

Disjointed Love
We’re on a roll We’re on a high Re-laying the foundations of this fragile unity Lie upon sunshine fuelled lie. Delicious fried niblets Rosé on tap En-sconsed in the moment Content in the trap. We lie aside each other, blissful Amid the lamentable crowd Of pimps and their charges Barely disguised and proud. The door is not open Its not even ajar But the mesmerising, twinkly ocean Shifts all doubt to obscurity … Continue reading Disjointed Love

Authenticity
The world is askew, said he Tis you that ain’t true, said me Let me wallow, he berated In the lies I have created Follow blindly behind me Allow me to deceive you kindly Gently caress your needy soul Destroy you from the inside Charm you into the black hole Le vide One plus one equals three, said he I’m so sorry, I can’t see, … Continue reading Authenticity

Me Me ME
Does it matter that I pretended not to see? Though I saw Haven’t the strength to save the world every day What about me? But my gracious right eye wandered I saw Have to focus on my own woes Keep my bogey man at bay` Does it matter that he saw me look away? Continue reading Me Me ME

Last exit to Bedlam
A lovely (and concerned) friend messaged me recently: “Are you ok? Some quite black life is a shit sandwich being posted ….not that it isn’t a shit sandwich of course. Nor that there is much I can do about it if you aren’t ok..Except send love. Which I do. Anyway”. Thing is, having (ever so) slowly sheded the chains of crippling self-consciousness and truly accepted that those who know and … Continue reading Last exit to Bedlam

Endless Love
I was in the middle of researching my ‘five sure signs you’re dating a Sociopath’ blog when my daughter rang from France. I haven’t heard from her for a week. Packed her off with phone (and masses of credit), charger, iPad & charger, spare chargers and forced her to memorise all my telephone numbers and email addresses. That was last Saturday. Since then, I’ve heard nothing. Her wonderful … Continue reading Endless Love

Millionaire Malarkey
Whilst lounging about pretending to get stuff ready for my Belgian National Day party tomorrow, I just happened to turn live TV on my tablet. I’d intended to half-watch something relaxing whilst vacuuming. But I wasn’t altogether disappointed that the channel was already set to ITV.be – who did that? The shit-bag hoover was winding me up anyway. I bought the cheapest one available from my local supermarket recently … Continue reading Millionaire Malarkey

Peaceful Conviction
Genuine question(s): Do you recognise the difference between discussion and argument (I’m not talking about the merits of either here)?; Are you able to hold a discussion without it descending into argument?; Do you enjoy transforming discussion into argument, just to get a reaction and perhaps irrespective of your actual views on the topic? I believe that the essence of discussion is a dialogue between two parties to … Continue reading Peaceful Conviction

Cauliflower Crisis
Back to work tomorrow after two weeks leave. With my rose-tinted, glass half-full head on, I’ve achieved much and enjoyed being a stay-home mum. Meanwhile, in the real world, I’m trying to distract myself from everything that feels like its gone horribly wrong by staring at this cauliflower I bought. Wondering what amazing cauliflower dish I could impress my boys with. I’ve got no further than cauliflower cheese by … Continue reading Cauliflower Crisis

Siblings without rivalry
The bank said yes. I was a quarter hoping they’d say no. My selfish quarter. The bit of me who’d like the weight of all this to be removed by a faceless third party. The other three quarters of me are very grateful that we can now start to make plans as a family. Get behind number one and help him to rise to this new challenge and … Continue reading Siblings without rivalry

Boys & Men
I have two boymen (‘BM’). I can’t show you any pictures of them, because they won’t let me take any. But they’re gorgeous. Not that they think they are. Sure they’re lazy and totally uninterested in homework and housework. But they are tall and slim and handsome. They are bright and charming. Much more importantly, they are tolerant and sensitive and kind. But they truly believe … Continue reading Boys & Men

Ying & Yang
Week two off work and I have achieved the following: 1. Gone through (actually looked at and skim read in most cases) three years worth of papers (predominantly bills…). Those to keep are now in one huge file, divided into sections and waiting to be properly sorted into date order etc. This is massive progress for me, though it may not appear so to you, dear organised reader. I am … Continue reading Ying & Yang

Ruby awakening
Twenty years ago, poor and a bit lonely, I moved into a studio flat above Ruby’s nails. It was a tiny little abode. Just a room really, with a kitchen the size of a toilet and a bath that you could only sit in and even then, the water would just about cover my knees. You could reach the toaster from the loo and watch tv from anywhere. I loved it! Continue reading Ruby awakening

Relativity
It should have been a relatively simple task: 1. Meticulous preparation of paperwork in advance; 2. Get everyone to sleep last night in time to wake up this morning in time to get to the Brussels commune before their limited service hours (not the same as their opening hours, as they tend to refuse entry at least thirty minutes ahead of official closure) end; 3. Successfully transport all … Continue reading Relativity

Lentil Lament
Only those of us Brits living a train, plane or boat ride away from M&S can possibly understand the irrational joy that I (and many others) experienced earlier this year, when the store re-opened its flagship Brussels doors after ten years in scone-less exile. In a matter of weeks following the May opening, I: a) became addicted to cottage cheese (weird I know); b) managed to convince myself its ok to … Continue reading Lentil Lament

Eggtastic
Then there are other days, like today, when I feel swamped under the weight of serious decisions. Real and difficult choices that have to be made, despite every part of me just wanting to sit down and watch Sex And The City re-runs. Continue reading Eggtastic

Moody Blues
I spent the shoot out hidden in the loo of course. I just cannot watch penalties. Continue reading Moody Blues

Coffee break !!
This was my bolt hole when the kids were small and we’d just moved to the area. We had a lovely little apartment just up the road. I knew no-one, but I instantly loved it. Continue reading Coffee break !!

Where to now?
I’m bloody fed up of everyone I meet asking how the kids did in their exams, then suddenly remembering some fake appointment when I answer honestly. Or rambling on about their idyllic plans for the next two months – everyone has passed their exams, no one doesn’t want to join in and there are unlimited funds to combine a heady mix of ‘Club Med’ style luxury relaxation and cultural extravaganza. Continue reading Where to now?

Blurred Lines
i’m disappointed that you’re only concerned now (10pm) that its a convenient time to be concerned. Continue reading Blurred Lines

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