Sitting on a Cornflake

Why is it that we’re meant to pay a tip to certain people, but not others? I was at the hairdressers yesterday, I’d paid for my cut, but I’m still expected to tip both my hairdresser, and the girl that washed my hair.

It’s the same in restaurants, taxis, etc etc - we pay what we’re asked to, but then we have to tip too.

I’m a practice nurse, and for many of my patients I offer a ’service’. So, after I’ve given a vaccine, helped someone manage their asthma properly, helped them give up smoking, or even done a smear, why don’t I find an extra £1 or so on my desk?!

The Stand by Stephen King.. the complete version, 1344 pages. My latest reading challenge!

When you mention King on the forum, this is the book that most often gets mentioned. Many quote it as their favourite, a few are reading, and many more have it on their TBR pile. I read most of King’s books when I was younger, but I honestly can’t remember if I read this one.. and if I finished it if I did.

At this point, I have so many books that I want to get to, that the larger ones in my collection are rather off putting. This one is likely to take me quite some time, so I’m going to read it alongside others.

So, how about you.. have you read it, do you intend to? If it’s something you’re considering picking up, why not come join us on our forum reading circle. There’s going to be no time limit on it, and our members are really good with spoiler tags!

Wish me luck with this one.. any guesses on how long it’ll take?! lol

Six years ago, we sold our flat in London, bought a house in Slade Green, and moved. Ok, so we did have some hassles.. we got part way through buying a house in Dartford, only to have it fall through. But once we found this house, all went fairly smoothly.

Earlier this year, we decided it was time to try again. After looking around, and not finding much, we came across a house in Dartford which we loved. We rushed straight down to put our offer in, got a buyer for here within a few days, and started the whole process off.

I knew it could get a little stressful, and I promised myself I would stay cool. What will be, will be.. that sort of thing.

Huh!

This has been the most stressful, frustrating and annoying thing I have done in my life! (As my poor friends will testify to!). Solicitors seem to pick on the SMALLEST thing, and there are indemnity policies for just about everything you can think of. We even have to take one out in case the ancient church in Dartford decides to make us pay for their repairs.. I kid you not!

Right now, we are waiting for the final piece of paperwork. For the life of me, I can’t see why it’s important enough to hold things up, but our buyers solicitor is insisting. The people above us want 28 days between exchange and completion, and yet in a couple of weeks they are going away until mid November! So if they refuse to compromise, it’s bound to fall through.. and the amount of money that will lose us just doesn’t bear thinking about!

So, by the end of the month, I’ll either be very depressed, or sitting in my new house, recovering from the nervous breakdown a fast move will bring on!

My 8 year old daughter is obsessed with these.. she’s constantly working out how much money she has, and what cards she can buy. She swaps at school, and she keeps a close eye on ebay.. especially for her favourites, the ‘ultra-rares’.

From yesterday, there is a now a new collection.. 225 new ‘Invader’ cards. Most kids are still frantically trying to complete their existing collection.. and now there are new ones! As a parent, I was very unimpressed that a new set was coming out already.. it’s yet more money making for them.

However, I do have to admit that I’m also a little bit excited. I love Dr Who, and the cards are actually rather good fun. And this lot will have The Master in! So, I’ve bought the initial magazine and pack for her.. so off we go again!

Of course, not being content with cards, she also likes the stickers. Friends st school have kindly passed on lots of doubles, so she hasn’t actually bought that many yet.. and they are cheaper. In my day, it was football stickers.. my friend and I collected them, then sat deciding which ones we fancied! LOL

How about you and your young ones.. what was around when you were at school, and what do your children like now?

I can’t find a theme that I like! However, this one has lots of options, so I may stick with it! I must resist the temptation to install WordPress on my web site.. otherwise I’ll spend far too much time on it!

As for the title, I think that may stick. Of course everyone knows where it’s taken from.. right..?

Ok, let’s face it.. I can’t resist a new blog to play with! I’ve just set up a reviews blog for my book forum, and I’m rather impressed with WordPress. So, of course it wasn’t long before I decided to add one of my own!

Ok, I’m off to experiment and play.. be back later!