December Delights!

What a busy month this has been. Commencing with an Ofsted Inspection at school and ending with my dearest friend's birthday - happy birthday for tomorrow Paul! I must add all the inbetween bits like Christmas and all the exciting things attached to that, my sister Shirley's birthday, my mum and dad's 59th anniversary and Stephanie coming home for a month.

I have had a really good December - hectic in parts but enjoyable. I have even managed to complete some scrapbook pages and do some reading! I feel quite content with my life right now and have a new major project in hand (still in the planning stages)but one needs to have a starting point! I am wishing myself good luck with that!

We are looking forward to our trip to Knaresborough for the New Year and I am so happy that Stephanie is coming with us. I love my family time - one never knows what is around the corner - children grow up into adults and need to do their "own thing" and I am hanging on to every moment that I spend with them as a family group. I am very proud of my children and feel confident they will become valued members of the community and my one wish for them both is to be happy and content.

Stephanie may be studying in America for a year - I always knew this was on the cards and I will cross that bridge when I come to it! A super opportunity Stephanie - not to be missed. I feel quite proud that she has the underpinning confidence to take this on and I truly feel this experience will be worthwhile and beneficial in all aspects nonetheleast emphasising the fact that the world is as big or as small as you make (or know) it!

My Cameron has had a fab 80s haircut - I just love it!!! Time to go for now!

November, November!

Yet another month has whizzed past - zzzoooooooommmmm! Stephanie came home for the weekend 7, 8 and 9th. That was super - she caught up with her old pals and Kathryn came over on Sunday - it was lovely to see her. Stephanie is absolutely thriving at University - she has made some lovely friendships and she says she is having the time of her life and I say - what about the course is that good? She replies - what course? Only kidding Stephanie in case you are reading this at some point! I am getting used to you not being here all the time, I think of you on an extended holiday! Miss you but glad you are having a great time!

Steve and I went to Butlins for an 80s weekend - the music was outstanding - the best ever. Dancing all Friday and Saturday night - took me three days to recover!! Dressed up of course on the Saturday - Steve with his bright jazzy shirt and me all in pink and black - Steve reckons I was a Dawn French version of Bananarama! We had a great weekend.

Cameron is plodding on - very busy at school especially with his Art project - Morag his life size model (her profile - mad 80 odd year-old, ginger, Scottish granny who loves a tipple and has Thistle children and apparently has a profile on the Facebook site!)sits in his room and every so often gives me a fright when I walk past. This is her second head as Robbie has already eaten her first one which was full of Scottish treats - deep fried mars bars (which I persuaded him not to deep fry), shortbread and other similar stuff peculiar to Scotland. If there is anyone reading this and they are confused - don't worry - I am too.

You know the saying - "you don't have to be mad to live here - but it does help!"

Last weekend we had a super fireworks party at Steve and Lorraine's (my favourite in-laws). The fireworks were amazing - especially the home made Catherine Wheel which was attached to a washing maching drum! Fantastic! I admit I was slightly scared as at one point it was spinning so fast I was convinced it was going to detach and head straight for us. I don't know if I was shaking with fear, anticipation or with the cold! It was a great evening though! Thank you Steve and Lorraine and my neice and nephews - George, Jake and Meg xxxx love them allxxxx

I think the "Catherine Wheel" has been posted on UTube!

Ah well December tomorrow and pay day - yipee!!!!!

Good times!!

September and October have certainly proven to be emotional months. Both months have been very busy with birthdays, getting set for University life, parties, going out with dear friends, having fun, watching your son perform on stage (on more than one occasion)with immense pride and watch your daughter settle in and embrace life at University (with immense pride). Half term began with a bang - finally got to see "Les Miserables" which was absolutely fantastic - if you have not seen it - go and see it - it fits in the category of "one of the things to be done before you die". I had a fabulous weekend and was utterly suprised to see Bill, Louise, Bethany and Portia in the Punch and Judy - thank you for making the effort.

Everybody is busy nowadays, time flies, days turn to weeks, weeks to months and before we know it another year has gone. It is important to MAKE time for friends and family - thank you for making time to share my birthday with me! I had a great time - I can't believe Stephanie and Cameron knew and didn't let it slip - well done Steve for swearing them to secrecy!!

That first half-term!!!

Now approaching week 5 of "that first half term" - which has been okay to date! Parent meetings gone well - initial settling problems - smoothed out and the children are now beginning to gel. What a lovely class I have and the Nursery class is just as sweet! I love welcoming the children into the school in the morning (I also love sending them home in the afternoon) all eager to await the new day and the new experiences and joy it brings - I love working with them - they are such a delight and non judgemental - long may that last!!!

Summer Hols!!!

Phew! What a whirlwind of a Summer holiday. Scotland, France, Scotland! Some serious mileage clocked up these past two months. I have never been to Normandy before and I was not disappointed - we covered a fair bit of the Normandy coast and it was absolutely stunning! Mont St Michel was a real treat but my favourite part of the trip was definitely Bayeaux. Such a beautiful town with an equally matched Cathedral in the square. Seeing the Bayeaux tapestry was a treat for me as it took me back to my Primary School days (a long time ago)when I was in Primary 7 (Year 6 equivalent). Miss Findley who was my teacher had us all mesmerised with her fantastic, interesting lessons and The Battle of Hastings was no exception. We even embroidered elements of this wonderful tapestry - ah! happy memories of times gone by.

Camping is good for the soul (so I am told) and there is no doubt that it makes one think about the finer things in life such as being able to stand up straight!!!!! Nonetheless it was agreed that a good time was had by all and we are looking forward to the next time!! I have to say I was amazed at how Steve "took" to the camping and is now talking about the next time!

Scotland is so beautiful and I am so proud to have spent my first 28 years there! I am always amazed to discover that every time I approach my birthland, I sigh with contentment and still point out all the spots that are meaningful to me, to my family. I am very confident that Scotland itself is special now to Stephanie and Cameron along with their Scottish relatives!!!!

Ahhh life is good eh?

Knuckles Wrapped!!

I can not believe I have not written in my blog since April - disgusting. Ah well this is an indication that I have been busy and busy have I been!! Work has been a real challenge but I have managed to get through it and come out the other end smiling!!! Being on the Summer break helps!

The May half-term was brilliant. It started with "Having a Ball at Ingatestone Hall" a formal but very fun night and to top it off the men decided to hire kilts (the full works) as opposed to black tie etc.






At the end of the half-term Steve took me to Wembley to see......wait for it........be patient........the one and only..........my first love...........Donny and his brothers and sister.......yes........THE OSMONDS!!!!! What a fantastic show....I sung my heart out and I just lost the plot a little bit when Donny sung.......Puppy Love!!! A besotted 14 year-old teenager took over for a few minutes and screamed her heart out! It was fab!!!!

Back to work tomorrow!

On the whole, what a great Easter holiday this has been. I've managed to slot in time for me, me, me! I'm not selfish - I just insisted on giving me some quality time and I did! I've caught up with loads of stuff, especially my scrapbooking and practised new techniques - all in all great fun!

A great day was had in Southwold by all and we were lucky enough to have all the seasons crammed into one day. We had lots of food and drink polished off by lovely, long walks along the beach and coast - super duper!

Troodos Mountains, Cyprus, January 2008

Make a scrapbook - it's easy!

New Job!

It is with definite mixed emotions that I leave Avon House School after having seven and a half super duper years there. Those years have provided valuable experiences, including lots of fun and the opportunity to work with fabulous families and their children as well as wonderful colleagues. I have had great fun there -lots of happy times but it is time to move on.

Move on to a new Prep School - Winston House in South Woodford and a new position still working with young children and their families - what an absolute pleasure and privalege this is.

So farewell dear Avon House and hello Winston House!!

18 YEARS AGO!

Make a scrapbook - it's easy!

HAPPY 18TH STEPHANIE!

09.01.90 - a very important day - the birth of my little girl! What can I say? The usual - where has all the time gone and more importantly how can you be 18 when I am only 25 - honest!! Hope you like the pressie and always aim for the stars.

It is true that having children changes one's life in many ways and I certainly agree with that - so thank-you Stephanie (and Cameron of course). Here is a little digi scrapbook for you - working on the real one for the big 21!!!!!!

Love you. xxxxxxx

Happy New Year!

The start of a new year - hurrah! Lots of exciting things to look forward to this year - roll on. At the moment I am going to say "slainche" meaning health, wealth and happiness to all. A new year's resolution (one of them) is to pay more attention to my blog!