tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-84532058097352210302024-03-13T00:31:08.866-07:00Brighton RamblingsKatyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16580564719054407552noreply@blogger.comBlogger366125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8453205809735221030.post-24041026717542256632012-12-31T02:25:00.000-08:002012-12-31T02:25:13.461-08:00A Letter to Dexter<br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCbsQ_JFLl6rxgCvfvOvB08nniyEGWuG2PtOdlNgrNSq4KqYmJmQRHHkx-fVm14EXo8EJ2ftctqbyculBXw3WX_AFTcHeHzfn9XGRelk9KTrhy4Fu7kz7t9UDw28KEfjPYsmXnRbKTUWE/s1600/31st+December.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCbsQ_JFLl6rxgCvfvOvB08nniyEGWuG2PtOdlNgrNSq4KqYmJmQRHHkx-fVm14EXo8EJ2ftctqbyculBXw3WX_AFTcHeHzfn9XGRelk9KTrhy4Fu7kz7t9UDw28KEfjPYsmXnRbKTUWE/s320/31st+December.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: large;">31.12.12.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">To my darling boy,</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: large;">As you lie snoozing on the sofa, finishing the year with the dreaded Norovirus, I thought I'd give a little bit of my soul to you.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This letter marks the end of your first full calendar year and the end of Mummy's ramblings about it. This little project started off as simply capturing a photograph of you every day for a year and seems to have taken on a life of its own! You know how Mummy likes to talk, well she likes to write too, and 'Brighton Ramblings' has become a cathartic space for me to celebrate, remonstrate, pontificate and sometimes just have a good old moan. I've sometimes had to write several posts at a time, but I have <i>never </i>cheated on the photos and it's so magical to see how much you've changed in such a short space of time.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">What a year we've all had! I'm so proud of you, little man. Your life is quite hectic and demanding but you take most things in your stride. You've found your feet, your appetite and almost a full set of teeth. You're yet to really find your voice (although you did manage 'moo' and 'mine' over Christmas). When you read back on this one day, you'll see how worried Mummy got at times about your lack of chatter, but I'm feeling okay about it at the moment: you'll get there.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I think you'll do everything in your own time. Many people remark on how much of a character you are - including the epic tantrums. I think you have a really steely (stubborn?) core and a dogged determination. You are also a very happy little chap, so content in your own company, and still so fond of your sleep - thank you for that!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I will never lose the guilt I feel about everything concerning you. We don't get to spend as much time together as I'd like: holidays and weekends are sacred. You definitely seem to prefer Daddy to Mummy, and sometimes Mummy's friends take preference with you! I am learning not to take this too personally, particularly as it's me who has to be 'bad cop', waking you up to travel to nursery and then turning up to take you home when you're having lots of fun.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I cannot explain the feelings I have for you in words. You have the ability to augment my heart with love and make my heart physically hurt with worry or sadness. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I love you unconditionally and always will. I never want to be a pushy parent and my only expectations of you are that you will be happy, kind and always try your best (oh, and vote Labour and <i>never</i> buy The Daily Mail).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I don't think I'm a very good Mummy - perhaps a little bit slack and definitely not a natural, but my love for you is boundless: I promise.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I don't know when, or indeed <em>if</em> you'll ever read this blog, but if you do, I hope you recognise that in the hurly burly of modern life, you are an inherent part of me. I still think a lot about carrying you in my tummy and the wonderful birth experience you gave me. I know that the beautiful boy with the long lashes and lustrous mop of hair will grow into an amazing young man who will make us proud. But I want you to know, you will <i>always </i>be my little boy.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Love always</span></div>
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Katyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16580564719054407552noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8453205809735221030.post-32330216411972549342012-12-30T13:57:00.003-08:002012-12-30T13:57:56.663-08:00A promenade<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQiStUjM2rGUQYS2FuaRO7_AVvpC2t012sGzEzkQzBWvFCuFs9GQj2pmatmiG5IxUk2zSXKog0MfT6xQzJNDW6oWW-iCbFak7CJK01jGOB-94nzwqkiRm9Gp8DH7MAift3tG3J9KATjjk/s1600/30th+December.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQiStUjM2rGUQYS2FuaRO7_AVvpC2t012sGzEzkQzBWvFCuFs9GQj2pmatmiG5IxUk2zSXKog0MfT6xQzJNDW6oWW-iCbFak7CJK01jGOB-94nzwqkiRm9Gp8DH7MAift3tG3J9KATjjk/s320/30th+December.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">30.12.12.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Another long, lazy lie-in for Team W this morning. We did have a mild panic that the boy was going to get us up at six thirty this morning, but it proved to be a false alarm and Dexter just required some soothing strokes and his duvet pulling over him properly.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Miracle of Christmas miracles, it wasn't actually raining for once. We took advantage of the dry weather and drove to Hove Lagoon. Dexter caused a small queue at the children's swings, and then seemed most unimpressed by the wild and crashing sea. He quite enjoyed running along the promenade though with the cute and colourful beach huts as a backdrop.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">We finished up with a visit to Waitrose - of course, so we're stocked up for the next part of the holiday.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The boy managed a whole day without a nap (please don't drop them, please don't drop them) and so was in bed at much more his usual time, rather than the tardy bedtimes of late.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I have spent the evening doing a small amount of work, and playing around with a new blog template. I can't believe tomorrow will be my 366th post of 'Brighton Ramblings'. It's going to be the blog's swansong. I'm definitely going to continue being a 'blogger', but this one is a gift for my boy.</span></div>
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Katyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16580564719054407552noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8453205809735221030.post-2810845496930547282012-12-29T14:17:00.000-08:002012-12-29T16:38:22.510-08:00Driving back home from Christmas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">29.12.12.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The boy awoke at half past nine again this morning, as he has done for the past few mornings: loving this holiday business. We finished packing - bags full of toys and cases full of 'mum washing' (it smells so good) - before squeezing in one last set of visitors. This time, my younger step-sister and her family. Dexter was suitably sociable again and stared at the television whilst eating biscuits.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">We then undertook the six hour journey back home in the wanging rain on traffic-filled roads. We stopped once at a particularly grim service station, ate toasties and drank over-priced coffee and let the boy stretch his miniature legs.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">He went to bed very late this evening, having opened his present from Mummy and Daddy - a super-duper garage. Excitement levels seem to be at an all-time high. Whilst I type about twenty back-dated blog posts, I can hear him giggling away to himself through the monitor.</span></div>
Katyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16580564719054407552noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8453205809735221030.post-82754182214482945252012-12-28T14:17:00.000-08:002012-12-29T16:38:22.530-08:00Toddler watch<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Gd1Mue5sW9nDa79-UOmVtdgP9vT-PX8yd1vgVe9E0hxVdWOlapk1I5XMK4CJxCk8mrUE0kQ1qbaNwwGJ1KDzlfxcr9uwTfyUprEAWdTta8xynsOvupdMhZBJobWSVYeqhiJNC3IHIF8/s1600/28th+December.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Gd1Mue5sW9nDa79-UOmVtdgP9vT-PX8yd1vgVe9E0hxVdWOlapk1I5XMK4CJxCk8mrUE0kQ1qbaNwwGJ1KDzlfxcr9uwTfyUprEAWdTta8xynsOvupdMhZBJobWSVYeqhiJNC3IHIF8/s320/28th+December.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">28.12.12.</span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Today has been a busy day. Because the three of us aren't back in the North very often, and because it's Christmas, we have been getting a lot of visitors. Today was the turn of one of my step-sisters and her family, followed by auntie and cousin. I know they only want to see Dexter really, so it's a bit of a shame that any actual people in the house offer little distraction from CBeebies/food/new toys/sleep for the boy.</span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Grandma put him to bed this evening as the husband and I had a 'date' at the local giant shopping centre. John Lewis followed by Gourmet Burger Kitchen in the food complex: who said romance is dead?</span></div>
Katyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16580564719054407552noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8453205809735221030.post-79348947480599211262012-12-27T14:25:00.000-08:002012-12-29T16:38:22.525-08:00House Party<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">27.12.12.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Today, we spent a lovely spontaneous afternoon at the house of an old school friend. There was another friend there too with her family. We've known each other for twenty three years now, yet it still feels funny being grown-ups with children, mortgages and family cars between us!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Dexter was somewhat erratic in his behaviour. Upon arrival, he screamed the house down, refused his lunch and went and sat on his own in a different room. He soon came round though and managed to play with all of the resident child's Christmas toys and eat his own body weight in sausage rolls. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The husband and I ate our combined body weights in Chinese food this evening. My parents were going out to a party, so treated us to a take-away. The day finished with 'School of Rock' on TV and lying on the sofa. Happy holidays indeed!</span></div>
Katyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16580564719054407552noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8453205809735221030.post-81670783632707304482012-12-26T14:32:00.000-08:002012-12-29T16:38:22.527-08:00Boxing Day Blues<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">26.12.12.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">After an epic tantrum this morning and a chilly visit to the park, it was clear the boy was out of sorts. We were supposed to go to a family party in the afternoon, but Dexter seemed genuinely unwell and unhappy and instead, spent the entire afternoon asleep on the sofa.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I suspect this may be a sign of things to come...</span></div>
Katyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16580564719054407552noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8453205809735221030.post-88460502487541377152012-12-25T14:36:00.000-08:002012-12-29T16:38:22.535-08:00Has he been?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">25.12.12.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It's Christmaaaaasssss!!!!! The boy enjoyed the big day. He received loads of fabulous gifts but was most enamoured by a set of four flashing rubber ducks that my mum had bought for his stocking for 99p. Watch and learn, broke parents!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It was a lovely family day, with Dexter getting to spend lots of time with his grandparents, auntie and uncle and his cousins. He troughed his Christmas dinner like a pro, being particularly fond of 'pigs in blankets'. He wasn't so keen on the noise the crackers made, but took the noise his excitable cousins made, completely in his stride.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I still think he's a little bit too young for true 'memory making' yet, but it was a low-key, cosy, happy day. Dexter spent most of the evening, surrounded by gifts and chatter, and my sister's enormous dog, having a very lovely time.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Cheers!</span></div>
Katyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16580564719054407552noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8453205809735221030.post-28229573389465428152012-12-24T14:51:00.000-08:002012-12-29T16:38:22.512-08:00Choo choo!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyRWlB600gba5bqG3LVp-TpaSGodfGEringQhUiflXri5wSf8Q5i9LfIaG8zxEQpwBlak0bqHXYZQcga74TVxYCQvuXq-obOE-W3MauimvSIA1aaV3dYKcuLzUE5J-ctcJqlxne9-iz88/s1600/24th+December.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyRWlB600gba5bqG3LVp-TpaSGodfGEringQhUiflXri5wSf8Q5i9LfIaG8zxEQpwBlak0bqHXYZQcga74TVxYCQvuXq-obOE-W3MauimvSIA1aaV3dYKcuLzUE5J-ctcJqlxne9-iz88/s320/24th+December.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">24.12.12.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">We got up very early today and went with my sister and her family to the East Lancashire Railway. We had tickets for the 'Santa Express' - a steam train that makes its way through the Lancashire countryside with Father Christmas, a brass band and carols along the way. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Dexter <i>loved</i>... a puddle on the platform and the dustbin truck on the other side of the tracks. He <i>didn't</i> have a meltdown though when Santa made his way through the carriage. I had my suspicions about the sobriety levels of 'Frosty the Snowman', and wanted to punch the so-called <i>magician </i>with his one trick (flicking a paper bag as the children 'threw' an imaginary ball into it). Hilariously, he accused me of 'dropping' said 'ball'. I held back from washing down my two 10am Ibuprofen with the complementary sherry.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It was actually a very lovely and very Christmassy experience - perhaps the start of a Christmas tradition? We followed it with a family lunch at a cutesy cafe near my parents' home. This meant a very late nap and a late evening bed time for the boy. Hope he keeps those eyes tightly shut for the big FC's second visit of the day...</span></div>
Katyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16580564719054407552noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8453205809735221030.post-70111324029293036212012-12-23T15:14:00.000-08:002012-12-29T16:38:22.522-08:00Driving home for Christmas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqG5M_J3C7vCfmPRIgms-PeUn7QWuqEH7hoMqCW8O6NObK1YtCHJm7vYphNBpivch8nnmSW9uPtqslsvgfJcADyrK8h04rFZUmUWYOTwzS-ho5jmI0Fih4FJVaNVYXe4k7ULUpL-WzFSw/s1600/23rd+December.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqG5M_J3C7vCfmPRIgms-PeUn7QWuqEH7hoMqCW8O6NObK1YtCHJm7vYphNBpivch8nnmSW9uPtqslsvgfJcADyrK8h04rFZUmUWYOTwzS-ho5jmI0Fih4FJVaNVYXe4k7ULUpL-WzFSw/s320/23rd+December.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">23.12.12.</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Team Wayne left the house at 9.15 this morning: this is unprecedented for a non-work day.</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">We drove the epic journey to my parental home in Manchester. It took less than five hours with only two stops. The boy slept for most of it.</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The afternoon was spent with Dexter hanging out with his cousins and playing in my parents' lovely garden.</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It feels like a very happy start to the holidays!</span></div>
Katyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16580564719054407552noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8453205809735221030.post-36444066711029172452012-12-22T15:23:00.000-08:002012-12-29T16:38:22.516-08:00House hunting - again!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYYGHtyy3Kx8gxjAe8fxi-UzVQiNx1p-L-VTfrWjETOB5MRa5OWHmeSmElqDhUluHrhd8sxv4sMYUyJBm1Q07f7P6nRxpyLYIdOfq20gaW6zl7nO_m_g-KCvuVXvmeI0oDV8PwXBjj3yA/s1600/22nd+December.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYYGHtyy3Kx8gxjAe8fxi-UzVQiNx1p-L-VTfrWjETOB5MRa5OWHmeSmElqDhUluHrhd8sxv4sMYUyJBm1Q07f7P6nRxpyLYIdOfq20gaW6zl7nO_m_g-KCvuVXvmeI0oDV8PwXBjj3yA/s320/22nd+December.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">22.12.12.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Given my mood in</span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> the last couple</span></span><span style="color: cyan; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="color: #073763; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">of weeks, I had decided we would do something constructive about it today. I had booked an appointment to see more houses on a new development in a village very close to my destination of choice.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It was a really positive experience with three main highlights: we really liked all three houses we viewed; a hungry Dexter ate some plaster in one of them and seems to have suffered no adverse side-effects; the lovely sales guy is a former actor whose dad played Roy in EastEnders - I liked this piece of trivia.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The venture has given us the impetus for 'Project Move 2013' and hopefully, we will be putting the flat on the market in the new year.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Another highlight was a cheeky little visit to McDonalds on the way home. The boy devoured a Happy Meal with the same gusto he had just been trying to eat the infrastructure of the house with.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I went to a lovely wedding reception in the evening with a fabulous swing band playing. With two weeks off stretching out in front of me, I am definitely getting in the swing of Christmas now.</span></div>
Katyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16580564719054407552noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8453205809735221030.post-3632296983891176122012-12-21T15:37:00.000-08:002012-12-29T16:38:22.514-08:00Yaaaaay!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIKn5mJago10MIA1LJh9tNIzscidaZopa3VyYC4nEvYHSdNpqY47lAQz9BQYyzfeolqcgBCpoN_Pc-MykE4CwDZ5Ra2oBuPXb9NH4yl6YYJljIMIkyDr2dSlfXhEdiKCoQXRxqkZ6ZUwA/s1600/21st+December.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIKn5mJago10MIA1LJh9tNIzscidaZopa3VyYC4nEvYHSdNpqY47lAQz9BQYyzfeolqcgBCpoN_Pc-MykE4CwDZ5Ra2oBuPXb9NH4yl6YYJljIMIkyDr2dSlfXhEdiKCoQXRxqkZ6ZUwA/s320/21st+December.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">21.12.12.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Today's #366 photograph says it all. We've made it to the last day of term! The lift-share ladies, the boy and I, just about made it to the pub for dinner. Dexter slept through dinner.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Exhausted.com</span></div>
Katyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16580564719054407552noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8453205809735221030.post-15091987960038835712012-12-20T15:40:00.000-08:002012-12-29T16:38:22.509-08:00Have a little patience...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEholxKAb1UyXQUngwukcSGfUfnH4IZIR_E9gFn03iY6O2WJ_wEL3LmpAkQ-WD89UO_Erh2j4gE0axJ3_k_gNg2OWqR4BtH-7twelmVOiHYz10NGBpou2BonCJ0O4kP0KjoWFX_F_aKf0r0/s1600/20th+December.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEholxKAb1UyXQUngwukcSGfUfnH4IZIR_E9gFn03iY6O2WJ_wEL3LmpAkQ-WD89UO_Erh2j4gE0axJ3_k_gNg2OWqR4BtH-7twelmVOiHYz10NGBpou2BonCJ0O4kP0KjoWFX_F_aKf0r0/s320/20th+December.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">20.12.12.</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I am writing this post retrospectively as I am <i>so </i>behind with the blog. My notes for today say: 'Patience is wearing thin'. I can't remember actual details - lost in the fug of the festive term.</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The other line of notes for today simply reads: 'Dexter cried at FC'. So, Santa's visit to nursery was a hit then... Toddler's end-of-term patience wearing thin too?</span></div>
Katyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16580564719054407552noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8453205809735221030.post-34589794917624784592012-12-19T15:47:00.000-08:002012-12-29T16:38:22.513-08:00Just Dexter<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBv5WlzJRdO3VPbceSlXlXQDrk3BVPHNnnMomuODM9xhfJT7y95aOrJ4cGmAq1l4RoESyOYSpYaM5h4pGxKOFE8h8cj5Eocu-ULFHgecRcU1kaV5LW7tOVthyphenhyphenfFpB5_4tDPEGZrluac08/s1600/19th+December.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBv5WlzJRdO3VPbceSlXlXQDrk3BVPHNnnMomuODM9xhfJT7y95aOrJ4cGmAq1l4RoESyOYSpYaM5h4pGxKOFE8h8cj5Eocu-ULFHgecRcU1kaV5LW7tOVthyphenhyphenfFpB5_4tDPEGZrluac08/s320/19th+December.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">19.12.12.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I had an hour long appointment with the nursery owner and Dexter's key worker today. He has an IEP (Individual Education Plan), with three targets focusing on joining in and social interaction. Developmentally, according to a bizarre series of charts and the Early Years curriculum, the boy is 'behind' for his age group.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I was surprisingly cool with all of this. The discussion was useful and informative; they're pleased with his progress; they think he is an interesting little character.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">He is my boy. He will undoubtedly do things his way. He will get there eventually. He will have any support put in place that he requires. He will always be loved and protected with the lioness heart I grew when he was placed in my arms.</span></div>
Katyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16580564719054407552noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8453205809735221030.post-4006840437359534432012-12-18T15:56:00.000-08:002012-12-29T16:38:22.517-08:00Little voice<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkefYTtppP-KrXVcTEaenbDPId0b3DgJ4Xk1daqgbbM9gbOKnffq0VDknbaK9Vzaxc2Mj__kNxySJY8fLasLqQKjQCt_NYPg_Dpi-m88FuNhHarF9_lEl4NGLwR0VPxJI2VGiwKcEmTRM/s1600/18th+December.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkefYTtppP-KrXVcTEaenbDPId0b3DgJ4Xk1daqgbbM9gbOKnffq0VDknbaK9Vzaxc2Mj__kNxySJY8fLasLqQKjQCt_NYPg_Dpi-m88FuNhHarF9_lEl4NGLwR0VPxJI2VGiwKcEmTRM/s320/18th+December.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">18.12.12.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I am struggling. My voice is very sore and weak; I sound like the love child of Marge Simpson and Deirdre Barlow. I suspect I may look a little like it too.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The boy kicked off royally at pick-up today but then held my hand in the back of the car (I wasn't driving), all the way home, while I mainlined Calpol.</span></div>
Katyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16580564719054407552noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8453205809735221030.post-75094243639829906572012-12-17T16:02:00.000-08:002012-12-29T16:38:22.523-08:00Monday, Monday.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxwIy2k0no8a__zQ3OgULxDQwMXPc5ZXHtSEcnQvLK5xSMjnhFEkQ0I1KjDJzlmj9yK_qX2j3Ep6zM-0CmQ1U6M96RAvWL5HM7WSkFL8XO7gt5Zrh0CKaGVBmUCaA1ApzLH0W-cA6z5tM/s1600/17th+December.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxwIy2k0no8a__zQ3OgULxDQwMXPc5ZXHtSEcnQvLK5xSMjnhFEkQ0I1KjDJzlmj9yK_qX2j3Ep6zM-0CmQ1U6M96RAvWL5HM7WSkFL8XO7gt5Zrh0CKaGVBmUCaA1ApzLH0W-cA6z5tM/s320/17th+December.jpg" width="319" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">17.12.12.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Today was up there with the grimmest of days. I taught all morning and then drove to the funeral of a former student, who died in utterly tragic circumstances. It was a celebratory funeral, but ultimately, I watched someone lay their daughter to rest: sad times.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I then got horribly lost on the way back to school, so the half hour drive back took two hours!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I had to return to school to attend an A Level presentation evening and cabaret. It was lovely to catch up with former students, but I feel so poorly. Lovely lift-share friend collected the boy from nursery for me and brought him into school; he wouldn't come anywhere near me.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">We got home after seven o'clock. I feel physically, mentally and emotionally drained. And it's only Monday...</span></div>
Katyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16580564719054407552noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8453205809735221030.post-85082694306921888422012-12-16T16:09:00.000-08:002012-12-29T16:38:22.533-08:00Sagacious ladies<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIa30QXP7x00XN_xzT3oC3hKkkxzjVarFxf4d-Hj9pG0TgziUs75kdiRyjITB6T9_YyHaba2cp88R15bffm0mz0SBZbAcBTFoCWUB4vk372dtcMsVrG52PEtOz1c1iCwc-iC3sk0L2oXo/s1600/16th+December.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIa30QXP7x00XN_xzT3oC3hKkkxzjVarFxf4d-Hj9pG0TgziUs75kdiRyjITB6T9_YyHaba2cp88R15bffm0mz0SBZbAcBTFoCWUB4vk372dtcMsVrG52PEtOz1c1iCwc-iC3sk0L2oXo/s320/16th+December.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">16.12.12.</span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Riding this morning naturally lifted my low spirits. I <i>will not </i>give it up, but am considering moving to an earlier lesson so I don't miss out on so much of the day with my boys. They went to the park without me again today.</span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">In fact, I had the whole day off from motherly duties. After riding, I drove straight to a pub in a West Sussex village to meet with my 'Book Club' ladies. As ever, we talked about the book for a short time and then generally caught up and put the world to rights They were very kind to me when I shared my woes and offered plentiful words of wisdom.</span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I went home to the rest of the afternoon filled with Dexter tantrums and an evening of marking mock exams.</span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Deep joy.</span></div>
Katyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16580564719054407552noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8453205809735221030.post-59228035339378767272012-12-15T16:18:00.000-08:002012-12-29T16:38:22.521-08:00Bah!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmVU6H5pPUq9PweKt0mseZRq1kPyYF3ifrY-bp9BDLDahujF70XZmb13vh48N4zjkHvpALn25w3M_5hTLgclKAo6NST6PmKtpFSain5Fkd88GaDmxBwy7s-S7d1SsD-TjB6OLLXqg4pIA/s1600/15th+December.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmVU6H5pPUq9PweKt0mseZRq1kPyYF3ifrY-bp9BDLDahujF70XZmb13vh48N4zjkHvpALn25w3M_5hTLgclKAo6NST6PmKtpFSain5Fkd88GaDmxBwy7s-S7d1SsD-TjB6OLLXqg4pIA/s320/15th+December.jpg" width="319" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">15.12.12.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Today has been a miserable day - both in terms of the weather and my mood. I just can't shake this self-indulgent wallowing.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I popped out in the rain (with the boys in tow), for some more Christmas gifts, and spent the evening making Christmas cards. As a self-confessed Grinch, this did not inspire any festive cheer.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Humbug!</span></div>
Katyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16580564719054407552noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8453205809735221030.post-41551151252431068242012-12-14T16:21:00.000-08:002012-12-29T16:38:22.518-08:00Wallowing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdOxeANvbZBqItEHt7NuGGpsUunxHx39FM2oo9ktvTmVOWgXPJqg2sodGMIIuohhHS2aU1gGniV2WxeTu6a8Yx9BkAG-6Cn1sbMgYll5vsobYUgCEChhmT1tKOSwV-ibek1myjZlj_z9k/s1600/14th+December.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdOxeANvbZBqItEHt7NuGGpsUunxHx39FM2oo9ktvTmVOWgXPJqg2sodGMIIuohhHS2aU1gGniV2WxeTu6a8Yx9BkAG-6Cn1sbMgYll5vsobYUgCEChhmT1tKOSwV-ibek1myjZlj_z9k/s320/14th+December.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">14.12.12.</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Despite a pleasant day at school, I'm exhausted and feeling sorry for myself. Obviously convinced that if I didn't work full-time, I wouldn't feel <i>quite </i>so exhausted - or that I'm missing out on time with my boy. </span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">We attempted the pub with my in-laws this evening, but it was a horrible rainy night and the pub was packed. Instead, father-in-law bought a take-away Thai banquet. It was delicious, and accompanied by 'big chats' about future plans for Team Wayne.</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I ate too much, too quickly and thought too much. Ended up feeling sick and teary. It will pass.</span></div>
Katyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16580564719054407552noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8453205809735221030.post-80084875458778592932012-12-13T16:27:00.000-08:002012-12-29T16:38:22.526-08:00Where's the finishing line?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9viYdWYhKmCdcFfhhno05reP-rAiuvzT7FxoWAShKw6Fdewj8ylUOUdP6GgUZ59_Tl1Tj0THnyMTbmOXdOieh8Ht2u3fDwUt9_fLEBdWO_GbIw3ZvhdNvJB72KLJzSJ2Ws2NNOw8zifM/s1600/13th+December.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9viYdWYhKmCdcFfhhno05reP-rAiuvzT7FxoWAShKw6Fdewj8ylUOUdP6GgUZ59_Tl1Tj0THnyMTbmOXdOieh8Ht2u3fDwUt9_fLEBdWO_GbIw3ZvhdNvJB72KLJzSJ2Ws2NNOw8zifM/s320/13th+December.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">13.12.12.</span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">We had a better night with the boy last night, but work seemed so long. Lessons, leading an assembly, and two hours of leading training after school. Again, I was home at seven. I was supposed to be getting festive at my Department Christmas Do. I just physically couldn't do it. </span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">We're limping to the end of term...</span></div>
Katyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16580564719054407552noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8453205809735221030.post-50304629966492700092012-12-12T16:31:00.000-08:002012-12-29T16:38:22.519-08:00Poorly boy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKXnpoPVXE9JKh6LeNn9N0kvFA4DWC-u2gf8lae6LR_s-o33HebjjWdepfYebNs-7ypnl5M9bFh8ResGuY8njW-XsSe75NAbPJ2b73xSba5MPO1S-V0yaADvHVUltiEXsowUYaxzvTkgo/s1600/12th+December.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKXnpoPVXE9JKh6LeNn9N0kvFA4DWC-u2gf8lae6LR_s-o33HebjjWdepfYebNs-7ypnl5M9bFh8ResGuY8njW-XsSe75NAbPJ2b73xSba5MPO1S-V0yaADvHVUltiEXsowUYaxzvTkgo/s320/12th+December.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">12.12.12.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">We had a bad night last night with a very poorly boy. I went back to work today; the husband stayed off.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The husband's parents arrived this afternoon as childcare reinforcements.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Look at my poorly boy with his Nana.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I spent the evening waving Rightmove under Nana's nose. I have a vision of us all living together in some country pile in the future. For now, I'm very grateful for the much needed help with Little Lord Chesty Cough.</span></div>
Katyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16580564719054407552noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8453205809735221030.post-46411633820041240372012-12-11T13:05:00.003-08:002012-12-11T13:06:25.209-08:00Convalescence<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilZk9CMaqL42wK1vqMB5ZK_HWT1oIFQX6PiCOtSb-HQJzkxoGDH6U3P9urciRrnPDXkc_E1CBf8lu_GRI8oKA_axD6TB5BXAu0eh_ZPBnZKW4pBx45raXh7QaSc-awInYYAnUgfNcuTBY/s1600/11th+December.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilZk9CMaqL42wK1vqMB5ZK_HWT1oIFQX6PiCOtSb-HQJzkxoGDH6U3P9urciRrnPDXkc_E1CBf8lu_GRI8oKA_axD6TB5BXAu0eh_ZPBnZKW4pBx45raXh7QaSc-awInYYAnUgfNcuTBY/s320/11th+December.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">11.12.12.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: large;">So, the boy slept until eight this morning. He obviously needed the two hour lie in. He was super needy, cuddly and a bit floppy. I gave him a bath to remove the crusty snot from his face and began the strict regime of medicines to keep his temperature down and cough syrup to soothe his throat and hacking cough.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: large;">We mainly hung out, watched television, read books and played with cars. He's off his food a bit - must be ill.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: large;">Dexter slept for <em>four </em>hours this afternoon. He obviously needed it, and it's unlikely he would manage this amount of sleep at nursery.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: large;">I managed to do some mock exam marking, stay on top of my work emails and clear the washing basket.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: large;">There are officially only eight more working days - and twenty more blogging days. I'm digging deep.</span> </div>
Katyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16580564719054407552noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8453205809735221030.post-58748966808862856922012-12-10T12:49:00.000-08:002012-12-11T13:06:25.214-08:00Pants!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3HobNNeS6-0icSi_zwab1dIoY8BHr9z8ga8SaBAhleGE8NYt_4vDVDxIVrxsVunLs9IDrrE3mpEQbp0neVW-1s0UShtGm2fLtYxwotToPsE5w-bFW3JJkdQExG6kXIiiLU34GdOTdSUY/s1600/10th+December.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3HobNNeS6-0icSi_zwab1dIoY8BHr9z8ga8SaBAhleGE8NYt_4vDVDxIVrxsVunLs9IDrrE3mpEQbp0neVW-1s0UShtGm2fLtYxwotToPsE5w-bFW3JJkdQExG6kXIiiLU34GdOTdSUY/s320/10th+December.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">10.12.12.</span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: large;">Today was totally, completely, utterly PANTS! From start to finish. Rubbish. To top it all, the boy is really quite poorly. My predictions have been correct. </span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: large;">I have taken the decision today to keep him off nursery tomorrow. I feel bad about the implications at school, but my boy comes first. It quite often seems to be the other way around; this isn't right.</span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: large;">Hence my evening was spent emailing and making phone calls. I feel better for making this decision now. I just need <em>him</em> to get better now.</span></div>
Katyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16580564719054407552noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8453205809735221030.post-56427679869555739962012-12-09T12:43:00.000-08:002012-12-11T13:06:25.213-08:00Crafty<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIP4iYRiRgNTM5bFJE68KWcy5AX7mPPXsZlCH2LEVLMKN-GM3E3Hx9kAX38YdralimsXMFHk8uOPGSXYSo8xPvJJnCz0oeCocPX5_BmgmwbJgOqQRQ0aF0neIGdntgeBzutGGvAshgyRQ/s1600/9th+December.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIP4iYRiRgNTM5bFJE68KWcy5AX7mPPXsZlCH2LEVLMKN-GM3E3Hx9kAX38YdralimsXMFHk8uOPGSXYSo8xPvJJnCz0oeCocPX5_BmgmwbJgOqQRQ0aF0neIGdntgeBzutGGvAshgyRQ/s320/9th+December.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">09.12.12.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: large;">Don't think I actually drank that much last night as I felt fine this morning. Felt super-fine after an hour of riding.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: large;">The husband didn't take Dexter to the park today. Poor little chap (Dexter that is), is definitely out of sorts and it seemed too chilly for him to be venturing out today.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: large;">Instead, we tried to get him 'involved' in making our Christmas cards; he wasn't having any of it and screamed the house down. I have had to improvise and use some paintings that Dexter has done at nursery to fashion something distinctly 'homemade'. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: large;">Again, a bit like entertaining, I love the idea of creating things (I will <em>never </em>use 'crafting' as a verb), but I lose interest quite quickly. It's also pretty unlikely that I won't write/post them in time for Christmas. In fact, this blog is probably the only project I have shown any staying power with, and I can't wait to stop doing it!</span></div>
Katyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16580564719054407552noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8453205809735221030.post-55688228233611963082012-12-08T12:17:00.000-08:002012-12-11T13:06:25.212-08:00Laid back<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">08.12.12.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #bf9000; font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: large;">We were supposed to see a mortgage adviser this morning: they cancelled. I am a huge fatalist when it comes to house-buying and I can't help but see this as a portent of doom.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #bf9000; font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: large;">Ah well, despite falling at the first hurdle, we made our merry way to the market town of Horsham in West Sussex. The husband works near there, and we decided it would be a quieter option than Brighton for some weekend pre-Christmas browsing. It was! It was all crisp and sunny and twinkly. We enjoyed a hearty lunch and the boy (tummy full of pasta and garlic bread), enjoyed a lengthy snooze in his pushchair while we tackled Waitrose. He's looking a little ruddy of cheek in today's #366 picture and pleasingly Norwegian. I fear teething or coming down with something (Scandi-itis?)...</span></div>
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<span style="color: #bf9000; font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: large;">This evening, I hosted a little soiree for my NCT mummy friends. I say 'hosted' - I opened a few big bags of crisps and some bottles of wine. I fear they may have been a little disappointed by the lack of festive sparkle. Trouble is, I love the idea of proper Nigella/Jamie/Lorraine entertaining, but I'm just too...lazy.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #bf9000; font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: large;">Anyway, who needs fancy food and you know, bothering to brush your hair and put some make-up on, when you have lovely company and gallons of vino? Not me.</span></div>
<br />Katyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16580564719054407552noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8453205809735221030.post-33777631063996785842012-12-07T06:45:00.000-08:002012-12-11T13:06:25.207-08:00Friday foot forward<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">07.12.12.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: large;">Post-parents' evening is always a bit gutting, especially when some of my planning and marking time was unexpectedly used up this morning. I had some lovely lessons though. I'm trying out lots of new stuff in my lessons at the moment and feeling professionally invigorated. I also managed to clear the decks a bit for the weekend so I get more time with this cheeky chappie...</span></span></div>
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Katyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16580564719054407552noreply@blogger.com0