Almost Advent

It's been a busy weekend with visitors, bearing gifts of the birthday variety (belatedly for Tall Girl), and staying overnight, long walks, sociable eating and all this with preparations for Christmas mixed in!!

Advent calendars are primed and ready to go. The nativity set (hand sewn by my mum) has been located after much searching - why do I always put it somewhere different every year? The children (who are also primed and ready to go!) will put it out tomorrow. Last year we had the Three Wise Men standing in line with a couple of Storm Troupers, and at one point the Shepherds were hanging off the stable roof. I wonder what mysterious visitors will descend upon our nativity scene this year?!

The visitors brought, not only Tall Girls birthday present, but some cheese! Stinking Bishop no less. Fans of Wallace and Grommet may recognise the name of the cheese but if you've never tasted it then be truly reassured that its name is completely warranted! I do quite like a bit of smelly cheese now and again but this was just too much to bare! Our visitors were relatives so I felt I could ask them to take the stinking cheese away again!I'm sure there is a faint aroma of it around still, even though they've been gone a while. Apparently, their in laws had brought the same piece of cheese over to them on Friday night. Perhaps it will be one of those presents which circulates through the family for years! Eewww!!

The Christmas CD has been full blast in the kitchen again, with Small Sprog dancing around in delight. It is his favourite time of year, he loves the giving, as well as the receiving. He has been making something for daddy, bless him, he loves to give surprises. However he also loves practical jokes too! You can never be quite sure what's inside! Hmm, what would you rather receive!

Lunch

Sometimes things mull over in your mind for a while, or for ages. You look at them from lots of different angles and feel as if there is lots of time to make a decision, or you put off making the decision. Sometimes you need to talk about the whole idea but it's hard to choose anyone to tell. Tell someone too close and you end up involving them, someone too far away and you risk the decision being once removed.

I met a friend for lunch today. She is not a very close friend, but we always get on well. She is a very independent woman. I hadn't planned to share my thoughts with her at all, but all of a sudden I heard myself voicing thoughts that have been with me for most of this year, on and off. It was funny to say the words, it made it more real, more scary. She didn't seem surprised and, like a good friend, she gave no leading advice, but I was glad to have said it. It may be a long time before I say it again or act on it. I may never act.

So what did I say?

"I don't think that I shall stay married forever"

It seems inconsequential now that I've written it down.

Wee, wee, wee, all the way home!

3.30pm: Small Sprog was jiggling about a lot when I picked him up from school this afternoon. We walked to the car and drove off. After a few bumps in the road he said, in a very grown up voice "I really need to empty my bladder."

"Lovely!"

"Every time we go over a bump my bladder joggles up and down!"

Very biological, and just a bit too much information, I thought as I drove (at breakneck speed) sensibly back home for the toilet.

And whatever happened to "Mummy I need a wee"?!

It's now 8.30pm and Small Sprog and Tall Girl have just 'retired' to their rooms. We have had lots of fun tonight making Christmas cards and singing along to an old Christmas CD. Favourites include: I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday by Slade (Small Sprogs favourite because Noddy Holder blows a raspberry at the begining of the song)

The Power Of Love by Frankie Goes To Hollywood (my favourite because Tall Girl and I can sing along in a karioke/pub singer type way)

Angels by Robbie Williams (Tall Girls Favourite because I once told her, when she was little, that this was her song becauses she was my angel!)

We all sing at full blast in the kitchen (Husband disappears because we are 'too noisy'!) and sometimes there is dancing involved. Oh I'm getting all Christmassy. I hope I'm not peaking too early!

Just one moment

It's not very often that you are touched (in a good way) by a stranger. Really touched I mean, not metaphorically, not in a "I'm touched that you cared" sort of way. I mean in the hands on way. It's such a human need, to be touched and caressed. I'll do a few air kisses with friends and distant relatives, but when it comes to actually hugging, that's mostly reserved for the children. What would I do without them? But today I was touched by a stranger, well a relative stranger anyway.

This evening I went to Pilates. The studio is always warm and smells of something vaguely sweet but legal! Just being there makes you feel good. My teacher is quite a strange little man, fairly insignificant in many ways, very much in his own quiet world. He always asks how I am and if I have any 'stressed out' bits that hurt. I mentioned my neck (which is always the place that feels the stress first) so he laid me down and worked a little magic. He held my neck and caressed my head, gently freeing up the tension there. I closed my eyes and drifted away, caught in the moment, relaxed, bathed in the warmth, felt refreshed and couldn't help smiling!

When you've been in a relationship with the same person for years, you forget what another mans touch is like, the warmth and softness of another persons hands, moving with care. It took my breath away. It wasn't sexual, or erotic, but it was a pleasure and quite sensual but nothing more. I am still smiling.

Monday is my day off......

Today I have :
Done the weeks food shopping,
shopped for Christmas presents.

Overheard this whilst in one shop;
"Now I did speak my mind Karen"
"You always do mum!" Spat out rather than said!

Went home to unload.
Hid the presents before picking up the children form school!
Picked up Small Sprog
Visited the post office (long queue) The assistant said that there is always a long queue on a Monday (put on more b****y staff then!).
Made a mental note not to go to the post office on a Monday again before Christmas.
Picked up Tall Girl from the bus stop
Broke the World Land Speed Record trying to get Small Sprog home to use the toilet 'urgently'!
Composed a letter to Tall Girls science teacher (who really p***ed me off)
Cooked Dinner early so that I could:
Take Small Sprog to his maths tutor on time
Re write above letter taking out the insults and the aggressive tone!!
Feed the Bunnies
Fetch Small Sprog whilst Husband took Tall Girl to guides

Almost there! (can you hear me panting? It's not excitement it's exhaustion!)
Then I:
Fed Small Sprog pudding
Read Small Sprog a story (and sang the 12 days of Christmas!)
Put Small Sprog to bed
Made a cake (new recipe)
Went to pick up Tall Girl and friend
Dropped off friend
Fed Tall Girl pudding
Took cake out of oven (Looks OK!)
Said goodnight to Tall Girl and voila! Here I am, fresh as a daisy!!
Now I must just go and sew Tall Girls badge on and.........................Zzzzzz

The Christmas Party

Look, I know it's not even December for another week, but we've just spent our Sunday afternoon at the first Christmas Party of the season!

It's not easy to get 6 families together all on the same day at this time of year. Especially when at least one child from each family has a birthday between 9th November and New Year! So although this is officially a Christmas Party, it began as a celebration of birth 12 years ago.

All of us met because we gave birth within 6 weeks of each other and therefore attended baby classes at the same time. We were new mums together, 'doing battle' with our new lives. We supported each other, shared stories and exchanged advice and now look what has happened! Those tiny wrinkled babies are strapping 12 year olds, the November ones anyway. Then we all had second children around the same time too, between October and January, so they have all grown up together, knowing each other and getting along.

So here we all are, coming to terms with the onset of the teenage years, with the next period of our lives, our childrens lives and we are all doing it together. I'm truly blessed to have been thrown together with all these lovely people, all of whom I would never have met in any other instance. Over time we have laughed, cried, commiserated and moaned together! There's nothing like a good moan between friends!

Small Sprog and Tall Girl have been so excited all weekend that they have almost been unbearable to live with! Every year we meet in the same hall, order a large bouncy castle (did they want one now they're getting older? Of course, it's tradition!!) Light a few fireworks and organise a Secret Santa for them all. We eat pizza and light candles on a joint birthday cake. It's always the same and that's how they like it. The adults make a cauldron of mulled wine, and a huge pot of tea (not at the same time!) and settle down to 'catch up', all the time pondering if this will be the last time all the children will want to come. Will they want to do this at 13, 14? Who'd have thought we'd be doing it this long, all 23 of us, 11 adults and 12 children. An easy togetherness. Who could want for more?

And almost as soon as it's begun it's time to go home! It's the quickest 5 hours of the year. The children leave exhausted and the adults mostly sober! As we say our last good byes someone always says, laughing "One day they'll be pushing us all here in our wheelchairs!" and I hope that we will still meet together then, when we are old and our children have children of their own.

Questions, questions

BS5 has challenged me to complete this meme. I have to answer each question in a single word, which will be hard for me because I like to rabbit on a fair bit! So here goes:
1. Where is your cell phone? Handbag
2. Your significant other? Here
3. Your hair? Brown
4.Your mother? Frustrating!
5. Your father? Technical
6. Your favorite thing? Friends
7. Your dream last night? Secret
8. Your favorite drink? Champagne!
9. Your dream/goal? Distant
10. The room you're in? Cosy
11. Your fear? Loss
12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? Somewhere
13. Where were you last night? Bed
14. What you're not? Fat
15. Muffins? Toffee
16. One of your wish list items? Happiness
17. Where you grew up? Cheltenham
18. The last thing you did? Ate
19. What are you wearing? Jeans
20. Your TV? Working!
21. Your pet? Bunnies
22. Your computer? Important
23. Your life? Busy
24. Your mood? Fuzzy!
25. Missing someone? Perhaps
26. Your car? Small
27. Something you're not wearing? Leopardprint!
28. Favorite Store? Liberty's
29. Your summer? Wet!!
30. Your favorite color? Scarlett
31. When is the last time you laughed? Today
32. Last time you cried? Recently

Well I only cheated once, so not bad really! Feel free to have a go.

So what are you up to this weekend?

Plotting

"Daddy, when you're dead will I get all your money?"
"What do you mean, ALL!" I splutter
"Some of it" Says Husband
"Oh good!" Small Sprog says with glee
"It's not very nice though" I explain to Small Sprog "Waiting for someone to die so you can have all their money"
"Well he's got to leave it to someone" Small Sprog reasons.
I suppose he has a point!

Exasperated in Suburbia

I 'd just arrived home form work this afternoon around 2pm when the phone rang. It was my mother.
"You've just caught me!" I said, mostly because I thought she might be quicker if she realised I had only just walked through the door, though sadly I was wrong. She had her ''strident'' voice on!
"It says in my diary that you're home at 12.30!" She states
Well you know, sometimes things just don't turn out how you think they should. I hate being predictable, but what I hate more is my mother keeping tabs on me! The conversation deteriorated form there!

PS. Thank You to Cheshire Wife, who gave me this beautiful award recently :)

To tired to post!

The Ultimate Color Test

When you are at peace, you are:

Thoughtful and sensitive

When you are moved to act, you are:

Giving and warm

When you are inspired, you are:

Creative and productive

When your life is perfectly balanced, you are:

Philosophical and expressive

Your life's purpose is:

To find contentment

I have to admit to being just a bit to tired to think tonight! However as I was trawling about I found this and thought it was a fair assessment (considering all I did was choose a few colours!!)

I found it here, if you fancy a go. There are other quizzes if you scroll down on the same site, some which may be of interest (!) for example :

What should you nickname your boobs? (yes, honestly!)

What condiment are you ?(how many can there be?!)

The socks personality test (especially for BS5!)

What does your burger say about you? (before or after you've eaten it do you think?!)

Would you make a good pirate? (quite topical)

How's your attention span? (where've you gone? Hey........)

And so many more that I gave up trying to scroll down to the end. So if you're a bit bored tonight, click to find out 'If you're a Hot Chick'!!

Go on I dare you........

Bringing home the bacon

Small Sprog loves his food. He'll eat almost anything, (in contrast to his rather fussy sister) and is proud of it! We had tears last week though, someone had eaten the last piece of fruit cake, his favourite, (Tall Girl won't touch it with a barge pole, it just might contain fruit, that would be far too risky!!), but poor Small Sprogs tears were very real.

On Sunday morning we had a sort of brunch type breakfast, Small Sprog wanted poached egg on toast with bacon. There was no bacon. He was upset! I realised I was not 'meeting his needs' on the culinary front!! So later on Sunday I went to work on three fruit cakes! I hasten to add these were not all for Small Sprog. Tall Girl has a school fair and a Girl Guide 'do' this week and both events require homemade cake, so a whole batch was measured and mixed and fairly thrown together to create Small Sprog heaven.

When they were cooked and set on the worktop to cool the house was full of a wonderful aroma. Small Sprog sauntered into the kitchen and viewed the cake line up with a satisfied grin. He prodded one with a small finger, "Mmmm, fruit cake" He says, almost drooling "My favourite". Then, as he leaves the room........he shouts.............. "Shame about the bacon!" and runs off!
If I didn't know that he couldn't, I would have sworn I saw him winking!

PS. Photo, as proof for BS5!

Beautiful

The National Anthem was played on the radio the other morning at breakfast time."What's that for?"Pipes up Small Sprog.
"It's prince Charles's birthday" I explained
"What about the Queen?" He asks
"No she's had hers" I say
"I know what she does all day" He says in a very nah nah na nah nah voice.
"What do you think she does?"
"She sits around looking pretty of course"

Bless him I thought, how pleased she would be, a woman in her 80's, that a small boy thought she was still a beauty!! However I'm not sure he could pick her out in an identity parade!!

Reasons to be cheerful!

Well I do think I've moaned far too much recently, so my reasons to be cheerful are..............

I have two wonderful children who I love dearly and, because neither of them have reached that 'difficult' teenage stage yet, seem to love me back!

I have some fantastic friends, I feel quite 'friend full' at the moment and it's a good feeling.

No one close to me has a life threatening illness.

My mum is a fab lady, even though she drives me mad sometimes!

We have a roof over our head and, although it's by no means my dream home, it is big enough and comfortable enough and we can afford it!

We live in relative peace..........

Oh I don't think I can keep this up anymore! It's bloody well pouring with rain outside, the house is a tip (step away from the computer Suburbia and do some housework!) and my Husband has turned into the Grinch!!! Yep, he's green and all... Oh no that's Small Sprogs scurvy, I forgot!

So sod the cheer, give me a good old moan anytime.

Yours (enjoying the misery!)

ABC Wednesday

This week Q for Quay

From our holiday in May

ABC Wednesday was created by Mrs Nesbitt.

More can be found on the ABC Wednesday no-comment blog,

and on ABC Wednesday Mr Linky .

Please visit as many as you can and leave comments for us all!

Storm Clouds (part 1)

For the last 10 years or so since I've known Husband, he has found this time of year increasingly hard to cope with. When I first met him I must have missed it! It didn't seem to appear for the first few years of our relationship but some years are worse than others. About 6 years ago it was particularly bad, but this year it is worse. As soon as the clocks change I can feel his darkness drawing in. It's not light related because it drifts away ages before the evenings brighten in March.

It starts around Tall Girls birthday and seems to wear off just after Boxing Day. The symptoms range from sadness, to being cross, short tempered and grumpy, worrying about his own health and finally (when bad) taking to his bed. He will often blame his mood on Christmas (bah humbug), and years ago when his mother was well enough to travel, I assumed it was her upcoming visit that got to him (not a good relationship there as you may have guessed!) However she no longer comes to stay but the mood continues. The taking to his bed bit, as it happens, usually manifests around Tall Girls birthday week. My reaction to it ranges between sympathy (just a little!) and crossness (mostly) because I don't want her to pick up on how he feels or have anything spoil her special time. I think his reactions are echos from his own childhood and I certainly don't want her to suffer in the same way.

Anyway, last Friday night I came home with the children, after having quite a sociable hour with friends, to find him in bed. From where I was standing he was having a panic attack, but he thought he was going to die.

To cut a long story extremely short, after speaking to a doctor and various other things, he seemed to calm down and eventually all was well. But the dark cloud is hanging over this house. I can feel the storm gathering and I very much hope we're not in for too much of a bumpy ride.

Pirate Sprog

Small Sprog was very tired tonight, so I tried to get him into bed early. No sooner had I come downstairs again and there he appeared by my side. "What's the matter?" I said, just a little annoyed (because I'm tired too)
"I'm scared" He said with a wobbly lip.
I never know, when he does this, if he is genuinely scared or trying it on. He uses the same face for both!!
"What are you scared of?"
"I'm scared I might get scurvy"
"SCURVY?"

For goodness sake, what will he think of next!!

200 today!

I have been here for 200 posts! 200!

I ask you, do I have nothing better to do with my time?!

So if you have just popped over,

please help yourself to a glass or two and celebrate with me.

It has taken me 9 months to get this far and I have enjoyed every minute

(gosh I could have given birth in all that time!).

I have made some sweet and special friends along the way, and

read a plethora of posts which have touched me in many ways.

So thank you for calling by so often.

It is not just the writing that keeps me going it is meeting all of you.

Go on have another glass before I start to hiccough,

and while you're at it raise a glass to Tall Girl (talking of giving birth!)

Who is 12 years old tomorrow.

Fluffy Bunnies

Today I wanted to write a 'fluffy bunny' post! I was inspired by Hullabaloo when I read her post this morning. It was full of excitement and joy for life, and I felt all warm and fuzzy after I'd read it! (It had absolutely nothing to do with bunnies by the way)

So here is my fluffy bunny post, but alas and alack my fluffy bunnieness has bounced off into the undergrowth. I don't seem to be able to 'fluffy bunny' about anything today and am beginning to wonder if I should just stop writing here for a while until I can coax it out again, before you all reach for the bottle or a long length of rope, or worse.

Why have I lost my fluffy bunnieness? When did it run off? I'm not sure but I would like it to come back very soon.

Oh for goodness sake Suburbia, pull yourself together!

ABC Wednesday...................P for poppy

This week the letter P

P is for Poppy

It is remembrance Sunday this weekend so poppy seemed

a logical choice. However this poppy in my garden

(unlike the wild red variety)

is rather too pink and frilly for my liking,

but once the petals have fallen..............

the velvety appearance and the colours become fascinating.

ABC Wednesday was created by Mrs Nesbitt.
More can be found on the ABC Wednesday no-comment blog,
and on ABC Wednesday Mr Linky .

Please visit as many as you can and leave comments for us all!

Small Sprogs Surprise

Today I was shopping with the children. In one particular shop Small Sprog urgently wanted to whisper in my ear: "I've seen what I want to buy Tall Girl for her birthday!" He dragged me over to some jewelry he'd spotted and I gave him some money. He used all his stealth and cunning to pay for the items without her noticing a thing!!

Bless him! I brimmed over with pride. He has a very generous and loving heart. He was born with it and would always share his last sweet with you even when he was really little.

However...

Once home he pulled the bag from his pocket and waved it in front of her nose singing "I've go you a present and you can't have it (yet)!" over and over! She was not amused.

Later, at bed time, I suggested that he gave me back the money I lent him for the present. Surely this was not unreasonable as it was a present from him that he wanted to buy, not one from me. He was shocked! Why did I need him to pay me back? I tried to explain. I'm not sure I did a very good job. "Polar bear will pay you in fluff mummy" he said, with a twinkle in his eye brandishing his favourite soft toy. So I explained that fluff wasn't the going currency of the day, but then again...............

Make a wish

I have always made my own Christmas cake, a tradition passed on by my mum and hers before her and one I find hard to give up. Tall Girl usually helps (and sometimes Small Sprog too), perhaps she will always make her own Christmas cake when she is older. I hope so.

So, the day before yesterday, I put all the dried fruit to soak in brandy. I tend to not measure the brandy, as the recipe suggests, but instead just sloosh it in. I love the smell and just can't resist smuggling a bit from under the cloth during the soaking process (cooks rewards!).

However, (luckily) today there was enough left to make a cake with!! Tall Girl came down from the sanctuary of her room to help beat the eggs, stir in the milk with the black treacle, rub in the flour, butter and brown sugar, pour in the walnuts and steal the cherries! I have to say I don't keep to the recipe with this bit either, adding extra bits as I go along but that's all part of the fun. Then, as part of the tradition, we all stir the cake mixture and made a wish. Tall girl wanted first wish, which was made, short and sweet before padding back up to her room. Small Sprog was next. He always wishes hard and long, with eyes screwed up tight shut, if any ones wish should come true it should be his. I suspect it had something to do with what he wanted for Christmas!One of the nit children from down the road was here and he had a stir followed by Husband. Husbands wish was long like Small Sprogs and I wondered what it could have been, he said he had a lot to wish for, I shall never know. Mine was the last wish. There was just a little stirring left to be done but I found it hard to think far enough ahead to wish, there is a future out there, but I am still not sure what it will be. So 'health and happiness for everyone I know' is the standard default! There, have I spoilt it now? I didn't say it out loud so I don't think it counts as telling!

What would you wish for?

Tag!

Kitty has awarded me this lovely Domestic Goddess Cake Woman Award! This award is named 'The One Sweet Blog' and features a blonde lady either in a frock resembling a cupcake, or else she is actually sitting in a giant cupcake. I wouldn't mind sitting in a giant cupcake - I can see the potential for fun in that situation.
Anyway, the award comes with a tag for a meme - a '7's meme.

Here we go:

7 Things I plan to do before I die:

See my children grow to a healthy, happy, fulfilled adulthood

Find some contentment
(The two above were Kitty's but I couldn't have put it better myself!)

Write a book (there, I have to do it now because I've written it down!)

Have no regrets

Get out more!

Live glamorously

Find myself

7 Things I do now:

Love my children lots

Attempt to keep everyone happy

Try and fit more things into one day than is physically possible

Write lots of lists

Listen to music VERY LOUD when every ones else is out of the house except when I......

Dance in the kitchen with the children

Blog and check my e-mails far too often!

7 Things I can't do:

Say no!

Get my children to be tidy

Leave a bottle with just a little drop in the bottom!

Swim

Spell

Forget my past

Stop Blogging!

7 Things that attract me in the opposite sex: (in no particular order)

Kindness

Passion

Sexy voice

Humour and wit

Intelligence

Sociability

Good taste!

7 Things I say most often (to the children!):

"Have you washed your hands?"

"Go and do it again"

"Are you sure?"!

"I can't hear you both together..... one at a time "

"Honestly?"

"I love you"

"What did I just say?!"

7 Celebrities that I admire:
What, precisely, qualifies someone to be a 'celebrity' I wonder? I have no idea who are considered 'celebrities' or what they do or did to make them celebrities. There are famous people I admire for their talent or work, here are some:

Doris Lessing

Paul Weller

Shami Chakrabarti

David Attenborough

William Morris

Banksey

Phillip Pullman

7 Favourite foods:

Chocolate

Anything spicy

Rare Steak

Any fish (as long as it's dead before I eat it!)

Homemade cakes

Soft fruit freshly picked

Chips from the paper with lots of salt and vinegar

Did I say chocolate?!

7 Bloggers who need to do this:

Nobody needs to do this, but I'd like to pass the award to, and would be interested in the answers from:
Rose
Liz
Mean Moody Middle-aged Mum
Scarlette
Saz
Jenny
Soo