Hot Hot Hot

And I'm not just talking about the temperature down here in sunny St Neots! I bought a new iron as our old one decided it couldn't cope with the hard water. All you need to know is that this one beeps at me when it's ready - cool!

Other things - well not much I've been busy tidying up and washing, just the usual chores. Though I did manage to snatch 2 hours with Lisa for some light lunch and general chit chat, but that was hard with an 8 month old who is teething and wants to stand on your tummy all the time. Anyway purchased some balls and an inflatable (bad idea) Scooby Doo ball pit - took 30 mins of blowing to get this honey erect! (Matt that was a special smutty entry for you)
Made the babes happy though

Awww just too cute for words

PressUp...
and down
Slouching on the couch with her flies undone!
In the Pit

On another note

even though we had a fab weekend I also discovered that once again the ex-husband was not making good on his CSA payments. I checked my bank account and found out that he has not paid for 4 months! He's already in arrears by £2000, what the heck is he playing at. Does this man (is he fit to be called a man?) think he is doing, is he doing this to piss me off? Does he realise that this money goes towards Phoebe future eduction and life? She doesn't get much only £100 per month and I know of people who are paying at least 4 times that amount. Yet for some reason he feels he is justified in buying himself a motorbike instead of helping his own daughter. He is truly selfish, as he doesn't realise it is Drew and me who look after her, feed her, clothe her, take care of her education, pay for her pursuits like guitar lessons, Brownies and Tae Kwon Do. Encourage her to follow her desires. Nurture and cherish her. Get up at 4 am to hold her hand whilst she is being sick, de-louse her (alot!), take her to football and watch her play. And most of all love her for who she is whilst trying to ensure she grows up with a good set of morals and respect for not only others but herself.

It doesn't take much to father a child. It takes a lot to be a parent.

Gorillas

We finally reached Pitlochery after 12 hours of driving (how nuts is that!). Spent Friday night in the bar getting tipsy having a laugh with everyone from Drews watch. I've never met a funnier bunch of people in all my life. Anyway here are some pictures of the bride and groom
Yes it's some running joke that the groom is the missing link!

Joe and Aisha

Drew with his new prescription glasses
Aww just so cute

Weekend without kids!

Drew and I are having a kid free weekend from tomorrow, even though I'll be looking forward to sleeping in and having a hangover, I'll miss my children all the same. On the lighter side we are staying at a fab looking hotel http://www.athollpalace.co.uk/. Sadly I wont have time to treat myself to any spa moments :(

Ladies who Lunch

Yesterday us girls had lunch with Lisa at the Pizza Express in Huntingdon. I ordered an American Hot and thankfully I didn't regret it as it was lovely and spicy. Emily took great delight in chomping away on a few pizza crusts too.

New sounds

http://www.myspace.com/thesaturdayknights

I liked these guys - made me bop round the dining room with baby gooshy food in my hair!

Storks arrived!

I've just heard that Amanda and Steve had a baby girl yesterday! Details are not exact at going press but I believe she is 7lb 1oz and has a beautiful head of dark hair. Well done guys - can't wait to see all three of you in a couple of weeks. Next on the list of congratulations are to Rob and Suzy who have just announced that they are to be parents themselves! Guess everyone is going to keep me busy making taggie blankets :)

Pamper Party

Yesterday Tosha and I helped to throw Lisa a Baby Shower. I had done some undercover work before hand as I was able to contact her Mum (thanks Paul!) and also include her in the making of the baby taggy blanket (formerly known as Project Snaggie). Lisa's Mum was able to send me some spotty red ribbon which I will sew onto the back of the blanket. The other girls at the party all helped to pin the other tags into place, and now all I have to do it sew it all on together with the backing fleece.

Taggie in the making

Tosha and new haircut
Lisa - glowing!
Conchita guessing the size of Lisa's bump!!
At last some pampering
That looks like wasabi?

The nappy game (yuk)

Looks like a snicker to me.

Mmmm?

Liz using her forensic science knowledge to determine the contents of the nappy.

Suzanne just wondering if it's edible.

It was a lovely relaxing day (yes I had a facial and a back massage - and boy did I need that massage). Food was plenty, many goodies were purchased from Tom's Cakes. We had lovely sushi, sausages, spanish quiche and a chocolate fondue!

Interlude

Phoebe had her hair cut (finally!)

Emily is enjoying her new found skill of looking at things at different angles.
She Devil!
Sea Devil!

Spare time!

For the first time in about 2 weeks I got some spare time to blog, only because Brownies was cancelled tonight. Mind you I was busy because of Brownies as I had 3 aprons to finish sewing! Never mind eh. Well I've not been up to much, mainly the day to day routine of general housework and looking after Emily has taken up most of the time. But I managed a girly night out on Saturday with both Lisa and Tosha. We glammed it up and headed to the very nice Hotel Felix's Graffiti Restaurant. Tosha ordered a very nice bottle of white wine, and we all proceeded to eat some of the finest food I've had in a long time. I started off with the Cornish Spider Crab Spring Rolls, Green Apple Jelly, Apple Espuma, Coriander, Coconut and Spring Onions. Which was so scrummy I can still remember what it tastes like. Following with Lightly Oak Smoked Wild Sea Bass, Braised Fennel, Sun Blush Tomato and Walnut Gnocchi, Chive and Crème Fraîche Sauce - salivating yet?

Racing Pants and Heedley!

No this blog has nothing to do with any cartoons, rather our newly purchased baby racing pants and Heedley the Rooster!Chicken in a bucket anyone?

Funky Baby

I'd just like say a big thank you to MattH who gave me this wonderful link to his sisters website Crib Designs. This is a wonderfully funky site - with some seriously cool toys

As well as some funky clothing (check out these racing pants)

All I can say it that my pay rise has now been spent on some funky new stuff for Emily!

Can't wait to dress Emily up in some funky threads :)

Sushi and other fish

We've had a busy week - on friday I met some work colleages for sushi and beer

This is Emily with Inoyo

Next we played in the garden in the sunshine

Big Sister came home from school

Breakfast - now you either love marmite or you don't.

MMMMM come to me my pretty,

mmmm!>#?!?!?

Yak!

Bathtimes are always a hoot

Mr Mousey Lives for Another Day

I promised a while back to try to get some photos of Mr Mousey that lives in the rabbits hutch. I never took any as sadly one day I found a dead mouse lying in the middle of the garden, I thought this was Mr Mousey and promptly buried him, only to find out a week later that Becky (who was looking after the cats and rabbit for me) found very much to her surprise a very live and very jumpy mouse in Peter's hutch.

When we got home from our short break I then found a complete mouse skeleton lying on top of Peters outdoor hutch. Gosh, I thought, someone has devoured Mr Mousey this time - so I deposited the skeleton in the green recycling bin. Thinking well that was it finished yet again this morning I find another fresh carcass lying on my lawn - yikes I though surely Mr Mousey's odds of being found alive are now steeply stacked against him.

So I decided to have a look inside the hutch, and what could I see the tiniest little snout peering out of the gap in the birds box. I ran inside to grab the camera to photo this happy occasion, but sadly all i could get was this one photo before the little fellow flew out and off into the garden.

Not the best photo in the world but I had to zoom in to try to point out to you his furry brown backside just peeping out in the middle of the picture.

Fab Knitting Websites

I've rekindled my passion for knitting because of this website LaughingHens - Lorna just look for those doggy coats!

These guys also rawk The Knitting Co

Green stuff

Thought I'd just do a quick blog - I found some news on the BBC website relating to a new device home owners may be able to get installed for free that monitors the amount of energy they are using. I think it's a pretty good device and will be checking up to see if I can get a free device.

A night on the tiles

I'm still suffering as I'm writing this blog, late on Saturday evening. Last night I managed to get a couple of mates that I've known for 3 years to go out for a drink (yes thats's right I've known them for 3 years and this is the first time we've managed to go for a drink). The night started off well, as we had limited choice of pubs to choose from this week as 3 pubs in town had been shut due to either drug raids or dodgy selling of non-brewery ale. First we visited The New Inn - most atrocious loud music. One drink later we left and headed to the Corner House, now this was nicer we were actually able to hear ourselves talk. After that we decided to hit the only nightclub in town - The Priory - woo hoo! Clubbing! Well it all went steadily downhill after that, the first round was purchased and then someone had the bright idea to have some shots of flavoured vodka - woo hoo party girl here got her drinking head on and was properly tipsy by 11pm. But that didn't stop us all drinking champers, more vodka shots and 3 jug loads of vodka and red bull. That drink makes for one awful hangover after 4 hours kip. All I can say is I danced till 2 am, got a taxi home and still managed to shower before crashing into bed. Oh yeah why am I still suffering at 9pm - that's because for some unknown reason I've sprained my right wrist and typing is rather diff cult and very sore.

I'm off to drink more tea and ponder last nights dancing moves!

The Sun has got her hat on!

Shaken but not stirred

Last night I went to the rifle club and shot this little baby

Martini MKII. Nice light gun, and like me it has a short arse (butt). I found I was able to shoot comfortably and without having to take the butt off my shoulder to reload. Sadly though this was the third gun I tried out last night and after shooting 40 rounds I was pretty tired before I had my mitts on it. Still my targets weren't bad and I look forward to next Tuesday to try her out properly. Dad if you are reading this I'd like one for Christmas! :)

Sniper

Last night I went to the Pistol and Rifle club to have a shot at prone rifle shooting. Thinking that I wouldn't enjoy this as much as the pistol and air rifles I was very much mistaken. I really loved it! I really enjoyed the accuracey at which I hit my targets. Out of 30 rounds only 2 didn't make it onto the black, sadly one hit the ground when I had my trigger happy finger in the wrong place at the wrong time. That gave me a shock and probably a good thing too, I won't be forgetting that lesson. Otherwise I was pretty consistant with my shots.

Offsetting

I've been thinking about the environment a lot this week. Tosha kindly lent me her DVD of An Inconvenient Truth - and wow that had be thinking. So much that the next car I buy will be one of the top ten environmentally friendly cars in that it will have low carbon emissions.

But as it's easter time and so far we have had non stop cakes and chocolate floating around the office I thought it would be fitting to offset my chocolate consumption - try this site http://www.chocolateoffsetting.com/

Freebies and more

Today when I got home I discovered a small package that the postman had somehow manage to fit through our postbox. Ohhh I thought, what could be inside, then I noticed that the delivery label had "Fairy" written on it. Could this be more junk from the washing powder company? Well yes and no. I'd won a prize not a great prize but still, it was a luxury nail care kit, complete with a leather case and very nice presentation box.

Will come in handy at work I'm sure.

Moving on to other things I'm onto my 2nd sewing project - Project Snag. Can't give too much away as another 2 lady friends will be receiving a similar project as a baby pressy. All I can say is that I'm having fun with this one and I hope my first effort will turn out ok.

Weeding and Pampering

The Dude, Phoebe and Emily left this morning for their holiday to Scotland, and I've been left to my own devices and I have to say it's a bit unnerving. I haven't been on my own since I can't remember when! I decided to have a kinda pampering day with a twist. First my exercise regime - well I spent 2 and a half hours cutting down the pampas grass and digging out one of the garden boarders. I even removed some of the wooden boarder that has been bugging the heck out of me for a while. That done it was time for the pampering part. Bath was running, my face had been scrubbed and I finally plucked up the courage to try out my facial peel kit. I bought this kit about 5 months ago and I've been too chicken to try it out - what was I worrying for? It was great, yes it nipped a little when I put on the peel but it only stayed on for 5 minutes before I had to wipe it off with some neutralising lotion soaked pads, a quick wash and hey presto not too bad - no redness thank god. Next I slapped on my night-time face cream, as recommended after the facial peel as it said my skin would be thirsty afterwards. Next I lounged in the bath for as long as possible, well only until the dirt ingrained into my nails and skin from digging had disappeared so that was possibly 15 minutes. I just can't get the hang of sitting in a bath for any length of time, guess I would be useless at a Spa then!

Well that's my day so far. I've been watching Eastenders and wondering why there is a bunch of psychotic nutters that live there. May is quickly descending into madness over her obsession of the baby, and now Phils girlfriend is beating up his son - or is she? Ian Beale is turning into a right nasty git and as for Stacey shagging that married bloke - why!?!?!

Must watch more...

Thank you for Fridays

It's Friday at last! I'm tired for sure but also happy that it's the beginning of the weekend. The wine is in the fridge cooling and will be ready for drinking as I type.

Had a nice week, getting into work mode slowly but surely. We also had time to visit the baby clinic and have Emily weighed. She's now 18lb, and at this stage her growth rate will slow down as she is expending more energy as she is now very happy to flip over onto her tummy at every opportunity. Her teeth are slowly emerging and are very sharp! Just watch those fingers everyone otherwise she will gnaw them off.

On Wednesday we also visited Tosha and her lovely little un's Digi and Kalilah. I was fed some lovely chocolate cake and full fat cola - I needed a sugar and caffeine hit! Our kids played, ate and played some more - Digi had me in hysterics as he proceeded to strip off his trousers and pants and run around the playpark!

I also used my local Freecycle website this week, I'd been given an old sewing machine that I didn't need (many thanks to the Dude for purchasing a new one for me). I logged onto http://uk.freecycle.org/ and advertised it, and one day later it was taken away. It did need some minor repairs and probably a service but it has gone to a good home and I hope someone gets some use out of it. I urge people to join this site and see what's on offer - you just never know. I've noted many different items for free - baby cot's and clothes, toys, garden sheds, etc etc. It's a wonderful site just to browse through. Now lets see what else I can recycle.

Blogless

I know I haven't blogged for a while. My return to work and new schedule means I'm busier than ever. I've been out for the past 3 nights. Monday night I was at the St Ives Rifle & Pistol club where i spent 2 hours shooting rifles, c02 pistols and air pistols - I have to say a nice man let me try his Beeman Webley - NICE! Tuesday was Tae Kwon Do and Wednesday I went to the cinema to see 300, which was a fantastic film.

Tonight and tomorrow are going to be quiet - Tonight Phoebe is out to a school disco and tomorrow is at a sleepover.

One last thing a very Happy Birthday to Lisa on Saturday, and Pump up the Mamm!

Slings and Things

I've been on a sewing frenzy this weekend. Decided to pop over the Milton Keynes and pick up some quilt batting and finally get my baby sling made.

Here's the product of a couple of hours of hard work:

Looking Good

Emily slept well last night, so it looks like the teething didn't bother her too much. She's now happy chewing on her soft feeding spoons and anything else that comes within her grasp.

Stealth Teeth

They're here at last! Emily has her first 2 teeth!!!!
I was just thinking that they would never appear and that she would be a dribbly baby forever and a day. I can't believe how sweet she has been through out her teething - just one grumble at 1.30am this morning. I got up after hearing her and took her into my bed for a cuddle and a feed. After playing for about 30 minutes she dropped off back to sleep till 6am. I never thought anymore of it, until this evening at bathtime when she was on the floor playing. And hot-diggity-dawg I could see something strange on her gums, and on further inspection (finger in the mouth test) bingo I found them. Not 1 but 2.

Bless my red cheeked cherub - I hope the others come in with as little discomfort as these 2 have caused.