For a short time this morning, I had one of the most horrible experiences of my life.
I received a phone call at 8am (always early for me!) from Tim (husband of Valerie, and groom in the Vegas wedding!), who I literally haven't spoken to since Vegas! He was calling to tell me about the massive earthquake in Christchurch, home of my bestie ATM, and that they hadn't been able to get a hold of her.
I tried to call myself, and then text asking for update, but fully expected that phones would be down so I didn't hold out much hope of hearing anything. I managed to keep it together to get X to her holiday club, but on the drive to work I just felt awful. It really was one of the worst hours of my life.
Eventually I was parked up, composed enough, and it was late enough (just in case she didn't know) to call her mum,. Thank goodness that she had heard from her that all was well, and that both ATM and hubby were safe and sound, although they have no power, no phones, etc, etc. The relief! I can't tell you!! I ended up in tears going into work, which I think was just the adrenaline release from the worry.
Much love to ATM and Mr ATM - which I really should say more often... though, I do have a hard ass reputation to uphold you know!
Update: Have received an email from them, and she sounds like the typical ATM that I know and love, so feeling much better! Although, lets hope there are no more bloody earthquakes - I really, really can't take the stress!!
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Monday, February 21, 2011
Holidays are coming
I have discovered the wonders of the £10pppn holiday special offer! That, combined with some "spare" money from my car loan (which should have gone towards paying off a different loan, but hey ho, you only live once!), and no real holiday for far too long, has resulted in the need to book holidays this year.
To date, I have booked the following:
A long weekend in Clacton On Sea in April, with Bridey and her two.
Two weeks in the South of France in August, with Lily and family.
A short week in Walton on the Naze, in October half term.
Alongside that, Jamie is currently on the hunt for a cheap, cheap girly break for my 40th birthday (as NZ is not going to be an option this year!)
Yip yip for holidays this year!
Though if only my bestie from across the miles lived in Clacton, not New Zealand! Here's hoping for 2013 though...!
To date, I have booked the following:
A long weekend in Clacton On Sea in April, with Bridey and her two.
Two weeks in the South of France in August, with Lily and family.
A short week in Walton on the Naze, in October half term.
Alongside that, Jamie is currently on the hunt for a cheap, cheap girly break for my 40th birthday (as NZ is not going to be an option this year!)
Yip yip for holidays this year!
Though if only my bestie from across the miles lived in Clacton, not New Zealand! Here's hoping for 2013 though...!
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Fitting it in
I have had a non-stop day today!
Up at 9am to take Y bowling then home to make a start to a top to toe house clean, bath and hairwash supervision of X, 11am off to pick up new car with X, Sis and Bro-in Law, home at 2.30pm via KFC, out again at 3pm to take Y to train station to meet cousin and head off to Pokemon convention, short break then X off to her dads at 4pm, out again to take old car to garage, back at 6pm, pick up Y from train station at 6.30pm, come home and finish top to toe clean of house, welcome CJ for gossip, takeaway and wine at 8pm, say goodbye to CJ at 1am, and now a quick catch up on blog before off to bed knowing that I can have a lie in in the morning and have absolutely nothing to do tomorrow! Aside from a little shopping of course.
Phew - one heck of a Saturday!!
Up at 9am to take Y bowling then home to make a start to a top to toe house clean, bath and hairwash supervision of X, 11am off to pick up new car with X, Sis and Bro-in Law, home at 2.30pm via KFC, out again at 3pm to take Y to train station to meet cousin and head off to Pokemon convention, short break then X off to her dads at 4pm, out again to take old car to garage, back at 6pm, pick up Y from train station at 6.30pm, come home and finish top to toe clean of house, welcome CJ for gossip, takeaway and wine at 8pm, say goodbye to CJ at 1am, and now a quick catch up on blog before off to bed knowing that I can have a lie in in the morning and have absolutely nothing to do tomorrow! Aside from a little shopping of course.
Phew - one heck of a Saturday!!
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Wistful
I absolutely love the programme One Born Every Minute, its so lovely to see women, couples, families going through the trauma but joy of giving birth and all that goes with it.
The downside though, is that it makes me wistful to be a part of those couples whose moments are so preciously shared. Its times like these that I think being in love again might not be so bad after all.
The downside though, is that it makes me wistful to be a part of those couples whose moments are so preciously shared. Its times like these that I think being in love again might not be so bad after all.
Monday, February 14, 2011
Happy V Day
I have today bought a new car! A lovely silver 2005 plate Citroen C3 Pluriel.
Happy Valentines Day to me!
Happy Valentines Day to me!
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Buzzing and hungry
Has just got back from a night out dancing to funky music for Bea's birthday, which was alright but nothing superly spectacular. Am now at home too wired on caffeine overdose from the diet coke all night (I was driving, for a change!) and lack of food to sleep, but too tired (or lazy) to make myself something to eat. I should so have gone to the kebab shop on the way home!!
Friday, February 11, 2011
New day
Tomorrow is indeed another day! It's Friday, I am out tomorrow night for dancing and funky music in honour of Bea's birthday, and have just had a lovely chat with my bestie from across the miles!
Ah, life is grand!
Ah, life is grand!
Sade - No Ordinary Love
I can't sleep it seems, and whilst the music should soothe, instead it seems to have inspired some dwelling, which is surely not a good idea. Not a good idea at all.
I guess it is better to believe I miss the idea of him, as it turned out I never really knew him after all...
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Alison Moyet - Only You
Feeling musical tonight. This was all I ever needed. Those days seem so long gone now.
Circle of Life
Well, after the sad demise of Dom Froggy on Friday, lo and behold nature showed that life and death are really two sides of the same coin, with the birth of 9 new little fishies on Monday! They are quick little blighters, so I only managed to capture a couple, and you will need to look closely!
In other news, my baby (X) has been to the orthodontist today and will be getting braces next week! At the grand old (or not!!) age of 10. Apparently they don't like to do it that early because its a big responsibility and then a lot of years to wear retainers afterwards, but the orthodontist thought she was older than she was, and had offered them to her before he realised. So, despite half an hour of anxiety on the way about braces, she then was desperate for them straight away!
Finally, more changes afoot, as a new moty car is planned for me! Watch this space...!
In other news, my baby (X) has been to the orthodontist today and will be getting braces next week! At the grand old (or not!!) age of 10. Apparently they don't like to do it that early because its a big responsibility and then a lot of years to wear retainers afterwards, but the orthodontist thought she was older than she was, and had offered them to her before he realised. So, despite half an hour of anxiety on the way about braces, she then was desperate for them straight away!
Finally, more changes afoot, as a new moty car is planned for me! Watch this space...!
Saturday, February 05, 2011
Saturday, Saturday
So the weekend has come. Yay!
I have dropped the kids off at bowling, done a quick clean downstairs and am now sat mooching about on t'internet looking for a new car. Not that I can afford a new car - not by a long shot, but my little moty car has done 97000 miles now, and I have a really bad feeling that the head gasket is about to go, so am thinking it is better to offload it before it dies completely than wait until the inevitable. Also, my bank has been foolish enough to give me a loan (well I'll believe it when its in my bank!), which was my intention to pay off an existing high interest loan with, but I could keep some of it back for a new car if need be, which is not ideal but possible. My other option is to pay off the higher interest loan completely, with the low interest one, reducing my monthly payment by about £25 a month, and then look at buying a new car on a payment plan (if they'd give it to me!) costing about £130 month, leaving me £100 a month worse off, but with a brand spanky new car!! Oh I don't know - decisions, decisions!! At the end of the day, my credit rate is not what it could be (although it had flipped up to Average for the first time in history just before Christmas!), so it may not be my choice at all - but the banks!
Well, I am off for a lengthy bath before collecting X and Y, and spending the rest of the day on my sofa, book in hand, and then off out for a curry and drinks for friend Jamie's birthday tonight.
Ah, the joy of Saturdays!
I have dropped the kids off at bowling, done a quick clean downstairs and am now sat mooching about on t'internet looking for a new car. Not that I can afford a new car - not by a long shot, but my little moty car has done 97000 miles now, and I have a really bad feeling that the head gasket is about to go, so am thinking it is better to offload it before it dies completely than wait until the inevitable. Also, my bank has been foolish enough to give me a loan (well I'll believe it when its in my bank!), which was my intention to pay off an existing high interest loan with, but I could keep some of it back for a new car if need be, which is not ideal but possible. My other option is to pay off the higher interest loan completely, with the low interest one, reducing my monthly payment by about £25 a month, and then look at buying a new car on a payment plan (if they'd give it to me!) costing about £130 month, leaving me £100 a month worse off, but with a brand spanky new car!! Oh I don't know - decisions, decisions!! At the end of the day, my credit rate is not what it could be (although it had flipped up to Average for the first time in history just before Christmas!), so it may not be my choice at all - but the banks!
Well, I am off for a lengthy bath before collecting X and Y, and spending the rest of the day on my sofa, book in hand, and then off out for a curry and drinks for friend Jamie's birthday tonight.
Ah, the joy of Saturdays!
Friday, February 04, 2011
RIP Dom Froggy
Alas, little froggy Dom has been a bit off colour the last few days, and finally admitted defeat this evening. RIP little Dom Froggy :-(
Tuesday, February 01, 2011
Halloooooo February!
So, the year (if you start in crappy January) started off on New Years Eve with a trip to the doctors, immediate nebulising, and £28 worth of prescription medication as the result of a really bad chest infection, and for the first week of January I alternated between my bed and the sofa, with frequent use of inhalers and the necessary school runs. It continued in its inimitable way when I went back to work eventually, only to be told that there appeared to be no funding for my service (and subsequently my post!) as from the end of March! The next 3 weeks were spent going stir crazy, completely broke, and not answering the phone to all the bills people I hadn't paid in December! As well as stressing about my last Uni assignment, which I had already had a 2 week extension for, and when I wasn't doing it, it was ruining my free time thinking I ought to be doing it! Some light came in the last few days, with the completion of the dreaded assignment, the onset of payday last Thursday and then a lovely night-in-takeaway-catch-up with Lily on Saturday night, followed by a perfectly relaxing Sunday which I spent knowing there was truly nothing I needed to be doing!
However, I think it is very fair to say that I was not sad to see the back of it, and today...? Well today I have started February with money in my purse, all my outstanding bills now cleared, no more Uni (well, until dissertation time), plans for the next 4 Saturday nights and the sun shining (even if it is still bloody freezing!). Ah, I love February!
However, I think it is very fair to say that I was not sad to see the back of it, and today...? Well today I have started February with money in my purse, all my outstanding bills now cleared, no more Uni (well, until dissertation time), plans for the next 4 Saturday nights and the sun shining (even if it is still bloody freezing!). Ah, I love February!
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