Busy, busy, busy!

Haven't got time to stop this week. Had my first ever tutorial on Monday (after having had the course for about a year!!), and actually fell much better about the whole thing. I've never done an NVQ before and was totally flummoxed by all the bits of paper aka 'evidence' it was asking me to produce. For example: produce evidence to show how you work in a safe environment ???? Their suggestion? Before and after (tidying) photos of my desk! I ask you - what a waste of time! Anyway, my tutor has now said I can ignore the whole 'evidence' thing, just study the text books and then sit some skills tests and exams. Far better (so long as you're OK with exams, and thankfully they've never bothered me). Now I've just got to get on and put the hours in.

Got loads of bits of work to do, stuff for the governers (a second part time job I've taken on), got a Friends meeting tonight (am Treasurer for that one) plus busy in my 'normal' job.

We've finally got round to doing some decorating at home, well started anyway! So far have done the downstairs loo and part of the hallway, just the worst bit to do now - up the stairs and the landing, was in desperate need though. Will hopefully get some new flooring laid in the hallway before Christmas to replace the grotty, disgusting cream carpet that was the biggest mistake to lay in that area, especially as it was done was several years ago and L's pushchair was over it all the time, muddy wheels and all.

Am very excited as L brought home a letter to say that she will be singing in the choir at the Cathedral concert in December. 4 primary school choirs are taking part along with the Cathedral Choir, Cathedral Singers and the South Powys Youth Orchestra. She's just said that we can go but to sit at the back so she's can't see us! LOL

Back later! x

Crafty fun

What a day!

L and I have most of the day making cards, first some general cards for L to send to her penpals, a couple of birthday cards and then we started on christmas cards. So far we have a grand total of 10 :0) plus a few bits drying to used as toppers on the next batch. They're not the best but we've had fun, L loves it when I let her play with "Mummy's craft stuff", apparently it's far more fun than her own craft box (not to mention generally more expensive!!).

After all this I can safely say L is much better and fingers crossed will be ready for school on Monday....... thank goodness! It's horrible seeing her ill, thankfully it's not very often.

Off to do homemade southern fried (baked) chicken now for tea, not the healthiest but yummy!!

Halloween!

We had a fantastic Halloween weekend with the Ellis family. I am ashamed to say this is only the second time in about 12 years that I've been to their home (wherever it is at the time). I've relied far too much for H to make the trek into Wales, just makes me realise what a fantastic friend she is - one of those people that makes it all better or at least make sense anyway! :)

So after a scrummy tea of homemade lasagne and salad the kiddies got changed and we took them to a local Halloween party.....



I think Henry has a soft spot for Lauren, what do you think?



The following day we all went ten pin bowling, the chaps showed off their strength while H and I were more concerned with keeping our nails in tact and the kids were bowling aces!!





It was a wonderful couple of days and we're missing them loads :(

Rach, the cup Lauren's holding in the other post is a school achievement award. Each Friday they have an assembly where cups are awarded for various achievements, this one was "for putting in lots of effort with her work". Funny thing was she was awarded it on the Friday but because she forgot to bring it home with her she didn't tell us anything about it until she finally brought it home the following Monday! They get to keep them for a week and then they go back in.

Last but by no means least a shot of my gorgeous soon to be godson!! Can't wait to see him again in December. Isn't he gorgeous?

Long time no see....

Thought I'd post a few pics before another month goes by without me blogging anything!! Just to show we're still here and all that! :)

A Murder Mystery Night with friends. Poor Leigh - everyone thought it was him and it was our wonderful (but murderous) hostess all along!! Great night.




An Autumn walk with Mum....






and some random pics of L, who I'm very pleased to say after virtually 2 weeks off school ill finally seems to be on the mend....

More holiday pics!

So tomorrow has finally come. We spent a day at Port Eynon too. A special day for me as this was the first time I'd been back since we'd scattered Dad and bro's ashes there. The sun shone for them.











and that, as they say, was that! The following day rained so we stayed in the tent and read, drew and did puzzles. Just goes to show how little kids need telly's and all that stuff really coz she didn't complain once.

Since then, we've said goodbye to friends who've moved to Germnay (see 4 Aug post) and left yesterday. Twas awful; tears and hugs and lots of c u soon and that was just me!! Passport applications are here waiting to be filled. At least we'll see them again in Decemeber esp as they've asked me to be godmother!! So chuffed it was another excuse to burst into tears!!

Had a fab night out with Kel and a whole bunch of others last Sat, which was regretted on Sunday but, "Kel, you're worth it" !!
This was taken very late in the evening i.e. early morning! I think I was trying to avoid double chins by stretching my neck!! Just looks a bit odd :)






The other news this week is that we have 2 new additions to the house - Daisy and Holly! They're rescue kittens, about 9 ish weeks old and are still both a bit scared. Both spent their first evening hiding behind the computer desk, the cooker, the washing machine, the TV - everywhere! Daisy's is definitely the braver of the two and even Holly came to trip me up this morning so they're starting to settle although it might be 1 step forwards 2 back as they're back to the rescue place to be 'done' next week! Poor girls :(

They're on a bit of a trial period too, just to see if I can cope with them (allergies) - so far so good! One (??) itchy eye last night and that's it so far - no asthma attack or itchy throat. The idea is being kittens I'll get used to them before they start moulting too much plus we've bought this solution to wipe over them which supposedly stops the dander etc coming off. Heard good reviews about it so we'll see (or not if the itchy eyes get too bad!!).

Not great pics so far as they won't sit still long enough but....

Three Cliffs!

Ok, so we've spent a week camping at Three Cliffs Holiday Park on the Gower and were mostly lucky with the weather. After putting the tent up in record time we were off to the beach....




Sunday friends came to join us for the day and it was gorgeous again so back to the the beach followed by a BBQ back at the tent. Was a great day and just nice to do absolutely nothing. With 2 dads on hand the kids were kept well occupied crab hunting etc while Helen and I could just chill - lovely!




Monday was a typical welsh summer day ie: grey, overcast and lots of rain so we headed into Swansea to the National Waterfront Musuem (good but a bit technical for L "just lots of big machines"), the leisure centre (L's favourite of the day) with it's lazy river and wave machine and then a quick stop off in the Mumbles on the way back.




Tuesday faired better so a beach again but this time Rhossili....






with a walk along towards Worms Head when we'd managed to make it back up from the beach.




Wednesday - not so great again so off to The Gower Heritage Centre where it just happened to be their Country Games and Crafts day, so L ended by printing a canvas bag, painting a plate, making a pot at the wheel and a beeswax candle. The wood turner (fascinating to watch) made her a rattle and the OH and I bought a clock he made while we watched which looks rather lurvely in the living room. We were there a full day so was well worth the money (£13 for the 3 of us!) to get in. They do a mean chicken curry too!!






Am fed up now waiting for blogger to upload the pics so will finish off tomorrow
xx

Home comforts!

Am back in the 21st century after a week on a mostly sunny campsite in the Gower. Had a fab week, most days of glorious sunshine 'cept typically the day we had to pack up in the rain so that huge blumin' tent will have to come out again to dry off :( great!

Lots of photos to sort through, looks like there might be some nice ones of our little beach babe! So will be back later to post them.

Back to work now!
x