tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39392365827434369042024-03-05T13:00:23.429+00:00The Part Time Writerthe part-time writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05053276022228786600noreply@blogger.comBlogger51125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3939236582743436904.post-50603269263377272032017-06-13T13:36:00.000+01:002017-06-13T13:36:36.606+01:00A Woman's Best Friend<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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My beautiful, smelly crazy best friend is leaving me. He has lived with me for 14 and a half years and is around 16 years old.<br />
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I got George from the USPCA. I fell in love with his energy and Gabriel Byrne good looks. I had lost my last dog Oscar six months earlier at 16 and a half, and my home needed a dog. I wasn't really prepared for the kind of mayhem, or joy that he brought. When he met Lily for the first time he ran up and down the stairs and round and round like a dervish , she was terrified.<br />
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I have no idea what his story was before he came to live with me; his habits and behaviour were bonkers, rather than bad. He raced about the park like he had never been free and occasionally charged an innocent passer by or skateboarder. I did a lot of apologising in the first few months.<br />
He was a serial butter stealer and had probably ingested about 3lbs of Golden Cow's finest before I caught him, standing on all fours on the kitchen counter licking the dish clean. He refused to eat his food unless I was in the room with him and he still much prefers rainwater from a dirty bucket to tap water from his bowl.<br />
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His front door guarding is legendary and has only really settled as he has reached his very senior years. He has destroyed letter boxes and doors, nipped postman's fingers and generally terrified delivery people for years. In one horrendous episode he went through, yes through, a panel of a UPVC front door to get at a paperboy. Thankfully the paperboy was shaken but unhurt. George had to have a huge gash in his front leg stitched and to wear the cone of shame for a week. I had to take time off work as he was busy trying to get the cone off by means of throwing himself downstairs and into furniture.<br />
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I tried dog trainers. The first one I took him to said he was "untrainable" and I should have him put down, I didn't go back. The second one was better, but rather expensive and his techniques modified, but didn't fully cure George's anti-social tendencies. I took him to Belfast Dog Training Club when he was around 8 years old and at last found good people who helped me to manage my wayward boy. It is still a source of great pride that Geordie passed his test with flying colours, sitting, lying down, waiting while I walked to the far end of the hall and then coming flying at me on my call. He showed up the Chihuahuas and Great Danes with royal blood and snazzy outfits. He can sit with a treat a foot from his nose and will not eat it unless I say so, and he always comes when he is called on walks. Having said that, he is virtually unwalkable on a lead.<br />
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The call of the wild is strong in George and he will go off for a wander given the opportunity. He always comes back and does no harm, he just enjoys the adventure. The neighbour's garden two doors down is a favourite place for him , she feeds him chicken and biscuits and brings him home eventually. He has been returned to me by arsey dog wardens once or twice. George and I don't have much time for them and their rules.<br />
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No stranger to the vet in his youth; our George was regularly having bits of broken stick removed from his throat, his foot pads cleaned and salved and leaves and twigs pulled from his fur. Fortunately he has calmed down a lot but he had a cough and I took him to the vet a couple of weeks ago to be told he has a heart murmur . Since then he has slowed down a lot, food has to be coaxed into him , his breathing is fast and shallow and he can no longer go for walks. he peed on the floor of the vets, so I won't be taking him back, this is something he never does, he was stressed and I hated putting him through that.<br />
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I'm coming to the realisation that my boy is going to die soon, he is old, and thin and frail. He stumbles when he walks and blood and oxygen aren't getting around his body to keep him vital. Last night I really thought I would be waking up to him having gone but he bounced out of bed and trotted to me wagging his tail. He still follows me upstairs and waits on the landing while I get washed and dressed. No amount of coaxing from other members of the family will budge him. He's my dog, my boy and I will miss him so much more than he knows.the part-time writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05053276022228786600noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3939236582743436904.post-49042332737497185322017-02-21T10:36:00.000+00:002017-02-21T10:36:50.885+00:00All The Single Ladies...I'm independent, always have been . I expect it comes from being youngest of five, a Leo, daughter of an ex Royal Marine father and a true feminist mother. At least that's how I know myself.<br />
I went to boarding school aged 10. I did a fair amount of airport traversing alone during my early teens, as well as taking trains and automobiles up and down the country visiting other family members and friends. <br />
This has some amazing good points, and some not so good.<br />
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I rarely look for help, with anything. I like to figure things out on my own. This means I can do stuff, some stuff, the things I want to do stuff. I will push and pull furniture around my own house on my own (this is a Smyth woman thing) sometimes causing pain and injury to myself and occasional damage to property.<br />
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Steadfastly sailing my own ship has meant I have lost out on a meaningful and loving relationship. I don't let my guard down easily, and if I am let down I take it very badly. I hate to feel needy and loathe neediness in others. <br />
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I can connect up a washing machine, dishwasher and all the TV and PC wire gadgetry required for modern life. I can wire a plug and replace a fuse, light a fire and am good at bar-b-que. I can build most IKEA furniture and I'm excellent at unblocking vacuum cleaners.I can cut grass although I most certainly do not.<br />
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I am not afraid to discipline my children (or other people's) and will always stand up for them, and myself. I have been known to get into scrapes defending friends and colleagues from unwanted advances, rudeness and injustice. I am afraid of very little (apart from potentially falling over on a slippy floor while wearing high heels). I will complain about bad service and don't let taxi drivers away with inappropriate remarks. I am happy in my own company, although I do love to be with people who interest me.<br />
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These are good things, as I see it, independence has a downside though. I don't need anyone , which can make me come across as frosty, or snooty. those who know me , I hope, will confirm I am most categorically neither. <br />
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<br />the part-time writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05053276022228786600noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3939236582743436904.post-67157099612300744722017-02-06T18:59:00.000+00:002017-02-06T18:59:37.279+00:00Why Being "Hot" Leaves Me Cold.I've been single now for approximately 16 months. Whilst I am not desperate for some new love, nor pining for my old one, I am not dead. I would like a thoughtful , attractive man to go out with , to chat to after a tough day and of course sex can be fun..... What is on offer online falls rather short of my requirements.<br />
Once you have waded through the married and attached, the too far away, the unfortunately featured and the non-linguistically gifted you are left with the rest. More filtering, too short, too young, too old, smokers, unemployed, those with dubious political opinions and affiliations, the shady and defensive, and those who want children. This all takes time, patience and effort.<br />
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So you filter , and filter, and make it clear in your carefully written profile that you are not looking for a one night stand and have no desire to meet anyone in a car park; you are witty and charming allowing your personality to shine out, game on. <br />
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That's when the real madness starts. You start getting messages, from men you don't know telling you you're "fit" or "hot" or asking you if "you're as horny as your photos". What? <br />
Now I love a compliment, who doesn't? I like to be told I have a great smile , nice legs or fabulous hair, but this is something different. It's creepy, unwanted and smacks of inadequacy. They say what they would like to do to me, ask aggressively if I can take a "good pounding". I learned not to engage in conversation at all with this breed. Don't feed the trolls. <br />
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I met a guy a few months ago, we got on well. He was nice looking, employed and clean and he had a wicked sense of humour. All good. We met twice and left things open as to a 3rd date. He messaged me a few weeks later to tell me that he'd met someone he was <em>really </em>interested in . He felt it would take a few months to get to know her and to get to a level of intimacy with her. In the mean time , he said, would I be interested in meeting for nsa sex? No I wouldn't <br />
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Where has it all gone wrong? Did our grandmothers and mothers fight for women's rights just to fan the flame of misogyny? I respect men, why do so few respect me? Online dating is an excuse for some men to say what they really think- they hide behind a keyboard and let their real feelings flow out of their fingertips. My biggest fear is that in over one hundred years of women fighting for our rights we haven't moved on. We have a woman hater in the world's top job. I don't want my daughters to wade through this quagmire of filth.<br />
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If you are a man, looking for dates online, be funny, be charming, be flirtatious, but don't be surprised if you tell someone that they're "hot" they don't go immediately cold. I would.the part-time writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05053276022228786600noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3939236582743436904.post-32274774797997040272016-10-25T12:16:00.000+01:002016-10-25T12:16:41.749+01:00Be More Cat . The world of internet dating, particularly within the over 35 group, is populated by dogs, and cats.<br />
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Let me explain by showing the difference between dogs and cats<br />
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Dogs- loyal, even to owners who don't deserve it. They are affectionate on demand or risk rejection. They eat whatever is given to them and are grateful for it. They wait to be let out and walked and go wherever their owner wants them to. They are trained using punishment and reward to behave in an acceptable way for their owner. They like to be part of a pack, although they are more often than not, the bottom of the hierarchy. <br />
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Cats- fickle, they will go where the best food or bed is. They will see off any other cats. They will give affection on their own terms, and will scratch or bite if it's not delivered properly. Affection is almost always given when a cat demands it. Cats only eat food they like. They will stalk their human until the correct food is served and they will reward them by eating a little of it, then ignoring them for the rest of the day. Cats come and go as they please. They are not owned. Neither are they trained, if anything they train their owners. They can live with or without a pack.<br />
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How do these things relate to adult men and women you say? Here's my theory<br />
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When a relationship breaks down the cat will move on to the next dish and bed without a backward glance. <br />
Dogs tend to lick their wounds , regroup and tentatively date until they find a kind partner (owner).<br />
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Cats will have a dating check list. They'll want a leggy brunette with big boobs, no kids and a city centre crash pad; they'll likely get 3 out of the 4 things.<br />
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Dogs will try having a check list but will struggle to find a new owner who can string a sentence together so often settle for employed and not smelly. Given kindness and affection many dogs will stop there. Some also think we can train, cajole and mold our chosen one to our way of thinking. We buy him shirts and toys and take him to a better barber, we choose the wine and the scatter cushions and while the Salmon nibs and bed are to his liking he may stay. <br />
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Don't think your man is cat like? Maybe it's just the daters and not the settled, but think about this;<br />
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There's a sporting event/stag do/ golf weekend he wants to go to, but it clashes with another family event, your mother's 80th/ your best friend's wedding/ your graduation. What happens? <br />
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1. he goes to his stag do, you go to the family event alone<br />
2. he huffs and sulks or picks a fight so you storm off to your event leaving him free to go to his.<br />
3. he goes with you, but keeping his phone clamped in his hand keeping up with the scores, he is quiet and barely civil to your friends and family.<br />
4. he goes with you but drinks so much you hate him.<br />
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What happens at the next clash? You let him go to his, without a fuss, as it's just not worth it. Your cat has trained you. <br />
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In dating, even in this enlightened age it is the dog's role to wait to be chosen. Cats do the choosing for themselves, they will have more than one option in case something doesn't work out with their first choice. I can guarantee that they will have laid plans for option 2 and possibly 3 before they leave option 1. The owner who makes life easiest for the cat will be the one who keeps him, but at what cost? <br />
I'm sharpening my claws as we speak....<br />
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<br />the part-time writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05053276022228786600noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3939236582743436904.post-59204402176939430122016-04-27T13:04:00.000+01:002016-04-27T13:04:35.950+01:00A Handbag?You can tell a lot about a man, they say, by the shoes he wears. What can you tell about a woman by her handbag and the contents thereof??<br />
Well lets see.<br />
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I like a nice bag as much as the next woman , but I don't understand the whole designer bag thing. It's just somewhere to carry your stuff. I bought this number on Ebay. I wanted brown but got a sort of bronze. It's not my favourite and because of it's size and the ample pocket allowance the temptation is to FILL IT WITH STUFF.<br />
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What stuff I hear you ask? A lot , lot of stuff.<br />
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this all came out of one bag. I have also decluttered it recently.</div>
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A pile of receipts, some personal ( bin) some business ( file) a few leaflets and vouchers I will never use (bin)</div>
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I change bags rarely, and even then usually not fully. So I have bags with stuff in for months or years, a lipstick here, a packet of tissues there. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZZU2vbN-Kg9SND5t6hU5xhiW8mST3R8rS1e6ztEMtBvNJmmHMjQnrdzk1KVb2RshLoF9UuM0OAbkN22SCnzYvyNm6z3tQEKzx5t11ghrBH68rezqLcFJMCTpHd2wqXeGIdXMQ8cjtvrA/s1600/20160427_110345.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZZU2vbN-Kg9SND5t6hU5xhiW8mST3R8rS1e6ztEMtBvNJmmHMjQnrdzk1KVb2RshLoF9UuM0OAbkN22SCnzYvyNm6z3tQEKzx5t11ghrBH68rezqLcFJMCTpHd2wqXeGIdXMQ8cjtvrA/s320/20160427_110345.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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No less than 4 purses. One of them belongs to my middle child, but the other 3 are mine, and all contain cash. Two bank books for accounts where I have no/minimal money. I've been carrying these for 6 months or so. A fold up shopping bag, essential.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs4X0VdMwQ62znb46hjKyNfLNMYhomezFFZ_bFfGUcErOxSN6MCKl3xEekzFIkN1ymEZndYT8WTPdeoizJzkTAVP292F-nQiCXPHSXZuxOtyOIWWAJErJl-9HmkPm8USiRG1Yb_l-OIKo/s1600/20160427_110355.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs4X0VdMwQ62znb46hjKyNfLNMYhomezFFZ_bFfGUcErOxSN6MCKl3xEekzFIkN1ymEZndYT8WTPdeoizJzkTAVP292F-nQiCXPHSXZuxOtyOIWWAJErJl-9HmkPm8USiRG1Yb_l-OIKo/s320/20160427_110355.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Yep, you can see 4 different types/ brands of tissue. I am a mummy, I need tissues. The rude ones were donated to my stash by my sister. they were too naughty for her to use. I have no idea why she thought I would like them ... I try not to use them on the children, but hey, no one died.</div>
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Here we can see some of my stationery stash.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghVlqv7h4MMPmqSHZ5p3UYVn_xILtL9TkkRXagGSyKyRy_xPPSf6LM3wJxUXFaiQ1kJ5wdNjiPsZ-FNXRW7BK8N_S8xIWCLx9kvmZl_fBMQu-2L_yLkfF1kAxvKkVx-oyDDx805VSRMVU/s1600/20160427_110411.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghVlqv7h4MMPmqSHZ5p3UYVn_xILtL9TkkRXagGSyKyRy_xPPSf6LM3wJxUXFaiQ1kJ5wdNjiPsZ-FNXRW7BK8N_S8xIWCLx9kvmZl_fBMQu-2L_yLkfF1kAxvKkVx-oyDDx805VSRMVU/s320/20160427_110411.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Two pens - not that many for me </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrk9DpS6-xFD2EzLYazROvBwC2AEqbWjNpvWWX4ROuB2cGp5qdvcOU6G4qzvsK-RXHotrF_UkakHtCoovdA0FshoeW_psnFwEe1AwrNWY4BUPZv9iKKK3XA8iyqXG39VEANFcvnY8O52U/s1600/pauline-pens.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrk9DpS6-xFD2EzLYazROvBwC2AEqbWjNpvWWX4ROuB2cGp5qdvcOU6G4qzvsK-RXHotrF_UkakHtCoovdA0FshoeW_psnFwEe1AwrNWY4BUPZv9iKKK3XA8iyqXG39VEANFcvnY8O52U/s1600/pauline-pens.jpg" /></a></div>
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a mini pack of pencils, crayons, all escaped from their box, a diary and 2 notebooks, a story book a green tea bag, mints and gum (in case I'm likely to get a snog- not likely) a hair clip and a clothes peg (?)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtd1nmZJxgdcSjuJigmyqOUi5cGrEYq_mmJMQ2SMJ-XBpe7JJiAz_X0DSI6Fct0oCnVeN_omqrASra-c7Goo54t3XVa4D4CeCf8bK8db2Fb82BPJyQe3_YV-08y2MgefZtpTSlGJv_8pk/s1600/20160427_110351.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtd1nmZJxgdcSjuJigmyqOUi5cGrEYq_mmJMQ2SMJ-XBpe7JJiAz_X0DSI6Fct0oCnVeN_omqrASra-c7Goo54t3XVa4D4CeCf8bK8db2Fb82BPJyQe3_YV-08y2MgefZtpTSlGJv_8pk/s320/20160427_110351.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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A book on witchcraft and some purple suede gloves just in case I need to keep the yummy mummies away.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgczaj6n7QvuJe0w-VmKfmih5RLLehyyeFYc_MH6ltW7d_qVC6jd-qI-q-oecjQGC2yWEQQbx_WZ5UNdrbPktylBoiHjTicbAhBcxj-uzN_YnmtkgMr9cyCFeT-K-S1c1DnDVf7fwVuicI/s1600/20160427_110422.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgczaj6n7QvuJe0w-VmKfmih5RLLehyyeFYc_MH6ltW7d_qVC6jd-qI-q-oecjQGC2yWEQQbx_WZ5UNdrbPktylBoiHjTicbAhBcxj-uzN_YnmtkgMr9cyCFeT-K-S1c1DnDVf7fwVuicI/s200/20160427_110422.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj68RGGzq6bIfdHeT5QWomkCZA1XnWEW2k3sTsy4sQXUtSw1LGLP0Rv1HPz2kZ60L3Z8cRZsYq1Y283RnPmj1JMh3v6VfrNscvE1X4fCLP0sWmbIQb4oHMsjBBwrsplbZeI1Q-Av-wMTdA/s1600/20160427_114829.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj68RGGzq6bIfdHeT5QWomkCZA1XnWEW2k3sTsy4sQXUtSw1LGLP0Rv1HPz2kZ60L3Z8cRZsYq1Y283RnPmj1JMh3v6VfrNscvE1X4fCLP0sWmbIQb4oHMsjBBwrsplbZeI1Q-Av-wMTdA/s320/20160427_114829.jpg" width="180" /></a> A minion, a bracelet a hand crochet phone cover ( with a 3rd notebook inside) some pants, medicinal compound and wham balm ( two of my everyday therapy products) and some sunglasses.<br />
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I also have a make up bag, some escaped make up and a lovely set of highlighters.<br />
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What I think this says about me is that I am tidy, organised, friendly charming and sexy. What do you think ? </div>
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the part-time writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05053276022228786600noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3939236582743436904.post-26132735209839505292015-08-08T10:03:00.002+01:002015-08-08T10:03:30.400+01:00Run Tracey RunIn my <a href="http://www.theparttimewriter.blogspot.co.uk/search?updated-min=2014-01-01T00:00:00Z&updated-max=2015-01-01T00:00:00Z&max-results=25">New Year Blog</a> I decided that I was just perfect the way I am ( ha!). This however bizarrely proved not to be true. I am a middle aged woman with all of the joyous stuff that entails; middle aged spread, insomnia, digestive issues, hormone issues- hurrah!<br />
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Time to take myself in hand I thought. I rejoined <a href="http://www.slimmingworld.com/">Slimming World</a>, although just online ( I don't recommend that method) as previously going to group had melted my brain sufficiently to put me off for life. I lost around 9lbs, eventually. Upping my fruit and veg intake helped with my energy levels and digestion, but it wasn't enough. What about exercise I thought? What about it? I HATE EXERCISE. I don't like getting dirty, or sweaty or out of my comfort zone or out of breath. This was going well.<br />
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What about <a href="http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/c25k/Pages/couch-to-5k-plan.aspx">Couch to 5K</a> ? I naively thought. It's a running programme for absolute beginners to get you from couch potato to running 5K in 9 short and painful weeks.<br />
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Painful they are. You are eased very gently into the programme building up from running a mere 60 or 90 seconds in the first weeks up and up with more running and less walking until you can run for 30 minutes or 5K without stopping. Wee buns.<br />
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So despite disbelief, alarm and much hilarity amongst my family and friends Himself and I began the C25K challenge. I run Tuesday, Thursday and either Saturday or Sunday every week. I am in the middle of week 6. I have "run" for 20 whole minutes without stopping. It hurts, I sweat, I pant and I wobble, but I can do it.<br />
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So, any morning you happen to be in Victoria park and see a wobbly sweaty middle aged woman dragging her feet around the park while singing Taylor Swift aloud, gimme a wave, I might need the encouragement.the part-time writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05053276022228786600noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3939236582743436904.post-13463276579628097242015-06-07T11:29:00.000+01:002015-06-07T11:29:37.770+01:00The Dating GameI haven't dated for some time ( thankfully). From what I hear the life of the single woman over 30 is still as confusing and hazardous as it was back in the day. Online dating is an excellent way to meet people, but as some friends have experienced, it is as fraught and cringeworthy as ever it was.<br />
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A friend was researching dating sites recently and came across <a href="http://www.beautifulpeople.com/en-UK">Beautiful People</a>, where "every member who contacts you will be gorgeous". How marvelous. The catch is you have to have your photo scrutinised by current "beautiful" members before you can join to determine if you are beautiful enough. Yep that's a real site. I'm sure the people on it have just been unlucky with their previous unattractive partners.<br />
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<a href="http://www.match.com/">Match.com</a> allows you to join even if you aren't a super model.You can have a free profile which allows you to search members and "try before you buy". There is a bizarre profile feature that asks members to disclose any habits to potential dates . One guy picks his toenails. Why would you disclose that? Surely you want someone to date you? If that's what you are disclosing what are you hiding, ugh!<br />
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I know of several single men who are finding partners far and wide through<br />
<a href="http://www.plentymorefish.com/">Plenty More Fish</a> where you can sign up for Over 40 dating, single parent dating, or "naughty fish" for the openminded...... . It is free, and no strings sex seems to be readily available so LTRs are not necessarily the aim of the members.<br />
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Then there's the usernames. I'm not sure about you but I think "Hannah-loves-horses" might get more potential matches, and matches with potential than for example "Screamsalot" or "DirtyDave". A friend of mine has been having an on off romance for several years with a man she refers to only by his user name which is unfortunately "Sticky".<br />
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When signing in to WiFi in our home we can see the neighbours various options. The unpleasant and odd single male neighbour has named his "Route-her? I hardly know her". Strange he's not been snapped up.<br />
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I wonder how those of us who have been out of the game for some time might fare if suddenly thrust into the scary world of online dating? Given that perfectly normal teenagers are now selling themselves short on Tinder, the hope of meeting a decent, kind, reliable mate with GSOH for LTR is slim at best.<br />
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We spend a lot more time in life in relationships than in work, choosing a life partner is a serious business. I think online dating should be treated like a job interview. Spend time on your profile, make yourself look dateable, and not desperate.Turn up on time, dress smart, prepare to ask and answer lots of questions, tell them all the good things about you, don't mention your ex, your kids or your debts. If, like some of the companies I've interviewed for recently, they are shabby, dull or rude don't take the job.the part-time writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05053276022228786600noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3939236582743436904.post-69406331124447006792015-05-23T19:38:00.000+01:002015-05-23T19:38:07.287+01:00Dump, Donate or Redeploy.I am a clutterbug, my beloved is a clutterbug ( although a tidier one) so are my 3 daughters. Our home is groaning with the weight of "stuff" we have accumulated in the 3 years we have been living here. It's easy for me to get rid of things that don't belong to me, but I struggle to deal with my own bulging drawers, shelves and cupboards.<br />
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For those of you who have Facebook, the "Timehop" app will greet you each morning with the posts that you were sharing this day last year and all previous years you were on Facebook. Mostly they don't make any sense and are not worth reading, much less sharing, but the odd time they trigger a memory and raise a smile. A few weeks ago my Timehop shared my post from the same day in May 2009. It stated " I've got a skip and I know how to use it". I remember that time well. I felt like I do now, that my life needed a shake up, that I was bogged down in stuff. I was single, living with my daughter and felt like I needed a new start.<br />
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I ordered a skip and proceeded to shake up my life. I am a great believer in "cosmic gestures". I believe you need to physically and mentally make room in your life for a new friend, new relationship, new baby or new job before it comes to you. My skip was me telling the universe "off with the old, bring on the new" Within 6 months I had a new relationship, was pregnant with our daughter, and had moved house and jobs- Whoosh!<br />
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I am in the same zone right now. My eldest daughter is finishing school and starting University after the summer, my middle one starting school in September. It's time for me to shake up my life , to tug all the old stuff from under the beds, off the top of the wardrobes and the back of the cupboards and show the universe that I am ready. Ready for a new challenge, a new start and hopefully a tidier home.<br />
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<span id="goog_392941830"></span><span id="goog_392941831"></span><br />the part-time writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05053276022228786600noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3939236582743436904.post-60812795844400831502015-04-30T13:20:00.000+01:002015-04-30T13:20:27.799+01:00My Manifesto<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj99veqh9yknF4xd1jlu5-NCsJCTBLIhuY10P_4Bpr0pWy2aNA5NUkWzqKfSpI-Ql_8oBx7pBCuho_7k06V21gYp-1ryYRD5ZF96FkpHUxvgffQbK420gm2e8DBrCsNVy8-wZgXmJXKPw0/s1600/signpost-political-partie-011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj99veqh9yknF4xd1jlu5-NCsJCTBLIhuY10P_4Bpr0pWy2aNA5NUkWzqKfSpI-Ql_8oBx7pBCuho_7k06V21gYp-1ryYRD5ZF96FkpHUxvgffQbK420gm2e8DBrCsNVy8-wZgXmJXKPw0/s1600/signpost-political-partie-011.jpg" height="192" width="320" /></a></div>
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Let's face it , the current league of over privileged gentlemen in power in London , and the rabble of bigots, hypocrites ex-cons and fanatics who hold the reins in Northern Ireland are less than inspiring. I am utterly bored with the tit for tat sniping and one-up-man-ship that seems to be politics these days.<br />
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I have a solution, let me rule the country! It's already in a mess, most people are deeply unhappy about at least one thing they have no control over and none of the current options are remotely inspiring. What's the worst that could happen? Here's what I would do if I could.<br />
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Education<br />
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Introduce further compulsory subjects in school to GCSE-<br />
at least one one language ,<br />
cookery including nutrition<br />
running a home, including financial planning,<br />
driving and maintaining a car,<br />
parenting .<br />
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Shorter school holidays-<br />
seriously 8/9 weeks in the summer, who needs that?<br />
Young people who leave school at 16 would need to work, do an apprenticeship or go into further education , no benefits.<br />
All 18 year-olds would do 1 years national service, either in the military the Police service or in the community.<br />
Free University or further education for all, providing they can hold down a part-time job and keep their grades over a C average.<br />
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Crime<br />
All of those found guilty of a crime should perform some sort of recompense to their victims.<br />
Automatic rehab for drug and alcohol related offenders.<br />
Custodial criminals to live in basic but comfortable conditions.<br />
No TV computer or phone access unless it is earned by rehabilitation and recompense to society.<br />
All prisoners to have a library, access to education and exercise, as well as good nutrition.<br />
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State Benefits<br />
I don't believe that our current benefit system is working. Those who are capable of work should work."Jobseekers" need to be looking for work, not watching TV and taking kids to school still in their pyjamas. I would pay benefits for a couple of months if someone loses their job, after that they would need to be doing something to improve society to earn their keep. Making dinner for old people, painting park benches, clearing litter and grafitti, cutting grass. This would spur those who want a job back into work and those who are too lazy would realise life is not a free ride.<br />
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Immigration<br />
I'm all for it. Northern Ireland is infinitely richer and with a greatly improved gene pool since the arrival of immigrants from the EU and beyond. In my experience immigrants do a lot more to integrate into our culture than we do to try and understand theirs. They work, pay taxes, bring up their children well and bilingual. What's not to like?<br />
I do not believe in an open door for the poor and disenfranchised of the world to come and claim benefits and free healthcare however. People who wish to benefit from living in the UK need to be contributing to the UK through taxes and labour.<br />
Refugees of all nations need to be helped by us, and all the wealthy nations. It's partly our fault the world is in such a mess, our government needs to use it's influence on the other G20 members and think about the people who are victims through no fault of their own.<br />
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Football<br />
This is an important one. I am not crazy about the game, but I know a few who are. Football, to me, says a lot about what is wrong with our society. It is expensive, elitist and unfair.<br />
Young men are paid countless millions to kick a ball about when children in our country are living below the breadline.<br />
Cap the wages, take sponsorship, and opportunities away from those who commit serious crimes. Punish thuggish behaviour with proper fines. Fining a premier league footballer £100,000 is like fining you or me £10. It means nothing.<br />
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This is my best idea, only let those who were born within 50 miles of a club to play for them. Geordies for Newcastle, Scousers for Liverpool. Can you imagine a team getting to the top of the league because of talent, drive and training rather than Italians?<br />
Imagine going to St James' Park on a saturday afternoon to watch the Newcastle Derby with only Geordies and Mackams playing. Spending £10 on a ticket and getting a pie in the interval. Wonderful. Bring back the beautiful game.<br />
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<br />the part-time writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05053276022228786600noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3939236582743436904.post-40450526055961207072015-03-24T15:46:00.001+00:002015-03-24T15:46:52.403+00:00Art is Dead, Long Live Art.<br />
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Imagine with me a future where painters can only buy two colours, actors spend their whole working lives playing the same part, dancers only "street dance" and musicians only play songs written for them and do not compose. Sounds horrendous, no? Yet this is exactly what seems to be happening in fiction publishing.</div>
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Large scale publishing is killing literature. I get that it needs to be profitable , but at what cost? If you write you will one day look into publishing your work. What you get from publishers , online writer's resources and agents is a long list of what they do not want. Publishers do not want , wizards, vampires, rhymes, short romantic heroes, too long, too short, too many or too few chapters. They want a cover letter, biography and synopsis, correct spelling, punctuation and grammar and they want to be grabbed from the first sentence. No pressure then. If you choose to write for children the list of do's and don't's is even longer. Publishers expect you to research your audience, to craft your writing to fit in to a particular genre, age group and educational stage and to still be original ,entertaining and most importantly sale-able. </div>
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If you have written a bestseller however, all of that goes out the window. They will publish any old dross you pump out. They will send you on book tours, into schools and expect to find yourself on the sofa with Ruth and Eamon; not to mention fighting off all of those Hollywood film offers. Publishers are not interested in good books, they are interested on marketable writers and best selling books.</div>
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The music industry is going the same way. You only have to think of the previous winners of shows like the X-Factor to see the industry is eating itself. It is so busy giving us what it thinks we want that it is dying on it's feet. The moguls cry no one is buying music anymore, but why is that? Could it be because when a record company gets hold of a young artist they push them to produce, to tour to appear at the opening of all the envelopes. They tell them what to perform , what to wear, who to be. Is it any wonder they burn out, drop out and lose their muse? Creativity is an organic thing , it needs to be fed and nurtured. The best way to kill creativity in my humble opinion is to try to make it into a formula.</div>
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I used to think self -publishing through companies like <a href="http://www.blurb.co.uk/self-publishing">Blurb</a> and <a href="http://www.createspace.com/diy-gb?ref=1681470">Createspace from Amazon</a> was just a vanity project for those who refuse to believe their work isn't good enough to be published, but I have changed my mind. I think it's the future. If you have any talent and you put the work in sooner or later people will take notice. Why whore yourself out to publishers and agents who's primary interest is frankly, their own advancement and profit? </div>
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.the part-time writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05053276022228786600noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3939236582743436904.post-65320208961414010802015-02-24T21:54:00.000+00:002015-02-24T21:54:37.147+00:00Hire Me!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I am on the hunt again. Domestic drudgery and full time child care is really not my bag so I need to work. I do have a job, the managers and my colleagues are great, but it's not a good fit for me. I am BORED! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd3wnRueTxEDo8q-La0L-VEiFye3XguCwylMEhjbaz-bEr1Y-oBD5k6uDd9-uDKvDmsuD4ysTIpvwM4EfJcnsT24HcY-40ZwgByPJPSPm_Qxqb4R8ShyXb_blulERaQzET79XBAf-c2v4/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd3wnRueTxEDo8q-La0L-VEiFye3XguCwylMEhjbaz-bEr1Y-oBD5k6uDd9-uDKvDmsuD4ysTIpvwM4EfJcnsT24HcY-40ZwgByPJPSPm_Qxqb4R8ShyXb_blulERaQzET79XBAf-c2v4/s1600/images.jpg" height="146" width="320" /></a></div>
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I dread the over complicated and repetitive applications I am forced to write, especially those who want a "full employment history"<br />
here are some of the jobs I have had since I left school<br />
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Junior in a hairdressers- hair is surprisingly smelly.<br />
Running the family B&B( mostly turning the hoover on and lying on the beds)<br />
Housekeeping supervisor in a London Hotel ( see above)<br />
Bar maid in Yorkshire "Let's have a real Guinness poured by the Irish barmaid" cue my blushes as they watch me pour two measured half pints into a glass by pressing a button.<br />
Waitress<br />
Child minder ( disaster)<br />
Cafe Manager<br />
Restaurant Manager<br />
Restaurant supervisor<br />
Receptionist in sunbed place. I had a good tan back then.<br />
Drinks waiter in one of Belfast's first gay clubs (where I was viciously attacked by a crazy lesbian because I turned my back on her )<br />
Beauty therapist<br />
Aromatherapist and Reflexologist ( I am fully qualified)<br />
Salon Manager<br />
Self employed recruiter for beauty staff<br />
Self employed domestic ironer/ cleaner with small team.<br />
Telemarketer<br />
Telemarketing team leader<br />
Door to door and phone survey monkey<br />
Sales administrator<br />
Tour guide, people rounder upper and mover-alonger, Titanic fact aficionado<br />
Enquiries officer medical company<br />
Receptionist medical company<br />
Firewarden walkie-talkie killjoy ( current position).<br />
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I am sure there are more I have long forgotten, most of them I enjoyed for a time , but boredom is a problem for me. That and years and years of being a bottom rung employee. There is nothing wrong with being at the bottom, after all someone has to do the work. Unfortunately even in this day and age employers see employees as a number, dispensable, disposable and fairly worthless. Apart from the very smallest companies who generally realise the value of a good employee and seek to keep those they have trained.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQeSphqE51F8VUNd4YkzlQAoHjESKedNypLyHjv40FYwI5sG0oWTIr4PusNGojQ0CUYfkxcHFYQeYeKqVHazrgcDx_Qws0wJ3UkWlIljb75DLktOdrjRiljYiLHw0tOA3qVf8uqrI32N8/s1600/Happy-Employees-in-Iowa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQeSphqE51F8VUNd4YkzlQAoHjESKedNypLyHjv40FYwI5sG0oWTIr4PusNGojQ0CUYfkxcHFYQeYeKqVHazrgcDx_Qws0wJ3UkWlIljb75DLktOdrjRiljYiLHw0tOA3qVf8uqrI32N8/s1600/Happy-Employees-in-Iowa.jpg" height="177" width="320" /></a></div>
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I think I should be an employee consultant. A manager of mine told me once I was a great advocate for the staff, every company needs me!<br />
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This is what I would tell employers,<br />
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Hire staff well before you expect to be busy, so they are trained to cope when you are.<br />
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Employ young people and retirees, great for a balance of enthusiasm and experience<br />
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Don't ask stupid interview questions ( "who is your favourite Lion King character"- I was asked this once; or "what do you know about the company", "er whatever I have read on your website.")<br />
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Have a good staff room. Keep it stocked up and have a cleaner. A large table in the middle of the room is best for staff relations. all staff should use it including managers. occasionally buy lunch/ fruit/ cakes for everyone.<br />
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Know everyone's names. Have social events regularly- not always alcohol related.<br />
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Provide proper training- not "shadowing." Real training by someone who is accountable should that training be unsuccessful or incomplete.<br />
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After 3 months in the job ask your new recruits what they love about the job and what they hate. Aim to give them more of what they love and less of what they hate. There will be other employees who are their polar opposites.<br />
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If the company is doing great, tell your staff. The same if it is doing badly. Ask your staff what to do to get more sales/ footfall/members, or how to save on outgoings.<br />
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Do not excuse lateness, but always aim to give time off requested.<br />
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Reward a job well done, every time. If someone's performance is waning ask them why.<br />
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Job swap with your lowest paid staff at least once a year.<br />
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Always stick up for your staff in the face of public criticism, but get to the bottom of complaints.<br />
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Pass compliments on to your team.<br />
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So if you know of anyone who is looking for an employee who can tell them exactly where they are going wrong, gimme a call :-)<br />
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the part-time writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05053276022228786600noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3939236582743436904.post-90072716424414173432015-02-18T16:30:00.000+00:002015-02-19T22:16:14.834+00:0050 Shades of Hypocrisy. For the record, I haven't seen "the" movie yet. I probably will for curiosity's sake. I am very happy for the handsome and charming <a href="https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=5&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CDcQFjAE&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.imdb.com%2Fname%2Fnm1946193%2F&ei=QLTkVJK7HMaY7gahooCYDQ&usg=AFQjCNFzG-q11P4b9lLqcJza9mzoHXjbjg&sig2=f7NFH2hOo2TplHzNBiMsWA">Jamie Dornan</a>. He is a local (to me) lad and deserves success as much as anyone.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSGwJNDYMQLZYRCQ0t18z0hkvUs_RY0g5xdt3yZwv3N9XsgpyV4VAU33d7Vn0QN2WZt66P4uvIid5EHTXuleyZ9mJXCJUjgiiotI_uXrs-1Sc07bCgUdKXSHBcSdnzahgttDT5TkiS5kw/s1600/jamie-dornan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSGwJNDYMQLZYRCQ0t18z0hkvUs_RY0g5xdt3yZwv3N9XsgpyV4VAU33d7Vn0QN2WZt66P4uvIid5EHTXuleyZ9mJXCJUjgiiotI_uXrs-1Sc07bCgUdKXSHBcSdnzahgttDT5TkiS5kw/s1600/jamie-dornan.jpg" height="320" width="254" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">what's not to like?</td></tr>
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Now what am I trying to say here.<br />
Any intelligent person who has read any of the <a href="http://www.eljamesauthor.com/books/fifty-shades-of-grey/">"50 Shades"</a> novels will realise they are about female sexual fantasy, and not domestic abuse. I have no desire to be stalked by a gorgeous billionaire, wait............ no really, it would be truly creepy; but I doubt there is an adult out there who hasn't fantasised at one time or another about what it would be like to have someone else dominate them. Now most of us wouldn't be in to the whole torture chamber, nipple clamp sensory deprivation bit, but a well timed slap of the buttock? or your lover telling you what to do in the bedroom, why the hell not?<br />
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The movie is a reaction to a phenomenally successful book series. They are cringingly badly written, with one dimensional characters and almost impossible sex scenes but they have been published and are unbelievably popular We all know in reality most women would run screaming from Christian Grey, even if he was gorgeous. This however is fantasy, it is fun escapism nothing more. If teenage girls believe this is what love is we need to look at parenting, not blame it on EL James or Sam Taylor-Johnston.<br />
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Now to my point. a few weeks ago Facebook and Twitter were awash with <a href="http://charliehebdo.fr/en">"Je Suis Charlie"</a> profile pictures as we were all devastated by the massacre of French journalists and cartoonists in Paris. We all condemned the violence and stated our right to freedom of speech and expression. Now, just a few weeks later , those same facebookers and twits are exclaiming we need to boycott 50 shades and donate to women's refuges instead. Hypocrite much? You can't have it both ways. either we have freedom to like what we like, or we are all robots obeying what big brother tells us to like.<br />
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I am a feminist, of course I do not condone violence against women ( or anyone else), but I defend mine, and your right to watch or read anything we damn well like.<br />
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<br />the part-time writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05053276022228786600noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3939236582743436904.post-41860500288817780642015-02-04T22:13:00.000+00:002015-02-04T22:13:15.615+00:00I Am An IdiotIt's true, I am an idiot. I am 40 something , mother of 3, employed, in a long term relationship and people expect me to know stuff, and to not be an idiot, but I am.<br />
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I forget stuff all the time. I get into my car to go somewhere and end up on my way to school or the supermarket when I intended to go to the park. I look at a recipe to make something new for dinner and go to the shops immediately forgetting what I need to buy. I have put a trolley load through the supermarket checkout only to realise I don't have a purse with me. I have filled my car with petrol and had to leave my phone with the cashier and zoom home to get money to pay.<br />
I lose my car in a car park at least once a month, it's a miracle I have never left the children behind<br />
(so far).<br />
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I was reminded of a majorly idiotic episode in my past today. At a cafe I asked the server for two red fruit shoot. She put everything I ordered on my tray and as she turned to get the kids drinks she repeated "two red fruit shoot" as she picked up two purple fruit shoot. It reminded me of a time when I was working in a hotel bistro. I was having a lovely time serving and chatting to a gay couple. one of them had severe allergies so throughout their meal I made several trips to the kitchen checking ingredients and suppliers with the chef. After their meal , during a lengthy discussion they decided they would like ice cream as we couldn't guarantee no nut residue in any of the puddings. I duly went off and made them two lovely sundaes.You can just imagine the look on their faces as I set the dishes on the table in front of them, ice cream of various flavours, fresh fruit, sauce a parasol and all topped off with some delicious chopped nuts. Doh<br />
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I have no doubt that I will have plenty of chances to show off my idiot calibre tomorrow putting my car through the MOT. "Indicator!" cue wipers "Break!" cue clutch "Fog Lights! " "What?" can't wait.the part-time writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05053276022228786600noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3939236582743436904.post-13868298721734332402015-01-28T17:10:00.000+00:002015-01-28T17:10:25.292+00:00School Run StyleI had a little smirk to myself earlier this week when the papers unveiled <a href="http://www.littlewoods.com/coleen">Colleen</a> Rooney's new collection for Littlewoods with the strap line "perfect for the school run".<br />
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What is this magical "school run"? Is it like a weekend in a country house where you have 17 separate outfits and accessories to suit every activity?<br />
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Is it a special social event that only parents and child carers are privy to and that requires a specific and stylish outfit?<br />
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Remember Trinny and Suzanna? They were all over the school run back in the 90's encouraging mothers to accesorise in beige and Navy. There are entire blogs dedicated to this mythical event.<br />
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For most of us the school run is less fashion event and more frantic 30 minutes early in the day where you try to get 1 or more child out of your possession for a few hours. You leave the house with kids, book bags, satchels,wellies scarves and hats( because they won't wear them) money in different labelled envelopes for the 40 different events taking place each week and try to remember your own bag.<br />
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If I can get my two safely dispatched within 10 minutes of the bell ringing wearing two matching shoes and having remembered to wipe the snot/ porridge residue off my top I consider that a successful "school run". If I have forgotten to put on my gingham belly top/shorts combo with matching pump and an easy and practical "up-do" to compliment my sunglasses maybe I am normal after all.<br />
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<br />the part-time writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05053276022228786600noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3939236582743436904.post-88000216487338163032015-01-14T15:45:00.001+00:002015-01-14T15:45:22.260+00:00The Part Time Writer: Things I have Learned from Facebook<a href="http://theparttimewriter.blogspot.com/2015/01/things-i-have-learned-from-facebook.html?spref=bl">The Part Time Writer: Things I have Learned from Facebook</a>: Like so many of us I have a love/hate relationship with Facebook, or rather with the those who post , and those who don't. T...the part-time writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05053276022228786600noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3939236582743436904.post-87565623885736201282015-01-14T15:44:00.001+00:002015-01-14T15:44:34.409+00:00Things I have Learned from FacebookLike so many of us I have a love/hate relationship with Facebook, or rather with the those who post , and those who don't.<br />
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These are some of the things that Facebook has subjected me ( and you )to<br />
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1. People are very proud of their children. I am, you are, this is normal and cool.<br />
Nappy contents, first burp, loud farts etc , not cool.<br />
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2. Some people over share. The ins and outs and ups and downs of your relationship with your best friend, mother in law or spouse is no one else's business ( or remotely interesting) You are not Kim Kardashian.<br />
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3. A photo, or two from your holiday is fine, but NO ONE wants to see more than 3.<br />
Let alone photo 47 from album 3.<br />
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4. Your dog is cute, but no one needs to see a video of his bath, really, no really. Not<br />
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5. Posting " OMG I am soooo annoyed" without proper explanation and cryptic clues is like OMG sooo annoying.<br />
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6. No one wants to see your Christmas tree or piles of presents, Let alone step by step pictures of them being opened.<br />
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7. Adding someone as a friend and never commenting or liking anything they post is creepy stalking, stop it.<br />
If you don't want to join in leave .<br />
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8.Don't re-post stuff you haven't read, or like random photos of sick children you have never met. What's the point?<br />
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9. No one will think you are a bad person if you don't post some random poem about how much you love your sons. You are probably too busy running them about, washing their football kits and wiping their noses to post such nonsense.<br />
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10. Giving people pointless cryptic messages leading to the colour of your pants WILL NOT CURE CANCER. Neither will tipping cold water over your head, stop it. It's pointless.<br />
Make a donation , say nothing, Facebook (and I) will thank you for it.<br />
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Rant over, back to over sharing my life ;-)<br />
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<br />the part-time writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05053276022228786600noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3939236582743436904.post-91285392294151058482014-12-26T16:14:00.000+00:002014-12-26T16:14:20.717+00:00New Year. Old Me.Christmas is great.<br />
I am off work and able to spend time with those I love at home, or out with friends and family. No one bats an eye if you have mince pies with chocolate chaser for breakfast or a glass of wine at 2 pm,and then another one :-) <br />
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It is a time of excess, but also of simple pleasures. It is fun to stay in your PJ's and watch old movies and build Lego castles, it's something we don't do enough of. We spend our time "doing stuff" and not just "being". There is something else though about this time of year, the excess, the expense, the calories the claustrophobia of staying in while the wind and rain batter the windows that makes me crave the new year. The new life in the spring, the longer, brighter days, the promise of bright evenings, sunshine, the future.<br />
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The new year often encourages us to de-clutter, start a diet, take up a hobby, vocation or sport, or to give up one of our many vices. I have been there too many times to mention. Tried to give up this that or the other or to go from sloth to athlete in weeks with limited (no) success and in the long run, ending up feeling worse than before you started.<br />
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Clearing out is something I do enjoy, but as a naturally lazy lion I need to be in the "zone". This morning I tackled some of the girl's old toys, all those McDonalds plastic toys, all the bits of things that don't seem to belong to anything. tens of plastic hair bobbles, ripped books, broken pencils,baby books and puzzles that are no longer a challenge. It felt so good to pack them into the back of the car to get them out of the house.<br />
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My resolution this year is to carry on being a bit more me. Sure I could lose weight, I could be fitter, I could watch less TV and be more disciplined etc etc. At the turn of this new year I am happier with myself than I have been for some time. I like me a bit better than last new year. I am easier to be around and I'm not broke, so don't need fixing. If I decide to try the <a href="http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/c25k/Pages/get-running-with-couch-to-5k.aspx">Couch-to-5K challenge</a> I'll let you know!<br />
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Happy New Year all- are you planning to change anything this year?the part-time writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05053276022228786600noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3939236582743436904.post-69069931779214207142014-12-12T21:17:00.000+00:002014-12-12T21:17:13.778+00:00Getting Stuff Done<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crochet tree chain.</td></tr>
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I like to think of myself as the creative type. While I don't have any discernible talents in any particular field I do enjoy a dabble in craft projects, and writing. The upside of all this creativity (for me) is I can ignore housework, chores, shopping cooking, ironing and the like for days on end as I am creative, I am busy being, coming up with ideas, dabbling and very importantly buying new supplies.<br />
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The downside ( for those who live with and love me) is I am messy, don't much like housework or cooking and like to bring supplies and "stuff" into our home. I don't throw out anything that may come in handy at a later date. my Pinterest addiction has resulted in our cupboards being filled with Kilner Jars and coconut oil , Shea butter and glitter glue, all very useful.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this is what happens to my unfinished projects, #catbed</td></tr>
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I love to start a new project, I am like a child in a field of butterflies I can't focus on just one at a time, the colours!<br />
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A friend of mine had her first book published recently. in honour of this amazing achievement I thought I would make her a gift. She has always worn very striking spectacles so I thought I would make her a cross stitch glasses case. I got very excited about it and came up with a design personal to her. She is Dutch, and a nun, and loves Northern Ireland so I incorporated Dutch/ Irish symbols to make it very personal.On the back I stitched lots of colourful glasses. This was the easy part, the fun , colourful creative part. The difficult part was doing the border, the sewing up and lining. I'm ashamed to say it took me almost a year to complete and send off to her. She was very happy with it, and I was proud of the end result. This process made me realise that to get the most out of any project, to get the full joy of the creative process it is important TO GET STUFF FINISHED.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Speksy"</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The finished article</td></tr>
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My current thrill is crochet. I have been attending a class and my teacher gave us a simple pattern for crochet Christmas trees.This is the ideal project for a creative butterfly fancier like me, simple, quick and you can make them in any colour/ yarn you desire. I have learned to do a ripple stitch and a couple of pretty edges too- but for now I need to perfect my trees!!</div>
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If you fancy trying out the trees here is the simple pattern:</div>
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<u>NOTE: TR-CL= 4 x treble into the same stitch</u></div>
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Ch 4, sl st into 1st chin to make loop</div>
<u style="font-weight: bold;">Row 1-</u> ch2, tr 3 into ring, ch4, 1 tr-cl, ch4, 1tr-cl,ch4. Slstinto top of 1st 2ch.<br />
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<u style="font-weight: bold;">Row 2</u>-sl -st into chain space, ch 2, 3tr, ch6, tr-cl into same ch space *ch3 tr-cl in next ch sp, ch 5, tr-cl in same space * repeat from * in the next ch sp. Ch 3, sl st into first 2ch.<br />
<u style="font-weight: bold;">Row 3- </u>sl-st into ch space. Ch2, tr-cl into ch sp,ch1,5tr into same space,skip 2st, dc( double crochet)between stitches (from prev row), 6tr into next ch sp, sk 2 st, dc between stitches, 5tr in next ch sp,ch 1 5tr. Sk2 st, dc between st, 4tr in next ch sp **.<br />
Sk 2st , dc between st, 5tr ch1 5tr in next ch sp. Sk 2st, dc between stitches, 6tr in next ch sp, sk 2st, dc between stitches, sl st into top of turning ch. Fasten off.<br />
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<b><u>for base of tree</u></b><br />
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Rejoin wool to the first of the 4tr (mkd **), ch1,dc in same place, dc in each of next 3st, turn.<br />
Ch1, 1dc in same place, dc ineach of next 3st, turn.<br />
repeat row twice more, fasten off.<br />
Simples x<br />
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the part-time writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05053276022228786600noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3939236582743436904.post-88641442429358653062014-11-11T19:35:00.000+00:002014-11-11T19:35:38.681+00:00 Getting My Goat<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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There are things that totally get my goat, serious proper things like racism, sexism , homophobia, stupidity and rudeness, but I have a loooonnnggg list of things that on a daily basis, in a lesser but totally irritating way get my goat.<br />
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1. Drivers who do not use their indicators, you know who you are .<br />
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2. Drivers who use two parking spaces ( see photo)</div>
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3. Spending time with friends who keep their phone on the table/in their hand the whole night.</div>
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4. Cyclists, particularly those who do not feel the need to use lights/high-viz. Adult cyclists on the pavement.</div>
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5.Walking in dog-poo</div>
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6. Ordering a cappuccino and expecting a lovely strong hot coffee with a lush layer of froth, but instead getting a lukewarm bucket of lightly coffee'd milk with 3 feet of freezing foam on top.</div>
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7. Sounds daft, but scones/ tray bakes that are HUGE. Very off putting. Or those pre-wrapped dry nasty mass produced efforts.</div>
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8.Bono</div>
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9. Drivers who slow down 50 m away from a junction.</div>
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10. People who don't hold doors open for others, or who don't thank you for doing so. People who don't say thank you.</div>
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11. Carnations, nasty cheap horrors.</div>
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12. Sniffers. BLOW IT!</div>
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13. Drivers who refuse to go up the inside of a bus or lorry. Shouldn't be on the road.</div>
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14. People who swear, not to make a point , but as punctuation.</div>
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15. The Daily Mail.</div>
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16. Adults who cant use grammer spellings or puntuation becauz there to lazy too use the corract wordz.</div>
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17. Adults thinking farting is funny. It isn't.</div>
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18. Dirty/ smelly folk. NO EXCUSE.</div>
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Well now I have all that off my chest I shall go and be perfect in my perfect life ! </div>
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Don't forget to comment and tell me what gets your goat.</div>
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the part-time writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05053276022228786600noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3939236582743436904.post-39293104949391582562014-11-04T15:13:00.000+00:002014-11-04T15:13:29.968+00:00I am Dinosaur Hear Me Roar!I hate new things. I don't like fashion, new music and faddy restaurants. I don't download music and I haven't bought a new CD in years. My brother-in-law mocked me last Sunday because of the ancient content on my ipod. It's full of classics, in case you are interested.<br />
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My sister and her DOH love to go to concerts. they go and see every new band that comes to Belfast, and plenty of the old ones too. I do not. Concerts are a particular kind of hell for me.<br />
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I don't like standing<br />
I don't like crowds<br />
I don't like my drinks in a plastic glass<br />
I loathe strangers getting too close<br />
The worst of all these though is the person who watches an entire concert through the lens of their phone or tablet. I mean who is going to watch that blurry, tinny concert when they go home?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeytTZLddWEc2BZ7q6RkaLU6VwuxAftSrq1Gdr5_vI2u5ICcwloF0CIkQ1j7TG3RqQ2iitgbqlWg1-rhjpWm_RUy5kz4wr9s9Yv6k23g02WQ-soBdEImdQetgjf0acFYnNxm7Xhv7i800/s1600/concert.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeytTZLddWEc2BZ7q6RkaLU6VwuxAftSrq1Gdr5_vI2u5ICcwloF0CIkQ1j7TG3RqQ2iitgbqlWg1-rhjpWm_RUy5kz4wr9s9Yv6k23g02WQ-soBdEImdQetgjf0acFYnNxm7Xhv7i800/s1600/concert.jpg" /></a></div>
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I don't like stadiums, too many people</div>
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Too far from the action and the loos</div>
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Why go to a huge stadium and pay top dollar to see someone, put up with a load of irritating people and then watch the whole thing on a screen??</div>
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Concerts, and comedians should be watched in smaller more intimate spaces, like The Waterfront, The Ulster Hall or the Opera House.</div>
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They should be seated.</div>
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You should be able to have a drink at your seat and ALL recording equipment should be banned.</div>
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For me though I think I will stick to ingesting new music in small bites via Radio 2 and save my concert viewing to Glastonbury on TV</div>
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<br />the part-time writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05053276022228786600noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3939236582743436904.post-62788386425985220312014-10-22T19:56:00.001+01:002014-10-22T19:56:57.798+01:00What's in a Name?As an exercise in my creative writing class recently our tutor gave us two names and asked us to write a short piece about "Si and Margaret"attempting to outline their characters. As you would expect with several different personalities in the group everyone had a different take on who Si and Margaret were. It got me thinking about names, and naming things in general.<br />
A name is a very important thing for most of us, the moniker we have been saddled with will tell people about us before we even meet. A Vivienne, or a Lilith will conjure up a different picture in your mind than say a Susan or an Edith.<br />
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I always hated my name "Tracey Smyth"- two of the most common names ever put together, like John Green or Alan Jones. As I have got older and now know no other Traceys I don't mind it so much. There was a time in my teens when I adopted my middle name Elizabeth, and my mother's maiden name of Harrison. I wasn't pretentious at all of course so a little double-barreling wasn't out of the question. I would sign my letters to my parents from school "Beth Harrison-Smyth", my parents to their credit either didn't notice or realised I would soon get over it.<br />
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Double-barrelled surnames used to be the choice of the nobility. Those women who married down who wished their higher social status to be maintained while also raising the status of their new husbands would become double barrelled rather than adopt a name they saw as of lower status. Some names work well together, think Palmer-Tompkinson, or Lane -Fox. In recent times though every Big Brother wannabe and promotions girl is an O'Hare-McKechnie or Robertson-Watson, ghastly ugly mouthfuls. My own ( probably outdated) opinion is, if you want to get hitched, adopt one or other name and stick with it.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq3jcQmfn5NxwQN2FBZncmz1vrwX0I5nJ7JRXCHq_SrW9vj4TWTgH_FjYKPaludzQR3xIhP8ZtndVDuBsMB7eno9A8Yo4Pyfa_y1QPzO6TPCBaY86-pPojkqzvesQ3t8_IYwG4XZeNFFQ/s1600/aislyne.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq3jcQmfn5NxwQN2FBZncmz1vrwX0I5nJ7JRXCHq_SrW9vj4TWTgH_FjYKPaludzQR3xIhP8ZtndVDuBsMB7eno9A8Yo4Pyfa_y1QPzO6TPCBaY86-pPojkqzvesQ3t8_IYwG4XZeNFFQ/s1600/aislyne.jpg" height="320" width="217" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New double barreled Aisleyne Horgan-Wallce</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGF6dSmVM8-R3xyf2MSwrZU8xq98OrdwUQu3puM3mZpxT3WZnMgOAmDj2s61IxKnaG9aIdhfPuX6oE72KGMOElK-0OvOIQrxJa3Pi_mCg68dzCli3EVrEQwn_O_GE7KeSJovMV6JVoGvk/s1600/Marha+Lane-Fox.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGF6dSmVM8-R3xyf2MSwrZU8xq98OrdwUQu3puM3mZpxT3WZnMgOAmDj2s61IxKnaG9aIdhfPuX6oE72KGMOElK-0OvOIQrxJa3Pi_mCg68dzCli3EVrEQwn_O_GE7KeSJovMV6JVoGvk/s1600/Marha+Lane-Fox.jpg" height="320" width="231" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Old double barreled Martha Lane Fox OBE</td></tr>
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Now I am in danger of sounding like a Daily Mail reader, but double barrels, if not centuries old make my flesh creep. Made up christian names however, send me to the fair. I'm all for celebrities calling their children Apple, Sage or Memphis if it floats their boat. After all if you are the child of a prominent actor or rock star you are expected to stand out from the crowd, and at least these are names, not of children , but of something. You could decide to go all Shakespeare on us and make up your own ; like Kelby or Shanice or anything with a hyphenated Lee on the end ( Sammi, Bobbi etc) or, you use a real name but spell it creatively Daryn. Lynzi, Traycee but those, especially if combined with a naff double barrel will not show off your uniqueness, or coolness, or upward mobility, sadly they will just make you stand out as a pretentious wannabe.</div>
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the part-time writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05053276022228786600noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3939236582743436904.post-80644561949359715602014-10-19T16:42:00.002+01:002014-10-19T16:42:54.855+01:00Professional ParentingParenting is tough. Anyone who has a child will know that. You're damned if you do, and damned if you don't. A good friend of mine recently attended a positive parenting course at her church. We have been chatting about it over the last few weeks and it sounds as if they have given the parents some great information, as well as some food for thought.<br />
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Children are like sponges, that's why they learn so quickly. They can pick up their own , plus foreign languages, vocabulary colours, shapes, numbers, letters, weather, feelings, all well before they are ready for school. What we always forget as parents is they are picking up all the subtle signals we are sending them. They can read our mood through our body language and facial expressions. Some studies say we communicate 55% of our views, mood and feelings non-verbally. Children are emotionally sensitive so it makes sense they can read these signals better than many adults.<br />
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If you think about this logically it makes sense that if we are tense, angry or upset that our children may well feel unsure or upset. Even if we smile and try to reassure them verbally they may not accept this as true. </div>
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Being an example of a happy , healthy caring person is to me , the best way to develop happy, healthy caring children. We cannot expect our children to develop tolerance if we are intolerant, to be caring if we are brusque and uncaring, to be friendly if we are pathologically shy or anti-social. We may well be mortified if our child is the one who swears or bites at nursery, but if mummy swears at another driver on the school run , or daddy slams doors and mutters obscenities under his breath when he is annoyed about something what do you expect? Do as I say, not as I do does not work. Our children are too intelligent for that.</div>
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I have overheard parents tell their children not to be so F***ing cheeky, or to shut up, and then the very same parents seeing red when these words and phrases are repeated back to them.</div>
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I had my own parenting thrown back in my face this week by my 4 year old. We were in the car turning left into a road and there was a van parked very close to the corner making visibility almost impossible. I loudly called the van stupid and may well have uttered a few expletives also. Nancy piped up, and carried on till we were home, "It's not nice to call anyone stupid mummy". I tried to reason with her and say I was talking about the van, and not a real person , so it was OK. She was having none of it. A few hours later I was going out of the house, Nancy asked me where I was going, and when I said I was just popping out for something she said , complete with wagging finger " and you need to go and say you are sorry to that van!"</div>
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<br />the part-time writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05053276022228786600noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3939236582743436904.post-83573593963399367402014-10-03T11:57:00.000+01:002014-10-03T11:57:25.777+01:00To Moan or Not to MoanI am a complainer. I don't think of myself as a whinger, my DOH may disagree with that, but I do believe in complaining. There are so many businesses, services and products out there that get things wrong and go out of business because no one complains. Complaining saves jobs! How many times have you been to a new cafe and experienced cold coffee, the wrong order or poor service and instead of speaking up, we don't want to make a fuss, we just go elsewhere. This happens over and over and before they know it the business is struggling to stay afloat but no one has ever said anything negative.<br />
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I complain about dirty loos,lack of information and signage, goods sold that are unfit for purpose and most commonly plain old bad service. I have to say that most companies appreciate my comments and often I have had my complaint resolved and also received a voucher or some other compensation. This for me is a bonus, and not the reason I complain (honest).<br />
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There are some unscrupulous companies who will take advantage of people who do not know their rights. DD1 bought a play-suit from online fashion retailer <a href="http://www.boohoo.com/">BOO HOO</a>, when it came it was totally misshapen and wouldn't have fitted anyone with 4 limbs and a head, she returned it to them- at her own expense and was informed she was liable for a "restocking fee" which was around 25% of the value. Well, Lily had spent her own money on this piece of garbage and I went into protective mummy mode. I emailed their complaints department. the response I got was unsatisfactory, so on the advice of my excellent niece <a href="http://www.carina100.co.uk/">Carina</a> I took my complaint to Facebook. interestingly they acted immediately and refunded Lily's money in full. Unfortunately for them I felt they were a bit unapologetic and their clothing is not of sufficient quality so we won't choose to shop with them again.<br />
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This is me, all serene and lovely giving positive feedback- and never ever using bad words or abuse . :-)</div>
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I ordered a "click and collect" item from toy behemoth <a href="http://www.smythtstoys.com/">Smyths</a> Toys this week . All went smoothly until I went into the store to collect the item. The email I had from Smyths clearly stated that if the price of my item had changed since I ordered it they would automatically charge the lower price. Imagine my delight when I noticed the doll on the shelf was £7 less than it had been online.</div>
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I gave an assistant my code and he went off to get my doll. As he approached me I noticed he was removing the price sticker from the box. I asked him how much I was going to be charged, he stated the higher price. When I explained what my email had said , he told me that as I had bought the item online I was to pay the online price. I showed him my email. Then he said that those items had been priced wrongly and that I still had to pay the higher price. I tried to debate this with him , but he was hostile and uninterested. So I explained to him I was unhappy with this and would be in touch with the click and collect service directly. </div>
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I walked back across the store to take a photo of the dolls with the cheaper price tickets on them, he followed me and started peeling all the labels off as I was trying to get a photo.</div>
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Those are his fingers in the top left!! </div>
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When I got home I emailed Smyths straight away and explained what had happened. they emailed within 24 hours and I had a call from the very apologetic and pleasant manager of the store last night. She was not happy with her staff member, and is sending out a gift voucher to me.</div>
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Now, what's not to like about that scenario? I am happy that I have been taken seriously, that I am right and that the company recognises it is at fault and is taking steps to fix things.</div>
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Now in-case you think that I am just a perpetual moaner, I do also take time to contact companies with positive feedback when it is warranted. I have emailed Transport monopoly holders Translink this week with effusive and glowing praise for one of the conductors on the Dublin-Belfast train last Saturday. Needless to say I haven't heard from them- I feel a Facebook challenge coming !</div>
<br />the part-time writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05053276022228786600noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3939236582743436904.post-47311590061619983462014-09-28T11:24:00.000+01:002014-09-28T17:36:03.393+01:00Unemployment? Freedom!I was made redundant this week, from a job I enjoyed and one I think I was pretty good at. The redundancies are a result of government cutbacks and were unavoidable for my company. When the cuts were announced it was a shock to me and my DOH but after some discussion we decided that it wouldn't be the worst thing in the world for me to take some time out to focus on our family. So I volunteered.<br />
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I am very fortunate that my DOH has a good job with a reasonable salary, and he is indulgent of me and my projects. He may well hope to come home from work from now on to a gleamingly clean home, dinner bubbling on the stove, the children scrubbed and shiny and running to greet their beloved papa.<br />
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I will of course have my hair coiffed, my nails painted and be in fishnet stockings and heels as I tend to my little darlings and the home baked pies. When my beloved comes in I will plant a fragrant kiss on his cheek and offer him a drink as I listen attentively to the events of his day.... Not.</div>
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I will be doing the lion's share of the housework ( which I hate) the cooking ( which I hate), the shopping ( which I hate but love to have control over) and the childcare ( which I find exhausting, stressful, and boring a lot of the time). This is the down side of life at home.</div>
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On the upside I get to have breakfast with my girls every morning and dinner with the family every night. I get to take the little ones to nursery and playgroup, and pick them up. I get to hear about their day and get to know the the other parents and the teachers. I get to meet a friend for coffee when I can squeeze it in. if I get one little one to sleep in the afternoon when the other is at nursery I get to watch "The Real Housewives of ....." wherever or do some craft/writing or ironing for my little business <a href="https://www.facebook.com/theironingladytothestars">Ironing Lady to the Stars</a>, or just have some peace.</div>
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For me it is not an easy transition from working woman to full time mummy/housewife, but it is something I have chosen to embrace. It is my job now. with the help of <a href="http://www.flylady.net/">The Flylady</a> for cleaning routines and tips, and <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/">Pinterest</a> for recipe and home decor and craft ideas I hope to have a home that my family love coming home to . I hope to not go insane with frustration and boredom and I hope to not spend the entire household budget on things I like or I might be in trouble !</div>
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<br />the part-time writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05053276022228786600noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3939236582743436904.post-72565608380159822172014-09-11T16:36:00.000+01:002014-09-11T16:39:45.076+01:00Struggling with Self ExpressionI like to think of myself as a creative person. I like to read and to write and I enjoy crafts. I have never been a follower of fashion, but have tried to wear clothes that I liked , and that I felt suited me. I am struggling right now though with my middle daughter's desire for self expression.<br />
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My youngest likes to wear wellies with almost anything , and sunglasses indoors even on dark days, but that's cute in a <a href="http://www.boden.co.uk/">Boden Catalogue</a> sort of way. It's colourful and expressive and most importantly, reflects well on me as a lovely liberal and cool mum.<br />
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Nancy however is a different kettle of fish. At 4 she is very confident and sometimes downright willful She has expressed her opinions (loudly) since she started talking and likes to choose her own selection of clothes in the morning. This can be problem free - or at least minimal if we chose a dress, what could go wrong? The problems arise if we go for separates. One day last week she went to nursery in a pink and purple ethnic printed skirt ( think <a href="http://www.monsoon.co.uk/">Monsoon Kids</a>) with a neon pink t-shirt with flamingos on it, and a pair of orange and pink spotty tights, top this look off with sparkly light up baseball boots and you will see what I am up against!<br />
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The hair is another battle, she has fine wispy hair that only looks good when freshly brushed or tied up. One the pink explosion day in question she wanted to do her own hair and came up with a lovely side ponytail effort, but only using half of her hair so it looked more like a comb-over than a "do".<br />
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Nancy and her little sister Florence are embarking on their school careers this month at playgroup and reception year, so I suppose I should be glad of their self expression as the creativity will be knocked out of them soon enough when they get swallowed up by grey and navy school uniforms. I haven't broken the news to Nancy yet that when she get's into "Rainbows" she will be wearing a red track suit, nice.the part-time writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05053276022228786600noreply@blogger.com0