2012, The Year That Was.....

1. What did you do in 2012 that you had never done before?

Earned something through sheer hard work. For fighting through negative feelings, low self confidence and fear to achieve something I wanted. I finally got my driving license after months of dread and worries.

Visited a live sporting event. Not just any sporting event but we went to the Paralympics at Stratford London as part of the London 2012 Olympics. I'm not into sport at all but I am glad I  had the oppertunity to witness a part of British history.

2. Did you keep your new years’ resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

I give up on resolutions.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

Not close but a few friends have had babies both in the real world and blog world and there are a good few 2013 babies on the way. 

4. Did anyone close to you die?

Not this year thankfully. We did lose an elderly relative. I can't remember her well but my dads step grandmother passed away after many years of ill health. She must have been in her 90's I would have thought. My grandad  (her step son) is 77 and she was the younger second wife of his dad but she passed away in a care home in Italy her home country.

5. What countries did you visit?

Eng-er-land

6. What would you like to have in 2013 that you lacked in 2012?

More clothes! Yes, I am being incredibly materialistic here, but now I have passed my driving test, I am better off and can start making up for all the things I went without when I was paying £150 a month on driving lessons.

7. What date from 2012 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

December 21st 2012.

We survived!!!! 

8.What was your biggest achievement of the year?

Passing my Driving Test

9. What was your biggest failure?

Nothing, Failure is when you give up! I've given everything my best this year. Sometimes I could have probably done a little more but all in all, I've done what I can.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

Nothing out of the ordinary. General accidents and colds. Blah!

11. What was the best thing you bought?

Nothing in specific though I have been given an iPhone and Android from my delectable husband this year.

12. Whose behaviour merits celebration?

 As always, My Kids. Liam especially has grown up so much in recent months. We're losing all the baby things. The buggy is finished, we're in pants during the day. We are now getting rid of the training potty so he only uses the toilet. His speech is coming on by the day and he is a happy enthusiastic sweet little character. James is becoming a smart boy. He is kind and generous and loves his brothers and friends. Matthews behaviour has improved hugely. He is doing great at school, he is calming down so much as he matures. They have all done great in 2012.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and upset?

Nobody this year.

14. Where did most of your money go?

 The kids, the bills, the house, the holidays, the Olympics trip, learning to drive and the driving test. We don't overspend, we don't get into debt but we enjoy life with what we do have.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?

Being British. Yes, it really is SO cliche but Britain has it's good points at times. Last year it was the Royal wedding, this year the Queens 60th Jubilee, the Royal baby, the olympics. 50 years of The Beatles, 50 years of James Bond.

16. What song will always remind you of 2012?

Call Me Maybe - Carly Ray Jepson

Gangnam Style - Psy

Somebody That I Used To Know - Goyte              

We Are Young - Fun

Wonderful - Angel

Anything by OIly Murs, he's my new favourite. 

 17. Compared to this time last year, are you:

 i.   happier or sadder?  Happier.

 ii.  thinner or fatter? Fatter

 iii.  richer or poorer? Richer

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?

Nothing, i think I had a balanced 2012

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?

Worried about things out of my control.

20. How did you spend Christmas?

In our little house and visiting and being visited by family. 

21. Did you fall in love in 2012?

Nope, just kept loving the people around me! :)

22. How many one-night stands?

I don't think they are called that when you are married ;o)

23. What was your favorite TV program?

Hunted, Eastenders, Friday Night Dinner, 

24. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?

No, I tend to forgive (but not forget) and don't hold much of a grudge so no.

25. What was the best book you read?

I am 1 book away from completing my 100 book challenge in 2012 so I have read MANY books. I am now a fan of horror (ghosty/creepy not zombie/vampire) and crime. So I cannot single out books but I am now a fan of James Herbert.

26. What was your greatest musical discovery?

He's been around a bit now but Olly Murs and I really liked the cd by Fun.

27. What did you want and get?

I wanted very little. I don't ask for much in life and I do appreciate the little things in life I do have.

28. What was your favorite film of this year?

I haven't seen many films myself this year. I may have seen Toy Story 3 and Cars 2 a million times but I didn't see many grown up movies. Though I did watch a  movie the other night with Colin Farrell and Ray Winstone. "London Boulevard" was your typical British Gangster movie.

29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?

I was 32 and did the normal family day and a romantic meal later in the week. Also went away for the weekend to a Disco weekend.

30. What is one thing that would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

To be honest, I couldn't ask for a happier year! It's been amazing in every sense of the word. Finances have been better than they have been for a while, I've passed my driving test, the kids have had rather good 

health, we're all happy and we've fitted alot into the year. It's been incredibly memorable with the Olympics and the Jubilee and I've enjoyed it overall.

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2012?

Floral, girly, less is more.

32. What kept you sane?

Me time!  Long hot baths, good books and early nights. My hubby x

33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?

Joey in Eastenders

34. What political issue stirred you the most?

They just annoy me. All of them. 

35. Who did you miss?

My Grandad

36. Who was the best new person you met?

My mate Sam, she's been great company.

37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2012

Keep going. If you really want something, anything is possible with some hard work.

38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:

When you finally find what's beautiful
It's so wonderful

 Wonderful, Angel

Great song and brings back memories of the magnificent athletes at the paralympics. We heard it in the stadium so a real little memory maker!

A Skim Through Christmas

So that's Christmas over for another year.

It's been exciting yet tiring.

I wouldn't say my Christmas was much different to many households all over the world. The kids were spoilt, we ate alot, we watched alot of tv and movies and we are now trying to catch up on sleep from the chaos.

On Christmas eve we visited family and though the kids went straight to bed when we returned home, hubby was building the kids toy kitchen late at night and we finally got to bed about 1am.

The kids were great Christmas morning sleeping in until 8.30. We opened our presents and had a lazy day. No visitors, no outings, just the 5 of us. Hubby got me an Android and I am loving it. I do like my iPhone games and this just makes them that little bit better. The kids got plenty of Lego and Toy Story items and I got hubby a board game and the rest of his present will be a night stay in a hotel sometime in January as he's treated me to mini breaks enough over the years, it's my turn to pay for us to have a day/night off.

On Boxing day we had family over. As much as I love my family, it feels hard work. Trying to please everyone feels impossible and with an already cantankerous pensioner and a miserable brother, it felt like a losing battle at times. Especially when it got to the point that one snide comment too far from grandmother had my brother storm out the house.

Yep, my family is as bad as everyone elses when it comes to petty squabbles! And for once I am not talking about the kids.

I do feel for my nan, honestly I do, but she is acting more and more the spoilt child as the weeks go on. I know things have been hard since we lost my grandad but it's no excuse for rudeness, strops and sulking.  Though she wasn't staying at my parents house, I understand my dad and brothers frustration at having her there every day for 4 days. The day here was strained so I don't know how they must have felt at the end of day 4! She doesn't particularly enjoy Christmas without my grandad and on Dec 20th, it would have been their 60th wedding anniversary so I understand why she doesn't so much feel like celebrating but she should think about the family she has got and how we are trying to go out of our way to welcome her but it's not taken as that at all. Next year she'll be 80 so she is getting on but something about the elderly brings out the "couldn't care less" attitude towards others.

Yesterday we had a visit from my brother and sister in law and their little boy. It was nice just having the 4 boys together playing. The kids do all get on well and little nephew really is such a happy little chappy!

We then went out shopping and I treated myself to a nice load of underwear. I feel good when I have good undies. Hehe.

In the words of Mariah Carey,

I don't want alot for christmas. 
There is just one thing I need.
I don't care about the presents
Underneath the Christmas tree.

Oh no, you see, I think 2012 has been a flipping fantabulous year on the whole and one I have truly enjoyed.

This year I feel more blessed and lucky than ever.

I've achieved and experienced more than I thought possible and I am on a very good plane spiritually.

Yes, it was a relief when we all got through December 21st 2012 in one piece but whilst I am not usually superstitious, I do worry as a mother that some things really are out of my control. It's an incredibly unlikely event that the world does end in our lifetime but nothing is impossible.

It's not so much that I am scared of dying, but how it happens. Ideally I will be very old, with a load of loved ones knowing I lived a life as best as I could and that whilst I have made mistakes, I've only done my best.

Anyway, enough of that.... Like I said, spiritually I am a very lucky and content person this year. I will do a real new year meme post as Christmas begins to fade and thoughts of the new year creep in.  I do enjoy those and this year has certainly been memorable for all the good reasons.

So, I leave you all now wishing you a very very Merry Christmas and an amazing New Year especially those celebrating with small children and for all those very special babies first christmasses out there. I wish you all peace, love and reason to celebrate this lovely time of year.

Get Well Soon Babies!!

Once again my house is an infirmary as I nurse 3 poorly little boys.

Thankfully as the day is going on I am seeing improvements in each of them. They have ALL managed a little food this morning which is more than can be said for yesterday and I feel like a toast waitress. Not that I am complaining. Eating is something they haven't managed much of for a couple of days. It's good to see them on the mend and getting a little norishment into thier bodies.

I have been working on some little christmas lists for the house. You know the general "defrost the turkey" "visit family" "put the bins out on such and such a day" etc.

Today I received my driving license in the post. Hooray. That for me is my christmas present, that really was a good little surprise.

Before the boys got too poorly yesterday we went along to one of the local churches for Liams little nativity story. The playgroup were lovely and sang "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" a couple of times before heading back into playgroup (through and adjoining door) and singing some christmas songs. They all looked like they were enjoying themselves. When my two boys refused refreshments I really knew they were not 100%. James was off nursery as he'd said he didn't feel well but Liam seemed ok until he didn't want food. Halfway home, we got the call to collect Matthew who was also under the weather.

So my nicely planned out week has been anything but smooth for the first two days.

Today they are still lazing about and tired, Liam has a temperature so I'm keeping a close eye on him but the way they are eating gives me great hope they getting etter. I  think they are just full of cold. Poor bubs.

Week In Brief

I can't believe how quick the days and weeks are flying by. It seems forever since I wrote a post and it's only been a week.

On Sunday, I took the car to Bury St Edmunds (where I learnt to drive) to go to a local clothes shop. I got some nice new trousers for going out when we go out for festive celebrations next Saturday. Then we went into the town. That was a job for hubby. Passing my test just a couple of weeks before Christmas is sort of a curse as the roads are busy, some drivers obnoxious and well, as for parking in busy car parks - forget it.

Monday was Matthews school play. He had quite a large part and had 27 sets of lines to learn. He was a fantastic innkeeper and you can see the boy loves to entertain. I have ALWAYS said that. But he looked in his element on stage and acted out the songs with facial expressions. Unfortunately my other children, Liam in particular didn't enjoy the play as much as I did and refused to sit down. After Matthews scene I had to take him for a little walk to get him to behave.

Wednesday, Thursday and Friday I had various trips into town. I managed to get hubby a Christmas present from the kids yesterday. I think he'll like it.

I dyed my hair red to feel nice and festive.

I don't like it..

The weather was rather awful yesterday so I thought I would surprise Matthew and pick him up from school. It took a little courage to get the kids into the car without the support of hubby in the front seat. I haven't driven much this week due to frost and ice conditions but yesterday I felt brave!!! I did use my "P" plates and I didn't drive far. We left VERY early hoping to get a parking space in the area I wanted however, since it was the last and most popular afternoon for the years 3, 4 and 5's play I wasn't able to park in either the road I wanted nor the side roads I thought I would. Even turning around in the cul de sac I wanted was a challenge as cars were parked both sides of the road AND on the corners so I headed home and parked perfectly out the front looking down the hill ready for the next journey. I've never parked on a kerb before nor had to get so close to a wooden fence but I did it without incident and the two boys in the car were little angels. James even said I was a good driver. I love my boys.

Thursday evening we took an evening trip to nearby town Stowmarket and ended up buying most of our Christmas food. My family are coming over on Boxing Day so we've stocked up on party food and snacks. We've got a completely full freezer (amd it's a big American style fridge freezer) and our larder is at full capacity. We just need to get our fresh vegetables at the end of next week when we return from our christmas break.There's a wonderful farm shop on the way back and we will get our last few bits there,

Thursday was also the day the sickness found my family. Liam didn't eat his snack in town and bith hubby and I were annoyed with him as visit to said bakery/cafe cost £8 for 3 drinks and a sausage roll that Liam didn't eat. Once we got to collect James, Liam started being sick. He seemed ok afterwards and was fine until we went out again in the evening. Yesterday he seemed his normal self other than having some rather runny and stinky nappies and still having no appetite. He managed a jacket potato and cheese for his dinner and has had some equally nasty nappies since.

Also yesterday, Matthew didn't seem himself. He insisted he was fine other than a headache but a mothers intuition told me otherwise. Matthew got up this morning complaining that he felt very hot an proceeded to the bathroom and was also sick. He's now having a good sleep. I know when my kids aren't quite right and on this matter, I knew Matthew more than he knew himself. I'm hoping this bug is pretty much over and it is just these two who are affected. However, we all know that once the bug is in the house it normally goes through everyone or all the kids at least,

Today I congratulated and wished my next door neighbour luck as she went off to get married. She looked stunning in a full length gown, a little furry shoulder drape thingy and tiara. My neighbours have been together years but both have had health scares. They must both be in their mid to late 50' - Maybe even early 60's for him and I think that's what made them go for it in the end. Now, when I say I wished her luck, I meant it. Most nights you hear the pair of them arguing, shouting, swearing and having a barney of some sort. Quite often it's over money and her sister gets blamed for alot of things from what I hear through the thin walls. Still, if they've made it this far, something must be going right.

We are very much in the spitrit of Christmas here at home and enjoying all the Christmas movies and specials on tv.

Finally, I end on a sad note thinking of all those killed in Conneticut yesterday. A large number of children and some of their teachers gunned down in their school. Like the rest of the world, I am very sad to read this. We send our kids to school as a place of security as much as education and for those poor teachers just doing their jobs, it is horrendous that we still hear of such things in this troubled world. Thinking of those who lost their lives and for the families that are going through and will continue to go through tremendous grief this holiday period.

Guess What?

Around this time last week, I promised that within the next 10 working days I would fill you in with how my driving test went.

I was indeed very sneaky in hinting that it may be the week commencing Monday 10th December but no, that sneakity sneak that is me, kept it quiet for nearly 7 weeks that my test was booked for December 7th.

Earlier in the week I had that strange dream like thing where I passed and I wanted it to be a good omen. However, the rest of the week was far from fun.

I had a bit of a poo stressful week with the kids, the weather changed and we had snow and icy nights. I thought I lost my purse at one point too so it felt luck was against me and I was certain I was going to fail.

 I didn't feel my mock test went well and with the week I had, there was no way in the world that I would pass first time.

But not giving up before I even began I read my stars before I went yesterday morning:

VIRGO December 7th, 2012
DAILY HOROSCOPE

Show off a little -- lord knows you deserve it! You pulled off something big that just came to light today (maybe even to you), and there's no reason not to celebrate. Go for it!

So that put a little more spring in my step.

I messed up on parking on the lesson before my test and although I would say I didn't feel particularly nervous, I certainly would not describe myself as confident as I set myself into the test centre.

However, fate must have felt differently and somehow, through what I can only call a Christmas Miracle - I passed!

Yes, that's what I said :

Only just I hasten to add.

I felt I had failed.

I had driven so much better so many times. I was too close to vehicles in front once or twice. I felt I missed mirror checks. Through nerves I kept putting the fog lights on when I turned on the left indicator (not once did I do this with the right) and I felt I've messed it up and began to relax after about 10 minutes.

I just about bay parked correctly as I finished the test. I never felt that I was straight enough to start the manouver and ended up just in the lines as I finished.

The examiner totted up his markings and I had had few enough errors to pass my practical driving test.

To pass the UK driving test, you are currently only allowed 15 driver errors, and none of these can be serious or dangerous driver errors.

I had 14. (covers mouth a little embarrassed but happy)

So, I passed! It may have been incredibly close and two marks from a fail but I was on the RIGHT side of 15. It was totally unexpected which makes it that little bit more special. And was very much a fantastic end to a rubbish week.

My instructor was impressed!

She got in the car and listened as I was told I lost marks mostly for mirror observation (just the once but I thought I did more) and hesitation. I was slow pulling away into a gap when stopped on a busy road. I was ALWAYS taught if I cause another driver to slow down then it's not good driving so I waited quite some time for a gap I was confident with. I didn't want to be marked for being dangerous and misjudging a gap when it was raining and played on the side of caution. Others were just an odd mark for this and that.

My examiner wasn't offhand or anything when he said I'd passed but as soon as my instructor said I was her second First Time Pass this week, he smiled and said  "Really, well in that case, Well Done and Congratulations" much warmer and seemed genuinely happy for me.

I text hubby on the way back and told him the good news. By the time my instructor had driven me back he was on the phone updating the insurance for the car.

An hour after I got back I was in my own car. That sounds SO weird to say my car, but I guess it is mine now. Hubby took me out for lunch to celebrate and in the evening bought me a bottle of wine to celebrate.

Now being a driver I was a VERY good girl and settled for a small glass about 7pm so I could drive today.

I drove into Colchester and the journey was fine until I was about 2 minutes from my destination and I nearly had an accident on a mini roundabout. It was my right of way, I went a little wide misjudging the narrowness of it. After 17 months of being taught "always try to go ROUND it rather than over it" this rounabout was in a rubbish place and turned out that I should have gone over it. At the same time as me going wide, the car approaching from the left was going way to fast and looked like he wasn't going to stop. Crash averted I carried onto my nans confidently to end my trip.

It was scary but I learnt that not everything I learned on my lessons apply in every road layout.

I won't be trying to do that at that roundabout again.

So, yep, Passed and been out adventuring in our massive giant of a car from the word go!

Am I Nervous? No. I Am Just Incredibly Terrified!

I often have little dreams in the middle of the night. I'll be completely honest and admit that half the time I don't know if I am actually asleep at the time or if it's just my tired mind running away with itself.

Last night was no exception.

I slept TERRIBLY but I did dream that I passed my driving test first time.

I truly hope that this is a good omen.

Deep down I don't expect to pass first time at all.

Within the next week I will give you all an update on how it went but I can now OFFICIALLY say that I have had my last 2 hour lesson before my test.

The lesson involved a mock test and I didn't do too bad.

My instructor said I did really well once I relaxed but I did hit the kerb on a tight corner as I more or less pulled out of where the test centre is situated. That was a bit of a bummer but after that, the route she took me, the things she got me to do went fine.

I have a system in mind and I do want to pass as soon as possible but if it takes a few attempts then it does.

When I started this journey of learning to drive, I was a driving-phobe. I had the shakes, the sweats, couldn't breathe and occassionally had palpatations before I driving lesson. I used to dread every lesson and over time I have developed into not only enjoying my lessons but looking forward to them and seeing myself improve over the weeks and months.

I can't believe I am so close to my test now.

I'm both excited and petrified at the same time.

December Creeps In

And so befalls the last day of November.

As much as I look forward to Christmas, I am sort of sad to say goodbye to what has been a lovely enjoyable fun month.

It's been a big month of little things.

It's been a month of progress.

Matthew walks home from school.
Liam is out of the buggy for most trips.
Liam is almost out of daytime nappies.

On Wednesday we had a highly successful pants day. We were out with a friend and visited 3 shops, a supermarket and her house without a wet accident all morning. In the afternoon he kept dry too. I am reducing drinks for the time being, just to make it a little easier for him to adjust. Today we made it to the school and back without an accident too so we could be on to the second successful day of out and about in pants.

I am still not giving away the EXACT date of my driving test, I am being playful about it on facebook but for my blog friends I will give away just a little extra clue. It's in the first half of December. So within 10 working days I will have done it. (Saturdays and Sundays discounted as Saturday is too expensive and they don't do Sundays) Like I said, I am being very vague and I like it that way. My next two hour lesson will be my LAST 2 hour block before the big day so I will be doing a mock test for the first part of the lesson and work on anything I need to improve upon after that and I will get an hour in before I do it for the final preparations.

I don't expect to pass first time. I only know of 2 people who have passed first time and one of those is my husband so I am feeling the pressure. Agh!

As long as it goes better than my last lesson which I am hoping was my terrible lesson in 4 that I a normally have, then I should be ok.

Tomorrow I hope to get the Christmas tree. Yesterday I got James and Matthew helping make some decorations for the tree this year.  Gingerbread men and hearts decorated with a flour paste and glitter. I would share a photo but it seems that blogger can only hold 1GB as a free deal and I am already at that quota. I'm going to need to delete some as I will need Christmas pics up soon.

I think that's about it for now, everyone have good weekends.