Boo's Party

Went well. The food was good. Lots of ice cream and sweets were consumed.

And there was a Dalek cake too.

Everyone enjoyed the karting - Chas is hoping to grow 2cm by December so she take 2 friends on the adult track and Boo has already decided she'd like the same party next year.

Zen Habits

What a timely article - could easily be applied to home as well as work.
http://zenhabits.net/2008/10/effortless-work/

Another busy day

Today felt like one long to do list and am not concentrating on the task in hand but rather on what needs to be done next. Started the day by preparing lunch and then took the dog out for an hour long walk. He got really grubby so it was bath time when we got back. Then I went into town with Emily to get Boo's presents and some casual clothes for Em. After trying on quite a few pairs of jeans she settled on cargo pants. Went home and built a mini supermarket while helping cook lunch at the same time. Then it was time to write a letter to the undertaker about getting my aunt's ashes buried in my father's grave. As I have left this so long decided to hand deliver it to Churcham rather than rely on the post. This involved going through the A40 traffic and I couldn't believe how busy it was on a Sunday. Then drove on to Mum's in Longhope to deliver her 70th birthday card in time for tomorrow. Mum then nagged me about getting in touch with the church warden about the burial so I drove up to the church to get the details ready to call tomorrow. While I was doing this got a text from a friend who is doing some training for me on Friday, reminding me I had promised to drop round the new Poloroid PoGo printer over the weekend. Then it was back through the traffic to Gloucester to visit Angel Chef and confirm party food for tomorrow. Next back home to pick up the PoGo and deliver it. I finally got home at 5.15 just as George was leaving for Doncaster. The only time I saw him today was over lunch.

When I get stressed I can't relax unless everything in the house is tidy - I wish this wasn't so. Normally muddles don't bother me but when I'm stressed I put extra pressure on by having to tidy and put everything away so I spent the next hour and half tidying up the playroom, sitting room and kitchen. Sat down and with Chaz's help put together the party bags for Boo's party while she was in the bath. Am now sitting writing this blog and watching last night's Casualty. Need to try and calm down a little before tomorrow or Boo's party will seem like a chore rather than something to be enjoyed.

A busy time ahead

There's so much coming up over the next two weeks I'm beginning to feel a bit stressed. Today I'm showing people round our flat which we're trying to rent out again. I need to get birthday cards for Boo and my mum, both with birthdays on Monday. Also need to buy presents for Boo (Anna is luckily sorting our joint present for Mum), get a cake for her party and have just remembered that the dreaded party bags will probably be required. Her party is on Monday and George is in Doncaster on a course - how does he plan these things.Luckily my colleague Jane has agreed to help me out - not sure she knows what she's letting herself in for!

On Thursday I received an email reminding me I am at a conference in London on Tuesday - George will still away so that means child care to sort as well as finding time to get a train ticket. On Friday is the training event I am arranging at the Rugby Club and we seem to be a bit behind schedule following the Ofsted inspection. On Saturday it's my Mum's 70th birthday party and on Sunday I have invited everyone round to lunch. Oops should have remembered we're off on holiday on the Monday, need to pack and speak to the mums of the two friends we are taking with us. Busy, busy, busy and I think I should make a start by going to Tescos to get the shopping out of the way - not sittting here blogging. Still there will be plenty to blog about !

Home again

and "Em's space" in the sitting room looks just like it always did.

Boo in the kitchen

Last weekend Boo got down to some serious work in the kitchen. She worked quite independently and made a beautifully decorated cake (which unfortunately got eaten before there was time to take a photo for the blog). Weighing the flour
greasing the tin,
and finally making the butter icing.

We also made truffles which was a very messy business:

but getting your hands clean again is fun.

If you ate one on Thursday don't panic - Mum has her Food Hygiene certificate and hands were thoroughly washed before the next stage. Here's the finished product about to go into the fridge to set.They were very tasty!

Disco Diva

Last night was the High School for Girls and Tommy Rich's joint disco. Chas looked amazing - with a little help. Clothes courtesy of Mum, hair and make up by Emily, stick thin figure aided by not liking 90% of the food offered to her. Joking aside she really did look lovely and very grown up. She came home buzzing - which was lovely to see. Something to do with boys apparently.

Em leaves home

All too soon it was Sunday 21st and time to take Emily to Birmingham. There were some stressful moments when we couldn't fit everything into the car - and she really didn't want to leave anything behind. However, she was finally convinced that we were only an hour away and if she left some of her books at home she would be able to collect them soon.

We got to Birmingham on time despite the motorway being closed due to an accident. There was a long queue to get a parking space so Em and I headed off to get the keys while George queued. We had unpacked over half her belongings before we got a space to park.

I really didn't want to leave and tried to help with unpacking (but Emily wanted to sort it herself). George finally persuaded me to leave and the girls both got a hug. I didn't need to ring in the evening to check how she was - as she rang us.

Prize-Giving

Emily won the prize for General Studies so we spent Thursday evening at the Cathedral. The prizes were awarded by Rob Rees, the Cotswold Chef. It was a good end to Emily's association with the High School.

Never be beaten

If you don't win the Merit Award in the classroom then make your own. Blythe was really upset that despite her best efforts this week her best friend Alice got the award. However, all you need is a computer and a Man Utd badge and you too can be a winner. Love that spelling!

Trainee Chef Part 2

Now only two weeks til Ems leaves for Birmingham and time to step up Chaz's training. So today we added preparing cabbage, swede and carrots. The kitchen is a frightening place for someone with such a fear of knives, heat and gas.

Barney the Mountaineer

Rather belatedly took George's birthday cards off the mantlepiece in the sitting room. Barney appears to have found a new place to bury his bones! No-one admitting to putting it behind the clock!

Dancing Queens

Boo and Ailsa captured "strutting their stuff" at Kate's on Thursday evening. Their mothers were doing the same in the Regal last night - with marginally more clothing!

Which end is which?

How can someone get to 46 without knowing one end of a chicken from another? Charlotte and I had an argument over which was the neck (actually this is not strictly the end we were arguing about) and she won! Anyone who knows George will know what sort of jokes this has prompted.

Barney's bathtime

Christmas is coming!

How do I know? The girls are back at school and Tesco have a 2 for 1 offer on Roses. So of course we bought two tins. Obviously they're perfectly safe as I'm on a diet!!!!

More Little Things

And just to prove it. A text conversation with a friend about meeting up this evening ended with: "Gonna be a good night. Woken up in really cheerful mood. It's sad when shiny cutlery straight from the dishwasher makes you happy x" to which she replied "Now that really is sad - sounds like you need a night out and i need a better dishwasher!!" Made me laugh.

Little Things

Must have woken up in a philisophical mood this morning. Starting my day by unloading the dishwasher I noticed that the cutlery was really shiny and it made me feel happy. This new dishwasher is great - we didn't realise how badly our old one was working until this one arrived. Anyhow this lead me to thinking how it really is the little things that count in life. The small gesture of friendship or kindness that makes all the difference. Being in a relationship for 20 years I know that we will argue about small things - drives George mad that I forget to secure the gates at the top so they get blown about in the wind, or that I can never manage to hang up the car keys and then get cross with him that I can't find them. (I'm sure there are many more things he'd like to add to this list but it's my blog so he can't!). I get annoyed that he nevers sees the things that need putting away or finishes any job he starts. But that's probably the reason we're still together - when it comes to a big problem or issue we don't argue we support each other and work it out.

Cheers Em!

Earlier in the week we had a family meal for Emily. She had been telling Rich that he couldn't make a stir fry as good as her dad's. So George was duly challenged to produce a stir for us all. Had a bottle of bubbly sitting in the fridge so decided to turn it into a bit of a celebration for Em. Not sure Rich was convinced that George had won the stir fry competition but I'd vote for him every time.

Back to School (and New Hair) 2

Chaz's turn to go back to school today. I really don't remember her blazer being that big at the end of last term. It looks as though it will still fit in the 6th Form. A bit pointless really as her first blazer lasted only a term before the rats (pet ones) ate their way through one of the sleeves.

St Rosemary!

Or at least that's what George calls her. At a meal out together in Vinings in June Teresa and I were both moaning about the amount of weight we have put on recently. So finally we have taken the plunge and joined the Rosemary Conley Diet and Fitness class in Quedgeley. Have 2 stone to lose but am doing it in memory of my Auntie Liz who was a great fan of Rosemary Conley.

Back to School (and new Hair)

Boo went back to school today. Still very pleased (and vain) about new hair cut. First visit to Toni and Guy where she had her first cut and blow dry and was even offered a drink. Unfortunately we can't walk past a shop window (or any reflective surface) now without her stopping for another look.

Where is the red-eye reduction?

Mamma Mia

Am hoping to get together some friends for a fun night at the Guildhall on 21 November. And at the weekend I found the perfect shoes for an Abba/70's night. What do you think?

Appetising - not!

I haven't cooked anything since Friday as have been feeling too ill. So tonight I thought I would make amends by preparing Chicken Fricassee. I think George may well be wishing I had not cooked for just one more day. Instead of button mushrooms we only had some flat mushrooms which were, to be honest, not as fresh as they might be. Now my Chicken Fricassee is not the most attractive of meals when I make it with button mushrooms - hence the kids refer to it as chicken sick. However, these flat mushroom have dyed the normally creamy coloured sauce and made it a very unattractive grey. It tastes delicious if you are brave enough.

Just drizzled a tray of home grown cherry tomatoes with olive oil and put them in the oven to roast. Either it will make the meal more attractive - or alternatively tomatoes can be eaten in place of the Fricassee.

and clouds with silver linings

Have been unwell since Saturday. Had an abscess on my tooth - mouth and neck horribly swollen and lots of pain. However, the good news is - I lost 5lbs and can get into my Jane Norman Jeans..... but the bad news is the dog has eaten a hole in them.

Celebrating

Today we didn't go far from home as I went with Em to pick up her results. We all went to Angel Chef for lunch and then to see Space Chimps at the cinema. Three of us fell asleep - me and George because we were tired after a very long day yesterday and Emily who's been too worried to sleep properly this week. Film was very cute.

Blackpool

I used to love Blackpool for its unashamed tackiness but yesterday it just seemed sad and neglected. I think I hadn't realised how long it was since we were last there and visited Funny Girls The girls however enjoyed the beach, Pleasure Beach and arcades.

She did it!!!!!

Em got into Birmingham. We're so pleased for you X

A Level Results

This is a big day for Ems. She will find out if she has achieved the results she needs to get into Birmingham to study Ancient History. She's been getting more and more stressed as the week went on. Em - you couldn't have worked any harder and it will all be ok!

Wii Fit

Today I am 43. Better than yesterday's 45 but still some way off the 33 I was so pleased with. Anyone thinking of getting a Wii Fit be warned they are very addictive. I exercised for over an hour this morning - unheard of !!!!!

Mum can we have.......

..... a ferret? Yes that's right - a FERRET. I don't think so. But apparently they are "sooooo cute".

We spent today at the Dean Heritage Centre. The weather was much better than expected and the sun came out for part of the day. The Centre has something for everyone. The girls particularly enjoyed the pigs, rabbits and ferrets and the adventure playground.

George was interested in the vegetable garden of the miner's cottage and I liked the social history area of the museum and the miner's cottage. All in all a great value day out. Am a bit worried about the planned trip to the zoo. Mum can we have....... a tiger, elephant, giraffe???