HEADING TOWARDS DISASTER...!

I've moved

2011-11-24T19:40:00.001Z

Anyone still lurking?!

If you are, my new blog can be found here! Hope you can join me and we can catch up again x

Droitwich here we come!

2011-04-22T19:11:00.002Z

J starts a new job in June, and even though the new job is only an hour away we've decided to move closer to it to cut the commute down a bit. Droitwich looks nice with a decent town centre and it's one of the places we're looking around for houses.

Last time we house hunted we took 2 years to buy something! We looked, then got bored, then looked again... then got bored again... it was only when our landlord gave us notice that we actually got ourselves in gear. This time around I hope we can be more sensible with the compromises and just pick something. This place was the house that gave us Daniel and I've learned that the building isn't what makes a home, family is. You can make a few compomises if you need to without taking away from what is otherwise the perfect family home.

I have a lot of conflicting feelings right now. Part of me is nervous. I dread having to start again and for Daniel to have to find new little friends living local to us. The other part of me though is excited. I love new starts. It's like the slate has been wiped clean and a new chapter can begin. The endless possibilities mean anything can happen and I'm excited to find out what good things are coming our way!

The dogs are definitely getting it!

2011-03-18T19:51:00.002Z

Lucy is definitely getting this loose leash walking at last. She still needs a few corrections when we go out but it's like she suddenly knows 100% what she needs to do for both of us to enjoy the walk. I am so so proud of her because she's worked really hard to understand what I want her to do.
Benji still needs a little help here and there because he's such a nervous dog but there's no doubt in my mind that in 6 months time my dogs are going to be worthy of a gold obedience medal!

The weather this week has been absolutely fab, really warm, and perfect for going out with the boy during the day. Last Sunday J, D and I went to Matlock in the Peak District and it was so peaceful spending time sitting outside a cafe as a family. D has probably brought J and I closer than ever even though he demands a lot of time from us and takes away a lot of sleep hours.
Anyway Matlock is an absolutely stunning place so if you want more info or pictures of the gorgeous scenery go here for a look.

Tomorrow we're off to Worcestershire where we are probably moving to next since J has been offered a new job!

Dog training success!

2011-02-17T17:04:00.003Z

Over the past couple of days both dogs have managed 2 walks working perfectly to heel! And not only that, Benji came face to face with two dogs walking directly towards us and he managed to deal with it without losing the plot!

Talk about me being a proud parent!!

This afternoon they weren't so hot when we went out and both seemed to want to walk a little faster than I did but it's a step in the right direction and I'm proud of them for doing so well!

January and new years resolutions...

2011-01-31T15:34:00.006Z

A month ago we all set our goals and challenges for 2011 and a lot of us vowed that this year would be different.
How scary is it then that the first month of the year is over! 1/12 of the year has already disappeared and we're supposed to be 1/12 of the way through the goals we set ourselves.

Are you? Or did you not even start yet? Because if you've not made much progress and really intend to make 2011 a special one then you need to get off your bum and get going.

January is supposed to be a long month but actually it's disappeared in the blink of an eye for me and the year no longer has that 'new' feel to it. Instead it feels as though the year has really started now and its up to me to make the most of it whilst it's here!

I loved January and everything it brought me. :) It was very much family, dog training and cheesecake time.

Next month I might lay off the cheesecake just a tad ;-)

New year, new dogs!

2011-01-17T13:20:00.004Z

One of my big goals this year is to teach heel work to both dogs. They've mastered the loose leash but I'd really like to progress with them and get a decent heel next. I've not gone down the clicker training route before today but I just bought a clicker from Amazon and am interested to see whether the training progress is quicker using one. We are hoping to go on another dog friendly holiday later in the year and although the dogs were good in Cornwall, you can never have dogs that are too well behaved.

Another goal I was also supposed to be participating in was the make do and mend trend. Lets just say the theory is easier than the practice. All of a sudden there are tons of things I want or need to buy. I think I'd really struggle if I actually had the money to go shopping!

Happy Christmas!

2010-12-22T09:13:00.003Z

Christmas is just 3 days away and obviously this is the special one for us because it's baby's first Christmas! We've invited J's Dad to join us on the big day but with the snow bringing what feels like the entire country to a standstill we might not be seeing anybody.
I think I'm well and truly over the snow. It started out looking beautiful and offering a bit of excitement but several weeks on it's left us cancelling plans and sitting at home bored. Pushing a buggy down hill on ice is probably a no go... right?!
All my dog training and heelwork goes out the window during snowstorms too. The dogs get themselves excited and seem to believe there are more sniffs to enjoy when the white stuff is down.

Anyway I'm all ready for Christmas but J isn't. He tells me he'll hopefully be able to do his shopping on Christmas eve. Guess I won't be getting anything then ;)

Daniel is 32 Weeks Old!

2010-11-15T08:53:00.002Z

Last night I ordered several Christmas gifts online meaning I'm well on my way to being organised. As a non-shopper it takes the pressure off big time if I can just get a few gifts under my belt and a few more ideas for others written down. And of course this year I'm catering for a little man who wants his first Christmas stocking!

December is slowly starting to fill up with seeing people and it's nice to see a calendar that isn't so empty. I think J and I have fallen into a bubble of sleepless nights and dirty nappies and we barely go out anymore. On weekends we're lucky if we make it out to the supermarket or for a drive, and to be blunt Saturdays and Sundays have become nothing more than a bore! We need to pull ourselves out of this rut before we get stuck in too deeply.

I had fun playing with ebay this week but I haven't made my fortune! I have made 99p though, less fees of course. Won't be retiring this week then...

The weather is pants!

2010-11-08T14:09:00.003Z

Daniel's got another cold thing going on which prevented him having a decent nights sleep last night. I know from having been up since 1am that the rain has been coming down hard since then. When it rains and when the boy is sniffling too I can't go out and instead end up sitting on the sofa looking out at a very soggy garden. Lucy tends to be content to watch with me, but Benji has got his eyes trained on my feet the whole time and whenever I get up he jumps up too and makes a mad dash for the front door. I'm going stir crazy in here and it's all because of the pressure my bullying Corgi puts on me to walk the streets in all weathers.

Whilst waiting for J to come home to babysit so I can venture out with my mean minded dogs I've had a go at listing stuff on ebay. Hours later having written descriptions, uploaded fuzzy pictures,taken several phone calls to verify who I am, and clicked on what feels like loads of terms and conditions that I didn't really understand I've managed to list 4 items.
I can't believe people actually do this for a living. At the moment it's fun seeing if any of my books and things sell but if they don't, I'm shoving them in the next charity bag that comes through the door and will declutter that way. (And we seem to get 3 or 4 charities a week calling around here!)

2010-10-22T07:53:00.001Z

Home sweet home!

2010-09-21T06:44:00.002Z

So last week we ended up in Cornwall! We stayed in a farm cottage near Falmouth and managed to explore near enough everywhere from there. We had a flying visit to all the main places, from Penzance to Lands end to Perranporth to St Ives and I loved every second of it! The weather was kind to us and since we had the dogs with us, we must have walked miles with Daniel on my front in the harness. We admired the view in the picture above as we tucked into Cornish pasties for lunch - it has to be done when in the county!

Thought Newquay wasn't all that nice though - did I miss the pretty part???

It was absolute bliss to relax and unwind, and in the evenings I even managed to get a few hours of cross stitching done, something I've probably barely touched for a year or more! Neither of us wanted to come home and if money was no object I think we might have just stayed in one of the fishing villages for a bit! Money does rule though, so home we came so J could get back to work and start saving up for our next break. We're determined not to leave it so long next time!

Weymouth

2010-08-29T20:37:00.001Z

My little sister made me jealous when she sent these pictures through of a recent trip. As a family we've spent many happy years having holidays in Weymouth Dorset and it's still my favourite UK holiday destination even now. The beaches are clean, the attractions are fun, (The time walk offering the history of Weymouth is really really good!) the shops are full of tacky giftwear and the open top busses are a must to see Weymouth and Portland, even if you need to huddle under an umbrella to take advantage of the open top! (And yes we've done that too!)

It was tradtion to visit Portland Bill every time we were in Weymouth also, even though the last time I was there the only attraction on offer was a lighthouse being battered by the rain and an empty tea room, it being deserted because we were the only family mad enough to brave a storm that didn't seem to let up the entire holiday!

Click on the Weymouth Tourist information link for more info or the Hoseasons link for Dorset places to stay :)

Weymouth Tourist Information

Book with Hoseasons

Daniel is 20 weeks old today!

2010-08-19T07:00:00.003Z

A girl at the parents group I go to revealed yesterday that she's 3 months pregnant with her second baby, the first one being only 7 months old! She has this beautiful little bump and she's glowing with happiness but gosh is she going to have a busy time of it come February when she's due!

I am not actually minding the busyness of having a baby but what I have struggled with is having a baby who doesn't really sleep during the day and therefore doesn't really give me more than a few minutes at a time to get other things done or take a couple of moments to myself.
It's not at all easy being a mum first and 'me' second after so long of being selfish and doing as I'd pleased, but I'm surprising myself by doing it!

Last weekend was a quiet one, and this weekend Saturday will be quiet whilst on Sunday we're seeing Johns dad and going out for lunch. Day to day is still a bit on the boring side but we have at last booked Cornwall so have something to look forward to!

Daniel is 17 weeks and 5 days old

2010-08-03T14:02:00.002Z

It's been a long time since I last posted but that's more to do with doing other things than not having a moment to myself. I've been focusing on my fitness a lot and whilst I'm happily back to my pre-pregnancy self now, I've been chuffed to bits to see that all the dog walking I've been doing has also worked it's magic on my thighs. My legs are still chunkier than I'd like, but unless I'm just kidding myself I'm sure they're looking more toned. Has it really taken getting pregnant to get the body I want?!
(NB, I didn't really mean that - the boobs need working on more than ever now!)

The little sister and the brother in law are coming up at the weekend to see the little man who is currently in his cot and sleeping, snoring louder than even his dad normally manages. We're still having people visit to see Daniel and I've given up kidding myself it's us they want to see too!
As well as entertaining we're also looking into booking our holiday. The place we wanted to book is full until November but it's still looking like somewhere in Cornwall is where we'll end up and we're taking the dogs too :) Next time I post I'll be able to say exactly where we're going because if J doesn't decide soon then I'll be going on my own!!

Daniel is 10 weeks and 2 days old...

2010-06-12T14:52:00.000Z

The husband has disappeared off for a week's work in Singapore this week leaving me holding the baby. I don't mind at all but I've got 7 days and 6 nights of parenting alone 24/7 and so I'm getting ready to be tired by the end of it.

At least I get to watch the world cup though! The first game for us is later on today so for just a little while I get to stay excited. Once the game gets going I'll be nervous and if we don't win I'm likely to be a grouch for the next few hours. I have the Canadian F1 on tomorrow also so a real sporting weekend!
It's probably best J isn't here because unless it's snooker he isn't interested in sporty stuff and in my opinion that isn't a sport! (or is it?!)

The goal for this week is to chop up the flowerbeds at the front of the house. I've just done 30 mins work and barely cleared an inch. I've really got my work cut out to clear this lot...

Then on Wednesday it's my Lucy's 7th birthday! Bless my baby girl!!

Post number 600!

2010-05-26T16:09:00.002Z

J is in Dubai again this week and I've been left holding the baby once again. I don't mind too much because one of us has to pay the bills but it's really hard work having no back up. I still haven't figured out how to get anything done yet either! With the housework, walking the dogs and keeping the boy entertained there is very little time for me to do anything else.

Having said that though, I will now go on to say we went to a barbecue last weekend with my old work friends!

Karen organised it for us so everyone who wanted to could meet Daniel. I kid you not my social life is ten times better these days because Daniel is invited places and I'm expected to go to push the pram!

(My Godson!)

Seriously though, life might be dead dead busy at the moment but it's also really good too. The weeks are flying by in a rush, but the next few weekends are going to be quiet so I'm really looking forward to just relaxing with the husband and doing not a lot else :-)

Daniel is 5 weeks and 4 days old...

2010-05-10T07:21:00.000Z

I don't think time has passed so quickly for me ever. Daniel is now 5 1/2 weeks old and not only is it quite scary how quickly that time has gone, it's scary how quickly he's growing up too. I look at him sometimes and see a little man growing up before my eyes!
At the moment life is one big mass of feeding and changing, and I spend a lot of time sitting quietly with him in the early hours as he feeds, times I absolutely adore. During the day he sleeps for a couple of hours here and there, but for the most part he sits on my lap, dummy in his mouth. Originally he wasn't going to have a dummy but I figure we've got his feeding sorted now and if I need to help him break a habit or two before he starts school in a few years time then I do! I coped giving up!

I think everyone that wanted to have a cuddle with him has had one now. We are having a barbecue with my old work friends at the weekend to finish off the rounds but all family have been for a visit and K sat with him for a couple of hours last weekend. :-)

I am yet to figure out how the likes of Coleen Rooney and Carly Zucker manage to combine motherhood with looking so stylish and groomed however! I'm lucky if I manage a hair wash, make up is a thing of the past unless I have 2 minutes to literally throw mascara on, and there's nothing on the market that will cover the bags under my eyes!
Tips please?!

Daniel @ 2 days old

2010-04-06T07:50:00.000Z

On a very rare quiet moment we took these when he was 2 days old. He doesn't look like that now - he has bags under his eyes! Can you imagine the effort involved in keeping Mum and Dad awake?!

I've had enough!

2010-03-23T07:30:00.003Z

I said I wouldn't get to the stage where I was wishing it was all over but I'm now 2 days overdue, fat, uncomfortable, and sick of wondering every minute of the day whether things are going to start soon or whether the aches and pains I'm feeling are just part of being so big. Sunday afternoon we went out for lunch for our last child free date but we could easily have fit in a couple more dinners since then!
Tomorrow night we're going to try a hot curry and plenty of pineapple as the old wives tales say they bring things on! I can't face the thought of sex though... I feel anything but sexy right now... more like an exhausted lump with an arse the size of a rhino's...

My problem is I really don't do patience so every hour I wait for baby feels like a week of waiting and feels like life is on hold. Other than shuffling out with the dogs I can no longer exercise and I can't really make any plans to do anything or go anywhere because I need to schedule a pee break every twenty minutes. I want to be on the road to fitness again and looking forward to the summer but it seems that whilst the achieveable is so close, it's also blimming miles away right now.

39 weeks and 5 days pregnant...

2010-03-19T07:27:00.002Z

It's been an odd week because I've been waiting for things to happen whilst also trying not to put life on hold. I've had lots of aches and pains over the past few days and last night they felt strong enough to be exciting but sadly here I am on Friday no further forward and wondering if I can get my dog walking done this morning and a trip to the library in this afternoon before my waters break! (Probably!)
The little sister gets married 4 weeks tomorrow and I was hoping for a decent month to recover and to figure out what in my wardrobe (if anything)fits well enough to be worn. At this rate my choice is going to be maternity jeans or stretchy black trousers and some sort of top that hides any baby sick I might get covered in during the journey!

The husband has announced he's ill... he has kidney pain. Not being known for my ability to be sympathetic I've suggested he start drinking a decent amount of water throughout the day instead of the usual buckets of coffee. Is it a man thing to ignore the obvious ways of looking after yourself?! He's booking himself into the doctor to make sure he's not dying anyway...

My Fat Pictures

2010-03-16T14:35:00.003Z

I haven't taken too many pictures these past 9 months because I feel rough enough under normal circumstances when getting behind a camera, let alone when I barely fit behind the lens!
I have over the past few weeks taken a couple of belly shots though, especially when having days I just couldn't imagine ever fitting back into my skinny jeans again...
I've seen some brave women showing skin in their belly shots but I have stretch marks so am keeping well hidden.

If you want a nosey you can have a look on the following link:

Diary of a Symptom Spotter

Be polite though... or else.

38 weeks and 1 day pregnant...

2010-03-08T13:46:00.000Z

RELIEF!
We got the news we wanted today at the hospital in that for now, baby has turned! The down side of our visit was that they had the chance to decide once again that baby was small, so I ended up sitting in the day unit with those belt things around my belly for 15 mins so they could listen to his heartbeat. He's only an ounce off 6lbs however so for me, whilst he might not be huge, I'm thinking this is all precaution rather than something to worry about.
Assuming I'm still carrying him we're back for more monitoring on Friday then a scan and monitoring on Monday so I am being looked after...
I'm actually more worried he might do a somersault and turn again before Monday than that he wont grow because he seems healthy enough at all the checks so far!

Weekend was okay. Bit of shopping and hot curry on Saturday, (Did not bring on labour, obviously!) and I cooked a roast dinner yesterday. Library tomorrow then Midwife on Thursday before hospital on Friday. Life has never been so busy! Just a shame I'm too fat to enjoy the attention!!

37 Weeks and 4 days pregnant

2010-03-04T08:08:00.002Z

J needs a gold star for being an angel at the moment because now I'm barely sleeping nor is he, and not once has he complained when I've woken him up or when I've given up on sleep and got up to make tea at 5.30 in the morning!
I guess it's all good practice for when the baby arrives but I will never understand why people say sleepless nights start when baby gets here, or why my mum has started gloating that the baby might keep me awake like I did her. We must be waking up several times a night already with me being uncomfy and waking J with my wriggling!
I don't want to complain though. Pregnancy is one hell of an experience and one that I might never experience again. I want to take in every moment because all too quickly it's going to be over. I do look at my teeny tiny jeans sometimes though and wonder how on earth I will ever get back into them.

My mother told me I was fat at Christmas, and has also told me she was thin until she had children and it's our fault she can't stay slim now. In fact my mum seems to have missed the support gene when it comes to me so it's lucky I can switch off and not take the digs to heart...

Tonight we are going out for some food, which might be the last time we go out as a childless couple! Every day I wonder if today is going to be the day, and every day I wonder if my waters are going to break whilst I'm out! It would be typical of me to embarass myself although I think I'd find it quite funny to create chaos in Tesco's!

37 weeks and 1 day pregnant

2010-03-01T07:51:00.003Z

The weekend went too fast. I thought we were going to have a quiet one but instead on Saturday we ended up in Yorkshire buying a new car. Not my choice at all but J has bought a 2 seater sports car thing which I'm not understanding the point of since in a couple of weeks there will be 3 of us wanting to travel. The only benefit I can see to this new purchas is if Dad and baby (who still doesn't have a name!) are going to go off for the day together and give me a break...

Sunday was dog walking, cleaning, football and recipe experimenting day. I tried making lamb kebabs for the first time and they were well worth the effort! I didn't enjoy the last lamb dish I made so had reservations, but luckily they were unfounded.

This week I am back at the doctor's for a check up on Wednesday, but other than that I'm really just waiting for baby to make an appearance. It's quite a scary thought that one minute I'll be sitting here carefree and the next I'll have this little bundle screaming at me!

What's going on in the forum...

2010-02-26T07:56:00.002Z

Here's what we're talking about! Come join us!

GENERAL CHAT
Snow! Link

9-5
Where do you work? Link

HOME AND FAMILY
I'm pregnant! Link

FOOD AND DRINK
Comfort food! Link

HEALTH AND BEAUTY
Are you getting the swine flu jab? Link

SEX AND RELATIONSHIPS
The cleaner your house the more sex you're getting Link

CELEBRITY CENTRAL
Stephenie Meyer Link

GOAL SETTING AND MOTIVATION!
February Goals Link

HOBBIES
Stitching Link

TRAVEL
Top 10 places to see before you die Link

THE PHOTO ALBUM
Lucy was 6 yesterday Link

We've currently got 649 posts and 150 topics! Let's up it!

I'm In a strop

2010-02-24T12:11:00.001Z

On Monday my miserable neighbour decided to have a go about Benji peeing on her tree. I wouldn't have minded listening to her rant except he didn't! I think if you live surrounded by other houses you have to be tolerant of pets and children because if you aren't, you've picked the wrong type of place to live. I put up with cats crapping all over my front lawn and children dumping rubbish everywhere - it's part of the joy of living in a family village close to shops and schools etc! Dogs also pee up the tree in our garden but short of putting a cork up every male dog I don't see how I could stop them if it even bothered me!
On Tuesday miserable neighbour caught me again and said sorry for going off on one but it's too late - I don't want to be friends with her anymore!

I just got back from the midwife who has managed to boss me into going to see an equally bossy consultant at the hospital in a weeks time. She thinks baby has turned back again but doesn't want to say for sure anymore. I did try telling her that I'm not prepared to have any intervention (if I need it) until I actually go into labour but consultant was insistant I should be scanned one last time... so I'm going for what feels to me to be a pointless appointment to keep other people happy. What really bugs me about our health system is that you have to come across as a real stroppy cow and really stand your ground before anyone actually listens to your own views and intentions!

With all this ranting going on in my head is it any wonder my blood pressure is up?!

Baby is being awkward...

2010-02-22T10:01:00.003Z

Despite me being on my best behaviour and doing everything I possibly can to make sure this baby is happy and healthy, it seems the favour hasn't been returned! Last week I had my 35 week midwife check which lead me to believe all was fine, but the following day at the hospital a scan showed baby had turned and was now breech. Even at this early stage they are threatening a c-section which means I am wetting myself at the thought of having to go through with one!

I have another midwife apt on Wednesday so I'm hoping for some better news this week. It's not that I will absolutely refuse to have a c-section but more that I'm reluctant to agree to one when I know there is still time for baby to turn naturally - especially as he is measuring on the smaller side of average and I've been told he has plenty of room to shift around at the moment!

So if you happen to be reading this, please keep your fingers crossed! Meanwhile, I'm off to stand on my head...

Spring Gardening

2010-02-17T14:09:00.002Z

I've actually woken up once again to snow this week! I thought we were done with the white stuff after last month's covering but apparently not, and if you've done any planting inside or out, you're no doubt wondering if it will ever warm up enough for your seedlings to come to anything! It's not actually laying at the moment but I'm not trusting it to disappear completely any time soon either, especially if the weather reports are to be believed!
Fortunately I've been waiting for the warmer weather before buying my hanging baskets, but I am keen this year on getting the garden sorted and growing some of our own veg because 2010 is the first full year we've ever spent in a home we actually own, with a garden we'll actually benefit from if we put the effort in to make it beautiful.

Since the snow is a hazard though, and it's safer for all to stay indoors to shop rather than go out, bear in mind you can order online via reliable sites and have all sorts of seeds etc delivered to your door. Suttons are just one site that offer such a service :-)

Getting stuck and John Terry

2010-02-15T15:20:00.000Z

Last weekend, we got a weekend off from the painting. The kitchen is now finished, and the utility room just needs the ceiling finishing which is my job for sometime this week. With the time off, we shopped for pizza on Saturday and on love day, we went out for a roast dinner at a local country pub. We're really fortunate to have a lovely place to eat just a couple of miles away and it never matters whether we choose a full meal or something lighter, we've never not enjoyed an hour spent there.

This week is going to fly by because I have a lot I'd like to get done and these days, it's all exhausting! Today was the first day I've struggled to walk the dogs and was glad of Lucy being willing to pull her fat mum up the hill towards home! Nobody can tell me she doesn't know about the baby - she's been my little shadow right from the start. She's never more than a few inches away from me if I'm awake and home and she's become more willing to share a cuddle. Just one reason why I love dogs so much!
Wednesday is the midwife check up where I will be told how much I've grown. I know I have because all of a sudden I can no longer squeeze past things. I got stuck between the breakfast bar and the fridge a couple of days ago... sort of like an unelegant elephant...

I found out over the weekend my friend is staying in the same hotel as John Terry! Watch out for the kiss and tell in this week's tabloids! (Just kidding, she's happily admiring from afar and is more than likely too keen on staying near the bar to be arsed to do anything more!)

Just thoughts...

2010-02-09T12:40:00.002Z

When it comes to the baby thing and giving birth, I've been burying my head firmly in the sand. I believe everything ultimately will be just fine so I refuse to worry or think about the minor unpleasant stuff like maybe having to go to the hospital or deal with the hundreds of stretchmarks that I've been told can appear overnight. It's sort of playing on my mind that since I'm heading towards 35 weeks the baby could come any time now but I find myself trying to think of other things when the thought does cross my mind!
There is a baby show starting on channel 4 tonight at 9pm. Will I torture myself by watching I wonder?

We've been keeping busy with the decorating anyway! Over the weekend we started painting the kitchen so every day I'm putting in a couple of hours to finish it off so J doesn't have to face it when he comes home from work. I actually find myself not minding painting and decorating at all and will miss it when every room in this house is finished. It's not so much the work I enjoy but the satisfaction of looking at a room that's clean and fresh and knowing the finish is something we worked hard to create...
Then the fun starts where we get to look for cheap accessories in bold colours to match the walls. Love it! For the kitchen the walls are very pale, as are the cupboards so as and when the towels and the placemats are replaced and the roller blind is put back up I'm thinking lemon or yellow to match the tiny detail on some of the splashback tiles :-)

33 Weeks and 5 days Pregnant...

2010-02-04T08:38:00.002Z

The snow is threatening us with it's arrival for the second month in a row! We woke up to a covering on Monday, and then yesterday afternoon I walked the dogs as the flakes were coming down. I'm getting very used to walking in the cold this year though am hoping I don't grow too much bigger as I don't own a coat that will go around a bigger belly.
Soon we should be looking forward to spring and daffodils, surely?! March is one of my favourite times of year purely because of the daffodils!

We're still waiting to hear from the bank. Whoever thieved the money probably doesn't give two hoots that 2 weeks on we're still wondering if we're ever going to get the cash back or that with baby on the way next month we could really do without losing what to us is a large amount of money.
I think it's safe to say nobody will ever be caught for it, that's why internet fraud is so rife. I would love to hear back that the bank have the police involved and have taken the time needed to trace the fake transaction but I'd be very surprised if they do any more than confirm the transaction isn't genuine.
We aren't letting it get us down though. Instead we're living in a semi tiny state of chaos because John started painting one wall of the kitchen on Tuesday, pulling the fridge out in the process. You can imagine what the space is like now with having to dodge the fridge to get into the room and shifting brushes and pots out of the way every time I want to cook!
I imagine we'll be unorganised for weeks ahead!

Internet Fraud!

2010-01-25T13:24:00.001Z

Saturday we hit both a high and a low. Our high was our 6th wedding anniversary so obviously it was a special day for us, but the low was finding £3000 had been pinched from our bank account! What's more, just as a final boot up the backside, we didn't actually have £3000 for anyone to take so they helped themself to the overdraft facility to top themselves up!
Fortunately the bank are aware it's happened and are refunding the cash but that's taking a week or so and we're having to rely on credit cards until then. It's scary how quickly everything you've worked for can be wiped out by people who have probably never done a days work in their lives and have no respect for anyone else but themselves...

31 weeks and 3 days pregnant...

2010-01-19T14:55:00.002Z

January is going by waaay too fast. Fortunately though, we're starting to get things ready for baby as we get more organised. We have the cot up now and just need to buy a matress and the bedding to go in it. My belly moves every time he kicks and I'm getting curious to meet him! Next doctors appointment is Tuesday, although I am getting tired of being poked and prodded...

Saturday also see's J and I reach 6 years of marriage! Go us for not killing each other already! I have hinted about maybe going out for lunch on Saturday to celebrate. Heavy nights no longer work - I'm like a hippo snoring on the sofa by 9pm these days.

Last weekend we were super busy, ending with the inlaws spending the day with us on Sunday and Lucy spending the day sitting on her 'Nanna's' lap for hours. The inlaws are really good fun so when we do make the effort to meet up (they live nearly 3 hours away from us!) it's always a laugh catching up on all the gossip. Next time we all meet up, a new generation will also be part of the celebrations. How special is that?!

What is sleep?!

2010-01-14T14:24:00.002Z

Sitting on the toilet in the early hours of the morning today, it occured to me that I've probably had my fill of sleeping straight through the night for maybe a year or more! For the past couple of months I've had to get up to pee at least once every single night and it's only getting worse as baby gets bigger and makes himself comfy on my bladder. What's more, the only relief I've got coming my way is when baby gets here! Then he'll be taking over as my source of waking!

I've given up on staying in as much as possible and waiting patiently for the snow to go. Every time the forecast clears yet more unexpected snow arrives and we're now onto the rain stage which is going straight to freezing ice. Instead I'm putting on the wellies and walking very slowly and I think I've now mastered staying upright. (Famous last words I know!) My thinking is if you dig your heels into the snow before putting your toes down you're less likely to skid forward and end up on your backside! If you know a better way though, feel free to share it!

29 weeks and 3 days pregnant!

2010-01-05T14:00:00.002Z

About 3 hours ago we finally got a splattering of snow that has stuck around for an hour or two! It has almost disappeared now, but at least I can say we've had some of the snow in Derbyshire that everyone else is complaining about. What's left is the ice though, which makes me housebound for the day and dreading the appointment with the midwife I have to walk to in the morning. I have new bright pink wellies to wear (from Asda no less!) but I still think I'll be crawling down the hill terrified of falling over.

So the start of the year is going okay. We're 2 days into the normal routine, and are well aware that the next work break we take together will be with the new baby... who still doesn't have a name!(This comes from the fact that J and I agree on absolutely nothing!)In fact the only thing he does have is a pram so we need to get organised.
Some say that January drags on as a cold and dark month but I happen to like it! I think there's a freshness about the start of a new year and I love making new plans and new resolutions for the following 12 months.
I've started watching the latest celebrity Big Brother, but haven't decided whether I'll stick with it yet as nobody is catching my eye as worth supporting except for possibly Dane. Am looking forward to Friday's Dancing on Ice though... can't wait!

The truth about pregnancy

2009-12-16T17:12:00.002Z

Nobody actually tells you the truth about pregnancy whilst they're going through it, do they?! Let's be honest - it's not all that glamorous...
Here's what you've got to look out for...

1)The extra wind.
Forget being ladylike. Holding it in only amounts to it coming out all the more once you're asleep! Fart as loud as you like and be proud!

2)You'll need pantyliners...
If you don't use them, you're likely to leave a trail. Discharge at it's worst. There's just too much of it, though I'm assured it's normal both by the midwife and anyone willing to admit to having it...
Not that I'm admitting to it, obviously...

3)The baby kicking.
You'll look forward to it and then wish you hadn't. Between the hours of 9-5 is fine, but my baby seems to be a nightowl and prefers to get going at 11pm. I no longer know what it's like to go to sleep before midnight. Plus, when he keeps bashing the same spot, it hurts.

4)The peeing.
I don't remember what it's like to sleep through the night, either. I pee at least twice between the hours of midnight and 6am. Obviously I have to get up in the cold to do this.

5)People wanting to feel you up.
My belly might be big but it's not public property. Even people I barely know want a feel. GET OFF!

6)Shortness of breath.
I don't actually have to be doing anything to feel as though I've just come in from a 6 mile jog. The shortness of breath I experience is horrible! Am not anaemic though, and blood pressure is normal. It's just one of those miserable things.

7)Decent cravings.
I wanted to experience craving wierd and wonderful things and combinations. Know what I crave though? Apples. How boring.

8)A sudden interest in bodily fluids.
The doc seems to be forever wanting blood. And if that isn't bad enough, never in a million years did I expect to be walking down to each and every doctor's appointment with a sample of wee in my handbag. Can only keep my fingers crossed I don't have an accident.

I'm sure there are hundreds of other grotty truths! Maybe I'll be adding to this soon as I remember them!

Mince Pies

2009-12-16T15:05:00.004Z

Spent my afternoon making mince pies so have something good to eat. Have Christmas songs on the radio, dogs willing to wear tinsel round their necks, Christmas tree lights flashing, a husband on the way home, and a lunch date with said husband coming up on Friday where we will eat festive food!

Only thing missing is the snow promised to us by practically every weather report I have seen or heard within the last 24 hours. The only weather we have at the moment is of the rain variety - not much fun when 2 dogs need walking.

Mr Weatherman, were you playing with me?!

Christmas Books

2009-12-15T16:29:00.003Z

As a lover of books there are plenty on my Christmas list this year! Here are my latest choices from the best seller list!

1)Poor little bitch girl by Jackie Collins.
You know exactly what you're getting when you pick up a Jackie Collins novel - chic lit trash at it's best! This is the story of 3 twenty something women who are no doubt all after a life of glamour! Currently in hardback only but a bargain at £12 something!

2)Hard Girls by Martina Cole
Am absolutely desperate to get my hands on this novel! Martina Cole writes hard hitting novels about the criminal underworld. This one isn't for you if you dislike violence, but if it doesn't bother you and you're a Martina fan, you know her books can't be beaten!

3)The White Queen by Philippa Gregory
If you're looking to try something different, then please try Philippa Gregory. She's my latest discovery and writes a lot of historical novels. This book is set during the War of the Roses but please don't fall into the trap of believing historical means boring. I've been super shocked by some of the steamy content!!

4)Standing out by Katie Price.
I don't want to actually own this one - I don't for one minute want to look as bad as she does on occasions! I do want to flick through this though, just because I'm nosey...

5)Cheryl by Sean Smith.
The biography of the now X Factor star written by Sean Smith. According to the synopsis, the book covers her entire journey from the Popstars TV show to the present day. This one is available as a hardback for just over a tenner!
What's great about buying from Pickabook this Christmas is the various novels that are available as signed special additions! I noticed both the Jackie Collins and the Philippa Gregory books I've mentioned are on the list as signed and available...
Just click on the link below and search by author!

Alternatively, for more complete and utter bargains, try the book people below:

PS, who's your favourite author?

The tree is up!

2009-12-10T14:53:00.001Z

Just realised the star on the top is wonky though!

Lucy as normal would not get out of the way...

24 weeks and 5 days pregnant...

2009-12-03T14:29:00.002Z

I'm feeling pleased with myself because I've just this afternoon finished decorating the bathroom! Just the hallway and kitchen to think about now, along with whether we're going to repaint the baby's room. I guess buying a cot/pram etc is more important than adding colour though, and so far we've bought nothing!

We still have Christmas shopping to do as well. We did pick up a couple of bits and pieces in Burton last weekend but 5 more gifts still need buying! Cards need writing and things need wrapping. I can see this month running away from me...
I did think about putting the Christmas tree up next week but it means going in the garage and fighting the spiders. People around here seem to be decorating the outside of their houses already and I'm waiting for a dry early evening to take some pretty pictures when displays are lit up!

All my reality shows are coming to an end. I'd like Gino to win Celebrity and Chris and Ola to win Strictly. Who's your money on?!

23 weeks and 2 days pregnant... and Skegness!

2009-11-23T14:40:00.003Z

I might be getting bigger (rounder?!) but the last couple of weekends have been fab! Yesterday we went to Oxford to see my little sister who was full of wedding news and wanting to show off her bridesmaid dresses, whilst Alex talked Beetles and took J out for a ride in the loudest car I've ever heard.
The weekend before we took advantage of the good weather (for November, obviously!) and headed to Skegness!

The trip was a very last minute/spur of the moment decision, and one made because J thought it would only take an hour and a half to drive there and that we could have fish and chips by the sea for dinner!
In actual fact it took over 2 hours each way but we did get to sit by the sea, look around the tacky shops selling rock, and play the amusements as well as tuck into some hot food. There are TONS of 2p machines in the amusement arcades which I remember from holidays on the south coast during my childhood, and which brought back some happy memories when we played them.
It's probably not cool to admit it, but personally I loved Skegness and didn't want to come home! I could have easily spent a weekend there and also gone into the seal sanctuary for a visit!

Baby is kicking well now and it's getting painful! I no longer get to sleep before midnight because he likes to dance on my bladder between 10pm and 12am! I swear he can tell the time and does it deliberately!

21 weeks and 4 days pregnant... with a boy!

2009-11-11T13:51:00.003Z

So we've found out our new addition is going to be a boy! A boy is going to fit in so well with us. Depending on his interests when he grows up, I can do sport, and J can do computer games and cars. All areas are covered! If by chance the boy likes shopping, then J is far better at that than I am and can also take over on trips to buy whatever it is shoppers love to purchase. Personally I belong to the very rare group of females who find Saturday afternoons in the shopping centre just torture!

Now the year is ticking by, I've started fretting about Christmas again. We bought my sister's gift last weekend and some Christmas cards. Just everyone else to worry about now! So far this week though I have been out dog walking in freezing weather, rain, fog and wind so winter is well and truly on the way. I may not have been overly keen on moving to this village but it's so nice to live in a house which is warm despite Jack Frost visiting. Last year in the cottage no matter how high the heating was set, it was always freezing and sometimes I felt like crying I was so cold. This year, the heating comes on and the house is toasty in minutes. You can actually sit on the toilet seat here and not feel like you've sitting on ice!

Still no news on the America move to report... wouldn't be surprised if it takes 6 months for them to get back to us because they don't seem like the quickest of people!

Anyone reading the latest 'I'm a celebrity' news? Anyone have confirmation whether Katie Price is actually going to appear for a second time?! Fair play to her if she's going back into the jungle. You couldn't pay me enough to potentially sleep with deadly snakes, spiders and rats!

Chocolate for Christmas

2009-11-06T09:59:00.001Z

See the link just above this text? Well that is the link that's going to earn you a ton of brownie points this Christmas because what lady friend (or Mum for that matter!) is going to be able to resist posh chocolates on Christmas morning?!
Nobody needs to know you sat in the comfort of your own home ordering gifts rather than facing the battle that is Christmas on the High Street!
I'm not going to tell anyone!!

PS, does a trip down memory lane suit you and yours better?! Try here for sweets and chocs you've probably forgotten ever existed:

Wednesday. Tired and the belly hurts!

2009-10-28T13:47:00.003Z

A combination of chatting lateish into the night last night (half 11/midnight is very late for me!) and lying listening to the snoring going on next to me afterwards has left me feeling dog tired this afternoon. I've tried taking a nap twice today but haven't been able to sleep.
Napping is a sign of old age however. Maybe it's for the best I'm yet to master the art!

Speaking of old age, last weekend J had a birthday so for us Sunday was going out for lunch day, and with it being the first time we've been out in a long time due to baby sickness, it was all the more special! We only headed for a pub in Ashby but it was being out that was special. We're determined not to leave it so long before going out again!

People are begining to ask whether the baby is kicking yet but the honest answer is I don't know! I have something going on low down which could be a baby kicking... or it could be wind bubbling away! All I know is it hurts and the muscles are sore! How the heck am I supposed to know what I'm feeling when I've never done this before?!

PS, Congrats to Jenson for bringing the F1 title home for the Brits once again!

Making it work

2009-10-15T18:08:00.002Z

Thinking about this America thing. If we're waiting til the baby is born in late March/early April, then having to register the birth before we can apply for a passport, and having to apply for a passport before we can apply for a visa, how exactly is a trip abroad going to work for us any time before August or September of next year?

Relocation, Relocation, Relocation

2009-10-12T16:02:00.002Z

The alarm bleeped on at 3.30am this morning! The husband is across the pond for work again and I'm here hoping the week flies by!

This time next year though we might both be in America because last years job offer still hasn't gone away and the bosses higher up in the company have recently mentioned yet again that they would love J over there. Of course we have mixed feelings. Moving away is always an adventure, and moving so far makes it all the more exciting, but at the same time, the bigger the adventure, the more there is to go wrong and the scarier it is! I have no huge desire to move away from England again but short term I guess I could cope and when you think about it, if you never took a risk in life you wouldn't end up doing much with the time you're given, would you?!

Had 16 week midwife apt last week and all is fine. Heard baby's heartbeat good and strong even though I don't seem to have grown much in the past couple of weeks! I STILL have sickness on and off! If the old wives tales are to be belived this means I'm having a girl, though in 3 weeks time we get to find out for sure!

15 weeks and 3 days and Gordon Ramsey...

2009-09-29T12:48:00.003Z

I'm trying to ensure pregnancy doesn't stop me doing anything I should be doing or want to do but some mornings that's easier said than done. I am still so tired all the time! This morning I probably walked for an hour and a half and I just know by tonight my thighs are going to ache! Maternity jeans are on the way though - fingers crossed once they're here I'll no longer be huffing and puffing up the hill because clothes are too tight.

Last night we caught up with Gordon Ramsey's show Hell's Kitchen USA, a show I'd not seen in such a long time. I remember watching it in Fort Worth before we came home back in '06 but losing touch with it as we discovered UK soaps again.
Is it just me or are the contestants more useless this time around?! Gordon seemed to spend the 2 hours it was on air looking super red in the face as he bellowed how f***ing useless everyone in his kitchen was! He even fired 2 contestants mid service!
What I want to know though, is how Gordon manages to keep the heart attacks at bay? It surely can't do his body any good to be getting so stressed on a regular basis.

J might have been away some of last week but as it turned out I didn't get time to feel lonely. The best friend is back in contact and we spent 2 1/2 hours on the phone last Wednesday night catching up. It's made my month!!

The 'C' Word...

2009-09-21T08:36:00.002Z

I jumped the gun a little yesterday and started my Christmas shopping! I hadn't planned to be one of these very early birds but I found the perfect gift for K and picked it up whilst I had the chance. I hate shopping at the best of times so need to take advantage of these opportunities.
It was actually a weekend of shopping though most shops were of the B&Q, Wickes or Focus variety - not at all exciting.

Today the tree man was due to make our garden look pretty but he cancelled last minute, the only bonus to this being I'd pretty much done all the tidying of the house and garden before 8am ready for a visitor! Apart from dog walking and cooking a roast dinner I have the rest of the day free now to catch up on other non essential bits and bobs, like scoffing the mince pies we stocked up on yesterday...

Anyone watching Strictly this year? Who's your money on? I'm loving Ricky Groves but have taken an instant dislike to Jo Wood even though she's not even had her chance to dance yet. Is she even a celeb? I'd not heard of her before last weekend...

Monday Morning Blues

2009-09-14T08:11:00.002Z

Last week J was home on a break, and whilst it passed as slowly as it could have done, the time was so enjoyable the week still managed to fly by and just wasn't long enough.
It was almost dark when we got up this morning - a sharp reminder that winter is only around the corner and we have lots of cold and icy starts to get used to over the coming weeks.

Last Wednesday was the all important first scan for me :-) I'm currently 13 weeks and 2 days pregnant, have seen the scan pictures for proof there is an actual baby and I'm not just getting fat from too much food, and have told eveybody else who didn't already know yet would probably be interested in knowing.
I'm a bit concerned with how big I'm getting already though. None of my clothes fit any more and I'm wondering if this is normal for so early on?! I wouldn't mind but I've been eating normally and I'm still obviously getting exercise each day with the dogs. I know people say to enjoy the time and not to worry but for me, having a baby isn't an excuse for ending up the size of a small hippo by the end of 9 months. I don't want to put on any more weight than the average, and I don't want to stop exercising and being healthy either!

Catch me if you can

2009-08-24T07:11:00.003Z

Catch me if you can was on TV last night. J and I watched it when it first came out but there was nothing else on and it's a good film so we decided watching it would take care of our Sunday night viewing.
I LOVE the concept of this film. I know he was breaking the law and possibly putting lives in danger with his doctor fibs and such but I love that somebody could get away with so much purely through having a lot of intelligence and a lot of confidence. It made me wonder how often we're all taken in by somebody with enough nerve to blag a situation and how often we all blag it ourselves, even on a smaller scale.

It was a real moview weekend on the whole. Before Leo we watched Hauntings (or the hauntings?) which was okay although not that exciting, and Saturday I watched Splash which I never get tired of! I noticed cool runnings was also on but somehow I missed it!

Next weekend is the long bank holiday weekend. Can't wait for the extra lie in! Energy levels are still pants!!

Wednesday

2009-08-12T13:19:00.002Z

So Friday night we get a little surprise - the car was broken into! They took a sponge and a bottle of screenwash but left the CD's and anything else worth having untouched.
It's no wonder these petty crimes get committed however. The police said they would send a couple of support officers out but we didn't see anyone, and the only other help the police offered was a shiny crime number given to us over the phone for insurance reasons. Now I understand the police are busy people etc etc but how do they expect to catch criminals and charge them for committing crimes if everything is done over the phone? How much damage has to be done before the average citizen gets to see a police officer actually DO something to try and help?
The excuse we were given on an answerphone msg was there was no CCTV and no phorensic evidence to aid in catching anyone. Can only assume the policeman leaving the message has better psychic abilities than myself because I can say with 100% confidence that no one actually checked the car for any blood from the glass breaking or finger prints on door handles.

The missing best friend has been in touch and I received a text this morning so that's all good!

And Peter Andre's new single came out last Monday and I'm loving it! Don't forget his documentary on ITV2 next Monday!

Monday

2009-07-27T11:45:00.002Z

I can't remember using shampoo this morning. I remember getting in the shower, using conditioner, and even applying hair mousse once I'd dried off, but no matter how hard I try, I don't remember picking up the shampoo bottle. Tiredness does funny things to your mind, makes you doubt yourself, and from either double checking or making silly mistakes, causes everything to take twice as long.
My hair is limp this afternoon, but maybe that's from being caught in the rain - it doesn't have to be because I forgot to wash1

The weekend was good-ish. Lewis won the GP for the firs time this year, I got some extra compost for the rose, (which is still dying by the way!) and I didn't get too wet dog walking. We didn't end up seeing the little sis because I've got sea sickness and hours in the car is not fun when under the weather, but I hope to see her soon because I'm missing the family a lot at the minute.
Discovered a new good author over the weekend too. Rosie Harris has written a novel called 'sing for your supper' about the mining community in Wales and a young couple trying to escape it for a better life. I'm 200 pages in and loving her. :-)

Hot topics on the forum

2009-07-16T14:21:00.003Z

Okay so we're new! We hardly own any topics let alone hot ones! But here's the latest anyhow :)
Do join in if you fancy it!

GENERAL CHAT
Glad to be back! Link

9-5
Where do you work? Link

HOME AND FAMILY
Do you have a housework routine? Link

FOOD AND DRINK
Lemon cake! Link

HEALTH AND BEAUTY
Trapped nerve Link

SEX AND RELATIONSHIPS
Lingerie Link

ENTERTAINMENT CENTRAL
Are you following the Katie and Peter split? Link

MOVING UP IN THE WORLD!
How did the race for life go Rachael? Link

HOBBIES
Stitching Link

TRAVEL
Swine flu Link

THE PHOTO ALBUM
Lucy was 6 yesterday Link

Booking Through Thursday

2009-07-16T07:17:00.002Z

Do you keep all your unread books together, like books in a waiting room? Or are they scattered throughout your shelves, mingling like party-goers waiting for the host to come along?

I have too many unread books to be able to store them together. When we moved in 3 months ago I started unpacking them into the nightstand by the bed but once that was full I moved into some under bed storage boxes. After that I moved a ton of them downstairs for the bookshelves and dresser. Books are everywhere in our home though I am trying to read them then release them via bookcrossing! I would love to keep every book I've ever bought but I just don't have the space and since we've moved several times in the last few years it's always in the back of my mind that books are bulky and heavy and the less we have to move next time the better!

We don't exactly have any plans to move just yet but we're not 100% settled here either so who knows what the next year or so will bring! I just checked Rightmove again for Solihull houses for sale but there wasn't anything that caught my eye. Anyway, I'm going off topic. Buying houses wasn't the question, was it?!

Wednesday

2009-07-15T12:22:00.002Z

I'm completely and utterly exhausted! Staying away from pints of coffee is super difficult when you crave it but I'm trying to limit myself to no more than 2 mugs a day, and I've reduced my tea intake too, swapping that for water.
Tiredness hasn't stopped my painting though. I've been finishing off the walls on one of the rooms this morning. We're really making progress now both inside and in the garden. I need bedding plants next for the front flower beds but have no idea what I can actually plant this time of the year. J remembered we could buy bulbs quite cheap but I want something that will flower now!

I signed up for my fashion course yesterday so looking forward to getting started on that! The first assignment should be with me by the end of the week and Monday I'll be able to get going.

Dragons Den starts again tonight on BBC2. Am very much looking forward to seeing all the new inventions this season. Last night I watched 'Coast' on BBC2. Did you know you could see dinosaur footprints on the coast of the Isle of Wight? Up until last night I didn't either!

2009-07-14T10:06:00.000Z

Just Dance lyrics - Lady GaGa lyrics

Just Dance Video - Lady GaGa Music Videos

Music Videos by VideoCure

Cutting it out

2009-07-08T10:47:00.003Z

I'm trying to cut down my coffee intake but I'm struggling badly.
Without a mug of coffee every few hours I feel absolutely drained but I've noticed most days by late afternoon I'm beginning to feel very under the weather, very thirsty and a little bit sick and I think all these things are down to far too much caffeine running through my body.

I'm also cutting out friends who seem to not want to talk to me! I haven't exactly fallen out with my best friend, infact we haven't ever even shared a cross word, but when she got married 2 years ago the contact went right down, and since having a baby around 8 months ago I've barely heard a peep out of her. At first I figured she was super busy and super tired looking after a newborn but It's got to the point now where I've probably heard from her 3 times in the past year when she's sent the odd text but she doesn't seem to want to talk. I've even asked her if we could agree a time for me to 'phone and had no response back!
It's very sad but maybe she doesn't need me in her life anymore. I wonder if she's happy but if she wont talk to me there's little I can do to find out.

Wednesday

2009-07-01T17:21:00.003Z

Boy is it hot! It's gorgeous, except for night times when it's near impossible to sleep! I have bags under my eyes from this week but it's so much nicer to have a decent summer than not so you wont find me complaining just yet.
In fact there was enough complaining going on in the post office yesterday to use up the village's moaning quota this summer.
The English are never happy with their weather!

I have an evening to myself tonight, J's out at a work thing entertaining an American over from the US side of the company. I thought I'd watch the soaps and watch the final part of 'The Take' which is on at 9pm tonight. I'm still not complaining about the sun but it's too hot to do much else but sit here!

Life hasn't been very exciting this week so I don't have a lot to write. I think I'll sign off and make tea!

June Review

2009-06-30T11:45:00.001Z

5 things I've enjoyed...
1)Bowling! Gaining a new hobby and seeing all my friends again!
2)Martina Cole's 'The Take' on TV. Love her!
3)Walking the dogs in the sunshine... it makes a change!
4)Going to the car festival. I don't like cars but I did love spending time with J
5)BBQ's in the garden

5 little things I've achieved off the 'to do' list...
1)Getting LOADS of the painting done around here!
2)Getting around to deep conditioning my hair. Little thing but I've been meaning to do it for months!
3)Sending off for course details, something else I've been meaning to do for an age
4)Unpacking everything apart from 5 boxes which we still need some storage containers for. Woohoo!
5)Finally buying the dogs new name tags. I've crossed so many jobs off this month that I'm in fear of having nothing to do soon!!

5 things I want to do in July...
1)Finish decorating the main bathroom completely
2)Save my rose! Desperately don't want it to die!
3)Buy gardening gloves and get started on the weeds in the flower beds that don't look as though they've been cut back for years.
4)Pay for course and get started
5)Trip to Oxford to see little sisters house!

Monday

2009-06-29T10:51:00.000Z

We just had the best weekend we've had in a long time. We did nothing in particular but it was restful and fun at the same time. Saturday we went to Burton shopping and on Sunday we went to a car event in Gaydon, walked around in the sun for a couple of hours whilst J eyed up expensive cars, and then came home to cook a barbecue and enjoy the rest of the afternoon sunshine.
Also spoke to little sister and have arranged to see her next month.

This week I'm going to be on my own again for a bit. J's big boss is a bit of a car fan and therefore they go to a 2 day car event with their customers to butter them up each year! J's away Thursday and Friday night leaving me to watch the night coverage of the Big Brother house which I've not managed to do at all this year. I'm keeping my fingers crossed we have electric whilst he's away because for some reason the power goes off an awful lot around here. Thinking on the bright side though, the electric bill is probably going to be cheaper here since we don't have access to the power 24/7!

Did you catch the info about the 20p pieces? If yours doesn't have a date on it you could be in the money accordning to the papers this morning! Linky

Friday

2009-06-26T12:54:00.002Z

I think I joined everyone else in being shocked about the Michael Jackson news this morning. Love him or hate him there's no denying he's left us some pretty impressive music. I can remember dancing to thriller when I was very young; it was my Mum's LP and I'd put it on the record player most weekends. I also used to listen to Bucks Fizz and other cheesy songs, but even if I remembered the names to the rest of my old favourites I probably wouldn't admit to them they were that awful.
These days my Mum prefers Cliff Richards - I promise I never played his records! (Note: I might not like him all that much but he's still a star to continue to release records at however old he is!)

Waking up to news like todays is a shocking reminder that tomorrow isn't guaranteed for any of us. Most of us will get to see plenty more tomorrows but we should never take for granted that we've got ample time because who knows? The universe works in mysterious ways.

I've been advised my rose might not be on the way out just yet. I've been told to give it three months to see if it picks up before I confine it to the bin!

Help save my patio rose!

2009-06-22T08:36:00.001Z

Remember I said the girls from the shop bought me a rose?! Well look what I've done to it!! It's had 3 feeds in the last 11 days and the care guide says to keep the pot moist which I've been doing... yet the plant still looks to me to be dying!

Any advice? I desperately don't want to kill it!

Monday

2009-06-15T07:15:00.001Z

Every now and again the UK experiences a night that's just too hot to sleep through and last night was one of those nights. Probably 350 nights a year heating is more suited to our climate but now again you wonder why you have no air con and wish you did!
Instead of going back to the old routine refreshed after our break from work, we're exhausted and wishing for more time off to look forward to!

It was a great week off though. The DIY was shoved to the back burner and instead we shopped in Burton and Leicester, saw family and ate Easter Eggs, and experienced the highlight of the week - bowling!!

Somehow I reached the grand old age of 27 having never bowled before. It just didn't appeal to me but a group plus partners from the shop were going and I was so keen on seeing them that I swallowed down the dread at having to join in with a 'daft game' and dragged J back to Birmingham on Thursday night and boy am I so glad we went!
11 of us went and I finished 4th. I even got a strike! (Beginners luck admittedly!) We had such a laugh but then the shop group are like that. Being with them is so comfortable that you can't help but relax and have fun. I even forgave them for making me wear stupid shoes for the night!
It was absolutely fab seeing everyone again. For the first time ever I have a group of friends I love and who love me back. It doesn't get better than that!

2009-06-02T12:36:00.001Z

Music video deleted x

My top 5 books

2009-05-29T07:14:00.002Z

Since I've just completed the 50 book challenge I figured I'd post my top 5 books for summer reading!

1)Glamour by Louise Bagshawe.
This book is perfect for escaping into the lives of the rich and famous. The girls in here travel first class, are known all around the world, and only wear the best designer labels. The descriptions of the clothes will leave you green with envy!

2)The Return by Victoria Hislop
This is a tale of the Spanish civil war, and if you read Victoria's first book 'The Island' and loved it, you're not going to be at all disappointed by Victoria's second effort. I read this over the weekend and couldn't help but fall in love with the characters. The descriptions of Spain also help bring this book to life.

3)Faceless by Martina Cole
I turn to Martina Cole whenever I want excitement! Her books are mostly set in London and tell the stories of the underworld and the criminal activity that goes on there. Some of her descriptions of the violence are very graphic so if you're at all queezy at the thought of blood or violence, keep away because you'll be horrified!

4)Restoring Grace by Katie Fforde
Katie Fforde writes light hearted easy read feel good books. Any one of her titles would be perfect for beach reading because Katie believes in happy endings! Her characters may face a challenge or two but things always come right before you turn the last page!

5)The girl from Hockley by Kathleen Dayus
I was absolutely fascinated by this book because it's the biography of a woman who grew up in one of the poorer areas of Birmingham (UK) a little over 100 years ago. Kathleen was born in 1903 into condititons that saw her often go without food and forced her to share a bed with her brothers and sisters.
I think what fascinates me the most about this book is this could well have been our grandparents experience. We're not so far away from being born into this life ourselves yet look how much better we have it!

Why does nothing go right?!

2009-05-28T10:54:00.002Z

Boiler man finished his job yesterday and thank goodness - we have hot water!
What we also have though, is 15 holes in the once smooth bedroom wall that backs onto the cupboard where the boiler sits! Apparently there was a little error made with a drill...
Boiler man says he's coming back today to fix it... so where is he?!

May Review

2009-05-28T06:44:00.002Z

5 things I've enjoyed...
1)Exploring a new area and buying fun new things for the home
2)Playing with my new sewing machine and making cushions
3)Watching Jenson's GP success!
4)The first shower with hot water in 5 days
5)Reading Victoria Hislop's new book 'The Return'

5 things I've achieved...
1)I finally completed a stitch of Popcorn that I've been trying to finish for 2 years!
2)Cushions have been made for the dining room
3)Managed to find 1 new member for the forum! (oh well!)
4)Called Nan, also kept in touch with everyone important to me friends wise.
5)I've finally finished reading 50 books for the 50 book challenge! Was fun!

5 things I want to achieve in June...
1)Sign up for the dressmaking course I want to take
2)Get the new bedroom curtains up
3)Time out with J! We're having a week off together to do a bit of DIY and enjoy a few pub lunches!
4)New toilet seats for both downstairs and up!
5)Bake cake for Lucy's birthday. She's 6!!

On the road to hot water

2009-05-27T06:51:00.002Z

Boiler man came yesterday afternoon with an apprentice only known to me as 'The Boy.'
Boiler man takes no sugar in his tea and 'the boy' takes two, tea which they earned for working damned hard and doing all the prep work for today.

This morning they're due to fit the new boiler so by this afternoon I should be able to take time out and have a hot shower! I'm skipping the cold one this morning and keeping my fingers crossed all goes well. Yesterday's torture was just one cold wash too many! It sounds daft being the end of May but I'll be glad to have the option of some heating again too. The weekend was lovely but this week I've taken to using blankets and cuddling hot water bottles once again!

I hate being in the house when workmen are here because I have to keep an eye on the dogs to make sure they're safe and I just can't settle. I thought I'd finish making the dining room cushions whilst they're here and if I get bored of that, I've got Kerry Katona's biography here to finish. I didn't realise Kerry had such a rough childhood - it's no wonder she's been in a bit of a mess of late!

The next hiccup

2009-05-26T07:12:00.003Z

On Friday we got the boiler serviced, only to be told it was leaking carbon monoxide and needed to be turned off until the whole thing could be replaced. Since then, we've had no hot water and it wont be until tomorrow that we get any because of everyone downing tools for the bank holiday!

I've discovered that whilst cold showers might be good for your circulation, they are not for me! I've braved 3 so far and I tell you, nothing hurts more than standing under an ice cold flow whilst you try and ignore the brain freeze long enough to do a hair wash. I've got the experience to go through again later - as I type this I'm plucking up the courage to turn the shower on and dive under.
Boiler man is coming this afternoon to rip the old unit out and tomorrow to fit the new one.

In the end, we had a quiet and boring bank holiday. I did get out with the dogs but had they not 'offered' to go walking with me I would have stayed home for four days and stared at the back of the laptop whist J bashed away on his computer games. The only break he took was to eat or sleep and sometimes I wonder how long it would take him to notice I wasn't there if I went out...

Sewing is easy when you have help!

2009-05-19T13:46:00.002Z

My baby girl is fab when it comes to cutting the pattern!

They say things come in 3's

2009-05-18T07:59:00.003Z

Last week I wrote about breaking both my handbag and my watch. I just knew a third breakage was looming because the law of 3 usually applies to me!

This morning J left for work and I flicked the kettle on for a coffee before my day started. The kettle boiled, but instead of turning itself off as normal there was a huge pop and everything went very dark and quiet - the electric had gone off again but this time I'd caused it!
Reaching the fuse box involves a fair bit of climbing over sinks and clinging onto windows, but I managed to crawl along the work surfaces and put the switches up to get the power back.
The kettle however I'm sad to say, is well and truly dead! (And yes I did try to fix it!) I wouldn't mind but it's only a couple of weeks old!

Am now going to boil water on the hob for my drinks and will not touch another thing until I'm sure my bad luck has passed!

In the last 24 hours...

2009-05-15T12:11:00.002Z

1)I've broken my handbag. I pulled on the zip and it snapped in my hands.

2)I've broken my watch.
I noticed a little metal something on the floor in the kitchen a few days ago and without thinking anything of it put it in the bin. Then yesterday the entire strap broke as it was obviously missing a tiny screw and the side bit that holds it all togather.

3)My electricty went off from 7-12pm this morning. The boiler needs the electric to heat up the water so my shower this morning was cold! Not good when it's only 16C in the house and the heating wont work without the electric either!

4)My period finally came afer messing me around for 2 weeks with back pain, and now it hurts on my front, too.

5)There isn't a fifth thing as yet but I think 4 is enough for now!

The deaf librarian

2009-05-11T09:15:00.001Z

Librarian: How come you're registering? Are you new to the area?
Me: Yep, just moved over here from Solihull.
Librarian: Sutton? Ooooh I love Sutton
Me: Not Sutton, Solihull.
Librarian: What made you leave Sutton?
Me: I didn't, I left Solihull!
Librarian: I used to live in Sutton. Hated leaving it. Nice area is Sutton
Me: (Giving up) Yes, I think so too!

April Review

2009-05-07T08:59:00.001Z

5 things I've enjoyed...

1)Finally getting rid of a lot of boxes that we've been carting around for nearly 3 years
2)discovering the library and joining up!
3)discovering the Chinese takeaways are much nicer here than in the old village
4)Talking to Jo/Karen etc on the phone and knowing they haven't forgotten me
5)Following shoplifting Granny around Iceland (Except she might not have been shoplifting!)

5 things I've achieved...

1)I painted a room all by myself! Even did the ceiling!
2)Walking the dogs in a new area and not getting lost!
3)Organising my craft stuff... even though I still can't find a lot of it
4)Moving forum away from shite hosts!
5)I've now read 40 books so far this year for the 50 book challenge!

5 things I want to achieve in May...

1)Unpack any boxes that are still left to do.
2)Get our living room curtains up
3)Get deposit back from landlord, even if it means filing for court
4)Drink more water. I've been neglecting this in past few weeks
5)Find some more members for the forum. It's strange but in the last week it's started picking up a bit at last!

In the new house

2009-05-05T07:45:00.002Z

3 weeks ago today we moved into the new house and slowly but surely we're getting straight. The bathrooms and kitchen still need attention, and the garden's a bit of a mess but it's beginning to feel a little like home, especially since I joined the library last Friday! All I need now is a job and I'll be sorted!
The dogs are not keen on the new house because we have a cat that divides it's time between our front garden and our back one... and they don't like cats! On the walk I take them on there's also a black and white thing that last week raised it's back and hissed at us as we walked towards it. Benji started growling and lunging towards it but instead of the cat making a run for it as I thought it would, it paced towards us ready for a punch up! One of us needed to back down and it wasn't going to be the cat...

I have other battles to fight though. Sky decided to block our line and try and supply us with broadband even though we've never ordered it, and the landlord has decided he's keeping £60 of our deposit because the grass in the garden was too long. In the contract we signed it states the landlord is responsible for the maintenace of the garden so one way or another I'm getting the cash back! Nothing bugs me more than people thieving especially as we took care of the garden since they never bothered!

Over the weekend I had some exciting news - my little sister is getting married to the guy she's been with for the past 9 years! The wedding will probably be next year as she's the type that will insist on a big bash and the whole works. I've already started fretting over what I'm going to wear. I'm not good at shopping for these things :-)

Tuesday

2009-04-14T07:21:00.004Z

The cottage is just a shell now. The curtains are down and the rooms have an echo that wasn't there earlier. Boxes have been piled high and there's a threat of moving anytime from today onwards. Regardless, we've got a busy day ahead.

Landlord is coming to do a quick check on the house at lunch time, and Virgin Media man is coming to take the telly box away at 4. J's already sorted internet access at the new house so we shouldn't be without our much loved internet at all.

I need to see Karen too before I walk off with the shop keys! Since my leaving party I've seen the girls 3 times already but I'm so glad they pushed for a few drinks to say goodbye! I was determined I didn't want a fuss and only went out to meet K for 5 minutes. I thought she was on a date with a builder from Kitts Green but instead of Karen and builder from Kitts Green walking down the road, Mo was with her carrying big balloons that couldn't have been more obvious! Still I didn't twigg though. It was only when I went into the pub and saw Scouse Linda, Jo and Carol that I realised I'd been set up snd that my favourite friends were in on it!

They bought me some goodies and a rose to 'remember them by'. I'm only going 30 minutes up the road and have already made them promise to come and stay over for a boozy night but you'd think I was going to the other side of the world with the effort they went to.
I don't think I've ever fitted in anywhere as well as I have done here.

Forum is back!

2009-04-12T12:47:00.000Z

We are up and running again at the forum! I just wish I could say the same for home! We're surrounded by boxes and there's barely room to swing a cat! (Not that I have one or would swing one if I did?!) I have no idea where anything is anymore either. I started off with such good intentions but by this morning J's underwear (clean, I promise!) had made it into a box in the kitchen which had originally been home to breakfast cereal and (probably out of date) bags of flour.

I give up!

Join up at www.internationalgathering.co.uk/forum though and get yourself posting any old tat you can think of to say. The board needs bringing to life once again because I just couldn't be ar**d to transfer posts and all! As it was I ignored warnings all over the hosting pages and deleted/changed things I shouldn't have touched and had to fess up to the hosting support man. He's most likely grey already with the hassle I've caused him and couldn't have taken many more SOS emails being fired at him!

Monday

2009-03-30T07:19:00.002Z

Maybe it's because I'm tired, but I'm struggling with the amount of travelling J's doing at the moment. I feel lonely of an evening with only the dogs to talk to! This time around it's for 5 nights - we've done one and I've had enough already!
Because of the early flight we were up and out of bed around 3am on Sunday morning which with the clocks going forward felt to our bodies like 2am. I tried to sleep yesterday but didn't manage it until 11.30pm so I know I've not caught up on all that I need yet and that isn't helping.
I'll never know how others survive on less than 8 hours sleepy time a night. They say you can train your body to need less sleep but how?! How do you get past the mood swings and the bags under your eyes?

I need lots of energy at the moment to win the battle of the ants - the ant community started on me this morning and I think they've decided to come into the house from behind the washing machine. As soon as I woke, before even a cup of tea, I was killing them inside and putting ant powder down outside around the house. They're not staying in my house the horrible things!

March Review

2009-03-29T04:02:00.001Z

5 things I've enjoyed...
1)The sunshine and walking Benji! Lucy still pulls a bit so isn't as much fun to walk!
2)The start of The Apprentice and the start of the F1 season
3)Time off work with J to enjoy pub lunches!
4)Daffodils out in bloom. They're so pretty :-)
5)Work! As usual it's my favourite place to be!

5 things I've achieved...
1)I've now read 30 books for the 50 book challenge!
2)Benji's training is slowly turning him into a more confident dog :-)
3)Decluttering the house! Just a shame J is still determined to keep getting more stuff!
4)Completely redoing all the display shelves and window display in the shop all by my little self!
5)I'm drinking more water but my skin is still not too good. :-(

5 things I want to achieve in April...
1)Move house and unpack everything
2)Choose and buy the furniture and cushions etc we need for the new house
3)Decide what I'm gonna do about IG and the useless hosting people
4)Bake a cake!!
5)Clear skin

Booking Through Thursday

2009-03-22T08:58:00.002Z

(just a little late!)

“What’s the worst ‘best’ book you’ve ever read — the one everyone says is so great, but you can’t figure out why?”

This is an easy question for me because there's a book I've been picking up and putting down again for best part of a year, and I still struggle to understand what's going on or find any motivation to finish it! The book is Captain Corelli's Mandolin by Louis de Bernieres. Even my Mum who's not much of a reader has read it and loved it but I can't get through more than a chapter or two without being bored!

The main problem I've had with it is trying to get to know the characters. None of them speak to me or excite me enough for me to care about them!

2009-03-21T20:18:00.002Z

Music Video:

Music Video Code by Video Code Zone

Morning!

2009-03-21T09:05:00.002Z

I have the whole day and the whole night to myself with no plans - how cool is that?! I'm starting by putting an exercise video on in a minute, then I might do some housework to madonna, and then I might think about attacking some chocolate biscuits! The sun is shining and the dogs want a walk, too :-) It's the type of day where sitting in the garden or walking the dogs is very uplifting because everything looks so much brighter in the sun and the people around the village seem so much happier. I think today is also the first time all week I've woken up warm!

I just missed another call from the landlord who's beginning to pester us about moving out. Our tenancy runs until mid May but we told him we'd do our best to move out before then for his convenience, probably mid April. So why is that not enough?
Every weekend we're getting phone calls to see how things are going and I'm beginning to get a bit peeved. In the nicest way possible, where his Mum lives between selling her house and moving in here once we're gone isn't really my problem or concern! Why can she not move in with her son for a couple of weeks?

Friday

2009-03-20T08:14:00.002Z

I'm on my own again this weekend. J's in Scotland drinking too much as part of a stag do. Then they're doing boy stuff like quad biking and shooting.
I want to use the weekend to work as much as possible because once we move, I'll be giving up the shop full time as it's too far to travel. Having to give up the shop is the worst part of moving and the reason I didn't want to leave the village in the first place, but J was determined to shift us half an hour down the road in one direction or another and he's managed it!

I've made so many friends since we moved here that they'll be difficult to leave behind. I know we can arrange to meet up for an evening now and again but it's just not the same as being part of something every day and I'll be very lucky to find such a large group of people that I love so much in our new village.
I AM looking forward to having our own home again and being able to unpack boxes and decorate as we please, but the whole moving experience is a bit tarnished by the fact that the new village isn't really where I want to be.

Mothers day idea

2009-03-19T08:16:00.003Z

You'll have to be quick on this one (like today at the latest!) as it's mail order and relies on our good old postal service!

A Quarter of is an online sweet shop specialising in sweets from times gone by which we all remember from childhood but can't buy any more, especially now Woolies has closed down! The prices aren't exactly as I remember them... the penny sweets are no longer available but they taste the same!

Have a look at the link below and enjoy browsing :-)

Monday

2009-03-09T09:11:00.001Z

Chilli should never go on top of a roast chicken when you're having Yorkshire puds and gravy.

Wednesday!

2009-03-04T20:59:00.002Z

So far so good on the house front. It all seems to be going ahead and so already I've started decluttering and packing things we aren't going to need for a while. I know I'm probably doing this a month earlier than I need to but I'm dreading the move and want to take as much pressure off myself as I can!
Originally I didn't think we had all that much stuff to worry about but as I've gone through things I've realised we have way more than I thought. J keeps buying CDs at a crazy rate and aside from moving them, I'm also wondering where they're going to be stored in our new house. They definitely don't make CD racks big enough to hold the hundreds he has and even if they did, where are they going to fit?!

J's in Germany until tomorrow so aside from the decluttering mission I've also been working longer hours and reading lots of celeb magazines to pass the time. I've been reading about Jade Goody and feel so sad for her with all that she's going through. Love her or hate her, nobody deserves to suffer as she is suffering now at such a young age.
I'm really hoping she gets her miracle and gets better...

February Review...

2009-02-27T09:27:00.002Z

5 things I've enjoyed...

1)The snow at the start of the month!
2)Strictly come dancing. I'm so pleased I went and got the chance to meet Lyndsay. We all had the best night!
3)Making banoffee pie for the first time (then eating most of it myself, haahaa!)
4)Going out for a meal with J and having a happy Valentines day
5)Work! What am I going to do when I have to give it up?!

5 things I've achieved...

1)Finding a house to buy with J... at last!!
2)Keeping up with my exercise plan. I can see my thighs shrinking I'm sure!
3)Drinking more water and having my skin thank me for it.
4)My total for the 50 book challenge is now 18 books read so far this year
5)I've made 6 Christmas cards for next year too!

5 things I want to achieve in March...

1)Decluttering ready for the move
2)Start toning my butt!
3)Cook with chocolate some more and share my creations with friends :-)
4)Get my inbox down to nearly empty. I have too much junk saved!
5)Go to my sister's for the evening

Monday!

2009-02-23T08:14:00.002Z

I'm super tired this morning and very much looking forward to the couple of days off at Easter. I know it's a long way off but I look forward to it all the same. I've not been sleeping too well and early starts don't mesh with late nights! I slept in over the weekend but still fell asleep on the sofa yesterday afternoon.

We spent most of the weekend furniture shopping for the new house! I would have been happy to wait a couple of months to do this because we haven't even had our offer confirmed in writing as being accepted yet but J has been getting himself excited and is keen to decide on what we're having to make the place our own. For the past 2 1/2 years we've been living out of boxes! We always planned to move quicker than we've managed so didn't see the point in buying furniture straight away and then having to hire a bigger van to move it.

Tomorrow is pancake day! We've bought all the stuff to make them and will have fun tossing them tomorrow night but I don't actually like the things so am going to leave the eating down to J and the dogs!

We're on the move!

2009-02-19T08:40:00.002Z

We've had an offer accepted on a house! It's the place we nicknamed 'The Curry House' and it needs a bit of work to get it looking nice but I'm quite keen to be choosing paint and new bathrooms and such! We've got a second viewing booked tonight to get a rough idea of what needs doing and I'm dead excited to be finally getting out of this freezing cold cottage! Because the new house isn't very old it's going to be a very warm winter for us next year. I don't deal with being cold very well and living here through all the snow has been torture. A hot water bottle only heats you up so much and the heating barely does a thing it's so draughty in here. One of my penpals has already announced she'll only be half an hour away and can come for a visit, and Lyndsay lives a couple of miles down the road so I think I'll be really happy in the new area.

Lyndsay came with us to Strictly Come Dancing on Tuesday and we had an absolutely brilliant time! The costumes are so much brighter and sparkly in real life and the dancers seem smaller! Vincent seemed tiny! We were only 5 or 6 rows back from the front, right in the centre of the arena so we had really good seats and a clear view of everything. Kate Thornton presented and looked beautiful as always.
We're trying to decide what to see next! We've been bitten by the bug!

Tuesday

2009-02-17T08:20:00.005Z

My landlord's Mother has announced she 'might quite like to live here' after seeing the cottage from the outside, so when the landlord finally came around for the property check last night, he confessed he may not be renewing the tenancy. We knew something was going on because he's not the type to bother us as long as the rent is paid on time, and I think he originally requested the place was empty during the check so his Mother could have a mooch around and decide what she wanted to do before P had to confess he might be booting us out!
In one way it's no big deal. P can be flexible with moving out dates and we have serveral options on the home buying front so maybe it's even a blessing in disguise. I don't actually like this current house all that much but at the same time there are plenty of memories in it, I love the village it sits in, and I'll be very sad to lock the front door for the last time!

Tonight is the night of Strictly Come Dancing! We've waited an entire year for this to come around so it had better be good! M is picking me up around six and then J is playing cab driver for the journey home. I think there are about 4 other people going with us that I've never met, although I know one of them is Lyndsay and another is her dance partner.
It should be a really good night!

Thursday

2009-02-12T08:48:00.002Z

I think we're going to hold off on buying the fire house for the simple reason it might be difficult to sell on if we need to in the near future. Locals all know it as the house that their neighbour passed in and I'm really not comfortable with the thought that I might be known in the village as the girl that lives in 'that house'.
There is another property in the village that isn't quite as nice and needs a bit of work but we're trying to negotiate with the sellers of that at the moment. J and I have affectionally nicknamed it 'The curry house' because somebody was cooking curry for lunch when we looked around on Saturday. I saw a blob of sauce dripping down the oven as I walked by though and was desperate to wipe it up!
Whether we agree on a price or not we may go and see some more houses on Saturday just to be sure we're sure. There aren't a lot of places to choose from in that particular village so our options are limited if we want to live there.

Wherever we end up living I'm very much looking forward to making the house our own and working hard to pay the mortgage off as quickly as possible. it will be the first house J and I have chosen together so a proper family home at last!

Spooked

2009-02-10T09:11:00.001Z

Oh my goodness! We found a house we really liked on Saturday and yesterday we agreed a price with the seller. The house had been refurbished which we were told needed doing after a lady fell asleep with a cigarette and caused some fire damage but neither of us thought too much of it at the time since accidents happen!
I don't know what made J google the house but he did last night, and it turns out a lady in her 30's dropped the ciggy in her bedroom, the house went up in flames and sadly she didn't survive the fire! Since the entire house has been redone (even the kitchen has been refitted!) I'm thinking the fire was quite a severe one...
The accident happened a little over a year ago, the partner of the woman has never moved back into the house, and it's now falling into place why the neighbours in the street were looking at us funny. They were probably trying to figure out what we knew! Aside from the spookiness of such a horrible accidental death happening so recently, I don't think I could cope with prying neighbours all trying to work out whether we know the history of the house and whether it bothers us.

I can cope with people having died in a property, it's the fire and the event within the community that I'm not sure I'm comfortable with. I don't want to be the one that bought 'that house', even if the stigma doesn't last too long...

I think we're going to pull out of the sale!!

Todd Carty is booted off!

2009-02-09T07:36:00.002Z

Despite trying so hard to learn to skate Todd Carty was finally booted off Dancing on Ice last night, though in fairness it was time for him to go! Here's his final dance,

and here's how it should be done!:

Snow day

2009-02-05T11:59:00.002Z

I have a day off because of the snow today. I'm actually able to don on my trainers and jeans and make my way onto the High street but since the customers are less willing to venture out and spend their hard earned cash on stuff that can more than likely wait til the better weather, I've been told I may as well stay home and clean!
It's snowing right now and I'm hoping J will be keeping an eye on the weather and come home if it gets too much worse. I have jobs here for him to do (that he doesn't know about!) so I know for sure he wouldn't be bored!

Still not heard back from the landlord about the inspection. We're worried he'll just turn up and think nothing of letting the dogs outside because if he does and I'm not here, chances are they'll run off and with a busy road running past our house and the snow coming down we probably wouldn't get them back. The landlords wife is an odd lady and it's her that's refusing to answer her phone and arrange a time to come over. I don't understand why she wrote a letter to us asking us to call if she isn't wanting to talk to us!

I hate strange snobbish people... upfront and to the point works so much better for me!

Herbie

2009-02-05T09:36:00.001Z

This is Herbie who's nearly 10 weeks old! How cute is he?!

January...

2009-02-03T15:33:00.001Z

5 things I've enjoyed...
1)My relationship with J. It's been a happy time this month with a lot of fun, laughter and passion. We celebrated our 5th wedding anniversary and right now we're stronger than ever!
2)A break from the pressure at New Year. It was fab going for pub lunches and sleeping in on cold mornings.
3)Reality TV! Celebrity Big Brother and Dancing on Ice - my guilty pleasures!
4)Looking at houses! This is going to be the year we find somewhere nice to buy! I can feel it!
5)Finding out I'm an auntie to my sister's new rabbit, lol!

5 things I've achieved...
1)A higher level of fitness. I'm working on toning up and building up stamina and I've worked hard!
2)Making progress with my stitching. I'm working on a Venice chart from Cross stitch gold magazine and have done a fair bit
3)I've read 13 books for the 50 book challenge!
4)I've cleaned cleaned cleaned! The house is spotless at the moment!
5)Staying calm... even when I've got PMT!

5 things I want to achieve in February...
1)Eat more fruit! I never buy any and only ever eat the dried stuff that comes out of a cereal packet!
2)Eat dinner at the dinner table more often. No more TV meals!
3)Find us a home at last
4)Get back into knitting
5)Start doing the thigh workout on the forum (Link on the right!)

Monday!

2009-02-02T08:35:00.002Z

Since I've sort of adopted Todd Carty from Sunday's Dancing on ice competition I figured I'd post the video of his latest efforts! Apart from the daft 'swimming on the ice' move I'm pretty impressed! He's trying so hard to stand upright and improve that I can't help but support him! Todd to win!!

Thursday

2009-01-29T16:52:00.002Z

All I've done today is clean! I've dusted, bleached and washed both here and in the shop. I got a little peeved at my manager today. She sat in the corner doing pretty much bog all whilst I constantly ran back and forth to help customers and do her cleaning.
I never expect any recognition or thanks. I put the hours in because I love it and I want the charity to make money. Whatever needs doing I'm happy to do.
I do have one condition though - I expect my manager to work just as hard as I do as a volunteer. Otherwise, the laugh is on me, isnt it?!

Anyway...

I'm done for the day now! I have soaps to watch and Paris Hilton is on TV tonight with her new reality show. I don't actually like Paris Hilton and I wasn't going to watch her, but since J's here and I haven't been able to find anything else on I might tune in!
Last night I watched Bridget Jones 2 (again!) which I'm sure I only saw a couple of months back when J was away again. You can't help but love some of the one liners she comes out with!

Visit from the landlord...

2009-01-28T17:27:00.002Z

Today we got a letter from the landlord saying he wants to do a property check. In the letter he asks us to call and give him a time when the house will be empty so he can let himself in. This seemed a little wierd to me - why is it such a big deal that we're out?! I understand that it's best the dogs aren't here but there's no way I'm letting him mooch around on his own, how do I know he wont nick my chocolate from the fridge or pinch himself a pair of my frilly knickers?!
J tells me not to fret about such things and that he'll sort it but fretting is what I do best! I'm a recluse... unless people are very close friends or family I hate visitors anyway!

J flies home tomorrow, getting into Birmingham around 7am Friday morning. I've missed him so much this week! I know he only went on Monday but it feels longer than that. West Hartford have snow at the moment and I worry about him driving in it to get to his various meetings and things. I'm looking forward to having him home and hope to relax with him on Friday once I've taken the dogs for a walk. I have the day off to catch up on the soaps with him, and then at the weekend with a bit of luck we'll get to view a couple of houses and find something we love! (Not that we've booked to view anything just yet!)

I'd be the size of a house...

2009-01-27T15:05:00.003Z

I really don't think I could live alone because I lack a lot of self control and would end up eating far too many bad things! If I go one way home from work I can completely avoid any temptations but if I go the other way, I pass Tesco with very tempting cream cakes inside! I've managed to stay strong so far this week but I have another 2 days to go before J comes home and another two times I must say no to the cream doughnuts!!
The only thing stopping me from indulging is the size of my thighs. I think I'm looking a tad more toned these days and so I have no intention of undoing the hard work I've put in since the beginning of the year.

I'm so motivated this year for making some positive changes! Even little things are making a big difference to my positivity and happiness. My PMT has even been better! Karen remarked that I was maybe a little quieter than normal but definitely not snapping like I usually do... though I didn't ever realise I had snapped!
So anyway, this year feels like it's started right on track and I'm determined I'm going to keep it that way!