So Much to Do

I've moved and made a promise to myself..

noreply@blogger.com (Beth) — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 21:40:00 +0000

The title of this blog is way too negative, so I've moved over to 'It's My Good Life'

I hope you follow me. :)

Goodbye....

noreply@blogger.com (Beth) — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 21:12:00 +0000

I've never been one for switching projects frequently..

But...

despite fitting my life so aptly, reading back through So Much To Do doesn't really have 'it'... Whatever 'it' is.

Maybe I'll be back to So Much To Do but for now... So Much To Do will sit with the 'unused, but still there' blogs.

Thank you to everyone who has read So Much To Do... I will be sure to forward the address of my next venture to you all, if you liked what you read. :)
I will also keep following all the other lovely Mummy Bloggers I love to read about. :)

Thanks

Beth xxxx

Confessions of a fantasising Mammy...

noreply@blogger.com (Beth) — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 16:22:00 +0000

In line with a few posts I've seen recently including some very yummy men I'd like to add my own (albeit embarrassing) contribution.

Can you not see it? Those gorgeous blue eyes, they actually demand I go to bed.... mmmmm.. *Sorry, back to it now*

I think he's yummy and an incredible actor, which makes for a very interesting watch.

If I'm honest though there's only a few films I can recall off the top of my head and they are: Zorro; Meet Joe Black (that actually has two yummy men); The Silence of the Lambs; Hannibal and Red Dragon. Then there are the not-so-easy-to-remember films -> he plays a mathematician, I think.. Anyway, totally off the point.

Anthony Hopkins was pretty fit considering his great age.

Some random facts :

He was born on 31/12/1937
He was born in Margam, Wales which isn't that far from me
He has a career spanning SIX decades.

Oh, and I almost forgot:

He's looking exceptionally old now and a lot less attractive.

Weigh-In Wednesday!

noreply@blogger.com (Beth) — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 14:45:00 +0000

So my first weigh in...

I've decided not to post pictures and measure every week, as we won't notice much of a difference with the odd lb here or there.... but every 4 weeks will be ok.

Weight = 19st 13.6lb
Weight Loss = 1.5lb since last week (21.4lb altogether) :)
BMI = 43.5 (47 originally)

I am completely thrilled because 13 weeks after Dot was born I am within 9lb of my pre-pregnancy weight, and I'm back under 20st... Ok, so it's only just under, but it is still under. :)

This week I have found difficult because it's been AF week, and all I've wanted to do is munch.. and we haven't eaten all that well either..
I also haven't exerted myself in any way, other than the odd bit of cleaning up. ;)

So, tonight is going to be a yummy feast of Sausage Casserole, Mashed Potato and Yorkshire Pudding. :)
So, if anyone is on the same journey please link to your post below. :)

Happy 3 Month Birthday!

noreply@blogger.com (Beth) — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 23:31:00 +0000

As it is Dot's 3 month birthday, I'll celebrate by posting some pictures.

This free photo slideshow created with Smilebox

The last 3 months have been wonderful.. Sometimes hard, but wonderful all the same. Dot is growing up wondefully, and it also feels like she's always been here.

Random Facts

Dot has a 7oz bottle at 8am, 11am, 2pm, 5pm and 8pm...

She has slept 8 hours a night since her second night, and 12 hours since Saturday night.

She loves water and goes to Water Babies every Tuesday.

She has a tongue-tie.

She has an umbilical hernia.

Oh and the most important - She is absolutely gorgeous. :)

Meal Plan Monday!

noreply@blogger.com (Beth) — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 21:20:00 +0000

Ok, so I know it's Tuesday, but I ummm... kinda forgot yesterday... Sorry.

So a recap over last week... I intended on cooking

Macaroni Cheese

Chilli Con Carne served with Jacket Potatoes (Jacket Potatoes, Cheese and Spaghetti Hoops for Little Man)

Minted Lamb Casserole served with Boiled Potatoes

Chicken Risotto

Fish served with Mashed Potato and Peas

Homemade Turkey Nuggets served with Salad

Vegetable Curry served with Couscous

And most of it didn't happen... :(

Somehow I only cooked Minted Lamb Casserole, and Fish... I don't know what happened to the other days.. I probably just cooked something different. I know we've been naughty twice and had takeaway, but feck it we only live once.

Anyway... onto this week.. what culinary delights do I have planned?

Pasta with Lamb Sauce

Chicken in Tomato Sauce served with mixed vegetablesTurkey Meatballs with Sweet Pepper Sauce

Roasted Vegetables with Minted Couscous

Crockpot Corned Beef Hash served with crusty rolls

Sausage Casserole served with Mashed Potatoes & Yorkshire pudding

I've spent under my weekly budget this week - £63. So a little more than pleased about that.

Dydd Gwyl Dewi Sant Hapus!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Beth) — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 22:27:00 +0000

Today is 1st March 2010, which means only one thing to us ever-so-patriotic Welsh.... Saint David's Day.

There is also a lovely post over at Bare Naked Mummy. :)

I'm not going to be able to give you any facts about Saint David's Day... but I will tell you how it was celebrated by us.

Little Man attends a Welsh medium school.. It's a lovely little school, and has maybe 200 children (and that's overestimating). He's been there since Feb last year and is coming on in leaps and bounds! :)

Today, Little Man dressed up as a rugby player, despite us losing on Friday evening, and he was proudly sporting his lovely leek (which was almost as big as him). And went on his journey to school. :)

This afternoon his wonderful little school held the annual Eisteddfod, and invited parents, families and friends to join in the celebration. :) It was wonderful... all the children from Derbynfa (reception) up to Year 6 took part.

One thing today has made me realise though - I must brush up on my oral Welsh skills because I'm having serious problems keeping up with Little Man, at the rate he's learning..

Shopping makes me nervous

noreply@blogger.com (Beth) — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 23:25:00 +0000

I've never been one for shopping, in fact I (under normal circumstances) absolutely detest it.

The very thought of even attempting a shopping trip sends me back and fore the toilet with a decidedly awful case of 'nerves'. It's something I've failed to figure out a reason for.

But, last week, I decided I had to push through the nerves, otherwise it'd never happen, plus I really wanted a pair of boots, and I needed to buy a baby monitor for Dot.

I succeeded with the first task pretty easily, walk into Argos, and give the assistant my reservation number. Then while waiting for the actual product, the nerves arrived, so I had to sit down pretty quickly, and force J into picking up the item when our number was called.

As soon as I was out of the store, my nerves quite conveniently disappeared.

The second task seemed a little more difficult, actually going shopping in a real shopping mall, instead of just the retail parks. Then there was the mammoth task of finding a pair of boots to fit my mammoth 20" calves. I expected it to last at least an hour....

.......But, for the first time in my entire life, I walked into the first shop and came out holding my very first (ever) pair of boots that actually FIT my calf! :) I can't explain how excited I was... I seriously was like a teenage girl.

The nerves were overcome, in that particular shop, with extreme excitement.

They really are lovely boots, as you can see from the picture. :)

They are comfortable, and (more) elegant (than I normally wear). In fact I can actually walk in them.

I've had to have them peeled off me, because I love them soooooo much. :)

It was an even more successful shopping trip because my nerves kept away for the rest of the afternoon.

We stopped for a bite to eat, and to feed Dot in a nice cafe... and it was lovely. It was nice to spend some quiet(ish) time away from home with J. We didn't argue, in fact we've never got on better. I felt calm and cool. For a change.

I also managed to find Dot some white tights in Mothercare, after hunting every more local shop for them.

J talked me into going into Bhs, somewhere I never go.. and promptly wish I hadn't... we came out only after spending almost £100...

Dot gained a new pink/white gingham dress, a Winnie the Pooh skirt and top set, and a lovely new pink coat. :)

Little Man gained a Ben 10 jacket, and Ben 10 swimming trunks..

I'm hoping this has spelled the end of my shopping nerves, but it will truly be tested later in the week, when we go looking for a new fridge-freezer, as both our fridge and freezer have decided to start leaking water onto my lovely clean kitchen floor.

Why does my baby have to grow up? Part 2!

noreply@blogger.com (Beth) — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 10:06:00 +0000

Well after last nights events my Baby Dot slept through until 8am....

She woke up cooing, not crying, with a nappy saggy enough to touch the floor (if she was walking) but didn't complain once.

Well at least not until she saw her bottle... then it was a case of 'feed me yesterday, now'.

Either way, I'm so so proud of my big girl.

Why does my baby have to grow up?

noreply@blogger.com (Beth) — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 22:20:00 +0000

Ahhhh, Dot is so grown up now. She's been up in bed since 8pm, and we haven't heard a peep out of her.

Up until now she's been sleeping in her crib in the evenings until midnight when we go up to bed. But for the last week I've been toying with the idea of putting her up after her bath and bottle.

We attempted it on Thursday night, but after settling her down upstairs we discovered, as Sod's Law dictates, the monitors were broken.. and just like that the plans were scuppered.

So, yesterday we went on a marathon shopping trip (to be discussed), and bought the Tommee Tippee Movement Sensor Monitor.

(Briefly going off track to say how great it is. I sneered at these when Little Man was a baby, thinking how neurotic it would be to have one, this time round I understand, and after just 2 nights of using it, I love it.)

So, back to where I was.... tonight we were finally ready to start the proper bed-time routine.

Dot was bathed at 7.30pm, and ready for her bottle at 8.

I put her in her cot at 8.30, turned her mobile on and left.

She didn't cry or kick up a fuss, just lay there looking at her flowers.

I do hope this bodes well for the future as Little Man, at this age, would not settle himself no matter how long I left him. And even now, he struggles to fall asleep at bedtime. In fact up until last August he was still coming in our bed at 2am.

Fingers crossed though ay?

My first vlog! ;)

noreply@blogger.com (Beth) — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 20:21:00 +0000

Ok, so Dot's first vlog! hehe.

Must maintain control...

noreply@blogger.com (Beth) — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 22:32:00 +0000

So, J said something earlier that made me sit down and re-evaluate myself. It made me think back to when we first got together.

I did tell him before we 'fell' together that 'I am almost impossible to live with.'
Eighteen months and a baby later I think he's finally realised just how true that statement was (and is), and he decided to let me know with a more than obvious comment of :

'You're not happy unless you're in control'.

And, in all honesty, yes, I'm not happy unless I'm in control. It's like and obsession with me, and without said control I feel like my life doesn't belong to me anymore.
I'm bossy, and controlling. I have to know everything about everyone otherwise I feel like I've lost my grip on reality. To be honest, I don't really care what Mrs Number Four has done, or bought, or won, but I need to know because, well, just because....

The housework has to be done MY WAY, because only I know what's right :) (even though J is pretty good himself, but sssshhhh don't tell him that). Regardless though, if he doesn't tidy up in the same order I do, I find myself demanding he does it 'right' and despite me knowing how completely ridiculous it is I can't help myself.
When Dot first went onto the bottle I was a complete and utter nightmare, and watched over him every time he was (not) left to do it.
I can't help but give him 'hints' and 'tips' when he does anything.

Controlling the housework isn't my only problem.

I am also really anal about routine.
Dot HAS to have a bath every night, and if she doesn't I fret about it until she has one.
Dot HAS to have her last bottle at midnight and I get really anxious if she doesn't wake dead on midnight.
Little Man HAS to have his evening meal by 6pm, and he HAS to have a bath before 7pm - if this doesn't happen I tend to get angry and anxious.
If J stays out longer than expected I start to panic.
I HAVE to have every event planned to the last second.
If we leave at 8.36am for Little Man's school, I get really anxious because we are late, when we normally only leave at 8.35am.

I pretty much realise that most of this may make me seem completely unbalanced, (and I probably am) but it doesn't stop me from being a good parent. In fact, I feel it makes me a better parent. My reasoning, I used to be the kind of person who 'couldn't have cared less' so me caring so much about things like this makes it much better (or maybe I'm just trying to justify my ways).

Now the difficult thing is not instilling the same 'problems' on Little Man and Dot. They have no choice but to grow up with me, which also means that they will inevitably notice (and possibly pick up) my controlling habits.
And the worst thing - I think it's going to destroy my relationship eventually if I carry on. :(

I am trying to reign it in, and sort it out. But the feeling of losing control makes me want to cry.

I want lots of praise now please...

noreply@blogger.com (Beth) — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 10:53:00 +0000

Look at my wonderful weight loss ticker above. ^

A whole 19.8lb in 3 weeks..

Ok, well it's probably not that much in reality, as I was wearing my jeans over MIL's and no jeans here today, and it's a different set of scales.. but it does give me that little extra encouragement.

Now I've just got to stay away from the scales until next Wednesday. :s

And Wednesday's on my blog will now become Weigh-In Wednesday. :)

So cue : huge applause and many pats on the back mixed with loud cheering please.. (just for more encouragement!)

"Thank you all so much... It makes me feel so happy to have such wonderful fans..." ;) lol.

A (not so good) blast from the past

noreply@blogger.com (Beth) — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 23:06:00 +0000

Oh My God, Trawling through my fb photos I've found this picture.

I'm kind of hoping I don't still look as big as that. But I have a sneaky suspicion I do. :'(

Every cloud has a silver lining... #1 - After a Bump

noreply@blogger.com (Beth) — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 21:12:00 +0000

Nope not a pregnancy bump, a bum bump..
When a fat arse hits the solid ground with a very heavy (and loud) bump.
I've just succeeded in breaking a concrete floor with my heavy fall back to Planet Earth, and yes, it did hurt.

I've been feeling a little blue for a week or so now, and it hasn't really gotten any better, as most of my problems are circumstantial as opposed to anything being majorly wrong and needing immediate treating.. I'm positive that if I could just get a little extra control over my life, I'll feel happier.

Anyway, as I'm having a particularly :( evening, I've decided to start finding the silver linings in my life.

Silver Lining #1 - I have the opportunity to give my children experiences I never had.

While I went swimming with my parents from a young age, and learnt the invaluable skill of swimming, lessons for swimming did not start as a baby.

Today heralded the start of Dot's Water Babies lessons...
It was lovely, it really was. Despite the three episodes of white stuff coming at me (it does not come off swimming costumes too well mind).
Dot 'enjoyed' herself, well at least she didn't protest too much.
She even completed her first (since vacating the womb) underwater swim, without too much fuss at the tender age of 11 weeks and 6 days. I received a look which said 'Why the hell did you let her do that for?' but soon forgot why she was so disgruntled.

It really works, I've managed to cheer myself up with the thought of my baby girl in the water. Hehe... I really can't wait for next week.

So, what are your silver linings when life really gets you down?

It's an unusual day today.....

noreply@blogger.com (Beth) — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 23:04:00 +0000

because you've all been unlucky enough to have three whole posts from me.. I must have had an easy day ;)

I think this one ranks #1 in importance out of the three. ;)

Dot is a big grown up girl because she starts her swimming lessons tomorrow.

Water Babies is a wonderful experience for both Mum and Baby, and I'm talking from first hand experience. Little Man and I went on the same course 4 years ago, and I have a gorgeous photo on my wall, of him swimming under water.

From the moment Dot was born I knew I wanted the same experience for her.. The picture to match is also a big winner. ;)

I'm really looking forward to it, but also very nervous about wearing a swimming costume, I'm determined not to let it get me though.

I'll post some pictures tomorrow of Dot in her swim nappy. ;)

Meal Plan Monday..

noreply@blogger.com (Beth) — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 22:27:00 +0000

Well, good evening..

I'm afraid I totally missed last week for one reason or another and tbh I can't really remember why, I guess time just slipped away from me.

This week is different because I have seven planned meals, due to a change in circumstance, but will revert back to the 6 next week...

This week we will be going from Tuesday through to Wednesday, with the usual up Mum's on Sunday. :)

So, on the menu this week is:

Macaroni Cheese

Chilli Con Carne served with Jacket Potatoes (Jacket Potatoes, Cheese and Spaghetti Hoops for Little Man)

Minted Lamb Casserole served with Boiled Potatoes

Chicken Risotto

Fish served with Mashed Potato and Peas

Homemade Turkey Nuggets served with Salad

Vegetable Curry served with Couscous

An interesting variety, I hope. and I know I can get Little Man to eat most of that.

Tonight, I even managed to get him to eat Corned Beef Hash. I hid peppers, mushrooms, onions and celery in amongst the potato and corned beef, and he ate a whole adult bowl full. :)
I'm still not going to win 'Chef of the Year' but I have a damn good go. :)

This week I budgeted £70 for my entire shop, and it came in over budget at £80.91. Oops.. I'm crap at this business.

How much to lose?

noreply@blogger.com (Beth) — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 16:34:00 +0000

So, those regulars will have noticed a new addition to the page....

A weightloss ticker, as tomorrow I am taking the plunge, and buying myself a weighing scales. **Shock, Horror**

And I need one that goes above 20st **hangs head in shame**

According to my BMI, I need to lose a staggering 10.5 stone... That's 147lb... and almost half my body weight... but I am not completely comfortable with losing half my body weight, but (again) I am morbidly obese.

I weighed myself over the MIL's 3 weeks ago, and weighed a massive 21.5st (301lb). I was devastated.
I've never been a small girl, but I don't want to be huge. :(

This sounds cliche and like I'm covering up for my fatness, but I am not 'slight' either. I have broad shoulders and very wide hips, so I'm never going to be a size 0, and I don't ever want to be a size 0..

I'm well aware that my weight is made up of a rather large amount of fat, and I get fed up with the medical profession reminding me at every opportunity. I feel like screaming 'Yes, I know I'm fecking fat' at them, but that will not acheive anything.

However, in an effort to satisfy them, I am going to attempt what I've attempted many times before, to lose weight.

As I have already said, I've always been overweight, but I'd made an effort to lose it before Little Man.
In fact I was over 19st in Jan 04, and by Jan 05 I was 16.5 st.
From Jan 05 to Aug 05, during pregnancy, I ballooned to 21st, and continued to gain until Nov 06.
The heaviest I've been is just under 22st, so I'm almost there now.

Nov 06 - Feb 07 I lost 2.5st and stayed there until Dot's pregnancy.

Anyway,

Pregnancy over, I can now lose that extra weight.

My target weight loss is 6.5st

Measurements:

Bust - 50"

Waist - 47"
Hips - 55"
Right Arm - 17"

Left Arm - 16.5"

Right Thigh - 33"

Left Thigh - 32.5"

Right Calf - 20"

Left Calf - 19"

Every week, I'll post pics, and take measurements as well as weighing myself to get as accurate a picture as possible.

And anyone who wishes to join me are more than welcome to comment below! :)

What do your children eat?

noreply@blogger.com (Beth) — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 11:07:00 +0000

As I may have told you before, Little Man isn't a very good eater, and what I do manage to get him to eat generally isn't all that healthy, much to my dismay.
It really isn't for the want of trying, as I thoroughly enjoy cooking for him and J, and try to make sure that everything I cook, is relatively healthy.

He loves cauliflower and broccoli.
He will eat 1/2 peas, and 1/2 carrot pieces and a little dollop of mashed potato.
None of the above is allowed to touch anything else on the plate. (He very much eats with his eyes).
The only red food I can get him to eat are spaghetti hoops, or ketchup.
He will eat rice, pasta and couscous, which is always good.
Baked Beans are only nice at the right temperature and any meat has to be called chicken otherwise it'll be left on the plate.
He does have a passion for cheese.
He won't eat fromage frais yet Milky Bar yoghurts are yummy.
Biscuits and chocolate are corn in Egypt.

However, after a serious shopping trip on Wednesday, I really could not be bothered to cook, so J took us to Tesco. It was those Indian meals in a bag for us, and I hunted for the children's ready meals to see what was there.. and came across the Little Dish meals.. Pasta with cheese, peas and broccoli trees.

He likes broccoli, peas can be taken out, cheese and pasta are also hits with him.. so I thought here goes nothing after a conversation with Little Man about the way it looked which I won.

It was an instant hit. He loved the pasta shells, and cheesy sauce.. The peas were tolerable and the broccoli was 'yummy but crunchy'.

Ok, it was a little expensive at £2.19 and I probably could have made it for less.. But it meant he ate more than spaghetti loops on toast, and left the toast.

I then broke my code of eating, as Thursday was also another busy day, and I wanted something quick when we got home, so Tesco it was again. Beef Burritos and Chicken Fajitas for us, and another hunt for something for Little Man as I knew he wouldn't eat either of those.

He had requested the pasta dish again, but after hunting, I couldn't find it...
But I found Ham and Mushroom Tagliatelle instead.

Ok, so the mushrooms weren't a hit, and it looked a little jumbled for him. But he loved saying tagliatelle, and giggled everytime he did.
And for the second day running he ate every mouthful of the food I served.

Ok, so it wasn't home cooked, and probably wasn't as healthy as something I could have provided, but it was a much better option than eating nothing.

While I don't agree with serving ready meals all the time, I certainly am glad I gave him those two, and it won't be happening again for a while, but at least, now I know what to make him if I'm in a rush. :)

What do your children eat?

A change of transport

noreply@blogger.com (Beth) — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 18:26:00 +0000

After months of looking here and there, we have finally bought a more practical car.

J is a bit of a car nut if I’m honest, and I’m surprised he thinks more highly of us mere humans in his family than the mechanical members.

We currently have 3 cars registered, but only the one on the road.

When we met he had a Vauxhall Astra MK3 GSi, like the one in the picture to the left, only in blue. It was his baby, he'd modified it to suit him, and fair play he'd done a good job. It was a nice looking car, still is, just not very practical for a family of three with a Staffy. A 3-door was not going to suffice, so we decided to upgrade to a bigger car.

We found a bargain on eBay, a Vauxhall Vectra B Estate, again, very much like the one in the picture on the right, again in blue.

It was just what we needed, and nice to drive. We even bought a dog guard to ensure Max stayed in the boot. ;)

We bought her in the November, but in the March the bolts holding the gear box in place snapped when J was on the motorway, so we reverted back to the GSi.

I found out I was expecting Dot 2 weeks later and the GSi was the most impractical car, and uncomfortable to get in and out of as I got bigger.

It took us until the 1st November to get the Vectra back on the road, but we still weren't happy with the space.

So decided a few months ago to start looking for an MPV.

We found one last week, a lovely Seat Alhambra in silver.

And it's absolutely perfect.

Has everything we need and more. And the space is wonderful. All we need now are the extra children. ;)

Everything Changes.....

noreply@blogger.com (Beth) — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 23:35:00 +0000

And not always in a good way, but I do think the changes I have made are for the good.

I have changed my blog layout, and I think I prefer it. Not 100% though as I really liked the previous one. It goes better with my website, which is what inspired me to change it.

My recipe blog, Love Cooking, Love Food can now be found here but is still not all that active, due to me having some time off cooking.

My family website is now called ‘Our Family Is Our Life and can be found here. I’ve transferred everything over, and I’m hoping to improve it soon.

Who designs Baby's clothes?

noreply@blogger.com (Beth) — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 22:28:00 +0000

I don’t know who designs Baby’s clothes, but I do know one thing, I’m really not impressed.

Dot (and Little Man too) was in need of a new wardrobe, so yesterday we took a trip to the shops to spend some money.

Don’t get me wrong I’m not a fussy frilly type of person, heck my Dot isn’t a fussy frilly girl (she’s a whopper) but I’d like my girl to actually look like a girl.. And that doesn’t require wearing black or denim, she’ll probably wear enough of that when she is older.

No, while Dot is young enough to not have a choice, I will be dressing her in what I like to see on her, and I like seeing her in pink dresses, and white babygros.

The first shop we went to was a nightmare... I did turn my nose up at most of the outfits, and probably made everyone else think I was a complete snob. However, I did buy some white vests, pink babygros (Shock/horror) and white babygros. (But that was after an argument because J lost his bank card... grrrr)

The second shop was even worse, but I did come out with two dresses. I’m not too keen on the one at all, as it has red stripes.

And by the time I got to the fourth shop, I felt like giving in, and buying her dark clothes. I don’t think girls wear dresses very often anymore.

Regardless, my favourite purchase of the day was from Asda Living, and it was a white and lilac dress.

Today, I teamed it with a pair of purple tights, and white frillies.

Absence Makes the heart grow fonder..

noreply@blogger.com (Beth) — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 23:03:00 +0000

or so they say.

Have you missed me?

A 6 day break from blogger has done nothing to sort me out.

I'm still as busy as I was, if not busier, as it's half term.

I've planned plenty this week, and maybe planned too much.. but it's keeping Little Man occupied, which helps to keep me sane after having him home last week too. He's a lovely little boy really... :)

I have lots to write about, but currently struggling to find the time to write it all.

Keeping it short today... Will be back more regularly soon.

B

And Everything Else....

noreply@blogger.com (Beth) — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 21:11:00 +0000

With the completion of the Shiny Happy Things meme.... I can sit and think about everything else.

So, I was asked for the Recipe for Crockpot Cafe Chicken... it can now be found here. I cooked it yesterday, however I screwed up... and therefore I ended up not eating it. :( I went to dish it out, and found pink chicken... I did put it back in to continue to cook, but it was too late for me, I'd seen pink meat. I ended up with crackers, (now that's what I call a meal.. ;) lol)
Despite not eating it, it produced a wonderful aroma, and I will have to attempt it again in the near future. :)

Today, I cooked Turkey and Rice Casserole, it was rather yummy, and luckily tasted a lot better than it looked. ;) It reminded me of the 'gruel' you see in these old films, and was actually completely unappealing.
It's very filling, and you really only need a small amount on your plate.

After my wobble the other day, I'm feeling much better. I've made an effort to be more active, and seemed to have a lot more energy today. I got up at 8, fed and dressed Dot, sorted Little Man's breakfast by half 8 then continued on to do the housework. I decided to take full advantage of the sun aswell, and pegged my washing out to blow in the wind.. and got really excited watching it. Oh, how exciting my life is!

Good news, my first assignment is now complete, so it can be tucked away until it's time to send it off. :)

I'm now heading off to try and catch up with my fave blogs. :)

Love and hugs to all.

Beth

Shiny Happy Things Meme

noreply@blogger.com (Beth) — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 20:25:00 +0000

The lovely Working Mama @ The Last of the Mojitos tagged me in her Shiny Happy Things Meme.
The idea is to blog about something, anything, that is guaranteed to make you smile.
This is my first meme, so please forgive me if I destroy some of the etiquette. ;)

I have two pictures to go with this meme, as they never fail to make me smile.

Both pictures show the love shared between my two amazing children.
Little Man's patience and ability to communicate with his baby sister, and his sheer joy at having a baby sister. His face says everything that needs to be heard.
Dot's eyes taking in every millimetre of Little Man's face, listening to every syllable of every word he says. Cuddles that say more than words ever could.

It really doesn't matter what anybody else thinks, because right at these moments they are brother and sister united by love.

And it's these moments that will put a smile on my face now and forever. And thinking about these photos has just brought tears to my eyes. But, unlike the last few days, these tears are not tears of sadness or frustration, they are tears of joy, relief, and most of all love. :)

I guess it's now my turn to pass this meme on to others...
So I'd like to tag.
Mari @ Mari's World
Lucie @ Are They All Yours?
Geriatric Mummy @ Musings of a Geriatric Mummy
Umatji @ Too Many Things in my Head
Lana @ My Journey

I look forward to hearing your shiny happy things. :)

Beth