Changing Seasons

Is it March already? Where has the time gone... I have got life coming back into the garden at last..

Things at the madhouse are still as mad as ever, but I wouldn't have it any other way.
I lost one of my dogs 3 weeks ago, which was heart-breaking. He wasn't the ill one who has diabetes but the one who's always happy Dexter. He had a tumour on his pancreas and over the course of the week became very ill. My fella and me took him to the vets but within hours of the tests starting they told us just how ill he really was. He wouldn't recover from the tumour so the vet asked us to put him to sleep. My fella couldn't do it, so I went in and stayed with him, he's been with me for 10 years so saying goodbye was painful. His sister (my other dog) pined at nights but is adjusting to life on her own now. She's a complete pain in the backside with food so I have to cook her food everyday.. no dogfood for my little diva, fish, chicken and steak mince if you please...lol The vet thinks its amusing as they couldn't get her to eat normally either and as she has to eat before I inject her, so she knows if she doesn't eat it, muggings here will just cook her something else! But she's still with us, so I must be doing something right. I cannot even explain the feeling I have when I take my blind dog out for walks, people look at me like im mad but she knows where she is alright and enjoys it just as much! I literally have to steer for her, but she's very happy and still manages to run like hell round the woods... I've learnt not to get into a deep conversation with my daughter when we walk her together though, Frankie walked into 3 trees last night as Lauren was too busy looking at the birds! That dog must have a tough head or one hell of a headache today...

I've now adopted another young lady here Samantha! One of the triplets Brandon has met a girl at college, who is beautiful.. I couldn't stop staring at her the first time he brought her round for tea, she's very intelligent and has been brought up with all the manners and values a young lady should have, she's also nearly as tall as him which of course means, she's also taller than me! she's now a regular for meals 3 nights a week on top of Ryan's girlfriend Kaytee.. The house is growing fast!

This week has brought us quite a few sleepless nights, we made the mistake of buying a full memory foam mattress a month ago which my fella hates! he cant lie on his side without falling out of bed, (which I found highly amusing) and we have both suffered from backache, so yesterday we had to go out and get a a new one.. I must say a good nights sleep was had by all... I was getting used to  waking up and needing at least 10 mins to stand up straight. Im glad we changed it now as I feel like I've actually been to sleep today :)
So many things are happening here at the moment, we don't know if we are coming, going or just been.... but we are going with the flow and seeing what happens next. One things for sure, its never boring! And I do greatly appreciate my fella when he cooks on Saturdays, as this place seems to have doubled its occupancy now! Its apparently the 'Inn Place' to be and the foods great! (just ask the dog!)

Sunshine and Clouds

Its been a blurred few weeks, I haven't blogged as i simply haven't had anything good to write, Its all been work for me and being ill , so I'm now on a mission to sort myself out. I missed riding and salsa so badly, but by the time evenings get here i wasn't in any fit shape to do either, so its been a time Ive also reflected on whats important to me and how i can change things for the better to find a happy balance of what i love and have some kind of life back.

Its started when my fella sat me down to speak to me, i was getting pretty down even when i wouldn't admit it to myself, so many changes and balls to juggle it seemed like a never ending pit of 'need to do' stuff.. He was constantly working away so i was trying to help the kids with homework as well as run a business, i was ashamed to call mine...

I decided i wanted to change my website so have now started to do just that, im really enjoying this side of it and its bringing back the reasons why i love it so much, its part of me and always has been, over the last few years Ive had much of my fellas influence involved with my business, as he used to work on the roofs and got to the point he couldn't do it anymore, part of it was his good friend falling off and dying in front of his son, it hits home, they had 4 kids just like us, so it could have been me getting a call just like Simon's wife did. The other part was it was such a physical job and a fit mans world, he would come home soaked through to the skin and be so physically exhausted theres only so much of that a person can take and although the money was good he paid for it in many ways....

We decided then whatever he wanted to do, we would take the steps needed and indeed the risk, and he would learn a new career. Partly as i was treated so crap by several so called website builders and SEO people, he started on his journey of learning all what he could in that field.

The last 30 months has gradually been a build up of the workload hitting heights non of us imagined, we work all day and feed the kids then out come those laptops and off we go again, the lights always on here, regardless if its 4am..its no way to live though.....

I used to moan and feel if I'm honest a bit left out, i didn't understand his new world, but knew the things he was learning would be invaluable both to him and me, so we persevered and found ourselves living on my income for the last 2 years which meant things were a real struggle here, the kids never moan and always tell me i work too hard, but for them i would do anything so you try to smile and be strong for them, sometimes it wasn't easy though.

i tried to look on it as a new future and new adventure but when you are trying to hold up a home with 4 growing kids in it, its not cheap..

My aunt has been i have to say, my guardian angel... shes helped me through thick and thin and is always here for me on those days i wake up feeling exhausted before i even start, she knows just by the tone of my voice when i need help and always manages to make me see some positive in everything, that part of me i felt was lost somewhere buried in the mountain of where was my life heading and how can i get back on track?

I listened when my fella needed to talk, tried to tell him it wasn't him when everyone around him called him stupid and told him to go get a paid job... but we are now coming out of the other side of the cloud, its been one hell of a journey and although Ive had some challenges in my time, I think apart from when the triplets were born too early and the stress and worry we both felt, this chapter in my life comes a close second..

It all came to a head over November as i spent week after week being riddled with migraines as my head simply couldn't shut down, i was asking it questions no one had answers to, including myself... I know now why they call us dizzy blondes........ I slotted into that category perfectly......

Now hes gone off into the big wide world on his new venture things are starting to make sense again, he wont be second best at anything, so has learnt his new job inside out just as i hoped he would... We were living off what takings i took through my site and stock levels were hitting the floor, theres nothing worse than watching something good, disappear slowly like that, i have worked my arse off and worked on this site for nearly 10 years, its my baby yet i felt like it was being strangled......

Over the last couple of weeks, Ive managed to start again in regards of my work, i have found a part of me i thought id lost and wake up again excited about whats to come, the stock room is looking amazing again and has huge promise as everything she takes goes back into her again now so everyday when i wake up i think myself lucky that my fella learns quickly and somehow through all this there was light at the end of the tunnel..

I finally started back riding last night, but for the first time i felt my nerves a little uneasy, would the horse pick up on what i was feeling and was this going to be my rude awakening , but thanks to some bloody good people up there and my teacher Phil they have managed to restore my confidence and i came home totally happy.. My fella had cooked me a surprise meal which was an amazing steak in pepper sauce and I sat there fat and happy, like the cat who got the cream,with the biggest smile on my face and felt something i havent felt in a while 'contentment'..

Tonight we are bribing the kids with a video and getting some salsa tracks on, we both really miss our friends there especially Sharon and Richard as the whole salsa world had become part of us, we have both forgotten our moves so are going to make a start tonight and practise here, hopefully we can rejoin our class again on Thursday and start to find some kind of normality and balance back..

The best part is my fellas partner has now been handed the keys to his new place, so they now have an office that's a stones throw away, and for the first time last night, in i would say over a year my fella came home without his laptop ! Its his new rule of the house and was promised when he said about this new office.. It means no more weeks of working away, just an occasional trip when needed, and my fella and me back on that road of learning to be Steve and Jo again ..

We have had to make big sacrifices and part of it meant we lost ourselves there for a while, but just like my website when i look at her everyday now, its all looking so much better and exciting ..

The futures bright and starting to bring the feeling, that this has all been worth it........

Now we just have to listen to ourselves and dig out that part of us the work load burried..

It takes a cloudy season to make you appreciate, just how good that sun feels when it shines on you doesn't it?

Hopefully now i will have some good stuff to share on here again with my friends too...

WWW.J-LOU.COM

Journeys

Its been a bit hectic here as usual, yesterday was utter madness as i had two lots of riding as well as packing orders and getting the house straight (ill never manage that one) everything was put off until 'Monday' as the kids started high school so i finally got some time to myself to put everything into order..

The riding went really well, we couldn't have our usual teacher for the jumping lesson but instead had a lady called 'Jo' shes old school and really pushed me and Jean , which was brilliant! I managed to get solomon into canter for every jump so came home really pleased, the lesson was such a quick pace but really exciting, when i came home i kept thinking something was stuck in my jodhpurs as i had a sore patch....hmmmm What it really was was a huge patch of bum that id wore the skin off.................hehe

So after an hour of my fella taking the mickey i elastoplastered myself up and went back for my group lesson and told him i was aiming to do the other side to match......

Its back to a few days of myself again today, my fella left very early this morning so im trying to get everything into gear starting with the Dr's as they keep sending me snotty letters telling me to go in urgently.... Ive let them send me 2 then reluctantly went this morning, you can get ill going in those places, everyone is coughing or sneezing, bugger that! They want to use me as a guinea pig and have started me on new medication until they have me in on the 21st for my 'tests' ive been warned that ill need help when i come out as ill be in a state..... lol nothing new there then ! they believe initially that the blackouts im having are all to do with the migraines, the big word for it is migrainous vertigo... but i wont use big words in this blog!

Ive got to start one a day for a week then increase one each week til i get to 4 a day.. and hopefully it should help stop the dizzy blonde impressions I'm doing.... I cant change my hair colour as half of its natural now and boy arent i giving all those blonde jokes ammunition at the moment....

School yesterday went off to a flying start.. My eldest came home before the others complaining there were kids in his class that are disruptive and not there to learn (they were being disrespectful to the teacher and out of order) and he wants out of their classes, so i spoke to the headteacher and thankfully they are trying to move him out, he may be a bit more pushed in regards of doing these other classes as well as the business diploma, but that's what he wants to do.. so i will support him all i can and get him into the right ones.. my fellas not having any of it and says that our kids will get the education they deserve so is going to see head of year on Thursday when he gets back....

The triplets on the other hand managed to have me pulling my hair out again! they didn't come home from school ? i sat here with dinner waiting and no kids.. After an hour i was panicking so walked up to school, thinking id meet them somewhere on route ~ how wrong was i...

After an hour walking the streets in jodhpur boots that were killing my feet (more blisters) the high school kindly phoned my home to discover they were home and i was at the school! they had took a detour to their old school to feed the chickens !!

Last year the school took in a lot of chickens that were going to be killed and my daughter being as soppy as me has really taken to them so goes to visit them everyday, i told them to come straight home, not worry me to death and go play with the buggers first... I wish i had a bigger garden as id get her some but at the moment my house is already mad and dogs chasing chickens round the garden ontop sadly cant happen.. so when we get a bigger house Lauren! it will come.................

My fellas got so much exciting stuff going on at the moment and today im sitting here with my heart in my mouth in hope.......... Im not allowed to say what it is only that if today and tomorrow go good, our lives will change beyond belief.............. I know you have to hit rock bottom sometimes to be able to go up and believe me we have been there, but life has a way of going round in circles doesn't it, what was once upon a time maybe no more..... im really excited..

It wont just be his business either, we have so many plans but this could be the difference of those dreams turning into reality for us..

Ive been sitting here this morning listening to Leona Lewis's new song 'Happy' god why is it sometimes you can hear something and think that's so true...

We all get bruised and bumped about in life, but if you don't take those chances the risk will never pay off.... ive been telling myself that for the last 2 years..

So that song today has definitely struck a chord.. ill be buying her album, singing away to that one and putting my kids through what they did to me yesterday thats for sure now.......

Hopefully tonights homecoming will be slightly less stressful...

Blue Jeans Gal

I dont believe it myself but i overslept this morning, i must be getting good at this now..

Thankfully my fella will be coming home today~ im so pleased ! not sure yet if it will be in time for salsa but i know he will be tired so im just happy that hes coming home full stop.

Ive managed to sort myself out for him this week but didnt get much time out, yesterday was mad as people were popping in all day, i never found a part of the day when someone wasnt here, which is fine but i did want to grab a bath which you cant really do when you have visitors, i had to do my aunts hair which took ages (5 hours)but got to spend time with my grandparents which is always good and spent some time last night with my good friend Stelli, I cant believe im saying this but guess what i did? I gave away my X-pole to her (shock, horror) lol

I enjoy riding and salsa so much and i dont need the pole anymore, it did keep up my fitness when i stopped kickboxing which was lovely, but its been sitting in my shed waiting to be put back up and never quite got there so ive given it away, im welcome to go to hers if ever i get the urge to sling on those thigh highs and swing round the lounge, ill just knock her ornaments over instead..

Today im now going to start the packing and get the orders out, someones being kind to me this week and is keeping me busy which is always great, the house is actually in good order and the kids all seem to be happy today ~ probably as they know dads coming home, i know im happy about that too.. is it normal to get excited about seeing someone youve lived with for 16 years?

Tomorrow is the party ive been waiting for at the Staithe, ive pulled out my wardrobe several times trying to find anything other than jeans to wear, but no matter what i do my eyes always wander back to my faithful friends, i know they are comfortable so ill feel happy and its probably what ill end up wearing as usual..

Its just the way i am and always will be i guess

'Forever in blue jeans' ..............................

Back To Back

Its been a good morning, Ive done whats needed been on various errands and finally got to that time of today where i can go run a bath and chill out for a while.. I still ache just about everywhere but determined to keep going this week, my fellas away in Scotland next week for the early part so i may as well get all this good dancing in before he goes, ill stay at home and paint the house onces hes gone as i'll be bored then..lol

Last night was another toughie, i said i was having one of those weeks and last night just confirmed it, yes it was another class full of spins, is someone having a laugh or what, I'm so glad its Cuban tonight, Ive been permanently dizzy since Tuesday doing all this lot..hehe

One of the chaps was there last night who was unfortunate enough to have me as his partner on Tuesday and boy did he giggle when the instructor said we are doing spins tonight ! he had seen first hand how bad i was then so two nights back to back, the guy deserves a medal.. he was so funny though and made the night as by the end of the lesson id managed to blag my way round the poor chaps either hitting or standing on all of them in turn, even the instructor was calling me trouble ~ I left my mark then :)

When we got back in last night i always go to give the kids a kiss, its my little ritual, so imagine walking into this without giggling ~

You guessed it, its Brandon ! hehe they decided to empty my airing cupboard out and make alternative sleeping arrangements, which had me in stitches, my kids are so much like me at times, i remember doing exactly the same thing as a child and tying a piece of string to my mates toe that ran along the length of our gardens, so she would wake up when i pulled it early, the thing i remember most was my mum and her mum flying up the stairs shouting at me, as her toe had gone black overnight ! :) so that's not recommended as a cheaper version to an alarm clock !

10 out of 10 for creativity though, he slept in his hammock all night and it held up !! I laid there waiting for the thump to come all night, giggling.....

Right im leaving the kids in Sandra's capable hands and going to see how much bubble bath it takes to reach the rim..

I can't wait for salsa tonight ! i didn't think i could do 4 nights back to back of all this energetic stuff but today im looking so forward to it and am on a high .........Good job really

As tomorrow i'll probably be in a heap ! hehe

Mother Natures Gifts

Its been an amazing week, the suns been shining away for us so we have been trying to enjoy it and get some life back!


Monday morning i spent packing for the website ready for 2pm when it was my jumping lesson with Jean up the stables, we both really enjoyed the class although feeling hot was an understatement, i had Solomon who is a biggy and Wendy took us to the outside arena to do the lesson, it was lovely to be out there with the sun shining on us but very hot! i completed my first triple jump and came home wailing like a banchee, poor Steve i couldn't shut up, he was trying to look interested honestly...lol


Dayle had come to visit and cracked up at the state i came home in, im always happy when im doing something that challenges me though, i dont care how dirty i get, its half the fun, id been wiping my face (i was sweating like mad) but forgot i had black gloves on, which do tend to bleed when they are wet..hehe No wonder people looked at me when i was sitting at those traffic lights, i thought they were just being friendly...hehe

Monday night we all went out a family, our Friend Mark turned up and handed me his car keys!! yipeeeee he went with my fella and some of the kids in our car, so me and Ryan pulled down the roof and were both smiling for England, it was hard when i lost my car, but Mark lending me his has given back that feeling i used to feel when i went out in mine.. i know its not mine and so do drive it with caution, but its just so lovely and i get to wear my cowboy hat again.... poor thing had cobwebs on it! We went out and had fantastic meal by the river and ended up walking up the river banks for hours so me and the kids could feed the swans..talk about peaceful, it was a wonderful way to end such a great day..I took so many pictures of the swans they ran off at the finish..lol

Tuesday it was my fellas birthday ! I had made sure he wasnt working and arranged a day out, we just wanted to chill out and enjoy the sun so i prepared a picnic and set off, we headed for waxham but when we got to Stalham it was so overcast we turned back, after driving just about every coastal route we could find we decided we would just drive round til we found where we wanted to be, it worked! we found a place thats just round the corner from ours that we didn't even know was there, talk about beautiful..


We were there all afternoon, lazing about in a field full of daisy's eating and chatting away, its been a long while since we unwound like that so i thought id make it a memorable one and misbehave myself..lol

There wasn't anyone about and he says its the best birthday hes ever had..

No one deserves a break more in my eyes so im glad he will remember it smiling...hehe

We got back just in time for the kids coming home and decided to make up jugs of sangria and do a BBQ for them, they have all been great kids and supported us when we worked constantly so it was lovely to spend a relaxing night just eating and singing the night away, i told them they were allowed one glass each then soft drinks but i noticed those jugs were getting rather low..lol the kids were also very chilled out, which made me giggle as they all said it wasnt them drinking it !


Mark popped round with his gift for my fella of pink champagne and a bottle of wine from every country round the world so my kitchen looked like a global hangover..lol it also made me giggle as i noticed a bottle of vodka and orange juice in amongst it, and my fella doesn't drink vodka, but through 'man eyes' it was to make sure my fella had a memorable birthday !


what are you saying then about me and vodka ? .....hehe


Wednesday the kids had been given a day off school to practise for a play they are in ? well thats the excuse they gave us parents, so we headed off picnic intact and went to Waxham! it was overcast but still lovely and warm so we spent the afternoon enjoying what is a rare day out together as a family..


I was talking away to my fella when i realised he had fell asleep so being the nature lover i am i decided to keep myself occupied! i honestly dont ever get bored as ill find something amusing to entertain myself with....

EVEN IF IT IS USUALLY AT HIS EXPENSE....lol

Thursday i worked hard to try make up for the time we had taken off and made myself feel better as i did well, but i haven't been skiving and have been doing all the packing and emails etc before bed, so although we had time out it worked as i found that balance that usually manages to elude me.. And discovered im an aunty again to a beautiful baby boy (congrats Becky) im so proud of my sister!

Last night we just about finished off our last bit of energy and went to our much loved Salsa !

That place last night was buzzing! it was like everone was on holiday and totally brilliant, doing regaetton trying to keep up with Sharon's routine had us all in stitches, theres such a good spirit and atmosphere up there you cant help but come home full of excitement, I love being part of that and love the friends we have made up there, we are all trying to arrange a beach party next! so if you think you are gonna get a quiet evening up Waxham one night and we get there first, think again! lol

Its gonna be a summer of sizzling salsa and a few more days off for my fella! ive never seen him look so peaceful as he did when he was sleeping last night, so this week needs to be what we learn from..

Mother nature holds so many wondrous gifts, the sunshine just added to its beauty..

Its given us something back that work took away, and has me looking at what i can do with the rest of it now..

Thank you to you people that have made this week such a special one...

xxx

Blondes have more fun

Its been a hectic couple of days, the weekend was a blur we were both snowed under with work, so didn't do anything except that, but it has to be done, so you may as well just get on with it and try to keep smiling while you work.. we had invites for two different parties Saturday night and couldn't manage to make any of them sadly, these things happen i guess, my fella was working on something important and i last minute went to spend some time with my grandad, he had another operation last week and was feeling a bit sad so my sister phoned and asked me to go see him, Im glad i did, she was right..

I took the kids back Sunday and they cleared the biscuit tin in about ten mins flat which made grandad laugh, He's feeling much brighter today thankfully and recovering well, but he's been through so much this year and is looking forward to spending some quality time with nanny, and hopefully without all his hospital visits.

Fathers day was lovely we did spoil my fella all day, the kids all did little things for him without me having to remind them, which was thoughtful, we have such good kids, probably as hes such a good dad...

Yesterday was spent packing, followed by trying to sort out a new newsletter, Ive done so much work on the website blog this week and have missed writing in here, this is the place i get to write everything i want to, its like coming to visit a friend..


Last night i went riding as usual, i went down to the stables early and spent some time just walking about by myself, it was such a beautiful night for it, unlike last week when we rode through the storm..lol


I got to ride Pip for the lesson which was really good fun, for a small horse he doesn't half move quick ! as soon as you sit on him you can feel the excitement, he loves to run and is lovely to ride.
Im not sure how i managed to do it, but Ive got myself into competing in a dressage event on Sunday (which I'm rather nervous about) it seemed a good idea at the time when Wendy was talking about it, but it wasn't until she gave me the sheet that i realised what id got myself into, I have to memorize the course and what i need to do but hopefully get the horse to act beautifully for me, anyone who knows me will know I'm far from posh, so to sit on the horse trying to look elegant, suited and booted is going to make me giggle like hell..lol
I dont even own a tie ! I'm going to have to beg and borrow just about everything to do this, so i am dressed appropriately, black jacket, white shirt, black tie and black jodhpurs...Oh my word getting dressed up to get dirty eh...lol

I met up with my friend Anita after the class who has just got back from a holiday in Egypt. talk about looking healthy.. I had just filled the kettles up with the outside tap (well i cant work without a cuppa) but missing the lid completely with the tap, so stood there giggling away to myself looking like a drowned rat, i haven't been able to go see her horse while she was away, so caught up on saying hello to all the livery ones.. I do miss them, i used to look after those horses when i worked every Friday as a volunteer up there, so have to get back as soon as i can.. ive tried for the last 2 weeks but had to work so ill try again this week..

I managed to get some photos last night but i cant use the flash when it gets dark (it scares the horses) so apologies for the dark pictures, they are much more beautiful in real life though..

We started the horsecare and knowledge class at 8pm and Kevin led out a big black horse and handed me a huge electric clipper !! hehe cutting peoples hair im game for, but giving a horse a haircut is totally different.. it was a hell of an experience though, although you do have to keep your wits about you at all times, they are so unpredictable.
I thought we did quite a good job, but bare in mind it was really dark by the time we finished 11.45pm and i couldn't really see..lol
Im praying that horse still looks as good when the morning comes and she gets out in the sunlight, i bet they will be wetting theirselves up there today, when they see our version of clipping in the daylight.
We finished the night cutting, pulling, plaiting and grooming manes and tails so the horses got a good pampering session and plenty of sneaky mints when Kevin wasn't looking...

I managed to get some photos of Roger last night, the big white french horse who's so very ticklish and beautiful ! so you can see just how big his head is, its nearly as big as me put together, but i really love this horse and would love to ride him.. kevin said id look like a pea sitting on him.........:) so ill keep pestering of course til he lets me..whats wrong with a pea riding a horse !
If you tickle under his main he lowers his head right down and tilts it, his top lip comes out like Elvis and quivers like mad, i cant help but fall about laughing, ive never seen anything like him..

I'm riding Pip for the dressage event so very happy about that, hes small but lovely, if it was Billy or Jack id be panicking big time and have major league sore legs as much of it is all controlled by legs, without needing the reins, its scored on points and you need so many to pass (130 which ill get nowhere near of course) but whatever the outcome, at least i had a go.
Some of the girls have been practising for months and muggins here leaves everything til last minute again. I need to set up the garden with the same layout as the arena AKEHCJHF (i hope ive got that right, if not please help!) and run around looking like a loony pretending im a horse ! lol
My fellas threatening to video it and put it on YouTube... so ill wait til every ones asleep and get up extra early. nobody gets up early here except me and the birds so 5 am ill be giving the birds a comedy show for a change...lol


My fella wanted to come along and watch (that's a first!) but i didn't really want him to..

I'm pretty nervous and will probably mess it up even worse if i know I'm being watched, especially as he hasnt seen me ride since my first lesson at Kimblewick.. lol I like putting him through the hours of conversation after each lesson to tell him all about it anyway, why spoil that fun...hehe

I'm doing this competition for me, so want to go it alone ..

Im nervous but also very excited at the same time..


Anyway its time for a bath and a cuppa, we're working tonight so its another long one ahead and i thought it may wake me up a bit more.


No rest for the wicked eh ! whatever did i do in my past life? I hope it was good ! lol


Have a great evening everyone.

Riding day

Woweeeeeeee Its Monday, Ive been looking forward to today..

As a treat my nan paid for me to do a hack on my b/day, sadly i wasn't capable of riding anything let alone a horse so had to cancel it :(

Today as the weathers been so lovely and I'm back to being fit Ive booked up a jumping lesson with a friend from riding so at 2pm today we are gonna be out in those fields and hopefully staying in those saddles, Jeans looking as forward to it as me and has already been texting ! yes another early bird..lol

I did ask my fella to see if he could borrow Marks car and come along to take some pictures (its a convertible so perfect that way) but hes snowed under with work.. I know he didn't come to bed til 4am so understand totally, i admire his dedication so much, there's a lot happening for him this week so ill go along today and tell him all about it when i get back tonight !! (i bet he will look forward to that one) lol

Its back with Lauren at 4 then back for me for my normal lesson at 6.30 ! followed by tea and the NVQ so its another late night but a perfect way to start the week for me. I'm so excited.

Ive got up extra early done all the emails and packing and ready to roll..

I was disappointed that i didn't get the hack and spent my b/day in bed but some things are worth waiting for... Lets hope today's one of those days..

Have a great day everyone, ill try and get some photos...

Jack and Jo

Lol.. Boy do i ache this morning !

Yesterday was a busy day i had a list of things to sort out but got through the day and did most of them thankfully, ive been trying to keep today day free so we can go out and collect new stock, my fellas hurt his shoulder so cant do much at the moment..

Last night it was back to back riding with my daughter starting at 4 until eventually i arrived home at gone eleven from riding then straight into the new horsecare course which started last night, it was really good... We got to see the competition horses who are amazing, one who also decided he'd try to eat my jacket !lol

Kevins got a new horse up there who ive fell in love with hes huge and white but decided he likes to kick through the stable when hes bored, they dont realise how strong they are are, my friend showed me where his tickle spots are so i spent time watching him tilting his head amusing myself as i was tickling him, he was bred in France simply for meat thats why hes so big, it makes me feel sick just thinking about it, lucky for him a girl saved him and brought him here, hes not very old and is so beautiful...........

Last night i was back on Jack for the lesson who was much better for me thankfully, its not easy sometimes as i always seem to get the 2 horses that dont do what they are told and started the lesson scaring the crap out of everyone..lol,

I was the 4th one on last night so as everyone mounts we all line up outside the stables to go down to the arena, behind me Dillons rider is mounting but hes playing up so everyone was asked to move forward, the horse in front of me didnt move so i tried to cut through round to the back , Jack doesnt like other horses so you have to be careful with him. Anyway to cut a long story short he finishes up face to face with Ice and non of them would back down, Jack was up on his hind legs trying to kick out, Ice was coming forward so there was me sitting doing a lone ranger impression til jack decided he would back down, its not the first time hes done that when im riding him so all night i was getting the lone ranger soundtrack from the other girls..lol

Walking him back after lessons to his field is still my favourite part of the night so when Kevin asked me if i was going back there to work there i said yes, i realise how much i miss my Fridays, i can work harder on my other days, but that place gives me something money simply cannot buy and is so good for me spiritually..

Anyway as promised i took my camera so im posting a couple of pictures of my favourite time of the night with Jack..

After The Rain

Its been a terrific morning, the musics so good on the radio, they are playing the all time top 500 tracks so Ive been singing my head off since i woke up and dancing round the lounge..lol

Today although its bank holiday I'm getting set up for the week and packing, ive had a few days off this weekend been out and about and had a great night partying, ive really enjoyed myself, its amazing how good people can make you feel.. I feel really good at the moment ..

My fellas in fine spring spirit and cracking me up today, there isn't a clean word that's coming into his conversation it always ends up with that smirk and i cant help but giggle..it must be the sunshine and warm weather every ones so happy..

Tomorrows going to be a good one, im doing a double riding lesson tomorrow night and cant wait, the earlier part im spending with a barrell (not brandy sadly) as its supposed to really help get that transition right, i thought riding was sitting on a saddle and just going !! theres so much to learn but I'm enjoying it more than i ever have and wake up on riding days beaming..

This weeks been such a breath of fresh air, a bit like sitting outside after the rain has fallen, just as that beautiful sun comes out, everything looks so fresh sparkly and new, it makes you feel like theres so much out there yet to experience, springs arrived, the birds are making their nests and chasing each other about with excitement, so why shouldn't we.....................

I cant put my finger on why i feel so positive at the moment all i know is I feel like a bird thats just discovered it can fly so im enjoying the moment...........

Bank holidays are usually boring... this ones been brilliant.....

Have a great day everyone.......

My Week

Its been a lovely couple of days. We took the kids to the beach Sunday which they really enjoyed, it made me giggle as whatever they are doing they kept popping their heads up to make sure we were still there, We went and sat in the dunes away from the wind which was lovely, its the first time this year I have seen the sea! just listening to it made me feel peaceful..
Last night was riding, my god was i excited ! I missed last week as i had to have some iron injections and wasnt allowed to ride or drive, god did i miss it.
My fella was a gem and took Lauren to her class for me so i could carry on working as i wanted to be off the computer last night and was up against time, usually im running on monday nights trying to get her there and be on time myself but its worth all the hassle though i really love being up there. Next week im planning on doing a bit more, its been a hard couple of weeks with the work so im rewarding myself and doing more of that stuff i enjoy so much.

Last night i was riding Fudge, hes a lovely little chap and was well behaved for me we got to put the horses out in the fields again after the lesson, that to me really hits home springs arrived, taking off their head collars and watching them run free round those fields is priceless, i end up getting home later and later now which considering i ride at 6.30 makes me giggle as i still get home at the time i did when i was riding at 8.30 ! Kevins got us all sitting on barrells next week which will definately be one for the camera..lol
Im booking a hack now its warmer and asking claire if she'll take some photos for me, Lauren went out on her first hack last week and didnt stop talking for a week! Im so jealous i cant wait to head off through those fields...

Today im doing a little bit of everything, a bit more listing, slot in a bit of gardening and finishing with a spring clean in my home, my fellas gone out so the musics up loud and im willy'ing round the lounge ! hehe no i havent spelt that wrong its my favourite salsa track at the moment....
los Campeones de la Salsa
Not only does he have me shimmeeing round the lounge today looking at him has made me rather hot too !
Anyway have a great day everyone......................

Party Time

Its been a really good couple of days since the fire walk, im still on a high and am not taking my arm band off they gave me, its inspiring..lol

We went to the Keir Hardie afterwards, me smelling of bonfires instead of Eternity but we had such a good night and decided to make the most of it, so apologies to you fellas that i danced with, it didn't half make me feel positive i forgot about my nerves and just went for it ...lol

Monday was riding, i had to take Lauren first for her lesson then back for a quick cuppa and off again for mine, what a brilliant night, I got the naughty horse again 'Billy' but he didn't leave the tantrum til he got into the arena, he started as soon as i got on him, biting the poor girl who was adjusting my stirrups.. ears back all night, i had to keep him away from the other horses as he didn't like them either.. what a character ! hes like Paris Hilton and believes hes too good for the rest of us... I bet shes easier to ride than Billy too ! lol

I did keep my positive mind frame which seemed to work well, except its not so easy to canter when your horse stands facing the wall pretending hes not there, so i went for another approach and sung to him... I don't know anything else that makes people move as quick as my voice, within one verse and my lot are out of the house and gone, so i wanted to see if Billy agreed with them, he did ! so for next weeks lesson ill try singing some rock and hope it makes him move a bit faster ! im determined to get canter on him... I love the horse and find him strangely amusing as hes so obstinate... like most guys then ( i just said to myself)...lol

Tuesday night we went off salsaing to see Sharon and Richard in Acle which i thoroughly enjoyed, i thought at some point i may want to slow down with the dancing but it honestly gets worse the more you do the more you want to...

Tomorrow its Stalham and salsa again and my favorite night of the week, its like being on holiday up there you come home eat the fridge and finish the day on a high..Paul shares his dinner with me so i even get fed !

Friday im doing photos for dresses and working that night and then Saturday its the dance Cuban party !! oh my word am i looking forward to this one..

Jose and his band are hitting the Staithe in Stalham so its going to be a night of not only great dancing but brilliant live music, top that off with a few wonderful mojitos (steves driving i got the -its your turn to drink straw!) and you know its gonna be one of those nights thats totally unmissable..

I cant wait...

For details of times and tickets see Richards site in my favourites bar.. >>

Ive made some brilliant friends in the dance world and as its Richards Birthday tomorrow we can all celebrate together the Cuban way- Havana night to remember at our little Cuba in Stalham ..

Come and join us !!

Logging off

Ive had such a cracking day today, everythings gone lovely and boy I cant wait to get out tonight .. im so excited today

Ive spent the day with Sandra. ive been typing away at samples while she supplied me tea and giggles all day, ive done enough today that i can stop now, enjoy a bath and get myself ready to dance the night away with our friends..

I realised one thing today that although its a lot of work at the moment doing one off items, its so much fun as every time i load in a photo it brings a smile to my face...

Im one step closer to Paris ...

My fellas been in a brilliant mood today and its caught on, the kids are all happy (and quiet) im very happy and pleased with myself and days like today remind me just how calm and nice things can feel, id forgotten how that feels... until now...

If theres any justice in this world (or better luck) then hopefully this year will be nothing like last year, the only good memories i brought from 2009 were salsa and riding and my friends, its not been easy..

But i feel things are on the change now ..... I actually feel like singing and dancing up my street ... naked !!

As they say the night is still young, so i may just shock the neighbours later and do just that..

Today wont be here again, so as my fella agrees ' we are gonna enjoy every minute of it' ..lol

I also finished the dress that i was making !! it looks really beautiful so when the weekend gets here im doing the photos and finally sending it off to a good home, someones going to look and feel beautiful in it........ im so pleased its turned out just as i hoped.....

And finished my working day off wonderfully...

Me time now.... salsa here we come...lol

Back To Life

Its been a manic start to the week as i expected, trying to get everyone back to school and finding that enthusiasm to start work again....I took time out from work for a change and actually got myself well and rested up all ready for the new year..

Yesterday was a busy day, i have all sorts of plans for 2009 starting with lots more salsa and riding so last night i went to the stables to kick that one off....lol It was snowing when we walked the horses down and although cold, it was totally magical...

The group is such a laugh, there were 9 of us in last nights group which is the most ive ever been with, with me spending most of the night watching the guys arse in front of me....lol i know its not polite to stare but he had the tightest jodhpurs on ive ever seen and i couldnt stop laughing watching him rise and trot, it did start and finish the night hillariously funny for me.. jodhpurs really are a no no for some guys! hes so posh but was so nice to me, i actually felt guitly knowing id been sitting there behind him in hysterics..oops ...lol

Tonight im taking on the belly dancing and salsa class all in one night again ! ive missed my friends over xmas so arranged to meet up with Stelli and go shake some hips that i havent got..lol I know im going to ache tomorrow but im starting how i intend to go on so 4 hours of vigerous dancing should start the ball rolling and hopefully start getting me back into shape...

I hope this year i can start finding that confidence to start more of the armwork and body movement, im fine when ive had a vodka but cant do the spins very well then..hehe so i need to push myself a bit more now..

I had to giggle last night when i preparing for riding the triplets were obviously all tired from their first day back to school as one by one i watched them all fall asleep on the sofa, so i covered them up and then went to get dressed , when i came down my fella was out for the count, its not easy sometimes to find your get up and go, especially watching the snow fall outside knowing you are gonna freeze, but somehow as soon as im up the stables i just come to life, the best part for me is wrapping the horses up ready for bed and knowing youve done something nice for them...

Ive met some really nice people there, they are all such characters but i think thats why i fit in so well, nobody judges, just tries to have fun while learning something good.

This year i am trying to do more jumping, im crazing Kevin , him and claire are both amazing, Ive always wanted to be able to ride well enough i can go off up the beach ... No amount of money anyone could offer would better that for me, its been a dream for a long time to go cantering off up that sand, so instead of just dreaming im going to try and make it happen..

Thankful

Well its thursday already, the good news is grandads doing really well and is now expected to make a full recovery, hes out of intensive care and day by day is gaining back his strength...

Isnt he one tough cookie, the surgeon cant believe how well hes done, when they opened him up they said it had then started leaking so within 3 hours he wouldnt have been with us, its been a rough week for everyone but we honestly couldnt have wished for better news..

I went and collected my mum from Gatwick Tuesday...lol I had to laugh as she honestly never stopped talking, after about 2 hours i was sound asleep in the front seat and she was apparently still talking away..lol she hasnt changed at all that way, although shes lost so much weight she doesnt look anything like she used to, so we are all going to try and fatten her up a bit, ive been sending down hot meals to my nannies for everyone and with my sisters help we are all trying to help in our own little way.......

This weeks been so busy i havent stopped yet, but its really helped as it gives you plenty to do and passes the time quicker..

Tuesday was also my kids birthday !! yes ive survived 11 years now ! lol The day was as manic as you could imagine but a really good day for everyone, all our family came to see them and a few of our friends also made the day one to remember..

Ive started to feel more like myself again now, thankfully (thats my fellas words) hehe

Im still working round the clock but the finsihing post is finally in sight now so perhaps we can get back into our salsa now and start to enjoy a few of those parties !! lol

Im heading for paris this weekend at some point only for a day or so, so its a week to look forward to... its salsa tonight at the staithe so im grabbing a dress and boots and going to enjoy a vodka and dance with our friends....

You lot better watch out though ive been shut in all week with just a bucket of stress for company and boy do i need to let off some steam.............................lol

Dont say i didnt warn you all.....................lol

See you guys tonight xxx

Obsessions

123 567, 123 567
im still counting...

Good morning everyone, im feeling on top of the world today..

Ive just had the most amusing breakfast consisting of a can of Guinness, a grapefuit and now i have to eat a boiled egg !! lol Well its all packed with iron and i needed extra energy so what the hell..lol

Wasnt last nights class such a blast, im so glad i went, i had to eat a whole loaf to get there but it was worth it, i wouldnt have missed that bachata for anything, did you all notice i avoided my fella though..

lol ...its not his favourite but i know if he was partnerning one of you lovely ladies he wouldnt moan, and it worked..................lol i think he actually really enjoyed it at the finish, he has said he will do it again.. yesssssssssss

Check out Richards site http://www.dancecuban.net/section/1/articles/ and see how sexy bachata looks....................

Im having a good morning today i overslept, which was lovely ill admit, my alarm was set for 5am so i roll out past 8 to the kids horror, lol thats the quickest ive ever seen them move to get ready for school too, perhaps i should lie in more often, they didnt have time to argue ! hehe

Im still giggling about what my fella came out with last night ! hes slowing coming out of that shell, so appologies to making you blush Penny..lol my god it was funny though, how the hell he keeps going like that after being up 2 nights on the trott i honestly dont know, but his sense of humour really was in full swing last night, so it was a really good night.

I come home so wrapped up in the music i cant sleep, i end up eating peanut butter and drinking tea half the night talking about what a great night that was..lol

Today im cooking something nice, not sure whats on the menu yet, but im having a want to cook week so my fellas making the most of it and has left me to it, and as the musics so good this morning too i think today will be a good day..

The suns out, the wind is blowing the dead leaves away from my door for a change (into next doors garden hehe) so im gonna turn that music up and enjoy whatever the day brings..

Have a great day everyone..........

Its nearly the weekend !!

Morning Kiss

Im up and outside with the birds this morning, my god its a bit chilly out there, im going to have to start getting dressed in the mornings soon..lol

As usual ive been sitting in the garden with my headset, its the only time i get to myself in this house, and my favourite part of the day..

Today is going to be a busy one, its the day i cram in 2 days work so i can go to the stables tomorrow..lol I have to be back for the kids at 4 then take Lauren horseiding at 5 back home at 6 then off to Stalham at 7... its not boring thats for sure...

Im just trying to work out when im supposed to get ready, my fella goes to sleep if he takes Lauren and finds riding boring so i cant ask him on this one..hehe

I had to giggle this morning the kids caught me in full swing dancing outside.. i have a bad habit of that, im trying to sit quietly when my musics on, you know what its like you hear a song and off it goes, it started with my feet and i just couldnt help myself, my lot really should be used to me by now, but apparently mum is weird...lol whats wrong with getting up feeling a spring in your stride, I feel good today..

The kids have a cycling test today so that explains why theres bikes all round my lounge, they obviously didnt want cold seats ! lol

Right im gonna see how quick Santana can make me work today, I cant wait for salsa tonight...

I hope you feel better soon Cheryl, we will all miss you tonight..

Alright Jack

I feel so much better tonight , its Monday and Ive actually got out of the house away from work for an hour.............god it was lovely..

Tonight i was riding Jack, hes such a beautiful horse he does make my legs ache though ! I cant get them anywhere near his belly........lol

Tonight we all got some exciting news in a few weeks time we are starting the jumping.... yipeeeeee

God Ive missed that so much, i was always jumping at my last stables but looking back i dont know how i managed to stay on, my balance must be good that's all i can say..it wasn't down to my riding well that's for sure....hehe

I think that's probably why i loved it so much though, its was so exhilarating...

I'm so glad I'm learning technique and how to ride properly now, but theres still a part of me that loved going there Saturdays and jumping those courses, I'm tempted to go and do both places again but my fella wasn't so happy about that part.. lol

Ever since i was a small one Ive always wanted to show jump, I'm still small just a lot older now so its better late than never in my eyes........ roll on that first lesson, it cant come quick enough... I could do with some excitement ...lol

I was speaking to Kevin tonight as we were walking back, i miss going to help out at the stables but due to having to send out parcels Fridays and the bad weather we have encountered, i haven't managed to get there now for 3 weeks, that's got to change this week........Im going come what may.........

Ive worked out ill pack the stuff when i get back from Stalham and our salsa class so i can go and share those Polo's out .. apparently someones missed me...........lol my flirty horse Prince and a few of the poor sods there that have been doing my share..........bless

Its not about the work there, i know how hard work it is, but what it does bring me is inner peace, its sounds like a blond saying but that's exactly how i feel , so calm and content...

I come home shattered and so happy its wonderful, even my fella is pushing me to go back now, he knows how much it means to me being up there..im also very grumpy apparently..lol

I cant have a holiday this year but my grandmother always says "a change is as good as a rest" i never understood what she meant then, but do now.......

We've had a hard weekend with nothing but work and more work, ive tried to make it as pleasurable as possible (no dirty thoughts needed i have plenty of them already) lol but really could do with a change and some fresh air , my fella is a workaholic and wont hear of such a thing........ he'll just take his laptop outside.......lol

Im happy tonight, im now going to grab a lovely bath, a brandy (my back and legs need one) and chill out for an hour (probably fall asleep in there) ...lol

Its amazing really mother nature has a way of changing your day into a great one as much as music does..

I think ill take my headset along this week and see how good the two are together...lol

Thanks to a great group of people and one very beautiful horse ive managed to switch off from work and am smiling tonight.........

Goodnight all...............

Getting Dirty

Well we've had another 2 days of sunshine... so that's the summer over with..lol

The birds are all queuing up outside trying to huddle under the bird table so it made me smile this morning.. bless

Its just as mad as last week here, but today Ive got a day at home which is lovely, my fellas busy at meetings today, so i thought id work here and just pack everything tomorrow... i found him on the sofa again this morning, laptop still intact and running on his lap..the tea i made him before i turned in was still there untouched, but hes happy as he got done what he needed to for this morning, the guy never stops trying... hes such a gem (and looks really funny sleeping in his boots) lol

Last night was riding, all day i was excited the day was so beautiful , i think the group was all hoping it would be a hack again...lol

Kevin is such a giggle, i turned up early as usual with him taking the mickey as i cant breath in my back protector so get rather cross wearing it, but the night just got better when i saw what horse i was on.........Billy.......Hes stunning and big !! so i ditched the protector and decided id enjoy the night for what it brought..

he told me if i hacked out on a smaller one last week hed make up for it this week, and boy didn't he..lol

It was one of the best and funniest lessons to date, everyone was laughing all night, one of the guys cracked up when i was told who i was riding as its his usual horse and he doesnt move easily, his words were " You are gonna hurt tomorrow" .. lol oh yes he was right too ! i really do hurt today ...but loved every minute of it, i wouldn't quit and did everything i set out to do, but literally had to kick all the way through the lesson as the horse just sits there taking the piss.. im sure i caught it smiling..im going to buy myself some size 10 boots next time i ride him, then well see who's laughing.....lol They are such smart creatures.....

Anyway i got into canter no problems (which the guy couldn't do last week !! 1 up for the girls, oh yes oh yes !..lol) and really loved riding him, he was such a challenge.., ive got another hack next week but im on another big one ! yipeeeeeeeeeeee Kevins getting better and better every week in my eyes...lol

We could put the horses to bed last night again, but i did kind of come unstuck, i couldn't reach the saddle to get my arm underneath and the guys were killing themselves laughing, so i took billy over to the mounting steps and found my way around it... i may be small but if theres a way ill find one !! lol

I learnt something new last night too ! dont put a tube of polos down your chaps ...lol

It worked its way down to my ankle by the end of the lesson and when i was walking billy back (its miles away) i stopped and took them out as it was beginning to hurt, but then he spots them.. and leading a horse while hes trying to bite you for about 20 mins wasnt fun, i gave in at the finish and gave him one so he would walk nicely..

The funniest part of the night was when walking him through those fields, its still very wet and muddy out there and we came to this huge puddle and mud patch, so im trying to pull him and he decides to nuzzle me into the ditch so he can walk in my dry bit...hehe i came home head to toe covered in mud , sweating and giggling my head off ... my fella laughed and just said, looks like youve had a great night then...... oh yes !

Im not the type of girl that likes to keep it clean, in fact im much happier getting down and very dirty anyday................lol

What a great night its been .........

Life begins

lol.................. Oh my god ive reached the milestone.... im 40 at last ! lol

Its been a manic week, but ive really enjoyed it..

The week started as nuts as usual, i somehow managed to slot in all the stuff i had planned last week but by the end of last week i was pretty tired, things happened that i didnt expect, so it made me feel a bit down in myself, Friday for me was a hard one, im back to working by myself again, both running the home and office so im trying to kick my bum into gear and slowly get myself back into the swing of things. its so easy to turn lazy, i had forgotten how much i really had to do before, so after my reality check ive knuckled down am firing on all cylinders and really pushing myself..

I seem to constantly ache from riding, salsa and belly dancing lol its a joke here now, i dont seem to get any days off in between, but the soreness is changing into toned muscles (clean minds needed here) please..........lol

This week was my birthday (as if you hadnt of guessed) lol i had people try and arrange all sorts of things for me, and some wonderful offers, but i just wanted a quiet day (in my life its a rarety) I worked most of the day on my own, but got loads done, my friend came up in the afternoon with a card so it made for a really peaceful day (my fella was out all day so i could sing my head off) i did have a wish to ride a horse up a beach... its still on my list, but what i did do more than made me happy....... and it was pretty near to it.. I went out the night before and rode a big black horse half the night through the fields, no alcohol, no fuss, just me, a warm night, and plenty of birds singing while i rode along on a big beautiful horse, who didnt seem to mind me talking away and singing to him, it was a beautiful warm night and although simple to most people, mother nature and her gift really did make my birthday one to remember ..