Fast Food

When did fast food stop being fast? I just had the misfortune to go to a well known burger chain, and I was asked to go and wait in the lay-by because my food wasn't ready. The mere fact that this restaurant (I use that term loosely) even has waiting bays suggests they know they are not able to supply fast food. I have, on occasion, been asked to park up in one of the disabled parking spaces to wait for my food. Given that there are 3 waiting bays this means that I am, at best, 4th in the queue!

So, as I sit here nursing my chronic burger induced heartburn, I have to wonder why on earth I bother. The convenience has been removed from convenience food, and all I am left with is indigestion and a much lighter bank balance!

No more burgers for me thanks.

Happy Birthday Mum! xxx

Today is my mums birthday. Don't worry mum, I won't divulge your age.

This afternoon we all got together to celebrate/commiserate. Here are a few pictures:

Mum, Charlotte & Harry

Mum & Harry

Charlotte & Laura

Me & Charlotte

Charlotte

Happy Birthday Mum

Love you lots,

xxx

Visit From A Friend

On Tuesday our friend Clayton came to visit with us all the way from Glendale, Utah. We first met him when he was serving a mission in England in 1988. In 1990 my family and I went to stay with Clayton's family, but we haven't seen him since. It was so much fun to see him again after all these years.

Sadly we didn't have a lot of time with him, but we gave him a tour of our neck of the woods. Here are some of things we got up to:

Laura and I at Stockwood Park Classic Car Museum

Clayton and I inside The Priory Church of St Peter. It was at this church in 1533 that the marriage between King Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon was annulled.

The Old Hunters Lodge. A 15th century house, now a country pub/restaurant.

Clayton and I outside The Priory Church of St Peter.

View from the Dunstable Downs.

It was so much fun to have Clayton stay with us. I just hope it isn't another 20 years before we see him again.

The Lovely Bones

I started reading The Lovely Bones back in December, and I finished reading it last week. The reason for this isn't that I'm an incredibly slow reader, it's that I found it a chore to get through.

I would sit down to read the book, open to the page I was at and start reading. Ten minutes later I would realise that, despite having routinely turned the pages, I hadn't actually read anything. I found myself wondering what I would have for dinner, or why hadn't the vacuum picked up that tiny speck of fluff on the carpet?

It isn't a bad book. In fact I can't really put my finger on what the problem was, but I really struggled with it.

I think I can sum the book up fairly quickly without giving too much away. I'm going to use bullet points because... well, because I like bullet points.

• There's a horrific murder (I seriously debated whether to carry on or not. I found it very uncomfortable to read)
• Then there is 250 (circa) pages of mourning (understandable, but very drawn out)
• Then it's suddenly 20 years down the line
• Then the book ends.

The ending felt very rushed in comparison to the rest of the book. It seemed as though the author suddenly realised she had exceeded her word limit, and needed to bring it to an end quickly.

So the question is would I recommend this book? Yes, I think I would. Don't ask me why, but I actually think it's probably worth a read. Just don't expect too much from it.

A Nasty Accident

A nasty accident took place on Monday involving my leg and boiling water. I now have a golf ball sized scald on my left thigh that is really rather nasty. It is very sore, and I am having to visit the doctor a couple of times a week to have my dressing changed.

This is the worst thing I have ever done! When I was 12 I cut a small portion of my thumb off, but this is far worse. When I was 13 I tore the ligaments in my leg and was on crutches for a few weeks, but this is far worse. When I was 15 I (possibly, although it was never confirmed) broke 2 of my fingers whilst playing netball, but this is far worse.

So, just to clarify, this is really bad and I'm not at all happy about it.

Whilst I am sitting on my backside resting my leg, I am going to try and get stuck in to The Time Travellers Wife. I have finally finished reading The Lovely Bones, and TTTW is going to be my next read.

Anyway, I just wanted to let you know what is going on with me. I'm feeling very sorry for myself so please feel free to give me as much sympathy as you like.

:o(

Mental Block

It's 12.23pm on Friday, and at 11.00am on Monday I have a load of work I have to hand in to my assessor. What am I doing right now? I'm changing the background on my blog (which I'm not too happy with, but I got bored looking)!

I desperately need to knuckle down and get this done. I have been looking at the same piece of work for days now, and I can't find any motivation to write anything. So, it very much looks as though my weekend will be spent working.

I really hope I find some inspiration from somewhere! Wish me luck!

Things That Annoy Me

I can't believe that my first post of 2010 is going to be a moany one, but I really feel the need to vent right now. Bear with me and I'll make my next post a happy one.

1. Why do people get so worked up about absolutely nothing? I have recently witnessed someone make a completely innocent comment on Facebook, and get rounded on for it! The content of said comment isn't really important, but I can assure you there was no need for the tongue lashing that ensued.

2. Why do people (women) assume that I'm an idiot just because I don't have children? Apparently when a woman gives birth they don't just have a baby, they also become a complete know all! I'm so sick of mothers saying to me "you won't understand until you have kids" when the topic of conversation had nothing to do with children!!! I have always wanted to be a mother, but now I have the added reason of wanting children so that I can become a pain in the butt, mouthy know all.

3. My new job involves me visiting my local airport regularly (my students work at the airport). I am finding it such a palava getting in and out of the place. Last week I spent 15 mins driving to the airport car-park, 15 mins waiting for the bus to take me from the car-park to the airport, 5 mins walking to my destination, 5 mins waiting for someone to escort me to the information desk, 40 mins waiting to see my student, blah, blah, blah. I was there for 3 hours and only spent 45 mins with my student! It's a nightmare! Sadly there is nothing I can do about this.

I could go on forever, but this will suffice for now. I actually feel better for that! Happy post next time, I promise.

:)