Our blue swing

Oh dear, I think I need to buy a caravan!

2012-04-09T12:38:00.000-07:00

We've just spent a fabulous couple of days at a dear friend's family caravan. To say that the kids enjoyed it would be an absolute understatement.

From the moment I told Sophie that we were going she was counting down the days.

'That's not long' she would reply every time I told her how long it was until we set off on our mini holiday. For some reason the weather was in our favour - the road closing snow had cleared over night and there wasn't a cloud in the sky as we arrived at the pretty tea rooms and farm for ice creams.

We even managed to visit the new spring lambs and expectant mothers. I felt nothing but pity for the poor ewes trying to stay on their feet as the lambs kicked and jerked inside their swollen tummies - I remember that feeling!

We stayed on a site just oust side of Keswick in the Lake District - it was beautiful. So quiet and nestled upon a tranquil river flooded with wildlife. The perfect setting for 3 toddlers, 1 baby and 2 Mummies hoping for a couple of stress free days.

We made it to Keswick for the day - did the usual things; visited the lake, ran away from the geese, had lunch in a tea room, listened to the busker in the subway but we were pleased to return to our little quiet spot, ready for an evening of movies, popcorn and wine (for the mummies)

Now, I never thought that I'd be one for buying a caravan but how lovely it would be to have somewhere to disappear to when life at home is getting a bit boring/stressful/mundane. Who knows, maybe next time I'll be taking people to stay in my own home from home.

I wish I was 4....

2012-04-09T12:14:00.000-07:00

Sophie - 'Mummy, why are you looking at your phone and the computer at the same time?'

Me - 'erm, I don't know, I just am'

Sophie - 'well it's just as well you have 2 eyes isn't it!'

If only I could look at 2 different things at the same time - now that would be extremely useful!!

5 years on...

2012-02-02T18:26:00.000-08:00

Another year has passed since I had to say my last goodbye to my Mum - 5 in total now. I don't want to say that it gets easier as that isn't the right word. Somehow things just seem different, almost as if they never really happened.

My Mum was one of those people whom everybody loved. She was happy, fun, intelligent, beautiful, clever, charming, the list goes on. As a teenager I had the Mum everyone thought was cool. She seemed to understand what we were going through and I could tell her anything. I remember telling her when I first had sex - she was amazing! She asked how it was, was I happy, were we being careful - all of the things you need to be asked and none of the bad stuff. She rarely got angry and the only time I knew that I'd really disappointed her was when I felt like I couldn't tell her the truth. She was happy if I was happy and vice versa. We were like best friends - told each other everything, shared everything, relied on each other for everything. As a 15 year old this was the perfect relationship. She trusted me to make my own decisions, live my life and be happy. My friends lived by strict rules set by their parents, unable to tell them their deepest secrets whereas I could come home and chat to my Mum as if she were my friend. I felt so lucky. What I would give to have that now.

My Mum was quite a troubled soul. I've typed and deleted so many paragraphs going into details of our past, of the events leading up to her death but it just felt irrelevant. She never seem settled, always worried about being on her own. I always knew she liked to drink but didn't realise it was a problem until I was 17 and she was admitted to hospital with cirrhosis of the liver due to excessive alcohol intake. We were told it was unlikely that she'd be coming home due to the damage the alcohol had done to her liver. In true form though, my Mum was home within 4 weeks, celebrating Christmas and my 18th birthday as if nothing had happened.

After 7 years of stints in and out of hospital my Mum's body finally gave up. No longer able to undo the damage she had caused. I can still remember it all as if it were yesterday. I got the call 2nd January 2007 at my desk at work. She'd been admitted on boxing day with a burst ulcer. I'd only spoken to her on Christmas day from my skiing holiday and she hadn't mentioned anything about stomach pains, not wanting to ruin my first family holiday with B - her final selfless act. After spending 4 long weeks in hospital she'd had enough, gradually drifting in and out of consciousness until the point where the hospital called and said that we really needed to get there now (not an easy task when you're over 200 miles away) My brother and I jumped in the car with B and dashed to the hospital. I was so shocked to see her in those last few hours. Her body working so hard for each breath. I felt as if she had already gone. It was the worst moment of my life. How could she leave me, I needed her but it was too late. I was left in the room alone. Just me and my Mum, like it used to be so often. I didn't know what to do, what to say. I had to leave, needed some air, a rest from the heartache. I didn't last long, 20 minutes in the cafe trying to make sense of it all and I knew that I had to get back to her. Had to spend every last second I could with her. As I approached her room I knew that she was gone. The ward was eerily silent, no laboured breathing coming from her private room. Instead it was quiet, calm, peaceful even. We had to call the nurses who confirmed that she had passed. They took us to a private room and B left to get my brother. I sat alone in the nurses station staring at the clock. I can still see the clock now - exactly 7pm it was. I can't get that stupid clock out of head.

Even typing this I can't believe it actually happened, that she's really gone. Surely that was someone else, not me. Not my Mum. The saddest thing in all of this is what we have all missed out on. My Mum being a Grandma, being an amazing Grandma, cool, fun and completely inappropriate. Sophie often talks about Grandma Susie. My Grandmother (my Mum's Mum) died when I was 6 weeks old yet I always felt as though she was a part of our lives and that's what I am trying to do for my Mum. I talk about her to whoever will listen. I never want her memory to disappear. I accept it'll fade, they all do but as far as I'm concerned she's still an integral part of my life.

Sophie once said 'Mummy, did your Mummy die?'
'yes, she did' I replied
'well, that's okay' she said
'you don't need a Mummy because you've got me and Tom'

At the tender old age of 3 she's right. I have my own family now, my own life to lead and I will forever be devastated by the fact that my Mum isn't here to share that with me but I also know, deep down, that she's finally at rest. No more pain, no more torment, no more addiction, no more trying to make sense of her own life. My Mum will always be my Mum. She was an amazing woman with an illness which finally got the better of her. There's still a stigma surrounding mental illness. Our stiff upper lip prevents us from talking about it openly. If there's one thing that I've learned through all of this is that it can happen to anyone and it's all about awareness. No one believes that alcohol can really kill. Surely you can just stop drinking, but it doesn't work like that. We've discovered that the hard way.

I'm so proud of what my Mum achieved in her life. When it came to the heartbreaking task of emptying her flat of all of her possessions - a lifetime worth of things - I was completely overwhelmed by the fact that there was not one bottle of alcohol. She had been telling me for months that she'd kicked it and finally I had the proof. I was so proud of her. Sadly the damage had already been done. I brought home as much of her stuff as I could. It's all still sitting in the loft until I feel ready to sort through it. Her handbag still filled with the usual rubbish she hoarded - her letters, purse, hairbrush, lipstick, everything! I haven't even deleted her number from my phone. I suppose it's that part of me that can't fully let go.

I don't know why I've written this post today. Somehow it helps me to make sense of it all. You never know what people are going through behind closed doors and if it helps to make more people aware of the dangers of alcohol and mental illness then I'll be happy. I never believed all those years ago when I watched my Mum hide her bottle of cider in the washing machine that I'd be sitting here crying into the laptop, longing for the chance to speak with her again.

Memories fade but she'll always be a part of me and a part of my children. I still hear her when I speak to my brother and my Uncle David (my Mum's little brother) She's a part of each of us and no matter what has happened she will always be with us. I'm so proud to be able to say that I'm Susan Ridden's daughter. Anyone who knew her knows what an amazing person she was despite her troubles.

I love and miss her so much xxxxx

30 is the new 20

2012-01-15T13:38:00.000-08:00

Apologies for my sheer laziness this last week. My online presence has been lacking slightly due to the fact that on Tuesday I waved farewell to my 20s and started a whole new decade...

It's fair to say that I've been thrown off track and am feeling a tad disorientated. One minute I feel completely happy, settled and overall accepting of the fact that I am a grown up with responsibilities and a face that resembles that of my Mother. Then without warning nostalgia, regret, sadness and fear sets in! 30 years have gone and they aren't coming back. I still can't speak french, play the piano, run 10k, make a pair of curtains, bake a decent cake, pole dance, hang wallpaper, complete a crossword......the list goes on and on and on!

On the plus side I have bought 2 houses, got engaged, given birth twice

been an air hostess, booked a wedding, met Richard Branson, been scuba diving, learned how to crochet, come 2nd in a Jamaican dancing competition, had a pixie hair cut, been to New York, climbed a waterfall, spent a week crying on a pair of skis, played hockey dressed as The Stig and lots of other things I'd rather not mention!

Ahhhhhhhhh *exhales* I feel better already :)

So here I am in, throwing myself into the next stage of my life. Yes I'm a stay at home Mum spending hours dashing to school, cleaning, cooking, crying, shouting and generally feeling frazzled but that doesn't mean that I can't start on that still to accomplish list.

So in keeping with my desperate plight to fit into my too small wedding dress I'm going to make my first goal to be able to run 10k! I would class myself as a reasonably fit lady, much more so during hockey season but for some reason running is something which I really struggle with. After doing a little research I've discovered that my approach of doing nothing for months and then heading straight out to do 5k isn't the most effective. Apparently it's much better to start with a run/walk regime. Pfft! Would be my normal response to that - if I'm bothering to put my trainers on then I'm going for it. Not this time, this time I'm going to do it properly, no breaking rules, cutting corners or generally doing what I think is right because finally at the grand old age of 30 I can admit that I don't know everything and am wrong majority of the time.

The schedule I have chosen is courtesy of the lovely people at Runnersworld and it aims to get you to be able to continuously run for 30 minutes within 8 weeks.

The Schedule

Week 1 Run one min, walk 90 seconds. Repeat eight times. Do three times a week.
Week 2 Run two mins, walk one min. Repeat seven times. Do three times a week.
Week 3 Run three mins walk one mins. Repeat six times. Do three times a week.
Week 4 Run five mins, walk two mins. Repeat four times. Do three times a week.
Week 5 Run eight mins, walk two mins. Repeat three times. Do three times a week.
Week 6 Run 12 mins, walk one min. Repeat three times. Do three times a week.
Week 7 Run 15 mins, walk one min, Run fifteen mins. Do three times a week
Week 8 Run 30 mins continuously.

I imagine this will seem easy to some people (especially my bud Stephen) but I already feel nervous. The trainers and kit are out ready for my 6.30am alarm call, blurgh! So wish me luck, oh and of course, if you have any kind words of advise/wisdom then please do comment. Happy running!

A mouse in the house!

2012-01-04T08:30:00.000-08:00

Oh no, I think there's a mouse in the house! Now I'm not very clued up on the old vermon poo but I'm fairly convinced the little brown pellets in one of kitchen drawers is definitely excrement from our little furry friends. Just to make sure I thought I'd do a little google image search (as you do) and yup, these are what I found....thanks to the lovely images at all state animal control

The worst part of this is that initially I thought that Mr Blueswing had simply dropped some coffee granules into the drawer and so I picked one up to smell it *gags*

Now there wasn't a great deal of them, maybe 20 at the most and since searching every cupboard and drawer I've only found approx 5 more. These were under the kitchen sink which is where I am assuming they have come in.

Not really thinking too much about it I hoovered the little pellets, emptied the drawer and cleaned it with dettol. It is only since reading more that I think I've made a little boo boo.

Apparently the worst thing to do is sweep or vacuum as this spreads the dust particles thus scattering the germs everywhere. Also mice supposedly wee constantly so chances are wherever there is poo there'll be urine!!! Arggghhhh, this is getting bad.

So what am supposed to do now:

1. Throw away everything that was in the drawer or disinfect it thoroughly. Thankfully it was the tin foil/cling film drawer so that's not the end of the world

2. Empty the hoover and disinfect throughout!

Disinfect the hoover!!! I'm lucky if I actually clean the filters once in a while!!!!

I have since stumbled across a great blog entry that has made me feel better. Harry Stadler quite rightly pointed out in his Noticing animals blog that he's been living with a mouse in his house and he hasn't fallen ill yet.

Although I'm not the greatest of cleaners, the kitchen is always thoroughly cleaned and disinfected so surely the risk of falling ill is minimal?! I hope!

I do remember having mice in the house as a child. We only realised when we found mice prints in the solidified lard in the frying pan (that does make me feel quite queasy just thinking about it) My brother and I used to set little traps for them and take them to the fields to 'free' them. We loved it!

I don't remember my Mum being overly concerned or even scrubbing anything down and there were definitely no nasty illnesses to report.

So, until I have another coffee granule/mice poo incident I'm going to try and relax and if that isn't possible then a midnight kitchen stake out might be in order!

My eagerly awaited invite from Pinterest

2012-01-02T12:29:00.000-08:00

Today I received my official invitation to join the Pinterest community, whoop whoop!! If I'm being totally honest I don't really know much about Pinterest and only came across it when a friend starting posting interesting pics onto her Facebook profile.

Essentially, from what I can gather members create their own virtual pin boards of anything that they find interesting and want to share with the world. Now, this sort of thing wouldn't normally float my boat. I like to read people's thoughts and opinions rather than looking at an image that someone likes or would like to make/own/see.

So, how did Pinterest manage to make themselves appeal to me, make themselves interesting enough to ensure that I requested an invite? They made the club exclusive of course!!! You have to register your interest and then wait to be invited to join the community! Instantly I felt as though I was missing out on something huge and had an overwhelming urge to become a pin boarder!

You can imagine my excitement when I received my invite today! I've got myself pinning straight away and although I am just getting to grips with my new virtual world I can already say that I love it!! Sadly I know that this is going to become something else that takes up far too much of my time, but what the heck!

Here's my first pin

A must for any parent!!!!

So if you haven't already done so get yourself over there. You can follow me on Pinterest here

Happy pinning!!

Pingu, pine cones and stinky feet

2011-12-31T01:39:00.000-08:00

It's a relatively late start today with everyone staying in their own beds until 8am and although I know that there will be parents around the world who have already completed half of their daily tasks by then, I still can't help but feel cheated. Mainly because Daddy is still in bed, again! I don't know why it is a given that unless it is a special occasion or I am bed bound then it is my job to get up with the children. I'd love to do as Maisy Middleton's mum does and just push Daddy out of bed however a tired Daddy = grumpy Daddy so instead I've dragged myself from the bed and finally made it to the sofa!

(BTW if you haven't read this to your little ones it's well worth the purchase. Our copy is over 20 years old and is still going strong!)

So instead I am sitting on the sofa watching Pingu with 2 little feet in my face attached to a cheeky 2 year old shouting 'tickle my feet, tickle my feet, tickle my feet' This might be made a little cuter if he was actually wearing some form of underwear!

The other little person is demanding breakfast (in a very polite voice in all fairness) and all I want to do is cry as I must have woken up with a pine cone lodged in my throat. I don't know how it got there (and quite frankly I don't want to know) but it's there and it's bloody hurting!!!!

Maybe it's time to wake up Daddy and demand that he looks after me as surely having a pine cone stuck in your throat is a serious medical condition.

I much interrupt my feeling sorry for myself rant as the biggest little person has just asked me a question which has left me a little perplexed:

S: Mummy do you know what rabbits eat?

Me: I don't do you?

S: Yes, they eat birds and boobs

Me: Birds and BOOBS?

S: Yes, birds and boobs (she then starts to laugh hysterically)

How does a 3 year old even know that boobs is a funny word! She honestly thinks that she is hilarious. I'm going to blame Cbeebies as there is no way that we have taught her such smutty humour. I always knew that there something a bit sinister about Show Me Show Me!! I mean how can they really be that happy all of the time?!

Disclaimer: CBeebies is a wonderful channel which we watch most days and Show Me Show Me is not only educational but it is also great fun. Well done BBC! Phew, thought I'd better get that in there!

So the time has come where I really should go and sort out some breakfast. S is chanting 'please can we have some cereal, please can we have some cereal' which means anything other then Weetabix. Cereal has been promoted in our house to special treat status. S & T only get cereal when they have been really good. I know many will think that this is cruel but it's so lovely so see how excited they get over a bowl of Cornflakes, stick in a few blueberries and they think it's Christmas. They're very easily pleased :)

Once the birds have been fed I am most definitely off to raid the medicine box as there is nothing at all pretty about a Mummy feeling sorry for herself!

After party update...

2011-12-30T13:49:00.000-08:00

Well we've just arrived home after our New Year's eve eve party and I thought I'd give you a little update. The kids are sound asleep and Mr Blueswing has gone straight to bed, trying to recover from last nights very heavy night with the boys!

What a wonderful evening we've had! Picture 9 children aged 1-8 running around, laughing, chasing, shouting, crying, playing, eating, messing and generally having a great time. Well that is exactly what we have just had for the last 4 hours. It was perfect!!!

Thankfully the Mr was feeling a tad tender and couldn't face a drink so I managed to have a cheeky red wine with a lovely cup of tea in-between (a definite sign of getting old)

So here I am sitting on the sofa with a full tummy and a rosy glow to my cheeks looking forward to my bed. Sending a big thank you to our fabulous hosts and luckily we get to do it all over again tomorrow, happy days :)

New Year's eve eve

2011-12-30T01:28:00.000-08:00

Today our little family will be attending the first of 2 New Year parties (not sure how this has come about but we are)

Over the course of the last 5 years the impact that New Year's eve has our lives has changed dramatically. No longer do I rush to the shops searching out that perfect dress that'll wow everyone and set up the New Year nicely. No longer do I talk about New Year for an entire week and plan the evening with meticulous attention in the vain hope that I manage to see everyone who is important to me. No longer do I buy ridiculous amounts of alcohol including those bottles which I don't drink namely brandy, whiskey and gin just because it's New Year and I feel like I should. No, instead I throw on anything that I have in my wardrobe, preferably something warm and that sexy word - cosy! I then have to pack a bag for the children, again warm, cosy clothes, an extra change of clothes, zillions of pants and socks, coats (as you never know when they'll end up in the garden) and then of course jarmies so that if they do fall asleep it isn't a total nightmare. Then really we should stick toothbrushes in there so that we can actually brush all of the sugar away that they will have been fed over the course of the evening! Or do we accept that it's New Year's eve and the other kids are likely to have their teeth brushed, one night won't do them any harm, or will it? No the guilt of the possibility of life long bad teeth with ensure that the toothbrushes are also packed.

So now that we're all sorted in terms of what we're taking we now have to decide how we're getting there! Again something we wouldn't even consider when we were young and fun. No, it was a taxi all of the way, absolutely no discussion. Children however change all of this and as this evening's party is a 20 minute drive either myself or Mr Blueswing will have to drive. Dumdumdum!!!!! So how do we decide who pulls the short straw. Well, technically all of the other families there tonight are Mr Blueswing's friends, old school friends, his best buds so in his book that would make it only fair for him to have beers with his mates and so naturally Mummy will be on the water!

The great thing about tomorrow evening's party is that we can walk there and back so both can enjoy a cheeky tipple and as long as it isn't absolutely pouring with rain have a very pleasant (romantic even) stroll home seeing in the New Year together with our little people. Of course we'll be walking past party girls and boys heading off to wild events in their wow dresses and yes I will have a moment of envy. Wanting to dash home, throw on my glad rags and dance the night away. That thought will quickly be chased away by the lure of my lovely warm bed and my fluffy jarmies, much to Mr Blueswing's despair. I already know that even with the best of intentions to see the New Year in at the party with all of our friends we will be listening to Big Ben's chimes in bed, commenting on how extravagant the fireworks are considering the "current economic climate' and being thankful that we aren't queuing to get into a hideous bar at 12am only to then feel the need to kiss a bucketful of strangers.

So yes, times have changed and although we don't have the freedom to go from party to pub, back to house party and home at 5am, I really couldn't think of a better way to spend New Year's eve then with my fabulous little family (apologies Daddy if you've read this and it makes you feel a little sick from the soppiness)

So here's wishing you all a wonderful New Year whether you're hitting the tiles, hibernating for the evening and everything in between.

Who knows what 2012 is going to bring, hopefully much of the same for us.

Happy New Year everyone, enjoy xxx

Damn you Crunchie!

2011-12-29T12:38:00.000-08:00

Day 3 of officially tracking my calorie/food intake and I have discovered that I have eaten 8 crunchies in 3 days!

This surely can not be healthy but I simply have no will power. I would love to blame Gran who bought me the multipack for Christmas, that would make me feel so much better. However the reality is that I love them and could eat them all day long!

Just looking at this picture makes me want another. At least if I keep eating them eventually there will be none and then I can wean myself off of this this dreadful Crunchie addiction.

Until then thank Crunchie it's Friday!

And for the children this...

2011-12-29T08:10:00.000-08:00

How amazing would this be if you were 10?! In fact how great would it be to have your best pals over for a sleepover whilst Daddy takes this kids to see Granny and Grampy. I could imagine some funky curtains for each bunk, perfect for late night reading, giggling, telling ghost stories (I am back to talking about for a 10 year old here)

I would have been in heaven with this bedroom and from a Mummy's point of view it's a major space saver! All I need are 4 four children (of the same sex) to share it....

For my next home I would really love....

2011-12-29T07:53:00.000-08:00

A truly fabulous games room like this:

I've never really fancied a games room and only ever considered it as something that would keep Mr Blueswing happy but this.....well this is just perfect. I love how cosy and classy it manages to look. No harsh black furniture or hard seating. Just lots of space to sit and relax once the little people have retired for the evening. I wonder how I could fit this into our current home, hmmm, maybe if we sacrificed 2 bedrooms we could just about squeeze it in. I'm sure I could sell this to the Mr, as long as there's space to fit his piano and the bar is stocked with whiskey oh and maybe every Friday evening the lads can come round for beers and poker. I'm actually starting to talk myself out of this...

Myfitnesspal

2011-12-28T01:56:00.000-08:00

It's always good to have honest friends and I definitely do. I recently bought my wedding dress. As soon as I saw it I knew that it was the one. It was however used from Ebay which meant that if it didn't fit then I could't have it. Arrggghhh, no pressure. As girls do I took my trusty best pal with me to help get the dress on. The dress, although a dress size smaller was described as being large fitting so I didn't think for one second that it wouldn't fit. The little 'eek' from Nic who was standing behind me suggested otherwise. Being a determined girl, Nic would not be beaten by a stupid dress. I was then bent over whilst Nic hoisted this zip up (thankfully not nipping my skin) until I was finally squashed in. I was still hoping that even though I was unable to breathe/move/talk comfortably it still looked fantastic and the pain was hidden. This was not to be the case as Nic then announce that 'you definitely need to lose about half a stone as your back is squashed up that much it looks like a bum' Now only a true friend can really get away with making such honest statements. I am of course thankful as I know of some people who would have told me that I could get away with it and then would snigger when they saw the pics.

Of course I have now bought the too small dress (at a bargain price) and now have the challenge of losing 7 pounds to destroy the back bottom!!!! And so the title of this post is my new tool against fat. It's an app for my iPhone which allows me to input everything I eat and do and calculate how many calories I have for the rest of the day. I'm only up to day number 2 and have seen 2 days where my calorie intake is highlighted in red! Maybe the Christmas holidays isn't the best time to start!

Anyhoo, my weight loss ticker is at the top of the blog so feel free to snigger when my weight yo-yos. If you are keen to lose some Christmas bulge too then you can become my Myfitnesspal buddy. Just sign up and search for me lozzy55!!

I will get into that dress, I will get into that dress, I will get into that dress!!!

Becoming a wife

2011-12-28T01:01:00.000-08:00

So it's just over 6 months until I officially become a wife! I already feel / act like one but still the idea of it becoming official frightens me. I've spent 30 years with my name which I often get called as opposed to my first name and I suppose I've grown to love it. Yes, I want to have the same name as my children, the driving force for getting married but I can't help feeling that I'll lose a part of me, the silly young girl driving around in a battered Renault 5, wearing pink hats and falling asleep in lectures! Maybe I'm trying to cling onto something that I lost a long time ago.

Of course being a wife is a very grown up role. You need to be responsible for not only your own well being and feelings but also those of your husband. Yes we have children and so have something which ties us together but the reality is that if I wanted to run I could. No messy divorce, no need to tick the divorced box on any deeply intrusive forms. Instead once we're married if I decide that that little twitch he does in his sleep actually drives me to the point of wanting to kill, then there's no easy way out. Unless we went through the shame and scandal of D.I.V.O.R.C.E then I would be Mrs Twitch for the rest of my life.

The added bonus is that my married name will instantly make me stand out as Kate and Pippa are currently taking over the world. Who would have thought that the name Middleton would become so well known and on trend!

I imagine that every bride/groom to be has a moment of panic, I'm fairly certain Mr BlueSwing has had plenty. His normally results in an all day crisis session with his pals and a very sore head the next day.

So please feel free to offer any words of wisdom, get out clauses, better ideas (only joking of course)

A lovely warm (useful) pair of crocheted hand warmers

2011-12-14T14:26:00.000-08:00

I am most definitely into my crochet at the moment and was trying to think of something that I could make that would be useful. Given the current cold weather hand warmers are rather on trend and so I decided to make some with a twist....

Now I don't have a problem with my left and right but I do know a lot of ladies (yes, sorry ladies) that do. So not only will these lovely things keep their precious hands warm they'll also ensure that they know which way they are going!! I am pretty pleased with myself. Do please excuse the picture below - I didn't have a grown up volunteer and although the little people were very keen to help it wouldn't have had quite the same impact!

The sometimes frightening world of social networking - Take this lollipop if you dare!

2011-12-14T13:43:00.000-08:00

I have just clicked onto something that I really shouldn't have done! It was absolute peer pressure and foolishly I gave in against my better judgement.

The link if anyone gets a kick out of being terrified:

http://www.takethislollipop.com/

Of course the fact that it was asking to connect with my Facebook should have made me quickly click the little x, but no, I had to do it!

All that I can say is that I am not going to sleep easily tonight. Once entered you follow the camera to a man sitting at his computer. He looks like a character from The Hills Have Eyes or Wolf Creek (if you haven't seen either movie, don't!) He logs into Facebook and searches. To my horror my profile page came up. He scrolled through my pictures and my friends. He then types my location into Google maps and gets into the car with my profile picture stuck to the dash board.

To say that I am disturbed is an understatement! I am in a way, however, pleased that I have had this terrible experience. I have been forced to check my Facebook, Twitter and Blogger privacy settings, personal info and profile pictures. My Facebook profile picture was actually a picture of my 2 beautiful children making this even more disturbing.

So how much information are we really putting out there? Are we in any more danger from the 'bad people' then we ever have been or are we now super aware of all of the bad things that happen? Should we really post pictures of our children onto social networking/blogger sites? I really don't know the answers to any of these questions but I do know that whoever created that page is absolutely responsible for me getting no sleep tonight!!!

To buy or not to buy...

2011-12-14T11:52:00.000-08:00

So it's that time of year again and money is tight. As per, I end up in the position of finding something that I actually need, namely new jeans at a rock bottom price.

Only £7.50 delivered!!!!

Unfortunately Santa has forced me to ask the question 'do I absolutely need these jeans now??' Of course the answer is no as I still have 2 pairs of jeans (yes only 2) that are suitable for everyday wear and really can get away with wearing other leg attire. However, will I simply end up paying full price in 2 months time when one of my 2 pairs splits at the crotch flashing my zebra print pants to shocked Daddies at school? The simple answer, yes!

I already have a pair of these and they're lovely and no matter how many times I say they're only £7.50 the little voice coming from my money spreadsheet whispers 'that will buy you 2 cartons of milk, a loaf of bread and a tub of lurpak' Grrrrrrrrrrr, who has such spreadsheets anyway?!

Hmmm, to buy or not to buy.... probably not!

Life is Simple

2011-08-10T11:24:00.000-07:00

I have just come across this on a friend's Facebook page and I love it - sums up everything that I believe in.

I am, by nature, quite a flighty person and never want to miss an opportunity but also have no regrets. Life just happens and it's how we react to the many challenges we face that makes us who we are.

Wow, now I feel like a Mummy... (thanks to Lucy at Attic24 http://attic24.typepad.com/)

2011-08-10T08:32:00.000-07:00

I've only gone and made my first ever blanket! There's something so wonderfully satisfying about being able to make something, not only utterly gorgeous, but also incredibly useful and practical.

So here it is without further ado...

It's obviously a hit with Mini-me. What's not to love. Of course I can't take all of the credit for this as my inspiration was from my favourite blogger Lucy @ Attic24. As soon as I saw her completed blanket I knew that I had to make one!

I have made plenty of mistakes of course but this all adds to it's character.

I love, love, love my blanket and my Mum would be so proud!!!

Celebrating the Royal Armed Forces - an inspiration

2011-06-25T06:50:00.000-07:00

We have just returned home from a thoroughly enjoyable day celebrating the Royal Armed Forces. This was the first event held and it was just around the corner from our home. Not really knowing what to expect we packed our lunch and headed off. To be honest, I thought that we'd end up eating our lunch and walking to the park. 3 hours, 2 ice-creams, 2 rounds of bouncy castles, singing, dancing and clapping later we arrive home, happy, full, exhausted and with a greater respect for those in the Armed Forces and their friends and family. They had a number of VIPs including one lady who was simply inspirational. Sadly her eldest son was lost in battle and rather than getting angry/bitter she has thrown herself into supporting events like today, carrying on the message that her son was fighting for. Her youngest son has also signed up and is coming up to passing out. She looked so proud of both of her boys. I have absolute admiration for a lady who having lost 1 son to war is still able to encourage and support her other son in following in his brother's footsteps. I almost cried when I saw her. She was so positive and proud. I can't even begin to imagine what it must be like to lose a child and I am simply overwhelmed at some people's ability to turn everything into a positive. Puts all of my petty little gripes into perspective!!

Not a good finisher...

2011-06-25T01:19:00.000-07:00

All my life I've never been great at finishing things. I'll get a fantastic idea in my head and go for it only to leave it when it's only 50% completed. An example? Last Thursday when OH was out working all day I decided to finally touch up that bit of paint in the dining room that had been driving us both mad for weeks. Once I had gone to the effort of opening the paint, finding a suitable paint brush and donning old painting attire I felt like it would be a waste to only paint that small 3x3 square. Where else to paint?? I know, the hall and the stairs and the landing! So I gradually worked my way around the hall, up the stairs and as high up the walls on the landing as I could reach. Unfortunately this now means that we have a lovely big line across the top of the walls where I couldn't get to. Of course, finishing up at 11.45pm I had every intention of getting the paint back out the next day or maybe the day after and completing the job. 1 week and 2 days later and the paint has been safely stored away in the cupboard. My excuse, I've been too exhausted to get the paint out and stay up late to finish it or is the reality just that it was better than before therefore is acceptable and doesn't need finishing. Eventually I know that OH will get a bee in his bonnet and finish it but why don't I have the desire to do it. I'm more than happy to start something but find it really difficult finishing it. So what shall we do today? Get the paint out and finish the job or pack up a picnic and head to the beach? I think I know what we'll be doing...

Train to be a nursery nurse? No thanks!

2011-06-25T00:52:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was DD's first school sports day at her nursery and I can safely say that I will never be training to be a nursery nurse. Those poor girls tried desperately to organise a 30+ group of 2/3/4 year olds whilst under the beady eyes of proud parents/grandparents/carers. Remarkably they did a great job, children running races, Mummies and Daddies taking copious amounts of pictures (myself included) and minimal crying. So hats off to those poor girls and great job done. Think I'll stick to just looking after my noisy 2!

Getting those creative juices flowing

2011-06-23T14:50:00.000-07:00

So, I've just taken up a new hobby - Crochet! As a belated birthday present my lovely brother Kev and his gorgeous girl Vic bought me everything I needed to get myself crocheting (I think they felt that I needed a bit of inspiration) Surprisingly, I've actually managed to pick it up. I can proudly say that yesterday I completed my first 2 full projects:

Get ready for the ta da moment.......

Here is my lovely new cozy i-phone holder. My friend was recently given one from her pal and I instantly wanted one, so I thought how hard could it be?! I trawled the internet trying to find a decent pattern but to no avail and so I decided to just go for it and see what I ended up with.

I have honestly impressed myself. Using crochet bible - Encyclopedia of crochet techniques by Jan Easton I created this. It took me an evening in front of the television (a good distraction from the uncomfortable viewing that is The Apprentice) and it was complete. Even dear other half looked shocked that I had managed to create something useful.

My second creation is this bright pink hat with a flower on for my very girly girl Sophie. Her reaction when I gave it to her this morning made all of the unpicking and starting again so worth it. She immediately put it on and paraded around the bedroom showing Daddy and Tom her new hat.

Never did I imagine that being creative would be so rewarding. As a kid I remember my Mum making me clothes and dressing up outfits for my nursery school. It amazed me that she was able to create such lovely things - she made it look so easy and I was super proud. I've got a long way to go before I'm able to produce anything like she did but it feels so good knowing that I have started.

Now time to think of something to make little Tom Tom.

...and breathe.

2011-06-23T10:15:00.000-07:00

2 baths, 1 shower, 3 meals, 1 trip to the shops and lots of mess later...I'm exhausted. What a long day this has been. Life is hard when your other half is studying for a Phd. There's no escape from the never ending grind of housework and cooking. The fact that I get to spend all day with my 2 (mostly lovely) children is wonderful but oh, what I wouldn't give for a day back in the office. Sitting at my desk with a cup of tea and a caramel slice. The pointless chat with people whom I rarely see nowadays. Of course, I took it for granted at the time. Eating whenever I wanted, drinks, social nights and trips away. Everyone says 'enjoy it now before the children arrive' and do we listen, Nope, no way, they had to have been exaggerating. 3.5 years later and here I am, listening to my children fighting over who had the singing tea pot first!

I have to stop and ask myself, if Little Rabbit Foo Foo's good fairy came down and gave me 1 chance to change, would I? Absolutely not!!