ET DON'T BOTHER

. . . phoning home, the phone's not working!

Fault reported, neither line working but we've still got broadband at the moment!!

SCENES ROUND HOME

CHRISTMAS COMES EARLIER WITH CHILDREN

Alice's term finishes next week, so nursery are in the midst of preparations for Christmas. Once it's started at school it's hard to avoid at home, so today we got out the little white light Christmas tree and, more importantly, the F*isher P*rice Nativity scene (Alice takes great joy in 'whacking' the angel to hear Away in a Manger!)

The countdown has begun! 22 days to go!

WHAT A DAY

I had an important day at work, being observed for my classroom management - it went well, in fact the whole school day was enjoyable and successful. As I got home I knew something had happened - I saw what remained of the fish tank in the garage, uh oh!

They'd definitely had a dramatic day without me at home! Pudding had knocked over and smashed the fish tank, the Ever-Magnificent-T managed to catch one fish (Rusty) in her hands, but struggled to find the other 3 (found under the sideboard) - ironically Rusty was the fish that seemed most traumatised by it! By the time I got home the playroom carpet had been washed (thank heavens I bought a carpet cleaner this summer) and had begun to dry, the fish were temporarily rehoused in the fish bowl and Pud had kept well out of the way!

The first fish tank lasted exactly a month, almost to the hour! It was a 30 litre tank. Originally Alice was given 2 Sarasa Somethings, one mostly goldfish coloured (called Gold) and a motley white and gold one (called Silver), a couple of weeks later I added 2 Shubumpkins (Copper and Rusty - though Alice sometimes calls Rusty 'Tank'!) After I'd bought the tank I realised I could have bought a lovely spherical one with a bubble tube - far more modern and stylish in appearance. On Tuesday I went out to replace the tank, so we now have a spherical one, this time a 60 litre one (that's 16 gallons!) and now we have 2 apple snails as well (Bumpy and Slugsy - like Fifi!) Hopefully the snails will keep the tank cleaner, this style is supposed to be more efficient at self cleaning (it can't be worse than the last one!) Having bought a larger tank I think we might have just one more fish, hopefully a Yellow Comet, maybe 2!

Meanwhile the playroom furniture has been rearranged - I was already planning a turn around and it was needed to accommodate a Christmas tree (no, not yet, but planned!) and the carpet, only 18 months old but despite 2 cleanings it still smells and I think we need the professionals!

2 STEPS FORWARD, BAREFOOT

2 Steps forward:

1. The bathroom basin has finally been replaced, £££, but worth it (you'll see!) The bathroom was refitted (huge overall, everything replaced and the layout dramatically changed) within a few months of Mum dying (it had been next on her 'to do' list too, but she had an equally dramatic but totally different change planned!!) The same company that did the bathroom also revamped the kitchen 18 months ago. The 'main man' from the kitchen revamp came out today to replace the basin (it had a major crack in it). It turns out that he's now self employed, he still does lots for the original company so he doesn't take on jobs that they would do.
2. He's going to sort out the leaking roof-light in the other bathroom, hurray!! It's been leaking for many years but now the plasterboards soggy too and it needs retifying before I redecorate in there - eventually (next year or sometime closer to Little Sis' referral) it will become Alice's bathroom.

Barefoot? We went to the capital in search of shoes for Alice but came home empty handed (or barefoot!)

WE ARE SO LUCKY!

C (our neighbour) brought Smokey over this afternoon, as you can see Alice loved riding!

We live in a hamlet of only a few houses, but our neighbours are fantastic!

BUILDING PLANS

The architect came over today for a consultation about converting the last part of the building (the bit that they attempted to break into yesterday).

He and his partner came over a year ago and plans were drawn up. Between paperwork for Little Sis and my tax return I've been planning the conversion. Lots of thought, plenty of time in there pacing things out and thinking it out with T.

With 1 exception A (the architect) agreed with the planned changes and seemed impressed with how much detail I'd gone into. Downstairs will be one (small) open plan room with kitchen in 1 area (now extended under the stairs), dining area and seating area, 1 window will be enlarged, 1 blocked up, a new window and a new door inserted in the back wall. Upstairs the bathroom will have a window, a washing machine and tumble drier will be in cupboards on the landing, the windows will stay the same in the bedroom and now there's space for a wardrobe.

Hopefully plans will be confirmed within the next few weeks and planning (not a smooth process as 3CMum will confirm!) MIGHT be through by Christmas.

TO THE 6AM VISITORS

New padlocks have been purchased, security increased and the burglar alarm will continue to be used every time the house is locked (just an extra hint - it's direct dial to the police).

Yes, I believe that we had an attempted burglary this morning - to an outbuilding, luckily not our actual home.

YESTERDAY'S STORM

From 4pm til 6pm we had a torrential storm, it was raining stair-rods, we were in the middle of several electric storms and the power kept going off, as Alice said it was, 'Thunder and frightening!' The drive was dry mid-afternoon, but by 5pm the puddles were several inches deep in places and the road became a river.

HOME IN THE SNOW

AS THE YEAR CHANGES, SECOND ATTEMPT!

2008, such a special year, the first full year with Alice.

2008 has been a life-changing year, a year of many firsts with Alice. We had our first holidays together - I took her to Jersey (a very special place to my family). Alice got her first British passport and we went to France. We started new activities together, we established many of our family’s routines. I relaxed into parenthood, enjoyed it more and learnt more about how to relish every moment. I was amazed by Alice – how she copes with change, the rate at which she grows, the way she embraces life and is always ready to enjoy its next challenge. We said very sad goodbyes to Daisy and have just welcomed Pudding whilst continuing to get pleasure from Boo and Fuss being with us! At the beginning of 2008 Alice hadn’t even taken her first independent steps, now she’s running and jumping! Her speech and understanding has exploded this year, from a few single words to phrases showing insight.

Home has changed too in 2008. We had the kitchen shuffled – it was major upheaval at the time but has made a great difference to daily life. The playroom was redecorated and the original curtains were finally replaced. The playroom and study also had new carpets. So the ‘daily living’ end of the house is quite different now to how it was at the beginning of the year. Outside the paving around the kitchen has been extended to create more space for playing and entertaining.

Tonight I explained to Alice that it was the last evening of the year and why I would always remember 2008 as such a special year, that she was so good, brought such happiness and so wonderful (I don’t tell her that very often as I don’t think it would be healthy!)

2009 could be another hugely significant year for us. We start with a new puppy. Next week Alice starts going to Nursery for a full day once a week, in September she’ll probably start at a new school, a school where she maybe for up to the next 16 years of her life. One of the first events of 2009 will be my second appearance in front of an Adoption Panel (the UK’s final stage of approval to adopt). Possibly the biggest change for our family in 2009 could be Little Sis – 2009 could be the year that she is conceived, born or even matched with our family (the final option is a long shot!) (I’m still troubled by even thinking of projected timescales and associated events after getting expectations so wrong and becoming so stressed with Alice’s adoption.)

I am extremely grateful for 2008, whatever happens I hope that 2009 will be like 2008.

Happy New Year!

PUDDING REVEALED!

M came round this morning to look after Alice while I went to get Pudding.

Pudding was not too happy in the car but only cried a little.

By the time I got home T had arrived too! Pudding wasn't too bothered about the new situation and started to explore pretty quickly - Fuss and Boo were behind the baby-gate in the dog-room but they were closely watching the situation. Pud was eager to meet the girls, but Fuss and Boo were far more hesitant. We let Pud explore the kitchen for a while and then let Boo out for more introductions - she tried to keep to the edge of the kitchen and sat down every time Pud came near! Then we swapped dogs and Fuss got the opportunity to avoid Pudding! Fuss has been very wary all day - not aggressive but wanting to be as high as possible and well out of the way. Pudding just wants to be friends and play.

Alice was keen to hold her and seems pleased to have her home

Pud ate lunch well and then had a long sleep before I took her for her first visit to the vet. I saw a vet that I respect highly, the same vet that came out to put Daisy to sleep. Pud did really well and was calmer in the car. She's slept for a huge amount of the day and the evening and she ate supper well too.

So Pudding so far:

• has HUGE legs - she's going to be really big
  
• is shorter than Fuss but significantly heavier
• is still baggy in her skin
• eats well
• sleeps very well
• doesn't like being in her baby playpen unless she's asleep
• is very cuddly
  
• snores LOUDLY
• doesn't walk when she can gambol
• has poor cornering skills and tends to skid or bump into things
  
• likes to jump between the box bushes in the garden and nibble them round the edges
  
• has slept everywhere
• has true Labrador wind - heaven help us when she's fully grown!
  

300 MILES, 2 KITTENS AND A FUDGE CAKE

Yes, we've been gallivanting again.

We were supposed to have friends coming for coffee on Saturday morning - but with Alice recovering from a chest infection and me feeling rough I decided that it wasn't a good idea, so we had lots of food with no visitors to eat it! After lunch we packed up the car and battled the traffic to GFW's. We stayed 2 nights and came home today. We had lots of fun with them and even managed to get into one of my favourite shopping places and I managed to bag a few bargains (all clothes for Alice!) As usual it was lovely to see them - Baby L is now 9 months old (the same age as Alice when she came home), it was great to see how she's growing and changing but it was also bittersweet, seeing how much more physically advanced L is than Alice was and the implications as to why Alice was physically delayed.

Today was a much quieter drive home, we came back via GMJ's and it was super to see them and belatedly give them our presents. They were looking after 2 farm kittens for GMJ's younger brother - the kittens were lovely and Alice ADORED them!

The fudge cake . . . was intended for the coffee meet-up, instead it was shared among Alice's Godparents and their friends!

It was lovely to see our special friends, but coming home has once again confirmed how much we love being home, I can't wait to sleep in my own bed again!

COMING SOON!

Chocolate Labrador bitch puppy, 4 weeks old, ready in a couple of weeks but won't be coming home until after Christmas. I've reserved a puppy but haven't chosen which one will be coming home yet. Their mum is gorgeous - good looking but even more importantly a real softie, beautiful temperament and just likfe Daisy she loves having her ears stroked.

Now puppy needs a name - something connected with chocolate or Christmas but not suitable for a human - all suggestions gratefully received, please leave a comment.

Alice doesn't even know yet as she's still asleep!

BLOOD PRESSURE!

This morning we went back to T T the music and drama group. Alice was told the sanctions if she was naughty and told what I expected of her, I reinforced through the session and she was very good - I told her that too, several times.

This afternoon I had my medical for Little Sis's Adoption application. My GP was extremely good and allayed many fears. If it's anything that will derail this application it's the medical, I was awake from 3am worrying. After the medical I went to get straightened out at the osteopath's.

When I got home the drive was level, the gravel was mucky but back where it should be, the hole was gone and the digger was being reloaded. Mains water is back at CBH!!

Stressed, today I was stressed, I managed not to show Alice too much I hope. Tonight my blood pressure (which was incredibly normal given my emotions) must be exceptionally low as so much stress has been relieved.

WATER, WATER, WATER

We've still got the temporary supply via the outside taps.

There's now a mini-digger in the drive, the hole is larger and the pipes are properly exposed.

Hopefully by tomorrow night all signs of disruption will have disappeared and the pipes will have been repaired! Hopefully!

WATER, WATER

A helpful soul sorted out a temporary water supply via my neighbours (thanks especially to D & M for allowing me to use their supply for now!) The helpful soul (HS from now on) also dug a hole where the water seemed to be appearing to try and find the leak - we suspected major burst underground given the amount of water and it's sudden appearance in the yard.

The HS then quoted £800 to lay a new pipe across the yard - he'd already let on that it would take 2 men a day to do the work, dug a trench by hand with £100 included for the additional materials needed. He then proceeded to do the 'hard sell' telling me that established builders would be closer to £1,500 and take several week before they started, Christmas is coming and that the weather isn't favourable - he went on too much and I felt that he was over-egging the pudding!

Today - with yet more help from the neighbours, the hole was expanded until the pipe was found, a junction in the pipe had blown. They say that the solution is relatively straight forward and shouldn't take too long or cost too much - nowhere near the original £800 as quoted by HS! I'm hoping that they're right but at this point I'm assuming nothing and very grateful for wonderful neighbours and working taps!

WATER

. . . in all the wrong places.

Last night I ran a bath for Alice, filled it hot (I know it's against H and S rules but it works for me and Alice can't reach in the bath or climb in yet!) and then tried to reduce the temperature with cold water. No. No cold water. Tried the basin, pressure was low but there was some water. Flushed the loo, cistern slow to refill. Tried the ensuite in the spare room, water but low pressure. Downstairs - water, better pressure but not right.

I rang the neighbours - over the road are on a bore (or is it boar?) hole, next door had water but maybe pressure was down. Then I rang the Water Authority - they knew of no problems and as we both had water they would investigate on Monday.

This morning the neighbours were round for a look before I got downstairs - the drive was flooding. I had no water upstairs and only a dribble downstairs but LOTS outside! T and D (neighbours) turned off the water from the mains (I'm on a meter so I was paying for the flood effect!) I rang the Water Authority again and a very nice man called Glen arrived within an hour.

The problem (as event in the yard) is my side of the meter so it's my problem, water authority may help but won't fix it. Ugh. Can't even have a cup of tea to soothe my problems.

BIRD WATCHING

Now Daisy's no longer with us, I've got the bird table out again (she used to pick the scraps off the table or knock the whole thing over!)

Alice and I can both watch the birds from our seats around the kitchen table - we love to watch their activity and it's quite a good distraction at times.

I'VE GIVEN UP!

You may already have noticed, I'm a bit busy. I'm also a bit stressed, there's a lot to do and probably not enough time to do it in. Not only do we both have a birthday within the next week, but also Alice's baptism with large celebration and then I went and organised a birthday tea as well! Along with all of that there are extra school commitments this week!

So I've given up, I'm not going to stress but the house won't be immaculate - if people are going to judge me on the state of tidiness then they're probably opinions that I wouldn't have wanted to know anyway. I feel so much better for not worrying about it - though I do find it hard not to worry.

The gardener has only been twice since the end of July - despite knowing of this weekend's celebrations since he started the job in June, he's now p**** me off so much I'm going to enjoy our next conversation.

I've got lots still to do:

• write a note about Hong Bao, stuff the envelopes
• make several cakes
• make several dozen thank you cards (yes, this one I have to do for myself!)
• buy the wine for Sunday and some more soft drinks
• decide what to wear and make sure it's clean!
• clear a couple more rooms
• organise and fill a few boxes with clothes that are too small for Alice (the nursery has to be tidy for Sunday)
• get contact details for a couple of people and invite a couple more people to next Wednesday's tea party
• wrap several pressies for other people and send them cards (surprisingly other people have birthdays at around this time!)
• deal with the post - it just keeps coming!

And that's only what I've remembered that I've still got to do!!