Holiday Dreams
…and before you know it you are back with a bump. Reality smacks you in the face and it’s the same old, same old. What happened to all of those changes you promised you’d make whilst you were basking in sunnier climates?
I promised myself I would throw myself in to my work, regardless of the fact that redundancy is hanging over me like a big black could. Really? Big black cloud? I’m not sure if I really think of it that way. What will be, will be.
I promised myself I’d keep in touch with my friends. I’ve been a little bit lax on that score lately.
I promised myself I would do more things that I enjoy. (excluding eating) Perhaps that would be writing, walking and swimming. I’m sure with a little extra motivation I will achieve some of the above.
I do need to say Thank You to a few people though…
Flighty – You are a friend above and beyond any conceivable idea we have of what ‘friends’ are. I want to thank you for being that special someone and to thank you for my lovely birthday entry.
Nikkipolani – What a lovely lady, I love your creativity, your energy and your talent to get my attention and allow me to look on in awe. Thank you for a lovely birthday entry too and for the perfectly timed birthday card. You obviously don’t use the same pigeons that I do! 
)
Divar Star - You are one in a million! No matter what is happening with you you always manage to still think of others. I received a brilliant book of mother/woman-isms. Cheered me up and a brilliant card which I will post a pic of as soon as I can! (You’ll love it!)
Cha0tic – I want to thank you for the postcards, they cheer me up and I love to find out what you are up to! It all helps to make me even twice and nosey!
Glo – another wonderful friend that I would never have ‘met’ if it weren’t for this ‘ere interwebby thing. You are a match for my humour and your creativity, as Nikkis’ is wonderful to see. Thank you for my birthday entry. As you can see, she didn’t save me any blushes whilst she put my age up in flashing lights! hehe
If I have missed anyone I am sorry but you have to excuse me, I’m not as young as I was last week. I’m rapidly approaching 40 now! In fact I’m hurtling towards it at a grand old rate of knots!!
New Blog Titles suggestions on a postcard please. )
Books
On holiday, collectively, we took with us the following books.
Benny by John Burrowes
Birdsong by Sebastian Faulks
The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold
Coming up Next by Penny Smith
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon
Yes Man by Danny Wallace
I can highly recommend them all!!!
*Especially the Mark Haddon book. Books aimed at a teenage market are not just for teenagers. I loved this book.
Lastly, my lovely, sweet, adorable daughter bought me the new Kid Rock Album. I urge you all to seek out track 08. New Orleans. I defy you to listen to it and not be instantly lifted!
Tags: Alice Sebold, Birthday greetings, Books, friends, Holiday, John Burrowes, Kid Rock, Mark Haddon, Music, New Orleans, Penny Smith, Rock n Roll Jesus, Sebastian Faulks, Thank You
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August 11, 2008 at 3:28 pm
Oh my! I missed your birthday?!?!?! It looks like you had some lovely friends who remembered it with great beauty and fanfare. Good for you!!!
And a belated VERY HAPPY wish for you. May you swim to 40 in fun and ease, enjoying every minute along the way.
I hope your day was very special!
August 11, 2008 at 3:44 pm
Carol, I spent the day itching! I’ve managed to get a rash from cheap bubble bath I think. Top to toe I am covered! I’ve been taking benadryl but although the itch is easing the spots are not moving!
)
I had a nice time. My mum and dad in law managed to get a photograph of ‘the two mums’ (my mum and the hubby’s mum) taken about 5 year ago at a family get to together at my house, blown up and framed. After the tears cleared I was over-joyed!
Thank you Carol.
August 11, 2008 at 3:50 pm
I think vacations cause us to imagine more free time in our days and more motivation in our souls than can be accounted for when we return! I can sympathise with the feeling of redundancy – more of the same things one has to grit one’s teeth to get through. As you said, not quite the big black cloud, but not rainbows and puppies either! Glad you had a nice birthday and hope that your rash disappears very soon!
August 11, 2008 at 5:39 pm
Shout outs! They’re the best.
I’m sorry you may be redundant. Is there an economic downturn, or is it just the company itself?
August 11, 2008 at 6:41 pm
Isn’t Birdsong amazing?
I liked Curious Incident . . . quite a bit too.
I hope the redundancy doesn’t happen.
August 11, 2008 at 6:47 pm
I agree Nikki, I think that in the time away from routine gives a false sense of availabilty. Away from the hassles we feel we can look at things with a calm and sensible approach. However, I think that as soon as we are back to reality it all starts again. The break was exactly that. Just a break.
)
As for the job, I know I’ve said this before, but I am a firm believer, that desicions made for us are sometimes the best desicions made.
The rash… it’s getting worse. I’m going to have to take it to the doctors tomorrow. Benadryl is only giving me a reprieve from the itching, the rash is still there and inviting friends!
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Hi Hayden, it’s basically just the current economic climate, there is a downturn in work due to the rising costs stemming from, ultimately, the fuel costs. I work in the transport industry so it’s the main part of the operation. I’ve been there 5 years so I would get a little bit of money, give myself time to find something else. What will be, will be.
August 11, 2008 at 7:04 pm
Hi Ruth. I loved the Mark Haddon book. I should have explained that we really didn’t take enough reading material with us and so we swapped books! It’s a good way to read something else, other than your usually choices.
)
It would be a shame Ruth, about my job but everything happens for a reason and perhaps there is something else for me around the next corner….
August 11, 2008 at 7:51 pm
How true that is, Daffy. I wonder what you will find around the corner.
August 11, 2008 at 8:00 pm
Firstly i like to say that i loved ‘The lovely bones’ even though it made me cry.
Well it hard isnt it coming back from holiday. Its like reality slaps you hard like a wet fish around the face.
You also make all these promises which are like new years resolutions that you never keep.
My one and rubbish promise that i always make on holiday is – when i get home i am going on a diet.
Never bloody works though and i end up still eating rubbish.
August 11, 2008 at 9:07 pm
Oooh I have to check out the Mark Haddon book !!! I ADORED the Adrian Mole books – still have the original copies I bought in England. If this is anything like it I know I’ll love it too. Thanks so much for the heads-up Daff. xoxo
August 11, 2008 at 9:17 pm
I read ‘the lovely bones’ some years ago it made compelling reading but was quite sad.
August 11, 2008 at 9:39 pm
As you probably guessed your kind words have got me blushing!
Sadly reality is the downside of any holidays upside.
What a varied book selection, of which I’ve read Birdsong and The Curious Incident… and enjoyed both.
Thank You for a lovely entry! xx
August 11, 2008 at 10:13 pm
I like a good read too but haven’t bothered for quite a while, hopefully get back to it when I get moved and settled….
Pete
http://chippychappy.wordpress.com/
Yep, now on WordPress too !!
August 11, 2008 at 10:23 pm
I have only read a couple of your books, the Haddon and the Sebold. I love seeing what other people are reading…and if they recommend things that I liked, it makes it easy for me to trust the rest of the list
Yes, lucky you, I trust your recommendations! haha!
I’m sorry I missed your birthday, Daffy. Belated best wishes to you.
August 12, 2008 at 2:29 am
geez…you just got back from vacation…give yourself a rest! all the things you need to do will STILL be there tomorrow–i promise.
August 12, 2008 at 4:36 am
What a sweet, sweet gift you got! (The photographs – NOT the rash!)
I hope that you get some relief from your bumpelty itches soon!
August 12, 2008 at 6:10 am
Welcome home, Daffy and family ~ so glad you enjoyed your birthday and happy wishes from your friends
I’ve posted a little poem for you on my blog page ~ 
August 12, 2008 at 6:38 am
Glo!!There you are!
*whistles loudly*
Sorry, just getting the huskies back, they were a search and rescue mission over at Frog Newton place!
I’ve seen scratchy lady! She looks just like me! The itching has eased a little this morning… *fingers crossed* still think I’ll go to see the quack though, just to be sure. I was bitten by this huge, huge, giant spider thing on holiday (actually it wasn’t that huge but the story is no good if it’s not embelished a little!) and I wondered if it was a reaction to that. Even though the bite has healed! Nice to see you Glo, and thanks for the birthday entry too! xx
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The photograph is better than 25 bottles of posh perfume Carol! No mistake. It’s beautiful! There wasn’t a dry eye in the house when I recieved it!
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Curly, I know… I think it’s the post holiday blues creeping on, I’m going to try and ward them off with a big stick!
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Laura, many thanks for the wishes. I did enjoy the Mark Haddon book too. Yes Man is really funny, basically, it’s a chap, he’s a writer and comedy producer and radio presenter in the UK, has to say Yes to every request. It really is funny. He gets into some scrapes. Light hearted but very enjoyable. If you can’t get a copy just let me, I’ll send you mine.
)
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Flighty my blushing little friend, thank you for my lovely entry! It’s good to share book choices… The Benny Lynch book was hard going but very interesting. My husband is a boxing nut and so I do know a little about boxing. (Our daughter was very nearly named Raymond Lenard!) Thanks again! xxx
) It was very moving and well written.
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Chris, I wish I could count the times my husband would find me with my head burried in the book, sniffing and sobbing. I think I had a speck of dust in my eye…
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Dishy my lovely friend, hello. How is the holiday time going with the girls! So sorry to here about your sucky little bugger of a visitor! It did make me laugh though! (so sorry! xxx)
Try the book if you can Christy, it’s one of those you might have to read in a single sitting if the girls allow!
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Chippy! Nearly missed you there. Flighty and I are on hand whenever you need us. (Did I just volunteer Flighty there? He doesn’t mind and so much cleverer than I am!) Things are on the up Chippy! I just know it! Good luck with the move. xx
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Diets are not good Fabby, anyway, you look fabulous (;o) anyway… you always eat extra on holidays, you are supposed too. That wet fish thing happened…. Smack! hehe.
Your little one will help you to ecercise. Mummies don’t need diets!
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I hope it’s something wonderful Nikki, fingers crossed huh? xx
August 12, 2008 at 8:05 am
What are you worrying about…..i have a daughter approaching 40! I have given-up worrying about ageing…it just makes me feel much older.
No, what you do is get out photos or videos of holiday you took some years ago and enjoy them, and look how young you were then!
‘Age is but the accumulation of wisdom and experience’…….I made that up just there now….so the brain can’t have atrophied just yet!
Just keep going!
August 12, 2008 at 8:44 am
haha, thanks Harry I will, to be fair, I’ve never actually complained about my age and I openly admit to the true figure.
) I’m happier at this age than I was 10 years ago, so age has a lot going for it. 
)
) Always fun! Especially the bath-time ones from the kids! I do like to see them cringe. 
)
I love looking through old photos…. Look at me, fatter, spottier, cuter…
August 12, 2008 at 3:19 pm
Hi, I’m new to your blog but I’ll be back. You are very interesting. Happy Belated Birthday!
August 12, 2008 at 6:58 pm
Hi Gina,
) Thanks for the visit and I look forward to you returning.
Thanks for the birthday wishes!
August 15, 2008 at 10:26 pm
the new mark haddon ‘a spot of bother’ is pretty good too x
August 17, 2008 at 3:26 pm
Hi SGT, I’ve just oredered it from Amazon. Three of us read his other one so he does seem to have wide appeal. Thanks for the heads up! ;o)