petite anglaise

today, I

14.08.2006 9:20 pmmisc
  • Awoke to the sound of a microwave revving up only centimetres away from my head. Apparently my neighbour’s noisiest appliance is located just to the left of my pillow. Oh joy.
  • Put up wall lights in Tadpole’s bedroom before breakfast, so excited was I at the prospect of being free to use the drill, now that she was with Mr Frog and unable to wail “please mummy, stop that TERRIBLE noise!”
  • Was slightly disconcerted to note, when switching electricity back on, that bedroom lightswitch alternated between the two lights instead of switching them both on and off at the same time. Unscrewed lightbulbs. Started to worry that the electrics in the new flat are not all that.
  • Took delivery of an entire Ikea kitchen (courtesy of grandma anglaise). No idea when it will be fitted, so will be spending the foreseeable future surrounded by cardboard boxes.
  • Spent half an hour queuing in the post office to collect my MODEM and then raced home to connect myself to the INTERNET for a long awaited fix, and to fill in my somewhat overdue ASSEDIC monthly report.
  • Met Belle Maman for the first time since Mr Frog and I broke up. Watched as Tadpole proudly showed off her new room; hovered nervously in the background and filled any silences with inane DIY talk.
  • Cried as Tadpole’s footsteps receded in the stairwell. I will not see her for THREE whole weeks and my tiny apartment no longer feels like home without her.
  • Received an email from a lady enquiring whether I would like to be a guest on Richard and Judy. Said lady announced, at 7.30pm, that it is happening tomorrow! Hastily booked Eurostar tickets and started to fret about what to wear.
  • Realised ALL my clothes were in the dirty washing basket, inside the wardrobe, against the door of which were stacked 43 Ikea boxes.
  • Poured a medicinal gin and tonic.

I am left feeling that although some things have changed, radically, I never will.

richard&judy2.jpgrichard&judy1.jpg

104 comments

  1. If the reason you moderate all comments is spam, have you tried spamkarma+askimet?

    Even better (i’ve found) because it saves you bandwidth, is a neat little plugin called Bad Behavior that blocks many spam bots from even seeing your Wordpress installation.

    Changed my life ;-)

    Mathieu | 9:26 pm

  2. I moderate to prevent libellous comments about ex employers, among other things, from hitting the site without my knowledge. My anti spam thingies worked fine before, but sadly they can’t filter comment content…

    petite | 9:30 pm

  3. I shall be watching R&J with friends. Mobile is on Reminder for 5pm tomorrow and will have an early sundowner on the sofa. Attagirl.

    A the O | 9:37 pm

  4. Sounds like you either need more Ikea boxes or more gin.

    joeinvegas | 9:42 pm

  5. ooh, wonder if they will do a phone in?

    andre | 9:57 pm

  6. PA: Are you going to upload the video to the press section? The video from Richard and Judy, that is…?

    Dina | 10:30 pm

  7. I know what you mean… I have moved 4 times, supposedly grown up and have a “real job”, bought a home, and still have to stash dirty clothes and clutter into random places whenever someone stops to visit. You would be amazed at what you’d find if you looked in my dishwasher, microwave and under the bathroom sink on a given day. Circumstances change, I don’t.

    Now go shopping for that outfit!

    Broady | 10:32 pm

  8. I can’t wait to see you on Richard and Judy, Petite. I will have to record it as I always go to the gym after work on Tuesdays. I love reading about your escapades and so it will be a bonus to see you in the flesh and will make your blog come alive for me.

    Susannah | 10:42 pm

  9. Don’t have a television so will not get to see you on R+J, good luck anyway!

    Women with drills make me nervous – might have something to do with my dentist, she’s female, a dab hand with a drill, but makes me nervous.

    The 3 weeks will either drag or fly but she’ll be back before you get used to the emptiness. I never could get used to it, even when she grew up!:)

    43 boxes – find an open shop!

    Why change, we love you the way you are!

    Have another medicinal,

    Slange!

    Tattieheid | 10:50 pm

  10. How does one get to watch Richard and Judy in France?

    Good luck anyway.

    Greg | 10:51 pm

  11. I do hope the interview with R & J goes really well Petite! What a hectic whirl you have had…

    Sorry to hear you are sad and missing Tadpole; I’m sure she is missing you too.

    Hope the IKEA kitchen looks great when assembled…

    Bon voyage a demain

    A bientot
    Mark

    Mark | 11:03 pm

  12. Hmm. All of my clothes are also in the dirty washing basket, except I don’t have an excuse as exotic and elaborate as yours. Maybe you’ll be forced to select your undergarments with care, since that’s all you’ll be wearing! Good luck tomorrow.

    LJ | 11:17 pm

  13. Ah… being dooced has many hidden disadvantages.

    :-(

    Mathieu | 11:40 pm

  14. WOW Richard and Judy – from living in the UK I know that Richard and Judy are an institution – I only wish I could watch it!

    Good luck Petite!

    Kasey | 11:41 pm

  15. I don’t care if you’re on it – I’m not watching Richard and Judy!

    Hywel Mallett | 11:43 pm

  16. Oh, good luck on the télé!

    I wish we could watch in the States. :)

    fixedupgirl | 12:05 am

  17. Ooh, I’d better get back downstairs and set the Sky box, then. Are you and GWAOTM engaged in some sort of private competition? ;)

    mike | 12:06 am

  18. Will watch for a giggle if the telly’s on.

    fjl | 12:07 am

  19. Ask Richard if it’s true Judy loves it up the arse.

    No honest I heard she did.

    mimi | 12:11 am

  20. He he! I was on R&J a couple of years ago (though I was only on screen for about 1 sec as one of the winners of a childrens’ short story competition).

    Studios are not all that, hair and makeup people are lovely, food in green room not brilliant. Interview shouldn’t be too hard. Judy will ask OK questions, read badly off the autocue, and Richard will answer them for you.

    But all wonderful publicity for you. Charm Amanda Ross as she was in the Sunday Times this weekend as the person who chooses the Book Club books.

    Will set video. Am sure you’ll be fab.

    Paola | 12:14 am

  21. please don’t change (he said sycophantly – but truthfully)

    Jabberwock | 12:19 am

  22. I shall set my Sky+

    SimonInBrussels | 12:19 am

  23. Good luck tomorrow.

    Please do me a favour, try to have a conversation with Judy, look at her and talk to her – I’d love to see that prat’s face if you just talk to her instead of him… he’s a complete caber chucker.

    Jeans and a T-Shirt should do.

    Is your mum taking over while you’re gone, she’s almost as good as you? Not quite, but she is a hoot!

    Martin

    B-)

    Martin | 12:57 am

  24. now now mimi. behave!

    petite | 1:16 am

  25. gotta love the post-move-in condition of a new house. i think you just need to have more gin and do another phone-in interview perched on your new toilet. hehe

    Hammers | 1:31 am

  26. Life in Paris seems not so different to life in Sydney. I have four children… Always look forward to peace and quiet, until it actually arrives, then sit feeling…….displaced?

    simon | 1:32 am

  27. Maybe next time Tadpole leaves you could have a cut out of her ordered so you can prop it up in her room. Next best thing to having here there!

    Tarah | 1:32 am

  28. Good luck on Richard & Judy. Please fill us in afterwards, as I’m in the states. What a nice gift, a new kitchen. Please post pics after it is all setup.

    Diane | 2:09 am

  29. Hi Petite,

    I hope your television appearance went well, I know it’s not on till later today, but I guess when you read this it’s already over. Shame I’m not able to watch Channel 4 in the Dutch backlands.

    But actually I hope the three weeks parting from Tadpole will be over in a sec.

    PS: I’m most certainly NOT sending spoof or other e-mails about film deals.

    Jasper | 2:27 am

  30. Should be interesting if Punch and Judy actually do some homework and read your latest post and the comments!

    Almost tempts me to buy a telly. Almost!

    :)

    Tattieheid | 2:33 am

  31. Will hopefully watch this! Good luck on the interview, take care.

    darkfairy753 | 3:27 am

  32. Don’tcha just love Mimi. Keeps one’s mind firmly focused on life’s essentials. I think she’s great.

    Gil | 3:31 am

  33. Sounds like Tadpole’s bedroom lightswitch is switching neutral instead of active. Quite dangerous. Better get it checked, Petite. Does the flat have an earth leakage safety switch? I think not. Good idea to have one fitted, especially with an inquisitive 3 y.o. around.

    Gil | 3:39 am

  34. Good luck, petite! Wish I could watch, but I live in the US and have never even heard of Richard and Judy.

    Cherrybomb

    Carmen | 4:07 am

  35. Have a wonderful time! Black is always an elegant colour, is it not?

    Judy is so mum-sy I’m sure she’ll make you feel good!
    I wish I could be there to see it when it airs…

    I’m off to Belgium tomorrow.

    Bon voyage!

    Karma | 5:31 am

  36. Oh, I will never change either. My readers regularly ask how I make it through the day. I will try to watch R&J, any idea what time? I am being a secretary (and *not* blogging about it) until 6pm.

    BG

    Billygean | 8:34 am

  37. Awoke to the sound of a microwave revving up only centimetres away from my head. Apparently my neighbour’s noisiest appliance is located just to the left of my pillow. Oh joy. .

    I assume there was a dividing wall and it was not microwave-as-alarm-clock that woke you !

    Rick | 9:43 am

  38. How is little tadpole in general? I miss hearing the anecdotes and her fresh sometimes simple-yet complicated view of the world.

    BLC | 9:55 am

  39. Wow – Richard and Judy! No television here – is there any way you could stick up a link to a video of it?

    Next thing you know they’ll be asking you to meet the queen! (Sorry, that should probably be ‘Queen’ with a capital Q, being royalty and all).

    Hope all this media attention isn’t going to your head. I bet it feels strange having your life totally open for public consumption. (Although a blog is pretty open …).

    Bonne chance,

    Une Fille

    Une Fille | 9:58 am

  40. Ahem… you can borrow my 2 year old anytime…

    Annabel | 10:23 am

  41. Ugh!!!

    I cannot stand that slimy Richard and fat Judy. Yuck!!! They try SO hard to be Oprah, even imitating Oprah’s book club.

    But, I may watch it for you.

    Banana | 10:49 am

  42. Good luck on R&J, and you’ll look fine…(clothes a must for telly you know lol)

    Denis | 10:55 am

  43. Ooh, just got back to England last night for a much-needed holiday chez les parents. So excited to get up and read this post this morning! What time are you on? I gather it’s on in the afternoons now, not the mornings as it used to be back in the day…

    redlady | 10:57 am

  44. Wow, Petite! Richard and Judy! That’s it – after that, it’s all fame, you know! I subscribe to Writing Magazine and they say that appearing on R&J is the ultimate in publishing: whenever someone’s book is reviewed on R&J, sales multiply exponentially – OK you haven’t written a book yet, but that’s even better! Famous even before your book is out! (if you intend to write a book, that is)
    Ever since I first looked at your blog (March this year, I think), I had the gut feeling that you would be published one day. You totally deserve it. Your wit and the way you put words and sentences together haven’t ceased to amaze me. I’ve been reading your previous posts religiously, but it’s a slow process – I’m on January 2005!
    My question is, Petite, does all this mean you won’t have time to write your blog any more? (potential ’sniff sniff’)

    Lotus Flower | 11:11 am

  45. I sympathise on missing children. My son is at his Dad’s in Manchester – 240 miles away – for 3 weeks. The peace is lovely but give me the mess and noise anyday.

    Hopefully you will be late in the show on R&J – I don’t get home until 5.15 ish and really don’t want to miss you.

    Lucie | 12:26 pm

  46. It sounds like chaotic though things are, post-move, you’re on top of things. Good luck on Richard and Judy… were I not in the hinterlands of Russia, I would watch.

    Also, I’m a recent convert to your blog, and must say I’ve rather fallen in love with your writing. It’s a pleasure to read you.

    Alexandra | 12:49 pm

  47. Mimi

    I’ve always suspected that Richard is a closet case.

    Banana | 1:47 pm

  48. I do hope someone with a video graphics card records the show and puts it up on Google video for us.

    The show is on at 5pm UK time when most of us are at work and Channel 4 don’t offer any web streaming of the program.

    Me thinks there’ll be a book coming out soon. Strike while the irons hot I say and get that book published.

    Farouq Taj | 2:02 pm

  49. I loathe moving mainly because I have 50+ boxes of books as well as the normal detritus of urban living. The few times I have moved I feel as though a large piece of my soul goes missing along with the odd mismatched pair of socks. As I’ve been lurking lo these many months I thought it about time I started posting my thoughts such as they are. Thank you for opening a part of your life to all of us who read your musings. You are a talented writer. Please don’t ever quit. Should a book result from your contre-temps re your employment I will the first in line at Borders to buy it. Good luck with the interview.

    Frank | 2:07 pm

  50. Bloody hell, that really woke me up from my general doziness about the level of fame you have reached. Serious stuff! No R&J in bloody Beijing unfortunately.

    Dan | 2:47 pm

  51. Maybe on R&J you will FINALLY tell us (and the fans of BBC4) what you have a publicist publicizing on your behalf?

    Do upload the video, as I live in the US and BBC America doesn’t run R&J. Good luck! Don’t wear a white shirt and make sure you have on eyeliner and mascara or your eyes will disappear!

    Leslie | 2:52 pm

  52. Damn! I think I will have missed it! Would have loved to catch you ‘live’.

    Know you will miss tadpole but hopefully you’ll enjoy your free time.

    x, ellie

    ellie | 3:40 pm

  53. Anyone in the UK without a telly can sign up (for free) to watch Channel 4 over broadband.

    Although, I’m guessing that as Petite is in London this comment won’t get moderated until after the event. :(

    Bon Chance!

    Jann | 3:46 pm

  54. Hopefuly some UK fellow will capture and record the internet broadcast, it’s free but only available in UK.

    Jacques Clouseau | 3:52 pm

  55. yay i got home just in time not to miss it! love your dress!

    Ellie | 6:31 pm

  56. Petite’s on TV now! She looks great and coming across very well. Good job!

    Nikki | 6:32 pm

  57. Ooh, I’m watching you now. Jolly good.

    Cal | 6:34 pm

  58. Well done, you got through that admirably.

    …and Judy fluffed her link at the end!

    Jann | 6:40 pm

  59. My God Petite…

    Just watched your interview on Richard and Judy (hey, I’ve got a reason for watching stuff like this, I’m emotionally washed out, ok?). :-)

    When realisation dawned of who was being interviewed I jacked up the sound and tuned my brain in.

    I was disappointed that you received little opportunity to speak, to promote your cause (so to speak).

    I suppose the article was informative to those who knew nothing about blogs – and I suppose that was the reason for the piece, but I think they missed a trick in your instance.

    Keep at it.

    TT.

    Brennig Jones | 6:41 pm

  60. Ha.
    Eurostar: chocolate and carambar tart? ew.
    Dress: £12.99 Primark.
    Appearance: somewhat difficult to get a word in edgeways due to comedian with a severe case of the verbal runs.
    Verdict: looking on the bright side, R&J have unwittingly paid for the rewiring of my faulty electrics/fusebox.

    All good.

    petite | 12:10 am

  61. Was I the only person having trouble accessing your site tonight? Glad it’s back anyway.

    How did it go with Punch and Judy? Do tell. Is he a “caber chucker?” Was Mimi right? Was it worth the train fare and a new dress? (Or did you spend all night moving 43 boxes from Ikea?)

    :)

    Tattieheid | 12:12 am

  62. I don’t know why my host redirected the site again. I suppose there must have been a small stampede, but I think they were overreacting.

    I didn’t pay for the train. Unemployment benefit doesn’t stretch to such things.

    And the dress was old…

    petite | 12:16 am

  63. I tried to leave a comment earlier but I was directed to the nyud:8088 version or whatever it was. Surely not that many people could have logged onto your site at once after the show?

    Anyway, I just wanted to say it was nice to see you on TV, but it’s a shame you couldn’t get a word in most of the time. The camera kept switching between the lady from the newspaper and that comedian! When they were talking to you I sort of got the impression that R&J were having a bit of a go – especially about you losing your job. You stuck up for yourself well though, and hopefully some more people will come to the blog and find out what you’re really all about! At least you got some money from it :-)

    Good luck with everything!

    Ian | 12:33 am

  64. Might have known you would move 43 boxes being the practical soul you are. :)

    Glad it will fund an electrician, peace of mind!

    By the comments from those who viewed the show that “old dress” was a good choice that suited you. With any luck more things will come from your appearance on the show – you might get your kitchen fitted next time!

    How did your first taste of tv fame feel? (Commedians apart)

    What is Carambar? sounds painful!

    Sleep well Petite
    :)

    Tattieheid | 12:38 am

  65. Hmm.

    Verdict from a viewer:

    R&J: Hmm. Moral decisions… Tabloid TV. Better to take Sun’s offer if you’re after money etc?

    R&J: Far more likely to lay into someone small than a big star who they will suck up to ****. They didn’t come across as positive about blogging, and not you in particular. “Vanity Publishing” said Richard. Hmm, like TV work has nothing to do with vanity then, eh, Richard?

    **sobs** First, it’s Ikea, (academic collegue on Ikea ” verb: ikéar, to flood world with cheap plyboard”. Now it’s R&J. Please stop selling your soul, PA, and stick to the blogging.

    Dr Analyst | 12:56 am

  66. Never seen a Blog before today, though I had read of your unrequested release from your employers who hopefully now regret the publicity.

    The TV was on when I got home with R&J trying to be genial. I was delighted to see you although I would have preferred the interview to be more about you and your blog than anything else.

    Ah well… the gladiatorial nature of daytime TV I suppose,

    I salute you and hope that you will have other lucrative opportunities come your way.

    J

    Dangerpics | 1:05 am

  67. Well done Bad Mummy. It was good your seeing off those tedious interruptions by the camera-hogging duo. Loved it.
    Your site crashed for about 3 hours. Hope it was all the new fans hitting on you, BM.
    Make-up nearly totalled you, so I almost missed out on your near-perfect complexion ;)

    A the O | 1:15 am

  68. Nothing on youtube yet matching ‘Richard Judy Petite.’ Surely someone out there is industrious enough to make that happen . . .

    emily | 2:34 am

  69. Hiya,

    Lurked here for a while, but not commented before.

    Saw you on R&J, and wanted to ask, how did you manage to be so close to them, and not smack the smug wotsits?

    Also, sorry to hear about the getting ‘dooced’, but please keep the blogging faith – it wouldn’t be the same without you :)

    Misty | 3:03 am

  70. great great you hav lot of visitors

    isulong seoph | 7:10 am

  71. Can’t remember the comedians name, but he did a hilarious show about googlewhacking, your comment sounded to me just a little peevish, not like I’ve come to expect from reading you. As my gran told me ‘your head can be up in the clouds, or away with the fairies, just so long as your feet stay firmly on the floor’.

    Posted this 3 times yesterday, so either am now persona non grata or site redirect wouldn’t allow comment,

    Well petite, you were way better on R&J than on more4. Well done. Is he as patronising a g&t offscreen as on?

    If you don’t mind some wacky interior design, eggboxes are very good for sound insulation, but you can also buy ondulating foam to put behind plasterboard. Makes the room that much smaller though.

    If grandma anglaise fancies another bilingual family, my kitchen is 28m2 (by far largest room in house)and desperately needs fitting, at the moment the dishwasher is 6m awxay from the sink (poor little rich girl, boo hoo!) The kitchen companies, including the blue and yellow one, rub their hands with glee, until I mention my minuscule budget.

    j | 7:26 am

  72. we all do change eventually, I think.

    Tom Amos | 7:32 am

  73. It was worth enduring R & J to actually see and hear you but, as already said, they didn’t give you much chance to speak. However, when you were allowed to chip in, you came over very well – so congratulations – and I’m glad it will sort out the dangerous electrics.

    Sablonneuse | 7:32 am

  74. I’ve often wondered why microwave ovens make so much racket when they go round. Do they need to invent a special lubrication for the turntable? They have for most other things.

    Jim | 7:48 am

  75. OK I suppose I could PRETEND I read this post before the face appeared on the telly and I thought ‘fuck me – that’s Petite’. It would get over the indignity of being exposed as a closet (R&J) case.

    I quite enjoyed the item about the old man who has owned the same torch for decades. Did you get to meet him?

    JonnyB | 8:19 am

  76. saw you on R&J and has never heard of you before – but rememebered this morning about the google search bad mummy- so did just that and am fasinated by your life. Who is belle ? is that mr frogs mother?

    does judy look younger in the flesh as she looks like richards mother on the tv?

    linda | 8:26 am

  77. Hi Petite,
    You looked great! Ok you did not get to speak a lot and R&J’s questions were a bit silly, but hey it’s not every day one gets to be on tv.

    Zebulette | 9:32 am

  78. You looked great at R&J yesterday. Who was that wannabe actor who kept yapping all the time? I just wished he would shut his gob.

    Banana | 10:52 am

  79. I saw the programme – you came across well, petite. As J says, better than on more4 where you seemed very nervous.

    I have to say, the item was not about petite and her writing talents, it was about “blogs”. petite was there as an example of a blogger so of course they weren’t going to do an in-depth interview focussing entirely on her. I’m sure petite is aware that the world does not revolve around her.

    R&J did seem rather negative about blogging in general, but many people are if they haven’t really delved into Blogland. You either get it or you don’t.

    In defence of Dave Gorman – he is a very funny man, in the right context.

    anxious | 11:01 am

  80. I can’t believe I missed you on the telly… is anybody going to put it on YouTube ?

    Jonathan | 11:07 am

  81. Computer crashed as I commented yesterday so I repeat…you looked very chic I must say on R&J, it was a shame you didn’t get more of a chance to talk though, I was willing the comedian to shut up for a minute so that you could jump in…

    redlady | 11:08 am

  82. Medicinal gin and tonics are wonderful, as long as it doesn’t go as far as the Sorrow of Gin, à la John Cheever. I personally prefer cosmos or vodka ;-) .

    Lost in France | 11:23 am

  83. Well done Petite
    Was a lovely surprise to glance at the box whilst typing away and see you sat on the R&J sofa.
    Echoing all the other comments that they didn’t let you speak enough.
    You looked tres stylish
    xx

    Nessa | 11:50 am

  84. I’m sure Richard was drooling all over you. One of these days we’ll get rid of these pests.. ay. ;-)

    fjl | 11:53 am

  85. Hi Petite,

    Don’t knock R&J or Dave Gorman.

    They will have brought you many new readers…

    …although it sounds as if the existing bunch want to keep you exclusively to themselves?

    Prof | 2:09 pm

  86. I thought “petite anglaise.com” was a porno site until I discovered Smirnoff…

    Read about you in “Marrianne”
    Exciting coverage for you ; well done !

    I am returning to Paris after 13 years (ex wife & son moved back from Belgium). New compagnon & daughter with mother in law.

    7 months and still no sign of a SECU number…

    oh well ; )

    Simon | 3:53 pm

  87. Ha! My “bad mummy” comment on R&J turned out to be a stroke of genius (I was warned that multiple-mentioning the name of my site would cause me to be frozen out of the discussion as it is a brand.)

    I have had 198 visitors via google “bad mummy” searches today.

    At least something stuck…

    petite | 5:01 pm

  88. Hi Petite, Lisa here, (myfamilyjungle.com)so sorry I missed your R & J interview, but you seem to have played a blinder when you got the chance! I am having a similar Ikea moment with our kitchen a ce moment la and find myself lovingly looking at cardboxes hoping they will miraculously morph into presses. It’s not working Petite! More Gin please darling! Lisa

    Lisa | 5:49 pm

  89. Hello,

    Saw you on R and J yesterday and thought you looked very chic and stylish so well done!!

    Sinead Lynch | 6:04 pm

  90. B_a_a_d Mummy.
    Yum Yum.

    That’s a Brand in the making…

    Andrew | 6:10 pm

  91. I just tried a “bad mummy” search on my French (Quebec) google and you’re the first entry out of 886…

    Since I’m now up to date after reading all of your archives, I have now started reading mimi’s… wow… what a brillant mind… and another phenomenal writing talent.

    So now I have two blogs to visit every day.

    Gilles | 6:15 pm

  92. As someone who works in production on the other side of the camera, I can say there are three freelance assignments I always turn down flat because their abusive, wretched nature: sports, day time talk, and anything associated with Katie Couric.

    But as long as you use them and DON’T let them use you, it is all good. Remember some producers are like lawyers, they’ll smile and compliment you a lot while they’re trying to lie and steal your soul.

    Carry on brave Petite! And please do post a link to the video.

    Sam | 6:26 pm

  93. Ah Petite

    Still on a high! (or is it the gin?) :)

    Tattieheid | 6:58 pm

  94. Does Dave Gorman ever shut up?

    Enjoyed your R+J segmant although Mimi’s comment kept on running through my mind. I will never be able to look at Judy the same again.

    SimonInBrussels | 7:21 pm

  95. Why is it that moms want/need a break so bad, but when we finally get one, we can’t enjoy it because we miss our babies! I was away from my kids for the weekend – a break I had anticipated for two months! After I left them, I cried no less than three times!

    Neila | 7:22 pm

  96. You were brilliant with your flash of ‘bad mummy’on R&J,and you looked lovely, and thanks for telling us about going on TV in time. They did introduce you as a blogger to have her own column/diary(?) in the Guardian. Or did I imagine that?

    hotpole | 7:33 pm

  97. I think you imagined it… The lady next to me was an editor at Guardian Online, I think that’s what confused you, possibly.

    petite | 8:19 pm

  98. Richard just didn’t get it, did he? Nor did Judy really understand the pub quiz machines section. BTW, it marked my first unprompted sighting of you in the media.

    Huw | 8:52 pm

  99. Hi Petite! I saw you on R&J. Didn’t notice the dress you wore. I was more interested in hearing about your situation with your former employer (most people must have a few characters they work with). Thought I would look at your site to see what blogging is about as I’ve never looked at one before. It looks great.

    Dee

    Aussie Dee | 11:15 pm

  100. Hi Petite,
    I watched Richard and Judy yesterday just to see you, and was pleased to get Dave Gorman as well as I think he is very funny. I was going to ask you if he was as nice in real life as he is on the telly, but maybe I should ask if he is as talkative…
    R&J seemed really bemused about blogging – they should just read a few top class blogs for a couple of weeks! (Like yours and little red boat and jonnyB.)

    Andria | 11:39 pm

  101. At least you live somewhere in the world which has Ikea! Am looking at buying a flat which needs lots of work, and thought of redoing the kitchen, bathroom etc without Ikea’s assistance is painful.

    Kingston Girl | 6:48 pm

  102. Thanks! You fired up some of the people at the office, perhaps you pushed them into ok’ing the work blog!

    the english guy | 12:07 am

  103. Surely the lady next to you is not an Editor at GU, but Dave Gorman, no?

    Is he a lady?! Fuck ME!

    anna | 6:08 pm

  104. Kingston Girl, I was going to comment that there was an Ikea in Croydon, which isn’t far from Kingston, however I don’t think that’s going to help you, as it’s the wrong Kingston (by about 5000 miles).

    Hywel Mallett | 6:09 pm