Adventures... Part 1

Over the last 2 weeks we have toured Britain mostly camping in my new tent (thanks Mum & Dad - great pressie!). The most silly thing about this week was probably the number of ancient buildings we attempted to see only to find they had pay and display car parks or entry fees we didn't want to pay... so I have a whole host of photos of castles, abbeys etc that we have only seen from outside. I'll not share them for this reason.

As one does on holiday, we took a few photos. Now it is a well reported fact that people hate other people's holiday photographs... so I will minise the pain but do want to show you some of them.

On Saturday morning we headed North and camped in Pitlochrie.

Next we went down to Dundee to stay with a friend at her house, then headed down to Musselburgh (just by Edinburgh) via East Wemyss ancient caves. They have real cave paintings in.



Tuesday morning I had to go to work - on my birthday! The only school I teach in that was still running as all the others had finished up for the term. And half the kids were on a trip so couldn't have lessons. Grr.... Got away a bit early though, which was a bonus.

We then moved south via Lindisfarne staying in a beautiful tranquil campsite in West Kyloe. This is where I spent my 30th. We heated up some beef stew with rice, then sat out in the sunshine with birdsong and quiet moo-ing cows the only audible sounds, to read books until sunset. It was so quiet and sooooooo good!

http://www.westkyloe.co.uk/caravan.htm

Our next night was a campsite in the North Yorkshire Moors.
We had a walk through the woods near the campsite. They were a bit stinky because of the fields of foxgloves... growing on rotting woods they really didn't smell too good.


Then we went home for Mum's retirement party (which I'd organised with my Dad, sister and a friend of Ma's). It all went very well and Mum and her guests seemed happy. It was exhausting, however, and I was quite glad to be away to quiet nights in the tent again!

back!

Well it has been some time since my last post.

The main reason for this has been that I have hit the big 30 at last. It feels like it's been a long time coming - I've been dreading this moment for 2-3 years...

It's a huge milestone that I set myself up for when I was a kid, by considering 30 as OLD and deciding that I'd do all the big things - like family etc - when I'm 30. However as I approached 30 I knew I didn't want to do any big things yet.... and I got scared.

So now it has passed and all my dread seems a BIT unnecessary, although I have had several people ask me when I'm getting married and whether I'm planning kids... but the people who asked that also asked it when I was 29. Family friends who seem to think I should. The answers are 'NEVER' and 'No' by the way.

Anyway - explanation over so I'll get on with drafting a proper post shortly.

I need to:

Complete a couple of job applications for Friday.

Complete an application for laptops for Brownies.

Sort out picnic lunches for 10. Stupid - should have just said bring a packed lunch. It's coz I don't have kids that I didn't realise how normal that would be for parents.

practise

teach

do a gig

I felt like there was more than this - but now I write it down it seems very manageable. Time to get cracking.

Organisation

Getting there.

Update

OK - health. I STILL have a cold and at the moment it's affecting my trumpet playing - note production particularly. My range is fine but quiet scary entries are a no go. Would be ok except it's exactly what I have to do at the moment.

Brownies - they had loads of fun. That's it now til September except for a trip a week on Sat.

Fun - avoiding it actually to try to shift this bloody cold.

Summer Olympics

Tomorrow night we're having a Summer Olympics at Brownies. I actually think this would be something fun to do with other units, but we're going solo. It's our last night for Summer.

The plan:

After they all arrive & pay subs we will hold an opening ceremony - all the sixes (teams) will march around the hall and out to the grass with a flag bearer for each six. We will light the ceremonial torch (tea-light in glass) and then the Olympics can begin.

We have 5 events.
Discus (frisbee)
Shotput (beanbags)
Shooting (water pistols into plastic hoops held by leaders... they're gonna love that one)
Relay.

We will allocate points throughout with winners for each event as well. We will then hold our medal-giving and closing ceremony with juice and biscuits before home time with end of term letters.

This is probably the most organised I've been all year. Hopefully I'll remember how nice it feels to know exactly what's meant to be going on and we'll stick to the routine next year!

Man it's HOT!

I wish my garden was a beach with the sea at the bottom to cool off in!

80's night

That was the funniest night I have EVER had sober.

It wasn't intended to be sober. We fully planned to have some drinks at Friend1's house with pizza before getting a train through to the back of beyond town hall in which the show was to be held... only we were late arriving at hers and ended up phoning my boyfriend for a lift as we had also missed the train... then we were late for the show so snuck in at the back.

But we looked AMAZING!

Friend1 wore a neon yellow tshirt, a black skirt, royal blue tights, legwarmers I made and animal print and black leather pointy ankle boots with red beads, plastic bangles and big red and blue heart shaped patterned earrings. Long straight brown hair backcombed and tied up with a gold hairband on top.

Friend2 wore black leggings with a bright orange and pink 'born in the 80's' t-shirt. Pink and black legwarmers and animal print satin and patent stilettos, denim jacket, big red necklace and pink giant bead hoop earrings. Short blond/brown streaked hair volumised and textured with a bright pink bow hairband.

I wore the outfit already described: Black and fucshia bra under white vest top, red tshirt off the shoulder, dark blue jeans rolled up, black glitter plimsoles with yellow long beads, navy shorter big beads, enormous heart pendant, huge white teardrop earrings about 20 skinny bangles. Wavy/curly brown hair blowdried upside down, backcombed and hairsprayed into a massive birdsnest. Black and red striped scarf rolled up and tied round head in big bow.

Makeup - LOTS of blusher in a peachy pink shade. Turquoise and Fucshia eyeshadow out to hairline up to eyebrows. Eyeliner inside, outside and flicked to the extreme. Frosty pink lipgloss.

Dressing up is fun - especially with your friends. The shared cameraderie of looking daft together is uniquely entertaining.

We arrived to find ourselves the only dressed up members of the audience. That was no surprise! The show was funny - and our pupils were great. In the interval we filled up on sugar with sour apple strips and red cola to keep the laughter energy up (very effective).

After the show we headed back into the city (stares abound) and discussed on the train where we could go looking so ridiculous. We established that the 80's bar was probably the best bet (doh!) but when we arrived it was closed. In a quiet unthemed bar we discussed our plans for future costume nights. The suggestions were good but we didn't actually come up with any reasons for them or places we could go.... so we're not ready yet!

I'll keep you posted on any developments.

Blogstrop

I am going to an 80's night... What should I wear?

I will describe myself to you: I am average height, overweight but proportionate - big body matches big feet, big hair, etc!, wear pink funky glasses, have recently dyed very light brown naturally curly long hair.

I own: A red oversized t-shirt off the shoulder thing which I can wear with a white vest top.

I need to know: How to do my hair - could do anything with it as it takes styling well.
What shoes are 80's style?
What makeup and jewellery to wear?
Can I wear black cords or black trousers or dark blue jeans as 80's??

I am going to google search and then turn the computer off as I have tidying and cleaning to do before goin to the supermarket and completing some accounts.

All Better

Around 8pm last night I stopped feeling sick and hot, and today feel great! Still have a cold but my bones don't hurt.

While I was off yesterday I received an email from the Giant Sleepover 2009 confirming my Brownie pack has been given a place to stay at the SnoZone in Braehead in June. So this weekend I will start to get that sorted out!

Next week we are having an animal themed party night.

I haven't handed in my accounts (because I haven't actually finished them... oops) and must have them in by next Weds. Actually it's by a week on Mon but next Weds is better for me.

I have to defer my Student Loan. (did I tell you before how much I hate the Student Loans Company and the Labour Government for forcing me to deal with the Student Loans Company?)

I must email Glasgow council to find out how much it would cost to use the local school pitches (if they're free) for our Olympics, as it's close enough to walk to our usual hall if the weather is awful.

I have to put on hold the horse trip as the sleepover is possible now.....

Mum's 60th

I'm feeling sick today - don't know what's wrong... some kind of bug. Anyway, to distract myself I have decided to show you what I made Ma for her birthday. She collects tortoises!

Brownies Animal Lover

This week we continued our Animal Lover theme. We have covered off a load of sections of the badge so really are now just playing with animal themed fun stuff.

We had a really long pow wow tonight as the girls were each asked to tell us about their pets. Those who didn't have a pet found that they had a story about a dog or cat they knew through someone else so it was pretty inclusive.

After that we made animal masks which turned out looking amazing. I found stencils in Hobbycraft and we coloured them with wax crayons before decorating them with paper confetti and sequins as well as a few feathers.

It wasn't exactly a tidy night but it didn't take too much sweeping up and the girls enjoyed themselves.

Next week we are having a party and the Brownies loved the idea of making it animal themed and wearing their masks for it. We now have to think up party games and activities for this.

The following week we are holding Brownie Olympics at a local green space (as yet unspecified.....). We plan to do discus with frisbees, relay, long jump (just jumping really), shotput with beanbags, hurdles?, running race. We will have prizes, juice and biscuits...

The week after that we are hoping to take the girls on the trip to Pollock Country Park.

So there are quite a few things for me still to do but our end of term should prove to be fun for all the girls.

A bit nuts

My house is a pig-sty and I have dyed my hair a very light brown..... it's a bit gingery blonde.... Ah well.

late

I am tired but have had a cool night. Did a gig which was fun then came home and went out.

Just got home having walked right past the chip shop to find that my boyfriend was expecting me after 1 drink to come home and have a take-away with him so he didn't have dinner but instead ate all the bread.

I got home expecting to have bread.... So all's fair and we were both disappointed! Ha.

Brownies Friend to Animals

This week was my first Brownies back after 2 weeks off... and it was great. My pack are lovely.

We started their Friend to Animals badge with a view to finishing it at Pollock Country Park one Saturday, where the girls can find out about working horses.

I need to:

Work out what sort of times would be good for this
Contact the park
Find out about minibus hire.... which we might not need to do if the mum who works at the uni can borrow one.
Write permission letters

It's been a while since I used this place for my to-do list!

Fostering

I recently came into contact with some kids from a background of parental neglect and drug abuse. They were lovely kids but had nowhere to live after being removed from their parents. My need to fix things meant I wanted to offer them my house, to look after them and to make it all better. I understand that the home won't make it all better, but it would make it a bit better.

In the week we spent with the siblings they thrived on attention and were affectionate and interested, but they needed occupying constantly. They were charming and entertaining and generally well behaved.

The reality is we don't have the space in this flat, or the time in our lives to dedicate to children. I know the kids we met have found a foster family and hope that they're settling in well.

I would like to register my interest in foster caring, to find out more about it to decide whether we could make the changes we'd need to to do it. My boyfriend won't even consider it saying that he wouldn't cope with giving kids back. My sister says she thinks I am unfair even suggesting he foster, as he is notoriously shy. He does not rule out adoption in the same way.

Tonight I saw some Channel4 programmes about fostering and adoption and it was positive although it tugged the heartstrings! Not all the kids would be difficult and angry, right? Surely most are just normal kids who need a home....

What are your thoughts on fostering? Do you have first-hand experience?

The house we stayed in - The Captain's Beach House, Aberdesach.

The beach in different lights.



This one was taken by my sister when we sat drinking mohitos in the freezing cold perched on rocks right by the sea. Heaven.

Whistling Sands

The sand really whistles! (squeaks?) when you walk sliding your feet a little.

Trefor beach

I love the perspective - the fading hills.

Holidays!

Been away again - this time for my Mum's 60th birthday in Wales.

Wales is a stunning country. It is green and lush and from my last few trips - often sunny! (by which I mean more often sunny than Glasgow).

I have photos...

another siesta

I'm off again shortly. There's been so much going on this week - it's all been a bit of a nightmare. Happily everything is now fine and we are both well. However the stress has left me shattered and I have not time to catch up on rest and sleep.

The upshot of this is I'll be absent for a bit longer!

Hyundai Getz - a mixed bag

I have a Hyundai Getz. It's a little car and it's done us proud, having clocked up a huge mileage in it's six years with us.

However I think it's life may be about over. So far it's cost a lot of money over the last few months, with a replacement clutch and new power steering tubes.

Today I was picking my boyfriend up from hospital (cardiac unit - there's another story! He's fine now) and we were driving home when there was an almighty 'BANG' as our rear windscreen exploded. It just shattered as I was driving along. There is no sign of a stone in the car - and I didn't see anyone throw anything at us. I have no idea what went on. Whatever it was it was pretty scary.

So now - after a stressful 24 hours - we are waiting for someone to phone us to make an appointment to have it replaced!

Brownies

This week two of our oldest Brownies moved up to Guides.

For their last week I thought we could do picture frames and put a group photo in. After our opening pow wow we got them into two lines and made them say silly things so they laughed. I managed to get a good shot of them all facing the front.

I had my laptop and printer there, so while I printed copies off for the kids, my assistant got them doing the frames. We used A4 card folded in half - The top bit made the frame - they built up edges with balls of yellow crepe paper glued down, and added some stars and Brownie logos.

We then got them to sign the inside and pass each card to the person on the left - until all of the cards had been signed by all of the Brownies.

They loved it - and they came out looking great. Success.

Time for a quick game of Splat Bang, then we finished with the presentation of our Changing the World badges and one moving up got her Adventure badge with an I love Brownies patch and a little Brownie photo holder thing.

Summer

Puting pressure on oneself is easy to do. This year during the first couple of terms I let pressure build until I was grumpy and stressed far more than I would have liked, with an enormous mountain of unfinished tasks to tackle over Easter.

I didn't do any of them.

I went away and chilled out. I saw friends and family. I now feel great - much more able to cope with my stupid schedule and job-juggling lifestyle!

Who cares that I have no guarantee of a job after Summer as the council has cut budgets so hugely that they are reducing the teaching staff by a third? Who cares that my private teaching has dropped with numbers at the school going down (recession) so it's harder to get kids to sign up for lessons as there aren't many new ones to get!?

GENUINELY - at the moment I really don't!

sisters

while I'm on the sisters subject - my boyf's sis arrived today for a few days visiting. Wishing I could think of something exciting to do with her tomorrow!

Holiday no2

After Loch Awe I hopped on a plane to Cardiff to see my wee sister.

The sun shone the whole time. We went to the beach and had a barbie. We went out to pubs and she cooked me canneloni which was deeeeeeeelicious.

Fab- thanks lil sis x

So much to say

I have had two holidays.

Last Sunday my boyfriend and I went away to a lodge near Loch Awe, Scotland with some of our friends. It's a very beautiful place and our lodge was a log cabin overlooking the lake.

The lodge slept 8, with a double room, a twin and a room with bunk beds as well as a sofa-bed in the lounge. The kitchen-diner was huge and there was a sauna and exercise room, plus 2 bathrooms.

On the balcony there was a large table with benches and a brick bbq with chimney, so you could sit out late even on a chilly day.

A couple of days before we left, one of the friends phoned in a bit of a state as she had been asked to look after her sister's two children for two weeks due to an emergency. She was worried about our holiday and worried about looking after them and the situation behind their visit.

We all said that she should bring them as we really wanted to see her!

The boy was 8 and the girl 5yrs old. They were lovely - very funny and very sweet. We had a great time, especially as they got up when we woke them up and went to bed when we asked them to go to bed. AMAZING....

We also got to do things we might not have otherwise done, like visit Inveraray Jail (again) and go to Kilchurn castle.



In the evenings we chilled out after shattering days, sitting on the balcony with a glass of wine or cup of tea in front of a lovely fire chatting into the small hours.

It was a brilliant holiday which was relaxing and loads of fun! Leaving was tough but the fact that I was heading straight to Cardiff to visit my sister made it a bit easier.

Good Times

I'm visiting my wee sister just now - hence the lack of blogging.

She does not tend to embrace technologies such as this. More accurately - she doesn't see the point of blogging. So it's not likely that I'll be on again until I get back to Glasgow.

It's sunny in Wales! Yesterday afternoon after a morning of shopping we headed out to the beach with books from the charity shops in Cardiff. We read them sitting in the sun with a drink beside us. That has to be the most relaxing it can get.

I wish you all a Happy Easter in advance and have lots of stories to tell you when I get home.

Black Book

I am watching a film about WW2..... Im thinking it won't end well and I don't want to see the bad man win.

The Boat That Rocked

We have been to see The Boat That Rocked today and we loved it!

You should DEFINITELY go to see it.

Why I love Glasgow.

People are so friendly!

Yesterday (on only a bowl of cereal) I went out to rehearsals then headed out to the pub. Sunday is quiz night in our old local, so I got a bus around 8pm to the West End.

In the bus queue I asked an old(ish) man whether the bus drove along Great Western Road, as the timetable didn't tell me.

He replied that it did.

On the bus I headed to the back as I had 3 trumpets with me and there is usually more room there. The chap from the bus stop sat on the far side of the back seat.

When I looked over he asked how far along the road I needed to go, and remarked that he thought the bus drove all the way to the end. I replied (as I was a tiny bit pissed) that I was going to Hubbards pub. He then replied that he was going there too!

It turned out that the man on the bus was a member of a rival team. Grrr.... In fact, the man was a member of THE rival team. The team who usually win.

Arguing with the man over who was going to win must have helped as we came third! That is the highest we've ever come. Unfortunately the Westerners came second - so they beat us. They didn't win though, which was nice!

Coppers

This week at Brownies we had Colin the policemen in to do some Crime Prevention Badge stuff with the Brownies.

It was cool! The girls had a great time. He brought goody bags for them - though we were thin on the ground this week and had plenty left over. The excess bags I took through to Guides as the contents were: a leaflet, a water bottle, a postcode pen and a ruler.

On to me: I'm fine. I've got a lot on at the moment and haven't felt inclined to chat much lately. This does not mean I'm unhappy - promise.

Tonight I think we're having a take-away (mmm..) and then tomorrow I get to play some brass 10-piece stuff which will be a lovely blast from the past!

Also: My boyfriends sister has just told us she is pregnant, so I have embarked upon a baby blanket for her. It's not the most fun knitting job I've ever done but I'm pleased with how it's going so far. Blue is ok for a girl as well as for a boy, right?

Ranty Angry Grumpy Bitch

That's me today. Sorry!

It started off so well. I went for a nice sunny walk to the dentists, where he told me (again) that there's nothing wrong with me.... Then I got home.

I had a letter from the bank telling me that they were going to charge me unplanned overdraft fees after they removed my planned overdraft without informing me.

Grr.

I have phoned them. I am waiting now for them to call back.

I have a headache now from grumping so much. Have to practise the trumpet now too even though my head and teeth are hurting which means the practise session is going to be rubbish. Ever the optimist x

I have a photo of a threesome to post later on (when the car's back) which will cheer me up.

Day

Overall I've had an amazing day.

It started rockily with confirmation of some bad news about a good friend.

To avoid stewing over this we went for a drive into some of the most BEAUTIFUL scenery once again.

We then went to the supermarket to buy stuff for tea. I'm making garlic & rosemary roast lamb with parsnips, potatoes, carrots etc. On this trip I found GIANT GHERKINS! They're amazing. I am excited by this.

Anyway - hope you are having a good weekend x

TEETH

Fairly regularly, certainly frequently, my gums recede making my teeth sensitive and letting them move more than usual.

I am a trumpet player.

This is not good. Trumpet players should not have dodgy gums because it scares them (me) and makes them think that their teeth might fall out.

Even though they (I) have been to the dentist who has said that it's caused by over-brushing or not flossing properly but that the teeth are firmly fixed in the bone so not to worry.

Update

I have had a great week. Brownies was good, teaching was fun, concerts were good.



I am happy and contented as I just had some scrambled eggs for breakfast and I don't have to work tonight as I had originally thought.



For comic relief (charity fighting poverty/sickness in africa and supporting kids in the UK) I baked some biscuits - raised £42.50 which I think is pretty good considering I had to make them at midnight because I've worked all day and night for a week or so.

Good Times!

I am still a bit busy:

Today I had a school concert - so there was a rehearsal this afternoon (2 o'clock). It is also Brownie night, and we had arranged to go to plant trees locally.

This meant that I had to leave straight from the rehearsal and drive to Drumchapel woods.

In preparation for that I left early today and went to get some first aid stuff as the box needed updating and I couldn't be unprepared on an activity like this. I also bought Penguin biscuits and Capri Sun juice drinks for the kids.

A man called Terry met us and we walked up a hill really fast (because 8 year olds walk uphill as if it's flat ground... weirdos). I thought I was gonna puke at the top but we got a little break while the trees were brought up by the men from the Woodland group.

The girls were given gloves and shown how to dig using a spade properly. Safety was emphasised. They had already been split into pairs, so in their groups they went off with a spade to dig some well spaced out holes and plant some oak trees.

They LOVED it. We were lucky that the weather favoured us with sun.

One of the girls announced that 'This is the best Brownies ever!'. That makes it worthwhile. The others were very happy too, and they went home excited with the plan to visit the woods again for a guided walk soon.

Successful day!

social life

I've not really been socialising much of late as I've been working most nights. This is good because I love playing the trumpet. It doesn't leave me with a lot to tell you though.

Tomorrow I am going up North for a gig - which I'm quite looking forward to.

From Monday I have school concerts for most of the week, before heading up North again for another gig.

And after THAT - HOLIDAY! Woo hoo!!!! And I go to see my wee sister after that! Woo hoo!!! And I go to visit a friend after that! Woo hoo!!! (the woo hoo-ing's irritating me now so I'll stop).

Hope all is well in the blogosphere. Just about to have a browse whilst swatting up on music for tomorrow.

nothing to tell

so I'm telling nothing.

Fun

I'm such a whinger!

We went to the pub quiz last night and it was brilliant. I had a great time even though we didn't win. We hadn't seen our friends for a few weeks so it was really good to catch up.

I have to write a letter to the parents today to arrange the woodland trip. We are giving them the chance to plant trees in the local award winning (I still think that's great!) woodland but as nights are still drawing in fairly early we need to do this after school.

Tomorrow I have a lunchtime concert and we're doing Welsh night at Brownies afterwards, so I was hoping to make some Welsh cakes but think I may struggle to do so. Otherwise I'll teach them some Welsh and we'll play Build A Dragon/Sheep... haven't decided which. Sheep could be funny if we had fuzzy foam bellies. I am getting more ambitious now - reign it in... unless we did it as a craft first......

Anyway - I must practise the trumpet now so I'll be off.

Shattered

In case there was any doubt in my mind about HOW tired I feel today I have just got all bleary eyed over nice comments on Dancing on Ice after wiping a tear away watching Ghost Whisperer earlier.

And now we have to go out as it's pub quiz night.

Hooray.

THANK YOU VINNY BOND OF THE COUCH

Bond,

Many thanks for the Glasvegas CD. It is VERY cool as it's an American release special one that I couldn't get here AND is much better than I had expected from the singles.... I love it. WE love it (boyfriend too).

TC x x x

Stuff

Gross stuff: I walked into the staff toilet at a gig tonight to find an old lady having a pee with the assistance of her carer. Why oh why could they not lock the door?

Brownie stuff: I missed the meeting tonight - but know they're doing some Thinking Day things and some pancake day things.

I had an email today from the local woodland group - award winners, don't you know? They have said that we can help plant some trees and they'll give us a talk/guided tour of the woods. COOL!

Also - the community policeman is coming in to see the girls.

Work stuff: I have reports to do. Again. I have 3 different teaching jobs, all of which require reports at different times of the term. It's lucky that report-writing is my all time favourite passtime really.

Knitting stuff: Baby blanket getting there. 4 squares and a border to go.

Fun stuff: Our friend has booked us all a holiday in a cabin in the highlands.

We've been to the aquarium near Loch Lomond - it was rubbish.

We've also been for a walk in Lochwinnoch where two very friendly mink came out to say hello. One black, one grey.

Oooo - we also went to the seaside in North Berwick. VERY beautiful but I haven't got round to uploading the pictures yet.

And I'm swamped again

I have lost a pupil's phone number. 2 weeks ago he had a lesson. I forgot that in 2 weeks time I would have a gig so not be able to teach him. 1 week ago he missed his lesson due to school holidays.... Now I don't know how to let him know and I'm not sure how to fix the situation. The current plan is to sweet talk his school into passing on a message but I know it's a bit weird and I'm not sure they'll go for it. I had considered lurking round the school gates but I think that's weirder!!!

Update: I found cover for my show - so I can do my teaching. That solves it and reduces my guilty feelings. I did discover though that I forgot to turn up for Thinking Day today despite inviting my Brownies. Nobody phoned me... A parent texted to apologise for forgetting. At that point I realised what I'd done and since then I've been sweating a bit. I'm SURE that there were enough Guiders there, but I'm sorry I missed it as I've been every year and should not have forgotten.

Old Firm Rivalry

I forgot that my friend (for whom I made the hat) was a Rangers fan. This means it is against the laws of nature for her to wear green. Did you spot the last post? I made her the greenest of green hats.

She was very excited to get a hat and it looked very cute on her but I made her give it back so I could do another one, as I know whilst she'd wear it for a while, she'd stop wearing it because of the colour. I'd rather give it to someone who'd genuinely love it.

This is the new hat - I think it's pretty.

green beret

Valentines Weekend

Well it's Valentines this weekendand my boyfriend is working so I'm on my own again. I don't feel like getting in touch with friends to see what they're up to, as I'm quite happy doing my own thing today.

I have knitted half a beret. I have someone in mind for it and will put up a picture if it turns out nice!

I am still knitting a baby blanket for a friend, though I have made a mistake in it. The idea of fixing it is daunting. I think I might ignore it. I have another few weeks to finish this.

Brownies is off this week as it's half term. The following week I have to miss it for work.

I have reports and invoices to do for school, but it's Valentines Weekend. That's got to be a good reason not to, right?

Yesterday I was bored and started thinking about things that brought me down. It wasn't a good day. Each year on 14th Feb my boyfriend and I take turns making something special for each other. Last year he made me a chinese meal - most impressive!

This year I struggled for inspiration. Due to a variety of things - car problems, cat illness, wedding - it's a lean month in the Champ household and I'm cooking on a budget. Whilst I enjoy cooking and usually relish the challenge of making something from nothing, on Valentines night I'd rather have been able to choose the meal I think he'd like the most from a new recipe. There was nothing for it anyway, so I did my best.

I made:

Chinese style pork starter (chinese style pork was reduced to £1 in the supermarket) - delicious actually. There was going to be salad but that was slimy and smelly when I opened up the bag, despite buying it on the day. Irritatingly, I had a question on the payment machine at the till 'Did our vegetables seem fresh today'... I had ticked YES.

Main Course Ham hock slow-cooked casserole. I used some spices, stock, carrots, onions, leek, swede, new potatoes and a ham hock and slow cooked it over the whole day. At the end I squeezed in a lemon and added some sweetcorn. To accompany the stew I had a couple of sesame seed rolls.

Pudding - not required. I had planned to make crumble but we wouldn't have eaten it after all the food we'd already had so I'm glad I didn't waste the effort.

He gave it a 10/10 and said it was the nicest stew I've made. That's good. I'm pleased he went back for seconds later in the evening, as it must have been true. The sweetcorn was the real winner as it's his favourite vegetable.

My valentines gift (which we don't do usually) was a bar of dark chocolate from his work. His valentines gift was... nothing.

I hope you are having a fine weekend!

Blogging

I started this blog around when I became self employed, so was going through big changes in my life. My brother had a blog and inspired me to try it out for myself. I loved it. I loved the easiness with which I could record what was going on, and I loved the interaction with people from all round the world.

Recently this has been replaced by a desire NOT to tell people things I would like to record. I can't put them here unless I'm happy for everyone to see them - and clearly I'm not. After receiving an email a month or so ago in which things I have put on my blog have been taken out of context and used to form negative opinions of me and my life, I've been toying with the idea of sacking this blog and starting again somewhere else anonymously. The option to stop blogging altogether has occurred to me and is also tempting.

For now, I'll just leave things as they are, as quick catch ups and Brownie records. In time perhaps I'll record some of the things that I find more personal too.

The Old Geezer

Dixie has bladder stones - he's going to be ok although he'll be on a diet of special vet food forever now. He had two injections and has pills and capsules, plus wet and dry food designed for old cats with bladder problems.

Last night we had our Brownie Friendship Pledge Party.

The girls had to pair up with someone they didn't know that well, then they decorated a star shaped biscuit using items their friend particularly liked - colour of type of sweetie. I iced one for our Young Leader who said that she likes yellow especially in her decorations... weirdo! Yellow smarties and jelly tots for her then. I bought cakes (making biscuits was enough work) then gave them Love Hearts to use, as it's valentines day this week, to decorate a cake for themselves. I had planned to let them eat the cakes later but they didn't want to in the end when I said they'd have time for another game if they took them home.

We cleared up then played games: Unlucky 13 (so they could go out in pairs to wash their hands while the rest of us got on with something else), the Friends Game suggested by a Brownie (Two go outside with a leader and have to learn as much about each other as possible. Meanwhile the girls inside think up five questions for them to answer - trying to catch them out), then In and Out the Dusty Bluebells. Is it dusty or dusky? I don't suppose it matters.

That was about all we had time for after six points*, letters, goodie bags (chocolate heart and a heart shaped hairclip) and Brownie Bells.

*Brownies can earn points for their Six group - at the end of term they win a prize for the most points.

Big lazy ginger tom cat

Today we have had a lot of snow. I have a cat called Dixie. We have a cat flap. Dixie does not have a litter tray as he has a garden outside. Dixie does not like snow. Today I realised how much.

Having dozed around on the sofa all morning I saw Dixie get up and jump into my magazine rack. It made me chuckle until I had to dive across the room to drag him out as it was VERY clear he was about to use it as a toilet.

The cheek of the old man!

I took him outside. He likes to go outside when he has my boyfriend or me with him. I had to clear the steps anyway as I am nervous that someone could hurt themselves. Sure enough - off he went to do his business before scuttling back inside to sleep again.

UPDATE 12am: The cat is ill. It wasn't the snow. He is peeing a LOT and there is blood in it. In the morning I'll take him to the vet. He's asleep now and seems happy enough.

since the car broke down

I have tried to get out of work - as it wouldn't have been possible to get from one teaching place to the next in 15 mins without a car............ to find that I wasn't meant to be teaching anyway. Nice!

I have skived a bit at Brownies as I was on my own. Told the kids that we were going to 'practise' games that we're going to do at their Pledge Party next week. They looked at me as if I was stupid and one put her hand up to tell me that she didn't think they needed to PRACTISE games as they're pretty good at them already. Not so daft, these kids! We also did some anti-bullying stuff and some relaxation exercises that made them giggle a LOT.

Guider: When you're playing head to head do they have to run around in between instructions? Wasn't sure about that bit.

What a day!

Sadly the snow here had cleared, so I had no excuse to miss school.
Happily, my boyfriend was off work so came with me to Edinburgh.

He dropped me at school, then drove off to do his own thing. I called him to say if he wasn't too far away he should come back as 2 of my pupils were off today........ he replied that he'd broken down 20 miles away. Aagh.

The clutch had gone. He was left to struggle to get home. I was faced with the problem of how to get to my 2nd school, then home, then to Brownies.

Around this time I received a text saying my assistant brownie leader isn't well so won't be there tonight.

4 buses and 2 trains later I am home. Tired.

But we're on the guest list at King Tut's tonight so that's cool!

We have snow!

Not a lot - just a little.

However London it seems is laden with it!

The East Coast has been hit worse than the West I hear - so I have to check the weather forecasts etc for school tomorrow. The perils of 50 mile commute.

getting there!

Tax return is done, finished, submitted. PHEW!

Playing - still going.

Wedding - organised and only a week away.

Teaching - stuff ordered that needed to be ordered. Think I'm organised now.

Brownies - this job wasn't top priority so it's still on the list really. I need to write/email a load of places the kids suggested we try/visit/see to find out whether they'll have us. Then work out how we fit them into the rest of the year. It'll be fun but I really haven't had time yet.

Household - it's a tip.

So I'm on my way. Just have to do the house and Brownies. It'll be cool.

Tawny gave me an award last week for which I am most grateful! It really cheered me up when I was getting a bit swamped.

There are certain rules that go along with receiving this, Here are the rules for the recipients:

1. Put the logo on your blog or post.

2. Nominate at least 10 blogs which show great Attitude and/or Gratitude! (Sorry - broken rule.... gonna take the award back??)

3. Be sure to link to your nominees within your post. PPPLLLLEEEEEASE just help yourselves!!

4. Let them know that they have received this award by commenting on their blog.

5. Share the love and link to this post and to the person from whom you received your award.

working

Hello - I am working and trying not to be distracted too much, so have avoided the blog for a week.

Thank you very much Tawny for the award! I'll post it & pass it on asap.

I have a big pile of stuff to do for playing, cousin's wedding, teaching, Brownies, tax, household. I do now feel like I'm getting somewhere, but it's by no means under control so I really have to get my head down.

I hope everyone's well - might give myself a target and use reading your blogs as my reward... worth a try!

Brownies

Term started! It was good fun but our capacity is stretched and I accepted another 3 kids last night.

Technically it's ok because if I have a helper I'm still within ratio and if I don't have a helper I'm over ratio anyway so three more makes no difference. I just have to make sure we always have a helper.

I've learnt something though: The problem I've noticed over the last few weeks is that we can't play the running round games any more because we don't have room for the number of kids we have to play them safely.

We tried 'Fishes' - a girl tripped over. Then another tripped (more painfully). So we can't play that on a busy night.

We played 'Port/Starboard' last night and two girls fell over in the rush, so that one doesn't work either. I changed the game so they played with different movements - such as HOPPING TO PORT (translates as hop to the far right of the room), or SKIPPING TO BOW etc. That way we avoided any further injuries, but it's not brilliant.

I glossed over it and moved on to play The Princess and the Serving Girls (which most of them love) as it's quiet and slow. However they want to run around.

There are active games like 'Beans' where they mostly do actions on the spot (runner beans - run, jumping beans - jump, string beans - stretch up). If you can think of any I might not know - I'd love them.

I'm sure that as long as I keep them occupied with activities they enjoy the Brownies won't notice that we aren't playing the running games any more. I'm pleased that the unit seems to be thriving - and want to make sure that continues!

Brownies

If you've been to Canada - see previous post!

I need to work out what cool things my pack can do this year. We had a lot of new starts and coasted along quite happily last year. We did quite a lot - and had the parents in for hostess badge clauses.. but now we're settled in I want to get more going.

I thought it would be best to start by trying to remember all the cool things we have done before. As I have a terrible memory I plan to use my blog for this.

Happily, while I dredge the archives here for inspiration I am watching the start of Celebrity Dancing On Ice (before the pub quiz).

Holiday

This summer we are thinking of going to Canada.......... Have you been?

If you've been - how much did you like it?

Organising

This is it then - back to the grind. Brownies is back next week and I think it's about time I got on this 'Changing the World' bandwagon.

Last term Guiding UK brought out a programme of activities which were mainly ways to raise money for charities. My reaction therefore was to sack the idea as we already had our charity activity done.

However I have had another look at it and there are a few we could do that are practical charity activities. So - I'll present them to the kids on Tuesday and will hope they choose the Woodland Trust as that's my favourite!

http://www.girlguiding.org.uk/changingtheworld/

Ashamed of myself!

Sat in my PJ's with a bowl of pasta, my laptop, and the Gilmore Girls the doorbell rang.

I shouted 'hello?' and the reply was 'It's the piano tuner'.

I then had to run round finding clothes quick smart so I could let him in. I had to admit that I had no cash (so needed to pay by cheque) and I had to clear the top of the piano with him standing there.

I was embarrassed!

My next act of genius was to take the Christmas tree out while he was there, so he could finish the job and emerge into a hall coated in pine needles.

This leaves me now with the exciting task of hoovering. Hoovering is officially my least favourite household task apart from cleaning hair from plug holes which I can't do without gagging. Even when it has to be my own hair. Bleurgh.

To look at the positives, I also have to put the washing on but have done most of the washing up already. Washing clothes is soooo easy. Washing dishes I quite like. Washing cutlery I don't like.

What's your favourite household task? Or your least favourite?

oh well.....

They said they'd call on Monday night or Tuesday either way. I haven't had a call - I think that probably means I didn't get it.

Ah well - never mind.

Otherwise: I haven't much to tell you as I am just sat in my PJ's watching a pilot of the Gilmore Girls, after which I must tidy up a lot before teaching this evening.

La la la

Today I had a job interview.

No idea how it went. Obviously I think I'm brilliant - but not sure they will agree.

Anyhoo - pub calls x

aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaagh - f'ing student loans company

Having had nothing but hassle from the SLC defering my own loans, my boyfriend is now suffering similar treatment in his attempt to defer his own loans.

At times I think I should just pay them back to get them off my back... but we were forced to take the loans as the government withdrew university funding the year we started university - leaving us and our families with no opportunity to save up to go. Therefore I resent the fact that I have a loan at all, and will not pay one penny back unless I absolutely HAVE to.

I HATE THE STUDENT LOANS COMPANY. And the Labour Goverment.

Icicles

Today we decided in the end that we would go for a drive and then a stroll. We headed towards Stirling (sort of) and stopped at the Falls of Falloch.

There were icicles everywhere. It was stunning!

We arrived at the waterfall to find a wetsuit-wearing lady running in circles at the top of the pathway. Surely she wouldn't go in??? Actually, she would.

That made my day - watching a nutty lady and her friend climb down into a sub-zero river for a swim. Ha ha!

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!!!!!!!!

Today we're debating what to do with a day off. Hope you have fun days.

Back to the Buzz

I have avoided my laptop and my mobile for the last day. I have another week off before I go back to teaching and nearly a week before the office job starts again so I thought I'd rather keep my head down for a day and chill out a little bit longer.

Today I picked my phone up to see three missed calls, three text messages and two voice mails. Great!

One of the messages was a lady looking for a brass instructor for her school, so that one was welcome!

One was my sister asking if I know someone who I played in youth orchestra with. Does that count as knowing them? Probably.

The last one was a friend asking if I want a curry tonight. My initial reaction is that I don't want to go out and see anyone again ever again (still in hibernate mode) but I know I'd love it if we went really. My boyfriend is very busy before New Year at work and I think is working late tonight so we can't. I do love curry but would rather cook him some food because he's going to be tired and I was very grumpy yesterday night (when he told me he had to work late).

Voice mails: One hang-up. Great! (nothing to do with that one), One gig lady who I am avoiding because I haven't organised another trumpet player for her yet.

Missed calls: Don't matter because if it was important they'd have left a message.

EMAIL: haven't got there yet. Next job!

Boxing Day Plans

I haven't seen my boyfriend's family yet so I need to meet up with them today to thank them for the gifts of a harmonica (which is a brilliant present - can't wait to try it... resisting til later on or my siblings might murder me) and a diary/organiser (as if I need organising!!).

Boxing Day food is my favourite for Christmas, because we get to have ham for breakfast. If I'm really lucky I might get an egg with my ham. Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm...

I need the others to WAKE UP though first.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Apologies for yesterday's whine. I was in a mood and vented here. It was helpful to get me out of the mood in real life.

I hope you are having the best Christmas ever. Ours is going pretty well! The dinner was delicious and nobody has fought yet, which is a real anomaly for a Champ Christmas.

Bah Humbug (nearly)

One more hour Christmas shopping and I'd have done something very bad and very un-festive!!

Fortunately I'm still excited as we curtailed the two days of hellish trips just in time.

*****************************************

This morning I am really angry with my stupid thoughtless boyfriend who announced to me that he was starting work at 6.30 today when he got home last night. Why should this bother me? I have to drop him there at that time, because I need the car today (going to England).

Not content with making sure that I have to drive 200 miles minimum on 4 hours sleep, he set his alarm 1 hour early and snored during the night. Loud enough for my sister and I to hear him from the living room over the sound of the telly. I woke him up and made him take a decongestant spray thing as he has a cold again. It worked for a while.

Then to top the sleep, early morning thing off.... he was the last one out of the house this morning. He locked my sister in the house without realising. He should have left her a key if he wanted to do that. He did not. I was REALLY angry about that as in case of a fire she'd have been in trouble. He has done it to me in the past too. I'm still angry - can you tell?

Anyway, until I see him there's no point in stewing over this so I'll leave you with a very sincere wish that you all have a very

MERRY CHRISMAS!

Happy Holidays!

My wee sister arrives for a short visit today. I love Christmas!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wigwams in December

My grand (hastily thought up, not thought out) plan was to take Mum up to the wigwams near Tyndrum, for a night out of town. The wigwams are on a farm.

She (somewhat surprisingly) was up for the idea!

Off we went to the wigwam, leaving Glasgow in chilly winter sunshine. We drove off and headed deeper and deeper into grey clouds. As the weather closed in our hopes of a walk in the hills dwindled. We arrived at the farm in howling winds and driving rain!

(This is a photobucket picture I've lifted... must be what it looks like in summer.)



We checked in then fairly swiftly left to go to the Green Welly Stop for some shopping and to the pub for a bite to eat.



It was fun, we bought some things in the shops and the food in the pub was delicious. We both had spicy parsnip soup followed by Christmas roast dinner. Mmmmm.



We then drove back to the wigwam and shut ourselves in there with a few bottles of wine and some games. We played scrabble. I won. We played Yahtzee. I won! Kept me happy. We had some sandwichy bread things for dinner, played some more games, drank some more wine before bed.

The rain didn't let up at all so we woke up and had to walk to the toilet block in the same heavy rain we had walked through all evening.

The wigwam however was completely dry and very cosy. They are heated and lit, so it's a really nice place to stay. There are bench beds and a small table gives you something to play games on. I love it.

have been at work (LONG hours) doing this piece

Tomorrow I'm taking Mum to stay in a wigwam. I'll let you know how that goes!!

CHRISTMAS!

I have a tree! It's all sparkly and pretty with it's angel on the top. I love it.

I have finished presents for: Mum, Boyf's mum, Boyf's sisters, Boyf's sister's boyfriend, friend's girlfriend.

The sloe gin is ready - I tried it and it's very nice.

On Monday my Mum arrives so I'll let her have a taste of the gin and tell me what she thinks. That means I have 1 day left to finish her pressie (as she'll be here and I can't be making it with her here!).

I have one more teaching thing left to do and then that's me for the term. Yey!

Overall I think we're sorted. I have to get something for my sister but the other gifts are done and dusted. I'm quite happy!

Thursday Thirteen #36

Thirteen things (A fair few of which are Strictly Come Dancing videos)

1. Show dance - argentine tango. AMAZING. If you only have time to watch one, make it this one.



2. My Christmas tree is up! I'll hoover tonight then put the pressies round and post a picture.

3. I love Vincent. And I want Rachel to win.



4. I have finished the scarf my friend asked me to make for his girlfriend. However he now says he might give it to his mum. Is it bad that that annoyed me? I put MY mum's scarf on hold to do this one for him.

5. There's a good couple of minutes of bumph before the dance, but this shows that Rachel can do all the dances - in case you thought her tango was only good because Vincent is so good.



6. My boyfriend bought a bottle of port as a thank you gift for me to give to my friend who doesn't really drink. Ha ha - nice bottle of port for TC then.... I bought her something else.

7. This is a waltz which I think is dull but others might like.


8. My work has announced redundancies. I don't know if I'll be one of them but I think that finding a 2 day a week job might be tricky so I hope I'm not.

9. As my boss was off sick last week, I might have my appraisal today.

10. I've run out of toilet roll. Probably a fact you didn't want to know!

11. I've also run out of washing powder. Think it's time to go shopping.

12. It's now five past 8 so I need to get the bus to work.

13. I'd show you more dances but you've got my favourite there already. Hope Rachel wins. I'm off this weekend so I'll get to watch! Mum comes to visit on Monday.

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The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

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Allsorts

Firstly: I hate licorice allsorts. Just so you know.

The car is back and working properly again.

Last night we had the West Division Carol concert thing with all the Rainbows, Brownies, Guides, Rangers & Leaders. I'd offered last year to play the music for the carols - and they took me up on it this year.

I am lucky enough to have good friends who I've played with for years and they agreed to join me for a trumpet trio. They weren't so keen on the idea of the 12 Days of Xmas, so I agreed to play that on the piano instead.

I then discovered that a Ranger in our division plays the trumpet, so I phoned and invited her to join us. She did a pretty good job and seemed happy enough.

The bit AFTER the concert where the kids go through for juice and biscuits was the bit I didn't enjoy so much. There were so many kids and keeping track of mine with only 2 of us there was difficult. On one hand I knew they were safe anyway as they were surrounded by guiders but on the other hand I worried that parents would come and collect them and I wouldn't know.

It didn't last long - I rounded them all up (by spreading the news that I had xmas pressies for them) and kept them together til they were collected. They said they enjoyed the concert so that makes it worthwhile.

So that's us until the 13th January. Plenty of time to plan a great 2nd term!

stupid car stupid christmas time

My car has broken. It has now been mended and I am going to collect it. It is going to cost £380. Ouch.

Thursday Thirteen #35

1. I was in York on Friday night last week. We drove all the way just for the wedding party.
2. I was in Uddingston (other side of Glasgow) on Saturday night for a Christmas party.
3. I really enjoy playing old music. Like Bach.
4. I still have a bit of a cold but it's MUCH better.
5. I am loving the run-up to Christmas. This year is quieter... or more organised. I'm not sure which. It's allowing me to enjoy it when usually I'm all muddled up at this time of year.
6. I have got most of my Christmas shopping done.
7. I am debating whether it is more important that my boyfriend has a coat than that I stick to my principles. He should buy it himself - he left his coat in a bar, but I know he won't ever get round to it and he's walking round without a coat in freezing weather.
8. I am not going out tonight because I still have Christmas knitting to do.
9. I was out last night - It was fun!
10. I am out tomorrow night. Fingers crossed for fun again!
11. I haven't got dressed for work yet and it's ten past eight.
12. I have my appraisal today at work.
13. I want to get a real tree and decorate it with my biscuit decorations right now.

I hope that you have a great day - see you all later (night in means night reading and catching up!).

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others' comments. It’s easy, and fun! Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Guiders Warrant

As my Brownie pack has grown, THANKFULLY so has the leadership team.

We are now:

Me,

Guider-in-training (I think she has probably done everything she needs to for the qualification, she just needs to write the book up)

Young Leader.

I got my Leaders warrant a few years ago. You have to complete a workbook - it has several modules that are intended to teach you what you need to know to run a unit.

You are asked to:
- chart development of kids who are making their promise to see how they change through Brownies.
- to show how you've used the Programme in planning.
- to turn up to something outside the meetings in the hall. You have to do something that involves different Units, or different aged kids. So you could do a joint night with 2 packs, or you could invite the Rainbows for a party.... Does that make sense?
- do First Aid. This bit works well.
- assess the safety of your meeting place. This bit is very important as it isn't something you would know to do unless you had run a group before.
- do accounts and you need to keep records.

That's all I can remember.

The part I think that fails is in the fundamentals of Guiding. Who teaches you what Brownies is? Who talks through the programme, or the Adventure? There are packs for Guiders - a manual and an Adventure File, so you can read and teach yourself.

When I did my license there was a Guider sort of running my pack. There was no routine, there was no weekly plan. There was no singing of Taps. There were few girls in the unit.

There is no reason to assume that a trainee Guider has any experience of Guiding in her past. The Adventure File tells you about opening and closing meetings and is actually a really useful resource, but it can't teach you songs (unless you read music.. and if you do you'll notice that the Brownie song is printed in a minor key... which is just weird).

The answer, presumably, to this is that you should have a Mentor. And the Mentor should not be a Guider from your own Unit.

I had no Mentor and nobody to teach me in the Unit. I knew that I didn't like the way it was there, so when she eventually quit I changed everything.

My trainee has no Mentor. I want to do it properly and make sure that she really knows what she's meant to do, but I don't have much time and I am not entirely sure that I know enough about it myself - I'm fairly new to all this!

Genius

yey!
My laptop cable was at my morning school. Where I left it last week.

I'm very daft. It's a fact.

thicko

I've lost my laptop charger cable thing. It is now completely dead. I'm on an old fossil computer that groans when you turn it on and allows you onto the internet about 1 in 5 times.

Grr..

busy busy busy

I'm feeling a bit better - not great. Today a busy weekend (fun one too hopefully!) begins.

Today - office then wedding
Tomorrow - party
Sunday - gig

Hope you all have a great weekend. See you on the other side!

Still haven't shifted this stupid cold... but I have finished the scarf for my boyfriend's mum.

Dinner night

I have so far:

Made the tart (photo to follow).

Sliced the potatoes and layered them with onions and mushroom (coz I had a few left over) plus herbs (parsley and thyme). I poured over vegetable stock and dabbed some butter on the top. That is in the oven now as it takes an hour and a half. I'll take it out soon and put it back in once our friend is here.

I have de-stalked the field mushrooms and toasted the pine nuts. I have changed the plan a little here: I am going to put a dollop of cranberry and caramelised onion chutney on top of the cooked mushroom, then put goats cheese and/or herby breadcrumb crust on top of that and then sprinkle on pine nuts before serving. I have rocket and some little tomatoes to go at the side.

I have boiled the ham (coz that's how I like it best - soft texture) and scored the fat. I have now rubbed on some honey and have just put it in the oven, as I think it needs about an hour to get a nice shiny crust.

I might go and dress the rocket with some lemon juice and olive oil.... as I've got a few minutes to kill. Our friend is ALWAYS late so I'm not expecting him to arrive in the next half hour really.


P.S. After a promising start Wales just lost to New Zealand 9-29. Boo hoo.

Result: (Picture taken of my extra just-in-case mushroom which is in the fridge now.) The mushrooms looked really pretty on the white plate (see the meat picture) with the salad etc. I forgot the pine nuts - so ended up with mushroom grilled with goats cheese and herby breadcrumb topping. It was really tasty. I tested putting the chutney on but it made the mushroom go slimy during cooking, so I served it on the side with the salad.

Result... this is what's left of the meat!

Result: Pudding. Slice served with vanilla icecream.

Self-Employed and Confused

Today I woke up feeling pretty rotten. My body is aching and I have little voice. I am shattered, even though I have slept for 8 hours.

I would really like to take a sick day, which would give me a chance to shift this before teaching on Saturday. However because I am self employed with 4 different employers and only work in my office job on Thursday and Friday I would feel too guilty phoning in sick today.

Anyway: Thank you very much for your votes yesterday.

The menu for Saturday:
Field Mushrooms stuffed with.... not quite sure yet but goats cheese and pine nuts are a constituant part.
I am delighted that we ended up with this one for starter. I like mushrooms a LOT.

Honey-roast ham with this potato bake thing and veg.
I am also chuffed about this choice. The potato thing is made by baking sliced potatoes in stock. The top goes nicely crispy with a soft juicy potato bottom bit. Mmm.... Veg to accompany: Will depend on what I see in the supermarket.

Maple syrup and pecan tart
This came up because I allowed my boyfriend access to the cookery book. In fact I asked for his suggestions. He spotted this and wanted it immediately - so I know he will be over the moon about this choice. I don't really like desserts that much so either would have done for me.

I would post you photos - but I think I'd look like a weirdo. Instead I'll tell you about how it goes on Sunday.

Thursday Thirteen (I need your help!)

Thirteen random things (because I need your advice):

1) I am cooking dinner on Saturday and can't make a decision on what to cook.

2) Please help me choose the menu - Starter:


3) Main:


4) Pudding:


5) I am a competent cook.

6) I enjoy cooking so am looking forward to this weekend.

7) I haven't been participating in TT for a while because I am having some problems getting up for the office job on a Thursday and really haven't had the time before leaving.

8) I have been working most nights.

9) Yesterday I played in Oliver for a friend who couldn't do the matinee.

10) My friend who couldn't do the matinee phoned me to ask me if I could leave my trumpet as he'd forgotten his.

11) Because I am a good friend and a nice person I found the grottiest trumpet I could and modified it a little to make it slightly worse, then left it out for him. I did leave my real trumpet too - but he used the dodgy one which has tuning problems (I hear).

12) I went to the cinema last night and saw Burn After Reading.

13) I didn't like it.

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Circus Night

OMG - A circus indeed it was!

I had a mum helping because her daughter was making a promise tonight. My planning at the moment is totally crap. I will improve for next term. We're getting away with it by using my experience and talent for winging it. But I suspect it's finite.

I'll need to organise a planning meeting for next term (hopefully in the pub... that'd be my ideal).

Tonight we: Made juggling balls out of balloons filled with bulgar wheat. It's quite cool - makes a sort of beanbag/stress ball thing. You use a funnel to fill a balloon with the wheat then twist up the neck. Cut the top off another balloon and stretch it over the neck of the filled balloon, to make a two-tone juggling ball.

This bit would have worked FINE except that I couldn't get a funnel anywhere (no time to try a DIY shop but I did do the Guide shop, hobby shop and supermarkets). In the supermarket by the balloons they had party hats. "Hmmm, they look a lot like funnels" I think.

Party hats are funnel shaped, but they do not make the greatest of funnels. We got by - and each girl went home with one juggling ball. But you can't really do much juggling with one ball! Also the Young Leader I think was trying to suggest they look like bollocks. I just ignored it - she was annoying me tonight anyway - totally unhelpful all evening. (I told her off for it even though I hate doing that).

We also had hula hoops and a tightrope with blindfold. We had a ball and they played some fairground style games with the hoops and the ball. I think the kids enjoyed the night actually - so the mess and stress was definitely worth it. Promise ceremony went well (with my Assistant making her promise too).

I'm shattered though now so it's bedtime for me.

HORLICKS - FYI

Horlicks - (click for link to their website) - is a malty milky drink that is amazing. It is so soothing. Mmmm. Hadn't had it for years til the other day.

roll on Christmas!

For some reason today I feel christmassy. I want to decorate the house and sit in PJ's with a fire, drinking cocoa.

Maybe it's because I had a cup of Horlicks.

Peach Tart

They didn't have any peaches in the shop so I used nectarines... And the recipe (Burekaboy) said I could put booze in if I wanted... so I did. Only I drank the remainder and ended up getting the recipe all wrong. I put it in the oven and then had to dig it out again to add a load of ingredients I had forgotten, which I suspect is why it didn't come out quite like the image on his blog (see my links section if you want to find the recipe - it was posted in September).

It looks a touch burnt and the whiteish bit's weird... but it's just coz I got drunk and mucked it up.... Go and see the real one on Burekaboy's site.

Add a bit of low fat creme fraiche - mmmmmm.

So in the meantime I bring you: Other works in progress... Christmas here we come!!!

I knitted myself a cornetto case last night... I am just SO cool. No really.

xmas gift no1 complete

Early Music

I love early music. It gets me going.

Next weekend I'm playing cornett - I've mentioned it on my blog before so I'll just link it for you to find out more yourselves. (changed my mind and stuck up a photo)

I love to play this instrument. On graduating college I acquired a resin cornett but last year I bought a wooden one. I have been trying to learn it since, and am getting to grips with it now.

So this weekend was to be the virgin outing for this instrument. Until today I discovered that the pitch of the piece is a fourth higher than I had expected. That's a lot higher!

A week of mental practising is what is called for.

all done

That's the show finished so I'm off again til next weekend (apart from daytime work). This is a good thing and I am now coming to read blogs.... for 5 minutes before I take my boyfriend to work as I need the car for my work this afternoon.

blogblast for peace

I am so short of time... getting in at midnight or later and leaving for work at least five minutes ago each morning... (the time on blogger's still an hour ahead I think). But I want to support this idea, so have done my best this morning. Now I must go and get a bus (haha.... taxi).

Head to Mimi for more information.

CONGRATULATIONS AMERICA!

Exciting news this morning.

late night grub

I have just eaten chinese food at midnight. I've had to turn the telly off now because I can't find anything much to watch other than America's election coverage - and nothing has happened yet so it's just filler chat at the moment.

p.s. I am not drunk.... and I am regretting eating chinese already.