Wordless/Wordful Wednesday . . . Happy Birthday to My Old Chum

So, today is my BFF’s birthday!

I still remember the day I met her.  It was at the local library.  At story time.  The summer before we were due to go middle school.  I was there with my little sister.  She was there on her own.  Maybe pretending she had a little sister so she could walk in to story time without shame!  We awkwardly exchanged a couple of words and realised we were both the same age and would be starting the same middle school in a couple of weeks.

Now, what I most remember about meeting her that day was that she was as tall as me.  I couldn’t believe it!  You see, in primary school I was the tallest girl and that’s the way it had always been . . . and I thought that was they way it would always be!

Two weeks later, I started middle school and was disappointed to find out that I wasn’t in the same class as any of friends from primary school.  Gutted, I showed up to my new class to discover my new BFF was in the same class, smiling and waving away at me!  See, she’s shameful!

We’ve been the best of friends ever since . . . well, besides the odd falling out here or there during those school years.  And, she’s been there for me through the years as my biggest cheerleader!  We’ve laughed together, shared crazy hairstyles together, danced together, cried together, worried together, gossiped together, babysat together, farted together, grown old together and so the list goes on!

Though there are now thousands of miles between us, we’ve always kept in touch — which is made easier these days thanks to modern technology.

So, here’s to you!  My old chum!  My old mate!  My bezzie!  Raise your glasses with me and wish her a happy, happy birthday!

Here’s to you
Here’s to me
Best friends we’ll always be.
But if we should disagree
To Hell with you
And cheers to me!

*clink*

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Random Tuesday Thoughts . . . The “But, You Told Me to Wake You Up” Edition

Aaah, today is Tuesday . . . the day where Keely says random thoughts rule!

And, here goes mine . . .

• My oldest son used to always be the first up in our house, but lately he has been sleeping in and much to his despair, has been relying on others to waken him.  The morning after my middle son got his trombone . . . you know where this is going, right . . . he thought he would awaken said sleeping brother with its glorious sound.  All I heard was what resembled a very loud and screeching musical sound, followed by “geeeeeeeeet out” and then, “but, you told me to wake you up!”
• This weekend the hubby went biking as usual and when he was home he did nothing but watch football (both British and American).  Can he not see the lawn needs edging or that the walls need some paint touch-up or the driveway could use some pressure washing?
• Do you ever wake up with a song in your head?  I do . . . all the time!  This morning, it was I Made It Through the Rain by Barry Manilow.  I kid you not!  WTF?  Just in case you’re wondering . . .
• Boxes.
• I think it would be really nice if the makers of plungers added a splash warning to them.  One of my sons blocked up our downstairs loo and in a moment of supermummy madness, I thought I would attempt to unblock it.   Well, a few minutes later, the toilet was unblocked, but I had been well and truly splashed.  Meh!
• The cold front is on its way . . . finally!  Tomorrow, we are expected to wake up to temperatures in the 50′s (F) and I’m so happy about it I could scream!
• So, this week is probably the last of the days that we can enjoy our pool, so the little guy and I went swimming yesterday.  And, it was so quiet and peaceful.  There is usually much splashing and dive bombing and squirting of water guns and I’m clamoring for a quiet spot!  Anyway, it was a lovely couple of hours really and I even managed to attempt some water aerobics!  Ha, just like all the wrinklies do down at the local YMCA!  It’s a good work out though!
• Boxes.
• Where the Wild Things Are has been a beloved book in our home for years now and I’m so thrilled to see it be made in to a movie.  I already had a family day all planned in my head to go and see it . . . and then my middle son brought home a field trip form . . . apparently, his class is going to see it!  And, then oldest son told me he isn’t bothered about going to see it, so I guess it will just be the little guy and I!  Anyone want to join us?
• Oooh, I wonder if it will be cool enough for me to wear a turtleneck?

So, where are your random thoughts? Head on over to Keely’s if you want to compile them all in a nice neat post today!!

Musical Monday . . . First Concert

So, this week’s Musical Monday is all about first concerts.  I remember mine as if it were yesterday, but it’s actually going on 20 years now.

We had only recently arrived in the USA and I had just started a new job as a server at a local country club.  It was a job where people came and went . . . you would just get to know a co-worker and then they’d be moving on to another job . . . this gave me  first-hand experience of how transient the service industry and Florida is.  I was lucky enough, however, to eventually meet a core group of friends  . . . we were all younger, trying to make money to put ourselves through college.  Good times!

One break time,  I joined my friends to find them discussing an upcoming concert of a band I loved . .  New Order.  I couldn’t believe my ears when I was asked if I wanted to go.  What?  Who?  me?  Of course!  Without hesitation, I agreed!  It was their Technique tour of 1989 and the tickets were going on sale the next day.

It was a bit of a motley crew of us that went to that New Order concert and I remember it all feeling very surreal.  We had to sneak on to the main floor as well as sneak alcohol in to the venue!  Growing up in a small town in the north of England, it was hard to ever envision myself dancing and singing along to New Order or any other live musical act for that matter.

But, I was!

That concert was fantastic.  That unmistakable beat that is New Order is even better when you are up close and personal!  They sang all their new songs as well as their older ones and I’m not sure if it’s because I’m so nostalgic, but it ranks up there as one of my all time favourite concerts.

Here’s a video of  the greatest New Order song . . .  True Faith.

Enjoy!

Photo Hunt . . . Twisted

This photograph of my sandals is my choice for this week’s photo hunt theme of twisted.

I found them only after having spent a whole day of shopping in York looking for the perfect pair of sandals.  I was coming up very empty-handed with each shop I went in and it wasn’t until the last shoe shop that I spied them . . . up high on a shelf . . . waiting just for me!  I loved the style of them and bought them on the spot!

Thanks to my friend and her daughters for their patience that day!

PhotoHunt

One Pair of Mom Jeans Going Cheap . . .

With the cooler weather (ha) supposedly on it’s way, the other day I thought it a good idea to sort through my closet.

Ye know . . . so I could pull out my warmer clothing . . . in anticipation of the cool down in our weather.

Ye know . . . like you do when you live in Florida and have nothing better to do with your time.

So, I was getting my wardrobe ready for autumn and winter by swapping shorts for capris.

I was weeding and sorting, tagging and organizing all my clothing that was no longer in fashion or no longer in season when I noticed some of my older jeans.  These were awesome older jeans that I used to rock . . .  honestly!  They were hidden way in the back of my closet.  I must have put them back there during preggo #3 and forgotten about them.

I remembered I loved those jeans.  No, I friggin’ heart those jeans.  But, I hadn’t had them on since before preggo #3.

When I looked like this in them . . .

Excitedly, I pulled on a pair . . . anxious to relive my sexy momma days!  I was so pleased to find they went on easier than expected and rushed to the mirror to see how they fit.

Only to find I looked more like this . . .

WTF?

How on earth did my sexy jeans turn in to mom jeans . . . in four years?  How on earth could it be that I owned a pair of mom jeans?  I know waistlines have got lower and fashions change, but jeez!  Lesson learned . . . the fact that they were hidden should have clued me in, right?

If you’re in the market for a pair of mom jeans, they are going cheap.  On ebay.  Contact me for more info.

But, I’m a Lady . . .

My oldest son has a doctor’s appointment fast approaching for his yearly check-up and flu shot so the other day I thought I’d be a good mummy and remind him of this.

I explained to him that now he is a teenager  for part of the said check-up, I would likely disappear to the waiting room so he could discuss with the doctor anything privately without his annoying helicopter mum hovering  in the background.  We laughed and I also reminded him that the doctor will also do the annual check on the nether regions looking for signs of a hernia, etc.  My son rolled his eyes at me and said, “Yes Mum, I know!”

Then he turned at me and in all seriousness asked if this is this the year that they start doing a prostate check.  I sighed and both simultaneously cussed and thanked all the prostate cancer awareness literature besieging the world today before looking at my young man to tell him, “No, son, that is something they start doing when you turn 40. ”

He replied, “Well then, you’ll be starting to get one in a year then won’t you mum?”

To say I was mortified was an understatement.

Me?  Get a prostate check-up?  Eh?

He could tell by the look of sheer horror on my face that something was amiss.  Then, I saw the lightbulb go on as it dawned on him that the prostate is actually only found on the male species!

I think!

Right?

Anyway, we both chuckled and in my best Emily Howard of Little Britain accent, I said, “But, I’m a lady!  We ladies don’t have a prostate! ”

Wordless Wednesday . . . Trombone Man

As I wrote yesterday, my middle son is now playing the trombone in his 5th grade band!  Doesn’t he look maahvelous?  The trombone truly does make an amazing sound — he was letting us all have a shot on it yesterday!  And, er . . . ignore all the mess in the background!

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Random Tuesday Thoughts . . . Hello My Pretty

Well, hello my pretty!  It’s Tuesday . . . it’s been a while . . . here goes my random nothing . . .

• So, my brother left a week ago and I’d be lying if I say it’s been easy — it’s been a long, rough week for me.  Parting is such sweet sorrow!  I miss him and my SIL like crazy, after all, we did everything together and were such a big part of each other’s lives.  Heck, I cried driving past Panera bread the other day!  At the same time, I am so excited for them to be back ‘ome!
• During this past week, I felt like I lost my blogging mojo and I apologize.  I’ve been very neglectful, but I’m too much of fan of your blogs and of writing to be gone for too long.  I’ve been using the week to try and finish up some stories and articles I’d started yonks ago.
• My youngest has adopted a bathroom habit of stripping off his t-shirt to go to the toilet for a poo!  Anyone’s else’s kid do this?
• Aah, the Emmy’s — I heart award shows and will watch any and all of them!  Sad, I know!  I thought Neil Patrick Harris did a great job and I loved the way it was all organized and categorized . . . coz that’s how I roll too!
• I can’t wait for the welcome distraction of season premiere time . . . Biggest Loser, Survivor and Heroes have already started, but there’s still Grey’s Anatomy and the New Adventures of Old Christine as well as Lost to start.  When will Lost start?  I am not sure if I will tune in to any of the new shows although Cougar Town, Eastwick and Flash Forward look pretty good so we shall see.
• My middle son has joined the 5th grade band and is really enjoying it.  He excelled in both the saxophone and the trombone and so had to choose between the two instruments and surprised us all by choosing the trombone.  Yesterday, I had to run to the local music store to pick it up for him and while there I noticed a new age store and decided to stop in.  I’ve heard about the healing power of crystals and wanted to see if I could get one for my mum to help with her grieving and recovery.  Anyhoo, it turns out the owners are from Leeds in England which is not far from where I grew up and she used to holiday as a child in Whitby!  Small world!  Eeeh, how all these British people find me, I’ll never know!  We had a little chat and I’m going to bring my mum back to the shop coz I know she’ll love it!  This lady just had a son recently return to the UK as well. =(
• I keep confusing my children’s names . . .  and, it’s really getting very embarrassing!  I only have three boys, so I wonder how often it happens in the Duggar household!  When, oh when will I get their names right?  LOL
• It’s love bug season here in Florida — urch!
• My hubby took my oldest mountain biking at the weekend with friends and all I’ve been hearing about is his aches and pains!  No, not the hubby . . . the 13 year old!  Now, it is cooling down a bit they are going to make a plan to go every weekend.
• Temper tantrums have erupted full force in our house., but sadly the designated naughty bench no longer works — my munchkin just grins and does his flirty eyes at me when he’s on it.  I have had to resort to plopping him in his room for designated two minutes and listen to him scream about how much he needs his mummy!  It breaks my heart, but has been working!
• Tomorrow, I’m going to meet a  friend at the mall with our wee ones.  Hopefully, I will get my unibrow threaded and buy some good bras.
• On a final note, did you know that yesterday was Peace Day, so I ask you . . . what will you do to make peace?

Musical Monday . . . Four Seasons

This week’s theme for Musical Monday is four seasons . . . so, I chose one of my favourites from my high school days!  It’s called Hazy Shade of Winter by the Bangles.  Beautiful lyrics written by Paul Simon that are a reminder that time marches on . . . and cooler weather is coming . . . pumpkins, autumn, change.

Enjoy!

Time, time, time
See what’s become of me

Time, time, time
See what’s become of me
While I looked around
For my possibilities
I was so hard to please

Look around
Leaves are brown
And the sky
Is a hazy shade of winter

Hear the salvation army band
Down by the riverside
It’s bound to be a better ride
Than what you’ve got planned
Carry a cup in your hand

Look around
Leaves are brown
And the sky
Is a hazy shade of winter

Hang on to your hopes my friend
That’s an easy thing to say
But if your hopes should pass away
Simply pretend
That you can build them again

Look around
Grass is high
Fields are ripe
It’s the springtime of my life

Seasons change with the scenery
Weaving time in a tapestry
Won’t you stop and remember me

Look around
Leaves are brown
And the sky
It’s a hazy shade of winter

Look around
Leaves are brown
There’s a patch of snow on the ground

Wordless Wednesday . . . Missing

For this week’s WW, I’ve picked a photograph of my brother and BFF/sis-in-law with my boys — they decided to relocate back to the UK with my brother just leaving this past Monday to join my SIL who was already there.

Missing them desperately already . . . but thank goodness for modern forms of communication!

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