Bongs Blog

New Beginnings

2010-05-26T14:22:00.004+01:00

Hi All!

Well its been ages since I posted a blog and a lot has happened.

Dave and I despite the rumblings of my previous blog, are now engaged. A year later than planned but we got there in the end and we're settled.

I've also been lucky enough to get a new job as Operational Pharmacy Services Manager at Macclesfield General - a lovely Hospital but boy, a lot of work to do.

It amazes me how some people think its acceptable to get paid exortionate amounts of money for doing very little, when they should be doing plenty. Now that my permanent contract has come through, I fully intend to turn things around there to make it the Dogs Bollocks (to put it bluntly). I know I may not make many friends along the way which is sad in a way, but people have to understand there are methods in my madness and the last thing I want is for people to lose their jobs because of their apathy. So, that said, fasten your seatbelts and enjoy the ride....!!!

A local village for local people - Gee Cross!!

2008-11-22T19:50:00.006Z

It truly amazes me!! I've lived in Gee Cross all my life and I've seen a few changes in that time, but one thing that never changes are village gossips.

Unfortunately, it looks like some sad individuals have got nothing better to do in their sad pathetic lives, but to divert their attentions on others who are happily going about their day to day lives, namely me & Dave.

It has been "suggested" that Dave has been having an affair with a good friend of his, who he's known for a very long time - longer than he's been with me. I'll be honest, it's rocked us to the core leaving us feeling totally miserable. The rumours of course are not true, but they succeeded for a little while in sowing those seeds of doubt. Dave and I have both been on the not-so-nice receiving end of our husband/wife doing the dirty on us so when something like this comes along it makes you a bit twitchy.

Anyway, after a week of going over things time and time again, we're OK about it. We are much much more stronger than you think, and know each other well enough to know that it's all a load of bollox anyway. And a message to the sad pathetic individuals who saw fit to propogate such a rumour, and in the process cause unrest within my immediate family - DO ONE, and GET A LIFE YOU SAD, PATHETIC DONKEYS!!!

Omlet Eglu's

2008-10-25T17:47:00.005+01:00

Well, I really have seen it all. What do you guys think about these things then??

My mate Nicola Slingo at work is getting one of these things, to rear chickens. At first glance I was horrified, me being a traditionalist and all, but having looked more carefully at them I've got to say, they've grown on me. They look much more cosier than the wooden pens. The only thing I don't like are the colours (not exactly environmentally friendly) and the price (total rip off for a bit of fancy plastic). Would I get one second hand if I was to keep chucks? Yes, probably. Shame they don't come with central heating too or else I'd move in too!!

Some good news....!

2008-10-19T21:38:00.004+01:00

OK, OK. Call me a complete saddo, but this was obviously something on my subconscious niggle list. I applied for an allotment over 2 years ago, close by to where I live and up until recently I'd heard nothing despite contacting the person in charge at Shameside Council. Anyway, I happen to know the person who is in charge of the site I was interested so I phoned her at work, and she let me know - all being well - I'll be getting my plot next March. Yippee! At last. I love growing my own stuff and it's something I want to get the kids and David into. I'm no Jack Duckworth or anything, it just tastes nicer and is usually cheaper than shop bought stuff.

For those of you who know the size of my back garden, you'll appreciate my excitement of at last having a bit of breathing space rather than having to rely on containers and hanging baskets!!

It made me feel much better and cheerful in myself too - something to plan for and look forward to.

A Day out with the Kids

2008-10-18T20:59:00.002+01:00

Well, what a lovely day!! This is what weekends are all about.

After being off work for the past four weeks with stress, I've had time to sit, think and reflect about my lifestyle. Yes it's true I'm a busy Mum of three and weekends are hectic, but it's clear from recent events that I've been neglecting my relationship with my kids, and the last thing I want is for them to grow up accusing me of being a shit Mum who concentrated more on her career and never spent any time with her kids.

Well, we went to Pavilion Gardens today in Buxton. A typical cold autumnal day but well worth a visit. Armed with a plentiful picnic we hit the park and played for ages, then went to the Pavilion where there was a food festival and a nice hot steamy (but too weak) cuppa tea waiting for me and a coffee for Mum. All the kids were well behaved and Adam said it was the "best day ever".

Anyway, don't forget to spend some proper time with your kids. It's easy to forget and get caught up with doing the endless washing, ironing and cleaning. Just leave it and do it some other time, and make the most of these lovely weekends. We don't get many of 'em, lets face it!!

ALDI - what do you think?

2008-10-07T21:34:00.003+01:00

Well, I've just visited someone elses blog for a change and found this thread about Aldi. She basically was having a poke at Aldi, and I agree on some things like the speed of the checkout operators, which is highly amusing. Quality wise I have to say is top notch and it's saved us stacks on our food bills especially the veggie offers. I used to be a bit snobby about shopping there and to be honest, it always looked dead unfriendly and hostile, but I love it now. My food bill has gone down from about £100 a week to about £65 to £70, which - and this is for you Mr. Wilde - makes a hell of a difference when you've got your other half who must have hollow legs, eating you out of house and home!!

I'd say give it a try. My faves are the chocolate chip brioche, multiseed baps, baby wipes, the fruit and veggies, mince beef, bacon, chedder cheese, yoghurts and minted lamb shanks. Mmmmm! Oh. Avoid the frozen peas - tasteless and rock hard....

Easter. Time to replenish the stocks.

2008-03-19T19:03:00.003Z

I say this in jest of course, as our Adam rightly pointed out. God! I can't wait for Easter Mum, cos I've run out of selection box sweets now!! I think he did well to make 'em last this long, both of them actually. If Auntie Jane had been up a bit more, it'd all have gone a lot, lot quicker. Anyway, they're on rations this Easter. Last year I ended up chucking some away. My fault as I'd had to hide them in the understairs cupboard and they'd fallen down the side of the freezer and I found them whilst clearing some crap out. I was gutted!

Anyway, enough about Chocolate. As we all know, that's not really what it's all about. For me, I'll be welcoming the little bit of peace & quiet whilst Lee has the kids Good Friday til Easter Sunday, and spending the last bit of quality time I can one to one with my little Rosie Roo, before I go back to work full time. I know she'll be in Mums extremely capable hands, but I will miss her soooo much. She's such a little sweetie. I'll also miss the school runs for the kids, and the new friends I've made whilst I've been off. Needs must though. We're skint, so it has to be done....

HALF TERM HOLIDAY CAPERS!

2008-02-15T21:46:00.002Z

Well it's that time of year again, and to be honest i'm bloody knackered after this week. We've not stopped really. The weather was absolutely perfect and we were out most days thank God.

We visited poor old Riverdance in Blackpool, who was looking very sorry for herself on her side. The place was packed out but Adam & Lucy were most dischuffed that there were no ice cream vans for them. I told them all the ice cream was stuck on the containers on the ship. No actually, Adam wasn't that impressed until I told him it was full of Easter eggs and if they didn't get it upright soon, they'd melt in this weather, at which point he went a shade paler, poor lad!

Pancake Day. Are you a tosser or not?

2008-02-05T20:52:00.000Z

Well?? Be honest now. How many did you have?

I had 2 as I'm supposed to be giving up crappy foods for Lent until all my Easter Eggs arrive via the M67 in that articulated lorry I hired. I believe medium-sized eggs are £1 each at Asda - cheap! Anyway Pancakes! Favorite filling....mines either lemon & sugar or maple syrup with sugar. None of this chocolate spread yuk!! Mum's gutted cos she's at Mavis's and has missed her annual binge. I've also got a new non-stick frying pan and it's that heavy, I can't toss my pancakes. Not to worry though. All were eaten, quickly! So no, I'm not a tosser at the moment. Roll on Easter! What do you say Auntie Jane?

Attic Attack!!

2008-02-04T17:08:00.000Z

Phew!! Just managed a quick sit down to blog. I've been attacking the attic or loft, whatever you want to call it, in an effort to sort out all the kids clothes in there. The joists have started to move a lot and cracks are showing in the bedroom ceilings, so it was time.
I rooted out - not kidding - about 10 full bin liners of stuff and a few carrier bags too. Half of it's gone to the Charity Shop. If I was feeling adventurous, I'd have ebayed the lot of it which I've done before, but I couldn't be arsed to be honest!! I'm pooped now, and I think me & Rosie Roo are coming down with tummy bugs as well - just what I need!

PLUMS - A sore point !!

2008-02-03T10:34:00.001Z

Well, he did it. David "The Brave" has had his snip. He was an hour delayed going in and almost bottled it twice but eventually he went in. When we got back, I packed him off to the Grapes with Luke and Chris, where he topped up his anaesthetic with ale and watched the footie and rugby. It took his mind off it a bit. Today (after the anaesthetic's worn off completely), he's a little bit tender and a little bruised, and has taken to walking like John Wayne a bit, but he's OK. Mind you, the funny walk could be his very fetching net knickers he's got to wear til tomorrow! Thanks to all the well wishers. David's comments were "it wasn't half as bad as what I thought it was going to be", so any of you out there who are considering it, I think he'd recommend it.

As for the picture, don't worry. They don't look half as purple as those!!

Florence Nightingale's at it again!

2008-01-31T15:35:00.000Z

Hiya. Florence Nightingale here. I've been looking after poorly sick people so that's why I've not been blogging. David's got the winter D&V bug - a norovirus I think, Lucy has had toothache but the Dentist said it was cos she was sucking her thumb too much, and AJ has got a bad chest and it's triggered his asthma. Anyway, stay tuned for this weekends theme....VASECTOMIES. To snip or not to snip. That is the question. David's having his done on Saturday midday. I've got a bag of frozen peas to soothe his delicate parts but if anyone's got any post-op advice for him, send me your comments. I've got one comment......... OUCH!!

? Twins

2008-01-24T09:33:00.001Z

Look familiar?? Look at the posting below.

This is Lucy, my eldest daughter. As you can see from the previous photo, the poor lass has inherited all of my genes, including the one for the screwy hair! Lucy is 4 next Monday, and at the moment we're calling her "she-who-spits-venom" as she's having some incredible tantrums at the moment, and screams most of the time which is very tiring. Don't get me wrong, we love her to bits, but can't wait for her to grow out of it. We've a feeling she's going to be a troublesome teenager too..... If I can get a decent photo of her at her party without her sulking, I'll post it next week. Love you LuLu!!

" HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO BONG " !!

2008-01-23T19:49:00.000Z

Well, it's that time of year again for myself and other fellow Aquarians. I believe I share my birthday with Neil Diamond? Could be wrong though. Are there any other famous dudes I share it with? Anyway, I'm having a day off today. Apart from looking after Rosie Roo, I'll be doing no washing, ironing or cleaning today.... lovely! Going out for my tea with David & the kids too (great no cooking!). It doesn't feel so bad being 38. David and I are the same age for about 3 weeks, then he's 39!! Ha! He's already all doom n gloom about knockin' on 40's door! BTW, this photo was taken on the front at Llandudno, North Wales. I think I was about 2 or 3. I loved those sunglasses!

Team Carrington !

2008-01-22T15:52:00.000Z

Introducing my lovely David! I'm doing this post for him cos he was a bit upset last night. For the past 12 months, David has rented his place out to a lad he knew from work. He was glad to get his keys back cos he'd missed his little "bolt-hole" when we have our barneys. Anyway, lets just say they'd not exactly cleaned up after they left. They'd not wrecked the place but it was immaculate when David rented it out. I've rented before and I cleaned it from top to bottom (3 storey too) before handing it back. So he was nowty when he got in and restless in his sleep last night. Anyway, I headed over there today after the school drop off and made a start. It took me 90 minutes to clean the downstairs loo and a bit of the kitchen (microwave and fridge were health hazards!). I put the heating on to make it cosy again, tea & coffee, milk in the fridge etc..

I know it's his place but I know how proud he is of it, and all the hard work he's put into it, and even though there are always chores to do at mine, I'll still do my bit at his until it's straight. We're not married or anything. We've both been there once and got severely stung, but a guess we can call ourselves "Team Carrington" when it comes to sorting stuff out. Don't worry ginge! We'll get it sparklin' again in no time at all!

Garry Newlove - RIP

2008-01-21T15:23:00.000Z

Look a these children..............

These boys took away the life of an outstanding man, who was ready to stand up for what was right. One of them only just released on bail, and part of those bail conditions were to stay out of Warrington. How dare they. Who are they to do something like that? Calling them animals is an insult to animals. They are scum and now they must pay the price. I hope the British Justice System will eventually deliver a sentence suitable for the crime they have committed, and I hope they DO stay in jail for a very, very long time.

When this crime was committed last year, it rang some very clear bells to me. Several years ago, a group of youngsters - probably no older than 14 or 15, thought it would be a good idea to vandalise one of our cars in front of us, and then give us a load of verbal on top of that. For those of you who were unfortunate enough to know my Ex - husband Lee, this was like a red rag to a bull and he went after them and squared-up to the tallest lad in the group. All of a sudden, the gang increased in size and Lee was surrounded by boys AND girls and they were pushing him towards the gable end of our house. Thankfully, our quick-witted neighbour saw what was going on and phoned the police and told them if they didn't get here quick, they were going to murder him. They were here in 5 minutes with blues n twos going, which was unfortunate in a way as they all legged it and none were arrested for assault or vandalism.

The incident passed, but since then more and more of these events are occurring in our society. Some children don't seem to understand what respectful behaviour is anymore. I worry that my own kids will eventually fall foul of something so horrendous, despite our best efforts to instill the knowledge of right and wrong, good manners and behaviour from the moment they're born.

What do you think the answer is to get the message through to these kids? Do you reckon something like Bootcamp (National Service) would do any good? Do you think it's because they play too many video games and watch too much violence on TV, thus making behaviour like that more "socially acceptable"? Breaking these street corner groups up is effective but only temporarily, and credit to the Police and PCSO's, they do their best within their means, but it's not stopping it from happening.

It's truly a crime that it took Garry Newlove's death to bring these type of things into the public eye once again. Let's hope something more positive is done about this, this time.

COMPLAINT !!

2008-01-21T14:13:00.001Z

It seems I've got off with a bad start with my blogging. Unfortunately, it looks like I've inadvertently offended one of you guys out there. If I have, I apologise, however, I'd like to know if possible what the offensive item was so that I can at least try and rectify it. I've had no comments apart from those of womtig and I know it's not him!
My rants & tants etc are my personal thoughts and views, they are not racist, abusive or judgemental and I try and keep the language as clean as possible! I welcome feedback on my posts.
I was under the impression that was what blogging was all about, nevertheless, again I apologise for any offense caused. If you'd like to email me directly about it please feel free, to wigasaurus@hotmail.com

Recycling. Should we bother?

2008-01-21T09:54:00.000Z

How many of you recycle? I never used to bother until about 2 years ago, when our beloved Tameside Council put an advert in the advertiser asking if we wanted different bins for different things. Fantastic! At last, only 10 years too late and only because the Government are putting pressure on local Government to deal with it better. In the past, it was way too expensive to recycle. The cheaper option is to shovel all our waste into Land-fills - marvellous when you see them slap-bang in the middle of countryside with obese seagulls feeding off all the crap there!

Anyway these bins! I've got one of each now and use them totally. If you asked David, he'd say I'm obsessed with recycling and often have to fish out things from the house bin to put in the different bins outside! I have issues with these bins though. Nice colours etc.. but for a family my size, they're too bloody small! They're half the size of the black wheelie bins. The ones in the picture are massive compared to mine.

We're down for pick ups every 4 weeks for the recycle bins. My green one that takes plastic and glass is usually full within 14 days. My blue bin for paper was full before Christmas, and because of new year, the next pick up wasn't due til February!! How stupid is that.

I spend more money phoning TMBC to do extra pick ups. I've requested bigger or extra bins, but they won't oblige.

My point is, it doesn't exactly encourage you to recycle when your bins are full to bursting and the council won't do anything about it. They threaten us with managed waste collection (weekly to every two weeks) despite this. That would be interesting where I live which is right behind a reservoir. I've seen rats the size of household cats occasionally. Could you imagine what it would be like with rubbish lying everywhere on the streets, not to mention the cats and dogs ripping the bags open to get at all first!

I DO still do my bit though and always will, as long as TMBC don't threaten me with legal action for recycling incorrectly (if I ever do), like that poor bloke from London that time. I'm also training the kids to do it too. My Granny Nield used to do it. Milk bottle tops and tin foil for the Guide Dogs, paper envelopes either reused or made into drawing paper for me and my brother Mike, newspaper in the compost heap as well as food scraps, pop bottles back to the pop man for a penny. There wasn't as much plastic in those days and I think there lies the problem. Did you know that once you've bought your items from supermarkets, you can give them back the excess packaging before leaving the store, although it does p*ss off the check out girls putting the fruit and veg through unbagged - slows 'em down a bit too! Hilarious!

Anyway, let me know what you think. I think that's enough ranting from me today. Rosie needs feeding and changing, then we're going for the big weigh in! I reckon she's about 12lb 4oz. I'll keep you posted.

Obesity. Where's it come from and what can we do about it?

2008-01-21T09:37:00.000Z

This is a topic close to my heart, as I'm battling to lose the flab after having Rosie. Don't get me wrong, I'm not a beached whale or anything. It just seems I've ground to a halt a bit - probably due to the Christmas food binge.
I know everyone tends to put on a few pounds over the years, and as I'm creeping towards the big 40, it worries me that despite my best efforts, I've put on about 30 lbs (just over 2 stone) in the last ten years. My excuse is too many biscuits, too many ready-made meals (not necessarily take-aways), and massive portions. There's also been a definate lack of exercise!
I feel this advance in technology over the last 10 years has particularly contributed although it was starting way before then. People sit around on their arses too much and drive everywhere rather than walking. We've developed into a Couch Potato society and expect everything to be handed to us on a plate. In the old days, they called it laziness! As for the food, people need to get back to basics. It's not rocket science however it does take a bit longer to do in the kitchen which puts people off.
When I worked at the Uni many moons ago, I worked with a fantastic lady called Rita Taylor who was a supermum! She did a batch cookathon every Friday and froze everything for the week ahead. I did it for a bit bit have fallen by the way side. It's time to start again, especially since I'm going back to work soon and need to get organised a bit better. Has anyone got any good recipes (especially from overseas) that freeze well and are tasty? Let me know. Let me know your comments about how you think society or technology has caused obesity to flare up in the world.

P.S. No, I'm not one of those large ladies on the photo, thank you!!

Our Rosie!

2008-01-20T15:55:00.001Z

Well, here she is. The reason I've not been bloggin for ages. She's super. Rosie Elizabeth Carrington, born 1st October 2007. I might as well have had 6 more kids. The workload has tripled on top of Adam and Lucy. I'm currently sat here one-handed typing with her balancing on my knee playing with one of her baby toys!! All good fun eh? I'm getting too old for this now. No more. I'll take Jeremy Kyles advice...... " Have you not heard of contraception?!"

Hospital Bugs "remain a problem"

2007-07-26T20:20:00.000+01:00

Some trusts say targets get in the way of keeping clean. The number of cases of the superbug MRSA is falling in England, but the potentially more dangerous Clostridium difficile is thriving, figures show.
A review by the Health Protection Agency showed hospital MRSA cases had fallen by 10% in the first three months of 2007 compared with a year ago.
But rates for C. difficile, which mainly strikes the elderly, rose by 2%.
Some NHS trusts complained that targets - both clinical and financial - were hindering the fight against infection.

I've got to admit that anti-MRSA measures are drummed into us 100% at our Hospital, and Nurses are even involved in auditting staff walking onto the ward. Problem areas not addressed, however, include the development of contact allergies to the stuff they want us to use for MRSA eradication. There are no suitable alternatives now as one major manufacturer decided to stop manufacturing the one product that could've been used (stupid!). With regards to C. Difficile, yes it is around and has been for as long as I can remember. I'm glad it's being highlighted now as it might kick-start medical staff into appropriate prescribing and regular reviews of antibiotics. I also feel that the use of probiotics such as acidophilus and the probiotics you get in live yoghurts, Actimel/ Yakult etc..also need to be seriously looked at, and provided by catering within Hospitals. If I had C. Diff, I'd definately be getting at least 2 or 3 of these thing down me a day, to keep my gut flora flourishing!!

Could Grapefruit Diets increase breast cancer in women?

2007-07-19T20:17:00.000+01:00

Yet again, Grapefruit is in the news again

A report from the Universities of Southern California and Hawaii, published in the British Journal of Cancer, states that eating it can increase the risk of breast cancer by nearly a third. The fruit is believed to boost blood levels of oestrogen, which is a particular problem if you're pre-disposed or have a family history of oestrogen receptive breast cancer
Researchers claim that post-menopausal women who eat as little as one quarter of a grapefruit per day (or juice equivalent) could see their chances increase by 30 per cent. Most dieters would have been eating at least six times that amount.
This is not the first time grapefruit has been implicated in a health scare.
We know that grapefruit contains substances called naringin, bergamottin and dihydroxybergamottin which can speed up or slow down how drugs are metabolised in the body by inhibiting an enzyme (CYP3A4) in the stomach.
Anyone taking immuno-suppressant drugs knows to avoid grapefruit; other drugs known to be affected include anti-depressants such as Seroxat, statins such as simvastatin; sedatives such as Valium; antihistamines such as Claritin; blood pressure tablets such as Felodipine; and even Viagra.
CYP3A4 is also known to influence the metabolism of oestrogen and the American researchers had wanted to see if this resulted in higher levels of oestrogen and therefore an increased risk of breast cancer. Even so, their findings surprised them.
''We think of all fruit as benign,'' says Catherine Collins, chief dietician at St George's Hospital in London. ''But it's much more complicated than that. Fruit and vegetables provide us with vitamins, minerals and fibre but they also deliver plenty of phyto-chemicals, the power of which we just don't understand yet."
Collins explains that the bitter taste of raw cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli or sprouts is caused by a minute quantity of cyanide in the cells, released when we crunch them. ''The cyanide travels to our liver which it stimulates to produce detoxifying enzymes.
These clean up the cyanide cells but also any other toxic substances present at that time in our bodies.''
Collins says that the substance in grapefruit responsible for increasing levels of oestrogen in the blood will be just such a chemical, and one of thousands of biological active substances in the fruit. ''It might be harmful to some but it might be useful to others - it could even act as a sort of natural HRT, as soya does.''