January 21st

Devil child!

A few more pics. As you can see, Xander's life sails on [relatively] serenely, whilst ours are proving a little tougher to wade through. My days don't have much in the way of routine besides a drop off and pick up of X from school. I'm starting to miss a routine now. Besides the occasional trip to work my days seem to involve bed, the occasional snack and matched betting (my latest hobby; won't bore you here)...the curse of part-time employment I reckon...

I'd like to get my walking boots and get walking for several days. Blow all the cobwebs away, y'know? But I won't leave Ellen alone, its proving very tough for her right now.

X continues to be the most constant subject of my picture taking, with sunsets and a very bemused cat a close second and third. He's a good looking boy as you can see above.. when he's not mugging for the camera that is!!

Alex

New Year, and things are going ok..

The staff at the hotel we visited looked a little tired and worn out..

Me and my shadow..

What is it like for women going to a party and meeting someone wearing exactly the same outfit as them? I didn't know till last night - Jake turned up in a stripy number almost identical to my own!? We look a fine pair, don't we!

Anyway, a sense of normality is slowly starting to return. Made a rare social foray out for Olivia's birthday in Guildford, my first trip down that way for many months. We all had a great time, the drink flowed, conversation was audible (important for me these days) and I managed to catch the last train home too. It seemed that many were glad to see the back of 2010 and entered the New Year with a sense of optimism as do I. Some of my closest friends have had tough times, and some continue to. Being tied into my recent stresses and strains has made me oblivious to the struggles that other people go through and I feel guilty for that. Guilty for not even knowing about some of them. I hope happier and easier times come along soon.

Thankfully with the melting of the snow the three of us have managed some afternoon trips out and about, the last of which was a visit to Brighton pier to hit the arcades. The ghost train (or 'Horror Hotel' was a real pleasure, scared the bejeesus out of X who was totally speechless for about 60 seconds afterwards.

Things having such an affect on that garrulous and unflappable young man are few and far between..

A.

It's like the Blair Witch.. with puddles

If you haven't been wished already..

Happy New Year..

If you overindulged last night, I hope the hangovers and the fatigue are ebbing away. We awoke briefly with the fireworks and crashed back down again soon after. Had enough of end of year self abuse; crashing at 5am, waking at dawn on a friend's couch with a bad back. Leaving that to the folks who still want to do it.

I'm still going through the now annual tradition of receiving a drunken text message from someone who's number I don't recognise. 'Happy New Year, I Love You All' it said. Someone having a cracking night by the sounds of it.

I'm starting 2011 with a real sense of optimism. It's still hard at times, but I've got a fresh start as of today. Bade goodbye to my workmates of 4 and a half years yesterday, they were shocked and a little sad. I tried to restrain my happiness at my escape. When it comes down to it, was never made to be chained to a desk, staring at a computer screen whilst drinking cheap coffee. Will have the chance to see what I am made to do from now on.

During a lunchtime pannini and Juice with my friend Zoe she asked 'What do you think you'll be doing this time next year?' Pondering the answer to that thrills and terrifies me in equal measure.