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