suzannes tribe

2012-02-15T23:10:00.001-08:00

Part of February's to-do list is to convert the study into a therapy room. Unfortunately the study has been used as a dumping ground in recent times, so we are looking at a major job! The desk needs to be moved into the den - which in itself needs a clean out - and every drawer and box needs going through! Not an overnight job. Then fill in holes, repaint walls and fireplace and decorate. All by the weekend? No sweat! Also have some crafting and furniture updating desperately need doing. Have I ever mentioned there's really not enough hours in the day?!

Also, Ella's social worker has visited, been to Anna's for a coffee and Ella coped really well at Kids Club. Today may be SAT result day from Josh, everything crossed. And usual stuff with kids and life.

Funny tale about my adorable God-Daughter ......... reciting the alphabet with Orla in the bath (as you do)...O: "A..B..C.....M...N... O, that's me Mummy, P..." Me:"Q...what comes after Q?" O: "arse" Me: "pardon?" O: "arse...T"...:0) I think maybe they've been saying it a bit quick at school! LMAO!

2012-02-11T02:54:00.000-08:00

Yours truly receiving the Governor Award for Outstanding Service - not often I brag about myself - usually the kids! Well chuffed, and whoever did the write up - Mirielle was it you? - it was lovely, thank you sooo much! See you later for that cuppa. Off to the kitchen in a bit to make some cupcakes for us :) Have to leave it quite late to bake them, or the kids will eat them all before you come round LOL

What else? Joshua's and Ben's football matches are cancelled this weekend, frozen pitches. Jeff's a bit disappointed as it's his weekend off.

Had a wee windfall yesterday, not much, but enough to be able to treat myself to a couple of bits from Cath Kidston and Amazon. And got the most gorgeous bowl glass bowl from Cargo - pictures once I've done the sweetie bar for my girlfriends :)

Jeff's off to a computer fair tomorrow, Ella's got a party to go to tonight, Jeff's got a works night out tonight. Me? I'm off to 2 wedding fairs tomorrow, work related, and got some DVD's to rent! What an exciting life I lead *resigned smilie* Josh was talking about some all night party his friend had been to in London. That used to be me!!!! Now I get to watch chick flicks on a Saturday night ... sigh....

2012-02-09T16:41:00.000-08:00

You know, even if snow isn't your thing, you can't deny there's something magical about snow falling at night. Makes me feel all warm inside!

In other news .....looks like Joshua will be going to USAO! Wow! So proud, and so happy for him.

2012-02-06T03:28:00.000-08:00

Books for January - who'd of guessed I would read these sort of books! Not going to make a habit of it trust me, but they were okay. Not as gruesome as I thought and didn't really grip me, not like some that I read from start to finish without putting down, literally. Me and 5am bookreading is not unheard of!

So this week hasn't been the best. Found out the teaching apprentices I've been doing for the last 4 years is finishing and someone else will be teaching them after Easter. I get the financial implications, but after 4 years service it would have been nice to have been told, not to have had to ask. Nuff said, lots more thoughts!

Been on a safegaurding course, and helped out down at the school with my Governor hat on - health and safety and admissions. Can never be accused of being lazy!

Should have had a fun weekend. Ella had 3 hours with her carer - then MJ's crop - then a trip to the NEC Spring Fair. Instead I have been knocked sideways by some nasty virus that is really not funny :(

On a plus though it has meant, when I've not been sleeping, or curled up with a headache, I have been doing a lot of researching 'stuff' on the internet. So that's good.

Oh, and I had a couple of perfect hours at Starbucks with my lovely friend Ariane, who also sent me an equally lovely email - lucky to count her as a friend :) In fact my friends are being the best atm and I love you all! Looking forward to the 24th! Before that though we have Ella's social worker, Joshua's SAT results and Joe's outcome. Thank God for Benjamin at the moment LOL It did hit me though, if Ben follows Joshua's footsteps, in only 18 months we'll be down to only 3 peoples permanently in the house - how weird is that going to be????

Back to bed, have a good one, enjoy the snow - or not maybe? x

January Round Up

2012-01-31T04:48:00.000-08:00

January - Finish writing my book

Attend award ceremony for being such a hard working governor!

Write cards for the first quarter, address and stamp

File system for governor paperwork

Paperwork for head teacher job pack

Update CV

New job

Scheme of Work x 2

Lesson plans spring term

Scan and dispose of teaching paperwork

This was my complete list, just didn't add them all on Jan 1st post. So, not bad, plus also sorted out DLA, CA and have raked up over 25 governor hours sorting out stuff for new head!

New job is taking hours of searching for jobs, then hours more completing application forms just right to meet the Person Spec's, and so far no luck.

Many hours spent with Joshua studying for his SAT.

Several days spent supporting a friend.

Lots of walking, I love walking in woods, so Swinley Forest is becoming a popular spot.

Book is now well on the way, didn't quite make January, but I reckon by half term - February not October LOL

Websites and new ventures are also being worked on.

Sleep? Highly overrated LOL

Balance(2009) - Gratitude(2010) - Family(2011) - Faith(2012)

2012-01-29T03:40:00.000-08:00

South Hill Park - out walking

Difficult couple of days. Even Jeff suggested we just sell up and run away! Anyhow, Ella is back at school, albeit full of cold. Josh took his SAT yesterday, reckons parts were dead easy, and some were really hard, so hopefully he'll end up with an average score. Briefly saw Dad and Sandra when we collected Josh :) And that's about it. Now back to story writing and web building and essay writing and another web building. And Ella wants to bake - although she's in such a difficult mood I can't see that happening! And as it's Sunday I suppose I ought to do the weekly stuff too! Laterz xx

SHP again - I love walking amongst nature :)

New Ventures

2012-01-25T03:50:00.000-08:00

Where to start? I don't know if I am coming or going at the moment. I'm getting even less sleep than I do normally - and considering I don't sleep much anyway, that's a serious lack of sleep!

So, Saturday nights party to celebrate a young man was a lovely evening. You all know what I feel about some police people? Got to say I was sort of pleasantly surprised, and good to see no nightmare miscarriage of justice occured. Jeff and I left about 10 as Ella was sleepy. Ben stayed and apparently crashed out about 6am - yes, exactly, there's no way I would have managed that! Sunday picked up the £1.00 ebay bargain table - can't wait to do it up. Ben had a football match and somehow managed to play the whole game without embarassing himself too much!

Joe was off tag all weekend. Pleased for him as he's been on it since the beginning of September, but come on he's only just bunked an entire night on new years eve and been hauled in front of the judge for that (earlier post). Then the other day he came home 45 minutes late. So the tag beeps to confirm he's back home. Police need to issue a warning, fair enough he was late, but did they have to come round at 1.30 in the morning - seriously! - and wake the whole house up? I would suggest not. I digress (I know, I know), so he's abused the system twice this month, and yet when he asks for a weekend off he's allowed. Honestly, I don't get it.

Josh has had to turn down a couple of Uni's in California - even with the scholarship, the price was too prohibitive. He's now got 2 more, one in Georgia, and one in NYS. So exciting. He's at Dad and Sandra's this week studying up for his SAT test on Saturday. Everything crossed, and prayers winging their way.

Ella's been under the weather - headache and a cold. But she's also had a couple of hospital appointments that I didn't want to cancel, so had to drag her around to them. Now has custom made insoles to try and help straighten her feet, and prevent her ending up permanently in a wheelchair. And with a shrink, who agreed with me that Ella's fine at the moment, so why rake about in her mind and stir things up from pre-adoption that doesn't need excavating and she wouldn't know what to do with.

Been frantically trying to complete the book as my target was to complete it by the end of January, but keep getting distracted, but I still reckon it's possible. Then need to persuade a few peeps and teens to proof read it for me.

Only 3 more weeks of teaching and then at least 9 weeks off (and that's if there's any teaching after Easter). So during that time I am going to be cleaning, decorating, altering, creating and basically working my socks off to get Spirit-Mind-Body back on track, and I can't wait.

And if all of that isn't enough, I have another huge idea hatching, so am also trying to incorporate the planning for that into my day. So looks like 4 hours sleep is the way forward for a while yet!

2012-01-21T01:16:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was a lovely, easy day. Jeff was off and the backdated DLA meant we were able to go to Costco and get some essentials. Went to Niki's and got my hair cut and coloured. In the evening Vicki came over to spend time with Ella so Jeff and I got a date night! We went to see Sherlock Holmes 2, it was fab :)

No grey! But if you look close there's a couple of colours in there!

A rare photo of the two of us :)

In other news ......

work involved for a governing body to recruit a new Head is huge!
sometimes it is not fun to be Chair of Admissions on same governing body - your heart sadly cannot rule your head;
application form to Reading College has gone off. Long gone are the CV days, now an good application takes hours..and hours...to complete;
quiet week for the kids .....ssshhhhhh, I really shouldn't have said that should I? LOL

Ben's idea of a sandwich!!!!!!

The week has been pretty intensive - but mostly governor and stroppy Ella related! Bring on the weekend - party tonight :)

The best news :)

2012-01-16T15:30:00.000-08:00

I have a collage on the kitchen wall (well, 2 actually) and this photo fell out of it the other day. Seemed as good as any photo to include in todays post.

Boxing day 1984 - was I ever that slim? Yes. Will I ever be that slim again? Highly unlikely!!

So the school finally got their finger out and the DLA have advised that Ella's claim has been renewed and will be backdated - which is handy seeing as we were about to have to go begging for food! I kid you not. Tomorrow I can sort out the CA and that will be back dated too.

Josh is studying hard for his SAT's. Ben is still doing well at college. Ella is as adorable and as tiring as ever! And Joe? Well Joe has decided to plead guilty and it looks like he'll be spending a few months at Her Majesty's Pleasure. Much as I have no sympathy for him - do the crime, take the time - as a Mum my heart is breaking for him, as I think realisation has finally dawned that he has, for the foreseeable future, screwed up his life :(

Have applied for more jobs, but considering seriously whether a full-time job is financially worth it, and if it's what I want. I can feel myself being pulled to the holistic healing more and more. Second-hand telephone table and tri-fold table bought - total of £5 - gotta love ebay! Photos to follow. Plan to redecorate them for the studio. Very excited :) Have been brain-storming with Anna tonight and have loads of thoughts to extend the basic idea.

Last Friday Joe had some mates over - I am positive he asked if 2 could come over - not 12! Long story short ... long night. Jeff on earlies but woken up at 1.30 along with Ella because some stroppy little girl was banging on our front door as she was drunk and looking for her fella - I think. Got about 2 hours sleep and was really not happy. In kitchen in the morning found a bunch of a dozen roses. They had all clubbed together and bought them for me as an apology. That's hitting below the belt, how can I be angry with them now?!

Governor stuff manic atm with the recruitment of a new headteacher!

Reading madly. Will update at the end of the month with a rundown.

Little tea party today for Martha's 5th birthday - where have those 5 years gone!!

And the best news? Well, I can't actually share that, it's not mine to share, but trust me when I say that a family I love has been put through hell the last year, and it's all over :)

2012-01-09T03:33:00.000-08:00

Last Friday I was transported back 30 years to the sort of life I used to lead - if only for 2 hours. My life consisted of hanging around at gigs listening to my then boyfriend/fiances band - Oh God, I suppose I was a groupie LOL. They were actually a pretty talented bunch. The lead guitarist, Roger Lewis, died 4 years ago and so the band his son is now in did a small gig in a local pub. Roger was an amazing guitarist, one of the many people that never get spotted, and a larger than life character. I wanted to go, but Jeff was on lates, so my lovely ex - the amazing bass player Kezzy - took me along. The photos are from a bit of jamming. So what's changed. Well, apart from my weight (least said the better), and the fact you can't smoke - anything ;) - in the pub, not a lot. Oh, except I felt old!

2012-01-05T08:33:00.000-08:00

Just because I love woods and trees :)

So firstly thanks go to Joe for introducing me to another 9 of Bracknell's finest the past few days. I swear he hasn't got the brain cells he was born with. But the system doesn't help. He skipped bail New Years Eve. Never came home - remember he should be in between 8pm and 5am? So, they haul him in front of a judge, who says 'there's a naughty boy, don't do it again.' Cos that really teaches him doesn't it *insert rolling eyes*

Ben and Ella are back at college and school.

Josh is studying hard for his SAT! And so am I LOL

I've applied for 5 jobs so far this week, looks like I won't be at the college after Easter, so need something to help pay the bills.

DLA still not sorted, so food parcels gratefully received LOL

Have written all cards for Jan-Feb-March except for 2, go me!!!

Tomorrow is Epiphany so all the decs need to come down; meeting a student; crafting; clearing. With blitzing the study for the renovation, job hunting and major Governor stuff going on atm, I think the next few months are going to go by in a blur.

2012-01-01T13:56:00.000-08:00

2012 and my word is FAITH. Faith in the family, our future, and help with my own faith as I feel it has been eroded the past couple of years.

My plans for this year, at least but not restricted to:

January - Finish writing my book

Attend award ceremony for being such a hard workinggovernor!

February – Transform study into treatment/studio room

March- attend first local SMB as an exhibitor

Learn Indian Head Massage and Reflexology

April – Attend Spring Fayre at NEC

Jeff's invention

June - Ben will hopefully go to Franceto see Robert and the family

Holidays – This could be another nofamily holiday year, but Jeff will be going to America to help Joshua settle in

October – Center Parcs with my dearestfriends

Learn how to make hand and body lotions

Spend more time enjoying the garden

Have a date night once a month with Jeff
Joe’s CICA appeal – maybe finally complete it
See everyone I love even more than I did this year

Foster

Health – here’s hoping for another relativelyhealthy year

And ... as usual ... lose weight andexercise more ... blog ... read ...craft ...

Review of 2011 - The Good, Bad and Ugly!

2011-12-31T11:45:00.000-08:00

The Good........
Jeff and Joshua went on holiday to America for the first time with Dad and Sandra,
Joshua is off to America on a soccer scholarship.
Benjamin did okay with his GCSE's and has stayed on for sixth form.
Benjamin went to France to see Robert, Jane and family.
Ella has got a lovely carer 6 hours a month :)
I have loved being at home, decorating the house, trying new recipes, crafting, altering, etc.....
Annual Center Parcs with my dearest friends.
Went to the lovely Creative Heart and Soul weekend.
Did Reiki Level 1 and 2; Hopi Ear Candling; and an Angel course.
Jeff and his brother talking again.

The Bad.......
Money, cos I'm at home so much (equal and opposite reaction!)- but then who isn't struggling at the moment.
Joshua's American uni has cost 2k already.
Ella's school didn't complete her DLA report in time and so the DLA and CA have stopped!
Joe's CICA claim is still ongoing - no wonder the governments (no specific party) have no money - this has taken nearly 3 years so far!
SS wasting 18 months of our life to tell us that they think Ella isn't ready to foster - this despite not having met her once in that 18 months!

The Ugly.....
Well, has to be the nightmare we went through at the beginning of the year with the school and social services.
Ella's first major fit.
Joshua's suspected heart attack.
Me trying to slice my toe off.
Horsefly bite that put me out of action for over a week.

2011-12-30T02:25:00.000-08:00

Jeff and Ella making and decorating the gingerbread house. Well, Jeff did the building work and Ella did the prettyfying! Oops, gender specific roles there LOL And ironically enough she doesn't even like gingerbread - but made up for it with the sweeties!

Dad and Sandra came up on the 27th, with our Christmas presents. This bag was my present. Sandra had seen it in Roma when they were there a few weeks ago and thought it was so me. I would so have to agree! I couldn't stop grinning, picking it up and stroking it, bit sad really LOLWednesday Jeff and I went for another walk around Swinley Forest, without Ella this time. It's amazing how much further one can walk without Ella!
Thursday we had to take Ella to John Radcliffe for a check up. Her EEG result is ok, no deterioration in the epilespy, so that's good :) They also gave her an ECG just to check the drop fits hadn't been misdiagnosed. ECG was fine :) They would though like us to film her drops. Easier said than done! Took Ella to Pizza Hut afterwards for a treat. Last night watched Little Shop of Horrors. I love that film! Will never forget when I saw the live show and the ending was different - was most unimpressed!
DWP phoned and confirmed they can't recommence the DLA and CA until the school have 'done their bit.' With this is mind, you can imagine how blue the air was when we found out the phone bill was £150 .......for one month!! Mobile calls now barred.
Today Joshua is 19, dear Lord, my kids are getting old!

2011-12-27T12:09:00.000-08:00

Have had a relaxing Christmas. Seen Mum - Dad and Sandra - Ricki and Kim - Daniel and Shona. Had Christmas lunch at home. Went to Church and the Crematorium. Jeff had time off work. Been for walks. Had friends round. Jeff and I didn't buy each other any presents, money's too tight atm, but when we have a few pennies (ie have paid Mum and Dad back the 2k and the DLA is sorted out!) then I would like a better kitchen mixer and Jeff needs a new phone - aren't we exciting people! Did get the best present from Dad and Sandra though - a handbag Sandra got in Rome - I couldn't stop grinning - will put a photo up when I get a chance and you can all drool and be jealous! Loving Christmas this year :)

2011-12-23T04:16:00.000-08:00

Ella with Aunty Joy - Godmother - and Uncle Ian.
Vicky took Ella to Father Christmas. The police car parked in a disabled bay annoyed me - just because you can doesn't mean you should! The dress was a birthday present from her Aunty Joy.
Orla and Martha :) I just love, love, love this picture of Orla with Jeff!
Jeff's family gathering - all the brothers and sisters. And Ella with Uncle Steven - Ella's Godfather.
Nonna came up to see Joshua's Showcase football match for the American coaches. Homemade pressies for escot, teacher and SSA's. Handmade tags - shame you can't see all the glittery-ness! Ella with her Personal Assistant Vicky.

Christmas decs - no really?! Handmade the rag wreaths,
Ella's youth club disco and also her 13th birthday which we had a party for.

What else? Oh, Joe managed to get 2 black eyes during Community Service! Seriously! Breaking up a wooden pallet a piece of wood flew up and hit him smack on the nose. Jeff and I were spitting feathers, but Joe doesn't want to complain cos he likes the fella. Okay, but no safety goggles? Joe might not have been quite so amenable if a splinter had ended up in his eye. But he's 20, so his decision.

Ella's school play was lovely. Ben's school report was the best we have ever had for him. Ella's school delayed the DLA letter request so much that we now have no money from DLA or Carer's Allowance. Freaking great. Social services were investigating my moan on 2nd December. No news yet. But seeing as they've mucked us about for the past 18 months it was expecting too much I suppose for them to reply promptly!

Think that's it, hope anyone reading this has a peaceful Christmas xx

November Roundup

2011-12-04T02:33:00.000-08:00

Not sure where November went, anybody? Anyhow, in brief. Had to call 999 for Joshua this time. Was like he was having a heart attack - scared the crap out of me. First responder said his EEG was throwing up something, so called for an ambulance to take him to A&E. After several fraught hours the doctor decided that it was something called an oesaphageal (?sp) spasm. Apparently mimics a heart attack in pain and style - but thank God it wasn't. On an aside, whilst Josh was on the monitors and entinox in the house, the ambulance pulled up. The absolute *"£$%%^ next door asked the ambulance men to move their van before they went in as he was going out shortly! Hope karma whacks him firmly on the behind in this life or the next.

Had to cancel the weekend away - after dropping the display nearly slicing my toe off; and 101 other things that happened - I cancelled it. As it turns out, the episode above happened the weekend I would have been away - so maybe fate was planning my life for me?

Oh, did I mention looks like Joshua will be studying in America on a football scholarship? Go Josh!!!!!

Ella's upped her meds, bless, as still having the odd fit, which in turn has made her really sleepy.

Joseph has passed his site safety test, so hopefully he will get himself a job and start paying us back some of the money he owes.

Sent in final appeal papers for Joe's claim - now that was hard work - some of the paperwork brought tears to my eyes :(

Ben, Jeff and me, same old, same old.

2011-11-07T02:07:00.000-08:00

The last week has been a mixed bag. So here's the good :) Ella had a lovely halloween. Over 40 kids knocked on the door, luckily we just have enough treats to go round. The zombies are looking a bit jaded, so they have gone to the great zombie home - the tip. I'm thinking maybe next year persuade Ben and a few of his friends to act as zombies for me :) Outside - obviously looked a lot more spooky in the dark, but my cheapo camera won't oblige and take good night time photos! There's skulls with red lights, spooky noises. Didn't get out the fog machine as too wet.
Ella dressed up for K2 on Halloween night - bit scarey ;) And indoors, the fireplace - and as one of my friends said, just as well my Mum's on holiday - she would have refused to walk into our living room! LOL!

Hair Cut!

2011-10-28T15:19:00.000-07:00

Ella had her hair cut today at Niki's salon - doesn't she look grown up? Photo is Ella with her cousins Sofie and Charley :)

Angels watch over us

2011-10-26T08:14:00.000-07:00

This is a canvas I made recently, really pleased with the result :)

2011-09-19T02:51:00.000-07:00

Back to work, but only teaching one morning a week and have 3 Level 3 candidates. After last term with work and 'everything else' to say I was frazzled was probably the understatement of the year. But now, now work is much calmer (please note not the 'everything else'!) and on a Monday morning I have all the washing and ironing up to date, I have done all my governor duties - I know, I know, I resigned but couldn't stop the guilt of everyone asking me to stay on, and have ended up Vice-Chair! But at least I have got the time to do it the justice it deserves. Oh and work? Yeah I know, I was going to give that up too, but my manager persuaded me to do a little rather than nothing, which I'm glad she did as it keeps my qualifications current.

We had a hiccup with Ella's new transport wanting to pick her up at 7.15am and not drop her home till gone 5pm!! The school, for all their failings last year, were on the case and she's back on an 8-4 slot. So we can get her back to dancing and multi-gym which she has missed out on the last 2 weeks. She's also been to see the Rhino doc. That strange nose of hers? Apparently it's the soft cartiledge slipped. So when she's 16 she will be having a nose job :)

Joe. Electronic tag. 150 hours community service. Nuff said. But he is trying, setting up his own DIY business, so all kudos for that.

Josh and Ben are back at college doing the same course 1 year apart. And now everything's settled down I need to start work on his football scholarship for America he wants.

I have completed my Hopi Ear Candling Course, and my Level 2 Reiki, so feeling very pleased with myself. Toe is looking better, I can nearly move it now LOL

Have had a lovely evening with Ariane and Joy and 'Red Riding Hood'; and an equally lovely evening with Sara, Mikey and Dean. And went to see Patrick and Angela McCarthy in Love Online at the Quince Players. Going there is a baaaaaad thing, cos it makes me yearn for Am Dram, and when do I have time for that??!!!

That'll do. Laterz xx

2011-09-05T04:47:00.000-07:00

Just a quickie ...... Love this photo of Ella .......Somewhere in Durham! (ETA Jeff says it's a back wall of Durham Cathedral!)

2011-08-30T03:57:00.000-07:00

Ouch! That'll teach me for not waiting for Jeff! Have broken my toe. That white piece across the base of the nail? You can't normally see that as it's under the skin of the nail bed and had to be pushed back under. And I have stitches all around to hold the whole nail in place as it's completely lose but the bed below needs protecting. And the numbing injection - OMG - I have had my fair share of injections, but I have never known such pain!!

2011-08-26T05:35:00.000-07:00

Been shopping, but you know me, budget shopping. Or more precise Local Bargain Finder on Ebay - gotta love that search. So we are planning on having a mini-allotment down the end of the garden. Got 3 of these giant nets for £6.00 and the electric propagator for just over £6. The mirror is 2' wide, going to put it on one of the outside walls, add to the mediterranean feel of the decking, and that was only £4.00 :) All good.Also bought these. The woman hasn't long had a baby so her hubby is doing the shopping. Very kindly buys spices every time he shops!! So 31 tubs and pots brand new and unopened for £20. I'm making a hamper for the 3 SIL's this Christmas, so some of these will be added :)

And because it's local bargains there's no postage!

2011-08-24T04:38:00.000-07:00

Ascot United played Wembley in the first round of the FA Cup on Friday. Jeff and Joshua went to watch, as Joshua is now signed up for Ascot Reserves. Match was filmed by Sky and streamed onto a Facebook page. Record crowd in attendance. Now, 2 firsts there - record crowd and the streaming of a match - you would have thought standing by the FA Cup Trophy Jeffers could have looked a little more impressed with the event LMAO! Oh, Ascot lost 2-1 :(

2011-08-19T01:31:00.000-07:00

Remember the book a week? Was up to 15 novels (excluding books for work). At a charity shop a few weeks ago I spotted Sepulchre by Kate Mosse. It shouted out to me for several reasons:

It's set in south-west France where Robert and family live;
There's a lot of history as it's written in 2 eras - the present and the thirteenth century;
And it has a supernatural undercurrent.

So I paid my pound and sat in the garden with it - yes, you remember that one day in July when we had no rain? Not the sort of thing you can forget after this years washout! Back to the book. I couldn't put it down. I relished the history - people who comment on how wicked people are now should look at history. We were always evil, just due to technology most people didn't know about it. And yet again in the name of religion. We (oh, the collective 'we' not me and you personally - I'm sure you're lovely :) ) committed from heinous crimes in the name of religion.I digress....there's a surprise. Anyhow, loved the book, was riveted. So a trip to the library with Ella ended up with me loaning 2 more. Labyrinth was just as good and had me hooked. Sadly not the Winters Ghost. It does say at the end that it was originally a Novella and maybe it should have stayed at that. Or maybe it's me. I just felt that what could have been another excellent book was squashed unrealistically. Okay, did I really use the word 'unrealistic' considering the theme of the book?! And listen to me - ultimately what do I know LOL

2011-08-18T02:42:00.000-07:00

Just a quick post....... Last time I ask the kids to put the eggs away - frozen egg!!!! Looks very wrong......

2011-08-17T12:40:00.000-07:00

Thursday went to see Lorna Byrne (Angels in My Hair). Friday massage table arrived. Sunday went to Pyschic Fair in town - not so much to see the mediums and such, but more to see whether I'd be able to offer massage reflexology, etc. Monday I went to Anna's for lunch :) Monday we also heard we probably wont be able to foster 'at the current time' because they don't feel Ella is ready. Of course, reading a couple of documents and meeting us once, and never Ella, makes the SW completely capable of such a judgement. Least said. Tuesday boys all moved bedrooms - most enthuiastic they've been about housework for years LOL Ariane also popped round for a coffee, which extended to 3 hours! Oops! Managed to Freegle the High Bed Sleeper Ben used to use. Tonight Ella has been to local soft play area as they offer Wednesday evenings to SN kids :) Have finally written the ending for my book, so hopefully will now be finished in a few weeks. Right, time to put Ella to bed xx

2011-08-14T06:38:00.000-07:00

Visiting Bath with Ben, James and Ella.
At the beach :)
Ella with Larry Achike - Olympic triple jumper - I just love this photo, she looks so excited :)
Love this photo! Ben and his mate Mark going to a fancy dress party. Like I needed to say that! Hopefully that's not their everyday clothes LOL And of course couldn't resist the Only Fools and Horses comparison.

What else? Josh has a new girlfriend. Joe has split up with his. Ella hasn't had another fit. Ella's been to Woburn Zoo. I've cut my hours back to teaching only 3 a week term time so now I can claim carers grant and be home more. Got Ella's appointments for her nose and her leg. Just her neuro ones now. Looks like fostering is not going to happen, so disappointed, but if it isn't meant to be there is a reason, I just don't know what it is yet.

That'll do. Laterz xx

Boobs on Tour 2009!

2011-08-09T23:32:00.001-07:00

Okay, so clearing out some old paperwork I came across a scrap of paper from what must have been a Center Parcs night when the alcohol was flowing ...... Some are the girls own comments .....
Ariane - "Stowaway" Boobs
Joy - "Cor she's got big tits" Boobs
Debbie - "God they're itchy" Boobs
Suzanne - "Makes my man happy" Boobs
Heather - "They're not big, I've a small waist" Boobs
Pat - "Keeps me warm" Boobs
Dawn - "It's been so long I don't know what to do with them" Boobs
Niki - "Kinky Boobs" Boobs

Seemed too good not to share - let's hope the girls think so LOL!

Reiki Healing

2011-08-08T00:37:00.000-07:00

I think I've found something I'm naturally good at - Reiki healing. I completed my Reiki Level 1 yesterday and can't wait to start practising on unwilling victims - oops, I mean friends and family ;) I'm not going to tell you about some freaky things that happened during the course, cos you'll all think I'm more nuts than I am already! But, suffice to say, Jeff wasn't remotely surprised and just re-inforced his opinion about me being a witch!

2011-08-06T06:28:00.000-07:00

Crazy couple of days. As most of you know Ella has drop fits - has had them for years - and about 5 years ago had a 24 hour EEG which showed 'yes she has epilepsy' and that was it. Has been on 5mls Epilum since.

Fast forward to yesterday morning. I'm washing up. Joe walks into the front room and shouts "Mum, Ella's having a fit." Got to be honest I wasn't phased, they are so quick it would normally be finished before I walked from the kitchen to the living room! Joe does the normal, hold her and comfort her. Then "Mum, this isn't a normal fit." So go in front room, and she's in the middle of a full blown grand mal seizure. Get Joe to get Jeff. Takes one look at her and says 999. Joe goes and knocks on Heathers door, but she's not in. Ben waits at top of road for paramedics. Joshua doesn't leave her side and even carries her to the ambulance. Woman on phone excellent. Ella's fit last about 2 mins. Fast reponse from some top bod in Wokingham as no-one else was available. Then nearest available ambulance turns up - from Slough!! I don't even want to think about how they managed to get to ours so quickly - eek springs to mind.

Long story short:
Now she's had her first GM she can fit for 5 mins without needing medical intervention;
RBH couldn't understand why she isn't under a consultant and because she now has 2 different types of fits needs to be seen by - I think - the Paediatric Neuro-Surgeon.
The Epilum is actually pretty ineffective for drop fits, there are more suitable treatments for those type of fits. But now she needs the Epilum anyway and the dose she was receiving was almost half what she should be getting for her weight.
Needs another EEG.

But mostly I'm thinking, if what she went through scared the hell out of us, how does someone who doesn't understand begin to comprehend what's happened to her.

Catch Up

2011-08-04T12:56:00.000-07:00

Had a difficult few weeks, but hey, tell me something new LOL Won't bore you. Quick catch up with some of the main events. Joshua has got a casual job at a local hotel and has also got a place on a good local adult team. So what happens? He gets hacked in a friendly pre-season tournament and takes the top layer off his knees, preventing him working or playing footy :( But, come September we start the search for an American football scholarship. Ben has his cousin James over for a bit and he's waiting for his GCSE results, but goes back to sixth form in September. Joe is having a bit of an up and down time atm, enough said. Ella, is Ella :) Jeff has been on annual leave, but the weather hasn't been kind - except for a couple of days. We've been to Grimsby for a long weekend - Littlehampton - Bath - had a coffee morning with Sara - and general chilling.

That'll do.

2011-06-26T06:06:00.000-07:00

2 weeks since I blogged? Oops. So....Ben's birthday.... I was sick for a week with a horsefly bite ..... Went on a day course about Angels ........ Ella's school fair (such a let down on previous years :( ) .....Read my first James Patterson book ..... still fighting for Direct Payments for Ella ..... STILL waiting to be assigned a social worker from LA for fostering ..... got some lovely bargains in pound shops yesterday to alter ...... tired, soooo tired! Jeff woke me at 10 this morning, that hasn't happened since I used to have night feeds! ..... Eye infection ( although according to Ella I've been infected by a vampire LOL Toooo much Twilight I think) ....... Hurting for my boy who's lovelife didn't turn out as he had hoped ...... Need to decide whether to quit teaching, not sure it's really worth the aggro ...... Sitting in our lovely back garden on the decking on a sunny day thinking that actually life is not so bad :)

Just one photo of a refreshing water with lemon, lime and fresh mint to complete the afternoon. Lou is right, it would be better with Pimms, but not sure a Pimms head when I've got some work to do would be that wise - maybe later ;)

2011-06-11T11:18:00.000-07:00

Quick blog - been busy, busy, busy! Do you like the bird cage? My birthday pressie from Dad and the wicked step-mother ;) The plate Sandra was throwing out, so nabbed that - then got it home and wondered where the hell it would fit - it's 18" across! And the last photo is a lovely, lovely pressie from Anna, apparently white so I can alter it, but tbh, I think I like it as it is :)

New Venture :)

2011-06-03T06:23:00.000-07:00

So, what have I been doing? Looking at setting up my own business. Yes I know, the last one fell flat on it's face, but the previous one was succesful for 15 years, so logic says I do know how to do it, just maybe not retail. As some of you know I have been to a few scrapping weekends and they have mostly been great. But I sort of felt that something was missing. My life has been quite a roller coaster, not going to harp on on here, but a few of you know some of the things I have experienced over the years, both good and bad, so I wanted to look helping the whole person. I believe in spirits - angels - looking after your soul - so building a business on something like that seemed a natural progression. A weekend where you can learn a new craft - make new friends - relax - eat wholesome home cooked meals - have a beauty treatment - enjoy alternative therapies - decide where you want your life to go and how to get there. I could go on and on! Hence Spirit-Mind-Body was created. Wish me luck - a lot :)

2011-05-29T05:08:00.000-07:00

Baking; Crafting; Teaching; Celebrating; and Enterprising - it's been a good week :) Completed this layout. Started it at the Creative Heart and Soul weekend retreat, and the original looked like this ... CLICK HERE ..... The top half is the same, but I altered the bottom. Partly because I wasn't in a paper rolling mood, plus, knowing the cock-ups I've made in my life 'Perfect' didn't really seem apt. But I am mostly cup half full and 'Happy' so went with that instead. I love the finished look.
Asked Jeff to get some sour cream on his way home, only when he got home I realised I meant buttercream! So frantic re-think and web search and found an alternative recipe which used sour cream. So these are black forest cup cakes. The recipe came from HERE. Then I cut a cone out, filled it with cherry pie filling, popped the cone back and topped with double cream. The result? They were divine, really sticky, very chocolatey. And, never having used an American recipe before, I have to say I love cooking in 'cup' measurements - so quick!
So Thursday was my birthday, lovely day. My apprentices sang me happy birthday, Jeff treated me to some lush body cream (I hope he wasn't hinting my body's not as young as it was!), and in the evening, cos I was teaching till 9pm, the other teachers gave me a bottle of wine. Plus I got a ton of birthday messages. And Joshua burned me 2 CD's with my all time favourite songs (save that for another post). But, can you see the calendar - I suppose Jeff and Joshua think they're funny!Today I have decided to tidy up my craft stash. Found a couple of storage units Lydia gave me when I first started scrapping - so about 8 years ago - and decided to re-use them. Thinking of organising in groups, eg summer; christmas, etc. We'll see. Wish me well, I could be gone some time LOL

2011-05-22T05:08:00.000-07:00

Still here, so no surprise that the Rapture didn't happen yesterday. I thought the whole point was that no-one except God knows when it will be, so why some American Minister thought he'd cracked a secret code is beyond me!

Oh well, thankfully because it didn't happen I had the most lovely night with some of my CP friends. Anna hosted a pudding party - in a word.......YUM! The evening flew past and as it was a weekend we were in no hurry to go home. As 'Des' I didn't have any alcohol - but that was okay as it left more room for puddings :)

I can thoroughly recommend a Pudding Party - go on, you know you want to :)

2011-05-21T06:39:00.000-07:00

Everybody needs sleep (well, d'ur!) but how much depends on the individual. I can run on 4-5 hours a night as long as that's BED....SLEEP....WAKE. And then every now and then I sleep all Saturday afternoon. That works for me. But for months now I've not been able to go to sleep, then when I do I wake up half-a dozen times, feeling worse because it wasn't 'quality' sleep. So Joshua, health freak, suggested I try camomile tea. Do you like the teapot? It's just a one-cup pot and was a 50p find at a car boot. Being totally honest camomile tea is not something I would choose to drink, but .................. I have now slept through for 3 whole nights, and I feel amazing! I didn't realise how so much lack of sleep had fogged my brain to make choices and energy to do anything. Damn......just realised it's supposedly the Rapture today - trust me to get back into the world just as it might be drawing to a close!

2011-05-18T14:25:00.000-07:00

Grrrr Blogger, taken 3 days to post this! So have spent hours trying to fix it. Latest thought seems to be that it's IE9 and to install Firefox. So let's see whether it works this time! Been super-busy, which is good, because it takes my mind off all the grief we've had this year. But not much to show for it (well, actually there is, but that's for the next post). No crafts, no trips - except one babysitting with Martha and Orla. Only one DVD - Charlie St Cloud - which I loved, and showed Zac Efron is more than just a Disney heart-throb, he's actually a bloody good actor.And books? Well I've managed 3 since the last count. I had to smile when I prepared the photographs - Vampyres and myths; Angels; and Islam - interesting combination! One non-fiction; one autobiography; and one work of fiction.

2011-05-11T06:03:00.000-07:00

I was away at a scrapping weekend last weekend. These are some of the projects - they're the ones I managed to complete! Hoping to catch up with the rest soon. Jeff looked after Ella and it sounds like they had a load of fun - beach; shopping; archeological museum; those bouncers you strap into and boing up! Apparently Ella saw some kids in them and decided she wanted a go. Jeff wasn't convinced but she go it ago, and apparently had a blast!

2011-05-02T13:26:00.000-07:00

How many books have you read this year? One of my new year targets was to read a book a week - nothing like being ambitious! So we're 17 weeks into 2011 and I've completed 12. And actually I'm quite happy about that when you consider work and all the crap we've dealt with this year! Plus plenty of time in July and August to catch up. And I have had to wade through some text books!

I've offered my thoughts on most of these, just the Jodi Picoult has been avoided! So here goes. I read House Rules a few weeks ago and I was so disappointed. You know how you set yourself up. I had all these rave reviews about it so I suppose I went in with a blinkered vision and was setting myself up for a fall - and so I did LOL I did put it down half way through and consider not finishing it, but I hate to be beaten, so I waded through the rest! And I did feel pretty bad cos I had bought it for Joy as a Christmas present - she says she loved it, but I'm not convinced!

Then at a car boot last weekend I spotted Keeping Faith. I had a chat to the owner and explained my reservation. She persuaded me to give it a try, saying that there had been a JP book she didn't enjoy, but that Keeping Faith was well worth a read, and for 50 pence what did I have to lose! And I'm so glad I did. It was one of those that once I started I could not put down, and I literally started it in the garden in the afternoon and finished it in the early hours the next morning LOL

2011-04-27T04:51:00.000-07:00

Easter weekend was simply fabulous. The weekend happened to fall on Jeff's 1 in 3 weekend's off, so we got to spend the whole weekend together. The weather was fab so lots of gardening and sitting in the sun. Couple of barbeques with all the kids :) Couple of bargainous shopping trips. Even a visit from Thames Valley's finest failed to dampen the weekend. So, the bargains - The cookbook stand was £4.95, and full price they're around £35.00!! The sundial £1.00 instead of £12. What else? Oh yeah, all these jars came to under £2.00 - thought they would brighten up the utility room. And the table - no idea how much it is new - or even if it's still available - but we paid 50p :) Ella has a ton of the Ello stuff from a friend - and the table has little construction holes :)Finally, 20p for these cards - which Ella absolutely loves :)
Hope everyone else had as lovely a weekend as we did xx

2011-04-20T04:38:00.000-07:00

Easter is when? Friday?? When did that sneak up on me? So have decorated the fireplace accordingly. Valentine's Day was very sophisticated so Easter is all childlike. Went to Tesco's and found these Easter Eggs - all kudos to Cadbury's for saving all the cardboard and plastic packaging that's wasted. Hope the gamble pays off for them :) Wee pressies (with some books that aren't in the photo) I put together for my favourite wee girls. Jeff's Easter pressie for me - not really interested in the chocolates, but love the tin! Last night went to Ariane's for a meal. We couldn't all make it, but Joy, Pat, Anna and me did, and had a lovely evening together - as always.

2011-04-20T04:08:00.000-07:00

A quick weeks round-up:

Monday - You just know the week is not going to go well when you get woken up by Jeff asking why your alarm didn't go off at 6.00, and you realise you've set it for 6pm not 6am! Coupled with the fact that we had to pick up Mum at 7.00am so Ben and Mum could get off to France to spend the Easter holidays with Robert and his family. I had a truly horrible breakfast at the airport, and have complained - with accompanying photograph in case they felt like denying it! Then we get home and found out CICA have decided Joseph isn't entitled to a penny compensation as his injuries did not last longer than 6 weeks - seriously? So now we have to fight that corner! Ella to dancing and then I have teaching. And then Joshua announces he has football training in 15 mins, 20 mins away, and can't babysit Ella as planned. Wonderful God-Mother steps up :) So Monday was one of those days you want to wipe off LOL

Tuesday - started decorating Mums landing, hall, stairs and living room while she's away. Ella went to Thames Valley Adventure Park and had so much fun she didn't want to come home - I know that feeling!

Wednesday - more decorating and Ella went to Beale Park. She has a more active social life than we do!

Thursday - Ella is most unimpressed she has a day at home with no activities LOL

Friday - Joseph has got a provisional offer for the job at the airport. Helping him with the medical questionnaire ........ Do you have, or have you ever had sleep apneoa, narcolepsy or cataplexy? Me "I wonder what cataplexy is?" Jeff "It's when you fall asleep and land on all fours" Not bad for him ;)

Saturday - Our 17th wedding anniversary - where did those years go?

Sunday - a day of rest - bliss :)

Couple of photos of our wedding. Yes, I was once that slim, and the boys were once that cute, and I'm still in touch with my bridesmaids - and Sandra is still that slim despite 2 children. Is it okay to dislike her for that? LOL

2011-04-10T08:52:00.000-07:00

A little mini-book I made for Ella's lovely God-Mother :)

2011-04-07T12:29:00.000-07:00

I am feeling very lucky at the moment. Jeff and Joshua arrived back from America today and Jeff bought me all these goodies :) I am over the moon about the small ice-cream scoop. Do you know how hard they are to find in this country? And then if you do find them, they cost a ridiculous amount which I refuse to pay. So superstar Jeff happpened to spot this one all on it's own at Walmart and I think my smile showed just how much I appreciate it. The Cricut cartridges are lovely, and probably my last ones, cos they really ain't cheap. The punches are a real treat, and he chose them himself. And then a few odds and sods - all in all some lovely pressies from a lovely husband!

2011-04-04T04:03:00.000-07:00

Strange weekend. Very strange. Jeff and Joshua away in America and Ella on her first ever adventure weekend - and without us! I was worried sick (but apparently only one trip to the doctors when she had a fit and bumped her head). So Friday night - CURRY! Jeff's not a fan, and neither's Ella, so while the cats away .....

Saturday I went to MJ's crop. Had a lovely time, and when Jeff comes back with the camera will upload what I made. I also *blush* took some students work to mark because there just isn't enough hours in the day at the moment!

Sunday was Mothering Sunday. So Church with Mum, then took her for a coffee; picked Ella up from her weeekend - where I know she did, amongst other things canoeing, climbing and archery - to be told she did "Nothing all weekend except hard work!" (she was encouraged to make her own sandwiches) LMAO! Then Joseph cooked his first Sunday roast - and it was all ready at the same time and it was lovely :)

All in all a good weekend.

A couple of Jeff's photos he's emailed. Apparently he really wanted the car - same one as on NCIS! The pool! And the weather report - 2" hailstones!!!!

2011-04-02T15:51:00.000-07:00

Caught up a little with my book a week, by reading this trilogy this week (well, in 3 days!) They are YA books, so, you know, no Shakespeare, but I enjoyed them enough to not put them down :)

Speaking of Shakespeare. Ella's school did Shakespear this week! 15 minutes each of Macbeth; A Midsummer Nights Dream; The Tempest; and Romeo and Juliet. It was beautiful and so amazing. The drama teacher needs a medal for pulling that one off! Ella was one of the 3 witches and said her lines correctly and clearly. It also reminded me of when Joe played the part of Bottom in Year 6 - might have to see if I can find the film of that somewhere.

What else? Oh yes, Jeff and Joshua are in America. Sounds like they're having fun (when avoiding 2" hailstones LOL); Ella has gone away for her first weekend ever with a group from Aiming High - apparently having a go at archery this afternoon - glad I'm not there! Joe is 2 weeks smoke free and has an interview for a full time job next week. He still wants to run his own sandwich business in the long term, but I think he's got the right idea to earn some money and get into the habit of working. Oh, Ben's fine, same old!

March has been manic workwise for me, but will ease off for April because of Easter, and I plan to relax and sort the house out during the down time :)

2011-03-26T07:05:00.000-07:00

Very, very proud of my biggest boy at the moment. As some of you know we've been having problems with his, um, choice of cigarettes?! Six days now no smoking. Just stopped. And the change - well, we all noticed the change before we knew the reason for it. I know it's early days, but it's a start :)

Little treat from Robert Dyas. The white barrel did have tea in it, was reduced to only £3.00 and ended up in my basket. Well, would have been rude not to. Then, when I took this photo, I couldn't help smiling at the collection of bits from all over. The fruit bowl is from our last trip to Italy and the rest is all picked up from here and there. Only the teapot and big jug actually match. Reminded me of my kids - step sons; birth sons; adopted daughter; God children; and hopefully foster kids - A mosaic of family life :) I really am blessed (although sometimes I forget that).Oh, and the table cloth? Well I have fallen in love with a couple of Cath Kidston ones, but they work out at around £50 each - I don't like them THAT much! So instead, this one is from The Range for a fiver :)

Not quite sure where I have found the time, but these turned out bloody gorgeous! Amaretti biscuit cupcakes with Amaretti cream cheese icing. I died and went to Heaven!

Latest book was "The Shakespeare Curse" which I really enjoyed. Shakespeare, witchcraft and a thriller. Took a couple of days - blasted work keeps getting in the way! So that's 6 books so far (I've reread last HP and last Twilight as well). 52 by the end of the year is still a possibility, but this thing I get paid for takes up a lot of time!

2011-03-17T14:55:00.001-07:00

So this year old posts have included moaning about Ella's flaming school and the oldest being a prize idiot. So no need really to update a new post, just read the old ones as everything is 'same old, same old!'

School has been quiet since 1.5 hour meeting with them, but we have Ella's statement review next week so that will be interesting! Then a joint meeting with school and social services the week after. Not looking forward to that one :(

Joe's behaviour has involved another visit from the police to search the house again - at least I keep the house tidy - gotta look on the positive side.

My oldest friend 'found' me on facebook so that is one of the few highs this year.

Our beautiful and adorable God-daughter had her second birthday - where on earth did those 2 years go!

One of my long-lost uncles is trying to get hold of me - intriguing ;)

Teaching 2 nights a week atm; don't rave over teaching evenings, but at least the students are nice. Also doing maternity cover teaching for a school, which is .... interesting. Watch this space!

Have been to a couple of funerals, so hoping that is our quota for the year.

Foster course nearly finished, then we find out if we will be approved to do the course and start fostering. Any prayers and positive vibes much appreciated.

Only been reading text books - which I suppose counts, but won't bore you!

Films - again, not many, too busy, but last weekend watched 'RED' and 'Due Date' - both highly enjoyable :)

Rare photo of Joshua - and even if I say so myself, isn't he handsome - and no doubt there's Italian in him :)

2011-02-27T12:24:00.000-08:00

To quote my facebook status - Eat. Pray. Love. Snore. I just didn't enjoy it. The scenary was stunning, probably my favourite part of the movie. I'm not totally convinced that anybody with no Italian could speak that well in four months - especially if you're hanging around with fellow English speakers. And the characters were just 2 dimensional, (Jeff called me Barry Norman when I said that LOL) I just wanted to hit Julia Roberts and tell her to grow up LOL. But, I am going to add the book to my list as there seems to be opinion that it's worth reading. Watch this space.
So, already read The Sacrifice. An easy read. Wasn't quite what I thought was going to happen, so that was a pleasant surprise. The ending was a bit too perfect and rushed. But isn't that so often the case; it's as if the writers built up to this crescendo and then thought "Shoot, only got 15 mins/5000 words to complete this". But it was okay.
Next on the list are a couple of text books, so they will take slightly longer.

The rest of the films we've rented this month, all enjoyable, none worth buying or watching more than once!

Vampires Suck and Philip Pullman's Northern Lights

2011-02-20T11:54:00.000-08:00

Vampires Suck and Philip Pullman - strange combination no? Books first. So it took ages to read Dear Fatty. I enjoyed it but because it was lots of individual events it was easy to pick up, read a chapter or two, and put it down again. But I'd say if you like Dawn French it gets the thumbs up as an easy to read book. So onto book 3 - I know, I said 1 a week, but I'm not worried, over the summer holiday I read LOADS. So, back to book 3. I've never read a Philip Pullman book, but there it was at the school Christmas Fayre calling me for 50p. I started reading it on the Thursday evening and finished Saturday evening - and it only took that long because work got in the way LOL So the next one in the trilogy - whatever it's called - is on my list for the year. Next up is a book called Sacrifice by S J Bolton. Was in Asda's £1.00 selection so I thought "Why not?" Looks like a supernatural thriller, right up my street :) Now, Vampires Suck. I rented it during the week thinking I'd watch it all to myself, cos it wouldn't appeal to anyone else. Well, I thought it was passable, some very funny moments - juggling a baby and a bowling ball together springs to mind - but overall it was nothing special. The actress being Bella had her down to a tea, all those sullen looks and deep sighs. SoI thought it wasn't anything to get excited about. However when I settled down to watch it on my own I was quickly joined by Jeff, Joshua and Benjamin. And they thought it was hilarious, I mean real belly laugh-out-loud laughing. So maybe the humour was just too basic for me!

2011-02-13T08:03:00.000-08:00

I've said it before and I'll say it again "I know He only gives you as much as He thinks you can handle - I just wish He didn't think I could handle so much. We've had the social services nightmare; I've rescued one of my dearest friends at 11.30 at night (with Josh cos he wouldn't let me drive off on my own when I wasn't sure where I was going - bless); offered my home to another dear friend and her 2 children; helped sort out DIL-to-be's CV with half an hour to the job deadline. But all that was nothing compared to dealing with the grief that the oldest has been giving us. So, short post and now onto more uneventful stuff like books, work, DVD's and January resolutions.

2011-01-28T05:52:00.000-08:00

Inspired by an on-line friend to decorate for Valentines Day, this is my effort. I've never bothered before, but I 'love' the results :) And no stress, decided not to spend hours hand-crafting stuff. Couple of free downloads to print, couple of old candles, and a few bits from poundland. Result.

2011-01-25T09:10:00.000-08:00

Case closed. Now to catch up on 5 nights lost sleep, in preparation for the stinking letter the school will get tomorrow.

Social Services, School, Sleep, Sadness

2011-01-23T02:53:00.000-08:00

Anyone else ever have a report made to social services about them? Because only then could you possibly understand how I'm feeling. 3 days now of hardly any sleep and working on auto-pilot. Ella is clumsy, it's a fact, everyone knows that. We never hid the fact she fell down the stairs. Wrote it in her diary in case she complained of aches and pains. No, we didn't take her to the hospital. For one reason if we did we would be there every week (and no doubt they would have contacted SS) but also because I've been a Mum for 20 years, I know when they're injured or ill - I just know, and all Mums will think "yeah, I'm like that too." And the other reason was because Ella made up a story "I went to the pub with Daddy's friend Harry and drunk beer, got drunk and was sick." I think this is beyond me more than the fall. Ella makes up stories, her language is limited so you uses what she does know to create some amazing stories. Ella's been at that school 6 plus years, so they know that too.

Would it have hurt the school to phone us first? I could have told them a) Jeff and I don't go to the pub b) Jeff has no friends called Harry and c) they know us, do they really think we're the sort of parents that would allow our disabled child to go to the pub and get drunk! Even if they felt a duty - and they didn't, I've checked the legalites (of course I would, you know me!) - they could have kept a note and if they had 2 or 3 concerns then fair enough.

As a childcare person I absolutely appreciate 'The safety of the child is paramount', but come on, a bit of common sense should be allowed.

Jeff spoke to the school when they rang, I refused. They even had the audacity to say it might be a good thing!!!! Really? On what planet? Oh, cos it might help with respite. Crap. I've been a Mum 20 years, and even through all the ADHD, Ella's early years (when it wouldn't have been a surprise to have been reported; one of my neighbours admitted if she hadn't have know Ella's needs, the screaming would have pushed her to make a report; and she was a never ending bruise and injury making machine), and the boys teenage years we never had a blot on us. But now, if anyone asks we have to say "yes, we have". Do you have any idea how heart-breaking that is? No, probably not. Did you know, even if 'no action required' is decided, that report remains? And what about fostering? I don't know yet, almost don't want to ask.

Onto social services. I have to say the woman I spoke to was very nice. And not only that, it was the same woman that had interviewed me and Jeff only 3 days earlier, and had met Ella, about respite. I think that is probably the only positive about the whole thing. She hopefully had gone away with positive vibes about us. We had a long, interesting, chat, and I learnt a few things about the school I'm really not happy with. Will deal with that if/when this is past. She told us not to worry. Of course I am. Hence the not sleeping.

And what about Ella? She doesn't understand what she did wrong. She's made up stories before and no doubt she'll do it again. Only this morning we were playing on Frontierville on facebook together. One of the children is her LOL She tells me what to do, what to plant etc. Loves it. Only her icon had disappeared into the woods and I said "I can't do that at the moment, I've lost you." Then I panic. What if she says that to school? Do I have to walk on eggshells forever with everything I say and do from now on?

So sad :(

TK Maxx, Wilkinsons and DVD's

2011-01-14T05:52:00.000-08:00

Jeff's shifts meant that last weekend was his 1 in 3 off, so what exciting thing did we do? Rented out some DVD's. Shrek was for Ella, but thoroughly enjoyable. From Paris with Love was for Jeff, but I actually thought it was pretty good. John Travolta at his unhinged best. And The Karate Kid was for the boys. Just as well really, cos I like Jackie Chan, but, yawn..... For me? Well after the last 2 posts think I have had my treats for several months LOL

2011-01-11T02:48:00.000-08:00

TK Maxx anyone? I always pop in when I'm in town, but never find any bargains, they always seem to allude me. But Friday, just before Wilkinsons, I went in for my usual trawl though the bits and pieces. But this time I struck lucky. Like my goodies? Me too :)

Too Early for Christmas?

2011-01-10T07:03:00.000-08:00

As Jeff was off we made the most of not teaching this Fridayand did a little shopping :) There's a new Wilkinsons in Reading and the Christmas stuff was all reduced. So, £35.00 worth of stuff for less than a tenner - now that's a result :)

Jams, Pickles and Flavoured Oils

2011-01-08T02:33:00.000-08:00

Just arrived in the post :) I can make marmalades and jams, but wanted to try chutneys, pickles and flavoured oils. Anna showed me this book and I knew it was perfect. Found a second hand one on Amazon and picked up a load of jars from a local freecycle lady yesterday. So raring to go. I especially like the idea of being able to use the microwave. Watch out come Christmas, everyone could be getting goodies for pressies :)

Books, QTLS, Dec's and Spiders!

2011-01-05T14:13:00.000-08:00

"He's Just Not That Into You" was Book 1 of my 52 books this year, and I have to say "I Just Wasn't That Into It." Maybe it's my age (21 ;) ) but I don't think so as I like well written YA books for a bit of light reading. I suppose what it boils down to is that I thought it was incredibly repetitive - like one chapter would have been enough LOL Oh well, pretty sure it won't be the only book that falls short of my incredible insight into writing this year LMAO. I have been told the films good, so maybe I'll rent that and see. Next on the list, Dear Fatty by Dawn French.Tree and decorations came down yesterday :( Well, I say :( but it is :) to be able to give the house a good clean! Was ruthless putting them away, anything that hadn't come out of the boxes for a couple of years are now out of here! Including our artificial tree, bless, it had had a good life! Jeff took it down the dump and was about to throw it over the wall when a worker asked him to put it with the real trees. He pointed out it was artificial, so instead was asked to put it amoungst the scrap metal. Now I probably recycle for half of England, so the act of recycling is not one I have a problem with. But Jeff said 'are you sure?' cos he couldn't really believe that someone was going to sit there and pull the nylon bits off LOL Now I know what my council tax pays!

At college yesterday morning. After spending 2 years (plus the specialism years) to gain my teaching qualification we get told that actually there's just one more bit! "So you can gain profession status". Okay, I have no problem with that - except my 2011 list seems to be growing, not shrinking! - but why didn't we just do it as soon as we had finished training. My brains had time to switch off...Dewey? Gibbs? 4 Levels of Consciousness? Off for a stroll around Amazon I think!

Oh, boys saved me yesterday from the biggest freaking spider I have ever seen in a house. I knew there was a reason I keep them around ;)

2011-01-02T03:19:00.000-08:00

Just a quick one - added to my resolutions - already, and it's only the 2nd! I used to be oh so good and remember birthdays, anniversaries, etc without fail, but the last few years....well let's just say I should be ashamed of myself LOL

So chatting to Lynn before Christmas and she's in the same boat, so we've agreed to remind each other when a birthdays due. So Lynn, where's my reminder for today cos I've just remembered it's Connors birthday - great start LOL

Even made a start on list, despite that little set-back. Joe now has a website and a blog and I was writing till 2.30 this morning :) Bets on how long this'll last? Oh come on, longer than a week surely? No?

Off to catch up with the washing. I have a great aunt who is ultra superstitious and doesn't like anyone to wash clothes on New Years Day. So we go along with it cos it's easier than not, but one day of not washing in this house is never a good thing!

New Year, New Resolutions

2011-01-01T04:19:00.000-08:00

For the past few years I have had a word leading me through the year. Well, that's the theory! In practice it guides me for a few months and then gets overlooked. But, never one to give up, I'm trying again. This year my word is FAMILY. Okay, might seem strange, cos surely that should always be on my mind. But (there's that word again - twice in one paragraph - says is all really) this year our family has got a lot going on and I need all the support to help get through it. So, I've divided my New Year Resolutions into 2 - Family and Everything Else!

So:
Joe's new business - follow the link :)
Jeff's invention
My book
Help Ben with this future career choices
Have a date night once a month with Jeff
Go away for a weekend, or even a night, just with Jeff - not happened in 8 years
Foster
Remember birthdays

And everything else, you know, normal resolutions that always fail, but no harm in starting :)

Lose weight and exercise

Blog more often

Read a book a week

Craft more often

Happy new year everyone xox

2010-12-31T13:23:00.000-08:00

It's 2011 tomorrow? Seriously? Okay, so round up ........ breath in.......no head injuries; no trips to the police station (oh God, when they're out celebrating should I really have posted that?!) since April; 2 lots of lodgers have come and gone - family and friend; passed my teacher training; passed my Playwork Level 3 qualification; Joe passed his BTEC in business studies; Josh is loving his sports course; Josh is playing for local Allied County team; Joe kept his job for nearly 3 years; Ben is, um, Ben, loving drama; Ella started secondary school; Josh celebrated his 18th birthday; I had a couple of fab weekends away; managed to keep the roof over our head; both still working; spent 5 incredibly relaxing weeks in France; had a couple of day trips out; caught up with some of my favourite people; and have had overall a good year .......... breath out :)

Just checked my word for 2010 - BALANCE - I actually think I did quite well with that one. I had a few manic weeks with the studying, but on the whole feel I got to do a little of everything. And you know what they say..... a little of what you fancy does you good :)

Here's to a good 2011 to everyone I know and love xxxxx

2010-12-07T00:20:00.000-08:00

Ella is 12! When did that happen? That's all :)

2010-12-01T22:49:00.000-08:00

Ben's confirmation was lovely. Dad was his sponsor and Mum was a Eucharistic Minister so family affair :) Even managed to get the boys to go - one of those "I don't insist on too much...." guilt trips. whatever works;) But what is it with the Catholic Service? They had a full congregation of 55 families - predominantly teenagers, and the Mass was so uninviting, even the hymns! Although the Sermon was interesting as the Priest was talking about his chaplaincy role in the TA's and how he's off to Afghanistan. But you'd think they look at keeping the teenagers wanting to come back! Now this is a yummy drink :) Found it in a BBC Good Foods Magazine and thought we'd give it a go. Disaronno, sparkling white wine, orange juice, orange and ice. Only thing? You have to like almondy, marzipany (good use of the English language?) flavours!Decided I needed to craft a bit. Nothing exciting, but made some labels for these jars :) Like the jars? Complete mixture - charity shop. Tescos bargains, and one so old I can't even remember where I got it from! But realised just how many I had so decided to get them out on display and fill them, and have to say, saves so much time baking! The majority are from Jamie at Home and some were free as part of my hostess gift :) If you want a JAH party then just shout and I'll give you the name of my lovely party girl :)Finally, my beautiful girl on her last day of being 11 :) She insisted Jeff take her to Tesco's in the dress! Good girl ;)

2010-11-25T14:31:00.000-08:00

Fostering. Part 2. Went to an Open Event with the local LA last night. Chatted after the presentation. Explained that I had contact them initially in May and not heard anything until I got a letter late October asking if I was still interested. They couldn't apologise enough. Fingers crossed they contact us next week and start the ball rolling. Still not heard anything from the private fostering agency that were going to get back to us 2 weeks ago. If we weren't so keen we'd have given up by now!

Madam doing one of the things she enjoys most - eating out :)

2010-11-23T07:04:00.000-08:00

So having fun and games with football, dancing, partying and work. Of course, only the work is mine, the rest is the taxi service Mothers offer their delightful offspring. Oh, I have been baking which has been yummy, except for the sugar free chocolate cupcakes. Well, they would have been yummy if I had planned for them to be sugar-free, but I hadn't and they most definately weren't!

Went to Joy's Jamie at Home party and bought a few more lovely storage jars - want a Jamie at Home party? Angela's your girl :) Um, and that's about it. Oh my gosh, how depressing is that? I haven't had time to update for 2 weeks, and not because I've been painting the town red!

And I've not even got any current photos to upload. So here's a couple of casual ones I took in the summer of Jeff staining the decking - love those chicken legs ;)

2010-11-13T06:18:00.000-08:00

Last Friday one of my friends won an overnight stay in a hotel in London and a Masterchef class with Ainsley Harriott for herself and 5 friends. It was for this Tuesday and would you believe it was the only day this week I wasn't busy - a free day?! How often does that happen? So I said to Debbie if she wanted to put my name into the hat I wouldn't object LOL So I was sooo lucky to be one of the 5.

I arrived at 10pm Monday, after teaching, at the Pestana Chelsea Bridge Hotel. Doorman - yes a doorman - let me in. I looked around the bar and asked if there was another area. There wasn't. So I went back out courtesy of the doorman. Jeff says 'ask at reception'. Back in thanks to the doorman. No luck at reception. Back to Jeff then realised I had got Debbie's name slightly wrong. Back to reception. Doorman still smiling - wonder what he was really thinking ;) Yes they were there. So went out and promised doorman it would be the last time. Said night to Jeff and Ella. Sat in the bar with some paper and did some writing till everyone got back. Room was on 6th floor - so you know me, lot's of walking cos there was no way I was going in the lift! Room was lovely, although couldn't work out why there was a window through to the bathroom and blinds which could be opened from the bedroom! Claire reckoned it's so you could check on someone that was in there too long :) I'm not convinced, answers on a postcard ......

After breakfast on Tuesday went for a walk down Sloane Streetand got very wet. Then picked up by a driver and taken to Mossimans Cookery School. Spent the day with Ainsley Harriott who is just as nice IRL as he comes across on the telly. I made vegetarian versions of Smoked Duck with orange and pomegranates; carribean (fish) bouillabaisse; and coffee brioche.

I had the best day - Debbie thank you so much for letting me be part of it xoxo

2010-11-09T10:24:00.000-08:00

Saturday during the day Ella went to the Saturday Club and they took them to Carters Steam Fair! Aside from what it does to my nerves wondering what she's getting up to - all kudos to Carters for the way they looked after the group. Allowed them to go to the front of the queues and didn't charge the kids for any of the rides :) Now that's customer service :)And as usual, worried for nothing, she had a blast, apparently loved the bumper cars and the train ride.

In the evening Ella and I went to Joy's Church for a barn dance, and of course it was perfect for madam - food, music and dancing, she was in heaven. Completely bailed at 9ish though, think the day caught up with her!

2010-11-07T01:01:00.000-07:00

Benjamin took this photograph through our bedroom window. And I thought it deserved a post all of its own :) As he took it he said "Maybe I'll be a photographer." Along with enjoying playing the bass guitar, he's obviously going to be artistic - which is absolutely fine, all the boys are different :)

2010-11-06T11:04:00.000-07:00

Guy Fawkes night and like a good Catholic I celebrated the naughty Catholic at a Fireworks night at a Catholic School :) The fireworks were - and always have been - fantastic. Bracknell Fireworks (now called Stars or something - the ones that do the X Factor displays) have always put them on and they are always spectacular - for English fireworks! Sorry, but once you've seen Italian fireworks nothing, but nothing compares. That aside it was a lovely evening, boys weren't bothered so just Ella, Jeff and me. Bit of a reality check though, watching the tiny kids in their all-in-one suits, reminded us of when our kids were that young and that we have been coming to this firework display for a lot of years!

Love this photo - has a 'Close Encounters of the First Kind' feeling :)And I love this just because I found out I can do it LMAO!

2010-11-05T01:07:00.000-07:00

What a week.

Monday: Half-term over and school re-opens, so you'd think everything would settle down right? Wrong. Joe's been at hospital getting his wrist x-rayed following a fall at the weekend. They took the x-rays twice as they weren't sure whether there was any breaks or not. They think not, but it's really swollen and bruised, so he's got it strapped up. Ella point blank refused to get on the school bus this morning, so she's in her bedroom in disgrace. Joshua had the hump cos I wouldn't give him a lift to school - he's nearly 18, not a baby! At least Ben went off without any hassle. 1 out of 4 aint bad LOL

Tuesday I went for an interview as a Lead Care Assessor. I actually love working at the college, but there's so little opportunity for promotion. Anyhow they got back to me to say I came in second! And you know what second's worth..... well. they didn't say it quite like that, she was actually very nice and explained it was a very difficult decision but that the other person had more experience. Oh well, c'e sera sera.

Um, Wednesday I think was pretty uneventful, thankfully, but obviously just lulling me into relaxing so that when Thursday hit I was unprepared!

Thursday : Joe's car had a flat battery so he couldn't get Marley to college. Jeff had a play with the engine and got it going eventually. I had an appointment so Jeff was setting the GPS for me when he noticed a mother of a screw sticking out of one of the tyres. So he then had to deal with that. We then had a call from Ben's school to say he's poorly and could we pick him up. And then a call from Ella's school to say she was poorly and could we pick her up. Then I had to work out how to get Joshua to a football match over an hour away with 2 sick kids. Thank Heavens for other football mums LOL

And then today: Teaching for me. Whilst there had the 'pleasure' of catching 2 students getting to know each other a little too well - in full view of everyone! Now you know me, but seriously? In front of an audience?! Lunch with Jeff. Jeff's trying to fix Joe's car. Ben's still off sick. Joshua is struggling with a knee injury which has messed up his football so he really is not happy.

Do you like the cakes? Ella decorated them and insisted I take a picture :)Snickerdoodles - nice biscuits, but the name, really?

Citrus clouds - very popular judging by the speed in which they disappeared!

2010-11-03T10:11:00.000-07:00

Went to the Card Factory in town after Mass. Got

5 bottle gift bags
3 large gift bags
24 tags
Pack of tissue paper
3 angel bookmarks
2011 diary
Pack 16 religious cards - well, they've got Churches on, was the closest I could find in the whole shop :(
BIG kitchen calendar that I always need with lots of writing space
15 money envelopes (gave 5 to Mum)
Personal cards for husband - Mum - Dad and StepMum - special couple (Joe and Marley) - Goddaughter - Godson

All that for £15.20, now that's a result :)

2010-10-30T14:21:00.000-07:00

Where did half term go?! Monday Ella got a hair cut and Mum and Aunty Jean came round for a cup of tea; Tuesday went to Lingfield to see Emma and her fab new venture; Wednesday went to Pizza Express with Jeff courtesy of Tesco vouchers; then watched Joshua play football for his college team (won 5-3); Ella went to after-school club Halloween party (last post)and went to a Zumba class - I don't actually ache as much as I thought I would! Thursday solicitors and The Range and Jeff made our Christmas cake; Friday I got to scrap! So this weekend is catch up on all the boring stuff and sort out my application form for a job interview on Tuesday.

Photo is of a really old house in Lingfield I noticed and couldn't resist photographing.
Joshua's team talk after the match.Jeff baking the Christmas cake in readiness for feeding it lots of brandy!Journalling tags for the Christmas album. They took hours and hours but I'm really pleased with the results.

2010-10-27T09:19:00.000-07:00

Ella had a halloween party at her after-school club today. She didn't even eat breakfast she was so excited - and as you know, that is really saying something LOL. So obviously a photo was essential. But she was shaking so wouldn't stand up on her own, hence Ben's arm on the edge of the photo! The first was just touched up, a bit of extra colour and soft edging. The second one I sort of went to town on - but I love it :)

2010-10-26T00:33:00.000-07:00

My friend Suzelle pointed out Ali Edwards December Album and I have decided to go for it. I haven't really scrapped since before we went to Spain. Bit of lack of time and inspiration. Have been crafting, but not scrapping. Anyhow, started by deciding the layout, which will be similar to Ali's ideas. Pages are going to be 8" x 6" so that I can have a 6" x 4" photo on half the page and decoration/journal/date on the other half. So these are the dates. All 3" x 2". They are actually more 'grungy' than they look - thanks flash *rolling eyes*.

2010-10-24T01:40:00.000-07:00

Oops! Not sure where the last 10 days have gone since the last post. I think it's one of those things. When you do something everyday it becomes so routine that you can't imagine not doing it. Then the routine breaks and getting back into it is so much harder. Of course, could also be that my life has been as dull as dishwater so I've nothing to say. Yeah, okay, stop laughing, like that could ever happen!

On routines. In France I would get out of the tent and swim at 10 every morning. It was lovely. I felt fitter. Invigorated. And I think it helped wake up my writing. Cos I would then write so easily for a couple of hours. And I was eating so healthily, even lost half-a-stone on holiday! How often does that happen? Well, except when you get a cake of Delhi Belly!

On eating. It was so much easier to eat healthily abroad. The fruit and veg looked appealing and time is made to sit and enjoy your food. Back home it's rushed between school, work, college, football. Cooking becomes rushed, not enjoyed.

On cooking. I have been baking for England. Well okay, not England, but by my standards pretty impressive! Getting a bit of a whizz at cakes and biscuits. So thought I would venture a bit out of my comfort zone. Actually any cooking is out of my comfort zone LOL Saw Jamies Half Hour Cooking and thought the spinach and feta cheese filo pie looked interesting.

Results:

Me: Yes, it can be done in half an hour, and is pretty easy, but the cost - :(
Jeff: It's okay, wouldn't want it too often.
Jeff: (bedtime with chronic indigestion) Never cook that again!
Joe: You seriously made that?
Josh: Looks like a flower.
Ben: Don't ever make me taste that again!
Ella: Ate it....of course :)

On Kids:
Ella - been a bit up and down. Seems to start the week aggressive and stressed, and mellows out as the week goes on. Bedtimes still a pain. She went to the schools Saturday Club for the first time. I was a nervous wreck as they were going to the cinema, Burger King and then the park. No-one except us, and a few people that I trust implicitly had ever taken her anywhere. But it turned out she had a 1:1, was a diamond and had a blast. Had to pay for the cinema and food herself. So as well as being respite for us it's helping her learn self-help and independence.
Joe - need to fill out an application form for Tesco's apprenticeship. He might as well get an extra qualification while he decides what he wants to do. But keeping him in one place long enough is like trying to put down clouds! Suggested he sign on. Not ideal, but we've just had to fork out £14 for his inhalers!
Josh - has just got back from a college trip. And still playing football for the college, Wokingham Allied Counties and Finch Reserves. Plus boxing training for fitness levels. That's one healthy son.
Ben - what can I say? Enjoying his bass, I just love to hear him playing it. Doing well in music and drama. And that's about it. He doesn't know what he wants to do so can't see the point of pushing himself. We told his tutor that at parents evening. As is typical of EP it's not followed up until we get a letter this week saying his grades are dropping. Well maybe if you bothered to listen to parents.......

On EP - had a stroppy letter saying that Ben had been spoken to on numerous occasions about his phone - his ipod - and incorrect uniform. I pointed out that his phone is broke, he doesn't own an ipod and his tutor knows about the uniform. Surprise, surprise, no apology as yet.

On fostering - so frustrating. I can understand why there is always a shortage! Will save that for another day when I'm less riled so less likely to say something I shouldn't!

Phew. No photos seeing as this was a catch up post.

2010-10-12T03:48:00.000-07:00

Can you believe it's October and our hanging baskets are still in bloom. Okay, so everything else has died in there, but it's still looking good :)

These herb name sticks we got in The Range - one whole pound each - and they are going to look fab in their respective tubs next year. And the boys will have no opportunity to say "I can't pick some I don't know what it looks like!" Very good value methinks.So yesterday I got a lovely comment, from an equally lovely fella, about a photograph I had taken. And it made me feel good :) Everybody likes to hear something nice. You could pick just the moment when someone is so low and you don't even know what a positive effect you've had on them. When was the last time you just complimented someone out of the blue? Go on, do it today, make someone's day, you know you want to.

2010-10-10T15:44:00.000-07:00

Today Jeff, Ella and I took Mum to Southend-on-Sea to see her friends Pat and Mike. As they've been friends for 40 plus years, I've always known them as Aunty Pat and Uncle Mike. And still do. Apparently makes them feel old, but it just seems wrong not giving them their proper title! I've done the same with the boys, it's just a personal thing, but I think it shows a mark of respect. I digress - there's a change I hear you sarcastically think :) We had a lovely day. Couldn't believe how lovely the weather was for October - shorts! I know, Jeff's got his chicken legs out, but a small price to pay to see the sun :) Have included a couple of photos. Played with Picnik to get the colours, I really like it.Walked along the promenade, then had lunch. Strolled around the shops, found a couple of ornaments that belong to the C word that I didn't mention yesterday in a charity shop. Also found a store we don't have locally - TJ Hughes, and got some C presents :) Ended up in an American style diner, Bobby-Jo's 50's Diner, and the milkshakes and desserts were to die for! Def worth a visit :) Then back to pick up Mum and met Chris and Glynis (son and DIL that I haven't seen for years), who were as lovely as they always were :) Only downer on the whole day was the journey home - M25? Say no more!

2010-10-09T08:28:00.000-07:00

There are days when Ella is, simply, hard work. Nothing I can do appeases her. Nothing is good enough. She won't walk anywhere without holding a hand. She screams for no reason. Etc. Etc. Etc. Simply hard work. So I've been with her all morning while Jeff had a lay in (not complaining about that, he was knackered!) and then he went and watched Ben's football match - which his team won 6-1. Obviously pleased that he won, more so that his old best mate, and fellow team mate, was in the other team. Back to Ella. Jeff has now taking over so I can shower; hair colour; bake some scones and cupcakes; mark a couple of students portfolios; do a photograph session for Joshua and his best mates; 3 more loads of washing; and sort out some scrapping stuff for a December album. See how I mentioned the C word without actually saying the C word lol!

We watched The Lovely Bones, which was, oh, okay and Remember Me which had me in tears at the end :(

So, one of the pluses of Ella's moods is the need to 'do' something. Does that make sense, I have plenty on my list, but sometimes it's the need to create, adapt, clean, tidy. And today was a tidy. So the list is still as long (and I sort of think that updating my blog wasn't on the list so still as long!) but I have a good feeling and a tidy cupboard :)

Before:After:

2010-10-08T08:58:00.000-07:00

Spent a lovely morning yesterday with these 2 adorable children :) Oh, and Jeff was there too! I think he had as much fun as they did. Got a message from their Mum to say the younger girly had fallen asleep during lunch, completely wore her out lol!

2010-10-06T07:50:00.000-07:00

Just back from the most lovely chilling weekend with some of my favourite people :) We went all out this year and rented a house with sauna, steam room and hot tub ...... OMGosh, I love, love, love the hot tub, they should come as an optional extra in all homes LOL. Photos are of a travel essentials kit I made everyone - you know, tissues, emery boards, incense, etc. No condoms, think we're all past needing them....what a depressing thought LMAO! Photos to follow - not too many, I know, I'm slipping.

2010-09-30T15:14:00.000-07:00

Ab Fab evening with the DPP girls at Don Beni's, can't beat an Italian - meal that is - and good company :)

2010-09-27T04:15:00.000-07:00

Just a quick post cos this photo deserves my undivided attention! Is this a cool photograph or what? Taken in Macro with my point and shoot £60 Fuji camera, so chuffed. What with this and the clouds the other day - go me! Oh, and the biscuits tasted bloody nice too :)

2010-09-26T02:30:00.000-07:00

Sitting here typing oh so slowly, typo's and spelling errors very likely! Last night was the first time this year I enjoyed a glass or 3, or more, of Pernod. And although I was only chilled, anybody that likes a glass of pernod will know that any fluids imbibed the next day reacts badly (or well, depending on your take ;) ) and you end up chilled all over again!The reason for the slight excess of alcohol? Well I totally blame my friends Jeanette and Sandra! We were all at Sandra's with our other halves enjoying a lovely meal and even lovelier company. Well, when I say lovely meal ....... we've all known each other 21 years - which in itself is a pretty scarey thought - so one has to wonder why Sandra put peppers in Jeff's chilli when she knows that he's allergic to them? I always thought she liked him, but maybe I was wrong, maybe she's been harbouring a deep seated hatred and it erupted last night! Nah, unlikely, now if I added it to Jeff's meal .........

So, can you tell which one of use was the designated driver lmao!These 2 are absolutely lovely ladies who been so supportive during the best and worst times and I am honoured that they count me as a friend :)

As usual a lot of alcohol, rude jokes and catching up took place. And if David and Nick would like to get in touch we also discussed how to solve all the country's problems ;)

2010-09-25T06:21:00.000-07:00

Think this Barefoot Contessa is having a bad effect on me - cheese and biscuits for lunch a la Ina style! Jeff wants to know what's happened to his wife, cheeky sod, but to be fair he has a point!

2010-09-24T14:09:00.000-07:00

Jamie at home party last night small but fun - good warm up for Center Parcs next weekend!

So thought I'd try something different. Decided to bake some Red Velvet cakes for the girls. Tried out the recipe on Wednesday on the boys - one of the advantages of having teenage boys, they'll eat anything LOL Anyhow, successful result so did exactly the same recipe on Thursday and they came out as flat as pancakes. Grrrr, why does that always happen!

Photos are Wednesday night - never seen a sky quiet like it. To coin a popular phrase, awesome!

2010-09-18T02:44:00.000-07:00

The Pope and Maternity Leave. Who would put those 2 points in the same post? Okay, as a Catholic I am maybe slightly biased about the Pope's visit. But, as some of you know me so well, I am a divorced Catholic - I happily practise birth control (if sending Jeff off for the snip counts?!) - you all know kids mean the world to me, so the abuse scandals horrify me - and I don't care what religion, minority, sexual orientation, blah! blah! blah! you're are made up of, as long as you're a kind person. I also don't think Catholics, or any religion, has got a 100% tie-in to Him Upstairs. But the Pope's role (not the man), in a nutshell, is to act as Head of my Church. I don't have to like him - jury's out on that - but I like what he stands for.

So I find the whole anti-Pope visit truly saddening. Okay, maybe his aide was a bit outspoken about us being a third world country. But the point about Christians (not just Catholics) being treated as second rate citizens carries some credence. How often do we read an article about how we can't do this, or we can't do that, for fear of offence. And actually, usually it's only the Policitcally Correct Prats that care, Joe Bloggs couldn't give a hoot.

Okay, so it cost approx 11 million for his visit. Two points. How much did the economy benefit? People flew - drove - bused - taxied etc to see him. I assume they didn't get free travel? Cafe's, pubs, sandwich bars? I assume the Pilgrims didn't all bring sandwiches and/or starve. Hotels, B and B's, the Pilgrims that travelled some distance would have needed somewhere to sleep. I'm not saying that the money was recouperated, but it probably gave some businesses a boost during this difficult time.

And onto point two. What about the 'Why should I pay for it' cries? Why aren't you creating a fuss about the new EU Directive which is being considered (note EU Directive, not UK) on Maternity Leave which will cost our businesses, and therefore indirectly employees) 2.5 billion a year! If you want to make a fuss, start shouting loud about that instead! Palls the 11 million into insignificance.

2010-09-10T14:00:00.000-07:00

Mum and Ben are going to France next Easter to see Robert and co. Our school holidays match for a change. Being a bit borassic Mum offered to lend us the money for Ben's flight ticket. Got a clue where this is going yet?

So Mum comes round and we proceed to book a ........ cheap flight! 45 mins later the air is very blue. No, Mum isn't surprised at my extensive vocabulary, sadly she has heard it all before!

We start with dates. Gatwick tells you 'press here'. What they don't tell you, until you have gone through half a dozen screens is that their schedule past Sept for that particular journey isn't online yet.

Okay, we'll try Southampton. £25.00 each going out, £13.00 each coming back. Now, I know I got a U for my Maths O Level (yes, I'm THAT old that I was around when O Levels were in) but even I can work out that's £76.00. *whispers* Jeff, is that right? So how come it comes to £210.00!!! Yep, "airport charges and taxes" If you ask me that's a carte blanche to add whatever the company fancies. It's not like it's broken down or anything.

But okay, that's still only £105.00 each for return flights over Easter so we proceed .........

Do we want to choose our seats. Well, yes, so that's another £6 per person per trip.

Insurance? No thanks, got own own. Are you sure? Er, well that's why I said no cos I meant yes really! Did you? NO!

Luggage? £11.00 per hold baggage per trip. So £44.00 quid? I think not and agree Mum and Ben can share!

Car Hire? No, go away!!!

And we get to the end £ 256.00 Again, it's a good price, so we proceed .......

Check the small print. Yep, I'm anal like that, anyone hear about the huge company that played April Fool this year on their small print and nearly everybody agreed to sign their eternal soul over! So, any amendments will cost £30.00 per person per trip - seriously! It will cost more to amend than the original tickets!

Still, we carry on and hope nothing goes wrong.

Start putting in Mum's card details. Do you know that even Debit Cards - Debit, not Credit - get charged! Minimum of £4.50 per person per journey! So £18.00 charges! Now by now I am really getting p***ed off. I know that companies get charged for processing all cards, but I also know it is nothing like £18.00. Then I notice that there are no charges for Electron - poor mans card LOL which is what I have. So cancel booking and go back and start again ......

Put in card details ........ New screen pops up and says card type and details don't match, do I want to continue and pay charges? No of course I bloody well don't want to, so close screen.

Five seconds later e-mail pings into my inbox saying money taken and booking made! WTF? How can that be? According to the computer the details didn't match and I closed the screen. Seems like they were going to get that £18.00 one way or another!

So....... still with me?! .......... Find a phone number - £1.00 a minute - and ring. To get through to an answerphone that tells me the offices are shut (oops! typo there was sh*t, maybe I should have left it! lol) and to ring back during office hours. Well that's all well and good, but this was 11.30 on a Thursday morning, so WTF office hours do those jammy people work!

Found another number. Took my booking reference. Explained the problem. And oh yes, there is a problem with their system recognising Electron cards. Two points here - It's Flybe not some Mickey Mouse company (ok, maybe.....) and it was smart enough to take my money.

Upshot is I have to email company and ask for a refund, which I will get once they clarify that my card really is an Electron!

And breath ...........

So, halfway through this fiasco I am reminded of a You Tube clip that is just perfect for this experience ...... click on the link and enjoy :)

CHEAP FLIGHTS by FASCINATING AIDA

2010-09-06T10:15:00.000-07:00

11.30pm "I'll set the alarm for 6.30, now that kids are going back to school I need to get back into routine."

6.30am BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! snooze,,,,,,,
6.39am snooze.......
6.48am snooze......

Eventually crawl out at 7am. Oh well, I'll definately exercise tomorrow LMAO like we all know that isn't going to happen! Fight with Ella to have a shower and hair wash.

7.45 am Ella's eating brekkie and Jeff's making packed lunch. Door knocks and bus is 20 mins early. Had tried to prepare Ella for new school building - new teachers and SSA - new uniform - new timetable. Did not know I would also have to prepare her for new driver and escort and no friend on the bus. Grrr! Why do officials not work together to make easier for our children. Oh and, horror of horrors, cos of the chaos I didn't get to photograph her going to school on her first day of secondary! As a scrapper I failed magnificently! But hey, there's always tomorrow and a white lie!

Then went to Angela's for a visit. Sneaked a couple of lovely photos of Jeff with the girls :)

2010-09-05T08:36:00.000-07:00

For my Man just because I'm feeling all loved up :) (Awards will have to wait!)

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways. I love thee to the depth and breadth and height my soul can reach, when feeling out of sight.
For the ends of Being and ideal Grace.
I love thee to the level of every day's most quiet need, by sun and candlelight.
I love thee freely, as men strive for Right; I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise.
I love with a passion put to use in my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith.
I love thee with a love I seemed to lose with my lost saints, I love thee with the breath, smiles, tears, of all my life!
And, if God choose, I shall but love thee better after death.

Elizabeth Barrett Browning

2010-09-03T13:48:00.000-07:00

Mum, I got into college.
Excellent Josh :)
I need my qualifications certificate, passport photos, 2 references, and all these forms filled in.
Okay
And £10.00 for ID and printing.
Fine.
And £30 for administration costs
Er, okay.
And £85.00 for the kit I need.
Right.
And £240 for a residential trip.
Yeah, no problem (we just won't eat for the rest of the month). Anything else?
Um, yeah, I've got to enrol tomorrow and take it all with me.
............. (me speechless)
Mum? Mum?

The things we do as parents *roll eyes*

And a couple of days ago Sue gave me a blog award - thanks soooo much :) Not sure about a big heart - big ass definately LOL. Will do my awards next post :)

Oh, and posted on FB but not here. Social Worker has been out to interview us as they liked us on paper. Let's hope they liked us IRL! Prayers and vibes very welcome :)

2010-09-02T05:35:00.000-07:00

Busy as anything at the moment, but never too busy for a bit of crafting :)

2010-08-29T01:39:00.000-07:00

Just a quick post. Back at home after 6 weeks away. Feeling chilled - how long will that last?! Normal service will be resumed once I wade through the washing and unpacking. Oh and the 6 weeks of dust that must be invisible to the 17 and 18 year old!

2010-08-25T07:27:00.000-07:00

No words needed ..........

2010-08-23T03:02:00.000-07:00

If you didn't read yesterday's post, don't forget to :)

So, Ella's hair has got really long ..........Looks lovely when it's just washed and brushed doesn't it? What you don't see and hear is the 20 minutes of nightmare it takes to get it to look like this! Or the 20 seconds it takes for her to attach breakfast to it! Or, and a personal favourite, the Worzel Gummidge look first thing in the morning. Yep, I put it in plaits, bunches, french plaits, but I know that she sits on the school bus and unweaves it before she even gets to school! And she does love her long hair ........ She has spent all summer doing this, or impersonating the girl from The Ring! And the last time we took her to a hairdressers was an, er, interesting experience. Imagine an autistic child, with severe attention problems acting as if she had just eaten 10 packs of Smarties trying to sit still. And you go some way to imagining the fun and games the hairdresser had! Another reason why we've let her hair grow ;)

But yesterday, after more tears at breakfast I decided to take the bull by the horns - or Ella to the scissors. In 10 minutes, cos I knew that was probably the most I was going to get, I cut it myself! Even then, if I'd a pound for every time I said "Yes, nearly done, sit still just a bit longer" I would be treating us all to a slap up meal LOL

So, this is wet.......And this is dry. Even if I may say so myself, and I think I may, not a bad job!

2010-08-22T03:40:00.000-07:00

"I sold everything that meant less to me than having a baby."

Adoption. Where to begin? Okay, a little bit of history. Doctors thought I might have trouble conceiving - cysts, menopausal signs - won't bore you with the gory details! I was blessed to be able to get pregnant. Carried 3 and lost 2, not brilliant statistics, but I would never complain. Well, except when they are testing every maternal gene in my body, then I complain plenty!

Carrying Joe was a nightmare. He was a Rhesus Negative baby, and because I hadn't had the Anti-D jab with the previous miscarriage, it was a difficult pregnancy, culminating in the last 6 weeks being stuck in a maternity ward. Fast forward to the miscarriage after Ben. I didn't feel I could put my body, or my soul, through the pain and heartache again. And we looked at the sheer number of children in this country that need a home. Okay, so that is an incredibly brief explanation of my pregancies, but as it isn't the reason for todays post, it'll do.

So we decided to adopt. And what an eventful experience that was - also worthy of it's own post. Another fast forward and Ella has been a light in our life, as well as testing our parenting skills to the limit on some occasions, for the last 7 years.

But, and the reason for todays post, finances were never considered in the process. Yes, we had to prove we could afford another, but as someone once said to me 'once you've had 3, it doesn't matter how many more you have'. We never had to actually fund the process. That seems fair, we're taking a child/children that need a home, and social services benefit by removing the child from the system and funding foster care, etc. The only charge could have been the medical, but our GP waived the fee when he found out what the medical was for.

My online friend Suzanne is stuck in a nightmare situation. This blog post explains what she is going through. There is no way we could have afforded to adopt if that system was here, and how much we, and anyone that's met her, would have lost if Ella had never been part of our family.

But as you, hopefully, read, she's not giving up lying down! So this post has her stamps for sale :) Please take a few minutes to have a look, see if there's anything that takes your fancy, and remember every penny is helping a couple look after a child that needs loving parents :)

2010-08-21T05:28:00.000-07:00

Three weeks yesterday Jeff flew back to England with Josh and left me with Ella and Ben. In some ways it's flown past, keeping the kids amused. But missing Jeff? Who'd of thought I would miss the grumpy old sod so much?! I can't wait to see him, so now seems a good time to start the bets on how many days after Tuesday will he be driving me up the wall again! Not the other way round of course ;)

So, what else?

Robert and Jane have been working so hard on their loft conversion since I've been here. I really feel for them, August in France, putting up plasterboard, sanding etc. Get the picture? I've helped out where I can - shopping; cleaning; washing up - especially washing up! Ironic, every other year Jeff itches to do something other than relax. The year he's not here he could have been so busy he'd have been begging for a rest!

Last night we had a mini swarm of flying beetles. Ella was in her element pointing them out! Stopped counting when we had disposed of over 30 - bleurgh!

And can I just say. Farmhouse in the country. Idyllic. Yes, but, isn't there always a but? But no when it comes to blocked drains. Let's just say I am now totally in awe of my sis-in-law. I could never do what she has to. Say no more? Good idea!

Have I broken anything this week? Not directly, but we're still down one glass, minor, and one tent strut, major.

Ella has really settled into sleeping in the tent. So much so that we have - okay, she has - tantrums when the boys want it for the night! Jeez that kid can be contrary? What? She's a female? So????

Photos of Ben and my nephews at the pool. Anything missing? Well, anybody missing? A certain young lady was having a strop in the car at the time - her loss!