Time to call it a day?

Maybe because it took me so long to find a good one I have put up with being treated badly. But nowdays he just isn't as attentive as he used to be. I have got used to being kept waiting, but I do think my hair and I deserve better treatment. Today, he was supposed to re-do my colour then blow-dry me. He sat me down and placed a colour chart in my hands then disapppeared! To cap matters he hadn't written down the colour nos. properly on my original visit, so two girls and I tried to figure it out! The colour was mixed and applied by one of the girls, but on development it wasn't the same. Paco did blow-dry and mutter assurances that all was well, but as I walked back to the car I knew things weren't right. Now, I have to decide if there is a future for us? My husband says it looks fine, time will tell.

Next stop Miami

This has been an amazing summer. Last year we didn't have a holiday this year we've been to Cornwall, a flying visit to Scotland and now we're flying to Miami. I've also arranged to meet up with an internet "buddy" who is actually from Philidelphia. I have been reading travel guide to try and familarize myself with city and get a feel for its layout.
Our hotel has ocean and bay views, ocean are more expensive and as I don't intend to spend holiday sitting in room staring out of window I've opted for bay.
Being familar with America via the screen (both TV and film) this is a chance to experience the real thing :-)

Lessons in camping.

We had a wonderful week in Cornwall. Camping in nice weather isn't too bad. We had the basics - a tent, airbeds, sleeping bags, something to cook on and with, chairs to sit on and a table. The last item was a lucky find in the garage - ELC red plastic table from when children were small - it was prefect.
Camp site was isolated, a few miles from St Ives and half-a-dozen from Penzance. It needs a few more shower units but met our needs okay.
Things I would do differently :-

1. take pillows (it would have made sleeping easier)


2. turn interior lights off in car on arrival (battery went flat and we had to call garage out)


3. mark ice blocks with name and take 4 (2 for bag, 2 for refreezing)


4. pre-prepare at least two meals (arrival and next days)


5. double-check everyone has wash-kit (elder son forgot!)


6. ensure everyone has at least one warm jumper/sweatshirt (as it can get cold (and damp) in evening)

Everything must change

Okay maybe not everything but things have been moving forward. Firstly, touch wood, I have a new job which I will be starting on 5th September. It was a bit of a rush as I booked for Cornwall and they were eager to interview me before I went. I had to take younger son to agency whilst I went for interview. All went well then they produced tests, immediately I could feel the panic starting, but these were simple maths and spelling checks with a quick questionnaire regarding company. Being a northern she believed in herself and her own judgment and offered me the job straight away I think I was a bit dazzled by this.
As I said off to Cornwall next week. Had a problem with camp sites as all of Cornwall seems to be booked up but found one which I hope is okay.
Borrowed cooker from friend but had to supply gas cylinder. Shocked to find cylinder cost £40! to refill it would have been £15, in end decided to buy single ring cooker from Halfords £20 that way I know I have something and I don't have to panic.

Chocolate

Went for interview at recruitment agency and had to take my younger son. Whilst waiting a woman apologized for the lack of suitable reading material adding "we have some girlie magazines out back if you want." A bit shocked I said "He's only 11!" embarrassed she assured me that she'd meant women's magazines.
This afternoon we went to see Charlie and the chocolate factory. Johnny Depp's Willy Wonka is definitely creepy, although I always thought Gene Wilder's had a dark side too. The film was very enjoyable and some members of the audience even burst into applause at the end of the film.

Frustrating Day!

I should have been in Cornwall only my husband arranged for the Sky man to come today. Not a visit from ET but a satellite box installer. To cut a very long (and boring!) story short the move of boxes did not go to plan and husband had left mobile at home so I ended up paying extra to replace Sky box that disliked its move from living room to son's bedroom. I would have much preferred to be wandering around St Ives, especially as weather has changed back to warm and sunny.
At least have tested tent and cleaned car out. I haven't been camping since guides and am not sure if I'm really suited to roughing it, but if it gets me away from here and near to the sea if only for a few days, then I'll put up with a bit of rough.
I'll sign off with old children's rhyme.
"As I was going to St Ives I met a man with 7 wives
each wife had 7 sacks each sack has 7 cats
How many were going to St Ives?"
Answer in next blog.

Birthday boy

Today my elder son celebrated his fifteen birthday. Actually if I think of him I tend to conjure up an image of him at around nine or ten so it is a bit of a shock realizing that I am living with a boy on the brink of manhood. Nowadays he towers over me, even with his usual slouch posture, and conversation tends to consist of Kevin-like, caveman-style grunts! When he returns to school in September he'll start his GCSE coursework and already we're discussing work experience options.
In September my younger son starts Secondary school and my days of picking him up at the school gate, chatting with other mums, will be over.
One of the saddest, and yet greatest, things about life is that nothing lasts forever.

BTW I had a quick look at other bloggers entry and everyone seemed to be American. I am English and living in England. However, I have just booked a holiday stateside, actually Miami was as cheap as The Algarve and having grown up with American TV programmes I have always wanted to visit. Top of my list was New York, then Boston and Maine, New Orleans, and San Francisco. But these were all outside our budget. Miami appeals because I love Art Deco and, of course, I enjoyed Miami Vice in the 80's which seemed so stylish. It is also ideal for a family holiday as they have their beach whilst I can enjoy a bit of city life, at least that's what I'm hoping :-)

A blogger virgin

I have heard of blogging and wondered why people do it? For some reason the lyrics of the Police song 'Message in a bottle' spring to mind. So I guess I'm throwing out my message to the world and joining the "one hundred million bottles washed upon the shore." I guess no one wants to be alone in being alone nowdays.

So what do I want the world to know about me? I'm married with two children and after taking ten years off I have returned to the workplace. Despite all the hype about work-life balance part time is hard to find. I managed to get a maternity cover for six months, which I enjoyed and was extended. But after eighteen months my contract was not renewed and I am again job-hunting. All this sounds very positive but unfortunate it now seems that the reasons for non-renewal ie project finished and HR not justifing headcount, may have been an excuse. Especially as someone else in deptment decided to leave and was told to keep it quiet till after I'd gone. I have no reason to believe there was a problem with my work and feel that treatment stems from one man (who became my manager at Xmas), although why I don't know. My confidence is at an all-time low and I seem to be raking it over in my head instead of moving on.