Mornings...

Why is it some mornings you wake up a fresh as a daisy and others, like today for me, you wake up feeling completely shattered and as if you haven't had a wink of sleep all night? I cant remember having any dreams which disturbed my sleep, I didn't wake up in the night like I sometimes do nor do I recall anything else which may explain my tiredness. So what on earth happened last night?

I went to bed as usual last night, and fell asleep after a while and that was it until this morning when the alarm clock rudely disturbed the peace! I did ignore it I must admit and didn't crawl out of bed until I absolutely had to. I'm now sitting at my computer wishing I could go back to bed for an hour or two but that would only have 2 outcomes.

1. I would probably feel worse as a nap might not be enough to make me feel any better
2. It would make it more difficult for me to get to sleep tonight

So I'm going to have to struggle through the day, yawning my head off like I am now and just collapse when I get in from work later.

I want to go to back to bed and get some more sleep.. But I cant!

Mid-Life Crisis?!?

I've been thinking about the so-called mid-life crisis over the last few days (my other half hits the big 4-0 tomorrow!), and I've been wondering about last year. I had, according to my other half, a mid-life crisis when I turned 40 last year when I decided that I absolutely had to learn to ride a motorbike!

I had actually sat down at the beginning of last year, as it was the big 4-0 year, and written a list of all the things I had wanted to when I was younger, but had never gotten around to doing for one reason or another. And learning to ride was top of the list, above everything else!

My (logical) reasoning at the time was that I had been a pillion passenger for more years then I cared to remember and seeing as the old age clock was now ticking away faster than I would have liked, it was about time I learned or the chances were I would never do it! So taking my mid-life crisis by the horns I learned to ride. I took two attempts to pass my test and not even falling off and snapping a few bits stopped me, I was that determined! I felt so good the day I passed my test I almost kissed my examiner when he told me I had done it!

I personally don't class last year as a mid-life crisis, I've convinced myself I was just taking stock of my life and the things I've done. If I have a mid-life crisis it means I have to admit I'm getting older, and I don't want to do that!! I'm still a teenager at heart!!

Mind You, looking at these it doesn't look like I'm the only one

A Very Brave Little Girl

There is a story here in the UK today that has made me really think this morning. A young 13-year-old girl has won her battle to be allowed to die with dignity in her own home, surrounded by those who love her.

All parents want the best for their children, for them to live and be happy throughout their lives, but how would you feel if the best thing you can do for your child is to let them go. This little girl could have an operation which may save her life, but if it works she will face a lifetime on medication. She has made the decision on her own that this is not the kind of life she wants for herself, and her parents are standing by her.

I am a mum myself but cannot imagine what it would be like to face a dilemma such as this family is going through. I know deep in my heart I would do anything I could for my children to fight and live, but who’s interests would I be serving? My child’s or mine? At what point would you be able step back and put the wishes of your child before your own? It’s not a situation I’m sure I could deal with.

My thoughts are with Hannah and her family, and my heartfelt admiration goes to a very brave little girl who has made a decision I'm not sure even I could make.

Details of the story can be found on the BBC News Website.

Does My Bum Look Big In THis?

As a motorbike rider, more particularly a FEMALE motorbike rider, I have noticed something, which I must say, is starting to concern me a little.

I recently bought a fantastic pair of Hein Gerick ladies leather motorcycle trousers, which I must say are absolutely fantastic regards quality, price and protection. I cannot fault the company for their product in anyway.

Now, you may now be wondering what I have to be concerned about, regarding my leather trousers. Well, I'm going to tell you! As a woman I have a profound loathing of looking any bigger in shape or size than I am. We women have a pathological hatred of this, a fact to which practically every man on this planet can testify. My problem isn't with the trousers or the manufacturer.. It's with cows!!

Leather is a wonderful fabric for protecting motorcyclists in the unfortunate event of an accident BUT over time it stretches!! So the pair of leather trousers, which fitted you beautifully when you bought them, over time will stretch so that about 6 months later you look like your bum is half way down the back of your legs!

I personally (and I can't be the only one) don't like my bum looking like this and so I was wondering if we could 'have a word' with the cows and see if they could be persuaded to try and do something about the problem, after all the cows are the ones who provide the materials for our leather trousers.

If the cows could help with this I think there would be a huge market demand for 'Memory Leather'. I'm sure even the guys who ride motorbikes with their one-piece leather suits would appreciate it

Remembering The Fallen

Rememberence Day - 9th November 2008

In rememberence of those who gave their lives in battle in the past, and those who continue to do so to this day in conflicts around the world.. We will not forget you..

If I Should Die

If I should die, think only this of me:

That there's some corner of a foreign field

That is for ever England. There shall be

In that rich earth a richer dust concealed;

A dust whom England bore, shaped, made aware,

Gave, once, her flowers to love, her ways to roam,

A body of England's, breathing English air,

Washed by the rivers, blest by suns of home.
And think, this heart, all evil shed away,

A pulse in the eternal mind, no less

Gives somewhere back the thoughts by England given;

Her sights and sounds; dreams happy as her day;

And laughter, learnt of friends; and gentleness,

In hearts at peace, under an English heaven.

Rupert Brooke

1887 - 1915

Under The Bed!?!

We had a wedding to go to last week, one of Sideshows work mates was getting hitched, and in the process of getting ready for said wedding I had to dig my boot boxes out from under the bed to find a pair suitable for the occasion.. Unfortunately my New Rocks, as in the picture, while fantastic boots did not go with my outfit!

I.. ermm.. had forgotten quite how many pairs of boots I had! Some of them are still fine to wear, others are a bit shabby and there are yet more which I reckon I was hanging on to for sentimental reasons!!

Now, I've been thinking about this and I'm a little concerned that I'm keeping boots for sentimental reasons! Yes, I know I loved (and still do love) those particular pairs of boots but why keep them when they are no good?

Maybe I'm just a teeny-weeny bit more odd than I thought I was!!!!

What Is It With Jaffa Cakes?

Now I can't be the only person with this problem... Have you noticed how a box of Jaffa Cakes can literally VANISH?

You must know what I mean.. You open the box, undo the wrapper and take out your first one and nibble away at it.. Sound familiar?

Well, there you are, quite happily munching away and you go to get another one.. ONLY TO FIND THE PACKET IS EMPTY!!!! You're sitting there, staring at the box thinking "Where the heck did that lot go? I can't possibly have eaten them all!! Not that quick!!"

But.. you did! You ate a whole box of Jaffa Cakes in about 5 minutes flat!

If you are anything like me you instantly go into a state of denial, and start blaming everyone from your OH to the cat for eating them, while protesting that you had nothing to do with the dissappearance of the Jaffa Cakes.. But no one will admit to anything and you eventually realise that you must have eaten said Jaffa Cakes and thats probably why you now have a tummy ache!

I've noticed there is a phone number on the side of the box for people, its the helpline for Jaffaholics Anonymous. I've considered ringing it at times, not because I have a Jaffa Cake problem (see, still in denial!) but I'm curious as to what or who is at the other end of the phone line, but I have never rung it, I daren't in case someone at the other end starts laughing at me!! I wonder if anyone has actually phoned them?