Luke's Mummy

Nee Narrr Neee Narrrrrr!!!

2008-09-06T13:19:00.000-07:00

Later on at the park

The Training Tower

Luke was in his equivalent of Disneyland today, the local Fire Station held their first Open Day for 10 years!! He has had a passion for Fire Engines and Fire Fighters since his was about 2 and every time we go to the local "Big Park" he asks me to drive around the back of the fire station so that he can see the huge Practice Tower and the Engines parked up. He's sat in numerous Engines over the past few years and the local Fire Fighters always wave at him when they drive past as they have started to recognise him as the little boy that asks them numerous questions about the equipment and what it does. He's actually become really quite knowledgeable about it all now.

So, Richard and I took him along today and it was really enjoyable also all the money raised went to their charity so it was all in a good cause too. Fabulous stuff!!

Later this afternoon, we went to the park and Luke decided to don his fireman outfit ....

Home Alone??

2008-08-30T13:11:00.000-07:00

Lukey Sam is poorly at the moment, been peekly for a few days, knew that he was coming down with something as he has been very tetchy and tired also picking at his food. Consequently, I couldn't let him go to his school Link club on Wednesday as he was really wheezy and had a bit of a temperature. Mum offered to come to the house to look after him while I was at work in the morning, so great of her as even though he is sick he is still somehow able to play Power Rangers/Star Wars/Spiderman and various other superhero games which is very tiring after an hour. Told mum I was going to call the doctor from work and get an appointment for him, so off I went.

Of course, trying to get through to the surgery is like trying to get an audience with the Pope, finally got through and all the appointments for that day were taken, told the receptionist it was for Luke and that he is asthmatic so really could do with seeing someone. "We'll get the Duty Doc to call your house this afternoon" she said. Rang mum to tell her that someone will be calling.

Got home from work that afternoon, mum was looking slightly stressed. "What's up?" I asked. Turns out, Luke had come wandering through talking on the phone to the kitchen where she was making a cuppa.

"no, mummy's at work" he told the person on the phone "me, I'm watching tv, no I'm alright, I've been playing with my toys and just had a bagel"

At this point mum worked out he wasn't just playing with the handset and was actually talking to someone as she could hear a high pitched anxious sounding voice

"no, I just said you can't talk to mummy she's at work"

Mum managed to grab the phone, of course it was the doctor who by now was convinced he'd been abandoned at home while I was at work. She reasssured her that all was ok.

When I took him to see said doctor that evening, while she was examining him and telling me that he had a chest infection and could do with penicillin he told her in a very hoity toity voice

"I did say that I wasn't well a couple of days ago and that I could do with seeing the doctor" . Ok, he is telling the truth but really didn't need it just at that moment. Bless him (through gritted teeth).

We took him to Victoria Park this afternoon for a bit of fresh air, had a good time as you can see ....

The Project!

2008-08-26T13:07:00.000-07:00

Can't believe Luke is due to start his new school year next week, been running around town picking up his new uniform and dreading the bit where I have to sit inking and pressing his name and class into every single bit of it (HATE THAT JOB). S'funny really, when he was a baby (last month, surely?) I used to sit daydreaming about when he was at school and how I would lovingly iron every bit of his uniform and handstitch his name into all the little bits and pieces .... yeah right, now I drip dry stuff so that I don't have to iron it and attack all the individual items with a laundry marker before sealing the ink with the iron. !!!! So slack, but in my defence you speak to all the other mums in the playground, even the ones that look sooooo together and we all do the same thing.

And another thing, he was given a project to do this summer by his new teacher (lovely lady), I say he was given a project but really I think I was given a project as it was a scrapbook which he had to fill with all the fun stuff he was doing over the summer holidays, oh yes, he could stick pictures, leaflets, photos and write descriptions/diary entries about what he was doing!!! EXCUSE ME!!!! this is a just turned 5 year old we are talking about, it takes him 5 minutes to write his entire name and that is if he is in the mood for it. Yep, strangely enough sitting writing detailed descriptions/diary entries about his day and sticking stuff in a book is not high in Luke's order of priority at the moment, in fact it probably is right there between taking a bath and taking his antihistimine medicine. Consequently, I have been stressed about this since oooh day one of the summer hols. Didn't really help that Rich and myself only had one week off work with him and the rest of the time he has been at his school Link club. So, we had a day out at Knowsley Safari Park (very very good) and some days at the beach (he nearly drowned at West Kirkby!). Also, we didn't have a digital camera either, so we couldn't pad it out with loads of photos either (until now of course).

So, I have now stuck my leaflets, drawing that Luke did, collage that we both did of a beach scene and other assorted items in the scrap book while Luke watched, fascinated by the amount of PVA glue that I got in my hair and on my hands. I have taken a few pictures on the digital camera that we had to buy in order to pad the book out and am now waiting to catch Luke in the right mood so that he can write a few bits about what a great time he had.

By the way, in case anyone is interested, scrunched up rice crispies glued to paper make great fake sand.

The photo is of Luke at the Big Park in Runcorn, he learnt how to swing himself this summer, there you go another thing for my scrapbook!!

Snap Shot

2008-08-20T14:08:00.000-07:00

Here it, is a pic of Luke taken before bed tonight, ok it's very grainy, but hey at least it's a picture of the little tyke. I know he looks a bit shall we say unimpressed but I've posted it anyway. Note to Em, do you recognise anyone asleep on the bed? Yes, it's Jonas, he loves that little guy.

More soon.

I'm Loving It!

2008-04-22T13:36:00.000-07:00

Work is really great, am so enjoying it and feel very fortunate, it is so wonderful to not be doing something and finding myself clock watching. The time goes really fast as well, sometimes I don't even realise that it has gone 2.30 and should be on my way home to pick Luke up from school. Of course, it helps that the people I work with are lovely (not just talking about the husband here). Our department are moving upstairs to next week so I will be working on the same floor as Richard which will be a tad strange as I often forget that we are in the same building but, it is all good ... oh and my contract has been extended until September (at least) so I must be doing something right.

Talking of Richard, he has been off work ill with Pneumonia (eek), he hasn't been well for a couple of months and has kept on pushing himself at work, so consequently the doctor ordered him to take time off to rest and consume huge quantities of strong antibiotics. He looks as though he is picking up now though and is hoping to return to work next week.

Luke seems to have decided to become a troublesome little monkey at the moment, he is being really cheeky and stubborn (think it is the prospect of becoming 5 in a few months). He is an angel at school and then as soon as I collect him at 3.00 (feeling knackered and not best equipped to handle a stroppy sproglet) he decides to turn into the child from hell. Still, he knows that he is being a little sod, as when he drives me to point of near screaming and tearing hair out in utter frustration he then turns to me and says "mummy I'm being horrible aren't I, do you still love me?" Aaargh!! So, I go all forgiving and mushy (grateful that he has returned to something akin to a human child again) and then, .... he becomes a little git again. Talk about a bloody rollercoster of emotion.

Still, at least I get to wear heels during the day.

Sleeeeeeepppp!!!

2008-04-07T01:31:00.000-07:00

Am chucking a sickie today, am soooooo tired, couldn't sleep a wink last night, was lying in bed looking at the clock which appeared to be mocking me, 2.00am it glowed at me, oh no, only 4 hours until I have to get up, 4.00am it beamed, 2 hours before I have to get up and so on ..... So, Rich insisted I stay home, he is going to let them know that I would be a complete liability if they let me in work, I would probably suggest that a pharmacist go on a cycling proficiency course or something of that ilk so, I will stay home and feel totally guily instead. Am going to say awake though, apparantly if I succumb to the sleep monster it will render me incapable of sleeping tonight so I will just put up with the hot gritty sand feeling in my eyes, the welling of nausea in my tum and potter around the house scowling at the cats (who are currently asleep upside down in their beds). I did email my cousin Emily in New York to let her know but her Out Of Office Reply just flashed up, I look at the clock and realise that Emily is currently snuggled under her duvet sound asleep .......... grrrrrrrrr, I mean, how lovely for her (carefully replacing the phone and deciding against calling her to let her know).

Work is going really well (apart from my unexpected asbsence today), am enjoying the whole learning experience, finding it very interesting and love the dressing up in girl clothes bit. Very funny though how the mums and teachers at school doubletake when they see me sometimes. I drop Luke off in my usual comfy stuff and then pick him up in smart office clothes, they sort off blink and go "oooh look at you", or rather it was funny the first couple of times now I just think "do I really look so crap normally?"

Luke is doing really well and loves his school, he is growing up so quickly now though, and it panics me a bit, can't quite get my head around the fact that he isn't a baby anymore. "I would love a brother or sister" he announced yesterday, "really?" I replied getting all emotional/hormonal/excited, "yeah, but if it went into my room, I'd pick it up and just chuck it onto the landing" he said. "It's not a cat, it's a baby" I calmy informed him, "What's with all this 'it's' " he said looking at me closely, "you're not pregnant are you?" "nooooo" I sighed. He enjoys looking at the blogs of my cousins too, I often find him peering at pictures of their children and he loves playing the videos that are sometimes posted. In fact, the other day he said "now mummy see Graham, that is his sister Stephanie," "no Luke that is his mummy" "but she is pretty, how can she be his mummy?" Rightyoh then .....

The Office!

2008-03-16T10:14:00.001-07:00

The reason for my lack of blogginess lately has been due to the fact that I've been working (outside the home). It was pretty much sprung on me by Richard, his boss suggested that he call me regarding a 3 month position that had become available downstairs in the Training and Recruitment department, they would consider part time hours (9.30 - 2.30) so within 48 hours I had been interviewed and then started work. It was pretty good actually that it happened so quickly as I didn't really have time to get nervous, although, it didn't really help much that when I got out of the car for the interview Rich, his boss and the rest of the Locum Board (it's a pharmaceutical company) were waving enthusiastically at me from their windows.

So here I am, typing this on Sunday whilst tea is cooking, Rich is playing with Luke upstairs whilst I try to update you on the recent happenings.

Got to say though, I really am enjoying being back at work, there is loads to learn (mostly about training qualifications for pharmacy staff and the paperwork that goes with it), the people are really friendly, the offices are soooooo posh, and I am choosing to ignore the fact that there is a rather handsome bloke who works on the Locum Board upstairs for fear of getting too distracted!

Of course, the rather attractive salary comes in useful too, for all those new essentials that I now require i.e. GIRL CLOTHES!!!!

It is really hard though to get used to not having any time during the day for housework etc., as I drop Luke at school, go to work, finish work and then collect him, also Luke is absolutely shattered when he comes home so I can't really drag him out to do chores like bill paying so will have to rethink the old schedule a bit. Luke likes me collecting him from school in my work suits as well, he calls them my "uniforms", think it's a novely at the moment for him.

I know this post is a tad sketchy but will try and be bit more detailed next time (can hear Luke singing "shake it like a polaroid picture" at the moment - very funny!).

Eggs!!!

2008-02-28T04:00:00.000-08:00

I had to leave off writing this blog for a couple of days to cool down otherwise it would be just one big mindless rant...

Woke up the other morning, did the usual stuff i.e. helped Luke to get washed and dressed (always a long drawn out process, usually with him playing Ben 10 or PowerRangers etc while I chase him with his wet sponge), had breakfast etc., then we opened the front door to take Rich to work and what do we find ....? We have been egged!! Seems like some complete Knob (s) have thought it a really good idea to throw half a dozen eggs at the front of the house, add to that the fact that Luke is allergic to egg also it had frozen overnight and I was completely livid. It looked a complete mess, and it was so embarrassing as nobody else had been "done", it made it even worse somehow. Took Rich to work and then Luke to school, carefully sidestepping the mess, then spent two hours scrubbing at the pavement and house with a yard brush, mop and at least 6 buckets of hot water and Flash. It's amazing how when you wash the car or front of the house people stop and talk isn't it? Thing is, where we are situated i.e. next to the school, all Luke's teachers walk past, they were disgusted to say the least, but also thought it great sport to say "ooh missed a bit" and that old chestnut "You can come and do mine when you are finished" grrrrrrr!!!

Well at least the house is looking sparkling out front now, and it proves to Luke's teachers that I am actually capable of cleaning ...

Dropped Luke off the other day wearing my swimsuit under my top as I was going for my thrice weekly swim straight afterwards, Luke's teacher whispered to him "don't forget, tell mummy to go clean the house" "Oh there's no point" he announced loudly "all she ever does is swim all day!" .... hmmmmm

Can't Remember What He Looks Like?

2008-02-18T06:06:00.000-08:00

Luke came up to me the other day and said the words I had been dreading "Mummy I can't remember what Grandad Colin looked like", he seemed so sad, it made me ache, so I got a photo from the album and gave it to him. "Right, I remember now, no problem, but what if I forget again?", "just close your eyes Luke, now can you see him?" "yes, I see him" "now, talk to him, go on" "Ok, hello Grandad" "What's he saying back to you?" "he said I should have a Power Ranger Operation Overdrive Tracker Device"!!

Nothing else to say to that is there really ....

Dad, Rich and Murphy The Cat

2008-02-14T01:46:00.000-08:00

February is always going to be a weird month (well at least the beginning of it), dad died on the 5th which is also Richard's birthday (he would had been mortified, am sure of it), so I always feel this sense of "oh no" as it approaches which is so unfair on Richard. Last year it was dreadful, really bad, as it was also dad's first anniversary and we were still very raw with grief, Richard felt odd about it, mum and I felt odd about it, it was just "odd". so the day couldn't really pass quickly enough. Mum and I decided this year would be different, we aren't very big on going to the cemetary just because it is an anniversary or birthday etc., we tend to go when we feel the need to as we talk and think about dad all the time. So, we chose to celebrate Richard's birthday, he had gifts, cards, a birthday cake and pancakes (as it was Shrove Tuesday). We enjoyed the day! Of course, I couldn't stop thinking about dad, replaying the day two years ago when we lost him, but we let Richard have his birthday which is what dad would have wanted as he loved him.

The following day, mum and I went to the cemetary to lay some flowers, it was sunny and very springlike, and we gave his tortoise a pat (we didn't want anything too funeral like at the time so we picked this gorgeous cute stone tortoise to lay where his ashes are). We walked back to my house and had a cuppa and then for the first time ever since he passed away we talked about dad properly. Mum for the first time actually told me about the last morning that she spent with dad, how when we woke up he had slept really well for the first time in years and didn't feel ill, how they spent an hour in bed just talking about "stuff" and how for the first time in years he was able to put his arm around her and give her a cuddle and then how he suddenly became so ill. It was hard for me to hear it really, as I still can't allow myself to think too deeply about it as it hurts but you know, it helped me to deal with it. I was glad that his last morning with mum was so different (in a good way) and that she can now talk about it, she is starting to heal a little.

And then we have Murphy The Cat. Murphy is such a sweetie, out of the three of them he is the most "pudding like". So tame, so brave and so ...... daft.

There has been a cat hanging around the back of the house that looks so like our other cat Mickey, he sits at the dining room window crying wanting to come in. This absolutely drives the three cats mad, it disturbs them and they started to not want to go out. Of course, me being the idiot that I am, was finding it upsetting, I automatically think that the poor animal is starving, homeless, distressed rather than the more likely case of just bloody greedy, chancing his arm and a bloody bully. "Do not feed it" Richard said, it isn't fair on it or our cats, "right, I won't" I said, whilst sliding the spare saucer of food back in the kitchen cupboard. Of course, I had been sneaking it the odd bit of kibble. This cat was now starting to paw the window, meowing like mad, and terrifying our cats. I did try to run it off (talk about sending confusing messages to it), but it was now staring at me and not budging. Richard ended up with a little water pistol and having to spray it at the wall to frighten it off. So, when Murphy spent one morning completely asleep under the radiator and then not wanting to play with Luke I was a bit concerned that something had happened, when Murphy that same evening suddenly started to bleed badly from the top of his tail I got scared, even more so when I saw a deep hole there. I took him to the vet the next morning (of course he did his usual pooh in the carrier - pleasant) and he had a cat bite (perfect tooth hole) that had become abscessed. Poor bugger. He was put on antibiotics and is now a lot better, especially now that the top of his tail no longer looks like an undercooked sausage (they clipped all the hair of it). So, I promise to chase all stray cats from our back yard and to never feed them ever again.

Must Dash!!!

2008-02-08T08:07:00.000-08:00

I'm actually typing this whilst cooking tea for Luke, have intended to post for about a week now, but have so many things I wanted to mention that I know it will take a while to write and am finding it difficult to get the time to sit at the PC for a decent amount of time.

We are all fit and well now (touching wood frantically), Murphy cat had a trip to the vet due to another cat biting him just above the tail and then it becoming a nasty abscess (very horrible for him), but I will give you the whole tail (tail, geddit) later on.

So hopefully, I will give you a bigger and better post v v soon.

Ill

2008-01-18T08:35:00.000-08:00

Yes, had to happen didn't it, after spending all that time at the doctors and chemist with Luke and Richard, I am now officially NOT VERY WELL!!! Been battling feeling crappy for a few weeks now, and as soon as Luke and Richard are back to rude health I am dealt a huge whammy by Mr Virus and wind up with an extremely yuck worthy chest infection. So, am now wandering around the house clutching endless mugs of tea (to try and lubricate the tubes), inhaling copious amount of menthol, sucking so many cough lozenges I have probably now lost all my taste buds and waiting for my next antibiotic (will this be the one that finally renders me able to stand without the dizzy sweats?).

I can proudly state that I definitely inherited my gorgeous, much missed father's ability to be the world's worst patient.

The Receptionist, The Teacher, and The Toe

2008-01-14T08:14:00.000-08:00

Luke has been off school since last Tuesday, really not very well at all, wheezy chest, congested head, temperature, oh yes the dreaded lurgy had been caught off daddy. I have discovered that I have a real problem with ringing in sick for him, seriously as the days went on I was feeling more and more stressed at having to call the receptionist, it was akin to calling in work sick, you know the scenario no matter how crappy you feel you still feel like they don't quite believe you.

Me: "So sorry, Luke is really not feeling good today so he won't be coming in"

Receptionist: (Dramatic Pause for Effect) "So he isn't well then?"

Me: "No he is full of a bad cold virus, really not good at all"

Receptionist: "Oh Okaaaaay then, I'll let them know"

Me: "Hopefully he will be better tomorrow" (Why the hell I say that when I know fully well he will not have picked up enought to go in beats me)

Then, I have to call in the next morning feeling again very guilty, and convinced that they think I am overprotective and should really be sending him in snotty nose and wheezing chest or not. The final day I couldn't face it and got Richard to do it. "What's the problem?" he asked, "I can't believe you are nervous about calling the school, come here give me the phone." He reappeared about 5 minutes later looking very distressed, "I'm convinced she didn't believe me" he said, "really?" I replied, "why", "So he's just got a cold then?" she said to him, "Is it really bad then?." "hmmmmm, ok, I'll let them know." So it's not just me then? Of course it doesn't help matters that the receptionist and teachers walk past the front living room window every morning, whereby they can witness Luke sat at his table snarfing cheerios down in front of the telly looking sometimes, admittedly not very ill at all. It doesn't matter if he isn't eating during the day somehow he can usually manage a bit of sugar coated cereal and it's always just as the said people are walking past looking in. (must draw the blinds).

So, he spent the time watching DVD's, snoozing, not eating very much at all (the stress of it!!), and when he was feeling a bit better playing in his room. Usually when we are at home together at weekends or on holiday from school we go out every day for a good old round round the park (even when it's raining much to a lot of my friend's disbelief), so being cooped up has been a bit difficult for us both. So, come last Friday when he was perking up considerably I suggested a walk into town (only about 3/4 mile).

Me: Now Luke, if we meet any of your teachers, be sure to not tell them that you are perfectly well, remember you are off sick, so it is ok to tell them you have been ill, ok?"

Luke: "Why? I feel alright now mummy"

Me: "Yes, I know you are feeling better now Luke, but you have been ill"

Luke: (reluctantly) "Oh ok"

So off we went, having a lovely stroll, on the way back we bumped into one of his teachers just as we were crossing the canal footbridge (Bloody knew we would)

Teacher: " Oh hello Luke, how are you feeling, how have you been?"

Luke: (Looks at me triumphantly) "I'm great, feeling really well, thank you for asking, why?"

Teacher: (Looking at me very suspiciously) "But you have been ill haven't you?"

Luke: "Oh I'm fine"

See, knew it would happen!!

So he went back in today, not that he wanted to of course, after a week of snuggling mummy, eating when and pretty much what he wanted (I was at breaking point and just gave in to him in the end, just eat damn it), playing in his room etc., school was not an option he wanted to consider. He came into the bedroom at 6.30 this morning waving his foot at me, "Mummy, I can't go into school, I've got a poorly foot" I squinted at it, and noticed a bit of red fluff hanging off his big toe, "There's nothing there Luke", his dismay when he saw the fluff drop off down to the carpet was huge. "But it was all red and itchy, honest", not anymore Luke, get dressed. And he did, very slowly, so slowly it was almost in reverse.

Croissant and Clutter

2008-01-08T13:01:00.000-08:00

Luke finally went back to school today after what felt like a huge festive break, was a bit "iffy" about sending him really as he had picked up a really horrible cold virus which left him housebound for a couple of days, still he didn't have a temperature this morning and seemed ok about going in (eventually), but he was reluctant to eat much brekky and when I picked him up he hadn't eaten much lunch (just his raw peppers and cucumber). This really freaks me out, I am rubbish at handling him not eating. Now commonsense tells me that when you have a head cold you don't always want to eat, but if Luke turns down a few meals I hate it. I sit there for 30 minutes trying to coax him into eating as if missing a couple of days worth of food is going turn him into an undernourished waif. This boy has plenty of meat on his bones and usually is a good eater so really I should just calm it down a bit. But still, after him picking at his pasta and fish at tea time and turning down a couple of jaffa cakes I was waving a croissant at him come bedtime which I am sure he only ate just to shut me up.

I was just pondering as I was unloading the drier for what felt like the tenth time today why I am such a cluttered person. I have always since childhood wanted to be the kind of person who has perfectly kept drawers/cupboards/handbags but I have never ever achieved it. Oh yes, I tend to have a clear out a few times a year where I can quite happily fill a few bin liners worth of crap, you know, odd socks/shoes/playing cards/biros/shoe boxes full of tissue/broken toys (and that's just one drawer!). It all gets chucked away to reveal a perfectly lovely spacious place, then the remaining stuff gets all put away neatly and I can relish opening the drawer/cupboard/handbag/desk for a few days and marvel at the neatness until about a month later by which time it has become a crap trap again.

It doesn't help that my mum has become irritatingly tidy since she retired, all her things are folded neatly in drawers (even her plastic bags in the kitchen are stashed in one tidy place, unlike mine that tend to attack you when you open my kitchen base unit). My mother in law also regularly puts me to shame, she actually smoothes out and folds paper bags and has them all in a little pile in her cubby hole in the kitchen. You open any drawer in my mum's flat or MIL's house and it is all lovely and neat, everything is placed in with care unlike in my house where it looks as though things have been chucked in from a great distance.

Still, I suppose being neat and tidy can be quite boring at times, I mean where oh where is the excitment factor, for instance, Luke's cupboards under his bed were a complete mess, he went rummaging yesterday for a piece of his train set and was soooooo overwhelmed with happiness when he discovered his long lost light saber!!! See makes it all right doesn't it!

Bitz

2008-01-03T09:03:00.000-08:00

I have been a bit frazzled the last week or so as Richard has been really very sick with a horrible chest infection/virus that has given him a very high temperature and left him bed ridden for the past few days, so I have been alternating taking care of him with trying to keep Luke occupied as he doesn't go back to school until the 8th (what the heck, am sure we didn't have such a long Xmas holiday).

I was doing the dishes this morning, trying to plan the day ahead, you know usual mum stuff i.e. should I hoover next, maybe dust, wipe out the congealed beetroot juice from the fridge shelf (it always ends up staining, even when I don't actually have beetroot in the fridge) when Luke beetles in and announces ...

Luke:"Mummy, I really love the colour of your bits"

Now, Luke calls the private part of the female anatomy her "Bits" and am trying to discourage him from constantly going on about them which he does tend to do I am sure to wind me up.

Me: "What?"

Luke: "I really love the colour of your Bits"

Me: "Luke, I am not very happy about you talking about this" (now am very hot and bothered, wondering what the heck he has been peeping at while I am showering)

Luke: (Now very indignant and tearful sounding) "Your bits mummy, your bits, look!"

Me: (At this point I actually bother to turn around and look at him) "Whaaat!!"

In his hand was a packet of my wholewheat french toast that he calls Bix that he had nabbed from the cupboard earlier on.

Luke: "I really love the colour of the packet, it's really nice, what's the problem mummy?"

Me: "Nothing Luke, nothing at all."

Note to self: In future, turn around when your son is talking to you rather than carry on scrubbing the pots and make sure you always lock the bathroom door (just to be certain).

New Year!

2008-01-01T03:20:00.000-08:00

So Happy New Year to Everybody .... there that's me done for another 5 months!!!

No really, I've decided to blog more often even if it's to tell you what the cats have been up to in the absence of the Peavoy's doing something that I would consider interesting.

Luke is now settled into his full time school, he eventually ended up across the yard (literally) at our local school, have learnt a valuable lesson here. Must not ever send child to a school just 'cos his mates are going there and also never listen to rumours that they are going to demolish local school of first choice that is a very beautiful historic bit of Runcorn. Reason ...

The school next to his preschool where he ended up initially going to was to put it mildy a tad "boisterous" and not in a good way. I should have been hearing warning bells when after his first month we had a meeting with his teachers who then asked me to be on the PTA, come and assist the children with their reading and also to be a school Governor. Of course I was flattered at first and then I realised (as I mentioned to Emily on the phone) that after looking at the disinterested (again being very polite here) other parents it was somewhat akin to being offered a really good job only to realise you were the only applicant. So not to want to inflict the other gory details on you but it did involve Luke telling me some really awful stuff about guns, cutting Santa's head off and then not having time to eat his lunch as he was kicked out of the canteen to go play after 10 minutes, he was pulled out and placed in his new school. We felt really guily about him having start all over again in a new place where he didn't know any of the kids but it is so true what other parents had told me, they do make new friends very quickly. Thing is, I must stop hanging my head out of the bathroom window and watching him in the playground.

Must get a job ....

What a difference a day makes ...

2007-08-24T13:34:00.000-07:00

So excited about the progress I am making with WW, checked the scales this morning and have now lost best part of a whole stone (Wooohooo). I went to see a friend of mine yesterday and she commented about how well she thought I looked, came away feeling that all the hard work is definitely worth it (preen preen). However, the lovely rosy glow faded somewhat this afternoon when coming out of mum's entrance hall a little old lady who hasn't seen me for a couple of months stopped in her tracks upon seeing me ...

"Hello lovely, not seen you for a while"
"I know, how are you?"
"Fine dear, you look different" (little scrunched up frowny face)
"Oh, do I?" (Me now getting ready to stun her with my weight loss amount)
"Yes, you're not pregnant are you?"
"No!!!"
"Oh, you have just put on a bit of weight haven't you, never mine, I can't shift it either."

I couldn't actually speak as I wanted to laugh out loud at the irony of it. She had never ever commented on my appearance before and now chose to do it at a time when I was actually starting to feel good about myself.

Ho hummmmmm!

For Emily!!!

2007-08-17T13:09:00.000-07:00

It has been mentioned to me by a certain jet setting, high flying, impossibly lovely family member that I haven't posted for a while so.....

Luke graduated University, nah scratch that, Luke graduated High School, noooo, Luke graduated Nursery!!! Yes, 'tis true, my little munchkin got to wear a cap and gown to a graduation ceremony held at Ladybirds Nursery for the leavers. Can't begin to tell you how emotional I was, it just seemed weird that he had finished his time there with his little mates and was now going to be starting big school in September, mind you am sure that a few tears were due to the fact that I now had to entertain him for 6 weeks!! Have got an absolutely blinding piccy of him which I must must must get posted onto the blog (as soon as I get somebody willing/able to do it), he is in full cap and gown clutching his "diploma". So cute!

Have also been attending Weight Watchers with mum. Ohhhhh, how unbelievable this experience has been, got to say it really does work, so am not going to type a load of anti diet club stuff here, but it also does tickle my weird sense of humour. I did mention in my previous post that I hit 40 and strange things starting to happen to my girth, I've always battled with my weight though so I shouldn't really be surprised. Inside me is a skinny woman screaming to get out it's just that I tend to shut her up with high calorie foods. So ...

Mum and I turned up at the first meeting which is held at a little theatre inside Runcorn Halton Lea Library, the class is run by a very excitable Australian woman who is very nice but, I don't think she "gets" me (let's just call her Mavis). After everyone had been weighed (a very very traumatic experience) we all sat down and had a little group discussion, some of the more long term members had lost huge amounts of weight, am talking 60lbs in some cases. At the end of the meeting the new members got to talk to Mavis and we were handed all the relevant information sheets, we were taught how to work the Weight Watchers plan and then Mavis told us in a very caring way that she is " contactable 24 hours a day in case we have any problems or worries at all. " "Really, I asked, you mean I can ring you if I suddenly find myself alone in the house with a pack of choccy biccies, you will help me?" "Yes, she replied, I will help you." I now have visions of her coming swooping in through my kitchen window dressed in black SAS style. At this point we left the meeting clutching our info packs and also our sides. (Mum is very much on my wavelength so I blame her for my inability to take these things too seriously).

We are both doing very well though, it's our 7th week into the plan (must not call it a diet), mum has lost 10lbs and I've lost 11 1/2 lbs. The only problem is the weekly weigh in, it is very stressful, the thought of not losing any weight one week is really awful, think it is because we work so hard during the week at monitoring what goes in our mouths. Last Tuesday morning mum actually became feverish in the line up, she was muttering to me and Luke "this is crazy, why do I get so stressed?", "don't know" I replied "but I feel faint, I'm so nervous." Luke was looking at us in the way that only a man who has never had to watch his weight can, "Mummy there is no reason to be worried or nervous" he said to me "just step on the scales and step off again, it's easy." Yeah, right easy for him to say. Well, we both lost 1 1/2 lbs so it was ok.

Some people though do take it to extremes, one lady was taking off all her heavy jewellery and stuffing it into her handbag! Really. I reckon if they could get weighed in the buff they would do.
Not that you would ever catch me wearing my now too loose very lightweight combat pants without a belt just so that I may weigh a fraction of a pound lighter.

Its Raining It's Pouring & Lukey is Snoring!!

2007-07-06T07:36:00.000-07:00

Ah yes, the great British summer (and Wimbledon) are upon us yet again. It is constantly lashing it down outside (apart from right now when we are having a brief interlude of sunshine). Of course, I should have know that it was going to be extremely rainy as I recently bought a sun shade for the outside table and chairs, also went mad and bought a couple of bottles of suncream (guaranteed to provoke a torrent of wet stuff from the sky). Never mind though at least the plants are getting a good drink (throwing their leaves up into the air in protest).

Reason for the post is that Luke is taking a nap (much needed) on the couch at present so am able to sneak off and sit at the computer without him wanting to play on it - bliss!

So I turned 40, seems that overnight I acquired a crop of new chin hair and what the hell is that hanging over my knickers, oh yes it's my spare tyre ..... Oh God!!!!!! So, currently simultaneously plucking, shaving and dieting to within an inch of my midlife crisis. I reckon the only people who think that "age is just a number" are those that are still young enough not to care. Not to worry though, I still have my health, well if you disregard my creaky knees, aching back and tendancy to forget what I went into the kitchen for.

Lukey turns 4 this coming Sunday, bless him. He is starting his big school in September and went for his first visit Wednesday afternoon, wouldn't let me leave him though so I had to stay in class with him. I quite enjoyed it, in fact, no I loved it. It was so great watching all the little kiddywinks adjusting to the new setting (they are all Luke's classmates), after a while they had to gather on the mat for a story before leaving for home. The teacher (10 years younger than me btw) got out a fab book about an elephant but I think I got a wee bit too into it as when she asked the question "and what do we shout when we want to scare somebody?" I very loudly and worryingly enthusiastically yelled "BOOOOOO"!!! THE KIDS LAUGHED AT ME!!! Sulk! Well, I least I was paying attention.

Humiliation!

2007-06-14T12:28:00.000-07:00

Stood in the supermarket queue yesterday after picking up a few bits, the cashier had just zapped my purchases and started to pack them for me when I noticed she had a peculiar look on her face, one that I can only describe as pitying. What the hell is wrong with her? I thought, then it all became very clear..... in her hand she had a packet of contraceptives and a multi pack of "Joint Care" vitamins!! Speaks volumes really doesn't it. Bloody 40!!! Mind you, at least it wasn't as bad as the lady in the queue next to me, her purchases being a pack of condoms and a huge ball of string (the mind boggles).

Just the one thanks

2007-06-12T05:40:00.000-07:00

Have been feeling really very broody lately, think it is the combination of cousin Steph having her beautiful little girl and looking at all the gorgeous pics and videos (thanks to Uncle Eric) also, me reaching the ripe old age of 40 soon (surely not?) and Lukey becoming so independant (well ok, he wipes his own bum). Richard and I have been discussing whether or not to go for it, and have had talks with Luke to see how he would feel about a sibling (the jury is still out), and still we are not sure what to do..... then the phone went about an hour ago

It was my childhood friend Bev, who is now a qualified midwife and mum to 4 great children, the oldest being 21 and the youngest 4. We haven't talked for ages and it is always great to catch up, turns out she is pregnant again (yes, at 40), she is about 15 weeks gone. She had some bleeding a few weeks ago and went to have it checked out, the sonographer asked if there was a history of multiple births in the family (not really) .... she is having TRIPLETS!!!!! It was originally QUADS but unfortunately she had lost one (hence the bleeding). I was so delighted for her even though she is still somewhat shocked, but in typical Bev fashion she is taking it all in her stride. Anyway, the cause for my concern is that according to Bev (qualified midwife remember) the older you get the more the chance of multiple births increase.

Now, I really do have to think very carefully.

Big School and Fish and Chips

2007-06-10T12:54:00.000-07:00

Richard and I went to Luke's new school Thursday night (well, the one he starts in September), it was for all the parents so that we could meet the Headteacher and watch a presentation on how the school operates, what they expect of the kiddywinks etc. It was really good, and the school is amazing.

We were originally going to send him to Victoria Road, and he was all geared up for it (it is literally just across from our back gate) but after speaking to a couple of parents whose kids go there already we decided it wasn't what we wanted for Luke. The Reception class is really big, there is also a problem with kids tending to get ignored in favour of other kids who are behaving really badly and also, they have no playing field so there is talk of the school getting closed down (how awful is that).

We had a talk with his current teachers who suggested that we take a look around the school next door. It is a brand spanking new building, very clean and airy and Luke already knows a few of the teachers as they come and teach his class French and read to them. They also get to go the assembly there a few times a month so he is familiar with the building. No contest really. Also, most of his classmates are going there so the transition shouldn't be too traumatic.

When we got back home I was too tired to cook, and do you know what I did? I put Luke to bed and went to the chippy, we had cod and chips with mushy peas. Very calorific, not at all healthy but it tasted sooooooo good I didn't even feel guilty.

Luke is brokenhearted that his little "girlfriend" Lucy isn't going to Halton Lodge, he turned his little tear stained face to me yesterday when he found out and said "but she is pregnant with my child!" WHAAAATTTT!!!!!!!!!! Where on earth has he got that from????

Lovely!

2007-06-05T01:53:00.000-07:00

Just dropped Lukey off at preschool, it was sooooo lovely to be there at 9.00am when all his little mates were arriving, I didn't realise how much I missed all that stuff. It was great seeing the mums and chatting with them again, I even enjoyed listening to the Alpha mum discussing how little Ryan was now able to count to thirty in French (Luke can do up to 20 btw and knows at least two different songs, but I didn't mention that as I don't want to appear too competitive).

I spent the entire day with mum yesterday, that was so great as lately I felt that the only time we saw each other was when I was dropping Luke off for an hour while I did the supermarket run - he hates the weekly shop, sigh, how things have changed ....

Luke aged 2:

"Mummy are we go shopping?"
"Yes sweetpea"
"Ohhhh great, whooppeeeee" (Grabs his shoes)
"mummy, put them on quickly" (dashes out to the car and waits hopping from foot to foot)

Luke aged nearly 4:

"Oh mummy, have we got to go shopping?"
"Yes Luke we do"
"Right then drop me off at nannas" (grabs his shoes)
"Come on mummy, the sooner we go, the sooner we can get back" (dashes to the car, opens the door and hops in clutching his toolkit)

Sighhhhhh......

So, I purchased a new bed for him which was delivered yesterday. He was very uncertain about it all as it is not a kiddy bed but a lovely single divan which has loads more room for him to shuffle about in but, saying that it did look awfully high up from where he stood.

Mum and I dismantled his old wooden cot bed which is when I felt like sobbing, as wasn't it only yesterday that we put it all together to form a gorgeous cot and then with such pride took the bars off to form a lovely little bed when he turned 2? Then we put the legs on the new one and wheeled it into place in the corner of his room. It looks beautiful and very squishy.

Luke meanwhile had been very "helpful" with his hardhat, goggles, drill, hammer and saw and felt justified when it was all done in having a good old bounce on it. He was delighted when we took him to buy new bedding to fit it, and even though we had a near meltdown when I refused to let him have the pink barbie duvet set (he fancies her!!!!????) it all went swimmingly and he came home with a blue car patterned set and one with superheroes on it.

Off he popped to bed last night and Richard put (very wisely) his old mattress on the floor next to his new bed in case we had a rolling off the bed incident. He snuggled down, went to sleep with only two curtain calls. Relief!

I checked on him when I got up to use the toilet at about 5.00am and he was all snugged up, curled into a little ball, snoring his head off ....... on the floor on his old mattress! Bless!!!!

Lately I've been ....

2007-06-04T13:09:00.000-07:00

So, I spent the last three months working at the instrumentation company ...... I survived (just about), they wanted me to stay on with the idea that I would become permanent staff next year but I declined their kind offer on the basis that I would rather boil my head in oil than spend another day there. Honestly, the office politics were unbelievable, so many chiefs and hardly any indians (well, they had me I suppose). I think that I have spent too long at home being a mummy, I just can't cope with idiots anymore, I used to be able to just let it wash over me when people were being arseholes but now, it really gets to me. I don't know what I am going to do when Luke starts full time school in September (!!), I really want to get back to working but I don't think I could cope with being back in an office all day. Maybe I just need to find the right place.

One of the things that got me down so badly was the fact that I had a spell about a month in to the contract when Luke got really sick, he had both eyes infected, a vomiting bug and also really bad hayfever, all within a couple of weeks. Of course, I couldn't put him into nursery so had to take time off with him (unpaid). I got called into the office by the girl child who was my supervisor and told that people (her) weren't happy with the amount of time I had taken off (4 days in total) and that things had to improve. I mentioned to her as calmly as I could that I really didn't choose to have to take time off (unpaid) as I still had to pay the nursery even when Luke wasn't in and that there really wasn't a lot I could do about it, if he is ill he will always be my priority (went down like a bag of sick). Ho hum.

I did enjoy the challenge though, you know, learning new stuff, realising that my brain was still able to function at a higher level, knowing that I was doing a good job (no, really, I did actually do a good job). Must admit though, I did find it bloody hard work balancing it all out, don't know how the heck other people do it (Jenn). I was working 8.30 until 12.30 five days a week, had to drop Luke off at 8.00am. By the time I had finished work and picked him up at 1.00pm we were both knackered, moody and very irritable (not a good combination). Then of course, I had to do the chores which meant I didn't really have a lot of quality time with Luke ...... really crappy. We had to try and cram it all in at weekends!!

So I decided last Wednesday to call it a day, I'd fullfilled the three month contract and chose to not extend it. Feel so relieved. Luke is back to his 9.00 - 11.30am sessions which don't include school holidays (yay), he is really happy about it, we can get back to doing all the fun stuff again.

There you go, now you know where I've been.

WORK!!!!

2007-03-03T12:12:00.000-08:00

Can I just say before I begin that I will get those photos to you, I promise!!! I have a whole bunch that I am getting reprinted and I will post them out in the next couple of weeks (Joseph pics included).

So, I'll never ever complain about only having a couple of hours to myself in the morning to get my chores done again whilst Luke is at preschool. I have never been so bloody knackered in my life, really. How can getting a nice innocent part time job leave me so shredded mentally and physically? Hmmmm, reckon it goes a little bit like this .....

My friend at the recruitment agency I used to work at called me a month ago and said "Paula, are you still thinking of getting some part time work?" "Yes, defininitely" I replied, "Oh fabulous, this company in Runcorn are looking for someone 5 mornings a week to do some general admin in their Technical Dept, what do you think?" "Send my CV" I unwittingly replied. Cool, 8.30 till 12.30 5 mornings a week, just doing some light admin work, home for the afternoon, loads of time with Luke to do stuff. Can't really get better than that can you? I thought ..... allow me to continue .....

So, I went for the interview, I was slightly hindered by the fact that I had a really dreadful sinus infection, a cough that sounded like a backed up toilet (really not pleasant) and a cold sore up my right nostril that looked ever so alarmingly like a hard piece of snot trying to poke out. It was snowing really bad outside, the temp was - 4 and I had heels on that were making me walk like a well dressed penguin. The receptionist was really lovely, a nice comforting looking woman who tried hard not to be alarmed when I wheezed my name at her and then settled into a coughing fit that could only be stopped by sucking hard on my asthma inhaler and taking deep breaths. The girl who was interviewing me came out to greet me, I say "girl" as that is what she was as opposed to "woman", I was half expecting to have to sing the "alphabet song" as part of my interview questions. She was a very young looking 26 years, dressed in baby pink with very blonde hair, no make up and on her feet she had what I can only describe as pink pumps. So, I had the interview, and I really wasn't interested in the position after her telling me about the job. It sounded way too full on for what I was looking for, it was raising purchase orders on SAP which I have never used before, organising travel arrangements for Engineers, booking accommodation, sorting out time sheets etc etc etc. The kind of thing that if I was childless and looking for a full time job that I wanted to get my teeth into I would go for, but I just wanted something that I could do for a few hours a day and go home and forget about. I realised at one point that I was actually resting my head on my hand, so I convinced myself that I didn't stand a chance at all of getting the job, I realised I hadn't been at my best and my answers weren't the usual "punchy" one's that I give. Guess what, they loved me, thought I was so organised and professional ....????!!!!! So, I took the job.

I started two weeks ago, it is soooooo full on. Really incredibly hard learning a new job on part time hours, especially as there is so much to learn. The girl who is teaching me the job is full time and it is to relieve her of most of the admin to free her up to do other stuff (hmmm). The office is the Technical Service Dept (it is an Instrumentation company) and I shall be diplomatic here, but they aren't the most friendly bunch of people I have ever met, but it is early days so I shall give them the benefit of the doubt.

I have to get up at 5.30 in the morning to mobilise Lukey Sam, he has to be in nursery for 8.00 and then I collect him after his lunch at 1.00pm. Trouble is I leave work at 12.30 to collect him, then we go home so I can eat and then spend the afternoons doing all the stuff I used to do in the mornings so the poor little sod is knackered and we don't really have our quality time together during the week. I really miss it so much.

The job is a 3 month contract (with a view to being longer) so I'm hoping that maybe after three months I can get something that isn't so full on and possibly for a couple of full days a week so that it will free me up for the rest of the week to spend time with Luke doing fun things.

I did go for a job a couple of months ago that would have been perfect, it was for a software company doing research for their internet sites. Problem was though that the woman interviewing me had a dreadful cold and I twice picked up her snotty tissue off the floor and gave it back to her (don't ask me, haven't a clue why I did it). I think I scared her a bit, didn't get the job.

So, there you go, that's me for the next few months. Has taught me though not to take time with Luke for granted, they are only little once aren't they.

Update!!

2007-02-24T14:41:00.000-08:00

So I gave up on the old dial up in case you were wondering, the stress levels in the house waiting for stuff to download got too much and we turned off the pc until the broadband hub arrived today. Yippee!!!

It's really quite late in the evening here as we have just finished setting it all up, and I will do a longer posting v soon but just to update you a wee bit .....

I started a new job - part time (of course), at a company here in Runcorn, 5 mornings a week. Finding it sooooo exhausting at the moment, trying to adjust to learning new stuff and getting out of the house before 8.00am fully clothed with make up and clean hair (not as easy as it used to be pre- Luke).

Really quite amusing that I got this job, it was the one that I wasn't really that bothered about and had convinced myself I didn't have a snowball's chance in hell of getting .... always the case isn't it!! Will tell you much more about it another time.

Luke is adjusting to being at pre-school until 1.00pm every day, really hard though picking him up before I have my lunch (I finish at 12.30) and then having to go home and cope with him without having any "come down" time. I always sort of collapse at around 1.30 which is about the time he starts wanting me to run around the park with him.

Molly cat had a bad case of cystitis after Mickey cat jumped on her mid pee (aargh!!!), Murphy cat managed to find a cotton reel and chew a length of it off getting it trapped around his tongue and then partially down his throat. V V Traumatic for all concerned, had to loosen it from around his tongue (took about half an hour) and then pull it carefully out of his throat. Poor little bugger, he was sooooo upset. Cotton reels are now locked safely away.

So, promise I will post again v v v soon (honest Jenn).

Wind! (no not a reference to the sprouts)

2007-01-11T01:31:00.000-08:00

So, when we rented this house one of the most endearing features was the fact that in every room there is an original Victorian fireplace (apart obviously from the bathroom!). So lovely, so pretty, so........ bloody annoying when the wind is rattling down them all night. Luke woke up at 4.30 this morning due to the scary noises coming into his room from the wind and refused to go back to sleep. Am sat here after dropping him off at preschool with that horrid sicky tired feeling that reminds me of early morning feeds, eyes burning through trying to keep awake and am now considering finding a sledgehammer(rummage rummage) and teaching that damn fireplace a thing or two.

Night night! (yawn)

Hello!!!

2007-01-10T14:15:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year!!! Suppose I should apologise for my mammoth absence. Sorry!. I've been really ill the last few weeks, had two ear infections which were slightly unpleasant to say the least and I currently have a very nasty chest infection. There now don't you feel dreadful for all that grumbling about me? But at least I get some really cool strong antibiotics which no doubt will leave me screaching for the Canestan or live yoghurt within the next day or so. Too much information?

Well, Lukey's nativity went really well, so cute even though Richard and I did commit a very bad parent sin by not actually recognising him when we walked into the room. There he was all dressed up in his tea towel type frock and head gear sitting all regally in the stable next to "Mary", we walked straight past only really seeing a mass of cute kids dressed in tinsel and tea cosy hats. There was no room to sit as we were amongst the last of the parents to come in and so we had to stand at the back. Someone next to us whispered "oh what a shame Joseph is crying" and we were like "who's Joseph?" durrrrr!!! We then realised that the little boy in the stable breaking his heart surrounded by stressed looking teachers was our son. Shriek!!! I rushed to the front sending parents flying in all directions to reassure Luke that Mummy and Daddy do love him really and that we were so sorry for not waving to him. It took about 5 cuddles and then for Daddy to come over and apologise profusely before he then gave us a thumbs up and said "ok, you can leave me to it now". After that it went swimmingly even though Whoops A Daisy the angel got severe stage fright and tried to remove her dress (methinks she has a great career ahead of her there).

Christmas day was really not that bad, mum came over on her own for dinner as my brother Bill was ill. I spent a very hot and sweaty morning in the kitchen (unlike Aunt Bev whom I have photographic evidence of to prove always looks glam in the kitchen). After turning the radiator down, I felt a tad better. I spent ages topping and tailing sprouts. Irritating little suckers aren't they? After dinner I was clearing up with Rich in the kitchen when he came across a pan, "what are these for?" he asked waving it at me. In the pan were the sprouts that I had spent ages preparing and steaming. The only person I served them to was Luke, I'd forgotten the rest of us. "I didn't give you any sprouts" I announced to mum," nobody had any". "I had to have them" Luke shouted, "why did I have to have them if nobody else did?" Indeed!!

So, now we have a new year, yay. Really, really glad the old one is over with even though, I have to say, and sorry for sounding a bit maudlin (again) it does feel really odd and sad to start a new year without dad. But, going to enjoy this one as I turn 40 in June and bloody hell I have to try and stay positive for that. Onward and Upwards.

Whoops A Daisy Angel

2006-12-08T12:39:00.000-08:00

Is the title of the song that Luke has been singing for the past few weeks. It is a really cute song that he has learnt in preschool about an angel that has lost her harp in the sky, and he sings it really beautifully. He sings a lot, different songs, really well and really loudly. If I lose sight of Luke temporarily in a crowd I swear that all I would have to do is to sing a few bars of "Close to You" by the Carpenters and he will join in loudly thus enabling me to track him down. It's my fault I suppose this habit Luke has of singing everywhere he goes, when I was pregnant with him I would sing to him all the time and yes "Close to You" was a particular favourite along with Mr Sandman and Teddy Bears Picnic (if you go down to the woods today ...) so I suppose it shouldn't come as too much of a surprise that he loves singing. Oh yes, and he is a born entertainer/complete show off. When I collected him from preschool the other day, one of his teachers told me that he had insisted on singing the Lazytown theme tune to the class complete with dance steps and press ups!!!!

Luke is also very loving and slushy, he took hold of my face the other day with his hands (it was made that more adorable as he had just washed them after going for a wee) looked me in the eyes and said "I love you so much that it makes me want to cry". (gulp) However, I was dusting my bedroom later on that day and was listening to him happily playing with his toys (the monitor was on) I then heard him say "I love you so much it makes me want to cry", I crept along the landing (difficult with wooden floors) to see him holding his Woody doll by the face and staring into its beedy little eyes with the same fierce love that I presumed was only for me. Swine!!

Was so very proud when I collected him this week from preschool to get a letter from his teacher informing us that the school is holding a nativity play called Whoops A Daisy Angel (aha that's where the song fits in) and Lukey Sam is to play ......drum roll ...... JOSEPH!!!! Woooh, couldn't believe it (which is pretty much what I said to his teacher) "but he sings the song so beautifully" she replied. We were putting our coats on next to Lucy (his current love interest) and her mum said "She's playing Mary, I can't believe it", "you're kidding", I replied, "Luke is Joseph". Oh no, I can just imagine the scenario on the big night with Luke forcing his unwanted attentions on little Lucy in front of the baby Jesus, I can feel my stress levels rising already. So, I was tucking him in for his nap that afternoon, so proud of my little boy making his way forward in his little world, "So proud of you Luke" I whispered to him "Why?" he answered, "Well amongst lots of other things, getting picked to play Joseph in your nativity", "Well, I'm a bit fed up about it really" he whispered "Why?", "Well, I wanted to be Fireman Sam and they won't let me".

Righty oh then.

Enthusiasm?

2006-11-27T02:41:00.000-08:00

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!!!

2006-11-21T13:14:00.000-08:00

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).

Home at Last

2006-10-23T09:35:00.000-07:00

Well, finally moved and more importantly finally got the PC back on line. I really hate moving house, it takes ages to get anything done and I feel so disorientated for ages afterwards. Told the vicar who we are renting from that We're not moving ever again and if she ever decides to sell the place (she claims she isn't) that we're gonna claim "squatters rights". She laughed and said that we could buy the place if we want to. Ooooh right oh then.

The move in itself was really difficult, definitely the worst one to date, we reckon it's due to the fact that Luke is that bit older and much more sensitive to change. The wagon turned up half an hour early which when you have three cats and a three year old to handle isn't a good thing. Luke had been pretending to be cool about it all but really wasn't, so decided to be a stroppy little sod, the cats were in panic mode and trying to launch themselves at closed windows and cat flap, Richard was stressed, I was just going "aaargggh" (well trying to calm everyone down, but going arrrggh inside). Turned out we only had two cat carriers that were usable so I had to go the pet shop at 9.00am and buy a new one, this coincided with Luke having a meltdown and the removal guys starting to shift stuff willy nilly into the wagon (I'd wanted to cats to be in their carriers before people started to move stuff out of the house in case they freaked and bolted). I told the blokes they'd have to just wait for 10 mins while I got another carrier which they begrudgingly did. I dropped Luke off at mums as he wasn't really in a preschool kind of mood and also was starting to get a cold and then rushed off to grab a cat carrier.

Once the cats were locked away in their carriers the rest of our stuff was loaded and dropped off at the new place. Richard and I took the cats in our car, I felt so sorry for them, they hate change and they mewed in very angry voices all the way to York Street (took all of 5 minutes!). I was really relieved when the removal guys had left and we could start unpacking all our stuff and getting at least one room looking normal just so that we could let the poor little things out and reassure them that it was all going to be ok.

We were just making some kind of sense of all the boxes when mum rang on my mobile to say that Luke was really upset and could we pick him up (whaaaaaat!), so we nipped over to find him looking very sorry for himself and running a temperature. He did perk up though when we took him to the house and he could help with sorting his room out. You could see him relax when his room starting to take shape, Richard had even decorated his walls with his old Winne The Pooh wall motifs (yes, I know he's 3 but he still loves looking at them!).

Well, I could ramble on for ages about all the various mishaps but I'll just give you the condensed version .....

Richard and I didn't get to bed until 2.00am as we were unpacking and unpacking and unpacking

The boiler decided to pack in during the night and we woke to freezing cold rooms and no hot water

Said boiler didn't get repaired until two days later as the vicar couldn't decide on a repair guy (!!!!)

Richard was back in work the day after the move so I had to deal with all the residual crap on my own

Luke developed a really bad virus which has only just cleared up now and was running temperatures for three days

I then got ill and lost my voice (still croaky now)

But we do love it here, the area is much quieter for us all, the cats love it although we are very near to the cemetary so am hoping they don't start venturing over the gates and using some grave as a giant litter tray.

Luke is delighted with his huge room although not very impressed with the fact that we don't have carpet as when the house was renovated they decided to leave bare floorboards varnished as a feature. It's very noisy and even though we have rugs, not really quite the same as good old carpet (especially on the stairs) so we will have to sort it out I think.

But, I know we have made the right decision to come here, especially when Luke turned to me today and said "mummy I love my new home, it's better than the old one 'cos my cars go faster on the landing."

Manners

2006-10-03T09:39:00.000-07:00

Richard and I have always drummed into Luke to be polite to people, always to say "please and thank you", to ask nicely for things etc., so I was ever so proud the other day when I collected him from pre school to hear him ask his key worker for a tissue, he was such a little man ....

(Luke to Julie) "Oh dear I've got a runny nose, please may I have a tissue Julie?"
(Julie) "Of course you can Luke, there you go"
(Luke to Julie) "Thank you my dear" (yes really)
(Julie) "That's ok darling"

How cute is that? Yesterday ....

(Luke to Me, screamed at the top of his voice) "Mummmmmy, I've got a runny nose, wanna tissue noooowwwwww"
(Me) "There is no need to yell Luke, just wait a minute, I'll get you one now"
(Luke to Me, screamed at the top of his voice) "Noooooowwwww, it's dripping on to my top"
(Me) "Please stop yelling, here it is"
(Luke to Me, screamed at the top of his voice) "Too late, now, I've done it".
He had wiped it on his hand and then onto his jeans. Pleasant

Yes, Luke is ever so polite and pleasant at pre school, and I'm really proud of him for handling himself so well in front of his key worker Julie and his other "teachers", now I just need to work on him around the house.

I did actually shout at him the other day for being naughty and he wagged his finger at me and said "Mummy you mustn't shout, that is very aggressive behaviour". Sigh ....... Yes, he has grasped that very well, the little guy needs to start practising what he preaches methinks.

I love him soooo much, he is so cute and cuddly and so very adorable (yes, he is napping right now).

Now, I really must start thinking about packing some boxes as we move a week tomorrow (throwing hands up in the air at the very thought of it).

I love to go a rambling ....

2006-09-15T01:31:00.000-07:00

Thought I'd better post again as it has been a while (cough). Don't know where to begin really as so much has been going on lately, nothing major just "stuff", so I'll just ramble on.

The last few weeks have been really odd and I don't want to be maudlin so apologies if it does appear that way. First thing that we had to deal with was the 25 August, it would have been mum and dad's 50th wedding anniversary, and I know that we have all been quietly dreading it for months. I wasn't sure what to do, I mean, I couldn't send mum a card but I still felt that I should mark it in some way but didn't want to upset mum. In the end after chatting with mum, we didn't even go to the cemetary as she felt that she didn't need to go there to mark the date which I really understand, as she has his memories and dad would understand perfectly. Still felt odd though not buying mum and dad an anniversary card for the first time in my life. Then we've just had the 13 September which would have been dad's birthday (71), I really felt so upset about not "being" with him for the first time ever on that date but I went to the cemetary and had a chat with him and gave him a nice plant (??). Bizarre!!! Mum is coping so well though and even though she is obviously very sad and missing him so much she does feel that "life has to go on" which I think is so very positive.

So then I have the dentist to deal with (Simon), nice chap only 34 (Yikes, policemen, dentists, doctors and vets all younger than me these days). I've been having real problems with my gums and teeth lately, I look after them so well but nothing seems to stop the dreaded gum infections. In the last 12 months I've had three!! A few weeks ago I got the familiar burning itchy pain in my top left side gum (no 7 tooth). I went to see Simon who told me nah, just some loose enamel, the tooth needs a deep filling. It was filled and still the pain continued. I told him I'm certain it's infected and he said "nah just some sensitivity due to the deep filling" and put some flouride around it. Still the pain continued, and last weekend I was in tears with it, it was sooooo bad. Went to see him again, insisted on an xray and yes, the tooth now has an abscess and has to come out as root canal would be too difficult due to the position of the tooth. So, much to my dismay my no7 tooth is no more. Really, really, pissed off about it.

Then we have preschool, ah yes, how lovely. Took Luke along to his preschool and was immediately concerned about the bowl of potato crisps that was sitting on a plastic table alongside some tinned mandarin oranges. A young girl "helper" was trying to convince a few of the kids to sit and eat their "snack" (at 9.30 in the morning!). I was due to stay with Luke to settle him in, but he was so obviously unimpressed with the set up, I noticed for the first time how low the ceilings were, how cramped the room was and how uninterested the staff seemed. I hung aroung for a while but nobody really came to chat to Luke or show him around so he started to get "bored". Not a good sign. I told the teacher I was going and would collect Luke later on, gave Luke a kiss and went. When I collected him, he was in tears (I was sort of expecting this) but it turned out he'd had nobody to talk to, and ended up getting a book on fire engines out and sitting in a corner on his own. He'd also been given potato chips for his snack!!! So we didn't go back there. He's now in Ladybirds which is a lovely airy place, with loads of activities that are rotated, an outside play area and oh yes, no potato chips for snack. They have fruit, crumpets, or other nice healthy stuff. He was very anxious at being left at first, but this morning he was so much better and happier and is starting to learn how to socialise with other kids. Fab!!!

Oh yes, and the local vicar has told us that we can rent a house they have just renovated in York Street, so we're moving in a month's time. Just thought I'd slip that in.

Am also feeling really bloated as not had any time to exercise and am now considering using the hoover attachment for some DIY liposuction. Thing I'd just better move my arse and do something aerobically challanging like the hoovering, or the washing up, maybe a little dusting.

The Nap

2006-08-30T09:16:00.000-07:00

Sorry I've not posted for ages but I've been a tad weary lately.

The two things I've dreaded since Luke was a little one were Potty Training (as previously posted) and The End of The Nap, the latter finally happened about two weeks ago (yawn) and was actually not Luke's idea.

Luke has always been a really good napper, some afternoons he could be snoozing away for 3 hours and still be back in bed for another 12 hour sleep a few hours later but recently (actually about the time that he became dry throughout the night) he had started to wake up after a few hours and seemed restless during the night. He'd always been a really sound sleeper so Richard and I decided to drop off the afternoon nap and see how he got on. Well, RESULT!! Yes, I now have a very tired Luke, in fact, come 6.00pm he is visibly dropping poor little thing, and by 7.00pm he is practically leaping into his bed. And as for me, well, .....

I'M BLOODY KNACKERED!!!!!

By 1.00pm I'm yawning! You see, when Lukey Sam was napping I did Paula things. Y'know, having an entire hot cup of tea (I don't think that parents actually drink full cups of hot beverages, we always end up abandoning them on work surfaces to do other things, like rescuing small kids from precarious situations), checking emails, maybe typing out a blog, flicking through the newspaper, watching 30 minutes of adult tv, and oh, yes, IRONING. I haven't been able to do any ironing since the nap was cruelly snatched away, I find it impossible to happily iron while Luke is around. Don't know why, but, Luke can happily play in his room for 40 minutes or so on his own but the minute I get the ironing board out he suddenly requires my full attention. Grrrrrr. Yes, those golden nap times were my little mid afternoon reward to myself and I would feel refreshed, revitalised and AWAKE.

So, that is why come 7.00pm when Luke is safely ensconced in his bed I limp downstairs with Richard, wash the tea dishes, think about ironing, consider checking emails, wonder about my blog and then fall asleep to be woken by my husband a little while later who then wonders why I'm unsympathetic about his tiring day at work.

But hey, Luke sleeps through 'till 7.00am without a single disturb (oh yes, apart from that 4.00am wee break.

Zzzzzzzzz

Why Toilet Training Is A CRAPPY Idea

2006-08-12T06:35:00.000-07:00

Toilet training was something that I had been dreading for ages and ages and ages (actually since Luke was conceived). Luke and I decided (yes it was pretty much a mutual decision) to embark on this dreadful process about 6 weeks ago and I have to admit that he was amazingly quick to train. Thing is though, I'm starting to miss pull-ups .....

Luke has now started to develop "toilet humour". Oh yes, something which I had never really thought possible in a "just 3" year old child. He has taken to prancing around public places clutching his willy shouting "I need a wee wee" or even worse stopping dead in the middle of Church Street (busy main street in Runcorn) crouching down and yelling "oh no, think I need a poooohhhhh!!!!". At first, I was alarmed by this, would grab his arm marching him to the nearest public toilet only for him to grin and shout "not really, just practising". I was impressed by his eagerness to learn but now it's wearing a little thin.

He now wakes me up at 2.00am, 3.00am or 4.00am for a wee. Yes, very, very good of him to not wet his night time nappy but, really, I wouldn't mind on the odd occasion just to be sociable. I've tried restricting his night time glass of water but no, the little darling still gets up for a leak.

Wiping his bum is just not pleasant, and he insists on having a go himself .....enough said.

I don't get to go the toilet during the day on my own anymore. He now thinks it's a sociable event and even takes his toys in with him to sit and watch me "go". Then when I'm finished he claps me.

He is getting very "over interested" in the ladies toilets, thinks various dispensing machines are arcade games, and the other day we went in, he wrinkled his nose in disgust and he shouted "ooooh someone's had a good old pooh in here" just as a little old lady was walking out of the cubicle.

He always has to "go"just as we are walking out of the door.

So, if anyone out there is struggling with the idea of potty training, do yourself a favour and maybe leave it a little while, just relish the "freedom" of the pull up.

A Car Ride to Heaven ....? I need Jenn

2006-08-11T07:09:00.000-07:00

Luke has reacted really quite well to Grandad Colin not being around anymore, when we lost dad (6 months ago) it was one of the many, many things I worried about as they were really close. I told Lukey that Grandad Colin had got very poorly and couldn't live with us anymore, he had gone to live in Heaven which is way up in the sky amongst the clouds, sun, moon and stars (at which point a plane flew past and Luke shouted "Look, there he is flying the plane". Anyhow, it seemed to work really well and mum and I were quite comfy with it. But now .....

So the other day Richard, Luke and myself went to see the other Grandparents in Manchester. They have a really cute blue car called a Micra which is very similar to the old Mini (for those who aren't familar with them). Luke adores this car and is allowed to sit in it on the driveway (which is gated off from the road) and play at his pleasure pretending to drive. I was having a cuppa in their living room when Luke came haring in shouting "Mummy, Mummy, let's go for a drive, come on". So, I trundled out and got in the passenger seat next to him.

(Me) "So where are we going then Luke"
(Luke) "For a drive of course"
(Me) "Where are you taking us"
(Luke) "To Heaven"
(Me) "Where?"
(Luke) "To Heaven to see Grandad Colin"
(Me) "Why?"
(Luke) "Because I haven't seen him for ages and I miss him and so we are going, FASTEN YOUR SEATBELTS I'M COMING TO GET YOU GRANDAD COLIN."

So, I bit my now trembling lip and played make believe driving to Heaven with Luke which included picking dad up and taking him for a drive around and then delivering him back there.

I couldn't help thinking that it would be so cool if it were only that simple and that dad would actually be laughing about it and really happy that his little Lukey was still playing with him.

On the other hand though, is it really healthy? and I couldn't help thinking that my cousin Jenn (Vetmommy) would have maybe handled the whole telling Lukey thing a tad better than me.

My friend Nikki (a regular commenter on this blog) has just lost her dad a little over a week ago, I know she hasn't told her son Cameron (2 1/2) yet and is probably dreading having to explain what has happened to him, it is such a sensitive thing to have to handle, I often wonder if there is any such thing as "the right thing to say".

What's In A Name?

2006-07-29T12:23:00.000-07:00

Its funny how you act when a member of the cloth is due in your house, when Richard and I were waiting for Marion the other day I reminded myself of my lovely Nanna and how she would act when the doctor was due to call, I had polished our living room within an inch of itself, the cats had been banished to the yard (for fear of them letting off their deadly pooh gasses) and I had even changed the loo roll in the bathroom. Why do we feel the need to do that? I mean, she didn't visit the loo once while she was here, and I'm sure she would have been just as happy to use the half full roll (unless she of course, had a unmentionable problem). I decrumbed the kitchen floor and changed my tea towels (only clean that morning). Bizarre behaviour.

She was actually really interesting to talk to, and bearing in mind how we felt about the situation with my friend Nikki's child and her wanting a christening pretty sharpish due to her teminally ill father, we did end up seeing her point of view (sort of).

It transpired that Marion isn't really that concerned about attendance at church every single week, what she is more interested in is that the parents of the child truly do believe in God when they say their Vows at the Christening, after all, we are saying them on behalf of Luke and promising to bring him up in the way of God. So, we had a good old chat and told her how we felt about it all and decided that we would go ahead with the preparation for Luke's Christening. This involves Marion coming to our house once a week for about three weeks and chatting to us and doing some Gospel reading homework. So, we kind of feel a bit happier about it at the moment. Just thought I'd fill you in on that.

What I really wanted to talk about was the fact that since I've been going out and about with Lukey (for the past three years) something has really bugged/amused me about myself and other parents, see what you think...

Luke and I were at Play Barn (lovely soft play area in Frodsham). We noticed a blonde lady smiling at us from up on top of the playscape, we both waved and smiled back and then Luke piped up "It's Lewis's mummy". Off he bounded and started to chat with her and I duly followed. She is a lovely lady, really cool to talk to and so funny. She lives in Runcorn, is 28 years old, full time mum, husband a firefighter based in Chester, she comes to Play Barn once a week and hates watching too much kids tv. What, I hear you cry, has all that got to do with the price of fish? The point I'm making is that I only know her as "Lewis's mummy". I haven't got a clue what her christian name is. I know all that other stuff but no idea what her name is.

I could tell you the same kind of stuff about 10 other mums and quite a few dads too. It isn't a case of me losing the ability to have conversations, I have made lots of acquaintances out and about around Runcorn/Widnes/Frodsham but we never ever swap names. Oh yes, we enquire about their offspring, "how old is he/she" "how did you find the MMR jab?" "is he/she out of nappies?" "Does he eat out of the cat bowls as well, or is that just Luke?" but we never ever ask what each other's names are. It is soooooo bizarre.

It doesn't help matters when you go to Tumble Tots or Gym Babies, the kid gets to wear a badge with his/her name on but the parents fly solo, therefore you are forced to refer to people as "Lukes Mummy" or "Sarah's Daddy".

It's getting to the stage now though that I am sort of psyching myself up to ask the question, from the minute I spot a lone parent trying to look enthusiastic at 9.30am when their toddler is wanting to be pushed on the swings, I recite in my head "and what is your name" (Naah too crappy) "sorry, my name is Paula ... you are?" (Naaah too apologetic) and so on.

I really think that this problem should be addressed at anti natal classes along with the breathing techniques. "Be prepared to only be known in future as (insert childs name here) Mummy".

Or, is it different outside of Runcorn? Oooooh do tell.

When is a Christian not a Christian?......

2006-07-20T14:07:00.000-07:00

Ok, apparantly the answer is when they don't go to church every Sunday. I've been sort of putting off posting this as I know that religion can be a pretty sticky subject to talk about. I was going to post something really witty about Luke and how when he met his pre-school teacher for the first time the other day he said "I know a really bad word but I'm not going to say it" (it rhymes with rollocks btw - don't know where he got it from but I'm blaming my mum). This was after I threatened him with confiscating his favourite little red fire engine that Uncle Eric and Aunt Bev gave him if he dared to say it, so he was pretty adamant he wasn't going to say it, but I must admit he did go on about it a tad too much to his new teacher.

So, here we have it (serious head on). I've started to go church (well for the past two Sunday's), it's something I have never really done on a regular basis as an adult. Both Bill (my brother) and I went to the local church school (Parish) and consequently we were always in Church every other week (the next door Parish Church, you know Jenn, I used to like defacing the grave stones). Mum and dad brought us up as Christian's, there is no doubt about that whatsoever, we were aware of The Ten Commandments, and were taught to treat our neighbours as we would like to be treated ourselves (obviously this went out of the window when they wouldn't give us our ball back at which point door bells were rung and we scarpered to hide round the corner of the dentists and laugh).

Luke has been enrolled in the Parish school for his pre-school and also his infant school next September. I decided that as he will be going to the church on a regular basis I should really take a more active role so that he will be familiar with the vicar and know what is involved in the service on a Sunday. Also, he hasn't been christened yet!! I know, it sounds dreadful but it was something we decided to do when he was a bit older and more aware of it ( now I'm dreading it as I just know he will probably say something completely inappropriate at a very sensitive time (see first paragraph).

So off I trotted to church (mum looked after Luke). Richard tends to work most Sunday's so I was flying solo. Got to admit I was a little bit taken aback. I always remember Parish church as being very regal with a really impressive choir. Not anymore my friend. The back pews have been ripped out to be replaced with comfy setees and coffe tables, there is a fully fitted kitchen and bathroom and the choir is no more. The vicar is called John and his wife has just been ordained so they sort of do a double handed service (bit like Richard & Judy Aunty Norma). The collection plate has been replaced with a request for payments to be made preferably by Standing Order directly from your bank but if you wish to give money on the day then please use an envelope (that way you can pay more and your "neighbour" won't know. Okkkaaaay!!!

Got to say the service was pretty good, the hymns were quite funky too. I enjoyed that bit, although I still can't pray on demand, really struggle with that and always have, I start to wander off and think about what chores I need to do at home and whether I left the cat flap open etc, bit like being asked to pee on demand I always sieze up and feel apologetic afterwards. Although, I do find it easy to say a prayer when I need to (and not just when I'm caught speeding), truly, like at dad's funeral and when we laid his ashes at the cemetary. Heck, I even prayed the other day when I trod on a snail by accident.

Afterwards John (the vicar) and his wife Marion stopped me and asked me my name, commenting how they hadn't seen me before. We had a lovely chat, I explained about Luke and asked about a christening. My friend Nikki was also at church that day with her mum (devout church goer), she also asked about a christening for her baby boy. I must admit I was a little shocked by Marion's reaction. We were told that Phil (Nikki's husband) had to start going to church every week, that there was no point in having our children christened if we didn't mean what we said at the service as otherwise it is just us having a "nice dress and party afterwards". And so she went on and on and on ..... .

Nikki had her come around to the house yesterday evening to discuss the possibility of her baby being christened. Now, Nikki was married at the church and her eldest child was christened there also (by John), her mum and dad go to church every week and the family are well know by them. But still, Nikki spent about two hours having Marion chastise her and her hubby for not being regular church goers and suggested that maybe a Thanksgiving Service be the way forward and then maybe talk about a proper christening at a later date. Nikki reminded her that her dad was terminally ill with cancer and that her husband's mum was also terminally ill with cancer and that she would like them to be there for the christening so really, time is of the essence. "I'm sure your dad would be just as happy to watch from heaven" was the reply. Not really a great comfort is it. She said that it would be ridiculous to have their child christened and then for Phil not to attend church after the event as it would make a mockery of the whole thing. Richard commented to me that it is the child that is being christened and not Phil, baptism is a sacrement that washes away original sin not contracts you through guilt to attend a building on a weekly basis. Although perhaps, that won't help with the collections!

She is coming over to our house in a couple of days time for a similar discussion about Luke being christened and I'm getting a bit concerned about what she is going to say. Dad always felt that it is how you live your life for the majority of the time that matters, anyone can go to church for an hour or so every week and then they could be complete swines for the rest of the time. Richard and I both feel that way. I don't think that God would want people coming to church under duress, he would surely prefer people to live their lives as Christians and maybe attend church as they feel they need to.

By the way for the record, all quotes are as actually said.

Apologies for the serious tone of this posting - normal service will be resumed shortly.

This Time Next Week ....

2006-07-11T08:04:00.000-07:00

This time next week I'll probably be saying "oh no, only another a week or so before I start my new job ... eeeeeek" or something of that ilk. Yes, after being at home either pregnant or looking after the result of the aforementioned pregnacy I am finally hanging up my marigolds and returning to the workplace (well for 2 days a week anyway).

After much pressure from the sadly dwindling bank balance and immense pressure on my brain from too much Fireman Sam/Bob the Builder/Lazytown, I decided to take a little look at the job market to see what it had to offer me and more importantly what I had to offer it. I rejected outright the more obvious jobs displayed in the Runcorn Weekly News on the grounds that I really didn't qualify as a "busty babe" (telephone chat lines are quite popular apparantly in this region), well I suppose I am busty but "babe" naaaah and opted for the far more heady heights of Payroll Administrator. Anyhoo, I actually got an interview (hurrah!), I discovered this whilst scorching my scalp with my hair straighteners. The phone rang in the bedroom at 9.30 am and thinking that it would be my gorgeous mother checking up on me (we have both been a tad clingy since dad passed away) I let Luke answer it.

Luke "Hello, who is it?"
Me "Say hello to nanny darling, go on"
Luke "I just did, Helllooooooo, what????? oh, not nanny, right"
Me (now getting a bit stressed as I am trying to unravel both myself and hair from now meltingly hot straighteners) "Luke pass me the phone"
Luke "No, it's not nanny, I think it's Stephanie" (from Lazytown)
Me "Let mummy have the phone please darling"
Luke "Oh go on then, they're getting a bit boring now anyway"
Me "Hello"
My Future Boss "Hello it's Jane Mansfield would you like an interview"
Me "Yes Please" (now completely mortified and wanting to pass out with heat exhaustion and sheer embarassment)

So, I then had to decide on what to wear for said interview as the last three and a half years have been spent in clothes consisting of inexplainable stains and comfortable shoes. But, good excuse to go shopping for girl clothes. Off I trotted and I must say that shopping for clothes with a toddler makes you very quick and decisive as you have approximately 30 minutes before the boredom sets in. I managed to find a cubicle big enough for me and Luke (plus the results of my trolley dash around the aisles of Asda). I tried on a few combinations of skirts/tops/jackets and Luke seemed very impressed (if not confused by mummys new image). I decided on what to buy just in time for me to turn around to see that Luke had unslid the latch on the cubicle and I was now in full view of Asda's clothing check out with my head stuck inside my t-shirt and old knickers and bra on display. Nice!!! Shriek!!!

I have to admit here that I haven't actually worn heels and tights since I last worked (not the combination together anyway). I got through two pairs before leaving the house after attempting to put them on like jeans (not a very safe thing to do, you tend to catapult yourself across the room) which is why when I turned up for the interview (on a very hot day two weeks ago) I must have resembled a cat on very slippery kitchen tiles. Dignified was not the look I achieved folks. I emerged from my boiling hot car, tights instantly gluing themselves to my legs, I skittered across the (very busy) car park and into a very slippery reception area (marble floor). I attracted some very bemused looks.

The interview went suprisingly well, I managed to muster some very articulate answers to some very (lets face it folks it's only 15 hours a week) full on questions. I guess though, I thought I had blown it when we were shaking hands at the end of the interview and after my future boss commenting on the very hot weather I replied with "yes, the last thing you need in weather like this is a reinforced gusset (doh!!!).

Well You Asked For It!!

2006-07-09T07:51:00.000-07:00

Ok, so I'm bowing to the pressure of my lovely Cousin's and creating a Blog so that you can read and learn about life in sunny Runcorn (well it was 32 a couple of days ago).

So, just in case people do actually read this who I'm not related to I'll tell you a little about myself. I'm 39 (eeeekkk, surely not), have a little boy called Luke (hence the blog title) and am married to the lovely Richard. I chose to jack in work when I became pregnant with Lukey Sam so that I could balloon to gigantic proportions in the safety of my own home, also as I was working in close contact with the general public of Runcorn I didn't want to become the subject of great mirth whilst out shopping in my lunch hour (people presumed that as I was childless at the age of 35 I was either (a) a closet lesbian or (b) a childhater).

Anyway, I've spent the last few years bringing Luke up to the very best of my ability and I think I've done a pretty good job. Oh yes, we've had our ups and downs and both done an awful lot of shouting at each other, I reckon that he has just about grasped the fact now that he's turned three that I actually am in charge although sometimes I do have to remind myself of the fact.

For instance, we spent the last week potty training (something, I have to admit, having read my cousin's blogs on the subject I have been dreading). So, I decided this is it, no going back, no nappies during the day AT ALL!!! First day, he actually was doing pretty well and I was very impressed with him so I thought right let's leave the safety of the house and (Dum Dum Duuuuum) go to the park. Off we trotted (well drove) potty in the boot of the car. We got to the park and I started with the "Luke, do you need a wee?" "Luke you do know to ask me if you need to wee?" He turned to me with what I can only call a withering look and said "mummy please stop it, you are driving me mad." So, I said "ok, as long as you don't need a wee". He was so caught up with chatting to a very pretty little girl of about the same age (who was out of nappies by 2 years apparantly) that he wee wee'd all down his legs. Of course, he tried to pretend it wasn't happening but she was not at all impressed with him and stalked off in a very obvious huff leaving my little Mr Know It All mortified. We went home.

So, I shall now retire to do my dishes and leave you to gasp in amazement at the fact that I now have a Blog, you never know, I may even include some photos soon.