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!

Fireworks, cars and wedding bells!

It has been a busy couple of weeks since the last blog.

Kitchen-wise, things are progressing well...the plinths are now done, and the pelmets too (although we are not having them hanging down (like you would have to hide lights), they are side on so are about 1cm thick, giving a nice edge to the cupboards :o) We returned the cornices (when we put them up to see and they looked hideous!) and are pelmetting the top like the bottom, the ends of the upstands are in place too and Carl is in the process of starting to seal the worktops. The light at the end of the kitchen tunnel is getting closer...especially with the 2 new power tools Carl has brought...it is like B&Q in our house!

The Fireworks at the cricket club were good...especially the heart shaped ones, although the guys were gutted that all the hog roasts had gone!! I only saw 6 or so children I knew...far less than I thought! :o)

Also, I got a new car...well...new to me! I part exchanged my little blue Fiesta...which was dying en route...with a shiny silver Toyota Corolla! I only got £190 for the Fiesta, but considering it was kangaroo-ing on the way there, I didn't think that was too bad! Also, it saved us the hassle of trying to sell it! I love my new car. It does things like accelerate when you press the accelerator! It also has electric windows, central locking and a 'pleeper'...all new things to me! Shame the insurance was doubled!!

Thursday we received a shock email from DL announcing that Joey had 'set the date!' She always said that she would just do it one day...and she has! So BIG congratulations to the Flitter-Brooks' We had a meal out at Cafe Uno to celebrate.

Friday night we all went to the Po's Place for an evening of B-movie entertainment. I 'enjoyed' the movie, which was so dire I can't remember the name of it or anything that happened in it! I recall a 'comedy fart' (which wasn't really one)...and that's about it! Guys - anyone remember anything about it?!?!?

The weekend I spent on the sofa doing absolutely nothing apart from watch TV! I think I needed a break!! I had no energy for anything and felt a bit coldy. So now we have watched season 1 and 2 of Lost and are eagerly awaiting season 3...

Kitchen, Dad and games.

Well, the worktops have now been fitted!! Hurrah! It took the kitchen guy and Carl 2 days to do it but it looks great! Apparently the kitchen guy said he has never seen a house of this age with such wonky walls! I will put some photos on soon...when I have taken some! This week Carl has also straightened the cupboard doors and rehung one of the cupboards as it wasn't quite straight. There is now light at the end of the Kitchen DIY tunnel!

Dad went in for his eye op this week. He was supposed to go in 2 weeks ago, but was told the day before his appointment had been cancelled as the doctor was on holiday. How ridiculous! Did they not know this before?!?! Poor Dad had psyched himself up was then let down. We were not happy bunnies! Anyway, he went in this Tuesday and came out Thursday. Without going into squeamish details (mainly as I didn't want to know the squeamish details), the op took 4 hours and the removed fluid and had to put silicon-stuff (I can't quite recall what it was) to seal it up and help the eye keep its shape. So he now can't see anything out of that eye! The apparently have to suck that stuff out in a few months, and then hopefully we should see some improvement. Dad was also told he had a cataracts on the other eye, which explains the cloudiness, so that will be sorted in about 6-8 months time. dad says he still feels sluggish due to the anaesthetic, so get well soon Papa Bear!

Also, a 'Joshua can say my name' up-date. I thought that when I left he would stop saying my name and I would have to try to get him to say it again when I next see him. Well not so far! Last Sunday Paul, Sarah and Joshua popped to the Bunglehouse to see Mum and Dad and Joshua starts shouting 'Rayyyyy!' Also, Mum gave them some photos we had taken, one being of me and Joshua, and whenever Joshua saw it he'd point and shout 'Rayyyy!' so much so that Sarah had to move it to get some peace!! This morning, Mum said she was showing them photos of when me and Paul were little and when she pointed out Auntie Ray, he'd shout it again! I am so proud!! :o)

On Friday, we went to the Flitter-Brookes residence with the Pos to play some games. We played girls vs boys Trivial Pursuit...and the girls won!!! We also played a guitar game on the Nintendo 360 (NINTENDO! ATARI!) which I thought was great...and Joey took pleasure in taking the mick out of me. Well, I was concentrating, with my tongue poking out, my feet tapping and goodness knows what else!! So thanks to Dave and Joey for being great hosts.

This week I have the joys of Parent Teacher evenings (boo hiss!) and a firework night (Hurrah!)

York.

Carl and I went away to York for the weekend last weekend. We left home at about 1.30pm and arrived at our destination at 8.15pm! Yes, we travelled on a Friday, but even I wasn't expecting such an awful journey. We hoped to arrive at 7pm!!

All was well...at first. We kept our ears peeled, listening to Radio 2's travel updates...hearing that the M25 was more like a car park than usual! Luckily we didn't have to go that way. The first nightmare (which I usually miss out when telling the story) is our near death experiences on the M1. The first one was us driving along in the 2nd over taking lane when an idiot in a new 57 reg car pulled out in front of us. When I say 'in front of' I mean 'if Carl hadn't put the brakes on, into the side of.' He obviously has no idea what mirrors are for, and when Carl beeped him (to say 'Oi, we were there!) he decided to slow down! So we pulled in and let him get on with it. A bit further on, we were back in the 2nd overtaking lane when suddenly everyones brake lights went on. There was smoke, squealing tyres and we missed the car in front by millimetres! We think it was the idiot from earlier, pulling in front of people...and if it wasn't, we like to blame him anyway!! We got going again and heard that the M1 was backed up for miles, so we got off to take an alternate route....which was all fine and dandy until the stretch of road that goes onto the A1...where we sat for 90mins...most of it with no reception, so it wasn't until the last 30mins we could phone the B&B to let them know we would be late...only to discover the cutting off time was 7pm and no one would be there to let us in! Luckily, the lady we spoke to was lovely, called us back and said she'd leave the key with the landlord of the pub next door...phew!!

So, after all this we finally get to York. We parked up in a public car park (the B&B one was full due to our late arrival) and headed off to find food. We were hungry, miserable and had bad heads! Great start to a weekend away. Carl fancied a curry, so off we went in search of a curry house. We passed a takeaway, minutes from the B&B and headed into town. After an hour of walking around, we decided to go for the takeaway and steal borrow knives and forks from the B&B. On arrival, I notice the sign says restaurant and takeaway...something that wasn't clear when walking the other way! So in we go. The food was OK, but I was feeling pretty awful, so we took the rest to go in a doggy bag. No sooner had we got outside I felt really sick. We got as far as the car park before projective vomiting...twice! At this point we decided to just write off the day and go to bed, hoping for a better day on the Saturday!

Luckily it was a much better day! After a yummy breakfast and lots of tea, we felt ready for the day ahead! We went to the Minster first, going up the tower (where we could see our B&B), in the understudy/crypt and exploring the Minster in general. On our way out, via the gift shop, we heard a strange noise outside and went to investigate, only to see York being invaded by Romans! They were having some kind of show in the market place and were marching about advertising it. We then went to find somewhere to have lunch. Being picky, I wanted somewhere that wasn't a chain or fast food, and wasn't horrendously busy. After walking around for a bit, we found a little cafe and had more cups of tea and lunch. In the afternoon we went to the Jorvik centre, which I enjoyed. Carl went years ago, when it first opened. We went in the car around a Viking village and looked around the museum. We then had a stroll along the shambles, popping in the shops and trying not to but things! We then decided to pop back to the B&B and drop off our purchases before finding somewhere else to have a cup of tea. We had seen a tea room earlier that seemed very popular as it had a huge queue outside. It was called Betty's Tea Room (or something similar!).The queue was a bit shorter now so we decided to go there. We queued for a while, but managed to get in a bit early as we were a couple and the queue in front were in larger groups! We had teas with finger sandwiches, scones with cream and jam and a selection of mini desserts all served on a silver 3-tier tray. Very posh! The sandwiches were delicious (smoked salmon and chicken! Not together though), the scones were nice, although the cream and jam made it a bit sickly for me so Carl had one and a half! The mini-desserts were lovely too! It was then back to the Minster for a Ghost Walk, via a pub for a quick drink! When we arrived the place was heaving! We weren't sure it it was all people for the walk, or people outside the Minster having a go on the 'light-art' (microphones rigged up to lights to when you shout into them the lights on the Minster change...it's better than I have described it!) About 120-150 people were for the ghost walk...being Halloween weekend it was rather busy! We walked around parts of York, being told Ghost stories. The guy doing it was brilliant. He had a way with words and managed to arrange everyone so they could see and hear him. After that we booked our dinner at Cafe Rouge before having a drink in another pub. Dinner was delicious and all in all we had a fabulous day!

On Sunday we had breakfast and left at 9.15am, worried about the traffic and not wanting a repeat performance of Friday. Our journey home only took 4 hours, so we had the afternoon and evening to chill out, and get ready for the worktops to be fitted in the kitchen!

Check out the video!

Check out my gorgeous nephew saying my name in my previous blog entry. I am a genius...it runs in the family! :o)

HE CAN SAY MY NAME!!!!!

The kitchen is coming on...slowly! We (and by we I mean mainly Carl!) has been doing bits each night after work. Right now our weekend away can't get here fast enough!!

So, from the list, we have:
- removed brambles from back garden (this took me ages..and was painful too!)
- sprayed the new(ish) fence panels (the 1st two took ages...as I hasn't pumped up the spayer enough...I was too woosey! Also, it took sooooo long I missed BA on Monday!)
- finished plastering the socket area and other bits
- moved another socket that was in a stupid place...and the wire runs across where the door will be! Why is nothing ever easy!
- brought more bits from B&Q - including a new sander!
- at the moment, Carl is sanding all the pasterwork!

We still need to:
- rewire the sockets (washing machine and dishwasher)
- level up all the cupboard doors
- pit the end panels in place
- clean up the mess!
... before we go on holiday tomorrow!



On a much more exciting note...JOSHUA CAN SAY MY NAME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! He seems to like my name. Ray is a word that can be shouted and elongated...a lot. I went 'home' yesterday to see my folks and family and had a lovely time. Thanks M&D for letting me use the washing machine...and sorry it is now broken! I am sure it wasn't my fault! I got to see Joshua twice - he has changed so much! He is sooo chatty and loves vehicles - cars, buses, lorries and woo-woos (trains!) I think he knows quite a lot...much more than when I saw him a couple of months ago. He is such a sweetie! I even experimented and managed to get a little video of him saying my name imported into Blogger. Rayyyyyy!

I also met up with Gail from RPLS and we had a lovely chat over a cup of tea...for two hours! Maybe we should have brought refills?!?!? We were far to busy catting up on gossip and having a good natter...after all, it had been over 12 months of chat to catch up on!

Right...I am hungry...I am off in search of food!

More kitchen DIY...

It is now half term! Hurrah!! I had a lovely lay-in this morning...and it was still a struggle to get out of bed...especially as we now have the thick winter duvet on - snuggletastic!

The last week of term went well...but slowly! On Friday we had 'English Civil War Day' in the Lower Juniors as part of the local history we are doing. We had 21 re-enactors come in who told the children about muskets, pikes, weaving, food, drumming, surgery etc. A great day was had by all...and a super end to the half term!

On Friday night Putin, DL, Carl and myself watched Cthulu Mansion - a cheesy 80s horror flick. It was pretty shocking, with a random storyline and no real baddie! After watching and taking the p**s out of it, I went home and left the boys watching some other film. One was enough for me!

The weekend has been DIY overload, with more to do before we go on holiday! We:

chiseled out a hole for the sockets to be moved to
brought lots of bits from B&Q
moved the sockets and started to plaster them in
cleaned the cooker
tidied the 'sunroom'
started tidying the lounge and moved the table and sofa
removed all the worktops and sink
levelled up all the units and fixed them to the walls

put a shelf in the cupboard under the sink

filled in the pipebox to stop giant spiders attacking (and for insulation)

put the worktops back replumbed in the sink
trimmed the bush outside the front door

We still need to:
finish plastering the socket area and other bits
sand the walls
rewire the sockets
level up all the cupboard doors
remove brambles from back garden
spray the new(ish) fence panels
buy more bits from B&Q

Apart from the DIY, we did watch the rugby (disappointing) and Blades of Glory which was hilarious. Carl laughed so much at one point we had to stop the DVD...then he rewound it to watch it again!!

So, I am off to B&Q now, to get more supplies, before spraying the fence panels. I am going to Attack tonight (as I didn't go yesterday) before cracking on with more DIY this evening. Tomorrow I am going into school to do some planning with Anna, in our attempt to be organised. Then Wed and Thurs I am back 'home' to see my folks before going to York on Friday. Can't wait!

Going on a holiday!

With only a week until half term and our plan to go to Germany coming to a dead end, Carl and I decided we needed a weekend away. So, we will be off to York for a weekend at the end of half term! I only booked the B&B this morning and it has been confirmed. 2 minutes walk from York city centre - should be great!
Over half term I am also going to go 'home' and visit my family. I expect Joshua will have grown (and I've been told he is becoming more mischievous by the day!) and I have instructed mum to practise saying 'auntie ray' at every opportunity!!

4 teaching days till half term (the fifth is Civil War day...so doesn't really count!!)

Wine Festival, Football and Rugby

Yesterday we went to Newbury's first wine festival. We went to the wine masterclass first, where we tasted 2 pinot noir wines and was told how to taste them properly. We then went to the festival part, where there were lots of wine stalls and plenty of wines and cheeses to try! There were plenty of yummy wines, and between us all, we purchased a fair few!
After the festival we watched the Estonia vs England Euro Qualifier match at the Berkshire Tavern. Noo, Lou and I left at half time to do a spot of shopping (which was good timing as the 2nd half was a bit pants we were told!) Noo and I 'Trinny and Suzannahed' Lou and she now has an outfit for Nolan and Mel's wedding in a couple of weeks. On our return, we all ventured to Lock Stock for another drink before the meal. Sick Boy and Joey joined us for Noo's birthday meal at Prezzos. The wine was a bit pants after all the good wines we had tasted at the festival though! After our fill, we went to Chicargo as they had the rugby on! Sitting next to Poot was a bit scary (he really wanted to cause the French pain!) After a close game, we won! Hurrah!!
It was then back to the poot residence for a nightcap (a cuppa!!) and we watched 100 greatest stand-ups.
We all ventured home at about 11.30, and I was not feeling great. I know it wasn't because I'd had to much to drink or mixed my drinks as I'd only had the wine festival wines and a glass and a half of wine with the meal. Still, at 1am (I needed to see who the number 1 stand-up was - it was Billy Connelly (with Eddie Izzard coming in 3rd! Yay!!)) I chundered projectile stylee. Nice. I reckon it must have been the fish in my food :o( My tummy is still a bit sensitive today...so no BA this morning!
Still, apart from the vom, a good day was had by all!!

Superheroes, Poot and Orion!

Last Friday it was Noo's birthday. Her actual birthday celebration will be today, but we went to the Cock Inn for a few drinks on Friday to say Happy Birthday.

Sonia and Colin were up for the evening...and I am not quite sure what they thought of us by the end of the night...because...

we revised our 'superhero names.' This was a conversation we had weeks back - what our superhero names would be. So, Joey is 'Kitty Girl' with the power to diffuse fights with her purring power, Louey is 'Poochie Girl' (this was one of the better names, which didn't sound like she was being dirty with dogs!), who is Kitty girl's arch nemesis, by creating unrest by barking! Putin is 'Poostick' (can you guess where this converstaion went?!?!?) who has the ability to poo and fill holes in ravines...the point of this superpower, however is unclear! Carl is obviously Putin's arch nemesis, being 'Buttplug' - enough said! Noo is 'Fact Girl,' which she reckons is a little boring, although I think she may be the one to solve evil schemes of supervillians! Dave is obviously 'The Tank' - and I see him as some kind of transformer!! Po is 'Fin Boy' (although the fin was missing that night!) who uses his fin as a weapon or for whisking things! I don't actually remember my proper superhero name (if anyone remembers - let me know!) but it was something to do with my embarrassing dancing on the Centre Parcs video and my power was to disctract people with my awful rave moves!

If Colin and Sonia didn't think we were completely bonkers after that conversation, there was the whole 'I dare you' session. Putin was dared £5.83 to let someone write 'Poot' on his head with tomato ketchup! I volunteered, and would be getting £1 per letter! I almost did it too, but the barman, and the rest of the pub seemed to turn around just as I was about to, and I chickened out!!

On the way home, Carl was rather drunk and tried to look up at the stars while walking, which was quite unsuccessful. He kept looking up, staggering and saying 'Look at Orion,' in a gimp like fashion. Of course, Poot and DL did superb immitations of Carl's gimp walk!

On Saturday, Colin was very poorly sick - too much beer! We had a chill out day watching Saw 2 and 3 and having a scrummy chilli for dinner!

On Sunday Carl and I went to the tidy tip (after I'd been to BA) and cleared out the garage of boxes! Yay!

The rest of the week has been fine...but very slow! Now, with a couple og hours to go, looking forward to the Newbury Wine festival!

No interesting title for this blog update...

It is now October? When did that happen? I am hating the darker mornings and am struggling to get out of bed. If I am like that now, what on earth will I be like when we change the clocks? I dread to think.

So, school has been busy... too busy! I am not liking the new strategy and planning from it is a big pain in the butt - feels like I'm reinventing the wheel...again!

Last week I was poorly sick with a bad cold. I phoned my mum Tuesday evening and she said her and dad had the lurgi...by 10pm I had it! I had no idea you could catch it over the phone! Must be a new strain!! ;o) So, there was no Body Attack on Thursday or Sunday for me. On Thursday it was an effort to move, let alone run around like a loony for an hour!

Carl's folks came to visit this weekend. I was still feeling rough so we ended up watching a lot of TV and eating out! We had a gorgeous meal out at The Sun In The Wood (after playing crazy golf - I came 3rd...2nd if you don't include the last hole, which takes as many shots as the other 8 holes put together!) and we had Sunday Roast at Toby Carvery on Sunday. Yum-tastic!

Apart from that, we had a lovely curry at the Flitter-Brookes household, along with some Viking mayhem in the form of Pathfinder....sadly we had to leave halfway through due to arrival of the in-laws.
Carl and I are catching up on TV stuff and how now seen Lost season 1 - a little behind I know!! Season 2 disk 1 has arrived and so far we have watched episode 1. Would like to have watched more but maths planning got in the way :o(
Lou and I had a lovely girlie catch up a couple of weeks ago, which was great. It felt like we hadn't seen each other properly in ages, and after a drive around Beedon and the surrounding villages, we ended up in Newbury town eating pasta!

Can't think of anything else I have done, but then again I seem to have a poor memory of late!

SPIDER ATTACK!

Last week I was under attack by GIANT SPIDERS!! No I have arachnaphobia in a major way, so obviously, this was not good. We did have a giant spider in the dining area a week or so ago, but now they seem to be getting bigger!
On Wednesday, Carl was in London on a course. I had been doing some work when Carl phoned and said he'd be home about 9 and to eat without him, so Iwent downstairs to do just that. I got to the bottom of the stairs and realised it was a bit chilly, so I turned round to go and get my fleece. And there it was. On the vertical part of the corner step...the largest spider EVER!! I legged it, feeling like I was going to be sick and then paniced. Carl wasn't going to be home for over an hour...it might move by then! And I was cold and there was NO WAY I could get past the Spider. So, I decided to phone Putin, but I don't have his number, so I called Nicky and got the answer phone...so I decided to go round there! I was desperate. Nicky, my hero, dispensed of the Biggest Spider In The World (she said it was the biggest she'd seen!) Hurrah! So THANKS NICKY...and sorry I disturbed your dinner!!
Then, yesterday, I went to the kitchen to make a cup of tea and there it was, on the windowsill, another GIANT BL**DY SPIDER!!! How do they get in! I want to seal up the house somehow, so there would be no way of them getting in. All spiders should be extinct!! I hate them! Luckily Carl disposed of it...so brave!! I have no idea what we'd do if we were both arachnophobic - live in fear I expect!

So what else have I done this week? I went to the hygienist, which was fine, tried to go to Body Attack on Thursday, but it was FULL (I was a bit miffed about that! I'll have to make sure I get their earlier this week!) but managed to go on Sunday (3rd person there!!! A bit early!), carl sorted out the ballcock in the attic, so no more dripping on the conservatory roof! Great news for me! It was like Chinese water torture (just got to get the tap in my classroom fixed and I'm sorted!)

We went to see the Bourne Ultimatum with Nicky and Ross on Saturday evening. After driving to Reading and it being sold out (which came as a suprise as it has been out ages!) we went to Basingstoke! I really enjoyed the film. I was a bit worried as I couldn't really remember the 1st two films, but there were recappy bits and you didn't need to reacll too much detail. There were a couple of funny moments, but I wont divulge them in case you've not seen it yet. Great film!

Lets just hope, that having blogged about spiders, I don't dream about them now!!!

Stuff...

The magic corner unit arrived and is now fitted and working! Hurrah!! The extractor also arrived, and we will put that up soon too! It;s all coming together!

Ross and Nicky became our neighbours on Saturday...only for a few months mind! We were on hand to help unload the van, which didn't take too long...especially when you compare it to the one we had when we moved!! Welocm neighbourinos!! We celebrated with pizza and wine! Yum!

On Sunday I went to body attack again...I feel like it is doing more good going twice a week. Here's hoping! Then it was off to Twickenham with Putin and Nicky to see the Police in concert! They were FANTASTIC!!! Sting's son was in the first warm up band, then it was Maximo Park, the the main act! They played all the classics! We had a great time, and many laughs due to the bloke behind me and Carl who danced most of the way through the concert by thrusting is crotch back and forth, looking like he was humping our heads!! Everytime Nicky and Ross looked over they cracked up, and I couldn't look at Carl without seeing the thrusting crotch! Nicky and I wondered if he was actually just trying to swing his pants, Trev and Simon style! There were also a couple of girls who were dancing very strangely...they obviously thought they were gorgeous and were oblivious to everyone around them...more chuckles....we were just glad they weren't in front of us! We didn't get home till gone 12.30am...so I was rather tired at school today!! It was worth it though!

First week back (so far)...

...and I am shattered!!

Last Saturday we attempted to fit the magic corner unit...only to find that it was faulty...no magic...in fact it didn't even open properly! So we dismantled it and I called the B&Q helpline. They were apologetic (after all the first one we ordered was incorrect and now this one faulty) but their delivery system is stupid. Let me explain. Our extractor is being delivered on Wednesday, so I asked if it could be delivered on the same day, as we would have already taken 3 days off work (I know I was on school holidays, but I would have gone in if I could!) He went off and said that wasn't possible as the system decides the date, and it would be delivered on Friday....and the old one taken away on Monday! WHAT?!?! Where is the sense there? They can't take the onld one away while delivering the new one?!?!? ANd why can't they just add the new one onto the delivery for the extractor? CRAZY! And I said as much! I asked if it could be delivered to the store instead. He said it could, but the store would have to organise it. So it was off to B&Q. After a long discussion to try and get the assistant to understand what we were going on about, and even longer on hold, the new unit is now being delivered on Friday to the store and the store have the faulty one...better than nothing!

The good news is my car passed its MOT...after the nice Mr Welder man fixed it (it was REALLY rusty...holes and everything!)

I am quite worn out, even after 2 days back at school! I have been to body attack twice this week though...maybe that's something to do with it!!

Lat week of the holidays...

...and boy has it zoomed by so far!!

After being 'ladies that lunch' with Lou and Nicky on Friday, doing more kitcheny bits on Saturday we went back to Potton to visit my family on Sunday. Everyone is fine and well and Joshua is growing up fast...but still can't say 'Auntie Ray.' I may change my nickname...he seems to say car and lorry at every opportunity, so, I could be Auntie Lorry and Carl could be Uncle Car! Yes, we could be modes of transport!! Although, I don't really won't be a compared to a lorry!! We had a nice time catching up with everyone...and carl even watched the motor racing and rugby with my dad!!
On Monday we went to the Po household for a BBQ. We had lovely food (thanks Mr and Mrs Po) and great fun on the trampette...the best bit was watching the guys pose about on it! (Photos of Putin being Spiderman, and Chudders being Batman, trampette styleeeee!)

After the BBQ we settled down to watch the legendary Centre Parcs video. I must say I haven't laught that much, or been that embarrassed for years! I had no idea I did this strange pointy dancy thing in front of the camera - mortified. Joey did a fantastic Blair-witch moment! The cook-off was hilarious, Po doing a fabulous impression of Jamie Oliver, Joey taking the piss out of Po and Putin being an awesome camera-man. Soo many funny moments I can't possibly mention them all! We all laughed so much, Putin was scarlet and I was crying! Classic!!!

All this hilarity was followed this week by lots of waiting around for deliveries from B&Q. Tuesday everything except the correct magic corner unit (they ordered us one for the wrong side of the kitchen!) and the extractor unit arrived, and Friday the correct magic corner unit!

On Wednesday it was back to school for a day of planning. Why does it take so long? In a way it was nice to be back...it is sooo much better without the kids!!! ha ha!

Today my car failed its MOT...due to a rusty sill apparently! The welder is coming next week to fix it! I knew it was a bit rusty, but just wasn't sure if it was too rusty to pass the MOT...guess it was!

Am still going to Body Attack, and have decided to up it to twice a week...Thursday eve and Sunday morning...let's see how long it lasts!!

The kitchen

We have started to redo our skanky manky kitchen. Colin and Sonia kindly came up to help us as they are experts and we are, well, not! We had a busy 4 days, with countless trips to B&Q and various other places to get bits we didn't have and return bits we didn't need. After 4 days hard work our kitchen isn't finished (thanks to B&Q not having everything in stock!) but it is far superior to the old disgusting one. See Ray's Pics blog for photos!

The Ireland Blog!

Carl and I enjoyed visiting Ireland and would happily go again.

Thursday 9th August
We arrived at Bournemouth airport early! Too early to be checked in!! (not like Barcelona then!) After check in and baggage checks (which took no time at all) it was time for lunch and a few drinks!
After drugging up Barb so she could actually get on the plane it was a scramble for seats. Charlotte couldn’t sit with C and me as we in the emergency aisle and was not an adult (although she paid adult fare?!?) The fight was fine, although the landing was loud as they used airbrakes. Barb said it was all terrible, screamed in Charlotte’s ear and tried to break Bern’s hand!
On arrival we collected the baggage and picked up the hire car – a very nice 07 reg Ford Focus – with a huge boot!
It was now rush hour time as we drove from Shannon towards Limerick, our first stop. We were staying in a Travelodge, and although I had addresses for all the B&Bs we’d been staying in, I’d forgotten to get the address for the Travelodge. Not a problem, we thought, It’ll be signposted… After an hour of driving through Limerick and out the other side, we were told it was on Ennis Road…the road we’d come into Limerick on….so we’d managed to drive right past it! The Bern pipes up that he saw a sign for Travelodge earlier, but thought it was an advert when he couldn’t see it! Not that he mentioned any of this at the time.
We eventually found the Travelodge…with it’s neon sign covered by trees, yes we nearly missed at again!
After freshening up, we drove back into Limerick for dinner. We ate at the Texas Steakout, which had a warm friendly atmosphere and the food was pretty good.
After a busy, tiring day, feeling full and having had a nice cup of tea, we crawled into bed.

Friday 10th August
We were up at 8am, watching She-Ra and Transformers on TV while getting showered and dressed. Breakfast was at Eddie Rocket’s American Style Diner, a 60’s style place which was next to the Travelodge. I decided to have the Power Breakfast, knowing we wouldn’t be eating for ages as the wedding was at 1.30. After our fill, we got togged up in our wedding gear and headed off to Ennis. After driving to Ennis, and being unsure of where we were (again!), we spotted a couple of landmarks on JP and Caoimhe’s map and arrived at the church in Ruan more than an hour early! After about 45mins other people started arriving, so we stepped out into the drizzle and into the church. JP arrived at 1.15, looking like a rabbit caught in the headlights! Caoimhe arrived half hour later and the service commenced.
After the wedding, it was still raining, so it was straight to Ennistymon for the reception at the Falls Hotel. After another ‘are you sure this is the right way?’ journey and finally finding a town that was on the map, we arrived, assuming we’d be late and that everyone else would already be there, but we were one of the first to arrive! After checking in, finding our rooms, marvelling at the vampire toilet (It doesn’t have a proper reflection!) and having a cuppa, we headed to the bar as it was about 2 hours till the wedding breakfast.
At about 6.30 we headed down for the wedding breakfast and we on the same table as Gillian and David (Gillian is a friend of JPs from school) who were lovely. After the starter and soup it was time for the speeches, on which bets were placed. We said 41.41 for 4 speeches. We were no where near, the time being about 25mins and the priest won!! He couldn’t accept the €100 win, so the money went to charity. Then we had the main meal (delicious!), pudding (yummy!) and tea/coffee after which we all felt quite spherical! By the time we’d finished eating it was almost 10.30! The tables were then pushed back and the evening continued with a live band, which played some ‘hits’ but mostly Irish music. I even managed to get Carl up to dance for 2 songs! We went up to bed at about 12.30, and we heard the reception going on until about 2am, as our room was above it!

Saturday 11th August
After breakfast and a walk around the hotel grounds to view the waterfalls by the hotel, it was off to our first destination…The Cliffs of Moher. This was to be one of the highlights of our trip to Ireland, seeing the cliffs, rising over 700ft out of the Atlantic, stretching for nearly 5 miles along the coast. Sadly, we didn’t get to see much of the cliffs…and we renamed it the Mists of Moher, as that was what we saw! After a quick wander round we decided to move onto our next destination, popping back if the weather improved. So, it was north to Doolin to see Doolin Cave. Doolin Cave is the home off ‘the great stalactite,’ discovered in 1952 and measuring 6.54 metres (20 feet) in length, it is recognised as being the longest stalactite in the Northern hemisphere. After a minibus ride to the site, we were issued with hard hats and descended over 80ft to the first tunnel. The most impressive part of the tour is the Stalactite itself which is immense. You enter the chamber with all lights turned off, so it is near on total darkness, as it would have been when it was discovered. Then the lights come on…there certainly is a WOW factor (lots of awe and wonder!)
After the tour, we had a pub lunch (we were starving by this time!) in Doolin before taking the coastal road back towards The Cliffs of Moher, were we chose not to stop as the mists had come in even more! We continued along the coastal roads, taking in the sights, through Liscannor, Rinneen, and Quilty before going inland towards Cooraclare and Kilrush and onto Killimer to catch the ferry across the River Shannon, from Co Clare and into Co Kerry. The 20minute ferry ride was fine and we arrived in Tarbert and headed to the neighbouring town of Glin in Co Limerick! We stayed in O’Driscoll B&B, which was very nice.
After settling in, and having a little siesta, we headed off to O’Shaughnessy, a local ‘typically Irish’ pub for a drink. The pub was, well, not somewhere I would usually frequent! Its wooden floors and old bar had a certain charm, and as we sat and drank our beverages the only thing I could think of was ‘they really need to wash their net curtains!’ I mean COME ON! There was on old drunken Irish man, propping up the bar, swearing a lot, as is the norm apparently! After one drink, we were ready to leave, stopping off for some takeaway before crawling into bed. Having said that, Carl and I watched a fascinating game show, whose rules seemed rather complicated and you won €1000 for getting picked out of the audience! Sounds good to me!

Sunday 12th August
After a delicious full Irish breakfast we set off towards Tralee to tour The Dingle Peninsula. The route we took around the Peninsula was lovely. Firstly we travelled to Castlemaine, taking a detour to a viewing point to see the views of Castlemaine harbour and the valley and mountains of Killarney. En route to the viewing point we did wonder how many people travelled that way as it was rather narrow. Arriving at the top, we took in the views, especially observing the litter - an empty box for a blow up doll and a vacuum cleaner…chuckling to ourselves, wondering if the same person left them both and what they were doing with them half way up a mountain!!
From Castlemaine we took another detour, this time criss-crossing across the peninsula to view the north coast. We drove through Glennagalt Valley (The Valley of the Mad – so called because the water from a well in the valley was said to cure insanity) and then drove to Inch and stopped off at Inch Strand. Inch Strand is a beautiful 4 mile long sandy beach backed by dunes. After walking along the beach, watching an insane man go into the sea (it was cold!) and running up and down the sand dunes like children, we had lunch at Sammy’s Restaurant.
Feeling full, we headed off towards Anascul and on towards Dingle. We stopped off in Dingle and took a walk along the high street, taking in the brightly coloured shops. It was then off on ‘Slea Head Drive’ to drive the coastal road of the peninsula. Charlotte and I stopped off to see the Fahan Beehive Huts (and use the little boys/girls portaloo – see piccy!) The Beehive Huts were originally farmsteads of the free farmers of the Early Christian Period and would have been inhabited from ancient times until 1200AD. We then continued on to Slea Head, passing a Crucifixion shrine known as ‘The Cross’ and taking in the views over Blasket Sound and its islands, which were very picturesque. It was then on to Dunmore Head (yes…great name isn’t it!!), Ballyferriter to the Gallarus Oratory. The Gallarus Oratory is a 1300 year old stone building built by early Christians as a church. It is amazing really, the way it was built and the fact it is waterproof!! We then headed back towards Dingle seeing the ruins of a Romanesque church at Kilmalkedar along the way.
We then decided it was time to head to our next bed and breakfast in Skibereen….which was quite a drive! It took longer than expected due to very windy roads (and a windy car!!) We decided that there was no way you could actually travel at the 100km speed limit and stay on the road!! After driving through Killarney, through parts of Kerry’s National Parks (the best bit was driving through tunnels that went through the mountains!! Cool!) and through Bantry we were starving, and being a Sunday, a little worried that we would remain that way, thinking all the restaurants would be closed!!
We arrived in Skibereen and were staying in a farmhouse, which was cheap and cheerful. We headed into town and the only non-take-away, chippy-type place still serving was a Chinese restaurant. Being allergic to Chinese food, I was worried about ending up with chicken and chips, but I was pleasantly surprised. I had a lovely black bean sauce with chicken and rice. It was then back to the farmhouse for a well earned sleep…
…until 4.30 am when the fire alarm woke us up! Boy was it LOUD!! Luckily it was a false alarm and we didn’t have to evacuate, but by that time I was awake and struggled to get back to sleep. Bah!

Monday 13th August
After a poor night sleep we were up early, had another full Irish breakfast before heading off along the south coast towards Cork. Our first stop was Ross Carbery to see the Drombeg Stone Circle, dating back to 2nd century BC. It was then back into the car towards Clonakilty, Courtmacsherry and Kinsale, where we stopped for a well deserved beverage. Kinsale is ‘one of Irelands most picturesque coastal towns’ and I did think it was pretty. We walked along the harbour and around a few shops and had a refreshing cuppa in a rather hot café! It was then up to Cork, stopping briefly at a retail park before heading to Blaney and its castle.
We arrived in Blaney and were rather hungry! We walked past a few cafés and restaurants and found them rather pricy, so opted to get a baguette from the supermarket! The baguettes were freshly made and rather yummy. We sat outside munching away when we were bothered by a wasp. Barb had a hissy fit, and so we had to move rather swiftly to the opposite end of the park, away from Mr Wasp. After about 10 minutes Bern realised he’d left his digital camera on the bench and hotfooted it back to our original location, which was next to a group of lads. Barb was certain the camera would be gone, and asked me every 10 seconds or so if I could see anything – which I couldn’t – she could probably see more than me, being long-sighted!! Carl followed Bern and we then saw them disappear into the supermarket. The boys had seen the camera and handed it in. Big phew all round!
After the traumatic lunch, we headed into Blaney castle, deciding to go straight to the stone to get that done so we could then wander around more leisurely. After a short queue we had all kissed the stone (except Barb!) and went for a wander. My favourite bits of the castle were the garden walks. They were very pretty and entertaining too! Lots of nooks and crannies to investigate…along with a bit of tree climbing!!
After thoroughly looking around the castle and its grounds, we headed off to our next B&B destination near Mallow. This didn’t take too long at all as we travelled along one of the best roads we’d come across in Ireland!
On arrival we had tea and scones and a chat with our hostess. We then freshened up before heading off into Doneraile for some food and returning for an early night.

Tuesday 14th August
Our last day in Ireland. Our flight was at 1.30, so to take full advantage of our remaining time we got up early, had yet another full Irish breakfast, and headed back up to Limerick and spent the morning seeing Bunratty castle and Folk Park. The castle itself involves going up and down lots of spiral staircases to get to various rooms. The castle was well maintained and interesting to walk around. I particularly enjoyed the folk park, walking around the tiny thatched cottages, the reconstructed ‘high street’ and seeing the donkeys! All too soon it was time to leave, so it was off to the airport to return the hire car, having lunch at the airport and flying home. On this flight Charlotte sat with me and Carl, which was nice, and Barb was drugged up even more!
Back in England it was raining…we left blazing sun and home to rain! No fair. And had bad traffic on the way home too!! Nothing like it!

Catch up blog

A lot has been happening here…and here are the highlights!

Newbury Comedy Festival....every night for a week!! We had festival passes (£60 each) which meant we could book up and see whatever we wanted, and get 10% of drinks at the bus bar! Excellent! We made full use of this and saw 1 or 2 acts every night! My highlights were - Ed Byrne (hillarious!!), Brendan Burns Bad Film Club (basically we watched Roadhouse (feat Patrick Swayze) which is a bad film and the 3 comedians had pointers and mikes and pointed out all the mistakes and funny bits! It was hilarious!! Swayzeeeeeeeeeee!), Arthur Smith (of Grumpy Old Man fame - again very funny), Mark Thomas (political humour about protesting – much funnier than it sounds!), One Big Improv with Phil Jupitus (Carl got one of his suggestions (Tomb stoning) mentioned -well it was his birthday! The comedians didn’t seem to know what it was though!) and Adam Hills (Ozzy guy who is up and coming and very funny!) We also saw Ardel O'Hanlon (from Father Ted - not as funny as we thought he would be), Susie Essman (from Curb Your Enthusiasm – which I’d never seen. She was OK. Her routine was very ‘down with men’ stuff that’s been done before), Trevor Lock (a bizarre, contradictory, kinda sleazy guy! I also managed to get picked on by him! I was sitting about halfway back in a small theatre when I blew my nose...and heckled him! Yes, I heckled him with my nose!! Apparently it sounded like a clown car horn, and he asked me if I was hiding a small clown and his car. At this point I was very red and crying with laughter, as was Lou sitting next to me. He harped on about it for a while (not that long really, but it felt like ages!) before saying "Oh, I like you!" Probably because I was laughing a lot! He had picked on a couple of girls at the front basically asking if they were prostitutes! Nice!! So, my advice is, don't even blow your nose in case you get picked on!!)

End of Term ‘do’ – A BBQ and crazy golf at ‘The Sun In The Wood’ – and no rain!

The Floods - it was pretty bad here. On the last day of term we had 2 months of rain in 14 hours!! It was raining heavily and just when you thought it couldn’t rain any harder – it did! I got a phone call from Carl at lunchtime (he was at home that day as we had an electrician in) saying the water was nearly in the house...and we live at an altitude of 150m! The water was running off our garden and the garden of the house behind us who are the top of the hill, waterfalling down our steps and forming a lake on out patio as it had nowhere to go! Carl ended up 'swimming' around in it trying to find a manhole cover (there isn't one) before ripping the guttering off the wall and wedging up the fence so the water could get between the houses (there is about a 20cm max gap between our house and next doors garage) Carl videoed the waterfall (which I wouldn't have believed until I saw it) and the state of out flooded sunroom. The water was 1 or 2 cms away from getting the house! Scary stuff!!
Sadly, Ross and Nicky got flooded. To make it worse, they’d only moved a week earlier. Loads of their stuff was still in boxes in their flooded garage. Carl, Dave and I drove straight over as soon as we spoke to Nicky. Then Ross and Lou arrived followed by Putin. Travel around the area was a nightmare, with trains not running (Newbury train station looked like a canal), flooded roads, abandoned cars etc. We then spent about 5 1/2 hours sweeping/bucketing out all the water (as drains were full and water coming out of them to start with!) What a nightmare! Lou and I went to get chips at about 9.30 (I think!) and they didn’t believe we wanted 25 portions of chips!!

Family – been up to see the family a few times – but my nephew still can’t say my name! He says lots of things (especially car and lorry – at every one you pass in the street!) I thought I could trick him into saying my name by saying words and him repeating them, but when I got to ‘Auntie Ray’, he just said ‘Yeah!” He is very funny though, and I watched in great amusement as he repeatedly ran over Paul in his car!

Apart from that, we've seen the new Harry Potter film (which I enjoyed), I've read the new Harry Potter book (which I now need to read again! It was great!), we've been researching new kitchens and trying to tame our wild garden (Oh the joys of owning a house!)

Race for Life

The Race for Life is now over! Despite the rubbish weather on Sunday we completed the RfL...and didn't need to swim! We walked the race in an hour, which wasn't bad. We are going to run it next time though...Noo with get Lou and I training I am sure! Thanks to all my sponsors!

Check out http://www.flickr.com/photos/theplugs/ for more RfL piccys.

It has been a busy week. Wednesday was fun at school, with the firebell going off twice in 10 minutes, being outside for ages and having no electricity till hometime! We had a visit from a 'popstar' today. She is a cousin of a child in schol and she used to go to our school too. The band is called XYP and are from Holland. They are very Steps/S club 7/Liberty X and are very big in Holland with a number one single under their belt. The kids loved seeing a real live 'famous person'...most of them saying they wanted to be popstars too!

Lou and I went to Body Attack again today...it seemed harder to me though! Oh dear!!

I need a holiday!

Well it has been a while...

I will attempt a mammouth update...in no particular order (mainly as I can't remember the order!)...and I may miss vital things out due to lack of memory! Mmm what happened first...

Met up with Caro and Andy - we went round there place in Reading after her birthday. Just out for pizza and a pub - very chilled. It was gorgeous weather (not like now!) so we sat outside in their garden (with only 1 shed now and grass!!) drinking tea and being visited by the dog who lives in the hosue out the back of theirs and who sneaks though the fence on a regular basis!! We also had cooked breakie outside the next morning!!
Started going to Body Attack - Lou and I decided to try and get fit...by going to Body Attack. We've been going for about a monthish. The first time I thought I was going to have a heart attack!! I was as red as a beetroot!! After the 1st week, seeing as though I didn't keel over, we went back and it was easier...except my calf muscles hate it!!! After speaking to the instructor I am going to have to extra stretch them beforehand (until they get used to it!!)
Attack of the Killer Tomatoes - Saw this with CP and the Poes. Very funny film, especially the boardroom where they have to climb over the table to get the chairs and the noise the tomatoes make. Also the tomato wearing earmuffs/headphones! Superb!
Half term - came and went far to quickly! I really do not know what I did that week! I know I had 2 migraine days, had a haircut, went to the dentist and visited my parents, Paul, Sarah and Joshua. That doesn't add up to 9 days so who knows!?!?
IOW festival - The drive down was a bit nerveracking...leaving school at 3.20 to get a 5pm ferry in Southampton! We made it with time to spare!! Amazing! We got to the Island, finally got parked and walked to Carl's folks place, ate food and walked to Seaclose Park, only to be met with the worlds longest queue. In all fairness it only took 35mins to get in (For some it took 2 hours!) but it meant I missed The Feeling - bummer. We did hear some Groove Armada (which in all honesty could have been a CD!) and saw Snow Patrol who were really good. They made the hastle and queueing worthwhile! On Saturday we saw Amy Winehouse (good but couldn't understand a word she said when not singing!), Wolfmother (very loud!), the Red Arrows (very cool and unexpected!), Ash (well we heard some of them while eating!), Kasabian and Muse (who I thought were great. They played a few songs that were a bit obsure for a fest, but they played the classics too). A day of good music, cider drinking, good company and sunshine... Sunday we saw James Morrison (good chill-out music), Paolo Nutini (ditto), Fratellis (time to bounce around!), and Keane (who were amazing!!) We did see a bit of the Rolling Stones, but weren't impressed (not recognising anything!) and we had to go catch a ferry!!
Ofsted - 'Nough said!!!!
Reports - That dreaded time of year. Luckily the weather has been rubbish, so I have not wanted to be out and about in the sunshine. I finished writing them today, so I am chuffed and exhausted!
Rosspo's B'day - Went for a lovely meal at the Bunk Inn. Ross's pressie arrived the day they went on holiday! You'll get it on Friday Mr Po!!
Dentist - yep - finally went. It was okay, after my dread of the dentist who injected my nerve and caused me pain, this one is very nice and I had no pain! I had a filling yesterday which didn't hurt at all (until the anaestetic wore of later!! Then OUCH!!)
Babies - My friend Cilla had a baby girl last week - Caitlin Amy - and she looks gorgeous! Congrats Cilla and Paul!!

Dads 60th birthday - we had a great time. I decided we should have a BBQ. Mum and Dad invited lots of people. Then we found out the weather forecast and mum panicked!! Luckily the weather stayed dry, we had too much food, mum had too much wine and a good time was had by all!!


I think they are the highlights of the last month! This weekend is the Race for Life and I have sent nagging mails to people asking them to sponsor me!! Well it is for a good cause. I am quite looking forward to it actually. (I may change my mind nearer the time though!!)

Ciao folks!

What else will go wrong?

So, last time I mentioned the vacuum cleaner went wrong...and we exchanged it so all was hunky dory, but things always happen in threes...!
Our shower keeps blowing fuses. This morning was most annoying as I was halfway through showering at the time - hair all lathery etc, when suddenly it went cold and I had to dash about trying to find the hose for the taps (which doesn't actually fit properly), so I could actually rinse my hair, getting all stressy and waking up Carl in the process. Carl replaced the fuse (again!) but I believe an electrician is required...soon!
THEN...I get home from school and Carl tells me our oven has stopped working! The hobs, grill and top oven are OK, but our main oven, which we use a lot, doesn't even get warm! Not that we will replace it as we have a perfectly fine oven in the garage, just waiting until we install a new kitchen so we can have gas!! (as the gas is there, just not accessible at present!) How frustrating!!

On a brighter note, we had a good evening on Saturday with the Poes and Putins and I had a fun time at the school quiz on Friday (and watching Bagpuss in my youth helped me with a nature question! Kids TV of the past was obviously very educational!!)

It is off to the cinema tomorrow to watch Spiderman 3! SPIDEY!!!!!! Superb!

Bank Holiday Weekend.

The end of the bank holiday weekend...and I'm more tired than when I started!!
Friday I left school at 6.45 (yes...ridiculous I know!) and then decided a relaxing evening was in order, so watched Lady in the Water on DVD with Carl, which I enjoyed, with a nice bottle of red wine...
Saturday I took the boys to the train station as they were off to the Reading Beer Festival. I then went shopping (why on a Saturday when it is mayhem?!?! I did have an incident with a toddler trying to put stuff in my trolley...and then when his mum said no he clung on for dear life! Most amusing!) and then decided to try and sort my school work out a bit...which I did...while watching The Devil Wears Prada on DVD and scoffing popcorn! I then met the guys in town for a couple of drinks...
Sunday was spend DIY-ing. After returning our glorious, much raved about vacuum cleaner (it stopped working properly!) and getting a new one (which works fine!!) and doing a trip to Homebase, we set to work painting our bedroom. We have done it 2 colours, so we could only do the yellow today (2nd coat!) and then ordering pizza, drinking a bottle of Blackberry port type stuff (very yummy), watching 40 Year Old Virgin and falling asleep...
Today was spent painting the rest of the bedroom (blue!), doing school work and then 'unpreping' the bedroom (masses of used masking tape everywhere!), vacuuming and returning furniture so we could sleep in our own bed! (as spent the rest of the weekend in the spare room due to paint fumes and bed being covered in decorating rubbish) Now I am off for a snooze....

Times are a changing...

Since I last blogged much has happened. Actually, some stuff happened a fair while ago but I was unable to blog about it...(you'll read why in a minute!)

In mid-March we had a bit of a shock....Carl was made redundant...and was due to leave 2 weeks later! Over half the company he worked for were made redundant due to lack of funding, which was a bummer. Carl then started job hunting, spending vast quantities of time on the internet doing job research, putting his CV about and applying for jobs. In a way the timing was quite nice as this meant we had the Easter holidays off together! The good news is that Carl had an interview last week and was offered the job, which is a BIG relief and also meant we could inform certain people who would have gone into a mad panic if we'd have said before Carl got another job ( - yes I am talking about you Barb!) So, in way, the redundancy was a blessing in disguise as the job he has landed is better than the one he had before, in many ways.
Also, I had some good news on the job front. My teaching post was a temporary 1 year position and I have now been made permanent! Hurrah!! It is great as I really like the school and my colleagues and that doesn't always happen.

Also, on a congratulatory note - well done to Mr and Mrs Po who are now proper, officially qualified, fully fledges accountants! Wahoo!

So what else is new?
We journeyed to the IOW last weekend to spread the job news in person. We had as good time catching up and having a lovely BBQ.
Now Carl has a job (but not physically started work yet - when he does I will miss him being a house-husband - I liked all my dinners being cooked for me!) he is keeping himself busy doing some DIY. He has designed the garden (as it needs some work!! And I want a veggie patch!) and the kitchen (for which we need some money really!!) and has replaced the missing and broken fence panels, moved the shed (and then found out it was rotten! yuck!) and is planning to paint the master bedroom too. We also puchased a new shed (which needs constructing) and a new vacuum cleaner! Our old hoover (no offence mum!) was rubbish. It pushed stuff around rather than sucked it up!! We now have a new cyclonic Vax one which is the bees knees! Our carpets look like new (and we realised how manky they had got!) and it is so nice for the hoover to actually remove dirt and hair rather than squich it further into the carpet!

So, good news all round really....

Bunglehouse, babysitting & baby deer!

Yesterday Carl and I drove 'home' to see my family. We were amazed at what the bunglehouse looks like now!! It has a wet room (shower facility my dad can use), a ramp to the front door, the central heating is nearly complete and they've done a lot of the fencing (with my brother's help!) The garden still needs turfing, but it is really beginning to look like their place now. After lunch we wandered down to Paul and Sarah's to babysit while Sarah went to look at a flat with Liz. Joshua has grown...more and has a cheesey grin he shows every now and then. We had fun playing with his toys and keeping him occupied - he has such a personality now!

It was then dinner time (fish and chips), chatting and watching soaps (luckily Anna called and I missed most of Eastenders!) before heading home.

We'd only just got out of Potton and past Sutton when we spotted a baby deer sitting in the other lane. Carl thought it was dead, but I didn't, so we went back. The deer was alive, but in shock, so unable to just leave it (it would have been run over as it was on a bend) Carl flashed the car lights and clapped at it in an attempt to make it move but it wouldn't so we wrapped it in Carl's coat and put him in the boot, drove back to my parents and called the RSPCA. After a cup of tea, a lovely lady called Kate arrived and peered into the boot. She said we'd done all the right things, but as it was now moving about we'd try and let it back into the wild. We discoved it was a Monkjack Deer, and was probably clipped by a car or run over (so the deer was under the car but not squashed) so it was in shock. We went back to where we found it and managed to release it back into the wild, where it pranced off. Sadly the photo was a bit rubbish, but I din't want to scare it more by using the flash! We decided to name the deer Deirdre!!

I have to say, we drove home feeling all good about the whole thing!

Center Parcs

After looking forward to Center Parcs for so long, it is now all over...

We had a great time, in our Exclusive Villa - complete with hot tub, sauna and steam room!! It's a hard life!

Friday - The journey to Longleat was bad - well the traffic was bad, but we had great views of Stonehenge and Putin say's he saw a unicorn too! When we arrived we were allowed straight into our Villa, and I can say, once you've done Executive, you won't want to go back!! The Limpets and Poes arrived about half an hour after us, and then we wandered down to get some food...at the Pancake House. It was gorgeous weather, so we sat outside and ate our Jacket Potatoes and Pancakes. I think the excitment got to me, Lou and Noo as we sang the theme to James the Cat, substituting the lyrics with Dave the Tank!! I was crying with laughter!

Then back at the villa we decided to give the hot tub a whirl - it was soooo nice! Champagne, bubbles, gorgeous weather...what more could you want!!

After relaxing in the hot tub (with some Greco Roman wrestling from Po and Putin) we got ready to go out for the evening...10 pin bowling!

Now, I am usually rubbish at this...but I won the first game (the girls had a lane and the boys had one...I didn't beat the boys though!). Sadly we didn't get to finish the sencond game...sadly as I'd got a spare on my first bowl and then 2 strikes in a row on my 3rd and 4th bowls...and I never got to find out what would have happened!! Aaaargh!! After this it was off to Huckleberry's for dinner before heading back to the villa.

Saturday - No lie-ins for us!! The girls were up and out and at Aqua Sana for 9am!! We had booked a Aqua Sana Spa session (3 hours in various steam rooms, saunas and relaxation rooms), but little did I know that my birthday pressie was at the spa too...I had an Exotic Frangipani Body Nourish Wrap - oooh eeer! It was a complete suprise..I had no idea...and it was brilliant, so thanks guys!!! Basically (from what I can recall, as I wa soooo relaxed!!) Frangipani oil is poured our you, a bit at a time obviously, and massaged in (which feels gorgeous!) and then you are wrapped up in foil (like a baked potato!) while you have a mini facial, with more Frangipani on your face, hair and neck. Then you have a shower and then lots of lovely moisturiser is massaged in too. I felt very relaxed afterwards! Bliss!! (While I had this Lou did too and Noo and Joey had facials.) We all met up in the relaxation room before having our Spa session, trying out almost all the steam rooms and saunas and then having lunch in the Conservatory (feeling very 'my body is a temple' and having healthy salads and jacket potatoes!)

After all the relaxing, Lou and I decided to meet the boys in the pool and go on the rapids and flumes! So, aiming to suprise them, we snuck in and went in search, going on flumes and the rapids as we went. After about 45 mins of sneaking about, keeping our eyes peeled and being detective like we decided they weren't there and headed off...only to discover that text messages are pants and we arrived as they were leaving the pool!! All our sleuthing for nothing!!

In the evening we had a BBQ and did pressies for the birthday boys. Without going into too much detail the evening consisted of...cider (8 pints from the farmers market), red wine, champagne, bagpiping, party-boy-shake-your-arse dancing, body-pump dancing (as taught by Joey), reggae muffin Lou, the Feeders dance, more cider and champage, hot tub, duck vader aka EVIL DUCKY!!! I went to bed at about 12.30am (feeling like a saltana) leaving Po, DL and Lou still in the hot tub - becoming saltanas - especially as they then went into the sauna!!

Sunday - With dodgy tummies and no chance of a lie-in it was time for the zip-wire and cake-

off!! DL, Noo, Lou, Chudders and I were doing the zip-wire, while Joey and Po had a cake-off with Putin as referee and cameraman! The zip-wire turned out to be a pretty good hangover cure, and woke me up nicely!! It was tamer then the 3G swing we did last year (we really wnated to do the high ropes but again, it was fully booked...and ended up cancelled on the Sunday anyway!) Still it was good fun! (The photo is Noo zip-wiring)

On our return to the villa, the cake off was all over, with Po's cake cooking and Joey's cooling on the side. We then had some chilling out time, with the guys watching 'Demonic Toys' (a pressie for Putin.)

Archery was in the afternoon. This is the bit I didn't really enjoy...I would have liked it more if I didn't have such knobbly elbows that got in the way. After the string hitting my elbow 3 times in a row (Ouch! See massive painful bruise piccy!!) I decided I wasn't keen! (Doing it left handed (as I was told I was left eye dominant - but at clay pigion shooting I was told right eye dominant! Who knows?!?) didn't help as I felt kack-handed) I think I was the only one to score zero...although I almost got 3 pints, one on someone elses target!! At least I didn't catch myself where Joey did...OUCH!!!!!) On a good note, Putin did well and won! Hurrah for Putin!

After this, the boys, Lou and I went to the pool....more playing on the rapids and flumes and generally being big kids!! We then met Noo and Joey for dinner (at Huckleberrys again) where I had a lovely CHILLI!!)

Back at the Villa we played the 80's tunes game. We were in teams of 2 (the boys names were drawn out) and I was with Po. We had an unbelievably easy first round (passing into the middle zone!) and ended up winning the game!! Hurrah!! We then settled down to watch Feeders 2 - probably THE worst ever film EVER - Feeders (the aliens) seemed to be made with potatoes for heads, bottle tops for eyes and twigs for arms...also the sound effect fart was unbelievable!! If you want to see a film where Santa shoots spindly-legged, potato-headed, gibbering, dancing aliens with a ray gun - see this!! (Also the mother acting was soooo wooden I think she was previously a tree!)

Monday - After packing everything up we waved goodbye to the Limpets and Poes while the Putin's, CP and myself went to the pool...again...just because we could!! We were the first ones on the rapids and had our first run all to ourselves! Brilliant! We went on the flumes and rapids and in the hot tub (not as good as the one at the villa!) before calling it a day and decideding lunch was needed before heading home (especailly if the traffic was as bad as on Friday.) So to the Pancake House again for a final feed before heading home.

A GREAT weekend!! Same again next year?!?!?!?!

Growing (things) Pains

Since my last blog, just a few hours ago, I decided to do some gardening (shock horror!!) I decided to tackle the small patch of overgrown-ness out the front near the garage. It is very small with a bushy thing with prickles that cut you to ribbons - nice. The shears had zero effect on it, so out came the hedge trimmer. I was having great fun cutting the prickly bush of pain to pieces when suddenly the trimmer stopped working. I thought something had got stuck or I'd caught the wall. Inside I went to check the plugs etc and it was only on my return I realised the problem...I'd cut though the cable. Hmmm, so that's what the slight tingle in my arm was about!?!? I feel lucky not to have electrocuted myself (thanks Black and Decker for making it idiot proof!)
However, this did not deter me from trying to contue the garden. I pulled up everything, except the roots of the prickly bush of pain, and had to leave it there. I'd blown the fuse in the trimmer and we had no spares. Bum. Still...it does look a bit better...the pain was worth it!

Easter Holidays - at last!

So, what have I been up to since my last blog? Well, we did the production...a lot. I am now free from it and no longer have to endure rendition after rendition of Starlight and Treasure Hall (aka Crystal Ball) and the Pugwash theme played by the kazoo band...although it doesn't stop them entering my head at random times so I'll end up singing along! All in all, the production went well, but I was exhausted afterwards - felt like I could have slept for a week (getting to sleep was a bit of a problem, with Cap'n Pugwash whirring about!)

Anyway, I am glad it is now the Easter holidays. Carl is at home too, which is good (in some ways!) Since I have been off I have kept myself busy...mainly trying to get onto the next level of a tetris-like game, called Luxon Amun Rising, I have become addicted to. I have completed it at beginner level and am now trying it at expert (missing out intermediate entirely!) I was stuck on level 10 (namely 10.2, then 10.4 then even worse 10.5) and last night I finally cracked it and now am on level 11! hurrah!

Friday night Carl went out with the people from work and I had tea at the Po's. Ross cooked a chilli (which was tres yummy) and we watched Ross Noble on DVD - Lou did tell me he was random, but random just doesn't cover it!! Very funny! Laughing at Elton John hitting midgets and faces in muffins (there's a face.....next muffin). On Saturday we popped over the Po's to jump start their car, only to find the battery was beyond dead, so a new one was required. On Sunday the boys went golfing, so Lou and I went into town. We wandered about, savouring the farmers market, trying not to buy too much stuff - we did purchase a few good items mind;o), having lunch and Lou trying to find clothes for me (she is very good!)
Yesterday Carl and I went into town to do a few jobs and then to the driving range (Carl wanted to hit some balls) and I had a go. I wasn't too bad....I managed to hit the ball, and some went in a straight line...I just found the way you had to stand a bit tricky...I mean, it doesn't do a girl any favours - my butt sticks out enough without having to actually 'stick it out'! (although I did notice the American guy next to us had a very large butt, so it kinda made me feel better!) It was fun though, but the guys don't need to worry, I won't be crashing their games!

Well, CENTER PARCS TOMORROW! Very exciting!! We have a few things booked (but the high ropes were booked up again - bummer) zip wite, archery, bowling and the girls are doing some pampery stuff too. Hot tub, here we come!!

Older and Wiser...I don't think so...

So, I am now 31...and it feels no different, I am happy to say. On my birthday weekend we went out for a few drinks and had a meal out - all very civilised! Caro and Andy came too...and we exchanged Christmas presents (we hadn't seen each other since J&M's leaving do!)...and I was told I have to wait 3 months for my b'day pressie!! ha ha! We started off in Document House, then to Pizza Express for food, (and we were in there ages!) before going to the Berkshire Tavern for a final drink, then catching taxis home! A very nice evening out so thanks Po's, Limpets, C&A and CP xx

Sunday (my actual b'day) was not so good....Carl came down with 'man flu' and was not well at all :o( bummer! He felt a bit rubbish all week but is okay now.

This week at school as been production, production, production. Some of the songs are beginning to be a permenant fixture in my brain, which is annoying - the same 4 or 5 songs on continual loop!! Last Friday was comic relief so the Lower Juniors dressed up as pirates, all in preparation for the production of course!!

This weekend I went home to visit my mum and dad. They are having the bathroom and toilet made into one room and central heating put in, so things are a little untidy....and they have no bath and a curtain up to give you a bit of privacy on the loo!!

Things to look forward to:
1. Centre Parcs in 2 weeks - yay!!
2. Isle of Wight Festival
3. Our trip to Ireland
4. Seeing the Police in concert

Catch up!

This last few weeks seem to have been rather busy...although looking at my diary I don't know what I have actually done!! So here is a quick catch-up...in no particular order...it depends when it pops into my head!


School has been busy, with parent's evenings, production rehearsals, Egyptian day and an Egyptian exhibition on top of the regular stuff!

Egyptian day went really well - the children made clay cartouches with their names in hieroglyphics, made clay shabti and amulets, made Egyptian bread, board games and jewelery, as well as colouring in death masks and sarcophaguses! We all dressed up too. The photo is of myself, Anna, Annette and Sarah all dressed up....and it was rather chilly and windy outside!!


We have also booked a holiday to Ireland for the summer. Carl's cousin is getting married, so we are making a holiday out of it, visiting Co Clare, Co Kerry and Co Cork with Carl's folks, which we hope not to repeat the 'Cook Family holiday experiences' of Christmas 2005 (see archives!)

Also, I am doing the Race for Life this year, "running" with Lou and Nicky. Which I am quite looking forward to, even though I am not a running person! I don't think I'll ever be a runner, but never say never...

Dad had his eye op 2 weeks ago...and tried to tell me all about it the Friday after. He knows how squeamish I am about eyes too...what a meany! He says it is much more comfortable now (as it was very sore) and during his describing what happened he said he had to have a bit of his eyeball cut out under LOCAL anaesthetic!! No way! You'd have to knock me out and keep me knocked out until it healed....YUCK...in fact words cannot describe the yuck factor here....

This weekend we 'celebrate' my turning 31...I'll be in my 30's (rather than on the edge) and then have to tick the 31-39 age bracket box....actually I am not too fussed about being 31...I barely remember how old I am anyway!

Time flies...

Well, doesn't time fly...half term came and went and I have been back at school a week, with parent evenings next week to look forward too...

So, the rest of half term...

Carl, Dave and I went to the NME Awards tour on Monday night (I got a ticket for Chrismas from Ross and Lou) and saw Mumm-Ra (who were good), The Horrors (who were shockingly bad - lots of flashing while lights and screaming 'singer' who loved himself a bit too much), The View (who are far better on CD than live - I wasn't impressed) and The Automatic (who were cool!))

I went back to Potton on Thursday to see the folks, who are OK. Their fireplace FINALLY arrived and looks very nice indeed. Dad has to have an eye operation (squeamish-squermy-yuck!), but it is on his bad eye so at least he'll be able to see a bit afterwards! Mum and I babysat Joshua on Friday morning - he is soooo cute and kept saying Dadda to everything and da (like ta for thank you!)

While I was 'back home', Carl decided to do some DIY. He sorted out the internal garage door, making it open into the garage, rather than into the hall. He then decided to move the 3 bedroom radiators, so they'd be under the windows (more efficient and freeing up wall space!) He was going to do it earlier in the week, and decided against it, as it was a BIG job, only to do it anyway because he didn't want it to beat him! Check out http://rayspics.blogspot.com/ for piccys of Carl's handiwork!

On Saturday night we met up with Lou, Ross and Dave for a "quick drink at The Cock", which turned into a session, ending up at the new Po residence, drinking too much, eating vast quantities of biscuits and cheese (which was very tasty, and Lou kept saying "I can cut more cheese!") and crawling into bed at 3am a bit drunk and trying not to fall through the ceiling (the floorboards were still up in parts of all 3 bedrooms due to the moving radiators). We were a bit hungover the next morning!!

This week at school has been quite good, doing a major science 'rocks and soils' session! Next week we have Egyptian day and parents eve. Sadly due to having to move Egyptian day from last week (because of the snow day the letters didn't get out in time) we have Egyptian Day on the SAME day as the final parents eve...Mmmm...not sure the eye make-up will come off in time - may have to do it in costume!!

Dave, Ross, Carl and I did the quiz at 'The Cock' on Monday night, coming joint 2nd...well actually, not-joint-2nd, as afterwards we discovered that the team marking ours marked one wrong when it was right....but then there was the spanner/wrench answer (In Cludo which weapon was missing: rope, candlestick, dagger, revolver and lead piping - we put wrench, but the answer was spanner (but it is a wrench in America/Canada!) and it was marked right), so we decided it was karma that we didn't get our £1.50 each prize money!!

Carl and I got tickets to the IOW festival this year. We are taking Carl's little sis. The line up is really good, and coz Carl's folks are islanders, we get to sleep in a bed each night!! Woo-hoo!

The pain was worth it!

What a great weekend! Carl's parents came up and we had a special surprise for them on Saturday (it was/will be their birthday pressies this year!) as it is Barb's birthday next week.

We set off at 10.15am (having got halfway there are realising we'd let our picnic lunch at home!) and arrived at 11am, after taking a long route there and getting a bit lost!

On arrival they still didn't know what the surprise was!! When you get there there is a dirt track and a few metal huts. Barb's only guess was "Are we driving a tank?" Ha ha ha!! Charlotte guessed when we met the people who ran the place (as one of them was wearing a cap with it on.) When we told them, Barb's face was a picture, as she's wanted to do this for years! We were clay pigeon shooting (or clay tile shooting as it is now known!)

We had a safety check before getting down to it! Barb didn't seem to care if she hit anything or not!! We did tiles that went across the sky infront of you, those that arched towards you and some that went away, before doing 2 tiles at a time and a flurry competition! We all managed to hit some (Carl and Bern did the best!) In the flurry, Barb and Bern were together (6 for Bern and 3 for Barb), then Charlotte and me (we both scored 4 each!) then Carl and Barb (Carl got 10 and Barb got 2 - and one was twice!!) Bern got the most tiles in the 2 at a time bit, so he got a little trophy! After a lovely cup of tea we headed off for some lunch (at 3pm!) and ate at the Swan before heading home, collapsing and comparing bruises (I won!!) We then watched a couple of movies, played Simpsons Operation and ate our picnic!


On Sunday we visited Donnington Castle before heading into town to show them around. We had tea and a pasty in the West Cornwall Pasty Co shop (very tasty!) In the evening we went to Indigo Bay for an Indian, which was very yummy. We then attempted to play the Lord of the Rings Trivial Pursuit game - which was very hard and I think I only answered 2 questions correctly! Oh well!

Tonight we are off to the NME music awards tour in Reading to see The Automatic and The View - Excellent!