My rambling blog posts!

  Whilst browsing online the other evening, I saw a facebook post that posed the question "what old-fashioned values/habits or objects do you still use today?" and it got me thinking.  I'm 40 and therefore I do have certain habits and values that may be classed as old-fashioned nowadays; I think we all do to some degree. I think technology is a fantastic thing so I'm not a technophobe at all, (although I still can't get my head around the concept of a 3d printer, my brain isn't capable of understanding that whatsoever), I think advances in technology are astounding and anything that makes life easier is welcomed by me. I've also not got an old-fashioned attitude really, for example I firmly believe in equality rught across the board,  I have no bigoted viewpoints; I am not remotely sexist, racist, homophobic,  transphobic, etc. This is not to say that everyone was "back then" but attitudes have definitely shifted for the better nowadays in my opi...

  Do you remember those old BT adverts where Bob Hoskins would state that it's good to talk? Well, I can remember thinking that no, it wasn't, not at all in fact. I found social interaction and other people stressful. The anxiety involved in even attempting conversation with someone else was enough for me to just give up on the idea entirely, I figured I'd rather deal with loneliness than stress.  Fast forward to the current day and my outlook has changed significantly - I love to talk, connect with friends and also I've even made some new friends along the way! How rather wonderful! I often talk about "time" in my blogs, the rapid passing of time is a regular concern of mine. Time is a funny thing really, it is nice seeing changes over time and having to adapt to new changes that come over the years - both good and bad. Dear friends of mine recently had a change in their circumstances as their son went off to uni which is of course a good thing, but it requir...

  Well, today is my last day off of my two weeks holiday, it's been nice and I'm feeling a bit deflated that it is now coming to an end. I've always feel a bit guilty during summer that I never have enough money to take Rox and the kids away on a "proper" holiday, especially when I see other folks enjoying amazing summer holidays abroad, (I've yet to travel overseas). It is all too easy to compare myself to other parents and feel slightly inadequate when it comes to money - especially at this time of year when I know others are going on exotic, sunny holidays and all I can offer is a few day trips. However...we are experts at enjoying the simple things in life so this is 100% not a self-pitying post, I'm genuinely happy with my lot in life. We've had a lovely time off; I've spent quality time with my little family - many nights of laughing, watching films, playing games, camping outside, late evenings, early mornings - perfect! The kids have had ...

  There's the old sayings about being the "bigger person" by "extending the olive branch" to someone you have fell out with. Well, recently, I was reminiscing, (I'm 40 so I'm at the age where reminiscing and reflecting on past events and actions is commonplace), and decided to do just that; firstly I apologised to those that I felt needed an apology that was overdue and they were predictably lovely about the whole thing and it was a nice feeling knowing they were ok.  Secondly, I extended an olive branch to someone,  (who shall remain nameless as it matters not who they are, that's not the point of this blog!), we had fell out years ago and then things had been ok afterwards but "frosty", (not from my end I hasten to add, I'm not that malicious), so I figured, even though I knew I'd end up with "egg on my face", (or should that be an olive!), it was a nice thing to do. I would gain nothing from this other than maybe a chat...

  I'm currently on my summer holidays, and despite having just had a thoroughly lovely week off last week and still having another whole eight days off before I have to return to work I find myself worried!  Now, this isn't a depressing blog post, (which I'm aware I sometimes have a tendency for), in fact it isn't even a moany blog post; I just thought I'd put down in writing what is rattling through my old noggin, (I know some of the more pedantic of you may say that this isn't writing, this is text, but to you I say check out my many diaries, there is enough writing in there to justify the above statement), maybe some of you may have encountered this same phenomena and I wont feel quite as much as an oddball!  So, like I said above; so far I've had a truly wonderful time in London with some of my closest friends, had a perfect beach day with family, I've met up with friends for coffees, chats and laughs, enjoyed the weather, late night film marathons, ...

  I bought a secondhand copy of the fantastic book "The Magic Toyshop" by the brilliant Angela Carter and tucked inside the cover was this note.  Now I have no idea who either Jennie or Mary are but I could tell from this note that they were both good people; Mary who was clearly grateful enough to write the note and gift and Jennie who helped out Mary's ill mother. This edition of the book was published in 1986 so I have no idea what became of either person or indeed how the book became for sale; Jennie clearly was touched as she kept that note inside the book for potentially years. The note smells fusty, just like the book itself, (a wonderful smell I hasten to add, easily one of my favourite smells), so it's been there a while.  So, although I have no idea what became of either party, I'm glad I got to read this charming note, it's nice, heartwarming in fact. The note shall remain in the book, it seems only right really.  There is no point to this story ot...

  If you were to look up the word 'friend' in a dictionary it would say something along the lines of "a person with whom one has a bond of mutual affection" and if you then flipped through that same dictionary and read the definition of 'soulmate' you would see it says something like "a person ideally suited to another as a close friend". They can be the same thing, friends and soulmates.  Long ago I realised that it is therefore entirely possible for someone to have a number of 'soulmates' which must be good for the soul - the clues in the name.  Now, not all friends automatically become soulmates, oh no. I'm lucky in that I have a lot of friends who I've met in a variety of places and at various different times in my life who I've spent many happy hours with, laughing and joking. Some friendships, over time, naturally change, maybe even become distant, this is just a fact of life; certain friends may come and go and although the...

  Social media is weird, we can all agree on that; the interactions you have on facebook, instagram, threads, etc don't aways bear any similarity to interactions you would have in real life. I hasten to add that this is not always the case; I try to be as accurate to my offline self as possible snd I would day my social media presence is fairly authentic to my everyday vibe.  This isn't going to be a blog post saying all social media is evil or corrupting society because I firmly believe it can be a great thing. I've met people through various social media sites and many I class as my friends now. I use my social media accounts to attempt to entertain because lord knows the world has enough hate, misery and bitterness already, so if one of my stupid posts raise a smile then that has to be a good thing.  So, what exactly is this blog post about? Well, it's "likes". I don't do anything for attention, genuinely, and I know a lot of my lovely friends do click ...

  I think I may be fast becoming a curmudgeon or a grouch, it was inevitable really as I had always found certain things people said or their actions irksome so it was a mere matter of time until I became grumpy. Admittedly I didn’t think it would be at the age of 40; I pictured it being around the age of 60 - the kids had moved out, my body was now a battered husk and I was cynical and bitter about the world - but no, here I am aged 40 and giving Victor Meldrew a run for his money.  You may be wondering what exactly has led me to this realisation of my own grouchiness...well, it was  actually something nice, something I fully enjoyed in fact. Let me explain... This past weekend was easily one of the most fun weekends I've had in a while, we had won "best overall" in the carnival for our float which was nice after so much time and effort was put into it. The day itself was really enjoyable and many laughs were had by all involved. On the sunday, somewhat weary, I had spen...

  "Time flies when you're having fun"...that's how the saying goes, well it's true. Sadly it also flies when things aren't as enjoyable, basically it is scary how quickly years can whizz past, regardless of how much you are making the most of your time. The photo above shows how quickly periods in time can fly past; it seems not too long ago when I had two tiny little babies who had won my heart, despite all the crying, stress and nappy changes. I blinked and they were no longer babies but toddlers, walking around bumping into things and waking us up at the crack of dawn to watch another episode of Yo Gabba Gabba, Titch or the Wiggles. Shortly afterwards I stupidly turned around to make myself a much-needed cup of coffee and BANG the toddlers were now children, ready to go to school and make new friends, their personalities were now a lot more evident and their thirst for answers about everything was immense. After reading another few poems from 'A Light...

Next to my bookshelf in my bedroom there stands this walking stick, it is a standard extendable walking stick with a mottled marble-effect handle on the top. There are nicks and scuff marks all over it and the rubber on the bottom is all worn on one side where it often dragged along the pavement. I am the current owner of this stick, yet it isn't mine - it belonged to my dad.  I have written more in-depth blogs before about my dad, but here is a mini background for you; I didn't meet him until I was 18, we got on, then he disappeared one day and we were told he had died, his friends had gone to his funeral, etc. Then 3 years afterwards, once I had got married and became a parent myself he rang me! He was alive and living in Ipswich. He met his grandchildren and daughter-in-law and things were good, we formed a strong relationship and then he genuinely passed away.  This was what he left me, he had very little and hence this is why I was given his old walking stick to remember ...

  I saw a squirrel today, I often see squirrels in our garden in fact. So you may be wondering why I'm mentioning it, especially as it's a common occurrence for me...well, I had left some nuts out for the squirrels and they came - how lovely is that!? Now you are probably thinking to yourself "why is he not only mentioning something that happens daily but also the fact they ate something left out for them!?" and you are right to question it, it isn't unusual, it's not a huge amazing incident, BUT...I liked seeing them eating those nuts left out for them, it pleased me, it always does.  Is this not what life should be about? People have an annoying trait where they, upon finding something they enjoy, suddenly think of ways how they can improve on that enjoyment rather than just enjoying it.  I'm content, I am not aspiring to improve on anything really and there is much to be said about feeling happy and content. The things I like are generally simple things...

I need to preface this with this statement; I like "stuff". I am a collector of many things; dvds, cds, books, records, trading cards, autographs, funko pops and many other bits and bobs.  There is a very distinct difference between a collector and a hoarder, all of my collections are neatly contained in their own little area, not in anyones way and besides, it's not hoarding if it's cool stuff you are collecting!  I realise in the current climate it is not considered good to like material objects, but I very much do! I love nothing more than rifling through a box of dvds, books, cds of records- on the rare occasion that someone is having a clearout of their collection and kindly donate them my way - easily one of my favourite things to do in fact. I never add to plastic pollution as I keep all the ones I like and don't have in my collection and those I have already, I donate where I can.  I noticed recently a lot of charity shops I've been in no longer want d...

  Don't stop reading yet! I know the above image doesn't exactly tempt people in, but please bear with me - it will be ok by the end of this blog post.  And that's kind of my point - things by and large do turn out ok in the end, however this doesn't mean we can't acknowledge when we are having "off days" or even days where smiling like a cheshire cat isn't likely. It also doesn't mean you are a grouch because you're not grinning from ear to ear constantly, we are all only human after all. So, I've been off work for a week now and I've met up with a good friend, visited family and had a lot of lovely relaxing days. The weather has been superb so far and life is good generally. However, with all of the spare time I have struggled with sleep and therefore have been lost in my thoughts quite a bit, (tonight being no exception - hence this blog post).  The odd negative thought has crept in here and there - nothing major and mostly a passing...

  Today is national "don't cry over spilt milk" day and anyone who follows my online projects here on social media will know that I'm celebrating every day in accordance to whatever "national day" it is. Today, I posted a lighthearted video of myself clearly not crying over spilt milk and a few hours afterwards I got a message from someone on Instagram informing me that I'm "not celebrating just virtue signalling" and "thats not what the day is about. Its about not sweating the small stuff". Obviously I was aware that today wasn't about emotional despair over spilt cow juice but I thought rather than explain this to this person I would do a rundown of five minor things that I don't let worry me, (clearly criticism of a stranger isn't one of them as here I am typing a blog post).  It's worth stating before I begin that there are plenty of things I do obsessively stress over but there isn't enough space here to list ...