Great its almost February and finally its getting lighter in the mornings and in the evenings. At last it feels like we're turning a corner getting nearer spring time and we can look forward to seeing buds forming on trees, daffies popping out of the ground and hearing the birds singing in the morning.

Soon it'll be time for me and hubby to get planting again on our allotment. Already got our seed potatoes and might get some broad beans planted at the weekend.

Booked a week off work during February and am going to start to write a list of things I want to do during the break as hubby will be working. Also booked the two days off before Good Friday so I'll have a nice break at easter time too.

Me and hubby have been thinking about our silver wedding trip next year. We plan to go to San Francisco and talking to an American colleague today she's recommended going to Santa Monica in LA as me and hubby fancy doing sightseeing in San Fran followed by chilling time at the beach. Am getting excited just thinking about it. Our silver wedding anniversary is in September next year and we want to do something special.

N&G are coming to us Saturday night for a meal. Menu is bruschetta followed by beef stifado, new potatoes and veg. Would like to get some Baclava for desert but not sure if there's any supermarkets that sell it. If you know anywhere in the Sheffield area that sells it please let me know. Otherwise we'll be finishing off with profiteroles courtesy of Waitrose (they're simply delish). Also, carrying on the Greek theme we've got a bottle of Oozo so I think we might have a drop or two of that.

Thursday again tomorrow, it soon comes round, so one more day at work this week. Going with Bec to the hospital on Friday, am feeling a bit anxious about her problem. She's having bouts of dizziness coupled with vomiting which can last for a few hours at a time. GP thinks is some kind of problem with her inner ears and I'm just hoping they can do something for her.

Had some red wine with dinner tonight (pasta bolognaise) and can feel it beckoning me again. Have a good night. Bye.

Hi ya, well the weather this weekend has been great. At last I've been able to get my washing dry (mundane I know but its a pain during the winter getting the laundry done). Did the food shopping yesterday. Following which I did some of my fitness DVD for the first time. Bought the one with Coleen Nolan in. Its very good, not too strenuous for beginners and you can do as little or as much as you like.

Yesterday afternoon though was a bit boring. Don't know what the matter was, hubby was trying to get me motivated but seemed to be a right pain all day. Couldn't even be arsed to go out for a meal last night which isn't like me.

Anyway got up this morning in a much better frame of mind. We've been to Chatsworth for a lovely 2 1/2 hour walk. It wasn't too cold as we were well wrapped and it was lovely just to get in the fresh air and stretch our limbs.

All the family are in for Sunday dinner and I've currently got a chicken in the oven. Got a spare Xmas pud so think we're going to have that for afters. Yum, yum. Should be spending some time ironing really but I've got tommorrow to do tht.

Going to pop to Meadowhall in the morning to get hubby's birthday pressie. Then it'll be bathroom/toilet cleaning and an afternoon spent with the ironing board. Bliss!

Going with Reb on Friday to the Hospital she's got a problem with her ears. She keeps having dizzy spells and is very nauseous. She's been like it now for over a year and just hope there's something they can do. Its a pain though she's having to get prescriptions for the medications she needs just to cope with it but cos she's a student she has to pay. Have told her me and hubby will buy her meds for her but it cheeses me off when some lazy arses can't be bothered to go to work and get all this kind of stuff paid for.

Me and hubby realised we need to move to Wales (to get free meds), send Reb to Uni in Scotland (to get free Uni) and then sit on our arses getting housing benefit etc from the state. Sorry if I'm offending anyone I know most people want to work but I'm sure you get my drift. Anyway rant over.

Twelve weeks tomorrow will be going to Gran Canaria, can't wait. Need to shift some weight though hence the attempt at getting fit. The thought of being in the sun is just superb at the moment and April can't come soon enough.

Going to do the veg for dinner now. Have a good Sunday night.

Hi ya, hope you've all had a good week. Mine's been good.

Out new dining furniture was delivered on Wednesday and its lovely. Had our first meal (a Chinese take away) at the table tonight and its so posh.

Went out with workmates last night. Had a couple of drinks, went for an italian (food was ok but have had better) and then some more drinks. Got home about midnight last night after drinking about a bottle of red wine. Woke up today and felt okay apart from a bit of a thick head. Was going to do the food shopping this afternoon but by 1.45 I was feeling exhausted so had to go to bed for a couple of hours. Can't take it anymore without having to have a nap the next day, sign of old age perhaps. Mind you when I was younger I'd go out on a Saturday night, get in about 2.00am, sleep until about 1.00 pm then get up and have my Sunday lunch - so perhaps we all need the same amount of sleep we just have a different body clock rhythmn!

Watching TV tonight and Moving Wallpaper and Echo Beach are on which me and hubby love.

Got to do the food shopping in the morning, not sure what else we're doing tomorrow but think we might go into Derbyshire on Sunday for a walk as the weather's supposed to be nice and dry for a change.

Hubby's birthday in a couple of weeks so will be going shopping on Monday to get that sorted out.

Bought a lovely top off Ebay this week which has arrived, its brand new and if we go out tomorrow night think I'll give it a wear.

Going to have a look at what you lot have been doing so see you soon.

Hi, hope you've had a good day. Mine's been ok spent the whole day amending letters which isn't too interesting but hey ho at least it pays.

Was really chuffed yesterday. I've got a mate who lives and works in Manchester due to work and family commitments we had lost touch apart from the usual Christmas/birthday cards. Anyway, last year I startedto think about getting back in touch but didn't like to ring in case she didn't feel the same as me. I decided to put a little note in the Xmas card giving my email address if she fancied getting in touch. Anyway didn't hear anything over Xmas and the new year and thought oh well at least I know where I stand and forgot about it. Then yesterday lunchtime I switched on the computer and checked my emails to find I'd received one from my mate. I was so chuffed to hear from her and sent rather a long email back telling her about what's been going on in my life, finishing off that I'd be really happy to pop across and see her if she fancied it. Not heard anything back as yet but we'll see what happens.

Just a short blog today but see you later in the week.

Hi, hope you've all had a weekend as good as mine. It was so sad to see the end of poor old Vera on Friday night but what a lovely send off. It was lovely at the end as the car drove Vera off the street as the church bells rang in the background. Wouldn't it be lovely if you could pick this was to meet your maker, sat in your comfy chair, surrounded by your little treasures, knowing that you love and are loved.

Went to the supermarket on Saturday and then spent the afternoon preparing tea for Reb's party. It went really good. We started off with bruschetta, recipe courtesy on Friday morning's edition of This Morning. Really easy to do and tasted fab. Then we had bangers, mash, veg, yorkie puddings and onion gravy mmmmmm lovely. To finish I made a banoffee pie and some fruit jellies which were for the girlies on weightwatchers. For the jellies I got no sugar blackcurrant jelly mix, defrosted some blackcurrants and put berries in individual dishes and poured the jelly over and topped off with a spoon of whipped cream. Really nice.

It was lovely to have the family round and we had quite a few laughs. Had quite a lot to drink and was put to bed by hubby at 11.00 while guests were still here (naughty girl I am) but surprisingly woke up this morning minus a hangover. Yippee.

Hubby popped over to N&G's this morning and great news managed to unblock their drain for them saving them loads of money. Been and bought a new toaster and kettle for my super kitchen this afternoon and we'd only been back half an hour when N&G popped over with a bottle of malt whisky for hubby to thank him. Such lovely people and we really are lucky to have them as friends. Had a couple of G & T's with N (as you do on a Sunday pm)and it was 6.00pm by the time they went. Was supposed to be making a shepherds pie for tea but had pizza and chips for tea instead.

Day off tomorrow and am popping out to the shops then its housework team cleaning toilets and then the ironing board will be beckoning me once again.

Have a great evening and I'll think of you going to work in the morning whilst I'm snuggly laying under the duvet.

Am currently watching Corrie whilst writing this. Can't believe poor old Vera is going to be no more after all these years.

Anyway yes its still raining, getting really cheesed off now. Roll on the spring, can't wait for the Easter bunny to arrive.

Forgot to tell you last time was really chuffed for my mum this week. My step father died 4 years ago and then December 06 ma retired from work. Was really worried cos I thought she might end up staying indoors all the time being lonely and miserable. I was so wrong. Last February she started to go to weightwatchers with my sister. My sis went a few times then couldn't afford it any more. I thought at that point my ma would have packed in too cos she'd never been one for socialising with other people. I was wrong again. Ma has continued to go and in a year she has lost 2 stone which is fantastic.

Anyway before Xmas ma had started to say that she'd like to get involved in some other groups. Anyway through a workmate I found out about a place where we live who runs different classes for over 55's, keep fit, dancing etc. Told ma about it and crossed my fingers. Anyway she went for the first time on Monday and by the sounds she really enjoyed it. Am so proud of her cos when we were younger she would never had done anything like this and I know from personal experience how hard it can be to go to these things by yourself. I sent her a text to say how proud of her I was.

Been to the hairdressers today and once again Sarah's done a lovely job. Having family party for our Reb's 21st tomorrow so have been doing a bit of cooking today. Got to go to the supermarket in the morning. Realised whilst in the hairdressers that its 25 years today since I met my hubby, in 18 months it'll be our silver wedding anniversary.

Ma in law came out of hospital today which is really good and she's gone back to the old people's home where she's been living for the past couple of years.

Anyway onwards with the weekend, have a good one.

Hi bloggers, two weeks till the beginning of February. I don't know about you but January to me is a bleak month. At the moment its hard to get up for work due to it being dark, when you do look out of the window its wet, damp and miserable, summer seems miles away and the next holiday isn't till Easter.

So to make myself feel better here's what I'm going to do:

1. Book a week off work at the end of February (when kids are back at school);
2. Try to lose weight before my holiday in April;
3. Have a family party at the weekend and get drunk;
4. Think about kicking Leslie Ash up the arse for taking £1/2 million from the NHS;
5. Take another swipe at the Ash bird and swear never to watch her on TV, or read anything she ever writes.

Ahh feel better already

So far this week. Got my ironing done, been to work and slaved like a trojan. Went to see ma in law whos still in hospital last night, had a takeaway curry last night.

Went out with N for lunch today and gave her some good news. My hubby has a workmate who's got some drain prodders and so he's going to their house on Sunday to help clear their drain. Luckily it only deals with kitchen waste and not sewage otherwise he wouldn't have been so keen to offer.

M's made up with his mate - not worth falling out over a lass really - plus I get the impression she's not got many morals, if you get my drift. Reb's gone to London (again) today with her mates as they should be at O2 Arena as we speak seeing the Spice Girls in action (I'm green with envy).

Just got to do work tomorrow and then my weekend starts again. Yipee

Been doing housework today, in the middle of ironing at the moment and keep breaking the monotony by having a look at my fav websites.

Had an argument with our M this morning. He didn't come home on Saturday night and at 4.00 am hubby was texting him to see if he was ok. He said he couldn't afford to text us cos his free credits had run out but to me that's not much of an excuse especially as he spent a lot of Saturday texting his now ex-mate.

Went to Bakewell and ordered the table and chairs plus a matching tall boy and cd tower. Looking forward to their arrival but it won't be probably till the end of February. Went out for some Sunday lunch at a popular Derbyshire pub. To be honest it wasn't as good as I thought it would be and we'll go elsewhere in the future.

Reb and R came back from London last night. They'd had a great time and thought that the Lion King was fab. As expected it had cost them a fortune. Apparently at the theatre they'd had a g&t each which altogether cost a tenner. Expensive by our up north prices and they didn't have another there.

Watched the Louix Therox programme on a USA prison last night. If you get chance to watch it on BBCiplayer then I thoroughly recommend it. It was a really interesting insight and I think Louis is an ace interviewer, asks the questions and actually listens to the answers.

Was going to get up early this morning but it was gone 10.00 am when I got out of bed. Had a bit of an argument with M and he stormed off to work.

Social life for February is looking good. Its hubby's birthday at the beginning of the month and we've invited N&G for a meal on the Sat before his birthday. The week after we're going out with D&R for something to eat and then a couple of weeks later we're off to see Dave Spikey which we're really looking forward to.

ps I'm not a prude but I do wish that when people blog they wouldn't use offensive language - there's really no need and you can get your point across better without it (in my opinion anyway). Sorry about that but its been getting on my nerves lately when I've been looking at other people's blogs.

Back to the ironing now!

Woke up this morning after having a strange dream and realised it was Saturday and I could laze in bed with hubby, bliss. Rang Reb and wished her happy birthday. We've bought her a chain with a little flower shape pendant on in white gold which she likes. She and R had had a lovely day yesterday going to the London Eye, seeing Buck Palace and then going to a market before going to Leicester Square last night for a Thai meal. They were going to take the tour bus today and right at this moment they should be in the theatre watching Lion King. I'm glad she's having a nice time and its given me thoughts about me and hubby visiting London later this year.

Went for a walk near to where we live this morning with hubby then this pm he's been to the footie and his team have one. Me and N have been to see Dan ......... this afternoon and we really enjoyed it. N's a bit down at the moment cos they've got money problems. Feel so sorry for her. Luckily (and I'm touching wood here) we're not rich but are ok for dosh after 23 years of marriage and I know what its like when you're having sleepless nights cos you're worrying. Course G (as most men) isn't worrying. Anyway going to the flicks cheered her up and I can't do much more than be a shoulder for her to cry on and try to cheer her up. She's thinking of getting a full-time job and I'd miss her if she left our workplace but we'll always stay friends I'm sure of that.

Found out today that my son's mate has done the dirty on him with M's ex-girlfriend and am worried about my boy at the moment. Going to have a little word in his ear tomorrow but can't say too much he's 19 now so you have to be careful what you say but I've got suspicions about things and need to get it off my chest.

Think me and hubby are staying in tonight. Hubby's got a real bad neck at the moment and if we go to he pub he'll only sit there with a strained face all night.

Might be going to Bakewell tomorrow. We saw a dining table and chair set in one of the shops a few weeks ago and we want to go and have another look at it. Think we might have lunch out too.

Looking forward to watching Dancing on Ice tomorrow. Going to see if R fancies going for lunch with me on Monday. It'd be nice to have a girly catch up and find out what she's been up to whilst she's been away. Am missing my girl at the moment but I have to get used to it cos I'm sure one day soon she'll be spreading her wings and setting up with fiancee, as long as she's happy that's all I want.

Might have a glass of red now. Have a good night.

Its horrible outside. Its cold, dark, damp and currently we've got heavy showers. Doesn't help anyone to feed good and it makes it hard to brush away those January blues.

Reb and Rob have gone off to London for the weekend. Reb didn't know where she was off to its a surprise for her 21st birthday which is tomorrow. Can't believe that this time 21 years ago I was in hospital awaiting the birth of our longed for first child. Its amazing how time flies and sometimes I can't believe my kids are now adults and quite self sufficient although still living at home at the moment. Try to make the most of them being here now cos I know it won't be long before they fly the nest. I always really miss Reb when she's away cos she's a really chatty, usually happy young woman and we have some lovely chats.

As always been busy at work this week. Our team have got some extra help for a month to help with the backlog but of course my negative team mate can only see the negative effects of this. Namely having to show people the ropes and amending people's work. They're only trying their best and I know it can be frustrating dealing with temporary staff at the moment its better than having to cope ourselves.

What you up to this weekend. I've being doing some housework this morning. Changing bedding, cleaning the kitchen and sorting out laundry. Going to watch Loose Women in a bit and then its off to the supermarket this afternoon.

Its supposed to be nice tomorrow so we might go for a walk in the morning. Hubby's off to the footie in the afternoon and me and N are going to the pictures. Might go to the pub tomorrow night to celebrate Reb's birthday and I don't fancy staying in cos the TV schedule looks rubbish.

Going to have a look at your blogs now. See you soon!

Tuesday at work's done and two days to go. Don't know how I'd cope if I had to go to work full time now.

Went out with ma yesterday, did a bit of shopping and of course we were ladies that lunch. As always ma videoed Loose Women which I watched before coming home.

My daughter (R) has decided she wants a family together for her birthday. She's 21 on Saturday. Her fiancee's taking her away this weekend so we're going to have our family do the Saturday after. Ma's ordered bangers, mash and onion gravy which sounds good cos its cheap and I'm a bit skint.

N brought birthday buns to work today. She'd been to Waitrose and there were some delicious profiteroles. Yum, yum. Need to cut back though as I've put on 3lb over Xmas - not bad I know but want to lose 7lb before I go away in April.

Made a lovely stew yesterday which we've had with yorkie puds tonight. Lovely. Me and hubby's going to finish it off tomorrow - easy teatimes are great when you've come in from work.

Got a quiet weekend coming up. As I've said R is going away Fri-Sunday, hubby might be working Saturday morning and then he's got footie in the afternoon. I've arranged to go with N to the flicks on Saturday to see that new film Dan ........ (can't remember full title) but its supposed to be good. Apart from that not much else going on but I could do with having a quiet one for a change.

Have a good week, see you at the weekend!

Its Sunday again and so far we've had a lovely weekend. Hubby came home on Friday and we vegged out in front of the telly with a bottle of vino. Yesterday went to Meadowhall shopping. Only went to spend some Christmas money but ended up buying some lovely saucepans which were expensive but will last for years. We had some lunch whilst out and then went to the hospital to see ma in law. She seemed physically a lot better but yesterday was the first time she didn't recognise me which is sad but at least she still knows hubby. Apparently she's going to have an assessment tomorrow to see if she can go back in the residential home she was in or have to go in a nursing home so we'll wait and see what happens.

Came home and took the decorations down and it was lovely to have the house nice and tidy again. Rang my ma up and she was feeling sorry for herself so had to give her a kick up the backside, its no good been negative about things. She was feeling sorry for herself cos her arthritis is getting worse but I told her she's a lot better off than the oldies I'd seen in the hospital.

Went to N&G's for the curry and had a lovely time. Meal started off with bhajis, somosas and salad. Then we had a beef curry and a chicken and cashew nut curry, rice and nan bread which was lovely. Followed after a little break by lemon sorbet which I love. Had a great nice with them and as always had loads to chat about. Poor sods their car has been written off so they've had to take a loan out to get a new one. G's going away on business this week for a week so am going to see if N fancies going to the flicks or something at the weekend.

Been for a walk this morning, had lunch and have done a bit of cleaning. Making a roast dinner today (pork) and Reb and Mat along with Rob will be with us so that'll be lovely. Going to get prepped up for it after reading your blogs.

Telly's rubbish tonight so think I'll have a read. Got Gordon Ramsay's Humble Pie for Xmas and am reading that at the moment.

Tomorrow I'm out with my ma, going shopping and having lunch out which should, hopefully, cheer her up. Then its back to work on Tuesday - never mind its keeps me out of trouble.

Hope you're having a nice weekend, bye for now

Started to taking the Xmas decs down and its lovely to get a nice clear house again. January's always a bleak month so have decided to book a week off at the end of February to give me something to look forward to. Not long after that it'll be Easter and then a couple of weeks later we'll be going to Gran Canaria.

Anyhow that's a few weeks away. Hubby went with R to see his ma last night. He said she looked a lot better but is away with the fairies and was saying some strange things. I know its awful but I wish the medics wouldn't keep pumping drugs in her to keep her going when her quality of life is so low. All she has is the family visiting her in hospital and I'm guessing a few minutes after they've gone she's forgotten they've been anyway.

Going supermarket shopping this afternoon as we need to get restocked. Am awaiting a delivery at the moment, have bought a microwave on line so am waiting for it to arrive.

Me and hubby have been making plans for the coming year. Holiday wise we're going to Gran Canaria and Lanzarote this year. We've started to landscape our garden and we want to put a new patio down so that's next on the list. Then the facias on the front of the house need painting along with the garage door so its all about the outside of the house this year.

Going to N&G's tomorrow night as it's N's birthday and they're cooking a curry for us which will be nice. I feel quite touched that N wants to spend her birthday with us when we've only been in her life for about a year but already we're really strong friends. She went to work on Monday following our night out on Sunday, she wasn't well all day but managed to get through it. Mind you poor sod on the way home the car broke down and she had to get towed home. They're not having much luck recently. They had to replace their central heating boiler before Xmas which cost them an arm and a leg and now they've got car repairs to pay for.

Going to look at other blogs now before Loose Women starts, see you soon. Bye!

Its 12 hours into 2008. Had a lovely night with hubby. Had a snooze on the sofa and then watched the festivities in London with Mylene Klass whilst me and hubby had a drink of something special at midnight.

What do you think the new year will bring for you? Hubby went to see his ma yesterday and she's broken her hip (not her leg as we previously thought). Dr's can't do anything. She can't eat and so she's been fed by a drip. My sister in law's signed a form saying not to resucitate her ma so I think we all realise that the end is near. Just want her to pass away in her sleep now and not have to suffer any more.

On that bright note looking backwards. Me and hubby realised that last year was for us a year based on friendship. We both had friends come back into our lives which have made things so much better for us as before we didn't have much of a social life. D&R came back into our lives last February when D's dad died and hubby went to the funeral. This sparked off our friendship which had laid dormant purely by the responsibilities and financial pressures of family life.

N came back into my life when I started to work at the hospital. We were in the same college class for a year doing secretarial studies after leaving school. I really liked N then but she had a mate who I didn't really get on with and so after leaving college we went our separate ways. Life has a way of turning things round and after suffering two breakdowns, the second just over a year ago I wasn't sure what life had in store for me. I'd lost my step dad who I was really close to and since N came back into my life its given me a much valued friendship and hopefully we'll always be like this.

So as I say for us last year was about building and renewing foundations for friendships and hopefully this year we will be making that base even stronger - that it was one of my resolutions for 2008.

The other is like for a lot of people to try and lose a bit of weight so I think I'm going to buy the Coleen Nolan DVD as I can't afford to join a gym and to be honest I don't want to have to do all that gym stuff. Might join an exercise class and that could be a new way of discovering new friends.

So what's in store for today. Well I should do some ironing but its my last holiday day so I'm not going to. Am catch up on Corrie on the net and then for dinner we're having lamb steaks, roasties, yorkie puds, parsnips, veg and then lemon roulade for pud.

Have a great day and see you soon. XX