Tragic News

We`ve just had some shocking news that Tony`s young nephew
has committed suicide this evening. Although he has suffered mentally for years it is still a terrible shock and so upsetting as he was only 22. What a tragic thing to happen to a young man.
The poor boy had mental health problems and had ended up in Walton prison as Tonys sister and her husband couldnt keep him out of trouble. While in jail he was being bullied by other inmates and had scaulding water poured in his face and was threatening to kill himself as he couldnt stand it. His mum was trying desparetely to get him transferred to somewhere more appropriate where he could get treatment for his schizophrenia or severe depressive illness - he was never properly diagnosed. Obviously, it was too much for him to cope with because he hung himself yesterday afternoon.
We went to pay our respects this afternoon to his family and it was heartbreaking to see them as they are so devastated. Dont know what I`d do if it was one of my kids. I dont think I`d ever get over it.
The funeral is this Friday. It will be a sad day.

Back from St. Ives - But the A30 !!!!

A few holiday snaps from Cornwall

Ellie and Evie at Lands End - August 2006

Phil, Ellie and Evie playing in the sea - St Ives

Me, Tony, Phil and Evie in Penzance

Our little holiday cabin

Got back from Cornwall last week. We had a good holiday althought the weather wasnt aqs good as we`d hoped. Still - it was wasnt too bad all considering. Pretty warm most days - we even got on the beach a few times, and went in the site pool most days which the twins loved. We also managed to get to St. Ives, Newquay, Lands End and Penzance all places I havent been to for over 25 years ago when I used to work in St. Ives. St Ives was still beautiful but the amount of traffic going into it was horrendous - far too much for a small villages and it was very difficult to park. Lands End was lovely and had changed beyond recognition. There is a complex there now with loads of exhibitions and things to do for kids. I`ll try to pop some photos up later on.

But the worst thing was the traffic on the motorway. We were stuck in terrible jams both ways - it took 8 and a half hours there and back. The A30 which goes from the M5 right down to Lands End was a nightmare it was so congested. The M5 wasnt much better and it took us 3 and a half hours just getting from St Ives to the M5 - this is only just over a hundred miles. It took another few hours getting to Bristol. After we lost the London traffic past Bristol things got easier and we started moving properly. But in future, I`d think twice about going so far south in August..........................
Some Photos. above....................

Summer Holidays in St Ives

Well -we`re off for our summer hols tomorrow - to St. Ives, Cornwall, a place I love very much. Not looking forward to the journey very much, but we`re quite relieved we`re not flying anywhere. what with the extra airport security at the moment. It really is quite horrific that terrorists planned to blow up several aircraft carrying families, obviously including children - and the security checks are vital. I feel sorry for the people stuck in horrendous queues in the airports but I`m sure most people probably understand the severity of the situation. Oh, well. I expect we`ll have to brave the terrible traffic jams were the M5 meet the M6 instead, plus whatever other jams there may be. But it`ll be worth it to see beautiful St. Ives again............

My New Competiton Blog - Take a look

I`ve recently took up an old hobby of mine again. Comping. I`ve decided to record my efforts at competition winning in a separate blog dedicated to just this. If you`d like to read about my comping and whether I`m having any luck, take a peek at this blog. I`m determined to win!


http://carolthewinner.blogspot.com/

Holiday to St Ives

what to do for a holiday this summer? Going abroad in August just doesn`t appeal to me at all - its often too hot for the kids and everywhere is so crowded. But when you have kids you`ve often got no ther option than to go in July or August. But on the other hand - if you stay in Britain, the weather is just so unreliable. Memories of last summer come flooding back - trudging round Scarborough and Bridlington (both lovely places however) in our macs and huddled under umbrellas. Not good with small kids in tow, I can tell you!
But looking at the weather forecast for August, it seems the weather may well be good, so I`m taking a chance on a holiday in beautiful Cornwall. Having spent three glorious summers working in St, Ives when I was young, it`ll be good to revisit the place with my family. So its all booked now and I`m keeping everything crossed this old British weather aint going to let me down.

Still nothing doing on the house front. We`ve had no perspective viewers for ages. Somethings not right and our estate agents are rubbish. When we come back from hols, its time to review the situation. I think we need a new plan of acion.

Beautiful sky over Aintree

Did anyone see the beautiful sky last night? I couldnt resist rushing out with my camera and taking a few snaps it was so lovely.

Palate Surgery

We just got back from Alder hey Hospital yesterday after Dolly`s latest palate surgery. As you probably may know, Dolly, one of my 6 year old twins, has VCFS, (DiGeorge Syndrome) and has very little speech due to a very short palate, which also has a repaired cleft.

 Unfortunately, I don't think the operation has been a great success. When the plastic surgeon was operation, he found Dolly`s tonsils were huge - which meant he couldn't do the work he wanted to do. He did extend the palate a bit, which he said would be good ground work for future operations. FUTURE OPERATIONS! I had hoped that would be that after this operation!!!!!!Oh well. We`ll just have to wait and see. Perhaps in a few weeks there`ll be more improvement than I first thought.
I`ll keep up posted.

Two House viewings

Just as I was telling eveyone how utterly USELESS my state agents are - well blow me - didnt I get a call to say I had two interested parties wanting to see the house Thursday. So off I go again in a deranged frenzy of house cleaning, decluttering, polishing and so forth. And again, the house looked pretty presentable, if I say so myself.
So...............two lovely couples turned up.....very friendly and nice and so complemenary about the house (again). The agency phoned on saturday morning to say one couple thought it was a lovely property - but not for them (why the hell not?) and the others hadnt been heard from since. This is a despondent business. after all that effort, nothing came of it again. Mind if I have a quick scream!!!!!!!

New Homes and Services Advertisement website

Well, this house selling lark isnt much fun. No luck from the last viewing - and nothing since. Not a sniff. Not even anyone for a nose. Its a bit miserable. SO - I`ve decided to start my own property and services advertising site.
Its going to be called UK Homes and Services.co.uk - I`ve ordered the site and will start working on it as soon as it gets activated. I also started two new MSN sites to help support the website. Wish me luck.
I also started a Family History course today. Looks like its going to be interesting. I always wanted to start a family tree, and now I will definately do it.

The viewing

Well - the man turned up for the viewing dead on 4.30 pm. If I say s0 myself, the house looked great - I managed to clam most of the clutter into cupboards, the loft or garage, so it all looked most presentable.
Anyway, the gentleman arrived on time, to the minute - a pleasant Asian man on his own who said he liived in Wales at the moment and was looking for somewhere to live in Liverpool. He didn`t mention a family and I dont think our type of house is the sort a single man would look at. Could he have been a speculator? But no matter, he looked round and seemed very interested making polite comments (mind you - I do this when I`m viewing, whether I like a place or not. Its only manners). When he finished viewing, he just said, thanks very much and went. So that was that. I havent heard from the agency, so I assume he wasnt really interested. And we havent had anyone else. I thought we may have had a few viewings over Easter, but nope. Not-a-one. Not looing good so far.

Viewers tomorrow

We have the first lot of people coming to view our house tomorrow. Looks like a Mega-Tidy-Up, Declutter tomorrow. Oh well - it`ll be worth it. Needs a tidy up anyway. Lets see what tomorrow brings.

We`ve decided to sell our house!

I`ve finally done it! After talking about selling our house and moving away for about a year, I`ve finally gone and done it. The deciding moment came last week, when we had broken bottles chucked in our front garden, plus mounds of other litter. The kids in the street are getting cheekier and cheekier, and when (unusually for me) I confronted one nine year old for throwing litter in my garden - while I was standing there - I was served up with a torrent of foul mouthed abuse from his mother! So, anyway, I`ve gone and done it now. I contacted the estate agents, had the valuation (disappointing) and received the final details for signing today. The photographs were a bit of a disappointment to. The estate agent hadnt closed the front gate before snapping the front view of the house - plus, I dont think she`s taken it from the best angle. Still - its done now. I`m going to hand the papers in today and see how it goes. I think some mega- offloading of our excess possessions is in order. My goodness - we`ve accumulated some rubbish.
Anyway, I`ll keep you posted on how it goes.

Palate probelms.........................

Not been keeping up this blog too well I`m afraid, but you know how it goes?
Yeah. Life happens! Well wots been happing? Firstly, Little Dolly has had some Xrays to see how her palate is doing. Its looking pretty likely that she`s going to have to ahve another operation on her palate as she still has virtually no speech.
Trouble is, it seems its very complicated. Dolly`s palate is apparently static, hence her lack of speech at nearly six years of age. BUT here`s the dilemma. If they move the palate back too much in order too facilitiate speech, they`re likely to block off her air supply. Not good as you can imagine. So, I`ll have to leave it in the hands of those who seem to know what they`re doing. Lets hope they do though!

Liverpool City Photos

Stained Glass in Anglican Cathedral

Liverpool City of Culture Group

St. James Garden

St James Gardens

The Blackie and the Chinese Arch

The Anglican Cathedral

The Arch again

The Metroplitan Cathedral
The Anglican Cathedral Again

Ollie the Snowman

T, Sonny, Dolly and Molly with Ollie the Snowman

March 2006

Ollie the Snowman -Our first Snowman for Years

Me, sonny and Molly with our Snowman, Feb 2006

RIP Phil the Clown, Benidorm

Has anyone ever seen the amazing Phil the Clown on at Panchos in Benidorm? Phil is a Liverpool lad and so funny. The adults love him as much as the kids - a real star! He`s been appearing as Phil the Clown for 9 years in Panchos. But I was shocked to read in the Echo last week that it was Phil`s funeral. Anyway, I looked round on the net to try to find out what happened to Phil and appearently he broke his leg last July, 2005 (we saw him last in June) and was going to return to Panchos this month to resume his job. It seems he but died suddenly but I dont whether it was a complication of his broken leg, or what.
I`m really sad to hear this as Benidorm wont be the same without Phil. I thought he was only about 30 tops, but I believe he was over 40 and his wife is expecting a baby at the moment which makes it all the more poignant.
R.I.P. Phil. He will be sadly missed by thousands of children and their families.

Photos of Croxteth Hall Park

We got a scooter

We finally did it. We bought a Scooter. Not been on it yet cos it needs taxing and insuring - but here it is for our perusal...................................

Scouse Jokes

SCOUSE JOKES

An Australian, an Irishman and a Scouser are in a bar. They're staring atanother man sitting on his own at a table in the corner. He's so familiar, and not recognising him is driving them mad. They stare and stare, until suddenly the Irishman twigs:
"My God, it's Jesus!"Sure enough, it is Jesus, nursing a pint. Thrilled, they send him over a pint of Guinness, a pint of Fosters and a pint of bitter. Jesus accepts the drinks, smiles over at the three men, and drinks the pints slowly, one afteranother.After he's finished the drinks, Jesus approaches the trio. He reaches for the hand of the Irishman and shakes it, thanking him for the Guinness. When he lets go, the Irishman gives a cry of amazement:
"My God! The arthritis I've had for 30 years is gone. It's a miracle!"
Jesus then shakes the Aussie's hand, thanking him for the lager. As he lets go, the man's eyes widen in shock.
"Strewth mate, the bad back I've had all my life is completely gone! It's a miracle."
Jesus then approaches the Scouser who says, "Back off, mate, I'm on disability benefit.

**********************

A scouser walked into the local job centre, marched straight up to the counter and said "Hi, I'm looking for a job".
The man behind the counter replied "Your timing is amazing. We've just got one in from a very wealthy man who wants a chauffeur/bodyguard for his nymphomaniac twin daughters. You'll have to drive around a big blackMercedes and wear the uniform provided. The hours are a bit long but the meals are provided. You also have to escort the young ladies on theiroverseas holidays. The Salary package is £200,000 a year".
The Scouser said "You're bullsh*tting me!"The man behind the counter said "Well you started it!"

**** **********************

Police cordoned off Liverpool City Centre this morning when a suspicious object was discovered.It later turned out to be a tax disc.

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A Scouser walks into a bar in Manchester dressed up in his new Liverpool shirt effort and orders a drink before noticing a picture of Sir Matt Busby on the wall.He was just about to leave when the barman says: "Where do you think you're going?"
The Scouser replies: "I'm sorry, I just noticed Matt Busby there andI think I'd better leave,"
The barman says: "No no no. It's too late for that. You've got to roll the dice Pal," The Scouser looks puzzled and says: "Roll the dice?" The Barman replies: "Yeh. If you roll between 1 and 5 we kick the c**p out of you,"
The Scouser says: "What if I roll a 6?"
The barman replies: "You get another go."

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A primary teacher explains to her class that she is a Liverpool fan. She asks her students to raise their hands if they, too, are Liverpool fans.Everyone in the class raises their hand except one little girl. The teacher looks at the girl with surprise and says, "Mary, why didn't you raise your hand?"
"Because I'm not a Liverpool fan," she replied.
The teacher, stillshocked, asked, "Well, if you are not an Liverpool fan, then who are you a fan of?"
"I am a Man Utd fan, and proud of it," Mary replied.
The teachercould not believe her ears. "Mary, why, pray tell, are you a Man Utd fan?"
"Because my mum is a Man Utd fan, and my dad is a Man Utd fan, so I'm a Man Utd fan too!"
"Well," said the teacher in an obviously annoyed tone, "that is no reason for you to be a Man Utd fan. You don't have to be just like your parents all of the time. What if your mum was a prostitute and your Dad was a drug addict, what would you be then?"
"Then," Mary smiled, "I'd be a Liverpool fan."

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You are locked in a room with a Lion, a Cobra and a scouser. You have a gun with only 2 bullets Who do you shoot?
The scouser..... Twice, just to be sure !!

Toilet Training

Its become a very difficult process trying to get Evie toilet trained. Although she`ll be six in May, she shows no inclination to use the toilet, seeming quite happy to just go in her training pants. No worries that way is there? I`ve had the continence nurse come out to see us again and she has advised us to get some special steps that lead up to the toilet and are fitted to a small seat that fits over the toilet seat. And also an egg timer type thing to time her when she`s on the toilet. We must make her sit on it for one minute and the two minutes etc........
Tracking down a seat like this was more difficult than I thought. I tried Mothercare first and few other shops and have just managed to find one on Ebay. What would we do without Ebay?
So its just a case of waiting for it to come now and see how we get on.
We`ve run out of training pants again though. The ones they give us are meant to last three months, but I`m luckily to get a month out of them. There is a service where you`re meant to ring when you get down to the last pack, but when I ring they just say - "Oh, you`re not due for anymore nappies for another two months so you cant have any yet." Whats the point of that then? Last month I just waited for them to come and when they never arrived I phoned them and they said, "Oh, we never sent you any because you never phoned so we thought you didn't need any."Its just so frustrating and its quite difficult and expensive to buy training pants for a five year old. The ones in the shops are usually too small as they`re mainly designed for two to three year-olds. Hhmmmmm!