Sunday 24 February 2013

Sam Sunday #5: The Half-Term Edition


This last week has been the best because it's half term here in the UK and that means a whole, glorious week of no work for me!  The last half term was stressful due to the house buying situation, so it's been lovely having a week off.  Things started well last Sunday, when we attended the wedding of one of Tom's best friends.  It was a small, cosy wedding and I had a fantastic time.  Tom was best man and his speech was very well received, so that's another bonus.

The break from work also means that I've had more time to spend with my nephew, who is now just over three months old.  He's growing up fast and has now developed quite a strong grip as well as the ability to cry very loudly if you sit down whilst holding him, rather than walk around!  My sister is still on maternity leave, so it's been nice to have the opportunity to see them both.

Aside from that, we've spent some days lounging around at home in front of trashy TV (Australian Masterchef) and some other days mooching around the shops and eating out.  Things are progressing very smoothly indeed with attempt #2 to purchase a house, so we've started to tentatively think about how we want to decorate, as the house is definitely a doer-upper.  It's a great house, but parts of it were probably last updated in the 1970s!  I can't wait to get in there and start painting, but for now looking at paint cards and wandering around DIY shops is fun enough.  If things continue to go well, we should move by mid to late March.  It needs to happen on time, as our rental contract expires on 31st March and I don't fancy being homeless.

In terms of reading and blogging, I've not done as much reading as I thought I would, but that's OK.  I've mainly read A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens this week and I now have to grudgingly admit that I like Dickens after all.  I may even have shed a little tear at the ending (if you've read it, you'll know what I mean).  I'll be reviewing it this week as part of Fanda's Celebrating Dickens event.  I've also joined Twitter at long last, and would love it if you got in touch with me there (see shiny new button on the top right of my blog).

Next week I'm back at work but Friday 1st March is my birthday!  I'll be twenty-seven years old, getting a bit too close to the big 30 for my liking....

18 comments:

  1. What a wonderful way to spend the week! I'm heartened to hear you coming around to Dickens; I have yet to be able to do that. Maybe one day, though . . .

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    1. It was a great week, shame about going back to work this week!
      Have you tried A Tale of Two Cities. I think I liked it as it's different from the 'usual' Dickens; it's historical fiction and not all set in London, for a start.

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  2. Hah! I knew it! It's humanly impossible to read A Tale of two Cities and not love Dickens (or cry..) :P

    Good luck with the house, it sounds exciting but like a lot of work!

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    1. I think I have to agree with you, I just wish I liked all Dickens books as much!

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  3. Eee, good luck with the house stuff! My wife and I are starting the process, hopefully...

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  4. Good luck with the house!! After the disappointment last time you guys deserve a break and for everything to run smoothly!
    Your week sounds wonderful and relaxing :) And happy early birthday!!

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    1. Hopefuly it will continue to be smooth, as you say, I think we deserve it this time round :)
      My week was amazing, I love school holidays!

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  5. Basically everything in your post was more important than what I'm about to pick up on, but OMG AUSTRALIAN MASTERCHEF!!!!!! I mean, I know it's trashy, but OMG how good is it?! I kind of hate the English version, too, so it's really surprising to me that I even watch it, but hey- the Aussies just do it better, apparently!

    Happy Birthday for Fridayyy! :)

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  6. I have yet to have the Dickens'-writing-is-actually-alright moment but I can sort of feel it coming and I must admit I shall miss grumbling about the horrors of studying Great Expectations with the OU. ;)

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    1. I'll look out for your Dickens moment in future then!
      I've never actually studied literature formally and I'm not sure I would enjoy it.

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  7. I am glad you persevered with A Tale of Two Cities... It is something special.

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    1. It is something special, it's going to be one of my favourites.

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  8. Happy birthday!!! I just celebrated my 39th..gulp ;)

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  9. Happy Upcoming Birthday!!! Pfft, 27 is far too young to start worrying about age. Actually, I don't think one is ever too old to start worrying about age (despite what Scout and Jem think!).

    Best of luck with your (hopefully) new house!

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  10. I think everyone should get a week off before their birthdays. That sounds lovely! I had to laugh at your thoughts about age. You are right between my husband and me. I like to tease him about being almost 30 and he retorts that I am a quarter of a century (at least for another two months!).

    Enjoy your house planning!

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