I am now a 30 something

Well, I had a fabulous 30th birthday yesterday. I took my bike test and passed with flying colours, so I'm all set to start my job now. We finished 3 hours early and he said it was one of the easiest he'd ever done as I'm a natural rider(that'll be the years of horse riding then) with superb balance. I'm now quite proud of my superb balance.

Not had much luck since though. I took Ryan's bike up the shops last night and couldn't get the key to turn when I tried to come home, so Pete had to come and rescue me. Then this morning I took it to my cleaning job, and the damn thing wouldn't start so I was stuck there. Not good. It's still there now, not sure what the problem is. It's really unreliable. I don't think I'll be buying the same bike, frankly. I can't be getting stuck when I'm out on visits at work.

Family Picnic

We thought we'd take full advantage of the sun before it buggered off again, so went for a picnic in Maldon today where we met up with my Dad & Pauline. It was such a good day, the kids all behaved themselves, Kit wasn't a pain in the rear, the weather and company were fabulous. I may be a little crispy now, didn't wear enough sun cream, but at least the kids were covered.

Kit on the loose!

Collecting weaponry

Taylor after my beer

Happy 6th Birthday Isobel

I can't believe that this cute little thing...



Now looks like this!







Where has that time gone? It certainly passes by without you even realising. She is so grown up now, and as a bright as a button. I can't wait to see what she will be like in a few years time.

Birthday Meal

We got as many of our friends as we could muster together last night to go out for a meal for my birthday - the big three zero! It isn't actually until Monday, so I am still clinging on to my twenties as I post this.






We had a lovely time, but I've STILL got a hangover at 11pm the next day. Getting too old for this...

Day at the beach

Another manic busy week here. Nothing new there then. It's only going to get worse when I work fulltime...HELP. I start in three weeks. Prepare to never see me again.

Pete had an interview for a Youth Worker job on Monday, first time he's even been selected for interview for one and he really wanted the job. He was interviewed for four positions, and they called him on Thursday and offered him two of them! We are both very happy that the plans we put in place to get our dream jobs about two years ago have finally come together. A bit of determination gets you everywhere. It's only two evenings a week, but that's all he needs, seeing as he's going to be my little housewife from now on. :)

Ryan had his last official day of school this week too, where they all sign each others shirts and take lots of pictures. I remember it well. Can't believe I left the same school 14 years ago. He only has to go back for five exams now and he is done. I think he has two Media exams, PE, Statistics and English Lit. He has finished everything else already.


Taylor had his SATS tests this week too, which seemed to go well. He has a guided tour of his new senior school this week, as we missed all the open days earlier on in the year. I'm really excited for him as the school looks brilliant.

Pete was going to Wembley to watch Portsmouth in the FA Cup yesterday, so I decided to take the kids to the beach with a friend for the day, rather than sit around indoors. The weather wasn't great, thought it might be a washout at first, but I'm glad we went as it was lovely!


Kit wasn't sure about the sand at first;










All attempts at crabbing were unsuccessful. Our bacon clearly wasn't of the quality the crabs were accustomed to.





Kit really looks like both Ryan and Pete's Dad in this picture. Pete noticed it last night. He normally looks so much like me, we'd never noticed the other resemblances before.

The big day

Well, today is the day that a third of the country who have bothered to register, go and vote. It beggars belief that often the people most helped by the government, those living in poverty, can't be bothered to register to vote. That will be my mission in the next few years, encouraging people to use what they've been given.

What they don't realise is if we wake up to a Tory government tomorrow, they are in big trouble. If they'd got up off their backsides and chosen to vote today, and voted for the party who actually gives a damn about them, then I wouldn't be sitting here worried. I've chosen a career in the social sector, as has my husband. We like being involved in the community, and will probably always be seeking out new projects that we are passionate about. One day, we'd quite like to set up a project or charity of our own together. If the Conservatives win tonight, most of these valuable projects, that encourage families to get better educated, eat healthily, care about their surroundings, care about each other, break the cycle of poverty and hopelessness for their children, they will all be cut. It makes me very sad.

I can remember all too well the last Tory government, the divide between the 'haves and the have-nots', the attitude that poor people are at fault for their misfortune-never mind that they were born poor and there is no escape. I can't believe the amount of public sector workers I've heard talking about voting for David Cameron. Do they not realise that their jobs are on the line here? Stupid, stupid, stupid.

This will be a very sad household tomorrow if what I fear becomes a reality. I am not just worried for my family and what the future will hold if we both lose our jobs, I am more worried about the children and families out there that really need help and support, and the disabled who need home care, and the homeless. We will be fine. They probably will not.

Where is it?

I have lost my gym mojo. Has anyone seen it?

I've been so good, going three times a week for about 11 weeks, but I had some kind of virus thingy where any physical effort was impossible, and now I can't be bothered to go back. :( I've had a stressful week with coursework and an essay cut-off date too, which hasn't helped. I only have one more essay to go. Yes, one more. I can handle the exam fine, I love revising and don't mind a bit of pressure, but I hate my tutor and the essay writing part. Can't wait to get it all finished for the summer now.

I've had my start date through for the new job, the 7th of June. I'm doing a training course for a week, then they'll be letting me loose on the public. I am so excited, but crapping myself at the same time. What if I'm not any good at it? Still can't believe I've got the job that I wanted.

I've moved Kit in with Isobel tonight, so Taylor is now where Kit was, in the box room, so he has his own space again. He's in hogs heaven. Bless him, he's been so patient waiting for his room back.