TALK

I know, it goes without saying that we should talk to each other, especially now when we spend so much of our time on social media. Talking, the old fashioned way, using speech, is good for us. Don't get me wrong, I'm all for texting and messaging on Facebook, Twitter and the like, but you can't beat a good chat over a cuppa, but that's not quite what I mean by TALK.

Celebrating Wednesday's #1

Well what would you know? There's a whole calendar full of days and each and every one is dedicated to something (or more than one something)! I have no idea who thought up some of the crazier ones, but it's fun. To celebrate this new revelation which I have discovered, I thought I would celebrate Wednesday's with you by sharing one or maybe two things that each Wednesday is representing, celebrating, commemorating or highlighting.

Now before I begin, I must also mention that I have discovered that not only is each day a special day, but each month is also special, I know, it's exciting isn't it? For instance I have learnt that November 2016 is, amongst other things, Manatee Awareness Month. Why am I telling you this, when I live in the UK and never see a Manatee floating around the South East Coast of England? Well, I cannot tell a lie, it was a jolly good excuse to post a picture of one of this cute creatures...

So back to the Wednesday 9th November, 2016 and the day is...

World Freedom Day. Now this is a US day set up by President Bush back in 2001 to commemorate the fall of the Berlin Wall on the same day two years previous. I don't know about anyone else, but is there a bit of an irony in this, anyway, not a political blog, so I will leave you to mull that one over yourselves and instead I shall share what World Freedom Day means to me in good old Blighty.

For me it's about thinking about how fortunate we are. I have daughters and living in the UK that means they have access to a good education. They can expect to work in whatever industry they choose regardless of their gender. They are free to wear what they want (within reason, it has to be mum sanctioned) and they will be able to marry the man of their dreams, not a man chosen by myself or their father.

As a nation, we are free to follow, or not to follow a faith. We can travel freely and are able to read and hear news from around the world and we have freedom of speech.

These may seem like small things, but there are people around the World who don't have such liberties. In some countries, girls do not have access to education and are treated as second class citizens. In others it is illegal to be gay. Other countries heavily censor news content etc that is printed or broadcast. The list goes on, but I will finish here because it's not supposed to be a heavy post, just a gentle reminder that we are lucky to live where we do with the freedoms and opportunities that those freedoms bring.

Well, almost finished because today is also Chaos Never Dies Day (I did say I have no idea who comes up with these) and for those of us who are parents, we know this one to be very true indeed.

No matter how hard we plan to make sure all goes smoothly, you can almost guarantee that one small person can throw a very large spanner into the works and it's usually timed perfectly with you needing to leave the house (ten minutes ago). So on Chaos Never Dies Day, remember you are not alone, chaos happens, let's celebrate it ;-)

I Didn't Mean to Say That

Yes someone in the house is sorry, again and this time it's not me, or Max. No, this time it is Miss. D.

You need to understand that after school, I don't really see my girls much until dinner time. Before that they are usually hidden in their rooms, well Miss. D is, doing homework, studying, listening to music and all the other things that teenage (and tween) girls do.

It's quite nice really, I get to have a cuppa whilst watching a Town Called Eureka (I've been watching it for a few weeks now, still no real idea what's going on, but I like it anyway) then I set about getting dinner ready.

I'm on a bit of a mission at the moment to use as much of the freezer contents up as possible before doing another big shop, because I want to make room for Christmas food (we are after all, in November). So, last night was burgers and the remaining fries (two open packs - how?). I hasten to add, we don't normally eat like this, and if we do it's normally a weekend, but needs must and all of that and let's face it when it's cold a bit of comfort food can go a long way to make you feel a bit cosier.

The girls came down pretty much straight away when called (a bonus, as sometimes it takes them ages) and we all sat down for dinner. For a change everyone was happy, which given that it was a Monday, was a nice surprise. There was lots of chat and laughter and we were having a lovely time when Miss. D announced that she was taking up a new sport. Myself and Miss. L were quite interested to hear what this might be. Miss. D is a real home body and doesn't do extra curricular activities (or clubs), so I was getting quite excited at the prospect of her doing something active.

So what is this new sport, you may ask? Well, this is where it all goes a little downhill. Her new sport is sitting on her bottom doing nothing and eating; I'm pretty sure this is not classed as a sport, I've certainly never seen it at the Olympic games and with good reason. Miss. L was quick to point out that this was not a good thing to do because she would get fat and get diabetes (I was impressed by her knowledge of health risks related to food intake vs. physical activity). Now, this is where we pass a shovel to Miss. D...

...because she is about to dig herself into a very big hole...

Her response to her sister is that she has a high metabolism and she will never put weight on (clearly the risk of type 2 diabetes is lost on her - note to self, must educate her more on this).  Anyway, I point out that I used to be the same when I was younger. Now, what she should have said, was, 'but Mum you're still thin.' Pass the shovel because what she actually said was, 'but you're old!' Both Miss. L and I have realised what she has just said, but she has not. So we explain it, twice and finally the penny drops that she has just called me old and fat. Charming! I know that I am the 'wrong' side of 40, and I'm not a size 6 anymore, but really! Anyway, once it's explained to her she's very apologetic and so we carry on.

However, it's not long before that shovel makes another appearance as she inadvertently calls me stupid...honestly I can't remember how this one came about, it was off the back of a conversation about the film Coraline and probably something to do with her finding it stupid and boring. I on the other hand love it, although it is a very odd film.

In short, pretty much everything that came out her mouth was an absolute faux pas, which to be honest, I found highly amusing, because it's usually me saying, 'Oh, I am so sorry, that's really not what I meant to say!' Fortunately, it wasn't said intentionally and we all have good sense of humour. Unfortunately, my daughter seems to have inherited my knack of saying the wrong thing. Oh well, as they say, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree ;-)

Grumpy Dog!

That is me, when I was just a tiny boy. I am having a nice cuddle with Miss. L. I was very little then and I didn't know much.

When I was little, I couldn't understand what the peoples said to me. Now I can, because I listen to them and learn, but I am not very good still.

This week I have been a bit of a grumpy boy. Mummy been busy and she has not taken me out as often as I like. She says to me that she is a sorry Mummy and she loves me, but we had lots of peoples coming to the house to visit me so I can't go out. So I was grumpy, but I made sure the peoples saw how cute I am and insisted they make a fuss of me.

Friends

Now before you get all excited and think this is a post about 'those' Friends (you know the popular TV series) it is not. Although I must say I still find Matthew Perry rather lovely. Anyway, that aside, this post is about my friends, or rather one in particular whom will, henceforth, and for the purpose of this post be known as Bad Friend. Fear not. all will become clear.

So, friends. They're the ones who are there for you no matter what. The ones you trust, who can tell you when you're being a complete idiot and not offend you. The ones who you, laugh with, cry with and enjoy being with. Friends are the people who will help get you out of a sticky situation, by running in and rescuing you any way they can, right? Hmmmm, well that's what I thought, but now I am not quite so sure.

Let me explain. Since Miss L is now in Year 6 she and her best friend, now want to walk to school rather than being dropped in the car park. Nothing wrong with that, they're off to secondary school next year, so they do need to be given a little more freedom. So Bad Friend and I now meet in one of the side streets near the school and the girls walk in from there. They enjoy it as they meet lots of people walking their dogs and we've all got to know a few of the dog walkers.

Unfortunately, this is where my problem began. One of the dog walkers came over one afternoon and started chatting. I didn't really think too much about it, although I was a little taken aback at being referred to as a 'nice bit of stuff,' but I sort of laughed it off and tried to maintain a dignified persona. Anyway, off I went home with Miss L and  later in the evening I had a wee bit of a chuckle about it all on the phone with Dr BD. Then  I sort of didn't think about it again. Until the next day and a few days after that and a few more days here and there, when I kept getting accosted (thankfully, I was in the relative safety of my car).

Hiding has become a regular occurrence

I'll be honest, after the first couple of times, I took to hiding in Bad Friends car (and still do) if she arrives before he does. If she arrives after he does, I am forced to attempt polite conversation (I think he just wants someone to talk to, so I can't be rude and tell him to go away, I'd feel bad and I'm not sure he has the capacity to understand) whilst waiting for Bad Friend to rescue me.

And this is why she is now Bad Friend, because rather than emulating Lynda Carter as Wonder Woman, she sits in her car peeing herself laughing at my misfortune. You'd think it couldn't get any worse, but this morning, she had spotted this chap waiting for me to arrive (he was apparently watching all the cars pass by). She could have used this opportunity to redeem herself somewhat, but no. I have just spotted said chap when I notice Bad Friend opening up her car door. Thank goodness I think to myself, I am saved. Yay! Boo, No she is not saving me at all, she is hanging out of the car door almost doubled up with laughter.

Thankfully, it's the morning school run so I am able to use Miss. L needing to get to school as a getaway, but even that's taken a while to do because he has a dog and Miss. L has to make a fuss of it. When I eventually manage to escape I quickly clamber into the back of Bad Friend's car and call her something I cannot possibly repeat on my blog, but it was dog related, I will say no more.

Suffice to say, I am going to have to find a new parking spot or a new friend, or both.

Time to Get Christmas Ready

The summer holidays are now a distant memory, Halloween is over and we are now heading quickly towards Christmas (if you listen carefully, you might hear the sleigh bells), so if you've not already started getting organised, now is the time!

Now, I am sorry to tell you, that I cannot assist you with your turkey, veg and pudding (although I am available to help out with consumption on the big day), nor can I help with the buying and physical wrapping of your presents. I would advise you against traipsing around the shops if, like me, you cannot bear busy shopping centres; I am an online shopper all the way, at least where Christmas is concerned. However, I can help with your cards etc.

An Awkward Moment

We've all had them, those awkward moments where you're not sure what to say, what to do or in this particular instance of which I write, where on earth to look!

Yes that was me, trying to not see what I was seeing, only I wasn't nearly so successful as this wee lad.

Anyway, it all started with an innocent trip to the supermarket to buy an alternative dinner. I had intended to use up the contents of the freezer this week, and last night the pizza was on the menu. However, given how flipping cold, wet and miserable it was, I had a sudden craving (not that type of craving, there will be no more little people in this house, thank you kindly) for bangers and mash. There were no sausages in the freezer, hence the supermarket trip.