Today I was left at home with the girls. Becky started her new job as Customer Supply and credit control cleark (or shop assistant) anmd it was left to poor old me to look after the kids. Actually most of the day they were either on their computer or out so this left me with plenty of time to do some photos with Gabby. This is one of the nice ones. 

We were hoping to get a cat today, even phoned and agreed a visit, but the man of the house forgot to tell his wife and she gave them away, sigh! So its watching the notice boards for a kitten and asking all friends around to listen out in case they hear of any.

This was our six toed cat

Alas we decided that this kitten was not to be. She did not enjoy the noise and attention of my four girls. This morning we had to turn the gas heating off as she had squeezed her way into the back of the boiler. I was dreading the smell of scorched fur and screaming cat, but luckily Becky got to the controls quickly. We decided that for the safty of this little life, we would return her and look for a more adventurous kitten.

Gabby 02/10/04
This is Gabby one day before her second birthday. I was tidying up the bedroom when she found our nets on the bed. Even at my age its fun getting under the netting and playing.

Becky rang me today at work. She had got our cat his booster shots and had returned home with a friend. They were off to see some kittens for her friend as she wanted one for her daughter. Now don't think that I am in some way slow in thinking, in fact I was quick to say "No, noway, don't you dare, we don't want one" and such like, yet when I got home there she was. A tabby with six, yes counted them twice, six toes. She is cute and a little bit nervy, but I'm not surprised considering she has just been seperated from her mom and siblings. Still its certainly caught the attention of our girls. Gabby's been great and gentally strokes her when we let her.

A busy day but with little results. Spent most of the day fixing computers and understanding requirements for a presentation. Have a chance to talk with one of the senior managers tomorrow so might get a seed or two inplanted in things we can achieve. Unlikely though as they have never listened before. Gabby in a great mood. She has been happily playing with some of her party gifts. Her mom had her out on her trike and she loves her toys.

Today was one of those bad days. It's pretty obvious that my department is going to be outsourced or at least have to justify its self by going through the tender process. Most of the sections that I offer support for all require the main one for finacial help and if we lose it they will all suffer greatly. The Council of course is desperate to show good procurement and to them this is mainly on price. If they grouped all the services together then we would be a shoe-in as combined our prices are great and include some things that will never be able to support themselves. I bet you all didn't realise that public swimming pools are subsidesed by other council means. So this means that we could end up selling the public pools off. That will put the prices up. I wish the CE and senior members would actually do what thy preach and listen to those who actually do the work and not the stupid people who get there jobs through the "Jobs for the boys" scheme. I can't believe that they also don't sack people for poorly doing work but just keep employing until the job is done.

As I said a bad day today

Today is Gabby's birthday. Yes she's reached the terrible two. We had several children and parents around the house today. Most of the men ending up in the front room watching football with moms and kids in the dining room chatting and watching the kids play. Becky backed a fresh chocolate cake and a plate full of brownies. Don't think I let her have all the fun though I spent most of the morning making sandwiches and getting out the sausage rolls and mini scotch eggs. The highlight of the day was the little teddybear that blew bubbles and this thrilled the kids for ages. Gabby recieved several lovely gifts from puzzles and a fairy costume to a little wooden workbench theat she could hit pegs on with a mallet and undo screws and nuts. This was a major hit with most of the kids there including dad. Yes today was a fun day and most of us have finished up with a full stomach and happy memories.

The last week has had Becky and I at the hospital and the terrible news that Becky miscarried. Plans and thoughts end and for a while it was helpful that we managed time to share our feelings alone. We already have four wonderful young ladies and they have understood and responded well to our grief. Mom and dad, what would we do without them, were great. Babysitting and taxi, along with helpful hands and understanding were only a few of the tasks they performed and I thank them for all they did during this time.

Becky and I still want to have another child and so in time we will try again.

Well you usually start these things with good intentions but within weeks it fades to once a week then once a month and then you just let it drift to nothing. I started once before and although I really thought that I could achieve some small blog each day, other sites and intrests soon took over my time. Well I'm back and going to have another go at doing this.