So the inevitable happened and the weekend changed as it went along. A welcome offer of coffee after school on Friday, involved belated Christmas presents, chocolates and pleasure in seeing people looking so well. Followed with a most fine evening out, with much talking, beverages and amusement. I am very surprised how much The Heron has changed - people without flat caps and whippets in there...and not just the two of us!

Saturday saw afternoon coffee and biscuits with Nik, armed with works for me to read (which I promise I will make time for this week :)) then an evening visit to The Druids, seeing the return of parking meter man from his travels to New York - (shame) Nik being ever my hero, issued a well placed 'go away' on my behalf. If you ever want rid of an irritating man - just ask Nik to sort it!

A lazy Sunday of pretending to do housework whilst in reality being asleep on the sofa, then yet another visit in the evening - this time with DVD :)

So, although the best laid plans failed to actualise, a pleasant weekend was had anyway. Thanks :)

Tomorrow sees the goat take a little trip up to Highbury, feeling most chuffed that I got to see both the Chelski and Utd games this year...sorry to Dad for lucking out on that one :) Let's keep our fingers crossed for the Arsenal tomorrow and try to think about good things while I think about football ;)

Posted by kary at 09:57 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

1. 'When you’re pointing your car down the wrong side of the motorway. Sooner or later, you’re going to hit an oncoming car.' An interesting quote I heard today. Something to bear in mind I think. Turn the car around they say. Easier said than done in my opinion.

2. On a different note, why do I bother to make plans I wonder? Things I had been looking forward to have already gone wrong or are now tinged with concern. People turning up, people not turning up, people saying more than they should, people not saying enough. You know how it is. Nothing ever happens as you hope. You just have to go with it don't you?

3. Obviously with the approaching non-birthday that is happening this year, I have been thinking about the last few years. I was born in the year of the rabbit (sadly not goat) and have been reading up on it. I think this description is pretty accurate.

'The Chinese Rabbit is popular for its warm nature and sensitivity. Vulnerable creatures, they need love and protection to thrive.

As a Rabbit, you feel most comfortable in the hub of a large group of close friends or family. You don't deal well with isolation or loneliness and depend on others for emotional support and validation.

Bunnies are incapable of fighting alone, so tend to bolt if faced with problems or arguments. Sometimes, even minor decision-making can be traumatic for poor Rabbits.

Rabbits have keen senses of smell but this goes beyond the physical - you are extremely sensitive to people and situations and your intuition is seldom wrong. Many Rabbits are also psychically gifted.

The Rabbit is most compatible with the Goat or the Pig.'

Posted by kary at 11:18 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

What a lot of nags there are out there...It always surprises me when I am nagged about the lack of entries here but nagged I am. So for Keith and Nik amongst others...

It has been a while since I have had to make decisions on where to spend my time and being vegetarian it proved quite a challenge. A definite lack of choice for us herbivores means our usually Lollo Rosso brains being turned to iceberg, (soggy iceberg at that) when faced with more than one option. Decisions were nonetheless made, unmade and in true Speckledgoat style - it all went wrong anyway!

However, the week continued to be action packed with another visit from Mark, dinner in an empty but welcoming restaurant, a broken boot and a late night of photos. Awkward, difficult, hard to please Nik also featured, with a fine evening out, impromptu poetry recital and a well travelled bottle of wine :) In addition, Matt, Mary, a sleeping Harry, dvd and yet more wine, along with the usual Wednesday meeting made for a busy little goat. Although I still made time for shopping with a very helpful, if not fussy assistant ;)

Monday was a long day at work today with traffic on the M2 then Bluebell Hill, meetings with the wonderful Mike Waters, the literacy consultant Claire, some talk analysis and a run in with a snail in Reception class, all followed by a Governors training session, very chilly journey home and the warmth and love of the cats. It feels like a very productive day. Not convinced it was though.

This week is just as hectic, with a few things in the diary, followed by a visit to Sheffield with my gorgeous brother, his gorgeous wife and the lovely Brian at the weekend.

I am feeling my age :)

Posted by kary at 11:22 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Well, what an eventful week! Work was its usual busy self, with wonderful children, courses, meetings and a classroom that now has electricity! (hurrah!)

Wednesday was usual evening out with Matt after a very productive day in the classroom. Thursday we were given the news that the study into raising achievement in boys' writing is to be extended. I am very pleased about this as it is really quite interesting. Lots of new ideas to use in class and interesting information about gender differences in the brain (the science bit) Thursday evening I had to cancel my plans with Nik (sorry again for that) as I had a surprise visit from the lovely Mark. (Hello Mark)

Friday saw me acting as superwoman as I managed to get from work, home, into and across London by 7.30pm for Dad's retirement drinks with his work colleagues. It was lovely to see him look so happy, surrounded by friends and family. It was also lovely to meet someone who also knew my grandfather. I was very proud of Dad, Dan and Claire and predictably, I was quite emotional :)

Dan and Claire then very kindly took the 'cousin from the country' out in town. We ended up at an indie club, where, in amongst the normal music from past and present they played 'Maggie May'. It was most peculiar...The Libertines, The Clash, The Smiths, The Thrills...Rod Stewart...Oasis, The Killers... (a high use of determiners I notice :)) He sits oddly in there - but it worked somehow. Much loud music, a night bus and a stroll home via the kebab shop made for a very pleasant extension to an already very pleasant evening. Thank you to all of you.

My good intentions to head back early were thwarted by a very fine breakfast and the prospect of shopping but I eventually made it home and to a very welcome sofa before I have to get up, gym, and then to Dads for birthday celebrations tomorrow.

With visits from Mother and a very kind invitation for a weekend in Sheffield in prospect, along with a few other bits and pieces...suddenly I seem busy! I will be going back to work for a rest!

Posted by kary at 08:50 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

After a long day at work, I headed off to Tesco in search of cat fodder. The weather was rotten; windy, wet and foggy. Driving on an unlit M2 was not the most pleasant of experiences. So I was in need of cheering up.

For you to understand my little tale, I will have to admit that I have a secret passion for trolley surfing. As I amble down the aisles I find a simple skateboarding action makes the whole shopping experience significantly more fun. The sad thing is, half the time I don't even notice myself doing it. Today, as I skidded my way down the cat food aisle from one end, I looked up to see a similarly smiley face surfing his way from the other. A near collision around the Whiskas lead to much merriment on both sides. We continued on our way and every time I came across him he was riding his trolley, just the way I do. Up and down, up and down. I seemed to have significantly greater control of my vehicle however, (It is not true about women drivers you know!) and he laughed at himself each time he had to regain control. I hope whatever made him happy enough to trolley surf his way around the supermarket continues to do so. Thank-you to him for making me smile today.

On a sadder note...What a terrible shame! The famous tree has fallen foul of the weekend weather. It wont be the same without it, even with a replacement :(

Posted by kary at 08:40 PM | Permalink

I suppose I had better do the obligatory 'Happy New Year' post and make the necessary grumblings about resolutions and the like. Having discussed with Anthony (paragraph 4 I believe) my opinion on it being the most ridiculous time of year to make resolutions, he subsequently stole my ideas for his blog, so if you wish to know what I think go look there ;)

But a new year is indeed upon us. Why we think that everything is going to change I don't know. Nothing will, we just get older and more wrinkly that's all. Time just ticks on in its usual way and we all continue to tread on the same paths as the day before.

New Year's Eve itself was spent in good old Essex and was a most pleasant experience. So thank you to all involved there. This was followed by a visit to my dad's where a third Christmas took place, thanks to all at that party too :)

2005 holds little inspiration, it will bring a retirement, two unwanted birthdays, a continuing lack of cash flow, and an increase in gym visits and diets. Aside from that...nothing as yet. Rest assured if anything exciting does happen, I will be unable to resist letting you know. I don't get the chance all that often after all :)

Russell Grant holds out more hope than I do.

Posted by kary at 11:50 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)