New Beginnings

Hi All!

Well its been ages since I posted a blog and a lot has happened.

Dave and I despite the rumblings of my previous blog, are now engaged. A year later than planned but we got there in the end and we're settled.

I've also been lucky enough to get a new job as Operational Pharmacy Services Manager at Macclesfield General - a lovely Hospital but boy, a lot of work to do.

It amazes me how some people think its acceptable to get paid exortionate amounts of money for doing very little, when they should be doing plenty. Now that my permanent contract has come through, I fully intend to turn things around there to make it the Dogs Bollocks (to put it bluntly). I know I may not make many friends along the way which is sad in a way, but people have to understand there are methods in my madness and the last thing I want is for people to lose their jobs because of their apathy. So, that said, fasten your seatbelts and enjoy the ride....!!!

A local village for local people - Gee Cross!!

It truly amazes me!! I've lived in Gee Cross all my life and I've seen a few changes in that time, but one thing that never changes are village gossips.

Unfortunately, it looks like some sad individuals have got nothing better to do in their sad pathetic lives, but to divert their attentions on others who are happily going about their day to day lives, namely me & Dave.

It has been "suggested" that Dave has been having an affair with a good friend of his, who he's known for a very long time - longer than he's been with me. I'll be honest, it's rocked us to the core leaving us feeling totally miserable. The rumours of course are not true, but they succeeded for a little while in sowing those seeds of doubt. Dave and I have both been on the not-so-nice receiving end of our husband/wife doing the dirty on us so when something like this comes along it makes you a bit twitchy.

Anyway, after a week of going over things time and time again, we're OK about it. We are much much more stronger than you think, and know each other well enough to know that it's all a load of bollox anyway. And a message to the sad pathetic individuals who saw fit to propogate such a rumour, and in the process cause unrest within my immediate family - DO ONE, and GET A LIFE YOU SAD, PATHETIC DONKEYS!!!

Omlet Eglu's

Well, I really have seen it all. What do you guys think about these things then??

My mate Nicola Slingo at work is getting one of these things, to rear chickens. At first glance I was horrified, me being a traditionalist and all, but having looked more carefully at them I've got to say, they've grown on me. They look much more cosier than the wooden pens. The only thing I don't like are the colours (not exactly environmentally friendly) and the price (total rip off for a bit of fancy plastic). Would I get one second hand if I was to keep chucks? Yes, probably. Shame they don't come with central heating too or else I'd move in too!!

Some good news....!

OK, OK. Call me a complete saddo, but this was obviously something on my subconscious niggle list. I applied for an allotment over 2 years ago, close by to where I live and up until recently I'd heard nothing despite contacting the person in charge at Shameside Council. Anyway, I happen to know the person who is in charge of the site I was interested so I phoned her at work, and she let me know - all being well - I'll be getting my plot next March. Yippee! At last. I love growing my own stuff and it's something I want to get the kids and David into. I'm no Jack Duckworth or anything, it just tastes nicer and is usually cheaper than shop bought stuff.

For those of you who know the size of my back garden, you'll appreciate my excitement of at last having a bit of breathing space rather than having to rely on containers and hanging baskets!!

It made me feel much better and cheerful in myself too - something to plan for and look forward to.

A Day out with the Kids

Well, what a lovely day!! This is what weekends are all about.

After being off work for the past four weeks with stress, I've had time to sit, think and reflect about my lifestyle. Yes it's true I'm a busy Mum of three and weekends are hectic, but it's clear from recent events that I've been neglecting my relationship with my kids, and the last thing I want is for them to grow up accusing me of being a shit Mum who concentrated more on her career and never spent any time with her kids.

Well, we went to Pavilion Gardens today in Buxton. A typical cold autumnal day but well worth a visit. Armed with a plentiful picnic we hit the park and played for ages, then went to the Pavilion where there was a food festival and a nice hot steamy (but too weak) cuppa tea waiting for me and a coffee for Mum. All the kids were well behaved and Adam said it was the "best day ever".

Anyway, don't forget to spend some proper time with your kids. It's easy to forget and get caught up with doing the endless washing, ironing and cleaning. Just leave it and do it some other time, and make the most of these lovely weekends. We don't get many of 'em, lets face it!!

ALDI - what do you think?

Well, I've just visited someone elses blog for a change and found this thread about Aldi. She basically was having a poke at Aldi, and I agree on some things like the speed of the checkout operators, which is highly amusing. Quality wise I have to say is top notch and it's saved us stacks on our food bills especially the veggie offers. I used to be a bit snobby about shopping there and to be honest, it always looked dead unfriendly and hostile, but I love it now. My food bill has gone down from about £100 a week to about £65 to £70, which - and this is for you Mr. Wilde - makes a hell of a difference when you've got your other half who must have hollow legs, eating you out of house and home!!

I'd say give it a try. My faves are the chocolate chip brioche, multiseed baps, baby wipes, the fruit and veggies, mince beef, bacon, chedder cheese, yoghurts and minted lamb shanks. Mmmmm! Oh. Avoid the frozen peas - tasteless and rock hard....

Easter. Time to replenish the stocks.

I say this in jest of course, as our Adam rightly pointed out. God! I can't wait for Easter Mum, cos I've run out of selection box sweets now!! I think he did well to make 'em last this long, both of them actually. If Auntie Jane had been up a bit more, it'd all have gone a lot, lot quicker. Anyway, they're on rations this Easter. Last year I ended up chucking some away. My fault as I'd had to hide them in the understairs cupboard and they'd fallen down the side of the freezer and I found them whilst clearing some crap out. I was gutted!

Anyway, enough about Chocolate. As we all know, that's not really what it's all about. For me, I'll be welcoming the little bit of peace & quiet whilst Lee has the kids Good Friday til Easter Sunday, and spending the last bit of quality time I can one to one with my little Rosie Roo, before I go back to work full time. I know she'll be in Mums extremely capable hands, but I will miss her soooo much. She's such a little sweetie. I'll also miss the school runs for the kids, and the new friends I've made whilst I've been off. Needs must though. We're skint, so it has to be done....