Hot & cold

What a lovely day. And it's not in the least bit depressing to think that it's probably the last nice day we'll get this year.

I'm feeling pretty rough today, not sure why, some kind of virus I think. Spinning head, queasy tummy, general feeling of fatigue. I'm currently tucked up with my duvet on the sofa. So imagine my delight when I got up to feed the cats, only discover that somehow my freezer door has been left slightly open and half my stuff has defrosted. The body count so far:

1. Leftover boeuf bourguignon
2. Leftover beef madras
3. 2 bags of frozen prawns
   
4. 3 packets of bacon
5. 1 bag of leftover gravy
6. 4 pork chops
7. 2 chicken breasts

Bugger. If I had the energy and appetite, I'd try to cook as much of it up as possible to try to salvage it but frankly, I'd keel over if I tried.

Um...but why?

I realise I'm very very behind on this, but I just saw the Goatse picture. It is, of course, deeply unpleasant. Fortunately I'm not in the least bit squeamish and just found it rather fascinating in its utter pointlessness but - just in case you haven't yet seen it and have a slightly less robust stomach than myself - DO think twice before you google it...

Today I have been mostly amusing myself greatly, every time my kittens have been pouncing on each other and rolling around fighting, by shouting at them: "Not now Kato!"

Died with his boots on

I'm really shocked and saddened about the death of Steve Irwin today. Tudes and I saw him in action at Australia Zoo when we were there in 2000. I'd been a big fan for ages and we made a special a trip out there, never really believing we'd actually see him, but when we went to the crocodile show, lo and behold Steve bounded in, holding his daughter Bindi, wife Terri on the mic, and leapt around with all the enthusiasm and energy of a labrador puppy. He was a great entertainer, a passionate conservationist; a real life Hagrid. I thought the statement from his friend and producer John Stainton summed it up nicely:

"He died doing what he loves best. He left this world in a happy and peaceful state of mind. Crocs rule!''

Bargain of the Month #2

Well, hey, I know it's not quite September yet, but had to tell you about this one. In my continuing quest to get things cheap or free, I just went to a new hair salon that has opened up quite near me to have my hair cut and highlighted - but did it as a model. The trainee who did it can't have been more than 18 but she was very good and I'm pleased with the result. I'm even more pleased with the price: £20 (the cut was free, just paid for the highlights). Bonza!

The Scoundrels!

Oh shit oh shit oh shit ...

As requested by my sister, a picture of my new rug in situ. Hurrah.

I've spent all day trying to get round to doing some more college work, really need to get it all finished in the next couple of weeks. But why is it that you always find something absolutely vital to do when you should be doing something else? So far I've hoovered (the rug of course) AND mopped. I've done some washing and hung it up. Had lunch. Washed up. Written some emails. Organised the picture folder on my hard drive (been meaning to do that for AGES). And now I'm blogging. All important and vital stuff, obviously, and far more important than actually doing WHAT I'M SUPPOSED TO BE DOING.

Gaarrrgggh. I despair of myself.

Well hey, maybe I SHOULD join a gym...

So, how do we know whether the Many Vast Elephants Made their Jam Sandwiches at Nine in the morning or Nine in the evening now?

Oh Christ! Oh Jesus Christ!

The other day, driving home from work, I saw an horrific vision: a poster with the words 'The Wicker Man' and 'Nicolas Cage' emblazened on it. With an increasing sense of disquiet, I investigated it further when I returned on home on t'interweb and found this.

Now, I'm all for Hollywood remaking classics and adding a few more explosions and love interests.....oh no, hang on, I'm not. I mean for F*CKS sake. The Wicker Man? What's next? Suggested by my friend Guy:

Coming this fall... a heartwarming family comedy starring Adam Sandler, Will Ferrall and Jim Carrey... "Withnail"

The thing is, it wouldn't surprise me even one little bit. Sigh.

I'm well aware that I'm terribly childish but this made me laugh big time.

And big congratulations to my friend Bryn and his wife Nicole over in Oz who had a baby girl last week. Is there something in the water? Why is everyone I know having babies all of a sudden? And far more importantly, does anyone know any nice single men they want to throw my way?

Bargain of the Month #1

Welcome to a new feature: Bargain of the Month. I love a bargain, me. Yesterday I was in York with my family and happen to wander into Habitat. Okay, so not an uncommon occurance, as you may be aware, but still. They had a 'clearance corner' which had a few reduced items and I spotted a rug leaning up against the wall. Now, I've been after a rug for my lounge but haven't found anything suitable* yet so I thought I'd take a look. It turned out to be 'Genevieve', which you can find if you go to the Habitat website (can't do a direct link as their website is a bit annoying like that), which is jolly nice and was listed as £395 in the catalogue, but £295 on the website. Anway, due to a couple of black marks (which came off straight away with Carpet Power), it was available for the much reduced price of £73. I thank you.

*okay, cheap enough then

Happy news!

My friend Suzie had her baby last night - all went well and she had a waterbirth at home. All went SO well in fact, and SO quickly at the end, that despite a mad rush to get there, I missed the birth by 9 minutes. Damn and blast! But running up the stairs only to see Suzie already sat with little Joseph in the pool, both looking somewhat shocked, was amazing. He's so gorgeous. Well done and congratulations to you both.

For those who are not so interested in babies and the like, you may instead find this rather fascinating. I sure as hell did.

Still poo-free...the gorgeous little darlings.

Proud mummy

Last night was the first poo-free night with the kittens! I'm so excited. So nice to be able to pick them up and cuddle them without worrying about getting poo on my clothes or to have to chase them round with a damp piece of cotton wool trying to wipe their bottoms or to have to mop the floor every morning...

Please keep your collective fingers crossed that it's permanent!

Night of a thousand poos

Firstly, let me tell you that I now know what it sounds like when lightening strikes a spot just a few yards from your flat. The answer is: extremely bloody pant-wettingly loud.

Secondly, yesterday morning heralded a two hour cleaning session to remove kitten poo from pretty much every surface of the flat. Bless their little furry socks. Rudy has diarrhoea and left a trail, in a similar vein to Hansel and Gretel, that showed exactly where he'd spent his evening. Then at some point, the kittens somehow shut themselves in the bathroom (i.e. far away from their litter tray) and...no, I'm not even going there. Suffice to say that tiled flooring and close proximity of a shower are truly a blessing.

Furry babies

Ahem. Ladies and Gentlemen: meet Rudy & Gertie. They are 11 weeks old brother & sister and are currently chasing each other like crazy around the flat!

They were donated to the Mayhew Animal Home when they were about 3 days old and have been there ever since. Now they've come home to Weybridge and I hope they'll be happy here next to the lake. I mean, what cat wouldn't be?

My sister is going to kill me. She reads this blog so: Sorry Jen. She's allergic to cats and didn't want me to get one, but then again she does live in Yorkshire...

They're gooooooorgeous.

Sleep is for wimps

Well, the rose-tinted spectacles I've been wearing for the past 3 years at work have finally slipped and I'm seeing the cold, grey, light of day peeping above the rims. It's been a bloody nightmare for the past month or so and I'm now officially exhausted. I mean, I'm not pretending that I've enjoyed every single day for the past 3 years (6 if you count my training) but overall I've still been able to say 'yes, I do really love my job!' with a smile on my face. Now, the smile is more of a grimace and the best I can manage is 'it's alright...'

Ah, it'll pass I'm sure. It's just that boring office politics happens in the midwifery world too and staff shortages are...well, I'm sure you only need to read the Daily Mail* to get an idea of how bad they are. Now I'm the boss (ha!) I'm being dumped on all the time and I'm fed up. I would like to have a weekend off. Or even a day off. No chance sister.

Oh stop your bleedin' moaning.

*Not that I'm suggesting for a second that you actually would

The question is: does he do children's parties?

Canvassing opinion

So here's the thing. I was chatting to a friend of mine today, Abby, on messenger (she's currently living in Koh Samui - yes, yes I know I have the most glamorous friends) and we got to talking about life frustrations an' all. You know: work; money; men. The usual. She suggested that I'm in a perfect position to go and do a bit of travelling. I mean, I'm single, own a nice flat which would rent easily and should cover the mortgage, have transferable skills. I countered with the fact that I'm actually a bit of a scaredy cat.

But the more I think about it, the more I think it might - just might - be a good idea. To be honest, I probably wouldn't go and work as a midwife abroad (too many variables in the job which, along with a high level of responsiblity, I'm not sure I fancy much) but as long as I could cover the costs of my flat here with rent (which I should be able to do - just - I reckon) and I could earn enough doing bar work or whatever to live on abroad, it might be do-able.

So. What do you think?
a) Should I do it (or at least look into it seriously)?
b) Where should I go?
c) What should I do when I get there?

Comments please...