Bless you all - thank you so much for all your lovely birthday wishes.
I hadn't said anything to you all before, but Darryl (DH) was made redundant 4 weeks ago so it's been a horrid few weeks.
However, he gave me the best birthday pressie ever yesterday. He went for an interview in the morning for a new job and he starts on Monday

Not only is this a huge relief - not only financially, but for my sanity

Only jesting, it's been nice to have him around during my summer hols from school, but I am used to him working away during the week so it has been a bit strange!
We were very fortunate to be able to set aside a little bit of money to tide us over for a few months if he wasn't able to secure a new position. Because he has, and quite quickly, it means he's given me the ok to book a little old trip to somewhere warm from 22nd - 31st October. Gosh, I wonder where I might be looking!!!
We really hadn't intended to have a family holiday this year - Katie (DD) and I were so lucky to have a trip to New York in April for her 16th and Darryl was not interested in joining us at all

(what a strange person

). It's our 50th birthdays next year so we're planning a big trip to somewhere nice to celebrate that.
But you know what, when something like his redundancy gets thrown at you it makes you look at life a little differently so we're going to go away and worry about next year later!!
Had a wonderful day yesterday with many friends (ok, perhaps a bit too nuch of the alcohol last night

) and I feel a very lucky person
