Tuesday 31 July 2007

I have had a lovely weekend, spending time at Robert's home, with him, Lucy and Chun. It was a short time as I had other commitments, but really nice. Sunday we met in town and went to a new Burger bar (it used to be the Pit Stop) on Brindley Place at the side of the canal. They cook proper burgers with real beef and have a lot of variations. The meal was so good, I had been hankering for a burger for a few weeks and kept putting it off as I couldn't be bothered to get meat and make one so this was a nice surprise. I am now happy for a few months. The last really good burger I had was last year, about this time, in Hereford, where Stu and I had and Aberdeen Angus beef burger with stilton. I can't believe I'm talking about beef burgers. What a sad life I lead. Yesterday, Rob, Stu, Lucy, Chun and I went to Coventry. We had a lovely day looking at the Cathedrals, new and old and the church nearby. We also went to the excavated Priory and then on to one of Lucy's favourite places, the motor museum, where there are some really interesting sorts of transport from the early days of the motor car up to the present day. But the most important car that I mustn't miss telling you about is the Barbie car which is the reason it's a favourite of Lucy. The two cars which excited me were the ones that broke the land speed record. We went into a simulator and supposedly reached 800 miles per hour. The engines for these two were enormous. If I remember rightly they were as big if not bigger than that of a Jet aeroplane engine. Its really a smashing day out for both adults and children, and the best part is that its free entry. There is a very good shop there though if you really want to spend money and also a cafe. I came home this lunch time after being taken to the lovely French cafe for croissants and cakes by my lovely boy. I stopped off in town to buy fruit and some vegs before finally returning to get ready for Toads tonight. Another new dance to learn and apparently more next week. I really love it. even though it's hard work and the folks are lovely. Must go now night night x x

Tuesday 31 July 2007

Wednesday 18th July 2007

Well here I am again, I've been watching the first two episodes of Heroes. Stuart told me about this series quite a while ago and said that I must not miss it. I am not disappointed. Bbc 2 showed the first two back to back and I can't wait for the next one. If you like some thing strange sort of D.C. comics stuff, you'll like this. Of course the first programme always have to introduce the characters and I am sure they will develop as the series gets going, but tonight was good and there were some gorgeous men in it too. If you missed it I'm sure it will be on replay. I was talking about my childhood years before and about the end of the war when all the country were celebrating. There was a bonfire on what we called the Clamitt. It used to be where there was a mine, but later it was a short cut to Gornal and where my school was. It was very pretty in the summer as the wild flowers had taken it over. But at the time I'm talking about the folks from our area built a gigantic fire and, no Guy Fawkes instead we burnt an effigy of Hitler. It was a time of merriment, but also sadness, as lots of husbands, fathers and grandfathers did not return home. I remember on one special night my mother took me into Dudley just to hear the church bells as they had been silent through the war, and on another occasion they shone searchlights all across the sky and fireworks were let off. There was dancing in the streets and flags every where. We had the biggest Union Jack, which we hung out of our bedroom window the pole was so long it stretched almost the length of mine and Val's little bedroom. It was all great fun to us, ofcourse being young we didn't realise the amount of suffering there had been by both allies and enemies.
p.s. The clamitt is now a large housing estate, so no more wild flowers.

Sunday 22 July 2007

Hello again. I've been busy the last few days so haven't got around to doing any writing. But I must tell you about a couple of books I've been reading.The first was Lollipop Shoes by Joanne Harris, the one who wrote Chocolat. It is the sequel to it and is really worth spending £9.99 (Asda) to buy it as I was hooked. I loved Chocolat but it left a lot unanswered, this book continues and some how finishs the story. But I could be wrong. The only thing is that it has taken her a long time to write this one so I might not be around if she does decide to write a third.
Of course after friday evening the book I started a couple of days ago had to be put aside as I got my seventh Harry Potter saturday morning and although I was pleased to get an unexpected visitor it meant that I couldn't start it till late yesterday. I stayed up till about 3 am. reading it and I have continued today although I have had to put it down as I have given myself eye strain. I only have about another 150 pages to read but I think in the back of my mind I shall be sorry to finish, as I know it is the last one. Never mind I can read them all again. The only thing is that there are so many good books to read I don't know when. While I was standing in the queue at Waterstones to get my reserved book I was looking at a few more new ones that had caught my eye. I suppose I shall be in there later on this week to see what I can get as they have a three for two offer on and I think I know what I shall buy already.

Wednesday 18th July 2007

Just around the end of the war (1939 - 45) we had quite a number of prisoners around where I lived. Mostly Italians but also some Polish and a few Germans. The Italians especially were really nice as some of the could speak English, they were set to mending the roads. When we went to school they would be there along the main road and when we came back home on the afternoon they seemed as though they had just moved a little further. It was rather strange, looking back on it, as I am sure that when they had finished their section that they ripped it up and started again. Or maybe my memory after 60 years is playing tricks, but I'm sure its not. We didn't have many German prisoners but I remember an incident when a young man came to our door and asked for a drink of water, these prisoners were working just along our road, and my grandma told my mother to make him a cup of tea. He was only about 16. He had the tea and went back to work, whereupon my mother said to my grandma, "he was a German". Up till that time my grandma used to say that if she met any German she would run him through , presumably with her carving knife. When mother told her this she cried. She realised then how the young men of the enemy had been taken into service, just as ours had. At the same time there were American forces stationed on the main road at the top of our street. They were billeted in what were called Nissen huts. My godmother, Auntie Annie, who lived next door to us used to take me walks and when we went past they used to come out and make quite a fuss of me, giving me chocolate, which we couldn't get. I think most of them were missing their own children back in the states. It was always very nice to see them and they were so kind. It was sad when they left. They seemed just to vanish, as did the POWs, overnight. I suppose the war was nearly at an end. When V.E. day was declared (victory over Europe) we had a street party, all our mothers made sandwiches and jelly and we kids had games and on the evening someone brought a piano into the street and we all danced and sang songs. A little later on that year V.J. (victory over Japan) day was announced then we had another party. At this time there was a farm next to our street, its now a large housing estate, and Mr. Taylor who was the farmer let us use his field to have the party in. We had games again and food, and a fancy dress parade. I was dressed as an old fashioned lady complete with bonnet and basket and my sister Val who as I have said before couldn't walk, was dressed in a big Union flag in her pram. As is usual on party days, it rained on the afternoon, and mother took us home. The next day someone came and brought two very runny chocolate bars that we had won in the fancy dress competition. I don't know where they had been kept overnight , of course there were no refrigerators for ordinary folks in those days so I suppose they had just been left on someones kitchen table probably near the fire. We still ate it though. I'll tell more next time.

sunday

Well what a day. Our singing in the park was cancelled due to the terrible weather, heaven knows when this rain is ever going to stop, the forecast for the forseeable is rain rain and more rain. This morning I had just cooked myself a lovely breakfast when I had a message to say the do was off so I stuck for something to do with my day. I certainly wasn't going to find work to do on my day of rest ( all my days are days of rest really). So I chose a film to watch from the cable list, well what do you know it didn't want to work so after I had phoned Virgin to tell them about the trouble they gave me another for free so I chose The pursuit of Happiness, well what do you know that one was playing up all through, but I stuck with it because from what I could see and hear it was a great film. I will go out and hire the dvd to watch it properly. In the meantime the repair man is coming tuesday to have a look at my cable box.
People seem interested in my childhood from comments so here I go with a bit more.
School was nothing like it is today. When you went into class you had to sit at desks, they were usually made of what was known as pig iron with a two seats and two lift up lids made of wood fixed to it. Sometimes the desk was fixed with a little shelf underneath and not a lift up lid. The desks were in rows of about six or eight and there would be anything up to eight or so rows. There you sat, no getting up and walking around, you stayed there unless, horror of horrors you were called out to the front of the class. Usually for a telling off or worse THE RULER. Teachers were not worried about hitting in those days. You would get it across your hands or sometimes the backs of your legs if you had really done something wrong. Some teachers hardly ever hit but quite a number seemed to relish it. It wasn't so bad really, perhaps I'm making it out to sound as though it was the dark ages, but we were taught to behave and have respect, and if you did you could get through school okay. The only thing I got in trouble for, and quite often, was talking too much, I really loved school until I passed for the grammar and then my troubles seemed to all come at once. At junior school I excelled but when I got to Rowley regis grammar I found that things got very hard. I hated all the travelling, it was a long way, and in those days very few people had cars so everyone had to bus it there. I had to get two buses and I had quite a wait in between them. Then just after I started I was sent for to have my tonsils out. I'll tell you about that another time.

Saturday evening

I have not been in the mood to write but I suppose I'd better or I shan't start again. Stuart and I went to see the new Harry Potter film yesterday. It was, I think, the best so far. Much darker than the rest, very well directed and acted. I am sorry that there will only be another two films and of course the last book is out in the next week or so and so we will all know the end of the story very soon. We have reserved our books and Waterstones is opening at midnight so we may be there to get ours then, so that we will have the weekend to read it. I have just finished the second book in the Philip Pullman trilogy I liked it better than the first and I am looking forward to the film although I really don't know how they will do it. I'm not sure if they are making just one film or more. I have seen a trailer which looks very good. Of course with actors like Daniel Craig, Oh he's so lovely, and Sam Elliott. Notice I haven't mentioned the girls, It should be okay. Not up to Harry Potter though, although I may have to eat my words when the film comes out. I am still trying to get to see another of my favourites, Die Hard number 4, I don't think two and three were up to the first but some of Stu's friends who have seen it say its the best. We shall have to wait and see about that.
Rob texted me tonight to say he has bought a new computer, Mac of course, no doubt about that. I am looking forward to seeing it, as even though I don't really understand the ins and outs it sounds rather nice. I went to Dudley today, just for a ride really but I needed to get some fruit, and I always think the market is the best place for it, but I also got some things for my beautiful granddaughter Lucy. She is into the Witch dolls at the moment and I know she needed a couple more to complete her set, but surprise surprise I found a third. I'll bet she knows about it though and so it won't be a surprise when she sees it. She's lovely and I adore her. We are performing tomorrow at a park in Tipton, the forecast is rain so I suppose we shall all get soaked but we shall all sing our hearts out and hopefully everyone will enjoy it. I think it's some sort of Asian festival. I went to Kings Heath park last year and some of the Asian ladies there were selling delicious food so I hope there will be some at this one. Got to get to bed soon so I will finish for tonight.

Tuesday July 10th

I have been away for a few days at Roberts to spend some time with him and Lucy and to celebrate Charlotte's birthday.
Stu stayed over at Robs on saturday night and we all went to cafe soya for lunch on sunday. Stu is not well and so after ordering his meal he couldn't eat anything. I am really worried about him as he is having a bad time at the moment, the doctor, who he has seen today, has said he is suffering from stress but I think it's more likely to be depression. I wish things could be better for him, all we, his family, can do is support and love him through his problems and hopefully he will pull through, as long as certain people don't cause him any more upset. He has three people who love him very much and would never hurt him.
I have been to TOADS tonight and we have been rehersing like mad as October doesn't seem that far away and especially as lots of us are taking holidays so we really have to work hard for the next few weeks. We have a show at Tipton park on sunday and hopefully the weather will be kind. It should be fun.
I'm not in the mood for remonissing about the old times so I will leave it here for tonight and maybe do some more writing tomorrow.

Thursday

I had a full day yesterday so I didn't have any time to write. After doing a few jobs around the house I needed to get a couple of things from the local shop so decided to pop and see Mary, a dear friend, as I hadn't seen her since I came back from Scotland, and I had a little gift for her. She was as usual always pleased to see me, and she showed my the renovations that the council were in the process of doing to her kitchen. As always with council workers they had put in her new kitchen cupboards and sink unit also fitting a new floor and then decided to remove tiles from the ceiling wich had been put in years ago by the then tenant, so she is still waiting for it all to be finished. I supposed they will turn up sometime in the next twelve months. What they have done though is very nice and Mary is pleased as her old units were in a state since she had moved into this flat about 14 years ago. While I was there Val phoned and asked me if I would like to have a ride somewhere in her lovely new Corsa so off we went, Mary didn't want to come, and we drove out as far as Bridgenorth and on to Highley where her friend has a caravan. I had a little walk in the woods around the river and Severn valley steam railway while Val stayed in the car because as I have said before Val is not good on her legs needing to walk with elbow crutches. Her friend has been asking Val if she would ask me to name the plants around the caravan and so I went around with pencil and paper writing them all down for her. Now she wants me to go and tidy it up for her, the garden I mean not the caravan which is beautiful. We then drove over to Halfpenny green vineyard for clotted cream and strawberry jam scones and tea. - Yummy. Its a lovely place sitting in the tea room looking out on the vines where you can just see the little grapes starting to swell. We shall be back there later as there are some nice little shops and a garden centre. It really is worth a visit. And I can recommend the wines.
Today Stu and I were going to see Die Hard 4 as it was his day off, but he really wasn't well so I left him to have a rest, and I went to Val's to spend a bit of time with her as it had been nearly three weeks,till yesterday since I had seen her, and we had a lot to catch up on. I came home for tea as she was going to her slimming club. Heaven knows why as she can hardly be called fat at size 12. but thats her affair. I shall have to try and get back to my early years next time, but I might be going to Robert's for a few days, so I don't know when that will be.

Tuesday July 3rd

I have just got back from TOADS exhausted. We have been rehersing as usual and learning new numbers and dance routines. It is a great night out and I really enjoy going. The weekend was a bit traumatic but things are now a little better. I went to Erdington today to see Stu's new shop. It has a very impressive frontage right in the middle of the town, I've never been to this town before but I think I might go back and have a better look as I didn't have much time today.
Shall I talk a bit more about the early years ?
Well as I have already said my sister Val was born rather early and rather tiny, and when she was about two she still couldn't walk. So my grandmother paid £5. a very large sum of money in those days, probably about a weeks wages, for Val to see a orthopaedic specialist, who promptly had her into hospital for the first of about twelve operations and she was put into plaster and when that came off into leg irons. These she had to wear, in between operations, for the next twelve years of her life. She started school but was very often away due to all the hospital visits. I liked school when I first started. I had always wanted to read and write and couldn't wait to get my reading books. Not like todays we weren't given books to bring home. I think it was because there were never enough to go round, we had to share. When I went into the junior school and was allowed to pick a book to read and bring home I picked the biggest one on the shelf. It happened to be Heidi which today is still one of my all time childrens favorite book. In fact thinking about it I shall find it out - oh yes I still have a copy - and give it to my lovely grand daughter Lucy for when she is able to read it. Then it was scholarship time when I was ten. We were taken to another school a long way from mine, well a bus ride, and we all had to sit in a school hall with other children from other schools, I can't remember how many there were, as time has dimmed my memory but it must have been about a hundred, and were given lots of exam papers to do one after the other. Then they gave us lunch and then we had to go back and do some more. All in one day. I passed. So it was off to Grammar school for me. tomorrow I will write so more.So goodnight for now.

Sunday

Disturbing things have been happening which I would love to write about but I do not think they are appropriate. Needless to say I haven't written since Thursday. All I will say is that I am appalled as to the extent some people will go to to hurt and upset peoples lives. People who have tried to help and be kind to them. I hope these people will realise they have not only destroyed our faith in them but have lost themselves good friends. This comment is in no way anything to do with the attempted terrorist activities that have gone on in the last few days in this country.
I have been watching Jekyll again and it gets more complex and exciting as the series goes on. I can't say much more about this or Dr. Who, which finished it's present run last night, in case some viewers have not yet seen these programmes. Except to say Dr. Who, wow wow, please hurry back and that I hope there will be another series of Jekyll.
I went to the hospital on Friday about my vocal chords, it was just a preliminary chat with advice before my first one to one with another therapist. It was interesting but there wasn't much that I did not already know. Yesterday was the last swimming lesson for this term. Roger, the instructor, was very pleased with me as I swan half a width on my front, thats my weakest as I don't seem to be able to breathe properly to get any further. I don't have any trouble swimming on my back but I do find it very tiring.
I have been quite lazy today as I did not get much sleep last night the only important thing I have done today is make a few phone calls and prepared myself a little food if you can call these things important. I did speak to Stu a few times which I think is important. I am going to watch Kill Bill 2 a little later as I saw the first film a few months ago and really want to find out what happens as it must carry on from the first - I hope.
I will try and get back to my childhood tomorrow, but I have to be in the mood.
On thing I want to say about today is that it would have been our, mine and Erics, 46th wedding anniversary. Oh how I miss him. Love you my darling.