What happened to January?

It only feels like 5 minutes ago I was getting myself all in a panic about how Isabel would settle at nursery, but apparently it’s well over a month. Oops. Neglecting my blog, much?

Isabel settled into nursery quicker than I imagined she would. She’s adopted a blanket that I crocheted when I was about 14 as her temporary object of attachment while she’s there. I didn’t expect it to be used for that purpose way back when, but whatever keeps her happy.

Of course, while I’m pleased that Isabel is enjoying being at nursery, I’m not enjoying the multitude of coughs, colds etc that seem to be par for the course with daycare.

My driving lessons are starting to get somewhere now; trying test routes etc. I’m a good driver :D but terrible at checking my mirrors. I NEED to get this spot on before I go for my test though as it’s apparently an automatic fail? Anyway, guess I need to arrange my theory first.

I’m still waiting for my result from my OU module pre-Christmas. It’s quite annoying because I am not sure if I’ll have passed this one, so wanted to wait for the result before signing up for the next module (so I don’t have to resit it and do another at the same time). I found out the day AFTER applications closed for the next module that I won’t be getting the result for another couple of months! Fuckwits.

Anyway, I have instead been filling my time with web projects. I rescued BabyLedWeaning.com from the evil clutches of Dreamhost for a friend, and have been moving / theming content etc for that. (Note in progress forum tweakage…) I’ve also been working on a massive side project for the Q*bee with Melly which was released to the bee-public last night. Customisable avatars and inventory/shop etc, AKA the bee*mee project. Check out my bee*mee (not particularly accurate yet mind you):

my bee*mee

I turned 25 on the 7th January. That’s half of 50, and don’t I feel it these days?! There’s nowt like wiping arses and paying bills to make you feel like an old fart. Not that I’d change a day of it, mind you…

Posted on: February 12, 2011 · Category: Interwebs, Parenting, Work

Oh Bugger

Why is it that when I’m away from the computer I can formulate hundreds of blog entries in my head but the second I sit down to write anything, it all pours away? Buggery. I guess with the lack of anything inspirational or witty to say I should probably update you all on what’s going on around here…

Things are finally starting to calm down. My course module is finished, and I’m waiting on the results. I have a feeling that due to ‘external pressure’ (i.e. juggling work work, home work and a baby) I’ll have failed this one, but I’m hoping that I’ve scraped enough to qualify for the free re-sit.

Isabel is growing in so many ways, but it’s so subtle it’s hard to describe it. For example, the other day she was waving a book at me so I said “bring me the book” … and she did! And that sounds so mundane and ordinary written down, but it means she’s taking in and understanding more and more. I hadn’t given it much thought when I said the sentence… normally I’d just pick her and the book up in those situations so it was very spur of the moment. Anyway, she recognises so many things now. She identifies body parts, knows certain words like ‘car’, ‘cat’ etc. She will “blow” her nose if you offer a tissue or muslin and say ‘nose’. She walks if she’s not thinking about it, but as soon as she realises what she’s doing she sits down or starts crawling. I’m missing out so many things here but there’s only so much time in the day and I can’t gush about her all night :)

No work until Tues 4th Jan now, which is a nice break, albeit just building up to a big deadline when I go back. I’d been working on a big big WordPress project which has introduced me to plugin building (I’ve only ever done basic widgety stuff before). This of course is endearing me to WordPress, which is never a good thing… it’s only ever lead to trouble before and I do love Habari. Sigh.

The cats are mostly a pain in my ass for one reason or another, but that’s not entirely their fault. Isabel loves them, though. I shall get around to taking pictures of them at some point. Crumble has grown, although I couldn’t really see it until I started looking at some of the pictures from mid-year.

I guess at some point I should considering writing a “things that happened this year” post, but thinking back it was fairly quiet and uneventful compared to previous. We didn’t move. Nobody killed anyone. We gained a cat. The baby grew some. I think that’s about it? Oops, guess there’s no need to write that post now then. I wonder what 2011 will bring…

Posted on: December 29, 2010 · Category: Misc, Parenting

The World of Jem

What’s going on in the world of Jem lately? Let’s see…

  • I’ve been back at work 3 weeks now. It’s not as bad as I thought it would be. That’s not to say I wouldn’t rather be at home with Isabel, but I am actually enjoying parts of it. I know! Knock me down with a feather! I even get to drink my tea hot and piss in peace. Wish I’d not spent so long stressing about it and enjoyed the last few weeks with Isabel. Of course, this may all change come January when she starts nursery (at the minute my mum is sitting her).
  • Talking of Isabel… she’s now just shy of 13 months old. First molar is breaking through the gum. She’s regularly taking wobbly steps on her own now, although I don’t call it walking so much as stumbling.
  • I’m still taking driving lessons. I’m on # 13 or 14, I think. I’m quite good (naturally) :D I have a few weak spots; I don’t mirror-signal-manoeuvre so much as signal-manoeuvre-oops…mirror! Still, I hope it won’t be long now before I can think about taking my test.
  • When I’m not at work, I’m… well, at work. Working little projects for friends to boost the bank balance pre-Christmas. This is not as easy as I thought it would be, with a littlie bombing around the place. Working from home is more playing/burping/feeding from home.
  • My OU module has taken a back seat, which is worrying because I really can’t afford to waste £200+ by failing. The end of module report is due in a week and I’ve not even read the course materials properly, let alone started writing. I’ve been making it up as I go along for the exams.

Heyho, nearly Christmas :D

Posted on: December 9, 2010 · Category: Misc

Unexpected Feelings, Work, etc

Today I returned to work. Walking out of the door this morning was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done in my entire life; I felt like I was abandoning my daughter. Of course, I wasn’t… and she enjoyed her day with her Nannies (my mum and Lou) so barely noticed I’d gone. Work was OK and the day went fairly fast. Doesn’t mean I am looking forward to tomorrow but at least I didn’t cry. ;)

Anyway, I was sat at my desk banging out code when I started thinking about my own sites. I actually surprised myself over how… uh… ‘unbothered’ (better word?) I am over the little empire I’ve built for myself. I seemed to have this expectation pre-Izz that I’d have her, and somehow be able to continue as normal with my sites (both the time and financial aspect!) As it turns out, I barely have time to wipe my arse let alone maintain code and databases etc. Further to that, my interests are so ridiculously different it’s crazy.

I know I’ve said this before (time and time again) but I am going to cut right back. I have an exam in a few days I’ve not revised for, work, 2+ websites at home on the go PLUS, of course, Isabel. It’s not physically possible to fit all that in… unless I want to give up sleep.

Firstly, I’m ending development on Bella[Buffs/Buzz/Blocks]. If anyone wants to adopt these scripts from me, please get in touch and we can discuss. Providing I trust your ability and intentions I will redirect all relevant traffic to your site/s.

I will be handing power of rev.iew.me over to a few selected moderators (whom I’ll choose myself) for the time being.

I am going on long term hiatus from the quilting bee; technical support will be offered as normal but Melissa will be taking my place as Queen until further notice. I am confident in her affection for and dedication to the club :)

The ‘new’ tutorialtastic will be pushed live as a priority.

Snark manages itself/is well supported by current mods so will be fine as-is

NinjaLinks development is on hold but both it and my mail form will be moved to my ‘professional’ domain, jemturner.co.uk. My PHP/SEO/etc posts from over the years will be following suit asap (which gives me a space to talk work without boring non-geeks). As a consequence, this site will become more personal focused: family, life, cats, rambling, etc (which gives me a space to talk mummy without boring the geeks). There will likely still be a certain amount of geek going on, but that’s just unavoidable as it’s who I am. :p

Err… I think that’s it for now. May cull further? Don’t know yet. Phew. Letting go is hard work.

Posted on: November 15, 2010 · Category: Interwebs, Work

Sucker for Punishment

After taking 2 years out because of my health/family situation I’ve finally re-enrolled in my course, with the next module starting October 1st. I’m also returning to work on November 15th (ish). So, what with juggling my websites, Isabel, driving lessons and now this… think my brain is going to explode.

Posted on: September 28, 2010 · Category: Misc