Time flies

Where has this year gone? Its nearly the summer holidays, yes my life s still about school holidays, and I've not found time to blog -- simply bonkers! So much has happened, new home, new adventures, new cat! Right, from now on I take time ...... make time, to blog and journal and scrapbook, and do all the things I love.

Day 1 of Half Term!

I can't believe it's been nearly 4 months since I last blogged, and we are back to half term all over again. Since when did my life become all about half terms anyway?! Day 1 of Half term has been expensive! I kitted C out in a whole new wardrobe, he looks like a different child. No longer is he the track pants boy, now he is the trendy teenager! Bless him, he looks fab. He is so grateful I bullied him out of the track suit bottoms, he said he feels really good about himself and finally feels good in what he is wearing. Today he told me I'd changed his life so much, it's those moments that make fostering all worthwhile. Yesterday I was in Brighton, meeting my lovely friend Matt for lunch. We got readings in an Angel shop, and mine was super accurate. It's been on my mind all day today. I even wore bright colours as he told me off for wearing too much black! Apparently I'll be moving in March, and so many coincidences have sprung up around that today. How exciting, new beginnings. I wonder what day 2 of Half term will bring? Here's hoping its lots of new business and happiness.

Sunny Southend

Today I took the boys to sunny Southend for the day with my parents in tow.  The day didn't start as smoothly as planned as we discovered we couldn't all fit in the Eos, so I ended up driving too.  Anyway it was only a short hours drive so it was not a big deal really.

When we arrived the boys were so excited to be beside the sea.  It was windy and chilly but bright and sunny.  We were so lucky with the weather.  We took the train ride down the pier, and walked over the the lifeboat station.  Sadly it was closed for maintenance but it was great to be over a mile out to sea on the pier.  Southend has the longest pier in the world, and its actually quite impressive and unlike Brighton's pier, relatively tack free.

Mum and I were watching the cutest birds on the pier, they are so pretty.  They are Terns, something to do with Stone is in their name also.  Basically they turn over the stones to look for food, but typically I now can't think of their name for the life of me.

This afternoon we took the boys to Adventure Island and they went on the rides.  Well C went on the rides with Dad and L watched most of them.  He wasn't feeling particularly brave and didn't want to join in.  Both of them had a great time though, and poor dad got dragged on all sorts of crazy rides, I think he was kinda enjoying himself though!

By the time we left the sun was going down on a lovely day and the coldness has crept in.  It was so windy and really very chilly.  We were all very glad to be able to get into the cars and pop the heaters on!  

A great start to Half Term, finished off with a trip to Pizza Hut on the way home.  So far so good, school holidays aren't so much of a nightmare after all ........ I hope!

Waiting for a call

I'm sitting here just waiting for the phone to ring, waiting for the foster agency to have a placement for me. The room is all ready, dad has been painting the skirting, the windows and the door today, so actually maybe its best they don't call me today, the house smells of paint!

I'm just excited and apprehensive I guess.  I don't doubt that I can take on the challenge but I'm pretty sure i'm going to be terrified when the phone call actually comes!  There again I don't suppose its anymore terrifying than coming home from the maternity ward with a new born and then realising that you have this child to care for.  So if they can do it, I can do it, plus I have an amazing support network of friends and family to help me out.  I've been touched by all the offers of help that have been coming my way, people have been so very kind.

Almost An Auntie

I'm almost an Auntie.  Kt's baby is almost cooked .... but might need to come out a little bit undercooked.  We went for her midwife's appointment this morning, and she waddled in with her extremely swollen feet, which she tried to hide!  Once Midwifey saw her high high blood pressure we were promptly dispatched to the Maternity Ward, stopping to fetch mum on the way!

The three of us hung out in her room for a couple of hours before being seen by a doctor.  When they finally took her blood pressure I think there were slightly horrified at how high it was and the dashed about checking her and rechecking her every few minutes.  She has pre eclampsia, which is pretty dangerous for bubba and even more dangerous for her.  So she has been admitted, and is most definitely there for the weekend ...... she may be there longer but is more that likely to emerge with a nearly fully cooked bambino.  Due date is October 6, but hey this one is going to be a little undercooked.

So it will be a weekend of entertaining the pregnant lady at the hospital.  I see some crafting coming on, a trip to Hobbycraft might just be necessary before my visit tomorrow :-)

The only questions to ask now is is it a pink or blue baby, and when will it come?  Hurry up baby, we are looking forward to meeting you.  But if you could just hang on over the weekend so I can photograph mummy's bump that would be fabulous

L x

The First Day Of The Rest Of My Life

I guess every day can technically be labelled as 'the first day of the rest of my life' can't it, but yesterday was all about new beginnings for me.  It was my first day out of work, my first day knowing I'm officially self employed and raring to go.   It wasn't the first day I felt terrified about how I was going to pay the bills, but I do feel excited about the prospect of making it all happen.  I also feel safe in the knowledge that somehow it is all going to be ok - not quote sure how just yet - but somehow it all will be.

I had a boosting and inspiring meeting with my friends Clare and Nicola and we brainstormed and came up with loads of new projects for me, and for Hertfordshire Social Stuff.  So today I have the hugest to do list, and as I start each task the list seems to grow and grow as I mind-map, and come up with other ideas. Its going to be an ever evolving project, the business has so much scope and I'm bursting with enthusiasm.

Yes Mum & Dad, I am incredibly mindful that I have bills to pay, don't worry its on my mind too, I'm not totally unrealistic.  I've never not worked in my life, so I can't see that happening :-)

I'm just excited for new beginnings, to make my life wholly mine again, and to focus on being happy.

Happy Friday everyone, I'm off to get on with my life and to tackle my to do list

L x

Movie Night - One Day

Having read and loved the book I was very excited to go and watch One Day at the movies. I loved it. I've actually just looked at some online reviews that are pretty negative, and I'm so glad I didn't read them before we went tonight, so they clouded my judgement.

Anne Hathaway played a great Emma, although yes, her accent did slip on more than one occasion, but who cares, we all know she is American, and to be honest who watches a movie to sit picking faults in the accents anyway. Jim Sturgess just got better and better with age - the movie is set over a 20 year period, and mmmmmhh age is kind to Mr Sturgess ladies!!

You can't help but get on Emma's emotional roller-coaster, despite knowing the story, I got totally swept up in it all over again. Cried, smiled, gasped and at times wanted to punch Dex! Lets face it, we've all fallen for guys like Dexter, wished things were different, wish they meant what they were saying, wished they didn't just say what they thought we wanted to hear! But you know what, despite knowing this, and watching it happen, I can't ay I won't do it again. Sometimes a girl just has to fall in love, and sometimes its with the wrong person, but sometimes, just sometimes he becomes the right one too!

I personally would recommend this movie, if you are a book worm then I'd suggest you read the book first, only because its never the same after watching a movie. But for those of you who don't do reading, just go see it. It will make you smile and will more than likely make you shed a tear too.

Don't just take my word for it, check out this site for all the movie details: http://focusfeatures.com/one_day