Blue Monday....

So today it was "Blue Monday" I woke up feeling better than I have all week, I came downstairs and put the radio on, then turned it off, then put the TV on, then turned it off.....Why? you may ask, because all they were harping on about was Blue Monday....I started to think, yes it's a long time til payday, yes I'm fed up of the weather, yes I overspent at Christmas, yes I have already broken two of my three resolutions, that coupled with the fact I have been really poorly this week and stuck in the house meant that by eleven O clock I felt like Eeyore with a big grey cloud over my head!

I made some coffee and miserably sat on the sofa where I have spent most of last week, Ruby (who has had to be content with me half heartedly throwing the ball around the living room for a week cause I wasn't up to taking her for a walk) jumped on my lap, she has this amazing knack of knowing if you are miserable, which thankfully (as I do tend to be a really positive person) isn't very often. Anyway I thought "get off your lard arse and take this pup for a walk". So despite the weather I donned my wellies and big Jack Murphy (other wax type coats are available) outdoor coat and trundled off on our usual route.

The usual route takes us past the cemetery and I found myself thinking, any one of those people in there would gladly swap places with you right now so get a grip, and you know what that grey cloud lifted, it's very easy to forget just how lucky you are sometimes even if things are not going your way.

I came home, washed the dog, washed me, made a cup of earl grey and put Hairspray (the DVD not the product) on the DVD player and laughed and sang along.

So you see Blue Monday.......not so blue after all !!!

12 Things to do before 40

So here's the thing, I am in my now 39th year and recently while I was having a sort out I found an old notebook, it had a really badly written children's story in it, and then at the back a list of things that I was going to before I was 40 (I think I wrote it when I was about 32!)

The list was as follows - now I know it wasn't that exciting like Climb Kilimanjaro or find a cure for a dreadful disease but I am a realist ( an unfit, useless at science realist) so I knew there was no point writing things like that on it!

1. Find a roller coaster that actually scares me ..............Nope!
2. Learn how to play the piano or guitar (Well I've bought a piano and a guitar but still can't play either)
3. See a show on Broadway ......phew that one I have done 3 times
4. Actually do a songs from the shows concert for Cancer research instead of just talking about it .......not yet, but still talking about it maybe in the summer!
5. Have a singing lesson from Zoe Tyler........Nope!
6. Pay off my mortgage ......yeh you guessed it Nope!
7. Travel more ....OK I've aced that one
8. See my top five favourite singers live, Barbra S, Liza with a Z, Dolly P, Alison Krauss and Bette Midler ...... 4 out of five done and working on the Bette Midler one!
9. Become a restaurant critic.......Um nope!
10. Buy a house or flat abroad......Nope!
11. Make an album.......Nope got a really bad video of me playing Cinderella and singing does that count??
12. BE in a show on Broadway......... well you can guess that one, since I still work in Insurance!

When you look at it I wasn't that ambitious was I? and there isn't a cat in hells chance I will do any of the ones I haven't done in the next 12 months, well maybe the concert!
Now you know why I haven't made any resolutions this year!!!

Keep smiling
Marmite Girl

The best weekend ever!

I know I have been a little sporadic at this lately, but it took so long to do the African bits I can't remember what the heck has been happening , work has been busy, I have been busy. I did have a lovely Christmas, and this weekend has been BRILLIANT. My good friend CJ bought us all surprise tickets to see Cinderella at the Old Vic in London, it was written by the genius that is Stephen Fry (why didn't he get a Knighthood???), by the time we left my sides hurt from laughing so much, Sandy Toksvig was amazing, it was very near the knuckle and far funnier than any Panto I have seen or been in.

After the Panto we had a wander around Selfridges but it was too hot and too busy, I must admit to being the kind of person that would rather pay full price and go shopping when it is quiet! After Selfridges we went back towards the Old Vic to eat at Baltic - Silvena Rowe has long been my favourite TV Chef and we are facebook buddies, so I chose Baltic where she is Executive Chef . We had travelled all the way from Wales to go, and by heck we weren't disappointed, the vodka, especially the cherry was awesome, the atmosphere was buzzing but not overbearing, the staff were all friendly, helpful and professional, and the food.....wow, it was exquisite, there wasn't a drizzle of daft dots of sauce to be seen, it was good, honest, extremely tasty food and there was certainly none of the ridiculous "London" prices you see elsewhere, I would highly recommend it (especially the pierogi) but I warn you go hungry! there are no "chefy" portions here. I can't wait to back and try something else.

To top off an already brilliant day I actually got to meet the wonderful and lovely Silvena herself, she was sitting on the table next to us with her cousin. I can't begin to tell you how wonderful and lovely she is, we spoke for ages, and then she sent over a vodka for us all. Then when she was leaving came back over to our table to say goodbye, can't see Gordon Ramsey doing that myself! I'm still reeling from the excitement.

Wishing you all a happy, healthy and prosperous 2008
Love
Marmite Girl xx