Alidia

Happy Valentines Day Beautiful

2011-02-14T00:13:00.000Z

Don't ever doubt how much I love you angel!

Mum xXx

Hi sweetpeach :)

2011-01-11T22:30:00.000Z

How is Alidia?? I hope you are well!!!

I'm sorry I've not posted for so long. I've had a difficult week or so and I decided to have a rethink about writing on here. I'm not going to stop, but I'm going to cut down, as it is silly me pouring the same old rubbish out into cyberspace every single day without knowing if you actually read it or not. And as long as you always remember that no matter what, I am thinking of you and will always ALWAYS welcome you back with open arms, then that is ok. I hope you don't mind. If you do want me to carry on writing every night, then email me on the address above. I will happily do it if you want me to, but after a year and a half of website, whilst I'm never going to give up on seeing or speaking to you again, I figure if you were looking for me you'd have found me. Of course I will always keep the site going though :)

I hope you haven't missed me writing... And I hope you have had a good week!

Has anything exciting happened? Anything boring? Anything brilliant or anything horrible? I hope not horrible, but then sometimes life deals us a blow. It's how we deal with it that is important, and how much stronger it makes us for the future.

Anyway I hope it has been a good week for you. In fact I hope it has been a brilliant week for you. I really do. Even though I haven't written, I have (as always and forever) blown a big kiss to the stars for you every single night.

Sweet dreams princess,

All of my love as always and forever and ever and EVER!!

Mum xXx

Hello my little darling

2011-01-04T22:55:00.000Z

How are you this cold, wintery night?

I hope you are snuggled up safe and sound in your toastie bed, having peaceful sleep and dreaming lovely dreams!!

What have you been up to today? Anything much?

Have you gone back to school yet? I heard on the radio some youngsters did, but I'm not sure what your schools plans are.

I've had a slightly busier day today, but all in all, not as hard as yesterday. Some good things, some bad things, mostly crazy busy things!!

Ewan is as cute as ever though!! That keeps me smiling when things seem bleak :o) He really is the cutest button, and he's just like you were at his age. Full of fun and mischief and love galore!!

How is your New Year going so far? Has anything particularly exciting happened? Have you had any especially good news? have you had any bad things happen?? :o( I certainly hope not!

I heard this song today - I have it on a CD and it was on in the car. I love it and I sing it to Ewan loads, so I thought for a change I would do a Surprise Tuesday Song of the Week for Ewan and share it with only you!
I hope you like it. I replace the word 'she' with 'he' and he loves it!!! :oD

Just in case you can't keep up with the words like I couldn't for the first for times I heard it, here are the lyrics...

oh one, one, two, three, four

I've got a sheet for my bed
And a pillow for my head
I've got a pencil full of lead
And some water for my throat
I've got buttons for my coat
And sails on my boat
So much more than I needed before

I got money in the meter
And a two bar heater
Oh now it's getting hotter
It's only getting sweeter
I've legs on my chair
and a head full of hair
Got in a band
And shoes on my feet

I've got a shelf full of books
And most of my teeth
Two pairs of socks
And a door with a lock
I've got food in my belly
and a License for my telly
And nothin's gonna bring me down

nothin's gonna bring me down

I've got a nice guitar
and tires on my car
I've got most of the means
and scripts for the scenes
I'm out and about
So I'm in with a shout
I got a fair bit of chat
but better than that
Food in my belly
and a License for my telly
And nothin's gonna bring me down

nothin's gonna bring me down, no

but Best of all
I've got my baby
but Best of all
I've got my baby

She's mighty fine
and says she's all mine
And nothin's gonna bring me down

but Best of all
I've got my baby
but Best of all
I've got my baby

She's mighty fine
and says she's all mine
And nothin's gonna bring me down (x3)

Right my lovely lady. I had better think about getting myself into bed sharpish. It's late (again) and I have a full day tomorrow (again) and I'm tired (again!!!) haha, are you totally sick of hearing this? I shouldn't moan really, it's all for the greater good. Which if you haven't heard before, means basically that it's all for the best, I suppose.

I hope you have had a terrific Tuesday full of terrific things done with terrific people in terrific places, wearing your terrific smile on your terrifically lovely face!!!

Sweetest sweet dreams til sunbeams find you!

Alllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll of my love and kisses and hugs as always and forever and ever and ever and ever and ever and ever and evermore!!

Mum xXx

Blimey

2011-01-03T23:23:00.000Z

You wouldn't even want to know anything about my day... It's been busy and it's been not a huge great big lot of fun.

Hello my beautiful, how are you tonight? Tucked up in bed by now I should hope :o)

I hope you had a marvellous Monday doing marvellous things with marvellous people in marvellous places, wearing your marvellous smile on your marvellously beautiful face!!!

I can't write a lot tonight as I am quite literally exhausted, and I have a heck of a lot to do tomorrow. But I promise I will blow you an extra kiss to the stars tonight to try and make up for it.

I heard this song on the radio earlier, I hope it works as my speakers aren't working so I can't listen to it to make sure it's ok. It is a song that I love and makes me think of good things. I thought I would share it with you now rather than keep it for a song of the week. It's a timeless song I think. I'm sure it's been out about 20 years but you might not think it... Anyway here it is.

Whitney Houston - Greatest Love

Well my sweet, as I said, I am very very tired tonight and as much as I would love to stay up and write lots and lots to you, I'm sure you're probably bored by the first line anyway, even if you do read this ;o)

Sweeeeetest sweet dreams my angel, til sunbeams find you!

Allllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll of my love and kisses and hugs as ALWAYS and forever and ever and ever and evermore!!!!!!!!!!!

Mum xXx

Well, Another Sunday bites the dust!

2011-01-02T21:58:00.000Z

Hello Alidia

How was your Sunday? I hope it was super!? Full of super things and super people in super places!!??!! I don't need to say it, but I'm sure you were wearing your super smile on your super face!

So what have you been up to? Anything fun? Anything exciting? Anything particularly interesting?

I assume if you do read this you'll have already read that last night was a bit unusual for us for illness reasons. Luckily today has been a little better til this evening when my chest has gone all funny again, but I don't think it's anything to worry about now. They did all the tests and everything, so hopefully if I wait a bit it will go away again. It's not much fun but it doesn't really hurt, just makes me feel peculiar. Oh well.

Well I have nothing much to tell you as today was a very sleepy day. Mike took Holly and Ewan out to Maccy D's for lunch so I could have a rest, which was kind of him. Although we both got back late, I had to take Grace home as the bulb went in Mikes headlamp on his car, so I didn't get back til much later still and it was gone 2 before I managed to fall asleep.

We've got a heck of a lot of work to do this week, and various other things going off too. Holly is off til later this week and she has a friend staying over one night. The day before that they are going into town together and the day after the sleepover they are going ice skating as a big group at the open air place in Nottingham as it is one of their friends Birthdays. I can't believe they're all starting to turn 15 already!!

Well as I said, yesterday I didn't have chance to sit down and do this. I wanted to make a list of the top 5 songs that I'd put on here for you. Tonight I went through them and decided which I wanted to put in the top 5. So here is your:

Top 5 Songs of The Week, of The Year, 2010

5 - Christina Aguilera - Beautiful

4 - Whitney Houston - Your Love is My Love

3 - Joe Cocker - You Are So Beautiful

2 - Macy Gray - I Try

1 - Adele - Make You Feel My Love

I hope you like them :) which reminds me, I also didn't have the chance to put a song of the week on for this week. It seemed fitting that I chose a song that was brand new... But I couldn't find anything I liked. So I'm afraid I'm going to have to go with yet another oldie!

It is a beautiful song, and I hope you like it...

Will Young - All Time Love

Well my darling, I'm afraid Ewan is restless again and I am pretty exhausted, so I am going to have to call it a day at this. Short but sweet. I hope you like your song of the week this week :)

I hope you have a peaceful night tonight and wake up feeling bright as a button for January 3rd 2011!!

Sweetest sweet dreams til sunbeams find you <3

Alllllllllllllllllllllllll of my love and kisses and hugs as always and forever and ever and evermore and more!

Mum xXx

Wow

2011-01-02T01:08:00.001Z

What a long and unexpected night :/

I hope you're sleeping soundly! Sorry those two last emails didn't come through until late. My battery was too low for them to send.

Anyway - I will live, which is good news. I will have to make sure I'm very careful about my diet, which doesn't bother me much - yet! And apparently I have a condition called Diffuse Esophageal Spasm (DES). I saw a very nice Dr (in fact they were all nice, Drs, Nurses and porters who wheeled me round to xray and back) but when he told me the name of it, for some reason I couldn't help myself, I burst out laughing so hard I nearly fell off my trolley!!
Mike says I have indigestion, the cheeky so n so!

Anyway I'm alright, that's what matters! Which I'm very happy about and feel a lot better for being checked out. I was also having a reaction to the tablets, hence my heart felt as if it were beating out of my chest, but nowhere near as bad as what it could have been!!

Anyway my darling, Ewan went to bed at 7 so no doubt he will be up early and its way past my bed time, so I need to get me some sleeps!!

I love you tons and miss you more. I didn't get to do what I wanted today for you but hopefully I will have a chance tomorrow... Well, today actually! :)

Sweet dreams til sunbeams find you!

All my love and kisses and hugs as always and forever and evermore!!

Mum xXx
Sent using BlackBerry® from Orange

This is fun..

2011-01-02T00:50:00.003Z

I've got sticky pads all over me and I just got strapped to an ecg (electrocardiogram I think) machine to check my heart rhythm. No news yet though, but I'm feeling a bit better so they'll probably just tell me to go home!
Sweet dreams princess

Amlakaa

Mum xXx
Sent using BlackBerry® from Orange

Hello baby

2011-01-02T00:50:00.001Z

I'm gonna be FINE! But my battery is on its last legs so can't explain now.
Love you
Amlakaa
Mum xXx
Sent using BlackBerry® from Orange

Hello my lovely

2011-01-01T20:54:00.000Z

Happy New Year. Again!!

How has the first day of 2011 been for you? How has the first day of the decade been for you??

This will be the third decade you have been alive now. Born in the 90s, spent most of your childhood in the noughties and are now in the... Whatever they want to call this decade! I have no idea what 'they' are going to call this decade. 70's, 80's and 90's were easy. Eventually we stuck with noughties for the last decade, but the debate is already raging as to what we will call this one.
I'm not sure what I like, but I think if anything it's the Tenners.

Now, I don't want you to worry but I am going to have to go now. I have been feeling lousy all day and having breathing problems. Nothing too serious but Mike made me ring the out of hours Dr and they have told me to go and get checked out at the Leicester Royal Infirmary, which is our local hospital with an Urgent care unit. If anything, it's these tablets the Dr has given me causing a slight problem. It says to get checked out if this happens as it can be one of the side effects of the medicine if you have a reaction to them. It's not brilliant, I'll be honest, but I don't feel too bad, just exhausted and out of breath!!

I need to go and get ready now and give Ewan a kiss night night. I suppose I ought to look for a good book too so I don't pass out from boredom!!

Listen, I love you and I'll speak to you soon. If they tell me anything interesting I can email you from the hospital anyway - and if I see anything silly or funny I'll send a picture. I might even get a chance to write properly later if I have decent reception and can send a good sized email!!

Hope you liked the photos of Ewan today!

Sweetest sweet dreams til sunbeams find you!

Allllllllllllllllllllll of my love and kisses and hugs as always and forever and ever and ever and evermore!!!

Mum xXx

And again

2011-01-01T16:31:00.000Z

xXx
Sent using BlackBerry® from Orange

Wacky Warehouse

2011-01-01T16:28:00.000Z

Hello lovely

We're at Wacky Warehouse so I thought I'd send you a photo of Ewan having fun!

Hope you're having a lovely day too!

Amlakaa

Mum xXx
Sent using BlackBerry® from Orange

Slight Change of plan...

2011-01-01T00:05:00.001Z

...Ewan is up and in bed with me, afraid of the fireworks. So from me, Ewan, and in fact from us all...

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! Hope 2011 is just THE best for you, my strong, beautiful girlie :D

all of my love and kisses and hugs for this year and forever after!

Mum xXx
Sent using BlackBerry® from Orange

2010-12-31T21:08:00.000Z

Hello my beautiful!

How are you this evening?

How was the last day of 2010 for you?????

I hope it was Fantastic! And I hope you have a brilliant night tonight, whatever you are doing!!!

As usual, the rock n rollers under this roof are curling up to watch something on tv for a little while before going to bed at a reasonable time. There's no way in the world I could stay up til midnight, as I was ready for my bed by about 5pm.
I've indulged in a little drink this evening, but only very weak!! I daren't have a anything strong, I think it would make me scream as even water is hurting when I drink it at the moment. I am having a large glass of milk with a scoop of ice cream and a drop of baileys in it too. It's yum, but even if I didn't feel ill, I'm pretty sure more than one of these would make me throw up anyway - it's sooooo sickly, but nice in small doses!

I watched a little bit of a program last night called 'Ad of the Year 2010' or something like that, and this one won. I'm sure you'll have seen it, it's the dogs home one with little Harvey. It makes me giggle every time I see it!!

Well I've been trying to find something interesting to tell you about 2010, and I'm afraid I can't!! There is stuff that's been going on of course, but most of it (in the news at least) has been bad, so I'm not going to tell you about that stuff.

I can't find anything especially interesting or happy to share with you, so I moved onto 2011 and thought I might find something to tell you about that, but:

The year 2011 in Roman Numerals is MMXI.

April 1st (or thereabouts) will see the Space Shuttle launch for the last time before it is taken out of service. As yet there is no replacement for the Space Shuttle as President Obama has decided to reduce funding or something - America will be reliant on the Russians for flying Astronauts into space for the first time in history.

There is a new series of CSI NY starting on January 11th which we are quite happy about since there is NO CSI on at the moment :'o(

Your dinky bod brother is going to be 2 years old!!!!!

You are going to be THIRTEEEEEEN!!!!!

Holly is going to be FIFTEEEEEEEN!!!!!!!

Eastenders will officially go beyond the ridiculous - if you've not watched it tonight you won't know that Ronnies baby just tragically died at 1 day old - she's going to swap it now with Kat (who is in hospital fighting for her life) and Alfies baby... Talk about demented and sickening. Anybody watching this who is a bit upset already will be in pieces afterwards!!!

Anyway - 2011 is designated
the International Year of Forests
and
the International Year of Chemistry.

I will be starting a reverse birthday regime. In 2010 I was 32, 2011 I will be 31 again, and so on until I can't pull it off any more, then I will go up a year once every two years!!

I will be getting a new car, because this one is nearly 5 years old now and I'm bored of it now.

Ummm.... That's all I can think of really. Obviously those aren't the only interesting (or not very interesting) things about/or that will happen in 2011, but history makes itself up as it goes along!!

Well today was a bit of an uninteresting one for us I'm afraid to say. Holly is still ill, I am still feeling as shoddy as anything, but Mike and Ewan are both ok. I hope you're not ill!!!
We pottered about most of the day and did some tidying up and cleaning and so on. Really exciting stuff!

Ewan went for a nap this afternoon and I had to go too, as he was a total monster last night. By midnight he had turned my bed into a trampoline - without my permission! By 2am I was getting a little fed up of his messing about so I had to put him back to bed and risk him waking everyone else up by letting him cry for a few minutes. Luckily it worked and he settled down about 3ish eventually, only to be up by 6.30 again. I don;t know if he managed to wake anybody else up. Nobody came out to see what the racket was.

This afternoon we had a little disco in the living room. Holly has some proper disco lights which flash in time to the music. She's had them years. Anyway I asked Mike to bring them up from down in her den by the stables so we could put some music on and have a dance around. Just a little pre New Year celebration as we aren't doing anything special tonight.
Ewan thought it was brilliant, and automatically went in to the mode that all little boys are pre-programmed to do, which is to dash about pretending to be an aeroplane, dive on to his knees and generally try and turn it into a riot. He also had a lovely little dance to lots of songs. So fingers crossed he will be tired tonight!!

I did try to take some photos but they didn't come out very well. The ones with the flash on just look as if they are badly taken photos in the daytime, and the ones with no flash you can just see one bright blue or red or green flash in the background and nothing in the foreground.

Well, it's the memories that count!!!

Right my darling, I am going to go and sit down and watch some tv before I go to bed. I'm sorry I can't tell you something more thrilling about my New Year. I'm sure you are going to be up way past my bed time tonight, and probably having a heap more fun! I hope so anyway!! ;o)

Sweetest sweeeeeet New Year Dreams til sunbeams find you!!!

Watch out for the New Year Mist tomorrow morning - it always seems misty on New Years Day!

I hope you can remember some nice things about your 2010 and are looking forward to some wonderful things in 2011!!!

Allllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll of my love and kisses and hugs as always and forever and ever and ever and ever and ever and evermore, for this year, for next year for the next decade and eternity!!!!

Mum xXxXxXxXx

Thrilling Thursday?

2010-12-30T21:31:00.000Z

Hello my lovely. How are you this evening?

Have you had a thrilling Thursday? I hope so, for all the best reasons!

It wasn't a thermal Thursday - at least not here. I have been boiling hot, but I'm not sure whether that is illness or the fact it's a lot milder. I have even turned the heating off and had windows open to cool me down, though I've been trying not to make everyone else cold as well.

Holly is still poorly. She has some sort of cold, so she has been in bed most of the day. She's off her food too, but managed about a half sized portion at dinner time. Ewan on the other hand has done nothing but eat today! He had a bowl of coco pops, a banana and an apple for his breakfast, then some rice cakes, then Mike took him to the shops and he had a cheese and onion pasty as they were out at about lunch time so I could do some jobs without too much trouble because I was feeling sicky and in pain still.
I went to the Dr's today and sure enough he thinks I have an ulcer, though he thinks it is further down than my stomach as the pain is a bit far over for my stomach. He has given me some medication anyway, and I already have an appointment lined up at the hospital so if these get me through until then, I am happy with that. Hopefully they can treat both things at the same time :o/ It's a bit cack really, because all of us have been ill so many times recently. I think we should paint a red cross on the door! It's funny because last year none of us were really ill over winter. But then I think there has been a general increase in illnesses this winter so it stands to reason. Ewan doesn't seem too bad thankfully, but he has got a slightly runny nose.
His friend Evan is really poorly today and his Mum is very worried about him. I hope he is better soon!! He's tiny compared with Ewan and his little sister Florence who is only 6 weeks old also seems poorly, so she is going to have her hands full over the next few days!! It's such a worry when little ones are poorly. It's bad enough when you're all big, but when you're still dinky not only is it much more dangerous but it's a lot scarier as you can't tell us grown ups what is wrong!!

Anyway, Ewan's food day - after he had a pasty with his Dad, he came home and I was eating some crisps which he duly removed from my person and devoured, then he had another rice cake, and as Mike was slicing some cheese, started shouting OMMMMM OMMMMM for more food. He had a little taste and then he went for a nap. When he woke up he was already hungry again, so he had another rice cake (they're a staple ingredient in this house instead of biscuits, though we have those too, I just don't want him eating too many!) then he didn't want any more rice cake but dinner was a little while away so I let him have a custard cream which seemed to please him muchly.
For dinner we had chicken stroganoff with rice, which was lovely, and afterwards he ate a banana. Then he chased me and tried to break my neck by clambering all over me when I was trying to vacuum, and before he went to bed he had a boh-bull.

I sat down to work out how many animal noises he could do today. So far we have elephant, snake, pig, dog, cat, mouse, donkey, horse, monkey and lion that I can recall. He has also started to say 'Di-di' which is what we call his dummy, and 'key', 'look' and 'kiss' oh and 'see-saw' which comes out as 'eeh-orrr' as well as trying to say loads of other things over the last few days. Typical boy - they often don't speak until much later than girls, but there's no doubting he's a very clever little bod. He can work out virtually anything we try and test him with. And physically he's very well developed. He can very nearly jump with both feet which is quite good for his age, and he is spot on with his throws and kicks of a ball. Unfortunately he sometimes doesn't limit it to just a ball, and that results in going to bed for a few minutes until he realises that it was naughty to throw toys.

Well, the penultimate day of 2010... Have you come up with any good New Year Resolutions?

I have - I am going to get fitter. I'm slim enough, probably too slim, and I'm strong for my size, but I'm not fit. I am also going to learn keyboard again. I started when I was pregnant with Ewan and then let it slip a bit. I was quite good though. Mike used to be very good and in his (much) younger years, used to play the organ at Canterbury Cathedral or somewhere like that - he doesn't like to talk about it because he's embarrassed. I'll have to ask Grace again. He did all his piano grades when he was younger and he also used to be a very good singer, but he doesn't sing at all nowadays, and he gets cross when I sing because it's awful!!

Anyway my lovely, I have waffled on plenty for tonight. I hope you had a really super day though, and did lots of good things and fun things.

Are you going to a New Year Party tomorrow night?

Sweetest sweet dreams til sunbeams find you!!

HAPPY LAST DAY OF 2010 for tomorrow!!!!!

Allllllllllllllllllllllllll of my love and kisses and hugs as always and forever and ever and ever and evermore!!!

Mum xXx

Pink Elephants and Lemonade

2010-12-29T21:53:00.000Z

Hello my lovely girl.

How are you today?

I hope you have had a Wonderful Wednesday!!

I have spent the last goodness knows how long trying to make a 'thing' for you and in the end I got fed up. I finished it, but it's not as I would have wanted it to be :s

Here it is!

I hope you like it :)

I can't write much I'm afraid. I've not been a very well person today. You know I've had problems with my tummy? Well I think it has gotten much worse and I have an ulcer. Gross. Before I had my wisdom teeth taken out I was having to take the maximum dose of pain killers the Dr would allow me to, and that's never good. I'll be fine, but it's not very comfy.

We had guests over today, do you remember me telling you about Louise and Steve, who are our niece and her fiancé? Well they came over for something to eat and brought Grace with them. I will post some photographs tomorrow, though we didn't do a lot apart from eat and play in the living room with Ewan as the weather was foul, I was feeling ropey and Holly has a stinking horrible cold too. Ewan has a bit of a cold and Mike has the beginnings of it. Woohooo!!! Not...!

Right my gorgeous ladykins. I'm sorry, but I really do feel pap. Is that even a word? I need to drink some milk and then go to bed I think.

Fingers crossed you had a Wonderful Wednesday though - doing wonderful things with wonderful people in wonderful places, wearing your wonderful smile on your wonderfully beautiful face!!

Sweetest sweet dreams til sunbeams find you!

Alllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll of my love and kisses and hugs as always and forever and ever and ever and evermore!!!

Mum xXx

Dinky man

2010-12-29T11:33:00.000Z

Hello!

I hope your day is going well so far :)

Just thought I'd share this photo of Ewan eating an alf. I'm not quite sure why but when I asked him earlier what it was, he said 'alf' and so it has stuck. A bit random but every child has a funny name for something!!

I'll write properly later, but as I said, I hope your day is going well and you have a wonderful Wednesday afternoon!!

Amlakahaa!!

Mum xXx
Sent using BlackBerry® from Orange

On this day...

2010-12-28T23:01:00.001Z

In 1998, you were 6 months and 2 days old, or 185 days to be precise! Very dinky indeed!

And today - you are 12 years 6 months and 2 days (I'm including today as it's late on now) old!!! Or a whopping 4568 days old!!

Hello my lovely! How are you today?

Good I hope!

Have you had a good 28th December? Was it a terrific Tuesday?

What have you been up to? Anything interesting? Anything particularly exciting? Anything tremendously good fun? Anything boring?

We've had a cleaning day - well I say we, Mike and I have. Ewan has mostly played and Holly has mostly been in town (again) spending Christmas money (again) and not even touched the bedroom which she said would be cleaned today. Still, I hardly ever have to go in there except to retrieve items of crockery, and Ewan isn't allowed in really, so we'll survive, even if she doesn't!!!

I haven't got an awful lot to tell you really. I spoke to Nanna B this evening, she sends her love. I spoke to Auntie Debbie this evening who also sends her love... I've filled up my new fruit bowl today and it looks like something off the Snowman but without the pineapple. Do you remember that scene?

Here is a link to youtube. If it is not on this link, there'll be other videos it will link to at the end.

For some reason when I typed in 'snowman' to youtube, it came up with a song called Frosty the snowman, but a particular version of it by a group called the Cocteau Twins. I don't think for a moment you'll remember them, but I used to have several of their CDs. I'll share a few of my favourites with you, not in case you remember them, but in case you might like them. They're very different from normal songs, most of the lyrics don't sound like real lyrics, even though they are. Liz Frazer who is the lead singer has an odd but beautiful voice.
First of all here is Frosty the Snowman

And here is probably my very favourite, it's called Evangeline...

And my second favourite, Bluebeard. Which I also love.

I have no idea if you will love them or think I am utterly bonkers for liking them, but I have loved them since I was about 16, so there you go. Each to their own :)

Oh, this came up during the search for their songs. Not sure why, but it is another song that I love. The Cranberies haven't been about for years now but I used to love them in my late teens too!!

And here is another of theirs called Dreams... And last but not least, a brilliant song of theirs called Linger. That's enough, music overload much!!

Uh ohhh, Ewan is stirring again. We had a much better night last night as he stayed asleep all night. Unfortunately I did the typical Mum thing of waking up and wondering why he wasn't awake, or whether he was ok, so I didn't sleep right through, but it was a WHOLE lot better than the nights before it for as long as I can remember now!! Little tinker!

Right my lovely, I had better go and try and settle down the big guy again. I hope he sleeps ok tonight :( poor man is so over tired.

I hope you had a terrific Tuesday doing terrific things with terrific people in terrific places wearing your terrific smile on your terrifically beautiful face!!!

Sweetest sweet dreams til sunbeams find you!

Alllllllllllllllllll of my love and kisses and hugs as allllllllways and forever and ever and evermore!

Mum xXx

And an extra one X because the fog is so thick tonight I'd be surprised if the kiss I blow to the stars for you actually gets further than the garden fence tonight!

Post number 310

2010-12-27T21:33:00.000Z

Hello my lovely lady!

How have you been today? Have you had a manic Monday? Has it been a marvellous Monday? I hope so!!

What did you get up to? Did you go shopping in the sales? Or like me do you not think it's worth the hassle?! I like clothes shopping if I am on my own and have a particular thing to get and the shops aren't busy and I don't have to rush for anything, but that doesn't happen very often, so I generally tend to come away from clothes shopping feeling stressed and tired and fed up and USUALLY having not bought anything! Waste of time. And the sales are worse than any other time!
We went in to Leicester today so Holly could spend some of her Christmas money - nightmare!! Luckily Ewan was quite well behaved, and we did manage to sneak a Costa in to the afternoon, but HOW BUSY?!?!?! It was horrible, and I walk really quickly and Mike goes at a snails pace, so he got cross with me for marching off ahead of him with Holly (she walks like me) as he didn't have his phone and he lost us completely! Eh well, he will have to walk faster in future, because I'm not walking slowly in this weather unless it is absolutely necessary!

I have taken loads of lovely photos today of Ewan and Holly. I will put a couple up in a minute for you.

I can't write a lot tonight I'm afraid. Ewan was an absolute TINKER last night and woke me up at least once every hour for about half an hour. I don't ever remember feeling this tired, and we are all behind ourselves tonight because of it. As well as that, we decided to take the Christmas tree down tonight - bah humbugs that we are!! Not really, but the needles were dropping like mad because Mike thought I was being over dramatic when I said the needles would drop if we didn't chop off the bottom of the tree and stick it in water to refresh it. I'm not kidding, Sherwood Forest hadn't got as many needles as were on our hall floor. Not good. Anyway we've put it all away now. We still have the little one which is in a pot in the living room, but I didn't want the big one in the living room as Ewan would have tried to climb it and I have to leave him in there occasionally to nip off and do things. Didn't want any accidents.

Anyway my sweet, here are some photos and then I will say n'night...

Favourite Christmas Pressie!! A BOX!

Smiley man :)

Awwww love Sukie Dog!

MUM - I don't want my photo taken!!!

Still don't!

This is Ewans sticker chart. It was all neat til we decided to let him stick the stickers on when he had been good, at which point it went a bit wrong. But he likes it!!

Holly rocking out to zero music. Ewan looking on bemused!

:) Hope you like them.

Righty oh, I will love you and leave you for now. I need sleep!!

I hope you have a TERRIFIC Tuesday!!! And that you had a marvellous Monday doing marvellous things with marvellous people in marvellous places wearing your marvellous smile on your marvellously beautiful face!!

Sweetest sweet dreams til sunbeams find you, snuggled up toastie!

Allllllllllllllllllllllllllll of my love and kisses and hugs as always and forever and ever and evermore!!!

Mum xXx

Happy Boxing Day!!

2010-12-26T21:22:00.000Z

Hello my lovely. How was your Sunday? Super I hope!

Did you go to see friends and family today or stay at home? Or maybe you're away for the whole of Christmas time anyway :/ Who knows?!

I hope you had a Super Sunday, anyway!

Have you had a nice day playing with all of your new things from yesterday? Do you have an ipod? I bet you do. What kind of music do you have on it?
So what else did you get for Christmas? Anything special? Anything you didn't know about or hadn't asked for that was a huge and lovely surprise?
Holly got her guitar, which she was pleased about, and I don't think she knew about it at all because she seemed very surprised. I don't know how because it was only under our bed and that's the first place most kids would have checked. Mind you, it was under a huge pile of other bits and bobs.

I spent an hour fighting to sew in the clips to my hair extentions - Nightmare!! Holly's already had clips in, but some you can buy don't have the clips so you have to attach them yourself. It is the most tricky, fiddly job ever! It took me over an hour to sew in 5 clips, and I have about 15 more to do!! I think by the time I have finished my hair will be long enough by itself!!

Luckily (and touch wood) my bug is going away now. I've felt lousy for most of today but by this evening I was starting to pick up again. We went to Graces house for a meal this afternoon, which was really nice, and we took Ewans car with us as she has a great long hallway for him to buzz up and down. He's not quite figured it out yet but he's getting there. He can press the button but hasn't worked out that you need to hold it down to keep going. Of course, once he's mastered that, he then needs to learn very quickly to take his finger off the button to stop! And after that he has to learn how to steer, though I think he will be ok at that because he is really good at steering his bike.

You know what I cannot believe I forgot to do yesterday, partly because of illness and partly because of not knowing what day of the week it is due to Christmas madness...

...SONG OF THE WEEK!!!

Dozy woman! Sorry :( I hope you weren't disappointed not to have a Song of the Week when you should have!

Anyway I know what I wanted to put ages ago, so...

HERE it is!! in the funniest version :) and Here is the original!

Right my lovely, I really need to go and get my head down. Ewan was a monkey again last night so I am officially running on empty, and with a bug, it's not gooood!!

I hope you are feeling happy and smiley and happy and have had a wonderful Christmas weekend!!

Sweetest sweet dreams til sunbeams find you!

Alllllllllllllllllll of my love and kisses and hugs as always and forever and ever and ever and ever!

Mum xXx

Nearly over!?!

2010-12-25T22:47:00.001Z

Merry Christmas Beautiful Alidia!!!!

How was it? Did you get lots of wonderful gifts? I hope you had everything you wished for and a lovely time in the process!!!

Holly had lots of lovely things, including an acoustic guitar which she wanted, a gorgeous dress which makes her look far too old really, but it's really nice so we can't complain really!! It's not tarty or anything, just grown up. Some hair extensions as she mentioned ages ago about wanting them for special occasions. Umm.. A guitar stand and an electronic tuner, some DVDs, a CD, gift vouchers for itunes and make up... Ohhh I can't even think what else!

Ewan has had a cracker too. He's had an electric quad bike, a mini guitar with amp and microphone (so he can be like Holly and in the family band!) a table with a train set on top, some DVD's, a CD player with karaoke microphones, a massive duplo (lego) farm from you and Holly, an In The Night Garden MegaBlocks set, some bath toys, some lovely pop up books, some money, and all sorts of other bits and pieces... Too much at any rate! He got a bit upset a couple of times because it was a bit too much for him to take in :(
Still, he got over it and played lots with all his wonderful things!!

Mike got lots of lovely treats too, his favourite was the new(ish) Call of Duty game for his PS3. He didn't get any socks though, which he was a bit gutted about because it's a bit of a running joke that he asks for socks at every Birthday and Christmas. He's old, you see ;) haha!

I got some hair extensions too, because I miss my long hair and want to have it back!! I also got a gorgeous dress, a knitted one which is brown and doesn't sound gorgeous at all, but it really is - well, I think so! A beautiful necklace from Holly, you and Ewan, as well as a teapot and cup (because I am a tea fiend) and a lovely fruit bowl which I really wanted! Thank you!! ;)

Apart from that, I've got yet another stupid bug or something :/ I'm pretty sick of being ill actually, I look after myself and eat sensibly and do enough exercise, and still I seem to get everything that's going round. Except man flu, which is farrrrr worse than any kind of flu, mild or otherwise which I could possibly get!! Hopefully I'll feel a bit better when I wake up tomorrow. After I dropped Grace home at about 9 and arrived back here, I walked up the steps thinking I was going to collapse; my legs are like jelly and I feel like poo!! Yak.

Anyway enough of me waffling on again. But before I go, everyone in the family asked me to wish you a Merry Christmas!!

I really hope you had a fantastic day and it was everything you dreamed of!!

Sweetest sweet dreams til sunbeams find you and all that... Which you're probably bored of reading now! But you should by now know that you were loved from afar and missed as always.

All of my love and hugs and kisses as allllways and forever and ever and ever and evermore!

I hope you have a lovely boxing day :) <3

Mum xXx

PS. here is your big sis being bonkers with her hair, and your little bro being cute :D and Nanna Grace and I too :)

Merry Christmas

2010-12-25T09:08:00.001Z

Good morning my lovely!!

I want to wish you a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS! From alllllll of us! Especially from Ewan who is very happy with his Duplo Farm from you and Holly!! :D

Have a brilliant day!

All my love and kisses and hugs as aallllways and forever and ever, especially today!!

Mum xXx
Sent using BlackBerry® from Orange

Santa's nearly heeerrreeee!!

2010-12-24T23:30:00.000Z

Hello my darling, how are you tonight?

Tucked up in bed I hope and waiting for the morning and lots of lovely gifts!!

Happy Christmas Eve to you!! Have you had a fabulous Friday? I hope so :D

Today has been a bit higgledy piggledy. Ewan was a tinker in the night again so I was awake an awful lot, which meant that today I was very tired, coupled with the fact I have a bit of a horrible cold brewing, I felt ropey to say the least :/ Just what I didn't need on all parents busiest day of the year! Anyway I got through it thanks to tea and water and vitamin B (which release energy)!

All of the presents are out, bar a few that we hope Santa might bring tonight... Here is Holly posing as a Buddha! She says HI!!! And Merry Christmas little sis :D

Here is Sukie being confused by the evenings events!

So do you know yet what you are getting for Christmas? Have you asked for anything special? I hope you get all you wished for and dreamed of!

I'm going to keep it short tonight, as with Ewan being awake half the night, I have some catching up to do and I haven't managed to do everything I needed to still. I've some ironing to put away before I go to bed, and I remembered a moment ago I have forgotten to wrap two small presents!! Uh ohhh!

Oh blimey - I had better get to bed in a minute, Santa is in Spain already... Andorra to be precise, then he is off to Barcelona!
Do you remember when we tracked Santa on the internet years ago? You probably don't because you were only young, but we sat up watching where he was going :)

Here is the tracking page for SANTA!!

Anyway my sweetheart, this afternoon Nanna K came over with William to drop off some pressies. She didn't stay too long as she had to be back before it got too dark. She is staying with her man, and he lives near Newark and she had to drop off Will at his Dads house too. She had a nice play with Holly on the Wii though, and spent some time with Ewan playing sledges on a mountain of cushions in the living room! Will was more interested in watching TV with Mike in the kitchen, but that's boys for you!!

Ohh, need to check the Euro lottery ticket to see if we were one of the 25 millionaires!! I doubt it, but who knows?!? Anything is possible!!

I suppose I had really better go and sort out that ironing and wrap those last couple of things. I can't believe after I thought I was all organised I'd forgotten two little things. Still, at least I've still got tape and paper left!! That would be a bit disastrous!!

Well my darling, I really hope you have had a cracking Christmas Eve, and a fabulous Friday filled with fabulous people doing fabulous things in fabulous places wearing your fabulous smile on your fabulous face!!!

Sweetest sweet dreams til sunbeams find you munching pain au chocolat and wearing a silly hat from a Christmas cracker at the breakfast table!!

Alllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll and more of my love and mistletoe and kisses and holly wreaths and hugs and pine trees with tinsel as always and forever and ever and ever and ever and ever and ever and evermore and some!!! Especially tonight and tomorrow morning :) I hope you wake up smiling and have a brilliant Christmas!!!

Mum xXx

Happy Christmas eve eve to youuuuu

2010-12-23T23:45:00.001Z

Hello my lovely, how are you tonight?

Have you had a great day! Was it a thermal Thursday??? It's not been too cold here, but it's not exactly toastie either!!

Soooo what have you been up to? Anything fun? Anything exciting? Any more wrapping to do or are you all set?

Here's a joke that was on my igoogle page earlier and made me chuckle...

Charlie Viracola: Believed in Santa

Christmas always sucked when I was a kid because I believed in Santa Claus, and unfortunately, so did my parents.

This is only going to be a quickie because it's very late and I have been wrapping heaps and heaps of presents. For some reason Nanna Grace thought I'd be better at wrapping her presents to Ewan too so I have had double. As if I didn't have enough to do already! But I don't mind, they were too big for her to lift, but I can't tell you what they are yet in case Ewan sees this!! ;)

Ewan has been a munchkin today - so cute! He has been full of fun and giggles and laughs and running about and mischief!
We played dens this morning, he played and watched some telly with his Nanna Grace later on today and he ran about lots.

Playing and giggling at the shapes on Mister Maker with Nanna Grace (who's scarf you can see in the background!) The thing with poppers at the bottom is his long johns that he was wearing under his trousers to keep him warm!

Playing dens!

He also decided to hide under his toy basket while he was in his high chair... Weirdo!

We spent this morning having a clear out and sorting some toys and clothes, so that we could do a good deed and take them to a homeless shelter for the children to share out. I felt really emotional because to think of people being homeless is sad enough, especially children, but especially at this time of year when it's so cold and horrible outside. The children at this place were lucky as they have a roof over their heads while they are there, which is great, but others aren't so fortunate and it's those that I felt so awful for. Unfortunately I couldn't exactly go wondering the streets looking for people who looked like they had been living in a cardboard box :/
When we were on the way there, he looked as if he was being grumpy that we were giving away some of his toys, so I took a photograph. He wasn't being grumpy at all really, he was tired out and about 30 seconds later was fast asleep!!

Holly spent the day shopping in Leicester with her Nanna Grace. They had a bit of a girlie day, going for an Italian at lunch time and generally mooching about the shops!

Mike, Ewan and I went food shopping this afternoon, though I sent Mike into the supermarket and Ewan and I wondered around the other shops instead!! Haha! Well, I did all the present shopping!!

Well my sweet peach, I will love you and leave you with that as I am struggling to keep my eyes open!! Sorry if it's a bit short, but you know, I do tend to waffle on about rubbish, so you should be grateful!

I hope you had a thrilling Thursday full of thrilling people doing thrilling things in thrilling places, wearing your beautiful smile on your beautiful face! Time for a change I think!

Sweetest sweet dreams til sunbeams find you, snuggled in bed watching tv and sipping hot chocolate with marshmallows!!

Alllllllllllllll of my love and kisses and hugs as always and forever and ever and ever more!!!

Mum xXx

Happy Wednesday!!

2010-12-22T22:22:00.000Z

Hello my lovely,

How are you tonight?

Did you have a wonderful Wednesday? I certainly hope so, and I hope it was full of wonderful people doing wonderful things in wonderful places... Wearing (yep, you guessed it) your wonderful smile on your wonderfully beautiful face!

So what have you been up to? Anything exciting? Anything fun? Anything particularly interesting? Did you have a day out? Or a day at home, watching tv, relaxing, keeping warm...?

Did you eat and drink nice Christmassy things? Did you generally have a good day? Or was it busy and crazy and tiring? Or (I hope not, but ought to ask) did something bad happen?

Ewan is very restless tonight and keeps sitting up in bed crying for me. I'm not sure what is wrong with him but I really hope he sleeps as we had another bad night last night. Still, that's not your concern... But it's not nice when he is upset. Nor you or Holly, but at least you're both old enough to explain what is wrong.

Mike and I did a lot of work today, as Grace was over for the afternoon. It was quite useful as we had a good few bits to catch up on before everyone goes mad for a few days over Christmas and New Year.

Are you looking forward to New Year? Are you going to a party? We're not. Grace won't babysit as she always goes out, and I think with everything she does for us, we can't really moan about that! Besides, we rarely go out anyway, and to stay up past midnight just about wipes me out nowadays. Holly is technically old enough to babysit, but I'd rather she wasn't on her own in case anything were to happen; God forbid!
The trouble with working in Health and Safety is that you begin to worry about every little thing that could possibly go wrong!! It's interesting, but my goodness, it's a pain at times! Mind you, I've always been a worrier anyway. That's not all we do of course, there are a lot of other products and industries we are involved in, but I think of Health and Safety as the primary one for some reason.

Little noggin is awake again, so I really had better dash and sort him out. I've been in twice since i started writing this, which suggests we might not be having a very good night tonight :(

Pah, I'm always moaning about tiredness!! I'll tell you something happy before I go. Today, Ewan did lots of lovely things. We didn't go out as he has a cough again, and last time I took him out with a cough it turned into something horrible. But we played a bit this afternoon when I was having a break from working and he was soooo cute. He kept running over to me and throwing himself on me for a snuggle, then just laying there while I stroked his hair. He also called me Mummy properly tonight for the first time. He rarely speaks, though that's not to say he can't do it. I just don't think he can be bothered!! He also had a brilliant time with Holly making dens in his bedroom and hiding in them!
He also fell in love with this, which I discovered last night...

Santa's message for Ewan

I was going to do one for you too, but they're a bit babyish so I decided against it. Also, they didn't have your name in the system so it wouldn't have been as good. I hope you can see the video for Ewan though, it's cute! He was smiling and waving at Santa when he watched it, and when I asked him later what he would like Santa to bring him, he said 'Bohbull' (his word for bottle or milk) although later on when I encouraged him a bit more, he decided he wanted a bohbull and a car!! That's useful because he asked for a car on his letter to Santa!!

Right my beautiful, I had better dash.

I really hope you had a fantastic day and are looking forward to tomorrow, then Friday which of course is Christmas Eve, and Chrimbi Dayyyyyyyyy!!!

Sweetest sweet dreams til sunbeams find you, dreaming flying over lakes and mountains with your friend The Snowman...

Alllllllllllllllllllllllllllll of my love and coca cola and kisses and tempura king prawns and hugs and cheese and pineapple on sticks as always and forever and ever and ever and ever and ever and ever and evermore!!!

Mum xXx

Gooood evening :)

2010-12-21T21:04:00.001Z

Hello my lovely little lady,

How are you this evening? Have you had a terrific Tuesday?

Have you had much snow recently? We were forecast lots of snow overnight and tomorrow morning, but I just had a look at the BBC website weather forecast and it says a little light snow, so I'm not sure if the clouds got lost or took a detour somewhere else, or whether they were just wrong. Or if the BBC website is wrong, in which case we may get a lot of snow and then lots of our plans might be ruined. Oh well, I'm not going to worry about it unless it happens.

Nanna K is worried she won't be able to bring our presents over before the weekend though, but I don't think there will be a shortage of pressies in this house.

So what have you been up to today? I imagine you have been very busy preparing for Christmas. Have you been baking and cooking lovely things? I've made cranberry sauce and I have some stewed apples in the fridge ready for me to make apple pastries tomorrow, like apple turnovers, but without the turned over bit! Lots of sugar on top and a little cinnamon. Ommy nom nom!!

Ewan has been a bit better today, though we had a terrible night again. He was up from about 3am and I think we went back to sleep just before Mike and Holly got up. I'm so tired, but hopefully, with him seeming a bit better today, he might even sleep through tonight... Fingers, toes and eyes all crossed!!

I forgot last night, I had taken some photographs on my way home from shopping because the scenery looked so pretty. They haven't come out too well as I was only using my blackberry, but they are ok so here they are...

This is a road which comes down into our village, but runs alongside Bradgate Park. Sometimes the deer all stand around here, so if I see them there one day I will stop and take a photo. They do look majestic, especially the big stags with their huge antlers! The house that is just to the left of the last picture, that is up for sale, isn't quite what we're looking for (it's not got quite enough land and the rooms are a bit pokey), but I think I'd consider it because of the beautiful view out of the front windows. It looks directly out over the park and across the valley.

Ooops, my dinner is ready so I had better go and eat. I will love you and leave you for now, as I am starving, and I could really do with a good sleep afterwards. Wish me luck!!

I hope you have had a terrific Tuesday doing terrific things with terrific people in terrific places, wearing your terrific smile on your terrifically beautiful face!!!

Sweetest sweet dreams til sunbeams find you sipping hot chocolate and munching shreddies!

Alllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll of my love and kisses and hugs and MWAH!!!! Christmassy wishes for this week... Today is the shortest day so we can now look forward to the days getting longer!!!

Mum xXx

Good evening my lovely little lady!

2010-12-20T23:37:00.000Z

Hello Alidia! How are you this evening?

I hope you have had a Marvellous Monday?!

Did you see the photos I posted earlier? Ewan and I got to snuggle up and watch the Bob The Builder, A Christmas to Remember movie. It was on cbeebies and I didn't realise until it came on. I was very happy it did though, because he hardly had a nap at all today and wouldn't settle when I tried to put him down for a sleep, so we curled up with a blanket on the sofa and watched it.

:) So what have you been up to today? Anything particularly fun? Anything particularly exciting? Have you been eating anything particularly nice? Maybe some chocolate? Maybe some mince pies? Maybe some Panettone? Maybe some Lebkuchen?Maybe some ice cream? Maybe some noodles? Maybe some cheese ??? Who knows...?! I'm sure you have eaten something yummy today!

Have you broken up from school yet? Holly breaks up tomorrow at 1pm. it hardly seems worth taking her with the hour there and back, but she is going nonetheless. It would be naughty not to and she's had loads of time off recently with this horrible bug and cough. Everyone seems to be coming down with it!

*** Blimey, I started writing this before 8.30, but since then Ewan has been very restless and I've had to eat dinner so it's getting late again now! He's very grizzly this evening for some reason. Last night we had a terrible night because his hives came up again, all over his arms and legs this time. He also had a temperature. He came into bed with me and I sat blowing cool air over his hot patches and stroking his hair until he fell asleep. It wasn't a good sleep because he kept getting hot and throwing covers off, then getting cold again, of course that meant I didn't sleep, but it was a cute night because he kept snuggling up to me which is lovely. You used to do that when you were dinky. You also used to shuffle about as Ewan does and push me right to the edge of the bed!! Monkeys, the pair of you!

So have you got anything to tell me about?

I didn't hear from you today, as I had expected, so I have decided to keep your Christmas present with your others for you to have one day when you decide you would like to. I don't want you to think I don't want you to have them, or I am holding them to ransom (holding them back so you will have a reason to get in touch). I just don't want to sent anything that you will be upset by. Or something that you don't like. Have you any idea how difficult it is to buy a gift for a person who you used to know so well but haven't seen or heard from in so long?! That sounds silly now. That said, I wish I had now. The more I think about the more I want to send it to you. I might tomorrow if I am feeling brave. I went to the post office today and sat outside for a while thinking about it, but decided against it in the end. I think I am worried you won't like it and will throw it away. I'm not sure, but whatever the reason something is blocking me and I wonder now whether I am doing the right thing. It's impossible to tell. I can only guess, and all I have to work with is how close we used to be.

You must know how much I love you... Surely? I hope you remember how close we were... I know things weren't always perfect for us, and we didn't have a lot of material wealth. But we had fun and we loved each other...

See now I wonder whether I should be writing this kind of thing. I don't want to upset you. Of course I know that it has been so long you have probably got a lot of mixed feelings about me and us and what happened and why it happened. I could tell you anything (as could anyone else) but at the end of the day it is your life and you who must decide whether you want to be any part of mine or not. I'm sorry I wasn't able to give you the option a few years ago...

Ohh, Ewan's awake again. hang on... Ooohhhhh, poor man is very restless indeed, I think I had better go now my lovely. You've probably heard enough for one lifetime tonight already anyway!

I'm sorry that when Ewan demands me I have to dash off. I hope it doesn't make you feel unimportant to me. You're not at all, but unfortunately (or fortunately, depending how you look at it) we all have some responsibilities, and things that need to be done day in, day out. Ewan is here so when he needs me I have to be there for him, as is Holly, and the very same if you were here or close by somewhere :)

Well my darling, I hope you did have a marvellous Monday! Full of marvellous activities with marvellous people in marvellous places doing marvellous things, all the time wearing your marvellous smile on your marvellously beautiful face.

I love you and miss you more than ever, every day!

Sweetest sweet dreams til sunbeams find you, swinging from lampshades and making monkey noises!

Allllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll and some more of my love and bananas and kisses and omm nom nom ice cream and huggles and a huuuuge extra snuggle for it being the start of Christmas week... (I hope you're smiling and happy...) As always and forever and and ever and ever ever and evermore!

Mum xXx

IMG00815-20101220-1616.jpg

2010-12-20T16:22:00.001Z

Hello Liddy my lovely

Ewan and I just watched Bob the Builder, A Christmas To Remember!! it was on cbeebies!

Ewan's not well today, but I hope you are having a lovely day! I'll write later!

Love you lots,

Amlakaa

Mum xXx
Sent using BlackBerry® from Orange

:) Super Sunday?

2010-12-19T22:01:00.000Z

Hello my little lovely!!

Have you had a SUPER SUNDAY??

I certainly hope so, and I hope it was full of super people doing super things with super you in super places wearing your super smile on your super beautiful face!!

So what did you get up to? Did you do anything special? Are you away for Christmas, on holiday or staying with friends or family? Are you staying at home and having people come to you?

Are you excited? Has Santa given you any idea of what he might be bringing this year? I think he might be quite popular in this house, especially with a certain small someone!! I think a certain big someone might be quite happy too, come to think of it!

I haven't heard from you about whether or not to post your gift, so I guess that means I 'll have to make the decision. If I don't post it tomorrow it will be too late for Christmas, so I will hang on til about 4pm and if I haven't heard, make a decision based on how I would feel if I were in your shoes. Eeek. No pressure!

We had a nice day today. This morning I went to pick up Nanna Grace, and took her off shopping to pick up a few last minute bits and bobs. In two hours we managed to fill my car completely!! I didn't realise we had quite so much still to get. Well, we didn't really. We just happened to pick last few things that were quite bulky!

We came back here and Grace played with Ewan while I had a bit of a clear up and started baking in preparation for our visitors. Auntie Debbie, Andy and Nanna B came over today. We had the annual swappage of Christmas pressies, though obviously we didn't open them today! And because it was Nanna B's birthday in the week, we gave her Birthday presents and I had made apple and cranberry tarts for us all, as well as a few mince pies. We also drank lots of tea and coffee!!

Just after they arrived, poor Ewan was sick all over me and all over the hall floor :( I'm not sure what was wrong with him, but I think it might be a little bug as I was feeling rubbish last night and when he woke up from his afternoon nap he just wasn't himself. He had hardly eaten anything all day, but Holly was holding him and he hiccuped and sort of burped, and sounded as if he was going to be sick, so I took him off Holly as I knew if he was sick near her it would make her feel ill too. Mike thought I was being silly, but 30 seconds later, whoosh! And again. And again! All over me, all over the floor, all over everywhere. Bleugh! Poor poor baby man!! After that he seemed ok for a while, but by tea time he was a bit off colour again. Touch wood no more sickiness, but it wouldn't surprise me, as he doesn't seem well. :(

I made Auntie Debs a cake today, a flourless chocolate cake. I wasn't very impressed with it as it came out more like a biscuit than a cake. The instructions weren't very clear, so I obviously went slightly wrong somewhere along the way. Still, it smelt incredible and looked delicious when I put the two halves together with raspberry jam and whipped cream, then piled whipped cream on top with fresh raspberries and grated chocolate.
Omm! I would have eaten it even if it was a big gooey biscuit!

Did you like your song of the week this week? I hope so, as it one of my very favourite songs. Especially for Christmas!

I ought to get myself some rest now lovely, as I think Ewan and I might be up once or twice in the night :(

I hope you have had a wonderful weekend, I really do!

Have a think about posting your present. I'd like to, but I'd prefer to with your blessing if possible <3

Sweetest sweet dreams til sunbeams find you with poached eggs and crispy bacon and a glass of cold orange juice...

Alllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll of my love and raspberries and kisses and hot english muffins and hugs and gingerbread people as always and forever and ever and ever and ever and forever and evermore!

Mum xXx

Phew!

2010-12-19T00:55:00.000Z

Hello my gorgeous! How was your Saturday? Was it splendid??? I certainly hope so!!

Did you have a busy day or a quiet day or a fun and frantic day?

Before I forget, I am sorry that I have failed very much at making 3 or 4 'things' this week. The first part of the week was a nightmare with Ewan's bad sleeping and general awkwardness in trying to do anything, plus my obvious tiredness, then the last part of the week has been a mad dash to catch up on everything I should have been doing the week and a half before!!
Mind you, you're probably bored of those now too. If you can even see them! It's slightly frustrating not knowing whether they work on peoples computers or not. There doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason. Oh well.

I can't believe how late it is already. I was wrapping and tidying away until later than normal as we have the company of Queen Nanna B, Nanna Grace, Auntie Debbie and Uncle Andy tomorrow for the afternoon. I have so much to do before they get here it's silly!! I've to do breakfast and all things homely after a shower and what have you, then nip over to fetch Grace before taking her shopping for an hour or so, rush back here and make a cake (which doesn't last and is for Auntie Debbie, hence I have to do it tomorrow morning) make some mince pies with the half ton of pastry I have left in the fridge, sort out everyone's parcels into piles for them to take to Nottingham...

I'm really struggling to think what to say tonight. I think I am going to leave it at that and come back tomorrow when hopefully my mind is less bogged down in... Stuff. I'd tell you what sort of stuff, but I don't want to bother you with it. It's nothing nasty, so don't worry about anything :)

Before I go I want to share this with you. When I was a little girl I used to love this song, and wayyyyy before cds were ever invented, I had this on an old 7 inch record. The cover was like this (it was MADE to look old back then, it's not an antique!!) I was 2 years old when this song came out, in 1980. That is 30 years ago, which makes me seem old. I am old to you I suppose, but I'm not OLD old! Or at least not old, OLD old, old...

This is song of the week for this week, as when I was little I used to sing and dance to it, and then you were little we used to sing and dance to it together. You may remember it, you may not. I hope you do as it's lovely. Ewan enjoys marching up and down the kitchen to it now when I play the cd (yes, I've upgraded to a cd version!!) So this song reminds me of my childhood, your childhood and now Ewans childhood!

Here is your Baby Brother helping out with decorating the Christmas tree. He was very good...

And here it is later, after he had helped me throw everything at it(!!!!!) it looks lovely really, but unless a tree is decorated by a professional it will never look as good in photos I don't think :S

Well my sweet angel, I'm sorry it's another rubbish post. Your little mate Ewan has really taken it out of me this week, that and getting ready for festive mayhem :)

Just because I'm not writing AS much (even if I were to write nothing at all) it doesn't mean I don't love you or I'm not thinking of you every moment of every day. I do, I always have and I always will.

I really, really hope you had a splendid day doing splendid things with splendid people in splendid places, wearing your splendid smile on your splendidly beautiful face!! You deserve it for being so splendid!!!

Sweetest sweet dreams til sunbeams find you with a mouthful of Rice Crispies letting them all pop one by one on your tongue!! (Talking of which, have you ever had a Cadburys magic elves bar? They're BONKERS!!)

ALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL of my love and sugar puffs and kisses and pancakes and hugs as always and forever and ever and ever and ever til forevermore.

Mum xXx

BBC E-mail: Your pictures: The big freeze continues

2010-12-18T23:32:00.001Z

Amlakaa Mum xXx saw this story on the BBC News website and thought you
should see it.

** Your pictures: The big freeze continues **
BBC News website readers have been sending in their photos of the snow across the UK.
< http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/em/fr/-/news/uk-12027053 >

** BBC Daily E-mail **
Choose the news and sport headlines you want - when you want them, all
in one daily e-mail
< http://www.bbc.co.uk/email >

** Disclaimer **
The BBC is not responsible for the content of this e-mail, and anything written in this e-mail does not necessarily reflect the BBC's views or opinions. Please note that neither the e-mail address nor name of the sender have been verified.

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Quotes of the Day

2010-12-18T00:15:00.000Z

"For every failure, there's an alternative

course of action. You just have to find it.

When you come to a roadblock,

take a detour."

- Mary Kay Ash

"Yesterday is not ours to recover, but
tomorrow is ours to win or to lose."
- Lyndon B. Johnson

Good night my beautiful Alidia!!

How are you tonight?

I hope you had a FABULOUS FRIDAY!!!

It is my friend Nikki's Birthday today, and as we always share a picture or a phrase every Friday to do with 'thank crunchie it's friday', I looked this up for her as a special treat today...

Thank Crunchie Cupcakes it's Friiiiday!!!

I thought you might like it too :)

So what have you been up to today? Have you done anything especially lovely? Did you have a nice day at school? Have you had much snow? Have you had any snow? Some people have had loads and some haven't had any. I think it's a bit more spread out than the last lot we had!

Are you all ready for Christmas now with your presents wrapped and tree and decorations up?

I only started wrapping tonight, but I got loads done. I bought one of those wrist tape holders and a cutter for paper. It must be the best few pounds I have ever spent. It took no time to wrap everything!!

I'm still not sure if I should post your present or not... I will give it some more thought, but if you would like me to, you can always email me. I don't want to send it if it will upset you, but now I have your address I don't want to not send it if it will upset you... I hope you can take a moment to let me know what you think so I don't make a mistake either way :)

We had a fun day today. Sort of! Ewan was being a total pickle this morning. We had tantrums and tears before we could get out of the door. He and Mike had a dentists appointment, and we ended up being a couple of minutes late for the appointments because he was screaming so much and fighting to not have his teeth brushed. Even Mike couldn't hold him down, so we had to put him in his cot to calm down a little. Anyway, they kept us waiting for 45 minutes, which given his mood wasn't ideal at all. We ended up having to leave. Because although I had been outside with him for a vast majority of the 45 minutes, walking him round trying to calm him down and get him to be a nice little man again, he just wasn't having it.

I think it was partly because he hasn't slept much recently, but also because the journey to the dentists is the same as to his Nanna Graces, so he thought he was going there and seemed rather angry that he wasn't when we parked at the dentists. He's too smart for his own good!! We went to his Nanna Graces after we left so she could have him for a moment before Mike or I cried in public (that's a slight exaggeration, but I wasn't too far off!!) and so we could have a cup of tea. He was an absolute angel, and she thought we were telling fibs.

Little MONKEY!!!!

Anyway, after that we came home and I gave Ewan some lunch because Mike had to nip out again, then we had a cuddle and read a bit, played a little bit, and then he went for his nap. He was certainly tired as he zonked out, which meant I was able to sort some jobs out around the house.

We've been trying to have a clear out pre-Christmas and we have a load of clothes and things to get rid of. I did some phoning around to see which charity would like them, as some places get so many donations and some don't get many. I settled on a charity which runs a homeless shelter for families with children, so I have sorted out all of the clothes into piles and put them in bags to take them there on Monday morning. I also did a bit of cleaning and tidying up, and wrote a few last Christmas cards to deliver to neighbours. We always do that on Christmas eve, wrapped up snug with tinsel and mistletoe and have a giggle!!

Tomorrow is a mega busy day for us as I have some last minute dashing around some shops to do, then start a big clean up and sort out which will take most of tomorrow and Sunday morning, then we have to put the tree up. We decided to leave it til a) we knew whether or not we were moving and b) a bit later than usual so we don't have to pick up all the decorations 9 million times when Ewan pulls it over or picks the chocolate ones off and pulls everything else down with it!!

One good thing about living in a forest is that there is no shortage of places to lay your hands on a Christmas tree!! The farm shop down the road has heaps and there is a place a little further up the road which is a tree farm (?!?!) they have acres and acres of forest land which they have planted in rotation. That means that they use one area one year, then replant it in spring, then another the year after, and so it goes on over many years until the first area is full of decent sized trees.

Ohh blimey - I just realised the time. I ought to be getting to bed!!

Before I do, I have 3 photos I want to show you. Two are gorgeous and cute, and of Ewan when he was dinky the other is just silly and shows what a tea addict I am!!

That's toooooo much tea for the average person. I'm the only person in the house that even drinks it apart from Grace when she's here, and any other visitors!!

Anyway my love, that's all from me tonight. I really do hope you had a fabulous Friday, doing fabulous things with fabulous people in fabulous places wearing your fabulously beautiful smile on your fabulously beautiful face!!!

Sweetest sweet dreams til sunbeams find you, sipping orange juice, watching Saturday morning TV all cosy in your jimjams!!

Allllllllllllllllllllllllllll of my love and croissants and kisses and pain au chocolat and hugs and poached eggs and bacon as always and forever and ever and ever and ever and evermore!!

Mum xXx

Hello my darling Alidia

2010-12-16T21:13:00.000Z

How are you this evening?

Good I hope!

Have you had a thermal Thursday? Was your weather bonkers? We had rain this morning and then when I had to go out to an appointment at about 1'clock I got to the top of our road to find there was a blizzard!! It was horrible, and a lot of people were driving like idiots. I was nearly involved in two accidents because people were either just being stupid or confused because the snow was coming down so quickly. It was like going into hyperspace!! Like this...

So, what did you get up to today? Did you have school? I guess you will have done, unless you were ill :( I hope you aren't poorly.

We managed to get to toddler group today, and I was speaking to Isabelles Mum who has had the exact same thing as Holly, including the weird noise coughing. She hadn't been sick but said she was very close a few times. Luckily Isabelle didn't get it too. She had a cough but not as bad as her Mum!

Holly seems to be on the mend now, and Ewan is very much better. He even managed to go for a nap today without too much fuss, which was a huge relief as he was awful yesterday after no sleep at all!!

Well this afternoon after my appointment, we made some mince pies with a twist. I made some cranberry sauce, but without as much water in as the cranberry sauce you'd put with your chicken, and then I peeled a cooking apple, so I made a selection of cranberry and apple tarts, mince with cranberry tarts, and mince and apple tarts. They were lovely!! Especially the apple and cranberry ones. I'm going to make a big batch tomorrow, as I was trying out different flavours today to see what worked. Ommm nom nommy omm!! Ewan was quite keen on them too, which is nice. Holly wouldn't even try one to see if she liked it. Misery guts!!

We also had a lovely time playing in the living room later on this afternoon, and Ewan chased me round and round and round, then I pretended to fall on to the sofa so he jumped on me, then I chased him until he pretended to fall over. I didn't jump on him, but I tickled him. And so it went on. It was funny, but I think you probably had to be there to appreciate how funny it was. We both giggled lots and lots.

Hmm... I'm trying to think what else to tell you about our day. It wasn't especially interesting. I spoke to Nanna B about 3 times on the phone, mostly to wish her a Happy Birthday. The first time I rang she had a guest (Uncle Richard) so she didn't want to keep him waiting and we only spoke for a minute or two. Then I rang her back later to carry on talking, and we had a lovely natter. Then she rang me this evening to tell me about her late Brother (that's how you refer to someone after they have died) Jim's wife, Sylvia has had to go into a nursing home because she is suffering very badly with dementia. It's a real pity because Sylvia was a very strong and determined lady. I didn't know her very well but I know when Great Uncle Jim was in hospital before he died, she was rather old and quite frail, and she took two buses each morning and night to go to hospital to visit him then go home again.

I feel I should have made a 'thing' for you this evening, but I'm not sure I want to in case you can't see them. I would be really upset to find out I had been spending hours and hours designing things for you that you couldn't even see. I'd be a teeny bit upset if I found out you didn't like them, but at least you would know that I had done them for you... We might not like everything that people do for us in the name of love, but I suppose we should try and consider the fact that they thought it was for the best for us.

Oh, I know what I meant to show you. I took this photo today - it made me giggle. It was just after Ewan got up from his nap so he didn't have his jeans on. I had just bought him through to the living room, and Mike was playing golf on the PS3. Ewan decided sitting with his Dad watching golf was more interesting than having a snuggle with Mummy!!

Right my sugar plum, I had better go and eat something before bed time. It is about ready now.

I hope you had a lovely day, wrapped up warm and toastie against the freeeeezing cold!! I hope it was lovely in every way, spent doing lovely things with lovely people in lovely places, wearing your lovely smile on your lovely face!!

Sweeeeeetest sweet dreams til sunbeams find you and tempt you awake with the scent of hot buttered toast and honey...

Allllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll of my love and spicy chicken wings and kisses and curly fries and tommy ketchup and hugs and barbeque sauce as always and forever and ever and ever til ommm nom nom eternity!!

Mum xXx

Hello again...

2010-12-15T23:47:00.000Z

Sorry my earlier post was a bit rubbish, and this won't be much better. I couldn't concentrate as Ewan was screaming so much!!

He has woken up again since then and now seems to be back asleep. I have a feeling tonight is going to be a bad night.

I just thought I ought to let you know that tomorrow (16th) is Nanna 13's Birthday!! She is going to be 87!!!!

There she is, the Queen of our family!!

I thought you might like to know :)

I was really hoping to take Ewan over to see her, as she has no other plans at the moment, but I have two appointments so I don't think we will be able to make it unfortunately. I would love to though! But she is coming here on Sunday anyway with Debbie and Andy for the afternoon, so we will see her then if not.

Well that's all really my sweet, I am so tired and so worried I won't get any sleep, I am going to try and get some shut-eye now!

I hope you have a peaceful and cosy nights sleep, and I will speak to you very soon.

Sweet dreams, and alllll of my love as always and forever and ever amen! AGAIN!

Mum xXx

:o(

2010-12-15T21:06:00.000Z

Hello my beautiful.

How was your Wednesday? Was it wonderful? I certainly hope so!!

I'm afraid this is going to have to be really short, as Ewan is still screaming for some reason. I have no idea why. He seems very distressed about something. He used to be be such a good boy about going to bed but just recently it has become a nightmare. I'm not sure what to do about it, as it was the case that if something was wrong he wouldn't settle... Like if he had a tummy ache or whatever, or maybe he had teething pains, but the rest of the time he was fine. Now he just does not want to go to bed. I can't understand it and it's horrible to hear him crying!!

I remember going through something similar with you, and that was horrible as well. :o(

It's the worst feeling in the world when you don't know how to help your baby be happy. And you can never be sure, until a child is old enough to explain something to you, whether there is something wrong or if its just temper.
I keep going in to wipe his face, and nose. He's in a right old tiz!

I really hope you had a lovely lovely day, a wonderful Wednesday, with wonderful people doing wonderful things in wonderful places wearing your wonderful smile on your wonderfully beautiful face!!

Sorry it can't be longer, but your little Brother is being quite demanding this evening!!

Sweetest sweet dreams til sunbeams find you, and tease your eyes open with soft glowing warmth and happy memories from your sleepy time...

Allllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll of my love and thermal socks and kisses and chunky cardigans and hugs and bobble hats as always and forever and ever and ever and ever and evermore,

Mum xXx

Technology Problems

2010-12-14T21:02:00.000Z

Hello my darling.

How are you this evening? Good I hope! Did you have a terrific Tuesday? Fingers crossed you did!!

I had an email from Nanna K today, asking me if anyone else has problems viewing photos, videos and 'things' on your blog, as she doesn't seem to be able to view them at all. Although she has been staying with Andy (her fella) for a few weeks now due to the snow so is only using her i-phone at his house or her laptop when she is at school.
It has worried me a bit as Mike was unable to see the thing I made for him the other day. I hope you can see all the stuff I add to the site, or you won't have a clue what I am talking about half the time.

I'm not having a good day when it comes to technology as it happens. I have changed my phone as I got sick of the company we were with due to problems with blackberrys, and more than that, because of their ridiculously rubbish customer services people. I've got a new one now, so my number has changed. I can't put it on here as I don't want the whole world to know my mobile number, but I would like you to have it so you can contact me if you should wish. Of course, you can always contact me on mum@alidia.co.uk .

Anyway - what did you get up to today? Did you do anything exciting or fun? Did you have school? Holly has a non uniform day tomorrow at school. It's for charity, though she can't remember which one and I don't think we ever saw the letter that came home from school about it. I'll have a look on their website to see.
Did you do anything nice after school? Or even during school? A lunch club or anything?

I hope you had a terrific day doing terrific things with terrific people in terrific places wearing that terrific smile on your terrifically beautiful face!!

AGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHH I very very nearly just lost everything I have written again. I told you it wasn't a good day for technology and me. In fact I have burnt two lots of toast, nearly crashed the car, very nearly ruined Holly and Ewans dinner and generally been clumsy and useless at most things.

Last night was another really bad night with Ewan, but Holly joined in last night too. I went to bed and my adreniline had kicked in to keep me going, so I couldn't drop off very quickly. I was just dropping off when I heard Holly run to the bathroom. She was sick again because of her cough!! No sooner had she gone back to bed and I was all snug, then Ewan woke up. He stayed awake until nearly 5am AGAIN. We were at the Dr's just after 9, so it was a bit of a rush when we got up this morning at about 8.

I'm not going to bother telling you anything else about my day as it was fairly lousy as days go and I'm so tired I can barely remember it!! I have to go and eat my dinner now, as Mike has cooked me something yummy, and then I am going straight to bed. I am hoping that Ewan will sleep through the night tonight, as he only had a 5 minute nap today. I am also hoping I sleep through the night and Holly isn't poorly again!

Sweetest sweet dreams til sunbeams find you and awaken your senses with the scent of fresh morning dew on cherry blossoms!

Allllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll of my love and fairy cakes and tomato ketchup and kisses and hugs and garlic bread (awwwwesoooommmmme! Do you remember that?!) as always and forever and ever and ever and ever and ever, and I'm sorry I'm so tired & lousy at writing. I'll be better tomorrow I promise!!

Mum xXx

Ohhhhh Yawny wawny day!

2010-12-13T23:00:00.001Z

Hello my beautiful! How are you tonight?

I'm afraid this is going to be a very short message as I am about ready to pass out from exhaustion.

Poor Ewan had another nasty rash last night all over his legs, which scared me silly as it came up from only a relatively small splodge. You know the one I mentioned last night that was on his thigh and bottom? Well when I went to bed he was restless, so I waited a while before I went in to tuck him in. Then I checked his leg to see if it was any better and I was greeted with this...
... Oh. My silly computer is playing up and won't let me upload the pictures for some reason. Stupid thing!
I shall email them. There, done! They will appear before this message - or below it depending which way you look at it!

Well, see his legs are all blotchy and swollen and horrible and sore and hot. And his little mouth is all swollen. It doesn't even look like him... We are going to the Dr;s first thing tomorrow so we have to be up and out early. It's going to be hard for me because I had virtually no sleep last night. I was on the phone to NHS Direct until gone 12.30 and they said they would call me back but to keep a close eye on him. I stayed awake til 5 when sleep took over, and was awake by about 7.30.

I hope you had a better day than us though - Did you go back to school today? Did you have a wonderful weekend? Did you have a manic Monday? Was it marvellous? I hope so! I hope you managed to stay dry and warm. it wasn't tooooo cold here today, but it was damp and rainy and reasonably cold. Not a very nice day weather wise!! How was your weather today?
That's not a very interesting thing to talk about is it?! Haha. My brain is mush today, sorry!

Mike and I have been working very hard today too. In fact I can't remember a day when either of us had so much to do. And after such a bad night, it has wiped me out pretty much. I felt like a giant had puked me up for most of the day, but by late afternoon I had reached my second whoosh of energy. It didn't last long!! Ewan didn't settle down til late and we had to finish off todays jobs before we could eat and settle down for the night. Mike is already asleep now but I have stayed up to write to you. He has to drive down past London tomorrow for a long meeting but be back up to go to a hospital appointment for something called a CT Scan (a bit like an x-ray apparently) on his face! It's to try and sort out his poorly nose.

Right my gorgeous ladykins. I am going to hit my hay...

I hope you had a marvellous Monday doing marvellous things with marvellous people in marvellous places, wearing your marvellous smile on your marvellously beautiful face as always!!

Sweetest sweet dreams til sunbeams find you and tickle your toes with bright pink and yellow ostrich feathers!

Allllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll of my love and smarties and coco pops and kisses and cadburys fudge and hugs as always and forever and ever and ever and evermore!

Mum xXx

Ewan's poorly skin and face

2010-12-13T22:38:00.000Z

I don’t know why the blogger program wouldn’t let me upload these, but you see now why I had a bit of a bad night. Look at his little face L All swollen around his mouth and his legs looked as if he’d had boiling hot water poured over them!!

Poor guy. We have to go to the Dr’s in the morning, as they were completely full today. Everyone is ill it seems!!

Amlakaa,

Mum xXx

Uh Ohhhh!

2010-12-12T22:19:00.000Z

Hello my beautiful.

How are you this evening?

Good I hope!

Before I waffle on endlessly again, I need to ask you; can you see the 'thing's I make? Because I did a little one for Mike yesterday and he couldn't open it, which has me worried now that you might not be able to see yours! I hope you can, but in case you can't see what your song of the week was meant to be yesterday, it was this...

It's a rubbish video, which is why if you can see the 'thing' you will notice I have made it as small as possible. I didn't think it added to anything, I just wanted you to hear the song and see the lyrics.

I hope you remember it and love it now as much as you did a few years ago!

Anyway chicken... How was your Sunday? Was it SUPER? I hope so!!

What have you been doing? Have you been getting up to mischief? Have you had a fabby day doing interesting things? Have you been at home doing homework or out and about doing exciting stuff?

Did you watch the X factor final? Matt won! I was quite surprised because I thought he had been getting worse recently. Although he was still good. I preferred Rebecca, but I'm very sure she will have a good future ahead of her regardless of the fact that she didn't win the whole competition!

On one of the advert breaks in X factor there was an advert on for a cat treat called whiskas temptations. There is the most gorgeous lovely looking cat on the advert and it made me think of Nuzzle and Scratch as they were snuggly cats full of love too. I miss the cats :( I miss Red and Wembley and Mokey and Boo too. Do you remember them?

Here is the cute Whiskas cat advert!

Poor little Ewan has had another nasty show of hives this evening. It is all over his thigh, hip and a bit on his bum cheek (which is extra bad and I'll explain why in a moment) then another patch on his other thigh, and then all down the back of his calves. Because of that he didn't go to bed until late. I wasn't going to make him upset by forcing him to stay in bed, and he wasn't happy about being there. Usually he is so very good at going to bed he will settle straight away unless something is wrong. I took him into the living room and we watched some x factor together until his medicine kicked in and helped him feel more comfortable. Then I took him back to bed. He was a bit whiney at first but he settled down quickly enough. I hope he doesn't have a bad night because of it.

We have racked our brains as to what might be causing it, because nothing has changed in the house. We haven't used any different or new chemicals for cleaning, we haven't cooked or eaten anything different. We haven't changed washing powder or fabric softener. We haven't even been out anywhere that we haven't been to regularly before.

I was starting to panic that he had become suddenly allergic to something he has previously been ok with, which is a worry because it could be literally anything if it was the case. Then it hit me. I realised that he has had something new, and he has had quite a lot of that new thing today because we'd forgotten about it for a couple of days so he had to catch up... His ADVENT calendar chocolates!!!
It's a good job he's too young to understand or he would be gutted!! Poor man. He's so sore, and the reason it is so bad on his bottom is because the skin where the hives are is red hot to the touch, so underneath a nappy it would be even hotter and potentially get very sore. I have put bepanthen on his sore patches though because that is a nappy barrier cream which means it stops anything from touching the skin and making it sore. I will have to make a list of the ingredients in them so I can figure out which it is, and make sure to avoid them, or am prepared for an outbreak next time he eats something that is also in them.
He will be ok though I'm sure. I hope we're right and that's what is causing it. If it is, then hopefully we won't come across it again :o)

Nanna Grace came over for dinner today and gave Mike and I chance to do a little bit of work. She is back tomorrow too because we have some paperwork to go through and sort out for a meeting with our solicitors about work.

Apart from a bit of work and some cleaning, we haven't really done a great deal today. Grace played with Ewan lots and Holly has played Sims and done some facebooking. Fairly boring day, but nice.

I hope you had a super Sunday doing super things with super people in super places, all the time wearing your super smile on your superbly beautiful face!!!

I had better get myself ready for bed now as I have a feeling if tonight is anything like last time he had hives, we will be having rather a restless night!
Let's hope he is better soon!!!

Well my sugar, I shall say goodbye until next time.

I hope you have a marvellous Monday, and a wonderful new week!

Sweetest sweet dreams til sunbeams tickle your nose buds with the faint smell of crispy bacon wafting up from the kitchen!!

Alllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll of my love and mince pies and icing sugar and kisses and cadburys chocolate fingers dunked in cadburys drinking chocolate and hugs as always and forever and ever and ever amen.

Mum xXx

'Thing' of the Week

2010-12-11T22:38:00.000Z

Hello my darling.

How are you tonight?

I hope you are fantastically well and had a stupendous Saturday! ! ! ! ! ! !

I have made you a 'thing' with song of the week included within it though, and I'm rather pleased with it, even if I do say so myself!

Priorities! Did you watch X factor?

Ewan had a late sleep today so didn't go to bed til late which meant that I missed a few bits of it, but he and I watched most of the first hour together. He likes the singing and the dancing.

Just as he was about to go to bed, this came on when we were in the kitchen. I was holding him at the time and he stopped fidgeting and watched perfectly quiet and perfectly still...

I think he likes the song, which makes me happy!! Especially as it was one of your songs of the week a while back.

So what have you been up to today? We haven't done a great deal.... Well, we have. But mostly boring stuff around the house. I took Ewan and Holly for a treat to Maccy D's at lunch time but that was about it for going out really.
How about you? Did you dare to go into town to do any shopping today or not? It's so bloomin' busy everywhere because Christmas is coming up! Ewan had a good run around the shops though when we went out. I let him go on his reins which he enjoys... Until he wants to go one way and we want to go another, at least!

Are you in the mood for Christmas? I always feel a bit peculiar at this time of year. I have to put a brave face on for Holly, and now Ewan too, but of course it makes missing you so much more difficult as it's the time of year when everybody focuses on family and happiness.
Mothers day is another, and Birthdays. Especially yours.
The one thing that keeps me going now is that by writing this I know that at least I am doing something and letting you know that I haven't given up on you, I never have and I never will. I didn't walk away from your life. I'm not going to start shouting on here about what happened and who did what, but you need to know that I did not walk away from you. You're my daughter. I gave birth to you after 8 and a half very long and difficult months of pregnancy. I gave birth to you. You were created inside my tummy and from the moment I saw your outline on the screen as I was having a scan, I loved you from the bottom of my heart. I would never, could never and will never ever forget that you are my baby. My little (ok, not any more, big) girl. My little angel. Who's nappies I changed, who's tears I kissed away. Who I fed by myself for months. Who I was too scared to let go of in case somebody hurt you. Who I was so very in love with with every single part of my being.
There's a phrase you may have heard; 'to hell and back'. Well that's where I've been without you in my life. But I am back. I have to be for Ewan and for Holly and for myself... I couldn't stay there because while I was there, there was no chance of me ever being able to fight for what is rightfully ours. A relationship between a Mother and Daughter. And you may not feel able to have one now. That is fine. But I will carry on writing this blog for as long as I can, I will carry on waiting with my arms and my heart wide open for you to step back in if you should ever wish. I will answer your questions and give you space to breath and reflect. Thinking things over. Of course, my natural reaction would be to hold you and hug you and squeeze you, but I don't want to frighten you (or stop you breathing)!!!

Anyway my beautiful sunflower... Here is your thing and song of the week combined!

I hope you like it. You and I used to sing this sometimes when it came on the radio. Every time I hear it I think of you... Though I don't think there are many songs or many things that don't make me think of you to be honest.

I really hope you had a stupendous Saturday, filled with doing stupendous things with stupendous people in stupendous places wearing your stupendously beautiful smile on your stupendously amazing face...

Alllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll of my love and chicken nuggets and kisses and apple crumble and custard and huggles and snuggles and fairy cakes forever and ever and evermore. To infinity. And beyond!

Mum xXx

Thanks Crunchie It's F.f.f.reeeezing... NooooooOO!! It's Friiiiday!!

2010-12-10T23:24:00.000Z

Hello my love!!

How are you this evening?

How has your weather been today? It was much milder here, not even close to freezing!! Thank goodness!! The snow has melted nearly everywhere and the streets are safe once again. For now.

Poor Nanna B though - now it has defrosted, she found out today that her pipe outside has burst AGAIN! She's not very happy about it, as it happened last year and she had it all fixed and lagged (which is where they put padding and warm stuff around the pipes so they stay unfrozen) and now because it has been so completely cold, it has managed to freeze anyway, and the water has burst out of it because it expands so much when it turns to ice.

Anyway she has Nanna K and Andy going to fix it for her tomorrow morning, so hopefully it will all be sorted very soon!

Auntie Debbie is still not very happy because her operation was cancelled. I thought reminding her she can have a cuppa would help, but obviously it wasn't enough to cheer her up completely!! Not surprising really, but fingers crossed they will manage to fit her in soon and get her all fixed up. She has about as much luck with her legs as Nanna B does with her pipes!

So what did you get up to today? Was school good? Are you glad to have made it to the weekend once again? Have you got any special plans for the weekend? Are you finishing off your Christmas shopping and making some pretty things for the tree?

Today we have had a funny old day. Ewan was up in the night (AGAIN!) so we didn't get up til quite late. Holly had a Dr's appointment first thing which Mike took her to. It turns out she has something called Tracheitis.
Apparently not a lot can be done. She is already on antibiotics and just has to wait til it clears up which should hopefully be this side of Christmas. It's not nice for her but luckily it's only a mild case, and it's being treated so it won't get worse.

Mike had a meeting to go to in Lincoln, which is about 2 and a bit hours away from where we live, so he left at just before 11, and Ewan, Holly and I decided to go shopping together. Just to the supermarket and I also needed to pop to the model shop to get some balsa wood for some things I am making for Christmas.
Well Mister Ewany Jones wasn't having any happy times when we got to the model shop and had an extra uber tantrum in there. Luckily the guy who runs it obviously has had children because he just smiled sweetly and said 'aww, somebody is tired then?!'... Yes! Somebody and somebody's Mummy, as it happens! I got my balsa wood and bought Ewan a little model car to go in his bedroom - on a shelf as it's too little for him to play with for a long while yet!
Then we went to the supermarket and he nearly fell asleep in the trolley. I bought Holly a hot chocolate from Costa as she didn't want a model car oddly enough, and Ewan also had a little baby muffin as he started shouting 'Ommmm' at the cakes in the display so we figured he was a bit hungry!

We managed to faf about at the supermarket and in a few other shops for pretty much all of the afternoon and by the time we got back here it was 4pm and getting dark. Ewan went for a nap, and I unpacked the car and sorted a few little jobs out. Nanna B rang to tell me about her burst pipe and then Ewan got up again at about 5.

After that, I cooked tea for Hollz and Ewan, and made some puff-pastry-flower-mince-tarts, cheesey sticks and a new thing I have invented called a parmigiano and black pepper buttons. They are basically little buttons (or circles) of puff pastry, glazed with egg white and topped with loads of grated parmigiano cheese and freshly ground black pepper. Mike loves them, and Ewan and I love the mince tarts!!

I'm a little bit annoyed because all the lovely baking trays I had have been mucked up as Mike uses them for silly things like cooking sausages on, so they're no longer any good for baking and I had to make use of various other tins and trays lying around in the kitchen, but they all turned out well in the end.

After baking, and making a big pot of vegetable soup, we had a lovely play in the living room and then I bathed the little man til he shone like a cute snuggly star!

I think that's about everything for our day. I hope you had a lovely day too... And I hope yours had considerably less tantrums than ours did! Somebody was VERY tired it seemed!! Little monkey. If he slept at night he wouldn't be...

Oh, one last thing before I go to beddybyes. This advert makes me laugh so much! I'm sure you've seen it a hundred times, but here it is anyway!

Well I really hope you had a Fabby Friday, doing fabby things with fabby people in fabby places wearing your fabby dabby smile on your beautifully fabulous face!!

Alllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll of my love and kisses and jam tarts and hot ribena and hugs and snuggly rugs to keep toes toastie, forever and ever and evermore til it never ends!!

Mum xXx

Hello my cyootie tootie lovely beauty

2010-12-09T21:16:00.000Z

How is Alidia this evening?

I am in a silly mood, so before I go on, let me share this video with you before I go on. I saw it on the BBC website this evening and it made me laugh. The guy who was filming it laughs his socks off and that's the funniest bit, but the snow is cool too!

I hope it made you chuckle!!

So how are you today? Did you have a Thermal Thursday? Was ti a good thermal Thursday? I hope so!!

Did you have school today? I hope you are not ill. Poor Holly was off again today as she was sick in the night. Mike rang the Dr and she has to go back again in the morning to check again what is wrong as Ewan had the same thing and seems to be over it but she is not getting any better.
Fingers crossed she'll be back on her feet again soon.

So what did you get up to today? Either during or after school? I'm guessing you probably didn't do a lot before school apart from get ready and have breakfast. Do you straighten your hair in the mornings?
Did you have a warm lunch today? I think in this weather you need warm food inside you, especially if you spend much time outside in the fresh air. Or at the very least, warm drinks. Do you spend much time outdoors? Or do you prefer to be in and snug?

Ewan is definitely an outdoors boy. He loves being out in the open air, walking or running around, looking at tiny little things on the ground, staring up at the trees... Most things that as adults we barely notice any more, he is so keen to explore and find out about... And eat, usually!

He was a pickle again last night, and was up at 12.30. He wouldn't stay in his own bed and I was worried his squealing would wake everyone else up. If I'd have known then that Holly wasn't going to be going to school I would have let him cry it out for a little while to see if he would settle down. I'm not sure if he even needs anything, or if it has just turned into a habit now he has been getting up for a few nights in a row. I was so very tired by 2.30 I wanted to cry, but I didn't. I kept on cuddling him and stroking his hair... Then he repaid me, by head-butting me in the cheekbone. OUCH! The little monster. That hurt!!! I don't think he meant to head-butt me but he did and it actually made my eyes water.

Because of his middle-of-the-night antics, I was very tired today. But I had a meeting to go to this afternoon when he had his nap, so I didn't even have a chance to catch up. Instead, I treated myself to a nibble of chocolate, an extra cup of tea, a glass of water and got on with it. I hope I don't go past my point of tiredness... Have you ever had that? Where you are so tired and then all of a sudden it just goes away, like you were never tired to begin with? it's great if you have loads to get on with, until it catches up with you a few days later and you feel dreadful. Bleugh!

It feels a bit funny this week as we haven't seen Nanna Grace once I don't think... Nope. I just checked the calendar, and we've not seen her since last Friday. That IS unusual! Maybe that explains why Ewan hasn't been sleeping. Usually she is here every other day. He must be missing her. She has a full few weeks of Christmas parties and lunches and trips. The sort of things that older ladies like to busy themselves with! And we can't hold it against her as she does so much for us, and loves her Grandbabies very much indeed!!
She's desperate to meet you one day! She thinks it's incredible how there is such a likeness between You and Ewan, and Holly and Ewan, which almost makes it as if you and Holly look very alike too as he links you, if that makes sense!

Auntie Debbie rang me tonight. She has had her operation cancelled for tomorrow, and will have to wait, as too many people have been falling over in the ice and breaking bones. There is too much chaos at the hospital and they don't have time to operate on her, so she was quite upset. Until I reminded her that she can have a cup of tea and breakfast in the morning now, and she wouldn't have been able to if she were having her operation!! Very little consolation for her as she is in agony and wants it sorted (as anyone would) as soon as possible. Still, fingers crossed it won't be too long now!!

Lots of huggles to Auntie Debs!!

Ohh, I finished sewing the buttons on my coat. By the time I had settled Ewan last night, had dinner and cleaned up, I only managed to get a few more on. I started again first thing this morning and it looks lovely now. It had buttons on that were the same colour as the coat and I wasn't very fond of them, but now it has these...

Do you like them?

When I looked through my phone to upload my photos I saw the pictures I took of Ewans arm last night, where he had hives. Poor man. He's not completely better today either, but a lot less inflamed than he was.

And later on when he woke up it was even worse, though it had calmed down by this morning, thankfully.

Poor dinky bod. I hope you don't have any nasties like that :o(

Well my lovely, I am going to go now and get my jimjams on, and hopefully go to bed early and HOPEFULLY sleep through the night. Hopefully maybe perhaps please please pretty please!!!!

I haven't got any more silly or funny or cute or horrid gory photos of Ewans poorly skin to show you, and I haven't got a lot to tell you about my day unless you want to know about me dusting and vacuuming the house; which I doubt!

Well my darling, I hope you have had a fabby Thursday, wrapped up warm in your thermals and doing brill things with brill people in brill places, wearing your brilliant smile on your beautiful face!

Sweetest sweet dreams til sunbeams find your eyelashes and gently tease them open to see the start of a bright new day...

Allllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll of my love and scrambled eggs on toast and kisses and hugs and sausage sandwiches as always and forever and ever and ever and evermore!!

Mum xXx

Hello my little lovely lady!

2010-12-08T20:32:00.000Z

How are you this evening?

I'm afraid it is going to have to be a quick one tonight as Ewan is still wide awake, despite lots of running around today.

I am also half way through sewing some buttons on to a new coat, which Grace bought me as part of my Christmas present, and although I love the style of the coat itself, I bought some new buttons for it as I wasn't very fond of the original ones. The new ones are pretty, metal, in a sort of delicate bronze colour, with a flower and leaves shaped into them. I have to sew them on because I want to wear the coat!! She also bought me something else which is a surprise and I can open that on Christmas day. I needed the new coat sooner though so she agreed to let me wear it beforehand!

So how have you been today? Have you managed to keep warm and cosy? It has been a very bright and sunny day here, but still very cold! Was it nice where you are? Have the pavements thawed out and are they safe to walk on yet? Some of ours are bad near the house and down into the village, but in town they are fine, as if there has been no snow!

How is school going anyway? I hear they are doing lots of nice activities and things to keep you all busy. Are you enjoying it? You have never struggled to make friends, so I bet you have found lots of lovely ones there. Do you remember Ellie and Charlotte who used to live over the road from us in Nottingham? Charlotte is 8 now! I remember her when she was Ewan's age. And Ellie is 11. She was the year below you, but you two were good friends. Do you remember they both had beautiful long brown hair? And their Mum Tracey was lots of fun! Their Dad was lovely too. Such a happy little family!!

Ewan is being a tinker again... He's still awake now!
Last night I ended up falling asleep on the chair next to him for a little while as I was so tired. This was about 3am I think. Then I woke up and tried to go back to bed but he woke up again so I pulled out the chair bed and slept on that to try and keep him quiet so Holly could sleep. She is back at school now and although she pretends to be not very happy about it, she is enjoying being back with her friends and I also know that she does enjoy going to 99% of her lessons. I think she dislikes French most, as she didn't want to take that as an option, but we encouraged her to as she is very good at it. Still, 1 lesson out of a whole timetable isn't bad going! And she is still good at French, she just doesn't particularly like it.

I had better go and try and get him settled down now. He had a rash on his arm tonight called 'hives' or Urticaria. It's not very pretty but it shouldn't do him any harm. I think he has eaten something which he is allergic to. He had a cookie this afternoon and that is the most likely culprit. He won't be happy, because he really enjoyed it and now he can't have another one!
I remember your Auntie having a bad case of hives once. I forget what it was she had a reaction to, but it was horrible and really scared her.
I have given him some Piriton which is a type of antihistamine medicine. When you are allergic to something, the chemical your body releases is called histamine, so an antihistamine is something which reduces that chemical down to the level it should be.

I hope you had a Wonderful Wednesday, doing wonderful things in wonderful places with wonderful people, wearing your wonderful smile on your wonderful face!!!

Sweetest sweet dreams til sunbeams twinkle on your eyelids and warm your sleepy face.

Allllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll of my love and kisses and cups of tea and biscuits, and warm soup and crusty rolls, and hugs and snuggles as always and forever and ever and evermore!!!

Hope you have a brilliant, Thermal Thursday!!!

Mum xXx

Tuesdays Tundra!

2010-12-07T23:07:00.000Z

Good evening my sweet

how are you tonight?

I hope you are tucked up warm in bed.

Were you uber-cold today? When Mike went out this morning he said it was -10C on the thermometer in the car. That's just silly cold!!!

Like in the Arctic Tundra!

Well, we had yet another terrible night with Ewan, who has now decided that 1.30-4.30/5am is definitely the time to sit with Mummy and read or play a game. I tried everything last night to get him to settle down, but nothing worked, so again I have felt pretty ropey today.

I was hoping that he would go to bed early tonight, so I could get some bits and bobs done and go to bed early myself, but sadly that wasn't to be. He was not a happy bunny at bed time, and kicked and punched and bit me, the little tinker!! I wasn't a very happy Mummy either to be perfectly honest. I don't know what got into him! He was grumpy first thing this morning but I put that down to him being a bit tired, then he was ok for most of the day. Then tonight he went completely bonkers angry with me for no apparent reason... The only thing I could explain it with was the fact that he hasn't been to the loo for a couple of days and I think that was bothering him. He was certainly making noises as if he needed to go (sorry, too much information, but he is your baby Brother and if you spent any time with him you'd soon get used to toilet talk!) but nothing happened and eventually, just before 9pm, I managed to get him to settle down.

Look!!

Can you see the book on the floor just to the right, near the bars of his cot? That is there, and there is another one on the other side to lift his head up while he has this cough and cold. Apparently it helps. He is also using my pillow at the moment, because I used it one night to prop him up a bit more, and he fell in love with it. Now he won't settle on his own pillow. I have a funny feeling I won't be getting it back anytime soon.

Anyway apart from being a bad mood first thing this morning and last thing tonight, he has been gorgeous as usual. he helped me make some bauble decorations tonight by threading them onto gold string, and he was a very cuddly man for the most part during the day.

Holly went to school today fir the first time in what seems like ages. She's still not 100% but doesn't want to miss any more as she feels like she is falling behind which worries her, understandably. I'm sure she'll be fine though, and catch up quickly enough. It's not her fault she has been ill. I hope she is well enough to go tomorrow, and it hasn't made her worse. She is wrapped up very warm though with her big winter coat over her blazer, jumper, shirt and about 7 pairs of tights!!! And a skirt, of course!!!

Here is another couple of photos I took of Ewan yesterday I think. I bought him a silly Santa hat and he is quite fond of it. I am trying to help him understand the concept of Christmas but he is too young to really grasp it. I'd just like him to get excited when he sees Santa really. I know it sounds ridiculous, but there's nothing cuter than an excited child!
Oh, I just remembered something that is sat behind me on the stove... It is a photo of you when you were about 3 and a half, with Santa!! You were very happy!

And do you remember this?

It's funny because I look at this picture, along with several others we have around the house of you, every single day, at least 100 times or more, yet I still have no idea what you really look like now. I have an image in my head I guess. It's a more grown up version of the 7 year old I last saw, probably with straighter hair or maybe you change your style depending on how you feel, slightly darker (that's a real guess as your Dad is so blonde, but all the girls in our family seem to get darker hair as they get towards their teens)... Taller, of course. Probably just under 5 feet tall now... Slimmer nose, rather than the button nose you still had when last I saw you... Ears pierced, most likely. Hmm... Big sparkly blue eyes and gorgeous stunning smile that blows people away when something makes you happy enough to share it with them!

On that note, I am going to call it a night my love. It is much later than I'd hoped to go to bed, but Ewan being a pickle put everything back a long way.

I hope you have managed to steer clear of Tuesdays tundra, and had a terrific one all things considered. I hope school is open and going well, and that you have managed to keep toastie and dry in all this hideously cold weather.

Sweetest gooey dreams til sunbeams gently tickle your toes through the gap in the curtains,

Allllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll of my love and hugs and kisses and snowdrops and rosebuds and hot water bottles and woolly scarves and mittens and snuggles, forever and ever and ever and ever and ever and ever and evermore!!

Mum xXx

Mega Cold Monday Much!!!

2010-12-06T20:47:00.000Z

Hello gorgeous!

How are you this evening? Are you cold? I hope not! I hope you have managed to stay warm and toastie today!

It has been fffffreeeeexing though, hasn't it?! When Mike got home tonight it said -5 on the thermometer in the car, which is stupidly cold! That was at just gone 5pm, so not even the cooler part of the night.

Brass Monkeys!

I just had to look up where that saying came from... It's here.

That was a lesson and a half for you. Now you know something you probably didn't know before! I bet you are over the moon!

Poor Auntie Debbie has got to go for her operation on Friday this week. She is feeling a little worried about it, and understandably if you ask me. I think this is her 6th operation to sort her poorly feet out, and not one has helped in any way. She has had months and months in plaster, bandages up to her eye balls (not literally but I'm sure you know what I mean!) and she has had years now in which she hasn't been able to walk comfortably, or sleep properly... It's HORRIBLE! Poor Auntie Debs!

We shall keep our fingers crossed on Friday for her and hope that she recovers quickly and properly from her operation. We are hopefully going to go and see her at the weekend to cheer her up. I am going to take her a treat. She can't eat normal cake, because she has a problem which means she can't eat gluten, something that is in flour and all sorts of other things. So I have found a recipe for a cake which has no gluten and looks DELICIOUS!!! I hope she likes it!! And I hope she doesn't read this either or she'll know about the surprise... Still, it might cheer her up a bit, so Debs, if you're reading this... Smile!!

Today we went to do a bit of Christmas shopping. Holly stayed in bed - she is still poorly and on antibiotics now from the GP because it has been going on for about 3 weeks, although it only got bad about a week and a half ago. Ewan slept in til late again. 10am today, but he was up half the night so that was why. I was up much earlier (unfortunately, as it was me who was awake with him half the night) and although he is much better than he was, he still has a nasty little cough going on. We took Ewan shopping with us, so stayed in the shopping centre called Highcross which used to be called The Shires. I think it was last year that it was about doubled in size and made prettier inside. It's quite nice really, but it gets really busy. Normally, even on a Saturday you can park on Level 3 or 4, but today we had to go to level 8 to find a space, which is the very top floor in the open air, and it was icy as heck up there. They really should have put some salt or grit down because it was quite scary! Especially on the way out down the ramp to level 7.

I had a big list of things to get, but by the time we got parked, sorted ourselves out and found one shop we needed in particular we didn't have a great deal of time left, so we only ended up getting a few things for Holly. I can't tell you what they were in case she reads this, but Mike also got me a couple of things which I really wanted and I'm so excited about having them I want to tell you, but I can't!!! It will spoil the surprise for Holly as one of them is the same as one of hers. Sounds very complicated, but it's not!

We still have to buy Ewans main present, and yours. I'm really struggling with what to buy you this year as you are so grown up now. I don't know what sort of music you like or what kind of clothes you are into... If you want to send me a list then please do! It would make life much easier. Or I will just have to stick to the things I can be pretty sure you might like. Little, sentimental things.

Mike has gone to take the dogs out now as it is so cold, he doesn't want me going out in case I slip over on the ice. I'm not sure why, really. Still, I'm not complaining as it really is a tad nippy out there!!

I had better go and sort dinner out before it is ruined... But before I go, here is a 'thing' I made for you tonight...

I hope you like it!!

Sweetest sweet sugar frosted icicle dreams til cosy sunbeams find you and warm your cockles through...

Alllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll of my love and fleecy blankets and kisses and huggles and snuggles forever and ever and ever and evermore!!

Mum xXx

SUPER SUNDAY?!?!?

2010-12-05T21:24:00.000Z

Hi Little lady!

How was your Sunday? Was it SUPER? Or was it something else?

I hope it was super, and you had a smile on your face from start to finish!

What did you get up to? Did you visit anybody? Or go shopping? Maybe do a sport or some kind of activity? Can you even get out of the house at the moment? For some people the snow has been so bad they still can't leave their houses. My friend Sara, who has Evan and Florence (the new baby I showed you recently and her big brother, Ewans bessie!) are still pretty much snowed in! They had nearly 2 feet of snow and live on a little street so no gritters went down their road or anything.

We had a nice day today!! I went to sleep on a pull out chair bed in Ewans room last night as he was restless with his cough, and although he woke a couple of times in the night, he had a lie in this morning til 9.30!!! I honestly cannot recall having a sleep in til that time since I don't know when. Certainly a long time before Ewan was born... It was amazing! Though I felt like half the day had gone. But I guess that's an adult thing because Holly was quite upset that Ewan and I had laid in til later than she had!!

We hurried about and got ready, had some waffles and maple syrup for breakfast - though Ewan didn't like them very much so he had waffles with baked beans (bleeuugh!) we did some cleaning up and washing and things around the house, then we set off for a trip to Nottingham. We were going to see Nanna B (or do you prefer to remember her as Nanna 13?!?!) Anyway we went to her house and were surprised because there was a lot more snow and ice on the ground up in Nottingham than there was down here, so the first thing we did was dig her a path from her front door to the road. in an idea world I would have dug her a route to the bus stop, but I think that would have pretty much exhausted both Mike and I because it's right down the road and round the corner. Do you remember where she lives? There are all the houses lined up next to hers, then there is a high wall at the corner of the road, and if you go round the corner you can either cross the road and go to the paper-shop, chip shop, butchers, hairdressers or sandwich shop. If you stay on the same side and walk a little way down the hill there is a bus stop into town.

We had a cup of tea and a sandwich, and then we took her out to a big supermarket so she could get some shopping that she couldn't normally carry. She was very grateful, and probably quite pleased not to have Ewan running around messing up her house. He is a pickle, and of course, at her house everything is delicate because it's not designed for toddlers running riot!! She has lots of pictures in frames and dainty little ornaments and things. It's very hard work keeping up with him at her house! Or anywhere really, but especially there!

We got some bits and bobs from the shops too, then we took her home. By this time it was 3.30, so we had to say goodbye and come home via Uncle Toms house in West Bridgford, as he has an amp for electric guitars that he said she could have as he has a much bigger and better one now. She has gotten quite into playing guitar and is getting quite good at it too, but we didn't buy her an amp so we could see if she stuck at it. We gave him some money for it in the end because it's quite a good one and although he was willing to let her have it for free, I felt guilty!!
He didn't mind some bonus cash, anyway!! Nobody would I suppose!!

We had to come home on the major roads, so it took quite a while, as the temperature dropped massively as it started to get dark, so we got back here at just gone 5, managed to get Holly and Ewans tea ready for half past, and then had a nice relaxing game of basketball (Ewan's new favourite game!) in the living room :S
I'm not sure it's entirely suitable to be playing basketball or indeed football indoors, but I guess he's only little so he can't do too much damage at the moment!

Anyway my sweet, that's about all there was to our day and I can't ask too many silly questions about yours because I feel like I'm going over old ground and being too repetitive.

I want to ask you a gazillion things, but I hope one day I will be able to ask you those things in person... Fingers crossed.

I hope you had a Super Sunday, full of super things and super people in super places wearing your super smile on your superbly beautiful face!!!

Sweetest dreams til sunbeams find you with hot chocolate and whipped cream and a snuggly dressing gown to keep you warm in the morning!!

Alllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll of my love and kisses and hugs and bestest best wishes for the week ahead, as always and forever and ever and ever and evermore!

Mum xXx

Hello Cyooty Pie!

2010-12-04T22:35:00.000Z

As the title says; Hello Cyooty Pie!!

How was your Saturday? Was it Sssshivery? Was it Splendid? I hope so, to the splendid bit not the shivery bit!

It was much more mild here today and nearly all of the snow has thawed, so the ground is very muddy and boggy.

So what have you been up to today? Anything special? Have you been Christmas shopping? Holly and I went but we didn't do very well. Town was packed and we kept getting bumped about, so in the end we gave up. Also, Ewan wouldn't go for his nap on time today as his snuggler was in the wash (again!) and it hadn't finished, so couldn't be dried when we got back from the garden centre (I'll tell you more about that in a moment) so we had to wait for it to dry as there was absolutely no way on this earth he was going to sleep without his snuggler!!

So, we went to the garden centre this morning. It is a nice garden centre all year round, but at Christmas they have lots of displays of Christmastime things, including a big display of polar bears, some elves, some cuddly toys, and some Santa things, including a life sized Santa.

We had some nice lunch in their restaurant, which is lovely. I've only eaten there once before; Grace took Ewan and I one day for some reason. But the food is nice and the restaurant itself is lovely and airy and quiet. Perfect for Ewan to screech and upset all the older people... Luckily he was in a rather good mood, so he didn't do any screeching and no older people or Mummys or Daddys (particularly HIS Mummy and Daddy!) got upset.
We went there specifically because we had heard that their Santa and grotto was lovely... And it was! Although Santa was a bit quiet and I think he found it hard to try and communicate with a non talking child. Still, Ewan wasn't scared as you will see in the photos, and he got a JCB tipper truck which is already a firm favourite. He LOVES cars and trucks and tractors. Anything mechanical. Which is weird, because I have given him opportunities to play with all kinds of things. He's just a typical boy I guess!

Anyway, I can't write much more tonight, as I have been rather silly and managed to burn 4 of my fingers and both my thumbs while I was getting dinner out of the oven. It is rather uncomfortable!!

I made your 'things' before then though, so here they are. One is song of the week, which is a song I grew up listening to. It's not completely appropriate for our situation, but it does make me think of you, as it is all about different things making you think of someone you love, and wishing you were together with them.

The other thing is a few photos from today, including Ewan and Santa, and one of Sukie in Reindeer antlers!!

I hope you like them both

Song of the Week

Pictures from Today

Sweetest sweet dreams with snuggly duvets and fluffy pillows, til sunbeams find you...

I hope you have a SUPER Sunday, and have had a splendid Saturday filled with splendid people, doing splendid things in splendid places wearing your splendid smile on your splendid face!!!

Allllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll of my love and kisses and hot chocolate and marshmallows and hugs and snuggles as always and forever and evermore!!!

Mum xXx

This morning...

2010-12-04T12:06:00.000Z

Hello lovely

Just thought I'd send you this photo as its funny. It was Ewan in bed reading his book with his gah-gars on. They're cheap glasses that I took the lenses out of, to try and discourage him from grabbing mine from my face! He loves them!

Hope you're having a fabby day today and keeping warm. Its very foggy here and the snow is thawing out. It's nowhere near as cold as it has been recently, but its not quite summer. I hope your weather is improving!

Amlakaa forever and ever!

Mum xXx
Sent using BlackBerry® from Orange

Ffffreeeeezing Friiiiday!!

2010-12-03T20:29:00.000Z

Hello lovely!!

How are you this evening?

I hope you are well and have managed to stay safe and warm and not slipped or fallen on the ice, or been buried by snow!!

Ewan is a little tiny bit better tonight, so I thought I'd write before he starts up coughing badly again. Poor man. He was up all night last night so today has been a bit of a non-day for us. Well, I say us, I mean Holly, Ewan and I.
Mike had work to do today so I was in charge of ailing babies last night (as usual; Mike isn't very good at being woken up at night! Not that I mind, because Ewan wanted his Mummy anyway!) Holly's cough was quite bad last night, but Ewan was really struggling. He ended up in bed with me for most of it, though I tried to put him back down a few times, he wasn't having any of it, and to be perfectly honest, I felt safer with him next to me, even though it meant I wouldn't get any sleep, because he kept struggling for breath. Poor Holly was in the room next to us though so he kept her awake a lot too. We're all zombies, except Mike!
We went to the Dr's this morning to get them both checked over as Mike was worried that Holly was getting worse, but it is just a nasty virus and there's not a lot we can do about it apart from ride the storm and keep them dosed up on paracetamol and fluids.

Poor man is coughing again, but he seems to settle down easier again tonight... Touch wood!

Anyway enough about us, how have you been today? Did you have school or was it closed? Is the snow bad where you are? It seems to be thawing a little bit here, but I'm not sure how because I don't think the temperature has gone above zero! My favourite bit is the icicles. They are pretty, but so are the snowflakes if you catch them on your gloves and look at them carefully you can see just how beautiful they are.

What did you get up to out of school today? Did you have any clubs or events to go to? Are you going to any Christmas Parties this year? I bet you have one at school and probably one at home too. Are any of your friends having one that they have invited you to?

Have you finished all your Christmas shopping yet? I'm not sure what I am going to buy for you this year. It gets harder every year to choose gifts, as I don't know what sort of things you like. You must be into very different things from last time I saw you. But I can guess some things that you might like... I think Holly is quite good at guessing what kinds of things you might like. But I won't ever know for sure how close we have been until we can give you the gifts and you decide for yourself whether or not you like them!

Well my sweet, I had better go and eat some dinner before I go to bed. Tonight is going to be a very very early one for me. We have a lot of catching up to do!

Here is your 'thing'... I hope you like it!

Sweeeeetest sweet and toastie dreams til sunbeams find you through the fog and mist!

Allllllllllllllllllllllll of my love and snowmen and kisses and hugs and icicles and soup as always and forever and ever and ever and evermore!

Mum xXx

THERMAL THURSDAY!!!

2010-12-02T21:41:00.001Z

Hello gorgeous

How are you tonight?

I hope you are well and had a lovely day, wrapped up warm and toastie! Was school closed today?

I'm afraid its going to have to be a short email tonight. I had started to make you a 'thingy', but Ewan is so poorly he just won't settle so we're snuggled in a blanket on the sofa watching tellytubbies. I've done the exact same thing with you a fair few times!
Its the tellytubbies christmas DVD, so there's lots of snow!
He has such a nasty cough which gets 100x worse when he lies down, and it makes him choke and gag like he is going to pass out or be sick. Its horrible :(

Earlier this evening, before I put Ewan to bed, I went outside and 'helped' Upsy Daisy & Santa make Snow Angels. I can't attach the photos as I have already uploaded them to the PC to use on your 'thingy'!.
I know its silly but Ewan liked watching and loved the Upsy Daisy picture! I'll try to put them on later if he settles, or tomorrow if not :o)

Well my sweet, he is demanding tonight so I will love you and leave you for just now.

I hope you had a Thermal Thursday and managed to stay warm and safe!! I also hope it was brilliant fun!!!

Sweetest sweet dreams til sunbeams find you.

Allllllllllllllll of my love and snowflakes and icicles and kisses and winter woolies!

Mum xXx
Sent using BlackBerry® from Orange

Pinch Punch First of the Month!!

2010-12-01T20:57:00.000Z

Hello my beautiful!

How are you this evening?

it's Decemmmmbbbeeerrrrrrrrrrrrr!!! Only 24 days til Santaaaaa!!!!

Have you been to school today or was it closed? Holly's was closed so she had a free day! I think they should be opening tomorrow but we have more snow forecast overnight so we shall see if we can get there in the morning. We live quite far away from school, and not only that, because we are in a little village, we don't see many gritters around here so the roads can get bad.

If you were at school, did you have a good day? I hope so! I hope it was a wonderful Wednesday!!

If you had the day off, what did you get up to? Did you go sledging? Skiing? Snowboarding? Ice skating? Snowballing? To the gym and in a sauna? I guess you're not really old enough to go in a sauna, but it would be lovely on a day like today! Maybe in a hot tub for a soak... One weekend Mike went away with work, so I got the girls over for the weekend and we had a hot tub. It was freezing cold outside, but we sat in it for ages, until we had wrinkly toes! Holly had a couple of her friends over too, so we sort of had a group weekend together but also had our own friends there. It was lovely!! He doesn't go away for so long now, but he has the odd night away. I secretly quite like it because I can have a bath and chill out and not worry that he will be grumpy if I don't spend any time with him! I miss him of course, but it is always nice to have some 'me' time. And I have the dogs to look after us, so we feel very safe.

We had a lovely day today, until about 4pm! This morning I made Holly and Ewan a sledge each out of an old changing unit we had in the garage. Although it had some things on it, like wellie boots, we have a shelving unit, so I was able to dismantle it and use the plastic trays. Like this one... This isn't ours, this is just a photo I nabbed off the internet.

See the two shelves below the bath bit? Well I took those off and found some rope, got out my glue gun (yes, it is mine, Mike is not very into DIY or making things and I love it!!) fastened the rope into some guide holes, nice and securely and then fitted some foam inside to stop slipping. I also added a handle to Ewans sledge so he could hold on to his own bit. He didn't use it and preferred to let his hands swish through the snow, but I tried!

Anyway so we went down to Bradgate park and had a brilliant time!

Then when we got back I took the dogs out again and Poppy wore her new coat, which is very warm and toastie! She is quite pleased with it, but like everything else, it will probably get chewed up in a few days. I hope not though because they're not cheap and it is very annoying having to replace things constantly!

We got back and had some nice warm lunch, then Ewan went for a nap and Mike went out to the shops to stock up as it looks like we are going to get worse weather over the coming days. I daren't take my car out in this weather!!

Unfortunately, I think we times out sledging trip badly, as apart from Mike, all of us are now poorly. I have been flaked out on the sofa all afternoon trying my best to cope with Ewan who has a nasty cold and cough, an upset tummy and tonight has started choking when he is coughing. I am going to have to keep a close eye on him and I don't think I will get much sleep. Holly has something similar, though she doesn't sound quite so desperate for breath when she coughs, she's not well. Boooooo!!!

I feel terrible because it was me trying to get everyone out to have some fun this morning, and now we are all yukky poorly!!!

I took lots of photos today, including one which you will see below, that is purely of white. That was one I put in to be silly, as I was trying to take one of Holly going down a steep slope, and as I was laughing at her I nearly fell over. I clicked the camera as I was facing downwards!!

Ewan had a brilliant time and I have never known him stay in one place so long, i.e. the sledge. He loved it!! We walked for about 2 miles or so, but obviously it takes a lot longer to walk in these conditions than it does normally.

Have a look at the photos and see if you can see where Holly has fallen out of her sledge at the bottom of a hill!

I am going to go now lovely, as I am feeling very flakey and tired. I need to go to bed very soon as Ewan will no doubt be up a lot in the night.

I hope you had a wonderful day doing wonderful things, in wonderful places with wonderful people, wearing your wonderful smile on your wonderfully beautiful face!!

Sweetest sweet dreams til sunbeams find you.

Allllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll of my love and snowflakes and kisses and hot chocolates and hugs as always and forever,

Mum xXx

Let it snowww let it snowww let it snowwww...

2010-11-30T23:46:00.000Z

Hello beautiful lady!

How are you this evening? Well, tonight. For some reason it is mega late again!

I sort of know why. I have had a busy day, but before I tell you a little about that; how was yours?

Was it a Terrific Tuesday?

I certainly hope so!

I can't believe it's December tomorrow!! Are you excited about Christmas yet?

So what did you get up to today? Was school open or closed? Holly's school was open today but the weather got much worse, so tomorrow it is going to be closed apparently.

If you went to school, was it good today? Did you get to stay indoors at break times? I hope you were wrapped up warm, whether you were in or outdoors. It has been rather nippy.

If you were at home, did you build a snow-person? Or play snowballs? Or maybe go skating on a frozen solid puddle (NOT a lake, pond, river, stream or canal as this can be incredibly dangerous and very scary - just ask your Dad about a certain Christmas walk with Captain and Cassie along the canal!!)

I hope you had a lovely day, whatever you were doing. And I hope you are snuggled up safe and sound, warm and toastie in bed right now :o)

Poor Ewan is not very well :o( He has Hollys cough and a bit of a nasty cold going on too, though he seems fine one moment then really not good the next. Holly's cough has sort of come back, but now she is off tomorrow she should get some more rest and maybe it will get better again.

Because Ewan wasn't well in the night, we were up until 3am. Just him and I. Eventually I let him climb into bed with me for a cuddle, and he lay on my tummy with his head on my chest, letting me stroke his hair for about 2 hours. Whenever I stopped he would grab my hand and put it back where he wanted it to make me carry on stroking. It's so cute, but rather tiring when it goes on for so long in the middle of the night. Eventually he settled back down in his own bed and woke up at normal time, and then we got on with our day.

Today is Graces Birthday. We bought her a cardigan which she really likes. It is a flappy front cardi, the sort that doesn't have buttons but has flowy bits. You must know what I mean!?! Anyway she loves that. I also saw a coaster (to put cups on) which said

'Birthdays are like chocolates; sometimes it's best to forget how many you've had!'

And Holly, you and Ewan bought her some lovely little picture frames with a photograph of each of you in.

She was over here for the day, and this morning we had the hairdresser come to do both of our hair. I had a few soft highlights and a trim, and Grace had her usual colour. Sometimes I have a lot done to my hair, but sometimes I like to have it reasonably natural. It is only a little lighter than my natural colour now, which is very dark.

What colour is your hair now? It seemed to change lots when you were young. Very dark when you were born, to none when you were a few months old, to blonde when you were a young toddler, then gradually darker as you got older. Did it carry on or stop at mid brown? And is it still curly? Your hair was so soft and beautiful. I could have stroked it for hours, like Ewans!!

Well, apart from that, going shopping and going to collect Holly from school which was rather eventful in itself, we didn't really get a lot done today. I did some cleaning, Mike did some work. We had some cake for Graces Birthday, Mike managed to get her home (just!) and she left her handbag here but we couldn't get out again!

Although today was a nice and happy day generally speaking, it was also tinged with sadness. Do you remember me telling you about Nanny Madge? Holly's great Aunt from her Mothers side, who we were all very close to? She passed away back in January this year, but she would have been 98 today. I made Holly a bouquet in memory of Madge. She was a big fan of flowers. It was only small so it would fit on Holly's windowsill but she likes it. She also wrote Madge a card. It is such a shame you will never get to met her, she was a fab old lady with a wicked sense of humour! She would have loved you too, she treated Ewan as if he were her own Grandchild.

Mike got stuck on the drive trying to take her home so we had to clear it quickly!! We also got trapped at the top of our road. We came home from school on the main roads which is twice the distance so we only use for really bad days. As we turned into our road there was a car facing sideways blocking the whole road. The poor lady was scared silly, as she couldn't get any grip to turn the car at all. Some men were trying to help her get her car the right way again, but every time they did it just slipped back. Eeek!

We haven't got that much snow, so goodness knows how bad it is in other parts of the country. January this year was pretty bad here, but we don't get it like like they do up north. We are worse here than in the city though. I think we have about 3-4 inches (7.5-10cm) now, but where Grace lives they only have about an inch (2.5cm)

I have added some recent photos below. The first one is of Ewan a couple of days ago, the second is a bouquet I made for Holly in memory of Nanny Madge, and the others were me playing with the dogs tonight. See if you can tell who MY doggy is!! The reason Poppy is in so many of my photos is that she stays very close to me a lot of the time. She gets very possessive of me! Except when Ewan is around, when she sniffs him lots then walks off. She's quite curious about the little man cub sometimes attached to her Mummys hip!

Right my darling, I really had better get to bed in case it is another long one with Ewan!

Sweetest sweet dreams til sunbeams find you! I hope you have a WONDERFUL and WARM Wednesday!!

I hope you had a terrific Tuesday with terrific people doing terrific things in terrific places wearing your terrific smile on your terrifically beautiful face!

Alllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll of my loveseses and kisseseses and hugseseseseseseseseseses as always and forever!!

Mum xXx

Oh, PS. I had an idea today, though I'm not sure whether it will work. Ewan hasn't worn babygros for ages, but you can't buy thermals for little ones in any shop I've been in, so I bought some babygros, cut off the feet and hemmed them, so he has a little long sleeved, long legged body suit to wear under his clothes when we go out in the cold now! Baby Thermals!! I hope he appreciates them and doesn't just get grumpy when I am trying to do up all 98 poppers

:os

;o)

Happy Monday!!

2010-11-29T20:29:00.000Z

Hello my beautiful!

How was your Monday? Was it Marvellous? Or was it manic? Maybe both... Or maybe it was neither!

I am crossing my toes that I don't manage to wipe everything I write tonight as I near the end!! I would cross my fingers, but that would be silly because then I would be bound to catch something I didn't mean to on the keyboard and would be way more likely to make a mistake!!

I have made another 'thing' for you tonight. I hope you like it. I will put the link on in a moment as I am waiting for a video to upload to it and then it is done.

So what did you do today? Anything special? Anything exciting? Learn anything new? Build a snowman? Have a snowball fight? Is your school open at the moment or are you off? I guess that depends on your weather, and I know in some places it is terrible. It's not bad at all here, just VERY cold. Apparently last night it got down to almost -12 which is a record for Leicestershire.

Well that's enough boring talk for now. We haven't had a very eventful day anyway.

Here is your 'thing' for today!

I hope yours was brilliant though, and that you have a TERRIFIC TUESDAY!

Sweetest sweet dreams til sunbeams find you!!

Alllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll and more of my love as always and forever and ever and ever and ever and ever!! And more!

Mum xXx

I cannot BELIEVE what has just happened...

2010-11-28T23:42:00.000Z

Hello beautiful Alidia.

How are you tonight?

I hope you are tucked up warm and toastie in bed, and have had a SUPER Sunday!!!

Mmmm, as the title of this post says; I cannot believe what has just happened.

I have spent all evening busy trying to sort out loads of things to do with moving, new things we'll need, working out what we need to go where etc. What colour schemes to paint the rooms (which we're having done by Uncle Andy - Debbies Hubby) thank goodness as we simply won't have any spare time when we move in for anything!!

I then sat down and wrote a huuuuuuge long message to you, all about our day. I had almost got to 'sweetest dreams til...' sentence, and then I pressed something on the keyboard which wiped the lot. I have no idea what happened. I heard the click of two keys, so must have pressed some random combination as I sat back down to finish off. I'm so cross!!!!!!!!! I had been typing for half an hour solid, no searching for links, it was a pure and simple 30 odd minutes of typing, gone down the drain. I couldn't get it back for anything. I tried pasting, in case I'd accidentally cut it (Ctrl X) but nothing happened. I tried clicking back, but nothing happened... I even went back to the edit page, where it saves a draft copy of everything every few minutes, but even that had done an autosave after I'd cut the text, so there was nothing there except one letter...

AAAAGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

How annoying!!

Anyway... Not to worry, I'll just have to cut it down slightly and tell you about it in a slightly shorter way, because I am desperate to go to sleep!! We have had such a busy day today, and Ewan has been quite demanding too. I didn't have an especially good sleep last night because I was excited about the house, and it has been V cold, which tires me out too!

It has been a tiring day today, but it has been a good day in a lot of ways too!!

We went out at 10ish, to go and see the new house again. I'm calling it the new house, we haven't agreed to anything yet, but I want it and so do Mike and Holly! Ewan hasn't seen it yet but he doesn't make many decisions around here apart from whether to watch telly or not.

We took Ewan to his Nanna Graces, as we had to do things like measure up and check what new things we will need. Curtains, rugs, light fittings, furniture etc. So it was going to be a time when we needed to concentrate, and the owner has a cat and two dogs, so I didn't want Ewan to find the cat and start swinging it round by its tail or anything while we were trying to see how much loft insulation needs to go in!

(I'm sure he wouldn't do that as he loves animals, but you know what sort of thing I mean! He's a toddler and into everything he shouldn't be in to!)

Anyway we dropped him off at Graces, which is in totally the wrong direction, and then picked our way through the icy lanes up to the house. We spent about an hour there and Holly loves it!! I think you would too if you saw it. I took a few pictures today, but mostly of some ice crystals that had formed on the back utility room window as they were beautiful and really interesting!

This view is down the garden to the paddock at the bottom (where the white fence is if you can make it out) on the piccy below, Holly and Mike had gone down to have a look at the stable, and were walking back up when I took this - you can just see them off to the right of the centre pane.

This next one I took this morning while I was out with the dogs. It was Brrrrrrrrrr freeeeezing! But very beautiful!

If I miss one thing about this house, it will be the mornings down the field. Except rainy ones where whoever is unlucky enough to get the job, is up to their knees in mud!!

Anyway my peach, apart from going to look at the house, which took us to past lunch time, we came home, Ewan had a nap, then we all went over to Loughborough to watch Timmy from Timmy Time switch on the Christmas lights.

Unnnnfortunately, Ewan decided that being in town, in the dark, with fair rides (only little kiddies ones) and loud music etc, wasn't his cup of tea, especially since he was all wrapped up in about 47 layers and too bulky to be comfortable really. He had a bit of a tantrum, and there wasn't a lot going on, so we decided to head for the cover of the only place that was open in Loughborough at 4.30 on a Sunday; MacDonalds. Nope, it is not a good Sunday dinner, but it did the job, and made Ewan happy again. Holly was happy enough anyway but decided to join in, and Grace had something too. Which made me hungry so I had a sweet chilli chicken deli day - otherwise known as a sweet chilli chicken deli sandwich, just by itself but with a hot chocolate, and Mike had a little chicken wrap which I bought him because I knew if I didn't, even though he said he didn't want anything, he would be pinching mine!

So our dinner plans went all a bit wrong! Not to worry, it will save til tomorrow!

We saw the lights go on, but we didn't get to meet Timmy. We saw him from the back, when we walked past the stage to make our escape, but to be honest, it wasn't exactly Tweenies live (do you remember that? I've got photos from that day, it was amazing! I think you went with your Nan and Granddad the year after, too!) Timmys costume was a bit naff, and not very convincing at all! And we had our very own Timmy with us... I know it's a rubbish photo but my blackberry doesn't take very good pictures in unnatural light. Or even in natural light really!

And here are the lights in Loughborough when we walked through after our food and warmth break!

Hardly New York, Times Square... I'm glad we all froze our bits and pieces off to sit in MacDonalds and look at fairy lights when we could have put a Christmas CD on at home, stayed warm, and eaten NICE food!!! Bahhh humbug!!! ;o)

Well my darling, I am now (thanks to my stupid gaff with the keyboard earlier) running MUCH later than I'd hoped to be, and I have to be at the hospital first thing, weather permitting, so I had better get to bed ASAP!

I hope you had a wonderful weekend though, and that you stayed warm and cosy and toastie and safe!!

I shall keeps my fingers crossed that you have a good week this week too!

Sweetest sweet dreams til sunbeams find you.

All of my love and kisses and hugs as always and forever and ever and ever and ever and ever... Love you and miss you muchly!!

Mum xXx

Songs of the Week

2010-11-27T22:12:00.000Z

Hello beautiful Alidia!!

How was your Saturday? Any good? Did you do anything cool and groovy? Or even rubbish and boring? Did you have to tidy your bedroom or finish off Christmas shopping and go for a lovely lunch out in town?

I've just spent over an hour and a half making a 'thing' for you. Sort of musical and sort of artistic. In my own sweet way!

I'll come to that in a moment, as it also contains the songs of the week! There are 3 (again!) and I like them all.

We had a nice day today. We went out this morning and I took Holly to the hairdressers in Loughborough. Mike went to park the car and bring Ewan to meet me after I'd settled Holly in, paid and made sure she wasn't going to come home with a bright green basin cut, looking a bit like lady gaga after a night on the town.

We then went off to do some shopping and have a bite to eat. I saw a lovely top but I never ended up buying it as it was in a sale and the queue was ENORMOUS! Ewan wasn't being very shop friendly either, so we scooched off as fast as possible before he screamed the place down. He was very tired!

When we had lunch, Ewan didn't want his sandwich after the first few mouthfuls, but Mike had an all day breakfast muffin which he had smothered in brown sauce. I let Ewan have a little munch and he loved it so ended up eating more of that than his own sandwich!! Monkey pants! I had my favourite caramel latte and the left overs of Ewans sandwich as I was feeling a little queasy, and Holly went to Maccy Ds with Tamsin after she got her hair done and before they went to see Harry Potter at the cinema.

When we came home, Ewan went almost straight to bed for a nap, and I had a little lie down too. I'e had such a bad week for sleeping, so decided I would try and catch up. But typical, first the postman came so the dogs went bonkers, then a man came to the door after some sponsorship money because he had done a marathon a few weeks ago and I had sponsored him. He comes round every year. Must be very fit, running all those marathons. And then I just couldn't drop off, so I lay there with my eyes closed thinking of lots of different things. You, Ewan, Holly, Houses, Moving home, packing, unpacking, Christmas, Birthday (Ewans is 15th January so not long after Christmas at all!) and so on...

Anyway my darling, I am waffling again! Sorry!

Here is the link for the 'thing' - because I love you.

Songs of the week include: (click on the name of the song to get the lyrics)

Candy Man by Sammie Davies Jnr
You gotta be by Desree
Sorry seems to be the hardest word by Elton John

Well my darling, I shall love you and leave you with that.

I hope you are having a fabby weekend and had a Stellar Saturday and go on to have a SUPER SUNDAY!!!

Sweetest dreams til sunbeams find you

AALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL of my love and kisses and hugs as always and forever and ever and ever til forever which never ends!

Mum xXx

Yowzers!!

2010-11-26T20:55:00.001Z

Hello gorgeous! Did you have a FABULOUS FRIDAY???

I hope so!

You know I keep mentioning, and I definitely keep feeling as if what I am writing is... Not a waste, but basically really boring, as we don't have the most interesting life and I'm sure even if you do read this, that you will be bored stupid of the same things day in day out, moan moan Ewans not sleeping blah blah blah...
So I had a chat with Mike tonight, and he helped me think of a new way to send you something every day to let you know I am thinking of you, that doesn't involve me waffling on for ages about mundane rubbish that you nor anybody else has any interest in...

I am going to try, maybe not every day, but a few days a week, rather than writing, to create something for you. A piece of art or something. Maybe sometimes I will do a poem, maybe sometimes I will draw something by hand... I'm not sure yet, but it will save you from reading about our not particularly interesting lives!

We had a look at that house today by the way, and it was old fashioned but lovely. We could do a lot with it, and the bedrooms aren't huge, but they aren't tiny teeny either. We're going to have a think about it over the weekend and take Holly and Ewan to see it, and decide next week.

We both really like it but there is a lot to take into account when you make a decision like this, so we'll have a good think and a good chat and make our minds up soon. If we do decide to move, I will let our solicitors know so they can pass on the details.
It has a great big lovely garden and plenty of room for us and the dogs and more!

Anyway, I have sat for ages trying to create a picture for you tonight, so without further ado, I present to you... My attempt at art 0001!!

For Alidia, because I loves her muchly!!!

While I am here, I have a couple of pictures you might like too!

Ewan was being extra snuggly today, so here we are after he had just woken up, having a cuddle on the sofa!

Well my darling, I hope you had a FABULOUS Friday and I hope you have a Stellar Saturday!!

Sweetest sweet dreams til sunbeams find you

I will leave you now with alllllllllllllllllllllllll of my love and kisses and hugs as always and forever and ever amen!

Mum xXx

Good evening!!!

2010-11-25T20:56:00.000Z

Hello beautiful girlie.

How was your Thursday? I'm going to rename Thursdays; from now on til it gets warmer I am going to call them Thermal Thursdays!

Was your Thursday a thermal Thursday???

Mine was! It has been F.F.F.F.F.F.F.REEEEEeeeezing here! When I went out to my appointment this morning it was -3C on the thermometer in the car... Only slightly colder than where Ryan is on EastEnders at the moment. Apparently Janine has locked him in the walk in fridge at the Vic!!
It's ok though because I know that those things have to have an inside door handle for emergencies like that.

We got in today to find the doors smashed in and everything gone... What sicko does that to an advent calendar?!?!

This has been posted on facebook today by a friend of mine and I really thought as I read it that she had been broken into. her hubby is in the RAF and away at the moment so I was about to jump in the car and drive over there when I read the bottom bit. Now everyone is posting it everywhere!! It's a joke, obviously. But there is one person who would do that to an advent calendar as it happens...

Strictly speaking this wasn't an advent calendar he raided, but the biscuit tin, for an oreo cookie. He likes them, but when they get soft and squidgy they turn to dark brown sludge and stick to everything, face, fingers, walls, sofas... You name it! I had to chase him round with a flannel and a damp cloth, cleaning up!

Did you see the photo I emailed earlier? Sorry it didn't have a message with it, but I accidentally pressed send before I meant to and I couldn't stop it going, then Ewan ran off into the shops and I had to give chase, and didn't have any signal to send anything. Still, I wasn't going to be able to write a lot anyway as he was on a mission to run as fast as possible, absolutely everywhere today. It's a good job I had Nanna Grace with me when we went because I would have surely lost him otherwise, the little monkey!

So what have you been up to today? Did you manage to stay warm? Did you have a nice day at school? Did you do anything especially exciting or new and interesting? Did you have a nice break time and lunch time? What did you eat for lunch? Are you having packed lunches or school dinners? I hope you have managed to eat something warm and tasty today! You need it in this weather!

I had an appointment first thing today, so went off and left Mike with Ewan and Holly, though she was in bed as she is still poorly. Coughing like a mad thing, and now it looks as if it might be going to her chest. I hope it doesn't as that can be dangerous, but I'm sure staying in bed and resting is the best thing for her at the moment. That and lots of cough medicine. I think I have a bit of what she has too. I am a bit croaky, and my temperature has been up a bit. I'm not to bad though, and I don't need to stay in bed. I hope she is a bit better tomorrow or we will have to think about taking her to the Doctors. Maybe it will need some antibiotics to clear it up.

I can hear Ewan on the baby-listener at the moment. He's obviously decided not to go to sleep tonight. He is singing to himself. This is silly. He was exhausted when I put him to bed... He is being a tinker! He's quite happy though. Singing away in his cot, and making wormy play music!

When I got back, Ewan and I went to pick up Nanna Grace and then we went shopping for a bit. She bought me my Christmas present, which is lovely. I'm very happy with it! It is a beautiful cream coloured coat. I needed a new one and was looking at this particular one, thinking about it. She then nabbed it off me and said it could be my present as she was wondering what to get anyway!

She also took us for lunch, which was lovely, and we wandered around having a lovely time until Ewan decided to transform himself into a monster again and started his rampage. He calmed down eventually and when we got home, I put him to bed for a nice sleep. He was much happier when he woke up, and it was my fault really for losing track of time and keeping him up past his nap time!

Poor Hollz missed out on our shopping trip, but then she would have missed it anyway as she would have been at school if she wasn't poorly. Besides, it gave us time to check out a few presents for her anyway!

Mike was doing some work, and it gave him a chance to get on while we went out. We were meant to be going to look at a house today, but there was a problem with the booking so we are going tomorrow now. It is quite far away from here, closer to Nottingham, and I hope it is right for us as I am so desperate to move! We need more space inside, and less space outside! This house has two extra bedrooms and more downstairs rooms too, and only about a third of the land we have here, which is ideal. But I think we might be disappointed again as the bedrooms look teeny on the photos. Fingers crossed it's just bad photography, and we fall in love with it and they can move out quickly and we can move in quickly and nothing goes wrong in the mean time!!

Well my lovely, dinner is nearly ready. We're having a lovely dinner cooked by Mike tonight. Lamb and colcannon with peas and mint sauce. I had better go because he's been cooking for ages.

I hope you have a lovely cosy and peaceful nights sleep, and wake to a FABULOUS FRIDAY!!

But for today, I hope it was thrilling, spent doing thrilling things with thrilling people in thrilling places wearing your thrillingly beautiful smile on your thrillingly beautiful face!!

You know, I've sat for hours trying to think of, search for and ask people a word that means good or great, that begins with a 'th' so I can get rid of thrilling. It's a rubbish one compared with Stellar Saturday or Wonderful Wednesday or Fabulous Friday!! If you can think of one you will have to let me know, because it's starting to do my head right in!

Mike suggested fabulous fursday! Duh!

Sweetest sweet dreams til sunbeams find you!

Allllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll of my love and kisses and hugs as always and forever and ever and to infinity and beyond!

Mum xXx

IMG00503-20101125-1151.jpg

2010-11-25T12:26:00.000Z

Sent using BlackBerry® from Orange

Wonderful Wednesday?

2010-11-24T21:15:00.000Z

Hello beautiful!!

How are you today?

Did you have a good time at school? Did you keep warm and toastie?

Did you play out afterwards or go to a friends house or come straight home to study?

Did you have sunshine there? It was a beautiful morning here, really sunny and bright. But that didn't change the fact it was freeeeeezing cold! The frost was thick and hard in the field when I took the dogs out, and not much better by mid morning either! Tonight it was a bit soggy down there again though, which at least means it wont be a double freeze tonight. When the ground gets too hard I worry that the dogs will hurt their feet! I'm sure they probably wouldn't but I worry anyway!

Poor Holly's cough has gotten much worse so she has been at home today. Not so much because of the cough itself, although she has a few other symptoms too now like a very sore and croaky throat and sleepy. But last night she was coughing so badly she kept waking Ewan up, which meant that I was up a lot too. We are all sleepy today!

Apart from that we are quite good though. We had a nice morning, and I had to go to an appointment after lunch so Grace came over to help out with Ewan. Then Ewan went to sleep so Mike and I dashed out to get a few bits and bobs. Ewan has had a mad growth sport so I have had to buy him some more clothes, as he has grown out of everything he had before, and only had the very recent stuff I'd bought for him. Not good! Especially with it being as cold as it is, and will be if the weather forecasters get it right!

Ewan went to give me a kiss today. When he goes to give someone a kiss, he leans forward with his mouth wide open as if he is about to take a massive bite of an apple. He caught my nose with his teeth and it REALLY hurt! I thought it was bleeding but it wasn't. I had a little red mark there which was nowhere near as bad as it felt! Little monkey!

What did you have for dinner tonight? We had curry. Home made curry. Well, chicken that we cooked and put in a jar of sauce. Curry is complicated, and although I have made a few nice curries, it is far easier and quicker and cheaper to buy a jar. You also know what you're getting then, and don't waste it because you got something wrong or didn't like it after all that effort!

I found some cute photos tonight, but they're quite big files so I need to compress them and then I will put them up here for you to see. Some of Ewan when he was tiny and a few of the cats (R.I.P. Nuzzle and Scratch) and Pearl and Sukie, Daisy and Poppy. Some silly ones of Holly, some of Mike and I and the rest of the family.

For now though I will show you the cutest one I saw... This is my fingers with Ewans fingers wrapped around it. I love this picture. He was about 6 weeks old here :o)
I can't believe he is nearly 2 now!! Over the weekend I am going to sit down with Holly at some point and we're going to make him a Birthday card to send to Cbeebies. They show a lot of children's Birthday cards on the channel every day so we hope we can get one on for him!

That's about all there was to our day really, a bit of cleaning, washing and tidying. Oh and I unblocked a loo all by myself so I was quite happy that I didn't have to call a plumber! Grim job though. I wouldn't recommend doing it for fun or regularly unless absolutely necessary!!

I have to go now and sit down for 15 minutes before I go to bed. The apprentice is on telly but I can't be bothered to watch it. They're all annoying people who I wouldn't give a job to in a million years! Someone I went to school with was on it a few years ago. She was fired after only a couple of weeks. Stupid girl, she was loud and horrible at school so I wasn't surprised!

I hope you have a peaceful nights sleep (and me!) and I hope you wake up feeling all refreshed and bright and bubbly tomorrow morning, ready for another new day!!

I hope you had a wonderful day with wonderful people, doing wonderful things in wonderful places wearing your wonderful smile on your wonderful face!

Sweetest sweet dreams til sunbeams find you!

Allllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll of my love and kisses and hugs as always and forever and ever and ever and more!

Mum xXx

Terrific Tuesday?

2010-11-23T22:58:00.000Z

Hello gorgeous!

Have you had a terrific Tuesday?

I certainly hope so!!

It's CSI Miami day today so I am a little later than usual writing, but I wish now I had written earlier as I am incredibly tired and have a stinking headache. I think I will have to keep it short tonight, but that's ok because I often waffle on about rubbish and I'm sure you have no interest whatsoever in our mundane lives.

Before I tell you what we did, how was your day? Did you go to school? Did you enjoy school? Did you have any good lessons, and did you learn anything uber-interesting? Did you do anything new and exciting?
Did you have any lunch time or after school classes? Did you have any homework to do?

What did you have for lunch? I had soup to warm me up, but it was horrible and I didn't eat very much of it at all. I think soup is one of my favourite foods, but usually I prefer homemade soup, as I know exactly what goes into it and how it is made. I think I might have to make some soup tomorrow as it is soup weather! I need a new food blender though as first of all the jug broke on mine. That was acceptable as I can use a different jug, but now the motor has gone, and Holly won't eat soup with lumps in it. She can be a bit fussy, but Ewan will eat most things, even granary bread. Granary bread is a type of brown bread with grains in it.
I am quite proud of the fact that I have managed to persuade everyone in this house to eat wholemeal bread, but when Ewan has some granary with me the other day and seemed to really enjoy it, I was a very happy Mummy!

Did you wrap up warm today? I hope so because it was cold today, or at least it was here! We had to snuggle up this morning on the sofa til the living room warmed up. It is usually warm in the whole house, but for some reason the living room stays colder until much later! Odd, but not a problem normally. Just this morning Ewan was desperate to get in there and play, so we took a duvet and had a cuddle... For all of 30 seconds til he jumped up and ran off to get his building blocks! I stayed and drank my cup of tea, and then we had breakfast and got the day started.

This morning we went to the shops, as I was quite keen to get Ewan a proper winter coat. He wears a vest every day, and usually a long sleeved t-shirt with a short sleeved t-shirt over the top, or a jumper. He also has a very snuggly knitted cardigan with fleece inside it, which is very warm and cosy. He has a flying jacket too, which is cute but only short. It was a gift from my friend Nikki, and it is leather with a sheepskin lining, but it is getting a bit small for him now, so he needed a proper waterproof, warm winter coat. We managed to find a nice one with no bits for him to pull off or chew. He's a tinker for chewing things and it could be quite dangerous if he chewed something like a button off!
I also got him some slipper socks, you know the sort with the anti-slip bits underneath, so he can run around the tiled floor without slipping over. He won't wear slippers, so I thought these would be the next best thing, and I bought him some more socks because he seems to have grown out of the 972 pairs he already had in his drawer!

We got a couple of bits from the shops too, food and toiletries and so on, and then we had a bite to eat. As I said though, my soup was a bit of a let down. In fact it was disgusting and tasteless and oily and I couldn't eat much of it at all. I dunked my bread roll into it, but that was it. Ewan enjoyed his sandwich. He had eggy mayo on granary bread! And he had some cheesy crackers, a yoghurt, a blackcurrant drink and a banana. Not bad for a dinky bod! Although he is growing very quickly!!

I'm not sure how, but he just about managed to stay awake for the journey home, and then he went to bed for a while. When he got up, we watched Toy Story 3 on DVD, but it was a bit much for him so he mostly played while Holly and I watched it actually, then I had to faf about cooking dinner and trying to get a few things sorted, like some ironing that needed doing and various other bits and bobs!

One thing that did happen today, which actually made me cry with laughter, was similar to this clip...

... We were playing hiding, and we made a den between the sofa and the footstool using a big cushion. It is quite a solid cushion, and made a good bridge. Anyway after we had been playing for a while, Ewan got up and went to get something, then he stood and leant on this cushion, which of course, gave way and he disappeared out of view sideways (onto the cushion, thankfully!) it was hilarious! I was so glad he wasn't hurt at all, because I would have felt awful for laughing, but it really really was hilarious! :oD

Unfortunately, for us, and for you if you have bothered reading this far, that was basically the sum total of our day. Not a lot happened, not a lot to write about except for little mans flying lesson!
Mind you, Ewan has been quite demanding this last couple of weeks so I think all is going ok considering that and the various bugs that people in this house seem to keep getting. And everywhere else come to think of it. Loads of people I know are poorly or have poorly children or family members. It's just not on! We all need to take better care of ourselves! More vegetables, more fruit, maybe some vitamin supplements... Oh no, we already do!

Stupid germs! I really hope you are doing better at keeping well than we all seem to be!

Do you have many plans for the rest of the week? Anything good going on tomorrow? have you got snow forecast later this week? I hope it doesn't get too bad like it did last winter, but apparently this one is meant to be worse! Eeeek! I'm going to stockpile some salt so we can at least get off the drive in an emergency... Or the top part. Our road outside wasn't too bad last year but there must have been about 20 feet of driveway that we just could not get past! The gravel bit was ok but once you get up to the tarmac, it was a nightmare! I dug for days, over and over as it kept snowing again and again and it would get squished and solid so quickly. I got strong arms for it though!

I hope you had a TERRRrrrrrIFIC Tuesday, doing terrific things in terrific places with terrific people, wearing your terrific smile on your terrifically beautiful face!!

Have a WONDERFUL Wednesday!

Sweetest sweet dreams til sunbeams find you, happy and laughing, not sad and blue.

Alllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll of my love and kisses and hugs as always and forever and ever! And ever! And ever! And ever and ever and ever!

Mum xXx

Shhhhh...nuggle!

2010-11-22T20:43:00.000Z

Hello lovely!

How are you this evening?

Have you had a Manic Monday or a Marvellous Monday or a Medium Monday or a Morose Monday?

I hope it was a MARVELLOUS Monday!!

Uncle Will passed his driving test today! First time!! We're all very pleased for him and very proud of him too!! It wasn't that long ago he was confined to a wheelchair and unable to turn his head, and now he has hung up his L plates!!!!!

What did you get up to today? Did you do anything exciting? Anything new? Did you go to school and learn lots of new things? Did you have a nice lunch? Was it something warming? Apparently the weather is set to get much colder this week and feel very chilly indeed by the end of the week.
Mind you, I don't often listen to the weather forecasts. I remember your Dad doing some meteorology training years and years ago, and he said the funniest thing that was said all day by the person giving the training was that the weather forecasts only get it right 47% of the time. You're good at maths; that shows that they get it right less than half the time!! That's not a great record, by anyone's standards. But I think that actually they don't get it too wrong usually. It's just there are so many variables, like the wind speed, direction, the temperature, the cloud level, the humidity and so on. It's a very complicated subject.
Anyway, wrap up warm, just in case they got it right this week!!

I saw this set of pictures on the BBC website the other day and forgot to tell you about it that night, I remembered it just as I was logging in, so here it is. It is an elephant and her calf drinking at a river, but a crocodile leaps out and grabs the mothers trunk, trying to drag her in to the water. Luckily she manages to get away. I hope the pictures don't upset you, both elephants are fine at the end of it and were seen later in the day drinking there again. The Mother and baby were both fine, so don't worry. I just thought the pictures were incredible! And a crocodile that tries to attack an elephant must be either a) very hungry or b) totally bonkers!

Mother Elephant, Calf & Crocodile

Ewan has been a mega cuddly boy again today. He got up quite early after a bad night, so we were both very tired. We had a quiet home day today, to try and catch up on some rest. We had a lovely time, playing cars, building things from his bricks, being nice and quiet and snuggling on the sofa (hence the Shhh...nuggle title!) He came and plonked himself on me and cuddled me for ages before we had lunch. Then he had a nap, so I read for a little while and had a nap too. Then after lunch we played some more. We played and played, and because we were both feeling a bit more lively this afternoon, we did some climbing around on the cushions and he climbed on my back for a horsey ride, which he is very good at now! He climbed on my head and tried to bounce me, which wasn't so good and resulted in a headache. Then we played cars some more!! He is quite into his cars, but at the moment he is very fond of tractors!

He got the giggles when we played hide and seek, which is always cute, and he also thought it was hilarious when I sat him on my shoulders and stomped about pretending to be a monster! I got Mike to put my coat on him while he was up there, you know how cartoon characters do so they look like one big person?! Well he did, but the coat wasn't big enough to do up at the front as I was having to hold onto him, otherwise I would have asked Mike to take a photo! It was quite funny though!

Holly is still barking with her cough, poor thing. She isn't unwell, but has a horrible cough. When she was little she had pneumonia, which apparently means she may get it again. I think it causes damage to your lungs or something... Hang on, I'll google it...

Pneumonia

I don't think she is at risk of it right now though, as I said, she isn't unwell in herself, just has a nasty cough. Mike and her Nan both panic whenever she gets a cold in case it becomes serious, but she's a tough cookie. She doesn't worry at all, and goes out without a coat much to their dismay!
We make sure she eats good food and looks after herself... As much as it is possible to regulate a teenagers food intake and health regime!

Well my darling, that is really all there was to me day. I am about to make an omelette (ommmmm) to eat, and then I am going to go to bed. Mike thinks I am coming down with flu because I am all aches and pains and very tired, but he doesn't realise how hard it is being beaten up(!!) by a toddler all day long! Except today Ewan bit him again which was very naughty and resulted in a lot of tears (Ewan, not Mike) as he got told off! :o(

I hope you have had a MARVELLOUS Monday full of marvellous fun doing marvellous things in marvellous places with marvellous people eating marvellous food keeping marvellously warm wearing your marvellous smile on your marvellous face!!

Sweetest sweet dreams til sunbeams find you.

Allllllllllllllllllll of my love and kisses and hugs as always and forever and ever and ever and ever and ever and ever and more!!

Mum xXx

Free... Bees

2010-11-21T21:09:00.000Z

Hello beautiful!

How was your Sunday? I hope it was super!

Did you watch A Bugs Life? Ewan really enjoyed it, though obviously he's too young to sit still and watch a whole movie. He played a bit while it was on but he was very happy when they were happy and clapped when they clapped. It was very cute, and he thought some of the creatures were hilarious!

I keep seeing this advert and giggling, so I thought I would share it with you in case you hadn't seen it... It cracks me up when the stupid one keeps going into the window, as flies and bees do that all the time!

So, what have you been up to today? Have you been anywhere nice? Done anything special? Seen anyone lovely? Tried anything new and exciting?

Did you see X factor last night? The results show is just on now. I reaaaally hope Wagner goes home this week, as the joke is wearing very thin!

Oh noooo... He's through! Cher and Paige are in the bottom two. No fair! He really isn't very funny any more!

The 'We can be Heroes' song was good, but I noticed Mary went out of time with her words, so I think it was being mimed. Not to worry, I'll still buy a copy as I like the song and it's for a good cause.
talking of copies of singles. I bought you a CD single ages ago which I have in my wardrobe. It wasn't for anything in particular so I haven't wrapped it or anything. It's just waiting for you :o)

Ohh, I could not get to sleep last night after my spider related incident. It wasn't even funny. I nearly had the thing in my mouth... It was still wriggling. YAKKK!!!!
I was very tired this morning so when we got up I took a duvet and snuggled on the sofa while Ewan played and had 2 lovely cups of tea bought to me before I even moved. Holly did the dogs, so I had a real snuggly treat. Ewan played with his mega blocks and watched cbeebies. It was wonderful! I hope I get chance to do it again next Sunday morning!!

(Paige got sent home :o( The judges said it all, neither of those two should have been in the bottom two! And they're playing that song by Adele now again too! Weird. )

Today (warning, moan coming up!) I wanted to go to the woods for a lovely long walk with Ewan, Holly, Mike and Sukie, but Mike said 'noooo.... let's go to Melton for a look around'... So we did. And it was horrible! It was freeeeezing cold and raining. It was windy and everything was closed, except the main shops like WH Smiths and Cafe Nero (which just about saved us from freezing to bits!) so AGAIN, I said to Mike I'm no letting him decide what we do on the weekends!!! The only thing that saved Ewan from a huge screaming fit was going into a Morrisons supermarket and letting him go on a LazyTown ride on thingy with Sportacus.

When we got home he went for a snooze, but when he woke up we played and cuddled on the sofa.

Rubbish photo, but it was cute at the time!

That was about all we actually did today. Mike cooked us all an amazing roast, and we all ate far too much food. I think I must have put on about half my body weight again from the potatoes alone!!

Ewwww, I'm a celebrity is on and I can't stand this programme! Do you watch it? Holly does but I refuse to be in the same room as it. I've turned it off now.

I suppose I had better go and get myself ready for bed now. I need an early night after last night! Back to normal Monday chaos tomorrow! Do you have a Manic Monday planned or a Marvellous Monday? Or maybe a mix of the two?

Well whatever you have planned for this week, I hope you have had a Wonderful Weekend, and a particularly Super Sunday, doing super things with super people in super places wearing your super smile on your super face... Super Girl!

I hope you liked your song(s) of the week too!!

Sweetest sweet dreams til sunbeams find you...

Alllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll of my love and kisses and hugs as always and forever, for now and forever and ever and ever and ever!!! And extra for Monday and the week ahead!

Mum xXx

Hey beautiful...

2010-11-21T17:06:00.001Z

A Bugs Life is on channel 5 now :D

Just thought you might want to watch it too!

Will write properly later,

Amlakaa

Mum xXx
Sent using BlackBerry® from Orange

A Beautiful Song of the Week for a Beautiful Alidia & a bonus track!

2010-11-21T00:00:00.000Z

Hello beautiful Alidia!

Have you had a Stellar Saturday?? I certainly hope so!!

Did you do anything exciting? Anything new? Anything old but still really good fun??

Did you go out anywhere nice for lunch? Maybe you had a friends Birthday party to go to? Maybe you went swimming or orienteering? Perhaps you went to the snow dome or Alton Towers... I don't actually think Alton Towers is still open at this time of year but I might be wrong. Or any theme park... Or maybe you went to West Midlands Safari Park, or London Zoo. Maybe you stayed home and inside to keep warm and dry... Or maybe you went out Christmas shopping in the misty weather, which although its murky and cold, always makes me feel a bit Christmassy! I hope whatever you did it was fabby and you had a brilliant time!

I'm a bit tired tonight, though I shouldn't be as we have hardly done anything today really. Mike and Holly both have colds, and I have had a tummy upset again which is really annoying. I have a hospital appointment in a couple of weeks about it. Ewan is the only one that has been well, so he was rather bored with us gloomy lot. We had a nice play though, and this afternoon he and I wrapped up warm and went for a little walk. He looks so cute in his gloves that are way too big for him but he won't wear mittens. I've only just managed to persuade him that gloves are a good idea to save from fingers falling off! And his hat, bless his heart! He looked so snuggly and toastie! I put his reins on him and let him walk next to me (away from the road of course) and we went up the road and back down again, which when you're 22 months old is rather good fun as you get to see doggies and cars and trees and trees and cars and more cars and a van... And leaves and lamp posts and a post box and cars...!!
We had a lovely time, and he was very happy to be out of the house and looking at things. I like it too... Just to look at things from a childs point of view is like learning everything all over again. It's fabulous in its own little way. It made me think of the song which is the bonus track for tonights song of the week!

Then we came back and I made those chicken burgers I told you about not so long ago, with home made potato wedges and coleslaw and baked beans. Mike and I had basically the same, but I made ours with some cajun spice in the chickens' coating, and we had corn on the cob instead of baked beans.

When he eventually went to bed tonight, he was a happy boy and we had some lovely snuggles and kisses. He didn't even try to bite me, which makes a nice change. He doesn't do it to be mean, he just doesn't realise it hurts and because he thinks it's playing and I stop him before he actually bites me hard, I can't talk to him sternly! Except of course for the other day when he managed to bite me, though it wasn't hard and he only just caught me but BOY it hurt! He's got big gnashers for a little man!
I don't think he realises that when I have played with him and pretended to bite his toes or fingers that I don't actually snap my teeth shut, which is why it doesn't hurt him!!

I've just decided to have an extra bonus bonus track.. 3 Songs for the price of one!

Just to finish, the worst thing happened to me tonight! I was sat with Mike and reached for my drink. I was about to take a sip and there was a spider floating in it! That's why I'm a bit late writing, as I was busy scrubbing my mouth out for ages!! As well as faffing about on youtube finding videos for you :) Not many have a decent sound quality, and it takes from a song if you can't hear it!

I'm not going to write any more now because that is basically all there was to our day! Lots of germs and a little walk, and some food and a spider that made me feel sick!

I will leave you with these songs and hope that you like them. I will give a little explanation of where they fit into our lives before each one.

I hope today was a Stellar Saturday for you, filled with stellar people doing stellar things in stellar places wearing that stellar smile on your stellar face!!

Have a Super Sunday tomorrow and I will speak to you very soon!

This is Beverley craven with 'I Miss You' which wasn't my original choice for song of the week as I had forgotten it even existed until I was finding videos of the original song of the week and the bonus track, so technically this is the bonus bonus track, but I thought I'd use it as the main song of the week because it so totally perfect, and how I feel about you...

Next is Beverley Craven again, with what was meant to be the original song of the week...

I used to have this on a tape I think. I doubt you can remember those! Later I had it on a CD but it was stolen like all of my other CDs when my car was broken in to. (Grr)... When you were little I used to sing this to you. It made me cry even then... Although it talks about little sister, the sentiment is the same for a daughter or a sister or any little girl that is precious. But especially for you... It was one of my favourite songs for years, and if I was ever in need of a good cry I would listen to it!

Beverley Craven, Memories...

And finally, this one which is a lot more recent, from the same lady again! This is the one I thought about as we were out walking today looking at things from a childs eye... It is a lovely song and made me think (again) of you :o)

Beverley craven, Rainbows...

I didn't know this song until not very long ago, so I never sung it to you. But there is a lovely message within the song... I hope you like it x

Sweetest sweet dreams til sunbeams find you,

Alllllllllllllllllllllllll of my love and kisses and hugs as always and forever and ever and ever and ever and ever more!

Mum xXx

Pudsey Day!

2010-11-19T21:05:00.000Z

Good evening my beautiful little lady!

Happy CHILDREN IN NEED DAY!!!

How are you this evening?

Did you have a FABULOUS Friday? I certainly hope so!

Did you do anything special? Did you have a non uniform day or a dress up day or anything for Children in Need? Holly's school had a non uniform day and they had to take a few pounds in as a donation.
They did a similar thing for the Poppy Appeal for the Royal British Legion and made over a thousand pounds for them. I can't recall the exact figure but it was a brilliant effort!

At her old school they had Mr Motivator from GMTV, do you remember him? Anyway he came in to school and they did a massive workout in the playground at lunch time to raise money for Children in Need!

So what else did you get up to today? Did you manage to see where you were going in the fog? Or has it not been too bad over there? We had it terribly today and on the way back from dropping Nanna Grace off this evening I really struggled to see where I was driving in places. It was horrible! The dark didn't help.
Earlier on, as we wee driving back from school I took this photo as it was beautiful. Unfortunately it didn't come out too well as it was on my phone, but as we drove down the hill into our village, the sun was shining through a patch of fog which was resting over the whole village, and the trees were hiding away in it. It just looked so cosy and pretty...

Ohh, on Children in Need they just played the Adele song I used as your song of the week. I keep hearing it at the moment, and every time I stop what I am doing to think of you. Mind you I do that a lot of the time anyway. It's surprising I ever get anything done really!!

Do you have any lovely plans for the weekend? Are you going anywhere nice? Are you doing anything exciting? Maybe you are out tonight at a Children in Need event?!

Holly is sleeping out tonight at her friend Demi's house. Demi came on a camping holiday with us once (long before Ewan was born). We all had a great time, she's a really nice girl!

We are having a quiet night with the dogs, as Ewan is tucked up in bed.

He slept fantastically last night and we had a MUCH better day today thank goodness!! He was such a monster yesterday but today he has been full of cuddles and kisses and laughter and all things cute. Even at the vets this morning he was a bundle of fun. Into everything, and I had to keep pulling him out of cupboards in the consultation room. He was determined to get the latex gloves!

Sukie has had another course of steroids, antibiotics and some more medicated shampoo for her allergies. She seemed to be getting better and then all of a sudden she got much worse. The poor girl has such a red tummy and legs. We just cannot work out what is causing it, but until she is well enough to come off her medication we can't have her tested for the things that might be causing it.
To be honest we've pretty much decided it could be anything from down the field here because she never had any problems at our old house. Because some idiot decided to block up the land drains here, our field is quite boggy in places, so a lot of marsh-land plants grow, which is the only thing that is really different about where we live now compared with our old place.

Well, hopefully it will clear up on its own when we move (WHEN, not IF!) we will probably never know what it is that's caused it.

I did some training with Poppy and Daisy today. I had to bath Sukie with her new shampoo. Well, it's not new, it's the same one as she has had before but we stopped using it as she'd cleared up a lot, and this time around I was about to use it and realised it had gone out of date. Anyway because Sukie was soggy, she stayed on her bed and I took the other girls down the field. We did similar stuff to that which we did the other day, but worked really hard on Poppy. She played up loads to begin with because she knows when dog trainer man is around she doesn't get away with anything but as soon as he's gone she can be a pain again. She tried it on but I did it over and over til she got the message that she wasn't going to push me about. Or pull me about I should say! We even went out front again, me with Poppy and Daisy on leads. I would never have dared do that until very recently!! I have arm ache tonight but at least it proves me arm is still attached!

They are in now and roaming about while I am writing to you... Hang on, I'll take a picture! I just emailed it straight to the site so it will show before this post does now. It's a bit rubbish, but Poppy still doesn't stay still long enough for a photo very often so I had to choose the best of a bad lot!

Well, apart from the very boring stuff (yes, it gets EVEN more boring than what I have just described) that is pretty much all there was to our day. Mike was out at a meeting most of it, then we had to go to the hospital for an appointment about his nose (it's poorly) then he had to go back to his meeting (he left the poor guy waiting for him) and Ewan and I rushed about for most of the day doing various dull things made more exciting by the fact that they are interesting to a 22 month old, and he is quite interesting and fun!!

Well, as I said before; I hope you had a FABULOUS Crunchie Friday! Doing fabulous things in fabulous places with fabulous people and as always, wearing your fabulous smile on your fabulously beautiful face!!

I also hope you have a Wicked Weekend, a Stellar Saturday and a Superb Sunday!

Sweetest sweet dreams til sunbeams find you.

Alllllll of my love and kisses and hugs as always and forever and ever and ever and ever and ever, and more for the weekend!

Mum xXx

Poppy and Sukie...

2010-11-19T20:55:00.000Z

Amlakaa

Mum xXx
Sent using BlackBerry® from Orange

Our Father...

2010-11-18T20:26:00.000Z

Hello beautiful!

How was your day? Was it a thrilling Thursday? I certainly hope so!!

Did you do many nice things or was it a plain old run of the mill Thursday, with nothing much going on except the usual school, homework, tv, bed type thing?

Did you have a nice lunch? A yummy dinner? A scrummy pud? Did you have any homework tonight? Do you have any to catch up on?

Are you doing anything nice this evening?

All questions! But if you don't ask...

Well, a little about our day.

Your Brother has been a monster! From the moment he woke up this morning he has been either shouting, screaming, crying or lashing out. I think (or maybe I should say hope!) it is something to do with teething. He has been horrid!

The reason for the name of this post is because I was thinking earlier that I might say a prayer to ask if I can have my usual nice little man back tomorrow, as today has been very hard work. I can't think of any other way to make him nice again. He has had nothing different, he doesn't appear to be ill, he didn't respond to calpol or get any better. He just seemed to be in a FOUL mood!!!
Not even soft play cheered him up!! He enjoyed running around and playing, but in between playing he was just as grumpy.
I assumed in the end he must be tired so I put him to bed earlier than usual, and sure enough he went off to sleep. I just hope he stays that way because tomorrow is very busy with meetings, Sukie has to go to the vets first thing, and we have the usual household jobs to do too. If he is anything like he was this morning it will take us til late morning to get out of the house because of all the fighting and screaming. Yuk!

Of course, this means I haven't got an awful lot to tell you about our day, as most of it was spent covering my ears and holding Ewan to stop him throwing himself on to something potentially dangerous.

We did, as I mentioned, go to soft play. It seems like he wasn't the only grumpy toddler around, as no less than 4 children were horrible to him, either throwing things or pushing him about. I had to intervene and ask them to stop as they weren't being kind, which is always a little bit scary as a parent because you don't want someone coming up to shout at you for telling their child off! Anyway it was ok, nobody came over to me to complain. Good job really because I had more complaints than they could have, and they didn't even seem to care much about their own toddlers, let alone mine.

We had a little snack and some juice. He has taken to liking apple and blackcurrant fruit shoots, but I don't let him have too much juice, as he is quite happy with water most of the time. Fruit shoots are a treat only, as they are bad for your teeth and your tummy (size!)...

I was going to cook chicken, vegetables, potato and gravy for the tiddlers dinner tonight but in the end I made Ewan some beans on toast as I thought maybe he was hungry, and that was much quicker. He started off the day by refusing breakfast and being hungry never helps anyone feel good. Anyway he wolfed down his beans on toast but was still in a bad mood. Holly had her chicken dinner though so she was happy.

And that's about it really. I dusted and polished in the hall and sitting room after Ewan had gone to bed, and I think I will be going to bed rather early as I have a feeling a certain someone might be up at the crack of dawn due to his early night. I have a bit of ironing to do in between now and bed time, and Mike is cooking dinner, which is only a quick pasta with sauce and bacon.

Bleugh, I just made the mistake of saying hello to Poppy and now I have muddy legs again where she plonked herself on my lap, which would be fine, but I changed into clean jogging bottoms after Ewan went to bed as my jeans were annoying me - they felt like they were falling down all day!

Right my darling, I will love you and leave you for now. I have to get changed again and eat some of this garlic feast I can smell!

I hope you had a thrilling Thursday full of thrilling things, in thrilling places with thrilling people wearing your thrillingly beautiful smile on your thrillingly beautiful face!!

I hope you have sweet sweet dreams til sunbeams find you, and a FABULOUS FRIDAY!!!!! Nearly the weekend :o) Hooray!

Alllllllll of my love and kisses and hugs as always and forever and ever and ever and more!!

Mum xXx

Midweek Mayhem!

2010-11-17T23:48:00.000Z

Hello gorgeous!

How was your Wednesday? Was it Wonderful? I certainly hope so!

What did you get up to today? Did you go to school? I hope you didn't have any floods like they do down in Cornwall. The weather has been pretty awful in some areas!! We have had a few branches blown down over the last few days but it's nowhere near as bad here as it has been in some parts of the country.

Are you pleased to hear about Prince William and Kate Middleton getting married? I think it's lovely, and they have been together for a long time now so hopefully they know each other well enough to be making the right decision. They look so happy together! And the blue dress she was wearing in all the announcement videos and photos is amazing! I want one!

Well, that's a bit glamorous for a Wednesday night, so I will go back to telling you a little about my day.

Nanna Grace came over this morning so we could do some dog training, but before we did dog training, she, Ewan and I went down to the post office for a little trip out and so I could post a parcel to Baby Florence and her family.
I was supposed to post it Monday but then I found I didn't have the tissue paper I thought I had, so I was going to get some yesterday and forgot while I was out. It was sent today though. Better late than never. I feel a bit bad, but I have had a heck of a lot on these last few days, and I'm very tired as I haven't been sleeping too well for some silly reason. It's not like I'm not going to bed early enough, with the exception of last night of course! They should receive it tomorrow though. There is a DVD for Evan to occupy him for the moments when Sara is busy with Florrie, and some buttons just in case that doesn't work! A snuggler for Florrie, which is really cute! Here is a picture of the same one. She is soft and velvety and snuggly. Ewan has one of the same make, but his is a blue elephant and it is his favourite thing in the world perhaps with the exception of his musical glow worm!

Jenny (my friend that I used to go to school with - dark curly hair?) bought it for him when he was teeny tiny and he has slept with it and snuggled it ever since!

Anyway Dog trainer was here when we got back so we got straight into it. I didn't know it when we first started, but basically this was going to an intensive lesson with me doing everything with Poppy, and Mike standing in the garage holding Daisy and Sukies leads and drinking coffee with dog trainer man, chatting, and dog trainer man throwing comments at me every now and again.

It went well though. I got Poppy to walk nicely with me after a little while, without pulling and sort of next to me, instead of out ahead of me leading the way. Then we tackled the front again, which is always difficult as the drive is all gravel so the sliiiightest pull and you can very easily land on your bum! It's really slippery!
We happened to time it quite nicely with the bin collections up our road, so I held her while we watched the bin lorry go past and she was ok. She had a little bark and her heckles went up a bit (where the bit of fur sort of where the horses mane would be, and over her shoulders, stands up as if she is trying to make herself bigger and therefore, scarier!) but she soon settled and she didn't go nuts, lunging towards the lorry or anything, she just yapped half heartedly a couple of times then shut up again.

We even got up onto the road, which is my big problem with her as she is so strong I wouldn't have dared walk her along the pavement for fear of her jumping sideways or pulling me into the road. She was curious and trying to sniff everything, and because of her size that means she pulls slightly, but nothing like the socket-wrenching yanking she was doing only a few months ago!!

In short, it went really well. Even though the dog trainer man takes the mickey out of me for everything and usually seems to pick on me (in a nice way, not nastily) for doing things wrong (which I think is mostly because Poppy is by far the most demanding dog here and in any of the classes we go to! More trouble with dog = more chances to make mistakes) but today he actually said on more than one occasion how well I was doing and we were doing together. And how well we have all taken to his way of training.

Next time he comes he is bringing a couple of his dogs with him to distract ours. His dogs are (of course) remarkably well behaved, so it will be interesting to see how that goes!

I had to nip to the Dr's later on for a quick check up, all went ok but I was there for over an hour (again!) then I came home so Mike could take Nanna Grace home. Ewan and I had a play in the living room and we had a cuddle on the sofa and watched some tv for a little while. Then I made the kiddiwinks their dinner and before I knew it, it was bed time.

Ewan has a new very best favourite thing. Well, two actually. First of all his Gah-garrrr fascination is still going strong. Every single time he gets close enough to my face (and even when he isn't, he will quickly run over if he thinks he has a chance of getting close enough) to grab them, he is straight in there with no regard for my eyeballs at all! Then he puts them on, balances them on his nose with his chin in the air, and will run about for ages wearing them and doing various other things. Then eventually he gets bored enough to let me have them back. Usually very grubby and smeared with jam or biscuit or something!!
He also has a thing about clicking his tongue, pushing me down on all fours and climbing on my back to give him a horsey ride. He clicks and clicks, and kicks his legs to make me go forward. Today we got up to trot. It's killing my knees!! He has such good balance though, he barely holds on and we go pretty quick across the living room. I've even reared up a little way (with my hand behind me in case he does fall) and he still stays on til he decides it is time to dismount, which he does very elegantly for one who has never been taught how to! And then within about a minute he is clicking at me and pushing me forwards so I will go on all fours again. This can go on for an hour or more. He can climb on himself too, and the other day he did an around the world move, three quarters of the way round on my back! I'm amazed!
You were going horse riding by the time you were 2 and a half I suppose, but it just seems he has picked it up from watching Holly. Very funny! He's too young to go riding yet though, and not disciplined enough. He would forever be wanting to get off or do something else, then wanting to get back on. besides, I think his Daddy would rather he had a go kart or motorbike...!

Blimey I've just seen the time, I thought I was feeling a bit ropey! I guess I had better go and hit the hay or I will feel just as terrible tomorrow as I did today. Still, I cracked on with Poppy today which was great, and Ewan bit me on the... I'm not sure if I should say or not... Sort of on my chest, if you get my drift! The little toe rag!! Luckily I realised what he was up to, I thought he was just snuggling up to me at first, then I felt teeth and held his head so he didn't take a chunk out of me. OOUCH though!!!
Tinker!

Right my darling, I am going to get to bed as it is V late and I am V tired and have a lot to do tomorrow, as I'm sure you do also!

I hope you had a wonderful Wednesday doing wonderful things with wonderful people in wonderful places eating and drinking wonderful food and beverages, having wonderful fun with that wonderful smile on your wonderfully beautiful face!!!

Sweetest sweet dreams til sunbeams find you!

Alllllllllllllllllllllll of my love and kisses and hugs as always and forever and ever amen!

Mum xXx

Toot Toot!

2010-11-16T23:42:00.001Z

Hello you lovely lady!

How are you this evening?

Did you have a Terrific Tuesday? I certainly hope so!!

What did you do today? Anything special? Anything particularly good fun? Anything interesting? Anything uber-boring? I hope you were wrapped up warm!! Even Ewan wore his hat and gloves and scarf when we went out, and didn't take them off til we came back inside! He has NEVER done that before. Usually he will be dropping items of outer wear regularly on any outing!
Tinker - He even takes off his shoes and drops them out of the side of the pushchair so I have to keep checking around and behind us to be sure we still have everything.

We had a slightly busy morning. The dogs managed to have a totally wet bed when I went to take them out this morning. I'm not sure why as it was no later than usual. Maybe they had a lot to drink before they went to bed. Still, all I seemed to do this morning was wash dog beds, hang out dog beds (two got wet but there are about 6 in rotation, some at the back and sides to stop any draughts making them achey, some inside and some outside so when they are loose all day in the garage they have a choice.
I don't think I've even turned their heater off at all today because it has been so cold.
Anyway so that was me cleaning and scrubbing and drying the garage floor for quite some time.

While we were out this morning I took some lovely photographs. It was rather cold and there was a mist rolling over the end of the field. We don't go in the main part of the field unless Poppy at least is on a collar. She has a tendency to go in search of things, and sometimes she is a monkey and won't come back when she is called because she has sniffed a fox or a badger or a rabbit or a deer or something. One side of the field backs onto woods, part of it backs onto the gardens of a couple of other houses, part is alongside a field that belongs to one of our neighbours who have their dogs out there quite often (not that it's a problem) but beyond that is a field of sheep and geese (don't ask!) and if she got through there she would most likely scare some of their animals :o(

Sunlight through the mist and trees

Sukie surveying her kingdom. She is the Lion King around here!

Poppy eating an apple she found under the apple trees

Sukie having another look around

Daisy sniffing the ground. Something she does a lot. She's a bit dim.

Sunlight through the mist... It was beautiful down there!

Mike is out at the moment; Holly and Claire and some of their other friends have been to the Paramore gig at Birmingham NEC. He's gone to pick them up, and isn't happy because there was a diversion that wasn't there earlier when he dropped them off, then a crash which held him up, so now he's stressing because he's going to be a bit late for them. I've spoken to the girls and told them to go and wait inside the entrance with the security staff so they're safe (and warmer!) til he gets there. He shouldn't be much longer now because he left in plenty of time just in case there were any hold ups along the way. Good job too!
They're back in the warm now apparently, and very excitable because they got two rows from the front!! Poor H sounded exhausted. I hope she is ok at school tomorrow. Normally she would be in bed and lights out by about 10, but this was the only night we could get tickets for and the only gig local to us, so as a one off treat (and because loads of other kids from school were going too) we let her go.

Ewan was a little monkey this evening. Because Mike was taking them out, we were on our own at tea time. I was in the kitchen cooking and he was wandering around the hall and kitchen, not far from me but just around a corner... I heard a funny noise, like a clanking noise. Anyway I had my phone in my hand as it had just beeped to say I had a message as I walked around the corner to see what he was doing...

He was sat on the hall table (the mess on the left is the pile of ironing for tonight, new iron box underneath in case it packed up - didn't want to put it in the workshop just yet in case it got full of spiders!) anyway he was sat on there, playing with the slate pebbles from my plant pot! The little monkey. When he saw me he just stared as if he were thinking
'uhh ohhhhh, now I'm in trouble!... Or am I... If I just look cute maybe I'll get away with it!'
I couldn't resist taking this photo. It is so Ewan, looking cute but as if he has been up to mischief!

Oh, Toot toot, the title of the post, is because I bought Ewan his first Thomas the Tank Engine DVD today and he was absolutely in love with it before the music had finished at the beginning. We have another train spotter in the making, though I think his favourite is still cars!!

Right my lovely, there's not a lot more to my day than that, apart from boring things like cleaning and what not. It's very late so I am going to put on my PJs so when these lot get home I can go straight to bed. I need to be up for when they get back so Sukie doesn't bark at the car coming down the drive and wake Ewan. I'll also need to settle the other two down in their snuggly bed, because when they hear the gravel they get whiny and sometimes bark a little bit.

As I said before, I hope you had a TERRIFIC day, doing terrific things with terrific people in terrific places with that terrific smile on your terrifically beautiful face!

Sweetest sweet dreams til sunbeams find you, behind the moon playing peekaboo...

Alllllllllllllllllllllllll of my love and kisses and snuggles and extra warmness now and foreverrrrrr with a cuddly blanky because it's so flippin' cold!!

Mum xXx

Blurry photo

2010-11-15T21:00:00.002Z

But the view down the frosty garden to the frosty field this morning was beautiful with the sunlight shining through! :)
Amlakaa
Mum xXx
Sent using BlackBerry® from Orange

Frosty the Iceman!

2010-11-15T20:57:00.000Z

Hello beautiful girlie!!

How are you today???

Did you have a MARVELLOUS Monday? I certainly hope so!!

Was school good today? Did you wrap up warm before you went out? We did, as it was chilly cold out there. There was a very hard frost overnight and everything was crispy this morning!

There was also a little boy in this house who decided at 4.30 that it was time to get into bed with Mummy and that Mummy wasn't allowed to sleep, instead she had to stroke his neck and hair... And if she stopped stroking either his neck or his hair, he would grab her hand and put it back there so she would carry on... Til 7.20am when he decided it was time for milk and playing.

It wouldn't be SO bad, but our water went off last night. It was slow all evening, then when I went to bed I tried to have a wash and there was zero H2O coming through the taps. I wasn't very impressed and spent well over an hour and a half searching all over to make sure nobody had knocked a stopcock (which is what people call a main tap that is on the pipes and turns the water on or off) and I was outside at 1am checking pipes hadn't frozen. It was c.c.c.cold!!! I couldn't find anything, so I kept nipping back in to check online to see if there was any information about water problems, but couldn't find anything. So in the end, about 1.30 I rang Severn Trent Water, where I got an automated voice telling me that our village, and the next one had a burst water main and water supply would be returned as soon as possible.
Great!
This morning we had a teeny trickle, not enough to brush your teeth, so I rang again and was told that there were now two burst water mains (both on our road believe it or not!) and 4 villages were now without water.
A little while later a van came along delivering bottled water, but by then we had a little more and were at least able to flush the loo (though it took about half an hour to fill up again). By about 4pm it was back to about half the normal pressure, and that's how its stayed. It has tasted weird since last night though, even though we have a filter. There is an odd taste to the water, so I have had to make tea using bottled stuff.

You don't realise how important something as simple as clean running water is until you're without it. It was sort of like camping but inside! There's still not enough to have a shower but I might run myself a little bath in a while and get an early night.

I had to go back to the dentist today and he did my filling. I feel so silly for having been scared all of those years, as although it wasn't exactly FUN, it wasn't anywhere near as bad as I thought it would be. My mouth is quite ok now and I don't have to go back for another 6 months. I have a little tenderness when I clack my teeth together (as in the top and bottom ones) but that will be gone soon enough. It doesn't hurt, it just feels a bit delicate. The stupid thing is, that if I hadn't been such a wimp and been so scared in the first place, I wouldn't have had to have all this work done because I would have been going regularly to have check ups.
Oh well, you live and learn!

Of course, because the dentist had given me this tablet to try and keep me calm (which although I wasn't sure I needed this time, I thought since he had to use the drill again and that was what put me off for 10 years before, I'd be careful again today and take the medicine, so I didn't put off going again in 6 months!) I took it, and with that on top of 3 hours sleep, it was like my body and mind gave up the ghost. We were out looking at a house when I took it; well, we had just left, and I took it in the car with a drink of water, and by the time we got home about 15 minutes later I was nearly asleep. I could barely get myself up the front steps, and I went to sit on the bed. I keeled over!! I quite literally don't remember lying down, I just woke up about 45 minutes later, which was odd to say the least!

Anyway it all went without any problems, which was the main thing! And although I'm v tired still, the tablet has worn off so I will go to bed early and wake up tomorrow feeling TERRIFIC!

Well, that was about my day. Mostly sleepy, lots of snuggles and not brilliant but perfectly ok! Oh, and the house was nice but I don't think it would work with the dogs as although it is right by the river and lovely for walks, the garden isn't very big at all so they wouldn't be able to have their own area. That is important to me so Ewan can play safely without wandering around on wee or worse (if we'd missed one!)

While I've been writing this I've emailed a few photos. I hope you like them :o)

I hope you have really had a MARVELLOUS Monday, doing marvellous things with marvellous people in marvellous places with that marvellous smile on your marvellously beautiful face!! And have a TERRIFIC Tuesday!! Full of fun and laughs and all things good.

Let's hope todays tablet doesn't make me a miserable moo tomorrow! But if I am you know why now! :o)

Sweetest dreams til sunbeams find you, sipping juice by the ocean blue...

Allllll of my love and kisses and hugs and snuggles and hair strokes and neck strokes, as always and forever!!!

Mum xXx

Daisy dog trying to snuggle me

2010-11-15T20:46:00.000Z

xXx
Sent using BlackBerry® from Orange

Courtesy Water!

2010-11-15T20:45:00.002Z

xXx
Sent using BlackBerry® from Orange

The water main road works at the bottom of our road

2010-11-15T20:45:00.001Z

xXx
Sent using BlackBerry® from Orange

Ewan being cute!!

2010-11-14T22:15:00.000Z

In his 'Gah-garrr' which is how he says glasses!

Amlakaa,

Mum xXx
Sent using BlackBerry® from Orange

Happy Days

2010-11-14T22:03:00.000Z

Hello beautiful!!

How are you this evening?

Have you had a SUPER Sunday?

I certainly hope so! I hope it was SUPER DUPER and filled with lots of fun and laughter, as always!!

Did you have a yummy Sunday roast today? We had a home-made fish pie, cod, smoked haddock and prawns in a creamy cheese sauce and a crumb and cheese crust, with some carrots and peas and potatoes. It was delicious, but I couldn't eat all of mine. I think my eyes were bigger than my belly. It was nice though, and everyone enjoyed it.

I put this song on as an extra song of the week because I know I was feeling particularly sad yesterday and I wanted to give you something happier, so here it is. It's by the same lady, Jem. I love this song too, but it wasn't the other song of the week I mentioned yesterday.
I think apart from the obvious (i.e. missing you like crazy as always) the reason I was so sad was because the tablet I took to settle my nerves for the dentist did funny things to me! It made me feel very odd and sleepy and a bit low I suppose. Still, I'm ok now! Although nothing has changed, and I still miss you like crazy... I hope you know what I mean.
It is all about life and how it has ups and downs, and how we can't do anything about that, we just have to get on with it, but when we're down remember that it will get better again.
I hope you like it. It always cheers me up when I'm feeling a bit low or upset! Maybe it can do the same for you.

Today I did some jobs first thing, Holly had her friend Tamsin over last night, so Ewan, Mike and I went out for a bit leaving them playing guitar hero on the Wii. Holly was very pleased with herself for getting 100% note accuracy. I've never played it, but I like Wii Sports, especially the aerobics and yoga. Obviously I don't get to go on it very often as it's just too chaotic and busy here. The worst thing about it is that it takes so long to load from one bit to the next, so most of the time you're waiting for the game rather than doing the exercises.

We nipped up to the shops to get a few bits and pieces, including a new shower curtain because our last one went manky, even though I kept washing it. I think our bathroom has a moisture problem, as it's internal which means it has no windows, so the moisture can't escape properly. There's an extractor fan, but it's rubbish. Maybe we'll get a new one of those. Or maybe we'll just move somewhere else when we eventually find somewhere nice, and it won't be a worry any more!

After we went to the shops we went to the park, which was empty as most normal people stay indoors when it's so cold. We were wrapped up warm, so we wandered around the playground but everything was wet through from last nights rain. Ewan couldn't play on anything, so we went for a walk in the woods instead. I was going to take some photos but I had walking boots on and Mike had shoes on, and because it was quite rocky and hilly I had to carry Ewan or hold both his hands for most of it. I didn't let Mike in case he slipped himself! We climbed up a big hill and through some trees, which were all tangled up with holly (the plant, not our Holly!) we ended up in a farmers field with a lovely view of Bradgate park. Then we decided to head back as it was getting colder and colder and looked like it might rain. We picked our way back through the tangled trees and the holly and down the rocky hill, over the playground and back to the car. We had a good time. So much so that Ewan had a complete tantrum when we tried to get him in the car. He did what you used to do and went totally rigid so I couldn't do up his car seat. Little monkey! Eventually I managed to sit him down enough to get the straps done up, then we had to entertain him by buzzing the sunroof open and closed most of the way home to distract him!

Well, that was about all we did today, unless I am to give you an account of how much washing, ironing and cleaning I have done, which I'm sure would bore you silly!!

I hope you had a Super day with super people doing super things in super places with that super smile on your super duper special face!!!

I hope you're looking forward to your marvellous manic Monday! I am, but not the part at about 3pm when I have to go back to the Dentist!! I'll be fine though, I think I got over my phobia last Friday, which is great. But now I feel silly for being so scared for TEN YEARS!!!

Sweetest sweet dreams til sunbeams find you!!

Allllll of my love and kisses and hugs and snuggles and warmth as always and forever, and extra because it's a brand new week at school tomorrow!!!

Mum xXx

P.S. I'll email the funny pics of Ewan as I haven't got a free USB port to plug my phone in :o)

Song of the Week

2010-11-13T22:33:00.000Z

Hello beautiful Alidia...

How was your Saturday? I hope it was spectacular!

Did you do anything extra special? Did you go out anywhere nice or stay home and keep warm? Maybe you went out in the sunshine...

I'm not going to write a lot, as I am now officially quite sad. I've been giving a lot of thought to this weeks song of the week and I went to find it on youtube this evening. It made me cry when I heard it, which it always has done. I used to have it on a CD but I lost it years ago when my car was broken in to unfortunately. I loved the album, by a lady called 'Jem'. There are two songs of hers that I want to use as song of the week, but I'll save the other for a while.

This one means a lot to me. I think it made me so upset because I had this CD and it was my favourite while we were going through all our troubles, after I moved away from Nottingham and when you went to live with your Dad. So it reminds me of the times I spent crying and missing you back then, as well as more recently.

I took some lovely pictures of Ewan today which will make you smile I'm sure!! I'll put my smiles back on tomorrow.
But for now I am going to love you, remember you, and leave you with this beautiful song, as it says everything I want to... There's only one bit towards the end where she mentions someone dying and that its a man, which obviously isn't the case with you and I!

Jem

Missing you

I hope you had a spectacular Saturday and have a SUPER Sunday!!

I also hope you have a peaceful nights sleep and super sweet dreams til sunbeams find you!!

Allllllllllllll of my love and kisses and hugs as always and forever and ever and ever and more...

Mum xXx

Bouncing Baby Girlie!!

2010-11-12T20:38:00.000Z

Hello gorgeous!

You were a bouncing baby girlie when you were born, but more recently, just a couple of hours ago, my friend Sara (who has Evan, the same age as Ewan) has given birth to Florence, or Florrie, their new baby girl! She's beautiful! As beautiful as a dinky little wrinkly newborn can be!! I don't think it's until you've had a baby of your own you can appreciate how beautiful a brand new baby actually is, so if this makes you feel queasy then I'm sorry!!

Sara must have been on some serious pain killers, because right until the last hour or two of labour she was keeping us updated through facebook and texts!

I'm so pleased for her, and her husband, and Evan. I think he will really love being a big brother! He is a very sweet boy!

So, enough about other people! How was your day? Did you have a FABULOUS Friday??? I certainly hope so! I hope it wasn't a frightful Friday!

Did school go ok today? Did you have any particularly good lessons? Did you have any lessons that were a bit dull? Did you have any lessons that were a bit yukky, like maybe a biology class where you had to look at the insides of animals or something gross?!

Did you do anything fun after school or maybe at lunch time? Did you have an extra nice lunch because it was Friday? Have you had a deeeeeelicious dinner this evening? What did you have? Ewan wouldn't eat his pizza tonight, so he ended up eating a couple of mouthfuls of baked beans, a banana and half an apple!

What are you up to this evening? Are you out with friends or family? Are you at home finishing your homework so you can have fun at the weekend? Maybe you are chilling out watching something on TV... Perhaps you are at the theatre orrrrr maybe you have gone to the cinema!?

We have had a bizarre day today! I had to go to the dentists first thing and I had to take a tablet to calm me down before I went, which made me feel drunk by 8am. It was horrible! The Dentist went fine though, and I didn't hate it at all. In fact, I am quite looking forward to going back and getting the rest of the work done! That's a miracle in itself, because for the last 10 years I have only ever been when I have been in serious pain until I decided I really HAD to get over my phobia!

Anyway then I had a few phone calls to make, not easy with half your face numb!

I did a bit of cleaning, though you wouldn't know it because by the end of the day in this house it's as if it has never seen a cloth or a mop.

I had to go and take Sukie to the vets when I felt better as she needed a check up. She has had allergies, but she was itching more than usual and it turns out she has a little infection. She has some antibiotics now, which are about the same size as bricks. She will only take one if I cover it in a smear of marmite!

Then I had to go to the Drs for an appointment, which was fine, I was in and out really quickly thank goodness, because although the tablet had worn off, I started to get VERY tired!!

I came back and played with Ewan in the living room, then I sat on the sofa and nearly fell asleep. It was only when Ewan came and snuggled next to me that I realised I was nearly asleep!!

The rest is history, as they say. I wish I knew what you had been up to today :o)

As I was sat with Ewan on the sofa, he brought me a magazine to read, so he opened it and turned over the pages one by one. It was very cute so I took a photo! He had taken his trousers off at this point but still had a nappy on so don't be alarmed!!

So do you have any plans for the weekend? Is it going to be a Spectacular Saturday and a Super Sunday do you think? Or maybe hope?! Perhaps you are having a quiet weekend or perhaps you have it packed full with adventurous things. If you do have it packed full, don't forget time to relax and remember what you have been up to, is important too :o)

I hope you had a FABULOUS Friday, full of fabulous people doing fabulous things in fabulous places with that fabulous smile on your fabulously beautiful face! And I hope you go on to have a SPECTACULAR SATURRRRDAYYYY!

Sweetest sweet dreams til sunbeams find you... Munching on toast and sipping a brew!

Alllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll of my love and kisses and hugs as always and forever, and extra for the weekend!! I hope it is full of gooood times and laughter!

You could send this to a friend and make their day

2010-11-12T19:58:00.000Z

One day, when I was in high school, I saw a kid from my class was
walking home from school.

His name was Kyle.

It looked like he was carrying all of his books.

I thought to myself, 'Why would anyone bring home all his books on a Friday?

He must really be a nerd.'

I had quite a weekend planned (parties and a football game with my friends
tomorrow afternoon), so I shrugged my shoulders and went on.

As I was walking, I saw a bunch of kids running toward him.

They ran at him, knocking all his books out of his arms and tripping him so
he landed in the dirt.

His glasses went flying, and I saw them land in the grass about ten feet
from him...

He looked up and I saw this terrible sadness in his eyes

My heart went out to him. So, I jogged over to him as he crawled around
looking for his glasses, and I saw a tear in his eye.

As I handed him his glasses, I said, 'Those guys are jerks.'
They really should get lives.

'He looked at me and said, 'Hey thanks!' There was a big smile on his
face.

It was one of those smiles that showed real gratitude.

I helped him pick up his books, and asked him where he lived.

As it turned out, he lived near me, so I asked him why I had never seen him
before..

He said he had gone to private school before now.

I would have never hung out with a private school kid before.

We talked all the way home, and I carried some of his books.

He turned out to be a pretty cool kid.

I asked him if he wanted to play a little football with my friends

He said yes.

We hung out all weekend and the more I got to know Kyle, the more I liked
him, and my friends thought the same of him.

Monday morning came, and there was Kyle with the huge stack of books again.

I stopped him and said, 'Boy, you are gonna really build some serious
muscles with this pile of books everyday!

He just laughed and handed me half the books.

Over the next four years, Kyle and I became best friends..

When we were seniors we began to think about college.

Kyle decided on Georgetown and I was going to Duke.

I knew that we would always be friends, that the miles would never be a
problem.

He was going to be a doctor and I was going for business on a football
scholarship..

I teased him all the time about being a nerd.

He had to prepare a speech for graduation.

I was so glad it wasn't me having to get up there and speak

Graduation day, I saw Kyle.

He looked great.

He was one of those guys that really found himself during high school.

He filled out and actually looked good in glasses.

He had more dates than I had and all the girls loved him.

Boy, sometimes I was jealous!

Today was one of those days.

I could see that he was nervous about his speech.
So, I smacked him on the back and said, 'Hey, big guy, you'll be great!'

He looked at me with one of those looks (the really grateful one) and
smiled....' Thanks,' he said.

As he started his speech, he cleared his throat, and began

'Graduation is a time to thank those who helped you make it through those
tough years. Your parents, your teachers, your siblings, maybe a coach...but
mostly your friends....

I am here to tell all of you that being a friend to someone is the best gift
you can give them.

I am going to tell you a story.'

I just looked at my friend with disbelief as he told the first day we met.

He had planned to kill himself over the weekend.

He talked of how he had cleaned out his locker so his Mom wouldn't have to
do it later and was carrying his stuff home.

He looked hard at me and gave me a little smile.

'Thankfully, I was saved.

My friend saved me from doing the unspeakable..'

I heard the gasp go through the crowd as this handsome, popular boy told us
all about his weakest moment.

I saw his Mom and dad looking at me and smiling that same grateful smile.

Not until that moment did I realize its depth.

Never underestimate the power of your actions..

With one small gesture you can change a person's life.

For better or for worse

God puts us all in each others lives to impact one another in some way.

Look for God in others.

'Friends are angels who lift us to our feet when our wings have trouble
remembering how to fly.'

There is no beginning or end.. Yesterday is history.

Tomorrow is a mystery.

Today is a gift.

Send this to a friend, to show them how much you appreciate them...

Amlakaa

Mum xXx

Ohh, forgot!

2010-11-11T23:38:00.000Z

I found this picture yesterday of Ewan and I. It was ages ago when Mike was away one night with work, and I took it in the morning to send to him.
I think it's lovely! Ewan is the absolute cutest thing ever, with the exception of you as a dinky bod, when he has his milk!

I have similar photos of you and I, where we were snuggly and close. They make me happy, even for the memories if not the future. I know I wasn't the perfect Mum, and I'm sorry I couldn't be. Though I don't know any perfect Mums, when I come to think of it.
But you and I love(d) each other very much, and that's what really counts... I hope you have some fond memories too.

All my love and kisses and hugs as always and forever and ever and ever amen,

Mum xXx

Bbbwwwaaaakkk!

2010-11-11T23:23:00.000Z

Hehehe. Hello little lady!!

How was your Thursday? Was it THRILLING? I hope so. I hope it was full of fun and laughter and good times!!

I've got slightly muddy legs now. Poppy was sat next to me and then decided she wanted a cuddle so jumped onto me. That's not a bad thing in itself, but it's not long since they went out so her feet were a bit damp and dirty. Plus there's the fact she is nearly as big as me. Well, not quite, but if she jump up to put her feet on my shoulders, her face is almost level with mine.

Oh well, I need a bath anyway!

So what did you do today? Did you enjoy school or are you off ill like Holly? She had to miss her science exam which makes up part of her GCSE course today. I'm not very happy about her missing this one as I think it'll put pressure on her when she has to resit it alone later on and everyone else is off enjoying themselves at weekends or studying for other exams which need sitting. I'm sure she'll do well though!

We went to our meeting this morning which was good. We were told beforehand that the fire alarm would go off and signal the start of the two minute silence, then again to say it was the end of the two minutes. It was weird, sitting in a big room with people you don't know, silent and staring at the table thinking about the front line in WWI and then guns falling silent. And everything that is going on nowadays overseas, with troops being lost almost daily some weeks.

It took me a few minutes after the second bell rang to shake myself out of my thoughts. I must have looked half asleep!

I have really bad shoulder and wrist ache tonight, for the most ridiculous of reasons. I went to the supermarket this afternoon and the trolley I had was wonky and every now and again just stopped in its tracks.
It kept on darting off in the wrong direction as I was pushing it along in a straight line. To stop it whacking into people (which it nearly did several times for which I received dirty looks from the near recipient) I had to use all my strength to stop it and pull it back on track. I'm not impressed. Our supermarket is a bit run down, but it's big and has everything we need, so I don't want to go to a different one, but the trolleys are useless, not to mention dangerous!! It'd be safer to carry everything round by hand, except that would probably hurt my arms too!
The most annoying thing about my shopping trip was the fact that I was in the queue before 4pm to pay, then by the time I had battled the trolley up to the other shop to collect my iron (I ordered it Monday but it wasn't in stock, so was meant to pick it up yesterday. Mike went to collect it and the shop was closed!! Apparently there was a problem with the computer system or something so they had to close. Rubbish!) went to the pet shop to get a couple of mats for the dogs to pad them a bit more now the nights are so cold, went to the chemist to pick up my prescription (which wasn't ready even though I took it in at 2 and by this time it was 5) I didn't get home until gone half past 5. It was mad! Not only was everywhere busy (panic buying in case roads are blocked by trees and other debris, maybe?) but the traffic was appalling. In one shop they were training a new member of staff so they were taking forever. The woman in front of me at the supermarket kept putting things back and changing her mind, then had two arguments with the lady on the till (who I must say, had the patience of a saint during her half hour shenanigans!) and the pharmacist took ages with my prescription. BOOOOO!
Poor Mike was on a really important call to an American company with 3 other people so the line was a bit crackly (it's called a telephone conference) and Ewan was in the living room with Holly screaming and wailing like a mad thing because he wanted his Mummy and his dinner!!

Isn't the wind awful!!??!! Mike has taken the dogs out today because although I don't mind the wind, this has been silly and it scares me, having to walk under and around so many huge trees. I'm scared one might fall down. He's not usually bothered by it, but said it was pretty nasty down there and it did cross his mind how long it would take me to worry if he was struck by a big branch and didn't come back up for a while!

All I've done is moan! But actually I had quite a nice day all in all. I got my new iron, which compared with the old heap is AMAZING! I flew through one pile in less than an hour after we had dinner and while Mike sat and relaxed watching Reggie Perrin, which for a boring old couple like us, is quite funny! Ewan was lovely and when we came in after our meeting (and when I came back in after shopping) gave me the biggest snuggles. He has been a very cuddly man today, in part helped by the fact I wasn't around long enough for him to get bored of me! Dinner was yum, we had a pie and oven chips with peas. My hair went straight when I tried to straighten it this morning. My make up went on ok, even though I did most of it in the car and using a rather unusual method of application. I'll tell you about it one day face to face, it's too silly to write on here!
I spoke to Nanna B tonight and she was in a happy mood, and has not had a bad day. She has been really struggling recently with her leg as she has something called Sciatica which is basically a pain in the back(side!!!) No, the Sciatic nerve runs down the lower back, bum and legs, and if it gets trapped or damaged in some way it can cause horrible pains. She has it terribly in one leg. I have it too, but I know mine is because I haul 2 stone of Ewan around with me. The bigger he gets the worse it is, but he also walks more now, and I do exercises to strengthen my core muscles (through my tummy and back) and arms, and try to work hard on my posture, as well as encouraging Ewan to walk nicely and not try to sit down or run off every 3 seconds!!

Right my beautiful, that's about my day in a nutshell and I've just seen the time. I started writing this much earlier but then let the dogs in who jumped all over me making it impossible to write, dinner was ready so I had to cook and I thought I'd carry on after everyone has settled in for the night so I could concentrate!

I hope you had a THRILLING Thursday, doing thrilling things with thrilling people in thrilling places and all the time wearing your thrilling smile on your thrillingly beautiful face!!

Sweetest sweet dreams til sunbeams find you... Feeling happy, never blue.

Allllll of my love and kisses and hugs for ever and ever and ever and ever and ever and ever and ever and ever and ever and ever and ever and ever and ever and ever and ever and ever and ever and ever and ever MORE!

Mum xXx

Nine Til Five...

2010-11-10T21:35:00.000Z

HELLO GORGEOUS!

How are you this chilly billy Wednesday evening? Did you have a WONDERFUL Wednesday? I certainly hope so!

How was school today? Did you have any of your favourite lessons? Did you have any of your least favourite lessons? Did you go to any clubs during lunch or maybe after school? Was it/were they fun? It's odd not knowing what is going on in your life. I suppose most of the time I sort of assume that you are having breakfast, at school and in lessons, at home on the computer or in town shopping, wrapped up warm in your winter coat and hat... Then some of the time I sit thinking for ages about what you 'could' be doing. Things I wouldn't necessarily think of. Maybe you've started scuba diving, or rock climbing is your favourite hobby. Maybe you are really into figure skating, or you have taken to parachuting at weekends from 10,000 feet. I just don't know... Maybe you prefer to stay indoors and make jewellery for your friends and family or little clay models. Perhaps you are really into computers and write software in your spare time?!

What else did you do today? If that wasn't enough?! Imagine if you did all that in one day, you'd be exhausted!

Did you have any homework tonight? There's no Eastenders on Wednesdays so I wouldn't mind having homework on a Wednesday! Not that I ever really get to watch it anyway! But I'd like to :o)

It's an Apprentice day today. It's on in the background now, but I'm not paying it any attention. I'd rather write to you then do some ironing, go to bed and get up early. We have quite a big meeting tomorrow, and I'm excited about it but it seems ages since I went to meetings about these products so I have been trying to go through in my mind everything about the subjects and the products. Aagghh!! There's so much. It wouldn't be so crazy if we weren't talking about 4 totally different products! It'll be fine. I always feel a bit funny before meetings, but I think it's mostly excitement which is similar to nervousness. I come away feeling brilliant after every one, so they can't be that scary!

Have you got any plans for Thursday? Will it be thrilling for you do you think? Let's hope so, and let's hope everything in your day is good and everything in my day is good!

I had a brilliant morning this morning. We had a meeting first thing, which was only little so I wasn't feeling funny about that. Ewan slept in until NINE AM!!!! A miracle, I'm almost sure of it. Trouble was, it was on a day where I had to be up early! Not to worry, at least he is catching up on his sleep from the last week or so. This tummy bug has really taken it out of him.
We had a lovely snuggle with his milk, then we had to go to our meeting, then afterwards we played lots. Ewan ate a whole banana and some raisins, which was a surprise as he is not usually too keen on fruit and that's two days in a row he has munched a banana.
That's not all either, this evening he SCOFFED, and I mean scoffed, a whole juicy pear! He has never been into fruit, and we've had battle after battle to get any in to him. But all of a sudden it seems to be his absolute favourite!

The only problem with him having a lie in this morning, was that he wasn't ready for a nap until late this afternoon. He didn't fall asleep until we were on our way home from the dentist at 5pm. So of course that messed up tea time, and when I brought him in out of the car he woke up grumpy as he had only been asleep for 15 minutes or so. We got through it though, and when he went to bed he *touch wood!!!* fell asleep quite quickly/ I hope he stays asleep. Sometimes if he doesn't have much sleep in the day he wakes a lot at night. He has grizzled a couple of times while I have been writing this but not woken properly.

Mmm... Yes I said the dreaded D word. Dentist!

I have some terrible news... I have to have a filling!!! I have to have two in fact, one on Friday morning and one on Monday afternoon. The dentist said he wouldn't do them both on the same day as they are on different sides of my mouth and if I had them both done I'd have to have a totally numb mouth which would be rubbish as I'd be dribbling all day!!
I'm gutted, but I sort of knew it was coming. I knew there would be problems where I'd had my wisdom teeth out, because they were so closely compacted against the back teeth. I was hoping that it wouldn't require a drill to fix it though.

The moral to this story is, despite any fear of anything, face it and get it dealt with because the longer you leave it the worse it gets!! It pretty much goes for anything in life if you think about it... I'm full of lessons this week, aren't I!?!

Right my beautiful, I had better go and get some ironing done.

I really hope you had a Wonderful Wednesday, and I hope you have a THRILLING Thursday! I hope you have had a Wonderful day with wonderful people doing wonderful things in wonderful places with that wonderful smile on your wonderful face!!

Sweetest sweet dreams til sunbeams find you... Hopefully NOT sitting on the loo!

Alllllllllllllllllllllllll of my love and kisses as always and forever and ever To Eternity... And Beyond!

MMMwwwaaahhh!!

Mum xXx

Useful Helper!

2010-11-09T23:03:00.000Z

Hello beautiful.

How was your day today? Did you have a TERRIFIC Tuesday???

I hope so! And I certainly hope it wasn't a terrible Tuesday, because that would be horrible.

How was school? Did you have a good time there today? Did you have PE? Do they make you go outside even in this cold weather? I suppose when you're running around you stay quite warm really, but I remember PE at school in winter when they made us go outside. Not much fun! Good for you though, so I guess that's why they do it. Exercise is much better in the fresh air than indoors. But most people don't realise things like that until they're an adult and PE is a lonnnng time in the past!

So what lessons did you have today? Were they fun? Holly is having a fun time at the moment with school - Not! She has two science exams on Thursday which make up part of her science GCSE. She's working really hard, and has been revising like mad. I think she will do brilliantly, but she's worried about it, naturally. We're very proud of her for working so hard of course. But I wish she would have a little more confidence in her own ability and stop stressing. She always does well because she always works hard!

Ewan has been a little superstar today!! Apart from being generally cute as a button, he has been helping me with a feather duster to go around the house and clean. He helped with the hoovering, by switching it off every time I went to pick up the end that sucks up the dirt. Monkey!

We went to the shops this morning and stayed for a coffee at the end. We bought him lunch out as he was starving. He finally has an appetite back, which is brilliant. Just today he has started drinking his milk again, he ate a bowl of coco pops for breakfast and nearly a whole banana, then he had a biscuit mid morning, for his lunch he had a mini Christmas dinner with turkey and allll the trimmings, stuffing, sausage, sprouts, carrots, gravy etc. He ate loads!! Then we came home and he had a nap. When he woke up he was grumpy so I offered him a biscuit and he wolfed it down, and then had another one. For his tea (and Hollys) I made chicken burgers and chips with coleslaw.
I used chicken breasts and sliced them in half, flattened them down with a rolling pin, sloshed them in egg with a little spice and some honey, coated them in toasted breadcrumbs and grilled them. They were easily as good as any 'real' chicken burger as I think Holly called them. In fact, they were deeelicious! Ewan had some chips, though not many, and some coleslaw, which was a surprise as he's not tried it before and I really didn't think he would like it - Holly doesn't! In fact, there is only me that does like it, though Mike will sometimes have a little bit.

Just before dinner, I called out to him "Ewaaan, dinner's ready" as I was getting the chicken out of the grill. He came running through shouting "dinna dinna", then ran to the crockery cupboard, pulled out 3 plates (plastic ones are kept at the front so he can't reach the china ones!) took them to the table and laid them out neatly in a row. I then asked him if he would help me with knives and forks, so I took some cutlery and gave it to him, which he set out side by side next to the plates. I was nearly in tears of a combination of laughter and joy at his cuteness!! It was so lovely and he was really VERY proud of himself for being such a useful helper!!

After tea he was just as lovely as before, helping to put his yoghurt pot in the bin and his spoon in the dishwasher.

I remember calling you a useful helper when you were little too! I bet you still are a useful helper around the house... Not long til you'll be a teenager though, and all that will stop temporarily until you're an adult!! :o)

Well that was about my day, not very exciting but lovely nonetheless. I hope you had a much more fun and much more exciting day, and that you managed to stay warm and away from bugs and germies!! They're everywhere at this time of year!!

I shall love you and leave you for now, as it is getting late and I have to be up early for a meeting. I've also got another dentists appointment tomorrow, so I don't think I will sleep very well. Yawn!

I hope you have had a TERRIFIC Tuesday with terrific people doing terrific things in terrific places with that terrific smile on your terrifically beautiful face!

I also hope you have a restful nights sleep and dream sweet dreams til sunbeams find you!

All of my love and kisses and hugs as always and forever and ever and ever and ever!

Mum xXx