Heliver's Tales

Happy 6th Birthday Jadeylady!!!!

2007-02-02T22:48:00.000Z

Make photo slide shows at onetruemedia.com

I know it's early but as we're away for the weekend, I didn't want it to be late! Happy birthday Jadebaby!

Wooooooot!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2007-01-26T10:20:00.000Z

Meet My New Nephew!

2006-12-06T23:40:00.000Z

Callum Raymond Matthew Gradwell
Born 9.47pm
Wednesday, 6th December, 2006
8lb 3ozs

He's finally here, my gorgeous lil nephew! Jackie was taken into hospital last night to have her waters broken this morning. This was then moved to lunchtime, she finally had them broken at teatime. She spent the afternoon on gas and air and finally had him after an epidural. My insanely proud big bro rang less than half an hour later, and couldn't stop giggling like a girl bless him. Eventually he went back to the ward after squeezing his massive head through the automatic doors!

Birthday Barnet

2006-11-10T23:16:00.000Z

Well, I've gone and done it and had most of my hair (off my head) chopped off. I'm really chuffed with the results! These aren't fab pics, one of them was taken by my mobile, I always blink when John takes a pic with the new camera because of the flash!

Gotta Love This...

2006-11-04T23:01:00.000Z

Make sure you have your sound turned up and watch this...

I was crying laughing!

Dig Deep...

2006-10-29T10:36:00.000Z

Please dig deep, bid as much as you can, and spread the word!

All in aid of the CdLS Foundation.

Click on the pic to see the auction.

Thank you.

Twinkle Twinkle...

2006-10-16T21:38:00.000+01:00

How cute is this boy. Chatting away to the gorgeous Jodi on MSN and Joe decides he wants to serenade her! Click on the little man himself to listen...

What A Fowl Day!

2006-10-09T22:22:00.000+01:00

Excuse the pun!

Jade has been absolutely glued to the telly lately, watching Autumnwatch, she's obsessed with wildlife bless her. She had been watching the broadcasts from Martin Mere, the wildfowl reserve, where Bill Oddie, Kate Humble and Simon King have been broadcasting from. Seeing as it's only a short car ride away for us, we decided to treat the J's, and they had a fab time, coming home with Kate Humble's autograph which Jade was dead chuffed with, and, as the receptionist told us 'she has handsigned all of them, they're not printed, like Bill Oddie's, oh, and they're not here today'. Bugger! Me and John were ready to do the Goodies walk, trying to remember the theme tune " Goodieeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeees, Goodie Goodie Yum Yum'!!!!

Anyway!!! Here are the rest of the pics...

The sheep were so funny, that was actually on the way home, the sheep had got out of their field, and the farmer and his dog were trying to herd them back but were having great difficulty seeing as all the dog was interested in was sniffing all the walls and pissing up them!

My Turn!

2006-10-07T09:49:00.000+01:00

A few people have asked to see my hair. The reason why I didn't put a pic up of it is that I wasn't as thrilled with it as I was last time, not enough colour in it. Maybe next time, I'll be a bit bolder!
Not a brilliant pic of my hair but better than the one I had on before when I had only been up for an hour!

Hair By Annie

2006-10-04T09:59:00.000+01:00

I decided the other day that Joe's hair is a big mess, no shape to it, but didn't want to go to the barbers and have it all cut off. I took him to Annie's, where I have my hair done, and came home with this little dude as a result!

Everybody say cheese...!

2006-09-28T16:43:00.000+01:00

Today I decided that I would take a new piccie of the kids to put on my phone while they were sitting nicely together on the settee, a very rare occasion! Here are the results...

I have come to the conclusion that the only way to take a good piccie of my kids is to put them in a totally empty room, no distractions. God only knows how professional photographers do it, J&J had their school photos done today, and I have seen the proofs, I am very pleased with them but can't scan them for you to see, I'll have to do it when I get the proper ones.

Horsey, Horsey, Don't You Stop!

2006-09-16T18:39:00.000+01:00

For the last 2 weekends, Jade has been going for riding lessons at Longsight Stables, for half an hour a time. After going on her cousin's pony, she has been obsessed with ponies, and has fallen in love with the one she goes on, called Bruce. Here is a pic of Jade in her jodhpurs and riding boots. She really looks the part!

...and here are a couple of video clips, the first one is just so you can see them all walking around the menage. There is an outdoor menage and an indoor one which will certainly come in handy in the winter! Another part to her lessons is learing about the different parts of a horse and when she was tested this week she passed with flying colours and already knows the tail, mane and forlock for next week!!

Hopefully we will have some more video clips when she becomes a bit more confident which shouldn't take too long. Who knows, I may start lessons myself, I would love to learn and be able to ride with her!

Other news is that I have created a donations page with www.justgiving.com in aid of St Catherine's Hospice, it's nearly a year now since Nanna went there, time has just flown by but I would like to be able to raise a bit of money in memory of her. If you are able to donate, please click on the butterfly link below. They are fab people and would be ever so grateful of any donations, however much it is.

Pretty Hot And Tempting!

2006-09-11T22:23:00.000+01:00

Roll up, roll up, come and join Phat Mums!!!

And if you are already a member come and see all the new stuff on there, Barb has been hard at it (ooeerr!!)) and put loads of stuff on there! I am in the Hot Seat this week, having to answer all the questions that people ask me before close of play on Saturday!

There's also an exciting new chat feature, so why not come over and check it all out! If there is any way you think we can improve or add anything, why not contact Jodi, Kelly, Barb or me and we'll see what we can do!

*Due to Babycentre being a load of old fuddy-duddys, we can't advertise it on our birth board so hence the blatant advertising on my blog!

Only Fools On Horses!

2006-09-04T21:45:00.000+01:00

As it was the last day of the school holidays today we decided to take the kiddlywinks out for the day, we spent the best part of the morning deciding where to go, most places were extortionately expensive. Camelot wanted £16.50 each for me John and Jade, even though me and John wouldn't have been able to go on any adult rides. We eventually decided to go to Southport.

Getting John to get ready was a nightmare, he spent most of the morning on the phone, he shouted me to go upstairs, to find out that he had arranged for Jade to see a horse riding school at teatime. We decided we would still go to Southport, and keep the riding school a secret. Let me explain, when we were at John's sisters, Jade rode on Rebekah's loaned pony and is totally and utterly hooked. She spends most of her time at the moment with her pretend horses, draws pictures of them and goes mental whenever she sees them!

Anyway, back to Southport, home of the WAGs, post eateries and... the Carousel!

Jade always makes a beeline for it whenever we are there, takes her time picking which horse to go on, then jumps on with no help whatsoever. Joe absolutely loved it too, Blessing wasn't so sure...

I will have to put the rest of the pics in anoher post, blogger is being an arse at the moment, so I'll do it tomorrow!

Tune Of The Moment!

2006-09-03T21:32:00.000+01:00

For weeks now I have been absolutely addicted to this track, it's 'I Don't Feel Like Dancing' by the Scissor Sisters. I have it on my PC, on my phone, I just bloody love it, I've been dancing around the living room like Jake Shears, much to the kids' embarrassment!! I have searched around for the video for my blog and here it is, what do you think? Catchy isn't it!!!!

We're Home!

2006-08-28T22:43:00.000+01:00

Edit video online at onetruemedia.com

It's so good to be back! It was lovely to go away and see everyone but there's nothing like your own bed is there!

We got up to loads of stuff while we were away, Joe had a birthday, Jade rode a horse for the very first time and we met up with Al and Sally, pics of that to follow in another post but we had a lovely time and it was ace to meet up with Sally for the first time!

I got totally plastered 3 times, ate loads of scrummy food and still managed to lose 5lb (but was in the gym most days)!

Right best be off, loads of washing to do, hope you enjoy the montage!

XX Happy Birthday Joseph Oliver XX

2006-08-11T23:14:00.000+01:00

I know we all say it but I really can't believe that my little man is now 2!!! What a journey it has been, so many big events have happened, some good, some bad, but Joe has remained a little ray of sunshine through it all!

Yes, 11.15 on Wednesday, August 18th, I was taken to theatre as I was booked in for a caesarean, I had polyhydramnia (excess water) and was told that if my waters broke naturally then the cord could come first and that would have been catastrophic. I was absolutely gutted as I was geared up for a water birth but when it came to it, I just wanted Joe here. Anyway, I digress! John was in his scrubs and OMFG did I laugh!! We went into the theatre, which was quite daunting, I have had operations before but never went into the theatre wide awake. I was given the spinal block which made me feel mega sick so was given more drugs :) At one point the surgeon said 'we're lifting him out now' so I told John to look, obviously I couldn't so I wanted John to. John went a whiter shade of pale and had to leave the theatre. He came back in a few seconds later and this time they really were lifting Joe out. The problem had been that his little foot was stuck so they literally had to put him back in and take him out again! His apgar scores were 9 then 10, what a star!

Anyway, as I said, good and bad things have happened during his little lifetime so far, we lost Nanna and Granddad, bless them, I often wonder what they would have made of Jade and Joe. He is such a happy (and mischevious) little boy, with excellent manners, always says please and thank you, and says a very cheery 'hello'! His talking is coming on in leaps and bounds, and charms everyone who sees him. He absolutely adores his big sis Jade, and she dotes on him too.

I'll just leave you with a couple of pics of our little monster and say:

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOE, ALL OUR LOVE, HUGS AND KISSES... MUMMY, DADDY AND JADEY XXX

Happy Birthday John!!!

2006-08-04T22:03:00.000+01:00

Hello peeps, following my last post I have added a pic here of me, as I have been nagged so much! It's not a good pic I'm afraid! I managed to get some new jeans today, a bit more snug than usual, I am sick of wearing baggy jeans to hide my legs, so there you are!

My mum kept Joe occupied on the machines etc, he was swinging like a monkey off the bars on the dance machine, and dancing his way around the whole building, he was having a whale of a time!

Jade actually did better than me (or was it the pints of lager I was downing like pop?) she had the assistance of the guide jobby and either me or John had to help her.

The winner of the evening was the birthday boy himself, he did amazingly well, I was so crap but I didn't care, we all had a fantastic evening, and can't wait to go again!

New Me!

2006-08-02T15:56:00.000+01:00

Hello peeps, seems like so long since I have posted but I have been so busy with Jade not being at school, I have just put Garfield the movie on for the umpteenth time and sneaked upstairs, so ssshhhhh....!!!!

People keep asking me how my diet is doing, not that I mind you see, but here goes! I have lost 15lb so far, my jeans keep falling down and my tops are far too big, so you can't really -see- how much I have lost. Shopping spree on Friday so I might just post a piccie when I have my new jeans on! I am starting to feel better about my self image again, not 100% but getting there slowly. Another plus is that the other night I managed to put my Nanna's wedding ring on my finger which I was absolutely delighted about!

I have decided now that, in the light of there being so many pregnancies amongst us all that instead of posting bump piccies I may start posting pics of me as I lose weight. Is that self indulgent of me? Sod it! ;-)

Right, best go and reclaim my living room, I dread to think what sort of state it's in, all I keep hearing is 'Joe, don't you dare!' and 'Joe, stop it!' You get the picture!

Messing About On The River

2006-07-17T23:32:00.000+01:00

Today we went to Kirkby Lonsdale, a gorgeous village just outside the Lake District. I have been going there with John and the kids for a few years, and before that with my mum and Garry, my stepdad.

We went totally unprepared, we even had to duck into a chemists for some sun cream, we had a scorcher of a day (as did everyone else)! Thank god we managed to park up near Devils Bridge, and under a tree too so the car was nice and cool when we went back to it. We walked along the river into the village and went to the deli for some scrummy food. Loads of different olives, stuffed vine leaves, feta cheese stuffed peppers, oatcakes and lavender cheese (!!!) which is actually goooorgeous but very expensive. We took all the grub to the picnic area and the kids were so well behaved. The food was lovely and didn't break my diet! We carried on our walk back down the waters edge to where the kids could paddle (and Jade could use her new 'barbie' - ie. pink fishing net) and here are the pics...

And we sat and watched the complete nutters jumping off the bridge into the river, as you can see on this clip. You should have heard the noise as they hit the water, sounded mega painful!

...and here is one of John with Joe and Jade having a splash!

We managed to bribe them away with a promise of taking them to Toys R Us for Jade's pressie for getting her good report. She nagged us all the way home for a doll she can dress and take around in a car seat. Joe was more than happy to leave the shop with a 'diggit', yes he is a member of the 'Babycentre-I-love-diggers-club!

Right I am off to bed now, I am completely knackered, so not used to all that fresh air living in deepest, darkest Blackburn! Night all!!!

What A Year...

2006-07-13T11:34:00.000+01:00

Well... this morning was prizegiving assembly at school as they finish for the school holidays 7 weeks - eek!). I went and sat with my new friend Michelle, who is Ben's mum (Ben is Jade's 'boyfriend' he was in line for a certificate. We we like a couple of naughty schoolkids ourselves giggling at the headteacher who is very strict. She had to drag 'B' (B for bully, and also his name!) out of the front row because he is sooooo naughty.

The first awards were for Outstanding Achievements during the school year. I couldn't believe it when Jade's name was called out and I let out a little 'yaaaayyyy'! Both me and Michelle were filling up as Jade and Ben were stood there proud as punch. There were 5 kids out of Jade's class (of 15) who got certificates so I was well chuffed!

One of the teachers is leaving tomorrow, Mr Ford. He has lead the school football team to the national championships in London. They came first in the northern league, and all 11 team members got 4 medals this morning for something or other. Maybe that could be Joe in 8/9 years time!

I was a bit emotional, and when I got home I felt awful because John was looking after Joe while I took Jadey to school so he missed it all. I keep looking at her certificates and thinking how proud my Nanna and Granddad would be of her, whenever Jade gets something like that, I always used to ring Nanna first to tell her the good news, so this morning, I told her, just quietly in the back yard.

It's That Time Of Year!

2006-07-03T20:32:00.000+01:00

When I went to pick Jade up from school today all the mums were walking along the street with their faces in a load of papers, either with huge smiles on their faces or giving their children the bollocking of their lives! Just have a guess which one I was...

Personal & Social Development
Jade is a lovely girl who is always interested and motivated to learn. She responds well to new challenges and tries things with a smile upon her face. Jade has made lots of friends and is a popular member of the class. She knows the difference between right and wrong and follows instructions the first time. Jade always shares the things in the classroom and is willing to take turns when playing within a group. She has a sensitive approach to the needs of others in the class and has a wonderful sense of humour. She has been a pleasure to teach this term and I am sure she will so well in year one. Well done Jade!

Communication Language & Literature
Jade has made excellent progress in all areas of communication, language and literature. She is able to name all the letters of the alphabet and is able to write the initial and final sounds in words. She shows a good understanding of stories and all the different elements from character descriptions to the sequencing of events. Jade enjoys rhyme and is able to continue rhyming patterns. Jade has a good sight vocabulary and is becoming a confident and expressive reader. Her hadwriting is controlled and neat and she attempts writing for a variety of purposes. Jade contributes well to class and group discussions and she explains her thoughts and feelings with enthusiasm.

Mathematical Development
Jade has a sound grasp of numbers and she is able to recognise, order and count numbers to twenty. She understands which numbers are bigger and smaller and can sequence them knowing which comes before or after another. In practical activities and discussions she can use the relevant vocabulary involved in addition and subtraction and can read and write simple calculations understanding the process. Jade can recognise and describe the properties of shapes and has experienced weighing, measuring and comparing qualities in lots of practical activities.

Knowledge & Understanding Of The World
Jade shows a natural curiosity and interest in the world around her. She enjoys investigating materials, objects and living things. She asks thoughtful questions about why things happen and how things work. Jade is able to build and construct with a wide range of objects selecting the appropriate tools needed. She has learnt many techniques to assemble and join materials. Jade enjoys using all the technology withing the classroom and is confident with all the programmes on the computer. She shows a sound understanding of the difference between past and present and likes to find out information from stories and pictures.

Creative Development
Jade likes to be creative and enjoys all aspects of art work. She has a good understanding of colour and chooses different colours for different purposes. When drawing Jade produces clear pictures that include lots of detail both on a large and small scale. She has had a lot of experience of working with different textures and techniques such as splatter printing and straw painting. Jade really enjoys musical activities and can name some of the instruments. She enjoys the different sounds they make. Jade particularly likes to engage in role play with the other children initiating ideas in the different areas that have been created. She is able to articulately express her ideas, thoughts and feelings, listening carefully to what others have to say.

Physical Development
Jade enjoys all physical activities and her movements in dance show good control co-ordination and an awareness of space. She is working hard on developing her skills when using the small apparatus such as the bats and balls and is able to handle these objects in a variety of ways to roll, throw catch and retrieve. She demonstrates good fine motor control and is able to handle construction and malleable materials safely.

Headteachers Comment
Well done Jade! You have made super progress and all with that lovely smile!

It's All Meme(me)

2006-07-01T17:34:00.000+01:00

Please cut and paste the questions into a comment, feel free to nick it, I nicked it off Jodi, and she nicked it off Nic!!!

01. Who are you?
02. Are we friends?
03. When and how did we meet?
04. Do/Did you have a crush on me?
05. Would you kiss me?
06. Describe me in one word.
07. What was your first impression?
08. Do you still think that way about me now?
09. What reminds you of me?
10. If you could give me anything what would it be?
11. How well do you know me?
12. When’s the last time you saw me?
13. Ever wanted to tell me something but couldn’t?
14. Are you going to put this on your blog/journal and see what I say about you?

Cheers me dears!

E. x

What A Star!!!

2006-06-30T10:13:00.000+01:00

Star Of The Week

Yup for the 2nd time in 2 weeks Jade has been chosen as the Reception Class Star Of The Week for trying extra hard all week! Of course me being her ridiculously proud mum was sat on the front row of parents giving her little waves and winks as she stood up for her sticker.

Good girl Jadey, we are so very proud of you!!!!

MINDBLOWING!!!

2006-06-18T08:45:00.000+01:00

That's the only way I could sum up the concert yesterday, I have put all the pics into a slideshow for you.

Vicky finally sussed where we were going when we were in the coach queue, it was such hard work keeping it a secret for her! Once on the coach, I got butterflies big time!

The ground is absolutely massive. It was the City of Manchester Stadium where the Commonwealth Games were held in 2002 and is now Manchester City's home ground.

I had my bag searched twice, my heart was in my mouth, I would have been gutted if they had confiscated my camera, but they didn't even look inside, I think if you show you are willing to have your bag searched, they can tell you have nothing to be confiscated. We walked onto the merchandise stall, and I bought a programme and a big banner with all 4 members on it, so wore it as a cape!

Once we finally got into our seats, we waited 2 hours for Beverley Knight to come on and she definately didn't disappoint. What a fabulous voice that woman has. It was quite emotional, like Sam has said before, the music vibrated throughout the whole ground, and I think her music is ace anyway. Sam rang me during one of her songs for a listen! I can't wait to get her greatest hits album now.

There was another long wait before the Sugababes came on, and they were awful (in my opinion), the backing music drowned out their singing (probably a good thing) and their microphones kept conking out. All their dances are the same and only Heidi smiled.

We found out that last night was the first ever Take That stadium concert, all the others have always been in indoor arenas!

I can't describe how awesome Take That were, I am still buzzing off the atmosphere (or is that the fuzzy noise still in my ears?)!

I said to my mum, isn't it funny how 10 years ago, everyone fancied Mark and Robbie, and last night, they were all slavvering over Howard! My mum said he looks like a 'very dirty boy' in the yummy sense of the word!!! MOTHER!!! Even Gary looked good, you could tell they had all been working out every hour god sent to get fit for the tour. So much work went into it and they didn't disappoint at all!

During Relight My Fire, Beverley Knight was meant to sing Lulu's bit but the old lady herself walked on stage and the crowd were gobsmacked. Her figure is amazing too, she was wearing a basque and looked fantastic in it!! There were loads of fireworks, and flames, it looked spectacular.

Robbie appeared in Could It Be Magic in a hologram and the crowd went wild. I tried to get a picture but couldn't get a very good one as it was a hologram, I had to faff around turning the flash off.

In Back For Good, there was rain coming down onto the stage, the boys were piss wet through, but were excellent, they said in the programme it was such a relief cos they were so hot!

Everyone came back on stage for Never Forget, apart from the Sugababes, miserable f*****s!!! We were all joining in with the clapping bit at the end, I took some video of it, but because I was joining in, you would get a bit dizzy watching it!

Here is Howards speech, you can't see him, but you can hear him, and get an idea of how vast and packed the ground was!

...and here is 'Never Forget'. As I said, it's very jumpy cos I was clapping AND taking the video but you can get a bit of the atmosphere and my pisstaking singing at the beginning!

It took us an hour to get off the car park and we arrived home at 1.30am, very tired but very, very happy!!!!!

...and now I'm off for some honey and lemon for my sore throat!!!

The Final Countdown...

2006-06-13T20:00:00.000+01:00

Can anyone tell I am excited about seeing Take That? Yup. 4 sleeps to go and I can't wait!!!

I rang the company we are going with today to see if they could tell us where abouts we are sitting and they duly obliged...

We will be in block 305, it's in the gods but we will have an excellent view, and I have heard that they go on a stage that's elevated for a few of their songs so that'll do me!!!

I had my hair done today, couldn't have gone with the mop that I had, I have had some pretty daring colours put into it too but you can't see them that much on these pics. There are some slices of blonde and some of bright chilli red! I love love love it!!!

Now all I have left to do is find which pair of knickers I am going to throw at them!

Mwah!

All The Fun Of The Farm

2006-06-01T18:49:00.000+01:00

Hello peeps! Well, today we made the most of Jade being on half term holidays and went to Chipping Wild Boar Farm, near Preston, it was fabulous!!! When we got there, our first impression was that we would be there for about an hour tops, we actually spent over 4 hours there!

I was absolutely starving so me and the kids had wild boar sausages, chips and salad, John had a wild boar sausage roll, with chips and salad, the food was scrummy! I thought we should eat before we went to see the live boars, so we weren't put off!

Then we went to feed the animals, the kids had a ball running around, getting rid of all their pent up energy. Jade got the opportunity to bottle feed a lamb which was lovely. We then made our way over to the barn and held some chicks. Even Joe was ever so gentle with them. Joe and Blessing's attention was turned to the straw and decided to have a straw fight, they were covered in it, and it all got stuck in Blessing's 'fro!

After all that we spent the rest of the time in the playground, an hour of that was in the sand pit, there were diggers and tractors galore, LJ and Finn would have loved it!!!

At the end of the afternoon, we went to the farm shop and bought some wild boar steaks and scrummy pate, which we had when we got home.

On the way home, Blessing was dying to go to sleep but the J's were singing so loud, she just sat there with a glazed expression on her face. At least I will be in her mum's good books, she should sleep like a log tonight!

I will leave you with a slideshow of our day I had to do a 'show because there are too many pics to upload onto Blogger! It does take a few seconds for the slideshow to appear. Enjoy!

My Name Is Michael Caine!

2006-05-22T18:00:00.000+01:00

I have to add though, John doesn't wear those glasses permanently, they're his safety glasses - honest!!!

Phwoar!

2006-05-17T13:29:00.000+01:00

A Change Is As Good As A Rest!

2006-05-14T10:54:00.000+01:00

Or so they say...! I hope you like the new template, try hovvering over the links on the right...!

The Barber of Mill Hill

2006-05-04T20:43:00.000+01:00

Today saw a major milestone in the life of Joseph Oliver Milton! At the ripe old age of 1 year, 8 months, 2 weeks and 2 days old, Joe met the Barber of Mill Hill! We had got tired of having to wash dairylea and all other manner of crap out of his hair, and there was no style to it so we took the plunge, I had heard that she was very good with little kids, and boy, she would have to be with Joe, he is such a miscevious little ferret, but he astounded us with how well he behaved! Here are 1 before, 1 during and 2 after shots of the little man himself!!!!

Twenty To Twelve

2006-05-01T10:55:00.000+01:00

Morning peeps! I have just restarted my diet today, and decided to chart my progress in a blog. If any of you are interested, the address is http://twentytotwelve.blogspot.com I think it's about time I did something about my weight, cut out the crap and look after myself more!

Besides, if I lose enough weight, I will simply HAVE to get a whole new wardrobe!

WISH ME LUCK!

E. x

A Toddler On The Edge!!

2006-04-28T21:04:00.000+01:00

I have removed the video cos it has buggered up all my links lol but I wanted to keep all the comments!

Testing Testing...

2006-04-27T16:30:00.000+01:00

Ouch!

2006-04-25T22:27:00.000+01:00

Well, as the title suggests, I am in agony tonight! Just as Blessing was leaving today, I was chatting to her mum at the door and Joe decided to close the vestibule door - just as my lil finger was in it! The pain didn't register at first as Joe was throwing himself against the door as it wouldn't close.

After bawling my eyes out I took myself off to A&E, expecting to still be there now (10.30), but I was seen straight away, went to x-ray and the end section of my little finger is fractured. It is now strapped up, I have to keep it elevated (when I'm not typing lol) and I have to go to fracture clinic on Thursday morning!

Bless him though, Joe was so good tonight, went straight to sleep on his bottle and I put him in his cot, and touch wood, I haven't heard a peep off him all night.

I will leave you with a couple of pics of baby small as Jade calls it. NO LAUGHING!

Jim Jam Joe

2006-04-22T23:43:00.000+01:00

Hello Peeps!

Well after a hectic and rather eventful fortnight, for all sorts of reasons, this morning I was feeling very jaded (excuse the pun) and in need of a pick me up. I rang my mum and asked if she fancied a bit of shopping...

Pair of shoes for Joe
Pair of shoes for Jade
Pair of plimsolls for Jade
Tracksuit bottoms for Jade
Denim jacket for moi
Turquoise Kaftan type top for moi
Black t-shirt top for moi
Pink vest top for moi
Cotton jamas for Joe
Bob the Builder jamas for Joe
Short sleeved shirt for Joe
Hooded jacket for Joe
Socks for Joe
T-shirt for John
Undies for John

I think that's it! Boy did it feel good! I will leave you with a pic of Joe looking rather chuffed with his new jamas, they are covered with diggers and hard hats, Sasha, if you want some for Finnbinn, let me know...!

Out With The Old...

2006-04-20T21:37:00.000+01:00

Well, the time finally came...

I was the second person to post on the 'new look' Babycentre August 2004 Birth Board. I don't like it. I prefer the old board. I guess the new one would take a bit of getting used to. It just seems like the end of an era. The old boards were around before us August 04 mums were peeing on little sticks and now they have all gone. What does everyone else think of them?

A little boast here, I was getting Joe ready for bed last night and he named all his facial features. I was totally gobsmacked. He said them all so clearly! A couple of weeks ago he would only say 'no' for nose, but now he goes through his whole repertoire and woe betide anyone who interrupts him, he is so proud of his little self bless him!

Right, off to set up my profile on good 'new' BC!

Loads of love
E. x

Tagged By Kelly!

2006-04-17T17:20:00.000+01:00

Cheers Kell!

1) I met John on t'internet!

2) We once had tickets to see Peter Kay but missed it cos John was in hospital

3) I went to see Stu Francis in pantomime in Preston, and he picked me from the audience.

4) I was once wrongly arrested for shoplifting in M&S and spent 2 hrs in a cell. CCTV video showed that I was innocent.

5) I used to be a size 10!

6) When giving birth to Jade, I had to have ventouse, there was a hole in the suction pipe, and the midwives had to keep their finger over it. One of them let go and they all ended up on their arses!

Now I tag Sam, Jayne, Mandy, Barb and Sasha!

...And Next Week, On Crimewatch...

2006-04-14T18:36:00.000+01:00

WANTED

REWARD:

LOADS OF HUGS!

My Beautiful Daughter!

2006-04-14T15:39:00.000+01:00

Today I have had one of those days where I just can't take my eyes off Jade.

I had to take her picture.

A truly proud mum moment that I simply had to share.

Fast Love - The Remix

2006-04-07T18:52:00.000+01:00

CLICK ON GEORGE

ENJOY!!!

One For The Album...

2006-04-05T22:47:00.000+01:00

Have you ever taken a pic and thought 'I'll show this to his mates when he's older'...?

I DEFINATELY WOULD...!!! (Updated)

2006-04-01T21:37:00.000+01:00

WOULD YOU.....?

Smile...

2006-03-28T16:57:00.000+01:00

Our Kids

2006-03-25T17:50:00.000Z

We are all well on the mend with ravenous appetites, apart that is, from John. He can't seem to keep anything down and is very erm... constipated. He has tried allsorts, even swigging lactulose straight from the bottle!

Anyway, the upshot is, he has been too ill to go out and get me a Mothers Day pressie so, seeing as I was going into town today, he told me to go and buy myself 2 orchids for the fireplace. My favourite flowers. Not one to miss an opportunity, I went to M&S, which was actually cheaper than anywhere else. A lot of them were looking a bit messed up cos it was a case of dog eat dog every man for himself in town today, last minute scramble for Mothers Day pressies. I had got myself organised this year, I ordered my mum some flowers yesterday, so I have to pick them up in the morning. For MIL I ordered her a cup with a pic of Jade and Joe on it. She rang to say she had received it and it was lovely. We have all decided that, the money we would have spent on presents for Nanna will go to St Catherine's Hospice, where Nanna spent her last month.

Anyway, I am going to leave you with pics of Our Kids, I have also taken a snap of my tulips, I so love having flowers around the house, my fave cut flowers are tulips and lillies...

Never Again!!!

2006-03-25T00:44:00.000Z

It is now 00:45, I am extremely knackered. I have been looking for new templates for my blog, I was feeling a bit left behind with all this HTML lark so I thought I would dabble, and boy, do I regret it! I hope you like it! I had picked one with chocolates as a border but the pics were a bit in yer face. I know how all you female readers HATE chocolate so I thought it wouldn't be a good idea ;).

Changing the subject before I get linched, Jade and Joe are sooo much better now, so much so that Jade got Star of the Week AGAIN today, I was a bit pissed off as her teacher didn't tell me so I didn't go to church to watch her get her sticker off the head teacher. During Lent, all the Friday assemblies are being held in the church.

We are toying with the idea at the moment of buying another parrot. We used to have an African Grey called Molly, she was an absolute star, a fabulous talker if a little blue every now and again if you know what I mean. I am just a bit wary with the kids, I just know Joe would be trying to prod it at every opportunity. Saying that though, Jade was good as gold with Molly but Joe is a bit braver than she was. Molly died age 2 and a half. We don't know why, but we were devastated, she was like another baby, and no other pet could ever take her place. I will leave you with a few pictures of her...

The Girl Done Good!!!

2006-03-20T09:01:00.000Z

I am typing this bleary eyed, stayed up last night to watch Helen run and I am sooo glad I did, she is through to the 1500m final, and not only that, she came 1st in her heat!!!!!

The final is on television tomorrow morning, 8.30am our time...

COME ON HELEN, YOU CAN DO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Show that Freddie Flintoff he ain't the only good thing to come out of Preston!

Come on Helen!!!

2006-03-19T11:28:00.000Z

We are very excited today, my mum's friend, Helen Clitheroe is in Sunny Oz at the moment, she is running in the Women's 1500m at the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne. It will be on television tonight between 11pm and 12.30am. My mum actually does her sports massage as that's what she does for a living.

She ran in the same race in the Commonwealth Games in Manchester 4 years ago, and won bronze, Kelly Holmes won Gold.

So come on everybody, join us in cheering Helen on tonight!!!!

COME ON HELEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Poorly House...

2006-03-18T19:59:00.000Z

Yes we are still poorly in our house at the moment, and I am really getting down. I have never seen my kiddies looking so sick, this horrible virus has really knocked them both for six. First Jade started last weekend with the sickness then she had a horrific temperature. On Monday night, Joe started with it. They have both had a croupy sort of cough and sticky eyes, Joes have only just cleared up so he looks like he has gone 10 rounds with Amir Khan! Since then, both of them have barely eaten but I have made sure they are drinking plenty. I have also started them on a vitamin tonic to give them both a boost.

I started with it all on Wednesday night, I thought it was because I had been doing a bit of clearing out, and the dust had got up my nose, but later on I knew that I had come down with it. I had to try and sleep propped up with the bean bag because my sinuses were in agony. On Thursday I had the sickness and achiness, since then, I seem to be gradually getting rid of it, now it is just like a normal cold but I have a bit of a sore throat because I can't breathe through my nose so my throat gets dry. I just think, god, if I feel like this, my kids must feel 100 times worse poor little mites!

I will say though, I don't know if I will have coped if it weren't for John doing the nightshift, as soon as there was a murmur, John was up and seeing to the kids, he was marvellous, I had to be up at 7am every morning for Blessing to arrive, as I didn't want to let her mum down. John seems to have escaped being ill, he had his flu jab at the beginning of winter.

I never thought I would hear myself say that I can't wait for Joe to be running and climbing around the house, trashing it again. We have decided to treat them both next weekend with a trip to Chester Zoo, Seeing as it will be Mother's Day, we don't want to be in my mum's face really, she doesn't want to celebrate it with it being her first without Nanna, and to be honest, I don't either, I always used to get Nanna a card and a little pressie, but I know, she will always be with us somewhere...

2006-03-17T11:45:00.000Z

Toddler At Work!!

2006-03-11T15:56:00.000Z

En-ger-land!!!!

2006-03-08T16:29:00.000Z

The next David Beckham perhaps???

...not forgetting the ballgirl of course!!!!

2006-03-06T22:43:00.000Z

*~Everythin Bout Ur Buds~*
How many friends do you have?:	Quite a few!
Which one have u known the longest?:	Lisa - 20 years
Which one have u known the shortest?:	Summer, about 12 months
Who lives the farthest?:	Summer! In Australia
Who lives the closest?:	Lisa, in Blackburn
Who would u say knows u best?:	My mum
Who knows u least?:	Err... wouldn't like to say, I pretty much wear my heart on my sleeve
Do u have mostly guy friends, mostly gurl friends, or a good mix?:	mostly girlies
Who is the hottest?:	Summer or Sam
Who is the smartest?:	Summer
Who is the blondest?:	Summer!
Who is the best athlete?:	Summer
Who is the best musician?:	Err... dunno!
Who is the best artist?:	Piss artist hehe, there are many!
Who is the best listener?:	ooh, Summer, Sam or Al!
Who talks the most?:	hahaha Al!
Who laughs the most?:	Summer!
Who has the most distinct laugh?:	Al!
Who cries the most?:	Lisa
Who has the most gossip spread about them?:	Aherm... wouldn't like to say
Who spreads the most gossip?:	ditto
Who sings the best?:	dunno really! Definately not Lisa
Who dances the best?:	Summer
Who was the last friend u hugged?:	Summer (Via Messenger this evening)!
Have u ever liked a friend as more than a friend?:	no
Who was the last friend to compliment u?:	Summer
Who was the last friend u talked with?:	Summer
Which friend do u know the most about?:	Summer
Which friend do u miss the most?:	SUMMER!!!!
Which friend smiles the most?:	Summer!!!!!
Who has the most in common with u?:	Al!
Who has the coolest siblings?:	Summer!
Who has the coolest parents?:	Lisa
Who has the coolest pets?:	Al
Who has the coolest name?:	Summer
Who has the best style?:	Summer
Who has the best hair?:	Sam!
Who is the funniest?:	Summer, Sam and Al
Who is the loudest?:	Al
Who is the quietest?:	Sam
Who has the nicest house?:	Summer
Who's house were u at last?:	Al's
Who was at ur house last?:	Lisa
Who has the nicest bf/gf?:	Summer, Sam or Al

Take this survey

Snow Wonder!!!

2006-03-03T23:45:00.000Z

We finally got some decent snow today so as soon as Jadey got home from school we all wrapped up and braved the elements!

Crashed Out!

2006-03-03T14:54:00.000Z

Cheeky Little Monkeys!!!

2006-02-20T20:44:00.000Z

Hehe no I'm not talking about Jade and Joe, not this time!!! I am referring to the little shits at the Safari Park yesterday who knackered up the car a bit! On our first drive around the safari, they pulled the screen wash nozzles out, both of them! On the second, a massive fuck off baboon ripped off one of the wiper blades. Here are a few pics of them then one of the damage. We actually had to drive round the rest of the safari with the wiper sticking up and everyone pointing and saying 'ooh look what those monkeys have done to your car'! One bloke even wound down his window and pointed out that the winglight is hanging out, we smiled and went along with it, cursing the monkeys, knowing that it had been like that for a good few weeks!!!

After the tour, we went to see the parrot display (I want another one - an african grey), and had a couple of rides on the fairground. I sat with Jade on the carousel and John sat with Joe, Joe absolutely loved it and was grinning like a loony! Then we went on one of those crap trains that goes round in circles. A few more piccies for you to endure I'm afraid!

We're Going On Safari!!

2006-02-19T22:11:00.000Z

Hi all!!! Today we had a fabulous family day out, first we went to Knowsley Safari Park (or the Sari Park as Jade called it!) then we went to a chinese restaurant on the way home!

We started off with a drive around the safari. Here are some pics...

Our Driver for the day...
(she was sitting on John's knee, but don't worry, he was only doin' a couple of mph, not exactly Britney Spears!)

Rudolph and co. recouping after the Crimbo rush!

Nellie having a mudbath (well it was either taking a pic of that or her friend having a humongous shit!)

This is one of my fave pics, I wound the window down an inch and got bollocked off one of th rangers via loudspeaker!

Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow!!!

2006-02-16T21:45:00.000Z

Hello everyone, I had decided it was about time I had my hair cut, get rid of the horrendous pony tail, I was getting so lazy with my hair, just tying it back every day and hardly ever styling it. I rang round loads of hairdressers and finally found one, and they said they would fit Jadey in for a trim. I brushed through her hair first before we went, I thought social services would have knocked on my door, she was screaming her head off. Oh well, better to have her screaming at home than in the hairdressers! She is so hairsore bless her.

We were shown straight to our seats, Jade had to sit on a booster seat so she could reach the sink, she was chatting away to the hairdresser, they were charmed by her! They washed her hair and just cut 2 inches off the bottom, to get rid of all the dead ends and neaten it up. I, on the other hand, decided to go for it and had about 4 inches off! She thinned my hair as it's normally soooo thick, then she dried it and straightened it, cos it's so wavy too. I was so chuffed with the results, so I asked John to take photos to show you! When we get back from MILs next week I am going to have it coloured. Something quite daring methinks!!! Any suggestions welcome!

This Week's Must Have!

2006-02-13T10:55:00.000Z

Nicked off Jodi...

JOHARI WINDOW

The Johari Window was invented by Joseph Luft and Harrington Ingram in the 1950s as a model for mapping personality awareness. By describing yourself from a fixed list of adjectives, then asking your friends and colleagues to describe you from the same list, a grid of overlap and difference can be built up.

Like Father Like Son!

2006-02-12T14:12:00.000Z

I ran upstairs shouting to John, to tell him something and this is what I found! I couldn't resist taking a shot so ran back downstairs to get the camera. They didn't even flinch when the flash went off!

It's Catching...!

2006-02-12T10:52:00.000Z

Well it looks like the hat fetish is spreading within our house! Bought Jade this hat from Mackays yesterday for a fiver, what do you think? Jade says she looks like one of the Pussycat Dolls!

Rovers Return!

2006-02-06T21:00:00.000Z

Yesssssssssss!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Next door neighbour has been round this evening and we got onto the subject of going to the footie, she has a season ticket for Blackburn Rovers, I used to have one but gave it up when I moved down south. Since we moved back my friends either don't go, or there are no seats available near them. Anyway, Dawn told me tonight there is a seat right next to them that is always available so I am having it!!!!!!!! It has done my head in having to watch the matches on telly, or listening to the radio. Even more frustrating is the fact that I can hear the game from our back yard.

Fear not boys, next season I'll be back! Hot chocolate and a pastie at half time please!!!!!

My Word Cloud - Nicked off Jodi!

2006-02-06T20:29:00.000Z

Jadeybaby!

2006-02-04T21:28:00.000Z

As it's Jade's birthday today, I dug out some pics of Jadey growing up, I know I'm biased, but I think she is absolutely gorgeous! She was the ideal baby, sleeping thru from 2 weeks old, not a fussy eater (apart from her allergy, which obviously isn't her fault), and so well behaved, very very happy. Before getting pregnant, I couldn't ever envisage myself being a mum but hey, I wouldn't have life any other way! Love you Jadey! XXXXX

Where DID You Get That Hat?

2006-02-02T12:31:00.000Z

Hello peeps! Joe was having a bit of a wardrobe crisis this morning, just couldn't decide on which hat to wear! Note the pink scarf, which is actually Jade's My Little Pony headband which he took rather a shine to! He looks like he is going on some gay pride parade or something!

All Is Well....

2006-02-01T22:37:00.000Z

Touch wood!!! Last week Jade and Joe were both poorly with a tummy bug. Joe wasn't quite as bad but Jade was sick quite a lot. She is very good though, she isn't the sort of child that flaps about that she wants to be sick, she just takes herself off to the bathroom bless her. It seems that their appetites are back to normal.

I got the bug at weekend. On Saturday night I just knew I was going to be ill so I went to bed hoping that I would sleep through it but oh no, I was up at 4am being sick (and the other symptom lol) until about lunchtime. Couldn't even keep water down. I nibbled on a couple of rich teas during the afternoon and had tea at night. He he with the points I had saved up to then I could have had a fry up!

John had been bad with his asthma over the weekend, so much so that I had to go to the corner shop on Sunday clenching my cheeks, cos it was so cold it would have made him much worse. On Monday morning we put his steroids right up hoping that would work as the last thing we want is for him to go to hospital and miss Jade's birthday at weekend. This didn't work though and he had to get a taxi to the hospital. I was so upset and getting really worked up then I got the phone call 'Please can you ring me a taxi'!!!! He had a nebuliser then they discharged him!!! Yippee!!!!!!!!!

The annoying thing is we have been using the same cab co. for about 5 years, and have always been pleased with them. I ordered one for John to go to the chest clinic last week as ours wouldn't start and asked for a non-smoking one, and the lady said 'it's ok, they're all non-smoking'. I was well chuffed. Anyway, we used the same co. for him to get to A&E, Fine. When I ordered one to pick him up afterwards, it turned up and when John opened the door, billows of smoke came out of the door! John told the driver to order him another cab, he would have been set straight back to square one if he had got in it. I rang the co. to order another one as the previous driver obviously couldn't be bothered, and when I asked for a non-smoking one, he said all the drivers smoked so it wouldn't be possible. I told him that wasn't what I had been told, and that they could piss off, I would go elsewhere. John rang the co. the next day and the Manager is investigating! Yeehah!

Anyway, the upshot is, we are all fit and well for Jade's birthday (again, touch wood!) for our visit to the Blue Planet Aquarium, we have been before and Jade loves it! I can't believe my little girl is going to be 5 in 3 sleeps! This time 5 years ago, I was eating a pineapple a day, eating loads of curries and walking up and down Clacton sea front! Don't believe a word of what the old wives say!!!! Jade arrived 14 days late, after a 42 hour labour!

Right, Offski to beddiboes!

TTFN

Ess. x

What Scent Are You?

2006-01-26T20:59:00.000Z

Your Scent is Rose

Delicate, feminine, and soft
Your personality is fresh and understated

What Scent Are You?

Five - Nicked off Kelly

2006-01-22T10:52:00.000Z

Just nicked this off Kelly's blog

5 Boys Names

Joe
Robbie
William (see the connection?)
Joshua
Ben

5 Girls's Names

Jade
Helen (Jade's middle name and my mum's name)
Katie
Phoebe
Ellie

5 Books

Well, I don't really read books, so here goes:

OK
Closer
Milly Molly Mandy
Magic Faraway Tree
Enchanted Wood

5 Singers

Robbie Williams
Joss Stone
Anastacia
Stevie Wonder
and, purely based on looks for this one, Shayne Ward!

5 Drinks

G&T
Tia Maria
Baileys
Water
Lime and Soda

5 Films

Coming to America
Dirty Dancing
Cocktail
Coyote Ugly
Kill Bill (Both)

5 songs

Everything Changes - Take That
No Worries - Simon Webbe
HRT - Goldie Lookin' Chain
A night to remember - Shalamar
(I've had) The time of My Life - Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes

My 5 songs would prob change daily, depends on what sort of mood I am in!

Caption Photo No. 2

2006-01-20T16:40:00.000Z

Again, please leave your captions in comments or tag board but if using the tag board then please put the photo number. Ta, E. x

Caption Photo No. 1

2006-01-20T16:33:00.000Z

Here it is! If you want to make up a caption then please leave it as a comment, a few of you have had problemos with that so you could use the tag board but please put the number of the pic as I am going to do a few of these, would be good if a few of us can do this!

Smiley Faces At Smiles On Faces

2006-01-20T16:10:00.000Z

We had a lovely time today, we took Joe and Blessing to Smiles On Faces near the town centre. Joe hasn't been for 12 months, he was only 5 months old, Blessing had never been. Here are just a couple of the pics that were taken!

I thought Joe would absolutely hate the massive slide so we started him on the baby one with just a teeny ball pool at the bottom...

...then he progressed to this!

He had an absolute whale of a time!!! I struggled to get him out of the ball pool, he was adamant that he was staying in there!

We only stayed about 3 quarters of an hour, we got in as reduced rate with me being a childminder. They were getting pretty knackered, Blessing had been running around the outside of the playzone about 4 or 5 times and it's pretty massive!

We took a couple of funny pics so I think I will post them and if you like you can leave a caption for them.

TTFN, Ess. x

Proud Mum Moment pt II

2006-01-16T21:36:00.000Z

I just had to post these two piccies of my gorgeous kids, I am so nauseatingly proud of them. Jade is a little under the weather at the moment, but I managed to capture a smiley pic of her, she has a gorgeous smile, god knows where she gets her looks from!

I actually allowed Joe to sit at the computer desk tonight, I don't normally cos he just bangs things on it and I don't want it to end up with loads of dents in it! He looked so grown up, you wouldn't think he was only 17 months old!

So, now I hope you can see why I am so stupidly proud of my kiddiwinks!

Big weigh in day tomorrow, I am sooo excited, I know I have done well but I am dying to know exactly how much I have lost in a week. It has been relatively easy, I haven't had any cravings in particular, I don't eat much in the day anyway, it's just at night when I nibble, so I have been careful there.

Anyway, will have to start the old Max and Paddy DVD soon, I haven't been able to do it for laughing!

What Do Guys Like About You?

2006-01-11T13:32:00.000Z

Guys Like That You're Charming

You're the girl most guys can't get out of their heads
Even if they met you on a bad hair day :-)
You just seem to "click" with everyone you meet
So even if a guy forgets about you for a second... his friends haven't!

What Do Guys Like About You?

Woohoo!!!

What Hit Song Of 2005 Are You?

2006-01-11T13:22:00.000Z

Your 2005 Song Is

Don't Cha by the Pussycat Dolls

"Dont cha wish your girlfriend was hot like me
Dont cha wish your girlfriend was a freak like me"

What happens in 2005, stays in 2005!

What Hit Song of 2005 Are You?

OMG That is Jade's favourite favourite song!!!!

Who was I in High School?

2006-01-11T13:15:00.000Z

All American Kid

Popular but not plastic. Athletic but not a jock. Smart but not a brain.

You were well rounded and well liked in high school.

Who Were You In High School?

Happy New Year!!!

2006-01-02T22:47:00.000Z

Hello all!!

Well, New Years Eve was quite uneventful, we just stopped in, too knackered to go out and we weren't even slightly pissed! I had one G&T! We sat and watched the fireworks in London, on the telly, weren't they just awesome!

New Years Day was spent shifting stuff around in anticipation of the new furniture we were expecting from Nanna's, a lovely pine desk and massive pine wardrobe. They arrived today and my laptop now has pride of place on the desk. I have bought a new mouse mat off Ebay, a spotty one from Ikea, so I won't have to rest on a pad! I met my mum at the canal and she took the kids to her house so we could crack on with the clearing up cos Joe is such a tinker he would have been into everything!

I have taken a couple of photos from when they were wrapped up. Joe is wearing his new hat that my mum bought him for Crimbo. The second pic is terrible quality but he looks so cheeky I couldn't resist, it makes me laugh every time I look at it!

Merry Christmas Everyone!

2005-12-26T22:22:00.000Z

Well, after getting to sleep at 3am, I woke at 7, along with Jade and John. We had to wake Joe up or I think he would have slept all morning! I was dying for the kids to open their pressies, probably more than they were! They both got some lovely clothes, Joe looks like a townie, cos he has loads of big hooded tops, and Jade looks like Vicky Pollard in her new pink Barbie tracksuit lol. I got a lovely gold watch off John, it was really beautiful, very dressy, but we both agreed to take it back and get one that I could wear every day.

First to arrive were Auntie Margaret and Uncle Tom, who had brought pressies for the kids, and I kid you not, theirs is Jade's fave pressie, I am sure, she got loads of crayons and felt tips by crayola, and A3 pads, she loves drawing so we have all been treated to Jadey originals! Joe was treated to yet more new clothes!!!

Both Jade and Joe got presents off my nanna. Jade got a beautiful musical tin with some german dairy free cakes in and Joe got a new outfit. Nanna had bought them when she went to Austria with Margaret.

Mum and Garry then arrived, Jade got a Bratz Baby, a Magna Doodle, and other bits and bobs, Joe got an outfit, and a car with a driver and when you push the driver down in his seat, the lights come on, the 'engine' starts up and it moves along then when it stops, it makes a noise like someone laughing! I love it! hehe!!! I got loads off my mum, a lovely charm bracelet, very unusual. I also got some bubble baths, a glass butterfly, a father christmas candle holder, a turquoise butterfly brooch, and some choccies.

After we had finished unwrapping our pressies, the champagne was opened, a very nice one, very expensive! We raised our glasses to Nanna and Granddad. I had a lump in my throat. It sounds obvious to say but life will never be the same without them.

Onto the dinner! I made turkey (for a change) which was lovely and moist, with buttered carrots, roast potatoes, parsnips, sprouts with chestnuts and crispy bacon, and date and walnut stuffing. It was bloody lovely, but we were all too stuffed to have any pudding, but luckily it is in date till March '07!

We had a lovely time, it is so lovely to watch my mum with the kids. Just as they were going, mum called me to the bottom of the stairs and gave me an angel made from felt. I remember this belonging to Nanna, and she told me to look in the pocket, and in a little pouch was Nanna's wedding ring and her favourite necklace. Apparently when she accepted that she was dying she told mum that she wanted me to have it. I was totally blown away, I was speechless. I still keep looking at it and thinking of Nanna.

Your Inner Child...

2005-12-24T23:01:00.000Z

Your Inner Child Is Happy

You see life as simple, and simple is a very good thing.
You're cheerful and upbeat, taking everything as it comes.
And you decide not to worry, even when things look bad.
You figure there's just so many great things to look forward to.

How Is Your Inner Child?

Together at Last

2005-12-19T21:18:00.000Z

Today was one of the hardest days of my life, we said our last goodbyes to Nanna.

I picked the flowers up from the florists, they were really beautiful. I was stuck for words as to what to put on the card.

We all met at Nanna's flat, and I had to stop when I got to the top of the stairs, I just couldn't go into the living room, I broke down into tears. My mum must have seen me and handed me the good old Bach Rescue Remedy. I had a load of that then went into the living room and it felt so bizarre, the room was immaculate, just how Nanna would have had it. I said hello to everyone then the cars arrived. I went to put our flowers into the hearse with Nanna and asked the undertaker if it was ok to touch the coffin. I whispered goodbye to Nanna and had a little quiet cry. It was then time to get in the cars, I was in one with my brother Matt, niece Vicky, and cousins Alec and Stacey. As we were going along I was gobsmacked at the number of people who stopped in their tracks to pay their respects. Nanna and Granddad may not have lived in the nicest of neighbourhoods, but there really was a lovely community spirit, everyone seemed to help each other out.

When we got to the church, we all walked in behind Nanna, and John sat at the back with Joe (we couldn't get a babysitter, and Jade was at school). All the grandchildren and Vicky sat on the second row. The service was lovely, the vicar was the same lady who took Granddad's service. She was very dignified but painted Nanna in a very true light, a warm, loving Mum, Nanna, Great Grandma, and friend to many. Again, as I was with Granddad's, I was blown away with the amount of people who came to the service, a lot of whom I hadn't seen since I was a little girl. A couple of people gave me donations for St Catherine's Hospice, a special place, very close to our hearts, as this is what we had requested, instead of flowers.

After the church service, we moved onto the Crematorium, which, again was taken by the lady vicar. After the short sermon, we each approached the coffin in turn to say goodbye. I kissed my hand, placed it on the coffin and whispered 'goodbye Nanna, I love you'.

Please Granddad, take good care of her...

Farewell Nanna...

2005-12-17T11:08:00.000Z

Well, as the title suggests, my dear Nanna passed away on Tuesday evening at 9.50pm. My mum rang at 10.05 and her first words were 'You don't have to be brave' and that was it, I went to pieces. Mum was with Nanna, and she died peacefully in her sleep.

The day after was a bit of a haze really, I dropped Jade off at school, then got 2 lovely bouquets from the florist, one for my mum and one for my Auntie Margaret. Maggie has no children, and I am her goddaughter so I thought it would be a nice gesture.

I was asked on Wednesday if there was anything I would like (of Nanna's) but I honestly haven't got a clue. I would just like to have something to remember Nanna by so I have got a pic that Nanna had beside her bed of me and Jade when Jade was about 4 hrs old, and a few other things that I will cherish.

Mum told me she has taken some things to the funeral directors that will go with Nanna. One of them is a teddy which says 'With love Grandma' , it was only later on that evening that I sussed that it was the teddy that I bought her when Granddad passed away. She loved teddies, I was so touched that she will now have that teddy with her forever.

The funeral is on Monday, I have just been told that we are travelling from Nanna's flat to the church in one of the funeral cars. I'm not going to try to be brave, I know no-one will be expecting me to be brave because they all know I am a softie, so I am just going to let it all out.

At the moment I feel a bit numb and not very sociable, I guess I may feel a bit better after the funeral, I don't know, we'll see.

I just want to thank everyone who has been of immense support to me over the last few months, all of my friends have been wonderful and I don't know what I would have done without them.

Ess. x

Happy Birthday Nanna

2005-12-09T23:28:00.000Z

Hi all!

A very poignant visit to see Nanna today, its her 76th birthday but probably the most upsetting visit. Mum told Nanna I was there and I kissed her forehead and said hello. Mum read her cards out to her and Nanna said 'thank you'. I just had a quick chat with mum then left, but not before I kissed Nanna on the forehead again. On the way back to the car I burst into tears.

On a happier note, I managed to get Joe a Tomy Discovery Dome for Christmas, I was soooo chuffed, you can't get one for love nor money on t'internet unless you want to pay over the odds on Amazon or eBay. I rang Argos this morning, and they didn't have any, anywhere in the country. I rang the local Toys R Us and they said because they couldn't see them on the computer then I can assume they didn't have any. We went there anyway as we had to exchange Jade's Leappad. I went to where I had originally seen the Domes in November and there were 3!!!!! I snapped one up straight away, I was shaking like a leaf! I put it in the trolley and say Blessing on it so no-one could nick it! Yeeeehaaaaahhhh!!!! Happy Xmas Joe!!!

Anyway, best be off, lovely hot bath then snuggle into my new jamas.

Ess. x

'Away In A Manger'

2005-12-06T21:44:00.000Z

Hello all!

Well I have been treated to 2 runs of the Infant (or KS1as they prefer to call it now) Christmas play. Jade was Mary, I was so so so so chuffed! The first visit was with my mum, bless her, she had been up all night, she is staying at the hospice at the moment, so she only had about an hours kip then she came along. We had second row seats, but there was no-one in the seat in front of us, so we had as good a view as the people in the first row. Jadey was sat at the front, next to Brandon... I mean Joseph! They all looked so cute! Then Mrs Mayer, the headteacher came up to mum and I and congratulated us on how well behaved Joe and Blessing were! She said that he might be their Joseph one day, and I pointed out that he already is!

The second helping was with John, the proud dad! Joe wasn't quite as well behaved, but a hell of a lot better than the other little ones! Mind you, the play only started at about 6.15 so he was a bit grumpy. I think Jade has an admirer in Brandon, he tapped her on the shoulder when they were singing on the stage and he gave her a filthy look.

I took a couple of pics of her, but, true to form, I can't find the lead to download the pics off the camera, so will do that later. What a day to remember, and hopefully Nanna will get the chance to see the pic of her in her costume.

When I went to see Nanna, she had deteriorated since last time I saw her, and was very very weak. Mind you, she had all her wits about her, she even called Joe 'Baldy', after I cut his hair at weekend hehehe!!!! She reached out for my hand, and I took hold of hers. She gave my hand a squeeze, and mustered up all her energy to smile to me, which meant the world to me. I do hope I get the chance to see her again, but if not, I have some lovely memories of that visit.

I also know, deep down in my heart that I have been a good granddaughter, and we have had a very special relationship. Some of my best memories are, laughing at each other saying 'crap chicken', referring to some rancid looking chicken in a butchers in Clacton, also, when I won £40 at Gala in Clacton and I shared it with her.

I just hope I get that chance to hold her hand again.

Ess. x

What Wonderful People

2005-11-26T22:29:00.000Z

Sorry I haven't posted for a while, my world, at the moment is revolving around the fact that my beloved Nanna only has a couple of weeks left with us. She is currently in St Catherine's Hospice in Preston, and they are the reason behind the title of this post.

Nanna has now been in there for a couple of weeks now but I wasn't able to go and see her until last monday as the kids have had various sniffles etc, and, as her immune system is shot to pieces, it would have killed her. I have been totally bowled over by the kindness of the people who work at St Caths, I didn't actually know until today that the place is purely funded by charity. There is no charge for the patients to be there, and yet nothing is any trouble whatsoever for the staff. The hospice have a website, the address is www.stcatherines.co.uk , there is actually an online shop on there, with some lovely christmas cards, so if you still haven't bought any, these are lovely, I have seen them in the hospice shop.

I really can't believe that my dear Nanna won't be with us for much longer, we have always been close, and I can't imagine her not being around. All of my online friends, and you know who you are, have been of tremendous support, I can't thank you enough!

Two things have touched my heart in a big way lately, one was when my mum went to see Nanna, and Nanna could smell cigarette smoke (no-one was smoking). My mum suggested that it was Granddad (who passed away in May this year), watching over her with his Golden Virginia roll-up and Nanna said 'yes, I do like to think so, hello Ray'. The other thing was, when I took Jade and Joe to the family room, there were pics up on the wall that the children had drawn for their poorly relatives. One of them said 'Get Well Soon Granddad'. I had a lump in my throat.

Anyway, I had better go and jump in the bath, after the long, emotional day I have had today, I could do with a long, hot soak... again, if you get the chance, please do visit the hospice website, it would mean so much.

Loads of love, Ess xx

Proud Mum Moment!

2005-11-15T16:56:00.000Z

Just got the kid's school photos back, and I hope you will agree, they are fantastic! I am soooo proud of them!

Tagged by Sam!!!

2005-11-15T09:32:00.000Z

7 celebrity crushes:

Robbie Williams
James Martin
Nigel Harman - Dennis from Eastenders
Mark Moraghan - Owen from Holby
(Will leave the other 3 till I think of someone worthy! lol)

7 Things I'm good at:

Making gorgeous children
Shopping
Instant Messaging
Sleeping
Cooking
Drinking
Eating

7 things I plan to do before I die:

Lose weight
Get Fit
Start going swimming again (have to do the above first)
Get rich
Go to Australia
Get my self confidence back
Marry Robbie Williams (lol)

7 things I cannot do:

Diet
Lie
Take my drink
Round scoubis
Touch my nose with my tongue
Get organised
Keep the house tidy

7 things that attract me to the opposite sex:

Eyes
Sense of humour
Physique
Personality
Lips
Voice
Accent

7 things I say often:

No!
Get down!
It was only £....
Have you got any money John?
Come on, get dressed! (Jade)
Shall I ring Miss Hussein?
Yes... yes... yes!!!!

Can't think of anyone to tag atm, everyone else seems to have already done it!

Birthday Cake and Ego Trips!

2005-11-14T14:47:00.000Z

Hello all!

Well I had a lovely birthday weekend (well, you have to make the most of them don't you!), starting with a bit of retail therapy and lunch with mum and the kids. Then went to the school xmas fair ending with takeaway and football with friends. Sunday was one shopping extravaganza at the Trafford Centre with John and the kids. We had lunch at the Tapas Bar before trawling through the crowds. I am happy to say that I ended up with marginally more than the kids, I got 2 lovely tops, and the kids a pair of slippers each from the Disney Store. Joe's were Nemo and Jade's, of course, were Disney Princesses and veeeerrrry fluffy and girly.

You may be wondering about the 'Ego Trips' bit of the title, there is a game doing the rounds where you email your pals asking for one word that they believe sums you up. Here are a few that my pals have sent to me!

Lush
Caring x2!
Colourful
Philosophical
Fun-loving
Patient
Generous} These two obviously weren't with me when
Selfless } I opened my birthday chocolates!
Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious err... thanks Al!
Bloodygreatmate!... aww, fanks Summer!

If any more come fluttering through my inbox I will add them...

Here are some more pics of the sprogs! They were taken with my new phone, a pressie for my birthday off John, it's a Motorola Razr (silver) and I love it!

See The Difference!

2005-10-27T08:37:00.000+01:00

Sorry if I seem a bit obsessed about Jade and her new ears, but the transformation is amazing. She has got the colour back in her face and she has hardly mentioned that her ears hurt. Here are the before and after pics.

A Little Bit Better

2005-10-25T20:09:00.000+01:00

Hi all. Not much to say today really apart from Jade had a lovely night's sleep, probably from the anaesthetic but I think it has done her the world of good. She does look very pale though, but she will come round soon. Here is the first pic of her new ears!

The Big Day

2005-10-25T07:36:00.000+01:00

We got up v early this morning so Jade could have some breakkie, she had to have finished it by 8, then she had a drink of water just before we set off to drop off Joe at my friends before we got to the hospital.

God the ward was like something off the Royal! Anyway, Jade was fairly cool about it all, they put some 'magic cream' on the backs of her hands to numb them for when they inserted the cannula. It was touch and go as to whether or not the op was going to take place as she had a bit of a cold but they said she would be fine as her temperature was ok. When it was her turn, John carried her into the anaesthetic room, and they distracted her with the heart monitor, making McDonalds signs by wiggling her finger. The turning point was when she looked at them inserting the cannula and she went ballistic. We had to hold her still while they tried the other hand. They still couldn't manage it so we had to hold her down while they gave her gas, trust me when I say it was the hardest thing we have had to do, she was just shouting 'Help me, I want to go home'. I was fighting back the tears. All of a sudden everything went quiet and she was sparko so we went outside and I burst into tears.

We were having our lunch in the parents room when we were called to meet her in the recovery room. As we were walking along the corridor, we could hear her screaming. They explained to us that this wasn't because of the pain, it was a combination of the anaesthetic and the fact that she was screaming when she went to sleep.

The registrar told us that the op went better than expected, I am just waiting till she looks a better in herself before I take a piccie of her.

We managed to calm her down when we got onto the ward and she slept for a good hour and a half before demolishing a plate of toast and 2 cups of blackcurrant before we were allowed home with a bag full of painkillers.

My mum dropped Joe off, apparently he had trashed her house (it is nice when I hear he does do it to other people's houses)! We got Jade off to sleep then mum went home.

Why is it that Jade has to go through so much pain to make herself more socially acceptable to her peers?

Throwing a Wobbly

2005-10-24T06:36:00.000+01:00

I am feeling very emotional tonight, I laid on Jade's bed with her tonight while she fell asleep and got so emotional. From tomorrow, my baby will look different, for the rest of her life. I so hope everything runs smoothly tomorrow, I don't think I will get much sleep tonight. I know John is feeling the same too, but he doesn't say much. John's mum doesn't even know about the op, she knows Jade was down on the waiting list, but she went on her honeymoon 3 days before we got notification of the date.

We have taken the before pics, and in our eyes, Jade doesn't need this operation but there are bound to be some nasty little scrotes who would really make her life a misery. Bastards.

I am sooo looking forward to taking her to Toys R Us, when she is better, we have said she can pick a toy (within reason) for being so brave!

I am off now to (try) get some shut eye, she has to have finished her breakfast before 8am.

Feeling Better Now

2005-10-22T21:32:00.000+01:00

Hi all!!! Well I am now calming down about Jade's big day on Monday, I just hope she can remain lurgy free till then! Last week she told me she didn't want to have green eyes, she wanted blue ones like mine. I told her I had a word with the doctor and he said he doesn't know how to do that but he can make it so that she can have ears like mine. I also told her she will have special earrings in (they put beads at either end of the stitches to keep them taut) and she was cool with that. I will have to post before and after pics to show how it has gone.

I know we are doing this for all the right reasons but I still can't help feeling incredibly guilty.

Joe is so funny at the moment, he is just soooooo cheeky, I can't help keep scooping him up in my arms for loads of cuddles, when I ask him for a kiss he puts his head down as if to say 'no you are not worthy but you may kiss my forehead'! Bless 'im!!!!!! He is eating like a bloody sparrow at the moment, hardly any at all, so I have got him on formula still for his 2 bottles so I know he is getting all the good stuff. Anything edible at the moment is 'jish', which he just used to use for 'juice' at first but apparently, even a full sunday roast dinner is 'jish'.

Leaving you with a pic of DJ Joe, from last night with Daddy's gaming headset on! Oh, and one of Jade with her new black eye, from whacking herself in the face with her fairy wand!