Not the best day I've had. Weather and slow internet connections have bugged me alot. So I just shuffled my pack of "Amazingly easy ways to ENRICH YOUR LIFE", hoping for some solace. Naturally, I was hoping to get an 'amazing' idea. But the first card I picked out said:

Go for a walk in the rain. Leave your umbrella at home, dress appropriately, tune your Walkman into a classical music station, and walk down streets you've never been down before.

Blow that, I thought. I do that everyday dog walking (apart from walking down unknown streets - there are only 7 streets in the village). So I cheated and pretended I hadn't picked that one out.

The second card suggested "'Go skinny-dipping once a year, preferably outdoors(?). It will put you back in touch with nature.'' You WHAT? On a day like today, I don't even need to go outside to get in touch with nature - the wind is howling through the house like a banshee. But I suppose sticking my head out of the window for 20 seconds would make a terrific substitute for a facial, given the sleet.

Third time lucky, I thought. ''Spend time with your children. They grow up so fast''. A lovely idea - except I don't have any.

Card No. 11 sounded rather good, though: Call in sick and spend the day pampering yourself at home. Then I remembered I worked from home.

Finally, just as I was about to give up, card number 28 turned up. 'Indulge yourself once in a while. Buy your favourite decadent food, and don't share it!' Yes! That's more like it. I knew I had a bar of chocolate I was saving for a rainy day. Rushed to cupboard ... and discovered my Man had evidently read card no. 28 before me - and had followed its instructions re the not sharing of my chocolate to the letter.

Which leaves me with card no. 8 - 'Make an effort to say what's on your mind. Don't bottle up your feelings.'

OH .... >:XX