La Trix

Well...here I am. I've been out this evening - out for tea with a very special friend. My best friend in fact. She mentioned my blog and said that she still looks to see if I've written anything. My friend doesn't live here any more...she lives in another country...but she visits home regularly and when she does we see each other and - like all great friendships - it's like I only saw her a few days ago. I love her....my friend...an awful lot. We've been friends for over 20 years and she's the one who has been there for me time and time and time and time again. She has comforted me when I've been hurting and laughed with me when I've been happy. She cheers me on from the sidelines (always) and loves me unconditionally. And I love her that way too. She knows all my secrets and she 'gets' me every single time. She's got my back, and she takes care of me. She's part of my family and I'm part of hers.
There is nothing I could do that would shock her or cause her to turn away from me...and likewise...there's nothing she could do that would cause me to turn away from her. I have other friends, and I'm blessed because they are all very special to me.

But this one friend - she's the very best. She's funny, and smart, and kind, and beautiful inside and out. She gives everything in her heart to those that she loves, and she never stops giving. In all the years I've known her she has never said one unkind thing to me...and I know there must have been times when I've driven her nuts :)

If I was a  drinking girl I would raise my glass to her - but I'm not - so here I am tipping my coffee cup to her instead. Thank you La Trix for being there for me and making my world a much nicer place. I love you - my dearest friend XXX

Tune of the day - Wednesday 3rd December

Over on another social media website (shhhh) we've been highlighting our favourite music choices. I say 'we'...but it's actually a solo venture. I an attempt to begin blogging again after a gap of a few months (we say 'few'...but we mean many) (it's that 'we' again). I was also reminded recently about blogging a a dear friend asked for advice regarding starting a blog of her own.....that got me thinking.

So here's something to start with.....Blower's Daughter by Damien Rice.

This song was used in the soundtrack of the film Closer from 2004. As well as recommending the song.....I can also recommend the film.

Drinks with an old pal.

In case you were wondering...I'm still single. We're coming up to five years now and never a dalliance in sight. The trauma of the last relationship ending has just taken so very long to heal.....

Last week I went out to meet an old friend for a drink (brief history...we worked together some 26+ years ago...found again on FB (as you do) and arranged to meet for a bevvie or three).

It went well...so much alcohol was consumed...I wobbled home...and was later bombarded with text messages of the almost sexual nature!

The next day we arranged to meet for lunch. Both pretty fragile to be honest. We agreed to see each other again, and he was going to call me.

Since then....nothing. Not a sausage (ooo err Missus). Nada.

I AM going to get a cat :)

*waves from the barricades*

I'm here. I know you probably think I've disappeared..but no. I'm still here. Which is a good thing...let's face it - if not, you would have heard about it on the International news. A loss so great would have been reported.

I'm in a little town in the North, living in an attic (I kid you not) and sharing facilities with a 70+ year old dutch woman - who is lovely, albeit a vegetarian yoga enthusiast. Takes all sorts.

My job? Well, after a long while of doing the diving stuff and working with people whose manners and standards leave a lot to be desired (think about moody belgians with very bad breath...and angry englishmen with a huge case of small man syndrome...and arrogant teenagers with sex addictions...and ...oh I could go on...but what's the point?)...I now have a lovely little job which involves working from home in the cloud. Suits you, Sir.  Suits me too. My desk is five yards from my bed, and I can work in jogging bottoms. I have a coffee machine.....doesn't really get any better than that...does it?

Past-times? Hiking, just taken up running (more about that in a later post), family tree stuff and photography. Oh yes, and thanks to lovely daughter and her equally lovely boyfriend...a very strange and unexplained addiction to lego. Small people playing house...yes..that will do it every time.

Friends? all still here - apart from the wondrous and voluptuous Fifi La Trix who buggered off to Spain a while back - but she returns from time to time - although not nearly enough...mind you I can't say anything about that seeing as I went off on adventures and was missing in action for nearly four years.

There's lots to tell and I'll get started soon...but just wanted to let you know that I'm back.

XX

It's nearly Yuletide

I've been missing a lot of this year. Not really...what I mean is I've been missing blogging about it. So here's a quick rundown.

I am now a Padi Staff Instructor. That means that I can assist in teaching new instructor candidates. Amongst all the other stuff that I teach.

I survived the mad busy summer.....working 7 days a week for weeks on end...and made two trips back to sunny Malta. Once for a wedding and then again in September for a whole ten days just to do some lovely diving in warm water. That was lovely! I also had my birthday whilst I was there and had a great night out for dinner with friends.

Now The festive season is looming and a trip home is on the cards. Dan and I are helping in a homeless shelter on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.....she suggested it and I thought it was better to give than to receive and all that!

That's about it really.....apart from this year...like last year has passed without me being kissed!

Have you missed me?

Well..Hello. Offers up a tiny wave in a kind of timid way. I'm sorry I've been away for so long - but this place is like a kind of fourth dimension...people have been known to disappear and never be seen or heard of again. Anyway - that hasn't happened to me...I'm still here. Still in very funky Whittlesea where inter-breeding first became popular..I suspect it started here before even Wath Upon Dearne...and that's saying something. I haven't written much of late - because apart from work - nothing else ever happens here. Last week I got my Master Scuba Diver Trainer rating - which for anybody with a forces background is a bit like a Sergeant - to get this you have to have taught so many folks to dive - and also be qualified to teach various diving specialities. I am now a Nitrox Instructor, Deep, Underwater Navigation, Peak Performance Buoyancy, Wreck, and Dry Suit Instructor - as well as a certified Gas Blender. That's some going - and it's taken my little brain by storm. I've been back to Malta for a few days - to do some diving in clear water and to attend a friend's wedding - and have booked flights to return there for 10 days in September. Next Month I am doing my Staff Instructor course - which means I will be able to evaluate and help to train new instructor candidates. Oh yes - after a long spell of 26 years - my very first ex-husband has now been in touch via Facebook! Don't you just love Facebook? That means I am now friends will all three of them! I think that's quite something. Never a cross word that can't be mended years later by a social networking site. Time heals all things! Anyway - I may blog again in a few days about some of the mad things that happen round here - and I might just have to fill you in on Kitchen Lynn and her lovely attitude...but that's a long story for another day. Love love, love xx

Well...here I am in Sheffield for Easter weekend. It feels kind of odd to be honest. I got back late on Thursday after my train was delayed just a quarter of a mile outside the a station...for over an hour...I could have walked back quicker! Got back to Mum's eventually and had some food and an early night. Mum's memory is getting worse...she now has to write everything down...she just forgets stuff as soon as you tell her something. She also repeats herself continuously. I've done the same thing for years ever since a bad car accident in my early 20's...so I understand..but it can be frustrating.

Friday lunchtime saw us all going out for lunch to celebrate the twin's birthday.. My dear friend Hazel came along too...and a good time was had by all.

Friday night saw me meeting up with the divine Mrs Morris for a few drinks and supper. I love that lady!

This morning we bobbed down to Meadowhall....for a spot of retail therapy and to meet up with Dan and Alex. Then I hot-footed it up to Fiona's. How excited I was to see her again. I love that girl. So much.

We spent the afternoon laughing and giggling and doing girly stuff including charity shop shopping.

Tonight has been relaxing....a nice tea of egg and chips....and watching tv.

I love being home. X