IKEA HELL

IKEA the word that strikes fear into my heart... I had to go to collect a cooker hood my little swamp duck had been waiting on for over a month. They had three in stock (Or so they said) so off I went.
After negotiating my way through evening traffic and trying to avoid vehicles driven by Ignoranus's (That's persons who are both stupid and an a*s*oles) and there were plenty out.
Anyway, arrived at IKEA and the car park was reasonably empty. (Happy days I thought)
Into flat pack hell I went to be met by a person who instructed me to go to the checkout, pay for the item I wanted, then wait at the collection point for my order. (Happy days I thought)
Made my way to the checkout and wow, how the hell did all these people get here with so little cars in the car park. Anyway, queued up, waited my turn to be told by the person at the checkout "You've to go to the kitchen area and pay for the item then go to the collection point" etc etc. AGGGHHHHH... Off I went (Wish I'd my sat nav with me) it's a maze. Eventually I found the kitchen area waited my turn and the person said "I check if it's in stock" my heart dropped.
But it was, I paid for it, collected it, brought it home, It can stay in the box for now....

Sporting Weekend

What a great weekend of sport. Yesterday I had to endure some shopping before being released to go to a local drinking well to watch the Man U v Liverpool game. After reading Wayne's comments (In the morning papers) of what he was going to do to the pool, my excitement was unreal. Remember the time you actually found out there was no Santa?, well, that's what it was like watching the match. Liverpool were fantastic, at one stage someone in the bar bumped into the TV and half the United team fell over.. enough of that game.
Today came the Old Firm cup final... If that's the two best teams in Scotland, I'm glad I follow the Crues.
Rugby... after yesterday and yet another Irish win it came England's turn to play, I have to say it was great to see them beating the French... I just hope we don't have to endure the next 30 years being reminded of the win..
All on the game next week with Wales, I think the boys from the Isle will be victorious......

North Belfast Champagne

After the shock of watching Manchester Stupid losing to the Pool I had to break open a tin of North Belfast Champagne to soften the blow. Oh woe is me... (Not really) Win of lose they never think of me....

I even added a strawberry to make it even more classy

Friday The 13th

No, it's not the horror film I'm on about. Do you feel any fear when the dreaded (By many) day looms. Friday the 13th, whats so bad about that date. There is a guy I know who refuse's to leave the safety of his four walls and always takes the day off work. If it's going to happen it WILL happen. I think it's a bonus no mater what day it is if we can open our eye's and climb out of bed (Unless the bed is positioned beside a cliff that is) Someone else told me their friend is flying to the USA today. I did point out the old saying "You'll not go before your time" then I thought what happens if it's the pilot time?
I don't mind the 13th, whatever date it falls on.

YES, I'M BACK

The Last Post.....

I think the blog has run it's course and I've deiced to call it a day.
This will be my last post, It's been fun to do, but I've reached a stage where I need to step back and think of something new.

Thanks to all.... GH

Smashing Start To 2009

Oh dear, saw 2008 out and 2009 in with a glass of Cava (Classy or what, the Buckfast was finished) in my favorite champagne flute (Which my Son and Daughter in Law bought me) My LSD and I had watched the fireworks over our city and I did comment "Gone are the days (Thank God) were I use to wait on hearing the first explosion of the new year" How wonderful it is now (And has been for a lot of years) were the only bangs we hear are from fireworks.... Getting back to the Cava, I had just finished and set my flute (Champagne) on the table, reached down to let the recliner of the sofa out, hit the table and as if in slow motion away the flute went floorwards.. (Wooden floorward that is) I tried to grab it, but it was just out of reach. I can't believe how many pieces it smashed into... (About 2009 I recon) Got the usual "See you with drink in yee" It was a sober accident.. Honest

Need to replace it though, I did really like it.... Sorry R&L

Last Years New Years Resolution

What a fantastic year 2008 has been. I wrote on this blog on the 3rd of January:

"To start the new year off I've made a resolution to lose weight. I've joined a slimming class. I was asked why I wanted to lose weight "Apart from the fact I'm fat" I asked? Inside me there is a thin person trying to get out (Just the one I hear you ask) I will try my best and give it a good go. Hopefully by next Christmas my Santa suit will be too big for me."

Nine months later I had 7 stone off. I've gone horse riding, hill walking, snorkeling, I even went scuba diving in the Caribbean, I went to Slimming Worlds Man of the year 2008 competition as a semi finalist (How mad is that) and had to sell my Santa suit before Christmas as it was too big for me...lol
As far as New Years Resolutions for 2009 go, I've no idea what I'm going after. I recon I could improve my road rage and try not to shout at other motorists, and someone told me I sometimes turn into Gordon Ramsey (F word) so I'm going to have to try and work on that as well.

One thing this year has taught me: "Believe in yourself and anything is possible"

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE for 2009

Tescamo's

Bought a TV from Tesco's on Christmas Eve. Built in DVD, Freeview and a docking station for my iPod. Despite buying a digital booster aerial I couldn't get it to tune into the stations it was suppose too, and I noticed it even had it's own dead pixel....
Took it back and explained to customer services about the dead pixel, they asked me did I phone the helpline, not much point as the TV has a dead pixel. After a little wait I got my money back. I was disappointed the TV didn't do what it said on the box.
Needed to get some sparkling water, when I got to the isle I made a great money saving discovery. The bottles sell individually at 30p or you can buy four in a plastic sealed cover for £1.23p (So if you want the plastic covering it costs you 3p, mad eh?)

I also hear the Easter eggs will be on the shelves before the new year....

Flusville

Our house has turned into Flusville. My poor little SD and I have contracted the deadly virus "Daughtersflu..."
LSD Jnr arrived yesterday to spread her Christmas Germs (That's what happens when you bring up your children to share things) After all it is Christmas and we now have loads of tinsel!.....

There Once Was An ?

Not exactly the story of the Ugly Duckling , but I read about lucky old Wilbur .... An Ugly Turkling..
Enjoy

Forgot To Say

Forgot to say, I think quite a lot of people are going to be disappointed tomorrow with the none arrival of the fat man in the red suit (NO NOT ME)
I can't remember which Caribbean Island it was I was on when I spotted the Santa fella relaxing and it didn't look like he or his team had any work in mind ......... Ho Ho Ho aw sod it!

Merry Christmas From Grumpyhead

It's Gone

Passing the grounds of Belfast City Hall I could see the clearing up operation was in full swing after the Christmas continental market . That's it over for another year. Time seems to be flying in, it's hard to believe the market had been there for over a month. Today is Christmas eve eve and it only seems like yesterday that the market opened.

Tonight there was no fat fighters class as such, but we did have the option to go and get weighed. Sharon had supplied some seasonal treats for anyone who wished to partake, there was bucksfizz, smoked salmon canopies, crisps and of course diet coke (Guess what I had) Weighed in with yet another one pound on... Need another one and a half pound ON to get back to my target.... (Never thought I'd ever have to say something like that) I recon I'll need to lose after Christmas... lol (If all goes according to plan)

7 Stone 3 and a half pound OFF

(Well done to my LSD for having two pound OFF this week)

Smashing Day

My little swamp duck was getting the pressie's wrapped (More pressies that is) and she found two beautiful glass Christmas tree trinkets (Try and say that quick with a few slups in you) One was for her sister and I passed a comment that I thought the other one would look great on our tree. (Not the tree in the dinning room nor the one in the bay window, but the big one in the hall, you guessed it... the house is like a forest) I was holding it up by its tie (Looped over my finger) The tie just became undone. Crash, bang, wallop and into many pieces, as the poor little glass trinket hit the wooden floor. If the floor had been of carpet, it may have stood a chance.
I rest my case.

What Did Today Bring

Shopping and more shopping (Well, I did have yesterday off). This I made a sweet potato curry for tonights tea (Lovely) Went to a Carol service at Belfast North Salvation Army hall.... then back home.
Up dating everything that needs updated at the mo. Should be going for a swim in the morning...

Total Lazy Day

Had a total day off from everything.....

What a Great Night Out

Had our departments Christmas Dinner on Thursday night at Hill Street Brasserie. What a great night, great friends and great food. Think I must have had something that disagreed with me. Felt awful today.......

Woof Woof Where Are You

Shopping is a nightmare when I'm out with my beloved. You only have to blink and she has disappeared into some other isle or shop. You try the mobile and you get the voice mail. I now have learnt to find a seat and await the return. Sometimes the wait does get to me and I head off on the quest to find her. I really think she could work for one of the security branches as it's only by luck if I ever do find her, and only then it's when she wants me too.

"I'll only be a minute" must be one of the top lies we are told daily, another one is "I've been looking for YOU for the last ??? minutes" Yeah right...... They think us guy's are a soft touch, they think we believe everything we're told...... Will, I have news for you gals,....... you could be right.

But I think I've found a solution for us guy's if our spouses, girl friends, boy friends even mistresses, take shopping to the missing level. Spotted these guys yesterday outside the Christmas Market. Some guy must have called them to find his missus....... Wonder how they ever got the name MISS US?................

Weigh Up The Holiday

Back to the weighbridge (Scales) tonight for the first weigh in after the holiday. Two weeks of eating and drinking American style. And if you've ever been there you'll know what I'm talking about.
When I got onto the scales (Drum Roll Please...................) I had four and a half pound ON..... Yes, I am happy, not bad for having such a great holiday and still a Slimming World target member at

7 Stone 2 and a half pound off..... Roll on Christmas... Ho Ho Ho

Twinned With Manchester

Had to go to Manchester today. Went for lunch in the city centre and thought I was at home. I didn't know Manchester had a big wheel, not only that, but a few yards away from the wheel there were a load of stalls just like our contential market. (Ours is better though)

In the departure lounge at Manchester airport I spotted Baileys on offer £15 for two x litre bottles (Great value, they were two for £20 in Gatwick last Saturday) anyway, I went up to pay for them and the girl asked me for my boarding card (Not a problem) I showed her it and asked her "Can anyone get into this area without a boarding card?"......... "Oh no" was the replay. So I asked her "Will, why do you have to see it" Her eyes rolling said it all.

The flight was a bit bumpy most of the way back. I was sitting in the last row and I can only decribe it like being a flea on a happy dog's tail.... (Wasn't sure if it was a touchdown or a crash landing we did at the GBCA)

Back to Porridge

Back into work today, I felt chilled and looking forward to getting back. That was until I hit the traffic.... ARGGGHHHH
Work was fine though, and it wasn't too long before the ZZZZZZ's started to take over. Went for my swim at lunch time to try and wake me up but that lasted for about an hour... At least it's pay day.

Think I'll go back to Florida.....

What Jet Lag

Up bright and early (Around 1.45...PM that is) helped (Slightly) with the unpacking. Off to my Sister-in-law's this evening for an early family Christmas get together. Thought we were back on the cruise with the food and drink that was on offer. The entertainment was supplied by my nieces Jane and Katie... A great evening.

On the way back I had to stop at Rathcoole to take a photo of a house decorated with Christmas lights. (They do it in aid of McMillan Cancer) Fantastic.

Home Sweet Home

All flights on time. The overnight flight from Orlando touched down at 06.55. The flight had been a great flight and we arrived to a very cold and wet LGW (London Gatwick). Our Flybe flight to BHD (George Best City Airport) was like a roller coaster ride, and that was only on take off. The rain and wind pushed the plane all over the runway during takeoff and the landing wasn't much different (I didn't care I just wanted home). We were reunited with our cases at the airport and LSD Junior picked us up and took us home. "Home Sweet Home"

I believe no mater where you go, it's great to get home.

Tonight we had a friend's birthday party to go to. It's always great to get out with friends, unfortunately I faded very early (Age does have it's limit's) BTW I enjoyed the party....

Ruby Tuesday

After yesterday, all's I wanted to do was get home. We called into Downtown Disney where Virgin Atlantic have an early checkin. $10 a person, well worth it. Checked the cases in (Won't see them until Belfast) then off for breakfast... To be honest we had planned to have the rest of the day at Universial, but after yesterdays incident all's I wanted to do was get to the airport and get rid of the car. Got to the airport about 11.30am flight not until 18.05. My LSD understood (She knows me so well)

After getting rid of the car we looked around the airport shops. Time for a few beer I thought, so I went for a few.

Our Virgin Atlantic 747 is called "Ruby Tuesday"

Near Death Experience

It's not often we can say we have had a near death experience. Shopping was the order of the day (Holiday presents) One last thing could not be found but with the aid of my GPS the store I needed was 12 mile away.
Today was a very wet day and in my experience if it's wet after a long period of dry weather the roads will be greasy. I thought, if an accident is going to happen today's the day. Drive carefully!
We were on our way towards the Florida Turnpike, when this car slid across our path from an adjoining slip road, I jammed on the anchor's and our car started to lose grip. Foot off the brake and foot to the board on the gas. I just made it through the gap but ended up on the central reservation. Quite shaken but unhurt. (I've no idea how I missed hitting the car) If I'd hit the car someone was going to die. It really was a bad way to end a holiday.
(I need to send the other driver a laundry bill)

Happy Grinchmas

Back to Universal Studio's today for the the Grinchmas show (My type of guy)... We met the Grinch in passing and my LSD said hello to him and he ate the bake of her for being happy (As I said, my type of guy)

Tomorrow is our last full day here in the orange state (Could make a few comments on that name, but I wont)' Going shopping tomorrow then taking my LSD out for a meal to somewhere special. (Don't know where yet)

Hey the road rage kicked in today when I was cut up by someone driving while on their phone... I knew it had to happen.....