When I was looking for a picture for my site yesterday, I discovered that Iris was the name of the Greek Goddess of the rainbow and the winged messenger of the Gods. Iris was also refuted to be sweet, gentle and kind.

It got me thinking that we had a lot in common. No, I don’t think I’m a Goddess; even my imagination isn’t that good. But my language can be as colourful as any rainbow and when needed I have winged feet – it’s surprising how fast I can move when motivated. Sweet, gentle and kind…mmm, I’ll get back to you on that .

I’d like to tell you I knew all about Iris when I chose my web name – but I’d be lying. I started off trying to find something that went with Lily – which is the meaning of my name – but everything I thought of was already taken. I also tried Weeping Willow, but that had gone as well. After nearly an hour and going through every flower and tree in the book, I was flaming well feed up. I tried Flaming Iris as a joke, I couldn’t believe it when the registration moved onto the next step, but the name was obviously waiting just for me *grin*.

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It would appear that a certain someone has had a problem opening my blog as she hasn't been able to see anything posted after last Thursday. It's just dawned on me that I could have procrastinated even longer if I haven't opened my big mouth. I could kick myself - she's going to be on my case again now.

Another thought: I post nearly every day, I might miss the occasional weekend. No-one else seems to have a problem or at least they've not said. I suppose it could be something I'm doing wrong - nah, you're right - must be her *grin*

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Scally has once again come up trumps on a funny video, this one had me in stitches and is the best so far:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aubJdCUHgC8&eurl=

It should strike fear into the hearts of all Brats - 'if you don't start behaving I'm going to find another way of making you see sense.'

And talking of which....

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Well it was just too good to last I suppose and I’d had a good innings *sigh*. I had a ‘heated’ discussion with Himself last night on what is an acceptable time to get home from work. In all fairness he’s been warning me since Monday and I was still getting home later and later, 5.45pm last night - I was working on a leaflet for Simon's wife who's now making Christmas cakes. Yes, granted, I could have done it at home, I suppose, but I wasn't an hour late, only 45 minutes.

With hind sight, I think I may have pushed my luck a little too far when I stood to attention and saluted him.

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Because I told you about Trish yesterday it got me taking to Simon and he reminded me of something I must have pushed from my mind - and for good reason. It's good sharing memories with someone else, the re-telling of it made us laugh all over again.

Tracy, Trish and myself took a work colleague - Julia - to Merry Hill to watch a film and have a bite to eat. Julia was a single parent and didn’t get out much, so we invited her along to join us. The night didn’t get off to the best start – freezing fog was starting to come down – and no one could remember the number of the terrace house in which she lived. I was driving, Tracy didn’t know her - so I made Trish go and knock on the doors, four in total, until she found the right one - I can't imagine living in a street and no-one knowing me.

We arrived at Merry Hill and pulled up outside Pizza Hut, but they weren't letting customers in - one of their oven’s had broken. No problem – we all piled back in the car and drove to the other one that was situated inside the main shopping hall. That one was open, but there was an hour and a half's wait – which, by the time we’d have eaten, would have meant us missing the start of the film. OK, how about we go to McDonalds instead. No-go, I’m afraid, Julia’s a vegetarian and she didn’t like the McVeggie burger. It’s OK, she said – she’d just watch us eat. *deep sigh* How about we go to Burger King instead then, says Trisha, did she like their veggie burgers? So we walked through the hall only to discover that Burger King are about to close – that particular one only opens during shop hours.

About turn and back to the car we go – a discussion takes place on whether we forget the cinema and go for a balti in Brierley Hill instead. Julia doesn’t want a balti – she was looking forward to seeing that film. Fine, how about we all get back into the car and go to Frankie’s and Benny’s. Trisha said she go anywhere they sold large glasses of wine – which was a good indicated of how she was feeling at the time.

Into Frankie and Benny’s we traipse – Trish nearly had that glass of wine ordered - when Julia announced that she couldn’t possible eat there, it was too expensive. We all offered to chip in and pay for her – No, she couldn’t allow that. Fair enough – so out we all trudge. As we walked out through the door, Trish trying to suggest that maybe we forget the food and just have a drink instead, Julia notices that Pizza Hut are now letting people in.

STOP here a minute, she says, off she marches (and that really is a good description) across the road, right past the queue and in through the door. Five minutes later she’s back. We are now eating in Pizza Hut – and our table is ready. Trish, Tracy and I tried to make ourselves as small and inconspicuous as possible as we followed Julia in, straight passed the queue of people waiting patiently.

I’d like to say it got better after that, but I’d be lying. The girl arrived with the menu – Trish didn't care about the pizza – she’d just have two glasses of wine, thank you. I’m silently cursing I agreed to drive because a glass of wine sounded the best idea we’d come up with all evening.

So, what sort of pizza do we order and what about the salad bowl? I won’t bother you with all the details – suffuse to say it wasn’t pretty. You have to say one thing for Julia, she knows what she wants – and bugger everyone else. The best had to be - she wasn’t very hungry, so how about we order two large pizzas, one a veggie – and then share. After she’s polished off her sixth slice and the best part of a salad bowl and asked for a box to but some more in – I’m afraid we’d started to doubt her.

Then came the paying – Trish very quickly declared that we put it on her card and then we could pay her afterwards or we’d miss the film. Julia quibbled that we couldn’t have a four way split as Trish had, had two glasses of wine – so we would need to work it out. Looking at Trish’s face – I got the impression that she'd rather like another glass. Tracy doesn't even drink wine - but I'm pretty sure that if she had been offered one by that stage, she'd have knocked it back. Why did I offer to drive?

On to the cinema – Oh, say’s Julia, it’s got Hugh Grant in – I don’t like his films. Now, I’m not sure if Trish had reached the end of her tether or the two glasses of wine had started to take effect and loosen her tongue, but she was having none of it. We’d arranged to see that particular film, Julia knew that we where going to see that particular film and we were bloody well going to watch that particular film – capeesh! Who’s arguing? Apparently Julia sat through the whole film and didn’t laugh once – unlike the rest of us – Sandra Bullock was brilliant.

We emerged from the film to find the freezing fog had got a hell of a lot worse – you could only see a few feet in front of you. Julia moaned the whole way home – couldn’t I drive faster – she had to pay her baby sitter by the hour and it would cost more after midnight. I had a cracking headache by the time we dropped her off. Tracy was gob smacked - was she real? Unfortunately, yes, said Trish - count your blessing that you don't have to work with her.

She came into work the next morning and told everyone who’d listen what a brilliant time she’d had, and that it would be great if we did it on a regular basis. Yes, threaten me, why don’t you, and she never did pay Trish for her share of the meal.