Monday 19 September 2011

I am Lucky!..help Save the Children

4 years ago today I was in a hospital bed. Tired, shell shocked and sore I had just had an emergency caesarean section to deliver my first baby. Although this was not the way I had hoped for it to be (I was thinking candles and a waterbirth at home) we were both alive. For millions of women and children round the world this is not the outcome.
My lucky healthy baby Dodo
When things went wrong I had an ambulance to come and take me to a hospital and then later a team was ready to save both me and my child. I moan about the way our health service can be in this country but I am so so lucky to have a service to moan about. The 8 million children who die every year from illnesses that we know how to prevent and can cure need us all to moan a LOT louder to the people who can help make a change.

Please help Save the Children send a message to our leaders by signing this petition to end the health worker crisis. It really really takes 30 seconds of your time!

Half of the 8 million children that die each year are in Africa..3% of the worlds doctors, nurses and midwives are in Africa..it's simply not enough. My baby is 4 years old today..If we had been in Africa we might not be celebrating and that has to change.

Help spread the word on Facebook and on Twitter using the #Healthworkers hashtag.

Happy Happy Birthday Dodo..I'm a lucky mummy to have you xxx

Wednesday 14 September 2011

The Gallery: Happy Memory

This weeks gallery prompt has been a tricky one, I had a hard time choosing from so many great memories!  Travel, friends and family all featured in the contenders, but in the end I had to go with these pictures of my Grandmothers 80th birthday party this summer.
The Birthday Girl!
It was a really special day for me as I don't often get to spend time with all the family together. The sun shone all day and we spent the afternoon in my Granddads beautiful garden. This is a place that holds many great childhood memories for me, even though they have moved house since I was a little girl. The planting, pots and style reminds me of the original garden, down to the stone horses that I used to pretend to ride! I watched Dodo play with toys that I remember playing with at the same age and the joy that her great grandparents had from seeing her.

The best Great Granddad ever!


80!!! Never!

Loads of cake and candles
Dodo has worn him out!
I hope that Dodo will be able to remember the day and I'm looking forward to more special memories when my Grandparents meet the twins.


Tuesday 13 September 2011

I wish..


My Wishes could fill pages.

Some of the wishes are huge and life altering and some of them are mundane and shallow. Like wishing that I didn't have to remind my Dad to wipe the kitchen counter tops or Dodo to brush her teeth. 

How many of us spend our lives wishing? What is a wish anyway? A verb. To feel or express a strong desire or hope for something that probably will not happen. With a definition like that I'm not sure I want to wish for anything. Wishes seem sad and lonely and I don't want to feel those emotions. I long for the wishes to be real, concrete and in my life for me to enjoy, regret or whatever comes with them. But I want them now. I want for them to no longer be a feeling that will probably never be mine to experience.

If I added up the time I have spent wishing for things I feel overwhelmed. 
Most of them I can't share and maybe that is the thing I wish to do the most.


This weeks prompt from Josie's fantastic writing workshop was "wishes" Please check out the other entries over at Sleep is for the weak 



Thursday 8 September 2011

The Gallery: Shoes

I have a shoe problem. I can't stop myself buying totally impractical, never to see the light of day beauties. They call to me from the shelves..I try to ignore them and walk past in my very sensible mummy shoes..but sometimes I just cave in and get carried away, knowing full well they will only be worn round the house! 

Sometimes I get given pretty ones like this!
I got married in this pair

Dodo is already far better than me at walking in the silly high ones stashed in my wardrobe and totters round my bedroom pretending to be me. I won't spoil her image and tell her that mummy would normally only wear them if she can be assured of a car and a seat at wherever I am going!


Pair of vintage Gina

Wedges..oh how I love them let me count the ways!

Sadly my life isn't offering me ample occasions for tarting around in fancy footwear. You are more likely to see me in a pair of Crocs or the dreaded Uggs..Yes I have officially joined the comfy shoe brigade! I wish I could be one of those mums that can do anything and everything in stilettos but alas i'm not.
Crocs can be pretty too!
Right now I can't even bend over to do my own shoes up! I need help with buckles and really anything other than flip flops is a bit of a faf. But fear not..I will return to my pretties as soon as I am able to see my feet again! So if your reading this Father Christmas..you can always put a smile on my face by treating me to a pair of silly limo shoes this crimbo...


Friday 2 September 2011

The Gallery: Animals..at it like rabbits!

I seem to come across rabbits just about everywhere. I have never owned one I'm more of a cat lady, not the old variety smelling of wee I hope! But when this weeks gallery theme came up as animals a quick flick through my photo's revealed the rabbits far out numbered the cats. They have even turned up (by the dozen!) at my local pub The Honor Oak, much to the delight of Dodo.
South East London Bunny

Ready for my close up


I even spot the bunnies in Bangkok! it's not the first time they have caught my eye I ended up using them for the gallery before. Easter time and just walking round the streets they are stalking me..I'm sure they will continue to multiply in my photo library..being rabbits they just can't help it..
Random royal rabbits

Thai Bunnies

Posh Easter bunny from the Mandarin Oriental
Now go and have a look at all the other fab animal goings on at Tara's blog.

Thursday 25 August 2011

Tea Dance For Little People

There has been much excitement in our neck of the woods about the opening of TDLP, a fantastic new creative play space for the under fives. The brainchild of local mum Sally-Anne Donaldson, who has brought together artists, dancers and musicians to engage your children in a variety of activities based around a changing monthly theme.
Painting fish

Add to this the fab little cafe where you can grab a very good cup of Monmouth coffee and you have a hit on your hands in my book! Great quality snacks are available for hungry little ones, Dodo is rather partial to the avocado on toast. You can really tell that a mum is involved with the menu and overall planning of the place, even down to the kid friendly seating.

 The theme this month has been the beach and all things nautical. With a pirate ship made from cardboard boxes and cushions and a sandpit perfect for digging up treasure. The creativity and thought that has gone into decorating the space is impressive, certainly loads of ideas for rainy day fun you can do at home. We have visited 3 times so far during this month and with a different artist each week to inspire Dodo there is no sign of her getting bored with this theme! Given half a chance she would be there everyday.

     
Pirate ship perfect for walking the plank
There is a program of twilight activities planned from September including kid's yoga and French through dance. For more information on these do check out the lovely website http://www.tdlp.co.uk/
We are very lucky to live just down the road and will be making full use of all the fun on offer, but with the easy access on the East London line to Brockley station there is no reason for us South East Londoners to keep this all to ourselves. I highly recommend you make a visit soon.
Playing with a mermaid


  
Sandy fun..and a deckchair for mum!



 I will give the last word to a very tired and laid back Dodo..You can find the TDLP at The Tea Factory, 106 Endwell Road, London SE4 2LX






Wednesday 10 August 2011

The Gallery: Water

In it, under it, next to it, on it..that is where I am at my best. Happy times for me have always been associated with water. I have worked on yachts, I dive, I love to swim and whenever I get the chance I choose to live close to the sea or at the very least a river. Being back in South East London is pretty tough as it's still a bit far from the Thames for my liking! I am hoping Dodo will feel the same and have had her in the sea at every possible opportunity.
Start em' young

Play time with the sharks
Thailand is so connected with water and that is probably one of the reasons I like it so much. Bangkok with it's great muddy brown Chao Phraya river and the coast line and islands with fantastic beaches and world class dive sites. Not forgetting the most important festival in Thai culture, Songkran. The best excuse for a huge 3 day long water fight. Very handy that it falls around the time of my birthday in April, so I never have to plan a party for myself again! Just step out the door armed with the biggest water pistol I can get my hands on and prepare to get soaked. The heat has really started to pick up by April so a good drenching is just what everyone needs..add crazy music, beer and loads of white slimy chalk that the friendly locals love to smear all over everyone (not at all pervy if you were wondering!) and you end up feeling totally childish and having brilliant fun. Yeah I guess you can tell how much I love it! I could go on but I will spare you..This year I tried to introduce Dodo to the whole Songkran festival experience..didn't quiet go as planned..Will let the pictures do the talking!







Tuesday 9 August 2011

LolliBop 2011..Dodo's *ever so slightly* ranty verdict!

Given the late change of plans to stay and have the twins in London I had done nada in the way of booking fun stuff for poor Dodo. So spotting LolliBop tweets and a quick look at the weather outside I thought it might be an ideal chance to get out in the fresh air and have some festival action minus mud and camping.
In my condition the prospect of a whole day trooping about London with Dodo was a bit daunting so I was very glad that Nana was free and able to come along to help me out. This was to be the best decision of the day given the amount of queuing that LolliBop requires!
We thought we would be clever and get of the tube at Baker Street, which would have been fine if we had then walked the right way..we didn't. What followed was a lot of walking round looking for signs (there was none!) picking up other lost families saying the same thing. We all got there in the end and after parting with our on the door ticket fee of £30 (cursing myself for not being savvy and booking online..in advance!) we made it through the gates..and then we saw the queues.
Almost there! The long walk through Regents Park
One of the great things about Lollibop is that most of the activities are included in the ticket price. When you stop and work out how much the face painting, craft workshops, inflatables and full length stage shows would cost if you had paid for them all separately then the £30 starts to sound pretty good value. Now if you are an organised grown up (I try..and fail) you would have a picnic and a blanket and all that   sorted..if not then you will have to join the mega queue for expensive food! This is where having the other adult helper comes in. If you take it in turns to stand in the line while one of you takes the kids to a nearby activity you can avoid the meltdowns that would ensue, mine most likely. We employed this system in all the queues and it worked pretty well. 
Face painting included..worth the wait!
Dodo got to take part in pretty much everything that she wanted, and for me the biggest joy was having a day where I could say YES to almost everything! I realised how often I have to say no. The look of pure glee on the kids faces with all the fun they were having made all the waiting worthwhile.
There has been talk of the festival being to character heavy, with all the usual Cbeebies favourites in the line up. This didn't bother me at all as there was plenty of great arts and crafts and physical play on offer. Rastamouse was a highlight (for me!) and he seemed to crop up all over the place so no worries about missing him! You could spend the whole day without the t.v characters. I would suggest checking out the line up and when you arrive do a quick dash round and book workshops/pick up tickets for shows that might fill up later.
Mask making..glitter fest!

Tada!
So to sum up..Yes we would do it again..Book in advance (for the Friday if you can, avoid the scrum at the weekend) Take a picnic..Take another adult...Be prepared for queues..and have loads of FUN! We did. Last word goes to a camera shy (it won't last!) Dodo.







Saturday 6 August 2011

Reasons for being a rubbish blogger..my excuses list!

Well despite having the good intentions of blogging about my move to Bangkok and the adventures Dodo and I were planning to have I have posted zilch..Wait..Wait..hear me out before you all kick my ass! I got the shock of my life when I discovered that I had gotten on the plane unknowingly up the duff!

What followed was 3 months of madness and major morning sickness. Trust me on this Bangkok is not a kind city for a woman trying to get a collection ready in time for a trade show. Stupidly high temperatures, pollution and smells coming at you from everywhere, not great when you can barely keep water in your stomach. The tuk-tuk rides and traffic jams really took it out of me and I was delighted to be back in the drizzle of South London!
So as you can all imagine I had my hands/brain kind of full..and they are set to be fuller..during the madness I found out that I am expecting twins. Not sure I have my head around this yet, but I better get on with it as I'm now 21 weeks pregnant and the babies are growing at a scary rate. My belly is getting pummeled with kicks and punches and I often wonder how my body can possibly contain 2 other humans?! It's exciting and scary all at the same time. So my Bangkok adventures have been put on hold and I am staying put until I have my new additions here safe and sound.

Now you can all feel free to kick my ass from here on in as I do need it every now and then. I have missed my blog and really want to get back on track with it, so please please if you see me going off the blogging straight and narrow have a loud word in my ear!

Wednesday 30 March 2011

The Gallery: Hair..a love letter to my hairdressers!

This week on The Gallery the theme is hair..cue many horrendous mistakes and major blushing. Now it's not that I am ducking out of the mass humiliation exercise but I simply don't have the photos with me to share with you! I know you don't believe me but hey ho..moving to Bangkok has some advantages! What I can share however is my adventures with the bleach bottle.

The mouse got darker! Dodo and her Mohawk

My love affair with blond began early, I was a blond kid and I loved my shiny golden locks. Sadly by the age of about 8 years old they had turned a boring (in my mind) shade of mouse. So by the time I started secondary school I was determined that this rodent like hue was cramping my style and it had to go. Mum of course said no way to my idea of bleaching it at the salon. So I  being the pain in the bum that I was promptly went to Boots and bought my first home dye kit..the results were frankly diabolical! Not the white blond of my dreams more the dodgy canary of nightmares. Yes Mum went nuts..I was frog marched to school the next day despite my wailing protests. Compromise was found when I was allowed to wear a bandana..causing one teacher to think I was having chemo! I hadn't the heart or the balls to disabuse her of this mistake.

Me and my natural colour..and Mum!

Since then I have stuck to the professionals like glue and my team are amazing! The fantastic talent of my lovely mate Stan (aka Dan..he has a "hairdresser name") who I let do what ever the heck he likes with my barnet. He cuts like a dream and frankly it is hard for me to even contemplate having another touch my hair! Steph is the lady who tries her very best to make my stubborn hair the shade I always dream of..snowy white..a perfectionist and I thank her for that.
I have been every shade you can imagine and always come back to the bleach. I love it! I feel like me with it which I know is daft as it's blatantly not. Right now I am having the best of both worlds with a two tone moment. I am really enjoying this hair..

Salon fresh!

Frosty snow!

I am now going to have to fly half way round the world to keep it up..that or  *sob* find another team to help...feeling massive panic attack coming on...reaching for a paper bag!!