Crash n Donna

Diary of the wife of a man on Diazepam (sort of)

2010-11-05T14:36:00.003Z

Ok, so he's not on Diazepam now, but that's how I started out in response to Andy starting and sharing his diary, first with me, now with you.

I'm not ready to share the whole detail of my diary on tinterweb. I'm proud of Andy for sharing what he's going through, I'm just sad that he can't talk about it as it's happening.

I'm in a lonely place. I feel like I've lost my best friend. He's still here, but I can't tell him the drivel going through my mind or go out and get plastered with him. I'm worried about him, I'm worried what it's doing to us, I'm worried he's going to stay like this. I don't understand why everything's getting to him now. I'm not talking to him about how worried I am as I don't want to make him more anxious. Now I'm worried that sharing this much on here will give him more to worry about!

If anyone can point me to some good sources of information so that I can try and understand and help I'd be very grateful. I've never suffered any ill mental health myself and I'm not a tolerant or patient person. I grew up in a culture of "just pull yourself together, you can do it" type encouragement and it worked for me, so I struggle to understand what Andy is going through and what other friends have too.

Please tell me what to read so that I can try and understand (but make it quite short as I don't have a great attention span!!)

Oh it's 3am I might as well get up...

2010-11-05T03:46:00.002Z

I knew at 11pm when we went to bed that it was going to be a bad one. I should take the washing to bed with me at night the times I turn over I'm better than a tumble drier.

I had alsorts on my mind.

The treasure that I want to go and bid on today.

I was worrying at one point about overtime and the fact that I hate doing the second night off as an overtime shift because you do two nights normal shift then get a night in bed then you are up all night again... Firstly I've been signed off work for a few weeks and secondly I don't do overtime so WTF am I worrying about?

I talked to a fella yesterday who admitted to me after I told him what was going on in my head that he's had a really shitty couple of years. Work isn't as good as it was and he's getting closer to 50 and this and that, he said that it's mad because people see him in the pub and he's all laughing and joking but they've no idea how he really feels inside. He said he's had anger issues and lashed put when he shouldn't. Nobody knows sometimes until its too late like with poor Dickie.

There were other things worrying me enough to keep me awake but they were so unimportant that now sitting here with a cup of tea I can't even remember them.

I think the biggest thing is right now all I need is to plan one thing and that's it I can't sleep, Monday was the Doctors, Friday the drive to Southport, today treasure hunting. If I was supposed to be going to work I'd of been awake all night worrying about that.

Now Dyl's been up twice and we think he has the bug that kept G off school on Wednesday even if I was to go back to bed I'd be awake everytime he moved incase he was being sick, so I might as well give up on sleep tonight and have another cup of tea.

Anyone know a good insomnia chatroom? I've heard they're the place to be at this time.

Chicken Oriental...

2010-11-03T07:15:00.003Z

Hey hey hey it's been a while but I just thought I'd share what shit has been going on in my head. You never know Donna might even pop along and reveal her diary of living with a man on diazepam...

21/10/2010 - Diary of a man on diazepam

Nearly cried at the radio because somebody annoyed me so much about family allowance. Went home and took another tablet and slept for a couple of hours.

Bad nights sleep even though I took a tablet just before sleep. Thinking about dickie but the funeral is getting closer.

Told Donna when she got up and cried.

Enjoyed just siting in a cafe with a book I'd just bought. Wondered if my grandad was in it.

22/10/2010 - Funeral day.

Last night I took a diazepam and a sleeping tablet to get me through. It did the trick and I only woke up just before the alarm at 6,38

Went to make a cuppa and cried. Looked at Facebook and cried. Had a shave and cried. Think I need a diazepam with my cup of tea.

Got through the day with my chemical help. His parents told us they had no idea he was so popular. They were amazed at the turn out. When at home he would stay in bed and told them nobody liked him. At work he was well loved as it shows in the book and the collection.

A very sad day but a lot a truth came out with the alcohol. I now need to think do I want to change shift or not. If I do I can start again if not I carry on with some of what put me in this mental state in the first place.

23/10/2010

Saturday morning. Taken a tablet before even getting up. Today is the first day that most of us feel will be day one of getting over dickie.

Going to do my best to stay calm with whatever the boys do.

24/10/2010

Awake at 6am I had a tablet at bedtime, that chills me right out for sleeping. When I woke I started thinking about dropping the tablets down to just one at night. I'm so tense now, my stomach is in knots. I don't want to get angry or upset. Yesterday on a very long walk with my dog I got tearful about the lyrics of a song about a man and woman. It had nothing to do with the relationship we all had with Dickie.

I'm struggling with the fact that he could have been so unhappy inside and we were all too wrapped up with ourselves to know.

25/10/2010

Another morning awake at 6am. This time I'm worrying about my allotment. That's another bit of stress I need to get out of my life. I used to enjoy it now I think of it as a chore.

Last night before bed I started to get angry over nothing. The tv was too loud. The boys were still up (they haven't. Got any school this week.) I took a tablet .

I watched an advert about "kalms" and wondered if they would help when the diazepam runs out.

It is nice not having any anger or stress. I might be spaced out part of the time but it beats getting pissed off with the world.

I hardly even think about sex at the moment. Now THAT is worrying!

26/10/2010

6 o clock again. Am I now worrying that Donna won't get up in time? I think I might have to take a chill pill soon. Ive got loads going on, does Ben need ice blocks for his non working fridge. How are my items doing on. eBay. Should I clean that Victorian photograph of men with moustaches or leave it to an expert? All this shit should just take a moment out of my life, not leave me tense and screwed up inside.

My dog is loving me being off work for all the long walks where I just go for a wander. Woodbridge today I think.

26/10/2010 (later)

Morecroft debt recovery limited. Those wankers know they've been dealing with payplan for 6 years now they threaten court. I've had a tablet an hour ago but im shaking. I told them about my medication and if they continue harassing me I'll just go bankrupt .

Do they know I'm at my lowest and thought right let's kick him while he's down?

I thought things were on the up.

27/10/2010

Today I am not going to let it get to me the fact that I couldn't put a photo onto a forum. Ive just closed it and walked away.

I had made plans with Ben for him to take me up to southport in his truck. I know the haulage trade and know you can't make any plans, this didn't stop me breaking down when he rang to Say his delivery had changed. I then got it into my head that I was going to hitch hike to southport. I hadn't thought it through but got changed put my boots on and got Donna to drop me at Copdock. I shouldn't of walked away when I upset my wife but all I could think was southport . During the hour I stood with my thumb out I came to my senses and called to say I was coming home.

I think some people are worried that I'm going to harm myself in some way but that couldn't be further away in my mind. I want to continue having the wonderful life I had before I gave in to this stress. I've got the most supportive wife anyone could hope for.

Donna suggested today that the death of Dickie could’ve unlocked the guilt about leaving my kids, that has always been there but I might of just been keeping a lid on it.

28/10/2010

Today is going to be a better day! As normal now I was awake at 5.37 I couldn't get back to sleep, the biggest thing going through my head at that time was should I start taking a sleeping tablet instead of my diazepam at night but last week I took both and still woke around 6.30

I hope that seeing my kids at the weekend is going to make me feel a lot better, either that or somebody will end up saying something nasty again and send me off on one. I will be carrying my tablets very close at the weekend. I've already decided that Friday afternoon traffic on the m6 isn't even going to get to me!

I couldn't do want I wanted to do today, I was exhausted I had to have a sleep on the sofa.

My dog is coming to southport with us because Donna thought having someone else looking after her would be more stressful than having her with us.

29/10/2010

Brilliant, 2,30am and wide awake. I cant think why I'm awake i took a happy pill at bedtime to see me through the night, I'm not lying here thinking I've got this and that to do I'm just lying here!

Think I'll go and get a brew,

I don't remember most of the journey to Southport I was so tired.

It was lovely to see half of my children, even Sophie who hasn't talked since September.

30/10/2010

I want sure about taking a Tablet at bedtime because I was so tired. I took it and think it helped me sleep through the. Night either that or being relaxed from seeing my kids after so long, having my wife and dog with me also helped.

I've just come in from a walk round the park across the road from my daughters flat , nothing couldve been better sun shining crisp autumnal morning a few squirrels to chase and Frank Sinatra on the iPod. I think the tablet was still kicking in!

31/10/2010

Sunday evening. Today I've tried to go without a tablet. We have just got in from seeing my kids. I didn't take one in case Donna needed a hand driving back after a tiring weekend. I drove for a while and all the other drivers got to me straight away, the middle lane drivers, people not indicating etc I was so screwed up straight away.

I've been close to tears a few times today. I think that is mostly to do with having a lovely weekend. I feel stupid because I even got emotional about a song on x factor!

I am going to have a tablet at bedtime to hopefully get a good nights sleep and not spend hours thinking about my appointment ..

Just to bring you up to date a little I've changed the drugs and I'm now taking an anti depressant. I'll post about that in a few days...

Today is brought to you by the letter B ...

2010-07-14T12:03:00.002+01:00

Having finally gotten my iPhone working in the car again (after upgrading my iphone to ios4), I was very pleased to be able to listen to my own toons rather than the baying buffoon that is Graham Norton.

We started off with The Beach Boys, and then went on to The Beatles (x4). I began to wonder ... are we playing alphabetically? Next was Barry White. Still in the Bs but not alphabetically correct, on to Big Star then Belle & Sebastian. I have to say many of my favourites are by artists beginning with B so I was thinking that a higher power was making my day shiney.

I arrived at work and investigated. Some time ago, I started a favourites list. I'd only got as far as B, so there wasn't a greater power at work after all.

I might start a new favourites list of artists beginning with C tomorrow. Carpenters?

Bluebottle

2010-02-25T14:57:00.001Z

Bluebottle, originally uploaded by Crash n Donna.

You don't half get some big ugly flies in London. I can't get rid of this one...
So anyway having fun argueing with people about industrial action and getting tattooed, thats what life has been throwing at me in last few days. I've got three more sessions booked with Mirek Vel Stotker over the next few months then I'll have two sleeved arms.
I can't remember when I blogged lat but we had a lovely few days with Sam and El Freako when they visited. Nobody reminded us that it was his birthday the day after he left. Honest we'd of baked you a cake... I know you wouldn't of been able to eat it because of a, you don't eat between the hours of.... b, there would of been an ingredient that you can't eat. c, I'd love to but.... d, you're a freak!
Dita is with her boyfriend again. She's just teasing him. Soon as he thinks she's giving off the right signals she growls at him and he backs off. I think if she doesn't get pregnant this time that'll be the end of our breeding program and she'll have to go out to work to fund her keep.
We're off to Northwich on Sunday night for a fund raising event with Myth our tattooist friend. He's off to some mountain in a far off land somewhere and he wants us to pay for him to do it.... We're only going to see if we've won a day of tattooing with Bez!
Right pasta bake ready in fridge and boys need picking up from school before I leave them home alone and slink off to the pub.

Evil veggies...

2010-02-07T06:34:00.002Z

We're off to see the spectronator very soon. I've been awake since 5 am. It hasn't taken long to finish my sleeve, only 2 years and 2 months! Photos to follow.

Dig Forest dig...

2010-01-31T12:17:00.002Z

For the first time in ages I went down t'lottie yesterday. Well I had been down to collect my seed spuds but hadn't stayed on Wednesday. I had seen how much work I need to do with most of the plot covered with a layer or weed.

After an hour or so I was made up with my efforts. I hardly stopped in the time I was there. No sitting down for a coffee and a smoke. Amazing what a difference a couple of weeks without smoking makes on your fitness.

Other news... Kim and Barry came back for a few days so we spent Friday evening with them in The Dove. Donna and Barry didn't fall out!

Saturday evening it was time to go back to The Dove for Dom's 40th birthday party. We had a really good time with some fun friends. If anyone finds their cameras or phones that were lost last night I might get to see the photos.

I think today is a day of chillin before Donna starts her new job tomorrow, I've already had a good walk round Christchurch park with the little doggie and Donna has been to fat fighters...

it's not Donna it's from me Crash... She's obsessed with facebook and won't blog anymore...

2010-01-19T05:40:00.002Z

Before I get the text telling me to blog and because I've been up since 4am coughing I thought I'd blog.
I got the lurgy from my good lady at the end of last week. It starts with a very sore throat and headache then gets a little better then comes back and hits you when you're down. I'm in the getting hit when down phase now.
Right so in between the getting hit and sore throat we visited Southport. We left when Donna got home from work and the boys back from school. I was expecting tailbacks everywhere and the trip to take us 8 hours, double our normal journey. It didn't so that was a result. El Freako's car is off the road with some sort of engine management problem but he still wouldn't come out with us. He was left to play Buzz with the boys, PS3 and Wii, we went to the Brick. The bouncers don't like my shoes! Southport is still one of those places that insist on lads/men wearing shoes when they go out. No trainers policy rules! Personally I can't see the point of it. If a chavvy scumbag wants a fight then the fact he has a pair of shoes on isn't going to stop him. Neither is the fact that he has his brand new up to the minute in fashion trainers. But it makes the bouncers (sorry door staff or whatever the correct PC term is for the little Hitlers today.) feel like they've saved the world from total wipe out by stopping any ones freedom of expression... Anyhoo I'm off on a little rant so back to the blog... When we got past Adolf we found out that The Scarisbrick was holding a beer festival. What a result. We enjoyed 5 or 6 different dark ales and also picked up the latest copy of "Ale and Hearty" the local Camra mag. On the front cover was a shop now open in Southport called "The Inn beer shop" 270 different beers from around the world... Where were we going to go on Saturday I hear you ask... So back to the Brick and the fact that I always forget until I return how conventional Southport is. We were sat at the bar, it was busy with little space for people to get served. I saw this oldish man heading in our direction, he stood a few feet back took a look at Donna and shook his head. This week Donna has only got a streak of pink in her hair but even that was too much for Southport. Blue rinse is acceptable pink streaks are not. He'd also clocked the tattoo so I'm not sure which one he was shaking his head at tattoo or pink. He then had to touch Donna's tattoo. I've had this done a couple of times by very drunk ladies in the pub and if you're more sober than them you really don't want it but something gives people the right to touch when they've had a pint. If you're wondering it doesn't feel any different to non tattooed skin. So he rambled on for a bit then a few minutes later old drunk slapper comes over. She was telling Donna how great Donna is and how great it is that Donna has the balls to have pink in her hair and blah blah blah... If it's so great go home and wash your minging hair and put some colour in it... But as always we just nod and smile and think I wish he/she would piss off so we can have a nice time with my daughter.
So we get all the gossip and Natty Nu Nu blows us out so we head back to the flat. El Freako has taken himself off to bed( I think he wasn't happy because he didn't win at Buzz) and we organise the beds for us and the boys. It's a bit of a squeeze but Dyl likes sleeping in the kitchen!

When we get organised on Saturday I make everyone go over to the park so I can take some portraits of them on one of my newest old cameras. I'll have to upload the photos when I finish the film and get it developed. We then go to The Swan chippy for dinner. You can't beat a plate full of fish chips n peas with bread n butter and a cuppa on the side. Better still is that we are t'up North where they're civilised enough to take the skin off the fish so you can eat it all. I always do anyway but I know lots of people that won't. So when we leave some of our party hear comments like "Well that was a different family wasn't it." FOR CHRIST'S SAKE IT'S A BIT OF PINK IN HER HAIR AND I'VE GOT A TRILBY ON... Even the fish fryer must of had the nod because he popped his head out of the kitchen door on our way past.
We had a little mooch around town and I told my daughters that it must be them that people are looking at. Don't tell her but I think it's Sam's roots showing that is getting us noticed... We then pop down to the shop from the front cover of the beer mag. We need one of these closer to home. I'm going to show the article to Adi The Dove landlord and see if I can plant a seed... £18 worse off I go for the car and we chill at Sam n Robzies place for the night.

Sunday Sam has to work and we pack and leave for Tattoo Freeze in Telford. It's the first time this show has been put on. We thought the boys might like it too because not only were there tattoo artists but they had roller derby, BMX, skateboards and custom cars and bikes, along with art shows and a photography competition. All in all a good day but I was feeling shitty again and everybody had work the next day so at 4ish we headed off home.

Have a look at Flickr for our photos of the weekend and I'll put the portraits up soon as I get them back.

Blog. Blog. Blog. Blog. Blog. Blog. Blog. Blog.

2010-01-07T12:19:00.003Z

I'm always getting told off by somebody that doesn't even have a blog to do more blog posts... Facebook seems to of taken the place of blogging these days. The only down side to that is that if you are as popular as me and have soooo many friends, you get so many status updates you sometimes miss the important ones when they get pushed out of the way by people playing bloody farmville or bejeweled blitz or whatever stooopid game they play.
So I'll sit here anyway and stuff the last of the Christmas cookies and sweets into my already slightly above perfect fighting weight belly and think of something to say...
The Christmas sales were a blinkin expensive time for us. I wanted and needed a new bed. My sleep is bad enough without not being comfortable. So off we went. I'd looked on t'internet at prices and spring count and all that jazz, we went to a local bed manufacturer and let him talk us into the 2nd most expensive bed in the warehouse. He said it might be 2nd most expensive but it's the best bed they make. They only do the more expensive one for people that look on t'internet and find beds with 6,000,000 springs and say that's what they want. Otherwise if people do listen to him he'll tell you the best and save you a little bit of money. Soon as we ordered it I've hardly been able to sleep. It's like our bed got more and more uncumfy by the minute. I can't wait for Friday morning when the local furniture project come and take Dyl's bunkbeds and our double matress away and bring a new matress for George (he's having our bed) and our new one arrives. So we've had a mammouth bed moving session with everyone getting something different. I'm just going to go to bed Friday afternoon and not get up till I have to go to work on Sat morning.

The other slightly expensive thing we bought is our new kar! I say kar coz that's going to go on the plate. We've got the BUS now we're having HU51 Kar. It's going on our new Fiat 500. We'll it is pre registered, it had a whole 11 miles on the clock when Donna took it for a test drive and broke it! It came back stinking of burning and we stil bought it... They've promised that they have fixed it, it didn't break when I drove it a few days later.
It has brought back memories of the 500 my Dad had with the engine in the back which on a long journey made the back seats very hot. I can remember it being in the garage a lot of the time with my Dad filling it and rubbing it down ready to repaint... I do hope they are better now!

The trip to school was slow this morning in "The big freeze" I bet Mr Pringle is laughing at us over here... "They don't know what snow is blah blah blah..."
Our schools never closed in bad weather. We still had outside toilets when I was at primary school in Halton. We were also allowed to go outside at break and throw balls of snow at each other or even heaven forbid we made really slippy bits of snow and all skidded along it. You'd most probably get arrested for doing that these days. So I'll be making the trip back very soon because the little darlings are getting sent home early. I've no idea why. It's not even snowing now.
I think I'll become a teacher because at the dock over the last couple of days very little work has been done but last night they were good enough to let the blokes go at 4.30am after sitting in the messrooms from 7pm. Happy Christmas Mr Scrooge! The shift before they let everyone go at the same time and in the rush I've heard there was a 20 car shunt in the carpark!

Last thing before the school run... I got the pink beast back a while ago with yet another piston in it. I also had a new big carb fitted. The scooter only lasted a few miles before I couldn't get it to start one morning. Wattsie came round a week or so later to look at it and took the carb apart. He found that the float was split and full of petrol so it wasn't doing what it says on the can it was sinking and flooding the engine. When he put a new float in he got it started, then turned it off to check the plug again. When he tried to start it again it wouldn't go. He kicked and kicked it, then took the carb apart again. He said it's dry what's up there, then checked the fuel tank... Oh how I laughed when he found it was empty.... I said a good mechanic would of checked that first... He wasn't impressed!

Right off to put the chains on the tyres and find my snow shoes. I'm going out and I may be some time.

Sophie and Dita

2010-01-03T12:09:00.001Z

Sophie and Dita, originally uploaded by Crash n Donna.

Just scanned this, this morning. I've been looking forward to getting this film back. Couple of lovely shots on this film, just have a look at our Flickr.
Camera bought for £5 at auctions. Halina A1. Expired film, out of date Sept 2007.

Beer fest...

2009-11-27T04:10:00.000Z

Well I survived! I managed to keep to the halves all afternoon.My top beers were http://www.brentwoodbrewing.co.uk/regular_beers_25.html Marvellous maple mild. I'd like this to be on tap more often. A good session ale.The Black Jack Porter is a winner. http://www.cliffquay.co.uk/ They need to get this beer bottled and sold nationwide. Donna is a lager drinker but was on this and the Marvelous maple all afternoon. I might finally of turned her into a proper beer drinker. http://www.fyneales.com/ccsfiles/beervitalspark.php I hadn't even looked at this one before I went but a friend gave me a sip. I had to go back for more. I found that it had a taste of grapefruit but it didn't mention that in the notes.I started off buying 2 halves of http://www.burtonbridgebrewery.co.uk/Bridge/Beers/Bramble.shtml only because my dog was involved in helping to knock over a drinking buddies beer! First sip I wasn't impressed but once I got into it I was telling others to try it.I finished off with http://www.miltonbrewery.co.uk/beers/marcus-aurelius.html 7.5% by this time I didn't even notice the underlying vanilla richness. but I had been there for 6 hours. I do remember it was velvety though.Let me know if you try any of these and what you think.

Blimey days 8 years...

2009-11-11T13:38:00.002Z

It was 8 years ago today when my life turned upside down. We met in the Lambretta club of GB chatroom and it went from there. We've had loads more up's than down's well in my opionion anyway.
The thing with boring night shifts is that you get far too much time to think about things. There isn't a day go by when I don't think about the impact my decision had on my children but after hearing yesterday about one of my workmates going to see a specialist after the local hospital couldn't find anything wrong only to be told he has days to live you start to think as my tattoo says you're a long time dead.
Well this was going to be a long post but I think I've said in two paragraphs what I wanted to say. I'll just add if I'd got the same news I could honestly say I've had a scream, thanks to everyone that makes life so much fun for me. Xxx
Oh and I never did get that Lambretta on the road!

This is the news I've been waiting for.

2009-11-10T11:21:00.003Z

Pass me the pies.

In the world of urban explorations that was what's known as an epic fail...

2009-11-03T15:42:00.002Z

I've been trying to get my camera geek buddy out for a few weeks to take some snaps. When I was on the train to London the other week I went past a site that looked like it would be good to go and explore. I sent him a text and we got together today. We had plan A the site near the railway, we might still go to do that one. Or plan B HMS Ganges at Shotley. We decided on plan B. When we got to Ganges we were surprised to see the gates open. We drove through and found it was fenced off all the way from the gates down to the marina. 8' high and all bolted together. Behind the fence was a white BMW which we took as being the security mans car. So we turned round at the bottom and headed back to the gate to park and have a mooch around. We found one bit of fence that looked promising, I got stuck and nearly ripped my coat on the barbed wire. Try again. After getting back to the car we drove toward another bit of the perimiter fence. This had a track running alone side it. We tried another couple of times to get in only to get to the other side and find no way through the undergrowth. A little bit further and we were in.
First we found the bar but it wasn't looking good without a ladder or crow bar. We weren't going to do any damage just get in where others had done in the past. After giving up on the bar we went in search of the swimming pool. or the dorms or anything we could get in.
Well we enjoyed our couple of hours looking at where proper urbex guys would of got through and decided it was time for some dry clothes and a cup of cocoa. We did manage to get into two storerooms, so the day wasn't really wasted...
I'm off to find a website and be a couch urban explorer.

Death star pumpkin

2009-11-02T16:36:00.001Z

Death star pumpkin, originally uploaded by Crash n Donna.

I got told off again last night... Bad bloggers.

Well I had a lovely time in London with Sophie last Tuesday, our trips to London never go quite to plan. Started off well but got to Natural history museum and saw the queue stretching right round the building and thought sod the dinosaurs lets do plan B... Off we went to the V&A to see Vivian Westwood's shoes. they weren't there but we did see some huge casts, some photos and a crackin 70's suit in an orange colour.
We did speed viewing of portraits in the national gallery and a wander round the lions in the square. Food was crap at Planet Hollywood but we paid with vouchers so it wasn't too painful.
We wandered down Carnaby street and Oxford street but best of all was just spending time with my littlest girl.

Wednesday we took years of saved up pennies and 2's to the amusements at Felixstowe and had a walk down the prom with our little doggie. I was using a 1960's camera when a couple stoped and told me all about the photos he'd taken with the same camera. It's good to talk!

Thursday was spent mostly carving a death star, 8-9 hours of work went into that. We managed to get a table at Pizza Express in the evening after Pretso said they were full, then back to finish off the star.

Friday we had an early start dropping the boys off at Dads then onto Birmingham with Sophie to catch her train back t'up North.
We then went to Wales to visit Mum, Dad had booked a weekend away. We must of passed as he went to Birmingham we came out. It wasn't until we got to Elan and the new house that we were told about the local pub burning down a year before... I wonder why they kept that quiet... The new house is beautiful but I can't understand why they don't just retire and enjoy their time together. Don't worry about leaving property for your off spring, I won't be leaving anything for mine... Well maybe enough for a party!

Saturday morning and we headed off to Swansea for JR and Miss Chrlies wedding. See flickr for all the photos. A great day with good friends and who else gives a death star for a wedding present? Well that and a few 2 pint take out cartons...

Promise to try to blog more daughter...

Piston

2009-10-02T17:15:00.001+01:00

Piston, originally uploaded by Crash n Donna.

I was trying to tell Mum on the phone about what I'm going to do with the stencil I was making, but had to go and let Donna into the garage.
I'm going to spray 5 of these on my scooter to mark the passing of £100's on new pistons through thrashing the pink beast. I'll post of photo of the scooter tomorrow.

44...

2009-10-01T11:53:00.000+01:00

I’ve been doing a lot of thinking on this day of celebrating my birth.
My earliest memories are walking to a chemist in Leeds with Mum and looking into the counter at the end of the shop and lusting after a Mars bar(remember when Mars had the thickest chocolate on the top and were much bigger) and seeing Polo mints for 2p a packet.
Getting taken for a walk with a neighbour and her poodle in Roundhey Park? Leeds only to get home and Mum was in bed with a baby. The lady that took us for the walk wouldn’t say why we had to go to the park and wouldn’t push me high enough on the swings.
Getting pulled out of a nursery school classroom by the ear by the teacher for putting conkers in my pocket. They were the most beautiful things I’d ever seen, so smooth and shiney, the patterns were amazing, I wanted to take them home from school and look at them forever.
Getting taken to a Roman Catholic Church in Leeds not wanting to sing and then being amazed when two teenage girls came in and the Father stopped whatever boring rubbish he was doing turning round and shouting at the girls for coming in late. I thought I’d never want to go there again.
Having a nightmare one night when again it goes back to the RC Church we were sent to an RC school run by evil Nuns my nightmare was that I went to the toilet and I was the only boy that still pulled my trousers down to pee all the other boys laughed because they all pulled their winkies out from the bottom of their shorts. How could they ever expect me to believe that God is all things good when his reps weren’t the nicest people on earth?
Having the best junior school in the world when we moved from the leaky old building with outside toilets to the new school and getting Miss Caunce as my teacher in Halton, Runcorn Cheshire. Also having the best time in the world when we were on holidays messing about in the woods and fields and even better still building sites. What a place to play! Kids miss out on so much these days. It never did us any harm… Well apart from my brother getting the top of his finger chopped off when a piece of concrete that we were playing in moved!
Holidays in Tenby and Nanas extra thin bread, Grandads Vespa to sit on in the garage and play. Being able to climb on ruined castles without people worrying that if you fell you’d sue their arses off.
Not enjoying school in Richmond but enjoying working with my Dad when the shop was shut or out in the delivery area when it was open.
Thanking the Gods when my Dad asked his record department manager if he could listen to some of that Punk music that was new on the scene and bringing home “In the city” by The Jam. Dad didn’t think much of it… I was hooked.
Overnight becoming a Punk and not knowing that Mum knew I took the dog’s collar!
Overnight turning into a MOD.
Going on my first scooter rally, well I was there when by chance it was the same weekend as a scooter rally in Keswick Cumbria. I was amazed at all the bikes. I wanted one so much.
Starting my love affair with beer.
Overnight ditching the parka and becoming a scooterboy.
Thinking that my girlfriend (Tracey) was pregnant at 15 and thinking I would take care of it. He/she would have been nearly 30 now! She wasn’t but I’d really wanted her to be.
Having friends like Mick Cain and knowing now that if I saw him today we’d still be friends and not bother about not hearing from each other for 10 years+
Now we get to what seems like yesterday and the birth of my crackin kids. Fighting back the tears when I rang Mum & Dad to say it’s a boy.
The day Sam turned from Mummies girl into Daddies girl when Sharon started work.
Katie never getting moody or falling out with me.
Getting the call to go straight home from my newspaper job because Sophie was on her way, I finished my round went back to the yard and sorted some papers and mags out for myself and having the manager saying “Fuck me if this doesn’t get you moving I never will!” You didn’t come out for ages Sophie, no need to rush!
Meeting Donna and my life never being the same again. Regaining my youth and starting my mid life crisis tour of the world and seaside towns for rallies.

All this and never once did I think I’d ever get to the age of 44. Never once have I acted my age. When I was 15-16 getting asked what I thought I wanted to do with my life and not knowing the answer.
Well I’ve got this far without knowing and I’ve had a damned good laugh, so I think I’ll just carry on and bugger what they think.
Viva La Revolution and mine’s a pint of Mild.

Working for a living...

2009-09-30T11:13:00.003+01:00

I was offered the chance to have a day working as a stevedore or as we call them berth op. One of the safety office people thought it would be good for the union to have first hand knowledge of a little part of their work routine. At first I thought bugger that I'm not working for a living! Then I thought no conquer your fears and have a go. So I did. Luckily doing this got me off doing a full night shift but did mean getting to work for 11.30. When I got there I went to the stores for overalls then to the union office to meet up.
The day started with a little safety talk and a slide show. I'd always thought that on board these vessels it was spotless and in tip top working order. How wrong was I, most of the vessels especially if they've been working on routes in the third world are rust buckets and not in the least bit safe. Non existent walkways, safety railings rusted and missing, pieces of 4"x2" used for leaning out on to fasten lashing bars. The list goes on.
Anyway after a bit of a chat about this and other things we had a quick practice at the training area then onto the quay. We were taken then to the biggest vessel on the quay, and one of the better ones. I took one look at how high it was from the quay and thought right get on with it. Don't even think about the height. Going up the gangplank was fine, it was climbing about 25' straight up a ladder onto one of the working platforms that I wasn't too sure about... 3/4 of the way up I thought I don't like this. I was glad when I got to the top and the guy I was working with (another union bod) was even worse than me. He wouldn't let go of the hand rails. After doing a couple of bits of lashing I took a walk over to the far side of the boat. Bloody hell it was a long way down to the river!
After the good boat we took a drive down the quay to a crappy one. What a difference. limited workspace, crap conditions, dirty,smelly again the list goes on.
I was up for doing a bit more and seeing more of sea side working but our safety man had other things to do so it was back to the union office for me.
I've got a lot more respect for the stevedores now that I know what they have to put up with. But working for a living... Give me back my tug!

Big box little box... Bangin yeah...

2009-09-21T10:24:00.002+01:00

I'm going to keep going back to my Facebook page for the blog. I updated my progress every half hour.

I'll be cuttin some shapes on the dancefloor in Sunny Southport friday night.... That was Thursday night when I was packing at the time I thought Sam was working till 8pm on Friday and had a shift to do on Saturday morning. I thought she would miss the meal and we'd be in bed by midnight... How wrong was I...

Boys dropped on way to southpoer... What it says on the tin only while I was driving I couldn't get the phone to accept Southport.

20 miles to m6 and I need a wee... I shouldn't of had that extra cup of tea before leaving.

Services 3 miles...

....3....2 ..1... I made it!

Made it to southport in just over 4 hours not bad for a Friday. Must of been inbetween rush hours . Now in McDonald's with katie... Katie finished a few minutes early from college but I was running on fumes so a quick stop at Tesco for diesel then into town a Mucky D's coffee and then I dropped Katie at Vue cinema for an interview. She's one of their best customers.

Katie just touched the monkey... she's skip gay! That should of said soooo but bloody predictive text... When we went to St Ives Donna found some Monkey car air freshners, when Mark drove us up to Jimmy's farm for the festival he was trying to get George to touch the Monkey.. Apparently it makes you gay if you touch the monkey. The following Monday morning on the school run Dyl got in the front and touched the monkey straight away... Such an attention seaker... Don't know where he gets that from...

Pizza express. Shitty manager didn't want to increase our booking from 4 to 5 people . She ain't getting a tip... If you work in the entertainment/leisure industry maybe you should learn how to deal with customers and how to smile. When Sam told us she could finish early I got Sophie to ring the restuarant straight away to change the booking. Shitty manageress said they weren't taking anymore bookings for over 4 people that night. I told Sophie we'd sort it out when we got there. Little Miss Happy still had a shit on when we turned up and said I told you on the phone we were full... DERRRRRR take a look round slapper there's loads of empty seats. Maybe you did have a full diary but look at the times people are coming they certainly weren't all coming at 6.30pm... It wasn't really such a big deal to slip another chair on our table we didn't want a bigger table we were happy squeezing in. I didn't let it get to me. We had a nice meal and got out before the rush. This wasn't the first time we've had attitude when trying to have a meal there, but we have Tesco vouchers and have to put up with it for a cheap meal. If I was paying full price I'd of told her where to shove her spare seat...

In the windmill southport having a beer or two... I dropped K & S off at their friends house then took the van back to Sam's where we forced Rob to stop work and come out for beer and arras... Ben got his ass whooped at darts again. Keep practicing Ben Lad.

My Ben lad has just got a round in! He did! He really got a round in.... I've photographic evidence.

Has never seen so much mutton dressed as lamb in one bar... After darts and Sam not being happy about the lack of Red Bull behind the bar Ben got a taxi home after over doing it the night before. We went off to The Guest House for a beer while Nat Nu Nu was getting ready to come out... It was after 11 and she was just coming out. It was past my bedtime already! So El Freako told us that soon as he walks into The Guest House the fruit machine would be turned off, it didn't but the manageress did guard her precious machine with her life and Robzie couldn't get anywhere near to clean it out. I got chatted up in the gents. We left and went to Barrons bar. I like it because it has the best selection of ales in Southport, but it is full of old men. When we got in there we were surprised they had a DJ on and quite a few people were dancing around with their beer shoes on. Really 60+ year olds shouldn't shop in Next/River Island etc. The old 60+/16 year old was going to regret it in the morning when she would need another new hip after jumping around.
Some other pissed up old hag took an elderly gentlemans hat off and wouldn't give it back. When he got a bit anoyed about it he was asked to leave by the ginga barman. It wasn't his fault throw the slapper out. I kept quiet not wanting to get thrown out myself.

Everybody dance now.:.......... my biggest nightmare getting stick in a nightclub when I'm far too old yo be here..... Nu Nu Jane and Paul turned up while we were in Barons bar but it wasn't their cuppa so we had to go to "Coast". It was nothing like the BBC program! For some reason they didn't have any ale for sale and I didn't fancy an alco pop so I decided (listen to me all growd up) to stop drinking at this point for that reason and also I had to pick K&S up in the morning for breakie.

Hands in the air big box little box yeah... This was my last update of the night, my phone ran out of charge. It was only 2.53am The night is young... Sam had told me a few times that she was just going to have this one then we'd go... She was loving it. She might have to be crowned Queen of the party animals. There were far too many people in there and the music wasn't my cup of tea but it was fun watching my daughter "Havin it large". Time to order the zimmer frame.

I would of updated the profile at 4 am when we got into the taxi. I was sooo glad I'd got half the bedding ready before going out. I did for a moment think about not blowing the bed up and just crashing on the sofa but the new sensible me told myself you'll be sorry in the morning if you sleep on the sofa. I even plugged my phone in before going to sleep.

Next morning...

My eyes are a lovely shade of red! 9.49am!

Mersea Island here we come........... On no we don't...

2009-09-04T12:54:00.003+01:00

Everything was going so well this morning. Even the boys were ready on time. The van was loaded up quickly and efficiantly with Dyl's help. I dropped the boys at school and Donna at Tesco then headed off to Felixstowe to collect my phone from my locker, I'd left it at end of my one and only shift this week.
I had a message from a friend saying that he'd made his mind up and was going to Mersea. I organised to meet him.
We met at the designated place and then moved a few yards to where a gang of local scooterists were that my mate knew well.
Soon as my mate got the nozzle in his tank all these friends of his said well you know the way don't you and left. What a bunch of wankers, that's why I don't ever bother with scooter clubs and prefer to do my own thing.
We were only a couple of mins behind them but I for one had no intention of catching them up, I know what my scooter is like and didn't want to thrash it into a strong head wind. Wayne was behind me and seemed quite happy with the speed. He'd already travelled a few miles to get to Ipswich and said it was hairy at times with the wind.
Anyway as you leave Ipswich on the A12 you go up a big hill, I managed that... About another mile or so up the road the revs dropped and I thought here we go. Next thing it went derrrrrr and died.
We had the panel off and plug out burning my fingers in the process. Jets out to check if they were blocked. Checked the throttle was working . Checked for compression. Looked down the barrel to see if we could see a hole. Would it start?
What do you think.
I've had it with fuckin scooters.
Show me the way to the next VW rally!

Holiday blog ...

2009-08-29T17:31:00.007+01:00

Sun 16/08/2009

Arrived in The Lizard at 6am! Went to Kennack Sands, it was getting lighter. Dita loved the sand and even went in the water. I panicked and thought she might drown. Got a nice pic of me, full of glee!!

It was Dylan’s first day in his holiday outfit.

We got a cup o tea from the takeaway on the green around 7am and then waited while Andy had a snooze and until it was a respectable time to go and see Ron and Jo. I think we waited until about 8:30.

After saying our hellos, we had a wander and visited the pigs.

They were waiting for someone to move and vacate our spot, so rather than hanging around breathing down his neck we decided to go and do Tesco in Helston. It was a challenge getting it all into the van with all our camping gear still in there, but we managed.

When we got back our pitch was ready and we were delighted to find that we’d got 2 large pitches. We started on our tent first, but soon Andy and Dyl left me and George to it and got on with putting up the tent for Sam and Rob.

Once the tents were up, beds pumped up, stuff unpacked, we headed to the pub to await the arrival of Sam, Rob and Sophie. I think we may have been fairly well-oiled by the time they arrived!! We chatted to Dave, who was supposed to be at home cooking Rosie (the barmaid) a roast pork dinner. I was drooling at the thought!!

We had a couple more drinks when the Southport contigent arrived

and then headed back to the campsite – for more drinks I believe. Yes, it must have been for more drinks because Andy ate Bombay Mix from his sleeve at one point. He was merry!!

Sam and Sophie were enjoying camping at this point!

Mon 17/08/2009

Sam wasn't so sure about camping by the morning - she doesn’t like how light gets in the tent.

We went to Kennack Sands. Me, Sophie, George and Dyl were brave enough to go in the sea. We rocked ...

Rob went for a walk up a mountain (and pulled his socks and shorts up in a special way).

Rob returned with flowers for Sam … Aaaaaah

Rob and Sam went for a walk and took this rather lovely pic of the main beach of Kennack Sands

Dyl got buried in sand.

We returned to The Lizard and got fish n chips (except for Sam and Rob, who had burgers at the beach at 4pm because 4pm is the correct time for Rob to eat (did I mention that Rob’s a freak?)).

We had a few beers at the tent, which is when Rob's monkey face emerged.

Tue 18/08/2009

We had a visitor to the tent. Mr Cricket. Andy loved him long time.

Because we were burnt from the day before, we decided to go shopping/sightseeing rather than more beach (little did we realise this would have been our only other day that was suitable for swimming/sunbathing).

So, we went to Penzance. Dyl tried to eat a Chocolate House.

We shopped. We saw sights. My favourite of which was the outdoor pool. It was way too cold to even think about going in though.

Sam bought a sleeping mask thing to keep the light out. Sam, George and Dyl bought Crocs.

We returned to The Lizard, spruced up a little and went to the pub.

Wed 19/08/2009

The weather was dull so after much discussion about what to do, we ended up at Poldark Mine. I didn’t go in the “museum” as someone needed to look after Dita, but looking at the pics, I think I missed a treat!!

Dyl and Rob panned for diamonds. Sam dipped candles. Me and Sophie painted ceramics (Sophie’s was a choo choo!). Andy and George went down the mine then George dipped a candle too.

We went to Helston on the way back and had Pizza for lunch/tea. Because we had got up so late and prevaricated for so long about what to do, we ate lunch close to 4, so Robzie was able to join us!

In the evening, we sat out. As you can see from the pics, it was lovely!!!

Thu 20/08/2009

Thursday was dry, but cold and windy. We went to Porthleven. We found a tramp on a bench. Sam liked him. The rest of us thought he was a freak.

In the evening it was the long-awaited dog race!! Dita did brilliantly - I'll attempt to add a video to demonstrate. We did benefit from the use of squeeky cheeseburgers.

We had a couple of beers at the pub to warm up afterwards (cos it was freezing!) and then a couple more back at the tent.

Fri 21/08/2009

The weather wasn’t hot enough for a beach day, so we decided to explore the Lizard a little and walked to Church Cove. I remembered that this was the place that Dad always took pics of us walking back from. I couldn’t remember exactly where though, so Andy took pics in a couple of places!!

While we were there, Andy chatted to David Rowcroft who was walking (a long way) for charity with his life on his back. You can see Rob and the girls sitting in the background, and Dyl climbing.

While we were there, the boys climbed, Dita went crazy and the girls sat, not looking entirely happy about this turn of events. Rob rescued a butterfly from the grasps of a spider’s web. Then it rained. Sam got to be smug about taking her coat.

We went to Truro later. There were cows.

In the evening, we had fire.

and glowsticks ...

Sat 22/08/2009

We went to St Ives. I couldn’t believe that a place that was so busy with pedestrians and had such narrow streets, wasn’t pedestrianised. The kids (and Rob) went to the cinema and saw “The Time Traveller’s Wife”. Andy and I stayed and wandered with the dog. I bought a hat. We saw a Seal in the Cove.

St Ives is steep. I nearly died walking back to the car park.

The kids played Twister when we got back. Then we went down to Kynance Cove cos we realised that we wouldn’t get a chance otherwise.

When we got back we had fire again and Andy was mostly being a pirate.

Sun 23/08/2009

We went for a Sunday Roast before Rob, Sam and Sophie left. Andy booked it for 2pm in the hope that it would be late enough for Rob to eat. Rob wasn’t sure, but in the end committed. When we got there, they only had Pork and Beef, neither of which Sam could possibly eat. So Rob ate lunch with us and Sam didn’t. What a turn of events!

Rob, Sam and Sophie set off about 3 pm, so then there were 4 (well 5 if you count the dog).

Late afternoon the 5 of us wandered down past the old Lizard Head to Lizard Point. I decided that I have got old and scared and really didn’t enjoy the boys being anywhere near the cliffs. I was looking forward to a chip butty and ensured that we got back in time for 8 when I believed the chippy shuts. It shuts at 7 on a Sunday. L We did, however, see a rather lovely cow,

but I freaked a little when it climbed up the wall and appeared to be following us.

Mon 24/08/2009

We were rather pleased to have another day of weather suitable for the beach, and headed to Loe Bar, which looked rather lovely and sandy and dogs were allowed. After a long walk to get to it, we found the sand was actually small stones, and there was no swimming. Still, determined to have fun, Andy organised the building of a sand racing car, then a sand shark. He and the boys then re-enacted Jaws.

I convinced Andy we should move to a beach where it was ok to go in the water, and off we went to Coverack, with a little visit to Roskilly’s for ice cream on the way. Mmmm.

I loved Coverack beach and was annoyed with myself for not suggesting we went before. It’s a great mix of sand, rock pools and blue sea. Dogs are allowed too.

Monday night we braved Folk night at the local. It was interesting :-\

Tue 25/08/2009

Crab Day!!!!! Yay!!

We got up at 7 and set off for Newquay at 8. We relatively quickly found Shakey Pete’s shop and realised we’d walked past him on the way to it.

Andy took the boys for a wander while I got crabbed and I did the same while he got crabbed. I was ravenous after the tattooing and me and the boys got a KFC boneless box and found a park to eat it in. I sat at the park above Fistral beach while the boys had a few minutes on the beach.

The Crabs

The man himself

We went to the pub in the evening and heard reports of Force 8 gales coming our way, with rain. We hoped we’d get it in the night, just so that we didn’t get it in the morning when we’d be trying to pack up.

Wed 26/08/2009

It was very windy in the night and rained plenty, but thankfully when we were taking the tent down about 8:30, we had some dry spells and the wind wasn’t so bad that it ripped the tent which was my worry.

So by 11 am we were off! We had a long journey home down to roadworks, the closing of the M25 and such shit. We eventually got home at about 9pm. Phew.

It was a great holiday. Thanks Sam, Rob, Sophie, George and Dyl for coming. Thanks also to Ron and Jo for putting us up / putting up with us!!

"Long time dead"

2009-08-12T12:58:00.001+01:00

"Long time dead", originally uploaded by Crash n Donna.

We went to Doncaster and came back with this... Sorry Mum.
What a crackin weekend we had, got there about 9ish on friday morning to do a few jobs for Neil the editor of Skin deep magazine. We got the job of hanging and painting the Graff wall. I think we did a better job than the artist! Never mind we have plans to improve that next year... Watch out for private messages Neil through the forum. Anyhow we did a bit of running round for srtists that had forgotten to bring things with them from the states, and I got my beard braided. I texted my girls to ask for colour choices. Sophie was first to reply so it went pink and purple. All photos are on Flickr.
When Neil had finished with us we nipped to the hotel booked in and went off to the pre show party with our huwge booooooooble hats. Donna won the best female hat and with that honour ame a bottle of Sailor Jerry rum. We did a bit of blending and Donna had a boogie. I tried not to drink too much because Chris "Fuckin" Jones was doing my leg @ 12 the next day and I didn't want to bleed too much.
Well Chris didn't get there on time as I suspected he'd already told me the night before that he was getting an early night and that he'd forgotten my drawing. It was still in Cardiff. He was last seen still on the lash at 5am.
We got started at around 1.30ish. When that first needle went into my leg the sweat gushed out of me. Chris thought oh no not a twitcher. I took a few deep breaths and everything was hunky dory. It was actually quite pleasant. I did worry him when he was doing the bit of writing that it was quite erotic... He got more than worried!
3.5 hours later I was done and very pleased. What's better still was that it already felt like it was healed up. Since then I've had a tiny bit of peeling and no scabs. Bepanthen and the rotary machine that he used are the way forward.
The rest of saturday was spent chatting and drinking with friends and watching the other artists at work.
Sunday went the same way until 5ish when we started organising a meal out. It ended up with 19 of us in Frankie and Benny's. Well done to them all the meals came out right and hot. we couldn't even find anything to complain about.
The funnyist thing was when Jin asked for a desert. "I have womble" She had to repeat it about 14 times to the waitress before pointing at it on the menu. It was a waffle! Silly pretty Korean girl.
When the money was sorted we retired to the nearest public house. When they stopped serving we carried on in the beer garden with our bottle of Sailor Jerry. Loads of laughs and photos. Go check them out.
Roll on next year.

House rules for using the tub!

2009-08-06T14:06:00.000+01:00

Shower before getting in or you won’t be invited again!
Make up/de-odorant/hair gel all make the water cloudy.

Always close top and turn pumps off when finished.

No glasses in the tub.

No food in tub.

No spitting.

No heavy petting!

No jumping or diving!

Please think about our neighbours when using the tub at night. They’re already pissed off with it.

It was raining!

2009-08-04T09:51:00.001+01:00

It was raining!, originally uploaded by Crash n Donna.

You can't believe how happy we were on Saturday morning when we got our brand new second hand hot tub in place. We filled it before the sparky even turned up.
Now for the rant... Around two hours later the twat from next door was knocking on the door.
"I'm just enquiring about the buzzing noise"
Donna said "You know what it is you just watched it getting lifted over our fence. "
Twat from next door (from now on known as TFND) "Well it's doing my wife's head in, it's vibrating in her head."
Donna. "Well as you know I've just had it fitted and I'm not moving it. It's got to heat up then it should be quieter."
He left around that point. Totally pissed on our chips. It didn't stop us jumping in it later that night when it reached 30 degrees. A tad chilly but warm enough with your beer jacket on.
Next morning I was sat in lounge with JR and thought blimey I can hear that tub from here... It wasn't I could hear the beer fridge in the conservatory! I went out and not a sound was coming from the tub. Result I thought.
We did lots of chillin on Sunday and sniggering at the fence when we put the pumps on the tub.

FFW to Dona getting home from work on Monday. She hadn't even turned the scooter engine off. TFND was at the garage door.
"It's been buzzing constantly since 2.10"
I don't know what he expects us to do, as soon as he left the first time I hadn't got round to finishing off the shingle round the tub so I got that down. Hoping that would reduce the noise.
I'm expecting him to go to the enviromental health dept. They'll come round and laugh at him. We live a stones throw(well if you're really really good at throwing stones!) away from the main train line from The Port of Felixstowe so we have freight passing day and night. We live just off the main route from the hospital to the town centre so have sirens many times a day. And the thing that pisses Donna off the most we have wood pigeons coo fuckin coo-ing from the trees front and back of the house.

Anyway TFND thanks for making me think for 10 seconds about not going into the tub to start the pumps off last night. When I got in it was fuckin cool. Just chatting and soaking with my good lady wife. You could always move! JR and Miss Charlie have already looked at where the nearest prison and high schools are they'll put an offer in but a reduced one because of the fuckin vibration in your ears!

Hi Donna...

2009-07-13T16:43:00.003+01:00

Might as well upload the full set. I think this was just down the road from the ice cream and smoothies.

Hi Mum...

2009-07-13T16:25:00.003+01:00

From the same weekend and only across the table...

We'd just paid a fortune for smoothies that we didn't enjoy as much as we'd hoped. The ice cream from the shop a couple of doors away was extremely yummy, but also very expensive.

Hi Dad...

2009-07-13T16:21:00.003+01:00

Inbetween scrubbing and cooking beetroot I'm scanning a few rolls of film from my favourite camera the Holga. Love this photo. One of Mum to follow.
It's Dad's fault that I enjoy photography. If I knew half of what he knows about it I'd be a much better photographer, but I enjoy what I do so that's all that matters.

July session 1

2009-07-08T09:54:00.001+01:00

July session 1, originally uploaded by Crash n Donna.

July session 2

2009-07-08T09:53:00.001+01:00

July session 2, originally uploaded by Crash n Donna.

Out with ALL my kids.

2009-07-08T09:52:00.001+01:00

Out with ALL my kids. , originally uploaded by Crash n Donna.

Just out of bed after a couple of tiring days.
I finished work on Sunday morning and tried to get some sleep. That didn't work. Got up and typed up a report for the lads about our bloody rosta again then off to the park with Donna G&D and firey Dita. I might have to get a muzzle for her for events like Music in the park. She's great with kids but anyother dog she just wants to rip it's throat out.
Early night Sunday when we got back from the park. Early start Monday. I was up at 5 and on my way at 5.25 to my session with the Mythster. I'll post some photos above this. Got to Northwich after getting into a little bit of traffic at Birmingham @ 9.30 for my 10 o clock appointment. He was late for a change! We managed around 5 hours of work and I could of sat for a lot longer this time. Another session and my Mum won't have to worry about any more ink on this arm!
I did a bit of wheeling and dealin with a box of bondage gear then made my way to Southport.
3/4 of my kids were at the house and almost ready to go out. While I was there Sam rang to say she'd finished work a little early and would get a quick shower and be ready for picking up. Ben presented me with my Fathers day present. I have a pipe! I've thought about a pipe for years. I think you need to be of a certain age to get away with one. I'm nearly at that age! My Grandads pipe always smelt so good.
So off to Pizza Express for a feed. I think it was then that with a bit of prompting I was told about Ben's new girlfriend. She sounds like a keeper and he sounds like he wants to. It's normal of Ben to tell everyone nah I just see her a bit she's not a girlfriend. He sounded very happy.
Next I dropped the girls off after a very pleasant evening and parked the van at Sam's flat then off for round 6 or 7 of the Ben Vs. Robzie arras match. Ben lost 5-4 this time. I'm sure the darts will be the first thing packed when we're on our way to Cornwall.
Tuesday morning I got up in time to take Sophie to school then waited for everyone else to get up. We had a wander round town and a Mucky D's. By that time it was getting close to Katies train trip to Manchester for the band The Saturdays concert. I headed off into some of the heaviest rain I've driven through. I thought about pulling over but by the time I got to a layby that wasn't full it was clearing a tiny bit. I did have to stop when about an hour or so from home for 5 mins shut eye, it was a tough trip home.
So that's it a crackin few days. Not long till our holiday now.

Before and after...

2009-07-03T10:57:00.002+01:00

Uni...

2009-07-01T20:41:00.000+01:00

My eldest daughter is going. Blimey days what a proud Dad I am!

The good life...

2009-06-28T17:03:00.002+01:00

I finished work @ 7am on Saturday morning. My plan was to have a sleep then try to get Barara sorry Donna down t'lottie for a mamoth weeding session. Well you know what I'm like sleeping at 8 I was up and grumpy because I couldn't sleep. Flask filled and off me and the doggie went leaving Donna in bed.
In my last two sessions down lottie I've pulled out around 10 wheelbarrow loads of weeds. My compost bins and groaning at the sides there's so much stuffed into them.
Donna rang me when she got up and offered more coffee so soon as she got there we stopped for a break.
I got Barbara onto strawberry and goosebeery picking then it was the potato digging session for her. We packed up around 12 after I got the hose pipe out for a much needed soaking.

We had loads of things we could of done this weekend including a trip to the Royal Oak for a punk night but in the end we couldn't be bothered. We were going to just have a lazy evening in until Tink and Andi rang to tell us they were on their way to the gig. A quick change of plan and clothes and we ended up having a nice couple of hours in The Fat Cat.

TOday we were going to go and have a few drinks while watching a steel band but again after doing the shopping we couldn't be bothered. We had a little lunch then I slept on the sofa for an hour and a half.
We might get our selves sorted and take the doggie for a run later and seen as the Dove is almost on the parks doorstep we might just have to have a quick one.

Lazy weekends we all need them once in a while. Better not let Donna read this she's been busy cooking courgette cake and cleaning while I've been lazing about.

Well done Sam...

2009-06-26T16:36:00.002+01:00

Yesterday I got a text from Sam telling me that she'd officially finished Nvq level 2 and is just waiting on her certificates.
It's such a pleasure to see Sam doing a job she enjoys and wants to succeed in.
Keep working hard daughter. Xxx

Well done Sophie...

2009-06-20T07:13:00.001+01:00

I got a call last night from child #4 with her results for this year. I'm really proud of you Sophie. Keep up the good work. You Will achieve great things. Xxx

Happy campers

2009-06-14T19:36:00.001+01:00

Happy campers, originally uploaded by Crash n Donna.

Another busy weekend.
Friday we went for our annual trip to Norfolk with the ex BT gang. £13.50 for a rover ticket and off we go on the train.
We met the Norwich part fo the gang at the station then changed for Sherringham. Beer beer and chips and chilli relish and a game of cricket on the beach. A very enjoyable day indeed.

Saturday we got away at a reasonable time with no seats in the back of the van. We replaced the seats with a blow up bed and hung pirate flags over the windows for curtains. A fridge full of beer and a cage full of little dog and off we set for the short trip to Stonham Barns. At first we weren't allowed to go and park our van next to Ann and Johns vintage campers. Pre booked campers only. So we bought our wristbands and Ann showed us the way to their camp. We thought we'll just nip back to the car park and grab a few more things. Bugger walking back I said after I'd seen a coule of cars heading towards the campsite through a gap in the fence. I thought we might of been rumbled when someone with a hi viz jacket stopped us on our way but he only wanted to tell us to stop at the next hi viz jacket and get directions of where to park.
It was a really well organised rally with clean toilets all weekend and the sun cracked the flags. We had to use loads of factor 50 on the tattoos.
We think this rally will be added to the list of weekends away for next year. I think they could do with better bands next time and then it'll be faultless.

Isn’t it great when …

2009-06-11T10:01:00.000+01:00

your kids make parenting so easy.

George was in trouble at school a couple of terms ago, he was messing about in class and distracting his classmates. After some words between him, us and his head of year, he had his behaviour monitored for a few weeks, by the head of year and by us.

This term he has the best report ever; comments like, “He’s a pleasure to teach”, “He’s a role model for his classmates”. He also has fantastic grades for effort and achievement. What a star!! :) :)

£100...

2009-06-10T15:37:00.002+01:00

I've just got a cheque for £100.00. I had to have a check through my paperwork to see what it's for. I thought for a minute that I might be getting stitched up. I thought that it might be the insurance company that are still dealing with my claim for my accident at work trying it on, hoping that I would cash the cheque as full and final payment.
It wasn't, but what it was is a cheque for reimbursement of my policy excess from when my scooter got written off years and years ago. So now I'm going to buy the new helmet that I've been looking at for over 6 months.
I bought my current helmet 8 years ago and they do recommend that you change them after they've been dropped or scratched... As you can imaging with the trouble I've had over the years with my little pink beast it's been thrown across garage forecourts, layby's and whatever bit of roadside I've broken down on. Bye bye old friend.

Other news we've just received the game "Buzz" so I'll be playing that and getting ready to see El Freako in tears again.
Oh and we've got pirate flag curtains for the van... Photos to follow after the weekend.

Jin and her bus stop cock

2009-06-08T21:52:00.001+01:00

IMG_0853, originally uploaded by Crash n Donna.

Artwork by Crash

Sam and her tragus

2009-06-08T21:51:00.001+01:00

IMG_0864, originally uploaded by Crash n Donna.

The camera missed the fear and pain!

Jin and her chest piece.

2009-06-08T21:49:00.001+01:00

IMG_0928, originally uploaded by Crash n Donna.

My wonderful artwork.

Frank Sidebottom

2009-06-08T21:47:00.001+01:00

Frank Sidebottom, originally uploaded by Crash n Donna.

Stole our sharpie!!!

Friday we set off soon as we dropped the boys off at school. Picked Katie up, then went to Sam's and then onto pick Sophie up from school. On the way back from school we passed Ben's van, turned round and had a chat. Result 4 kids in a couple of hours.
We had an early tea at Pizza express then dropped the girls off and went out on the hunt for rowdy scooterists to drink with.
There was a rally on in Southport at the weekend. The only problem was it was held at Pontins and I'm not setting foot inside Colditz again. After a look round earlier in the van we thought they must all be staying at the "resort". So a few quiet beers and Ben got beaten again at darts.
WHen we got back to the flat we had another game of Buzz on the PS3. Robzie "El Freako" had told Sam that he was going to whoop Donna at it. When asked "what about me Dad" He said he's nothing to worry about... FREAKO YOU LOSER!!!!! Over the weekend we had 8 games and I won every bloody one of them. Remember the double L hand signs Rob?
Saturday an earlyish start for Liverpool tattoo convention. We got the train at about 10ish Mucky D's near the station then a taxi up to the Uni.
What a crackin little show they put on. Friendly and well set out with even a co op shop on site.
We met up with Jin from Middleton tattoo studio over a pint and I asked when she was going to let me tattoo her. How can a tattooist not have any tattoos?
One bus stop cock later and she was marked with our sharpies. Later on she managed to rub it off but I gave her a chest piece!
Ben got to the convention a little late because of work but walked round thinking I want one of them I want one of those.
We got the train back after a very enjoyable day with only one more hole in the party and all had a snooze.
Sunday was a Mc D's breakie and a walk round a garden centre to help rescue Rob's tommys then off to pick up a job lot of bondage gear. I'll leave it there!

Nostalgia ...

2009-05-24T16:52:00.004+01:00

I felt rather nostalgic on Friday night. I'm sure many other people did too. I went to see a line up of old friends playing an acoustic show. Hearing Ed & John sing some old tunes took me right back to happy times when Clive and I used to hang out with Ed & Claire much of the time. We've all moved on since then and are all in different relationships, all of them happy - well I think so! Mine certainly is. I don't long to be back there as I love my life, but I do miss some of the people. The collection of people there was fabulous, people who used to live in Ipswich travelled to come to the gig and people who still live in Ipswich who we still see out and about came too. Andy and I are friends with many of these people and I felt so happy to be in a room with so many good friends.

Life is good. I just need to make sure we get to see some of those people more than once every 5 or more years!!

(I used the word "many" far too many times in this post, but I got bored editing it!)

Self portrait

2009-05-20T11:21:00.001+01:00

Self portrait, originally uploaded by Crash n Donna.

Taken with two cameras. One cleaner than the other. One about 40 years newer too.

Ginger tosser or Sheepshagger...

2009-05-20T10:29:00.003+01:00

Choices choices choices...

Bazens. Black pig mild.
Burton Bridge. Top Banana.
Cairngorm. Sheepshaggers Gold.
Cliff Quay. Black Jack porter.
Nethergate. Mary's Ruby mild.
Saltaire. Chocolate Stout.
Saltaire. Dark mild.
Saltaire. Ginger spice.
Saltaire. Hazelnut coffee porter.
Skinners Ginger tosser.

These are the beers I've picked out of the list so far to try this afternoon at The Dove beer festival.
Can I wait till 4 or will I be found in the beer garden at midday?

So far today I've been down t'lottie and watered, hung the washing out and taken Dita for a walk round Christchurch park. We met the worlds fattest Border terrier he was only 3 years old and the man said I wish he'd run round like yours. I thought I bet the dog thinks I wish I could run round like the little girlie dog. Stop feeding him crap and then he might be able to run.

Right must keep busy or I'll be heading to the pub.

JR n Miss Charlie

2009-05-18T14:07:00.001+01:00

JR n Miss Charlie, originally uploaded by Crash n Donna.

Our lovley tattoo'd freak friends.

Crash n JR

2009-05-18T14:06:00.001+01:00

Crash n JR, originally uploaded by Crash n Donna.

Don't we make a lovely couple!

JR

2009-05-18T14:05:00.003+01:00

JR, originally uploaded by Crash n Donna.

Do you want to take the long way back or climb?

Gecko

2009-05-18T14:05:00.001+01:00

Crash, originally uploaded by Crash n Donna.

Doesn't everybody end up topless with a gecko at the end of the night?

Our next suite?

2009-05-18T14:03:00.001+01:00

Our next suite?, originally uploaded by Crash n Donna.

The end of our weekend included a trip to Ikea. We need an adult to come and check our measurements to see if we can fit this and an extra 2 seater in the lounge.

Here we go again ...

2009-05-18T09:26:00.002+01:00

I've got fatter again. I'm not exactly sure how fat cos our scales have got stuck on 13 stone 8 and since the last time I weighed myself I was 16st 9, its definitely more than that!!

So after a rather fabulous weekend of excess with JR and Charlie in Canterbury that started with the words "You know it's gonna get messy when you're served wine with breakfast ..." and ending with a rather superb roast dinner that required getting the big plates out, I have returned to a long-overdue diet and fitness regime.

So today I cycled into work armed with my WW voucher to restart. I opened my weight spreadsheet (doesn't everyone have one?) and I slowly realised that all the weights were on Tuesdays which must mean that WW is on a Tuesday, not a Monday like I had in my head. Dammit. I'm almost tempted to stuff my face today so that I haven't lost a pound before I get weighed there. But no, its the long term goal.

I hereby openly declare my goal of size 16 by October. My husband is going to buy me a vintage dress to wear to JR and Charlie's wedding. A dress. I don't do dresses, but when we were in London the other week, we strayed just off Carnaby Street and came upon a few vintage dress shops. I'd love to look fantastic in a dress, but I'd need a very special occasion to wear one and since I don't plan to marry again just yet, this occasion must be the one. :)

If you see me eating fattening food, punch me in the face. (that excludes you husband).

Pics of the weekend to follow.

Matching Pac-a-macs...

2009-05-05T17:26:00.005+01:00

Another weekend older.

Last week I got a call asking me to work Thurs day instead of Thurs night so I could go to a meeting. It didn't take me long to say yes. So 7pm on Thurs and it was the weekend for me. Friday was booked off as a days holiday, I was down t'lottie by about 9.30 watering and planting. I spent most of the day there with my top off. The passing ladies were going wild!

Friday evening we went t'Dove to meet Ethers and her cock lodger they were visiting the sleepy township from the big city. We even heard tales of people having outside taps in the big city... How stoopid do they think us village folk are? Next they'll be telling us they have inside toilets...

Sat morning and off to the big city via train and bus replacement. We then met up with Mum n Dad at The Crypt at Trafalgar Square. A bit of food and I suggested a wander round Spitalfields market. It was closed.

So we wandered round a few shops and caught the tube up to Islington and enjoyed a meander round antique type places with a stop for a dissapointing fruit juice. Ginger orange and carrot sounded good.

Next we headed off to the apartment on Canary Wharf to book in and have a chill before our trip back for the comedy evening. We'd been looking forward to seeing JAson Wood again but felt like he didn't put as much effort into his set this time. He was still funny but not split sides this time.

We made full use of our day passes on the tube and managed to get all the way back to CW before the tube stopped for the night.

Sunday morning breakfast then a trip right across town to Barnes for a jazz session that Dad had been looking forward to. When I saw it was £10 each to get in I nearly said I'd stay in the bar. It was much better than the last time we were subjected to Jazz in Wales. Most of the session the big band out numbered the audiance. I think they should of opened up the doors and just passed a hat round for donations. That way the pub would of been heaving and I think would of been a much better vibe going on. The bar would of made a fortune on beer and sold out of their lovely roast dinners in no time.

Next was a trip back into the city and a walk down the Embankment. I really should of taken my jacket! Then a wander round Covent Garden and then a meal at China town. Young Cheng is my recomendation if you're looking for sometihng to eat near Leicester Sq. £11 a head and we rolled out stuffed. It was the best Chinese I've ever had.

Monday we had to vacate the apartment and head our seperate ways. Mum and Dad off towards Bristol and us off to the pub. I was hoping for a photo of the outside tap when Ethers and Cock lodger turned up. I'm not even sure they actually have one.

Beer Mexican food and cocktails. What a way to spend an afternoon.

Sleep on the bus and home for about 7.30ish.

Knackered.

Thanks Mum and Dad for a lovely weekend. Xxx

Pleasureland fire...

2009-04-22T08:22:00.002+01:00

http://www.southportforums.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=50401049 I got a couple of calls from my girls last night to tell me Pleasureland was on fire. I've just found these photos (see link above). I love going round that place and snapping away. This is where the fire started.

Pleasureland, originally uploaded by Crash n Donna.

Surprisingly...

2009-04-21T21:05:00.002+01:00

Nobody has invited us to a BBQ this weekend even after I put a message on facebook that we're free.
I bet there'd be plenty of takers if we were to have yet another one.

Dr Donna correctly diagnosed a virus I have at the mo. The Dr that I went to see last week and the week before it didn't. Who needs all that time at uni when we've got google.

I took the scooter out on Sat morning while Donna crashed her data base. I decided to have a ride out to Southwold. I always forget just how far it is. I pulled up at the pier and had just taken my pink helmet off when a young lady came over with papers under her arm. I thought bloody market research, it wasn't. She told me they were on their friends 30th birthday party and had a list of things to do. One was to take a photo of some "Quirkey" Suffolk people... She ment me! So anyway I had three lovley young lasses surrounding my scooter with me in the middle holding my pink helmet and a passerby had to take the photo. Here was me thinking I just blended into the background.

Right nuff said maybe my wife will blog again one day.

No wonder nobody uses the post office anymore...

2009-04-17T12:13:00.002+01:00

I've just got my scooter through it's MOT after fiddeling with an indicator and fitting a new horn. So like a good boy I went up to the post office to tax it. Now yes it was my fault that I took the wrong piece of insurance paper but why the fuck couldn't they check online to see if I had upto date MOT and insurance. It took a milli second to do it online. No wonder Mr fuckin Post Master is getting made redundant. WAKE UP. And another thing... I've never seen a good looking post office counter person in my life.

I need to get down t'lottie today. I've beans that are trying to escape from the conservatory and walking to the pub last night I could see the weeds from the road. This year I am going to keep on top of it.

7 months my little pink beast has been off the road. Can't wait to get on it again.

I've had a kick in the bollocks...

2009-04-13T22:07:00.002+01:00

But I'm up and ready for the next fight. I'm not going to drown in the sea of negativity that swirls round the Port of Felixstowe. The bastards ain't going to get me down. I've grabbed hold of the driftwood that was my partner in car sharing and I'm floating towards the shore. I never thought I'd listen to a word the bloke ever said that I car share with but his words brought me out of the downward spiral pretty quick.

He reminded me about the 26 other people that did actually get off their arses and vote for me. They want me to carry on doing what I was doing. It wasn't the fact that I lost, well came third in the election, it was the fact that I'd worked my nuts off for the small minded Alzheimers sufferers that I work with...BTW I had to ask Donna what the mental disease was that made you forget everything!!!! My workmates are the best informed people on the dock. That is what I set out to do.

This morning I picked on the biggest bloke on the dock for an argument. My reasoning for this was pick on the biggest and the smallest will shut the fuck up. Well they did and he didn't rip my head off! I talked to him about the election and asked if he bothered to vote. He went on to tell me that the union was shit. I told him he's the reason the union is shit and that with people like him we wouldn't get anywhere. He had the chance to make a change and put somebody in to make that difference but he couldn't be arsed to vote. I walked away for a smoke with my head still on my shoulders.

During the day I even drafted a text to send to the convenor with my resignation. I'm glad I didn't send it.

Bring on the next fight!

27 votes...

2009-04-12T21:27:00.002+01:00

What a bunch of wankers I've kept informed over the last seven months. 100 fixed shift people + all the floating terminal operatives that I've spent time with letting them know what the company is planning for our future. Only 27 of them could be bothered to vote for me. 250-300 people a week look at the blog I do for them. 27 votes. I feel like telling them all to shove their stupid questions about fridges and toilets up their arses.

I'M NOT YOUR FUCKIN DAD SORT IT OUT YOURSELF.

BTW I didn't win. I'm not that bitter just totally disappointed with them.

Just wait for the next twat to tell me he didn't get his holiday he wanted....

Stuffed dog

2009-04-11T19:24:00.001+01:00

Stuffed dog, originally uploaded by Crash n Donna.

While the pizza party was going on I had my day in London. Train at 11.30ish and a wander towards Spitalfields, I got lost and ended up round Brick lane before finding the market.
After looking at stuffed dogs and trilbys I headed off to Stotker tattoo. Mirek was busy working on more roses. If you have a look at his gallery he does a mighty fine rose. Anyway a couple of cups of coffee and lots of chatting before Mirek finished up then next door to the offie for some tinnies. We talked through my next tattoo idea he's well up for it. We're both looking forward to starting this piece.
In the evening we went to Studio 90 for the graffiti art exhibition. I wish I could afford some of the pieces.
After a few photos and a chat we went for more beer then a walk back to the tube and home...
I really enjoyed my big day out. Can't wait to go back.

Pizza takeaway hell ...

2009-04-09T21:18:00.004+01:00

So the plan was, phone and order pizza for 10 of us, go and collect it, watch a DVD.

Good plan. Particularly considering I had bogof vouchers for Pizza Hut collection.

So, I phone.

Me: Hi, I'd like to order some pizzas to collect. I have vouchers. Do you need the details first.

Him: Yes, what vouchers are they?

Me: "Free pizza when you buy any pizza at menu price"

Him: Ok, what pizzas would you like?

Me: Ok, first one: Large meatfeast, with stuffed crust.

Him: We don't have any stuffed crust ...

Me: And I'd like to use the £7.99 any size voucher for that one

Him: You can only use one voucher per order

Me: Er, okay, I'd like to place 3 orders.

Him: So which pizzas would you like to cancel?

Me: None of them, just split it into 3 orders.

Him: You can order 2 now, then you'll have to call back because we're busy.

Me: Grrrr

Me: But then I won't have all of my pizzas at the same time.

Him: [grunt]

Me: So do you actually want my order?

Him: Yes, but you can only use one voucher

Me: Okay, so this is what I'll do. I'll come to the shop with 2 other people, stand in line and place 3 orders one after the other.

Him: ok

Me: I was trying to save you from a shop full of 9 teenage boys, but if you'd rather I did it that way, I'll pick them up on way.

Him: [grunt]

Me: Bye!

So that's what we did. But in the shop was a lady who had her pizzas but had been waiting 10 minutes for her change. Another 2 people who appeared to have been waiting a while and had also tried to use more than one voucher and had ended up doing the same as me (but without the 9 boys in tow).

So we ordered. This time we were told we could only use 2 vouchers at a time. So I ordered 4 pizzas and when she said "anything else" I said yes, but I'd order them separately. She said well if you're going to do that I may aswell just take the order all at once. I said "its a shame the guy on the phone didn't do that".

And we waited. And the boys came in. And the boys went out. And the boys did a dance display outside. And the boys came in. And the boys dinged the bell. And the boys tried to guess the security number on the door. And the boys went out. Andy the boys rang the front door. And they came back in. And. And. And.

Eventually I sent them back to the park.

Then someone else complained about their wait. The plank I spoke to on the phone told them it wasn't his fault. They are busy.

So, an hour later I got my pizza AND he said "sorry for the wait". I pointed out that my wait would have been shorter and less painful if he'd just let me order on the phone. And I left.

So we've had our pizza, had our cake. The boys tried to watch a DVD but were too hyped up. Ooh, its nearly hometime. But seriously they have been pretty good.

I hope George enjoyed his birthday do.

Boys are great

2009-04-09T17:54:00.002+01:00

It's George's birthday today - HAPPY BIRTHDAY GEORGE!!! For his party he initially wanted a sleepover, but then when I cruelly suggested a max of 4 boys we compromised.

So today, he's had 6 friends round (+ a friend of Dyl's). They arrived before 1 (parents keen to get rid?) and messed about for a bit. I drove them to the swimming pool and was back before 1:30. They didn't reappear until 5, whence they had a can of pop and went out to the park. By the time they get back and have pizza, they'll barely have time to watch a DVD and it will be hometime.

Easy peasy.

Donna Katie Sam on the steps

2009-04-06T16:33:00.001+01:00

Donna Katie Sam on the steps, originally uploaded by Crash n Donna.

When I saw these steps I wanted somebody on each set of steps but three will have to do.
Bloody scooters... Donna went out to the garage and said her scooter had been moved. Then when she went to get on it she found it had a flat tyre and hole in the exhaust... Who'd been riding my scooter she thought... So another call to the scooter parts shop and even more of a massive bill, adding to what I already need to get mine back on the road.
Work tonight but at least I didn't have the two day shifts to do.
London on Thursday. Watch out for photos...

Squatters r us...

2009-04-05T21:51:00.001+01:00

Wedding day, originally uploaded by Crash n Donna.

Home from Southport.
When we got to Southport Sam rang us to tell us the toilet was blocked again in her lovely flat, and she had to wait in for the plumber. We picked the other girls up and headed round to the flat. After numerous phone calls the landlords useless agent eventually said I'm at the races what do you think I can do! We gave up and set off together for Liverpool to have a wander round Bold street and return a pair of shoes... Yes return one pair out of the six that Donna bought last week.
I saw the mannequins on the way down Bold street but we were on the hunt for a toilet that worked, so I had to wait for the return trip to snap these beauties. We've named them JR and Miss Charlie. We're going to their wedding on Halloween. Guess what the front of their card will look like...
Katie looked at 100's of pairs of shoes but didn't try any on. She needs a pair to go with her Prom dress... And here was me thinking Southport was in the NW of England not US bloody A.
When we got back to the Bronx oh sorry the West side of Southport we went to the Chinesse quarter... No we didn't we were in a sleepy seaside town. We went to China for our usual feed. We came out stuffed and thought next time we'll do something different.
I dropped the girls off and went back to the flat. Then our Southport local The Windmill for some of their Black Cat mild and Ben n Robzies rematch with the arras. Ben got his ass whooped this time. No shouts of One hundred and eigggggghty.
Earlier somebody dropped the keys off for the empty penthouse flat so we could use the toilet. So as not to disrupt Sam n Rob too much we took the blow up bed to the penthouse, and that way we were close to the loo when we woke in the middle of the night. God we're getting old. It's got a hell of a view out over the Ribble estuary and we were even high enough to be able to see the sea.
Sunday we got up and sneaked our belongings out of the flat and missed Mr Nosey the neighbour, he'd collared another resident who'd gone out for a quiet smoke before taking the day on. Then picked Katie up for McD's breakie. We got a take out for Sophie she was still getting ready. Then we had a trip round the local garden centre. Katie very nearly got brave enough to ask for a job but Sophie had to do it for her!
Right nearly bedtime. xxx

Errrrm yeah errrrm it'll come to me soon...

2009-03-31T13:05:00.003+01:00

Thought I'd post so as not to get told off by my daughter... It's the weekend. Yay. Well it is for me. 6 days off with a trip to see the kids at the end of it.
I'm desperatly trying to think of whats been happening since the last blog. Better go n have a look at the diary...

Well that didn't help.

Sorry nothing to report.

Oh yeah. Holiday booked after lots of stress trying to sort out the campsite and organising the troops, but that shouldn't of stressed me Donna did it all.
The thing on my mind is my election as senior shop steward. I've put a lot of time and effort into it. Voting starts 6th April. My campaign leaflet is the best out of the 8 candidates, some people have even copied mine! They ain't got a chance. The job is mine so long as all the people that say they'll vote for me actually get off their butts and do it.

We're having a bit of electrical trouble so I'm sat here waiting for a sparky to come round. Hopefully it won't be too difficult to find the fuse tripping trouble maker.

I've finally ordered the parts for my scooter, just waiting for them to be delivered to the shop and my mate can get on with rebuilding the beast. I wonder how long before I kill it again?

I don't half fancy a beer.

Me and Mum

2009-03-22T08:53:00.002Z

Me and Mum, originally uploaded by Crash n Donna.

Make the most of your mums today those that still have them.

Miss you mum xxx.

(posted by Donna, not Crash, stupid only posting from Crash Flickr thing)

Tinnitus...

2009-03-16T11:02:00.002Z

Monday mornings are so good... My tinnitus dissapears as soon as the youngest child gets out of the van at school. A while ago Dyl forgot who was dropping him off at school and as he got out of the van he started to say love you lots, then realised it was me. Now we have a routine of love you lots and missing you already as he goes.

I've started my campaign for shop steward. I'm walking round the messroom kissing babies and making small talk with my prospective voters. All I need now is a big rosette. I put up a couple of posters in the messroom, within two hours one had been defaced. One lad said he would of drawn a comedy moustache on my picture but somebody had beaten him to it, so he added horns! I even went into work last night to introduce myself to the lads on the shift I hope to be working with soon. I'm hoping it was worth a trip on my night off. I was made up when quite a few people said that they'd already been telling people I'm the one for the job. All those hours on my work blog have paid off.

Plans for our big family holiday are progressing nicely. Nine of us will be hitting Cornwall in August. I've even found us a jet boat ride. I spent a bit of time looking for speedboat rides and found a luxury cruiser for half day hire... Only £1000ish... We're going for the trip round Newquay for £10 each.

Last thing Sophie we love you and it'll not be long before you're you old self again. Xxx

Even Ainsley Harriott couldn't make a meal out of Black Jacks, cabbage, peas and tomato soup...

2009-03-10T09:45:00.004Z

Another crackin weekend...
Friday night I worked, not very hard but I was there. Credit crunch and all that jazz, bloody quay was empty.
Saturday morning I got in and took some sleeping tabs. I don't usually take them if I'm not working that night but thought I really need a good sleep to get me fit for the evening/ rest of weekend.
Sat night we met Andi and Tink in the Dove for one that turned into three then jumped in a taxi to the Brewery Tap. http://www.cliffquay.co.uk/ I had planned to try all their new beers but once I tried the Black Jack Porter I was hooked. I think it's just become my favourite beer of all time. So too many of them and a taxi home.
Sunday morning we took turns driving to Southport and got there for 1ish. We had a wander round town and I bought two new hats. Trilby's are just cool!
Evening and we found ourselves in China for the buffet, then off to the Windmill for Ben Lad's return bout with Robzie on the arrows. You got thrashed Rob!
Monday morning we took the girls to school then off to see Paul at http://www.indigotattoo.com/ We got a good five or six hours of work in once we cleaned up the bottle of ink that smashed when he was agitating it!

The cabbage has a pea pod under it but we missed that off the photo... It was late when we got in.

Today my elbow is like a big ball of puss! My eyes were scrunched up while he was working round that area. It was only 40 minutes!
The next bit we worked on is a sea of hellish tomato soup that will wrap round my wrist when it's finished. I'm loving the splash!

Go for it Bruv...

2009-02-27T14:29:00.002Z

When I first took on my little union job I had a bit of training, the guy that lectured us made a bit of an impression on me. I liked his style and enthusiasm, he told us that before long most of the people on the course would of fallen by the wayside. He was right, but I'm still plodding on. I wanted to use the tools that he gave us in the classroom and went a step further by starting a blog to help me get the word out. Even when I was only getting 6 or 8 visits a week I didn't give up. Nobody else wanted to help me with it and after a while I was glad they hadn't. I can do what I want with the blog and lead it in the direction I want it to go. He asked us if we wanted to go further in the union. I said I was happy just doing the role I had and keeping my workmates informed.
Well with the way the economic climate is and the company offering voluntary redundancy a position has come up as senior shop steward. I've got my name down. Proposed and seconded. Now my campaign starts. Ha ha you didn't want to help with the blog. You won't have access to the couple of hundred people that visit it weekly.
The way business is at the moment I'll be jumping into the frying pan. It won't be easy but as the lecturer said "Go for it Bruv."

Viva la revolution!

Me n Garfield go for a drive...

2009-02-23T20:43:00.001Z

Me n Garfield go for a drive..., originally uploaded by Crash n Donna.

Just been told off again by my daughter for not blogging...

So, back to the Dita saga. She's getting very fat! We think that Caleb sneaked off round the corner while Donna's back was turned and did the dirty deed. I'm going to try and weigh her later to see if it's in my head or if she is up the duff...

This weekend we set off for Southport on Friday morning. I remember now how much I hate traffic jams. We got there late dinnertime and had a wander round town. Sam got her eyebrows waxed and came back looking like a panda.
Friday evening was pizza hut for their special offer and then beer at the Windmill. Moorhouses Black cat or was it dog? Anyway I lost 20p on a bet with my eldest daughter, that was nothing Ben Lad got his ass whooped in darts by Robzie.
Saturday we made Katie revise for her maths exam. Remember Katie tesco value combs when you get a fraction question!
In the afternoon we picked up our newly serviced van and went out for Mucky D's then dropped Katie off.
In the evening we met an old friend of mine from back in the 80's. We only had a few minutes before going to meet the kids at Bella Italia for our Tesco voucher meal.
Sunday morning we only stayed for breakfast then had to make a move to get home at a reasonable time.

It was lovely spending time with the kids.

Ben, Caleb and Barney...

2009-02-11T11:54:00.001Z

We tried and failed. Three dogs and no puppies. Ah well better luck next time.

Three boys and no babies...

2009-02-10T11:47:00.004Z

After the non performance of the other two dogs I rang a bloke I'd met on a walk with Dita. He's the owner of Barney. Barney is a big boy for a Border and I was told "He's a horney little fucker!" I arranged a breakfast time date , this started to go to pieces after the really heavy rain we had last night and Barneys owner rang to tell me his cellar was full of water and he wouldn't be able to get over. This wasn't going to stop us. Off I went round to Barney's.
Dita ran in and started to eat his breakfast. Make yourself at home woman! I got a cuppa and kept Dita on the lead. Barney tried his best but the little Miss tease didn't give in. She curled her tail out of the way and shoved her bits out but when it came down to it she'd snap at him.
Ah well there's always tomorrow...

Barry White and candles...

2009-02-08T21:54:00.003Z

Dita had a boyfriend come round this morning. I was at work so missed the fun. She's 10 days into her season so should be ready to mate. Ben met her outside the house on his lead and they went for a little walk together in the woods opposite. I thought that would be better than just inviting a boy into her house, that went well then they went out to the garden. I think he must be gay! After about an hour Donna gave up.

The lady that brought Ben round suggested bringing their other dog round so a little later Caleb came calling. Caleb had more of an idea but between them they were getting it the wrong way round and trying it sideways! A little later Donna had to give up on them. Dita got bored and went off sunbathing against the garage wall.

We've got another chance tomorrow. I'm going to go and pick Caleb up and bring him back to the garden. When I phoned the couple to arrange this they said after Caleb got home they went to The Dove for a pint. On the way Ben tried to mount a little dog in the street and Caleb mounted a drinkers leg in the pub! I think they must of had a chat together and worked out what they should of been doing.

Wish us luck for the morning.

Total tattoo competition...

2009-02-05T12:08:00.003Z

Know what it is yet?

Total tattoo magazine Feb 09 issue has an article on Paul Naylor better known as Myth our tattooist. In the article there's a competition to win a tattoo by him. All you have to do is send in a sketch or painting of the design. It says "Don't worry if you can't draw very well- that is Paul's job if you win! It's the ideas that are important."

Do you think I'll win?

He'd love to do it because he'd get to look at himself in the mirror all day!

2009-02-04T12:01:00.002Z

Before...

After...

Dita went into the home made poodle parlour yesterday (the garage) and had a bit of a hair do.
She's got a boyfriend coming round on Sunday and as long as she doesn't rip his throat out we should have a litter on Easter Sunday.

Anybody want a Border Terrier? Both parents have very similar personalities and are very laid back. The dog looks a lot like Dita but that doesn't mean all the pups will.

The hand stripping only took 35 mins this time. I don't know why people pay to have it done. I'm sure it would be more stressful to send her away.

Brighton tattoo convention weekend...

2009-02-03T16:15:00.005Z

What a weekend!
Up nice and early on Saturday morning nearly everything was ready to go. Just load the van up with kids to drop at friends houses etc and Karen and Will (they were early!). Off we went at 8ish on time. I thought it might of been a bad omen that just up from the house the speedo registered 66666 miles.
Karen had already had to stop for Will to be sick on the way from Bury St Edmunds to ours. He'd only had 3 drinks the night before..... Yeah right... We got as far as the A14 (coule of miles from home) and Will called out stop the van. Luckily we had a bag full of bags in the back. We only had to stop once more for him to be sick.
When we got to Brighton I sent Donna in to book into our rooms and stayed in the van incase of parking Hitlers. Luckily the rooms were ready and we sent Will up to have a kip and sort himself out while we went off for breakfast.
I arranged to meet JR in Wetherspoons. He said after 3 hours on the train he needed a beer. It was only 10.30... I ordered a breakfast for £3.68 and a coffee. Donna wanted beer. I kept my mouth shut! It's not often that I'm right!
After brekkie I drove everyone up to the race course in the van we planned to leave it there for the weekend to save us parking fees. Kelly had intended to take her car up too but after paying her £15 parking fee she found that her car wouldn’t start. We sent her back to get another ticket and told her to worry about it later.
We left the others to get their wristbands in the queue and went to chat to a Hells Angel about our guest list tickets! Straight in for us VIP’s. We won tickets by sending in our photos of last years event. Cheers Woody. We were glad we didn’t have to hang about outside it was bloody freezing.

When we got in we had a wander around for a bit and met Rob1968 from the skin deep forum and gave him the gimp mask that he had to wear all weekend while getting both of his thighs tattoo’d. People thought he was somebody famous that didn’t want to be recognised!
It was much busier than last year so after a bit we thought we’d try the bar. I chatted for a bit then went off for another wander. I was summoned back some time later when somebody wanted to try the chilli vodka. You know what I’m like I go off and start chatting to people and forget the time.
When I got back to the bar I didn’t fancy a beer until JR and Donna told me there was real ale! Result.
After beer and underpant photos I nipped outside for a smoke. Woo Hoo I started chatting to one of the security guys and after a bit asked him if I could take his photo for the http://www.100strangers.com/ site. Ratty was my first stranger and a very nice fella too. The best thing about the stranger site is these people aren’t strangers anymore they’re friends.

So after more chatting and wandering we got a taxi into town for food. Tesco voucher styleee. Bella Italia here we come. We were asked if we’d booked and told it would be over an hour before the table would be free. We decided that we’d go somewhere else. Another Italian were doing bookings only and the next place a pub had a private party on and no tables for us to sit and eat at. I went back to Bella while Donna got me a beer. Luckily they said a table would be ready before 8.30 so I nipped back and had my pint. 15-20 mins was all we had to wait.
After food we sent texts out to our friends and organised to meet back at Wetherspoons. What a mistake that was. Security Hilters on the door told me and Will to take our hats off. When we got inside all the local chavs had theirs on. Stag type parties were tipping drinks over their friends and Brim got refused entry when he didn’t have any ID!

We drank up and tried to find Brim Sam and the gang. It took some doing with very patchy directions, but when we found them it was fun.
When we got back to the hotel at whatever time Donna went up to bed. Beers for breakfast might not of been the right idea. God it’s good when I’m right… I stayed in the bar and chatted to alsorts of people and even got another stranger for the group. I went Blah Blah Blah when I did go to bed. Donna tried to ignore me and go back to sleep.

Sunday morning and we went off to meet Phil and Lisa for breakfast in guess where… Bella Italia. We’d bought baby Amelie some pirate clothing from the tattoo convention. She was really good for most of the meal, I think she only started crying very close to the time we had to go. Or do I just block it out?
We left Phil and Lisa at the taxi rank. The taxi driver said “Don’t tell me you want to go to the race course.” Is it that obvious? He said we were very colourful and knew where we were going. He chatted and drove very slowly all the way, telling us that we’d be lucky to get a taxi back that night. 2000 taxi’s in Brighton and only 2 would be working once the snow came. I didn’t have a drink and we decided it would be a good idea to take the van back to the hotel incase we couldn’t get back to it in the morning.
Sunday night was Pizza hut voucher night. We were lucky to get in because after we got our table people were getting turned away, they’d run out of pizza! After fueling up we set off to find the after show party. Phil had described where it was to me earlier, but not how far up Maderia Drive it was. I had to ring him to check we hadn’t missed it. Good job he hadn’t changed his number since last time a few years ago I rang him! Cars were slipping all over the road as we walked up and it was bloody cold.
We watched two Rockabilly bands and really enjoyed it. When we got back to the hotel some of our friends said they’d left after a while but we don’t do tattoo parties very often so it was cool for us.
After that things got silly. When the hotel bar closed the spirits from our room came out. I wish I hadn’t and I only had a glass of damson gin or two. It was about 4am when I told Donna to go to bed. I thought it a really bad idea to sit with the Hells Angels and have a drink.
In the morning we met two of the girls that did sit with them and they said they weren’t allowed to go to bed until 5.30.
When we got up at 10 we met everyone in the bar and went into town for breakfast. The busses weren’t running and most of the trains were cancelled! Our friends that left their car at the race course couldn’t get a taxi to pick it up for over an hour. News reports were coming through that the M25 was closed and nobody should venture out unless they really needed to. That was great for us as it ment that there was hardly anybody else on the M25 and all the other roads. It only took us an extra 45 mins to get home.
Last night we just wanted to go to bed!
All in all it was a crackin weekend and I’m looking forward to next years event already.

nth term my arse...

2009-01-28T22:18:00.002Z

I've been talking to Katie about her maths exam. She's going to need a good result to go on to further education, so I asked her which bits she was finding difficult. When she emailed me and said nth term I thought she'd missed a letter out! Anyway I googled it and looked at a maths revision site and looked and looked and no I couldn't see anything that remotely made sense to me. It just looked like somebody opened a can of number spagetti and threw it on a plate and said right the nth term is...
It doesn't help that I can't see the point in algebra at all and don't think I've used it since 1982.
George very kindly gave up on his game on the Wii to explain it to me. I knew he was talking, I could see his lips moving but nothing was sinking in. 2n+3ⁿ it still means nothing to me. Poor lad tried three or four times to explain it. He took one look at what I had been looking at for ages and said yeah right the next number is 227.
I've spoken to Katie and we're going to go back to basics and the pair of us will crack it with the help of BBC Bitesize. http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/ks3bitesize/maths/algebra/index.shtml

Birthday boys

2009-01-25T19:36:00.002Z

Birthday boys, originally uploaded by Crash n Donna.

Happy Birthday for yesterday Dyl!!

This is Dyl and his friend Ben who had a joint birthday party yesterday. The dress code was clearly wear a silly face. :p

Its official ...

2009-01-21T10:31:00.001Z

I'm not going to get dementia :)

"But our findings suggest that having a calm and outgoing personality in combination with a socially active lifestyle may decrease the risk of developing dementia even further. "

Another bloody weather warning...

2009-01-21T09:07:00.003Z

Do we really need a daily weather warning? Everyday it's something, ice on the roads, snow, wind or sunshine... Does anybody take any notice anymore?

What a waste...

2009-01-20T21:42:00.002Z

I met Donna in The Dove for a beer before going to see Russell Brand. We walked down in time for the show and thought we'd just grab a pint to take in with minutes to go, they were flashing the lights to show us that it was about to start. They didn't bother telling us that we couldn't take it in. We smuggled ours in and then got told to take it back out again when I was spotted... The warm up man didn't do his job. He strutted around the stage and ended up with a crap piece of poetry. We nipped out for another in the break and had a chat with our friend and his daughter, we'd not seen him since Dodge's funeral so had a good catch up.
We were both looking forward to Russell's quick fire wit but were disappointed with his performance. It was like cardboard. He might of well had the script in front of him. We put up with it for a while until Donna looked at me and knew what I was thinking. It's crap. She said should we go, and I agreed. On the way back to The Dove we talked about how few people were actually laughing. Not many.
It reminded me of going to see Pauline Black from The Selecter an 80's ska band, she shouldn't of been on stage either and should of been pushing trolleys at Tesco to pay the mortgage.
£50 down the drain. What a waste...

Russell Brand...You were shite. Ipswich Regent 19th January 2009

2009-01-19T23:00:00.002Z

We walked out. More tomorrow. Night night.

A quiet weekend ...

2009-01-18T19:58:00.006Z

In contrast to last weekend, I've had a quiet weekend in with the boys and Andy's been working. My ankle is still really sore, so I've taken it easy.

Friday night me and the boys made cake (really moist chocolate slice):

And Tiffin:

Saturday Dyl played football against Chantry. I think it could be said that the boys were a little out of shape having had their last 2 matches cancelled due to weather and the same for at least one training session.

Today we had a walk round the park. Other than that, we've not done much.

Tomorrow night Andy and I are off to see Russell Brand at the Regent :)

Fucking eyes ...

2009-01-13T16:39:00.003Z

I had my eyes lasered back in July 08. I got a half price deal so got it done when we absolutely couldn't afford it, but it was a good deal and I'd been wanting it done for a while. I read all the risks about the surgery and decided to do it anyway.

Well I was intially thrilled by not having any complications and my sight was tonnes better than it had previously been without glasses, but not as good as it previously was with glasses, but I had also read that it takes months to heal and reach your optimum sight.

Unfortunately for me, my sight appears to have deteriorated during the healing process, not improved. So today on my fourth or fifth follow up appointment we discussed retreatment. When I go back in 3 months, hopefully my prescription will have stabilised so they can retreat me. I can opt to have one eye retreated at a time.

Just for my own records, below is where I've come from/to:

Left Right
sight astig sight astig
pre-op -2.75 -3.5
9 wks (09/08) -0.25 -0.25 -0.25 -0.75
5 mths (01/09) -0.5 -1.0 -0.5 -1.0

I need to dig out my pre-op astigmatism prescription.

I have to go for the retreatment thought as otherwise I feel I will have wasted our money as I don't really feel comfortable driving with my eyesight as it is (although I am legal, but only just). But now I have to wait another 3 months and I've been advised to get glasses made for those 3 months, but because my problem is mostly astigmatism I can't just buy them in the supermarket. So, more expense. If I went and ordered them tomorrow, which I can't because I can't walk, it would take at least a week to get them and for 3 months at how much expense? Bummer.

That is all.

Silly old drunks

2009-01-11T21:22:00.001Z

Today we have been taking it easy. We went to celebrate my sister's 50th birthday last night. We drank, not more than we are used to, but for some reason Andy was completely shit-faced and so we accepted a lift home from my Dad. The road was closed due to a fire. I have a feeling there may have been fatalities because the police had closed the road. So we took a detour. Then Andy said "stop the car". He got out and was sick. I said to Dad to carry on without us we'd walk. We had to take a detour when a 12 year old policeman objected to us walking through the cordoned off area.

Further down the road, my brothel creepers objected to uneven pavement, possibly helped along by my drunkeness and my attempts to hold my husband up and down I went like a tonne of bricks. I'm such a fucking spaz. I fall over a lot. Andy tried to help me up, but I didn't want his "help", he was more likely to pull me over again. So I limped the remainder of the way home, slowly.

Today I am in pain. I think we'd have had a lazy day anyway, but it has been particularly lazy, we even ordered pizza in so that we didn't have to cook. Silly old drunks indeed.

Oh, and Happy Birthday Kimbol.

Just for Katie...

2009-01-05T14:30:00.000Z

August 2004.

What I forgot to post ...

2009-01-03T15:25:00.001Z

was the state of Sam and Andy the next day ...

Sam had suggested going shopping, but she barely managed to eat her Maccy D's for brunch!!

Christmas Part II

2009-01-02T22:53:00.005Z

After Christmas, we headed up to Southport to see Sam & Rob and Ben and return Katie and Sophie. It was rather opportune that Sam's bezzy Becki was having her 21st Birthday party ... yay!! and what's more, she didn't even mind us coming!! We arrived at Sam's and opened presents. I must complain that Sam and Ben didn't observe the rule of opening the presents alternately so that everyone could see their happy little expressions. I kept waiting for Sam to get to the memory card for the camera we bought her. I thought it must still be in the bag.

I'm so stupid, I forgot to even wrap it, it was in the in tray at home ..., D'Oh! So Sam had to keep deleting pics to take more on the diddy card that came with it. Andy and I were both lucky and got loverly pressies from Sam and Rob. Andy got the Big Book of Breasts he'd been coveting for some time and I got a gift card for my favourite high street clothing store. :)

After pressies we went to Bella Italia. They do Tescos deals vouchers don't ya know. When we were all totally stuffed we returned to Sam's to get glammed up ready to party. Sam slipped into a sexy little black number, I squeezed into my rather tight black jeans. Andy slipped into one of his Christmas shirts.

The party was fabby ... Here's some pics:

George, Sam and me did the Macarena, and I think I also did some rowing of boats, my thighs ached the next day to remind me.

Andy and Sam went on drinking after the party and had a good heart-to-heart, the sort you can only have after a few beers and Andy returned to drunkenly recall that they had got to the bottom of it and altho Sam admitted that she felt abandonned by him previously, she now loves him for what he is, silly moustache and all. I don't mean to make light of it, it was an emotional night for the both of them, and I think a night Andy will treasure.

Here's a pic of them later in the evening.

Sam looks like she was faring better than Andy!

It's all over!

2009-01-02T15:05:00.001Z

It's all over!, originally uploaded by Crash n Donna.

That's it for another year.

Christmas roundup ...

2008-12-29T20:14:00.013Z

Our Christmas pretty much started on 23rd when I collected Katie and Sophie from Ely station. Andy was working the night, so me and the girls had a Chinese and vegged out for the evening. Christmas Eve we met my buddies from work for a pint on our way into town to buy Andy's Christmas present from the girls. They were going to buy him a garden fork, but given they were travelling by train, thought it best to wait until they got here to buy it! As it was, we thought of a better present ... a hip flask for Andy to use to take booze with him wherever he likes :)

We shopped for less than an hour, then headed to Pizza Express. We can go to Pizza Express at the moment as Tesco has a Clubcard Deal. The service was good, the beer was astronomically expensive as usual and we were tucked into our main course. I got about a 6th of the way through mine before I came across some plastic covered in green slime. I motioned to a waitress that I needed assistance, but she gave me a look that said "you're not my table". So I beckoned her and showed her what I'd found. I then waited for a replacement pizza. Shortly after we'd eaten, Andy went out for a smoke and on his return found this promotional sign:

The boys came round in the evening and we each opened a present. This was only possible because Andy traditionally has his bottle of malt on Christmas Eve, and as I'd wrapped it from the boys, he agreed to us having a present each. Everyone got sent to bed at around midnight so that Santa could do his thing. Katie and Sophie get the BAFTA for best pretending-not-to-hear-"Santa" enter their bedroom!!

Christmas came and George and Dylan got moustaches from father Christmas :)

I'm not sure where they found the other, strange fella who made up the Three Moustachioed Amigos

I made the children endure the opening one present each while we all watched. For me, the main fun of Christmas is watching everyone open their presents so I don't want to miss any of it.

Crash got some new troooosers and 2 new shirts. :)

and I got lots of lovely ASBO goodies and a cap

We also managed to nip to the pub for a quick one before lunch. Dad came - which was a surprise as usually he wants to stay home, and my bro Mark came and brought his friend Jess. Dinner took its toll on us all ...

Later we watched Doctor Who, Wallace and Gromit, and then played "Are you smarter than a 10 year old?". We weren't.

Three moustashioed amigos

2008-12-25T11:53:00.001Z

Three moustashioed amigos, originally uploaded by Crash n Donna.

Happy Christmas everyone.

I've already had this message about this photo...

"Christmas shirt, Crash?

That comedy tache on the old guy is just silly"

Cheers Brimster.

Ah well 7 mins till the pub opens.

I rap...

2008-12-20T12:10:00.000Z

I wrap presents with the style of a 5 year old...

Is it time to get up yet?

Innit.

2008-12-19T12:33:00.003Z

On the way to school today ....

Dyl (with respect to my hair): "The Year 6s said your hair is stupid. So I went and told all my Year 5 friends and we went and destroyed the Year 6 den. Then we had to go to lunch and they destroyed ours. "

George: "Oh yeah, the Year 11s asked me if my mum was a punk. I said "Yeah, she's really cool". They said, "Innit". "

Now, in this recalled conversation, "Innit" sounded quite positive. I am 43 and don't have this word in my vocab. Could someone young/down-with-the-kids confirm?

I have requested that Dylan avoid fighting on behalf of my image and its okay to agree that my hair is in fact rather stupid.

Beer beer beer...

2008-12-19T11:20:00.002Z

Had a good laugh out with the lads last night. I had spat my dummy out for a while about organising a piss up after last year some people moaned about what I sorted out. I thought sod em they can do it. So nothing happened. Typical. I then sent round a text telling them what Stig and I were going to do and if they wanted to join us then fine if not tough.
We met up in The Dove for a few at 6 with only one person dipping out at the last minute. I had printed out a list of names with boxes next to each name for £10 beer £10 beer £10 beer and £10 food. I collared them all at the door as they came in... Nobody was going to get away with telling us they'd put theirs in and then finding out the money was short. I then had to go to the bar for everyone but hey ho I had my Dove loyalty card. 2p per pint was going onto our account! Woo Hoo.
I'd booked a table for 8pm for 10 people but we ended up with one extra and we even got there on time. I had to take charge again when I got in there nobody had told the staff at the Sonar Bangla that we were going for the £8.95 menu, or that we had an extra person. Bloody good food and great service. A couple of the lads had never been into an India restuarant before but came away saying that they'd do it again. It got a little noisy towards the end of the meal but the only other table of diners were upstairs.
We walked into The Milestone after the meal and walked straight back out again. What used to be a good real ale house hasn't even got a hand pump on the bar now.
Then it was into McGinty's the beer was ok the bar staff miserable and the toilets stink. When time was called one of the lads gave me and two others a lift home, he'd only had coke all night and that was that. We had a laugh and I don't think there'll be any moaning so we'll have to do it again next year.

I am a happy bunny ...

2008-12-18T11:19:00.003Z

It's nearly Christmas!! I find myself in a rather jovial mood today. This morning I went to Dyl's school assembly and listening to them sing and play trumpet. Now I have Jingle Bells on my brain, which rather than being annoying, is making me feel jolly.

A twunt at work has tried to start an argument with me this morning. A couple of weeks ago when I was pre-menstrual, I took the bait and ended up calling him a little Hitler and hanging up on him, but today I have risen above. Halleluyah. :D

Denee Denee...

2008-12-15T09:24:00.002Z

We watched the story of Blondie last night on BBC2. It reminded me of the late 70's hearing Denis (Denee) and getting goosebumps up my arms and neck. I had to have it. I went into Quirks records in Freshfield, Formby and was served by a lovely lady with a light perm. I told her how it went and she knew it. My 59p or whatever 7" singles cost at the time was passed over the counter and I went back to play it on repeat on our record player. It was one of those early 70's models with the arm that you placed across and you could slam on a stack of around 6 or 7 singles. When one finished the next one dropped down. Or if you only had 1 on the turntable it kept on playing. MMMMMMmmm 1970's Teak furniture...

I still love that track and I'm pretty sure I still have it in a box in the garage.

She was the sexyist punk in the world. I'd like to know if any teenage boy didn't have his pull out poster of Debbie Harry from "Smash hits" on his wall.

What are you doing this evening?

2008-12-11T15:54:00.002Z

I’ve been reminded today that I haven't blogged for a while. I haven’t felt like it. I’ve still got plenty going on in my life, and I’ve still got plenty of thoughts going round in my head, but I think I may have just “got better” at keeping them to myself.

In the past, me speaking my mind on here has upset Andy’s kids, upset friends of mine, not always, not even often, but sometimes.

Do normal people just keep their thoughts to themselves?

Well tonight I’m doing something that fills me with dread, for many different reasons. I hadn’t blogged about it, because some people will be offended about it if they read it, but what the hell, I could do with getting it off my chest.

Tonight I’m going to see the Christmas production of a local dance company. I was in this dance company from the age of about 4 until I was 19 or 20. There were a lot of good things about this dance company. I always thought that it was one of the reasons I am so confident. But lately I’ve given it more thought. I think I would have been confident whatever, its in my genes and my upbringing. (Or maybe its all a front.)

Tonight I’m going to this “thing” with dread in my heart. For years after I left said dance company I had nightmares that my mum persuaded me to go back and help, and then last minute I got put on stage, but as I hadn’t been to any rehearsals, I didn’t know the fuck what I was doing on stage and just ended up making an arse of myself.

Every pantomime every year I was told I was too fat. I was even played back VT of the dress rehearsal so that the director could show me how fat I looked. Mostly I was put at the back, I even played a tree in one ballet. Most dance numbers required boy and girl partners, but with there only being an handful of boys in the dance troupe, the petite girls got to be girls, the rest of us mostly played boys (except when we were being trees). I guess it made me think I was never slim enough and never pretty enough. Since I left, and moreso since I’ve been with Andy, I have felt attractive. I don’t want to go back there.

A very good friend who has been fighting his own demons this year has asked me to go to the opening night. He’s choreographed some of the dance numbers. I’m going to support him.

I’m done, there’s more stuff, but I’ve had enough thinking about it. Maybe I'm more vulnerable than I ever let on.

I'm a fashion starter, twisted fashion starter...

2008-12-11T14:32:00.001Z

self, originally uploaded by Crash n Donna.

Self portrait after six months of growth. I know my kids don't like it, but it's staying and I'm enjoying it... 18cm end to end! It's a bit like the pink hair thing, loads of people tell Donna that they love her hair but ain't got the balls to do it. I think secretly there's a lot of tashe envy going on out there... Or am I in a world of my own?
I got told that I'm going through a mid life crisis the other night at work. I said I've had more of them than you've had hot dinners and told him if he wants to shop at River Island/Burtons/Top shop etc that's up to him I'm more than happy being a little bit different. I called him a Lemming. He even had the cheek to take the piss out of my flat cap!

Our tree.

2008-12-10T06:40:00.001Z

Our tree., originally uploaded by Crash n Donna.

GRRRRRrrrrrrrrrr...

2008-12-10T06:20:00.003Z

We booked our tickets for Speedfreaks Ball on 27th December 2007, 3 weeks before the event the promoter cancelled the event. We're still waiting for our money back. Insert angry face here. Yesterday another piece of the puzzle came into place and we found out the promoters full name. I think that now we have that information we should start the small claims process. He's had enough time now to make refunds to everybody. Anyone else wanting his name just google his mobile number that's on his emails.

Other news...

Donna turned into a lumberjack on Saturday. She felled a Christmas tree that we had growing in the garden. It's now filling our lounge and looking lovely. Just before Clive came to collect the boys on Sat eve Dyl put chocolates on it. Soon as the boys left we went down to the Dove, we came back to a naughty dog that had eaten 4 or 5 of them and had been sick.

I had my beard restyled on Sunday. I'm now feeling very cavalier. It's 6 months old tomorrow so we'll have to post a celebratory photo.

Nuffin much else to report...

Happy Birthday Sophie...

2008-12-03T08:59:00.001Z

Sophie, originally uploaded by Crash n Donna.

Hope you have a lovely day with loads of prezzies.

It's not everyday you see Sophie with a phone to her ear!

XXX

If I had a record player...

2008-12-02T13:49:00.005Z

I'd be playing these now...

Another find at the auctions... Why not visit my page and put a bid in! Only bad thing was I ended up buying "The Demis Roussos magic"LP and a box FULL of vhs vidoes, but I did clear out 5 boxes of books and a box of cameras. They'll be in the auctions next week.

Anyone need a copy of "Titanic" on vhs?

Oh and it's raining.

Happy now Sam?