Prior to Maisy (our beloved but batty basset hound), we had Molly – our first basset hound, the basset that set the boundaries, the basset that put us in our place and truly introduced us to the breed; the good, the bad, the ugly and the downright bizarre! Second time around, therefore, we were fairly sure that nothing would surprise us, the basset hound is a creature like no other and we were fully expecting Maisy to be just like Molly in the levels of mayhem and madness only she isn’t… shes a whole different kettle of fish – or should I say dog?…
Twelve years ago today, the hubby and I tied the knot… it doesn’t feel like twelve years have passed since we exchanged vows, though we’ve done so much since then it beggars belief! Two kids, two dogs, two houses, seven cars, and god knows how many holidays, appliances, gadgets and what-not later we are still very happy. Happy Twelfth Anniversary Marriage isn’t always easy, it’s a partnership, a friendship and a journey which requires hard work, give, take, patience and masses of effort but it’s well worth every up, every down and everything in-between. On a personal note, I’d just to like to add how much I appreciate my husband – he is my best friend, he is my soul mate and an incredible father to our beautiful children.…
Welcome to this week’s edition of the #MySundaySnapshot blog series, a blog-linky simply to share snapshots which you are more than welcome to join. Click here for further information and guidelines upon this linky should you wish to take part. I don’t often get flowers, certainly not for myself so when I receive flowers it’s a real treat! I love having flowers around the house, they really brighten the place up by adding colour, scent, and life to a room. It’s just sad that flowers die so quickly whilst in my care, sure I add water and the plant food to a vase but give it a few days and the petals usually drop.…
Just like that July has come and gone – I swear I blink and a week passes me by! Here are just a few of the many things which I have #LikedandLoved throughout the past month. The Summer Holidays The summer has finally arrived! Whilst I love routine, I also love throwing it out of the window and living for the moment, which is precisely what we plan to do for the next six weeks. We began our holidays by heading into town to do a little shopping. To our surprise, there just so happened to be a classic motor show taking place which was a fabulous start to the summer.…
Apologies in advance if you’re growing bored of the never-ending pool pictures, it’s not often that we get the chance here in the UK to spend time in the pool. It’s not that we are averse to water, we are quite used to getting wet but it’s usually with rainwater rather than pool water if you catch my drift… British summers are much like playing the lottery – you’re never quite sure whether it’s worth setting up a barbeque or whether it’d be easier to grill indoors. Only last week the kids and I were sat at the picnic table, about to enjoy our sandwiches when we were hit by a sudden downpour.…
We’ve had a wonderful week of beautiful weather, garden gazing and all-out water war! We haven’t needed to leave the house other than to carry out errands such as shopping, appointments and such-like. It’s felt very much as if we are living in very own little bubble and I’ve been quite happy doing so. Although the sunshine has been and has most definitely gone, I’ve still got the pictures to prove just how heated things became earlier this week. Whilst the kids were busy keeping cool in the pool, I decided to blow some bubbles whilst snapping some pictures and as a result, I captured this blinder!…
Welcome to this week’s edition of the #MySundaySnapshot blog series, a blog-linky simply to share snapshots which you are more than welcome to join. Click here for further information and guidelines upon this linky should you wish to take part. My goodness me it has been hot, hot, hot this week! Don’t get me wrong, I’m not complaining but jee-wizz there’s hot and there’s hot! Thank god it’s the holidays as I’m not sure whether I’d have coped in this kind of heat whilst at work, thankfully I could lig out with a glass of something cold on the sunlounger whilst the kids cooled down in the paddling pool.…
Being a child of the eighties I grew up without the luxuries of laptops, tablets, and smartphones. Computers back when I was little were hefty machines which required almost an entire desk to support their sheer size and weight, there was nothing ‘portable’ about a PC back then… I was around eight years old when we first got a computer – an Atari ST 520 which was hooked up to a small-ish Osaki television. The Atari was classed as a games console, though it was no use saving your game progress as although the Atari read floppy disks, it forgot almost everything it had ever done once the power had been pressed.…
That’s the first week of the summer holidays done and dusted, routine has officially been flung from the window and I’m quite happy living the relaxed lifestyle. When the temperature sores to thirty-odd degrees celsius, there’s not a lot you can do other than prop up the parasol and slump on a sunlounger, either that or join the kids in the paddling pool. No ta… I’ve been busy both indoors and out (dependent upon the kids’ toleration of the heat) keeping the kids from killing each other. We’ve baked, crafted, coloured, you name it – we’ve done it in the name of entertainment and so far everyone’s still alive.…
Summer sure is flying by, we are now over halfway through the year and whilst I’m loving the summer holidays, I sure wish time would slow down a little. To celebrate July, here are a few of my #LittleLoves from the month… Read In a bid to get back into reading, I spent some pennies on good old amazon, though my kindle has long been replaced by my iPhone as it’s just easier. In the past I was a bit of a Sophie Kinsella fan, I read her books cover to cover within hours of getting them and couldn’t get enough!…
One thing my children have always loved to do from an early age is to dress up, over the years they have collected an impressive stash of costumes, all of which are stored in a large, easy-to-access toy box. The kids are forever parading around as Pirates, Princesses and such-like. They love to roleplay whilst wearing their costumes, it’s quite amusing to sit and to listen to the things that they say, the way in which they adjust their voice and take on accents, they have such fun together! Having watched each and every one of the ‘The Pirates of the Caribbean’ films over the space of a week, E decided to dress up as a miniature Elizabeth Swan – she then found her very own sword and gave her brother what for until he gave in and played along.…
Once the kids have snuggled into their beds and sound asleep, Paul and I settle on the sofa with snacks, drinks, and the dog… There’s nothing quite like having hugs with the hound following a busy day, she may be rather slobbery and incredibly hairy but I couldn’t care less- she’s adorable! Each and every evening Maisy hops onto the couch and snuggles herself into my feet, she will then slowly but surely crawl further upon me, often making it completely impossible to see or to watch the television at all. Our house wouldn’t be our home without the presence of four paws, we’ve spent a few days in the past (whilst moving house and getting ready for our holidays) without a pooch and the house was squeaky clean but scarily silent, though I’m far happier living with the fur, the slobber, the drool, and the many doggy delights.…
Welcome to this week’s #MySundaySnapshot blog post, part of a weekly blog-linky designed purely to share pictures. You are more than welcome to join, click here for further information and guidelines upon this linky should you wish to take part. The summer holidays have finally arrived and whilst the weather has been a little hit and miss, what with flash flooding, dark clouds and the electricity flicking on and off… I couldn’t care less at this point in time, I’m just so relieved to relax whatever the weather for the next six weeks or so. My mind, my body and my soul is utterly exhausted, I need a really good rest and though I’m sure the summer is going to be busy, busy, busy, I’m going to make the most of every moment.…
I was intending to write this post yesterday. However, despite my best intentions I decided to cut loose and to celebrate the start of the summer by sharing some bubbles with a bestie. At precisely 1.15pm just as school was officially ‘out for the summer’, rain began to heave from the heavens by the bucket load, the electricity began flickering on and off and it felt far more like winter than summer. Not one to let the weather get in the way, I finished off my jobs for the day, loaded the kids into the car and played summer songs all the way home.…
It’s been a week of celebration for the family, Paul and I became an Auntie and Uncle again following the birth of our beautiful new niece. I cannot wait to meet her! Meanwhile the kids celebrated their academic success at their recent presentation ceremony where E scooped a teachers award! J meanwhile picked up a well-deserved book prize for his fantastic progress. It was awesome to watch both J & E take to the stage to collect their medals, books, and certificates. Though being the emotionally mushy, proud parent that I am, I couldn’t help but shed a tear or two… I really wish I could hold back the waterworks at times like these.…
My phone is filled with photos of the kids yet barely any of these seem to be snaps taken together, this is slightly frustrating when it comes to sharing photos for ‘The Sibling Project’. I really ought to insist that the kids stand closer together or pose as a pair but I’m more focused on capturing the moment rather than a posey picture. So here it is – my best attempt or should I say my husbands best attempt at a picture of our little ones and the pooch together whilst out on a walk. I’m sure that we will have plenty of opportunities throughout the summer holidays to snap some shots of the kids together.…
Over the weekend my husband often takes the kids and the dog out on walks, leaving me to catch up on the housework or to take five and enjoy the peace. As much as I love spending time with my family, it’s also healthy to have time out and to spend a little time in your own company now and then. I love looking through the photos which Paul takes whilst out on his walks, the kids always wear such wide smiles, even the dog looks happier somehow! I sometimes feel guilty for taking five, as if I should be doing something productive during that time such as cleaning or clearing around the house.…
I swear I think I might be the married version of Bridget Jones. Not only do I write a diary and/or a blog but I also have Bridgets rather curvey (ever so slightly fat) figure and her well-meaning but ultimately clumsy demeanor which results in an endless series of embarrassing moments. Take this past month for example – I can only compare it to the bloopers from some cheesey sit-com but here it is… It was sports day, the field was packed with children, parents, and staff. Each race was smooth running, fast-paced and slick. That was until one poor kid found themselves struggling in the sack race.…
Welcome to this week’s edition of the #MySundaySnapshot blog series, a blog-linky simply to share snapshots which you are more than welcome to join. Click here for further information and guidelines upon this linky should you wish to take part. With less than a week to go before the summer holidays kick start, the kids aren’t alone in getting a little giddy at the concept of a holiday, I too am rather looking forward to some time out. I can’t wait to be able to switch the alarm clock off, throw the lunchboxes into the cupboard and to rule out routine for a while.…
Throughout life, we meet such a vast array of characters, some of which we become close to as friends or family throughout time. Each and every one of us is entirely different, we have our own unique features, our own quirks, preferences, individual personalities and ultimately differences from one and other. Over the years I have made a number of friends, some of which I’m still in touch with, others I have lost touch with entirely through either circumstance or personal choice. It does strike me though that despite my efforts to maintain friendships, I so often find it becomes a one-way street.…
