bite me edward

Yes, you already know that I am a massive fan of Twilight but is it really sad to admit that I want a 'Bite me Edward' t-shirt?

Have you seen my new gadget in the sidebar? It shows a different picture of Robert every so often (yes, some are not my most favourite but most of the time he looks HOT HOT HOT!) how absolutely FABULOUS is that!

21st December

I have the same Sainsbury's pyjamas as Posy!

I have finished my 50's cardigan!

I am knitting my first item for husband!

I bought 1000g Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran for £20!

My son can rollerblade!

It snowed!

My daughter sings beautifully (and knows an awful lot of lyrics)!

The living room is ready for Christmas!

I lit my first advent candle!

I blogged!

little snippets from my weekend that make me smile

x

discombobulated

Hello.

Isn't the weather awfully depressing. We are lucky because we live high up and don't have the risk of flooding but still, not being able to get out into the garden or for a walk seriously makes me feel hemmed in. Last weekend was one of those times, all we really managed was homework and a trip to Waterstones.

I did buy a book though (long time since I have, actually the last books I bought were the Twilight books) called Last Christmas. I suppose the fact that my favourite Christmas song is Wham's Last Christmas was the reason for the purchase also I thought that it would be nice to have an advent book, sort of instead of a calendar. So, I decided that I would start this book on 1st December. HA HA HA. Couldn't resist, started it today.

Anyway, have only just started chapter two but already it's making me laugh. One of the women in it writes a blog and has been catapulted to stardom as the 'Happy Homemaker'. I love books like this, the happy homemakers 'front' that she has accidentally created, the chaos of the reality of her homelife. It is exactly why I started my blog, to share my haphazard, non perfect but trying ever so hard crafting, homemaking life. Trying to be truthful in a world where only perfection will do.

Of course sometimes things go well and naturally it's nice to share these moments on your blog and there are beautiful (in your own eyes) areas in your home that you want to share.

Shall I share some of mine with you?

My collection of oddments of china sourced from parents, grandparents, charity shops and car boot sales.

My knitting needle collection

My granny blanket that is oh so nearly there

My beautiful new bed, still loving it!

Shall we share the bad too?

The new curtains that I couldn't wait to put up, obviously not working - do you see the big gap? - cosy huh?

The 'other' curtain, as always I do one and not the other, can never complete a job especially when am disappointed with it's 'other half'.

and the ever increasing pile of treasures, bought, homemade and thrifted that no one is allowed to use

Of course this is just the tip of the iceberg. Do you think I would be so stupid as to show you the ugly?

That is for me to hide! Which brings me back around to the start, does everyone in blog land do this? Show the good, admit to the bad but hide the ugly? Am sure they do, absolutely. Surely no one can be perfect, only be confident enough to think they are?

Hmmmm.

spots, stripes and silly shoes

Yes I love fellow bloggers (to a point) and yes I know I am yet to have a following (must blog more) but am sorry, sometimes the mutual love makes me just uuurrrrgggghhhh. Isn't everyone just copying each other? Am getting a bit sick of 'donna love', 'lucy love', 'I'm so fabulous self love'.

Is is just me or is all this 'look at my stash stuff' just a bit rubbing your face in it. Who in this current climate has such a fantastic stash of fabric (vintage no less) and enjoys cutting up fabulous old blankets? It is seriously beyond me.

Sorry. Know that I sound quite Victor Meldrew but this 'stuff' really annoys me and is just more hype about perfection making us lesser mere mortals feel inadequate. Which reminds me, must show you soon all my WIP's.

Cross, cross, cross! Sorry but if we are to revive the make do and mend mentality we cannot promote the spending mentality of the past ten years. Look in your loft for fabric, look in your Grandmas loft, look in your next door neighbours loft, look anywhere but in your pocket for money. If you look you will find not only a quarter of fabric at a price but a whole sheet for free (and please dont cut it up if its in good condition!)

hospital appointments

Don't you think it is so satisfying to have a good clear out?

Especially when your loft is so full of **** even the local council assessor acknowledges that you don't need any more insulation, 'we couldn't do any better than that'.

I am not kidding, he went up there with a torch and then made a hasty retreat!

So, as you may have gathered, today we started on the loft. I really enjoyed it, children vacated the premises and we could really crack on. Got rid of loads of 'stuff' - to charity and tip - and I am even reusing and refinding bits myself (in fact as I sit here I am wearing a dressing gown that I got on my 15th BD!!!) and, even better, I have a jumper drying that is 18 years old and I will wear it as soon as it is dry.

As you may have gathered I am a bit of a hoarder. However, in these hard times I am feeling quite the recessionista. I love visiting charity shops and finding new/old treasures. BUT! HA! I can visit my very own loft and do just this, and it's free! AND it will take months to get through that lot. It is actually very exciting. What else will I find? Watch this space (tomorrow will try to remember to take pictures).

On another high note, bought a tea set in charity shop for £3 - included 8 cups, saucers and side plates - checked on China Search and a cup alone is selling for £12! What a find, and no, am not selling it on Ebay husband.

Speak soon
xxx

half term holidays

HELLLLLLOOOOOOO

Yes, it has been a long time but, judging myself on past attempts at writing a diary, entries are few and far between and for this, I apologise.

Before I embark on tales of half term I would like to admit to a few recent parenting mishaps.

Firstly, that darn tooth fairy forgot to leave money this week. Oh dear. I then compounded the problem by enlightening child with the knowledge that 'the tooth fairy doesn't collect dirty teeth' - oh what a shameful lie, yes I feel truly awful and NO actually my childrens teeth are not dirty. Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear. Where is the nearest rock?

Secondly, after cutting up 'Mr Pumpkin' for the compost I then forgot to get rid of the evidence before they came home from school. It really does not bear thinking about again.

Do you want to see it? It took me quite a while too.

Shameful really. Anyway.

Last week, as you may or may not know was half term.

I was really looking forward to it because the children so needed a break and I was missing them, wanted to spend some time with them. When they are at school I don't see them all day obviously, but also we only have Wednesday night free from activities so I barely see them in the evenings either. And I miss them.

This holiday though I also had the added benefit of having my brother and sister in law to stay. Everyone was very excited and had been looking forward to this holiday for AGES.

To cut a long story short, we borrowed the 'fun bus' (as I named it - actually father in laws people carrier) and travelled to bonny Scotland. We had a lovely time, a tiring time (lots of long walks up hills) but most of all it was great to have two other adults for the children to spend time with - other role models (being far away from my family I really value this). It was particularly lovely to see how my son relates to my brother and how much joy it brings to both of them. They have similar interests I think!

Of course the other little plus point was that brother has GOOD camera and TA DA! I have a new blog header featuring my favorite place in the world.

Wanlockhead that is.

Bye for now!