Went out with workmates last night to see QE2, a Queen tribute band. They were pretty good and had us all rocking away, came out at 11 wanting to do more.

Hope everyone has a fab New Year party to go to. I am working so I will think of all you funsters while I share a small glass of wine at midnight.
See you all next year:D

LLLC

So we all went up to see Hubby's family in Manchester. There were my in-laws, Son No1 and his girlfriend ( no baby - thats another story)
No 2 son and Littl'un, hubby and another nephew who had stayed at ours over Christmas.

We went to see hubby's sister, her husband and other son. Also present was Uncle D and Gran (now a grat grandma) To clarify here. Son No1 and No2 are nephews of A and J ( hubby's sister and her husband) who had four boys, two of which we looked after for 12 years.

We have to travel 60 miles through Derbyshire to get to our destination. We started out badly with a flat tyre, Mil and Fil having had an argument. Son no1 unhappy because baby can't come. His girlfriends dad had decided that his paternal grandparents can't see him because they have never been in touch with him.

I am informed as we leave that Son No 1 will be picked up by the police at 4pm to make a statement about a burglary he witnessed.

We got there ok, the countryside was lovely and I always love the drive. We got there and the food was cooked though the veg looked as though it had died. Hubby and I took over as this was the safest thing to do to prevent food poisoning.

We had to wash all the crocks and cutlery before we used them. The surfaces are so bad that you could write your name in them with a knife. This is no joke. This is how I used to live as a child. As near to absolute poverty as you can get.

Anyway, despite having 14 people and only 6 knives, we managed.

We were really getting into the swing of things when the police came and ARRESTED son No1 for burglary and handling stolen goods. That put the Kybosh on any fun and his Mum (my sister in law) was in tears.

We drove back talking all the way about the arrest, leaving Son No1 to make his own way home tomorrow.They have cautioned him as he was involved but not deeply. he is so naive. he has only been up a handful of times since March and he still manages to get himself into trouble.

Glad to be home and watched Pirates of the Carribean. J D's Eyes and write a note to myself to book a day in to watch all the extended versions of the Lord of the Rings.

Cheered up by my copies of Survivors. Picking fault at the continuity errors and pefect hairdo's despite many months of no hair dressers.

I have decided to list the positive points of my Christmas.

On the plus side: all my shopping was done and presents wrapped in plenty of time. I got to see some of my family who live 200 miles away and was given a great book about writing my family history.
The food reached the table unburnt and I moblised all the visitors to help peel and cook so it wasn't a chore.

Christmas day was spent in an easy going way with C playing on the playstation with littl'un and the boys. Me on the computer with another of the nephews and the in laws playing cards and domino's peacably.

I was not working which was a great bonus. I hope never to work Christmas or New Year again.

Hope everyone else had a fair time of it. I know it is hard at this time of year for many.

I have started to think about my plans 9 not resolutions) for the new year and think it will be a good one for me and mine.

Got one of those days today. Going to take my daughters Nintendo DS back which she bought with her birthday mone and savings in May. The screen isn't working. Got to pack pressies and hang decorations still, but most of the house is clear now.

I go to Portsmouth and the New forest to visist family on Thursday so I intend to have everything done for Christmas by then. I am back to work on Friday and Saturday and so will be sleeping Sat and Sun and will definitly not be in the mood for chasing my tail.

Right, off I go....

Saw Eragon last night and loved it though I think there could have been more of the book in it though that would have made it too long. The dragon was fabulous and beautiful and the flight scenes were amazing.

Ed Speleers was excellent as Eragon, and the casting was generally good. I think the chemistry between Eragon adn Aria was sizzling.

So all in all good. Hope they do an extended version on DVD. Can't wait for part two now, Eldest.

Wow, what a week....

Got my job, and written confirmation of it in the post.
My 'grandson' has been in hospital due to vomiting, all ok now and home.
I have eaten out a total of three times and feel rough due to all that fat and a cough and sore throat.
Been immortalised in the words of a song about my conservation group by a friend.
Had my car broken into. They took the front of the radio, not the whole thing.
Managed to buy nearly all the Christmas presents needed over the week.
Touched base with nearly all my family members( a near miracle I assure you).
Cleared the whole of the upstairs of the house (no mean feat).
So all in all not a bad week. Don't know how I will fit it all in when I do the day job
Will try to pop in more frequently but still have to put up decs and wrap pressies as well as clear the downstairs now.

Glad to be able to report that I got the job. THANK GOODNESS.
I had convinced myself I had not got the job because I hadn't answered all their questions well.

I start in February. After that I will work no weekends, nights or bank holidays again for a longtime, if ever.

Thanks to all my BC friends who gave me support and advice over the last few weeks.
Hope to be back here properly soon. Had a dose of lurgy.

I didn't get the first job and I don't know about the second until Monday or Tuesday.

I aquitted my self well at the second interview though I couldn't answer a question.

The scary bit, the presentation, went well. I practiced it that many times, I was reasonably confident with it.

If I don't get it, then back to the drawing board. What I have realised with these applications is that I have got into a rut and really need to get myself out. Do a course or two and keep up to date with what is going on around me.

So nothing is lost, I have only gained except maybe for the small wound to my ego.

Had the first interview today, just back. I doubt I got the job, jabbered too much, but I don't think I was terrible.

It has been a useful warm up for the interview tomorrow,. i have been practicing the presentation for that with friends and my sisiter and it is working out nicely now.

Fingers crossed.

Normal service will resume when interviews are over.

Well, I finally finished the preparing the presentation. Of course I had to do the washing up, sort out the recycling, watch trash tv and generally wallow before I could get started.

It is such a relief to have it done.

I have tried it out on a nurse friend who gave me some pointers but said it was generally good.

I am now going to try it out on my husband and a non nurse friend and also tape and time myself.

Mopping fevered brow.

Been busy busy busy over the last few days. not even a chance to pop in.

I went to two sales, one on Friday and one on Saturday, and sold loads of my stuff. Saturday night I was up in the peak Park with friends staying over in an old farm. Sunday was spent helping build some small bridges on a footpath. Littl'un came too, she had a go at sawing and nailing and helped by holding nails and carrying small bits of wood.
She is back to health and C. is improving, he worked both days. We are aiming to go swimming tonight for the first time in two weeks.

Popped in to see the baby yesterday. he is lovely. Son no 1 is not taking much resposibility though. He turns up at 4pm and goes at 8pm. He doesn't feel part of it's life. I suppose it doesn't help that he is not living there. B, babies mum is much better though, and I was heartened to see her holding the baby and feeding it.

babies are great when you can hand them back.:D
I have got two interviews this week, and the third job I didn't get an interview for. The two jobs are on days and will mean a drop in income.

Today I went to visit the clinic and the acute nurses who I may work with. It was really refreshing to talk with like minded people and I feel enthused about working either job, presuming I do get one or both of them. One thing that I have realised is that I have got into the doldrums. For years I did courses and study days and a few years ago i just stopped. This is something to do with lack of appreciation by my boss and feeling like I was getting now where. I got busy with other stuff so I didn't miss it, but my CV doesn't look good now.

If I don't get any of the jobs I know that I need to get going again. I love learning. No wonder I am miserable at work, I am not contributing and not moving forward.

Anyway, I feel up beat and am now going to start preparing the presentation I will have to do Friday.