Tuesday was Rhyl. I slept in a bit, so I panicked and asked Dan (asleep on a beanbag) to take Euan to nursery for me. Turns out Andy was running a bit late anyway, as the minibus turned up 40 minutes late, but never mind. He'd been out the night before, for a birthday, so I'll let him off! We went for a tour of the RNLI station in Rhyl, because we're picking a charity to raise money for. Got home to Yorkshire puddings made by a real Northern person - Rob had been busy. Dan was still asleep, but was persuaded to wake up to go and collect Euan by 6pm! Mum came to collect Dan, Rob got a taxi to the station, and the house was suddenly quite empty again... well, apart from Euan, who demanded music and dancing.

Today was work, with big serious meetings where everyone complained about things going wrong, but no-one seemed keen on putting extra effort in to fix them. About standard really.

Went for a group meal at lunch, Allan and I wearing our towels in memory of Douglas Adams.

Photographic evidence . I also stood outside the office with my towel on, to prove I had it with me all day... Nicola took for me.

Now I have to write the script for our Prince's Trust presentation in a couple of weeks. They've decided to do it in a Doctor Who style, so I'll draft a few quick ideas tonight, because you can guarantee someone won't be happy with it!

The house is really quiet and empty now because Euan's back with his Dad. I should really try and get round to taking the flags and balloons down, but some how that would make it worse!

I'll just get writing, then try and get a decent night's sleep... for the first time in a week.

Finally getting round to an update, after a very busy weekend!

Last week was a boring and normal one in work, nothing exciting happened. Euan was more stroppy than usual, which made it quite stressful, but not dramatically so. Just in a "Do you want to live in the shed, Euan?" kind of way.

I was looking forward to my Eurovision party, but was more worried about not being ready really.

Rob arrived on Friday evening, and basically sat patiently on the sofa while I scurried around trying to get the house tidy. Tom arrived Saturday, and he and Dan came up to Coedpoeth to start blowing up balloons. I ran around a bit more, shouting at people and being grumpy and frazzled, which they tolerated very well. The rest of the guests started arriving at 6, and the house was filling up by 7.

As usual, there was a slightly awkward start to the evening, with a group of people sitting around nursing drinks and glancing up nervously at the people they don't know - I was regularly jumping up to answer my phone and wander out into the road to show people exactly where my notoriously hidden house is. We started the evening with a bit of Doctor Who (which scared me more than Daleks. I mean, gas masks growing out of people's faces? Eek! And the scary kid said, "Mummy" in the same voice as Euan uses), but everyone soon relaxed, especially when I demanded that people complete and sign a page from the erotic dots book. As an ice-breaker, it's second to none. Gets people instantly debating whether they're looking at a breast or a buttock, until the picture emerges, and they inevitably go, "Oh... dear me."

The night got better from there on. We had a sweepstake, which Dan borrowed money for and then won. I'm sure exactly the same thing happened two years ago!

I didn't see much of Eurovision - after all, it was more of an excuse than a reason. I was too busy cooking pizzas (which were sliced with a rather large and sharp hunting knife, which Jason helpfully produced from his car ) and mini kievs. I only did the kievs as a poor joke - because Eurovision was in Kiev this year - but they proved so popular that I ended up cooking the rest of them anyway. There was a fair amount of drunken debauchery, as the photos show, and certain events which will never be discussed on pain of... John killing me.

I think my two-day adrenaline rush finally wore off at about 3am, and I dozed off on a beanbag. I believe drinks were placed on me, but so far I haven't heard of anyone taking advantage of my comatose state to play cruel tricks. Everyone else wandered off to bed over the next couple of hours, and I was woken up at 7am.

I contemplated geting some sleep, but it was never going to happen, so I mooched around a bit then decided to start on the clean-up. I was shocked to find that Karl had already started it! He had been a bit poorly the previous night, and was rather disappointed that he'd missed the exciting bits... especially the re-enactment of certain parts of American Pie. I'll leave it up to your imagination which bits.

Karl, John and Rob had slept at my house, Tom, Ste & Laura had gone to Mum's with Dan, so we all met down in Marford, Karl driving us and picking Euan up on the way. From the other Karl (my ex). I don't know about you, but I'm confused already.

At Mum's Karl said it was time for him to head home but the rest of us strolled down to the Trevor Arms again for a pub lunch. Rather yummy it was too. Even if people looked a bit grey and sleepy...

Most people left for home at this point, John for buses, Tom for trains, Ste & Laura by car. Dan went home, which left me & Rob in Coedpoeth.

Euan was nicely hyper all evening, and when he went to sleep Hannah (from Prince's Trust) turned up, as I'd said she could stay over at my house. She'd come to Wrexham for her friend's birthday and came staggering in at 2.30am, telling us about how she'd poked someone in the eye because they were too mean to give her a cigarette, and how her friend had been knocked out and ended up in hospital.

Sounded like a good night.

Today was back to work, for a messy day of INP118s which hadn't been touched since November. Oh dear. Half a year's worth of payments, all tangled up like spaghetti. That was fun. Nicola didn't seem too traumatised by Saturday's events, Ryan took great delight in telling people about it (Andrea had been poorly and couldn't come, but the first thing she said to me was, "Is it true that...?"), and Rich seemed to have enjoyed it.

Met Rob for lunch (Nag's Head again), then met both Dan and Rob in Withers after work. Two seconds' worth of persuasion, and Rob decided not to go home, but to join me & little bro for a DVD night in. I went to get Euan from nursery, the lads went to pick up DVDs and munchables. We all watched I, Robot together. Euan was very well behaved and cuddly, for most of the film, then I went to put him to bed, and dozed off... this usually happens! Dan woke me up for the second DVD (Loaded Weapon 1!), Emilio Estevez at his cutest. But I fell asleep again on the sofa, to be woken up at 3am and booted upstairs. A pleasant night, even if I was a bit too tired to be sparkly and bubbly.

Alton Towers was fun on Thursday and Friday. Shared a room with Jayne, Rob and Rich, while Dan had Tom, Paul and CJ in his room. Ate yummy food in very good company, went on rollercoasters in glorious sunshine, laughed all day both days - even though I felt a bit the worse for wear on Friday, having had one or two drinks on Thursday night. Photos in the photos section, as per usual.

Got home late on Friday night, dozing on all four trains and the taxi home, thankfully Dan woke me up when it was necessary to trail around yet another cold station and wait for the next connection.

Saturday was busy - was supposed to be meeting Karl in town at 11 to pick up Euan, but I was running late (slept in because I was shattered!) so Mum met him instead and brought Euan up to the house. Karl had a train to catch to go back down to Cardiff and see his lady friend.

Got ready, went to Mum's, went to Lou's wedding. Very nice. They said all the stuff people say when they're getting married, the kind of thing I wouldn't be able to keep a straight face for. I would get a fit of the giggles. It just seems so surreal.

Then lots of photos, with various combinations of bridesmaids and family, and miscellaneous cute kids.

I left at this point, and went to meet Mum and Euan just up the road by the lake, leaving Gresford Church bells ringing behind me. Euan was shouting at ducks. He seems to be happiest when berating feathered creatures. Maybe my idea to get a pet duck isn't such a clever one after all! We went round to Grandma's for a quick cuppa, and then on home for me.

It's Colin's 50th on Monday - jammy sod has been celebrating it all month one way or another, with a joint party with someone else, and a presentation in work because he'll be on leave on the day. Saturday night was a nice meal at the Llwyn Onn, which I was invited to - it wasn't originally going to be possible, but since I had agreed to take Euan earlier and skip Lou's reception, I realised that it would only be a few hours' babysit to allow me to go for a meal instead.

Cue Dan: if Carlsberg made uncles... they'd be fizzy and chemical. Luckily they don't, so Dan is possibly the best uncle in the world.

Brave of him to babysit, considering that he has as much natural parenting instinct as a housebrick.

Had a very nice meal - Steve knows everyone there because he used to work there as a chef. He still covers for their holidays, but I think that's just a power trip thing. Colin and Sylvia wouldn't let me pay for anything, which was very kind. Food was delicious, I sat next to Steve (who made sure his order was deliberately awkward, because that's what he has to put up with apparently) and his brother's wife Angela, who I liked instantly. She was great fun, so I didn't feel awkward for long. She somehow manages a household with five kids in it... I struggle with just Euan sometimes!

Sunday was spent at Mum's. Took Euan for a wander down to Gresford to bully the ducks a bit more. Had a lovely walk in the sunshine, read my book while Euan shouted at pigeons this time, and walked back to Mum's. The day was rounded off by a pub meal at The Beeches - I think we go there for convenience, because for some reason Euan always misbehaves there. He ran around and borrowed other people's chips; we ate in shifts, as usual.

It was then back to Mum's to start scanning in some old slides, so they're easier to view, share and store. There are hundreds to do, and I only got through one short roll of film. Loads of fun - seeing photos that had never been mounted as slides, and never been seen clearly. Pictures of my family and cousins about eighteen years ago... They're stored on Mum's computer, but I'll try and upload some to gemstuff at some point.

Today the weather suddenly realised it had accidentally been pleasant for a few days, and decided to make up for the lapse by being drizzly and cold. At least I didn't mind being stuck in work. Went for a quick catch-up meal with Andrea at lunchtime.

Yay, no more work! Lovely short week. I think working a short week is better than taking the whole week off. You appreciate it more. And today I got to walk around grinning and saying, "This is effectively Friday for me. Why aren't you happy too?"

Monday was dull. Same old same old. Steve was in a funny mood - he'd been patronised by an E1. There's nothing worse. Especially when they do less work, have fewer braincells, get paid more money, and then make comments like, "Even an E2 could do it." Grr.

Tuesday was a fantastic day. I had butterflies all morning, because I was meeting someone from ATA at lunchtime - "marlowe33", or Jason when not pixellated. I've always met people in a big group, where it's been possible to lurk at the edge looking unobtrusive, but going for lunch with someone I had never met was daunting. It might involve Conversation!
I needn't have worried. Jason turned out to be friendly, easy to talk to, and full of fascinating snippets of information and anecdotes. Which made up for me grinning like an idiot and stuttering inane comments. We went to the Nag's Head - it's still the only place in Wrexham that seems to resemble a proper pub. If anyone can think of an alternative, please let me know! I ordered gammon, which was yummy, but I predictably managed to chuck peas all over the table. Ah well, as first impressions go, at least I created a realistic one. After a very pleasant lunch we wandered back through town so I could hop on my bus - too soon, but I can't drop Rose in at the deep end just yet.
Jason can't make it to Dan's birthday meet-up, but I've said I'll tell him next time I'm going, so he can meet some more of the rabble. And even if that lot can't make it, I'll try and drag him along with me because he's excellent company... and I didn't even feel like I was being psycho-analysed. Much.

Today was good. Popped into town at lunch with Nicola, bought a few new clothes and a gorgeous new bag. Ian came up to say hello and tell me his brother-in-law (the butcher) had been asking after me. I only met him once, ages ago. And that was to buy some bacon. Ian was in an uncharacteristically bouncy mood, very unnerving. Got home, had tea with sprog, both of us dancing in our seats while we ate. Euan likes The Killers. Phoned Rob about arrangements for tomorrow, then had to end the call because Lou arrived at the back door - she can drive now, so she decided to surprise me... luckily the house is relatively tidy! Well, by my standards anyway. Euan went all shy... for all of 30 seconds, and then he went for Extreme Show Off Attention Grabbing Mode. Broke the bad news to Lou... that due to ongoing erm, discussions, with Karl about Euan responsibilities, I had conceded the Saturday so that he could go down to Cardiff again. I would still be able to come to the wedding, but not the reception or evening do. She was OK about it, thankfully. Karl then arrived - part two of this week's compromise - he stays over in the spare room so I can disappear early tomorrow for the train to Alton Towers, and he'll take Euan to nursery - and Lou left.
Now all packed and excited. Should be a fun couple of days. Can't wait!

Another busy week has flown by, and it's back to work tomorrow.

I spent Bank Holiday Monday mooching around the house. It was nice just to spend time with Euan, instead of constantly having something to do, somewhere to be, someone to see. It rained. I didn't care.

Wednesday was fun. The sideboard I ordered ages ago was finally delivered, and Dan house-sat for me after his dentist's appointment to take delivery of that mirror from Goldilocks' Cottage. What a kind brother I have. Was excited and smiling all day in work. Couldn't wait to finish as Rob was arriving that afternoon to stay for a few days. Dan met him at the station as I was stuck in work.

Caught up with them in Brady's - I don't care if the name reverted to The Old Swan a couple of years ago, for me it's always going to be Brady's. A quick pint (Rob asked for a pint of Satisfaction, with much innuendo added for good measure), and I intended to light a cigarette, but the packet was confiscated and disappeared into Rob's pocket. On to Lloyd's for a bite to eat. That place still resembles a school canteen for me, but it was tricky trying to co-ordinate everyone's eating preferences! As we left I walked straight past the horse tied up outside. Somehow it slipped straight under my radar, and got put in the category "perfectly normal" until Rob pointed it out in disbelief. One quick later, and a man came out of Lloyd's, untied the horse and led it off in the direction of Tesco's, down Charles Street where I used to have a flat. Bizarre. Dan went home and Rob and I hopped on a bus to Coedpoeth, where he unpacked some of his stuff while I started assembling my new sideboard. The instructions reckoned it was a two-person job, and would take an hour.

Four hours later, with a blistered palm from the screwdriver, and I worked out that there are pieces missing. Sigh. Have to phone them at some point and say I've got two extra piece Gs and I'm missing all six of the piece Fs.

Thursday - election day: 05/05/05. I was in work, tired from a late night talking after I finally got the sideboard put together. Lunch with Nicola and Simon. Dan met up with Rob during the day and by the time I could escape work they were in town. I said in a text: "If Dan can grab me a cheapy DVD player, I'll pay him back when I get home." Another text exchange about acceptable prices, and they'd bought one - hooray! In fact, Rob bought it, which hadn't been my intention, but I paid him back as soon as I got home and didn't feel so guilty. We agreed to get the same bus up to Codpot, and ironically I was offered a lift by Steve as I stood at the bus stop, which I turned down.

Home for a bite of pizza, a stroll up to the voting station (the options: Plaid Cymru, Forward Wales, Conservative, UKIP, Labour, Lib Dem. Where's the "none of the above" option?), and then back home I started drilling the wall for the new mirror - it took both Dan and Rob to lift it into position, and there's not much wall left around the edges of it! It's gorgeous. The only thing is, it's so big that it doesn't sit flat against the bumpy surface. I keep forgetting this old cottage lacks any straight lines.

Around midnight I dozed off to election coverage which Dan and Rob intended to watch until the bitter end - they even went to Spar for supplies of snacks and drinks to keep them going, but I think they both gave up in the end. At some point I mumbled at them and clambered upstairs to bed. I think Rob gave up and went to bed a few hours later, and Dan decided to get a taxi.

Friday was work again, then a trip to Sainsbury's with Mum after work and back to Marford, where Dan and Rob already were. The three of us hopped on the bus to Chester, grabbed a yummy bite in Pizza Hut (surrounded by rather drunken people in their posh frocks, because the Races are on... ) and taxi'd it to the Megabowl on Greyhound Park. Rob won both games. No wonder he liked that idea, and dismissed Laserquest, cinema and simply pubs/clubs. He was way too good. Each of us won a game of air hockey (I love it, I get so aggressive...) then we trekked home, walking to the bus route by the Roodee, then carrying on as far as King's School to keep warm until the bus arrived. I fell asleep on the way home. Some woman was sick all over the posh dress she'd bought specially for the Races as we reached Wrexham. I tried not to smirk.

Saturday was spent mooching, then went to pick up new contact lenses from town. Very odd. I haven't worn them for two years, so although I had no trouble putting them in, they felt really strange. It was like blinking over a ridge, and waiting for the blurs to clear. I've lost all tolerance, and have to build up slowly, but the optician said the fit looked good. Here's the thing - soft contact lenses are easy to wear, but not very good for your eyes. Gas permeable ones are far healthier, but because they're not so floppy and flexible, not everyone can tolerate them. Because I wore them for eight years, the optician wanted me to go back to them.

We went to the Nag's Head, meeting John and Dan, and had a really nice meal. I couldn't see it very clearly, but it tasted OK. At least, I think I was eating my own.

I was supposed to be going to Lou's mini-hen-night on Friday (proper hen night was in Liverpool the night of Mum's party, so I couldn't go), but she moved it to Saturday at the last minute. It had been in my diary for weeks, and I'd warned Rob I'd be out for a few hours, so why couldn't her other friends have the same courtesy? No, Friday wasn't convenient for a few people... I couldn't do Saturday, because I was already supposed to be going to Chester for a meal with Simon, Chris and a few others and was wondering whether to go to that! In the end I told Simon the new contact lenses had irritated my eyes and I couldn't see properly and would he mind if I cancelled? He said no problem because apparently he wasn't looking forward to the meal either.

John went back and stayed at Marford, because it was easier than trying to use public transport. As Rob and I were waiting for the Coedpoeth bus, I watched three people get out of a car across the road, and was vaguely observing the fact that they'd all chosen identikit outfits (jeans, extremely high heels, and little strappy tops), and the strange way that similar clothes look completely different according to people's build. Not criticising - like I'm in any position to do that - merely an observation. Then I realised as they walked across the road in front of us that the middle one was Lou, and then it clicked that I had said I'd be in Chester for a meal, which I had subsequently cancelled, and there I was waiting to go home... I don't think Lou saw me, and they were out of sight before I could work out who the other two were. Phew. That could have been awkward.

Watched Garden State at home, and drank large quantities of rum 'n' coke until we were both dozing off on the sofa, and decided that was the signal to call it a night!

Today has been spent going to Wrexham to say bye to John, then to Fat Cat's for lunch, then meeting Karl to take over Euan Duty, then back home briefly, then back to town for Rob's train... Dan ran alongside, waving, as it pulled away from the station, with a look of utter despair on his face. He only did it because the train was virtually empty. Wish I'd had a camera!

Dan and I said goodbye at the bus station, and Euan and I came home, where we've been flaking out this evening. Well, I flaked out. Euan played with the sideboard: "Ooh, Mummy, look. Door. Uh-oh. Tactor. Aw, no!"

The house is strangely empty after a sociable few days. And I haven't smoked since Wednesday, and I haven't even noticed most of the time. My cigarettes are now in Sheffield with Rob (as are my spare house keys, accidentally!) so I might as well continue not smoking, and just imagine the disapproving look if I feel a nicotine craving.

Tried to have a lie-in today. Euan had other ideas, unfortunately. First of all he brought me my glasses and watch. Then my phone - presumably he wanted the alarm to go off. When this didn't get much of a response, he picked up his shoes and placed them on my head. Then started tapping my face with them. He's persistent, I'll give him that.
I reluctantly sat up, found myself surrounded by items that Euan thought would encourage sentience on my part, and tidied them away, before dragging Euan into the bed and saying, "No, it's early, let's go back to sleep. Sleep time now."
He disagreed, and started pulling on my arm to try and get me up. By this time the cat had heard movement, and assumed breakfast was imminent, so he was scratching at the door and meowing. Euan kindly told me, "Oh no, Max! Uh-oh."
Outnumbered, I gave up and trudged downstairs to feed the starving hordes - all two of them, but from the noise they can make you'd think there were more.
Mum and Dan turned up around midday, and we met Grandma for a family day out - Anderton Lift in Northwich. We'd been there a couple of times when we still had the narrowboat, and I even vaguely remember paddling up to the rotten sluice gates in the dinghy (cue Dan dredging a photo out of the old albums and scanning it in... ). It was always an ongoing restoration project, but I think it finally got a big cash boost from the lottery or something and is now in full working order again. Seems a shame we never took Ammeleina through it, but we went on the boat trip through it today instead. Great fun. Euan kept shouting, "Boat!" which I think means he enjoyed it.
Website here, live webcam here. It only runs during the day though. So all you can see at night are a couple of lights - presumably from the ICI factory.
Back to my house for a takeaway, and Grandma started weeding my garden again. I can't help thinking it's a somewhat futile exercise, but she gets full marks for trying. She also cleared all the gunk out of the outside drain for me - it had been on my "To Do" List for a while. Well, actually it was on the "I Really Ought To Get Round To That Unpleasant Job Soon" List. So I'm thrilled to bits and slightly guilty at the same time.
They've all left now, and Euan was surprisingly good, waving through the window and saying "Bye" without a fuss... for about five minutes. Then he demanded his shoes on, picked up the door key, and started trying to unlock the back door, crying for, "Dan!"
I really have no idea why. What did you do, Dan? It took ten minutes of toy-related distractions to make him stop pining for you. Very odd.
I'll try for another lie-in tomorrow. It might even work.