Well, here I am, back at Minti.  It was a long year last year and each time I thought I would be able to come back something happened to mean that I was still going to be spending less time online.  Now it is looking good that I am back again for the duration.  I am looking forward to catching up with everyone again - but in one year so much happens here that you will all have to just bear with me. 

I would like to say a big thank you to all who have offered love, support, encouragement and random emails throughout the 2007.  It was very encouraging knowing that I had friends here who cared even when I was unable to be a proper friend in return.  As for the people I have yet to meet - well Minti has continued to grow magnificently, so there are plenty of 'new' people that I have to catch up with as well. 

It is good to be back again, and I have often thought of you all while I was 'living life' or at least coping with whatever was happening. 
Briefly a 2007 ovevew: 
♪ I was very unwell and sleeping up to 20 hours a day, barely making it out of bed to take E to pre-school and so on.   I managed to get that sorted and eventually got back on my feet again
♪  We had a fantastic time of summer holiday activities with E and were planning on having a family holiday for a week when suddenly my brother passed away in August.    He was 25, leaving a wife - who screams blue murder at the mention of our family;  and two foster children (a girl of 16 and a boy of 6). 
♪  E started school in September  along with me finding out that because of yet another 'clerical error' I might lose our home,  and E's father getting a solicitor and wanting access or something.  (I dont know what he wanted as access has never been denied him - he just disowned her instead.  But hey, not to worry)
♪  As the year progressed I got personally stronger,  but missed my brother more and more.  Made me wonder when that moment comes when the adage "Time heals all things" would kick in and start to take effect. 
♪  Christmas was naturally interesting, E was in her school nativity play as a sheep - and very well she did too! (Even so far as sitting centre stage to balance the cast...lol).  We spent Christmas week with my parents and brother who still lives here with phone calls to the brother in America and family in New Zealand.  Mum only worked two days of the 9 we were home for, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day - but we had the rest of the time to play, make things, practice bike riding, make cross-stitch Christmas cards with my brother as he had forgotten to get them started on time and there were 4 needing doing as well as a biggie of 'Forever Friends' and a scarf he was knitting for his girlfriend.  We lacked for nothing to do and had a great time getting back here in time to spend a week here and play with E's friends as there is never time in the school terms now. 

  Well, I am launching a new look on the christian websites that I oversee tonight, so I best get on and stop avoiding all that needs doing. 

  Wishing you all lots of hope, peace and happiness in 2008 
Peace
♥EF.x