MIA

Yeah sorry guys been MIA for a few days. Had Monday and Tuesday off as i was feeling a little unwell. Wednesday was a normal worky day but Thursday was off as Charlotte has been off school since Monday as well.

Which reminds..Doctors really are a bred unto themselves. I took C to the Docs and although she was very good and had a really good way with her told me f**k all. It's a cough (Nooo really I wondered what that hacking noise was), It has reached her chest (Ok that is good). Just give her water ( WTF ). "So no cough mixture" said I. "NO I don't think they do any good". So there you go folks Doctors themselves don't believe in medicine.

Down down deeper and down

I have to admit I have been on slight downer for the past few days. The general feeling is that it might be the low after all the excitement of getting the house. All the stress, panic and mental brain things that one has to do, have finally eased away and billy the brain is left to come down.

Hoping that this weekend lifts the spirits. First of it is the weekend. Charlotte is also about and we have a shopping trip planned to get her all kitted out for the winter. Sunday I am going to try and do a roast. So if you get an invite for Sunday lunch from me............ run a way fast.

Have great weekend all.

After a week in a half

well after a week and a bit finally starting to settle into the house.

Good
1. More room
2. Charlotte's room is big
3. Washing doesn't have to dry in the lounge
4. Going up to bed
5. Garden - although not really been out in it yet
6. The showers are ace - proper blast you across the room types.
7. Kitchen big enough to store everything and swing a cat in.

Bad
1. Must get a blind for the bedroom window apparently one can see into our bedroom.
2. More room means more to clean.
3. Finding the right light switch
4. Flies - we seem to have a few (Think the are in the windows) I am hoping the winter will kill them off

On pissed people.

This was supposed to be post about the stupid drunk idiots the other night and how I can get onwith drunken people but stupid drunk people do my head in. However once I started typing something deeper came out.

I don’t drink. Never have and all things being well never will. It was a conscious decision I made very young in my life. It was very easy one to make to and to stick too. I have my Mum, Dad and Uncle (RIP) to thank for that and every stupid drunken arse for helping me maintain it.

As a young boy my Mum had a drink problem. I have memories of being picked up in a Police car from nursery because she had wrapped the car around another tree. There was the incident of me trying to poor the stuff down the drain too because I didn’t want her to drink. When I was 7 she was given a choice by a judge. Clean up your act or lose your kids for good. She decided to fight for us and had to entire Rehab. Dad was flying and spent many weeks’ even months away so we were stuck in boarding school. This was by far the worst thing in my life. I suffered physical and emotional bullying and don’t even get me started on the other thing that happened. I don’t begrudge my Mum because ever since that time she has never touched a drop. She has more than made up for it. So that coupled with watching my Uncle drink himself to the grave and my Dad on occasion acting like a tw@t when drunk I decided this really wasn’t for me. Bearing mind the addictive nature of my families’ personality I decided I never wanted my kids to see me in that state or have to deal with the things I had too.

Now I don’t have a problem with people who drink. What I can’t get my head around is drinking to get drunk. “yeah I am going to get pissed this weekend”, “I was so pissed this weekend I don’t remember a thing” that I just don’t get. People who go out have fun and drink are ok and I am all for that if that is your inclination. See I accepted that I was different and the choice I made means I don’t understand the thrill. I am not knocking people that do I just don’t get it.

So I accepted women(in fact a couple) who liked to drink. Who drank to get drunk. I hated it. Even when I brought it up I was knocked down with the phrase that I had the problem because of the past. CN’s Mum being the worse as formed part of the emotional bullying she inflicted on me. Even After I left her I still accepted women who drank to get drunk. Then I met a truly amazing woman who didn’t need to drink. She often in the past had beer but for refreshment. Since I have known her she hasn’t touched it. Not only that but we have fun. I have long believed that you can have fun without drink. Even on our wedding day for the toast ours was done with OJ, and we had a fantastic time and can recall every detail of the day and night. Seems it is Latin culture to go have fun and drink is there. Rather than Drink and try and have fun.

I don’t think this will change anyone’s mind about their drinking habits but do remember that sometimes it is not you that will suffer.

Sorry that was bit bleak hey…. Normal boring stuff tomorrow

The gig weekend

It had been a few weeks since Mari and I could relax at a weekend, so having no commitments we decided to take it easy this weekend. And never before has taking it hurt so much.

Saturday we popped into town to do a “bit” of shopping and catch a couple of bands we have not been able to see for a while. Unfortunately the things we bought tended to weigh an fing tonne and come in several boxes. O we had to drag these all the way back to the car. In the end I decide to shuttle run to the car as the girls were struggling to help. Then it was on to our first gig. Rubbersnake @ facebar. I have written a band review here on DM's site but I wanted to post from another point of view. See the rubbersnake are metal and this was the first time Mari and Ori and experienced this kind of music live. I think they enjoyed it but were most concerned about DM’s voice, as in how is able to sing like that. I did explain that he wasn’t hurting himself and that it was natural for someone who sings in that range. Sadly we could not stay and chat with the lads as we had to leg it over to the LV lounge for Los dos Amigos (Possibly) final gig.

It was a strange night in there and one I have not uncounted before. Lots and lots of people (not unusual) but a number of drunks and not in good way. I had intended to take a back seat and just enjoy the show but it became clear that might not be possible. Thanks largely to chavie looking polish dude (complete with tracksuit and baseball cap) who stumbled and weaved right in front of Bruno. Facing off to him at one point and general getting in the way. So I decide to put myself on at the front. So he decided to piss off but then his mate started dancing, just as pissed and uncoordinated so I spent most of the time arming him away from the stage area. Then, THEN the a Latino started with the drunk stumbling. So baseball cap wearing tosser came back and stood right by the mixer so I moved him a long. Which resulted in him jabbing me with his finger. Thankfully at this point proper security had been made aware of him and quick nod to the dude had chav boy out the door.

Rest of gig was ok but still had to keep pissed Latin man away. Was too happy as Chav boy seemed to waiting outside but eventually got bored and went home.

Sunday Mrs H got cold and the biggest shop of food we have ever done.

10 Years whats changed

Sometimes I think we tend think that life is stagnant and we haven't moved very far so 10 years is a good measure of the distance we have travel.

1998
1. Married (Well if you can call it that).
2. Computer knowledge was very minimal - I was studying at college basic IT skills.
3. Was learning how to deal with a baby.
4. Was learning how to deal with a baby with Downs syndrome..
5. Worked in the RAF - having secured a job back at the Air base I knew.
6. Was in dark place to be honest. The light was Charlotte the rest was pants.
7. Knew a little about engineering companies thanks to point one.
8. Lived in rented accommodation.

2008
1. Married but to whole different person in a whole different way.
2. Know a good divorce lawyer
3. Am now working in computers (Still belief I only know the minimum but it works for me)
4. Learning to deal with a young lady rapidily approaching womanhood.
5. Left the RAF, but sometimes miss it.
6. I am sooooooo much happier now. Having the right women next to you sure makes life a whole hell of lot better. Purging the bad things in your life helps too.
7. Work for the engineering company mentioned above
8. Own what I consider to my first house.

Give it a go yourselves see how far you have come.

Damit First problem

Struck our first real problem last night with the house. Grabbed a whole lot of nasty smelling clothes and thought I would try out the washing machine. So loaded up the big hole in the middle. Turned all the dials (After checking the book....first for me usually I just fiddle and hope it works), pressed go and ........ nothing. Bugger checked the book. Fiddle with some switches..........nothing. I wonder if the turned the water on?? dah daaaaaaah it started working. Great I thought.

I could here it churning away in the corner and then it went silent. Went in to find all the lights blinking and the drum full of water. Seems it wont drain. Since I don't want to pull the kitchen apart to find out if the pipe is bent. I will contact the workmen who put it in.

Haven't got used to the central heating yet too.

BTW new blog added about being a farther of a girl with downs syndrome. Going to be more feeling related and will keep the day to day stuff here. Link on right

Home sweet home

I am sooo knackered. It has been a long weekend and then straight back into work. The move on Friday actually went to plan and was very stress free in the main. Picked the van (Well truck up at 8.30) and then had to refuel the damn thing. Which was pain as the first garage didn't have any fuel and the gauge was right on the E. Then picked up Nes and Bruno to help with the work.

Cleared our place by 10:45 and then over to Ori's. In the mean time she was waiting for someone to come and take the Gawd awful furniture she had been "Given". She basically told the lady who she was looking after it for that she didn't want to move with it and if she couldn't find anywhere else to store it it would go to charity and that is what happened.

Got the call at 11.15 to say we had completed and the truck for the furnitured up. Hit the the road at about 12ish. Mum and Dad got lost thanks to the road they needed being closed. Anyway we unloaded Ori. Then it was down the pub for lunch. Dumped the stuff in our place. went and picked Charlotte up.

Bless her she got a bit confused although we had been taking her to see the new house she still got about 7pm and asked to go back to the flat. Once we had her unpacked a bit and slept there she seemed to grasp the idea that this was now home.

Only shite thing is no reception for Ori or Maris' phones which also seems to affect TV reception despite buying an internal aerial. Estate agents also let themselves in on Saturday which was well out of order and right bollocking ensued. They have now returned all the keys.

Bye Bye Bed

A little emotional morning we had this morning. It is strange but last night was the last time Charlotte would stay in the flat. So this morning she went round saying good bye to all the rooms, including her bedroom. She gave the bed a big hug and a kiss. Enough to bring a lump to her Dad's throat.

Feel a bit strange about it. So much has happened in Casita. So much good stuff. Like the beginning of a new era. I feel a lot like I am moving a way from my past. Even though physically not far it still feels, mentally like a million miles. I think I will miss casita but I hope and pray we will have many more happy things in the new house.

Two days to go

Boxes everywhere, lots of bits of bobs left about and Charlotte coming over to night. No idea where she is going to sit but at least her bed is free :-). Hoping that todays pop out to the solicitors will just be that and not the two hour feck around I had yesterday with the bank.

In other news Obama wins. i hope he can deliver on all he promised and adds some stability and sense to Washington. Now all we need is our lame ducked twit to voted out and I think I will be happy.

Things on the agenda today:

Transfer deeds to the Solicitor,
Pay the rental agency the money we owe for the few days we will be in the flat.

Just dragging at the moment and there is soooo much more I could be doing at home.

Boxes, Boxes everywhere

Jebadire Springfield I am tired of packing and boxes. Thankfully it seems to be mostly done. Just the TV and DVD which wont be packed until Thursday as Charlotte is about tomorrow. You really don't realize just how much crap you have until you try and pack it all up.

I also advice taking the week off before or at least leave a few days of holiday encase you need to dash around. I had to run to the bank this morning, not having any holiday left, and taking friday as flex to move, I went cap in hand to my boss and asked if i could pop out quickly to sort this out. I figured hour at most. Of course this would be the one day that;

1. The women in front was taking an age to sort out
2. The transfer I needed to do needed someone else
3. "Someone will be with you in a second" turned out to be "Sit there for 30 mins with your thumb up your arse"
4. the guy that did eventual come to help was not as quick as I would have hoped".

So the quick dash to the bank turned into a two hour snooze fest. Still it is done now.

Still not long now.

Blink and you will miss it

That was the theme for this weekend.

Friday night was ace, especially after the events of the day. Mari had invited over the lads. How ace is my wife !!!. So we had cake and drinks. Charlotte was very happy and sociable. Ended up jamming, with someone on the pots and pans (Mari),me on the violin (that doesn't work).. crazy, crazy times.

After that it is all a blur. Saturday was down to the houses to test all the lights,sockets and check over the general condition of the house. Lots and lots of packing and cleaning going on.

Sunday was pretty much the same, with a quick trip to comet to get an iron and microwave. Got to say that Charlotte was star this weekend. She was so helpful. Well she only want to help Mari, what Daddy was doing just wasn't good enough. She cleaned and packed and ended up asking to go to bed at 7pm and crashed.

Result is that seemed to have lots boxes packed and still stuff too pack ???

Well done Lewis and well done for leaving right to the last corner