(What's the Story) Morning Glory ...!

Bonjour!

So ... last day of half term today ... a week is not long enough is it?  Had a (much needed) lie in this morning -  when you have to stick to a rigid routine during 'school weeks' it's good to not have to drag the kids out of bed, just potter and do nothing in your own time - I don't very often 'do nothing' - in fact I've never had one of those 'duvet days' I hear others talking about - too much to get done! Sometimes though, you just need a little time out from rushing around like a blue-bottomed fly ...! Then you have to stop yourself from trying to cram everything into the rest of the day just to ease the guilt!  The only thing that finally got me going mid-morning was when my girl switched MTV on over her extremely late breakfast and these familiar dudes popped up!

Oasis - (What's the Story) Morning Glory ...

My daughter's first reaction was 'Why do they all look weird and have no expression on their faces?'  I assured her that this is actually pretty standard practice for Oasis!

'Need a little time to wake up ... need a little time to rest your mind ...you know you should so I guess you might as well!'

'Morning Glory' was always my favourite from the album - in fact one of my all time fave Oasis tracks - released in September 1995 - nearly 20 years ago ... 20 years ago folks ... what's going on? Makes me feel so old and young all at the same time! 

What's your favourite  Oasis track?  What tune gets you up and running in the morning?

Jen x

Birthday Stash!

Bonjour!

I realised I'd not posted about my recent birthday pressies so thought I'd just 'do a quick one'  ...  as you do!

'Something for the Weekend' and 'Greatest Ever 80s Groove' CDs, earrings, Mac Blushbaby and Bare Minerals Complexion Rescue fom the hubby and kids. H&M Gift voucher, Cath Kidson mug and chocolate eggs from a couple of lovely friends (they know me so well!). Bronzo Italia Rose Gold Bracelet from mum and dad. 

And last but not least if a girl can't treat herself to a Nuxe Reve de Miel Lip Balm (whilst on offer with a third off from Escentual) and a Kenwood Mini Chopper (also on offer from Sainsburys - I know how to live don't I?) then when can she?

Oh and nearly forgot ... managed to get hold of the bright green shirt from New Look in the sale ...  see my wishlist here) just need a night out to wear it now ...!

And do you know what, that chopper - it's marvellous ... don't know what I did without it! Every girl needs a mini chopper!

Jen x

Don't Stop The Music ...!

Bonjour!

Yet again I've not published a music post for a while - there's been a lot going on down on the ranch and I've not felt so inspired  ... but that's changed and boy am I feeling it right now (this should read feelin' it but only cool young people would use this version right?).  Anyway ... this superb tune appeared on one of my new 80s funk/soul compilations and I heard it for the first time in years whilst driving to work (to the office of doom) one morning - put me in a good mood! It then popped up on the CD again one afternoon the other weekend as I was driving home from the gym - it was one of those surprisingly hot afternoons and I had the windows wound down with the bass turned up, shades on and my arm hanging out of the window ... cruising (as you do!) unfortunately I had no 'homies' with me in the car but all the same ... proper cool I was ... ;) !

Yarbrough & Peoples - Don't Stop the Music ...

From way back when in 1981 ...can't believe I had forgotten about this funky number ... 'The beat keeps going round and round - turns me upside down!'.  It has such a feel good factor and is so laid back I was almost horizontal in the drivers seat - not a good idea if you're driving obviously!

How silky smooth yet totally groovy is this tune and how darn clear are their voices ... if I could sing like that I would not be working in the office of doom!   Don't you just want to 'pour' yourself right onto that dance floor, as the lady says 'It feels so satisfying ... just because it's 2 o'clock don't stop the music ... !'  I do remember though (as some of you older gals will)  when the nightclubs actually did finish at 2 o'clock after the smoochies had been on -  it's not the same these days is it and my young colleagues cannot comprehend an 'establishment' closing 'so early'!   Good grief ... remember the smoochies at the end of the night ... actually I'd rather not remember all of them if you get my drift!

Which tune would you want to cruise along to with your 'homies' on a warm sunny afternoon?

Jen x



'

An Introduction to Rave (Music) ...!

Bonjour!

Some time ago whilst we were in the car, my little girl (she's not actually so little any more but she's still my little girl!) posed the question 'Mum ... what's rave music?'  The words that sprang to mind were ... 'a great philosopher once wrote ... naughty naughty, very naughty!'  (If you were familiar with The Shamen back in the day you'll know where I'm coming from!).

I called upon one of my trusty 'Old Skool' CDs which just happened to be in the car  (surprise) and satisfied her curiosity.   This is one you may remember if you were around a certain age back in 1991...!

Altern 8 Activ-8 (Come with me)

Not sure my girl was totally impressed at the idea of mum and dad having jumping around liberally in clubs to this type of music when we were 'young'!  I seem to remember the hubby had a tape ... yes one of those antiquated affairs ... of all the current house/rave tracks in the car which we would play on the 7 hour drive down to Newquay for a bank holiday weekend of clubbing back in the early 90s ... it kept me awake as far Bristol but after that I was out for the count ... luckily the hubby was driving!

This is one of the many tunes on my IPod ... stick it on ... get on the treadmill on an evening ... and off you go (it's about as close to raving as I'll get these days!). Top one, nice one, get sorted!

What would be your 'introduction to rave' track?

Jen x

Driving To Work With Pete Tong ...!

Bonjour!

Driving into work on these dark, grey mornings is so depressing and at times I need something to get my ass and mind in gear! The Pete Tong Collection seems to be a near permanent fixture in my car and our Pete's kept me going this week with his selection of 'banging tunes' ...

Eric Prydz - Pjanoo ... 

This has got to be one of my favourites on the album (the video is a tad weird but I'm concentrating on the track!) ... it has that trance/euphoric/uplifting vibe to it which make me want to turn it right up and play on repeat - played three times in a row the other morning - how sad is that - obviously I need to download a lengthy club mix!

Don't you just want to stand on stage in a club and 'give it some' to those crescendos?!  Rather difficult to achieve whilst driving into work! Still ... I arrived at my destination on a 'dance music high'  ... doesn't last long once in the office and presented with your work for the day but anyway!

What do you like to listen to on your way to work? Do you like to arrive on a 'dance music high'?


Jen x

Have A Funky Good Time with Brother Strut!

Bonjour!

Brother Strut are an up and coming funk and soul band, formed in 2012, we're talking real musicians, real instruments, real music!  The members have collectively performed on records that have sold over half-a-billion copies.  Not only has this line-up played on numerous hit singles and albums, they’ve also worked for the likes of Van Morrison, Stevie Wonder, Herbie Hancock, Madonna, Elton John, Sting, George Michael, Robbie Williams, Al Green, Level 42 and Amy Winehouse ... the list goes on!  Find out more about Brother Strut right here!

If, like me, you're a lover of  'proper' music and like to 'get your groove on' every now and again then have a listen to this ...

Good grief how funky?  Brother Strut are performing live in London at the Brooklyn Bowl, O2 on Wednesday 3rd December.  I was invited down to the gig and I can tell you if I lived in or around the London area I'd have been there like a shot!  Sadly it's at the wrong end of the country for me but you can win one of 5 pairs of tickets to attend the gig by entering here.

I'm so envious!  Let me know if you manage to get to see Brother Strut,  I bet it will be an amazing night of pure groovetastic sounds!

Good luck to everyone!

Jen x

Cheese Series #2 - A 90's Girl High ...!

Bonjour!

It's Friday (yipee!) so I needed a happy tune and this is the one ... you know when something from the past just pops into your brain at random and you can't get it out!  I'm going all the way back to 1991 here so youngsters won't have a clue ... you older peeps may well remember though! The weather is dull and gloomy but inside the sun is shining and I'm bouncing along ... (not literally - I don't 'bounce' in that way - unfortunately) but you get the picture ... have a listen ...

Amy Grant - Baby Baby  ....

My hubby dislikes this kind of tune ... it's one for the girls after all ... with a proper dose of corny lyrics ...

Baby, baby, the stars are shining for you, and just like me I'm sure that they adore you
Baby, baby, go walking through the forest, the birds above a' singing you a chorus ...

See what I mean!  Have to say I would never have thought to verse my feelings for the hubby quite so poetically, whilst walking through a forest or otherwise!  Corn aside what a happy tune, happy cheesy corny tune don't you think?  It makes me smile, sway and sing along every time and I've always loved all those key changes since 1991, good grief I was so young and everything was so plump and fresh back then!    And see that magnificent corkscrew perm of Amy's? I was the proud owner of a very similar creation (as I'm sure many of us were) - the more defined the curl the better - remember? Also had a pair of those slightly questionable stone-wash high waisted jeans too ...!  Didn't we all?!

Can't help myself - been singing out loud at the top of my voice all day, doing the hoovering, loading the dishwasher, even running up to the loo ... the dog thinks I've gone mad!  Laugh if you will ...who cares I'm on a '90s girl' high!!

Do you remember this tune? Has it brought back memories of  corkscrew perms and stone-wash high waisters? Are you on a '90's girl' high right now?


Jen x

Cheese Series #1 - I Was Made For Dancing ... !

Bonjour!

Last weekend I was feeling a bit fed up (as we all do I'm sure from time to time!) - the hubby decided to indulge in a few cheesy tunes from Spotify to cheer me up whilst I was cooking (bolognaise if you must know!) and here's one of the tunes he came up with ...

Leif Garrett - I Was Made For Dancing ...

all, all, all, all night long ...!

Ignoring the fact that I was actually  made for dancing all, all all all night long ... (age and circumstances make this a sheer impossibility these days!) ... oh my goodness what a blast from the past ... made me smile ... and slightly cringe in a good way! What on earth made him choose this one I'll never know - must have been near the top of the 'cheese' category!  Back in the day I was a bit too young to really get into the whole Bay City Rollers thing but our Leif was a different matter and I had rather a large 'not quite a teenage crush' on him - as many of us did 1978/79 -with posters on my wall etc.  Ladies of a certain age - this must surely rekindle some memories when you cast your gaze once again upon all that hair and tight leather trews! Even you young 'uns must be able to see it to a certain extent ... if you ignore the complete 70s disco crumbly cheese vibe here!

It's made me realise I have a whole host of cheesy goodness to share with you - hence the title - why keep it all to myself? Expect some proper gems in the future!

Who was your 'not quite a teenage crush'?

Jen x

Clearing My Head ...!

Bonjour!

I'm working quite a bit of overtime at the moment.  The extra dosh will obviously be appreciated (wait until you see my current wish list!) but also as my job role has changed over the last few months it's better from a training point of view as I'm performing new case types, system routines, calculations and learning about new procedures.  I've done this type of work before I had my children but not since returning from maternity leave (many moons ago!) so the knowledge of certain things takes a back seat and you do forget that you were ever any good at it - you lose your confidence to some degree and it was all rather daunting at first.  Anyway - I'm back in the thick of it now, albeit with a much older brain!  I have to say I leave the office feeling slightly spaced out - from all the stuff that's been rammed into my head and also probably due to the re-cycled air that we're all breathing in!

The only way I can clear my mush is by going down to the gym in the evening (after the kids have been fed and various chores completed!) and blasting something like this out on my IPod ...

Chase and Status - Count On Me ...

Only released last year but it 'had me' from the start ...

This tune is so like the 90s dance music that will always have a place in my heart - probably why it appeals to me so much!  Get on the cross trainer with this one and build up the pace with the crescendo ... it takes me to a different place ... away from those rubbish work type things! In my head I'm now on the dance floor throwing some serious shapes - job done!

It's funny ... my hubby does the morning exercise thing before work and then has a couple of drinks in the evening to wind down but my way is evening gym with loud  'in yer face' music.  Of course I return home ravenous and with a tired body but my head is so much clearer!

Do you like to exercise am or pm? What's your way of winding down after a hectic day?

Jen x

All In My Grill ...!

Bonjour!

I've had the 'face-ache' all week ... literally my face has been aching! You know when you get one of those cold type things which never actually gets to the snotty stage (sorry!) but just stays within giving you headache, toothache, cheekbone ache, and ear-ache - well yes one of those! I usually try to resist the painkillers for as long as possible, no idea why, but have had to resort to dosing myself with paracetamol and dragging myself up and about ... as you do!  Luckily ... it seemed to have abated a little last night (otherwise I'd have been tempted to try that Sudafed stuff!) so I popped down to the gym and sweated buckets (again ... sorry!) - think it did me good though!   How very apt that Missy was playing on the car stereo on the way down  ...

Missy Elliott - All In My Grill ...

From 1999 ... I'm a bit partial to our Missy and always wanted to sing the 'guest piece' in this track and practised it over and over back in the day ... and at the time I was unaware that 'grill' sort of meant 'face' ... this has now been rectified ...

Is it just me that was a bit late to the party on the whole 'grill' thing?  Maybe I should have been blogging about my 'Grill of the Day' or my favourite 'grill mask' ... in any case I must say Missy certainly brought a smile to my 'grill' yesterday!

Looking forward to stuffing my 'grill' with a big pasta bake tonight!  How's your week been?

Jen x

Cigarettes and Alcohol ... !

Bonjour!

I haven't done a music post for a while but the hubby recently reminded me that it was 20 years (at the end of August) since Oasis released Definitely Maybe - and it got the musical cogs going!  20 years though ...!  Where has the time gone ...?!

Cigarettes and Alcohol is my favourite tune from the album ... it's laid back, raw and earthy and reminds me of many a night out back in the 90s, staggering around on a smoke filled dance floor ... bet we've all done that at some stage or other ... well  ... the older ones will remember the smoke at any rate!

Remember the Blur/Oasis thing back then?  The hubby and I were always on the Oasis side - just appealed to our taste in music and only Song 2 later on from Blur came anywhere close (for us anyway!) to hitting the spot!

I do miss those hazy days of cigarettes and alcohol sometimes! Which tune brings back hazy memories (of staggering around) for you? And which side did you sway towards - Blur or Oasis?

Jen x

Let's Get It On with Marvin!

Bonjour!

I am cream crackered, absolutely cream crackered ...!  Work is positively mad, we are so busy and all working overtime, everyone has headaches - literally.  My job role has also been changed so I've been training on different procedures, rules, calculations, I'll get there eventually (she says!) but at the moment my brain is ready to 'do one' I can tell you!  Kids events are picking up with the end of term coming up, don't even talk to me about housework (I should be ironing instead of typing this post!). Have had to force myself out of the house down to the gym after work and blogging has had to take a bit of a back seat - which is doing my head in - but you can't let the house go to wrack and ruin whilst you take blog photos (so many photos I need to take) and write posts ... or can you??

So ... tonight I need to stop juggling all those sodding plates just for a  few hours and chill out - with pizzas and salad and red wine (maybe the latter in large quantities) and a bit of our Marvin ...

Marvin Gaye - Let's Get It On ... 

Oh my goodness, what a tune, what a tune ... can't you feel your shoulders dropping as (some) of the stress leaves your body, whilst you listen to Marvin getting it on? Can't help but sing along ... 'Don't you know how sweet and wonderful life can be?' - yes I definitely need to remember this as I sit at my desk at work in a perplexed state ...!

Are you chilling out tonight? What's your favourite relax track?

Jen x

Birthday, Sportsday and Hot Day(s) ... !

Bonjour!

Again it's been a totally crazy week ... my girl's birthday, which involved lots of shopping and food - lovely but manic and we're still not done with all the celebrations yet! School sports day which was also lovely but slightly poignant as it's my girl's last year at Primary. It's a whole school-day affair at a large indoor sports arena with all the usual races, together with gymnastic/cheerleader style dancing and a big relay race round the track at the end! My girl was the 'fastest girl in her year' - go girl! The entire school joins in from infants up to Y6 - watching all the tiny reception children today it's hard to believe my two were once that small (had a small tear in my eye!) - think they get tinier every year!

And ... as the weather has been hotting up last week so has the temperature in our office (broken air con) - up to 33 degrees no less - we have it on record! Yep the fire doors/exits have had to remain shut so we've all been sweating our bits off - literally! You walk in from the balmy weather outside into the sauna that is now our office and the heat hits you right between the eyes - similar to that feeling when you get off the plane at the start of a 'hot holiday' but far less enticing and without the cicadas calling out - yes - many pores have been well and truly opened up last week. I made sure I had a good deep cleanse, exfoliation and overnight hydrating face mask once I got home - you can't take the beauty out of this blogger!

It could not, therefore, have been any other tune other than Nelly - Hot in Herre (that's how he spells it!) ...

Luckily no one did take (all) their clothes off  although the dress code had been relaxed so people have been wandering round the office barefoot (imagine all the humming feet!) and in shorts (girls and boys) and strappy tops (just the girls mind!) and an ice cream van has been parked in the car park to distribute free ice creams to all staff - although my choc 'n' nut sundae was melting as soon as I got back inside ...! It's been an experience I can tell you.  Hopefully the air con will be fixed by next week and then we'll all be freezing - can't win!

How's your week been? Have your pores been well and truly opened? Any sweat stories to tell me?

Jen x

Low Pressure is Pants!

Bonjour!

It's pants isn't it? Just when you think the weather is behaving itself and you can finally get your summer clothes (and feet) out - a big wedge of low pressure decides to pay a visit! On the weather news this morning they did say that one minute the sun may be out and the next you could get caught in a short sharp shower and be completely drenched. Well it appears this description was pretty accurate and as I can't stand getting my feet or hair wet it's boots back on and hood up today - fantastic!

Anyway...I'm boycotting stupid weather patterns by playing some of my feel good music and this is one of my feel good tunes ...

Duke Dumont feat. A*M*E - Need U (100%)

I've loved this track from when I first heard it! It's in the car, it's in the kitchen, it's in my head! Just makes you want to dance - I feel that the last phrase 'want to dance' should have been written 'wanna boogie on down'  but anyway ...!  My daughter was totally unimpressed with my throwing of shapes around the kitchen the other day and asked if I could 'please stop that!' for gawd's sake - can't even dance around my own kitchen! One of these days I'll throw my shapes around in the food isles of Sainsbury's (like the geezer in the video) - preferably when my daughter isn't shopping with me - she'd be scarred for life - bless her!

Where do you throw your shapes around? What's your 'pants weather' feel good track?


Jen x

Down Time...

Bonjour!

When I read this post by Andrea over at Cous Cous & Cork Wedges here I totally sympathised and empathised!  I commented that she was definitely not on her own in her predicament! I have not felt myself this week - it's been a weird one to say the least and in my case I reckon hormonal imbalance has gone to a whole new level - I wonder whether to blame the beast that is perimenopause (blogger doesn't like perimenopause!).  Apologies if that's too much info but hey - it comes to all us girls in time and can apparently precede the actual 'event' for up to 15 years in some cases! Oh joy!

You know when you just feel overly anxious - I guess is the word? Everything seems like an insurmountable task,  the usual routine of getting the kids up and off to school, the decision of what to cook for dinner, the multitude of tasks waiting to be actioned. You know when you just don't know where to start, even if you had the energy, everything is a bit foggy, everything gets to you and all you want  to do is sleep and cry ... at everything - I mean what is going on there?  Yes the kids are growing up far too fast but I couldn't even talk about it or look at baby/toddler photos of them last week without bursting into tears. And then you get mad with yourself because you're aware that there are so many people out there in a much worse position.  It was actually a relief (if that's the right word) to go into work - login to my computer, make a start on my work and not have to think about anything else - I felt calmer for it - whether this is a coincidence I don't know. I went to the gym last night and it did me the world of good - the equilibrium and endorphins that had been sadly lacking started to come back and I felt relatively 'normal' again - if only I could bottle the stuff and save it for a 'down day'! And on the way back this tune was playing on  my Pete Tong CD and it made me feel happier ...

Modjo - Lady...

I don't know - what do we do eh? What I need to do now is not spend my 'normal' time worrying about when my next 'down' time is going to occur!  Big thanks to my hubby and family and friends for putting up with me! And hope you didn't mind me sharing!

How have you been feeling this week? What do you do to alleviate your 'down' time?  What's your favourite happy track?

Jen x

Boy Band - N Sync ... POP!

Bonjour!

Good grief I am so tired this week, all this business of getting up an hour earlier by my body's clock is doing me in! And the dull grey smoggy stuff is not helping one bit - please can we have some warmth and sun soon?

Anyway ... I saw this on the Video Vault channel at the gym this week and it made me smile ... I can't say I am or 'was' a particular 'boy band' follower (apart from Boyz II Men  who are more of a vocal harmony thing!) but now and again something would catch my eye or should I say ear! N Sync got me with this one - always liked it and  it's grand watching our Justin and JC Chasez doing their thing when they were wee lads don't you think?

N Sync - POP

Love these lyrics ...

Do you ever wonder why

This music gets you high?

It takes you on a ride

Feel it when your body starts to rock ...!

See - though my body (and my mind!) is tired there's a part of me that wants to get dressed up (in something suitable for my age of course!) and nip out to a club just like this one to boogie the night away to some POP! Don't ask me why I feel the need to type POP in capitals - just do!

Are/were you into any 'boy bands'? Who's your favourite? Please don't all say 1D - it will do my head in!


Jen  x

Groovin' with Daft Punk ...!!

Bonjour!

Well what a week of absolute madness (hence my lack of mid-week postage - haven't even had time to go to the gym!). The hubby wasn't around much due to the usual work commitments (what's new!) leaving yours truly to 'do' the half term thing with all the ferrying of kids backwards and forwards, left, right and centre! You know it's been a bit manic when you get to work and actually 'enjoy' the relative tranquillity of sitting at your desk with a cup of tea and several calculations (sad I know!).  Anyway, we're out tonight to my manager's leaving party - she's off to enjoy life outside of the office environment! No idea what to wear - haven't had much time to look for anything new so no doubt it will be the usual skinny jeans and black top with hopefully plenty of drinking and dancing ...!

Talking of dancing ... a couple of weeks ago when my daughter and myself were in New Look, a certain tune started playing over the shop stereo.  I was stopped in my tracks as I recognised it from years ago but couldn't pinpoint the artist etc and I said so to the young assistant - she gave me a somewhat quizzical look (as you can imagine) whilst advising me that she had no idea who it was - obviously! I was in agony - like a dog with a bone - and it was eating away at me.  I told my daughter I just wanted to get on down and boogie there and then on the shop floor - needless to say that didn't go down too well! I had to find out who had created this masterpiece I used to know but it had somehow passed me by - the shame! I knew it was something to do with with Parliament (the Funkadelic kind) but that was it.  Finally during that evening's #30sbloggers chat on Twitter it was established that this was indeed the tune ... the Daft Punk Remix - after all that I hope you enjoy the experience!


Scott Grooves Feat. Parliament/Funkadelic - Mothership Reconnection (Daft Punk Remix)...

What a mouthful - however, it's totally worth it ...takes me right back to 1998 ... who remembers this video?

How sweet to have found it again after all this time. It's going on my IPod now so I can enjoy on the treadmill in all it's grooviness!

Do you remember all the tunes you used to dance to - do you remember this Daft Punk Remix?

Jen x

George Benson - Lady Love Me (One More Time) ...

Bonjour!

Well I don't know about you lot but I cannot wait until Saturday for a lie-in - these early mornings are so not welcome! Christmas is now a sweet and fuzzy distant memory - this first week back is always pants don't you think?  Not helped by the fact that I've felt a bit fluish with almost constant headaches (darn hormonal activity) all week.  I suppose dragging myself into work wasn't such a bad thing as I got to sit down for several hours - even the dog looks wasted this week!

Anyways ... my little girl has gone for a sleepover tonight (I think she had sneaked several random bricks into her overnight bag - it weighed a tonne!) so I'm left at home with smelly boys!  It's an easy meal of pizza and pasta (which will please my boy immensely - he lives for his blessed pizza) and easy music on Spotify ... come on down George ...!

George Benson - Lady Love Me (One More Time) ...

Released in 1983 from the album In Your Eyes - I knew this album back to front during my time at Top Shop as they played the tape (yes tape!) constantly whilst we were busy serving customers sporting our turquoise jumpsuits (uniform of the day), stilletoes and big hair!

You know when you want to wind down to something laid back and smooth, well George hits the spot with this tune every time ... !  Have a great weekend and hope you find something to hit your spot!

Jen x

Feeling Good With Barry White and Beethoven...!

Bonjour!

It's been a bit of a mixed up week in these parts! You know that period when Christmas is over, New Year's Eve comes and then goes, the kids are still off school and the tree still up but holiday adverts are all over the box. Then there is the joy of having to go into work leaving the rest of family at home (ok so the hubby was working from home but still!) and it nearly kills you to get out of bed at what seems like the crack of dawn after sleeping in for over a week! And of course you keep doing that thing (well I do anyway) of 'this time last week I was at the cinema/eating a lovely meal/drinking alcohol/sitting around watching Christmas TV/enjoying myself etc etc! It's all a bit of a 'come down' don't you think?

See what I mean about lovely meals (she sighs) - mum cooked meatball curry and coconut rice for New Year's Day dinner - here it is served with dhal and garnished with fried onions and curry leaves - there was also a mountain of poppadoms lurking out of shot!

So I was trying to think of a feel good track to play today and here's where Barry steps in - I was reminded of this tune (from way back when in 1974) whilst we were watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer last week (Willow was trying to seduce Oz!), it's a real 'feel good' tune and always brings a smile to my face! We need 'feel good' at this time of year don't you think?

Barry White - Can't Get Enough Of Your Love Babe...

Big Chinese tonight with the family, the last of the big suppers for a while as both brothers are off home this weekend - in fact as I finish typing this post my brother Mike is practising Beethoven Moonlight Sonata from one of my old books - see below ...!

What are you up to this weekend? What's your post Christmas 'feel good' track?



Jen x

For Once In My Life ...

...I would like to be prepared for Christmas!  Happy Mad Friday!!

Didn't manage a midweek post this week with all the madness going on - hubby went away on a works Christmas conference/dinner thingy (any excuse for a booze up these managers!) and came back poorly, then the dog was poorly and had us up all night (every two hours to be precise). Christmas 'school' things, Christmas shopping, work, more Christmas shopping and I hadn't wrapped a thing before today - only just got the kids stuff done whilst they're at school ... !

Anyway ... just wanted to let you in on one of my favourite Christmassy tunes, I say Christmassy because you can guarantee that every year on Christmas day my brother Mike (the musician) will put this on whilst we're cooking dinner.  And why not, it's a brilliant combination of Tony and Stevie, doing their own thing, side by side, in complete harmony...

Tony Bennett and Stevie Wonder - For Once In My Life...
  

Have I ever mentioned that Mike once had the opportunity to play with Stevie, yes Stevie Wonder himself happened to call in on one of Mike's gigs at Ronnie Scott's earlier this year and ended up joining in on the act first of all with his harmonica and then at the piano! To say that the band were gobsmacked is an understatement! What an experience ...

Here's a pic of them from London Jazz News...

source

Well I'm off to have a cup of tea and mince pie and listen to Tony and Stevie in an attempt to chill...! I tell myself every year that I will take it all in my stride, I will not get stressed and I will not run around like a headless turkey (get it!), guess what - it never happens! This time next week it'll all be over with for yet another year - how bizarre is that!

What are your plans for this 'Mad Friday' evening? Are you chilling or partying? Are you prepared for next week?

Jen x