A Tico Tico Ti, A Tico Tico TA

Thought it was about time I added another post. But am currently lost for words! There is so much to tell, so I am going to canabilize an email I sent to a pal......

Everything good this end! We love it down here. Molly is good - blood tests yesterday perfect and we don't have to go back till mid Jan. Brill! Daisy good - enjoying it down here with heaps to do. The school is fantastic and I am so very pleased with her progress - she is coming back with awards and praise and visits to the Head for good work etc. Her reading is in the top set and her maths the second (which is fab cos its not one of her favourite subjects). She has loads to do too - Gym after school on Monday (free school club), Samba band after school Tuesday (free school club), Beavers Wednesday (absolute bedlam, she loves it), Swiming with the school on Friday, Pop dancing on Sat am (actually I am going to do the adult class immediately after this Sat - won't be able to move on Sun!!! But MY GOD Britney better watch out cos she is going to have some serious competition.......). Molly goes dancing too.

I managed to voluteer myself as secretary to the committee that run the preschool (how the hell did THAT happen?!?!). Minutes were fun to do, but how "Secretary" encompasses baking 60-odd mince pies AND flogging them at the Christmas Bazaar I will never know. Apparently they were very nice - I wouldn't know, because after dropping one tray straight out of the oven and then the bloody B*stard cooling rack leg collapsing and watching, in slow motion, another batch hit the floor I didn't think I could stomach actually eating one myself. But they all sold, which was good and the christmas Bazaar was actually really nice - we had it in the local posh hotel (had dinner there- more of that later!!) and it was warm, welcoming and very christmassy, as Christmas Bazaars should be....

Joined the WI - first meeting last week, took Sylv. That was fun!! Lots of things lined up there. Best thing about it? Watching the characters having a polite pop at each other - love it!!!

I go riding once a week which is fab - feel a bit bandy when I get off but brilliant fun. Lovely horses which makes a change. Mine was feeling nice and frisky on Tuesday cos the weather was crappy so he had been shut in. Carted me off all over the place and I had a huge grin plastered on my face! Can't wait to go again. Not going this week though... (more of that later.....)

Bit chilly but really not bad at all for this time of year. Wet today the last couple of days but inbetween really bright.

We have made friends too! They live around the corner and run the local shoot (great fun for Shaun, he is beating today). They are both really nice and we have a lot in common. Their son is in Daisy's class and they get on really well. And they are here to do the self sufficiency thing too! So we will probably be pooling our resources (something like, you guys do carrots, we'll do potatoes).

We have finally turned our bathroom into a bigger bedroom for the girls, which looks lovely and their old room into the toy room. That leaves the box room to be converted into a "bath" room (we have a shower room next to that). Don't have a spare room, unfortunately, but never mind - we do have a caravan (another Freecycle acquisition - FAB!!). A little bit of work to be done on it (brake cable and a deep clean!!) and then next spring we can take off when we want.

Actually I have some seriously fun ideas for the caravan, not least painting the outside with flowers etc etc a la hippy - its really orange and brown 80's special at the mo and needs livening up and a bit of t.l.c. Maggie if you are reading this - thanks again for giving us your caravan!!!

The extension on our lounge will be built some time next year - the lounge is tiny (a third of the size we used to have) which would be ok, sweet and cosy, but we have got to work somewhere and at the moment the computer is in the corner and I sit sideways in the armchair with the keyboard on my knee and the mouse on the arm of the settee!! Thats OK tho - it will all sort itself out soon. I love the house and am very very happy.

So, for the points to follow:

1) It was our 5th Anniversary on Friday! Aw!!! And my parents kindly sent us some dough to eat out... so we did! We went to the local poshy-poos hotel and had the BEST meal I have had in my life. Seriously good food, fantastically wonderful service and I loved every minute. It was brilliant.

2) unfortunately have now caught Molly's Marvellous Tummy Bug so won't be going riding. Ah well, might lose the weight I put on on Friday when I ate so much I thought I would explode and my fancy-pants restaurant. That'll teach me.

YES SIR! I can BOOGIE...

OMG we made it.

WE ARE IN DEVON

Actually, we have been here for 7 weeks and it felt like home from the get-go. I LOVE it. Its fantastic. The house is wonderful and the kids are (when they aren't bickering!) happy - Daisy asked me if we could stay in Devon forever!

Although we have been very busy, I havent' got an awful lot to report. Its all been about moving, moving furniture around, finding the way to Tescos/Beavers/Train Stations/Hairdressers (most important you know).

Shaun is slowly managing to get things done. It took us a while to get our bit fenced, then we had to fence in the other bit - that took about 4 weeks all in all. Now he has been moving the veggie patches that are Mum-in-Laws over to her side so he can level the ground to put up his sheds.

We are getting quite excited about what we are going to grow next year. We can't do much yet but there is a nice patch of ground which Shaun is attending to at the mo - he's spending an hour or so a day removing rocks. Nice job if you can get someone to do it!! Poor boy. But its good soil. Medium to Sandy loam by the looks of it (can you tell I have been looking at my course? Can ya? Can ya?!) which will be great for growing stuff. I am working on the planting side of things, drawing up a 4 year rotation and sorting out successive cropping/companion planting etc. All very complicated for a little beginner buts its becoming clearer!

We have great neighbours - Mike and his wife Gill and Mikes brother Garth. They run the nursery which produces various things including tomatoes and courgettes (WITH the flowers on) for the hotels etc. They grew up in this house which is very useful! We call Mike "The Oracle" - there's not alot he doesnt know!

I have been riding a couple of times which is excellent. I did start to work for rides which I absolutely LOVED but I found I had too much still to do at home and had to start the business up again so I can't do it anymore. GUTTED was not the word. I was very upset actually, but if we want to do this self sufficiency thing I have to make time for my course too and something had to give. Stables had to go <sob> but hey, I'm OK now.

The funniest thing I have to tell you is about the tree surgeon. We have had 3 pines taken out - sounds drastic but they were spoiling the view from the In-Laws point of view and stunting our orchard from our point of view. So up crops this guy. And we notice he is missing a few fingers. Quite darkly amusing! Until we find he is also missing a leg.............. And apparently he does a "Proper Job!"

And so he did, but we did wonder...... and stayed out the way!!!

I'VE got a COMbined HARvester......

I am so sorry I haven't posted for so long - its been absolutely manic with all the MOVING!!!!! Yay!

No, we haven't gone yet...

But we ARE!! We were due to exchange contracts last week and the moving date WAS set for 29th August. Nice - well, yes, but we get back from holiday on 28th!!! I told 'em I didn't care, it would all be fine (you know me by now, up for a laugh!!) but they are pushing for 30th maybe. Thats better and the most sensible option I suppose, but, wow, I would LOVE to have moved on the 29th!! Can you imagine how hectic it would have been? I would have laughed my butt off!!

I can't WAIT. I am so excited I am worse than Daisy, running around grinning and flapping about giggling. Obviously there are pangs about what, or mores to the point, WHO we are moving further away from, but its not the end of the earth, only 3-4 hours away.

Even the kids are excited! Daisy was VERY iffy about moving until school term finished, and then it was like a cloud lifted and she was the happiest kid in the world. I think she was dreading the "goodbye" thing. She got a cracking card from school though with all her mates names inside - we will keep it forever.

Molly is doing fantastic. We have just had the THIRD month of normal bloods! Amazing! And we had her Kings review last Wednesday - Ultrasound, GFR (kidney test) and general review. All good, thank god, we WERE worried even though in our eyes she looks fab, who knows what lies beneath? It was a SHIT day though. She needed 2 canulas for the GFR. One to inject dye and one to take bloods from throughout the day. That had TERRIBE trouble getting the canulas in and it wasn't the Dr's - we know them all and they are great. So we only managed the first canula on the 5th attempt and then had 4 blood tests in her feet (everything else was buggered). So, you know, she was pretty upset. She recovered almost immediately though, and was laughing and joking about - we weren't! We were in tatters! Bleedin' Kids!!!!

Right - just to warn you, when we move its going to take some time to set up Broadband again. So this could be the last post for a while. I have received some brilliant comments from you all - and I would love to get in touch and sometimes I can't answer your comments - if you want me to my email is LucieWilby@aol.com.

So next time you hear from me I could be ploughing my fields!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Fairytale Sports / heading for Devon

Had a great time over the weekend - Molly had her sports day on Saturday morning and Daisy her Fun Day where she did country dancing in the afternoon.

Molly had a great time - she was fab! I have put in a couple of piccies. I didn't expect to get emotional at ALL but she was running with all her little might with a big grin on her face and as she got nearer the tears just kind of erupted!!! Shaun was fine until he saw me booing over Molly and the teacher and anyone who came near me. Oh dear!!! She was great and kept up well. Her other race was fab too - Goldilocks and the 3 Bears- she had to run and pick up her spoon, then her bowl, then come and sit on the chair at the finish line and at her porridge - no problems, she knew exactly where she was headed!

Daisy had a fabulous win in the siblings race - won by a mile so she was very proud.

In the afternoon Daisys school had their fun day which was great fun and Daisy showed us her country dancing which she was really good at! Going to sign her up for some dance lessons as shes so into it.

The other good news is.... we are off!!! moving date set for end Aug/beginning of Sep. Fantastic!!!

First Floor - Festivals, Celebrations, Hoorays

Blimey, another month gone since I updated my blogg. Oops. Sorry guys!

At least I will have a lot to tell you! You will be glad to know we did actually make the festival. It was a close run thing tho.... both kids were poorly and so was my Mum. The day drew closer and frantic phone calls were made. Acceptance of missing the festival set in... but no! Even though poorly, Auntie Nats came to the rescue. Nats, I love you big time!!

We had a great time! Once we got in our truck and set off the pressure faded away. Travelling to Dorset in a mad truck with no seatbelts and a maximum speed of 50 mph (which felt like 100 mph) was liberating. We laughed and laughed and the years fell away. We were only there 30 hours, but it was enough to give us a taster - next year we are taking the kids! What a lovely place - no generators (apart from one for 10 mins) it was all wind and solar powered - so quiet! No nasty smells! (well... veggy food does that so no comment). The food was brilliant and we had the best breakfast we have ever had. We learnt loads.

I wove a rug! Well, I say its a RUG and Shaun sniggers. Its quite small but perfectly formed and it fits rolled up in a bag I made. Well, I say MADE but actually I went to make it with this lady who had a treadle sewing machine in her tent (!) but the belt broke so I fixed the sewing machine and she made the bag. But back to the RUG. Shaun had it under his arm when he went to get an organic beer and some bloke said "whats that?!" And Shaun said it was a rug, and this bloke said "What for, a f*cking hamster?!". And it was SUPPOSED to be about peace and love (man).

The next great thing was Molly's blood tests - they came back normal. NORMAL!! First time ever for Molly. Its fantastic news. And even if they do go up again, they HAVE been normal and so no doubt WILL be again. It has been a long slow decrease and I am chuffed to bits. So no more blood tests till we go to London next month! Fantastic news. She is really really well - even after the chest infection she got while we were away (I will not feel guilty, no nonono... ok, so I feel guilty). And on the back of that, and the transplant anniversary coming up in 10 days, I have started to write a letter to the donor family.

I thought I would be really hard, but it was surprisingly easy. I am so very grateful and I hope that the letter will help in some small way. What a decision for them to make at the worst time in their lives. Looking at Molly I don't think I could ever tell them how grateful I am. Not properly.

And the news goes on.... we have found a house and our offer has been accepted. Its a FAB house. Wonderful land, amazing rooms - better than I EVER could have hoped for. As Shaun said, if you were to measure up, floor space wise its probably no bigger than what we have, but its how its laid out. Its wonderful and I love it. And we can have chickens in the orchard, and crops and pigs............. HOORAY!

So still, despite all, or because of all, life is GOOD.

p.s. who wants radishes? I have heaps...... and potatoes, and onions, and lettuce and carrots................ and miles and miles of smiles.

MySpace

Hey and ALSO - I have a myspace now! For the brave: www.myspace.com/funinlalaland
Everything on there should be very familiar to my longterm friends, but if now, well I think you might get to know me a little better.

Lu xx

Mi marido

Thought it was about time I put up a decent piccy of my other half. So here he is - and mind, he's taken!! Love you Shaun xx


  

Birthdays!

The Smiley Brigade

Hello all! It seems a long long while since I posted a half decent post. Its not surprising really - I don't think I have ever been so busy in my life, but most of it is non-profit making! Well, thats a good thing and a bad thing I suppose! Good for the soul but will probably give the Bank Manager a peptic ulcer (mind you, seeing as the Bank Manager is of the on-line variety I would presume this would be a Virtual Peptic Ulcer. What form would that take?)

First things first though - Molly's 3rd birthday. I can't believe she is 3 and I am so very, very proud of her. Let's face it - this time last year I really wasn't very convinced of the fact that she would be here. That doesn't make me sad or teary - just ecstatic that she is so very very well at the moment.

I get very wary of answering peoples questions about how Molly is. Its not particularly "superstitious" thing - not like "gah! If I tell them she is well, then the bubble will burst and we will be back in the hospital". More because nobody can really understand unless they have a child with BA. Liver transplantation is not a cure. It certainly feels like one! But things could and no doubt will, go wrong either in a minor or major way in the future. We will still have hospital stays. We still have blood tests every 2 weeks or so (and I hate telling her we are going although she is very good once the initial "NO!" is over!!). There are "issues" that may or may not occur in the future. Her liver function tests are certainly heading the right way, but, nearly a year on, they are still abnormal. I don't care at the moment! She is loving life and is so very, very well in herself its fantastic.

So when people say "How's she doing?" how should I answer? I usualy say "She's fantastic!" because she is. But everyone smiles understandingly, thinking she has been "cured". Now that is great for their mindset and, believe me, I am not moaning here or griping at peoples concern. I am just left with a bit of a "hmmm. Stuff left out here." feeling.

That's the best way I can explain it!

But the birthday was a grand success! She got the Bus she wanted plus loads of other goodies that she is exceptionally pleased with. And we are exceptionally pleased with her too. xx

Right. Next topic!! Well, I feel that should be Daisy my eldest. She is so grown up now its incredible. She continues to do well at school. She is still very insecure (the whole Molly incident has taken a major toll on her sense of self) but things are getting better. The most important thing to me is to get this move to Devon over so she is settled. I feel this whole move will be the making of Daisy - its going to be great for her in so many ways and I can' wait for it to begin. I love her dearly and am very worried about her. She needs to get back to basics at a slower pace of life where both her parents are doing the same. Again, its hard to explain in this small paragraph. She needs a lot more love and attention than I can currently give her, working all the hours as I am at the moment. I want to involve her more. This move will help accomplish that.

So that moves naturally on to the move! I am not going to say much about where we are moving to - we have yet to have it confirmed that our offer has been accepted. The owner is a wonderful person and she wants to take her time to ensure that the precious land she is leaving is going to be in good hands. We can only reassure her so much - now is her time to consider. Fingers crossed because it is a magical, wonderful place to be, live and grow.

We have SO much we want to change, this would give us such a kick start it would be fantastic. But if this house isn't to be then we are determined we will still be as green and self sufficient as possible in any property we finally move to. We are doing what we can where we are at the moment, but obviously can't make any major changes to anything as it just wouldn't be worth it with a move just around the corner. We have accepted an offer for the house and now its just waiting.

When we move I want to get a job outside if I can - there is a fab organic nursery/veggy box scheme company not far away and I have already made enquiries (you know me, I don't hang about!!) about work which is looking promising. Who knows!

I am also looking at attending a course with the Strawbridge family. If you haven't seen their series "Its not easy being green" you are missing alot! Its on at 8.30pm on a Tuesday with only a couple of episodes left but they are truly inspiring. Their website is well worth a visit - loads of links with very very useful sites. I have put a link on the right hand side of the page under Links.

We are so very very busy, but so very very happy too. We are officially The Smiley Brigade (with very very large bags under our eyes! Molly - go to sleep!!!) xxxxxxxxx

Happy Times

Music Video Codes by PutCode.com

A little merry post. Happy times are here, so I wanted to share my fave music video with you to make you smile. This is Christopher Walken at his best (in my opinion!!) with one of my fave musicians, Fatboy Slim. Enjoy!

Easter Egg Hunt! Happy Easter!!

 
 
  

Hey Diddly Dee - A Festival For ME!

OMG I can't believe it, I've never been this far away from home.....

Its a miracle. In fact, there are a couple of miracles here.

The first, and most important, is that Molly's blood results this week are the best they have been since last August (and they were on their way UP then, not DOWN). She is fat and pink!!! Its brilliant. However, part of me is saying "hold on hold on they could go up next week". But she is brilliant.

The next thing is that I am so very, very lucky to have such brilliant friends. Nats is having Molly for me - and thats a big favour cos of all the meds and waking up in the night etc. I should feel guilty but I don't - I feel very, very grateful!!! Nats, you are wonderful and Molly is so excited cos she loves you to bits.

Ces, one of my oldest friends, was another one who didn't hesitate and offered to have Daisy for me. She has had her before but never overnight. Again, a big favour cos Daisy is quite insecure and needs lots of love n hugs and keeping busy. She also is majorly excited, although nervous that we are going away.

All of this means that.....

Shaun and I are going to a festival! Its amazing!!! We are going to be away for 2 days and a night! On our own, just us (well, and god knows how many festival goers that is!). If you are interested its www.earthwise-uk.com

We decided we are FAR too old to rough it in a tent and with communal loos though. Memories of Glastonbury '93 are still fresh in my mind (phew.... river of wee.....).

So we are taking Shauns Dodge truck!!! Its a nice big lorry, complete with a little kitchen area so we can put a mattress in the back (well, he said just a mattress, but I am adding stuff all the time, like a duvet (just a small necessity), and a chemical loo in what was the kitchen area. You know, like in caravans. And we have some gas so we can have a little whistling kettle and some tin mugs!! COOL!!!

How excited am I? ARGH!!! CANT WAIT.

p.s. my potatoes are growing. And my little greenhouse is working a treat - I have too many radishes though. mmm. Where can I put them!?!?!?

History......

Well, my making another blogg has raised a question - where did I learn to speak Spanish? Now I know its not perfect by any means and I am really rusty because the only time I speak it is to my friend on the phone every 3 months or so!!!

But! The story is: When I was 13 my family moved to Mallorca. I went to school and college there and sat my exams in Spanish. Perfect age! a 14 year old sponge..... and I was fluent.

It stays with me but it hard for a while. I remember I came back to England after a year or so, stayed for 9 months then went back to Mallorca. I stood on my friends doorstep and when she answered the door I couldn't say a word!!! Nothing would come out and it all came out back to front.... but I was OK after a few minutes!

I used to use my Spanish in my job and I would love to do that again. I learnt business talk instead of bar talk! Cool! I used to deal with Spain, Guatemala and Peru! Mind you, we made bottle tops and wine bottle seals - I suppose it was bar talk after all.

Another blog....

For those of you interested, I have set up another blog especially for a friend of mine, full of family photos....

http://escueladecalor.blogspot.com/

Podge!!!!

 

... has escaped twice. Where did he end up? Down the kennels bless him!!! Hes settling in well.

Thats it for today!!! 

Devon Cream Tea - Jam and Podge

I have been on holiday! 2 weeks. Its a miracle! Didn't think we would ever get the go ahead from the hospital. But there you go! We have been, saw some houses, went to the zoo and the miniature pony centre (b*stard goats ate my welly!!!) and basically had fun. The first week was a bit stressful, but things settled down a bit the second week.

It didn't start out that well at all - the night before we went our lovely dog Jammie had to be put down. She was getting on and had been really active until then. We had been a bit worried and were half expecting something, so she timed it right bless her. I am so glad we weren't away. We miss her alot and so does our little dog Poppy.

So ever the gluttons for punishment, we resuced a 14 year old Cairn called Podge. His owners sadly could care for him no more - his "Dad" is 82 and his wife has advanced Alzeimers. So Podge is now a Wilby and has fitted in really well!!! Mind you, we have always had girls, who aren't spade. Unfortunately we have found that Podge still has his nads. Mmm. Father at 14 maybe??? ARGH!!!!

Nicey Niecey Explanation

Hello all! just a quick post... off on holiday on Monday!!! Bloody hell, won't believe it till we are there.

Molly update: All OK. Bloods still highish but stable so all OK so far. Osteopath: 1st night was brill. Nice chilled out kid who woke 3 times but was so relaxed it was FAB! Last night was pretty much back to normal. Annoying. Lets see what tonight brings. I will definitely take her again though, when we get back, because it was worth it just for her to be comfortable for that one night.

Had a hectic but nice week, my niece came to stay since Thursday and I just ran her back tonight. I haven't known her very long (well I knew her when she was little, but she grew up!!) and she is 17, georgeous and I am very proud of her. I like her alot too! Its been nice having her here and I hope she comes again.

So I was looking at her My Space and she had this little survey thing.... so I did it. Below are the results!!!

See you after the 3rd April!!! xx

Nicey Niecy

TELL ME ABOUT YOURSELF - The Survey
Name:	Lu
Birthday:	15th July
Birthplace:	Redhill
Current Location:	Horsham
Eye Color:	Sludge
Hair Color:	Pink
Height:	5.5
Right Handed or Left Handed:	Right
Your Heritage:	Is that where I come from or what I leave behind??
The Shoes You Wore Today:	Pink X18s
Your Weakness:	Chocolate
Your Fears:	My child
Your Perfect Pizza:	A Perfect Margarita
Goal You Would Like To Achieve This Year:	Nah, don't do goals.
Your Most Overused Phrase On an instant messenger:	lol
Thoughts First Waking Up:	eeeerrrrrrggggburgle
Your Best Physical Feature:	I think? my lips He things? Take a wild guess.
Your Bedtime:	when I finish what I gotta do
Your Most Missed Memory:	My Dad
Pepsi or Coke:	Either Neither
MacDonalds or Burger King:	blergh
Single or Group Dates:	mmm depends!!!
Lipton Ice Tea or Nestea:	Wot?
Chocolate or Vanilla:	Chocolate Cake, Vanilla Ice Cream... together
Cappuccino or Coffee:	Tea.
Do you Smoke:	nopes
Do you Swear:	yeps
Do you Sing:	I warble
Do you Shower Daily:	I would LOVE to have the time
Have you Been in Love:	Yes
Do you want to go to College:	YES YES YES
Do you want to get Married:	I GOT married. Twice.
Do you belive in yourself:	Yes I suppose I do.
Do you get Motion Sickness:	Yes, spinny out
Do you think you are Attractive:	Er, to some?
Are you a Health Freak:	Hardly
Do you get along with your Parents:	Yes, for the most part
Do you like Thunderstorms:	Yes if Im indoors, No if Im in IT
Do you play an Instrument:	Piano
In the past month have you Drank Alcohol:	No
In the past month have you Smoked:	No
In the past month have you been on Drugs:	No
In the past month have you gone on a Date:	No
In the past month have you gone to a Mall:	Yes
In the past month have you eaten a box of Oreos:	No cos we are in England
In the past month have you eaten Sushi:	Yuk.
In the past month have you been on Stage:	No
In the past month have you been Dumped:	God I hope not.
In the past month have you gone Skinny Dipping:	Nothing skinny about it and no.
In the past month have you Stolen Anything:	Yeps... oooo.
Ever been Drunk:	Yes, very, lots of times.
Ever been called a Tease:	Yes
Ever been Beaten up:	Yes.. I extracted my revenge later.
Ever Shoplifted:	Yep
How do you want to Die:	Nicely thank you.
What do you want to be when you Grow Up:	Peter Pan
What country would you most like to Visit:	South America
In a Boy/Girl..
Favourite Eye Color:	Anything but grey.
Favourite Hair Color:	Don't mind, as long as they have some, somewhere....
Short or Long Hair:	Either, depends.
Height:	Tall or short, all have benefits....
Weight:	kind of medium, not too skinny, not fat either
Best Clothing Style:	Non fashion, no cardis.
Number of Drugs I have taken:	3
Number of CDs I own:	Too many.
Number of Piercings:	12
Number of Tattoos:	3
Number of things in my Past I Regret:	Nothing major. Don't do regret either.
CREATE YOUR OWN! - or - GET PAID TO TAKE SURVEYS!

Memory Lane

 
For those of you who didn't see or know her, this was Molly pre-transplant last Summer. 

50 Thousand Leagues Under the Sea

Do you know, its 10 past midnight? This last week I have probably been more tired than I ever have in my life. And yet, here I sit.

Life seems very hard at the moment, and it really shouldn't. Normally a fearless kind of person, who doesn't particularly worry about much I can't change I am finding that my fears are sitting hard and cold in the bottom of my stomach.

Mainly for Molly of course. I am so scared sometimes, and I am sure any mother will identify with that, and even more so mothers who have sick children.

Having "gained" Molly again after her transplant, I dread a return to those days. I don't know how it didn't swallow me up. Molly is really well, but, for all our "wow" shes FAB! to everyone, her bloods still aren't normal. In fact at the moment they are pretty high, but coming down. They are putting this down to lots of chest infections, including Pneumonia last October and about 5 chest infections both before and after. She is on antibiotics again. She really is full of beans, but if her bloods don't settle down in the spring the hospital are going to start investigating. It makes my blood run cold. The fear of the investigations (she has been through so much) and the fear of further surgery for her. And then, the what if its serious? The fear of needing a new liver. The guilt of still being overweight therefore no good to her. And then there is the fucking bird flu. And yes, hey, lets not overeact. But you know what? They say its coming. And it could be just a 10% chance that it crosses the species barrier and an even smaller chance that it becomes a pandemic - but if it does, how on earth will she survive it? That little worry is a deep, sick knot in the pit of my stomach because there is NOTHING I can do.

So, the days seem pretty dark at the moment. I try and enjoy my time and we are very very busy with this that and the other. I am desperate for a "normal" life - more sleep, less pain and worry. I will get over this.

We are definitely moving to Devon. My only two regrets are moving farther away from my mother and my friends. But I long for it and then I worry that its just another distraction and thats why I long for it. Then I stop worrying about that because, as far as I can see, thats what life is all about. Distractions. They say "You have to have something to aim for" and "they" are right, because otherwise life is just the same, day in, day out.

A Family Partridge

 

Browsing through my piccies, and I found one of all four of us - so here we are, the Wilby Juniors. 

You wondered whether we were trolls or aliens - heres your proof!

 

And for those of you who didn't see this on the day - this is my handsome husband Shaun, all glammed up for Daisy's 6th birthday last October. 

My georgeous Daisy Doos - Growing up FAST!

  

Lu and Molly on the Bluebell Railway, Xmas 05

  

Phhoey

Just a little udpate. Am having trouble fitting all this new info and photos in. Bah.

Molly Moo and the Big Grin

  

Hectic Ecclectic

Well its all a bit mad at our house at the moment. LOADS of things going on. Looks like the move to Devon (oo-ar) is going ahead, house goes on the market 1st April and in-laws are currently in Devon for 3 weeks trying to find us all a new pad (yes, we want to stay together before anyone asks!!)

Now thats all very well, but the kennels are quite busy. Shaun doesnt' work at the kennels anymore, only when his Dad needs help, like now. But he is also working for the NCH (National Childrens Charity) dropping collection bags and picking them up. And I have my office job 9-5 on Tuesday and Wednesday. Plus he is trying to decorate the house. Plus we have to try and get the kids to and from school, which is OK when I am not at work, or taking Molly for blood tests, but really difficult when I am not here as Shaun can't leave the kennels. So have called in some major favours and poor Daisy has been passed from pillar to post. Mind you, she seems to be enjoying it OK! Only another 2 weeks to go. And seeing as I am at the kennels on my own on Mondays as Shaun has to work, I have had to get Molly into the nursery for an extra day - more bloody money!!

This week started the same hectic way as last week - and no doubt this week! Dropped Daisy at Mary's at 8am for school run (big favour number 1) and shot down to Brighton for bloods. Shot back up here, dropped Molly at school (big favour number 2)and back here for 10 so Shaun could go to work at 10.30.

Tidied house in a frenzy as Estate Agents due at 11 - wasn't a viewing and shaun said not to bother but hey, woman pride and all that! Customer picked up Dogs just as they arrived, so pissy hands - nice!!! Oh and put on a loaf and made tea for estate agents and had a chat.

So, house tidy but washing up and washing to do, nothing too bad! All done in a whirlwind. And no kids!!!!

Quite an achievement by 11.30!! Feeling very smug so just eaten a cream egg. Not so good perhaps.

Now the afternoon starts: Shaun races back from picking up (hopefully) full bags so that I can go and get Daisy and Molly. I race back here so Shaun can race over to the charity shop to drop the (full) bags off and get back her before 5pm so he can do the dogs (feed and put to bed).

ARGH!!

DILLIGAFF

Its been FAR too long since my last post - thank you all for your messages and apologies for keeping you on tenterhooks!

I am a little superstitious at the moment - and I am NEVER normally worried about all that tosh! But it seems that if I say things are going well we get hiccups. But you know what? I am going to fly in the face of danger and say HA! to fate - we are doing great!

Molly is fab. We finally got that biopsy - and the results? No infection, no rejection! Amazing! Wonderful! Her bloods are still a bit hooky, but apparently thats just her! So we had 3 weeks off over Christmas - no blood tests or doctors and it was BRILLIANT. So pleased. And her next set of bloods weren't bad either! Are we getting there? I like to think so. She is putting on weight, and is now, officially, pink. She has rosy cheeks.

She has just gone into a little bed now too. Aw! She loves it. She goes to playschool on a Tuesday and Thursday, ALL DAY.

Daisy is really growing up. Quite the young lady now (that ticker counter is wrong - I really must sort that out! She will be 7 in October). We have had our moments with her but its been a rotton time these last few years. Shes great fun most of the time and I love her company.

My sister in law has gone back to Aus - I am not going into detail but it was a stressful time for her and she is very sad, but has to reunite her two sons. I wish there was something I could do, but there isn't. Hopefully she knows that if there IS something....

Steptoe and Sons continue from strength to strength... .Shaun has named his new recycling/clearance business Cr*pAway which I think if FANTASTIC!! We hope to do much m ore of this and I will go into more detail in my next post.

So life is good and if it throws some Cr*p at me? Well then DILLIGAFF!! (for the uninitiated.... Do I Look Like I Give a Flying F.....).

p.s. my favourite joke: What do you call a frenchman in sandals? Philippe Philoppe....