CRAZY BUSY!!!!

Pete got back from his studying trip and not a moment too soon! ON the Thursday he was away I had a bit of a funny turn! I was out with my lovely friend Claire when I basically thought I was going to faint. It was not a very pleasant experience! I am fine now and think I was just doing far too much!
Upon Pete's return, he had to work all weekend! Saturday was great though, we went to The Gathering, a multicultural event run by Pete's colleague. The worship was lively and included and sitar! Speakers included Les Isaac - The chap who set up Street Pastors and Mark Greene - LICC. It was a good day with lots to take in!
The following week was still busy, college was winding up for reading week.
We had a fab dinner with our friends Buddy and Alex in a really nice restaurant in Harrow, from which we could see the Wembley arch all lit up! Not quite the same as the towers, but looked pretty spectacular!
Last Friday was annual leave and we headed over to Kent to see the family! It was good to catch up with Pete's brothers family, even if Elliot (our youngest nephew) accused me of always having a new handbag! As we had originally booked to be away this weekend, we decided to not do too much! So Saturday we did not much all day and then went bowling with the lovely Ana and Paul in the evening. On Sunday we were naughty and didn't go to church! It was very nice! In the evening we did however go to Stanmore Baptist Church to a new service there. It was good to be somewhere different for a change.

It has been a really crazy week!
Pete is away on his first study week, so I am home alone. Sadly I have hardly been at home alone!
Obviously I have been at college and then last night 5 girls from work came over for dinner. I did Swiss Raclette. It was delicious. I also made a fab chocolate mousse the recipe I got from my Mum. It was soooo easy!
We had a good time!
Pete should be back Friday! YEAH!!!!!

HOLIDAYS ARE COMING, HOLIDAYS ARE COMING

Despite the family rule that states "Suzie is not allowed to start talking, thinking or doing things to do with Christmas before the 1st November"! Tonight I am having to lovely and creative young ladies round to make some decorations! I was at Rachels house on Friday and she is making some gorgeous decs for a Christmas fair coming up and I fell in love with them and so am going to attempt - with help to recreate them!!!
Quite excited really!

HOMEWORK - WORK - HOME

I have just completed my first piece of homework for my course!! I'm thinking I've not done a great job, but you've got to start somewhere.
I am very tired, it seems like there is no stopping!
I have this Friday off, as Pete then heads off on Saturday for his week of study! Scary!

HI HO HI HO ITS OFF TO SCHOOL WE GO!

Had my first evening at college this evening! Despite the disorganisation it went OK. Met some people! Was quite fun! I think it is going to be OK, although a lot of work in a short space of time.

Made it through that first session with everyone not knowing anyone!!

ONEHUNDREDANDTWENTYFIVE

After some planning and organisation we have made it through the 125th Anniversay of Haven Green Baptist Church.
It has been a very busy weekend, but a great one. Catching up with lots of old friends from so many era's!
Saturday was excellent. My best friend from primary school was there with her 2 year old son Morgan! It was great to see Kirsty and catch up on life!

Hazel made a fabulous cake, which was cut by the oldest and newest members of the church! It was also delicious.

Then last night was a party at my parents, with around 66 people! Also a great night catching up with folk!

This morning was a great service, Matt Week's song was rousing, I just about managed to keep myself from crying throughout the whole thing, and as I was singing that was a wise decision!

We had Mel and Graham staying with us and Sarah & Lucy stayed at my Mum and Dad's, it was really great to see them all.

This evening was a lovely meal for all the current members.

I think all in all a good time was had!!!

BACK TO THE FUTURE

This week has been quite busy, work is picking up fast, which I love and hate all at the same time! Part of me thrives on the not having time to think and just running from one task to another! It is tiring though. Plus my course is getting closer. First day is the 20th September, I am really nervous!

We have got our church 125th Anniversary next weekend which is crazy. There is lots happening and lots of old faces reappearing! Looking forward to seeing the Wickers and the Halls! I'm sure there will be lots of people to catch up with and lots to see and do.
Lots of old photo's hanging around, which are funny, sad and awful!! I can't believe we've been at HGBC for 25 years, so many other people seem to have come and gone in that time it's frightening to try and remember even half of them.

Hoping to be at a BBQ tomorrow - I am thinking it will probably be my last for this year!! (I did say before Christmas is drawing ever nearer!)

Last weekend we cleared and tidies Petes office. So far he is managing to keep it tidy! I just hope he doesn't leave his filing for another 2 years!!! :-)

CHRISTMAS IS COMING!

I can't believe that it is September already! I'm in need of a holiday!!
There is loads going on at the moment, work is getting busier, we are preparing for the 125th anniversary at church and generally seeing lots of people, banner making, card making.
I am trying to chill out and relax more, so lets hope that can continue!
I know it's scarey but it really will be Christmas before we know where we are! and I am really not ready! Having not made my own Christmas cards for the last few years, I was thinking maybe this year I could be ultra prepared and start thinking about them! We'll see, I'm always full of good intentions that rarely come to fruition.

We're back from our holidays!! Had a wonderful, relaxing time! This is the little cottage where we stayed in a small village called Hawkechurch.
Thank goodness we have got the long weekend to ease ourselves back into life!

I WANNA SEE THE SUNSHINE AFTER THE RAIN!

Typically, the rain has begun to fall just as we are about to head off on our hols!!
Half day at work and then off the Lyme Regis!
Really looking forward to some time away!

BIRTHDAY WISHES

We have made it through the weekend. We had a great time. Friday I spend most of the day baking fairy cakes for Dad and Becky's birthday dinner on Saturday night.

Friday night we had a party for Dad's 60th and there were around 55 - 60 people crammed into my parents house! Some who I haven't seen for ages! The puddings went down well, however I only managed 1 plate of chocolate mousse towards the end of the evening!

Saturday was spent at the Middlesex Rugby 7's! It was a fun day, made even better by the fact that our Team WASPS won!!!

Saturday evening/night!, was spent at a very nice , extremely local restaurant. The food was amazing and the atmosphere fab, with a pianist playing virtually at the end of our table!

It looks as though Dad and Becky enjoyed their birthdays!

Fortunately everyone made it to join us for the weekend, despite the travel problems. The Scottish people jumped in the car and my Brother managed to get a much earlier flight!

COUNT DOWN TO THE WEEKEND

Work has got very busy this week, so I am keeping on my toes!
Had a great visit from my pal Sarah and little Lucy! We had fun!

Now we are preparing everything for my Dad's 60th birthday weekend!! Party on Friday night and lots of other festivities throughout the weekend!
Should be fun!

QUIET WATERS!

It has been a relatively quiet week at work. Home life has remained fairly crazy! Looking forward to a chilled weekend, before my Pa's 60th next weekend.

The caffeine withdrawal seems to have lessened it's effects in the last week and I am starting to feel "normal" again, although there are those who would say that I wasn't normal to begin with!

Managed to catch up with an old chum, have a final supper with cell group, see my Mum and Dad and have dinner with friends.
I got my letter through from college and my course begins on the 20th September - 2 evenings a week! I am starting to feel really nervous! I hate the thought of walking into a room of people who I don't know, especially when you know inside everyone is judging you and each other!!

Looks like my good friend Mrs Wicker is coming down from Brum on Sunday with little Lucy for a couple of nights and I have managed to wangle a half day Monday so we can spend some time together! Should be fun!

IT'S MONDAY BUT FRIDAY'S COMING

Back at work today after a great weekend off!
I had Friday off work and we went to The Motor Show which was really good fun, we had a great day out and caught up with our friends in the evening. I saw Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone - First time! I actually thought it was quite good!
Saturday we headed off to Canterbury for the night! We had a fun time just chilling out and enjoying the randomness of those around us! Despite our room in the hotel being the hottest room with windows that didn't open and not even a fan to cool us down, we had a laugh.
Popped in at Ealing jazz festival last night. It still draws a huge crowd.

COLD TURKEY update...........
It has now been two weeks since I have given up caffeine. It has been a long road and to be honest I am not sure I am there yet. I am still very tired and head aches are still coming although not as often. I am starting to feel a bit more "Normal"! Again.

I am back at the crainiosacral therapist tomorrow! Looking forward to it!

In other news, I now have my own laptop!!!! I was going to wait until after our holiday, but Pete saw a bargain today and got it!! It is very cool and in fact at this moment we are both sat in the living room n the Internet!! The reality is that I am starting my course in September and it looks like Pete will be studying too so computer demand is on the up!

ALTERNATIVE THERAPY

Although I probably just need some good old fashion psychotherapy, I went yesterday and enjoyed the delights of Cariniosacral Osteopathy. It was brilliant and although today I feel a bit tender, I can feel that she has begun to sort me out. It is the most amazing thing as she bearly touches you and yet you feel your body responding. I am going back again next week for some more!!

Looking forward to the weekend and som quality time with the man! The Motor Show on Friday and then off to Canterbury for the night on Saturday, fab! Some chilling and eating I think!

COLD TURKEY

I am not feeling any better, but I can't tell if it is migraine aftermath, this horrid cold my husband has kindly decided to share with me or the effects of going cold turkey from caffeine!
I have spent most of today just laying on the sofa. I watched two movies and a couple of crappie TV programmes. It is better to stay lying down as when I get up my head hurts! Although I have managed to download some tunes to cheer up my journey to work tomorrow.
Who could have known that drinking almost 4 litres of diet coke a day could be so hard to give up!!
5 days down in the caffeine withdrawal!

ACHING HEAD PART 4

Yes, you've guessed it the migraine strikes again! I was at work yesterday morning before nine and started having a migraine! My boss sent me home in a cab as she thought I shouldn't drive.
Well, I couldn't see!! Went to my mum's, slept on her sofa and generaly layed around all day! Still have a headache, but hope I am getting there! Back to work today, I don't like to let it stop me. I have decided to cut out caffiene, chocolate and cheese for the time being! So watch out, if you see me coming! I may not be in a good mood!

ACHING HEAD PART 3

Last night I had my third migraine in 2 weeks!! I am getting a bit fed up with it now and am not sure what to do about it! Plus I had decided last week to take today as a day off to just chill out do nice things and maybe some housework! I now feel a bit weak and wibbly and so looks like the day will be lost to nothingness!

BRIGHT & MORNING STAR

Big CONGRATULATIONS to Andy & Jenny& Ella on the birth of little Lily this morning. A new daughter and little sister!!

PIMMS O'CLOCK

So after church this morning, Ana came and picked me up and we met Pete at their house. We all put on our glad rags and headed off to Henley Regatta. Phyllis Court was our destination!

As you can see from the photo's we had loads of fun! Pints of Pimms. Champagne and afternoon tea in the ballroom!

For once I was extremely dressed up but did not feel overdressed at all with a hat thing on!

A big shout out to Stuart Barr who was Operations manager at Phyllis Court - doing a grand job and who got us in for the day!!

So the Yorkshireman, the Croat and the geezer from South London managed to behave themselves!

ACHING HEAD PART TWO

I have spent the morning in bed once again with Migraine mark 2! I had a feeling it would be like this as the migraines I have been having since Christmas have been coming in two's!! Not very pleasant. I had got up early in order to get to Kingston to go to Zara to find a dress to wear to Henley tomorrow and it hit me. 8:30am I went straight back to bed and didn't emerge till lunchtime. At which point we both needed to get out of our very hot flat, so headed for Brent Cross. Plenty of seats for the sick one, in doors for the one with hayfever and aircon for the pair who live in the hottest flat in Ealing. Managed to find a dress and a hairband/hat contraption!! Will reveal tomorrow!

As you can see, I have managed to up load a photo. This one is from a recent away day with my team from work. A great day out in London!
I LOVE LONDON!


The boat trip yesterday was a giggle, basically we went one hour up the Thames and one hour back again!! The sun was shining and everyone was very chilled out.

Anyway, I'm off now to sort my outfit out and prepare myself for my big day out tomorrow mostly by getting some beauty sleep!

A LIFE ON THE OCEAN WAVE

Well last night was not as loud as anticipated as the band kept tripping the electrics and cutting out every so often!! Good time though, great music!! The band line up included the chap who had played the sax solo on Careless Whisper!! Brilliant!

The sun is shining and we are all heading off to Teddington lock to board our boat for our mini cruise!!!! Should be a giggle!

Still stressing over outfit for Sunday!!! I think a trip to kingston tomorrow before the football is in order!

My Mummy & Daddy are on their way home! Horrah!!!!

ACHING HEAD

Had a bit of a stressful week, culminating in a migraine last night. Still feeling the remnants of this, but nevertheless will be attending the Our Dad gig at the Rutland tonight!! Should be fun and loud! Tomorrow, its a work social - boat trip and on Sunday we're going to Henley Regatta!! V posh - suits, dresses and hats ahoy!!!!
More about that later!

AAAGGGGRRRRHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hello, I can not believe that it has been over a month since I last blogged. I have not managed to put and photo's up (YET!) I still haven't reached my weight watchers goal - Still 8lbs to loose!
Work is very busy at the moment, but good none the less as the days go by quickly.
May has been a very crazy month. Lots of stuff going on for my family in varying ways. When we went to Brighton for the BU Assembly, on the day of departure, my Dad rang to tell me he was taking my Mum to the hospital for an ECG as she had woken early in the morning with an irregular and very quick heart rate. By that evening and after many tests she was fine and we all went to Brighton - Pete had already gone, but I stayed behind to see what was happening.
They are saying that it is possibly just one of those thing, may happen again, may not. I think it really frightened my poor Mum and since then she has not been sleeping very well and is generally feeling a bit worried about it! (Understandably!)
Since then My Nana had a fall and broke her hip. She remains in hospital and following an operation she seems to be doing OK. My Mum has gone up to Scotland to be with her, but at this point, there seems to be no return date. My Dad is due to head up there in a couple of weeks! Who knows what will happen. There is other stuff too but it would take too long to go into!

We had a good bank holiday - celebrating Pete's birthday, by generally doing nothing!! Very enjoyable.

I have told our cell group now that as of August we will no longer be leading cell. As of September, I am going to be studying 2 evenings a week for my Certificate in Personnel practice. Should be good although very hard work especially as I didn't really do any work when I was at school!

We went to a ate Simmonds gig the other night - It was brill - Weeksie was playing the guitar - he is V talented!

So I think that brings things up to date for now!

FOOD FOR THOUGHT!

Holiday was fantastic! We had a great time seeing lots of people and places! Took loads of photo's, shall try and post some up when I get round to it!
Back at work now and it is fairly busy, well actually very busy, but I am just about keeping on top of it for now!
Day off tomorrow! We are heading down to Brighton for the Baptist Union Assembly! Sounds yawn worthy, but actually is quite fun and we get to catch up with lots of people we haven't seen for ages!
Hopefully we will also see our friends Laura, Dave and Lila Traneer who live down in Brighton as well! Bank Holiday Monday too, Brilliant!

DOOP DOO BE DOO DOOP DOO DOO

Well I never, I have managed to go over a month without blogging!! Life has been so hectic I don't really know what I've been up to!
My new car is truly fabulous! If you saw The Apprentice this week - the car supermarket they were in was where Pete found "Verity"!
We celebrated Pete's Mum & Dad's Ruby Wedding. With a family lunch which was fun.
Last weekend, Pete was VERY sick. It's only the second time in the 10 years we have been together that I have known him actually be sick!
This weekend, my brother and his lovely girlie are coming up from Exeter, so a late Mothers day dinner is the order of the weekend.
I have now lost 15 and half pounds at weight watchers!! Only 11 more pounds o go and I have reached my target!

Mostly, I am just counting down to our holiday!! I hope it is going to be as good as I am expecting! A few days with Nana at her flat in Edinburgh. Take Nana to the airport and send her down to London for Easter with my parents. a few days on our own! Ana & Paul come to Edinburgh to stay in a hotel for a couple of days - some meeting up possibly! Easter Saturday - all 4 of us jump in the car and head up to near St Andrews to meet up with Ollly & Tessa at Jesse and Marie's house for a very groovy Easter! Monday heading back down to London with a stop over in Durham in a cute hotel for the night!! and then the rest of the week off!!!

Then I am only back at work for 4 days, when I am off to the BU Assembly in Brighton!! Better save some pennies for some Lanes shopping!!!

As you can see I have high hopes for my hols, but really all I want is to chill out and get away from it all!

IF YOU LIKE A LOT OF CHOCOLATE ON YOUR BISCUIT JOIN OUR CLUB!

Hurrah! Yesterday I went to WW and I had lost 3 1/2 lbs which totals my current weight loss at 8lbs!!! That's over half a stone.
Am still feeling hungry but at least I know it is working and worth it.

Looks like I am probably going to get a new car this week, as my current car Winnie needs a lot of work doing and it isn't really worth it. So Pete has investigated and I might be getting a Ford KA! Cool! Perhaps it won't shudder all the time, sound like I am about to take off and have a working radio for those long traffic jams? Nothing will ever be like Winnie!

Pete is working loads at the moment and it feels like we have hardly seen each other. Looking forward to the weekend and seeing the Wickers for some good times!

THANK CRUNCHIE IT'S FRIDAY!

I am truly glad that it is Friday! I am quite tired and I know now that Pete should be around a bit more from this weekend after all his spells of working away. Life has been so hectic since we touched down into 2006 and I feel like I have hardly stopped for breath!

It's Spurgeon quote day here in our team! Jane has taken it upon herself to send us a quote from Spurgeon quote every hour today, to inspire us!!

I am back at Weight Watchers and so far have lost 4 1/2 lbs in two weeks which is pretty good although I am so hungry most of the time!! I really want chips, burgers, pizza and chocolate!

I have stayed a night in our flat on my own. Only the second time ever to do so. Usually I am staying at my Mum's! It was actually great to have a bit of space and time to myself, in between all the phonecalls I received!

Really looking forward to going to Brum next weekend to see the fabulous Wickers before they move house.

Even more I am looking forward to April when we go on holiday and visit the Duley's!

THERE IS A TIME FOR EVERYTHING - Ecclesiastes 3: 1 - 8

It' has been an interesting weekend. One in which I have laughed and cried.
Friday night, I spent a great time with my friend Jen just chatting about stuff!
Saturday morning, Pete and I decided to have a cooked breakfast. We then drove to met my Mum in Shepherds Bush. Pete dropped us in Hammersmith to catch a tube up town to go the ballet at the Collesium. Hammersmith Station was closed!!! Mum and I felt stranded, but we got on a bus that took us all the way to Piccadilly Circus, which was fab and meant we could see the sights!! Made it just in time. Good ballet! Got the tube home. First time on a tube since the bombings - it was always something I tried to avoid anyway! Wasn't too bad! Spent a very chilled out evening with the lovely Weeks! Eating pasta, and listening to some good old vinyl!
Today was a great morning service at HGBC - Gill preached a storm!
This evening we went to St Pauls for the Baptism of Elaine which was a honour to be at! Saw lots of old faces that I knew and had chocolate too!!
Life seems soooooo busy at the mo, I hardly have time to sit down!!

IN AT THE DEEP END

HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Seems like the year has started very busy, but it's all good. So far I have stuck to my getting up early and preparing my lunch for the day. Tomorrow I am going to go swimming before work!! I will get fit this year and I will loose that 2 stone that seems to have crept up on me!!!

GOODBYE 2005 - HELLO 2006

I really can not believe that 2005 is over already. Time just seems to have flown by and life seems to have ticked over fairly nicely with a few blips which we have managed to get through. Christmas has been a bit annoying really, I have been poorly through most of it. 2 migraines in 3 days, not much fun suddenly realising you can't see anything in the middle of the Bentalls centre in Kingston when people are going crazy for their bargains! I am starting to feel much better but have a very stiff neck, a bit rubbish really!

2006 - I am starting to realise I do not have any control of what it may bring, scarey and exciting though I am sure it will be. I am thankful that I can trust God for whatever happens and thank him that I have Pete to share 2006 with!

Have fun tonight everyone and I'll see you in 2006!

Sx

LET THEM EAT CAKE

I hope everyone had a good Christmas! I have been a little bit poorly but am starting to feel better now!! Nothing that kept me from enjoying the festive season too much however. As it is my Mum's birthday on Christmas day I always try to make a cake every year, usually resulting in midnight baking that comes to nothing! This year I decided to make a star cookie tree, which almost went horribly wrong but I managed to redeem it and you can see the result. I have to say I am quite proud of it, bearing in mind I am a girl that can't cook! Today we visited Pete's Brother and Family and Sheryl Leveson taught me to bake a very easy cake and you never know, maybe 2006 will be my baking year!!!!

IT'S CHRISTMAS EVE, EVE, EVE, EVE, EVE, EVE!

Yes it really is nearly here!
Last night was Carols by Candlelight at church and once again I have made it through 2 solo's!! It was a great time and made me feel really christmassy!
We are just starting to be a bit more chilled at home, so that mean's I'll have to start tidying an sorting out before everyone descends on Christmas day! As usual we still haven't sent our cards! They are all sat on our dining table and have been for quite few weeks! If you never receive it - HAPPY CHRISTMAS!
However work is remaining VERY busy with interviews everyday except Friday!!!! Crazy.

The cleaning calls, so I had better go!

GOODBYE DEVONS MARIE CHARLOTTE ROSMARY PRIMROSE

Well the weekend was one of mixed emotions and it ended with cheerio drinks for the lovely Jesse & Marie who head up to St Andrews (Yes Scotland) on thursday to start a new chapter. It was the sign of the end of an era. Sat with the old Ealing posse gave me a twinge of sadness that we will never all be together in the same way again and a thankfulness that we have all stayed so close to one another both in friendship and in location. I have some wonderful friends!
Now I am just getting soppey!

This has culminated in a Monday of stress and business! I am hoping that, that means the week is going to get easier, but I have my doubts!

Anyhow it's time for sleep!

Ta ra Jesse Jackson & Marie Charlotte Rosemary Primrose! I love you both tonnes and look forward to easter! Be safe and remember...................

"IT DOESN'T COST MUCH TO KEEP IN TOUCH"

THE FIRST NOEL!

As of Saturday, I am officially going to start thinking about Christmas! I am going to a Christmas craft fair,meeting my friend who has been holding onto our annual Christmas magazine until Pete allowed me to have it and we are going to pop into our friends fair trade Christmas party!!!! Hoorraahh!!! Christmas is coming! Oh yeah, and I'm getting fat!! (I will focus and re start weight watchers next week!)

DON'T QUIT THE DAY JOB

The news is that I have been offered the job! Even I was surprised. A bit less money as I don't have all the qualifications - with the idea to gain the qualifications.
And to celebrate we visited Ikea to get Pete a lovely new desk for his lovely new lap top.

Looking forward to a visit from my Big brother at the weekend!

REMEMBER REMEMBER

Fireworks night was brill.
Today has been one of those days! It started with my new short haircut feeling a bit too short, followed by my hairdryer dying mid way through the drying process. None of my cell or friends were at church this morning, including my husband, and I had carried a load of bible study books for them all the way in vain. We sang "Morning has Broken"!!!
I went home to cook dinner for Pete's return (I'm a great wife) (Actually I never normally cook!) to find there was no food in the house. Upon Pete's return, I told him I needed to get a new hairdryer and some tights for my interview tomorrow. We decided to go to Asda, where we could also get some food for supper and then go somewhere for lunch on our way home. Asda was mental and they had no hairdryers - the rain was also pelting down! We decided then to go to Tesco where we managed to purchase all relevant goods!
We returned home at 3.40pm and ate lunch at about 4:15pm!
We headed to the Pub quiz early as my parents were having dinner there with a family friend Tim Costello - Head of World Vision Australia and a whole bunch of other stuff I think!
They then had to nip off to take him to the airport. Meanwhile no one else turned up at the quiz and so when my parents arrived back, we went back to theirs for a cup of tea and some shortbread!!

Being that my interview is tomorrow, I hope it is a slightly better day!

BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND

Well it's been a while!!! I am still working at Tearfund. In fact I am having an Interview there on monday. Life seems very hectic at the moment and i am sooooo tired.
I am really looking forward to Christmas even though the house rules are that I am not allowed to talk about it until the middle of November Ihave managed to persuade Pete to let me!
I have made cute little star soaps that smell christmassy and I have got my cards out ready!
Blogging at home much easier now, as we have broadband etc and Pete now has a lap top, so I do not have to enter his crazy unoranised and frankly messy office in order to use the Internet!

Dinner calls!

DESTINATION ANYWHERE

Great holiday was had by all in Devon! Lots of food and a bit of sunshine too!

Whilst away got a very helpful call offering me a temp job at Tearfund until the end of December! Started yesterday and already am feeling a little out of my depth although I am hoping that this is just my insecurity and a new environment! I'm sure I'll be fine! Beyond December who knows!

Life seems to have upped it's pace in the land of the Levies and there seems to be no let up until after Christmas! CRAZY! Anyway lots to look forward to! Just need to try and stay on top of the house work!

THE SUN WILL COME OUT TOMORROW

Well we have finally made it to our first holiday destination! Exeter with my Brother and his lovely lady Becky! I have had a couple interviews and already had a NO from the council for one job, which was annoying as the interview went well, but there was an internal candidate!!! I shall say no more on that one.
Tearfund interview with for the temporary admin pool and have registered with an agency but no bites yet! I am hoping things will work out but I am not sure what's going to happen now! Anyway for now I think I will just enjoy the hols and make the most of some chill out time.

Lets hope the sun comes out today!

AND NOW THE END IS NEAR

Thanks everyone for the very encouraging comments!
Today I have been for an interview with Ealing Council. I think it went quite well, but you never really know. I also had to do a test which was interesting. Took me back to very bad maths exams. Maths was not my strong point when I was 16 and it is not any better now!
Tomorrow is my last day at work and in many ways it is sad to leave as I have made some great friends, but I hope to keep in touch with people which is great! It has been a wierd experience as I never really knew why I was there, but I believe that God did put me here and it is right to move on! It would be good to know what else is in store but I am sure that is all in hand!
Drinks tomorrow night which should be a laugh and then Holidays!!!! First just a week mooching and interviews registering etc (Maybe I'll hear about the job from today's interview!) and then a weekend with my Big Bro and a week in sunny Devon (please Lord).

YOU CAN'T TURN BACK THE CLOCK. BUT YOU CAN WIND IT UP AGAIN.

The count down begins! I officially finish work at my current employee on the 26th August. only 8 days to go!
Thus far I have no new job. I have one interview with Ealing Council next Thursday and I have just posted an application to Greenford High School. I have also applied to Tearfunds temporary admin pool and will be submitting my CV to a recruitment agent for temp or perm work!
I am starting to get a bit concerned, although I do know that God has it all in hand. As Tessa said to me the other day"He (God) is never late, but he's always on time".
I am really looking forward to our holiday at the beginning of September and it looks like I am going to have 2 weeks off although I would like to have some work on my return.

Have a great few days, on Saturday we went to Cambridge and spent time with lovely people Michael & Rachel, Hannah & Reuben. They are the only people I seem to cry with laughter with!
Last night we spent time with Jesse & Marie ( he is feeling better!) and they were giving me some very helpful careers advise!

YOU CAN RUN BUT YOU CAN'T HIDE

We are here in Birmingham for the BWA Centinary Congress!
Thought I was getting away from all the bombs and manhunt but they seem to have been hiding up here.
Very funny seeing random people from all over the world walking around town wearing their badges and carrying groovey bags!(Pete & I have abandoned ours!)
Have established contact with the Wickers and look forward to catching up with them and not thinking about work until Monday!!!!

THE DIFFICULTIES OF LIFE ARE INTENDED TO MAKE US BETTER NOT BITTER

Life seems very distracted at the moment. The bombings in London have left me with anxiety. Yesterday I was able to voice my fear to Pete, and not leave it eating away at me. Pete is at a meeting up town this morning and although I know he has to go and we all here in London have no choice but to continue life as "Normal", it doesn't stop me from feeling apprehensive.

At the same time I am back to square one with employment. After a family discussion (with Pete) we have an idea of where life may go, but in the mean time I probably have to get another admin job to see us through to where God may be leading. So far the panic of my imminent unemployment has not set in, but I am sure it soon will.

We are also searching for a holiday destination. The two possible cheap options are unavailable. POO. Looking for somewhere that can fit us and another couple and their 1 year old, that is cheap, somewhere nice and available around the second week of September. Boy do we need a holiday!

SMOOTH SEAS DO NOT MAKE SKILFUL SAILORS

Today I am not at Live8, I am not in Edinburgh to Make Poverty History, I am work!! This is my third Saturday in row! I have decided that 6 day weeks are not good for you! However next Saturday will be the last I work for a while! (I hope).

The latest news on my life is that I have handed in my notice at work and given 2 months! As of 1st September I do not have a job! I am on the look out for something, but am taking my time as I am not sure what to do! Life here at work has become difficult for many reasons, the majority of the staff team feel uneasy and next week we have 3 new members of staff starting that we all found out about purely by chance! (Very random stuff)

So If you hear of anything that makes you think "Suzie could do that!" then let me know!

Was looking forward to a picnic tomorrow but weather looks a bit grim!

EVERYDAY COMES WITH IT'S OWN GIFTS. UNTIE THE RIBBONS

Yesterday I received a letter from UCAS saying that I have not been accepted to study to be an Occupational Therapist! Surprisingly I am OK about it. Everyone else seems more disappointed than me! Of course I am disappointed, however at least I can say that I tried and I can't regret not trying.

What now? Well at the moment I am working all the hours as my part timer is off which means I am working 4 Saturdays in a row and lots of 8pm finishes! I am a little bit tired and the weather doesn't help. I am looking for another job or at least seeing what my options are. I am not sure estate agency is for me!

I am a little depressed as everyone is talking about their holiday plans and we don't have any! At the moment the closest I will get to a holiday is The Baptist World Alliance in Birmingham at the end of July for 3 days! Finding an available time and the money to have a holiday are proving a little difficult!

TO BE OR NOT TO BE THAT IS THE QUESTION!

Well that is it, I have done it! My application for University is flying through cyber space as I sit here blogging! I feel excited, apprehensive, sick, scared, worried and free all at the same time!
I'll keep you posted as to what happens next! A big thank you to all those of you who have helped me, (Larry & Claire) with my personal statement and giving me a glowing reference. And to all my truly wonderful friends for being so encouraging when I mentioned doing this and all your on going support!! You all know who you are! xxxx

NATURE DOES NOT HURRY, YET EVERYTHING IS ACCOMPLISHED

After setting myself the goal of having my UCAS form in by last Friday, this has still not been achieved! We were out every night last week! Monday back from Exeter. Tuesday out for a Greek meal with cell group. Wednesday we had Paul and Claire for dinner. Thursday lovely dinner with Buddy & Alex (& Gracie!). Yesterday was a day off as I am working right now for the day! And yet I still didn't get any work done on my form as we had to head to Kent at 11am via Bloomsbury to see the Leveson family for lunch and the day and then to watch Toby (9) in "Me and My Girl". It was a great day and Toby was brilliant! Great spending time with Isobel & Elliot. We arrived home at 12.15am and so am v tired and at work and thinking have tonnes to do!

A SMILE IS A POWERFUL WEAPON

I am trying to apply to university through UCAS. Nobody told me that this would be the hardest part of trying to get into university. It's basically a whole other language. Plus it is so long since I was at school, trying to remember my education (which I have spent the last 8 years trying to forget) is very difficult. Am considering who may be able to help with this. I'm sure I know some high school teachers who would help! The UCAS web sire does hold a lot of info it's just wading through it to find what you actually want to know. You can apply on line which I am attempting to do but we shall see. My aim is to have submitted my application by the end of the week.

TODAY IS A GIFT. THATS WHY WE CALL IT THE PRESENT

Never fear I have not been carried off by aliens never to be seen again, I am still here! However things have been a little difficult as the boss went through my internet history and found out I had been blogging and looking for other jobs!!!! (I think that warrants exclamation marks). He confronted me and I told him I wasn't earning enough. He has since told me not to leave offered me more money if I commit till Christmas, or tell him I will leave and they will start looking for someone else and I can stay until I find something. This added the pressure to what was already turmoil in my head. I don't enjoy making adult decisions. Since then, I have not told boss man my plans, left him waiting! I have decided to look into going to university to study to become a Occupational Therapist!! Might not get in and am not holding breath but watch this space!

Better go before I am discovered again! Secret blogging V scary!

CHANGE IS INEVITABLE EXCEPT FROM A VENDING MACHINE.

As usual the Leveson household has been mega busy. Catching up with friends and relatives alike. My 83 year old Nana and her only slightly younger sister have jetted off to Switzerland for their hols both clutching their newly purchased mobile phones! (I hope I'm like that when I'm old).
Last night was a well deserved night at home in front of the television.
I am currently reading (This in itself is shocking), a book called "Why do I do this everyday?" Its a book for people who feel disaffected by their work and helps you to think through what you want to do, what environment you work best in and what your work values are etc. It encourages you to make up your own mind about things even if it is just to stay where you are but having a different outlook on your work place or if it is time to think about a new career.
At the moment I am not sure where I am with work etc. Realistically I would like to do not much at all, although perhaps if I was utilising all my gifts etc I would enjoy work more?
The book has definitely made me think, although not always great realising things about yourself. One thing I have realised is that I have a fear of not being good enough! I Have loads of ideas of what I would like to do even if it's just hobbies, but I don't even go and try it as I think that I will not be good enough so why bother trying?! Silly I know.
Anyway I'll see if any revelations come to me, other than knowing I need to get away from my current job.

I think I managed to write a whole blog entry with only 2 exclamation marks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I LOVE BANK HOLIDAYS!

The fabulous May bank holidays are beginning! What Joy fills my heart!
My lovely big brother was meant to be coming to London for the weekend but due to circumstances is not now which is quite sad, but also means we have some free time! (something that we don't always have a lot of!)
The weather is meant to be fantastic at the weekend, fingers crossed!!!!
Went to a fair trade party on Wednesday and sadly resisted the temptation to buy a lovely leather bag!! It was handbag heaven, my dream world. I had a few in my hands and just visualised Pete's face if I had come home with yet another handbag!
I'm glad in the bible it doesn't say if you have 2 handbags you should give one a way to your sister!!!(Joke!)
Anyway am looking forward to a weekend that doesn't involve rushing here, there and everywhere!!!

WEEKEND MADNESS!!!

Excellent weekend!
Started with a lie in!!! Then a trip to the hairdressers (Always gives you a lift!). Then we headed on up to Birmingham at lunchtime to meet the lovely Sarah and Lucy Wicker in town for a mooch around the shops! Then Gary found us after he had finished work!
We all went home and had the best Indian takeaway!!
Saturday was spent in the ICC at the Baptist Union Assembly!! Not as Yawnworthy as expected!!! Lots of thought provoking things said and seen!
Saw Les Dennis crossing the bridge next to us!
Sunday morning we got up at 6.30am to get back to church for 9am to lead the worship and be apart of Miranda Reed's dedication! A great time was had and it was interesting seeing some old faces from the past!
Pub quiz as usual although with some new faces!! And the news that next week really be the last one due to closure for refurbishment!
I am now very tired and still trying to figure out what to do with life etc!! Although I am feeling a little happier than last week!!

Looking forward to another long weekend with the bank holiday coming up next week and time to catch up with my big bro!

BRING ON THE FOUR DAY WEEK!

I am nearly at the end of my four day week and I can't wait until tomorrow when I can have a lie in! I am V tired even though we had a week off last week!

The purpose of our day off is to head back up to Birmingham for the Baptist Union Assembly day! Might be interesting, I have my voting cards at the ready! Reall, I'm looking forward to seeing my lovely friend Sarah again as I miss her lots and also the evening concert of the BU looks like it could be quite good!!

We are then getting up at the crack of dawn to head back to ealing for Miranda Reeds dedication and first birthday! This also is set to be a good time and lots of friends getting together many of whom are not christians!

Lets hope the sun has got his hat on!

Almost forgot, on Tuesday, I receieved a belated birthday pressie from Matt and Hazel currey of 2 balls of wool, some knitting needles and a lovely bag from India to keep it all in!! Am now obsessed with knitting! Jumped from 27 stiches to 33 last night!! However my lovely Mum was there to sort me out and get me back on track! Watch out Pete I'll be knitting you lovely tasteful jumpers soon!

BACK TO REALITY!!!!!

I am now another year older (Although still nowhere near as old as my lovely husband!) . I have now been back at work for 2 days and it hasn't changed much in a week!! All the difficult cases I hoped would be dealt with in my absence weren't! Thank goodness I had a lovely efficient girl keeping on top of some of my basic paper work!
I am still thinking about where my life is going, what I should be doing! What is my role in life? I just don't seem to be getting anywhere with it all! I think I am still feeling a bit unsettled not knowing what might happen when my colleague returns from maternity leave!??
What is most depressing is the fact that everything always comes down to money!
I have scoured the various media's for jobs and there just doesn't seem to be anything around!
Maybe God's telling me to stay here, but then I wish he would give me a clearer idea and more of an enthusiasm for being here!
I always sound so depressed and really life ain't so bad! We have a nice flat (although far too expensive!), and we have great friends ( I received 16 text messages on my birthday!Thanks guys!), my family are wonderful, and I am married to an amazing man of God!
I think I will try and smile more today and think positively!
Here goes ;-)

HOLIDAY!, CELEBRATE!

I am trying to focus my mind to ensure that all my work gets done before I head off on my hols tonight, but all I really want to do is go!

Looking forward to another evening with the delightful Wickers in Brum!

A table has been booked in Bar Roma, my favourite resteraunt in Edinburgh for Monday night for celebrating my 26th birthday and our 7th Wedding anniversary!!

And all I can say is bring on the CHOCOLATE SOUP! (A must for all visitors to Edinburgh! Never mind the Castle!)

UNSETTLED

Can't wait for Friday, however it seems so far away, as I have soooo much work to do before then and lots of little things to remember!

The person I took over from in January (maternity cover) came in yesterday and is looking to come back to work part time in June! I am not sure where that leaves me however as we can not really afford for me to work part time, (nice as that would be!) and I don't really want to go back to the lettings side of things for various reasons! It's all a bit pie in the sky but it is always better to prempt things if you ask me!

I think I will take my holiday to think through my options, but as usual everything comes down to money! Was thinking the other week about possibly studying as didn't bother when I left school! (What I would study is a whole other question!)

BAD DAY IN THE OFFICE!

Boss man is in a foul mood and threatening to sack someone as no one listens to him! Then maybe we might start!

Not the best atmosphere to be working in on a Monday morning!

GOOD TIME HAD BY ALL!

We had a lovely weekend! Good to see those we love dearly! Also a big shout out to the very special Laura & Dave Traneer on the birth of baby Lila. Hope all goes well now that she is finally here! Also congrats to the Phillips Ladies, enjoy being aunties and Grandma! We love you all!

Great to spend Saturday with Lucy Wicker celebrating her first birthday! Twas fun!
I am now very tired and am counting down the days till Holiday!!!!
Friday Birmingham, Saturday Edinburgh and then home Thursday. Friday Guildford and then onto Farnham Castle for the weekend!

BRING IT ON! - I'm not sure I will want to return to work after that! However maybe it will give me some thinking time!

I have done Strengthsfinder.com and discovered my strengths!

DEVELOPER
WOO (Winning others over)
EMPATHY
RESPONSIBILITY
HARMONY

All of these describe me perfectly, but I had hoped for some new revelation that would help me decide which direction to go in my life!

We shall see - Seems like everyone at work is considering leaving but no one knows what else to do!

LONG WEEK

How can a four day week be so long?
It has been really hectic week here at work and I have had to mop up some messes that I made which makes it worse!
The Easter weekend was great! Friday pete was still poorly so I took our friends kids to Kew on my own, but the 4 of us had a great time and really enjoyed ourselves, running around, climbing and then we went home and had McDonald's!
Saturday our friends came up from Rye and we just had a chill out few days!
On Monday we went to TGI's in Watford for Buddy's birthday and we got to see their 2 week old baby! Gracie is just cute! Even Pete gave her a cuddle (Normally unheard of where babies are concerned)
We then went to Enfield to have dinner with Neil & Amanda and on the way we stopped at Krispie Kreame (Lovely!) Our time with Neil & Amanda was great!

Then back to work!!!!! However there is hope in sight, we are going to Birmingham for Lucy's 1st Birthday tomorrow, spending time with the lovely Matt & Jo 2night and the pub quiz on Sunday. Then it is just one week until we head off to Edinburgh for a little holiday! A whole week off work - Praise the Lord!

ROLL ON THE LONG WEEKEND!

Feeling very tired for lots of reasons! Poor Pete is struggling with a very bad cold and so was up all night coughing, sneezing and blowing his nose! Kept me awake! However, I managed to get up earlier than usual and made breakfast and made myself lunch! (very unusual!)

I am one of those people who has so many idea's but never manage to carry them through! My friend cycled round to my house on Tuesday and that has inspired me to get on my bike, (even though the breaks have never been fixed I have had it 2 years and never ridden it and it's at my parents house!), however I am not sure that this will happen! I also wanted to look into tennis lesson's (our bedroom over looks the courts) but I probably won't! I should do all these things and more, I am just too lazy!

I also looked at our finances last night! Not a pretty sight and not something I should have done 2 weeks before my birthday!

Anyway, hoping Pete will be better soon as we have a busy weekend ahead. Taking 3 kids out for the day tomorrow, good friends coming for the weekend. Nana arriving from Scotland today. Cars need a wash! and dinner on Monday getting to know people better!!

HAPPY EASTER EVERYONE!

THE SUN HAS GOT IT'S HAT ON!

Well the sun is shining and guess where I am? At work! The next 2 days will probably be our only taste of sunshine for the next 6 months and I'm shut up at work! Serves me right for brown nosing really!!!

Have had really hectic week and the weekend is no different! And the weekend will end with a sad note, as our usual Sunday night pub quiz will be closing due to pub refurb! The team is very upset! We do have ideas of what to do next, and it will be hard to move on!!
I think it will be a good night! Lets hope we win!

The good thing about the weekend is the opportunity to spend time with good friends tonight over dinner and tomorrow over lunch!! I love all our friends they are a great bunch!

I HATE WORKING LATE!

Hello from my lovely desk!!!! Yes I am still at work and the worse thing is it is my own fault! I normally have a part timer who works evenings and Saturdays so that I don't have to! However our Northfields office is struggling to find a part timer and so I lent them Fey! This evening, all the negotiators are out on appointments leaving 1 girl in the office and due to current safety issue we can't really leave her here alone!!! Plus I have a pile of work to do! Hopefully I'll be leaving 7.30 if not i'll be dragging myself away at about 8pm!I don't know, you try and be nice to others and you pay the price!!

Looking forward to going home, putting my poorly knee up and watching some excellent trashy telly (Desperate Housewives!)

My knee is still very sore, it is swollen, bruised and grazed and every time I get up it's stiff!!!

Oh woe is me!

TOOK A TUMBLE!!!!!!!!

Not a great day! Very busy at work as the boss is on compassionate leave due to a family bereavement! And then today I went out the back of the office to get some more plain paper and fell down the stairs! Felt very stupid as grown ups don't fall over! I got up and made sure nothing was broken! Felt very wobbly for a bit and now have a lovely bleeding carpet burn on my right knee and a sore arm! It's just one of those weeks!!! (And it's only Tuesday!) Have not blogged for ages, but feel like I have had enough of everything and everybody and just need some time out! Roll on Easter weekend!

NEW CD

I have a confession to make!! The most recent album I purchased was the latest creation from those lovely Hanson boys!!! Yes the ones who sang "Um bop!!!" And it is brilliant!

SO MUCH FOR SNOW!!!

I am very upset that as usual everywhere else in the country seems to get proper snow but we don't! People keep Lying to me telling me the snow is coming but it's not they are just giving me false hope!

Looking forward to great weekend with our great friends The Wickers! And also my Brother and Becky being around as miss all of them muchly and wish they all lived a bit closer!

VERY DISAPPOINTING!

Well the snow came but there is hardly any left this morning! It's not even frozen, didn't even have to scrape the car! It was great to watch the huge flakes falling last night but they have no lasting effect! I think it is now too wet everywhere that if the snow falls again it still won't settle! Very upsetting as waited all day for the snow to come!

Work is megga frantic(Hence very little blogging!), but I am doing my best not too work late as have a life outside of work!

Really looking forward to the weekend, as bezzie mates from Birmingham are coming down to stay with baby Lucy! (She's almost one!). Also my Bro and his lady are coming up from Exeter to stay with Ma and Pa and we are going out for a very good friends birthday on Saturday night!

Pub quiz was OK on Sunday we only came joint third this week!

I made Pete clear up and tidy his office on Saturday! He found the whole experience quite traumatic as I removed piles of paper from the floor and tried to establish some kind of better way of working! Pete just doesn't do admin and it is about all I can do!!! He can't understand why I can't play the piano and I can't understand why he can't do filing!

QUIET YET BUSY!

Well here at the office today, things are a little bonkers! There are officially no negotiators as 2 are on days off due to working weekends and the other has just called in sick! The boss man is not a happy soul today as this equals him doing an awful lot of work!

I had drinks with my old boss last night and then bumped into the head of admin from my old job this morning!

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!!!!!!

A big shout out to all those whom I love!! You know who you are!

Well as predicted it was a fantastic weekend!
Friday night dinner at a Tapas Bar, Saturday On the train to Waterloo to the Tate Modern, lunch and Studio 6 in Gabriels Wharf and then a mooch around Covent Garden. The plan was to go to Grace in the evening, but we were both extremely tired and just decided to stay in and a watch a DVD. Sunday Morning, we went for breakfast before going to church, then a large family lunch and the weekend rounding off very nicely with a tie break win at the pub quiz!

THANK CRUNCHIE IT'S FRIDAY!!!!!

Well it's gonna be a good day and a great weekend I can feel it in my bones! Here are the 5 reasons why:
1. The locks were not glued at the office today, so work started on time. No relaxing for me!
2. I spent my first ever night alone (Am a big sacredy cat and stay with my Mum when Pete's away!) It was great and slept like a baby!
3. Pete's coming home, sad but I hate it when he's not here!!!
4. I had a review at work and came out a grade 4 which is higher then anyone else in the office!
5. I am also feeling much better health wise, not 100% but better, I think I got myself in a tizz about lots of things!

So altogether a much more positive week! Work is hectic and if the market doesn't pick up, I may get more busy, as I will have to do both sale and lettings admin! Good job I have made myself indispensable!

IT'S THURSDAY BUT FRIDAY'S COMING!!!!!

Pete that titles for you! (Say hi to Tony!)

Last nights dinner was fantastic, thanks Rhi. Sitting round the table with great women who work hard and know what they want! One works at Kew, one for the Princes Trust and one at Tiffany's (She's a gemologist!), and then to top it all an inspirational Mother!

Laura - The pregnant one, is fatter than ever! She is usually the skinniest person I know!

Thank goodness it's nearly the weekend, not just because, my husband comes home tomorrow but also because I could do with a few free days, although I have already decided what we are doing on Saturday so that my lovely husband doesn't have to come up with some overblown romantic gesture being as it's Valentines weekend!!!

ALONE!

Once again I am alone in the office!

Thanks to my husband the conference hopper, I have been left all alone this week!(Big wave if you read this P!!!) Not actually true as have been staying at my Mum's and seeing friends tonight! Been quite hectic really! Looking forward to a relaxing weekend!

Today I have to attend an admin meeting and I am really not looking forward to it as I don't know the other administrators very well and for most of them, their reputation proceeds them!

Tonight is a big catch up with lovely friends one of whom is having a baby in April (Scarey!)

GLUE LOCKING DAY!

Well it's Friday and it is now commonly known in our office as Glue locking day! Yes once again my morning was spent in the coffee shop waiting for the locksmith to come and change our lock as someone had put super glue in it again! We are thinking someone might have it in for us!!!

I am feeling a little bit better today although still tired and tummy achey but am working on it!

THANK THE LORD!

At long last we have heard the news we have been waiting for and even better, it's very positive! The DFES funding Pete was waiting for has come in and his post has now been reinstated as full time! Hooorrahhh!

I AM NOT POORLY!

I am trying to convince myself that I am not poorly! Work is the type of place you can't really pull a sicky and get away with it! I was awake 3 times in the night for no reason and I am now trying really hard to keep awake! We did play badminton last night, but I thought it might help me to do some exercise and whilst we were there I was fine, but when we left we went to my Mums and I just zoned out!!!

Still no news on Pete's job, which is very frustrating!

Here's to an early night!

GOD'S IN CONTROL

AT cell we were discussing the different groups we find within the church that can cause problems amongst themselves. Like at Jesus trial etc, lots of different groups all thinking they are driving the situation, when actually God was in control working his purpose out, almost without them seeing. I think this is the same within our church today, there are lots of groups who think they've got it sussed, or they are in control of what's going, but we/they are all fooling our/themselves in a way as ultimately God is control!

WORKING

I am trying to keep very quiet about the fact that one of the admin staff is off on Saturday because I really don't want to have to work!

I am not really feeling any better and I think the tummy ache may be an old viral thing rearing it's ugly head! Had cell group at ours for the first time last night and it was quite good! We were missing two members of the group, but we hope they are feeling refreshed and better today after a chill out evening.

Playing badminton tonight! Time to get back into gear for fitness, not that I ever was in that gear in the first place! I really need to try and hit the shuttle cock!

SICK PAY

Today I am feeling unwell. It started yesterday, I have tummy ache and headache and generally feel groggy and Like I need to be tucked up in bed! However I can not take time off as I will not get paid, unless I take holiday! I have to be off 3 days and then get a Dr's cert before you get paid sick pay!!

Doing some sorting out last night I stumbled upon some of my old fat pictures! I still can't believe that a year ago I had reached my goal weight and lost 4 stone! However looking at old photo's it becomes a little more believable!! Back then, I was 4 clothe sizes bigger!! I feel like one of those adverts for Weight Watchers, although I have to say it does work even for me (very undisciplined person!)

ANOTHER WEEK BEGINS

Well here we are back at the begining of another week! This week looks like it might be quieter although work is pretty hectic, last week didn't spend much time at home!! This week I hope to have some early nights!! This probably won't happen mind you!!

Had a fantastic week caching up with loads of friends!! And getting to know new ones better!!

START AS WE MEAN TO GO ON!

As usual the day never quite goes how you expect it! I arrived at work today on time and with the thought of all the work that I have to do! When I arrived I was greeted by one of my colleagues who was standing outside which was strange in itself! Turned out that someone had put glue in our key locks and we couldn't get in! We had to call the locksmith and so until now I have been sitting in the coffee shop across the road waiting!!!! Now I am all over the place don't know where to start! Time frmaes are out the window!

DON'T LOOK BACK!

Last week after seeing all my colleagues at the funeral I felt quite sad and wondered if I had made the right choice to leave them all? Of course it was the right choice, seeing some of them for drinks last night, they call me the one that got out, so maybe I'm one of the lucky ones who managed to get out before you've been somewhere so long there is no way out! Mind you 5 years is quite a long time to get to know everyone and I think that's what I miss!!

My job is completely bonkers at the moment and I am just about keeping my head above water! Not really because of me, but because myself and another colleague are covering for the girl who took over my old role after Christmas! Yesterday I spent the whole day going through a file which should be dealt with on a weekly basis, to find that she had done virtually nothing so I had to do it, on top of my own work!!!

It is all quite tiring and this whole thing of not knowing about Pete's job is stressing me out abit! He says that we can just about manage with him on part time for one month!! But really why should we have to live like that, just about managing, when we both work really hard and are loyal employees?

Anyway that's enough rambling as have a pile of work waiting from yesterday to finish or start as the case may be!!

LET IT SNOW!

I hope it snow's, as the whole world looks all sparkly and beautiful! (Even Acton!)

LIFE IS A ROLLERCOASTER

I am sooooo tired as in the words of Ronan Keating, "Life is a rollercoaster". I feel like for the last week, I could go either way emotionally! At church on Sunday I just kept wanting to weep! (Not coz the sermon was bad! (It was excellent Carl!!)) There is just so much going on everywhere at the moment, both in my life and the life of others! There is so much of God that we can not comprehend and so much we never will until we meet face to face! However, even though we know that, we so often seek to understand the things that go on around us, so that our human minds can reconcile things.
Why is there so much suffering? Why does God let people die, who have so much more of life to live? Why do we feel like we are doing what God wants, and yet so many circumstances stand against us?

On a happier note, I did feel better yesterday evening when we attended the Baptism of our good friend Jenny Radford. It was a great time of celebration of what God has done and will do in the future.
Anyway I'm tired of thinking and now I have to do some work, which does not enthuse me at all!!!

A STRANGE DAY!

Yesterday was a strange day, when so many parts of my life seemed to be interwoven! I was at work as usual and then I went to a funeral at Ealing Abbey where so many of my old colleagues were.
The funeral was very sad and I forgot that at Catholic funerals they have communion. There were probably 200 people there mostly in their 30's, mostly of catholic background. Everyone knew what to do and say and yet it all seemed so empty and lacking in hope.
The priest said a lot of things, I'm not sure I fully agreed with, however he also said alot that were spot on!
He did say "At the end of all suffering there is always peace", which really struck me. We are all searching for peace in this life, but surely we will only fully experience peace when our sufferings on this earth are over. (Not that life on earth is always that bad!)

Seeing my old colleagues was strange, as that was 5 years if my life!

AND SLEEP!

Why is it so hard to get up and out of bed in the morning! It seems to me I get later and later and all I achieve is getting myself into a flap and rushing around! I never have breakfast, but in my dream world, I would like to get up have brekkie with my husband and have time to just sit before I leave for work!!! This never happens! I don't know how these people find the time to go to the gym or for a run in the morning? Every night I do go to bed with the intention of getting up earlier, but i never manage it!

Had excellent cell group last night!!

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY!

Being someone who really can't do maths at any level, this thought for the day on my calendar at work made me smile!

The hardest arithmetic to master is that which enables us to count our blessings

So true I think!

Quizzical mind

A group of us went to a local pub quiz last Sunday night. We had a great time and were only 5 points off the winning score!! We will be there again this week with the view to winning!

WORKING!!!

Well it's Saturday and here I am sat at work!!!! I really hate working Saturday's and I am already tired thinking about the week ahead! However on the plus side the boss isn't here and my colleague has just gone on an appointment and to do the bacon sandwich round!!!! Also I have a ton of work to do, so in that sense I should get it all cleared to start a groovy new week next week!! Our black and white printer has gone mental - it has printed about 100 pages of one line computer gobbledygook! We have tried everything but it still seems to be mental!!!

Tonight I am going to the ballet, an annual event which brings a warm fuzzy feeling to the heart when thought about!!!!! It takes me back to when I was young and my 10 years of ballet lessons and dance shows! I loved it and often think of joining an adult ballet class! It's great for fitness and discipline!

Got a text message from my Mum yesterday it started with: "Your Dad is lucky to be alive!" I couldn't work out if she had, had a moment of madness and attacked him of if something less serious had occurred! Once I telephoned them, it transpired that the garage door had completely come off and fallen on him. He managed to catch it, rather then it crushing him! I think he was in a bit of shock and I have told him to go to the doc's today and just get checked over!!!! Anyway, when I called my parents they were in the pub celebrating life!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Just as blogging was getting exciting, the computers went down at work, they only started working again yesterday! Our office did consider it may have been due to all 7 of us play solitare at the same time!!
Had a great Christmas and New Year and realised how much I really wish I did not have to go to work everyday!
All my colleagues are now officially late and I have been the only one her for 35 mins! (At the moment I am the only one here!!!!!!)

IT'S CHRISTMAS EVE, EVE, EVE!

I have a confession!!!!! I am now a solitare addict!!!! I think I may need to join a self help group!!!

Only half a day left at work!!!!! Looking forward to some lovely gatherings with friend over the next couple of days!

IT'S CHRISTMAS EVE,EVE,EVE,EVE!

I had my second Christmas dinner last night, wonderfully cooked by the extremely lovely Joy (Excellent festive name!) It was meant to be a local youthwork gatheting, (I got in through the back door!) but for some reason most people didn't come because they were too busy (Anyone would think it was Christmas or something! Tom, Joy & Heidi are all extremely busy including a play and carols in West Ealing tonite, but they felt the need to meet up! Tom has his driving theory test today!!! It's all far more complicated than when I did it!

Just found out my boss had a baby boy at 6am this morning!!! The labour started on Saturday! Congratulations to Ronan & Lynn!

IT'S CHRISTMAS EVE, EVE, EVE, EVE, EVE!

Carols by Candlelight has now happened and I am well and truely feeling Christmassy!!!!
Looking forward to lots of xmas gatherings this week and catching up with lots of friends!!!

IT'S CHRISTMAS EVE, EVE, EVE, EVE, EVE, EVE, EVE, EVE

The wot to wear crisi has reared it's ugly head! I do not own much going out party wear! I now have my casual Christmas gathering outfit sorted, and christmas day but office party is causing a nightmare!

We shall see! Plus the jeans that my husband bought me on Tuesday, shrank in the wash last night!

ITS CHRISTMAS EVE, EVE, EVE, EVE, EVE, EVE, EVE, EVE, EVE

The lights are wired in!!! (thanks P!)
I can't believe, my Nana will be here tomorrow, that's a sign that Christmas really is nearly here!
Am now getting somewhere with the shopping and hope to have it all tied up by Saturday! Even started wrapping!

09 DAYS TO GO...................

Sadly I have already missed out on my cell group xmas meal! I was sick last week and thought I had just had a migraine, but I think I had a bug and have not felt 100% since, and on Monday night I awoke and was violently sick, whilst my darling husband was fast asleep! I was off work yesterday and only ate bread. My Mum bought me Lucozade which frankly tasted great (Why does it taste so foul when not ill?). Am back at work, but am feeling rather tired and headachy, but at least the sicky feeling in my stomach has gone, am just hungry now, so have packet of rich tea in my draw for when there are no clients in the office!

Giant xmas tree is now fully operational and excellently decorated and hopefully the lights should be wired in tonight (That's your hint Pete!).

Hoping to feel great by the weekend for works xmas do and carosl by candlelight solo!

11 DAYS TO GO ............

The Christmas tree situation has really got out of hand now! I was persuaded that we should in fact get a fake tree and after some thought I realised, I would be the only person in the country who's christmas tree would die before Christmas! So we went in search of a bigger fake tree than the three foot one I have learn't to love over the last 6 years! All I wanted on Saturday was to get my tree and decorate the house! The day started off with us rearrangeing the furniture in the lounge in anticipation of the new tree, the furniture then returned to how it was when we started!!!!! We then went out shopping and of course the natural place to get your fake tree is Woolies! The one in Uxbridge had a small selection of trees, but my Darling husband suggested heading home and going to West Ealing as we needed other things anyway. Upon our arrival at Woolies in West Ealing, the terrible truth slowly became apparent, NO MORE TREES!!!! At this point I wanted to go home! The house was now a tip and we still had no tree and we were going out! Knowing my Parents were going to ASDA to do some cheap skate shopping, I asked them to look out for a tree, the only ones there were well over our price range.
Yesterday was a very hectic day, however on our way home from Church we popped into ABStores, that great shop of tack, and found a very cheap tree! We decided just to get it as it was the last one. I took Pete's word for the fact that it was quite big and didn't think much of it (Numbers are not my strong point!) Last night in between Carols and Candles at North Hanwell BC and the rehersal for Carols by Candlelight HGBC we put it up! I have not laughed so much in a very long time! The tree is huge! Almost too big for the room!!! We shall see where it gors tonite and I will set about trying to decorate the monster that is taking up my living room!

14 DAYS TO GO........

Yes that's right folks, only 14 days to go! Thus far I have not really begun my Christmas shopping. The decorations will go up tomorrow, although I am now a little worried about my real tree situation. If I get a tree tomorrow, will it last until Christmas day?? Where do I buy my tree from? How much does a tree cost? Oh the worries of life!
As you can see, I have a lot of work to do! I am in fact learning a whole new job, within my work place, and am feeling a bit like a fish out of water.
Was very unwell on Wednesday, and not much better yesterday, although was back at work! (nobody likes a slacker!)
The weekend is choker block with babysitting, Chrimbo decs, BAck to Reality celebration, HGBC, North Hanwell BC- Carols & Candles, rehersals for HGBC Carol service oh and then back to work on Monday! I might be able to fit some shopping even if it's only for food!

Oh, CHRISTMAS TREE!

Firstly, you'll all be pleased to know the nasty scabby skin from my hand has now all peeled off!
The new skin underneath has formed perfectly and I have no scaring, it's just a little red from time to time!

As usual, my husband and I had a bit of a communication issue this week! I managed to persuade him that this year we really did want a REAL Christmas tree!! In my mind I was just thinking a smallish potted one to sit in the window where our TV normally goes! Yesterday, when I began planning where all the decs will go (hopefully on Saturday!) Pete asked me why I was putting the tree on the storage box?! He had visualised us having a proper tree, stand alone tree, real sized tree!!!!!!! I of course immediately shut up and agreed with him. Now I can't wait to get our first REAL tree.

HERE COMES SANTA CLAUS!

Horrah!!! AT last it is December and my ban on talking about Christmas has been lifted! I am even going Christmas shopping tomorrow! Have got Friday and Monday off work and am really looking forward to the break as things at work are quite hectic!

My hand is officially disgusting, it has a big hole in it, where the skin has begum pealing off! Not sure if it's meant to be doing this, but my hand hasn't fallen off yet. The remaining skin looks like a very old woman's skin, so am feeling very attractive at the moment!

During our cell group on Tuesday, someone used the word Lackadaisacle!! (Thank you Matt)I think this word is not used enough!!! We have also arranged a secret Santa and we are only allowed to spend £2, which is a bit of a challenge!

Better get on with some work and everyone is starting to arrive! I start at 9am they seem to start at 9.30am!

BURN!

Have extremely sore hand! Was helping friend yesterday at church get hot water to heat up her babies bottle, took jug to water urn, held hand rather than jug beneath the tap and turned the tap on! Thank goodness the door to the kitchen was shut as the whole church would have heard me swear! Missed virtually whole sermon, due to holding hand under cold tap for ages!!!
Now have very stingy, very red hand!


Am looking forward to Christmas so much, not least because there is no work for over a week! We are having our families at our place for the very first time for Christmas dinner! Needless to say, Pete will be doing the cooking (what I make is never edible at the best of times!) However, have just ordered from Jane Asher shop, the Star Cookie Tree kit! looks fool proof and better than Christmas Cake! We shall see, a thinking might have to try it out before attempting it for Christmas day!