Fizzy's Place

Hello

2010-07-27T07:33:00.001+01:00

I am surprised that this is still here. Is this blog still appearing in anyone's feed?

Shall I continue with it?

What do you think?

Shhhhhhhhhhh I am typing this quietly

2009-08-16T17:18:00.005+01:00

My hubby is asleep on the settee. He is all washed out. I took him to IKEA ... TWICE in three days... and he has spent two days bulding "things".

Last summer I started to clear a set of shelves that went from floor to ceiling on my landing. It was both messy, never looked tidy and made out of old second hand white formaica that used to belong to my Hubby's Aunt in the form of fitted wardrobes.

The shelving housed everything from all my college, uni and work books, papers and resources. All our books both adult and childrens (being a primary school teacher there was some thought that I had more childrens' books than the children.) All our photos, documents toys, jigsaw.... you get the idea.

I got rid of it. First of all I got rid of anything that had not been played with in the last 3 months. And as Steph and Matty are both teenagers now, it was time for a lot of the stuff to go. I did have to sit Hubby and Matty down to discuss the possible removal of their lego!

It took a long time to sort, throw and find new homes for everything. I cleared a shelf a week.

Anyway just before xmas I was left with a load of books and started selling them through Amazon. It is so much easier than E-bay. All the pics are there you do not have to take photos, the postage is already worked out , although you have to consider the weight of the thing you are selling. When I did not have a job over Xmas it came in handy at £400 plus. You do not have a time limit of how longs things stay for sale either so every so often I get an e-mail advising me to post something.

I am not down to a few books that all fit into one storage box.

Then Hubby was given some money and a fish tank. The tank was given ages ago and we did not have the space to set it all up as it was bigger than the one we have going now. The money was from payment for fitting a kitchen the other week.

So we went to IKEA and we bought a shelving unit for the landing to house our CDs and remaining books that we want to keep

It is a combination of these units (it is not that same combi as in the pic)

2 CD units

One larger books case

One corner smaller book case

THEN for the lounge we bought two sets of drawers and a TV stand.The drawers are supposed to be bedroom furniture but we have a large DVD collection and I am sick of dusting stuff and we thought that having drawers instead of shelves would cut down on the dust and make things look tidier.

They will go next to each other and the drawers line up with each other looking quite sleek. The Fish tank will go ontop of the four drawer set and will then be level with the 6 drawer

Even though Matty helped my poor Hubby is fast asleep now. Some weekend for him!

A Domestic Goddess I am NOT!

2009-08-10T09:26:00.009+01:00

Given two choices, to clean the house or do anything else in the rest of the hemisphere, I will opt for the later!
It is not that I do not like my House being tidy and clean -I DO!!!!
I REALLY DO
However I am sick to the bone of tidying up and organising things and then having it all messed up with their stuff. I am sick to the bone of tidying up after THREE adults (even Matty is now 13 - co -ordination, cleanliness and co0operation skills are all a bit poor still).
I resent being laughed at for NOT cleaning the house.
I HAVE lived with approximately 10 yes TEN boxes of tools and other DIY stuff in my bedroom for over a year.
I now have some of that in the kitchen.
I have half my classroom in the lounge and the other half in attic and on the landing ( that is being moved soon)
I am there fore going to IKEA on Friday to find storage solutions for people that will help sort all of this out .

My dad has sold his house. Mum is now in a nursoing home. As it is the school holidays I have been packing up the house for him. Doing some boxes every day. Of course he has been of NOT HELP what so ever, fussing around and annoying us. (that is me being bitter). My sister is heavily pregnant and so happy and I am so happy for her. We need to get this house sorted soon so that she can concentrate on the baby and I start a new job ins September.
My Hubby took a week off work last week so that he could fit a new kitchen for his parents. We are not having a holiday as we have sent both kids on holidays this year that have become very expensive for us. We have also deocrated Matty' bedroom .

But Hey my house is a mess.

OK RANT OVER
oh and going to visit the chemist, ran out of my normal prescription for anti -deps a couple of weeks ago.... thought I could go cold turkey. I am really struggling and loosing control so going to the chemist.
OH here are some pictures of my latest projects.

I am really enjoying doing this

Under the washing just near the chimmney I have a strawberry plant. last year I got three, this year a bowl full . Am going to put the plants into the chimmney for next year.

In this corner there is, Lemon Balm, Sorrel, Chives, Parsley, Lavender, Marjoram, just been given a Rosemary.

Two trays of corriander and Marjoram propigating. (ooo err big word)

Broccoli, Lettuce, Basil, now have Carrots, Corriander, Rocket, Bay, in there too

Tomato and Pepper plants - now have a chillie plant there too.

Bella The Blue Berlingo out side my little house

Thoughts

2009-06-06T19:06:00.002+01:00

Why do I have and empty huge fish tank(the smaller one is full), a box of papers and a wheelbarrow in my living room?

Why, when I ask everyone to put all thier bathroom products in the new cupboards that have been built so the room looks tidy, does my daughter think it does not mean her!

Why does a 13 year mad son think that threatening his parents with a toy basebat when they are are arguing over possession of the duvet and who has the most room on the bed, is going to work!

Driving home from work wearing your shoes on the wrong feet is NOT a good idea (I change my shoes to drive)

Why can I not find a new job?

What is the assumption that any game involving a ball (whatever shape, size or colour) must be watched and take ALL priority on the TV watching of the family.

I tidied Matty's room today.... sick of "nagging" on about it.... I made 58p. Not as good as when I once. found £10 in drawer - unwritten agreement that any money I find that is not in a piggy bank or wallet is mine for being FORCED to tidy up.

Still have an industrial tile cutter plus other assorted tools etc in my bedroom.

My request to have the plug socket mended in my bedroom today has fallen on deaf ears.

White wine is VERY good.

ALSO storing all baby items in my house as it is unlecuky to have them in my sister's house.

Next door have a tortoise called Shadrack Dingle!

planted out my little veg garden . lettuces, broccoli, two courgette plants, two chilli plants and a basil.

Went to a nture reserve and whilst we walking around it , a group of DINGBATS in cars came and had a race around the carpark .... the dusty, sandy YELLOW carpark. Walked back an hour later and saw a yellow cloud rising above the carpark. Got to the car, no dingbats and my car was covered..... COVERED in yellow dust.... laughing stock at work the following day until I got it washed.

The bare faced cheek!!

2009-05-14T21:33:00.002+01:00

After not blogging for a month I have the Gaul to post.... I hear you cry.
I am so sorry.... I am really!!!
honestly!!
and I am drunk.
And it is a Thursday night.

PHEWWWWW what a lot has happened.
Well. life is hectic. I want the GCSE season over and done with. Steffi is precariously balanced between achieving and totally flopping these exams. I do not know what the equivalent exams are in the rest of the world but she basically leave school this May. She wants to continue to a post 16 "A" level at a another local school but she has been given certain grades to achieve.
I am so proud of her , but I never in my wildest thoughts would have thought that I would be telling 16year child to STOP revising as it is making her ill. She is relentless in her study and it is affecting her health. I had to intervene last week and contact her main tutor. After she found out she was not as cross as I thought.
My position as her Mother contradicts my profession as a Teacher, big style!!!
The other bad news is that I am out of a job in September!!! So I am applying for everything and anythings that is going at this moment. I wish that prospective employers would look beyond my weight issue!

The good news is that after years of not thinking it possible, I have finally got a relationship with my sister. We are actually talking it is wonderful and the reason why????
Well after not thinking it possible, she turns 40 next month, she is pregnant. She is going to have a baby in November.... I AM GOING TO FINALLY BE AN AUNTIE!!!!
I have asked that instead of being called "Auntie Fiona" That I be called Auntie Fizz ....... even if I so sound like a antacid stomach remedy!

De-briefing the last 12 weeks

2009-04-06T12:04:00.003+01:00

I have seriously neglected my blog - I know I have . I am sorry little blog I will look after you better in the future I will try.
I work in 12 week cycles as that is how long a school term usually lasts for. The last term/12 weeks has been horrendous to say the least and I have been pushed to my limit in many ways.

Cancer
My lovely FIL was diagnose just before Christmas with Colon cancer. He had three course of Chemo and then had had a chunk of his bowel/colon removed. He is now embarking on regime of 9 courses of Chemo. He is having a tough time as he is still recovering from the op too.
My MIL is running herself ragged to say the least. It is hard to know what to do for the best really. I have helped take her shopping and on hospital visiting. Hubby does some of the heavier things around the house. We try and keep things as light as possible.

MS.
Mum spent about two months in hospital after Xmas. Her MS acted up after she got a urine infection and then caught MRSA in her catheter wound as a result of the bug being on the ward.(Quite a lot of the wards were actually closed at the time due to bugs and mrsa -very bad)
She left hospital and went to live in a nursing home. Although she agreed to it, she has not found it easy (who would) and has tried to take it out on my Father. Basically he has decided that he can not cope with her.

Alcoholism
Dad's need got worse until he upset my sister at Xmas making a fool of himself. She has instigated the nursing home and also is looking at getting the house sold so that Dad can live in somewhere more comfortable. I took Dad to the docs where he asked for help to quit the drink. He is very frail now and has many illnesses that we are only just finding out about.

Career.
I am on a long term contract in this school, finishing in July. I had hoped that they would find something for me in September. However that is very unlikely now. I am new to teaching and obviously have a lot to learn. I made a mistake - through naivety and it came back to haunt me. I am now working with a member of staff who has made it clear I am a nice person but she can not work with me. I have apologised but my one mistake but am aware that she has a lot of other issues in her life. These other issues do not seem to be taken into account by the management and as a result I have been hurt , badly hurt. I hate being centre of attention. I do not like being visual in the work place and yet for the last 4/6 weeks I have been. I have hated it. I have begun to have panic attacks again. In fact had a huge one in front of my hubby and his Friend when I went to pick them up from the pub. I do not think I will be asked back in September and it is hurting me badly. I have made some really good friends and they can see the whole situation from my point of view. However I am not permanent member of staff and this other person has been there fore 14 years.... they have believed her!

Daughter
Is doing her final /important school exams in May - GCSEs. She is handling it well, except becoming very very self centered and more selfish than usual. She expects a lot and refuses to do anything. It is also hurting me a lot. She has a boyfriend and a part time job. She is very organised and in control. However, what is coming out of her mouth is rude.

Son.
13 tomorrow. Constantly filthy. A sharp wit. Growing up fast. NEEDS A BATH

Bathroom
We started building/replacing the bathroom in August. When I had no work just before Christmas, we were left with one half completed (new wash basin, new toilet , mirror, airing cupboard etc). Then in February the money came through for the other half. Hubby set to at the same time his Dad had his op. Consequently his mind was not on the project (whose would be) and the result was that one wall had to be re tiled. However in this time he took the bath out and it was a further SIX weeks before we could have a bath or a shower. So we got used to washing the bottom half upstairs and top half downstairs (where you wash your hair under a mixer tap in the kitchen). It has been lovely to have a shower this last week.

Driving
At xmas I had a crash. I did post about it. Whilst sitting in the ambulance waiting to go to hospital, I was told by the police attending the crash that they would not take any further action and leave it up to the insurance companies. So I was rather cross/surprised/embarrassed when I recieved a letter from the police in February to tell me that they had decied to take action against me (I had admitted blame to the insurance companies). I was to pay £164 to go on a "Driver Improvement Training Course" or go to court and fined £2500 fine and three points on my licnense. It was a no brainer really. I took the course this week and spent most of the time driving the MOST UNCOMFORTABLE CAR in the world. I am not sure what kind it was. But it had realy hurt my back this week.

40.
Hubby turned 40 last Friday. We arranged to hold a party for him as early as last May. However it was to be in his parents garden. Being that his Dad has been so poorly I decided to hold it here. I have never held a party here and so was rather worried about it. My in-laws were still insistent that we could have it at their house but I felt that if my FIL had a bad day (which is what happened) he would not have any where to go. Hubby knew something was up, but not what. However, it all turned out for the best even if I did have another panic attack during it all. It also coincided with the dead line for all my daughter's coursework to be handed in. So the air was a bit fraught.
As the house was a building site. I got hold of some red and white hazard tape that is used in offices and other work places to rope off areas that are unsafe. I put all the tools and work equipment into my bedroom (with a pathway to the bed kept clear of course) and then sealed the door with the tape so that no one could get in.

Cold sore.
So today is Monday. I am tired, I am worn down. and worn out. I have managed to avoid every single bug at school and at home and yet I woke up on Saturday morning with an inflamed nose. By today I ache all over, want to sleep, am hot and cold. I went to the docs and it is the recurrence of a cold sore that I got last June. That one scarred me very badly and I really do not want another scar next to the original one. Last year it took two course of antibiotics, a antiviral pill and FOUR weeks to clear. This year he had given me all the antibiotics together to run after each other and also the antiviral pills too. He has also increased my anti depressants to take into account my panic attacks.

Plan
My plan for these holidays is to continue to clear out all the crap that we are hoarding in this house. Make space, once the bathroom is finally finished clean and clean and clean.

OOO and rest I suppose.

Round up Round down

2009-03-15T20:26:00.002Z

Well the boys (i.e. Matty and Hubby) have driven me potty from the moment they woke up. After buying an X-box a couple of weeks ago they are hooked. OR they watch sport. It is driving me potty. Did I say that already?
Anyway I had a real need to write a list of jobs for them this morning, I mean the sun was shinning, the birds were singing and they sat down at turned the TV on. So after a brunch of my scrambled eggs on toast I announced they were to go Wee wee and get in the car. I went to visit my Mum in the nursing home and dumped them in the near by park. Told then I would pick them up in about an hour.
HAHAHA
They enjoyed it . I got peace to.
When do men grow up?
Do they grow up?
Shucks I know the answer to that!
They are still having farting competitions!

2009-03-07T20:04:00.003Z

The pole dancing has not been mentioned again. Well not by Steffi, for my colleagues it is another matter! It is amazing how many different puns they can make around the subject of pole dancing. In Steph's defence, she is only 16 and trying to sound grown up (I still do not feel grown up and I am *mumble* over 40!). She did only see it as a form or exercise. I however, could see her pure innocence, being manipulated by the seedy side of life. She will NOT entertain that she is not in control of the horrible people that pry on the vulnerable/innocent. AND I am not going to imagine that she leads a purely innocent life, it is not a case of " my daughter is so pure that she would never do anything wrong" Life is all about learning through mistakes. But this my job is still to guide and persuade and at moments like these. PUT MY BLOODY FOOT DOWN!

OK Round up and round down.
Gee what a week.

The good news that after having part of his Colon removed last week, my lovely Father in Law was released from Hospital this week. Hubby and I went to check he was home on Thursday and found my MIL just about to leave to pick him up so we were really glad that we could go and pick him up and help settle him in at home. The operation went so well that he does not need a colostomy bag and there is a chance that he may need less than the 9 courses of chemo that they have booked for him. I have taken my MIL shopping today and seen him, he is really uncomfortable but glad to be home. He is such a gentle man and I love him dearly. My MIL is beginning to relax.

I took my Dad for breakfast this morning (he paid, I drove). Last weekend my sister and I met him to talk about his drinking, which we reckon and have proof that he is regularly (Daily, )drinking the equivalent of 2 bottles of wine. My sister ( the bossy one of the two of us) has made an appointment with the doc on Monday and I am taking him. (She is meeting us there) She is very well meaning but prone to lecturing. I hope that I have the more gentle approach. However, unless Dad makes the effort himself (which I am not sure he will), then it will all go weird. I hope not. He really worries my , he is looking older and older on a weekly basis , he is Not looking after himself. AND he is just letting everyone do everything for him. It is like he is giving up. I think that that now Mum is in the nursing home, he just does not know what to do with himself. I feel for him I dearly do. He has spent most of his time in the last 10 - 15 years dealing with mum. All that responsibility has now been taken from him and he is lost. He now has to think about how to occupy himself. He took himself in to town on Monday to inspect the new city museum, only to find that it does not open on a Monday.I see that as a more positive act than tackling the drink.

Mum is settling down in the home. It is a lovely home. She is getting used to pottering around her room and the rest of the home. She is getting to know her "neighbours". One is equally a member of the God Squad so she is happy. She watches all the wildlife outside her patio window ( she is in a ground floor room and has a very small patio that will take her wheelchair). She has a pair of wood pigeons that live near her that are so well fed, they are FAT FAT FAT , I call them "the turkeys". Every time I go I get a run down on the activities of " the turkeys". The irony of it all is that now she is being properly cared for, she is fitter than she has been in ages and therefore, a bit too fit for the home.

My Husband is busy trying to finish the bathroom. BUT he spent the last weekend in there trying to tile an alcove around where the bath and shower should be and really did not have him mind on the job ( his Dad had just had the op) looking back he got himself in rather a tizzy and needless to say were are now entering our third week without a bath or shower in the house. Of the tiling that he did do, some of it has fallen off. Looking back - he is not a great talker - he made himself really quite ill trying to sort the bathroom whilst his Dad was in hospital. I can understand that . ( a certain teen aged daughter can not). I am quite used to getting washed at the bathroom sink and doing my hair in the kitchen sink (easier to do there).

We have also run out of money and so things are quite a bit ropey. However last night we met some friends for ONE drink, We could afford this. The boys we met - ex scouts and therefore always seen as boys in my eyes. Anyway the boys, decided we could not go home and so funded our evening out on the understanding that I gave two of them a lift home. I did not realise how drunk Hubby was until we had dropped the last passenger off. He was roaring drunk. REALLY - but funny.... a bit too amorous for my liking if you know what I mean with a drunk man!!!
BUT it has become apparent today how much stress he has been under. He is Hating the bathroom. The fact that every weekend he feels he HAS to go in there and finish it... so I am not going to push him.

However, he is 40 soon and I have arranged something secretly so to speak so I hope that it is completed by then... if not well everyone knows what we are like!

Me????
Oh I have had a shite time. The family stuff is really bad enough, but since I last posted I have found that someone that I have to work very closely with does not like my personality. Apparently I am too giddy. I am stuck now, I know that this person is feeling an empty nest syndrome, I know that they are not working where they want to be. But the brunt of all their feelings is being taken out on me. Literally. I am having things thrown on my desk - in my direction, I am having them shout derogatory words at me in front of the class etc.
I have shed tears. Lots of tears. I have sat down with this person and they have been open but to make them happy I have to become ( in my mind) boring. It is a very weird feeling having your personality questioned. It is also a hard thing to change. Should I change it? What should I do? I feel better that I have spoken to them. I feel that I have brought it out into the open .HOWEVER, my contract finishes in July and this person in VERY friendly with the the Deputy Head (the person you have to impress) I do not think I will be staying on in September. I think this person has but an end to any chance that I had of staying on. It is very sad. I love this school - deeply and feel I can help and play a part in the whole community of it .

So there you are.... my round up and round down.
I have drunk a Huge glass of wine whilst writing this...... it is funny how therapeutic writing a blog post whilst drinking a glass of wine can be.

postscript.... in all that has been happening , for some reason I feel that Hubby and I have become a lot closer.... A lot closer.

And you expect me to agree to this?

2009-03-02T20:15:00.002Z

"Mum you are going to say yes or no"
"mmmmm"
"Well...... you know *Name* ?
"No"
" You do, I am always talking about her, a friend of *boyfriend's name*...."
"Oh right" (Never heard the name in my life
"Well me , her and *three or four other female names that all belong to girlfriend of her boyfriend's friend.*
Well we are...."
"You are not going to London with them"
"No not that"
"Or Manchester"
"or there"
"Or Liverpool..."
"MUM *suitable teenage whine*"
*Garbled really fast but with a conviction that only the stupid and foolish would believe....*Well we thought we may take up pole dancing ...."
NO
"but"
"No"
"it is good for your muscles"
"NO, NO NO NO NO NO NO!!!!!!"

Hand me the whisky someone I have come over wierd - all of a sudden!

2009-02-21T16:16:00.003Z

Before reading this post, please look at my new header and then look at the post below.

I am writing this whilst steffi is dressed in a swimming costume and standing at my kitchen sink having a wash!
It is a weird sight, made worse by the teenage panic/drama that is involved.
Why does she have to do this?
Well in August we started to refit the bathroom. Every weekend my hubby worked inthere, until by the end of OCtober he had refitted and moved all the electrics, moved vital pipes, fitted new lighting (and speakers!) and a lovely mirror. He also fitted the toilet, washbasin some base units, replaced the boiler/tank rebuilt the airing cupboard and tiled and grouted everything on the walls surrounding the new fittings.
Then at the end of October I was without work and any regular pay so we stopped there. All that was left was the bath and shower which are in an alcove in the bathroom. OOO and the floor needed tiling after it has all been done.
This weekend he began again and the first thing he had to do was take out the bath. Easier said than done. We knew it was a metal one, but it was an iron one. An aqua/turqoise/green one. Disgusting shade and badly chipped and stained over time. He could not move it. There was not room in the bathroom for two people. Although steph went in to help at one point.
Once the bath was out on the landing it became apparent that it would not go downstairs in one piece. So he set to trying to break it up. Well he banged at it , tried to drill holes into it, tried to saw it NOTHING happened except he was drippign with sweat and all his hands and arms were beginning to hurt. So in desperation he went over the road to the £shop and paid £16 for a proper sledgehammer.... FIVE swings and it was in bits. However even so , those bits were hard work getting down my very high/steep stairs. He did it and it is now in my garden. By the time he had tidied up and moved all the broken off enamel etc it was the day nearly gone.
He is fair to say he was in a bad state last night and had heat pads all over him. He spent the night complaining in his sleep about his arms and hands. Poor Man
Today he is boarding out the alcove ready to tile- he has worked out that he needs tile the alcove and the put the bath and shower in. So he will do that today and tomorrow. He also has realised that he never bought any fittings for the waste pipes for the bath which means that we need til wait until Thursday - my pay day to get them.
HENCE no bath or shower until then.
Now I do not have a problem with this.
I can cope with strip washes and hair washes over the sink or wash basin. I mean the end is in sight. He has worked so hard so I do not have a problem with it.
It will not affect Matty in the least as trying to get him to have a bath is a hard enough task at the best of times.
BUT Steph ..... PANIC!!!!
Hence the reason for washing her hair and having a wash infront of the sink wearing a swimming costume at this time. (OOOO she knows I am writing this )

Thank You Jo

2009-02-21T12:42:00.001Z

Look up there,

Jo made me a super new banner for my blog.

Brill isn't it!

A big

THANK YOU JO

All I wanted was just ONE lousey picture of him looking smart!

2009-02-19T16:34:00.004Z

2009-02-17T21:45:00.002Z

Monday did not happen as was planned. We did a bit of this and a bit of that.
Tuesday, we did clean the house as planned.... my dad's house that is and enough said. There is so much family strife going on with regards to my parents. Everyone has an opinion and really every opinion is correct ... I think that is the hardest thing about it all. In the real world there is so much that should be done. But what actually happens is another thing.
I do know that my kids went in to the house like a SWAT team. We had already discussed who was doing what room. The smell hit us as we went in and withing two mins. every window was open. I was very impressed with them . Really impressed with them.

This afternoon I fell asleep. I am so weary by it all. I am also trying very hard to get my own medication sorted out. I used to take it in the morning , even though the doc recommended I took it in the evening. I felt that I functioned better by taking them in the morning. I have gone two weeks without them so now have to get them back in my system - I felt so spaced out the other day that I have decided to try the night time routine again.

For sale one bloody 12 year old .....
What is a boy supposed to do when his laptop is riddled by a virus (sent from mum's laptop!!)
His mum has claimed the TV for the evening so he can not play the X-box
And his Dad is working and can not be interupted....
I KNOW... I will annoy the life out of the nearest person going .... namely MOI

He does make me giggle.... he has so much energy this evening ....

2009-02-15T10:21:00.003Z

Yesterday I had brekkie with my Dad. Spent the morning in B&Q and Hombase. Drove home with huge planks of plasterboard and wood balanced on my shoulders!
Slept loads in the afternoon and at night .reckon I must have needed it
Today I am supermarketing , taxi driving for hormonal teenagers! collecting teenagers and visiting parents
Tomorrow I am cleaning my house. Kids beware
Tuesday - Cleaning my Dad's house
Wednesday - visiting a friend in the afternoon
Thursday- Going into work for the day
Friday - may go into work for the day - but hubby is taking our bath out and fitting a new one plus a shower in its place -so may be needed to help (read supervise as not allowed to touch the tools!)
Friday night meeting up with my best friend .... ohhhh yeah
Saturday and Sunday will be generally the same as above.
And this week will be my holiday week!

I have a hhhhhhuuuuuuuggggggggeeeee list of things to do.
Family be warned
Family beware
Family do not try and take cover as I will be cleaning under there too!

Don't fall on the floor, this is a new post!

2009-02-07T23:45:00.003Z

I am sat here, waiting for midnight to come as I have instructions to drive across a very cold and icy city to the countryside to pick Steph up from a party!

I do not mind, however I just wish it was a warm summer's evening. My driving has taken a knock since the accident before Christmas. I was just managing with the new car when I recieved a letter from the police saying they would proscecute me for reckless driving and give me a fine of £2.500 if I did not take a driving course with them. So of course I have signed up for the driving course. I am a bit miffed when the police attending the accident acknowledged that I had mis read the traffic lights and would "leave it up to the insurance companies to sort out". Ever since THAT letter I have been second guessing myself and scaring myself in the process.

Today, after a lot of wrangling and a HUGE argument that risked virtually any relationship that was left between us, I had with my sister, my Mum has gone into a nursing home. She has been in hopsital since the first week of January. The home is lovely, but of course - and naturally it will take a while for her to settle in.

Now it is time to sort Dad out. He has to sell his house. His reaction to all of this is to take pleasure in leaving it all up to us to do.
I mean everything.
I went in to the house last week and needing a wee, I went upstairs and had to clean the toilet it was disgraceful. The more that is done for him the more he expects us to do. Hence the argument, as I will not panda to that. Not when I have my own house to do. We have doen so muh in the past. The argument was very very emotional and ended up with me driving (God knows how) up to my Dad's house and sreaming at him, demanding to know what he has been saying. My sister had been thinking that I never asked what was going on, and never visited. When in fact I had been visiting, not as much as guiltilty I think I should, and I always ask about what was happening with regard to Mum and Dad etc. My Dad just asnswers that it is in my sister's hands. THEN when she asks if I have asked, he says no! OMG did I scream and cry and howl at him!!
He just got drunk
Even in his new place he will have to clean a toilet.
My friends at work the next day acknowledged how rough I looked and how I was making myself ill. My boss did a double take one day last week 'cos I looked so rough. So I booked myself in to have my hair done. I have the roots dyed back to my natural dark brown and then red highlights put in.
The red highlights did not take.
I had to go back today to have them redone -stronger. I feel more human.
But incredibly tired.

So today was my family.
Tomorrow is my Husband's family - My FIL is dealing with the Chemo and all the hospital visits with a dignity that can only be recognised with a deep, sincere, loving respect. I call my FIL my "Dig Daddy" - He calls himself my "Big Daddy".
Wierd that at 41 I need a Dad - but after so many years of wrestling with my own parents problems and "stupidty" I can only admire this man more. I love him to bits.

My MIL - Who I love to bits, is cleaning for britain. She is wound so tightly at the moment. She is helping Steph with a project for school tomorrow - a bit of diversional tactics on my part. How Steph will cope I do not know as I have just piucked her up from that party - she is now drunk but on a high - after party high. She has a friend with her too and they are giggling like any 16 year olds. Rather cute. God knows when they will / if they will get any sleep. Tomorrow is she is expected to go and cut this Corset out at my MIL's house. OOOOH yes she does textiles for her exams. And as a final piece she is making a Corset!!!! a Black hook and eye at the front and proper bone/stays in and lacing at the back!!! IN my day we made an "A- line" skirt!!! Skirts I can make. Trousers I am a dab hand at ... any thing tricky gets sent to my MIL.
Hence the diversional tactic.

I, however, in the midst of all this chaos am not relaxing and so am still selling books, Cds and video/PS2/PC games. If it has an ISBN then it may get sold. !!! IF it does not get sold it is getting - gotten rid of!!!

My car is full of books I can not sell. and other stuff - all waiting for trips to the book dump and tip.

My head is whirling and spinning - I can not sleep I have to be doing things. I have huge plans for the week school holidays. The kids are taking cover already BUT I have not touched thier bedrooms for months....and they are not listening to my warnings... to the roll of bin bags are coming out.

I am really letting my head unravel writing all of this.

Going back to my Dad's house, both the kids have been grounded for doing something that has really annoyed me. But I have not grounded them this weekend .... NO NOT ME
I have grounded them in advance for one day in the up coming school holiday, when we will go up and clean Dad's house ready for it going on the market. Oooo they are so happy about that!!!

Work is chaos but I LOVE IT - my class are wonderful

UPDATE - I did the taxing.... after a shakey drive earlier in the evening this return visit was not too bad ... but I did run over a rabbit!!!!

Rounding up and balancing the scales.

2009-01-10T23:19:00.002Z

In the best of therapy they tell you to make a list of the good and the bad.
Good

I am back at work and LOVE it. It is so good to be back. I went in on Monday and I love my class and all my surroundings. I know that all work places have the "politics" but this is me settled. I have a job until the summer holidays and I am hoping that I will be kept on. I am trying my best to do the right thing. To plan correctly, inspire, follow up, assess correctly.... everything that will make them want to keep me on.
The insurance paid out and covered the cost of a new car, plus service package and tax. In fact we made a little profit! I collected it last night and as you will read further on, the timing could not have been better. I managed to get in the car and drive, which is great as I had to get it home. You would not believe that it is the same colour, same year. It is amazing . They rushed it through valeting for me, and then as it was not dry I sat on plastic covers to get it home. My hubby however had a VERY wet bum when I picked him up LOL
As you will see below, I am selling all the books and Cd's and DVDs in the house on Amazon . I have made £300 since 28th DEC. £400 in total. It takes a bit to come though but it is working. You just put in the ISBN number and it comes up and then you press a "sell your copy" button and PUFF you go through the listing process.
Hubby works as a Techie as a profession. He brought home a hand held scanner and so I just scan the bar code into the PC and "Poof" the number appears!!!

The Crap. (condensed)

My Lovely, fantastic FIL has colon Cancer. Starts the chemo this week. We have been told it is treatable. I am really torn up about this. Hubby is in denial. Am concerned for him. He has an op to fit a tube that will feed the chemo into his heart.
My Mum is in hospital again with a urine infection. She has caught the MRSA bug (supper bug). She should be barrier nursed as it is infectious only there is not enough beds for this to happen. The actual infection is on her stomach where her catheter tube enters her pubic/stomach area. Therefore if I touch the sheets etc I must wash and use antiseptic gel provided the hospital to kill the infection so that I do not pass any of it onto my FIL.
We are really short of money. My daughter got loads of money for working over Xmas and also as presents she has given it to us to use as we are so skint. The money for the car was kept on one side for obvious reasons. I will not get paid until the end of Feb. We had to borrow money off my in-laws tonight .
My Dad has decided not to do anything for himself. As I was ill just before Xmas with the crash and everything, I did not get to decorate the house or write his Xmas cards so he did not bother with either. Then on Xmas day my sister and BIL cooked for them (mum was a bit vague and tired).Dad got drunk and ruined their Xmas. The fall out has been awful. Lots of hints that dad has told me is true that I let the family down. I feel shite!
Sister is organising for Mum to go into full time care, and Dad to sell the house and get a one bed flat that he can manage. There is a lot of family politics going on. I have tried to explain that I can not be split in so many ways
My daughter is sitting her mock exams and I want to support her in every way.

I am trying my hardest honestly

Festive Round Up

2008-12-29T21:03:00.003Z

Did you have a good Christmas?
Did you?
I am having a very different Christmas. Not bad, just different.
First of all, even though I love having my Hubby home for the two weeks, he has taken over the house and is like a man possessed. He always cooks etc, but he is doing all this huffing and puffing whilst washing, etc. BUT all he does it put it in piles and shove it upstairs.
I have given up and am concentrating on tidying upstairs and then keeping out of his way.
I invited his parents around tomorrow for a Lasagne and salad... suddenly he is baking and cooking all these little canapes. He is a great cook though and if I am honest he relaxes whilst cooking. ME? I hate it.
The insurance cheque has finally come through and It will go in the bank tomorrow. The garage that I bought my old car from have lined up another one for me. Slightly smaller engine, but that is not a problem to me.
The Mum and Dad issue is brewing again. I will not go into it but to say that cos I was ill and bruised, I forgot all about writing their Christmas cards for them. Did they remind me? NO, Did they write them themselves? NO, I am being blamed for them not sending any Christmas cards... and for not decorating the house for them.
PFFFFFFT!!!
I start back in my old job next week I can not wait. I love it and am looking forward to it - although I have a lot of preparation to do between now and then.
Steph worked from the Saturday after the schools broke up right up to close of business on Christmas eve, even the Sunday, - the florist was very busy. She then got loads of Christmas money and is rolling in funds now!
Matty, got an ear infection two nights before Christmas and he and I spent an eventful night in the lounge trying to settle him down - being in so much pain he was screaming. In the morning, hubby took him to the docs who said he had the most horrendous infection. So he has spent the holiday dosed up on Antibiotics, paracetamol and ibuprofen. A week on he is still getting twinges of pain. BUT is better
I am looking forward to my In-Laws coming round tomorrow. On New Years Eve, we have a friend around too. Steph is going to a party and I am missing her at times like these.
But she is growing up.

Have a wonderful New Year Everyone.....
Best Wishes for 2009

2008-12-21T13:57:00.002Z

Well school has broken up
The insurance company have offered me a final figure that is £60 more than what I paid for the car. Then minus the excess of £250.00. But am happy with that.
I wish that everything would hurray up, but with Christmas I realistically think I will get a car in the new year.
Car prices have dropped, and the garage I bought Bella from are desperate for my custom.
Fish eat fish babies
I have spent £200.00 in Asda this afternoon..... granted it included a lot of gifts
Best friend coming around tomorrow evening to have our regular special party :)
I have a quandary, I have bought an 18 piece drinking glass set for my parents for Christmas as they like a tipple , but are terrible for breaking their glasses. So I know they want this gift. However, it is made by ASDA's cheap budget range and cost me £2.40 .... YES £2.40 for all 18 glasses. SO do I wrap it like it is , OR do I unpack it and wrap it in something else so that it looks like I have spent a bit more on them?
I am making mince pies with orange pastry this afternoon. Hairy Biker Recipe.
I also have all the Xmas cakes to decorate.
I also want to make these..... I saw them being made on TV yesterday..... mmmmmmmm
Now do I make truffles or not?
My daughter works on a Saturday for a florist in a Green grocer's shop, she gave me the most beautiful bouquet yesterday, all different kinds of flowers, some are the ornamental cabbages that have been sprayed gold on the edges of their petals..It looks wonderful..... it smells of boiled cabbage!
Had to get a taxi home today from asda, the driver reckoned that I should leave the beer in the car as payment! I reckoned I should leave Matty in the car to save my sanity!! he did not agree. I rang my Hubby and asked him to be ready to help empty the car when we got home as the driver was after his beer! All very funny -except he would not let me leave "that kid" in the car, not even for an hour or so!!!
I did try.
Well have waffled enough.
Will try and take photos of the food if I can.

Sunday's Round Up... 24 hours late.- AKA Why I am NOT festive.

2008-12-15T17:06:00.003Z

Normally I write a post on a Sunday morning rounding up my week.
WHAT a week last was.
Phew so here is the round up.
Sunday last: Well we left it where I was bruised and bashed and my poor car....
By the middle of the week I had Flu. I am very careful to use the "Flu " word, as I feel too many people call a common cold, flu. But I had temperatures, both hot and cold, shivers that felt so hot and yet had me shaking. At the same time the bruises became worse. The most painful part was my left leg from my knee to the top of my foot. I am not a nurse, but think that the bruises knocked my immune levels and so my poor body just decided to complain about everything. Worrying about money, I accepted work but in the end my Hubby rang in for me, by whihc point i had lost my voice. My family were worried that apart from looking at the car on Sunday morning, I had not left the house and was becoming a recluse. Truth be I probably was, but I also slept a HUGE amount.

Then I began to feel better and decided that a bit of pampering would be in order, kick me in to moving myself. So I had a long bath the other morning, "borrowing" some of Steph's girlie bath products. Looking at my legs I decided they needed so attention. However shaving over the bruises was not a good idea I thought, so I used some cream. I have used it before on my legs. But for some reason, it burnt my leg. BURNT the sore bruise on my leg. I spent yesterday in more discomfort.

Ooo and the iron broke, by which time I was laughing hysterically......

It was a long wierd week.

This week has started off better, I got myself some work this morning in a school I have worked inbefore. All fine and dandy, meeting old friends, etc. Until a 5 year old threw up infront of me!

2008-12-12T10:18:00.003Z

Jo, my bloggy buddy....has kindly tagged me with this meme. Apparently she should have tagged SIX people but being so close to Christmas felt this unfair, so tagged ME.

Anyways, it goes something like this -
1. Link to the person who tagged you.
2. Post the rules on your blog.
3. Write six random things about yourself.
4. Tag six people at the end of your post and link to them.
5. Let each person know they've been tagged and leave a comment on their blog.
6. Let the tagger know when your entry is up.

So here are SIX random facts about me.

I do not put milk on breakfast cereal. Always eat it dry.
I never wear socks unless it is really really cold and then I have to raid my Hubby's drawer.
My MIL has three twin sisters.
I have dark brown curly hair which I have streaked with vivid red.
If I have the choice, I will always watch The Hallmark Channel
My tastes are changing as I get older. I find that instead of choosing really chocolately options I will opt for lemon options now.

NOW do I tag or not?

I know that PBS likes memes.

Tuesday

2008-12-09T06:20:00.002Z

The Good news is that I have been paid today, I have had to walk to the nearest cash machine at 5:30 am to get the money that I owe my daughter as she if going to the Birmingham Clothes Show. She had saved her birthday money for today, but as she saw us struggling lent it to us, however we should have paid it back last week, but I did not get paid.

I rang around the insurance and police yesterday and the actual "making a claim" proocedure was pretty painless.

My bruises are doing wonderful colour changes, I can not wear a bra just yet as it is uncomfortable. My knee is wierd though if I turn over in bed,m I hit the roof if I catch it in such a way. However I do not have a problem walking on it.

I had a drunken phone call from my Dad last night, where he was rambling, saying things that I know are true, but actually using words that were not nice/subtle

I can not get any enthusiasm for Christmas now. Really struggling,

I am sure that once I know whether the car is a write off or not, I can make some decisions. I am not sure that the money I will recieve if it is a write off will go let us replace it like for like. I am just hoping that she can be mended.

I am supposed to be available for work today, however last night I went to bed with a huge temperature, coughing and shivering and burning up......I am now just laughing at everything!

2008-12-06T20:21:00.009Z

Updated Sunday midday
Just been to see my poor car!
OOO I cried.
I am still really shakey. It looks that on impact the air bag inflated, but my seat belt broke with the force, which must account for all the bruising I have from my shoulder to my waist. I do not remember that happening. I think I am very lucky.
We got home, and then Dad turned up to tell my that my Mum is back in hospital and in emergency awaiting an X-ray.

Saturday
It has a pretty dismal week really.
I have been incredibly worried about money and lack of work. Although I am not able to substantiate it, I have felt that the lack of work has been due to me making a fuss about not being paid correctly. I finally got some work on Friday morning... a morning. However it was in a school that I worked in for about 18months and so I was really happy about going back.
It was in FS1/2 Jo!!!
I then went home by way of the shops, treated myself to a nice lunch on the way. Then once home I received a phone call from a colleague who was looking for an important document and wanted to know if I had a copy(Ofsted panic). I did and offered to take it into school. After leaving I drove home. On the way I stopped to turn right and ...the next thing I knew there was an airbag inflated and smoke, and chaos... People were coming round me, but I could not speak. They asked me questions but I could not speak, only once to scream "I want to go home". I just sat there. A passing off duty policewoman stopped to help and I gave her my phone, but once she put my purse in my hand I refused to let go of it. She asked me my name and all I could say was "F F F F F F F F F F F "
So I ended up in hospital.
Was checked out.
Still refused to let go of my purse.
Eventually my Hubby arrived and they let me go home, badly bruised and very shaken.
I am not allowed to do anything, I have had to ask to stand up and potter around!
I have a huge black bruise the from my shoulder to my hip in the line of my seat belt. And my already dodgy knee is worse for wear after ramming the dash board, but apart from that I have come off really well. I still can not remember what happened.

So this is another worry, I am really not in the festive spirit of things at the moment. I just feel that everything is going wrong. No work, no money, falling behind with the odd bill, no phone that I can ring out on, we already owe my In-Laws some money, now a car to sort out .....
My lovely car...

Discovering

2008-12-02T13:39:00.003Z

Last night I discovered that when I put my glasses on, I can actually see a lot better. It is ages since I wore my glasses. Am wearing them today.

I had the best nights sleep that I have had in ages last night. Hubby mentioned this morning that I looked really rested and left me in bed as he went to work. I did not get up until 10:00am !!!! What a lazy mare I am.

Argued like crazy with my agency who only paid me £400 of the £1000 they owe me. Burst into tears on the phone. I cried on the phone! Feel a prat. However, they promoised to the get the manager to ring me back.... have not done so far! I also am now not getting any work from them.

Am now feeling really low.

I have a prescription to fill.... think that I need to get it done asap as I have run out of happy pills. Have been without them for a couple of weeks now. Felt that I could manage and use the money on xmas etc.... discovered I was wrong.

Well we have three different sets of baby fish now. It turns out that we must have bought them pregnant.... I will give the pet shop people a stern look over the top of my glasses when we next go. Discovered a new use for my glasses.

I am really cold and my silly mood is making me not put the fire on, as I am the only one in the house. Stupid Fizz. Put the bloody fire on!

discovered that I have taken to talking to myself.

Discovered and justified a trip to the chemist.

When I finally made it downstairs this morning, discovered that it had snowed over night.

Yesterday I was conned into taking the children to school and drove in sleet for the first time. I discovered that car windscreens get muckier a lot quicker when it sleets.

I discovered that my water spurty thingme bob that spreays clean water on to the windscreen was frozen.

Discovered that I still do not know where to put antifreeze to stop that happening again.

Sunday Morning

2008-11-30T10:49:00.003Z

I have not had the text saying "I am still alive" and it is nearly 11am. I guess it was a good party last night. However, on the coldest night of the year so far, I am taxi-ing Steffi dressed as Jesse from the Toy story, only wearing short shorts, to her party with her boyfriend and his friend.
There are lots of things wrong there.
First of all I thought Girls took their friends along
Second of all, I should have been saying, "you can not go out dressed like that, you''ll catch your death..." instead I was thinking " I wish I had legs as long as that"
Thirdly... oh well I will not go into that.

Mum is out of hospital now, but weak and forgetful. popped in last night and went back this morning. My Aunt was also there so it was nice to see them all. I have been to pick Steff up this morning and the countryside was so pretty, Bright brilliant sunshine but so cold. There is frost on the ground and some of the fields are white and crispy. The others are bright green from the wet dew. The trees are all bare now too. Such a lovely sight. The tired 16yr old that hobbled into my car was not such a pretty sight. LOL lack of sleep and a lovely bright blue bruise on her knee, and a mark around her neck where the cowboy hat had been.

I am cooking again tonight, that will make it Four nights in a row and FIVE times this week!

No matter how pretty the scenery is today, I am not going out again.... am even considering putting my PJs back on.

Domesticated ...Me?

2008-11-29T16:35:00.004Z

Not that I don't know what has to be done, it is just every time I start to do something or even complete it, someone comes around and mucks it all up. Very demoralising I must say. Hence training to be a teacher, where BTW I have a reputation for cleaning cupboards out and throwing junk away!

So imagine Hubby's surprise when today started off with me prepping the beef and Guinness stew whilst still wearing my PJ's at 9:00am. Oh and the fact he caught me emptying the last two tins of Guinness in to the pot HAHAHAHA.

This afternoon I prepped a cabbage (savoy if you will) and THEN ...... I know this will knock your socks off, I made cherry crumble using ground almonds in the crumble mix as well!!!

I played around with a recipe!!!

I hope it tastes OK.

Ohhhhhh I have actually gone through all my shoes (to make room for new ones obviously, shhhhhhhh you did not hear that thought). I was actually smiling as I looked at each pair. What is it with shoes?

I have done all my washing but can not hang it up to dry, as I dry it all indoors and Matty has a friend around who is Muslim and I do not think it is a good idea to hang racks of underwear around the place! A lovely lad, so courteous too, he actually offers to help me unload the car without me having to threaten my kids with a bedroom invasion, black bin style if they do not help!

I am supposed to be sewing Xmas cards. HAHA whose idea was that?
Only 13 left to go..... THIRTEEN , yeah righ like that is going to happen.
Righty off to stir a stew.

2008-11-28T14:52:00.002Z

Just found an internet site on "How to breed Guppy Fishes"
Why?
Just bung 'em in to the tank together et voila!*

* impressed Jo?

What I want to know is, a part from putting the hair greying son on sentry duty to tap the glass everytime they get amourous, can you STOP them bonking?

Is there a fish equivalent of a contraceptive you can put in the water?

Can I continue to ramble..Please??

2008-11-28T08:49:00.002Z

Grrr son still off school glued to the loo!
Fish had MORE pigging babies, it will be exactly on week tomorrow when we bought FIVE guppy fish and in those 6 days we now have at least 15... FIFTEEN fishes.
Eating cake for breakfast - not bothered if that sounds disgusting or not.
THe hallmark channel has thrown a dippy fit on my box this morning and not working, even on the new station it is moving too, that has buggered up my cleaning schedule.
Had to use antifreeze for the first time this morning. Did not know what to do, grumpy "I hate mornings" Hubby huffed and puffed spraying it everywhere. I then drove about 50m down the road and the whole windscreen misted over, ended up on the kerb! Now have new routine for cold morning driving.

Count fish in the morning.
Do not make jokes about flushing new babies down the loo to the "I hate mornings" grumpy hubby.
Do not sit in the car looking useless wondering if that is ice or not. Just spray the deicer.
Wait for the mist to clear before trying to drive.

The domesticateness that I have been feeling for a while, is slowly ebbing away.
The enthusiasm for the fish has Ebbed!

rambling

2008-11-27T09:15:00.003Z

Talking to Matty by MSN even though he is sat behind me.
Doing Hallmark cleaning..... (watching hallmark programmes and clean at a furious pace in the long advert breaks.
So far have 4 fish babies.... only bought the fish on Saturday! This is my Hubby's new hobby, I take the blame as I arranged the second hand tank as an early Xmas pressie. I never thought they would have babies. Hubby meanwhile, is already planning the next Bigger tank and how to remodel the lounge to fit it in, Geeeeze it is not even Xmas yet!
Have wrapped all the pressies I have in the house now.
When Hubby was in his last school one of the Teachers, who has a love of all things Christmas, bought Hubby and his colleague an advent calendar on Dec!st , then every school day til the end of term gave them a Xmas related pressie. Now he is in his new school I am trying to arrange this for him and his new colleague. However, I have a pressie from this other Teacher, that she sneaked into the house the other day!
Does that all make sense?
I got a pressie too! I am being a good girl and NOT opening it!
Need to sweep the garden.
Need to make dinner,
Mum getting better, but hospital desperate to release her too early, Dad refused.
Bad hospital, Bad hospital!
What is a gestation period of a guppy?
Still making Xmas cards
Son still off school
It is sunny this morning
Need to clean my windows too----- dam sun!
I have quite enjoyed being a housewife this week..... very weird.
paying not so "poorly sick" son for every odd sock he finds in his room (aka pit)
OOH advert break ... got to go!

Grumpy post - The Festive post is below.

2008-11-26T16:54:00.002Z

Wake up- turn on TV -See a snake (phobia)
Check e-mail - Have not been paid - bank balance of 88pence.
7:15 ring agency - COMPLAIN.
7;30 HG son, comes down stairs... ILL
Ring agency - call in sick
Ring school apologise, only to be told that my servic es would not be needed for the rest of the week as the jury service I was covering had finished.
ALL THAT BY 8:30
Through the day I....
Rang the agency as periodic intervals with increasing levels of anxiety/ anger, listened to excuses and refused to accept blame for them chaning thier payroll system and expecting the royal mail to play ball!
Looked after poorly sick son.
Stressed relieved with some FRANITC housework (an unheard of event)
OOOo the fish had babies!!
I am a MUM of quads! (we only bought them on Saturday)
Told off by Dad for not visiting Mum in hospital!
4:35pm Agency refuse to advance money
%pm pick hubby up after work - his colleague has taken him to the pub so he agrees we would take him home (when was I consulted?)
Took him home
Went home
No food
No Money
Poorly sick son
Daughter gone to boyfriends
Rang in-laws
Went over, where kindly they lent us some money
Took poorly sick son home
Mercy trip to ASDA for dinner
Went to pick Daughter from boyfriend's
Ended up giving boyfriend a lift to his mate's house.
Came home
Had dinner
Hubby went ot bed shattered
I stayed up for another hour watching CSI
What was the episode about?
A frigging snake!

I would read the post below if I were you

Baking Christmas Cakes The Fizzy Way (8 at a time)

2008-11-23T20:19:00.006Z

Take one large plastic washing up bowl.
Weigh out 12 lbs of mixed dried fruit.

Pour on two bottles of cooking brandy

Cover with tin foil and leave for about 48 hours

Meanwhile, collect the above items and a selection of cake tins.

Draw and cut out a piece of grease proof paper, the size and shape of the tin.

Cut strips of greasproof paper as above.

Brush oil all over the inside of the cake tin.

Line the tin as above.

Only reapeat for 8 tins. ( I hate that part!)

Weigh out all the dry ingrediants into one bowl.

Place the butter and syrup in the same pan.

Crack 24 LARGE eggs into another bowl (or in this case a pan) with the milk.

Whisk!

Melt the butter and syrup over the a low heat.

Mix the dry ingrediants

Disgard the spoon and mix the dry ingrediants with the fruit.
*Note to self... Next time remove Engagement ring first.
** Hubby walked in at this point and saw me mixing with one hand and taking photos with my right, who says women can not multi task!

Hubby took over the photography now.
Add all wet ingrediants now.
Mix well.
It is very wet and very sloppy and rather disgusting
BUT the smell is WONDERFUL!

Use a mug to pour the mixture into the cake tins.
Place in the oven
Bake for about 2 hours (depending on the size of the cakes)
Cool

Wrap in tin foil and keep until nearer Christmas before decorating.

PHEWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW

Round Up

2008-11-16T10:39:00.003Z

Worked 4.5 days this week Yeah
Got a contract in another school for two weeks
Supposed to be planning right now!
Hubby got his Xmas present early - a second hand fish tank... is now acting like a two year old... it is set up in the lounge, it is arranged nicely and he is treating the water ready for getting the fish during the week.
We told Steffi there were fish in the tank but they were shy... although logically she knew we were fibbing she kept checking a lot of times.
Matty did not get his legs waxed - all in a good cause. The stupid boy called the bluff of a some giggly girls who thought it would be funny to ask him. After he agreed to do it for the charity he began to realise that this could actually hurt!
Got the car washed. First time we got it washed since we bought it ..... in July!!!! Amazingly I can see more than just blurred shapes in my mirrors! I thought I needed an eye test. I can actually see the whites of the eyes of the drivers behind me!
On Friday night in Rush hour traffic I was behind a lorry with a sign that says " if you can not see my wing mirrors you are too close" so I dropped back until I could see his mirrors leaving a gap big enough for TWO cars to then over take me and get in between me and the lorry!
I have been treated to breakfast in bed two days in a row!!
The bad side of not having any money is that when you do, you end up spending nearly £200 in ASDA filling the cupboards again
Diet gone out of the window.
Mum in hospital again, she is away with the fairies, last night told me that she had stood on and crushed 7 rats, that there were fleas on her face, that her picture was on the front page of the evening post, because she got stuck in a lift. However, she did not recognise herself in the picture! Apparently this morning, when my sister rang to see how she was, the nurses informed her that Mum had just landed at Manchester Airport!
Hubby is mortified that he was asked to leave a pub last night. Apparently one of his friends put their head on the table cos he was tired and the bar staff felt he was now fit to be served so ALL THREE of them were asked to leave!
Having my hair cut and coloured at 8am next Saturday morning... I CAN NOT WAIT!
Matty is having his mop cut on Wednesday evening ....I CAN NOT WAIT!

Happy Birthday Sweet Sixteen

2008-11-11T13:40:00.005Z

Today is Steph's 16th!

BOY that has flown by!

one minute I am holding this little 3lb 15oz baby..... on life support because she was born 9 weeks early

NEXT I am discussing Boys, exams, part time jobs !

PHEW ..... 16 years!

Happy Birthday Steph.

Love you Loads

XxXx

Christmas Cards

2008-11-07T22:06:00.012Z

I decided that to cut down on the xmas expensive (the credit crunch/no job/ blah blah) I would have to cut down on some of the pressies I give out. That, of course, does not mean I do not think any less of those people I just can not run to all those pressies. So I decided I would cross stitch some cards and send those instead.
I have quite enjoyed doing them, but found that the thought of sending them quite hard!
*Stupid I know*

So when my Hubby bought me a camera for my birthday I have been taking pictures of them.

This is a celtic design, and really not a Christmas card, but I think the colours make it very Christmassy. I am giving it to my lovely in-laws.....shhhhhhh do not tell them.

This mousey design was a freebie kit from a magazine.

A Jolly Snowman, really simple, I am supposed to embroider snowflakes around him in silver thread but as I have done it on sparkly fabric I do not need to.

OOOOO I love this little Robin.

I like this design, but not sure it is are clear as some of the others.

This is a Art Nouveau design and I really like it, but not too sure what I want to do with it. it is too small for a picture and yet too large for a card or coaster.

This is a celtic design of a Salmon, it going to be a birthday card for my lovely Father in Law. I think it is quite a jolly fish! Usually fish mouths go down :(

This was another free kit from a magazine and I really like it. I may do it again and agin with different colours.

Grumpy Duck

2008-11-07T08:02:00.003Z

It is miserly out side. Quite bright now
There is barely any light. Ditto
We are running out of money fast. Went shopping so that feling has intensified- it was a cheap shop too
Only worked 1 day this week! Have hounded the agency and got TWO days so far for next week

SO in an attempt to NOT sink into despair....
Today I will:

Finish writing my xmas cards- not done so far
Sew some more xmas cards- LOOKED at my project
Put more washing on (Matty discovered his washing pile after denying he had any for two days!) DONE
See my parents. Done- nice to see them came away with their recycling my car now looks like I am the alcoholic! - going to the tip as soon as I have done this.

I went to parents consultations last night and out of 8 teachers that I needed to see, only FOUR were there!!!! that means I did a 30 mile round trip to see FOUR teachers! I found the form teacher and make my opinion clear. GRRRRRRRRRRRR. NOBODY has e-mailed me to apologise yet!

Righty better go and get dressed, it is cold as well. If I put the fire on I will never leave the house! Well I got dressed went out came home, put the fire on and now I do not want to leave to ge HUbby from work!

2008-11-06T16:55:00.002Z

The day after bonfire night.
How come I am the only one that did not drink (as driving) and yet I am the one that slipped on the wet grass, and paving stones, twisted my knee on my left leg and trying trying ot steady myself braced my right leg before lying flat on my arse on the ground?
If I had had a drink it would not have happened, but then I would not have been able to drive.
No work today, so the excitment of the day so far has been seeign hte bottom of my laundry basket and going out to top up the gas and electricity cards!
There is further excitment to come, as I now have to go to Steffi's parents consultation evening. Being that it is her big exam year I am already unimpressed that one Teacher has a more important engagement, one teacher is not coming as only been there two weeks, and one teacher is ill today!
Maybe I am just in a grumpy mood!
Matty is grating cheese!!!!
*note to self* count how many fingers he has left before eating dinner!

Rounding Up - (AKA a snapshot of my mind)

2008-11-05T16:33:00.003Z

It is Bonfire night.... it is cold.... I am expceted to go "ooooo" and "Ahhhhhh" without letting the shivering make my voice all wobbly!
Hubby sulked all the way to school this morning because he caught Matty eating his Cocoa Pops. Matty even let him drink the chocolately milk out of the bowl!
I went on a course today but will be unable to use the new information until January. Will I remember it then?
I am missing my old job ... LOTS . Working as a Supply/temp teacher is not fun anymore. Just how do you personify a black bin bag and make it interesting for 11 year old children?
I only got lost three times getting to the supply school yesterday :)
I only told Hubby I got lost once going to the supply school yesterday :) :)
Having a car after 15 years is brill. Filling the car with FOUR teenagers can get smelly.
Having both children in the car can be fun. Having Steffi sit behind Matty can get violent.
And noisy.
Note to self-> investigate car seats for Teenagers!
What are you supposed to arrange for a nearly 16 year old's 16th birthday when she will not tell you what she wants to do? She does not want to go out for a meal. She does not want a party, she does not want to have friends over. She will not tell you what she wants for a presant.... she will not comit to anything. So I have got her a lovely presant - a silver bangle. and have this sneaky suspicion that in later years she will feel we have let her down!!
Have written half of my xmas cards
Have wrapped all the presants that I have in stock in the house
Have written a list of things to get and make for Xmas presants, cakes, etc
Have wondered if I have a problem as I have colour coded my Xmas to do list!
Have lost my diary.
Back to Bonfire night..... only three of us going to my Lovely IN-Laws and the nearly 16 year old has other plans with her friends.
It is cold
Matty is excited and driving me potty with his silly antics!
Just discovered how to sell books on Amazon.
Thought for the day, can you enter in to the spirit of Bonfire night by watching through firmly CLOSED double glazed doors and windows?

P.S. Note to self, find the dam recorder and take it away from Matty, may be I could mail it to someone!

Tuesday, Wednesay & Thursday

2008-10-30T09:20:00.002Z

Three posts in one, arn't you lucky.

Tuesday ...
Was Cleaning but also a trip into town. With the HGS!!!
We were returning some trainers that I had ordered online for him. They arrived all packaged up but no paperwork. So I rang the company (who also have high street stores) and they e-mailed me an invoice.
I took it too town and explained that I wanted to change these trainers and told them the story of the invoice.
OK I thought this was OK and I was speaking clearly. But the invoice had the word INVOICE on the top and not RECEIPT!!!
It took 5 memebers of staff to realise that there was all the detail they needed on the invoice and it really was a reciept with a different name!

I went to the market and bought 16 meters of fabric for £16 - I now have enough fabric to make about 5 or 6 pairs of trousers for work!

WEDNESDAY
All hands were on deck. Final cleaning took place as my friend was coming round for the afternoon. I do not think that she would have minded what state it was in, but I did. I only have hald a bathroom and the tools are in my bedroom etc.

We had a great time - a really great time. WE were discussing how to organise a cheap Xmas and I mentioned that I fancied buying my Hubby a fish tank but not sure now. She had one with all the equipment.... so we picked Hubby up from work and told him that we were going for his xmas presant and I took her home. He genuinley liked the idea and even borrowed a book from them and took it all home and investigated everything that was in the tank. Pumps, etc. all we need to do is a bit of cleaning, and buy gravel and fish!

THURSDAY
Today I am popping in to see a friend and then I do not have much else on....as so am going to do a bit of relaxing this afternoon.

MONDAY

2008-10-27T21:43:00.002Z

I braved it
I plucked up the courage
I drank an energy drink
I girded my loins....
YES I went to tidy the ~~bedroom~~ no read pit of the Hair Greying Son!
Family tradition deems that on the first day of the school holidays and BEFORE they are allowed to do anything else one of them will get thier bedroom emptied, gutted and sanitized by yours truely. Yesterday was the grumpy teen, today was the pit!!!!
OMG!
Mind you he must think the same 'cos as I was about to climb the stairs to my doom I am given, NO ordered with a set of three rules which I was told I had to agree to before I was allowed in!!
He is 12 years old for Gods sake!!
.....
....
So I agreed.....
Do not give me that look.
For weeks I have been trying to get in there. If I had to agree to those three rules it was well worth it.....

Anyway do you think I actually stuck to them?

What rules do you think he set me?

I have been set a goal to post every day this week!!!

2008-10-26T09:39:00.005Z

Where is your mobile phone?-In the car
Where is your significant other?-Sat behind me
Your hair colour? -should be different shades of brown and vibrant red.... actually a mess and grey
Your mother? - MS
Your father? - managing
Your favourite thing? - family
Your dream last night?- didn't have time, spent all the time going to the loo!
Your dream goal?- a clean and tidy house
The room you're in? - lounge
Your hobby? - internet, cross stitch
Your fear? -snakes
Where do you want to be in 6 years? -content and settled
Where were you last night? - lovely in-laws
What you're not? - slim, assertive
One of your wish-list items? - blackberry
Where you grew up? - Yorkshire
The last thing you did? - eat a bacon butty
What are you wearing?- clothes Durrrrr!!!
Your TV? - Rugby league world cup on it.... it is 10;30 AM
Your pets? -none got enough with Husband, two kids and two fish in the classroom.
Your computer? - my solice in times of sport overload
Your mood? - determined
Missing someone? -erm.... a mum to talk to
Your car? -called Bella
Something you're not wearing? -footwear
Favourite shop? - Evans, Pier, leRedoute
Your summer?- hot and lazy
Love someone? - yes
Your favourite colour?-Greeeeeen
When is the last time you laughed? -This morning
Last time you cried? Last night- teenagers!

I will pass this on to Ex Shammikite,

Written whilst normal ....(what is normal?)

2008-10-15T10:21:00.004+01:00

ooooo I am in more trouble for not blogging.
Well I have always hadda reputation for blogging whilst under the influence ... I am sorry.
SOME people find it funny!
Life is chaotic.
I have joined Weight Watchers online and am doing ok. I feel that I may have lost more than the silly doc's scales say! Certain clothes are slightly looser. ANF more importantly, I can stand still for longer without being in so much pain. I think it is the pain that has spurred me on. I just thought that this is it.

I have never eaten so much fruit!
What is even more worrying is that even though I was drunk , I was still sat infront of the computer and typing in the points for every drink I had!!!

To try and stop the cravings and nervous fidgeting (when I would normally eat) I am trying to find things to do, I play silly games on facebook and have got my cross stitiching out too. Funny I do not want to spend the time doing housework!

We have half a new bathroom. My Hubby is very methodical first the new loo, then we had a hitch where we were without a washbasin/sink for over 2 weeks. last weekend he sorted that and started tiling on that wall. When that wall is complete he will turn his attentions to the new bath - which has been sat patiently on my landing since August. The pile of tools and clutter in my bedroom is going down slowly AND I am so glad that no longer have the new loo in the lounge!

Today I have been told that I am the tightest parent ever cos I will not let a certain 15 yr old go to a concert at the local university, on a school night. Apparently I am the only parent who does that AND it makes her look stupid!!

Oh Joy!
Tell me I am right .... -please

Written WhIlst pissed

2008-10-10T23:36:00.002+01:00

Well LIsa this is aimed at you .... DRunk ... welllllllll and truely..... so forgive me. BUT I miss your input in my life. SOOOOO here is what is happening.... (forgive the typing I am trying very hard to make it work)

I am drunk.... cos I love Bacardi..... and coke
I have joined weight watchers... and already lost 8.5 pounds.... I have so much further to go... .it scares me.
I have been in so much pain with my knee joints and worried that I have permenantly injured them. . Since I have been driving I have been taking 4 pills every morning and two are pain killers and ibuofren.
BUT since dieting the pain has subsided.... not gone away but is more tolerable. I have been so scared Lisa.... really scared.
I thought that this was it.
I think it was it.... I am 41 God dam it and in so much pain and discomfort.
I doubt that I will meet my goal weight as that mean loosing over 111Kg ... not obtainable... but loosing a at least a lot of that will help me.
Think I can do it???
I am not sure.... I just want the pain to go away

Then the other reason for bieng this pissed is TEENAGERS.... i know you understand this one.... why od they make you feel so shite?
Why od they make you feel that you are not in control over your household?
Why do they make you feel that you are the baddy?
Why do you feel that what ever angst they are feeling , you are feeling twice as much?
It is really good that Hubby and I are in agreement. I did think it was just me. I was sick of being lectured by a 15 year old. My friends and collegues all say "thank goodness we had boys"..... easy option I think. I am being ruled by a 15 year old who turns 16 next month and thinks that she KNOWS EVERY THING!!!!
I am scared for her.... and yeat I admire her ....
OK I am rambling ... I am sorry to dump this on your all.

The Thing of Nightmares

2008-08-17T13:46:00.002+01:00

or another title should be - Do not order Singapore Fried Rice!

I did. I ordered it . Had it before but last time they must have forgotten to put the chillies in. RAW LUMPS of chilli. Big enough to cause discomfort.....
but small enough to hide amongst all the rice.

I ate it ..... nearly died of chilli burn
What i had not bargined on though was the nightmare at night.
Wild
Wierd
Violent

The end result was that ....
well here is the point.
I was face to face with this person holding a gun.
Everytime I dodged the gun it found me
Eventually I dodged and double dodged and with a right hook punched the assassin.
OR
in my case my Hubby who screamed
Swore loudly
and I woke up.
His poor jaw!!!!!
there is not a mark
However he did move to the settee for his saftey.

Bargains

2008-08-07T17:45:00.003+01:00

well the final stage of the plan is complete, the bathroom has been choosen ordered and the final bits are being delivered tomorrow. Hubby has just started working out the electrics before putting up a false ceiling into which he will recess two spot lights.

The floor was a bargin. The floor is small but even so all the big tile places (we want ceramic tiles) were quoting £100-£150 for it. Ridiculous. In one tile place we found a bargin corner in a dark store room and there were the tiles. Just enough mind you no room for mistakes. They were slightly lighter than we wanted and had a blue taint to them but with white walls and suite we could make that alteration. The cost £20 for the WHOLE floor!!!!!

Then we looked for the bathroom suite and after a tremendous amount of shopping about which we would never have been able to do before with out the car we found out that B&Q had the best offer -40% off. We saved shed loads.
So we are doing quite well.
The hot damp humid weather is not helping the work though poor Hubby.

2/3 complete

2008-07-31T20:27:00.002+01:00

Well I still love my car but am finding city driving really hard. I am not sure you know but last year we went on holiday to Scotland and a friend lent us a car and I drove it there, the first time I had driven in 15 years. Then we drove around the lake district two weeks later.
This year I hired a car and drove back to Scotland. That was the first time I had driven since last year. I have come to the conclussion that holiday driving on motorways and around pretty lochs and scenery is VERY different to Leeds on a wet humid day at rush hour.

We have been driving around showrooms looking for ideas for a new bathroom. We have a very small bathroom that is a perculiar shape. SO Iwant white . White suite, white tiles silver fittings and a dark grey to light black floor tiles and work surface. We drove miles to a warehouse that was crap and found all that we needed at the DIY store at the end of the road!!! Typical.

I bought a yellow duck watering can!

Yesterday we had all the guttering renewed on the house. We also had a new flat roof put on the small baywindow in the lounge. We also got all the guttering linked to the correct downfall pipes (including paying for our neighbour's fall pipe to be renewed!!!!). Today we have had LOADS and LOADS of rain, thunder, heavey downpours. horrendous. And do you know what? I did not need to put the bucket under the baywindow at all! NO LEAKS!!!!!
I am so happy.

A couple of weeks ago we took a loan out to pay for three things - a car , the guttering and roof repairs and a bathroom 2/3 completed and the bathroom project is now in the planning stage.

WE have NEVER been so organized.

OK OK >>>>>

2008-07-30T08:23:00.007+01:00

I am getting grief... OH I have so missed getting grief from the other side of the world!

The reason that I have not updated you is that I have been out on picnics.

On the First night we went to a park that we both like but find really hard to get to on public transport.... noted and famous for its ducks hehehehe

It was only the three of us as my daughter was going to a party. Anyway we walked and talked and then went to look for a picnic place we decided to drive a bit further before we ate, only we got a bit lost and ended up on the road going to home and so went home, where my daughter was because the party had been cancelled, so we all ate the picnic in our front room!

Yesterday I did shopping without a taxi, and visited my parents -without a taxi. My Dad walked around the car, sat in the front seat, and I took him "for a spin". He directed and I drove, surprisingly we arrived at my Uncle's house (my dad's best friend). Dad wanted to brag about MY car to HIS friend!!!

THEN last night we went ...to a reservoir up in the Yorkshire Dales, the city had been really muggy all day and so being up high was lovely

This time we ate our picnic outside and it was lovely and cool and FANTASTIC

Now the down side is that not driving that often has lead me to discover muscles in my thighs ans shins that I have not used for a while so by the time we got there I had jelly legs!

TEE HEE HEE HEE

2008-07-28T15:29:00.002+01:00

ooooooooo in less than an hour my FIL is picking me up to get the new car.............

I was so excited this morning that I threw up!!!

It is worse that waiting for Santa in Christmas Eve!

2008-07-27T09:30:00.004+01:00

We got a car!!!

I got seriously told off by Hubby and his friend for insisting that it were green..... so it is BLUE

Blue is good.

It is a funny shape but we are looking at touring Scotland next year and even going camping (if the tent we have been given is fit for use) so we wanted something biggish.

As I am rather large ins shape and the kids are tall and getting taller we wanted a lot of leg room.

SO what we looked for was soemthing that has lots of leg room, head room , storage. A bonus was that it has really really low mileage (19000) and is only four years old.....

OK want to have a look at the kind we have got?

I looks very French to me. I should be driving home grown produce around continental country roads in it .

I am trying to write a post every day

2008-07-24T09:15:00.002+01:00

Really writing a post first thing in the morning is not a good idea, you would think that I did not have anything to write about.

HAHA wrong, I can witter for Britain.

Exciting things are afoot.
Years and years ago we got into debt. Unfortunately we have not been able to get any kind of credit for years -now we are in a mcuh better position and the bank said yes!!!!

We have got a three point plan.

A Car!!! (cos we do not have one)
Guttering and work on the outside of the house (yeah the pan can go from under the window)
a new bathroom suite (we will look in the bank holiday sales and buy everything but Hubby is not fitting it until October holidays)

The car is the MOST exciting thing as I am the only one that can drive. We do not know an aweful lot about cars. A friend was going to help us look for one, but he is going on holiday this weekend and he will not cancel it - I did ask him! So my FIL is taking us to look around at the weekend..... hehehehehehe

We sat in the garden last night and picked cars we wanted. A friend came past and laughed at us.

Family "Fun"

2008-07-23T08:31:00.003+01:00

Last Friday school broke up for Myself, Hubby and the two kids.
Saturday saw me in town buying/treating the HGS* . We bought a pair of long shorts, a hoody, and two pairs of school trousers for the Autumn term. THe agreement was that he was only trying on the School trousers.

We got home and he went to try on the new shorts and informed me that they were broken and needed returning. Apparently the zip was missing...... yes you guessed it - they had a button fly. He had never heard of such a thing. Worse still he could not do the top two buttons!

Ten mins later Hubby and his Best Friend came home and all three were pushed into the kitchen and instructed to have "Man to Man" time to solve the problem!

____________________________________________________________

Now my Daughter have taken to coming downstairs every morning and the first thing she does it bop the HGS around the head. Apparently it is to get ahead for the day!
Mind you he has worked out that the best way to get on your sister's nerves is to give her huge cuddles.
_____________________________________________________________
Yesterday the HGS had a bath first thing in the morning, he came downstairs and his hair looked like a haystack- he is growing it long! My daughter took him upstairs dried it, covered it with some sort of serum and then straightened it... the HGS did not have a choice. It looks good, although he is now walking looking at the ceiling all the time so he can see out from under his fringe.

*HGS= 12 year old Hair Greying Son
My daughter is now 15+

mmmmm

2008-07-21T09:43:00.000+01:00

I had a blog.

I loved my blog

I deleted my blog

I missed my blog

I recreated my blog

....

Normal service will resume ... may be just for the summer holidays though.

Come on I am at home with a 12 year old HGS and a 15 yr/acting like my mother teenage daughter. I need blogerpy* and fast.

*blog+therapy