MrsSJT

Getting Closer

2006-12-01T08:40:00.000Z

Hello! Long time no blog!

Well, I have something interesting to say today, hence the need to blog.

We MIGHT have a match for adoption. 2 girls. I dont want to give too much away as you never know who reads this things that just happens to know someone whos kids are up for adoption yaddah yaddah yaddah...

But today we get to meet the foster carer and ask all the silly questions about likes and dislikes, routines that sort of thing that you would know automatically if it was your own child. Its is really quite exhilirating to be honest, and very very scary at the same time.

They dont know about us yet, they know their social worker is looking but thats it. Lots more hoops to jump through before they are told about us and they have to have a life book on us (how scary!) for them to look at and talk about when we are not there.

Now if I could just find the usb lead for my digital camera....

Yeah but no, but yeah, but

2006-10-17T18:56:00.000Z

I only went to see Little Britain LIVE the other weekend in London at the Victoria Apollo. Sat 3 rows from the front - and I thought it was fantastic! MrTs brother booked the tickets almost a year in advance and we travelled up on the train and met Mr&MrsT jnr on the train (after we got on the wrong one)

I have stayed away from watching on the TV for a while as it was getting a bit "samey". I dont know if you have ever seen it or even if its your thing, but I do see the humour in it all.

There is one character called Marjorie Dawes who runs a diet club called Fat Fighters, she/he came out into the audience (there was a fair bit of audience humiliation going on!) to look for a new member who would get weighed on stage, wandered around a bit, asked a few people who refused and then came up behind MrT. MrT has a bit of a belly on him (and I am being polite). Goes Ooooooooh your a big one arent you - walks round to the front of him and in his regular voice, says I think he is going to beat the (swears) out of me and moves on.

Disappointed or what!!! I would have LOVED it if he had gone up on stage.

But the rest of the weekend was good too, we stayed in a hotel in Kensington Park, I dont sleep well at the best of times and a strange bed is always a challenge and apparently I complained that he turned over and woke me up - dont remember that bit.

After wandering around for a while and going on several tubes we ended up at the London Dungeon - why anyone would want to take their children there I dont know, its dark, smelly and LOUD! Very, very enjoyable and interesting and Sweeney Todds barber shop is well thought out and did make me jump on more than one occassion.

Wandered around Harrods, over Tower Bridge, onto the West end and booked tickets to see the Producers, sat up in the Gods! After I got my breath back, I have to say I didnt really enjoy it, didnt have a good view, it was way too hot and my feet hurt - all in all not a good combination for a night out. But you live and learn.

Next time I do London it will be to see the Lion King and a night away, and maybe Mr&MrsO will make it too

Close to Tears

2006-09-19T18:27:00.000Z

MrsO has recently returned from a holiday in the States, where she visited a craft shop and in her own words "had a lovely time". She kindly bought me back some scrap booking goodies!

Anyhow the thing that almost made me cry was a beautiful poem that the lady in the craft shop found after Lindsey explained what she was after. There isnt an awful lot of things out here that are relevant to adoption.

Its called The Chosen One by Wendy Silva

An empty space that needed a child
to love in order to be fulfilled.
Then we saw you, and knew that
together a family we could build.

When you entered our home laughter
replaced the silence and harmony filled the air.
It was hard to imagine all the prayers and
sleepless nights, but finally you were there.

We were meant to be together no
matter what circumstances arose.
Because you, my precious one,
are the child that was chose.

Even after reading that several times it still brings tears to my eyes!

15 things

2006-09-14T17:46:00.000Z

I got this idea from Mrspao who in turn pinched it from someone else, but as she has more cats than me I am going to cheat and do all mine in one go!

5 Things about Barney
1. We think he is gay, if thats possible for a cat - he much prefers mens laps to sleep on

2. He dribbles when he is excited

3. His pads on his paws are pink and black

4. He really loves being called "handsome" Makes him go all strutty and bold!

5. He likes to chase frogs, holds them down until they squeal and then lets them go and does it all over again

5 Things about Daisy

1. She rules the roost. Always.

2. She is a complete bully. All the other cats in the crescent give her a wide berth even though she is 15 and quite dinky

3. She loves me. Above all else she loves me. Follows me EVERYWHERE

4. She is missing a tooth. She was in quite a bit of discomfort and when I took her to the vets she let them take it out without putting her under

5. She always lets me rub her tummy, and when she was a kitten she wouldnt sleep without me holding on to her tail

5 things about Suki

1. Suki lived with someone else before she came to us. We had her for a week when she was a tiny baby as her previous owner went on holiday, it was a real wrench giving her back.

2. She has a hate/hate relationship with the brush. Goes mental when you go near her with it

3. She growls when she is stealing food out of the other cats bowls as she knows she is in the wrong

4. She likes to get in cars. And other peoples houses. She is the only one of the 3 that is microchipped because of this

5. She very rarely miaows, more of a chirruper. Always get greated with a chirrup in the morning - its quite sweet!

Sniff Snuffle Bleurgh

2006-08-31T09:47:00.000Z

Firstly an apoology that I havent blogged for a while, mind has been elsewhere (where I hear you ask - and the answer to that is who the hell knows!!)

Anyhow, I am off work with the flu, yep the flu in August (go figure!) have been duly despatched to the Drs and have been signed off for a further week, spent most of last week laying in bed feeling sorry for myself and sleeping, went to work on Tuesday morning as had to attend a meeting, and its just as well I did as someone else in the office has gone down with it too! So meeting done, paperwork sorted I threw it all in a drawer and toddled off home again.

All I have done really is lay around watching increasingly bad tv, snuffle and generally complain to the cats that its hot. (I have a bit of a temperature) and to top it all I have a visit from those wonderful painters (or Granny or Aunt Flo, whatever you want to call it) AGAIN, seems that the last 6 weeks 4 of them have been spent being very friendly with the loo. Hysterectomy here I come..

Anyway I am going to go now and snuffle some more....

lovely, lovely, lovely

2006-07-28T18:30:00.000Z

I went to Edinburgh last week with MrsO to visit MrsG and see Il Divo in concert (yum yum yum) they were FANTASTIC!! They were on stage for a full hour and a half and it was wonderful, despite being sat in the gods as it were, I got some good photos with my digital camera .

A really lovely time was had by all UNTIL 6pm Saturday night when check in opened. We were told that our flight was delayed by an hour - fine could cope with that - spent our £3 voucher on a large brandy each. Eventually got on a plane at midnight (should have left at 8:20pm) and landed at a completely different airport. Hubbies were at the original airport waiting for us and knew that we had been diverted before we had even taken off, the airline company didnt see fit to tell us until we were 20 minutes away from landing! I have written them to complain - it was appalling service. Anyhow FINALLY got home at 5:00AM. I havent caught up with my sleep yet! But when I dream I will dream of gorgeous men singing to me

Getting Crafty

2006-07-15T16:24:00.000Z

So, I told you about my office in my last posting, so this time I am going to show you what it looks like!

The picture you can see on the back wall was done for me about easter time by a young boy that comes to stay with my parents during the holidays along with his brothers and sister, and I took a stash of goodies round to give him something constructive to do and this is his present to me after we had heard that we had been approved for adoption - there are lots of details that dont show on the photo about what sort of parents he thinks we will be and its really very very cute!

What you cant see of course, is just behind the bookcase is my stash of scrap/photo albums. I have my large white one for everyday scrapping for me, a purple one to fill up to give to the children so they get a sense of me and MrT, a blue and white one that I am working on as a gift for a friend, a silver beaded one that I bought today, which I am also going to work on for someone and a really beautiful silk covered one that has a heart motif made out of pearl buttons that was bought for me by someone I would consider to be a friend. I met her through my work at the University (she was a student - just graduated) and we have become friends, it was a really thoughtful gift that I will fill with pictures of my babies when we finally get matched with the right ones

I have been out shopping (again!) with MrsC and she made me buy lots so I was feeling a little crafty so have made a page of my moggie Daisy, she looked so cute lying asleep in the living room I had to take lots of photos of her, but only used the one for maximum impact - let me know what you think..

What is says at the bottom is: Kittens are born with their eyes shut. They open them in about six days, take a look around, then close them again for the better part of their lives - Stephen Baker

Seemed to me to be quite apt as thats what Daisy seems to spend most of her time doing now, but then she is almost 15 human years (which would make her 105 in cat ones!) not that she lets the other two get away with anything, she is in charge with a firm paw!

Small office/home office

2006-07-09T15:39:00.000Z

when we had our extn built we decided that we would turn what was our spare bedroom into an office so that I could work from home as necessary.

Now I do have a computer table for my desktop PC, and various odds and ends to go with that, and mentioned to one of the lovely guys from work that if they had a spare table going I was interested in taking one home to set my craft stuff up on. Got back to work after my week off to be told that he had found me a table, so off I trotted to have a look and was very excited at the prospect.

MrT kindly collected it for me this week, and decided that he would paint the office this weekend (it used to be purple but he didnt like it - and I am crap at DIY) so now its a shade of cream that makes it look bigger, and after a bit of jiggery pokery and moving things around I have everything in where it ought to be, and all my craft stuff on hand to make interesting things when the mood takes me.

So this weekend after buying up quite a bit of Staples (miss C made me) and then visting Hobbycraft this morning (after we got lost on the way there AND back!) I am good to go.

back to normal!

2006-07-03T18:40:00.000Z

Yay managed to get an appt at the dentist today and have a temporary crown fitted - so at least I look a bit more like normal! I am going to have the other front tooth done at the same time too as its a bit off colour and it would look better. Might save up and get the rest of them done eventually.

Next thing would be to buy me some hair, but thats a bit too expensive just at the mo.

But anyhow, tonight is lesson 2 of the swimming course tonight, I missed last week due to an ear infection but I have bought me some ear plugs so they should be OK this time round

Toothless

2006-07-02T15:12:00.000Z

I have only gone and swallowed my crown!! The one right at the front of my mouth that I have had for about 20 years.

Many moons ago I had an abcess right at the front of my mouth after weeks of hospital visits and draining I lost my tooth and was fitted with a crown. We went out for dinner on Friday night and I thought I had something stuck between my teeth and managed to pull my tooth out!! I stuck it back where it belongs and hoped for the best. I should have got some dental glue stuff but I didnt - which has proved to be a really stupid thing not to have done, and yesterday I ate a teacake which pulled my tooth out and I swallowed my tooth.

After much ribbing last night and being called Cletus, I am hoping to get an emergency appt at the dentist tomorrow I cant go out looking like I do - its not pretty!! Now I am not a vain person, far from it, but even this is pushing that a bit TOO far.

What a silly moo I am!

A hedge and a trip to A&E (or ER)

2006-06-25T18:11:00.000Z

Well, today has been eventful!!

We have a hedge around our garden. A BIG hedge. About 9' in the garden and about 7' on the outside path. MrT managed to trim the inside the other week (oh and its about 35' long and 4' deep) and last week did the outside and blew up the hedge trimmers, a trip to the local DIY store and he came home with a set with a 60cm cutting blade. Nice. Finished the outside all looks good.

So MrsO and I came home from our little trip to a terrible farmers market and there is MrT up a ladder trimming the top of the hedge as you do. I have an ear infection in both ears and generally feeling pretty grotty with it all so was laying on the sofa, saw him walk past once and go back out to the hedge. Then about 10 - 15 minutes later he comes in again shouting that he has chopped his fingers off - I think hes joking and say "dont be stupid you havent" and he says I have, I have chopped my fingers off, I go out in the kitchen and there is blood......... everywhere.

My heart stops for a brief second, I shove his hand under the tap and turn the water on, not really noticing if he has lost his digits or no and say stay there I am going to get MrC, shove some shoes on and run (yes I said run) across the road and bang as loud as I can on his back gate as I know he is working in the garden, shouting hes cut his fingers off!! Run home with Steve in close pursuit.

Pull the first aid/medicine box of the top of the cupboard and pull 2 triangular bandages out and wrap one as tight as I dare round his fingers (all 5 of them fortunately) put a sling on to elevate his hand and get into the car asking steve to lock up and put the trimmers and ladder in the garden as I was worried about someone else messing about with them. Drive like billyoh to the hospital (red lights permitting) and book in, thankfully enough we are taken straight through as he is whiter than white and sweating. Get seated in a cubicle, and wait, and wait and wait.

Eventually get seen (it was exceedingly busy) and after an x ray we are told that he hasnt broken anything of damaged any tendons (thank you god!) so just needed some stitches and we could go home.

After being there about an hour Mr & Mrs C turn up and wait with us, which was good as it helped to pass the time and things seemed less stressful, and they had been really good and cleaned up all the blood from the kitchen, the decking, the path and everywhere else that he had managed to squirt it!

MrT is now languishing in the bath with his hand in a plastic bag, with throbbing fingers and sore ears where his mother has given him an ear bashing - think the telling off he will get from me can wait a few days....

A nice cup of tea and a sit down

2006-06-21T20:01:00.000Z

Which is incidently the name of the book that I got in my swap box today!!

I had to pick it up from the sorting office this morning, and dropped it off at home as I had to come back to take an antihistamine as the pollen count has been rather high.

So having spent all today in a state of anticipation, I drove home at speed (although later than I would normally) and sat down with a cup of tea and a box !!

So, taking my time I opened it carefully

And found the most delightful postcard inside, I know you cant see it very well but its 3 old fashioned girls having a paddle - will find a frame for that I think!!

Next thing I am faced with is:

Bubble wrap - the perfect stress reliever, after peeling this off carefully, and got past the green and pink tissue paper (which I will keep and reuse some other time) I find this!

A basket of goodies!! A cup and saucer with matching side plate in a really pretty green, a small napkin, some tea, in very different little bags I must say, some chocolates from the kidney care shop (which isnt a bad place to shop, my friend has kidney stones at the mo and is awaiting an op to remove them), and a very, very funny book (just been reading it in the bath)

Thank you Gena - really love it all, and Thank you MsRobyn for sorting this out

lesson 1 - update

2006-06-20T20:31:00.000Z

OK, half an hour just isnt enough!!

8 ladies in all there, all bit scared in the water, think I must have been the most confident there they dont even like getting their shoulders wet, guess the aquarobics helps

1 down, 9 to go.

I will swim, I will.......

Lesson 1

2006-06-19T17:47:00.000Z

Today is my first swimming lesson, in, in years! Am a bit nervous - not something I am totally comfortable with and after a rough day at work not something I am sure I want to be doing today either!!

Still its good for me - right?

AqARGHHHHHrobics!

2006-06-15T17:58:00.000Z

Yep you read that right. Aquarobics was HARD. I havent managed to do the whole hour for a while - mostly because my knee has been troublesome, went back last week and managed 1/2 an hour and had to get out. This week did the whole hour, apart from the frog jumps - cant get my knees to feel comfortable doing that!! Part of the session this time was floating on your back with a woggle - as I am not the best swimmer I wasnt too happy with the sensation and retreated to the side bar for a bit of extra security.

The first 20 minutes was hard work and I wanted it to end quickly but the last 20 minutes absolutely flew by. The last exercise was to put our leg up as far as we could on the edge of the pool, I can, (surprisingly if you know me!) manage to get my foot so far up its out of the pool. I guess it helps that I have long legs!!

So today I have done mostly not a lot. Not been at work as I have had to have the front door lock changed as it had a back door mechanism on it rather than one that can lock behind you and as we have had 2 walk in burglaries in the past it was becoming more of an issue. It took much longer than I had anticipated so I managed to waste quite a bit of time sitting in the cold watching tut on the TV.

Went to M&S to buy my DaddyO some sandals, he wears the most god awful ugly shoes at the mo and I am trying to update him - they were a little more expensive than perhaps I would have liked, but hey you only get one Dad right?! Unless of course you get adopted then you are lucky and get a second chance.

The search for our new family goes on though we have our eye on something (or should that be someone?) and will be asking for more details in due course.

Its a hot one.....

2006-06-13T19:28:00.000Z

Phew! Its been HOT!! No word of a lie its been absolutely baking here. Sleeping at night has been horrible and very disturbed due to the weather, it looks like it might well end in a storm this evening - which will be a good thing.

I love storms - the thunder the lightening there is something quite awe inspiring about a good old storm.

Been driving to/from work with the air con on - which drinks the petrol but you have to do something to try and keep the temperature down, it actually reminded me of Kenya yesterday when it was so hot and humid, but at least when we were there and it got too hot we could just wander out the indian ocean and drift about a bit and cool down - bit difficult to do that at work - but I can dream (can't I?)

Downside of all this heat, apart from having to eat ice cream - is that my eczema is back with a vengeance, my skin is soooooo itchy, I shouldnt eat things with milk in as I know it aggrevates me but its so difficult not to want to eat something cool and tasty! I will have to go to the Dr to get some betnovate to calm it down again. I dont think that the stress of the adoption has helped, we went to London to an exchange event, which was interesting and we met some good people and saw some interesting things but again it was hot and uncomfortable, and then Sunday we went on a picnic - we thought we would go to St Nicholas to look at some mechanical organs......OK, they were cleverly built and the people that are involved really get into the spirit of the thing, but not really my cup of tea, and then we decided we would go and look at Richborough Castle, this is one of the first buildings that the Romans ever built in this country - I used to live near there so its not really my sort of thing either (dont I sound boring!) and basically its a pile of rocks. But Mr & MrsC and MrT and I sat down to a nice picnic under a tree and listened to the birds and relaxed - which was lovely. Think we might go again next month - venue to be decided.

Downsizing

2006-06-04T19:17:00.000Z

OK, its been coming for a while. I am going to downsize. Not my house but the size of my thighs! LOL

I was once, very, very thin (and I am quite tall at 5'9 1/2") and at the grand old age of 16 I could still wear a pair of shorts that my brother outgrew at 6. Yep, I was THAT skinny. All leg.

For the past 20 years I have got bigger, and bigger and bigger. Some parts of getting bigger arent that bad (boobs were a good side effect) but its getting to the point now that its not good for the old arthritic knee (dont ask), so I am going start tomorrow (with MrsPAO as my "food buddy") with being sensible if nothing else. No more sneaky iced buns (yum yum yum) no big lunches and then eating dinner at night. But more dried fruit, fruit, vegetables and get back to doing some exercise.

I signed up for adult swimming lessons this week as well, I can swim after a fashion but I am not at all confident so have decided its about time I did something about it (again), i did have lessons some years ago and learnt to swim and actually managed a whole length - which I was very proud of, but lack of going (even though I live a 10 minute walk from our local pool) has meant I have returned to my fear of water. I did swim in the Indian Ocean though when we went to Kenya, but it wasnt far and I was very concious that I could put my feet on the ground at anytime as it was quite shallow a long way out.

So come 19th June I will be at the pool with my water wings on - waiting to get the idea of my head that I am going to drown if I go in the deep end - I mean I am more likely to float now that I am fatter then when I was twig like (I couldnt float then - much to popular belief when I was at junior school).

So back to the downsizing, rather then setting myself the rather ridiculous target of a size 10 by Christmas (short of a gastroband - that aint gonna happen) I am going to aim to drop a dress size by August. Not too much time, not too much pressure - could probably do that just by toning up - but want to try and be realistic here. So no giving up because I felt the need to cheat (which I know I will) but will just pick myself up, dust myself down and get back on that wagon.

Wish me luck - got a feeling that I am going to need it!

Ta da!

2006-05-30T19:36:00.000Z

Well I have sort of had a good day. Poor old Suki has been in the wars again and has been complaining about her paw - so went in late to work this morning. Couldnt get an appt at the vets until tonight so came home fed them all and packed her into the box before she could start getting all growly.

Waited in the vets to be seen for AGES!! Seems that they were having trouble with a horse it just did not want to get in its trailer and when they did get it in there it wanted to lay down the vet thought it was F&^^$^$%$%^"" mad. She was a bit stressed to say the least.

Anyway, back to Suksuk, once we found that her temperature was back to normal (she was one hot mog yesterday) the vet was squeezing her toes quite hard and all was OK until GRRRRRRRRRRR miaow, spit spit spit. OK that hurt!! She seems to have ripped her pad open on something right up between the toes. 2 injections later (and boy did they make her growl, would have given the dog in the waiting room a run for its money) and some antibiotics later we were on our way home. MrT had kindly cooked dinner (hurrah!) and tells me he fed the cats. Again. So Suksuk was a lucky girl and all her dreams come true as I had to feed her twice too (have to be fair with these things).

I managed to get most of my teaswap things today also - just need to decide what sort of tea and goodie I want to send on.

Think I managed to cheer MrsPAO with the weirdest knitting book ever - I couldnt leave the shop without it - its a classic (www.mrspao.blogspot.com) and I also gave her my third ever scrapbook page which was dedicated to her cat Lucy who sadly was a poorly girl over the weekend which meant that MrsPAO had to be a very brave girl and do the decent thing. Which we moggie lovers all know is so very very hard. So this page is dedicated to 2 things. Lucy. And a very brave MrsPAO who, although I am sure,
was very very sad to do it, did a wonderfully brave and selfless thing and released Lucy to the big kitty litter tray in the sky.

49 things (as taken from MrsPAO

2006-05-20T11:10:00.000Z

1) what time did you get up this morning? Well I was awake at 5:20 (precisely) again - but didnt get up until 8:45
2) Diamonds or Pearls? Diamonds. Pearls are for old ladies
3) What was the last film you saw at the cinema? Memoirs of a Geisha
4) What are your favourite TV shows? Dont have a favourite per se, but I like ER
5) What did you have for breakfast today? Lyme Regis Cereal bar with cranberrys and a banana
6) What is your middle name? Jayne - with a Y if you please
7) What is your favourite cuisine? Pretty much anything to do with Chicken - I could never be a vegetarian
8) What foods do you dislike? Mushrooms or anything fungus based, makes me ill.
9) What is your favourite crisp flavour? I dont eat crisps
10) What is your favourite CD at the moment? Gorillaz or Jack Johnson depending on my mood
11) What kind of car do you drive? Renault Megane Scenic (or Aunt Flo as she is affectionately known)
12) Favourite Sandwich? I too like a chip butty, but the sandwiches from Jonny Sandwich (particularly the chicken, lemon mayonnaise and avacado is good. But I am trying to give up bread so its a bit of a moot question. But I guess my favourite Sandwich of all time - is the one I grew up in BOOM BOOM!
13) What characteristics do you despise? Maliciousness
14) What are your favourite clothes? Jeans, Jeans and more jeans
15) A place you would like to holiday? Australia, New Zealand, would like to go back to Kenya, Alaska to see the polar bears whilst they still exist, India to see the tigers
16) What colour is your bathroom? Mostly white with one royal blue wall
17) Favourite brand of clothing? Dont much go for brands
18) Where would you want to retire to? To bed
19) Favourite time of day? When I get home from work, when the cats have been fed and I am alone and its quiet and no-one wants my attention
20) Where were you born? Sandwich, Kent, England. My parents still live in the house I was born in
21) Favourite sport to watch? Sport? pff get real, life is too short of for watching sport. Unless of course you count the Eurovision Song Contest sport
22) Who do you least expect to send this back? Dont expect to get it back
23) Person you expect to send it back? Is anyone out there? Or is it just MrsPAO that reads this and occassionaly PirAteO
24) Coke or Pepsi? Whichever happens to be at hand for diluting the brandy!! though I do like lime coke
25) Are you a morning person or a night owl? Morning, ererytime, I go into hibernation at night
26) Any new and exciting news you'd like to share with everyone? I bought a new guinea pig this morning. She is ginger with a white splodge on her head (yet to take a photo or name her)
27) What did you want to be when you were little? A nurse. But then I discovered I just dont do phlegm - urgh
28) What is your best childhood memory? Oooh difficult I remember a lot of things at the favourite changes depending on what I am thinking about at the time, but at the mo being at the park with my brothers, just before the eldest left to join the navy and him persuading me to go down the very big slide (it was massive when I little)
29) What are the different Jobs you have had in your life? Well, I worked at a builders, a power company, a haulage company, a dating agency, temped various places (mainly in pharmaceuticals), double glazing company and now at the University. Sure there are some I have forgotten. Though my first paid job was on a saturday filling rolls in a butchers early morning. I left after someone put turkey legs down my back
30) Nicknames? Yes. Abe, Auntie, Kent Mum, Mumsy, Abeytong
31) Piercings? Ears, though I dont wear earrings very often
32) Eye Colour? Brown
33) What colour underwear are you wearing? White
34) Been in a car accident? No
35) Favourite day of the week? Saturday
36) Favourite restaurant? Comeback Day and Night Club Watamu Beach Kenya
37) Favourite flower? Stargazer Lilies
38) Favourite ice cream? Dont do dairy and the dairy free doesnt bear thinking about
39) Favourite fast food restaurant? Mmmm KFC or pizza hut - both of which I shouldnt be eating anymore
40) How many times did you fail your driving test? Once
41) Before this one, from whom did you get your last email? Dont remember
42) Which store would you choose to max out your credit card in? Probably Ikea if I am honest
43) Bedtime? Is it? goodoh. Night night everybody
44) Who are you most curious about their responses to this questionnaire? Fner - I already read MrsPAO and PirAteO
45) Last person you went to dinner with? MrT and Mr & Mrs C
46) What are you listening to right now? The washing machine, the rain on the patio doors and The Goodbye Girl on the TV
47) What is your favourite colour? Green, so many shades of Green, though my favourite colour to wear is Red
48) How many tattoos do you have? None. Yet.
49) How many people are you sending this email to? No-one. I am billy no mates today

Ok I surrender (sukis story)

2006-05-12T20:59:00.000Z

Hmmmmm now these smell good....... (they actually stink something terrible) must have a closer look at what they are? ooooh want to eat them!!!

Much as I try and try and try to get my head in the packet all my mum does is laugh at me and take photos. OK I surrender!! Please open the packet for me mum, pleeeeeeeeeeeeeease

Sky

2006-05-09T18:06:00.000Z

Here she is!! The very naughty, adorable, frustrating, tire chewing, carpet peeing sky for your delight and delictition.

Anyway - been to the Drs today as my knee is giving me some serious lavvypan and I am not allowed to do ANY exercise for the next 2 weeks. Bummer.

Puppy dog tails

2006-05-08T19:34:00.000Z

My brother and his girlfriend have just bought a dog. She is a wheelchair user and wanted to get a puppy so it would get used to the chair. (and I would post a picture but it wont let me AGAIN!).

Anyhow they used to have a dog before, but she came to them as an adult. Sky (as she is called) is a doberman and totally gorgeous, though she likes to chew (just as well the wheelchair has solid tyres,) and also pee on the carpet. Now I have never owned a dog, but I love them and would love to have one but at the moment its a bit difficult with being out at work all day and the cats etc., etc., etc., maybe one day (hint hint MrT). Anyhow in I go armed with a bag of doggy treats so she would stop chewing my hair - I need all the hair I have thank you) and by the time I left she was sitting on command and fetching as well - I just hope that they manage to keep it up and she is better behaved when I visit next time. I have some lovely shots of her chewing her toys and trying to climb on my lap but as I said before - IT WONT LET ME!! GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR Blogger!

phew what a day!

2006-04-29T19:45:00.000Z

Well, was supposed to go out with MrsPAO and MrsHB didnt make it as we were supposed to be looking at sofas - didnt do that either! Spent the majority of the day cleaning the house (yuck) though I did start the day with a virtual workout. Have recently bought a PS2 and got myself some games. Bought eye toy 3 and missC and I spent a hectic half an hour tackling the assault course - now that was hilarious - I am not the fittest of people so I was in general pretty rubbish but I did have a lot of fun.

Also bought eyetoy kinetic which has virtual personal trainers so did my first work out this morning. Phew!! I got very hot and sweaty and realised that my knee clicks a lot. When I was 18 which was about 1/2 a life time ago, I got very drunk, fell over and dislocated my knee cap. Over the next 7 years this was a reoccuring part of my life until I had it stabilsed which has made life a lot simpler and less painful, though it was really really loud this morning (dont think squats are a good idea, but I have to do something!)

Anyhow took myself off to the postoffice this morning to collect the last game - sing star. Now I have a terrible singing voice but I thought it would be fun. We are planning a bbq tomorrow so have spent quite a bit of time in the garden tidying and moving old flower pots etc., (its not been done since the building work) so am quite tired from all that too.

Still it has mostly been a lovely day!

A virtual tour of randomness

2006-04-27T09:46:00.000Z

Ok, just run around with the camera!!

These are totally random but will start at the top and work my way down!

Dark picture of bed with tut on it - new front bedroom - flash didnt go off!

Pink cushions is the other new bedroom (and the only one without tat in it!)

Orange walls - this is the dining end of my kitchen with a new small table in it (note the picture on the wall - it came from Kenya - wish i had bought more of them)

Yellow kitchen - explosion in a smartie factory and could probably cover the whole project spectrum that Mrspao is doing by itself - but I LOVE it

purple utility and downstairs loo

brown and beige living room

black and white cat - found some better shots of his royalness

dark blue on the wall in the bathroom - on a white background

and finally a pink and cream very untidy bedroom

That my friends is my house in a nutshell

my babies

2006-04-27T09:09:00.000Z

Finally!!! Here are the piccies of my babies!! At the top is Suki - who you have met before as she has been to work with me.
The middle picture (and not very close up) is Barney Rubble - he tends to run away when he sees the camera coming he is a little shy - but very very handsome!! (even the vet says so)

and to the left is Daisy - in her favourite place on the bed she LOVES to sleep where I sleep. She OWNS me. (note I do not own her at all) This perhaps isnt the most flattering shot of her but you can see her wonderful markings on her legs. Barney and Daisy are 15 in July and Daisy in particular is slowing down, she has a slight heart murmer and has to take medication daily. She is MOSTLY good at taking it we dont make a fuss about it, just pop it on the top of her food and she generally eats it along with the rest of her dinner. Sometimes (if she is feeling naughty) we have to resort to a mcflurry spoon as she likes to bite your fingers otherwise.

Now that I seem to be able to post photos again (dont know what went wrong before I will take you on a virtual tour of my house in all its newness. Just ignore the mess - stomach ache doesnt encourage the need to tidy (bleurgh)

God I hate being a girl!

2006-04-26T17:55:00.000Z

Title says it all really!

I have PCOS which can cause painful, heavy and totally mad periods. Today was one of them. I had to come home from work, thankfully enough I have a very understanding GP who has given me some wonderful medication that helps with the pain and other less pleasant symptoms only downside is it makes me incredibly tired.

I came home, durgged myself up had a shower and went to bed for a while (like 4 hours) slept like a baby which was wonderful!!!

Hope I dont go for a personal best this time 6 weeks is enough for anyone....

WOOOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOO!!

2006-04-12T16:03:00.000Z

OMG! OMG! OMG! They said yes, all that stress, all that worry and preperation and they didnt even ask us any of those questions that we were expecting. 10 minutes in front of 10 people and they are happy to approve us OMG!!! Is going for "rubber stamping" tomorrow but that should just be a formality.

We are going to be a family. OMG!!

D Day all round

2006-04-11T06:43:00.000Z

OK, today is the day. the Day when some people make a judgement about me and MrT. Are we fit (perhaps thats not the right word because if we are talking about physical fitness, then no!) to be parents to children that have had a rough start in life for whatever reason.

I think I have gone past the I am completely terrified phase to the calm, hopefully reasonable person that I want to be today. I feel. Numb. I think thats it. When we did IVF treatment I always prepared myself for the worse. Always. Just as well really as it didnt work and after the second time round I didnt want to do it anymore as it was just so..... awful (want to swear though but wont). Not that its awful for everyone and I know some people that it has worked for and I AM pleased for them. Just terribly, terribly disappointed in my own body and the injustice of it all I guess. Still (fingers crossed) when we get approval and matched with 2 munchkins of our own I am going to be the BEST mum ever. No arguments. For 30 odd years i have felt that is what I am destined to be so I am going to go out there and damn well prove it now.

Scared world? You should be!!

Anyway on a lighter note, and the purchase of a new camera (at 10:30pm last night, thank goodness for 24 hour Tescos) I managed to download some more photos. Will try and post them below but you never know.....

Ok some days blogger just doesnt like me. Looks like its going to be one of those days.....

Scary Dreams

2006-04-06T19:13:00.000Z

Ok - so I have a lot on my mind at the mo. Panel is set for Tuesday next week and I am more than a little worried, scared, apprehensive you name a negative feeling I am feeling it!!

Last night I had the weirdest dream, I was walking down the road wearing a green dressing gown (nice one from La Senza) and somehow got involved in a fight where I was having to run up the stairs of a very tall building to try and escape from someone that was after the person I was running with. Dont know who they were... I was trying to keep in their shadow to avoid being seen, as we were running up the stairs at some speed this person was walking fast behind us saying "desperate, desperate" in a very gravelly, menacing voice.

In the end the only way to avoid being found was to jump off the building, so I was climbed over a parapet and was going to let myself down onto the roof just below, I woke up as I looked at my hands.

I went through a period of nightmares a few years ago and was advised by someone to focus on my hands as a signal to wake up when my mind was taking me somewhere I didnt want to me.

Think I am going to be seeing a lot of my hands over the next few days....

2006-04-03T15:38:00.000Z

Ahhhhhhhhhhh bless. This was me back in about 1974!!

and the one belowis about 1976 with my brother who is a year older than me.

My mother has a lot to answer for with regards to what I was wearing - oh the shame!

Its right sunny out there

2006-03-31T09:32:00.000Z

And I am stuck in doors. My throat is still verrrrrrrrrry croaky and I sound odd. MrT keeps likening me to Andy from Little Britain (http://www.bbc.co.uk/comedy/littlebritain/), Yeah I know! I sound like him (and according to MrT am looking like him more and more each day - thanks dear I love you too..)

Boredom is sort of setting in. I miss work (who is this woman she must be ill!) Though in another sense I dont miss it at all as I still feel very run down and my glands are still swollen - the antibiotics havent kicked in yet.

Oh the joys. Am investing (if thats the right word) in an x box 360 today as my sister in law won it in a competition and doesnt want it so am buying in anticipation of being a parent. This might not be a good thing......

Got the official letter telling us when the panel was today, am slightly scared now (wonder if the throat is due to worrying and thinking that I would rather say nothing due to no voice and having a voice and saying something stoopid - will think on on that one.)

I won, I won, I won!

2006-03-29T08:12:00.000Z

Well I never thought I would see the day when I won something worth having!!

As I am off with sore throat at the mo - though feeling better by the day I was halfheartedly watching This Morning and thought oooh new car, could win that and sell it!! So texted in (voice beyond speaking at this point) got a text back for a chance to win a grand text win. Did this, got a question which I answered and promptly forgot about.

Mobli rung at about 5:30ish - withheld no., croakily answered it to be asked to confirm my details as I had won the £1000 text competition - had to repeat myself numerous times as I was a bit stunned and my voice almost totally died but I cant believe that I actually won something.... must get a lotter ticket for tonight - this lucky streak has got to last- right????

Thanks MrsPAO - LOVE THIS

2006-03-26T09:36:00.000Z

width="240" height="180"
alt="Malevolent, Ravenous, Scientist-Snatching Juggernaut from the Tower"
border="0">

A Grand Day Out

2006-03-26T09:11:00.000Z

Ok, so the day didnt start the best way as I woke up with a raging sore throat - threw some painkillers down and went back to sleep snuggled up against MrTs back - woke up with a huge pool of drool running down his back where I must have been dribbling - nice.

Croaked goodbye at him and out the door to meet MrsO, jumped in her car and off to the train station to catch the 9:23 to London Charing Cross - after some confusion about car park charges (we didnt pay - the details were awful) hopped on a train and sent a text to MrsPAO to say we were on our way. Leaned out of the door at Canterbury waving like a goon until she spotted me. Introductions were made and MrsPAO got her knitting out. Spent a while on the train looking at the scenery and had a cup of tea and a creme egg - lovely!

Got to London, MrsO and I had already purchased our tickets to allow us free reign whilst in Londinium and had to wait while MrsPAO had a fight with a ticket machine. 3 tube changes later and desperate to eat found a pizza express on the way to Olympia 2. I had the buffalosomeitorother. Which basically was a pizza base with chunks of beef tomato, mozzarella, pesto and half a garden. Managed to throw most of the tomato on the floor and had some more pain killers as apparently I was a funny colour!

Stomped off to the Craft show and queued up to get in, got ticket, turned around, handed ticket in. I dont remember when I saw so many women in the same place! It was PACKED. Had a wonder downstairs, seemed mainly to be cross stitch (I get cross when I stitch but I dont think thats the same thing) and embroidery - yeah right life is too short to even go there!

So had a quick peruse and admired many a popcorn bear bag - MrsO asked where we could find them and we shoved, pushed and pulled each other down this particular aisle. They also had the most wonderful winnie the pooh paper - oooh says me want some! So I came away with a gab and pooh paper. Eventually managed to get upstairs and was we were off like kiddies in a sweetshop. MrsPAO was surgically attached to the knitting bit, MrsO was a little disappointed that there was a distinct lack of beading stalls and I managed to buy most of the basics for scrapbooking.

Was feeling a little worse for wear so we decided to go get a drink - MrsO and MrsPAO queued and I wandered looking for a table - no such luck. So I bought a book instead which the author signed for me, rang MrsPAO to see if she could see a table and MrsO ran and sat down to secure it for us. I dragged myself, bags and coats to said table and collapsed. We then all got our goodies out for inspection - realised that the poohpaper came with a scrapbook too - had to get another one before I went home - the man at the stall recognised me and gave me a free bag (thanks man at popcorn stall) we then wended our way outside.

it was raining. And I didnt have my brolly. 4 bags cutting into my shoulders and the thought of 3 tube changes was almost enough to have me laying on the floor in a dead faint. MrsPAO knows about the buses though so we climbed aboard the no9 to Trafalger Square and walked the short distance to charing cross- collapsed onto the train and came home.

I bought a lot!!! Had a lovely day, and cannot wait until next year for a repeat performance

My new hat - and the helping paw

2006-03-22T19:36:00.000Z

Ok - so mrspao likes to knit. Likes - that woman LOVES to knit, so as I am being her and SE and BS trainer for their driving tests (theory that is - not brave enough to take them out in aunt flo) she decides that she is going to knit me a hat http://mrspao.blogspot.com/2006/03/in-pink.html I LOVE this hat, in fact as I am sitting here blathering on about not a lot I am wearing it - OK I am cold and its keeping my head warm. In fact MissC and MrsHB have been eyeing it up at work, MissC wants a red one and MrsHB wants one like mine - we are known as the meatball twins so matching hats would be logical (hint hint mrspao - same size required please!)

But onto the other part of the title - Suki the grey moggy who bought me a lovely mouse last night - arent I lucky!!! She seems to have decided that she needs to follow me round the house - the toilet, the kitchen, the utility she NEEDS to be there. And when we are sat on the sofa together she needs to be touching me - I cant touch her you understand, oh no no no thats NOT allowed but a paw is on my leg and god help me if I move (there is a certain attraction in declawing at times you know) but it is strangely comforting. I hope that one of Mrspaos many cats get the idea from reading my blog and offer the same comfort to mrspao and PirAteO as I think they are going to need it over the next few days. Thoughts are definately with you xxxx

Suki, Barney and Daisy say "meow, prrrr, miaow, miaow, miaow pfff pff pfff" please ask Jasper to translate

Rambles

2006-03-08T19:58:00.000Z

Well since you have now seen my ickle baby I thought you might like to see the others. Well I would show you but for some reason it doesnt want to upload the pictures!!!

Oh well - better luck next time.

I am mostly home alone tonight as hubby is between here and France on a jolly, so am watching relocation relocation on my alone, by myself. Next week I am mostly staying in Deal as my brother in law and his missus are off to Egypt and I am babysitting - not that I think they will appreciate me saying that as the girls I am looking after are 14 going on 40. Ahhh the joys of being a teenager - but will be good practice.

The panel date is looming and I have taken the week in question off work as I think I will be no good to man nor beast that week the day before I will be up to my elbow with chewing my finger nails and the rest of the week I shall either be elated or completely depressed and not want to talk to anyone about anything.

Will post when I can afterwards with the result but might well be a long time if its bad news - but lets not go there for the time being - think happy thoughts for me

Poor puddy tat

2006-03-01T19:52:00.000Z

My poor baby had a fight with another cat - big bully that it was managed to give her an abcess. Took her to the vets and she had to have it lanced - much screaming later (hers not mine) I took one very unhappy cat home.

She was feeling most unwell this morning so I decided to take her to work!

She spent the majority of the day laying under my desk feeling sorry for herself!! Though she was very lucky and shared MrsPAOs chicken sandwich and MissGACs salmon = one very smug cat.

We managed to get most of the way home before she had an accident - luckily she was shut into her box at the time and she was insisting that it was a good idea to sit under my feet whilst I tried to drive home - now this would have been OK had it been all back roads but we do have to spend quite a bit of time on a big busy road so that idea was soon over!!

Hopefully poor old suksuk will be feeling herself once more and she will be happy to go out in the garden by herself and no feel the need to have mummy in sight all the time!

Bleurgh

2006-02-24T21:05:00.000Z

Ok - so its been a while since I felt the need to offload myself but today is as good as any other!

Got my car heater fixed - hooray. Then the exhaust fell off - Jinxed or what? Took car back AGAIN this time they lent me an automatic - didnt like that too much it had leather seats as well which were FREEZING when I got in the car, but have the scenic back now so am a happy bunny.

Other new is that we have new carpet! Hooorah!! And painted the spare room purple - hate it and now MrT is repainting it a creamy colour. Cant believe that I have grown up enough to choose neutral colours - what is happening with me?

Today has been really busy at work - been working mostly on exam papers - got about 60 of the blasted things to get sorted and sent off to make sure they are all a'ok. Makes me eyes go all wooobly, and now I have the start of neuralgia right above my right ear - this I dont need.

Seem to get good news in one hand and taken away in the other - social worker called - going to panel in April - no date yet. Called again yesterday they have LOST my CRB form - ARGHHHHH!! Not only was their PC not working they have lost my F'in form! Was OK about it - what can you do - but then I started thinking thats got a lot of personal information on - someone can do a lot with that

Could my day get any worse?

2006-02-09T20:29:00.000Z

OK - so the heater in my new car doesnt work - why? becuae its mine. Took it back to the garage and the part isnt being delivered till tomorrow - they did lend me a car - very like the car I have just replaced and whilst this one had heat it didnt have a radio - my singing was beginning to annoy me so just as well I was alone today!

Anywho have swapped back for my "cold" car but at least I feel tall again! Am off to Ikea tomorrow to spend money I havent really got but what the hey!

Got home to a phone call from Paul Simon the portugeuse virgins had FINALLY finished weaving my net curtains so in a state of great excitement I drove up there. They are the WRONG size!! ARGHHHHHHHHHHHH! After much mickytaking and them making me feel completely stupid (I mean who on earth would have a window that you couldnt look out of as its so small?) I came home and measured and measured and measured again. Am now collecting new nets - that'll fit tomorrow - hurrah finally the neighbours will be able to stop closing their windows to avoid looking at my nakedness.

btw Mr Morris - that was a very strange comment you made on my previous post - I wont ask you to explain - I dont think I want to know

need sleeeeeeeeeeeeep

2006-02-05T20:11:00.000Z

well I gave in and had a sleeping tablet on friday - slept better but woke with THE most disgusting taste in my mouth - which wasnt nice.

Saturday night had friends for dinner (must tenderise them a bit more - mrc was a bit chewy) and a few drinkies - woke at 4am and didnt get back to sleep to well gone 5. Was planning on weekly early sunday bike ride as usual (yes I AM mad) but it was raining. Didnt go back to bed - so pottered about, cleaned up that sort of thing.

Been out in new broom broom - visited the twins as its their birthday tomorrow - visited the inlaws too.

Now listeng to MrT stripping wallpaper and plaster off the wall. Dont think the plaster was meant to come off - MrT not a happy chappy now....

Good Days and Bad

2006-01-31T17:50:00.000Z

Well Saturday was a good day - in as much as I have found my car! Bad in that I had to part with money for it............ hmmm but there you go - am now happy with the fact that my butt wont get damp in a morning anymore. Just need to sell the Guna.

Today - was well it was Today. I didnt sleep to well as I keep having weird dreams and last night I dreamt that we adopted a monkey (the furry variety) and we had to build it a enclosure in the garden - having looked it up it seems that some I should be beware of someone that flatters me as they are going to do me a diservice. Hmm not really one for flattery but there you go.

Work was there and motivation was low but it could be worse I guess - at least the thought of it doesnt make me cry!

Kangaroo Fighting

2006-01-26T15:18:00.000Z

Now I am fed up!! MrsPAO has beaten me at Kangaroo fighting! I cannot believe it!!!!

This involves holding our gloves in outstretched hands and flapping them at each other until one of us drops a glove - MrsHB in the office christened it as she said we looked like a couple of roos have a scrap!

Suffice to say I am now sulking :(

Feeling very sorry for myself

2006-01-25T10:49:00.000Z

Here I sit feeling very sorry for myself.

Got a bit of a funny tummy today, was up and down during the night - will spare you the details! Suffice to say I didnt get much sleep but I am hoping that it will be better tomorrow.

Played quite a bit of online bingo last night - couldnt win if my life depended on it. Why am I so unlucky????

My virtual pet

2006-01-25T10:45:00.000Z

adopt your own virtual pet!

why is my cat so dumb?

2006-01-23T21:14:00.000Z

no carpet on the stairs = so the cat sleeps on them? WHY?? She is bit like bagpuss - big fluffy and sleeps A LOT. gets in pickles a lot of the time - who else would go in the shed and refuse to come out when called and called and called so gets locked in and when you go to let her out just sits there looking at you like you have done something wrong? What is wrong with her? I think she is bit ditsy to be honest, if she were blonde you could call her a bimbo - but we love her even if she does bite me when I am trying to brush her bum fluff

Searching for the perfect vehicle

2006-01-22T15:55:00.000Z

Been out today on the hunt for a new broom broom - am fed up scraping the ice of the INSIDE of my car! Have seen a few that I quite like the look of will have to take MrT with me now to have a look and see what he thinks before I part with my cash.

I am sitting here laughing as I type this as my mobile has just rung and my ring tone really, really makes me laugh! MrT created me a special personal ringtone just for me - its hilarious! Ahhh the joys of having a maiden name that apparently goes with everything

sore butt

2006-01-22T15:50:00.000Z

well went for my bike ride this morning - got me a new saddle for my bike yesterday - its a bit like an armchair - mmmm comfort!

Had to have a bit of stop on the way back was struggling something rotten... really really unfit me! Came home almost fell off bike as the saddle has a kind of fluffy top to it that my trousers stick to like something to a blanket... anyway had nice relaxing bath = why do my parents always ring when I am in the bath? Anyway sat here waiting for MrT to return from putting the roof on his brothers shed and we are meeting my olds for dinner - hmmmm carvery. I like this not cooking lark saves loads of time stacking and emptying the dishwasher.

Bit embarrassing

2006-01-21T08:17:00.000Z

Went out for lunch yesterday with MrsPAO, Mrs HB and Miss GC - most of us had the bubba nachos (mmmm food) and got home and they had a rather interesting effect on me - needless to say could have done without it!

Imagine this - 2 toilets in the house - husband on one (the one with the door that is) and me - desperate! People coming round a door that I cant shut and growling stomach. Slight mishap 20 flushes later - the friends come in - having a look round my newly decorated loo (and me DESPERATELY hoping it isnt TOO bad) Phew! managed to blame it on the cat (sorry fartpants)

I remembered my password!

2006-01-21T08:11:00.000Z

Mrs SJTO I know will be particularly happy with this as I can now write things about what I am up to!

Oooh new toy!

2005-11-08T13:14:00.000Z

I like new toys!!

This is going to be interesting - what will I find to say - not a lot probably.............