Braces off...

I just had to pop in and say that DS1 had his permanent braces off today! His teeth are perfect and very big (well they look big). He is walking round with a cheshire cat grin on at the moment. He ate a massive bar of chocolate tonight and then spent only 2 mins cleaning his teeth (not the usual 15).

In other news, my car is broken and I have my 2nd guest at the Home for Wayward Wives. x

Cleaning the sky+...

is my job today even though I have a long list of more important things to do. My brain has been on high alert for over a week with the M&P situation. I needed to calm down after driving M home. so we went to the beach yesterday after school. It was very windy but lovely and sunny. The dog loves being in the sea and so do the children. We had ice-cream and stayed out late. It felt like bunking off school but hey ho.

7 weeks later...

and we survived (mostly intact). There has only been one hospital visit and that was this weekend (DH1 cut his finger on recycled glass). Oh and the break up of Mothers marriage is still in full swing. My stupid fecker of a step-father (notice no caps) is shagging his hateful secretary. Will he be able to hold his head up in the city? Or is that thing still applauded? She is not even younger ffs! Anyhoo, back to me...

Boys are all back at school today and the washing machine/tumble dryer repair man is coming, I mean, honestly, we haven't seen him in at least 3 weeks.

Autumn is definatly here, we had to light a fire last night because it was quite brrrrr. All of the leaves seem to have fallen overnight too. Will try to get back here later with any updates. x

You should never...

ask a question if you don't already know the reply, doubly so if you don't want the answer. My Mum asked a question this morning to which she neither knew, nor wanted the answer. On the eve of their 24th wedding anniversary she asked my Step-Father "can you see me in your future?" His honest answer was "No". Cue huge amounts of brown hitting fan.

I can honestly say that it doesn't get easier with age. My parents divorced when I was 10 and my S-F has been around since then. My Dad made a bad 2nd marriage and that divorce was welcomed. He got married again this year to a fantastic woman. However, P has been my Dad by choice for 30 years. I am very sad and I pray that this will be sorted soon (in a good way) and that we can all stay strong.

4 weeks in...

School holidays really do fly by.

How long before...

I stop looking out of the window/door every time a harrier flys past. I have been here nearly 2 years and it still excites me to see (and hear) them.

Twenty Things That...

Parents Never Say by Gervase Phinn

Of course you can have more pocket money.
I bought those chocolate biscuits just for you.
No,it wont hurt to leave your bike out in the rain.
The telephone is free if you wish to use it.
Don't bother with the dishes, I'll do them later.
I do wish the school wouldn't give you so much homework.
I like your friend with the nose stud and the tattoos.
You're not coming in too early tonight are you?
Just leave your dirty underwear on the floor.
Don't worry, I came bottom of the class when I was your age.

I hope you enjoy the rest of the late night film.
Would you like any help sticking that poster on your bedroom wall?
These trainers are very cheap.
Would you like lots of greasy food at your all-night party?
I don't think the dog is ready for a walk yet.
Why don't you stay in bed a little longer this morning?
I do hate a tidy room.
Leave all the lights on, will you?
Don't bother cleaning out the bath.
School holidays are a bit short this year.

Day 13 in...

the holiday household. In the last 13 days we have been to:-

Mums for tea-on-the-green
a fancy dress night at skaters
Castle Rising Castle
Old Hunstanton
Cinema to see HP6
London

We have had Andrew to stay for 3 days (in the new tent) and now have Dan here for 10 days. This B'n'B lark is not all its cracked up to be (we also watched the local hotel being pulled apart by The Hotel Inspector this week). Tomorrow is dedicated to film watching, they have Casino Royale, Hot Fuzz and Next to get through. There should be a lot of DVT around the house by 6pm.

T minus 9 hours ...

Today is the last day of the school year. So far I have wasted 3 hours faffing on the internet (I have however, ordered some dyslexia help books for the holidays and joined a couple of dyslexia website forum thingys). In the next 9 hours I must...

=> fill 2 freezers
=> clean the house
=> find the number and wordshark programs
=> get rid of this cold
=> sort out the banking
=> phone the tumble dryer repair man
=> finish the ironing/putting the washing away
=> change all the beds/get duvets back out (bloody English summer)

I will not be taking bets on how far down this list I get. Wish me luck.

Good news first...

DS2 will not be excluded from school. Thats really all I have to say about that!

We have the start of the hoildays coming up and no plans as yet, so, I am going to make an effort to get his spelling up to scratch. He is dyslexic and although he is very clever (5+ years above his age, he can't spell for toffee). Also have to make a big effort with DS3 with reading and spelling as his dyslexia is worse. Happy to report that his school noted he is good at cricket, when life gives you lemons and all that, he may make a cricket teacher after all....

DH is considering going back to school (as a teacher) he has been approached by an organisation looking for teachers for the building industry. It's being seriously considered at the moment.

Am I a ...

witch? I have dithered about all morning wondering if I should put the washing out (it is quite overcast and dull here). I have just made a decision YES! I should indeed put the washing out, so, I filled the basket from the machine, re-filled the machine, turned around and.... hail stones are falling from the sky. WTF? DS1 is on a field trip today to a local beauty spot. I really hope they are under cover :( and I am secretly glad that they had enough staff and that I am not there.

what do you want first...

the good news or the bad news? DS2 came out of school today in a mood, it turns out that the teacher who locked him in a classroom last week wouldn't let him go to the toilet during a lesson so DS2 muttered "pr*ck" under his breath. Unlike DS2 the teacher isn't deaf and we are now waiting to see if/when he will be suspended from school. DS1 was chatting just now and mentioned that as a "boffin" the school have said he will be taking his GCSEs a year early. Why is there never any communication from school? Why do I get this information from children in passing?? DS3 got a gold certificate for excellence today. As meatloaf says "2 out of 3 ain't bad...".

They are back...

the boys are home. Chaos reigns, the washing pile is 2ft high, DS3 has a wobbly tooth and DS1s voice is breaking (eek). I have to get a better plan for bed time,the current one is shite. I send them to bed at 9ish they faff around until I lose the plot and finally get into bed with lights out at 10 (just in time for us to go to bed). Frankly its not good enough and quite stressful. Must have a think.

I feel like a...

teenager who has been left in charge of the house while my parents are away for the weekend, although it's my children who are missing. We can make mess and eat tosh and not think before we speak. Being a good example is quite draining at times and with 3 Sons, being a referee 24/7 is even more draining than that! I am off to get a take away that I will eat from the container (with a spoon) and I wont do the clearing up until tomorrow. So there!

Spoke too soon...

and now its raining...

Summer is here...

Well, obviously now that I have said that the heavens will open and all my veg will be washed away. I love growing food I can't really see the point of planting flowers when you can plant veg, fruit & salad - it looks just as good and tastes a whole lot better :)

It is 2 weeks until the schools break for the summer, DS3 has 7 weeks off DS1/2 have a few days less. I have so much I want to do before 17th July (fill the freezers for a start ). I hate to start the holidays unorganised. It usually goes Pete Tong by the end of the 4th day but at least I get 4 days of sanity. The children are away this weekend staying with K&S for the last time before they move back to Belfast... I will really miss them when they go. We are staying with them in August at the new house so I suppose its not too long but when we lived in London we were in each others pockets. We still see them a couple of times a month and talk every week. A fraying of the umbilical cord rather than a sudden cut.

I havent written about the arrival of Bebe the dog. We have had her for 5 weeks now and she is very funny and fits in here perfectly. I am allergic to animals so the children knew for sure we would never have a dog. However, Bebe belonged to a friend of our for 6 years and I have become desensitised to her. So, when they announced she was going back to Battersea for various reasons (none to do with the dog) I offered to have her. I say offered, what I really mean is pleaded! They said yes straight away and we took her home with us that night. I am still the best Mum in the world...

Hmmmmmm...

I have started listening to a hypnosis cd. Its very weird. I feel like a part of my brain has been removed. I have had a sabotage lobotomy. The bit of my brain that makes the last decision about food is gone. When I look in the fridge I don't think "I'll just have...." now I think "nothing here for me..." and shut the door. Odd huh?? Don't get me wrong, I like it but I don't even have a memory of how it feels to think like that......just......nothing...... like mist. Very odd.

I walked into town this morning even though it is freezing out. I just put a scarf on and shoved my hands in my pockets. I walked the long way home thought the park and even left some of my breakfast because I was full. Very very odd.

Today I will walk to collect the boys from schoolfor the 3rd time this week. Hmmmmm. Will update again later to see how it goes. x

cocoon on wheels

I had a long chat today with a skater boi..... well geezer. He is 68, its his 48th wedding anniversary today and he brought his wife, daughter and 3 grand children along. I also spoke to John for the first time in depth. He is 79 and flys about on roller blades (whilst weraing a crash helmet and knee/wrist protectors). They are all Ex GB champions on quads/ice. I hope I will be as fast as them when I am 60+, to be that fast now would be good. x

Arrrrgggghhhh...

bloody white eyebrow hairs now!!! Is this what being old is all about?? I realise the alternative isn't appealing but honestly....

memory going??

This is the first time I have been here since my birthday because......I forgot my email address & password! WTF is that all about?? Does oldtimers know about the birthday? I think some more investigation is required. If I find anything out and can get back in here I will let you know. xx

40 hmmmmm

Birthday week went very well. I didn't have the breakdown I was waiting for but its early days yet. I will be here alone with time to think tomorrow, so lets wait and see! I got loads of fab presents and we all went to see The Jersey Boys on Saturday - what a brilliant show. I reaquainted myself with alcohol and found out what a lovely friend it is. I even managed to stay upright in 5 inch heels! So I am not the lightweight I thought I was. Am knackered now so off to bed, more later. xx

Birthday week...

Next Thursday its my birthday and I have a whole week of "outings" planned:-

Mon - Mums
Tue - Dads
Wed - London (Nans/Eves/Sharons)
Thu - Lunch out with the lovely Clazza & maybe dinner out
Fri - Lunch here with the lovely Nessa (also our wedding anniversary)
Sat - Jersey Boys & Dinner with my Dad & family (staying in a hotel)
Sun - collect boys & lunch with the lovely Conways.

What a fab week of fun. xx

Up early ...

The snow stopped at 10ish last night. J woke up at 5 this morning, declared the roads too snowy and went back to sleep. I stayed awake huffing - because that is my favorite thing to do at 5 am. Then at 5.45 he rolled over and declared the roads fine! So in the interest of being a good wife I got up to make his breakfast so he would not be too late for work. Its 6.30 and he is leaving soon, then I have to break it to the children that the schools are open. This is not a task I am looking forward to. It will however, give me a bit of time today to get organised for the weekend/half term. I hate starting the holidays unorganised! xx

snowed in...

Grrrr we are snowed in. I went to bed last night - no snow- J got up at 5am, 6 inches of snow and the road had disappeared, grrrrr again. So, he is off work and the boys are home from school. The boys have been in the garden shoveling and making snow man/sculptures. I have been a short order cook for most of the day! Its 5pm and they are making noises about dinner, which will be a cobbled affair of freezer treasure (what ever is left). Salmon or gammon are the choices and the accompaniments are the same. Does salmon go with pineapple?? I willlet you know. xx

Roller skating...

I am going skating again this morning. I went to our local rink last week for the first time. It was fab! I have always skated. I remember skating up and down my Nans hallway when I was 3 and my sister was a baby and then every weekend at our local rink. In my teens the local rinks were the ice kind and even though I hated being cold I still went regularly. Now at the ripe old age of *ahem* 35? I am back in the swing. Last week I got a lesson in turns which I haven't had the courage to try for yonks but it went well and I didn't show myself up. This weeks lesson is proper skating backwards not just moving your feet in and out!!! xx

Greetings from BFN.....

Its been a while, sorry, I must try harder.

Yesterday I ventured into my sons room with a hoover and some disinfectant wipes....it wasn't enough!

Amongst the detritus I found:-

one machine load of dirty washing
17 books off the shelf
my sewing box
my first aid box
the yellow pages
the carpet
4 screwdrivers
and a Gideons Bible (?)

If its this bad now what will it be like when he is an official teenager??

On the good side he cleared his desk and you can actually see that its a desk, not just a pile of rubbish pushed into a corner. xx



I left