Tuesday

Hi All

All is quiet here apart from the sound of me sniffing and sneezing with hayfever. I may have to take a tablet! Am going into Bury St Edmunds today to meet Rory for lunch and he is going to help me choose some new glasses. Its hard getting them by yourself especially when you cant see!!He is still enjoying working in the bank and \i really cant see him leaving to go to uni , still so long as hes happy I only hope he doesnt regret it in years to come.

Harry came in from school the other day with "good news and bad news". The good news is theres a skiing trip next year at school, the bad news is hes told everyone we can't afford it!!! Thanks very much Harry!!I must admit it is quite expensive but as I told him I am sure you can pay in installments! Will I be able to let my baby go away for a week I wonder, it doesnt seem to bother him.

Cant think of much other news to tell you, the Police are looking into my complaint about "The Rave", they must think I am a right old busy body! Helped some friends of my Mums move on Saturday, which was quite sad for them. He unfortunatley had diabetic complications which has meant he has had to have both legs amputated below the knee, she is also unwell too. They moved into an adapted bungalow just over the road from their old house, still its surprising how much stuff is accumulated over 50 years of marriage. They have no children but have always treated my brother and myself (and our children) as part of their family so it was a pleasure to help them, I only hope they get on OK.

I dont think I have said much about my family have I? My father died very suddenly 5 years OK which was a big shock. I have two brothers both younger than me , one of which is mentally handicapped. He still lives with my Mum and we try to help with him as much as possible. It does make my mothers life very hard though especially as she suffers from arthritis in her knees quite badly. Julian has a large family , he has 5 brothers and sisters, so in total Harry and Rory have 12 cousins at last count.

Well thats enough of our family tree for today. Am going to get dresses, take out J and S in th sunshine and go off shopping. Have a great week folks  Louise

 

 

 

Friday

Hello everyone

Things are quiet down here in Suffolk, they certainly werent at the weekend though!! More of that in a minute.

Work has quitened down until the next bank holiday rush, still desperately not liking it at the moment, but what else can I do? Still going in with a smile and trying to ignore the difficult patients, backstabbing staff and grumpy doctors!! I struggle working with one of my collegues and I am not the only one. She has to be centre of attention at all times, swears like a trooper and is constantly flashing her plastic (or silicone in this case ) bits off!! Jodie Marsh has nothing on her.

Anyway I am moaning again and I promised myself I wouldd stop. Back to the weekends events. We had all settled down for a quiet night in front of a DVD when a loud thumping noise started. I should explain at this point that opposite our house is the village hall and during the 12 years we have lived here we have never really been affected by any event that has gone on. Husband went outside to have a look and said I think theres a party, ok fair enough, we carried on watching the DVD until the end by which point we couldnt hear the TV anyway! The thumping noise of the bass was making the doorknocker rattle and I kid you not if you sat on the toilet it was shaking!!

Enough was enough we thought, out I went to ask them to turn it down it was by now 11pm. Well I have never had such abuse (and working where I do I should know!!) I climbed over drunken bodies and peered into the smokefilled room, it was obviously a rave! Husband next went and faced the same. Some neighbours also tried but to no avail, so we tried our next option ....the police. Fat lot of good they are, firstly we were told that noise is not their problem we had to phone the council!! On a Saturday night...a neighbour did by the way and the emergency "noise dept" is in West Yorkshire!!! So we phoned the police again,still no joy, but what about the threats to our property and obvious drug taking?? Evrntually after numerous calls from us and other residents 2 policemen arrived. Only to have the door shut in their faces!! 2 more police arrived in a big van, this must be it we thought. The noise by this time was indescribable, my dogs were circling the kitchen in fear and Harry was crying beacause he was frightened and couldnt sleep. The police still couldnt gain access and wouldnt force the matter as in their words ...we dont want to get our heads kicked in!! Call the drugs squad someone shouted. "This is not The Bill mate" was the police response!!

I can honestly say I have never seen such a shambles, eventually at 2.30am they started leaving the Hall and one arrest was made for drink driving! Apparently it is the latest thing, 2 apparently nice youths book a hall for a "birthday party" and this happens. I am only glad I didnt have to clear it up the next morning. So beware everyone this could be coming to a hall near you!!

Stll it all made for a bit of excitement....Harry is now wondering why if you are told the Police will help you in times of trouble that in fact they don't!! They are too busy trying to catch people speeding  2 miles a hour over the limit as they do around here!!

Anyway that is all of my rants for today, I am off to get my eyes tested and do a bit of shopping. Heres hoping for a quieter weekend   Love Louise xx

Jacksons arrival

Hi All

Quiet week here, Harry back at school and Julian is on nights. So I thought instead of boring you all rigid of my moaning about work and what I am cooking I would tell you how we aquired Jackson

Once upon a time there was a beautiful black Lab called Skar , he was doted on by his beloved owner, they spend many a happy hour strolling around the field and he loved to curl up on the sofa with him! Skar was perfect in every way except one......he did like lady dogs, his owners always meant to get him neutered but never quite got round to it!!

Skar one day went missing, his owner was very worried, but then a call came from some friends who lives about 1 mile away to say Skar was lurking in their garden and seemed very friendly with theie dog Cassie.  He was brought home and as soon as his Mum and Dads back was turned he had gone again. His Dad went to fetch him again!! This time he was sitting on the sofa looking very pleases with himself albut smoking an after the event cigarette!!

Luckily Cassies owners didnt mind her liason and a few weeks later out popped out 6 black squirming lab looking puppies!! Unfortunately there were 2 more that had got stuck and died. |Skars mum couldnt help keep visiting the puppies and one always came to meet her when she arrived so home he came with her!! Skar was not sure at first but Jackson as he was named soon won him around.

When the puppies were 1 they all met at the water meadows and had a reunion together with their Mum and Dad and a good time was had by all.

So that  is the story of how Jackson came to be with us....it has been a long year!! I never realised how good Skar was, he NEVER stole food or went in the bin etc. But one day I live in hope Jackson will take after him!! Still we love him really. You will be pleased to note we have now got around to making sure that this will never happen again.

Anyway folks take care

love Louise xxx

 

weekend

Hi All

Hope you are enjoying the beautiful sunshine.

Have had quite a busy week, workwise and homewise. Harry has been out alot with his Dad as he is on holiday this week , they have played golf, gone shooting again and went swimming yesterday.

Tomorrow we are having a BBQ , Julian brother(his indentical twin) and family are coming round. They have 4 boys under 9 so it could get lively....and messy!

Have put on about a stone this week already, I have been out for Chinese twice and have eaten far too much. Once was a work bookclub meeting, we discussed the previous book "Perfume", which I quite liked but seemed to be in the minority. At the end of the evening we still hadnt decided which book to read next!! I hope an agreement is made soon as I have nothing new to read at the moment. I am re reading , not for the first time, The Lost Continent which is one of my all time favourite books, I would sooo like to travel the different states of America like that.

Last night 14 of us went for another chinese to celebrate a friends birthday and a good time was had by all, Rory kindly stayed in and looked after Harry and a friends daughter of the same age so they had had great time scoffing crisps and popcorn playing on the Wii and watching The Fantastic Four on DVD.

Well I will be off now , I have to decide which dessert to make for tomorrow.

Have a great weekend all  Louise xx

Tuesday last day of freedom

Hi all

Had a quiet day today, Harry watched Lord of the Rings for the hundreth time and I had a sleep!!

Hope ou like the photos, the church is next to our house, some are from walking the dogs and the collage thing is something I did at christmas when I was sorting out my photos. Eldest son is in bottom corner with sunglasses , that was taken at the commonwealth games in Manchester.

Now how to make morrocan chicken....simply mix 6 teaspoons of morrocan spice mix (I use Raj el Hanout) with 2 tablespoons of honey and 2 tablespoons of oil. Rub into chicken and leave to marinade for an hour or so. Cover with foil and roast as normal basting as it cooks. This is also nice with lamb, do the same thing to some diced lamb, add 1 browned off chopped onion a  tin of chopped tomatos, a handful of dried prunes or apricots , a bit of water and cook in slow cooker or casserole....simple Lamb Tagine. Thats the cooking tip of the day.

Well thats all for now, back to work tomorrow boooooo!!! Have decided I want a job not involving members of the public!!

See

Monday

Hi All

Hope you all had a great Easter.

We had a good party yesterday. All the pie went!! I think Julian may have some new customers! All the kids had an easter egg hunt and then there was a clay pigeon shoot, which Julian enjoyed!

Today I brought a new camera for myself, I just need to learn how to use it lol. I have send off for a memory card from Play.com as I refused to pay Argos prices. I have been a bit of a spendthift today , I also admit to getting a camera case, Life on Mars DVD and have ordered H some clothes for holiday....better not give up work for a couple of weeks yet! I felt I needed cheering up after last week, It had turned me into a bit of a old grump.

Took the dogs out for a walk in the sunshine today, Jackson was actually as good as gold. Skar on the other hand rolled in a badger that has been dead for at least a month, he must have been waiting for the perfume to be exactly right for him!! He was banished outside for a while until I could stomach giving him a cold bath!! He still keeps glaring at me now.

Ohhh just read that Spandau Ballet may reform and am in a state of great excitement, never thought that would happen. I may have to play Tony at full volume to get in the mood!

Well now have to go and feed friends hamsters for them and pick Rory up from a BBQ. Have got roast chicken in morrocan spices for tea and am looking forward to an evening without GOLF.

See you all folks Louise xx

work

Hi All

Had a hideous week at work, EVERYONE in the practice has put in their repeat prescription regardless of whether it was due or not! The "rude bus" was in town this afternoon. I had a drug addict being foul to me as soon as I came back from  lunch.....I know I should be more tolerant and I have come across many over the years who are as polite as can be but this one.........You wouldnt mind but my taxes are funding his habit!! I have complained to his GP and told him I wasnot paid enough to be spoken to like that. That just set the tone for the rest of the afternoon  moan complain and moan again!!!

Still not more until Wednesday. Harry has been shopping with his Nan this afternoon conning her out of loads of money! Going to a party Sunday so quite looking forward to that. Julian has been busy Pie making.....he makes Pork pies  and Chicken and Ham pies from his only secret recipe!! They seem to be very popular, he made about 25 at christmas, I never wanted to look at a pie again!

Jackson is being awful at the moment, he escaped this morning and I was nearly late for work looking for him. I dispair of him ever improving.

Have a happy Easter all and dont eat too many eggs!

Louise xx