October 2006 Half Term

I can't believe how quickly it has passed. We have been busy but relaxed too.

Monday, I went into Watford to return a few things to Primark. I also went into John Lewis to purchase a dishwasher. I carefully checked with the salesman how easy it would be plumb in. I mentioned we already had a Bosch and he told me it was very simple. Of course when it was delivered on Wednesday, it turned out that it wasn't simple at all. Monday evening I went to Tring to see my J and her baby E. E is now almost 6mos and very cute, it still amazes me how quickly babies change in their first year.

Tuesday I went in to town with Sam and Tessa, Michael and Jamie had gone in earlier on the train to meet with Doris's stockbroker about her investments. Sam loved the train and was doing all the actions and sound effects each time we pulled out of a station. We met at Tower Hill and ended up walking through the City past St Paul's Cathedral to find a Wagamama's. We walked past my old office in the City, I only recognised where I was by recognising a pub where we had once had lunch. I have to say that I didn't often go into the City and the first time I had a meeting there, as I had arrived early, I decided to have a walk round the area. Well, within a couple of turnings I was completely lost. Although there are lots of interesting buildings, they end up looking very similar, old buildings all look old, modern ones look modern and a building site looks pretty much like a building site and there was lots of building, by the time I made it back I was the last to arrive. Lunch was really good, we had a table all to ourselves out of the way and the children really enjoyed their meal too. Afterwards we hopped on a bus to Westminster Abbey and saw the sights all along the route past Fleet Street, along the Strand, past Trafalgar Square and along Whitehall and Westminster. It was definitely easier on our legs than walking and saved our ears from any whining.

Wednesday I went with the children to see friends in Barnet and we all had a great day till I received a call from Michael saying that I needed to pick up a part to seal off a pipe as the washing machine couldn't be plumbed in and needed a plumber to do some new pipework for us, and in the meantime we couldn't use the sink or the washing machine as water would flow out. The bits I got didn't fit the pipe so Michael went out and thankfully brought back pizza for dinner, and we used paper plates to avoid washing up. Then he phoned the plumber who agreed to come round on Thursday morning.

Thursday, the plumber came and did his plumbing and our dishwasher now works beautifully. Very pleased with it. Then we had lunch out at Harvester which was OK, the salads and main courses are fine but their puddings are rubbish. Then we did our shopping and home for dinner.

Friday, we have a couple of the children's friends round for the day as their mum is working. So for the morning they are entertaining themselves and in the afternoon hopefully we will take them to Hampstead to fly kites on Parliament Hill, and lunch is homemade pizza. Just hope Tessa will eat it as I think she is scunnered of pizzas now.

6 April 2006

What a busy day! After I dropped the children off at school, it was straight home to tidy up, then Sam and I went to the post depot in Mill Hill to collect a parcel and post a letter, then we went to Topsy Turvy in Brent Cross to meet up with Issabelle and Olivia, the children played for a couple of hours while we had a natter and then it was back to ours for lunch, the children played in the garden for a while too, the weather was lovely and sunny but a bit chilly still. Unfortunately Issabelle felt a migraine coming on so after taking paracetamol she and Olivia went home. I picked up Jamie and Tessa from school and Jamie wanted a friend home and since he has a little sister about Tessa's age I asked if they both wanted to come. The children had a lovely time in the garden and played really nicely. Michael thankfully came home on time so I could go out shopping for a dinner party on Saturday. I got the shopping done and then home to Michael for dinner. I was so pleased because I felt so awful all day with this horrible cold. It is making me feel really stiff and tired.

Unfortunately this morning I got a text from Joanna to say that she and Mark can't make it on Saturday as Mark has a bug. On the one hand I am relieved as it means I don't have to go mad doing all the cooking today and cleaning tomorrow but on the other I am disappointed not to see them but we will see them another day. Still Joanna and I have arranged a lunch date so that is good.

Sam is lying on the sofa watching Thomas he is wiped out with this cold too. I am hoping he will have a nap today but knowing my luck that will be at 2.30pm when I collect Jamie and Tessa from school as they break up today.

Aagh I really have to crack on now with tidying up and cleaning even though I so don't want to. I just feel like lying on the sofa watching my tapes and DVD's and dozing off if I feel like it but not allowed to now with Sam at 2. Roll on nursery time.

Last rugrats till after Easter

Yesterday not a lot happened here since Jamie had a temperature and sore stomach in the morning so he didn't go to school. He would have gone if I had forced him but I found him in tears in the living room after breakfast and I didn't have the heart to send him. At the back of my mind was that he was faking being ill to avoid a boy he is having problems with but in truth he did have a temp as I found he was really hot and that was an hour after having Calpol. He had a lazy day but did manage his maths homework, by 5pm he was ready for a bike ride so we all went out, me on foot, Tessa and Sam on scooters and Jamie on the bike. Wow, can Sam scooter now!

This morning I found that one of his friends had had the same thing so that vindicatese mummy. Tessa was really pleased with her raffle tickets, and i just have to hand over the money and stubs to Jill.

Sam and I got to Rugrats early this morning, he was delighted as that means it is quiet and he didn't have to share the traintrack with anyone. He even let me help make a basket but did get carried away with the glue. Then he had fun with the bubbles and he really enjoyed looking for easter eggs in their nests. The only downer was that he hates song time so he refuses to get on the carpet but then he holds his hands over his ears when I sing saying 'stop that noise!' which is a bit embarrassing for me.

He is watching Thomas and the magic Railroad at the moment while I am typing before going to make lunch.

This afternoon I want to go and pay in cheques for Doris, Michael and myself.

Friday was spent cleaning the house for the weekend, which was great, I was really motivated as I and her DD O were meant to be coming over but on Wednesday, I told me she had an interview at 12:15 I kind of figured there wouldn't be time for her to come over after and for us to go to Harrow so I wasn't that surprised that they didn't come, but the good news is that she got the job and we are meeting on Thursday to use up my 2 free entries.

Yesterday we drove down to Warminster to visit my dad and step-mum, they have a farm and are very busy at the moment with lots of mares and 4 foals, we saw two of the youngest foals, they are so cute. We helped out with the boxes which was really hard work, I don't know how they manage it day after day. Then we took the children out to get some coffee from the supermarket and then visited the park for the first time which was pretty good even though it was showery.

In the evening we ordered pizzas which are great, really tasty then we left for the drive home at 9pm and were back home by 11.10pm.

last Hump Day of March 2006.

Well nearly another month down this year, another Wednesday to get through, then it's an easy ride to the weekend.

Nothing exciting this morning although I did agree to sell raffle tickets at the school to raise money for something or other, prize is an easter egg. It would all be so much easier if Sam wouldn't run off and jump in puddles. Now on the one hand I don't mind him jumping in the puddles after all he had his wellies on but on the other it would be even better if he would come in the class with me without trying to do a runner as I must look like such a cow of a mum with this child with sopping wet trousers dangling from my arm.

After changing his trousers we made our way to playgroup where he had a great time, although he does seem to attract these nutter children, they always try and take his toys or hit him if he keeps hold of them (no hitting today thankfully), so he ends up running away, why they can't bring their toys to the windowsill and play with him I don't know. The only thing he did on the way home that was quite naughty was playing with someone's gate, does he stop when I tell him to? Before he hits their car? No, of course not! That would be too boring. When will he learn to walk nicely with me rather than haring off in front or dawdling behind? At least he is very good about not going near the road.

Window cleaner came and I am now £15 lighter in the wallet. Why does it cost so much in London, people in the North pay on average £8 for the whole house.

My aims for the rest of the day,

1. check the weather forecast and decide whether to tumble or line dry the washing.
2. spread out the compost on the flower beds
3. Choose a chicken recipe and make dinner

The Great Council Strike

DD and DS1 are at home today thanks to this
which means that school is closed today. DS1 has gone off with a friend after doing the main part of his homework this morning. DD has been home with me and DS2, I would have invited a friend over but wasn't sure what DS1 was up to till this am. So far I have hung out loads of washing on the line and hoovered downstairs. Normally I would have been off to a playgroup this morning and then playing with DS2 till school pickup. I really wanted to change my book at the library but obviously cannot do that today since it is closed. Last time I was overdue on some books by 3 weeks so now i limit myself to one at a time now, I cannot afford the fines. I would really like to get into the garden today to lay out some compost and go over my seeds. I really want to get things sown this year even though there is the threat of a hosepipe ban and just realised that it's not a threat but an actuality. However showers are forecast for this week here so that will keep the ground moist.

First Dinner party of teh year

Last night we had friends over for dinner for the first time this year, and the first time they have visited as a couple. Normally J would come over for coffee but since she has started at the school in the afternoons and I am quite busy with Sam in the mornings we haven't seen each other for a while.

We had soup, braised beef and apple tart to follow. A good evening but went so quickly.

I had spent Friday morning doing the beef, then in the afternoon I took Sam out to a soft play place as a reward for him being so good in the morning while I was cooking. In the evening I made teh soup and the tart so there was only a little bit of food prep for the evening.

This morning I was very tired, thanks to all that cleaning and tidying yesterday. Michael and Jamie have gone off to Rugby then this evening Michael is off for an interview in Central london, I hope they don't offer him the job as for me it's already started badly with having an interview on Mother's Day, on a Sunday and in the evening, they know he has a family so I feel less than positive towards this company.


Now I have to go and get dressed as I haven't been bothered till now.

3h Assembly

Again I can't believe how long it is since I posted. I love reading other people's blogs but can I be bothered? When I have the time tends to be when I haven't done anything noteworthy and when I have done stuff then I don't have the time. So recently has been a busy time, J & T have been off to Norfolk, we have had Jamie's party as well as all the other schooly stuff.

Today I was at J's school assembly - with Sam. Going somewhere where Sam has to be quiet is my kind of nightmare. At least he has grown out of the mindless screaming he used to do in a big echoey room but now he talks all the time, bless him he was trying to be quiet but he just can't keep it in him. I was trying to shush him but had to be careful that I wasn't noisier than him. I took raisins a big bag but he seemed to gulp them down in a few moments, he just stuffs them in and then asks for more. Anyway Jamie did very well as did the rest fo teh class, it was on fables and they were all really clear, they sang beautifully too. I was really impressed. Afterwards the class ran over to the parents for hugs, I didn't get one that honour went to Sam who was carried round on his back by Jamie much to everyone's amusement.

After we came home and used our new hoover which is absolutely brill. I actually got it last week for £146.70 which was the cheapest price around, it was £179.99 at John Lewis I would have bought from there as I love it but found this site which actually gave great service - must give them a good review.

Then I went to playgroup at John Keble only problem was I locked myself out of the house, my keys must have slipped onto the carpet rather than my pocket, but because Sam was a pain, I shut the door really quickly, the keys I felt were actually my MIL's. Aaagh! Now my back up plan is Denise, but Wednesday is the only day she works in Central London, I couldn't phone her to come back so phoned Michael praying that he had a house key. Yay! He came back while I was at playgroup and so all wassorted and I am now in front of the pc. Now I am going upstairs to Sam's room to put away all his 2-3 tops and replace them with 3-4 tops courtesy of Jamie.

1. To get fit.2. I would like to tone my stomach3. I would like to be more organized in my housework4. I would like to get the house decorated.5. I would to buy a new diary6. I would like to think about my future and start making some plans.7. I would like to save for a holiday.

Just to recap on my resolutions and how I am going to achieve them.

1. To get fit, well initially I am going to do more walking to palces such as Mill Hill and Edgware especially in the better weather which will be here in a couple of months hopefully. I will also be doing some gardening, and then in November when Sam is at nursery I will be able to go to the gym.

2. Tone my stomach - well, really I have to set aside some time each day and force myself to do crunches for 5 mins at first, then I can build up.

3. Housework - well there I really just have to get off the puter and get on and do it. I can't just rely on inviting people round to motivate me although it's definitely the best I get so much done in such a short time. But filing is my nightmare last year I only did it about twice and really I ought to be doing it once a month and then it wouldn't be so bad, my main problem is that I have to do Michael's too. I also thought I need to go through and itemise all the summer clothes for the children so I don't buy more than I need but can be on the lookout for proper bargains ie stuff that we actually need. Also I could try ebaying some of our clutter and I must actually put out charity bags rather than filling them and leaving them in the loft.

4. House decoration - need to sort out the quotes and work out how much £ and what colours etc then discuss with Michael to make sure finances are in place.
5. New diary- looked in Edgware and Mill HIll, no dodo pads to be seen so I ordered one on Thursday morning, should be here next week.
6. Think about my future - well Sam starts full time on January '08, which is 2 years away and really I want plans in place before then. I have booked a career guidance appointment at Barnet College for 24 January where I shall find out about teaching in FE college. Ideally I would like to teach numeracy to adult learners but I am also open to such things as Life Skills, arts and crafts and English. But there is also such things as Physiotherapy but that is a degree course which is only feasible if Sam is at school and I would probably need to do more sciences with no guarantee of getting on the course.
7. Save for a holiday - ha ha! Yes that's really going to happen. The problem is that Michael pays for my credit card and gives me an allowance. Unfortunately we don't pool our resources and there is no incentive for me to save as I don't see any benefit. Also he doesn't always give me an allowance and in fact it's only about 9 months of the year so I can't save regularly and when I do Michael 'takes' it and spends it. He is a spender and not a saver and I am a saver but with no income hence my need for a job, so that I can a) earn a bit of money and b) get out the house.
Well I have started well this year with only £40.52 spent at the supermarket today. Food is the main thing I can control and I will be giving the children much smaller portions since I throw most of it away anyway, I will also try to buy fewer biscuits and force them to be hungry. They get such a variety of food and yet they still turn up their spoilt little noses, can you tell I am not impressed?

New Year Resolutions

I just wanted somewhere to very quickly jot down my resolutions for 2006. I have only given it about 5 minutes thought, but I was inspired after reading about life coaching in The Telegraph on 31 December. Normally I don't bother as I never follow them anyway.

My main resolutions are:

1. To get fit.
2. I would like to tone my stomach
3. I would like to be more organized in my housework
4. I would like to get the house decorated.
5. I would to buy a new diary
6. I would like to think about my future and start making some plans.
7. I would like to save for a holiday.

Tomorrow I will think about each one and think out baby steps to achieve that goal and then actually follow them, as I think I would like to join a gym for #1 but that will not be practical until November which is 11 months away.

Catherine