Alone. All alone.

So here I am, the day before the end of January and I have been kicked out of my home.

I shouldn't complain really I suppose.

The sun is shining. The sky is blue and finally the temperature has risen into positive numbers. That and the fact that my banishment is only temporary. As I wait for the ping of the text message to say I am allowed back I am sitting ina flash chain coffe shop at a table with comfy seats. I have an uber-trashy newspaper, CK's baby laptop, my knitting plus a MAHOOSIVE hot chocolate has been consumed.

One can only imagine the things that are taking place back at Trash Towers.

Last year during my exclusion they were designing and decorating the '40' magnet that now adorns my fridge. The year before I walked the dogs in the bitter cold and dark while they secretly baked a cake. Apparently it was CK's determination to keep it secret that stopped him washing the dishes that were already waiting to be done. You see, he didn't want me becoming suspicious so he only did the implements of baking. He was corrected of this misapprehension very swiftly.

Tomorrow will show the results of today's adventures.

So anyway this past week up at Trash Towers we have

- had the architect visit and been extremely excited to think we wouldn't need planning permission but reality soon intruded. (I know I have posted this already but I did say the ecitement was extreme!!!)

- had words with destructoBoy's teacher bc I am sending him to school in tears as he is so bored. Was very restrained about the whole thing and tried to work w her (trust me it isn't easy) but think the older, v . experienced teacher sidling into room on a pretext during meeting AND then contributing more than a little rude and quite odd.

- been pondering the balance of letting daughter attend much desired sleepover vs not wishing her to watch 'Zombieland' movie OR 'Sun, sea & sex' tv programme.

- been gobsmacked at friend thinking it funny to point out on Facebook that she thinks I talk to much. Perhaps I do love but there is a time and place is all I am saying.

- watched OMD become increasingly wobbly-headed and unsteady. Think he may have had another episode. Current in-house theory is extreme cold exacerbates his condition.

- found job to apply for. Right field, close-by, not ridiculous hours. All this adds up to me being unlikely to get it! Never mind, shall send in application anyway.

- have given into the frigging headcold that has been visiting. Am so completely over having to exist on lipbalm and water. Promise that one day my lips will be uncracked?

- made one of Jodie's softies. OK so his head is a little skewiff and I didn't put on the seperate face bit that actually makes him a monkey but d/Boy and I were pleased.

- made a fairy skirt for god-daughter bc it is really only 4yo who will wear the things I make (see note about 'skewiff' above).

- tried to knit lace patterns. With each attempt I manage several rows correctly and then BAM! the whole thing goes wrong. Do you think it is personal?

- had a pedicure AND an eyelash tint. Beautician lady is also teaching assistant at d/Boy's school so indulged in good gossip. Plus tint was free as she was practising for her course. Noice!

- planned day out to Southampton with CK tomorrow. John Lewis, Ikea, Waterstones and as many other nice shops as I can fit into the available time there. Damn you school pick-up necessity!

- made biscuits AND cake for school cake stall.

- had lunch with lovely friends in gorgeous cottage. Some people just have the magic touch with design and acessories.

- been with a friend when she received horrible news.

- , as always, taken time to be grateful and appreciative of the small things that make up life.

Wishing you all a fabulous February.

Well, craft bomb defused...

... without CK being any the wiser. Even managed a bit of culling (hello school knitting club).

Now just have to write out job application and return to sweetest country school tomorrow.

Uhoh! I've just handed in my notice....

... today I finally plucked up the courage to tell 'my' parents that come the New Year they will need to look elsewhere for childcare.



Yes that is correct - I am self-unemployed.



And I feel pretty happy about that :-)



Who knows what I will do after Christmas, that can take care of itself.


Anyone fancy a celebratory drink?

Answer to the question three....

..... we had pasta with the defrosted, homemade tomato sauce I tarted up - penne pasta since you asked.

I added some more onions (because there is NO SUCH thing as TOO many!!), some slightly crispy bacon and a leftover sasuage from the night before. Obviously I chopped all of these things up b/c everyone who didn't get the sausage would have been royally pissed off.

Sprinkled a whack of parmesan across the top and fed it to the hungry terences who polished the lot off before devouring the homemade biscuits I had baked yesterday aftie.

See - much more worthwhile use of my thinking time than that crazy mama in her orange top ;-)

Do I look unreasonable to you?

I am nearly shaking as I type this.

I have just had one of 'my parent's' call and blithely confess that she had forgotten to come bring her 7 month old for a visit as we had discussed two weeks ago before he starts here next week and she has just realised she is working on Monday! But I'll be okay to have them on Monday anyway won't I?

Them????? Oh yes, she would like me to have all three of her little boys (age 6 yr, 4 yr and 7 months) as she will be at work on Monday and school doesn't go back until Wednesday. Errrrr... no I won't actually and if you had come and seen me as we had agreed then you could have found all of this out in plenty of time to arrange something different. Instead you have left it until three o'clock on the Saturday afternoon before you start work on Monday!!! So don't you get snippy with me!


Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaargh!