SNOW!!!

Today it is trying VERY hard to snow - it's very pretty but not settling yet - I hope it does but I also hope it doesn't!

SNOW!! Yay!! for kids and playing!

BOO! for work and driving!

Bored!

I am sat at home bored because middle child managed to get her self diagnosed with either a chest infection or swine flu. This means we basically have been stuck at home for the last week. It is very frustrating as she really doesn't have it. She is currently running around playing with her brother.

The most frustrating thing is if I don't go to work I DON'T get paid.

I have no inclination to bake or sew and I am not supposed to take her out. It's not fair! There is only so much house work you can do!!

Nevermind, back to the housework!

Secret Santa

So this is the panel for my secret Santa gift for a lovely young lady at work. It was a really enjoyable little project and I had a lot of fun making in, starting from the back of the picture and working forward! Using both my hand turned Singer and sewing by hand, trying to embroider and adding beads for details. I almost don't want to part with it!!

The bag is now put together - It's a very summery bag but never mind!

And if she doesn't like it, it can always come home with me!!

And so to make my little token gifts I have planned for the grownups! Kids get presents!! Adults get token presents!

Onwards!

The Thank you Blog

Today I want to say thank you!

Thank you to my lovely husband who has done a wonderful job of swopping the children's bedrooms around.

Thank you to my fabulous Mum who has been kind enough to take time out of her day to help me sort out a bunch of toys.

Thank you to my children - who adore their new rooms and are playing beautifully.

Thank you to my Mother in Law who has offered to look after my sprogs so I can take my Mum out on her birthday.

Thank you to the lovely Lynn at Starlite for all her help with my dancing orders.

Thank you to Anna for suggesting a marvellous new hall for teaching.

Thank you to the man who invented the hoover and the chap who invented the dishwasher - where would I be with out you.

I have come to the conclusion that we are so busy in our lives that we never have the time to genuinely say thank you to those who deserve our thanks. And that one little word makes so much difference to that person. So next time some one does something for you - even something that seems menial and irrelevant - try saying thank you - and see how good you feel too.

Attractive!

So here is my face without my mole. It's now almost 9 months since it was removed and even though the surgeon said it would be ok and not turn keloid - I think it might well have done. It's twice the size it was when there was a mole there at least and is still sore, raised and red. It has also done a good line in pulling my mouth slightly to one side. Not pretty.

Add to that the awful pregnancy skin I am suffering from, my general feeling of massiveness, and the fact I really need a decent hair cut - I'm generally feeling fairly naff!

On a plus point though, we are finally starting on the great bedroom swop!! How exciting - child number 4 might have somewhere to sleep!

I passed (in July)

Ok, so I took my ballet exam back in July and found out at the end of August/start of September that I passed it - which was awesome - 2 written papers, an essay and some observations and I am done! Hurrah.

However...

About 4/5 weeks ago I found out baba number 4 is one the way, at the time I found out I was already 14/15 weeks and so I'm not quite sure where or when I shall find the time to study and do all the things I wanted to do! Still it couldn't have planned it better - I only need to find teaching cover for around 3 weeks!!

I am already planning my takeover of the world - today I sorted out the children's clothes, and Daisy and I made Christmas cards. G has gone out to play bass for the evening with a friend and I am going to crack on with my secret santa present for the girl at work.

Onwards and upwards!

ergh.

Is the noise I am officially making today as I have just looked at the clock and I am not at all sure how it has become lunch time.

I had such plans today - scrubbing the kitchen floor and hoovering through, hanging the laundry out (thwarted by rain), taking the bottles to be recycled, jumping in the shower and washing my hair.

Admittedly I have done the washing up and tidied some bedrooms, and put away the towels, but I have 30 minutes to do the rest then go do the other things i need to do today.

Some where in the day I have to get to ballet class too.

Here goes!!

Adult Ballet

I taught my first adult ballet class today - I really enjoyed it - I thought I would either feel really self conscious or would feel that I wasn't explaining enough or too much!

In the end I think I found the balance .

I wrote a lesson plan before hand - I even went back over it to ensure I knew it and that I was happy with it.

I taught to my plan using free music and I found that though most things I had listed were things I did want to do, I needed to change little bits or the way I had planned an exercise. I have just been over my lesson plan and written down the changes and I am going to read back through it and write a plan for next week!!! 

I really enjoyed my self and I hope they did too!! 

Right now an early night is in order, maybe after a soak in the tub - I have Advanced 1 tomorrow!

Thursday Afternoon

So I sit here, quietly in the garden, typing away and listening to the noise around.

In front of me I can see the houses on my row, blue, white and yellow, I can see Toby asleep in his pushchair after being sent home from the childminder with a nasty bug that has involved lots of being sick, If I turn my head to the right I can see my garden and beyond that a row of houses, cream, terracotta and white, behind them I can see trees, a yellow tinged wilow and a huge red maple, then the clear blue sky.

I can hear a plane, but i can't see it, I can hear my neighbour washing up, the leaves swishing and rustling gently in the breeze that makes the heat bearable. There is a dog barking , it seems he is being walked as he is fading now.

 I can hear sirens, and cars.

I wish I couldn't - my house is in the middle of the city and quiet, still moments make you forget.

More ballet

I am working super hard again, preparing to take the exam I failed again! I have 20 days - I have a lovely new leotard, which matches my green floaty skirt, I have a brain full of steps, and I have my focus.

I can sing many songs in a tra la la, dum diddle dee sort of way, and I can tell Mr colin exactly what sort of music I want. I am dancing pretty much every day except sunday and I am loving it - I feel like I am sixteen except some naughty person has come along and pinched my skinny bits and replaced them with wobbly bits!!

I am feeling positive and happy and quite looking forward to it - even if muscles I forgot I have are starting to ache!

I shall try and keep this blog slightly more informed again!!

Back to work

Today the weather suits my mood - I have to go back to work tomorrow after 2 weeks off paid but not holiday! The surgery had to shut for 2 weeks for renovations and therefore we couldn't go! What a shame!

I have had a nice fortnight - a quiet night away with G, a mooch to the beach for brekky, and a six mile walk involving 5 kids a dog and kite flying - it's been great.

Today though I am wishing that I had done more. More baking, more sewing, more walking, more playing, more gardening, more knitting. More everything really. I feel that I have wasted an unexpected treat of not having to go to rubbish work.  SO, this week I am planning on trying to do one thing on my list each day - before or after work or what ever, but maybe bake on monday night and knit on tuesday.. 

Ballet confidence

This week I have been to ballet and had the same teacher twice - once for FDI ballet and once for Advanced One ballet. The teacher in question was Miss Heather. She is lovely.

After class on Wednesday I gave one of the teachers a lift home as she was very unwell - she threw up 4 times before I got her home.

On friday I did more of a dancing class, and at the end of it Miss Heather pulled me aside and said that I need a big confidence injection. I think she is right. I had to work very hard when I was younger to get good and since the babies I feel that all the hard work has dissolved into a heap of chunky thighs, flabby tummy and lost turnout - It probably isn't as bad as I think I look but it is how I feel.

I guess I need to work harder. Just where do you find the time to fit it all around life!

Voting

Yesterday I went to vote, I shall not divulge how I voted as it's my business not yours!!

However when G and I went at 6 in the evening to vote at our registered polling office we were slightly astounded by how quiet it was. We asked the 2 chaps there how busy had they been, and from 7 in the morning including us they had had 127 voters through the door. 

"Oh" I hear you ask, "you must live in a tiny village"

No, sadly not the case, I live in a built up area full of people. Apathetic and lazy people who can't be bothered to cast their vote, and who spit feathers when they don't like what's going on!

It's no surprise that the country is the way it is!

New date!

I have a new date for my ballet exam - it's July 20th with a lady called Jackie Grey - Lets hope she's nicer than Drusilla the Dragon!!!

That's it for now!

Wizard of Oz

Today I made a Dorothy dress for my niece, it was based on a basic girls dress pattern, and had a few bits changed around and added. I made it for her as my mother-in-law had told me a tale about how Lucy put a penny in the wishing well, and all she wished for was a wizard of Oz dress! Oh to be that sweet and lovely!!!!!

I was planning to use the actual Dorothy pattern but it wasn't available in John Lewis, though I later found it in Fabricland. However it was hugely more expensive than the basic pattern I bought!!

The fabric in total cost £6.04, a bargain! Tomorrow I shall take a photo of Lucy in it and post it!

I am currently debating if I can be bothered to make myself a dress, or if I can be bothered to bake a bacon and egg pie for our beach breakfast that we are planning for tomorrow - providing that we all are up and out early enough!!

Onwards to my dinner!!!

Toby

Toby is being naughty this evening - he is refusing to go to sleep and is attempting to bite at any chance he has. But regardless of that he is grinning and laughing at me!

Little pickle..

In other news - I went to FDI ballet today and it was very good -  fast paced and I know what I am doing with it all - Fab!!

Ballet class

I taught my last class before the half term break today - really enjoyed it.

The girls (and boy) are starting to learn the names of the foot positions and arm positions and when we start back I am planning to start on the arm positions too. I think colouring sheets may be in order...

In other news I made Daisy a new dress from this fabric which was much cheaper per metre in John Lewis - When I get some new batteries in my camera I will send you all a lovely picture.

Right, time to scoot and have a lovely glass of wine with Mr May!! and maybe even some crusty french bread and some brie.... My waist line won't thank me, but my taste buds will!

Ballet Homework!

So this week we got homework! It is to talk through with details how to perform particular steps.

I shall start with pas de bouree, and for simplicity I shall talk through a devant.

starting en face, begin with a demi plie, then extend the front leg de cote, draw the feet together onto demi point in 5th with the extended leg remaining in front.
step the back leg to seconde on demi pointe maintaining the turnout from the hip. Join the front leg to the back and plie to finish.

Congress '09

Today I spent the day at Laban - It's a school for contemporary dance in South East London - I went for the ISTD congress '09, it's series of lectures and demonstrations and join in classes for dance teachers. It was wonderful.

The building deserves a mention - it was a fantastic space - very open and airy but a compact building... the stair cases were like being in a seashell - it was very organic in the feel of it. So cleverly designed and such a great facility!

I attended a music lecture first off with a wonderful dance pianist - he has helped me see clearly now where I was really struggling to grasp the concepts - when you work week in week out with CD's to be suddenly presented with a pianist throws you.

Next was a pre-school ballet lecture that has left me totally inspired!

Followed after lunch by the White Lodge 5th years from the Royal Ballet who were just wonderful!!!

Finally we watched the Advanced 2 boys modern which was incredible - the teacher had 3 17/18 year lads who were amazing! All in all a wonderful day which has convinced me that I am doing the right thing by heading back to dance and teaching.

Very glad I went.

The only sour note was getting back to the car and finding the window stoved in. Never mind though - there was now't in the car to be pinched so the youth who did it had wasted his time and effort!!

I have the answer!

My Mum came round this afternoon and helped me decifer the simplicity pattern - I know how to finish those sleeve/arm holes now! Hurrah! So this evening, assisted by wine and cheese, I shall finish it, and then take a photo and post it!

And then tomorrows mission will be looking for a nice chunky waist cinching belt from the charity shops to wear with it - and maybe some black leggys too. Then I can were it with my ox blood red boots!

From my desk!

Just a short rant while I should really be working!

Why are people sooooo stooopid? Example;
Me ; Hello, Pro-Dent Dental Surgery
Them ; Hello? Is that the dentis(sic),the one in Shirley?
Me ; Yes it is.
Them ; Do you do HNS?
Me ; NHS? yes we do.
Them ; I gets benefits.
Me ; Do you need to see the dentist.
Them ; I don't pay nuffin.
Me ; Do you want to see the dentist? Are you registered with us?
Them ; I need an appointment.
Me ; Ok, what's your name?
Them ; I'm register with you.
Me ; That's fine, what is your name?
Them ; Joe.
Me ; Joe what?
Them ; Joe Bloggs, I've been there before (along with 16000 others)
Me ; Ok

This carries on until they have an appointment that doesn't interfere with their dig walking/signing on/ hairdressers etc...

It culmanates with me saying cheerio! then hanging up the phone and banging my head on the desk!

Toby has a new trick

You have to watch him else he's up the stairs so quick - laughing all the way!!

He is getting big so fast now!

Grade 1 Ballet

So I am thinking of allegro for grade one.

8 changements, 8 retire sautes en arriere to a 2/4 hornpipe with 4 bars of intro (+1,+2)

2 pose ton leves, 4 petit jetes derriere to a steady, light 4/4 with 2 bars intro (1,2,3,4)

3 changements and a pause, 3 changements and a pause, 8 walks in circle to a strong march 4/4, 4 chords intro - dom,dom,dom,dom

counting as follows - 1, changement, 2, changement, 3 changement, 4 wait

  5 changement, 6 changement, 7 changement, 8 wait

12345678 walk in a circle towards back foot - lr to start on other side

Ok - Homework done now! More sewing later maybe!!

Bank Holiday Monday Creation!

Today I have had a relaxed day playing with the little ones and pottering around.

I did however have a creative hour early one - I made Daisy a light summer dress and a pair of cotton shorts to match - she looked cute in them - I made them to fit a 3 year old as she is 3 in August so they are "roomy"!! Sorry about the sideways photo - I haven't sussed out how to do that bit yet. Yet again she is demonstrating her sartorial elegance!

I used some really lightweight cotton with a floral print - it came from the mighty stash of fabric!! It's very pale blue with a darker blue print, and it has a vintage pearl button for the fastening. It took 1 1/2 from start to finish. I love it!

The top picture is my simplicity dress/tunic - it's sewn together now but the arm holes are being stupid and I think I need to take it in - it's very loose - I made the size 12 but maybe I should have gone smaller..

Last thing - this weeks homework was grade 1 allegro for boys and girls - I shall think and get back to you later! 

More arm hole peril!

Still the arm holes are causing me angst - and the tunic is much loser than I thought it was going to be too - so I guess it's going to get taken in or darted or maybe just worn with a chunky belt and jeans! I so love the fabric - it is a vintage one that I acquired!

So this morning - until I pop and see my Mum and get her to help me with the armholes - I think I might do a little more playing with the kids then make Daisy a little summer dress and shorts.

Argh!!

I am just at the arm hole stage - and I am struggling!!! I have been following the instructions but they aren't very clear....

aaaaarrrgggghhhh!!!

Hopefully I shall post the shiney new dress pictures tomorrow!!!

Sewing

This evening I am making a tunic/dress as G has gone out, Storm is away at the footy with Grandpa on the beer bus and the baba's are asleep! (famous last words).

My mum and I went to Tyrell's today to look at children's patterns and I spotted this pattern - I really like it - The lovely Lady Hagos had suggested simplicity so I thought I'd try one out - It was priced at £7.80 but when we got to the counter it was reduced to £3.60 - bargain! I am currently trying to decide if I should overlock it or not (that's serging to you Auntie 'Laine)

This makes my dress very very cheap as the fabric and cotton cost virtually nowt - only had to get some pink wine to help my creativity!!

I have cut said pattern and shall endeavour to sew it up tonight! (if I don't drink all the wine...)

Primary

Today I went to my FDI ballet class for the first time since failing my exam,  i felt quite deflated being there. It was almost embarrassing until I discovered that all the other girls who took exams in that session failed too (except my lovely friend Jo who is Royal Ballet trained) - it made it better some how... It will be fine in the long run, I know I am a good teacher and I know what I need to work on so it'll be ok.

So now I am going to combine my study and my blog - an easily accessible record for me!!! I promise it won't just be ballet!

So today we discussed Primary in depth, all the exercises - and the imagery. 

plies - natural first with equality of movement , bend on 1, straighten on 2, bend on 3, straighten on 4, point the right foot along the natural turnout line on 1, close to natural 1st on 2, repeat with the left on 3 & 4.

Rises need to have sustain - not popping up and down. Imagine an invisible string pulling you up through your head!

Hands and Wrists - make sure you show a difference in quality - staccato and sharp - maybe making magic spells? then calm of body and just the wrist movements being very smooth and equal.

Arm quality - exercises you can try - smoothing their pet cat/dog/hamster/goldfish/dinosaur...

      Catching butterflys - four counts to a crescendo then 4 counts of gentle twinkly music to let                 your butterfly go..

      Waves on the Ocean - waves with the hands - maybe add fishes?

Ok that'll do for now! the next installment tomorrow - aren't y'all lucky!

Plie - To bend

More ballet I am afraid! Today I had my second classes and they were lovely - we all had a marvellous time - all I need now is to find a cheap and cheerful pianist - the emphasis on cheerful I think!

They are learning everything slowly and we are getting to the ordering ballet shoes point which is very exciting - They are loving the little purple leotards too! 

I have been working hard now we are back to school and work, the week shoots by and leave me gasping for breath - there never seems to be quite enough time to do all the jobs I want to. So I shall finish up in a minute and go do laundry and kitchen cleaning.

But before I go.

Plies - To bend -

For use later as shock absorber motion for jumps, to use in preps for chasse, pirouette and jumps.

Baby ballet - natural first - gentle bends

Primary - knee bends in first and points to natural seconde

Grade 1 - face barre - demi in first, grande in second, rises

Grade 2 - face barre - demi and full plies in first, second and third with rise

Grade 3 - side on - demi and full in 1st,2nd,3rd and 4th open. (heels on in 4th open) and rises.

Grade 4 - side on demi and full as above with 4th crossed

Grade 5 - side on - 2 demi, rise, full plie and ports de bras forward or sideways in 1st,2nd,3rd, 4th open or crossed, or 5th.

Music

Counting, singing, singing while counting, counting while singing,

counting to megadeth, girlsaloud, robbie williams and classic fm.

singing counts to g's demo cd in the car, counting under my breath to the music played in supermarkets.

123456,123456,123456,

1&a,2&a,3&a,4&a

&1,&2,&3,&4

you get the idea, and when I am not counting I am dancing round the kitchen in my p.j.'s, or tapping tempos with my feet while I bath the babies, or marking in my head in the queue in the shop. 

I will not settle for 44% for this result, I will not settle for 65% -  I will never surrender (sorry got carried away) I intend to show the evil Drusilla what I can do when I have had a decent night of sleep and feel good about my self.

It was the music section and working with a pianist that really let me down, so I am going to rectify this and find a pianist who I shall persuade to come and play for my ballet classes.

 

My theory

My music and theory really let me down in this exam - that and my communication with the pianist - I an setting out to remedy this. It will all be ok next time round - but I need to get to class 4 times a week if i can, and to breath ballet. I am so much more miffed today about my result. I needed 65% to pass and averaged at 57.3% - it is so lame.

right I am off to work on my counting singing and theory - I know the syllabus - the quality of dance let me down and how i worked with the pianist.

FDI

So today I got my ballet exam result - I wasn't awarded - which is a nice way to say I failed. 

I am not surprised but also cross and disappointed. The examiner - Drusilla Duffield - has a reputation for being seriously hard - she is looking for full time dance college girls and not women who have just started back after having babies.

So now I am planning to work incredibly hard between now and July and to get it second time round - just like my driving test! I think it's going to involve living, eating, breathing and sleeping ballet!

I am going to try and find a pianist to come and play at my classes to give me practise working with a piano and asking for music... I hope it works!

toddler ballet

Today I am starting my toddler ballet classes - I am so excited as I haven't taught my own classes for a while now yet scared as I have been out of the game sometime! We shall see how it goes!!

Wish me luck!!

Small and Beautiful

Today I have posted a very dinky picture - so sorry if you have to squint to see it!

I am currently on the hunt for a summer dress pattern - I have looked on etsy and ebay and found nowt on either. It's slightly tricky - i don't know quite what I want but I know what I don't want!

I and after something summery, maybe a wrap dress... I have loads of lovely vintage fabric but I am lacking the patterns and I am too scared to just cut!

I have even tried the local freecycle but no one has come back to me.

Nevermind - I guess I will have to trundle to John Lewis with £15 cash in my packet leaving the debit card at home!!

Right - off to tidy up now.

Preparation

Today I am planning to go and prepare all my bits for teaching on Tuesday - I need to pick up some music - some jingle bells - some hula hoops maybe - some ribbons.

I am really excited about starting teaching again - it's probably the only thing I am really good at!

For my birthday on Saturday my hubby bought me a new stereo with an ipod dock to use for classes. And I currently have enough pupils to break even so I am excited!

Look what we did!!

This is Daisy with her Egg Phones, who knows!! I came in from helping my dad and she was wearing chocolate on her head!

Here is the sum of my and my dad's hardwork yesterday afternoon - I couldn't post till I knew my mum was on a plane else she might have seen and that would have given the game away!!

The walls that aren't papered are a serene pale blue, and the carpet is a mottled grey - it looks so lovely, she got the inspiration from 2 planters she has - when they find a suite to match it and some accessories it'll look amazing!

Yum!

This is Claire and Lisa - my two school friends - eating the cream tea - it was wonderful...

We were all together for the first time in 14 years and it was as if we had never been apart .

They are both just how I remembered them - which is why it worked I guess.

We have decided to form an afternoon tea testing club - strict rules obviously will apply!

Anyway - I am still stuffed from posh sandwiches and cake so I'm off for a snooze!!

Afternoon Tea

Today I am off to afternoon tea with two friends from my school days. I haven't seen one of them since we left school nearly 15 years ago, and I am really looking forward to seeing her again... I wonder how much she has changed!

My other friend I saw during December '07 and possibly since - we hadn't seen each other for a long time before that but just picked up like we'd never been out of touch. I love friendships like that.

Anyway, we are going to Rhinefield House in the depths of the New Forest for a little decadence. We are all ?? years old this year and a tea party seemed appropriate! 

Hooray for tea and cake!

my knitting and a boy and his dog

This is the cardi I am knitting for Daisy - it is coming along slowly - but at least it is coming along! I love the stripey-ness of it - and when Daisy is too big I can swop the fastening around and Toby can wear it. Economical!!

This picture is Storm and our dog - Crusty - they are at one of the kids favourite places - Moors Valley Country Park - it's about 30 minute drive from our house and has a woodland trail with all sorts of play equipment, a tree top walk, a huge playground that is split into under 5's and over 5's and a tiny steam train that you can ride on. We love it - it's a great day out for all!

Today the weather is dreary - The kids have cabin fever! think we might teach Daisy how to play connect4. and we shall make some cake - cake seems to make things better! Best scoot - Daisy just pulled Storm's hair and made him squeal!

Bag and Daisy

Daisy here is modeling her Thomas outfit that she adores - she has chosen to style it withe Storm's goggles, and sandals! Please also observe the sign on my frontdoor - it says it all really! 

This is a bag I made from some "junk" fabric my mum gave me from the clearing of her late Godmother's house. I think it is beautiful. I love the time and effort that went into the patchwork panel. There is so much more beautiful fabric - Daisy has a dress, and I have two bits that I need to find patterns for. Skirts or dresses I think!

Will post again soon.

Washing up.

Kitchens and I don't get on - at least my current one doesn't.

I don't have enough storage or maybe just too much stuff!!

Rant over!

Itchy Itchy!

My face today is so itchy and the dressing I have been told to on no account remove is peeling up at the edges and trying to escape! I can only assume I am scratching it madly at night.

Yuk Yuk Yuk!

I think it is because it is healing that it itches, I just hope it doesn't go keloid.

Have been making things again this week - a lovely big shopping bag, it's green needle cord on one side and a big embroidered and appliqued panel on the other. I have taken a photo but not got as far and uploading. I will make G do that tonight!

In other news, Toby is wheezy again but we have got him on inhalers and it'll be ok.

And I have just found some brackets for hanging up feeders for the birdys - Daisy insisted we feed them! I just hope they don't become lunch for next doors cats!

Family resemblances

This is Alice Louise Burge - My great-grandmother - I love this picture - she can only be about 2 or 3 but she looks so serious!

This is Daisy Bea, she is around 2 years old in this picture... I can't help but see a resemblance between Alice and Daisy - Great-Great-Grandmother and Daughter!!

And in other news I am not at work today because when I talk, eat, yawn, smile, laugh or roll on to my face my scar splits and ooooozzzes! Yuk Yuk Yuk!

Ow

Today I had my mole on my face removed and I feel quite strange about it. 

It had started having infections in the hair follicle under it and had to go really but I worry now I will look in the mirror and won't be me...

I am sore and puffy now and I have to sleep upright for 2 or 3 weeks and avoid various tasks like bending and lifting and running around ~ so this message is coming from my bed at 5 in the afternoon!!

Hopefully tomorrow I shan't feel quite so sore and more up to life and working.

It's FDI Ballet Exam Tuesday!

Today was the day of my big scary ballet exam - it was stressy and hard work and I am seriously relieved it is over!

The examiner was supposed to ask me syllabus questions and asking for music questions - however she asked me so many technique questions and things that I really wasn't expecting it was a real surprise.

Now I have to wait six weeks for the result and then I know if I have passed or if I have to do it all again! Eek!

We shall see!

Ballet Exam

I am awake still at 11:43 pm and I have big scary exam tomorrow.

I have read and reread my notes and although I am fairly sure I know it I am so worried I'll get in there and forget it all! Ho hum. What's the worst that can happen?

All it is is a case of if she likes my work or not and at the end of the day - I like my work and I don't really mind if she does or not,

Wish me luck!

Saturday

I have been up for hours already today - Toby and I went to the stoopidmarket, clean laundry all put away, new washing hung up, house straightened and hoovered. 

Gonna set about the garden next! 

In other news, I still can't ind the cable I found then lost... Sooo lame! But I have just started on some blue & white cotton rompers for Toby for the summer and a set of blanket, booties, hat and mits, romper and pram blanket for a baby that is due in September! OOOOh, I love a baby! 

Oh Dear

Wasn't planning to write quite this soon - had a  terrible class. Not good with tears shed. Bother!

So instead of moping I am off to find wine and bread and cheese and make a pair of PJ trousers for him indoors!

March

I am smiling today because the sun is shining and the sky is blue.

I haven't posted much which is both incredibly lame and not very helpful when trying to keep a blog.

I have been studying hard for the exam I am taking next tuesday - it's ok though - I already know I am going to pass, I had a dream about it. It's as follows - I arrived very flustered an hour and a half late forgetting my telescope, and the lady examining said to me not to worry, I looked like a nice girl, why didn't I sit down and have a nice cup of tea!

In other news I made Daisy a lovely new dress from vintage fabric - I have found the cable and will post it! It's a pinafore with a bodice of white broiderie anglaise and a skirt of dark blue cotton with a tiny white print. Next up is a romper for Toby!

Will write again soon I promise!

Snow and other things!

This is a little belated as I have just found the cable that does the magic!

The above pictures are from a few weeks ago when we had snow - Daisy loved the snow and threw her self downhill on a tea-tray about 20 times! Her big brother was the same, her baby brother slept through the whole experience!

The dog was a bit confused by it all! But it made my un-gardened garden look lovely!

And I am still knitting Daisy's cardi and making a little green needle cord and white broiderie anglaise dress for her.

Hard Work

Today i am still suffering from a lack of cable to do downloading which is really really rubbish. Hopefully it will turn up soon. I am also feeling quite tired as the youngest two of the tribe have decided they never want to sleep an entire night again! This is not ideal.

I am therefore running on about 3 hours sleep and caffeine alone! It wouldn't be an issue if I wasn't quite so busy - when I'm not being mum to 3 and wife to 1 (who is lovely) then I am either at the day job - three days a week answering a phone and dealing with patients in an NHS dental surgery - or currently finishing my ballet qualifications.

 I am loving the dancing but where I used to be lithe and fit and bendy I am struggling to make my body what I tell it to!! The theory work that is involved is stressful too, there is only so much you can revise and it's guaranteed that work you plan and remember won't be what you are asked!!

We shall see! No further forward on the cardi front sadly - but once I have gone and tidied up in a minute and the kids are all asleep I shall consider some knitting!!

 

Life.

I haven't posted for a while as life got in the way and I can't find my dinky cable that magically transports the photos from the camera to the computer. I was going to regale you with D and T's first sight of snow, and how the cardi I am knitting is coming along - almost 2 fronts now!                

 I have been very busy with ballet teacher training and getting to as many classes as I can and working too, the snow did nothing to help - my commute of 10 minutes door to door by bus turned in to 1hr and 16mins!

When I finally find my cable I will post some photos of the kids in the snow - D coming down a hill on a tea tray when her big bro's best friend wouldn't!

So for now you'll have to put up with him in doors wearing a reversible neon fake fur satchel I made many years ago!!!

Wow!

Sometimes something happens that just astounds you and makes you so glad to be part of the world.

A heroic man who was just doing his job...

New and Old!

My little girl who is now 2 1/2 is quite taken with the Night Garden - we don't have "piped in" TV as I refuse to give my hard earned cash to Clueless and Witless but when she is at nanny's or grandma's or we need peace then an episode on the i-player is guaranteed to keep her quiet!

This was her birthday cake - Homemade through and through - a shop bought one would have cost over £10! She was delighted with it.

In other news I have begun knitting a toddler size cardie - if it doesn't fit the big one the small one will have it! It is chunky wool and big needles and in the space of about an hour I have something that closely resembles a left front! Hooray! I will have to post a photo when it is finished.

Starting young.

No post for ages then two come along at once!

This is the middle child off out for the weekend - she has all a girl could need - guitar, flowery suitcase, a roadie and a Kate Moss Fringe.

She adores making music.

And hanging out at parties where everyone else is older than her.

And pinching my shoes.

I thought she'd be 14 at least before her social life was better than mine!

January

January has started a few days ago and I am only now making my second post!

We have had a very busy few weeks of lots of fun but also lots of poorliness.

In the fun stakes we had a Wonderful Christmas with my 1st ever homemade Christmas cake as above!

It wasn't finished until Christmas eve but was lovely none the less.

The top picture is home made Chicken Noodle Soup - It was administered to a flu ridden husband - he was actually poorly - at one point his temp reading was 40.3 or so - he recovered!

The middle picture is the Chrimbo decorations we made for gifts - They are so simple it is ridiculous - star shaped home made short bread wrapped in 2 layers of cellophane with sparkly stars between and some pretty ribbon to hang them up with.

I am cuurently knitting a blanket for D, then after that, depending how brave i feel, I am thinking about knitting a sweater for me or him... we won't grow out of it before it fits!