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Friday 17 June 2011

Technological breakdowns a plenty

Well lordy I think I took for granted how much I rely on technology in my everyday life these days. So for once this delay has not been simply down to being a rubbish blogger but I can blame my equipment also hehe :)

Firstly I dropped my iPhone, which cracked the screen, annoying as smallest has bashed it around more times than enough and its always been fine, but it slips out of my hands and onto the kitchen floor and destroys it, it worked for a little while and then eventually stopped charging and so was declared banjaxed!! No problem thinks me, its insured with our bank account...what a blooming pain in the a**e that was to sort out. After six weeks of too-ing and fro-ing, lots of phonecalls, fax's and a major complaint to the company in question, I was given a cheque to cover getting a replacement phone from Orange!! So that's back now thank goodness.

I the meantime whilst I was trying to sort my phone out...my computer died on me, it literally did just completely die, it went from being fine whilst I was working on it one day. I went upstairs to put smallest to bed, came back down and opened it up...got the "resuming windows" screen and that was it!! I thought hey ho i'll switch it off and back on and it will be fine, after all that's what the IT bods at work always say! It wasn't ok and typically it was on a Friday night. Still, thinks I its under warranty, only 9 months old. So I rings on Saturday morning, tells them the story...they tell me its more than a year old so out of warranty unless I send them proof of purchase showing it was less than a year ago I purchased it. Cue mad looking for receipt, having just moved this was not as easy as it should have been!! But at least it got the last few boxes emptied and we now know where the receipts are for lots of things we don't own anymore!

Did find it in the end and after sending it off they agreed that the puter was indeed under warranty and therefore they would try to resuscitate it by asking me to switch it off and then back on again (why do IT technicians need to go to University?), then press lots of buttons, take the battery out and press more buttons and then try switching it on again. None of this worked and they eventually accepted my differential diagnosis which was that it was broken and agreed to arrange for it to be sent to the repair centre. They also gave me the fabulous news that all even if the hard drive wasn't the problem all that pressing of buttons had wiped all my stuff off :S All my Uni work for my dissertation, pictures of the kids, and the presentation I had been doing for teaching ward nurses at work...all gone :(

Turned out when I got it back a week later that they had just replaced the hard drive, so I don't suppose they will know what caused the melt down! So I had a week with no iPhone and no computer! Very odd. Now I wouldn't have said previous to this that I was an internet addict but I did miss it, especially seeing as Mr B was doing a stretch working away. I did lots of other things instead and really wished my curtain fabric had turned up as it would have been an ideal opportunity to crack on with some sewing.

Thankfully I now do have both items back and so do not feel cut off from the 21st century again lol. Trouble is I've lost half of my phone numbers and had to re-write my presentation from scratch, did get it done before I needed to do first teaching session though which is good.

Ta ta all

Mrs B

Saturday 7 May 2011

Saturday mornings...it's all about the kids

Am currently sat in a thankfully warm and dry school building in our local town, Saturday's mornings are spent here as small and smaller have dance lessons and smallest has a swimming lesson.

Smallest started swimming lessons when he was 12 weeks old and is really confident in the water, we have just swapped to different lesson as he is now ready to start to learn to swim properly and to work towards his asa badges. He originally went to waterbabies and he did love it when he was little but he'd started not to like the floats which they use a lot. So we made the difficult decision to change to a different company, swimtime. So far though it is working out really well and he's coming on even more with the different teaching style.

It has also worked out great for our family Saturday's as the new lessons are in the same building as the other two's dance school.

I booked small and smallest into the dance school just over a year ago now and even though they only come every other week small and smaller really enjoy their lessons and are doing well they had exams for tap in January both got good grades and were proud of themselves, quite rightly so!! I couldn't have been more proud of them either.

Even Mr B had reservations when I announced I'd booked smaller in for ballet and tap...I think some stereotypes crept in and he needed to be convinced but the lessons have been so beneficial. Smaller is not like most other kids in terms of his processing and social functioning. He really settled in well and loves his dance teacher Miss Sonya and he looks forward to dance lessons. We have asked their birth mother to take them the weekends she has them as they both love it but she won't because it's "our" thing. Yet another demonstration of her irritating inability to put her kids needs before her own!!

So we bring our picnic and set up in the dance school, smaller's ballet and tap lesson starts at 1130, then smallest goes swimming at 1200 with one of us, then small goes to ballet and tap followed by modern meaning we are all finished and ready for home at about 1400.

We understand how important the extra curricular stuff is for all the kids and really feel it is part of being a parent to foster their interest in these things. I would never force them into it but while they enjoy it I'll keep bringing them and mobile blogging while I'm here (as it is quite boring, but still part of the job)! I have a friend who has four boys who are all into football, as spends her weekend mornings on the sidelines!!! At least I'm warm and dry!!

Love to all Mrs B xx

Saturday 30 April 2011

Royal Wedding

Yesterday I was so incredibly proud to be british the wedding of the queens grandson, Prince William to his beautiful bride Kate Middleton was enough to warm even the coolest of hearts!

We do pomp and circumstance better than any other country could hope for! It was great to see the diversity of the crowd in London and all those celebrating at street parties all over the country. No one was excluded we shared our happiness with all.

I went into work as there have been so many bank holidays recently that I needed to go in to make sure we don't end up with a backlog of patients waiting for discharge. When we can't get people who are ready out of hospital we start to run into significant problems. We are only a small hospital so it doesn't take much, it's really important to keep the hospital moving, I'm the discharge liaison sister for the whole hospital and so I went in yesterday to try and ensure smooth service. There is also part of me that felt it would be nice to share in the wedding with other staff and patients. I wasn't disappointed! Nurses do comaradery very well, and by nature of our ageing population most of our patients are advancing in age and tend to be traditional. The hospital put on bucks fizz and a special lunch with union jack napkins, the wedding was on every tv in every ward in the hospital and there was a real buzz of excitement and patriotism.

I got on with my work as normal but did take time as Kate arrived at the abbey to stand with my colleagues and the patients and watch her walk up the aisle to her prince. Her dress was beautiful and she looked every bit the princess! I had said in the morning when I'd dropped smallest off with my in laws that I wasn't interested. But I have to admit to being spellbound and having goosepimples when William told Kate she looked beautiful when she reached him at the alter. I am a hopeless romantic and there is no denying it!!

I was really disappointed this morning to see an acquaintance's status on Facebook she is British but lives in Canada. She said she wouldn't watch the wedding or come back because Britain isn't Britain anymore because we "let anyone in". I am quite a tolerate person but racism makes me sick and so I have deleted her from my friends list. I am proud to be british and I believe our diversity is part of what makes us British!

I know the new Duke and Dutchess don't have time to read silly little blogs but you never know so I pass on my congratulations and wish them a happy, healthy life together xx

Saturday 23 April 2011

Holidays

Well the weather here this week has been fabulous! It seems to be too early to be having this heat wave but long may it continue. We Iive in the north east of England so we have to make the most of every bit of sunshine :)

It has been our half if the holidays this week with my husbands two children from a previous relationship. We fought tooth and nail for this contact as initially his ex didn't want us to have small and smaller even over night. Weeks like this are worth all the heartache though. We have a very different parenting style than thief birth mother which can make it difficult as the children are used to not really doing a great deal, they eat rubbish out of the freezer and watch tv a lot, so we have to encourage and motivate them try new things and enjoy the outdoors, and decent food. When we get them going though it is a real joy to watch them achieve!

I was at work my usual hours except for Friday which was a bank holiday so I was off. I think it is good for all three kids to see a positive role model of work as I hope it will inspire them to achieve as they get older. My Hubby is self employed and can pick and choose when he works, he works away a lot but we really make the most of our family time when he is here. While I have been at work in the mornings he has done a fab job of looking after all three children, which is no mean feat and I know there are a lot of dads out there who probably wouldn't be able to do it.

On Tuesday we went to Pickering to the steam railway, went for a ride on the trains, had a picnic, walked the dog and the got the train back. We all had a fab time and the kids were shattered from all the fresh air. There us nothing better than the sight of three children fast asleep on the way home knowing that they have enjoyed thief day.

Before I had children I was very selfish and I guess that was ok when I wasn't a mama, but now everything I do is tailored to these three little cherubs and I wouldn't have it any other way!

It was smallers 5th birthday yesterday we just had a small family party, he was Spoilt rotten getting amongst other things a trampoline and swing set! Of course all the kids will share and enjoy them but his little face was a picture. My in laws came for party tea and my mother in law made his birthday cake (shes much better at baking than me). Again they all went bed no problem at all as they had been on the go all day. Smallest often has nights where he takes a while to settle he doesnt cry he just stands at the top of the stairs talking to himself and will eventually go to bed if I keep going up and taking him back...this week though he has been asleep as soon as his head has hit the pillow!!

Today we have been to a family fun day at a local church, we are not religious but do try to support our local community. It started to rain and we thought there was going to be a storm so we came home but actually it passed over so we are back in the garden. I'm blogging obviously, Mr B is reading his bike magazine and the kids are playing in the garden...don't think it could be any more perfect actually I am very very lucky and I really should never take that for granted

Mrs B xx

Sunday 17 April 2011

Sunny day

Well this is my second attempt at this post...I'm using an app on my phone and apparently is doesn't remember your post if you go off to do something else which is a bit of a shame! I was hoping that it would help me keep this blog up to date but might not work out to be all that helpful! Also apologies in advance for any daft typos...anyone with an iPhone will understand why this post might be worse than usual!

Smallest and I have just been enjoying the sunshine after our early tea, he seems to think I'm too short and has been watering my feet, laughing his head off of course!!

We've had a busy but good weekend, yesterday was great spent some time with my old friend from school (who really doesn't look any different) and her two boys at a soft play near by. The boys had fun tearing around and playing and although we didn't get much talking done with three under fours with us it was still good to see her again. We've agreed to try and make it a regular thing.

Today, smallest and I took our dog for a walk down by the river with my in laws and their two dogs. Our dog loves it as there is plenty if space for her to do her two favourite things...chase her ball, and swim. Smallest walked a bit of the way but then had a bit of a nap on my back in our toddler hawk. Lots of people told me when the used to see me "wearing" him when he was little that I was "spoiling him", and "making a rod for my own back", "I'd hurt my back" was another popular one as was "you'll not be able to do that much longer" generally they seemed to be saying my parenting style was all wrong!! Well yah boo to them all, my little boy is an absolute delight to be around! He is content and happy, inquisitive and kind (most of the time lol)! And I can still wear him now at nearly two and on the way back to the car he snuggled in to the back of my neck and fell fast asleep!!

After lunch we went to see some friends who have a little small holding, we went to get eggs but ended up there for a couple of hours as wee man was fascinated by all the animals. His favourites by far are horses! But he also liked the chickens and ducks. Best sign off now as its bath time!!

Ya ya x

Friday 15 April 2011

Glass of wine...don't mind if I do!

Well, what a busy old week! I've just been non stop since my "day off" on Tuesday, with work, meeting friends and trying to keep house its been go go go here!

So I am rewarding myself with a little glass of wine tonight (which may turn into a couple lol).

Smallest and I have a pretty bust weekend coming up too, picking up smaller's birthday present tomorrow morning, hoping it fits in the car :S Then we are going to soft play to meet up with an old friend from school days, our boys are the same age and it will be really nice to catch up on the last 14 years! Don't ya just love facebook :D

We are moving in less than four weeks...and I have absolutely no clue where to start with the packing! I hate moving and although I am looking forward to it as it is a much bigger house (plenty of room for another baby), with a bigger garden and its still in the catchment area of the village school which is the main reason we moved into this area in the first place. I can not get my head round actually moving in less than a months time aaarrrgggghhhhhh!!!!!

We have small and smaller for the week as it is the Easter holidays next week, its great having them for a longer time as they chill out completely and it is great to see (there birth mother has a very different parenting style to us). I'll still be at work but hoping to do shorter days than usual so that we have the afternoons, and Mr B is home for the whole week which will be great, as he's been away working quite a lot this month.

Not much point to this post really but I did say I would make more of an effort so I am trying!

I think I may just indulge in my other guilty pleasure tonight...Edward Cullen, I'm re-reading Twilight so I think I may watch the film *AGAIN*. I know I know its meant for teenagers, but I love being reminded of that utter devotional love that you only feel when your a youngster. I work hard all week long, surely I'm entitled to a glass of wine and a perv over a fictional vampire???


Ta ta for now x

Tuesday 12 April 2011

Day Off...

Was reflecting this morning as I was going through my usual routine about how my life has changed, at 21 I used to get up as late as possible, jump in the shower, scrap my hair back into a ponytail and leave the house. I could do it no matter how much sleep I had and regardless of whether I was hung over or not!!

At 31, I am woken by my son; this morning it was 5.50am, but it varies, anywhere between 5.30-630am. As Tuesday is my "day off" I brought him in with me, in the vein hope we might go back to sleep. No chance so up we got, I now have a shower or bath on a night as getting one on a morning with a toddler about is impossible. So hair goes back in a ponytail (that's the same), but these days my face needs attending too with various potions and lotions, and the bags under my eyes need concealing.

When we come downstairs, small one goes on the potty, whilst I make breakfast for him, he then sits and eats his cereals whilst I get some jobs done. On a weekend we all sit together and eat breakfast but during the week I have found if I sit down and eat breakfast it means I don't get any of the practical jobs done and so it is a sacrifice I have made. When we move (more about that another time) it will be better as we will have a kitchen/diner so mornings will feel more together again but I will still be able to get on with the jobs.

So as he eats and catches up with the dog on the nights events (they definitely speak the same language), I have emptied and re-stacked the dishwasher, I love doing this as it instantly makes the kitchen tidier and with a quick wipe round its done for the day. Next I put the load of nappies which I put onto wash last night out onto the line to dry in the sunshine now we have some (long may it last), another load of washing which didn't get dried yesterday on the airer in the utility room and another load in the machine. We have had my step kids for the weekend and so it takes a few days to get the washing sorted, in fact usually by the time i'm all caught up and the basket is empty they are back again!!

This year as we have the garden space (the new house has an even bigger garden than this one), we are going to grow our own veggies. A couple of weeks ago we planted a load of seeds, thankfully most of them in trays (we didn't know then that we were going to move). At the weekend we repotted the ones that were big enough so now we have quite a collection of seedlings out on the patio. They all need watering so next job was to do them. Whilst I was outside I also fed our two greedy guinea pigs, they seem to be permanently squeaking for food, the weather looks like its going to hold today so when I get back this afternoon I'll probably put them out in their garden run for a bit so they can have some grass which they love, but this morning is was dry food, cucumber and orange...they didn't complain!!

By the time I'd done all that smallest had finished his breakfast so I got him dressed and he came to help me pull some rhubarb from the garden, and then he "helped" me chop it and put it in the slow cooker to stew, with some sugar and vanilla. When I say he helped me (before you all ring social services), he sits in his "helping chair in the kitchen, with a plastic knife and a piece of rhubarb which he "chops" whilst I do the rest with the real knife. It is really important to me that the children's interest in cooking is fostered, small (age 9) is a dab hand with scrambled eggs, porridge and yorkshire puddings. Smaller (age 4) is really starting to show an interest recently and smallest(21 mths) is fascinated by all things kitchen and food related. We will let the fruit stew on low until lunch time and then I'll let it cool, depending on time today we might make a crumble but given that I need to go into work this afternoon for a meeting and then pick a trampoline up on the way back which is a present for smaller's 5th birthday next Friday...it probably won't get done, should have time after work tomorrow afternoon though as smallest's swimming lessons aren't on for the holidays.

So now as it is my "day off", I have had time to sit, drink my coffee and write this post whilst watching smallest playing with his toys in the play room. Plans for the rest of the day are; we are going into our local town to meet up with one of my old clients from my last job, she asked that I stay in contact her via her direct payment when I left which I agreed to do and was all cleared by the powers that be as being ok. She wants a guinea pig so we'll probably be going to the pet shop. This afternoon I am dropping smallest off with my mother in law for a couple of hours as I said earlier I need to go into work for an important meeting. I will try and get my time back in the next couple of weeks.

So that's my rambling over for this morning, coffee cup is empty so I guess I should probably get on with doing something more productive!! I am struck by the irony of this post title but I guess that's what this blog is all about really :)