Daniel and I have just got back from the Annual School Prize Giving ceremony, proud Nan came too

Daniel won a prize

It was the Bridge Project Cup for Spiritual Development

With the Prize he has his name engraved on the cup, a certificate and a School Boxed Pen

He is just so pleased and proud, and rightly so too. He has worked so hard, against some pretty tough situations, this is a great boost to a child once told he would always be nothing other than bottom of the class. Nowadays I laugh when I see his school report because someone got him very very wrong. He is actually near the top of the class in all subjects

I'm so proud, here are some pics of tonight I wanted to share with you

I have a new job

Its been quite a story over the last few weeks, but I thought I would save it until I could share the whole saga with everyone.

I've been trying for literally months to get a new job as a teaching assistant in a local school. I have lost count of the number of application forms I have sent off only to hear nothing not even an acknowledgement. Not only frustrating but a real confidence shaker too as you try not to take it personally............but of course it sucks!!!!!!!!!!!!

About six weeks ago, I saw an advert for what I considered to be my perfect job. It was a Special Needs Teaching Assistant in a comprehensive school for the ages of 11 - 16 years, my favourite age range, I have years of experience not only with my own but also with the church based summer camps I ran and organised for so many years. I rang the school and asked for an application form, they took my details and told me the forms would be in the post. I prayed about it, I felt really calm and relaxed about the whole thing.

Ten days passed...........no forms!!!!!!! The postal strike was starting so I tried to patiently wait but began to think it was going to be another non starter. The day before the boys and I left for Iceland, I arrived home in the afternoon and there were the forms, however the closing date was the next day!!!!!! I had an hour to fill the forms and get them in the post There was pages of forms and they wanted to know EVERYTHING!!!!!!! Including medical history of the last 2 years.............Feeling defeated I had to own up to all my eye problems last January, all the while thinking..........Well thats that!!!!!!

Chasing around for an envelope, grabbed Daniel ran to the car to catch the post, gave Daniel all the change I had as it needed to be weighed, but he came out of the post office saying he needed another 18p..............I gave up and said to get in the car, it didn't matter it wasn't meant to be!!!! Coming home TJ asked why I hadn't posted it, I told him I didn't have enough change and wasn't driving back....................TJ asked how much I needed. I told him 18p...............TJ smiled and said "Thats funny there is 18p on the kitchen worktop!!!!" 

I never leave money or change hanging around!!!! Its always in my purse!!!

I looked at TJ and said "Are you kidding me?" He handed me the 18p as proof, I again grabed Daniel and said I clearly was meant to post it!!!!

Came home from Iceland thinking I may have a letter waiting for me................but nothing. i figured it was just one of those freaky things, prayed about the whole "job" situation and forgot all about it

Last monday, I had a phonecall, I was at work so just had an answer phone message,  it was someone from the school saying they liked my application, could I call back if I was still interested. Also reminding me that the job is at a school several miles from my house so would require mileage from me. I called back but the lady concerned was now teaching so frustrated I left a message, saying I was still interested but again I felt I had missed my chance.

Two days later she called back to say she hadn't forgotten me but was busy and trying to arrange best time for a chat, she would call me back by the end of the week

Friday she called me again to arrange an interview, each time she offered me I had to say I couldn't do it because of my other two jobs I was so embarrassed. She told me to give her 5 minutes to find another time and she would get back to me...........again I started praying, but again sure I had blown it again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Quickly she called me back and offered another time................Yes I could make it!!!!!!!!!!!! What a relief!!!!!

So yesterday I set off for the interview, it was amazing, I wasn't the least bit nervous, I felt stupid for not being nervous LOL I had this amazing sense of "If its my job then fine, if its not, then thankyou God for the confidence boost getting an interview has given me"

The interview lasted an hour, with two lovely ladies, we chatted, talked through the job, I shared my experience of raising an ADHD son myself, I had a tour of the school, there are 750 children in the school and it huge!!!!!!!!! They kept laughing as I tried to get a feel for the building and where everything was assuring me I would soon remember, which gave me hope!!!! As I left both ladies said they had enjoyed meeting me, hoped to get the opportunity to meet with e again, they would need to discuss things together and let me know on Thursday. I was calm but quietly confident, yet scared to get my hopes up.

Today I had the day off work so Mum, Amy and I went shopping for the day, on the way home my phone rang, I saw it was the school and panicked!!!! LOL I missed the call because of driving so pulled over and nervously called back

I can't tell you the relief as I heard her offer me the job!!!

Not only that but they are prepared to wait for me to work out my month notice at the other school and be flexible in offering me extra training hours in the interrim. Apparently I can call in anytime and say

'I'm here can I please sit and observe" I get paid for any hours I do

I'm going to get fixed short hours to work around my other job as I work notice but then when the new term starts in January its a fixed and regular 14 hours a week with the view to that growing. So I can keep on the hospital job for the moment but leave the MDSA job, then when the hours increase I will leave the hospital and put all my energy into this new job

Its going to be exciting brilliant and challenging. Ill be working with not only teens with learning difficulties but also some with cerebral palsey and minor brain injuries

I just can't wait now to start

Daniel slept at my parents, My brother slept here, as did Amy as she decided to drive up herself, Thomas going with her, as he would be back in time for school, the four of us, in three cars left here at 4.30am, I had a fright on the Motorway, it was raining and dark, Amy was just in front of me when an articulated lorry to my left swung right out onto my lane with no warning, I had no option but to swing into the 3rd lane, fortunately no traffic was there but it was scary all the same, my car is no match for a lorry!!!!! Amy saw it all and when we stopped at Heathrow she said it looked scary from her view too.

We parked at Terminal 3, walked into the airport, Amy had left her phone in the car so she and Thomas had gone back for it, leaving me and Marc walking into Terminal building, it was packed, we knew their plane was down, I remember Marc saying "Where shall we start looking?" I heard a scream, Marc says I started screaming and running across the building as he spots Anita running toward me!!! Yes there were tears, she is like a sister to me, I've known her so long I can't remember her not being part of my life, I just love her so much, she is amazing. It was hugs all round from her husband Tim and Rebecca 17, Emily 15 Nathan 12 and Clarissa 9, we were chatting all of us I had forgotten Amy and TJ were with us too but then Bec shouts out "Amy!!!!!!!!!!! Thomas!!!!!!!" and the hugs started up again

We got in the cars, Amy and Thomas took Bec and Nathan, Marc took Tim and Clarissa, I had Anita and Emily, we drove to some Services near Newbury and had a coffee and a break, Now it was 8am still, so Amy and Thomas had to say Bye as they drove home to work and school, the rest of us continued to Exeter, it was rough driving, at Bristol, the crosswinds meant you had to really grip the steering, after that the rain stopped, the winds dropped and the sun came out !!!!

I'm sure you can imagine the ceaseless chatter as Anita and I properly caught up

We stopped for a while at Exeter Services, my brother had to leave for home   as he started work at 2pm, so said his goodbyes and came on back, eventually I had to do a double run of cases and people to Exeter St Davids and get them on the train. I was really good, no tears this time as we said Bye, but its still weird knowing she is in the UK but not with me!!!!!!!!

Can't wait till they are back up here in 2 weeks time. Its going to be great.

On Monday morning I will be standing at Heathrow Airport, barely containing my excitement as I await the doors from arrivals opening and the sight i am waiting for........

My bestie friend arrives from Perth in WA !!!!!!!!

We have been best friends for over 30 years even though she has lived the last 12 + years in Australia. I havent seen each other in over 3 1/2 years, the last time I saw her was in the first few months following my marriage break up!!! Boy is she going to be surprised when she sees the new me!!!! Instead of the frail, skinny, nervous, scared of her own shadow, mouse she said goodbye to as she left!!!!!

I couldn't love her more if she was my sister, my family are excited too, ask Mum, its like another daughter to my Mum too, as for my brothers they simply adore her. In fact she and her family, herself, her husband and their four children aged 8 - 16 years, their plans initially were for me to drive up to Heathrow about an hour away, have breakfast with them, then they were catching the train to Cornwall, where her husband's family are expecting them, they will spend a couple weeks in Cornwall, then spend the last 10 days of their UK stay with me I didn't like the thought of them arriving tired in the UK then having to swap and change trains all the way to Cornwall for the next 5 hours, but what could I do, I can't fit a family of 6 plus luggage in my little bucket!!!! My brother, heard of the plans and immediately suggested that we both drive to the airport and drive them as far as we can down South, as long as he had time to be back for his shift at work Isn't he great!!!! So we are collecting them from Heathrow and taking them so they now only have an 1 1/2 long direct train to their stop!!! My friend is amazed and so excited too.

Its going to be fantastic to see her, I can't believe how exciting its going to be

When things were at their worst for me, it was also very grim for her, I was very ill, she heard her dad was dying, got an emergency flight from Australia, I met her at the airport she was going to spend 24 hours with me, convinced I just needed a friendly shoulder to cry on and all would be well, in the first seconds my appearance had her so horrified, I weighed less than 7 stone was vomiting up to 8 times a day, crying all the time.............she knew it was serious, as soon as we walked in the door to my home, the x rang and she heard me crying on the phone as he made the usual threats and false accusations, she took the phone off me and said "Thats enough!!! I'm here now, Helen is coming with me to my family for a few days, the kids are going to her Mums, you aren't to call her or contact her, leave her alone she needs a break!!!"

I was screaming "What have you done!!!! I'm going to be in such trouble !!!" But she assured me, she was going to not leave me until I knew what I wanted. Over the next three weeks, she tried never leave me alone with him, even though her father was given days to live, she still put me first, any occasion she left me alone with x she would have to run in and stop some kind of attack on me!!! It was pure Hell, no other word for it!!!

Before she left to go back to Australia, her father tragically having died, I had made up my mind, the marriage was over and I never went back. Three onths later, her whole family came to the UK for a 3 month visit, she arrived with the younger two, the week before, in that time, x turned up at the house, assaulted me in front of the boys and she had to step in again and order him out of the house. He had even been ringing her in Australia crying and begging her to talk me into taking him back, but she was firm and told him never to contact her again!!!! I LOVE her so much

And now in 3 days I get to see her again!!!! Only this time I can be ME!!!!!!!!! We've already decided we dont need sleep in those days she is staying with me, were going to talk talk talk...........She has a lovely husband, he would love the chance to investigate x because he is sure he should be in prison!!!!! But none of us care anymore, her chldren are gorgeous.

Don't worry once we're together..........I promise pictures

3 more days.................I'll never last that long!!!!!!!!!

A couple of hours later, there was a knock at my door, it was a lady from across the road, out walking her dog, by now it was dark, she asked me if I knew where the neighbours were? I didn't !

She said she had noticed no lights on, the house was empty, as in completely empty, no furniture nothing,  the front door was wide open and the key was in the door, the two of us went to the door and nervously called to see if anyone was inside, no answer, after a discussion we decided there was a key lock box with security number on the wall of the house, so we would lock the door, put the key back in the lock box and at least it would be secure and if anyone legitimate returned they would know the security number for the lock box anyway. We shouted once more into the house that we were locking up, then said goodnight returning to our own homes.

A couple of hours later again, there was another knock at my door, this time it was the Police!!!

Someone had reported that the back door was wide open, no lights on and the house was completely empty etc etc

The police asked if I knew when the occupants had moved out.

Embarrassed I had to say I honestly didn't know, I explained that the boys and I keep outselves to ourselves, the house is empty all day whilst we are at school/work and rarely saw anyone. i filled the police in on all the previous hours activity and on finding the front door open too, The police checked the house and secured it. Thanked me for my help...................Um what help??? I am a useless neighbour, I don't spot anything LOL

They are contacting the local council today who own the house?????????

But for now, its all still a mystery Hmmmmmmmmmmmm

xxx

I am fed up with people joining just to post their advertisements of their "fabulous" products!!! If you want to advertise products and are not part of the community, do what all other LEGITIMATE sellers do, contact the site and pay for the privilege!!!!!!

Furthermore this is NOT a dating site, we don't join Minti to be hit on by people who fall in love with our pictures!!!!!! We know what you are up to. You want our bank account details. Well get real, get lost you aren't having them!!!!!!

Finally what is with all the anonymous questions????? I am 100% for the right to stay anonymous for questions of a delicate manner, but really.......looking at the Q & A lately, we either have a lot of people setting us for a scam/spam or lots of  people are scared to ask questions??????

Come on everyone, we are all  a lively friendly bunch on here, ask whatever you like and of course we will try to help you as long as it is parenting related of course!!!   ..........but if you can't even put your name by your question, why should I take the time to answer??? 

Sorry ..........Bad Day!!!!!!

But I needed a shout about some petty things on here that are winding me up!!!!!

You have to admit its a beautiful country and clearly I had an amazing holiday

Three final shots, as I said goodbye to Iceland on this trip

A typical Iceland landscape

Can you see why they practised the moon landings on Iceland??????????

Another sunset on a trip to Iceland......... :-(

Ground level view of the Blue Lagoon

The view from the Viewing Balcony, its honestly incredible and pictures do it no justice at all

Daniel and Jakob show the world The Blue Lagoon

Me and my gorgeous Nephew, enjoying the view

Jakob with his beloved T J

My terrific brother, my amazing sister in law, my fabulous nephew and my gorgeous niece

Two sisters and their children................

No matter what I laugh and tease my brother about............................no one can look at this picture and not see how I absolutely adore him

The Blue Lagoon!!!

I think the pictures of this amazing place will definitely speak for itself so I'll let the pictures do the talking..........

Driving towards the Blue Lagoon, you may just see the billow of smoke in front of the mountain to the centre of the picture, there was an awesome mist this particular morning, you felt like you were driving into the clouds themselves

Now you can see the smoke from the Blue Lagoon.............maybe you can feel our excitement too at this point................

Don't you just love the beauty of the lava ground landscape of Iceland

The obligatory place to have your picture taken

Me and my gorgeous Icelandic family, you don't even want to hear how my brother moaned about having to pose in the "tourist spot' LOL

Daniel anxious to get going.......

Sylvia laughing as my brother once again made his opinion clear about being photographed like a tourist as he walks up the path to what is essentially his local swimming pool LOL

The entrance to the Blue Lagoon..............

Daniel being led up the inflatable steps to the slide by two determined little cousins

Daniel and Emily racing down the inflatable slide, missed the speedy Jakob lol

Jakob wrestling with the inflatables

Cheeky Emily in the inflatable house

Daniel, Jakob and Emily climbing yet another inflatable

Jakob was desperate to fight Daniel with the Gladiator inflatables, unfortunately the paddles were bigger than heavier than him, however, he made a valiant effort

The three boys doing their favourite activity, playing football in the garage

Not sure who actually enjoyed it the most though lol

All Ready to get started.........

Waiting to get started..........

The race is on...........

Ironically after a week of hearing my brother telling my boys to let Jakob win...............He took great triumph in slaughtering my two on the race track!!!

Sorry Daddy............but these two were cheering for TJ to win

Simon delighted to come in first!!!

Followed by Daniel (just don't remind him he was lapped about 6 times) finally a tired but very thrilled at what he calls the highlight of his holiday.............. TJ

Of course...............IKEA!!!!!!!!!

Another delightful church, very similar to the one my brother and sister in law were married in almost 11 years ago

Someone has even built a castle for their home!!!!!!!

Looking out towards a little hamlet

The local swimming pool, as you can see, its an outdoor pool, all Iceland pools are outside, they keep the water temperature so warm, you don't worry about being outside, in fact on one trip I even swam in the snow!!!!

That wind can be pretty cold!!!!!!!!! Mind you Daniel did leave his coat home !!!! On a walk back from the local store

As you can see, with a coat on, it was definitely not so cold as Daniel's face suggests LOL

My family's home

Took this picture,as we were driving along, had no idea what was behind the brow of this hill....................

From first view of this lake, we were amazed, the pics just don't capture the beauty of this tranquil lake

It really was beautiful

See what I mean..............The amazing part was the perfect symmetry in the reflection of the mountains, there was an amazing rock formation overhanging where we took the picture, as you can see from the corner of the picture.

Those same mountains, reflected in the lake, from the other side as we passed

Its just one loves the camera, and the other hates it!!!!!

Guess which is which LOL????????

Emily with her beloved T J

My Niece is a Princess!!!!!!!!!!!! Wearing the Fairy outfit we took over for her

Emily dressing up in the party dress, Nanny and Grandad sent over for her

Jakob proudly posing in his new Football kit

Setting off on our walk, passing a small reservoir, the smoke we were heading for is just off centre to the right

Looking back towards Krysavik, this was the point that Sylvia and Emily decided enough was enough and went back to the car

Jakob found this lovely rock that he called his Throne

At the top..............Daniel got there a few seconds before me, imagine my reaction, to see him on the top of a mud slope peering down into this pool of bubbling mud, apparently 200 degrees in temperature!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Daniel proud to have made it!!! From a much safer distance from the edge!!!!

A smaller "bubbling mud" pool I came across as I walked around the larger pit

Thumbs up from the top

And just to prove I did make it too................

Pools of mud that are coming up from the ground that are so hot, they bubble and steam, its beautiful

The path from the car park to Krysavik

Looking down from the top

Looking into one of the bigger "bubbling mud" pools

TJ and his Uncle Simon messing around as usual!!!!

Emily and her daddy (my crazy brother) enjoying the view

My much loved Iceland family. Brother, Sister in law, Nephew and Niece

Oh I love this picture..............Daniel with his two cousins, Jakob and Emily

My cheeky niece Emily, happily swinging on the Danger sign!!!!

So I'm going to use my pictures to show you what a fabulous time we had in Iceland last week

We were just driving and passed this tiny little church in the middle of nowhere

Naturally we all took a look inside and this is what we found

My gorgeous nephew, posing for me outside the church, with the backdrop of typical Icelandic countryside

Love this picture of TJ delighting in being so tall over his Aunty Sylv, although stood on a bank, he still was much taller, in the background is my crazy brother taking a photo of me taking this picture??????????? LOL

Finally, Daniel, enjoying his first day in Iceland

Janice asked us to share something nice or funny...............

This is kinda both options at once.......

As you know we are off on holiday tomorrow to Iceland YAY!!!!!!!!!!

TJ my soon to be 16 year old has had me splitting my sides in laughter all evening, he is that excited about the trip and seeing everyone that he packed his case this evening and has been dragging it by the handle onto its wheels all night, even when walking to the fridge to get a drink!!!! every so often he has used it to sit on instead of sitting in the chair, at one point I saw his feet up on the sofa and thought Whoa, he's actually put his case down, so I walked into the loung, to see him sat with his case on his lap!!!!! LOL Someone is very excited!!!!! Daniel is just as hyped too!!

xxx

In 3 days.............

I will be sat with my lovely brother and sister in their home in Iceland

Slight disappointment in the fact that we arrive far too late to see my nephew and niece but can you imagine how much fun waking up on Sunday morning is going to be

I spoke to my sister in law tonight and I'm not sure who is the most excited, her or me LOL

Its been far too long, I haven't seen them since August last year and how I miss them!!!!!!!!!!

As you know my brother and I weren't close for many years, not either of our faults, but some jerk was definitely stirring the pot, so I treasure every moment with my brother now. I love and adore the whole family but I have to say there is that part of me that is more excited about seeing my brother than anything else. Even though Mum will tell you we tend to revert to being playful kids all over again, but thats a good thing isn't it..................its good to laugh!!!!!

The boys have broken up for their half term holidays today so they too are getting pretty excited.................actually truth be told, they are bouncing off the walls with excitement...................oh who am I kidding ..............I'm bouncing along with them

xxx

I did get some great pictures too, some even by a REAL photographer......WOW !!!!!

I'll post them when he emails them to me, but for now here is a quick one of myself all dressed up for the occasion