Home sweet home!

Well, we finally moved on 20th October! And quite traumatic it was too - too much stuff and too little time! Anyway, not to dwell on that (and the fact that our solicitors were complete pants - you know, stained, holey, smelly Y-fronts - as in useless) we are in and that feels gooood! We have carpet, a TV and a bed that doesn't squeak everytime you breathe...oh the luxury!!!

So, half term was spent trying to get the house in some kind of order. Carl did a good job putting loft panels in the loft so there was somewhere to store stuff. I got a brand new desk...and huge it is too!! It took 4 different people about 5 hours to build the complex contraption - if only they'd labelled the bits!
I spent all last Monday on the phone, sorting out final bills, new accounts, changing addresses etc. at a cost of £25 on my mobile! So happy was I when NTL came to connect our phone, TV and internet!

On Thursday last, I went home to visit my parents. We had fun picking up my desk and a table and 4 chairs (all flatpacked). Fitting these and 3 people in a Fiesta is a challenge - Dad was in the back seat - being 6'3" it was a squash, Mum was in the front with her nose practically pressed up on the windscreen and I was driving with my knees round my ears looking like Mr Magoo! I then went to salsa in the evening which was great! I have only been once in Newbury, so I thought I'd be way out of practice but I was ok! I did forget my decent shoes, which my knees are now cursing me for!

Saturday night was our housewarming and Carl's very belated 30th birthday party! (His birthday is in July!!) Jeannie and Mark came down on Friday night and it was great to have a catch-up with them. Mark's turtle tales had us in stitches...but those stories are never to be repeated...and will forever remain between us four, the bar and the 20p stuck to the floor which Mark tried to pick up!
Saturday itself was spent trying to clear rooms of boxes so people whould have somewhere to sleep that night, so by the time the party was happening, I was practically asleep on the sofa! Andy did teach Mark some Karate and Lou some self-defence moves. ("Grab me from behind but mind my back I've just been to Physio", "You're clammy" and "He's like my brother" were all wonderful Lou phrases of the evening!) I drank my birthday Scrumpy Cider, which was OK at first, but the more you drank, the ranker it got. Nice!

Yesterday Lou and I went to 'Body Harmony' while the guys went to the driving range. Body Harmoney is a mix of Pilates, Yoga and Tai Chi...and it very hard work...and I do ache a bit today I must confess. I liked the Tai Chi bits best, and some of the Yoga...I found the Pilates the hardest!

The other main event over the past month was Carl going to see Seether with Roisin. He was really looking forward to it. I say went to see Seether but he only heard them. The problem was he drank a wee bit too much so missed the main act as he was chucking up outside the venue instead. Best £12 he's ever spent!

It was back to school today. Boo! But it was nice having breakfast at home and only a 10 minute drive to work, so, mustn't grumble....much!

Anyone else moving?!?!

Where has the last month gone!??!?

Well, we haven't moved yet! Hoping it will be in the next 3 weeks or so - so fingers crossed please! At the moment we are in Reading (staying with our fab friends Caro and Andy - thanks guys!) during the week and 'home' at the weekend. It is knackering and so the move needs to happen soooooon!

Speaking of moving...Mum and Dad are moving! They are part way through moving to a bungalow (or 'bunglehouse' as dad calls it). The main move is next weekend, but the last 2 weekends have been moving boxes, decorating and trying to sort the jungle that is the garden (I did get to have a go with a chainsaw...it is soooo cool - my destructive streak coming out again!) Also, Paul and Sarah are moving...they are a few weeks behind us...and are moving to Potton. So, we'll all be in new places for Christmas - very weird! Lots of moving going on, with the Po's and DL & Joey getting in on the act too!

So, what else is knew? I started my job at the beginning of September, and all seems to be going well, although a working day of 8-6.30 is a little draining (especially leaving Reading at 7.15 and getting home at about 7.30!) Also, Carl, Po, Putin and DL have started golf lessons, and it sounds like they are having a good time...us girls are having girlie time while they are swinging their clubs about.

I think they are the main events of the past month...

It's all going too fast!

...the summer holidays that is! 2/3 of the way through already!! sob sob!

The houses are going through nicely, although quicker would be good - we won't be in for when term starts which is a bit annoying!

This weekend was spent sorting stuff out. Saturday we spent 6 hours in the loft, going through boxes of stuff. Carl also went through his video collection and actually got rid of a LOT of videos (a lot meaning quite a few bag fulls, but a small percentage of the videos he actually owns!!) So, the charity shops in the area have done quite well out of us!! Sunday was spent going to the tidy tip (1 car load from the loft alone!) and then sorting out the shed (2 car loads to the tidy tip!) Our shed looks massive now as it is virtually empty!! Hurrah!

Other stuff is starting to be boxed up now too, with the aim being all but the bare essentials will be done by the end of the weekend.

What else have I done in the past week? I took mum and Dad to see Sarah and Joshua (and I heard him speak!! No raspberries today!) and my friend Catherine came for a visit - we haven't seen each other for over a year we worked out! Also, went to salsa and had a good time. Chris is teaching me to be a man (as in dance as a man, not be all macho and fancy girls etc!) I can now do 9 moves as a man! And Chris makes a good woman too....although I would like to see more mincing!! :o) It is rather sad that I only have 2 more weeks as a regular at Salsa Estrellas. Shame they don't do a club in Newbury - a bit far away I suppose!! At least I can come back during holidays...they can't get rid of me that easily!!
Oh and more exciting news - Paul and Sarah sold there house and had an offer accepted on one in Potton! Hurrah! Talk about all go here!!

Back to packing...

Ring ring!

Another busy week so far, with most of it being spent on the phone it would seem!

On Saturday we saw 11 houses. Yes 11! It was manic and we saw various standards in housing, from lovely to oh...that's...erm...yes. After seeing all these houses we had a shortlist of 4, with one of them being the one we really want.
So Monday was spent waiting around to see if offers were excepted etc and in the end we got the house we wanted for a bit under the asking price. HURRAH! We have a HOUSE!! So more phonecalls to solicitors, estate agents, mortgage people... I really don't like phoning people either. It is ok if there are family or friends, but anything else stresses me out. So, as you can guess I have been a bit stressy!!
Yesterday I spent the afternoon with mum and dad, just chilling out, waiting for phonecalls and the like. So today, I start packing. Just stuff we wont be needing...but it needs to get started. Great fun!!

Busy week

First things first...WE SOLD THE HOUSE!!!!!! HURRAH! It is a relief, but I know that nothing is final until you have the keys in your hand...but fingers crossed!

The whole house thing happened on my journey to Ringwood. Phonecalls back and forth while I was stuck in traffic on the M25 (2 hours to go about 25 miles...NUTS!) But it is done so at least I don't have to keep our house immaculate anymore...it is very stressful keeping it so clean and tidy.

I had a great time in Ringwood with Jeannie. We went out to Bournemouth on Friday night. We went in a few pubs, all of which seemed to have great music playing until you got halfway through your drink and then it went rubbish! Oh well!
On Saturday we went shopping in Bournemouth and got plenty of bargins in the Next sale!! We also had a very yummy dinner in a pasta place :o) In the evening we decided to rent out a couple of DVDs. We thought comedies was the way to go, and so got out 'The Weather Man' and 'Just Friends.' We watched 'The Weather Man' first, and boy were we disappointed. If it says comedy on the box, you expect to laugh...a lot. I laughed once. It was just depressing, not even a black comedy. We watched it to the end as we needed closure, but it was cery disappointing. Film number 2 was more comedy like. A typical American teen chick flick, but at least there were some laughs!
Sunday was spent chatting and putting the world to rights, before having a game of croquet (is that how you spell it!??!) and then I headed up to Newbury.
All is all a great weekend - Thanks Jeannie!

I stayed in Newbury for a night to see Carl. Unfortuately I had dodgy eyes again. By morning my left eye was red and puffy. On the drive home it got worse and by the time I got home it was very elephantman-ish - the upper lid was so swollen. And I had a lump ON MY EYEBALL! How disgusting is that! And I hate all things eyebally. Eugh! After resting my eye for a couple of hours, dropping eye drops in and generally being disgusted by it, I went to see Mum and Dad. Even they said it looked bad, and it had gone down a bit by then.

On Thursday I took Mum and Dad round to see Sarah and Joshua again. We, well, more me actually, played with the blocks and Joshua spent most of the time making raspberry noises!! He did enjoy knocking down my towers though.
I went to Salsa in the evening and has a good night. I also had the pleasure of dancing with a guy who had no idea about salsa. well, it seemed that way. I have no idea what his feet were doing and he flung me around alot, trying to dislocate my arms I think. He did say I was brilliant...but on relflection I don't see that as much of a complement...anyone who can count to 8 in time is going to be vastly superior to him! (Mean aren't I!) Suprisingly I declined a second dance with him.

I have spent most of the week booking viewings on houses in Newbury. We have 11 to see tomorrow!! Fingers crossed there will be our perfect house waiting for us...

My first week off work!

My first week of the holidays has been quite relaxed!
Carl started his new job on Monday. We stayed at Lou and Ross's place while they are on honeymoon (Thanks guys!!), so I stayed down for a couple of days too, before heading home.
On Thursday we had a viewing (our 1st one after being on the market for nearly 4 weeks!) I didn't want to be there so I took Mum and Dad over to see Sarah and Joshua. We had a lovely afternoon. Mum took over the carpet cleaner so everyone was busy and I had Joshua all to myself for about an hour!! He is just soooo gorgeous! It was raining very heavily, so we watched that, he liked watching Mum and the carpet cleaner too! Feeding time had me in stitches as he looked like a chick being fed by his mummy...his mouth all wide open! How sweet!!

No news on the house yet...not expecting much really, but feedback would be nice.
I'm off to Ringwood tomorrow to see Jeannie for the weekend, which I am really looking forward to.

Lou and Ross's Wedding

What a fabulous day! Everything went along so smoothly! Lou looked amazing and Ross very handome. It was another hot day, but sadly it did rain in the afternoon :o(

The Church service was lovely, Chris and I wiping away tears, and Jack and Chelsea were so well behaved...a real credit to Chris and Lee. The meal was delicious and the speeches great.

Carol did so well doing the Mother of the Bride speech, and Ross's speech made me cry (that's crying 3 days in a row! Thanks Ross!) and Dave's speech was very funny. There was a sweepstake on the timing of the speeches and Chris and I thought we'd won (as we had by Nigel's watch) but Marshall said one minute later so we didn't win :o( Oh well!! In the evening there was a disco which was great, and Chris and I spent a lot of time organising the guest books, which was nice as we got to chat to everyone! I was in my element with the polaroid camera!! Carl and I stayed the night and got to wave off the happy couple the next day. Some people, apparently, got into Lou and Ross's room and did stuff...I have no idea! ;o) And some other people decorated their car very nicely too - especially the photo stuck on the bonnet!! All in all a brilliant day, so all that is left to say is...

CONGRATULATIONS MR AND MRS PO!!

Last week at school

Well, school's out for summer...and I am sad about it actually! It has been a week of mixed emotions so far (and with the Po's wedding tomorrow...more emotion to follow!)

Wednesday was the last games club I'll be doing (alas commuting from Newbury to Sandy is a bit to far...) So, in tradition, it was games club children vs staff (and anyone else...like past pupils!) for football rounders! It was VERY hot weather again, so we kept the children in the shade as much as possible. The children were kecking first and did pretty well (Pam did an excellent catch I must say and Sandra B took great delight at shouting 'out' when she stumped the kids out! Marvellous!) We then were kicking and Bev's son decided to kick the ball in the tree! Superb! Darren had to climb up to get it out! I managed to kick it over the fence (pure accident...honest! I am not that good at aiming!) So, all in all the staff won! Yay!!

After dashing home for a quick shower is was back to school for the leavers disco...I don't usually go, but seeing as though I am a leaver, I thought I should! The children had a great time, but the temperature was way too hot and another shower was needed when I got home!!

Thursday was my last proper day at RPLS. I was doing just fine until I knew Darren would be asking us leavers to come up, and as soon as he asked me, being the wuss that I am, I started blubbering! Darren kept it quite jokey, and for that I am thankful (else the hall may have been flooded!) I got some lovely flowers and M&S vouchers. I got the school a pressie, and after I'd wheeled it out mybody decided that forming words was far to difficult, so after a few noises I got Sapphire to unveil the bird bath and then promptly disappeared!!
Lunch was lovely. A shared lunch in the garden area. Yummy. I got my class to watch a DVD in the afternoon as it was hot and I needed to get jobs done. By playtime I wasn't feeling to good, and I chundered...just getting to the loos in time! Great! So, I wasn't quite as jolly as I wanted to be when saying bye to my class...I just wanted them gone as I felt so rough! I was then told to go straight home, which I did and had a cold shower and laid on the bed with the fan blasting cold air at me and had a snooze. I did feel better later, which was great, so I managed to go to the leaving to in MK.
We went to the Spice Lounge and had a yummy curry (well a selection of yummy curries actually!) and a boogie. The guy that was singing supposedly won Barrymore's my kind of people. However, I still found him annoying and wanted to batter him with a blunt object to make him stop singing reggae!

Friday was Carl's last day at work and I had to move out of my classroom at school! It took me all day to boxed up my stuff - I had no idea I had so much stuff! I definatley need to sort it out! We had lunch at the Kings Arms, which was nice, and I was fine until I was saying bye to people. I was a bit bleary eyed saying by to Sandra and Cal, but Darren got me once again (sorry!) So I'll apologise again for being such a wuss!! I think it is just sad saying bye to people you have enjoyed working with for years. So bye! I'll be in touch...

Birthdays and stuff...

Busy, busy, busy!

It was Carl's big 30th birthday this week...but he has decided to delay being 30 until we move and can have a big 30th/housewarming party! So, no pressies for Carl...well nearly none! He got some money from rele's and the Angel DVD boxset from me. We are looking forward to plowing our way through that!

After spending the day on Saturday running around and trying to be organised, Sonia and Colin came up for a couple of days before spending a few days in London celebrating Colin's birthday.

The weather is too hot! Sleep is difficult and I must be losing weight from the amount I seem to be sweating (nice image huh!) Oh for a cool breeze!

Ross's Stag Do/Girlie weekend

While the boys were celebrating Ross's Stag Do, I stayed at Lou's to have a bit of girlie time. We drove the guys to the airport EARLY Saturday morning as they were off to Estonia for the weekend! Saturday was spent going round the numerous estate agents in Newbury giving my details ready to look at houses. By the end of it I still didn't know my mobile number off by heart! Chris and the kids came up on Saturday evening which was cool. The guys called us regularly to fill us in on the happenings. Carl called me, very excited as he'd just done a bungee jump! Yikes! Dave videoed it so I'm looking forward to seeing that! Rather him than me...I am too much of a wuss!
On Sunday I had a BBQ at a colleague of my school-to-be's house (if that makes sense!!) which was very nice. It was good to chat without the formal interview situation. I then met Lou, Chris, the kids and Nicky at the Swan in Thatcham, where Jack and Chelsea were enjoying (most of the time) playing with some other children. We did have a funny incident where the table almost tipped over on us! Lou and Sophie got rather wet, but it was funny!!
On Monday I had my shuffle-up-day at my new school, so I have now met my new class. It was quite an intense day, a lot to take in, so my head was pounding by the time I left...and then I was viewing a house! The house was 'ok' so not going to go for it!
The guys came home quite late on Monday, and then Carl and I had to drive home...a bit tired then!