Tuesday 30th December 2008

I am writing this in shock. I found out today that a neighbour and friend of ours died suddenly from ? heart attack yesterday morning. He was only 50 years old and has two young children. I pray that the Lord will be close to this family at this very tragic and sad time. We were with him last Saturday at a party and his larger than life personality will be greatly missed.

Monday 29th December 2008

Feeling much better but went to see my GP who gave me another week of antibiotics. Finally sorted out the playroom which is now back in use. Played Mariokart and Tell Me with the children. Ate lots today.

On the road to recovery

I stayed in bed until 3pm today but I am up and out of it and have just made a turkey lasagne for the family. I have only used my reliever inhaler once today so far and feel I am breathing a little easier. Praise God! However I will still go back to the Dr tomorrow as I still have chest pain. How I hate being ill and not able to do all the things I would normally do. I do feel God has been teaching me stuff through this though and if only that I have slowed down and read loads of the bible. I am in fact on track to finish the whole bible by the end of the year now- the first time ever, as I usually end up in October or November's readings and then have too much to catch up with.

I have even been thinking of giving up on my PhD but will continue to pray for God's wisdom on that one as it is only through Him that I was given the studentship in the first place.

Graham took the children to church and he said the sermon was amazing- I will download it and listen to it at some point. Graham has now gone to the gym with a three day free pass he was given and the children are playing on the nintendo wii we bought them for Christmas. We have played some good family games over the last few days including 'Pass the Bomb' which is a fantastic word game and seems to send Harry into hyper mode. Christmas gift highlights include Harry's ukulele which he plays constantly and Charlie's remote helicopter. I couldn't believe my present. I didn't think for one minute I would have one but Graham bought me a Sony Reader an ebook. Rosie had some clothes which she looks beautiful in. Christmas Day's sermon included a discussion about why we give each other presents on Jesus's birthday. It was really funny as Richard was talking about the fact that the wise men were male and the presents they bought for Jesus weren't very practical. He said if the wise men had been wise women they would have brought nappies and clothes and a meal for Mary!!

We had to put my mum off from coming down but hopefully she will come next week instead.

Lasagne in the oven smells lovely. Must go and prepare dinner.

Recovering slowly

How I would love to write about the perfect Christmas we have all had. I have been really ill and am writing this in bed. I had to go back to the Dr on Christmas Eve and was given antibiotics for a chest infection. I struggled through Christmas Day for the family and cooked a lovely roast turkey dinner for everybody. Graham's parents joined us and we had a nice time. Went to church and coughed through the service. Boxing Day was spent in bed for most of the day and I am still there today. I just pray I haven't got pneumonia and will go back to the Dr if I am no better on Monday.

Shortest Day

Hooray- as from tomorrow the days will start to get longer.

Here are some photos of our lovely new kitchen.





Thank you Daune for the above. I guess I need to say what the five things are that I am addicted to:
1. God
2. Husband and children
3. Music
4. Reading
5. Friends- perhaps they should be higher up in the list than music and reading

Have had a busy weekend with exchanging of presents on Friday night with friends ( although felt bad as had only bought presents for the friends who will be in the Lakes for Christmas- still have two days left and we will see the other two families on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day )and a housewarming party last night with neighbours. Today was brilliant at Church. It was the Nativity play and Rosie was a Christmas present ( non speaking part ). I felt really proud as she had made her outfit all by herself. She had cut holes in a huge box and had wrapped it in Christmas paper and wore a huge bow in her hair. She looked great.

This afternoon I cleaned half the conservatory and was able to put the chairs and table back in place. I washed six chair covers and scrubbed the floor and cleaned the windows. I could not believe the amount of dust on the windows. Rosie had friends round to play and then we had a couple of guests for tea and mince pies including Graham's sister's partner. It was great to see him.

We spent the evening watching the Christmas Lark Rise to Candleford and yesterday's episode of Outnumbered. I have a busy day ahead tomorrow with an appointment at the surgery tomorrow morning for a flu jab then Lulu has a vet appointment in the afternoon. In between I have to clean the other half of the conservatory and replace the kitchen items which are still in the family room. I also have to do the food shopping for Christmas Day and deliver cards and go into town to buy presents!

Almost there

Photos of the village, our Christmas tree, Nativity welcome lights and Rosie.





I haven't done any work all week as I have been unwell with asthma from all the dust. I finally went to the Dr today and my steroid inhaler has been increased until I start to feel better. I have also been given a peak flow meter so I can adjust my dosage accordingly. Thankfully I haven't got a chest infection which I thought I might have as I was awake for a lot of the night coughing and wheezing. I think the 4 grams of vit c I have been taking daily for the last few weeks is helping. I have missed the department Christmas party at work today and probably the Christmas lunch tomorrow. Never mind. The kitchen is almost finished. Tomorrow will be the last day of decorating. It does look great and once I have thoroughly cleaned everywhere downstairs and am able to breathe freely I will be a lot happier.

Church was amazing last week. Luke's sermon was brilliant. Here is a link:
http://www.brickhillbaptistchurch.org/images/file/081214%20Servant%20of%20the%20Lord.mp3

We then went to the park for an outdoor carol service which we thoroughly enjoyed. Rosie has had a good couple of days with friends and the boys broke up this lunchtime. Harry had a couple of friends round for a jamming session. Poor Graham was trying to work from home today but found it too noisy. Charlie went into town with his mates and 13 of them went to the Chinese buffet for lunch.

My car came back today and we are hoping that it is completely fixed and safe to drive.

We have our last home group on Saturday until January. I am so enjoying them. Another couple approached me on Sunday and want to join in the New Year as they also find mid week groups difficult to attend.

Can't believe I have been writing this for almost a year. Not sure how or whether to continue. I must work out how I can print it out.

Light at the end of the tunnel

Another week goes by and the kitchen is still not ready. The tiles are now in place and the utility room is almost finished. The big American fridge freezer is in place and working which is great. The kitchen just needs to be decorated, along with the utility room and conservatory.

I've had another busy and stressful week. I am using my inhalers every day now and am still fighting off an infection. I have also been full of a cold for two days. The dust is everywhere and no matter how much I clean, it is back the next day. The car is back in the garage and after paying £1400 the existing clanging noise wasn't repaired and the car is now making a new noise.

I am really turning into Mrs Grumpy Old Woman.

On a lighter note. The children have had their school reports, and Rosie sung a duet in the carol concert at school and did a reading. Rosie has now broken up from school. The boys break up next Wednesday. We have a great day ahead tomorrow with our Christmas giving service at church in the morning. We have made two hampers to be distributed to families in Bedford which we will take with us. In the afternoon there is the outdoor carol service in Bedford Park. Just hoping it doesn't rain.

Nine of us went to the Kiln on Tuesday evening. It was great fun and I decorated a bowl which I will give to Rosie for Christmas.

Finally getting round to thinking about Christmas and I don't just mean Christ's birthday. We bought and decorated the tree today and put it in the lounge this year ( as it is the only liveable room in the house at the moment). It looks great. Harry and Rosie decorated their rooms and we had to have a competition to see whose was the best. Harry had ripped up hundreds of bits of white paper and thrown them on the floor for snow and had wrapped his guitars in tinsel (I tried hard not to think about the clearing up). As we walked in each room they played Christmas carols to add to the atmosphere. Rosie had a disco feel to her room with a fibre optic flashing tree and a psychedelic coloured box on her bed. They both looked great and we have yet to declare the winner.

Lulu is trying to climb up the tree and playing with the baubles. It's like having a toddler in the house again.

Peace amidst chaos

It is still a bomb site here with so much dust I am having to use inhalers. However I can now see the light at the end of the tunnel. The units are up and the work surfaces down, but still can't use them as they need another two coats of treatment oil. I can, however start to put things back in the cupboards which is great. Next week the floor will be tiled and the fridge plumbed in and walls plastered and painted. Hopefully it will be ready for Christmas.


Last night we went to hear Rosie sing in a carol concert in aid of a local hospice which the school support. It was really good and Bedford Town Brass Band were excellent. Charlie has gone away with church for the weekend to Letton Hall in Norfolk. Harry has 'welcome to the family' this morning at church and Graham has a men's breakfast after his golf lesson. We are going ahead with home group this morning and I'm sure it will go well. The new lady is definitely coming this morning and another couple want to get involved after Christmas. Rosie is going to Winchester for a netball match this afternoon.

Plans for the rest of the weekend include cleaning, kitchen work and then chilling and relaxing. A friend popped by yesterday morning and along with the builder they both told me about a really funny TV series called 'Outnumbered.' I had never heard of it. It is a sitcom about a family with three children and is very funny as the children part improvise. I went on BBC iplayer and watched two episodes! Yes it is worth watching-seeing as I never find anything worth watching on TV these days, and I think all the family will enjoy it. Apparently it is on tonight. We were due to have a family round for tea today but have cancelled it.They kindly invited us but think we will stay at home.

Thursday 3rd December 2008

Having a very busy and stressful week unfortunately. Left my car lights on again yesterday which flattened the battery. I had to wait for two hours until the AA arrived. The house is still a building site and we are now without a sink and an oven. I keep telling myself that it will be worth it! The builders have made an excellent job so far and I love the oak work surfaces. My first Christmas card arrived yesterday. I've no idea when I will get round to thinking about Christmas! Can't bear all this commercialisation and it's only December 3rd.

Waiting for the snow to arrive.

'Now faith is the substance of things hoped for' Hebrews 11:1

Friday 28th November 2008

I've had a really strange week with conflict, car breakdown, asthmatic wheeze, a building site in the kitchen, and that is just me. Graham has had a stressful week at work, Harry has had several nose bleeds, and Rosie has been mega busy with sport, ballet and other groups. Something really awful happened when Graham wasn't sat at his desk and the reality of the situation hasn't really hit me. The window just behind him fell onto the desk. His office is now cordoned off and investigations are taking place into why the accident happened. Charlie has had an ok week thankfully. I went to see a good friend of mine this afternoon to pray about things. She has also been feeling burdened and oppressed, particularly following the Thanksgiving week at church.

However, amidst the feelings of chaos I know that God has been with us and is teaching me to walk more closely with Him. I also had a positive supervision session at work and feel I am progressing quite well.

I have finished The Last Sin Eater this week and have started a novel by Sadie Jones- The Outcast which is great. Can't believe it's December next week and I won't be able to start Christmas preparations like make Christmas cakes until the kitchen is finished which looks a long way off at the moment.

Have had to cancel cell group tomorrow unfortunately. We've also got a busy weekend planned- well the children have. Rosie has hockey at 8.30am, then her grade 3 ballet exam and then the school Christmas fete followed by a sleep over. Harry has got a party and Charlie is playing rugby for the school. In the evening we're going out for a curry with four friends.

Saturday 22nd November 2008

The above is a photo of the campus church taken at dusk on my way home this week. I have to walk past it on my way to the car park each day I am there and it just looks so out of place as it is such an old building compared to the high tech modern buildings on site. However, for me it is a reminder that God is the same yesterday, today and forever and I can just imagine people worshipping there hundreds and hundreds of years ago. It is also demonstrates how dark the evenings are becoming now. It is dark just after 4pm. Roll on Dec 21st and the start of the lighter evenings.

Had a couple of good days, but felt frustrated yesterday. We had a letter from the Borough Council about needing building regs to remove the conservatory doors. We have two options. We either replace the doors or apply for building regs and employ a surveyor to conduct a heating loss assessment. We won't get the go ahead with the regs as the conservatory is too big. So, it looks like we'll have to get some doors. We didn't know we couldn't remove the doors and feel misguided by our builder.

The kitchen is now due to start next Weds. It's a good job we're going to have a breakfast bar put in now that the doors have to go back on as the table will be less accessible.

Anyway it is so cold here. The temp has really dropped and we're expecting temps of -10 degrees today with the wind chill factor. We went out last night to some friends for dinner in the village. We had a good time. Graham and his golf mates are very funny when together.

Looking forward to the weekend. The children are busy with hockey for Rosie this morning, rugby for Charlie this afternoon and Harry is at a friend's for a sleepover and will return later. We have our home group late morning which should be good as a new lady is coming along. This afternoon I need to go into town to look at fridges and Graham plans to have a couple of friends round to watch the rugby.

I then need to crack on with some work this evening. I managed to do a lot yesterday but went to the gym and then to Sainsburys so need to catch up.

Happy Birthday Charlie

I can't believe that my gorgeous boy is 15 today! He has had a great day at school and then we all went to Santaniello's for dinner this evening. We have bought him a laptop, which arrived just in time today. He absolutely loves it. It will make homework easier for everyone now with two computers between the three of them.

Went into work late today as I waited in for the computer to be delivered. I managed to do some more writing this afternoon and am starting to feel under pressure to submit something by Monday.

Monday 17th November 2008

We've had a great weekend which culminated in two Thanksgiving services at church yesterday where we recommitted our lives. The highlights of the two services were the corporate declaration of faith which involved signing our names on a huge roll of paper. Prior to that we had written thank you cards to God which provided a good opportunity to think about what we are thankful for. In between the two services, friends came for lunch.

The afternoon service was extremely lively with some great worship and after congoing (not sure whether that's a word ) around the church three or four times and dancing I felt like I had been to the gym. It was such good fun- even Graham boogied slightly. Harry was shattered at the end of the day after playing in the band twice. He said he had played 14 songs in total! It was so good to see him jumping up and down on stage really worshipping God. All the children loved the day.

On Saturday we went to the local pub for a meal with 9 other couples which was ok. At least I didn't get food poisoning again!

It is Charlie's fifteenth birthday the day after tomorrow. He is growing up so quickly. He played rugby twice this weekend and won both matches.

I have been swimming first thing this morning after dropping the children off at school and have been sat at the computer for much of the rest of the day trying to write but appear to have a mental block. It is because I have no pressure for a few days, although I have got more to do for this week's supervision. I need to go out soon to take Harry's banjo to the guitar centre as it needs a new string before collecting Rosie to take her to ballet.

Going to have a last ditch attempt at work for the day

On my knees

I've had a good day starting with the gym and then coffee with a friend. I came home and did some work before collecting the children from school and taking them to their various activities.

I have finally learnt how to include videos on here! So here is one of my favourite all time songs- although I prefer Nicole Mullen's version.

Wednesday 13th November 2008

I'm having a good but busy week so far. I have some work to finish off before tomorrow's supervision and should have been writing tonight. However I went to a prayer meeting at church instead which was great. God's presence was tangible and again I was reminded of the privilege of being a member of our church. We have a thanksgiving weekend planned which I'm looking forward to with friends coming for lunch on Saturday and a family coming for Sunday lunch. I was thinking on the way home from MK today about all the things God has placed in my life that I am thankful for. I was listening to a Matt Redman CD when ' Blessed be Your Name ' was played. How apt it was for me. In fact the tune just won't go away. God has poured out so many blessings on my life( and my family's) which need to be turned back to praise for Him!



Still trying to work out how to download the actual video onto here despite being told how to do only this evening! Never mind.

Anyway, I'm off to bed and pray that God will give me clarity of thought for the three hours tomorrow morning before my supervision!

Sunday 9th November 2008

Very tired today and the awful rainy and cold weather accompanied by the shortening days is not helping!

Had a good time last night although the fireworks were aborted half way through the evening due to the rain. Graham took Charlie and four others to south London for a rugby match very early this morning and didn't return until gone three. We didn't manage to get to church today but had a nice meal together instead. I was supposed to be going out tonight with a friend but she is also too tired so we cancelled it.

Added more books to Shelfari. Hunting and Gathering was excellent. I could not put it down.

I feel like hibernating so reckon I would benefit from an early night.

Fireworks and bonfires

We've had a great week so far. I've thoroughly enjoyed being at the O.U. this week and felt as if I have made a bit of a breakthrough in terms of my project thinking this week as I'm managing to sort out its different components. I enjoyed my supervision this week. It is great to feel challenged every week.

The children are fine and are all engrossed with school, friends and sport. We went to a brilliant firework display at the golf club on Thursday. Thankfully it didn't rain. Tonight we're going to a bonfire and fireworks party at a friend's house in the village which should be good fun.

Today's growth group went well despite there being only two of us! We had a good discussion and prayer time. Next week the couple who have been away will be back to join us and a new lady wants to join.

Trip to Turville

We've just returned from a trip to Turville, the hamlet where The Vicar of Dibley, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Goodnight Mr Tom, Miss Marple, Midsomer Murders and other films have been set. It took us about one hour to get there and we drove through some beautiful countryside including The Chilterns.

We visited the 13th Century church and then walked up the hill to the windmill before having a late lunch in the pub. It took us a long time to get home as we came back on the motorway and there was so much traffic.

Our home group went well this morning and we had some interesting discussions leading on from the last two sermons at church.

Looking forward to a night in tonight. I'm going to chill with my knitting and hope there is something good on the television.

Day trip to London

We had such a great day yesterday. We drove to London and parked in Cavendish Square near Oxford Street. We then walked and walked, sightseeing in a real tourist way, taking lots of photographs. We went on the London Eye which was amazing. Thankfully it had stopped raining by the time we had queued to get on the capsule so we had really good views of London and its landmarks.

We then went for something to eat and found a Chinese buffet nearby which was ok, but not brilliant. We then visited the London Movieum which displays props and artefacts from famous movies. The highlights were a mini from The Italian Job and a dalek from Dr Who.

We then walked back across the river, past The Houses of Parliament and Big Ben. We walked through St James's Park and past Trafalgar Square and Nelson's Columnn and then back up to Oxford Circus and Regent Street where we did a spot of shopping in H & M ( well Rosie and I did- the boys and Graham went to Starbucks for hot chocolates).

We then went to see The Sound of Music at The Palladium. It was an excellent show with amazing stage effects and evocotive scenery. However, in my critical mode I didn't think it was remotely comparable to the film and I didn't enjoy the slight story changes or the addition of two new songs!

We then drove home, but didn't get back until nearly 1am due to the roadworks on the M1. The children slept in the car.

Today has been spent researching my topic which I'm thoroughly enjoying. I have been looking at the role of the Victorian mother in Great Britain as part of the literature review which is really fascinating. Working class women had a tough time with a life expectancy of only 54 years and 63% giving birth to eight or more children! As well as looking after all those children the majority of them had to supplement their husbands' incomes by working in order to provide food for their family.

Harry went to a party and Rosie and I went into town. Charlie stayed at home and Graham played golf this afternoon.

Looking forward to tomorrow. We have our cell/growth group first thing but don't expect many people to turn up as one person is away on business and another is on holiday. However it will still go ahead. Jesus said in the bible that when two or more people gather in His name that He is present, so that is encouragement enough to continue with it.

Half- Term holidays

I am now more or less fully recovered from a bout of food poisoning following a meal out on Friday night. I was awake most of the night and in bed all day Saturday and stayed at home all day Sunday! Yesterday we went to Bolton to visit my Mum for the day. The journey took over four hours due to an accident on the motorway. We had a nice time once there though and went to Rivington and then to Dad's tree. The weather wasn't brilliant but at least it had stopped raining by the time we went to the memorial forest.

Today has been spent at college for a couple of hours. Rosie was playing hockey all day and I took the boys to their Grandparents for a couple of hours. We then drove home and collected Rosie. Graham came home early. I'm feeling tired and have already begun to acclimatise myself to the darker evenings and the clocks only went back on Saturday. I must admit that I'm not overly fond of the dark nights and will look forward with anticipation to December 22nd when the nights will start to get lighter again!

Tomorrow afternoon I'm planning to meet up with a friend and her four children, two of whom are friends of the boys and are in the same class at school together.

I'm really looking forward to Thursday when we are going to London to go on The London Eye and then to see The Sound of Music.