Tonight's the night baby!!!

So excited.

I've voted. I want my vote to change the world, husband assures me it won't!

Our constituency is Conservative (not sure if that's a big C or little c!) with LibDem gnashing at their loafers.....Conservatives won back their long-term seat after an inconceivable blimp last time caused by the LibDems.

I asked someone at school, who I suspect strongly to be a C. (I'm just abbreviating, it wasn't meant as a slur!) anyhow I asked who he thought would win here in the Ludlow territory. He smiled in that way, you know, the sort of 'I'm sorry for you' way,....so I presume that means the C's will get in.

I'm not wildly optimistic. No, not about the vote, just about whether I'll be able to stay awake. I'm off to make coffee immediately....

See you tomorrow....in a brand new world!

Lou-Lou's Fashion-Free Zone.........

Firstly, may I apologise in advance to my lovely guests this weekend, in case I offend....(there, that just about lets me off the hook for an-y-thing I wanna say... I hope!)

I don't get out much nowadays, and I certainly don't do girl-shopping anymore. Just to clarify, that doesn't mean I EVER shopped for girls! It just means I don't wander around shops anymore, desperate to buy something pretty. Consequently I'm in a bit of a quandary with my wardrobe: I'm either Hill-Billy Garden Woman (grrrrr) or Tailored Ungaro-Jacket Woman, curvy in Spanx, phone to ear: 'buy, sell, buy, sell!'................. As an aside, and this is in no-way meant to sexually titillate, may I congratulate the person who invented the Spanx stuff for having the foresight to make them crotchless. This design feature must have drastically reduced needless NHS hip operations and eradicated countless woopsie accidents......

As our pals were arriving late on Saturday, I thought I'd be safe sticking with Hill-Billy woman attire, until the last moment when I would shower and change into faux City Slicker. The weather had finally turned tail on spring, retreating to winter again so, with a few extra layers including a home-knit that I should donate to the cats, I got out into my veg patch (poo patch more like.) I cleaned the chickens, I turned the compost and cleared out an old pond which had a fusty bog smell to it.......There was still tons of time.....

By now my work clothes were stained with substances that even I didn't recognise. My jeans could've walked to the wash basket all-by-themselves, my perfume was courtesy of Mother Nature .....on a really off day. AND THEN THEY ARRIVED!

C was a vision; coiffured hair, floaty top...MAKE-UP!....earings, and the sexiest pair of take me now black patent leather, five inch pumps, you-have-EVER-seen. J, all six-foot-two of him, sauntered over smelling great, designer jeans, cool boots, casual shirt and a smile.

I felt like a right minger (ming-ar British slang.) Husband had already sneaked off for a shower and looked cool. What must they have thought of me?! Feral, came to mind.

Immune to the alcohol we plied them with, and resisting the pair of rose-tinted specs I offered, they were soon freezing. Husband and I dressed them in matching fleeces and wellies.[Just to clarify, we are not one of those couples who dress in matching Christmas sweaters! We just happen to have been given a job lot of green fleeces, with J&B whisky logos on them]

It was cute, our pals were beginning to look more and more like us.......... consequently they left soon after breakfast! Maybe they thought it was all going to turn out a bit like the film Misery.

To be fair they had to go home to see their tiny, cute dog who'd just had an operation................. but secretly I'm sure they were also relieved to get back to civilization.....alive and well, dressed in their own clothes.

Hope they're brave and come back one day......

The Cousins and the Competition

So artistic, so creative, so inspiring.....the first prize goes to....

It's a difficult situation choosing a winner, numero uno, 'specially where sproglets are concerned. One doesn't need the participants to break down and weep, having enjoyed the process. Aged 8,7 and 5 they need to be congratulated on their results. For that reason I'm pleased to announce (and for a myriad of artistic merit...) that.....wait for it.....tense music....Simon Cowell looking smug......Ryan Seac....Oh for goodness sake, get on with it!!!

ALL THE COUSINS ARE WINNERS for their beautiful shirt designs and for the amazing fact that they were oh-so-quiet for well over an hour!!! Here's the prize money, £1.50 each. Invest it wisely....possibly with Nick Clegg who's doing awfully well...bless...

If you'd like to create this activity, she said in her best British BBC Blue Peter voice.... then:

1. Take 4 loud children
2. Make them plan their design on a piece of paper (this focuses their minds and stretches the activity out)
3. Give them old white school shirts
4. Trust them with scissors (or get involved BUT NOT AS CREATIVE DIRECTOR. OK!?)
5. Give them fabric pens - after you've covered up grandma's table that is.
6. Judge the results

Tra-laaaaa......

My Book and Truck Tyres...

Oh I've been busy as a nailer this week.

I spent two days away from the nest (childless) to progress my children's book with a famous author....I would tell you who it is, but if I did that I'd probably have to kill you, so entrenched in espionage is his wonderful writing......He's been so generous with his time; questioning my characters' relationships and challenging my mind to create an authentic story. Thank you, thank you G.

I returned home, elated and tired. I was back on duty at 6am, waking the babies for school. The 5yo looked at me, bleary-eyed and asked;
'Is your girl book finished yet? Can you write Star Wars now?'
Would that I could sweetie, but think that Mr Lucas might get a bit cross. Mind you, if I got away with it I'd be able to afford the school fees AND get the house painted!!....and murder that bloody ensuite...

Yesterday I passed a huge tyre depot, tucked away at the back of Ludlow. I was in Dizzy Disco so I pulled in and asked if I could have some free truck tyres for the kids to play on. The man looked a bit dazed, but got it when I explained I was too mean to buy toys. He loaded me up with two enormous tyres and promised me more...tyres I mean!

This weekend heralds the arrival of yet more guests, what a social spot The Larches is. Roast chicken this evening with roasted veg and home made chicken stock and for pud; bbq bananas with chocolate and cream...peasant fare this weekend. Love it....(unless Natural Selection would like to pop over and do paella...oh well gotta dream...)