CALLING THAI...M!!!!!

You will now see, a small part of my son's holiday. Sit back I promise it will only be a short trip

ENJOY!!!

A Pink shop........

More of the pink shop.

Cornflakes anyone???
Flowers, for you.

Is it to late for a swim????
Yes!!!

Who wants to swim, when you can look at this ? (me)......

Shall we monkey around a bit?
Me first!

You never said anything about playing with fire!

Look, its easy!!!




The Loos

Cheers!!!!!

Sorry its more shots of my sons holiday, no actually I'm not sorry, I want these on my blog.

Haven't had time to chat, Math has nearly finished the decorating, so I'm busy getting my bits and bobs in place (sounds painful, but I love it). I may even make you see what I have changed. One of my favorite blogs is, http://designersblock.blogspot.com/ she caters for every ones budget, but works so hard at giving you new ideas. I have had so many options about my home, and now my budget is very limited , enjoyed the challenge.

I have really loved altering furniture, maybe I do now have to much time on my hands, but honestly she has surprised me. I always thought I had a good eye , but di is someone special.......

HOME COMING

Came down with the sniffles yesterday, and for reasons unknown my hip was giving me a lot of pain. There was no time to feel sorry for myself as my son and his girlfriend were coming over for an evening meal and to stay the night.
It has been a month since I'd seen Nat, and I'm so excited to hear all about his holiday.
For the evening meal we were having, Tuscany salmon, a mixture of seasonal vegetables and Gratin dauphinois (with added cheese). I made a chocolate & strawberry cheesecake, with cream for our sweet......
Nat and Sophie arrived at seven, they looked fantastic. Both of them tanned a golden brown, and with good health and happiness glowing around them.
After a good 10 minutes of hugs and kisses, we unloaded their bags into their room.
Nat announced that we could eat, then we could have the presents he had bought us, and then end the night looking at his photos (3 hours worth). I resort back to childhood when gifts are about, my son has such a good eye for buying unique gifts.



















The meal consumed, Nat brought out a huge canvas bag. I was over whelmed with everything he had brought us, I truly just expected a small memento from Thailand.
Firstly he gave me a red tea light holder, that when the candle is burning, a three dimensional Buddhas face serenely glows (great for meditating). Secondly, a black linen oriental tunic with a white silk edging around the neck and wrists, with white linen trousers to wear with it. Then two pairs of silver earrings, one pair with jade and amethyst the other pair had pearls and hematite. Finally the piece de resistance, a beautiful cashmere pashmina. How lucky am I???????


He had brought his father a selection of silk and linen shirts,and a pair of linen trousers.

How kind is my son, I know I am bias but , he knows we don't expect anything and his generosity really brought a lump to my throat, and I had to blink back a tear or two......


















After looking at a few of the goods he was having shipped over for his bars and restaurants, he then set the music system up to play a selection of the CD's he had also brought for the business. This was a mixture of mood setting, ambient beats and lounge music. A Bombay Sapphire gin and tonic in my hand, I was well prepared for the photo onslaught. (I seemed to have forgotten all about my ache and sniffles).

So my dear blogger friends, over the next few days I will share some of these with you (you didn't think you where getting away without seeing them did you?)...............................

Promise just a few more until tomorrow........................................................





Look at these for door handles.

Arrh, how sweet is their bed....

Well, thats the doors shut for now, more tomorrow............

TEMPEST

Well I never thought I would be sat tapping my feet , whilst watching William Shakespeare's TEMPEST. Jazz and blues melody's filled the air, not at all melancholy or the usual funeral music.
The words of 'Never weatherbeaten Sail more bent to shore', by Tomas Champion were still as affecting, even if the music had changed.

'Never weather beaten sail more willing bent to shore
Never tired Pilgrim's limbs affected slumber more
Than my wearied sprite now longs to fly out my troubled breast
O come quickly sweetest Lord and take my soul to rest.

Ever blooming are the joys of heaven's high Paradise
Cold age deafes not their our ears nor vapour dims our eyes
Glory there the sun outshines whose beams the blessed only see
O come quickly Glorious Lord and take my sprite to thee'.

For me 'Campions' song incorporated- in a very literal sense the spirit of the play. Shakespeare isn't every ones cup of tea, but I personally think its one of his best (maybe because my dad was a sailor), as well as his last.
'Northern Broadside', brought their own vigorous aesthetic way of doing Shakespeare. It was interesting to hear peoples comments as I left the theatre. To be honest, the more seasoned audience did not seem terribly taken with it. On the other hand, the three bus loads of teenagers that attended appeared extremely happy (the whooping and cheers at the naughty bits also confirmed this).
'Caliban', stole the show for me, the poor chap doesn't have a lot going for him. His mother was a witch, there was no father about, he is physically challenged and he has learning difficulties. His adolescent hormones are flooding through his body (all mothers with sons, can relate to this), but there is no outlet. He lusts for Miranda, but that is a big NO, NO, and his job prospects are nil. Michael Hugo, the young man who played him , still managed to make you want to take him under your wing, or maybe that's just me (I am very broody at the moment). He created raucous laughter with his antics, the students in the audience gave him an extra loud round of applause at the end.


REVIEW
I enjoyed the performance, the music too. 'Northern Broadsides' brought me Shakespeare with pomp without pomposity... their style was cheeky but never over stepped the mark.
We must remember also, if it was good enough for Queen Elizabeth 1st, then its good enough for this Queenie............

NONRECIPROCAL LAWS OF EXPECTATIONS

"If the weather stays fine Queenie, I'll get the garden furniture out. You can sit outside then"
As the last word slipped out of Maths mouth , I prepared myself for floods , gales and maybe even more snow...............
"You shouldn't have said anything Math", "why? " he replied.
So I had to explain to him once again, how it works.......

Do you look at the drinking glass in front of you that's half full or is it half empty?
Will you be at the airport, when your boat comes in?
THE UNSPEAKABLE LAW.
As soon as you mention something...
...if its good, it goes away .
...if its bad, it happens.

He looked at me with a quizzical expression on his face, "that's crazy, its just old wives tales, like not putting all your eggs in one basket".
"No its not, think about it, that sayings true", I replied.
"Oh! Queenie, if that's the case then, what about this one. Better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to speak and remove all doubt".
Sometimes that man of mine.....................

Short post today, off to the theatre to see the 'Tempest' tonight, will post all about it tomorrow.

LOST IN TRANSLATION

The Little girl sat on the train, repeating the sound around her, Chickerly choo, chickelry choo. She started to laugh as she remembered past train journeys, with her father. He would argue, "no its Didgery doo, didgery doo", "no daddy its not, listen, chickerly choo", she would reply.This frivolity would last the whole journey. When the drinks trolley came round he would swear her to never tell anyone he had brought her a ginger ale, and would only allow her to drink it, if she promised to sip it very slowly. She would break out in an uncontrollable fit of hiccup's, he would put his arm around her and say"you will get me shot if they find out I've given you alcohol".
Snuggling up to her father, feeling so proud he was hers. A handsome man in his Naval Chief Petty officers uniform. He was half Italian, jet black hair, and bright turquoise eyes. His skin was always tanned from his travels at sea, well spoken and a gentleman at all times. From a very early age she knew he would catch all the ladies eyes as they walked by.
Suddenly the heavy ache she carried in her heart brought her back to the present time.
Never again would she hear her fathers dulcet tones, never again would she feel safe in his arms.
Her father had been killed in a car accident, and she was leaving Somerset to come and live back with her mother in Nottinghamshire. Her stepmother and brother had put her on the train, with strict instructions not to talk to any strangers, with the exception of the train porter , who had been given the task of keeping an eye out for her safe arrival to Nottingham, a job he took most seriously, popping his head around her carriage door several times throughout the journey, even sharing his bag of mint humbugs with her. Tears in every ones eyes, goodbyes hugs and kisses as the train left for its destination.
With a slow Sssshhhh, the train pulled into Nottingham station. The porter came to her carriage , pulled down her case from the overhead shelf and escorted her onto the platform. They were only stood for a few moments, when out of the crowd appeared her mother and man she remembered as her uncle, "ay-up midduck"she heard him say to her.
What was this strange language she heard , and so my story begins..............................

Should you ever visit the wonderful city of Nottingham, here, with some help from the local language expert John Beeton, are some sayings and phrases that may help.

NOTTINGHAM - ENGLISH

Ay-up midduk---Hello and good day, sir or madam
Owya goinonn then serr?---Are you in good health my friend?
Wairza booza?---Can you direct me to the local public house?
Intitt koad?---It's cold today isn't it?
Gerraht!---I don't believe you!
Gizzabitt---Can I have some?
Wottjowant?---Do you want something?
Gizzago---Can I have a turn
Am tellin yammam!--- your mother shall hear of this incident!
Itwerr krapp!---It was not very good!
Yo duttie sodd!---I am disgusted by your language!
Shuttya gobb---Please be quiet
Yo jammi sodd!--- You lucky person
Tarrah then--- Goodbye
Ayagotsumtuffees---Have you got some sweets


It did not take me long to learn that when I wanted an Ice lollie, to ask for a sucker. To save myself from injury, I needed to 'gerron corsey' (walk on pavement).
When asked, 'aye ya mashed mi duck', my company required a cup of tea. To stop the wandering hands of the boys I was to meet, 'gerof youf', worked far better than 'excuse me what do you think you are doing'.

I can hold my own now, and converse in mixed company for hours. My stepmother and brother look at me with shock and horror when visiting. My H's are dropped and some Nottinghamese (the name of this complete language, containing many unique words, it also observes a strict grammatical pattern) spurts out of my mouth. I hear her mutter under her breath, you would never guess she had private elocution lessons at three.

It is the same the world over, that different areas have their own unique dialogs, and any that have brought a smile to your face I would love to hear..........

Please click on http://www.bbc.co.uk/nottingham/features/2002/10/guide_nottingham_lingo.shtml
should you require any more help.

HUMPTY DUMPTY

On Friday I was looking forward to a nice relaxing evening. A glass or two of wine curled up on the couch with Math, watching easy viewing T.V.
Wrong, the phone rang and it was my mum on the other end, she was sobbing. Once I had calmed her down, she managed to tell me she had fallen down whilst down town. Some very kind people from the bank she had fallen outside of, had driven her home. She told me she couldn't stop shaking and felt sick. I told her not to worry I would get someone there soon.
I think that was the first time it hit me, how restricted I am, being unable to drive at this present time .
Anyway, after a few phone calls I managed to get my troops together and they were with my mum in less than 20 minutes. Meanwhile I had contacted Math at work to come home to drive me to her.
I need to cut this story short (you will understand why soon). The fall had obvisley really shaken my mother up, and made a mess of her chin. There were a few cuts and bruises on her knee, but nothing that wouldn't heal.
My sister asked me to call by on my return home to update her on mum, which I did.
Math and I were on our way down my sisters drive, when my right elbow crutch caught a ramp on her diveway. With all the elegance of a clown slipping on banana skins, I went flat on my face. I felt the elbow crutch yank my wrist back, and the layer of skin leave my knee.
Everyone decided my wrist was broken (it was an odd shape, growing in size and turning a nice purple), and to the hopital I must go.
I just ached in every bone in my body and wanted my bed. After promising I would go to the hospital the next day, I was allowed my own way.
Diagnosis.. wrist not broken, badly sprained and bruised (note to self, Math bet me £50 it was broken, must collect), splint applied and strapped up.
My hand is still very swollen, so my posts will be short and asissted by Math for the next couple of days. So any spolling mistookes are his, heehee..........