travelling

2003-04-15T03:08:00.000-07:00

Daffodils and tulips,
bunnies, lambs and chicks,
hotcross buns and simnel cake,
and lots of easter eggs.
Happy Easter.

2003-04-10T04:38:00.000-07:00

I'm sitting her with my head in my hands,
my pen has run out of ideas.
My brain is blocked up like a sink of sludge,
and my paper's as white as can be.
What can be the problem, you say,
Let me tell you, it's poetry dear.
Yes that damn rhyme stuff,
that doesn't rhyme,
it's doing my head in you understand.
I struggle and strive,
to write down some words,
in poetic formation or verse,
but not a damn thing's coming out of my pen,
so I'm going to give up for today.

2003-04-02T07:54:00.000-08:00

Finally got my cheque, and finally the weather has changed for the better, which means that my other half can get his patio's done,so financial log-jam nearly over. Spring has definately sprung, and my assignment work for University is going quite well. So life is looking up. Funny how the early months of the year are always horrid, and the Spring brings better times along with the weather.

Daffodil sun shines
lemon and warm,
cherry blossoms
froth,
magnolia blooms
blush pink,
snow-drops
pure white,
Ash buds
shine black.
Spring time's
her entrance
for maximum
effect - the accomplished diva of the year.

2003-03-10T06:04:00.000-08:00

Did I say jammy? well of course I spoke too soon - they still haven't sent us the cheque - it's the story of my life at the moment - financial f*** ups!!

I went to the bank and said
I'm poor as poor can be
this month it is bad
my income is sad
as you can see.
But it will improve
if you give me some time
to send out my husband
to earn a dime.
The weather is wet
He can't lay patios
in the wet
so give us a chance
that we might eat
this week.
Go away, they said to me
yes you are in trouble
we can see
and we'll charge you
thirty quid
for this letter
to say
Help you
no way.

2003-02-21T03:58:00.000-08:00

Re: Car saga. Good news, for once we have been really jammy, they wrote off our car and offered us a cheque for twice the amount we paid for it two years ago - so we bought her back and get a cheque - so we can take our time finding a replacement as she is perfectly driveable. Yippee. Also glad to get rid of that bloody roller-skate they gave me!
Had a busy week this week, first timed assignment! help. It didn't help that my printer died on me - bloody machines, so unreliable. However I did manage a reasonable (I think) piece of work, and got it in on time.
Went for a walk in the park last Sunday, it was a freezing cold day, but absolutely lovely.

Walk in the park,
freezing February Sunday,
cold air is pepper
up my nose.
The ground is hard
and crunchy underfoot.
The woods are petrified,
in winter waiting.

Waiting for Spring.

'Look!' , a squirrell,
scampering and scrambling
accross spindly bridges,
in the sky.
Blackbirds dancing,
plummage posturing,
rustling the cold bed
of undergrowth.
Spiky shoots of daffodils,
pushing up all round.

Looking for Spring.

Back at home,
warm, welcoming.
Delicioius dinner smell,
curling itself around our hearts.
Toes and fingers tingling.
Red wine for me.
Daily Mail for you.

Perfect Sunday.

2003-02-14T05:19:00.000-08:00

Roses are red
Violets are blue
Today's St. Val's
So here's love to you.

O.k. so it's naff, but today is St. Valentines day and I had a lovely card, a teddy and some flowers - and that was just from my boyfriend - don't tell my husband for goodness sake!! Joking, this is for him.

As seasons in their colours creep
I hope we'll never lose
the loveliness we have.
I hope we keep our friendship
safe.
I hope our love survives.
I hope that as those seasons pass
your heart I keep.
And most of all I really hope
you'll never cease to say

'You've got a lovely arse'.

So there it is, my romantic attempt for the year!

Did I tell you all that someone bashed into the back of my car on Monday night? Well they did. My husband was taking my eldest to return some videos, and on the way some twit skidded into the back of them. They were both fine,which is the main thing. My car being a large Mazda has a big bugger-off bumper which is slightly dented, the other poor guy though has practically written off the front of his! However my petrol guage got damaged in the bump, as did the central locking system in the boot. So, because the bumper is expensive as are the other two items, and my car is a H reg. banger we could be looking at a right-off. In the meantime they have taken my car away for assessment and replaced it with a Vauxhall Corsa - it's a bloody toy car - horrid little thing - give me back my Mazda anyday. Under-powered, notchy gears, stupid head-rest in the middle of the back seat which limits rear view, Vauxhall gets on my nerves Corsa itsa nota proper car! Tell you what happens next week. Bet you can't wait!!

2003-02-03T01:57:00.000-08:00

It's Monday again and I am uninspired. Perhaps I have used up all of my creative juices on my story this weekend. Perhaps I am just tired. Whatever it is, it's not conducive to happy blogging. So I'll just try again later in the week.

2003-01-27T01:49:00.000-08:00

Monday morning,
Another grey dawning.
I saw some sun last week!
It wasn't there long but I saw it.
A splash of pale yellow accross the hills
But now it's raining again, grey, grey, grey
it makes me sick. I want some more yellow
Give me yellow please.

Before I manage to get in my car on a Monday morning I have to run the gauntlet of breakfast and pre-school preparations - preparations - did I say preparations? That's the problem, there aren't any.

Sausages sizzling in the pan,
golden brown and sticky.
The kettle steaming away in its corner,
click.
Teabag nestling in its mug, a sludge of coffee and milk for me.
Ping, there goes the toast. Browned off squares of bread,
peeping out of the slots - I know how they feel.
Thunder, thunder, thump, thump, thump.
School boy feet - elephant feet,
coming down the stairs.
MUM!
Homework diary in my face.
MUM!
One odd sport sock in my face.
Slug of coffee,
sign book,
locate sock,
throw breakfast onto table.
One eye on the clock,
grab bag,
grab files,
kiss husband.
On my way.
Just another manic Monday.

2003-01-22T01:43:00.000-08:00

And now it's Wednesday, and the weather hasn't improved much. The only news I have for this week seems to be my sons parent/teacher evening - which was not news at all. On account of the fact that the only surprise we had was that one teacher actually didn't have a negative word to say about him or his work! As for the rest, well predictably disappointing really. To be fair to him, he always has glowing praise for his behaviour and manners, but it takes more than that to get you through life!! I will grudgingly admit at this point that it wasn't as black as I am painting, but like all thirteen year old boys he lives for leisure time, anything else is a bore and a chore to be got through as quickly as possible - which definately shows in his school work. I think that wearing his trousers round his knees doesn't help - I mean, how can you think when your underpants are showing. In my youth it would have been a cause for great embarrassment to have your underwear showing - and you would have got ribbed something rotten for it - now it's considered cool! I don't know - kids today!

2003-01-20T01:57:00.000-08:00

It's another week and the weather still hasn't cleared up, as I drove from Bridgend to Treforrest this morning, once I had eventually got clear of the motorway tail back, the tops of the mountains were covered in thick cloud. I noticed this because I was in another traffic jam, this time through Church Village and Llantwit Fadre. It is a grey miserable day, but I'm sure things will get better when I go to Starting to Write and IT!

Grey day
Motorway,
rain and lorries spray.
Sputnik headlamps
pierce the gloom,
tail-lights loom.
Breaklights show
warning glow,
SLOW DOWN

But they never do.

Hey, how's that for a Monday morning? Sal.

2003-01-15T01:38:00.000-08:00

Good morning bloggers, it's a beautiful day here in Treforrest - not! The rain is wet and the wind is blowy, the sky is dark and it's hell on the roads, just another typical January day. You may have guessed by now that I don't like January; I think it's the longest dreariest month in the year. I also have a wedding anivrsary and two birthdays to cater for, which is not perfect timing when I'm skint after Christmas! Luckily Giles, my eldest, who will be 13 on the 31st, has agreed to settle for having some friends round for pizza, DVD's and a sleepover - did I say lucky? I'll amend that - not lucky but cheap!! Ah well such is life.
January, January, month of woe
wind and rain and slushy snow
Christmas is gone, but Spring's not near
Oh how I wish that May were here!
Well that's my effort for the day, I'm off to replenish the creative flow with a large cup of caffeine. Sal.

2003-01-14T04:16:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year, Happy New Year, Happy New Year to you
The Turkey is eaten, the deccies are down
The weather is dreadful-
You freeze or you drown!
It's typical January,
Long, dark and drear,
Can't wait for the springtime
To bring us some cheer.

In the meantime, Valentine's Day is on it's way- All you young lovers take note.

Also I have a huge bunch of daffodils on my kitchen dresser to remind me that spring will arrive. Beautiful, they are my favourite flower
especially when my husband buys them for me on our anniversary...

2002-12-09T02:12:00.000-08:00

Went to order my turkey on Saturday, should be simple enough shouldn't it? well no actually, the conversation with the butcher went something like this...
Butcher "can I help you madam?"
Me "I would like to order a turkey please"
Butcher "Certainly madam, would you like it boned, rolled and stuffed"
Me "Er. - Boned and rolled?"
Butcher "Yes madam, we take it off the bone for you"
Me "Oh, yes, um, that sound o.k."
Butcher "what stuffing would you like, madam?"
Me "Stuffing?"
Butcher "Yes, madam, as in sage and onion, cranberry, chestnut or forcemeat"
Me "Forcemeat?"
Butcher "Sausagemeat madam"
Me "Oh yes of course, er.um cranberry I think"
Butcher " Right madam, rolled and boned with cranberry stuffing, now then, what weight do you need?"
Me "Weight?"
Butcher "How big do you need madam"
Me "Er, um, I don't really know"
Butcher "How many people will you be feeding, madam?"
Me "Weeellll...."

As you can see the butcher is a very patient man, and I did eventually manage to complete the order, but I did notice when I went back for some steaks that he ducked through to the back when he saw me coming! Ah, well, xmas preparations coming along - slowly!

2002-12-04T01:52:00.000-08:00

I am so fed up here, I have stuff on my blog pages and I can't seen to send them.

2002-12-03T05:43:00.000-08:00

Hello, I am getting so sad, have slaved over those hot keys all morning, and now look where I am again. Computeritis that's what I'm getting. Couldn't park in the Uni. car park at lunch time, so have had to park a mile away in a one hour return zone, and what's worse the tax is up on my car, so am going to be well fed up if I get a ticket. I have a feeling that a lot of people besides students are using the car park as cheap parking for the day while they catch the train to their work in Cardiff. If so, the firm in charge of the car park should issue badges to the students and clamp the rest of the b......rs! It's a real pain in the rear.
Bought my Christmas pudding the other day, yes my Christmas arrangements are really coming along well, I now have a pudding, some crackers and some wrapping paper, oh yes, and one pack of cards - yes as I say preparations coming along nicely - not! Don't panic - yet! Anyway here's my wish list.

Twinkle, twinkle, christmas star,
Santa bring me a big posh car,
Satin knickers edged in lace,
And some Estee for my face,
Shilton shoes, and a prada bag,
And lycra tights for my bottom sag,
A box of chocs, and a bottle of Fiz
Santa that will do the biz.

Twinkle twinkle little star
What a silly girl you are
Some bubble bath and a pedicure set
Is all its likely you will get.

2002-12-02T02:27:00.000-08:00

Hello, well here we are it's the second day of December and I haven't even bought my Turkey yet, don't panic, don't panic! Ah well, we can always have chicken! Enjoyed the Bond film last Thursday, good fun, worth a watch if anyone hasn't seen it. Back to Christmas, I haven't done any shopping yet, there's no time, I havren't enjoyed a couple of hours retail therapy for weeks, I'm getting withdrawal symptoms. I'm also becoming a recluse, All weekend I slave over a hot keyboard, and have to be prised away from it to get a bit of freshair. Yesterday afternoon (Sunday) I developed cabin fever it's got so bad. Ah well just two assignments to hand in an I can relax a bit, not much because there are three more to get ready by January! But at least I should fit in a bit of shopping. It's times like these that I really do wish there was a Santa!

2002-11-28T05:06:00.000-08:00

Hello again, silly blogger that I am I couldn't remember how to get in here the other day. Anyway memory has been restored with the help of a few good friends. Have been socialising too much this week, not enough work done, trying not to panic. Taking my boys to the cinema tonight to see the latest James Bond movie, will let you know what I think. The other thing I am panicking about is Christmas, it's coming too fast, I'm not ready , good job my lads don't believe in Father Christmas anymore, or they would think he was being really mean this year. I just can't find time to go shopping, too many assignments, too much house work not done,which reminds me there's washing in my machine which has been there for the last two days mouldering away! , and on top of that the business books need updating. Did I mention that I am the M.D. of the landscape gardening business which my husband, bless him, runs. So with it all, there arenever enough hours in my day. Never mind, it keeps me out of mischief. I'll blog off home now and see what can be done about the mouldering washing! Have a good weekend all.

2002-11-25T02:28:00.000-08:00

Morning all. Hope you all had a good weekend. I didn't, well not much anyway. Got lots of work done but no partying! I still haven't decided what to blog on about, but I'm sure it will come to me. Did anyone else watch The Greatest Briton on T.V. last night? I would have voted for the telletubbies personally, but they hadn't been nominated!Anyway for those who didn't see it Winston Churchill won the vote in the end, after a close run with Brunel and Darwin. Good for him, not a bad choice by the British public for once. Any way I'm off for a coffee, see you all later.

2002-11-19T05:13:00.000-08:00

Couldn't park the car in the uni. car park again today, well not without a long wait anyway. It's a nuicance, and my car is prone to blowing up if it gets overheated! or is that frustrated? or maybe that was me. Once in the car park I had to park outer space, what does that mean? you ask, see all those so and so's who sling their wheels anywhere, well I could't beat them today so I had to join them. If I blocked anyone, sorry.

2002-11-18T07:07:00.000-08:00

Hi-de-hi bloggers,this comes tob you from the Uni. in the sky. Well we're in Wales actually, but we're on a hill here. Speak to you soon.