I’m off to the good ol’ US of A for two weeks - courtesy of my wonderful husband, who’s given me this trip as a F-word birthday present…and as a fringe benefit, gets to go to as much football as he wants in the next 14 days!!!

See y’all!!

In Asda today, buying some stationery type stuff for work, including some coloured folders.

Check out lady asks me if they’re for college. College! I look young enough for college!

This is the second supermarket incident to make my day in less than a week!!

(first person to mutter the phrase “mature student” gets cyber twatted)

Those of you who have actually met me, will know that I am a tad vertically challenged. Standing just 5′ and a squidgy bit (never underestimate the importance of a squidgy bit) in my socked feet, even heels only propel me to the dizzy heights of 5′ 3″ ish.

So just imagine my sheer delight this afternoon in Asda, to be smiled at by a really tiny little old lady, and asked if I could reach something down for her.

I told her she made my day!!!

I have had the most FANTASTIC birthday weekend - it’s more than eased the f-word pain

I had a wonderful party last night, full of good friends, and vodka, and nice people, and vodka, and a yummy buffet, and vodka…and a DJ who quite happily played some stuff that I’d taken in amongst the party classics. Did I mention the vodka?

So that was great (even the weather held this year, first dry birthday for 5 years!!), and I didn’t have a hangover this morning. I just ached!! Lunch was with the usual gang, less John and Marie (you were missed!) and as the Birthday Girl got free grub (superb offer Mr Pub, thank you), I indulged to the max, including a scrumptious share chocolate/raspberry ice cream creation with Chris. Nom nom nom nom!!! I have spent the afternoon on the sofa recovering!

And here’s the best bit - aside from Chris and Mum, I’d imposed a presents imbargo this year, asking instead for donations towards that wonderful cats’ hospice I visited with Mum just after we lost Bones. I’ve just counted up - we raised 205 squids which is just absolutely bloody brilliant, thank you to all those involved. And I get to go visit the cats again - yay!!

Maybe 40 isn’t so bad…it’s certainly started out pretty well!

Aaaaarrrrggghhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Here’s one for the more mechanically minded of you - and let’s face it, having only relatively recently come to appreciate tyre pressures and engine coolant, pretty much ANYONE is more mechanically minded than me! Since I’ve had Minifer back, I have noticed an improvement in fuel consumption of between 10-15%. Considering the damage - to recap, two knackered wheels, knackered steering rack, damaged front suspension - does that make sense to anyone? Not that I’m complaining!!!

I actually made it to Church this morning, partly by accident (I’d gone to meet someone at the end of the service, only to find August ones have a later start this year), and was more than a little infuriated by a notice from the Diocese of Derby on the board outside about flu pandemic precautions.

Restrictions included - no passing the chalice, and no shaking hands during the peace.

Am I alone in thinking all these precautions and palava are totally over the top? We don’t do this for *normal* flu, which kills many more people, it just seems like a totally disproportionate response and waste of public money.

I wasn’t impressed. I protested by hugging several of my favourite parishioners.