December delights

Hey, it's been way too long since I blogged, and I humbly apologise, but I'm sure you haven't exactly missed it! Truth is, I moved house, and dithered for far too long about my internet provider,and endured 6 long weeks without facebook, amazon and msn. The house move went smoothly, thanks to friends and family who were fantastic on the day, and will be duly rewarded at next week's housewarming with much alcohol. we have settled in to our gorgeous new home, just in time for Robyn's birthday and of course Christmas.

December has already been an exciting month, and the anticipation of my brother Barry, Anna, Patrick and Richard arriving for the holidays is almost too much to bear! First of all we had Robyn's latest dancing triumph, coming home with her arms full of trophies and a huge smile, it was just lovely. Shortly after that, James told me he'd had his photo taken for the Golf Club 'Wall of Honour', as he had been selected as Junior Team Captain for Boldon, something he has wanted since he began playing golf.

Robyn's birthday weekend was quite something, coinciding with the X Factor Final, something we had realised a few weeks earlier and was sure to feature in her party plans. With a room full of excitable 12 year olds (the girls invited all celebrating their birthdays in December funnily enough), and family, James being the token male, we all gathered round the TV to watch the programme of the year. South Shields very own Joe McElderry has been followed from audition stages to the grand final, winning the hearts of the nation (clichéd I know) and had us all screeching in delight and frantically voting to help him win.Devon was lucky enough to have VIP tickets to the live location at Temple Park for both nights and had an absolute ball! It worked, and the very next night saw the gorgeous Dermot O'Leary announcing that Joe, mentored by our other beloved Geordie, Cheryl Cole, had won the X Factor. Shields and the rest of the North East has gone completely bonkers and Joemania has well and truly struck! So much is his impact that I find myself sitting in the car on the drive if his winning song , The Climb, is still playing when I arrive home. We are all so incredibly proud of him, and he has lifted the town like nothing ever has done before. Again, it sounds cheesy, but South Shields has something to cheer about,it's one hell of an achievement for an 18year old and his CD is flying off the shelves. I was really lucky to get hold of it today - 2000 people queued to meet him this week at his homecoming, some camping out in sub-zero temperatures. I'll change the subject, I'm sure you have switched off already, but I won't apologise, I'm over the moon for the lad!
Ok, well I think that is all for now, there's still so much to do before Christmas...shopping, preparing for our visitors,oh and a housewarming to throw! Can't wait!
Let's hope the snow lying outside at the moment is here to stay for another week, it looks beautiful! Happy Christmas Everyone - have a jolly one!!xx

Granda Steve

It's 11 years ago today since we lost Granda, and I think it quite fitting that I share my thoughts on someone who meant the world to me, and the rest of the family, though I think only if you knew him would you appreciate what I say here.

I spent a lot of time with my grandparents as a child, and later once I became a parent myself. That wasn't something done out of duty, like some families do,but something I really enjoyed, loved, looked forward to. Grandma and Granda lived close to our Junior School and my brother and I would go there for lunch and tea during the week. Weekends were brilliant too, we would stay over most Saturday nights, and then back again for tea and Scrabble on Sunday. I think the weekends meant most to us, and Saturday evenings were just lovely. Apart from having to keep quiet for 5 minutes while Granda checked the pools, the whole evening would revolve around Barry and I having a great time. Saturday night TV was at its best then, with Candid Camera, The Dick Emery Show, Generation Game with Brucie and best of all, Starsky and Hutch before bed! Granda would often take us out in the car beforehand to get sweets and to make sure he had his bottle of Brown Ale, and the only reward he ever asked for was for me to 'wash' his hair, at my pretendy hairdressers at the end of the settee. By the time I got to the rinse and blowdry stage, he would have dozed off, and be snoring loudly, much to Grandma's annoyance!

I am incredibly proud of my Granda, and will never forget the weekend he was taken across the Channel to join the other Dunkirk veterans, to mark the 45th anniversary of the evacuation. All the men of the family made the trip with him, and I stayed behind with Grandma to man the video recorder, as the BBC cameras were filming Granda's visit to Dunkirk. They made a programme about him, Mongan's War, and there wasn't a dry eye in the house when it was broadcast. During the programme, Granda became quite choked when talking about friends who hadn't made it, and at that point I realised just how much it meant to Granda to go back there, to those beaches, the setting of so many of the stories he used to tell us. When Remembrance Day comes round, I wear my poppy with so much pride, for my Granda.

He's my hero for many other reasons, and it would take you an eternity to read all of my memories of him. He had a story for everything, and we knew many were hugely exaggerated, but that didn't matter. He loved to tell us how we were descended from the Kings of Ireland, how our great great Granda won lots of money at the Galway races, and frittered it all away on booze and gambling. I think a family fortune would have been lovely, but the image of Gregory as an Irish rogue is something far more appealing. Granda would take us all over, he loved to drive, though his clutch control wasn't always the greatest, we thought the 'kangaroo petrol' was really funny! Annual visits to Penshaw monument,day trips to Scarborough, Sunday mornings spent at Sunderland Airport watching parachutists, or down by the farm to see the horses. He insisted we work up an appetite for Grandma's Sunday lunch, and would take us to 'the baths' or down to Trow Rocks at Shields. We would stand by his side as he chatted to friends at the allotments, Granda rolling his ciggies, but fishing Black Bullets out of his pocket for me and Barry.

My brother got to spend lots of time with Granda, pottering in the shed, while Grandma and I baked goodies for teatime. As I got older, I got to spend lots more time with him too, he would let me drive his car, and then taking James, Devon and Robyn to visit him was just smashing. The oldest two remember him well, and I know they are very lucky to have been so close to a great grandparent.

So this afternoon, I shall go to the cemetery, to take flowers. I chat to them as I tidy around,and I know they wouldn't want me out in the pouring rain, so I will just stay a short while. I went to see a play on Friday night about an old soldier celebrating his 80th birthday. My friend Kevin wrote the play,and it was brilliant, and evoked so many memories of Granda, though I never mentioned that to Kevin afterwards..I think we would both have been in tears.

I don't think my writing could ever do justice to my Granda, but it was nice reliving just some of the many many special times we shared. I know I have a some of his personality traits, not least the one that leads me to talk so much! Pride in family is probably the strongest, I'm sure it's from him,and he's the reason I kept my maiden name when I married. My Granda wasn't perfect, his smoking was the reason he became so ill, but yet when I think of him, I see him walking, with his stick in one hand, roll-up in the other, enjoying the fresh air as we walk along the pier. I often dream about him, and would give anything to spend just one more day in his company. My Granda, always loved, never forgotten.xxx

Busy times

I really cannot believe I am starting a new post just after 1am! I'm not going to take hours over it, as I normally do, I just want to bring my grand total of five followers up to speed on the latest goings-on in my presently happy little life!

Last week was equally as busy as this one, it was Whitburn's School production: Wind in the Willows. Robyn took part, looking resplendent in her stoat's outfit, singing her heart out and acting her socks off. I do wish she had warned me that her finest moment would be when she was to shoot Mr Toad! She has well and truly made her mark at Whitburn, and I never tire of pupils asking me if she is my daughter, her singing in the Harvest Festival got her noticed; she was fantastic! I'm allowed to say that, I'm her Mam!!

This weekend saw the christening of the latest additions to our ever-increasing family - my cousin Dominic's twin boys, Vinnie and Jimi! The christening was entertaining to say the least; the vicar was quite possibly drunk, wearing a grubby jumper,almost dropped one of the babies, and then at the end of the service, he walked down the aisle without saying a thing! No goodbye, peace be with you or nothing! Charming! Bemused relatives all round gradually edged out of church to find him at the door, offering the limpest of handshakes - quite disturbing! Anyway, we all headed for the 'do' afterwards which was smashing, I had been looking forward to catching up with family I hadn't seen in ages and it was lovely to watch Grandma surrounded by 18 of her family, from all three generations! The boys were brilliant, recovered quickly from their drenching at the hands of the comedy vicar (honestly he was from the Rowan Atkinson School of Priesthood), and they were then passed round all of the family and never squeaked once! The two-tier Spongebob christening cake was fab too...at the request of our Dom, who clearly loved having us all there! A great day!

This week,thankfully and conveniently, it's half term! I'm moving house in about 72 hours, I still have 4 rooms to pack, one house to clean, another to inhabit, and many hundreds of pounds to part with for the privilege! Seriously though, I cannot wait! I'll only be moderately sad to leave this house,moving here was under difficult circumstances and although we have settled here, I never felt like it was a home to be proud of, as I did with my previous house. I think that our new house is one I deserve to live in, after working for so many years to have a beautiful home where I had the children, it was hard to swap it for one with flowery carpets and an old fashioned kitchen. It has however been host to more parties, family meals and get-togethers in one year than I had in 16 years at the other place! That speaks volumes to me!

On that note, I feel that I should retire to bed,knowing tomorrow is another chaotic day, and I need to be up early! Hopefully I shall have an internet connection quickly organised, more than 24 hours without facebook etc is just too much to comprehend! Back soon!

A very different year

I thought it was about time I shared some more of my ponderings with you, and this week, for reasons that will become obvious, has been something of a milestone. It's exactly one year since I took the plunge...and made a very difficult decision; to leave the marital home. Now rather than dwell on the emotional upheaval that it has been, I thought it would be fun to reflect on the changes that have been either inflicted on or relished by me.

For my new home, I chose a bungalow not far from my old house, so that the kids didn't have far to go in order to see both of us. Detached, spacious, with 3 bedrooms and a lovely garden, my sunny new home was soon filled with clothes, make-up and a few knick-knacks of sentimental value. Yes, I'd left home with only my personal possessions, thinking it kinder and less upsetting for the kids than taking half of the lovely furniture from their home. Instead, I had to settle for donated, mismatched sofas and second hand kitchen white goods. My dining room table, although not to my taste, has a lovely story however. When we went, on moving day, to collect it, we discovered the lady knew my Grandma, spoke fondly of her, and instantly the table became something I loved. I'd gone from living in a beautifully co-ordinated, modern home to a cared for, but very dated home in Nanaville. My neighbours have an average age of 84, and the carpet can only have been chosen by an old dear waiting for a cataract operation; green and brown swirls which I swear have images of Yoda in the hideous pattern.

As for my car, I've swapped a brand-new Nissan for an L-reg Golf, my first diesel,named Roxy on account of her feisty nature, husky growl and shiny red coat. This has probably been one of my greatest challenges; the uncertainty each morning when I turn the key in the ignition, praying I don't have to call out the AA, and of course the complaints from my image conscious daughters about riding in my 'trampy' car. She's recently undergone a makeover and Stevie has worked wonders; repainting,remodelling and taking out many many dents. I've always loved driving, but there is something about driving a car with character that adds to the experience. I've learned how to 'prime' the engine when she runs out of diesel and yesterday, for the first time in 23 years of driving, I topped up the water and checked the oil...all by myself!

Financially, the change has been costly, and forced me to cut down on my spending dramatically. It's not that I was a shopaholic or an E-bay addict, but budgeting on one salary after paying extortionate rent is pretty tricky. Having said that, I've discovered so many ways of saving money, and thinking twice about spending what I do have, it hasn't been too much of an ordeal. My latest discovery is Sainsbury's Basics Rosé,less than three quid a bottle and it's not bad at all! Home Bargains and B&M are my favourite stores, they're even cheaper than Ikea! Getting a Debenhams voucher for my birthday off friends meant I could go buy three pairs of shoes at once, it might as well have been 30 pairs, I was in heaven!

I could go on about cutbacks and sacrifices but it would sound more like a sob story, and not,as I think, the story of someone who is now standing, proudly, on her own two feet (the broken one is now recovered),and emerging from a tough year with a great big smile on her face! I've have many new friends, not least my aged neighbours,(remind me to tell you what it's REALLY like, living next door to Alice) who are a delight, and ones I am sure to stay in touch with when I move house later this month. I'm only going around the corner, to a bigger place, with a downstairs loo, utility room and room for a pony. My family has grown, with the addition of two adorable kittens, Bobby and Juno, and the kids are settled with the new arrangements, though they now have two bedrooms in which to create total chaos! They have been amazing, and are probably the reason I still have my sanity! I now spend oodles of time with them, instead of retreating to the gym or friends' houses for coffee, and I LOVE IT!!!

Time for my nightcap, I've resisted the temptation to turn to Horlicks like the old folk of my street (although I suspect the man next door is over-fond of his Guinness). Instead, I'm having a glass of Asda's own dry cider,and a cuddle on the sofa, with a duvet round my feet. Stevie raises an eyebrow when I reach for the heating controls without thinking, and for that I thank him. Living on a shoestring has a lot to answer for, and I, for one, couldn't be happier!

Walk this way...

Having spent best part of the last week on crutches, I thought it might be an idea to share with you some of the observations I've made over the last few days, as I adjust to life with four legs.

It happened so quickly, my fall, or should I say spectacular somersault from my kitchen door into the back garden( I never miss an opportunity to exaggerate, never!). I succeeded in mangling my left shin on a concrete step and crushed my other leg under my own body weight. Typical of my usual bad timing, I was en route to the fridge for a bottle of rosé, in preparation for the TV première of Casino Royale. Instead, I opted for a cup of tea and some painkillers as I settled down to watch Daniel Craig throw himself off buildings for fun! Oh the irony! 7 X-rays later, I was informed, to my immense relief, that all bones were intact, and that I had simply torn ligaments and a sprained foot! I've lost count of the number of people who love to tell you that sprains are far worse than broken bones, and take longer to heal. This is just what I need to hear!

I wouldn't say I had mastered the art of walking on crutches, but it is much preferable to shuffling like an old biddy in slippers on the geriatric ward. The downside is the strain on your chest and arms, and I am terrified I will end up looking like Geoff Capes. My friend Kelly put it quite plainly. It takes more than just your leg muscles to propel you along, something I had never thought about before, but she, irritatingly, is right as usual! Kelly was a surgical secretary, which sounds like she used a scalpel to open the post and wore a green gown and mask when typing. No, I think maybe she was a surgeon's secretary, but anyway, she comes in handy when talking about matters medical.

The kids at school have been great; most concerned and helpful as ever. I seem to have joined an elite club, as there are three other children on crutches, and they wave them at me when we pass, in the same way that Mini drivers flash lights at each other on the road! Maybe I will acquire the LEGendary status usually reserved for PE staff and teachers who play the guitar? As for my friends, there isn't an hour goes by where they aren't sniggering at me, running off with my crutches or posting 'hilarious' comments on facebook about my plight!

Now for the serious bit. This last week has revealed much to me on just how tricky it is walking with legs that don't work properly. My boyfriend, Stevie copes amazingly well with severe arthritis, and walking with a stick is an everyday necessity, one that most 33 year-olds would simply refuse to do. The simplest things are a challenge; I can't carry anything, so work is tricky, and any venue with stairs is a problem I have never encountered before. I could list many more, and I could complain loudly about my injury and its sheer inconvenience but I won't. In a few weeks, my crutches will be redundant, and I can look back on a painful but comical episode and hope not to repeat it. Stevie will be Stevie; rarely complaining and stubbornly staying out in the cold tinkering with his cars when he should be indoors. His delight in teaching me how to cope, and his smug smile when he fishes unreachables down from the supermarket shelf with his stick, shed a different light on disability. He lives with it every day and I have only had a taste of it, and, without sounding patronising, I am incredibly proud of my man. He's known at the car club as Stevie Stick, and he doesn't give a damn!

It hurts a lot and my leg resembles an armadillo from the tubigrip in permanent residence, but it has brought many many laughs. From the pensioners who stood aside to let Stevie, myself and our walking aids pass by, to my 84 year old Grandma offering to carry my bag, there have been hilarious moments. However, I can think of less painful ways to amuse one's friends and family. Thank you to everyone who has smirked at my new walk and raised at eyebrows at my insistence on sobriety at the time of fall, your support is overwhelming, and just how I like it!

Here goes!

Bear with me. Inspired by relatively recent, though brilliantly written blogs by my kid brother and my sister-in-law, I decided to venture into the world of blogging. After stumbling through layouts and templates, I create a page, on which I am meant to write something of interest. Read on.

As for the name, I trawled through some waffley lists of names, wondering whether to use my location, my job, my interests and then eventually opted for something to do with my name. I think I came up with this title when asked, by facebook, a close personal friend of mine, to create a name for a website about me. Bizarrely, when I typed this into Google, I found there is a biblical city called Michmash, in Israel, just down the road from Jericho! Wahay, my blog is educational...it has a purpose!

I have no idea what I am going to write about, I don't travel all that much, although I do need to share my summer trip with the whole world, or at least those who have the decency to read this. It was amazing! I live a reasonably ordinary life, I'm happy in my job, so unlikely to offer career guidance for disgruntled (that's one of my favourite words) employees. I'm a mother of three. Now, on that I could write a book, but I know many contented and fulfilled mothers who would say exactly the same as me, so maybe not an interesting topic. I'll share Robyn's gems with you, and if I could capture Devon's expressions of disdain at her mother's embarassing behaviours, believe me I would, she is so funny! James is still amused that I am on facebook, though not on HIS friends list, so would simply raise a gorgeous eyebrow and smile if I told him I blog. My kids are wonderful, so maybe I will talk lots about them.

Hmm, I'm enjoying this, but maybe you aren't, and now I find myself in an internal dialogue with you, worrying about you, wondering what you look like, do I know you or not? I'll do this for my own amusement if nothing else, and hope that you stay with me, for the time being. Things are constantly popping into my head, which I'll leave 'til another time.

Lovely to meet you, please leave me a comment, I'm thick-skinned, and I'm a Geordie, (oh, just thought of a better blog name, possibly too obscene for some, my brother knows what I'm thinking, never mind), yes, so speak as you find!
That's all for now.