In....
Progress....
Banished to M&D's with the Little People, as we have no water till tomorrow. Leaving G home alone with a takeaway & dirty beer....
See you all soon!
Lx
Lx
*Thankyou to everyone for all the kind words on Friday xx
Monday, 30 March 2009
WIP
Work....
In....
Progress....
Banished to M&D's with the Little People, as we have no water till tomorrow. Leaving G home alone with a takeaway & dirty beer....
In....Progress....Banished to M&D's with the Little People, as we have no water till tomorrow. Leaving G home alone with a takeaway & dirty beer....
Friday, 27 March 2009
Friday-Nicky's-Day
Friday-my-day started with the emptying of the kitchen cupboards into the conservatory. The new kitchen is to be fitted on Monday. Its been a long job, and I am amazed at what I have managed to amass in the past few years.
There is all my favourite daily white ware, the lime green glass side plates & bowls that put a zing on the table; and my bright primary Whittard/IKEA collection, for when I'm feeling really playful....
Nicky introduced me to Lush, when it was just in its early days, treating me to bars of handmade soap & bath bombs....
& to a slightly more expensive love affair with L'Occitane, especially Lavender & Amber cones, (now discontinued).
I have no doubt that had Nicky lived, she would have loved the world of blogging, the sharing of a love of crafts, thoughts and observations. I think she would have been right in the middle of it all, loved by all.
I dearly wish she could have been at my wedding, and seen my children. I wonder what life would have held for her. Yet I know I have been blessed to have a had a friend such as Nicky, and that there are those, especially today who will be missing her even more than me.
Today I wanted to buy peonies to celebrate a life full of warmth & creativity, cut too short, too soon. Unavailable, Irises were the next option - & they make me smile, because they are blue.
Shalom Nicky. Shalom to you all.
Lx
There is all my favourite daily white ware, the lime green glass side plates & bowls that put a zing on the table; and my bright primary Whittard/IKEA collection, for when I'm feeling really playful....
On a quieter note, it is 10 years today since a very close friend of mine died. Nicky was the most creative, and also frighteningly intelligent friend I have ever had. Making handmade gifts. Writing letters that would appear in the post unexpectedly. Drawstring bags out of tea towels. Cranberry wired hearts. Swapping books and laughing over the just published Bridget Jone's Diary. So much I could tell you....
She was also the first friend who really 'got me' and understood over my obsession with things, because we were so similar. It was an unconditional friendship based on total understanding of like minded thinking. Although she did torment me over my love of all things blue....
She understood my love of the need for the right pen to scribble with, and we loved our stationary. She would laugh if I lost my pen when on duty, watching me scooting round the beds looking for it....
We had a shared love of William Morris. Art Deco. Shaker. and first bonded over a Mackintosh bangle she always wore.
Nicky introduced me to Lush, when it was just in its early days, treating me to bars of handmade soap & bath bombs....
& to a slightly more expensive love affair with L'Occitane, especially Lavender & Amber cones, (now discontinued).
I have no doubt that had Nicky lived, she would have loved the world of blogging, the sharing of a love of crafts, thoughts and observations. I think she would have been right in the middle of it all, loved by all.
I dearly wish she could have been at my wedding, and seen my children. I wonder what life would have held for her. Yet I know I have been blessed to have a had a friend such as Nicky, and that there are those, especially today who will be missing her even more than me.
Today I wanted to buy peonies to celebrate a life full of warmth & creativity, cut too short, too soon. Unavailable, Irises were the next option - & they make me smile, because they are blue.
Shalom Nicky. Shalom to you all.
Lx
Wednesday, 25 March 2009
My....
Lips....
Are....
Sealed.
Monday, 23 March 2009
Back in Blogland
My computer has been poorly - something strange happened to it last week & G was away. Leaving me with limited access & no blogging facilities (& very ratty).
I've realised just how much I love Blog Land & all the sharing that goes on in it....
I've not been able to share my lovely flowers - look at the deep purple blue of the hyacinths (you'll have to imagine the smell as you walk in through the front door....)
Or the warm, sunny orange tulips....
Yippeely though, all is now sort of fixed. I can finally show my mummy's day breakfast in bed, by the 8 year old....
& sort of describe just how beside herself with excitement Little Miss was about the whole special day ....
I can also say I was beside myself with excitement to receive this....
& thrilled beyond words to get this lovely parcel from Lesley - including a crochet heart by herself. Oh yes, I will be the best accessorised Mac nurse ever!! Thankyou, thankyou Lesley for all the scrummy goodies - felt & ribbon to appear in a crafting project soon I hope! XX
There is a major source of stress occuring in my life at the moment - next week we are going to have a new kitchen fitted. I know I am a lucky girl to be getting one, and don't wish too sound an ungrateful minx. But why can't it be done in a day? and not the week before we go to Cornwall? Why will we have no water for 3 days? - requiring a decamp to M&D's (30 minutes away). How did it end up costing more than I budgeted for? Why did G & I fall out about where the knobs were on the hob? Where am I going to put everything whilst its being done? How will I pack round it all? How will I manage to work 4 days as well without losing my marbles?
Yet as I reflect, typing all this, I look at the last picture I have to share. My cards from my babies, and in the mirror, my Doug Hyde Smiles.
The news over the past few days of the loss of Natasha Richardson & Jade, mummy's to boys who shouldn't have to experience loss at such young ages, Mums who have lost their daughters. The postings of those who are without their mums, or have their Angel babies on their minds. My brave ladies, whom I have treated. Its all touched me deeply & weighed on my mind.
I am lucky to be blessed with two beautiful children, and my mum. I have good health, the lump I found last week does not appear sinister. So I shall smile & be grateful for all the blessings I have....
I've realised just how much I love Blog Land & all the sharing that goes on in it....
I've not been able to share my lovely flowers - look at the deep purple blue of the hyacinths (you'll have to imagine the smell as you walk in through the front door....)
Or the warm, sunny orange tulips....Yippeely though, all is now sort of fixed. I can finally show my mummy's day breakfast in bed, by the 8 year old....
& sort of describe just how beside herself with excitement Little Miss was about the whole special day ....
I can also say I was beside myself with excitement to receive this....& thrilled beyond words to get this lovely parcel from Lesley - including a crochet heart by herself. Oh yes, I will be the best accessorised Mac nurse ever!! Thankyou, thankyou Lesley for all the scrummy goodies - felt & ribbon to appear in a crafting project soon I hope! XX
There is a major source of stress occuring in my life at the moment - next week we are going to have a new kitchen fitted. I know I am a lucky girl to be getting one, and don't wish too sound an ungrateful minx. But why can't it be done in a day? and not the week before we go to Cornwall? Why will we have no water for 3 days? - requiring a decamp to M&D's (30 minutes away). How did it end up costing more than I budgeted for? Why did G & I fall out about where the knobs were on the hob? Where am I going to put everything whilst its being done? How will I pack round it all? How will I manage to work 4 days as well without losing my marbles?
Yet as I reflect, typing all this, I look at the last picture I have to share. My cards from my babies, and in the mirror, my Doug Hyde Smiles.
The news over the past few days of the loss of Natasha Richardson & Jade, mummy's to boys who shouldn't have to experience loss at such young ages, Mums who have lost their daughters. The postings of those who are without their mums, or have their Angel babies on their minds. My brave ladies, whom I have treated. Its all touched me deeply & weighed on my mind.
I am lucky to be blessed with two beautiful children, and my mum. I have good health, the lump I found last week does not appear sinister. So I shall smile & be grateful for all the blessings I have....
Love Lydia xx
Tuesday, 17 March 2009
Baking with my Boy
It's a charity day at the 8 year old's school - PJ's are to be worn, and cakes / buns / biscuits have been requested.
What better way to bond with my handsome boy, than through a spot of baking with him.
Oh yes, me & him are going to make the best cookies Year 3 have ever seen....
He weighs....
And Ta -da!....
Chocolate Smartie Mini Egg Cookies for Year 3, by my handsome boy....
What better way to bond with my handsome boy, than through a spot of baking with him.
Oh yes, me & him are going to make the best cookies Year 3 have ever seen....
He weighs....
He measures....
He mixes....
I bash the Smartie Mini Eggs....
A final mix....
And Ta -da!....Chocolate Smartie Mini Egg Cookies for Year 3, by my handsome boy....
(Oh, and that is not my dinosaur apron either!)
Love Lydia xx
Love Lydia xx
Monday, 16 March 2009
Drowning in clutter
Its been a busy few days....
The reality of just how much I have lost control of the house over the past few weeks has hit me.
I am desperately trying to gain control again, but drowning in a sea of clutter & laundry. Please tell me other people have this problem - take your foot off the housework pedal & it all goes pear shaped?
I really want to be on top of things again by the time I start the new job. So I have set myself a goal - I aim to try & do one room or large job a week.
The new hall unit is now built & tidied into, the children have a basket each for hats, scarves & mittens....
My plans to finish the 8 year old's bedroom this weekend are slightly behind. It has been a work in progress since before Christmas & just needs that final push to tidy the last of the toys away & find homes for his precious things. I did however get his pale blue wall painted, Goodbye Laura Ashley Chambray & Welcome Craig & Rose Smalt....
The reality of just how much I have lost control of the house over the past few weeks has hit me.
I am desperately trying to gain control again, but drowning in a sea of clutter & laundry. Please tell me other people have this problem - take your foot off the housework pedal & it all goes pear shaped?
I really want to be on top of things again by the time I start the new job. So I have set myself a goal - I aim to try & do one room or large job a week.
The new hall unit is now built & tidied into, the children have a basket each for hats, scarves & mittens....
My plans to finish the 8 year old's bedroom this weekend are slightly behind. It has been a work in progress since before Christmas & just needs that final push to tidy the last of the toys away & find homes for his precious things. I did however get his pale blue wall painted, Goodbye Laura Ashley Chambray & Welcome Craig & Rose Smalt....
In amongst the chaos, I did manage to find some lovely things whilst out doing the shopping.
Mothers Day Chocolate at Salisbury's....
And Eggs, for an Easter project I'd love to do with the Little People....
Housework permitting of course!
Before I leave to go into battle with more tidying, I'd like to say Thank you to Beki, for the lovely card & candle that arrived in the post on Saturday. Thank you for your kind words & how did you know I love the smell of Violets?!
Love Lydia xx
Housework permitting of course!
Before I leave to go into battle with more tidying, I'd like to say Thank you to Beki, for the lovely card & candle that arrived in the post on Saturday. Thank you for your kind words & how did you know I love the smell of Violets?!
Tuesday, 10 March 2009
25 Things You Didn't Know About Me....
The lovely Beki-Marie soo kindly tagged me to do this....
So here goes; let me bare my soul....
1. I am the eldest of 5 (& had a foster brother) When out, M&D used to make us walk in a line - smallest up front with them - me at the back....
2. I have no desire for a large family....
3. I may live in Derbyshire, but I was born in Ilford- making me an Essex Girl....
4. I have always been blonde, but this winter went brunette - much to G's shock (I never pre warned him of my plans).
5. I am 5 8" and a size 12 trapped in a size 16/18 body - children! biscuits!
6. G bought me this Boden Coat for Christmas 2007, when I had lost a stone, I figured I'd only need to loose another 1/2 & it would fit perfectly - since then I've had my head in the fridge/biscuit tin & put all the weight back on (& some more if I'm really honest!)
7. I may be an Essex girl, but I live in flip-flops....
8. I do have some sparkly heels, but due to my size 8 feet & spending too much time in flatties, I sometimes need a size 9 - & they look like transvestites shoes next to my friends....
9. I have worn specs since I was 9 - I can see didly squat without them - although G does look even more attractive....
10. I have been married 10 years this year (so long as he doesn't see number 9).
11. I have no morals when it comes to chocolate & will eat the children's - citing medical or mental grounds.
12. I would have been a vegetarian if it wasn't for spaghetti bolognese & Burger King....
13. My senior school was in Bakewell.
14. I don't like Bakewell Tarts or Puddings
15. I love sparkly cushions, but can be very precious with them - lean on my favourites at your own risk...
16. I have a fear of heights, I get all nausea's.
17. I don't like any theme park rides - I really think I am about to die (& that just the toddler ones)
18. I am needle phobic & don't like vomit- which people find amusing, given my current job. It does however make me very caring to those I'm about to stab - opps! I mean gently cannulate, and I always make sure people have lots of anti sickness medication....
19. When I was 3 I bit a hole in my tongue & had it stitched whilst I was awake...
20. I like stripes, on the children & me, even though Trinny & Susannah say I shouldn't.
21. I love Paul Smith perfumes, they are really florally. Extreme has hints of violets in it, reminding me of childhood holidays in Devon & the little bottles of Devon Violet perfume my Nana would buy me....
22. I love listening to other peoples life stories.
23. I have a strong social conscience when it comes to shopping, and I know that I am lucky enough to be able to make an informed choice - so I do.
I am supposed to tag 5 more people, but lack the technical skills, so if anyone would like to do this of their own free will - please do so!!
Thanks Beki - its been fun!
Love Lydia xx
So here goes; let me bare my soul....
1. I am the eldest of 5 (& had a foster brother) When out, M&D used to make us walk in a line - smallest up front with them - me at the back....
2. I have no desire for a large family....
3. I may live in Derbyshire, but I was born in Ilford- making me an Essex Girl....
4. I have always been blonde, but this winter went brunette - much to G's shock (I never pre warned him of my plans).
5. I am 5 8" and a size 12 trapped in a size 16/18 body - children! biscuits!
6. G bought me this Boden Coat for Christmas 2007, when I had lost a stone, I figured I'd only need to loose another 1/2 & it would fit perfectly - since then I've had my head in the fridge/biscuit tin & put all the weight back on (& some more if I'm really honest!)
7. I may be an Essex girl, but I live in flip-flops....
8. I do have some sparkly heels, but due to my size 8 feet & spending too much time in flatties, I sometimes need a size 9 - & they look like transvestites shoes next to my friends....
9. I have worn specs since I was 9 - I can see didly squat without them - although G does look even more attractive....
10. I have been married 10 years this year (so long as he doesn't see number 9).
11. I have no morals when it comes to chocolate & will eat the children's - citing medical or mental grounds.
12. I would have been a vegetarian if it wasn't for spaghetti bolognese & Burger King....
13. My senior school was in Bakewell.
14. I don't like Bakewell Tarts or Puddings
15. I love sparkly cushions, but can be very precious with them - lean on my favourites at your own risk...
16. I have a fear of heights, I get all nausea's.
17. I don't like any theme park rides - I really think I am about to die (& that just the toddler ones)
18. I am needle phobic & don't like vomit- which people find amusing, given my current job. It does however make me very caring to those I'm about to stab - opps! I mean gently cannulate, and I always make sure people have lots of anti sickness medication....
19. When I was 3 I bit a hole in my tongue & had it stitched whilst I was awake...
20. I like stripes, on the children & me, even though Trinny & Susannah say I shouldn't.
21. I love Paul Smith perfumes, they are really florally. Extreme has hints of violets in it, reminding me of childhood holidays in Devon & the little bottles of Devon Violet perfume my Nana would buy me....
22. I love listening to other peoples life stories.
23. I have a strong social conscience when it comes to shopping, and I know that I am lucky enough to be able to make an informed choice - so I do.
24. I was introduced to blogging purely by accident. My cousin is Cherry Menlove, and being nosey at what she was up to has led me here, to admitting publicly this final fact....
25. I Woo-Hoo away to The Killers, but I have to admit that I am a Dolly fan - Oh yes, I can sing along with the best of them to "working 9 - 5, what a way to make a living ... tum te tum te tum" ....
I am supposed to tag 5 more people, but lack the technical skills, so if anyone would like to do this of their own free will - please do so!!
Thanks Beki - its been fun!
Love Lydia xx
Monday, 9 March 2009
Sindy Biscuits
Dear All,
Before I start, I'd like to say, in a gushing Winslet way, a big thank you to all of you who have been so kind as to send messages over the past few days. I have felt really touched by the warmth and kindness found here in blog land...
So....
Now let me tell you about my Sindy encounter this weekend.
Book week at Little Miss's school involves the children going in their PJ's and taking a book into school to swap. Any spare go into the library. Like a good mummy I bagged up some of the less frequently (or just never) read (but still very nice) books & sent the smallest one off to school.
And she came back with this....
Rather old & scribbled in.... I wasn't very happy, but Little Miss was thrilled....
Even more so, because it had a baking recipe in it. So Saturday we had a Sindy Session, baking ginger biscuits...
Little hands measured....
And little hands mixed ....
To produce very delicious ginger biscuits....
And I ate Humble Pie.
It wouldn't have been a book I would have chosen, but through the eyes of a 5 year old, Sindy is pink, sparkly & rocks - especially if she bakes biscuits....
Love Lydia xx
Before I start, I'd like to say, in a gushing Winslet way, a big thank you to all of you who have been so kind as to send messages over the past few days. I have felt really touched by the warmth and kindness found here in blog land...
So....
Now let me tell you about my Sindy encounter this weekend.
Book week at Little Miss's school involves the children going in their PJ's and taking a book into school to swap. Any spare go into the library. Like a good mummy I bagged up some of the less frequently (or just never) read (but still very nice) books & sent the smallest one off to school.
And she came back with this....
Rather old & scribbled in.... I wasn't very happy, but Little Miss was thrilled....
Even more so, because it had a baking recipe in it. So Saturday we had a Sindy Session, baking ginger biscuits...
Little hands measured....
Little hands stirred....
And little hands mixed ....
To produce very delicious ginger biscuits....And I ate Humble Pie.
It wouldn't have been a book I would have chosen, but through the eyes of a 5 year old, Sindy is pink, sparkly & rocks - especially if she bakes biscuits....
Love Lydia xx
Friday, 6 March 2009
Interview Day
Hello All,
What a day it has been.
The job interview was the toughest I've ever had, and I have spent most of the day getting in a tizzle over it all, convinced that I had blown it.
However I decided to count my blessings & bought myself some flowers to cheer myself up....
G was also convinced that I was in need of flower therapy & bought me 2 bunches of these...
Oh and some of theses. I think the village florists have done well out of us today....
He also bought me a card saying that him & the little people loved me...
So here I sit, looking at my flowers, brought to cheer me up, cup of tea, eating the emergency chocolate & wondering why my card doesn't say congratulations...
Because I got the job.
Oh yes - I am going to become a Macmillan Nurse...
I think my new boss may think he's offered the job to a noodle though - as I had Kate Winslet moment when he told me...
So thank you for all your support & good luck messages - I am sure they helped!
Love Lydia xxx
What a day it has been.
The job interview was the toughest I've ever had, and I have spent most of the day getting in a tizzle over it all, convinced that I had blown it.
However I decided to count my blessings & bought myself some flowers to cheer myself up....
G was also convinced that I was in need of flower therapy & bought me 2 bunches of these...
Oh and some of theses. I think the village florists have done well out of us today....
He also bought me a card saying that him & the little people loved me...
So here I sit, looking at my flowers, brought to cheer me up, cup of tea, eating the emergency chocolate & wondering why my card doesn't say congratulations...Because I got the job.
Oh yes - I am going to become a Macmillan Nurse...
I think my new boss may think he's offered the job to a noodle though - as I had Kate Winslet moment when he told me...
So thank you for all your support & good luck messages - I am sure they helped!
Love Lydia xxx
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