2007 Review

Well, Christmas makes you think of the year past, and perhaps it is a sign of being middle aged, but this year has shot by with a speed of a rocket. The "bigger" events of 2007 are still lurking in the wings; Gordon Brown sneering his way into number 10; the flooding of Britain ( and the near demolition of Sheffield); Iraq's drip-drip disaster; media embarrassment of phone line spins and the newspaper frenzy over little Madeline. But, I guess it is the smaller, more personal stories that obviously stick in my mind in this little bit of green Wales we are now hiding in.

There are been a few lows! Not many, but a few. Nu's family traumas pulled at the heartstrings and reminded us all what real friendship is all about; we lost Finlay, and his eternal optimistic faithfulness and money has been a bit difficult at times
as has the deadlines for Chris' job, but generally we have a lot to be thankful for over 2007.

He now have William, a cheerful down syndrome of a Welsh terrier to complicate the house pack; 24 chickens have arrived to keep old Robina on her toes; the ducks have turned up and the success's
of the allotment have provided more satisfaction in 6 months than years of "personal development" within senior nursing. The best year ever for the Trelawnyd Flower show has catapulted me into the tight knit community that is Trelawnyd, and Chris has enjoyed being the "maverick" in his new post at Bangor. So village life is having it's effects. Nu and Jims' "winter wedding on the wirral "was the social highlight of the year,(there wasn't a dry eye in the house!), -giving her away was the real honour of 2007

Chris has loved riding and being "Lord of his manor", I have re found the importance of family and the support and love of friends in Sheffield, Manchester and Australia. And to cap it all I have lost three and a half stone and managed to fit in a 34 pants and a medium top!

All in all, as Frank Sinatra once said ..."It has been a very good year"

http://www.goldlyrics.com/song_lyrics/frank_sinatra/vol_1_greatest_hits/it_was_a_very_good_year/

Peggy Lee: Fever!

Effortless! Heard this again on radio 4 , when taking the welsh to the kennels ( in between bouts of the shits)
and it made me smile.

Morning Sickness

Been feeling sick all day, and I have found that somewhat debilitating I can tell you. This coupled with the fact that Chris has told me he is smoking yet again, has all but ruined my day. I have managed to eat a couple of cans of soup and two slices of toast, but my guts feel as bloated as Shelley Winter's Character Belle Rosen in Poseidon Adventure. Here's hoping I feel better tomorrow

sod's Law

I have been feeling pretty ropey all day! Nausea and bowels ( need I say more?) So I would have liked to have a long sit with I am Legend Which I am reading AND enjoying at the moment. But no! Up at 6.45 am to take Chris to the station, then to Buckley with the Scotties for their pre crimbo haircut. Then beach with the Welsh, eggs deliveries and sainsbury shop; a quick trip to Abergele for some more Chicken pellets, a quick bleach of the kitchen floor, then of to Buckley again. It has been like this all day!

A handful of imodium and no food has certainly helped and I could have done without the terminally cheerful rat catcher from Flintshire County Council who turned up at 5pm wanting tea and sympathy, but at least I sort of sorted out a nice diner for Judy who is calling in later!

Matthew Bourne's Nutcracker!

Lovely music, wonderful dancing and hairy chests!!!!!!!!!
bliss!!!!!!!!!!!!

Kew

I loved the Henry Moore exhibition at Kew (the most striking is large reclining figure -see pic) You just can't help walking in and around each piece, running your hand along the metal curves.
The weather was cold and crisp and we had a lovely walk around the grounds and hot coffee and buns in the outdoor cafe!!
Did some Christmas shopping at John Lewis then was home by 7.00 pm. The crowds along Oxford street were all a bit much for me, so glad to get back to the peace and quiet of Trelawnyd.

Nu's Nutcracker

Up early this morning and completing this blog when in bed! which is very decadent. In London for my pre Christmas Nuala visit and have had a lovely time. She has gone to take Jimmy to work , so I can recall the days events!
We met at three pm yesterday, and went to the Skylon restaurant over at the Southbank. Lovely table overlooking the Thames! and felt very pampered with a great meal, average service and great views. I love catching up, as we talked non stop until 6pm, then ambled over to Saddler Wells to see the Nutcracker.
Camp as Christmas, I have seen the Mathew Bourne production a few times but to be honest I had forgotten just how good it was! Hairy Chested hulk Ian Vincent (pic) played the Nutcracker wonderfully ( I had seen him before in SWAN LAKE and The CAR MAN) and could just entertain myself by watching just him all night.
Fired up with all the great dancing we have arranged to see the Saddler wells production of ARGENTINE Tango ( Tango por Dos) at the Peacock theatre in Febuary, as part of Nu's Christmas pressie!
Off to Kew gardens this morning as it is cold and crip then I will pop in to John Lewis new food halls on Oxford Street to get a few Christmas treats!
Lovey day!
ps Siobhan hope you are reading this! will see you all at Nancy's fund raiser in the new year!

dan fogelberg -

1981..........This was a important song in my megre record collection.
Dan Fogelberg R.I.P

R.I.P Gethin

I am bereft!.... Poor Gethin has followed the pig-in-a dress Letitia and has hung up his dancing shoes! Which I know, is not really the end of the world, but I will miss his puppy- eager-to-please face every Saturday night.

Lucky I was working on ITU all day, so I had to stifle my groans of disappointment in the laundry room Perhaps I will give Blue Peter a look next week.

Got home just in time to watch the last episode of Cranford! Just wonderful!!!! Lisa Dillon as Cranford's conscience and voice of sanity ( the character Mary Smith-centre) almost stole the acting honours from the likes of Imelda Staunton and Julia McKenzie. I think that this ensemble piece is the best think I have seen on the BBC in many years . The happy ending had me in buckets