SOS

living the close to the sea I've always had an efinity with thr RNLI and when Dad died rather than buying flowers on anniversaries etc I joined the RNLI supporters group. this mirning there was an incident on the sea. a swimmer took ill. all the others supported him till the life boat arrived then we saw the rescue which was so profeesional quick and calm. these guys are volunteers and even though the weather aand sea is calm it's truely amazing to watch. we are so lucky to have peopple willing to risk thier lives for othets.

I am so bad

I hav'nt blogged for ages. i have been on holiday and poorly but the honest truth is I have been lazy. I justcouldn't think of anthing to write even though I have been living life to the full, sharing meals and time wit friends. in fact I have been out with a close friend who has a terrible year. her husband an alcoholic was injured whilst drunk and in the space of a second her life changed but she is still cheerful meeting friends, hols etcquite an inspiratation really.

British Summer Time

will be drawing to a close in a few weeks. There have been various debates about whether or not the UK should adjust its clocks in Spring and Autumn. I don' mind the dark nights up to Christmas there is something cozy about it but Jan - March I find difficult and I understand why people flee to Spain for those months!

Since I have been back in the UK this week I have noticed how dark it is now in the morning - its actually still dark at 6.15 when I walk the dogs. Whereas 2 weeks ago it was light. But if we didn't adjust the clock it would be dark till nearly 8.00am so I guess it makes sense. I suppose we should take pity on those countries who never see daylight for 6 months. Not for me thanks!

Its good to know

that I can still be surprised. Just when you think you know someone something happens and you find out they are not what or who you assumed. However does it matter? should it matter? after all if you like someone before you had the additional information why would you not like them afterwards? I suppose it really depends on what the information is i.e if someone turned out to be a granny beater or a paedophile I think I couldn't help feeling different about that person and wouldn't trust them with our friendship. Happily my surprise was something quite different and I never fancied him anyway ;-)

Whilst on holiday I saw a programme called the Restaurant never seen it before but its a cross between masterchef/dragons den and the apprentice and its actually quite good, you have to wonder at the business accumine in some of the candidates but no doubt they can cook. Must go its nearly time ....

all over for this year

For anyone who reads this and has been worried about my non blogging - I have been on holiday with my BF. What larks - all the way to Spain and it rained to be fair it was only an hour and it was still warm but I don't want to go all that way for rain. Anyway it was a lovely time - if you are ever in Nerja please try Scarletta's restuarant - the roof terrace is lovely.

Whilst I was away I asked Mr Grumpy to make an appointment to have the dogs shampooed and set. I like him to make the appointment becuase if I do it he tells me the date I have requested is wrong or not convienent. So when I came back to 2 smelly shaggy cockers I was cross and he had clearly not given it another thought. So I have arranged it and guess what? he says its not convienent - not my problem!

Am having my bedroom decorated more about that next time ....

The big bang

Despite all the assurances that today's experiement would cause no more energy than 2 mosiquto's flying into each other (and I would think if you are a mosquito flying into another one must be pretty fatal) I did have a bit of a wobble this morning. After all if the scientists had got it wrong who would be left to blame.

Where were all the world leaders? where they eating their wheaty puffs in the kitchen or in a bunker deep underground just in case?

Any way it seems to have gone well and so far no ill effects.

An update on the bus route debarcle - allegedly it was our MP who asked for the change in the route. Guess who is now getting mail .

a update on the bus route

I decided that as no one seemed to know what was going on I'd call the bus company. That assured me that the route hadn't changed nor was there any plans to, especially as they hadn't moved the bus stop! . So hopefully it was a bored bus driver sick of his route deciding to take a short cut. Ex except when I was on the phone to update him indoors he told me he was watching a bus driving up the street. So from now on we shallbe out with our anoraks writing down bus numbers!

Still no solution to the Keegan saga, all kinds of protests are being mooted, but no doubt everyone will still go to the match after all the board don;t care coz the tickets are bought and the money in their pockets,.

Question is will Mike Ashley ever be able to drink in Blu Bamboo again.......?

If I start screaming I may never stop,

Who was who said if a man is all alone in the Jungle and he speaks is he still wrong? . I was going to off load about work tonight but I can't. To pinch an expression I am incandence with rage. But I can't start coz I won't stop.

I having been exploring other blogs - to be honest I've been doing it for a while but covertly! sometimes I go in to the next blog to mine and sometimes I go to Gail or Justines, or Hannah's and see where it leads. So far to good stuff so thanks for sharing even though you may not have known it.

I read a book recently 'The wife up North' which was based on a woman's blogging. I was really dispointed. I know what a culture shock it is to move from the south (Havant, Hampshire) to Winlaton (Tyne and Wear) (Dad was in the Navy) but you have to just get on with it. She not half moaned a lot AND she didn't seem to appreciate the beauty of North Northumberland which every one knows as God's secret kingdom AND she never gave her family names I found all very depressing and confusing. I hope my blogging is less moany - hence I won't go into work problems.

I was asked to sign a peititon last night appratenly the bus company Arriva have decided to make our street a bus route - should be interesting as the road is hardly wide enough to get 2 cars passed. So as well as the petition, an email to my MP and the local police, and the bus company - is there anyone else? let me know if you can think of anyone.

Who was it that said

'Football is not a matter of life or death - its much more important than that'? I have no time for football, or the players,they earn vast amounts of money and whinge becuase they have to play an extra match. And no I don't understand the offside rule either.

But this Newcastle United senario makes my blood boil. They wanted Keegan and they got him, they employed him as a manager but didn't let him manage. Now when he says enough they are panicking. The strenght of feeling in the Toon is huge, I don't think there will be a riot, but I wouldn't want to be on the board at the next match if they don't do what Keegan wants. The traffic and noise at St James last night must show the board how the fans (i.e. the people who buy the tickets and shirts (incidently exactly how many variations of black and white Stripes are possible?) therefore pay the WAGES) feel. Husband (MNPW) tells me its all the fault of Denis Wise but given that MNPW can't bear cockney's and thinks they were all black marketeers during the war (he would know he was there) his opinion is not exactly un biased.

Lets hope a resolution is found sooner rather than later.

Sky really are the limit

(other satellite providers are available -use them!). I am fairly new convert to satellite tv but last year I converted to Sky+ becuase my favourite crafting programmes are on when I am at work earning the money to pay for my crafting obession.

My Neighbours who will remain anonymous becuase I have never met them put scaffolding up 3 months ago since then we have had various problems with the sky box and lost a few channels but we still had lots including films.

Came back from Scotland on Monday and no sky at all, now they tell you if its raining etc to wait so I waited till Thursday and rang them. They said they couldn't tell if it was the scaffolding or if there was a fault with the box and they would send a man. I asked if it was the scaffolding could the engineer move the ariel 'we will send him prepared' they said.
Man arrived and immediatley diagnosed the problem as the scaffolding really wasn't interested in the fact that I disagreed and that we'd had channels until last week end. So I said if its the scaffolding can you move the satellite dish. to which he told me he couldn't go up the scaffolding becuase they hadn't erected it and he wasn't insured. So how are you going to move the dish - I'm not says he - just wait till the scaffolding is down and left. Guess what? - Sky subscription cancelled. Customer service my ar*e!!

Its taken me a while....

but now I understand that sometime you have to set aside the feelings and needs of others and do it for you. Cramming lots of good fun (and in the case of fit camp hard work but good fun) into your life. So tommorrow I have re arranged my day and told the family that I will not be producing the usual lunch and I am going out to the Crop in Blyth.

Just need to deal with the guilt!

bank holiday

been in Scotlaand. Such a lovely day on saturday, one of the best shoe shops in the UK is in Ayr and I am rarely disapointed or empty handed (or footed!) Saturday was no exception. Then the icing on the cake was to find a pair of linen trousers in M &S sale that I have been looking for for ages. Being in the sale they were £15 cheaper than i was expecting!

The day rounded off beautifully with a meal at Checchini's. Try it its fab.

Unfortunatley Sunday was not so great. With someone complaining becuase I was cooking his breakfast. Now where I come from if someone cooks my breakfast I am grateful and would be happy to take what was on offer. I am afraid the day got no better. So once again the weekend ended with frustration (on my part).

Maybe I need to find somehting different to do with my time.

If you are ever in the Ayr area (and you should becuase its really a very nice place) go to the tea rooms at Rozelle. I don't know if it once was a country house but now its a gallery and tea rooms with lovely gardens/woodland and park area and ducks. excellent for a walk and the tea rooms are terrific. All decorated out a la Cath Kitson. Lovely home made cakes and they sell jam etc to raise funds for Cancer research. Excellent stuff
Horrible dive back - am always sad any way but the weather was atrocious really dangerous, heard later there was a pile up on the motoway but I am not surpirsed and just hope there was no one injured.

Extemes of emotion

Today started off badly with an email from BF to say that she was unable to go on holiday next month. :-( Child care problems and they really do have to come first, even though this has been booked for months.

So I started looking form someone to take her place on the holiday not as BF (that position will never be vacant) not so easy as you would think
So then we look at changing the dates but school holidays, babysitters, other peoples holidays so much to take into account.

However maybe just maybe its sorted so cross anything you can and hope taht we can go after all and today is not so bad after all - apart from the rain.

More about the dogs

The pup has started to become food agressive and its a worry. I have sought some advice and apprantley its becuase he is taking over as top dog from Jasper, which is very sad as Jazz is only 5! but its true, whilst Jazz has not been well he has prefered his basket rather than my bed, and guess who snuck in his place - yup pup. So I have to take over as top dog - not sure how I do it but I guess I get to sleep on the bed.

Down loaded my holiday pics. Shared them with the BF. She noticed something I hadn't. I took a photo of BF and her husband and behind them there was graffitti! how sad in a beatiful town like Nerja. I would like to think its not the local kids but who knows, it may well be them. I managed to get the photos onto face book and will try to get a couple on here too.

More about the dogs

I'm Back

From 34 degrees and brilliant sunshine to 15 degrees and rain. There should be a law against it. Its too cruel. I did wonder what would happen if the whole plane revolted and refused to disembark at Newcastle. But as ever I did the right thing.

Apprarntley its rained most days while i have been off but I don't care.
Actually it was a bit too hot to lie in the sun, and what with the BF's skin cancer op last year it really wasn't appropriate.

Still I'm busy putting my photo;s into an album a la Chris and Jackie at Isabella crop. Still can't control the bling.

So the hols.

Very hot, food excellent you must try Sabor Amour a thai restaurant on Burriana Beach owned by 2 dutch people - absoultley first class food. Also morrocan food very good. A daily swim and lots of reading and sleeping perfeck.

Its just making the effort to go back to work. Feel a little weird about it.....

Still not doubt I shall get over it!

What is it about dogs?

I have 2 cockers both male one nutered and one not (yet). When we go for a walk its like battle of the pee. First one goes then the other sniffs it and he pee's over the first one. Then the first dog (are you keeping up) then sniffs and wee's. It goes on for ages before I can eventually drag them away.

Officially right now I am on holiday and I probably should be on the Front street with a large glass of something cold , but I am so tired was up at 5.30 when the rain and thunder woke me and the dogs. The rain was a torrent several inches deep in fact so deep the pup wasn't happy walking through it. So now I'm ready for bo bo's.

Its soo me

I love this background it is so me Red and Hearts. Yummy and I did it all by myself, unfortunatley I lost the photo's but I am sure I can get them back on, if I concentrate. I have always fancied myself as a rock chick! I really like fiddling around with this blog, it feeds my artistic tendancies.

Right off to download more widgets

Did I mention its 6 days to my hollybags? No? well it is

Continuing on the theme

as a grumpy woman. Tonight in broad daylight I saw 2 young men obviously worse the wear for drink lying on the bowling greenand one them just stood up an urinated. No shame. Then we were harranged by 3 kids drinking whisky. Last week a friend had her kicked by a different goup of lads. Stupid thing was there was 4 drunk of them and 20 of us all sober wearing boxing gloves. Wonder what the Police would have made of that had we retaliated?
Anyway sick of moaning, had a good work out tonight was hoping for a better outcome weight wise before my hols but its not to be. Hey ho.

Speaking of holidays a week tonight I will be sitting at Los Balcon with an ice cream and foa treat I may have my cornet dipped in warm chocolate. OLA!

As I get older

I seem to get less tolerant. There are a lot of rude people out there and I don't think they realise that their rudeness makes them ugly. I work in a big city centre hospital and there are thousands of people walking around staff, patients, reps & reli's. No one smiles no one acknowledges you - even when you hold open a door. I admit I may look one sandwich short of a picnic going around with a smile on my face but at least I am making an effort.

So come on peeps put a bit of effort into being pleasent.

Only a week to my holidays - my Nano is loaded and ready my holiday clothes are almost ready, toiletries are bought - what next?

If only they could talk

We have 2 dogs Jasper who is 5 and Nico who is 7 months. For the last 2 weeks or so Jasper has been a bit flat, he has been to the vet who couldn't find anything wrong but he did yelp (Jasper not the vet) when his paw was touched so we assumed that some bousterious play and he had been injured so the vet perscribed an anti inflamatory. He hasn't improved really and I was so worried on Saturday morning becuase he seemed so down, wouldn't come back into the house, was hunched and head down. We lost a cocker a couple of years ago with a twisted gut and it makes you nurotic you are constantly watching for the symptoms and they looked similar. I was sooooo upset.

So taking no risks at 6.30 am off we went to the emergency vet, who gave him a examination fingers and thermometers where a boy would prefer not to have them! all she could find were some mites in his ear. We walked him up and down and although he was hunched in pain there was no obvious source. Blood tests were all completly normal which was re assuring.

The vet decided to treat the mites and said as soon as I put the drops in he will shake his head. But Jasper couldn't and it was obvious it was his neck that hurt . So she gave us some Tramodol tablets which she said would space him out but should ease the pain.
He is a new dog today, he even had a roll on the grass so they are working. Goodness knows what he has done to his neck but we are a lot happier and so is he. So its off to the local vets tommorrow to see about some x rays.

AND Nico got promoted to the next class up at dog training and he has just fallen in love with a 4 month old golden cocker called Molly. Awh shucks.

Shame on you

for not beleiving that I'm equal to a 5 year old. Yep I did it !!! whoo hoo.

Even managed a music video!

Ipod nana

Yes I know its a Nano but I feel a reet nana as they say in these parts. How difficult can this be? 5 year olds seem capable of choosing a few songs ( and if the radio reports are correct they have even worked out how not to pay for them!) and downloading them - me ? not a chance I have down loaded the programme at least 3 times and still no luck. Are there any 5 year olds still up that can help me please?

Aha and fuel - I shopped at a well known supermarket at the weekend and got a voucher for 5p off per litre, only problem is the nearest petrol station is several miles away at Kingston Park, but as I need the old engine juice off I went, whilst I was there I bought more bits and peices for my holidays like a new hat (well one can never have enough!) then went to get the fuel. Guess what? They had coned off the forecourt. My gasted was flabbered, but I was determined and I found a space between 2 cones and squeezed in, followed by half of north tyneside. The woman rushed over and said I could try the pump but they were out of gas. I could have cried but being made of stern stuff I gave it a go..... and guess what



I got a whole tank full :-)

Baby's first hair cut

Ok so technically the puppy is not a baby. Today Nico had his first hair cut. He has been suffering in the heat (being black) and we think he is a working cocker because his coat is quite thick. I rang lots of people looking for someone who knew what they were doing with cocker's. I was told all sorts of different things - the most frightening was that I would have to do the stripping and it had to be done daily!! The woman we use for Jasper is too fond of the clippers for my liking and we didn't want Nico's coat ruined.

So it was back to Bothalhaugh where the wonderful Rob hand stripped him - result sleek shiny dog but all his baby curls have gone. He looks much happier and he wont have to suffer the daily tat removal (for a while any way).

Into the Dragon's den

Its back - I like dragons den - I don't always understand it but I do like it. I wish they weren't so rude though.

Good fit camp tonight except I got a medicine ball in the chin note to self must duck next time!

Sophie & Heather turned up late but so far we didn't get press up punishment. Fingers crossed he forgets on Wednesday.

I have a friend who has a friend

who this week is a competitor on 'Come dine with me'. I have caught the odd episode but my friend, whose friend... watches it religiously every week. So I have taken an interest my goodness those people can bitch! The episode I just watched was a group of women from Brighton and each evening (Mon - Fri) they take turns at cooking a 3 course meal with the chance of winning £1000. But how rude are they behind each others back??

What do you do if there is something on the menu that you hate - like figs, or my case tomato given that most dishes appear to have tomato in them I'm stuffed!!

My friends friend was cooking last Friday and the result? ....... you'll have to wait and see.

Get fit out doors

Went training and it stayed dry, unfortunatley the ground was wet from days of rain so muddy knees and bums are the order of the day. Good session this moning, running, crunches and then a game of ? well football sort of crossed with net ball with a bit of gaelic football thrown in. We also had twin 6 yr old helping out. Was good fun.

Anyone wondering what a 49 year old women in the prime of her life is doing sitting here bloggin on a saturday night when she could be out having fun? = Yep me too.

Rain Rain go away

...come again another day.

More rain and not gentle summer cooling rain but the real heavy wet through type. Thankfully my pots like it and probably need it too. The Clematis is blooming and so beautiful (Photo to follow) but I am most pleased with it. Only a few months ago it was a wizand stick bent against the north east gales and now it bears rich purple flowers.

Still some sun would be nice, we actually have the central heating on - well I turned it off on prinicple ;-).

This is one of the most spectacular areas in britain, thankfully the weather saves us from being over run like the south west, and giving my feelings on people who are unable to park maybe rain is good.

Iambytheseaside

Festival

I like living in Tynemouth - I really do. Usually its a pleasant place most people know each other, the beachs are some of the best in the country, the pubs, wine bars and restuarant's cater to every taste.

This weekend has been the 'Mouth of the Tyne' Festival, its the son of son of son of the old fish quay festival that died a death about 5 years oago. I quite like the festival there is a variety of music, face painting (I'm Guessing here because I have never acutally been) etc.

Its the parking that drives me nuts, there is unlimited free parking on Beaconsfield with a bus every 10mins to the viallage (A brisk walk is the same time) but no people just abandon thier cars on street corners, pavements and stuff, even the back lane is full.

On a postive note, the streets are clean and the bins full which is as itshould be, and I know that when I am out with the dogs at 5 am the men will be out empyting them.

All will be quiet for another 12 months.

Business Meeting ;-)

I have just had one of the best business meetings in a long time. everytime Karen and I arrange to meet one of use gets held up or called away. or interuppted. So we arranged to meet 'off site' in a wine bar in Tynemouth. It was brilliant. We got through our agenda agreed a plan & timeframe and still had time for a glass of wine and a catch up.

It was soooooo productive we are going to do it once a month, in fact we may push the boat out at the next meeting and have tapas.

Saw an odd thing tonight, a bloke walking on the pavement playing an electrice guitar not connected to anything, singing his head off

Save our Fish and Chips

We went for fish and chips last night because we had a viewing and by the time they viewed its late and you don't want to cook etc etc. Any way I lurve salt and vinegar on my Fish and Chips but now you can only have a little bit of salt becuase its not good for you - but neither is fish and chips surely if you only have them occasionly that's ok? Shant be having them again if I cant have salt.

I have noticed my bloggs are becoming a little obsessed with food, and food is a fuel if you're fuelling the body you have to cary it around and on a 3K run that's heavy.

No more blog's about food - promise.

lovely Sunday

Now normally I am not overwhelmed by Sunday its all a bit repitious and it since Antiques Roadshow finished its quite boring. However Sunday gone was brill. I went to Isabella crop circle for the morning and produced a lovely page - thanks Chris and Jackie, then I went for lunch with Mum tot he Astley Arms. Only problem is that all you want to do is go to sleep after a big meal, but we struggled on and went to Seaton Delaval for ice cream - best in the county.

Watched rubbish TV ! most pleasing then..... The husband arrived back form his road trip to Scotland - hey ho! Still the bar has been set.

Ypu know that thing Men are from mars?

Yep well its true. Only a man would sit and watch a blank TV screen listening to a football commentary wearing a german t shirt willing Turkey to win,whilst screaming at the TV. I feel as if I am in an altered universe and no amount of my reassuring him that I really don't care ( and I really don't) seems to make a bit of difference.

Still good opportunity to Blog.

Football chant - I mean rant

Tynemouth is deserted! could it be that everone is watching the football? how much worse would it have been had Ingerlund been playing? What is it with these people they are obsessed with the game and will watch teams from other countries that they have no interest in usually.

I was disapointed to hear Chris Evans say it had got to a really exciting point!!- NO it hasn't!

The football season is over - over I say so why are we still bombarded with it????

I wan to live on an Island me, the dogs and a Thai House boy

:-)

Tra Laaa

Finally finished a big piece of work and got it in the post, I suspect that my colleagues in Leeds will have queries. Need to spend 15 mins tommorow tidying my desk. I am appalled at the mess.

Its like winter again so cold and wet, the heating is off now for the summer, and really I need to be getting out some big jumpers to keep warm. Every time the dogs and I go we get drenched and the smell of wet dog x 2 is not so good.

I was invovled in someting today, a situation and it was one of those where you just thank God it's not you or yours and heave a sigh of relief. But trouble and sleepless nights for another Mum.

Heard from a cousin in SCotland, his brother has had some treatment for a heart condition and because their Dad died in his 50's they are now part of a research project and had to list thier family health history - I am amazed that with all the heart attacks and strokes that saw off our Uncles and Aunts, any of my generation have survived - but I guess most of us are not 50 yet!
Still - if your;e breathing its a good day!

Night off

No gym tonight so really instead of sitting here having a blog I should be chasing Nico to brush him and dusting but.....

Did something a little different at work today our monthly departmental meeting was undertaken in the style of the Apprentice. A bit different lots of feed back but the question is will anything be done with the information/feedback?

ONe of the best mince and dumplings I have ever tasted tonight I wish I had taken a photo to show you all.

Right off now to catch up on Dawn Bibby and card making. God bless the person who invented Sky +.o

And for anyone interested Michael could'nt do the 'Are you smarter than a 5th grader' question either!!!

Don't panic buy fuel

It's easy to say that but.... there I was plenty of time to get to work so I thought I'd get my car washed (living at the coast the sea gulls like to use it for target practice) and tanked up with diesel. I tried 2 local garages are they have run out. I immediatley panicked - what if I could never get any again - what if I had to rush up to Hannahs (funny how you foget about trains in these moment!) I checked my fuel gauge and its half full so thats almost 150 miles - loads, but I'll still try again tommorrow. The car stayed dirty by the way becuase I refuse to pay for a car wash if they won't let me fill up.



'Tis a funny old world

Fathers Day

Fathers were very visual in Church this morning! We had a baptism so the Church is always full on such days. It was a lovely service and all the children were great. People get very stressed about children in Church but they are the future.

Took Nico to training classes (or does he take me?) anyway it was very different from last week and lots of dogs were in one class so we didn't get the one to one treatment that we had last week. He did well on sit, stay leave etc obviusly has had some training in the past. Not so good at walking on a lead - we need to practice a bit more. After 30 mins he was too tired to continue (it was warm and sunny) and fell asleep!

Met an ex work colleague from 10 years ago we used to work at Nat com Air together she recognised me but it took me a while to rember her name! her dog is a 7month collie called Eddie it was good to catch up.

My turn to edit the church mag this month so I have a busy 2 weeks and then of course I have my ODFC commitments!

Saturday

Its a fine day in Tynemouth, excercise class this morning . There is a big group of us so at least there is lots of support. I must make some card's so many birthday's coming up need to be organised.

and of course another fruit salad!

At last!

The only probelm with all this electronic stuff is that you have so may passwords to remember! But I did it at last. So Nico is settling well, its like having a toddler in the house everything has to go on a shelf out of his way!

Both Nico and Jasper love the beach and enjoy a swim - got it sussed now walk them home and they dry off. If you put them in the car they shed sand everywhere.

I did it

I finally got round to my very first blog. Wow me the woman who always hated those letters that came every Christmas with all the things that had happened to little jonny and lucinda in the last 12 months. Here I am doing the same.

A new start and a new member of the family will be joining us soon, Nico a black cocker spaniel a brother for Jasper - what larks!!!