Had Friday off and spent the morning in bed, rather enjoying myself actually.  Filament magazine put me on to a site which I found was quite "stimulating" and so while Patsy worked for 3 hours, I didn't.  Very naughty, I know, but it's not very often I get any time to myself.  He came back at about 1.30 and was my rough gardener for an hour or so. Lovely.
Went out with Charlie and Dean later on in the evening to the Cranleigh and watched Lady Winwood's Maggot.  I dunno, they were a bit rock, folk and very enjoyable. Had massive amounts of lager and felt very odd on Saturday.  One glass of wine only bad! Amazing!

And Breathe

It all went well, thankfully!  There was a trip to the New Forest with her mates on Saturday afternoon and then a Barbie in the evening, cooked by Pat, which was very good.  The mates were very happy to have us pottering about and eating and drinking with them and everyone had a good time.  I managed to get the cake as they do it while you wait.  All I had to do was to choose a picture and that was difficult.  Pat & I went to the pond shop in Cadnam and bought all the gear for the pond, like the liner, pump, and filter.  The chap was lovely and gave us heaps of discount.  Pat has agreed to fashion him a slate pipe and this made the discount even bigger! Hooray!  I wrapped up the pressies in the afternoon and after the barbie I was asleep within about 30 seconds.  sunday brought a very excited girl into our room.  Lots of squeaking.  We all watched as she opened her pressies and then got ready to go to the Captains Club at 1.00.  They didn't have our booking did they? Bugger.  I talked us into the restaurant and we had the meal which was very nice, but that sort of soured it.  I've got the confirmation in an email and I will be contacting them, but I wasn't very happy.  The service was a bit dodgy too.  Never mind, she went to Ocean palace last night in bournemouth with her girlfriends and I'm sure that was very lovely.  she's not up yet though, so I'll get the stories later. Phew!

Managed to go to Tourette's Point with Anna in Sian's car as we were going to pick her up afterwards and she could drive back, but the exhaust seems to have blown and it sounds so loud that I couldn't drive it. Managed to get a few choice pressies for her and feel better about it now.  Haven't managed to get her a birthday cake with a photo of her as a baby on though.  Just ran out of time.  Maybe next year.  It will be the thing that she really wants though.  Never mind.  Pat has been totally engrossed in the new pond this week and I'm sure he would have forgotten all about the BBQ he offered to do for her.  Hopefully she will keep the numbers down as we've only really got stuff for about 15.....
I know I shouldn't say it, but I'm looking forward to next week.  It's been very fraught with the old stress.  Anna's birthday next. 13. what was I thinking??

Stress Now

I'm stressed now and I should be as I've not put in the hours that I need on the 18th birthday and it's getting very close now.  I just sent an email to the Echo in Bournemouth for an announcement with this picture.  Sian will say that it's from 2 years ago, and yes, it was, but it's lovely.

Easter

Well, we've had Easter and managed to get through it without killing each other, which is good.  Pat's "big plan" is to build another pond, but this time it's going to be a raised brick pond which is low enough to sit on the side.  I'm looking forward to it, but it's the most expensive thing we've undertaken.  I know everything there is about bricks and blocks now and could probably be site agent when the boys get going.

Easter brought it's hangovers and choc heart palpatations, which had to be ignored.  I took another couple of days off too, so I've only come back to work today.  It's odd to know that tomorrow is Friday.  Gearing myself up for the 18th birthday and also the 13th birthday.  How did I manage that? Anyway, some very intense shopping will need to happen on Saturday I think.  Wish me luck!