Dirty Weekends

Its been a really good weekend. We have been working up our unit and getting mucky as usual, but we managed to get a lot done so are very pleased.
I started to unpack some of his pottery things he's collected over the years, things that my house simply outgrew, as there was so much of it: and they say women are the hoarders..OMG I haven't opened half the boxes yet, theres no end to his tallents.

I have been working on several things this weekend, that need some TLC and got a few finished. I think the old mirror looks lovely enough to grace any dressing table now. It looked so rough when we first got it but the charm was there. My fella does the old tools of course, as he is one... so was his father..lol Get him on the wine and talk about vintage tools and these two are in their elements.

 

He brought me an old leather sewing machine a few weeks back. It was rusty, filthy and needed quite a bit of work, but its now back to best, and working brilliantly. I fell in love with it, as it has so much charm. I plan on training how to use this beauty properly as I think I can do something good with this, that works with what we do. i.e.: Carpenters chisel wraps and mending old Drs bags etc.

The unit is workable now, we have divided it into 2 areas: The mucky area where everything gets cleaned and polished and my area, where they move through to once the base work has been done.

Here is my fella hard at it yesterday working on a Ships lantern:

Our eldest spends his weekends helping his dad now too and is gaining skills as he does.

My next project are these 2 items:

They look like crap at the moment, but the chair will be mine as soon as its done. I have an old oak writing desk at home and this chair matches it lovely.. I bought it with some Xmas money my gran gave me as I could see its potential even through the cobwebs :)
Just having to wait on the stables for a few days, as my friends are collecting all the horse hair up there for me, to make a new seat pad for it!

 

Today my fella is back on his laptop as he has a big job starting tomorrow.. So im spending the day preparing my garden for this weeks downpour! I know everyone moans when it rains, but, the garden does need it.. and it takes me hours to water mine as I still haven't got an outside tap. So you wont find me moaning when it rains.

These 2 lamps came together from a boot sale and were in exactly the same condition. Look at the difference after we worked on the little one.

Mine and Ryan's need to do table!

 My restore project on the leather machine (before it gets sold) its a child's Victorian pram.

 Bloody man has a fascination for Torquay pottery.... so I'm gonna sell it all..

He must have every machine known to man in there. its a mans shed alright. The anvil came this week.

 Our drying corner, when its come out from the glupe.. I love cleaning it.

 Another project of mine to come, I have to bring these back to best along with the matching sofa!

Out with the Old - In with the New

Spring has arrived.. Changing of the seasons and everything else. So much is happening here.
I've been talking to my fella about a change in career for me, I want to make a change and do something different. You get to an age as a woman that you don't want to carry on the same as when you were younger, your tastes change and attitude and it looks like I've arrived at that place.
Im sick of clothes and want to do something different now, using different skills and adding to the ones I have already He's agreed whole heartedly, so we are doing something together that's a bit different, I've also been offered 2 jobs running companies for 2 of his past customers,that I can run from here easily, will allow me enough time to still run this place as mum and still run my project with Steve. Im nervous and excited all at the same time. Will fill you in once we are up and running... You will like this one!
My fella meanwhile is going from strength to strength, today he's spending half the day managing a big site in Essex then he's off to Manchester, I put my machines up for sale yesterday and within 60 mins had sold the 4.. Poor bugger has to deliver them for the chap though but I actually made a good profit on them as well as had use of them for years.. Its enough to help along our new business so he doesn't mind a small detour (huge one more like)
He was headhunted by a good firm a couple of months ago and is now running a Norfolk branch here for them, its a lot of thinking and organising, but he's in his element and it shows. His new van comes next week also, so I get to keep the car for a change, Im really pleased he's done so well, I knew he would..
We have a new unit tucked away where we will go to work on the new business and have been getting it ready to use over the last 2 months (I've been painting and he's been making) I have been thinking about changing my work for a long while now, some will say im mad as its doing so well, but I want something different to get my teeth into, a new journey and I don't believe you can sell clothes to people in the same way as you can when you are younger, unless the clothes are older styles, and I've always been a jeans girl at heart. It just doesn't excite me anymore, I want something I can do as a hobby for the next 20 years but have fun while I do it, so im going to follow my heart.
 I've had years of people copying me and mimicking any new ideas I had and this change means that I will get to spend more quality time with my fella as we both love this and do it as a hobby now, I wont be reliant on earning money as I'll earn enough on the Monday-Friday ones to add to the house pot, but it means weekends away and plenty of walking with my fella and that's what matters most now. I asked my kids what they thought I was good at: the answers came back from cooking, sewing, gardening and creating, but they all said I was good at making something old look amazing, im the first to admit I love charity shops and car boots and this means I also get to up-cycle things and give them a new lease of life.. Perhaps to last another 100 years. There is so much waste in the world, im hoping I can help a little in my own way and have fun at the same time...

Im going to sell everything off in my shops and see where this leads. If it takes off and I do these other jobs well, I will make a complete change and close them all down. My kids all have their own paths to follow and my daughter doesn't like clothes and I don't want to end up like a woman I once knew who we called racing blonde, she would sell young peoples clothes and model them herself even though she was in her fifties.. She was the brunt of so many cruel people but I blame the husband (he was the photographer) for not telling her she was too old to model anymore.. That man was never honest with his wife! and cruel with it.. Our tastes change and so do mannerisms and no one wants to be looked on as mutton dressed as lamb anymore.

Meanwhile, as I think about the kids.. They are currently doing GCSEs  and are studying (yes properly up the table and all) they are all so different in their ways. My daughter and I have grown so close walking our blind dog, we now get time alone that we use to learn about each other, she has grown up so much and really is a lovely young lady, she told me she was struggling with Ryan's girlfriend using all my stuff (my make up, shower stuff, perfumes clothes etc) as she finds this rude! and to be fair sometimes I do get pissed off when I go to pluck my eyebrows and my make up bags disappeared but I don't let it get to me. She only acts how she has been brought up to behave so its simply lack of parenting skills there, im sure we can help her adapt to understand things better as time goes by and now at least Lauren understands that decisions we make as parents do affect our children most, as some kids simply are left not knowing how to behave through no fault of their own..

Lauren wont ask for anything, she wont take any clothes from stock if I ask her what she needs as she thinks this is bad as its a company and not free stuff, so she earns jeans etc for doing chores for me, she's grown up into a little me, she's a jeans girl to the heart and it will suit her in her life's journey of working with animals. Its the sort of job where you get your hands dirty and she doesn't mind in the slightest. She's so much like me that way.. Im always happy with im up to my neck in muck or paint.
Callum was interested in renewable engineering, and has now been accepted into a brilliant college, hes the thinker and puzzle maker in the family and is so much like my real dad its scary. He will always look at what needs doing and find the best solution to get it done. Except empting the bins every morning, he will always go for the recycle bin first and quickly, so Brandon gets the messy household one for not doing it as soon as I asked!

Brandon has learning disabilities and suffers from dyspraxia and  is also dyslexic so hes not as bright with literature etc, but where he blossoms is with art, music and computers so is now hoping to attend college to study animation, his interview is next week. He has already been accepted into college for graphics but he knows what he wants to do and is working his arse off to get into the market he wants to do.. I think he will do it, hes the worker in the family and no one tries harder.

Ryan meanwhile is a year away from being a fully qualified electrician and had his first driving lesson last night with mum hanging out of the window smiling away.. Poor lad!
He's installing his first ground source heat pump next weekend with one of Steve's partners (another business he's built up running in the pipeline) and is now going to work weekends so he can get his lessons done and buy himself a little car.
Im gonna need a list soon to keep up with everything that's happening here. But im strangely very happy with my life at the moment...

Power Cut - They Will be Blown Away

The weekend went far too quickly! My fella had to leave Sunday night due to the storm, so it didn't feel like id seen him this week. We were both knackered Friday from the week and by the time shopping and house stuff was done on Saturday it was gone..
I'm not keen on sitting on my laptop at night as I like spending time with my tribe here, but Skype allows me to talk to Steve and catch up with the days events, its exciting stuff his end and I can tell he's really enjoying this challenge. The mans never happy unless he's full pelt at something, I honestly don't know anyone who has so much passion and drive, its relentless! I still have to wake him up every morning though, some things never change...
Last nights call didn't come, so I decided to watch a movie with the kids, Barry's been brilliant and gets me all the best movies to watch, he knows once Steve's home at weekends I don't get the remote, its a mans thing apparently. I waited until 10 then decided to have a bath, sending a couple of snidey messages before I went :) like " Enjoy your pints etc. as im going to bed now" you get the meaning,  when Ryan gets a text from him panicking as he's gone back to the digs to a power cut and no water! they got the worst of the storm, hence the no Skype call! Talk about dropping yourself in the cart Jo.. His words made me laugh (wicked aren't I) " Please tell mum im sitting in the middle of a bloody field of sheep freezing cold,trying to get enough signal to send this. I'm cold, theres no power, no water and It feels like I may as well be living on mars!"
I cant take back the messages of course which he will get once the powers comes on but he knows what im like by now, and I know what he's usually like - hence the messages I left in the 1st place!.

Today im moving all my stock across. I was hoping the triple trio would get up and help but there's no sign of movement up there yet, it must be time for mums singing in the bath! I have a new way of getting them up by simply singing a power ballad all in the same note!! its bloody awful and hard to do but it usually results in Lauren shouting insults and the boys coming downstairs to avoid it. Perhaps ill sing a Whitesnake track today as im feeling energetic ;)

Going for a walk

Yesterday was a really good day. Not as good as it could have been as Ryan didnt go, I couldnt get him and his girlfriend in the car so next year im hiring a mini bus and taking tents.
We wanted to camp but only the stall holders are allowed so im having a stall next year selling bags and belts, that way we can stay over and make a weekend of it. Paul and Kate are up for camping too. I've just gotta do this, the urge is getting worse to just grab a tent and go now..
The more i look at these festivals the more i like the thought of going to them all.. so thanks to Saturday i think im gonna have a look round and see how many more are going on.. That i can take a tent to !!
Im thinking of going hiking soon with my fella to either Ireland Scotland and the Lake District.. Everytime i see an advert on the TV for them seeing those hills and all that greenery, feels like its calling out to me at the moment.. I want to feel the wind in my hair and walk for England.... Literally, we can just stop off at b & bs along the way when we need a shower and end up where we end up... In the lake sounds appealing too.. Those places look amazing.. saturday there was a group there who played Irish folk music, i didnt know at the time but 2 were Laurens school teachers! They were bloody brilliant, I couldnt help my feet it just made you feel so happy, Happy music.. So ive asked her today so go get me his CD.. I could just see myself joining them with a violin playing away......hehe What a great thing to do..
Yesterday i spent the day cooking.. It didn't start out like that, but the kids and my fella kept going on about bread, so i ended up being slung off my computer and spending the day cooking, they were eating it faster than i could cook! The bread ive been told is the best yet! Not that i can eat the bugger..lol
Im now going to tackle the packing as the orders are printing out as i type, and im grabbing the poor dogs again for an hour and going for another walk..... They will think ive lost the plot with all these walks..

Sunsets

I feel so optimistic today, some days when you wake up, you just feel happy. Todays one of those days..
The suns shining, the birds are singing their heads off and it feels good.
Ive been out in the garden with my tea to see whats changing out there and smiling secretly to myself when i see new life peeking through.
Tonight i was hoping to go to the beach, but plans have been changed, my fella, my eldest son and his girlfriend all want to go to salsa so are taking the car.. he wasnt happy about me driving myself up waxham beach alone in case any thing happens to me when im there...
The last time i went to chant i came home so calm and happy inside, it does really make a difference. I got lost of course trying to find roses place but my fella ended up being a taxi which meant i could also have a drink.. I was lost in the chant that night, i felt like i was floating.. It was magical... So i'll wish my friends a warm summer solstice and hope mother nature brings them an amazing sunset to add to their evening.....xxx

We have started the changes to the site, which have been amusing, ive been changing pictures like a looney to load in bigger sizes but love whats happening to it so far.. Im also working on the other shop as thats next..
Im very reluctant to do photos anymore but my fellas telling me to try them, The fact that il have to sit and clone over a lump doesn't make it appealing but its like my fella says, its not in there for ever...This is only temporary........
Tomorrow im going with David for a couple of days to his sisters place to get it ready for her, my eldest has been there all week helping and cannot see what me sitting indoors is gonna do to help, as long as someones there who knows what to do its all you can do, so my fella said yes and is putting all his meetings into the next 2 days so he can do what he needs to while im away during the day. I can't wait to see what the decorators have done up there, tomorrow im taking some pictures of that quaint kitchen of hers to get some ideas for mine as its time i redecorated... Its to die for with that beautiful little range oven... Hopefully i wont though, or i'll be in the doghouse with my lot..........lol
Right back to work now.. I want to get this fnished today..its coming on a treat..

Ready

What a giggle today has been. Mandy and Deon have been up and we have been having such a giggle. I've had my pre op this morning and am cooking meals ready for this lot, my sisters taking me into hospital as my fellas working but he will be able to pick me up if they let me home..
My fellas sense of humour is on top form, even Mandy says she would have thumped him by now, but if thats what gets him through this, ill happily take the hype..... he looks a lot worse than i do at the moment, im concerned hes not taking this as well i hes making out.. Hes got a huge stye come up on his eye, and looks like hes got the worlds weight on his shoulders... Hopefully once this ops done tomorrow we can both have some time to ourselves again.. its not good to be together 24/7 like this... hes like a caged animal poor sod..
We have a party to go to this sat at our friends in sutton and im aiming to go although he doesnt think we are.. I know i cant dance or drink yet, but theres no reason my fella can't, After 10 days i will be able to go back to leading a more normal life again ... im going back to riding and salsa and making the most of every minute i can......
I had my heart scanned yesterday which was a relief.. (yes they did find one!)
Its as strong as hell and perfect according to the dr, theres no damage whatsoever with that.. This is an electrical problem by the looks of it, somethings telling the heart to stop..
Roll on tomorrow.. hopefully this will give everyone some answers and relief then once its in....

Calm

Yesterday went well, we were up the hospital nearly all afternoon but it was worth it, I had emailed this lady specialist a couple of weeks back and she insited i would be seeing her and not her understudy so i didnt mind waiting. She was worth the wait and really lovely. She wasnt amused the things she asked the hospital to do hadn't been carried out while i was in there previously and promised she will be working with me until im sorted out. I was given the date of the 12th July for this operation but she said it was too long to wait after the amounts of fits i have had now, she filled in forms and told me she wants it done this week, so i am to sit by the phone and wait for a call... Shes not messing about thats for sure. I havent got much faith in the NHS left after the last couple of months but she was really good and helped restore some.
The hospital now phoned and my operations at 12 this Thursday.. I have been told that my sister cannot come with me now as i may need a general anesthetic and not a local.. not going to know apparently til the surgeon looks at me and knows where hes putting this device in ? I hope its a local.. I want to be able to come home.. not good at staying in that place...
Its taken 6 weeks to see this specialist but shes been on the ball today and doing everything she said she would do..
I did half the dress photos at nannies this weekend so im gonna see if my fella will do the other half tomorrow afternoon now, i know he will moan and say no but.. these need to be done as the whole section needs sorting out and redoing, the ones we did i am really pleased with and dont want to do half a job, I can just sit then and sort out that section while i heal from Thursdays op without worrying i have stock there not photoed.. Im not sure whats going to happen once this is done, its a case of wait for the next seizure and then they will know what to do with me.. so i need to prepare if i cannot do photos anymore or need further surgery, i will have time then to get my model in.. ive already got one lined up ready, whos happy to take over..... I'll then be the photographer until Ryans ready, hes doing a photography course at college and cannot wait to get behind the camera taking photos of pretty models... lol
I may do some cooking this afternoon and see if i can get some meals ready here..

Learn

Decided to play dot to dot last night with the ambulance guys, another morning of waking up covered in heart monitor stickies.. they asked me to leave them on overnight in case i needed any more call outs.. I hate this.
Im torn between the devil and the deep blue sea. My fella said as soon as i started to feel unwell i have to let him know, the packing took me all afternoon, i was really tired by the end of it and really grouchy, one of the parcels wasnt paid by paypal and a couple of important letters were in with my book so i couldnt send the kids with the parcels as normal, there were too many for them to carry, so my fella said we would go together, i just wanted to sit down by then, and couldnt.. As soon as we returned and pulled up in the drive i started to feel unwell, the blood just drained from my arms and head again like emptying a swimming pool quickly, I just sat there shuddering with cold.. I came in layed on the sofa and hoped it would go away, all the way through my fella kept asking me should he call an ambulance, he was really not helping me relax, he wants them to be here when i get these so we get ecg readings, but i dont know if its gonna be a full blown one or like last nights milder form without the chest pain.. you get about 10 seconds of that pain starting and and being unciousous thats all.. its so hard for him i know, but i have to keep calm not panic, I really dont know if its gonna escalate or not til it happens.. Thankfully last nights episode did leave.. The ambulance crew were bloody brilliant and sat here with me til he finished his shift, they wanted to take me in but said the same things likely to happen again, ill be sent home until i see this specialist on monday. The ambulance crew are better than the hospital guys by far.. I got upset which i dont normally do with these but they really helped to calm me down and reassure that he was here with me whatever .. He also showed my fella not to panic or stress me out by keep asking me whats happening... That could indeed make these worse and escalate them .. I keep asking him to just sit with me and hold my hand, im trying to stay calm and find a nice place in my head, if you sit there waiting and reporting back every second of what it feels like, surely thats concentrating on the wrong parts... Im sitting in my woods surrounded by blue bells in my head, feeling the breeze on my face.......... and thats how i need to think..

Close

Its been a really nice weekend. We had friends round last night for dinner and my fella cooked, I got to do the sweets and thoroughly enjoyed the night. I feel so close to my fella at the moment its bloody lovely.. This has definitely made us both think and realise how right we have got some things,... Hes told me in no uncertain terms i'm not going anywhere.. Ive already been warned with the car battery charger if i don't behave.
I never thought he would take this very well and although its incredibly hard for him hes been such a gem, no matter where i am, hes always close just keeping an eye out..
So far ive had a clear week, i need to try and better last months score of 5 weeks and somehow work out whats causing these. I cant stop living because im frightened somethings gonna happen, I know its highly likely but i also believe that no matter what, as long as i have the will to live, my fella will get me round... he wont give up he loves me too much.. So i want to try and live as normally as we can here..

This afternoon/evening we are heading for Anglia square and to the cinema. I promised the kids id take them to see Pirates of the Caribbean 4 two weeks ago and the poor buggers didn't get there.. Hopefully today will allow me to change that.
Its the big bank holiday charity day tomorrow at Acle. we are going!We are taking the kids with us during the day and going back tomorrow night with our friends- if im well enough.. Im really looking forward to this and thinking positively again now thankfully.. It does take time to heal from these and find that warmth again so you can wake up smiling, looking forward to the day ahead..

Hello Again

Its been a while since Ive been able to find myself and start to write again, you know when you have so much flying round up there, that you cant quite manage to put everything in order? well that sums my head up to a T...

I'm feeling much brighter now thankfully, have been a good girl and am taking the pills, which seem to be keeping the blackouts at bay, so I'm thankful for that, at least i don't rattle for nothing ! :)

Ryan seems to be settling back into school life nicely again, we are managing to keep up with the home tutoring and he seems to be much better in himself, it went on from all that crap straight into my fella working all hours and the new stock run, so its been pictures, editing, working and falling in a heap..

I have managed to get to riding which i have to say is the one thing that's kept part of me sane, i took Lauren this week so the pictures and videos are thanks to her. If you notice Phil is leading me out, do you know why? Jack is so thoughtful and likes to make a quick dash exit usually leaving his riders in the large pile of horse manure as a thank you....hehe Told you i get all the badly behaved horses didn't i ! its s good job i like bad boys.............

Christmas is fast approaching and boy am i panicking !

I'm starting to feel better in myself but needed some time out to get myself together, wash my hair and start again, if that makes sense, i feel more like my old self now and cant wait to get back to everything.

The new stock is in theres still as some to go in but somehow we managed to lose the photos, so as my fellas away again tomorrow until Friday, I'm hoping we can finish up so i can get back into my work with enthusiasm again by the weekend..

I had so much to say but it was all so negative and i didn't want to depress you all when reading it, somehow it all manages to sort itself out and calm down doesn't it...

Here's to hopefully no more weeks like the last few......

Anyway the good part of my week so far has been my horses.. This week Kevin's away on the start of his 3 week holiday so we got Phil to take the lessons, hes been brilliant and managed to pull out of the bag one of the best lessons Ive ever had.. talk about sore legs today !

Anyway i hope you like the pictures, I'm riding Jack again (who i am loving to bits) we did the lesson without stirrups and i learnt to rise and trot and canter without them, it was really good..

Although I'm paying for it at the moment and taking plenty of hot baths.......hehe

Will be back to normal now and come to see you guys every day..xxx

Sunshine and showers

Its been quite an eventful couple of days, we've both been working like mad this end, none of us particularly felt very energetic but we've got it done, thankfully.

I have got the paint tins out but sadly that's only as far as ive managed, i keep looking at them so who knows tonight may just be the night..

My fella has a meeting tonight so its the perfect time to get busy, ive been given tamiflu so have to stay indoors until tomorrow, i thought i was really tired last week and was riddled with headaches and aches and pains but just put it down to low iron and a period but the drs think i had swine flue... well that just goes to prove my theory on myself ! i am a bloody swine then.......hehe

Today we had a phone call and the unit that i use to store my machines and endless things we need here but need to make room to bring home, has been broken into.. im praying my sons drum kit isn't one of the things that's missing, it was his Xmas pressie that we struggled to save up for, we moved it into storage for a couple of weeks along with a fair bit of the kids stuff so i could get their bedrooms sorted out, i haven't decorated up there since they were one and it badly needs a coat of paint, I know times are hard but stealing in my books is disgusting.. If you want something then you should bloody work and save for it! I have to and teach my kids to do the same thing so its not going to be nice explaining that what little bits they did have have been stolen...arseholes keeps coming to mind today.. but as my fella said some things can never be taken away eh ! and id rather have my kids and fella than anything materialistic... Sometimes its not so easy though to stay optimistic and i have to kick myself back into reality when my mind goes off wandering into forbidden things called holidays....hehe

My mum phoned last night from Tobago screaming that her fella had been eaten by a shark! not the normal "hello Jo, how are you all call" What on earth do you say to that one? it sure was a long night... Thankfully he was found safe but struggling with cramp after 4 hours treading water by the coastguard. Hes captain of a boat out there and scuba diver instructor, they were out looking for lobsters and something went wrong but it did make me think, what would happen to mum if anything happened to Lem? shes built her life out there around him .. i wouldn't like to think of her out there alone thats for sure, hes a big bloke and known on the island not to mess with, so mums safe with him, im not so sure it would be like that without him standing beside her though.

Anyway its time to cook and pick up that paintbrush, my fella will be arriving back soon with his guests so its time for me to make myself invisible..........

Yes im going to pick up that paintbrush too tonight and get it done !

Tomorrow the suns coming to visit again and im not being stuck in here all weekend again, last weekend was bad enough i didn't see my fella at all, as he was doing the course during the days and working online when he got home, so this weekend im dragging him off the computer and taking some time out together...

Have a great weekend everybody, enjoy the sunshine............

Never too old to learn

Its Friday already! my word this weeks flown by..

The boys are coming home today! i cant believe im saying this but i dont like a quiet house. lol

I keep walking round tidying up things that are already tidy, it feels really strange, im really looking forward to them coming home, the only part im not looking forward to is driving out to collect them! im so useless with directions my fellas shown me twice now and i bet i get lost again...

Hes in Yarmouth today starting his 4 day physical course, we have spent every night sitting here til gone 3am trying to get through the paperwork, im so glad im not at school anymore, 500 words on this and 350 on that, it takes as long to sit there counting the words as it does to think of what to write :) But he got offered the chance to do this from a friend and its a good thing to do and know, so why not!

Last night we both hit a brick wall, we were both so tired, so when 8 0 clock hit we turned off the laptops, we spent a couple of hours watching a movie with Lauren talking all the way through it before all falling alseep in a heap on the sofa..lol

Shes been a little gem this week though and has more than supported her mum and dad, she was even reading his books to learn it herself!weve done lots of little things together too which has been lovely, ive really enjoyed our time together, so after packing today will make a load of cakes as she wants to do and prepare for the onslaught of hungry brothers.. I felt so sorry for her when we dropped the boys off, its so beautiful there and overlooks a lake, the sun was out and i felt my heart sink for her, shes never had a holiday but she hasnt moaned once, ive learnt that shes just as scared of the dark as me and that she feels some security from having 3 brothers that she doesnt like, as theres always at least one upstairs playing on the X box when she doesnt want to be upstairs on her own.. see they do come in handy Lauren !

Its strange but ive really missed my fella this week too, i havent really seen him at all, no kids no fella and a tidy house! when theres noone to mess it up for me i get bored ! lol

This weekend were not doing anything good as my fella is working on this course til Tuesday so its me and the kids and endless camping tales i guess.....lol

I missed my salsa last night but he couldnt do this course without doing all the written work, and as i discovered it wasnt easy, its for an A level so important to get it right..

Who says you're too old to learn? needs to come and meet my fella...

Hes definately A standard in our eyes..

Good luck this week Steve.. enjoy it !

Sunshine and Shadows

What a beautiful morning! for some reason all the kids got up with me today so it was breakfast all round and such a happy atmosphere, the kids were all singing away, how lovely is that.

My fella was working til gone 4am so Ive left him to lie in, once they all go to school i then wake him up, hes not a morning person and this lot aren't very quiet to wake up to..lol

Brandon's appointment went well although i didn't realise he had been put onto the disabled register, that shocked me a bit, ill admit, we've been through all this with Callum when he was diagnosed with autism, why label kids like that? to me they are just as beautiful and intelligent as any child out there but have far more manners, common sense and kindness, yes they argue but don't all siblings..lol

But at least he will get the extra help he needs to learn at high school to prepare him for that big bad world, so ill go along with it and back them up at home, none of us knew what it was like out there when we were young (just what our parents said) but like every lesson, be it in a classroom or through life, we learn in the end.....

I had to smile this morning as i received a phone call from the high school from a lovely lady who is trying to help me with the kids and expense that moving up to big school brings, its a nightmare! so far without shoes, coats, trousers or skirts etc its already totted up a bill of £369.00 ! i had so many forms to fill in that again all wanted money in advance for school trips, lockers etc, i just wrote on the forms sorry im skint out will have to pay for trips nearer the time! it must have hit home as she was giving me numbers to try of charities that may help, i knew it was going to be hard but its past a joke, 4 lots of everything including 2 different uniforms for my eldest as hes doing the diploma this year at school and colledge and needs 2 be dressed in uniforms for both places........... times like these dont you wish there was such a thing as a money tree..lol when my kids were little they used to tell me to "go to the hole in the wall mum and get some money" !! hehe now they are older at least they understand that you have to actually have money in the bank to do that ! phewwwwwww they are good though and never moan when the other kids go places and they dont, they have learnt that although i want the best for them, sometimes things are just out of reach, its good in respects nothings come easy here, and they understand that we have to live to our means, not simply what the other kids have..

Im not sure if these places can help yet but its certainly worth a try as without it my lot know they cant go on some of the trips, the uniforms are stretching me already.. im flexible but not made of plastic...lol

Yesterday turned out a lovely day, the stables were so hot and sunny so we got to do the jumping class outside again, which we both loved, they had changed our horses again and halfway through me and jean changed over so it was pretty hard, no horse is the same up there.

We completed what we were asked and are now up to jumping doubles in canter, Its so exciting, all my frustrations went out of the window when i got into that arena, i can understand why so many people are always up there. That's the kind of free spirited life id love, i don't like having a stomach always churning over because of others, I'm a good person and happy with who i am inside and so is my fella and that's all what matters to me.

Last night i went back and was put on Jack, my word he was a testing boy last night, he behaved well waiting to go down to the stables, but all night decided he was on a go slow! lol

I think that's just how it is with him most times, but at least i always have something to work at! hehe

Today Ive ploughed through the work and housework so am going to cook something nice for my fella later and hopefully practise some salsa,the kids are all out at school to their leaving BBQ and Disco so we may as well turn this place into one and enjoy ourselves..

I'm playing this weekend by ear and hopefully finding something fun to do, we have been talking about going down and hiring some canoes so if my fellas up for it that's first on the list!

The boys all go away together next week camping with the boys brigade!, which means they have also broke up from school for the summer holidays ! omg 7 weeks of bedlam again...

so we have 5 days free of the boys tormenting their sister to make the most of, before the madness sets in and i start pulling my hair out with endless " im bored" conversations.. lol

Lauren will be spending her days with me, while my fella works so we plan to do lots of girly things together, hopefully evenings we can all just jump in the car and go.... I keep hoping its going to get easier now they are all a bit older, but we will see, im going to have 4 teenagers all in here together so i better keep that sense of humour intact and be ready for the hormone overdose .. this years gonna be fun !

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

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

Job offer

Looking for a new job?
You can always come and work with me and stelli....lol
Applicants must be sexy, fit and looking like Brad Pitt (or Angelina Jolie) is definately a big advantage, although we would settle for Hugh Jackman lookalikes also....


All applicants:

Must have a hands on approach to everything...

Must manually update their Hard drive daily in full view ...

Must be good at dicktation and understand what the boss wants at all times...

Must be a team player!..lol

Have good manners and not talk with their mouth full especially to customers...

Must not fellatio behind with their work....

Must be cunning in multi biliguism and be especially good with their tongue...

Keyboard skills are essential especially touch typing.....

Standing up for themselves would be an advantage but not essential as full training will happily be given...

Shorthand is preferred although not essential as quick and short may not be what im looking for this morning...

Able to work under pressure would be an advantage, 7 1/2 stone to be exact...

Basic wage applies with great incentives and monthly bonus scheme..

Able to bounce back quickly from even the hardest of tasks and rise to every challenge..

The applicant:

Will do anything to reach promotion ....lol

With ambition to become a sleeping partner..

Strict dress code applies.. (stockings and suspenders are a must on Fridays!) hehe

Pursuit of Happyness

Its been another busy week, it only seems like 5 mins ago it was last Friday....

Ive been deep in thought the last 2 days, the kids have been pretty testing (well Brandon has) hes having a bad run at being dangerous again, so ive been sitting here every night til bed time, trying to help him with his reading and writing, i went to salsa classes Tuesday and came home to my worktops all been cut up, so he gave my dad cause for concern, im not sure what else i can try, but i will keep trying, the doctors wanted to medicate him as he has too much energy and wont sit down for longer than 20 seconds, but i looked at it that we've got through this far and it wasn't fair to him to take that option, we just have to put extra effort into him....and grow eyes up my bum..lol

Hes been grounded for this week as i know he doesnt like that, but i also want to work with him one to one, so the teachers helping and working with me and has sent home some really good books for us to work on, he doesnt like ordinary boring things to read (his words to his teacher) so im now reading 'The cut throat celts'... its rather interesting but im amused that the teacher sent it home... but its so far so good, hes enjoying reading about it (so am i) but i still cant get him to go to sleep....lol i wish i sometimes had the amount of energy he has ..

Today im working from home, no particular reason except i felt like it, ive worked every night except Tuesday and missed most of last night due to getting engrossed in a film 'The pursuit of happyness' with Will Smith, (no its not spelt wrong either) lol

If you want a film to make you appreciate what you have in life then its a must see... very thought provoking , not many people could understand what it feels like to not have food or the basics in life, i can ...i was there once and i really related to this film, it made me cry, but also made me determined not to moan and just keep trying......

I finished the night wonderfully by standing in the garden watching the night sky, did you all see the moon last night..... totally beautiful.. for once the weather gave us a clear night and sent me to bed smiling, my whole bedroom was lit up and i just layed there staring at the sky......

I had a lovely surprise after work as my sister Denise came round with Jade and lacey, its been ages since ive seen my sister and i just wanted to give her a huge hug.... Lacey is growing so much and is just like Jade, beautiful.......

Ive been talking to my fella about some things id like to try, im very restless this week and cant wait for spring to get here, ive bought tents and all the camping gear i could find so im buggering off for a few days to live in the woods or on a beach somewhere, it sounds mad (and cold) but its 'gotta be done'.........i want to sleep under the stars with my little fire , its on my wish list and is one of the many mad things i intend to do as soon as those flowers are in bloom....

Were getting so much better at salsa, i got spoilt this week and got all the male instructors as my partners ! hehe.... but it has really helped me, as all those turns i couldn't quite get have now all slotted into place..although i dont like it when they stroke my hands, i feel really embarrased...lol

Well the weeks flown by, my fella has finally finished his 2 new websites so i may just be able to find some normality and good conversation again, i came down to him on the sofa this morning, hes been working all night again (and missed the eclipse)....but i respect the fact thats heres a guy that never gives up on his pursuit of happyness either........lol

Rampant Rabbits

Today we had an unexpected visitor in fact 2 ... arnt they beautiful

It makes me think of spring and the my favourite time of the year.......

Thats the beauty of where we work, we get all types of visitors that bring a smile each day, we have a fox so many magpies and two healthy friendly rabbits...

lol.......I bet you all thought judging by the title it was something battery powered ! tutt tutt

These are far better, they are a pleasure to have visit us and reminds me that spring is just round the corner .....

I miss the flowers and the sunshine, so today brought many smiles at our place..

What with all these friendly animals and our diet coke bloke (yes we still take extended breaks when he pulls in) im sure that springtime will be something special here, bunnies, foxes and Barron back in those shorts again.....lol

Ill of course be watching the animals and leave stelli to study mother natures other temptations...............lol

Saturday

It was a late one last night so im struggling to wake up this morning, im trying to squash everything in so im organised for when we make that long drive, i want to be able to come home bang in for 2-3 days and then be in front.......lol that will be a first..

So i worked all night til the early hours and made a good start...

I was singing my head off so did actually enjoy myself....im not sure what my family thinks though..lol

But it was worth it as i am actually on target and rearing to go.......

Its riding this morning so im up a little earlier than usual, i woke up, opened my eyes and thought Saturday.......yes..........lol

Time for breakast shower and get my butt into gear........
I saw this crystal online and loved it and as it stands for something postive i thought id share it with you all ...

Have a great weekend everyone.........