Saturday 28 May 2011

Random thoughts at midnight

1) Wondering if maidincornwll , thedaytodavis & stephanieeee are having a good time in Bristol at the Dot to Dot music festival-wish I was there :-(

2)Wondering how the wedding of one of my old primary school friends has gone today as she marrys my dads cousin (who'd have thought that we'd end up being members of the same family 27yrs down the line). Wishing I was there too :-(

3)Still thinking about my 2 cousins who had some dreadful news this week. You'll be in my thoughts daily for a long time to come xxx

4) Wishing the wind & rain would die down a bit - it's keeping me awake.

5) I must remember to buy some olbas oil tomorrow

6) Getting excited about being back in my own home. Dean laid the slate floor in our new kitchen today so going over for a nose tomorrow

7) Doing mums horses for her while she's away. I've had a shower but can still smell them

8) Glad I finally got my rebooking stats done tonight (only 5/6 weeks late).

9) God my feet are cold

10) Need to remind the hubster to repair the polythene cover over the rabbits hutch which has been ruined

11) Thinking I need to go to sleep now. Nity nite

Sunday 22 May 2011

We're on the 'home' straight

Well, 2 months down and 3 weeks to go.

It has been a very unique couple of months living back with my mum and dad, and when some families would have murdered each other under the intensity of having parents, youngest brother, me & hubby, 2 children, 3 dogs and at the last count 5 cats under the same roof, not to forget 2 ponies, 4 sheep, a handful of chickens and the cat protection pen in the 'garden' whom mum fosters for, (sharp intake of breath), in a warped way for the most part, it has been quite enjoyable.

Its funny how the generations do things differently, for example how we bring our children up today compared with how we were raised, the different routines that people adopt etc. Jamie has absolutely thrived on the experience that's for sure. He's had one of his uncles playing football with him in the field most days after school/dinner which has kept him fit and active, infact that's something we've all joined in with from time to time. He's also really relished time with nanny and dosh (the name dosh came to be when Jamie couldn't pronounce pops when he was younger, and so DOSH just stuck!) Jamie will definitely miss the cuddles, the listening ears and the treats that come from living with such a lovely pair of grandparents.

Mum and dad wont miss the chaos that comes with 2 children I shouldn't think. My parents moved down here for the rural and remote setting, the quiet retreat, and the comings and goings of family life has simply taken over. I feel we are a whirlwind that has decided upon Worden and that doesn't sit comfortably with me. I don't pretend to be the tidiest person in the world but at least my clothes haven't ended up on the roof this time (that's a story from my teenage years-I'll save that for another day). Juggling the school and pre-school runs, lesson planning and teaching, organising the launch of Deans new website and helping steer his business in an exciting new direction, trying to keep on top of 2 sets of accounts (but failing with this one I feel), endeavouring to maintain some form of a social life (not doing too well with that one either, sorry girls), helping with decisions on the renovation project, getting Jamie through his first set of SATS, trying to remain human throughout it all, it has been nothing short of bedlam, but we are nearly there and I cant wait to breath a sigh of relief and hopefully take my foot off the accelerator for a while.

We are forever grateful for the roof my parents have offered to our family unit, for the dinners cooked nearly ever night (god damn, I'll have to start baking, boiling, brewing, browning, frying, grilling, heating, roasting, simmering, sizzling, steaming, stewing and toasting again soon, boo). For putting the washing machine under intense pressure, for the support, the ideas, the laughs, the pancakes, the honesty........ We love you lots and look forward to being able to give you your house back, not necessarily as we found it, and welcoming you to what will feel like our new home for a meal around the table (something we hadn't had room for for nearly 18 months). Excited to see what awaits us around the next corner.......

  

Monday 9 May 2011

What a find!

I had 15 minutes to kill in town today between appointments and dragged Stanley into 3 charity shops. I couldnt believe my eyes when I saw a Harry Potter Board Game for £2......yes, two pounds. My two boys are 'expeliarmous' (spelling?) mad at the moment. They live, eat and breath Harry Potter and I far too regularly for my liking have to pretend to be Ron Weasely so think I earned myself some extra brownie points today.

On a down side, I have had enough! Every photo Im in, every shop window I pass, every mirror I try to avoid has a chubby cheeked, squatty little blob smiling back (at least I do smile I guess) so that is it. I finally give in and declare myself officially on a diet. From tomorrow 10th May I set myself a 12 week challenge. I wish I could get running again as this definitely helps me to lose inches but still living at mums, I am already clocking up loads of miles (in the car I hasten to add) getting the boys to school and pre-school and then on to Bude to teach. I feel like I am spending half my life in a car travelling somewhere at the minute and the new beginners group of WRN is just not happening. Once we move back and we live that much nearer and life has calmed down a bit and returned to some sort of normality (whatever the heck that is) I will definitely join again. Im not like some of my friends - I dont really enjoy running as such but love the way it makes me feel afterwards and what it does to my body. So less bread, more water, more fruit, no biscuits with my tea, definitely no more bags of MARS planets and therefore I sadly need to delay the visit to Trelawney Tea rooms which I hear is divine. I am announcing it publicly so that I cant back down. Heres to banishing the bloating and bingo wings and bringing on the beauty.

I hate this recent picture taken at Crealy so Im posting it to compare before and after shots and to spur me on in moments of weakness

Friday 6 May 2011

Sneaky peak at some pics from Deans new gallery for Coastal Carpentry

Handcrafted bed made from Stained Glass from a reclaimed pub door

A large extension built for an exquisite country house

Pool house built plus decking and reclaimed posts erected

Close up of the large garden room built

Games room

Front door made with bulls eye glass detail

Interior of the garden room (shame you cant see the work
that has gone into the vaulted ceiling)

Hand crafted braces

Oak panelling

What a clever hubby I have. Cant wait to be living back in my own home under the roof he crafted and the whole house he will have transformed with his own fair hands. Then I'll know how his clients feel having done such a 'proper job'.

Thursday 5 May 2011

Dear blog, forgive me for I have sinned.

I have neglected you, failed to tend to & nurture you. Let me offer up an explanation to see if I am worthy of forgiveness.

1) Easter holidays - consisted of sun, the gnome reserve, chocolate, a trip to Atlantic village to experience the pirate ship (twice), a day with my eldest to Westward Ho! in sweltering temperatures using up our 2ps in the arcade & eating chips on the beach, (does anyone know the relevance of the explanation mark after the name of the said ho!) Glowing with pride watching the London marathon knowing that thedaytodavis was running her little cotton socks off in aid of the NSPCC, gave my Music Train equipment a thorough clean as I moved out of the old and into the new. Ate more Easter eggs, caught up with friends although not as many as I'd have liked. Had a bit more chocolate, visited the library ***note to self remember to return books this Friday***, slept under canvas in mums garden, got sunstroke after a day out at Crealy (Exeter)....am I forgiven yet?? Nope, okay then, lets also try.....

2) Last week - The small matter of the Royal Wedding to watch. Couldn't tear myself away. I wouldn't want to be in Kate's shoes for all the tea in china but she looked stunningly beautiful, and I felt they looked very much in love. I just hope they are allowed to enjoy their life and love together without too much press intrusion - here's hoping. The boys and I made our own flags early that morning and whilst I was glued, they dipped in and out of it, Jamie more than Stanley.

Then there was a trip to Hertfordshire for the topic box meeting accompanied on the journey by my mum. We ran into a man (not literally) at a petrol station on the outward bound journey who is definitely famous but neither of us can recall exactly who he is. Guess he can't be that famous then. Also for a bit of light relief after washing my hands at said services, I noticed the strength of the hand dryer was unusually efficient and caused the skin on the back of my hands to contort in all sorts of weird and wonderful shapes. It got me wondering as to what other parts of my body may look like being blown by the Dyson. Answer is flipping terrible but it made mum laugh. Upper arms or should I say slowly developing bingo wings were wobbled profusely, as was my tummy when I limboed underneath it. Never trying that again.

3) This week so far - Did all my lesson prep, and taught the 6 classes for the first time in my newly smelling, beautifully painted and it has to be said very welcoming new premises. The feedback from the mummy's have been very positive which is also so far my experience of all who work there. The room is very light and airy and I have more space here to store my equipment which is great for me. Saves my back and means I am driving less of it around in my car which can only be a good thing as far as fuel consumption goes. I have also been working hard to get photos and blurb done for Deans new website ready for the launch of COASTAL CARPENTRY......watch this space. All this whilst still living with my parents while the renovations trundle on - 4 more weeks and Id like to think we would be able to start thinking about moving back home again.

4) Finally, tomorrow I have a wedding with a difference of my own to attend. What sort of people let me know they want my attendance the day before the event? How well prepared can the bride and groom be at such sort notice? What the hell am I going to wear when most of my clothes are buried in the back of the lock up unit? And what will Stanley have to wear that is suitable for him being the pageboy? I'll tell you. Stanley's pre-school are holding a mock wedding in our village church hosted by the local vicar and we are all invited to celebrate the occasion. Should be quite amusing I'm guessing, very cute and I cant wait to see who is actually getting married. That'll be one for the Parish News.