.

The room went silent. No other children volunteered.

GORDON searched the room. 'Isn't there someone here who can give me an example of a tragedy?'

Finally, at the back of the room, little Johnny raised his hand...

In a quiet voice he said: 'If A plane carrying you and MR. DARLING was struck by a 'friendly fire' missile & blown to smithereens, that would be a tragedy.'

'Fantastic!' exclaimed GORDON. 'That's right. And can you tell me why that would be tragedy?'

'Well,' says little Johnny 'it has to be a tragedy, because it certainly wouldn't be a great loss and it probably wouldn't be a f*cking accident either!'

Great blog to visit folks

http://ferns-lakeland-blog.blogspot.com/

Having a roam around blogs this evening I fell across this one, and the photos are great! Take a look if you like the lake district.
Other Half and I are in a hotel in Birmingham- time to look at blogs and see what is going on. Bliss!

cheer your monday up

HAVE YOU EVER BEEN GUILTY OF LOOKING AT OTHERS YOUR OWN AGE ANDTHINKING, 'SURELY I CAN'T LOOK T H AT OLD.' WELL... YOU'LL LOVE THIS ONE.MY NAME IS JENNIFER GRAND, AND I WAS SITTING IN THE WAITING ROOM FOR MYFIRST APPOINTMENT WITH A NEW DENTIST. I NOTICED HIS DDS DIPLOMA, WHICHBORE HIS FULL NAME. SUDDENLY, I REMEMBERED A TALL, HANDSOME, DARK-HAIREDBOY WITH THE SAME NAME HAD BEEN IN MY HIGH SCHOOL CLASS 40YEARS AGO.COULD HE BE THE SAME GUY THAT I HAD A SECRET CRUSH ON, WAY BACK THEN?UPON SEEING HIM, HOWEVER, I QUICKLY DISCARDED ANY SUCH THOUGHT. THISBALDING, GRAY-HAIRED MAN WITH THE DEEPLY LINED FACE WAS WAY TOO OLD TOHAVE BEEN MY CLASSMATE.AFTER HE EXAMINED MY TEETH, I ASKED HIM IF HE HAD ATTENDED MORGAN PARKHIGH SCHOOL.'YES. YES, I DID. I'M A MUSTANG,' HE GLEAMED WITH PRIDE.'WHEN DID YOU GRADUATE?' I ASKED.HE ANSWERED, 'IN 1967.' WHY DO YOU ASK?''YOU WERE IN MY CLASS!', I EXCLAIMED.


HE LOOKED AT ME CLOSELY. THEN, THAT UGLY, OLD, BALD, WRINKLED, FAT ASS,
GRAY-HAIRED, DECREPIT SON-OF-A-BITCH ASKED, 'WHAT DID YOU TEACH?'

Rugby- a mother friendly sport?

Teenager is a member of Kirkby Lonsdale Rugby Club. He is a forward. For the non rugby folk out there this means he gets very physical in the game. He tackles, scrums, rucks and mauls. It is not a game I hoped he would fall in love with. As one mum said to me today ' what's wrong with ping pong?'.

I preferred it when he was heavily into swimming. I liked it when he was a goalie. I hoped when he had a flirtation with tennis. I kept my fingers crossed when he started playing hockey at school.

But no. One game of rugby and he was bitten. And since then- that's what it's been about. I have never known him so keen on a sport. He never moans about getting up early on a Sunday morning for training. He only sighs and grumbles when he gets a knock and a bruise. He keenly signs up to every match, and next weekend he is going on a rugby tour to Scotland.

Some parents say they won't let their boys ( or girls these days) play. Some have even told me that they think I am irresponsible for letting him get involved in such a 'violent' sport. And it really hurts me when they do. It hurts even more on days like today when you watch a boy taken away by an ambulance after a full on tackle. He was knocked out. He definitely has a broken arm. They think he has a broken rib, perhaps a dislocated shoulder. It was frightening to see. I wish him well: he is a great player and apparently a lovely lad.

So why do I let him do it? I think it is because I know in my heart that it is wrong to ban someone doing something that he or she really loves. I know that however much I want to, I can't protect him from life's hard knocks. I know that the coaches at Kirkby at conscientious, disciplined and meticulous about safety. I know that the game teaches the boys discipline, leadership, team skills and courage. Teenager can look after himself, his confidence has improved, his self discipline has increased and he is starting to understand how to use his strength and physicality in a focussed way. He is fitter than ever, and it is wonderful to see him out in all weathers doing something he loves rather than sitting round all day like a pudding playing on the computer or the playstation. Keeping him indoors to 'protect' him- I know that doesn't make sense.
Rugby does not 'run' in the family. Both grandpas loved cricket and football. Other half played football. My mum loves the game but never played. Yet teenager seems born to play,and is certainly built to play.
So I pray every time he plays, and hope I am doing the right thing. Like every mum and dad on the touch line.

ICE

I found this entry on 'That British Woman' s blog- thanks very much. Makes sense.
I will do it today! Hope it catches on over here in GB.



ICE - 'In Case of Emergency'We all carry our mobile phones with names & numbers stored in its memory but nobody, other than ourselves, knows which of these numbers belong to our closest family or friends. If we were to be involved in an accident or were taken ill, the people attending us would have our mobile phone but wouldn't know who to call. Yes, there are hundreds of numbers stored but which one is the contact person in case of an emergency?Hence the 'ICE' (In Case of Emergency) Campaign. The concept of 'ICE' is catching on quickly. It is a method of contact during emergency situations. As cell(mobile)phones are carried by the majority of the population, all you need to do is store the number of a contact person or persons who should be contacted during emergency under the name 'ICE' ( In Case Of Emergency).The idea was thought up by a paramedic who found that when he went to the scenes of accidents, there were always mobile phones with patients, but they didn't know which number to call. He therefore thought that it would be a good idea if there was a nationally recognized name for this purpose. In an emergency situation, Emergency Service personnel and hospital Staff would be able to quickly contact the right person by simply dialing the number you have stored as 'ICE.' For more than one contact name simply enter ICE1, ICE2 and ICE3 etc.A great idea that will make a difference!Let's spread the concept of ICE by storing an ICE number in our Mobile phones today!Please forward this. It won't take too many 'forwards' before everybody will know about this. It really could save your life, or put a loved one's mind at rest.ICE will speak for you when you are not able to.

Perverse?

When the economy was booming in the UK, our business bobbed along with some small highs and many lows, and now that it is doom the length and breadth of the globe, we have never been busier!

You maybe wondering what it is that we do which means that businesses turn to us in times of crisis. but that hasn't been the secret I think. It is more to do with our determination to focus on what we want, focus on what we need to do to get there, and relentless determination. For me particularly it is about trusting others to help me: we are surrounded by talented keen and knowledgable colleagues who are keen to work in a synergistic way. They were always there but I just wouldn't acknowledge their presence. Control freak? Probably! Thinking I have do everything myself? Martyr? Possibly! Thinking I can do everything so much better myself? Arrogant? Definitely!

Why has it taken til I am forty four to work this out? Sigh. Still I got there in the end.

By the way- I am actually forty four on Sunday. No plans to celebrate yet but I am sure the muse will come when the weekend arrives.

Happy Birthday wishes and kisses very welcome.

First day of term

This is Alexandra Square at Lancaster University. Term has started and the area that you see on the right is usually thronging with students. In this square there is a library, a Waterstone's, banks, Greggs, newsagents, careers offices, a florist.....

The whole campus holds about 20,000 students apparently, and it is really like a small town.

I would love to be more a part of the community, but as I found last year, that is pretty challenging with a family and a business.

I really love my time on site and treasure it. I love chatting to my fellow students over a coffee or having the luxury of peace and quiet with my books in the library ( and anyone who knew me from the ages of eleven to twenty one would be astonished to hear this especially my mum!). The classes are great. It makes me realise how scant my knowledge is and how piteously ignorant I am of world faiths, and of my own faith. Where to start!

I have done two essays so far: one on euthanasia ( under ethics) and one on complementary medicine ( under the title of ' the turn to mind, body and spirit'). My next class is called ' Women and Sexuality in the Christian Tradition'. Should be good! Not sure if I will do an essay on this one or not- I am going to miss a few classes sadly. This is because of the department's refusal to set a timetable earlier than the first day of term - infuriating! We all sit with our diaries planning in when we can do- by then my work schedule is booked in. Sigh.

Today we are doing our compulsory class on 'Religious studies'. What it is, how to study it and how to do a dissertation' type of stuff. Only 25,000 words on the latter...should be a breeze!

If you take a close look at this picture you will see that the lake has crept into areas it shouldn't be! This is a shot of Lake Windermere flooding again, and this is exactly how it has been today. It has poured relentlessly all day and a lot of the roads are closed locally. I am up at the crack of dawn to take teenager to rugby match at Kirkby Lonsdale. He is at a sleepover today and has been paintballing this afternoon. Such a social life! I need to collect him from his pals in the morning and whizz him across to face Carlisle under fourteens.

It will be muddy- my washing machine is wincing already!

I am an Iris

I am an Iris What Flower Are You?