The bell tolls for thee

Today is New Year's Eve. All around the world, as the various bells toll midnight, people will be kissing their loved ones, or a random stranger, wishing a happy new year to one and all, and making resolutions. For most people these resolutions will be unrealistic, unattainable goals and they will have failed almost before they started. For a select few they will be realistic, but challenging, and they stand a very good chance of achieving them.

For me it is to be the best me I can be. I'd love to say I'll lose weight, but I probably won't, so I'll resolve to make healthier choices to enhance my life. I'd love to say that I'll start going to the gym, but I won't, so I'll say that I'll carry on walking to work. I'd love to say that I'll be the best salesperson at work, but I probably won't, so I'll just resolve to be more consistent. In short I'm setting realistic, achievable goals to help to improve my life.

Thanks for reading

Happy New Year

Adam Edward Grant

Relaxing productivity

Today I had a day off, normally my days off go one of two ways. They're either really busy or really relaxing. Today wasn't either, we got loads done, but I didn't ever feel like I was busy. It was really nice.

Tomorrow will be a different story, it's work during the day and then New Years party at night.

Thanks for reading

Adam Edward Grant

Not afraid

I finally got round to watching the Christmas Day episode of Doctor Who today. It was really good, but I'm very sad. It was Matt Smith's last show as The Doctor and he has been by far my favourite Doctor. I also got over my fear of the Cybermen, thanks to a Cyberman head that The Doctor has as a personal assistant/computer.

A day off tomorrow, so lots of relaxing in store.

Thanks for reading

Adam Edward Grant

Charades

After a positve day at work, this evening we went round my brother & sister-in-laws. We had a lovely time and really enjoyed ourselves. Particularly when playing charades.

Watching each other flap around foolishly as we set each other harder and harder things to act out was hilarious.

Thanks for reading

Adam Edward Grant

Toy takeover

Today it was back to the grind. After 2 days off for Christmas, it was back to work. Don't get me wrong, I love my job, but if I could stay at home all day every day, I would.

When I got home, I thought I'd walked into toys'r'us by accident. My sons toys have taken over.

Thanks for reading

Adam Edward Grant

Baby's 1st Christmas part 2

Another day, another Christmas, and another fantastic day. This time with my family.

Shame the bubble has to burst tomorrow when I go back to work.

Thanks for reading

Adam Edward Grant

Baby's 1st Christmas

Today, as many of you will know, is Christmas Day. It was my sons first Christmas. What a magical day. It has been fantastic all round.

The best part of it is, we get to do it all again tomorrow.

Thanks for reading

Adam Edward Grant

Christmas Eve

'Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.

Well not quite, my wife and I were stirring, we had a lot to do. It is my sons first Christmas, so we had to make everything perfect. First we put out a cookie and some milk for Santa, and a carrot for Rudolph. Then we laid out his stocking and went up to do bedtime, including reading A visit from St. Nicholas. Once he was in bed I gave my wife her special Christmas Eve present, then it was time to fill the stocking and put his presents under the tree.

It's a lot of effort, but he'll only have a first Christmas once.

Thanks for reading

Adam Edward Grant

Disaster

Today has been a bit of a disaster day. When taking stuff out to the car, the front door was caught by high speed winds, it was torn from my hand and the door actually broke. Thankfully, as bad as I am at DIY, I managed to repair it so the door could be shut and locked. Then this evening, after letting the dog out for his evening wee before bed, we tried to call him back in. He didn't come, so I went to look for him and saw that the side gate had been blown open. The dog had gone for a run down the road.

Thankfully he didn't get hurt and came running back while we were out looking for him.

Thanks for reading

Adam Edward Grant

Santa Claus

Today we took our son to see Father Christmas for the first time at colchester zoo. During our nearly hour journey from the back of the queue we went through a range of emotions. The first stretch of the queue was outside so the main emotion we felt was cold. Once inside we were greeted by a somewhat lacklustre Grotto, we were a bit disappointed, the further we moved through however the better it got and the more excited we became. When we eventually reached Santa, we were thoroughly impressed.

The toy he was given was fantastic too, although I do have to question how sensible it is to give an 11 month old a toy suitable for 36 months and over.

Thanks for reading

Adam Edward Grant

Overexcited

I love Christmas. Plain and simple, it's my favourite time of the year. I'm normally super excited. This year however I really don't feel that excited. In fact I feel a bit overwhelmed. It's my sons first Christmas and I want it to be great for him, but I'm also worried it might be a bit much for him. In my absence, my wife has taken up the role of being excited, maybe overexcited, she seems to be bouncing off the walls from morning until night.

I've got 2 days off now, so maybe I'll get more excited.

Thanks for reading

Adam Edward Grant

Christmas spirit

It's the most wonderful time of the year. I'm finally starting to get excited for Christmas but nowhere near as excited as my wife.

I'm sure she's stolen my Christmas spirit.

Thanks for reading

Adam Edward Grant

Laughter

Sorry for the delay in posting, I left my iPad at work.

They say that laughter is the best medicine. Well not when you're jerked awake at 4.41 by your wife laughing. She had had a dream, she had tried to make people in her dream believe she was 16, and they told her she was closer to 30.

So not even a funny dream.

Thanks for reading

Adam Edward Grant

2K14

Today my copy of WWE 2K14 arrived. So this evening after my wife went to bed I did something I haven't done in a long time. I sat up and played. I created my character, his entrance and move set and then embarked on my career as a WWE superstar.

First step on the road to immortality.

Thanks for reading

Adam Edward Grant

Cute

I'm really having trouble getting up in the mornings. It doesn't help when I wake up in the night having had bad dreams. Once I eventually got myself going I had just enough time to have breakfast before going to work. The day at work was a good one, although staying past 4 o'clock didn't pay off today.

Once I got home from work I spent some time with my son. Sometimes he can be super cute. Tonight he was playing a game which involved pulling my face around and then pushing it towards my wife's face for a kiss.

Hopefully it'll be a bit of a better wake up tomorrow.

Thanks for reading

Adam Edward Grant

It's not that difficult

This morning I looked after my son and my cousins son. Having spent the best part of 2 and a half hours looking after them, I have to say I don't know what my wife does all day to make it so difficult. She always says she never has time, but they virtually look after themselves. Ok, so that's not entirely true, I must just have had them on a good day.

I wouldn't want to do it full time.

Thanks for reading

Adam Edward Grant

Stock count

Yesterday was the quarterly stock count. As my store manager was running the area he left it to me to deliver a brief to our team. Other than the performance point he asked me to deliver, I had one simple message - sell as much as you can so there is less to count. They delivered and although it still takes time we were done in a reasonable time.

Unfortunately I didn't make it home before my son went to bed.

Thanks for reading

Adam Edward Grant

Bragging rights

Today was my son's 1st Christmas party, and my wife's hard work paid off. The party was fantastic, the food was great, and even Santa made an appearance. Can't believe I missed him. This afternoon however was a different story. Ipswich were playing Nottingham Forest, my wife's team, a win would give the victor bragging rights. Unfortunately, well probably fortunately as I'm a bad winner and a bad loser, it was a 0-0 draw.

When I woke up, my day was made great already as one of the Bengals, and a former TNA wrestler is following me on twitter.

Thanks for reading

Adam Edward Grant

Preparation

Tomorrow we are having a Christmas party for my son and his friends. So today my wife has been busy, busy, busy. Tonight we have been putting in some work too. My wife is such a little domestic goddess.

Tomorrow we will add the finishing touches.

Thanks for reading

Adam Edward Grant

Split personality

I have many sides, first and foremost I am a human. Although I am also much more. I am a Father, a Son, a Husband, a Brother, an Uncle, a Nephew, an employee and these are just the indisputable things I am, I'm not even going to start on the subjective. With all these things going on inside me, I sometimes feel like I have a split personality.

It's very tough to try and strike the right balance.

Thanks for reading

Adam Edward Grant

Fighting fit

So today I've had an earache, a stomachache and a headache, but as I said yesterday I'm not being ill. I'm just not. So this thing will just have to do what it has to do while I go about my usual daily business.

Just not happening.

Thanks for reading

Adam Edward Grant

Ignorance is bliss

So I'm also now starting to feel ill. I really don't have time for it, so I'm just going to ignore it and hope it goes away.

Thanks for reading

Adam Edward Grant

I don't have time to be ill

I thought the worst had happened last night. My wife was up most of the night, and every 30 minutes or so I went and emptied the sick bowl or wet her flannel for her. Today she was still feeling terrible but on top of that my sons sickness and diarrhea decided to make a reappearance. So today has been spent almost entirely at home, aside from a Lucozade run and a trip to the Drs.

I feel like a modern day, male, Florence Nightingale. Hopefully my wife will be well enough tomorrow to be able to look after our son, as I am back at work.

Thanks for reading

Adam Edward Grant

Catching on

Compared to last night today was very uneventful. My son still isn't right but at least he isn't being sick everywhere. He's off his food, but fortunately he's still taking on lots of fluids and lots of dairy. He enjoyed a visit from my parents, even though my dad is a wind up. He also enjoyed an afternoon on the sofa with my wife and I. Unfortunately my wife has what my son had last night.

Hopefully she won't be up half the night though.

Thanks for reading

Adam Edward Grant

Party time

I managed to get up with my alarm, well a few minutes after anyway. As I had stayed late the previous night I had a bit of extra time with my son and wife before leaving for work. I then had another fantastic day at work. After work it was back home to help get my son ready for bed before going to my work Christmas party.

As it was in Cambridge, I decided to drive rather than drink. I took two of the young boys that I work with in the car with me. We arrived fashionably late, circulated for a while, then hit the dance floor for a while. As I'm not 21 anymore I couldn't sustain the required level for too long and I had to retire back to the quieter room to circulate some more.

Just after midnight my wife called, my son had been sick. I decided that it would be best to go. I feel bad that I cut the boys night short, but I had to do what was best for my family. My son was sick for the best part of two hours from midnight until 2 and then we managed to settle him down to sleep. He slept until 6.45.

I had a great time at the party, but given the early morning I'm glad I came home when I did.

Thanks for reading

Adam Edward Grant

Slow start, strong finish

4.40am and my son is awake and crying, so in my zombie like state I stagger into his room, pick him up, give him a cuddle and a kiss. Once he's settled a bit I put him back down, put his musical mobile on and stroke his hair until he's back asleep. By this time I'm almost fully awake and should probably just get out of bed, but I'm weak. I chose another hour and a half sleep instead. I overslept! So once again I had to rush around to get out of the house on time.

After a disastrously slow start to the day, I managed to get to work on time. The first half of the day went by very slowly, but not long after lunch it all started to kick off. I can honestly say I can't remember the last time I managed to get so much done in one day. Looks like December is finally starting to kick off.

This evening it's time for my wife and I on the sofa, we've got through another series of Smallville so we will watch the season 6 finale and the season 7 premiere tonight. I really love spending time with her and with my son. That's why I love it when my hard work pays off.

Hopefully I will not be so slow getting up tomorrow morning and I can spend some more quality time with them then.

Thanks for reading

Adam Edward Grant

Lights out at 6pm

Today was our first Christmas late night opening, and it was an eventful one. Part of our new store refit was automatic lights on a timer, the timer was set for 6 o'clock. We were open until 7. It's ok though because we didn't have any customers between 6 and 7. Other than that it was a fairly normal day. I got some good pain control advice from the spinal physio. The rest of my day at work wasn't bad, if maybe a bit slow.

Hopefully we will get the problem fixed before next week.

Thanks for reading

Adam Edward Grant

An evening in

Tonight my wife went out, so I was home alone. My son was still awake when she left and I fed him his bottle, read him a story and put him to bed. Then I was free to do whatever I pleased. Apparently whatever I please is eating dinner, washing up and watching wrestling.

I live such a wild life when my wife's not around, it's almost like her and my son are my only enjoyment.

Thanks for reading

Adam Edward Grant

A day I never thought I'd see

Today my wife signed back up with my mobile network. I honestly never thought I'd see the day as she had a bad experience previously. With me working there I suppose it helped and the free calls to me were of course a deal sweetener. My Brother-in-law also came over to my network.

The only downside is that they both have better phones than me.

Thanks for reading

Adam Edward Grant

Climbing the stairs

Today at bedtime my little boy climbed all the way up the stairs. It's amazing and scary at how fast he's grown and how much he can do. He's only 10 months old and he already eats what we do, wee's on the potty every night and now climbs the stairs. This evening while I was washing up he was even playing a game where he dropped his little people toy through the stairgate so he could reach through to pick it up.

What will he be able to do next?

Who knew they grew so fast?

Why did no-one warn me they grew this fast?

Where has my little baby gone?

How do we cope?

Thanks for reading

Adam Edward Grant

Pancakes/Advent

Today is officially the start of Christmas. This morning we did our sons first ever advent calendar. As he has not yet tried chocolate we are doing advent a bit differently. We have a cloth calendar, and on each day we have placed a piece of paper with the location of a present. We have various treats, DVDs and toys to keep him going. He was very excited later in the day when he saw the calendar, so I guess he gets what's going on.

Today was also the day we put our Christmas decorations up. Usually I'm the biggest kid at Christmas but this year I'm feeling really grown up. I think it's because I have my own child now. My wife on the other hand is really excited. I suppose I just need to crack the Christmas tunes on. Put on a Santa hat and get into the spirit.

This evening my wife had a craving for pancakes, so being the dutiful husband that I am I made her some. They were delicious if I say so myself.

Thanks for reading

Adam Edward Grant 

Hair today gone tomorrow

Today is the last day of Movember, which means that tomorrow I shave off my Mo. I couldn't be happier about it. It's not that I haven't enjoyed supporting a great cause and growing my Mo. It's just that my Mo has now become so irritating and my lips so dry that it's driving me insane.

So from tomorrow it's back to fresh faced.

Thanks for reading

Adam Edward Grant

Black Friday

Yesterday was Thanksgiving in America, which means today is Black Friday, the biggest pre-Christmas sale day in America. Up until now this only happened in America, but it has now spread to the UK. My Mother-in-law works at a large British supermarket, and today she had reason to be scared at work. They were holding a Black Friday Sale, and the public were behaving disgracefully. Fighting over TV's, rushing down the aisles, knocking over staff and in one case a small child. When there was a fire alarm, people were refusing to leave without their chosen bargains.

I'm no saint when it comes to coveting material things, but there is nothing on this earth that would cause me to behave so disgracefully.

Thanks for reading

Adam Edward Grant

1250

Sorry for the delay in yesterday's post, it was a bit of a hectic day. My Father-in-law had surgery yesterday and as we are closer to the hospital we had my Mother & Brother-in-law here so they could visit. The surgery went well and subject to a sensible rehabilitation from him my Father-in-law should be relatively pain free for the long term.

As well as that we had an important visit at work yesterday. Every year over November & December they run a big incentive, with a fabulous holiday as a prize, this year it's Hong Kong and, the Vegas of the East, Macau. As part of the incentive the senior management, Area manager and above, go round to every store in the country on several big buses. As we were closed when this happened, we didn't get the bus, but we still got the tour.

There are 2 parts to the tour, store standards and enjoyment. We nailed all the questions and got full marks for store standards. As for enjoyment, we staged a boxing match between our 2 fitness freaks, with one of the other guys dressed as a referee, followed by some sparring for our Area manager. Our referee then transitioned to a roulette dealer, and our Area manager had a bit of a, pretend, gamble.

With all said and done we got a perfect score, 1250 points.

Thanks for reading

Adam Edward Grant

We found love in a hopeless place

Today my wife closed the book on a chapter in our lives. She handed her notice in at the company we both worked at when we met. I personally could not be any happier! She is now going to be staying home looking after our beautiful baby, and I couldn't think of a more rewarding job for her. Or for that matter a job that she'd be better at.

I just hope that she's as happy as I am about it.

Thanks for reading

Adam Edward Grant

Almost like Marvel

Tonight my wife and I watched Smallville. Half way through our second episode our Tesco delivery arrived. While we were waiting for our shopping to be unloaded, I commented to my wife that I liked the episode we were watching, as it had Green Arrow, Cyborg, Aquaman & The Flash in it in addition to Superman. She replied to this by saying it was almost like Marvel. I understood what she meant, she was thinking of either the Avengers or the X-men, but I still couldn't help but be horrified.

Other than that it was a fairly ordinary day.

Thanks for reading

Adam Edward Grant

Meat Deficiency

A week after first planned, we went for our Toby Carvery. I was not impressed. We entered and were greeted, informed there would be a 25-30 minute wait and given one of the flashy, vibraty table notifiers. While we waited we got ourselves some, very expensive, drinks. My wife ordered a Pepsi and waited for them to change the syrup over and flush the system through. While waiting she noticed the bartender had an uncovered cut on his hand. When she went to pay for the drinks, she pointed it out to him, he nonchalantly told her he needed to have it stitched. How about a plaster in the meantime.

The meal itself wasn't too bad although it did feel like they'd tried to fit too many tables in. The only other complaint was the deficiency in the number of meats available from their 4 meat Carvery, there were only 3. I'm glad we had a 2 courses for £6.50 voucher as if not I don't think it would have been very good value.

In future I think I'll stick with the Mermaid.

Thanks for reading

Adam Edward Grant

Who's the Dr?

As we were entertaining last night I missed the 50th anniversary special of Dr Who. So today I watched it on catch up. It was fantastic. My wife and I continue to have our debate over who the best Dr is. My wife thinks David Tenant but I absolutely adore Matt Smith. After watching this episode, I have to say there's not much in it.

Tomorrow is another day off. I do love having days off together.

Thanks for reading.

Adam Edward Grant

Mr & Mrs

Tonight my in-laws came round to celebrate my father-in-laws birthday, which is tomorrow. My wife made a cake, which she tried to pass off as our sons after it went wrong, and a lovely chilli con carne. After dinner I took care of the entertainment. We played Mr & Mrs and it was a lot of fun, all 3 couples did really well, some better than others, and it was funny seeing some of the answers they gave.

The best part of the night is that I now have 2 days off.

Thanks for reading

Adam Edward Grant

A Brief Brief

Last night I was our stores representative on an area conference call, so this morning I delivered our team brief. There were some very good points to feedback. I also made it a bit more fun. I started by playing 'I believe I can fly' to inspire the team to dream big, I then played 'dirt off your shoulder' mid way through to tell them to leave the tough week behind them, finally I played TNA wrestler AJ Styles entrance music 'get ready to fly' to encourage them to go out and achieve.

I don't know how much of it was to do with my brief, but we had a better day for new business today than the last 3 days combined.

I'd like to think it was down to me.

Thanks for reading

Adam Edward Grant

A plate of peas

Today was another very quiet day at work, that's 3 in a row now, and it's starting to get frustrating. It's not that we're not getting people through the door, but we don't seem to be able to seal the deal. Tomorrow is another day, with another set of customers and another set of opportunities.

Tonight I had my dinner reheated as we have decided it is better for my wife to eat with our son, it was still a really nice dinner but it did beat me when I got to the entire plate full of peas.

Thanks for reading

Adam Edward Grant

Oversleep and arrive early

My alarm went off at 6am as usual today. It woke me up and I silenced it as usual. Not as usual however was the fact that I fell back asleep before I could even turn it off. I eventually woke up about 7.30, and spent the next half an hour rushing around getting sorted to leave for work. At 8 o'clock I left the house. At 8.30 I arrived at work, 2 hours early! What a start to the day.

The day itself was average at best, but thoroughly productive. My evening from seeing my son, to spending time on the sofa with my wife was fantastic.

Thanks for reading

Adam Edward Grant

Out of love

Tonight England are playing Germany. I could not be less bothered. I don't know when it happened but I have fallen out of love with football. At the same time I seem to have fallen back in love with wrestling. So instead of watching the football I'm watching my recordings of TNA from this past Sunday.

I still hope England win, but I will only know when I see the headlines.

Thanks for reading

Adam Edward Grant

A breakfast adventure

This morning we had a lay in, well it felt like that anyway. My wife and I both woke up just after 6, but neither of us got out of bed before 7.30. My wife then washed her hair while I did the previous days washing up. Then at 8.33 our son woke up. By 9.30 we were on our way out for breakfast, my wife's suggestion.

We were going to visit the new Toby Carvery, as there Facebook page said they opened today, they Infact open tomorrow as we found out upon arrival. The Harvester was also closed, The Mermaid doesn't do breakfast during the week, McDonald's doesn't do anything suitable for our son. We eventually got breakfast at Frankie & Benny's, it was worth the wait.

After breakfast we had a few errands to run and then spent the rest of the day busily chilling at home.

I really love my days off.

Thanks for reading

Adam Edward Grant

What do you get if you cross a sheep with a kangaroo?

My wife went with her parents to lakeside today while I was at work. She takes the trip almost every year and always enjoys it. It's nice to hear about her day and to know that she had a good time. It's even nicer when she buys me presents, especially ones that I really need. I have been getting so cold recently in the evenings that she bought me a nice wooly jumper.

The only downside to her trip is that we have only just put our son to bed and haven't had dinner yet. I am starving.

Thanks for reading

Adam Edward Grant

3 hours late

Another day off today, and a rare Saturday off too. I was up early and to prove to my wife that I didn't need to take cold and flu capsules, I got on straight away. By 8.45 we had done all of our morning bits and were sitting waiting for the range to open. Once it opened we got a few bits and then we headed to my parents.

My oldest sister wasn't there, so we were 5 people less than usual, but it still felt very manic. After a lunch of homemade butternut squash and sweet potato soup, we had to dash as my brother in law and his girlfriend were coming over for my wife to do her hair and then have a takeaway and an evening in front of the TV.

They were due to arrive at 2.30, they actually arrived at 5.30. I've never been one to be late so I struggle to understand how someone can be, let alone how they can be 3 hours late. Once they did arrive and once my wife had rearranged cutting and colouring her hair, we all sat down and had a lovely evening.

Tomorrow is back to work before another day off on Monday.

Thanks for reading

Adam Edward Grant

Finally 2

As I write my wife is putting her clothes into her new wardrobe. It's been a long wait but it was worth it. They look gorgeous, I have enough space and hopefully my wife will too. Even today was a long wait for them. We were expecting them between 7.30 and 1, we were scheduled to get them at 10.20, but the delivery truck took a tumble into a ditch last night and had to be repaired this morning.

Even if they were 5 hours late, I'm still happy that we finally have them.

Thanks for reading

Adam Edward Grant

2 days off? Don't mind if I do

Tomorrow I have the first of 2 days off and while I love my shiny new store I'm very much looking forward to them. It's almost like having a weekend.

Thanks for reading

Adam Edward Grant

Shop proud

Our new shop is so lovely and I feel so happy and proud to work there. I'm so shop proud that when a bird pooed on our window today, I went straight out to clean it. It feels so good.

I also feel very house proud at the moment, as my wife has made Wednesdays her cleaning day. The house is now getting very clean and tidy. I really appreciate everything she does, especially when she makes me flapjacks too.

I feel so blessed right now.

Thanks for reading

Adam Edward Grant

Shinilicious

It's good to be home. Today we had our, not so, grand reopening. Without any ado and with very little fanfare, we are back and we had a good day to prove it. Now the hard work really starts if we want to win our peak incentive.

Bring it on.

Thanks for reading

Adam Edward Grant

Homecoming

Today I returned to work at my normal store. We reopen tomorrow so today was spent getting everything back to normal. There was a lot to do. Even with 7 of us working it took all day. By the end of the day the store looked beautiful. I on the other hand didn't. I hit my head and have a nasty lump, a slight cut and what feels like a concussion.

Thankfully it's fully back to normality at work tomorrow.

Thanks for reading

Adam Edward Grant

Poo-poo in the potty

A few months ago my wife and I were in Toys'r'us and my son showed an interest in the pottys, so we bought one. Since then we have been putting him on the potty at night before he has a bath. A few days ago he had has first wee on the potty, he has had two more since then, and tonight he has had his first poo. I'm so proud of him, especially as it's the first time I've seen him do anything on the potty too.

It was a brilliant end to a lovely day off. We spent the morning out, my wife cut her friends hair, and then we took our son to a play area. He enjoyed his first go on the swings. This afternoon we have just been at home, my wife cut my hair.

It's been a completely chilled, stress-free day.

Thanks for reading

Adam Edward Grant

Annular disruption with a broad based disc bulge and a focal paracentral disc protrusion

Today after a reasonable day at work, and a nice night at the in-laws, I arrived home to find a letter from the hospital. It was the results of my MRI. The letter was very scary, it told me that I had annular disruption with a broad based disc bulge and a focal paracentral disc protrusion. I had no idea what this meant.

Thankfully my father is well versed in anatomy and physiology and he was able to break it down for me. I have bulging cartilage in my lower back which is causing compression of my nerves and in turn causing not only my back pain but also potentially my knee pain.

It amazes me that the NHS would send a letter with this much jargon in it. I mean they could have sent me an appointment and explained it too me face to face. No wonder we don't have faith in the health service.

I will be making an appointment with my GP, and I will be asking 2 questions. What does it mean? And how do we treat it?

Thanks for reading

Adam Edward Grant

Uninspiring

Today was not a great day. The highlight of my day was getting to see my son before I left for work. I won't get that highlight tomorrow as I have to leave the house before he wakes up.

Thankfully it is my last day travelling.

Thanks for reading

Adam Edward Grant

Boredom

Today I had a day off, I spent the first 6 hours of it alone. My wife had to run some errands before going to her baby group. She left the house at 8.30, having asked me to do 3 things, 4 if you include her instruction that I must shower. By 10 I had completed them all. By 10.05 I was bored, I'm just not used to being on my own.

I tried to entertain myself by playing FIFA, it didn't work. I tried watching TV, it didn't work. I tried playing on my iPad, it didn't work. Infact the only thing that did stop my boredom were washing up, peeling the potatoes for dinner and drying out the steriliser.

Thankfully they got home around 2 and I was no longer bored. When did I lose my ability to occupy myself.

I won't get an opportunity to be bored tomorrow as it's another day travelling to work. Only 2 to go.

Thanks for reading

Adam Edward Grant

Found wanting

Today I was once again in Cambridge and it was my challenge day. I decided to amp up the challenge by sending a Facebook message to the store manager, wrestling promo style. Unfortunately I didn't have the day I'd hoped for and while I was by no means destroyed, I also didn't win. There's always next time. Sometimes I'm a glutton for punishment.

Tomorrow is a day off and I'm so glad, I'm exhausted from 3 days of travelling and I'm having an early night tonight to refresh me.

Thanks for reading

Adam Edward Grant

I hardly ever buy fairy liquid

Today was another day of travelling. I was working in Bury St. Edmunds, so I had to leave the house at 7.15, having had a quick cuddle with my son, and didn't arrive home until 6.15, just in time for bed time. Once he was in bed it was then time for dinner in front of the TV, as always Tuesday is Smallville night.

Having watched 2 episodes, I suggested to my wife that we go to bed, only for her to remind me that I hadn't done the washing up. I hate washing up. After 5 minutes of hoping it would go away, I then got on with it, moaning, whinging and stroping the whole time. I hate washing up.

I got it done eventually, though it seemed to take forever. Now it's time for bed ahead of another long day travelling tomorrow

Thanks for reading

Adam Edward Grant

Never back down

Today I was working in one of the busiest stores in our area. I had to go to do some training as it has already been refitted. While there I somehow managed to get myself into a challenge for when I am back there on Wednesday. It's a challenge that I may not win, but I have faith that I can deliver. Even if I lose it's still better than backing down in my opinion.

Despite working over an hour from home I was still lucky enough to see my son and wife before I left and once I got home. I even got home in time for dinner with them. On the downside though the early mornings and travelling are starting to get to me and leave me exhausted. So it's an early night tonight ahead of another day of travel tomorrow.

I'm glad for the opportunity to prove myself in other stores, but I'll be very pleased to be back in my own store next week.

Thanks for reading

Adam Edward Grant

A sandwich filling day

It's always hard not seeing my son, so I always make sure that I make up for the missed time. Today was one of those days. After not seeing him yesterday, he was still asleep when I left for work and was back asleep by the time I got home. So today I made sure I was the first person he saw this morning and the last person he saw this evening.

I made sure to spend as much time as possible with him, even while I was in the bath. He sat and played and I read some Harry Potter to him.

Tomorrow is another one of those days, I have to leave the house at 7.15.

Thanks for reading

Adam Edward Grant

Silent Assassin

Today I returned to work, as my store is still closed I was working in Norwich. This meant that I had to leave home at 7 to get the 7.44 train in order to get into store on time. Once in store I wasted no time in showing the guys what I'm made of. The store manager decided I was a silent assassin.

5.30 rolled around after a fabulous day and it was back to the train station to get the train home. My wife and son picked me up from the station and we got fish and chips on the way home. We followed this up with a couple of glasses of wine while watching X-Factor.

The hardest part of today was not seeing my son awake, but I have a day off tomorrow so I can get my fill of him.

Thanks for reading

Adam Edward Grant

My wife is Awesome!!!

Today we picked up our new car, well my wife did. I was at a meeting for work. She had known for ages that she had got a special registration for me. When we ordered the car we discussed with the guy from Peugeot how a good registration number means everything. At the start of September he had one come in that he thought I might like. So he phoned my wife and she agreed, so he put it to one side for us. When my wife picked me up from my meeting I looked at the registration and I was very happy.

The last 3 letters were AEG!

Thanks for reading

Adam Edward Grant

P.S. Please visit http://uk.movember.com/mospace/7088913 and donate!

Hallowe'en

Today was my sons first hallowe'en, we got him all dressed up, as a pumpkin and took him to a party with his friends. It was so cute to see them all dressed up, as a pumpkin, witch and vampire. They didn't know what was going on, but it was good fun for the adults.

The other thing about it being hallowe'en is that tomorrow is the 1st of Movember. This year I am taking part, much to my wife's dismay. So tonight I ritualistically shaved my face clean and for the next 30 days , I will be shaving around the MO.

It gives me something to focus on.

Thanks for reading

Adam Edward Grant

P.S. If you feel like donating or just keeping up with how foolish I look head to http://uk.movember.com/mospace/7088913

You're outta here

Today was a very productive day, my wife cleaned the house and I got some more of the garden done. The biggest thing for today though was that the rubbish furniture was collected and is no longer sitting in the way. So we have an empty bedroom for the time being.

My wife wasn't very well this evening so instead of the usual night of Smallville, I watched a film. It was different but good.

Thanks for reading

Adam Edward Grant

It's all in my head

The power of the brain is phenomenal. I have, hopefully, conquered my lifelong leg scratching problem. All it took was realising that it was all in my head and focusing on this fact to solve it. I have been repeating this mantra all day and have already noticed a dramatic decrease in my scratching.

It's good to have my head back in a position to win these battles too.

Thanks for reading

Adam Edward Grant

Roast Beef part 2

Today was a good day. A PJ day! We don't do it very often but it was nice to do it today. We still kept busy, tidying the sideboard, the bookshelves and the DVD cupboard. One of my least favourite jobs, we have about 600 of them.

Today was no different, I still wouldn't do it if I could help it. I'd rather have them in a single layer on a DVD unit, than in 8 layers over 2 shelves and stacked on top of each other. But I found it endurable today, even a bit relaxing.

Then I had my 2nd beef roast in as many days, this one was as good as the first.

Now it's time to chill out in front of the TV, enjoying a nice pear crumble.

Thanks for reading

Adam Edward Grant

Roast Beef part 1

Today the clocks went back. Because of this my wife and I agreed to not have any alarms. I still woke up at 6 (7), and I needed the toilet. I went, then flushed as usual, this woke the dog up who in turn woke my son up. We were hoping he would sleep to lessen the effect of the time change. Thankfully he didn't seem to suffer too much.

This afternoon we went to my parents for dinner, a beef roast. I have had conversations with my mum and wife about who is the better cook. As we are having roast beef again tomorrow, I said it could be a decision maker. Unfortunately my dad cooked, so we may never know.

It was a lovely relaxed afternoon and the first beef roast was good.

Thanks for reading

Adam Edward Grant

Bouncebackability

After yesterday today could only be a better day, and it was. It's nice that one bad day doesn't set me back the way it had before. Today was a day off sorting out, after my wife had been for her flu jab. We got all of our homeless clothes sorted out ready for when our new new furniture arrives at the end of November. It also serves the purpose of giving us more space in the 2nd bedroom for everyday things, like drying washing.

It was a slow and boring process, made bearable because it was spent with my wife.

Overall a happy day, compared to yesterday, a very happy day.

Thanks for reading

Adam Edward Grant

AAAAAARRRRRRGGGGGGHHHHHH!!!!!!

I woke up this morning feeling hopeful. My wife had spent most of yesterday on the phone to the furniture company, and had managed to arrange for all of our furniture to be delivered today. My hopefulness grew when we got a text saying the delivery would be arriving in the morning and even more when we got a phone call before 10 saying it was 5 minutes away.

The delivery drivers arrived and all the furniture got upstairs, despite the seemingly incompetent delivery men. Things then started to go wrong. I noticed a bit of chipboard as I was moving a piece of furniture, I opened it to inspect and found the item was intact. It was one of the 3 intact items.

I grew angrier and angrier with every item I opened. The back of the dressing table was broken. My wardrobe had a big hole in the door. My wife's 3 door wardrobe was just a 2 door and 1 door wardrobe, the 1 door wardrobe had damaged hinges, the 2 door was slanted. My wife's chest of drawers was broken top and bottom, and finally my wife's replacement bedside table was even more wonky than the first.

By the end of it I was fuming and so was my wife. After she had finished putting the colour on my sisters hair she called and spoke to the really good staff member she had spoken to yesterday. We decided to return all of the items and buy new stuff.

So instead of the relaxing father-son bonding time I had planned, I spent the whole afternoon looking at various furniture places for decent, affordable furniture with a dressing table. We eventually bought it in the first place we had visited, but had left due to lack of service.

On the way home we indulged ourselves, and our bad moods, and got coke & popcorn for TV time tonight and Fish & Chips for dinner.

It's been a while since I felt anything but happy, but today has left me feeling, not precisely down but very angry.

From here things can only get better.

Thanks for reading

Adam Edward Grant

Ipswich Incredibles

Today I had a break in my time off for a classroom training session about the refit. It was the first time ever that all 8 members of staff have been in one place. It was great fun and we dominated the Grafton Massive in all the quizzes and games. We really are the Ipswich Incredibles!

Despite the great day, I'm still glad I'm off for another week.

Thanks for reading

Adam Edward Grant

Next day delivery? Try next week delivery!

Today was my sons 9 month birthday, so we took him to pixifoto for a shoot. It was the usual kind of shoot. Lots of lovely pictures followed by a short wait and then the hard job of saying no to buying any. We did it though, we may have had to use all of our collective will power but we didn't spend any money.

After the photos it was shopping then home, lunch and then out to get our son weighed. Still no furniture though. Funny next day delivery.

Thanks for readin

Adam Edward Grant

A half busy day

Everything was go yesterday, well half the time anyway. We got up, had breakfast, washed and dressed quite leisurely. Then we had a call from our landlords husband saying he was coming to put our fence in and remove the old wardrobes and bed. So we rushed around emptying the wardrobes. Then sat and waited for them to arrive.

Once they arrived we had a leisurely lunch and then went upstairs to sort out all our clothes. We also had some of our new furniture arrive, but only our bedside table and my wife's stool.

All in all it was a quiet busy day. Half spent rushing around, half spent doing nothing.

Thanks for reading

Adam Edward Grant

A load of pollocks

Today was the first of three days off. I spent the day moving furniture, cleaning and generally sorting things out round the house ready for our new bedroom furniture. Normally I'd have felt like I hadn't had a day off at all, but today I still feel refreshed. It's great.

We had one of my favourites for dinner, fish fingers, chips and beans. It was fantastic but could have been better. The fish fingers were pollock, not cod. Thanks tesco online delivery team.

Thanks for reading

Adam Edward Grant

The final countdown

Today was the last day of work before our refit. So in addition to my normal days work I also had to help close down the shop, dismantle the tills and make sure everything was ready. I had a great day and the close down went well but I am exhausted.

Oh well 3 days off with my beautiful wife and my gorgeous, and mischievous, son. Then 1 day on a training course in Cambridge before another week off.

Thanks for reading

Adam Edward Grant

Christmas? Not yet baby

As our son is going to be going into the second bedroom in the new year, we have had to order our new bedroom furniture. It will be arriving early next week. This means that we have to sort out the spare room to move furniture in and out to make space for our new furniture. What this actually means is that all the Christmas and birthday presents have had to be wrapped and rehomed. This has made my wife a bit crazy and gets frustrated with my inability to help the way she wants me too.

Thankfully she's almost done.

Thanks for reading

Adam Edward Grant

Eat/Sleep

I feel like I have spent the whole day either sleeping or eating. I woke up this morning with my alarm, laid in bed until my wife's alarm went off said good morning, gave her a hug, and I had intended to get out of bed. That's the last thing I remember before I woke up at 10.

Once awake I showered, got dressed and got ready to go out for our lunch. Seckford Hall was, as expected, lovely. Although I did feel they treated us differently to other guests, either due to our age or the fact that we had a baby, but we were the only people not offered tea or coffee at the end of our meal.

I had a headache all day, and by the time we left the resteraunt it felt like a full blown migraine. After visiting pets at home to get dog food, we made our way home. As soon as we got home I felt, and was, sick. I then went and had a lie down, which turned into a sleep. I woke up just in time for dinner.

Since dinner I have not felt so bad, so hopefully I can spend my evening not sleeping or eating.

Thanks for reading

Adam Edward Grant

Polish sausage

I woke up with my alarm this morning and didn't go back to sleep. Unfortunately it did take me an hour to get out of bed. My back was giving me hell. I did eventually manage to make it out of bed, thanks to my wife, and into the hot shower she'd put on for me.

My day at work was fairly standard, although I did get to try the Polish sausages my colleague, who is Polish, has been telling me about. They were fantastic.

I have a day off tomorrow and we're going to Seckford Hall for lunch. It should be a nice day.

Thanks for reading

Adam Edward Grant

Hard work pays off

I finished work at 3 o'clock today, well at least I was supposed to. I eventually left at nearly 4 as I spent time making sure I closed a deal and in return my boss passed me one of his deals over. So I got well paid for my extra hour.

My mum took me and my sisters out this morning for a drink and a snack. It was very nice to see them just us 4. It would have been nice to see my dad as well, but he had a Drs appointment so couldn't make it.

Tomorrow I'm going to get back into getting up when my alarm goes off. Well that's the plan anyway.

Thanks for reading

Adam Edward Grant

Chocolate covered tomatoes

I feel like I've lived at the hospital for the last 24 hours, after my MRI yesterday I was back at the hospital today, this time for my wife as she had 2 appointments. They, thankfully, went by quickly.

After we were finished it was off to my parents to celebrate my mums birthday. It was a good evening. I think my mum loved her present. She even saw the funny side when my oldest sister played a joke on her using one of her other presents, a chocolate fondue set. We had been putting strawberries, marshmallows and cake pops. My sister decided to cover a tomato in chocolate and put some marshmallows on it before giving it to mum.

It was cruel, but very funny.

Thanks for reading

Adam Edward Grant

M.R.Why

Today was the day of my MRI scan, and I was petrified. My in-laws came round to put my son to bed, and my wife and I went off to the hospital. The scan was of my entire spine and pelvis. After a short wait, I was taken into the room and loaded into the machine. It was like being inside a very small tunnel, it made me very uncomfortable. I fell asleep.

The 45 minutes I was in there flew by, and it was soon over. Now I'm back at home sitting on the sofa ready to watch the season 4 finale of Smallville.

Thanks for reading

Adam Edward Grant

Blessed

Today was one of my best friends weddings. I felt very lucky to be part of his day, even more so when I found out that we were the grooms only non family at the ceremony. I felt doubly lucky to have such an amazing family to share it with. My little boy was an angel all day, and went off to sleep despite the loud disco.

Overall it was a lovely day, and I was very pleased to see my friend so happy.

Thanks for reading

Adam Edward Grant

What a difference 2 years 2 months & 20 days makes

This time 2 years 2 months & 20 days ago, I was preparing myself for my wedding. The worst things I had to worry about were my wife changing her mind, and my speech.

Today I am preparing myself for my best mans wedding, as I now have an extra person to look after there is a lot more to worry about. So many more things to prepare for. So many more things that could go wrong.

Having a child makes life so much harder, but it's definitely worth it.

Thanks for reading

Adam Edward Grant

Premature combustion

My son hasn't been very well, he's had a cough, a bunged up nose and been generally sniffly and unwell. To try and make him feel better, we have been putting a pillow under his mattress to raise his head. This evening after he had coughed himself sick, I had him on his change mat, checking his nappy and I noticed how much easier he seemed to be breathing. Sometimes, when you try to help, you just make things worse.

The rest of the day was good too, apart from my assistant managers terrible day.

Thanks for reading

Adam Edward Grant

A day

Today was a day, not a good day, not a bad day, just a day.

Work was ok, enjoyed spending time with my son this morning and evening, looking forward to spending time, watching Smallville, with my wife.

If everyday was like today or better I'd be a happy man.

Thanks for reading

Adam Edward Grant

Bloody government

I had a day off today, I still woke up with my smart alarm at just gone 6. I can remember reading stuff on my phone, then thinking I should get out of bed. The next thing I remember is waking up at 7.23. We had a chilled start to the day, before going shopping. We finished most of our Christmas shopping, did our food shopping and then went to toys'r'us. We were looking at their Toot-Toot drivers stuff. We decided that it was a bit expensive. My wife then wanted to look at feeding and weaning stuff. My son got very interested in what was behind us, pottys. So tonight he had his first try on the potty.

When we got home from shopping I had received a letter from Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs telling me that I had underpaid on tax. Their figures showed that I had earned over £6,000 more than I actually had, including over £3,000 of job seekers allowance. This was all during the 2012-13 tax year. I have only claimed job-seekers once in my life, February 2012 to March 2012 , so in the previous tax year. So after lunch I made a phone call. It turns out that their information shows me claiming job-seekers from February 2012 to February 2013, even though they knew I had worked for my employer since March 12th 2012. So I shall be receiving and amended statement showing I owe nothing.

Either that or the job-seekers allowance they think I've had. I think £3,000 in exchange for £600 tax is a fair swap.

Thanks for reading

Adam Edward Grant

Finally

For nearly 6 months we have been expecting a refit in our store. When we first found out about it we were told it would happen within 6-8 weeks. It's finally happening though and we will be closing on the 20th and reopening in our shiny new store on the 6th of November. Can't wait.

Other than that news my day has been fairly normal. Work wasn't great, but I saw my sister, brother in law and nephews this evening. I've got a day off tomorrow too.

Now I'm just waiting for my wife to join me on the sofa.

Thanks for reading

Adam Edward Grant

Fish Supper

I was supposed to be going out for one of my best friends stag do tonight. As my son is ill and because I want to keep the strain off my wife to stop her from becoming ill, I had to let him down. Instead I'm having sausage and chips, sitting on the sofa with my wife.

Overall a good day.

Thanks for reading

Adam Edward Grant

A bridge too far

After a very late night last night, today didn't quite start as well as usual. I had put my alarm back and it still did it's job, I woke up an hour before feeling like hell, but when it woke me up I only felt like purgatory. I'm not sure what's happened to me but I can't handle late nights any more.

Work was ok, nothing fantastic and when I finished my wife and son picked me up to go to my parents for my nieces birthday party. I love my family very dearly, but after a full day at work seeing all 15 of them is a bit much. Particularly when you add my wife, son and I and put all 18 of us in one room.

I was very impressed by my niece who showed maturity beyond her years when she opened a present, a one direction wristband, that she didn't like, she doesn't like one direction, but she still smiled and said thanks.

Thanks for reading

Adam Edward Grant

2 hours alone with my son and I survived

I had a day off today, my wife had a baby shower to go to. This meant that I had some time alone with my son. I was scared. I survived, in fact I had a good time. This evening we went to my Uncles 50th birthday party. It was lovely to see so much of my extended family, it was even lovelier to have such a relaxing time.

It was also lovely to see my wife relaxing and even letting herself have a drink.

Thanks for reading

Adam Edward Grant

Crawl

My son crawled properly for the first time today. He's been commandoing around for a while but today is the first day he's got his knees under him and got the movements right. I'd had a good day today but it wouldn't have mattered if I hadn't as I'm so proud of my son and happy.

Thanks for reading

Adam Edward Grant

Dedication

We were having a visit as part of a project to visit all 84 stores in our region in one day. The guy who was visiting had to visit stores in Lowestoft, Norwich, Kings Lynn and Boston as well as ours. Because of this he started early, so he was with us at 7.30.

All of this added up to me waking up at 5.00. I laid in bed and caught up with the world. Then I finally got out of bed. I washed but couldn't face breakfast, so I dried up my sons stuff, filled his steriliser and kettle. Then I finally went up and woke my wife up.

I had to leave the house at 6.30 and this meant I missed my son as he was still asleep. That made today a really long day. I was very glad when I got home and got to spend some quality time with my wife and son.

Long days are really hard.

Thanks for reading

Adam Edward Grant

Must be a full moon

Today was one of those days. We had every nutter, weirdo, fruit loop & freak in ipswich in our shop today. There were some nice customers too but they were few and far between. By the end of the day I was speechless and exhausted.

Tomorrow is another day.

Thanks for reading

Adam Edward Grant

Day off with a difference

Normally on my days off I spend the day with my wife and son. Not today though. We are going to my friends wedding in just under 2 weeks, so they both needed something to wear. They went shopping in colchester. I stayed at home to do some gardening.

I started off by turning over the soil and putting in our raised beds. Then I started on the jungle again. I got about half way before I couldn't take any more mentally, this was about 45 minutes after I had had enough physically. I took a break, had some lunch and watched a film. I got a second wind, mentally not physically, so I went and attacked the front jungle. I got it all cleared and even had time to play FIFA before my wife got home.

Even though I missed them loads, it was nice to be able to take the day at my own pace.

Thanks for reading

Adam Edward Grant

#GoHardOrGoHome

Today is the last day of the month, it's been a challenging one and I've got some way to go to hit my target. So today I'm putting everything on the line and chasing down my target 1 sale at a time. It's time to Go Hard Or Go Home, or as my boss once, mistakenly, put it Step Up Or Step Out.

I went hard but unfortunately today was not my day, I had 2 declines, 2 people requiring deposits and 3 contracts where they didn't have a bank account. But I gave it my all and left everything on the shop floor. No-one can take that away from me.

Tomorrow is another day, and month. I have a day off to regroup myself and get ready to start all over again. I don't plan on having to stage a 4th quarter comeback next month either.

Thanks for reading

Adam  Edward Grant

I think we're in for a long night

After another well timed start to the day, and an ok day at work, I got home to my poorly son. He's teething as well as having a cold. After giving him a bath, his bottle and putting him to bed, my wife and I sat down to dinner and to watch x-factor. Not long into the show, we heard our son making some noises and then crying. I went up to try and settle him down to sleep again. It didn't work. So we tried giving him Calpol, rubbing snuffle baby on his chest and rocking him back to sleep. It also didn't work. So in the end we brought him downstairs and let him sit with us until he eventually fell asleep through pure tiredness.

Hopefully I'm wrong but I think we're in for a long night.

Thanks for reading

Adam Edward Grant

1st ever 1st birthday party/WBK

I had a day off today, but I still used the smart alarm and I still woke up refreshed. We had a birthday party to go to, one of my sons friends was turning one. It was the first of his friends to reach 1. We had a really lovely time.

This afternoon we just had some bits to do around the house. While in the garden I spoke to our neighbours and they said that the reason they don't put their bins out too early is because of WBK, weird bin kid, he is a kid down our road who has an obsession with bins, hence the name. I also found out that WBK has a name. His name is Harry.

Hopefully the smart alarm will keep me feeling refreshed and I can stay happy.

Thanks for reading

Adam Edward Grant

The early bird catches the worm

I decided that I couldn't keep waking up tired. I found a 'Smart Alarm' which monitored your sleep pattern to wake you up at the right moment, it's supposed to stop over or under sleeping. Even though I've only used it once, it is amazing. At 9.32 last night I started it, it sent me gently to sleep to the sounds of waves softly lapping a beach, I didn't sleep soundly and woke at various points in the night, but when I opened my eyes at 6 this morning it told me through a gently tune that it was the right time to get up. It only took 3 minutes for me to get out of bed, and I feel great. Thank you Plus Sports.

After my great start, my day continued well, even though I didn't have the best day at work. I stayed energized all day.

Thanks for reading

Adam Edward Grant

New Shoes

My wife made me get out of bed at 6.30 this morning to take our bins out, I was not impressed as I usually lay awake for 15 minutes before getting up. I got up anyway, took the bins out, and got ready for the day. I had noticed that our elderly neighbours hadn't put their bins out, so before leaving for work I knocked on their door to check they were ok.

I had a good day at work, made even better by a visit from my wife and son. We had ordered my son his first pair of properly fitted shoes last week and today we went and collected them. He looks so cute in them.

After getting home, my wife cooked us our special dinner, chicken wrapped in bacon stuffed with Philadelphia and mushrooms, it was delicious.

Overall a good day.

Thanks for reading

Adam Edward Grant

4 more days!

The shop across from my work is closing down in 4 days, all day I've heard someone outside the shop trying to drum up business by shouting about it. By the end of the day it was really doing my head in. Apart from that it was a good day at work.

I didn't get my 100 page views, so no photo unfortunately.

Thanks for reading

Adam Edward Grant

What happens when you give an 8 month old a plate of spaghetti?

I started work at 10 today. When my alarm went off, I stayed still for a minute before rolling over and cuddling my wife. After a few minutes she went and got our son. While my wife showered, I layed in bed and had cuddles with my son. It was a great start to the day.

As my wife was going out for about 10 she dropped me in town on her way. This meant that I could get the washing up from the morning done and leave the house with no washing up. It may be a first.

Work today was very quiet and I didn't achieve what I needed to. It's been one of those months and I need a big push over the next week to try and get to target.

As we were having spaghetti bolognese for dinner, we gave our son a plate of spaghetti after he had finished his dinner to see what would happen. I was expecting carnage. My son disappointed. Instead of throwing it around, putting it all over himself and generally making a mess, he just ate it. Fortunately I was there to show him what to do.

If I can get 100 views of this post I will add a picture of the results.

It only takes one little thing to ruin my mood. I was cleaning my sons bottle steriliser, when my wife pointed out that I'd put stuff down on a dirty side. My head goes straight to the place where everything I do is wrong and I end up feeling like crap. I hate it, I just want to get my head straight.

Thanks for reading

Adam Edward Grant

Toad in the hole. Grant style!

Today I had a day off, unfortunately I forgot to turn my alarm off. When it went off at 6.30 the dog took it upon himself to wake the whole house up. I was not impressed. As I had been lazy last night I had to do the washing up, so after a quick cuddle with my wife and son, I got on.

While we were having breakfast my mum called to see if they could pop over to see us. So at 10.30, just minutes after my son had fallen asleep they arrived. It was lovely to see them, and as they have been away recently they brought us presents.

After lunch, ham, egg and chips, we had a couple of bits to do in the garden before we sat down and watch a couple of episodes of Smallville. Then it was dinner time, we were supposed to be having toad in the hole, but as we had used the eggs at lunchtime we had to adapt. So we had sausages, mash, peas, carrots with Yorkshire puddings and gravy. Not your average toad in the hole.

Tonight is the season three finale of Smallville, so it's time to chill on the sofa with an apple crumble.

Thanks for reading

Adam Edward Grant

A little bit batty.

Today, being a Sunday, I didn't start work until 10am. My alarm still went off at 6.30. At 7 I got out of bed, leaving my wife for a well deserved lie-in. I got last nights washing up done and by 8 my son was awake and he and my wife were downstairs for breakfast. It was nice to have breakfast together.

My day at work was neither here nor there, and soon enough it was time to go home. The great thing about Sundays is that I finish early enough to get home to bath my son. Once he was bathed and in bed it was then time for dinner and X-Factor. I have been using the app this year, it's a nice way to watch the show and get involved.

My wife had a bit of a scare tonight, she was outside when a bat flew near her. She was worried it was in the house, so I checked every room to make sure it wasn't.

Thanks for reading

Adam Edward Grant

Peeing in the dark

Today at work was a good day, but the wrong kind of good day, I sold a lot at work but not the things I needed to sell. I'll take what I get though. In light of my new positivity, what I got was fantastic.

It was also a funny but shocking day, particularly when I almost walked in on my colleague in the toilet because she was peeing in the dark with the door open.

Thankfully I didn't see anything and have recovered from the shock.

Thanks for reading

Adam Edward Grant

5 1/2 minute blog

My wife and I both fancied a syrup suet pudding, so while that's cooking in the microwave I'm going to blog.

Today was as much of an anticlimax as yesterday, there were 8 of us working and most of the time there were more staff than customers. It definitely wasn't what we expected, but I've made a decision to try not to be negative. Negativity never got anyone anywhere. So I'm going to take a positive approach to life, grab it by the balls and squeeze until I get what I want.

The timer has just gone so that's my 5 1/2 minutes up.

Thanks for reading

Adam Edward Grant

Anticlimax

I should have learnt by now not to expect too much. Things never live up to their expectations. Today was the biggest anticlimax. After months of expectation, weeks off speculation, days of preparation our huge firework was nothing more than a little fizzer. If I had had low expectations I wouldn't be disappointed now, but I had high expectations so now I'm in a bit of a slump.

It doesn't help that my wife is ill, so I have to look after her so she can look after our son.

Thanks for reading

Adam Edward Grant

Best laid plans are easily forgotten

If I had remembered all of our plans for today I wouldn't have thought I could get some gardening done. I'm not upset that I didn't but I can't believe I forgot about my sons play date and about our visit to see my family as my uncle and aunt were visiting. Good thing I have my wife for remembering things.

Before either of the things we had to go shopping, which thanks to Tesco's scan as you shop was quick and almost painless, the cost is always painful. Then we had our friends and their son over for a play date with our son. It's nice because I used to live next door to one of our friends and then they attended the same (rubbish) antenatal class that we did. We saw them soon after and realised that she was my old next door neighbour, and she and my wife have become friends.

Once they were gone, and our son had woken up from his nap, we went to my parents.  When we arrived it was just us, my parents and my aunt and uncle, we were soon joined by my cousin, his partner and their son, then my sister and her four children, then my other cousin and finally my other sister and her three boys. It gets quite busy at my parents and very loud. It was quite enjoyable today and we had a very nice buffet dinner, followed by a trio of deserts, cake, crumble and lemon meringue pie, I had all three, of course, in one bowl.

Now we're back home, and back on the sofa for some more Smallville.

Thanks for reading

Adam Edward Grant

A good day

I woke up before my alarm this morning, when my alarm went off I was straight out of bed. I put a loaf of bread on to cook, did last nights washing up. By the time that was done my son was awake and he was a happy boy. He stayed happy all day and we managed to get a lot done.

My wife repotted our veg and herbs in the greenhouse, and until our son woke up I tidied up the garden and started to attack the jungle, I didn't get very far as our son woke from his nap, so I went and sat with him while my wife finished in the greenhouse.

After lunch we headed in to town, we had a few bits to do and a few things to buy and we even got some Christmas presents sorted. Then it was back home, give my son dinner, a bath, his bottle and put him to bed. I had a bath myself and sat down on the sofa, sorted our contents insurance, hopefully getting us another free meerkat, and our TV license and finally settling in to watch some Smallville.

Overall a very good day.

Thanks for reading

Adam Edward Grant

Living the dream

Having missed my sons bedtime last night, I took some extra time this morning to see him. I never realised how much I could miss him. It was a great start to the day seeing him, and it made me very happy. It also meant that I didn't have time for breakfast before I left the house, good thing we have a toaster at work.

Once at work, having had toast and coffee, I was ready to go. I started strong and had a good day, well I would have done if our systems hadn't been down all day. I can only work with the tools I am given and I think, given the circumstances, my performance was good. Most importantly I didn't let it get me down.

I now have 2 days off with my wife and son. I plan on enjoying them.

Thanks for reading

Adam Edward Grant

1 ha ha ha 2 ha ha ha

Today at work we had a stock count, normally it is tediously boring and takes far too long. Today it was still tediously boring and took far too long, but it didn't bring me down. It was frustrating that I didn't get to put my son to bed. It was very satisfying to be able to get the stock count done effectively and to learn a little bit more about the process.

One more day at work and I get 2 days off, so looking forward to that.

Thanks for reading

Adam Edward Grant

Getting around

I got home from work today, to be greeted by my son, helped by my wife, walking to meet me at the door. Then he was placed back in the living room, to be back in the hall minutes later, having shuffled, commando crawled and crawled his way out. I can't believe how quick he's getting around.

It was a good day at work too. After the recent lows, it's nice to be back on an even keel.

Thanks for reading

Adam Edward Grant

Give me something to break!

It's just one of those days, when you don't wanna wake up, everything is f****d, everybody sucks. You don't really know why, but you wanna justify, ripping someone's head off. No human contact, and if you interact, your life is on contract. Your best bet is to stay away motherf****r, it's just one of those days.

These are the lyrics to my favourite Limp Bizkit song, and they pretty much some up my workday. It's been one of those days, I spoke to all the wrong people and either got problem customers or had customers with the wrong paperwork or who failed their credit search. Everything I touched went to hell. I'm glad it's over.

My day brightened up as soon as I left work, I had a missed call from my wife. When I called her back I found out that she had called me to tell me that her brother has proposed to his girlfriend. So as soon as I get home were off to see and congratulate them.

I'll be glad to get to bed and put today behind me, tomorrow, as they say, is another day.

Thanks for reading

Adam Edward Grant

Sweet yellow gravy

The effects of yesterday carried over into today. So when the dog took rubbish out of the bin, it was my fault for not emptying it. Other than that I had a very up and down day. I had a very good day at work, but I had moments where I felt like banging my head against the wall. My brain is also all over the place again and I keep messing up what I say. We had crumble for desert and I told my wife I needed to make gravy.

Not good. On the plus side my new ringtone for my wife makes me smile.

Thanks for reading

Adam Edward Grant

The day I ruined everything

When I woke up naturally at 6.15, I should have got up. When my alarm went off at 6.30, I should have got up. When my wife got our son up and brought him to see me, I should have got up. When my wife and son went downstairs, I definitely should have got up. At 8.10 I did get up and because I got up so late, everything went wrong.

We should have been at the supermarket by 9/9.30, we got there at 11.30, it was my fault. We should have given our son a snack at 10.30, we couldn't because he was asleep, it was my fault. It rained at lunchtime while we had washing out, it was my fault. We should have been at my wife's uncle and aunties at 1.30, we were late, it was my fault. We didn't make my sons milk for bedtime, it was also my fault. In short nothing went right and it was all my fault.

On the plus side, my son has started saying dada.

Pretty lousy day mood wise other than that. Hope I feel better tomorrow.

Thanks for reading

Adam Edward Grant

Heigh Ho

Today I returned to work, it was hard. It was hard to leave my son and wife at home, but I had too, so I did. My day at work started well, soon after we opened I had my first customer and my first sale of the day. The rest of the day didn't pass so well, it was very slow. Fortunately it didn't last too long and before I realised it was time to go home.

Once home it was time for some family time and to put my son to bed before dinner and to watch Smallville.

Oh and today was the day of just a little announcement by a small company called Apple.

Thanks for reading.

Adam Edward Grant

Hibernation of the Bar-B-Queue

Today was my day off making my time away from work a little longer. I didn't have much to do today so it was mostly spent chilling out. My wife had a funeral to attend this morning and I looked after our son, I also had a visit from my parents. My parents had just left and my son was asleep, so I thought I'd have a little play and watch some wrestling. I had just about sat down, when my wife arrived home, so that plan went out the window.

I needed to clean the Bar-B-Queue down ready for hibernation, I was going to start after lunch. Unfortunately at lunchtime the rain came. So instead we all watched Smallville, after one episode the rain had stopped, so I seized the opportunity to clean Bernie. By the time I had finished it was tea time, then once I had washed up it was time to bath my son. Once he was out of the bath, I jumped into the shower as I'm starting to use my medicated bandages on my legs again.

Now it's time to have a last chill out before returning to work tomorrow. I'm a little bit anxious about going back, but I'm also sure it will be fine.

Thanks for reading

Adam Edward Grant

Bernies 2013 farewell

Bernie is my bar-b-queue, and today was our last bar-b-queue of the season. We went out in style, steak, lamb, Mexican chilli chicken, salmon, corn on the cob and new potatoes. Apart from undercooking my wife's salmon and only cooking one side of the corn it was delicious. The rest of the day has been a perfect day of relaxation ahead of my return to work.

Amazingly my first day back at work is one of my days off this week, so I get to enjoy another day at home. Yippee!

Thanks for reading

Adam Edward Grant

How long does it take to make a cup of coffee?

It was lovely to sleep in our own bed last night. It was lovely to wake up semi-naturally this morning. It was really lovely to have a chilled start to the day. Once we eventually left the house we were on the hunt for a new change bag. After looking at the exorbitantly priced John Lewis collection we ended up getting a reasonably priced one from Mothercare. Then it was time to pick up the dog.

After 48 hours away from him I had completely forgiven him and I was excited to be picking him up. While in the kennels he had also been groomed, so once again he looks like a puppy. I was especially happy when I saw him that he came to me first, then my son, then my wife. This goes to show that I am still his favourite. I know it won't last forever and I can already see the relationship between my son and the dog blossoming, but for now at least we can still be best friends.

After that it was back home to chill for the afternoon, including a family nap. The nap did us no favours when it came time to leave for my Mother-in-laws birthday party, we forgot to take the cheese slices! Thankfully it didn't ruin the bar-b-queue too much. We had a thoroughly good evening and we all had a good laugh, mostly at my father-in-law who took forever making the birthday girl a cup of coffee.

Now that we are semi back to normal, I can only hope for a lay-in in the morning.

Thanks for reading

Adam Edward Grant

Lions and Tigers and Bears! Oh My!

After a not long enough sleep in a hotel bed I woke up at 6.30 with my alarm going off. I got up and got ready for the day. Before long we were on our way to Whipsnade Zoo, after a quick visit to McDonalds drive through. The weather wasn't great but this didn't take anything away from our visit.

We started by visiting the Lemurs and seeing them get fed, one even used me to propel himself from one side of the walkway to the other! Then we headed to the chimps to see them getting there mid morning snack, we got to throw the bears their food, I lobbed it as far into the woods as possible, my son threw it straight at a bear. Then we had a talk on the wild boars.

We were going to have our lunch after this, but we decided to watch the elephant show. I'm very glad we did as we got to see some very talented elephants and it was a lot of fun to watch. After lunch we went to see a few of the other animals. Having already seen bears we went and found the tigers and lions, the lions were so close I could have touched them if it wasn't for the glass separating us from them.

One of our final things to do before we went home was a bird show, my wife was very brave and came along to the bird show despite being ornithophobic, I'm very proud of her as she is trying to overcome her fear so as not to pass it on to our son. The last thing we saw was the sealion show, as they are my sons favourite we thought he would like it, unfortunately he slept right through it. Good thing my wife could video it for him.

No trip to the zoo would be complete without a trip to the shop. As has become our tradition we got a magnet, we also got a magnetic pen, a sealion key ring for use in entertaining our son while changing his nappy and we let our son chose a soft toy. He chose the animal that he had seen the closest, just inches away as it jumped from a fence onto my shoulder and onto the other fence. That's right he chose a Ring-Tailed Lemur.

We stopped for some tea at Pizza Hut, before making the journey home. Once home we put our son to bed and sorted ourselves back to normality, unpacking bags etc.

I'm now ready for bed after an exhausting but fun couple of days away.

Thanks for reading

Adam Edward Grant

Harry Potter! Harry Potter! Harry Potter!

I was woken up at 4.30 this morning, and not by my son. It was the dog who had decided that he needed to go out to eat some grass, he had already been sick the night before. So up I get to sort him out, my wife had already tried once. Eventually, an hour later, I manage to get back to sleep. Another hour after that and I'm up again to get ready for the day. I'm not very happy at this point.

We left the house at 9, dropped the dog off, I had forgiven him by this point, and we were on our way to Leavesden for the Warner Brothers Harry Potter Film Studio Tour. Our booking was for 1.30 and we arrived at 12 so we had time to have our picnic and visit the shop, so I could pick out all the things I wanted. At 1.30 we were on the tour, it started with a video highlighting the successes of the film series before going to a cinema for a film introduction by Harry (Daniel Radcliffe), Ron (Rupert Grint) and Hermione (Emma Watson).

The rest was us wandering casually round, taking in everything. We started in the great hall, then moved round looking at all the different sets, the Griffindor common room, Harry's dormitory, Dumbledores office, The Weasleys house, Hagrids hut, the potions classroom, Umbridges office, Diagon Alley and parts of the ministry of magic. There was also an outdoor area including the knight bus and privet drive. My favourite part had to be the scale model of the hogwarts grounds. As well as all the sets there were lots of things about the props, creatures and other details that went into making the films.

It took us 3 hours and I loved every second. On our way out my wife said we could afford to get me something, so I had to choose between lounge pants and a t-shirt. I had a little strop because I couldn't have both but I chose the lounge pants in the end. I'll get more use out of them.

Once we left the studio, we went for a nice dinner at Frankie & Benny's, other than a waiter calling me mate it was fantastic.

It's now time for bed and I'm laying here in my new lounge pants ready for sleep ahead of another busy day of relaxing tomorrow.

Thanks for reading

Adam Edward Grant

Howdy Doidy (cup)

Today was the last really busy day of my time off. It was up at 7 then shopping, both at the farm and the supermarket. After a stop at home long enough to have lunch we were back out, this time to the hospital for my wife's last session of hydrotherapy. Then we took our son to get weighed, 17lb 11.5oz, before back home to prepare everything we need to sort to ensure tomorrows trip to Harry Potter Studios is relaxing.

We got a parcel in the post today as well which included a Doidy cup. It's a special cup with a slanted side to help children progress from bottles to cups easier. It looks hilarious and watching our son tip all the water out over himself was even funnier.

Looking forward to chilling, but exhausted.

Thanks for reading

Adam Edward Grant

Just one of those things/ 112 giraffes

Today after a busy morning in the garden, we spent the afternoon at the zoo. As they are celebrating 50 years this year, colchester zoo have had 112 giraffes, 30 2.4 metres and 82 1.3 metres, painted by various people and places. They have been located all over colchester and the surrounding areas. This week however they are all in one place, the zoo itself, ahead of the auction for them. We found the big ones straight away, but we couldn't find the littles ones. We looked all over the zoo and just couldn't find them, we even asked someone where they were, he told us and it wasn't until the very end of our trip that it clicked where they were. In the end we found them, all 112. We even entered a raffle to win a blank one to paint ourselves.

After that and a lovely dinner from the chippy, we settled our son down to bed and got on with preparing the apples that I had picked yesterday. It took ages, but eventually we had prepared enough and started to cook them. We then had a few other bits to do so we left them cooking, going back occasionally to stir them. Unfortunately we both got distracted and it wasn't until I heard them sizzling on the bottom of the pan and smelt the burning did we remember them. They were ruined and all that hard work wasted.

As my wife would say to me in a situation like this, it's just one of those things! She knows how much it annoys me so I just couldn't help but get her back.

It's been a busy few days and I'm feeling exhausted and we have another busy day tomorrow before I can relax.

Thanks for reading

Adam Edward Grant

How do you like them apples

Today was a very slow starting day. I didn't get out of bed until 10, my wife and son did their best to wake me at 8 but it didn't work. Once I did wake up it was out on the garden. I removed all the bad pears I could reach, hopefully the wasps will disappear too. Then I got to work on the apple tree, this time sorting the good from the bad and we ended up with a bag full of apples. If anybody wants any let me know.

After dinner and our sons bedtime it was time for the season finale of Smallville season 2. After that, as it is a very special day (transfer deadline day) I stayed up to watch the deals roll in. A big signing for Arsenal made me happy!

Thanks for reading

Adam Edward Grant

The very first roast dinner

After the busy but fun night last night, I got a lay in this morning. It was glorious. It left me feeling so refreshed. The rest of the day was just as refreshing. My wife was out this morning, so I was on babysitting duty. I decided to fall back in love with wrestling, and I took the opportunity to introduce my son to it. Then my youngest nephews came round to have a haircut. After that it was just me, my wife and my son for the rest of the day.

My son even had his first proper roast dinner, chicken, potato, sweet potato, parsnip, carrot, peas, Yorkshire pudding and gravy. It was a 10 out of 10 dinner for me and my son seemed to enjoy it to.

Thanks for reading

Adam Edward Grant

Turning in my MAN card

My penis has been inverted, my testicles have been revoked, the keys to shed have been handed over and I'm turning in my MAN card, my wife is officially more man than I am. Today while I was washing up and making lunch, she was hanging pictures! I don't know why, I have never been much of a man when it comes to DIY or mechanical jobs. My wife on the other hand loves the challenge.

Once I'd watched some Soccer Saturday and got over my inferiority, we went out. We spent a lovely evening with the in-laws, even though they ridiculed my drawing of a Jeep.

Hopefully tomorrow I can redeem myself, and claim back some MAN points.

Thanks for reading

Adam Edward Grant

A lovely and very special little boy

Today we visited my cousin-in-law (yes, that's right, I said cousin-in-law) that is we visited my cousins wife and their son, my 2nd cousin. It was really nice to see them as I'm usually at work when my wife and son see them. My 2nd cousin, bless him, is such a lovely little boy and unfortunately has an as yet an undiagnosed brain condition, thankfully it doesn't stop him being such a fantastic little boy. A lot of the praise for the way he is, has to go to his parents who do a fantastic job with him, despite his problems. I don't know that I could do as well as they do in the same situation, but I would hope I could, even being half as good would still be great.

It was a really pleasant day, and it has made me both sad and happy. Sad to see this beautiful child suffer, but happy to see how well loved and looked after he is. My cousin-in-law and cousin should both be proud of themselves, I know I am proud of them.

Thanks for reading

Adam Edward Grant

Domestic god to a bit of an idiot

I had a very domesticated morning this morning, I woke up to see my son in the bed with us, my wife had got him out of bed. I didn't spend long in there with them as I went downstairs, heated my sons bottle for him then got on with baking, I made a fruit cake, a Victoria sponge and even a loaf of bread, and a tear and share for this evening with my wife. I then waited on my wife's 'mothers meeting' making tea, squash and bringing cake.

I undid all of my good work this evening when after our son had been sick, my wife, having just said he's going to be sick again, just stood there rather than take him to the bathroom or toilet. I lost my temper and snapped at her asking her where she would go if she knew she was going to be sick. I feel like a complete twat.

So it was a mixed day emotionally, mostly high but with a big low at the end.

Thanks for reading

Adam Edward Grant

Exhausted but happy

I was awoken by one of my nephews at 2.30 this morning, his whine of "I need the toilet" got me out of bed and the other 4 decided they needed to go too. It's a good job we have an outdoor loo! 5 minutes later they all decided they needed to go again. Eventually, about an hour later, they went back to sleep and didn't wake again until 5.55, they were so loud that they woke my wife up who was sleeping upstairs at the front of the house, while we were right at the back of the garden.

My wife came out to get us once she was showered and dressed, and the boys had a bit of chill time in front of the TV while I showered. Then they showered one by one and got sun creamed and dressed. Then it was time for a camping breakfast, tins of beans and sausages and bread rolls.

I then took on the challenge of taking down the tent with five excited nephews. I did most of the work but we managed to get it down and had some fun in the process. Then we played some games. Bulldog was a success and wrestling went well until one of the boys got hurt, not badly, and we stopped.

Then I was relieved of my duties by my 2 sisters arriving and taking back responsibility of their children. I only had to focus on my son. We walked to the park, with my mum as well, and went to the open air cinema. I enjoyed the film but I think I was the only one who watched it. My 2 youngest nephews crashed and went to sleep.

After walking home we went to Tesco's to collect the prescription my wife and I forgot all about yesterday. Then we finally stopped, sort of. I had to clean up the Bar-B-Q and my wife cooked dinner. Then we got the washing in, bathed and fed our son. Then changed his sheet because he'd been a little sick. Then showered our son and my wife as he'd been a lot sick.

This evening we have had our friends over, with their Dog, a Husky. We ran around, playing with a football until the dog popped it, then playing with a tennis ball, until the dog was too tired. Then my wife and I sat down, which was a mistake, as I struggled to get off the sofa to go to bed.

A very exhausting couple of days, but a happy couple of days.

Thanks for reading

Adam Edward Grant

What have I let myself in for

I woke up at 5.30 this morning because I went to bed so early last night. I lay awake for a couple of hours before my wife and son woke up and we then lay in bed for a bit longer. Once we did eventually get out of bed we had breakfast. Leftover burgers and sausages!

Then we went out shopping, after a detour to drop off some cake. We were out so long that we had to feed our son while in Tesco's, which also meant that we had to eat there too, otherwise we wouldn't have eaten. Once home we had just got the shopping unpacked when the first of my nephews arrived.

I had suggested a few weeks ago that I would have all 5 of my nephews, ranging from 10 down to twin 4 year olds, over to camp in the garden. As I lay here now having had a somewhat hyperactive afternoon of putting up a tent, cooking and eating a Bar-B-Q, washing up, having a campfire and a midnight feast at 9.00, I wonder what I've let myself in for.

I must be an idiot.

Thanks for reading

Adam Edward Grant

Welcome to the world

Sorry for the delay in posting, between the sun, the beers & the fighting with my nephews, I felt awful by the time I came to bed and went straight to sleep.

Yesterday was the big day, and when the alarm went off at 6.30 my wife and I were straight out of bed. She got in the shower to wash her hair while I did the washing up, then she fed our son while I did all the downstairs housework. By 8.45, right on schedule, we were on our way to the supermarket.

We got everything we needed and after a quick detour to my parents to pick up a fridge, we were back on our way home. When we got home our son had a nap, and we got back on. I went out in the garden, did a poop scoop, picked up the fallen fruit and cut the grass. My wife prepared potatoes, onions, salad and rolls, as well as feeding our son his lunch.

By 1 o'clock almost everything was done and we got ourselves ready. I showered while my wife, in her own words, straightened her mop and put on her face. By 1.45 we were both ready, and after a few last minute details we were out in the garden, waiting for the hoardes to arrive.

The Bar-B-Q was a success, apart from the beef kebabs which didn't cook properly due to lack of heat. Everyone had a good time, I think, and aside from my aforementioned problems, don't know if it was the beer, the heat or the wrestling, but I felt terrible.

My wife, bless her, cleaned up while I secluded myself to a dark room. Thank you baby, even though I could have done with a bit of sympathy.

All in all a good welcome to the world party, and even though we weren't doing it to get presents, our son still got some lovely gifts.

Thanks to all that came for a perfect afternoon.

Thanks for reading

Adam Edward Grant

It's not easy doing nothing

I woke up this morning feeling tired. I felt a bit better than last night but not as good as I had been feeling. We got up breakfasted and went to my in-laws, my wife was making a cake for our sons special party tomorrow. The first cake didn't go so well so we spent a lot longer out than expected.

Even though I spent the whole time just sitting and occasionally doing something for our son, I feel exhausted, and I know I've got another few busy days coming up. Hopefully I will start to get back to myself or certainly be busy enough to forget to be down.

It's our big party tomorrow, so I'd better get some rest.

Thanks for reading

Adam Edward Grant

One step forward and one step back over a cliff

Just this morning my wife remarked how well I was doing with my mood. I agreed, but less than 12 hours later I feel like I've taken a step back off a proverbial cliff.

This evening a family situation has arisen and it has really hit me hard, just when I thought I was starting on the right road, I now feel like I'm right back where I started.

Up until this happened I had been having a good, if busy, day.

During breakfast we had a squirrel in our garden, this made me happy as I love squirrels but according to my wife they are Vermin. After breakfast we went to the farm to get stuff for our BBQ, only to find out that they no longer do there fantastic burger deal. So off to Sainsbury's we went and spent £14 more then we expected on Burgers. Then we went round Homebase, B&M and B&Q looking for something to act as a campfire but that wasn't too expensive. We found a little gas burner that will do the trick.

After nearly 3 hours out it was back home to have lunch, I finally got my sausage roll! Then it was cleaning time. I dusted and vacuumed the whole upstairs of the house, as well as tidying the spare room. My wife cleaned the bathroom, the little star.

Then it was time for a Saturday afternoon tradition, Soccer Saturday. Ipswich lost but Arsenal and AFC Rushden & Diamonds both won.

So I'm back where I started but I'm still ready to fight and will see what the days ahead bring.

Thanks for reading

Adam Edward Grant

Green fingers and a dirty brown face

Today was another gardening day, we waited for our son to be asleep before going out into the garden. I spent an hour and a half weeding and tidying the soil under one of our trees. When he woke up we took a trip out to B&Q to pick up some bits we needed.

After lunch, once my son was napping again, I put a border round the bed of the tree and surrounded it with stones. This was after another trip to B&Q, I'd miscalculated how much border we needed. Circumference = pi x diameter not pi x radius! Once that was finished and looking good I set to work on the bed under the other tree. Before he'd woken up from his second nap I was finished.

Then it was time to tidy up the garden and spend the rest of the day chilling.

It's amazing how therapeutic gardening is. I feel wonderful

Thanks for reading

Adam Edward Grant

It's definitely waterproof!

My wife and son have play date every Thursday, so this morning I had some time to myself. I had last nights washing up to do, I still haven't learnt. After that I had almost 2 hours of play. Not the most exciting 2 hours and I have to admit I got a bit bored without them.

Once they were home and we'd had lunch, we went into town. As it was pouring down with rain it gave us an opportunity to test our new rain coats, they work! We got everything we needed to in town and then it was home again.

After dinner, my wife washed up, and I spent some quality time with my son. We watched 4 episodes of Mike the Knight and then had some rough play/hugs and kisses time before his bath, bottle and bed.

Tomorrow is another day in the garden, but first it's more Smallville tonight, we're really rattling though them.

Thanks for reading

Adam Edward Grant