Harry Ramsden's and Sunday Lunch

Yesterday I went on a daytrip to Harry Ramsden’s with the Viva! Project.  I was picked up at 10:00a.m by Leanne and Neil in the Blue bus.  We picked up six other passengers and made our way down the M4.

 

The woman in the car next to us started waving madly to attract our attention.  Leanne waved back, thinking this woman was just being friendly.  Then we realised something was wrong ~ we had a flat tyre!   

 

We pulled up as soon as we could.  Neil attempted to change the tyre, but he wasn’t allowed to.  The boss said they weren’t insured if the bus fell on top of him!  Claire arrived and took us, in three’s, to the nearest service station.  Neil had to wait for the AA men to turn up and change the tyre.  Claire was worried if they didn’t fix the bus by 12:10p.m, we wouldn’t be going anywhere!

 

However, they managed to change the tyre by 12:00p.m and we were on our way again!  We arrived at Harry Ramsden’s place in plenty of time.  Then we all had some fish and chips and a soft drink of our choice , followed by ice-cream.  What a treat!  I have only been there once before and will definitely go again!

 

   

 

My father is going to watch a football match this afternoon in Cardiff ~ Leeds vs. Watford.  It is raining heavy here in the Rhondda Valleys ~ maybe it will be different there. 

 

   

 

My mum and I have decided to go out for Sunday lunch for a change.  It is very rare that we have Sunday lunch together, as I usually go to visit my Nan over the weekend, so it will be very special to me.

 

I have three more exams this week. They are Computers (paper 2) tomorrow, English Literature on Tuesday and R.E on Wednesday morning.  I have 12 more examinations to sit after that.  I wish I hadn’t been so hasty and taken so many courses.  At the time, I just wanted to get as many qualifications as I could.  I didn’t realise how much work would be involved!! The sooner the exams are out the way, the better.  Trust me lol! 

 

Wish me luck! 

 

Leigh xxxx

 

Postscript (Sunday, 18:32p.m)

I had a lovely Sunday dinner with Mum.  Mum had lamb and I had chicken, with roasties, mash potato, yorkshire pudding with a selection of vegetables.  For dessert I had vanilla ice-cream with chocolate sauce and Mum had apple crumble with custard. Yum!  Also Dad didn't go to Cardiff, he missed the train so he watched the match in our local pub.  Watford won 3-0.  Dad came home disappointed at his team's (Leeds) performance.

The Second Outing

My youngest cat, Chewy woke me up this morning at 8:00a.m.  Every morning she comes up the stairs and scratches at my bedroom door until I let her in.

 

Then she will sit on my windowsill, next to my stereo and watch the next-door neighbour’s Labrador in the garden. If I fall back off to sleep, she will paw the glass repeatedly which makes a very loud squeak ~ annoying!! 

 

If all that fails then she will meow and cuddle up next to me on the duvet. Unfortunately this happened this morning and when I woke up it was 9:30a.m!! Mum walked in shouting my name. THAT woke me up lol!

 

Margaret had already arrived and was half-way through a cup of coffee by the time I arrived downstairs.  After a piece of toast and a cup of tea we set off for the train station, five minutes away from my home.  The train we intended to catch was pulling off from the station as we arrived at the platform!! We spoke to the guard and he said thenext train was in one hour’s time.  Time for Plan B, me thinks!!

We strolled home and mum suggested going over Hannah Street.  I had not been over there for ages as the Council had been redesigning the pavements.  It has not been safe for me to walk over using my stick.  Today we used my wheelchair ~ it gave me some practice of pushing myself around, to build up the muscles in my arms.

 

I managed to find a suitable Father’s Day present for my Dad.  Just a reminder, Father’s Day is on June 18th 2006.  I bought a CD for myself called ‘I’m Not Dead!’ by Pink*.  Her latest release includes the singles ‘Stupid Girls’ and ‘Who Knew?’ and is a more mature sound than her previous releases.  It is already becoming a firm favourite on my iPod, as I can associate with the lyrics.  I also bought a bouquet of flowers for mum.

 

Pink, real name Alecia Moore has had Top 10 hits with 'Get The Party Started', 'Just Like A Pill' and 'Trouble' to name a few!!

 

July 2nd will be my next session with Margaret and we have decided to go to the pictures.  Margaret will be taking me out to different places once a fortnight. Later that month we might go to the Millennium Centre and watch a production of ‘My Fair Lady’, which stars former Emmerdale star, Amy Nuttall (Chloe Atkinson) as Eliza.

 

 

WOULDN'T IT BE LUVVERLY?: Audrey Hepburn as Eliza in the film, actress turned classical star Amy Nuttall is starring in the new stage version.

 

Enjoy the rest of this fine weather, readers. I hope we are getting the sunshine too soon!

 

  

 

Be back soon!!

 

Leigh xxxx

 

Computers and Cardiff Bay

 Just smile, smile smile!

Hi everyone!

How are we all today? Weather is terrible here in Wales this afternoon ~ depressing!

 Perfect graphic for a 'perfect day'.

Last Wednesday was a lovely sunny day and in the evening weather conditions quickly contrasted to thunder and lightning! I always worry about my two cats when terrible weather happens. My oldest was sprawled out on top of the stairs oblivious! But my youngest (who is scared of any sudden noise) was running around downstairs like a headless chicken, scramming everyone in the process. Any animals don't like loud noises as they have sensitive hearing and everything is ten times louder so I feel for any animals in that situation, or when it's Bonfire Night.

  A colourful graphic to brighten up the page.

My Business and Communications Systems exam was this morning. In a nutshell, B.C.S is using a computer to produce documents like a letter etc. It's I.T. with a big, posh name!

  ... when it's working!!

Anyway, it was a success! The exam lasted for 2 hours but I have 30 minutes extra time as well. I flew through the paper, using 10 minutes of the extra time to check every before giving the folder in. I was so pleased to complete the paper and finish the exam!!

I have to go back into school for revision sessions on Friday. B.C.S (written ~ Human Rights etc),Maths and Biology. 

Biology is one of my favourite lessons. I find the subject fascinating to learn! It's amazing to learn about the Human Body and it's functions. I'm on my way to gaining a Double Award qualification (two C grades) in the Sciences.

Tomorrow I am going on my second outing with Mageret (care worker) to Cardiff. I am hoping to go to Cardiff Bay and have a walk around. I have never been in the Millenium Centre so would like to take a tour around the building and have some fish and chips in Harry Ramsdan's if the weather's nice.

   

My nan is enjoying her week away in Porthcawl. She went on a bus trip yesterday afternooninto Porthcawl Town. She got on the bus and was gutted to find that she'd left her bus pass in the caravan!! lol!!!

O.K. everyone, that's all for now.

Take care.

Leigh xxx

More Good News!

Hi I'm back!

First of all I would like to congratulate my friend Lauren, who passed her driving test on Friday! Loz, I knew you could do it ~ well done 'sis'! xxx

 

My acting exam went well on Thursday after all that worrying. I managed to remember all my character's dialouge for once. Usually I get stage fright and my mind goes blank but this time I was determined not to let the cast down. Relief flooded through me after the performance, it was a success!

My father had a lovely birthday ~ working! In my opinion there should be a law allowing people to take a day off to celebrate their birthday. Anyway I bought my dad a Sudoku puzzle book and a DVD called 'The Island', starring Ewan McGregor and Scarlett Johansson. Haven't watched it yet. Any readers seen it? What's it like?

I am now on study leave. I only need to go into school to sit examinations. We had a Record of Achievement ceremony in school. Local football heroes (and former pupils) Morgan Stoddart and Scott Young were there to present our Progress Files. These contain certificates and other important documents, like a Personal Statement, to show future employers.

I was very proud to go on the stage to accept my Progress File. I walked across without using my walking stick.

      

L-R: Pontypridd FC ('Dragons') centre/full back Morgan Stoddart, Cardiff City ('Bluebirds') defender Scott Young.

Yesterday my Nan and I went to the theatre to watch 'The Buddy Holly Story'. The show was good but we missed half an hour of it because we couldn't park the car! We didn't miss much of the production, it was his early life and how he started out with 'The Crickets'.

   Rock & Roll legend Buddy Holly.

Over the weekend Nan was wondering whether or not to go to Porthcawl for the week with the Sun holidays. Her brother John was taken back into hospital last week after suffering from chest pains. She has decided to go and enjoy her break. Get well soon, Uncle John! xxx

I hope Lady Luck will continues to be on my side during the next few weeks as my GCSE exams begin. My first exam in on Wednesday and it is Computers. The exam will involve creating letters, memos, spreadsheets and databases etc. I am confident that I will do well.

 

Wish me luck!

Leigh xxxx

Check-up Results

 

Hi readers!

Hope you are all well and enjoying today's sunshine. Today I had my second interview at the college and it was successful. I have been offered a place, considering I get five C grades. Anything above that would be a bonus! I will have to work hard now to achieve my target grades. I am so pleased that now I am one step closer to achieving my lifelong ambition to be a teacher.

Dr. Roberts, the specialist in Shropshire, was also the bearer of good news. He is very pleased with the progress I have made over the last few years. He also said that I do not have to see him again, only if problems occur.

But I have to go up for custom made shoes and leg splints. I don't mind travelling up to Shropshire as these people are specialists and they know what their doing.

Mum was so pleased with my results she bought me a new mobile phone. A Samsung D600 on contract. I have been very good so far but I do worry about going over the limit.

I hope Lady Luck continues to be on my side within the next few weeks and my GCSE exxaminations will be starting. Good luck to all my friends sitting these exams. Come on guys, we can do it!! lol!

 

I just want to wish my Dad 'Happy birthday' for tomorrow and 'Good luck' to my friend Lauren, who will be taking her driving test on Friday! "Come on 'sis' you can do it! xxx

  

O.K. then folks I'd better be off to a last-minute dress rehearsal. Hopefully the exam will go well on Thursday.

See you soon!!

Leigh xxxx

 

Hospital Check-up

 

This morning I received a letter from the college! My second interview (this time with the course tutor) will take place next week on 10th May 2006. These last few weeks have been a worrying time for me and family members, but I am glad they have finally been in contact. The first interview was very successful and I don’t feel as nervous about this one now as I know the procedure.

 

On Friday 5th May 2006 it will be three years since the operation was performed on my legs ~ and the day of my annual check-up with the  specialist! I always get a bit apprehensive about the appointment, I don't why. Those who know me will know that I will worry over anything! (mum's the same!)

 

I will get up at 4:30a.m and leave the house at approximately 6a.m. The specialist orthopaedic hospital in Shropshire, is three and a half hours drive away from where we live. It seems pointless to travel all that way for a 15 minute check-up, but it is worth it to know that everything is going well.

 

It will be nice to have a weekend away from home. I am also looking forward to having a meal out to celebrate my dad's birthday on 11th May (the day of my Drama acting exam) and having a browse around the shops! Dad hasn't a clue what present he wants from me for his birthday, any ideas?

 

 

ITV has blown the final whistle on popular drama 'Footballers' Wives". The show followed the fortunes of soccer club Earls Park on and off the pitch. After failing ratings bosses have decided not to make a sixth series. The shows made big stars of Zoe Lucker (Tanya Turner) and Gary Lucy (Kyle Pascoe). How could ITV axe this over-the-top drama when Series five ended with such a cliffhanger? I want to know Tanya's fate!! Will she survive?  Shed Productions are busy working on new series of 'Bad Girls' and 'Waterloo Road'.

 

Well that's it for now readers. I will be back next week with a full update!

 

Take care,

 

Leigh xxx