Life is a Highway - it’s the journey, not the destination

as I’m supposed to be studying today. James has taken the kids out to give me some peace, but I’m aware I haven’t updated yet.

Everything is going along as planned and James is finished at work now. They’ve taken his notice as “with immediate effect” so we have this next week to sort the house out, pack and we’re off up next weekend. Can’t really believe how quick this has all happened.

We’ve had estate agents round to look at the house - valuations are between 85K and 95K. The middle of the road one is also the most expensive and tbh I preferred the 3rd estate agent I had round as she was nicer, seemed more professional and more interested in the house. That was the 85K valuation and tbh, that’s 10K more than we had hoped and planned for. So I’m still happy. Should be phoning her on Monday to start getting it ready to go on the market.

Probably won’t be round much for a bit till we get settled, shall hibernate myself from the ring too and hopefully I’ll be down for a day trip to Melrose and shall see most of you all then Will be at group on Monday and shall see most of the local lot there I think. Wish me luck packing!!

I used to always believe my stars when I was younger, then as I grew up didn’t pay too much attention any more.

James looked in his friends News of the World (I know, I know!) paper at the Mystic Meg reading and this is what it said (he’s Gemini):

Venus rewinds and you realise, at last, who your soul mate is. But do stay focused at work for a chance to step into the boss’ boots. Cash talks go in your favour - but could cause jealousy, too. Destiny takes you to a house behind a high fence. (the farmhouse has a huge fence all round it)

and today’s Mystic Meg reading says:

You have the energy and fresh ideas to revive your working life. At home, you have the words and ways to turn sulks into smiles. With Venus reversing, you now feel passionate about someone you once disliked. Luck puts the word “North” in addresses.

Quite freaky really!!

last night while surfing - about my brother and his business. Wish I had business sense like him!!

tomorrow. We’re off to see my brother, the house and to talk about jobs. Oh and to finally show James Scotland, as he’s never been before!! Might take him to see where I used to live if we have time as the scenery is lovely there and he would just love it. Will take piccies and report back on Sunday.

Am having such dizzy days lately. Managed to leave my purse in the Co-op the other night and didn’t even notice till the my bank (it’s next door) called me and asked if I’d lost something. Was very tempted to say marbles, but actually it was horror, wondering what they could mean esp with my finances the way they are at the moment!! Just can’t get going with anything, my head’s such a pickle.

Sarah came round today to drop off some veg - thanks! Kids played really well and I was very good and helped them tidy up once everyone had gone. Normally I forget till bedtime and then I see where the bombs hit and realise I can’t get to their beds!!!

Must get on with housework before bed tonight if only to tire me out. Can’t sleep either lately and it’s not entirely due to thinking about the future, was struggling before that too

have been havign a funny year so far I think. Quite a few hings have been going really well for us, but equally we’ve had some rotten stuff happen too which has left me feeling “is this going to be a good year for us or not?”. Today has been no different.

Woke up this morning to an e-mail from my half brother who I saw the other week. He’s the one who lives in Scotland and we went to his wedding last November. Anyway, he has his own business cleaning wheely bins which he seems to do extremely well out of. When he was down I had a nice chat to him about what we wanted in life, that James wanted a change of job/career etc although I never mentioned that one thing we fancied was moving to Scotland and starting afresh. Apparantly a vacancy has come up with my brother’s business and he’s offered it to James. About the same money as we’re on now, but we’d also get a 3 bedroom farmhouse rent free (I will *not* get excited about a farmhouse - it probably won’t be as exciting as it sounds!!). James is really up for it and I am too. It’s a scary prospect, but tbh we really need a kick up the backside if we’re going to do anything and perhaps this is what we’ve been waiting for. Haven’t actually spoken to my brother yet, am waitign for him to phone. But shall no doubt update later as I hear news

Am shattered today, feeling really tired and wanting to sleep. Which doesn’t help when my head is racing with ideas and stuff We were up early as we wanted to go to Chesterfield HE group. Have never been before so kids were slightly clingy till they got to know someone. Well we know Sarah and her kids but they wouldn’t even talk to them!! Anyway, eventually Marcus got in with some other boys and was having a great time. Alex was clingy the whole time, but I guess I ‘m used to her now Was speaking to Sarah about the kids playing on the stage and I had said I wasn’t hugely keen on it as I could imagine someone getting pushed off by accident, Sarah then replied that actually she’d never seen anyone hurt, and then almost immediately afterwards Marcus contrived to fall of the stage and smash the side of his face. I really thought for a moment he might have broken his nose or cheekbone but all we have is a huge bruise on his cheek and a black eye. Poor lad.

After that we went to Sarah’s for lunch (yummy homemade bread ) and a play. Marcus was very quiet but has played well and Alex, Dino and Mimi dressed up, played with lego and other stuff. Was very nice.

Home to see James and talk about the future. Want to fall asleep now, but kids are talkign to me about moon phases thanks to a calendar I got from Sarah - cheers hun!

I needed a day like today. Have been feeling really wibbly about lots of stuff, including HE which I never wibble about. Not helped by my yahoo group e-mails being all to pot so I’m feeling really out of everything - anyone else having problems??

Started off this morning by looking at some chess books we borrowed from Barbara. Marcus is showing quite a bit of interest in learning to play so we’re learnign together. Played some sort of game with the pawns this mornign and he managed to beat me at that!! *sigh* better luck next time We read Checkmate at Chess City twice in the day and he really enjoyed doing the puzzles and I think some of it might be sinking in with him.

Managed to get quite a few jobs done today which always makes me feel good. Alex helped me roll out and cook some tortilla wraps to freeze as I made extra dough the other night and couldn’t quite manage to be bothered to make them all

After lunch the kids requested (??) their eye patches to be worn on their computer time. Marcus has developed a real obsession with the PS2 so we’ve started to limit his time to an hour after lunch. Actually having a limit has stopped loads of tantrums he’s been having about having to stop it so it’s been a good idea. But he has to have his patch on for 2 hours so we agreed to a 2 hour play if he kept it on and he did it. Alex plays on Cbeebies and the same applied to her too.

Marcus and I have been getting on really well lately which I’m so glad about. He tells me he loves me so much more and I get loads of cuddles He sat with me and read a whole page of words from the JP book (probably about 30 words) and they weren’t just “mat” and “sat” but “grand” and “luck” and more complex stuff iykwim. He was so chuffed at himself for doing it and I was too. I know once he *wants* to read he’ll be there, and tbh that’s his problem. He’s no inclination to do it yet. But it’s coming, I can see it.

Took Alex to Kwik Save to get a couple of essentials while checking on my mums dogs and then home for tea. Kids helped me make pitta bread pizza’s and they all went down well.

Bedtime is still proving a problem, but we’re getting there I think. It’s a slight improvement on before at any rate.

not doing anything too exciting, but don’t seem to be getting much time to blog and read blogs, so apologies

Monday we did some education, started a new book from Sonlight - The Light on Tern Rock and we also looked at the Create-a-calendar, spoke a bit about months, weeks and days etc and looked at the stickers that were to be stuck in. Marcus was very taken by the moon phases stickers and decided to look at a book about the moon. We looked up a page on the internet and found out the nex full moon would be the 14th so if we remember we’ll keep watch for it.

In the afternoon me and James headed out to pick up a new oven and George Foreman grill - thanks Freecycle!!

Tuesday I think we headed over to my mum and dads for a bit and when we came back did some baking to test the new cooker. Made some jam tarts and cheese flans. Perfect, since I don’t like any of them Made some rice pudding in the slow cooker too, but I do like that

Managed to get them outside for a bit to play too as they washed their bikes and just generally ran about. Wish I could get them outside more, but they just come in again

Alex managed to break my scales when we were washing up after the baking session (they are electric and she put them in the water ) so on Wednesday we made an early rip to tesco to get a new basic set. Came back to make a start on swapping rooms over. Me and James are going into the smaller middle room and the kids are going in the front room. Was bloomin hard work swapping the furniture over and I was whacked by the end of it all. We’ve still not shifted our wardrobe as we can’t quite get it in our room (but it must go *somehow* since it got into the front room in the first place). Me and James tried really hard to sort it, but I’m just too small and not strong enough. Have never been so scared in my life trying to lift it, really could imagine something going wrong and he weight of the wardrobe could kill someone James is enlisting the help of 2 of his friends at the weekend so fingers crossed we can sort it. Atm it’s at the top of the stairs so it looks like a scene from The Lion the witch and the Wardrobe!!

Today we’ve been sorting the kids room some more, tryign to find homes for their toys. Alex has her side and Marcus has his. So they now have space to keep their stuff separate. Will take some doing though!!

Also took them round my mums for a couple of hours while I tried to get some sleep (I didn’t) as I’m taking my mum and dad to the airport late tonight.

*edit* forgot to mention Alex is being incredibly clingy lately. Don’t know what’s up with her at all Have tried the sitting outside her room thing at night which is working much better. Even my mum shouted at her the other day though which she never does. Wish I could make it better.

On the up side, Marcus told me he loved me today

had vodafone let me I would have texed people last to wish them a happy new year! but they didn’t, so I couldn’t. and well the blog is cheaper I suppose!!!

Hope everyone has a fab new year!