No title as I'm being harrassed to come down so hubby can do brewing

I LOVE how my new blog looks. I might just give up writing posts in favour of staring at the pretty pink and black format all day!!!

Its Saturday morning and I've been up with the kids since about 8. They woke up earlier but we've managed to get them in the habit of chilling in their room for a while in the morning at the weekends. Plus its nice for all of us to not have to rush out anywhere so nice to make the most of it.

Hubby is taking them out this morning. Have given him a list of things to buy/do. I might have a bath when he's gone. Or watch TV or write in my blog (although technically that's what I'm doing now). As well as writing this, or rather in between writing it - and listening to crying kids downstairs (getting them ready to go out is not going so well for hubby it seems) I'm organising my Twitter lists. I have recently added a load of new people (mostly ppl I have been #FF'd with or people who have followed me - only polite to follow them back) but I am kind of anal and I don't like to not have them in a category. So I am using Twitlistmanager to find all my UNcategorized twitterers and adding them to a New Followers (actually it should probably be new followees) list so that once that's done I can go through that list (you can't see uncategorized list on Twitter) and add them to the relevant list.


Great. Have just found out from hubby that he thinks daughter is too poorly and tired to go out with him. Great. Just great. Not that I mind chill time with my girlie but was actually quite looking to a bit of child-free time.

Got him to change a big pooey nappy she's just done to make up for him not taking her out too. So nurr!!!

Right, am back. Put girl child to bed with milk (with anti-biotics mixed in - she STILL won't take that stuff off me although our lovely childminder number 2 - who I have to say I absolutely adore and will be so sad when she has her baby - only kidding. I can't wait to see her little baby but I love her having Lala - I always know she's so well looked after and entertained and happy - er... what was I saying? Oh yes, childminder gets her to take her yucky yellow medicine no problem! Just not sure what I'm doing wrong).

Back to sorting out my Twitter Lists. These are the ones I've set up:

•  Uncategorized (was called New Followers but as per my comments above, that didn't really make sense)
• Favourite People (I previously called this Top Bloggers but changed that as some of them may not actually be bloggers. This is where I will put people I have made a connection with)
• People I'm following (this was called Bloggers - as most of the people I'm following are mummy-type bloggers)
• Friends - for people I actually know personally
• Celebs (obvious really)
• Blokes (just added this one - for those bloke bloggers or tweeters for when I fancy reading something not by a woman)
• Organisation (for shops, organisations and people who do nothing but tweet about stuff they're selling - am keeping them as a) I may be interested when I need something b) its only polite to follow back Twitterers that are following me but I don't need this in my main newsfeed tbh)
• Uninteresting - now, don't get me wrong. I love all you lovely people but while I don't want to be rude and unfollow you, some people only seem to tweet about offers or competitions or clubbing or stuff like that which I'm not really interested in - sorry :( )
• Oh and another new one I've created - Working Mums. I might create another one called Mummy Bloggers and put all my mummy bloggers in there. Obviously (do you love how I like to state the obvious)

Hubby went out. Lala went to sleep and I ran a bath and lay in the steaming hot water reading @manicmum4 's blog. I had been trying not to race through the entries quickly as I knew that any entry would be the first one after her husband had to go into hospital. You know when you are reading a book and someone has given away the plot and you kind of want to race to find out what happens. I know that sounds horribly callous and I don't mean it that way but her blog has been for me like reading a book - only I know she's a real person so in a way it has so much more meaning. The funny bits really do have me chuckling my head off. There was a bit where she said her little girl had put a penny in her front bottom - I was reading this at bedtime while in bed next to my husband and he thought I had gone mad, I had such a sudden laughing fit. I have so thoroughly enjoyed reading them. I have to say I have completely neglected any other blogs I have subscribed to. I'm such an OCD mad person - have to do things in order and when I'm hooked on one thing I hate flicking between other things - for instance, I've never understood how people can read 2 or 3 books at once. Anyway, I digress. I was in the bath reading her blog. I got to the first entry where she explains what happened to her husband and what she has been going through in the first few days after his health issue - hard to know what to call it. Not an accident. I have had to force myself to put my phone down and stop reading as hubby and Joshua are back and I needed to write this down. I have been so moved by her story. I lay in the bath reading, with tears rolling down my face. Feeling a little ashamed of my own selfishness that I want hubby to take the kids out so I can have some me time, send my daughter to bed so I can have a bath.... but then we all have our little daily dramas. The important thing I suppose is to occassionally step back, take the time to appreciate what we are lucky enough to have. I have my little things that bug me. Things about my hubby and things he does. I worry too much about the little things - my weight and how I use food to comfort myself rather too much, the house and how (even though I'm too bloody lazy to do it) I still have too high standards and wish it could all be perfect all the time (and it can't so I just won't bother at all, cos really, whats the point?). But I know deep down the truth. I have a wonderful husband. My family (although not always understanding me, or me them) are very lovely and caring. My kids are beautiful and precious. I am so amazingly lucky to have had good fortune, decent jobs etc to enable us to love in a pretty amazing house - and to be considering moving to an even MORE amazing house (fingers crossed - but if it doesn't happen we are still incredibly lucky). And I couldn't forget to mention my wonderful friends. Especially the ones that tell me that I've neglected them and I need to buck up my ideas and be there for them a little better.

Manicmum4: thank you for sharing your journey with me (not just me obviously - with the world). I'm not done yet. I still have 140 posts to read until I'm up to the present day and (darn you) you keep writing more!!! haha. Just kidding.  Honestly, I feel humbled.

Must go as hubby wants to do his brewing stuff.

New car. Addendum

OK. Confession time. I didn't really go to the gym. I actually went to Tesco and wandered around the aisles. I truly am a shopaholic. I did need some toilettries so I was kind of justified being there. And I wanted to treat Flo (my new car Florence) to a couple of things. Its such a nice feeling having a new car - meaning new to you. But wow. Brand new car is F***ING AWESOME (sounding a bit like an american tv show teenager or something). So, hubs more or less told me I was going the gym. OK that's not fair. I'm supposed to go twice a week and I have been skipping it lately and tonight I knew I SHOULD have gone, but I JUST COULDN'T BE ARSED. I needed something else. So out I popped to the shops. I wandered around aimlessly. Looking at things. I found an ice scraper. Have to have my own. I did have a newish yellow one but my son brought it in from the car one day and I haven't seen it since. I also bought a new Jelly Bean (never seen those before but they smell GORGEOUS) airfreshener for Flo. And some tissues. and some lip balm. I feel like me and her are now ready to take on the commute to...er almost said the town I work in just then. Oops. Ready to take on the commute to the office. Me and my little bug flo.

Here she is again.

My little flo bug (she told me her right side is her best side)

preddy girl

Jelly bean air freshener

My little lip balm stash

My VERY OWN ice scraper

I also bought myself some lovely hair stuff (Aussie), some nice face wash and bubble bath. I did go a little bit overboard. but I do have the cash in my budget and shampoo and conditioner DOES last me an age as I have very dry hair which doesn't need washing every day. Oh AND there was an offer on for the Aussie stuff. Bargain!

Mmmmm pampering goodies!

I just feel (have been feeling lately) direly in need of some pampering. I haven't been making much effort with my clothes or makeup or hair (if any) and I haven't been moisturising, been going to bed too late. Drinking too much (she says with a glass of wine on the desk next to me) - you can't beat rome in a day. or something. Anyway, yes, so I bought some stuff. When I got back from the gym (coughs) I went upstairs and put all the evidence away (please don't read this hubby) and decided to take that very moment to do a bit of there and then pampering. I got out some nice body butter and started moisturizing myself from the feet upwards. Paying particular attention to elbows, ankles and knees. Also removed mascara stains that I still haven't removed from yesterday (didn't go to work today so no need to make self look nice). I do love slobbing around and not bothering to get dressed but sometimes I think your self esteem needs to feel loved. I also covered my hair in some of the hair treatment. I know you're meant to use the shampoo and conditioner first but I figured I could do with a bit of a head start.

On another subject the kids were funny again tonight. Aren't they always? Yes, probably. Joshua was wandering with drumstick stuck down his trousers. No idea why. He wouldn't explain. I'm hoping it was something to do with it being a light saber or something and that being where its kept (not sure Luke Skywalker kept it in his pants though) - note to self to rewatch star wars (tried to persuade Josh to watch it with me this weekend as he was so into Starwars Angry Birds but he won't have anything on telly other than peppa pig or CBeebies.

Just looks like he's up to something!

 Lala has started insisting on drinking her drink out of a cup instead of a sippy cup or a bottle. I'm so proud and she doesn't spill it either (much).

Little miss cutiepie

Downstairs again now. On sofa, after dinner of salad and baked potato with cheese. Oh that was the other thing I was going to tell you. I decided to get some Slimfast and today I had one for breakfast and one for lunch. And one of the snack bars. I did have a bit of a slip though when the kids got home. I had two custard cream biscuits and two slices of ciabatta bread with clover on. Then my dinner which I've already mentioned.

Run out of steam for tonight I think. Watching the Fear again (2nd episode) and its a bit disturbing. Is interrupting my train of thought.

G'nite all.

Addendum - I just edited the pics and removed my reg number from the photos. Hubby just pointed out that it wasn't a good idea to have it on them. Hmmm. Hope no-one used it for nasty purposes already!

New car

I have a new car. Sooooo exciting. It's beautiful. In fact it's a she. I've decided to call her Florence. She is bright shiny red. I live that I can plug her into my iphone (the 5 kind - aren't I groovy!!! - or sad!!!).

I have treated her to a special Jelly Beans air freshener and brand new lip balm tube (for me really) oh and a small box of tissues. And Flo I promise you I won't let you get messy.

In the theme of pampering, I gave treated myself to some nice Aussie hair stuff and some face wash. I probably won't have time to have a relaxing bath tonight but tomorrow night definitely.

Writing this on iPhone. Doesn't seem to be a "save" option so will publish this. Must get home (from gym) to eat dinner.

Doggies & pickled onions

Was going to give blogging a miss tonight but as I'm here, sat on the sofa watching a new drama called The Fear. Having a whiskey.

Kids were funny tonight. Before bed they were running around (crawling technically) on all fours pretending to be doggies. Joshua was doing it and so Lala copied him and they were both going "woof woof" and I was patting them and stroking them on the head and rubbing their tummies like little doggies.

Oh, Joshua has made the Grandads jars of pickled onions. Well, I say he made them. He helped daddy make them. Daddy needed to do some more this evening too but Joshua wasn't interested so he got Lala to help.

Then they spent an hour and 15 minutes after hubby put them in bed climbing up to the top bunk, then climbing down again. And Joshua was in bed in the top bunk playing with Lala's hair clips I bought her. He loves hair clips. He'd make SUCH a cute little girl.... one for Daddy's wedding speech:

Am working from home tomorrow as I get my new car at lunchtime. Woo hoo. On both counts. Yay to cheaper fuel. New car. Shiny car. Car with iphone pluggy-inny-thing. Working from home - yay: no rushing around getting ready. No hour long commute. Hello, working in jimjams, working on sofa or in bed. Peace and quiet of house sans kids. TV on in background. Bliss.

Right, is 10 past 11. Bedtime. Just been to settle the coughy-coughy girl.

Night all.

Spreadsheets and Christmas present shopping

My head is spinning and I have to write it down before I explode. Have been working on spreadsheets today. Personal ones. Firstly, last night I chased up everyone that is coming to our Christmas lunch (we started this a few years ago and its become a bit of a tradition - its basically a lunch between any of our friends who want to come). This year we have 25-27 people plus a few toddlers. I have a spreadsheet of course. Whcih is slowly evolving. Previously it was just a list of names. Now its got names, number of adults, number of kids, totals column (which auto populates from the previous 2) then RSVP column. Then another adult/child/total set of columns that auto populate ONLY if the RSVP column is yes. Also if RSVP is yes, then the row for that person or people goes green. If no, then red. If maybe, then orange. Gotta love a conditional format. I have a column for whether or not a high chair is needed (by the way above the header of these columns I have a count formula that gives totals - so running at the top of the columns I have total adults invited, total kids invited, total same but definitely coming, total number highchairs required). Then recently as I chased people up to find out what menu people want to go for - there are 3 set menu choices and an a la carte menu plus a set kids menu. So I have a column for each of these and depending on which one they choose I put an "x" in the box. There is then a column each for starter, main and dessert so I can put their choices in there. I also have next to each of these a column for price (just in case they are ordering from the a la carte menu (although the restaurant hasn't sent me a menu that has prices on it so I have no idea of this right now). Then I have a column for total price which is a formula based on a nested if statement (or a nest of if statements - not sure what the correct phrase is) which calculates the price depending on what menu they have chosen. Have a column for deposit paid (£5 per head and I put that in when they have paid) and then a final column that works out how much they need to pay on the day in the restaurant. Groovy eh?

I have also been working on a christmas spreadsheet - this contains a xmas card list (not just ANY list but a list of names - imported from my contacts - with a column each for if they appear on my xmas list, if the card has been written, if its been posted and ALSO a column for if a card has been received from them (so I remember to send one back if they were not already on my list). It also has a priority column which is, you guessed it, colour coded. THis is so that I can filter it by priority (1-5 - 1 being highest priority - ie close family) and do those cards first. And if I don't get around to the 5s then the world isn't going to end. In actual fact I used this format last year and this year I actually removed pretty much all of the level 5's. Life is just to short. Especially if you never get one back. I also have a tab in this spreadsheet which has a pivot table which gives me a status summary of how many cards I have to send (45 this year), how many I've written (23), how many I've posted (17) . I also added a percentage bit. I'm currently 51.11% done on writing them. 37.78% done on sending them. I have a christmas present buying budget tab which lists all the people we are buying presents for, how much we want to spend, how much we've spent (this is pulled from another tab - which shows what I've spent on each person) and how much is left.

Suffice to say I have been looking at these all day and making sure they are up to date and trying to find xmas presents online for family members (most of whom seem to want bizarre things that you can only buy on a floating shop in a boat in the middle of the congo (no idea if there is water in the middle of the congo but you get my drift). CAN'T I JUST BUY YOU A BOOK OFF AMAZON!!!??????

Pizza

7.25pm.

Am back from work. Sitting in my office waiting for very upset girl child to stop crying her little eyes out. Am not giving in though as the only reason she is upset is cos I took the iPod off her as it was bedtime. I made the mistake of letting her play with it IN bed. Biiiiig mistake. Won't make that mistake again.

Dog is barking her flipping head off again. Can't let her out in kitchen as she's already stolen a block of cheese off the counter. Bloody pain in the arse animal.

Right. Am back downstairs again. Had to let dog out as barking was driving me crazy.

Drive home was a nightmare. Not in that it was particularly busy or took longer than usual. But I was late leaving cos I was sorting out details for a lunch we are having with friends the weekend after next. I lost track of time (actually that's a complete lie, I just wanted to bloody finish what I'd started and half way through what I was doing I'd accidentally shut down the computer. How do you do that you may ask. Well, I'll tell you. It was after one of those annoying updates had finished downloading I was trying to reduce clutter on my digital desktop by closing windows and I accidentally clicked ok without reading what I was saying ok to and it turned out I was telling the computer to restart after the latest update. Grrrrr. S I was late leaving and my in laws were dropping the kids off at 6 and my tomtom app was saying I wouldn't be there until 6.16. Oh and then hubs rang me saying his cash card wasn't working and could I come via Aldershot so he could use my cash card to get cash out. Arrrggghhhhh. As if driving a majorly busy commute isn't stressful enough at the best of times.

Am sodding the diet tonight. And ordering takeaway pizza. Hubby is out for the night at a concert and won't be back till late. And putting the kids to bed makes me crave bad food. Although there is no point ordering it until they are quiet and it seems like the girl might be crying. Be right back.

Yep she was upset. Coughing a lot. Know I should order pizza. Know ill feel fat (more fat).

Ordering pizza. Double jalapeño, double pepperoni. Yay. Roll on feeling wonderful followed by immediately sick and a bit porky. Gonna go now and concentrate on watching last ever episode of house followed by stuffing my face with pizza.

Day spent with poorly girl. General ramblings really

Is 1810. Have just put girl baby to bed. Gave her a bath just before bed and she loved it. Actually wasn't too keen when I first put her in but after she got used to it and sat down she started playing with toys. But then she started shivering and even though she told me she didn't want to come out I had to get her out as she's poorly and I didn't want it getting worse (she did need a bath though - she'd had sick and snot and allsorts in her hair and down her) - she started crying when I got her out and was shivering and saying Mummy in the cutest neediest little baby way (she's 2 years and 3 months old but she's still my baby to me). She's now in bed. Seems quite happy to be in bed even though she's been coughing her guts up again. Not good. Poor thing.

Not sure about whether I'll need to stay home again tomorrow. She'd be at the childminders just for the morning and then at hubby's parents with the boy for the rest of the afternoon. I guess I don't feel too bad if I have to go to work. Although the childminder that she would have been with today is just as lovely to her but I just felt she needed mummy time and she had such an awful night's sleep (as did I) that I didn't want to be rushing her out of the door. As it was, I really enjoyed our little girls only day.

I took her to the doctors this afternoon who said she definitely has a bit of a rattle in her chest (assume that means chest infection) so she has some antibiotics to take. I managed to get her to have some of her first spoonful of it but she wasn't keen on it and not sure how easy its going to be to give to her in future. Why can't they make antibiotics for kids in strawberry flavour?

Hubby has gone off to get the boy from nursery. Then they're going to make pickled onions. Apparently son said to hubs the other day in the shops that he wanted to make pickled onions for the grandpas (one is grandad and the other is grandpa). Fair enough. Whatever floats your boat. He really is his father's son. Take him to rugby and he'd rather go shopping or do some lego.

What else can I talk about - as I have time to kill. Hubs is downstairs now having arrived back with sprog #1. I assume they are busy making pickled onions now. I am staying up here in case baby girl cries.

Argh. Sod it. Fed up of talking about them without their names. Anyone who knows me and comes across this blog is gonna know who they are (and therefore who I am) anyway as I've put pictures up. So little girl baby is called Lala (short for Alara) and boy child is called Joshua or sometimes JJ or Josh.

This is Josh:

Very happy looking chap before his first rugby class.

Right, what else was I going to talk about? Oh I know, Christmas. What about christmas? Mind has gone blank yet? Erm. Oh yeah, christmas shopping. We did some of it online. Gonna get xmas decos and xmas cards out tonight and start writing them in front of the TV.

Well, think that will do for tonight. Will leave you with Joshua's letter to santa!