1st month in 07

Well we're almost a month in, can you believe it?
I went to Cov for Lisa's birthday last week. That was fun, got to catch up with her properly for the first time in ages. Then I saw the parents which was good. In between then and now I have had a week of working 10-6, which is quite nice because I got a chance to do yoga in the morning and let the cat out before work; a nice gentle start!
This coming week I am on 8-4, it's good cause I'll finish early but it's going to be BUSY and I'll be knackered! There are a few things to look forward to. This week I've got one of my last Nutrition classes - only a couple left now. I'm writing up my projects and things, and yesterday I went over to Linda's for her 'consultation' - basically a thinly disguised excuse to drink wine and have a giggle. It was a good night!
On friday we also went over to Nath and Laura to see our friend Phil Blakey. It was quite an event because Nathan cooked!!!! Pollo Funghi, his speciality. He cooked it the last time he cooked for us - about 4 years ago, ha ha! But it was lovely to see him in the kitchen, I must say!
Laura starts with us in BioCare in early February and in only 2 days I find out what bonus we got for 2006 so I'm quite excited at work!
Today I went to church and came home and recorded my friend Rachel Bannister on the Carl Chinn show today. She and her partner Arthur wrote a book called Haunted Birmingham http://www.birminghamwalks.co.uk/ after organising lots of waunted tours across birmingham. Arthur died just after their book was published of pancreatic cancer, bless him, and I met Rachel through the Restoration. He was such a lovely guy and she did the interview as a dedication to him. She only lives around the corner anyway, so I get to catch up with her quite a bit. If anyone wants to buy her book you can get it from her website.
The last week has been really windy and stormy, but I haven't really noticed because I have such a short drive to work! It's great! Thank you to anyone who's been concerned, but we're all good here, thanks!

Well, I had Christmas off and boxing day, three days back at work, then New Year's eve and new year's day. Now, one and a half weeks later it feels like the festive season was months ago! It was a great, lovely time.
Alex is working in coventry at last, but not, unfortunately, driving to work each day as we'd hoped. He takes his test in the next 6 weeks again, fingers crossed it is all ok. Christmas was a great chance for us to catch up with friends - Kate, Dave and Milly especially (in the photo)

Dave and Milly came back from Bristol for Christmas, and the five of us had a great night in Patrick Kavanagh's in Moseley. Kate got engaged not so long ago and so three days later we had her and her new fiancee John over for a slap up dinner, which was great. Then Milly and partner Rob joined us for a drink.
Hopefully we'll return a visit to see them in Bristol again this year.

New Year's eve was spent with Nathan Laura and Emma, our adopted family.
Laura cooked a smashing 3 course meal, and Emma entertained us for hours. Then the three of us played Trivial Pursuit and drank champagne, with a brief break for 12 o'clock, until 3am! Me and Alex tottered home, the game still half-played (how that game took us 5 hours I don't know!)





07 Resolutions:
Exercise more
Organise wedding
Get paid more

Thoughts for the new year:
When you put money in a busker's guitar case, look him in the eye and smile. You'll probably make their day!
When walking towards a stranger don't look away, try and catch their eye and maybe give them a smile. Older people are often so shocked that they frown or ignore you, but anyone under the age of 60 is often friendly. The world seems a lot friendlier once you do this!



Since Al went back to work, poor Pads has had a bit of cabin fever. In return for leaving her in the daytime she's taken to finding a basket of nice clean ironing and making herself comfy.
OK Pads, we're even now!