eiraniel

...(and the usual pathetically repetitive apologies for my complete inability to keep in touch with anyone).

Just got a connection in the new house there, - will be getting in touch with you all soon! Hope all is well.

That took longer than expected!

Hope you're all fine and dandy, - gonna catch up as soon as!

Love'n-hugs :)

And I'm off work, - woop! Weather is bloomin' lovely too.

This house is nearly bare of chocolate already - excuse being that we celebrated it early with Cara being here - but I think it's important that we eat more tomorrow in the spirit of Easter. :)

Awen's off playschool for two weeks, so I decided to tackle potty training (properly for the first time - i.e without nappies). Lo and behold, she's done it in less that two days. Unbelievable!

Went to Colwyn Bay Zoo yesterday. Not a huge fan of seeing caged animals, but they do a lot of conservation work, and the animals look very well looked after. Awen enjoyed it, - got to see a bear (though he was one of the sader rescue stories - he'd come from Italy, where he'd spend a large chunk of his life mistreated horribly in a circus - poor thing was pacing in a small circle constantly - getting gradualy better though, they say - hope so), Aligators, snakes and sealions, but was mainly impressed by the rabits and chickens :) Oh, she did like the sumatran tigers lots (only 400-500 of those left in the wild? Insane).

Watched King Kong for the first time a couple of nights ago - liked it lots :) Couldn't kick the sinking feeling for a few hours after watching it! Think they did an awsome job of remaking the first, - it was stunning to watch, and the casting seemed perfect too.

Then, watched Narnia too, and didn't think much of it :( I think kids will still enjoy it though, and that's what matters.

The entrance into Narnia was a bit unimpressive imo - felt too realistic, not enough enchantment for my tastes, and while the kids were in true 1940's style, just a bit OTT on the Tally Ho. The scenes I did like, in terms of realising something of the mental pics I have, were where Edmund was rescued pre the big battle (that gnarled forrest was cool), Aslans camp in general (esp. overlooking it), thought the beasts at the sacrificial table were pretty horrific/well realised and captured the horror of that scene, and I suppose the battle was ok (hard to be impressed these days tho'!). Hmm, - I think they probably did a good job of telling a childrens story, - we just expect more as adults. I'm sure this has been talked to death on various blogs/forums.


Well, I'm off to make Cam buy me a big egg.

Came across this most wonderful songstress on Celtic Connections on the BBC a couple of weeks back, - just remembered now to go look for her music on-line. Rai, I think you'll love her music and her voice.

Kept Awen home from Ysgol Feithrin today as she has a cold - awwwww...

She was also sick on her (brand new as of yesterday - doh!) car seat today - poor muffin. (Thought it was vital to share that, heh) She's ok (little trooper) - nothing horrid, just lots of coughing.

We're picking up Cara on Saturday for the easter holidays :) Will spend a couple of days here I think, - then a couple at the farm so the kids can see the lambs. Then we're back up to Scotland on Wednesday, and Cara will stay with us till friday, - then she's off with her mum to Jura. Busy schedule!

My life through the medium of kids TV...

...didn't realise it was embedding itself quite so thoroughly :o This journals full of it! Guess I should turn the TV off more often, - god knows what brain rot i'm causing my poor urchin (guilt!). Definitely proves - for my little-un at least - to be vastly more 'time-sink' than educational tool. I've noticed that she learns far more from 5 mins doing something interactive with me than hours of Rolly Mo. But anyway, - I think most parents agree, they are a godsend and indeed a necessity as far as maintaining sanity's concerned (and getting some things done....)

So the daily updates don't appear to be happening. Will make that Every-so-often, instead (while keeping my calender resolution):). Now, just gotta learn how to use this space, and spruce it up a bit.

Feeling a bit tired today - not unusual ;) Diet and excercise check in order, - but not just yet . Things will free up in May, so might look at 'a healthy incorporation of exercise into daily activities' then ;) I don't think I'm that un-fit - looking after Awie keeps me on my toes, - but I need some boost somewhere. Maybe fresh-air and less coffee (and sugar - meep) will do it, - maybe a little CV pushing but no mad 5am jogs as suggested by my coot of a BF. He's an advocate of the exclusive almond and carrot until you drop or/and/while looking ravishing diet, - enough said (Joking :) - at least exagerating ;)).

Awen's playing with clay :) She's been involved for ages now - really loves it. I think it's her favourite thing, after slides. Oh, and water :) Slides in water are just insanely pleasing :) Gotta make a trip to the swimming pool in Greenock next time we're up there, - Cara loves it there too :)

Sneezing and sniffing a bit attm tho' - poor mite.

Looks like we might, might just make Emma's party after all, - which is brill!! Depends on baby sitting tho' and whether I can handle the thought of being so far away from Awen for a whole night! I think I can - she's getting older, and has proven to me time after time that she's really ok with me not being around all the time, hehe ;) As is usualy the case, it's mum with the problem :) I think the one thing you worry about is them being very sick or unable to sleep and sick, or having an accident and you not being there to reassure them...other than that, it's hunky dory ;) We'll see :)

Did a lot of spring cleaning yesterday as estate agent was coming over to value the house in the evening. Looks like we'll have to move soon ('cause we're just renting it). Can't say I'm upset about moving, - this house doesn't have much of a happy vibe to it, - not helped by the fact that we can't do much to improve it while just renting. It needs some more natural light, but light coloured curtains and carpets and mirrors and better indoor lighting would do wonders I think. It needs an owner I suppose :) You can tell when a place is a temporary base as apose to a home, right? Or maybe it's just me that sucks at making a place homely. Probably a bit of both. I remember most peoples halls rooms being so nice at Uni, and mine being a bit crap and cold :P

This afternoon, I've been clearing out cupboards - being as ruthless as poss with old clothes (not easy with baby clothes!) and packing everything into very handy vacuum pack space saver bags. Sending a load off to charity. Old duvets and pillows tho' - what do you do with those? They've been accumilating and I'm not sure whether/how they're re-cycled.

That's about it for now. Gonna put sproglet in a warm bath, baste her in olive oil and sit her by the fire tonight, see if I can ward off the worst of this cold.

Not sure I'll get to truly satisfy my gaming habit till I retire/kids are safely in their 20's. However, - I still get enjoyment (sniff) from the rolling up that is trolling boards, keeping an eye on what's new and exciting.

Vanguards the next one I quite fancy. It's a safe bet, at least :) ('Wish' cancellation bruised me so!) Brad McQuaid's team promising a new EQ-like experience - well, gotta say that's enough for me, - sadly perhaps - oyh, I'm regressing. Evercrack, - grip like a vice. Sony's the only cure for that ;) Bit naughty really, 'cause I don't know much of what I speak, - only that I did go back for a month recently, and it is a very different game. Going back wanting a slice of old EQ was like wading in it's (very lonely) carcass - erm emotionally speaking. Very lonely experience! Howl!

Glad to see Mourning is back in development, - looked promising, and had a massive following, - just a shame they launched when they did and got a scandalous rep in doing so. Undeserved imo - but then I never pre-ordered :) That said, even if I had I wouldn't be kicking up the stink so many did. If you really mean to support a game then what's a few dollars spent to do so.

Age of Conan looks good - but will be waiting a while I suspect.

Roma Victor - looks equally good.

Loved the 'Rome' series on TV. Looking forward to the next.

...bit embarrassed about the free time I seem to have to update this despite protesting to the contrary most days when I have a long list of things I should be completing, and don't. *Am* gonna have to use the next hour or so to clean the house though, before I go to work lest I be strung up upon my return. Fair enough really ;) Have had lazy old morning.

Awen's safely packed off to Play-school. Two hours per afternoon, four days a week. This is her third week. I'm sooo very happy for her, - the relief for me is palpable I can tell you - as she's been screaming out for some kinda group activity on a daily basis for a long time now. I've been increasingly worried about my distinctly introverted behaviour (fight it though I do) having a detrimental effect on her - but so far, so good, I'd say. She's incredibly gregarious.

This gives me a bit of time to myslef too - which is brill - hoho. Even if it's just head space while vacuuming - god, the luxury!

Gonna write the odd entry here in Welsh, not to exclude anyone, only to practice, - 'cause it's years since I wrote much of anything in Welsh, and I wan't to be proper fluent again like, esp for Awen's sake. She's speaking a lot more English than Welsh attm - and it's my fault entirely. If I'm not careful I'll deny her op to be fully bi-lingual, and that would be a crying shame.

Watched a very tiny (cause it clashed with Invasion - doh!) amount of 'Planet Earth' with Mr Attenborough last night - looks like it's gonna be an incredibly stunning series. Years in the making apparently, and you can see why. Snow Leopards last night - and they had reams of footage. Gonna get the DVD.

Had a lovely, relaxing morning. Been playing shop, building castles, and learning an insect dance with Boogie Beebies. Awen's currently engrossed (quite literally - elbow deep) in painting, - quiet but for the odd cackle and exclamation of enjoyment.

Got a surprise E-mail from Emma - which was lovely! Unfortunately don't think I'll be able to make it to her Birthday party, - despite it being a very important one, - unless by some miracle I can get the weekend off work. Gutted! Got family commitments one side of that weekend and work t'other side also - but I will try and figure something out. Failing anything, I'm gonna make it a priority to take a trip to Harogate at the first op. And, to Tamsyn and Jim's corner of Scotland, - little excuse there since I'm up in the vicinity every few weeks, - just requires a little forward planning and oomph-energy!

Speaking of energy, - got a juicer a few weeks ago - amazing what insomnia, shoping channel and a credit card will get ya. I defend my purchase tho' - as there's no price on your health, blah :) I'm sure Awen's looking brighter, for all the apple/pear/orange/mango/etc consumption, and I'm feeling more vital for sure. Cam's taking it to extremes of course - with pint glasses full of lurid vegetable concoctions first thing in the morning . Good on 'im, - will help with the BP. Would recommend to all, - if you don't mind fiddly cleaning of mesh filters.

Eep - gotta go - play-school after lunch, and Awen's looking like a mini extra from Braveheart. Seriously scrubby bathtime inc!

I've succumbed!

Or rather - realised the many and varied benefits of keeping an on-line journal. Mainly, to be and stay in touch with as many friends as possible. Something, you lot know I'm ridiculously bad at - but not irredeemable yet, ve hope.

The calender could prove to be a godsend too - and I hereby commit to playing regular attention to it! Plus - keeping a record of daily happenings - funnies and the whole caboodle - with regards to Awen is something I've wanted to do since day one.


Ordo Ab Chaooooooooooo! Here I come.