happy as i am

Is that a word?

Anyway, my posts here are a little erratic at the mo, I've needed a little time to chill out and blog has had to take a back seat, but if you don't hear from me I am still reading your posts.

Happy

x

My poor friend is getting stuck in the middle of my bitchiness, and I really must stop, she is Sister in Law (almost) to Mr & Mrs Smug and has to be diplomatic with Mrs Smug but I always find myself bitching to her about them.

I try to remember that she has her familial obligations but my mouth runs away with me. I must remember to curb my bitchy emails and (sadly for you) save it for my blog pals, or other pals who do not have the ties.

Silly me.

In other news today, I went to the gym this morning. I did 2.5kms on the bicycle and 3kms on the treadmill - 50% walking, 50% running. Ok so I'm not quite up to my pre-holiday exercise routine but any exercise I do is a bonus right now as I'm eating so unhealthily. I had a huge pile of ribs for dinner on Saturday, BBQ'd burger and corn for dinner last night, and tonight we have BBQ'd chicken with some sweet potato chips (hopefully) mushrooms, peppers and corn. Yummy.

Gotta run, the sun is shining and I can blog later if needs be,

Hope the sun shines on you all

Happy
x

All things told. And from tomorrow I will be resuming full use of those pesky ex marks. I wonder whether I'll still overuse them or if this will have been a lesson in excess?

So why has the weekend been good? I took Friday afternoon off and spent two hours sleeping, before I wandered to Waitrose and home again to bake. Hubby was home bang on time and we headed out into the garden for the evening.

Saturday morning we drove out to Durrington to view two houses, we've decided that have to visit the mortgage adviser before we go any further, but the second house was really quite nice - recently refurbed and bound to be gone before we're ready to move.

Saturday lunch time and afternoon we relaxed, or at least I did, hubby had a driving lesson and I went for a leisurely wander around town. And then in the evening we got ready to go out. We were due to meet a large group of friends for drinks and then dinner at the local Tex Mex restaurant (Montagues in Worthing) which is small but perfectly formed. We met most of our friends at the pub and our two friends who are ALWAYS late (usually by at least an hour) made it to the restaurant only ten minutes late.

Almost everyone enjoyed their meal and the atmosphere and it was a lovely chance to catch up and gossip. The only sticking point in the evening was that one of the couples (that I really don't get on with) announced their pregnancy* and then proceeded to be so smug and patronising for the rest of the night.

After the meal (we had to leave at 9.15pm for the next sitting) we headed back to another friends house where we had leisurely coffee, cake and chill out before heading home.

Today? I slept all morning, except for getting up to eat, followed by my two hour sit, and then on to see my mum and sis briefly, before heading home to BBQ some burgers and corn. Not the healthiest but never mind.

A chilled out weekend, sadly its back to work tomorrow. Ah well

I have just remembered something to add to the list, and that is to do more baking.

I took this afternoon off, and made some yummy cheesey scones for hubby -it's been about a year since I last made them and I've also made some lickle cupcakes which I'm gonna ice and add some hundreds & thousands.

I'd forgotten how much I enjoy baking and the smell of fresh out of the oven baking filling the house makes me smile. Thankfully its also a nice sunny day now so I chose a good day to have time off.

In other news, this morning on being woken by hubby and told of the demise of Michael Jackson (yes I had to mention it) I initially felt a little sad, but then my thoughts went out to his family and especially the poor children who will not have their father as they grow up. Yes, he had his issues but he was still a parent and an iconic singer throughout the years.

It made me go to the gym because I certainly do not want to die so young. I aim to do everything I can to be healthy. Well almost everything

After reading BDA's post about getting out there and living life I have been reminded of how many things I've still to do in this my 30th year of life. I have 5 months left of this year and so much to achieve.

So, here is my updated list for the next 5 months - lets see how I do:

Go for a drive twice a week minimum
Go swimming once a week minimum
Back to the gym 3 times a week (I've been rubbish only going twice a week if that since the holiday).
Investigate lessons in Dutch
Do my pass plus
Get our flat saleable
Take my bike out at the weekend
Trim down my film list to films I really wanna see.

Ok, I'm gonna stop there, but there is sooo much more that I need to do. I'm gonna review this in a month and see how I've faired.

Have a good day

x

The film with Jason Statham - it is really funny. Not intentionally of course, it is an 18 and does have violence, bad language, sex and other 18 stuff but the plot is so silly and the action so overdone that it made the film really really good.

The only problem I have is that the second one is still on at the cinema so I have to wait for its DVD release before I can watch it. Bummer.

Strongly recommended

x

The exclamation mark challenge hey? Let's see how I can do.

This week I have been rubbish, I've only been to the gym once so far and I've been out in the car not at all. We did share some news with the father in law when he visited, and also discovered that some bugger has nicked one of my P plates from the car. Only one mind. One?

Hubby has just read my post over my shoulder and commented on how hard this challenge will be for me, but so far it has been easy enough. So far that is...

What else is new in my life? Not really that much, I am really enjoying work at present, glad that I was given the opportunity back in February to change my role. I never thought I would be, but yesterday I had my half year review and got a much better half year score than I'd expected. Well, not better than I had expected, more exactly what I had expected, but wasn't sure if I would achieve. Does that make sense?

Anyway, my boss has not been very pro-active, she didn't want to set me any goals for the next six months as she knows I will probably go away next year.

Oh yeah, I checked out facebook and was surprised to find out that another one of my friends is pregnant, that makes 3 all due between Oct and Christmas. I was so shocked. Well, although I say 'friend' we were good friends, but I haven't made the effort to keep in touch since she moved to Manchester a couple years ago. It seems like the done thing is to put your 12 week scan on facebook and share your news with the world. Personally, if and when I get pregnant I'd rather pick up the phone and have a chat with people. Remember that?

Right, well I'm all outta news and I think I've managed not to use one of those punctuation marks that looks a bit like an upside down i. I haven't been back through to double check so let me know if I screwed up.

Love to all.

Happy

x

I am going to Join Kev in attempting not to use exclamation marks for the rest of this week. In my posts at least, I doubt I can manage it on my comments.

We shall see if I can last, or if I have to quit blog for the rest of the week (nearly).

Let's see how I go.

x

The best bit so far has to be a ridiculously young and fit (and very skinny) Brad Pitt. Phewy he looks HOT!

Other than that the film is not as good as I was expecting.

Disappointing really.

I don't like it, thank goodness hubby comes home tomorrow, but I'm getting used to it slowly. I haven't fallen apart (yet) or burnt the house down, neither have I done all the amazingly girly things I had intended to: a long soak, watching girly films, painting my nails, depilating my legs.

I haven't done the dishes or even cooked myself some dinner and I know I should do both, but I have ordered a Sainsburys shop without referring it back to him for cross checking and collusion, although there will be something I've forgotten

I haven't been for a drive, but I did wake up all by myself, get out of bed and go to the gym without him cajoling me. I also ran 2.2kms whilst at the gym, which whilst nowhere near as good as I can do, was far better than not having been at all.

I haven't played any music at high volume, silence is proving to be golden.

My own company isn't all that bad.

1. I've come to realize that my last kiss ...
...didn't last long enough (i'd agree to that, my hubby doesn't like PDA's so much!)

2. I am listening to ...
...the water feature from the pond downstairs

3. I talk ...
...mostly absolute nonsense

4. I love ...
... sleep

5. My best friend/s ...
... is on a train to Birmingham

6. My first real kiss ...
... was with an absolute tosser who only wanted the one thing (he didn't get it!)

7. Love is ...
... an ongoing effort to share and grow together

8. Marriage is ...
... made better the harder you try and the more you appreciate the other person!

9. Somewhere, someone is thinking ...
... why me?

10. I'll always ...
... be human

11. The last time I really cried was because ...
... I was hormonal and my hubby was going away (for two nights!)

12. My mobile phone ...
... old now

13. When I wake up in the morning ...
... i wish i was still sleeping

14. Before I go to bed ...
... i wash my teeth

15. Right now I am thinking about ...
... cooking some supper

16. Babies are ...
... expensive but cute

17. I get on Myspace ...
... never

18. Today I ...
... should have done some housework but instead I mostly slept

19. Tomorrow I will be ...
... busy at work

20. I really want to be
... winning enough on last nights lotto to buy a 3 bed house somewhere nice!

USING ONLY ONE WORD Not as easy as you might think! !

Where is your mobile phone?
Stool

Your significant other?
Missed

Your hair?
Messy

Your mother?
Annoying

Your father?
Unknown

Your favourite thing?
Cornflakes

Your dream last night?
none

Your favourite drink?
milk

Your dream/goal?
family

What room are you in?
front

Your hobby?
reading

Your fear?
illness

Where do you want to be in 6 years?
Barbados

Where were you last night?
Home

Something that you aren't?
Skinny

Muffins?
bloaty

Wish list item?
House

Last thing you did?Blog

What are you wearing?
Clothes!

TV?
expensive

Your pets?
none

Friends?
brilliant

Your life?
rocks

Your mood?
Mellow

Missing someone?
badly

Drinking?
squash

Smoking?
yuk

Your car?
green

Something you're not wearing?
suspenders

Your favourite store?
waitrose

Your favourite colour?
purple

When is the last time you cried?
earlier

Where do you go to over and over?
work

Five people who email me regularly?
junk

My favourite place to eat?
garden

Favourite place I'd like to be at right now?
bed

So suddenly the weekend has drawn around again. Where oh where has the first half of 2009 gone? Soon it will be July. I can't believe it.

Ah well, the sun is starting to peek its head out from the clouds and it is pleasantly warm down in Worthing, I might be tempted to make it to the beach. Then again I'll be more likely found lazing in the back garden with easy access to ice cold drinks.

Hubby has gone off this morning for his first driving lesson in nearly ten years, with my old instructor. He wanted to find someone else, but if I left it to him it'd be Christmas before he starts. I can't cope with being the only driver in the family that long! Besides, he's insured on my car too so wouldn't wanna waste that.

There is an endless list of 'things I should be doing today' but instead I am relaxing here in bcuk and catching up with my friends. Oh actually, best pop the washing machine on, back in a tick.

....

There you go, one less thing on my list!

Tomorrow afternoon hubby is getting a train up to Brum, as he has to be in the Brum office at 9am on Monday morning. He is delivering some training, hopefully doing some networking and then supporting his colleagues who work in Brum. He doesn't come home til Tuesday afternoon, so it will be very weird not having him around. I was almost tempted to get Monday off work and go up with him, except he might be expected to socialise with his colleagues monday night.

Well, I have a stack of girly films to watch, a ton of housework and a car to go out driving in, I'm sure I will find stuff to amuse me. My problem will be dropping off to sleep without him next to me, and waking up in time for work.

Right, must move on, have a great weekend everyone

Love and hugs

Happy

So, finally we have a car, and the sense of freedom is brilliant. Ok, so far I have only driven a mile to take my mum home, and a mile in the other direction for petrol, but still it's been fun.

Yesterday I had a bit of a scare when the car refused to start, I was only trying to tidy up my parking, but knowing sod all about cars I panicked. Hubby just reckoned it was low on petrol!

Today though, after putting in £20 of petrol she works like a dream. I've discovered that parking is not my forte, I need to get myself a couple of lessons just to do that, as although I now have a permit I also need to fight for a space. Still, at least I don't have to move the car twice daily.

Looking forward to being able to visit hubbys grandfolks, we haven't seen them for a while and his Grandpa has not been in the best of health. Seeing family is something we just weren't able to do enough, but now... with long summer evenings (and a car) it is possible again. Yippee.

Got a small chip in the windscreen which might need looking at, not sure whether the whole thing'd need replacing or not, but hubby seems confident that it can wait til just before the MOT is due. We shall see. We shall see.

Ok, suns shining again, best get out and enjoy it.

Cheerio

x

Well, today was my second gym visit this week. I was struggling to get going, but eventually I made it. Wasn't too adventurous today though, just 5 minutes on the bicycle and then a 3k walk/run which took me an age to do (24 minutes).

My mind wasn't on it at all. Even my usual running tubes weren't clearing the fog that is my brain.

On the up side though, I weighed myself after my workout - 11st 10, so no weight gain as a result of the holiday and excess rich food. Joy! 11st 10 will have to do now, must work on toning my tum!

x

What truely glorious summer weather we have today or at least I hope it's working on it! We shall see. Today saw my return to the gym, after 3 weeks away (well two really coz I ran 3 times on the first week of my hols) and I don't feel as rough as I thought I would. I ran 4k in 30 minutes which is slower than usual but I thought I'd take it easy today, see how much I hurt tomorrow and then try again on Thursday.

I might have missed having a perfect flat belly for my holiday but I can certainly work on getting one in time for the decent summer weather (September no doubt) to kick in. We shall see.

Ok, gotta get washed and ready for work, how rubbish. I'm picking up my car tonight though. How weird is that? No idea where I'm parking it though as I've not got a permit or tax. Eeep. Just hope I don't get a ticket already, that'd suck.

Have a fab day, hope the sun smiles on y'all.

Happy

x

Goodness, what a kerfaffle. P-I-L arrived in his hired van and we drove to the local car dealer. After spotting many possible cars we decided the quality was not brilliant - the cars had not been made to look their best, you know simple things like a polish, inflating flat tyres etc. - so we went to another garage, which was sadly closed.

Having exhausted the local dealers we drove out to Shoreham where there was a smaller dealership that PIL knew of, and had recently seen a Nissan Almera at. The cars in the lot were above my price range and I was immediately discouraged. Thankfully PIL went to speak to the dealer and it turned out the Almera was parked up the road. I wasn't so sure, but he also had a Rover which I did like, which was up for £995. This is what I have purchased. Well, put a deposit down on as he refused to accept my credit card due to delays in funds reaching him.

In the meantime we went back to the PIL's house and discussed our plan of action. I borrowed PIL's partners car (which is also a Rover) for practice and it drove well. It was a bit freaky though, 3 weeks since I last drove a car and now I had my hubby and pa in the car.

Thankfully I didn't stall or anything stupid and they both commented (when asked) that I drove well enough, and that bolstered my confidence. So, I collect the car on Tuesday evening, and then I gotta get it taxed, and then the world is my oyster! Or at least West Sussex is!

Yippee!

x

Why, oh why am I awake at 5.26am on a Saturday morning? Worse still, I know I am tired, but have been unable to sleep since 4am. WHY? What did I do to deserve this?

I tried everything, disengaging from work issues, rolling over, removal of duvet, additional duvet, sleeping on sofa (to avoid disturbing man) but still I am awake.

So, I thought, where better to visit at this time than bcuk, to say hello. No doubt when Usky posts his weekend teaser I will again be fast asleep. Typical of me.

Last night was quite good fun, we went to a friends' house for gossiping, alcohol and laughter, and I did all of the above. I only had one bottle of Cider and by 10pm was seriously flagging. I had a good bitch with one friend (we have a 'friend' we jointly dislike) and then to find that (dammit) you have things in common with said disliked person scared the crap outta me.

There's a couple of us who have openly talked about the desire to get pregnant as we're at 'that stage' but this non-friend has never commented, but since January she has suddenly stopped drinking alcohol and we can't help but stare at her skinny frame and wonder when she is gonna announce that she is up the duff. I just don't want to be pregnant at the same time and have to 'share' with her as none of my other friends are ready yet.

Hypocritical really, but fun all the same. Then we had a whinge about the menfolk in our lives, and I must admit I seem to be in a minority, in so far as over the years my hubby has become good at doing housework without prompting from me (ok, so there are still some areas he is blind to, but I am not without faults) but he seems to be by far the better man from what I hear.

Well, that's enough from me for now. I must try again to sleep. I must first expunge from my head a silly mistake I made at work for which I must (on Monday) call and apologise/grovel which was eating me up earlier.

See you all at a proper morning time, like after 10am

Hugs

Hello,

I haven't blogged much since I've been back from hols as I have been absolutely knackered, two whole days at work already and I can feel myself needing another break.

Work is stressful, so I haven't felt like staring at a 'puter screen at home, so I've been reading your blogs and reading a couple of good books.

Normal service will resume next week!

Hugs to y'all

Happy

x

Will you.....

EVER MEET SOMEONE FAMOUS?
Already served coffee and cake to Paul Daniels & Debbie Mcgee, and 'Tosh' from the Bill, and 'Mrs Mcgee' from Grange Hill (in the 80's) so that'll do me!

EVER BE SUCCESSFUL?
Agree with BDA on this one, I am already successful at living, loving, laughing and buying gorgeous shoes!

STUDY OR LEARN SOMETHING NEW IN THE NEXT FIVE YEARS?
I won't be doing any formal study but hope to learn alot in the next 5 years!

WILL YOU GO ON A DIET THIS YEAR?
Not a diet, but I will be eating healthier.

WILL YOU CHANGE SCHOOLS/JOB IN THE NEXT YEAR?
Doubt it, too comfortable in my current job, 5 minutes from home is perfect!

WILL YOU DO VOLUNTEER WORK?
I already do.

WILL YOU GO ON HOLIDAY THIS SUMMER?
Nope, we've already been.

WILL YOU BUY AN ITEM OF CLOTHING IN THE NEXT WEEK?
Probably not, splurged on my card last month, got some returns to do though

WILL YOU BUY ANY ELECTRONIC GADGETS?
Nope.

WILL YOU MAKE ANY MAJOR PURCHASES THIS YEAR?
Hopefully a car and a bigger home - I can dream at least.

WILL YOU MOVE TO A NEW TOWN THIS YEAR?
Nope

WILL YOU VISIT A RELATIVE SOON?
No way

WILL YOU GO TO A MALL THIS WEEK?
No

WILL YOU GO TO A PUB?
Probably not.

WILL YOU SHOP FOR FOOD IN THE NEXT FIVE DAYS?
Yep, lunch time is snack shopping time

WILL YOU WATCH A FAVOURITE TELEVISION PROGRAMME THIS WEEK?
Sure I will,

WILL YOU WEAR A FAVOURITE ITEM OF CLOTHING TOMORROW?
Yep, my new pink sexy high heels!

WILL YOU EAT AT HOME TOMORROW?
maybe, might go for a curry though

WILL YOU GO TO A CONCERT THIS WEEK?
No

WILL YOU GO TO A CINEMA THIS WEEK?
No

WILL YOU GO TO A MUSEUM?
No way, I've never been a museum'y person.

WILL YOU READ A BOOK?
I've got three or 4 on the go (left over from hols) so probably.

WILL YOU EVER HAVE SOMETHING YOU'VE WRITTEN PUBLISHED?
Maybe a poem in a magazine, but not a book I don't think

WILL YOU EVER HAVE SOME ART WORK YOU'VE DONE, DISPLAYED PUBLICLY?
No, can't draw to save my life.

WILL YOU EVER HAVE SOMETHING ELSE YOU'VE CREATED DISPLAYED PUBLICLY?
Yup, one day

WILL YOU WIN SOMETHING?
Lotto would be v nice

WILL YOU GET MARRIED IN THE NEXT YEAR?
Not me, was far too much effort the first time round and i still love him to pieces.

WILL YOU HAVE SEX THIS WEEK?
I hope so

WILL YOU HAVE A BABY IN THE NEXT YEAR?
Would like to get pregnant but time will tell. As to giving birth? Hell no.

WILL YOU GET DRUNK THIS WEEK?
Maybe

WILL YOU TAKE DRUGS?
Nothing illegal, a few hayfever tabs and my puffers maybe!

WILL YOU VISIT A FRIEND THIS WEEK?
Yep

WILL YOU PASS THIS MEME ON TO ANYONE ELSE?
Nah