A hard days work?!!!

Just spent the morning scouring the job market and applied for loads of job on-line and some the old fashioned way - actually speaking to a person - one of whom said they had been overwhelmed with applications and couldn't accept any more and that was only for a part-time job advertised 2 days ago!

Then I switched on the news to hear the latest on the Jacqui Smith porngate scandal - it turns out the errant husband is her 'personal assistant' on 40K a year ! I think I will apply for that position - I would imagine it is most people's dream job ...... 40k a year to watch porn!!!! form an orderley queue please.

It also looks as if her own job at 120k plus excesses I mean expenses may also becoming vacant shortly - You would think on those vast salaries that they could afford to buy their own porn!!!

Sunday Sunshine

Had a lovely taste of Spring sunshine on Sunday - suitably wrapped up in a strange combo of body-warmer, hat and shades we enjoyed an invigorating top-down journey to Sunny Southport and back - via all the quiet back roads and enjoyed Kates rally driving skills. Took some lovely photos of the very brave and beautiful early Spring flowers interestingly we noticed the pink ones were struggling to bloom - whilst the purple ones (we regard it as a T colour - being a perfect mix of pink and blue) were in full and glorious bloom!!

Excess Baggage!

Stop Press - Just found some more bags in my spare bedroom/office. I think they have been secretly breeding!

3 - blue, 1 - turquoise, 2 more pink ones and 2 cream !! Total now 48 and climbing!! I am sure some of you girls can match this???

I think E-bay may be an option in these credit crunch times!! Thanks Di!x

Baggage

Di asked me a few days ago how many bags I have and apart from replying loads I wasn't really sure so I thought I would try and round up all my bags that are currently slumbering around the house.

I have a bit of a weakness for nice bags and Kate calls me the 'bag lady' (in a nice way) as I have that many. The stock list reads: (In all shapes and sizes )

Black bags (work/everyday) 8,

Brown bags 4 plus one fur and one leopard skin ,

Pink bags 6 (for outings/ special days out),

White bags 4 (weddings/holidays),

Silver 1 , gold 2 ,

Beach bags 3 , Shopping bags 4 ,

Assorted colour bags 6 . = 40 + (there must be others in hiding!)

Whilst that may sound excessive I have used every single one of them , several times .- to me they are like old friends with special memories of days out and places attached to each one of them. The funny thing is - and this must go back to my girl guide days -that in each one of them I found tissues, a pen, paracetamol tablets and some mints and chocolate (a girls survival pack)!.

Matchmaker

I think I must have some unknown Jewish blood in my background as I always want to match up single friends - to me love is the most important thing in the world. So I have been delighted that a couple of my special friends seem to have found love recently. As they say money makes the world go around - but love makes it worthwhile.

Credit crunch shopping

Feeling a bit depressed this week about the state of the economy and lack of job opportunities around. I have discovered a new way of shopping - it isn't entirely guilt free but it does help save the pennies. I had some items to return to M&S and Debenhams and decided that the Trafford Centre would do nicely as it has both stores. So off I went using a new route (through Eccles)which was not only easier than the motorway but used less petrol. So I headed to M&S to return a number of items one of which was a matching silk bra and knicker set - (pictured left) which had been a resonable £20 at the time but I didnt really like the colour . I was really shocked when the assistant informed me that they had now been reduced to £2 each!! How can that be possible - for silk?? So I decided to hang on to them after all!! Anyway after returning some other items (some tops). I was £50 up on the old credit card so that felt good and I resisted the urge to buy more items - to be honest nothing caught my eye so I moved on to Debenhams where I returned a dress that was too big so I was in credit again by another £30. I had a quick browse and saw some nice dresses in Wallis and Julian McDonalds Star range which Kate and I love but because she wasnt there to egg me on I resisted.

I was feeling rather hungry by now so I decided to get a bite to eat - now normally when I shop with either Bob or Kate (but especially Bob) we usually eat at Ego as a treat. As I was on my own I couldn't really go there so I had a Happy meal for £1.99! which was alot cheaper than our usual £30 bill!! So I figured that I was about £100 in credit on our usual shopping trip - not including Kates usual splurge on clothes etc. Feeling better about the whole thing I allowed myself to wander in to "Guess" where I found the perfect dress for Saturday's meal and late night dancing- in a lovely shade of blue just the thing to cheer a girl up and a bargain at £20 so given all the money I had saved today I figured I deserved it as a reward- sounds like an extract from "Diary of a Shopaholic" I loved the clip when her friend is horrified that she spent £500 on lingerie and she replied that it was not just a necessity but a human right!

Jaded

Although it was sad to hear of Jade Goody's untimely death I have to admit she was not my favourite person probably 1 step down from the horrendous Jordan! It is very sad that she lived and died in the glare of media publicity but given the circumstances she was born into - drug addicted and mentally unstable parents - she actually made the best of her life.

It seems alot longer than 7 years since she first appeared on Big Brother - where she came across as an ignorant bully even then and became famous for doing nothing - I remember Graham Norton referring to her as 'Miss Piggy' which was very apt at the time.

However I do respect her for ensuring her sons will be financially secure (I read somewhere that she has paid their school fees until they are 16) and for highlighting the need for regular medical check-ups.

Lets hope that the circus of Big Brother will be buried with her.

Live for the day

What sad news about Natasha Richardson - I had heard about the accident yesterday but just assumed she would recover. It makes you realise that you have to live every day like its your last - and enjoy every moment and smile more! Sorry to be morbid

Feels sew good

Having been laid off again! due to the credit crunch I have had time on my hands recently to explore my crafty side (hobby wise).

I happened upon a website with vintage sewing patterns featuring some beautiful 1940's style dresses - which really gave me some inspiration to get my sewing machine out . Its been a while since since I last used my rather posh new electronic machine which was a 40th birthday treat -and is just fabulous at it does loads of fancy embroidery stitches and is so clever it almost sews by itself -- A very far cry from my first basic machine my parents bought me when I was in High School. Despite it being quite basic I managed to run up loads of lovely garments ( and some not so lovely) my favourites being a Jumpsuit in a multi coloured striped fabric that I took it on holiday to the south of France and felt very chic in it and proud that I had made it myself until my friend asked why I was wearing my pyjamas to go out in!

I also made a lovely pale blue silky vogue dress in the style of Cybil Shepherd in Moonlighting - wish I still had it -but I do have the pattern so I might have another bash at it. I happened upon the pattern for the dress pictured and although it looks fairly simple it has a corset underneath set between the outer sheath and the lining so it is quite challenging. I mentioned it to Kate and she duly produced some lovely pink satin fabric so if I can afford the rather expensive £15 for the pattern I might have a go - step aside Versace!

The Big O

I recently came across a blog written by a recently transitioned girl. She was describing in quite graphic detail the difference between her male self and her newly found girly self.

Now I do have to issue a warning here that what is to follow is rather X- rated so if you are easily offended please do not read on (I know that won't apply to my faithful followers so here goes)............Basically she was talking about the differences in orgasms! - gasp - I did warn you! Apparently as a man she experienced different feelings than she does now - she described it as coming in 'waves' and blogged - or should that be bragged about having up to 8 at a time!!! All this at only 6 weeks post-op - she informed her surgeon who told her to stop it immediately as she could cause some serious damage to her newly adjusted self !!!!!

New Faces

It seems that many of our friends are talking about or having cosmetic surgery - must be something in the air! I know that for many of them it is a way of presenting themselves to the world in the way they wish to be seen/perceived and I can understand this totally.

It must be wonderful to be beautiful and flawless as we are all judged on our appearance to some extent and looks seem to be more important than ever -but beauty is only skin deep and it is the people like my darling Bob/Kate and my lovely t- friends who can see past our flaws that are truly beautiful and very special indeed.

Spring Fever!

Well its official Spring is almost here - the beautiful baby lambs are out in the field at the top of our road (dont you dare mention mint sauce!) along with the first sprinklings of iris and daffodils. Love is in the air and life seems better as do the clothes!

The weather seems to have brought out some wives and partners into our girly midst which made a refreshing change and it was great to welcome Jan and Nikki who I hope will become regulars. Jan seemed to take everything in her stride but Nikki was on a high for the evening both she and Tina looked totally stunning in their custom made vintage dresses. Speaking of dresses it was red dress night at Manchester concorde and Kate purchased a gorgeous sparkly dress from Roman in a pinky red colour described as 'Magenta'. Sadly red is simply not my colour dah-ling but I did have a go ordering one off the Roman website - but it was too big despite being a 'small' size. So in desperation I pulled out a dress I wore for our 20th Wedding Anniversary in Rome which is black with a floral print in pinks and reds. Fortunately it still fitted even in the top!! Most of the girls looked stunning especially Emma and Mandy who were having a great time.

It was very busy at this months meal - 16 of us in total at Via which was a first visit for me and was certainly different - the food was rather good and the value was excellent . Unfortunately the ladies left alot to be desired - but I have been in worse!!. All credit and thanks to our own lovely Lisa who does an amazing job in arranging these evenings for us.

Concorde was heaving (in a nice way) - and later on Naps was as busy as it was at new year- very bizzare- So for poor Nikki it was a baptism of fire!! It did make me realise how normal and comfortable things seem to me now and I guess we have come along way since my debut in May. This may sound rather dramatic but I don't think we could survive without our outings and special friends around us - truly lifes special treats along with Easter eggs of course!

Futures?

My horoscope today said "The world is wide open to you today. Even though you may not realise it, you have a loyal fan club developing in the wings".

If only I could make a living from blogging I wouldn't have to encounter the recruitment agencies who make you feel like an old fossil due to the fact that ones admin skills are a few years out of date. They did seem impressed that I could do shorthand though - take a letter Miss Jones - keep on blogging!

Mistresses

Just been catching up on last weeks episodes that I missed and phew talk about red hot (for the BBC that is) - should come with a health warning! I thought I was watching one of the satellite channels. It certainly lives up to its name with alot of role reversal in as much as it is the women who are doing the cheating and indulging in casual flings and in the first episode an open marriage ......Just the thing to watch with a bar of chocolate!! Yum yum.