We'll be moving on Wednesday so the flat is full of boxes and piles of stuff to be sorted
We won't be having our phone-line fitted until at least the 7th of November so I'm going to have to go cold turkey on the internet access 
We might also have to wait a while for the TV to be set up
Ah well, guess all that will give me more time to unpack everything!
The spare room is sorted 
The kids have been remarkably well behaved, even when helping to make Rhys' birthday cake for tomorrow
We have power at the house
All is good 
I am getting steadily more stressed by everything that needs doing but I have to prioritise things today 'cos Mum and Dad are flying in tomorrow morning!
So today's jobs include:
* sorting out the spare room
* making the spare bed
* general cleaning duties (although this seems rather pointless due to the high levels of dust being generated by moving stuff that hasn't been moved in 4 years)
* supermarket trip - hoping that the bank have sorted themselves out and we have enough money in the account to cover this
* packing, packing and more packing
The kids are bored, I'm bored... this doesn't bode well
]]>As I've managed to waste the best part of the morning doing pretty much nothing, I'm going to have to work hard at the packing this afternoon. This has been made substantially easier by Mike actually providing boxes and tape after several days of asking!
After lunch I'm taking the kids to my MIL who's going to take them swimming. I'm going to head home and then pack like a crazy thing until Mike comes back from working on the house and then we'll head over to join the boys for an early birthday celebration for Rhys. We'll also be celebrating our icklest niece's half-birthday 'cos she's 6 months old on Friday *bless*
We've decided that next Wednesday is going to be our official moving day, this is both thrilling and terrifying at the same time!
Have a good Wednesday everyone
We're going to a shopping centre where they can go in the padded cell supervised play area and I can do the things I need to do without them dragging along behind me.
This is good for all of us
The most important thing I need to sort out this afternoon is Rhys' birthday present, I can't believe he's turning 9 on Friday!
]]>* watch daytime TV
* help Jamie with his homework
* do some baking
* visit my hard-working boys at the house with some baked goods
Not a bad plan for the day
I'll leave you with some cartoons from here (Sorry Kelly!)
Mike, my BIL and FIL have been working there all day... kind of boring for us left at home but it means we might actually have a bathroom ready soon
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All kinds of things are being done, the kitchen was half-fitted when I was there at lunch-time but it's now fitted. The floorboards will start to be done on Friday and into next week. The solar panels and wiring are being finished off so the electricty and heating can be turned on soon.
We move the week after next!
]]>I've been told I look tired - that one's far more believable
The truth is I'm working on my last couple of nerves, there's too much going on and the kids are playing up
I've been upset by a few rude people today and I'm crawling through the week to get to our half-term holiday Just don't remind me how much I have to do over half-term including packing and moving!
I checked with someone during a meeting whether they knew about an important thing happening this week and I got told that they were listening and they spoke English - basically, shut up and butt out. I told her that I wouldn't bother being concerned for her in the future... remarkably assertive for me.
Also Rhys has lost his coat at school
And some idiot winked at me after nearly causing a head-on collision between us. Why did he wink? How stupidly annoying. He wouldn't have acted like that if Mike'd been driving :S
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It's like Alice in Wonderland or something
However, the view this morning was too amazing to resist!
(It's officially the only thing I'll miss about this flat)
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Things are madly busy. I'm hardly seeing hubby at the moment as he's getting home after 6pm with work and then heading out to the house as soon as the kids are in bed.
I miss him but I know he's doing all of this for us.
We have to move by the end of the month and he's really worried things won't be ready in time... so am I as we don't have a single room finished...
Only a week and a bit until half-term, which is good 'cos I need the break but bad 'cos that's when we're supposed to be moving! *argh*
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As you can see, we have internal doors and a staircase but the kitchen is still in bits. They were supposed to fit it today but there was a problem with the plumbing (ooops, Mike) so they are coming back on the 14th.
This weekend we have to choose tiles, that means I actually have to make a decision :S
]]>The underfloor heating's been fitted and the concrete poured on top.
We have a kitchen in boxes all over the place, it'll be fitted towards the end of this week. The fridge, etc will be delivered this week too.
The amazing builders are back, doing lots of finishing touches like fitting the internal doors and putting in the staircase. I'm very excited about the staircase as I hate the wobbly ladder that's been there for months!
Both bathrooms have the shower trays fitted, the family bathroom has a bath and the en-suite has a bath but not the frame... which should come this week.
Now we need to buy floorboards, tiles (wall and floor), showers x2 and toilets x3 *phew*
We're looking to move in the next month, we have to move by the end of October as our lease ends on the 1st of November
I'll keep you posted
Also, enjoying the fact that the guy playing The Cowboy is the same guy who was the EMH in Star Trek - Voyager... only he had a lot more hair back then!
The kids are playing Mario Bros in their bedroom, well Rhys is playing it on his DS and Jamie is hanging over his shoulder and watching him. Doubt that'll last long as Rhys is sure to get annoyed and tell him to go away
Mike's working on his laptop up at the dining table, he's working far too much at the moment IMHO but I guess that's what happens when you get promoted 
At least he looks sexy in his specs 
Been fighting off this nasty cold all weekend, was feeling pretty rough and drained this morning but a lot better now.
Ooooh, we took the kids to see 'Up' yesterday, wasn't quite what I was expecting, really quite sad! I loved the Doug the dog though and I think we saw Alpha in our local market this morning
Last week was a tough drag, especially with this cold, but I'm slowly getting back in the swing of things. This coming week is only going to be 2 1/2 days thanks to a local bank holiday and we have friends coming to stay from Wednesday to Sunday which I'm really looking forward to.
Anyway, that's me at the moment. Hope you're all having a good Sunday
Using only song names from ONE ARTIST, answer the following questions. You can't use the band I used. Try not to repeat a song title. Repost as "My life according to (band/musician name)"
Are you a male or female?
She's passing this way
Describe yourself:
Always the last to know
How do you feel?
Stone cold sober
Describe where you currently live:
Nothing ever happens
If you could go anywhere, where would you go?
Long journey home
Your favorite form of transportation:
Driving with the brakes on
Your best friend is:
Just like a man
What's the weather like?
Hatful of rain
Favorite time of day:
Before the evening steals the afternoon
If your life was a TV show, what would it be called?
Just getting by
What is life to you?
Life is full
Your fear:
Kiss this thing goodbye
Mike had arranged our hotel as a surprise and it turned out to be the very same one that brokendownangel stayed at earlier this Summer (thanks for the tip sweetie!)
So, here's our hotel, the amazing Hotel de la Minerve
It's a truly beautiful hotel in a fantastic location, in fact from our hotel window we could see the edge of this... the Pantheon!
During our crazily busy weekend we also visited the Trevi fountain...
... the Vatican...
... the Spanish steps...
... the Colosseum...
... and lots and lots of other things!
And, most importantly, we went to Tiffany's and bought my ring 
*bling, bling*
What an amazing weekend.
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Went back into school this morning for a staff meeting, lots of changes again. A few things that I'll save for private posts methinks.
Got some excellent news from a friend this afternoon, I can't tell anyone what the news was but I was so thrilled for her that I nearly cried
Anyway, this afternoon is supposed to be spent getting on with planning, not messing around on here / Facebook / Flicr etc *snigger*
Toodles
Best pack a big hat and lots of sunscreen!
]]>Molty went home on Monday morning, we had a fantastic weekend with him and really enjoyed doing loads of touristy stuff together. You've already seen the piccies from Friday, on Saturday we went across Lake Geneva on a boat (where I took my new header / background picture) and then into Geneva itself on Sunday. It was lovely to spend time with him again, he's a real gentleman
Monday afternoon we went to have a BBQ with Mike's sister and her family who were visiting from Ireland. More time with our icklest niece was fantastic
Yesterday I dragged the kids into school to start sorting out the classroom. I'll be in all next week but there will be lots of meetings and a whole day of training and I won't have too much time in the classroom. Anyway, I got lots of stuff unpacked and feel like I've made a good start to the new term.
Today will be spent getting the last few bits that the kids need for school as we'll be driving them to my in-laws' house in central France this evening and won't get them back until a week on Friday! Amazing grandparents!
And then tomorrow *deep breath* we'll be flying to Rome *squeals with excitement* Expect many, many, many photos when we return
We arrived Thursday, did some shopping, ran through yet another thunderstorm and settled in chez mes parents.
Friday morning we went to meet up with 4 of my school friends. Getting all of our kids together was fun but completely manic!
Friday afternoon I took the kids for a mooch around my hometown. I swear I've fallen for the place all over again, so much history, so many special people
Friday evening I went to another friend's house for dinner.
Saturday was our big day out in that there London. We visited the British Museum in the morning - notice the kids' enthusiasm for History
We then wandered around London for a bit on our way to the London Eye
Before queueing for an hour to get onto the Eye itself... it was worth it though!
Sunday we went to Mum and Dad's Church where we saw some more friends. That afternoon was spent with family which was lovely.
Monday was another shopping day and then back to the airport to get back again rather late last night
Now I have a lot of cleaning and tidying to do to get the flat ready for the Royal visit of Sir Molt on Thursday
From here as always
1. What is your favourite kind of weather?
A clear Autumnal day, lots of crisp leaves and a bright blue sky. Lovely.
2. Do you prefer the sun or snow?
I like them both in moderation, which is a problem around here
3. Why does it always rain when I have washing hanging out in the garden drying?
Because by hanging out the washing you are performing an ancient Celtic rain dance? 
4. Which weather presenter do you prefer....Sian Lloyd or Ian McCaskill?
Sian Lloyd annoys me something terrible so anyone is better than her!
5. Will it really rain all summer?
It's not raining here
Ireland - fab but very, very wet
House - going up fast
Holidays - disappearing far too quickly :S
So that's me, how are you all doing?
]]>... the one that's to be a complete and utter surprise...
... where he won't tell me where we going until we get to the airport?
Well.
We had lunch today with various visiting members of his family. At one point during the afternoon I went to check up on the kids when his Aunt wandered up and, to make conversation, said "So, I hear you're going to Rome for your anniversary?"
Ummmmm...
I had to bite my tongue so I didn't tell her that she'd spoilt the surprise! Instead I went and told Mike what had happened. He wasn't happy, bless him, but I managed to get him to agree not to tell her she'd spoilt the surprise. She'd be devastated if she knew!
So, Rome... wow!
Windows and roof should be dealt with next week, if all goes well the place will be watertight by the time we get back from Ireland
]]>I took lots of shots from our window using a long-exposure and my new lens. They're a bit messy as I don't have a tripod but I quite like them, I definitely had a lot of fun taking them
* The house is coming along fabulously, the 2nd delivery of wood came yesterday and they're already up to balcony level
Add heaps of lavender, a hammock and a large glass of something chilled and that's where I'll be spending most of my time
* This time next week we'll be in Cork. The weather forecast is terrible but I don't care! We'll have lots of time to relax with family, including meeting my icklest niece for the first time
* I'm taking the boys to the UK for a few days at the start of August, lots of things planned including catching up with friends and family and a day-trip to London
* Molty's coming to stay with us for a long weekend in August *yaaaaaaaay*
* I think Mike's taking me to Rome for our anniversary at the end of August. I am incredibly excited!
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From here
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