Preparing

Today was another day of heavy showers and sunshine. I spent the morning getting the washing up to date but then had to hang it on the airer to dry. Hanging it outside wasn't an option, unless I was going to be constantly watching the weather for rain. This afternoon, Emily and I went to Sackville to get her new school uniform. When we arrived at the uniform shop it was packed!! Fortunately the others had been there since the shop opened half an hour before so they soon left and Emily and I were able to get what she needed. We decided to go straight into town afterwards to get her school shoes and a new school bag. A break at Cafe Neros, for hot chocolate and cappaccino (decaf, soya milk, regular), was needed half way through. When we got home Emily put on her uniform for Jon to see. Another three weeks and she'll be starting at Sackville! The holidays are going too quickly!!

Just back from shopping In her new uniform I had been hoping to go somewhere tomorrow but have just remembered that Hugh is using my car for his driving lesson tomorrow - which happens to be from 11 - 1, sort of cuts into the day a bit! Guess I may have to do the ironing instead.

xx

Poor Tom!

We've had a few quiet days, the weather has been horrible and doesn't exactly make you want to go out. Today, however, we had no choice - Tom had to go back to the vets for them to check for crystals in his urine. He keeps getting infections and we are trying to get it under control.

As you can see, he's not overly impressed with it all. We got to the vets and, unfortunately, he didn't have a full enough bladder to get a sample so he's had to stay at the vets until they manage to take one. I'm hoping they won't be too late as I have weight watchers later.

Seeing as we didn't have a cat with us, Claire and I decided to pop into town so I could draw some money for buying Emily's new school uniform. (That was going to be my job for today = until I looked at the letter and saw they don't open on a Wednesday!) I was chatting to Erica in the bank and, casually, asked if they had any vacancies going because I'm looking at going back to work. Before I knew it, the manager had come down to introduce himself and have a chat. I've to apply online and then see where we go from there. Would I like to work in the bank? Possibly! .... lots of people contact, working 4 days a week, might not be too bad!

When we got home, Hugh was waiting to tell me that his XBox 360 Elite has developed the deadly RED RINGS! Basically this means that his XBox isn't working anymore and is likely to have to be sent away for repairs - not sure how he's going to survive without being able to play games. Anyway, he decided he needs a DVD player now (because he used to play DVD's throught the XBox) but, unfortunately, the spare one we had wouldn't work either. so we had to go into town before he started work so he could buy one. We had a quick lunch at Starburger (Hugh, Emily, Claire, Graham and myself), went to buy a machine and then went to Iceland so Graham could stock up on some food until his folks get back from holiday. By the time we'd finished it was raining ... again!!! ... so we dropped Claire and Graham off at his house and then just came home.

I am now waiting for the vets to call and then will go to be weighed this evening. Hoping for another loss tonight, just wonder how much

xx

UPDATE: Back from Weight Watchers and another 2,5 pounds down - Yippee!!!!!

10 Pin Bowling layout

I was sitting going through my photos this afternoon and each time I looked at the bowling photos they made me smile. So, I decided to do a quick layout ... Journalling reads: "Today was the first day we actually went out and did something in the summer holidays. We went to Starburger for lunch before heading to Crawley to go 10 Pin Bowling at Hollywood Bowl at Crawley Leisure Park. We were slightly early but were given our lane straight away. It didn’t take Claire long to set up the scoreboard so we could get started. The game seemed to go really quickly and I just beat Hugh at the end with Emily coming third and Claire fourth. We sat chatting in the Bar for quite a while after the game and it was a really enjoyable afternoon. I know I have to make the most of times like this because it won’t be too long before Hugh and Claire don’t want to come with us.

08 Aug 2008"

The three circles on the right are supposed to look like bowling balls - can you see where I'm coming from??

xx

PS> The colours haven't come out so well - the background card is actually black not a dark brown!

Happy Nearly 5th Birthday

Today we went to Leah's 5th birthday party. Her birthday isn't until the 15th but she's going down to her grandparents in Wales and her party was today. It was held at Manic Monsters, which I hadn't heard of before. The party was quite well organised and the venue spacious and not too busy. Unfortunately, I wasn't allowed to take any photos of the children playing (in case other parents complained - how sad that it's got to the stage where you can't even take photos of your own child {or your friend's, when asked} in a public place!) Anyway, I won't get on to that one and instead will share a few photos from the party room where the children had their food. Again, because I haven't got permission from other parents whose children were at the party, I will only post photos of friends and their children.

My friends Carol and Alison (Leah's mum) Carol with daughter Emma Claire and Emma Elliott (Carol's son) & Jake (Alison's son) Jake, Emily and Elliott (with Carol in the background) "boogy" to the children's CD Time for the birthday cake and the birthday girl! Not often Leah is shy Blowing out the candles

We went back to Alison and Marc's after the party for a cup of tea and to watch Leah open her birthday presents. Amazing how quickly children can get though opening so many presents ;o)

xx