Can you guess what it is yet?

some updated photos

Jessica and Phoebe

Ok who's been stealing the corn flakes?
Doesn't she look so innocent now?
erm?

It's pink

More parcels

Just bought myself a bubblejum pink Dell laptop (it's got a webcam too) . Oh and did I tell you it was pink? Ok so I finally purchased one, not that i've been bemoaning the fact to my friends that buying in the states is half the price compared to buying here, but as I don't know anyone who is flying back anytime son and I needed one to allow be to be more mobile whilst trying to study for my OU degree - well I just had to buy one, and it was pink!

Parcels are Great

I wish I got more parcels! I've had a spate of them recently, first my new funky webcam arrived, next my Open University books arrived. Today I got a mystery parcel that I had to pick up from the post office. And indside was a full sized free sample of some new fabric conditioner, along with a booklet of money off vouchers. I'm really looking forward to using this one. I'm also awaiting some parcels from the Natural Collection website. I ordered some items that were on sale! Next I got 2 x 2GB sd micro memory cards (which I use for Phoebe's Nintendo to ahem store games on!).

Woohoo to parcels and may they continue to bring the joy they've brought me in the last month (especially so when they haven't cost me any money)

Nuts

Yes my family are nuts! But I love them more and more each day :)

Lost

Ok Lost season 4 is about to appear on Sky One. Great I shout. Boo as I don't actually have Sky One. They also state that there are going to be answers in this seasons episodes - better be otherwise I'll be booking myself into the nearest rehab centre.

Still Busy

Yes I'm still busy, too busy to blog. But I have added another link at the right hand side of my blog with some of my favourite links to websites and shops. I'm promoting this as I try to slowly change our household over to more ecofriendly products and way of living. We are even going to sell my car and just have one family car! Shall be interesting to see how we cope with that change. And no doubt I'll blog about it. But for now I wanted to say a big thanks to everyone who has kept asking after my mum. She's doing a lot better now, and now doubt over the following months she will be regaining her strength. She's still yet to see the cardiologist, but otherwise she's fine.

Toodle pip everyone

Ooops

time does fly when you're having fun/working your backside off/getting ready to study a part-time degree/preparing for red-tag in Tae Kwon Do/cooking/cleaning/making a retro taggie/shopping and I mean clothes shopping/organising play dates/organising school meetings/Governors Meetings/buying and sending birthday presents/organising a girls only night out at a posh restaurant/jogging twice a week/making sure my bank account is safe after HM Revenue lost precious data/reading up on latest laptops, webcams and media centres oh and baking banana choc-chip muffins.

Boy and thats all in one week.

Is it any wonder that sometimes I do forget things?

A New Baby!

I'd like to give a big welcome to Jessica Grace Scott who was born at 6.17am. Well done to both Suzy and Rob!

New Year, New What...

Well its been busy to say the least. Mum came out of hospital just in time for Christmas, and I think that was the best Christmas present our family got this year. We spent 3 days with my folks after Christmas and we also managed to squeeze in a short visit to Aberdeen to see some old friends. So good to see everyone in such a short space of time.

Anyway we saw in New Year at a friends house and had a great time, I only had 2 drinks and was glad that I didn't have a hangover like I had earlier in the week at Lorna's house!
We are also still awaiting the arrival of GrandKiddy Scott Number 2. So I'm sending some "hurry up baby" and "good birth" vibes to Rob and Suzy, and I can't wait to hear from them with some good news about their new baby.

I've just had a lovely day of bowling with Lisa & Paul and family , and Liz & Jez and family! 12 of us went bowling though only 2 had to sit out as they were too young (Emily and the very very young and new born Phoebe - she's such a cute baby, she made me feel slightly broody). Ok I have to say that I totally sucked at bowling (out of the 10 playing I came last equal with Phoebe) so me thinks some practice is needed before I send out another email with a challenge to more bowling. Ahem onto other things, many thanks to Liz and Jez for kindly providing a lovely lunch too. I shall return the favour soon I hope.

Some piccies of the Bowling Team

Jack showing me how it really should be done (yes I'll use the slide next time)

Drew - winner in our Team

(even though it was his first time - his score was double mine!)

The Winning Side

Phoebe's favourite pose of the morning, Oh No!
Liz (with Lucy hiding), and Lisa and Mia

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