tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45879488804504457472024-03-05T18:47:09.444+00:00Are they all yours?Luciehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07406880481050448649noreply@blogger.comBlogger160125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4587948880450445747.post-21364656158431657152012-11-20T23:40:00.001+00:002012-11-20T23:40:12.907+00:00I have moved!I now have a new blog here - <a href="http://thegirlwithnoregrets.wordpress.com/">new blog</a>Luciehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07406880481050448649noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4587948880450445747.post-70038474319744010862012-05-30T18:24:00.002+01:002012-05-30T18:24:49.057+01:00<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ooops, I did it again, went a few weeks without posting anything. It's been quite a busy month since I last posted. I had an assignment to submit to the OU which I got back with an excellent mark so I am really pleased. My next one is due in next week so that's that I'm getting on with this week.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I said in my last post that G had introduced me to one of his hobbies, well, since then he has introduced me to another one.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The first one is Lindy Hop dancing, which, despite me always believing I have two left feet, I really really enjoy. I love the fact that it's freestyle so as long as you know the various moves you can join in, and you don't even need to know all of the moves before you get can get going with it. I also love the whole scene around it as well, especially the dressing up in period clothes. G dresses up in a 40's style so that's what I'm going for when we go to my first proper dance.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The second is slightly more scary - he has a motorbike and promised to take me out on it when the weather improved. When I got a text last week asking if I fancied a run out I said yes please and then realised when he told me to wear jeans and pumps that he didn't mean in the car..... </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My first fear was the helmet - I'm quite claustrophobic so wearing something tight around my head was scary enough, but when he closed the visor I felt like I couldn't breathe so had a small panic. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Once I was all kitted out in helmet, jacket and gloves (and starting to cook slowly in the heat under all that thick clothing) off we went - visor open!! - I have to admit to being absolutely terrified and screamed he was going too fast. Apparently we hadn't even reached 20mph....</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The plan was to go up to Skegness for a coffee but I really didn't think I could make it that far. However, I didn't say anything and by the time we got there I was actually enjoying myself and didn't feel quite so convinced I was going to go flying off the back every time he accelerated.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Going round the bends was really scary - how the hell do you not fall off when you're leaning over so close to the road????????</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I now can't wait til we go out again on the bike, I've been promised a longer ride along faster roads...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Oh, and I very quickly shut the visor after getting fed up of the wind in my face and it was fine as the breeze blew through the helmet and I knew I could still breathe properly.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I loved it so much I am now considering getting my own kit!!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So, that's another two things to add to my list of "new things I have done" that I started last year (I forgot to mention I had two tattoos done last year didn't I? Number three is being saved up for as we speak!!)</span>Luciehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07406880481050448649noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4587948880450445747.post-25620492838712720172012-05-05T03:18:00.000+01:002012-05-05T03:18:01.231+01:00That Friday feeling<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Friday is my favourite day of the week. The children are home for the weekend, there's the thrill of not having to get up and out for two mornings (three this weekend as it's a Bank Holiday), the chance to enjoy a relaxed couple of days doing not a lot and just spending time together without having to be anywhere - unless of course we have a trip planned.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The last couple of weeks have been fairly busy. Last week I was really ill with a sickness bug I think I picked up from one of the children. I ended up staying at home all week as it totally wiped me out but that did give me the chance to get some work on my latest assignment done for my OU module. I got the rest of it done this week and it's all been submitted a whole 10 days early which is a really nice feeling.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We didn't do anything last weekend as the weather was so foul and just spent the time chilling out in front of a lovely log (and coal) fire.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This week, as well as managing to get my assignment finished I also worked my way through the next chapter of my course materials - we're given a study planner as a guide to where we should be up to each week and the course materials are divided into chapters, the idea being you study a chapter a week. I had fallen a few weeks behind with having two modules running side by side but I have now caught up with myself and now I'm hoping to get myself a couple of weeks ahead of schedule.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My latest hobby is Lindy Hop dancing and I went to my dance class with G this week. I really enjoy it and it's great to be able to share a hobby with the person you're in a relationship with. He's been dancing for years so is really good at it but is fortunately very patient when it comes to practising between classes. I've never been very co-ordinated and always thought of myself as having two left feet - anyone who has seen me in a step or aerobics class will vouch for that!! - but I seem to be able to manage Lindy really well. I started Zumba classes at the gym just after Christmas and I'm not too bad at that either.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I love the whole lifestyle thing about Lindy as well, the clothes, the music etc. I've always loved the music from the 30's and 40's, the big bands and the swing music and I love the style of the 40's. Maybe if I grow my hair again I'll start sporting a victory roll!!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Another of the great things about Friday mornings is that as I usually stay over at G's on a Thursday night I usually get coffee and toast brought to me in bed which makes a nice change (it even makes up for the fact that his job means we're up at stupid o'clock!!) He took delivery of some chicks two days ago so I went in to see them today - well, yesterday, as it's now 3am on Saturday morning - if you thought 3 day old chicks were cute, just imagine 12,500 of them!!!! The noise was almost deafening but ohhhh, they were just soooo sweet!! No, I couldn't resist picking one up to see if they really are as soft and fluffy as they look, and yes they are. The children are most disappointed I didn't smuggle a few out in my pocket!!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sorry there's no photos again this post. I promise I will make more of an effort to add some in future. :-)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Luciehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07406880481050448649noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4587948880450445747.post-15766168384276445392012-04-24T18:58:00.001+01:002012-04-24T18:58:05.470+01:00<br />
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">It’s Millie’s
12<sup>th</sup> birthday today, where did the time go?? We had a little tea party for her last night
which they all seemed to enjoy. It was
lovely to see her face when she saw that she had some more presents. As I couldn’t decide which cake to buy her I
ended up getting her two, one of which they had last night and the other one I’m
going to save until the weekend.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Another bit
of nice news from me is that I’ve been seeing someone new since January. We actually met last year at my best friend’s
wedding but were both seeing other people so it didn’t cross my mind that we
would become an item. It was only when
we met again at the Groom’s birthday do in January that we ended up getting
together as we were both single again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">He’s lovely,
really kind, and not one of those arrogant men who can’t admit they are wrong
and have to be right all the time or who can’t admit to not knowing something.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We’re both
really busy with our own lives – I have the children, my OU course, the gym etc.
and he has work, his son and all of his other interests – so we’re not in each
other’s pockets and always round at each other’s houses at every possible
moment. Before I met him again I’d
actually made a conscious decision to stay single (I really must do a blog
entry with all my dating stories, my nail technician says I should write a book
with them all because some of them are hilarious) because the men I’d gone out
with all wanted to spend more time with me than I did with them. I’ve got so used to having my time to myself
when the children are at their dad’s I really don’t want to give it up for
anyone. I love my evenings on my own
where I put my PJs on about 6pm and either curl up on the sofa with the TV
programmes I’ve recorded or in bed with a load of reading material. I also just didn’t want the complications of
a relationship getting in the way of my OU course either.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">So we see
each other once a week, sometimes twice, and it’s really nice that we’ve got
loads to talk about. He introduced me to
one of his hobbies last week which I really enjoyed (more on that in a later
post!). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">One of the
disadvantages of his job is the early mornings though!! I am soooo not a morning person and I don’t
think I ever will be. He owns a farm and
when I stay over his alarm goes off before 7am and if that hasn’t woken me up
the farm machinery outside is guaranteed to.
As a child I always wished I lived on a farm and now I have to admit I
am really glad I don’t!! It was nice to
wake up there on Easter Monday morning and not only not have to get up at
stupid o’clock but also for there to be total silence as well. As he had no work that day we spent a lovely
morning just chilling out, watching TV, drinking coffee and eating hot cross
buns. </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">There is an
advantage to the stupidly early mornings though, it does mean I can shock my
bestie by turning up mega early for things when she is used to me being
late. We’d arranged to meet in Costa one
morning and she walked straight past at ten past nine thinking there was no way
on earth I would be there at that time.
I was well chuffed to show off my receipt that said I was served at ten to
nine!! Lol<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Another
advantage is the fresh eggs for nothing, without the hassle of actually keeping
the hens yourself.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">So with that
and everything else going on in my life right now I’m really happy. Maybe that should be the topic of another
entry? The secret of how I found true
happiness?? Watch this space….. ;-)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>Luciehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07406880481050448649noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4587948880450445747.post-53780365595093369502012-04-22T23:38:00.001+01:002012-04-22T23:38:11.726+01:00Birthdays<br />
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">It’s been a
lovely weekend here at home. Saturday
was Beth’s 19<sup>th</sup> birthday which made me feel very old as I was 19
when I had her. I could be a grandma
now!!! That is a very scary thought!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We had a
little party for her on Friday evening as is customary, and she had her (also
customary) black forest gateaux (which didn’t get dropped on the floor, one
custom I am quite happy not to continue!!).
She seemed really pleased with it and wasn’t too disappointed that her
presents hadn’t arrived in time.
Hopefully they will turn up sometime this week as I ordered them back at
the beginning of the month. I did get
her an e-voucher for Nintendo which was in her card so she has something, and
then she has to wait until August for the fourth item as it isn’t released
until then.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">On Saturday
afternoon I had a quick run into town with Ellie and Sophie, partly to get
Millie’s birthday presents and partly to try and cheer Ellie up a bit as she
had some devastating news in the week and was very upset on Saturday
morning. A wander round the shops and a
hot chocolate and cake in Costa seemed to help a little.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Sunday was a
lovely lazy day. The weather has been
appalling recently so I stocked up on firewood on Friday and we’ve had the fire
burning most of the weekend. We didn’t
bother to get dressed today and just chilled out for the day and ate hot cross
buns. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Tomorrow it’s
going to be Millie’s birthday tea after school.
Her birthday is actually on Tuesday but she’ll be at her dad’s on
Tuesday evening so she’s having her birthday here a day early. After a lot of whinging I let her have her
presents this evening and she was delighted with them. It now gives me the dilemma – do I give her
the ones I still have hidden away or not bother???? Actually, it doesn’t really, I can’t wait to
see her little face when I get them out for her tomorrow as she now thinks she’s
had everything she’s getting….. </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I said in my
last post that lots of things has happened since my previous post way back in
September. Well, one really big thing is
I have started a degree with the Open University. For the purposes of transitional fees
(because I started studying before the fees went up I am eligible for my fees
for the next 6 year to stay at the current rate and not have to pay the
increased fees) I have had to declare exactly what degree I am doing. Hopefully I’m not going to change my mind,
but I am doing – fanfare please – a BA (Hon) History degree!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I signed up
in August last year to do an Openings module which is aimed at people like me
who have not studied for a long time and who need an introduction to University
level study, particularly with the OU. I
was slightly nervous, years of being made to feel like I’m stupid and having my
confidence eroded had left me thinking there was no way I could do something
like this. I can’t remember what it was
now that prompted me to do it but whatever it was, I decided to get myself
signed up before I could talk my way out of it again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I did Y180
Making Sense of the Arts and thoroughly enjoyed it. It was a lot easier than I expected, not
nearly as scary as I thought it would be and was fantastic for my
self-confidence. The main thing it
taught me was that yes, I bloody well can do it and no, I’m not stupid at all.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I’m
currently doing a level one module (equivalent to the first year of a degree)
and have just registered for my next module, a level two based on the rather
wide period of 1400-1900 which I’m really looking forward to starting in
September. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">If someone
had told me a year ago that in 12 months time I’d have signed up for a degree
and would be part way through my second module I would never have believed
them! What a difference a year makes!! </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>Luciehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07406880481050448649noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4587948880450445747.post-34628938899125187062012-04-18T20:42:00.000+01:002012-04-18T20:44:03.779+01:00<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%">Oh dear, once again I have gone months and months without writing anything again. Having just checked it’s been seven whole months and quite a lot has happened here since then. So much so that I’m going to split it down into several posts rather than one long one and then I’ll have something to post over several days in the hopes that I’ll get into the habit of writing more regularly.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%">So, where to start?? Well, the Easter holidays have just finished. They went really fast as I had the children for the first week and then they went to stay with their dad for a week. We didn’t do a huge amount although one day I took the children (apart from the eldest two) to Cadbury’s World. Jack’s first reaction when we got there was “why have you brought us here??? I hate chocolate!!” and Alfie just informed me that “chocolate isn’t healthy”. Hmmmmm. Funnily enough though, both were quite happy to tuck into the “free” chocolate we were given although they weren’t quite so keen on the little pots of warm melted chocolate. Unfortunately this meant I had to finish them off for them…. Oh, it’s a tough life being a mum isn’t it???? LOL<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%">They really enjoyed the day out there but it was a shame the weather was so appalling as it meant they couldn’t go on the outdoor playground which looked fantastic. I have to admit though, I’m glad it only cost me £6.80 to get in (thanks to Tesco!!) as I don’t think it was worth the full price for the tickets. I’m sure that when I went about 15 years ago they gave us about 5 bars of chocolate as we went round, this time we got 3.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%">The older two have a trip promised for later on in the year which I’m really looking forward to taking them on.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%">On Monday we went to Belton House as there is a large adventure playground there and my friend has told me how good it is. I found a special offer to join the National Trust and better still went through a cash back website so I’ve “saved” a bit more money. The children loved it and we spent a couple of hours there while they went off and had fun and a couple of rides on the little train. Definitely somewhere we will be returning to several more times over the year, and there are quite a few NT properties I’d like to go and visit by myself as well that I know the children wouldn’t really enjoy.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%">All of the children are doing really well. Jack and Sophie have both been moved up to the next classes at school because they’re so far ahead of where they should be. The old A-word (autism) has reared its head with Millie again so that might all start up again. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%">Little Amos is just a little darling. He was 3 in February and has recently amazed me by learning to spell his name and “mum” on my laptop. I thought it was just a case of him knowing where the letters are on the keyboard but then I bought him a tub of letters for the bath and he loves sorting through them and finding the correct letters for both words. He’s also got a set of alphablocks letters (a Cbeebies series) and he loves those too, and knows all the sounds. He makes me laugh with the things he says as well, he’s such a funny little fellow and a really cheeky little character.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%">The cash back website I mentioned earlier is below. It’s brilliant and I really do highly recommend it. They don’t charge any fees so you get all the cash back and if you take it as Amazon vouchers you get an extra 10%!! What’s not to love??<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 19px; line-height: 21px;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 19px; line-height: 21px;"> <object width="300" height="250"><param name="movie" value="http://www.topcashback.co.uk/images/banners/swf/300.swf?clickTag=http://www.TopCashBack.co.uk/ref/LucieJ"> <param name="bgcolor" value="#6666CC"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.topcashback.co.uk/images/banners/swf/300.swf?clickTag=http://www.TopCashBack.co.uk/ref/LucieJ" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="300" height="250"></embed></object></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 19px; line-height: 21px;"> </span></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%"><br /></span></p>Luciehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07406880481050448649noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4587948880450445747.post-84961135114774407282011-09-29T22:34:00.004+01:002011-09-29T22:46:55.292+01:00<div style="text-align: center;">I thought I'd post a nice update with some photos tonight. As I mentioned in a previous entry me and the girls have been having riding lessons and are loving it. I ride a horse called Morris and I love him. So much so I even find myself feeling jealous when I take Sophie up there for her lessons and see someone else on him.</div><div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto;"><u><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw1h0CyiYgKEbjj24eXDqME-RRbBiJ2wxsQFOnqRxYufB9Ck6S0YPw7PbqEpsGyc-zMigIxDSp3hQQpqwZaBBCeBSXAkN_CUAeng0m30IU_SymgKyBHvq3W4y8u72Vd3XQPQLG9kxvGftt/s320/DSCF4083.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5657899000393536738" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></u></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div>Sophie loves riding Misty and Ellie loves Mini Murphy.</div><div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-9XQh2kq361silPx5wnPPYbVnLRyVQy8uCiYgJtYG4x1W3qqE3zNZfzMkPgyoNhDeustb1DjLeQN2jdYqn5mCtx_dQ4YMewc9XtJx3CWWZNO42rHj8-Z33kUrvQTdtQr-o8u0jCsgToHt/s320/DSCF4079.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5657900459063349042" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIA3ex-T1vb0MVDxwcVtcvchYUN0ZavVkTDGqeSCyZ84D8gRIYA42jUssaqkimiJOFt9R6QKDW72NDkWeM7ypUCUr9NvZ09Cti933hZoJTU8o6DvujiY39HZCbrYh6buo20UYaAeXfRUcf/s320/DSCF4114.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5657900463164741058" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "></span></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div>Our dream now is to own our own pony which at the moment isn't something that I can afford to do so I'm looking into loaning a pony. Finger crossed......</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><div><div><div><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirY4Fs6jx-Mb8rbL6gwNeW3sPDchkU-QbPdwWH876UlJE8Rod1JUXc9aV5qS3lLE8lVZfTF9qI6-eAuIzjMU_ANGk19Y9J-D1kZLGcQydwUB4pdQdRlI5BG0heMQbVfrJK_ZcjvvevNkWX/s320/DSCF4115.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5657900475304155154" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div></div></div></div></div></div><div><br /></div></div></div></div>Luciehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07406880481050448649noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4587948880450445747.post-39025578323226648792011-09-25T23:58:00.002+01:002011-09-26T00:03:05.956+01:00<p class="MsoNormal">I suppose blogs are the modern day equivalent of paper diaries, the main difference being that by putting it online you know other people will read it.<span> </span>However, just like the “secret diaries” of old, if you go reading someone else’s and you see something about yourself that you don’t like then it serves you right for being nosey (unless the writer specifically asked you to read it).<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Blogs and diaries are a place for the writer to vent if they need to.<span> </span>I will write whatever I like about whoever I like.<span> </span>If I want to vent about someone or something then I will.<span> </span>There are only a handful of people who were invited to read my blog, and there are a few friends who have come to the blog in other ways and you are all welcome.<span> </span>Maybe you’ve found the blog by accident?<span> </span>Then you’re welcome here too.<span> </span>But maybe you are one of the few who have found the blog and read it simply to find out what I am saying,<span> </span>and to find out if I’m writing about them.<span> </span>You (and you know exactly who you are) are not welcome here.<span> </span>Just like listening in to a private conversation you might hear things you don’t like and if you do, well, you shouldn’t have been earwigging so you have no right to go running back to anyone crying that “Lucie said this about me, boo hoo, isn’t she horrible???”<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Nor do you have any right to go bringing up things from my blog from the past that have nothing to do with you.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Now, if you’re reading this and wondering what the hell I’m on about then you can be safe in the knowledge I’m not talking about you.<span> </span>If you’re reading this and you do know exactly what I’m talking about then you read on at your peril.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">I split up with my ex nearly 2 years ago.<span> </span>Things hadn’t been going well for a long time and we were both unhappy long before I told him it was over.<span> </span>Things were very unpleasant at first.<span> </span>Despite the effort to be civil to each other for the sake of the children the tension and nastiness didn’t always stay under the surface and we both said stuff to hurt and upset the other.<span> </span>And we both said stuff to other people about the other that wasn’t nice. He told some really awful lies about me in emails etc to the various women he was in contact with last year such as that I had had affairs and wasn’t to be trusted to look after my own children.<span> </span>All total and utter rubbish but he said them because he wanted to hurt me.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">However things have improved massively and I think we can both now say we are genuinely friends with the other.<span> </span>The nastiness is behind us.<span> </span>We’ve closed the door on it and moved on as we are both adults.<span> </span>It’s nothing to do with anyone else and it’s not something that either of us are going to bring up and most certainly not use it as ammunition in an argument which would be incredibly childish of us wouldn’t it?<span> </span>And it would be incredibly childish and totally inappropriate of someone else to bring it up wouldn’t it?????<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Both of us have moved on in our lives.<span> </span>We’ve both had other relationships.<span> </span>He has been seeing someone for about a year now and I have never had a problem with that.<span> </span>There have been a number of things that I could have kicked up a fuss about but I never have because I haven’t wanted to cause trouble.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Despite the fact that we are no longer together the biggest thing that we both agree on and are both adamant about is that the children are our number one priority.<span> </span>They come first.<span> </span>They come before anything or anyone else.<span> </span>New partners included!!<span> </span>And as part of that, to ensure they are happy and to help them accept the situation, he and I are determined to stay on the best terms we can.<span> </span>That means we are friends.<span> </span>We’ll chat, we’re there for each other if one of us is ill or needs help or whatever. We went for a meal for my birthday the other week.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">We were together for 18 years, you can’t be together for that long and not care about each other.<span> </span>Not in any way other than as friends.<span> </span>You care about your friends don’t you? It doesn’t mean you want to sleep with them does it?<span> </span>It means nothing other than you care about them.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Unfortunately a certain person doesn’t like this.<span> </span>She doesn’t like me and C being friends.<span> </span>She doesn’t care about our children’s feelings or their welfare.<span> </span>She doesn’t care that the best thing for them is that their parents are friends.<span> </span>She doesn’t like that they come first to their father.<span> </span>If she didn’t have a child of her own you could maybe understand her not being able to see that children are the priority but she does have a child herself - although from what I can gather she spends very little time with him and is quite happy to dump him off on other people so she can do her own thing - so maybe doesn’t have that maternal instinct that most other women have.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">C added me as a friend on facebook.<span> </span>Now I may be wrong but surely he has the right to be friends with whoever he likes on there including his ex?<span> </span>Obviously not, judging by the fuss that kicked off which got even worse when C and I became neighbours in the Sims game on there.<span> </span>Now I have to admit I’m not really into games so wouldn’t normally have started playing something on Facebook but the children were desperate for me to play something with them and I couldn’t work out how to play Horse Academy so The Sims it was.<span> </span>I’m going to assume that you know the game and that you go and visit your neighbours and become friends with them and send them items they need etc etc all as part of the game.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">So, I’m playing it and all is quiet until C tells me there has been an almighty row over me sending him a request in the game.<span> </span>Apparently it means I want to get back together with him. Does the fact I am “dating” my 8 year old daughter in the game mean I want an incestuous relationship with her??? No!!<span> </span>Of course it doesn’t.<span> </span>and I sent the same request to my 15 year old son.<span> </span>Again does it mean anything more than just being part of a facebook game??? No.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Notice I keep mentioning the word “game” over and again.<span> </span>This person obviously spends so much time on her computer that she cannot tell the difference between a game (which isn’t real) and the big wide world outside her bedroom which is real.<span> </span>She’s obviously very immature mentally because she spends so much time playing games and she is in her 40’s (I’m not sure exactly how old but judging from what I have seen of her I would say mid to late 40s).<span> </span>Most women have more important things to do than playing computer games don’t they?<span> </span>Real life means there is washing and housework, shopping and cooking etc to do.<span> </span>Mind you, she still lives with her parents which is quite worrying as well at that age. C hasn't said much to me about it but from what he has said I think she has some serious mental issues which make me concerned about the safety of my children.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">So, for a quiet life C leaves the game and unfriends me again.<span> </span>How ridiculous is that?<span> </span>That he can’t be friends with who he likes or play a game he wants to play because of her immaturity and jealousy.<span> </span>And yet she claimed that she doesn’t have a problem with him being friends or talking to whoever he likes…..<span> </span>Er, yeah, whatever love.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Now surely that should have been the end of it?<span> </span>Ohhh no.<span> </span>She then decides to slag me off on her facebook account which I would probably have been totally oblivious to had it not been for the fact she was friends with my children on facebook and one of them had left the computer logged into her facebook account and it was there in the middle of the screen in her news feed.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Now, by all means slag me off on facebook but NOT where my children can see it.<span> </span>What kind of a person does something like that???<span> </span>She has already upset them loads with stuff she has posted on there. I've had enough of seeing them upset by her.<span> </span>Whatever problem you have with someone you keep it away from their children.<span> </span>Again, it shows how immature and insensitive she is.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">All this time I’ve kept quiet.<span> </span>I’d told C how ridiculous I thought she was being over the game, but seeing her post on FB was the final straw so I put something on my FB that she would only see if she was snooping around looking at my profile as it was set to private until that point and I made this particular post public.<span> </span>And yes, she was of course snooping around.<span> </span>What did I say at the start of this post about being nosey??<span> </span>You’ll likely hear or see something about yourself that you don’t like.<span> </span>And off she goes, kicking off again.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">So C has a go at her about it, tells her not to go looking at my profile and to stop trying to cause trouble.<span> </span>He has got health issues at the moment and asked her to keep things calm for him at the moment because the last thing he needs is her having a go at him over<span> </span>pathetic things.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Many years ago he had a big fall out with his parents which resulted in him not speaking to them or having any contact with him.<span> </span>I’d always said that if he decided he did want to get back in touch then he should do and I would be 100% behind him but he never wanted to.<span> </span>He changed his mind last year and has seen them a few times and recently decided he wanted to introduce the children to them.<span> </span>I said I would like to go along as well as it would be nice to see them again and also because it would be a major thing for the children to meet their grandparents for the first time as they didn’t know they even existed.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Guess who didn’t like this??? Yep.<span> </span>For some reason she seems to think she had some right to be there instead.<span> </span>I really cannot see why she should.<span> </span>They’re not her children, and they’re not her in-laws.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">So, off we went on Saturday to see them.<span> </span>It was a lovely day.<span> </span>It was really nice to see my in-laws again after all these years and it was nice to see the children meeting them for the first time as well.<span> </span>During the day I posted on FB something along the lines of “having a lovely day with C, the children and their grandparents in Scarborough”.<span> </span>When we got back my mother-in-law and I became friends on FB and the following day she posted a load of photos from the day, some of which I commented on.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">You know what’s coming next don’t you????<span> </span>Yep.<span> </span>Madam goes ballistic.<span> </span>Apparently I posted that update on FB to wind her up.<span> </span>Erm, I posted it on MY wall, for MY friends to read.<span> </span>YOU’VE been told NOT to look at my profile so why are you doing it again??????<span> </span>Apparently I’m playing games and she accused me of playing happy families….<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Ok, lets spell this one out.<span> </span>C is my husband as we are still legally married.<span> </span>So we are still family.<span> </span>The children will always be my children and C’s children.<span> </span>We ARE a family.<span> </span>His parents are my in-law’s and because of the children I will always be part of their family through the children.<span> </span>It WAS a family day out.<span> </span>And it was a happy day out.<span> </span>There was no “playing happy families”.<span> </span>She is nothing to C’s parents and she is nothing to the children.<span> </span>She can’t claim to be part of C’s family in any legal or blood way at all.<span> </span>So why should she have been there????<span> </span>I’m part of the family.<span> </span>She is not.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">She didn’t like the photos that were posted because they had me in them and of course I only commented on them saying I liked them to cause trouble.<span> </span>Oh grow up you silly cow.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">By now I have had enough of this.<span> </span>I’ve had enough of her going running to C telling tales and whining like a 5 year old.<span> </span>He doesn’t need the stress of it anyway, especially not at the moment.<span> </span>I cannot believe that a woman of her age is acting like this.<span> </span>She’s older than me yet she’s behaving like a child.<span> </span>Even my children say she’s childish and pathetic for making such a fuss about me being friends with C on facebook and about us being friends.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">So I insisted on speaking to her about it.<span> </span>She started coming out with a load of crap about how she made an effort with me.<span> </span>Erm? Yeah, right.<span> </span>Who was it that completely snubbed my invitiation to one of the girl’s birthday party??<span> </span>Not only did she not bother to turn up she didn’t even have the courtesy to decline the invitation.<span> </span>She could have asked C to make an excuse for her if she didn’t want to come but she didn’t even have the basic manners to do that.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Then she had the nerve to bring up stuff that has absolutely nothing to do with her from the past.<span> </span>Don’t the experts always say you should never bring up stuff from the past in an argument?<span> </span>That’s bad enough but when you bring up something from someone else’s past that is none of your business that is way out of order.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">I’d had enough of the total crap and bollocks she was spouting so I told her what I think of her.<span> </span>I don’t take back what I said.<span> </span>She IS fat.<span> </span>She IS ugly.<span> </span>And she IS a bitch.<span> </span>Then she hung up on me and threw the phone at C.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">As I said earlier, I have never had a problem with C having a relationship with her.<span> </span>I have never tried to cause trouble between them and I have never tried to split them up.<span> </span>I’ve always just let them get on with it.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">I understand her feeling threatened by me.<span> </span>I look after myself.<span> </span>I like to make sure I look nice, I wear nice clothes and shoes (ok, not every single day, some days I like to wear jeans and my converse and not bother with my contact lenses), I wear make-up, I’ve lost loads of weight and am determined to maintain it, I have my hair and nails done.<span> </span>I make an effort over my appearance.<span> </span>Maybe if she put as much effort into how she looks as she has done in trying to cause trouble between me and C then she’d feel better about herself.<span> </span>If she lost some weight, did something about her hair, wore a bit of make-up and wore better clothes she might feel more confident.<span> </span>I know she’s heading for her 50s but she doesn’t have to dress and look like she’s already there.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">She accuses me of trying to split them up but I have never done anything to try that.<span> </span>And the way she is behaving she is doing an excellent job of causing it to happen herself. <span> </span>We’ve both moved on.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">However, she has pissed me off enough now to find out just what happens when you piss off and annoy the ex.<span> </span>The phone call.<span> </span>This post.<span> </span>Had she just acted like an adult and kept her big mouth shut (not easy when it’s even bigger than your arse, especially when you’re hiding behind a computer screen I accept) then all would have been fine and quiet.<span> </span>Those who know me know that I’m a lovely person but deep inside there is a bitch who will come out when necessary to protect my family.<span> </span>You’ve now seen her.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Madam now needs to take several steps back, stop giving C grief, leave him alone on the subject of me, leave me alone and accept that if she wants a future with him then that involves me being in his life and she has to stop rocking the boat.<span> </span>She has to accept that his children come over and above her and always will do.<span> </span>The highest she will ever be in his eyes is number 9.<span> </span>And she is going to have to stop looking through his facebook messages, phone logs etc because she might just find something she doesn’t want to see.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">I know this isn’t the end of it all.<span> </span>I don’t need to have psychic powers to know that she is bound to kick off again over Christmas.<span> </span>Neither C or I want to spend Christmas without the children and neither of us will.<span> </span>She claims Christmas is a time for family yet she kicked off last year because he spent the day with his children.<span> </span>Surely if family are so important to her then she could have no problem with that???<span> </span>Oh no.<span> </span>She and her family were pissed off he didn’t spend the day with them.<span> </span>Once again the hypocrite comes out…..<span> </span>Her family are not his family so why would he spend the day with them and not his own children who ARE his family????<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">As long as peace reigns these are my final words on the matter.<span> </span>If she stirs up the shit again then I won’t stay quiet.<span> </span>Just sayin’.<o:p></o:p></p>Luciehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07406880481050448649noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4587948880450445747.post-45879584803167514282011-09-14T01:54:00.002+01:002011-09-14T02:08:17.416+01:00The children went back to school last week. The holidays were a bit strange this year as the children stayed with their dad for a week, then with me for a week and back to their dad's etc etc. It was really hard going for a whole week without them so I am really glad that things have gone back to normal. It didn't feel like 6 weeks but then it never does.<div><br /></div><div>Millie has so far settled really well into her new school. The school has decided not to get her statemented, not to supply her with a one-to-one carer and to disregard the advice her previous school supplied them with for dealing with her when she has her meltdowns. I suspect she'll only need to have 2 or 3 before they change their mind!!!!</div><div><br /></div><div>The school run has become interesting now though. I used to drop off at the secondary school on the way to the primary school and we'd leave the house at half eight. Now I have to leave at eight, and the secondary and primary school children get dropped off for breakfast club at their schools so I can get Millie to school in the opposite direction on time. This involves almost driving back past the house on the way to M's school. Sometimes home education seems very appealing!!!!!!!!!!</div><div><br /></div><div>I was thinking of putting Amos into pre-school after Christmas when he's almost 3 but the one I would want him to go to is in yet another village. Unless I can find one in the village M goes to school in....</div><div><br /></div><div>Back in July I did something I'd always wanted to do but hadn't been brave enough - I had my belly button pierced. It's not something I'll be putting on show - 8 babies and fluctuating weight over the years has not been kind to my stomach so I won't be offending the eyes of the world by putting it on display - but I like it and it's nice having a little secret (a bit like knowing you're wearing really nice underwear, lol)</div><div><br /></div><div>Hopefully I'll soon be able to start posting photos again. Sorry my posts are a bit boring - I always like looking at photos on other people's blogs.</div>Luciehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07406880481050448649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4587948880450445747.post-24780209825887616632011-09-14T01:37:00.002+01:002011-09-14T01:46:14.672+01:00Being September and a new year in a way - new school year anyway - I often find myself thinking about new starts, things I'd like to achieve and sometimes even about the past.<div><br /></div><div>As part of the journey through life you make friends and then often you outgrow the friendship and move on. Maybe that's what has happened here in the case I'm about to talk about.</div><div><br /></div><div>I became friends with a really lovely lady I met online on a parenting forum. She lived closeish to me and we used to email a lot and met up a few times (but not often enough). I'm not going to mention names but if she still reads my blog then she will know who I mean when I say she is due to have her 6th baby very soon and last year moved much closer to where I live and her husband is involved with horses.</div><div><br /></div><div>I don't know what happened. I don't know if I did or said something to upset or offend her but she stopped replying to my emails. If you are reading this and I did upset or offend you then I am truly sorry. I think about you often and wonder how you all are. And I miss you. I hope everything goes well with the new baby and if there is anything I can do, well, you know how to contact me. Please do. :-)</div><div><br /></div><div>Maybe it was just time for her to move on from our friendship. That's fine. If you recognise who I am talking about and you're in contact with her please let her know I am thinking of her.</div>Luciehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07406880481050448649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4587948880450445747.post-39853895862798726192011-09-04T01:14:00.002+01:002011-09-04T01:44:19.750+01:00Once again it's my favourite time of year, September and the beginning of Autumn. And once again it's been months since I last wrote anything.<div>
<br /></div><div>I do have a good excuse this time though, honest!! Back in June one of the children knocked a glass of water over on the coffee table on which was sitting my laptop. No prizes for guessing what happened next!! Fortunately I'm covered on my house insurance for accidental damage so my laptop went off to be looked at, was declared to be FUBAR and for the cost of my excess I have got a new laptop. Eventually. I was told it would arrive within 7-10 days but 4 weeks later I still hadn't received it. Turned out the courier had lost it so another one was despatched and it finally arrived on Thursday.</div><div>
<br /></div><div>I used to spend an inordinate amount of time on my laptop, checking facebook, reading the many blogs I followed, on eBay etc etc but nearly 3 months without has meant I've kind of done cold turkey and I have hardly touched the new one. I can't remember the names of most of the blogs I followed either. I also have a bit of a problem typing. I've got so used to using the keypad on my BlackBerry (and the way it auto corrects my words and adds commas and full stops for me automatically) I'm struggling slightly to get used to proper typing again, lol</div><div>
<br /></div><div>I'm still loving my "new" car. Every time I look out of the window at it I feel a real sense of pride about it. </div><div>
<br /></div><div>I've been in the house for over a year now. I still love it here, although I kind of wish I owned it so I could decorate it and make a few changes to it. </div><div>
<br /></div><div>I've taken up a new hobby as well. As a child I always wanted to learn to horse ride and to have my own horse. About 13 years ago I finally started having riding lessons and really enjoyed it until one day the horse I was on was spooked by something and took off down the sand school at a gallop with me hanging on for dear life. I was still trying to master canter at that stage so galloping was a bit too fast. I had one more lesson after that but hated it so much I never went back.</div><div>
<br /></div><div>Ellie has always had a love of horses (she was a few months old when I had those lessons back then) and always wanted to learn to ride. She'd had a couple of lessons on holiday at Center Parcs and had done an "own a pony" day at a local riding school but her dream of having regular lessons didn't come true until last year when her school started up a riding club on a Monday night at a local equestrian centre. She's loved it and got several rosettes and a certificate for being the most improved rider in the club.</div><div>
<br /></div><div>I've been a bit jealous, wishing I could have some lessons again too. Back in April or May I promised her and Sophie riding lessons in the summer holidays. A couple of weeks ago I realised that the holidays were nearly over and I couldn't break my promise so I got them booked in. Ellie said she was scared about having a lesson all by herself so I said I'd do it with her....</div><div>
<br /></div><div>I've had two lessons and absolutely loved it!! It was so good to be back on a horse again after all that time. I wasn't at all nervous about it either. So we're going to have regular lessons. Sadly because of the cost they wont be as regular as we would like but anything is better than nothing. Sophie had never been on a horse before but was declared a natural and has spoken about nothing else since. So that's three of us that are now horse mad!!</div><div>
<br /></div><div>One of our neighbours has some stables being built on part of their land behind my house and I asked if they would be renting any of them out when they are finished. She said they may do.... To get to the stables you have to go through our garden so it wouldn't be far to go. At the moment it's just a dream but one that could possibly come true.</div><div>
<br /></div><div>I've also got something very exciting happening in November. I start an OU course in History! I really can't wait, I want to get started right now. It's given me a boost to start reading again which is good as I do miss reading. To further help this I've joined a local book club as well - it's a good way of meeting new people and getting me out of the house.</div><div>
<br /></div><div>Another bit of news, and good news at that, is that we finally, after so many years of fighting, have got a diagnosis for Millie. It's not autism or aspergers which in some ways is a relief, it's attachment disorder. Are you asking yourself "what's attachment disorder?" That is possibly going to be a problem when it comes to getting her further help at school. The psychologist said that Millie needs to be statemented asap and she needs to have a one to one assistant with her all day at school. I just hope we don't have to fight too hard to get it for her (I know, I know, with budgets the way they are it's unlikely it's going to be easy or even possible). Attachment disorder doesn't sound very serious does it? But when you have to live with it you realise it actually is.</div><div>
<br /></div><div>So, that's my quick update.</div>Luciehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07406880481050448649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4587948880450445747.post-3953886056215313312011-05-17T21:56:00.001+01:002011-05-17T21:56:12.112+01:00Another long gap between postings. So, what’s the latest?<br /><br />I have got a new car. When I moved out because my Picasso wasn’t big enough for all the children C and I shared cars. Whichever one of us had the children had his Previa and the one without the children had my Picasso. Neither of us liked this arrangement, it was a real nuisance but until I could get mine sold and buy a new one we didn’t have a lot of choice.<br /><br />Well, a couple of weeks ago I found a potential candidate on eBay, got in touch with the dealer, went to see it, came to an agreement over part exchange etc and I drove away with a very nice Ford Galaxy Zetec. So far I love it. Yes, it’s a bit scratched (but what difference does that make to how a car runs?) and it smelt of cigarette smoke (which an air freshener has sorted out) but it’s mine, all mine. I don’t have to share it, I can get the children in it and it’s given me a big boost to my confidence knowing that I sorted it all out by myself.<br /><br />Being independent has been something that I have gotten used to now and I am loving it. To the extent that I really hate it when people offer to do things for me. Even if it’s something I’m really struggling with. It took me nearly a week to work out how to put Amos’s toddler bed together. For some reason I just couldn’t get the screws to go in and I couldn’t for the life of me work out why. Eventually I managed it but there was no way I was taking up the offer of help with it. I’ve built bunk beds, wardrobes, drawers and double beds all by myself so there was no way a simple toddler bed was going to defeat me!!<br /><br />I’m also loving the time on my own when the children aren’t here. It’s so nice to be able to relax in the evening with a DVD or whatever I feel like doing. I’m kind of seeing someone, it’s a very casual thing, but it really suits me. We see each other maybe once or twice a week and go away together from time to time but the rest of the time is my own. I really couldn’t be doing with someone wanting to be with me all the time. I like my own company too much now - not that I get to spend much time on my own. I tend to be out and about all day and into the evening. I can see myself being single forever.<br /><br />In a couple of weeks I’m going to be a witness at my best friends wedding. I can’t wait. I think I’m nearly as excited as the bride herself. I’ve been involved in the planning right from the start so I really feel part of it. I was so chuffed when she asked me to be her witness. I’m thinking more of a Pippa Middleton role though!! When we went to the shop so she could try dresses on back in January I couldn’t resist trying one myself. It was absolutely gorgeous!!<br /><br />Last week for her hen night we went for a fish pedicure. Oh my goodness!! It was really weird at first and I didn’t like it. We were booked in for 15 minutes each but I ended up having half an hour because I ended up enjoying it so much. Definitely going again for another one!!Luciehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07406880481050448649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4587948880450445747.post-67196586468605524262011-03-21T16:36:00.000+00:002011-03-21T16:37:12.466+00:00I haven’t written anything for absolutely ages again. Not that there has been a great amount to tell really.<br /><br />There has been progress with getting a diagnosis for Millie. She’s being statemented and is going to be re-assessed later in the year. She’s going to the school we hoped she would get into which is smaller than the other option and has a very good SEN provision. So things are positive on that front.<br /><br />All the other children are fine. Amos is now 2 - it’s gone by so quickly. He’s such a sweet little thing most of the time (yes, he has his moments!!) and is getting really chatty. He loves In The Night Garden, and would sit and watch it all day if he could. He loves his books as well which is really cute.<br /><br />Jack (6) was assessed recently and has a reading age of an 11.5 year old. Alfie and Sophie are both ahead of where they should be too which is fantastic.<br /><br />We’ve really settled into the “new” house now as well which is nice. At the moment I’m thinking we’re going to be here for a good few years.<br /><br />Last week I went up to Manchester for a few days which was a nice break. I stayed in a really nice apartment just off Deansgate so nice and close to the centre of the city. I met up with my best friend from school. We havent seen each other for 17 years, and fell out back then over something or other. We got back in touch a couple of years ago through Friends Reunited and finally met up again last week.<br /><br />I met her in a Starbucks and when she walked in neither of us spoke, we just gave each other a massive hug and burst into tears. Most of the day was spent with us hugging, crying and saying “I can’t believe it”. It was lovely, and we have vowed that it won’t be another 17 years before we get together again. It didn’t feel like 17 years, we sat and just chatted easily as if it had only been last week that we’d last seen each other.Luciehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07406880481050448649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4587948880450445747.post-50692993423671476892011-01-01T23:45:00.001+00:002011-01-01T23:45:40.408+00:00Well, what a year!!<br /><br />I’ve just read the postings for January 2010, before everything changed, and I really had no idea just what a massive year it was going to be for my life.<br /><br />It’s been amazing. It’s been tough at times too, but I don’t regret my decision. I’m looking forward to 2011 and hope it’s going to be even better.<br /><br />Christmas was good - C came over for the day and it was a lovely day for everyone I hope. No fighting or arguing, just a really nice family day.<br /><br />I hope your 2011 is a good one and I will try and blog at least semi-regularly!!Luciehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07406880481050448649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4587948880450445747.post-45370949360756918502010-11-27T17:36:00.002+00:002010-11-27T17:39:13.555+00:00DressemberThere's a group of us taking part in a challenge called Dressember. The idea is to wear a dress (or skirt) every day in December. If you'd like to find out more, or better still join us, have a look here: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Dressember/125734977487362">http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Dressember/125734977487362</a><br /><br /><br />I've set up another blog to chart my progress in the challenge as well as to post about other clothes, shoes etc (basically girly stuff) in the future. You can find it here: <a href="http://tuesdayshoesday.blogspot.com/">http://tuesdayshoesday.blogspot.com/</a>Luciehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07406880481050448649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4587948880450445747.post-50640949450170618572010-11-15T00:49:00.003+00:002010-11-15T00:51:58.970+00:00When I moved out of the marital home we were really surprised at how well Millie had taken it all. I’d expected her to react badly to the changes but she seemed to be absolutely fine. And when she went back to school all seemed well too.<br /><br />Of course, it didn’t last! Her behaviour has got worse and worse. Her meltdowns became more frequent and I was seeing a lot more of her “behaviours” at home. Meltdowns are starting first thing in the morning and she is spending a lot of time out of the classroom because she can’t cope with being in there. It’s awful to see her the way she’s gone. School are fantastic, she has a one to one who spends a lot of time with her and they have a table set up in the corridor outside the classroom for her with colouring, pens, plasticine etc for her. But it’s getting to the point where they can’t cope either and she’s coming home at lunchtime when her one to one goes home.<br /><br />I took her to the doctors to ask them to refer her again to try and get a diagnosis. The school wrote a letter to back up the request as well. We have an appointment on 1st December and the one to one is going to come with us as well to explain what happens at school which I obviously don’t see.<br /><br />She’s also got the ed psych going into school to see her to give his opinion. Someone from Autism Outreach saw her at school - she had said that she wasn’t able to offer any help until Millie had a diagnosis but then Millie had one of her meltdowns and she said that she would unofficially help out because it was obvious she had autism.<br /><br />So, at the moment things are looking positive. Hopefully this time we will get a diagnosis. We’re also going to look at a potential secondary school for her next week - its smaller than the one she would normally go to (where my others go) and has a SEN unit that will hopefully be good for her as she wouldn’t cope in a normal sized secondary school.<br /><br />In other news, I had a very minor car accident the other day. Not my fault, the other driver was in front of me and moved over to the other side of the road so I went to pass him and he suddenly started reversing and hit the side of me wrecking the side of my car. As it happened on the road I used to live I got C to drive me back home and as we were on our way we passed the man again and he did exactly the same thing - pulled over then suddenly reversed. He obviously doesn’t bother to look. Fortunately he missed us - can you imagine ringing the insurance company to tell them that the same bloke had hit me in exactly the same way just in a different car!!<br /><br />The insurance company has provided me with a replacement until mine is fixed - a top of the range Landrover Discovery. Oh. My. God. It is amazing!!!! I love it and don’t want to give it back. I’ve had compliments on it wherever I’ve been. The kids love it too. I decided to have a look online to see how much one would be second hand. Now, I knew it would be out of my price range but I was totally shocked when I discovered it would be nearly £50k!!!!!!!!!!!! I hope my car takes months to get sorted out! <div> </div><div> </div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539572446099368882" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 239px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsssjrH1fSoBOXhCu2FVA4O6orS90dQi3CjD8jgu45TXFJh7ssdwNJKVP4Ggx4HocjNyOkZQDqjcHswiNH8g_s4fr9JFiV0JiKS-rMIv23dyN2hSXdzSlccLRzUpBAO-7KKWiMKn9W1_Kx/s320/picasso.JPG" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539572452351691858" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimB05XMEuGkzwEWcwLvMYJ6UaskymGHIawa_ygFkDvdwA7YOhSgwHYPPZIyHWsJF9qvE3PrlJDmAJ97LqQ7sM8ZAnxX8BuUZK3azgdu0PNPCpnhP6Tpgd4Pw0N59XA4lrIHSkdI28ya-aB/s320/landy.JPG" border="0" />Luciehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07406880481050448649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4587948880450445747.post-10405760088200669772010-10-24T21:30:00.001+01:002010-10-24T21:30:51.272+01:00I’m sorry, I’m terrible at keeping this blog thing up to date aren’t I? I wish I was more disciplined and could write more often. It’s not as if I don’t often think of things to post but never get round to writing them.<br /><br />So, what’s been happening since I last wrote? We’ve settled in to the new house really well. There are things I still have to buy. I was hoping to get beds for the children who need them this month (some of them are sleeping on airbeds at the moment) but once again they’ve had to go on hold as I’m going to have to buy oil for the heating instead, next month the car needs MOT-ing and taxing, then it’s Christmas…. This budgeting lark isn’t easy. I’m determined not to use any credit for anything so things have to wait, and it’s quite hard. Yes, I’m finally learning to live in the real world!!<br /><br />It’s not easy this single parenthood lark. Some days it all gets a bit overwhelming, being totally responsible for everything and everyone. It would be so nice to be able to delegate some of it to someone else. To be able to pass some of the weight of it all over to someone else. I have a couple of very good friends that I can talk to, one who has been through a very similar situation and the other is just a very good friend who is always full of good advice and ready with a hug when I need one.<br /><br />Most of the time though I love it, I love the independence and the possibilities that my life now has ahead of me. I don’t ever regret my decision - sometimes I think maybe I wouldn’t have done it if I’d known how hard it was when I’m having a bad day and feeling the pressure, but then I really don’t want my old life back either so I‘m glad I didn’t know. I don’t want to go back to constantly feeling the way I always did, or being married to someone who looks like a tramp and takes absolutely no care in how he looks (which I always felt was disrespectful).<br /><br />I enjoy being single, and all the fun that comes from going out and enjoying myself. In some ways I’ve been given the chance to have the youth that I missed out on back as I was only 19 when I had my first child.<br /><br />In other news - Millie is at the forefront of my mind at the moment. I’m trying again to get a diagnosis for her so we can access the help that’s available out there for her. I have had to apply for her secondary school place and it’s not been an easy decision like it was with the others. Her current school don’t think she will cope well in a mainstream secondary school (and I certainly don’t think she will) so I’m applying to a smaller school that has a SEN unit that I hope she will be able to achieve her potential. No, home education isn’t an option. End of.<br /><br />I’m still going to the gym lots and still really enjoying it. I train with my personal trainer twice a week and am hoping to reach my target of being a size 8 before Christmas. I lost my focus with the diet when I moved and it’s taken me until last week to get it back but I am so determined I am going to do it that I will hopefully be posting here very soon that I reached my goal.Luciehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07406880481050448649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4587948880450445747.post-89803870615074034392010-09-12T18:08:00.002+01:002010-09-12T18:12:40.955+01:00A blog I loveI used to read lots of blogs but over time I've stopped reading many of them. This is one of my favourites though: <a href="http://andyinamsterdam.com/?p=778">http://andyinamsterdam.com/?p=778</a> I love the way he writes, he almost always makes me laugh (except when he is being serious), I would love to meet him for an evening of knitting. If I ever go back to Amsterdam I am definately going to find out which knitting group he goes to and go along. And if you're reading this Andy, I promise I'm not a crazy mad stalker!! :-)Luciehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07406880481050448649noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4587948880450445747.post-41318864092890788142010-08-29T22:32:00.001+01:002010-08-29T22:32:49.526+01:00For a while now I have alluded to something going on in my life that I couldn’t really talk about then. But now I can.<br /><br />I’ve said before about blogs only showing the side of the writers life that they want you to see and that while the reader may be imagining a wonderfully rosy life where everything is perfect (and wishing theirs was so) I’m sure that often it isn’t as shiny as it seems.<br /><br />I have no idea what kind of image my blog portrays of my life, it’s hard to know when you’re the one writing, but if any of you readers has thought my life is wonderful and perfect with all my lovely children then you’re mistaken.<br /><br />In February I split up with my husband. Yes, after 17 years of marriage I couldn’t live as unhappily as I was any longer and I told him it was over. We lived in the same house until about 3 weeks ago when I moved out into my own place. I am loving the new pad, I love being able to relax, to live life the way I want to and not have to worry about anyone else (apart from the children of course).<br /><br />The children love the new house too. We have a huge garden for them to run round in and there are horses in the field behind the house which has delighted the girls no end. They keep asking me to make friends with the owners in the hopes they will be allowed to stroke them.<br /><br />It’s not all been easy. There has been an awful lot for me to sort out all by myself which was a daunting task at first but as I have done each thing I have felt a mounting sense of pride and achievement (who knew that sorting out house insurance all by yourself could be so exciting???) Sometimes it has felt that it would be so much easier not to move, to just let things carry on the way they were, but with the encouragement and help of a special friend I have done it and am so glad I have.<br /><br />So, I am now a single mother of 8 and looking forward to the next chapter of my life.<br /><br />And in case you’re wondering, things are pretty amicable between me and the ex. Yes, we have our flare ups but on the whole things are good and I hope they stay that way, for the sake of the children if nothing else. I hope we can remain friends as it will make life so much more pleasant.Luciehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07406880481050448649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4587948880450445747.post-78112176292645927062010-07-22T18:51:00.001+01:002010-07-22T18:51:38.602+01:00As part of the clear out I have back issues of The Mother magazine from issue 2 to the present for sale. I would prefer to sell them as one lot. Please email me if you’re interested (or leave a comment on here if you don’t have my email address and I’ll contact you). Also back issues of Juno magazine from issue 1 onwards.Luciehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07406880481050448649noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4587948880450445747.post-10755682512393492010-07-13T19:58:00.003+01:002010-07-13T20:00:47.171+01:00My last posting was about shoes, it made me laugh because today I bought another gorgeous pair of shoes. I don’t think I will be able to walk far in them. While I was trying them on a voice said “they’re not going to be much use in the gym!” I looked up to see one of the receptionists next to me and I joked about wearing them on the treadmill. Then she said “are you going to save them for the bedroom??” A bit of a loaded question really all things considered.<br /><p></p><p></p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493467447638823538" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgulB_iiivVR0T9X6NtJnkJp9uLadiM14WloEEvYE5ul5k7GiIvq9eSuloqK1-6KCe9A2STpmERLvg2D51hMrDlI5Hfiq-W1P2mSRLf9pw3x0vyKKNm7biktfm_2rbCJprdFX25MVydn1Jr/s320/DSCI0002.JPG" border="0" /><br /></p><br />Killer heels or what? I’m wondering if another rather rude term would apply to them too? If you are a Sex and The City fan you will probably know which one I mean!!<br /><br /><br />I love them and they were a bargain - should have been £89 but in the sale they were only £29. I really need cheering up at the moment. A lot is going on in my life and not good. Things are getting to a point where I cannot see a way out of my situation and it is very hard, but if a pair of shoes can make me feel a little bit better then it was £29 well worth spending.<br /><br /><br />I am hoping that my next post will have some good news in it and that I will then be able to share with you what is going on at the moment. Please cross everything.<br /><br /><br />I kept promising a fabric/sewing stuff/craft stuff clear out didn’t I? Well, I finally listed some of the stuff. There is still loads to go but I got to the point where I was losing the will to live with it all. Unlisted is Killington flannel, burley knit terry, loads of flannels in different colours and prints, loads of PRR, just generally loads of fabrics so if there is something you are particularly after please email me at foreverj2@yahoo.co.uk I also have loads of craft stuff - mostly scrap booking, again if there is anything you’re after let me know and I will see if I have it. I do intend to get it listed at some point but it may be a few weeks. I also have a dressmakers dummy still for sale, £30. Again, let me know if you’d like it. The link to what did get listed is here:<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/31415256@N00/">http://www.flickr.com/photos/31415256@N00/</a><br /><br /><br />Please email me about anything you want - please don’t leave comments on the photos. I haven’t got the time to keep checking through them. Sorry to be blunt. I will also only take paypal and payment must be within 24 hours, again, sorry to be blunt but I desperately need the money asap (it will become clear why soon, when I feel I can post about it). Don’t waste my time by asking for stuff, a postage price (I have to gather it all together, pack it then weigh it) and then change your mind. Again I don’t have the time to be messing around.Luciehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07406880481050448649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4587948880450445747.post-29438955601763126912010-06-03T22:07:00.000+01:002010-06-03T22:08:11.138+01:00Sometimes a girl just has to treat herself to a new pair of shoes and <a href="http://www.joebrowns.co.uk/sp+Womens-Footwear-Funky-Ankle-Wrap-Shoes+LF178">these</a> arrived today. They are a lot higher than they look but really comfortable (from the 5 minutes I had them on for when they arrived. I may wish to retract that comment after 4 hours on the dance floor!!) I can’t wait to have an excuse to wear them!!!Luciehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07406880481050448649noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4587948880450445747.post-30040338526795005522010-05-31T13:19:00.003+01:002010-05-31T13:25:14.100+01:00Argh!!!!!!! I normally write my blog posts in a word document and then cut and paste it here to avoid losing my work as happened with my first ever blog posting. Typically last night I sat and wrote a longish post straight into Blogger and what happened? Yep, my laptop crashed and I lost it all.<br /><br />I can't be arsed writing it all again, partly through sheer laziness and partly through feeling slightly worse for wear after a very good night out last night - it was one of those nights out where you really don't want to go but you drag yourself out anyway and then have a fantastic time. We were meant to be going to the cinema but ended up gatecrashing a BBQ (it was my friend's uncles BBQ and she had been there all day but we decided to go back there instead of seeing the film) and then we ended up going back to her cousins house for more drinks.<br /><br />Anyway, the post was about how I have been a Pet Shop Boys fan since I was a teenager and how they always had a song that could have been written just for me. The soundtrack of my life would be mainly PSB songs. Even those days sat in my bedroom feeling depressed had a song that described my life to a T.<br /><br />I recently got a new iPod and have put all the PSB albums on it and was amazed to find there was even a song for something that is going on in my life right now. I'm not going to share it here, as one of the lines says, "the world won't understand" but if you're that interested feel free to email me and I'll tell you.<br /><br />If my laptop crashes before I post this I am going to cry. I wonder if they have a song about that????Luciehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07406880481050448649noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4587948880450445747.post-47397260050096427512010-05-24T20:42:00.001+01:002010-05-24T20:42:36.682+01:00I’ve recently started going out on a Saturday night with a friend. I really enjoy these (drunken!!) nights out, it’s great to get out and have a dance and just enjoy myself. My friend knows everyone it seems so we can’t go anywhere without her being stopped by someone - it’s like being out with a celeb!!<br /><br />I went out on Saturday with her and was surprised to see the sky starting to get light behind us as we drove home (or rather, were driven home, I don’t drink and drive!!!) and it’s rekindled my thing about wanting to watch the sun rise again (if you’re a long time reader of this blog you may remember I had a thing about wanting to drive to Skegness to watch the sun rise over the sea). One day I will do it - maybe next time I’m out I’ll just not go home until after it’s risen.<br /><br />If you know me then you’ll be most surprised to learn I sat out in the garden yesterday. I hate sitting in the garden, it’s really not my thing. I hate it when I go to friends houses and they want to sit outside. But, there I was, sunbathing, and getting a bit of colour. Ok, a bit too much colour…. I wont share any pics with you but just imagine a lobster wearing a white vest and you’ll get the idea!!!<br /><br />But I actually enjoyed it and plan to do it more often. So much so that I bought a bikini today. Now, you will never ever see me in a bikini. As much weight as I have lost my legs and bottom are horrible and I will never let anyone see them. Hopefully they will tone up a bit more but the cellulite is pretty horrendous so I will keep it hidden in public!! I would like to sit in the garden in them and get a bit of a tan - and yes, I will be using sun cream from now on too. Bought a huge bottle of it today (and a bit bottle of after sun for my currently sore bits!!!)<br /><br />We even sat outside and had dinner which was nice - we have bats living somewhere near us so it was lovely to watch them flitting about and listening to the birds getting ready to settle down for the night.<br /><br />Five years ago we split our back garden in half so we could keep chickens. We didn’t mind too much losing the space as we have another garden down the side of the house for the children but as the chickens don’t actually need so much room (we only have three now) and because they don’t even stay in their pen anyway, they roam free, we decided to pull up the fencing and give them a much smaller pen and reclaim the lawn. It’s made the garden seem three times the size and it’s lovely to have it all back again. The children’s playhouse has gone on the concrete slab the chicken house was on (that’s moved into the far corner of the garden) and we have the whole patio back.<br /><br />Hopefully this year I’ll spend more time out there and hopefully I’ll be a lovely shade of brown and not milk bottle white (or lobster red!!!!!)<br /><br />I’ve got a tough week at the gym this week - my personal trainer is away so I have no one to motivate or push me (or sit and have a coffee and chat with either but I probably shouldn’t admit that bit, lol) I really enjoy my training sessions (I’m sure I’ve said it before). No matter how tough the workout is I still laugh most of the way through it. Hopefully I wont gain any weight this week as I’m changing my diet again. I was doing high protein/no carbs but I was getting to the point where I knew I was becoming scared of eating carbs ever again, they are too evil, so I’ve decided to reintroduce them and just watch the calories.<br /><br />Did I mention last year we made our own wine? I finally tried some the other day - the pear one. Oh my goodness! It was gorgeous but very very strong. There will definitely be another dozen or so bottles made of that one again this year!!!Luciehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07406880481050448649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4587948880450445747.post-75311957959054574872010-05-20T19:20:00.001+01:002010-05-20T19:20:25.234+01:00This week looked to be another normal quiet week on Monday. Amos had been coughing over the weekend but I didn’t think too much of it. I’m not one of those mothers who takes her kids to the docs at the first sniffle. My lot have to be really poorly before I’ll take them up there however by about 9pm I was really worried about his breathing as he seemed to be struggling so I decided to take him up to A&E. I thought he might have a chest infection or maybe asthma as he sounded like I did when I ended up in hospital when I was pregnant with him. Several hours in A&E and an x-ray later it was decided he just had croup and we were admitted to the children’s ward at 2am so they could keep an eye on him.<br /><br />He was discharged in the morning and we were given some steroids to take home in case it happened again - we did need to give him a dose as he got bad again, but now he seems fine. He still has a nasty cough but he’s breathing ok. I am wondering if it’s asthma related as it happens at night more than during the day but that could also be because the phlegm is collecting in his chest because he’s lying down.<br /><br />So that was our bit of excitement this week.<br /><br />Not a lot else has been happening really. I know my last few posts have been really down, but I am so much happier this week. I woke up on Saturday morning feeling so much more positive about everything and the mood has lasted almost the whole time since (apart from when I was really tired after hardly any sleep on Monday night). Stuff is still going on here, things are still confusing, but I’m not as down about it all as I was.<br /><br />Because I’ve lost so much weight I’ve bought myself some new gym gear - it’s really nice to go from wearing big baggy trousers and t-shirts to close fitting clothes and not feel like I look totally horrendous in them. I’m still not quite where I want to be but I’m getting there with the help of my personal trainer. I really enjoy the sessions training with him (although today I was begging him not to make me do any more and to let me spend the rest of the session recovering on the sofa. He said no.) and the results I’m getting are well worth the pain. No matter how much I’m hating the exercises I still find myself laughing all the way through it so I leave feeling positive (if knackered!!). It’s been great on those days where I’ve felt really stressed and miserable - I don’t have time to brood over whatever is going on so by the time I’ve finished I feel really relaxed and distressed.<br /><br />I will post those photos one day. And I will get round to sorting out the craft stuff and fabric etc as well (I probably shouldn’t have posted anything about it until I’d actually done it should I????)Luciehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07406880481050448649noreply@blogger.com2