39

This weekend I celebrated my erm, uhh, ohhh, 39th Birthday. Just one year left till I have to move up to the next age group in anti-wrinkle creams - 20's, 30's, just can't say it yet's.....

The day started well - small people brought me breakfast in bed - tea, toast & cuddles, always good......

Despite the heavy snow, I ventured out to have morning coffee with a friend and a mooch round my favourite shops on Chatsworth road, Libby's, Created, Harley's and Moo Moo's. After 3 days in the house I had a good dose of cabin fever, so the time out was fab.... Even if it was a nervous tramp through the snow. My poor friend was witness to my 2 left feet and lack of traction control....

I treated myself to this lovely felted flower at Created, which I think cheers up my winter coat, along with my favourite striped scarf. I love this gallery, it's full of unique, locally sourced creations, very reasonably priced.

On Saturday evening we braved it as a family over to Buxton to see a production of Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol at the Pavilion theatre. It's the first time we have been to the Pavilion, usually we go to the Opera House, which is just stunning, and holds lot of special memories for me.

Whilst the Pavilion theatre lacked the atmosphere of the Opera House, the production was excellent, it held my 10 year olds attention, and it was a lovely family outing, made all the more special by mum and dad joining us.

I am looking forward to the next 12 months, my 30's have felt like a long hard slog at times, pregnancy (think whale) the early years of babies, toddlers, which you wish you could get back, minus the overwhelming knackeredness, and a good dollop of worrying..... so here's to my final year of being in my 30's, I have a feeling its going to be a good year!

On a final note we are still struggling with snow & ice here in my little patch of North Derbyshire. This morning it was -16 outside, and the side roads are just sheet ice, very scary as I have lost control of my car twice in the past 24hours. My 10 year olds school has been shut again today, due to the heating breaking down, and to be honest, its getting quite boring/tiring now, and it doesn't even look pretty anymore (although a small pink person still looks pretty it).

It's even stopping me from wearing my birthday presents from G (brought back from America at a hugely discounted price compared to the UK)....

Not that G has too worry about ice, work & small people - he's nice and warm in Taichung for the next 12 days - Ba Humbug.

Lx

Greeting 2010

2010 has arrived bursting with colour, a sense of new things to come, and a year full of promise.


Christmas was stripped back to basics and kept simple. For the little ones there was still that sense of excitement and we needed the normality after the loss of G's mum at such an emotive time of year. I also returned back to work Christmas week. It was bittersweet time, but important to return to what I do, and I have been so very well supported.

It was amazing what was achieved in a two week period, by keeping it simple. Thank goodness for Amazon & Argos for the little ones, and Thomas Pink for him. A quick luxury shop at John Lewis, followed by a day trip into our local town, to buy from the little independents, those special gifts, wrapped up the present buying.


The wooden nativity always makes my heart sing. It holds special memories of seeing it in a closed shop window in Matlock one evening, and G popping back the next day, knowing how much it would mean to me....


Other trims were simple, adaptations of everyday items....

This cake stand is still in use, too pretty to dismantle as a Christmas decoration only....

And I managed to rustle up a 'thingy' for the door - unfortunately no handsome strangers to grab under the mistletoe....

One of the simplest pleasures were these postcards, picked up in Holland, in November, when we flew out for G's Christmas work's weekend. Amsterdam is a beautiful city, and nothing like I had expected . I fell in love with the early 1900's illustrations.

Inspired by Bertie Meadows string of scented sachet's these snowmen postcards decorated the old pelmet space in the kitchen....

I want it to be a personal project for the year, changing the decorations with the months, adding colour and smiles to the room. Hopefully the little people will help too....

This week I was fortunatley off work - my plan was to tackle the post Chritmas domestic fall-out. However with the snow, a very poorly car, and 2 children to occupy for two days, the huge list I had wanted to achieve has been discarded. Instead it has been wet clothes & wellies, pink cheeks & lots of snuggles & splidging on the settee (in between the scratting & arguing of sibling love).

And instead of letting myself get ratty over what I haven't been able to achieve, I've stepped back, and refocused on taking pleasure in the simple things. Like tulips. Have I ever mentioned my love, love, love of tulips?

Yep, I love tulips. And Hugs. And pink cheeks & noses. Even wet clothes if they have been gained through laughter & joy.

Happy New Year to you all.

Love Lydia xx

G - 'Oh! - you have had a lot of snow....'

G got home Saturday lunch time from Germany & commented, 'oh! -you have had a lot of snow'! Does he not read my blog when he's away?? Anyway I am sooo glad he's back.

In less than an hour, he was off, with the small things, to Chatsworth to sledge - & I stayed at home to play with my new toy....

This is my baby Kenwood - I just know its going to inspire me to become a domestic goddess....

It was bought with 5 years worth of Co-op vouchers gifted to me every Christmas by my mother in law. Who just happened to comment, when I proudly showed her my purchase 'I've got one you could of had, its got the original ceramic bowl' (which makes it even older than my mums one, which must be 30yrs old - Yikes!) - Ohh but I do like my shiny compact one, and I know its not just for looking at!

Well, any soon to be domestic Goddess needs nice tins to put her creations in, & what better than these??

& enclosed in the tins, was a recipe for pistachio & white chocolate cookies. Yum Yum Yum must make these I thought.

Do you ever think there is a conspiracy to stop yourself from being domesticated? Mine came in the lack of shelled pistachios in Sainsbury's. Never mind, I have child slave labour to hand....

A good job little miss did too....

And look - Nigella Cookies for my Nigella tin - Yum!

& of course, for a full Kenwood workout - cheesy feet for the lunch boxes next week....

Not only did I use child labour to help develop my new baking skills, I was also the wicked mummy who banned the TV this weekend. One to many sibling scrats, and not enough 'sharing is caring' attitude prompted a back to basics weekend.

We survived, they survived & they played in (almost) sibling harmony. The cry of 'kill Boadicea' was a little concerning, but I was reassured by No 1 child that he was allowed to say this because she was a Celt - (so he has been paying attention to Roman week at school).... although I cannot remember dinosaurs being present in this period of history....

Little Miss also had an Aqua bead session - Hearts -that's my girl! Did you know, if you ingest these little balls, they can have a hallucinogenic effect? No me neither, until my A&E nursey friend told me...& not that I've tried either....

We popped out for Sunday lunch to a local garden centre, and spent a good couple of hours mooching & looking at the fish etc.

I also got to indulge in my love of purchasing lovely things, such as these moulds for fried eggs or pancakes - I do hope G isn't now going to expect eggs on toast on Friday....

This in the Laura Ashley Sale £3.00 - Bargain!, which matches my apron, although I think I shall use it as the odd sock bag in the laundry room, rather than as a peg bag....

And finally, the best bargain, most loveliest thing, this -

I thought it was £15, but when I got to the till, it was only £7.50.... Now what to do with it, so many thoughts....Outside with plants?....Inside with herbs....On my crafting table, filled with lovely things.... I don't quite know, but I think its lovely all the same....

Well its been a lovely weekend, baking & buying, G home, peace in the house....I almost don't want to go to work in the morning....

Although not much housework has been achieved - but tomorrow is another day & I just hope the window cleaner won't come in this weather- I'm almost tempted to pray for snow!

Love Lydia xx

Is it Christmas?

This is a daily question asked by my 5 year old since it first snowed.

Sorry, but 3 days of snow & this question is now wearing a little thin.

For the 2nd time this week, the Infant & Junior schools were both shut, pretty much the same blind panic overcame me as it did on Tuesday, bit slightly more controlled.... Just read Tuesday 3rd blog to get the idea....

Look at the views on the way to work - see I can now drive with my eyes open, rather than shut whilst praying....

It was a quiet shift today - some of the patients couldn't make it in for treatment, but it was a full turn out for our small (but perfectly formed) team on the unit.

We had a new patient start treatment today. Whilst there was the usual humour, banter & support, hopefully making the experience easier for her, we also touched on the struggle of getting the working mum balance right. We agreed, sometimes as a working mum, you feel guilty about anything & everything.

It has really made me reflect, and count my chickens & blessings tonight, as she has a little one the same age as my eldest. Yes, it has been a nightmare this week with childcare & school closures. I wanted to be at home & play in the snow - capturing those mummy memories, but I also knew that I had to be at work, to do a job I care about.

I have a lot to be grateful for.... So I thought I'd look for the colour in amongst all the whiteyness & smile....

Like my bright green mac, stripy scarf & yellow polka dot brolly, waiting for me at home time. High fashion it isn't, but cheeriness it is....

The lovely deep purple tulips, bought half price for £1.50 on my way home....

Sat in my smallest fish bowl vase, waiting to open fully....

The lovely zingy zesty Phsayllis - shared tonight between little lady & myself....

And my sneaky indulgence, whilst watching TV....Fruit pastel Pic 'n' Mix

And finally, tomorrow is Friday-my-Day....That is, unless the snow conspires to pinch it from me....In which case, it will be a special mummy bonding day.

But whatever happens, I'm counting my blessings....

Love Lydia xx

Snow & snow school...

Today a record number of schools in Derbyshire were closed - so the nice man on the local radio announced....Oh Joy

Finally at 8.25 it was announced on the record list of school closures being read on the radio, that the Infants were shut. And a lean out of the bedroom window conversation with a neighbour told me that so was the Junior school.

The children were beside themselves with excitement - I was beside myself for other reasons. The slope & curve that needs negotiating to get of the close looked like it could be used for dancing on ice training sessions & I was supposed to be at work.

I love my mother-in-law. She caught her bus, then a taxi (because the buses were stuck) and came to my rescue. I was late to work - but better late than never (although the day off might have been nice....)

As for the small people, out came the beach buckets & spades....



Why don't you did away from the already cleared once drive?

Yes that's better....

Teamwork makes the dream work - (very cheesy, very effective, often used saying in our house).

Yes I know you love snow.....& now mummy must scoot off to work.... please be good for Grandma....

I came home to happily tired, pink faced children - who had been good for Grandma.

I'm now fed & watered, and about to catch up on a few very late thankyou's.

I'm going for the line of thinking, that it's the thought that counts - and anyway, I'm sure these lovely cards will make of for their lateyness?!

Love from Lydia xx

OH - NO SNOW!

Monday Morning. Early start.

Small people are due at Breakfast Club. We are starting an important new drug treatment at work today, and what do I see when I open the blinds at 6.45?

SNOW!

Followed by a feeling of panic. I hate driving in snow with a passion - this stems from 2 nasty skids some years ago, which suddenly left me with a sense of my own mortality & a now legendary fear of snow driving.

I don't live far away from the hospital I work at, (and considering three of my close neighbours are all nurses), so claiming I was snowed in wasn't about to work either.

The little people were excited though - and couldn't wait to get out.. even if it was for a quick 5 minutes.

Well I was soo brave you really wouldn't believe.

There was the calm logical chat I gave myself - 'this is an ideal car for snow, its small & chunky' -'G has put winter tyres on it, so it WILL grip the road' - 'I've got ABS (whatever that is)

Followed by the intermittent irrational thoughts of 'Dear Lord I KNOW I'm going to hit that expensive sporty car on the corner' - 'Oh i feel sick' - 'why can't the children be quiet?, don't they know I'm going to skid?..'

And there was a lot of praying to him upstairs.

Well I got to work, in one piece, and no skidding or worse. I love my car, I love my tyres, who cares about the sports car on the corner? (he shouldn't park it there -hasn't he heard about my driving?) Feel Sick? Me? Never!! Thank you to him upstairs. Oh dear I wish I hadn't shouted at the children to be quiet & let me concentrate...

Work was lovely, the new treatment regime went well & the car park looked almost picturesque, covered in snow. When the big fluffy snow flakes really started to come down and settle again, we got told that we could leave early - Yippee!

By the time I got home it was dark again, but how peaceful & still our corner looks.....Was it worth getting into such a tizzle I wonder?

On reflection of today one of the lovely memories created in my mind was Little Miss, and her flowery fleecy hat bobbing up & down with excitement as she threw her first snowballs at her big brother (& got him)- after all snow is fun when your 5!

And I have a fine excuse to wear my stripey scarf - after all I wouldn't want to be lost in the snow, if my car skids off the road, would I?

Take care & keep warm!

Love from Lydia xx