Sunday, a day of trash.

Ok, not trash but unwanted things that I dont want to take with me and I dont want to leave. So I have my dear brother my rock * to help with the loft today, I am a bit worried I'm not finding it as emotional as I thought, I guess the power of adrenaline and anticipation is taking over.
Its 2 days until I move!
I miss my girls like crazy though but i'm focused on making the next part of the life great for them x

bye bye babies

A sad day today, my beautiful girls are going on holiday and I wont see them until next saturday. It seems such a long time to be without them I have to see the positive in the situation being that they are on holiday with their father and I shall be able to get the moving and the home ready for their return. I shall miss them so much.
I hope to get the house ready for them and get some running in if my hip allows. I'll be allowed whatever tv and music on I like too, thats an alien concept as all I seem to get at the moment is Hannah Montana and High School Musical.
I am feeling so ready for this move, its beginning to drain me cleaning this house when its not going to be me here, and I truly dislike that feeling, I love a clean home and I know that there is very little emotional attatchment to this one.
5 days left


My friend Claire from HHWC posted this brilliant blog Cake Wrecks, go take a look, if you dont raise a smile please go to a dr and make sure you are still alive.
Have a lovely day all.

A week and a day

Its getting so close now.
I borrowed some money from my parents so I could get a few bits for the girls bedroom, I got some new bedding and a wardrobe and drawers for them each. I also have a new crockery and cutlery set, nothing fancy but its new and mine so thats great. I havent got a bed yet but my Mum won a single bed with two mattresses on ebay so at least I have a mattress to sleep on, I have no bedroom funishings either.
I havent a sofa or any living room funiture, but thats not a bit problem, what counts is that I will do my very best to make it into the home my girls deserve.

Its all go, go, go!

Life is crazy right now.
I am moving on the 26th august, the week my two girls are away for the week with their dad. Which works out quite well as I can get as much done as I can without having to worry about them getting hurt or lost during the move.
Finacially I am still in trouble. The CTC have issued me a bill of £360 which needs paying by the 18th of August, I'm trying to allow them for me to pay half (seeing as it was a bill from when x-dh and I were together) but I'm struggling.
Maybe I was too hasty to think of moving out so quickly but I needed to have a secure place for my girls before the next school term began (2nd sept)
Its painful to think of how easy I have made it for him, but I am strong enough to direct my thoughts and feelings into my present then worry about the past.
the support I'm getting is varied, some people just dont know what to say, others are so supportive it makes me want to cry and then there are those that critise me and try to get to me, well I'm sorry that my manorisms and strength are not to their liking but I am doing my best.
Its difficult to keep the house how I like it when I know its not mine. I'm not taking much from the house at all so its hard to want to keep everywhere so nice and clean. Thats not to imply that I want to live in a sty for the next two weeks until I move just that knowing he'll be back here with his new girlfriend why should I keep the sofas perfect and worry about dust on the door frames? yet its against my personality and beliefs to leave it for the sake of being a pain, for as long as this is my childrens place of living I shall be doing my duties.

An overdue update

Today, its the 4th of August 2008. The days have passed since I last posted here and there is good reason for that. personal problems that are difficult to post of.
I have split from my husband, we married in August 2000 so I'll blame the 7-year-itch. It was strange, I came home from a great 2hr yoga session to sit and say it was over. Almost as simply as I write it now. He cried but I never, I think that says alot. I then went for a 3mile run. yes, I cope with things strangely. That was the 23rd of June 2008. 6 weeks on, he has filled for divorce, found a new girlfriend (well after 2 weeks anyway) and put the house up for sale. I have found a house to rent, sorted out the help I can get, been out dog-racing with my friends and become an even stronger woman through this.
The house is tidier than ever, and will be even better when August 25th comes and I take as much as I can from here and move into my new place.

I had my wk2 weigh in yesterday, actually put on half a pound (poop) but I just had no will-power against the chocolate!!

Its been so long

I have been without my internet and indeed my computer for ages, so its time now I'm back in cyberland to get sorted.
The laptop was covered by the house insurence so it was a case of getting the go ahead and waiting for the credit to get a new one. On saturday the credit came through and I went to get a new laptop. The sadest thing is I lost 2 years of photos and documents. I cried my eyes out, baby pictures and everything, school events, birthdays, day outs, the lot. Not to mention about 3000 songs!!
While I was offline I did get the whole of the gardens done and replanted, They look much more cheerful now.
We have two sets of birds nesting in our roof at the moment, sparrows in the back and starlings to the front, both sets making horrific messes, so after they havenested and flown I shall be hiring a window cleaner and the foam insulating the gaps to the roof. They are so dirty. Not to mention how noisy they are.
With the new computer I have none of my previous bookmarks so I will have to go through things and get my blogs re-listed and find all my favourite places.

Hope everyone is well.

What will I be up to today? Well not too much, I'm going shopping after the school run with my Nan and Grandad and having lunch out, not sure where yet, and Amy is at Dance club after school so I dont need t collect her until 4pm. Really excited for her at the moment as she is in the Schools Make Music programme and is singing at the Cromwell College on thursday evening.

Pilates

I didnt get to go to the yoga class last night s I put on the Winsor Pilates video, yes a VHS tape, and did the 20 minutes workout, the time flew by and I was quite suprised when I'd finished. I used to do it about 3 times a week, I can see how much it helped my flexibilty and posture. I want to do more now. That makes me so pleased that I ordered the new Circle Pilates yesterday, hope it comes quickly.
I broke my washing line this morning , snapped two of the lines from the rotary, it still works but I have lost two on my longest wires.

Got a new book today

Was very suprised and excited today as the postie brought me the new Anthea Turner book,Entertain in Style .Wasnt due for release until May so happy its out early. Lots of yummy recipes too.

Also hopefully today I will be going to my first Yoga class, although I have done yoga on and off since about 2001 I havent been to a class, so I am really looking forward to being able to do this (that is if Hubby is home early enough). I'll update to let you know if I got to go.

Mop, mop and mop some more.

The downstairs of my home is completely wood floored (laminate) so it does take a bit of cleaning. The cleaning away, then sweeping and then the mop and dry. I dont really use a mop though I'd rather use a cloth and be on my knees, I think it gives it a better clean.
The sofas need another wash and condition after "yougurt-gate" where Grace decided to get a yogurt out and smear it on the sofa! See, its true, you cant take a toilet break without something happening. They have been washed but need a another going over and a condition, it doesnt take too long once everything it started. Better than a week or so ago when I had to remove biro pen from the leather!! Shocking!! I was a bit frightened to try it but I used nail varnish remover! And then quickly conditioned it. It worked. I was amazed.
Doing the weekly shop later on due to being out on Sunday. Monday will be filled with family and fun as its my brothers 29th birthday and we all going bowling, there will be about 14 of us, so it will be great. Also need to get the school uniforms ready as Amy goes back to school Tuesday.

Compliments from male visitors

Andrew had a group of friends here last night to watch WrestleMania I was nervous, as I always am when people come to our home, but I need not have been they were great guests. Took their shoes off (and all had good socks on), had lovely manners and we complimentary on our home. I played a good hostess (meaning keeping the drinks filled) and enjoyed the evening too. What was really fab was when one of them offered to take the recycling out for me at the end of the evening, how adorable is that?? Funny as it was the only partnered up one that did that (must compliment his partner for having him well trained)
Andrew said he was super proud of me.

So not much to do today, just the daily jobs.
Have a good day all.

Its quite difficult

...to find something to blog about that wont bore the heck out of anyone who may fall upon my blog.
Its been the usual routine here, although its getting to the point of more gardening on the plans now.
We decorated the kitchen, its now "clotted cream" a light yellow colour, I was going to go for a sage green but its not a very big room and I think it would have made it feel dark and clostraphobic. So its a cheery pale yellow and looks fab!
Amy now has a hamster which has a routine all of its own. A chart printed out every week that needs filling at bed time, water, food and cleaning. Amy is doing a brilliant job with it and has taken on the responsibility really well. I'm very proud, she even kept her tooth fairy money to spend on hamster treats rather than sweets.
I'm currently on a photography course so am busy with that as well as organising a scrapbook and cardmaking day.

The cutest cookies

These are from yesterday. Amy and I made cookies, I really need to get some new cutters as I had to borrow these two from my friend.

Tiny Pink Cookies

50g (2oz) butter, softened

25g (1oz) icing sugar

drop of food colouring

1 tsp milk

drop of vanilla essence

75g (3oz) plain flour

2 baking trays wiped with cooking oil

Heat oven to 180c, 350f

cream the butter and icing sugar, add the food colouring mix well, add milk and vanilla, then sift flour and make a ball (get your hands in!) Roll out onto a floured surface and cut out as many biscuits as you can, around 5mm (1/4") thick. Prick cookies with a fork (or cocktail stick, just to make patterns) and then bake for approx 6-8minutes, leave on a tray to cool.

Hope that was ok to follow. Managed to nab the photo when there were only 5 left!

I love baking with Amy, and I love the recipe cards we use, from a company called Osbourn Books, they had fab little cards, all things, crafty and cooking. They are smart because Amy can pick one and then we can go to the store and get everything we need. I think it teaches her alot.

We also made cute little decorated eggs (hard boiled) for a school competition. Here are Robin Hood and Maid Marion

Been battling

I just have been so sick and tired of my neighbours, it is really upsetting me. I am hoping the last few days events will help to improve things.
We have lived here for nearly two years and for that time we have had to live with their behaviour. The shouting, banging, dis respectfulness and the smell! Oh my, the smell. The dogs (6 in a small 2 bed house) and the constant smell of cigarettes, wet dog and fag smoke, how delightful. Even my addiction to Yankee candle doesn't help with this. It gets me down. I can use pure bleach on the bathroom walls and surfaces, wash the floors and have everything looking like a showroom and yet the smell still comes in. It gets to the point where I wonder why I bother. Then, last week the building began for their conservatory (sun room) and my heart sank, would this escalate the problem, after all it means more room for them to shove the dogs in, would the smell be worse when the room heated up? Or would it be the case of something new would spur them on to looking after the house. I guess I have to wait. But for now I just have to try my hardest to get rid of the smell and filth they emit.

Mooching monday

Woke up feeling a bit strange, not 100% anyway. However, life goes on and its half term here so no school runs to do this week. Which means no uniforms to wash and iron.
I thought I had best get on incase I feel worse later so I got up and cleaned/straightened the bathroom straight away. I've started putting a bit of bleach in the toilet systern overnight, really helps out in the morning (after DH has been). Came down, popped the dishwasher on and then made a cheesecake. Then the girls got up and I did breakfast. So now having some quiet time on the computer while A plays upstairs (sylvanian fanilies) and G scoots around on her car.
Still things to do, I think the living room will only need a quick freshen today, with it being nice yesterday no-one was in there. Stairs need vacuuming though and the laundry will need ironing and putting away after its dry. Hopefully I can get time for a bit of crafting later on if its nice and the girls can play outside on the trampoline.

Sunday 10th February

Hello, had a wonderful day today, Amy has learned to ride a bike, oh its so lovely to see her, after the RTA in 2004 its taken a long time for her to get there. We had a great sunday lunch, really filling and really nice to sit as a family. Other than the usually chores its been an esy and fun day. My grandparents came for a visit for a while. And I have done a little bit of crafting too. Grace has just enjoyed running around with everyone. Its been lovely.

Bring it on Saturday!

yes, its here already, super saturday. three loads have already been washed, one on the line, one in the dryer, one about to finish and be hung out. Sofas washed, living room is sparkling, bathroom tip-top. I've been very busy setting my timer and getting on with it, while playing with the girls and having sneeky peeks on the forums. need to vacuum upstairs and the stairway next, hope I dont destroy the dyson today. We have baked a cake, made a jelly, had lunch and hopefully darling hard working husband will be home.
Must plough on.
8pm update: Listening to Darla Shine on the radio at the moment.
We had a lovely afternoon shopping, I got some new trainers (so I can break them in before the Race for Life, Cancer Research run, in June) and the weekly shop.
I dressed nicely and wore a high heel (3") I got a nice pair of wide leg tailored trousers from a supermaket (asda) for £8 ($16) they came with this cute little belt too. So I felt very special walking around (so pleased to have the trolley to hold on to!) we held hands, cuddled and kissed, it was a lovely trip.

Something you havent done in a while

Yesterday I pulled out the sofas and all the living room furnature and washed under it all, usually do that every two weeks. So they are kept clean (there is always something there though, dust, dirt, a spoon) I then turned my focus to my kitchen and the tumble dryer, as previously posted I am very saftey consious when it comes to cleaning this, but I pulled it out, first time in two months (I know, I'm bad) it was hideous, I'm not joking! The fluff and dust that was under there!! I'm so glad I was alone! Tomorrow is the fridge and freezers turn and the dates between the chore will now be changed, at least every month they are coming out, its disgusting.


I have been working hard with the housework catching p on the slow week from when little one was poorly. Its amazing how fats things can go downhill.
I've been watching a programme called "Cleanaholics" about people who cant stop cleaning. Its great to watch though, a few tips and lovely to see others that enoy their homes.

Inside-out strawberry Ice-cream cake.

To give ice cream the right consistency for spreading, soften it at room temperature, about 30 minutes, or microwave it on high in 10-second increments, testing for softness in between. Don't overdo it: You want it spreadable, not soupy!
Prep: 40 minutesTotal: 8 hours
Ingredients
Serves 12
8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, plus more for pan
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled), plus more for pan
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup sugar
3 large eggs
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/2 cup low-fat buttermilk
1 cup fresh strawberries, hulled and finely chopped
1 tablespoon seedless raspberry jam
3 pints vanilla ice cream, softened
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter and flour an 8-inch round cake pan. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, salt, baking powder, and baking soda.
With an electric mixer, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, beating after each addition until incorporated; mix in vanilla. With mixer on low speed, alternately add flour mixture in three parts and buttermilk in two, beginning and ending with flour mixture. Mix just until smooth (do not overmix).
Pour batter into prepared pan; smooth top. Bake until a toothpick inserted in center of cake comes out clean, 30 to 40 minutes. Cool 15 minutes in pan; turn cake out onto a rack, and let cool completely. Using a long serrated knife, halve cake horizontally.
While cake is cooling, combine strawberries and jam in a medium bowl.
Line sides of a 9-inch springform pan with a strip of waxed paper; wrap outside of pan with plastic wrap. Center bottom half of cake in pan, cut side up.
Spread 1 1/2 pints ice cream over top and down around sides. Spread strawberry mixture on ice cream, leaving a 1-inch border. Set top half of cake over it.
Spread remaining ice cream over top and down around sides of cake. Tap cake on counter to help ice cream settle. Smooth top, and freeze until firm, at least 6 hours or, covered, up to 2 weeks. To serve, remove plastic from pan, unmold cake, and peel off waxed paper. Let cake rest at room temperature for 15 minutes before slicing.

www.marthastewart.com

Well my list was made and added to, but I'm just about there, need to go grocery shopping in a bit though. So currently writing out the list that I will promptly forget to take with me. The car boot sale did well, with my dearest husband making over£120! I think thats fabulous, it means that the shopping will come from that rather than the bank, making things easier for the bills. Also menu planning at the same time as doing the shopping list. I do try to think of something new each week to at least try.

I gave the leather suite a really good wash and condition too, it looks great now. All floors and washed and vacuumed, I really have to time the floor washing well, although I dont get it too wet (wooden floors) I wouldnt want anyone to slip, so I try and dry the floor off with a towel after.

Uniforms and lunches and ready for tomorrow, homework is done.

I baked a victoria sponge and thats being devoured by hubby as he unpacks the car. he works so hard for us all, I am truly bless.

My photography skills have been noticed on the scrapbook site I am on (details on my Scrapping blog, if you go to my profile) and no, I dont take the all of the pictures on here Google helps me.

Time for me to head off. Once I'm back from shopping, packed away, cooked dinner, got the girlie-bugs bathed and in bed, its time for my beloved Lost to be on the tv, a wonderful Sunday relax.

Saturday has gone a bit wrong.

DH is doing a car boot sale tomorrow so we can clear some clutter and some unwanted bits. That'll be nice to get some extra space and the pennies will be nice too.
Beds changed again, thats four times in one week!
Windows on the outside need washing but I'm not going ut there in the cold and wind, I am happy that the insides are clean at least.
Due to getting the car-boot sale ready the housework isnt as good as usual. I could be doing it now but I'm listening to Darla Shine, each saturday I can listen to the american radio show, (click link on left at 6pm each saturday). Its finished now, its a great motivational show.
So nw its over I'll wash the kitchen floor and head off upstairs to straighten up the bathroom, lots to do tomorrow so I'll write a list!

A tough week

I've been at home all week, A has had a chest infection and been poorly since sunday. Which means I have spent lots of hours snuggling and things have got a little out of hand, I've done more loads of bed linen than ever and am still catching up. The weather here has been horrid, cold, wet, windy, yuck. So only the basics have been done, which means that this weekend its a super strip clean.
I'm sorry there are no exciting updates or fancy pictures. I'll get back to it.

Housework out of the house

Once my dailies were done in the house I set to work somewhere different, and twice as challenging. My beloved scrap-room, a converted summerhouse I won off of ebay in the summer. I love my scrap-room it means I can leave things whoever I like and they aren't in the way or a danger to anyone else (thinking of little fingers and sharp knives), the only thing wrong with that theory is that it rarely gets a real clean, so today I did. With the addition of my exercise bike and elliptical trainer in there it has to be tidy. It took a bit longer than I thought but its almost there, almost as in I had dinner to prepare and the clothes for tomorrow to sort out, however, I did get to go out and do a layout before I came in to have a check up here and the house. Must get a bit more done tomorrow now.

Super Saturday

Super housework day. Upstairs was my main focus this Saturday ,it looks beautiful, all the windows are washed and clean, the beds changed, floors vacuumed, everything dusted. Lovely, its really a great feeling to walk up the stairs knowing the doors dont have to be shut hiding anything, it looks so bright and spacious. I have a little box full that needs to go in the loft when I get the ladder in, but its all wet and muddy and I'm not bringing them in like that.

Doing all the beds means laundry buy the truck load, but its all ok. Most of it irons easily and its nice to have it all done at once. So I thought these pictures would be relevant to this post.

I feel a bit strange at the moment as we are having a take-out for dinner so its strange not to be getting the dinner ready. Its nice to have a treat though.
I watched a tv show today "Real Housewives of Orange County" it made me laugh, real housewives that dont actually do anything real in their homes. They all looked fabulous though. It was a bit money orientated but intresting to watch, I hope I catch it again. I loved the decor though, lovely ideas for what I could try here.

Why I love him...blog challenge

A friend from Happy Housewives has posted a little challenge. Read her blog at http://aqueeninthehousefullofmen.blogspot.com/

I love my husband because:

1)He is my best friend

2)He is a wonderful provider

3)He works really hard for his family

4)He completes me

5)He is a wonderful father

6)He is always there for me

7)He never moans at my cooking

8)He always boosts my confidence

9)He supports my crazy plans

10)He loves me even with my stretch marks.

I could go on for ages about how lovely he is. He has so many great traits and morals, I am truly blessed to have him. Without him the dreams I have would be empty.

Thank you Kathy for the challenge.

Food cupboards, not my favorite chore but one I'd much rather do on days like today, when its wet and miserable and I'm waiting a tesco grocery delivery on sunday. Thankfully it wasnt too bad nothing out of date, nothing broken or spilled. Lovely, if only it was like that every time. It also means when the delivery comes it will be a lot easier to store.
I only quickly washed the wheelie bin, it wasnt exactly the weather to be hanging around outside.
Had a lovely visit to the school for a special assembly with A. Her class did a performance about the Great fire of London, it was wonderful to watch, the only thing that was sad, the lack of parents that came to watch. It was so nice for the children I know to wave and say hello to me though.

Freshen up Thursday.

Rain rain go away....tell me how the weather knows that I'm about to do the school run. Seriously, I have a shower and straighten my hair get already to walk out the door "kaboom" the sky just pours. Hey ho, we still trundle to school enjoying our daily chat and exercise. No only does it make my hair all fuzzy it soaks the buggy which then drips all over the hall, luckily I had a towel to wash and I used that in the hall. Much safer.
I swap around the flower arrangements today and gave them a quick dust and refreshen with some room spray, its nice to swap things around a little.
I had the joyful job of washing the house bins out today, how come even when using a bin liner something still gets in the bottom? Oh well, they are ready for the next week. the wheelie bin needs a clean out tomorrow after they have emptied it. There is a man that comes around and does it for a fee, my Nan used to use him but all he does is use a hose to give it a wash and then sprays some disinfectant in it. Lovely, but I think I'll be keeping my £2.50 a bin and do it myself.
The sale went quite well yesterday, £50 was made from the table top and the total for the raffle is still to be added as they are going to host it tomorrow after school. I am attending a special school assembly tomorrow morning. A's class are hosting a "Great Fire of London" performance. She has some words to say so is very pleased. Hopefully Hubby can get to it as well, I know that would make her day to see him there.
Due to the rise in petrol prices I have decided to do the weekly shopping on-line. Due to be delivered on Sunday morning. Lovely, no queues, no pushing and shoving, no moaning, no worrying about the car doors being bashed in lets just hope its all there when it comes.

Eugh, seriously, I think it was alive...

I washed the leather sofas today (they like Dove soap) so I pulled them out....I have no idea what food item had died underneath it but oh my, it was nasty. It was behind the metal floor tracks, so each time I've pulled it out to wash the floor its just stayed under it! It did resemble an apple core, I think, but my lesson is now learned. Re-enforce the No Food or Drink rule and to make sure I get right under the sofas not just pull them forward. I was embarrassed, and so pleased there was only me and baby girl in the house! It was a shocking "How clean is your house?" moment. Anyway I finished off the sofas and put them back all nice and clean, I waited long enough for these I will definitely make sure I look after them.
The tumble dryer got its maintenance done today also. Sadly no money in it this time, usually I can get a pound or so from it, so I must be checking all the pockets before the wash now and not missing any. I was simple to do, its gets done every month, the water condenser tray and the filter gets done after each load its the condenser filter and air filter that can go a bit longer, it doesn't take long and it gives me a bit of confidence when it comes to possible fire prevention.
I helped out at the FOMS (like a PTA) table top sale today, got some great bargains too, 6 brand new Next school t-shirts, all for £1.20, a couple of books, DVDs and a little toy, and some raffle tickets, all the money goes to the school children. I left early so I hope it went really well and the children get some good funds. I like to help, I like to feel that I can make a difference.
.

Fabulous Podcast

I listened to the latest Darla Shine Pod cast last night (found http://www.happyhousewivesclub.com/kiss/podcast.html ) Darla and Dana from the Happy Housewives Club talk about a college that has been slated for providing courses in homemaking, claiming it to be regressing, I wont quote wrongly so I advice you to have a listen. I was listening and nodding and making my comments right there with the girls. I did some Home Economics at secondary school (between the ages of 11 and 16) It completely wasn't what the young girls of today need. We used to rotate classes termly, one was cooking, another was handicrafts. Quite frankly it was very poor, we "cooked" soup and made kites with plastic bags and string, please inform me as to where that helped anyone become a housewife? Indeed life lessons and research provide us with a great deal, which has to be a wonderful thing because if we relied on what we were taught at school, we'd have a miserable life only ever accomplishing flask made soup and who knows what would become of us. Lessons from our parents, that would be fine if our mothers were the figures of idols, so far I have gained advice and pointers from where ever I can, even if the lessons are not the ones that work they are the ones that teach us.
So I am all in favour of homemaking classes, as I wrote in a post before, its something I would love. Help the future mothers and wives be the best they can, raise the children the world needs and create a generation that can change the way the future generations live.

A normal Monday

I enjoy Mondays really, the daily routine goes back to the beginning and the weekly one starts all over too. It isn't as hectic any more now I dont go out in the mornings. There are no laundry loads to do (until night time), none drying. The house is still really clean and tidy from the weekends spruce. I am looking forward to a spring clean and a chance to decorate a bit, I have such great images of what I want to do to the kitchen Which reminds me I need to get some new serving dishes. I saw some beautiful Martha Stewart ones but they would need to be shipped from USA and that would cost a bit too much, so I'm on the look out for a British equivalent. Maybe in Anthea Turner's new book there will be a suppliers list that might have what I'm after. I've already pre-ordered it but its a long time until May.
I love this little montage (below), trying to find little pictures of housewives and homemaking is difficult, most have degrading comments on them. Which really gets to me, what is so wrong with being a homemaker? I dont think I'll ever work out the answer.
I changed the light bulb in the living room, I was a bit annoyed though as it is a energy saving one and its not been in that long (no more than a year) these are supposed to last about 10 years. I gave the glass shades a good polish, How a dead ladybird was in there I dont know, it wasn't in there last month.

I have my Yankee candles burning, I have a slight addiction to them. They smell so gorgeous and look delightful in their little glass jars. So useful and pretty. I shall use the empty jars in my scrap-house to keep brads and primas in. They will look really cute.
I've got Darla Shine's podcast to listen to later on. Loads of inspiration and motivation!

Company and fitness

Family time today, my grandparents come over and we went for a walk as one big family. The wind was whistling but it was a refreshing walk and such a lovely way to chat and catch up together. Once home I cooked crumpets for everyone and had a much needed cup of tea to warm us up. After company had gone I set about tackling the hallway and the dirty shoes. The hallway isn't very big and so it doesn't take much to look dirty and messy. As its Sunday is super roast dinner day, usually had a lunch time but due to the walk I left it until the evening, toad in the hole, roast potatoes, Yorkshire pudding, 4 different vegetables, mash potato, one gorgeous Sunday roast. Thats not all, a beautiful steamed chocolate pudding and custard. After all that its the dishwashers job! Its meals like that that I am very thankful for our little busy machine, its only a slimline one but it works lovely for meals such as those.
Feeling satisfied and content we did the school homework and do a bit of reading together.
I dont often get compliments, if I do I am never sure of how to take them, Hubby complimented me on the housekeeping and the way I have looked after myself and the girls. That makes me so proud. Probably helps that I've been re-reading Darla Shines Happy Housewives book and reading up on articles on the Martha Stewart website.
Once the girls were settled and my afternoon jobs were done I went out for a run, around the block. I continuously ran (jogged/trotted) all the way which was 9:30minutes, I was very, very pleased with myself. Since my DR told me not to diet any more and think more of my health than the clothes size and the scales numbers its been hard to think differently but I do want to be fit and healthy, if it means being a size bigger than I had concentrated on thats ok. I need a new release, at the moment running does it.
Time to iron the school clothes (that were ironed yesterday but have mysteriously been crinkled again) and get the lunches ready, always made with love.
:)

I kicked butt!

My saturday came back with avengance. I rearranged the main bedroom, cleared out and reorganised all the boxes under the bed, the wardrobes and the drawers. Not sure how long I shall keep the room this way around, nut it will be nice for a change and give the floor a bit of a rest. 3 loads of laundry is already done, actually have a load of sheets on the washing line (purely because there is no room in the dryer, there is no way that it will dry out there) I washed the kitchen window to clear on the cat-snot. that looks ten times better! I can see through it now.
Its only just past lunch and I have worked hard for about 3 hours, I have more to do as soon as one area is clean and tidy the others seem to go downhill. Oh well, thats my life, I just need to train the family better.
Most of all I'm very happy to be back on the HHWC forum, my absence there certainly makes a difference to how I do in my days.
We are going out this afernoon for a treat, no where expensive as we are saving for a summer holiday, we havent been away in the smmer for about 4 years so it will be nice not to go in the winter.
Have decided to decorate the kitchen in the spring. I was thinking of a lovely sage colour. I think it would look nice. So I'll start looking at bits to add and change. I would like to paint the cupboard doors (I would rather replace them if we can offord to). So I am getting exciting about that.

getting back on top

Did the weekly shopping this morning, I only went to the nearest supermarket, its not my favourite as it doesnt stock some of the things we usually have. I got some floor cleaner that was reduced in a special offer, it smells fabulous; wild orchid. So I got the floors all washed and dried whole baby was asleep. Need to replace a lightbulb in the living room. It went out this morning I think. Three loads of laundry, 2 dried, ironed and put away, one load is waiting for another to join it before drying (once I'd taken the non-dryer clothes out it didnt leave much) Planning on giving the bathroom its mega-clean tomorrow, shouldnt take long really as its tidy and clean, I just like doing a real indepth one, I love a clean bathroom.

Finally, I'm back.

Am I back completely? Not quite. Illness has struck my baby girl so I'm keeping on top of the housework rather than being as perfect as I can.
I've been directed to th emost lovely Homemakers blog, its really inspiring.
http://debrasotherthoughts.blogspot.com/2008_01_01_archive.html
Definately visit it. Its fabulous.
Things are still going well though. The weather has meant the outdoor jobs are hit and miss, luckily the garden takes care of itself this time of year.
I've just ordered my next Martha Stewart book from the Book Depository (love that site!) I love Martha Stewart publications. I really wish that Anthea Turner could manage to create such an empire that invigorates housewives.
I've had loads of extra laundry due to little ones sickness but thats ok, all part of my job and my worth. Must get my carpet washer back from my grandparents. I'll call them, I need to help them with their Solar Heating anyway.
Best get on, time to enjoy my home and my family.