Tomorrow will be the 30th anniversary of my 21st birthday.

This is quite a SCARY thought as I feel very much younger. I try to tell myself that age is a state of mind but my mirror tells me otherwise.

Today I've been shopping with gorgeous girl and have bought myself a purple vest with lovely lace (only for wearing as a layer you understand) and it put me in mind of this poem...

Warning
By Jenny Joseph

When I am an old woman, I shall wear purple

with a red hat that doesn't go, and doesn't suit me.

And I shall spend my pension on brandy and summer gloves

and satin candles, and say we've no money for butter.

I shall sit down on the pavement when I am tired

and gobble up samples in shops and press alarm bells

and run my stick along the public railings

and make up for the sobriety of my youth.

I shall go out in my slippers in the rain

and pick the flowers in other people's gardens

and learn to spit.


You can wear terrible shirts and grow more fat

and eat three pounds of sausages at a go

or only bread and pickles for a week

and hoard pens and pencils and beer nuts and things in boxes.


But now we must have clothes that keep us dry

and pay our rent and not swear in the street

and set a good example for the children.

We must have friends to dinner and read the papers.

But maybe I ought to practice a little now?

So people who know me are not too shocked and surprised

When suddenly I am old, and start to wear purple.
.........................................



Puts me in mind of this lovely film




I'm thinking of getting in a little practice now too! Come to think of it I've been hoarding things in boxes for years, getting fatter and wearing scary clothes (according to my daughter). And I have tins full of pens and pencils and I can't wait to run a stick along some railings!

Love Wend

Christmas in a cell?

8.00am to the post office and sainsburys for missed parcels and final bits.

9.30 home, coffee and list writing

10.15 - hoovering interrupted by loud knocking at the door. A burly man in a high vis jacket with black epaulettes. Stomach turned - a policeman at the door. I stared preparing myself for the worst.

"Is that your car outside?"

"Yes that's mine."

"Have you put petrol in it this morning?"

"Yes - - Oh my God - I havent' paid!!!" Hand flies to mouth - "I can't believe I did that". Suddenly became a gabbling wreck as I pulled off my slippers to put on shoes promising to pay immendiately and wondering what was going to happen next. Christmas in a cell?

"Don't worry" he said. "Just pop down and pay and we'll say no more. Don't panic get yourself a drink and calm down!"

I hurtled down to the shop and confessed to being the appalling woman who had forgotten to pay. The ladies there were great - told me not to worry - it's not a problem - it happens!

So sorry I said. I really must be menopausal!

Hope Christmas doesn't addle your brain!

Thank you to all you lovely bloggers , your messages and wonderful posts. I love being part of this community and look forward to much more in 2010.

Have a fabulous Christmas!

Love Wend