Hungover yesterday, but Euan jolted me out of it. Then Mum babysat today so I could go and see minor celebrities playing football with the lads from work, in a charity match. Ben from Hollyoaks got mobbed. Spotted a few other vaguely recognisable people - Tinhead from Brookside is so cute and tiny! He's miniature! Aw bless. It was freezing though, so Andrea and I spent most of the time trying to keep warm.

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Nicola's 23rd birthday! Hooray! Of course, we were mad busy all week with cheques - very close to the Self Assessment deadline, but escaped for a drink or two in town this evening with Nicola and her mad but nice friends Emma and Matt. I left early. I did give in and have a ciggie or two... but they don't count because they belonged to other people!

I keep going for lunch in town, and my flexi is really suffering. I blame my brother. He keeps suggesting hot food and escapism...

Went shopping in Chester yesterday with Mum. A very enjoyable browse, and a couple of things bought. Euan was an angel the whole time, and he thought that the way the lift doors opened automatically for him was great fun. Then back home for a Chinese takeaway, with Grandma joining us too. Euan decided that we wanted to get up early today... grr... but after breakfast we went for a stroll across the valley to look at how pretty our house looks in the snow (, ). Great fun, especially the bit where we found a big patch of ice in the road and sprog tried ice skating. Actually, he just kicked his legs like a nutter while I held him upright, but either way he thought it was fab. Made bread & butter pudding this evening. Yum.

Talked to welfare officer in work yesterday. Partly because I think I'm cracking up, partly because I'm struggling with the new job, and if they say "Gemma's messing everything up, let's sack her," I can say, "I went to see Welfare, because of all the crazy hectic stuff in my life, so nyer, by the way, have you met my friends from the union?" It was actually really good to talk stuff through, and it certainly gave me a bit more perspective - like instead of panicking about all the stuff I've got to do, I should be happy about the stuff I've achieved. And instead of worrying about the occasional squabble with Karl, I should be happy with the fact that we've agreed how to share Euan and split the money (read: debts), whilst staying friends and without involving solicitors. She also pointed out that I had no "down time" at the moment - I can't relax in work because there's so much to learn, and I can't relax at home because there's so much to sort out. So, in the interests of positivity, this week I have achieved the following: spending time with friends at a theme park, becoming a house owner, bailing out a friend in financial difficulties, and repainting the kitchen worktops with nice bright sunflowers (, , ). Not bad going really. See? I'm happy and relaxed. Honest.

A fairly normal week. Work for me, nursery for Euan. The mortgage finally went through, which is terrifying but basically a good thing. I just have to keep reminding myself it will be worth it! Such a nice feeling to see the money in my account after so long. It's tempting to spend it on a holiday... but I know I should keep it as an emergency fund for the mortgage. Haven't had a holiday for over two years though - maybe just a cheap weekend break?

Managed to croak my way around work on Thursday and Friday, pointing out my brother to unsuspecting colleagues. Then we hopped on the train to Uttoxeter and taxi'd it to Alton Towers. Wez was too ill to come, and John couldn't make it on the Friday, so Paul stepped in to share the room in Splash Landings. Met up with all the others for drinks that evening. I failed miserably to keep to my intentions: "I won't swim if I'm feeling poorly" - couldn't resist Cariba Creek. "I won't have a drink" - I had several. "I'll get an early night" - I suppose it was early in a way, 6am when I got to sleep - they were almost serving breakfast. After 2 hours' sleep we grabbed breakfast and went on rollercoasters. Oblivion was scary again because the hangover made it a very real possibility that I could be sick or pass out. Went on Black Hole, probably for the last time because they're removing it soon. Had a very fun weekend, getting home late on Saturday. Slept until 2pm today, then sprog came back and we read books and played with crayons.

Damnit, I'm still poorly! Euan's with his Dad for a few days now though, so at least I can relax a bit. I wish I could stop coughing. I wish I could get my energy back. I wish I could be in work, tormenting my brother!

Lou came round on Sunday - I was still feeling yucky, but hadn't seen her for ages, so it was fun to have a catch-up over a Chinese, which Euan enjoyed sharing. Have been off work so far this week with this horrible cold, and am determined to go in tomorrow. Spent last night and today at Mum's so that 'Nana' and 'Uncle Dan' could help with sprog while I'm feeling feeble. Living on a diet of honey & lemon. And paracetamol.
Can't believe Dan started work on our wing on Monday and I haven't been there to point him out to everyone and laugh. I have to be in tomorrow, so i can go, "Look everyone! It's my wickle bruv! Aww, remember to laugh as you walk past - it unnerves him". I can feel the illness receding already at the thought of ridiculing my younger sibling.

Realised on Thursday that I do actually miss having Sky, despite my protestations to the contrary. Never mind, I'm sure it encourages me to do more constructive things with my time. Got a stinky cold now, can't breathe, everything hurts, and I feel sick. Bleh. Was supposed to be meeting John in Wrexham, but Dan kindly met him for me, and brought him round to the house - it's like a delivery service on friends now! We ate chips and amused the sprog for a few hours.

The lads went to Blue Planet whilst me and sprog went to Chester with Mum yesterday. Then Paul and Tom came up to the house while Dan had a sleep. Very nice evening. I slept in this morning, then phoned work in a panic, and was told I had booked the day off anyway. Sigh... A moment of tremendous relief, but stupidity too. Never mind. It could have been a lot worse - like if I was actually meant to be in work.

Feeling better on Saturday, played board games and charaaaaaaahdes (not charaydes) with everyone - Ruby, Lorna, and Hannah (R's friend) were there too. We drove to Builth for a Chinese takeaway - very nice - and I actually managed to stay awake for the evening. The band were on again, and I got quite drunk and stayed up until it got light. Good fun, but I was really suffering today. Asked each other Trivial Pursuit questions all the way home, which distracted me from feeling sick at least. Got to mum's and gave Euan big hugs.