I am going to miss The Apprentice

I thoroughly enjoyed The Apprentice this year. I found all the candidates pouting and their niggling at one another  hilarious. I really couldn't decide who Lord Sugar would or should choose out of the finalists, it really could have gone either way.
There were moments that completely cracked me up including when poor Solomon got kicked out of an interview and couldn't find the exit.
That is the kind of thing that happens to me.
If I go into an unfamiliar pub, for example, the time will come when I need to visit The Ladies and this is a moment I dread as I am not good at following directions. In the unlikely event I find The Ladies the first time I am told the chances of returning to my seat afterwards without getting horribly lost is very slim.
I have been known to come out of The Ladies and try and enter cupboards or sometimes I follow a corridor convinced I recognise it only to find I emerge in a completely different bar.
I do feel a tinge of regret that the series has ended as I only watch a few TV programmes and the ones I choose entertain me greatly but once they are over I struggle to find a new programme to entertain me as much.
Apparently The Voice is back in January. I do enjoy watching that so I guess I will cope!

See the balloon in the foreground of the photo? That is a Happy Mothers day balloon given to me at Mother's Day by my daughter. It is still going strong!

happy birthday Mum

It would have been my Mum's birthday today. because of this and because it is the Winter Solstice today is always a special day to me.
This morning I got up and walked Ollie in the fields. We bumped into a friend of mine who was walking three dogs, Benji, Blue and Grace. They had a lovely time doing all the despicable things dogs love to do best.
As we walked back through the estate where I live I realised this is probably my last Christmas here.
I like walking Ollie around in the dark looking at all the crazy Christmas lights people have up outside their houses around here at this time of year.
I am definitely ready to move on but I am so glad that I have lived happily here all these years.
I arrived here on  18th December 11 years ago. This is the longest I have lived anywhere.
before moving here I went through a phase of living in private rented accommodation where I had to move almost every year. It has been good to put down roots and stay in one place while my children grew up.
I am excited about the future and am more than ready to move onto the next chapter of my life but that said I find this time of year an excellent opportunity to think about all the great things that have happened in my life so far.

Happy birthday Mum. I know your life had its ups and downs, joys and sorrows but I want  you to know how glad I am that you are my Mum. xxx

a long wait

After work yesterday I did my supermarket shopping, collected Ollie and set off for the caravan. I was nearly there when the traffic ground to a halt. I don't know what they delay was but we stood still for ages. Drivers were getting out of their cars to see what the delay was. We all turned off our engines and waited.
I listened to the radio for some of the time and that helped to pass the time. I love listening to the radio in the car.
Once the traffic slowly started to move I was able to edge slowly to the turn off and arrived at the caravan park a few minutes later.
I was so happy to arrive. Ollie was delighted. He loves being in the car when we are moving but becomes bored and restless when we are parked.
The wait was worth it.
It is so lovely waking up in the caravan. It is so incredibly peaceful there.
I had a lovely time and am eagerly looking forward to going back there again very soon.

never too old to watch the Snowman

Just to prove we are never too old to watch The Snowman I let 4 classes watch the Snowman while working in English today. They were spellbound and some of them were over 16 years old! It was a gamble as they might have thought it 'babyish' but I am happy to say that they didn't they really seemed to enjoy it and many hadn't actually seen it before.
there are certain songs and films that make me feel Christmassy. The Snowman is definitely one of them.
Another film I love is The Greatest Store in the World with Brian Blessed, Dervla Kirwan and Peter Capaldi. I really enjoyed watching that film with my own kids in the 1990's. It is funny and heart warming and reminds me always that 'adventures are best!'

This tree has nothing to do with the post but it is irresistible!

Violence is never the answer.

I have just heard about the children being shot in Pakistan. I feel so sad for the families and for the children themselves.
People have strong views. I believe it is healthy for people to have differing opinions and I value freedom of expression.
Violence is never the answer though.
If someone feels strongly that their view is right they will naturally want other people to agree with them and share their view. This can only be achieved by discussion and an attempt to understand the hopes and fears of others.
Trying to scare people into following you never works and only serves to drive other people away from you.
I really hope that people affected by these recent violent acts are being looked after now.

Dream Chasers

Here's to the dream-chasers of this world, the people who have a dream and never give up until their dream comes true.
The X factor winner and runner up this year had both been trying to make it in the music business for over ten years.
I imagine there were times when they felt like giving up but they kept going and look what they have achieved.
Music doesn't have to be your passion but if you have something you wish to achieve in your life, go for it and don't let anyone put you off or tell you it can't be done!
Some dreams take years to build and achieve but you are on Earth for a certain, unknown number of years, why not spend them aiming for the stars?

The Top Ten Things Dead People Want To Tell You

Mike Dooley has written this book. I have just finished reading it and I have to tell you it is one of the most beautiful and thought provoking books that I have ever read in my life.
Many of the things he wrote about are the very things I have spent years pondering and many of the explanations he gives I feel instinctively to be true.

Earlier today I took Ollie out for a walk across the fields. It was a frosty, crisp morning which always makes Ollie playful and silly. He runs about, chasing his tail. he is a reminder not to take life too seriously!

Now I have my fairy lights up in my room, they are twinkling invitingly and I am all cosy, writing my Christmas cards.
There are  many things about winter that are beautiful.
I have iced my Christmas cake and cooked lunch.
Roast potatoes are just what is needed at this time of year and I have just eaten a plate load.
Yes it suddenly feels that Winter has definitely arrived and we all get to celebrate the good bits!