Goodbye Mancave! (for now)..

It hasn't blown away in a Midwestern tornado. It's just I don't get up there any more. My oasis of calm is now computer free (the trusty deskstop has given up the ghost despite my desperate ministrations) and a baby now sleeps at the foot of where the ladder ends up. The mancave lies quiet and unloved, empty save our trips to fetch X's old baby toys. One day soon I'll have to strap Diz to my back and we'll start visiting again.

So, I'm tapping these words looking out the front window listening to part of my battered CD collection. Trouble is most of my music went up in smoke when my PC did too. Thought it would be time to blow the dust of some of the remaining CD boxes and get listening again. 

In other news I've had a profitable evening matched betting with the CL final last night. After throwing a pile of cash at the online bookie offers I found an agreeable amount turned into profit! It tends to dry up a little over the summer as gambling tends to be more of a football fans game than anything else. I plan to draw a few more quid in over the next few months, take Diz on a magical mystery tour of our local bookmakers perhaps?

27th May - 'grrrrr'

Meanwhile, Diz continues with the cuteness. Working part time means we can share quality time and I can see her thrive and grow. The thing that really impresses me is, she's such a happy girl! Are all babies like this!? D seems to have a big grin for everyone which seems to thaw even the coldest of hearts. It's only when she sleeps, do I see her frowny, resting face.. Or when she's eating ice cream, where it's more reminiscent of a lion devouring an antelope (see above). 

Dizzy on a swing at 14 months

When the Prince of Darkness comes to parents evening...

We have an evening with the Mums and Dads on Thursday, so Im getting paperwork sorted whilst writing this.

Most parents are a joy, they are friendly and open, taking pleasure in their kids' daily doings. One however, is a bit more of a... handful. When I see his face at the door I chuckle inwardly; with an adversarial manner and a gimlet stare which has turned others to jelly, Old Nick has made our days a challenge at times. It's funny though as his child is the sweetest child you will ever meet (lets call the little one 'Nicky'). Fortunately little Nicky has taken a real shine to me so I've been spared Dad's snaggy manner of late. Still, when I sit down with Nick Snr and his wife I'll have my wits about me...

...plus a shield if need be.

The Big Day comes ever closer and our invite list takes shape. For me it still seems an age away, but E is thoroughly excited and in full planning mode. I will be stumping up for the wedding rings (this marriage lark is an expensive business)... so another chunk of my matched betting wedge will be spent on other things. Last couple of months have been a pricy time and this summer will be when I need to tighten my belt accordingly.  Come June 1st I'll count my cash and see what's left. 

A.

Diz's 'What do you want? I'm busy eating sausage.K' face

Kensington Gardens, May 5th 2013

Duelling Banjos on the brain

I've been humming the first couple of chords of Duelling Banjos over the last few days, the tune is stuck in my head. Love the fact that Ronnie Cox has his arse handed to him by the creepy blind kid who blanks him afterward.. Played to X who interpreted it through his typical dancing style and had a vocal duel of sorts with Diz too!

As I write this Diz is blowing snotty bubbles of rage through her nose (ironic as she loves soap bubbles so much). I must sign off to tend to her.

Cheers, 

A.