the heretic genetic algorithm

I haven't posted for a bit. Lots of ideas for posts, but not enough time I guess.

Trip to Stockton to see the in-laws went fine. Ben is turning into a charming baby - easy-going and with a sense of humour. He has a dirty little chuckle, which became very apparent when we were playing on the swings the other day. The only downside to him is he won't really sleep during the day. But he's enjoying occasionally being babysat by my aunts, and we're enjoying that too, and the whole baby thing is going swimmingly.

My mum left a message on my answerphone. Not really a very compelling one. I need to think what to do with that really, but I'm not backing down and taking Ben to see her without some firm boundaries in place. She's leaning heavily on my brother now, which isn't fair at all. Ho hum.

My brother invited his girlfriend over to mine for Christmas. I would say without asking, but to be fair, he did ask her in front of me. Doesn't really count though, does it?

Garden and allotment are doing fine. I'm keeping the allotment mostly together, and have a lot of winter veg in. Much as I hate to do it, I need to put some slug pellets around my brassica before they disappear completely. Hmph. My brother did some cement work in my front garden which has made it look fantastic. Tomorrow we have new lino in the kitchen, and later in the week the plumber is ocming to fix some small issues. I've learned that doing things comes in waves when you have a small child - a few weeks of chaos, then a fortnight of getting things together.

Not much else to add. Don't watch Tideland, though - it's depressing!

The great New Year clean has begun.

Just before Christmas, I threw out nearly a bin bag full of out of date food and empty bottles that my ex had accumulated in the store cupboard. Other than the bag breaking on the way to the bin, and the fact my wheelie bin is now full, that felt good.

Today I finished defrosting the fridge and freezer. Then I pulled thm both out, and cleaned underneath and behind them. The amount of mould and dead food there was quite outrageous, really, considering I did this just before I moved out.

Slowly, slowly, I'm reclaiming my house.

So basically, January is going to be a month of cleaning, reorganising, and making the house my own. February, I start on the garden. I have some resolutions, which I'll eventually write up, but first things first...

I'm actually pretty knackered after all that, so I'm off to play GTA. Then bed.

I cleared a whole van-load of crap out of my house today, and I feel so much better for it. Loads of stuff has gone to the recycling centre, leaving space for me to sort out other big mounds of clutter.

I can't believe how much better this makes me feel. It's a huge weight off my mind, as well as a huge weight off my patio.