Trials and tribulations

Back to work after a week on holiday. Not good. Too many emails, phone calls, messages and envelopes. Got home at 7pm, cooked dinner, and collected number 2 child from school. He's now doing his homework. Number 1 child out at the pub. Husband out at a bible study. I should be revising for my exam which is a week tomorrow but I can't concentrate. The washer has died and I can't afford a new one. I'll have to use the money I was saving for Number 1 child's university accommodation fees. This month we've had to have a new car exhaust and a new vacuum cleaner. No wonder I never have any money to spend on myself. Better start thinking positively if I'm to pass my exam.

Who'd want to marry a vicar?

Apparently many want to marry the vicar. Well my friend, don't do it! Especially if you'd like to spend time alone with him. He's on call 24/7, is provided with a house he can't afford to run and you'll have to fight off all the little old ladies who want to look after him because you obviously don't look after him properly.

A survey by the dating agency, Christian Connection, which attracted more than 300 responses found that when asked: "Would you consider marrying a full-time vicar/minister/pastor?" , more than 45 per cent said they "Would love to", while nearly 40 per cent replied that it was not what they would choose, but "if the right person came along . . ." Ten per cent said they would consider it, as long as they could live their own life.

bloody church bells

I'm turning into a grumpy old women! What is it about church bells? Why do they insist on ringing peals for just about anything? I've got a thumping headache and they insist on ring the bells because it's the Queen's birthday. Except that it isn't, yet, and she wont even hear them. It's like buying someone a present, feeling all warm about doing so, but not giving them the present. What's the point? They ring them for birthdays, weddings, funerals, anniversaries, ordinations, deaths, births and any other reason they can think of. But no one knows what the occasion is because it all sounds the same and it's bloody loud when you live next door to the church. If I played heavy metal music at the same decibels I'd get an ASBO!

How to make money on the internet

Wanting to earn a few quid to pay for my daughter's university education I thought I'd google 'how to make money on the internet'. Nearly 4 millions results. I'm not the only one who's broke, obviously. Scrolling down, most sites are get rich quick schemes. "If something sounds too good to be true it probably is" - words of wisdom from my mum, RIP. So how do I make a few extra quid? Someone please tell me. I'm already out of the house 12 hours a day earning a crust and studying in the evening trying to get qualified. Not enough time left to set up a website, or work in a bar. What I want is low risk, high income for very little effort and time - just like everyone else.

Chocolate, sex and getting fat

Lots of comfort food resulting in getting fat. I've been stuffing my face with cholcolate whilst trying to study. Am I the only person who has to eat every last bit of chocolate in the house. Whatever the size of bar I just can't leave any. I have to eat it, as long as no one else is around. Whilst at the office I am so self controlled, it's unbelievable. So now I'm feeling fat, ugly and undesirable. Result, go to bed before the man and pretend to be asleep.

an uneventful day in the life of Gertrude the goldfish

Arose at 6.am to put the washing in and do the ironing. Everyone else still snoring. I don't do mornings very well so it's a good idea to wake up well before everyone else so that I can appear at least half human when I speak to someone. Even so, why do I always have to do the washing and ironing? Left the house at 6.55am after waking number 2 child. Caught the train to work. It takes an hour on the train during which time I try to study but usually fall asleep half way.
The train seems to get busier each week. arrived at work and set up the training room for a recruitment morning. 14 people turned up all eager to volunteer. Laid it on rather thick about the commitment expected of them. Obviously not thick enough. They all signed up for an interview. Had a brisk walk at lunch time, cold but sunny. Felt better for the exercise. Relaxing lunch in a local coffee bar. Caught up on emails and organisational stuff in the afternoon. Got the early train home so back in the house for 6pm. Alone most of the evening so went to bed early to read. Number 1 child staying at a friends house, number 2 child out at school watching a play, The Man out working. Not amused that I was already in bed when he arrived home. Tough.

Dying my hair and going to church

Well what are Sunday's for, but for doing all those things you don't have time for during the rest of the week. Very quickly did my roots before I went to Church. I really don't want to look the same as all the old ladies. Started going grey very early. 18 in fact. A flat mate found the first one, about the same time that I met The Man. Started having a full head colour before I was 30. So every few weeks I look in the mirror and decide it's that time again, pop down to the local chemist and pick up a pack of natural dark blond.
Managed to do it just in time and then scuttled across the garden to Church. Slipped in just as the Choir was about to process down the aisle. One member looked at her watch and tutted. Cow. She's a widow of a clergyman and I obviously don't do the clergy wife stuff right. Tough. I don't intend to. Sneaked out after communion so I didn't have to talk to anyone. Couldn't face doing all the polite conversation stuff today. Went for a lovely walk with The Man and the dogs. Only a slight hill but soon out of breath. Really must get fit, but can't be bothered. Why is everything such hard work? Should be doing my assignment for college but instead I'm wasting my time writing this. Better go and be sensible and do the ironing if I'm not going to study. Can't cope with guilt.

Labradors

Been for a walk with the dogs. Labradors. 1 black. 1 Chocolate. Aaah. They are lovely except when they eat the fantastic fillet staeak I had already and waiting to be cooked. Did the same again last week. 4 beautiful salmon filets sat on the side waiting to be grilled. Left the room for 2 minutes told everyone to keep the doors closed so the dogs wouldn't eat the fish. What happened? Only 1 left by the time I returned. Not very happy! Dogs not popular. Very sore throat from shouting so much.

Life at The Rectory

Life at The Rectory

Thought it was about time I chopped all the saplings off the lime trees down the drive. Can hardly get the car past. Problem is they keep growing back. When's the best time of year to do it? Anyone know?

Did some tidying up around the garden. Can't have the parishioners talking about what a disgrace it is. Anyway they might want a parish do in the garden later in the year. Strange how it becomes public property when they want to use it but it's me that has to do the gardening!The sun was shining so it wasn't too much of a chore. I feel so much better when it's sunny. Think I must suffer from SAD.