Bit of a Fail...

Well this is a bit rubbish, being my first post on here of 2014 and we're halfway through Feb already! Just had a lot of stuff going on. Or maybe I've just been too busy watching tv and reading!

Anyway, my new year resolution is still intact and I'm starting to feel the benefits. My fitness is getting better and I'm finding I can push myself a harder.

Been on a bit of a budget since Christmas and certainly my bread-maker has come in handy when it's come to eating cheaply.  Have been well impressed with it - my favourite Christmas present of 2013! Another thing to help with my budgeting is the opening of the local Aldi supermarket - whilst I can't do all my food shopping there, I can buy most things there and already, I can see that for basics, eg meat and veg, it's a lot cheaper than Tesco.

Chinese New Year was at the end of the Jan - it's the year of the Horse and apparently, this is supposed to be a good year for me in all aspects of my life- hurray!

It's already started well - my life insurance/endowment plan matured after 15 years and with the stock market crashes of recent years, I was really just expecting (and hoping at least) to break even. However, it actually went to plan so I had an unexpected windfall! I'll not forget about my budgeting though - the windfall won't last otherwise!

Valentine's Day - well, the good news was that I actually had a date! The bad news? That's all it's going to be but it was very pleasant.

Anyway, I've decided to take up the '100 Happy Days" challenge - so perhaps I'll post some pictures on here...

Well, I'm surprised I've rambled on for so much... I guess I do miss blogging. I'll try to keep on top and try to fill in some gaps.

Exceeds Expectations again...

Gosh, months have flown by already, so let's start with my annual appraisal at work where I was marked as 'Exceeds Expectations' for 2012 so that's two years in a row now - not bad, considering I didn't think it was such a great year for me work-wise.

As usual, no team bonus for me but....I'm going to be eligible for 2013! I think I was a little dumbstruck when my boss broke the news to me as I never thought that the powers that be would ever change their stance on this.

I asked why the change of heart/policy - apparently, they decided  to "reward me" because despite my knowing that everyone else got a bonus these past few years and I didn't, I continued to graft without complaint,   actually increasing my work output, which hadn't gone unnoticed - that was the bit that shocked me more, that anyone actually noticed! So a great result for me, quite unexpected, I'm well happy about that, though will be happier when I see that bonus in my bank! Next....ask for a pay rise but that might be hard with the economic climate as it is.

So, the coldest March in a long time - been snowing in bits here but as usual, missed out on the big snowfall everyone else is getting, although it's bloody cold.

Not been up to much these past couple of months - been on a few dates, wined and dined in posh restaurants but nothing more than that; I'm not certain I could cope with more than that right now.

I've been catching up on a lot of tv/dvd watching - 'Walking Dead' is probably my favourite programme at the moment, closely followed by 'The Following' (hehe!)

Been out a couple of times both with the usual girlies and also the gym girlies - I swear my hangovers are getting worse with age!

YFS

Young, Free and Single?

Well I'm none of the above right now...

No details, except that he's tall and a toy boy... keeping it all under wraps, need to see how things go, but I do ask myself...how am I finding the time to do anything with all these distractions???

Board not Bored

So I had a snowboarding taster session at the Chill Factore the other night.

Have to say that I really enjoyed it - I'm pretty fit but at the end of the hour session, which passed really quickly, I was really tired - my feet and legs were aching! And as expected, my boarding trousers (and board) were kids' size but at least my jacket was from the adults' section!

Would I do it again? Yes, I'd go for lessons but they're not cheap so I'd have to save up for them if I'm to do them this year.

Anyway, this week, I booked flights to Hong Kong using up airmiles that I've been saving up these past few years - £160 return from Manchester in the end, plus 4200 airmiles, which is a brilliant! Not going until later in the year, so hoping to squeeze another holiday over the summer.

After the lesson, went for a kebab (yes, really!) and had a 'social' session on WoW. A late but fun night.

All I Want For Christmas Is...

Well I dunno about anyone else but I had a most pleasant Christmas - stress-free, relaxing, lots of drink, too much food (maybe the other way round...).

I was given my own Christmas stocking (a blingy snow white one!) as the glamorous C's son still 'believes'. It was filled with goodies - I must have been a good girl!

So Christmas morning, after a heavy night of champagne and wine, we were woken up early to shouts of "IT'S CHRISSSSSTMAS!" to open presents. Although not technically a gift as it was an unwanted upgrade of the glamorous C, I still see my new Nokia mobile phone as such - it's so dinky and cool!

Long distance calls to speak to members of my family - it was good to hear what they did, albeit without me and when I heard my little niece on the phone say my name, I tried not to get too emotional. Shame I didn't catch my Gran though.

The glamorous C cooked a lovely Christmas dinner - I did my share of peeling vegetables, and slicing/serving the meat, and also kept the kids amused so she was able to cook with little distraction. We ate non-stop, drank gin and a load of Baileys and watched Top Of The Pops. The kids' dad came to pick them up so me and the glamorous C carried on into the night, catching a whole manner of festive tv, it was really relaxing.

We didn't get many chances to chat but the glamorous C is in a happy place right now - she mentioned that her new bloke had asked her to move in with him, that her next wedding would be a very small affair...wow! Maybe it's just me but things are like going way too fast for my mind to comprehend (they met on 1st Nov...) but if she's happy and comfortable with it, it's no business of mine to say anything, I mean what do I know?

Boxing Day, we stayed in our pyjamas until late afternoon, watched St Trinians on DVD (the recent adaptation), nursed a sore head.

Later, the glamorous C was off to see her sugar daddy and me...? Well, I went out too and after watching Pride & Glory, had a fab and fun (but very late) night.

The next couple of days are a blur of sleeping, eating (turkey sandwiches or cheese and crackers) and watching episode after excellent episode of Lost: Season 3.

Sportwise, the festive period hasn't been a good one for Ebbsfleet United, but has been excellent for Liverpool, who after beating Bolton 3-0 on Boxing Day, went on to thrash Newcastle 5-1, netting me a nice crisp tenner (my usual wager with the Geordie at work) and keeping the Reds on top of the league into the new year and on track to win their first ever Premier League title....

Today, I thought I'd brave the sales. Decided against going to the Trafford Centre so I went into a very chilly Manchester. When I saw the hoardes there, I developed a headache but after a coupla hours, I came away with a few bits and pieces, including some incredibly high heels (why? Because they were on sale...) and being organised for once, picked up Christmas cards for next year too!

Back to work tomorrow before another long weekend - I need to motivate myself for aerobics too, start as I mean to go on, etc.

So did Santa bring me what I wanted? Perhaps - only hope that it's not just for Christmas! ;-)

Clowning About

What is it about clowns that’s so creepy? And some dolls for that matter?

Clowns are supposed to make you laugh and dolls are for children but there’s something about certain clowns and dolls that I find really sinister. And a bit scary.

Watched Stephen King’s The Tommyknockers last night on DVD and there’s a scene where a policewoman is showing some kids a room full of dolls and clowns. The kids are loving being shown around, all bar one kid, who freaks out when he appears to see a clown toy moving and baring teeth. Indeed later on in the film, the dolls and clowns ‘come to life’ and attack the policewoman.

The film's not new, made in the early 90s so some shaky special effects but I was still rather perturbed by those scenes of animated dolls. What a big scaredy cat, eh? I'm not good with horror movies - hack, slash and violence I'm ok on but my imagination is too good and I seem to find horror when it's hinted at or fairly innocuous (eg dolls). *shivers*

A late but fun evening.

Born of Frustration

So on Friday, I went to see the James gig at the Manchester Central (formerly known as the GMEX).

Tim Booth's vocals were excellent (what happened to all his hair?)and there was no tiredness when the usual favourites were sung, ie Sit Down, Laid, Say Something, Sometimes. There were some new tracks too which sounded promising.

The venue? Well, being a converted railway station, the acoustics did sound a little different - guess I'm used to places like the MEN Arena.

Plus someone my size would not generally choose an all standing gig (I may have spotted the stage a couple of times!) but there was an atmosphere that reminded me of my student days which I was quite comfortable with - the floor slick with spilt beer and crushed plastic pint pots!

Watched a bit of Gangs of New York on tv afterwards, an enjoyable but late evening.

Saturday - nearly didn't wake up in time for my train to York. Yes, another outing to watch Ebbsfleet United in action at the Kit Kat Crescent. Only two of the Manchester lads went - the others seem to have lost interest which is a shame but we met up with some of the others who travel to watch the club so it was still a good outing.

Shame about the football though - after dominating the first half and securing a 1-0 lead, the Fleet totally lost the plot and the game - it was shocking.

In the bar afterwards, the Fleet's 'coach' Liam Daish was there and some of the fans had a chat with him - he's big and a bit scary so I can't see many harsh words being said to him but I think tactically, he could have done a better job.

A playoff position now is a pretty unrealistic (we're in 12th place, 11 points off the zone) but one can still dream!

Festive Rounds

So on Sunday, I made my trip to North Wales to drop off presents for my godson EB. I'd asked him what he wanted for Christmas and he said he didn't know but gave me a list of bands he was currently into.

Ensuring that none of them were Slipknot (his mum is dead against them), I got him a couple of t-shirts (Foo Fighters and Disturbed) and downloaded some albums for him Disturbed - Indestructible, Guitar Hero 3: Legends of Rock and Rise Against - Appeal To Reason. The last one is my kind of rock, so is on my currently-listening-to list on my ipod.

As has recently been the case when I go to visit MR and her family, there's a lot of arguing, shouting and crying going on. Maybe I'm just not used to all the noise, living on my own for so long but...they're all noisy, not just the kids; I know money is tight but at times, the conversations I'm a party are sometimes kinda uncomfortable. But hell, she's my oldest friend, he's my godson and I'll always make the effort as long as they want me to.

It doesn't help that since I saw him last three months ago, EB has turned into the typical teenager - gangly, long scruffy hair, dubious hygiene (according to his mum) and getting a bit defiant towards his parents. But even in the few hours I was in their house (full of both a menagerie of kids AND pets), I witnessed his younger brothers trying to annoy him and provoke him and when he retaliated by pushing them away, there were tears so he got the blame. MR isn't happy with her lot right now, so it wasn't my place to say anything.

Anyway, when I got back to Manchester, had a late meal in Chiquitos with some nice company, a nice cuppa and then an early night in a very cold house. I can't afford to have the central heating on all the time so I'm kinda living in an icebox right now!

And all that Jazz...

So, it was our departmental Christmas bash, again at Tatton Park - the theme this year was Mississippi Mardi Gras.

As the whole department has been pretty much decimated due to redundancies, there were only a dozen of us this time, of which three people were ex-employees. There were no senior managers in attendance so we had to get our own wine for the table - bummer! One girl turned up quite unexpectedly - she's been off 'sick' for the last three months - funny how she miraculously recovered that night of all nights...hmmm.

Anyway, I'm not into jazz at all so some of the live music was a bit meh but the costumes and settings all looked good and the DJ played some good tunes later on.

It was an enjoyable night - good food, good wine, good company and I was in mega-heels but managed to stay in them all night AND dance in them - ace!

There was no gossip this year - one of the antagonists from last year didn't go - his wife put her foot down, ahem...

JH swears she wasn't drunk but how else do you explain the fact that the only part of her mobile phone that she had in her bag by the end of the night was the battery...yep, casing and sim card were...elsewhere!

The party continued for a bit longer back at the hotel until 3am - I'd had enough alcohol by then, had to stop before things got messy...

Was like a total zombie when I woke up later that morning feeling like I hadn't slept at all. Tried to soak up the hangover with a greasy breakfast - it didn't really work. Drove home slowly, knowing I was still over the limit.

But that's not all. Not only did I have virtually no voice, look and feel pretty dreadful...but I had a date!

Yeah, one of them! No, I don't often talk about these social outings of mine in any detail (if at all) but I wanted to mention that in my current state of dizziness, I got my weekends mixed up...what a dope!

Did I blow it? Hmm..not sure yet but it was a pleasant outing and passed surprisingly quickly.

I so need an early night.

Another party on Friday - can my body survive another attack??

Take Two

A loooong week at work so it was good that the weekend started on Friday. Went into town, a few snacks at Dimitri's and a couple of diet cokes - too fizzy!

Saturday, I had a nice lie in, then rushed around when I got up doing some household chores before going into town to meet up with the girlies HW and JR. The Manchester Christmas Markets looked fab and festive - the whole place was hammered and we missed a lot of the stalls!

It was bitterly cold but we kept warm with alchohol (lots of it) and food - sampled some really nice cheese and austrian salami. The girlies did quite a bit of Christmas shopping, I just picked up a couple of bits and pieces. The markets closed at 9pm though...bummer! No wonder there's a retail credit crunch cos they weren't giving people enough time to spend their cash!

Nice meal out (can't remember where we ate..lol), lots of wine, chats and giggles. Our 'session' had started at 2.30pm so we were well ready to go home by 10pm!

Bad head on Sunday. Always seem to drink beer and wine in the wrong order... Bit more motivated later on, foolishly went to the Trafford Centre (parking was a nightmare), more diet cokes, good company and then home to do some more chores.

My tattoo has more or less healed up now. This was what I was worried about originally as my ecezema can flare up.

The pain is still fresh in my mind yet I'm thinking of a second one already... slippery slope I know...

The 'L' Word

A couple of months back, I said the glamorous C was in love. Little did I know that I'd totally used the wrong 'L' word. 'Like' and 'lust' would have been far more apt.

Well, what she's got now though, she reckons is the real deal - wow!

So, the main guy (ahem - did I mention she's a great multi-tasker??) she was being minxy with via texts and emails during our hols? Well they're now enjoying a full blown tornado (ie bigger than whirlwind!) romance. Apparently, even the 'M' word has been mentioned - in jest or not, I don't know, but within three weeks of meeting each other…KABOOM! I might have to start looking for a hat….seriously!

It's funny that I didn't expect her to get serious with him. Why not? Because I didn't think he was her type, but then, what is someone's 'type'? Do you go by previous boyfriends or ex-husband? If you did, then I'd be expecting her to go for someone between 6ft 2 to 6ft 5, dark haired, same age or a little younger, confident and financially secure.

Well her new guy has got the last two by the bucketload but he's a lot shorter and a lot older - perhaps all this time, she's been looking for a sugar daddy? In her own words, she says he really 'floats her boat'. Him? He's besotted with a foxy younger lady!

And you know how it is when people are all loved up, they have a radiance or glow about them, that accentuates their attractiveness, gives them a certain joie de vivre? The glamorous C…she's used to getting a lot of male attention but she's almost at the point of beating them back with a stick right now, they all seem to want a piece of her or are sniffing around! She's lovin' it!

And as before, only more so this time, her joy and happiness is infectious - makes me smile and laugh and be happy for her.

Another 'L' word? Lovebites….nuff said, haha!

Making A Killing

Ok, so some people may be thinking that I'm trying to resurrect my flagging musical street cred in light of my last post but I've managed to get hold of a couple of tickets to see The Killers on tour next year (at the MEN Arena).

But the real reason is that I had wanted to see them at the Leeds Festival this summer and I would have done, except that I got scammed.

Anyway, it's been a weird day - mixture of bad and good. Poor JH was reduced to tears this morning after getting some unwarranted grief on the phone by the boss' boss - she's off on hols next week after racking up lots of hours these past few weeks; doubt he'll appreciate any of it though.

Been pleasantly distracted by texts - it's hard working in an open office, when even a vibrating phone can be heard by somebody on the other side of the floor, never mind my Ting Tings ringtone... ahem!

The glamorous C was in the office today - it was difficult keeping our laughing and giggling low key in the canteen!

Don't have any inclination to work right now, couple more hours til home time and I'm outta here!

In Luuuuuuurve!

No, not me! The glamorous C!

With her gorgeous looks, the glamorous C was only single because she wasn't really trying so it was no real surprise to me that after making a tiny little effort, she has found herself caught up in a whirlwind romance!

Ok, so I had a hand in it somewhere but no, I really cannot take any credit - it's all her doing!

Taking a leaf out of someone's book (ahem), she registered with an online dating site - you know, just to see what was out there, a bit of window shopping as it were..

Anyway, she got chatting to a lovely guy on there (one whom I had spotted and had thought was a match for her...) and several dates later...wow, she is on cloud nine! :-D

Her delirious joy is totally infectious and I cannot help feeling ecstatically happy for her (or stop grinning!) - in fact, I don't know why but I seem to be just as giddy as she is!

We had a fantastic evening last night after the classes, catching up, laughing loads, making comparisons - you know what us girls are like...! ;-)

She liked the birthday presents I got her - a 'love' cookbook, chocs and pamper vouchers - sounds like she got a nice 'present' from him too over the weekend, haha!

Anyway, hoping to celebrate this weekend with her and I think I get to meet the new beau too!

Spanish Double Whammy

Wow - what an epic men's Wimbledon men's tennis final, which was eventually won by the very-pleasing-to-the-eye and athletic Rafael Nadal, who overcame the 5 times consecutive reigning champ Roger Federer in a truly exciting five setter.



A double celebration for the Spanish who, as you know, were also the Euro 08 champions (yeah, I know I said don't bet against the Germans but hey, what do I know??Except that I had a sneaky bet at the start of the competition on Spain to win...la la la!)



Anyway, an interesting and different weekend - out on Friday night with the Cheeky Scouser (yes, a mention!) and went to see 'Hancock' which was good.

Then reluctantly on Saturday, I went into the office.

Yes, saddo me went into work as I have such a huge backlog of stuff to do but at least I was able to negotiate some overtime pay. I was quite productive and managed to clear quite a lot but may have to come in again for another blitz. Felt some weight off my shoulders for the first time in ages.

I'm glad I got the work out of the way early on Saturday as I was able to enjoy the rest of the weekend!

It's my nephew's christening next weekend (when I get my godmother status) and I'm painting a piggy money box for him - the painting is very therapeutic and relaxing - if it's turns out ok in the end, I may take a photo when I'm finished!

But what do I wear??! The usual bloomin' dilemma - I so need new stuff in my wardrobe!

Fubsy

Well, what an utterly fab weekend in Center Parcs! I'm still recovering and for once, it's not from a hangover!

Whinfell Forest in Penrith - what a beautiful place! Fresh air and glorious forest.

So the 8 of us girlies arrived for my big sister's hen weekend - she's done the L plates, blown up condoms and stripogram thing before so this one was to be more 'sedate', with us all older and wiser!

Great accommodation, we were in houses next door to each other. Hired bikes - bear in mind that I hadn't seriously ridden one in nearly 15 years and my feet could barely touch the ground, I was just kinda glad that I didn't have to do any sudden stops so there were no unfortunate incidents of me toppling over sideways! My aerobics classes have given me strong leg muscles so I was probably the only one who could cycle up the hills without stopping but yowch, was I saddle-sore or what!?

Ok, so I wanted to have a go at some things I'd never done before so I opted for climbing and archery.

The wall was a lot higher than I thought it would be, 10 metres (about 30 ft?) but impressing myself since I'm not too great with heights, I climbed to the top 3 times! It wasn't easy, my arms (and legs) were shaking and I only looked down twice.... Can't remember the last time I was this physically exhausted!

The archery was good - I wasn't too bad considering my arms were still rather wobbly after the climbing - hearing and seeing the arrows thud into the targets was very satisfying!

Lots of activities to choose from but they weren't cheap, although there was 'free' stuff you could do, eg cycling of course and swimming, well bathing in an indoor place that had a wave machine and some slides.

There was a good range of restaurants - first night we had an Italian - good food, poor service; second night a pub dinner - I amazed the girls with my useless general knowledge and we came 4th in the pub quiz out of 26 teams, (we didn't know what fubsy* meant...). On the last night, we had an excellent curry.

A couple of the nights, we just headed back to the house for some drinks and games - Pictionary - bloody hilarious (me and my partner won of course!) - at times, we were crying with laughter and I had a sore throat from all the laughing by the end of the night!

Managed to squeeze in a well-deserved Swedish massage, which really helped my sore muscles. Big sis didn't do any activities (unlike one girl who did 7 or 8 activities - must have cost a bomb!)but treated herself to a facial and spa session.

We didn't have great weather - got caught twice in showers but it didn't matter. Cycling around everywhere was pretty exhilarating, quite tempted to get a bike myself although nowhere I can go cycling back home...

Anyway, I would highly recommend the place - it did help that I got a discount on the accommodation from my gym membership but I would deffo come back again, with or without discount.

When I got back, rested a while, then went out for a couple of drinks and pizza at Dukes 92.

Who with, you may ask?

Ummm...I'll probably write about that another time! ;-)

* Fubsy means 'short' - how they all chortled that the 'short one' didn't get that one right in the quiz!

Don't Bet Against the Germans!

Despite England not participating, the European championships have given us some excellent matches and one thing you always know is that you don't bet against the Germans!

They looked poor against a weakened Turkish side and were stunned when Turkey took the lead after the German keeper made a schoolboy error.

Germany quickly equalised and then, despite looking far from convincing, managed to score a couple of decent goals (ok the last one was a last gasp brilliant goal) to make it to yet another final. (After tonight's result, they face Spain - hola!)

Anyway, went out for a tapas, an enjoyable evening with intelligent and witty conversation, about football mostly...lol!

Got an action-filled weekend coming up, which by all accounts is going to be a washout but I'm determined to make the most of it! It's been a tough couple of weeks so I just want to have a good time.... Center Parcs - here we come!!!

Gorgeous

Me.

At the weekend.

In my bikini.

In the sun.

Gorgeous.

With my eyes shut, it felt like I was on some faraway exotic holiday, not sunny Manchester!

Anyway, overall a good weekend. Went to the Cash Generator and got rid of some electrical stuff that I'd acquired from my Gran.

Went into town to watch some of the Euro 08 footie - it's strange that England aren't in the competition but at least no frustration, no penalty shootouts to agonise over and no crappy hysterical headlines in the tabloids. Had a nice meal with some nice company, home a bit late for a Sunday night.