Normal for Norfolk

Had a nice, if busy, weekend. Dragged John out shopping on Saturday morning... popped to my fave store (one of) - TK Maxx to but some new schnazzy bake-ware and stuff for my new schnazzy kitchen... God, I am SUCH a domestic Goddess ;-) In the afternoon, John went off to footie, and Mark and I spent a scintillating but much needed afternoon going through all the the boxes of kitchen stuff, and decided what we needed to hurl out (quite alot), what needed upgrading, and the rest we washed up and put away. This was made all the more fascinating by our new toys - new dishwasher, new hob and oven, and new tumble dryer (courtesy of Janine and Simon - thankyou!).

In the evening, John came back and joined us in the village for a couple of beers and an Indian meal. His *first* Indian meal (in a restaurant) ever, would you believe?! I guess our generation in this country takes that kind of experience for granted!

Sunday, we had a really nice day out - to blow the cobwebs off. We went up to Potter Heigham in Norfolk, and popped into our favourite discount store to buy some new dinner plates etc... had fish and chips by the river, and then drove up to Sea Palling for a trampse along the sand dunes. Gorgeous... In the evening, John worked, and Mark and I went for a bit of a drink, and came home to admire the soft-closing mechanisms on our drawers and cupboards! heh... ;-)

Yesterday was pretty uneventful - I went to a step aerobics class after work with Lynn, and managed to tie myself in a big knot with it (not least my knickers - when I discovered that a whole load of 50+ women seem to take to it like a duck to water, and I am left failing around, hopelessly trying to follow what they are doing.... grrrrrr). I like to think that it is because it is suspiciously like line dancing, and my brain clearly has "issues" with participating in such a thing :-D The evening was not exactly finished off well though - Mark didn't stop working on the kitchen until almost midnight, at which point my stomach was ready to eat itself - and his patience had entirely worn out. Cue much pouting, and snarling... ;-) The almost-finished result does look wonderful though!

Anyway... had better get off. Am on the turnstiles tonight for the Histon FC v Stafford Rangers game, and I have to duck past the netball girls on the recreation ground next to the pitch (who may disembowel me for missing training tonight!).

Lots of love and kisses - especially to Jen... am thinking of you chickie!

Hayley
xxx

PS. Happy 30th Birthday to Emma - hope you had a good one! Also to Carole... the card is in the post! ;-) xxx

Busy Busy Bees!

Well - still very busy at work, so not really had time to update the old blogola lately! This is a piccie of Mark and I at a wedding we went to t'other week for one of his workmates.

Had a nice weekend (the last one gone). Me old cousin Mark came up on Friday night for a bit of a booze up and a thai meal in the local pub - very nice indeedie! It was a welcome break after doing a very harsh spinning class at the local gym!! I must say that he is currently looking distinctly like a cross between David Essex and a member of the Taliban (long "tousled" hair, ginger beard, and a turkish tea towel thrown around his neck...). No doubt he is trying to achieve the perfect 'boho' look ahead of his 6-month around the world trip - heading off next week. I wish him well - although I must admit I did a bit of finger wagging, and may have said "be careful" a few too many times... bless him.

On Saturday, football seemed to swallow up the entire day almost. I worked the turnstiles (was my turn to do it until half time - pout), but it was a good match - and the might Histon FC managed to get a 3-1 win over York. Marvellous! We spent the evening in the pub with Mark's friends Nigel and Russell, and then joined John (Mark's Dad) at home for fish and chips... (this is sarting to sound like a real lager lout's blog...).

Sunday was a bit stressy, but really rather nice. I cooked (with Caroline's help) for Mark's entire family; Paul and Alison, Jessica and Sam, Katie and Emily, Caroline, Mark, John and Myself. Managed to cook three types of meat/roast, and even served a dessert! Was really nice - and a nice way to show John that family lifecan still go on. I think he is still finding life alone very very tough - and I don't blame him. I have been there and done it, and it's not exactly fun being on your own when you really don't want to be. Sunday evening, Mark and I managed an evening alone - just chilling out in our slowly materialising kitchen.

Monday I went to Sophie's for dinner after I went to the gym for a step class. We had delicious liver and bacon, with lashings of gossip and gravy ;-) Tuesday I had netball, followed by a committee meeting - apparently I now do the PR for the netball club - "The Histon Hounds" heh. Wednesday I had lunch with Adele, and in the evening went to another meeting for netball with Lynn and Sarah, and *then* a meeting for football - I am involved in the organisation of one of the player's testimonial match. I am now in charge of doing posters, invites and DVD covers! :-s We then stuck around to watch the Histon Reserves play, and saw Joe (from netball) taking some pictures at the ground.

Tonight I am having dinner with Robert and Emma - its Emma's 30th birthday apparently, so we are going to the pub to celebrate. Hopefully I wont fall off my bike on the way home! ;-)

And so ends another busy busy week.... and starts another. I am at a spinning class tomorrow night, and I think we are watching Rugby with some of Mark's friends on Saturday. Sunday might be a chance to go and look at new cars... a replacement for Jarvis?! Gulp....

Anyway... phew... hope you are all well?

Lots of love

Hayley

xxxx

PS. Very exicited - have booked two holidays this week - a week in the Basque region of Spain with Jez and Marta, and a week in Cornwall (Padstow) with Mark, Tracy and the boys in a caravan here http://www.harlynsands.co.uk/... that should be interesting and fun! :-D

Cud - Rich And Strange

Yay! I cant wait to see these next month!

Some Quick Snappy Updates (due to time constraints!)

These are in no particular order of importance!

1. Mark seems to be coping ok with the death of his Mum - a little up and down, but nothing more than expected.
2. John (his Dad) is still staying with us in the main - although is more prepared to spend time at home during dylight hours at least. Night times seem to be his biggest hurdle at the moment - although he has made a little progress and managed to stay there alone for a couple of nights or so last week. Must be impossible for him.
3. I have had the fastest fallout EVER in terms of gym attendence... It usually takes me a good few months (around 8) to fall into bad habits and not actually go - but with circumstances as they have been, and some time devoted to Mark's Dad, my attendence rate is atrocious! I *have* started a spinning class ona Friday, which I am really enjoying... although it is actually killing me! MUST endeavour to go at least twice a week!!
4. I went orienteering a couple of weekends ago - and loved it! Am hoping to do more!
5. Mark and I went to Oxford last weekend... we combined an away Histon FC footie match with a look around the city. Gorgeous place! Although, I understand that as a Cambridge resident I am supposed to spit on the ground whenever it is mentioned... Mark thinks that my view of it was skewed by the unseasonal gorgeous spring weather we have been having, but I am yet to be convinced.
6. Histon FC got pasted by Oxford United... the less said (although it makes Mark's prejudice complete!).
7. Tonight I am selling tickets for a home match... fingers crossed for that! I have my long john's at the ready... boy I know how to get myself up for a night out! ;-)
8. Work has been very busy (hence snappy updates).
9. Mia is fat. Really really fat.
10. So am I.
11. Benjamin William Miles is ridiculously cute.
12. Paris is the capital of France.
13. My sister's new shop in Southwold is doing really nicely - rather splendidly named "Crabapple"... I wonder what genius came up with that?
14. Jen wears white socks in her powder room, and is holding a 'bra party'. heh (just checking to see if you are reading).
15. Marta is a tricky young spaniard that eats cheesy sausages all day long.
16. I am now acknowledged as world leader of documentation, and am hoping to spread my remit to Histon Netball Club and Histon FC (well the fund raising committee at least).
17. The kitchen is half done, and is looking fabulous. I have a genius for a boyfriend.
18. Jarvis's days may well be numbered....

Anyway... speak soon! Love to all,
Hayley
xxx