I am better, not 100%, but no longer feeling like death warmed up \o/

And so, as its New Years Eve, I spose I could write a reflective post like I threatened to. I didnt bother saving my old blog, most of it was just random wittering anyway. But I kinda wish I still had a few posts. Would be nice to re read ones from this time last year, see whats changed etc.

I can definitely say that I've gone an entire year without alcohol, unless I manage to accidentally have any in the next 9 hours. Its been an interesting experiment. Other peoples reactions in particular have been fascintaing. Many people thought I was mad (well dur, we knew that), a lot of people said they couldnt it. Make of that what you will. There were a fair few people who thought I couldnt do it, well ner ner ner ner ner to them.

There are people who say, well you've gone a year, why drink again? Because I like wine!! I'm not planning on saying well I did a year without, now lets get on with that alcoholism. Surely the logical conclusion to draw is that, as I knew, none of us NEED alcohol, but it is nice to have occasionally. I'm perfectly capable of having some or not having any, even when its free. And grrrr why did I pick a year when I was at so many events where it was being given away??

I doubt I'll be cracking anything open at 12.01, but I shant wait months either. I was given a very very nice bottle of white as a Christmas present, and well it would be rude not to drink it. I will only have a glass or two though. Ought to be enough after all this time to get me totally pissed :-x

I did last year decide on various other things. And I think its best not to dwell on those which havent gone so well, more to resolve (oooh thats almost like a resolution ;)) to do better next year. Some things I did manage, ie to pay off some more debt. But the amount owed is more than I can manage in 1 year, or even 2 sadly. However, I will keep chipping away at it, and one day I'll get it all gone.

I'd like to say the same about my excess weight, but that would rather imply I did something about it last year. Well I kind of did, but not quite what I'd intended. And the house is also most definitely a work in prgroess. Having kids does slow me down in my attempts to eradicate the chaos, they will persist in bringing yet more crap INTO my house, nearly as fast as I manage to get some OUT. Overall I am winning though.

And I'm very proud of my dining room. After all these years I have a finished room (except the curtains, but shush). And I'm determined that it wont take another 8 years to do another room. I WILL have a nice house for me and my kids to live in.

The other thing this time of year always makes me think of is people, and how relationships have changed over the year. And about those people who I didnt know a year ago, who are now so important to me. And being grateful that so many special people are still in my life. I'm blessed that once again, another year has passed withuot me going to a funeral, nor even had any close friends or relatives be in hospital.

And I'm very much look forward to meeting a specific couple of new people in 2009. One of them very soon I hope, as it is now a week late!!

With children its very hard to notice them changing when you see them every day. Its hard to remember exactly what they were all like a year ago, but like the rest of us, my kids are older than last year. And drive me mad though they do, and trust me, they really do, I cant help but feel proud of them overall.

So on the one hand, life is shit, I'm on my own, have very little money, struggle with the kids. On down days its hard to see beyond some of that.

But on the other hand, and the one I try to focus on more often, life is actually pretty damn good. I'm mostly healthy, as are the kids. We have materially got everythign we actually need, and quite a lot of what we want. I once again cant work out how, but I am surrounded by wonderful people who are all barking enough to think I'm worth knowing. Nuts, the lot of you. Not Brazil nuts though, more Pecans, mmmmm. With toffees.

Ooooh, I also remember deciding that 2008 was going to be a good year, and because I'd decided it, it must be true. And has it been? Well, what makes a good year? (what do you call a tyre with 365 used condoms in it? A Goodyear). Sorry

Anyway, its hard to pin down, but looking back, yes I would say it has been. So I shall raise my glass (of water) and wish all of you, the very very best for 2009. May you all have a Good Year. And if it involves the 365 condoms, please dont tell us.

I am ill :(

Started feeling rough Tues evening, took drugs and was okish for most of xmas eve, but by xmas day was struggling big time. Had lost my voice, throat hurt, head hurt, everything ached, awful cough, temperature. I went to church, was on duty, came home, did pressie thing with kids, ate the lunch my mum had made, then went to bed. And have barely been out of it since :(

Some bits of me are a lot better. But I'm still not all well. oh, and boxing day my period started, jsut to add to the fun. And I'm teething. One of my wisdom teeth is coming through and its fucking hurting.

Tis a challenge to find a positive spin on any of it. Best I can manage is that at least Helens baby is late, and still not here, cos I wont be able to go see it while ill.

Oh, and my mummy was here til yesterday and was wonderful and looked after me. And I spose modern technology has its uses too. To save my throat, and voice, I have sent quite a few texts from my bed to downstairs. Mostly asking for tea and drugs

I am going to curl up and feel sorry for myself again now

Its Christmas !!!!!!!!!!!

I've been very busy. After my long rant about my father, he then turned up the next day and a couple of days later and my dining room is all done \o/\o/ pics to follow after I've taken then, worked out how to get them onto laptop and then onto blog. It may be a while.

I've also been to lots and lots of Christmas services, including the nativity. Holly was Mary! I was sooooo proud of her. The photos of that will be here about same time as the ones of the dining room.

My Mum is now with us for a couple of days, and I have an evening of wrapping to look forward to, cos although this year I've been far more organised than before, I still havent wrapped a single thing til xmas eve. Again. One day I'll learn.

Some time soon I intend to post a reflective, its the end of one year and another ones about to begin type post. But for today, the only thing really left to say is Happy Christmas !

I hope that you all have a peaceful day, enjoy time with someone you love, and count your blessings not just your presents. I include in mine knowing all you amazing people. Yes, all of you. Thank you for being incredible

Pissed off

There are days I wonder why I bother with my father. This week I have organised him a new (second hand, but new to him) washing machine. Collected it from Hedge End (few miles away), and then a few days later taken his old dead one to the tip. All in my little Corsa, and as my mum says, its not really the sort of car for doing such things with. When on the way to get the new machine Monday evening, I gave him my mobile to make a call with. He then put it in his pocket when he'd finished, claimed he hadnt, and had me turning the place upside down looking for it, just for him to email me on Thursday to say he had it after all!!!

Friday, he managed to help me with stuff in my house for about 2 hours, and the speed he does things, that about 20 minutes of a normal person. I then had a music concert to go to (was fine except for one, awful, awful, awful clarinet), so while I did that, he went home for a couple of hours, agreeing to meet me by the infants a couple of hours later.

He didnt show. Didnt answer any phone for about another 4 hours, and told me, that he'd 'lain down for a few minutes, didnt even feel tired, but fell asleep' Bit late to do anything then, so I asked if he was free Sunday afternoon. Yes he says. I said I'd do dinner and we could go to the quiz straqight from my house. Foolish me thought we could get quite a lot done in that time.

1pm I rang him, he was running at least an hour late. Half 4 I gave up on him completely and went to bed for a nap while kids watched star wars. Have now discovered 2 emails from him this afternoon. Someone one 'needs' his help, so he wont make it today after all. The other person has a computer virus. It really isnt that difficult to sort out, but he will drag it out over the next 4 days anyway. But hey, its not as if I was trying to have one, single room of my house actually sorted before next Saturday when I have visitors. And not like I've started, and have sanded lots of bits and it's now in the worse before it gets better stage. Nor that I've covered the table with stuff, and the whole lot with a dust sheet, and moved furniture so I can get to the walls properly so the room is unusable for a couple of days.

Oh wait, yeah it is. I have found someone else to help me tomorrow. And I suspect at some point, probably when pissed, my father will moan at me for that. I had asked him for help, and he WAS going to do so. Yeah, yeah, whatever. I'm fed up of being let down. I had thought a daughter asking her father for a couple of hours of his time so she and her kids could have a nice house was a reasonable thing to ask. Apparently not.

Rant over.

I'm feeling much better for my sleep. Have tried to do too much this last week, and its caught up with me. So fecking frustrating, but nothing I can do about it. The girls had 2 birthday parties yesterday, but my plan of having a bit of peace failed, as the car got a puncture on the way to the first, and although I can change a wheel, and had a spare tyre that was in good condition, I had no tools, so had to call the AA out. And I will now need to buy a new spare tyre, oh joy.

I lied, rant isnt all over. I'm sooooo pissed off. Before you ask what I need him for....about erm, 7 years ago I had the room re wired, re plastered, etc. About 6 years ago I gave up on anyone else sorting the rest of the room and paid someone to lay a floor, and do all the new woodwork, as it no longer had any. Said woodwork has never been painted or anything. It needs bits of filling and general preparation before I can paint it. And I've never dealt with bare wood before, only previously painted, so was after some guidance. And well, just general help. Then I can do all the glossing, re paint all the walls, and apart from a new thermostat and some curtains I will FINALLY have a room that is actually done.

Since I bought this house I have had new windows, a new kitchen (not finished, naturally) all of downstairs re plastered, most of the house re wired, also not finished, and about half of the woodwork downstairs replaced. The rest of the woodwork isnt still the old stuff, oh no, that would be too easy. Nope the old stuff all got pulled out, leaving me in places without doorframes or skirting boards. I have no internal doors downstairs at all.

Why did I buy a house that needed EVERYTHING doing to it you ask. You do, trust me. Well, 1) cos it was cheap. 2) cos my dad who can do almost everything DIY ish said he'd help. Hah. and 3) cos back then we had a small amount of money and were 4 years from ex finally getting his inheritance that was tied up in a trust fund. What has actually happened is that my father has been worse than useless and the ex spent all the money behind my back, we're talking tens of thousands, and then fucked off.

All I'm asking for at the moment is to be able to paint properly the only room that is nearly finished. Thank God for Andy who will help me tomorrow, I know he will at least turn up.

On the bright side, my dad is now so 'busy' he says he's not going to the quiz tonight. Good.

Right rant is really over this time, I have to get ready for going to the pub. Really fancy a glass of something cold and alcoholic, but I'm not going 49 weeks jsut to quit now. All donations of something pinot grigio for my fridge for Jan 1st gratefully accepted ;) (thats a joke btw Helen, dont you dare buy one!!)

Jessie, I suspect Hamble Lane is named afer the village Hamble which it leads to. Though that may have been named after the hamble you're thinking of.

The ID was needed for the credit check they have to do when signing up for a new contract phone, durr. Is on a different network to mine, cos its cheapest option.

Today I am feeling ill, worse, not better :( And was generally feeling very sorry for myself. However the wonderful jojo has cheered me up no end. I got an email from he who we shall call twat. I've not yet decided whether to ignore it or reply, but I said to her that I was tempted to tell him I'm seeing someone. We have now decided his name, age, height and much much more. We're liking my new fictional boyfriend, you lot all would too, he's lovely. Hasnt yet met my children, but loves kids, has a niece and nephew. Things are going very well with him, he's so different from my ex ;)

I wont tell the twat most of it, if any, but its been great fun creating him. I am curious though, and slightly concerned by getting a facebook message last week and now an email from him. He wants something, and I want to know what. There is no way he jsut felt like saying hi. Theres a reason for it, and I wont like it.

Ooooh the postperson has just been. I lilke this time of year, its not all bills or junk. I've got 8 cards today, I'm feeling very popular \o/ I really really must buy some stamps for mine. I've written most of them, but keep forgetting stamps. IN fact, I may go get some now, while I remember

I have been to Tescos today. 3 times. 1st time to look at what deals they had and check when the last order date is. Today apparently, so I came home, collected ID and went back. Their system didnt like me :( So after an hour of trying to sort it, I had to go, cos it was time for Hollys nativity. Once I'd got the girls, we went back again. After half hour in traffic jam cos of a 3 car pile up on Hamble Lane, and over an hour of getting the system to finally work, its all sorted \o/\o/ Phew!

The girls would love a Wii, but Amos isnt fussed, he wants an xbox 360. And theres no way I've got the money for all that. So instead Amos is getting a new mobile phone, which is coming with a 'free' Wii :-D And because its an 18 month contract etc, I dont have to pay a penny now \o/

Apart from that today I've erm, no, thats been about it. Well I did spend a few minutes in a hot, crowded school hall while Holly sang a few songs, as one of the masses that didnt have a starring role. SHe is very very happy about the church nativity though as she's Mary in that one!! She doesnt have any lines she tells me, so I'm hoping it being narrated otherwise it could be a blissfully quiet mimed performance.

In other news, its only 2 weeks til my best friends 2nd child is due to be born. So will be here any day but that one. We're hoping for early as the due date is xmas eve, but as long as its healthy etc, we dont mind that much. Very much looking forward to meeting it, and having a cuddle. other peoples babies are great.

Preparations for Christmas are going well, better than they have for years. I am much more organised this year, and so far, its all going to plan. This leads to far less stress, which is fab, especially as I am currently suffering from man flu. Thats a cold btw.

I have returned

Naturally you all missed me. Well Kaz and Jojo did. My laptop charger died :( and I had problems with my desktops. Was able to get online for short periods on one, but aol wouldnt work properly. I've been near internet less for 10 days!!!

And to be honest, I hope you're sitting down Carol, I've been fine. Most of the time. Missed it most in the evenings when the kids are in bed. I've never felt lonely, or on my own even, if that makes sense, when I've had aol, but without it....was strange. I am very pleased to be back. I may or may not blog about the last 10 days another time. Mostly it hasnt been interesting enough to bother.

Annoyingly although I was in such a good mood at being able to be online properly again, I am now feeling very pissed off. My ex sent me a message through facebook. I have deleted it and thanks to Jojo, who told me where to find the right thing, I have also blocked him. But any contact from him tends to wind me up, and hearing not a word in over 6 months was more than fine with me. There are not words strong enough to describe my thoughts about him, and I'm getting annoyed with myself now for wasting ink (yes, yes, I know its not REAL ink) typing about him. So, no more.

Only 3 weeks left til Christmas, and you know what that means? Yup, tis only 4 weeks til the new year and alcohol \o/\o/

My daughters are both mathematical geniuses (genius'? geniusi?) Abbby is less than a term into year 3 and is already doing year 4 work, and Holly got a headteachers award this week for amazing maths. Her teacher had her sitting an old SAT paper this week, along with a handful of other kids, mostly to check progress and work out appropriate targets, and she was stunningly good

They take after me, obviously

I havent blogged for lots of reasons, one being that nothing has happened. Well nothing really worth blogging.

I have jsut returned from walking the dog. We have taken to trying to go to a local park first thing as its a full on dog fest. 16 different ones this morning, though not all at once. Most at once was I think 13. They all love it, play loads and wear each other out beautifully. Smartie was much better with Madison today, which was good, as she was very funny with her on Tuesday. And although I know Maddy is a big soppy thing, she doesnt look like one you'd argue with. Shes a cross between a great dane and a newfoundland!!

I must remember to get some new balls for Smartie, she kept nicking other ones this morning. See, I told you it was nothing interesting.

Still fairly tired a lot of the time. feeling pretty fed up a lot too. Money, children, men, covers it all really. If I could find a decent, rich man, who could get my kids to behave I think that would sort it.

Actually, to be fair, Holly has been a lot bette this week. Probably jsut means one of the others will start playing up instead :-\

Oh, and I can set it so that up to 10 people get email alerts when I post. So if you want to be one of those, let me know. If you dont start getting alerts, either I dont like you, or 10 other people got there first.

the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month

I cant find a version of this I really like, so this one will do.

Its a incredible song. About a young man who went to war and didnt come back. On this, the 90th anniversary of the end of wwi, once again as a nation we make the promise to never forget.

Were we alive on this day 90 years ago, as there was relief that the war was finally over, how much sorrow would there have been with it? My brother is 32, would he have been called up, would he have been one of the 20 million that never came home? Would I be raising a son to see him die in another war 20 years later?

We take so much for granted in our lives. I'm so grateful someone made sure that on this day every year we remember with immense gratitude those who died for us to have the freedom we do. In both the great wars, and in so many other conflicts.

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

Apparently Kaz wishes me to blog. I suspect that shes jsut bored while working nights, as my life really isnt that interesting!

Bugger all has happened most the week. Thursday was the highlight, I got 2 new tyres for my car, went to the bank to adjust a standing order, went to see my friends Claire and Nina and had my eyebrows waxed while there. They run a salon btw, it wasnt jsut a random thing. Holly had her friends Bethan and Daisy over to play after school. Oh yes, and I went out for dinner with a strange man in a posh restaurant.

The cauliflower and cumin soup was delicious, as was the leg of duck, but I'm not a fan of caramelised cabbage. It jsut doesnt really work. The company wasnt bad though :)

Am ok today, but a bit thoughful. And we all know what a bad idea thinking is! Contemplating the way people associated loneliness with being alone. The majority of the times I've ever felt lonely have been when lots of people are around. And while I'm not feeling especially lonely this evening, I do feel a bit alone. I know the kids are here, and its not that they dont count etc, just would be nice to have a special adult someone in my life. And am a bit sad about a couple of people who have come into my life, and who arent part of it anymore although I would like them to be.

Still life goes on. I will continue to do all the usual things, walk dog, feed kids, breathe. Thank god I'm not feeling depressed. Just a bit quiet. Maybe we'll win the quiz tomorrow.

Amos has returned. He had a good time, went to the cinema, science museum and made brownies. Was, as expected, very blase about travelling on the train by himself, despite not having done so before.

The girls are driving me madder, as they tend to. Constant bickering mostly, though covering half the dining room in flour when I wasnt looking didnt impress me greatly either. They were making biscuits.

I still have Hallie here, who has in general been fine. She does have a tendency to fuss over the oddest things. Its an attention seeking thing, and I refuse to play that game. Once she realises this, shes fine, and amazingly is no longer bothered. All of them are going to a non halloween party tomorrow, and I think she can go home after that. I will probably take advantage of them all being elsewhere and go to tescos :-\

When not trying to referee children, I've mostly been addicted to a game on facebook, Bubble town. I cant get past level 13 though :(

Having slept as much as possible, and done very little for a couple of days, I am at least now feeling as awake as I get. And am definitely looking forward to the resumption of peace when children all go away again!

Its now 10 months since I last had any alcohol, and its moments like this when I jsut about have kids in bed and asleep that a glass of something cold, dry, and wine like really appeals. Roll on January \o/

I want to sleep. All the time again :(

I wish I could work out what triggers these periods of such tiredness. I forget how bad it is too.
And its so fecking frustrating, I can get so little done when asleep or wanting to be asleep.

Its half term, so no morning rush, but I do have the kdis around. I've put Amos on a train and he's gone to his aunts (exes sister) for a couple of days, and have gained Hallie (friends daughter) til, erm, she goes home again. Most the time its more peaceful as having someone else here reduces the fighting a little

Nothing else to report. I am off to try and stay awake til I can get away with sleeping again

I have just been listening to radio 4 and quite frankly I'm shocked. I know there was a warning at the start of the show that it contained strong language, but I didnt expect it to be THAT bad!!

Prepare yourselves, unbelieveably, and before the watershed, Marcus Brigstoke said, ....Ironing !!!

I will be complaining ;)

I keep forgetting to blog. Oops

Went to a quiz at Amos' school last Friday. The pta is new, been going for about a year, so werent very many people there, but I had a very very good time. Really enjoyed it. Abby won a box of choccies in the raffle (she was the only one of us with any money) and we were invited to join another small team, that was mostly teachers. We came 2nd \o/ This is actually better than first, except from the bragging point of view, as 1st got 2 bottles of wine and 2nd got choccies :-D

Saturday I did nothing \o/ Sunday I did nothing \o/ Well, I beat the girls at cluedo, did a jigsaw with Amos, went to church, washed up, cooked, all those sorta things, but not much else. Went to the pub as usual. Won the quiz \o/

This week I have looked after Jonathan for 3 days while his Mummy was at work. Not for much longer though, as she goes on maternity leave soon, and does appear to be counting down the number of shifts she has left ;)

Nothing much else happening. Cat seems to be fine now. I shant take him to the vets to check, I'm poor enough already ty.

Oh Holly had 'Myths and magic' day at school yesterday. Its halloween related in my mind and I dont really like it, but never mind. Holly doesnt own any dressing up stuff like that, but Bethan had a spare outfit she borrowed. Theres a certain irony in her going as a devil!

Abigail came out of school and Tuesday and announced it was parents evening. What, today? says I. Yup. Shit

However her teacher still had lots of spaces, and so we dutifully returned 2 hours later and got told shes perfect :-D Always works hard, always happy, polite, pleasure to have in the classroom. Doing very well, in top sets for everything they are setted for.

Then Wednesday I had a routine parent teacher meeting with Amos' tutor and got told similar. Thud. Thats first time ever with him. You can tell she's only his tutor and doesnt actually teach him ;) However she did say, attendance is excellent, behaviour ditto. Doing well, amazing high cat scores (no, i dont really know what they are either). Apparently it shows that he's very intelligent. Dozy woman told me this news as if I didnt already know it!

I moaned about homework, and she was 'grateful for the feedback'. Encouraged me to email her over anything. I also pointed out that their targets for him were way too low. She was saying stuff about being a level 6 by the end of year 9. He's a level 6 now fgs!! Well, a couple of marks short, so ought to be damn soon. I did also for the first time ever get told what his reading age is. 15. This I'm told is impressive, and that most 11 yr old boys are way below their actual age even. Once again, it is not news to me that he is an avid reader! She mentioned their library, he and I pointed out that he's already on his 3rd book from it.

The lovely Claire has been having a clear out, and she has kindly given me a new (to me) bed. So I took the old mattress to the tip and happily threw it away, and let Amos destroy the base. Apparently the wooden frame is being turned into a go cart. I'm not asking. With the room bedless, I even painted some more. Thats 2 more walls down \o/ Once i've sorted through/moved the rest of my stuff I can do the last one and finally it will look something like a grown ups room. Then all I'll need to do is find a grown up ;)

Today I spent the morning at the vets. What joy. The silly cat appears to have been in a fight, and one leg is swollen. He limped his way to his breakfast this morning :( He's been jabbed with anti biotics and I have anti inflamatory's to give him for the next few days. £66 !!! Lets just hope he gets better, or I get to take him back and hand the rest of my money over next week

Nothing else worth blogging about.

I am stressed. Very stressed. Fucking kids. I dont agree with Amos' schools current approach to homework as it is, but thats a different rant. Suffice to say he has had 3 weeks to do some history thing. He has to pick a person, event, discovery or invention, and produce some work on it. It is due in tomorrow, he has jsut started it. He keeps moaning he doesnt know what to do, thinks that a scribbled bit of paper will do, and whenever i've asked/suggested anything has jsut grunted dunno, and done fuck all

So I've got a bit of paper, written his intro for him, done him a structure for it. Told him what thing to put where, explained that he cannot just use wikipedia as his sole source, and found him some other suitable pages on the net. He keeps wondering off to watch fucking scrubs, and does not seem to understand that i'm pissed off that he's wanting to use my laptop for all this. There are 3 pcs in this house, one in his bedroom ffs, this one is MINE.

So powerpoint isnt working cos i need a licensed copy blah blah. I have one, I jsut dont know where the authenication key thingy is. So I told him, use open office. I dont have that on my pc he says. Fucking download it then! I am perfectly prepared to help him with his homework, but I am not writing it for him, nor am I going to accept the argument that 3 or 4 scribbled lines, full of spelling errors, is better than nothing, and therefore in his mind, will do. Something that is meant to have taken him 3 weeks WILL involve a draft version!

I have now burnt dinner while trying to sort him out too

Someone, please, tell him that teenage behaviour is for TEENAGERS, and that he is 11!! He's been a total brat recently, winding up his sisters loads, irritating the hell out of me, and got kicked out of church youth group for part of it yesterday for being a little git there too.

Rant over. And now, I dont yet feel any calmer, so dont chose now to annoy me!

Oooooh, forgot to say. We won the quiz last night!! We are happy bunnies :-D

Blog says Kaz, hello?? I was in Aberdeen!!

Was a really really good day. Bride naturally looked stunning, was lovely ceremony, reception was fab. I shall have a brief Kaz moment.....We had Scottish salmon terrine, followed by scotch broth. Then Roast beef with everything. I think it may even have been Scottish beef. And toffee and choc profiteroles for dessert. Yum.

I had met the evening before, when I arrived, a friends of the grooms, Lance. God there can be few more boring people on the planet. Bless him, I'm sure he has some redeeming features. They are jsut damn well hidden :-x Well I was supposed to be sitting next to him at dinner, but when it was actually time to sit down, somehow the name next to mine had changed. And one of the grooms brothers was failing to look inoocent, as his 2 nephews giggled away! So in the end the company over food was great too. And it was certainly very flattering that he spent the entire afternoon and evening flirting with me. I may, possibly, have flirted back. But nothing more. And anything Caroline says to the contrary is lies. And any pics would have to have been photoshopped. There was definitely nothing that could have been photographed. Good, glad we're clear on that.

Flew home Saturday, eventually. Went to the airport with a couple of other guests who's flights were a similar time, and Sue found the silver lining to me being the one who'd plane was delayed for 2 and a half hours. At least Lance wasnt on same flight :-x He had been on way up, but I had my book and deliberately didnt try and meet him until Aberdeen. I had been warned by the groom (Mark) that he wasnt good looking, rich, or interesting. Mark was right.

Nothing much else to report. Well nothing bloggable anyway. Life chez Catto continues pretty much as normal. Kids go to school, come home, argue, whine, etc, go to bed. The dog continues to be herself, and try and play with the cats far too often, and gets hissed at.

Todays exciting plans mostly involve housework, and losing to Julie at wordtwist again. After school I'm giving Sharon a lift to her shrinks appointment. Thats about it.

Oh and pics of the wedding are starting to appear on facebook, for those of you who are 'friends' with Caroline. If any with me in get added, I'll get tagged and you can see them on my page. I didnt take any pics, I forgot camera, doh!

Hello

I'm not sure whether I want to carry on blogging or not.

Life is both pretty good and pretty shit at the same time. Finally met a man I like, but its not going to work, so I'm a bit pissed off about that. I'm missing Carol, bloody eggs. Mind I'm addicted to wordtwist. Sooner Julie sorts hers out so we can be addicted together again the better.

Assuming the apparently serious disease known as man flu doesnt kill me, I am going to Aberdeen on Thursday. The lovely Groovin Moomin is madly getting married, so I'm going to go and check she goes through with it, and laugh at Mark in a suit :-D

I quite like the way blogspot has let me have 2 blogs though. The other one is still very private, though you now all know where its hosted. This one is public, so feel free to let anyone who's bored enough read it have the link.

Cant be arsed to type any more