Saturday 31st May 2008

Happy Birthday Grandad!

I'm writing this just before I get ready to go out with a friend for a meal and then to the cinema to see 'Sex And The City'. I haven't seen any of the series on television so hope I like it. The film has had good reviews and was premiered in London. Graham has gone to see Bruce Springsteen with my friend's husband ( and Harry) so we are leaving the children home alone.

Yesterday was spent at home setting up my new laptop and I have managed to add a few new pieces to my blog including the brilliant 'shelfari' which I love! It is a great way of remembering which books I've read this year. A friend popped round in the afternoon and Rosie went to her friend's for a sleepover along with four other girls. They all returned later with the dog they were taking out for a walk. Molly is a beautiful Labrador but after her being here for half an hour in the back garden and escaping several times onto the road and pooping on the grass and weeing on the shed and trampling over my strawberry plants I was convinced that we don't really need a dog just yet.

Graham took Harry for a haircut this morning which he wasn't very happy about (they both weren't). It still looks pretty long to me but Harry feels he has been scalped and has worn a hat all day!

We then went to Graham's parents for lunch as it is Graham's Dad's birthday today (84). He is looking so well since he has started on the heart medication.

Thankful Thursday 29th May 2008

Today I thank God for the following:



The beautiful warm sunny day. It is amazing how the sun transforms the appearance of everyday views. Our garden is looking particularly lovely today with so many bright and vivid coloured flowers now in bloom.



The day ahead. We are going to Cambridge to see our friends. Our friends' son is playing cricket at Gonville and Caius so we will watch the match first before having a wander around the town centre and then we are going back to their house for a take away.



My family and friends. We're having such a lovely week at home spending much needed quality time together. We had a great day yesterday at Southwold. The weather was cold and windy and overcast but at least it didn't rain. We had a long walk along the prom and had fish and chips on the pier before walking to the town centre where we went to The Swan for tea ( Graham and I celebrated our first wedding anniversary there almost 17 years ago)



I have an interview for a PhD studentship. I received the letter today which outlines the presentation I have to give about my proposal and two areas for discussion. I thank God for this opportunity (even if I am not successful.)

Tuesday 27th May 2008

We had a fantastic day yesterday. We drove through the rain and arrived at China Town just before midday. We hailed a taxi and went to the Imperial War Museum. The Bond exhibition was very informative and was more about the life of Ian Fleming than the actual books and films.



We then bought some sandwiches from the cafe and then wandered around the rest of the museum, visiting the First and Second World War exhibitions including the Child at War section and The Blitz. The Holocaust exhibition was extremely moving, particularly at the end where there were rows and rows of shoes from Auschwitz victims. My gaze caught on a small sandal obviously belonging to a child.



We left the museum and caught a bus back to Westminster. We walked for some time and saw Downing Street, Big Ben, Houses of Parliament, London Eye, Regents Park, Buckingham Palace, Piccadilly, Nelsons Column, Trafalgar Square before arriving in Soho and China Town.



We went to Wonk Kei for a meal. The staff appeared to have mellowed over the years and were very polite to us. The food was great. After eating we walked again for some time and stopped for coffee at Starbucks. By now we looked like drowned rats as the rain was coming down even more heavily. Just to add to my damp appearance I spilt a whole cup of coffee down my front as the lid wasn't put on properly!



We then walked to the theatre. Couldn't believe it as the people in front of us in the queue were a family we knew from our old church in Cambridge! I have also bumped into the woman on three other occasions at Henlow Grange It is a small world.



Joseph was totally amazing! Lee Mead was sensational and looked particularly fetching in his loin cloth- was worried he may have caught a chill though! The music was brilliant.



We then drove home getting back at 11.30pm.



Today the weather is dull and overcast but at least the rain has stopped. There is a JCB outside in the road digging it up. The whole road is being resurfaced which is a good thing as it certainly needed it.



I'm off to the hairdresser's shortly. Graham has gone to the gym and Charlie is about to start revising. Rosie is at a friend's and Harry is on the trampoline. We are going to have a lazy day at home, although have to do lots of tidying up as the cleaners are coming tomorrow.

Sunday 25th May 2008

After a few days of nice weather the rain has returned. Graham and Charlie are off to Wembley soon ( well if Charlie gets up)!

Had a good day yesterday. Took Rosie to her friend's for a party and sleepover. Her friend lives in Bushmead Priory which is a 12th century church owned by English Heritage. Graham played golf and then we went into town to buy a new camera as our old one had broken. I'm hoping to take some photos which will be uploaded on here. Graham wants to take some today of the Mighty Whites at Wembley.

We went out for an Indian last night with four friends from church. We went to Indiya in town. The food was delicious and we had a great time. We had some really good conversations which were centred around what is going on in Florida at the moment. I had printed off some stuff from the internet about it and also Terry Virgo's blog entry. I have concluded that as God is everywhere (omnipressant) and accessible by faith and a personal relationship with His son Jesus we don't need to travel to a certain destination to receive an outpouring of the Holy Spirit as we can receive it right where we are . Amen. However all the miraculous signs and wonders which are happening at Lakeland can't be denied.

http://www.janga.biz/terryvirgoblog/?p=149

Why does it always rain in England during Bank Holiday week-ends?

Friday 23rd May 2008

The first part of my day hasn't gone to plan. I had to stay in all morning to wait for a special delivery ( Leeds tickets at Wembley ) so was unable to go to the gym. Whilst I was in an engineer from Siemens came round to change over the electricity meter which meant I had to clear out the big under the stairs cupboard. So the morning was spent ironing and cleaning. The tickets arrived at 1pm ( we were told any time between 8am and 1pm ) which meant I was late for the Cornerstone management meeting. I did manage to catch up with my bible reading which was good

I made it just in time before the meeting started and was able to have some lunch. The meeting was productive and we talked about starting an Alpha, or 'just looking ' course in September. I feel really excited about this and have volunteered to help organise it. We did think that we would just invite people in to give their testimonies and have discussions based round those as our clients may find it difficult to follow a structured course.

I collected Rosie from school and took her to church but unfortunately couldn't get in the building as the door was locked and the secretary is on holiday. Nobody heard the bell or the phone so we came away and collected Harry and his friends from school. Never mind one less car trip tonight! Rosie was really excited as she has been elected on to the Head Girl team and has to write a manifesto. She said she could either be a waitress, author or president when she grows up !

I spoke to Charlie who had gone to his friend's. He has had a good day at school and has thankfully remembered his school books to revise from.

I'm just about to take Harry and his friend to church, then Rosie to ballet. Hopefully Graham will be back to collect both Harry and Charlie from church at 8pm and 10pm. Graham has been to Malvern for a meeting today.

Looking forward to tomorrow and the Bank Holiday weekend and rest of the week. We're going to London see Joseph at the Adelphi on Monday starring the lovely Lee Mead. We're also going to The Imperial War Museum to see a James Bond exhibition.

Anyway time to go

Thursday 22nd May 2008

I felt much better yesterday after a good night's sleep but needed all my energy to cope with the day I had. I was in County Hall for an extremely sad and complicated child protection conference for over 3 hours! They usually take about one hour. Thankfully some evidence provided by the grandparents backed up my report. The plumber arrived when I got home and sorted out the blockage. When he unscrewed the u bend water went every where completely soaking the floor and cupboard. I didn't care as long as it was fixed.

Graham was in Paris for the night so missed the big match. Charlie was texting him the scores. Man U won after penalties. I went to my prayer meeting but left early enough to catch the end of the match. The meeting started off well and I thought the worship was really great. There were over 40 of us in the house. I have mixed views about the evening though and still find some aspects of what I witnessed difficult to understand.

Today has been a good day. Firstly I went to the gym and worked out for 50 mins. I then went to the drop in centre. The girl who was really struggling last week appeared better today. She had skipped bail but a friend took her to the police station first thing. She turned up later and gave me a thank you card . I was really moved by that as she has so much on her mind at the moment including a drug problem and domestic violence. Her partner is in prison and she is finding it difficult to manage the children.

I spent the afternoon mopping the floor and cleaning the cupboard underneath the sink before collecting the papers for Harry's round. I made up the papers for him and then collected Rosie and Harry and his friend from school. Harry did his round and Rosie went to a friend's, Charlie arrived home after his detention and then spent the evening revising for his exams which are after half term.

I collected my friend and then we went to fat club. I have lost another 1.5 lb which is great. I think it's the combination of putting more effort into the gym and eating very sensibly during the week(not the weekend )which is helping.

Can't go to the gym tomorrow morning as have to wait in for a special delivery. Graham has managed to secure tickets for the big Leeds play off game on Sunday which are being delivered tomorrow. He is taking Charlie and it is at Wembley so Charlie is really excited as he hasn't been there before.

I will finish with a link to a song I love. Last night I was told to bring along my favourite worship track. I have so many that I couldn't decide but took this along. It didn't get played in the end but I listened to it in the car on the way home. It is an awesome song. Nicole Mullen has an amazing voice.

Unfortunately I can't find ' On My Knees' on you tube, but 'My Redeemer Lives ' is another great song :http://video.google.com/videosearch?q=nicole+c+mullen+&sitesearch=&start=50

Jacqui Velasquez also sings 'On My Knees', although I prefer Nicole C Mullen's version.

http://video.google.com/videosearch?q=nicole+mullen+I+get+on+my+knees&sitesearch

Tuesday 20th May 2008

What a stressful day I have had so far. In no particular order:

The sink is blocked and after spending a fortune on Mr Muscle, Domestos and 3 bags of soda crystals it still won't shift. I'm having to bail the dishwasher waste out of the sink as it back tracks up into the basin which suggests the blockage may be lower in the dishwasher waste pipe. Unable to get a plumber until Thursday as I am working tomorrow.

I had a major child protection issue today and had to attend a meeting first thing. I cannot take on any more cases.

My colleague is on holiday and I have yet another conference tomorrow where the mother's partner challenged something I had written in the report which I will have to back up.

I'm so tired today and feel like I have to start all over again once I come in from work. I still have a mountain of ironing.

However, I'm not going to grumble any further. I'm going to have an early night which I'm sure will help.

Monday 19th May 2008

I've had a good weekend, and again another busy one. It will be time to recharge the batteries by the end of this week.

Graham got back late on Friday so I had to do all the taxiing of children to their various activities.

Saturday was spent preparing canapes for the evening. Rosie went off with a friend for the day and the boys went into town with Graham. The evening was such good fun. We played Pictionary, Who's in the bag? and a word game. The men were so competitive and noisy, although I have been told that I also displayed a competitive streak! It was good to see how well Graham and his golf friends get on together as they have very different personalities! One of his friends is an elder at a local church and I had listened to his sermon last week, in which he had to mention golf!

Yesterday was good. I did feel tired though due to going to bed late. I can't do late nights anymore. I had to be at netball with Rosie at 9.15am for a tournament. They played well and won two of their three games. Graham and Charlie went to church in the morning and then we all had lunch together. Graham then played golf (surprise) and later he went to collect the dining table and chairs whilst Harry, Rosie and myself went to church. I was welcoming and Harry was in the band so we went early. The service was totally amazing as usual and Luke who was preaching invited people to the front early on in the service as he felt that God wanted to impart stuff to us. Luke prayed over me and said that God was going to use my home to minister to people. I thought about the night previously and the weekend before and will obviously pray into this. I feel very excited about this and about the whole way that God chooses to speak to us using a variety of means such as His spoken word -the bible and through other people and through dreams, pictures, visions etc. It is hard to imagine that the creator of the universe is interested in me- but He is and I praise Him for that!

Graham arrived back with the furniture which was definitely worth waiting for. It looks brand new and looks great in our dining room as it completely matches the existing furniture in there.

I did a spot of ironing and got the children's clothes ready for today whilst Graham assembled the table, cut the grass and got his work stuff ready. He was up at 5am to catch a flight to Dublin.

I've been to the gym this morning then nipped into town to buy a mascara from Debenhams. I have now got an afternoon of ironing planned as I have two baskets full to get through.

Saturday 17th May 2008

The lovely sunny weather has gone to be replaced with dark, dismal and rainy days. However, this won't deter us from having a good weekend. It is forecasted to return next week.

My bible notes yesterday were so apt as my friend and prayer partner had been discussing about desiring God's will in our lives in the gym first thing yesterday morning and then I got home and read this:


Knowing God better
The Spirit will take from what is mine and make it known to you. John 16:15
Spiritual activities can never replace spiritual intimacy. A lot of us go to church with the wrong focus; we want to know what the pastor's subject is. What we should be thinking is: 'Lord, whatever the preacher says today, I want You to speak to me personally so I'll know what Your will is for my situation.' When God's Word starts coming alive for you in ways that change you and take you in a direction you would never have discovered for yourself, you're on the same wavelength as the Holy Spirit, whose job is to clarify and reveal God's purpose for your life. Living on this wavelength puts you in a world apart from others, even many professing Christians. Paul said in 1 Corinthians 2, verse 14, that the 'natural man' can't grasp anything from God because his spirit is dead. He says the things of God are 'foolishness' to such a person. So a mature believer is worlds removed from the understanding of the spiritually dull or dead person. The truth is that even church-goers don't understand the mature believer. Paul said such a person 'is appraised [properly understood and evaluated] by no one' (1 Corinthians 2:15 NASB). People can't work mature believers out because they have 'the mind of Christ' (1 Corinthians 2:16 NIV). This kind of intimacy with God is rare today, even though the mind of Christ is God's will for, and is available to, each of us. Spiritually mature believers have a passion to pursue and know God, and they aren't satisfied until they are in an intimate relationship with Him. So make your goal knowing God better.
Bible in a year : Jonah 1-4; Mark 12:28-34; Ps 88:1-9a; Pr 11:24-26


It was great as my friend came round later to pray so we were able to pray about the above for our lives.

I then went to meet a friend for lunch which turned into a very long lunch. We met at 1pm and didn't leave until 4pm! We completely lost track of the time which meant I was late to collect Rosie from school and then she was late to church. I didn't have enough time to drive all the way home and then back again so called in on a friend for a cup of tea. By now Harry and his friend had walked home and were home alone. I collected Rosie and then drove home and made the boys some tea( well threw a pizza in the oven) and then took Rosie to ballet. Harry's friend's father arrived to take them both to see the school's production of 'Oliver'. I managed to establish contact with Charlie who was on his way to his friend's. He was supposed to ring me today after he had apologised to a teacher. He was in trouble yesterday for producing something offensive on the computer and printing it out and handing it in to the teacher. I was very disappointed with him. Anyway he has an after school detention as a result.

I collected Rosie from ballet and took her to a friend's for a sleepover. I then went to Sainsbury's to buy the food for tonight. It is our last spot of entertaining for a while. We have invited Graham's golf friends and wives round for a games evening with drinks and canapes. It should be good fun.

I have finally bought a dining table and chairs. I have been looking for the last eighteen months for a Tapley table to match our existing furniture which we bought when we got married. Tapley went out of business for a while but is now up and running again. However a new table and chairs set costs over £3000. I have been looking on ebay most days and have seen a few in the past, a couple of which I've bid on and have been unsuccessful. I found one for £500 and emailed the seller. He stopped the sale and accepted my offer. Graham is going to collect it tomorrow. The seller lives near Peterborough, so not too far away.

Anyway must go and collect the Christian Aid envelopes from our road.

Thursday 15th May 2008 ( Thankful)

I have had a great day today. I have so much to be thankful for, and in no particular order I thank God for the following things I have experienced today:

I managed to run and cycle for 50 mins in the gym before the drop in centre. I thank God for my health.

Rosie told me tonight that she is really enjoying an Enid Blyton's Famous Five book which I remember reading at her age. Infact Enid Blyton books were the first ones I started to read and I remember reading them under the bedclothes with a torch when my parents thought I was asleep. I must buy her the Mallory Towers and Five at St. Clares series for her birthday next month. I thank God for the enjoyment of storytelling and imagination.

My colleague came to the drop in centre this morning. She is the one who has recently retired and who I have had the privilege to pray with several times. I had invited her so she could refer her clients in the future. Unfortunately we had a bit of a crisis shortly after she arrived when a client arrived late and was very distressed as she had no money to feed her children. Her partner gets out of prison in a couple of weeks and she is finding it difficult to cope. We were reluctant to give her money as we knew she would just buy drugs with it. So I went to Tesco and bought her some food and another volunteer bought her some credit on her gas meter. I thank God for the privilege of being able to help her today and that she felt secure enough to come to us for help.

I am grateful for the shouts from both Charlie and Graham in the other room as Leeds have just scored another goal . This means they are through to the playoffs and Graham can get tickets to Wembley.

I am thankful that I have lost 11/2lbs this week. I went to WeightWatchers with my friend and she had also lost the same which is great. I was given another silver seven sticker to stick on my card. The woman who weighed me was more excited than me! Boy how I loath going each week. Thank you God that you are helping me to have the willpower not to be greedy and to have control over what I eat.

I am thankful for the lovely reference I was given from my supervisor to assist me in my application to do my PhD. It was so encouraging and came at the right time when I was beginning to think it is not the right thing for me to pursue. I know the Lord will give us the desires of our heart and I am almost sure this is it for me. Thank you God.

I am thankful that my friend who has just returned from seeing Todd Bentley in Florida has invited me to a special prayer meeting next Wednesday about the revival.


I am also thankful for humour. A friend sent me this today which is very tongue in cheek and I hope I don't think about it next Wednesday! http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=8bLPELvj7I4

I did think it was funny, particularly as I remember 'The Streak'

Also I thank the Lord for good wine. Graham and I have just enjoyed some St Emilion (which was on special offer at Sainsbury's). Years ago we went to St Emilion ( 1990) and had a glass of St Emilion in a bar in the square of the village. Very nice too.

Wednesday 14th May 2008

I've had a strange day today at work and couldn't believe how tired I was. I could quite easily have nodded off at my desk. My colleague who retired a couple of months ago started back today working two days a week which is great as it will ease some of the pressure. I did a couple of visits today to families with lovely six week old babies. Now that is the best part of my job.

Graham will be back soon after a day in Italy. I was hoping one of us would make house group tonight but doesn't look hopeful as I don't think Graham will be back in time.

Looking forward to the drop in centre tomorrow. http://www.woodsidechurch.com/Group/Group.aspx?id=39779

Tuesday 13th May 2008

It was great to be off work today, although it was confusing as I kept thinking it was a Monday. I went to the gym first thing and ran again for 30 mins and then did a 20 mins on the bike. I then drove home to collect Harry's shoes as he had put on his trainers by mistake this morning and phoned me from school to tell me! I couldn't stop laughing. If he'd had had slippers by the door I'm sure he would have put those on instead of shoes!

I then did some tidying up as the cleaners are coming tomorrow. I also sorted out our wardrobe and put all my winter clothes away. I also caught up with several days of bible reading. I've now finished Numbers which I was struggling with.

After lunch I went to Fifth Avenue for a pedicure. What a treat! It was a Christmas present from the mother of the child I take to school every day. I saw that the voucher expires next month so thought I had better use it pretty quickly. It was so nice to sit there for one hour having a foot and leg massage and then my nails painted.

I then stayed in town and bought a present for a friend whose birthday it is on Saturday. I collected the children from school and then we went to the Dentist for a check up. All is well thankfully.

Rosie had swimming tonight and then I had my book club which I came back early from. Graham is away and Charlie has a Spanish test tomorrow which I needed to test him on so I had a good excuse to leave. We discussed 'The Secret Life of Bees' which I had read last October when we were in Florida. Of course I had forgotten much of what the book was about as it was some time ago. Still have mixed views about this reading group and feel I don't really have the time for this anymore.

Anyway, off to bed to read a new Christian biography which I bought from Wesley Owen today.

Sunday 10th May 2008

It is such a lovely hot day today. I have spent most of it in the garden relaxing and reading the papers. We were up early to take Rosie to netball.

We had a great evening last night with our friends and neighbours. I made stuffed mushrooms, salmon with black bean salsa and salad and raspberry and blueberry pavlova and mint chocolate mousse. Despite spending a lot of the day in the kitchen it was a relaxing evening which we really enjoyed.

Off to church in a minute. Rosie isn't back from her friend's yet so need to go and find her. Harry is tired after a sleepover at a mate's and Charlie has been doing some Spanish revision.

Working tomorrow- we have an away day to look at how we are going to work together in our new premises and as a much bigger team. Not looking forward to it but it is a positive step.

Much later in the day now. The blog doesn't appear to post until it reaches US time which is 6 hours behind GMT. It is now 10pm and I'm sat here glowing from too much sun. I only sat out for a short while but have caught the sun on my shoulders and neck. Apparently it is going to be hot tomorrow. It was 26 degrees today which is hot for this time of year. I know it will be put down to global warming as everything is these days. Not sure what I think of it all.

Church was great. Luke preached on prayer and the important role of fatherhood and how it affects their children's spiritual growth. Harry wasn't playing in the band as it was the youth band's turn who were really good. It was just as well he wasn't playing as he was so tired following a late night.

We all watched Dr Who together and then Graham and I sat outside. It was so nice to sit in the cool of the evening with just a sliver of a moon above listening to the birds (and the traffic !)

Thursday 8th May 2008

Grrrrr. I gained 1/2lb this week. The WeightWatchers leader made me feel as if I should be upset about it and tried to give me strategies to work on losing more weight. I came to the conclusion tonight that it is demoralising queuing up for 15 minutes to be weighed (and that was before I found out I hadn't lost any weight!).



Anyway I've had a busy couple of days with work and coping with the changes there and trying to support colleagues who are not very happy about the move. I only work two days a week so can't really complain too much and it must be really difficult for my full time colleagues.



I have been shortlisted for interview for doing a PhD! I'm just pleased that I've got an interview and continue to pray that if it is God's will for my life that I will get an offer. However I am aware that it may not be! I was at the drop in centre today and was amazed to hear and see that a 19 year old son of one of the mothers who attends has recently become a Christian and wants to go to Newday in the summer! Now that really warmed my heart today. http://www.newday.xtn.org/



Graham is away and struggling but hopefully it won't be for too long. The children are well. Rosie is having a few friendship issues with a girl in her class, but that is girls for you. Boys are much less complicated when it comes to friendships. Helped Harry with his paper round tonight. He is getting quicker which is great. Charlie seems to be a little better organised this week so all is well.



I went to the gym today and managed to run/jog for 35 minutes which I was pleased about as the most I have done is 30 minutes. I am now eating biscuits which a friend brought back from Canada for us this week. The maple syrup cream is soooo delicious. There goes another 1/2 lb.



Looking forward to the weekend. We're having friends round for dinner on Saturday which will be nice. Rosie and Harry both have sleepovers.

I'm watching the God channel at the moment which seems to be filming the Florida revival and Todd Bentley all the time. Wow. What I've seen this week is certainly awesome.

Bank Holiday Monday 5th May 2008

What a beautiful day it has been today. Graham was up early to play golf with three men from church. Meanwhile I did some ironing and other housework( not bitter that he was gone for 5 hours on our Bank Holiday!). I then cycled to the tennis courts with Rosie and we played for about half hour. At least I got some exercise as she is far better than me so I had to do a lot of running.

We then cycled to the local pub and met Graham and boys for lunch. I didn't have anything to eat though as I'm trying to be good again after a couple of dodgy days.

Back home later I did a spot of gardening and planted a few shrubs I bought last week. I put up the other set of curtains which make the lounge look nice now. Graham set off to take our minister and two other men to Heathrow to catch a flight to Malawi.

Back at work tomorrow. I know it will be busy as I have a clinic of developmental assessments first thing. It will be good to catch up with the children though as most of them will be over one now and haven't been seen since they were babies.

Sunday 4th May 2008 'How Great Thou Art'

'When through the woods and forest glades I wander
and hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees;
when I look down from lofty mountain grandeur,
and hear the brook, and feel the gentle breeze;'

I'm so marvelling in God's creation these days. The big horse chestnut trees on Manton Lane are now in bloom and each year I gaze at their splendour as I drive past them with their big white flowers. The cherry blossom trees look magnificent with their vivid pinks and driving into my close yesterday it looked like there was a pink carpet on the ground as all the flowers are just starting to fall off the branches. Our garden is starting to look a bit more colourful and I have bought a few shrubs which I aim to plant tomorrow. I just love this time of year. Sorted out my summer clothes the other day but was shocked to find they are tight on me despite losing almost a stone! I can't believe how so much weight has creeped up on me in the space of about 5 - 6 months.

It is Bank Holiday weekend here and we're having a restful time so far. Graham's parents came for lunch yesterday which was really nice. Graham's dad looks a lot better since he has started his heart medication. After lunch we went to see our friends in Cambridge. We always have such a nice time with them and the children really get on well together. We felt like we'd been on holiday as their house is on 6 acres of land and we were outside for a lot of the time. We went quad biking which was great fun. I loved it despite Rosie being very embarrassed when I had my turn. The children swam in their outdoor pool and then Harry and his friend composed some music for us and entertained us on the guitar, drums and piano in their music room.

On Thursday I went out for a meal with 8 other women to celebrate a friend's 50th birthday. The food was delicious. We went to Figaro on Midland Road and I had a chicken and avocado salad to start, prawn risotto and then vanilla ice cream with hot espresso poured over the top. Thought I hadn't mentioned food for a while ( just for you S if you are reading this) ( and I wonder why I need to lose weight!)

Today has been spent at netball with Rosie(me), taking Harry to church (me), rugby tournament with Charlie ( Graham who also scored a try in the parents v boys and won't shut up about it), swimming with Harry and Rosie ( Graham) and then all back to church for the service this afternoon. Graham and I served tea and coffee but it wasn't that busy as a lot of people are away. The sermon was brilliant with Paul preaching about prayer.

Wednesday 30th April 2008

I've been so hectic this week with work and going over to St Neots to collect my curtains. Today I took Charlie to the hospital for his OPA and he has been discharged which is good news. The cleaners came today and it was so nice to come home from work to a clean house. They are getting better and I've come to the conclusion it is worth it just so my time is freed up to do other things around the home.

Last Saturday a friend and I went to Ikea and I bought some chair covers for the chairs in the conservatory. However they don't fit properly so have decided that to cover them may not be the answer and it probably is about time we bought new ones. Haven't discussed this with Graham yet and he may think otherwise.

Got to go as it is Harry's parents evening. Will update this later.