60 today

I am a recycled teenager yet again. 60 years old today and I have had the most wonderful day. It was spent at work but my son, daughter in law and grand-daughter came to see me and then when I got home they were there with my two grandsons too and we had a wonderful time, eating MacDonalds and eating cake, it was lovely.

At school they'd put a banner up for me and there was flowers and cards and presents and best of all the kids kept popping their head round the office door and wishing me a happy birthday.

My li'l sis in Texas sent me flower and did a blog post for me which had me crying but it was so beautiful, take a look and you'll see why the tears came ... but they were tears of happiness I might add. http://densdailylife.blogspot.com/2009/10/this-little-girl.html
I'm looking forward to half term week too as my other sis and my mam and brother in law are coming down for a few days so we can celebrate again yeah!!
I'll get some pics up soon but a huge thank you for all the cards and presents and happy birthday wishes it made for a very special day.

How quickly time goes

I can't quite believe the last time I blogged was just before we went back to school and now that seems like such a long time ago and I now await half term which is only a couple of weeks away. One of the reasons I've not blogged as much is quite simply time and the other is that I've had such painful arms lately. My right shoulder has been hurting for some time and I'm going to physio for some exercises, they seem to think it is inflamation in the muscle, I thought it may be too much time on the computer and holding my arm in the wrong position when I'm using the mouse but hey I'm doing the exercises, I still can't raise my arm very high but it's certainly better than before and then my left arm was hurting turns out to be tennis elbow. I love that saying, tennis elbow, I wouldn't mind if I played tennis but I've got some sort of band that the doc told me to get when it went a few years ago so I've got that on and then I'm doing some exercises that physio gave me as well. I think these bones of mine are just getting old, 60 next week and I can't quite believe that. My mind says again that I am a 'recycled teenager' mind you not sure how many times I've been reycled but the body is telling me different. Officially from next week I will be an old age pensioner, yes I can get my pension. Wonder if that means I will have to stop helping out at youth club - Naah!! I will continue to be a recycled teenager for as long as this body of mine lets me.
Well as I said I'm looking forward to half term week, my sister Brenda and hubbie George are coming down to see me and they are bringing my mam. At 84 mam is doing really well and as it's my 60th birthday she wanted to come down and see me. They were going to come for my birthday but I'd be at work so wouldn't have seen them much and as half term is just a couple of weeks after they are coming then so I'll be able to spend some time with them.
My grandchildren continue to bring me joy everytime I see them. Tom has had another cold but he is now under a consultant for his asthma and they have increased the doses of inhalers they have given him and this time praise God he got through without the need to go to hospital to be put on a nebulizer. I just pray he does grow out of it and wont need them forever. Ben is growing fast and will be 6 this year. He just loves to be outside playing and will take badly to it when the darker nights arrive but he's just a darling and I love talking to him. He is almost 6 going on 12 sometimes he comes out with such grown up comments then next minute he's just a typical 6 year old. Olivia is thriving and I can't believe she is almost 6 months old. She wriggles all over the place when you lie her down on the floor, tries hard to roll over, smiles and laughs such a lot and has little conversations with you. She is such an angel although I don't think Sam would have thought so this week as she has cried quite a bit during the night - maybe she's teething!! Sam finishes maternity leave this month and then it's back to work for her so she will be shattered as she has to do night shifts so they don't coincide with Marc's shifts. Well I'm off to the hairdresser this morning so have a blessed day everyone. I'll not leave it so long next time and to Niecy and Nenna big hugs.

School hols nearly over

The school holidays have gone by so fast but we still have 2 weeks to go and I've enjoyed every minute of it.
I managed to get up home and visit the family and it was lovely seeing everyone and just being able to relax.
Our Brenda took us out a couple of times but when she was at work I couldn't get mam out anywhere as the boot on my car is broken and I couldn't get her wheelchair in but it was nice just nattering. We did have a lovely day at the beach, it was so warm and I'll post pics soon.

I had a lovely day out last week with Sam, Ben, Tom and Olivia. We went to Telford and it was a lovely day - again pics soon -
Tom gave us a bit of a fright when he ran out of the closed in area. I was with Ben, who was climbing to the top of a huge slide and Sam didn't realise there was 2 ways into the fun area she was in with Tom - ofcourse he wanted to join us and had gone out of the other gate when another lady spoke to her, she turned round and in a split second he was gone. She rang me in a panic to see where I was and as she came out towards us so we could go off and look for Tom, there he was by one of the bigger slides. They do put fear into you. I'll write more when I get the pics.

Pics for sis's

You asked for photos sis so here are a few that I've managed to get off my phone. Olivia had just swallowed some bubbles in this one, did she like them ... I think perhaps not

Twins?? You'd be surprised how many people have looked at this photograph and said 'oh twins, how sweet'.

An 84 year old with a 4 week old. I love this photo of mam and Olivia. It looks as if Olivia knows her already.

Great grandmother with 3 of her 9 great grandchildren

I love this photo and if you take a closer look at Tom's hair you will notice it is sort of straight and clumpy. Ben had decided he would try his hand at hairdressing after mom had bought a new pair of craft scissors for him.

I had gotten Olivia ready for bed and as I'd bought the little bed time suit (I loved the flowers on it), I had to have a photo. She is just so cute.

News on Tom, Ben and Olivia

Tom had to go to hospital on Tuesday. Sam had taken him to the doctors as his breathing was still bad. She said they couldn't do anymore so she had to take him over to the hospital. By the time we got there and had been prodded by doctors he was quite distressed and his breathing was so bad they put him on a nebulizer. It helped but he couldn't even walk across the room without getting wheezy again. He was given another one about 20 minutes later and we were told he could go home. Praise God Marc was there and told the doctor Tom was still wheezing and couldn't get his breath, he had his stethoscope with him so had checked Tom after they'd said he could go home. Poor soul couldn't even bend down to pick a toy up without gasping for air. Just as well Sam and Marc know what to look for and Sam spoke to one of the nurses she knew and they checked him again and decided he needed to stay overnight to see if he could manage on inhalers. By tea time the next day he had picked up so they let him home. He's still on medication but was smiling yesterday and ate some breakfast this morning. It's such a worrying time when you see them like that.

Some really good news and I'll post some pics later, we went to Ben's football presentation on Monday. He's been playing football for a couple of terms and was being presented with a certificate but he also got a medal and 2 trophies. He was really thrilled and smile went from ear to ear. He has carried these trophies around all week bless him. He's done really well but his legs are bruised to bits, even at a young age they go in for the tackle.

Olivia is smiling lots now and gurgling. She hasn't put much weight on but we think it might be that she's had to have formula sometimes with Sam looking after Tom and being at the hospital with him. Hopefully things will settle down now and she will start gaining weight. She's just gorgeous.

Not had time to update you by email Niecy or to phone you Nenna but I'm sure you'll read my blog. Love ya xx

Tom not well

Poor Tom is not well again. He had a bit of a cold last week and by Monday was really poorly. He just didn't know where he wanted to be and clung to Sam all day, not even managing to sleep very well. I went over Monday night as Marc was on night shift and Sam wasn't sure whether she'd manage to feed Olivia if Tom wasn't sleeping. Just as well I went as poor soul didn't sleep at all. He had a couple of hours but then was awake from around 2 a.m. and fell asleep on my knee around 6.30 a.m. He seemed to be in so much pain, his nose was running and he couldn't eat or even drink. I stayed over again Tuesday when he slept almost all night and he seemed to be on the mend by Thursday but Sam txt me tonight to say they'd had to take him to the doctors again and he's now back on steroids so I think his chest is not good. I just keep praying the Lord will see him through and that no one else catches what he's had. At one point we did think it was swine flu but as doctors are not really diagnosing it now we don't really know. I'm going over to see how he is tomorrow and I'll let you know.

Another late night

It's another late night for me, I've just been writing my bloggy bit for the KJV site as it was due at the weekend and I'd not written anything, but that done I'm here to say well what a thunder storm we had last night. I wasn't in the cupboard like my mam is when we have a storm but I do close the curtains and just sit quietly, I don't like to watch the lightning and I don't like the noise of the thunder but nor do I like the TV on so I do hear it all and boy was it loud last night and monsoon season had come I think - or maybe my son had been doing his rain dance again as it was mentioned he was coming to do the garden.
What have I been up to this past week, not a lot really as work takes over at this time of year and I'm just flat out getting things organised for the new intake of pupils in September. I'm just about ready for the summer break but if it was tomorrow I'd still have lots of work to do so maybe couple more weeks will see an end to it and I can relax.

Tom was asking to come over to stay last weekend, he'd been given a little suitcase with wheels on and wanted to pack it so he could come on holiday. Marc was bringing him over but unfortunately the exhaust fell off his car when he was at the end of the street. He had to go back home, forgot about the exhaust, tried to reverse onto the drive, hit the curb with the exhaust and well lets just say he was not a happy man. Poor Tom was crying so I went over there but by then he was too tired so I just took him up to bed and read him a story. Sam went out for a couple of hours with Ben to a church meal so I stayed and looked after Olivia and Marc went off to work in Sam's car. Oh we do have fun.

I am now off to the land of nod as it is really, really late. If you're reading this nenna, maybe I'll get a comment now that lil sis has showed you what to do.

Night and God Bless

Diet!!

I've just been reading a fellow bloggers writing on how she's losing weight. I'm thinking this is something I must do too. Now that I have 3 grandchildren I need to be fit to play with them and at the moment I'm just so full of aches and pains. My one shoulder and arm hurts such a lot, I'm waiting to go for physio which may take up to 10 weeks for the appointment so I'm thinking a bit of exercise may work, nothing too strenuous mind you maybe start with doing more walking. I most definitely need to diet - or is that the wrong word - maybe I just need to eat more healthy, if I do that then surely the weight will come off too. So that's my new days resolution, more salads and veg and not as much biscuits and sweets.
I'll let you know how I get on.

Family

I always seem to be blogging when it's the early hours of the morning but it's been a busy couple of weeks when I've been doing a couple of evening courses, been to church or been babysitting. This seems to be the only quiet time I get when I can put the thinking cap and and spend a few minutes just putting a few words together. My sister Nenna is over in Texas with my sister Niecy at the moment so in case they get a chance to drop by (although I'm sure you'll have better things to do than sit at a computer) Hi Sis's hope you're enjoying your visit - wish I was with you but love you lots, hugs xx.

Thought I'd share this pic tonight and I'll probably put it on my simple daybook one too if I get chance to catch up with it. It was taken when we went up to see mam. There's four generations on this photo. Doesn't mam look good for her age, she'll be 84 this year.

What a night!

I was babysitting last night as it's ages since Marc and Sam went out together, and what a night it was. Olivia was very unsettled, she's such a nosy baby and thinks she's going to miss something and she just doesn't sleep, she doesn't cry too much but loves to look around and be held. Tom isn't well and I had to give him his inhaler a couple of times last night. It is very difficult when you have a few weeks old baby crying and a 2 year old. At one point I was trying to hold both of them but in the end brought Tom downstairs, he seemed able to breath better when he was sitting up. Marc has taken him to hospital this morning as his breathing is very bad, they've admitted him and I'm just waiting for news. Sis's if you're reading this please pray for him and anyone else reading too please. Sam has been up all night so she's going to try and get some sleep when Ben has gone to school and hopefully Olivia will have a sleep too.

Our Sister

How sweet is this photo. This was taken the day after Olivia came home. Both Ben and Tom were so eager to hold her. I don't think Ben could quite believe how small she was and he kept looking at her tiny fingers.



And just look at Tom, ain't he cute, I think he too thought how beautiful his new baby sister was.

















How blessed am I to have 3 gorgeous grandchildren.

I only had one child but the Lord has blessed me with 3 of the cutest grandchildren.

Have a great day everyone.

I now need to change the about me to include an extra grandchild. I'm babysitting all 3 at the weekend.

Grandsons and snowball fights

Well it's been a lovely week popping over to see me new granddaughter and my grandsons. Olivia is growing and looking more beautiful each day. Ben and Tom continue to want to hold her. Marc has given her the talk already and Sam is planning their first mom and daughter shopping trip - me I'm just thinking 'how am I ever going to manage babysitting 3 grandchildren', I'm still recovering from playing imaginary snowball fights with the boys. What started off as something fairly quiet, picking up snow (your hands don't get cold when it's imaginary) rolling it into a ball, throwing and shouting splat, erupted into squeals of delight from Ben and Tom and them picking up pillows and throwing those at me for snowballs. We then went to the imaginary swimming pool and played splashing water at each other, again huge waves came at me as the pillows came into play again. We then went on an imaginary train ride to the seaside. The pillows were the seats on the train (thank goodness) and we had huge imaginary icecreams. All in all imaginary play is real fun but they did prefer the snowball fights. Every time I went over last week they wanted to do it again. Yes 'how am I ever going to manage babysitting 3 grandchildren' - easy peasy!!!!!!!

Here is a another pic of Olivia. This was taken on the Sunday, before we even got her mits on she had just moved her hand to her face and scratched it, ooh. I've managed to find out how I can get pics from my phone to computer so I'll be posting more later.

Introducing Olivia Erin

Here she is - baby Olivia Erin arrived at 10.19 pm last night weighing in at 9lb 7oz. She is absolutely beautiful. I saw her today for the first time. I am one happy Nana. Ben and Tom are already fighting over who gets to hold her (well not fighting but Tom says ... Me hold her and Ben says I want to hold her to which Tom shouts 'No' and then it starts over again. She is just so cute.

My first granddaughter - my only granddaughter as Sam says it's most definitely her last baby.

Photo was only minutes after she was born, isn't she adorable.

No sign yet ...

No sign of baby yet!!! We've got all the contingency plans in place incase I need to have the boys through night or pick them up today. I'm praying it will be over the weekend as it's May Day Monday and I'm off school. A Sunday baby would be lovely, how does the poem go,
Monday's child is fair of face,
Tuesday's child is full of grace
Wednesday's child is full of woe
Thursday's child has far to go
Friday's child is loving and giving
Saturday's child works hard for a living (that's me)
But the child that is born on the Sabbath day is bonny and blythe and good and gay (gay in the old sense of the word meaning happy, joyful)/

Waiting for baby

Had the lovely news the other day that my nephew's wife had given birth to a little girl, Matilda Amilea weighing in at 10lb 3 oz. Congratulations nana nenna, another one to dote on. I'm now waiting for my daughter in law to give birth, she can't be far off baby is due 1st May and I can't wait. I'm praying the birth wont be as difficult as the boys and that both mum and baby will have an easy time.
Not a lot happening at the moment just really busy at school as we have annual reviews coming up and the paper work is just getting bigger. Still I thank God that I have a job, the way things are at the moment as I'm hearing of friends family members that are having to take pay cuts or working 4 days a week.
lt rained today, lots. I am sure my dear son does a rain dance. I find it hard to mow the lawn these days (old age arthritis I think) I end up in so much pain but each time I ask my son to give a hand it rains. We can have beautiful weather like the other week he said I'll be over Thursday, what happens, yep it rains and Friday too. Same yesterday we've had lovely weather for couple of days so I asked him to give a hand today rain. I wouldn't mind but the animals are starting to get restless, I can't even see the giraffe's any more
Ah well, I'm off to put my feet up after a very tiring day and my neck hurts, so I'll let you know about baby as soon as she arrives.

It's been quite a nice week. Marc brought the boys over on Monday and we did an Easter egg hunt. I put little verses about Jesus resurrection around the house (we did an indoor hunt as it wasn't nice out) and they followed the arrows to find the eggs. They had great fun and ofcourse wanted to eat some chocolate before they went home.
Ben came over on Tuesday and gave me a hand washing the car. He did a really good job, was thoroughly soaked through but had a great time. (I'd borrowed a bucket and sponges off Marc and Sam as I couldn't find my bucket and sponges anywhere - I think Marc may have borrowed them!!) Ben had asked if he could do the car as he'd done the wheels with his dad and ofcourse I said yes. He kept telling me "you just do the wheels Nana" as I went round after him to do the bits he missed; but what he didn't tell me was the reason I had to do the wheels was that the sponge I thought I was using was in fact a scourer - yes small scratches all over the car. But we had fun.
Went out to MacDonalds with Marc and the boys last night to give Sam a bit of quiet time. Oh new middle name for baby, she will be Olivia Erin. Let's hope hospital got it right otherwise we could have Oliver Erol :o)!!!
Sam had a lot of pain yesterday and did think baby may come early but I've not had any calls. Just waiting to hear that Keith (my nephew) and Michelle's baby is on the way. Michelle is due any day now, we hope.

I'm off to York tomorrow - really looking forward to it. Just hope I don't get lost driving there.

Our chocolate day out

Mmm chocolate .. we had a yummy day but you don't get as much chocolate as you did years ago. We didn't book and I think the man on the desk took pity on a heavily pregnant lady and said we could go straight in; which was good as the queue was really long. We were given a bag with a curly wurly and some chocolate buttons in then we toured the place which believe it or not was pretty much the same. There was a ride through a jungle on little cars, which the boys loved, plenty of places to have your photograph taken (we forgot the camera) and then to pay a fortune to have it printed onto a fridge magnet, key ring or mug. Of course nana had to have one on a fridge magnet and one on a mug. The packing plant was closed for refurbishment so we had an extra piece of chocolate but we could draw our names in runny chocolate squeezed through a paper bag cone with a hole snipped in the end, Ben loved this part and he didn't even try to eat the chocolate. There was a film show and the seats shook every now and again when machinery started up. Tom squealed with delight at that bit. We had a picnic lunch and there was a children's playground which the boys thoroughly enjoyed. We then went into another part, watched another film (all in all there were about 4 films) and then we got a cup full of runny chocolate with our own choice of sweet in it - liquorice allsorts do not go well in chocolate but jelly babies tasted OK. All in all it was a fab day, we laughed had fun, had chocolate mmm and more chocolate mmm. I bought a new crumble apricot biscuit type chocolate which is OK but I still prefer fruit and nut.
We had a 20% off voucher to get in and I felt sorry for anyone with a large family having to pay the full price, it does cost a lot especially if you buy chocolate and then key rings mugs etc.
Ooh Ben had his photo taken which then fills up the shape with chocolate and he looked yummy, ofcourse you can then buy it as a key ring.
We were all shattered by the end of the day, it's a long walk round. The boys were nearly asleep on the way home and nana was too.

Mmmm chocolate, I'll tell you all about it later

Well it's school holidays now so 2 weeks off, yeah! I'm off out shortly with my son, daughter in law and grandchildren. It's chocolate day. Yes, one of my favourite past-times ... chocolate ... so we're off to visit Cadbury World. Last time I was there was when my sister Brenda visited with her husband George and 3 children ooh a lot of years ago, I think Marc was only about 8 or 9 (he's 28 now). It will be interesting to see how many changes there's been in all these years. Have a fab day and I'll be back to tell you how much chocolate I ate!!!

Just busy

Can't believe I've not written in my daily blog since Tom's birthday. It's been a busy week at work and I've been out quite a bit. Up at the unit Saturday and Sunday. Went over to see a friend from work on Monday night, church Tuesday, did something Wednesday but it escapes my mind at the moment, I'm becoming so forgetful lately, must be my age. Tonight Sam came over with the boys. Ben needed an Easter bonnet for school. He wasn't going to bother at the beginning of the week but as his friends at school were doing one I guess he didn't want to be left out so we made a very quick hat out of cardboard, a few sheets of tissue, rabbit, chickens and of course the real reason for Easter, the cross. I don't think it will win any prizes but he was quite happy.
School finishes tomorrow for Easter holidays - I am so looking forward to the break, even thought I have lots to do at home.

Happy Birthday Tom

It was Tom's birthday on Friday. 2 years old. It was really wonderful to see him laughing, running around with Ben, climbing up the slide and shouting 'Nana' then sliding down, jumping on the trampoline with just a continuous smile on his face. After the trips to hospital and the worry over his asthma type attacks it was a joy to behold. I think I may have said doctors have given him a steroid inhaler and what a difference. So I'm posting a couple of days late but HAPPY BIRTHDAY THOMAS -
After going over to see Tom and Ben Friday it was church youth club night and we all went bowling. 6 adults and 33 young people. It was a good night but my arm is slightly aching this morning - I can't remember how long ago it was since I've bowled. The kids were great, really well behaved, can't say the same for the adults (only joking) it was such fun. Ann managed to throw the ball down the gutter and demolished the side bars that they put up to help young ones to get a few skittles down. We did laugh but at least none of us went down with the ball.
I was so tired when I got back home though and it wasn't even 10 o clock but I had been to work all day and was we left church early to get there I'd been out of the house a good 15 hours.
Hope you all have a good day.

Nice day

It's a beautiful day, I can hear a dove cooing in the trees outside of my office. I've finished work for the day but not sure if I'd get to blog when I get home as I'm shattered so thought I'd do a quick one here before I left. I've been over to Stafford today at an Open Day with our learning technologies department. It was fab; so relaxing and stress free. It was great putting faces to names and chatting to the girls on the help desk. Also met some old friends that used to come out to school years ago. Steve one of our first techies surprised me when he told me he was 40 this year - I couldn't quite believe him as he certainly doesn't look it but it made me feel really old. Well I'm off home in a sec so have a great day.
Think I'll need help with those graphics sis - glad you're having some nice weather too.
Been trying to get Nenna to do some comments for us but she can't be doing with all the other bits you have to do so she's happy just to read what we get up to. Maybe one day. Love you Nenna - you too Neecy. Off home now so have a good day.

It's a beautiful day

It's a beautiful morning, the sun is shining and I'm spending a few minutes just relaxing and typing up my blog before going to my little craft unit. Sam phoned last night to say Tom was a little better on this new steroid inhaler he's been given so hopefully its going to help him.
Ben has been disturbed every night while Tom's not been well as they sleep in the same room. He was so tired he fell asleep on the sofa last night, she sent me a pic of him and he looked so sweet.
I've got some lovely graphics from Judy, our Denise's friend in America. When I've worked out how to get them onto my blog I'll show you them. I was really touched that Judy took time out of her busy life to do them for me. They are stunning, she's so talented. A really big thank you Judy, they're wonderful.
Have a good day.

Update on Tom

Well here I am Saturday morning feeling very tired even after a good nights sleep. I think the events of the last couple of months are beginning to catch up with me and it's been really busy at work.
Tom was let out of hospital on the Sunday but was rushed back in Sunday evening as he couldn't breath and had turned blue. Marc and Sam both work for the medical profession so knew it wasn't good and had to call an ambulance. He was rushed in and put on a nebulizer every half hour throughout the night. By 4 pm he was a lot better. He's out of hospital but still isn't well. The Doctor has prescribed a steroid inhaler as he has real trouble breathing at night and it looks like it's asthma. When Sam was younger she had asthma brought on by dust mites so looks like Tom may have the same problem. She's continually vaccing to keep the dust down and hopefully with the new inhaler he will get some sleep.
Ben has had to cope with his mum being in hospital, then Tom being in hospital and I think he has just needed lots of assurance and hugs this past few weeks. It was parents day at school so he was really pleased that his mum and dad went to have lunch with him. He loved it.
It's not been a good start to 2009 all told, seems to be lots of bad news and my sister Brenda had bad news last week when a friend of the family died. This is the third funeral she has been to this year. Love you Nenna cos I know you'll be reading this, lots of hugs from me - will ring you soon.
Seem's cliche to say 'it could be worse' but I know the Lord's in control so we'll just keep going to him in prayer. Hope you all have a great weekend.

Tom isn't well

I've been at the hospital tonight, Tom isn't well and they've decided to keep him in. Looks like he may have asthma and he's not even 2 yet. Both he and Ben have been sickly lately what with nose bleeds and colds but Tom couldn't get his breath the other week and they had to take him to hospital. Same today, Sam was out with him and he ended up being sick and then couldn't breath. She was really worried when his lips started to turn blue and she and Marc got him straight to the hospital. Doctors have said it's viral and when I left them tonight he was a bit better. He's been having an inhaler every half hour but just before I left he'd gone an hour and twenty minutes so that was better but he is still very wheezy. Please keep him in your prayers.

Sam is out of hospital

Both she and the baby are fine. Doctors thought at first it may have been the placenta detaching which would not have been good but praise God it wasn't and they just didn't seem to know what it was. Sam was glad to be home although still feeling a bit nauseous and tired. The boys were really pleased to see their mum, especially Tom as he is full of cold and not feeling too good.
Oops didn't realise the time, I'm going to be even more tired than I was but when I can't see the clock I just get carried away, think I'll need to set an alarm to remind me to check the time. Nite

I'm sooooo tired

My Sam phoned me during the early hours of the morning on Thursday to say she had pain and needed to go to hospital. Marc was on night shift so was meeting her there and I went over to look after the boys. They kept her in and she's still there. Marc went over tonight while I looked after the boys again as they wont let them in because there's been an outbreak of the novo or nono virus. It was such a shame as they're really missing their mum. They saw her for about 15 minutes on Friday and we're praying she'll be out tomorrow but Marc thinks they may keep her in a bit longer.
I ended up being away all night on the Thursday as Tom woke up and thought seeing as nana was there it was playtime. He finally went to sleep but woke again several more times and everytime he coughed I woke as he's got a bit of a cold. Ben was really good but got so upset when his mom wasn't there to take him to school Friday morning. He was OK by the time we got there and I just gave him a big hug and said everything would be fine.
It's catching up on me now and I'm really tired so off to beddy byes me thinks. Night! Night!

Is Spring on the Way

Oh I hope so. It's been so cold lately but the last couple of days the weather has been brighter and I have to say warmer so maybe that's a sign that Spring is on the way. I do love spring when you see the first signs - crocus' peeping through the soil, the birds singing more and more in the early morning - yep it makes my heart glad.
If I've already told you this bit then please ignore but my memory is not what it used to be and I'd have to look through my blogs to see if I've already told you how blessed I was the other week to come home from my little unit to find a robin sitting on the roof by my front door. It was singing it's little heart out, so beautiful. I stood for ages listening to it and because it was dark could just barely make out that it was a robin. I went into the house, came out a few minutes later and it was still there chirruping away. Robin's always remind me of my dad so it was an added blessing to hear this beautiful song.
My sweet grandson Tom seems much better now praise God and Ben is away to have sleepover at his cousins house in London. I think it's his first time so far away on his own but I'm sure he'll love it. I imagine Sam and Marc will be the ones missing him.
Well I'm off to my little craft unit today for more fun time. Have a great day everyone.

Half Term

Well I've caught up on reading a few of your blogs but didn't get round to leaving comments on them all and as you'll see by the time on this one it's real late again.
Sam had a lovely birthday and spent the day with Marc and the boys.
It seemed a week for nose bleeds, Ben had one last week, not quite as huge as Tom's but I think they have both been bunged up with cold which hasn't helped. Poor Tom hasn't been well this week either. He had a stay overnight in hospital as he couldn't get his breath. He's on an inhaler and steroids for a few days (doc seems to think he's got a virus). He seems happy in himself but he looked so white today and Sam said he hasn't been sleeping well. I'm praying they will both be fine and get over these bugs quickly.
School hols this week so it's been great not having to get up when the alarm goes off and yes it has gone off twice at 6.15 a.m. because I forgot to turn it off.
I had Ben over today and we played a couple of games and went into town. Highlight was lunch at MacDonalds. He is such a chatter box at the moment. I called in to the bead shop in town and he asked if he could buy a butterfly bead for his mum. I said yes ofcourse and then he wanted one for dad, one for Tom, one for himself and one for his baby sister when she comes. He was like a child in a candy store running round looking at all these beads and trying to choose the right one. I think I may have to make them all into something they can wear. Marc picked him up just before tea.

Happy Birthday Sam

It's my lovely daughter in law's 30th birthday today so hope you have a wonderful day Sam.

It's not the best pic of you and Marc but it's a happy one and I like it.

Happy Birthday.

Ouch! ooh!!

Definitely ouch!!! - I think I am glad the week is now over and today is a fresh start. I say today because it is the wee small hours of the morning, I should be in bed getting my beauty sleep but decided to blog and it is now no longer Saturday evening but Sunday morning. If you're following my daily honeycombs you'll know why I'm glad it's a new week and even more so when you hear what happened tonight.
I came out of the unit and went to see my friend Ros for a few minutes chat which turned into half an hour or more. I came out of her unit and just as I neared the car my left foot caught a stone stocking out of the ground and the other foot decided it wouldn't move ... you can imagine the rest, I went down like a sack of potatoes (as we say here in England if you are in another country).
Ros came running (well more fast walking as she's not long since had a hip replacement) to my rescue. She helped me up then because it was only me ego that was bruised we started to laugh. I had been going to call in at the local shop for some food but when we saw the colour of my coat and trousers I thought I'd better go home first and change.
I am now beginning to stiffen up but thankfully did not seriously hurt myself just jarred my shoulder, twisted my ankle,but it's ok and grazed my knee a little. But thank crunchie it's Sunday I shall praise the Lord for his goodness and for looking after me as I fell - I could have broken my ankle or my arm ... there's a lot of me to go down. :o)
Have a great week everyone.

Just simply - "Oh My"

Well after an eventful Tuesday it just didn't stop there. I went over to Marc and Sams Tuesday evening, I was having a sleepover as they were both on the early shift at work and were going out at half 5. Tom hadn't been feeling too well during the day and Marc said he had been a bit niggly all day just wanting to be picked up but was playing happily with his toys when I got there.
Well he woke a couple of times in the night and around 4 a.m. I said I'd put him in bed with me incase he woke Ben up as he had school next day and they were both up so early. He wasn't settling very well and after a while started pressing my nose. I couldn't see very well as the room was dark but I could just make out his face which didn't quite look right somehow. I had to check it out and when I turned the light on poor little soul had had a nose bleed. It was everywhere, he'd obviously rubbed his face and it was awful. I woke Sam up (she's a nurse which helps).
Tom wasn't even crying bless him, he just sat there while mom cleaned him up. Eventually it stopped bleeding so we just went downstairs as it was clear we weren't going to get anymore sleep and Tom was quite happy by this time. I was taking Ben to school and dropping Tom at the child minders after Marc and Sam had gone to work and I have to say I was very well organised.
They were dressed, washed, teeth cleaned and on time. The car was parked out front and all we had to do was get coats on and ..... "Oh my" you can guess, Tom had another nose bleed but this time he was screaming (I wasn't sure whether it was pain or that he was now very tired).
Ben was a great help and got tissue paper and wipes and eventually Tom's nose stopped bleeding.
I had to get Sam to come back from work as there was obviously something wrong with Tom. She got back and managed to get a doctors appointment and it turned out he had an ear infection, this had caused the nose bleed because he was congested.
He was fine when I spoke to her today and I could hear them both in the background shouting and running around. Ben was off school because of the snow and they made snowmen with mom and seemed to have a great time.
Praise God that it was nothing more than an ear infection. We were worried as Ben has problems with his blood clotting and we thought maybe that's what it was with Tom.
Hopefully the rest of the week will not be as ... "Oh my" I can't even think of the word to describe it ...

Snow has fallen - Praise the Lord for answered prayer

Well it snowed most of yesterday so much so that school was closed today and we got to have a day off. I thought it would give me some much needed time to do some housework. I opened the curtains by the front door and the curtain pole dropped off. I then tidied up and was about to start vacuuming but the vac wouldn't turn on. I switched it off, tried again and this time is exploded, made a loud popping sound and sparks came out of the vac. Needless to say I got quite a fright but at least it didn't burst into flames and not as great a fright as the one last week. My gas bill came in and it was a whopping £995.00 a very near heart attack when I read the bill. Turns out the gas company have been estimating my bills for the last 2 years (I know I should have checked but I've been with them 35 years and they've always got it right - up 'til now that is) and yes I have to pay it. I text my friend Ri to tell her about the curtain pole and the vac. She phoned me and said I needed to put my feet up and have a cup of tea and that she'd been and got a new vac and Christmas and would I like her old one. What an immediate answer to prayer as I had just said to the Lord, "I'm gonna need a new vac Lord". It's true he takes care of our needs. I'm not worried about the bill, it will get paid somehow even if it is in installments and the curtain pole is resting on top of the parts that hold it until my son can give me a hand to fix it. I have to admit the snow does look nice but I'm glad I'm indoors don't think I fancy building a snowman today - his head might fall off.

Babysitting tonight

A bit of a wet start to the day but the nights seem lighter and spring is on the way. We haven't had such a bad winter, no snow to speak of unless it suddenly comes in March as the seasons do seem to be changing. Winter always seemed to be December, January time but now it can be anywhere from November to April. After the shock of a huge and I mean huge gas bill I can't wait for some warmer weather. I've got the heating really low while the gas company check it out but I think it's probably right and that they've been estimating it for over a year. Still I'm off babysitting tonight while Marc and Sam are at work, sleepover, and it's always warm in their house. My beautiful grandsons will be fast asleep when I get there I'm sure so I wont see them until tomorrow morning. Finance meeting at work tonight so it's a long day.

Soooooo tired now

Yes it's 4 a.m. and I'm going to try and catch a couple of hours sleep before work. I've been awake since 2 a.m. and just couldn't get back to sleep so after an hour thought I'd write a few lines on my blog but I got to checking out my l'il sisters blog and some others I'm following so haven't written much. I'm getting sleepy again so goodnight or rather goodmorning.

Can't believe it - back to work .....

I can't quite believe I've been back to work for 2 weeks now, and I'm still trying to get into the swing of things. I always go back to lots of invoices and typing and it will start coming up to one of the busiest times soon when teachers spend all of the money in their budget and I'm inundated with orders and deliveries but I have a great friend working with me, Ri, she's a treasure and does lots of running around and 'plies me with cups of tea all day.
Another round of babysitting will be upon me soon as Marc and Sam's hours clash. I had a sleep over Thursday and sweet little Thomas awoke at 5 a.m. and yes you guessed, play time. He was not in anyway tired and wanted to play, I ended up having to take him downstairs so he wouldn't wake Ben because he was becoming quite noisy. Once downstairs he wanted to sit on my knee and proceeded to play 'round and round the garden' on the palm of my hand. He really is sooooooo cute, but I was shatted and still had to do a full days work.
I'd been organised for once and taken my overnight bag with work clothes at the ready only to find I'd not taken my trousers so it was a mad dash home at 7.15 a.m. a quick change and then off to work. Needless to say it was an early night for me.

Happy 2009

I'd like to wish you all a very blessed and Happy New Year. Christmas festivities are now all over and it's back to work on Monday but I have had a very relaxing and enjoyable time. First of all let me say the cute little babe in this pic was 5 years old in December. I dont have any Christmassy pics yet so thought I'd just add this one.
I went over to Marc and Sams Christmas Eve and saw the boys open their present on Christmas morning. They were so excited and I've never seen so many presents under the tree. Unfortunately both Marc and Sam had to work Christmas day but at least they opened the presents with the boys and we had a lovely Christmas dinner before they had to leave for work. I then had the pleasure of spending the day with Ben and Tom and playing with their toys.
I went up to see Mam on Boxing Day and really just chilled out for a while. I wasn't too well when I was there, think it was something I ate. Saw the rest of the family and went to town with Mam and then to the Metro Centre with our Brenda and Joanne. We had a lovely chinese meal, think it was possibly the best I'd had even though it was only sweet and sour chicken it was yummy. We watched Mama Mia at mams - don't know how many times that was for our Brenda but it's such a feel good film - makes you smile.
A quiet new year spent at mams and then it was back home on Friday.