The washing machine is on my Bastard List. Why is a wash cycle taking twice its time? Theres nothing more scary than an out-of-control washing machine, except perhaps a zombie or something.



Four quid a week we pay those cowboys to rent this thing. Am I going to let them have it! And as for bloody Laurel and Hardy who plumbed it in ("we didn't bring an instruction mannual") - to think i offered them a cup of tea!



My bad tempered state is nothing to do with me biting a hot mince pie and getting severe toothache . It really isn't. Or the stinking cold i woke up with today. Its quite irrelevent, it really is.

Christmas was super actually. Despite my gloomy disposition. The kids got fantastic presents, WE got fantastic presents, even the Cat got a good one! What i've always secretly wanted tho' is -
a) 200 fags
b) Bailey's
c) Ferro Rocher

I know these are not impossible things but i never get them somehow. Is it so very wrong to hope?

This is a funny time, these in-between days at the last lag of December. The Christmas tree looks a little dusty now and your stomach hangs over your belt from all those chocolates. And your Husband gets on your nerves! He goes to work tomorrow - hooray! I expect he's cheering too in the next room.

On Saturday, took Daughter to the Harrods Sale. Don't ask me why. I don't know what possessed me to go. And the ground floor was brimming with people clutching moutains of boxes that looked a bit dodgy health and safety wise. but we went one floor up to the most unpopular department of all - the Ladies Plus Size bit. Didn't find what i wanted and i got bullied by this glamorous looking girl into buying these Caroline Charles trousers reduced to 50 quid. Why did i get them? This always happens to me in sales. I never get anything i remotely want.

Well, they're a nice colour but when i take them home, i find they are 100% silk. Well, thats no good to me. I can't slob about in Tescos or anywhere in bloody silk trousers can I ! I also have nothing to go with them. Will post a photo of them.

Today, to overcome my washing machine "issues" we went to Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park. (There I am again! In bloody Central London! Why do I keep coming here!). It was a nice German market thing, if a little expensive. But I have to say, the ice rink was really big and impressive. The kids and Husband skated, I didn't. Had a coffee and a fag.

So £43 later , we came out and I went home to bed. I mean really, between Caroline Charles and those bullying Germans, I was cleaned out. That reminds me, i've got work tomorrow - after i've let the washing machine people have it of course. Bastards.

Going to London....

Decided to have a day out of the house yesterday. Thought I'd go - for some ungodly reason - to Harrods. Haven't been there for a long time and it used to be a lovely place near Christmas. Anyway wanted to carry out my Mum's instructions to "treat myself".

What have they done to that place??? Its become so garish! I found this with Selfridges a few months ago, its really all in your face! Bright colours, loud music, its not only young people who visit these places!

Couldn't find a store guide for love nor money. Come back, Debenhams, all is forgiven! It was a bit like Thorpe Park, you have to get a leaflet and map from some desk or another. 7 floors! Couldn't remember it being that big. Went to the Ladieswear department. Ignored the designer stuff, even if i could bring myself to fork out thousands of pounds for some flimsey item, they don't go near my size (size 18). Generally anyway.

Went to the "Plus" department. Their decor was a little more subdued but still had the loud disco music. Saw a super jacket thing - £1400! No way! But then there was a nice two piece, Burnt Lime the colour was called, a mere £200 for the set. Which in Harrods seemed to be a bargain. But i wasn't crazy about it enough to spend all that money on it. I would gladly carry out my mums' wishes and buy something a bit posh but i've really got to like the thing to do it.

Ended up buying a butter dish from their china department. One i could have got in a shop near my mum's, never mind, its got the Harrods price label on it, will keep that on there as a souvenier. And some paper plates for my birthday party in december. But they've got a much better choice in nearby Kingston. Just seemed a shame to come away empty-handed.

Couldn't visit Harrods without going to the Food Hall. So bought this rye bread that weighed more than the butter dish and a seasame pretzil. Got ripped off at the Deli counter with this cheese but then i get ripped off at every deli i go to! But i love to look at their crystalised fruits and that. The things that make Harrods unique.

Talking of that, they don't sell their own fags anymore. They used to taste horrible but you could keep the lovely green packet with the building on the front. But they only do cigars now. Why are they acceptable and fags are not? its still smoking.

Came home exhausted. And had to go to work. 3 people had called in sick and one said their car had broken down and will be there when they can. I was going to use that excuse next friday! bloody hell!

Cooked tangy salmon last night with pine nuts and breadcrumbs. It was rubbish.