Doing a Michael Caine

I have my Bible!

Merry Christmas Everyone!

MANEKINEKO wishes you a Merry Christmas, a Happy and Prosperous New Year!

http://cp.c-ij.com/english/3D-papercraft/lucky/lucky-cat-money_e.html

Tinsel Toes

Ok so yesterday we finally bought a christmas tree. There wasn't a great selection at Frosts and the sales ladies did try to persuade me to buy the 20 ft high one, but there was no way my little fiesta would have taken that load. I ended up with a slightly slimmer tree this year, but it does the job.

Our beautiful Chrismas bouquet

This is not just a Mince Pie

this is not just any mince pie, this is a hand made mince pie. Filled with the richest filling, topped with thick cream and sprinkled with sugar.
well actually no it's not. I bought it from Tesco, made a small hole in it and squirted some cream from a can into it. Tasted pretty good too :)

5 Days

5 Days ago I got a call early on Sunday morning to tell me that my mother was seriously ill and had been rushed into A&E. Within 15 minutes of her arrival she was unconscious. Luckily with the fast thinking NHS direct team and the A&E department, Mum had been diagnosed with symptoms of Meningococcal disease. They pumped her with antibiotics. By 10am I was on the road to be by her side.

I stopped just before the Forth Road Bridge and called Julie for up to date information. Mum's condition had worsened and she was put on a ventilator and was now in Intensive care.

I drove faster.

For 5 days we waited and watched for any signs that she was going to be ok. Each day brought the same news that there had been little change from the previous 24 hours. I think we all prayed every night.

By day 2 they were reducing her dependency on the ventilator. But there was still talk of having to perform a tracheotomy if there were no clear signs she was coming out of her coma.

Day 3 she had her eyes open, and her sedatives and pain killers were being reduced so the Doctors could assess her progress.

Day 4 I could see Mum moving around and showing signs that she wanted the ventilator removed, she was trying to poke it out with her tongue!

Day 5 - at 9 am Dad got a call from the hospital to say that Mum had woken up and was responding. We rushed in to see her, only having to wait another 40 minutes so they could remove the ventilator. But this was great news to us and a huge relief all round. By evening time mum had actually talked to dad.

Day 6 - even though she's still terribly confused, sleepy and weak she had drunk a cup of tea and was just about to get a yogurt as her first meal in 6 days.

Even though she's still fighting the infection we don't know if there are any lasting effects.

We're all exhausted, but thrilled that she's fought her battle hard and got this far.
I wish to thank all my friends, and especially all who phoned to offer support and kind words. Knowing that I had so many caring people around to lean on was a huge support, to us all.

Heroes

No I'm not talking about the highly acclaimed television series I'm talking about this
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/cambridgeshire/7119661.stm

Yes I live with a Hero, even though he's not mentioned he happened to be on his way back from the market, with Emily, when this accident occured. Drew helped the lady to remain calm until the ambulance arrived. The lady is recovering from a nasty head wound and broken shoulder. And we think the baby in the buggy mentioned in the BBC website was actually Emily!

Yes it's only a day away

And our total collection of Advent Calendars has reached to 4 this year.

I bought this one thinking I could refill it every year with different treats and gifts.

Then I saw this huge one and had to have it - I've yet to fill all 24 pockets so I guess I'll be busy tomorrow shopping!

And then Granny D sent the grandkiddies their own chocolate Advent Calender

Guess I'll have to buy 24 presents for myself to fill the Santa Clause calendar?

Emily Looking Like Grandad Scott

Ahhh reading time with Daddy

Reasons why I never became a Hairdresser

Parties galore

It's been a hectic week to say the least. I'm sorry that all our plans to meet with our friends on Friday fell through but then again it was probably for the best as I ended up taking Drew's car in for a slightly overdue MOT. I then picked up the car after its MOT, did some last minute pressie shopping at Tesco. Unloaded shopping, gave Emily milk, nap and then some lunch, whilst I hoovered and tidied up Phoebe's bedroom for her sleepover party. We had to go out buy a cake, some candles and drop it off at the restaurant. And all this done before 3.30pm.

Phoebe's party at Il Girasole was fun. The girls chatted away, played with their mobiles (yep it's sad when you watch them bluetoothing pictures across the table! They're only 10!). Then we embarrassed Phoebe with the waitress putting on a "Happy Birthday" tune and bringing out the birthday cake. She did look a little embarrassed - but hey that's what birthdays are for.

Count Dracula

Well after all those hissy fits that we thought were Emily "just growing up" I think they actually were due to the now appearing molars (3 have come though) and another lower right incisor.

Well done Emily for once again being able to sleep through the night despite molars coming through!

Why did I leave it so late

Ok I've got less than 7 days to get Phoebe an awesome birthday pressie. She wants a laptop and/or a puppy. Can't have both because:
a) both are expensive
and
b) I can't be bothered with the hassle of cleaning them up (dogs make poo and laptops get virus's)

I need some ideas?

Meanwhile Emily enjoys watching "in the Night Garden"

Whilst I enjoy hot chocolate covered with cream and toffee waffles

Talking of exercise

Here's Emily showing me how to do it...

Yoga first

Stretch
Hold
and relax, ahh

Oh yeah

and I have chilblains!

Update

So sorry I've been busy and not able to blog. I've been getting up really early (6.15 am), to give myself a longer lunchtime at work. This gives me more time for running, which is about the only exercise I get these days. I'm now able to run just over 5 miles at the weekend and I keep my lunchtime runs to about 4 miles. My times aren't bad, still not great, but my heart rate is improving and so is my stamina. I'm running 12-15 miles a week and I think this is a vast improvement from this time last year where i was really struggling to do 2-4 miles.

Other news : Phoebe is bored with Brownies and I've talked to Brown Owl about her leaving and she agrees that maybe Phoebe would have more fun at Guides. I've contacted our local Offices to find a suitable pack in St Neots - I'm still waiting for a phone call! Phoebe would prefer to join the Youth Club in town and I'm all for it. For about £1 she gets 2 hours of fun activities at the Town Hall, and most of her peer group are attending too so it's only natural that she want's to join them.

I attended an Xmas Fair on Saturday in Cambourne. It wasn't a great success as I only managed to sell 4 items (all of which where my friends items), so total profit £0!!!

I finally got my car's excess money paid back to me on Saturday - woohoo that means I have some cash to pay off the old credit card again. It's only taken them 5 months!

Everyday

There are miracles everday, sometimes you just have to find them
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/staffordshire/7079706.stm

Wimpole Hall

On Wednesday I took Emily, Phoebe and her friend Greg to Wimpole Hall and Farm. It was a cold day, but we enjoyed a short walk to the farm where we were able to see lots of different types of pigs, sheep and chickens. The kids got to stroke some of the farm animals, and we even said hello to one of the wild roaming cats - check out this ball of fluff that we caught sleeping in the bushes. He was all so cosy curled up that even our stroking him didn't wake him!

Kids point to the sleeping wild beast

Sickly

prepare to shield your eyes! They're bright I know!

Other news: work on the garden has started. So far the Dude has removed all the fencing on our side. Only to find out that the neighbours landlord is being an arse and not doing anything about their fence! Some people eh! So we've gone ahead and purchased some fencing and posts. Next the Dude needs to get a Kanga hammer to knock out some concrete that used to hold the original posts. So anyone got one spare let us know as it would save us £30.

Only discovered yesterday that Emily has cut another tooth, and no complaining about it either. Whilst her older sister is having problems with a baby tooth that is very wobbly but is causing some discomfort.

The Dude is fine - his fingers look like they've been sliced and skinned but that's manual labour for you.

Me - I have a freaking annoying skin rash that causes me to itch and break out in big welts. Doctor says I'm allergic to something (no! really!) I figured out with some help from t'interweb that is was caused by co-codamol. Doc agreed on this point and then advised me to purchase non drowsy anti-histamines, calamine lotion and E45 body wash. So I'm pilled up to the max again.

Cherry Girl

I bought Emily and I some matching PJ's from Crib Designs . Sweet Cherry! We went to Milton Maize today with Lisa and Tosha. There was a whole array of differing shapes and sizes of pumkins for carving, this is what Phoebe did.

And this is Emily playing Tractors and Diggers with Jack

It's that time of year again

when I dust off my old gothic style clothing and dress up to scare kids. I got together with some workpals and friends to organise a Halloween Play-date for the kids. This was a non-stop 2 hour session at Play-2-Day in Huntingdon. Here are some lovely piccies of the monsters

Lovey feelings and thoughts for today

Some pictures of my lovely friends, Lisa, Paul, Jack and Mia, with their grandparents

Things that made me laugh today

And things that made Emily cry - her inoculation :( only for 20 seconds :)