5 OS Pleasures in your Day Today part 2

Frith

Chicken - you've reminded me that our local strawberry fields have just opened. They never open on Mondays so perhaps tomorrow....

CCP - I had Jamie Oliver's vegetarian chilli for my tea (from the freezer)

PK - my fridge is on the way out, I think. I keep turning it off for a day to unfreeze/unblock the drain at the back but it just freezes up again then any condensation collects and runs out on my sock when I stand by the fridge in the morning. :-(

My pleasures for today:

1) Not a bad sleep.

2) Put some of my sister's CDs on Music Magpie for her. Have mainly been listening to Carly Simon and the Stones from her collection today! (Nobody Does it Better on as I type).

3) Sent a birthday card to my Great Uncle Bert (94) and printed out a couple of photos of sons to put in with it.

4) Have put a bid in for some work surface and a new sink on EBay. At the moment, the work surface will be saving me £80 and the sink about £150! That will just leave me 2 wall units to get before work starts.

5) Put the curtains up now the window sill paint is dry.

6) Enjoyed watching a bit of Wimbledon this afternoon.

7) Smaller son had a good day at school and came home with gingerbread he made this afternoon.

Kittikins

1. Sunshine

2. I made a delicious salad for lunch

3. I FINALLY took my documents to the solicitor and had a good chat with him. Apparently if all goes well, exchange in 4 weeks and complete a week later. Gulp.

4. DD had a fab play with her chums and I got to attend a dullish meeting at work, but the pleasure is - it was my last one!

5. iplayer, what laptops were invented for

sparrer

1. Beautiful yellow thing most of the day
2. Shopping with DD & DGD2 for her holiday with friends next week. Always a pleasure as they're good fun to shop with
3. After a terrible panic about DD not being able to have muttley when I go to DS's grad next week (as three of her b.itches are in season and her alpha male won't accept another male dog on his territory), DGD1 has very kindly said she'll move in while I'm away to look after him
4. Although we were shopping for DGD2 I was also looking for something to wear as the dress I was going to borrow is far too long for me - as most are! I tried on what felt like dozens of dresses and found two that were perfect. One was in a sale, the other was just so pretty. I just couldn't make up my mind between the two...:whistle:
5. I've arranged to meet the gentleman I've been exchanging mails with on Thursday at the local garden centre. I'm positive he's not an American murderer chicken, I spent an hour talking with him on the phone and he definitely has an English accent! Could cause some comments from my offspring though as he's ex RN and we're very strictly an Army family :cool:
6. Emptied a potato sack and have some beautiful new potatoes with skins that just rub off. They smell so good I can't wait to have a few with tomorrow's salad
7. Masses of flowers on the tub of tumbling toms, hopefully it'll be a good year.
8. The strawbs just keep on coming
9. I counted 53 apples on the espalier!
10. Last night I called and called the mog to come in, it's often difficult to get him in when it's mild at night. Made myself a cuppa and read a book but nodded off for about half an hour, came to and let the dog out of the back door for a few minutes. I don't bother to turn the kitchen light on to save electricity and when he came back in the cat flew in too, so we all went to bed. Just as I was dozing off again I heard the most unhappy noise from the cat, almost a panic, so got up to see what was wrong - and found I'd let next doors cat in instead of mine! The worst of it is he's black and mine is white! :rotfl:
I am starting to wear purple with a red hat......

Sweet dreams

mcculloch29

Just off to bed, but had to let you know that you made me smile, Sparrer!

DD and anyone else with possible missing Mr T's vouchers, you can print off missing vouchers if you register your Clubcard online.
DS cleared out a pile of paperwork with vouchers in once, but I printed them and all was well.

Chickenopolis

Sparrer the cat snatcher :rotfl:I do hope that you have a nice time with the RN chap , Ted Bundy aside and all that

Mcculloch - Crikey you were up early !

PK - thank you . Sorry to hear about the fridge , especially after the mammoth batch cooking:(.

BoP - I would much rather have chicken poo than pesticides . I know what goes in to my girls Frogs:(, slow worms:(, spiders ....

Have a lovely day all !

ampersand

The Pleasures as written have disappeared again, twice in last couple of days. Screen just does sudden instantaneous wipe-out.
cba re-doing when yellow thing's vaguely, generally around. Due thanks to bop, to whom one shilling and nine-pence halfpenny is clunking its meter money way as we speak. Annual subs due, I know.
Phone just did same Disappear - was talking to NZ Aunt and realised she'd been unusually silent for quite some time. Dialling again just produces answerphone msg, so have 'phoned cousin, living near-ish & she's nipping down to make sure all's OK. Uncle's leg is now in brace, plaster removed, but he has to stay where he is for a few more weeks yet. Happened a month ago today.

Re-hashes:

1. Still feeling that same Something Good about Friday visit and spoke with new ladyvic after Sunday's Family Service[had permission to do so], which was also a double christening. 2 little sweeties - 1 squawker, 1 beamer, lovely interesting names. It was a very full and happy feeling Church. Bought ladyvic's girls' eggs and collected tombola wine.

2. Near-village street sale on Saturday. So-so, but much good chat with nice people. Actually managed No More Plants, but not No More Books - 3 wonderfully used, loved vols. of Georgian Poetry, rough-cut pages, 1911-12, 1918-19, 1920-22, all Poetry Bookshop imprints on thick paper. When things like this come into my hands, I find myself wondering what books' first owners were thinking, wondering. Did the first have any idea or fear of what would shortly follow, then repeat, 35 years later? What about those writing at that Great War's end? There's a D H Lawrence poem I hadn't known:

http://www.online-literature.com/donne/3441/

-and it has something of Rosetti's 'Goblin Market's haunting qualities.

So, while I bless the internet for making that possible, nothing can replicate the tangible feel and hold and reflect-on-words that these lovely 'keeper' volumes instantly planted in me.
Also had another copy of Martin Gray's 'For Those I Loved' - which I buy every time I see it. I keep a multi-stack of all sorts of things, for which I know there are rightful owners, as yet unmet, who will need them, when eventually we and they cross paths.

3. Wimbledon on The Wireless while more planting is done. I picked Lisicki early last week, recalling her superb matches from other years/tournaments and a real Never Give Up derring-do, allied with such talent.

4. P&R compromise on npd allowed quick-ish trip for small banking from last week's Spits, Library, £land plant glug and Mr T for Millicano coffee, half-price, plus another couple of Anchor butters, on 2 for £2 atm.
This is marvellous[celebration of butter revival]:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b0366xsd/Food_Programme_Butter_a_delicious_story_of_decline_and_revival/
Also found Robinson's luxury mincemeat rtc 20p! Bought 10 - infinite life, infinity of uses, excellent standby/base for all sorts of recipes.

5. chicken - your strawb. haul is staggering. Already so many! They're still ripening here and the bridal veils are largely doing their job, esp. as I'm putting out lots of defrosted rtc's for fledglings and parents. It is amazing, as yesterday, that the blackbird juniors - 3 siblings, I'm sure - are now very close i.e. inches from my toes, ignoring some of my movement, following me as I refresh water and so forth. I have, however, found some pecked green strawbs, detached on ground this morning.

6. Spits msg confirms more filming/market occupation on Thurs, so won't go for risky outside. Really must get a>g for w/e though. Will be listening to Men's Final in marquee...if it's Andy, miscreants might time their misdeeds to this moment, when I won't have eyes or ears anywhere but Wimbo.

7. ccp- just as I suspected[and have already written this twice], although your campanulas do look infinitely more demure and well-behaved. Is it just that you have put them on a bop asbo? You do have a lovely garden set up there. Frith's looks well ordered too....everyone else's is besides my 'still in my head' pottering progress.

sparrer - all the good portents for meeting, in either new frock:-)[call it a test run for DS graduation], your version of brandy poured and summer gloves eleganced onto the tiny hand unfrozen and the satin sandals..... Be happy. It's a duty call.

ampersand

Why do my posts turn out so long. It's awful when I see them like this. Sorry, again again again.
p.s. - had bacon sandwich too lfs. Sudden need and nothing else would do. Luckily, had extracted bacon from freezer day before. Weren't they lovely?:-)
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also, Grands Bienvenus to Montmorencymon - you managed 5 very very well indeed. Real crackers.

Tealady_2

Morning

Been MIA for a few days as couple of very busy days and yesterday just needed time for my body to catch up. So lots of lovely pleasures over the last couple of days though may not be MS.

1. Managed to get food shopping done on Saturday morning before going out for the day and all came in under budget even though I bought some extra treats and a few store cupboard bits.
2. Fab day on Centre Court on Saturday, so much great tennis and we had an extra match of Serena Williams as well. Ampersand I'm with you on Liski as well, it was great to see her win on Saturday, much cheering from us.
3. As very late home decided to get a taxi from Station as it is not our nearest one and area can be not very nice at work. Taxi company that we use for work made sure there was a car waiting for us as we came out of station even though they were really busy, much appreciated and I will take them a box of biscuits as a thank you as this not the first time they have gone out of their way to make sure not left standing around at night.
4. Great day volunteering on Sunday at the SunWalk. The sun did shine which was great though it made it hard work for some of the walkers. Met loads of lovely people on the volunteer team and some amazing walkers including a lovely little boy doing the 10K who was struggling towards the end but his face lit up as we cheered him on.
5. Watching London tourists look on bemused as walkers came past in their bras, priceless
6. Treat ourselves to a takeaway on Sunday night. Nice not to have to cook but all agreed that homecooking tastes better.
7. Dad was 75 yesterday and loved his presents. He is very hard to buy for but seems we got it right this year :j
8. Best sleep ever on Monday night

Hugs to all who need them

VJsmum

helloooooooo I'm back

BoP - thanks for sending the yellow thing to Glastonbury :T
WARNING - GLASTONBURY HEAVY

Well, what can I say. I had the best time EVER!!!! - Far far more than 5 pleasures, but maybe I'll group them

1. The music and the artists. You can save your jealousy, Chicken, as we didn't see the Stones. Neither of us is a fan (DS is only 14 so really wan't bothered about some old g!ts the same age as his grandad (nearly) and they aren't my thing). We watched Example who was on at the same time (more in a sec) and then walked over to the pyramid, but it was heaving - literally. We tried to squeeze in, but it just wasn't safe and someone collapsed near us so we squeezed out again. We stood at the side and heard a couple of songs but weren't bothered enough to stay - the crowd looked fab though and I'm sure it was a great atmosphere. We saw 15 bands in full and loads of bits of others. The stand out for me was Example, who I've never been bothered about before, but he has clearly been to the Robbie Williams school of crowd engagement, worked his little socks off and was sheer class. Other highlights were Seth Lakeman, Rufus Wainwright, Noah and the Whale, Bastille, Billy Bragg, Rokia someone or other from Mali who was hypnotically, mesmerisingly (is that the same?) good, Of Men and Monsters (or is it Monsters and Men?), Jake Bugg, Professor Green (honestly, DD, they give professorships to anyone these days ), Beady Eye (but mainly cos Liam is a [STRIKE]tos[/STRIKE] er idiot but so funny and the Oasis songs were ace) - oh all of them really.

(I'm gonna save and edit as I don't want the curse of Ampersand! )
2. The weather - thanks, BoP. We put the tent up in the rain and the first night was wet but after that it was amazing. I have sunburnt lips . i could see how a bit of rain does turn the place into a quagmire though and wellies are essential if rain is on the cards.
3. The food - it is a food festival as much as a music festival and you could eat anything you choose. The only thing I spent money on was food as it was all so good it was a shame not to try it. There was your usual burgers, pizzas but, oh, the quality was amazing; indian, chinese, lebanese, ostrich, vegetarian and vegan, bacon baps, ice creams, toasties. All delicious.
4. The people. Whilst it must be said, and I hate the terminology, but it is largely white middle class, there is all ages there from babes in arms through to folks in their 70's. We didn't see any trouble whatsoever, despite the quantities of alcohol being drunk (not by me, I don't drink much anyway and wanted my wits about me as I was with DS), and the presumed drug use that was likely (though we didn't see that either, a small amount of cannabis smoking). Everyone was there to have a good time and was tolerant of everyone else.
5. DS - It was lovely to spend time with him. At home he can be very "moody teenager" but take him out somewhere and he becomes a human being again. He was lovely and we kind of looked after each other. yesterday, on the way home, he said "Yeah, well, Reg (he calls us Reg - not sure why :rotfl:) thanks for taking us and that". I thought it was rather sweet - in a weird way. he maybe needs to be a little more open minded about stuff he hasn't heard before, and a bit more patient while waiting for things to begin but that will come as he gets older.
6. The nutters - some weird and wonderful people, those dressed as penguins or cows, men in tutus, people in feather headdresses or dressed as bananas. All were fantastic and added to the atmosphere.
7. The banners and flags - sometimes I thought we were in a march or part of a revolution. Totally added to the atmosphere of the thing, and if loads of flags turned up to an act then it was usually a good un.
8. Michael Eavis - I know he makes money out of it, but it's still a great thing he allows to happen on his land. The ethics of the event are close to my heart and the raising of awareness for things like Winston's Wish (a charity which affects and helps members of our family very much), Greenpeace (I used to really want to go on the Rainbow Warrior till I realised how seasick i get ), the exploitation of Adidas, preservation of fossil fuels, and how essential it is to have clean, safe water (if ever something was brought home to us, that was, as it was hard to get at!).
9. Soap - I never knew how much i like being able to wash my hands with soap - when we saw some at water points, we were falling upon it like it was golddust!, and the Shewee (:o sorry if TMI ) - absolutely essential.
10. Coming home to a hot bath and a decent cup of tea. That really has to be an old style pleasure.

So, my optimal outcome was to have had a wonderful time and to never want to go again. I didn't achieve that because I want to go again . I have read that people over 40 who say "Glasto" deserve a slap, well ballcocks to that. i went to Glasto and I have the dirt under my finger nails to prove it, I danced and jumped and sang and swayed. i went to Glasto and I want to go again. I've been there, done that and didn't buy the tee shirt. And I'll call it what I bliddy well like!

mhagster

Sounds like vjsmum and tealady had a fab weekend!
I like your long posts ampersand can be guilty of them myself!!

So.... I have just handed in my notice at work! Yikes! I do not yet have another job....but I could not go on feeling so utterly miserable day in and day out. I feel calmer now than I have for a while. I spoke to my manager before Christmas and told him I was thinking about leaving.....oh stay, we'll do this ,we'll change that. And 6 months on of waking up each morning and often through the night and dreading going in, of being spoken to ( at times) like a piece of poo, of being taken totally for granted, of being passed over for taking on more responsibility ( whilst giving it to younger, part time members of staff) ....of having often taken on that responsibility ably in managers absence , off not being the happy smiling person at work I was....but now a crabbit, unhappy person who watches the clock all day until its time to go home.
I have decided to be true to myself and leave before I walk out and don't get a good reference!

I have given 3 weeks notice so will have 2 more pays plus holiday pay so we should manage another month. Will get my CV updated , printed and handed out and about and apply for jobs online.

I had requested ( months ago) next week as annual leave, yep, that's fine, then oh no we can't really do that , then well can I have a long weekend, yep, that's fine...then oh we can't give you the Friday , well can I have the Monday off? Okay....then a text at 10pm on last Friday to say I'd have to come in on Monday and not one word of thanks when I said okay.

Lots of criticism from a stressy little manager that I feel I don't
A: deserve
B: get paid enough to be spoken to like that.....I could go on and on but would bore you all!!,

Anyway...pleasures:

Watched Casualty yesterday .....sprawled out on the sofa....no ironing board in sight

Parrots, parrots and more parrots today, always make me smile.

Support and solidarity from my friend, who is also a customer. She has kept me going with her kind words and I sent her a text tonight to let her know
Her reply was 'omg! I will miss you but good on you!'

Reading a lovely book, just sat in my office when I got home and read and read for a couple of hours.

Fish and chips for tea ( takeaways will stop!) so a chip butty for my tea.

Right it's bedtime here so goodnight from me and have a lovely day.