OMG have discovered alcoholic Ginger Beer "Crabbies" I think it's called - delicious! A couple of long busy days have just gone by - lovely evening tonight though spent with Albatross in the garden - cheese, biscuits, smoked salmon & goats cheese - bliss. Now all 5 of us laid out on the bed - another warm night.
Have tried 3 times to start my new book "The Elegance of the Hedgehog" - maybe it'll have to be a quiet day with no other work to do so I can really get into it...hope it's good?!?

Looking forward to Sunday this week - Brother -in-law Stewart and partner Sim are coming over for a lazy Sunday tea in the garden along with their 3 dogs! Looking forward to meeting their most recent rescue....Mr Brigsy!!!
Considering also going to Woodgreen Animal Shelter on Saturday (Antiques Fair) with my cousin - she has a vacancy at the moment that needs filling with a bundle of joy! Mick told me today he had seen Labra-Doodle puppies for sale on a car boot fair!!!! FUMING - what type of person buys a dog from a Car Boot - perhaps the type that breeds and sells them at Car Boots!!! Don't get me started.

Carrie-Ann (a friend of Pete's) has taken her son to see Britain's Got talent at Sheffield Arena tonight (think I'd rather poke out my eyes!) hosted by Paddy McGuinnes - this reminded me of the time he came to the Embassy - his wallet must have slipped out of his back pocket down into one of our sofas; I found it - it contained everything - credit cards, drivers licence - the lot! I couriered it to the next Theatre he was attending (cost £200) worth it though - could have been a real pain for him and lets face it I'm sure he can afford it! Ha Ha - actually Peter remembered this...I tend to forget this little escapades - that's why I'm here - writing things down!

Anyhoo - good day at work - new website is looking good - it's about time but nice that we are close now! Meeting with "Rusty The Clown" tomorrow - if he doesn't dress the part I shall be V. Disappointed!! Also a dance show tomorrow night (which I had actually forgotten about - Pete now not happy with me as I thought we had another night in together)......ah well...

Is calling something "an investment" just a way of justifying an extravagant purchase to ones self??? Perhaps...yet still toying with the idea of purchasing MORE ART - you just don't know - one day Rodney...we could be Satchi's of the East Coast!
Another scorcher - purposefully managed to totally avoid the football the roads were bliss to drive on - good old Germany that put us in our place!
Loaded a massive amount of tracks onto my i-pod today (now I've figured out how too - well it's only been 3 yrs) including Calvin Harris and the BaseBalls - fantastic albums, I love every type of music but am finding myself flitting between Opera/Classics and Retro Dance/Funk fusion at the moment - whereas I'm usually a lyrical person - how queer...am now on the look out for Janelle Monae - awesome Atlantic crew sound - beautifully styled (a touch of Grace Jones).
Reluctantly finished my book ONE DAY this morning - you know how it is - you get so far - realise it is almost at an end and begin to delay finishing it off!! The BEST novel I've read in a long long time - riveting and heart wrenching - so much so I have given it to Jackie and insisted she reads it next!
Had an amazing lunch at my cousins/aunts today haven't been for over a year - can't believe it! Rather too much fizz so took the back roads home very gingerly - home safely now; not usually that irresponsible I might add - Pete usually drives ;-} Hope he is home soon - very long hot day to be working - poor Albatross - I'm cooking Chicken for his tea! Hectic but productive week ahead I hope.

Glorious weather again - so will pick my spot beneath a BIG brolly very carefully today else English rose will soon turn Lincolnshire Back Bacon! Just to catch up on the weekends shows - Friday night was a good crowd - great production - talented rock band with an 18 piece orchestra behind it - bit of an ego trip for the lead man who really should have stepped back and made the most of the fantastic line up behind him - but hey - that's what lead men do! Met up with a friend (Lead guitarist in this production) - ex-boyfriend of my little sister (who also used to be in it!)- he's finally got over his embarrasment of their break-up and made a huge demonstrative effort of finding me and having a good chat and a hug - I'm so pleased because he is such a lovely guy as well as extremely talented! I shall tell Harriet - she will be pleased too...
Worked all day Saturday - visited Big Band singers in the Tower Gardens and secured a deal with park resorts all this meant that although the evening show was cancelled (too few tickets sold so they pulled)the day was not completely lost! Quite relieved actually because it was one of those shows that you know is going to dissapoint. This also left chance for me to meet up with John and discuss the format and creation of his new photography exhibition (something I always relish) and then an early lock up at The Theatre and late tea with Peter - must admit past that I can't remember after a couple of heavy Gin and Tonics - think I was unconscious - sign of getting old I think ;-}

Very tired when I got home last night so catching up this morning; got in about 12.30ish - show "groupies" were reluctant to leave the bar...show was good (Ultimate 60's-Imposters) and the audience a respectable size - very dedicated and enthusiastic bunch but (is it just me?) I do get tired of these sort of acts...give me something startling; new;unique - then I'll pay attention! Good God and the Summer season hasn't even started yet!

I was cross with myself for working all day - I keep making a promise.....work begins when you get there -my fault, my problem I know - discipline Polly!

Anyhoo - Bella still got her hair-cut (although a little ropey - she may need sun cream on now!)

Boy oh boy - isn't life complicated; not mine particularly but today I spoke to two dear friends who both have real problems in their lives...wish I could help but realistically support and friendship is all I have to offer when really I want to provide THE answer and solve everything - that's obviously the control-freak in me or aspiring super-hero I'm not sure which!

On a positive note (work again I know) I got 4 yes' in a row from my superiors - must have been in a weakened state!

Oh yes and a phone call from Rusty the clown!!!! I now have a "meeting" with him next week - mustn't trip over his shoes!

Ha Ha - how random!

PHEW! What a day!
Matinees - God they are hard work - there's always a medical crisis - poor old gal had over done it a bit and had to be carted off to Hospital for ECG monitoring.....she missed the show poor love and at 90 I bet she doesn't get the chance to go out that often either. I actually remember her from the Hospital Day Unit (when I used to work there) always immaculately presented - full make-up, colour coordinated - long painted red nails with a fantastically sunny disposition - even when being violently ill she said " well I'm not feeling too bright but mustn't grumble all things considered!" Oh there's no joy in being old I'm sure. but should I get the chance I want to be just like Rita.
Just to "put the icing on the cake"another lady came up to me and said "do you know it's 2 yrs to the day that Bert fell down the stairs here you were so nice to him...he died last year too!?"
I'll say no more except what a lovely time they all had and how wonderful it is to see such happy faces on the way out - and the relief on ours!
Not much else to report today except how exhausting today was in this heat - how people go abroad on holiday in the Summer is beyond me - I'm sure I'd melt!
Again stunningly gorgeous in my garden at 7-8pm tonight; Peter home this evening so we dined together - alfresco. Bella's coat is getting long again - may give her a trim tomorrow morning - thinking about it my fringe is getting a little heavy too...

You've heard of the dawn chorus right? Well how about the sneeze chorus...3 dogs all sneezing and wriggling around protesting at what a beautiful day it is outside and exactely what time did we plan getting up? 8.30am. THAT'S EARLY FOR ME!
A work DAY today rather than EVENING so dress was a little more casual (I don't do casual)and make-up totally inappropriate for the daytime! As ever!
Good day at work (can't believe I'm making plans for Panto promotion in this weather) made even better by Harriet meeting me for lunch - Prawn Cocktail (and a side of chips....when in Rome!) Yum!
Positivley roasting weather on the coast today so the annual "elbow length arm tan" is coming along nicely - Harriet tells me Daddy was laughing at me yesterday for sitting behind a small tree to shade from the Sun! Funny & True. I'm a real Roger!
I so intended finishing work at a good time today but as usual got carried away and left 7.30pm'ish - called at Tesco and bought 2 pairs of trousers - bad Roger! Won't tell Peter - he'll be cross I didn't think to buy anything else like....bread or useful things you know;-}
2 new bookings today Naked Truth for October and Chas & Dave Together Again the Final Tour next April - how that made me laugh!!! I used to work with Chas's (or was it Daves')daughter at Harrods - nice girl - sold Yamaha keyboards...musical background you see...
So to now - smoked salmon & cream cheese on a french stick with a couple (hic) of glasses of fizz for tea in the gorgeous garden with my babies - watching the doves hopping around on the roof - I think that's what they are doing? Contemplating either strawberries & cream or Maple & Pecan plait (or maybe both) for pudding! Dosen't get better than this...except...Peter working until 10.30pm; he will be tired.

A little about myself - Pollyanne; aptly named I consider myself a "Pollyanna" of sorts - someone who seems always to be able to find something to be "glad" about no matter what circumstances arise. It is sometimes used pejoratively, referring to someone whose optimism is excessive to the point of naïveté or refusing to accept the facts of an unfortunate situation.
I suppose time will tell whether this is accurate or not.
This is a new venture , I've been toying with the idea of keeping a diary so as not to forget thoughts,people,scenarios since turning 30 in January and having the obligatory "mini-meltdown" moment lasting approximately a month yet feeling like an eternity.
I'm sure it happens to everyone...doesn't it?

Well - I'm going to backdate - only by 1 day though don't worry not 30 yrs ;-}
Yesterday (Sunday) I spent in London with Peter(Hubby), Annie & Dave (Friends) whose wedding anniversary is always celebrated by a trip to West-End LIVE , meal and a show (plus plenty of bubbly!)
West-End LIVE was how I remembered it a couple of years ago - a great idea but in actuality quite ropey...main stage was the focus, we saw Tap Dogs (Peter was most unhappy to realise it was NOT syncronised collie dog dancing-to-heel as displayed on crufts!) Adam Garcia frankly looked DOG rough! STOMP followed and both were powerful and impressive but I personally wanted to see more polish and coudn't sit throught an entire evening of either! Thriller & Priscilla were both okay but completely overshadowed by Jersey Boys! (Which we have seen and is slick & classy throughout). IMO WEL is a great idea and opportunity to offer "tasters" to the non-paying audiences in anticipation they'll like what they see and book tickets to the real shows - however - none of the shows are portrayed in their best light - sound balance is not tailored nor the lighting - stage entrance and exit is sloppy not to mention the compares who have a tough job but would be better suited on a Radio 1 road-show! At the end of the day though it is all free, entertaining and LIVE!
And so to the main act - Paradise Found at the Menier Chocolate Factory - what a beautiful (excuse the pun) chocolate box theatre - seating only 150 with a fabulous restaurant and art gallery I found my Paradise. Prosecco - parma ham and Olives were perfect prior to the production, having read a couple of scathing reviews and hear-say I was ready for a dissapointing show....I wasn't though - I loved the whole experience - think Forum/Midsummer nights dream/Cabaret to the revolving soundtrack of Strauss. Silly - Soppy and very Sweet, I was quite defensive of my experience especially after hearing the general rumble of bitter dissapointment from other audience members during the interval. Some people only go to critisize though! Mandy Patinkin was enchanting - I will add him to my "Fantasy Dinnerparty" along with Richard O'Brien and Dillie Kean!
Definately NOT a West-end show stopper - a frivalous fringe event but created with care and love all the same - what a romantic eh?!?
Anyhoo - to present - Monday a day off for recovery! Beautiful weather so drove all day with the roof down - collected a miniature Beureau from Boston - bumped into Theatre regulars in Tesco (chance as I've never been there before). Visited Daddy and the dogs in Orby after lunch; Aunty Ann said she'd love to see the ENO Pearl Fishers with me, might get this for her birthday?
Sat in the garden for the afternoon - baking hot- when Pete finished work - reading;One Day; bliss! Pete now snoring through an Operatic version of Cinderella on Sky Arts. Bless - a tired Albatross.
Work tomorrow.