That was the Year that Was!

CLIMBING THE WALLS

2010-07-26T02:41:00.001-07:00

Ok it's been 6 months since my last post!

The tendonitis has cleared up nicely. However once that went my knee went too and last Monday I had knee arthroscopy and a meniscul repair. Not been up and about as quickly as i would have like and have been confined to barracks for the past week.

Had a bit of a wake up call at the beginning of the year too which spurred me on to my latest health kick which has lasted so far.

During the past 6 months I have disgarded 10% of my body weight - losing 29.5 lbs in the process. I love the way i feel now. But onwards and upwards - still have a weigh to go!

I also got stopped for speeding the day before we went on holiday!

John has settled in to his new location at work and has been working all the hours god sends. John continues in his role in Irvine and Paul has been transferred to shift in Kilmarnock. Tori finished her 2nd year SVQ and gained a boyfriend; she's been with Jamie since her 18th birthday and they are off to Egypt on 1 September.

Paul has been in Egypt too and Canada for 3 weeks with Leigh. We've had our back door redesigned and now have beautiful decking for all these lovely summer days (which we're not getting) John and I had lovely week in Tenerife and are going back in November (not to the same place (don't do same places after the fiasco that was Corfu)

John will be 54 on Saturday and we're having night out at Adesso in Irvine to celebrate as Craig will be here with new beau Caroline just having arrived back from Egpyt too! Julie and Scott and the kids are also just back from Egpyt. I'm so glad I'm going to Tenerife!

I'm struggling with the diet this week as I've been sitting on my bum for most of last - however it didn't stop me losing 1.5 lbs last week but I can't wait to get back to the gym.

In August (14th to be exact) some classmates from Troon Primary are having a reunion - meeting at the school at 15:00 on the Saturday where the janny is going to give us a tour around the school.

TFIF

2010-01-07T23:55:00.000-08:00

TFIF.

Not working today. House really quiet at the moment and the one family we have in next week we may have to cancel due to frozen pipes in the kitchen and no gas!

Added to that my tendonitis is no better. Went to see Dr A yesterday who has made an urgent referral for me to the physio. Hopefully won't be too long before i get an appointment. Said there was no point in checking my blood pressure so have to go back to see the nurse in a fortnight.

Couldn't sleep last night and the painkillers the doc gave me don't make me feel so good. Don't think I'll be taking them again. Eventually got up just before 6 and have just been browsing since then.

Start at the Gailes WMC on Monday at 17:45. Have to take food diary for the week. aargh! Thank goodness i took most of the sweets and choccies to the House. No doubt I'll win one of them back in the raffle!

E off for overnight in Glasgow last night - needs must!

UW still in hospital after suffering a slight stroke on Wednesday night and i think becoming very frustrated with nursing st$aff.

ALL OVER NOW

2010-01-05T05:30:00.000-08:00

Ok so the tree is down and we are nearly back to normal.

Whatever normal maybe. The tendonitis in my wrist is getting worse, spreading from my wrist to my elbow right up to my shoulder.

Driving is proving difficult. Had offered to do some shopping for John's mum this morning only to find that 3 inches of snow had fallen during the night. Driving is bad enough in this weather but driving left handed only is virtually impossible unless you have someone to change the gears for you - and I didn't!

However Betty is now supplied again for a couple of days and with one or other of the boys delivering her daily newspaper she is fine. Pavements outside her house were completely rutted with frozen slush and now this is covered with snow. Not good for older bones - you are probably safer in a car in this weather. I don't know how many people I have come across walking along the road because the pavements are lethal!

Going back to see the Bowen lady on Wednesday - you never know. E had great results when she went to her with her tennis elbow however she's charging me £10 more than she charges her. I'm still waiting for the hospital to contact me about a splint.

Tori bored out of her brain. Going back to college on Thursday - presuming that the college is open! I may not go back to work this week due to the wrist and the weather!

And a partridge in a pear tree

2010-01-04T04:20:00.001-08:00

Ok the tree comes down TODAY!

I just need to get back to some sort of normality. I reckon I have put on at least half a stone over the past 2 weeks what with the sweeties handed in to work, the baileys (3 bottles at last count) and the roses from last night. I did gingerly edge onto the scales this morning only to leap right back off as i saw the needle creep up to (Hah you really think I would say it out loud?)

Thought I would have a nice quiet day today as John and the 2 boys should have been back to work. Wrong. John back to work. 2 boys not til tomorrow - apparently they don't like to pay them double time for public holidays.

The tendinitis in my wrist drove me to distraction on New Years Day and I could have murdered John when he said not only was his mum coming for dinner but Craig had invited himself and his new lady friend! I headed back to bed about 1 with nothing more for pain relief than panadol and promptly slept til 4.30 pm. John had to do most of the dinner - I had already made the steak pie - so it was just veg and roasties. Didn't even feel like drinking however this may have killed the pain.

Back to the Bowen woman on Wedneday for another round. Very interesting treatment and Elaine swears by it for tennis elbow. Will give it another go and see how it goes.

Not planning to do much today. Hopefully will be left in peace for a while until John comes back at 2.30 pm.

Ok now for the tree and the lights!

Sugar overload

2009-10-18T02:49:00.000-07:00

Ok so went mad yesterday. Soup, pud and chinese for tea.

I made butternut and red pepper soup which I love - it's so easy to make then I made toffee apple crumble only I made 2. Didn't realise the recipe was for 2 until I peeled 12 apples and they filled my wok!

Apples are cooked with butter and then tossed in toffee sauce (golden syrup, light brown sugar, butter and some other ingredient which escapes me). Is it any wonder my dear husband reached for the glucose monitor afterwards!

so now I have 1 1/2 toffee apple crumbles sitting in my fridge which Rachel Allen assures me will last for ages in there! Big mistake. No 1 daughter only treats herself once a week and No 1 son is also on health kick. However No 2 son with very sweet tooth could devour one in a single sitting. i may send it to work with him on Tuesday!

i have resisted all morning but now I've started talking about it again - how knows. I am however going to get off my butt today and go walking. 3 or 6 mile walk - i think it will probably just be the 3 mile one as my DH and i walked one night and just kept walking. Once I mapped the walk it was just under 4 miles - it could have been 40. My feet and hips were killing me and that should give me the kick up the backside I need to shift some of this extra weight I'm carrying which i know is a contributing factor.

My mum is 70 next week and DHs mum is 80 in December. We booked a nice dinner for Betty in December as she's too old to contend with parties. Just us (JJJSCJPV & B) - it will be festive menu but as her birthday's like 3 days from Christmas we couldn't expect much more.

Mum on the other hand is partying like it's 1999! I have splurged and bought something new. I would have received many comments from my offspring had I not and turned up in the tried and tested of old. I will squeeze myself into my Goks just for the night and hope my bits don't fall off from the effort!

TTFN

Eating Away

2009-10-17T01:28:00.000-07:00

There are things eating away at me. These things fester and rise to the surface and after a few days die down again. By Monday i probably won't feel like this.

I like to get on with people. However some people can make this process quite difficult. I know I'm not on my own in this respect but sometimes broaching the subject can only make things worse.

Most of the time my job is easy. I love my job. I enjoy helping make a difference.

But some people are not programmed this way. They're selfish and self centred. And it makes me mad.

I'm also lonely. I have my family but they are all getting on with their own lives. Married friends with whom we used to socialise are now not married and have new circles of friends. I am not available to take off at the drop of a hat and with a result am becoming less and less sociable - as I have been told lately.

So tomorrow I am going to drag my sorry ass off to Eglinton Park for a 6 mile walk! But first I need a new pair of trainers. Morag has organised this walk so for once I'm going to go and have some fun - even if I do end up with aching feet.

No 2 son off to Burghead to visit his brother this weekend. at 20:30 last night and got lost on the last leg! He did make it there before last orders at the pub though- got to get your priorities right! No 1 son is also off this weekend which will consist of gym gym and more gym. my baby is disappearing under a mountain of muscle! Also the bike which has taken pride of place in my sitting room for the past 4 weeks and which hasn't so much as been riden once, is going! Either to a secure lock up facility somewhere or back to Laura's Dad! It's not as if he doesn't get to ride a bike!

I took the day off yesterday to spend some time with my No 1 and only daughter. We headed for Silverburn where she offered critique and advice on clothes buying, something I haven't done for over a year. And as I cleared out most of my drawers a fortnight ago I have nothing left to wear. After lunch at Frankie and Benny's we did the usual Bank, Republic, Top Shop where I have not a hope in hell of getting anything to fit me. However Monsoon had a dress - yes a dress - to die for and I nearly died when I saw the price. I may treat myself for Christmas if I can drop a dress size (not that they didn't have one to fit me but buying an 18 as opposed to a 20 would be nice) and squeeze into my Gok Wan's (NVPL).

Top from Wallis for Mum's party and loverly soft jumper from H & M for cold days like today.

No 1 daughter back to college on Monday and I will be working too even though it's a local holiday. Looks like no management in next week though as one is on holiday and the other has fell victim to this cold flu thingy going around.

OK - off to Sports.com for trainers

Toodleoo

In the Middle of the Night

2009-07-27T20:22:00.001-07:00

It is 04:22 and I can't sleep.

First day back at work after 3 weeks and I can't sleep. Arrived at 08:30 and didn't leave until 17:30. 1 1/2 hours TOIL that is! Don't think I lifted my head and even after logging into my inbox every day for 21 days to delegate I still had 150 emails which i didn't finally clear until about 16:30.

Can't say I was stressed about it - I stressed more while I was off basically due to Ryanair, however all ended well and I arrived this morning to a lovely bottle of Red courtesy of the Campbell family.

What depressed me more was reading on Emma's bebo that she is now back down to a size 10!

Tori's friend Alana had her baby yesterday morning and was in labour for all of 5 minutes by all accounts. Chloe was born (already named before the birth) at about 06:00 this morning and weighed 8lb 11oz. Don't know where this 8lb 11 oz was as her bump was the size of nothing! Tori went to visit yesterday afternoon and has since declared she aint' having any - Elaine and I have recorded this for posterity and to say "I told you so" at every conceivable opportunity years (I hope) from now.

House watching on planner. We are down to 51% and haven't had much of a chance to watch anything. Will need to get back to bed soon as John will be up in about 45 mins!

Here it comes again

2009-07-14T02:57:00.001-07:00

Ok so it came back and am now into my second week off work. Nearly had total breakdown when Ryanair changed the goalposts and introduced online checkin only! However have been warned not to worry only to rest. So I'm following Doctors's orders.

I am scunnered taking antibiotics and will need to get some probiotics to counter attack before the dreaded Thrush arrives as it did the last time. I have one day to go and can't wait to get back to normal. Apart from the fact that I have a line up to Monday, I am then on holiday for a week - they must love me!

P at Turnberry all week. John now at Turnberry from Wed - Friday both won't be home til about 10 pm.

J arrived back from Turkey - very hot week got up to 50 degrees. he slept most of the day away yesterday as he'd been up since 10:00 the previous morning.

Heading up to Craig's next week from Wednesday - he will be working but he'll be home at night - it will be nice just to get away for a few days. John will be back up at T anyway and we'll all be back by Saturday.

P will be 19 on Saturday and will be working all day! Don't even know if he'll be home in time for a birthday drink or whether he'll feel much like it! Craig will be down this weekend. D going into Yorkhill on Friday and Julie hoping he'll be up and about for his party on Saturday. I have a lunch date with Paula before we have our get together with Janice and Diane at the end of August.

All by Myself for the Weekend!

2009-06-19T02:43:00.000-07:00

My husband has left me! He took the dog and left yesterday afternoon.

He arrived at Craig's approximately 5 hours later. I washed the bedclothes (and ironed them - I don't do ironing). And had a wonderful night's sleep.

I've been off all week with cellulitis caused by a small blister on the sole of my foot. It was agonising and last Saturday John whisked me up to ADOC with a temperature of 103.1!!

48 hours later I felt better but my leg ached; it still aches but will be going back to work on Monday.

Since my last post, Tori and Stewart got back together back have now split up again. John's at training college and Paul's working all the overtime he can get (deposit for a house?). Paul went to Egypt with Davey; John booked a holiday to Turkey; Tori finished her first year of Beauty Therapy. We have to pop over to college later today to had her portfolio in.

We are alone til Sunday (Father's Day) when John will come back, we will wait on him hand and foot (yeah right) and he will watch the US Open from dawn to dusk!

Father and son both working at the open this year (Dad would had loved this) Paul in the tented village and John manning Tee 17 for 2 days - how good is that - right next to the action he loves.

At the moment the sun is shining but if yesterday is anything to go by the rain will come and go for the next 12 hours. My washing will stay where it is.

I love my life.

Happy Birthday to You!

2009-03-12T04:38:00.000-07:00

My eldest was 21 at the weekend.

We had a party for him on Friday 6 March and it was a really great night. Everyone seemed to enjoy theirselves and many had too much to drink!

On Monday Tori's bubble burst and she and Stewart split up. She's not a happy bunny. On Tuesday we lost dog! She was running about like the mad dog she is over the hills when she disappeared! As we rounded the corner she was nowhere to be seen. John ran on and back but still nothing. We were afraid she may have jumped into the river as spaniels are keen to do!

I spoke to a man with a weimaraner who hadn't seen her. John and Paul doubled back to look for her while I got the car to scour the industrial estate.

Thankfully the chap who I'd asked earlier had come across her at the bridge which crosses the river and had realised this was the pup we were looking for. He kept her occupied as he realised we would probably come back this way. This took ~Tori's mind off her love life for a short while as she realised we may have lost pup for good! Off to get her chipped.

Last night we went to see Marley & Me. Big mistake that was but again took her mind off things. Think the whole cinema were in tears at the end.

Am at home today as she has made herself sick with not eating all week and was supposed to pick the kids up from nursery at 1.

I am so bad at this!

2009-02-25T10:34:00.000-08:00

I would love to be better at blogging but I'm not . . . and i wish I was. I would be able to relate things to times and places like a timeline.

No 1 son has decided to have 21st birthday party. Now I know why Elaine fretted so much. You think no one is going to turn up! You don't want to invite everybody but may end up doing so because you don't want to offend anyone - even though you (and son) do not want them there.

I should just dish them out and be done with it. They can talk about me later.

We're going to have a ball - the band are great, and he has great friends, we have great friends; we have great family - we should get together more but we don't.

No 2 son started work on Monday. Suffice to say that he did what he set out to do - well that is his job.

Have nursed migraine for 5 days. Took Tori to TGI's for her birthday lunch with Jade in tow. Jade is lovely. However before we'd even got back to the car it had set it and I was in bed by 6. It niggled all day Sunday and I headed for bed early again. Was going to take the day off on Monday but it wasn't too bad. Now has niggled all week - will need to go back to docs - wafer's are no help whatsoever!

'Ello 'Ello 'Ello

2009-01-21T08:35:00.000-08:00

I am a happy mother today. Both my sons are delighted with their lot and so am I. No 1 son aced his interview and medical and will follow in his younger brother's footsteps in 3 months time.

Can't believe how much I've been living on my nerves over the past few months as he went through the motions. I have headache from hell and know that it's only because we have closure on this. Didn't want to think about his 21st until this was over - he wrote the invitation list today! His friend Jamie has moved back from Glasgow and into his own flat. No 1 son is contemplating moving in with him which may be good for everyone.

I still have to pop to Prestwick to do a character reference I promised for Adam.

No 2 son also called - he has a quandry about his passing out parade but I think in the end we all know who'll go.

ONLY 3 MORE SLEEPS

2008-12-22T10:14:00.000-08:00

Ok so it's a month later!

I have written my cards - on saying that they have not all been delivered. I may just buy 2nd class stamps on Saturday and pop them all in the post. I start out with good intentions of hand delivering them and did some but now I'm left with a bundle!

I wrapped all my pressies yesterday - and Paul's. Helped Tori with hers today. They're all under the tree. My shopping comes tomorrow and I'm going to prepare all my veg and stuff tomorrow night. Christmas Eve - drinks and nibbles with friends then onto the pub for a drink with my boys - unfortunately Tori's not of age yet - but one day soon.

We've watched, Elf, The Grinch, ET (I know not technically a Christmas Film), Miracle on 34th Street, Jack Frost so far.

The only problem I can forsee is the fact that we don't have a table for dinner! Mum's offered my hers but not sure if we will get it in the living room. Joh's mums is not stable enough to be on the carpet. Could be TV dinners yet! ha ha

Paul still has to do the last of his Christmas shopping however if he continues to be in the mood he's in at the moment he will be doing it himself! He wants to go to Braehead on Christmas eve! Deathwish if I ever heard one. The queue in HMV this morning was all the way to the back of the store and round the corner. We would have been quicker just walking to the back of the shop instead of to the checkouts and following the queue all the way around. Went quite quick though. I know John's had his Christmas pressie but I bought him the 1947 version of Miracle on 34th Street which he will love.

Been There Done That

2008-11-25T09:56:00.000-08:00

Well it's nearly Wednesday again! Giving the college a miss tonight. John and I have been in Newcastle since Sunday and we walked every inch of the Metro Centre yesterday and I ache all over. Sitting on a train in the freezing cold for 3 hours didn't help either.

I think the kids got on ok. Apart from Paul waking John up at 4 am on Monday morning to see where his name badge was - he called us but I had the mobile switched off, I've been there and done that too - however he found it and went on his way.

Money Money Money

2008-11-22T22:00:00.000-08:00

Took number 1 son to Slaters today to buy a suit! Yes a suit! He has an interview on Thursday and needed a suit, the suit became a suit, a shirt, tie and a pair of shoes (those he bought himself).

I was at the hospice from 5 - 8 tonight which meant a quick dash back from Ayr only to turn back round and go back there.

MD's mum is in. She was going from bad to worse and M text me to tell me her mum was in. She's in the best place.

It's Definitely Getting Colder

2008-11-19T06:02:00.000-08:00

Spanish last night - I could hardly be bothered but got home early, did tea and got there on time for a change.

Tori popped in about 19:30 to say that she was leaving at 20:00 and not to wait for her. She's double dating! So much for her and Stewart not seeing each other for a week.

Emma was off today as I suspected she would be - not much fun being loaded with the cold and not being able to do much about it!

This is Danny's funeral today. John was really upset last week. He and John Mitchell popped into see him on Friday and he died a couple of hours later. It's very sad. He only managed a days retirement before he went into hospital and I don't think he got back out. With all the trivialities and back biting at work no wonder John's so angry. Don't know when I'll see him tonight - they were going on after the funeral and will probably end up in the pub.

Tori at college today but has 'in service' day tomorrow - I am in 2 minds whether to call and check but I suppose I have to trust her.

My back is feeling dramatically better than last week. Still a bit stiff after sitting for a while though. Physiotherapist called yesterday but I've put her off as it's feeling better. Took them long enough to get back to me!

Must try harder!

2008-11-17T05:22:00.000-08:00

We must have been mad to agree to Paul's idea about the pup! She's adorable but driving us nuts with her inability to pee and poo on newspaper.

Tempers were frayed last night and this morning with Tori threatening to take the pup to her gran's! We must try harder and be more patient with her - she's only a baby afterall.

John had his standard entrance exam and fitness yesterday for Strathclyde Police. Elaine and I went shopping in East Kilbride as he was going to be 3 hours or more. John ended up going back for him at 5 as they were running really late. He was completely stressed out with the whole business and I imagine has been for the past few weeks. We have no idea how things went as he just doesn't want to talk about it and won't until the letter comes in and dependant on the answer may never wish to speak of it again. Watch this space!

What also didn't please him was the fact that Paul decided to head for Tulliallan on Monday morning as opposed to Sunday evening - I think he'd fallen out with Natalie - these things happen when you go out on a Saturday night for a couple and don't come home until 03:15!!!! John had asked Laura to stay and by all accounts she did going by the mess of the living room which Tori called to tell me about this morning after having calmed down about the dog. She called to tell me I was not to tidy it! Quilt left lying, empty cans crisp bags you name it - he'd left it! All hell will let lose tonight when he comes in from work at 5 - he did call me at 11:15 this morning looking for his work clothes - not worn all week as he'd been at Craigs. So that says it all!

I made a boo boo today. We were supposed to start taking bookings for next year only the phones were tooooo quiet. Turns out I had put the changed date onto the SW letter and forgot to change the Family one - hence the peace and quiet in here.

Poor Emma is full of the cold - her wee nose is all red. She's off to the hospital tomorrow but I can't see her being in for the rest of the week.

The Friday Five

2008-11-14T05:16:00.000-08:00

I've just got the hang of this!

When did you last use the edge of a coin (or a knife blade) as a screwdriver
Constantly. Can never find one when needed! Was to check plug on my hairdryer which had packed in. I now have a nice shiny new one which Julie bought me for my birthday! So no need for the knife blades anymore - good way to get yourself electrocuted.

When did you last use a wire coat-hanger to break into a car?

Never - wouldn't know where to start. Don't use wire coat hangers anyway - use nice plastic or wooden ones - the police shirts sit much nicer on these!

When did you last use your cellular telephone as a flashlight?

Last night to prevent me falling over the dog when I went to bed and also to find my way from one end of the living room to the other

When did you last use a paper clip for any purpose other than to clip paper?

To press the reset button on something when the end of a black bic wouldn't do it!

and so it goes . . .

2008-11-12T13:09:00.000-08:00

. . . and here we are again. I'm not going to say it.

It is now 12 November and I am completely lax. I wish I could write a little every day because I don't remember very much about days gone by, maybe because I do nothing.

We bought John a pup this week. She's a black and white cocker spaniel called Abbi who we picked from the litter 5 weeks ago completely without his knowledge. This was all Paul's idea. He went round his grans and his brothers and sisters and got them all to contribute - I paid the £100 deposit - they paid the rest.

Keeping this tidbit from him for 5 weeks was easy in the beginning however by last Friday he was beginning to suspect something was going on.

John and I took him to the pictures on Saturday afternoon while Paul and Toria carried out the covert operation of actually picking up the dog!

With all assembled we finally got him in and introduced him to the newest member of the family. Everyone fell in love with her however it's just like having a baby in the family again - peeing and pooing everywhere! C'est la vie!

And where is Paul while all this is going on? Tulliallan.

2008-11-07T13:41:00.000-08:00

What usually marks the middle of your day?
Well the middle of my day would technically be 8 hours from 07:00 which would be 15:00 at which time I'm packing up and headed home! Yeeha!

From whom (or to whom) was your most recent middle-of-the-night phone call?
Haven't recieved one for a long time! Usually it's from John in Glasgow somewhere freeezing his nuts off because he's fallen out with his latest squeeze or has lost all his friends in a pub! In fact I think it was from John - walking home from Ayr with Adele his friend from school. They finally managed to make it to Prestwick where George from Streamline made available his vehicle for them!

On what social, political, economic, or moral issue are you in the middle of the road?
Not entirely sure here but I did send off for an application form for East Ayrshire Women's Aid - They wanted a 400 word essay on my views on violence against women and children (including domestic abuse, rape, child sexual abuse) Why it happens and how does society respond. Also wanted to know what the term feminism meant to me. I'm all for Zero Tolerance however it did seem a wee bit hardcore for an Admin Position ever if they were offering 25k a year!

How likely are you to give someone your middle finger?
Very likely

When were you last caught in the middle of a disagreement that really had nothing to do with you?

The Week the Was . . .

2008-08-31T03:57:00.000-07:00

That was the week that was.

On Thursday Elaine received a call from her mum's husband (not her dad) to say that she was going downhill fast and asking for her. After a few frantic phone calls Alison booked flights for them both the next day and she text last night to say that she seemed to be ralllying.

Don't know how long she'll stay down there but it would be awful for her to come back and the inevitable to happen.

This was big week for Paul too. On Monday he had his medical at Jackton and was back up on Thursday for his fitness; passed both and knocked 2 minutes off his time too. He has a start date of 13 October (first week at Jackton) and then will be at Tullieallan for he next 15.

Haven't seen much of John, he seems to have taken up residenceat Kirsten's and seems to be getting on well with her parents - I'm glad he gets on well with somebody's! Spent yesterda zooming around in Kirsten's mum's new mini cooper and completely ignoring everyone else! We were going out to Kenny Harrison's wedding at Western House on Friday night and had asked Paul if he could take us and bring us back; originally he had said yes but then everything kinda changed come Friday evening. John ended up taking the car as he'd not been well after 2 previous nights out; very sick - think its the medication he has to take last thing at night; but we left under a cloud as John had arranged for a crowd to come round before going to see Stewart B at the HAC! Victoria was coming up with Stewart after work and it had the makings of world war III. However seemed to go quite quitely only things was the empty beer bottles and can's left lying about, candles left alight and TV left on! Talk about recipe for disaster!

Tori had a new haircut this week - inspired by Pink's new video! Suits her to a tee!

Stewart was really upset this week; his grandpa is really ill with cancer and doesn't look like he has long to go.

John off to member ad guest day at St Nicholas and I'm a golfing widow for another day. Kids heading to Betty's for lunch; I'm going to pass as i can't stand to be with them all at the same time, will pop down later with Tori if she doesn't want to go just now.

Paul heading for Meiklewood Road tomorrow and for the rest of the week, will be booted and suited for his new uniform while there.

2008-08-24T09:04:00.000-07:00

Ok - so I can't believe it's been 7 months since my last post! I knew I would be lax but didn't expect it to tail off this soon this fast.

Where have the past 7 months went? Been sooooo busy at work just like to get in the door get the dinner on and flake out on the sofa.

My dear sister has prompted me however to take the bull by the horns and to go to tap classes with her; I don't even need to buy the shoes. Am still contemplating this - I did hope to start last January on the first evening John called me from India after he went away; but he called and I never went; ever!

So I may go tomorrow - watch this space!

Oh and I did eventually renew the Driving Licence!

GREAT IDEAS!

2008-01-20T01:59:00.001-08:00

. . . never turn out the way you plan. this is my first blog since 7 Jan. Went back to work on 11 Jan sill not myself, however my new administrator had started and was twiddling her thumbs. She's fab! We are both now twiddling thumbs! Will need to start on eletronic booking system before the whole shebang changes. Only thing left to to until the families start coming in again.

Had a whole day to myself yesterday. Had hair done, went to meeting at the Hospice - where I'm going to be a volunteer - and went to see PS I Love You with Elaine! My three favourite men in the one film! Gerard, Harry & Jeffrey although Jeffrey's Irish accent left a little to be desired! It was a bit weepy and definitely a chick flick. Had Indian afterwards but we were very good. Had Chicken Chasni and only boiled rice, diet coke and no naan!!

Stood on the scales for the first time in 5 days and gave myself quite a shock, if her scales are correct I may have lost at least 8 lbs! Watch this space - will be there on Monday night.

Brogan celebrates her 2nd birthday today. We're off round to Julie's this afternoon as she's having a double party for her and Morgan who will be 8 on the Bard's birthday.

She's only getting money as it's only 4 weeks after Christmas and Julie's probably still putting toys and clothes away. Did get them both a lovely personalised card with their names on it from Moonpig!

Have really short hair now! Will need to get photo taken and get my passport application off as mine expires in Feb! And I need to travel to London on the 28 Feb for an e-learning meeting.

This will enable me to finally replace my driving licence online hopefully as they can do it from your passport now. Has been lost for a while.

Bloody Fire Alarms!

2008-01-07T07:01:00.000-08:00

Ok so I called work yesterday to warn them that I may not be in today. The pain in my back when I coughed last night and the fact that every time I cough I pee myself doesn't help.

Have just risen from my bed - at 2:45 pm - basically because I got a call from the Alarm Company who monitor the alarms at work to tell me that did I know the alarm was going off and that the fire engines were on there way? Did I give a shit? Well yes, because I then spent then next 15 minutes trying to get a hold of work, or Bob or Joe or Len.

Finally got a hold of Len on his mobile. House had been evacuated because they had been using the steam cleaners which had set the alarms off - so the alarm company called me - who is last on the list, lying in my bed - what the heck did they think I'd be able to do about it?

Rant over. Have really sore head and need to take something. Although everything I've taken so far has been crap as I still have it - I suppose that if i actually took the medication I was supposed to (such as my blood pressure tablets) I would not have headache in first place. I have however stopped snottering! Thankfully.

I've just caught site of myself in the mirror - with my new haircut I look like Syd Vicious (without the safety pins). God knows what Joe must have thought when he arrived to pick up my keys.

New year new me. Elaine has offered to come to slimming class with me - I have taken her up on this and will need to find a class for Wednesday. Tuesdays not good for her as this is generally the evening that she does Indian Head massage but we can chop and change as we want. Just need to decide whether it's to be Scottish Slimmers or Weight Watchers. I really don't fancy heading back to someone I've been to before to get the look!

Need to make a difference this year. Less pressure for my joints as I have been noticing a lot of pain in my ankles, hips and knees and know that a lot less weight would help. Elaine has also been trying to talk me into going to May's Ladies Night at the racecourse in June and I could of course lose quite a lot of weight by then. I'm still thinking about it - if I have to lose for something in particular I'm less likely to do it!

Ow

2008-01-06T04:30:00.000-08:00

Woe is me! I hate having the cold - this is what happens when people at work come to work with the cold instead of stopping at home. I haven't actually had a really bad cold for about 3 years. I suffer from sinusitis from time to time but never get the cold with it.

Now I have this cough - I have actually had the cough for about 11 months! It was due to a medication I was taking for blood pressure. They changed the meds and the cough went but it's come back and I should get to the doc. At the moment it's bad because of the cold but I now have an awful pain in my back every time I cough and the last time I felt like this I had a lung infection. I'm under pressure to be at work tomorrow as i have a new administrator starting but if I feel like this I'm not likely to last very long.

John Jnr is off to work (12 - 6) and John Snr has been at work since 6 this morning. Paul will be on his way back from Edinburgh (they went to see Joseph) and should be home by teatime. Tori is upstairs!

Elaine called to say that she had sniffed and sneezed and gret all night. She's like me and finds it very difficult to dislike people - except for one woman who she detests (with reason). However she now feels that she need to get over it once and for all as it's eating away at her and she's the only one getting hurt by it all. she's a better woman than me! She's off to Glasgow to look at tiles for her kitchen (she's all happy about this :-)).

Off to Gran Betty's at lunchtime for soup and then back to bed I think to see if I can shake this. I need to shop but it will have to wait. New years resolution no 2 - start to get the online shopping up and running on a weekly basis. It's not that I don't like tesco it's the fact that I have to do it every week. Some weeks I quite enjoy a wee bimble round the aisles but most weeks I want to get it get out and get it away.

I need to stop reading other people's blogs they make me feel so inadequate. I know I need to stop feeling like this but I feel like I have no one. Incidents during 2007 alienated me from everyone I wanted to mend bridges with this year and get into such a panic when trying to cook for more that 5 that inviting anyone for dinner or anything is too much for me and I end up falling out with those around me. 2 January was a prime example John's mum came for dinner and Paul turned up with Natalie - I got into such a state that I ended up not eating anything. I can't be laid back and enjoy and I so want to start interacting with my family before it's too late. The only thing I can think to do is to alienate myself from everyone and NOT READ BLOGS.

Aaaaatishoo

2008-01-06T04:07:00.000-08:00

Yes I have have the cold! Made it into work on Friday but only until 12:30 and only to do the most pressing tasks. My back is not much better but Elaine my dear friend and wonderful masseuse is going to give me a back massage tonight which should help if it's not too far along.

As I felt like crap when I came home I went to bed as Elaine had said to pop up in the afternoon if my back was so bad. She said she had a couple of things to do in town and would call when she got back in. I went to bed at 1 pm and awoke in the dark at 5 pm!!!

I had my massage that night though and touch wood the pain has gone - should really do it more regularly - John and I had to go to Tesco shopping as he was working in the morning when all I wanted to do was go to bed! Still had to pick Tori up from Daryn's and then had a call from her about 10:45 to say could I pick her up and bring £10 as she owed it to Courtney and would it be ok to drop her off to see her when I picked her up. However what she actually needed was not her mum to bring her home but a atm taxi driver! I collected her and drove her appoximately 250 yards to where Courtney was and she said she was staying the night! Later she called to say that she didn't feel well and that C's dad was bringing her home! I was right I do have mug imprinted on the front of my forehead!

Felt like the walking dead when I got up on Saturday. Had promised Julie would look after the kids in the morning (before the lurgy struck) however they were a a pair of angels and gave me no problems, Scott arrived home sharpish and i got back to my bed for the afternoon.

Elaine and Ewan had asked us to join them for dinner at the Cochrane and by 5pm I felt a bit better so we went. I had yummy spicy lamb which helped to clear my nose and a lovely milk chocolate torte. Ewan was driving so we went back there for a couple of drinks and got a taxi up the road.

Tori moody when we got it - apparently Daryn had been to tired to come round and so she had been on her own. Moaning about there being nothing to eat even though she'd had something before we left. The fridge is full of veggie stuff and salad - but Tori wants it now! I couldn't go straight to bed and watched the end of Flatliners while she made herself wedges and salad (now why couldn't she have done that earlier?)

John had went to Leigh's straight from work and got in about 3:30 am. I went back to bed!

Today!

2008-01-03T10:47:00.000-08:00

I didn't say I would blog everyday, however I always thought that if I was to be a witness in any sort of trial how good it would have been to have kept a diary. At this moment in time I cannot remember from one day to the next what I did so this will serve to remind me!

Yesterday was non day. I spent most of it lolling around as I was feeling really under the weather. However I had my mother in law coming for dinner and at least the steak pie was cooked. As it was there were 7 of us and I did manage to dish up without many traumas.

I joined Tesco DVD rental as they were offering me 3 months free. The first DVD arrived and I thought we could watch it last night as there were just the 2 of us. First off, apologies to those who enjoyed it! Serenity was not what I thought it was going to be. John looked at me for guidance and I just looked straight back and switched it off. Will send it back first thing tomorrow.

Paul started back at work today and although I knew this did not actually say that he needed a uniform ironed until I was running him to Natalie's. Suffice to say that there was I up at 6:30 this morning ironing shirt and trousers. He was getting the bus which did not appear so ended up having to run him to the station in my jammies!

Once home I vegged out in the lounge and watched 'Shall we Dance' I love Richard Gere and especially in this film at the end where he sweeps his wife off his feet. I long to be swept off my feet but at my current weight - that ain't for happening!

Anyway, I cried - always makes me feel better and vowed i was going to get John to a dance class this year if it killed me - and it probably will!

Which brings me to the next topic. Tori, John and I headed for Silverburn this afternoon. Swanky new shopping mall on the outskirts of Glasgow. Tori hates shopping so this particular expedition was doomed before it started. First off she was hungry, then she didn't like the sandwich she'd bought (which I bought - £2.60 from M & S) so threw it away in favour of a packet of McCoys (Steak and Onion - odd for a veggie).

To cut a long story short, my back began to play up and I sit here 2 hours later in abject agony as my left hip throbs. I know this has a lot to do with my weight and tomorrow I fling myself whole heartedly into losing a few stone for the New Year - watch this space.

And so it begins

2008-01-01T02:08:00.000-08:00

Today is the first day of 2008. I made no resolutions last night but made a concerted decision to do something about my health.

We attended a dance at Seamill Hydro on Saturday night and was miserable from the moment I stepped out the shower. Halfway through I was in tears mainly because I couldn't force my bulk onto the dance floor to boogie with my lovely husband.

So, last night John had all his mates round, Stuart & Kim, Katie, Sean Frew, Sean Kelly, Mark, Susannah and last but not least (only because he arrived last) Greg! They arrived from about 8.30 pm and were in good spirits right through to about 3 o'clock this morning. I'm surprised they lasted so long. Best bit was New Year on the bells and I got to kiss all those lovely young men! (I know I'm so sad but I have not very much to get excited about - can you tell?) About 11 pm I made shortbread to go with the soup and chilli (untouched) but the shortbread went in double quick time so made another batch. Haven't baked for ages but that put me in the mood for more!

Paul had left for Natalie's about teatime while John and i were in Lido in Troon where we saw Alan Hutton who apparently is a Kilmarnock Player and earns about 20 - 30 grand a week! He was wearing his Grandfather's cardie! I sneaked a week photo and sent it to Paul but was so dark he had no idea who it was!

Tori was at Grans Babs' (doing her hair) and was all set for a night on the town with her friends. She too set off about 8 pm all beautified (my daughter is a beautiful girl) and all grown up looking which was just as well as she was planning to get into Pitchers New Year party! At about five to midnight she called to plead with me to come and pick her up (Yes!) her friend had been involved in a small fracas just after Christmas and was too embarrassed to go back (showing their age there - we wouldn't have given a shit unles we'd been barred!). Anyway the ended up at Viva! Heaven forbid. Sensibly she realised it was full of dirty old men and decided New Year or not it wasn't worth it. She only wanted to be with Daryn anyway!

I've woken up this morning with a temperature and a really sore throat and cough that is hurting my chest. However before I could sit down and feel sorry for myself I had to tidy the dining room (only not dining room anymore but any other name doesn't sound comfy yet) this was where John was entertaining his friends! Picture, plastic champagne glasses, beer glasses empty bottles of a selection of lagers, ciders, peach schnapps and god forbid Buckie! Stuart likes the Buckie he always has done however not a ned just likes the taste apparently (and paying through the nose for it).

Wel today is the start of a new year and hopefully a new me! Reading her blog my dear sister looks like she is thinking along the same lines. I would like to be there to support her but things are still fragile between Tori and her and until this heals I don't think we'll get back to being the way we had begun to be. I miss her.

That was the year that was

2007-12-28T12:11:00.000-08:00

That was the year that was . . . thank god it's over. It has to have been the worst year of my life.

My darling daughter lost the plot and dropped out of school - I have no idea where we got the strength to get to the end of the year but there is light at the end of the tunnel.

Relationships floundered along the way and many times there has been no one to talk to except each other and this is probably why we made it through.

I though my mother was kidding when she said when I told her I was pregnant for the third time, "I hope you have a girl to do to you what you did to me" All I can say is, "Mum forgive me."

Along the way our boys have struggled to cope with their sister's erratic and sometimes violent behaviour and have at times felt completely left out. This was not intentional - I love all my children dearly and was consumed with a guilt for ignoring my boys (not intentionally) and wondering what the hell we'd done wrong.

That was the year that was. Tomorrow is a new day and hopefully 2008 will be full of promise and opportunity. All too often in 2007 I recorded day to events which did nothing but destroy my self confidence and capabilities as a mother but which I had to do if only to prove to others that my child wasn't just another 'teenager'. She is a responsible adolescent with clear ideas of right and wrong. She is old beyond her years in more ways than one and has the looks of as 18 year old rather that a nearly 16 year old. Her funny side is coming back and I've missed her.

I hope for the strength to live from day to day trying not to throw up the past in her face and hoping that she has learned from events of the past year and looks forward to new beginnings in the New Year.