I need a rant!

Sorry - this post is completely self indulgent! I warn you now! I also rant knowing full well I did not do what I ought to have done and really cannot complain. That is I did not pick up my phone and vote for Ruth last night.

BUT really how does Ruth Lorenzo get knocked out of X Factor - when there were 3 acts that were so obviously not within a mile of being as good as Ruth and Alex?

First we had JLS, who I actually quite like - but last night were not as good as it seems the great British public seemed to think they were. They are really sweet guys and sincerely hope they make it as a group (not a band, as my guitar playing son points out!!).

Then we had Diana, again I quite like her but again not nearly as good as Ruth or Alex - no where near it! She has a style that is unique but as the weeks go by its all a bit samey.

Then we have Eoghan (or the Squirt as I call him). I am truly truly fed up with the puppy dog eyes. Its not cute no more. And last night he was awful! But hey! The GBP keep voting for him. I am sorry but a 16 year boy should look like a 16 year old boy, not like a 12 year old. And the High School Musical stuff he keeps tripping out is just so blurgh!!!

So you see - this morning I am still just so annoyed. Argh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I will make sure next week that Alex gets a vote or 3 from me. She really is the only act left that I want to win.

If you didn't catch the show last night, you can either watch one of the many repeats or go to:
http://xfactor.itv.com/videos/video-detail/item_200553.htm and watch all the performances there. This link takes you straight to Ruth performing Always. It will blow you away!

Rant over - told you it was self indulgent. But really I do despair of the GBP at times!!!!

peace and blessings
Sx

For everyone an age of beauty...

They say everyone has an age into which they grow, or an age at which they are at their most attractive. This 'profound' thought came to me again as I watch a reply of last nights X factor. Take That kicked off the show and it crossed my mind for the first time (really!!) that Gary Barlow is actually quite attractive. I wondered why this is news to me - apparently millions have thought so for a very long time! But I think perhaps he has grown into his age/beautiful phase. He is older, has an air of confidence, has lost the cockiness of youth, there are a few lines around his eyes - but yip he is def an attractive man.

The image you have of yourself is important. I grew up a bit of a lanky tom boy. As a teen was a late developer - tall and gangly, not pretty (so I was told regularly) and inflicted with red hair and freckles.

It has taken me a long time to accept that I am who I am and I have the body and face that God gave me. And it has taken me until very recently to accept the fact that this is as good as it gets! I am forty years old and this seems to take people by surprise. Today I was told by a Doctor he thought I was only 24 - it was only when he heard I had teenage children that he realised I must be quite a bit older. This does of course help make me feel much better about myself (and confirm that all that money spent on moisturiser was worth it!)

Where I am heading with this is to say that I think I may have grown into my age - I can now hold my head up and consider myself beautiful. Not beautiful in the conventional head turning, model/actress way. But beautiful in having a confidence about my body and self that shines - I can now love my freckles and appreciated by red hair (even if I have to chemically enhance it!) I can now accept that I have gifts to offer, I can do things and do them well. I know I am what I am, I know I am on a journey with God that has no end point, I know I am loved. What else matters? Don't get me wrong, I also know that I will have my moments of doubts.

We all have an 'age' - perhaps this is mine.