diary of a 70s teen

1st December

2009-12-01T21:00:00.004Z

Image from http://blogs.zappos.com

Well it is here .... the 1st of December ... & what does that mean???

Yeah the advent calendar... courtesy of my cuz CKX.... who incidentally still has not been persuaded to blog.

There will be a mixture of cute pics, odd and interesting websites, games and 'jokes' (they make you titter and groan at the same time... just enjoy)

So off we go the first website is 'My Parents were Awesome'. Superb makes a change from 'My Parents were Embarrassing' lol

How many of these guitar riffs can you identify.... I got no where... I know some the tunes but don't ask me what they are called

Great Christmas idea that didn't get in the calendar .... Handerpants love 'em :-)

As those who have followed my blog ovr the last few years you will know I am completely r-u-b-b-i-s-h at the games CKX puts up for a challenge. This game I can't actually get into as there is a problem with Shockwave Flash tonight so the game won't load...... if you can get in let me know how it is and how rubbish will I be at it ... it is can you tell if the hand is a rightie or a leftie (I am so hoping there will be snowball throwing games lol )

aww how cutie is this piccie ???

& finally the joke ... a Christmas Cracker special

Knock knock
"Who's there?"
"Doorbell repairman.”

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As the month progresses I may or may not keep this up (you may be grateful if I don't lol) ... work is mad and mother is having an operation so that means lots of time in internet freezone... I will see how it all pans out

29th & 30th November

2009-11-29T20:23:00.003Z

Tuesday 29 1977

Revised English Literature

Didn't do much.. (that is why I got a 'C' then??)

Phoned 'J'

Andy sat next to me in Maths

He asked me to go to the school disco with him

Bev is going with Brags

Friday 30 1979

Sam is coming up at 7.30 pm

Went to the flicks to see 2 films

Went to Follies (a night club) with my bro and g/f

Went for a walk along the prom = cold (how many 'went's can you get??)

Home at 1.30 am

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I am feeling very festive .. I have no idea why as I am a stalwart to not let Xmas come into any month except December !!

maybe it is because this weekend I have been sorting out the pressies I have bought along the way for folk ... maybe it is the 'loop' Xmas tunes in the shops or could it be that my Cuz (CKX) has sent me those items that will not be in the Christmas advent calendar??

so for your delight and expectation .. a few Xmas gift ideas ....

a slant on the old gift of slippers ... and edible too !!

These are my faves ..............how cool

and I actually like this idea that your ass winks at folk lol [crap video though]

21st & 22nd November

2009-11-21T21:40:00.005Z

Wednesday 21 1979

1 Year since Sam joined the QS job

Went to Liverpool and bought a jewellery box for Mar for Christmas

Bought material for a skirt

Sam phoned at 11.00pm

He finished jury service.

1 fella got 3 years, 1 got 18 months and 1 got 3 months

He asked me to get engaged again!

Thursday 22nd 1979

College at 9

Bought a £5 gift voucher for Bros Girlfriend

Home at 4.00

Phoned Sam

he'd been home all day I don't know why (mm I know why he was skiving pretending he was still on jury duty !! )

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I have been Christmas shopping today in Liverpool some 30 years on. When I say Christmas shopping I must confess to buying some Estee Lauder perfume [apparently the smell of Sensuous has men smelling it first!! ooo la la ] and getting a complete makeup set for £44 worth £312.... result !!

I love visiting Liverpool it has transformed into a great place to hang out .... I do feel very lucky to live between two happening cities .. Manchester and Liverpool ....

Also today I have hung out with a mate of 30 odd years too .. so all in all a wonderful Saturday.

What struck me today was that Liverpool has got hold of a 'big wheel'.... I am used to seeing the one in Manchester and thought it was unique .. that was until I visited Sheffield... I wonder who has the franchise for these big beasts .. they must be doing a roaring trade, the queues where huge today in Liverpool [mmm why didn't I think of that??]

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The next two weeks of my life are completely hectic... I don't like hectic particularly when it is hectic because of work... but soon it will be December and the advent calendar that my cousin does every year will be here ... so by default I will be posting more regularly I hope!! ;-)

a quickie post

2009-11-17T21:08:00.004Z

The private view of the photo exhibition 'Music through the lens' was fabulous.

I had to travel to London from Manchester that day (up at 5.00 am) then have a 5 hour meeting and then make my way across country to Ledbury ... managed to arrive there with 20 minutes to spare and did a reverse 'Wonder Woman' thing by changing out of my business suit into 'funky' gear in the train toilet... yes I did get some odd looks lol.

The owner of Icebytes Cafe took a video of some of the night and you can see it here

Do take a look :-) Oh and you will see Musikow and Jigsaw Blues too :-)

Music through the lens ...

2009-11-07T08:33:00.001Z

So here it is .. 70s first photo exhibition.

It is all very exciting .. I love taking random photos, capturing life as I see it but this was a challenge as the theme of the exhibition is music. I did have a wobble as I realised over the past few years I have only listened to music on the radio, looked tracks up for 70s blog or, as my Teen sees it, listening to 'sad' tracks on CD in the car....... and my last concert was Cliff Richard!!!

However I have managed to selvedge something to produce some exhibits. I have sourced all the frames from the local charity shop (£7 for all of them .. bargain) and my mate has printed them off for me. If I manage to sell any then I will donate 20% back to the local charity shop... so here are my exhibits.................. (oh it is running in the Icebytes Cafe in Ledbury, Hereford UK from the 14th Nov to 13th December)

Fire in your Belly

Soul

Playtime

The Best and Cheapest House Music

Follow the Yellow Brick Road

In the Window

And these are 2 that didn't get through

Musikow

Jigsaw Blues

My cousin sent me this fabulous link/idea through ... it is Credit Crunch Art... I am so going replicate some fine pieces of art .... so who is playing along ???

Happy Birthday 'sub fanzine edition'

2009-11-06T06:00:00.000Z

Fanzine Editor has been so maxed out with her real life she has been unable to do this important day justice... apologies all round for this..

But I could not leave this to go by as the 6th November is the 'phenomenon that is the supreme 'GOG' aka our dear Daddy Papersurfer's BIRTHDAY.

Currently he is taking the 'waters' [read that as a fine malt] in the sunnier climes of Surfugal.. I do believe that he has actually for the first time ever relinquished his English ways and turned native by discarding his socks when wearing sandals. This is an unconfirmed report but I did get it from a trusted source (I think??).

I know readers it is hard to take in ... what an Englishman abroad without socks???? How shocking is that!!

I have also heard that he is returning to these shores very shortly and normal balance to the interweave will be restored...... I am sure all his ardent readers will be relieved at this revelation ...

If you are in need of some therapy due to his long absence then do click here to get some instant relief... [however for some it may just have the opposite effect]

Any way all together now.... after 3 ... 1---2---3

Happy Birthday to you

Hippy Burpday to you

Hoppy Bathday dear Daddy Pee Pee

H-a-p-p-y B-i-r-t-h-d-a-y tooooo ewe

Halloween ..... T-shirt Friday

2009-10-30T17:54:00.006Z

HaPpY HaLlOwEeN

I am afraid I am going to have to cheat this last Friday and use the Halloween T~shirt I featured last year {Dear Nurse Myra please accept my apologies for being so tardy}... you know I was amazed it was 12 months ago when I posted this shirt.... where has the bloody year gone to ???

So no one can accuse me of not getting into the spirit of this weird festival... I have bought a wig to scare the Trick or Treaters.....

I think it may just work .... what do you think??

If this fails I have one in reserve lol :-)

I am quite pleased that Teen is now an older Teen and is not obsessed with me carving out a pumpkin. For one it is jolly hard work and two I am quite frankly rubbish at it. However I came a cross this little kit on the interweave and I was almost tempted......

I think I may just stick to what I know!!!

24th & 25th October 1977

2009-10-24T16:15:00.003+01:00

Monday 24

Half Term

Maths Tutor @4pm

Did equations YUK!!!

I am not going out with 'new boyfriend any more, that is definite.

'J' met Mark R in town and he told her so. (Don't you just love teenage romance when you get dumped through the grapevine lol)

Not very upset.

Went to Fi's house this afternoon.

Tuesday 25

'new boyfriend' phoned

He said he still fancies me but it would be better if we finished (lol)

I could always go back with him in a few months (are you mad girl... erm no don't do it!!)

Fi came round

Took Kelly for 2 walks as 'J' and her family are in York (Kelly was the most amazing Irish Red Setter.. )

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I am being a really bad blogger of late. No excuses except that I seem to have no time to spare. However, I have become a bit hooked on Scrabble over at Facebook. If anyone fancies a challenge who follows me over there let me know, unfortunately it isn't available in Canada or the US.. dunno why????

image from http://flagstaffphoto.blogspot.com/

You can tell winter is on it's way ... on Thursday I started with a god awful head cold. Don't you just hate them? It is only a cold but it makes you feel so wretched, my stomach muscles are aching through sneezing so much. Teen reckons it is good and I will end up with a 6-pack ... lol.

To cheer myself up I thought I would take a look at what was number one in the record charts in October 1977. fancied a bit of discotheque musak..... how disappointing .... number one on 24th October 1977 was .... DAVID (bloody) SOUL with 'Silver Lady'

I won't inflict him on you here but if you click on the words 'Silver Lady' it will take you to an awful recording on You Tube .....

I will leave you with a bit of Rod Stewart ,,, number one in May 1977... quite apt as I had just been dumped by my first boyfriend lol :-)

12th, 13th, 14th, 15th October

2009-10-16T21:13:00.005+01:00

Wednesday 12 1977

'new boyfriend's 18th Birthday

Went to Blackpool for the day

Saw all the Conservatives going into the Conference (This year it was in Manchester.. it was chaos and I have never seen so many Rozzers in one place (or 'Scuffers' as we called them in Liverpool)

Day = bitterly cold & windy (mmm it has been quite mild of late)

"New Boyfriend" liked his Brut and shirt (hee hee I bought him Brut)

Thursday 13 1977

Went to school after skiving yesterday (how bad was I??)

'new boyfriend' rang to ask if I would stay over after his party tomorrow

I said no

Did French homework

Friday 14 1977

Had a blazing row with 'new boy friend' about Julie C

Mark C said that Andy fancies me

Home 1.15 am

Saturday 15 1977

Blackpool Trip 6.30

'new boy friend' bought me a panda as a peace offering

Mike F asked me to go out with him when I have finished with 'new boy friend' (lol how funny ...)

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Doing these dairies does amuse me as I have come across names I had completely forgotten about and it is also funny because I am in touch with many still ... like Sam and 'new boy friend' both from 1977, Mark C, 'J' from 1973 etc oh and Annie Mouse who went to the same school as me but we only became good friends 7 years ago ...

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In the comments Dear Frac made mention of a certain 'intimate' moment between Donny and one of the male judges. I really couldn't believe that Donny would be unfaithful to me so I had to 'You Tube' it ... thankfully I could tell he was only kidding and no tongues were involved ... phew (but thank you dear Frac for the confirmation)

Spookily as I was typing this up Annie Mouse texted me to tell me that Dancing with the Stars is on 'Watch TV'... I have no idea if we have that on our cable ... but I have no chance as Teen is deeply engrossed in some Chic Flick!!

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I had an email the other night from 'J' and she reminded me that we are due to exhibit next month in a photography exhibition .... blimey that has come around quickly!!

I have worked on a few photos to get printed up... the theme is 'music'. The ones from the Cliff concert are not clear enough to use and I have been to very few concerts of late. I captured these folk at a local festival and these are some possibilities. What do you think ???

There are a few more I am working up though ... will let you have a sneak preview...

7th & 8th & 10th October

2009-10-08T19:00:00.010+01:00

Friday 7 1977

Brother's 18th Birthday (Happy 50th Birthday Bro!)

He got a chess set, a 3 piece suit, a table tennis bat and a calculator (lol blimey they were shocking pressies )

'new boyfriend' phone 2x

He went to a party

Monday 8th 1979

Nephew's 4th Birthday (Happy 34th Birthday Nephew )

Only in college 2 hours as lecture was away

Bought a dress pattern for £1.49

Went to night school = good

Sam phoned at lunch time & at 10.15

He had been playing footy at Keele Uni.

Tuesday 10 1978

College at 9.00

Everyone is tired after the Tech do

Drew £2.00 from the bank

Sent off my film it cost £1.00 (ah this was the age of 'Truprint' and rolls of films. I must say £1.00 31 years ago seems a lot ... it is only about £2,50 to have them developed now !!)

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Well I went and been and done it .........

It wasn't as bad as I thought.................

I don't think anyone recognised me......

& I have not been converted .................

Yes on Wednesday night I went with Annie Mouse to see Cliff Richard and the Shadows at the Liverpool Echo Arena.

It looks like that Annie Mouse didn't want anyone to know she had gone to see him either..... how strange as she claims to be a huge fan of his .....?????

I sang along when I new the tunes ... Summer Holiday, The Young Ones etc and tapped my foot to the beat of the ones I didn't know..........& was on my bestest behaviour.. I sang along only a few chords in the style of a pub singer and I only mentioned a couple of times that he was miming ... which of course he wasn't I was just being mischievous ;-)

All in all a great evening which started with a lovely meal at Wagamama.

Followed by a fabulous sunset over the Mersey and then a dessert of Cliff .... Annie really enjoyed it and I think she enjoyed it more as she kept saying .... 'who'd of thought after all these years you would be sat next to me at a Cliff concert!!!''..... Yes indeed who'd of thought it ??.... never ever me in a million gazillions years............

30th September

2009-09-30T21:03:00.005+01:00

Friday 30th 1977

Day off school

Went to Liverpool shopping with Bev

Bought 'new boyfriend' and brothers 18th Birthday cards

Also a cream dress £6.99 from Chelsea Girl and an underskirt for £1.99

'new boyfriend' came round

Sent off for Thin Lizzie tickets

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You know I don't know if I actually went to see Thin Lizzie after all in concert ?? I suspect not....

Love this track though from 1977

You will never guess who I am going to see next week live.... [Annie Mouse no clues here if you are watching or if you follow me on Facebook shuuush]... answers on a postcard or in my comments box!!

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I have been neglecting my knitting obligations of late on my blog (not to mention my blog too)... blame the fact old PC died taking all my scanned patterns with him .. humpffff

How ever all is not lost ...check out this blog [found by CKX] ... what a great idea & clever knitting at it's best

image from cakeyvoice:knitting

This is Life on Mars which is mentioned in my first ever blog post

24th & 25th September

2009-09-25T06:00:00.000+01:00

Saturday 24 1977

Richard B's 16th Birthday party 7:30 = ok

Gill & Jacko battered each other

Fi argued with M

Jane went with Robbie

£80 table broken

(yep all in all a good party .. a house full of 15/16 year olds.... mmm must note 'no teen parties in this house' lol)

Sunday 25 1977

Got up at 11.00

Mum went to Rhyl to visit my Auntie

'new boyfriend' rang

So did Bev

'J' called round for 10 minutes (mmm that's a point I haven't spoken to 'J' in a while!!)

Tidied my bedroom, made dinner, did my homework

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Well Teen is now well into being at college. Her least favourite subject is Textiles and she is looking to drop this after year one (they have to drop one subject and concentrate on 3 to A'level (Advanced Level).

It is hectic at home as she is now in full days ... leaving home at 8:00 and getting home at 5:00 most days ... not like school 8:30 -3:00 and a very short walk from home.... but I must admit she is buckling down and getting on with the work. The creation of a studio in the conservatory is not working too well as she still prefers to work at the dining room table ... mind you that is my fav place to work too. I think this stems back from when I was a Teen and me and my mates would sit round our dining room table drinking tea, eating toast and generally putting the world to right ... it still happens now many years on.....

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Whilst I have been a bad blogger ... my cousin (CKX ) has been sending me some brilliant stuff that he knows I would love to share on my blog ...

I am so loving this concept

This guy got 1200 kids to draw pictures with crayons ... he then sifted through them and recreated their images using 60 high school students to act them out. What a brilliant art project ... do enjoy the images

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Well this last Friday in the month has snuck up on us as it is only the 25th of September ... mmmm!!

So here is my contribution to Nurse Myra's T~shirt Friday.

I bought this T~shirt last year and haven't actually worn it out of the house as yet. I love it but I think it looks a bit strange on ... particularly where the eyes are!!

The art work on the inner labels is cool too.....I do love attention to detail

Terribly sorry, I seem to be lost ......

2009-09-18T22:00:00.002+01:00

....... 'ello darlin' .......... tee hee hee

this is how it should look....

Friday 5 through the ages

2009-09-18T06:00:00.001+01:00

Ok I started this over here

60's

70's

80's

90's

00's

Plus some others over here

as it is Friday I figure this shot could be included in Corset Friday too over at dear Nurse Myras place

No diaries .. just chaos

2009-09-13T23:08:00.007+01:00

I figure that some one has speeded up the world so it is spinning faster... there just doesn't seem to be enough hours in the day just now.

Went back to work last Monday after 11 days or so off and hit the ground running..... tight deadlines alround....

Had my NVQ 4 (degree foundation) 4000 word assignment in Management and Leadership to complete by Friday close of play.. managed to get it done by 16.45... phew!! (why oh why do I volunteer for such stuff I have enough qualifications already .. plus I type so slowly plus have typo problems !!

Home from work on Friday then off to Mums in Southport to be ready and up and at it to decorate her lounge next day .....

Saying that it was a fabulous drive there was the most amazing mackerel sky and awesome sunset... I drove the whole way 'ooing and arring ' at the colours and the photo opportunities I missed whilst on the motorway. I got to Southport at 20.00 and hurtled to the beach and caught the last of the sunset

Saturday was spent covering myself in paint ... oh yes and the ceiling (ceilings seem to be my thing apparently !) in my Mums lounge whist my brothers did the walls and skirting boards...

Had a nice lie in this morning then Teen and I went to the Lowry Centre. I needed a new work suit and she needed a sketch book for college.

Managed to capture some great reflection photos whilst we were there though!

I know I have been neglecting the decade that is the 70s ... but never fear I will be back at it ... in the mean time whilst emptying cupboards etc at Mums I came across these 2 LPs ... classic early 70s

surely their teeth must have been painted in ???

09:09:09 09/09/09... Interlude

2009-09-09T21:41:00.015+01:00

Evening everyone.... blimey I am over 13 hours late in posting this ... all I can say is blame me being a wage slave and Claire over at Little Piece of Me.......

So what was I doing at this momentus time (09:09:09 on 09/09/09) in history???... Well I sneaked out of the office on the excuse I wanted to go to the bank before it got too busy .....

The sun was shining (yes I know how unusual for Manchester).... I sidled into a den of ill repute house of a million calories... bought a breakfast and sat in St Ann's Square on a bench and ate it at precisely 09:09 (can't vouch for the seconds sorry) in the sunshine....... ah it was such a guilty pleasure indeed .......

to be accurate on the time I took a photo of St Ann's Church clock .......

whoops try again!!!

darn it the clock had stopped ... how typical!!!

honest I did sit out in the sunshine in Manchester eating a McDonalds breakfast at 09:09 on 09/09/09

what I did notice whilst I was sat sitting there though... despite all of Daddy Papersurfers protests about not coming ooop Norfff ......he was actually delivering goodies in the North West of England in his ickle white van ... he may try to deny it but as we all know the camera never lies.....

so after my guilty pleasure went back to the office and I had a telephone conference with colleagues in London ... I then headed off to have lunch with a my mate 'H' in St Ann's Square.. then I went back to the office for another telephone conference with colleagues in London (my god 09/09/09 was in danger of becoming a Groundhog day lol) fortunately my all day meeting had been cancelled (thank lordy for small mercies!!).

This evening I met up with Claire from a Little Piece of Me and we went to see the 'Dream'... now the Dream is something I have only seen whilst hurtling up the M62 from a distance .... plus Claire I have not met up since we exchanged Chaperonship of Olga The Travelling Bra on her travels oop Norrff.

(click here for when we met up).

The Dream is a dream .. and even more awesome indeed when you get close to her.

Claire and I chatted with two lovely ladies who have been instrumental in getting this former colliery site into a lovely peaceful place to be .. they have loads of plans they want to get started (such as a tea room... a garden of remembrance, a place for loved ones to remember those who lost their lives in the mines from 1906 to 1992...and a place where memorabilia can be displayed and so on) ... they showed us around the area of the former colliery and told us its history and oh btw they are both called Marian.. wtg girls you are fabulous :-) (they have a new website launched today but can't find it as yet....)

So what was I doing on 09/09/09?? I was earning my salary.... eating bad bad things for breakfast in the morning sun, enjoying some late summer sun, meeting up with good friends and meeting new people who are doing a fabulous thing... all in all 09/09/09 will be a pretty great day to remember :-)

linking back to here and here

These Boots are made for Walking....... Interlude

2009-09-05T15:57:00.008+01:00

Yeah I have been product testing again thanks to the lovely peole over at FuelMyBlog.

I had seen Sylvied's pleas for us girlies to take up this particular product test ... but as it mentioned words like 'trainers'& 'fitness'....in fact the line was

>Looking for UK sporty lady bloggers willing to product test funky tone up trainers<

I just laughed and looked away quickly.

However, how hasty was I? ... I thought I would have to maybe do some running (god forbid!!) or even worse actually join a gym.... but you know all I have to do is walk.

Walk ....wow how easy peasy .....

The trainers arrived in just a few days after my agreeing to have a go ...they are Shape~Ups by Skechers.

My Teen and I have had Skechers before (just the normal trainers though) and were happy with them so I suspected I was on to a winner here with these too!

Everyday I walk the dog maybe 3-4 miles and generally wear my old faithful Birkenstocks whether it be rain or shine as they are kind to my back.

I have to watch what footwear I wear for big walking as I have a way dodgy disc.

I couldn't wait to try them out ... so I whipped them out of the box and put them on .... oh my it was like standing on bouncy 70s wedges.... I was instantly about 3 inches taller and the comfort of them is phenomenal.

Of course as soon as the dog sees me putting on shoes she gets all excited as she thinks it is walkie time... not to disappoint I set off to the field behind my house bouncing as I walked.

It is very strange the first time you walk in them and rough terrain is a challenge as you are on wedged trainers (it is the kinetic wedge that is super soft foam designed for maximum shock absorbtion to protect the body whilst exercising the core muscles) but you soon get your balance.

With the trainers you also get a booklet and a DVD that explains all about the product (I looked at these after my maiden voyage in them!!)

The Shape~Ups help you shape up whilst you walk as they are specially designed to

promote weight loss
strengthen your back
firm calf and buttock muscles
reduce cellulite and tone your thighs
increase cardiovascular health
improve posture
reduce stress on knee and ankle joints

In the short time I have had them the main and most amazing thing I have noticed is that my back is less painful when I wear them. For example last weekend I was doing a lot of manual type stuff at home (making up flat pack furniture, moving stuuf into the conservatory that is now a studio etc) and my back was killing me. I put on my Skecher Shape~Up s and instantly the pain got better..... so now I put them on in the house and do warming up and cooling down routines it shows you in their literature to assist in my back pain.

I love the product and am so pleased to have been given the opportunity to test them out. I will continue to wear them until they drop off my feet and I hope to realise some of the other benefits the trainers have promised me ... thank you so much Skechers Shape~Ups and FuelMyBlog

www.shapeups.eu

No Diaries just enjoying all that is English...

2009-09-04T20:32:00.005+01:00

1st September

2009-09-01T19:17:00.007+01:00

Sunday 1974

Went t0 Woolton to see my Granny and we then went to my Aunties in Halewood. My cousin, her husband and children were there (I am the youngest grandchild of a whole heap of them. Mum is the youngest of 8 children and was an Auntie when she was 2 ... so many of my cousins are in their late 60s/early 70s now...)

Came home and had tea.

Went to my godmothers.

Baby sitted (yes sitted!!) for my brother and his wife while they went out. My niece is 2 months old now (she is now 35!!)...........................(Oh I was paid 50p for my baby siiting service.. hey big spender)

Thursday 1977

Back to slavery 10.30 am (I guess that is back to skool)

Terrible boring day

'new boyfriend' phoned at 6.30pm

Went to 'J's' house

Biology homework... (what on the first day back??)

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I have taken this week off work hoping to catch some late summer rays... I should be so lucky!! It has been warm and sunny but my god it has rained some.....

Stayed at Mums on the coast over the weekend and managed to get down on the beach with the pup a couple of times .... it is great to take in the sea breeze (or should I say gales... thought the pup was going to be lifted off her feet a few times, she wasn't impressed!!)

Yesterday me and Teen and Teens mates all went to the local festival on the park where I normally walk the pup. It was lovely until the bloody rain started again.

There was loads of local stuff going on then there was this guy.... Bruce Airhead. Check out his diary he maybe appearing near you lol.

These guys thought it was hysterical too....

Mangaed to catch these guys too Dr Butler's Hatstand Medicine Band who were great ... also these guys but I have no idea who they are but what a great look and sound

The festival came at a good time for me as I have photo exhibition soon and the theme is 'music'... keep an eye on my Flickr account for some new piccies that may or maynot go into the exhibition

28th August

2009-08-28T06:00:00.009+01:00

Tuesday 1979

Got up about 11.30

Went into Stafford

Bought Bryan Ferry single 'What Goes On' and subbuteo balls

Went for a walk 1/2 way to Hixon

Stayed in all night

Played Mastermind

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Yesteday my teen got her GCSE results. I knew she would do ok but we were both concerned she would get a poor mark in Maths. She, like I, has always stuggled with her Maths, there have been many tears (mine as well as hers) over the years when trying to do the homework set.

Her predicted grade was a 'D' but with extra booster classes and some hard revision it could be a 'C'. The first Maths exam she says was 'solid' ... in Teen speak that is really difficult. The second one wasn't as bad she thought.........

So she toddled off to pick up her results this morning. I was on tenterhooks until she got back home.....

"ok what did you get?"

" Textiles 'B', English Language 'B', English Literature 'C' ...."

"Brilliant but what about Maths?" I interrupted

"Mathematics .... Oh...... I got a ......... 'B'!"

"A what?"

"A 'B' "

"A 'B' ? OMG...."

"Yeah I know ... I will never have to Maths ever again!! Do you want to hear what else I got??"

I am as proud as Punch... a 'B' in Maths ... wow!!

All in all she got 6 Bs (MATHS, Textiles, English Language, History, Health and Social and IT Creating Computer Graphics) and 5 Cs English Literature, R.E., Science, Additional Science and IT Design and Produce Multimedia Products.

Getting her Maths and English at grade B means that she can do the 4 A'levels she has chosen (Textiles, Graphic Design, Media Studies and English Lit/Language combined) and not have to forego any to resit them.... phew!!!

So she hadn't forgotten my pledge of money in all the excitement... in fact she tried to inflate each grade by a fiver lol... nice try... It cost me £85... which was quickly converted into a pair of jeans, some new shoes and a belt... I think she still has some 'well done' money left though... ...

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Can you believe that this is the last Friday in August already... someone is definitely speeding the world up. The way the weather was last night it felt like November... gales and driving rain ... fabulous NOT.

On a sunnier note as it is the last Friday in the month it is also 'T-Shirt Friday' sponsored by the lovely Nurse Myra over at Gimcrack.

I only bought this T-shirt a couple of weeks ago .. it was in Next's sale for a ridiculous £5... loved the madness of it .....there is so much going on ........

Other T#shirty people ..... GITWIZARD, GNUKID, SILVERSTAR, SLEDPRESS, RENALFAILURE

25th August

2009-08-25T21:04:00.006+01:00

Saturday 1979

Got up at 10.30

Sam played footy (football or soccer depending where you live in the world)

They lost 4-1

Went to the Woolpack

Then we went to Tillington Hall

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It is Nurse Myras Birthday today .. well it is in the UK .. it could be tomorrow or yesterday depending on your time zone. If you have never visited Gimcrack then you have never lived .. take a deep breath and take a look ... dear NM is an education on a daily basis and lovely with it ;-)

Happy Birthday Nursie xxxx

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I am having a maxed out week this week. I am only in work three days but am having to work 9 + hours per day to get everything in a state of readiness before I finish for 7 working days (bloody hell I didn't sign up for this !!).. just feeling at the moment that everyone wants a piece of me and there is not enough to go around (roll back the 70s when life was a doddle)... it will pass when I walk out the office doors tomorrow..

Teen is getting her GCSE results on Thursday,,, so it is going to be either tea and sympathy & shopping or celebration cakes and .. yes shopping. Shopping or should I say 'retail therapy' is cure all (darn it...I have just remembered (Teen won't have forgotten this) I have pledged £5 per grade C, £10 per grade B, £15 per grade A and £20 per grade A*.. eeek!!)

For the next 11 days or so I will be popping in and out of 'interweave' world whilst catching up with folk around the UK and hopefully testing out my Sketchers as well.

Those lovely people at FuelMyBlog sent me a pair of expensive trainers to test out. They (the trainers) claim to assist you in loosing weight, toning muscles, aligning your spine etc etc (I have nt had time to watch the DVD that accompanies the shoes).... mmm dubious me that is me thought 'no way!!'. But I tell you so far so goody they hit the mark on my back pain. I put them on and the pain is minimalised hugely, it was instant ....it is like walking on rocking marshmallows plus I am taller ..

I will post a full post about them in the near distant future

20th August

2009-08-20T21:28:00.005+01:00

Monday 1979

Got up at 8.00

Lesley gave us a lift into Stafford

Got the 9.30 train to Liverpool

Worked 12.00 -6.00

Went to a silver party

Mar bought me a silver ring

Ordered 2 lipsticks

Phoned Sam at 11.15

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Thank goodness it is almost the weekend.

I had a long, hard day yesterday. I drove up to Scotland and back in a day (456 miles) and I was on the road for 9 hours all together... it should take about 6 to attend a 3 hour meeting.

The weather was hell. Most of the journey was driving in torrential rain with so much spray you couldn't see the car in front even when they had lights on..... I tell you I cannot believe (well yes I can actually) just how many wallies drive in those conditions with no lights on and at high speed... eeejits !!

It was worse than this as at 3 o'clock in the afternoon as it was like nightfall...... what made it even doubly worse was I phoned Teen from the Lake District and asked if it was raining... she replied 'no way Mum it has been one of the hottest, sunniest days in Manchester ever!!!'....... grrrrrrrrr :(

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I have had a man than 'can' here this tea time..... and 'can' he certainly did. I have a new cable box that works super duper and guess what?? The internet connection trouble I have had on and off for ever was due to my connection in the box outside my house...... grrrrr to the smart a**es who kept telling me it was my computer ..... and a big thank you to Ivor :-)

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& finally for today ... my cuz in Oz posted this on her Facebook page and I just had to share it. I am not religious but I never take a pop at peoples beliefs ..... but this is unbelievable ..... it did make me giggle ......do click on the link ... I beg you lol

17th August

2009-08-17T21:48:00.008+01:00

Wednesday 1977

Dentist 3.15 (I am at the dentist tomorrow !! spooky )

Elvis died aged 42

Packed for hols

Tributes to Elvis Presley on TV = very moving

Went to 'new boyfriend's' house 8.30 - 11.15pm

He gave me a cross (huh??)

Watched a film about pop music in 1968 = very good (mmm I wonder what it was??)

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Wow it is 32 years since Elvis left the building! I do remember that day as my eldest brother was so upset as he was huge fan.

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I decided to have the day off work today ... I had spent the weekend decorating at my Mums house.. came home and was knackered. I had done no washing and needed to catch up on my housework.

Things are going well with converting the conservatory into a studio after a visit to IKEA this evening... managed to get a work top and legs for £31 and pink (yes Teen had to have pink) swivel chair for £19. I want glass shelving but they were £15 a throw.. no way I am paying that!!

All I need to do now is find a man that can to fit a radiator in there and fit some warmer flooring than the pathetic attempt I did at tiling it..... oh and I need to construct the work table and swivel chair.

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Being a Brit Friday night is traditionally 'chippy' night. The night when you don't cook but trot along to your local fish 'n' chip shop for tea (there are those who take their own plates 'plate it up' and toddle off home with their fish, chips and mushy peas ready to go!!?).

Having 'chippy' on a Friday tea is a recent thing for me as I can't 'do' batter as it makes me throw. But Teen is an avid fan (mmm she has learned this from staying at mates on a Friday night)......

We had 'carry out' on Friday.

Is it me or does the the image on the carrier bag seem a bit wrong?? smiling condiments spurting red stuff at a fish that will soon be eaten and it is smiling too!!!!!

12th August

2009-08-12T21:47:00.009+01:00

Friday 1982

Had 1/2 day off work

Made a silk mini skirt and camisole top

Went to the Railway in Ainsdale for a drink

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I am sure there must be photographic evidence of the outfit I made somewhere. It was made out of grey shot Thai silk.. my brother had been out to Thailand and brought me the fabric back.

I have for years made stuff (cutains, bridesmaid dresses, ragdolls, suits... etc etc) although not so much in recent years.

Teen is taking Textiles at college so I am about to turn my underused conservatory into a studio complete with clothes mannequin so she has somewhere to work ... oh and me too [I hope]!

I was at Mums last week sorting out stuff for her and I came across an old sewing machine.

It was my Nanas. Mum told me how Nana used make all sorts on it from dresses to curtains, for her and anyone who asked her to make things. It must have been tough as it is a hand powered sewing machine.. no treddle and no electric!

I now have it here at home..... Mum remembers that it was bought before she was born and it was second hand. In the lid is written in pencil '26/04/27'.. I am guessing that is when my Nana bought it.

Don't you just love the internet though... with a bit of surfing I discovered (from the serial number) that the machine was made in Clydebank in 1917... in the midsts of WW1 wow! They were making amunition too at the time in the factory too... gawd I hope it doesn't explode!!

What was way interesting ... in this secret compartment

My Mum had stashed a few bits of mine growing up

There is the only badge I got as Brownie ... oh ironic it is a 'writers' badge. I do remember having to do a piece on Liechtenstein and Brownies over there .... mmm hasn't Liechtenstien been in the press just lately .. tax haven and all that.

There was also my 'sixer' stripe .. the wee girls in the front of the photo here was what we wore back then in the 70s (although I didn't have a pom pom on my hat!! thank goodness!)

Hey there is my Prefect badge .. I was also Deputy Head Girl and had a badge for that too .. mm that has got lost in time

Oh and a Sad Cafe bit of merchandise from 1980

Aren't parents great !! :)

& the machine will have pride of place in the new studio ... oh and yes in case you were wondering 92 years later it still works!!

8th August

2009-08-08T17:02:00.003+01:00

Sunday 1982

Stayed in all day

Mar took kids to Knowsley Safari Park (kids as in my niece and nephew ... aged 8 & 6 then)

They went home at 7.00

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Never ever ever go to the Safari Park in your own car

After my last post I decided to venture into the Chinese sweets and actually open some... I can only conclude that my brother is trying to see us off.....

It looks a bit like a date and is very sticky and smells awful... the taste was rank.

Couldn't even bring myself to taste these two.....

Oh well only about another 15 to try ... sob ;-(