Almost 2 years since my last blog...

...and how life has changed!

I am now a mummy to 10 week old Bethany, who arrived 5 weeks early giving us quite a shock! Fortunatly she was fine and didn't require any special care. We were in hospital for 6 days as she was prem and jaundice.
10 weeks on and she is beginning to develop her personality. I have read that although she is 10 weeks old, she is really only 5 weeks old so not to worry if she doesn't do things as quickly as we expect. I am loving being a mummy and Carl is fantastic with Bethany and enjoying being 'Papa.'
Since my last blog it has been babies a-go-go with DL and Joey having baby Isaac in March '09, Lou and Po having baby Jimmy in Oct '09 and Nicky and Putin having baby Will just 2 weeks ago! Also, I recently discovered my good friend Caro is expecting a baby in Nov '10. So many friends for Bethany to play with!

I could go on and fill you in on the last 2 years...but it would take to long! I wonder how long it will be 'til my next blog!??!

Up-to-date-ish

I have just spent the last 6 hours marking...and for the 1st time since September I am up to date with marking!! Not bad with 6 days of term left!!

Just the filing, sorting, planning and tidying to do...not much then!!!

6 days....and counting!! (That's 6 work days...it sounds better!!!)

Busy, busy, busy...

So busy, I have had no time to blog! That's mainly because of report writing :o( but happily they are all done now!! Hurrah!

Last month Carl, Noo, Putin and I went to the IOW festival. The weather forcast was shocking (rain, rain, rain RAIN!) but we only had a few spots of rain....hardly worth getting a mac on for!! We saw some great bands...Newton Falkner, The Enemy, Feeder, Teh Police, Kaiser Chiefs, Zutons, KT Tunstall, One Night Only, The Delays etc etc. So it was all great...except the getting up at 4.45am (after getting to bed at 1am) to catch the 6.30am ferry!!! We were soooooooooo tired!!!!

At the end of June we popped back 'home' to visit my folks as it was Dad's birthday. We have also been asked to be Joshua and Joseph's godparents, so we thought Carl had better meet Joseph before the christening!! Joshua was 'full of it' but Joseph was poorly and on antibiotics :o( Luckily we arrived in the afternoon and he had stopped screaming the place down by then!! Paul had had his last reseve fireservice medical too, so much to celebrate and talk about!! Joshua showed me his runner beans (Auntie Ray! Come and see how my runner beans are doing!) and he calls Carl 'Auntie Carl' as he is the only Uncle, which is rather amusing! I got to give Joseph a cuddle and him not cry too, which is an achievement!! We then babysat Joshua, while Paul and Sarah took the little one shopping for holiday bits. It was really nice to see everyone, and now looking forward to the christening next weekend!!

Last weekend we did the Race for Life....in the pouring rain!! We ran the whole 5km in 34mins 5secs which we were really pleased about. I almost missed the race altogether as the traffic was so bad, I got out of the car in the M4 roundabout and walked!! Carl arrived 15mins after the race had started!! I was very proud of us...but haven't been running since!! Ooops!! I will aim to go once a week...

Bad Film Club was on Wednesday night, to a much smaller audience to last year. Piranah 2 was on offer and it was a pretty poor film and they ripped it apart pretty well! We also saw Simon Munnary (?) afterwards for his act, which was pretty random. I liked his aubergine and great temporo sketches!!

On Friday CP, CL, Joeth and myself went for a bad film night at Putin's house. After much deliberation and voting, we watched 'Isolation', which is an Irish film set on a cattle farm. basically cows ahve been 'tested on' and they give birth to 'mutant, inside-out, russian-doll, crispy foetuses....which attack people'!! (Did I miss anything out of my description guys?!?!) It was quite bad!!!

Saturday was Carl's birthday. Sonia and Colin came over in the evening and we had a lovely meal at the Madagascan Gin Palace (Red snapper....yum yum!) carl and I have also spent a lot of time playing the Lego Indiana Jones game which I got him...I can't believe how long we played actually!!

So, 8 days left at school....I can't wait!!!!!

The Best Anniversary Present Ever!

...But I'll come on to that!

Since my last blog, half term has been and gone!

The last day of school was non-uniform day and so LJ dressing up was called for...this year we dressed up as fairies, much to the children's amusement!

On the Saturday evening (24/5) it was a Salsa Party at the Hilton Hotel. I had a good time, a couple of dances and lots of watching everyone dance. A few more dances would have made the good night even better, although I didn't actually ask anyone...I am too much of a woose for that!

The next day I went for a run. We did 25mins and ran 3.1km. Not bad. I did feel rather ropey afterwards and had a poorly tummy for the rest of the day. Maybe something I ate the night before? Who knows!

During half term I went home to visit everyone. Mum and I babysat Joshua, taking him to the park. He enjoyed watching the big grass cutter and laughed when I went on the swings with him. Well it was a baby swing and my bottom almost got stuck!! By the time I was leaving to come back home I was feeling rather rough and ended up with a stinky fluey cold for a few days. Luckily I didn't give it to my family!!

On the Friday, feeling a bit better but not 100% I went for 'coffee' with Anna. When I say 'coffee' I mean a tea and a hot fruity drink!! We were on kid watch, hoping not to bump into any of our classes, but were spotted by one (and avoided two others!)

By the end of half term I was feeling all better. Kim and I went for a run - 3.8km and after we both felt exhausted and I felt a bit sicky....maybe running to soon after being poorly! Or maybe becoming allergic to Sunday running?!?!?

Tuesday I was sent home from school after actually being sick! I ate something that really didn't agree with my tummy and so it came out rather violently 20mins later, bursting lots of blood vessels around my eyes in the process! Lovely!! Luckily it wasn't the bug returning and I was fine the next day!

Last Friday (6/6) The Newbury/Thatcham lot were out on the town. Much wine was consumed. Lots of scummy food eaten. A good night out...

...but not so good Saturday morning when I was supposed to be ready to leave for a run at 8.40 and wasn't out of bed!! Too much wine the night before a 4km run is NOT a good idea!! I got ready and we left 15mins later, me still half asleep and having had no breakfast or cup of tea!! Nightmare. Needless to say I found the run VERY hard going, but managed 30mins along a very pretty bit of Thatcham canal.

Now, back to the blog title...'The Best Anniversary Present Ever!' Our Anniversary is in April and we had our celebration today. Strange, you be thinking. Carl got us tickets to see Richard Hammond's 'Car Science' talk at Cheltenham Science Festival. Now, I am a big Richard Hammond fan (and he is nice to look at too!) and loving Top Gear and being an ex-scientist, this was the perfect pressie! The talk was great - very funny and I know lots more about how cars work than I did before...including how much horsepower a horse has!! After the talk he did a book signing, so I met him, had a brief chat about the weather, he signed by book and I had a photo taken with him!! Not every wife can say they recieved Richard Hammond as an anniversary present!!

The 3-month-I-hope-I remember-it-all-update-blog!

Thought I'd better blog...as it has been 3 months!! Facebook seemed to take over, but I can't reread it to jog my memory on what I've been up to, or keep people up-to-date with my life. So here is The 3-month-I-hope-I remember-it-all-update-blog!

February
Half Term - After being ill, I managed to survive until half term! I popped 'home' for a couple of days to visit family and friends. I visited my old school at lunchtime to see everyone, which was lovely. Sitting in the staffroom was just like old times! I also saw mum and dad and ended up taking Monty to the vets. He pulled his dewclaw and made a right mess of it! The vets bandaged him up and he spent the entire evening milking the situation! It is his poorly leg anyway, so he spent the time waving his paw around in a 'look I am injured, pay attention to me,' kind of way..hilarious! I also saw Paul, Sarah and Joshua. Sarah was quite big at this point and Joshua very talkative. Paul is in the process of signing up for the firefighter reserves, which is great news.

After half term, which went way to fast as usual, it was back to school with parent evenings to look forward to...

Salsa - I started salsa dancing again, going to Candente Salsa with Sarah from school. I put my self in the improvers class to recap stuff!!

March

Doctor Who - Our department at school went into production overdrive! Our production this year was 'Doctor Who and the Wibbly Wobbly Timey Wimey Stuff.' So it was rehersals galore for most of this month!
Housewarming - The Po's had a cocktail housewarming party! A full house with plenty of cocktail making by hostess Louey.
My birthday - This year we went to Jongleurs in Reading to celebtrate my aging. It was a good night of laughs, food, drinking and cheesey dancing...then leaving to late and missing our train! We then got a taxi that cost about £50 - boo hiss! All in all, a great night out!
Easter Weekend - It was great having Easter weekend outside the school holidays!! We popped to my parent's place and caught up with everyone. Joshua was trying to work out how his remote controlled car worked...by putting it upside down and watching the wheels move!
New Arrival - A friend of mine Sue had a baby boy, naming him Alex. Congrats Sua and Laith!

April

Training - Lou, Nicky, Kim and I started training for the Race for Life. We started off walking 3 mins, running 1 min 5 times, working up to some 3min run 3 min walks this month.
Performances - We did our Dr Who performances - including a drum duet during Don't Stop Me Now (I played bass drum!) My percussion debut! We also had fabulous Dr Who t-shirts we made for the occasion! LJ's rock!
Stags and Hens - It was time for DL and Joey's stag and hen dos. DL was taken to Liverpool by the lads...lots happened...including DL having a back wax and wearing a wrestlers outfit! Joey's hen do was a much more sophisticated affair. We watched cheesey movies, dank champagne, palyed beat the intro, did face masks and nails and went out for a meal. Kim brough baby Alex along too...his first hen do!!
Baby Wilson - Baby 'Kermit' was born! Sadly they decided not to go with this name, and called him Joseph instead! Still, that means Kermit is still free for me to use in the future!
Home - During 'spring break' (well it wasn't officially the Easter holidays any more!) I went home for a visit. I popped into school again to help with games club. I hadn't seen Darren for early 2 years! Helping out brought back lots of memories of working there... Also I got to see my new nephew. Joshua was very good, and I played playdough with him. He was very chatty. baby Joseph was a cutie and didn't cry when I held him! Amazing!!
London - Carl and I spent a weekend in London. We saw Avenue Q at the theatre and went to the King Tut exhibition at the O2. Avenue Q was BRILLIANT! We got half price tickets from lastminute.com and ended up weth 2nd row from the front seats!!! I enjoyed the King Tut exhibition too, but it seemed to lack something...maybe I was expecting too much?
Christening - Baby Alex was christened. I hadn't been to a christening for years (at least 10!) so wasn't sure what to expect. It all went well, Alex doing a lovely burp and making us giggle. Carl managed to blaspheme as well, which made me giggle as it was when it was really quiet! He was just trying to get his camera working!!

May
The Kitty-Flitter-Brooks Wedding - DL and Joey got hitched! It was a fabulous day with gorgeous weather too. The wedding was at Shaw House. The ceremony was a registary type. Lou and I got a bit leaky, especially at the Pooh poem! Alex made us laugh with his timing again, when he made noises when the registar did the 'does anyone object line' - obviously baby Alex does!! The reception was at The Sun in the Wood, so crazy golf was a must! A fantastic day! Congrats DL and Joey!!

Training - We continued training for the Race for Life. We did 3 min runs, 5 min runs, 8 mins runs and 10 mins runs with walking intervals. Lou and I did our 1st straight run of 20mins on 13/5/08 (which I didn't think I'd manage but so proud I did!) and all four of us did a 25min run last Thurs (about 3kmish) Amazing as 6 weeks ago I could barely run for 1 min!!

Bertie's Birthday BBQ - Last Sunday we had a BBQ to celebrate Bertie's birthday at the Putin residence. Again, we were lucky with the weather. DL and Joey showed us their wedding photos too. Bertie recieved some classic presents including the new Whitesnake album, Eastenders 25year edition book, wine, bath bombs and Ambrossia Devon Custard!!

This term is too long...

...and I need a rest! I was poorly sick this week...actually is was a year 3 bug that seemed to effect the teachers! Both Anna and I were ill on Monday, although we dragged ourselves on an orienteering course, which was good, but would have been so much better had we been well! I went to school on Tuesday and Wednesday and Anna was off ill. I was told I souldn't have been in either, but teachers generally go in until they are on death's door...and even then they try! I decided that I was too ill on Thursday so stayed at home, watched crap daytime TV and blew my nose a lot. Luckily Anna went in...even though she wasn't 100%! Friday we both went in and opted for an 'easy life' day, auditioning the children for the production and watching a history video!
Luckily feeling much better now...even more so now that the heating is back up and running!! A week with no hot water or heating is pants...especially when you are ill! But, it was all worth it as we have moved the 3 downstairs radiators and put shiny new ones in too. Carl is a plumbing genius! We also puchased new upstairs radiators (well they were 20% off at Wickes!!) but they will be installed at a later date....preferably when it is warmer!!

Other than that, we have been to sunny Bedfordshire to visit my family and say happy birthday to my mum. Joshua was a right chatterbox and there was no shutting him up...he even told me to 'Sush Ray!' We were discussing baby names, for my new nephew (who is at present a bump!) and Joshua liked the name Kermit...so maybe Kermit Wilson is the way to go....maybe not!

Also, I have joined the masses and am now on Facebook. I was slightly skeptical at first, but it is highly addictive, and I have made contact with some old friends, which is great!

Once again it has been musical houses with the Putins finally moving back to their proper house and the Pos moving to a new abode! All very exciting...and housewarming partings a-go-go!

Right now I am going to dish up my lovely roast dinner and curl up on the sofa in my lovely warm house! T-ra!

Too much work!

I have done far too much work this week! I need an early night, or even better, a holiday!!!

I feel chuffed that I have completed so much of my 'to do list' (including marking 31 pieces of unaided writing and planning guided reading questions and activities for 4 weeks (for 6 groups!), sorting a French display, as well as the regular planning and marking grind...

Much of my productive-ness is due to my self-reward scheme. I don't reward myself with chocolate (as I am trying not to eat to much of that!), but with a level on Lemmings! I used to love the game when I was younger, and it is just as addictive now! So, once I have completed a task, I am allowed to play a level (or two) of Lemmings. Sound like a fair system to me!!

Let's go Bisons, Let's go!

That was the chant at Ice Hockey on yesterday. We went for Lou's birthday and I had a great time! Ice Hockey is fast paced and fun to watch (especially when the players get squished!) Lots of chanting, a bit of dancing and lots of Ooohing and Ouching basically sums it up! The Basingstoke Bisons were playing the Edinburgh Capitals...when I say playing I mean defeating...a lot! The score ended 10-2 to the Bisons! Hurrah! I would definately go again, so thanks to Lou for introducing it to me!

Happy Birthday Loue!!

2008...already!

Well, it is 2008...it seems hard to believe! 2007 went by very quickly...I must be getting old!

We had a lovely Christmas. We went to the Isle of Wight on the Sunday before Christmas and returned to 'the mainland' on Boxing Day to then drive to my parents for a couple of days.

Christmas Day itself was er...hot! Although most places seem hot compared to our little house! There was a relaxing morning, followed by present opening, a delicious dinner, playing card games, watching some festive TV (including Dr Who), more playing games and bed!

We didn't get to my parent's house until late afternoon on Boxing Day. After dinner, mum watched the soaps (hours of them!!) while I read a book (the Richard Hammond book...very good - although Carl did ask if it had a shock ending where he died...he's such a joker!!) and Carl played on his Rubik's Cube (fastest time to date...approx 30mins!)

The following day Paul, Sarah and Joshua came for dinner. We game them their presents...and I was very pleased that Joshua loved his bus!!!

The Saturday after Christmas we (the Newbury lot) went to see 'I am Legend' at the cinema and then had a nice pub dinner and exchanged presents. It was a really nice idea, as no one had to be host and we took our time sharing our pressies. Carl got a some 'quality' DVDs (and we got a DVD player to play them on!!) and a rather special bottle of wine amongst other things. I got a super 'Spider Pig' poster, Monsterz stationary, IoW fest DVD and a rosy cheeks Mr Happy and more. A lovely evening...

New Year's Eve...we went to the Castle Pub. We drank far too much wine/ beer/ champagne/ vodka and some parts of the evening are pretty hazy for all of us. There is much photographic evidence of the evening...which speaks for itself...

A

A great night...but a not so good morning with hangovers all round!!

It is now back to normality. Back to work/school. Miserable weather. Not enough money...

Last night was spent at the Pos for a few drinks and a game of Taboo. Kim, Bertie and Baby Alex joined us too. I still have images of Putin's baby invention that is poo/methane powered, soundproof, occupies the baby and hoovers!

Today we are going to Basingstoke to watch the Bisons play Ice Hockey for Loue's birthday. I am really looking forward to it...I just hope I understand the rules....

At last...the school holidays!

The last month has whizzed by...so fast that I am having problems remembering what has been going on! I really should update the blog more often!!

Christmas shopping has been ongoing this month...and almost finished! Fortunately quite a bit was done on-line. I think I have only got a couple more items to get tomorrow morning - when town will be even more hellish than today!

So, what have the Plugs been up to? We visited my family a couple of weekends ago for Joshua's 2nd birthday. I finally, after hours of trawling the internet and shops, found the swimming jacket I'd wanted to get him...in Argos of all places! (Which is where I also found his Christmas present! Hurrah for Argos! Who would think a toy bus for a 2 year old would be so hard to find?!?!?) I am pleased to say he still remembered my name and said 'bye bye Carl' too! Soooo cute! He loved his swimming jacket so much he didn't want to take it off!!
We also had a visit from Caro and Andy, who we hadn't seen since...er....May! Disgraceful! We (and the Newbury lot) went to a couple of pubs, had a carvery and lots of fun conversation....as always! We have had a few nights in video watching, played CoD4 (which I was shockingly bad at!) and last weekend the girls had a girlie day and the boys a blokie day, which I enjoyed a lot!

School has been hectic, the kids hyper and I am so glad it is the holidays! Our school Christmas do was on Monday at the Madagascan Gin Palace - yummy food and a bit of a boogie - sadly nowhere is open on a Monday night to continue partying! We had the Carol concert, Christmas lunch and Christmas Party this week, and although there was not a lot of actual teaching, it is exhausting!!

DIY - the kitchen is still ongoing! We are now focusing on moving the door, and spent a couple of hours making grooves ready for the pipework (as the radiators will be moved.) We put up a curtain across the door, to keep the dust in the lounge, and we are soooo glad we did! The dust was unbelievable!! We left the curtain up and it has kept the lounge much warmer...so the kitchen is where we seem to be losing all our heat downstairs! More curtains needed I think!

This weekend, Lou and I are shopping (again!!) and having haircuts. I am not 100% sure on what I am having done...I want a complete change! We'll see...
Tonight is festive night at the Noo & Putin residence, which I am looking forward to. Roll on the mulled wine and mince pies....

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!