Sorry for being so rubbish

Crushed for 23 years...

One of my friends recently described herself as a 'dirty old bag' because she fancies the same guy as her 6 year old daughter (Troy from High School Musical if you're interested, he's quite dishy I must admit) which led to a bunch of us discussing our girlhood crushes. Most of the guys who came up didn't have staying power - the lead singer from Showaddywaddy, Rick Astley and Julian from the Famous Five (wtf?) were all mentioned - which got me to thinking (get me, Carrie Bradshaw) have I had the longest crush in history? The reason I ask is this picture:


still makes me feel quivery inside. In 1985, in the run up to Live Aid, I remember being so moved by this scruffy Irish guy and his humanitarian efforts, and I don't think it's ever gone away. I look at that picture and I feel 9 and not 32. I think it's the fire in his belly that does it for me.

The nearest I have come to actually meeting the object of my 23 year crush is being in Hyde Park at the same time as him during Live 8, but it wasn't the intimate occasion of my fantasies! I once served Paula Yates and his daughters ice-cream from the Thorntons on Kings Road during one summer break from University. My husband has come a bit closer and sat next to him and his girlfriend in the Dome Cafe one Valentine's Day (sadly my husband was with an ex-girlfriend at the time and not me).

I do think these girlhood loves are so special and they shape the person you turn into. So, thanks Bob for helping me through many boring hour, for the wedding that never was, for never escaping from my mind, and for never blending into obscurity. I never could have kept up my crush on Luke Goss in quite the same way!

My goals:

1. Jogging: I've been doing it. It's fab! I can't believe I haven't done it sooner. It's such fun, and really makes me appreciate where I live (right next to the Thames). My head feels clearer, I feel I'm doing something for me, I'm healthier already.
2. Weight: hasn't really decreased, but I'm hoping it will as a result of 1.
3. Flat: it's a disaster, no one wants our flat. Damn credit crunch.
4. Housework: I feel like every thing is slotting into place just lately, and the flat is cleaner and tidier than it has been for ages.
5. Finances: things aren't too bad here either. We're keeping on an even keel even if there isn't much (any?) surplus at the end of the month. Not exactly living the high life, but living within our means which is a lot less stressful.
6. Career: nothing to report.
7. Friends: good, have been quite sociable of late! Spending this weekend at a BBQ / sleepover and then cheering on a friend who is running the marathon (she reckons she's doing 6.5 miles an hour - imagine!).

Funny C story of the week. Some line dancers came on telly, which she though was hilarious and danced along with them. She must've noticed their cowboy hats because she went and got her little wooly hat and made me put it on before carrying on copying them.

Life's good!

Race for Life...

I, average Jo, have entered the Race for Life. I know this doesn't seem like much, but right now I doubt I could walk 5k, never mind run. But run it I shall. If you want to sponsor me (for Cancer Research UK), my justgiving thingy is:

http://www.raceforlifesponsorme.org/averagejo

Don't forget to gift aid.

Mwah. I might even post a picture of C and I coming over the finishing line (yes, she's doing it too!).

Plastered!

In December 2002, I was on the phone to my mother early evening, and said 'right, I have to go now Mum, I'm going out to get plastered'. She was rightly appalled by my terminology, but it was true, I was going out to a Russian Restaurant which had a vodka menu, I mean, come on, there is a certain expectation there is there not?





Sadly, my borsch went cold, I drank too many shots - honey vodka, strawberry vodka, cherry vodka, the-strongest-vodka-on-the-menu, you get the picture. Slightly befuddled, I went to the loo where my 5 inch heel got caught on a spongey floorboard and I fell, badly twisting my ankle. My friend came out of the loo and picked me up, oh, how we laughed. I went back to the table feeling somewhat whooshy and decided to have a lie down under the table. I don't remember anything until the next morning. My friends would have to tell you about how they tried to get me to walk up and down the road in an effort to sober me up!





The next morning, I woke up to go to the loo and fell straight over. My husband (then boyf) thought I'd had a stroke. My right foot looked like I was wearing black socks. I wasn't! Long story short, got to A&E was taken straight through to x-ray, when the x-rays came back the nurse called over all his colleagues so they could ho-ho-ho about it. I had a bimalleolar fracture. Was told I needed an operation to put plates and screws in and if I didn't have it I would never walk again. Stayed in hospital for a couple of weeks, successful operation. I was discharged on Christmas Eve (much to my husband's horror, he had to dash around M&S grabbing ready food to stick in the oven the next day. As I'm a veggie, and he's not, he had to buy a turkey dinner for one and got some very pitiful stares!).





I was on crutches for 3 months and it took a good 6 months before I could walk in anything like a normal manner. They told me that I'd be able to run up the stairs after a year, so a year to the day after, I went out to the communal stairs and ran up them!





Anyway, the reason I'm telling you this (apart from the important lesson I hope you have picked up - do not get lashed whilst wearing 5 inch heels - I guess everyone already knew that though didn't they?) is that this week I went running! It just goes to show you. When I was having those weeks of bed rest / on crutches / walking with bizarre gait, I never, ever thought I'd be able to walk normally never mind run, yet it wasn't until I was half way through my run that I remembered that my leg might actually prevent me from achieving what I want to from running. Which is a shame because I loved being out in the fresh air, running alongside the river, nodding at the other runners (and none of them thinking I was a freak!). I guess I just have to see how it goes and think about all the professional footballers who come back within a season after having plates put in their bodies.


Total tangent to tell you a sweet thing: when I went off for my run, I could hear C crying for me in the flat, and R trying to distract her. When I came back, I didn't have my keys so R had to buzz me in. I saw our front door open and a little body came storming out with her arms up for me to pick her up, but she still had an angry little face to let me know she wasn't impressed with missing Mum.

A reply

They replied:

Dear Joanne,

We take on board your specific comments regarding girls and boys being portrayed through our toys. It's very important for us to achieve a balance, we agree that girls should be encouraged to develop an interest in construction, science and engineering and that it is equally important for boys to be given positive, caring messages as well as action and activity messages.I'm sorry that you feel that we have failed to meet your expectations with the Rose Cottage. Please be assured that your comments have been passed to the relevant departments for their information and consideration during the next product review.Thank you for taking the time and trouble to contact us regarding this matter, your comments are very much appreciated.

Kind regards,


I'm sure this is just a nice way of saying 'oh, get a life you stupid cow!' isn't it?

So I'll try!

Disgusted of Mortlake

When did I become the sort of woman who sends this to a well known high street toy shop?:


Dear Sir / Madam

When I gave birth to my daughter in 2006, I had hoped she wouldn't be exposed to the negative gender stereotyping I was bombarded with growing up in the 70s. My husband came home on Good Friday with my daughter's Easter gift - Rose Cottage, part of the Happyland range (we've been collecting it for her for a while, and have previously been very satisfied with all items).

We were very disappointed with the text on the back of the packaging - so Mrs Barley makes sure everything is neat and tidy around Rose Cottage does she? And the little girl likes to stay home with her teddy while the boy likes going out playing with his train - come on E*C, get with the times!

Joanne


I just about managed not to include the words 'appalled and disgusted' in the text - but only just. Although I am indeed, appalled and disgusted, it does make me wonder whether any of it really matters. My friends and I were all brought up, as I said, bombarded with negative images of women (especially the country's leader at the time!) and we've all turned out OK. Most of us have been educated at university, most of us have had 'good' jobs and some of us (ahem) have even chosen not to go back to them when we've had children. Being a full time mother is the most challenging and rewarding job I've ever done, so why is it so undervalued? Why does my blood boil at the suggestion that that's 'all' my daughter can aspire to?

I don't have the answers. I don't imagine anyone does, but from now on, I'm proud to be a SAHM!


I'm not going to run through my goals, as I'll depress myself hugely! Will try harder.

Cara's high chair antics