OU Update

 

Well, I managed to pass my last OU literature module…. not quite sure how that happened, but I was delighted. With no retake to revise for, I’ve been able to get on with the background reading  for next two modules…. yes, that’s right, TWO!! Having already signed up for ‘From Enlightenment to Romanticism’, I was having a wee mooch through the other courses on offer and found a new one. ‘Inside Music’. Having devoted several years of my life to music, I figured I could cope with it… so I signed up. All the materials have now arrived for my two courses which are both due to start next week on my birthday. Let you know how I get on….

In other news…. I managed to put my back out last week. I wish I could say that I did it whilst doing something exciting like pole-dancing for example, or yoga, or whilst doing an assault course. Sadly not. I injured my back whilst bending down to put a sock on. The pain was unbelievable… like giving birth without the gas and air. I’ve been signed off work for 2 weeks by my doctor, and the first week was torture. Not because of my back (which is still sore) but due to the drivel that passes for daytime TV. For the first couple of days I was subjected to Jeremy Kyle and This Morning.  It made me think, it’s no wonder so many stay-at-home mums and dads are on anti-depressants if the only perspective they have on the outside world is provided by the telly. Anyway, I got in touch with the Amazon Fairy who, lo and behold, delivered a box set of Downton Abbey to me the very next day….. thank you Amazon Fairy, for you have saved what little sanity I have left.

Started on my To-Do list for this coming week. Top of the list is to report said back injury to my travel insurance, because in just two weeks time I’m jetting off to sunny LA to see my brother and his lovely family – YAY!!! I’m taking my son along, and we are both really excited. My brother tells me that we are going to have a day at Six Flags, which apparently is renowned for its rollercoasters. Thankfully I have a cast iron excuse not to go on them this time! Apart from seeing my family, the thing I’m most looking forward to is the prospect of seeing wild dolphins. Last time we were there we took a whale watching boat trip out of Balboa, and seeing the dolphins playing and leaping out of the sparkling waters of the Pacific lifted my soul. My only dilemma regarding the trip is an important one… to self-tan or not before I go. Bearing in mind that I am Anglo-Irish with skin so white it is almost blue, I’m thinking that some kind of fake tan product might make me look a bit more ‘normal’ among the tanned lovelies of Orange County. So long as it doesn’t streak of course. I once made the mistake of applying fake tan after enjoying the best part of a bottle of wine. It was not the best idea that I’ve ever had. My feet looked as though I hadn’t washed them for weeks, and I had to wear long trousers for a week until it faded.  Am wondering if the new sprays are any better…..

Ah well, that’s enough from me for now. Must crack on with the OU stuff so I can take 10 days out to air my streaky legs on the beaches of So Cal

Byeeee x

Woeful neglect

Have made a shocking realisation today. Oh yes. It is that there is not much point in having a blog if I don't actually write anything in it. I sense that you are nodding your head in agreement - at least you would if there was anyone actually reading these thoughts of mine.I shall just address my thoughts to myself, as I am most likely my only reader anyway :-)

Anyway, I have made a new resolution, and here it is. I will update my blog at least once a week from now on, in an effort to make my writing a bit more disciplined, instead of a seemingly random stream of thoughts with no real structure or form.

So what's new since last time I posted?

I now work 4 days per week for my local authority instead of 5 days. I have Wednesday as my day off, which I really enjoy. It has made a lot of difference to me, I don't feel anywhere near as stressed as I used to. With all the budget cuts, I may face the loss of my job. I must admit, the only thing I would miss would be the money... it would be great to devote most of my time to my kids and my studies. (With a bit of time to play gigs of course.)

I did allow all my grey hair to come through, and it was admired by several people. But, if I am honest with myself, it came as a shock to behold my reflection and realise that I was now grey when I still feel brunette. Worse than that, my kids and husband didn't like it, so I succumbed to temptation and had some highlights put in. Now I'm waiting for all the blondes-have-more-fun to start.... about time too.

My OU work continues. Unfortunately I did not enjoy the module and my work suffered as a result. My assignment results were acceptable, but I'm still waiting to hear if I passed  the exam I took in June.... somehow I doubt it. So I have already planned a strategy. Until I get my result (due 6th August, gulp!), I am doing all the background work I can ready for my next module (which starts 1st October). Then if I have to retake my exam I have 2 months to revise, having already done the prep for the new module.... all well and good, if it works. I will let you know...

My OH is just home from America, having spent the last 7 weeks working in South Carolina. We picked him up from our local wee airport on Sunday, and I was amused to note that BA managed to transport him safely from the other side of the world on 3 different flights, yet it was only on the last short hop that his suitcase went missing. Grrrr!  It is really good to have him home though, and his absence made me realise just how hard life must be for all those single parentsout there.  Unfortunately he's got to go back for another 2 weeks in August - hopefully that will be the last trip he does for a while, because it is hard enough to combine studying with work and family life even with him here..

Well, that's about it for the update for now. We are going away next week for 7 days in the Highlands. Better go and find the midge repellant I suppose - toodle pip for now xx