During the Arctic Front

Before the Arctic Front

Cake with 44 Candles

I am turning into my mom and I am only 44. But as my friend Patricia said - aren't we all?

"Heart Speaks Unto Heart"

An inspiration

Controversial

Will I be able to rise up to his challenge?

Great Catch Up

I blinked and it will be August soon.

Spring was good. I took photos – millions of photos. My world was in colour – a lot of colours – from several shades of yellow, to pinks and whites and purples and blues.

I enjoyed friend’s gardens and our local gardens. Again I took photos of these gardens and I enjoyed asking friends to name flowers in each garden.

I stopped at fields and I explored woods and basked in God’s awesome creation. I said a little prayer that finally a new season had arrived. I inhaled Spring and it was good.

We made it to our 11th (steely) year. We may not be masters of how marriages work but we do know where to go to have the best meal fitting for our 11th year. I received books (Twilight Saga – at my age?) and gadgets (yes at my age!) and Dennis? well he enjoyed the meal (ha ha ha).

In May UK had the national elections and a new coalition government was formed!

In June, I spent a week rooting for Andy Murray (Wimbledon) and was disappointed. I watched all England’s World Cup games and was disappointed. The only good thing was the summer heat – we reached 26 degrees.

We travelled to Germany to spend a week with my aunt. We thought we will escape the heat, certainly not. Riedering was hotter. We had fun but it was good to be back to a fresher England.

July is very dry and very humid. My hair is frizzy and my mood is frazzled. I had some days off to improve my mood. We spent some days in the Lakes for Dennis birthday – it rained – yehey- the mood improved but the hair didn’t.

And it will be August soon.

Easter Confessions

I always look forward to the Easter Break - four straight days of no alarm clocks and just getting out of bed oh so slowly; of knowing there are so many things to do and not doing anything about it; having breakfast and then while having your second cup of green tea thinking of what you will have for lunch.

I allowed myself to be bored. Looking out from the bedroom window I counted the cars that drove by and the number of dog walkers with all types of dogs: the yappy one, the English bulldog big cheese type; the brown collie and the brilliant white husky. I observed how people in the bus stop queue looked at one direction and stayed a discreet distance from each other and not a single word spoken.

I allowed myself to stop. Not to worry that crumbs have to be hoovered, kitchen units domestoed and washing put away. Not to worry of parking spaces and traffic jams

I am back to work and wishing for the next time when I can just stop and be dull and bored.

Say that again?

I am leafing through a glossy magazine and I cannot help but notice these lines/statements as big cosmetics companies sell their latest 'must haves':

• Skins cells need to communicate constantly to maintain a support structure that helps skin looking young.
• We have developed a solution to a thirsty hair.
• These product contains carefully selected oils such as Rosehip, Sesame, Canola + pure cocoa butter and Vitamin E.
• We are the antidoe to a tired complexion - makes you look rested and comforted.
• Our telescopic explosion with its new globe brush captures every lash to look longer and fanned out.
• We have the time-released hydration for all-day comfort.

Sigh, I think I need to lie down.

Lent

I thought I will clear up my desk drawer in the office with all types of snacks (biscuits and mini Snickers) for Lent.

Or even limit visiting the following sites and therefore limit me drooling over lovely merchandise from

Net a porter
Red
Joules
Boden
Coast
White company
Coast
Nina Campbell

Or possibly stop my internet stalking of girlfriends of past boyfriend(s).

But after much thought I figure out that managing my list of Domestic Irritations (which translates to not being irritated or annoyed or obsessing over these things) will be the best test of character. So, if I will overcome them will I be a fully enriched person after Lent?

Domestic Irritations

Crumbs – I am one person that uses the carpet sweeper first thing in the morning and before going to bed. The husband asks who would be dropping crumbs when we are in bed. Good question!

Window in the sitting room needs constant attention. It seemed to stain easily and the only window where too much condensation develops. I guess we will be okay if I will leave it unattended for 40 days?

Clutter – not mine I can assure you.

A bag for the charity shop needs to be delivered to the charity shop. This bag is sitting in one corner since last year.

A white patch in the backyard which was left by the builder who plastered the ceiling two weeks ago needs to be swilled and cleaned. Shall I just wait for nature's best way of cleaning - heavy rain and stop worrying what the neighbours at the back will say?

I need to make a decision on what to do with the exercise ball that my aunt gave me in 2006. Fast forward 2010 the ball is still sitting in the corner of the bedroom gathering dust and not being used since 2006.

I hope to revisit this list and see how I fare.

Special Days

First - Valentines was great. It was sunny although cold but it was sunny. We stayed in. Cards from the archive were displayed and stuffed and wooden hearts (not our hearts I promise) were hanged.

And today is extra especial - not because it is Pancake Day - we will have pancakes for tea by the way. I hope Dennis remembers to get some flour. When I phoned him to get some flour - he said: "but Valentine's day is over" - hmmm, trying to be funny Dennis?

Back to today's 'especiallness' - 16 Feb is my mommy Faustina (Tiny) birthday. Happy birthday mommy. I know you will have a big party tonight. I am so jealous for not being there. To celebrate I brought some little cakes to the office. We had the cakes with coffee and the girls wish you a very happy birthday mommy!

Mommy birthday in 2009 (above) My celebration of Mommy birthday 2010 (above)

Great Escape

I came in Friday afternoon at 5.15 pm and closed the door to a dreary and cold and wet and gloomy world for the time being.

The weekend was a great catch up.

So on Saturday after the housewifery things of laundry and dusting and hoovering and after a brunch of spinach omelette, crispy grilled bacon, and crunchy toast and a pot of green tea I am ready for the remote control.

Dennis did all the washing up.

I have recorded plenty of programmes during the week thanks Sky +.
I recorded Vampire Diaries – there is no shortage of fangs and blood on the telly at the moment (Twilight and company). Vampire Diaries is okay – it is like Dawson’s Creek with fangs. The vampire actors are good looking. Is this a must? It helped.

Then I moved on to Glee – I do not care so much of the story but the cast can surely belt out the songs. I like their version of Queen’s : Don’t stop me now.

While I still have the stamina I moved on to Lost double bill – to start its final season. I was not expecting much and halfway the first episode I was still thinking back what happened in the last season – who died who were the others who was in love with whom and I blinked and John Lock is now a monster who can transform himself into a killing dust like apparition. Weird.

This time my eyes were square but after tea we decided that it is about time to watch the Da Vinci Code. Yes again we are late. The hype had died down and the DVD is now only £3!

Here is my quick fire impression: fast, furious, relentless, visually polish and too long. Here is my long sentences impression: in some areas I feel more intelligent than Langdon and Neveu ; I love Betany and McKellen and I am pleased I have read part of the Acts of the Apostles. I should read the whole Acts of the Apostles.

I woke up Sunday very late not because of the viewathon the night before but because it was Sunday. Going out was not an option - there was a heavy downpour.

Good so we turned our attention to Angels and Demons the sequel of the Da Vinci Code.

Oh please don't get me started. I am not a qualified critic but it was OK- let me put it that way. Langdon had managed to torch one of the cardinals; destroyed part of Vatican's archive and admitted that he cannot speak Latin or Italian.

I came out from house Monday at 8.30 am. As I opened the back door I braced myself just in case the world had changed in the last 48 hours – nah – dreary and cold and wet and gloomy still.

Together

What was their story?

You must be Joking!

I am not sure if the person was joking and I think the person was very serious - oh yes really serious when she asked:

"What do you mean by hard copy?"
"What is a CD?"

I love my job :)

I am Everything

Brutal winter - and flying towards the sun is not an option.

Does my SAD intensify my OCD?

The phrase 'I cannot be bothered' had took on a new meaning!

Indeed

"Effective action is unjust"

I Ask

Misplaced optimism or no optimism at all?

Should have stayed in Bed

D is late for hospital appointment.
I am late for work.
The car is covered with ice.
Traffic was horrible because of freezing fog.
Following a car whose driver did not know where to go.
We were silent.
Thinking: We should have stayed in Bed.

My Mood My Food

Snow

Snow arrived early in December.

Stayed and froze.
Some more came down and seemed not moving on.

New

Meeting 2010 in black and white and yellow and green