Are You As Mad As Me?

Do you ever work yourself into a frenzy over nothing?  No . . . . . just me then?

I’m always very aware of my surroundings when I’m out and about and sometimes work through ‘plans of action’ in my head.  Very wise I think to myself, but sometimes it can get out of hand.

Yesterday morning I walked the dog as usual along an area that I’ve walked several times.  I’ve started to get to know the dog’s friends and their owners.  I’ve already been asked "why am I walking the dog" as they obviously know mom so it’s comforting to know they care about the dog.

I stopped and chatted to a couple this morning who’s dog I’ve already met before and the subject came around to the ducks and feeding them. 

It turned out this lady also fed the ducks and interestingly, like me, she made sure the lady ducks had more access to the bread than the male ducks.  Ducking girl power I think! 

Anyway, I carried on but not before noticing someone walking towards us in the distance on their own.  Now I know it’s a free country etc, but they hadn’t got a dog (not that they need to) and I started to get suspicious. 

Well, the thinking numskulls in my head started to get suspicious I should say.

I walked towards one exit that I could have taken but decided to carry on as normal with the dog on our usual route.  As I passed the exit knowing the next path out was about half a mile away, I suddenly started to panic.

The numskulls started giving me ‘what if’ scenarios.  What if the person caught up with you and tried to throw you in the water type of thing.

As much as I tried to throw this thought off, I really spooked myself.  I then started to run which the dog thought was a great game.  After running a short while I realised that I wasn’t as fit as I thought I was, so stopped.  I looked round and noted that the walker was nowhere in sight.

That should have been it really.  However, the numskulls started saying to me "you’d better reserve what fitness you have, in case they catch up with you".  What!!

So I started to power walk instead until I rounded the corner I knew had the exit I needed.

The dog still thought this was a great game.  I had become hot, sweaty and uncomfortable, the ducks couldn’t keep up with me and I started to feel very silly.

I hung around (in my safe zone) to see if the walker came into view and they did.  And as my sensible head told me, they were just having a walk.

So am I mad, overly cautious or would you have done the same thing?

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

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Poached Eggs, Buzzards and Mad Ducks

My life seems slightly surreal at the moment.  I truly don’t know whether I’m coming or going, been or just got back!  Hell I don’t even know who I am at the moment.

Well, I know what my name is, but my role in life is a bit muddled at present.  One thing I do know for sure is that the children all seem to be happy at the moment, so I don’t care about anything else quite frankly.

My typical day revolves around school runs, twice daily dog walks, fetching, carrying, supporting and being very, very tired.

My hat goes off to full time carers.

But out of this madness that is my life at the moment comes some sweet and savoury moments that put a smile on my face.  Firstly, mad ducks!

I have inherited from my sister (who was walking the dog before she went home) duck feeding duty along a stretch of water that we sometimes walk the dog.

There must be over 30 birds along this stretch dotted out along the waterway, plus a few moorhens that scuttle out every now and then.

What is funny is that they obviously recognise the dog?  (Okay I’m not a wildlife expert and I truly don’t know whether ducks can remember things, but it’s what I like to think!) 

As soon as they see us they start swimming or flying towards us to get fed.  Tonight in particular I wish I’d had a camcorder with me. 

Tonight, we had acrobatic ducks flying down the waterway through branches, almost somersaulting to get through for scraps of bread.  But what really humours us is that we can actually take these ducks for a walk (okay swim) along the waterway just with the mere suggestion of bread.  Let me explain.

Once they get the notion that there is food about, it’s like jungle drums start up and we are literally besieged by ducks.  We feed them making sure that they have all individually managed to get some bread then carry on walking.

Behind us we then start hearing a whooshing sound as they begin to fly to catch up  and land near us in the hope that we will think they are different ducks wanting bread.  As I admire this tenacity I duly throw them some bread which then leads the rest of the them to fly and catch up.

This happens all along the waterway until we run out of bread.  Walking, whooshing, scuffles, walking, whooshing scuffles and so on. I watched three ducks fly right past and then swim back up the waterway towards us.  It was like they were trying to pretend they hadn’t already had any bread. 

I am intrigued and in awe of their behaviour as it really is a battle of who can outsmart who to get the most bread.  And please note I don’t egg them on in any way.  They just follow us until they know there really is no more bread available!

I was also priviliged to see a buzzard fly low overhead today too.  It was flying between two trees, back and forth in an elegant, unrushed way.  Truly poetry in motion watching it soaring above me.

And the poached eggs . . .   I really wanted poached eggs for tea but don’t have a proper poacher.  I’ve seen chefs cooking them in a pan of water so thought that’s what I’d do.  I cracked two eggs into cups and duly tipped them into the boiling water. As you can imagine it just went everywhere.

A little tip I was given (after the event) was to put a bit of salt in the water and stir the water fast before you tip the egg in as it binds it together better.

Never mind, I’ll remember for next time.  But what I did manage to salvage had poached perfectly and my taste buds were satisfied.  Result then.

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The Riches

I don’t get to watch much regular television these days. It’s usually a case of catching snippets here or there or late night channel hopping before I go to bed to wind down.  Apart from the X Factor of course which is a must on Saturday night!

However, on a couple of occasions now I’ve happened upon ‘The Riches’.  It’s an american series but it stars Eddie Izzard and Minnie Driver.

Without going into detail about the series itself, which is basically that his family assume the identify of a wealthy family and take on their life, it’s Eddie and Minnie that I am really impressed with.

I’ve always liked Eddie Izzard for his comedy anyway, but he is seriously sexy in this role and very believable with his american accent.  So too is Minnie who I have always thought never quite made the grade in America in the same way as Catherine Zeta Jones did (although I think Minnie is the better actress). 

If this doesn’t make them big stars in America then I don’t know what will.

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Bring Back Kate Thornton

This is just a ps to the earlier post on the X Factor.  I didn’t mention that I also don’t like Dermot O’Leary presenting the show.

I much preferred Kate Thornton.  Now I know a lot of women think Dermot’s a good looking chap and all that, but I must be seeing a different vision.  I also thought he was rude to Celine Dion in the final show last night when the acts found out who were going through to next week.

Celine had just sung her new song and he was asking her about the acts she had helped and who she liked.  She started to go through the names and had to be cut short because of it being a live show and timing etc. 

Dermot O’raspy voice said Celine Dion, she can sing and she can talk.  Excuse me Dermot but who is the multi talented, multi millionaire, Oscar winning, Grammy winning artist here?

Get back in your place!

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X Factor

I’m sorry to say I am a real X Factor fan.  It’s the only reality tv show I watch with passion and don’t like to miss.

I just don’t get or like Big Brother, I can’t bear watching I’m A Celebrity (too tickle stomached) and most of the other ones turn ordinary people into something they’re not (and not always their fault).

So what is it about X Factor that makes me tune in?

Okay on the downside I don’t like the way they put people down in the audtions expecially younger people who may have never experienced that kind of rejection. 

I don’t like the dramatics ie Louis not being a judge then is, Sharon walking out and then not but that’s all part of their publicity at the end of the day and as long as you remember that then you’re not too drawn in.

What I do like about it is seeing (mostly) talented people being able to showcase their talent.  I haven’t always agreed with the final choices the judges make, but then we only see the edited highlights of what goes on behind the scenes and I still don’t like some of the rude comments they make.

However, to think that last year Leona came out of the X Factor who I think is by far the best  singer ever on this show and if it hadn’t have been for the X Factor we may never have heard her.  I hope she gets the recognition she deserves.

And this year there are some real rising stars.

I agreed with last nights vote based on the show alone, but it could easily have been one of about four going last night for me.  I also think the choice of song for Daniel didn’t promote his voice.  Unfortunately someone has to go each week.

I also have to say I was completely turned around by Rhydian.  Singing the Phantom of the Opera made me want to go and watch a show with him in it.  Whether he can keep the momentum up in the weeks to come with different types of songs will remain to be seen. 

BUT, it’s clear where his talent lies, he commanded the stage last night and the likes of Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber can’t be wrong.

But most of all. What I like about the show is the music.  We dip into all genres each week and it’s great to catch up on songs that have been pushed to the back of the mind.  For me it’s a bit like having a Saturday night variety show! 

Now am I showing my age?

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Sainsburys

This is for two incidents recently at a local store.

• While walking down the bread aisle I was watching the woman who was obviously responsible for filling the shelves throwing a load of loaves onto the floor.  I assumed this was because they were out of date and she was going to take them out the back.  However I was astonished when, after loading the shelves with fresh bread, she picked the bread up off the floor and put it back on the shelves!  I know it was wrapped, but not very hygienic.

• I bought my sister and mom a banoffee tart each from their fresh cream cake counter.  It was within date, but both my mom and sister were ill after eating it.  Unfortunately they had already thrown the packet away, so couldn’t send it back.  It’s put me off their cake section.

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Who Needs Pets . . . .

. . . . when you have children?

My children have asked me several times if we could have a cat, dog, guinea pig etc.  I am absolutely decisive on this point . . . . NO.

Luckily their grandparents have a variety of each, so they are used to animals which I think is a good thing.  And I was brought up with animals so I am fond of pets. 

However, over the years I have become allergic to pet fur and end up sneezing all the time, which is a good enough excuse for me.  I can sneeze merrily at my house dust if I want to, without buying a pet for extra effect.

And, if ever I needed to reinforce my ‘not wanting a pet’ feeling then this morning was it.

As I’ve mentioned I’ve been walking mom’s dog twice a day, which I enjoy, but obviously there is a down side to this if, like me, you are a ‘pooh abiding citizen’.

Cleaning up dog pooh!  Now nappies I can handle, but there is something very different about dog pooh especially when you have to clean up steaming piles of it.

To a degree I can handle this also.  I have a technique for doing it and triple bag it and bin it in the appropriate bins.

This morning I think mom’s dog had a touch of constipation and as soon as I let her loose she stooped to conquer.  I cleared it up as usual and carried on walking.  However further along the walk she went twice more.

The trouble is because she had to stoop twice more, this made me question if I had indeed cleared up her pooh instead of another dogs earlier on!!!!  I think it was hers as this would be consistent with having been constipated.  Well that’s what I am believing anyway.

Problem sorted, can live with that, except when she turned round her fur was, let’s say, "not clean" and I ended up having to wipe her bottom.  Lovely!

I carried on with the walk and found the usual bin to put my ‘pickings’ in and as I threw the bag in, the stench that came from the bin made me retch!!

So, ask me again.  Would I like a pet?  The answer my friends is no.

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What a Wreck!

 . . . . and we’re not talking ships here either.  My friend and I had the discussion a few months ago about, how once you’ve reached 40, your body seems to say "time to give up".

We both have started aching in the knee and back area amongst other wonderful little niggles we’re beginning to experience.

As I sat here today with toothache and earache, feeling tired and emotional I had to smile a little about all this and to prove a point read on . . . .

In this past week I have received no less than 4 appointments to be ‘checked out’ at the hospital for different things.  I know I shouldn’t be boring you with my medical details as I thought there was another age that this started to happen, but sod it, I feel like sharing tonight.

First up is my annual check up for my funny blood.  It’s an hereditary condition that means my blood cells are a different shape to other peoples. 

It’s never caused me to be an ill person, I’ve always been fairly healthy apart from the usual childhood stuff like chickenpox to colds etc (oh yes apart from the time the hospital thought I had leukaemia due to being severly anaemic, but that’s another story!).  If you’re really interested it’s full title is hereditary spherocytosis.

Secondly, I have an appointment for my tinnitus which I started getting about 2 years ago.  Apparently it’s been caused by the chemical imbalance from the problem above.  Great!!

Thirdly I’ve received an appointment for a scan connected with the hormone problem I’ve mentioned before, that my doctor wants to satisfy both herself and me that it is just that - hormones.  No problem, just like being scanned when pregnant.

Fourthly, connected with the third one, today I received my appointment for the hysteroscopy which freaked me out as it mentioned general anaesthetic.

So I am officially becoming an old git and soon to be an authority on hospitals and their treatment of patients.  Did I mention that all these appointments will be through three different hospitals?

Ah well, I’d better get off to bed and rest these tired old bones which are aching from all the running around I’ve been doing! 

Life is so hard isn’t it??

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Me Work - Whatever For?

My eldest son asked me an interesting question yesterday morning as we were on the way to mom’s to take her dog for an early morning walk.

"Mom, do you enjoy not going to work?"

Hmmm, this needed careful answering, so that I didn’t come over all feminist and righteous (not that I do normally mind you!) and spout "isn’t being a mother a full time job?".

I asked him what he meant and being the clever lad he is had picked up on the fact that as we were out before 8.00 am we were passing people hurrying to work and we were obviously taking life a bit slower.

I reflected on the answer to give him.  And in summary this is what I said.

In terms of being in the whole 9 - 5 rush to get somewhere, yes I enjoyed not going to work.  My job used to take me down the motorway every day and I am grateful that I don’t have to do that anymore.

I did point out that I did the books for his dad and that at the present time with nan needing help my role really was that of ’supporter’ to nan, the children and dad to make sure they all had what they needed.

I also explained that I helped dad with the business and outlined the sorts of things that I do and for all that I did I received no monetary payment for it.

So while I ‘in the traditional sense’ did not go out to work I was kept busy enough.  I did explain that should I need to earn some cash though I would look for a part-time role but outside of the ‘caring’ hours I put in for the family.

Our trouble is that as we’ve got older we’ve become far more cynical about working for big companies and how they tie you down.  Working for yourself is no easy option but at the end of the day you only have yourselves to blame for what you do. 

Money can be an issue too when you’re not receiving a regular monthly income, but coupled against being at home for the children and struggling, to being on the ‘career ladder’, for now I know which one I prefer.

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Dragged in Several Directions!

You’d think that now the accounts are out of the way I would have so much time on my hands.  I wish . . . . .

Now that my husband has seen the fervour and almost bullish mindset I displayed in getting them finished, he has now asked for my help on projects for him.

At the end of the day it is to further our business so I can’t really say no.  However this means that my house that desperately needs bulldozing inside to clear the mess is going to have to wait a bit longer.

I have attempted tonight to sort out the ironing into baskets of clothes for each of us and I have started sorting out the odd socks again.  Hey I even managed to find the clean underwear while sorting.

You see, not only am I spending my evenings learning about setting up websites now, I also have the children at home for half term and I am now mom’s helper during the day because my sister went back home today.  (More about that in a minute). 

Luckily mom  is able to carry out many tasks around the home now, but dog walking, shopping, vacuuming and any onerous bending tasks still require help.

My sister had taken on the biggest role of carer when mom came out of hospital for which I am truly grateful, so my role of helper is not as demanding, plus I can use mom’s car.

I can’t believe that sis has been over here for 5 months.  It didn’t seem real her going home today.  However, she does have a life in another part of the world and that life can no longer wait.

Originally she had come over for a holiday, but with mom’s operation in the pipeline she very unselfishly put her own life on hold to be able to be here for said operation.  As you may be aware, this operation got cancelled and then put back 3 times, finally resulting in it going ahead three weeks ago.

This meant that sis only had two weeks to help out after mom left hospital.  Not her fault.  She had already changed her ticket and to change it again would have resulted in forking out for the total air fare again.

Anyhow I digress.  Everyone said bye at mom’s house this morning and left it to me to drive sis to the airport.  Mainly because I don’t normally get visibly upset at these departures, it usually happens before or after with me. 

So having the title of ‘cold cow’ earned me the right to drive her this morning. She’d complained last time she was over, that I hadn’t cried at the airport!

I parked in the drop off zone and although my sister had wanted me to leave her outside to avoid long bye byes, as she needed help in carrying her stuff I went to the check in desk with her.

I left her at the bottom of the escalator which led to the departure lounges and after big hugs walked away.  I started cracking at the second hug and my bottom lip wobbled furiously as she ascended the escalator.

I walked away with tears streaming, fighting the urge not to sob out loud.

I have really enjoyed having my big sis around just to do the ‘normal’ things like being able to text, phone in this country and do things that probably most people take for granted.

And there’s no denying that the children have benefitted from her ‘mad’ aunty status.

So thanks sis, hope your journey was a good one and see you soon!

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