I'm back from Bournemouth! I had the BEST time! I'm hoarse from laughing so much!

I think I might blog about the weekend in detail later on this morning, so if you want to know the gory bits, you'll have to wait!!!

Suffice to say - I whooped *** at pool, knocked 'em dead in my red vinyl corset and got them all excited wearing my bikini to the pool! Girls RULE!

I'm a bit tired. Mr Frus came home about an hour after I fell asleep last night - his train was delayed. So I was so asleep I just couldn't talk to him or do anything apart from grunt! We made up for it this morning though

It's quite chilly today! I thought it would be roasting since I was all hot and sweaty with the sun shining in the window this morning, so I put my little dress on, jeans to ride in - then I got to work and I'm freezing! I'm wearing a sweatshirt that is about XXL!!! I had to borrow it from Lee last night to ride home, since I was just wearing T-shirt and shorts and quite cold. I'm still wearing my jeans too, so imagine if you will, jeans, then the skirt of my thin little frock, then this HUGE sweatshirt - I hope no-one's visiting today!

I'm glad it all turned out okay in the end, Frus - were you the only girl? Did the give you the cold shoulder?

Yes, it is cooler today - very nice - I've still got shorts and a vest top on though.

I've still got the earache and the headache but the sore throat and aching muscles has gone away. I'm going to aerobics but probably won't do any swimming until this earache has sorted itself out. DH wants me to go to the doctor but I always feel that I come away with more bugs than I go down there with (if you know what I mean).

The Chavs own their own house. Luckily they don't actually share a house wall with us - we have the right hand house of one pair of semi-detached and they own the left hand house of the next pair of semi-detached - so its our drives and gardens which run down beside each other with a 3 ft wall between (at the front) and its that wall and the one running between my gate and their gate which Mr Chav demolished on Saturday night - taking down the half of the gates which were attached to it. OMG - he's got a scary temper. He is SO destructive... in the past few months he's thrown a brick at their patio windows, another brick at their glazed back door, put his fist through a car window, trashed their lounge (including putting his foot through the large TV) - now there's this business with the wall - and, of course, all Mrs C's bruises and black eyes - and this is only the stuff I know about! The poor couple the other side who share a house wall with them are in negative equity and, rumour has it, the female of the couple is on anti depressants and/or tranquillisers, no problem guessing why! The couple that sold to them only lived there four months, couldn't cope with the noise and moved in with their parents before selling the house as quickly as they could.

Last night I decided that I wouldn't be able to sleep unless I did something to try and sort out this problem. The situation is that THEY like US, they are forever inviting us for BBQs, evenings out, evenings in - whatever. Its us that doesn't like them. DH thinks they are okay when they haven't been drinking (in fact he thinks the chav-ness is quite amusing) but I just can't get beyond the noise, the way they have no respect for anyone or anything and especially the way they treat their kids.

So... I went round with a bottle of wine (without DH so it didn't look too much like a social visit) and said that we need to sort this night time argument business out because I can't cope with it any more - and they actually looked confused! Its like they think their behaviour is normal. I told them that we moved to this sleepy village for a quiet and peaceful life and if they can't exercise more self control that I will be phoning the Police EVERY time their drunken stupidness or arguing wakes me up. Mr C's response was that if I don't like noise at night then I ought to sleep with the window shut! I told him that I don't mind normal nighttime noise but I do object to people screaming sexual obscenities at each just a few feet away from my bedroom window in the early hours of the morning. He didn't have an answer.

I feel better for having said something but I know it won't make any difference - it'll all kick off again in a couple of weeks. I think I'm going to get the house valued and also look in to whats involved with ASBOs. Does anyone know anything about them?

I have no idea about ASBOs but if the Jesus Freak on Oxford circus can get one for preaching through a megaphone, then Mr C can certainly have one for being an @rse!

Yes I was the only girl, was absolutely fine and actually said to Lee that "it was quite fun having Jen along" - well DUH!

My blog entry about the weekend is up - not for the faint hearted! Actually I didn't go into too much detail about the banter, that would've been too much information!

I just googled ASBO and it looks about right for their behaviour. Next time they kick off I'll phone the Police and then I'm going to follow it up with them some more - just showing up and ticking them off isn't actually achieving anything.

Frus - just read your blog - sounds like a good weekend. I'm never very keen on those 'whats the naughtiest thing you've ever done' games but yours seems to have broken the ice. You need to post a piccie of you in that corset!

Did I mention that I've bought the Dog Listener training book? I think I read about it on Skwigg's blog and then found it at a jumble sale I went to recently. The concept behind the book is that doggy social behaviour hasn't changed since they evolved from wolves - so each household of humans and dogs form a pack but, because humans don't show the proper doggy leadership skills, the dogs believe they HAVE to be in charge. The training is to establish that humans do have the required leadership skills and do lead the pack. Anyway, I've read the first few chapters so I thought I'd try it out on George and Fred. I think they've been reading the book. The author tells in great detail about the struggle you are going to go through and the patience you will need in the coming days and weeks..... it took G&F about 5 minutes to figure out what I was doing and you can just tell that they've decided to go along with it for an easy life.

One thing which is lovely though, is that poor Fred has always felt that his job in life was to defend the 'den' (house) which he did by growling and occasionally barking at strange noises - he took his job very seriously and has never relaxed or slept properly - always ready to spring in to action to defend the pack. The training means that I've been able to take that stress away from him (when he growls at outside noises I just have to say 'thank you, Fred' to show that I'm aware of the situation and doing the guarding now) and he's a completely changed dog - very chilled out.

Yeah my naughtiest thing broke the ice alright! They couldn't stop talking about it! It's really funny, but I felt that they felt I was "one of the lads" just because of that - no-one else had ever done it and they were all, "Oh I was offered once but turned it down." Losers!

I would be really rubbish at that sort of question...

I've had a pretty good day today, my knee seems a lot better after yesterday's hip dramas (I'm sure the two are related because I'm modifying my running style to make my knee feel better or something), I had a 45 minute swim before work which really seemed to help it. I'm still trying to decide whether to do my scheduled 5 mile run tomorrow or whether to do 5 miles equivalent cross training (probably 50 minutes on the bike). I'll leave it til the morning and see how it feels, but if my knee is niggling I'll wear the support again, it doesn't seem to make much difference to how my knee feels on a run but maybe it does help make it move in the right direction a bit more!

I've just found out that my sister is getting a new puppy (it's her birthday today, and it's apparently her birthday present, when she finds one she likes). I'm so jealous, I'd love a pet but I go on too many holidays and wouldn't be able to afford the kennel fees! I'll have to get over there soon so I can see the new addition to the family. I suspect the dog they already have (her boyfriend's) will get very jealous though!

I've just made myself a huge load of baked vegetables (fennel, aubergine, pepper and tomato, with a bit of feta and parmesan on top) and I'm stuffed. I'm considering trying a pilates dvd last night to see if it helps the knee, but I might just snuggle and read RW which finally arrived today.

I want to see this famous corset too its really intruiging.

Scarily my answer to that question would have been the same as frus

I got my Runner's World yesterday, and a gorgeous brand new outfit from Monsoon that I bought on EBay for a song. It's a retro print skirt, my grandma used to have some sheets almost in the same fabric And my membership for the posh train in Australia, I have a certificate to prove I went on it. I am planning the next great rail journey for 2009!!! Perhaps I should delay it until 2012 for my 40th, but then there's the Olympics, and I want to be around to see Helen compete in the Marathon, and hopefully kickboxing will be a demonstration sport and frus will be there too

I did my shopping on line yesterday. Stupid that I always try and do it personally and neither of us drive, when it's all there for the taking from my own living room. Delivery on Thursday so we'll see if I still like the whole internet shopping thing then!

I'm starting to get my groove back I think. Hopefully!

Nice one Kylie!

Sorry, no corset pictures survived!!! I've worn it twice and I've never got anyone to take a picture of me! I should've put the camera on a timer!! I tell you what - I'll do my hair on Saturday and I'll put it all back on again and take a picture, just for you guys

Well eating was a little strange yesterday - protein shake for breakfast since I was still full, then chips from the chippy with a whole tub of cottage cheese!!!! I had a turkey sandwich when I got home, then 3 caramel wafers! I've got healthy things planned today. I should be groovy! I think eating junk gets me craving junk, plus I wasn't really hungry yesterday for healthy stuff... I stood on the scales AFTER brekky just to check the damage, and it didn't seem too bad, so after a couple of healthy days I might be ok again! I do feel flabby though, less definition in my arms today. I haven't been to the gym for a while either - quite bushed, but I did teach my littlies yesterday and I'm training tonight. Planning to be back at the gym tomorrow for running and weights.

I couldda cried last night - only 2 people turned up and they were both new!!!! I gave out TONS of half price vouchers last week at the Tuesday class and no-one came!!!! I've lost 2 sisters who I really bullied last time they came - but they are SO able, they just don't DO ANYTHING! Must poach more existing students! I'm thinking I could advertise somewhere but I can't afford it.

If anyone's in the Hounslow area and fancies a beginners kickboxing class....

Glad you enjoyed Bornemouth 2 frus!
scuse ignorance but where is your blog?? I am a technbimbo so speak slowly.


Sarah Ann - blimey those neighbours get worse don't they. Obviously "not much upstairs" - sadly they are able to breed though. You just know the chavettes are going to be like their parents, too.

What a shame they own their own house. usually that sort are living in cluncil or housing association and are moved on frequently (but not as frequently as their neighbours want!!). He needs anger management - and/or to lay off the booze. Thank goodness they like you though - can you imagine if they didn't??!!!

peacock - click on BLOG in my signature!

He he - I did not see the blog thing below. i chicked on your name - I thought that was what it was. I see you ae younger than I thought! Damn- everyone is younger than me!!!

I'm probably not younger than you!!! I'm old.

I seem to be on top of my work today. I spent a lot of time yesterday looking for a cat. I have my heart set on a ragdoll. They are so pretty and are inside cats. I'm sure my Molly would love a playmate.

I've got my Runner's World to read on the way home!

Hello everyone

The internet at work wasn't working yesterday - I was lost!

Frus, glad you had a good time in Bournemouth. Men are funny things, I don't know why they are so scared of having women with them on their bonding times, but it always works well. Roll on the next martial arts weekend.

Sarah, sorry about your neighbours. You are very brave to talk to them - I'd be worried that the bricks would be coming through my windows in future!

Helen, sorry about your knee/hip problems.

I have gone officially . I am going to do a 10K race! I can't even run for 5K yet. I have thrown out the C25K now and I am inventing my own (very similar) plan to get me up to 10K by 1st October. I decided this after I worked out that on Thursday in 20 minutes I only ran 1.5 miles, so on Sunday I decided to run for 2 miles and see how long it took. Surprisingly I ran it in 19 something - I knew I was off last week. I even pushed on to 22 minutes before collapsing under a tree to cool down! The only problem is that I've hurt my heels (something called Plantar Fasciitis) which can be caused by running, but I think it is because i have been wearing unsupportive shoes (ie flip flops) for the last few weeks. They already feel better now that I'm wearing corrective insoles and proper shoes.

I'll be doing the 10K with my sister, and this has brought out my long dead sisterly rivalry. For some reason I am really desperate to beat her in this! Is it wrong that I want to crush her!?!?! She is fitter than me, and used to do a lot of running, but hasn't been in a long while. Of course, she does have time to train.

Hello everyone, I lost my internet access but now I am back. My diet also completely went to pot as the money stresses we are under at the moment all got too much for me last week. Had my weigh in last night and am back on the wagon, even though I will miss two weeks weigh ins due to my holiday!

Hope you are all well and hopefully I'll be around to chat a bit more.