Curly Jo

I'm Back!...

2007-07-13T15:23:00.000+01:00

...thanks to Pie Factory for the laptop we are looking after at home! So much easier having a computer on my lap rather than trekking up the loft ladder to the home computer in Steve's den. Only problem with having such an accessible link to the net is I am now addicted to facebook. Its great I love it. I'm even gonna try figure out how to put photos on there, how sad am I.

Thanks to all who voted for Evie on www.style-photography.co.uk ...she's Miss June! Ha. So we've won a little portrait of her, thanks so much. If you haven't had a chance to vote yet she's on there till the end of July. If she's the overall winner for May - July then we get a rather large portrait of her. Ok ok, very shamless plug over.

I've not had a great week, poor Evie was quite miserable on Wednesday which after 7 hours made me quite miserable so poor Steve came home to find both his girls in tears. I've not been too well yesterday and today so had to cancel meeting up with lovely friends and be all cooped up at home. BOR-ING. But a great weekend beckons, hurrah!

Use your vote!

2007-05-27T22:45:00.000+01:00

How time flies eh? Can't believe its nearly June already!! Speaking of which, thanks so much to all of you who have voted for little Evie in the photo competition...must stress its not about who is the cutest baby (that would be harsh, poor little things)...its just whos got the most friends and family to vote. We'd win a really beautiful portrait of her which would be lovely.

If you haven't voted yet and have a spare 2 minutes the website is www.style-photography.co.uk Scroll down the right hand side to the "Baby Competition" link and you'll find Evie in the 0-1yr category for May-July.

Apologies for the shameless plug, I have proud mother syndrome.

Vouge, Vouge, Vouge

2007-04-27T22:36:00.000+01:00

How time flies, apologies for the distinct lack of blogging over the past month, I haven't even thought of getting near a computer in the midst of countless mother and baby groups, moving house, planning husbands birthdays, and of course my strict beauty regime which consumes 5 hrs of every day. Now you know my secret.

I took Evie to our first Baby Massage Class this afternoon, complete with relaxing baby classical whale singing, I kid thee not. It was fantastic! Oils and everything. We both loved it and it worked because she promptly filled two nappies with her very own version of peanut butter and slept soundly for the rest of the afternoon. Who's a clever girl.

We then met Daddy and went for an ice-cream and a stroll along the beach...which Mummy accidently on purpose turned into a stroll past the shops and low and behold we saw that the local photography studio is holding a baby competition! What a surprise! Daddy needed absolutely NO persuasion and we're all going along next week for our "studio session". What a classic proud parents stunt. But just look at that little face, who could resist?!

Glorious Day

2007-04-08T16:45:00.000+01:00

Wishing all of you a very Happy Easter! It's a beautiful sunny Sunday, the air has that fresh smell, my baby girl is asleep in my arms, and we're soon gonna crack open our Easter egg...what more could I want!?

It's been a fab weekend, see Steve's blog for the goings on. I'd totally forgotten that people get Good Friday and Bank Holidays off work so it was a lovely suprise to have Steve home! Having the Monday off makes it a shorter week too so its just great all round.

Evie and I went to Westwood Cross and Primark with Sarah and Faye on Thursday, cos it was half term Primark was rammed, quite an experience with a pram! We bouught Daddy a Tshirt and Evie a really cute skirt, she wasn't too impressed with Primark though and cried a lot. Westwood Cross was better and we found a pretty dress in Mothercare for Mummy to save up for, Uncle Ian and Beth are getting married in June! Evie's first wedding!

tis been a while...

2007-04-02T11:29:00.000+01:00

Can't believe how quickly the past month has flown by, its April already! After us all having colds last week things have been back to normal and quite jolly round here. Evie and I had our usual shopping trip with Jo on Friday, then in the evening Evie went over to see Nathan, Harvey, and Ronnie with Daddy while Mummy went round Sarah's with Faye for a lovely girly time.

On Saturday we bundled over to Folkestone to have a little picnic and a walk along the coast, we looked for Dave the Dolphin but he didn't come out to play. I don't think Steve believes that he really exists! Don't worry Dave, he'll believe one day. In the evening we went to the church do at Rodney's where Evie showed a real talent for making lots of noise and getting people to pull really silly faces and make odd sounds to keep her happy. She's one tricksy baby.

Sunday was my Dad's birthday and he and Mum came round for the traditional Dad's birthday meal of roast New Zealand lamb. It was delish and he loved it. Followed by Scrabble and Mum getting the giggles over a teeny bit of Cointreau, it was a fun night.

Brave little girl...

2007-03-16T15:16:00.000Z

Today I took Evie into town on the bus (I'm a nervous wreck with her on the bus, I'm so certain the buggy brakes are going to give way and she'll sail down the aisle!) and we went to the doctors. It was time for her 8 week check up and she had to have her first jabs. I was fine about her having the injections until I heard another baby absolutely screaming (I mean high pitched, I'm in agony kind of baby screaming) and all of us Mums in the waiting room looked at each other with fear written all over our faces! I was worried then that Evie would really scream, which I've never heard her do and I thought how much it'd freak me out. But my little angel is a brave little soilder, and although she let out a cry that was so long I thought she'd forgotten to breathe, she did brilliantly.

I'm glad its over.

Now I've dosed her up with Calpol and she's sleeping soundly in her Moses basket...apart from when I've been disturbing her every 10 minutes to check whether she has a temperature! Poor child. What am I gonna be like when she's really ill?!

Mum's 60 tomorrow. She and Dad have gone to Italy this morning for a week to celebrate. Too right I say. Bit gutted I won't see her on her birthday or Mother's Day, but we're having a family get together when they get back.

Right, I'm gonna try get some kip while Evie's asleep cos I only got 4 hours last night. Not due to her crying, but to my overactive imagination...I was planning how I want to decorate our new house!!

2007-03-11T00:01:00.000Z

I may be this tiny....

...but I'm not just a pretty face...

...they think I'm so cute...

...they haven't seen what's in my nappy yet!

HA HA HA!!

2007-03-01T15:41:00.000Z

Well if you've read Steve's blog you'll see that things have been quite eventful here! It's funny how reliant you become on appliances and cars to make your life easier. I felt like a student yesterday, going to mum and dad's to do my washing, it was quite fun! The car is a bit more serious though, but hopefully we'll be able to sort something out with the mortgage man and get a little run-around this weekend.

Little Evie contiues to our pride and joy, I love being a mum! Went to Whitstable with Rach the other day and had a really fun time, I feel so proud pushing her around in her pram! She really loves going out, when she's in the car or buggy she sleeps like an angel all day. If we have a day at home it takes ages to settle her and I often can't get anything else done! Do I have a little shopoholic already?!

Speaking of which, for those of us ladies who love the Shopoholic books...there's a new one out called "Shopoholic and Baby", don't think its in paperback yet though. Can't wait to get my hands on that! Reading a Cecelia Ahern novel at the mo which is a bit random but still good. Look at me I'm starting to sound like Sam!

Busy busy busy

2007-02-22T23:03:00.000Z

Its been a really great week, we've been having lots of adventures and "firsts". Evie had her first shopping trip with Mummy and the Other Jo, her first feed and change in Debenhams, her first trip to the Post-Natal group for Mummies and their babies, followed by her first feed and change in Coneelys Coffee Shop...she's had lots of fun and I really enjoyed getting out and meeting new people...thank you Jo for fitting us and the pram in your car!

She's now a whopping 8lb, that means she's put on 13oz in 9 days...when you think that the normal amount is an ounce a day thats pretty good!! Must be the super-sonic milk on tap. Either that or Daddy really has been sneaking in the odd muffin.

Seeing the lovely Hannah Barnes tommorrow which will be great, then we've got an appointment with our financial advisor about buying this house we've made an offer on...we're nearly there, but not quite got the papers yet!

What I have been doing...

2007-02-18T00:02:00.000Z

...generally my day goes like this: Feed and change Evie, get ready myself (this can take anything from 10 mins to an hour, depending on whether Evie is asleep or crying), come downstairs and eat breakfast, feed and burp Evie, try and do the washing up and put a load in the washing machine (again can take anything from 10 mins to...all day!...depending on whether Evie is asleep, or happy to not be cuddled), change Evie, do some ironing/or hoovering/ or general tidying up of bottles/muslins/towels/baby clothes, feed and burp Evie, have lunch, go for a walk round the park, feed and burp, make dinner, eat dinner, bath Evie, feed and burp, wait for Steve to come home so he can take over!, catch up with Stevie, have a bath, feed and burp, go to bed. Doesn't sound like much but that takes all day. And I love it!!! I really really do. She is such a joy to take care of.

So today was a bit different cos its the weekend and they are great cos Daddy is home and we can go out in the car for fun trips. Went to Whitstable today and Steve had a couple of hours of samba music training while Mummy and Evie went to the coffee shop ALL BY THEMSELVES for the very first time, believe me it was a celebratory moment. Evie charmed half the customers with her big eyes and little baby burpies. "oh he's so lovely!" "thank you, yes, she is" "such a perfect little face! how old is he?" "she's 4 weeks" "he's very good isn't he?" "yeah She is, we're smitten with Her" "we've got a little Grandson, he's a lot bigger than he is though" "yeah, She's tiny" "is he a boy or a girl?" "Girl." True story. And he was wearing pink.

Steve and I are very excited about a house we viewed today...will keep you posted on the Kreegers move take 2.

Steve

2007-02-04T23:46:00.000Z

I really love Steve
He's the best husband ever. he changes all the poo-y nappies and everything. he's so great.
I love him.

by Jo

Home Sweet Home

2007-02-04T23:12:00.000Z

Its good to be back. Was starting to go a bit crazy being cooped up in hospital. Evie seems to be doing better, is definately looking a bit chubbier to us, which is a good sign. Thanks to everyone for all your good wishes and prayers.

She's so precious, we must spend hours and hours each day just watching her, her facial expressions are so funny! And when she's sleeping she looks so peaceful and we never get bored of staring at her, its so amazing. I still can't believe that she's all ours, forever and ever. I really can't understand how something so perfect and beautiful was put together in just 9 months and is with us in the world now, just makes me think of how cool God is.

Gonna get ready for bed now before her midnight feed then hopefully catch some zzz's before the 3am one!

Unbelievable...

2007-01-25T04:00:00.000Z

...but as its 4am it is also very much a reality! I am a Mummy!!!!!!!!!! I'm sitting on the living room floor with my daughter asleep in my lap (having just cried for an hour and a half!) Although I didn't get to sleep until 7am this morning and won't be going to bed yet for a few hours, I feel wide awake cos just before Evie fell asleep she was looking right at me for a long time and made my heart melt and filled me with energy. Hmmm I wonder how long this love petrol will last.

Its been a really emotional couple of days, which with a 5 day old baby you would expect, but we've had the added upset of poor little Evie not being too well. She's had jaundice (which I mistook for beautiful olive skin for the first few days!) and went from 7lb 2oz to 5lb 12oz. Although babies do lose weight after they're born, this was too much so we had to go back to hospital where she was a brave little soldier (living up to the meaning of her surname) as they put needles in her and she didn't make a peep. The blood tests showed that the jaundice wasn't too bad but she was quite dehydrated. So I've been feeding her strictly every 2 hours, and cos she's so weak she had trouble taking it which was really stressful. We're going back to hospital tomorrow - or today- so we're just praying she's improved and won't have to be admitted and have a feeding tube. She's fed a lot better today so we're very hopeful and positive.

For any NZ rellies who haven't received pics from Dad yet, take a look at "Stevie's Blog" from the list opposite and you will find a mini gallery of proud parent type photos.

...Still playing that game

2007-01-16T18:38:00.000Z

Well little baby is one day overdue, so far, just spoke to Rosa and she said Ben was 2 and half weeks late!! But I think hospitals now don't let you go more than 2 weeks over. Baby must be very chilled out and just loving it in there, I'm trying to keep positive and think s/he will come when they're ready. Must admit though it is getting a bit difficult to keep trying to find things to do round the house, I've been going for walks but get knackered so quickley and with Steve needing the car for work I'm a bit house bound really. Today I have very carefully and attentively done the ironing, watched "Chocolat" and baked oatmeal cookies. Everything is clean, everything is packed for hospital, everything is ready ...except the most important thing of all -baby!

Thanks to everyone who has rung or texted saying you're thinking of us and praying, really appreciate it. We will let you know when baby is here so don't worry. Just in case anything does happen tonight, we're keeping hospital visitors to family, but will let you know when we're coming home and would love to introduce you to baby then. Steve will be in charge of making sure we don't have too many lovely people round at once so if you could ring or text him before you pop round that'd be cool.

Big love.

Isn't it too Cold for Bees?...

2007-01-11T18:36:00.000Z

...Me and Jo B were enjoying a cuppa and some gingerbread this afternoon when all of a sudden, out of nowhere...well out of under the sofa I guess -that or my trouser leg!- flew a bumble bee straight at us! It was bizarre. Where did that come from? Has it been in hiding since the summer waiting to pounce at an opportune moment or did it fly in FROM THE RAIN when we came into the house? Isn't water meant to make insects wings wet and therefore unable to fly?

So many questions, no answers, only the bee knows.

Playing the Waiting Game

2007-01-09T11:43:00.000Z

Baby is due to arrive in 6 days! But I'm not so naive to think that Special K will be on time...s/he could be early! I'm trying a few things to make myself go into labour, drinking rasberry tea, keeping active...I'm keeping away from the hot curry as I know it'll give me heartburn at 3am! It does get so confusing with all the different advice so many people and the magazines give you, some doctors say that if a pregnant woman relaxes then the labour will start... but others say long walks will do the trick. I'm just gonna do what feels right to me and see what happens. It is so weird to think that any day now we'll be parents, if baby is late then I know that the hosp won't let me go more than 2 weeks overdue...so by February we definately will have our little one! We're SO excited.

Not a lot more to say really, I'm still doing a good impression of bird life with all my nesting and that mixed with spending time with friends and family is keeping me from being bored. Was sad to say goodbye to Jules and Cassy last night, I can't believe how quickly their month of being here flew by, was really nice seeing them both.

Ok I'm hungry, I need toast.

I am a sparrow...

2006-12-30T09:27:00.000Z

...no I haven't taken to mud baths by the side of the road or eating bread crumbs off the pavement, but I have taken to nesting sparrow/hamster style. Its great, I love having a tidy house and knowing that the fridge is clean and the medicine cupboard organised. I know, I know...don't get used to it...but its nice for now. There's only 2 weeks 2 days until Special K is scheduled to make his/her appearance...so it could be any time now before (or after) Jan 15th, we're very excited!

Its been a really lovely couple of days, had a cool time round Jo's for Christmas with Friends (lovin the photos Jo!) she made a great stew and let us take home the leftovers which were still just as delish last night. We were given a beautiful Moses basket, baby sleeping bag and cosy towel from everyone...thanks so much guys and gals! In true hamster style I have washed them so they smell yummy for baby and when they are dry I will indeed be ironing them. Yes, yes, baby may well be sick all over them on the first night but a Mother Hen has to do her laundry!

I must respond to Steve's comment to the last blog entry, I did indeed receive some wonderful gifts from him for Christmas...thanks babe. He spoilt me with a cosy red dressing gown, 2 sets of PJ's, 2 DVDs, a red duvet set, and 2 big red cushions...he knows I love red. I'm a lucky lady.

Right, I've got to move the washing round the raditors and prepare some meals to freeze for when we can't be bothered to cook...chirp chirp.

2006-12-26T13:11:00.000Z

Tis the season to be jolly...

Hope you all had a great Christmas, ours has been really lovely, I suppose as its Boxing Day today Christmas is not really over yet so there's more fun and games to come. On Christmas Eve we went to Mum and Dad's church then round theirs for the day, it felt just like Christmas Day! We even had a full on Christmas dinner complete with cracker jokes and silly hats. In the evening we hopped in the car and up the motorway to Steve's family in Barking, we're staying here till tomorrow. Lots of people and games and cups of tea, its great.

Baby was thoroughly spoilt over Christmas (and not just by Mummy eating lots of chocolate and mince pies) Nana had made baby a big hamper over the past 9 months with all sorts of wonderful things and childhood toys that bought memories back of my childhood. I'm really looking forward to sorting out Baby's Room over the next week and finding places for all this neat stuff.

I got the Yummy Mummy's Survival Guide from Rach -which I've been poring over cos I want to be prepared to be Yummy if baby arrives early! Another great gift was The Sound of Music dvd from Steve's parents...complete with songbook! I'll be belting those tunes out at the top of my voice, I love that film!

Ok gonna leave it there, if I don't blog for another 6 weeks it'll be cos Special K has arrived and I have no spare time!

2006-12-05T22:32:00.000Z

I'm Back!...

Haven't blogged for a while, see Steve's comment of the day for why. Thanks everyone for your comments, I feel special!

Its been a busy little time lately. I've really enjoyed training Katy in the office, Christmas is fast approaching, and we've been putting up furniture and staining chests of drawers for Special K. I am now in my last week of work with only 3 days left till I go on maternity leave, seems really strange but I'm sure I'll get used to the time off...then will hopefully be rested and ready for the most hectic but happy time of our lives. It was sad leaving D:Caff, they were very sweet and gave me cards and chocolate and flowers and made a banner, its Tuesday evening now and it does feel strange being at home rather than at the youth club.

This is a picture the Kreeger family in Gingerbread form. We have just finished eating them. Steve ate the baby I couldn't do it...don't know what that says about him.

2006-11-22T20:33:00.000Z

JOANNA OLIVER...

Look what I made! Just like Jamie's Sainsburys ad, roasted butternut squash and chesnuts with basil...it was yum even if the chesnuts were a tad too dry.

Please can someone put a comment on my blog? Does anyone read this?! Hello out there!

2006-11-21T22:37:00.000Z

Been a good few days, so nice having Katy in the office, we have a good giggle! You know how when you were a little kid at school it was really embarrassing when you called your Teacher Mum? Or is it just me who did that?! Well today in the office I nicked Katy's chair then said "Oh sorry Baby I've just stolen your seat" Thought I was talking to Steve! Yeah, guess you kinda had to be there. Ho hum.

Tonight was my last ever Tuesday at D:Caff...for a long time anyway! Its gonna be a bit sad on Friday when its all finto, but this all just means that Baby-time is getting closer which just makes every goodbye a little bit happier.

Here is a pic of Special K enjoying some tunes...

2006-11-19T21:44:00.000Z

Catch Up....

Well hellooo! It's been about a fortnight since I last blogged, we've had some internet issues at home and when I've been at work its been pretty busy so no blogging. But here I am back again and very happy for it. Have been catching up on other people's blogs, eating, noodles, and watching I'm a Celebrity Get me Out of Here (its pretty rubbish so far apart from that Eastenders guy screaming like a girl!), all at the same time, aren't I clever?

Well rather a lot has happened over the past weeks and days... One of the most exciting is that this Tuesday Marcus and Katy started officially working for The Gap! Marcus is leader in charge at D:Caff and Katy is his beautiful assistant and also office lady extroidinare. Has been so nice having Katy in the office and I tell you something she is one clever clogs, shes picking up stuff really quickley and doing a marvelous job. The Baptist Church today prayed for both of us and even gave me a pressie which I'm saving for Christmas, bless em they're so nice those Baptists! So I feel more settled now that I know The Gap is in such Good hands.

Steve and I went to see the Birthing Centre at Canterbury Hosp yesterday, I'd heard it was nice but man oh man...its like a hotel! We were walking around and kept looking at each other like "Wow!" There's a massive kitchen and lounge where your visitors can chill (as can you of course) all or most of the rooms are en suite with a telle, its even got really nice floorboards and decor that I like! It really will be almost like delivering Baby Kreeger at home which is something I was considering. The only thing is I'm now even more excited about Special K's arrival and that means I can't sleep! I really can only describe it like feeling like a little kid on Christmas Eve, I'm so so happy. Only 8 weeks to go!

Today we had family Williams around for lunch which was well cool. Stevie did a great job of cooking up a feast, Nathan provided the entertainment with his various gurgles and impressions of purring animals, Sades and Sam provided the education about all things baby, and I waddled around and asked about a million questions. It was great.

I will end this long blog entry by just telling you a little bit how wonderful Steve is. In the last 10 days he has re-decorated the bathroom and our bedroom, taken large pieces of furnitue to London, picked up more baby things from Ilford, constructed a shoe rack, put up various shelves, cooked dinners, ...and bought me a dozen red and white roses!!!! All around working too. What more can a pregnant woman ask for in a husband? I really don't know.

2006-11-05T22:19:00.000Z

Squirmy, jumpy, shuffly, pokey, nudging, twisting, turning...must be a baby!

My pregnancy book says that the baby will be most active between weeks 30-33, and that book is right!I'm now 30 weeks pregnant (only 10 weeks to go, I'm SO excited!) and baby has been doing some very strange gymnastics. It feels quite uncomfortable sometimes, really poky and sudden. Other times I think I have a big tummy rumble coming and then baby does what must be a somersault or cart-wheel and it takes my breath away. You can see the movements as well, its very entertaining and we can sit for ages just watching my belly to see what Special K does next!

Today has been a really nice Sunday. We had the lovely Sam and Abi round for lunch which was quality. Then West-Ham were playing against Arsenal and they won which was quite exciting if I do say so myself! Tonight Phil hosted a meal at his gaff for The Gap volunteers, it was a really good evening and brilliant to hear how everyone feels they fit in, I'm so happy to be leaving knowing that there are so many people in Herne Bay who are passionate about the young people they work with. Exciting times! I can't believe I finish D:Caff in 3 weeks and The Gap in 4, its gonna go so quickley...and there's so much still to sort out!!

2006-11-01T13:36:00.000Z

This is what I have been doing...

Its been a great past few days. We had a really nice look around the Isle of Wight on Saturday after leaving the Rock Sch res, although I was a bit gutted we couldn't see the Needles properly cos it was so cloudy and the wind meant the chair lift wasn't working that day to go down the beach and have a good look -I'm such a tourist!

Sunday was spent chillin, watching West Ham win (finally!), doing lots of washing and going to church...it was quality seein peps again even though it'd only been 2 weeks.

I've been takin it easy with work over past few days, although I didn't have a lot of responsibility as the res it still wore me out quite a lot. So on Monday I went round Mum an Dad's for the afternoon/evening which was really really nice. I seem to have developed a craving for fruit scones and jam, and my lovely Dad went to 3 shops to find them for me! Maybe everyone else has been craving them too?

Yesterday I seemed to be driving around loads, from Herne to Canterbury, then to Ramsgate, back to Herne, then to Canterbury again, then to Whitstable, then back to Herne again! All it was for was dropping things off from the res, a meeting, and the Tesco shop but it took 6 hours. Craziness.

Today I've been working from home, no I really have! Also been doing the odd spot of housework. Cell tonight which will be fab.

2006-10-26T21:29:00.000+01:00

Life on the Wight Isle...

Contrary to my previous thoughts of not being able to blog this week I have discovered that the Residebtial Centre has wireless, modern technology amazes me!

Today's Thursday, we left H/Bay last Friday night and the time has really flown by. We've been really busy, Steve especially, I've been trying to be good and not do too much which I find really hard. The Rock School res is going brilliantly, the young people have been having loads of fun and its been really cool to hear the music they've been making and seeing them perform. I hope baby doesn't mind the loudness! S/he seems to have been getting into the groove and moshing along, so that's a positve sign.

Got some wicked photos of the Rock Stars fancy dress cabaret which happened last night. Steve and I did our usual get-up of Indian Man from the Village People and frizzy haired woman who kind of looks like a rosk star with the help of heavy make up. The cable for the digital camera is currently missing...hopefully it will be returned soon! Then I can post up some pics.

Ok, gonna go to bed now and hope that this feeling of a cold coming on goes away in the night.

2006-10-19T13:30:00.000+01:00

Busy Bees...

Been quite a hectic week so far, hence the lack of blog updates over past few days. Today I've been off work this morning and should be going to a Youth Advisory Group meeting this evening...providing my young people turn up! After that I'm meeting up with the gorgeous Sarah Allen for a girly time which will be lovely.

Got a fun weekend ahead down in South Hampton with Steve's family, celebrating a 30th birthday, unfortunately Steve won't be around for much of it as he's doing Spree. I love spending time with the Kreegers, haven't seen some of them for a while!

Then on Monday we're ferrying off to the Isle of Wight for a Crusaders residential called Rock School. Steve's got loads of responsibility so I'll be there to help him out where I can and I'm also pastorily responsible for the girls who'll be there. Really looking forward to it, will be working with a great team full of people who I find so much fun to be around. Plus the Isle of Wight is gorgeous.

So this'll be my last blog for a week or so, take care of yourselves!

2006-10-12T18:13:00.000+01:00

Clumsy Pregnant Woman...

Yep that's me! Yesterday in Tesco I smashed a glass candle holder, they were very nice and didn't make me pay for it(lucky me that bump is finally showing I think!). Then today I knocked over a stand of DVDs in Morrisons! Em-bar-ass-ing. It is quite funny though and gives me stories to tell. Nothing beats the time I put my mobile through the washing machine cycle when I was about 2 months, poor phone hasn't been the same ever since.

Really enjoyed cell last night, I laughed so much I ached. Was great that Steve was able to join us, he hasn't been for about 6 months! Now that he's finished at Faversham YC he can come along. Happy times! Its nice for Michael cos now he has a buddy who can actually challenge him a bit on the Playstation, unlike me and Sarah. Ho hum.

I'm cooking a nice meal for me and Steve tonight as its our date night...well kind of, he'll get home at 8:30 from work, we'll eat, and then I haven't told him yet but I wanna watch Ladette to Lady! I could try and tape it I suppose, but knowing me at the moment I'll probably break the video player.

2006-10-09T17:17:00.000+01:00

Say I Love You with fried bread...

Had a really nice weekend, went round mum and dad's on Saturday and mum and I did lots of sewing type things for the baby's room. I'm really not very good with a sewing machine, it was quite funny. Then on Saturday night I drove over to Ramsgate to meet Steve after work and we went round his boss's house to meet his wife and have dinner. It was a really lovely time and Mike and Victoria are so nice, she's preggers too so we had lots to natter about.

On Sunday I was all wifey and made us breakfast in bed, Steve has been working so hard lately and then coming home and working hard again at DIY stuff and making funding bid films for The Gap etc. So I wanted to say thank you, although sausages, baked beans, and fried bread isn't much of a thank you I think he felt loved. The rest of Sunday was spent doing one of my favourite things...pottering around!

2006-10-04T13:05:00.000+01:00

Pottering around with internal hiccups...

It sounds like something an old person would do, but I frequently enjoy pottering around. I like doing it at home, getting the little things done that have needed doing for ages, or being all wifey and baking, or being all creative and re-covering the kitchen table chairs. I like pottering around in the office and sorting the files on the computer so its all neat, filing the annoying bits of paper that crowd the desk, throwing away post-its that have been acheived... Pottering around is good.

I feel really happy at the moment. Work is exciting as we're waiting to hear whether the young people's presentation at the weekend has secured them the 500k for Herne Bay's new Youth Centre. Got a big meeting on Monday with lots of important people about how it'll all come together, which is exciting too. Although I won't be directly involved soon, I know I'll be kept up to date as so many people involved are my friends, so that's nice to know.

Feeling pretty good health wise too. Baby has had the hiccups loads lately which feels quite funny. Though I did start worrying about him/her last night as they had the hiccups for nearly an hour! You can't tell a baby to hold their breath, or drink a pint of water with their arm in the air (that always works for me), and even though Steve did try to give them a fright by saying "Boo!" it didn't work. Poor baby.

If it happens again maybe I'll drink the water with my arm in the air and see if it helps. I'll let you know.

2006-09-29T13:32:00.000+01:00

Playing Detective...

Well, it seems life is never boring at the moment! I won't go into a lot of details on here, but our landlords car has been nicked from right under our noses and the guys who took it know the details of our busy lifestyle thanks to one of our neighbours who thought she was helping, bless her.

So we're taking a few extra security precautions (only cctv, and security guards with alsations, nothing too OTT) and praying that God will keep us safe. Which I'm confident He will.

Its all a bit of a mystery and we can't get our heads round it, I always wanted to be Nancy Drew but actually its all a bit confusing. Well done Nancy for all those mysteries you solved with the Hardy Boys, I take my detective hat off to you.

I'm off to play Cluedo.

2006-09-27T13:34:00.000+01:00

Tra la la...

Trundling along at the mo with work, church, and baby day-dreams. Actually the baby day-dreams have been getting in the way of sleeping at night as I get all excitied about our little bundle, or anxious about how much we've yet to prepare, or excited again about plans for the nursery room. Have been trying to do things in the day to wear myself out so that I get to sleep quicker! Did a 5k jog today.

Not really. Paula Radcliffe may be able to do a marathon run whilst 5 months pregnant but not me! Not even when I'm not pregnant.

Had the lovely Katy round yesterday, had a good laugh watching the video footage of Sam and Abi's wedding, about 10 mins of their wedding then 20 of the Herne Bay-ites dancing like loonies. Fun times.

Tonight I will be mainly going to cell in Canterbury, and very nice too.

2006-09-24T21:48:00.000+01:00

Packed Weekend!...

Has been a great weekend. Yesterday we had some fab friends visit, Gel, Sarah and baby Amber. Had a really nice time chatting about all things baby and catching up on where we're at. Went for a walk along the beautiful Herne Bay seafront and through the park, really really relaxing. We were so lucky to be lent a gorgeous cot from Gel and Sarah/Phil and Emma...thank you! Has really motivated us to sort out the nursery, wahoo!

In the evening we picked up Sarah and Nicola and bundled off to Orange Street in Canterbury to see our friend's band Motion Picture Soundtrack. Was a really cool night out, albeit far too flippen hot in the venue! Was really weird as I knew the drummer Graham from about 6 or 7 years ago when he did ReAct and was involved in Re:gen, he recognised me too. Really strange when you see people you haven't seen for so long. So it ended up being a late night but well worth it.

Today Steve was busy perfecting the video presentation which the young people will use next Sunday to convince a panel that they should give us £500,000 to build Herne Bay a Youth Centre, its looking really good. Then this afternoon when Steve was out playing golf with Phil, Jo came round and we had nice chats in the garden.

Before we knew it we had to shovel down some food and go to a church Team meeting, then straight from that to church. It was really good to meet altogether again after a summer of not everyone being around.

And now I feel tired and a bit peopled out. So am having some time to myself with Jane Eyre and some yummy grapes. Early night tonight I think!

2006-09-22T23:57:00.000+01:00

"Season's may change, Winter to Spring"...

Ahh anyone else love that song from Moulin Rouge?! I well do. That line sums up how I feel at the moment. I love change, its refreshing, exciting, and an opportunity to grow and experience new things. I love the change in seasons, especially when its so obvious like summer to autumn that we're going through at the moment. Its funny how yesterday was really really hot, 31 degrees in the car! And tonight driving back from D:Caff I had frost on the back window! I'm looking forward to feeling the cold on my cheeks, enjoying winter dinners like sausage and mash, drinking really hot chocolate and feeling the benefit! And then of course there's the girly scarves and mittens and woolly hats, you gotta love them too.

With change comes uncertainty, and I'm feeling that too. Work has been really up and down this past 2 weeks. I suppose partly because I'm so up and down being nearly 6 months preggers (tho I REALLY hate admiting that might be a reason!), but also cos I'm adapting and preparing for the fact that I'm leaving this job in 11 weeks for a whole year. I'm realising that so much of my identity is tied up in the job and running D:Caff, and already I feel like its changing and people are preparing for me to go too, which is good, but feels weird. I am quite enjoying all the prep for leaving though, cos it just reminds me that we're having a beautiful baby and it will all be a brand new adventure!

So as you can see its lots of mixed feelings, but all good on the whole.

2006-09-12T16:13:00.000+01:00

Back to Work!...

...with a bang! Been a bit of a stressful day in the office sorting out various bits and pieces, having to tie up loose ends that hadn't been done which I thought had...if that makes sense! Good to be back to, feel like the journey to maternity leave and becoming a Mummy has properly begun, have been in talks with the Management Team today about what's going to happen when I leave etc. Feels sad, exciting, and scary all at once!

About to go home now for a break, then it's the first D:Caff back tonight with the young people, really looking forward to hearing about the trip they went on to Wales a few weeks back.

Adios!

2006-09-10T23:01:00.000+01:00

Love is all Around

Well it looks like the same type of imp that broke into Sam's blog the other week has now broken into mine and posted a picture of all things! This blog is not accoustomed to pictures, but I think she quite likes it...if I get a lesson in picture posting you may see more.

What a weekend! The gorgeous Sam and Abi became Mr and Mrs yesterday, it was a wonderful day, they both looked so in love and so happy, it made me feel all joyful and warm inside. Great food followed and the speeches by Marcus and Mike were spot on, brilliant and fantastic with just the right amount of humiliation for our boy Sam...nice one guys. My very own Mr was the DJ for the par-tay, and what a fine job he did, so much so that we didn't leave the venue till gone 1 and after the drive across London poor Special K didn't get to bed till 3! But it was so worth it, haven't danced and laughed like that for ages.

Just got back from Barking, its now late so am off to sleepy pies.

hijacker

2006-09-08T12:29:00.000+01:00

Look at my husband. He is dry surfing here. He is amazing. I love him.

2006-09-08T11:20:00.000+01:00

"We're all been on a Summer Holiday..."

Back now from our 6 day camping trip with friends to the New Forest, it was wonderful weather...I think I even caught the sun a bit! Nice, especially as it'd been raining loads the week before we went. Highlight has to be going to Burton-Bradstock beach (really not sure if I may have just made that name up!), then Abbotsbury with Rach...cliffs, waves, quaint shops, and Dorset apple cake, lovely. Lowlight was seeing Marcus get bitten by a horse Steve and I had fallen for, we had even called him Hamish...then he lost our love when he nipped our friend on the chest! Not before he'd eaten all our apples and carrots though. But I still love horses....they're my friends. (sounds weird if you haven't heard the song!)

Got back yesterday afternoon, nice to be home as we've got so much going on to look forward to in the next week! Waaay up there on the list is the wedding tommorrow, looking forward to it SO MUCH! Then on Sunday we're spendin the afternoon with Steve's family celebrating Liz's (his sis) birthday. On Monday Stevie starts his new job, very exciting, I'll still be off work so that'll be nice too!

Ok, I'm off to hang washing, bake cakes, make cards and buy a wedding gift!

2006-08-30T23:05:00.000+01:00

"We've all finished our Summer Holiday..."

Well today was the last day of the Summer Holiday project, and to celebrate we took 35 young peps to Thorpe Park for 7 hours. The park experience was great, they all looked after themselves and managed to check in with us at lunch time. Me and other Jo hung out, went to the Pirates 4D show, saw a stunt bike show, and rode on the gentile carousal...all the adreniline and stomach flipping mummy and baby k were allowed. The coach journey back was much more interesting, too much sugar+long day+wet rides= hyper+frazzled+SOAKED young people. Cheers and thanks to Jo and Jon for all your "sit down" "seat belt ON!" "sit on this bin bag" and "right, we're not coming to fright night anymore!" I did try to be forceful and understanding/fair, but I was so exhausted I could hardly keep my eyes open! Yeah, riding on a carousal will do that to you.

Very pleased to get home, have some dinner, a lovely long bath with candles and Beth Orton (she was singing from the cd player, not in the bath too), and watch meaningless telle for an hour. Bliss. Now feel chilled out and ready to do the project evaluation tommorrow knowing that it's my last day of work before going on holiday. Lovely.

Goodnight x

2006-08-27T22:57:00.000+01:00

Host Extrordinaires....

Sunday today and its been a good weekend, chilled out yesterday. Stevie and I went to Ashford cinema to see The Break Up with Jen n Vince...not as great a film as I thought'd be, but nice to have a night out.

Then today was entertainment central at the Kreeger Kottage! Mum and Dad popped round in morning, very nice too. Then we met up with a lovely couple from Canterbury, the lady of whom Steve met on his summer project, they'd got chatting and it turned out we have heaps in common with them, so he invited them round for tea and cake. It was really a really nice afternoon, we'll def be seeing them again as lots of God connections. THEN Rachel and Jo popped round and ended up staying for dinner as Sam and Abi were gonna have a meal with us tonight but poor Abi was ill (get well soon luvvie). So we ate, we laughed, Steve DJed, we danced sitting down, we played scrabble, and laughed some more. It was fun fun fun.

I'm pretty tired now, v glad that we have tommorow off as well! Probably going over to see Sam and Abi in Canterbury, which will be lovely.

PS: Rich and Sue if you're reading this WELCOME BACK!!! Can't wait to see you guys!

2006-08-24T22:33:00.000+01:00

Rain Rain GO AWAY!!!!

What was it with the torrential rain in the Bay today?! Ok, maybe not TORRENTIAL, but...heavy, and... all day! We took the yoof to see "Monster House" at Ashford cinema seeing as our BBQ at Grove Ferry was rained off. Alright film, bit scary I thought for a kids film, one little girl was crying for part of it.

I had a weird experience at the end of the film, I'd obviously sat in a wet seat and not noticed as when I got up I was soaked! Was paranoid that I'd wet myself but I'm sure I didn't!! No, I think someone must've spilled their drink then I came along and parked in it. Lovely.

Very glad that the weekend is nearly here, got a nice one lined up with an outing to cinema with luvvlee hubby on Saturday night, and Sam and Abi coming round for dinner on Sunday. Its Bank Holiday too, so got Monday off, rumours flying around St Martins View of a street bbq, lets hope it doesn't gey rained off ay?!

Thanks Aunty Mary for rugby comment...Dad'd love it!

2006-08-22T23:57:00.000+01:00

Two good days in a row!!

Took the young people to an outdoor activity centre called "Treejumpers" today...and they did exactly that! Only it was trees arranged in obstacles and the jumping was safe cos they were harrnessed. It was really good. They also did quad biking which looked wicked fun but me and Special K couldn't join in, really good to watch though. I loved seing the young people grow in confidence, a few thought they really couldn't do it and it was amazing to see them breakthrough their fears.

Day off tomorrow, wahoo! Going to Bluewater with the lovely Sarah, still not really worth buying any maternity clothes as I don't need them yet, aarrrgh! Ha, that reminds me, one of the kids asked if they could be godfather to baby today...it was so sweet! Most of them just ask if we can name s/he after them, hmmm...not sure bout that!

Anyway, am liking this week so far, 2 good days in a row and shopping tommorrow! Bring it on.

2006-08-21T18:59:00.000+01:00

Happy Monday

Had a lovely weekend, a packed one but it was really cool. Have been feeling restless and almost bored lately, weird cos when I'm so busy I usually love just slobbing in front of the telle and crave all the cosy nights in I can get. But last week or so I've felt really blah and can't keep still enough to relax properly...think the holiday to New Forest coming up will do me good!

Today has been a really good day. Andy, Marcus and Rach took the young people rock climbing, leaving me and Jo to do admin stuff in office. I work really well with Jo, we understand how each other works and likes things organised! You have been such a great help on this project Jo, it wouldn't have been as great without you!!! Hmmm...for those of you who don't know who Jo is you may think I've just been talking to myself, well rest assured she is a real person and I'm not losing my marbles just yet.

Anyway, we have a team meal tonight at the Jade Garden all you can eat chinese....nice. Gotta go get ready. See y'all soon.

2006-08-18T23:41:00.000+01:00

Frazzle Head

Today I have had my frazzled head on, and not because of the weird rain-then-sun-then-rain again weather affecting my hair. Work really got to me today, dunno if it was cos it's Friday and end of a long week or if it was the hor-moan-ies that Special K has been creating. Whatever it was I felt really vulnerable and stressed, it seemed like one thing went wrong after another continously, then when one of the kids kicked the football and it hit my head and I had to really fight to keep from crying....I knew I'd had enough. Luckily the heavens then opened so we had to take the young people to the cinema, giving me a few hours to crack on with the pile of paperwork in my office and have a few cups of tea. Good thing I did have a bit of a relax this afternoon cos D:Caff tonight was another mad one, hand-drier ripped out wall in girls loo, rumours of Faversham kids coming over to fight Herne Bay, and a disclosure which I've just had to report to social services. Actually, that's when I'm glad I do this job cos I can actually help and make a difference to young people's lives.

Anyway, enough of that, moan over!

The day is now nearly over and the weekend is here, hooray. Its funny, when I was really frazzled out earlier little baby was kicking away like a gooden, and now as I'm writing s/he is at it again! A nice reminder that happier times are on the way. Baby has been kicking about loads in past week, I'm nearly 5 months and finally have a little bump, yay will finally have an excuse to buy some new clothes soon!!!

2006-07-25T14:26:00.000+01:00

I Really love Cornflakes

I finally cracked into my own blog after losing my carefully written down password, I have now performed a small operation and I will never forget it again. I had it tattooed under my foot.

Hi to Emma Togwell, it is you who have inspired (or reminded!) me to write.

Well, we moved into our very first house yesterday! Massive thanks to my Mum and Dad, Jez, Sam, Ben and Matt who were all collered into helping, could not have done it without you guys, dunno what we were thinking! Very very happy in our new home, slept like a log last night, did feel a bit sad to be further away from the sea...our bedroom is too hot without the sea breeze! But having the beautiful garden makes up for it, brings back lots of childhood memories of our gorgeous garden in NZ, our little Special K will enjoy growing up here with the squirrels (seeing as their room will be in the shed, cos I'm having the second bedroom as an art room...don't tell Steve.)

Speaking of Special K, I haven't mentioned he/r on here yet, you all know anyway but just to remind you as there's not much evidence yet I'M HAVING A BAAABY! Look at my Profile and you'll see why I'm so excited.

Ok I better dash, am in the office and have lots to do as the Summer Project starts tomorrow, and that's me flat out for the next 5 weeks (sunbathing that is, the others can do all the work.)

x

2006-05-28T21:01:00.000+01:00

Happy Times!....

Had a great week last week, Steve (my fantabulous hubbie) organised a supremely lush surprise party for my 25th. Had a wonderful time and loved being told I looked like Audrey Hepburn (who'd I'd been dressed up to look like). It was really cool.

The biggest shock ever though was seeing my best childhood friend from New Zealand there! I'd no idea she was even in the country and Steve had kept what has to be the biggest secret of the year by picking her and her husband up from London and stowing them at my parents house! Brilliant. We had a great couple of days together afterwards and many a laugh about the naughty things we did at school, cool fun.

Have just spent the weekend in Barking as Steve was DJing at a friends wedding in Sidcup, really great day, loved boogeying down on the dance floor to...Gina G?! Yep, but it went down well! Then today it was his Nan's 88th birthday, so many a laugh was had eating a roast and playing Upwords (genius morph from Scrabble).

Am currently missing my Rachel as have just read her blog, I really love her. See you soon sis.

xxx

2006-05-04T12:33:00.000+01:00

I'M BACK!!!

Apologies for the breakdown in communication, it was due to a technical hitch...well if you can call the fact that I forgot my password a "technical hitch". I did warn you all I was rubbish at blogging!

So I hope you feel up to date a bit from reading my beloved's very well kept blog, you have heard about our lovely Tunisian break (my peely skin has now gone to reveal a slight tan, only a slight one though), and you will know that things a very busy and hectic in the Kreeger house with Steve working flat out on the video project which will be premiering this Saturday at the cinema. Very exciting stuff, really praying that this will be the door into a youth centre finally being established in Herne Bay.

Holiday seems ages ago. The day after we got back I plunged head first into a schools week with the Collective Kent band. The lessons and assemblies they did all week went really well, and about 160 young people came to the evangelistic concert on the Friday night. 13 young people became Christians, 4 made recommitments, and another 4 want to know more about God. Such an amazing thing to pray with them in a classroom in the High School, something I've always dreamed of doing!

So tommorrow I'm starting the official HBHigh CU, or lunch time club I prefer to call it. CLC have generously slashed the price of their Youth Bibles so we can give everyone one, and we'll see how we go from there!

Love, love, lovin it.

2006-03-30T14:16:00.000+01:00

A windy day....

Must've been the fanjitas. No, its really really windy outside and has been for like three days. I really don't like windy days, makes me not want to go out, and if I stay in I feel cooped up. Grrr.

All this wind has made me even more excited about going to Tunisia in 17 days! It's been quite a stressful week in many different ways and I feel like I will benefit from a proper break from it all, and of course a bit of sun wouldn't do any harm...unless we forget to take suncream like we did on honeymoon. In which case the sun would do a lot of harm.

Note to Steve: If you break into my blog and change the word fajitas into anything else I'll hide your i-pod.

2006-03-28T23:35:00.000+01:00

Oh my Gah...

Second post of the day! Hey when I get back into blogging I get back into it proper like. Plus I feel I need to make up for the lack of Jo and Sam blogging (which if it's true guys will be a great shame. But actually, who the heck am I to talk when I haven't blogged for aaaages?!)

Watched a funny thing about Jessica Simpson this afternoon, hence the title. Bless her.

Have had a bit of an epifany (I really don't think that's how you spell it) just now about my needing to open up to people more. Have decided to get meself regularly discipled, shock horror I haven't really been talking to anyone in that sort of context for a while. I don't wanna have one special person, cos all my friends are so special to me, so have just decided in my heart that I will take time to talk about me sometimes rather than distracting from myself by asking a thousand questions.

Sorry for gush of emotion, I had a glass of red after D:Caff.

See, accountabilty and everything!

2006-03-28T13:00:00.000+01:00

a very feminine blog update....

G'mornin folks, especially to Rich, Jo, and Mary who have inspired me to write this as they all left comments before I'd even started. Most of all though, ta very much and I'll make you a cup of tea, to Steve who created this pink fluttery paradise, with lots of pictures of....Meeee! That's cos he loves looking pictures of me, not cos I do, that would be vain. Cue comment from Sam re: how many pictures we have of ourselves in our flat. Shuddup.

Do you like my butterflies? I want to give them each a name...any ideas?

Well what shall I tell you about, what's been going on in my life, what would you like to know? Mary wanted something girly, hmmm. Ok, Mary this is for you...

...I've been part of a team of girls who've been planning a "Girly Day" for the summer. The vision for it has been to empower and inspire young laydees to live out their dreams and go for what God's calling them to be. All very exciting. We've been having planning meetings every fortnight, all of which have been extremley girly, extremely funny, and extremley...well, girly.

When coming up with tags for the advertising campaign, we were talking through various slogans for the posters, mulling around doing something with a Bible verse, having just one word etc. One of the girls suddenly burst into fits of giggles, and said that she'd spoken to another girl who'd come up with this slogan...

menstru8

Jesus Loves You

period

You can't get anymore girly than that.

back in the game

2006-02-21T12:40:00.000Z

This is Jo Jos new blog