The Doldrums

Even the river is in the Doldrums...water warmer than the rest of us. It does look magical tho' doesn't it? Hobbits anyone?
Further round the bend the Avon River is clear and still with just a hint of mist...crikey, you could almost drink it if it wasn't for the duck poo and rubbish thrown in by careless citizens!
And here is our front lawn. Nice isn't it? I think the mix of mud, ice and snow really works!

I can't garden, I can't even settle to read a book even tho' I have two to read. Why? It's this place The Doldrums. They sound much more exotic than they really are. They sound like you need to have your sunblock ready, champagne at hand and a relaxed attitude but in fact The Doldrums are nervewracking and annoyingly grey.

Anyone else been there?

What did you pack?

Olympics bollocks, I say!

Steroids anyone?
Drug cheats going cheap.
Made in China.

Sorry, am cynical for one so young - tragically. The gloss of the Olympics is lost on me these days. You watch a wonderful race (and I confess that I am rather partial to watching the re-runs of the men's sprints...all that lycra in slow motion...purrr!) and then find out that the winner was taking something illegal.The gals and I did stay up late to watch the opneing ceremony and it was spectacular, although my 10 year old did state that the amount of money they spent on that they could have spent on rehousing those who were run outta town/lost their homes so that the "birds nest" could be built in the first place. We talk alot about current events in our house. The kids are encouraged to join in and they know their opinions count for something - a trait I suspect will come back to bite us on the bum soon enough!

What about you, do you watch this extravaganza with excitement and expectation...or do you run to the DVD store?

BTW - we actually had 2 days of sunshine this week...woke up this morning to find snow everywhere again! Honestly, have had more snow this year than we usually get at all. Fun! Snowmen and wet clothes everywhere.

Between the Sheets

Between the Sheets - my favourite cocktail!

1 oz Bacardi rum
1/2 oz Cognac (brandy for the cheapskates)
3 oz Cointreau (or orange-flavoured liqueur)
1/2 oz lemon juice

Combine in shaker with ice. Strain and serve in cocktail glass.

It's been awhile between drinks actually - mainly because my doctor had a chat with me...apparently my Blood Pressure ain't what it should be for a young whipper snapper (schnapper?) like myself. It seems that because I had toxemia with my last baby, I am now in a high risk group for blood pressure problems "later in lfe". Oops. Oh well, c'est la guerre right? Wrong. Dr says "eat better, drink less, exercise more"...Time for a new doctor methinks... (Dr Who??Oooh I feel better already, and such wonderful legs!!)

So, bearing that in mind we had a good friends 50th birthday party dinner to attend last night. I was the sober driver. (Yes, me!! I am a fast learner) We went to Tim's favourite Thai place for a meal. Great stuff. The chilli is still working it's magic on me today (I suspect no further explanation is necessary - or wanted?). We had a wonderful evening, had to scurry off early as the babysitter had an early start -at what point will the 13 year old object to a babysitter being called a babysitter??

I feel "hippy happy" today. Sorry.

Stormy Weather

I actaully took this photo last year, the past few days have been so wet I have bacically scuttled in and out of doors. We are in storm mode. Tomorrow they ("they") are predicting 140mm of rain for us, today it snowed in Amberley. Hopefully it will dump down big time over night and we can stay in bed in the morning. Sigh, wishful thinking.

The Stud had a car accident on Monday so he is without his car, which means I am also doing 2 school runs now instead of just the morning drop off - plus full time work...blah. Next time I'm gonna get me a zillionaire with a bad cough.

But until then, "bugger".

Ood 'ave that for a face?

Dr Who blazed across our screens last night, the one with the greeing of the Ood. The 10 year old enjoyed it (I still struggle with Donna bleating like an Aussie fishwife "Doctaah") and then decided that now the Ood were free maybe they would get real names instead of numbers. She favoured Burt.

I may be getting old and grumpy or I may be just tired of drab, dreary and cold weather (or I may be smarting over our thugby team losing 2 in a row...) but I am certain David Tennant was leering like a man possessed during tonights episode. I felt like perhaps he could see thru my top with those groovy specs he continuously takes on and off - whoa, if I was the writer I suspect (geddit?) that his specs wouldn't be the only on/off action. Wouldn't dare tell the 10 year old that, she's got him pegged as my number one son-in-law.

Anyway, am off to view Life on Mars. Oddly not the political thriller that it sounds like but it is certainly great social commentary. Anyway, speaking of social commentary I'll leave you with this interesting arrangement! (Parental supervision highly recommended).

Best Kids book

When I was a child, the only story I ever wanted to hear was The Wait-for-me Kitten. I just LOVED it. Briefly, the wee kitten is always being left behind by it's mates and always the one to get the trouble meant for the other "naughty" kittens. Suffice to say, the wee kitten triumphs in the end. For years I wondered where my well-leafed thru copy went. We moved around a lot when younger so the book could be anywhere. However, one afternoon a few years ago I was recounting this story to the wife of a friend of my husband's. Well, that year on my birthday...they proudly handed over The Wait-for-Me Kitten which their now grown up kids have long since forsaken. It is in good condition, actually it's not... but it is more likely in the same condition as my own well-loved copy would have been at the time. I just LOVE it.

Sure, I had other favourites..The Velveteen Rabbit, Winnie the Pooh....but this book has held a special place in my heart forever!

What was your favourite book as a child? Do you still have it?

Hm. Spell check extra perhaps?

I know which one I'm buying. And it's cheaper! (you might need to click on the graphic to...er...enlarge it.)