Daisy Turnip writes.....
This morning, whilst joyously sitting stationary in the early morning Birmingham commuter traffic, 3 cars drove past me which were all being driven by women wearing burkhas. It’s a pretty weird sight to be honest – you’re sitting there, half asleep behind the wheel of the car, praying that something exciting would happen, just to ease the monotonous boredom of the horrendous 2 hour traffic jam, only to see a car coming at you, with what looks like, which can only be described, as a big black cloud in the driver’s seat. All that can be seen, when the car gets closer, is a gap for the eyes. Is this really a safe way to drive? What happens when said female arrives at a T-Junction?
It automatically transported me back to being a young teenager. Dad would never allow me to ride my push bike, whilst having the hood up on my beloved parker coat! Remember? You’d turn your head round and the parker hood would stay in place, and all you could see was the liner of your hood! To be fair, parkers were pretty dangerous don’t you think! : )
My Dad was the über health and safety officer of our village. Dad saw EVERY single health and safety design fault of living the life of a child / teenager – I had to then obey his rules, which thankfully allowed me to see my way into my adult life! Many thanks Dad – you know I would never have made it without your H&S rules! : )
As we say in sunny Wolverhampton, 'Oi luvs ya' x
Wednesday, 4 February 2009
Tuesday, 3 February 2009
Snowed in at the Lakes
Daisy Turnip writes.....
Every now and again we hire holiday cottages in the Lake District – just not as often as we’d like to. Such cottages usually have a log fire, are located in remote areas and, without exception, I always say, ‘ooooh, I’d love to be snowed in here’
It was my birthday this weekend and hubby treated me to a long weekend in the Lakes, staying in the fantastic Rose Cottage in the most beautiful Duddon Valley.
Sunday we were out on the mountains, it was a glorious day, beautiful clear skies and it was absolutely freezing. But as hubby frequently tells me, ‘there’s no such thing as bad weather, it’s just down to bad clothing!’ Being married to hubby, I’m never wearing bad clothing whilst out walking! He inspects me and my rucksack before we leave for a day out on the mountains! He’s not anal – well, maybe not, or is it because I’m now reaching his level of weather paranoia!
Late in the afternoon, we got back to the cottage, feeling cheerfully tired and fulfilled from a good old hike around the Duddon Valley. I rang Daughter from the pay phone, only to find her most anxious about the snow that was forecast, asking whether or not we were planning to walk the following day and what we would do about travelling back home.
Great, we’re going to get snowed in – my long term dream was about to be fulfilled! I was soooo chuffed.
And then, common sense head kicked in. We only had a little food and worse than that, even less wine!
We turned on the TV to catch the weather report. Loads of snow was predicted!
Half an hour we were leaving a snowy Duddon Valley – long weekend not quite complete – heading towards to M6, on our way home. I am such a chicken!
Every now and again we hire holiday cottages in the Lake District – just not as often as we’d like to. Such cottages usually have a log fire, are located in remote areas and, without exception, I always say, ‘ooooh, I’d love to be snowed in here’
It was my birthday this weekend and hubby treated me to a long weekend in the Lakes, staying in the fantastic Rose Cottage in the most beautiful Duddon Valley.
Sunday we were out on the mountains, it was a glorious day, beautiful clear skies and it was absolutely freezing. But as hubby frequently tells me, ‘there’s no such thing as bad weather, it’s just down to bad clothing!’ Being married to hubby, I’m never wearing bad clothing whilst out walking! He inspects me and my rucksack before we leave for a day out on the mountains! He’s not anal – well, maybe not, or is it because I’m now reaching his level of weather paranoia!
Late in the afternoon, we got back to the cottage, feeling cheerfully tired and fulfilled from a good old hike around the Duddon Valley. I rang Daughter from the pay phone, only to find her most anxious about the snow that was forecast, asking whether or not we were planning to walk the following day and what we would do about travelling back home.
Great, we’re going to get snowed in – my long term dream was about to be fulfilled! I was soooo chuffed.
And then, common sense head kicked in. We only had a little food and worse than that, even less wine!
We turned on the TV to catch the weather report. Loads of snow was predicted!
Half an hour we were leaving a snowy Duddon Valley – long weekend not quite complete – heading towards to M6, on our way home. I am such a chicken!
Santa Only Brings Presents to the Good Children
Daisy Turnip writes.....
Bunny informed me that Father Christmas has brought her presents every year – never missed one. She told me that’s because she is always good and for those children who are naughty, they don’t get presents from Santa.
She looked suspiciously at hubby (you could just see the cogs going round in her mind) and then asked, ‘When Dave was little, did Santa ALWAYS bring presents to him?’
Ohh, little people have such a well honed sixth sense! : )
Bunny informed me that Father Christmas has brought her presents every year – never missed one. She told me that’s because she is always good and for those children who are naughty, they don’t get presents from Santa.
She looked suspiciously at hubby (you could just see the cogs going round in her mind) and then asked, ‘When Dave was little, did Santa ALWAYS bring presents to him?’
Ohh, little people have such a well honed sixth sense! : )
The Filthy Devils
Daisy Turnip writes.....
A very close friend of mine is, shall we say, incredibly house proud.
Her dog stops at the back door and automatically lifts up each paw, ready to have them wiped before he’s allowed to proceed into the kitchen! It’s really quite impressive to watch!
Last summer her son went on a sleep over, staying with a family my friend didn’t know too well. They dropped off said son and then went out for dinner. Not long after they’d arrived at the restaurant, said son sent a text, asking for his Mom to give him a call. She did so, and he wouldn’t say much, just monosyllabic responses to Mom’s questions, but confirming he was fine. She finally asked if he wanted to come home, which he promptly replied with a firm ‘Yes’. They had already ordered their meal so he was informed they would be there, to pick him up ASAP.
Every 10 minutes or so, Mom kept receiving a text, asking how much longer they were going to be. In the end Mom became very worried re her Son’s most unusual behaviour and they left the restaurant, meal half eaten.
They arrived at the house of the sleep over and a panic stricken lad came rushing out and jumped into the car. By this point friend / Mom was very worried and beginning to panic, ‘What’s gone on, what’s the matter, are you ok?’ she asked in desperation and fear.
He was silent for a while. Dad asked the same question.
Son took a deep breath and said, ‘I just couldn’t stay there Mom, there was dust on the skirting board in the bathroom’.
I’m just amazed that they all come and stay at my house! : )
A very close friend of mine is, shall we say, incredibly house proud.
Her dog stops at the back door and automatically lifts up each paw, ready to have them wiped before he’s allowed to proceed into the kitchen! It’s really quite impressive to watch!
Last summer her son went on a sleep over, staying with a family my friend didn’t know too well. They dropped off said son and then went out for dinner. Not long after they’d arrived at the restaurant, said son sent a text, asking for his Mom to give him a call. She did so, and he wouldn’t say much, just monosyllabic responses to Mom’s questions, but confirming he was fine. She finally asked if he wanted to come home, which he promptly replied with a firm ‘Yes’. They had already ordered their meal so he was informed they would be there, to pick him up ASAP.
Every 10 minutes or so, Mom kept receiving a text, asking how much longer they were going to be. In the end Mom became very worried re her Son’s most unusual behaviour and they left the restaurant, meal half eaten.
They arrived at the house of the sleep over and a panic stricken lad came rushing out and jumped into the car. By this point friend / Mom was very worried and beginning to panic, ‘What’s gone on, what’s the matter, are you ok?’ she asked in desperation and fear.
He was silent for a while. Dad asked the same question.
Son took a deep breath and said, ‘I just couldn’t stay there Mom, there was dust on the skirting board in the bathroom’.
I’m just amazed that they all come and stay at my house! : )
A Yellow Card for Throwing Snowballs!
Daisy Turnip writes.................
We were cooking dinner last night when there was a knock at the door. Due to a minor car accident with the snow and ice, we ended up looking after our ex neighbour’s child for about 20 minutes last night.
She’s about 5 years old (sorry Ian and Helen, we know we’re useless and can’t remember how old she is) – talking to kids that age, especially Bunny (ex neighbour’s pet name for his daughter), is just brilliant. Everything is so black and white.
Bunny’s dad left, to sort out the car insurance details, and we asked her what she wanted to drink. Sugar free orange, sugar free apple and blackcurrant, or, are you allowed Coca Cola? A big grin appeared on her face as she said she’d like Coke. I so knew what that grin meant. I asked her if she was allowed to have Coke, and if she did have some, when Daddy came to collect her, would he be happy that she’d drank Coke? She thought for a moment and then said, ‘I don’t know.’ ‘OK, pop it is then, what would you like, orange or apple and blackcurrant?’ ‘Mixed’ came her reply. A mixed glass of orange, apple and blackcurrant was placed in front of her – yeuk, but Bunny liked it, along with a packet of Walkers cheese and onion crisps – I never asked whether or not Dad would be happy with that – she kept saying she was hungry, we’d been away for the weekend and to state that the cupboards were bare was a major understatement!
Bunny then kept telling us how she’d never received a ‘yellow card’ at school. What on earth is a yellow card? She proceeded to tell us that a yellow card is when you’ve not been very good at school – but not too bad either. If you receive 2 yellow cards, you get a red one.
Apparently a girl at school today had received a yellow card for throwing a snowball on the playground!
Unbelievable – I was so shocked I opened a bottle of wine! The world has gone mad.
I never found out what happens if you receive both a yellow and a red card! Even if you’re not into footie, it obviously works because it’s Bunny’s major achievement not to have received a single yellow card since she’s been a school.
We were cooking dinner last night when there was a knock at the door. Due to a minor car accident with the snow and ice, we ended up looking after our ex neighbour’s child for about 20 minutes last night.
She’s about 5 years old (sorry Ian and Helen, we know we’re useless and can’t remember how old she is) – talking to kids that age, especially Bunny (ex neighbour’s pet name for his daughter), is just brilliant. Everything is so black and white.
Bunny’s dad left, to sort out the car insurance details, and we asked her what she wanted to drink. Sugar free orange, sugar free apple and blackcurrant, or, are you allowed Coca Cola? A big grin appeared on her face as she said she’d like Coke. I so knew what that grin meant. I asked her if she was allowed to have Coke, and if she did have some, when Daddy came to collect her, would he be happy that she’d drank Coke? She thought for a moment and then said, ‘I don’t know.’ ‘OK, pop it is then, what would you like, orange or apple and blackcurrant?’ ‘Mixed’ came her reply. A mixed glass of orange, apple and blackcurrant was placed in front of her – yeuk, but Bunny liked it, along with a packet of Walkers cheese and onion crisps – I never asked whether or not Dad would be happy with that – she kept saying she was hungry, we’d been away for the weekend and to state that the cupboards were bare was a major understatement!
Bunny then kept telling us how she’d never received a ‘yellow card’ at school. What on earth is a yellow card? She proceeded to tell us that a yellow card is when you’ve not been very good at school – but not too bad either. If you receive 2 yellow cards, you get a red one.
Apparently a girl at school today had received a yellow card for throwing a snowball on the playground!
Unbelievable – I was so shocked I opened a bottle of wine! The world has gone mad.
I never found out what happens if you receive both a yellow and a red card! Even if you’re not into footie, it obviously works because it’s Bunny’s major achievement not to have received a single yellow card since she’s been a school.
Friday, 23 January 2009
Heads Up!
Daisy Turnip writes.....
Yesterday, I was away on a jolly, er, sorry, I mean an intensive 2 day away event, with work.
In the evening, we were treated to a wine tasting session and lesson, at a wine shop close to where we were staying.
I don’t think the team quite got it – when we left, all the spittoons were empty, so too were the numerous bottles of wine, but funnily enough, all the team was in very fine spirit!
It was a pity we didn’t just sample organic wines, as there were several poorly heads this morning!
Yesterday, I was away on a jolly, er, sorry, I mean an intensive 2 day away event, with work.
In the evening, we were treated to a wine tasting session and lesson, at a wine shop close to where we were staying.
I don’t think the team quite got it – when we left, all the spittoons were empty, so too were the numerous bottles of wine, but funnily enough, all the team was in very fine spirit!
It was a pity we didn’t just sample organic wines, as there were several poorly heads this morning!
A Star Student
Daisy Turnip writes.....
Daughter wants the world to know that she got an A in her uni report!
This isn't quite the world, but at least it's a start!
Well done babes, you've obviously got your Mother's genes on that score! : )
Daughter wants the world to know that she got an A in her uni report!
This isn't quite the world, but at least it's a start!
Well done babes, you've obviously got your Mother's genes on that score! : )
Wednesday, 21 January 2009
He’s a Winker
Daisy Turnip writes.....
Sneezing is a bit of a family thing. My sister is King Sneezer – she can, and frequently does about 8 sneezes on the trot. Daughter is a close 2nd and can easily do a run of 6. My average is 5 sneezes – hubby even knows if a delayed sneeze is about to follow. However, the funniest thing is that our mutt, Bailey, is a big sneezer too – usually when he gets excited.
I always carry a pack of anti-histamines!
I’m now getting a little concerned re how I can put this into words, in order to truly capture the following incident.
A couple of days ago, said mutt, myself and hubby were all in the kitchen (I think we’d just finished tidying up after dinner) and then the dog started to sneeze – obviously thinking that he was about to be both fed and walked.
He sneezed
And sneezed
And sneezed
So much so, that we turned round to look at him.
(here’s the bit I’m worried about)
And there he was, head on its side, with his eye squinting – in a big way – knowing that another sneeze was shortly to follow.
It was so pronounced, and soooo delayed (for what must have been about 15 seconds), in fact I began to panic slightly, thinking that he was going to have some fit.
And then he sneezed again – big time. Shook himself, wagged his tail and looked at us both, as if to say, ‘got a problem?’
If you can’t picture the image, trust me, it was v funny!
Should I start crushing an anti-histamine into his food?
Sneezing is a bit of a family thing. My sister is King Sneezer – she can, and frequently does about 8 sneezes on the trot. Daughter is a close 2nd and can easily do a run of 6. My average is 5 sneezes – hubby even knows if a delayed sneeze is about to follow. However, the funniest thing is that our mutt, Bailey, is a big sneezer too – usually when he gets excited.
I always carry a pack of anti-histamines!
I’m now getting a little concerned re how I can put this into words, in order to truly capture the following incident.
A couple of days ago, said mutt, myself and hubby were all in the kitchen (I think we’d just finished tidying up after dinner) and then the dog started to sneeze – obviously thinking that he was about to be both fed and walked.
He sneezed
And sneezed
And sneezed
So much so, that we turned round to look at him.
(here’s the bit I’m worried about)
And there he was, head on its side, with his eye squinting – in a big way – knowing that another sneeze was shortly to follow.
It was so pronounced, and soooo delayed (for what must have been about 15 seconds), in fact I began to panic slightly, thinking that he was going to have some fit.
And then he sneezed again – big time. Shook himself, wagged his tail and looked at us both, as if to say, ‘got a problem?’
If you can’t picture the image, trust me, it was v funny!
Should I start crushing an anti-histamine into his food?
Public transport and shared desks
Daisy Turnip writes.....
I work for an organisation that seriously tries to promote and encourage the use of public transport to all of the staff. Although we understand and really want to embrace this attitude, some of us are just totally glued to our car seats and would prefer the comfort, warmth and control of our own destiny when it comes to travelling – not to mention the sheer pleasure of not having some nutter sitting next to you whilst you are on a journey.
I share a desk with Pete. Given the fact that he's male, he's not that untidy to be honest, but ultimately, he's a man - I therefore share a desk with a tidy (male definition of the word tidy) 'ish man.
I hate commuting into Birmingham each day.
I got into the office at 7.20 this morning – feeling really grumpy, as I hadn’t filled my travel mug with tea before leaving the house, and therefore hadn’t had sufficient amounts of caffeine, in order for me to face a day in the office. Even leaving home that early in the morning, it still takes me an hour to get into work - it's just far too early not to have copious amounts of caffeine in your system at that hour of the day!
However, as I sat down at the shared desk (feeling pretty damn grumpy and tired) a chuckle did occur. Stapled to the desk divider was a return train ticket, from Birmingham to Stourbridge, and written on it were the words, ‘I travelled by train and survived it!’
I chuckled pretty loud to be honest!
I then chuckled even louder, knowing that Pete and Dominic had left the office late yesterday afternoon, in order to undertake something like a 12 hour journey which consisted of a variety of car, trains, planes and taxis to get them to some European destination for a full day meeting today (which they both desperately didn’t want to go to) and then do the same journey back tonight – they are both in the office tomorrow!
Serves him right – he should leave the shared desk tidy each night before he goes home! : )
I work for an organisation that seriously tries to promote and encourage the use of public transport to all of the staff. Although we understand and really want to embrace this attitude, some of us are just totally glued to our car seats and would prefer the comfort, warmth and control of our own destiny when it comes to travelling – not to mention the sheer pleasure of not having some nutter sitting next to you whilst you are on a journey.
I share a desk with Pete. Given the fact that he's male, he's not that untidy to be honest, but ultimately, he's a man - I therefore share a desk with a tidy (male definition of the word tidy) 'ish man.
I hate commuting into Birmingham each day.
I got into the office at 7.20 this morning – feeling really grumpy, as I hadn’t filled my travel mug with tea before leaving the house, and therefore hadn’t had sufficient amounts of caffeine, in order for me to face a day in the office. Even leaving home that early in the morning, it still takes me an hour to get into work - it's just far too early not to have copious amounts of caffeine in your system at that hour of the day!
However, as I sat down at the shared desk (feeling pretty damn grumpy and tired) a chuckle did occur. Stapled to the desk divider was a return train ticket, from Birmingham to Stourbridge, and written on it were the words, ‘I travelled by train and survived it!’
I chuckled pretty loud to be honest!
I then chuckled even louder, knowing that Pete and Dominic had left the office late yesterday afternoon, in order to undertake something like a 12 hour journey which consisted of a variety of car, trains, planes and taxis to get them to some European destination for a full day meeting today (which they both desperately didn’t want to go to) and then do the same journey back tonight – they are both in the office tomorrow!
Serves him right – he should leave the shared desk tidy each night before he goes home! : )
Tuesday, 13 January 2009
Passwords Bloody Passwords
Daisy Turnip writes.....
I work in IT and network security. My main role is as an ICT Manager. Until March of this year I’m contracted out 2 days per week, working on a project for a different organisation. I therefore have a variety of passwords that I need to remember for numerous laptops and email systems – I’m really not very good at it!
Tonight, for my main job, I had to reset my email password. I changed it and then took the dog for a walk. I came back home and tried to log on to email and, for the 5 month in a row, I’ve forgotten my new password! I am the ICT Manager for this organisation!
For my other role, last week I locked myself out of my laptop and in the same week, also managed to bugger up the password on my Blackberry!
I’m now officially incommunicado!
Tomorrow, I need to do some grovelling, apologising, log a few support calls and then work out a new password regime - which I WILL remember.
Oh dear! This is becoming very embarrassing!
I work in IT and network security. My main role is as an ICT Manager. Until March of this year I’m contracted out 2 days per week, working on a project for a different organisation. I therefore have a variety of passwords that I need to remember for numerous laptops and email systems – I’m really not very good at it!
Tonight, for my main job, I had to reset my email password. I changed it and then took the dog for a walk. I came back home and tried to log on to email and, for the 5 month in a row, I’ve forgotten my new password! I am the ICT Manager for this organisation!
For my other role, last week I locked myself out of my laptop and in the same week, also managed to bugger up the password on my Blackberry!
I’m now officially incommunicado!
Tomorrow, I need to do some grovelling, apologising, log a few support calls and then work out a new password regime - which I WILL remember.
Oh dear! This is becoming very embarrassing!
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