United Nations of blogs

In the last couple of days, people from America, Germany, France and Greece have visited my blog. Welcome!

Magical mystery dog walk

There’s a word that can describe the autumn/winter seasons: cosy. You don’t get cosy in summer, it would, I imagine, lead to excessive sweating and nobody wants that. I was walking the dog this morning and because it’s so much darker when we worker ants get up in the mornings now, lamps and lights are being switched on to ensure damage limitation on things like stubbed toes, bashed elbows, underwear being put on inside out etc. As we walked past our neighbours, I thought how cosy the lights looked in the windows, warm and golden. I sometimes construct stories about people and houses as I walk by. There’s nothing in particular that leads me to make up a little story about one house and not the other… but I am intensely curious about people’s home lives. I wonder for example, whether they are happy? Whether they like rugby? Whether one person likes vegetables and the other one doesn’t? Whether they look ordinary enough but are actually other-world folk… when they close the front door and step down into the basement, where does it lead? To fairy passages, small underground towns, meeting places for magic folk… do they make witches potions and herbal concoctions…? Or do they just enjoy a glass of wine and a bit of telly?

The dog, it has to be said, is far less whimsical. He concentrates on left over bits of chicken, dog wee (his own and others), friends he spots on the way, cats and getting to the park in a timely manner.

He enjoyed his walk this morning, terrorising the squirrel population and playing with two Westies. I enjoyed the fresh air and that lovely – but all too brief – moment of the day, usually when walking the hound, when you pretend you have nothing to do and all day to do it.

Yesterday I got so much done it was like I was supercharged! Lot’s of housework and sorting, as well as proper ‘we pay you to do this’ work. And, AND, I cooked a delish meal for my partner who didn’t get back till 9pm. I do enjoy being a housewife!

Tonight, rugby and a birthday party – dilemma! Tomorrow a game of rounders for a another friend’s birthday party and then drinks at the pub. Sadly I shall have to be a watcher not a partaker in the rounders. My running days are well and truly behind me, although I can still wallop a ball a fair old way…

By the way, we posted out the wedding invites yesterday, hurrah!

Skinny food?!

I started my day with a double tall latte and a “skinny” peach and raspberry muffin. Of course, I did have the dilemma, if it’s skinny I should have two, no? But managed to resist and just had the one… I’m happy to report it was very nice.

We could barely drag ourselves out of bed this morning. It was cold and we were tired. Also work feels a bit of a hassle this week – everyone demanding something – and there are lots of things I could be doing at home. I have an interesting and varied to-do list as long as your arm. Sorting out my trainers, putting up shelves, building a raised vegetable patch, having an autumn clear-up in the garden, clearing out two cupboards, measuring up for a chicken run… there’s at least three days of pottering right there. And that’s not the entire list! Ah, if only life could be a gentle but purposeful potter, sorting out all the things that need, well, sorting. No work, no traffic, no skinny food, no early mornings…

But instead I’m stuck in an office with harsh lighting and recycled air. Despite this I’m not too downhearted. Getting a new laptop and a new pair of wellies in one week is not bad by anyone’s standards. Now, to work…

All answers, grapefully received...

Can grapes give you heartburn?

Shopping on the clock

I’ve just been shopping in work time. Which is nice. As the editor of a magazine, I sometimes have to buy competition prizes. Today it was a digital camera and a dance CD. (I went to HMV again, dealt with someone who was at least 33 – good age that – and he too was very charming). I also managed to ‘accidentally’ pick up two cut-price DVDs and some croissants*.

Last night I went home full of vim and vigour and although I was grumpy and tired by the time I actually got there because traffic was so bad again, I decided to seize the day – well actually, I seized a small hammer and some laundry, and I spent the first two hours being very useful. I put up a picture, did the washing up, did some aforementioned laundry, filed some papers, made some bread and had a general tidy up. After that I really was tired. But we had a nice meal and watched the new series of Doc Martin – one of my favourite programmes.

Today is the first of Pluto’s extra walks. I’m sure he’ll be very pleased when J turns up and he realises that he’s going for a long romp with about five other dogs of various sizes and levels of excitability.

I have lots of writing to do today for the magazine, which being a writer, I understandably enjoy. Except I have a lot to do in a short space of time. So on that note…

*They don't sell croissants in HMV. If they did, I'd never leave the place.

Music is the food of life (but my bank manager disagrees)

I’m so naughty… I’ve just bought the new Paul van Dyk album – the man is not only a genius and impossibly gorgeous but he’s also genuinely very nice. I interviewed him for a dance magazine and we had lunch together – and the new Armand Van Helden album! We’ll never get a farm if I keep spending all the dough! But life without music is almost as bad as life without a variety of animals and the ability to grow your own veg. (As justifications go that was pretty weak but never mind…)

I don’t like to discriminate but I dealt with a man in his 30s in HMV and he was lovely. I then dealt with two people in their 20s and they were sullen and unhelpful. I’m not saying everyone 29 and under working in record shops is a mardy little git, but really, this is more evidence that being 30 plus (and in this case working in a music store) is the way forward; the new brown which was last season’s grey which I’m told was the new black. Over 30s I salute you and would like you to take some responsibility for allowing me, nay encouraging me, to spend more money by telling me ‘Paul van Dyk’s just released his new album’ in a casual and pleasant way…

Farming life

We spent the weekend volunteering at a fantastic farm in Bedfordshire. It was the best experience of volunteering so far. We stayed in caravan – it was massive. But more importantly it was clean, very comfortable, had electricity and was quite secluded being in the woods. The farm has three woods in, or as part of the property – the Great wood (which extends well beyond the farm’s boundaries), Badgers woods and Joffs wood. They had chickens, geese, ducks, guinea fowl, rare-breed sheep, one dog and a variety of wildlife that belonged to no one in particular. The food was gorgeous! We ate salad and vegetables from the kitchen garden, fresh (just laid!) eggs, bread made with wheat grown on the farm and homemade jam and marmalade…

We chopped wood, potted plants in the nursery, cleaned chicken runs, collected eggs and fed animals. And I spent a lot of time playing with the dog on account of missing our own dog who was having a weekend with his mates.

I caught the sun and we worked really hard, and although my knees were very sore, I felt really healthy. The farmer we stayed with is a wealth of information; tips and hints, guidance and advice, all hopefully stored ready for when we are able to get our own smallholding.

Now having to battle through London traffic only to then be stuck in an office all day (and yes, I really don’t mind being out in the rain and cold; there is no inappropriate weather only inappropriate clothing) seems a little unfair…

Anyway, we were delighted to be reunited with Mr. P and have organised, in addition to his twice daily walks, for his boarding mum to take him out every Tuesday for an extra long walk. I’m sure he will be pleased. He’s very fond of her, and he’s very fond of long walks!

When we got back on Sunday evening, I ordered a new pair of wellies. Which made me very happy. As anyone will tell you, chickens and cleaning out animals generally, is far better done in a sturdy pair of wellies than it is in an expensive pair of walking boots!

I came tantaslisingly close to driving a tractor as well, but in the end, we didn’t have time. But the farmer has promised me that I can have a go next time!

My laptop is due to arrive this week. More excitement. Honestly, I don’t know how I don’t spend my days in an advanced state of giddiness…

People in offices shouldn't throw printers

People are really very stupid, aren’t they? If you do a large print job on a shared printer (something that is in excess of 300 pages!) do you not think it might be an idea to check the printer? Perhaps ensure there is enough paper, that there are no jams, or nothing you need to press to ensure the smooth and efficient completion of your print job? Or do you just press print, forget all about it and then let all other print jobs back up or fail to print because you’re too lazy to get off your arse and check the machine? Apparently a colleague pressed print absolutely ages ago! But because she never bothered to check there was paper in the machine, nothing happened and all subsequent print jobs have been affected. Including my own. And I don’t have a lot of patience. Mother Nature gave me very many things, some in abundance, but patience wasn’t one of them. Or the ability to suffer fools.

And when you subsequently point out it might be an idea to check in future (admittedly through gritted teeth), they think you’re being totally unreasonable.

This is why I like working from home because no slack-jawed idiot can upset my day by not checking the FUCKING printer.

Lap tops and hairy dogs

I’ve bought a lap top. For those of you with lap tops you may think, and your point is…? But I’ve wanted one for a very long time and now I have one. Well I will have in 48 hrs anyway. I’m uber excited. In fact, there’s a lot to be excited about right now. Our wedding invites are ready to post out, we’re off to a farm tomorrow, we’re off to Paris in only a few weeks, England are going to win the world cup (quiet in the back), my mum is doing ok relatively speaking and I have the love of a good woman…

My life is an embarrassment of riches! But I won’t go on, because you’ll go from smiling and thinking ‘oh that’s nice’ to ‘if she doesn’t shut the £*%! up I’m going to ram her as yet not delivered lap top where the sun don’t shine…’ and I don’t blame you. Happy is one thing, smug is quite another.

Pluto jumped on the bed today and rolled around in the sheets. Little git. We only changed the bedding three days ago and now we’ve got to do it again because it’s covered in black hair! What’s worse is that he laughs as he’s doing it. It’s like a cross between a low excited whine with an occasional deep chuckle. And then when you shoo him off the bed he barks, delighted at the sport of it all.

I’m not saying children will be easier but I can only hope they’ll be less hairy and presumably less rebellious at two and a half years old…

(Good job I wrote the title correctly, lap dogs and hairy tops would have been an entirely different entry...)

Ear plugs

There was a battle of wills this morning at no. 88. It involved me, my dog and my ear plugs.

Now for reasons that escape our mere human thinking, Pluto likes eating ear plugs. We actually find it slightly revolting but for him, they really are a delicacy. I woke later than usual and he bounded in to greet me absolutely delighted to be reunited… until he spotted the ear plugs… after which, they were the only thing that occupied his doggy mind. He wanted the ear plugs. I wanted coffee and another 4 hours sleep.

He edged closer, trying to look innocent until I growled NO. He then looked at me shocked and hurt and backed off. With no concept of time, he then immediately edged forward again, sniffing and snuffling, ever closer. I said, again, NO, leave! He then looked at me pleadingly as much as to say, pleeeeeeaaaasssseeee give me the earplugs! To not let me eat them is as bad a denying vitamin c to a person with rickets! (He’s a very imaginative dog.) Which he then followed up with a low level whine – which he can do for hours. I sighed, put the plugs away and masterfully distracted him by tickling his belly. Finally all was well again…

But really, it’s a lot to deal with just after you’ve woken up on a Tuesday.

No time for slacking

I’ve come to work for a rest – it’s been a busy weekend! On Saturday I worked on my karma by doing lots of errands. I took my mum to see a new flat and then took her shopping because she can’t manage shopping like she used to. I also took the opportunity to do a big shop for us (and just so you’re in no doubt about how sad I really am, I bought a new pair of slippers and was very pleased!) and when I finally got home and unpacked, it was straight back out to pay the first visit to a friend’s dog whom I was looking after for the day. By now, my plans to go and watch the rugby were well and truly scuppered. Disappointing, but it left a bigger question, what to do with the 30 doughnuts I bought for the supporters at half time? (They are now composting and I’m hoping to grow a doughnut tree as a result.) I then came back and picked up my own pooch and we headed down to the woods for a couple of hours. Then back home; late lunch, feet up for an hour, and then back out again to give our friend’s dog her evening walk. Back home I did some laundry, sorted out the photos that I did on my assignment last week and then collapsed in a heap…

On Sunday was partner was supposed to be running the 5k hydro-active challenge for her work in Hyde Park, but having been ill, she decided it would be better to walk it instead. So three of her colleagues ran the race, and three walked. I took photos and clapped encouragingly when they got back. And I even managed to buy my partner a present (because I was very proud that after being so ill, she still turned up and completed the challenge); a new Adidas training top designed by Breakthrough, the breast cancer charity. Appropriate really all things considered.

After which it was off to Oxford Street - a place I usually avoid at all costs. But we needed to visit the jewellers to buy our wedding rings! The sales assistant was a young guy, whom I mistakenly stereotyped as being more interested in selling than service, but when we enquired about wedding rings, he asked, is it for you? To which we replied yes, and he gave us a lovely smile and said, ‘congratulations!’ and was really helpful. I’m really excited we’ve bought them. It actually felt pretty special just trying them on in the shop – imagine how we’ll feel on August the 30th next year!

We fitted in a visit to HMV where my partner bought me a CD I wanted, Waitrose (where she bought three types of loose vegetables and used NO packaging!) and then it was finally back home, where we cooked a roast and then slumped in front of the TV…

I don’t feel I’ve stopped for two days. Tonight I’m aiming for a really early night because work is piling up again and I need to stay fresh and focused…

S’all go!

Crushed

It’s fair to say I’m vexed. I just watched the rugby and despair of England retaining the World Cup. Where do I start? No clear leadership (no clear heads!) leading to directionless kicking, loose defence and turn over ball. Or in other words, South Africa controlled their game, England scrambled to stay in the game…

There are two things I’m insanely optimistic about, the weather and English sporting chances. I still think we can do it, but instead of it being hard, it’s now become a nightmare! At least I can wash my England shirt now. I don’t wash it while we’re winning. Needless to say since about 4 years ago, it’s been regularly laundered! But tonight I got pizza down my front and so into the machine it goes…

I was supposed to be going for dinner with my partner and friends tonight but it’s been a tough week so I asked to be excused. But because my partner has been unwell I made her promise to call me to pick her up. I don’t normally tell my partner what to do, I wouldn’t dare, but I was firm tonight. She gave in gracefully, lol.

So anyway, back to the rugby, we now have to wait 8 days to see how we square up to Samoa. Let’s hope we show more guts, more strategy, more confidence, more skill and more self-belief. It’s a big ask, but it can be done…

Good lord!

Someone in Israel found my blog by putting "horse polyfilla" into Google!?! What a strange world we live in...

Grrrr

Not happy with blogspot. Trying to add zombiecoterie.blogspot.com to my links after Howard very kindly included my link on his rather splendid blog, but I can't seem to add the address!? It really shouldn't be this difficult... I will persist and hope for the best. In the meantime you'll just have to visit the site by cutting and pasting the address into your address bar!

Feminism

On Tuesday I went to a debate on feminism organised by the Women's Resource Centre and it was ‘mazing! I was actually there working; I was asked to do the photography for the evening. I was late: it took over 2 hrs to make a 36 minute journey. I’m not going to moan about traffic again, I’ll end up shooting myself. So hot, harried and feeling a touch unprofessional about being late (even though it wasn’t my fault) I didn’t so much park the car as throw it to the side of the road…

The speakers were fantastic; passionate, articulate and very inspiring and the most inspiring of them all? The Chief Executive of the Girl Guides, Denise King! Sorry, not sure that deserved an exclamation mark except that I honestly didn’t think the Guides were at the forefront of modern feminism. How wrong was I!? Quietly spoken but with real passion and knowledge she basically shattered any and every stereotype I’ve ever had about the Guides and our children are now going to join the Guides. Whether they want to or not.

I found it really powerful to hear that the majority of Guides when polled, replied that they identified as feminist; that they wanted to be more involved in politics and the environment, and that they felt they had a part to play in tackling poor self-esteem and unhealthy body image that plague so many young women – and men, and so had helped produced a booklet on the subject. And that all over the world Guides were doing really valuable work in their communities and for society. Go Guides!

I’ve always been proud to identify as a feminist and don’t understand the baggage and nasty stereotypes that dog the word and the ideals (but then I don't understand stupid people either and I suspect there may be a link). I want to be no more equal than anyone else, but I certainly do not want to be less than anyone else – for reasons of my gender or any other feature. And to be perfectly honest with you, I genuinely can’t understand why with the amount of violence perpetrated on women around the world (to pick just one issue), anyone - regardless of gender - with a sense of justice and humanity wouldn’t want to be able to say, I was never part of the problem but I did try to be part of the solution... whatever you end up calling it...

If anyone notices the changing of the seasons its dog walkers. We’re out at the same time each day, rain or shine and today as I was having a lovely walk with Mr P I noticed that it had become quite cool in the mornings. Car windscreens had to be de-misted where the temperature had dropped overnight and walkers were wearing jackets. It’s beautiful weather now, but autumn has definitely stepped up a gear. And I was looking rather excitedly at some Halloween events that are being held at a National Trust house in Richmond only yesterday. I can’t deny that although I muchos love sunshine, I am a winter baby. Rich colours, cold weather, fire and candles, Halloween and Christmas, lovely big jumpers, winter walks wearing a woolly hat that makes you look, well, special… I love shopping for Christmas and choosing a tree and decorations. I even bake more for god’s sake! Yes, there’s really no hope for someone who gets giddy about Christmas on September 13th… oh dear…

Suffering fools anything but gladly...

I Chair a particular group at work, and there is one member of the said group that gets right up my nose! Everyone must have one of those people in the office… the desire to hear their own voice, an inability to read emails properly, a medical condition that means they honestly believe they are always right…

I’ve just slapped them down in an email because if I had the time to listen to whinging all day, I would Chair some old-farts ‘wasn’t it better when we were in charge / during the war / when women wore skirts’ meeting.

I’m quite a strict Chair. You may well be getting that impression for yourselves…

I have a photo assignment tonight. I’m covering an event my partner’s organisation are holding. It’s going to be a long day (a friend is walking the hound so he doesn’t think he’s been abandoned) but it’s all good experience and the money is going into the wedding fund!

Right now, I have to throw myself back into my day job. Some swine keeps waiting until I’m looking the other way, before putting more work on my desk…

The glory of the garden

My computer screen goes up and down, so when I hear someone approaching who I want to say, avoid, I pull my screen up to its full height and duck behind it in the hope that they will think I’m not there. It never works, but then I never fail to hope for one brief, mad moment that I can just be left alone…

I forgot to mention, we’re off again at the end of the month! This time a farm in Bedford and I’m confident I’ll get a lot more hands on animal experience. They have rare-breed sheep, chickens, ducks and geese and the farmer sounds lovely, we chatted for ages last night. He was completely unphased by my dodgy knees, so much so he quoted Kipling at me. Because he, like me, believes that regardless of a person’s physical limitations there is always a job for the willing in the garden, or in this case, on the farm.

THE GLORY OF THE GARDEN

Our England is a garden that is full of stately views,
Of borders, beds and shrubberies and lawns and avenues,
With statues on the terraces and peacocks strutting by;
But the Glory of the Garden lies in more than meets the eye.

For where the old thick laurels grow, along the thin red wall,
You will find the tool- and potting-sheds which are the heart of all;
The cold-frames and the hot-houses, the dungpits and the tanks:
The rollers, carts and drain-pipes, with the barrows and the planks.

And there you'll see the gardeners, the men and 'prentice boys
Told off to do as they are bid and do it without noise;
For, except when seeds are planted and we shout to scare the birds,
The Glory of the Garden it abideth not in words.

And some can pot begonias and some can bud a rose,
And some are hardly fit to trust with anything that grows;
But they can roll and trim the lawns and sift the sand and loam,
For the Glory of the Garden occupieth all who come.

Our England is a garden, and such gardens are not made
By singing:--"Oh, how beautiful!" and sitting in the shade,
While better men than we go out and start their working lives
At grubbing weeds from gravel-paths with broken dinner-knives.

There's not a pair of legs so thin, there's not a head so thick,
There's not a hand so weak and white, nor yet a heart so sick.
But it can find some needful job that's crying to be done,
For the Glory of the Garden glorifieth every one.

Then seek your job with thankfulness and work till further orders,
If it's only netting strawberries or killing slugs on borders;
And when your back stops aching and your hands begin to harden,
You will find yourself a partner in the Glory of the Garden.

Oh, Adam was a gardener, and God who made him sees
That half a proper gardener's work is done upon his knees,
So when your work is finished, you can wash your hands and pray
For the Glory of the Garden, that it may not pass away!
And the Glory of the Garden it shall never pass away!

Rudyard Kipling

Sleep

Another week, another… well, week’s worth of work presumably. My commute wasn’t too bad this morning; I was in by 9:20 which ‘aint bad.

I’m feeling fairly sprightly, for a Monday anyway. Yesterday once we got back from the dog show I napped for several hours and then we were in bed again by 8:30!! My partner is still unwell and I was just exhausted. So basically I’ve topped up sleep wise and am running on a fairly full tank!

I’m still a little peeved that Pluto was unplaced at the dog show. I mean I don’t want to sound like a pushy mother, but he clearly was the best dog on the day… anyway, he had a go on the hurdles and on water retrieval and got to meet a lot of other dogs also in an advanced state of excitement and generally had a fantastic time. He was also exhausted and at one point all three of us were sound asleep yesterday afternoon.

We’ve had some movement on the script and hopefully we should be moving into stage two shortly, I still don’t have an agent but have taken legal advice and an agent that did take the time to get back to me and give me guidance is interested if I get more work optioned… I believe that’s known as me doing all the work… but they never said this writing lark was going to be easy…

Thwarted!

Unbelievably Pluto did not win dandiest dog! Clearly the judges had very poor eyesight because he looked absolutely gorgeous and behaved really well all day. (His rosette is for taking part!)

Bread

Yes it really is this early on a Sunday morning. Three nights of very little sleep is catching up – but I decided to get up and grab the day anyway!

The bread is baking and I’m looking forward to some fresh, warm bread in about 10 minutes! The bread machine is top of the line and it didn’t cost us a penny! (Shoplifting is all about confidence… just kidding.) Continuing in the great tradition of buying expensive kitchen gadgets that you only use once or twice and then put into a cupboard, our friends did exactly that with the bread machine. They’ve used it three times and then it got put away in early retirement. So they gave it to us yesterday. I can’t imagine what it would have cost new, and we both really wanted one so we’re pretty delighted with their generosity! If the end product is as delicious as I hope, I’ll be taking orders by next week…

We’re off to the Battersea Dog show today. I came close to cancelling because I really am tired, but figuring Mr Pluto needs a walk anyway, we might as well combine the two. I’m sure Pluto will be pleased to see some of the staff that worked so hard to make sure he got the safe, loving home he deserved and I don’t think I could ever put in words how happy we are that that was our home…

Now we just have to groom him which can be a little tricky as he loves his belly and chest being brushed and will often lay on his back for ages letting us gently brush him, but when we try to brush his back, he rolls over again and insists we carry on brushing his tummy… he has the best groomed chest of any dog we know…

Right, shower, bread, dog show…!

Rugby

I've watched a lot of rugby in two days! I watched the France vs. Argentina – fantastic match and I’m so glad the Pumas won! Then today I went and watched the Steelers first match of the season. Good fun to catch up with a lot of people that I just don’t see outside of rugby. I shouted myself hoarse but to no avail, we lost. Lot’s of turn-over ball and a few silly mistakes. We have a lot of pace on the team so it was a bit frustrating that there was quite a bit of slow ball. Then I made it home in record time and watched the England match. The only thing I can say is that we started the last world cup slowly as well! In fact we came in for lots of criticism for ‘just’ winning games by fewer points than was expected. Although if you ask me, a win is a win – doesn’t matter how you get it!

Tonight we went out for dinner at a lovely little pub in the middle of nowhere (near Biggin Hill in Kent) and now we’re making bread in our new breadmaker (you can programme it to start baking tomorrow morning so we’ll wake up to fresh bread!)

Now I think it's time for a cup of tea and an early night!

Stepping forward

I thought after volunteering for my rugby club for so long, and even though I say it myself, achieving so much, I would want a break now that I've resigned. Working on a committee can be a poisoned chalice and at times it was very difficult. Even now there are people involved that really only have their own agendas - rather than the club's - at heart. (And save me from people involved in rugby who know nothing about the game!)

So I said, enough is enough, I'm going to go back to being an occasional supporter – I can only ever get to a handful of matches because we’re away so often – shouting on the sidelines with no club responsibilities. And this I now am, but I like being busy. I like being challenged! I’ve just finished an evening course, and already I’m thinking of doing another one and now I want to volunteer again. This time I’m thinking of an animal charity because there are quite a few that are really fantastic and very worthy organisations. And whilst I’m not naïve enough to think that there wouldn’t be difficulties from time to time, fundraising for animals that really need assistance is more comfortable than doing it for a rugby club a lot of whose members are quite well off.

Anyway, I’ve been working like buggery this morning and have done quite a bit and this is just a short break so I need to crack on…

If I do end up volunteering for an animal charity I’ll expect you all to buy raffle tickets and very possibly adopt various animals… I can be quite persuasive you know!

Dandiest dog

I’m still having problems with my computer but am employing relaxation techniques to deal and manage the subsequent stress this is causing. Actually what I’m saying is fuck you, I’m the human being, you’re the machine and I can switch you off permanently pal… let’s hope it doesn’t come to that…

I’m really looking forward to the rugby world cup – once every four years and my partner is geared up for me watching a lot of rugby in the next six weeks. There’s beer in the fridge and WHEN England win the world cup, I will be opening a bottle of champagne to celebrate. Seems only fitting…

I have two photo assignments coming up in the next two to three weeks, which is fantastic – the money is going straight into the wedding fund! Just as well really, I haven’t really started saving, although we do have some money, as anyone who has ever planned a wedding will tell you, you always need more, much more!

I’m feeling good about money at the moment. Don’t misunderstand; I don’t suddenly have lots of it! It’s just for the first time in a long time, I feel ‘in control’ financially speaking, whereas previously with my problems with number recognition, my inability to save and being made redundant and then being unemployed for a long time, money always controlled me and even if I was happy and well, there would always be a small part of me stressed and worried about money – or lack thereof more accurately. Now if I could just sort out my idiot bank I’d be over the moon…

I opened a savings account yesterday. I have had savings accounts before – but in name only I’m afraid. They didn’t actually contain any money. Let’s hope I make a better go of it with this one!

My partner is still not well, although she’s gone back to work, and I’m fighting off whatever bug or virus it is that is currently doing the rounds. So far, I’m staying on top of things, but it’s really helped that I worked from home yesterday and today. Especially as I seem to be particularly peeved with my commute at the moment – stress (that word again) lowers your immune system.

We have the most ginormous pile of washing up to do that I have foolishly volunteered to work my way through, but before I do that, more coffee, more work and I need to walk the dog. He needs to be in tip top condition if he’s to win Battersea’s dandiest dog competition on Sunday!

A day in the country

I've had such a trying day... problems with the computer, problems with banks, stuck in traffic and I haven't done as much work as I wanted to. I even had to climb out of my own window at one stage. I'd left my house keys in the car and went to open the front door (from the inside for those of you not keeping up) and realised it was double locked and I couldn't get out. Hence my moving the sofa and geraniums and clambering out of the front room window.

Spending the day with alpacas yesterday was wonderful! They are incredible creatures; gentle and good natured and I learnt so much. We will definitely get a couple of alpacas - huacayas to be precise - when we have sheep. They make amazing flock defenders, and have been known to chase off foxes and even kill them if they threaten the herd. I'm hoping to go on a poultry training course next, and indeed, we want chickens even before we move to the country to take up the good life.

Driving away from the Chilterns - a part of the countryside that has been designated a place of "outstanding natural beauty" - I felt a real reluctance to head back to the city. I wanted to learn more about these incredible creatures, and I really, really wanted to enjoy the peace and quiet and clean air for just a bit longer, after a dificult couple of days.

We're going to see mortgage people soon. I feel at the moment, that can't come soon enough!

Commuting blows goats

I was going to tell you about two funny things I saw this morning that really made me laugh, a big mean looking trucker in a big mean looking truck and the last three letters of his number plate read HUG. A scaffolding company who have written on the side of their van “always a satisfying erection” but I won’t. I won’t tell you any of that, I’ll just tell you that if I had had a gun on my commute home tonight, someone would have been hurt. It was fucking awful. I have never seen so many examples of dangerous and reckless driving and on two occasions I honestly thought someone would smash into car…

Why do we do this to ourselves? It’s official, I fucking hate every other driver in London.

Attention shoppers!

I’ve just eaten some grapes and they’ve made me feel a bit sick, which is troubling because you don’t expect that with grapes. Grapes are one of life’s ‘not supposed to make you feel queasy’ food stuffs, unless of course they’ve been turned into wine in which case they can and often do make you ill – I’ve lost days of my life to vino hangovers…

Anyway, traffic was predictably hideous this morning because of the tube. I set off 45 minutes earlier and got in slightly later! And everyone was getting impatient – horns beeping, people accelerating hard, braking late, using bus lanes etc. I just sat listening to country music with such classic lines as “Attention late night shoppers, two for one on broken chains!” Brilliant…

I wouldn’t like to be working on the tubes, because right now tube workers are about as welcome as bird flu. Tube drivers earn more than some fire-fighters and police officers and the impression the RMT give is that they’ll stop working at a drop of a hat. There was a story about a driver who had been drinking on duty and was sacked because of it. The union threatened a strike because he they said he had been unfairly dismissed! Another driver who took huge amounts of sick leave because of a problem with his ankle, he was photographed playing squash – he got the push and they threatened to strike again!

RMT members may say I’m being very unfair, that there are valid reasons for calling a strike but your average Jo/anna don’t know or see that. They see the union trying to act like American Teamsters from the 60s and 70s, and strikers making their lives a misery! This time it’s over pay and conditions – both may be lousy, although as I said, drivers earn a lot of money, far more than people that do a harder and more demanding job, but people don’t care – they are just cursing everyone that’s made them late this morning!

It's only to fair to point out that not all tube workers are represented by the RMT, there are other unions and of course, some people don't belong to a union at all.

We had dinner last night and went straight to bed to read. My partner was feeling under the weather and I was just a bit tired. The new edition of Country Smallholder arrived so I sat in bed reading that with a cup of tea! (I'm so rock and roll!)

My partner has actually had to take today off because she’s really rough this morning – sore throat, headache etc. My first thought was I hope she gets better soon; my second thought was I hope I don’t catch it!

Tomorrow is my alpaca training day, I’m really, really looking forward to it. Will blog all about it on Thursday!

Just a bit giddy...

I’m very excited about Paris! Not just because I know how much my mum will enjoy going, but because it is the city of romance and I’ll be there with my gorgeous partner! Nice also that it’s all paid for… now we just have to save a few Euros for wine and food. Last time I went to Paris I got very serious food poisoning. This time I will be avoiding cheesy hot dogs from street vendors like the plague…

I’ve had computer training this morning. God it was dull. I’m not technically minded at all and I have to fight really hard to stay alert and listen to at least some of what I’m being told. Terrible really, I need to know this stuff but my heart is not in it at all.

This weekend, apart from the Steelers first game of the season which I’m hoping to attend, there is the Battersea Dogs Home ‘best in show’ on Sunday. Apparently it’s a great day out with stalls, competitions, activities etc. So we’ve decided to go along with Mr Pluto and we might possibly enter him into a few categories because let’s face it, not only is he a looker but he’s smart as well.

This Friday is the start of the world cup. I thought about going to the pub to watch the opening match, and then I thought about sitting on my comfortable sofa, with a large pizza, cold beer and my wide screen TV and the decision to watch it at home practically made itself! I’m really excited about the world cup… in fact I’m just generally excited at the moment!

Paris in December!

We’re knackered after driving down to Brighton last night to say goodbye to two dear friends who are moving to Sydney, and driving back the same night. (My partner drove back so I could have a drink, which I did. Several.) There were a few tears at the end of the evening. It’s crazy, we go months without seeing them and we may have gone months more, but they were always there. Well, one of them travels the world on business and was as often away as he was here, but you know what I mean. Anyway, well worth the trip. Great party, lovely people and a nice goodbye to two very nice guys. (Although ever the opportunist, I am thinking when can we visit?!)

The car performed beautifully after I picked it up from the garage Saturday morning. I was pleasantly surprised at the cost, the quality of work seems high and even my partner said how smooth and powerful and easy to drive the car was. So hopefully all our car troubles are at an end!

Today – other than slobbing around in our PJs, eating bacon and egg bagels and playing with the dog – we did a really nice thing… My mum has always wanted to go to Paris and we decided a couple of month ago that we would take her for her upcoming birthday. Well we’ve just booked everything! Three days in Paris at a lovely hotel and return tickets on Eurostar in December so we can christmas shop as well! I’m so delighted, she really deserves a lovely birthday surprise.

Now the other mum has turned up, the in law. A nice surprise and an excuse for tea and biscuits!