Lessons in housework.

Long may this continue...

A strange thing happened on the way to the...

Well, there I was on yet another non-urgent visit to the hospital with Roo.  Waiting for a prescription of ointment to heal a hot marshmallow in the eye.  Hmm yes, don't ask, but its all totally fine now.  Standing by the hospital waiting to cross the road to the massive car park.  And who should ride by?  Yes, A horse.  At the hospital.  I don't think they stayed, just passing through like.  Anyone got any horse in hospital jokes?  Mine all seem to involve Bars....

And the photographic evidence...

Oh Yes.  It was a fun night of Eurovision hilarity.  The costumes were an essential part.  As was dancing to the interval act in a tutu...  Its taken all week to recover enough to get back to my blog! Hehe. 

Have a happy weekend everyone.  Big love x

Euro know it makes sense

Oh Hurrah!  Spangles and gratuitous flag waving!  Eurovision is here.  Tonight, with some dear friends & an atlas, we will be watching assorted European countries singing & dancing their hearts out to (hopefully) hilarious commentary from Graham Norton.  I just love it!  Not sure I could manage it neat, as in without the commentary.  They certainly made the semi-finals hilarious.  Which we had two of this year.  With the breaking up into countries of the various parts that were once Russia, the entries have got too numerous for just one night of fun.  Now we have three.  Yay!

For those of you who are unfamiliar with Eurovision, it was started after the Second world War, to try to bring the European countries together through the healing medium of music & has been running for 55 years.  From such lofty ideals have spawned some fab bands like Abba, but mostly wonderful kitchy europop with outrageousness aplenty.  But to be honest, I think that it does bring us all together.  Its about the campest evening you can get without going to Mardi Gras, but appeals to even the straightest bloke.  As long as he's in touch with his inner sequins.

It also serves as an educational tool.  Every time it gets to the voting stage we have to reach for the atlas to predict who will vote for whom.  Obviously you can't vote for your own song, so everyone seems to vote for their neighbours unless they have a less than pleasant history together.  Then they vote for everyone else but.  Its all highly entertaining stuff.  We also always have to utter the words:  'How is that country in Europe?' That, and 'oh my life, what are they wearing?!'

Did I mention that Moldova's entry, a suprise sucess story from the semi-finals, contains men in 2 metre cone hats and a unicycling bride.  I tell you.  Its not to be missed.

Potty training

I thought it was going to be a real faddle potty training Roo.  But despite a few incidents (like actually making it to the potty but not getting wiped & sliding down the stairs on his bottom.  hmmm) the transition has been astoundingly easy.  He is amazingly good at remembering to go to the toilet.  Even in his cot when he has a nappy on.  I would prefer he just went in the nappy (diaper) that early in the morning, but he's so good he insists!  Bless his little cotton socks. 

                                        

Wishcrafting Wednesday - Making a Stand.

Jamie Ridler's wishcrafting asks -

What do you wish to make a stand for?

Hmm.  Making a stand makes me think of defiance and sticking ones chin out.  And quite frankly, I don't think I have the energy for defiance right now!

I do seem to be making some major moves to clearing my space.  Decluttering.  I exited three large bags yesterday.  Yay!  I am also making moves to have space to myself.   To create.  To think.  To be.

I guess what I wish to make a stand for is ME, my space and my energy.

Jumble Joys

Today, whilst Beloved Husband was running errands for his folks, I took the kids to a Jumble Sale.  Now, I am know as Jumble Jacs in some circles so this shouldn't really be that noteworthy.  However, since the beginning of the year, I have been on a real decluttering mission.  Especially for the first couple of months when it bordered on an obsession to try to keep a clear space.  I have to admit to failing somewhat since my house is still full of bits, even though several car loads went to charity shops and jumbles.

So I have ben rather reluctant to accrue any more stuff that serves as clutter rather than joys.  Today though I relented.  I had a dolls house that needed a new home so at least I took some stuff before bringing home any more goodies!  I sucessfully avoided too much pointless stuff myself (not sure the Queens silver jubilee mug counts as pointless or not...).  The kids were another story though, but boyo did they have fun!  I love that I can give them a quid or so and off they go & enjoy themselves for an hour.
The most expensive part of the family fun is the purchasing of a cuppa & a cake (costing a shocking £2) to discuss our favorite purchases.  Lace tablecloths & cups with saucers.  You just can't beat that.

Cake this good can't be wrong!

Bushcraft Bankholiday

This last weekend we had a wonderful time.  This I know for a fact, because I am still doing the laundry three days later. 
We took ourselves off to the May Meet of the Bushcraft Magazine which we subscribe to.  Its the first year we've made it across to Kent, but my brother, who came with us, has been all 3 years.  It was a delightfully gentle family friendly weekend.  Interesting courses, campfires, storytelling, archery.  Definiately worth the 3 hour journey.

This was how we cooked for most of the weekend.  I mean not just bacon & eggs, but the campfire.  We did actually splash out and purchase a fantastic metal table which was half grill, half griddle which goes over the top of the fire.  This picture was taken before we got this & had to 'make do' with an old lab tripod my brother bought.  Which was still fabulous.

Tintin took a real shine to the Archery, and yes, that is his bullseye we had to take a picture of as evidence!

Because sometimes a Tree is the only place to Be...

I wish, I wish, I wish... Wishcraft Wednesday

Today, Jamie's wishcrafting prompt is

'What do you wish to Know?'

For the longest time now it seems, I have wanted to know what makes my heart sing enough that I would love to make my living from it.  Or a proportion of my living, as I can get bored easily & enjoy variety!

What I wish to know the answer to, is What do I Love?   I have never managed to narrow it down to one thing, as I tend to love the thing I am into right now!  Which is fine, but not really a sound business proposition.  But I know that there has to be a way.  A way to make money from being the best Me I can be, with a joyful heart and a smile on my lips.  That is my wish. x