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September 30 La Casa Dei JamesHaving secured a much sought after table at the exclusive restaurant, La Casa Dei James, our excitement made us lose track of time. We arrived a little late to find our host waiting for us.
On entering the establishment, we were pleasantly surprised by the low lighting, romantic candles and a beautifully set table.
Our host had chosen the menu for us, and immediately served the starter accompanied by a glass of red wine. The starter was a small bowl of salad with French toast and pork liver pate. The table was set with small bowls of balsamic vinegar and fresh lemon juice to compliment the salad. It was just the right size, and all the flavours worked perfectly together.
The main course was served quickly after the starter, and our host once again made himself scarce so we could enjoy in peace. The spaghetti bolognese was delicious, the pasta cooked to perfection, and the sauce full of flavour and texture. It was served heaped high on the plate and accompanied with fresh garlic bread, and grated parmesan cheese.
The meal was finished off with a bowl of strawberry and vanilla ice cream and a steaming cup of percolated coffee.
This was definately one of the best places I have eaten at, with gentle music in the background, an attentive host and a relaxed atmosphere. They even provided an excellent babysiting service.
A wonderful evening out to belatedly celebrate our wedding anniversary. Thank you!
 glitter-graphics.com September 28 Stuck...The Hubs called me yesterday to ask me to pick him up from a different place than usual after work, as he was dropping someone's car off for them. The new destination was only 10 minutes from our house, so taking into account the usual traffic conditions I left our house at 4.40pm, giving me 20 minutes.
As I went to turn off a roundabout I found the road closed. It didn't surprise me much, as there are ongoing roadworks on the Sheffield Parkway and slip roads are closed when you least expect it. My female brain clicked into gear, and I decided to bypass the diversion, and go my way around, knowing the route would be fairly clear.
As I sailed down the empty Parkway, I looked around, thinking there should at least be one or two other cars on there. On the opposite carriageway, the police had pulled a lorry, and stopped all the traffic from flowing. Muppets.
The radio was muttering away in the background but I was paying more attention to dodging traffic than listening to it. Suddenly my progress was brought to a halt though as I hit a solid line of stationery vehicals. Traffic was queuing both ways, and I couldn't understand it as it isn't a well used route in the evenings.
To ease to boredom, I turned up the radio.
" Traffic is queuing on one of South Yorkshire's busiest roads during rush hour, due to a workman finding an unexploded bomb while essential roadworks are taking place. Bomb desposal crews are on their way from York, but they may be some time yet! The bomb was discovered at the junction of Sheffield Parkway and the Mosborough turn off..."
Fantastic. So the police had stopped the lorry for a reason, and I was alone on the Parkway because they were literally closing it behind me!
I ended up being stuck in the traffic for an hour and a half, while the car gradually ran out of fuel. I had to turn off the ignition at every opportunity otherwise we wouldn't have made it at all!
Once I had found the Hubs we had no way of getting home so we ended up hiding out in Meadowhall until around 7.30pm when the traffic was moving again.
Which is why...
We were up late this morning, just after half past seven. Despite thst, we still managed to get the kids dressed, fed and in the car, find the dog and bring him home, and drive the Hubs to work beforeten past eight. Which meant that I could get Hannah to school for just gone half past eight, ready for starting at quarter to nine.
So I am always amazed at the amount of parents still sauntering up the hill with children in tow at 9 o'clock, while I am gossiping outside the school gates!
I hate being late!
 September 24 AnniversaryWell, I had a very interesting weekend! It was our wedding anniversary on Sunday, so we decided to have the whole weekend to relax and spend time together.
On Friday night we went roller skating; I'm sure it used to be so much easier! Apparently Friday nights are party night, so the place was full of 8-15 year olds, whizzing around on super-duper professional skates, with varying amounts of wheels on them. Great fun, but murder on the ankles!
Momma and the Highlander (sorry Jim, you might get a real name one day!) had Hannah round for breakfast on Saturday and then went for a long walk up to the field with New Doggy. Hannah managed nearly all the way before deciding she just couldn't do it, and needed some help. She was just around the corner from home!
Louis doesn't get any time just with Mummy and Daddy so we rushed out to the park and museum with him. It was good for him to not be overshadowed by Big Sis. We had a wonderful time collecting conkers while the squirrels flung things at us from the top of the tree, then Louis led us around the museum, shrieking excitedly and shouting "There! There!" as he dashed around the next corner.
Sunday was spent with the children and the dogs. We had a lovely walk together and then Daddy and the monsters attacked the jungle that we call a garden. I'm surprised they didn't find some previously undiscovered species hiding out down there. We have huge plans for the garden, but its going to take a lot of time and hard work.
So there it is, a whole year of married life. Here's to the rest of our lives!
 glitter-graphics.com September 20 Attack of the Killer Fleas!The other day I noticed a few fleas on my ferrets, Istnofret and Rocco. Not a big deal, I went out to the pet shop and bought some spot on flea treatment. Very carefully, because some of them don't just kill the fleas, they also do away with the ferrets. The treatment worked, and that was the end of that. Or not... Yesterday, it was time to clean out the hutch. After removing the ferrets I clambered inside. Yes, it is that big. A luxury penthouse apartment, built over 3 levels; see, I could be an estate agent! As I reached into one of the bed to remove the old hay, a black swarm emerged and attached itself to my arm. As the ferrets had been treated, they were not affected, but the fleas had been waiting for unprotected flesh. I'm itching now writing this! Anyway, I had 3/4 length sleeves on, and my arm turned black, or so it seemed at the time. It was like something out of a horror movie! So just because the animals don't have fleas on them, doesn't mean they are not around, just waiting for the treatment to wear off! The ferrets are all cosy again in their nice clean (disinfected) hutch, and I will be keeping all treatment up to date. And OK, so they weren't killer fleas, I didn't even get one bite on me! September 16 New DoggyWe had the pleasure of the company of my brother, Craig, this Saturday. He managed to get round som family members that he only sees rarely.
Momma and The Highlander decided it was time to make a commitment and get a dog.
So off trotted Craig and I to Thornbery Sanctuary and picked up a very smelly and dejected dog for them. Fun and games getting her in the car but once we were on our way she was fine. Lovely animal, needs some tender loving care and lots and lots of playing!
I tried to swap Craig for the dog, and asked if they would put him in a kennel. The ladies working looked at each other and asked, will he get on all fours and bark? I don't know he's my brother! I don't ask personal questions!
Anyway, after we picked the dog up we headed home. As we drove along, Craig said:
Oh! Doesn't that church look like one of those fire training places!
ME: It is!
CRAIG: A church AND a fire training place?
ME: No, just a fire training place.
CRAIG: Oh! Doesn't that fire training place look like a church!
ME: *SIGH*
Made me laugh anyway!
So, now there is another new addition to the family, and the neighbours are confused as to who she belongs to. We'll keep them guessing...
 glitter-graphics.com September 14 Vote For ChanceVote for Chance! He has been through a lot in his short life, and now he's giving it another go with a new family who loves him.
He is through to the regional finals of the RSPCA Rescue Dog of the Yearand with your votes he could get through to the Grand Final!
Follow the link to see his story and read about other dogs who have been given a second go at life, thanks to various rescue shelters and the RSPCA.
 glitter-graphics.com September 13 What Next?Hannah has been back to nursery this week, and all day every day has been spent fixing the fence in the field so the ponies don't get out.
So great relief yesterday when it was finally finished and the boys are safe. Not so much relief as we arrive at the field tonight armed with water and feed to find some muppet has not only let them out, but also attempted to ride off on them! I discovered that the girl that had been on Winston was no longer on Winston, but on the floor having problems breathing. Serves her right, I thought.
After sorting the ponies and making sure they were ok, I strolled over to see how the girl was doing. I was in time to see her being loaded into an ambulance. Serves her right, I thought.
The group of onlookers that always seem to gather around ambulances now know exactly what I think to people that try to steal my ponies. I am sure word will be passed on.
So now Momma and the Highlander are off to put a chain and padlock on the gate, and I am going to sit here and quietly have a nervous breakdown.
I hope the girl recovers and learns never to mess with other people's animals again.
I'm half tempted to move back to Rivelin, where we paid extortionate prices but never had any bother like this...
 glitter-graphics.com September 09 Dog ShowAfter yet another couple of hours fetching the ponies back and repairing the fence this morning, we were off to the dog show.
We had to call in to the office first to look at a young German Shepherd who is searching for his forever home. Lovely animal, very giddy but seems eager to please. Sadly not the right dog this time. I'm sure he will be somene else's baby very soon.
Jasper was entered into the 'Handsome Dog' class, where I thought he might do well but the judge had her eyes on a large rottweiler, who went on to win 'Best Of Show'.
Chloe was in 'Prettiest Bitch' but never stood a chance! Bless her, she was so well behaved too. She didn't even try to eat any tiny lap dogs...
The next classes for the dogs were 'Waggiest Tail' and 'Golden Oldie'. Unfortunately, after a very slow start, the judges decided to get a shuffle on and we missed both classes as we were discussing German Shepherds across the road at the office!
I spoke to the lady running the show, who told me, 'Never mind, just put them in this class in a few minutes'. This turned out to be the 'If-you-haven't-won-anything-yet-enter-this-class' class. I'm not entirely sure what they were judging but Chloe was pulle dout and came third!
To finish off, the dogs and owners all had a mad few minutes and took part in the Great Sausage Race. Simple rules; run down the field, get the dog to eat a sausage, run back. We can do that! Two large, greedy dogs, good at running, We're in with a chance! Ha! First we were blocked by an old lady, when we finally passed her neither of the dogs would eat the sausage! We finally gave up trying to force feed them and ran back to the start line, in second to last position. Apparently thats what you get when you spend 26p on 60 sausages!
 September 08 Different...Well, I think I got the most original birthday present ever!
I received a note with an introduction to Gerald, an extremely rare airbevore, and a warning that he is not dead, just sleeping, and not to eat him! A small pot with air holes in the top held a tiny stick creature with a little smiling face and some leaves for him to live on. He's not noisy, and just sits on top of my television smiling at me...
The children's party I attended was, um,
 . After playing on the climbing frames and slides, the children all at down to a meal. My two asked for ham sandwiches with tomato and cucumber, and corn on the cob. Everyone else asked for chicken nuggets and chips...Brewster bear made an appearance (it being a Brewster Pub) and all the children wanted photo's taking with him. Unfortunately I hadn't taken my camera but I'm sure there were a few taken by the other mums.
Apollo won't stay put in his field, but we are confounded as to how he is getting out. Outwitted by a pony. Typical.
Hannah is looking forward to going back to nursery and I think Louis' talking will come on when Han isn't answering for him all the time. He has a few words now and is using his sign language well but is getting away with being lazy a Big Sis can't keep quiet for two minutes!
Tomorrow is the Thornberry Sanctuary Dog Show, for proper dogs. We'll be taking our two along and see if we can't win Best 6 Legs or Nicest Eyes!
 glitter-graphics.com September 06 Happy Birthday to Me!Well here it is again. The 6th of September. 6 years ago today I got my job working at Sheffield University. Oh yes, and 25 years ago today I was born!
Am I really that old? My hubs is not so sure. He suggested this morning that I was 24, and when I denied it he looked a little confused and asked, "23, then?".
NO!
It is also Hannah's friend's birthday today, and I get the joys of attending the party with my two monsters. There will be music, food and face painting, and no doubt screaming and tantrums!
I have updated my photo's, any comments on them will be welcomed. Let me know what you think of my attempts at being artistic!
Enjoy your day, everyone!
 glitter-graphics.com September 03 Tagged, Again!THE RULES OF THE TAG ARE: Each person posts the rules before their list, then list 8 things about themselves. At the end of the post, that person tags and links to 8 other people and then visits those people's spaces and comments letting them know that they have been tagged, and to come and read the post, so they know what they have to do. 1) I am a black belt in Shotokan Karate. 2) I have 2 ponies that I broke in. 3) I performed a Pagan Handfasting Ritual for my Mum and Jim (check out their sites!) 4) I have owned ferrets for 12 years. 5) I HATE going to the hairdessers! 6) I enjoy reading Stephen King books. 7) I want more children! 8) Its nearly my first wedding anniversary! September 02 Always RememberYesterday, I made the brief acquaintance of a young man, barely 18 years of age, and today he is off to Afghanistan.
It struck me as being unfair; to him, to his family and to his friends. Because of the judgement of some politicians who never have to see firsthand the death and devastation left behind by war, this young man never knows if he is saying goodbye for the last time.
And yet, he keeps a smile on his face and makes the most of the time he has with his loved ones. I understand that it was his choice to join the military, but at such a young age he has his whole life ahead of him and so many choices to make.
I hope and pray that I will meet this young man again one day soon. To all the men and women out there fighting to make this world a better place, we are thinking about you.
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