OK, so maybe suggesting that the ferrets had settled down together was a little presumptive of me. There has been quite a bit of squabbling amongst them and I have never known an animal scream like Wanda does. Hannah explained to the neighbours in the special way that she has that the ferrets were just playing and causing me trouble. That'd be about right. So I've been standing outside at all hours watching these creatures and trying to determine the actual cause of the horrific noise. My conclusion? Absolutely nothing. Wanda seems to like the sound of her own voice, especially if she thinks that Istnofret is too close to her bloke. Eventually they sorted things out between themselves with Fret and Rambo in the main bed and Wanda making herself a nest in another area. Peace reined.

Then the rains came down and the hutch got damp. From my cosy spot in the kitchen I could once again hear the melodious (!) tones of Wanda's screaming. Due to the rain I decided to leave them to it. I'm kind like that. As long as I could hear the screaming I knew nothing drastic was happening.

Returning home from nursery I realised that all was silent. Venturing outside I peered cautiously into the hutch, fearing the worst. There, in the main bed, were the rather soggy forms of all 3 ferrets curled up together, blissfully snoozing.

So it took a downpour of rain to cause the critters to all pull together and realise that bickering is bad, especially over a male that is equally happy with either (or both) the girls, and sleeping together is good! Make love not war!

My wonderful husband and my brother spent this weekend battling throught thorn bushes and brambles to erect a 150metre length of fence down the side of my field. Obviously, somewhere along the line, the measurements had gone somewhat awry and we ran out of stock fencing, staples and cable ties. However we manged to get the majority of the field looking good and patched the rest with pallets and bits of left over barbed wire. Its a horsey thing! All this meant that by Sunday we were ready for the horses arriving, only to find that the horsebox we were going to use was broken down. So, no transport, no horses.

Added to all this was the fact that upon arrival at the field on the Friday, we discovered that some bright spark had put a squeeze gate at the bootom of the path that runs alongside the field. The field that we have paid for because it had direct access onto a bridleway at the bottom of th path. Only now it doesnt. And its still paid for. And they wont take the gate back out.

On a completely different tack, I spoke to some lovely neighbours of mine a little while ago about getting a ferret. My little Istnofret was lonely and needed some company (preferably male). On Saturday I got a message to say that a male had been found and could be with us the next day. Shortly after, another message arrived to say that a jill (female) had also been found and did I want her too? Of course I did!

So on Sunday my 2 new creatures arrived together and after much squealing on Wanda's part and much chuckling and wombling around on Rambo's part, the 3 of them seem to have settled down together. Bless!

Its been a great week! I can drive my car wherever I want because now I've got my keys back! I can drive to nursery and toddler group and the shops and even round to my mums even though she lives on the same road as me! Wow! Don't think I can get many more exclamation marks on this paragraph, but I'll try!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Desperately hoping the ponies are going to get over here this weekend but that remains to be seen. Hannah's getting so excited about it because they'll be near to nursery and she can take all her friends to meet them and show off. Little girls seem to be good at that sort of thing.

Meanwhile Louis has just been eating and sleeping and growing. He's getting such an attitude when he doesn't get his own way and has just discovered tantrums. Its all I can do not to fall about laughing when he throws himself on the floor and screams while looking aroung to see who's watching. If theres not enough of an audience he'll move somewhere else and try again. Highly entertaining!

Toddler group tomorrow, taking Han's friend from nursery so she's got someone her own age to play with and I've got someone I know to talk to. Should be a good day for all of us, especially as I've got my car back! Yay!

Ohmygodicantbelievewhatsortofaweekivhad! Lost the car keys Tues pm and didn't find them til this (Sunday) morning. Obviously they were in a place we'd both looked several times. Found plenty of other things along the way as well...

Losing the keys in the first place meant walking to and from nursery twice a day (about a 20-30 min walk) with small child and pushchair. And believe me, its a big hill! By pick up time Fri I'd started to wilt  and had to call on Momma to give us a lift. In between these walks I was pulling the house apart looking for the keys. There isn't an inch of this place untouched, including all the garden, kennels (yes, we have 3 kennels in the garden) and even the ferret hutch. All the kids toys that come apart have done just in case anything was lurking in there, and I even spent a day following Lou around to see where he puts things!

However, during this extremely stressfull time I found: my chequebook, my paying in book, the dog's halti, a cabbage patch kids outfit (no more naked baby), several pens, hannahs photo album (needed recently for a nursery project), 2 odd shoes, a tumble dryer hose and the battery pack in a hand puppet!

So in the end, I can blame Lou for the keys missing, cos no-one else would put them in the nappy box would thay? But at least I found all those random missing items (that I didn't actually know were missing) and this episode drove me to actually put the cupboard locks on, much to the kids' frustration.

Apparently losing your car keys is as stressful as crashing your car. I can fully believe it, having been looking for my keys since 8:30 this morning. Why is it always when you are running late and really need them that they disappear?

For that matter, why is it always one sock, one glove or your most favorite handbag that goes missing, until such time that you dont really need it anymore? Is there some sort of evil, invisible force at work that picks on us when we are at our most vulnerable?

So, any ideas where the car keys might be? And no, clever clogs, I dont have a spare cos my car is not designed to run when you use a spare key. Clever, I know.

I have looked in the kitchen, living room, bathroom, all 3 bedrooms. Under the sofa cushions, under the sofa. Under the table, on the table (since thats where they were and where the rest of my stuff still is). In coat pockets, in jeans pockets, in bags. And yes I've looked in the door. And the car. And the garden.

Seriously running out of ideas now.

HELP!!!

Well the christening went well, everyone was ready on time, Hannah rushing around shouting about her pretty dress to anyone that was listening (and a lot that weren't). Louis just squeezed into his wedding suit (with waistcoat unfastened) and looked a proper thug with his big bovver boots on. Only hitch was that the godmother got hopelessly lost and we nearly started without her. Should have told her to arrive half an hour before it actually started! Expected Lou to cry throughout the ceremony cos it was his nap time but he managed to put on a big smiley face as everyone cuddled and passed him around.

Got Hannah fitted for a riding hat yesterday, £40! Decided not to pay that much, moved on to the next shop and found a more adjustable hat (more wear time) for £10. Guess which one I'll be choosing... Even had them in different colours so she can pick her favourite. Pink was winning it yesterday, surprise, surprise.

Bought the fencing for the field to get the ponies over here, just need some posts now. And more time. And willing victims, um, sorry, volunteers, to help put it up. But all in all, thing going well!

As i am down to 1 ferret now i thought it was time she moved nearer to us and became 'Pet' (as i think i mentioned before). This said my wonderful husband set about constructing a hutch out of old packing crates. Hmm, sounds a bit dodgy i know. The result was incredible. A luxury 2 storey ferret apartment with room for a friend to stay over if i buy her one! Kids and dogs alike are now absolutely fascinated with the new construction in the yard, with Hannah shouting 'she's got a new house! i need to paint it!'

Louis has discovered playing outside and is loving it, only coming in when turning blue, Hannah constantly asking when the ponies are moving over here.

Looking forward to Lou's christening next week, but keep forgetting to invite people! Not going to be very popular!

Cat gone completely do-lally,  keeps forgetting she's been fed and yowling all night then demanding to sleep in Han's room. I suppose at 20 years old she's allowed to be a bit daft tho