Last night I could have had mince pies for dessert. But I don’t really like mince pies….and it was the 13th of October!!!!! Anyone else but me think that’s craziness?!

Anyway today I didn’t wash my hair, shock horror. I’ve decided to try going down to washing my hair every other day, i’m sure it must be better for it AND it means my shampoo and conditioner will last twice as longs, thus saving me money. Any bets how long I’ll last? So my hair is up and feeling yucky.

We had a prayer meeting first thing in the office and then came upstairs and did all the important things that you should do when you get into work – check email, facebook and see if there are any comments on your blog. No comments. No comments for AAAAAGGGGEEESSSS, does anyone out there care?

Then me and Rachelwent outside and took the 4 smaller flats outside, leaned them against the lockup and painted them ‘Moonlight Bay’ (white with a hint of bluey purpley stuff). I managed to get covered in paint though I’m not sure how, Rachel got paint on her face, we got paint on the lockup, and on the floor of the car park. And on the flats too

Then we came upstairs and painted the blocks on top of the Tastey boys desk (sssh don’t tell them). Then faffed on the computer for a bit, then went downstairs to eat some lunch (Dairylea and Tuna….pause to appreciate the yummyness……..) Then went back upstairs and faffed a bit more, then we had a Team meeting at 2pm which was interesting, talking mainly about plans for Christmas 2009 which sound very exciting!!

Then we went back downstairs and moved the flats into the lockup, came upstairs and varnished the blocks, mmmm love the smell of varnish, so we’re all a little bit high now! Now doing some work on my newsletter before hometime. Tonight I have to watch Neighbours, Hollyoaks and Holby City and learn my memory verses for tomorrow.

Check out our Team Photo:

Ok so where did I last get to….

Well Thursday evening Rachel picked me up in the van about 7.30pm and we picked Ollie up and drove up to Ipswich. We got trapped behind a wide load on the A12 ALLLLLLLL the way, but still made it in just over an hour. We were staying with a lovely couple called Ian and Sue who had a huge house and made us feel very welcome! Rachel and I shared a room (I bagged the double bed first ). We were made hot chocolate and teacakes…mmm…and I was FORCED to watch Heroes. Didn’t understand it, didn’t really like it so that was that. Rachel loves Heroes, and Dave and Ollie are getting into it – so just leaves me as the only sane one!! We had a fairly early night as the alarm went off at 5.30am…ugh.

Jumped…with as much enthusiasm as is possible at that time in the morning into the shower, very nice shower and heated floor, yay! We had breakfast and then left the house just after 6.30. Ian came in the van with us to direct us and we got the the school at 7am. Rachel went off to find someone who had some idea of where we should be going and we were directed through some gates which were locked so we had to then find someone who could unlock them…anyway eventually we reversed upto the door and unloaded into their chapel which was only a couple of years old and really nice, with a perfect little stage. We were given tea/coffee and met Linda and Neil from CYM who were the contacts between us and the school. The school was hosting a ‘Curriculum Day’ where there were various sessions happening of which we were one. We did three Abi and Trasha’s for a mixture of yr 10s-13s (Age 14-18):

9.10-10.25: The largest group, about 30 students. This was the toughest crowd who didn’t get into it as quickly as we hoped! Made Rachel’s job all the harder to try and get them involved, but she did very well!

10.25-10.45: Breaktime…we ventured into the staffroom, scary scary place!!

10.45-12.00: Second group, slightly smaller and slightly more responsive.

12.05-1.20: Last group, slightly bigger than the second group but not as big as the first group and the most responsive – mainly thanks to a girl called Amanda!

We then went for lunch in the canteen – were told to push right to the front and help ourselves which caused problems for the dinner ladies but we got away with it! We then packed down in 17mins, loaded and were away by 2.20.

Travelled back listening to 80s Movie Theme songs (Who ya gonna call?!) , came back to the office and unloaded everything, popped briefly into the office then left just before 4pm. Rachel dropped me off at the station and I got the train back to Braintree, arriving at Sarah’s about 5.45. Lewis came round and we had dinner and bathed Maddie and Emi, put them to bed and spent the evening watching TV.

Friday I had a lie in and spent the morning playing with Maddie, then Mum came round and we went to see my Nan in Braintree. Came back and everyone except me had Cheese on Toast, I waited for Lewis to come pick me up and the plan was we were to go to Aqua Springs in Colchester but we didn’t have enough time so went back to his instead and did some preparation for K4J. 5pm came round far too quickly and we went down the the Church Building and set up for K4J. It was good to be back and see everyone again and I enjoyed doing K4J again, even if the kids were a bit naughty!! After was A2J (after going and getting a chinese takeaway, yum!) which was good. Then went back to Sarah’s and Auntie T and David were there so saw them for a bit, then watched Hollyoaks (Niall is so horrible!!!) and went to bed!

Heard Maddie shouting ‘LAURA!!’ from the kitchen on Saturday morning so got up against my will…. Spent the morning in and then Lewis came round and we went to Freeport, i saw a top/dress thing I liked but Lewis said it looked like a nightie, so i didn’t buy it. Hmph. Then we went into town, had lunch at Yumi and met Sarah, Maddie and Emi to go to Larissa’s 1st Birthday party. The Church had been decorated amazingly and there was so much yummy food! Was nice to chat to a few people too! After went back to Lewis’s for a bit, then went to Sarah’s (via Tesco to buy Pizza and Garlic Bread) to Babysit! Maddie had had a tantrum so was ready for bed by 7, but she was fine once Sarah and Matt had gone. We played for a bit and then she went to bed just before 8, all snuggley under her duvet in her big bed. Very cute!! We watched X Factor while eating dinner (I ate 3 slices of Pizza and 2 pieces of Garlic Bread, Lewis ate 13 slices of Pizza and 4 pieces of Garlic Bread, pig!) and then woke Emi up to give her a bottle and Lewis cuddled her and put her to bed, then we watched the results show – bad decision I feel, Girl Band should so have gone!!

Sunday morning Maddie knocked on my door to get me out of bed which was cute. We had croissants and bacon for breakfast and then I read some books with Maddie, then we all went up to Sainsbury’s and me and Maddie had fun running up and down the aisles on missions to get clingfilm. I then walked to the church to meet Lewis and we went to Aroma for lunch with a few other people. I was sensible and didn’t totally stuff myself, but the food is so good! I could eat chinese every day Then I went to Freeport to buy a suitcase and met Lewis back at home. Saw the latest progress of the Kitchen which still looks HUGE but great! Went back to Lewis’s to sort the songs out he wanted, then went to Church for 5.30 as Lewis was leading and I was singing. After church I dragged Lewis out the door to get back to Sarah’s before Maddie went to bed! Put Maddie to bed, had a drink, grabbed my stuff and then Lewis drove me back to Billericay. Unpacked and went to bed as I was shattered!!

Now it’s Monday and I’m at the office, sorted out all the props this morning (whilst listening to a vast range of music), explored the new look Sainsbury’s at Lunchtime, about to start work on my Newsletter and then hopefully having a quiet evening of TV watching and early night!

Phew 1137 words!

Well the alarm went off at 5.40am….ugh. I got up at 5.50am and was ready by 6.20am. Result! That’s why you should do everything the night before, more sleep time!! We went to the office and picked up the van and were at the Cedar Hall School, Thundersly by 6.45. The caretaker hadn’t been warned we were coming but all was fine and he was lovely and made us tea!!

We set up and were all done, soundchecked, changed etc by 8.30. Our first lesson was from 9.10-10.05. We performed All About Abi and Trasha and it was so much fun!! They really got into the spirit of it and were yelling at me! Then they had a break and we did a follow up lesson from 10.20-11 where we did ABT, Street Tuff and What’s It Worth, with a few questions and links which I led a couple of and it was great!!

The third lesson was 11-12.05 where we did AAA and Trasha. The teenagers were slightly older, and really got into shouting at me which was great! We finished at 12.05ish and then all the staff descended to set out the chairs for lunch so it was a bit of a chaotic set down! But we were all done and away by 12.50.

Met a lovely girl called Sammy who kept teling me how well I did which meant so much! Thanks!!

Now back home to pack and shower and then going up to Ipswich tonight so we are there for the school in the morning!

So yesterday I stayed in bed til 10am, then left the house about 11, got the train to Chelmsford, arrived about 12 and met Mum, Sarah, Maddie and Emi (Maddie had the most beautiful shoes!!!) We had lunch in Wetherspoons, where Maddie fell out of her highchair and wasn’t very happy Emi had some big girls food and a bottle which was very exciting! We spent the afternoon shopping, I bought two tops, a jumper and a pair of trainers. We had a drink in BHS and Maddie kept playing with the lift and I got to give Emi a bottle Mum, Sarah, Maddie and Emi left about 5 and I went to H&M and bought a top, then had a wander round and went to Costa and had a coffee while I waited for Lewis. He arrived about 6.20 and we had a drink, then went to Burger King, then went to the Cinema to see Mamma Mia (2nd time for me!). It was fabulous and happy and fun!! Lewis then took me back to Billericay.

Today we were rehearsing All About Abi in the Barn all day, eating chocolate cake and improvising the section of schools work called ‘Trasha’. Lots of fun!! Our last rehearsal of Abi today went down the pan slightly when i got the giggles big time. Ah well, as long as I don’t do that tomorrow!! Feel fairly prepared, we’re at Cedar Hall school in Thundersley and i’m quite looking forward to it. Being picked up at 6.20am though so better get an early night!!

Holby City now

Had an awesome time in Dover, my first Adult Mission. We travelled to Dover on Friday morning, arrived about 10.45 and were greeted by lots of lovely people who helped us unload. They had clearly put loads of effort into planning the event and had put up posters and balloons and pictures on the walls and bits and pieces in the foyer. We set up and at 12.30 were provided with a yummy ploughmans. We then spent the afternoon finishing set up, soundchecking (various funny things which we will hold against certain people involving mics being on mute and altered frequencies) and rehearsing. At 5pm we were treated to a 3 course meal: Mackeral and Salad; Chicken wrapped in bacon with potatoes, veg and mushroom sauce; and a fruit tart with cream; all of which was very nice!! Conversation wasn’t so pleasant, after discovering half a pigeon behind the van, and convinced Mike did it on purpose, there was many a squished animal story being told!! We had a prayer meeting before the event started and then it all kicked off around 7pm. The running order went something like this:

It was the first time we had performed Jessica’s Story and it went really well. I really enjoyed it and wasn’t too nervous which was great! I was a little nervous about the monologue at the end, not only was it emotional but i was carrying a candle and had to go down a step and then back up by only the light of this candle! All went well though and i didn’t feel nervous at all. It was good to chat to a couple of people afterwards too.

We went back to our hosts, I was staying with a lovely lady called Barbara who lives by herself in a 2-bed flat. She looked after me very well!!

Saturday was Golden Years (aimed at people 55+), we arrived about 10am (to hear stories of people’s mornings: Rachel having to force the bathroom door open at her host’s to rescue Joyce who was trapped inside, Dan almost getting into the wrong car….the kind of things that were brought up many a time over the weekend and will continue to be in jokes no doubt!) to change the staging slightly, soundcheck and rehearse. We then had a lovely lunch of soup and rolls and crisps and really good cookies! Conversation somehow got to our ideal houses and bouncy castle rooms, bubble wrap rooms, light rooms and LAN party rooms. Hmmm…. The event started at 2.30 and went something like this:

The sketch we did was as Bill and Ben, the flowerpot men and seemed to go down quite well! We’ve hardly ever got it right in rehearsals but managed on the stage! Rachel did a monologue which was brilliant and I read the poem Footprints. After a slight struggle with getting soundcues right in rehearsals, it was spot on in the event, and sounded great!!

We had sandwiches and cakes and tea after and then set up for the sunday service. Got back to Barbara’s about 6pm, and she had made a pork casserole with carrots, sprouts and mash and nectarines for afters. We then chatted for a couple of hours and she told me lots of interesting things! I went to bed fairly early as the day seemed to take it out of me!

Got to the church about 9.30am and soundchecked and made sure everything was ready for the service. We prayed before hand and then the service started at 10.30. We caused slight controversay by holding the service in the hall not the church building itself, but this meant we could have all of our equipment and we didn’t have to pack down and re set up! The service went something like this:

The sketch we did was a modern day Prodigal Son, where I played Suzie the girl who left home and got into bad company and returned home thinking her parents wouldn’t want to have anything to do with her. For this part I had really messy hair, thick smudged black eyeliner and smudged lips – great fun! Apparently I looked quite rough, I got offended saying I always have my makeup like that! After that I had about 6mins to clean off my makeup, get changed, do my hair and re-mic before being back on stage looking respectable for the Bible reading!! Anyway all went well and people seemed to enjoy the service and the whole weekend. The food afterwards was amazing!!! That church definitely knows how to feed people well!

We started packdown at 1pm and by 2pm we were loaded and on our way. Until smoke started coming out of the speaker and we had to stop and Dan discovered the fuse for the heating had well and truly melted! Journey back was good, wet but good! We unloaded at the office and re-loaded for Wednesday and I was home about 4.30. Had a fairly lazy rest of the day and just about to plan Kids Club for Friday as I’m being dragged willingly back to lead it! Mum and Dad are coming to see me tomorrow so looking forward to that!