I got a job!!!!!!!!! After 11 years of being a 'stay a t home mum' to my boys' I got a job. It's only 16 hours a week but it fits in with the boys school day really well.Darren has tried ti find a full time job that pays enough to support our family but there is nothing out there paying that kind of money.So, after 8 months claiming benefit, now I have a job it means we can sign off the dole.

My job is being a Personal Assistant and carer for an elderley lady with COPD and serious mobility problems.I met her yesterday morning for an interview and she asked me to start straight away, so I did!!

She is really nice and has loads of problems but I really admire her, she is so happy go lucky and chirpy when she could so easily be the opposite.

So, after working two days-and I know you might think-lazy buggar-I am knackered.So not used to it but enjoyed it too.And it is really rewarding.

Keep your fingers crossed it works out-so need a change of luck after such a bad year.

Love, Lisa xx

Just turned on my laptop and had 28 emails regarding my article about my sons' circumcision!

I am genuinely touched by the support people have shown me over the last few days, and I would like to thank you! It is really weird that I've hardly been on here and all of a sudden 'bang' a massive debate starts!

All genuine minti members have been fantastic-thanks so much, Lisa xx

Just to let you know, in the last few days I have recieved a lot of emails regarding an article I wrote ages ago about my sons' circumcision and the reasons why he had to have it done.I have found the response on the whole-after nearly 1000 viewings to be positive.But for some unknown reason some minti members have really had it in for me talking rubbish about matters which were personal and which I was willing to share with minti members.

At one time I loved to come on here and help people in Q&A and write the odd article but slowly but surely things began to change on here and obviously not for the better.

I met some lovely people on here which I have now found on another site which I use more regularly but i do admit I did enjoy this more.I think minti members should consider themselves really lucky that there are people out there from all over the world willing to share in their lives and experiences.

There are enough narrow minded people you meet in your lifetime without having to be insulted and belittled by on here.

I am quite upset and disappointed , but thankyou for members that have stuck up for me.

And by the way, I have replied to Joelface after he/she gave me grief and I have swore so will prob get reported.Wowee....

Hi everyone! hope you're all ok.I haven't been on for ages to write-just popped in now and again and took a quick look.I've had such a bad year with one thing and another and my heart hasn't been in it really.

Firstly after my last blog in March, Darren came home and said there was no work for him and therefore lost his job!! We managed for a month (hoping his boss would change his mind too) until we went to the dole office.OMG it was so embarrassing but this recession has hit so many people, I know there are people far worse off than us.

Darren then had a series of abcess's and was in hospital.Then his son got into trouble and left our city -on police advice for his own safety.Darren was devastated, but we got over that-sort of.

At the beginning of the school holidays James caught Swine flu.I had a right performance with the doctor diagnosing it.He was really poorly and the doctor wouldn't give him Tamiflu-because they had decided here that over 5 years old didn't need it.So, he was given two lots of antibiotics 'just in case'.I had to stay in with him for 10 days because of contamination.I couldnt go to my mums because she has COPD, so felt a bit 'shut in' really but got over that.

Darren has had a chronic viral chest infection for about 5 weeks now and was admitted to hospital-again!! He has really bad asthma and after his check up this week was told its been made worse by all the stress this year.

He still isnt working which is affecting him.He has a disabled left arm and he is the wrong side of forty.Also his doctor told him not to go back in the building trade because of his chest, so don't  know what will happen.

I am still having problems with Bursitis in my hip.I've had 2 injections this year and it kills me.I got a job a few weeks ago and my physio told me to not to do it because it involved too much standing and driving!! So had to turn it down.

So think thats about it in a nutshell.I tend to go on Facebook more now cos a lot of my close mates are on it.If my minti mates want to chat to me on there let me know.Hope everyone is fit and healthy-Autumn here now so all aches and pains will start again, LOL.

Lisa x