Pay me in Hagstones and call me a Gothic!

So, finally I get around to this ere blog.

Last weekend saw us take the Vagabonds stall up to Whitby, North Yorkshire for the spring Whitby Gothic Weekend, and, oh my, did we have some weather!

We hit the stupidly big diversion just past the M56, which lost us a magical mystery tour of an hour, following rediculous yellow signs every which way while the rain lashed down. Rain kept a coming, and we plodded along, finally arriving at mums cottage at about 4.30am!

Finally got to bed, then was up again at 7.30am to get down to the Spa for 10am, in order to secure a parking space to unload. Sat in the van until 12ish, then the `Where`s Wally’ manager relented and let us in- before the heavens opened yet again! I was kicking boxes around trying to lose them by 6pm, so we sheeted up and went back for food. Bath and an early night. Rock and Roll!

Friday- back down the Spa for 9am to sort out the mess I left the previous night. Fairly straight by 10, and the punters started rolling in. Steady trade all day- sold some of everything I have made in the last few weeks, which reinforced my faith in myself no end! Lots of interest in my custom Jackets- so I will be definately making more of those! Packed up at 5.30, and went to Mister Chips for tea. Chased back home, quick change and back out for a night down at the Spa. Attendance was a bit thin on the ground, but Jessie took advantage of the floorspace to have a good spin about, and caught up with a few pals before we flagged and turned in for the night.

Saturday- second verse, same as the first. Replenished the rails with more bargainous bits and bobs. Customers a- plenty, taking full advantage of my markdowns and one off items. I did a lot of stuff for fivers and tenners, which seemed to make all the difference to the goth pocket! Fortified with coffee and Haribo, I got through trading day 2, but I was glad to get back to the cottage! Tarah ordered pizza, which we quickly devoured , then slung on our glad rags for another night down the Spa. Horrendously cold and windy out, and there seemed to be a lot more in attendance.

Die Laughing with Mike Manuskript and lovely Bob on guitar got the crowd warmed up nicely- but by the time Gene loves Jezebel hit th stage, the littlest Hammo was getting narky and wanting to go to sleep- so we bid everyone a hurried goodbye and got blown home in the gales!

Back up on Sunday for the last day of trading. Packing up day.Erghh. The bit where everyone fights for the lifts and stairs, and tries to get as close to the doors as possible to load out. Anyway, another good steady day of trade despite the Biblical weather, then it was THAT time and we all ran around like headless chickens, throwing stuff back in our vans in the rain and sleet, while second Spa manager busied himself ripping down goth posters and stuffing them in the bin with great relish.

So glad to get back to the cottage that night- had celebratory chinese takeaway delivered, then the others got ready for a night at Raw, and we settled down for the evening, myself fighting the carb crash of a massive plateful of food and a knackering couple of days. Hot midnight bath and bed.

Monday – going home day.  Jessies school are none too keen with the kids having too much time off, so we had to get back. Spent the day tootling around a few shops- bought the obligatory 30 sticks of rock for Jessies classmates, and a pot of prawns each- then I promptly got mugged for mine by a couple of lovely cats hanging around outside the Shambles!

Spent a few hours on the beach, soaking up the sun that finally showed its face, and hunting for fossils in the debris that the sea had churned up the day before. Found some cracking hagstones too- which were better to me than any expensive jet jewellery!

who says romance is dead!?

Called time at 4.30, and went for another chippy tea, then all too soon it was time to pack our bags and wend our weary way back home to wales. Stopped at Heartshead services for a brew, then on setting off again, it became apparent that either my stereo had suddenly got quiet, or my van had morphed into a growling beast!

Nearly home, and I could tell from the echo richocheting from the buildings around me that my exhaust was blowing like a good un, but lovely van pulled through and got me home once again. Dragged in the luggage and flumped out.

Last couple of days have been sorting bills and laundry out, and no doubt I shall be sorting stock, ready for our next outing, which will be Wychwood Festival in Cheltenham, at the begining of June.

Right now though, its time for tea, so i`m off to concot some sort of pasta based fodder then do more laundry and tidy up the front room. Cup final day tomorrow, so Paul has a Dad and Son afternoon in store.

Sorry if this was long winded. I tried to keep it short.

Until next time,

Easter Everywhere..

Its been far too long since I last posted.

Basically- the daily runnings around of life have meant that I just neglected it, and to be fair- I really didnt think I had anything to say that was worthy of a blog entry. We all have washing, cooking and cleaning to do- and thats what I do.

I have also been very busy trying to make stuff ready for Whitby Gothic Weekend, where we will have a stall at the end of April. Well, Vagabonds will.  We will also be at Wychwood in June- and I have to say, I am soo looking forward to it! Its a bit difficult to get my head out of the hippy open air festival vibe when I get stuck in.

Its a bit like having 3 persona`s sometimes. I`m mom to Jessie and housewife, then I am gothic stall person for Whitby- and then I turn into crusty Zo in the summer, when we do outdoor music festivals. Dont get me wrong- i`m not complaining. Its just a bit of a juggle!

The house is a bit of a tip, given that I am using the front room as a sorting and boxing area for stock. Our bedroom is a bit mad too- with my side of the bed having trip hazards in the form of beads, trays of findings and cord, and all manner of business bookkeeping stacked up  everywhere. Paul is blocking it out by framing up coloured vinyl and plastering the house walls with it! Tis looking great though.

 Aside from that, I decided to change my hair back to red. It has been blonde for a good few years now- so time for a change. Hit a bit of a snag last night when I realised I didnt have any of the required shade of red hair colour left in stock. So quickly ordered some and applied copious amounts of bleach to my hair in readiness- no pun intended!

In other news, we ran around like crazed people in amongst the other panic buyers on Saturday, in a vain attempt to purchase some last minute chocolate eggs for the kids. Everywhere was sold out! I have never known this to happen ever. Thankfully our local corner shop had 4 left- so that was the kids sorted, and me and Paul scoffed the last one ourselves. We considered it payback for the chaotic shopping day!

Today it is raining. The house is full of cardboard boxes of stuff. There is fabric everywhere. Today I shall try and get some more things on ebay (god bless 4 days of free listings) make a tailed tutu for my good buddy Donna, and design the long awaited dress for my cosplay enthusiast friend  who wants a slender unicorn dress in a strategic rainbow design.

And try and keep house while i`m at it.

Some of my friends run their own businesses. And have kids. I dont know how they manage. I keep in mind this JK Rowling quote in times of stress-

 ”People ask, “How did you do it? How did you raise a baby and write a book? And the answer is – I didn’t do housework for 4 years. I am not superwoman! Living in squalor – that was the answer!”

I dont quite know if it is the answer. Squalor we dont have. Chaos is definately here to stay!

Until next time,

Sweet and simple

Just a recipe this time, for a chocolate hit on a chilly wet day…

This makes 10-12 cupcakes- (we got 12 out of this mix)

You will need:

125g (40z) Self Raising Flour

30g (1 oz) cocoa

150g (5oz) unsalted butter, softened

150g (5oz) soft brown sugar- I used demerera

3 medium eggs

2 tablespoons milk

Preheat the oven to 190 degrees (gas mark 5)

Sift flour and cocoa into a bowl, then add butter, sugar, beaten eggs and milk.

Beat the mixture until smooth.

Divide the mixture into paper cases, then bake for 15- 20 minutes, until they have risen and spring back when lightly pressed.

Remove the cakes from the oven and allow to cool.

Chocolate icing- this was more than enough for 12 cakes, but we dolloped the lot on!

260g icing sugar

3 tablespoons cocoa powder

1 and a half tablespoons softened butter

90ml water.

Just basically bang the lot in a bowl and mix it really hard to get rid of any lumps- you want a smooth glossy consistancy.

Whack it on the cakes, and bob`s yer uncle! (we sprinkled a bit of icing sugar on, and called them Everest cakes!)

let the icing set, then whoof em down! Yum yum!

Go on, I dare ya!

Until next time,

 

 

 

 

 

 

Another year older…

I turned 39 today.

I dont feel any older. My back is twinging rather, but I think the one woman battle with a rather large Fuchia bush that was growing under the patio is somewhat to blame. When you set about some rather hefty roots using a shovel as an axe, well, summat has to give!

I got out of taking Jessie to a swimming party yesterday, and set about the housework. during some vigorous hoovering I suddely felt very unwell, and the following 3 hours saw a shitty migrane do its worst.

Anyway, it went, and I made spaggy bol for tea.

I haven`t felt well today. Mother nature saw to that. hey ho. Lots of lovely cards and gifts from family and friends. Specifically a lot of chocolate cake! I will give it my best shot! Paul got me a bonus prezzie of a bigger easel- so I really should do it some justice at some point. I love painting. I wonder if i`m good enough to sell my work?

The cup final highlights are on, and i`m lying here, fiddling on this, when I should be getting kip- school run tomorrow!

I will be a bit more coherent when I can sit down and really talk about something, rather than waffle.

So i shall now snuggle down in my new pink leopard pj`s, and dream of Ninjabread men!

nighty night,

Rosemary`s Babies and Primary Flashbacks…

Wow, sounds like something circa 1969 dont it!

I had wanted to write another idylic fluffy piece on having a lovely day in the sunny garden yesterday- digging and repotting, but I can`t because the past just  came flooding back, and I need a bit of a purge.

When Jessie came home this afternoon, she greeted me with “Zo, i`ve got some bad news. Rhys broke my rubber into loads of tiny pieces this afternoon”. I asked her if she told the teacher. She shook her head.Then I asked her if she saw Rhys doing it. She said she did- but when she asked him why, he had said he had`nt done  it.

This all immediately whizzed me back to being Jessie`s age in school once more.

When i went into the second year of infants school, I was already very much into drawing and writing, and not having very good equipment to use at school, I decided I would take my own pencil case in.

Cutting to the chase, things started to go missing. One week it was the coloured pencil that was made of 7 different little pencils that locked together. Another week it was my pencil with a little bird on top. Then went a rainbow rubber. It went on and on. And I got more upset. I told my teacher, thinking that she would help me find my things- I never for one minute thought that somebody could have been stealing from me.

 Instead of helping me, to my utter shock, the teacher told me off, saying it was my own fault for bringing these things into the classroom! I remember the feeling of disbelief, and utter deflation. The teacher didnt help me. She let me down.

I became suspicious of my classmates and teacher, and I think fair to say, quite withdrawn.

I didnt want to be in school with this woman, who obviously didnt care a jot, and to make things worse, I could see the chimney of our house far among the trees, from looking through the classroom window. I started getting upset- a mixture of homesickness and helplessness. I made such a fuss at lunchtime that the teachers seated me in the classroom, seperate from the other kids. I dont know how many times this happened, but I remember it.

And so, there is the background to this thing that is bubbling in me.I know its not the same, but it was like invisible bullying to me, reinforced by the teacher. I dont want Jessie to be frightened to tell the teacher if someone is picking on her, but I dont want her to be a snitch. I really don`t want someone to be trying her out, to see how much she will take before the thing moves up a level, and turns into bullying. She is just so easy going, she sees no wrong in people, just as I did…

Well, its a tricky old subject. Who knows why kids bully, and why some kids take it. Is it a pecking order thing? Is it to do with family issues? Children can be so cruel..

once was a flower shape..Thanks Rhys!

I know its just a rubber. I`m trying not to be petty. It the destruction of someone elses stuff that gets up my nose.

Here endeth the sermon. Thanks for listening. Hey, comment if you like. Does this strike a chord with you? Am I being an arse?

Until next time,

Half term week

Life really does fly by the older you get does`nt it.  Or maybe it is something to do with having to plan your days ahead of time or something?

Last weekend Jessie went to her little friend Liza`s house for a sleepover.I had virtually a whole weekend to get something done. I spent it lethargically listing things on ebay, wrapped in a blankie on the sofa, feeling like I was coming down with something, and watching fluff on the movie channels.

Monday I got up early to do the grocery shopping. The day then went by doing washing, cleaning and whatever.

Tuesday we had to get up early to get madam ready to go to her mums, as she was expecting a royal visit from the grandma. I gave Paul his valentines day card, then I opened mine to discover the V in love was missing. This was found in the paper bag in the bin!  To be fair, he did write it in the dark last thing before bed- but hey- thats valentines day summed up! I think I used the free time to sew- possibly the hats I had cut out and started last week.

Wednesday- cleaning the kitchen- I blitzed the place in a fit. Then made my hands sore wrestling with various cobbled together bits of socket set and old screwdrivers to remove and swap round the door on the fridge. This has been put off for 2 years, but I got so bloody sick of limbo`ing round people sat at the table, just to get the milk, that I could stand it no longer. Then by the time I had done that, it was time to get the tea on, get jessie in the bath, do the washing and shit like that.

Thursday was Liza day- we were returning the favour for the weekend and so another early start.Liza arrived at 11.30am, and I entertained the kids by making cupcakes with them, then we made hotdog octopusses which they had for lunch, then we iced and decorated the cakes, many of which were then consumed, and i burst the icing bag.

Cake decorating

 The kids then entertained themselves for a bit, then took over the kitchen table once more with the play dough. Cleared up, gave them their tea, then Liza went home, and I did more laundry.

Fridaywas a nice non day. Well, it would`ve been, but remembering that Jessie had a `princess party’ to go to on Saturday afternoon, as soon as breakfast was consumed and cleared away, I set to work on a new dress for the occasion.

I had a brief rest during the afternoon when my lovely mum and sis showed up, and after the visit I got the tea on,bathed the sprog and set her hair in rags for curls -then I realised how behind with things I was, and I ended up sewing braid on until nearly 1am. Crashed out.

Yesterday was the big party day. Managed to keep madam out of trouble long enough to get her tarted up- I had to try and cover a carpet burn to the nose that she managed to inflict on herself 2 nights previous.

Princess Hammo

Dropped her and Paul off, then went to restock on groceries.Got caught in freezing wind and hail, and had to chase some groceries round the carpark that blew out of my trolley. Collected the Hammo`s at 7, madam was pissed off because the disco hadnt started- all sounded rather disorganised, and many kids had already left. Managed to sooth her by letting her have her own disco in the front room, acompanied by some shite girly bands on MTV.

And here we are today. Jessie is at her mums again today, so I have taken the opportunity to bleach my roots, update this here blog, and wrap ebay items, whilst watching Killing Bono on Sky Indie. And very entertaining it is to- the film I mean. Reminds me of The Commitments a bit.

And that`s that. Not very rock n roll, but the true life of yours truly.

I will make it a bit more interesting next time- honest!

until then,

One of them Goffiks…

In the years before I turned into an evil stepmonster, I had this label slapped upon me. Many`s a time I would get the reaction- “ahh, you`re one of them gothics aren`t you!”

in my yoof..

I am mindful of this tonight- as every time the word Gothic is mentioned in our house, our little madam starts to chant the phrase “SAD OLD GOTH”.

This is due to her voracious need to read aloud everything she sees- and has come directly from this article of clothing..

T shirt Graveyard

 This is the resting place of all the really knackered out t shirts that I can`t bear to part with. I am only using the black and whites to give it some sort of continuity. Anyway, you get my drift.

And then, to hammer the final nail in the coffin (pardon the pun), I saw this on a friends facebook. Im not quite sure that this is what gothic actually meant to me. I guess it means whatever you want it to mean. I`m not sure what this post is actually about- possibly dipping my toe in the nostalgia pool or something.

Anyway- I leave you with this youtube news feature from 1987. You tell me.

THE GOTHICS 1987

Until next time, stay dark!