For those of you in the UK, I hope you are all having a wonderful Bank Holiday weekend and that tomorrow will be a great day of fun and quality family times. 

Emmie, Happy Birthday for today babe ... so sorry I couldn't come through after all that ... shall come through soon as though.

Peace
EF.x

Having said all that I have just peeked into my picture album and this is what I have come up with ... lol!  My darling nephews, playing nicely together on the decking out the back of their apartment.

Now I must get on with after school things ... take care y'all.

Peace
EF.x

Well, the bees might mistake us for blossoms of course! 

Naturally, lol. 

Well, now I am heading off to bed.  I hope you all have a wonderful weekend, we intend to do nothing much at all.  Shall see how that works out.

Peace
EF.x

So far this year has been eventful for us in many ways ... our oven 'smoked out' as in one stage off from blowing up in January/February, so we have had to learn to be even more imaginative and economical with our meals and all the firemen were there in their big yellow protective suits.  Birthday cakes were bought (for the first time since E was born) oh how sad that was ... and we have been travelling around locally, nationally and internationally visiting friends and family.  Something that will continue through the year and at some point in the future we will definitely be moving home, so we are saving up for that as well and clearing debts (something that even in this economic crisis should be completed by the end of this year!!!). 

My job is fantastic and I don't see that changing.  Really liking being in my chosen field as well as the bonus of being paid for it and still being able to do the other things I enjoy, such as helping out at the school. 

Big shout out now to my LB sis-in-law, i love you mate.  Thanks for such a wonderful time together,  it was more precious than words allow, and to the rest of the family ... you are all wonderful.  Big hugs to each of you.

Well, I am tired and back to work again tomorrow,
Peace
EF.x

My pooter is being norty tonight so this is just a quickie to let you know that I survived my first day working.  It is the best job on the planet.  We played Rummicub (?sp) and I even won one of the games ... lol. 

I got there with a few mins to spare and managed to get back to collect E from school on time, so it is a good distance and shall priovide me with my much needed exercise without me having to feel guilty about having a lazy evening sometimes!!!

Lunch is provided, but I can bring my own if I wish to.  Each day is fairly similar in that people come and do whatever activities are planned and occasionally there are trips out to places, cinema, shopping etc.  Really looking forward to tomorrow and on Thursday apparently one of the other centres from a nearby town is coming to the theatre and will be using our place as a 'base' for the day.  This will be good to meet some of the other staff, some of whom none of the others have ever met either, but have known through various other communications.

I have had a lovely lazy evening (with pooter being norty haven't had much choice , but did turn it on again just to send this!!  As I know you are all checking in every couple of minutes to see it..... lol) 

OK ... anyhow.  Me off to sleeeeeep and dreeeeamm of sitting around drinking coffee and colouring in whlie being paid to do it!  Ah Thank you Lord for this blessing!  I used to work so much harder when I was volunteering 5 days a week.  hehehe.  Aint life funny.

Take care everyone, shall tour blogs tomorrow if pooter stops misbehaving.

Peace
EF.x

This morning I was woken with screams of "It's snowing".  Well, the tense was wrong, but the concept was correct.  Overnight we had had a showering of powdery snow.  Mostly it is now all gone ... we got maybe a centimetre ... but E was happy, she didnt care about getting enough for a snowman (though that would have been a great bonus) her priority was getting me out the front door and throwing as many snowballs at me as she could from then until we walked back inside again.  The fact that her gloves were sodden within minutes and she eventually took them off and continued without (how???  sheer determination I guess) didnt deter her in the least.  I even got to pop three at her ... I couldnt bear to get the snow off the pavement in case it was dirty ... you know ... dogs are not that clean around here ... lol ... so I scraped off the top of some low front garden walls. 

All in all an action packed day, especially as the main purpose of our walk (from my point of view) was to buy a box of Quality Street Chocolate to get the cellophane wrappings (honest!!) for a princess ballroom that we were making this afternoon after the decorations came down.  My idea was to cut out the windows and put the colourful cellophane in place to be like windows.  We neded up cheating and only cutting out three of the 9 windows and using just one piece of the cellophane ... shame, the chocolates were gorgeous! 

Well, the ballroom is mostly finished now.  We finally found some narrow nibbed wax crayons so that the colours showed up and re-coloured the areas we had done in coloured pencil.  It looks pretty good, and if we have time before school tomorrow we will try finish it in time for E to take in and show to her class.

Also, fantastic news!  I can wear jeans to my new job ... so I have not had to go shopping.  I was meant to be given a grant to buy 'work clothes'.  Thankfully in the Charity shop where I used to volunteer quite a few nice tops came in while I worked there, so I have a nice selection that will see me through there.  I am so thankful, as I really didnt want to be dressed too posh and knew that my 'nice trousers' all require heels and that would be too dressy for the job.  Now just to get lunches done ready for tomorrow (including mine!!! yay!) and then early to bed I think. 

Have a great week my friends ... I shall try keep in touch ... my plan is that there is no reason I cant, but hey, I might find a new hobby.  Speaking of which my sign language course runs out soon and I still have two lessons to achieve ... hmmm

Peace
EF.x

met up with ...

nell18-3, pauline27 and the boys.  It was the first time I have met Pauline and it felt like I had always known her.  E and I really enjoyed seeing them and just 'being' with friends again.  It was fantastic to catch up with Helen and the boys, has been far too long since the last time.  naturally we are planning to 'do-it-again', but this time sooner rather than later.  lol

We had a relaxed time together, sadly I have no pictures, they are safely with Helen!!  hehehee.  I am sure once tomorrow is over and done with she will be online to share them though. 

In the meantime let me leave you with a pic of my E fake-ice-skating last Sunday (28th).  She decidedly dislikes fake ice and can't wait to try out the real stuff next time we manage to kidnap her Uncle and get to a decent rink!

She did really well on the ice when she wasnt holding onto the sides... I was incredibly impressed with her balance and gliding ability regardless of the fact that skating was practically an impossibility on this particular surface.  Maybe next year we will be in London long enough to try the rink there ... it looked such fun when we drove past last Monday....

We went to London to see the Christmas Lights along Oxford St and Regent St, trawl through Hamleys (naturally), and E wanted to see Buckingham Palace where the Queen lives. 

First off we went to see the Palace because it was too light to enjoy the Lights.  As we were coming through town we saw the ice-rink with loads of peole enjoying it and skating around looking beautiful and having heaps of Christmas fun!  After seeing the palace and posing for photos we drove into town and parked up for a wander around Hamleys and soak up some atmosphere.  It was the first time I have taken E there and she has been aware and known who was happening and the purpose - we missed last year and the year before she was a little too over-awed to appreciate it. 

Finally after a couple of hours, we headed back to the car and Dad who often works in and around London took us on a tour of some amazing lights he had found including Harrods outlined like one of the fairy castles in E's princess story books, and whole areas of side streets that were exquisite!  On the way home we travelled up through Marylebone and got to enjoy all the lights up there, some of which moved/flickered to make them look animated. 

It was kinda late by the time we got home that night so I was so thankful to my neighbour who had left milk in the fridge for us ... at least we had a bedtime drink and breakfast even if there was little else in the house!!!  Incredibly we have survived with what we had left on our shelves and a couple of quick trips to the store for perishables, but tomorrow am gonna have to brave a bigger shop for school lunchbox supplies and a little more variety to the kitchen shelves.  Oh and of course my own work-lunchbox!  Yay!  hehe

Well, I am gonna sign off now and have some dinner, we are having a late meal since we forgot the time!  Comes from having a wonderfully lazy day, lol.

Pace
EF.x

Anyhoo, we went to start painting today and I cannot get the tubes to open!  We are sad now, though we did paint the picture we drew with ordinary childrens paints - they are just not so vibrant, or for that matter exciting.  I would like to complete the painting properly with the oils - so if anyone could  let me know how to get them open we would really appreciate it!

TIA
Peace
EF.x

I figured this year I would try make a resolution that I could keep.  So along with the new job I am gonna aim to be a better 'all-round' parent.  Giving E the quality time she deserves instead of being so selfish and self-absorbed. 

Well, even if I mess this one up at least it will be one I can make over each new day/week/month as we go along and adjust to suit our needs and maximise the benefits of the time we spend together.  For Christmas we got a recipe program that has some real easy and nice stuff on it ... so far we have cooked together twice using this thing, so shall continue with that, most likely on Friday evenings to keep it consistent.  Shall continue with the movie night  on Sundays and random 'fun stuff' on Saturdays.  Other then that it is gonna be about regular bedtime stories, homework time and maintaining the routine instead of consistently breaking it so expertly!!

I wish you each all the best in the year to come and with whatever resolutions you choose to make and possibly even keep.

Peace
EF.x

Mum and Dad even were able to get in (even though we only had two tickets!! - ssshh!!)  So it was a delightful time and E gave us all big smiles each as and when she caught our eyes, but behaved well and was always on the beat for each action she had to take.  (Can you tell how bursting with pride I am?)  lol.

Tomorrow I am helping escort the children to see 'Cinderella' in Panto which is something I am really looking forward to since it has been years since I have been to a Pantomime.  Not sure who the 'famous faces' are in the cast, but apparently it is very good. 

As for me, today was my last day helping at the Charity Shop.  The manager was rude and behaved terribly when I told her I had a job.  I would have thought she would be pleased for me, but ah well, takes all sorts.  She expected me to have told her sooner, exactly how I could have done that I am not sure since I only found out last Friday and today was the first time I had managed to get down there to find her phone number, and then she arrived at the shop before I could even call her!!!  Never mind, I have made some good friends there and we will continue to meet up for a coffee or lunch every now and then.

Well, this is all from me for now ... thank you to everyone who has sent congratulations through gifts, lounge notes and messages on my previous blog.  I feel like I am in a fairy tale sometimes after all the sadness of 2007, and the healing and taking it easy this year as we have adapted to the way things have changed, and now 2009 looks set to be the 'next step' into happily ever after. 

At least good things happen to temper the sad times.  Proves that it is always worth holding onto HOPE!

Peace
EF.x

apologies for lack of puncuation/paragraphing and so on. 

am off to rest this beating head again , hopefully back later on... have a capital day one and all with heaps of smiles and happiness while enjoying the seasonal mess and preparations!

Peace
EF.x

You know, God is so faithful, regardless of how long we wait, and how extra long that waiting seems God always provides for us.  And today I finally got that job I have been waiting for these past 4 years. 

I shall not bore with useless details, suffice to say that it will make life for living rather than existing and coping.  E will get to experience things that all children should experience and that to date she has been denied because of our circs, namely me not being in the right job!

Today has been perfect, started with us getting to school early (how did that happen?), my friend collecting me on her way into work and I made everyone in that office a cuppa tea before heading to the interview (needed to waste a few minutes and it seemed as good a way as any to use them up!).  Interview was meant to be 45 mins, but I was out in 20.  Loved it.  It was relaxed and challenging which seemed like a great combo!  The panel were all friendly and I felt like I was with friends ...

Then it was back to school to help the 4 year old children get changed for their first performance of their Christmas Nativity before I raced up to the girls at the top doing the 'Fruit and Veg' scheme to help with the packing the orders ,... usually I go shopping for it as well, but this week that was not to be, but they had just gotten back when I got there so taht was perfect timing.  After lunch it was helping in the classroom with writing children's Christmas Cards before getting them dressed for the afternoon performance.  It was amazing, they sang up, and remembered all their lines, even without prompting!!!  All those hours of practice and rehearsal paid off!

Then as the bell was going for end of school I got the call to say I got the job!  Perfect end to a perfect day (even if it did make me 5 mins late to collect E).  She is so happy as well.  All the teachers were pleased as I got to see most of them as I trawled through the schoola nd share my news ... am totally stoked. 

Called everyone, including my asleep brother who answered his wifes phone ... hmm.  Never mind, at least I got to tell them as close to 'in person' as was possible. 

I am off to discover some money and see if I can't just throw a celebratory dinner tonight.  hehehee

Peace
EF.x

1. Whats the main thing on minti that make you so addicted?

The variety of what the site provides on every level. 

2. whats something funny thats happened to you recently?

Having my daughter role-reversal on me last week while I was unwell.  Her reassurances and loving care and attention showed me just how well (or not) I treat her!

3. whats a word you kid/s say/said thats pronounces funny / cute?

I think the only word now is 'terch' for church, as she is learning to read and spell a lot of her mispronounciations are disappearng fast. 

4. if you could be someone famous for a day who would it be and why?

Gotta be Paris Hilton.  Would love to have a life that seemed frivilious and superficial for a day or two. 

5. sum up what minti means for you in 5 words

Fun, Friendship, Advice, Laughs, Real people.

repost in your blog if u want to join in :):):)

Hi Ya!!!  Want to join us???

Sorry it took me so long to get back and do this ... but at least I can sit here now and hopefully the typos are not so bad.

Peace
EF.x

My Good News, which I am finally able to reveal is that the TIKE we womn arrived safely with my brother and sister-in-law in NYC (Philosopher13 and DJFirebrand).  They will be putting it under tjheir tree and making it on Christmas Day with their sons.  Thank you to all those who sent us congratulations and good wishes, I do fully intend to try it out when we next visit them - no fear!  But they will get more benefit from it than E and myself!!! 

So keep eyes peeled for pics after Christmas.  Sorry to not link to their homepages ... my head isdizzy still and I need to rest again so I can answer the door for Pizza when it arrives.  Am glad o be able to feed E tonight, having not eaten all week has made me slack. 

Hope you are all OK and I hope to be back online by the end of the week!!  Meant to be going out this weekend, will be first time since the summer.  For those who pray I will appreciate al prayers ... E deserves more than she is getting this week from me.  Thanks

Peace
EF.x

Oops, it was framed, but then I lost it and I forgot to reframe it ...

This is from that last minute ball I went to that night, the guy is a random friend who was also there and everyone had their masks.  Some of the masks, like this one were fantastic.  It was an incredible evening and if you ever get a chance to go to one make sure you take the most extravagant mask you can find!!! 

and for those who are observant, yes, I was stretching my lips again from too much smiling and the camera caught me short!  ah well, it was still a fantastic time ...

Peace
EF.x

She decided she wanted to do a poem about kittens, so finally I settled on perfecting

"Pussy cat, pussy cat
Where have you been
I've been to London
To visit the Queen

Pussy cat, pussy cat
What did you there?
I frightened a little mouse
Under her chair"

Practice went along nicely.  We were reciting before school as we walked along, at bedtime and pretty much any odd time.  I decided to try get a cat suit from a friend which was managed, and she even added the tail and little bell to tinkle around the neck!!  E tried these all on after school earlier this week and recited the poem to me using the different masks and then she had a request. 

She wanted to wear the headband ears with face paints.  Oh no!  I aint great at makeup and face paints and stuff and I sure didnt want to ruin her outfit.  I agreed to try though thinking I could minimise the makeup and use my eyeliner and eye shadow. 

Today it was the school Christmas Bazaar in the afternoon, with one thing and another it was really late by the timewe got there and I think we were one of the last to go in to see Santa and let him know where we will be on Christmas Morning so he knows where to drop off E's gifts.  Next we popped past the face painting room - and they were still doing it!!

E asked for a cat face to match her pussy cat outfit for the talent show tonight. The teacher working the face paints did such a fantastic job - so many people complimented me on the effect and professional appearance of the shading.  We then came home and E got all dressed up ready to go.  She looked stunning. 

At the Talent Show she was wonderful, joined in, paid attention to the other acts, and when it was her turn - I did wonder whether she would actually do it or decide it was too much and not bother.  But she did it, she spoke clearly and I am just the proudest Mama.  We got home two hours ago and she has only just gone to sleep!!  She is so excited and loved all the face painting and evenn the removing of it, though I had to do it slowly, in sections, and she watched me using a little ahnd held mirror, so she could see it coming off bit by bit.  Half way through she says 'I don't look like anything now'.  When it was all off she was back to being her again (she had been in character for pussy cat all that time).

E showing off her advent calendar and posing as if reciting her poem.

For someone who cannot even usually say Hello clearly if she meets a friend in the street - this was wonderful.  I can't praise her enough.  Must email the family now!

Peace
EF.x

Each year they set up a gazebo in front of the church and have loads of glass jars with candles inside them, people then say a prayer for peace at advent and place the candle somewhere in the front garden of the church, by the end of the evening the whole area is dotted about with heaps of pretty flickering lights. 

This year there was also a puzzle 'hidden' around the garden and people could put their jar by a certain piece of the puzzle and pray specifically about that aspect of life and peace to come in that area.  The children also got a piece of paper with all the pieces of the puzzle on it and could tick them off as they found them. 

We were there with a friend and her two girls, so the three chlidren had a great time running around and practicing their reading.  Then we lit our candles and placed them, prayed all together for peace and a happy advent then enjoyed a delicious hot chocolate (also laid on byt he church). 

The idea came because so many people get so stressed out over the run up to Christmas, so rather than any specific religious thing it is to remind people to take a breather and slow down a minute.  The religious significance was just a bonus! 

Peace
EF.x

Today he practically claimed he had always been there for her.  Ugh!  How rude to make such a claim after saying she is not even his and he never wants to hear her name or see her again!  As it turned out E was reading when he arrived, so I said he had to come back in 10 mins.  E has been tired again at school today after not sleeping last night, so by the time he made it back she was asleep - and adament that she did not want to see him (I did try to keep her awake and convince her to go to the door). 

So I went to see him, and the child he had with him - think it might have been a girl as it had an earring, but that isnt always the case.  He said loads of stoopid stuff and was still so self-centered in all he said then turning around and saying he lives for his children (how many has he got???).  He was talking so much nonsense that I ended up walking off and leaving the door to close when he asked how old E is.  I mean!  How many times is he going to come to see me and say he loves her and wants her in his life only to ask me that question or other similar??

I am not upset or angry, just confused about what exactly he thinks he wants.  "I want to see her regularly, but I cannot commit"  What should I do?  Welcome him with open arms and stuff the hurt crying child in the corner or hiding under the bed?  Am I wrong to protect her happiness and security?  At least today he also said he would always wait for her until she was ready, so maybe that will take some of the pressure off from his irregular annual visit. 

I just hope that when she does want to get to know him that he will drop everything for her and give her some quality time. 

Oh, just remembered, he also said that whatever he had done to hurt me he didnt want that to get in the way of his relationship with E.  WHAT???  He never hurt me, other than whatever he did to E.  He was always a friend to me, even when he wanted nothing to do with E.  He would come over at 3 and 4 am crying about how awful this or that new gf was and why couldn't we be together.  Small issue of a certain child?  anyhoo, I ramble now.  Shall go get said chlid ready for bed and some cuddles on the sofa now.

Peace
EF.x

My computer keeps on freezing, apparently it is a firefox problem, but that doesnt amke it any easier to bear when I blog and lose it twice!  So sorry for not being able to post that blog I said I was coming back to reply to ... I shall do it as and when I can.  In the meantime please pass my best along to those concerned.  Ugh! 

I am gutted and actually feel like adding a line of asterisks to signify expletives, but I don't know the bad words that they could mean, so it seems a little senseless to try, but I am that frustrated and feel totally futile in it.  Wish I could go for a bike ride - but no bike and noone to care for lil E leaves me here contemplating bed and wishing i had energetic housework to do instead.  Shame I was organised enough to get that part done already for once! 

Am signing off before I lose this blog as well.  Hope everyone else is happy and good - it would be such a waste for anyone else to be feeling this way!  Might upset the balance of the universe or something!  lol 

Peace
EF.x

But it got me thinking about all the adverts that are on TV and how come of them are relaly truly memorable /feel good / fun /catchy and so on.  E has heaps of favourites and little dance routines she does to those with catchy jingles.

Am going to bed now before I embarrass myself further ...

anyone care to share???

Peace
EF.x