Enthusiasm?

Just managed to grab a few minutes to myself while Luke is at Ladybirds (supposed to be cleaning and ironing).

Seems like everybody at the moment is running around buying armfulls off Christmas pressies, cards, festive food etc apart from moi. Sounds really depressing I know but this year I really can't summon up any enthusiasm at all. I am trying to get into the swing of it for Luke's sake as this is the first year really that he is aware of all the brewing excitement going on around town (yes they strung up the coloured lightbulbs in Church Street again) but it is very hard. I really really really miss dad at the moment, and I know mum and Richard are the same. It's so strange, we carry on muddling through the year clinging onto the hope that after this year is over things will feel a bit easier but blimey these "first" of everythings really do weigh you down emotionally. I mean, it's the little things as well, as Luke is getting older he is becoming so like dad in his looks and the little things he says, he even uttered that lovely line ...

"the things you see when you haven't got your ratting cap"

the other day (one of dad's favourites, he'd have been so proud) and I burst out laughing but then wanted to call him up and tell him. Still, I know that other people have to deal with much worse and the last thing he'd have wanted was for me to be all maudlin so head down and carry on I reckon. And also, I'm doing the Christmas dinner this year for Mum and Bill so I'll have to grab a bit of festive cheer for that, I mean, it's not everyday that I get to rip open a new box of Paxo for more than 3 people. I'm not doing a turkey this year (still have that poultry aversion) so will be roasting some beef and ham.

Actually, I'm being very unfair about the Runcorn lights, this year they have made a real effort, they are really quite pretty. They must have gotten more money for the budget after closing down the Tourist Information Centre, still can't believe they did that especially after the recent influx of Eastern Europeans into the town.

Ooops, it's getting on for collecting Luke so will have to dash.

Disconnected!!!

Hi, 'tis I!!!! Well, the reason I've been missing from t'internet is due to my broadband connection not being, well, connected. So, anyway Richard managed to sort us out today (tonight actually) and here I am "taaadahhhhh".

Our broadband has been a complete pain in the bum since we first got it, it was always deciding to throw a sickie at the most inconvenient times, we had our phone, tv and internet through it so when it threw a hissy fit the entire house (or so it felt) would come to a virtual standstill, I was almost waiting for the cats, fridge, cooker and central heating boiler to turn themselves off in sympathy. We've ended up doing it the old fashioned way now for the sake of our sanity, the phone is back on BT, the tv is now on Freeview and Cuthbert the computer is on Dial Up (shriek!!!!). Yes, good old Dial Up. I hit the "Connect"button, wander off, make a cuppa, put a few loads of washing through, do the weekly shop, take Luke to the park come back and we're just about there. The modem is so noisy the cats go into meltdown as soon as it starts its shriek, but, hey, at least I'm online.

Freeview is ok too, good job we didn't skip the Digibox when we got our Broadband, we still get CBeebies and Nick Jnr so Luke is a happy bunny (God forbid he doesn't get his Backyardigans, Dora and Lazytown) but I only get abc1 during the day which means I can't watch Less Than Perfect in the evenings (sob).

Luke has been settling in really well at his Pre School, he's coming home after his stint every morning tired but happy and full of new songs. He's making lots of new pals which I'm so chuffed about, really getting into the swing of socialising. He is now staying until 3.30pm one day a week which means he gets to have his lunch there, I was a bit dubious at first as to how he would cope being away for so long but when I collected him after the first time he had really enjoyed it. He is so funny when I collect him, he wanders up to me pretending to be so cool about it all, then throws his arms around me and whispers "have you got my raisins?". Yes, no "missed you mummy" just demands for food. Well, ok, after he has munched his way through a few boxes of Sun Maid he does tell me he loves me.

Still loving the house, just got the hall and stairs carpeted. Oh the luxury, to open the front door and actually see lovely carpet. I keep skipping into the hallway and just looking at it, I can take a good five minutes to close the front door when I arrive home as I want our neighbours to see that we have a new floor covering rather than the bare floorboards that used to greet me (I know, I really should get out more).

So, I am now going to try and reacquaint myself with my cousins via their Blogs (probably take me until tomorrow morning).