Saturday 28 April 2012

S is for 'Shhh... it's a secret'

For my first A-Z blog , I am starting with some very exciting news, that we found out today!
I'm pregnant again! But, 'Shhh.. it's a secret!'

We have decided to be super quiet about it this time (and not blab all over facebook like hubby did last time!) so we are only telling family and very close friends.
However, as I'm so excited, I need somewhere to write about it - so I thought, my blog would be perfect!

I am about 5 weeks pregnant and due 27th December!
So far I have only felt really sick (I was very sick when pregnant with little man!)have sore boobs and I think my body has already started to change shape - is that normal for a second??
I'm also really tired and sleeping lots - luckily having lots of people around to help with little man is really helping - def one of the perks from living with my parents ;)

I will be keeping you all updated with how things go :)

Tuesday 24 April 2012

A-Z blog prompts from 'Him, me & three'

I have been taking a look at my rather sad blog and realised that lately, the only thing I have posted about has been Kate Takes 5 Listography (not that I don't LOVE it!!) I just felt bad that it seems to be the only thing I have blogged about ;)

I thought it was time to have a look at something new and in my usual way, whilst surfing the blogs I follow, I came across a great idea from Heidi at Him, me & three doing an A-Z as prompts for blogs!

credit
Just like Heidi, I have heard of the A-Z challenge where you post everyday, but her idea was far more relaxed - posting weekly! (which seems to be all I can manage lately!!) I was just so excited about the idea, I had to share!

I will be doing my best to achieve the whole alphabet by Christmas!
I think even I should be able to manage that, heehee!

Saturday 21 April 2012

Listography: wishes for my child

As ever, the lovely Kate from Kate takes 5 has given us another great theme for this weeks listography. If we could have fairy Godmothers bestow our child with 5 wishes, (as in the films Cinderella and Ella Enchanted) and this time we could have a say in them, what would we wish?

My 5 wishes for my Little Man

1) Self confidence and belief.
Not that I want him to be 'big headed' or conceited, just the ability to believe in himself. I have never found it easy to believe that I am capable of doing anything well or particularly good - I always focus on negatives and put myself down (it didn't help with the bullying boss in the past either!) If my little man could have the ability to believe in himself and his strengths, work on his weaknesses and strive to reach his goals, it would make me really happy!

2) Empathy and tolerance.
I believe in this so much! When I was a primary teacher, I used to try and teach this concept, that it doesn't matter where they were from or what they looked like, I would always treat the the same - usually with an example like 'It wouldn't matter if you were black or white, or purple with green hair and originally from Mars! I will treat you exactly the same!'
All those famous sayings spring to mind as well; ' never judge a book by its cover', 'never judges a man, until you have walked a mile in his shoes' (or something like that). I would love my little man to 'treat others as he would like to be treated himself' To embrace similarities and differences that make us unique and special - and the world a far more interesting place!

3) A sense of humour.
My family have a truly wicked sense of humour, heehee! It helps get you through those bad times ;)

4) Love and happiness.
I have never wanted the big career, lots of expensive possessions etc etc. For as long as I can remember, I just wanted to be happy and content with my life. For my little man, I would hope that he had the ability to love others, and hopefully find that special someone to spend the rest of his life with. Then, 'to be happy with his lot in life - friends, family, career, hobbies... and the rest! Also to be have interests and pursuits that he loves, that add to his happiness!

5) Fun!
We only have one life, so we need to make the most of it! I think in previous years, I was so caught up in the stresses and pressures of life - work, money, more about money, illness etc etc I used to forget to stop once in a while and just enjoy things!
So, maybe for my little man to have the talent to find time to kick back and have some fun! (I am getting better, but still at the 'work in progress' stage!)

That was actually a lot harder than I thought it was going to be, heehee!

Right, off to see what other people wished for their kids!

Monday 9 April 2012

Listography: Top 5 albums by male solo artists

As ever, the lovely Kate over at Kate takes 5 has given us another great theme for this weeks listography! I love listening to music, although, in trying to complete this weeks list, I have come to realise that I mainly listen to bands and female solo artists!!
However, I love a challenge and with a lot of rifling through my CDs, I have managed to find my top 5 male solo artists :)

1. Richard Marx - Greatest Hits
image from here
I remember that 'Hazard' was one of the first cassette tapes I ever bought myself! On the other side happened to be another song of his that I absolutely love 'Right Here Waiting', which became my wedding song! Hubby and I spent 4 years apart, whilst I was at Uni (we got engaged just before I left) and hubby had been right at home, waiting for me! I got this song played at my 30th birthday party on Saturday as well :)







2. Bryan Adams - Best of Me
image from here
Ever since I heard the song 'All for Love' from the Disney film 'The Three Musketeers' I have loved Bryan Adams!
I used to listen to his music all the time when trying to get through writing my assignments at Uni!
Still love listening to him when I'm busy crafting :)







3. Andrea Boccelli - Romanza
image from here

I do love a huge range of music! Andrea Boccelli is my favourite classical artist!
I always listen to music when I'm 'playing' on the computer and Andrea Boccelli is one of my favourites for late night, relaxing sessions :)









4. Michael Buble - It's Time
image from here
I love listening to some of the 'golden oldies' from the 40's / 50's and think that Michael Buble has done wonders for re-introducing a new generation to the magic of 'Big Bands' and Jazz music.









Up to this point, I had no trouble in finding the artists that I really liked!
It came a close run between Bruno Mars and Michael Jackson, but in the end, Michael Jackson won!
(sentiment won in the end!)

so 5. Michael Jackson - The complete Michael Jackson: Epic Music
image from here

I don't care what opinion people have about Michael Jackson as a person. I loved him when I was little and I love him still now!












So there you have it, my top 5 male artists.

Right, I'm off to have a look and see who made it to the top 5 of other lists!

Friday 6 April 2012

See you later 20's!

I can't believe it, I am going to be 30 tomorrow!It doesn't seem that long ago that I was just finishing school and excited about the thought of going off to Uni and starting the big adventure that has been my 20's!
So many things have happened in the last decade (wow, it seems such a long time when I say it, a whole 10 years!!)

The achievements and good bits:
Completing my 4 year teaching degree (22)
Getting married to my gorgeous hubby (22)
Moving into our first little house (22)
Getting my teaching job (22) - it was a REALLY busy 6 months, heehee!
Giving birth to my amazing Little Man (27)
Getting Little Man Christened (28)
Setting up my own little crafting business (28/29)
Loads of lovely family holidays and outings
Numerous trips and laughs with friends
Beating some phobias - tattoo (for fear of needles), holding a Chilean rose tarantula, holding 2 snakes (though not at the same time, heehee!), completing an aerial assault course!
Finding a part time job and hours that I can manage, whilst still feeling valued and contributing to the family earnings.

The not so god bits:
The last of my grandparents passing away
Depression resurfacing
Having to leave the teaching profession
Having to sell our little home and move back in with my parents
 Loosing touch with some good friends from Uni, though not knowing why - as I repeatedly sent messages, but took the hint when I never got any replies!

So many changes! I can't believe how different I am from my 20 year old self!
I have absolutely no regrets and even the sad events have helped to shape and make me the person I am today.  I feel so much more content and confident in myself and my strengths, rather than someone who always focuses on the negatives!

If I could go back to offer some advice to my 20 year old self it would be to relax and stop stressing so much! That I can't control or plan everything. The future is forever changing and it's not scary, it's the path I'm supposed to travel, even if it's not where I thought I would end up!

I My best friend C and I are having a joint 30th party tomorrow and I'm so excited! We have been friends for about 23 years now, and we had a joint 18th party, (she's 6 days younger than me!)
I will make sure to add lots of piccies!!

So, see you later 20's, hello 30's!

Thursday 5 April 2012

Book Chick City's 10+ Books in a Year (so far)

As I started this challenge late, I thought I had better list the books that I have managed to read so far, maybe with a few thoughts (if I can think of any!) as I'm not good at writing proper 'reviews' ;)

By Terry Pratchett:
The Colour of Magic
The Light Fantastic
Equal Rites
Mort
Sourcery
Wyrd Sisters
Pyramids
Guards! Guards!
Eric
Moving Pictures
Reaper Man
Witches Abroad
The Dark Side of the Sun
I was looking for something different to read and my mum suggested these (she's got ALL of them!) Once I'd started I had to keep going! Unfortunately a friend of mums has the next book in the series, so I had to take a break!

by Veronica Henry:
Wild Oats
An Eligible Bachelor
Honeycote
Again some books of mums (she's in one of those book clubs where you get sent a load at a time) These are really easy reads - 'chick books' as I call them! I loved them!!

by Tom Harper:
The Book of Secrets
The Mosaic of Shadows
I found this author when browsing at the library and I really enjoyed the historical mysteries!

by Chris Kuzneski:
Sign of the Cross
The Lost Throne
The Prophecy
Sword of God
Another author I found when browsing in the library and I love him! He writes amazing mysteries again with the historical links that I love! His 2 main characters Jonathon Payne and David Jones are just brilliant!

The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins I've has this for ages, but only just got round to reading it - I did find the narratives from the different characters quite a different style to what I'm used to. Not bad though!
The Pilgrims Progress by Bunyan I've started a 'classical reads' challenge (my own). I found this really hard going, but worth it in the end! A real journey that re-ignited my faith, that I lost a while back
Not Married, Not Bothered by Carol Clewlow another 'chick read', not bad though
The Model Wife by Julia Llewellyn A 'chick read' that I really enjoyed!
Warning of Gales by Annie Sanders I had to have 2 separate goes at reading this book, as I couldn't get into it! Not bad, but not my favourite
Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen I love Jane Austen and have read and re-read all of her works! They now live in my bedside locker and are my favourite reads when I'm feeling a little low, or have just finished a book and don't have a new one! Northanger Abbey is a brilliant read, one of my all time favourite Austen books.
The Winter Ghosts by Kate Mosse I have read the Labrynth and Sepulcre and loved them both, so thought that I would try another. It was a really good read, but Labrynth remains my favourite!

As you can see, I like a huge range of genres - however my all time favourites must be those about 'the Knights Templars' and similar mysteries with historical links, classics and 'chick reads'. However, I'm on a personal quest to try new things, so who knows what might end up next on my list?

So that's 29 books so far (well,  the ones I can remember anyway!) which I don't think is that bad, as we're a quarter of the way through the year - if I carry on like this, I should make it to the 100 goal!

Happy reading to all you fellow 'book-worms!'



image taken from here

Monday 2 April 2012

Book Chick City's 100+ Books in a Year


I just happened to be doing my normal nose through the Parent Bloggers Network, when I saw this badge on fab40foibles and I was so excited I had to find out what it was!

I am on my reading quest this year and I thought how brilliant would it be to join in and share with others! I'm not sure if I'll make the 100 goal, but as I love reading, it won't hurt to track my progress!!
I have already read quite a few books, so I'll have to get listing them!

 Click here to find out more or join in the challenge yourself!

Listography: April Goals

The lovely Kate over at Kate takes 5 has given us another great theme this week - 5 goals for April.
It reminded me that all that time ago, I made some goals at the end of 2011. This has been great reminder to see how I'm actually doing - and to get my butt into gear on making my dreams and goals a reality!

1. I am going to make a really big effort with my business 'Happy Crafting'. I have been making a few cards over the last few days, but I think I can do better! I aim to make at least one bag and maybe 10 cards a week  to start with, then see how I go from there.

2. I will get an exercise routing going! I was really excited about the idea that I might be able to join in a Zumba class with a friend, but I've now got an extra shift that night of the week. However, she does do a Boxercise class, maybe I should sign up for that instead??
Me and my Wii fit will be getting re-acquainted as soon as possible!! Maybe I'll manage a session this evening, when Little man has gone to sleep??

3. Have an outing with Little man at least once a week. I've been getting much better at trying to do things with Little man outside of the house / garden! We've been to our local lakes, out for a family lunch and to the local park. I just need to keep doing something with him, as else I feel terribly guilty when he is stuck at home all the time - not that he minds (as long as he can make castles in his sand box / table thingy!) I just want to give him lots of different experiences, before he goes off to Pre-school in September! I'm liking the idea of Geocashing, and possibly swimming with friends and their kids, with more trips to the lakes and parks too. If anyone has any other cheap / free suggestions, I'd love to hear them!

4. Remain positive now that we're trying for baby 2. It took us 2 1/2 years for me to fall pregnant with Little man. Now that I'm in a new job, feeling loads better and less stressed, I hope that it won't take that long again! I know not to stress too much about it and that it will happen when it's supposed to, so I'm aiming to remain positive and keep my faith that number 2 will arrive soon! (fingers crossed!)

5. Get a house cleaning system sorted ! We've been living back with my parents for 1 1/2 years now and in that time I have been really really poorly. However, now that I am better it's time for me to pull my weight more with the chores - so I have been doing the hoovering of late. I think I'll become the 'cleaner' of the house, so that my mum only then has to do the cooking (I'm exceptionally bad at cooking!!) and we share the washing duties!!

Well there we go - still some of the same goals I had to start 2012, but a great time to get a reminder and another 'kick-start' that I needed!

Right, I'm off to have a little look at some other people's April goals!

Sunday 1 April 2012

What a great week!

I'm starting to feel guilty that I haven't blogged for a while! Over the last week a lots of things have been going on!

Work is going much better and thanks to these brilliant little pills called Vitabiotics Immunace and garlic (odourless) that I have started taking to boost my immune system, I am feeling so so much better!
I have more energy, I can get up easier and earlier in the morning - so a much happier me all
together!

My boss offered me another shift at work to do pot washing on a Weds -  so I'll now be waitressing Sundays and Thursday and pot washer on Weds. I'm so grateful to have my job, especially as I love it!!

My gorgeous hubby bought me these, just because he felt like it!




Little man has been having loads of fun this week in his sand table thingy! He likes making castles and has come in nearly every day covered in wet sand with a huge beaming grin! We also made it to the park on his trike thingy, so am feeling a little bit better about my aims to do more things with him!

I have been out loads this weekend!!
On Friday we went out with hubby's friend from work and his Mrs. We went to Nandos for a yummy dinner and then onto the cinema. We watched Wrath of the Titans (which I though was quite good) whilst eating a tub of Ben and Jerry's - I was in heaven! I have now found that not only do I love the 'fisch food' flavour, the raspberry brownie flavour is amazing too!

Then we went round to Nanny's house yesterday to wish her a happy birthday. Little man had a whale of a time charging about with his older cousin, whilst I sat smiling and chatting to his baby cousin! It was really noisy, but really nice!

For a treat, we went to the pub where I worked with Grannie and Grandad and had a gorgeous family lunch! The staff were lovely, the food amazing - what more could you want??
In the evening, hubby and me went down the pub to meet some friends from my work. I spent most of the night in stitches, it was such a laugh! I haven't done anything like that in such a long time and it felt really good! I can get quite nervous at night time, am weary of everyone (I think I watch way too many crime TV shows!!) but I felt happy and safe, so can't wait to go out again soon!

Little man has also started to develop his helping and tidying skills this week:
Grannie helping Little man hoover the messy bits ;)
















I got a little side tracked in the middle of writing this, as Little man wanted to do his play-doh and it looked so much fun I had to join in!!
in the Night Garden Play-Doh kit

my favourite bit!

Little man's favourite bit!

ok, so the colours have all blended, but we had great fun!!








The other thing this week,  was that the tax man gave ME some money!!!! £98, thank you very much!
We have decided to put it towards getting a really big trampoline for the garden, that we can all have fun on!!

This coming week is going to be busy preparing for my joint party on Saturday, when me and my best friend are turning the big 30! I can't wait!!!

I have just realised that this might sound like a load of 'reviews' but I don't do them, so everything I've mentioned is my own thoughts alone - I promise :)