Are there loads of slimming programmes on at the moment or is it me- I mean I know its the time of the year for it but that's ridiculous. I just watched some programme on celebrity slimming that said Christina Aguilera was FAT?????? I mean if shes fat then I must be like the side of a house - actually I must be the house!!!

Everyone in the house has a cold and of course Gary is suffering more than anyone else, Whilst I have to get on with the cleaning etc he is the one wrapped up in a blanket on the sofa. Are all men the same? Do they really suffer more than women? He managed to keep his new years resolution of giving up smoking for all of 6 hours. I am amazed he lasted that long. He was in such a bad mood with me and the kids that I told him to either go out or go and have a cigarette before I killed him.

The decorations are gone and I am trying desperately to restore the house to normal, everytime I put something away, the kids pull out another three things. :( It always amazes me how bare the house looks when the tree has gone.

I have started looking into breeding my maine coon cat this year, Expensive though -£350 for the services of a stud cat, but it will be worth it if she has lots of kittens - I am hoping Gary will let me keep one of the kittens though. I am also hoping we will be able to go to somemore shows this year, We have only entered Korona in one and she won an excellent 2 which I was really chuffed about.

I have also started looking into suppliers to buy stuff from to sell on Ebay, It always amazes me where sellers find the stuff to sell on there constantly. I would love to be able to do this and get some constant money coming in so if anyone has some tips let me know.

As always I am so unorganised - I know that Joanna goes back to school on Wednesday but I have lost the note that tells me when Ethan goes back so its panic time. I cant find anyones telephone number to ask and have visions of getting him dressed and turning up with him to school and finding it deserted (mental picture of the tumbleweed blowing past)

Perhaps I should go and iron Joannas uniform - Putting it off for nearly three weeks is probably enough.

A new year

2005 already - I am sure every year goes faster. I hope you enjoyed the celebrations, personally I was in bed early with my seasonal cold only to be woken by a neighbours midnight firework display. 2 hours later (after comforting a terrified dazed 2 year old) I got back to sleep.

When do the decorations come down? If anyone knows please tell me - Isnt it supposed to be bad luck if you take them down before a certain date? Personally I now cant wait to see the back of them, I am looking forward to getting back into routine, everyone going back to work and school so I can get some decent cleaning done.

My news years resoulutions I hear you ask - I have many - ok so the obvious - lose weight (ps 1st January doesnt count because its New Years day and you can eat what you like lol) but apart from that I have small realistic targets. Laminate the floor in the dining room, finish decorating my bedroom, fix the doorbell, read more with the kids, and make sure the family has a holiday this year.

A prayer before I go for all the people affetced by the earthquake and Tsunami. Its just to awful to put into words. So many lives lost.

We had a brilliant christmas - To my horror the kids were up at 5.30am, so I was tired all day. The kids seemed to like everything that Santa brought for them :) I got some nice perfume from Gary and a pair of slippers and a new handbag and some chocolates. Of my Mum and Dad I got a new pair of speakers for my pc which are really brill and I got some smellies as well. I got a lovely replica of Arwen's (Lord of the rings) necklace from my sister Eloise and a Lotr calender of my other sister Emily. From Natalie in Us I got a brill Tshirt. Thanks Natalie - I love it. Even the mother in law got it right for me this year lol - She got us vouchers so we could get some more flooring for our dining room - Which I was chuffed about. She really liked the Bonsai tree I ended up getting her - Phew.

So what are your New years resolutions? Did you keep many from last year? This year I am hoping to lose weight, do more work on the house, sort out more bills, make more money and generally use my time more wisely - So the word for next year is Proactive. Hopefully it should work out better as my hubby has taken a job which means he will be home every night, We will have more of a normal life which I am really looking forward to. Oh and I am going to Take Posh the cat to more shows this year and hopefully breed her as well. Oh and join another gym closer to home. Phew I really have my work cut out. lol

Hope you all had a good Christmas celebration. I am going to try and add a picture for you now.

The kids and my sisters Emily and Eloise 

Its Christmas Eve

OMG where has the time gone? I cant believe its Christmas eve, the kids are super wound up and we have been watching christmas films all day - Which has been nice. After a frantic day of cleaning all day yesterday I think we are all set. The oven is on ready to cook the turkey :) All the presents are wrapped and we have a busy night ahead sorting them all out.

I was at Tescos at 6.20am on Wednesday morning and to my despair it was still busy. I managed to get everything we needed and only managed to spend a whopping £150. I am looking forward to My parents and sisters visting on Boxing day and Garys family visiting on Monday. So we do not need to step out of the house for days, which I am soooo looking forward to.

I got Gary to buy me some slippers and a new bag for xmas and I know he has got me something else but I dont know what. I got him a Shaver and a dvd and a cd. The kids both have bikes amoungst so amny other things. I really go over the top at xmas - I love spoiling them as does my mother.

So I am off now to sort the turkey - Have a very happy christmas all. x x x x

well its been ages since I have blogged, so here especially for Jilly is another entry lol. Things have been so very hectic here, It has taken me ages just to realise that December wont slow down for me to catch up on my christmas shopping. But I think I am finally there - Including the ever elusive gift for the mother in law. I got her a Bonsai tree, I think she will like it. I have bought alot less for the kids this year, I have tried to stay away from Ebay - My addiction.

Things have been so hectic in school with the kids, something on every day, carol signing in various places, the christmas service, cinema trips, the christmas fayre - And that just with Joanna. They seem to lead such a hectic life at only 4 and 2 years old. They have had more christmas cards than me :( Joanna came home with 35 cards, I dont think I even know that many people.

We had a night out last night with my friends from college, we had a three course christmas dinner, It was a lovely evening which was really nice. It was a relaxed atmosphere and even though I didnt drink I had a great time.

The kids are off school now and Gary is off work at the moment too, He has helped me get organised which is good but I get far less time online unfortunately, He thinks me and the pc spend too much time together. I am hoping he will work a few days next week for me to spend some time at my mums with the kids. It seems like ages since I spent any time with my sisters.

Got my turkey this morning - We were at town at 10am for opening and it was still stupidly busy there, I wonder why everyone leaves it till the last minute to get the shopping in - I mean we all know we gotta get the presents right???

Well if I dont get a chance to blog again before christmas have a brilliant time.

Another week starts, Husband and kids all left the house in a bad mood this morning and I couldnt wait for some peace, some teacher shouted me at the school for not shutting a door correctly??????? She didnt like it when I had a go back at her though - She made a hasty exit lol. Ethan came home with his first birthday party invitation this week - He was so proud to get invited, Its a proper party too - I never bothered organising any before Joanna started school (apart from a family tea) they cost so much - You have to wonder if its worth spending £80 on a two year olds party.

I have spent the last week stressing about Christmas - I usually have most of the childrens done by now but not this year, I am working hard on selling stuff on ebay to get some pressies. And what to get for the mother in law - Is it possible to get it right???????

No college last week and I really missed it - Nothing to think about and therefore I have no deep ponderings for you this week. Wednesday though and I am sure I will be given plenty to think of.

I am off on my weekend away this weekend - I am really looking forward to some time with my hubby (when hes not sulking that is) Hoping to do some shopping, See Bridget Jones - The edge of reason and have a nice meal and a few drinks. I plan to spoil myself lol.

Well I am off to visit some blogs now - Let me know you stopped by and I will pay you a visit as well. Hugs. And Welcome Home Jilly if you are reading, Missed you hun.

Bonfire night went well, the stadium we went to was packed, there were thousands there. I have to say though despite being good fireworks they were nowhere near as good as the ones I saw on 4th July in Seattle (when I went over this year to be at my sisters wedding)

My anniversary is approaching quickly (20 November) We will have been married 5 years and together 12 years. It would have been easy to give up on it many times, but thats to easy. I really do feel now that we have a really good strong marriage. We are going away for a weekend together (no kids - hurray lol) Only an hour away to Bristol, but I am really looking forward. I am hoping to get some christmas shopping done at Cribbs Causeway shopping centre.

Thankyou all for your comments on my last entry - It would certainly seem that most people have strong beliefs on God, The afterlife and the supernatrual, However I have only ever met one person that says he has no belief what-so-ever - I find that fascinating.

It seems like ages since I posted last, It has been a hectic week. Childrens parties and other such things are taking up so much of my time as well as planning for christmas - A friend told me she had finished her shopping consequently sending me into a panic.

I had college yesterday. We were discussing Humanisim and what they believe in. They believe there is no God, no supernatrual and no after life - we therefore have to make the most of this life. I am not sure I agree totally, different cultures throughout the ages, all over the world,have all had one thing in common - They all have a God. I am not a religious person but I would like to believe there is something out there and yes I do believe in the supernatrual and afterlife. What about you?
Counselling is a deep thought provolking subject - I wouldnt normally have gone for it but I find it really interesting.

Tomorrow night we celebrate Guy fawkes and I am really looking forward to a night out with the children, I cant wait to see their faces as they see the fireworks go off in the sky. A local hotel has arranged a big event with a band and some of the stars of Pop idol Not sure who though having never watched it.

Have a great Bonfire night if you celebrate it.

I think I am seriously addicted to this blog explosion thing - Its really good fun. Jilly I blame you lol.

The weather here in Wales is awful today, gale force winds and heavy rain. The kids are not to badly behaved considering it is half term - There was an incident with a bowl of Weetabix ending up all over the wall yesterday but nothing to bad. We have spent the day at my mothers today so her house could get messed up instead of mine lol

I have had all of my history of medicine books back from Ebay now - For those of you who dont know I am in the third year of a six year part time degree in Humanites (major History) This years subjects are counselling and the history of medicine, Counselling wasnt really what I wanted to do but I have to take whats on offer. It is interesting though. Last week we had a discussion on what your earliest childhood memory is, Most people only seem to remember bad things under 5 years or nothing at all before then. Whats your earliest memory? Mine is sitting on a table in my living room surrounded by toys eating endless easter eggs (no suprise there) Now thats happiness for you lol

Right I am off to surf more blogs - Leave a little note and say you stopped by - I always return the visit :)

New layout

Ok finally got it up - What do you think???? Took me ages to get the html up as it didnt work with blogger but here we are all done.

Today as the children were up my mother in laws, we had a walk around town, I marvelled at all the decorations and collected all the christmas catalogue. This afternoon in my boredom I started compiling christmas lists for the childrens presents. I think I will need a bank loan. There are so many things I want to get them - so many nice things.

The formula one season is over - finally. Nah I dont mean that really, it is something both Gary and I enjoy. However I have got a bit fed up of watching Michael Schmacher win. Its about time he retired I think.

Tomorrow half term begins, and the so does destruction of the house and my sanity. I shall be mad by the end of the week lol. Have quite a few things planned actually but tommorrow we will probably stay in for the day.

On a happy note the diet has gone well all weekend wooooo hoooo. Tomorrow when Gary is back in work the challenge begins. There is a huge pot of chocolate spread in the cupboard, I will need all of my willpower to resist it. Do you have any spare???

Took the children to a birthday party this afternoon and after months of trying I managed to drag Gary along with me. His face the whole time was a picture. He sat there in stubborn determindness not to talk to any of the other parents the entire time and almost shook with terror when the local vicar (a parent of one of the children at the party) came to sit by us, He picked up on the vibes and departed swiftly. The children enjoyed though.

The children attend a voluntary aided religious school chosen by as at it was the best, we felt, in the area. Not being religious people it was quite a decision. however it has some how began to worry me lately that our children are not christened (both my husband and I are) I have no idea why, it just now seems of importance. I intend to invesigate the matter further.

The week ahead consists of me painstakingly trying to entertain the children over half term. Whilst Ethan visits his grandmother at some point in the week I intend to take Joanna to see her first film at the cinema. She is nearly five. I hope she sits there without to much drama.

:( :( :( :(

Not a happy bunny, feel crap. Got a cold and diet goes badly. House is a mess and I have loads and loads to do. Dont know where to start anymore. Kids are fighting and wont stop - I am surprised they havent put each other in hospital yet ***sssshhhhhh Sarah - Dont curse yourself****

Everything seems dull and grey at the moment. The winter months are drawing in and it is getting colder. I cant wait till the kids go to bed so I can crash on the sofa - If I had a big bar of chocolate I would be eating it.

On a brighter note I had a great time on Saturday night, Ended up in a club rather than the civilised meal I had set out in my mind. Walked home in the cold at 1.30am with a kebab. Didnt have a hangover though so that cant be bad.

Had college today, one of my friends mother died on Saturday, she seems to be coping extremely well. I feel so sad for her though. Half term looms over me. Next week I shall be home all next week with my little angels - Better start thinking up things to do now.

Right better go and get a few things done. Something is better than nothing right ????

Peace at last

Finally the kids were in school today and Gary was at work all day and I have peace all day and night lol.

I have spent the day lazing around the house all day and catching up on everything online - Bliss - Not to mention all the eating I have done - Dont worry though - Thats it on Saturday I am starting on a 10 week slimdown for xmas with the rest of the group at Loud Ladies

Not done much else today really, A friend of mine Neil got a new car and couldnt wait to show it off so he brought it round earlier on. Its a Passat - really nice. I just know Gary will want a new car now though lol.

I handed my notice in at the family centre meeting the night before last - It wasnt as bad as I thought. Our coordinator took it rather well, I think she must have been expecting it.

Tommorrow is another busy day here and I am looking forward to a good weekend, We are off out with friends of our whom we havent been out with in a while. Shall I get new clothes or not?

Me and the kids had our first attempt at pumpkin carving last night lol It was only a small one - A practice run, what you think???

Our first go out pumpkin carving 

Panic panic

Dont the shops really know what they are doing, Today as I was walking through the shopping centre I noticed that the christmas decorations are already up, On walking into Asda I noticed lots of tins of quality street jumping out at me, When I got to Wilkinsons a life size plastic Santa greeted me at the door, and whilst walking around I was bombarded by little fibre optic gadgets singing christmas carols. I wonder whether or not their intention is to strike fear into every mother out shopping and make her think "omg I havent got any pressies for my children yet" and I think it probably is. I am not organised - I should have lists by now but I dont. They have suceeded - I am stressing.

Didnt get up to alot over the weekend. Gary didnt get home until late on Saturday so we couldnt go far as Joanna had ballet in the afternoon and Gary took the car to get some new tyres. Sunday the children went up to Garys mothers, Peace lol. So then I had to put up with Gary who was in a funny mood all day. We spent most of the day play fighting and now I have lots of bruises cos he is stronger than me lol - Not to worry I have nails and scratched him plenty of times. We had fun, it makes a change to act like a kid and its good exercise.

Last night though Gary got sick and has been off work and under my feet all day, I did get everything done - I was a good little housewife lol and have hardly been online since last Friday. Tomorrow though he should be back in work and I should finally get some peace to get some work done for college on Wednesday - I think I shall try and prepare a little better this time.

The diet goes well for three days now, Today I have been extra good and am hoping before long that I shall get over some of the cravings I am getting for chocolate. Oh I wish I could afford liposuction, but yet again the lottery people forgot it was my turn to win the jackpot.

I have a meeting for the family centre tomorrow night, We started setting one up about 2 and a half years ago with a local children society. However we just dont seem to be getting there, we have no sign yet of opening up the centre even though we have been given premises by the council (one which needs extensive renovation that is not taking place) I took on the responsibility with the view that it may be beneficial to my own children however now as Joanna is in school and Ethan is at playgroup it wont be. On Saturday I got the news that we have recieved £60000 from the national lottery and tomorrow I have made the decsion after telling our coordinator that we got the funding (something we have been trying to get for the last year) that I have decided to resign, along with our chairperson - Who is also resigning tomorrow. I feel that if I am going to donate my time to a cause like this then I would rather it be to Joannas school where my children will benefit. None the less I am dreading tomorrow night.

Feeling brainy

I had college today, I arrived late which wasnt a good start, the traffic was terrible. I go to college because I enjoy studying the History but along with that I have to study another subject and this year it is counselling again. Now dont get me wrong, the teacher is lovely - Its just that I am not an over emotional person and I have to say that alot of what goes on in class goes over my head. Everyone in the class seems to have had such deep emotional experiences and me ....... Well I am just me and I dont think I have ever done or experienced anything which has envolked such a response.

I am out of my depth or that is the way I feel sometimes, I mean to me and I am being truthfull and am trying not to be ignorant, it just sounds like alot of nonsense. The homework we had to prepare for todays class was simply "how is myself constructed" We werent supposed to do any deep philosophical reading, just simply answer the question from our heads. I didnt have a clue and this morning (an hour and a half before class) I thought I had better write an answer. So I wrote a brief answer saying what I kind person I felt I was. When I got to class I was horrified to see that everyone had written pages of deep and meaningful answers. OK so I mean whats going on - Where does it all come from?????????

The teacher went around the class asking for our answer, I listened and sat there thinking "oh no I am going to look ridiculous. I really cant say what I have written" so came my turn............ I looked at the paper and looked up and repeated the question. "How is myself constructed?" I resisted the urge to say a head, two arms, two legs and a body and said........ "I see myself as not finished, I am still being constructed and cannot answer yet because I do not know what the final result will be" Silence

Oh no, I thought, disaster. The teacher looked at me and said "wow what an excellent answer ... You have obviously pondered the question long and hard" Everyone agreed that my perspective was the best and I am therefore class genius. Well there we are. What would you have said .... How are you constructed? Think about it, Its not as easy as you think.

12 Weeks till xmas

I cant believe its October already. September has flown by, and I havent got all that much done. I have made a start on Christmas shopping so thats something. My ebay auctions are going well so I have got some great pressies for them.

Not alot has happened this week - Just an endless week of cleaning, getting kids to school in the rain, picking them up in the rain and running around going to kids parties - Fantastic. At one of the parties I ended up stuck with my friends mother in law and the vicar - Not my idea of fun. Oh well nevermind it could be worse!!

We had a nice family weekend, didnt do anything or go anywhere, just stayed in and messed around, watched some films and ate. lol sometimes thats the best fun ever.

The car is playing up - Keeps cutting out all the time - I am praying it doesnt break down - I cant cope without the car.

The diet has completely gone out the window - Its official - I cant stop eating - I am a foodaholic if there is such a thing. I ate and ate and ate this weekend.

I started back to college this wednesday, we had a really cool history teacher, he was exactly what you would expect, gold circular glasses, a green velvet waistcoat etc He was so full of enthusiasm it was great to sit there and listen to him. I have to get loads of books, I went out and looked for them at WHSmith and nearly all are out of print. Makes you wonder where's the sense asking you to get them then. I have found a few on Ebay but its gonna cost.

I am hoping for a quieter life this week - although thats never the case lol.