Petits Haricots

Yes, we are moved into our new house:-) and it seems very big and we have a lot of boxes…….

Sadly, Guiness (one ofthe cats ) did a runner. We took them out of their boxes and put them in a room that we didn’t need to go in (they’d been in them for 8-9 hours, not eaten or drunk and G was getting very unhappy.

Sopme time later I found the door slighty open and Guiness gone I guess the cathc wasn’t quite catching? Didn’t see him at all, we think he must have run out of the front door. Thing is he won’t really have any sense of this as home, so not sure if we will see him again

Back to the unpacking………

Ok, a bit later than intended, by 800 am is goo by my standards Cats’ finally in their baskets, cue much sad wailing - only a few scratches from Whiskey.-

Ok lets go, I want those keys in my grubby mits…

They came, they packed, they removed.

Yep today was removal day, tomorrow is ‘putting in’ day, Took them about 6.5 hours from 8.30am, including them packing the house contents, though I’d done the garage, shed etc. Having them pack all the contents was very worthwile, though you do need to sort/clear out stuff first as they just pack what they find.

So while Beans and Mummy have decamped to Mudpud Central I’m left rattling around in an empty house with 2 cats (eventually). The cats were very loathe to come into the house once the removal men had been, Whiskey kept running in and out Eventually, she came in and managed to get her shut away from the cat flap/door. Guiness was more circumspect, kept meowing, but wouldn’t come in, then disappeared altogether. I started to think he might not come back at all tonight.

I did some emergency mods to the catflap, removing one and fitting it to the exisiting flap hole. The repleacement has a one way lock so they can come in but not go out. Evenetually Guiness appeared at about 1.30am, the flap worked he tried to make a run for it but couldn’t and now is moping around mewing loadly. The fun of trying to get them both single handedly into the cat carriers awaits in the morning.

Another day for goodbyes (and a few tears), Helen took Stringbean to Wacky Wharehouse this morning, when they eturned we had lunch out of the way in Mollies. Time eventually of course for everyone one else to go, cue tearful farewells to Molly, she has been such good neighbour, and has been so lovely to SB (a surrogate ‘Aunty’ really), what brought a tear to my eye was SB running madly around the lawn, whenever we go over to Mollies she loves to have good run up their lawn. Ah well, Terry has computer now he is learning to use, he will soon be online I think and they will be able to keep up.

It’s hard to know what a 4 year old makes of such happenings exactly, but of all the people she knows here, M&T are probably the ones she will miss most of all. she loves being able to ‘pop round’. I remember how excited she was when she got to ‘visit’ by herself (we have adjoing drives) while I watched her.

I said my ’slighty tearful/lump in throat’ farewells this evening.

After the removal men had gone I did a final tip run, and the went to the gym for final visit. Not for anythign enrgetic, I just wanted to have nice rest in the Spa. Sauna etc. I found myself dropping off a few times, probably not the best thing to do in water…. after that I spent the time worrying about cats, doing bit of cleaning, ‘putering, TV etc. Trying for an early start tomorrow.

Have some thoughts wobbling about, but I need to go to sleep, planning an early depature nd to catch up with the Beans before heading into huntigdon to hang around wating for the keys, hope we don’t have to wait for long.

Night all

Looking forward to being in our new house tomorrow and to ahve stopped saying goodbye for bit.

SB been near angelic in her eagerness to be good and behave to day.
we really have worked hard, but not a lot seems to have changed.

last tots this pm, and she had great fun playing with her friends from babyhood - glad to see her so happy with them.

Needless to say I cried as we said goodbye to my postnatal crowd, as they have been with me since SB born, and heard my winges, and delights.

Then Aunty Margaret came round for the last time. All though I will see her again, she has been coming to visit fortnightly since SB born, and such a regular part of our life, that seemed equally horrible, so I howled again - being of the same family so did she!

We’re still working hard, but I am truly knackered, as neither girls sleeping well at the mo.

Wanted to have time do do a nice blog about how Leeds has been a great home for us, and that a great place to live and bring up a family. If things had been otherwise I would have loved to stay, however each thing has its place and time, and ours now is to move. Also about how this home was unloved and in need of a lot of care and attention, and has gone from house to home. Although we have outgrown its space, we have been happy here aand will carry memories on with us.

Hard goodbye tomorrow to Molly, and to the house itself, then just the future to look forward to.

Back to Work!!

oh and Congratulations Jan, Jonathan and family!!

As in finances, coventry building soc underestimated the redemption amount, so a hurried wire to the solicitor!

Rang to cancel mint card as 40 worth of over limit charges -£2 over limit!, and got it wiped as long as I didn’t cancel, needless to say……

SB’s room sorted, my weekend bag for me and girls packed - Merry, is Max strong???? No, don’t panic, not staying with you for whole weekend!!!!!!!!

BB in disps so nappies washed and dried for move. Need to fold and sort one lot, other in at the moment.

Chris on tip run. How much stuff have we got?? All the outright junk, and the stuff no-one came for on freecycle. 1 more run needed.

Me and girls will decamp to tots group for a break, and on return expect Jan to no longer be expecting!!!

I think we may have broken the back of it yesterday, still lots to do, but feels just about manageable.

Just sitting here, drinking tea, getting ready for the day, getting ‘five minutes peace’, and looking into the garden. Sun is shining through the Flowering Cherry, which looks lovely, it has come into bloom to say good by to us. Always liked this room at his time of the day as the sun shines into it. Garden a little sad at the moment, lawn too long, veg beds etc. rather weedy, feel it would have been better to hand over in bit of better state, but …….

Just reflecting on things, on the plans we had for the garden that were never achieved (sorry dear, you never did get that deck under the Oak tree for summer evening drinks…..), and things that were - like digging those veg beds in the first winter, me and my Dad building the herb beds. The last one is poignant for me, as he’ll not do to anything like that again for us, he just can’t manage it anymore.

8 years+ have seemingly whizzed past here, so many good memories - getting married, the excitement of things new, the future, children, sunny days in the garden. Excitement for the new house will come again, but today seems to be one for reflecting on the good things we have had, the future will be here quick enough (is there a smiley for ‘wipes a tear’? *sniff*)

Ah well, SB is up, Cbeebies is on, BB is ‘raarring’ upstairs, time to get on.

*sniff*, *sniff*, *sniff*……..

SB had a great time at nursery today, and a wonderful party, it was an indoors teddy bear picnic due to the rain. they played games, sang songs and ate party food. she even got a couple of presents.

I cant quite believe we’re not going back. I gave then SB at 6 months and hoped for the best. In the last 3.5 years she has been loved and cherished there, and allowed to grow and develop. They aim to nurture through play, and thats certianly our experience. We saw her first [Maria] and last [Mandy] keyworkers when we went to pick her up, and they were both genuinely sad to be saying goodbye. I cried all over the place. In time SB wont remember nursery except through pictures and stories, but I am glad that they will be of love and fun. Thankyou kids academy for the care you have taken. I have really appreciated it, and feel i has helped shape SB into the confident girl she is.

BB’s first tooth poked through enough to see now, so is a toothed baby!

of course this is one of those milestones that a delay is appreciated!

School exercise books?? yeah, chuck!
middle school projects folders? - actually was just thinking of them last week as good home ed ideas for later!!

Is how long until the removal men arrive, arrrggghhh!! Do we look anywhere near ready - no Miles behind it looks like on the house sorting, though the garage/shed/greenhouse/garden are moslty ready (and if you had seen the garage….). hopefully it is a bit superficial, we did have pretty good sort out before the sale, but when I go to bed I want the house pretty much ready to move. Leaving tomorrow free for final stuff, trips to tip, taking down climbing frame.

TINA - I have to exavate the loft………….

For me anyway. SB enjoyed nursery, and excited by the goodbye party tomorrow. She baked cupcakes with Chris and decorated them in its honour. Wht does her happiness and exitement not take away my guilt for uprooting her?? I was uprooted at 5, and don’t remember being partic sad/stressed or whatever.

We tidied - always a hated task - and threw away memories - so it seemed.

i hate moving.

i also hate days without SB fun to cheer me up!

BB teething, so feeding erraticaly, not taking alternatives to me, and also sleep gone to pot -3.30am she finally fell asleep last night! So post ilness and knackered not really helping

I really hate change, and change of my security zone/bolthole is not good!

where is that chocolate when you need it!

but I think I’m prob nicking too many of her ideas! So will stop now!

Soon this map will be outdated, and we will not be linking new address in!!!!

yeah, still in my head!

the loss of my migraine/neuralgia thing has done wonders. Still have golfball salivary glands, but they’re not so bad.

Wha a gorgeous day, so some running about outside. our pears flowering well - so new people will get good harvest. Aso plums. Will leave them a book on how to look after the pruning.

SB very excited that I was more interactive! We did painting, glueing, sticking, book reading and since its the last education city day, some of that - romped through year 2 science, and she really enjoyed circuits idea, so will get some of those plug - ins one day. Also the letters, and she realy is coming on with that. Still not had the lightbulb read moment though. SB went with daddy next door, and I had a catch up nap - as feeling v knackered! Also more outdoorsing. Finished with cuddles on my lap watching some more of the dinosaur weekend on discovery science.

BB extremely talkative - unsurprisingly. Looking forward to meeting the puddlers later on in the week so she can chat to Josie! SB reminded me she would need her princess dress - obviously remembers Maddie then!

Chris been packing like a demon, and tomorrow, I’m going to be helping out, so blocked ducts begone! Actually Merry, when we do your questions, I think my superpower will definitely be healing hands. What a fantastic gift that would be.

now I’m ravenous, as not been eating, bring in the dinner Chris. [Chris sighs and raises eyebrows]

This anthem by Parry has been rumbling in my head for a fortnight. SB and I caught it on the radio on the way back from the bradford imax, and i sang along, as sang it with Leeds Festival Chorus.

‘is that you singing mummy?’ ‘well, its a recording, its nearly finished so shall we see?’ ‘…..leeds festival chorus….’ ‘well yes it is!!’

Anyway, been singing it to remind myself that I have so much to be glad about again [not necessarily Jersualem being a city though!] although feeling really ill, apprehensive etc!

Anyway, sun is out, and feeling a bit better, so am going to engage with reall world

ooh, actually that means i am singing on this months classic fm cd - best of british!!!

this was the original - cheap - cd!!

this page not really reassuring though! its def lymph nodes and submandib gland. feel rotten. we are having cbeebies day.
will visit gp on mon if no better.

also bb getting tooth. bf sore as we adjust!

flexible working has been agreed in principle, just need to sort the practical. wooohooooo. prob not practical to start until mid june though

BB still haveng nowt to do with bottles or beakers, so getting into panic mode! Have ordered some NUK and playtex bottles and teats that are apparently closer to bf. In a fortnight I have a 24 hour shift!!

here we go, a day in the life of us!

See the photos in this album

Woke up with the distinct impression that I may have mumps, but didn’t let that put me off! [v sore neck and bit of a temp]
SB rather keen on the photo idea, and took rather a number of them as well. today was v child led. SB usually just coming up with ideas, but offered choices if stumped.

Cuddles in bed - always a good start to the day!

SB helps change BB nappy - slave labour! Didn’t fancy baby massage today.

09:00
BB then has waggle practice while SB and I read a book. She then reads book to BB when BB on tummy practice.

10:00
came down for breakfast - rice crispies. BB wanted to play as well, so went and chose 2 ‘match and sort’ books - maths. Also had some manipulatives.

This followed on into measuring, and heaviest/lightest. Also that due to cheap nature of scales, the position the cubes were placed in affected their weight - in the heavier further from fulcrum idea [ can i call this mechanics??] The post arrived, and we cut up various bits of rubbish.

11:00 SB wanted to be a princess. So we dressed up, and I did her hair. Then she decided to be a doctor princess. So listened to each others hearts and lungs

On listening to our tummies, we decided mine was rumbly - as some great coincidence I had an usbourne why do we eat book out, so we read that, and decided to do the taste test experiment - which was an absolute hit. We had sugar and choc drink powder and custard powder as sweet, stock cube and salt for salty, tartar powder as sour, coffee as bitter. Also cinnamon and turmeric. Bicarb of soda truly foul!!

12:00 veg soup for lunch followed by orange.

13:00 to tots group until 15:00 - water play, fun and singing time. BB was delighted by SB bouncing her in the bouncer - though she did nearly ping out once!

Chris came home and was subjected to the taste test again, and SB played BTB. I felt decidedly crap so had a nap. Chris forgot to take piccies.

I returned and looked at blogs - SB commented on Sarah’s. Prob shoudn’t have let her, as she seems to have done the same to Jax without us knowing - sorry.

we looked at different coins with her bug magnifier, and then to bed.

chris will now link this to the photo album [nudge chris!!]

You wish is my command…..

See the photos in this album