Trying to get back to normal…

And I failed. Miserably. I’d promised my God-Daughter (Amber) and her sister (Elian) that I would take them down to Milton Keynes to do some shopping – Ok – to allow them to get their Mum (Carole) a Mother’s Day present. The reason that they asked me, was because it was easier if I was with them, as every time they went shopping, Carole was with them.

Ok – I can sympathise with that – I used to have the same trouble as a kid (but Dad used to be a real help to me – he would keep Mum out of the way whilst I got the card!)

So, despite the fact that I was still in shock after the death of my beloved horse, I went to pick the pair of them up at the ungodly hour of 07:15 yesterday morning. Mum was with me, and we got the child seats into the back of my car, and the four of us headed to Milton Keynes.

We arrived ok, and the first stop was Marks and Spencer. Mum had given up trying to find a wrap, but Amber (bless the little monster) had spotted one, and pointed it out to Mum for me. Result? Mum bought it and a couple of lightweight jerseys that Elian had found for her.

So, that meant that I had to head back to the car with the shopping, as I didn’t want to be loaded down with shopping, as well as trying to keep an eye on the girls and making sure that Mum was ok.

I didn’t object, as that gave me a few minutes peace and quiet to call my beloved, and let him know that I was reasonably ok, and that I would see him later. I put the bits and pieces in the boot of the car, and re-joined Mum and the little monsters.

We stopped in a couple of shops, and by this time, Amber and Elian were starting to get hungry, and kept asking if we were stopping for breakfast. That was the idea, as Mum was getting tired and could do with a break.

After breakfast, I went into Boots to try and get my prescriptions sorted out (one for my asthma inhaler, and the other for my epi-pen). That caused fun and games, as there had been a flood (or so I was told) meaning that I couldn’t get the epi-pen sorted out.

Amber was disgusted, and walked back to Mum, loudly announcing that “Boots are useless – they can’t even sort out Auntie Karen’s prescription.” That made me grin, and I told Mum the reason that I had been given, and that I would try my luck at Superdrug, which also had a dispensing pharmacy.

However, none of us realised that there was a problem with part of the precinct in Milton Keynes (I think there was a fire that did some damage to part of the roadway / market area). This meant that we had to back track though TK Maxx and BHS. Fortunately, there were seats where Mum and Amber could perch – Elian decided that it was her turn to make sure that I got my prescription sorted out.

Again – misfortune seemed to strike. The pharmacist was a real gentleman, but was unable to assist as they only had one epi-pen in stock – the reason being the dratted things have such a short shelf life (and only dratted pests like me need them) they tended not to keep more than one in stock.

Ok – I can accept that – I admit I am a dammed nuisance when it comes to my nut allergy – but it’s one of those things that I can’t change. So, it was back on route, and Amber and Elian were determined to go to two places – Waterstones and Lush.

First stop was Waterstones – or more precisely Costa Coffee. Amber was her normal self, and bagged a really good table. Some silly female had the nerve to tell Amber to move, as she wanted the table. Not a wise move, as Amber stood her ground, politely pointed out that she had already taken the table and that she wasn’t going to move, as her Auntie wasn’t going to get knocked sitting at this table.

At this point, Mum arrived with both Elian and me, and Amber proudly called us to the table. Once Mum was seated comfortable, Amber joined her sister and myself in the queue, and made her decision about a drink – which turned out to be a huge hot chocolate. Elian opted for a Sprite, and I got myself an iced vanilla latte, and got Mum a Coke Zero.

Once we’d had a break (and Amber had demolished her hot chocolate) we had a look around Waterstones, and then headed to Lush. Mum elected to wait outside on the seats near by (she finds the smell in the shop over powering, and enjoys watching to see if anyone buys any shoes in the shop next to Lush – to her knowledge, no-one ever has!) So, the three of us went in.

Now Lush has launched a new product – a skin tint that you mix with your favourite moisturiser to make a tinted moisturiser. So, whilst I was getting that sorted out (I had no idea which one I needed – other than I knew it would be a light one – whether it was the light pink or the light yellow I didn’t know) the little monsters were up to something.

The first I knew of it, was when Amber demanded that I opened up the bag that I was carrying, as they had got something that they needed to put in to it. So, I bent down, and was told that they had bought me two bath bombs (Blackberry Bomb) and a bubble bar slice (the Comforter) as they said I needed cheering up.

That was it. I lost it. I couldn’t help it, and the two kids cuddled me and wiped away the tears that had escaped. Amber asked if I was wearing waterproof mascara, as there were no black trails, and smiled when I said I hadn’t bothered with mascara that morning.

I made my purchases (the skin tint was light pink in the end) and I bought a couple of other bits as well as helping Amber and Elian sort out Carole’s Mother’s Day present.

We then headed for home and I dropped off the little monsters (and help them hide Carole’s present with Rachel’s help) and then I headed for home, and spoke to Gianni (my vet) about the results of the post mortem on Flame.

It turned out that Flame had a heart defect that could have killed her at any time. This caused more than a few tears, and I was glad that I had a few hours before I hit the road again to head to the Green Man where I was meeting my beloved.

I got to the Green Man about 17:30, and as I had beaten my beloved there, I sat in the car listening to the England vs. Ireland rugby match from Twickenham. And lost it, as Gianni’s words finally started to sink in. I didn’t even see my beloved pull up along side me in the car park, and the first time I realised that he was there was when I heard him call me.

I left my car (and the rugby match – it was level pegging at that point) and joined him in his car. Which is where I promptly dissolved into tears, again. I didn’t realise just how badly Flame’s death had hit me until then, and how much my beloved’s support really meant to me.

He said that if I ever needed him again, then I was to call, and no matter how often I told him that I was ok, he said he would ignore me and head straight up to see me at home. That just made me cry even more, and I realised that I had found probably the one person in my life that I could truly rely on.

Don't ya think that you need somebody
Don't ya think that you need someone
Everybody needs somebody
You're not the only one
You're not the only one

Don’t get me wrong – my friends and my family have been wonderful to me since my loss, but it’s only really been my beloved who has allowed me to fall apart and not make it seem like he’s standing in judgement on me.

We parted just after 20:00, as I was falling asleep. This is no reflection on my beloved – it’s just that I’ve not been able to sleep the past couple of nights. He made me promise that I would let him know that I was home ok, and that I would drive carefully.

Ok – no problem with that. I decided to head straight for the M40, as this would force me to concentrate on my driving as there were other road users to be aware of (and I stood less chance of encountering a deer and doing some serious damage to my car).

The problem arose when my natural competitive streak appeared whilst I was driving down the A43 to the motorway. I had some little fool in an underpowered Vauxhall Corsa try and out run me (after he’d nearly blinded me with his damned headlights as he overtook me, and then seemed to try to take the nose of the car off when he cut back into the lane in front of me.) Needless to say, I engaged sports mode on the car, and the Peugeot took off like I’d shoved a rocket up the tail pipe.

It took a couple of miles before he realised that he didn’t stand a chance against me, and dropped back rather rapidly. Mind you – I’m not really surprised – the car hit about 80mph, and I still had plenty more left to go…

That’s what you get when you try and play with a deceptively powerful car – which mine is. All it says on the back end is 207. That means it could be anything from the 1.4 to the little horror that mine is…

I got home about 21:20, and sent a message to my beloved to let him know that I was home ok, as I had promised him that I would do so. I knew that he’d been worried about me driving, so I did my best to put his mind at rest.

As for today? Well, it’s been a quiet day – I went into Leamington to pick up my new contact lenses, and just have a quiet wander around. It was quite good in its way – I managed to get two films on DVD that I’d been looking for – one was Snakes on a Plane (yes, I’ve finally bought it!) and the other was Snake Eyes, with Nicholas Cage and Gary Sinese.

I’ve tried to watch it (Snake Eyes) several times, but it’s always been on at some daft time at night, and I’ve usually fallen asleep with the TV on. So, this time, I’m hoping that I’m going to be able to watch it without falling asleep.

Ah well, guess I should call this quits – I want to grab a bath before diner.

Back tomorrow, if I get the chance.

Karen

Now some things you hold on to - some you just let go
Seems like the ones that you can't have
Are the ones that you want most

Lightening DOES strike twice.

As I type this, I’m heartbroken and soul shocked. Why? My beloved horse, Heart of Flame has died. We think that it was a heart attack, but until the post-mortem, the results will not be confirmed.

I got this news at 04:00 this morning, and am still numb to the extent that I doubt anything will touch me for a while. My beloved has been a real tower of strength and has said that he will see me on Saturday night, as he is really worried about me.

Needless to say, I can type no more, and will be back when I am in a better frame of mind.


Karen

Now some things you hold on to - and some you just let go
Seems like the ones that you can't have
Are the ones that you want most

How Do Ya Feel Tonight?

How do I feel after my weekend away? Flat. Don’t get me wrong – it was a fabulous weekend – and I loved every second that I spent with my beloved, but it’s always the same – a crashing low.

However, the weekend started somewhat fraught for me, as I couldn’t find where I’d put my blasted car keys on Friday night. As I was sorting out my overnight bag - and putting things in it, so there wouldn’t be a mad rush to find everything – I put them (my car keys) into the same pocket as my Asthma inhalers – the idea being that I would remember they were there.

That was the theory. In practice? Not a cat in hells chance of that working. I was really stressed out, and ended up having to take my spare car keys, and promising to return home early so that I could find the damned things.

I headed off to the location where I was meeting my beloved, and as per my normal routine, I decided to unpack my toiletries and make things a little easier to find… Only for me to find my blasted car keys. To say that the air went blue was an understatement, and I made a grovelling phone call to Mum to let her know that I’d found my keys. She burst out laughing (which made me feel even worse) and asked me where I’d found them. When I told her, she laughed even more, as I’d been though my bag twice whilst I was at home.

My beloved arrived, and I told him the sorry tale of my car keys – which made him laugh, and made me feel even worse. That feeling lasted practically all day, and I was somewhat subdued for the rest of the day.

Needless to say, this started to fester, and I will admit to starting snap and get somewhat grumpy. This then prompted my beloved to start telling me how he felt. I just listened to what he said, and it reminded me of a Bryan Adams song that I always liked: -


How Do Ya Feel Tonight

Is there anybody out there?
Anyone that's loved in vain
Anyone that feels the same

Is there anybody waiting?
Waiting for a chance to win
Give it up and start again

We all need something new
Something that is true
And someone else to feel it too

I feel so high - no one else would know it
I don't know why I feel the way I do
I can' t let go - and I’m not scared to show it
'Cuz being here feels right
Tell me - how do ya feel tonight?

Is there anybody out there?
Anyone that can't explain
Anyone that feels no pain

Is there anybody dreaming
Dreaming of better day
When everything goes your way

We all need something new
Something that is true
And someone else to feel it too
Someone just like you

I guess sometimes it takes a kick up the tail to make me realise just what I have with my beloved, and I know that whatever happens, we’ll always be there for each other.

Guess I should get on with some work, but to be honest, I’ve got a severe case of TNFI…


Karen

Now some things you hold on to - and some you just let go
Seems like the ones that you can't have
Are the ones that you want most

Madeira Floods.

This comes from the BBC website – I make no apologies for posting it directly – but all I can say is that I pray that the rains stop so that the people of this beautiful island stand a fighting chance to re-build.

Karen

Now some things you hold on to - and some you just let go
Seems like the ones that you can't have
Are the ones that you want most


******************************************************

A Briton has died following flash floods on the Portuguese island of Madeira, the Foreign Office has said.

At least 40 people have been killed in the floods, and more than 120 others hurt - a "small number" British.

Heavy rains brought tonnes of mud and stones down the slopes of the island, flooding the streets of the regional capital, Funchal, and other towns.

The island's 2,000 UK tourists have been told they can venture out again after earlier advice to stay indoors.

Foreign Office spokeswoman said the family of the dead Briton had been informed, but added: "We are not able to release any further details at this stage."

There has been widespread damage along the south coast of the island, with roads blocked, phone lines down and many people without water and electricity.

A Portuguese social services spokesman said communication problems were proving very difficult and warned the death toll would "likely increase, given the circumstances of this flood".

Portugal's Prime Minister Jose Socrates, who has visited the island, said he was appalled by the destruction and promised all necessary help.

The Foreign Office said earlier that a "small number" of British nationals had been treated in hospital.

Peter Ramos, of Hospital Cruz de Carvalho, said out of the 120 patients seen on Saturday, three were from the UK.

A woman remained in hospital with multiple injuries, he said, while two men sustained minor injuries and had been discharged.

"Four people in a taxi were hit by floods," he added.

In the UK, families are struggling to contact their relatives in Madeira as many of the phone networks are down.

Martin Hellier, 38, from Yeovil, Somerset, said he was growing increasingly concerned for his parents who live 20 miles (32km) west of Funchal in Ponta Do Sol.

He told the BBC he had heard no news in 24 hours because the phone lines were dead.

"My next course [of action] is to get in touch with the authorities over there and ask them what the conditions are in that particular region," he said.

Mark Costa told the BBC on Sunday he was evacuated from his Funchal apartment because there was no electricity or running water and the underground car park was submerged.

The 30-year-old, from Bicester, Oxfordshire, was visiting his Portuguese parents who were celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary. All three were later relocated to a safer area of the city.

He said most of the water had now drained into the rivers but the roads around Funchal harbour were covered in mud.

"Looking out of the window, they have diverted the water back into the river," he said.

Former foreign secretary Margaret Beckett, who is holidaying on the Atlantic island, said the weather had been "really wild".

"One of the staff here said that in 46 years working in the same place he had never seen seas like it or winds like it, so it obviously has been quite exceptional," she said.

UK travel association Abta said the hotels had been largely unaffected.

Some flights were cancelled and delayed on Saturday, but a spokesman said people due to travel out next week would be unaffected by events.

Madeia Facts: 

Autonomous region of Portugal with population of around 250,000

Lies just over 480km (300 miles) from West African coast

The European continent is more than 900km (560 miles) away

In an old Brownie camera

Isn't is amazing how a film could last so long in a camera without disintegrating?

Fantastic photos taken 68 years ago. Some of you will have to go to a museum to see what a Brownie camera looked like?

Here is a simple picture of what we are talking about. . .

These photos are absolutely incredible....Read below the first picture and at the end...

PHOTOS STORED IN AN OLD BROWNIE CAMERA

Thought you might find these photos very interesting; what quality from 1941.

Pearl Harbor photos found in an old Brownie stored in a foot locker. And just recently taken to be developed.


THESE PHOTOS ARE FROM A SAILOR WHO WAS ON THE USS QUAPAW ATF-11O.


I THINK THEY'RE SPECTACULAR!

Pearl Harbor

On Sunday, December 7th, 1941 the Japanese launched a surprise attack against the U.S. Forces stationed at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. By planning this attack on a Sunday, the Japanese commander Admiral Nagumo, hoped to catch the entire fleet in port. As luck would have it, the Aircraft Carriers and one of the Battleships were not in port. (The USS Enterprise was returning from Wake Island, where it had just delivered some aircraft. The USS Lexington was ferrying aircraft to Midway, and the USS Saratoga and USS Colorado were undergoing repairs in the United States)

In spite of the latest intelligence reports about the missing aircraft carriers (his most important targets), Admiral Nagumo decided to continue the attack with his force of six carriers and 423 aircraft. At a range of 230 miles north of Oahu, he launched the first wave of a two-wave attack.

Beginning at 0600 hours his first wave consisted of 183 fighters and torpedo bombers which struck at the fleet in Pearl Harbor and the airfields in Hickam, Kaneohe and Ewa.

The second strike, launched at 0715 hours, consisted of 167 aircraft, which again struck at the same targets.

At 0753 hours the first wave consisting of 40 Nakajima B5N2 'Kate' torpedo bombers, 51 Aichi D3A1 'Val' dive bombers, 50 high altitude bombers and 43 Zeros struck airfields and Pearl Harbor within the next hour, the second wave arrived and continued the attack.

Casualties

US Army:             218 KIA (killed in action),

                                364 WIA (wounded in action).

US Navy:               2,008 KIA, 710 WIA.

US MarineCorp:  109 KIA, 69 WIA.

Civilians:                68 KIA, 35 WIA.


TOTAL: 2,403 KIA, 1,178 WIA.

----------------------------

Battleships

USS Arizona (BB-39) - total loss when a bomb hit her magazine.

USS Oklahoma (BB-37) - Total loss when she capsized and sunk in the harbor.

USS California (BB-4 4) - Sunk at her berth. Later raised and repaired.

USS West Virginia (BB-48) - Sunk at her berth. Later raised and repaired.

USS Nevada - (BB-36) Beached to prevent sinking. Later repaired.

USS Pennsylvania (BB-38) - Light damage.

USS Maryland (BB-46) - Light damage.

USS Tennessee (BB-43) Light damage.

USS Utah (AG-16) - (former battleship used as a target) - Sunk.

----------------------------

Cruisers

USS New Orleans (CA-32) - Light Damage.

USS San Francisco (CA-38) - Light Damage.

USS Detroit (CL-8) - Light Damage.

USS Raleigh (CL-7) - Heavily damaged but repaired.

USS Helena (CL-50) - Light Damage.

USS Honolulu (CL-48) - Light Damage.

----------------------------

Destroyers

USS Downes (DD-375) - Destroyed. Parts salvaged.

USS Cassin - (DD -3 7 2) Destroyed. Parts salvaged.

USS Shaw (DD-373) - Very heavy damage.

USS Helm (DD-388) - Light Damage.

----------------------------

Minelayer

USS Ogala (CM-4) - Sunk but later raised and repaired.

----------------------------

Seaplane Tender

USS Curtiss (AV-4) - Severely damaged but later repaired.

----------------------------

Repair Ship

USS Vestal (AR-4) - Severely damaged but later repaired.

----------------------------

Harbor Tug

USS Sotoyomo (YT-9) - Sunk but later raised and repaired.

----------------------------

Aircraft

188 Aircraft destroyed (92 USN and 92 U.S. Army Air Corps.)

For Sale...

I make no apologies if people have already seen this – it’s made me smile…

Karen


Now some things you hold on to - and some you just let go
Seems like the ones that you can't have
Are the ones that you want most

***************************************************************

FOR SALE - ONE USELESS CAT!

Down with snow!

As you can see, I’m not exactly a fan of snow. I admit it’s very pretty to look at (from the warmth of a building (in this case the playpen)) but it is a damned nuisance when you’ve got plans made for the weekend, or you’ve got to travel home.

The snow, as it’s falling just looks like duck down feathers – all big and fluffy. Which would be fine, but the damned stuff is starting to settle, and that’s the last thing that I want – the roads are bad enough as it is,and I don’t need any snow covering the damned potholes.

Ahhh – good stuff – the snow has turned to rain – let’s hope it stays that way!

Back later….

Karen

Now some things you hold on to - and some you just let go
Seems like the ones that you can't have
Are the ones that you want most

A quieter day…

Well, today is starting better than yesterday – mainly because the phones are a darn sight quieter.

I feel brighter than I did yesterday (that’s not that difficult) as I know that Flame is in good hands, and all I can do is pray. As for us being able to compete again, well that is well and truly in the lap of the Gods, as I don’t know how strong she will be after this, or more to the point, how much her confidence has been damaged by this.

Aside from that, I am now more chilled out – and am looking forward to this weekend. Simply because I am getting a haircut. I decided that I would try and grow my hair again, as I was getting bored with it being short… That was the plan, anyway. The reality is that I’ve changed my mind, as long hair is not really practical – I’m having to use a hairdryer to get it dry enough so that I can leave the house, after I’ve had my shower in the morning, as it’s so cold at the moment.

So, I’ve decided to go back to the three S – Short, Spiky and Stripy – as I’m bored, and it makes life so much easier for me in the morning, and will allow me to show off some of my pretty earrings (including the ones that are the outline of a lizard!) The only drawback is that I’ll get cold ears, but I can overcome that with a hat…

I guess I should call this quits, as I’m supposed to be working…

Back later if I get the chance…

Karen

Now some things you hold on to - and some you just let go
Seems like the ones that you can't have
Are the ones that you want most

Order aftermath…

I hate customers. Especially ones that think I'm trying to pull the wool over their eyes. As you can see, I'm not a happy person at the moment. The customer whom I spent so much time and energy trying to sort out, as told me to cancel the bloody order, as he thinks I'm lying to him about the tyre.

The phrase “suit your bloody self comes to mind” but at this moment in time, I'm quietly fuming. But all I can do is swallow my fury, and say “C’est la vie” and let him get on with it and think he’s the big man. I’ve got more important things in my life right now – and this doesn’t deserve any more attention.

Time to call this quits - I need some peace and quiet for a while.

Back later, if I get the chance...

Karen

Now some things you hold on to - and some you just let go
Seems like the ones that you can't have
Are the ones that you want most

A stress less day? I'd love one of those!

It’s one of those days that I can really do without. My beloved horse has injured herself some how, and is now being operated on to repair a bone fracture in her nearside hind leg, and an order is causing me severe stress as well.

The horse first. She showed signs of lameness a couple of days ago, and I found a stone that had bruised her foot. I checked her yesterday morning, and she was holding the nearside rear hoof off the ground, and flinched when I went to get hold of her leg to check the foot. Not a good sign. So, me being me, lead her into the box, and got her comfortable (no fighting from her – she must have realised that I was trying to help her!) and called the vet to come out last night, when I could be there to see what the verdict was. I’d already warned him that she was unwilling to let me touch the leg, so he brought his portable x-ray with him…

That was when the bombshell landed. She’d broken the cannon bone, and it needed surgery. Thankfully, my insurance covers such nasty things, so I called my supervisor, explained that I would be late in today due to a personal matter and left it at that.

The horse ambulance arrived at 08:30 this morning, and we got her loaded with the minimum of fuss, and she left for Newmarket, where the operation is to take place today. I’ll be without her for about a week (subject to how the operation goes) and will just have to take it from there as to what happens after that.

Honestly, I'm really wishing that I’d taken today off – I'm starting to get a migraine, and I know full well that its stress induced.

Back when I get chance...


Karen

Now some things you hold on to - and some you just let go
Seems like the ones that you can't have
Are the ones that you want most

A few thoughts on cat baths....by The Cat:

'I don't think I like you anymore.'

'You will pay, as God is my witness, you will pay.'

 

 

'Jesus, you call this water warm???'

 

'But You Said You Loved Me!'

 

 

'You Lied !!!!!!'

 

 

'E.T. Phone home......quick!'

 

 

'No, I'm not your Good Little Kitty anymore.'

 

 

'Traction....I'm losing Traction!'

 

 

'I want my Mommmmmmyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!'

 

'No, no, no, no.....NOOOO!!!!'

 
Karen
 
Now some things you hold on to - and some you just let go
Seems like the ones that you can't have
Are the ones that you want most