Zillah especially... how's it going up there?? Have you bought any thermals yet?? It was cold enough here today so Ihate to think wat it's like up there!

Our staffing... well I've had a few application forms for the office job, some very strange ones, so I shall have to apply myself to those and pick out some for interview. And then figure out how to properly interview people AND how to be a boss. Don't think I'm going to be much good at that. The files are all going down to the bookkeeping people tomorrow with DH so it'll be a bit weird without those until we get them back. Hope there are no disasters in the meantime - can you tell it's making me a bit nervous!?!

We're moving soon to a bigger space just across the other side of the room. It was going to be downstairs in a massive tiled space but the current occupants are stuck there so we've come up with an alternative for now. Just as well since it's cold enough upstairs with carpet tiles let alone being downstairs with ceramic tiles!

I finally flipped and bought myself a new vacuum cleaner - there's exciting! My moter commented on how I seem to 'go through' vacuum cleaners, because this is my second here and I'm on my second in Singapore too. To be fair I've spent less on three of those vacuum cleaners than she spent on her upright Dyson, but it has lasted her nearly 10yrs. I hate uprights and the cylinder Dysons haven't reviewed well so I chose a Miele cylinder, and no more bagless. When they say that bagless vacuum cleaners SUCK I didn't realise exactly what they meant! I ordered it online so it should be here in the next few days and hopefully I won't have to swear at another vacuum cleaner for a while - the Miele was a somewhat more expensive than my other 3 (about the same price as all of them together in fact!).

so much talk about vacuum cleaners! So pathetic!

Lenora - glad your assessment went well and you passed without criminal charges! Nice to find another yellow enthusiast. I'm trying to convert everyone to the joys of yellow on walls. Improvise what goes on the piano... maybe it's time to have something completely different rather than a sightly different version of the same thing. My mother put just about everything on our piano when we had one, especially spider plants which drove me crazy, but looked very nice against the black. I know what you mean about DH being home or away - I try to see it as the best of both worlds, since I can't change it. I do more writing when DH is away and mostly I get to bed earlier. As you say, food is much easier because we often cheat and have soup or something. Not that DH is fussy or a meat and potatoes guy (or meat and rice perhaps!) but in my own head I make more effort for when he's home rather than 'just' for me and the kids. Seems silly really, but I know most women feel that way too, though it doesn't make much sense really.

DH just called from the supermarket (he needed to fill up the car) - he's bought a pre-cooked chicken because he's in the mood for chicken wraps! So much for making more effort. Between that and the number of times we've ended up eating out while he's been home the effort has been pretty minimal after all.

2nd iron transfusion today (out of a total of 5) and I'm not keeling over exhausted this time, just a slightly sore arm. Hopefully after the 3rd one (next Wednesday) I will be feeling full of energy! Better schedule my B12 too since the kids are on holiday next week - I'll need all the energy I can get!

Kerri.