Decorating

The hall was decorated about 2 and a half years ago. We'd moved in.... changed the stairs about 3 years after we moved in, then took another 2 years to fully strip the hall and left it another 2 years to decorate and the coffee colour was badly stained. The kids never hang their coats up because the hooks were too high.

So on Wednesday night at 5pm I announced we were repainting. By 6pm we were in B&Q. By 7.30pm the downstairs and the stairs were repainted. D had run out of paint. This morning we got more paint and finished it off. Then bought new coat hooks and have them up with the coats all on there. Our new flooring instead of carpet is in the hall awaiting being laid next week by DH. Just need to goback to B&Q and get paint and varnish to do the woodwork and then I think we may be finished.

Then in 3 weeks we'll paint our bedroom in the morning before we go to London.

Films....

Have seen a fair amount of films lately.

My Sisters Keeper was very sad but brilliantly done film.
Harry Potter 6 was very good but Murray disturbed me by needing the loo.
G Force was far better than anticipated and I was upset when Murray needed the loo again.
Aliens in The Attic was funny but had Murray sat on my knee.
The Proposal was really good and very funny in parts
The Ugly Truth was very funny and well worth the visit.
The Time Travellers Wife was a lovely tribute to the book and sad in places.
Adventureland was like Walle.. all the funny bits were in the trailer.
Julie and Julia was just fantastic, So funny.

Time flying past

We're nearly in September. So much has happened over the last 10 weeks. Looking forward to a couple only weekend away in October followed by Granny/Mummy and kids trip away. Then we have the boy's 7th Birthday as well as D's 40th and a very special trip for that.

I really need to consider going back to work. Would love to return to something 2 days a week but I think I will be exceptionally lucky if anything does show up.

Off out with the girls tonight. Am quite excited as it feels so long since I've been out and had a good laugh and am so in need of it.

We're back to the grindstone of all the activities. Life never appears to stop.

Been a While

These summer holidays appear to be flying past. 2 weeks today, those 2 horrors will be back to school.

I don't actually know what we've done. I know we've seen G Force and that the kids had a sleepover at granny's.

The boy is at football this week while the girl is at Drama. Giving me a nice rest. I went to the first rehersal of the Edinburgh Military Tattoo. Had a lovely time and am having a girly night to the Dress Rehersal at the Castle.

We also have the show from the Girl's Drama. The script is hilarious so can't wait to see it. Apparently already some adlib going on "It's not just food, it's M&S food!" HAHA

Got a lovely surprise at the start of the week, my gran left me some money in her will. Was told it was a small amount so expected £50 as my dad was left £100. But times that £50 by about 55 then we have that amount. So not expected but a lovely surprise.

High School Musical

We went to see High School Musical. First half was ruined by drunks who were ejected at the interval. Second half was good as we all relaxed and got into it.

It was such a wet night though when we came out. Thankfully David's dad gave us a lift home.

Fruit Picking

On Monday we had a lazy morning before heading to Cupar in Fife to go Fruit Picking and visit the Maze. The maze we gave up when we got fed up after 30 minutes so we headed over to the fruit picking area and got Fresh Strawberries and Raspberries which tasted so divine. Murray liked doing the Strawberries because they were low down and Eilidh helped me with the raspberries which were quite high up. Unfortunately it did start to rain so we headed off. But will be visiting nearby places to pick fruit as they enjoyed it so much.

Holiday Continued

We got up late on Monday morning and had showers then headed to a nearby Morrisons for breakfast before heading to Bournville in Birmingham. There's one reason for going to Bournville.... the big purple sign. Cadbury's. We went to Cadbury World.

I checked in while the others had a wander about. Then I got some free chocolate and our tickets and we headed for the cafe for dairy milk ice cream and hot chocolates. We looked through the maps and headed to the Bournville Experience which tells you how it was all strutcured and came about. Then we played in the playpark while awaiting the essence queue to go down. The essence experience was about how long it took them to make dairy milk. Then we got thick hot melted chocolate. Murray had it plain, Eilidh had wine gums and I had midget gems. (David did have some but I can't remember what). Then we headed back to look at the shop before heading into the actual factory. We got told about how chocolate came about and moving on to Cadbury's opening a tea merchants before expanding to chocolate and their subsequent move to Bournville. We got told about what the different factories are for and had a simulator ride on a factory machine. We had a small ride with the chucklebeans as well as getting to play with chocolate, writing our names in chocolate as well as seeing how they make hollow chocolate for fillings. Lots of things to see and do before ending up in the cadbury's shop.

We then headed to Frankie and Benny's for dinner before heading back to Leicester to pack up for an early start.

We got up early the next morning and headed down the M1 to London towards Legoland. Just after we arrived it started to rain but we managed to get some rides done before the rain stopped play. Ate lunch in the pasta and pizza place. Some stroppy patrons in there. Then onto doing rides between downpours. We ended up leaving early as we were all wet. Headed and checked in at the hotel before heading into Slough for dinner at the Buffet Chinese. Headed back to the hotel and had a drink in the bar before heading to bed for the night after our early start.

Next morning up at a more reasonable time. Headed along to breakfast where we had all the continental offerings and the added bonus of a cooked brekkie. After filling up we left early to get to Legoland again and headed on as many rides as possible that we could get on. Had a late lunch in one of the cafes before heading to the hotel and having dinner in the restaurant.

Thursday was a beautiful Sunny day... typical. We headed into London to spend the day in Hamleys, on the bus and river tours as well as dinner in Rainforest Cafe. Late train home but it was good but busy trip which flew past.

Friday was another train into London. The train and tube was very busy. We headed to the London Eye then to Trafalgar Square before lunching in Covent Garden. After that we headed back to Paddington to get a train back to Slough. For dinner we ate in the bar and had an early night as well as packing.

The drive home took just over 7 hours. It was much easier than expected and was nice to be home and get washing done.

Holiday

We’re on Holiday. The Children went to school on Thursday and I collected Eilidh after an hour as she had to sit her Flamenco Exam. Murray was collected by a friend while Eilidh got her hair cut.. Then we all met up and we travelled down towards Stafford. We had a good start to the journey but there was a crash on the M6 Northbound and it resulted in our bit being very congested for 2 hours so our journey should have had us there about 5.30pm instead it was closer to 8pm as we stopped at services for some tea. But the delay annoyed me as it meant I missed Eastenders. Like I've not got it recorded on virgin plus or anything??

Friday morning was a beautiful wake up. It had been a hot night so you can imagine our dismay when it started pouring down with rain. We were headed for Alton Towers. The car park was like a huge lake. We were soaked and despite the rain the park was very busy but we managed to ride many rides and David got fast passes for Nemisis and Air. We had lunch at Burger King as we were so wet but it was so cold. I took the children on Charlie and the Chocolate factory ride. That was sooooo cool as you could actually smell chocolate as you entered. Then I watched the children on the driving school and dad met up. By this point the sun had got his hat on and we dried out and stayed until the park closed.

We headed back to Stafford and had a Chinese for dinner at the Chinese opposite the hotel. It was a gorgeous meal and very quiet. Then a drink in the bar before heading to bed.

Early wake up on Saturday morning for our second day at Alton Towers. The sun kept his hat on and it was a good day but we found it to be packed but had a good parking space. We managed to go on the river rapid ride which was fun. But we gave up on the flume ride as it was too busy for us. We left early and went to the wacky warehouse for tea. Few drinks in the bar before bed. Packed up for moving on.

Tried to sleep in but the children didn’t allow it. The hotel must have been booked out as breakfast was a busy affair with people waiting for tables. We then packed up the car and headed to Leicester. My friends live there and their wee girlie is the same age as our boy. We met them at Snipstone Discovery Park close to where we were staying. The discovery park was a colliery but is now a mix between a science centre, a museum and has a lovely big park with various experiences which are so much fun. Before we knew it, time had flown past. It was time to head on to our room in Leicester. Advice was to go to a local pub for dinner. Turned out to be another wacky warehouse. Headed back to the room via costcutter for juice and some food for the room as we didn’t have breakfast available and didn’t really fancy the services next to the hotel.

Cadbury's World and Legoland with London next on the agenda.

My Gran Harriet 11/12/1927 - 18/06/2009

Ode to Gran by Amy

A very sad day came
In June 2009.
I had to say Goodbye
To a dear Grandmother of mine.

I try to recall
As often as I can
All the good times that I shared
With my very lovely Gran.

I cared for you deeply
In every way
And I have wonderful memories
Of you taking me on holiday.

You bought me ice cream
And we paddled in the sea.
You were the very best Gran
That there could ever be.

You used to read me stories
Whilst cuddling me close.
Not being able to see you
Is what I will miss most.

You always looked after me
And let me know that you cared.
Even though you were very ill
For your loss, I was not prepared.

Now you're an angel in heaven;
The brightest star in the sky.
You'll be sincerely missed
As the days and years go by.

You were such a special lady
And being your grandaughter makes me proud.
We'll celebrate your marvellous life
And no black will be allowed.

You were dearly loved
More than you ever would have believed.
Sleep tight dearest Gran.
Love Always and Forever, Louise

Been a while

Time is flying past just now. I cannot believe we are already half way through May. Just 6 weeks or so until we'll be in July and the summer holidays. We're holidaying in the UK this year so will hoping for lots of dry days down south.

My fibro hasn't been good and I have been having flare ups. Am now on medication for it all too which knocks me out around 9pm. Means I am very tired but am starting to get used to everyting now.

Despite being windy the weather has been nice. Today however the sun has disappeared and the clouds are over head making it miserable and cold and feeling like it is November not May.

Not much else going on here otherwise.