catch up

Its been a while so here's a few things to catch up

My baby boy JA (he's now about 6" taller than me) has just two years left at school, when he goes back in September the hard work gets harder as he begins preparing for his GCSE's in 2012. At the start of the month he had a 5 day sailing course which much to my relief he loved.

ET how is it possible he is officially a man now at 18 but he will always be my timid little boy scared of everything. He is working part time at M & S for the summer then in September he is going back to college (I hope he sticks it out for longer than a term this time).

OJ is quite the independent young man at 19 son to be 20 he is doing well at Uni and is currently in Thailand with some of his Uni friends for 5 weeks. When he gets back here he will be moving into a house that he will be sharing with the same friends he is with now.

DC I don't see or hear much from him these days he is busy living his own life. He has also finished his first year at Ui and has already moved into a house with friends. He is also working through the summer (at last).

Mum is slowly recovering from her last knee op, she can now walk short distances without her stick, but she does suffer when she has done too much walking about. She drives short distances ie around out town and maybe to the adjoining town. But no further, her driving worries me and I always insist on driving whenever we go anywhere together. Last weekend I took her for an overnight visit to my grandmother in the Cotswolds.

Grandmother is now 91 and thankfully stopped driving last year. She still lives alone and seems to manage but her memory is not great. She talks a lot about her father and her sister. But also her little boy and her daughter. She asked me if I ever met her little boy (he was my dad). She cried when we were leaving ..........she doesn't think she will see me again.

SF is not my favourite person right now. In the last 3 months he has paid me only £50 towards the upkeep of our children. He is meant to give me £100 per month so he is £250 short. He says he has no money and anyway I earn more than him and have a laptop and run a car. I was thinking about going back to the CSA to get money from him when I received a letter from them advising of a new calculation of what he should be paying. I have called them asking that they collect the money from him. It would mean that he can't miss payments plus I would get more, not a lot but it all helps.

Sailor He is getting used to living on his own, spends a lot of time with his daughters and grandson. We see each other when we can, last weekend we went out sailing (with Plumber) it was the first time I had been out on the open sea.

Plumber........what can I say except that he loves me, he wishes I was his wife.

My garden is about to get a make over, very soon, a gardener is going to dig up just over half of my garden and paving it for me. A week later a contractor from my housing association are finally replacing my fence. (It has only taken since November).

Highs and Lows

After a bad start to my birthday it did improve a little, whilst I was driving home from shopping (my mundane life doesn't stop for something as simple as birthday) I got a text. It was from Bovril (married man). He was going out for a while would I like to catch up? So 40 minutes later I parked up in the same old car park. He must have seen me drive up as he was very quick to climb into my passenger seat. I hadn't seen Bovril since New Years Eve 2007 so although we have chatted online in the last month we still had a lot of catching up to do. (just small talk really). We probably chatted for about half an hour before we both drove off in different directions. So that was date 1 with Bovril 10/80 in total.



Once back home I changed into some fresh clothes as I was going to dinner with my mum. She had cooked salmon steaks which I have not had for years. I got 3 books some money and my 2nd birthday card (the 1st was from work). I didn't stay very late as I was feeling weary and knew I had to be up early next day to drive to Cotswolds.



After stopping on the way to get some provisions from a farm shop we finally arrived at my grandmother's home about 12.30pm. Greetings over, kettle boiled and decisions made about what to cook for lunch we were able to relax briefly. We gathered that my grandmother's best friend was coming over in the afternoon (she arrived just as we were finishing our meal). So the four of us sat around the table for the next hour. Angie delighted in showing us some of her craftwork including various items of beadwork. She also took the opportunity (while grandmother was out of the room) to swap address and phone numbers with mum.



My mum and my cousin (my dad's cousin) have both been getting increasingly worried about grandmother, Angie has too. It seems that the one person who should be most concerned (but isn't) is my Aunt. She lives in Germany and doesn't seem to think there is any need to worry about her mother. Apparently she was cross when she visited at New Year because her mother looks much younger than 90.



Over the last few years my grandmother (she doesn't have altzeimers) has been having increasing problems with saying nouns. People, places objects all escape her. For the two days we were there I was 'this one' my aunt was 'the one married to the german' Angie was 'the one who lives in that place where I lived before'. She was trying to say something about the place my grandfather was buried 15 yrs ago, she could give directions but not name the place or the roads.



She did tell us that she wouldn't mind giving up driving now. Mum has left a folder of information for my aunt regarding help her mother could get from Help The Aged. She could have someone to take her shopping or medical appointments etc. This business with her speech is both a little amusing but also frustrating (although when she is typing on her computer the names etc come with no problem). She was trying to explain something about her money and a man. We managed to work out that she knows this man but he doesn't work at the place where she gets her money (bank) but he did something with her money but it isn't working so its stopped now and hes getting her money back for her. We think hes a retired finacial advisor who invested her savings for her but with the current situation is cashing in her money before the losses get any worse.



On Monday morning I drove us out to a Farm shop/cafe that they have visited in the past for an early lunch, the sun came out which was nice after Sunday's drizzle, the view across the valley was stunning. We got back to the bungalow at 2pm but instead of going home as I had thought there was more chat, I was becoming tired and worried about driving home. But when we left at 4pm I was ok. I jokingly said I would have us home by 6.15pm (it would be nearer 7pm with me driving or 8pm with mother driving). I don't think I was driving particularly fast but we were back at my place at 6.20pm.



The next few days are a bit of a blur except that on wednesday I got a text from Plumber saying that hes got me a slimline dishwasher. One night when we were out I had mentioned that eventually when I can afford it I want to get a slimline dishwasher to go under my sink drainer. One of his mates is having a completely new kitchen fitted and he is helping him. He has asked his mate who has said I can have it. yayyyyyyyyyy



Thursday was a busy day, Not only did my bedroom window get fixed (I had been told back in November when it was measured up, that it would be done before xmas!!) I can now close my bedroom window for the first time in about 5 or 6 years, (I did originally ask for it to be fixed 3 yrs ago after SF moved out). But on the same day a heating engineer came out to survey the house to find a suitable place to put a new boiler as my Baxi boiler is finally being replaced. (18 months after the engineer had recommended it needed replacing). Apparently according to OJ (I wasn't there) the new boiler needs to go on an outside wall ................all my outside walls are taken up with windows!! The engineer will also need the airing cupboard empty and half the radiators accessible. Not sure what he means by that as only one of the ones mentioned are not currently easily accessible.



I wasn't there for the survey because I had left work early to go to our local Premier League Football ground. There was a presentation being held in one of their hospitality rooms for ET's Princes Trust group. It was an entertaining time with each member of the group describing part of the course and also giving their personal statement about why they had joined and what they had got from it. I was very proud of my boy for being able to speak out clearly and appearing to be more confident than he was. At the end two of the lads dressed up as Sonny and Cher to sing to us.



On friday morning although I was fine when I got up by the time I was driving to work my eyes were very tired and I wanted to go to sleep as soon as I arrived in the office. It took me until lunch time to be fully awake but still weary. As I was leaving work DC text asking if I would be available to pick him up from work at 9pm (if I was awake I would). I was resting on my bed when Bovril began texting me so I turned my comuter on and chatted to him. He was at a loose end and did I fancy a burger up on the hill. The kids were sorted for their dinner and I hadn't decided on mine so I agreed to meet him at the pub for a quick drink. we sat in my car chatting for a while before I suggested that we realy did go inside for a drink. Fruit juice all round then DC text me ........ wake up :-) ..................so we only managed half an hour before I had to leave.
So that was date 2 with Bovril which is 11/80 in total so far.

I don't suppose

I was thinking about my third date and what to tell you. But I don't suppose you really want to know about that so I thought I had better tell you about something else instead. But what do you want to hear about?

Do you want to hear about my mum going to see yet another specialist to try to get to the bottom of her problems with walking now that her knee is fixed. Although her knee is now working she still has problems with the foot of that leg, but then she was dragging that foot for years before the knee problems. I personally think it all has something to do with her Multiple Sclerosis. The next specialist is a neurologist.

I don't suppose you want to know about my aging grandmother who aged 90 still lives alone in a village in The Cotswolds and still drives short distances. she has been getting phonecalls from people she doesn't know and she is getting confused because she thinks they want her to sell something but she doesn't know what. My mum has made her promise not to let anyone into the house without getting her neighbour to be with her first. My aunt lives in Berlin, so whilst both my mum and my dad's cousin in London are the two relatives who worry the most about my grandmother I am the nearest next of kin. So between the three of us we are going to try to set up an emergency strategy for my grandmother in the absence of her only living child.

Work was very hectic today, the lemon chewer went home sick leaving me to cope on my own. I quite enjoy that as I relish the challenge even if I did go without a lunch break. I found out today that Paulo and his family are going to be giving up their business in a year's time. That will be such a pity, not only because we will all miss them as people but also it is a very good account and growing. That will all change now but at least I know I will still be in contact with him if I wish.

I don't think I told you that we had some changes in our office and now I am no longer directly responsible for Scotland, but I am now the official office contact for half the Sales Mangers and Agents. I have set myself a huge project so discover which accounts could be made more profitable and getting my Sales Reps to do more work.

Oh and of course there are still three men in my life right now plus one or two who would like to be.

why do weekends end too soon?

I would like to say I had a quiet lazy weekend especially after how tired I have been and knowing that the next two weekends are going to be very tiring. (next weekend I am going to visit Firebyrd with a few other bloggers I shall be driving up with Mei Del like I did last time.) The following weekend I am driving my mum up to visit my grandmother in the cotswolds. I took mum out for a trial drive today (the first time she has driven since her op). My grandmother will be 90 over the christmas holidays and still lives on her own, still drives short distances. I have decided to write a story for her for christmas probably about a little girl watching all the mischief that the occupants of a classy gift shop (such as the one y grandparents had when I as growing up) get upto at night. But I am also getting together a hamper of useful things for her including copy paper for her computer printer, washing powder etc. Things she would normally have to buy but will be able to save the money to spend on heating and food.

Saturday I did my six monthly turn my paper work out. I had to renew my car tax. My filing system consists of ...............open the envelope read it put it to one side to deal with later. Then after a few days scoop them all up and stow them in one of two drawers or a box in the corner of my bedroom. Then when I need something like when my tax is due I turn everything out on my bed until I find what I need. I always do find it eventually as I always keep everything for 6 years at least.

Having paid a few other bills (thats most of my xmas bonus gone already) I went to dee my mum before going shopping. My brother and family were there when I arrived, after they had gone we discussed what to buy my boys for xmas. I really don't know what to buy for any of them this year. Then I had to dash home to take JA to collect 2 of his friends who were staying over as it is JA's b'day tomorrow. My baby will be a teenager tomorrow.

I had decided to treat them to take away Pizza but first I still needed to go shopping for a few bits. While I was waiting for the pizzas I passed the time reading back over some of the romantic text messages Romeo has sent me (I couldn't help smiling). By the time I had shopped and bought pizza it was 8pm before I got back home.

Today has been a bit of a rush too. Taking the boys back home at 10 am as they were tres tired having not slept all night. Now I know what the bumps in the night were and when I thought someone had fallen down the stairs (I didn't investigate as I didn't hear anyone cry or scream etc). I managed to win an ebay auction for microsoft office 2003 for OJ for his laptop. before heading out to escort mum on her maiden drive. We collected OJ so that he could have a chat about Law with his learned (retired solicitor) granny while I headed off for a quick session at the gym. No problems this time. (I avoided the treadmill this week and made sure I drank plenty of water afterwards).

Back to mum's to join in the conversation with mum and OJ then drop OJ back home and gather up DC and off to the Shopping Outlet centre. Managed to buy some trainers for JA and also my secret santa gift for Firebyrd's party. By the time we got to Tesco it had closed 10 minutes earlier.

Next stop was the tres tres posh Golf and Country Club which DC wanted to join for it's gym. It is not far from his work and several of his work mates are members. He is now a Corporate Member (if I want to join I can join on his Corporate Membership because I am his mother and he still lives at home.) It was very impressive and I do like the idea of swimming by candlelight. The Bistro is quite inviting too. The sort of place I can envisage taking Romeo to eat. It is only £7.50 per month more than the gym I belong to which doesn't have a swimming pool or a Bistro. I do enjoy swimming so perhaps I shall treat myself to a change in the New Year.

I managed to get myself into a spot of road rage after leaving. Pulling up to a roundabout that appeared to be clear I shot out into the turning in time to see a car speeding towards me on my left. Ok I just had time to get out of his way but he was not happy, after blasting his horn for far too long he kept on my tail with his lights blazing trying to intimidate me. I just continued on my way with him following up close for a few miles, there were plenty of chances fro him to overtake but he didn't. He waited until another roundabout onto a busy A road before he came around me cutting me up. Upon reaching the bottom of the hill by the village he turned left back towards the way we had come which just told me that he would have got to his destination quicker had he turned off several miles earlier. DC says tht in my place he would have kept stepping on the brakes to make the prat slow down then he would have wound down his window and given them the finger. I just don't think it was worth the aggravation. So he didn't like me pulling out in front of him, so he had to slow down a little, but he hadn't reached the roundabout so I was safe. Get over it prat!!

I have been stooooopid tonight though. Because I really don't know what to buy for any of my boys this year, I can't buy clothes or music as I would get them wrong. I had a mini brain wave.
This is where you have to imagine the thought bubble over my head (I think I will get them a Wii they will be cheaer this year). So a quick visit to ebay find one for £150 which is just about to end and one for £170 also about to end. On impulse I bid on one that has 10 seconds to go. So now I have won a wii for £172. Now I am panicking!! have I bought this for them or me? They have never once said they want one, they are happy with their computers and PS3. Is it just me who thinks it would be good after all it was fun when I played on Trixie's wii with her and firebyrd. Plus I now realise this one doesn't come with any games. So I have been trawling ebay etc looking for games.

Now I must finish this as I have to wrap up JA's birthday presents ready for the morning.