Thirty Day Music Challenge – Day Three to Five

A little catch up as I was unable to blog for the last couple of days.

Day Three – A song that makes you happy.

I like to think of them as instant smile songs, songs that the second they start they make you happy. I’ve a couple of these, some that make me happy for no reason other than I love the song. Others that make me happy because they remind me of something or something. I’m going to go with a song that makes me happy for no apparent reason and that song is Dolly Parton ‘Working 9 to 5.’ I don’t work 9 to 5 anymore, I’ve only ever worked 9 to 5 for just under a year in my whole working life but that’s irrelevant. I can’t listen to this song without singing along, and if I’m alone at home chances are I will dancing around like a loon to it.

Day Four – A song that makes you sad

I’m not one for crying at many songs, but there has been a couple that has brought a tear to my eye. For a while I used to cry every time I heard ‘Butterfly kisses’, it’s a truly beautiful song. The song I’ve chosen though doesn’t generally make me cry, it just makes me sad. I was reflecting a lot on my miscarriage at the time I first heard this song, the song actually prompted me to write a short piece about it. (If anyone wants to read let me know) So every time I hear this song it makes me remember.

Westlife – I’ll See You Again

Day Five – A song that reminds you of someone

This one’s easy; the song I’ve chosen is also one of my instant smile songs. It reminds me of one of my best friends – it kind of became our song, along with a little obsession with growing trees. When I hear this song it instantly reminds me of her and all the memories we have that relate to it.

Westlife – The Easy Way 

Thirty Day Music Challenge – Day Two Your least favourite song.

This is a hard one, there are many songs that when they come on I instantly turn them off. Stupid stuff like Bob the Builder and the Teletubies, Against All Odds (sung by anyone) all need turning off. There is one song though from the first time I ever heard it that made me cringe, back in 1997 during the years when the world was girl power obsessed and the Spice Girls were the biggest thing since sliced bread. They released a seriously awful song – even more awful the rest of their stuff.

‘Spice Up Your Life’ Terrible singing and ridiculous lyrics, a completely awful song. A song that I turned off the second it started everytime, resulting in me making my niece cry because it was here favourite song. Whoops!!

To prove my point... what on earth does this mean?

‘Yellow man in Timbuktu
Colour for both me and you
Kung Fu Fighting, Dancing Queen
Tribal Spaceman and all that's in between’

 

Thirty Day Music Challenge – Day One You Favourite Song

I’ve seen this on a blog and floating around facebook quite a lot recently and I’m struggling to come up with new posts at the moment so I thought I would give it ago. Hopefully I won’t fail somewhere in the middle of it all.

So my favourite song has to be Bryan Adam’s ‘Summer of 69’. There isn’t really any special reason for this other than it holds a lot of memories for me and is a completely awesome tune. It’s a song that always brings a smile to my face.

Enjoying the Sunshine

Friday was a rare day spent at home and it was one of the nicest days we’ve had in a long time. I blew up the paddling pool for the first time this year – took me ages. I’m rubbish at blowing up anything, balloons included. Then I filled it up by carrying pans of warm water outside – it’s cruel to fill it with cold water and J would hate it.

Finally it was ready and off we went to play. J wasn’t sure at first...

But he soon realised the fun to be had. Splash, splash, splash.

Which resulted in him slipping over. I feared this might upset him, but he loved it and continued to splash and then throw himself on the floor.

While we were having fun in the water, R was chilling in his swing.

We randomly decided we wanted a BBQ and so we invited my parents over and chilled out with yummy food and good company. Even had a sneaky glass of wine, much to my Mum's disgust - I'm breasfeeding it's not allowed apparently.

Was a glorious day and I hope we get many more like it over the summer.

Q&A

I have been tagged by the lovely Beth, to answer this question-y meme.

This is what I stole from Beth’s blog:
Originally devised by Mrs Lister,who admits to have nicked the questions from The Guardian Weekend Magazine, she’s hoping that we’ll all learn loads of new blackmail-worthy dirt information about each other.

Here goes!

Which living person do you most admire, and why?
This is a really hard question and not something I’ve ever really thought about before. Even thinking about it now, there isn’t one person that I can pinpoint. I could say my mum, for raising eight children and not going completely insane. My sister for various reasons.

Is it completely cliché if I say my son, the past five months J has had illness after illness and he still manages to smile and bring light into everyone else’s life. Hot headed, stubborn and determined he’s a proper little character. A complete and utter little charmer and I have learnt so much from him.

When were you happiest?
I should say right now shouldn’t I? I have two beautiful little boys, but it’s so hard – I spend so much of my energy focusing on just getting through the days that sometimes it’s hard to truly appreciate how happy I am.
The moments/hours immediately after the birth of both of my boys would be right at the top of my happiest moments. Nothing can top the amazing feeling when your tiny baby is first placed into your arms.

What was your most embarrassing moment?
I can’t remember any truly embarrassing and cringe worthy moments, but that doesn’t mean there hasn’t been any. It’s probably because I have repressed the horror of the memory.

Aside from property, what’s the most expensive thing you’ve bought?
My car, my lovely little Peugeot. She’s 6 and a half years old now, but I bought her new when I was still living with my parents and working full time.

What is your most treasured possession?
I have a lot of stuff, old letters, photos, random crap that I just don’t want to throw away. Perhaps my laptop is my most treasured possession, but purely because it has all my photos and all my writings on it and I’d properly cry if it broke and I lost everything.

Where would you like to live?

In Ireland. In the countryside, surrounded by fields and preferable close to the sea. Yes I know I’m living in a dream world. I love everything about Ireland and I would happily live there, it’s been my dream for as long as I can remember.
In real life I’d like a nice three bed house with a decent size garden. If I didn’t step out of my house and onto the street to that would be nice. Actually I’d be more than happy to live in a house like my parents and sister have (they live on the same street).

What’s your favour smell?
Babies head – they have this unique yummy smell.

Who would play you in the film of your life?
Oh I have no clue; I’m not very up on actress. I adore Julia Roberts though so that would be pretty awesome.

What is your favourite book?
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austin.

What is your most unappealing habit?
Biting my nails.
I have an annoying need to plan. I drive my husband crazy when we are going out for the day. I stress the night before about what time we need to get up, when we need to leave, what we need to do. Etc etc. I write an annoying amount of lists, I write lists for lists – its probably pretty unappealing.

What would be your fancy dress costume of choice?

I’ve always fancied the idea of dressing up in a funky coloured, 70’s outfit. I don’t do fancy dress though so it’s never going to happy.

What is your guiltiest pleasure?
Drinking a calorie high hot chocolate and reading a trashy chick flick.

What do you owe your parents?
Everything. For their love and support through everything.

To whom would you most like to say sorry, and why?
My husband and he knows why.

What or who is the greatest love of your life?
My boys, all three of them.

What does love feel like?
A constant fuzzy warmth letting you know that everything will be okay.

What was the best kiss of your life?
December third 2005

Which words of phrases do you most overuse?
Tired! Stop it! Awww!

What is the worst job you’ve done?
Sales... Trying to sell refrigerated vans. I know nothing about vans, I know nothing about refrigeration and I care about them even less. It’s no wonder I never sold a single one and escaped after a month.

If you could edit your past, what would you change?
I’d erase New Years Eve 2007 – biggest regret of my life. I nearly ruined everything.

What is the closest you’ve come to death?
When a car spun out in front of us on the motorway. Thankfully we managed to jump into another lane, but my heart was in my throat.

What do you consider your greatest achievement?
My babies!

When did you last cry, and why?
Yesterday! Huge massive sobbing, tears, snot the lot. Why? Because I couldn’t find the bicycle pump and I wanted/needed to get out of the house with the boys and the types on the pushchair needed pumping. I had a complete and utter breakdown. This is what lack of sleep and period do to me. Hormonal fucking wreck.

How do you relax?
Book and bath.

What single thing would improve the quality of your life?
I’m pretty lucky to be fair, our quality of life is pretty good right now. More space wouldn’t go a miss but it’s not essential.

What is the most important lesson life has taught you?
However hard your life is, someone somewhere is going through a lot worse. So smile and be grateful for what you have.


Dam that was hard!
Now for the tagging. I Tag @chatty30 @ eves_x @Dazzly_Dotty

Magical Sounds

Last week we got our first proper giggles, he’s been gurgling type giggles and squeals of joy but there was no doubting these were giggles.

As soon as he started I wanted to join in, baby giggles are my favourite sound. No matter how rubbish or miserable I am feeling, baby giggles are guaranteed to put a smile back on my face.

We’d been out, where escapes me but when we returned I left R asleep in his car seat. The second he woke up J grabbed a toy and pounced, jumping up and down and waving the toy around resulting in the cutest giggles from R.

I managed to capture a small video...what did we ever do before mobile phones with cameras?

I wish the sound could be bottled to open whenever I need a pick me up. Sorry the video is the wrong way up!

Fun Packed Weekend

Real life seems to have got in the way of blogging just lately, I've a couple of half finished posts lying around that I will finish at some point. For now though I thought I'd share my weekend with you as as attempt to get back into this blogging lark.

It was the husband’s birthday yesterday but he was working. So Saturday we went on a family day out, with my friend and her little boy to Twin Lakes. There are farm animals, reptiles, birds and then small pets like rabbits. The lambs were the biggest hit with adults and children alike. We went just the right time of year to see the lambs, some of them were only born at the end of March...they were very cute. J who is sometimes scared of his own shadow stuck his hand through the fence to stroke them without a moment’s hesitation. I loved the rabbits and tried to convince hubby that J would really like one for his birthday. We used to have a rabbit, but he was a house rabbit and had to be re-homed when J came along. I'd love another for my garden...but two kids, a cat, a dog and a rabbit is probably a bit much to ask for.

We wandered around the animals, and then sat down for a picnic and to enjoy the glorious weather for a while before we headed indoors to play in the sofa play area. Of course we got stuck in there with the boys, they needed help to climb some of the bits – was good fun. After the adults got bored we dragged the kids back outside for another wander, there was rides but our boys were both too small for them so we headed for the sandpit. Where they set about the task of passing me all the sand, it was taking a while.

Before we went home we had a ride on the train, but the boys were tired and restless and trying to get them to sit still was a mission. Was a brilliant day out, helped by the beautiful weather. I’d definitely go again – it just turns into an expensive day out once you have to pay for the children. I need to make the most of these places while the children are still small.

Sunday was a blissful, peaceful day – I took the kids to see my sister and we lazed in the garden making the most of the sun. I’m glad we did since it’s disappeared and is freezing again. Duvet on the grass, airer with a sheet on to make some shade and we settled on the floor. Playing with Riley and chatting while Joshua entertained himself with the gravel. It was just the kind of day I needed, fun but relaxing.

Monday I joined my friend and her husband on a trip to West Midlands safari park. I’ve never been to one before as wasn’t entirely sure what to expect but it was brilliant. I love the big cats and they have white tigers and lions – they are gorgeous. It wasn’t really a day out for a toddler though and we had two with us. Sitting in a car seat for hours is a bit much, he was brilliant though and my friend’s oldest son did an amazing job at keeping him entertained. I think I prefer the zoo though – I’m not sure why, perhaps it’s because I’m a huge fan of the monkeys and they don’t have any at the safari park.

So that was my fun packed weekend, it’ll be a while before I have another one like it.

The Perfect Jeans

Don’t exist.

At least that is what it feels like, I tried on so many pairs of jeans last week and not one of them was the perfect fit. Straight, skinny, boot cut, skinny flare – you name it, I tried it. Short and petite and nothing was perfect. Being a bit long I can cope with, I’m come to accept over the years that I’m never going to find a pair of trousers the right length. It’s the rest of the fit being rubbish that is starting to bother me.

I went for a pair of skinny flare in the end. However they are designed for someone with hips as wide as a bus... I’ve had children, I have child bearing hips but honestly I don’t know who would be the shape these are made for. It’s all a bit baffling to me. So if anyone can help me, please do.

So please do tell me where I can buy a decent pair of jeans that don’t cost the earth. Maybe I have a new shape... I know I have a new shape. A mummy shape; but so do a million other women so why is it so hard. Or is there a tip to buying jeans that I am missing?

Meltdowns - Toddler and Mummy

Friday I had to take my friend back to the airport and foolishly I said I’d take the kids with me and then drop in on my parents on the way home. Big mistake... J had major meltdowns practically the moment we entered departures. Kicking, screaming, rolling around the floor – full on tantrum of epic proportions. I tried ignoring him, I tried restraining him, I tried crouching beside him on the floor and talking to him. All of this was made harder because I was trying to hold R at the same time. As the tantrum continued I became increasingly flustered and embarrassed. What I wanted most was for the floor to open up and swallow me; I avoided eye contact with everyone for fear of their judging eyes.

J refused to say goodbye to my friend and just screamed at her. Getting back to the car was a painful experience, I refused to carry him it was too far carting both. So I literally had to drag him along, he eventually got the hint that I was fed up and not taking tantrums so he walked ...well ran as I was so desperate to get back to my car and hide. I ended up screaming at him in frustration...which resulted in me feeling guilty as hell but I just snapped. I guess we all have our snapping points and mine was reached on Friday.

Once the kiddies were strapped into the car and I just broke down in tears. I needed to talk to Ant and he didn’t know what to say but kept telling me it wasn’t my fault and not to cry. I however continued to cry for about 20 minutes. I felt like a failure, why does my child throw tantrums everywhere we go? Why does my child refuse to listen to me? I can’t help feeling like I make a huge fundamental error in raising him. I know it’s his age, frustration and his attempts at exerting independent but it still make me feel like shite. Usually I can handle it well, but today I snapped...lost it. I didn't help...Joshua cried, I cried and we all felt rubbish.

I do want to say thanks to the lady in the airport that made eye contact with me and gave me a reassuring smile. It felt like she was saying 'don't worry I've been there.' It really did help, it gave me a little bit of hope that I wasn’t a failure. So next time you see a child throwing themselves around the floor and screaming offer a warming smile to the parent because it really is a horrible situation to be.

I'm Back

It feels like ages since I have blogged, but its actually just been over a week. I had one of my best friends staying with me for a week so there was no time for blogging. This isn’t a proper blog post I just wanted to check back in and let you know to expect some new posts over the next few days.

I had a really good week hanging out with my friend, although I may have put her off having children anytime soon. We went to concerts, we shopped, played in the park and did a small amount of chilling. I’ll probably write a couple of separate posts about the week, so for now I shall leave you to go and attempt something productive.