A Nothing Day

Been feeling rather irritable and bored all day and I know why, it's lack of sleep. As I've had the last week off work I've been staying up later than normal and I just don't do well with messed up sleep patterns.

When my kids were young it was different, I just sort of got on with it but these days it makes me feel bitchy. I wanted to go out but didn't have the energy or motivation. I wanted to do something good indoors but didn't for just about the same reason. I've got lots of house stuff to do and my little patio garden has weeds which are threatening to swallow me up if I don't tackle them soon, but nothing got done apart from me fiddling around online, mostly with my blog.

My partner has been occupied nicely all day with his new toy, a Playstation 3... so it would have been an ideal day to buzz off and do something worthwhile.

I just tried to watch something on BBC iPlayer (an online catch-up of BBC TV programmes) but it didn't seem to be working for me, typical!

Never mind I guess we all have these kind of nothing days sometimes..

Seems I'm An Introverted Neurotic..

I came across this at Clay Lowe's blog. I must admit I am/was rather undecided as to whether to post or not as I don't really like the outcome. But here goes, it's me, I answered the questions as honestly as I could...

Eysenck's Test Results

Extraversion (23%) low which suggests you are very reclusive, quiet, unassertive, and private. Neuroticism (83%) high which suggests you are very worrying, insecure, emotional, and anxious. Psychoticism (25%) low which suggests you are overly kind natured, trusting, and helpful at the expense too often of your own individual development (martyr complex).

Take Eysenck Personality Test (similar to EPQ-R)
personality tests by similarminds.com

Yes! That's It For A Week!

Wow! At last the end of a very busy week, busy at work and home.

My son arrived Thursday afternoon and left for Brazil at 2:30 am Friday so we had less than 12 hours but that's OK as he will be here for a whole week of catching up when he gets back.

I feel I need to catch up a bit now with the blogs and something I fully intended to take part in but just haven't had the time, Doodle Week! Yep I was going to make a total fool of myself!

I still don't have time to get out and set up the scanner but maybe I'll give it a go by just photographing my meagre efforts! Better late then never I hope!

I am now off work for the entire next week and the weather forecast is wonderful.

Tomorrow is expected to be 28c (82f) here in London so I intend to get out as much as possible, it's been a long time coming, both the weather and some time off!

I'm not going away anywhere during the week but hope to have some good days out!

Something To Look Forward To..

I'm quite excited this evening as tomorrow my son comes home from Dubai. He will be in UK for only just over 12 hours before flying off to Brazil for a week or so. When he returns from there he will spend a week with us before returning back to Dubai again!

He's become quite a jetsetter in recent years and I'm so pleased for him having the opportunity before he gets tied down maybe with wife and kids. He really does work and play hard!

It will be lovely to see him again and I'm hoping my girls can find some time to be here for that week, it's been well over a year since the three of them have been together at the same time.

The only annoying bit is that I have holiday from work next week, that's the week of his Brazil trip, and not the week he will be here, but if he's the same as he was then he will be in bed till at least noon everyday!

At The British Museum

Went to the British Museum today as it's a Bank Holiday, it was really interesting.

I was last there many years ago when the kids were very young and we went as part of a school trip. It's not far from where I live, a 30 minute bus ride and it's free entry, so I don't know why I hadn't been for so long, I guess it's lack of time.

The majority of people there did seem to be tourists, funny how when you live somewhere you don't visit too much.

I took lots of photos, some are not that brilliant as it's a bit dark in some of the rooms and of course a lot of the objects are behind glass, so reflections become quite a problem.

I was going to post a few but I couldn't make up my mind, so I posted them all in this slideshow made from the photos posted on Flickr..

Loving The Long Weekend

I love these Bank Holiday weekends, get to Sunday and have another day off to look forward to!

Today was spent doing lots of cleaning, there often just isn't the time or energy in the week so it tends to get very messy.

I then spent some time dropping Entrecards, I know, what a waste of time but there is something pleasantly addictive about it.

I went out on my bicycle, only for about 10 minutes, around the block. Just to prove to myself I can still ride it, it's been a long time since I got on it. Even that short ride made my thighs start to feel tired so I know I have a lot of work to do to get back up to speed and to face the dreadful London roads!

I then planted some herb seeds.. I have no idea if they will grow well at all but I like the idea of being able to pop out to my balcony and pick some fresh herbs. I'm particularly fond of coriander in just about anything, not just curries.

Then, later of course I was back online - doing what I enjoy, reading the blogs..

My Daily Routine

Liza wants to know my daily routine so she tagged me:



What time do you usually wake up?
Either 6:30 or 7:30 depending on what time I'm working that day.

What’s the first thing you do?
Eat breakfast

Breakfast?
A big bowl of cereal and a cup of tea.

Do you go to work/school?
Work

Do you like it?
I'd prefer to be a lady of leisure, but it pays the bills.

If you stay at home, what do you do all day?
Well, weekends only that is - and I spend too much time online

When’s lunch and what you eatin’?
We only get 30 mins lunch break, so it's usually a quick sandwich.

What time do you get home from work/school?
Depends on what time I started that day but the latest is about 7pm

What do you do?
I'm a Healthcare Assistant in a GP surgery, sometimes known as Nursing Assistant

Dinner: When and what?
Usually between 7:30 - 8pm, and I do try to have a wide variety of dishes.

What do you do to unwind?
Blogging, reading, and watching TV.

What is your favourite part of the day?
Evenings, just after dinner.

Who’s your favourite person to interact with?
My partner and (when they are here) my (grown up) children

When’s bedtime?
Between 10pm and 11pm

Who’s bedtime with?
My partner

I would like to tag:

Mee mOe
Anita
Tina
Awake In Rochester

Monday - Again...

Don't know why I hate Mondays so much as I only work a few hours, in fact the worse days for me are Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, they are long and extremely hectic..

Maybe it's because I spend so long looking forward to the weekend then in the blink of an eye it's over and it's Monday again.. Seem to be wishing my life away...

However, I won't be so fed up next Monday as it's a Bank Holiday!

My Penpal, Judy Ludermann

When I was growing up I loved to write letters to people, to anyone, so my Dad set me up, through an advert in a paper he used to read, with a penpal, her name was Judy Ludermann.

I was about 12 or 13 and she was probably about 15 or 16, it's difficult to remember. Mostly all I remember is her name, and that she lived somewhere in Chicago US. We wrote to each other for a little while but ran out of things to say.

She was a great fan of David Cassidy, which at the tender age of 12 I didn't quite understand - I was very innocent and quite sheltered at the time.

She sent me a photo which I kept for years, not of herself but of deep deep snow outside her house. We never had snow like that so I was very impressed.

I wonder what happened to her, I wonder if she has any memory of me...

Shopping Makes Me Feel So "Wrong"

Went to Oxford Street after work to have a look around a couple of shops, particularly Marks & Spencer as I still have vouchers to spend from Christmas.

I tried on a few things, and actually bought a few tops and a skirt, luckily they have a 90 day returns policy so I still might change my mind.

I hate buying clothes as I always feel I look so "wrong" and ugly in the dreadful lighting they have in the fitting rooms. My boobs, bum and belly are too big, and out of proportion, my legs are too short and my skin.. well it looks gross.

Why oh why do they not have more flattering lighting I do not know. When I look in the mirror in the toilet at work I look surprisingly great, so it is possible to create an illusion and you'd think a shop trying to convince women to buy clothes would want to make it as beautiful an experience as possible!

After shopping I met my partner and we ate in Garfunkels, which was nice, no washing up!

But all that after a full day's work is just about my limit, I am sooo knackered it's ridiculous..

Anyway, just going to try on my new clothes again before I go to sleep..

Two Elderly Ladies

Mostly when I write about work it's to have a moan, well not today.

This morning 2 elderly ladies had appointments with me, both of them in their early 70's and both of them, it seemed rather lonely.

Usually, because of the nature of the job I call in the patients, get on with what ever is required and then send them on their way, and on to the next person. But today, something about these ladies, who were booked in one after the other made me want to take my time.

They were both very chatty, nattering on about their lives, how times had changed for them and how they (one in particular) were very alone.

I felt a deep sense of empathy with them, and I could easily have spent a lot longer with both or either of them - and I know why..

They both reminded me of how perhaps my Mum would have been if she had still been alive.

My Mum passed away 20 years ago at the young age of 52 and would have, like these ladies been in her early 70's now.

There is so much I miss about not having her around, I'd love to be able to sit and just have a natter with her, and today I think, not only did these elderly ladies enjoy and benefit from these extended chats, but I myself did as well.

Sunny Sunday Re-Potting

I woke in a very odd mood today. Feeling I wanted to jump out of bed and have a massive clear out - make space and get rid of. Which is not really possible as I have a lot of "stuff" here which belongs to my son who currently lives and works in Dubai, and also of course my 2 daughters belongings as they are away at uni in term time.

I did a bit of clearing, in an effort to resolve this feeling. Then I felt overwhelming sad and miserable, the feeling of missing my kids being the focus of the now streaming tears.

I had a good cry, which in fact I believe did me good. Last week at work I felt like crying several times due to so many impending changes and stresses but I didn't so it was good to let go and have the tears in the privacy of my own home.

After having some lovely cheese and tomatoes on toast (made by my partner to cheer me up) I felt a bit better and we went out to a local garden/home store.

I bought some compost and plant pots as several of my plants were in desperate need of a little more growing space. So by the time we got home the sun was shining and it was pleasantly warm to spend time out on the balcony re-potting.

They all look lovely now, the 5 cacti and a dwarf conifer tree, all standing proudly in the fresh new soil.

Silly me, I should have taken photo's - maybe tomorrow if I have time!

Want To Get Out This Weekend

Another wet weekend ahead it seems - I am not happy..

I'm just dying to get out with my camera, take some photos and have an enjoyable time outside.

Have to wait and see what it's like in the morning, hopefully they've got it a bit wrong.

What Would YOU Do?

At work, if you were looking somewhere you should not be looking and you noticed a mistake made by another member of staff what would you do?

Ignore it?? - knowing this could lead to a lot of misunderstanding in future..

Point it out?? - which will then reveal you've been looking where you shouldn't..

Anything else??

I can't go into details, but this happened to me today at work.. Still not sure what I'm going to do!

Ever Cried At Work?

I almost did today... I had an awful afternoon.

Working with the public I'm sure you can imagine has it's bad times but working with the public in a healthcare setting you'd expect a little more respect and politeness.

But alas the patient patient is just about a thing of the past. Seems people want it all and they want it NOW! To hell with anyone else.. and today I'd just about had my fill of it, was almost ready to walk out, leave my job. But knowing that would not be the best idea I swallowed hard on the lump in my throat and blinked back the tears.. Not an easy task as I was very upset..

Do these patients not realise we also are humans with feelings, humans that are in a position to help, but when spoken to and treated in such a rude disrespectful manner why the hell should we? Why do we have to take such sheer nasty behaviour?

I myself would not dream of being rude or even complaining if I was kept waiting or not able to get what I wanted immediately, particularly when I can see there about 10 people in front of me - that's the way it goes!

Anyway, I made it through and now home this evening I'm much happier..

My oldest daughter is home for Easter

My youngest daughter just rang me, she's just arrived back from New York and will be home soon

And.. it's Easter!!! No work for 4 whole days!! And an excuse to eat chocolate! YAY!!!!!!



(not that I really want any chocolate - a moment on the hips and all that! lol)

Happy 20th Birthday Baby!

My youngest daughter is 20 today.

I sent her a text to wish her a Happy Birthday and she texted back to let me know she was in the queue for the Empire State Building, and that she was having a wonderful time over in New York.

I find it hard to believe her birth was 20 years ago, where oh where has all that time gone....

Anyway, although we can't be together I'm so happy she's having such a great time - and wish her a truly wonderful day from afar!

Bank Card Reader

Card Reader, originally uploaded by LadyBanana.

It's great to have a bank with a high level of security and this card reader came today in the post. Seems I am soon going to have to use it for any online banking transactions.

Now it seems to me it could be a whole lot of hassle.. Not just for me but everyone.. What happens if it gets lost, broken, runs out of battery, we want to use our cards whilst not at home and don't have it with us?

Oh well, I guess it's progress..

Do you have one of these? Or is it just in UK?

Lazy Sunday

Was going to go out today but the weather has been really awful, raining and very windy again, so we didn't bother.. So predictably I've spent most of the day online on my laptop and my partner has been on his big computer playing his wargames, which I just don't get! But that's fine we are both happy doing our own thing here.

I joined FriendFeed, another one of those things I'm sure sure why I join, but hey, gotta try it all out!

I've dropped a few Entrecards, although sometimes I just get a bit bored with doing all that.

Discovered more lovely sites such as Flickr-Storm - found this one on Shellys Delicious Links

I've spent ages fretting about my daughter over in New York, she sent me a text to let me know she had landed safely on Friday night but then nothing to let me know she had met up with her boyfriend as planned. Well, just a few minutes ago she sent another text telling me all was well and she was off to Manhattan.

Tired Thursday And Gorillas

Had an incredibly busy day at work today - my body, particularly my legs are throbbing.. so no real post today, just one of my favourite photo's. Taken in London Zoo around a year ago.

Work, Blog, Cat And Dog

Had a fairly busy day at work - was a long day, 8:30 till 4:30. Had to deal with a couple of very strange people, I'd love to go into detail but maybe it's best not to.

In my spare moments I was thinking about my blog and how I should really try to follow up on comments made. I rarely get round to it for the simple reason of lack of time. I know some bloggers religiously reply and that's wonderful. I do hope those who kindly comment here don't think I'm ignoring them, I truly do appreciate and value all comments (well unless they are downright nasty or spam) If only I had a lot more time to spend on here!

On my way home from work I did a bit of shopping, just necessities, nothing exciting and as I walked up the road I had a tiny but disgusting accident - I trod in dog poo! I TOTALLY DESPISE those who are so thoughtless as to leave the pavements in such a state. If you have a dog you should be prepared to clean up after it. That's one of the reasons I don't think I'd ever have a dog, I wouldn't be able to cope with clearing up the poo..

When I got home, after cleaning up my shoes, I opened the window and immediately in came my neighbours cat, I'm sure she must think she lives here. I packed away the shopping and began getting things ready to make dinner. When I went back into the sitting room the cat had left me a nasty little pile of sick, grass sick - yuck! and she's not even my cat! So another unpleasant cleaning up job..

Now, dinner all done and eaten I'm able to relax for a while before bed. I'm just so tired and can't wait for some time off. I did in fact book a week off today but it's not until May, so still about 8 weeks to go.. will I make it? I hope so...