Err, is 3 years too much of a gap?

WOW!! I completely forgot I had this blog lol. I had clicked on a FB friends blog to read what she had written and then left a comment. Of course it asked me to sign in with a google account, and lo and behold the link to this page appeared. What nostalgia reading back through my previous posts. I've actually had tears in my eyes reading some of them, especially the ones talking about my darling gran :(  We lost her just over 2 years ago now, but it seems like only yesterday. She was such a presence in my life and I still find it hard to believe she is gone.

There have been so many changes in our lives since 2009. Raechel is in yr 10 at her school, sitting some exams already, whilst Hayley is in yr 7. My babies are getting so big, it scares me how quickly the time is passing us by. Raechel is forging ahead with her singing ambitions, and doing very well at it. That girl is going to be on the stage one day, mark my words :D Hayley was finally diagnosed with aspergers in 2010, and it was a relief in many ways to finally know what was going on with her. Some days are difficult, but Hayley is Hayley and we deal with and move on :)

I have gone from being the mad cat lady, to being the mad cat lady with dog lol!! Yes, 8 months ago we welcomed a little german shepherd pup into our lives. He'll be one year old next week. He's called, what else, Ranger :D We still have the cats, although I no longer foster for CP, and we have new chickens. Also some budgies in the old cat pen and mummy budgie is sitting on some eggs, so we're all hoping for the excitement of chicks. Keep your fingers crossed for us.

I have really gotten into card making and crafts in a big way, and love nothing better than sitting making up some new designs for family and friends. However, my craft room seems to have been taken over by hubby for his games room!! I can see fisticuffs ahead at some point soon :p

Hmm, I'm going to have to give some thought to this blogging business you know. Do I want it to just be me rambling on about stuff most people aren't really interested in, or do I want to concentrate on a 'theme' as such. All suggestions on a postcard gratefully received. Until next time, take care of yourselves :) xx

Busy, Busy

Wow, it's been ages since I came on here. Just been so busy though, the days just seem to run away from me. well, last time I wrote we were just off to Manchester for Raechels appointment with the modelling agency, and I'm delighted to say that she was accepted :D She has also had her first casting since then, which took place in Derbyshire. It was for a film called Skeletons. We haven't heard anything back as yet (it was just under a week ago), but tbh I'm not expecting her to get the part, it was just nice to have the first casting under her belt, and to get a little bit of experience. She also got through to the boot camp for a local talent show. That will take place in April, so she's flying high at the moment. Mind you, the attitude is also flying high as well. Pre teen hormonal girls are NOT fun!!!

Hayley is just plodding along as she usually does, bless her. Just desperately trying to find something for her to shine at. But when her interests are science and Dr Who, it's slightly difficult lol!!!

On our visit to Scotland last month (for half term), Roberts dad received the devastating news that he has bladder cancer. I think that most of us were expecting it to be honest, but it was the manner in which he was told that was so devastating. He was told over the phone!! The girl at the other end was ringing to make an appointment for him with the cancer unit, and had no idea his doctor or consultant hadn't bothered to tell him. It was an utter disgrace!! He has now started his chemo, adn he has to have 3 lots of that, then radiation. So it's a matter of wait and see now.

We'll be going back up to Scotland again next month, as a cousin of mine is getting married and we'll be attending the wedding. The only downside is that it's on Hayleys birthday!! But we will have a party for her before we go up and I'm sure she'll be made a fuss of by family up the road.

We also have another member of the family. A black lionhead rabbit named Simba :) A friend of mine asked if I would take him, as her daughter wasn't looking after him at all, and it wasn't fair on him. So he's become Hayleys bunny, and lives in a cage in her room. He's still a bit scared, but coming along nicely.

I've been enjoying the lovely sunshine we've had of late. Spending time in the garden. And Robert has bought me a plastic greenhouse for the garden :) I've always wanted one, so that's my Mothers Day pressie. Can't wait until the weekend when he puts it up for me. Also trying to clear out a load of junk from the house. I can't understand how this stuff builds up!! I do a major clearout about every 6 months or so, and there always seems to be loads. I think it breeds lol.

I'm sitting here doing this today as I have to wait in on the Virgin telephone engineer. There is a horrible crackling on my line. I went and bought a new handset, thinking it was the phone, but it wasn't, so wasting the morning sitting in, as obviously they don't give you a time! Mind you, the way I'm feeling, I could just go back to my bed lol. Absolutely shattered!

Strike a pose!

We're in a state of excitement now lol. I sent off a photo of Raechel to a childrens modelling agency, and she's to go to Manchester on saturday for a consultation :) of course it doesn't mean she'll get a contract or any work, but just to get asked to go and see them is a big boost for her. The only thing is, I'm really going to have to find something for Hayley to become involved in. it seems as if a lot of emphasis has been put on Raechel and her accomplishments of late, and I don't want that to cause ill feeling between them. Mind you, the way they are at the moment they don't exactly need an excuse!! It's like living in a war zone. Batten down the hatches and prepare for incoming! I never knew people could argue over the slightest little thing as much as they do, it's bizarre. But people tell me it's completely normal, and it will all pass. Anyone got a spare room until it does?

We've also had the added bonus of proper snow this week. It was lovely to watch it all falling, and looking so pretty. The girls were highly delighted, which quickly turned to disgust when they found out their schools were about the only 2 in the country that didn't close, lol!! It's amazing how a country so technically advanced, can grind to a halt because of a little bit of snow. I mean, if Russia can cope, why the heck can't we? And on that mysterious note I'll leave you lol.

The Land of Oz

First of all I have to start off by saying what a proud mummy I am :D I have a wonderfully talented daughter (and of course I'm biased lol). I was so proud of Raechel and I don't think it'll be the last time either, she was fantastic!! The play went really well, and the kids put a lot of hard work into their performance. Only noticed one or two little slips, but what would a school play be without those lol! I honestly had a lump in my throat when Raechel appeared on the stage for the first time, and my heart was in my mouth, because I knew how nervous she was, but she came through like a professional :D My only disappointment, if you can call it that, was that she didn't get to sing Somewhere over the rainbow as a solo, the whole cast sang it, which was a pity because she does it so beautifully, but never mind, it was still superb. Things will be quiet around here for a while, with her not practicing every 5 minutes lol. But I'm sure there will be another play to try out for soon!!

Happy New Year

Okay, so it's a bit late lol, but the beginning of january is always a busy time. Had all the cleaning to do, kids to get ready for going back to school, and taking down all the decorations etc. So finally we are getting back to normal, well as normal as we get lol.

We're just chugging along the same as usual. Nothing really exciting happening, apart from Raechels school play in a weeks time. She is getting VERY nervous about that! We were hoping to go up to Scotland for my grans birthday party, but unfortunately it falls the weekend before Raechels performance, and she has to rehearse at the school that weekend. So we're very disappointed, but it can't be helped :( Hayley has settled back into school okay, just problems with her teacher being off sick again, that's 2 years in a row she hasn't had the same teacher all the way through. Not a good situation for her, or the other kids.

We also have another member of the family! A little dwarf hamster called Coisty (well, he had to fit in with the others lol). He came from a friend of Raechels, who got 3 of them, being told they would live happily together. Oh no they didn't!! So he's come to us, where the 3 cats sit waiting for a tasty looking snack to appear. Very funny to see them sitting staring at the cage.

Nothing much else to report for the time being. But I'll pop back on after Raechels play to let you know how it went. Take care xx

IT'S CHRISTMAS!!!

I know, I know. I said I would be on weeks ago to put up pics of my desc etc, but I forgot lol. it's been a busy old month, what with school fairs, and school performances etc, and then travelling up to Scotland last weekend. So it seems Christmas day has been the quiet time I needed LOL!!

Family problems abounded last weekend, which I won't go into, but families can be a real pain! My gran also took ill again while we were up, but thankfully seemed not to bad, even though she was hospitalised again. She just likes to worry us I think.

So that's Christmas over for another year. Santa was good to me, and Robert and the girls. I got jewellery, perfume, clothes, craft items, chocolates, calendars, slippers, CD, and teddies, so i must have been a good girl this year :p The girls were delighted with their tv and DS respectively. Well, I think I've let the Christmas dinner settle long enough now, so I'm off for my trifle :D

And so the excitement builds

My Christmas decorations go up on sunday, the girls and I are getting soooo excited lol. Of course, mr humbug, Robert, would prefer they didn't go up to Christmas eve, but that is so not going to happen. Anyway, he gets to help put them up on sunday and then he's off to his mums on the monday, in Scotland. His dad is going into hospital for an operation, so he's going to do some decorating for his mum while his dad isn't there, makes life easier that way lol. Haven't done much in the way of Christmas shopping at all though, somehow when you have to watch every penny and cut back on your spending it isn't as much fun, but never mind, it isn't all about the presents now is it!!
Raechel is working very hard at her rehearsals for her school play, and we are looking forward to seeing her perform in january. And both girls will be singing with their choirs at the local Christmas lights switch on this friday. My little stars :D
I think I may be losing one of my chickens. My old girl, Hillary. She has been moulting and I think with her age and the cold weather she just isn't going to make it. She went off the lay a few months ago, and I've been told that hybrids don't usually live long once this happens, but she has been a lovely chicken to introduce me to this wonderful pastime.
We've also been laying new carpets and laminate throughout the house. It has caused some amount of havoc lol, but it is looking lovely!! So much warmer than what we had down.
Will be back next week to post a pic of my decorated living room, so see you then x