Seriously, I can feel them expanding to the point where they are about to give up the unequal struggle and just explode!
So, what's my problem?
Well, it's just a few things that are really niggling me at the moment.
One is Blogger. It's playing silly buggers with me. It wont let me insert images, anything I've posted in the last couple of weeks has been cut and pasted into it. Not a biggie really but irritating but, much worse than that is the fact that my spam filter seems to have stopped working!
At the beginning of the week I logged in to find I had 499 comments awaiting moderation!
I turned comment moderation on several months ago for post older than 3 days so that I didn't miss anything and it worked really well for me, but it seemed that one of my posts had become a target for everything from Viagra to designer handbags.
A bit of a pain in the arse but I just put the post into draft and thought that would sort it. It didn't and now the spam seems to have bypassed the filter completely and I'm getting between 30 and 50 messages a day.
I refuse to go down the word verification route - I can understand why so many people do but it drives me mad so I'm not doing it. I decided (and you may have noticed this in my last post) that I'd just turn comment moderation on for all posts and weed out the spam myself for now.
Obviously I have accidentally deleted 4 comments on my last post along with the spam (and huge apologies if you left one and now it's just gone) so I am pissed off with blogger!
Want to know what else is pissing me off?
I'm going to tell you anyway ;).
In the last few weeks I've been inundated with letters from the school about school trips ect. It's great that the kids get to do stuff and I'm all in favour of getting them out of the classroom from time to time and doing something different.
BUT, it is SOOOO fucking expensive!!
I'm a single parent and, at times, it's a struggle. My children don't go without the things that they need and they have some of the things that they want and, like any parent, I will happily go without from time to time to give them these things.
It's been an expensive few weeks. I've replaced my washing machine (you can't keep hoicking your smalls round to others forever y'know). Miss Mac has had a growth spurt which has meant virtually a whole new school uniform and some new home clothes and money only goes so far and there have been a few other little things to shell out for.
I've always found the money for trips, I don't want my kids to miss out and why should they but the last few weeks have been ridiculous!
Miss Mac has brought home 3 letters with trips ranging from £5 to £25 all of which are to places that require them to have spending money too (and you can't not give them some money to spend).
The biggy was to the Harry Potter Exhibition at the Warner Bros studios - a fantastic trip. Miss Mac is a huge Harry P fan and it was a great opportunity BUT - I just didn't have the cash to spare!
Most of the school trip require a 'voluntary contribution' - as it says on the forms, unless enough children pay then they may be unable to go ahead with the trip.
Now I understand that and, like I said, I've always found the money.
However, THIS time I just couldn't justify it, it came at the wrong time.
So I thought ok, a voluntary contribution should mean that as long as I make a contribution then it should be fine. I crossed out the bit that said £25 pounds and wrote £10 above it and ticked the box to say that money was enclosed and thought no more about it.
Until, Miss Mac said that she (and several others) had been called in and asked where the money was for the trip. Now I don't know if the others had made any contribution at all. After all, school trips are supposed to be inclusive and It clearly says this is a voluntary contribution. I know that there are many families who struggle more than I do and possibly were unable to make any kind of payment at all.
Miss Mac was mortified and I was seriously pissed off!
I called the school the next day. I explained that I had made a contribution but it wasn't for the full amount which I had made clear on the form. I explained that this was the first time I hadn't paid the full amount and that it was probably a one off. I pointed out that it was a little out of order to be calling the children in rather than contacting parents direct if there were any queries.
I received an apology and an assurance that it was a mistake. That they were just supposed to have followed up those forms that hadn't indicated that payment (full or otherwise) wasn't included as they had to account for all money taken by the school.
Fair enough.
Until I received a phone call the day before the trip asking why Miss Mac hadn't paid the full amount!
I went through the same explanation pointing out that I'd already had this conversation feeling like a completely crap mother who would obviously prefer to spend her money on crack cocaine and whiskey than a school trip for her daughter.
I ended up apologising to this bloody woman and promising to send in the remainder of the money next week. I felt completely fucking humiliated!
I don't want something for nothing. I've always been involved with my children's schools and fund raising. I don't think that makes me any better than anyone else, it's just been important to me.
There may be a few that play the system to avoid paying for school trips, I don't know but I do know that's not ME!
So yes, I will find the money but the damage is done. Miss Mac has been embarrassed and I feel ...
Well, never mind.
Anyway. The Harry Potter Trip was yesterday and a HUGE success.
Seriously, if you are in a position to take your kids then DO. Miss Mac didn't draw breath for several hours telling me all about it!
One final rant.
Well, not really a rant but something that's causing me a little concern.
I've been getting some 'odd' phone calls in the last few weeks.
At first I didn't think anything of it.
The first one was from a woman. It was a terrible line and I couldn't be sure but I thought she sounded upset. I couldn't get what she was saying at all it was so muffled so I asked her to call me back and try again.
She didn't.
I didn't give it much thought assuming it was just a sales call or something. It wasn't until I'd had a couple more calls that it clicked, she had asked if I was Sarah, not Mrs Mac or even Sarah Mac, just Sarah. Hmmm, probably NOT a sales call then.
Over the next week or so I had 3 more calls, 2 with withheld numbers and 1 a number didn't recognise. When I answered them there was a pause (but I'm pretty sure someone was there) and then they hung up.
A few days ago I had another call, this time the number wasn't withheld and it wasn't someone in my phone book either. Again there was a pause with me saying 'hello' several times and then I heard someone mutter 'bitch' but under their breath, not like they were actually saying it to ME or that I was meant to hear it but just saying it as they hung up.
To be honest I wasn't sure what to do. I did think about calling them back and asking who the fuck it was. To my knowledge I don't have any enemies and if I did then they wouldn't have my number ...
I thought about leaving it a few days and ringing while withholding my number so they wouldn't know it was me and would answer it but then what would I say? Chances are they would either hang up on me or deny calling me and I probably wouldn't recognise the voice so I still wouldn't know. A friend offered to ring the number for me. But again, and say WHAT?
Doing something (if there really is someone with a problem out there) might just give it credence and escalate things anyway.
I did briefly wonder if it was an ex girlfriend of SD's or something. I can't think of anyone else who might have a problem with me (and I'm not sure that any of them would either so I'm clutching at straws a bit here) but it's unlikely, how would they get my number? It's not like SD has a mobile that anyone could somehow have got the number from.
I did wonder if it was anything to do with Ex Lax - who knows. One of his girlfriends since we split did turn out to be barking mad but I don't have any direct contact with him any more so I can't see that there would have been anything to trigger it.
I don't know. Maybe there is no connection between the calls. Maybe that call was a wrong number. Maybe I'm letting it bother me too much ...
It's a horrible feeling that there may be someone out there who, for whatever reason, has a problem with me but just doesn't have the guts to come out and say so but I'm not going to dwell on it too much if I can help it. Hopefully that's the last of it and writing it out makes it seem not so much of a big deal anyway.
It just leave a nasty taste in my mouth ...
Ok, ranty pants slightly deflated now. I'll be back soon with more of the ridiculous soon :).
fudge
Friday, 30 November 2012
Wednesday, 28 November 2012
'Seduction' Sarah Stylee
As you know I'm a bit of a (self confessed) expert in many fields ... *
You may be new to my blog and therefore have missed some invaluable words of wisdom or, maybe you are a lazy blog reader (ahem, guilty ...) in which case, what can I say?
Your life could be SO different with just the click of a mouse ....
If you need a bit of a catch up (and I would strongly advise that you do) then this is a taste of what you may have missed:
So far I've covered dating tips for men - how not to kiss (this goes for anyone really but in particular ME because I've been there already and I didn't like it ok) - my brief foray into relationship counselling and my tact and discretion which would make me an ideal personal shopper.
Oh, and of course my dalliance into consumer testing with particular reference to control pants parts.
There are probably more but that should be enough for you to realise that I really DO know what I'm talking about.
Disclaimer in place - lets begin ... ;-)
Ok, well, the first thing you need to know is that this was my very first seduction (and I rarely findit advisable I need to try anything twice). In the past I've always left it up to the men to do the seducing and to be honest, that's worked pretty well up until now.
My 'victim' was of course Surfer Dude.
Understandably there's always been speculation surrounding my relationship with SD.
We've spent a great deal of time together. He has made his feelings for me very clear from the start. I am very fond of him AND I've been open about the fact that there has always been a spark between us.
The general consensus has always been 'get in there girl!!!'
So, what was my problem? Well, a brief explanation .
Apart from that fact that my track record of crashing and burning in spectacular style makes me very VERY wary of putting my heart on the line again there were a couple of other things that bothered me.
SD has always been very popular with women.
Partly that's due to his natural friendly manner (it's impossible not to like him) and his genuine liking for women and partly it's because he has this 'pretty boy' look going on (pissing myself as I type that knowing how much he would hate for me to describe him in that way, but it's true, he has ;).
Funnily enough, although I've always appreciated SD's look he's never really been what I would consider to be my 'type'. He's tall and lean, blond and tanned ... incredibly fit - I know, I know, I'm wondering why that wouldn't really be my type too ...
The truth is, I've always tended to go for men who are a little more hmmm ... left of centre shall we say ...
I've known a few of SD's girlfriends in the past, most of them have been pretty damned stunning and there have been quite a few of them (blog fodder for another day ;). It's not so much that he was a player exactly he was just too busy having a good time and unwilling to compromise his lifestyle to settle down and fit in with convention.
It doesn't particularly bother me that he has a past, I'd be far more worried if he hadn't! But, did I really want to risk screwing up a friendship that means a great deal to me? Hmmm ...
Ok, now that's out of the way - back to the seduction!
Having finally been convinced that maybe I should stop buggering about and give him a whirl, or, as was so eloquently said, stop being such an 'arse', I decided to pull out all the stops and do this thing properly!
Now I've spent a fair amount of time knocking SD back so I realised that I might need to be just a little .... obvious?
I considered my options:
1) invite him round and open the door stark bollock naked ...
But what if he assumed I'd just 'forgotten' to put my clothes on or something ... (What??? it happens!).
2) invite him round and open the door wearing a seduction kit of stockings, high heels, nipple tassels (no, I don't actually HAVE any - but I could get some from somewhere or knit some or something couldn't I? ;) and murmur 'come and get me big boy'...
What if he assumed I'd just forgotten the rest of my clothes and just always wore that kit underneath and/or that I was drunk.
3) Invite him round and just pounce on him the moment I opened the door ...
Yep, he would definitely think I was drunk (either that or that I was trying to bite him again ....)
4) Be honest and open with him. Sit him down - talk to him - tell him that despite my fears, despite my reservations that maybe he was right.
Maybe we could make it work. Maybe I could have faith just one last time.
That maybe it was time I stopped being scared, that maybe it wasn't always me that got it wrong, maybe I wasn't the jinx I'd began to think I was and maybe it WAS time to start believing in myself and allowed myself a chance for happiness ... Because I do know that he would do everything in his power to make me happy ...
Lol ...
Bollocks to THAT idea - I mean, god, who on earth would do THAT?
You almost took me seriously for a moment there didn't you??
Be honest - you did didn't you? ;)
Obviously I went for option 5.
Invite him round - be subtly seductive - send out subliminal messages and remind him how totally irresistible I am by, I don't know ... twirling my hair - posing provocatively on the sofa or, or ... something??
Yep, I could do that!
First things first - arrange a child free night - tick!
Secondly - spend four hours giving myself that 'effortless sex goddess look'.
Slight hiccough when my temperamental hair straighteners refused to heat up leaving me looking something like this!
You may be new to my blog and therefore have missed some invaluable words of wisdom or, maybe you are a lazy blog reader (ahem, guilty ...) in which case, what can I say?
Your life could be SO different with just the click of a mouse ....
If you need a bit of a catch up (and I would strongly advise that you do) then this is a taste of what you may have missed:
So far I've covered dating tips for men - how not to kiss (this goes for anyone really but in particular ME because I've been there already and I didn't like it ok) - my brief foray into relationship counselling and my tact and discretion which would make me an ideal personal shopper.
Oh, and of course my dalliance into consumer testing with particular reference to control pants parts.
There are probably more but that should be enough for you to realise that I really DO know what I'm talking about.
Disclaimer in place - lets begin ... ;-)
Ok, well, the first thing you need to know is that this was my very first seduction (and I rarely find
My 'victim' was of course Surfer Dude.
Understandably there's always been speculation surrounding my relationship with SD.
We've spent a great deal of time together. He has made his feelings for me very clear from the start. I am very fond of him AND I've been open about the fact that there has always been a spark between us.
The general consensus has always been 'get in there girl!!!'
So, what was my problem? Well, a brief explanation .
Apart from that fact that my track record of crashing and burning in spectacular style makes me very VERY wary of putting my heart on the line again there were a couple of other things that bothered me.
SD has always been very popular with women.
Partly that's due to his natural friendly manner (it's impossible not to like him) and his genuine liking for women and partly it's because he has this 'pretty boy' look going on (pissing myself as I type that knowing how much he would hate for me to describe him in that way, but it's true, he has ;).
Funnily enough, although I've always appreciated SD's look he's never really been what I would consider to be my 'type'. He's tall and lean, blond and tanned ... incredibly fit - I know, I know, I'm wondering why that wouldn't really be my type too ...
The truth is, I've always tended to go for men who are a little more hmmm ... left of centre shall we say ...
I've known a few of SD's girlfriends in the past, most of them have been pretty damned stunning and there have been quite a few of them (blog fodder for another day ;). It's not so much that he was a player exactly he was just too busy having a good time and unwilling to compromise his lifestyle to settle down and fit in with convention.
It doesn't particularly bother me that he has a past, I'd be far more worried if he hadn't! But, did I really want to risk screwing up a friendship that means a great deal to me? Hmmm ...
Ok, now that's out of the way - back to the seduction!
Having finally been convinced that maybe I should stop buggering about and give him a whirl, or, as was so eloquently said, stop being such an 'arse', I decided to pull out all the stops and do this thing properly!
Now I've spent a fair amount of time knocking SD back so I realised that I might need to be just a little .... obvious?
I considered my options:
1) invite him round and open the door stark bollock naked ...
But what if he assumed I'd just 'forgotten' to put my clothes on or something ... (What??? it happens!).
2) invite him round and open the door wearing a seduction kit of stockings, high heels, nipple tassels (no, I don't actually HAVE any - but I could get some from somewhere or knit some or something couldn't I? ;) and murmur 'come and get me big boy'...
What if he assumed I'd just forgotten the rest of my clothes and just always wore that kit underneath and/or that I was drunk.
3) Invite him round and just pounce on him the moment I opened the door ...
Yep, he would definitely think I was drunk (either that or that I was trying to bite him again ....)
4) Be honest and open with him. Sit him down - talk to him - tell him that despite my fears, despite my reservations that maybe he was right.
Maybe we could make it work. Maybe I could have faith just one last time.
That maybe it was time I stopped being scared, that maybe it wasn't always me that got it wrong, maybe I wasn't the jinx I'd began to think I was and maybe it WAS time to start believing in myself and allowed myself a chance for happiness ... Because I do know that he would do everything in his power to make me happy ...
Lol ...
Bollocks to THAT idea - I mean, god, who on earth would do THAT?
You almost took me seriously for a moment there didn't you??
Be honest - you did didn't you? ;)
Obviously I went for option 5.
Invite him round - be subtly seductive - send out subliminal messages and remind him how totally irresistible I am by, I don't know ... twirling my hair - posing provocatively on the sofa or, or ... something??
Yep, I could do that!
First things first - arrange a child free night - tick!
Secondly - spend four hours giving myself that 'effortless sex goddess look'.
Slight hiccough when my temperamental hair straighteners refused to heat up leaving me looking something like this!
Wednesday, 21 November 2012
It Never Rains But It Pours!
Have I ever told you how much I adore SD's parents?
No? Well I do.
His Mum reminds me of Mrs Goggins from Postman Pat (but don't tell SD I said that ok ;) and his Dad is the most laid back person I've ever met who wanders around whistling tunelessly which irritates the hell out of SD partly I'm sure because it's very clear where SD gets HIS musical (in) ability from.
Anyway, they have kind of taken out a timeshare on Gus (that's my border collie for those not in the know). Now I adore Gus and I miss him when he's not around but there is no doubt that he loves spending time on the farm and who could blame him?
Not only is there a log burner (I just have boring central heating) but he has his own cushion, has meals cooked especially for him (Sunday roast is his favourite), gets to wander all over the countryside AND, if that wasn't enough, SD's dad has built what can only be described as a mini gymkhana in the garden for him.
Like I said to SD, Gus is like the grandson he failed to provide them with.
SD's Mum always likes a nice photo of him in a frame for Christmas but I suggested this year she might prefer one of Gus .... Seriously, I think she might!
Anyone who lives in the UK knows what crap weather we've been having over the last few days. A months worth of rain in a few hours in some places today and it's causing chaos.
Somerset has been particularly hard hit although after torrential rain last night and this morning we did have a beautiful afternoon.
It wasn't until Miss Mac came home form school telling me that the school has almost closed due to 15 teachers not making it in today that I thought to check the news.
Bloody hell! Complete devastation all around me! We are practically an island with alerts on all the local rivers. I'm a little ashamed that I was totally oblivious to this not having talked to anyone today and not having watched the news.
I then had a phone call from Jon (he of the big barn conversion who held the hippy party). He was phoning me from Nigeria where he works on an oil rig. It seems the barn has flooded and his wife and son are cut off in all directions. Was there any way that SD and I could get through and help in any way.
So I phoned SD who was at his parents house .... which apparently has also been flooded ... and there is more heavy rain forecast for tomorrow ...
So I'm in a quandary. A mother and young son stranded and there is no way that most things are going to get through the flooded lanes to them. Even SD struggled to get to work this morning in his 4WD which sits about 2ft higher than the average car and goes through pretty much anything and a couple of pensioners who are not going to be able to so much more than mop up when the whole of downstairs needs clearing out and cleaning before they can think of trying to dry the place out. How the fuck they are going to managed THAT with just the log burner I really don't know!
It's a no brainer really so tomorrow I'll be spending the day at the farm and then, if at all possible, going over to see what we can do to salvage things over at Jon's place. Christ, they have sweated blood building that place and only moved in this summer after two years of living on site in a caravan. The solid oak flooring only went down about three months ago. I can't imagine how heartbreaking this must be and how frustrated Jon must be being so far away and unable to help.
Who knows what's in store over the next few days. A couple more inches of rain and the school will close. The football pitch is already a lake and the very large pond near the reception area is about to spill over. The main park in town is under 2ft of water and the road is closed to the next town. The river that runs right through the heart of town is on red alert and if that bursts it's banks .... Well, lets just say we aren't out of the firing line just yet.
Hmmm, well, enough scaremongering, it hasn't happened yet.
One of the things they will do to try to alleviate the problem is to open to flood gates and flood the Somerset levels rather than the town. The trouble is this brings all sorts of associated problems. The farmers on the levels are still recovering from the floods in the summer. The ground is already saturated and the levels are a protected area full of wildlife. The villages on the levels are already flooded and the land just can't cope with any more water.
One day at a time I guess.
Lets see what tomorrow brings. One thing I'm fairly sure of is that it's going to be lots of hard work and wading through shit.
Deep joy ; -)
See you on the flip side.
No? Well I do.
His Mum reminds me of Mrs Goggins from Postman Pat (but don't tell SD I said that ok ;) and his Dad is the most laid back person I've ever met who wanders around whistling tunelessly which irritates the hell out of SD partly I'm sure because it's very clear where SD gets HIS musical (in) ability from.
Anyway, they have kind of taken out a timeshare on Gus (that's my border collie for those not in the know). Now I adore Gus and I miss him when he's not around but there is no doubt that he loves spending time on the farm and who could blame him?
Not only is there a log burner (I just have boring central heating) but he has his own cushion, has meals cooked especially for him (Sunday roast is his favourite), gets to wander all over the countryside AND, if that wasn't enough, SD's dad has built what can only be described as a mini gymkhana in the garden for him.
Like I said to SD, Gus is like the grandson he failed to provide them with.
SD's Mum always likes a nice photo of him in a frame for Christmas but I suggested this year she might prefer one of Gus .... Seriously, I think she might!
Anyone who lives in the UK knows what crap weather we've been having over the last few days. A months worth of rain in a few hours in some places today and it's causing chaos.
Somerset has been particularly hard hit although after torrential rain last night and this morning we did have a beautiful afternoon.
It wasn't until Miss Mac came home form school telling me that the school has almost closed due to 15 teachers not making it in today that I thought to check the news.
Bloody hell! Complete devastation all around me! We are practically an island with alerts on all the local rivers. I'm a little ashamed that I was totally oblivious to this not having talked to anyone today and not having watched the news.
I then had a phone call from Jon (he of the big barn conversion who held the hippy party). He was phoning me from Nigeria where he works on an oil rig. It seems the barn has flooded and his wife and son are cut off in all directions. Was there any way that SD and I could get through and help in any way.
So I phoned SD who was at his parents house .... which apparently has also been flooded ... and there is more heavy rain forecast for tomorrow ...
So I'm in a quandary. A mother and young son stranded and there is no way that most things are going to get through the flooded lanes to them. Even SD struggled to get to work this morning in his 4WD which sits about 2ft higher than the average car and goes through pretty much anything and a couple of pensioners who are not going to be able to so much more than mop up when the whole of downstairs needs clearing out and cleaning before they can think of trying to dry the place out. How the fuck they are going to managed THAT with just the log burner I really don't know!
It's a no brainer really so tomorrow I'll be spending the day at the farm and then, if at all possible, going over to see what we can do to salvage things over at Jon's place. Christ, they have sweated blood building that place and only moved in this summer after two years of living on site in a caravan. The solid oak flooring only went down about three months ago. I can't imagine how heartbreaking this must be and how frustrated Jon must be being so far away and unable to help.
Who knows what's in store over the next few days. A couple more inches of rain and the school will close. The football pitch is already a lake and the very large pond near the reception area is about to spill over. The main park in town is under 2ft of water and the road is closed to the next town. The river that runs right through the heart of town is on red alert and if that bursts it's banks .... Well, lets just say we aren't out of the firing line just yet.
Hmmm, well, enough scaremongering, it hasn't happened yet.
One of the things they will do to try to alleviate the problem is to open to flood gates and flood the Somerset levels rather than the town. The trouble is this brings all sorts of associated problems. The farmers on the levels are still recovering from the floods in the summer. The ground is already saturated and the levels are a protected area full of wildlife. The villages on the levels are already flooded and the land just can't cope with any more water.
One day at a time I guess.
Lets see what tomorrow brings. One thing I'm fairly sure of is that it's going to be lots of hard work and wading through shit.
Deep joy ; -)
See you on the flip side.
Monday, 19 November 2012
Ditto
Surfer Dude called me the perfect woman the other day.
Now I've been there before. I know it's something I can't live up to.
Ex Lax used to tell me I was perfect, the first person he could talk to about anything. Others have said the same thing in the past. The first person they could truly be themselves with .... etc
Anyway, it rang major alarm bells for me. Don't put me on a pedestal, I don't think I could survive another fall, the last one damn near destroyed me.
So I tried to laughed it off. I listed all my imperfections. My scantiness, my unpredictability. The way I seem to attract the ridiculous. The stupid stuff I say and do. The way that when I get something into my head I just do it without thinking things through.
God, I could go on and on ... I actually got quite emotional about it all - DON'T LAY THAT SHIT ON ME. I'm just not up to it.
Perfect I sure as hell ain't!
As ever SD sat and silently listened to my ranting. He didn't interrupt. He didn't try to stop me. He just waited until I ran out of steam.
And then he said:
'Those are all the things that make you MY perfect woman'.
Fuckit, I'm really not sure where I'm going with this ...
Just being me seems to be enough for once. It's a concept I'm still trying to get my head around.
I've known SD for more than half my life. He KNOWS me and he loves me just the way I am.
Well, what can I say SD?
Ditto!
Now I've been there before. I know it's something I can't live up to.
Ex Lax used to tell me I was perfect, the first person he could talk to about anything. Others have said the same thing in the past. The first person they could truly be themselves with .... etc
Anyway, it rang major alarm bells for me. Don't put me on a pedestal, I don't think I could survive another fall, the last one damn near destroyed me.
So I tried to laughed it off. I listed all my imperfections. My scantiness, my unpredictability. The way I seem to attract the ridiculous. The stupid stuff I say and do. The way that when I get something into my head I just do it without thinking things through.
God, I could go on and on ... I actually got quite emotional about it all - DON'T LAY THAT SHIT ON ME. I'm just not up to it.
Perfect I sure as hell ain't!
As ever SD sat and silently listened to my ranting. He didn't interrupt. He didn't try to stop me. He just waited until I ran out of steam.
And then he said:
'Those are all the things that make you MY perfect woman'.
Fuckit, I'm really not sure where I'm going with this ...
Just being me seems to be enough for once. It's a concept I'm still trying to get my head around.
I've known SD for more than half my life. He KNOWS me and he loves me just the way I am.
Well, what can I say SD?
Ditto!
Monday, 12 November 2012
It's Not Me - It's Him!
You know how men ramble on about all kinds of crap and you just nod and smile while you plan next weeks meals or wonder whether you could get away with dying your hair blue?
I mean, you can't possibly listen to EVERYTHING they say ... can you??
I do it quite a lot with Surfer Dude. Mostly he's waffling on about his second favourite Harley wheels or the intricate in's and outs of a Baja engine. I figure I'm just a sounding board and he doesn't really expect any kind of meaningful conversation anyway which, let's face it, is just as well, because I know bugger all about most of the things he's banging on about.
Well occasionally it comes back to bite me on the bum ...
I've had a great weekend. On Friday night I went to listen to a local band - Stuff Stan Likes - SD, as I've mentioned before, knows EVERYBODY!
Well, at least everybody knows him. Seriously, we can't go anywhere without people stopping to talk to him.
The minute we walked through the door he was accosted by a couple who insisted on buying us a drink - not so shabby ;)
The trouble with SD is that he tends to recognise people only with reference to the car/bike etc that they own, He doesn't remember names and so can't introduce me. If I'm in a benevolent mood I'll introduce myself, hold out my hand and say, 'Hi, I'm Sarah' which usually prompts them to offer their name and gets SD out of a sticky situation.
If I'm not, I'll stand there looking expectantly at SD and watch him squirm ;).
So anyway, we had a great time. Not only were the band rocking but the pub was holding a beer and cider festival so it was heaving.
On Saturday we went to pick up a caravan that SD kind of accidentally bought on EBay. I know, I know, how the hell do you manage to do that?
Ask SD, he seems to manage to do it effortlessly which is how he ended up with the Jeep and the green Beetle.
On the way there a car passed us, bloke waving, beeping his horn etc. 'Who's that' I asked.
'Umm, Dave I think' said SD - you know, you met him last year, remember ...
Hmm, not ringing any bells for me. Unsurprisingly as it turned out as apparently when I saw him he was driving a drag racing tractor and dressed in a gorilla suit (now that I DO remember!).
Saturday night we went out to see another band, Snappa - now THEY are in a class of their own!!! I'm going to attach a link here - go listen to their rendition of Mrs Robinson - I insist!
Go on .....
Look, I'm not a Simon and Garfunkel fan either but trust me ok - GO AND LISTEN!
And then listen to some of their other stuff.
And then come on down to Somerset (you can stay with me:) and I'll take you to see them live!
So, back to the caravan (this is where the 'me not listening' bit comes in).
Occasionally, just occasionally mind, SD says something that I probably should have listened to ....
On Sunday we had a good look over the caravan. Now, being SD it's not your average, run of the mill (if there is such a thing) van. It's quaint, it's quirky, it's tiny which is about all he can cope with as he doesn't see himself as the caravan club type but this one has just about enough charm for him to be able to deal with it.
Bear in mind that I'm not good at being told how to do things, particularly things that seem obvious to me such as 'how to lock a caravan door'. So, when SD started to explain it to me I was busy mentally redecorating the interior ( I'm thinking blue and white stripes - sound familiar ;) and maybe some glitter ...) for him and then, when he asked me to lock it up the bloody thing wouldn't!
SD expressed surprise that I couldn't do it bearing in mind that he had spent at least 5 minutes explaining how just moments before.
So I got shitty because I felt he was patronising me, 'of course I can lock a fucking door!'
Two minutes later SD said with exaggerated patience. 'Sarah, don't you think your being just a little childish here?'
'No I don't' I said, 'and frankly I'm a little offended by that suggestion!'
'Ok', he said. 'Then perhaps you can explain to me why, when all I was doing was trying to help you, you ran away singing with your hands over your ears and now you're hiding behind a hedge ....'
I mean, you can't possibly listen to EVERYTHING they say ... can you??
I do it quite a lot with Surfer Dude. Mostly he's waffling on about his second favourite Harley wheels or the intricate in's and outs of a Baja engine. I figure I'm just a sounding board and he doesn't really expect any kind of meaningful conversation anyway which, let's face it, is just as well, because I know bugger all about most of the things he's banging on about.
Well occasionally it comes back to bite me on the bum ...
I've had a great weekend. On Friday night I went to listen to a local band - Stuff Stan Likes - SD, as I've mentioned before, knows EVERYBODY!
Well, at least everybody knows him. Seriously, we can't go anywhere without people stopping to talk to him.
The minute we walked through the door he was accosted by a couple who insisted on buying us a drink - not so shabby ;)
The trouble with SD is that he tends to recognise people only with reference to the car/bike etc that they own, He doesn't remember names and so can't introduce me. If I'm in a benevolent mood I'll introduce myself, hold out my hand and say, 'Hi, I'm Sarah' which usually prompts them to offer their name and gets SD out of a sticky situation.
If I'm not, I'll stand there looking expectantly at SD and watch him squirm ;).
So anyway, we had a great time. Not only were the band rocking but the pub was holding a beer and cider festival so it was heaving.
On Saturday we went to pick up a caravan that SD kind of accidentally bought on EBay. I know, I know, how the hell do you manage to do that?
Ask SD, he seems to manage to do it effortlessly which is how he ended up with the Jeep and the green Beetle.
On the way there a car passed us, bloke waving, beeping his horn etc. 'Who's that' I asked.
'Umm, Dave I think' said SD - you know, you met him last year, remember ...
Hmm, not ringing any bells for me. Unsurprisingly as it turned out as apparently when I saw him he was driving a drag racing tractor and dressed in a gorilla suit (now that I DO remember!).
Saturday night we went out to see another band, Snappa - now THEY are in a class of their own!!! I'm going to attach a link here - go listen to their rendition of Mrs Robinson - I insist!
Go on .....
Look, I'm not a Simon and Garfunkel fan either but trust me ok - GO AND LISTEN!
And then listen to some of their other stuff.
And then come on down to Somerset (you can stay with me:) and I'll take you to see them live!
So, back to the caravan (this is where the 'me not listening' bit comes in).
Occasionally, just occasionally mind, SD says something that I probably should have listened to ....
On Sunday we had a good look over the caravan. Now, being SD it's not your average, run of the mill (if there is such a thing) van. It's quaint, it's quirky, it's tiny which is about all he can cope with as he doesn't see himself as the caravan club type but this one has just about enough charm for him to be able to deal with it.
Bear in mind that I'm not good at being told how to do things, particularly things that seem obvious to me such as 'how to lock a caravan door'. So, when SD started to explain it to me I was busy mentally redecorating the interior ( I'm thinking blue and white stripes - sound familiar ;) and maybe some glitter ...) for him and then, when he asked me to lock it up the bloody thing wouldn't!
SD expressed surprise that I couldn't do it bearing in mind that he had spent at least 5 minutes explaining how just moments before.
So I got shitty because I felt he was patronising me, 'of course I can lock a fucking door!'
Two minutes later SD said with exaggerated patience. 'Sarah, don't you think your being just a little childish here?'
'No I don't' I said, 'and frankly I'm a little offended by that suggestion!'
'Ok', he said. 'Then perhaps you can explain to me why, when all I was doing was trying to help you, you ran away singing with your hands over your ears and now you're hiding behind a hedge ....'
Wednesday, 7 November 2012
It's An Education (but not as we know it ... )
Today The Lounge is being hosted by Tegan from Musings Of The Misguided and the key word is:
INTERVIEW
As is my way, rather than writing a whole new post I put the key word into my blog search to see what came up and this was the result:
It's An Education (but not as we know it ... )
Overheard conversation between Miss Mac and a friend who I shall call Leah (because that is in fact her name ;).
MM - I hate Winter and the dark nights.
L - Yeah, me too but at least you get an extra hour in bed.
MM - Yeah, but that's only for one night though isn't it.
L - Is it ..... ? I thought it was EVERY night!!!
I despair .....
Mind you, apparently Leah also thought a blow job was when you did really badly at an interview - I shit you not!!!
I'm not really sure if I should be more concerned that Miss Mac does know what a blow job is ....
God, they grow up too fast dont they? Luckily Miss Mac thinks it's all 'totally gross' anyway.
I discovered yesterday that kids can now request something called a C Card - this gives them access to free condoms.
I'm torn between being horrified that my 13 year old daughter is being offered this and relieved that the option is available.
I'm a realist. I know that kids experiment. I know that they want to grow up too fast. I know that this is a time where physically and hormonally it's bloody confusing and I also know that emotionally no child, male or female, is, at that age, ready to take that kind of step!
Maybe I'm being naive in not worrying too much about Miss Mac but we have a good relationship, we talk about things and she is a very switched on girl with a clear focus on her future .... Ok, I still worry ....
I've digressed a little, this was meant to be a lighthearted post and so I shall return to the story of the C Card.
Apparently one of Miss Mac friends got hold of one. More I'm sure for the street cred of carrying one rather than with any intention of needing it and, yesterday, in an English lesson, while the teacher was out of the room for a moment she got a pack of condoms out and handed one to Miss Mac...
It was strawberry flavoured, bright pink and a size large ....
It really tasted of strawberries too - how did she know that??? Yep, I made the mistake of asking ....
Anyway, obviously Miss Mac thought it would be funny to blow it up and hit her friend over the head with it (where exactly WAS that teacher???) - she then got it stuck on her finger (it really hurt!) and then she stuck a pen in it and popped it so .... Her friend gave her another one!
Which Miss Mac started to blow up ......
Only it got hooked on her brace .....
And the teacher came back into the room ....
And Miss Mac had a large, pink, strawberry flavoured, half inflated condom in her mouth....
The teacher looked at Miss Mac....
Miss Mac looked at the teacher....
The condom deflated as Miss Mac smiled at the teacher and dangled attractively from her brace and down her chin ....
The teacher - with remarkable control - requested that Miss Mac remove the condom from her mouth and continue with the set work.
Miss Mac - attempted to explain through the (now flacid and flapping) condom that she couldn't as it was hooked on her brace when the teacher held up her hand to silence her.
'Miss Mac', she said. 'I am going to give you a piece of valuable advice. Something that will stand you in good stead for the rest of your life. Something that the rest of the class should consider and something that your parents should have drummed into you from a very early age'.
When you are in public it is very rude and considered EXTREMELY unattractive to ...
Talk With Your Mouth Full!
INTERVIEW
As is my way, rather than writing a whole new post I put the key word into my blog search to see what came up and this was the result:
It's An Education (but not as we know it ... )
Overheard conversation between Miss Mac and a friend who I shall call Leah (because that is in fact her name ;).
MM - I hate Winter and the dark nights.
L - Yeah, me too but at least you get an extra hour in bed.
MM - Yeah, but that's only for one night though isn't it.
L - Is it ..... ? I thought it was EVERY night!!!
I despair .....
Mind you, apparently Leah also thought a blow job was when you did really badly at an interview - I shit you not!!!
I'm not really sure if I should be more concerned that Miss Mac does know what a blow job is ....
God, they grow up too fast dont they? Luckily Miss Mac thinks it's all 'totally gross' anyway.
I discovered yesterday that kids can now request something called a C Card - this gives them access to free condoms.
I'm torn between being horrified that my 13 year old daughter is being offered this and relieved that the option is available.
I'm a realist. I know that kids experiment. I know that they want to grow up too fast. I know that this is a time where physically and hormonally it's bloody confusing and I also know that emotionally no child, male or female, is, at that age, ready to take that kind of step!
Maybe I'm being naive in not worrying too much about Miss Mac but we have a good relationship, we talk about things and she is a very switched on girl with a clear focus on her future .... Ok, I still worry ....
I've digressed a little, this was meant to be a lighthearted post and so I shall return to the story of the C Card.
Apparently one of Miss Mac friends got hold of one. More I'm sure for the street cred of carrying one rather than with any intention of needing it and, yesterday, in an English lesson, while the teacher was out of the room for a moment she got a pack of condoms out and handed one to Miss Mac...
It was strawberry flavoured, bright pink and a size large ....
It really tasted of strawberries too - how did she know that??? Yep, I made the mistake of asking ....
Anyway, obviously Miss Mac thought it would be funny to blow it up and hit her friend over the head with it (where exactly WAS that teacher???) - she then got it stuck on her finger (it really hurt!) and then she stuck a pen in it and popped it so .... Her friend gave her another one!
Which Miss Mac started to blow up ......
Only it got hooked on her brace .....
And the teacher came back into the room ....
And Miss Mac had a large, pink, strawberry flavoured, half inflated condom in her mouth....
The teacher looked at Miss Mac....
Miss Mac looked at the teacher....
The condom deflated as Miss Mac smiled at the teacher and dangled attractively from her brace and down her chin ....
The teacher - with remarkable control - requested that Miss Mac remove the condom from her mouth and continue with the set work.
Miss Mac - attempted to explain through the (now flacid and flapping) condom that she couldn't as it was hooked on her brace when the teacher held up her hand to silence her.
'Miss Mac', she said. 'I am going to give you a piece of valuable advice. Something that will stand you in good stead for the rest of your life. Something that the rest of the class should consider and something that your parents should have drummed into you from a very early age'.
When you are in public it is very rude and considered EXTREMELY unattractive to ...
Talk With Your Mouth Full!
Thursday, 1 November 2012
A Final Fling
You know how I sometimes concieve this notion that I'm an expert on certain matters?
Well ...
It happened again yesterday!
I was in Primark (and yes, I think we have established that I am no shopping snob). Primarks great for somethings, socks, vest tops, the occasional pair of jeans because unlike some shops they actually come in longer lengths!
Anyhow, I've decided that I may have missed my vocation.
I'd be a GREAT personal shopper.
Example ....
There I was minding my own business,gaping in horror admiring some god awful leggings of the knitted/fair isle patterened variety (seriously, if you own a pair, Im sorry, but they are truly hideious!) when a woman turned to me with a jumper in her hand and asked me what I thought.
'That is so fucking awful' I replied, 'if you put it down and walk away as fast as you can right now I'll never tell anyone you even contemplated it for a moment ok!'
Her face registered a little shock and then a voice piped up behind me -
'Actually, I THINK she was talking to me!'
Ohhh ....
Ok, maybe NOT the best start to my new career (but I was right though ... ;).
So, back to the title of this post.
Last Saturday I headed off to Woolacombe Bay with SD for a final fling.
Nah, not THAT kind of fling!!
It's a final get together at the end of the season (I would say summer but I think that's been left far behind us!).
Basically it's a giant piss up with about 300 people, lots of beer and a few bands.
It's also right on the top of a cliff by the sea, it's in October and it's the UK.
I stepped out of the car into winds that nearly sliced me in half! It was fecking FREEZING!!!
But, it was the most beautiful day, blue skies and not a cloud to be seen.
We arrived at about 11am to find the party already in full swing, some people having arrived the night before and the beer flowing.
SD suggested that we take a stroll into town and get some lunch to line our stomachs before hitting the hard stuff.
This suggestion was met by muffled laughter, gasps of horror and 'walk into town, did you say you are going to WALK??????'
Ummm, yes .... ?
Bear in mind that although I've been to Woolacombe many times I've never actually been to a final fling before so I've never been to this site.
Off we set.
It was lovely in the lanes sheltered from the wind by the hedges it was really quite warm.
This was fun!
Then I heard a noise behind us and suddenly we were being chased down the hill by these!
It seemed NOT.
40 minutests later we arrived in Woolacombe proper.
I was starving and had a huge fry up then we hit the shops for a bit, went for a stroll along the beach (back into that biting wind) and then ...
Yep, back up that fecking hill!
SD, as I've mentioned teaches PE, he's fit ... he is really fucking fit!
He can climb verticle hills AND talk at the same time!
I on the other hand, CAN'T!
There he was striding out in front of me waxing lyricle about how beautiful it all was with me panting and gasping for breath in his wake.
'Look', he said, 'you can see Lundy Island really clearly today, have you ever been there?'
WTF SD, you actually expected me to be able to speak???
All I could see was red mist and all I could hear was my heart pounding and this kind of rasping sound everytime I tried to breath.
SD turned around to find me face down on the tarmac road inhaling gravel.
I'm going to gloss over the events of the next hours (mostly, to be honest, because they ARE a little hazy).
I do remember a large purple dinosaur though with a 4ft tail, pretty sure it was the lead singer of one of the bands ....
Anyway fudgers, I really need to finish now (although there's LOADS more to tell) because I'm off to Newquay for a few days of fun, frolicking on the sands and surfing.
Failing that I shall be shopping, sipping coffee and stuffing my face.
See you soon.
Actaully, just before I go I thought I'd share another of my 'Top Tips' with you.
Never, and I really do mean NEVER allow teenagers to carve their own pumpkins ....
MWAH!
Well ...
It happened again yesterday!
I was in Primark (and yes, I think we have established that I am no shopping snob). Primarks great for somethings, socks, vest tops, the occasional pair of jeans because unlike some shops they actually come in longer lengths!
Anyhow, I've decided that I may have missed my vocation.
I'd be a GREAT personal shopper.
Example ....
There I was minding my own business,
'That is so fucking awful' I replied, 'if you put it down and walk away as fast as you can right now I'll never tell anyone you even contemplated it for a moment ok!'
Her face registered a little shock and then a voice piped up behind me -
'Actually, I THINK she was talking to me!'
Ohhh ....
Ok, maybe NOT the best start to my new career (but I was right though ... ;).
So, back to the title of this post.
Last Saturday I headed off to Woolacombe Bay with SD for a final fling.
Nah, not THAT kind of fling!!
It's a final get together at the end of the season (I would say summer but I think that's been left far behind us!).
Basically it's a giant piss up with about 300 people, lots of beer and a few bands.
It's also right on the top of a cliff by the sea, it's in October and it's the UK.
I stepped out of the car into winds that nearly sliced me in half! It was fecking FREEZING!!!
But, it was the most beautiful day, blue skies and not a cloud to be seen.
We arrived at about 11am to find the party already in full swing, some people having arrived the night before and the beer flowing.
SD suggested that we take a stroll into town and get some lunch to line our stomachs before hitting the hard stuff.
This suggestion was met by muffled laughter, gasps of horror and 'walk into town, did you say you are going to WALK??????'
Ummm, yes .... ?
Bear in mind that although I've been to Woolacombe many times I've never actually been to a final fling before so I've never been to this site.
Off we set.
It was lovely in the lanes sheltered from the wind by the hedges it was really quite warm.
This was fun!
Then I heard a noise behind us and suddenly we were being chased down the hill by these!
After about 20 minutes of walking down the steepest fecking hill in the world I asked SD if we were there yet ....
It seemed NOT.
40 minutests later we arrived in Woolacombe proper.
I was starving and had a huge fry up then we hit the shops for a bit, went for a stroll along the beach (back into that biting wind) and then ...
Yep, back up that fecking hill!
SD, as I've mentioned teaches PE, he's fit ... he is really fucking fit!
He can climb verticle hills AND talk at the same time!
I on the other hand, CAN'T!
There he was striding out in front of me waxing lyricle about how beautiful it all was with me panting and gasping for breath in his wake.
'Look', he said, 'you can see Lundy Island really clearly today, have you ever been there?'
WTF SD, you actually expected me to be able to speak???
All I could see was red mist and all I could hear was my heart pounding and this kind of rasping sound everytime I tried to breath.
SD turned around to find me face down on the tarmac road inhaling gravel.
I'm going to gloss over the events of the next hours (mostly, to be honest, because they ARE a little hazy).
I do remember a large purple dinosaur though with a 4ft tail, pretty sure it was the lead singer of one of the bands ....
Anyway fudgers, I really need to finish now (although there's LOADS more to tell) because I'm off to Newquay for a few days of fun, frolicking on the sands and surfing.
Failing that I shall be shopping, sipping coffee and stuffing my face.
See you soon.
Actaully, just before I go I thought I'd share another of my 'Top Tips' with you.
Never, and I really do mean NEVER allow teenagers to carve their own pumpkins ....
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