Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Merry Christmas - May you all have a peaceful and restful break.

Monday, December 15, 2008

I could start my first post in nearly six months by telling you how the last six months have been. I could dwell on the fact all our perfect business plans fell apart when a someone we believed to be a friend wrecked everything overnight. I could tell you about the weeks that followed, about how we had to spend all our savings to get by and how we had to start all over again. I could tell you how my grandparents have appeared to age within weeks and how this after many problems this resulted in my Nan falling and breaking her leg, and that she is now in hospital and looking at spending Christmas in a home.

The last six months has also been good. Every challenge we have overcome, the kids are happy and we have got Christmas sorted (despite thinking we wouldnt have 5p)

Thank you to all that have emailed me, sorry if I have not replied. I seem to get online less and less these days simply to 'surf' It always seems to do banking or shopping or some other routine mundane task. I will never the less try to blog more although it wont be every day like Jilly promises.

Thursday, August 28, 2008

Cost of new jumpers and cardigan's with school emblem on - £52.00

Cost of latest lunchboxes and pencil cases - £18.00

Cost of 2 pairs of Clark's school shoes that will probably be thrown aside in a week - £64.00

Cost of children going back to school next Thursday - Priceless!

Friday, August 08, 2008

Last Sunday we went to Oakwood theme park. It was a treat for the kids as they havent seen much of their Dad lately. I remember going years ago and it was a nice place, unfortunately time has taken its toll and the place has not been maintained or upgraded. The kids seemed to enjoy though.

After double checking their height the kids decided to go on a waterfall ride. Most family and friends have been told the story already but this turned out to be the scariest moment of my life as I watched Ethan come down a 50ft water slide on a sledge with no seat belt and letting go half way down. I cannot describe my fear. The crowd gasped. He couldn't get a grip on the handle and the speed at which he was traveling forced him to lie down flat. He held on as best he could, skidded across the water at the bottom and got off the ride to applause, he had a huge grin on his face. Gary says I am overprotective and that they checked his height. And yes there was the occasional child on the slide around the same age.

I got these pics from the website. I had to sit down for a while afterward. Ethan though thought it was hilarious and wanted to go on again.

Thursday, July 31, 2008

If I don't post today I will have skipped a whole month without blogging. There are reasons .... honest.

Firstly I have a new laptop - Yey. Its for work (not so good) It has Vista - I don't like it - it sucks. There are so many things that don't work properly on it. Anyway I am using firefox and my blog link is in bookmarks which I hardly use because I use the quick links on the bar and OMG I just realized how boring I sound.

Secondly - I am lazy! I do twitter though!

SO I am officially working again - I do all the invoicing, accounting and wages as well as anything else that comes my way on paper for three haulage firms (one of which is our own). I don't have an office (yet - it doesn't have a door - long story) so its all from home which is handy but with the kids on summer holiday they think I have abandoned them when I am constantly sitting at the kitchen table typing. I like it but its beginning to feel like real work - I guess I thought working from home would be different (i.e. you would get to take breaks whenever etc .... instead you just end up putting more hours in because you don't physically leave work)

I have taken kids to the cinema a few times ... Wall-E best kids film ever, absolutely loved it, nearly made me cry - and I am a hard bitch to make cry!!

I discovered Primark last week and bought loads of clothes for the kids - I mean seriously I must have been hiding under a rock to miss this shop.

Apart from this my life is an endless discussion about tachographs and various other truck components, Our new truck is doing ok but it could be doing better .... we are working towards improvement though.

Saturday, June 21, 2008

So we are up and running, We picked up the new truck this week. It is on the road and working. It has cost us an awful lot. I guess the phrase 'shit or bust' covers it though really.

It has meant alot of stress lately, alot of frayed tempers and serious talks.

Between now and christmas we will be lucky to eat anything other than beans. That said I saw a giant turkey leg in Asda for £1.28. I thought 'that would make some nice sandwiches for not many pennies' but once it was cooked and I went to pull some of the meat off. OMG it was awful - giant turkey legs come with giant tendons and crap. DONT EVER buy giant turkey legs, they really suck. There is a reason why you dont often see giant turkey legs on the shelf. I am off turkey for the forseeable future.

And I just want to say a massive thank you too Jilly (please note the sarcastic undertones) for introducing me to Twitter - as if I dont have enough internet obsessions!!

Friday, June 06, 2008

Business has gone to plan this week - which means I have a hubby with a severe case of stroppiness, Not good when you already have two kids to deal with. My head is ready to explode and I have had a headache most of the week. Fingers crossed, prayers and cosmic wishes that next week goes a bit better, or we may just have a slightly huge problem.

Was thinking of changing the blog template - what do you think does it need a change?

Thursday, June 05, 2008

Note to self - When there is nothing sweet to eat in the house dont eat lots of coffee sweetners in one go because they are so sweet they will nearly make you sick.

Yes I know I am a weirdo and no, I do not need help unless it comes in chocolate form. Mmmmm chocolate.

Tuesday, June 03, 2008

So hubby has just bought a new truck officially skinting us for the forseeable future. Its means the long term future is good but to the kids all it means is no weekly McDonalds and no holiday in Spain this year. I suggested camping for a few days, I thought it would be exciting. The boy liked the idea but both the hubby and Joanna looked at me as if I had just set fire to their feet. No bathroom, no bed, no TV, no playstation and sleeping outside - what was I thinking???? Time will tell if I can talk them around but I am not holding my breath.

Sports day has just been. I always expect Ethan to do well as he follows his Dad, However Joanna always dreads Sports day and I have got used to the "I am ill and cant go to school" speech on the morning. However this time she proved all of that wrong and dazzled on the day, Getting a first and two third places. It made her beam uncontrollably for the rest of the day and all of the following weekend, she puts her success down to her new super duper trainers.

Half term came and went and so did the wart. Yey no more insults, well about the wart anyway.

Right where do I get a tent and what do I do with it ?

Saturday, May 24, 2008

Oh Joy ... Half term is here again. And I have to invent 101 interesting things to do with children without leaving the house - why cant I leave the house? Because I have a huge wart on the side of my nose which I have just had treated. Hubby is calling me a witch and other people no longer look into my eyes when talking to me.... I am just waiting for someone to start uttering ' 'Moleeee moleee moleee' ... oh wait my sister already did that.

Went to see the new Indiana Jones film which has of course resulted in me rewatching all the others ... not that I get obsessed with these things!!!!!

Oh and I had my interview for secondry History teaching this week. It was only for a reserve place as all the places were full but I passed the interview and will either start this September or next September, either way I have a place. So its Mrs Rees to you now!!!

Thursday, May 01, 2008

I woke up this morning in a particularly good mood which after yesterday (nuff said) was definately a bonus, But there is always someone who's got to come along and steal your sunshine!

Firstly there was old man - I was walking with the kids into school and an old man was walking towards us. I moved the kids to one side of the pavement smiled cheerfully and apologised (I have no idea why .. I have just as much right to be there. Apologising for nothing is an awful habit of mine) "It's OK" he says in his most sarcastic voice "I will leave the pavement and walk on the road" Astonished I replied "Fine I would much rather see you on the road than my kids" He blanked me.

Then there was the driver behind me at the lights who was frantically beeping at me because I wouldn't move forward into the "keep clear" box. He would have gained a whole two metres if I had and since the lights were on red I fail to see the advantage of that, especially since afterwards I drove at a painstakingly slow twenty miles an hour whilst he followed me for the next three miles. Next time Ford Focus man leave the house earlier and you wont be in such a rush!!!!

After that there was the kid from across the road (the one who stole my daughters nintendo DS to have his parents return it after being threatened with the police, the one who broke my sons new toys that he saved for) He came knocking on the door at half past six for the kids to go out to play, Now I am not being funny but going out to play at half past six on a school night when your six and eight is just not on. So I told him politely no (the kids were just about to get into the bath) and he shrugs his shoulders at me and says "don't care anyways" Charming.

That along with two unexpected bills this morning, the cat who jumped on the car, missed and left some lovely scratch marks all down the side of it and the fact that the hubby is really pushing his luck, is just not keeping me feeling on top of the world.

So when a salesman rang earlier (the same salesman that has been ringing three times a day for the last week. Isnt who calls me a wonderful website lol) and tried to sell me life insurance and wouldnt take no for an answer I really put him in his place. And I well and truly ruined his day when he turned around and said "So you dont want to save money then?" I wouldn't imagine they will ever call again, especially since afterwards I rang their head office and made my feelings more than clear on their company.

Tomorrow is going to be a good day and if anyone tries to ruin it ..... Look out!

Tuesday, April 22, 2008

We have become a proper family, Our kids dont want to know us anymore!!! Ethan hides in a room upstairs playing the playstation and only appears at meal times (He even asked if he could take the playstation to his grandmothers this weekend) And Joanna vanishes onto the computer, She asked me this morning the question I had been dreading for some time... "Why can't I have a Facebook account" The fact that she asked "Why can't I" instead of "Can I" suggested she already knew the answer. "Your 8 years old girl.... You have more hope of climbing Mount Snowdon"





I went out at the weekend for my first girlie night out in over a year. It was as ever hilarious.



The pretty dance floor amused me for ages - That said most things did at that point.

It was all very blue - Hence the name ice bar. If you are a friend on facebook you can find the rest of the drunken piccies there.

So its Joanna's party on Thursday, It was her birthday last month but gimmie a break - I am not the most organised person in the world. There will be cake - Yey cake :)

Thursday, April 03, 2008

The half term holidays..... in pictures.














Sunday, March 23, 2008

Yey its Easter - All I have to say is Bring on the chocolate. :)

Friday, March 14, 2008

Not much has been happening here lately, Things have been quiet and I have been plodding along. I am trying to plan lots of activities over Easter for the kids to keep them occupied. We are taking a trip to Alton Towers at the end of the month which should be fun, Joanna will also be 8 at the end of the month.

I nearly died this morning when Ethan asked his best friends Dad why he wasnt in love with his best friends Mum. They are really good friends now, that didnt stop them looking massively embarressed at being asked the question by a 6 year old. Ethan, however was content to keep asking the details.

Tomorrow night Gary and I are off out to watch the rugby, Hoping Wales get the grand slam.

Tuesday, March 04, 2008

Ah crap - I blew it. (See post below.) I have a chance to redeem myself but have now lost the momentum and couldnt give a toss, this is helped by the three glasses of malibu I have just drunk. Everything happens for a reason........... everything happens for a reason ......... I am sure it does. But it may take me a while to understand what it is. I lack direction, one minute I crave intellectual stimulation, the next I just want to be a mother and a wife.

But everything happens for a reason and I will find out what it is eventually ..... eventually I will be seen as than more than a mother and a wife by my family, I dont say this to make them feel bad, only to let them know that I am here and I will not let life pass me by.

One day my name will enter conversations again and I will not just be confined to the school run as my only daily outting. One day I will make some money myself and will not therefore have to justify buying myself a new pair of shoes to anyone! One day my opinion will count again.

Everything happens for a reason....And I will find out what the reason is if I patiently wait.

Saturday, February 23, 2008

OK 32 now - perhaps its time to grow up??? No I think not.

Seriously though Thursday is a big day for me, I am not going to go into detail but I am pretty sure it's gonna be one of those life changing moments - The ones I usually try and subconsciously sabotage. Please wish me luck for this...... And I don't mean the subconsciously sabotaging part!!!

Tuesday, February 12, 2008

OMG has anyone ever been to half term free swim week at their local leisure centre? Its one hour of absolute swim hell whereby you have to que to get in to be one of the lucky fifty to reinact the scene from when the titanic goes down, Thrashing about, trying to cling to the nearest float, aiming for a quiet spot getting ducked and splashed on the way.

It was too much for me and the kids who found it daunting, dodging the countless numbers of over 10's invading the smaller kids pool. And wow how vicious are lifeguards??? Never-the-less when the time came for us to be 'saved' and the hour was up, both kids cried and asked when they could come back to which my reply was 'half term next year'

And whats up with this weather?? Who stole winter?

Shit, I am 32 on Monday - thats well old.

Wednesday, February 06, 2008


Ethan is 6 years old tomorrow. It only seems like yesterday that he completed our family.


We have a Doctor Who party planned and he is beside himself with excitement counting the minutes.


Friday, February 01, 2008

Two gutted kids and one devastated mum, We pulled back the curtains this morning expecting there to be snow. Where is the snow??????? I was promised SNOW.

I am totally obsessed with this and I have no idea why. I am not particularly fond of being cold and I absolutely hate driving in it. But I absolutely 100% love snow. I must be the only person in the world who watches the clouds deciding if they are 'snow clouds', who stares at something dark to see if I can catch a glimpse of a white flake falling or who spends the whole week convincing the rest of the family it wont snow whilst secretly hoping it will.

I have spent the entire week being envious of my sister Natalie who has had lots of the white stuff this week. I have clicked on and off this webcam countless amounts of times as it has had lots of snow and it is not far from Natalie. And I have spent more time visiting the met office website than is healthy.

Please God let it snow, please please please. I am now off for lunch with friends but will insist on a window seat just in case a singular flake falls from nice clear blue sky. Dont judge me... Its just my thing....

Tuesday, January 15, 2008

Very shortly after I blogged on Saturday I got a phone call from hubby in work, He sounded strange, said he was coming home right away, I knew from his voice that he had had hurt.

He got home 20 minutes later as white as a sheet. He was using the controls on a hiab crane to move a cabin off his truck, the ground under the trailer collapsed and sent the cabin swinging forward where he just happened to be standing, It hit and pinned him up against a hedge. His workmates managed to get him out within a minute. He is covered in bruises, cuts and lumps but very fortunately he is ok. Now and again these things happen to him and each time I am utterly amazed that he manages to escape with his life.

Yesterday was his birthday and he went to work despite the fact he was still hurting. This weekend I am planning on a little party with the kids for him to show him he is appreciated.

Oooo oooo and Guess what??? I lost three pounds, despite cheer-up chinese food on Saturday.

Saturday, January 12, 2008

I have a love-hate thing going on with the internet, Given the chance I would spend my entire day surfing the net however when it breaks, gets infested with a virus or even goes a little slow I find it the most annoying frustrating thing in the world that has to be fixed there and then despite how desperate cooking tea for the kids is!

In the last three weeks my modem has packed in forcing me to buy a new one. Before I go on why does everything you buy come with a quickstart guide - That never works!!!! Its total bollocks. I think you can guess where I am going with this - Thats right - It didnt work. Three and a half hours on the phone to a techie and the best he can come up with is .."You must have an old house and thick walls and ..... well sometimes wireless just doesnt work" , To which my answer was "The house is just over a year old, wireless worked fine here up until now and your as much help as a chocolate watch"

My hotmail got hacked last week sending shitloads of spam email to everyone - Hotmail sucks.

Then I get a virus on my laptop forcing me to spend four hours looking for a solution because Norton is totally incapable of doing the one thing it is supposed to do.

Can you tell I am in a bad mood? Lack of sugar ..... Yes thats right I started my diet. I hate every moment but I am determind to stick to it ...... unless someone offers me a chocolate watch!

Monday, January 07, 2008

Because...............

Why didnt I start my diet on January 1st ? - Because it was New years day and no one starts on new years day.





Why hadnt i Started my diet on January 2nd ? Because I still had a cold and needed comforting - so ate loads of chocolate.





Why didnt I start my diet last weekend? There is no point until everyone goes back to school and work and things go back to normal.





So why didnt I start my diet today? Well because the kids had an inset day and there was a box of christmas biscuits left that were calling my name.





Why will I definately start my diet tomorrow ? Because I just saw how fat I look in this photo ......gutted..





(A very rare picture of me on the left with my sister Natalie at christmas)



After outwitting my son Ethan today he asks "how did you know that?"

I answered "Because I am your mother and I know everything!"

He replys "You dont .... You dont know Gods phone number"

Outsmarted by a 5 year old ................. He's got a point though!!!!!

Tuesday, January 01, 2008

Happy new year to you all - I am still working on my new years resolutions (failures)

Will post some xmas piccies soon.