My week off

Only having booked this week off the previous Thursday, it was so nice to have a rest - it's been so manic at work lately. Not that a week off helps the situation because when I go back I will have a week to catch up on!

The first weekend, as planned, I had my nieces to stay and Ronnie was here until the evening (I don't think he's old enough yet to sleep in a different house). Saturday wasn't the best of days weather wise so I had an idea to bake a cake. It's always something kids like to get their hands dirty with. Actually John took over the role of chief baker as he's not a disaster like I am and anyway, someone had to keep Ronnie occupied. Not satisfied with one cake, three types were created: a standard chocolate sponge sandwich with chocolate goo on top, some brownies and rice crispy cakes. If you didn't like chocolate, you were in the wrong house at that moment! Mum and Dad came round a little later as well, and we organised some painting in between wii games, playing top trumps and various other stuff. After dinner Tina came to collect Ronnie and whilst Kasey was amusing herself, I helped Ebony create a better myspace page and showed how to put stuff on there. Both girls had a later night than usual but hey it was Saturday night and who wants to be the uncool auntie?!

Sunday was a much sunnier day and as such, John and I took Ebony and Kasey to Adventure Island on the seafront. Yeah so it was pretty expensive but it's worth it when you can see they're having fun. They are both adrenalin junkies. You can understand it from a 12 year old but Kasey is 6 (almost 7) and loves the rollercoasters. She's just not quite big enough for the blue wrist band which will mean she can go on everything, so at the moment she's a little limited and you can see her frustrations! We spent just over 3 hours down there but had to get back so John could go into work. After tea, I took them both home and I must say they were both very well behaved. I look forward to having them over again sometime.

On Monday John had to go into hospital for a carpal tunnel operation on his left hand. He only had local anaesthetic so was able to come home at midday. He's doing fine albeit bruised and the stitches will dissolve in about 14 days. He was advised by the surgeon to have 6 weeks off work. Most people would lap it up but not John! He said he can't do that and asked what was the minimum time he could take. The surgeon said 2 weeks. "So that's what I'll have" John said. Not being able to drive, there's not a damn thing his boss can do about it. Personally I would have taken the 6 weeks!

The next day (Tuesday) John and I and my Mum and Dad took Ronnie down the beach at Westcliff for a couple of hours in the afternoon. It was fairly warm when the sun was out and we found a patch where there's a good deal of sand for Ronnie to play in. The sea was out at the time but soon came in, but we were ordered not to throw stones until the water had arrived! Ronnie was happy to paddle despite it being pretty cold and also loved playing basketball with the fishing net. Grandad, of course, became the chief architect of several sandcastle creations and even Auntie Lisa was seen digging a moat. Ah! The simple pleasures in life!

Wednesday evening, John, Paul and I went to see 'We Will Rock You' in the West End. My fourth time, or is it my fifth? (I must be losing count). It's my favourite show and I love it every time I see it. On Saturday evening, just myself and John went to see another one - Mamma Mia. Only my second time for this one but John's seen it about half a dozen times already! It's a good show, especially the finale (I have to get myself one of those Abba costumes!) but I found the volume wasn't high enough, particularly during the dialogue.

In between all the above, I've just been pottering about, finished reading two books, playing word games on Facebook, and watching a couple of dvds. As it's Father's Day, we have my parents over this evening for a roast.

Oh...AND....I'm going to see George Michael at Earls Court on 24th August! YAY! Tickets sold out as usual but just secured a couple on eBay for £150 each. Daylight robbery really but the seats aren't bad and if the rumours are true that this may be his last live gig, I DO NOT want to miss out. I've loved him since his Wham days and have wanted to see him ever since. This falls on the same day as my Aunt and Uncle's Silver Wedding Anniversary party; however, as their 'do' starts at 4pm and they live in Benfleet, we can eat and just go from there.