Sorry about that everyone, I've been a bit busy of late and so haven't had a chance to sit down and post.
Well, most of you are aware that we are looking to relocate back to the Birmingham area. We were looking at Lichfield, but it's a bit bloody pricey. The houses carry about a 25% premium over Chelmsford. Lichfield is however quite good for us as the Trent Valley - Euston run is only 1 hr 20 mins. This means that I can stay working at Pioneer until after I have finished the move and then take my time finding "the right job" in WMidds. Hopefully being back near our parents will be good for George, them and us. At least we won't be short of babysitters!
Sarah has started working part-time at M&S. She starts at some crazy hour in the morning and so gets up at 5.30am, fortunately she is quite quiet. She was going mad looking at the same four walls every day, so getting out and working is really good for her. The cash will come in handy as well with Xmas just around the corner.
Speaking of Xmas, George is getting very excited about it all. We went and bought a tree today, and we let him pick out some decorations for it. We haven't put it up yet (it's too early). However, we also bought one of those three foot, fibre optic trees and we have put it up in his room. He gets so excited when it is turned on, it's great.
Barney is getting very big now, he must be 5-6 stone, I can barely carry him.
Other than that it's all work work work, as usual. I went on a Project Management course last week. That was pretty good but very hard work. The course was residential, and we were starting at 8.30am and running through 'til gone 6.00pm and then we were expected to read in the evenings. It's hard to be learning for that many hours a day.
Anyway, it's getting late, and it's work tomorrow so I am going to sign off now. I promise not to leave it too long before I post again.
Sunday, November 28, 2004
Tuesday, August 31, 2004
Long time no post.
Please excuse me not posting for a while, I've been a little busy.
I am going to make a much bigger post soon, but in a nutshell :
I am going to make a much bigger post soon, but in a nutshell :
- Chris & Stu got married
- George & Barney got bigger
- I got a bit balder
- Work didn't get any better
- The weather got colder and wetter
- We all got a little older
Thanks,
R.
Saturday, August 14, 2004
Whooo hooo
It's Holiday time!!!
I'm off work for a week! YEEEEEEHAAAAR!!!
The little feller has gone caravanning with his Grandparents and Jessica so it's a week of selfish fun for Sarah and I.
There's nothing like getting up when you like really is there. I mean, the only thing we need to get up for is to let the dog out, and that's a five minute job that you can virtually do without opening your eyes. The added bonus is that it only takes one of you so the other one doesn't even have to leave the warm snugness of the duvet.
And what's more, WE CAN GO OUT!! And no need to plan it six weeks in advance. All the good stuff that you didn't know you had when you didn't have children has returned for one week only (get it while stocks last).
So what are we going to do with all this free time? Redecorate the dining room perhaps? Or maybe Tidy that room that needs a good going over? NO!! absolutely not. It was suggested, and I gave it a firm, but fair "Sod that, I'm doing 'us' stuff, not dull stuff". So we're playing it very much by ear. We have a night booked at Billesley Manor (that place where we did the marrying thing) on Thursday night, but other than that, it's chilled out time.
This morning we got up about 10.00 (hee hee, ten 'o' clock, that's just great!) and decided to get a little breakfast at Bluewater. So off we went. A little light Brunch, and some easy, gentle, no kids type shopping later we came back and let the dog out for a wee. Sarah's just gone for a lie down, probably more because she can than she needs it, and I've watered my plants and decided to do a little blogging.
Tonight, we'll probably just go for a beer and a bit of food, or maybe get a DVD or maybe even go to the movies. I believe that the Bourne Supremecy is on and it looks quite good.
What else is new? Well, work is pretty dull at the moment. Pioneer (whom I work for) is an Italian owned organisation, and in Italy everyone has August off, it's simply not worth being in the office. I keep expecting tumble weed to blow across the office floor, it's that deserted.
Barney is bigger still. He's lying next to me, snoring as I type this. He is very well behaved and is ninety-nine percent there on the toilet training.
Speaking of which, George is virtually out of nappies. He only as a nappy now for the nights, and many mornings when he comes into us, his nappy is dry. It's always the first thing he does. He comes into our room, rips off his nappy, and throws it at me! It usually hits me pretty squarely on the head, so you can appreciate how happy I am that it's more often than not, dry!
He had a sports day at nursery this week. We have some photo's - I'll post them soon. Sports day, well not really, more like a load of 2-3 year olds running around in random directions. More like Athena rather than Athens.
One really sensible thing we've done this week is to get a scanner. That means we can throw away all these annoying, bulky Bank Statements, Bills and various other documents that we've been hoarding. I'm slowly working my way through them all. Scanning them in, burning them onto DVD, and shredding the original. If a scan is a good enough document for us to keep for VAT and Tax purposes at work, then I am assuming the same is true for home. It's a damn site easier to find them too as I've filed them by supplier and then named the files by date. Does anone need any packing material?
Right, I'm now off to do whatever I bloody well feel like doing.
Well, as they say in Athens, μέχρι την επόμενη φορά.
(Until next time)
Rich.
I'm off work for a week! YEEEEEEHAAAAR!!!
The little feller has gone caravanning with his Grandparents and Jessica so it's a week of selfish fun for Sarah and I.
There's nothing like getting up when you like really is there. I mean, the only thing we need to get up for is to let the dog out, and that's a five minute job that you can virtually do without opening your eyes. The added bonus is that it only takes one of you so the other one doesn't even have to leave the warm snugness of the duvet.
And what's more, WE CAN GO OUT!! And no need to plan it six weeks in advance. All the good stuff that you didn't know you had when you didn't have children has returned for one week only (get it while stocks last).
So what are we going to do with all this free time? Redecorate the dining room perhaps? Or maybe Tidy that room that needs a good going over? NO!! absolutely not. It was suggested, and I gave it a firm, but fair "Sod that, I'm doing 'us' stuff, not dull stuff". So we're playing it very much by ear. We have a night booked at Billesley Manor (that place where we did the marrying thing) on Thursday night, but other than that, it's chilled out time.
This morning we got up about 10.00 (hee hee, ten 'o' clock, that's just great!) and decided to get a little breakfast at Bluewater. So off we went. A little light Brunch, and some easy, gentle, no kids type shopping later we came back and let the dog out for a wee. Sarah's just gone for a lie down, probably more because she can than she needs it, and I've watered my plants and decided to do a little blogging.
Tonight, we'll probably just go for a beer and a bit of food, or maybe get a DVD or maybe even go to the movies. I believe that the Bourne Supremecy is on and it looks quite good.
What else is new? Well, work is pretty dull at the moment. Pioneer (whom I work for) is an Italian owned organisation, and in Italy everyone has August off, it's simply not worth being in the office. I keep expecting tumble weed to blow across the office floor, it's that deserted.
Barney is bigger still. He's lying next to me, snoring as I type this. He is very well behaved and is ninety-nine percent there on the toilet training.
Speaking of which, George is virtually out of nappies. He only as a nappy now for the nights, and many mornings when he comes into us, his nappy is dry. It's always the first thing he does. He comes into our room, rips off his nappy, and throws it at me! It usually hits me pretty squarely on the head, so you can appreciate how happy I am that it's more often than not, dry!
He had a sports day at nursery this week. We have some photo's - I'll post them soon. Sports day, well not really, more like a load of 2-3 year olds running around in random directions. More like Athena rather than Athens.
One really sensible thing we've done this week is to get a scanner. That means we can throw away all these annoying, bulky Bank Statements, Bills and various other documents that we've been hoarding. I'm slowly working my way through them all. Scanning them in, burning them onto DVD, and shredding the original. If a scan is a good enough document for us to keep for VAT and Tax purposes at work, then I am assuming the same is true for home. It's a damn site easier to find them too as I've filed them by supplier and then named the files by date. Does anone need any packing material?
Right, I'm now off to do whatever I bloody well feel like doing.
Well, as they say in Athens, μέχρι την επόμενη φορά.
(Until next time)
Rich.
Friday, July 30, 2004
It's too hot
It's crazily hot today. So hot that the thought of going home on the tube just sounds like an absolute nightmare. As an Englishman I feel compelled to complain about everything, and now the weather has warmed up a bit, I feel it is only right to moan about it!
However, it is payday, and I may stop off at Next (right by our office) and buy some shorts for the journey home.
So what has happened this week. hmmm. Not a great deal. The dog, as ever, has got bigger. George is now fully into potty "training". Not that it takes much training. He hasn't been doing lots of practise poos leading up to the main event or anything, he's just now wearing pants, and we ask him if he needs his potty every thirty seconds.
We went to a parent's evening at his nursery this week. I wasn't really sure what to expect. I half thought they were going to sit us down and discuss George's progress, and I would be sat there with a surreal expression on my face thinking "What are you talking about he's only 2". Another possibility was that they would just invite all the parents along, put on some cheap wine and just let everyone brag about how much more important there job is than everybody else's. When we got there it turned out to be a bit of a non-event. We lingered a little before one of the Nursery Assistants (or whatever they're called) came over to us and showed us around. After that we lingered for a bit more and then cleared off down to the pub.
I've not really done a great deal else this week. I went swimming three times as I always do, Sarah had a haircut, I went to work, Sarah stayed at home, the world turned and we didn't fall off.
Sleep has been a little odd this week. I don't think we've had a whole, uninterrupted nights rest once this week. As a result I now feel completely drained. What's more, it'll not be any different this weekend. I blame the heat!!
However, it is payday, and I may stop off at Next (right by our office) and buy some shorts for the journey home.
So what has happened this week. hmmm. Not a great deal. The dog, as ever, has got bigger. George is now fully into potty "training". Not that it takes much training. He hasn't been doing lots of practise poos leading up to the main event or anything, he's just now wearing pants, and we ask him if he needs his potty every thirty seconds.
We went to a parent's evening at his nursery this week. I wasn't really sure what to expect. I half thought they were going to sit us down and discuss George's progress, and I would be sat there with a surreal expression on my face thinking "What are you talking about he's only 2". Another possibility was that they would just invite all the parents along, put on some cheap wine and just let everyone brag about how much more important there job is than everybody else's. When we got there it turned out to be a bit of a non-event. We lingered a little before one of the Nursery Assistants (or whatever they're called) came over to us and showed us around. After that we lingered for a bit more and then cleared off down to the pub.
I've not really done a great deal else this week. I went swimming three times as I always do, Sarah had a haircut, I went to work, Sarah stayed at home, the world turned and we didn't fall off.
Sleep has been a little odd this week. I don't think we've had a whole, uninterrupted nights rest once this week. As a result I now feel completely drained. What's more, it'll not be any different this weekend. I blame the heat!!
Wednesday, July 21, 2004
Happy Anniversary!!!
Hello again.
It's Anniversatry week for Sarah and I and also for Mum and Dad. HAPPY ANNIVERSARY MUM AND DAD!!!
It's Wednesday already. Sorry about not posting on Friday but I'm a little busy.
We have had a pretty good week (and a half.) The dog is getting considerably bigger now. He can hold his own against George. This usually means that George starts playing rough with Barney, Barney says to himself, "sure I can do play fighting" and George starts crying. I'm sure that eventually George'll figure out that the dog is getting bigger and stronger at a much quicker rate than he is, but for now, he hasn't.
We had a nice Anniversary. Didn't do a great deal as it was a regular work day, but it was nice all the same. We put George to bed early, shared a bottle of wine and had a nice relaxing evening.
We didn't get up to much at the weekend. The weather wasn't particularly good and we didn't have a many ideas. So we just stayed in.
Other than that, a quiet week.
Oh well, back to work.
It's Anniversatry week for Sarah and I and also for Mum and Dad. HAPPY ANNIVERSARY MUM AND DAD!!!
It's Wednesday already. Sorry about not posting on Friday but I'm a little busy.
We have had a pretty good week (and a half.) The dog is getting considerably bigger now. He can hold his own against George. This usually means that George starts playing rough with Barney, Barney says to himself, "sure I can do play fighting" and George starts crying. I'm sure that eventually George'll figure out that the dog is getting bigger and stronger at a much quicker rate than he is, but for now, he hasn't.
We had a nice Anniversary. Didn't do a great deal as it was a regular work day, but it was nice all the same. We put George to bed early, shared a bottle of wine and had a nice relaxing evening.
We didn't get up to much at the weekend. The weather wasn't particularly good and we didn't have a many ideas. So we just stayed in.
Other than that, a quiet week.
Oh well, back to work.
Friday, July 09, 2004
The week.
Well here we are again, another Friday. The weeks just fly by don't they.
This week has been good fun. Apart from being woken up by George at 6.00am for 3 days of the week and Barney for the other 4, it has been a nice week.
We managed to get out for a drink on Wednesday night, to the local. We had a spot of food and George ran around in the beer garden (That's a strange expression isn't it. If a Rose Garden is a garden full of roses and a Water Garden is a garden full of water...).
I have been training Barney to sit and shake a paw, and trying in vain to get him to fetch. He does the sitting stuff easily enough but whenever I throw one of his toys he legs after it and then just lies down with it and chews it to death.
I am quite happy that the weather has got a bit cooler. The hot weather means that you can't wear jeans, and when you have a puppy with a mouth full of needle sharp teeth you need some serious leg protection. His biting is lessening off now, but the sooner those teeth fall out the better.
George has been doing the usual routine, a bit like me. I go to work, he goes to Nursery. We have asked them to try and limit the amount of sleep he has in the day because he is up all night otherwise. Then he is woken early by the dog and he is really tired and iritable.
The garden is coming along nicely. I decided that it was time to go container mad. With a dog and a small child running around there is a need for semi-permanence that the container brings. I have been buying up all the cheap plants from B&Q and sticking them in the plastic pots they sell. I did buy a couple of the proper clay ones, but I was speaking to a lady in there and she said that not only were the plastic ones far cheaper and just as visually pleasing, but the clay ones had a tendancy to crack if the frost got to them. Seems to me that plastic is the way forward. The plants I have been getting look virtually dead, hence the cheap prices, but with a bit of dead-heading, watering and feeding, they spring to life. I have put together a couple of hanging baskets, and re-invigorated the big wooden barrles outside the front of the house by filling them with any leftover plants I have. I am testing a few different types of plants down the wall by our drive. There is not much sunshine there so I am giving the "Shade Loving" plants a go. It really is starting to look nice. All I need to do now is to train Sarah to water them all occasionally....
Well, I better go and do some work. I'll write soon.
Rich.
This week has been good fun. Apart from being woken up by George at 6.00am for 3 days of the week and Barney for the other 4, it has been a nice week.
We managed to get out for a drink on Wednesday night, to the local. We had a spot of food and George ran around in the beer garden (That's a strange expression isn't it. If a Rose Garden is a garden full of roses and a Water Garden is a garden full of water...).
I have been training Barney to sit and shake a paw, and trying in vain to get him to fetch. He does the sitting stuff easily enough but whenever I throw one of his toys he legs after it and then just lies down with it and chews it to death.
I am quite happy that the weather has got a bit cooler. The hot weather means that you can't wear jeans, and when you have a puppy with a mouth full of needle sharp teeth you need some serious leg protection. His biting is lessening off now, but the sooner those teeth fall out the better.
George has been doing the usual routine, a bit like me. I go to work, he goes to Nursery. We have asked them to try and limit the amount of sleep he has in the day because he is up all night otherwise. Then he is woken early by the dog and he is really tired and iritable.
The garden is coming along nicely. I decided that it was time to go container mad. With a dog and a small child running around there is a need for semi-permanence that the container brings. I have been buying up all the cheap plants from B&Q and sticking them in the plastic pots they sell. I did buy a couple of the proper clay ones, but I was speaking to a lady in there and she said that not only were the plastic ones far cheaper and just as visually pleasing, but the clay ones had a tendancy to crack if the frost got to them. Seems to me that plastic is the way forward. The plants I have been getting look virtually dead, hence the cheap prices, but with a bit of dead-heading, watering and feeding, they spring to life. I have put together a couple of hanging baskets, and re-invigorated the big wooden barrles outside the front of the house by filling them with any leftover plants I have. I am testing a few different types of plants down the wall by our drive. There is not much sunshine there so I am giving the "Shade Loving" plants a go. It really is starting to look nice. All I need to do now is to train Sarah to water them all occasionally....
Well, I better go and do some work. I'll write soon.
Rich.
Saturday, June 26, 2004
Inviting all others to join in the posting.
I have sent out invitations via the blogger software that I use to run this site to allow you all to add your own stuff, however they are suffering with mail problems at the moment and so I don't think they are getting the mails out.
I sent one to myself to test if it's working and I have received nothing, so I am assuming that it is broken.
As soon as they fix it I'll get the emails sent and you will be able to post your own stuff on here too.
I sent one to myself to test if it's working and I have received nothing, so I am assuming that it is broken.
As soon as they fix it I'll get the emails sent and you will be able to post your own stuff on here too.
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