So Long And Thanks For All The Fish....

This may mean something to you if you are a Douglas Adams fan... if not I do apologise.

However, what the title is alluding to is my decision to give up this site. My reason is simple I just don't seem to have the time I would like to dedicate to it and participate properly, I seem to be neglecting loads of people and constantly feel guilty at my lack of interaction. So, I just thought I'd let you know it has been lovely meeting you all, and I will probably pop by for a nose every now and then, but I am going to take a break from Blogger for a while (or maybe longer eh?)

Thanks so much to all the lovely people who helped me and made friends with me, sorry I have been so remiss in the past couple of months

Lots of Love Karen x

Dear Lord, Please Give Me the Strength...

to not scream at littlest girly.

I shall explain... deep breaths think calm non-explosive thoughts, now I'll begin. It is raining this morning, in fact it is pouring, there is possibly an old man snoring somewhere. I decided that we would still be walking to school (much to the disgust of my newly found taxi customers) as parking near school on a rainy day is nigh on impossible, coupled with the road works all the way up to the car park I figured it wasn't my best option. Now Biggest Girly the organised went to fetch her waterproof trouser, jacket etc, I managed to dig out Youngest lads wellies and a raincoat. Myself? Well there was "raincoat" but not a lot else to protect against the elements (elephants... sorry blame my mother she brought me up to speak utter nonsense for a large portion of the time ). Little Miss M (the Moany, as I shall now christen her) had the most effective shielding from the wet in the form of a huge raincover over her most substantial and comfy buggy.

Did she appreciate the huge and effective cover? Or did she scream blue murder the whole way there saying "I need it open, I need it open"? And did she scream and cry for the whole journey there (ten minute walk, unable to see through rain soaked glasses and feet getting wetter and squidgier by the minute) and then scream and cry for the whole journey back! (This was a rhetorical question by the way, hence lack of question mark.)

Now, I have heard of the chinese water torture but I hadn't realised it consisted of getting soaking wet and uncomfortable, having stinging eyes from the rain and on top of all that have a two and a half year old scream unreasonably at you for a straight twenty minutes.

Effective though .

Time for tea methinks, ah and now there is quiet as Show Me Show Me has perked the little monster... I mean madam, up

Monday Morning And It's Dark And Soggy

however, I am indoors and sitting at my computer so it can't be all bad can it?

It was very difficult to prise myself from under the duvet this morning, this stemmed from my inability to grasp that it was indeed nearly seven o clock, it was way too dark. Also I hadn't made any lunch preparations or ironed a school jumper or two, oops, needless to say it was a bit of a rush.

I have had another busy weekend (not sure there is another type) as there was a work lunch to attend on saturday, one of my colleagues retired on friday and we all went to glare at her jealously for getting out of there... I mean, to wish her well. It was a good afternoon but of course on my return home I had to think about feeding other people, oh and my brother came for a belated Little Mans birthday visit. So, I had to go and retrieve the brother from the train station and then we decided a nice bit of steak would do for dinner. I didn't want any dinner mind you, way too full up (did I mention the caramel apple crumble and ice-cream that went with lunch?) so I just cooked for the others and felt vaguely ill for the evening. Eldest Girl had abandoned ship to go and stay at her friends house so my bro had a bed to sleep in, ok he had to share a room with a noisy Baby girl, but he can ignore these things. As I was trying to get Little Miss M to bed she decided that she simply had to stay with her Uncle for just five more minutes...of course he was very touched and the little madam got her own way. We watched a dvd and I have to say I did quite enjoy it RocknRolla, although you could tell it was a Guy Ritchie film from the off, so no surprises there then.

Sunday, myself and Other Half decided to go and choose some carpet for the living room (he's got a couple of weeks off in november and there are decorating plans afoot!!!!) so we left uncle in charge and disappeared for what turned into an hour as Other Half has most definite ideas about what he wants. Then of course it was roast dinner day so had to get on with that. Amidst all the rushing about I was trying to get clothes for the week sorted, washed and dried, get the bins emptied and generally rush about doing three things at once, Other Half saunters into the kitchen to make himself a proper coffee (with his most expensive coffee machine in the world ever ) and in the course of this he is trying to empty coffee grounds into the little composting bin I have on the side.... the bin is full to overflowing and I am watching him throw coffee grounds all over my clean draining board..."that needs emptying" (I point out the obvious every now and again 'cos people don't seem to notice)"I haven't managed that yet" I go on. Other Half finishes balancing his coffee grounds precariously on the top of the contents of the little bin and then asks "do you want me to empty it?" Mmmmm, now let me think, what shall I say? Shall I respond, as is my, instinct with cutting sarcasm and a question along the lines of "do you really need to be told when things need doing?" (of course he does I do know) or do I simply say "Yes please"? I responded with the latter for a change, but it doesn't 'alf drive me up the wall you know!

Right weekend roundup finished so I best get on with sorting some more of these clothes mountains that seem to be surrounding me .

.......................................

nothing is flowing very well today, words included it seems as a title eludes me (and I can usually find a song/film/quote to steal from someone ).

Today is my long day at work (my idea of long is six and a half hours you understand). It went well in as much as it went swiftly and I answered lots of phone calls, including one that I think was a "mystery shopper" as the query was so general and unspecific it was untrue. Suspect I waffled a lot and may have sounded slightly over the top but then that's how I usually sound so no change there then. I just hope I actually answered the question asked!

My looooonnng part of the day really got going when I picked the kids up from nursery, little Miss M was shattered, everybody else felt the need to speak simultaneously and I had a litle food shopping to do (bad bad idea). We toddled off to Morrisons to stock up on pasta and pizza as eldest girl has a friend visiting tomorrow after school. The shopping bit was fine, however on the home journey baby girl fell asleep...... uh-oh.... this of course meant that she was asleep at dinner time. I tried to gently waken her but she was zonked out. Also I must mention that eldest boy had asked if he could go out with his friends, and I agreed but he had to be home by seven... HAH! How stupid was I to think he would do as he was asked for a change?

So, we reach about half six and a small monstrous person awoke in the place of my angel baby girl. She cried for a good (bad) three quarters of an hour, she rejected every item of food or drink I offered her, she cried if I sat with her, she cried if I left her, she cried if I tried to cuddle her . She followed me from room to room crying and screaming at my inability to do what she wanted (what do you want????) and I hit the point I have never hit before with madam, I lost my patience with her! I didn't do anything differently but this was the first time I felt irritation at her behaviour, oh dear, little girl must be growing up cos I can usually put up with all sorts of behaviour when they are babies because after all they are only babies. Today I must have felt she was just in a bad mood and could possibly choose not to scream at me constantly!

To top it off my mood was darkened even further by thirteen year old phoning me at ten to seven declaring he was about half a mile away and,oh yeah, would probably be late . When he turned up at half seven little miss had managed to calm herself and was demanding a book with a cuddle.... super, just as I have more cooking to do...

Sigh, I am winding down now, but oh so knackered. Right, getting off here or I shall be even more knackered tomorrow, I know I keep saying it, but this work thing isn't half interfering with my computer time .

Overwhelmed

I just seem to be continuously doing stuff at the moment. There have been sick kids (again!!) washing that the whole street must put in my washing baskets, driving about (still a novelty and a bit scary), work (mustn't forget work), cooking, a vague stab at cleaning (that always seems to be last on the list... although the litter tray made itself well and truly known on my arrival back home this afternoon ) and of course looking after small people who are incapable of doing stuff for themselves.

And deeeeep breaths, in... and out... nope still knackered and not completely wound down yet.

Today seemed especially full to bursting. First on Karens never-ending list was having to put petrol in the car, I have put petrol in the car before but I had intended to con.... I mean ask, Other Half to do it for me yesterday, I forgot . In order to find the most empty (and therefore easier for me) petrol station I had to go in the opposite direction from work. I got to the pump and pulled up, rather neatly even if I do say so myself, got out and realised it was the pump you could use your card at, eeek, I braved the card machine thingy and was feeling even more pleased with myself. Sadly this then meant I was a little later than usual and my normal parking area was full! Uh-oh, I had to drive around a bit but did eventually find somewhere that didn't require a crowbar to get in and out of.

My work day was full of aggravating questions with no simple answers. I was unable to help as many people as I'd have liked and this always disturbs me, I seemed to spend a lot of today passing queries on to other people and making people on the end of the phone have to wait for someone else to call them back. A situation that doesn't please anyone.

I left work fairly knackered and pleased to see my car where I left it and with no additional decoration in the form of parking tickets (wasn't entirely sure I should have parked where I did ) I got in swapped shoes (there are driving shoes as opposed to work boots you see ), key in the ignition and.... nothing! OMG, no car starting up noises... now what? I sat and tried to think calm, non panicky thoughts for a minute or two. Now there were lights and the dashboard was lighting up like a christmas tree, just no engine starting... what on earth had I done? I had no credit on my phone so had to wander back to the office and ask the security guys if I could borrow their phone (I suspect they were amused at my predicament). I phoned Other Half and asked if we had some kind of immobiliser that I had accidentally activated, nope he said. I described what had happened and Other Half said "Is it in park?" Eh? "Is the car in park, it won't start if it's not in park?" Bing! Lightbulb moment! I wandered off to check, laughing with the security guys and saying I hoped it was that and not something requiring RAC men to come and get me.

Guess what? It wasn't in park... yay.. I mean oops. I won't be doing that again.

So, homeward bound, a fly by to pick up the kids, another quick fly by to a shop (eldest girlie wanted meatballs for tea) and then home. Next of course I launched into the cooking, cleaning and bottlewashing portion of the evening... oh yeah and that litter tray.

I am somewhat tired, off to bed now methinks .

That Was The Week That Was....

Blatant plagiarism, that's what we like to see. It's just sometimes someone elses words fit my blog so well!

Any hoo, hello all; I did not drop off the edge of the earth.. and I didn't run away to live in london either. What I did do was have a hectic weekend away, return to a sicky oldest boy and then got sick myself.... yay for returning to school germs.

My weekend was good, although staying at my nannys house proved interesting, I wouldn't say grandma was senile but she can definitely get herself in a tiz when things are different. Me coming to stay definitely counted as different. Poor old nanny first of all was stunned and amazed that I had abandoned my babies for the weekend. Then she was shocked and appalled that I was going out to a pub with my brother. She spent a lot of time asking the same questions again and again, and then being just as shocked and appalled when she got the same answers.

My bro and I did venture into the wilds of sunny Surbiton (not strictly London but close enough) to meet my old school friends, we met them straight from their day at the rugby and they still managed to stay at the pub til gone midnight. A good old chat and a few (!!) drinkies were had. We got a night bus or three back to my grandmas house and ate peanut butter on toast about half one in the morning.Nanny was confused and spent about half an hour trying to check the door was locked, she's not as deaf as usual in the middle of the night for some reason... we did creep in, and then I retired for the night and spent about an hour wondering how my babies were doing .

The next morning I was made scrambled egg for breakfast and was hit by the novelty of a morning without the words "mum, mum, mum..." being shouted. The train home was easy (apart from a slight platform change at clapham... I hate not knowing exactly where I should be) and then I returned to find eldest lad languishing with sick bucket on his bed.

Monday night, or should I say Tuesday morning was my turn ... needless to say I wasn't in work on wednesday...oh what a reliable employee I am.

Thursday and today things are almost back to normal apart from two snuffly girls and a sicky big lad(again!) but I have just been wiped out this week. See, a lovely relaxing weekend away just completely throws out my routine! I am looking forward to a rest this weekend, mind you I am due for another saturday night out locally next weekend, uh oh...

Hope everyone has had a good week, I am off into blogland for a proper peruse!

A Weekend Off

well despite certain setbacks and looking like it might not happen for a minute there, I am off to london for the evening.

The setbacks being of course, one sicky pup child. First week back at work and I couldn't even reach day three! Thursday evening, well actually friday morning, I was awoken by a plaintive voice (at 2:57 I think it t'was) saying "Mummmmm, I've been a little sick on my floor". Poor littlest boy had thrown up on the floor, and his bed, and of course himself (yuk). I was in my usual zombie like state, when it's that time of day I don't function too well for some reason, and on automatic pilot stripped a bed and cleaned a floor. I went in search of ye old faithful sick bucket... (mmm, clean, good!) and then got back to my bed, where I promptly lay listening for the next couple of hours in case a young man was ill again .

My lad was ill again yesterday morning, so my fleeting shall I just send him to school anyway? thought was soon dispensed with. Of course I then had to be brave and phone work to let them know that no I wouldn't be completing a full week after all. Luckily it wasn't as bad as I anticipated.

It seems that little man is greatly improved this morning though as he is declaring he feels he will be able to eat a chocolate cupcake later, I am trying to say much later.

So, I shall be abandoning Other Half and boarding a train for my old hometown to spend an evening with my brother and a couple of old school friends. I have a drinking plan in place (for the avoidance of doing an action replay of Chays night time performance) and will be eating plenty before I go anywhere near an alcoholic beverage! I am looking forward to it, but as always I'm a little apprehensive, simply because it's something different from the norm. Mind you if I think about twenty something years ago, it's exactly what I would have been doing on a saturday evening so it's not different at all!

Have a good evening all, I shall return tomorrow, probably a tired and bad tempered mummy but I shall have had a good time so that's what matters eh?

Day One...

I am just popping in to reassure the residents of Hampshire that I will be extra careful on my morning drives! Oh and just to inform you all that I made it, woo hoo, first drive to and from work completed without incident... and parking of course, yay!

I felt a little under the weather this morning and had to work very hard at not biting the heads off my poor babies as my stress levels soared. I had a bit of a where's my purse gone moment but my lovely eldest daughter found it for me (in my dressing gown pocket for some reason) and the panic subsided. As always with me the anticipation is the worst bit of any endeavour, and once I was on the road and dropping my littleuns off at school and nursery, I didn't feel quite so bad. The best bit was when I got to work and found a huge parking space (Yay!!!) and managed to park in it, I felt much much better.

Work was as expected, although I did remember a lot more than I thought I would, and the day passed fairly swiftly. It's almost like the six weeks didn't happen, oh well roll on lottery win, that's what I say.

Right, off to try and get more sleep (did get about eight hours last night ) and be fresh and daisy like in the morning.

Sitting

Currently sitting with dye on my head (and elsewhere as is often the way... sink, floor, shoulders, left ear lobe) trying not to move too much. Also tomorrow is looming large in my thoughts, I am back at work gloom, I have to drive there (double gloom) and then I will have to park (gloom to the power of ten). I may be dwelling on this,

I suspect you could tell.

I am attempting a tidy up today as the clothes explosion is getting on my nerves, the single sock escapade is baffling (a pair goes in the machine, a single sock comes out) and I definitely need to rediscover the hoover.

At least I have managed to get back into the making lunches the night before routine (two whole days woo hoo!) Day one seemed to go well for the kidlets, youngest lad when asked if he'd had a good day declared "I had a fantastic day" when asked what was so fantastic of course the response was " I don't remember" . Eldest girl seems to have settled into her last year at juniors (eeek) quite nicely, she seems so grown up these days, I feel so old these days...

Ooh just as an aside I had a go at the One Shows "what sex is your brain" quiz I was quite surprised to find I had a more male than female brain! Oh dear, I always thought I was brainier than that. (Only joking!!!!! All complaints on the sexist manner of that comment to be addressed to.. well.. um, me I suppose)

Little Miss M has been asking when she will be going to school, so at least someone is going to be cheerful tomorrow eh? Right, off to wash off dye and try and clean up my forehead, ears and scalp.. purple is good for hair, not so good for skin.

New Boys

Have you seen these cute boys? I am just putting up these pics to remind me why I am spending £75 on jabs and worming stuff, £75!!!!

They are cute little troublemakers though aren't they?

On a different subject I was awoken at the most anti-social hour of 4 a.m. this morning. Both myself and Other Half jumped up when we heard a very loud squealing/screaming noise "Rabbit!" declares Other Half (which was good cos I was a tad confused about where the noise was coming from) and we both steamed down the stairs and ran into the garden, only to see Mr Foxy loxy running away from the hutch! Poor old Splodge

Splodge

I had a quick look at her last night and thought the squeal must have just been fright, however on closer inspection this morning it was discovered that the 'orrible fox had taken a chunk out of Splodges ear!

She seems fine now but we will bathe her wound and I am now looking for a better hutch for the poor girl.

Off to do some housey stuff now, borrrrriiinnng.... oh dear I am beginning to sound like the teenager.

Get To Bed!

there are two of us up and awake in the house at the mo, me and teenager. Poor lad has first day back at school tomorrow and I do feel his pain . I used to be a complete mess on the night before having to go back, even now I am dreading wednesday, my first day back. I think I kind of hoped for the lottery option to save me from having to go back.... I had six weeks for goodness sake, should have been long enough don't you think?

Sigh, I too am having trouble settling of an evening, I need to sort out my sleep pattern! I also have to do a practise drive of my work route, and then of course there is the finding somewhere to park trauma...uh oh, I think maybe I will still have a dreadful night the evening before I have to go back.

Ok tis eleven o'clock now and all of a sudden it'll be one o clock in the morning...I must go to bed now... I must not play on facebook, I am going.... going... honest .

Bad Mood Alert! Bad Mood Alert!

Oh well it just keeps getting better.. the words Happy and Bunny definitely do not apply to me today. To go along with the lack of kip and general hair do sulkiness, I now have a what am I gonna do with him moment regarding Other Half.

Things have been fairly quiet on the Other Half front lately as he has been behaving himself quite nicely (patronising moo.. I know). However, at the end of last month his wage was about £300 down...eeeeek! To me it looks like a fairly straight forward admin error as no payment was made for fuel allowance. Getting Other Half to investigate this is a task and a half though. I was happily waiting for him to go to a meeting at the office today, as I knew he was much more likely to make an enquiry face to face than on the phone. I have been waiting to hear the outcome but by half twelve I could wait no more. Other Half cheerfully answers the phone and then says "Oh no, the meeting was cancelled" "So you haven't found out then?" "Oh no, I can't just go in the office I haven't got time" and obviously he can't ring up!!! I did try and point out (calmly) that Three hundred pounds can't just be forgotten about, he started to sound defensive and about to go into a tantrum so I backed off... for now...

Do you know if I could just ring these people up myself I would, I am sure it is all straightforward, but the longer you leave it then the longer we have to wait for things to get sorted!!!!!!!!!!!! (Do you think that's enough exclaimation marks?)

I have cats injections to pay for tomorrow and more little bits and bobs for uniform..... sigh... never mind lottery on friday, maybe my hair will have grown by then as well ?

AAAAAARRRGH!

AAARRGGH. AAARGH and AAARGH again!

Nothing major and it really isn't that bad..... but.... (and it's a big but... don't say a word!!) I have had my haircut. I thought I would take the plunge and have a bit more than usual chopped off oh and did I mention? AAAAAARGH.

It is shorter than I imagined and it just doesn't look like me. Other Half says it's not bad, and I hope I didn't react too badly to my poor friend who had cut it, but it was a shock to my system, which I am now calming with a large glass of alcoholic beverage.

On to other news, I have been doing a lot of driving about, my bro came to visit at the weekend and I went and picked him up from the train station . It was lovely to go and meet him, then we did a little food and goodies shopping before we came back home. It was a really nice and busy weekend, we watched many films and ate way too much.

On sunday I offered to take Other Half into town so he could go for a drink with his pal, and then I would come and pick him up. This involved motorway driving, driving in the dark and joy of joys... rain! However, I managed it and it made a nice change for Other Half to be able to go for a beer and not have to get a taxi home.

Monday I took my bro back to the train station and we went for a little wander and a shop and a coffee along the way, it's all very civilised this driving about lark.

Today I took the kids to meet a friend and her little boy at Queen Elizabeth Country Park (more motorway and then of course parking at t'other end... you're impressed aren't you?) It was a nice day and we played with big sticks and ate lunch in a den, then we went on a bear hunt and picked flowers, all for the princely sum of £1 parking. The smell of other peoples barbecues was most tempting, think I'm going to have to give that a go sometime.

I am already dreadng the arrival of next wednesday, when I go back to W O R K (I'm spelling it out so that I don't know what I'm talking about ). Poor old eldest lad is first back into the old routine, school starts on friday for him, monday for the others. Although I am looking forward to getting small people out from under my feet I shall miss the little darlin's, it's been nice to be able to run them about places myself.

I do have an outing to look forward to though, I am off to londinium to go out with my brother and a couple of old friends weekend after this, I am hoping I do not disgrace myself and I am looking forward to some relaxy away from it all time... with grown ups!!!

Off to have another drinky, and watch the rest of this X-files film, not really getting on with Billy Conolly at this point but there you go...

MONEY! Woo hoo!

Money day has arrived, but sadly I suspect the list as long as my arm (almost) will deplete my stocks considerably in a very short amount of time.

Eldest Lad has also decided he needs a haircut and I have to try and describe the style that he is after to the hairdresser man...I don't really know what the style is for the young people these days. I have been told the phrase "emo" is the one to use, sounds a bit strange to me.

I will report back shortly as to the inordinate amount of money spent and the state of my lads hair.... wish me luck... I'm going in!

Monday? Uh-oh Where Did Sunday Go?

Oh dearie me, I have lost part of the weekend! I got a text from a friend on saturday afternoon, suggesting a little drinky out that evening, I said yes . The rest as they say is history.

I think my problem was the not eating a proper dinner part of the evening although possibly the three pints of Fosters had something to do with it. I ended up dancing about with my friend (and my recollection of this is hazy... which always disturbs me) and conning Other Half into giving my pal a lift home. Apparantley I went with them and then came home and ate food, I am taking this on trust as the next thing I remember is leaning over the side of my bed and being not very well. Someone (me I was told) had thoughtfully found me a bucket which was a good thing.

Yesterday I awoke with a sinking feeling, found the bucket (ugh) got up cleaned up and went back to my bed wishing the world would just keep still for a minute. My head proceded to keep me awake by thoughtfully thumping away whilst my stomach threatened a repeat performance of the previous evening. I ended up stumbling down the stairs and making littleuns some brekkie (that wasn't favourite I can tell you!) and then sitting curled in a foetal position on the sofa, drifting in and out of hazy consciousness. I even took medication and that just didn't cut it either.

When Other Half arose I retired back to my bed for an hour hoping against hope my head and stomach would cheer up as we had a BBQ to attend yesterday afternoon, and we had to take food.

I managed to make some chicken kebabs and have a semblance of a happy face when we went out, I think the fresh air helped a little to be honest. However I am finding that this morning I am still a tad fragile and energy levels are zero....oh I am too old for all this sort of thing, silly woman didn't have a drinking plan and half a packet of noodles was not sufficient dinner to go out on!

Right now another cuppa to try and kick start my motivation, loads to do as yesterday was such a washout

Friday Of A No Money Week

It's not payday this week... only a week to go, but strangely still things to buy this week! I have a small boy asking if it's sweety day and you'd be amazed at how much a sweety day for four can add up to, I have said "no".

I am being chauffeur again today, Eldest Girly has a friend coming over to visit, my only worry is the petrol, not only have I never done the petrol thing before (Which petrol? How does this thing work? What buttons do I press?) I'm not convinced I have enough pennies for petroleum.... mmm could be an interesting drive.

I performed a feat of great daring yesterday, I parked on the drive! When I say drive let me explain that this is actually the remains of our front garden, complete with parts of old wall and remnants of lawn oh and no dropped kerb! Also there is a drop off one side and if I back in too fast I might enter my kitchen via the front window. I was building this event up in my head and thought I had better just bite the bullet yesterday; now waiting for our road to be clear is also a problem, but I took my chance. It took three or four backwards and forwardsing (getting in the way of various irate drivers) but I did it! Then I shook for about ten minutes (stressed!) then I phoned Other Half to let him know of my bravery and to pre-warn him not to moan about the positioning of the car.... and then I had a cuppa!

Off for cuppa number two and then time for some tidying before madams guest arrives, have a good friday all

Look Out!

I have been doing something today, and what I have been doing is this...... I have been passing my driving test!!!

I have been so stressed over the past three or four weeks it's been unreal, last night I didn't get to bed until about half one, even then sleep eluded me for quite some time. I am expecting a better time tonight (I have bought a bottle of Baileys to help with that too).

I had my test at 13:08 (why??) and Dave the driving instructor came and picked me up at twelve. I deliberately hadn't told the kids as I didn't want disappointment if I failed. My parents came and babysat for me and I went out feeling like a huge cloud of stress was hanging over me. Dave was smiling at my obvious discomfort, and then I think he took pity on me and chatted away trying to relax me. I made a complete hash of my manoeuvres and I think he despaired . When it was time we went to the test centre and he made me have another look under the bonnet and tell him were various very important things are located.

I sat waiting in centre and finally a lady came and called my name... OMG this was really happening. She asked me what I preferred to be called.. I opted for Karen (what with it being my name and all) and then off we went. First thing I did wrong was forgot how to open the bonnet (aaaargh, he'd just shown me that!) I got my question right but then she launched into a bayparking manoeuvre, managed to muck that up and that's the one I wanted too. I just felt like I had made loads of silly mistakes all the way through (don't even mention my reversing round a corner....abysmal) and when we finally pulled up back at the test centre she did her little notes bit, then she asked if I wanted to have my instructor hear the outcome. At this point I was convinced that meant a fail as I presumed she would be telling poor old Dave how awful I was! So when he came and stood by the car and the words "Well Karen I am pleased to tell you..." Eh? Pleased? "...you have passed" I then turned and in a very high pitched voice said "Oh!" and then I spent about thirty seconds thinking she did say passed didn't she?

This is the weirdest feeling, this morning I was a learner and now they expect me to do it on my own. I made Other Half go and buy me P plates, I feel the need for some sort of indication of my inexperience. The insurance is sorted and tonight I made my first solo trip... up the road to Morrisons and back, woo hoo, all of five minutes up the road. Oh but I did make a slight detour for a cup of tea to my friends house on the way home, it's all very strange and I am sure it's going to take me a while to become accustomed to it all.

Right, I may have bought some alcohol whilst I was out and I feel now is a good time to indulge .

Ugh! Humph And Other Well Known Child Friendly Expressions Of Grump

Youngest boy decided I did not need a lie in today, twice (as I did manage to ignore him at the ten to seven alarm call). At eight twenty (I know, it's not bad really) he came and "whispered" to me "MUMMY, there's a spider in the living room". Oh joy, as those of you who know me may realise, I am not best equipped when it comes to dealing with our eight legged friends.

"Ang on" replies I as I decide I'd best at least have a look for the poor lad, after all I wouldn't be happy at being stuck in a room alone with one (ooh that's right I was going to place myself in the same room with one). You could tell I wasn't properly awake by the squinty eye look I was sporting, I even briefly wondered if I had my specs on but then I found them (on my face strangely) I bravely entered the arena... I mean, living room. Where is it then and how big is it? My lad then pointed high up to the ceiling near the window, and what was there? Some gargantuan beast? Nope, it twas the smallest spindliest even-I-can-cope-with-that spidey I have ever seen. "That's tiny and I can't reach it!" "But I don't like them" replies the boy "he's not bothering you! He's way over there." My boy then sat back down at the computer (yes he's five and he comes downstairs and turns the thing on and plays on it all by himself, thank goodness for parental controls) and carried on quite happy. Thanks for that then son.

So, I am up and about, and about to start cup of tea number two, at least I'm being productive. Other Half is back to work next week (boo and yet, yay!) so I have to make sure all washing is up to date for monday. This week has been surprisingly housework free as we just haven't been home, but washing waits for no man/woman (delete whichever is applicable, or sounds best) and the dust has been settling itself in nicely undisturbed (and just as I was getting on top of it all) so time to start again. Also I am back to ordinary eating today, I have had enough "goodies" to sink a battleship (no, honestly that much) I feel thoroughly unwell and my jeans don't like me anymore. It's time for some vegetables to appear in my diet as from today, the kids are in for a nasty shock, I suspect they were quite enjoying the eat all you want buffet style of eating we have adopted this week. Sorry kids fish fingers and jacket potatoes for dinner, maybe with some extra beans or any other fibre full veg I can find... oh and no pud.

Right, I am vaguely more with it, just time for that cuppa and then start the proper GETTING THINGS SORTED portion of the weekend .

Ooh... Here I Am..

Haven't managed to get on here much the last couple of days (could be longer, I've lost track!) It is Other Halfs week off though and we have been DOING THINGS, this is in lieu of actually being able to afford a holiday, so picnics and day trips it is.

Monday was a driving lesson day, and shopping day so we didn't do anything exciting then, Other Half did manage a trip with many and various objects to the local tip (hoorah.... at last) so that was something.

Tuesday was trip to Beaulieu day, and I hate to admit it, but I had a good time! We looked around the very old cars display (which included an old london bus and I'm afraid I found that very exciting). Then we went to look at a falconry display, this kind of made the day for me as I love watching birds of prey. The gentleman presenting the display was very knowledgable too and told us lots of interesting facts about how falconry has impacted on the english language, and other historical points. Did you know "making a pass" at someone comes from falconry? It relates to when a bird will pass by it's prey before it actually catches it. Oh and a falcon will make a "mantle" over it's prey once it's caught it.. this means it sits with its wings covering the prey in order to be able to eat it unobserved, the shape of the wings has given us the word mantlepiece. There was lots of other snippets but my sieve like brain has forgotten them at this minute .

We didn't manage to get into the Top Gear display cos it was just way too busy! However we did have a little trip on the monorail (eeeek!) where I discovered my children are not only fearless, but wicked! The biggies took great delight in bouncing around the little compartment making it rock even more alarmingly, forcing me to hiss"Stop it!" at them (I'm not too keen on heights it seems) and the youngsters were both trying to lean out of the windows and give their poor mother a hear attack.

Today we went on a picnic with some friends to a place called Moors Valley, there is a lovely play trail there with lots of wooden climbing structures for the kids. There is also something called a tree top trail (we discovered this is very hard to say out loud) which is a wooden walkway about twenty feet up, which wends its way through the woods. Littlest Miss M once again frightened the life out of me as she ran along this (quite frankly way to skinny) walkway, oblivious to the drop either side (me? Not so oblivious). The weather was good, not too hot thank goodness, and we had a walk and then a feed and then a play in the adventure playground area.

I am shattered... Other Half is shattered.. the kids are asking what's next.

I think it may be a another farm type experience tomorrow, there is one nearby where they allow the kids to have a go at milking, and there is a nice cake shop too, mmm sold!

Update On Facebook
Just to let you know that Facebook did shut down the fraudulent account so I'm pleased about that, have to watch it in future though, as I'm sure it won't be the last time we encounter this sort of thing, aren't kids luverly?

The Trouble With Social Networking

Ok I am really angry, proper feeling like going round and shouting at someone, angry.

My eldest son has just joined facebook, not too bothered about that (apart from having even less time on here!) but what I am angry about is that some delightful child has put up a fake profile using my boys name. Now the content isn't much of a surprise, the usual derogatory remarks about being gay and including some highly imaginative sexual preferences on my sons behalf. This child has also made a number of friends with my sons real friends and is making strange comments and declarations on his behalf to them. However what has really annoyed me is that the little swine has put our actual address on the profile information!

I have reported it to facebook and requested some sort of feedback on the issue, also pointing out that the content of the page is very unsuitable and letting them know that I am not best pleased with having my real address splashed all over the internet. I sneakily added this person as a friend and they accepted. I was able to send them a message letting them know they should probably stop this now and that I had reported them. Strangely once they had sussed I was my lads mum they took me off their friends list.... odd eh?

Right, feel a bit better now that's off my chest! Luckily my boy isn't the sort of lad who takes much notice of this sort of thing and isn't bothered by it... I however am... no not going to rant anymore, I've done what I can and hopefully this profile will be removed.

It's been a very busy day, the cleaning bug has hit me, proper cleaning too! I actually got out the mop and bucket, polish and window cleaner today. Not only did I get them out; I used them! My living room now looks much less like a rubbish heap and more like a .. well a living room.. and this is very unusual. I may even invite people into the house now, it's much more salubrious . Maybe the extra light let in by the newly cleaned windows is perking me up.

Of course the weekend is looming and Other Half has next week off so I'll let you know how long the tidyness lasts, you'll be able to tell when they start leaving a mess around the place when a small explosion is reported in the hampshire area (me losing my rag in case you didn't guess).

There are plans afoot to go on outings next week, sadly the manchester trip can't be done due to lack of petroleum money (guess how many miles to the gallon our little chariot does.. go on.. I'll tell you... 18 miles to the gallon!!!) We will be going on some picnics though and possibly Beaulieu (not my preference), I am hoping for some sort of zoo trip but we shall see how far the pennies stretch... Isle of Wight might be nice for a day too.

Right, it's time for bed now, but first a cup of hot choccy and as that game is playing up on facebook maybe I'll watch some telly .

Or go and check whether that games working again ...

We're Wide Awake!

Morning, I'm up and about, woo hoo. Of course I was also up and about at half one last night... these school hols are playing havoc with my body clock. The trouble seems to be that I am surrounded by my little darlings all day, and then all evening and eldest lad being thirteen seems to mean he has no bedtime. Despite being told in very clear terms to GO TO BED!!! My point being, I then tend to sit up for an hour or two (nooo, not obsessively chasing a higher Bejeweled score, whatever gave you that impression?) unwinding. Oh and last night/this morning there was a very loud bangy crashy noise outside, which I decided not to investigate (well the dog was looking nervous and I didn't want to upset her ) but also I didn't go straight to bed afterwards. It was only one bangy crashy noise so in the cold light of day I am suspecting the kids scooters of slipping over.

Ben and Jerry have asserted themselves and now rule the house (didn't take long did it?) The dog is keeping out of their way apart from a quick wash of their back ends when she thinks they won't notice, of course they do notice and still look most indignant.

Eldest girly had a little friend visit yesterday, this is the newer friend, so it was a houseful. We decided to make some jamdrop biscuits and the girls helped. I find it's always a good idea to get them cooking cos then they have something tasty as a reward afterwards...keeps 'em happy for half an hour or so anyway. No pics of biccys cos we ate them all swiftly, mmmmm warm biscuits with jam, very tasty too.

Sigh, best get off here and try and get on with some housework, no not going on facebook.. nope not even tempted... no I have THINGS TO DO. We bought a couple of sets of wicker drawers off ebay and Other Half collected them yesterday, so I have the task of sorting out all his clothes behind the sofa into said drawers. Don't ask me why he can't have clothes upstairs but he can't apparantley, so this is the best and hopefully tidiest solution.

Here I go, going now, off to do something useful ....

Cuppa tea first eh?

Here We Are...

sunday evening again! I have been a bit busy, fussing small grey furry kittens . We have named them Ben and Jerry (that was Madam R's idea) and they are gorgeous. I got an e-mail on thursday from one of the mums from school asking if we were still looking for kittens and basically saying she could get me one if I was. I replied that yes I might be in the market for a kitty (Hah! More like yes please get me kitty now!) and someone called me friday saying she had two kittens and did I want them both? Oh all right then if I must. Now these are feral kittens and the mum is a farm cat, apparantley there are many many kittens being born all the time and the farm just keep clearing them out (did ask if they were neutering the mums but she said they can't catch them). These boys are too young to be away from mum in my opinion (about four weeks old, possibly five) but as they had already been removed from mum (on the thursday I think) I said I would have them. I have experience with looking after underage kittens and know the things to look out for, know I'm taking a chance but what was the likelihood of me going and looking at these kittens and not coming home with them? Nil.

So, friday night we came home with two little grey bundles of fur, saturday morning I was slightly concerned about one of them being constipated and ran off to the vet (so the free kittens have already cost me £30 at the vets!) At least the vet could give them a once over and check the sex for me (she reckons two boys too) she wasn't concerned and since then they have provided evidence of not being bunged up .

It is rather nice to have a couple of felines in the house again, I suspect they are going to be a right pair of trouble makers, they have already asserted themselves with the dog. Small bundle of fluff doubled in size and made very respectable hissing spitting noises... dog looked confused and wagged her tail, then hid in the hall for the evening. They have stopped hissing at her and she is annoying them by trying to wash their rear ends, cats are looking most offended and running off with their little up periscope tails.

Right, off the kitten subject now (no honest...) we are in week two of hols and so far not too bad. As it was money day friday I at least managed to take the kids out to do a little fun shopping. We found a sweet stall at the market with a good array of sweeties and bought about seven tubs of various different sugar laden goodies, we still have some left so the kids haven't actually taken off due to sugar overload. I made some luverly fairy cakes the other day (sorry no pics they didn't last very long) we decorated them with nutella.... good lord that was yum! I may have to make some more shortly. Touching wood and crossing all available digits the children appear to be healthy at the mo and we have already got some friends organised to visit over the next week. See how forward thinking I am. I have a driving lesson tomorrow and my mum and dad will be babysitting, so that kills two birds with one stone (no, not advocating stoning the oldies) as the kids then have some fun visitors and I get away for a while (hour and a half tomorrow...eeeek).

I am not going to go on and on about how stressed I might be cos strangely I'm not too bad at the minute. Tomorrow of course will be a different kettle of fishes .

Stress v Swine Flu

I know which I'd prefer it to be, but whatever it is I'm feeling a bit grot today. It started monday night and I have been steadfastly ignoring it since then, it's not listening though and keeps insisting on pushing it's way forward. So be it illness or stress induced symptoms, I'd like it to go away now please.

My throat is dry (not sore) my head is fuzzy (not aching) and my temper... well my temper is fantastic! Just ask the poor kids!

Patience is not a virtue I am in possesion of today and snappiness is an art form I have mastered well, all in all I am a joy to live with it at the mo.

True to form for me when I get stressed I do that old crabby (cancerian) retreat thing, I noticed that I was avoiding here the other day, my concentration is just shot to pieces.

So, please excuse my absence and lack of commenting when I have passed though, my head's just not working properly! Oh and the cause of my stress will be resolved fairly shortly one way or another (can't say exactly when) and it revolves around the obtaining of a certain piece of paper... to do with automobiles... you know what I mean don't you? I can't even talk about it at the mo and there is still a way to go!!!! AAAAARGH, I don't do pressure .

Going now, fancy a cup of hot choccy and a silly film The Love Guru is on soon, not sure I'll like it but suspect it won't take a lot of working out so it'll do nicely.

Weird One

sunday and no school run tomorrow (Woo hoo!) Other Halfs uniform is done and dusted (washed and dried in case there is any confusion) daughter number one is at her pals house for a sleepover (yes that pal, the one I was so concerned about ) and son number one has gone to the pictures to see the latest Harry Potter.

I had a strange evening on friday, we went to see a band I used to see quite regularly, took one of my friends who came out the other week and she brought a work friend of hers. I also had one of my oldest friends from around here who came; now I was the oldest one out and about, and we had a very young girl with us. I hadn't realised that my pals work colleague wasn't even old enough to be out and about with us. I am afraid I watched in horror as this youngster got pretty plastered, I just felt so responsible for her! She of course was having a fabulous time and all I could do was stress at the nasty old leering men eyeing her up. It was also a bit strange in that I got kind of nostalgic watching this band and that is not necessarily a good thing, I really don't want to be living the life I was back then and I don't need to be out every night... but... it made me a tad restless. Suspect I need a bit of time off from the outing and aboutings!

I was reliably informed on saturday that young girly got home ok and was fine, but I had stressed most of friday night on and off .

We also had my northern relatives come for a visit yesterday, and it seems we may be wending our way northward at some point in august... eek manchester here we come , I think we may have to visit other more northern relatives if we do go, Lake District is lovely tho so I wouldn't mind a meander there if we can manage it.

I am still in a fuzzy headed frame of mind, see six beers and my weekend is wiped out, I hope I perk up soon there's loads needs doing!

Friday...In Case You Weren't Sure!

I am taking a few minutes out whilst littlest Miss watches Mr Tumble it gives me about ten minutes... There is a fatal flaw in my plan in as much as those boys are lurking at the minute. It seems that mum on computer = good opportunity to chat to mum. Sadly mum then tends to explode, lose concentration and generally carry on alarming!

Deep breaths... they've only been off since wednesday.

I am off out this evening (disgusting isn't it, that's three times this month!) and have to say I am looking forward to escaping the confines of the house. Little Miss has been a tad more demanding than usual, I haven't been able to move without a small personage attached to my legs/waist/clinging to my ankle. This morning she seems much more like her normal self, we have had a lot more bouncing and chatting and even some breakfast eating, yay .

My big girl is still at her friends house, I did try and give her a call last night but she wasn't answering, must have been busy eh? I am a little bit on the tired side (makes a nice change) as I ended up watching Muriel's Wedding (again) it's not like I don't know the ending! However 1:10 am came and I was still watching, very silly.

Right my time is nearly up, Mr Tumble is covered in spaghetti at the mo (very amusing) and I think it's nearly all over. Got some food to prepare for later (cos I'm off out, did I say?) and some washing to do, not dry however cos the heavens have opened once more.

At some point I must fit in a bath, some hoovering and general tidying, mmmm we'll see what gets done by the end of the day .

Look! Poor Baby...

Have you seen the state of this poor child?! At least we have seen some smiles this morning, yesterday was a most clingy and sad day. I will again be smothering her in lotions and potions, just hope all the nasty spots are out now and we can start the healing up bit .

Right I am off to clean and tidy the house, in the vain hopes I can start as I mean to go on this school hols....byeeeee for now!

A Day

first I would just like to say thanks for the kind words. You know how it is when it's so close to home all you want to do is wade right in there and sort it out! As was pointed out to me earlier today, I suspect my reaction also had a lot to do with my own childhood experiences (not so good) and less to do with how madam R was actually feeling.

Turns out my girl has a good head on her shoulders, she didn't run and try to make friends with her little pal today and in fact ignored all approaches (I'd have caved lol). I felt sad as I thought it was a shame this friendship that started in reception was done. However I respected my girls actions (didn't intervene) and she has arranged a sleepover at her other friends house tomorrow. Oh and surprise surprise, she received a sheepish and slightly creeping phonecall this evening. I hid in the hall, how grown up am I? Miss A was enquiring whether my girl was her friend "I don't know" came her reply... eek she doesn't beat around the bush my girl. A then went on to plead her case and I think R will be giving her a chance at some stage, but for now Miss A is on the backfoot as R has already got a social evening planned and is carrying on fine by herself thanks. I am proud my girl has stood her ground and is sure of her own opinions at the tender age of ten.

The majority of my day has been spent tending to a very uncomfortable and spotty little girl, the places these blinkin' spots are situated make my eye's water! One of the other mums at school brought us some calamine cream, much better than the lotion as it stays moist, seems to help, also piriton seems to be a slight comfort. I do hope all her spots have come out now cos her poor little face is almost completely covered, all under her eyes and the back of her neck, even her poor little nose . I can now see how lightly my lad got off the other week, he hardly seemed to notice at all. I think little miss M will have at least a couple more days of discomfort, it's just so hard to explain why I can't do much and what it is. I have been saying those naughty spots a lot today and we have been liberally applying cream, oh and acting on some good advice we tried the bicarbonate of soda bath, definitely seemed to help.

She is having a kip now so lets hope she gets some relief whilst she's asleep.

I am shattered and I am soooo glad there is no school run tomorrow , just maybe there will be a lie in ... maybe not but at least no running up the road and back.

Fingers crossed little lady has a better day tomorrow

What To Do?

I am having a slight trauma. Not my trauma, a dilemma being experienced by my poor oldest girl R. Now I don't know if I've managed to convey just what a kind hearted, giving and loyal child my girl is.... but she is. This doesn't seem to be working for her at the moment as her friend of the last five years appears to be ganging up on her with another little darlin'. It appears that my girls "friend" is playing with this other girl (we have had problems with this other girl a couple of years ago) and is quite happy for this child to tell R to go away and say her friend (let's just call her A) doesn't like her any more and doesn't want anything to do with her. It has now escalated to the point where A is telling my little girl she hates her and to leave her alone. There is more complication in as much as A's mum is very anti this other child as she was actually bullying A a couple of years ago and she was very unhappy at school.

So eldest girl has started to play with another little girl, this is also not acceptable apparantly and A is showing signs of jealousy and trying to put obstacles in the way of the new friendship. I suspect a lot of the problem lies with A wanting to be in with the "in" crowd and as R goes her own way and has her own mind I don't think she fits the bill.

Tonight was my girls school disco for the end of term, and A's grandma very kindly offered to take her and bring her back for us. Ah good, methinks, maybe it's all settling down. Nope R has returned in a sad and low mood as A ignored her all evening and was running around with the other girl and her posse. Now, tomorrow is the last day of term and my instinct is to go and rip A's head off her shoulders and to let her mother know she is in fact hanging about with this lovely little madam (her mother would then explode!) However my girlie is not up for this scenario, and I know it is inappropriate for me to take a ten year old to one side and have words .

So, any words of wisdom or advice gratefully accepted.

Normally over the school hols there would be a lot of to-ing and fro-ing between our houses, but my girl doesn't want to invite her pal A over, and doesn't want to visit her's either...Mind you she is stressed as to how to put this cos she doesn't want to give these girls room to manouevre her into a worse position . I fell so sad for her, it's a hard lesson to learn that not everyone is as honourable as you'd wish. My daughter would never behave in this way and it makes me so cross that her good nature has been taken advantage of. I think her friend A thinks that she will act as a good safety net and that she can treat her anyway she wishes as R has always remained steadfast previously. I think R should just chalk it up to experience and stick with this other little girl who seems more genuine, but then it's not me who has to slink about the playground avoiding trouble is it? That was a good 27 years ago as I was recently reminded.

Fed up now, gonna listen to my boys (Take That in case you were wondering ) get a cup of hot choccy and try to unwind, whilst not picturing my hands round small childrens throats... I mean, whilst de-stressing from the evenings traumas .

Not Quite With It

not sure if it's the wind down to school hols or just being completely knackered... or having been taken over by the evil forces of facebook , but I haven't managed to visit here much at all in the past week! It's really not like me and I began to stress that I didn't know what was going on in my cyber-neighbourhood, which in turn made me feel guilty for not visiting my friends as much as I normally do, so just to say thanks to those who dropped by to make sure I hadn't actually dropped off the face of the earth .

I have been inordinately tired this past week, although that hasn't inspired me to get to bed at a reasonable hour, I am soooo looking forward to my lie-ins after wednesday. Speaking of which little Miss M seems to have some blistery spots sprouting behind her ears and on her tummy, so perhaps the chicken pox returneth eh? I suspect nursery will have her unless she has a bad tummy, in which case I will be missing my last day at work for six weeks, I hope I can get in even if it's only to get some leave for the inset days at the end of the hols (they must love me).

I had a very pleasant surprise last week, I received an e-mail via friends re-united and one of my bestest friends ever from secondary school had dropped me a line. I haven't seen this friend in nearly twenty (or maybe even slightly more) years. We exchanged a couple of "Hello! How are you!" e-mails and then I gave him my phone number. It was ridiculous how excited I was when he texted me and said he was going to ring. Phone rang and I immediately reverted to the age of twelve and was giggling and being silly for an hour and a half. The memories just came flooding back and we relived our escapades from young teenager-hood to young adulthood, this is the person I would hang around Soho with so that we could stalk Marc Almond and get his autograph. We used to go far and wide across london to various concerts (oh well yes mainly Soft Cell), we even went to Tunisia together when we were about 21ish. This was one person I bitterly regretted losing touch with and I was truly exstatic when he got in touch... we are in the process of making arrangements to meet up somewhere between Brighton and Portsmouth for some alcohol and a bucketload of nostalgia.

I am now pondering the delights of which household task shall I perform first? Washing in off the line? Washing out onto the line? Washing folded and put away in drawers? Hmmmm, it's a toughie... I suspect washing in from the garden first, that's if Little Miss Clingy lets me get on, she's not 100% cos I can't walk far without having her attached to my ankle at the minute!

Ooh and here is a piccy I got done at the school fair.... all my lot together....

Good innit?

Right I'm getting off here before I decide to check out blinkin' facebook again !

Home Alone

Me and my girl have managed to turf everyone else out of the house today... to say I am relieved could be classed as an understatement, last week provided just a glimpse of what the summer hols could bring I suppose.

Youngest boy is still a little scabby from his brush with the dreaded pox (chicken that is) and this morning he was most distressed to still see scabs. I think he thought as he was going to school the spots would have disappeared completely, he burst into tears and said "I don't feel a little well... I think I need to stay at home" I reassured him in a calm and Mary Poppins way ("You're going!! Don't be silly!") that he was fine. I couldn't bear another day stuck indoors with hyperactive youngster.

It is driving day again, and after last weeks fiasco I ran to the chemists this morning and purchased some Bach rescue remedy, I am hoping it has the desired effect and calms me a little. I obviously don't do well under pressure and the fact that I've now booked the dreaded test has pushed me over the edge I think. Last week was horrendous and I was almost dangerous! I am determined not to let my nerves get the better of me today, I need a good lesson or I can see me cancelling the test date and putting it off, which I'd rather not do as it would be lovely to have at least some of the summer holiday as a independently mobile mum .

I shall report back as to the calming/non-calming effects of the remedy, I am hoping my cynicism about these things doesn't spoil it.

I am pretty much wiped out and should probably try a catnap before my lesson. Yesterday I was full of energy and cleaned the kitchen, this then inspired me to cook something, properly. I decided a home made pizza would be a good compromise, something the kids would enjoy and healthier than a shop bought one. I was rather pleased with the results... here have a look...

.. impressed aren't you? Well as I say I was, but guess what? Children looked suspiciously at my offering, poked it about a bit, prodded the cheese, looked at the sauce (also home made... two pounds of bloomin' tomatoes!!!) and offered various comments. Something along the lines of "I don't think I like this" "I'm not sure this tastes nice" and my personal favourite "I don't want it, I don't want it!" Of course all this was before even a morsel had passed their lips .

I don't know why I bother sometimes.... At least I thought it tasted nice and to be fair the girls gave it a good shot, just those fusspot boys who had to be force fed mums "treat".

The reason I am wiped out though is because I have a new addiction which must be stamped out immediately. Blinkin' facebook and a game called Bejewelled Blitz, two and half hours I was sat there saying just one more game. The games only last a minute each, that's way too many games in a row. I am not going near that again for a couple of days, half twelve was a bad bedtime for me and I have work tomorrow; fairly certain my supervisor wouldn't see that as a good excuse for inattentiveness at my desk (translate as forehead on keyboard with slight drool escaping from the corner of my mouth).

Right off to see if a cuppa and a catnap will provide me with more energy!!

Ooh ooh did you see I managed to creat my blog roll at last? That at least was one productive thing I managed before being sucked into the facebook vortex!

Ooops!

Evening! I am....

up really late? A bit tired? A little tipsy?

Ah yes that's the one! Here we go yet more slightly squiffy blogging! Please watch out for deliferate mistakes.

Had an evening out with my pals, we went for a meal and then onto a local drinks emporium. I appear to have drunk quite a lot of alcohol and yet still be upright and vaguely and alert (never knew what those lerts looked like before). Oh dear definitely a bit lively, I am listening to my boys on the headphones, which could get interesting when I attempt to dance about whilst attached.

Had a lovely meal of salmon and ceaser salad, I ordered chips which was totally unnecessary! I drank wine (eeeek bad idea bad idea, but twas rose and not red so I appear to be fine) and then we rounded the evening off with a bit of dancing about.

Sadly we did have a member of our party who turned out to be a little aggressive whilst drunk, we tried to run away but she found us . She was being really lairy with the poor little waiter lad and when I looked stressed at her she got confrontational... nice! Never mind we managed to ignore her and still had a good night, could have been a bit longer though . Oh well I am drinking a cuppa tea (what else) and will try and get some sleep soon, I shall report on the state of the head tomorrow...... nighty nightttttt

Oh and here is photographic evidence of being up and about and not curled round a loo....

Oh and just to say none of the lovely ladies in these pics are the lairy one!

Still Ever So Slightly Obsessed...

I have not landed properly from my weekends outing and abouting, I still ever so slightly fancy running off with various members of Take That, not all at once you understand, I am just keeping my options open... for when I get the call... you know, sigh... mad as a hatstand I know.

I am also off out this saturday night, it is a joint birthday outing with a friend who is a mere strippling of 24... soon to be 25 (only a couple of years between us ). We are going to eat food and then drink booze, it's a good plan, not too rigid and enough scope for elaboration later on in the evening if we so desire.

I have one sick bunny again this week,youngest lad has most definitely got chickenpox, lots of luverly blistery spots all over the poor little man. This of course means that little Miss M is probably due to get them, as the chickenpox I thought she had when I first returned to work quite probably wasn't . Littlest man seems to be coping ok at the moment, but I'm trying to remember if there is a really itchy point when the spots crust over, I suspect there might be. Ah well we have piriton and calamine lotion, just have to stock up on the old bicarb of soda as I have been told it's great to stick in the bath.

My eldest lad is finally recovered from his bout of tonsillitis, although this evening we have had a "headache" appear when I mentioned homework! It did disappear when I mentioned his friends party on saturday which if he was ill (or grounded through lack of homework) he wouldn't be able to attend.

All kids are in bed asleep and I may very well have to head that way soon myself. I'm not sure. thinking about it, that I would suit a rock and roll groupie lifestyle anymore... I have trouble staying up late two nights in a row, not very alluring is it? A snoring half asleep groupie probably wouldn't attract the right sort of attention

Going On Tour

I'm sorry but there's nothing else for it, I have to leave home and run away to join The Circus (do you see what I've done there? Take Thats' tour and album, huh, d'you get it?).

First I will say I had a fantastic night, I was not sick, I did not pass out, I danced about a lot and I stayed up way past my bedtime. Oh and I didn't even have a hangover this morning!

The weekend was looking a little dodgey for a mo' there, as I said eldest boy was looking extremely ill and I wasn't sure I could go off gallivanting and leave him. Luckily he had improved sufficiently that I felt ok to go. My friend picked me up at about half eleven saturday morning, we had our supplies of food and water and enough munchies to keep us going when fuelled with alcohol. I had made my choice of what to wear and I stuck with it (most unusual and decisive of me....) we were definitely prepared.

The journey there was going well but sadly instead of following our instincts, we followed the sat nav, and after programming in "fastest route" it took us a good three hours to get to the hotel. Oh and I really should have made that toilet stop before we set off. Still we forgot all that as soon as we reached the hotel and realised that yes, that was Wembley Stadium directly behind it, result! My fears that all the parking at the hotel would be taken, were unfounded and we wandered on up to the reception desk. Uh oh a queue, never mind it was clearing at a good rate. Sadly when we got to the front a nice polish receptionist lady apologetically let me know that the room wasn't quite ready yet. We were directed to the bar and given a free drink while we waited approximately fifteen, twenty minutes. Ok, not incredibly impressed but we went and waited. When we re-approached the desk the same nice polish receptionist looked stressed as she revealled that nope the room still wasn't ready. Off we toddled muttering about how we wanted to go and get ourselves sorted. Not too stressed at this point but as we wandered back after another twenty minutes I was starting to get annoyed. It was a total of two hours before this room was ready, I was irked in the extreme and did something not in my nature at all, I asked for compensation.. in the form of free overnight parking. I think I should have asked for more as the manager gave in far too easily!

Still we got to the room sorted ourselves out, resisted the call of alcohol until I had eaten aforementioned food supply, then make up (before a drink, always do make up before a drink!) and then a little tipple and we were off.

It took literally 30 seconds to get there woo hoo, the location of this hotel is perfect for concert going. I have to say at this point I have very fond memories of the "old" Wembley stadium and was curious about how this new look stadium would be, not particularly impressed I'm afraid, we were herded through our gate. You weren't allowed to deviate from your course at any point, no mixing and mingling around the outside of the pitch anymore, we had to go up about four or five escalators and I was starting to worry about exactly how high up we were going to be sitting. When we finally reached our level I did notice a ton of toilet facilities and loads of food and drink stands. I was also surprised to see that at this gig you could, if you so wished, purchase fish and chips (with or without mushy peas), pizza, popcorn and aero bubbles choccy... I'm sorry I didn't realise I was going to the pictures! How weird, I had visions of people standing there with their edibles and watching Take That in full flow, not my idea of what happens at a concert. Of course there was also alcohol, I neatly avoided wine and went straight to smirnoff ice, not ideal but I couldn't face bloating out with a hundred and one lagers.

Our seats were pretty good, a nice overall view and not too high, I wasn't actually in the clouds which is a good thing.

The start of the show was very impressive, almost theatrical, the clowns and acrobats were fabulous and interesting, the music was haunting and the whole thing was an impressive spectacle. When Take That actually appeared from within a cluster of balloons, the crowd (as they say) went wild! It was non-stop action from start to finish, as someone who was never a fan back in the day (I thought they were a bunch of posey lads with not a lot of talent sorry boys) I was wowed. The music was great, the sound was impressive, the lads look amazing (blimey I must be the future Mrs Owen!!!) I was totally blown away, and I'm not afraid to admit that I may have got a little emotional, before beer number four, honest not alcohol induced.

Sigh, the downside of course is that it is now over, I am even more gutted at missing the previous concert through my self induced coma! I now need to go and follow the boys in a stalkerish manner around the country, oh blimey I hope this obsession fades soon, I suspect Other Half will get slightly aggravated with me mooning about the place .

Talking of which (Other Half that is, not me mooning about the place) I just have to say he coped magnificently, things got done, kids got fed, I got updates (unprompted) as to the health status of my lad, kids got put to bed on time, breakfast was made this morning and he even got eldest girl and youngest boy to judo!!! There were no panicky phone calls, or cross phone calls declaring I hadn't given him enough information, all in all it was more of a success than I could have imagined.

Mmmm, wander when I can make my next outing?

Got to work tomorrow, booo, so I will get off now and try and get some kip .

A Long Night!

I am so tired as I have been woken up twice last night, once at three and again at six (so technically this morning). First time youngest lad was having a bad dream and I had to shepherd him back to bed, second time poor eldest boy was having bad stomach pains, I was beginning to think I needed to call out the emergency doctor! Luckily some medicine seemed to sort out the problem, I think it might have had something to do with his only food in the last three days, a late night sandwich of ham and brown sauce . He also seems to be having a reaction to the antibiotics and is experiencing a slightly blotchy rash, this appeared about half eleven last night so I was seen rushing about doing ye old glass test! Thankfully he seemed perky enough and as I say even felt hungry.

Off on my jaunt today, barring sick children disasters, so will be back with pics and gushing over "the lads" I'm sure. Will be back to bore you all shortly I'm sure, have a great weekend all.

You Really Know You're A Mum When....

.....you spend your birthday for the most part at work, worrying about eldest son home with tonsillitis (home diagnosis), then pick up little hot and bothered people from childcare provider, decide to take son number one to the doctors (bearing in mind extremes of heat) have to wait an hour in a hot stuffy room with about 30 other sick people one screaming toddler (mine) one fidgety bored and hot five year old (also mine) one slightly preteen ten year old (yep allll mine) and then into the doctors who asks what's wrong. I fixed him with a piercing glare as last time he misdiagnosed said eldest boy, and said "I think he's got tonsillitis" doctor duly checks and says "what a clever mummy" and we get prescription for antibiotics. Phew, then we go to the chemist to get the meddy, then we go to the Co-op to get ice-cream. Little Miss M was fairly beside herself by this time and I was considering infanticide as a viable option for peace and quiet (it was VERY hot!!!! Forgive me). I then came home to cook tea an hour later than I would have liked, Other Half was home, but of course all children still had to direct queries, requests and general crying in my direction.......I was seen stomping about muttering "Happy Birthday to Me" quite a lot that evening.

But today I have a day off and I am going to the shops, in order to search out concert going clothing . Of course it would help if I knew what the weather was going to be doing, I am just praying it won't be as hot as the last few days, I don't want to collapse in a heap at this concert.

First I shall rush about a bit and get some washing and dishwashing done, in preparation for the weekend (mustn't leave Other Half with four kids and the washing) then I shall await the arrival of my pal, poor thing drove all the way from scotland yesterday, I suspect she'll be a bit tired.

Maybe time for a cuppa, got to get my priorities right .

Wilting

I am not designed for extremes in temperature, I am one of those "never happy" people who moans when it's hot and moans when it's cold.

Today was HOT!

The school run had me exhausted, and I had a sick child at home (again... what a surprise) Eldest lad was giving it a good go this morning and I immediately set to the default position of "You are going to school"... The boy looked all pale and wan at me and said "I feel really ill, I have a sore throat and my head hurts." I eventually gave in and admitted the possibility that he might be ill and asked to look in his throat.... huge tonsils! Ah, ok then possibly actually feeling unwell .

I sent him to bed with the rules about no telly, no computer and staying in bed ringing in his ears, he went and he slept for a large part of the day... when he wasn't throwing up that was. Mmmmm, seems genuine then. I will take him to the docs tomorrow, but he's going to have to languish on his own as I can't miss another day.

I had a driving lesson today and the walk to my friends house nearly wiped me out before I started, luckily I cooled down before Dave the driving instructor turned up. It was a different car today as Daves car is only just being fixed from the bump it had a few weeks ago. I did not enjoy driving a different car, I mistook the rev counter for the speedo (oops not a good thing) and it all just felt different and weird. I was convinced it would be a rubbish lesson but apparantley I did well and Dave was pleased. I shall let you into a little secret, I have booked my test, not telling you when and it's not in the next five minutes, but I have something to aim for now. I'm not going to tell the kids as I don't want them to be disappointed if I fail, then if I do pass it'll be even more exciting .

I am going to go and make packed lunches now, so I'm not doing the frantic pre-school run dance in the morning (well I will be but not as frantic as when I have to make sarnies), night all hope it's cooling down wherever you are this evening .

Cuteness Alert

Please be aware that I am about to gush slightly about how cute my youngest is and to top it off I am including some cute pictures.... you have been warned!

Today I had my parents coming over for my pre-birthday lunch (that's cos my after birthday weekend will be a bit busy, what with Take That and all ). I decided that Miss M could wear a dress for a change, she was quite happy with this idea and as I put the dress over her head I was saying "Ooh M*** look isn't it pretty?" "Yes" she replied, "My pretty dress, I look like a princess" I was amused and said yes you do, Little Miss sighed and said "Magical, I look amazing!" Oh my goodness where did she get all that from, she's only two.

She really is more forward than the others were at this stage, I suspect younger siblings do get a bit of a head start in these things.

We have had a nice roasty lamb dinner, followed by strawberries and cream, I now feel a little stuffed and tired... too much rich food does me no favours (still gotta have it though) My parents have given me a monetary contribution towards my outing as a pressy (yay) and now I can look forward to getting prepared for next weekend!

Anyway here are some pics.......

There we are cuteness over with, I am off to collapse in a heap on the sofa and hopefully not explode from over-eating!

A "Mum" Personality?

Do I have one? I'm only asking as not only do I have the four children to look after, I appear to have an Other Half who thinks I am the one who does everything!

Can you tell we had a ...er.. disagreement yesterday?

It is over and done now, and didn't blow up out of all proportion (for once...) but it's got me thinking...waits for comments along the lines of "oooh dangerous" "blimey didn't know that was possible" etc. What I am thinking is this; do I come across as the sort of person who sorts things out? You know a kind of eternal Mum to all and sundry?

I do like to be in control it has to be said, and I do like to sort things out, but I would like to think other people didn't jump to that conclusion so readily. I don't have to be the one who sorts it all out, I don't mind if other people do it, I just want it done!

Yesterday Other Halfs wage was short, again. Other Halfs reaction to this news was to have a complete strop and rage on about the company he works for. All valid points, but what are you going to do about it? I then had thrown at me "well I thought we (insert word you here) were going to sort something out a couple of months ago but for some reason we (you know the drill... insert the word you) didn't" At this point I was a little irritated as I had drafted a letter for him to take in and present to whoever was appropriate a few months back. However, he didn't think it was a good time to rock the boat (?!) and wouldn't take it in.

Yet another fundamental difference between us, I don't see asking questions to gather information as rude or pushy, he does. It all revolves around the way his firm has started to pay for fuel and mileage, somehow Other Half seems to be dipping out, despite reassurances when they brought the new procedure in that it "would all even out". It's not. I feel the need to find out why, Other Half does but doesn't want to ask questions, I want to ask questions very loud and irritated questions.

Sigh, maybe I am the mum then, as I would be quite willing to ring up and talk to these people on his behalf, don't think it would look too good though would it? Also maybe he's right, maybe these people are unapproachable and would see him as revolting (being in revolt as opposed to yuk!) he does work there after all, I just can't quite let a steady drip of £60 to £80 a month disappear, we can't afford it.

Right end of moan, I am now on countdown to my event , I have a hair appointment this afternoon to cover up all signs of grey on my bonce! I may have a slight cut, eeeek not sure about that bit, but I am definitely having the colour. My pal and partner in crime for the event is coming down on thursday night this week, I have friday off , I foresee a trip to the shops.... no don't have to be psychic to see that do you? You can safely say I am looking forward to not being mum for an evening at least, we have checked the hotel booking, we have planned what food items we are taking with us in case of emergency (I refuse to be ill through too much alcohol and not enough food, again) I am thinking bottled water would be a good idea, goodness me so rock'n'roll.