Being the daughter in law :)

The kid has returned from the wilds of Holland. She's in great form, although my ears were bleeding for a while on Saturday when we picked her up from the airport. She was talking non stop, she didn't even turn blue. She was delighted to be home as she said she had missed her mammies. She asked if we missed her, and of course we said we did. Within 10 minutes of being home, she was tidying her room and there was a basket of washing beside the machine in the kitchen. She was asking us to make her tea and if she could have mashed potatoes for dinner. It was good to have her home :)

The dinner with the in-laws went really well. I was nervous about meeting the aunty who's a nun but she seemed very nice. The other aunty S was there and she thinks I am fab so she was going on about how great I was etc. This calmed the nerves somewhat. Mammy2's Mam was in great form, she even referred to me as her daughter in law a couple of times. I nearly choked on my dinner. She has never ever acknowledged me with that title before and
espeically not in the company of family. As we were leaving restaurent, we both had to use the toliet and on leaving the toliet, she gave me a hug and told me she thought I was great for Mammy2 and how lucky she was to have me. I was gobsmacked. I didn't have time to indicate the cones that I usually keep around me to ward off people who want to hug me. Personal space and all that. But one has to make allowences for mother in laws. It was a really good night and according to Mammy2 I did great. The aunty did corner me at one stage and asked a few questions about my job and how much I earn. I managed to avoid a direct answer and she seemed happy enough and turned the torch on someone else.

Saturday night was dinner with the mates A and S. It was A's birthday during the week but as she is living and working in Athlone we had to arrange to meet at the weekend. We went to Floridita for dinner. Its a restuarent and a cocktail a bar and on Saturday's it has salsa. If I haven't mentioned it before the mate A is addicted to salsa and is part of the cult. A lovely dinner, if a tad pricey and then it was downstairs for cocktails and dancing. Well A did all
the dancing, and we watched. I nearly spilled my pint, when not 1, not 2 but 3 red-heads sat down at the table next to us. All of them were stunning. Three redheads. If they got up to dance, I would have died on the spot :) There is just something about redheads.

I spent most of yesterday working on the redesign for the spud, its getting there and that's all I am saying, I am sick of hearing myself talk about it. We met up with the mate J for a pint after the GAA was finished. She was in grand form, shes all settled into her apartment and has a new lodger as well. Who's not homophobic or so she established. She headed onto the cinema with her girlfriend, they've progressed from ladyfriend to girlfriends! So cute.

The best week ever...and its only Thursday!

I now believe a holiday is not about where you go, its who you are with. It feels like when we started going out.
Spending so much time together, going places, just hanging out. You know those first few months of the getting to know you where all you want to do is spend every minute with that person? Perhaps not..;) I am a tad strange. Be warned there may be mushiness ahead.I'll try and keep it to a minimum. According to Mammy2 I am the best wife ever. I was afraid to ask how she had expierence in this matter and how many other women she had been married to. I refrained. She doesn't strike me as a bigamist. I sent her flowers yesterday. With a ballon that said congratulations. I won't go into details. She loved them. When she finally got them. The plan was to send them to her work place. I had thought she would be going into work and wanted to surprise her. On a quick email exchange at lunchtime yesterday I find out shes taking the day off. A frantic phone call to Sheila's Flowers, these people are so lovely, and it was sorted. I arrived home to a very happy Mammy2. And a ridiculous amount of hugs.

The last few evenings have just been bliss. Tuesday night on the couch. I had plans to watch the true life movie. Mammy2 cleverly came up with a good plan to distract me. I forgot all about the poor woman being trapped or something. What was it about again? Last night, I had booked tickets for 84 Charring Cross Road. One of Mammy2's favourite films. So I learned this week. I do listen, its just she goes on about so many films and plays and books. You know? The theatre is just off Trinity Street and on the way was Keogh's. A blast from my past, in my previous job I was based on St Andrew's Street, so the odd morning on my way to work, I'd pick up a fresh raspberry scone. They have the best scones in all of Dublin. If you haven't tried them, do so. Make sure its warm. With butter. Damn, now I want one :) I'd pick up my scone and head into work early so I could read the next chapter if it was up of TBSOL. An online story I got hooked on. Its one of my favourite stories ever. I know, I know, its not a literary work of art or anything. There is just something about it. If you have the time, version 1 can be found here in pdf format. Its fab! From the lovely scone, onto the play. It was great, I really enjoyed it. Normally I am not a big fan of theatre. With the exception of A Christmas Carol. I would go see that every year if I could. Mammy2 had a sniffle at the end. I won't ruin it for you if you're not familar with it.

Tomorrow night we have been invited out to Mammy2's sisters for dinner. That would be fine. Except for one of the aunt's is going to be there. One of the few aunts Mammy2 really likes who has never met me. I would like to think after 8 years I have the approval of the family. She's the former nun wo's lived in Africa for the last 20 odd years. I don't know if I could handle her or not. Mammy2 seems to think I can handle anyone. I said we should have a think about it although it would be nice to see this famous aunty. She is returning to Africa next week. On the plus side, the aunty who loves me, well they all do, but this one in particular will be there and she loves to get one up on her sister M, the other aunty. So I reckon it might a good laugh. Although it is our last night of freedom so to speak before the tornado returns into our life. I had an email from the sister K. She appears to be having fun, up late nights playing the Xbox and watching movies. She's never seen the Matrix apparently. The sister was horrifed! They are going shopping this evening I think and then she flies back on Saturday. I have this feeling, she'll fly back on Saturday, dump a load of washing in the kitchen, wreck the place and head out to see either the boyf or the mate K. That said she might just crawl into bed and sleep for a week.

She did it!!

Mammy2 has just handed in her notice. I am so happy for her. In typical not having a clue fashion, they just accepted it and didn't ask the reason why. I hope they are also as clueless when the equality authority get in touch with them. Muppets. But she's finished! No more the community asks for this and the community asks for that. No more but I don't understand how being 'down in the dumps' can make you miss work? I NEED you in the office to make my tea and answer the phone. Okay, the last part never happened or was never offically said but it was implied! I am so happy right now :)

Holidays!

The kid flew out to the sisters on Saturday and I slept until 2! We were up early to drop her to the airport and I had planned to go back to bed for a while. 4 hours later I wake up. I had said to the mate J that we would go and watch the kickboxing. The club we train in had an open day and there were black belts demonstrating their skills. The plan was to go see it. There was also a march for Tara and demonstrating against the proposed new motorway. The mate J was torn between the two. Mammy2 had plans to go to the protest as well, but sleep decided otherwise. We spent the evening shopping and then onto the other mate J who was celebrating his 21st. It was a great night, with the exception of one guest who I don't get on with. She's one of those people you either love or hate. I'm in the later group. She adores Mammy2 as do most people. At the same time as ridiculing me. Not that I mind, I never had any intention of being her friend. Did lots of mingling, chit chat and pints..Which I paid for on Sunday. I was dying of a hangover. I had no sympathy for myself!

Work was maniac yesterday and today isn't looking much better. I was out sick for a day last week and it adds to the
work load as I have times set against all my actions. I can't believe it was my 5th sick day in the last 12 months?! I mean, I am seriously unimpressed with myself. Granted a lot of them were probably from last year and probably weren't sick days. I was irresponsible back then. I like to think I've matured a bit since ;) 5 days is a lot. I hope that I won't have any more this year. Fingers crossed.

So far this week is shaping up to be an active one. We booked tickets to go see 84 Charing Cross Road in the Andrew's Lane Theatre. Its the last showing in it as the theatre is closing down. Its sad to see it go, as its one of the more intimate theatres out there. A lot of the smaller theatres are closing down. First the Crypt in Dublin Caste, which was a beautiful venue, now Andrew's Lane and next the theatre in Liberty Hall. Saw the Exonerated there last year. This leaves the big theatres which I know scare me. When I hear something is playing at the Gate , I think
posh. Well, I used to until I started going to see A Christmas Carol at the Gate and now I have gotten over only posh people can go to the Gate thoughts. We're hoping to do the Ghost bus tour as well, although Mammy2 is a bit of a scaredy cat so we might end up giving that a miss. The kid is not back until Saturday, so we lots of free evenings. Because we didn't get a chance to take a holiday whilst she was away, we have a rule of seeing no-one and turning off our phones every evening so its like we are on our holidays :) I love spending time with Mammy2.

She met the mate S for brunch yesterday. Yes, ladies of leisure are they! S is looking for a job at the moment. They had a good old chat and we managed to persuade S to go DEBS dress shopping with the kid and the mate K. We could do DEBS dress shopping but can you see us? Two lesbians, a bisexual and a straight girl walk into Debenhams. Its a true life movie waiting to be made. Speaking of true life movies, its that time of year again. I was chuffed
to see that the film everyone thought I was making up, was showing on TG4 last week. Mother may I sleep with Danger, starring Tori Spelling and some random bloke who answered to the name Danger. You know when your mother warns you off someone, its bound to be the older man, a tad rugged, with perhaps one arm and a penchant for fast cars and fast living. Let me show you what Danger looked like.


I mean, come on. He looks about 15 and looks like the guy your mother would be chuffed to see. Not this mother though, oh no, she brought up good ole Tori all by herself and by god was she going to run background checks if the need arose. Which of course it did. I stayed with the story for about 45 minutes but it didn't have the grabs ya factor I expect from my true lifers. Tonight its Home Ivasion, one can only guess what its about. Mammy2 has plans for DVDs..I think she may have gotten wind of my plan :O

Desmond has a barrow in the market place...

I am so happy its ridiculous?! I'm not sure what's gone on in the last few weeks but I am really content and happy out
as the sister says. I feel like dancing in the office, or in the rain. Dancing in the rain always gets you odd looks. So the kid is off for a week. That have something to do with the happiness. She flies out tomorrow morning to the sister in Holland. We have declared that we won't be seeing anyone for the next week. Lots of QT, poetry, green tea and hand holding, you know the usual laserbeam stuff ;) I guess in the last month or so everything seems to have settled down. The kid has finished school, she's 18, Mammy2 is leaving her work place and work is great. Sorry, not great but good and interesting and I am learning loads :) When I think back over the last few years, make some tea, this could take a while, I have to say, I have never felt as content and happy as I am now. I am very lucky with the family and framily that I have. For those of you unfamilar with the word, its an american word, don't roll your eyes and means friends who are family to you. I have no regrets, thank god. I'll stop now before I make you sick :P

We had a lovely night last night, catching up with the mate J. She's all loved up at the mo, its beyond cute. We went for dinner to El Bahia , and I was impressed. I am such a picky eater, mainly because I find eating more of a chore then anything. I do like eating potatoes though. I was well impressed with their vegetarian options even though they did mention the evil aubergine once on the menu. Evil things. I was in fresh yesterday being a good housewife, and I spotted a herd of them. I wanted to kill the lot of them, but I thought I might get some odd looks from the other shoppers. I glared at them as I walked past. I think they got the message that I didn't like them. But back to the meal. J and Mammy2 loved it, they had 3 courses and I heard about that for the rest of the evening. They were too full god bless their cottens.

The kid put in an apperence for the first time in over a week yesterday for about 5 minutes. She dropped a bag, asked me for money and left. I asked her who she was and could I see some ID. She didn't laugh, strangely enough. She asked me about going shopping for her DEBs dressed. I laughed and presented a catalogue of my mates who would probably be of more assistence. She has settled on the mate S, although whether or not S wants to accompany her is another thing. She was heading out with the boyf and then later with the mate K to Fibbers. Such a classy joint. I was awoken to the sound of vomiting at around 2. I arrive into the bathroom to find her puking and the mate K doing the hair holding. Too many chips were had. Apparently. I mean, if you are going to make up and excuse, at least do a bit better then that. Too many chips, pfft. I left them to it and went back to bed. On my way out to work this morning, I got a mumbled "pick up coke". I stuck my head in the bedroom and 2 pink bleary eyed heads looked back at me. I was going to ask if she had a chip hangover but I thought that might be pushing it.

this pic makes me smile :)

SAX to StAX to CSS

I have learned more about java and web services in the last 2 weeks then I have learnt in the last 2 years. Studying is great fun but turns your brain to cabbage. I have a huge amount of work on and so am trying to balence work with family life. I had plans for sister's night yesterday but the kid had other plans. Its strange now, it feels like we have a lodger rather then a kid. Not that I am complaining. I had txted her to ask her if she wanted to hang on Tuesday night, but she said that she was staying at the boyfs. We then went through our 'hectic' social diaries and finally settled on Friday. I'm cooking mash, her favourite and we're watching some horror.

Mammy2 headed to see Harry Potter last night with the sister in law, I'm not a fan, so I stayed home and did some work on some of my other sites which I have been neglecting as a result of the day job. Its too hard to switch between when you are learning new stuff. We went for a pint and a catch up before the sister picked her up. And had another disagreement. The 2nd in less then 2 weeks. Of course its about her work place. She is handing in her notice but hasn't done so yet. I don't have a problem with that. She knows when is best. What I do have a problem with is her still working her ass for the place whilst they don't give a shit about her and treat her badly. I mean why should she care if they don't have email set up? Its not written in her non-existent contract? Her boss is a total ass and yet she still does all the work. She's handing in her notice after 6 years in the place and she still gives a shit. That much I can deal with as well to a certain extent, but when it extends to taking over from other stuff which she doesn't have time to do I get annoyed. I try to be the supportive wife as much as I can, without sitting back and watching her get treated like a fecking doormat.

There were words exchanged. I told her I could sit there and listen to her rant about her day and how she's treated and nod in all the right places or I could be honest and give her feedback if she asks for it. We came to a compromise whereby I listen and try not to grind my teeth too much. I do not understand how she can want to do the work still when she's got less then a month left? Who gives a feck about the community? Certainly not her work mates? Thankfully, she has started to care less but I guess its hard to change the habit of a lifetime. I'm more pragmatic then
she is. I think for a while she thought things had changed, improved after she had several conversations with the boss. They hadn't changed, we both knew it. He's a bully and shouldn't be in the position he's in. Thankfully she is leaving and hopefully to a job where she is treated with the respect she deserves. She has given too much to that place, it will go on without her, as she has often said no-one is indispensible. I for one won't miss it and all the stress and bullshit it has caused her and our family over the last few years.

Rant over :) I was up at 7 this morning doing my excercises that I have been assigned to do to strengthen my back and hip muscles for returning to training. My Physio thinks I am making good progress and should be able to start back next week , so I will try once class out. The excercises he showed me looked dead easy and over 8 minutes, no bother. By the end of them I was fairly tired. Its focusing on the back muscles and working those. I can definetly feel it. I am supposed to do them at least once a day. I have to go back to him in 2 weeks and he will see how I am doing. I am really looking forward to getting back into training. Great way to work off stress and your frustrations.

From the Dixie Chicks to the Dubs.

The weekend was fab! I had loads of QT with Mammy2 and we managed to get to the cinema and watch a movie. The dixie chicks documentary Shut up and Sing was in the IFI so we headed to see it on the Saturday after a lovely Indian. Mammy2 is addicted at this stage. Whenever I suggest going out for dinner or getting takeout, the first thing she suggests is Indian. The documentary was very good, but its probably adviseable for you to be a fan. There is a lot of their music played throughout. I love them and Mammy2 is a fan and reluctantly admits to it. It was a very interesting documentary as I had no idea how their statement about Bush had such an affect on their music sales and resulted in them receiving a death threat. The american public are a strange bunch. They came across as very strong minded individuals. After watching that, I re-listened to their latest album. Its excellent, much more in your face then their usual stuff and very passioniate.

We got home after a lovely evening to find the kid, with the mate K and a kitten. Apparently, a friend was looking to find a good home and of course the kid jumped at the chance. We have told her a number of times that we can't have pets, because there would be no-one at home to look after them etc. Nevermind the fact that as she grows up, she will be sticking her claws into everything and the leather couch would be prefect for her claws. Not so perfect for us and our inspections. Although I would for the cat to launch herself at Cruella the next time she calls around to 'inspect'. I reckon whenever we get our own place perhaps we might look at taking in a pet. Until then, the kid needs enough minding.

Although for the past week, we're seen her on and off. She is pratically living at the boyfriends. Not that I'm complaing. The only problem is when she does finally see us, my ears start bleeding from all the talking she does. She's a typical titch in that she needs to tell us everything that's going on in her life and if we haven't seen her in oh so many days, then she has hoardes of information to share with us. I nod and say yes in the right places and she's happy. She heads off to Holland on Saturday for a week. Only for I have training and Mammy2 can't get time off, we'd head over with her for the weekend and then take some days off to head off for a holiday. We've decided that next week is reserved for us and we won't be seeing anyone.. Yay for lots of time with Mammy2.

Caught up with the mate J yesterday and got to finally meet the ladyfriend. Not girlfriend, they're not at that stage yet apparently. But they are so cute together and the ladyfriend is lovely. I didn't get to ask her too many questions as the mate J, obviously aware of my plan, made sure to bring her out during the GAA, the leinster final. And then headed off to the cinema. She must be smitten, as the ladyfriend managed to persuade her to go and see Harry Potter. She also moved out of home this week and into town which is great. Of course, her being her usual non-sharing type of person, only told us yesterday when she arrived in with bags. She's going to be living about
5 mins from us which is great and she's 2 minutes from her work place. I have a feeling though that she will still manage to be late.

Working 9 to 5

The kid heads in today with Mammy2 and is opening her first bank account. I'm actually getting emotional thinking about it. This could be due to lack of sleep :) The week has been so busy and its only Wedensday. I guess work as in my day job is taking up all of my time during the day which is unusual. I have been asked to research various API's for a new project and the stuff is so interesting. I have never worked with web services before and always thought it was scary. But its not at all. I've been researching Amazon and eBay and today I move on to Pixsy.

There's a lot to learn but its really interesting. I was worried I wouldn't be given this action and the senior developer
would get it, he knows everything and so there would be no point in him researching. Thankfully, I got the task and have been buried in documentation ever since. Words like SOAP and REST and client and SDK's which used to scare me are all making so much more sense. I love learning new things and this is all fascinating stuff :) I'm lucky that at the moment I actually love my job and come in early to get started. Yes, I am aware I need help.

The mate S called over the other evening. She got a laptop and to say a whole new world has opened up for her
would be an understatement. She's discovered the joy of being online. The joy of youtube and the fun that gchat
can be. We loaded up some software onto her laptop which is all shiny and new. I think Mammy2 wants one now!

I haven't seen much of the kid in the last while, she's been over at the boyf's every other day and night. The mother
must be a great cook. I have to say I didn't think he'd last this long but he's doing well. The prerequisite for dating
the kid, must have a nice mother who cooks. Live somewhere outside of town and have ability to pick up random
pets for the kid. Its not much to ask!

Now that I have Freddie, the new digital camera , I really should be taking some more pics and sharing them. I will
take some pics of the fridge magnet collection because its so cool. Well in my head it is. The mate R tried to convince
me that I am a tad weird, more so then the average person and of course she brought up the whole meerkat/squirrel/female guards/welly thing. I think she picked the extreme interests I have. I'm as normal as the next person. * looks at the next person * Perhaps not.

In other news, I went to Phyiso and I don't have nerve damage to my hip. Its only soft tissue damage which can be treated and with any luck I'll be back training soon enough. In the meantime, I have to do strange excercises every day to strengthen the muscles and stuff in my back. One of the movements involves a football and moving it up and down the wall with my back. Don't ask. If it makes me better, I'll do anything! The physio man thinks I have difficuly relaxing. I had a good mind to tell him I went to him to fix my body not my mind. Sheesh, next thing you know I'll be on the couch and he'll be on the chair with a pair of glasses.

Even if the voices are not real, they have some good ideas.

The weekend was a strange one, I had a great weekend but the people I care about not so much apparently. Two whole days of doing nothing except playing on the PC if I fancied it, watching DVDs and lots of quality time with Mammy2. After much deliberation, she has decided to leave her place of work. After 6 years, she was given enough to the place and the doctor has recommended that she leave it as it is making her depression worse. She has various options which she can explore. She wants to go back to college and study. The only show stopper here would be the finances as I'm earning a decent amount but not enough to support us both. Its something we can discuss at length. The priority now is to get her out of that place.

The mate J was also having a tough time of it. I was really worried when I hadn't heard from her in a few days, normally there's emails etc. Of course as a titch its my job to worry. I got a txt from her on Saturday to say her cat had passed away. She was very out of sorts. I was really worried about her but thankfully her sister called around and stayed with her. She came around to ours yesterday and we caught up on some L word goodness. She's doing
a bit better and has other things to take her mind off it. Thank god!

The kid AWOL at the moment. She's taking this whole 18 thing a step too far I fear as she was supossed to return home last night and there's no sign of her. She usually rings or txts if she is staying another night so I am a tad worried. And today of all days when I start the first step of my new project which means 100% of my time is going to be spent reading documents and researching and then presenting my findings to the team. Fun. I don't think the time frame is doable but I suppose I can start today. My mind is elsewhere with her not answering the phone though. I'm sure she's fast asleep but she could at least txt me back. Teenagers, you'd think once they turn 18 they'd be suddenly mature.

She got the quote for her infamous tattoo. 800 euros for the first dragon and another 800 to 1000 for the second one. She's going to have to work on her savings. She turned to Mammy2 last week and asked if the bank would give her a loan. A tatoo loan?! Can you just see their faces? She has to sign on this week. Apparently she NEEDS to open a bank account because there's no way she's heading to pick up her money every week. How times have changed. She's going to head in with Mammy2 this week. She's terrifed of all this bank and money stuff. I think she's terrified because she's going to have to start paying for things herself and that's what scares her the most.

Riverdance

Tonight, I'm going to see it. For the third time. Me, hardcore fan, nah! I love it. Seriously, its hard to describe unless you've been to see it but the combination of irish history, dance and music is brilliant. Gets the heart beating and suddenly you want to grab a bodhran and bate the living crap out of it, or shlap the thigh of the nearest person declaring Oreland is the best country ever to live in. I restrain myself somewhat else I don't think I'd be allowed near the Gaiety. As you can gather, moods have improved slightly. I was in great form this morning and then Mammy2 got in touch with me about her 'wonderful' boss. Its been close to 5 months since she' had a sick day, which is HUGE for her. She's had them on and off but worked up every time she's missed out. She put in for leave for tomorrow and Wed as she is heading to Tori Amos. Not alone does the miserable ****** tell her, 'we have to talk about this', this being her illness, but claims he has no record of her leave. The tempation to head into those offices and rip into him is too great. I've tried talking Mammy2 into leaving but she lives for the place. Its so infuriating that this gobshite can cause so much pain. Thankfully, her mood appears to have lifted. I have told her a number of times that she can leave. I'm earning enough at this stage to get us through a few months if she needs time out. But she thinks its important she keep working. I'm supposed to be up to my neck in java, of the code variety, before you think I've completly lost it and am bathing in coffee. The stupid thing refuses to work.I've even tried sneaking up on it, but to no avail. It can't see the branch. I can see the branch, everyone else can see the fecking branch, why can't it see? I drew it a picture. If java should shurg its shoulders it would have. The kid stopped over today on her way back out to meet mates. We're like a B&B to her these days, not that I am complaining. An empty apartment is always welcome. I'm concerned that she hasn't heard from the portfolio places yet, or perhaps she hasn't and isn't bothered. Sometimes, motivating her is as difficult as getting her to go to school. Ah, I remember those days. She also hasn't been to see her therapist in a while. Again, this could be a good thing meaning she doesn't need her. Speaking of all things doctor related, I've had to stop training due to a reappearence of a stupid injury I got whilst training years ago. Its flared up again and it looks like I need Physio again. Which is pants. I am so unimpressed with this crock of a body of late. I've a good mind to trade it in only for I don't think I'd get much for it. Did I mention I'm going to Riverdance tonight?! I think it is becoming my favourite show to go see. Although I did love Mamma Mia. Too much goodness!

Always remember you're unique. Just like everyone else.

Yesterday, I actually said, thank god the kid only has an 18th once a year. The looks I received from the family were akin to bemusment and worry. Its all over. Whilst she actually turned 18 during the week, the celebrations weren't until the weekend. The sister K and her boyf flew in on the Friday. I was hoping my mood would improve, it did slightly. All last week, mood swings all over the place. PMT was the main culprit or so I thought. Us Leo's don't like being moody, it doesn't suit our overall we should be out wining, dining and entertaining. After all, we are the best starsign. Etc. The mood has lifted slightly and I have been told to focus on the positive. I think, when I spent some time actually thinking about what the issues might be it came back to the old missing the mother. I'm actually tired of saying it. That and the fact that now the kid is 18, she technically doesn't need me any more. Well, for some things like money, obviously she still does but now she's an adult. It hasn't sunk it. Its like she's done this huge jump
from school to looking for a job, well, we can only hope. She stays over at the boyfriends most weekends. I don't know what to be doing.

Perhaps I should head off to a monastery for a week or so? Shave my head and sing enigma songs? Might be good for the soul. This week is looking very free, so I might take the time to chill out as ordered by Mammy2. According to her, I'm not 'dealing with stuff' and instead I am looking for work to keep my mind off things. Or something. Apart from Riverdance, which I am really excited about, this week there is nothing on. Mammy is gone from tomorrow until Wed to Tori Amos in London. It will be strange to be without her for a night. The kid will probably be around making sure I have something to do, like pick up her boots or tell her to turn the music down or to stop leaving wet towels in the bathroom.

She really enjoyed her party. In typical titch fashion, she thought no-one was going to show up. I was a tad stressed, but once people started arriving she was fine. The mate J was brilliant as always. There were a couple of moments of panic where things weren't organised and we had forgotten stuff or just doing bits and pieces. She was on the case and before you know it, things were sorted. More stress averted. For the moment. But the kid got loads of pressies, a hefty amount towards her tatoo and she said she had fun. Which was the main. I never want to have to organise another party for her. What a month June was and thank feck its over.

One of my work mates got me a meerkat card. Don't ask. They are aware of my slight obession with the wee rodents. Its very cute. I shall take a picture of it and post it up here as soon as I start using Freddie properly. He was very well behaved the other night, had a couple of moments but otherwise I was happy enough with him. Its not to say I will forget about Eddie. Myself and Eddie had some good moments together, but like everything, its time to move on.