May 18th

I know, I know long time no speak! Where have I been I hear you ask??

Between being buried under new doors, paintbrushes and gloss and usual household chores I guess I have been buried under a bit of a fog. I am sure you know the sort ~ the days just seem to pass by in a blur sameness after sameness but with little or no time for me.

I decided to finally start work on my Disney scrapbook last weekend, so asked hubby to watch the kids ~ big mistake!! I managed to stick 2 things in book before chaos ensued and I was declared selfish for wanting a bit of time out!!! Now hubby is never like this, he is the most laid back person ever, so I put it down to extreme tiredness on his part. He works incredibly hard, even harder these last few weeks and he is away all week this week. I hate it, but needs must.

This week got off to a hectic start. I looked after a friends little one yesterday, the same age as my son(3) oh my word, soooo noisy together!! Quite sweet watching them play although a few timely interceptions were needed over the whole sharing issue!!! My dear friend also popped in with her daughter, also the same age, so was even busier!! But it was lovely to catch up with her ~ just hope I was of use listening to her. It is so sad watching her struggle with the loss of her dear daddy. I wish I could do more for her, but I know I can't.

Work has started on Disney planning again, YaY, and I think I have found the perfect villa for us. Looks like the new bathroom is on hold again for another year!!! My philosophy in life though is to make as many memoreies as you can, whilst you can. Life is too god damn short as it is, so cram it full of wonderful memories.

Sorry this post is a tad brief but am about to dash out the door to take daughter to school...talking of which she had her boyfriend over for the day on Saturday. Yes you heard me right, BOYFRIEND!!!!! She is almost 12!!! But I have to say he is a lovely boy, and they got on fantastically- so much so that instead of parting company at 3pm it was nearer 10pm!!! He fitted in with our family day splendidly so was no trouble.

Right gotta dash....Adios!!!!

Brief updates..

What a hectic week.

My prayers were answered and my friend was given the all clear - to say I was relieved is a huge understatement!!!

Anyways on to more pressing matters...we are going back to Disney!!! Woohoo!!! This time next year I think it will be ~ and to make it even more exciting I think our Disney friends are going to come with us again too!!!!

As for the fat watch ~ so far so good, one week in and I lost 4lbs, only like another 200 to go LoL but at least its a start. I am trying to use the Wii fit as much as possible too, so fingers crossed!

Yesterday I went bridesmaid shopping with my friend, and I felt such a heifer, I almost burst into tears about it. Still thats 6 months away yet so hopefully will have slimmed down a bit more.

Sorry for the briefness of the post but I just don't seem to have a spare 5 minutes anymore!!

wishing on a prayer

How can life go from so up to so down in the blink of an eye eh?

I visited my friend who lost her wonderful dad 2 weeks ago, and she is so broken with grief. I felt totally useless and for once had no words to share. I just hugged and listened and hoped I was of some use. I just wish I could take some of her hurt away, but I am not fool enough to think there is a way to do that. If she is reading this, I would tell her I love her and will always be here for her ~ but she knows that anyway I hope.

Tomorrow is D~day for my other best friend. I think she is holding it together better than I am to be honest. I can't even bear to imagine if she has to hear the words 'you have cancer'. Have done it once with a good friend, but to do it again so soon???? I wishing on a prayer for her....

I have felt very alone these past few days, my husband is away working so have no adult conversation to keep me sane, also it means no company other than the kids so have too much time to sit and think which is not a good thing right now.

Anyway I fear I am just rambling, will write again soon.xx

Back to reality with a bump

After a wonderful week away with the family, it was back to real life with one heck of a bump. One of close friends has lost their father this week and I just don't know the words to say to them. Another close friend is in the middle of a cancer scare and to be brutally honest I am shitting it on her behalf.
I lost a wonderful friend a couple of years ago to the evil that is cancer and the thought of having to go through it again is well I can't even think on it. But inside my heart is in turmoil right now. Two of my wonderful friends living in a whole world of hurt and I know not how to help.

Life can be the most wonderful thing but also the biggest bag of crap too.

Ready for the off

Well thats me done.

The bags are packed, kids washed and in bed and car full to the brim with fuel. We are ready for the off!!

We are all so looking forward to this break, a total R n R holiday. Hell I may even get a lie in!!

Take care, be back soon.xxxx

Best get packing!

As the first week of the Easter hols draws to a close, I can almost breath a sigh of relief at having survived!!
It has actually been a really busy one. L was on a netball course for 2 days over in Aylesbury, which meant two very early starts to get her up and ready and drive over there. Well worth it though, she loved it and passed the course with flying colours. She was also awarded the most improved player award! Well done darling- love you loads.xxxx

J has been happy playing in the garden with his remote control car, has given hours of fun(to us all) it is a little pocket rocket!! Visited my mum & dad yesterday and spent a lovely day doing nothing with them. Other than that we haven't actually done much, but have all survived with no major issues along the way and all limbs still intact.(seriously that is a first!!)

I really need to get my arse in gear and start packing as we go on holiday on Monday. I am really looking forward to it. Ok so Florida it isn't, but a week doing nothing in Devon is my idea of bliss right now!!! We hope to go for lots of lovely walks and kick abouts on the beach!! So tonight I have a hot date with the iron I think!!!

Today my friend is coming to visit. She is my oldest friend- not as in she is old, but I have known her for 34 years!! Not much we don't know about each other!! That said, she is your typical blond, so I won't hold my breath that she will actually arrive, she is rather ditsy !!! I hope she does though as we haven't caught up in ages.

Am still in a lot of pain, for those that know about my backache!. I have finally decided that enough is enough though, and am going to make an appointment for after my holiday to check it out with GP. I have to, it is no longer manageable. Almost passed out the night before last with the pain, and I have quite a high pain threshold. Will keep you updated.

So my plan for today is washing, ironing etc - very exciting stuff. L has her friend over today for a sleepover. I think they are going into town for a couple of hours, so very grown up!!! Might convince them to watch Twilight again, as I am having Edward withdrawal symptoms!!!

Had best tidy up too as mum & dad are over tomorrow, have to do some washing for them as there machine died yesterday after 10 long years of service. The new one isn't coming until wednesday, so I offered my services!!! Think I might do a roast for them too, haven't had a roast in ages! Yummy!!

Mamma Mia I'm in love with EC!!!

On friday, I took L to London to see Mamma Mia. Make up done and feeling vaguely human rather than just mum we set off. We went on a coach with a friend of mine and her mum. We were meeting another family member of theirs in London. A boring journey down there but arrived about 6pm and the show wasn't until 8:30pm so we had lots of time for dinner.

I love the hustle and bustle of London, I couldn't live there mind you! But the buzz of being in a big city gets me every time I visit! We met up with A and went down Portobello road to find a restaurant for dinner. We ended up in TGI fridays. The sheer bliss of sitting down to eat without fear of having to jump up every five minutes to see to little man. AMAZING!!! Managed to eat my meal without getting indigestion- a first in a long time! I also enjoyed a couple of vodka & cokes, yummy!!!

We took a slow walk over to the theatre, man I was sooo looking forward to this. It is a show I have wanted to see for years. L absolutley loved the movie, and is an AbbA fan, so she was excited too. Once in the theatre, we hit the loos, then the bar for a pre theatre drink! Drinks ordered...somehow, not too sure what happened, but L ended up drinking a bacardi and coke! Totally innocent mistake, 'I' had drunk L's coke- without realising it had NO bacardi in!
It never seemed to affect L, thank goodness, although she has asked since for another- might have to book her in to the local AA!!!!

Once the laughter stopped we went through to the stalls. Had excellent seats, well once I had squeezed my fat arse in anyway. Lights dimmed and off we go!!!!!!!!!!!!! For those of you who have not seen this show, I can not recommend it enough. It was far better than the movie, absolutley fabulous. We were all singing and dancing along, such a great atmosphere. For a couple of hours I was me. I totally forgot about being mum- it was a welcome break!!

Fell asleep on the way back, so didn'y notice the journey! Arrived home at 1.15amto the joyous sound of my son still awake, aaahhhhh back to reality with bang. Two hours later once he was settled, I finally fell into my bed next to my snoring hubby, and went to sleep. Such a shame it wasn't for long though as was back up at 7am. The joys of motherhood eh??!!

The weekend then passed in a blur of plasterboard, screws & paint as a cupboard was constructed in my hallway. The purpose is to de-toy my downstairs and create some order of semblance into the chaos!

I have had the most awful backache for 4 days now, and am still in pain. No idea why, hoping it settles soon. I can really do without the inconvienience of pain!

OMG!!!!! Last night had a girly night with my daughter, neice and best friend to watch TWILIGHT the movie!!! We are all huge fans of the books so were really looking forward to it. It did not dissapoint, and has only furthered my obsession with the mighty Edward Cullen.

Needless to say, I had the best dream last night!!!

A long day..

Today has been a long day.

J decided it would be great fun to get up at 5am. Oh the joy.

So by 7am, I had built a lego city, written a cheque for L's school trip, made packed lunches, sorted some washing, written a shopping list, showered and dressed and completed 3 jigsaws. Is it bedtime yet??!!

By 8am had dragged L from bed, had breakfast, cleared up the lego city and jigsaws, put the breakfast things away and got J dressed ready to take L to school. This was completed by 8.30, then tidied kitchen before taking J to school.

I was picked up at 9.45 by my best bud to go with her to meet the florist for her wedding. Had a wonderful couple of hours looking at flowers and indulging in girly wedding chat. It was sheer bliss!! Then made a mad dash across town and into the village, narrowly missing a family of ducks who decided to nest in the middle of the lane, to collect my son from pre school.

So laden with indoor shoes, paintings a plenty and an easter basket overflowing with straw (some of which ended up in my hair) I managed to safely collect my son from school befor heading out to lunch with my friend. We hit the local pub, straw still in situ in my hair, where we ordered a lovely ploughmans and fish pie for J. It was divine and for once my son was an angel - yes you heard right he behaved in public wooooooooooohoooooooooo!!!!!!!!!

We then decided to do battle with Tesco, not something I usually attempt with my son, but figured with my friend we could gang up against him should he start. In and out within 20 minutes, now that has to be some kind of record!!!! Sanity still intact and a hairstyle now strawless we headed for home. Spent a couple of hours mulling of more wedding plans whilst building train sets and doing the okie cokey!

Said goodbye to my friend as she made her escape, secretly wishing it was me escaping just for a fleeting moment. Ran around frantically tidying before the second of my best friends arrived for dinner. Pork escalopes in an onion and mustard sauce with new potatoes & a selection of freshly bought veggies. As per usual she was running late, so when she arrived, instead of me looking calm and in control I was red in the face disheveled hair with a smudge of mustard across my left breast. Classy bird me.

Needless to say dinner was yummy. Made her tidy up, well I had cooked! Dashed out to collect my daughter from her friends, before returning to say goodbye to my friend. Then hurrah time for bed for J! Read a million stories before heading up and he was asleep before his head even hit the pillow YaY!! Shoved yet another load in the washer then yay meeeeeeeeeee time!!!

And thats me for today, sat here typing this whilst watching some documentary about something that I have no clue about, but am just too lazy to find the remote control so guess I am stuck with it. Ah well it makes me look kinda clever I guess. Did get a phone call earlier to say hubby will be home this evening, but not until about midnight.
I somehow think I will be asleep by then.
Sweet dreams.xxxxxxxxxxxx

Counting the days....

This is all I seem to be doing of late. Maybe I am even OCD about it!!! I count the days until the weekend every week. I am also counting the days until I go to see Mamma Mia in London(3 days), the Twilight dvd is released(6 days), our family holiday in Devon(13 days), Take that concert(97 days) and a big family trip to Devon(122 days) HMMM I could go on!

So as you can see I like having things to look forward too, be it the weekends or an event. I am really looking forward to Thursday as L breaks up from school YaY no more school runs for two weeks!! Then on Friday we can have a girly morning as J is at playgroup. Then at 3.45pm L and I are off to London with friends to see Mamma Mia- we both love the movie, and are huge AbbA fans, so it should be a fabulous night. Will let you know how it goes!

OK, so then Monday the Twilight dvd comes out. I cannot convey my excitement at this!! I have arranged for the girlies to come over to watch it together. Mmmmmm Edward yum!! drool drool

As i wipe my drool up off of my laptop and remove my son from his postion sat on my shoulders pulling my hair as he pretends I am a horse...let me continue.

My parents are coming to stay tonight, as hubby is away at work all week. So I guess I really shoule get off of here and do the obligatory throwing of things in the cupboards(out of sight) and change the beds. In all seriousness I love my m&d staying, they are great company and the kids love them being here. Certainly beats the outlaws!!!

Paint, playdoh and pedicures

Yesterday I had to perform my motherly duty of helping out at my son's playgroup. Aaaahh the joy.
So I awoke with a bit of a headache, so not the best of starts. Kids decided to really play up this morning, especially little man who was so over excited at being able to take mummy to school with him! Wish I had had his excitement and enthusiasm. It was 3 hours that I was not exactly relishing the thought of.

The 3 hours actually flew by in a sea of paint, playdoh and snotty noses. Even went on a snail hunt in garden. I got home at 12 rather dishevilled with an attractive streak of muddy brown paint on my left cheek, red in my hair and green playdoh stuck to the sole of my shoe. NICE!!!

Really felt like a vodka, but settled for a coffee instead to try and get of the trauma of the morning!! The afternoon brought even more motherly love out of me. Let me set the scene...

My brother in law was over fitting my new downstairs toilet so the house was a sea of tool boxes, and other decorating paraphanalia. Add in one hyperactive three year old boy, and one worn out stressed mum. Yes am sure you can imagine the carnage that followed!! What a mess. I think my B-I-L was so relieved to escape at 5pm, lucky sod!! Once 6 pm hit i was on a mission to get little dude to bed asap as he was driving me insane. Asleep for 6.45 aaaahhhhh the sheer bliss of silence.

L decided she was going to tidy her room. SHOCK HORROR!!!! Now I use the term 'room' loosly...rubbish dump would actually be more appropriate. I was bordering on calling Environmental health out to see to it. What is it with Teenagers eh??!!

So I had a few hours to myself. I looked at the mountainous pile of ironing that is in danger of swallowing up my dining room, but it was a fleeting look before closing the door on it. Instead I decided to be good and do a workout on the Wii fit. OMG I forgot how I would ache after my hike of the day before!!! But I did it, and felt much better for it YaY!! So am still on the fitness regime...looks like I will make it to at least one full week then!!

After my workout I sat and chilled out and decided I need a pedicure, my feet are in a right old state! They resemble something that should really belong on a dinosaur! So my mission is when I have shed a few pounds to treat myself to a pedicure. Woooohoooooo!!!!!!!!!!!

To rest my weary bones

I am worn out.
I feel about 100years old, and probably look it too!! The reason I hear you ask?? The answer is quite simple exercise...see I always knew it was bad for you!!!
I decided to get back into it this week, so the diet began on Monday along with exercise. I hit the gym yesterday with my best bud C. Today I had the great idea of walking to town with my neighbour. It is about 2 miles away. Almost got blown away on the hike down there and got caught in what I can only describe as a hail storm but we made it in one piece. Had a pleasurable hour around the town, before hiking back again!!! On the hike back I was totally windswept and sweating away and probably looked like I had been dragged through a hedge backwards, when my beautiful and most elegant of friends drove by- mortified or what!! I bet she had a right laugh at the bright red woman huffing and puffing her way along the pavement! Or even worse recognised me but pretended not too!!!

Now an hour later I have discover muscles I had long since forgotten!!! I think a long hot soak in the tub is in order this evening to rest my weary bones!!!

On the plus side, hubby is home tonight after working away and it is his birthday- although we have said it is his 'non' birthday as we shall celebrate on Friday instead. I don't know about you, but once you are the wrong side of 25 birthdays are just pants! I mean who really wants to celebrate another year nearer meeting the grim reaper!! Not for me thanks!!!

So I shall keep you posted on the diet/exercise front....I will be taking bets on how long I last.
I reckon 2 weeks tops!!!!

Forget being a princess...

I thought crushes onluy happened during your emotional rollercaoster teen years, not when you are meant to be a sensible responsible grown up!

But it has happened to me at the ripe old age of 34. I mean I am meant to be a responsible adult, fully in control of my thoughts and feelings- or so they say!
And so I am in love...... Edward is the man who occupies my dreams these past few weeks. He even squeezes his way into my head causing me to daydream like a pubescent girl. Edward, for those of you not privvy to having read the best books in the world(well my world), is a vampire.

Hmm that stopped you in your tracks eh? You expected a pop star, celebrity, actor or the like.....not some blood sucking animal. But oh my word he has totally captured my heart. I love him. Totally and utterly in love. Why oh why can't he be real? Whilst he is giving me hours of pleasure, I actually feel sorry for the teen girls out there who too have fallen for him- how will they ever meet a man who lives up to Edward's standard? Man are they in for a shock.

My husband thinks it is hilarious, and says I am like a teen obsessed with the latest chart sensation! I think he is just humouring me. I haven't yet told him that the dvd comes out in 13 days! My obsession is only gonna get worse!!

So my advice to you, go buy a copy of Twilight and fall in love to. Seriously, vampires rock.

Forget being a princess, I want to be a vampire.

Happy Mother's Day

I woke to a the joyous shouts of 'I need a weeeeeeeeeeeeeeee' at 6 am this morning, whilst hubby lay snoring next to me. I have a banging headache which has been niggling away all week.

Hubby and I went out last night ON OUR OWN!!! First time in well at least 3 years!! We went to the cinema to see Marley & me, and had a chinese too. Whilst it was nice to go out with no kids, I found we had nothing much to talk about- it has been so long that it felt like all we had in common were the kids, and thats just sad. Trouble is he is knakered from working so bloody hard, we don't see him from sunday tea time until very late on the friday most weeks. Not ideal, but in the current credit crunch he needs to do what he has to to keep his job. But boy does it put a strain on your relationship.

I love my hubby wholeheartedly, but as with all marriages they sometimes need a lot of work. I feel we are currently in one of these periods. Don't get me wrong we don't really argue, never have to be honest. I think we are just both unhappy. He is unhappy at work, and I am unhappy with never seeing him. The kids miss him terribly all week, which makes for a grumpy house!!

Thankfully we have a holiday in 2 weeks, a week down in Devon in a beautiful little cottage. We plan on doing nothing!!! Just some quality time together. People take the mickey out of us as we are (or so it seems to them) always on holiday. Truth is we take 4/5 holidays a year, usually a week here and there and usually in the UK. It is the only way we get to spend some quality time together as a family. That said we got back a month ago from 2 glorious weeks in sunny Florida which was amazing!!!!!!

Well, thats all for now, have to go do washing & ironing- yes I know it's Mother's day but no one else is going to do it. I have my sister & her family over later - more work on the downstairs toilet, whilst we take the kids to the woods again! Hmm best fit in a trip to Tesco's aswell, aahhh a mother's work is never done.

ps- Marley & me is a great movie....but take tissues!!

Long day...

A rare thing has happened this week.....
I have had so much company and not felt alone!!! This never happens, but maybe I have made more effort?
Monday took little man on a play date, so had a good old natter with the mum. Tuesday had my girly night, Wednesday ma & pa were over and hubby was home at night. Yesterday my brother was over and 2 girlies popped in during the evening and today hubby will be home agin w00t w00t!!!

That said today I feel like I have been 10 rounds with Tyson!! The little man was up all night, and by that I mean i finally fell asleep at 4.45am and got back up at 7.15am....so today is going to be fun.
We have no food, so need to do battle with the local Tesco's and on a Friday to be honest I would rather gargle with battery acid.

Wish me luck on what I feel is going to be a very long day!!

Frogs, Bogs & Millionaire's mansion

This has been a busy week so far and quite action packed for me!!



On tuesday I had a girly evening with my bestest friend so that we could plan her hen night. A bottle of wine later and lots of googling and we had it all sorted. We have found the most amazing Millionaires mansion that we can have for the weekend, it is like something off of Footballers wives- very Wag!! So that sorted we reverted to our favourite pasttime - a good old girly gossip. Why is it that a good gossip always cheers you up??!!



It has been an active week too, as have no downstairs toilet this week as it is under construction, so a lot of running up and down stairs with the little dude, can't trust him to go alone incase he sets the African land snails free- imagine the mess, snail trails everywhere!!! Eeeeeuuuuwwwww



It has been a beautiful week weatherwise, gorgeous sunshine by the bucket load so I decided to tackle the jungle otherwise known as my garden. After a huge fight I finally got the lawnmower started, was happily mowing away....when I saw something move in the long grass. I squealed for my dad, who was over visiting, to come rescue me from the huge green monster jumping around in my garden. Upon a more thorough inspection we found 8 frogs happily humping in my garden, plus oodles of frog spawn -again -eeeuuuuwwww. So after many squeals and much laughter, the said frogs were finally caught- and later released into a neighbours pond. Incase you are wondering, my jungle now resembles a garden!!

Today my brother is over, so far have had to mend a split crotch in his golf trousers and made him toast- aah men they are all the same eh?? Brother, husbands and well just men in general I guess.

Right, am off to do a frog check round my garden....I may be some time!!!

Move over David Bailey..

I got bought a 'real' camera for my birthday. None of this point and shoot malarkey, I am talking the real mcCoy- seriously, you should check out the size of my lense!!
So, I thought I would road test it this weekend by taking the kids and my nieces into the woods. They had an awesome time climbing trees & having leaf fights and it made for some fabulous photo opportunities for me. Well, I am very proud of some of my shots, so much so am thinking maybe new career??!!??

So on my quest for finding the new me, maybe, just maybe I have made a start? I think this could well become a new hobby for me.

Thank god it's Friday...

Well it's Friday, and as I fall to my knees and thank the Lord for that- I am frantically running around trying to tidy up and get the house shipshape before my husband gets home from work!
I am sure thats a familar sight across the country right now.

I am shoving washing in the machine, whilst emptying the dishwasher and at the same time preparing tea, colouring in another picture of Thomas the Tank Engine and mopping up the spilt cup of juice before it soaks into the floor. It's a good job that I can multi task.

I love fridays. I love them because it means for the next two days I don't have to be a million people: mum, dad, cook, cleaner,ironer, taxi driver etc etc. Instead at the weekends I can be me, even if it is just for a couple of hours!!

So, who is me? Well to that question I am afraid I have no answer...

Somewhere over the last 11 years I have managed to lose my identity and am now Just MUM.

Today is the day I have decided to try and find me. Any pointers, very welcome!