pink milk, cheddars and avoiding fig rolls

What did I do today?

Not a lot, apart from school run and shop and worry.

Thats just all quite normal for me though in the winter months.

But something did get me thinking today. An article in the Daily Mail.

I don't often buy a paper. I read bits of the Sunday Times when husband buys it but apart from that am not a dedicated follower (I prefer to tune in to Jeremy Vine to keep myself updated).

The sideline on the front page caught my eye and I am a sucker for anything remotely pyschobabbly (yes, I think that that is just a word I have made up).

'Five Steps To Being Happy'

Wow, that sounds really direct and to the point and actually very easy, is that all it takes? Five steps?

Of course I know its not that simple but hey, its worth a read.

And, do you know what, it did actually cheer me up and make me realise on a day like today that I actually am happy (as I told you before, I am happy with my life, it's just on days like today you need reminding).

Sorry to repeat myself there, got a bit carried away.

So. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

the five things are:

Q. How often do you get to do things you really like?
A. A lot actually, I have a lovely husband that facilitates a lot of the hobbies that I enjoy

Q. How often do you find yourself actively looking forward to the day ahead?
A. Sometimes, about once or twice a week. According to the article thats quite a good answer

Q. How often do you get so involved in what you're doing that you lose track of time?
A. Again, a couple of times a week, usually with crochet but often with family or a friend. Again, a good answer

Q. How often do you feel invigorated at the end of a long, busy day?
A. Ha, Sorry that answer is rarely. I am always shattered. I do however sometimes feel proud of myself for getting through the day (thats not really the same though is it?)

Q. How often do you feel an emotional high?
A. Ah. Very often actually. Usually related to and in strong correlation to childrens moods and how good the thrifting day has panned out!

So. . . . . . . . .

After looking at the article and looking at my honest responses I realise that, according to the article, I am happy. And I am.

But, I do believe that this article is rather flawed. For I think that added to the above the secret of happiness is a good support network and a good chat.

I have a good support network. Although my family are far, I can rely on them at any time of day for a moan and a chat and even on the end of the phone just a sympathetic ear can calm me. Nearer to home I have a couple of friends that I know I can rely on (one in particular, as mentioned before) and according to researchers at the University of Michigan putting women in pairs can increase levels of progesterone, the hormone involved in social bonding and reducing anxiety and stress. HOW correct is that. Just chatting and taking your mind off a problem works a treat and perks you up no end. It's even better if the friend you are talking to is as honest as you are and admits that sometimes they are not perfect either. All this crap about the perfect mother, the perfect wife and the perfect 'life balance' just grates me. As favourite friend told me recently, we should all strive to be 'good enough'.

So, whatever you do, wherever you work, wherever you live, whatever you are. I hope that you are 'good enough', no, I am sure you are 'good enough' and that you are 'happy enough'.

Let's not strive for perfection. Lets strive for happiness.

Match of the Day

Oh My Word. I have to admit that I will be voting for John and Edward.

And no, I havn't heard them sing yet, the X Factor has only just started.

I am voting purely on looks. That is so shallow isn't it.

But, you have to forgive me for I am a Twilight fan. I LOVE the Twilight books, I absolutely ADORE the Twilight books (not so sure about the film) in fact they are the best books I have read for ages. And, the twins do resemble Edward from Twilight in the film (ie. Rob Pattinson).

Massive SWWWWWOOOON!

But, purleeese. Can Louis go away. 'you made that song your own tonight', how old is that line? Yawn, yawn.

So. I managed to take some photos today. Remembered after tea tonight though so they are not as good as I would hope. Would you like to see? Well, silly question cos there's no one out there and even if there is you have no choice!

My new/old plate nestling on my dresser, bought on thrifting trip yesterday. The photo doesn't do it justice it is a lovely yellow colour.

Staffordshire Pottery tea set (thrifting again) which since bought realise that it reminds me of my Grans set. It's amazing what the subconcious mind does.

Little granny squares building up, getting me nearer to my goal.

Wish that they would dry quicker!

The new subscription arrived (bit disappointing though)

Oooohh. Linen. Old linen. 'nother thrift. Tablecloths and pillowcases. Drying in the dining room and smelling oh so very fresh.

The NEW purchase this week. The Emma Bridgewater apron that I have been looking for for ages. Now found! And now I know why it took so long, it's discontinued, which makes it an even better find. I love discontinued!

All in all a few things that have made me happy this weekend (very shallow I know), oh and by the way, son played well but overall they lost 7 - 0.

xx

choir on friday

Hello. It's been quite a while. I can't believe it's Friday again. And this weekend I am going to be very busy, no relaxing for me.

My lovely little man has his first ever football match on Saturday morning, please do cross your fingers and toes that he scores at least one goal! this also coincides with husbands birthday (getting ever nearer to forty!) so after birthday on Saturday we are having birthday lunch on Sunday and then popping over to my Grans for a couple of hours afterwards. No rest for the wicked.

Have been out this afternoon on a lovely thrifting trip and it was fairly fruitful. Unfortunately cannot show you the fruits of my labour as the light is now fading and my camera cannot cope. Hope to get some time tomorrow to take some pictures and show you my purchases of the day.

Hope that you all have a happy weekend.

xx

reality blogging

Ok. So. If no one is listening perhaps I should change my tune (in fact it makes it easier to)

Firstly I would like to say that all that has gone before has been true and in particular has been true of the time.

I love my life. I love my children. I love my husband and I love my family. I love my crafts. I feel supremely lucky to have what I have especially in such hard times. Yes, we have debt and yes we struggle (mainly because of my passion for shopping) but the bottom line is I know that I am a very lucky person to feel this.

However, with every silver lining there is always a cloud and for me my cloud is a phobia.

My phobia can be quite well behaved in the summer months and following therapy it will ease, but it will never scoot away.

This Autumn it is hounding me quite badly and is affecting family members around me. I don't want to bang on about it, or even explain it (that may come later) but I wanted you to know that when I don't post for a few days it is because I feel particulary down and can't think of anything to say.

My crochet and crafting really helps me and now so does my blog, so I am hoping that I can continue with this, for my sake more than anybody elses (sorry! if anyone is reading this) and that I can get through Autumn and Winter without too many panic attacks.

Happy. happy, happy.

making tea on friday

Woohoo. Autumnwatch is back! And what a lovely programme it is. I do find it very uplifting and love, love, love the cosy sets with fires and candles and blankets. Oooooh, am sure I can see a crochet blanket on the back of the sofa.

AND, you may hate me for this, but I like it even more now that Bill Oddie has gone.

AND, even more, they had my favourite ever weather man on, the LOVELY Rob McElwee. Is it just me or isn't he just a LOVELY man? Such a gentle man in the real sense, Oh I love Rob McElwee please don't blame him for the misforecasted 'BBQ summer' Autumnwatch.

However, I do prefer Springwatch. It signifies the start. The start of the new year, the start of better weather, the start of dreaming about holidays and the start of new life.

Autumnwatch for me, as much as I used to love Autumn (it was my favourite season a few years ago) signifies the start of Winter, the start of a new year at school and the start of all the horrid bugs that sweep round schools in Autumn and Winter. I am not very good with illness (and that is an understatement) and with two young children who are building up their immune systems Winter is not something I relish. In fact, it even takes the shine off Christmas for me, which is SUCH a shame.

However, I can't stay away from Autumnwatch because deep down I remember how I used to love Autumn (and I now get the added benefit of the lovely Rob McElwee). I hope that that this Autumn and Winter we can all enjoy a happy healthy time (lets ignore Swine Flu).

Okay. So. Today I have had a happy day. I have been helping in school this afternoon and Fridays in school are happy times (I suppose like any Friday wherever you are really), the weekend is only hours away and Friday Fun Time finishes off the last hour. I can happily mount work, file, photocopy and laminate whilst I listen to happy children look forward to their weekends. It's lovely (have you noticed that lovely is my favourite word?) and makes me excited about my own weekend.

I came home and finished off my day with a lovely friend with a couple of glasses of wine and cooked a curry.

Yes, my day has been happy and again I feel lucky.

On another note, on a crochet note, I would like to show you my very first crochet project.

I started crocheting in January 2009 and I started with a granny squares blanket. We went on holiday, on my birthday, to a cottage in the Lake District. It was very cold but the cottage was absolutely gorgeous, it even had a working Aga which came in very handy for cold bottoms after long walks! Anyway, I started a blanket and the work was very slow. But, I caught the bug so to speak and got this far

and then my wool ran out (it is wool as well, the fab King Cole Merino Blend DK) and then I found out that I was using last seasons wool colours. And all that adds up to HARD TO FIND MORE TO FINISH IT OFF. For the last couple of months I have really been worrying about this because I love this blanket and I really want to finish it.

Yesterday I managed to get the wool to finish my blanket on the market! And that probably contributes to my good mood today. Also, now, I am much quicker at crocheting so hopefully I will be able to finish this blanket off by the time we next visit the lovely cottage (in January 2010) in the Lake District.

Must keep going with the squares!

Happy Autumn. x