nasty cough

Sorry to not be blogging this week. The usual excuses...but a few new ones: I had a rather stressful preaching assignment for Thursday for Ascension day - an ecumenical service with Eucharist. I felt under a great deal of pressure to develop some ideas about Christ and the founding of the church - which I think I managed to pull off in the end - but it was touch and go until really the last minute.

Added to this stress I have had a nasty cough for a few weeks and I was starting to get really very tired of all the cough cough coughing. Eventually one of my parishioners suggested going to the local chemist and ask for the pharmacist's special cough medicine - called Black Magic (see above)! Well, I can tell you it has worked a treat...you feel absolutely no pain whatsoever and the cough submits very quickly to the black magic potion (if you click on the image above it gets big enough to see the ingredients of the potion - then you'll know why it is so effective).

Mark and Eva are both away for a few days (Eva in Colomendy of a school trip and Mark up Ben Nevis)...so I am home alone - which is lovely. Off to the supermarket now and then I shall potter about the house, eat cake and prepare myself for an evening of rubbish TV with nobody to fight over the control with (I have 3 episodes of primeval to catch up on).

mini pinch

Eva, mark and I play this game when we are out and about...in the car or walking. If you see a mini you shout "mini-pinch" if you see a yellow car you shout "yellow car". There aren't any prizes and no one is keeping score. It is just the catching them first and shouting loudest that's the fun. Picture the glee at seeing a yellow mini!

Anyway, it seems like everymanandhisdog has got a mini or a yellow car at the moment so you have to be prepared for a lot of shouting whenever we are out.

Well, recently I've started having nicer dreams (having had a few months of rather restless nights) and last night was a lovely night of dreams...all peaceful and calm. Until, I saw a mini...in my dream I saw a mini...and then I shouted "mini pinch" and woke myself up. I was very confused...at first I thought I have fallen asleep at the wheel. But, I was all tucked up and safe.

Ahhhhh.

marching in the rain

I haven't been able to make it to London today but it is great to see so many people marching through London demanding action on poverty, climate change and jobs, ahead of next week's G20 summit. There is some good coverage of the event on the BBC website...including some great photos.

We have had a good day resting, gardening and light shopping at the farmers market on Lark Lane. I am feeling particularly tired and in need of rubbish TV and nibbles. Mark and I had a great evening out last night (which is why I am a bit tired today - not used to late nights and spicy food) with some of the people I was ordained with last June. It was lovely to relax and talk about some oft he adventures we have been having. Mine has been a strange year - with a mix of commitments inside and outside of the parish - not exactly what I had expected from my diaconate year. But, I am looking forward to a more normal parish life after Easter. I am struggling to get my head round being ordained priest in June...but that is still a while off so perhaps it will fall into place before then.

Right, I am off to read a bit of my book and doze on the sofa.

funny day

It has been quite an odd day. I am very tired and spent most of the morning either asleep or dozing or reading. Then this afternoon Mark and I went to see the mighty Count Arthur Strong. It was a bit strange going to the theatre in the afternoon but once that was got over we chuckled our way through the Counts recollections of his life at the BBBBC. Very funny.

Eva is at a sleep over so we have the house to ourselves and in true Mark and Ellen style are now busy relaxing in separate rooms! What a funny couple we are...

Anyway, I did watch some Tv tonight - particularly enjoyed the dancing for comic relief...the two final acts were these:





I am off back to bed to read my book - The 19th Wife...I must agree with Richard and Judy on tis one - it's a very enjoyable read.

da boyz

It has been a hectic few weeks at Loudon Liverpool HQ because Mark has been working on a piece of community theatre that is touring around some Liverpool youth clubs and community centres called Da Boyz. Our usual casual routine has been shattered as we don't seem to ever be in the house at the same time and we just exchange Eva (or she is in childcare or afterschool clubs). It really has been crazy but there is just one week of shows left then we can get back to spending a bit of time together. We are all quite cream crackered at the moment, the house is a tip and we are eating far too much fast food. Hey ho.

crepe

I must report that Eva and I had a fab crepe at John Lewis last night - after some gentle shopping because Eva had a filling and was feeling a bit vulnerable. I bought the vase I was after...but haven't had time to unwrap it. Had a mad couple of days and definitely don't feel like I am keeping up with events this week.
Where am I?
Being in my little office blogging is a bit of a sanctuary from the madness out in the real world. Not that I can avoid it. It's just nice every so often to have a bit of a hide to recap and recoup. So, that's what I am doing...sitting in my office sharing my stuff with you and with God.

I am off to Kate's 40th birthday bash soon so I must get some prayers in and then get m glad rags on.

My favourite news report of the day is that Gordon Brown's phone went off while he was addressing political and business leaders in Davos - oh dear...it's not looking good is it!?

out of sorts

I am a little bit out of sorts. I am waiting in for the washing machine man and really want him to get here so I can get out the house. The washing machine blew up again on Monday and I do not deal with this sort of thing very well - as regular readers will recall. Also, I have to take Eva to the dentist later and I know I am going to be in trouble again because I am pretty sure she has a black tooth (I just hope it is a baby tooth!). It seems that no matter how few sweets she eats (she has sweets on Fridays) and how often she cleans her teeth (twice a day) she has bad teeth. I am going to have to ask for further professional advice and I may have to ask the dentist to not be quite so nice and tell her like it is...which I am not looking forward to at all.

I have, however, managed to clear my desk of all things except sorting out my receipts for the tax man. I hate this job - all money matters fill me with horror and sorting out receipts seems to be so cruel. I can't really explain why I hat it so but just moaning about it is putting it off for a bit longer so that is a small piece of happiness.

I might take Eva out for a crepe at John Lewis after the dentist just to cheer us up. I might even splash out and spend my Christmas vouchers on a vase. Anyway, best get on with the receipt chore - I am sure I will feel better after it's done and I will then deserve a crepe!

My favourite news story of the day is of the Armarna Princess the fake Egyptian statue which was bought by Bolton Museum a few years back and they have rather boldly put on display again but as a 'beautiful fake' - good on them!

Eva's letter to Santa

Mark was cleaning Eva's bedroom today and found this letter to Santa on her window-sill. It is an extra-ordinary insight into her inner world and it made tears come out my eyes and my heart ached a little (if you click on it it will get bigger!)...

greenbelt jazzy pants

Mark has exhibited a number of great photos from his Greenbelt Jazzy Pant collection on his blog...pure genius.

harvest

Today I have been preparing for the harvest service tomorrow at St Peters. There has been photocopying to do, tins to buy, bread to make, sermon to write (I say sermon it is more like telling two all age stories based on Luke 12. 13-21 - the Rich Fool and Isaiah 11.1-9 - A Vision of God's Universal Peace.

We are going to use some of the material from the Loaf Service - Christian Ecology Link's Food Campaign. We are going to make bread at the beginning of the service so I am preparing the dough a bit later so that all that has to happen tomorrow is some shaping at the beginning of the service, a quick rise and bake. To be honest I would quite like to be tucked up in bed with a lemsip. I have been fighting off a cold for a few weeks now and I feel like I am fighting a losing battle. I am freezing cold and Mark, Elise and Eva have all succumbed to it. Still, I am enjoying getting stuff ready and making the harvest loaf is going to be great.

I though I might be able to get out tonight to wish Dilys happy birthday but the combination of harvest prep and feeling like death warmed up probably means I am best being at home (also Eva is not that keen to go out for a curry!). I hope Mark is feeling well enough to go on all of our behalf.

Brian makes mistakes

You may well know that I am dyslexic. I am perfectly happy with my special backward logic brain but sometimes it doesn't work very well in the world of non-dyslexics. When I am unable to explain myself to non-dyslexics, make humourous spelling mistakes, Malaprop or become clumsy (a most unhelpful additional symptom) it usually means my poor brain has been overloaded by non-dyslexic thought patterns. It is at times like these I refer to my brain as Brian.

Yesterday Brian was on top form and making mistakes all the time. I sent a top secret email to the wrong person thus blowing the secret (thankfully on this occasion it was just a special card secret). I fell over my own feet a couple of times, banged into some corners and bruised my arm and leg. I lost my temper twice over mess - papers in the wrong place and I couldn't find something I needed in a hurry (I try to create an absurdly ordered world when Brian is making mistakes). But the worst thing that Brian did yesterday was a terrible flight booking disaster. I was left in charge of booking return flights to Belfast from Liverpool for New Year. I managed to find some reasonable easyjet flights and thought I'd got it all sorted, paid for and got the receipt. It wasn't until late last night that Mark noticed that I had actually booked return flights from Belfast to Liverpool! So, Brian cost us £120 because each mistake cost £20 to rectify and because you can't speak to a person you can't negotiate!

It made me realise how difficult booking flights, making orders, and generally doing on-line buying actually is for me. I try to avoid it - or get Mark to make the final transactions and there is always a sinking feeling just after I press "make transaction"...but this was by far the worst (and expensive) on-line mistake I have made. I wonder if there is a way dyslexic people can have the agreement read out to them or if there is some way if you have particular needs you could actually speak to a real person to make bookings? I am not sure I will feel all that confident about making such transactions in the future. hey ho.

juggling

I have been juggling Eva and a sermon all day! I was unable to take my day off yesterday so in theory I was due some time today but because I was so tired after Greenbelt I was a bit behind with admin and my sermon. So, today I got up early (for a Saturday) - got into town for 10am and got Eva's school uniform and new shoes, had a spot of lunch and got back for 2pm. Since then Eva and I have been chatting and doing stuff as well as the occasional bit of time trying to polish of the sermon.



Mark has got some work with Artichoke on La Machine which is happening next week. I am sworn to secrecy about the machine. But it is going to be big and spectacular! It does however mean that Mark has been over at Cammell Laird (where the machine is being built - that's what they build in the ship yards today!) for the last 2 days (out till midnight each day) doing whatever secret machine builders do. He is then working the event Thursday - Sunday next week. So, I will be doing even more juggling next week!

back from Greenbelt

I am back physically but to be honest I think I left most of myself at Greenbelt. I can't quite settle and I am wacked. I have washed the mud off my crocs and have started back at work today. I slept for 12 hours last night and can't wait to get back there tonight. If only Liverpool would put a goal in the back of the net and I can relax! I am not sure I am going to be able to watch the TV for long becuase it is too stressful!

Anyway, Greenbelt was great. My hightlights include:
- The curry out in Cheltenham on Thurs night
- Transcendence service
- Foundation - Babel
- Dream - spontaneous worship and the service in New Forms
- Lucy Winkett's talk about being English
- The Larry Norman tribute
- seeing 'ickle Toby H again - he is so cute
- being in New Forms hanging out and working

Things I struggled with:
- watching poor Claire Caddick having to eat with a wooden fork
- cold evenings
- yacky mud slime as it seeped through my crocs
- not having enough time to see all my friends properly
- missing loads of talks
- not seeing a single band on mainstage

favourite moment:
- having a right good laugh in the teepee with Jane, Anne, Emma, Sarah and Claire

held in trust

Today I spent most of the morning making toast for the kids who turned up for the St John Chrysostom play scheme. Which is a very good way to meet the kids and get to know their names - also I found out their toast preferences...most chose lightly toasted, loads of butter and cut in triangles (though there are always some who like rectangles). I personally think all bread based snacks taste better when cut into triangles - but maybe that's just me?

This afternoon Henry and I went to St Francis Xavier's (SFX) Church to have a cup of tea and lovely cake with Br. Ken Vance SJ. SFX are hosting a great exhibition of religious artifacts called Held in Trust: 2008 Years of Sacred Culture. They have some fantastic items - including the thorn of Christ. Quite apart from the items - which are wonderfully displayed - the church itself is beautifully presented and the cake was amazing (I had fruit cake). There is an army of volunteers working on the project - which s pretty impressive. If you happen to get a moment I really can recommend this exhibition to you not just because of the religious artifacts but for the whole ambiance.

For the rest of the afternoon I have been pottering about. Margie came from for a cuppa, I made Elise some dinner (she needs steak and as she is currently living in a vegetarian house we are providing meat based meals on wheels). I am just about to bath Eva and then relax with some dinner myself (not steak! Do you think we are made of money!!!!). I will be eating potato rosti and salad.

more pictures of Lillie

For more pictures go to Mark's picasa album

Baby Lillie

I have had quite a busy weekend...funeral preparation, service preparation, meeting up with friends, a quick trip into town, lunch out today with the Corbetts. But the most amazing thing that has happened this weekend is that Elise has had a lovely baby girl called Lillie. She was born in Elise's mums house in Toxteth (as planned) and the labour was reasonably contained - having spent most of the day in the park Lillie arrived just after 9.30pm last night. Elise managed without any pain relief and both she and Lillie are doing very well. We are so proud of Wayne and Elise and made up about baby Lillie. She is so cute and small (Lillie that is)!

Eva's birthday

Well, 9 years ago today I was in Liverpool's Women's Hospital recovering from having Eva! Today we have been to town for burgers at Eddie Rocketts and to Fact to see Walle. Eva's friend Maddie is going to sleep over so it is chaos here.

The most extra-ordinary thing that happened this evening was that I met - quite by accident - the woman who was in the bed next to me when I had Eva! We always refer to her as "Twin Lady" because she had twins! She was in FACT with her twins and older daughter. An amazing coincidence and one that really has warmed my heart. We kept in touch for a few years after the babies were born and even spent a couple of birthdays together but we have been out of touch for at least 3 years so it was great to swop numbers.

Anyway, I had better get back to the giddy girls.

headache day 2

Rather annoyingly I still have yesterdays headache today. Don't really know what I am doing wrong...I've had lots of sleep, I have tried very hard not to read, watch tv, play on this computer and even took some time out of work this afternoon. But, here I am still feeling like a small thunderstorm is raging inside my brain. I also feel sick and am a funny shade of grey. The morris dancers are in church and I am in charge this evening (not as tricky as it sounds as they only need me to open up, fetch the football when they kick it over our fence - some boys who don't morris come to kick a football about - and close up at 9pm). I had intended to spend some time with them this evening but my headache won't deal with watching young people hop and bounce to loud music so I am pottering about instead.

It is Eva's birthday tomorrow - so we have a late afternoon/ evening of 9 year old fun ahead (burgers, a film, presents etc). Henry and I are taking a funeral tomorrow and I hope to finally get out and deliver the Everton Telegraph with Henry and some of the St Peter's church gang in the morning. So, I am hoping this headache will disappear over night (like the rain). If you don't mind putting a word in to God about the headache it would make tomorrow so much easier. Thanks.

sleeping

Last night was the first time since May that I have slept through the night...I know that sounds mad but I usually have to get up at lest once for the loo or to have a little walk about. I haven't been worried about this - actually I don't mind waking up in the middle of the night, but last night I actually slept right through and it was great. Having said that by 1pm (after a baptism visit - which went very well) I had a screaming migraine and had to go back to bed and close the curtains (I need thicker curtains as there was too much light!). I fell asleep again for 2 hours and woke up very confused. I hate migraines and they are quite random but at least mine don't last very long and I bounce back quite well.

I was well enough to go out to the St Peter's Church PCC social this evening and had a great time. I had to pop t ASDA to buy presents for Eva's birthday - it's on Wednesday but I am a bit busy tomorrow. I wonder how old she will have to be before I can stop buying pink plastic stuff? I am listening to some music and trying to chill before I go off for more sleeping. Busy day tomorrow so best get chilling...

If you want a little laugh do have a look at this "Lambeth" picture.