Day 735 (31/12/2011)

New Years Eve and off to Bristol this afternoon / evening to spend it with Gary & Elaine. It's a shame Thomas is at work & then going out otherwise we would have all been together, but that's growing up for you.

Day 734 (30/12/2011)

Cold & wet again, roll on the spring, its just a shame that it so so far away. What, the New Year, this weekend, how did that happen.

Looking forward to going to Bristol to see in the the New Year with my family.

Day 733 (29/12/2011)

Unbelievably I have finished all of my work. I can't remember the last time I had actually finished all my work and it's so nice knowing that tomorrow I can get on with planning things, like the new training material and website.

Thomas is out at a party tonight, it looks fun as someone posted a photo on twitter.

I remember those days but being so old nowadays I can barely finish two pints of shandy.

Day 732 (28/12/2011)

Back to work today doing a few reports but also spending time thinking of the changes I am going to make to my reports, website & powerpoints for next year.

Although I am working I must admit that I am at the same time playing my new comedy dvd's, which makes work a bit slow, as for some reason I keep stopping work to watch them.

We discussed New Years Resolutions today at dinner. I did mention that rather than picking a resolution I would have trouble keeping up throughout the year I should choose as a resolution of "eating more chocolates & cakes in 2012". This did not go down well with my wife but honestly I was only joking. I will definitely try harder this year to get fit, loose weight (without the aid of having my leg cut off), get someone to help do my work, spend more time relaxing with my family & write my stories. Or should I just pick the eating more chocolate.

Day 731 (27/12/2011)

It was nice to have everyone last night for a bit of a do.

It seems that Christmas is over already, just as I was getting into it.

I suppose it really is time to start doing my work again.

Day 730 (26/12/2011)

After a nights sleep and a bit more of a lie-in this morning we are preparing for people coming over to our today, as usual. Although a nice happy family day it will be sad as this was always a day when Kim would have spent the whole day with us.

I have put loads of food out for the birds but we haven't seen any in the garden yet. Before we had the garden done we had loads of them, perhaps when we have plants in the garden they may return.

Day 729 (25/12/2011)

ITS CHRISTMAS

As always my wife made the house look very Christmasy & lovely.

I had some great presents (OK I bought this one for myself).

We then had a lovely time at my parents house, where my mum made her best ever Christmas dinner.

Day 728 (24/12/2011)

Yo Ho F**King Ho, its Christmas Eve and it seems like we need at least another week to be ready but my mother-in-law will be here in an hour and Santa will be following her a few hours later.

Day 727 (23/12/2011)

Bah Humbug, apparently its nearly Christmas.

Not done much, no real enthusiasm for work might wrap the prezzies tonight.

Day 726 (22/12/2011)

Last night we all got together for a nice meal and went to see Kelly's show.

It was a great evening, we just don't get together enough.

I have bought nearly all of my Christmas presents but not wrapped anything and am far from prepared, just like any other year.

Still have work to do but am not going to bust a gut to do it, there is no real rush as most of the clients have stopped already. I am hopping that next year I will get some help with the reports, so I can spend more time on the training courses and a couple of new ventures.

Day 725 (21/12/2011)

Yesterday I noticed about 4months worth of lottery tickets in my wife's purse, so checked them in the hope that we may have won the odd £10 or two.

I was more than surprised that we had won, nothing earth shattering but when I told my wife and Thomas, apparently when the kids picked their numbers 15yrs ago, although they have never paid for the tickets, this was a legally binding contract fr life that meant it was their winnings.

Unfortunately for them I had never signed up to this but relented slightly and negotiated a new family rule whereby whoever picked the numbers gets 50% of the winnings and the other 50% is shared between us and the other number picking but non paying child.

Basically a win win situation for the kids as they still don't pay but get to share the winnings.

Going out for a family meal tonight followed by seeing Kelly's show.

Day 724 (20/12/2011)

We now have our Christmas tree and decorations up. I might even be felling a bit Christmasy but just a bit.

I was about to finish all of my work this morning when a client sent over a load more work,oh well I shan't rush to do them as they will not be needed until the New Year.

Over the last few days I have cleared the back log of magazines that needed reading and have now started to tidy up my desk. During this I came across one of my favourite photos.

I don't think we have changed that much over the last 17yrs.

Day 723 (19/12/2011)

Well we got the decorations down from the loft over the weekend but we didn't quite get around to putting them up, so no we haven't got a Christmas Tree up yet.

I had a package arrive today which I have to wrap up for my staff as a Christmas present, as a thank you for all their hard work this year. I know they will love it but don't tell them about it as its a surprise.

Day 721 & 722 (17 & 18/12/2011)

The weekend is here and although the rain has stopped it is still quite cold and windy.

I brushed all of the leaves and helicopter things off of the patio, so that's looking a bit tidier but needs a bit of a jet wash to get all of the mud off of the slabs, which I might do during the week, as this will bring out all of the different colours in the slabs.

The aim of the weekend is to actually get all the Christmas stuff down from the loft and to transform the house in to a Christmas scene. To be honest I get the stuff down from the loft and my wife puts all the decorations up, I haven't helped do the tree for years, apparently I never space the baubles out properly.

Day 720 (16/12/2011)

Well it wasn't raining so much today but still cold.

The Renault went in for its MOT today. The car is 12yrs old and after all of these years and all of the cars we have owned I don't think I have ever put a car in for an MOT and only had to pay for the MOT, usually the charge you for something stupid but for someone reason the car was fine and sailed thru.

Not much else happened but we had a nice lunch thanks to Kelly.

Day 719 (15/12/2011)

Another cold and wet day spent writing emails and not earning any money.

Will try and do something interesting tomorrow and take a photo of it.

Day 718 (14/12/2011)

Its been very cold & wet, I hate winter time. I want a summer holiday, if not a holiday then just the summer, when I will be sat in my nice garden.

Its hard to know how you can work nearly all day and yet have achieved next to nothing. Annoying that you can spend hours writing & answering emails, earned no money and still have the same number of emails in my in-box as I did when I started.

Spoke with someone on the phone today talking about renting out Kim's house. It was like speaking to someone from the 1950's or 60's, you would not believe that we had moved on at all in relation to race relations. Truly shocking attitude amongst some people, especially those who are supposed to working in a caring industry.

Day 717 (13/12/2011)

Gave my last talk of the year today, now just all the research & trace stuff to do that comes in.

Horrible drive back and then home to lovely dinner, chessy tuna pasta with a nice glass of wine.

Nice to be home and I was only away for the night.

Must get the Christmas decorations down from the loft tomorrow as apparently its nearly Christmas (Bah Humbug).

Day 716 (12/12/2011)

Busy day doing things, like work.

Had the man round to fix some springs in the couch this morning. Golly he talked so much he was able to string out a 45minute jobs for 2 1/2 hours.

Then this evening we have someone popping round to sort out our Will, which is something we thought we should do now we have children. OK, maybe 20yrs late but seeing as I took over 3yrs to change a light bulb and over 5 yrs to hang curtains, 20yrs for a Will ain't too bad.

Just for a laugh I'm leaving the 500+ VHS tapes to my wife's family. No I'm not really, there not getting anything from me.

Off to Preston tonight for a presentation tomorrow.

Day 714 & 715 (10 & 11/12/2011)

The weekend is here and Christmas seems so close but I'm not yet feeling Christmasy. Every year we say the same, we will be more organized next year, and this year we mean it.

Still so much to do before we can relax for a few days.

Update - Sunday 15:30 - Decided to make some slow cooked Lamb Shanks for dinner, can't wait now.

Update - Sunday 19:30 - It was lovely.

Day 713 (09/12/2011)

Golly it really is winter, cold, gray and wet, roll on the summer or a holiday.

Went out with Thomas today for another drive, which went quite well and was able to combine it with doing chores like doing the recycling and dropping some letters off. Very handing having the kids able to drive.

Day 712 (08/12/2011)

Incredibly early start to catch a train into London.

Didn't go First Class today as I had to travel during rush hour so couldn't justify the expense, it was not nice.

Got home nice and early, had time to tidy things up in the office & relax.

Day 711 (07/12/2011)

It was nice to have a lie-in this morning after getting up early yesterday but unfortunately I'm having to get up even earlier tomorrow to go to London, and as I'm going in the rush hour it was hard to justify a first class ticket, so I'm having to travel with the other people :-(

Working in the office today.

The first job I'm doing today is slightly worrying and I'm waiting to hear back from the client as I think they may be protecting the wrong person. I wouldn't mind but I'm not even being paid its a favor for someone. I think we are all in a difficult position where there maybe no right answers. Still on the bright side it's no-one I know or care about.

Hopefully tomorrow will be more fun.

Meant to add this from yesterday.

Day 710 (06/12/2011)

Alice In Wonderland was a good show at the Brewhouse on Monday night.

Then an early start and off to Bristol for a conference.

The conference was quite interesting and has given me a few ideas, work wise.

Then home for Liam Rowbotham's Wonderland show at The Brewhouse

Worth checking out the video's on YouTube

Day 709 (05/12/2011)

Cold & wet start to the day, everyone seems to be running late, except me, I was at work on time.

Off to see Alice in Wonderland at The Brewhouse tonight.

Day 707 & 708 (03 & 04/12/2011)

Spending the day doing work & reports, will be nice to clear my work and not to have a back-log.

Update - Sunday 20:00 - Just had a nice dinner, yesterday left over curry, fantastic.

The Christmas decorations are being putting up but I'm not feeling Christmasy, but then I never do until Christmas Eve night.

I have only two reports left then I am fully up to date for the first time in a long time.

I have a few meetings this week in Bristol & London so no doubt will have work to catch up on by next weekend.

Day 706 (02/12/2011)

Trying to catch up on my reports & work but went out for a drive with Thomas.

Don't worry we were stopped at traffic lights, I didn't do it when he was driving, that would have been reckless.

At times you have to remember what it was like when you were learning to drive, or even when after you had  past your test but were still getting used to different cars. I am sure the kids today are much better than we were.

Day 705 (01/12/2011)

Bloody Hell, its December, where has the year gone. I don't remember the summer, so why is it nearly New Years Eve.

Just trying to get all my paper work & accounts sorted at the end of the month and after being busy doing a course this week.

Nice being home during the day and seeing the finished garden.

It will be even better when we have cleaned up and the soil has settled a bit, so we can plant a few colourful things.

Day 704 (30/11/2011)

Finished this weeks course in a cold portacabin, now home for a few days catching up with work.

I can't believe that its December tomorrow.

Looking forward to seeing the garden in the day light, and in the sun would be nice.

Day 703 (29/11/2011)

Second day of the course, going well.

Still cold & wet.

Garden not yet finished but it was too dark for me to look at it when I got back anyway.

Day 702 (28/11/2011)

Been working all day on a course in Bristol for the next three days, leaving far too early of a morning and driving for 45minutes to get home of an evening.

The course went quite well with most people appearing to be interested and learning the points I was trying to get over, which is very rewarding. It was a bit cold though as it was in a portacabin and didn't really have too much in the way of heating, I even kept my coat on all day, which I haven't done for years, being as well insulated as i am.  

The garden is not quite finished yet and it was too dark to see outside by the time I got home anyway.

Day 700 & 701 (26 & 27/11/2011)

A couple of photos from the garden, hopefully should all be finished Monday or Tuesday.

Off to see Jack Dee tonight.

Update - Sunday 18:45 - Well it was good to see Jack Dee last night but in truth it was not a great show, even for a work in progress.

At Mum & Dads for breakfast, where Kelly decorated some biscuits for a Christmas sale for my mum.

I am still on tablets for my leg and am not that fussed in the great scope of things but it gets very itchy and when I scratch it I end up ripping the skin and end up bleeding. I'm guessing that this isn't good but I'm sure it will get better eventually.

This afternoon there was sad news about Gary Speed, the Welsh Football manager killing himself. Whilst I in know way knew Gary Speed or was really aware of him as a footballer, nowadays I am greatly upset by anyone's death.

I think about Kim everyday, as I know do the rest of the family. Whilst life gets easier over time I don't think we will ever get over the massive loss. We miss her at events we know we all would have been at. We miss her when there are things on the news that would have meant one of us would have called or texted her.

Sad times.

Day 699 (25/11/2011)

The have now started the decking but spent most of the day doing the path at the side of the house.

Spent ages putting furniture together for the spare room as next week we will have three thearte types staying at Kim's.

I hate D.I.Y and cleaning, that is why I have a cleaner & a maintenance man, so why did I end up doing this stuff myself. I'm aching now.

Trying to catch up on my work and prepare for next weeks course.

Day 698 (24/11/2011)

So Kelly's birthday yesterday, which was nice.

We went upto Bristol in the evening, and went to Zizzi with Gary & Elaine.

They are laying the grass today.

Day 697 (23/11/2011)

Today our daughter is Twenteen, so technically still a teenager and in no way old. She has hardly changed in all these years.

But Thomas is totally unrecognizable.

The garden gets nearer completion, apparently tomorrow we will have turf as well.

Will try and get some work done whilst doing family things today.

Day 696 (22/11/2011)

Got up too bloody early then drove for about 3 1/2hrs up to Preston to give a talk in the afternoon, then another long drive home.

Time to clear my emails then collapse in front of the telly.

Day 695 (21/11/2011)

Rain Rain Rain. Think they gave up on the garden after a few hours.

Rhod Gilbert was very good last night. Tonight we are seeing Greg Davies.

Have some work to do then driving to Preston in the morning then giving a presentation then driving home the same day. I will be knackered.

Day 693 & 694 (19 & 20/11/2011)

Today I gave a talk at the WAPI  Annual Conference.

There were some interesting exhibitors.

My talk went well but it wasn't until I was nearly finished was I aware of how many recordings were being made, both audio & video. I wish people would at least ask before they record me at these things but would rather they didn't, as some of the things I would rather just stayed in the room. Oh well.

Home to relax and then seeing Rhod Gilbert tomorrow.

Update - Sunday 16:00 - Thought I would include a photo of the garden, which is looking better.

I cant wait for it to be finished, all clean with a few nice plants. We haven't really used the garden for the last few years as it was so untidy, so it will be really nice to just be able to sit out their, relaxing in a nice comfy chair with a chilled glass of wine. Roll on the summer.

Day 692 (18/11/2011)

A quick photo of the garden from this morning before I drove into London.

I had a very interesting meeting in Soho, followed by a meeting at the UKAI Sushi bar on the Portobello Road.

Staying at The De Vere Hotel in Greenwich tonight as giving a talk to tomorrow.

I have a view of Canary Wharf from my room.

Day 691 (17/11/2011)

Well we saw TinTin last night. It was OK but I probably wont see any more if they make them.

More work for me. At least the weather has been good so the garden continues to be done.

There will probably be a lot of changes before the next photos as I am away in London on Friday & Saturday.