Today I have had 5 children screaming outside my house. Youngest son is only allowed outside to play if his friends from down the road, stay with him and they all congregate on my front lawn (which is about the same size as my back garden!). We have neighbours on one side who fortunately were out today otherwise I am sure they will have complained about the noise.

Usually youngest is not allowed to play out in the front, but his two friends (who are twins) have been allowed out to play so they come to call for him - hence only allowing them to stay on my front lawn. He is allowed to go with them to thier house if he tells me where he is beforehand, but he is not allowed to go to the end of the road where there is a huge piece of grassland seperating our road from the next road along.

Hubby thinks I am being overprotective. I personally think I am just being cautious. He is seven, ok will be 8 this time next month as he keeps telling me but still I think he is too young to be allowed to play in the street.

Don't get me wrong, we are not on a main road, in fact we live in a very quiet area, at the top of what could be termed as a cul de sac of sorts - or a no through road. We have very little problems round here, the odd burglary, the odd idiot who thinks pavements are for motorbikes, but fortunately these are very few and far between. I don't like him to be out of my sight to be honest. I like to know where he is. Afterall other people thought their kids were safe in their world only to have them abducted, you never can be too sure nowadays can you?

Yes I could keep him indoors and believe me if I had my way I would. But his eldest brother hasn't been around and he quite frankly gets bored with my company. We have played Buzz on the playstation, we have played connect 4, snakes and ladders, snap - you name it. I have read to him, he has read to me. We have done some drawings (I can't draw as he pointed out). He said he wanted to play with someone his own age and both my boys have a tendency to be very independant and stubborn, they have the worst traits of both parents! So today 5 children on my front lawn playing or re-enacting Harry Potter, and screaming at each other despite my best efforts to stop them from doing so. In the end I had to make him come indoors because of the noise, children dispersed and fortunately 5 minutes later it poured down with rain!

Eldest comes home with face like thunder and has done nothing but have a huge fit everytime someone looks at him, Hubby regales me with his latest moan about work, dogs bark at the thunder. Hubby now taken both children to Wing Chun so I have a couple of hours peace and quiet at last!

So I plan to sit in my conservatory and continue sewing.

Work in Progress

Thought I would post this as I found it funny and I know a lot of us women will prbably relate to this in some ways!

To My Dearest Wife,

During the past year, I have attempted to make love to you 365 times. I have succeeded 36 times, which is an average of only once every 10 days. The following is a list of why I didn't succeed more often:

We will wake the kids - 54 times

It's too late - 15 times

I'm too tired - 42 times

It's too early - 12 times

It's too hot - 18 times

Pretending to be asleep - 31 times

The neighbors will hear - 9 times

Headache or backache - 26 times

Sunburn - 10 times

Your mother will hear us - 9 times

Not in the mood - 21 times

Watching the late show - 17 times

Too sore - 26 times

New hairdo - 6 times

Wrong time of the month - 14 times

You had to go to the bathroom - 19 times

Of the 36 times that I DID succeed, the result was not always satisfying because 6 times you just laid there, 8 times you reminded me that there was a crack in the ceiling, 4 times you told me to hurry up and get it over with, 7 times I had to wake you up to tell you I was finished, and once I was afraid that I had hurt you because you started thrashing around and breathing heavy. Let's try to improve this, shall we??

Love, Your Hubby

-------------------------

To My Dearest Husband,

I think things are a little confused. Here are the REAL reasons you didn't get more than you did this past year:

Came home drunk and tried to screw the cat - 23 times

Did not come home at all - 36 times

Did not come - 21 times

Came too soon - 38 times

Went soft before you got it in - 19 times

Cramps in your leg - 16 times

Working too late - 33 times

You had a rash, probably from a toilet seat - 29 times

Caught yourself in your zipper - 15 times

You had a cold and your nose kept running - 21 times

You had burned your tongue on hot coffee - 9 times

You had a splinter in your finger - 11 times

You lost the notion after thinking about it - 42 times

Came in your pajamas after reading a dirty book - 16 times

The reason I laid still was because you had missed me and were screwing the sheet. You seemed to be having a good time and I didn't want to move and spoil it for you. I wasn't talking about the crack in the ceiling. What I said was, "Would you like me on my back or kneeling?" The time I was thrashing around and gasping was when you farted and I was fighting for air. Maybe you can work on your "shortcomings?"

Love, Your Wife

Each year he sent her roses,

and the note would always say,I love you even more this year, Than last year on this day.

My love for you will always grow, With every passing year."

She knew this was the last time that the roses would appear. She thought, he ordered roses In advance before this day.

Her loving husband did not know, That he would pass away. He always liked to do things early, Way before the time. Then, if he got too busy, Everything would work out fine.

She trimmed the stems and Placed them in a very special vase. Then, sat the vase beside The portrait of his smiling face.

She would sit for hours, In her husband's favorite chair. While staring at his picture, And the roses sitting there.

A year went by, and it was To live without her mate. With loneliness and solitude, That had become her fate.

Then, the very hour, The doorbell rang, and there Were roses sitting by her door. She brought the roses in, And then just looked at them in shock.

Then, went to get the telephone, To call the florist shop. The owner answered, and she asked him, if he would explain, Why would someone would Do this to her, causing her such pain?

"I know your husband passed away, more than a year ago," The owner said, "I knew you'd call, and you would want to know.

The flowers you received today, were paid for in advance. Your husband always planned ahead, He left nothing to chance.

There is a standing order, that I have on file down here, And he has paid, well in advance, You'll get them every year.

There also is another thing, that I think you should know, He wrote a special little card...he did this years ago. Then, should ever I find out that he's no longer here, that's the card that should be sent to you The following year."

She thanked him and hung up the phone, her tears now flowing hard. Her fingers shaking, as she slowly reached to get the card. Inside the card, she saw that he had written her a note. Then, as she stared in total silence, This is what he wrote...

"Hello my love, I know it's been a year Since I've been gone. I hope it hasn't been too hard for you to overcome.

I know it must be lonely, And the pain is very real. For if it was the other way, I know how I would feel. The love we shared made everything So beautiful in life.

I loved you more than words can say, You were the perfect wife. You were my friend and lover, You fulfilled my every need. I know it's only been a year, But please try not to grieve.

I want you to be happy, Even when you shed your tears. That is why the roses will be sent to you for years.

When you get these roses, think of all the happiness that we had together, And how both of us were blessed. I have always loved you and I know I always will.

But, my love, you must go on, You have some living still. Please...try to find happiness, While living out your days. I know it is not easy, But I hope you find some ways.

The roses will come every year, and they will only stop, When your door's not answered, When the florist stops to knock. He will come five times that day, In case you have gone out.

But after his last visit, He will know without a doubt! To take the roses to the place, where I've instructed him and place the roses where we are, Together once again.

Sometimes in life, you find a special friend; Someone who changes your life Just by being part of it. Someone who makes you laugh until you can't stop; Someone who makes you believe That there really is good in the world.

Someone who convinces you that there really is an unlocked door Just waiting for you to open it. This is Forever Friendship. This is the sacred RED ROSE.

I saw this posted on a site I visit and I love it, thought you might enjoy it too!