The Cleveland Way

This weekend we went to Scarborough and we walked from Whitby back to Scarborough on The Cleveland Way.  It was a cloudy start to the day but the sun came out and we saw the North Yorkshire Coast at it's best.

Its a tough tough but if you get a good day it is truly beautiful.

Up, Up & Away.....

Yesterday was The Boy's 41st Birthday - last year was meant to be the big one.  We had planned to go to New York and he mentioned that he would like to go in a hot air ballooon; unfortunately redundancy (his) and lack of work (mine) meant that we didn't have the pennies to stretch to it.  But this year good fortune (my lovely employer and my boss's decision to have a meeting in New York) and good timing (Virgin Balloons having room on a flight on his birthday) this years it's all coming to plan.....

We're off to NYC in September so more of that later but for now it's all about the Balloon flight.

After a nightmare journey from hell home on Thursday night (including parking on the M1 for nearly 3 hours at 11pm) and after 2.5 hours sleep I woke up The Boy just after 4am and gently told him we had to leave in an hour.....

We left at 5.15am, coffee flasks in hand, bacon butties wrapped in foil, and set off for Ripley Castle.  It was a quiet, still morning - not bright sunshine but clearing and misty in places.  We arrived at Ripley Castle (just North of Harrogate) and helped to inflate the balloon

The rise up was so smooth, and we were soon up and off 

it wasn't a very windy so we didn't travel very far butwere traveling at about 12 miles per hour and at one point were up at 3,600 ft above sea level.  You could see far and wide but my favourite bit was the clouds reflected in the lake.  Here's some pretty pictures:

You don't bring me flowers.....

I've been married 9 years this month.  It's been a marathon not a sprint with highs and low but I still Love The Boy a silly amount and know that being with him makes me feel right.

However, The Boy has never bought me flowers, not once.  Not when we were courting, not when I have been successful at something or even when I have been so low and down that I need more than chocolate and a hug.

But, for our 5th wedding anniversary he asked me what I wanted and I wanted something that would last, something that was beautiful and that every time I looked at it I was reminded of the love I have.  At around the same time I was talking about my desire for a Cherry Tree.  I have never lived anywhere long enough to have a tree, we move 9 time s before I was 19 and since then I have lived in 8 more houses at least.  Clever boy bought me exactly what I wanted.  It's about four years old now and last year we had a good to handfuls of cherries and the blossom looks good this year.

So yes, he doesn't bring me the temporary, wilting, beutiful in the moment but a beauty that fades flowers.  Instead my love brings me annual joy, growing strength and a gift that bears fruit - not a bad trade on I think you'll agree.

We have a plan

It's been a bit of a hard week for The Boy, he made it in to work every day but it's been a chore and a struggle, so he gets to choose what we do this weekend.

As there is no football on and it's really blooming cold he has decided we are going on an expedition.  Walking boots, layer upon layer (though not as stylishly as Florrie go and have a look at her winter layering post) snood, hat & coat and off we will pop.  We are going to walk the 2 miles to Xscape, this is our local multiplex - there is also an inside snow slope (with real snow no less) some snow & mountain sport type shops and a few restuarant chains (pizza express, Ask, Nando's, Chiquita's, Frankie & Benny's, Starbucks etc); there are also a few bars and a night club.  Over the road is an outlet village no where near as nice or fancy as Bicester (which I will blog about soon) but good for kitchen wear or sport wear and has a great Gaggia and Le Creuset shop.  Anyway I am digressing - he has a plan.

After the MIL phones this morning (hopefully around 11am) we will eat the soup I made yesterday, red pepper and lentil on nom nom nom, with the fresh bread which is currently baking then suit up and head out. Whilst it's only 2 miles with the weather as it is it may take a bit more than the 30 mins it usually does so we are going to give ourselves and hour and get there in time for the 1pm showing of Avatar 3D.  It's quite a long film (about 2.5 hours) so with the adverts that's 3 hours.  Then a quick coffee and a loo break then back into the flicks to see Nine.

Then the long walk home (I may veto this and get a taxi).  As a plan it sounds fine but there is part of me that just wants to build a fire and clean the @teamvaughan way.  He is also talking about doing the same thing tomorrow but to see Where the Wild Things Are  and Sex & Drugs & Rock'n'Roll.......sigh.

Ah well, off we pop out into the brave new world.  Wish me luck.......

Happy Birthday darling

Well it's The Boys 40th birthday - he banned me from buying him any gifts until I have a job.

We were due to be in NYC this week, however after his being out of work for the first five months this year and my being out of work for the last two months it's been put on hold.

Not so much of a problem, we'll do it next year - he's refusing to accept that he's 40 anyway. It's funny my age really doesn't bother me (it's just a little number) but it really bothers him. I remember his 30th birthday - he was not happy about that number at all. But he seems to be coping quite well.

The spag bol is on (his request) the carrot cake is baked (though not sure how well) and the champagne is open and the sky is blue.

Happy Birthday lovely boy - I love you more, I love you first, I love you last - Wifey xxx

Sunday Sunday

So here we are again the end of another week that just seems to have merged into the last few weeks. I have achieved very little again but feel the need to list what I may have achieved in the hope that it will make me feel better:

I met with a recruitment consultant which resulted in

An interview for an interim role (that may or may not exist)

Had an eye test and am only partially more blind than last year

commenced operation office sort out (on 6th bin bag and having to give shredder a rest)

started a 2nd blog (here)

went to the gym (once- not good)

bought new bike helmet (oh and a new bag which I don't really need and regret purchasing as it's another £40 but wanted and have no self control good job I live in BFN otherwise I would shop everyday - good job I am too lazy to go out to the shops in the nearest town......)

commenced knitting again (an effort to not snack on crap whilst watching crap on TV)

retreated further into my self as the despair of not having a job sets in and the realisation that I really need an income as I don't want to tap into the reserves/savings although isn't this why we have savings and reserves for this very 'rainy day scenario' - why when The Boy was out of work we didn't tap into the reserves is because I paid for everything which in turn depleted my pre-savings reserves which have kept me going for a few months but will need to be supplemented - GAH, I need to work not just for money but for me, I am bored and boring and lazy. Having nothing to do just magnifies this laziness, at least when I am working I can be lazy at home as I have been working hard - now I have nothing to hide behind my procrastination and general lazy sluttishness is laid bare for all (well The Boy) to see......feck.

So next week it's The Boys 40th, I am planning to finish the office sort out and then move on to the spare room (Parents have indicated that they may be coming to visit in a few weeks and this will require a bed for them - which is currently covered in overflowing from wardrobe clothes, bags and bedding). I will bake a chocolate fudge cake and a carrot cake; I will go to the gym 3 times; I will get a fecking job - enough of this rejection ENOUGH.

Today will be mostly cooking and eating with a soupçon of ironing thrown in for good measure (just because my weekend and week days merge into one long blur of time some things should stick to Sunday).

Blimey I am a miserable, feel sorry for myself, oh woe is me, lonely pity party aren't I? Feck it, today will be lovely and tomorrow I will start a fresh, chose my attitude and JFDI.

There that feels better.

Madness Part 2 (we went we skanked)

Well that was a bloomin marvelous weekend. We set off Saturday morning with the car loaded up with the new Aggrolites Album and The Liberty of Norton Folgate and headed down south to fancy London for the weekend.

The weather on the way down was frightening - we drove through (well I was driving) the most amazing storm and it felt like we were just driving through one big puddle for about 5 miles.

So we landed in Greenwich and had a quick change, waited for the weather to pass and headed off to Mile End and then up to Victoria Park, Hackney for Madstock. We arrived just in time to see The Aggrolites and the sun was shining - The Boy got his Fez as he missed out when we saw Madness at The O2 in December last year:

The drink of choice was Pear Cider for The Boy and Dry Cider for me (it seemed to go with the sunshine). We then watched Jerry Dammers and his orchestra whilst eating Pie & Chips (The Boy), Moroccan Lamb Kebab with salad (me). We then went for a bit of a wander round and The Boy discovered Churros & Chocolate - he was very happy about this:

All was going well:

The Blockheads came on (with some chap who sounded a lot like Joe Strummer but just not quite as good) - more cider was drunk, and then the heavens opened:

It eased off in time for The Pogues and was dry and fine again by the time Madness came on. They were brilliant (as per) and we danced and danced and danced. Managed to get the tube and bus back to Greenwich really easily and rested our feet.

So Saturday and The Boy had a shopping list - we did all the shops he wanted and managed a quick trip down Mount Street were I stopped in Louboutin and Marc Jacobs but kept my purse in my bag. Not so in Marc by Marc Jacobs where we both bought Tshirts and I bought a few pouch bags. Back to Greenwich and The Gypsy Moth for a pint of Hoegarden and a late lunch (Bangers & Mash - The Boy; Steak and salad - me). Back to the house to catch up with my brothers and rest for a few hours before heading up to Kings Cross and The Camden Centre to see Neville Staples, Pauline Black and The Beat (no photo's as I forgot to take any). We both said that we didn't think we would be dancing much but that didn't last very long. My perfect blowdry lasted about 30 mins before being scraped back into a pony tail to cope stop it sticking to my skin. Another great gig and a great crowd - strange venue but perfect location.

So now we are back in Yorkshire, washing is in, courgettes have been inspected, Ocado order has been updated and our excellent weekend draws to a close. My feet hurt, my thighs ache, I may have pulled my left calf muscle a bit and I'm dog tired but I wouldn't have it any other way.

I would be so much lighter

If I lived on my own - okay I would probably get through a lot more wine but I have had a salad and need nothing else.

You see The Boy is a runner, he runs or goes to the gym 4 week nights and at least once at the weekends. He's also a proper Yorkshire man so likes Big Food (pasta, mash, big curries etc) - if it hasn't got a sauce then it's not a proper meal. Where as I am not a big sauce fan, I would always rather taste the food (nothing like a good piece of steak with perhaps a pile of greens) as long as it's seasoned and not over cooked I'm happy.

So since meeting and marrying him I have gained 60lbs, I am starting to lose it (after a few false starts) but it just crept up on me. I would plate up the same size meal as his (he doesn't cook and I blame his mother but that's a whole other rant) and tuck in (not much of an off button when I eat). You see I love food, and I love cooking so it's been a pleasure (ahem). When I say pleasure it has been a pleasure sometimes but often a chore.

So when he is away I eat less (drink more usually) and I'm not hungry, I'm satisfied and happy.

Right, while the cats away the mouse will eat less pour herself a glass of Pinot Grigio and have control of the remote - puurrrfect.

Lovely weekend

View from South Cliff to the Castle in Scarborough 4.7.09

So I went with The Boy to Scarborough for the weekend. It was lovely - the weather was beautiful and we had a really relaxing time.

The Boy went for a run Saturday morning and I laid in bed and read my book; then we went for a pootle into town (which is when I took these photos) and we went to Mojo's for breakfast (nom nom nom) we then popped into Sydenham's to see the chaps there (The Boy used to work there when he lived in Scarborough) then into Dottie Lotties to see Sarah - she was looking fab after just coming back from a break in Tennerife.

We then walked down to the front, along the front to the Spa then up through the gardens back up to the top of South Cliff.

The afternoon was spent trying to find an afternoon tea with the MIL - Francis Tea Rooms had sold out of Scones by 2.45pm so we ended up in the Cafe at the top of Oliver's Mount. The food and service was not good but the view is great.

We then had a lovely relaxing evening slobbing out on the sofa watching The Soprano's on DVD. Back home Sunday am (after another run for The Boy and another book for me) in time to watch the epic Mens Final - wow I really feel for Andy Roddick but think the right man won.

So here we are Monday again - the start of another week of unemployment..........

Sleeping like Starfish

I slept so well, starfished shape; no fighting for the duvet and no huffing. Aaaaahhhh it was lovely.

So telephone interview for a local job at 9am - the interview went ok but I may have talked myself out of the job a little as I told him that I felt he may need a bigger hitter than me in the long run. I gave good interview otherwise - I know I could do the job even though much of it would be a challenge. It would be very Union focused and that is pretty much about playing poker and using common sense. So I should find out if I have been shortlisted later today - we'll see.

Had a call from another agent just keeping in touch - not much doing there at the moment but he's following a few things up.

Still haven't heard a definitive answer about the role I interviewed for two weeks ago - last I heard was that she wanted her preferred candidate to meet her number 2 but that was first thing Wednesday and I have heard nothing since so am assuming (dangerous I know) that they are meeting with the other person and will only meet with me if that doesn't work out. It's just so freaking frustrating - if it's a no just tell me.

I have been out of work for a month now - I am frustrated beyond belief and more practically my bank balance can only manage two more months out of work (at a stretch). So Monday will be invoice and any outstanding expenses day - rock and roll baby!

The Boy is back from Glasgow tonight and I am picking him up from the airport at 7.30ish then he is off to the coast for the weekend early Saturday morning and walking from Whitby to Scarborough Saturday he'll be back Sunday sometime. Unfortunately KBW, CP and Lady P have other plans this weekend (Happy Birthday Lady P) so I am home alone. If I was working normally I would be looking forward to it - planning my food and my bath, getting in the girly DVDs but this time I think I may be counting the hours.....poor me (snap out of it woman ffs).

Gah - I am pathetic, time to suck it up and sort it out.

While the Cats away

I dropped The Boy at the airport at some ungodly hour this morning to catch a flight to Glasgow for a few days. Then I went over to Scarborough to have a look at the MILs new netbook (she's 79, didn't even know how to turn it on....I managed to bite my tongue).

So I am back home (Via the Outlet in York where I picked up a nice new hat for £5) and The Boy is away and I am very very tired. Considering slipping into my PJs and parking myself in front of the tennis for a few hours.

The Boy rarely goes away and usually I relish the opportunity of having the house to myself - but as I have been at home for nearly a month now out of work it's not such a treat. It's bad enough having no one to talk to during the day and I have been cleaning the team vaughan way so not much there to do.

Ah well, a bottle of wine, a bar a dairy milk and tennis - it's not all bad.