Yule (B)Log

Sooooooo, I haven't blogged for ages, and it's nearly the end of the year. The photo above is the "christmassiest" (new word, will be in the Oxford English Dictionary next year, just you wait and see!) I had to hand, and was taken on our recent trip to Disneyland Paris, which Eloise and Maisie enjoyed almost as much as me and Melissa!

Not sure how often I'll be updating from now on (not that I've been that regular anyway) but just wanted to take the opportunity to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I'm winding down towards the end of the day now, off to client function in Southend shortly, and then it's 11 Days off. Looking forward to some chill out time, a bit of football (watching and playing!) and then spending New Year's Eve at home with the family and finally kicking 2007 into touch, not a year I'll be disappointed to see the back of!

Here's to 2008.

Christmas is coming.........

.....Yes! It's less than two months away, and if you're already struggling for present ideas, then let me suggest the following............

This is "Little Cooks", a cook book inspired by and to raise money for Little Havens Children's Hospice, where Melissa works. Rather than let me waffle on about it, this is what the official press release says........

" Little Cooks features recipes from children, their families and staff at the hospice, plus contributions from celebrity chefs such as Jamie Oliver, Nigella Lawson, Delia Smith and Ainsley Harriot. Priced at £5.99 each, the books will be available from October at outlets including some Essex branches of Asda, Waterstones, Havens Hospices charity shops and via the charity's website, www.littlehavens.org.uk "

So there you go, a bargain! Anyway, just so you know how much you'd be helping out, the Hospice has annual running costs in excess of £1.6million, and the government provide just £25,000 each year towards this. They have to rely on public donations to provide the rest.

So there you, put one in everyone's stocking, tell your family, tell your friends, tell your work colleagues, tell that bloke in Oxford St who stands there all day with the sign that says "Golf Sale", tell everyone - Please...............

.....BUY THIS BOOK!!

Happy Birthday Amelia

Today would have been Amelia's 4th Birthday. Amelia was the daughter of Melissa's cousin, Sarah. Her and Eloise were best friends, just 5 weeks apart in age. Tragically, Amelia died as the result of a road accident in February of this year, along with her Grandad.

Today Eloise has been to Amelia's special Garden, and released a Balloon for her. In her words she wanted the "Angels to catch it and give it to Amelia".

Happy Birthday Amelia, you are missed by us all, and especially by Eloise.

Everything Changes

So, prompted by Mr Mitchinson, I thought I'd better post again.





Life, for the last few weeks, has been hectic - work has kept me busy and last week I was travelling around the country doing some presentations. Over the course of 5 days I found myself in Hitchin, Letchworth, Dartford, Cobham, Cardiff and Huddersfield (and believe me travelling from Cardiff to Huddersfield, and then from Huddersfield to Chelmsford in the same day certainly takes it out of you!). I clocked up over 1,000 miles, passed through around 18 different counties, and was apparently on the highest motorway point in the UK whilst on the M62 (Well, I think I was, didn't quite get time to read all of what the sign said - I wasn't driving by the way, so was allowed to try and read it!). And in the middle of all that I had my birthday - so, another year older, another year wiser??? Hmm, will reserve judgement on that one!





Last night I was quite excited, because last night it was time for.........

Yep, a new series of Spooks - one of my favourite programmes on tv. Really enjoyed it, but something struck me this morning. In a strange kind of way the fact that I was able to enjoy it really demonstrated to me the way that everything has changed for me (stick with me here!). In previous years, the BBC scheduling a new series of this (or any other favourite, Like "Life on Mars" for example) for a Tuesday night would have resulted in an outburst from me - Why, when they could pick any evening of the week, would they pick the one night I'm out - It was so infuriating! It invariably led to late nights, as I would arrive home late from Songster Practice, but couldn't avoid the temptation to watch it there and then on "catch up". This year, no such problem. It's not that Songster Practice has changed nights, it's just that I'm not there - Everything changes.

A year ago, there were things, people and relationships that were a big part of my life, some had always been a big part of my life, and even defined a lot of who I am. I couldn't imagine that there would ever be a time when those things, people and relationships wouldn't be a big part of my life. Now, as a result of the course of events that have unfolded over the past year, some of those things seem far away. Now I know that some of those changes have been instigated by me, and that's just part of where I am at the moment, but some of them haven't, and some things have changed and I'm not sure why.

I've never been one for living in the past, and always coped with change quite well - but I don't like these changes. I'd just like things to be as they were, I miss that.

Before and After

Tomorrow is Maisie's 1st birthday! I have no idea where that year has gone - She's already growing up quickly!!

What a difference a year makes. Here is a photo taken in the summer of last year (Melissa was pregnant at the time! I had no such excuse!!):

And here is one taken this summer:

In the past year I've had to face up to situations that I would rather not have, and have learnt a lot about myself, and others around me. Sometimes the things I've learnt have been things I'd rather not have. I'm a very different person now and not just in the way I look.....

Too much, too young?

Let me introduce you to Hana - She's a duck, and the star of the programme "Hana's Helpline" (Yes, for some reason it's only spelt with one 'n'). Eloise likes this programme - I don't, for two reasons:

1) The basic set up of the show is that Hana runs a helpline which people can call up, and she helps with their problems. Whilst this normally involves a happy ending, I can't say I'm entirely comfortable with the concept of a programme aimed at Pre-School age kids that is basically telling them they should get therapy. Now, I know in "real life" there are some situations where this might be necessary, but this would be the exception rather than the norm. Surely turning it into the basis for a kids tv show is too much, too young???

2) The second reason I don't like it, and by far the most concerning, frustrating thing about it is this.......................................................The theme tune is so flipping annoying it's untrue!! Virtually every day this week, this programme has been on in the morning, and I then can't get the tune out of my head for the rest of the day! Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr, come on now, all join in......

"Moo, Baa, double Quack, double Quack, She'll send your problems packing, Moo, Baa, double Quack, double Quack, come on on now lets get quacking"

Make it stop, please.........................................!!!

Here comes the Sun.....(Hopefully)!

Well, despite the hint last weekend that summer had arrived, the weather is still, frankly, rubbish. Not that I am worried, because on Saturday we are off on holiday, and according to the weather forecast for the area of Spain we're going to, it's sunshine all the way!!! It's going to be a week of doing very little, sitting on the beach, or by the pool. The summer reading is all packed and ready to go, though nothing else is yet!, and Eloise is very excited! It's going to be a much needed holiday this year, and I don't think I've ever looked forward to getting away for a break so much!

So, have fun everybody, see you soon!