Tooth fairy visit

Evening all. 

As usual I have had quite a busy week.  I got my new specs on Saturday and am really pleased with them.  I got some last year from specsavers and the prescription was never right, so I went back to Boots and can now see quite a bit better!   Not many people have noticed that I have new specs because they are very similar to my old ones except these ones have brown frames.  I also have some snazzy prescription sunglasses with diamonds on ... I knew I was really a princess.  When I picked them up on Saturday it was busy in the shop and a young boy was working there, well there was no way I was letting him adjust my glasses so I took them without them being fitted properly.  The sunglasses are fine but I have found things were looking a bit wonky, I think because the vari focal part was sitting correctly.  It was really weird as everything looked like it was leaning down towards the right.  Anyway, I managed to get back to Boots today and I am back on the straight and narrow.  I can't believe how much more I can see with these and I knew last year when I got my specs from Specsavers they were not right but they just wouldn't accept it.  One of my lenses was far to strong and that is why I was having problems.  Argghhh.

Oh woe is me, I have been suffering tooth ache again when the temporary filling I had earlier this year (the tooth that drove me to the tooth fairy in the first place) decided to start to fall out.  I managed to get an appointment with the dentist for this afternoon and touch wood, the twinges and twangs have disappeared.  She put a bit more filling in and did no drilling, what a relief.  Its a tooth that will have to have root canal work on and I am dreading it. I couldn't get out of the chair quickly enough after she put a bit more filling in to it today.  I hope this bit of filling lasts me for a long time.

The kitchen is going well but we found out tonight that the worktop won't be fitted until Monday .... another weekend of washing up in the blimming bath.  Oh well, I will really appreciate hot water in the kitchen and to be able to cook in there instead of using the microwave.  It has been a long 3 weeks .... We are missing a few cupboard doors as the fittingswere the wrong way round but apparently all will be delivered and fitted as soon as the worktop is on.  If we had had normal worktops we could be up and running by now ... I blame Mr Enthusiastic!

We had a great time on Saturday.  Rosie was 12.  Martin and his girlfriend were here and we went to TGI Fridays.  I really enjoyed it this time although I think it is really overpriced.  I really like their strawberry milkshakes.  The service was wonderful and the atmosphere was good, loads of kids running round with their balloons and everyone was very happy.  After that we went to see the new Mr Bean film.  It was ok but not as funny as I had hoped although some parts did make me laugh out loud.  I didn't fall asleep though, which makes a change for me.  The kids really enjoyed it but I have a feeling this will be the last Mr Bean film.

I have booked a couple of days off with the children whilst they are on holidays.  I can't believe Easter is here so quickly.  I used to be an organiser for a German school who visited London every year just before Easter and I only stopped doing it a couple of years ago.  Its such a relief not be involved in the stress of that any more.  I hope the trip goes well though for all the children as they really enjoy it.  They are all placed 2 or 3 in families, so they have company at all times if they feel a bit unsure or homesick.  You wouldn't believe the times I had to make about 30-40 calls around when the coach was going to be in late or there were any delays.  Yes, I will not be persuaded again.  I wanted to stop when the children first came to live with me but it took me a couple of years to find someone to take it over from me and I was on a real guilt trip even then as I felt I was letting the school down by giving it up but quite honestly working fulltime and looking after the kids and then doing all that was really getting me down.

Oh well, off to bed now and hoping for a good sleep with no tooth ache!

Hugs to all.

Terry

More kitchen photos

Oooh we have been having such fun today!  The kitchen men have been and gone.  They just flew back from their hols in Florida yesterday and were a bit jet lagged so although they were here at 8 am they left at 2pm, despite my pleas for them to stay.  Just one more door, mister, pleeeeeeeeeease!!

So, after they left Rosie (who was allegedly at home sick today) posed about with Billy in the kitchen.  Terrible picture of me ... I didn't even do my hair after my shower this morning but I have decided to brave putting it on here.

I have loads of new boxes in my living room now .... and eagerly awaiting their unpacking and installing tomorrow.  I have found the box with all my new knobs in and so have contented myself with placing them in different positions on the doors.  When Paul comes home I am sure we will have plenty of fun with the knobs too!

More pictures will follow .... you lucky people!

Hope everyone is having a good day.

Hugs,

Terry

When Irish eyes are smiling

I can't let St Patrick's weekend go by without saying a word about my special and dear friend Mary.  A big gap in my life has been left by such a tiny lady from County Cork.  When I took a trip to her hometown just a month or so before she died I remember hearing this song and thinking yes, its true about those Irish eyes.

"There's a tear in your eye,
And I'm wondering why,
For it never should be there at all.
With such pow'r in your smile,
Sure a stone you'd beguile,
So there's never a teardrop should fall.
When your sweet lilting laughter's
Like some fairy song,
And your eyes twinkle bright as can be;
You should laugh all the while
And all other times smile,
And now, smile a smile for me.

When Irish eyes are smiling,
Sure, 'tis like the morn in Spring.
In the lilt of Irish laughter
You can hear the angels sing.
When Irish hearts are happy,
All the world seems bright and gay.
And when Irish eyes are smiling,
Sure, they steal your heart away.

For your smile is a part
Of the love in your heart,
And it makes even sunshine more bright.
Like the linnet's sweet song,
Crooning all the day long,
Comes your laughter and light.
For the springtime of life
Is the sweetest of all
There is ne'er a real care or regret;
And while springtime is ours
Throughout all of youth's hours,
Let us smile each chance we get.

When Irish eyes are smiling,
Sure, 'tis like the morn in Spring.
In the lilt of Irish laughter
You can hear the angels sing.
When Irish hearts are happy,
All the world seems bright and gay.
And when Irish eyes are smiling,
Sure, they steal your heart away."

I was proud to be your friend.  So,please join me in a special toast to all those lovely Irish friends of ours on this special weekend.

Over and out.  Hugs.  Terry x

Chuckle Brothers

Ok, yawn, yawn, heres some pictures of the kitchen ... they are coming tomorrow with my units, so that should be interesting.  First one is of my new floor, didn't get my camera charged to show before and after!  At the moment the walls are just yucky with everything off and showing the damage from my washing machine leakages over the years and everything has been stripped off the walls, including very sticky wallpaper which was on one wall and the ceiling.  I am really pleased with the floor and don't feel so depressed about it all now.  I can actually see light at the end of the tunnel.   I'll post some more pictures when the units are installed.

Well, we have had a lovely weekend so far.  Yesterday we dashed about everywhere.  I took Matthew out for yet more shoes (football damaged yet again!) and some more new clothes.  He is growing so tall and the inches seem to add every week.  At 5pm I had tickets to take them to see the Chuckle Brothers at our local theatre.  He is one of their biggest fans and I kept it as a complete surprise from him.  I told him we were going there to pick up some tickets for a friend.  As per usual, I spent too long shopping and it ended up in a sprint after parking the car to get to the theatre in time.  His face was wonderful when he realised he was going to see his idols!  I thoroughly enjoyed the boys .. got a bit worried when they ran around with shaving foam on plates and stopped just next to me though but luckily the man behind got it in his face!  We got soaked as they kept throwing water over us but it was good, old fashioned slapstick and family fun.  We came out of the theatre feeling full of good cheer along with posters and hats!  When the little darlings eventually wake up, I'll take a picture of Matthew with his hat.

This week has been quite busy and very disorganised.  We can't find anything as the children keep moving the food stuff around and the poor cat had dog food one night for his dinner.  The cat is loving the new washing machine, which is in the living room (plus the tumble drier and freezer .... oooooh)  - its his new bed as he loves to lie on it.  Hopefully, his new bed will be installed in its rightful position in the next few days. 

I have been thinking of Jeanette this week, especially on Friday when she had her operation.  I hope all went well for her.  It takes me back to when my sisters went through their operations and all the stress and worry we had then. The drugs they have now are even better and I am impressed how quickly Jeanette has been seen and how quickly action has been taken.

A terrible thing happened this week.  One of my friends at work lost her little nephew aged only 18 months after he fell out of a third floor window whilst on holiday in Morocco visiting family.  Apparently his mother didn't even realise until she heard screaming outside.  Its so awful, what a terrible tragedy.  How do you carry on after that.  Apparently, his mother and father were admitted to hospital as they were so agitated and inconsolable.  Please say a prayer for them. 

Events like this make me contemplate life.  My thought for the day is make the most of every moment, as it will never come again. 

I do wish every one a happy mother's day ... not you Gaz or Jim! 

Hugs

Terry x 

 

I am in the swing now

Just in case my buttons go again .... here are another couple of scanned pictures.  Me and Barb at the fair, I am the one with the balloon.  Then there is a picture of me without a balloon but with my dear Paul on our wedding day, 29 years ago.

Hugs

Terry x

Blimey I have got my buttons back

Hello, this is a surprise, I have got my buttons back although everything seems very small screened!

I am posting a picture of my dear sister, Barbara, taken in her early 20s.  Wasn't she beautiful.  I lost her in 2001 and an angel left the earth that day.  She was the loveliest of sisters and a true friend. 

Hugs.

Terry x

The Dump

I am just wondering where the heck the last 30 years have gone?  It only seems yesterday that I was getting ready to marry Paul and I was 21.  The time has flashed by and I just can't believe how quickly.  He has turned into his father and me into my mother!  Good job I liked his dad, eh?

We had a great day together in the kitchen!  It should be completely gutted by tomorrow when the sink finally goes, oooooh.  I have builder type cuts on my arms and old lady aches in my shoulders and back from getting it all out but it was a good day off and we managed to achieve a lot.  Matthew was a great help when he got home from school, he absolutely loved taking the screws out of the cabinets and flattening them.  Then we managed two trips up the dump (on the second one getting perilously close to the time of the dump closing, which made it a very exciting drive. having to be careful and not brake too hard with all the load of wood behind us).

I really do like it up the dump.  Its very orderly.  Lots of great big containers all clearly marked with what they are for with steps leading up.  Its interesting to see all the things people get rid of too.  Lots of tellys and computer screens in a pile, children's bikes tidily stacked together and bits and bobs of furniture, some quite nice.  Maybe the dump men sell those things on to people rather than just crushing them.  Also they have containers up there for plastic bottles, black bags, bottles, cans etc.  I really must get greener and start sorting my stuff out more.  I do separate the newspapers but that is all I do.  After my visit, I think I will return with all my sorted stuff more regularly.  I am really sad but I think I wouldn't mind sitting up there and just watching for an hour or so with a coffee to see what other people are bringing there.  Just imagine, all that has been going on up there without my knowing.  Theres an idea, perhaps a coffee shop franchise to be set up at dumps, I think it would go down a storm.

I got up early today.  Billy started coughing which stopped by the time I had got up and full awake.  So, off we went for his morning constitutional and he is now asleep and I am raring to go!  Its lovely when I take him for his walk on a day like today.  The weather is lovely and we do a little walk up the fields together.  I am on my second loadof washing - its my last day with my machine and I will be a launderette girl from now until all is fixed back in.  I will not waste a minute today, saying my last goodbye to the machine that rules my life.

Martin got back late last night and the we were all excited to see him again.  I got him a football cake from M&S and put 28 candles on it!  It took him 4 hours to drive here and he was exhausted but its lovely to have him back for the weekend.

I must mention before going about Jeanette and her bad news this week.  I was really sad to hear that she has been diagnosed with breast cancer but I am hopeful that she will receive the best treatment and all will be ok. 

At the same time, welcome back Jim and I hope to hear good news about your boy when you manage to get a post on.

Have a great weekend everyone.

Hugs

Terry x

Tells the Builder

I have today off, yeah!  Today I am going to wear my builders hat as the time has ticked by and next Thursday the man is coming to lay the kitchen tiles and guess who still has a kitchen full of things? 

We are sending our little darlings off to school and then the demolition will commence.  Everything is coming out and I will be without it all for another 3 or 4 weeks.

Great excitement too in our house as Martin (our prodigal nephew) is coming back from Leeds for the weekend and this is very good timing as he can help shift the freezer out from our kitchen tomorrow night!  We have arranged to go bowling on Saturday night, which is a really popular thing with us all and the children especially love it.  I am off to work again on Sunday but hope it will be the last Sunday I work for a while.

I have just finished an excellent book - no not the one I mentioned before - its called Losing Gemma by Katy Gardner.  I can thoroughly recommend it if anyone wants to read it.  Basically its about 2 girls going on a trip to India.  Even though I have never been a backpacker or been to India, I felt I was there!

Have a lovely day everyone.

Hugs.

Terry x

ah ha!

Here I am again, managed to sneak in by the back door as I still haven't got my blimming button (ha ha Gaz!).  A woman without her button is like a ship without the sea!

What can I say about this week?  Well, its been busy as usual with work and was stuck there last night too because everyone is sick and there was no-one to cover the overtime.  Then the most horrendous journey home because of signal problems, arggghhh! 

Never mind, I was up at the crack of dawn today and have already been out and got some shopping.  I am very popular because I came home with hot cross buns and cakes.

Today Matthew is being on his absolutely best behaviour.  This will probably last until we go and get the game I have promised him this afternoon but in the meantime my wish is his command, hmmm perhaps I should delay going until really late this afternoon?  After the dog bite his nose is not healing that great, mainly I think because he keeps fiddling with it.  Methinks I shall have to make that a condition of getting the game.  I went to his school one evening this week, where they discussed his options.  They don't take GCSEs at his school but do take another form of exam.  He is the youngest in his class and he'll be 14 at the end of August.  I think this all kicks off next year.  There are some mandatory subjects but also a lot of sporty things, which he is opting to do.  I am going to try to organise myself more at weekends and try to get him into more sports clubs.  At the moment its crazy because I have to keep going into work on a Sunday so I am doing 6 day weeks.  Hopefully this will all calm down soon.

Rosie is fine too.  This week we'll go to the orthodontist and she'll start her brace treatment.  She has to have a tooth out in the next week or so and its terrible timing after her seeing me with all my problems after having mine out.  I have explained to her that its because I had an infection etc., etc., and I am hoping she will heal up quicker than I have.  She is looking forward to getting her front tooth straightened though, so hopefully she'll keep thinking of the end result.  She seems to have really settled down at school now.  Things are not always that great with her and her old best friend but she has made friends with other girls now and I don't get the phone calls from her at every break time.  My heartused to miss a beat when I saw her number flash up and then heard her poor little flat voice saying hello.  She also seems to be settling down to her homework a bit more.  Its such a big transition changing from primary to senior school.  In her case, she is now catching a train and walking to school whereas this time last year we were still cautious about letting her walk to the school in the village.  The school is really large (approx 160 girls in the first year) and the village school was very small and everyone knew everyone.  We had a lot of problems getting her into this secondary school and this time last year we had a lot of tears because she didn't get in when we first applied.  We had gone all round looking at the schools she was eligible to get and when the letter came she was allocated our third choice, which we only put down because we didn't think they would possible allocate it.  We felt really punched in the teeth when we were given that.  Happily all worked out well in the end for her.  However, I still remember that awful disappointment and helplessness we felt.  We even put in for an official appeal and my boss at work (a solicitor) was going to present it for us.  Luckily we managed to get a place on the third run-off on places.  I do feel for the children and parents who may have lost out on their preferred places for secondary school this year.  Its hard to be a parent!  I have gone on a bit here, but it was very emotive and frustrating at the time.

Onwards and upwards though, the kitchen is still being stripped out.  Mr Enthusiastic has now taken off all the tiles and we are moving things into our living room ready for the big rip out.  I have ordered my new washing machine and tumble drier and so everything we can organise is almost complete.  I will try to get some photos of before and after on here but as I am having so many other problems with AOL at the moment, I am not even going near the picture putting on part!

I have heard from my friend at work who has gone to New Zealand.  It seems she is having a fabulous time and enjoying the rest now she has left our mad house at work. 

The rest of us at work are all getting very excited about the wedding of one of our friends.  She has been off on maternity leave and will be back a month and then she is getting married.  We are all planning to stay in hotels near to the venue.  I have reserved a room with breakfast at the Holiday Inn but have seen a better deal at a travel lodge but without breakfast, so am making my mind up what to do.  I don't really need posh, I shall only be using it overnight.  There is a posh hotel that a lot of them want to book into but I don't think that will be for me. 

Anyway, I have waffled on enough.  I hope everyone has had a good week.

Hugs to all.

Terry x