I am a Grandma

Ava Mae born 07/12/2010 at 11.47pm weighing 7lbs 14ozs

Interesting times

Well , this is my last week as a temp. Next week I start my new job as permanent staff in the building across the road from where I am at the moment. As the team I've been working with for the past six months move over the following week , it won't be much different. We have a new computer system to contend with but I won't be 'the new girl' on that as we all have to learn it.The seating arrangements are different as well - not so cosy !!! but this may not be such a bad thing.
My new little granddaughter is due to make her entrance into this world within the next two weeks - such cold weather for her , still she'll be kept snug and warm basking in everyone's love.
DD too k part in an ABBA concert with children from all the local schools last week and loved every minute of it.

A real dilemma

Having said I'd accept the job the other day (not signed the contract yet) I've now been offered another job with better pay , no weekend work good benefits and flexi hours Sorry to say I think I have to take this one even though I feel awful letting the others down at this late stage.

Good things come to those that wait

Well some good news - at the end of the month I start a permanent job in the pharmacy of a large well known British Chemist chain - what can I say? 'Here come the girls'!!!
I was off sick with ear ache which knocked my balance and made me feel ill when DH told me that my phone had gone and could I ring the person I'd interviewed with. I was just getting ready to respond to the 'You did a very good interview ,however .....' I almost missed the 'you're just the right person for the job' You could have blown me down with a feather.
Anyway , the worry of whether I would still be working by Christmas has lifted and I ca again look to the future.

New Month New Me !!!

Well not exactly but with the knockbacks on the jobtrail , I have felt the need to recheck my image. I'm up against these glam young things and although I may win on experience , no-one wants to look at an old hag every day , do they ?
So the make up and hair has been revamped and I decided my beauty regime needed re-thinking. Mum was always an advocate of soap and water , nivea cream in the winter and vaseline for lips and eyebrows - all very well if you have a naturally young looking skin like hers but some of us need a bit of help . Sooooo I decided to for once listen to the hype - I can't afford to 'take to the knife' so I needed something affordable and easy to use. That's where Olay Total effects Wake Up Wonder came in . I've been using it for a couple of months now and I can honestly say it has made a difference . The baggage round my eyes has lessened and my skin looks smoother and brighter. It's certainly worked for me and before you ask , get your own cause ain't nobody gonna take my 'lift' away from me , lol !!!

Living on the edge

Okay so it's been a while and I suppose a lot has happened but I haven't really had the impetus to write , but I suppose it will make it easier to remember some things if I do and also to get some things 'off my chest ' !!!
It's now definitely Autumn and the holidays are over. My main holiday in August was the usual week in Norfolk - Overstrand to be exact.



The weather was fine (rain in the evenings , and dry in the day just chilling . Went into Norwich for a little bit of retail therapy and just generally relaxed.

I've also just been away for a needlework weekend in South Wales.There where six of us from the Sampler Guild and we stayed in St David's - the smallest city in the country.On the Sunday we had a private tea and showing at the Sampler Tearooms
http://www.sampler-tearoom.co.uk/ . What an experience . The shop has so many samplers on display and Chris and Jill really know their subject. also the museum in the basement - totally unexpected and amazing. Then there was the wonderful spread they put on for us - yum !
On the Sunday morning we went to the beach and chilled on the cliffs putting the world to rights and a couple even stitching !
Saturday after arriving we went to the cathedral and a wonderful choir practice was taking place ready for evensong - such a treat.
And so I'm now ready to dig in for Winter.
Still temping at the Research Council and despite hundreds of applications , no nearer to permanency (? spelling) . DH is also on brink of job change and waiting to here what the Defence paper will bring in a couple of weeks time .
My granddaughter is due next month and sad to say my son and his fiancee have decided to go their separate ways. This is all the more difficult as my son gave up his last job to work with her father.
Some needlework and knitting going on but as usual jumping from one to another as boredom sets in.
I'll close for now - take care !

Summer Time - and the living is easy

Fleas are jumpin and the nettles are high !!!! Lol !
Yes it's lovely not to be whingeing about the rain , however Jaz has had to be treated for fleas thanks to the local hedgehog population so we're all suffering from his little friends.
I'm still not in permanent work but I am in long term temp work at the research council which although precarious is okay. My days are shorter than when I was at the chemist . The pay isn't as good but it's a nice environment and down time is good.
Last week there was a trip to Bushwackers complete with free barbecue - dressing up and face paints a must (didn't go as DH was hockeying) . The week before was lunch at the local Italian - very yummy.
My eyes went really bad during the last week or so in the shop and where still bad when I started this job - I was down to 4mg of pred . Then I developed a temperature and bright red cheeks (parvo virus - slapped cheek syndrome - lovely) which explained the eye deterioration . So I upped my preds as I don't have an appointment at the hospital till next month and guess what , it worked !I'm now starting to reduce again so will see how it goes.
As my eyes have improved , I've gone back to stitching but the heat is stopping me doing too much.
I've found out the sex of my grandchild to be put promised not to say till 20 weeks is passed - need less to say it prompted me to pop out and buy !!!
Ellie has a day of creative writing with her 'gifted' group on Tuesday.
Our holiday is the first week in August - can't wait !

Out with the old in with the new

Well , what a month !!!
The pharmacy closed on Friday and although I'm sad that they didn't give it a proper go , I'm glad it's over. In the end I was given very little support to pack and close the shop by either the manager or the area manager and no thanks or good luck from either of them either.
I start my new job on the 7th - an admin job. I interviewed for two pharmacy posts but one was only 12 hours (no point) and the other was taken internally.
My new job is only one bus and flexi-time no weekends so far better.
My other news is that I'm going to be a grandma in November !!!!

Now where did I put that Albatross?

Thought things where going to well - enjoying work , son engaged and happy , eye improving.
Last Monday we where told that the shop was closing in 90 days. Yesterday the area manager phoned to say that we were in fact closing on May 28th !!!! And so the job hunt starts again in earnest !!!! Wish me luck !!!

Thoughts, thanks and updates

I'd like to say thank you to all who sent mesages of support after my last entry. It's been difficult to get back into the swing of things as I've been busy and also a bit reluctant to put my feelings out there as you can guess.
Anyway , here's my update.
My son had his engagement party last week and here is a family photo

Donna's mum and dad are on the left and we're in the middle.
It was a lovely night and Donna made a big tray of cupcakes.
I've got a few needlework projects on the go - all pieces I can do in work.
My eyes have improved to the point where I was confident to buy new glasses - DH bought some too.
Work is frustrating - a lovely new pharmacy with good workmates (probably why my health is so good - no stress) but so few customers that it's quite probable that if it doesn't pick up , we'll close. I'm not being complacent however and am still jobsearching , not least because the two bus journey is a bit of a downer. I don't get home till late and don't see Ellie during the week when she's at school because she's in bed by the time I get back and I'm up and out before she gets up.
Wish life was simpler.
The weather at the moment is glorious and with the closed air travel , very quiet. DH went to Portsmouth with DD this weekend and they took the hovercraft out to the Isle of Wight - I was working yesterday (Saturday)

I've been thinking

The other day , I was surprised to get a 'hyper' critical comment about my matchbox tale and at first I was very upset. I thought about it and decided not to publish it. Yes, I know I should accept both good and bad criticism, but the more I read it the more I realised that who ever (they where 'anonymous') it was that posted the comment had wanted to hurt me rather than give constructive criticism (which I welcome)they obviously hadn't read my blog properly as they got a couple of significant facts wrong. Why do people do this ?
Anyway whoever you are you got your way in that you upset me but I think I'm over it now and will continue to write in my way as I choose. If you don't like it look elsewhere.

Magpie Tales - Mother's Day , the end

‘Hiya Nan ‘ Hannah said has she hugged her ‘gotta cup of tea for me’ she laughed.
‘I can do better than that , I’ve just opened a bottle of wine ,come in , I want you to meet someone’.
The door opened and so did Hannah’s mouth .
‘This is Paul ,’ said Nan . ‘He’s your brother.’
Suddenly everything went black and the floor seemed to jump up and meet Hannah. It seemed like ages later when she opened her eyes and she didn’t want to see what she saw. A worried looking face with curly dark hair was leaning over her . ‘Are you all right ? It seems I’m always knocking you over . Please take it slowly and have a few sips of this ’
She looked down at the glass of water as if she’d never seen one before.
‘What did you say ?’
‘I said …’
‘No, not you , Nan?’
‘Well lovey I knew you’d be surprised but didn’t quite expect this reaction. Paul is my son , but I had him adopted as a child because I couldn’t give him all I wanted to. He found me though and convinced me to meet him. We have been writing for a while and I invited him over to talk. Let me make some tea and I’ll tell you all about it’
‘No way is tea enough , I need some of that wine you promised after this ‘ Hannah said ,getting up off the floor with Paul’s help.
Sitting at the table with a glass , hardly touched, in her hand about half an hour later, Hannah didn’t know what to think.
‘Are you all right’ asked Nan.
‘No , I don’t think I am. Poor mum , you where her best friend , how could you do that to her ?’
‘None of it was done on purpose lovey, we where all young and thoughtless then. When I found out I was pregnant I was worried sick , it wasn’t the done thing in those days to have a baby out of marriage. Your mum was my best friend , there was nobody else I could talk to.’
‘So she knew about you and dad ?’
‘No , not then but she guessed later , that was when she told him to leave’
‘And you two stayed friends ?’
‘At first she wouldn’t speak to me , but after Paul had been adopted and I’d come back , we gradually fell back into friendship and she let me share you and Graham. I think she pitied me really. She’s a strong woman your mother you’re a lot like she was when she was younger’
Hannah mulled everything over , suddenly Paul spoke - she’d forgotten he was there ‘so you see it was a very special lady I was visiting , and now I’ve met another special lady’
As she looked at him , she wondered why she hadn’t realised straight away , he was like looking in a mirror . All be it a more masculine mirror !
As she sipped her wine , she thought back to the antique shop and the little jug - no, you never new what you where going to find in a trunk ……..

Where do I start ?

It's been ages since I actually did an update (I'm enjoying the storytelling though).So what's happened , hmmm ? Well I finished a mailart for a birthday and the recipient liked it - must post some pictures . Have finished two decorations long overdue (should have been for December / January but was unable to get stuffing as I didn't want to buy it online and have been working extra hard).
Completed a smoking cessation course and am now a qualified counsellor, had more people joined the diet course at work which again involves encouragement and counselling also doing more BP checks and lifestyle counselling (can you see a trend here ?) The shop is still really quiet and we're hoping business will pick up as worse case scenario - we'll close. I haven't stopped job hunting as I really would like to work less hours and/or less travelling.Have had an interview that looked really good but in the end didn't come to anything , ah well , there's still time.
Health wise , have a barking cough that I can't get shut of and had a couple of bad falls (pure clumsiness)resulting in bruised knees and shins and a lovely black eye !!
My baby boy is engaged to a lovely girl and last night for Mothers day we all went out for an 'all you can eat' Chinese buffet with her parents. Lovely evening with very good company - well pleased.
And now from some more news - my sister - we fell out many years ago and she sent me an abusive letter, whereby I decided it wasn't worth the hassle and I'd get on with my life with my 'now' family - has contacted me through facebook. It seems she has divorced , moved down here (she was in Manchester) with a new partner and not only gone back to her maiden name (as I did between marriages) but changed her first name as well !!! She hasn't told me the full story yet but I'm sure she will as she wants to meet up. I'm taking deep breaths here as I feel very uncomfortable about this , don't know what to think .
Anyway , the other thing is that I've worked three Saturdays in a row and although I got the Wednesday's off in lieu , it made me feel very tired. Working next Saturday again as well !!!
Will be posting more Magpie tales so those that're following these - stay tuned !!!

Willow 2 'Matchbox troubles

Thank you for being patient - I've been quite busy(all will be revealed at the weekend)But here is my piece for this week , hope you like it.

Mary was singing to herself as she got the washing ready to put in the machine. It was a lovely sunny day with a good drying wind . The twins Julie and Jane where safely in playgroup till 12 and she had the morning to herself once the washing was in.
She’d bought a magazine that morning - a bit expensive , but her weekly treat. She wanted to read the problem page so she could laugh at all these silly women who just didn't have a happy home life like hers.
John had got back yesterday from the job in Russia - He was a heart (thoracic) surgeon and had been away for a fortnight learning a new heart bypass technique.
He looked so tired poor love but had still gone in to do a clinic .
Emptying his case and suit back , she couldn't help thinking back to when they had first met when she was a student nurse and he was a Houseman , now he was a senior consultant and he’d insisted she gave up nursing when the twins where born.
Truth be told , she missed the nursing a bit , the friendship and the helping people but he was right , the twins where a handful . Maybe when they’re older she’ll be able to go back part time - we’ll see .
For now the washing needs doing and it’s not going to do itself !!
Once the shirts and underwear were in the machine , she turned her attention to the suit holder. Shaking out the jacket and trousers she checked whether they needed to go to the cleaners . She noticed that the jacket breast pocket appeared to have something in it. John was always writing little notes on things then losing them , he really was forgetful at times !
She put her hand into the pocket and took out a pack of matches.


Strange - John doesn’t smoke ,why would he have a packet of matches in his pocket ?
She turned them over and written in lavender coloured ink was :
KATYA 657382.
Mary’s stomach turned and her heart skipped a beat.
What could it mean ? Who was Katya and why had her husband kept a pack of matches with her name on ? Should she ask him ? Did she really want to know ?
The rest of the day passed with Mary in a daze. She hardly noticed when the twins showed her the pictures they’d painted and she gave them their tea and bathed them , putting them to bed without even the usual story.
At 7pm she was sitting staring into space with a glass of wine (her third) in her hand as John’s key turned in the lock . ‘Hi my lovely - can you pour me a whiskey please, it’s been a hellish day and I’m just going to have a bath before tea’.
Mary didn’t move , she just sat trying to get her head straight and decide what to do , the pack of matches on the table in front of her. She was still sitting in the same position when the shower stopped and John came downstairs drying his hair . ‘What’s for tea , I’m starving’
Pulling herself out of her trance , Mary said’ I haven’t thought about it yet, I need to ask you something’
‘That sounds serious , can I get my drink first and we can probably order in a Chinese if you want . Have you got the menu anywhere ?’
‘Bugger the Chinese !!! Who’s Katya and why have you got her phone number’
John laughed painfully ‘ Oh dear , you cleared out my suit didn’t you ? Well I’ll tell you , but your not going to like it’
Mary was filled with dread as John poured a drink and sat down .
With his head lowered , looking into his glass as if it held all the answers, John began.
‘On the second day of the trip , we where staying at the Hotel Forum and the rooms were a bit basic so I went down to the bar to get a drink. I was the only one there and I was missing you and the twins . The others had gone to bed early as we where going to Chernobyl the next day to visit a hospital and an orphanage. The girl serving at the bar looked very thin and tired and her eyes where sad . I hoped she spoke enough English for a conversation and indeed she did. She said she was known as Masha (a Russian equivalent of Mary) and I immediately thought of you. We talked about the weather and the places to visit and I told her we where visiting Chernobyl the next day. She looked at me with hauntingly sad eyes and asked me why and I told her we where doctors and nurses and we where interested in seeing how the people had coped since the disaster. She bit her lip and you could see that she was trying to decide whether to tell me or not but then she obviously decided I was ‘safe’.
‘I am from Chernobyl’ but I am - at the moment- one of the lucky ones’ she said’ I don’t appear to have been affected , but my little sister has’ her eyes darkened as she carried on ‘ Her name is Katya and she’s 15 years old . Her heart is very weak and she has not been able to run and play . I’m trying to earn the money to pay for her treatment but the pay is not good here and I fear I will need to work somewhere else . Some men will pay a little extra for a women to be a ‘friend ‘ for the night and I fear I must take this route if I am to save my beautiful Katya.If you go to the hospital tomorrow , will you look at her and tell me how much I will need to find to get her help ? Here is her hospital number this will help you see her, please ?’
‘Finishing my drink I went up to my room to think about Masha and Katya and how different their life was from ours.
The next day we did indeed go to the hospital and I asked to see Katya I was led into a room the size of our bathroom in which where crammed 10 beds . The one up against the wall held what looked to be a little girl no more than 10 years old.’ ‘This is Katya said the nurse in charge’ I thought she must be mistaken but no the date of birth worked out to 15 years . The girl looked at me with tired eyes, her lips where tinged blue and she was unable to lift her head from the pillow .’Can I examine her I said expecting at least a screen to be drawn across ‘ ‘ Yes of course’ said the nurse , undoing the thin night dress before she’d finished speaking . Wishing to save a little of Katya’s dignity I asked for a sheet. The nurse shrugged and went off to get one . I smiled at Katya and tried to reassure her , unsure whether she understood or not . As I examined her her poor little thin body almost moved with the strain her gently fluttering heart caused’ I asked the nurse if her notes could be translated , the nurse nodded with resignation as if to say ‘if you must’
I held Katya’s hand and still not knowing if she understood , I said ‘I will help you’
We left then and went on to see many more sad scenes . My heart was aching by the time I ‘d finished ‘
You can’t save everyone you know said Peter (the medical consultant who’d been my friend for many years)
No but I can damn well try ‘, I thought..
When I got back to my room , I made a few phone calls and it turned out that in order to bring someone over here for an operation , we had to prove they had a sponsor and somewhere to stay before and after the treatment in case of problems.
Mary , I knew I could help Katya but I also knew that I would need your help . I know you’re busy with the twins but you where a brilliant nurse , would you be able to help with Katya and could we do it.
Mary hesitated only to finish her wine in one gulp.
‘Masha and Katya can have the spare room. Mum can always help with the twins or even Masha if she’s up for it while I carry out the nursing. Of course we can do it - why did you ever doubt it ?’
Mary’s eyes regained their softness as she suddenly realised that she loved her sweet husband more than anything else in the world and realised all that could have been lost because of a box of matches.

Magpie Tales - Mother's Day , part 2

Okay so It's my 100th post and I have some more of my story for you - this is proving to be a long one and still it's not finished !!!!!
Tonight I'll put the 2nd story here (a shorter one , I promise !!!)
But for now , Hannah's story part 2
As they dug into the trunk - two curly dark heads together , suddenly they both took hold of a smooth metallic object and pulled it from under the shawls.
It was a vase or jug about 6 inches tall with engraving , a bit dull and old looking . ‘That’s pewter ‘ said Hannah ‘ it’ll shine up nicely , she’ll love it’ ‘ Oh said the boy , I was just thinking the same for my special lady’ . His face dropped and Hannah made a quick decision , ‘you have it , I’ll find something else - she’d love one of these Indian shawls’ ‘ But I couldn’t , you found it first’ ‘No I didn’t , we found it together , besides , you’ll need to do a lot of polishing before you can give that’
‘Oh thanks so much , if you really don’t mind . Can I buy you a coffee by way of thanks - I saw a place just down the road.’
‘ I have to get back to work I’m afraid but there’s no need , thanks anyway’
‘Oh okay , maybe we can meet up some other time , let me write my phone number down , I’m staying here a couple of weeks before I have to go back down south to work’
‘Thanks I’ll call you’ Hannah slipped the paper into her pocket guessing she’d probably never see him again. Ooops she didn’t even know his name , ah well never mind , the dream was there.
Sunday dawned bright and sunny and Hannah woke mum up with a cup of tea and a kiss ‘ Happy Mother’s Day . I’m doing the fussing today so what would you like for breakfast?’ ‘ Mmm egg and bacon would be nice if you don’t mind’ ‘Course I don’t mind - you go and have your shower and it’ll be ready when you come down’
As Hannah put the food out on a plate and made a fresh pot of tea she could hear mum coming down stairs .
‘Are you going over to see Nan today ?’ asked mum
‘Yes , I’m dropping you off at Anna Mays then going on to Nan’s’
‘Anna May’s , what for?’
‘You’re booked in for a full body aromatherapy massage’
‘But isn’t that expensive?’
‘Don’t worry about that , you deserve it’
‘Will you be back for tea?’
‘Yes and I’m cooking it so don’t you dare touch anything - right I’m going to get dressed , see you in a bit’
Hannah dropped mum off still protesting at the expense and drove on to Nan’s, prettily wrapped shawl in the back.

A bell ring for Barry

I chose a special bell for Barry http://anexplorers.blogspot.com/2010/02/bells-for-thursday.html
It's Big Ben - my blackberry reminded my as well - a small vibration rather than a bell . Hope all's well Barry

Magpie Tales

Okay , I know I'm late and I haven't even finished my story but I ThoughtI'd give you the beginning and I will do more later this week.

Hannah loved visiting Nan’s she told such wonderful tales and had such beautiful things around her. Ever since she was a little girl she’d look forward to Sunday tea at Nan’s and the chance to escape from the reality of home with her four brothers and poor mum who’d always struggled to make ends meet.
It was Nan that she’d been named for as mum and Nan had been friends as girls, but now both Nan and mum where getting older and Hannah was no longer ‘a spring chicken’ herself.
Most of all Hannah loved to escape into Nan’s tales of mum and herself courting different boy’s and mum settling for Dad (Nan never liked him but wouldn’t hurt mum by saying so) .Dad left when Graham ( little brother - not so little now - a strapping 23 year old rugby player , lol ! )
Nan never married - she said through choice , but who knows ?
Anyway , Sunday was Mothers Day and Hannah had already bought mum some flowers and chocolates and booked her in for a massage - she was always on the go helping people and doing things that she needed some pampering for herself.
But what to get for Nan ? She already had such beautiful things and went for massages and hairdo’s regularly - she was quite well off from some money her father (a banker) had left. She did wonder how her and mum had become friends as they where from such different backgrounds - granddad was a docker and grandma took in ironing. Mum had done whatever jobs would fit in with the children - she was always scared they’d be taken away.
There was a little antique shop tucked away up one of the back streets on the way to work maybe she’d look in there in her lunch hour and find something - she couldn’t afford much as she was still paying for Christmas and her pay wasn’t much as an office junior.
Lunchtime came and Hannah dashed out , hoping the shop wasn’t shut for dinner - oh it wasn’t , thank goodness. Just inside the door there was a big old trunk which was filled with allsorts of things from jewellery and shawls to pots and pans - perhaps there’d be something there . She was so busy digging in that she didn’t notice the door opening , it smacked her rump and she shot head first into the trunk . As she emerged with an angry glare she spied a very long pair of legs which where topped by a very good looking boy of about the same age . He was trying very hard and not succeeding in hiding a laugh. ‘So sorry’ , he said ‘I didn’t expect anybody to be hiding behind the door’. She tried to stay angry but as her eyes met his she couldn’t and burst into laughter herself ‘that’s okay , I was just looking for something - I shouldn’t have been so close to the door’
‘I’ve come to get something for a very special lady for Mothers Day but I’m not sure what to get - I’ve never met her you see and it’s sort of a peace offering - perhaps you could give me some ideas ?’ he said.
‘Oh , I don’t work here ‘Hannah said ‘ I’m looking for something as well for Mother’s Day , perhaps we could look together’

Magpie Tales

I've just signed up to a weekly Literary challenge at http://www.magpietales.blogspot.com/ .The idea is that starting Tuesday the 16th I will post a short story or a poem based on the picture below

from then on a new picture will be posted on Fridays and my piece will be posted on Tuesdays so wish me luck !!!!

She's done it again !!!!

This morning a letter arrived addressed to Ellinor from the hallowed halls of English childhood Blue Peter . She's been awarded a Blue Peter Badge for a poem she wrote about the Blue Peter dog Barney.
I yearned for a Blue Peter badge as a child and DH got an inferior (to my mind ) Magpie badge. Well done Ellie.
Now a catch up on the last week or so. I had my Hep B injection without incidence but boy did my arm ache for a couple of days.Yesterday I went on the first day of my Smoking Cessation course - not for me but so that I can set up sessions in the pharmacy. It was very interesting , I have another session next week and we have been given some homework !!!
Although the weather has brightened a little , I still feel cold to my bones - just can't seem to get warm.
Just introduced ellie to the television series 'Lark Rise to Candleford'
and she loved it so may get the books (it's a trilogy based in Oxfordshire / Buckinghamshire an area I lived in while serving in the WRAF)
On the stitching front will probably have a show and tell of something I've stitched next week once it's been received !!!
I got my Blackberry phone and love it !!! The picture quality is excellent so I may put more photos on.
oh well , must get on
Bye for now

Oh what a week !!!

Well , glad that's over and not all in a bad way.
Monday I went to the hospital - good news , the eye is getting better , my preds have been lowered and I've lost more weight (must start doing regular sessions on the Wii fit)I still have a lovely bruise from my bloods but I suppose you can't have everything ?
Tuesday was the grand opening and everything went brilliantly . The food (I ordered it while I was off ill so wasn't sure about it) was enjoyed and commented on by everyone. The Mayor and his driver where lovely and I even tried on his chain !!!! The owner of the business came down from head office with a couple of others and all where impressed. The cake (with logo) was lovely. We had a class of kiddies from the nursery class at the school and they where quite edible in their gourgeousness !!!!
So all in all went really well.
Wednesday went to a meeting at area office - wouldn't you know it , it was snowing again !!!!! Useful day - met people friom other shops to put faces to names , learnt some very useful info about how the business is run (? ran - not sure).
Thursday , Friday back to normal - supposedly ! I have a locum while my boss is living it up in India and although he's a lovely man , he is very slow and has over ordered loads of dressings , bandages etc which I had to return. He has also upset the nurses and generally caused chaoes and is away for his lunch dead on 1 and away home dead on 6 even if there is still work waiting. So needless to say, I have been working my socks off which is not a bad thing but I have not been able to keep up with my own work and I have him for another week. We worked together half day yesterday (Saturday) and I still didn't finish what I wanted to do.
I'm off tomorrow (day off in lieu of Saturday) and intend to get second Hep B jab and some socks and knickers for Ellie and I in town .I have ordered a new phone - a blackberry curve - which should come tomorrow. I have loads of stitching to do and I got the Cath Kidson book 'sew' with the makings of a bag, this week so want to get that started (need to pick up some heavy duty stitching thread first though)
Still working our way through Christmas chocolate but being sensible (don't ask how I can put the words 'sensible' and 'chocolate' in the same sentence !!!!)
Last but not least , thanks everyone who has taken the trouble to comment on my blog or even just stop by. I can't always reply on your blogs for some reason (Erma and Manic Moms come to mind) so please don't think I haven't tried.
Take care
Jan

My baby boys all growed up !!!!

Last night I got a text from my first born to say that he'd asked his girlfriends dad for permission to get engaged to her !!!!I'm speechless - not by the action of getting engaged , more by the fact that he's suddenly become traditional.
It was my little girl's 10th birthday last Monday . Oh please, please slow down world - where have the years gone ?
On another note , Wednesdays snow resulted in a bad fall on the way to work in which I twisted my knee and badly bruised my hip so I was home quaffing pain killers Wednesday , Thursday.Friday I got up to go to work and ended up hugging the big white telephone - may have been a reaction between tabs and painkillers - so didn't go in then either. My boss flew off to India yesterday to see his family and be thoroughly spoilt - I fully expect him to come back 4 stone heavier.Today is hospital day hope I get a gentle blood sucker today. Tomorrow we have our shops grand opening . As I was off at the end of the week , I couldn't help with the prep and it doesn't bode good that boss is away and we have a locum in situ . The Mayor is coming and all head office dignitary. Wednesday I have to travel again to Bristol (hospital there today) this time for area office meeting.
Snow has all gone and we now have rain and flood warnings - happy , happy , joy , joy !!!

Oh the weather outside is frightful,

But the fire is so delightful,
And since we've no place to go,
Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!

Yes the snow is still falling here. Dd's school was closed today so she's been happily Wii'ing (!!!) with DH apart from when he escaped out to the pub and to get some urgent supplies - milk ,bread and chocolate covered strawberries (I didn't prompt him , honest)
The postman brouught me a package from Jacqueline at needleprint - five Quaker charts for the price of 3 . I have my knitting (jacket for DD) and sewing ( still owe some pieces that I've not caught up on with work and illness.)So I've got plenty to keep me busy. My Wii fit arrived yesterday but haven't used it yet. Joined Rosemary Conley online so we'll see how that goes.
Still suffering with cough and yesterday woke with a really painful toe - don't know the cause but it's not my usual tendonitis and the pain is really bad so hobbling around.

Thoughts for 2010

I copied these from another blog which apparently had copied from another so I don't know the originator but I think I might try to live by these thoughts - I won't make any resolutions this year as I get so annoyed with myself when I don't keep them
1: When in doubt - just take the next small step.
2: Life is too short to waste hating anyone.
3: Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.
4: Make peace with your past so it won't screw-up the present.
5: Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
6: Your children get only one childhood.
7: Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
8: Be eccentric now - Don't wait for old age to wear purple! (I love this one and VERY often wear purple!)
9: No one is in charge of your happiness but you.
10: Frame every so-called disaster with these words. 'In five years, will this matter?'
11: Forgive everyone everything.
12: The best is yet to come.