He returns!

The wanderer is back! Now for a couple of days of trying to keep the kids quiet while the tour-lag sorts it's self out!
I am glad to have him back. Even if he does sleep like a star fish now he has the space to!

I am knitting a skirt still - it's NEARLY finished. Just in time for cold snowy chrimbo time. Knitted skirts are the way forward I think.

My LBD came out of the sewing box for about 20 minutes last night and then went away again.

And I am currently debating giving up the day job and going full on with the teaching. Hmmmm.

Lovely times!

I had had a lovely weekend so far!

SAturday involved knitting, going to the ballet, eating delicious foods, and seeing lovely people.

Couldn't have been possible without the aid of my fab Mum for babysitting! Thank you!

Anyway - I have been knitting a skirt from the archive on the Knitty website, called the lane splitter - really enjoying it and I am knitting most days when ever I have a moment to my self... :)

The ballet was Manon by the Royal Ballet at Covent Garden Opera House! SOOOOOOO good I cried when she died! I knew she would. She did the last two times I watched it too.

Lunch was in the most bizarre restuarant - AMAZING place but very 'blue' bathroom decor!

pictures!

The kids have been playing with chalk and coloured paper today - Daisy made a beach picture and Toby made a rocket.

Now off to tidy up again!

Hard work!

Last night's ballet class was shorter then normal - but was HARD work!

The numbers were low but it was people who really knew what they were doing and there was no stop starting. It was ace, I came home and ached and was ready for bed.

And tomorrow I shall be meeting a whole new bunch of ladies! Adult ballet ho!

Butchery!

I am currently in the process of butchering the LBD - not happy at all after picking it up to wear tomorrow.

Things I don't like! the sleeves, the waist, the back.... maybe I should just start again....

Sleeve fix - I have cut away most of the should strap leaving maybe half a cm at the most to which I am sewing the lace sleeve back on to - much lighter weight and less should oppressive!

Back fix - I am off to hunt out my iron on interfacing to hopefully stiffen the slash sides - then I think I shall put eye-lets down the side and lace the back up with some bright turquoise ribbon I have.

The waist fix - Not sure about this at all! I may try darts in the dress once I have sorted out the back. My only other option is to grow 6 inches....

Onwards - tonight shall be sponsored by lucozade!

Another long month,

Today Mr G has headed off on the first of 28 days away. 4 Weeks. Lots of hours. He is super good at his job but it is never much fun here when he is away! We will tidy up and eat mushrooms and do all the things we have to do but it won't be as fun as when he is home.

The positive here is that when he is back it is 16 sleeps to christmas. But I shan't start my rant on that yet!

A sad week.

This week we lost my beautiful dog. She was called Crusty - it's a long story!
I never wanted a dog in the first place - I was persuaded into it almost 15 years ago. She bit the chap I was with at the time and he decided that he'd have her. Then decided he couldn't be bothered and she ended up with me.
She was from Leigh Park Traveller Site - a dodgy area in a dodgy area!
Her mum was a collieXrottweiler and her dad was an alsatianXgreat dane.
She looked like both.
She was so sweet and good natured and fit and healthy until about 3 weeks ago.
Even when she wasn't well she was a friendly dog.
She started very quickly to get arthritic and we took her to the vet who gave her pain killers and us a stark warning that they may cobble her kidneys.
Sadly that happened very quickly and on Tuesday she went to the vet who was of the opinion that she wasn't going to get better and that for her sake we should let her go.
My darling husband took her there. He cuddled her and smoothed her and tells me she was completely calm.
He says the vet was kind and gentle and so compassionate. He stayed with her till she was asleep and gone.
He came home alone.

I am sat here and as I am writing this I have tears in my eyes. Last night I thought I saw her sat on the sofa, and when I go up to bed I expect to fall over her on the landing like every night.

Sad times.

Hurrah!

Today Mr May comes home!

I am looking forward to it so much - even it is only for a very short while!

He is working very hard at the mo doing what he does best! And bizarrely my house is tidier... ;p

Once upon a time...

There was a girl who had a lovely little cottagey house that was painted blue. She lived there with a lovely hard working husband, and a hoard of mini peeps.

Then a lady and her husband moved in, then he moved out and she started playing Radiohead - Creep on repeat for weeks. At 2 in the morning, and super loud on school nights. And when she got asked to turn it down she hurled a smidge of abuse at me 0ver the fence.

Then the next morning she came round and apologised and promised it wouldn't happen again... Oh, yeah - not until she was drunk again.

I used to love Radiohead. When I was 17. Now if I ever hear it again it'll be too soon.

What's that I hear???

Ace!

Cookin'

Today I have been trying to get organised - I have so far made spagetti bolognese, chicken casserole and chicken soup.

I thought the soup lovely - the kids weren't so convinced but I did discover Noo likes potato farls!!

And the eldest has gone off in his role as a scout to be spooky character at Exbury Gardens to raise money for charity.

A better day than yesterday!!

Awfully awful day!

They say things come in 3's!

And today was that day! It has been a day of flat tyres and burnt out hoover and broken eggs all over the kitchen floor!!

The tyre issue - I drove over a screw and subsquently ended up with a flat - I started to try and change the thing - BUT the nuts were on too tight, and I managed to get 3 undone then got stuck. So I decided to take off the spare and discovered that the piece that holds the spare on had corroded and I couldn't get the thing to twist 90 degrees so I could get the wheel off!!

Eventually I got it off. And then struggled for another 10 minutes till a bystander took pity on me. Although I did have to tell him to loosen to the left - not tighten to the right!

Then the hoover - it doesn't even start!

And the Eggs, Oh Toby is not my friend! 18 eggs used to reside in my fridge there are six now. We shall not discuss the details! But a better day tomorrow!

Daft children!

I have some children. They are really quite daft. Here is 3/4!

My new LBD!

I made it! And I almost love it. But I shall be changing the sleeves and maybe running some elastic round the waist - It doesn't hold it's flounce if you know what I mean?

It's a Cynthia Rowley pattern and after the beautiful simplicity of a Collette pattern I actually found it quite tricky - even though it reckoned it was easy!!

It's black lace over crepe back satin. Comfy and glam!

This is the work in progress.

New pattern!

I have a new pattern and some lovely fabrics - once the kids are in bed I shall cut and sew!

Argh!

So

the niggly belly pain has come back. This is not ideal with mr may off on his travels.

My lovely mother in law has given me some buscopan - on top of the pain killers it appears to have worked! Hurrah.

Now - I must go and get on with the house work.

Little bit easier!

Hurrah - life may have finally become very slightly easier!

All I need to squeeze into the week is the housework and we will hit the ground running!

:)

Trying to keep up!

I am currently playing a fun game of how many millions of things can you fit into a day before you capitulate.. So far? A lot!

I am trying to work, teach, study, plan a show, keep house and raise 4 kids all simultaneously. It's proving tricky.

So this evening I will be ordering uniform and emailing observation write ups.

Will it stop?

Another day!

Today I am feeling alot better - just wondering how to keep the weight that I have lost off!! haha! The scale in the hospital read 62kg. Not bad for a girl not trying to lose weight!

I have several jobs that need to be jobbed this week and I shall be getting on with them shortly!

Now to got clean the kitchen.

Mystery Stomach Ache

This week has mostly been an insight to the NHS - I have been in the SGH and really didn't like it!

I had stomach and back ache since last weekend and when it gradually got worse I relented and went to the doctor who said she thought it was gastritis or kidney stones and if it didn't get better with in the week to go back... Move forward 24 hours and it was worse. Back to the Gp to see another Doc, who reckoned pancreatitis or Gall Stones...

So she had 2 plans. 1 was wait and see and go home. The other was call the hospital and see what they thought. I chose plan 1 - she overrode me and picked plan 2. Bother! So I ended up sat on a surgical ward with a canula in my arm for no purpose. And after 2 hours they took it out and sent me home for the night to return the next day at 8am for a scan. Which was done at lunchtime. Then we had to wait till 9 in the evening before anyone came and spoke to us. The lovely doc said Gastritis or kidney stones - take medicine and go home. Ace.

But between the scan and the discharge we had an incident of a rude nurse trying to make me have a random injection and to where compression stockings. Although at this point I hadn't been told anything, and I had no intention of letting that happen if I wasn't staying.

What a week.

So I am home now - still slightly sore. But better. Not sleeping so much and the pains when they come are not as bad. Getting there slowly. :)

Which first??

I have 3 projects I would like to start but also a bunch that need finishing!

Which first? 70's style Bathers - A collette patterns Sorbetto top - or a skirt out of my fab fabric???

Decisions! more later when I decide!

Stressy Saturday!

I don't know what has caused it but today I have mostly been far too tired or very awake and feeling shouty. This is not the way forward! I have been VERY cross several times today and now at bedtime I am feeling a little better - but only because the kids are going to bed!
I want a large glass of wine.

But I don't have any.

Bother.

So in approx 20 mins when the last child is in it's bed I shall be doing the tidying that I procrastinated about earlier. And I shall be washing the cushion covers that Daisy and Toby have totally covered in Paint while I was half asleep earlier. Once again. Bother!

IN other news I feel that 16 hours a week at work is too much!

Wedding!

This is the cake I made for my Little Bro's Best Friends wedding.





60 sponges and a Fruit cake on top.





:)

Sad for K and L

My lovely friend K is currently asleep on my sofa. She has had a very trying couple of days - but not nearly as trying as her boyfriend's.

After a night out in Southampton they and another friend were set upon as the walked back to their car by a group of lads. Poor L has lost 3 teeth and is residing in SGH at the moment awaiting the time they put his jaw back together. The police are involved and I really hope they catch these people.

K is on my sofa as she and her bloke live in Overton but he is in Southampton Hospital. They told her at 10.30 last night she couldn't stay with him and she had to leave. I had said if she needed a sofa to call me. And I am pleased she did. Even if my sprogs woke her up at 7.30am!!

Hoping that L gets fixed fast. His picture is a mess. Cuts and scrapes and all sorts. Not COOL.

Busy afternoon again!

Today is being busy again - we have so far been to ballet, to Sainsburys, to a picnic for Deaf children, and are shortly off to my friend Jen's for her birthday.

The kids have enjoyed every minute! I however am slightly worn out!!

The picnic was with the South Hampshire Deaf Childrens Society. They provided drinks and cake and entertainment and party bags for both deaf and hearing children and we had a pleasant time playing on the field and making new friends. I met a nice lady called Lexi who is the friend of my favourite Maternal cousin! She had offered through my mum to advise me on how to fill in the DLA form - but I have done it and achieved my goal so that is VERY good news!

My friend Jen will be 3? and for this event I am taking her a guft of ice-cream. Margarita - Lime, Tequila and Cointreu all combined with a whole bunch of double cream - amazing!!

Long days

The last few days have been "long" - not just in the long days of summer way - but more in the oh blimey how many hours till I can go to bed sort of way! It's been one thing after another after another after another.
The peak was Thursday when my poor husband had to go to Europe to TM and therefore couldn't attend his Nanny's funeral. I went to represent him, but only after I was expected to work. The new Crem they have built out at West End is lovely (as these places go) and it was the nicest(? - doesn't seem quite the right word) funeral I have ever attended.
S has started on a bad week - I have however shouted and stamped my feet today and since then he has seemed better. They still haven't assessed him properly but Aspergers is the likely candidate - funny that the guy who has been hacking got diagnosed over night and we have to wait months...
Toby has been missing his little friend Aphria this week. Several days the front door has had a knock and he's got all excited to be sadly disappointed! Hopefully she isn't too muddy with her mum and dad at Glasto!
I made up a new dress this on Sunday and finished it monday - but I didn't like it when it was finished - so I hacked at it and now I LOVE it - will try and get a flattering photo of me and it!
And I figure that actually I do a lot in my week - 16 hrs at work, 6 teaching, then feed, bathe, ferry, etc 4 kids all week too! How much do I get paid for that?
And I am making a cake for my surrogate baby brother's wedding - how did I talk my self into that????

Busy times!

Today we have busy times! Far too much running about and doing a million things.

So far, Trying to get to ballet (and failing), tidying the lounge up, hoovering said lounge, bringing the Cutcliffe packing chest down stairs where it is serving 2 purposes - A as a toy box, B as a No Noo you can't play with the fire box. Next up - finding a home for the blankets that came out of it! Ha ha! Then on to washing the breakfast things, then going to the Summer Fete at the church, then a 3 yr olds birthday party next door, then home for more tidying and children putting to bed, then a spot of light baby sitting for my lovely friends - then who knows what!!

And I think I must be tired as I answered the phone 'hello surgery' which was not ideal as I am at home!

Finally Feeling Fine (ish)

It has been 8 days since I started feeling poorly and I am now feeling so much better. I have been able to eat and not have crippling stomach ache which is nice! While poorly I managed to lose about 4 lbs I think. Which is a lot and leaves the scale reading 9st 8lb ish.

I currently have 3 small children playing in the lounge distracting me from the house work, I will get up a minute and stop procrastinating about it. I will also be getting dressed and maybe even having a smidge of breakfast.

Today's plan is tidy up, do some sewing, then go teach ballet, then fall asleep! Today started slightly manically - the eldest son woke me and him up at 8am announcing he needed his PE kit and to leave NOW! Not ideal!

Still Poorly

But I have managed to suss out two anti hurt methods!!

Number 1 - hot showers!! I don't know why it works but it does as long as you dive under the duvet straight after!

Number 2 - Lying on my right side and staying there!

It seems to be easing off and slowly getting better so hopefully I am getting to the end of it all.

In other news Noo is now resident in the little kids room. Meaning I have technically got my bedroom back after nearly 5 years! Hurrah! G will be surprised!! They all fit in there ok - and when we manage to finish the lay-away for the bunkbeds there will be even more space! Then we will be searching like fury for a bigger house!!

Ow.

This week I have been suffering with viral gastroenteritis - it's rubbish. I had 24 hours straight of being sick every time I ate or drank anything. That was after 2 days of a niggly tummy with a bit of an ache going on.


Today the ache is in my back more than my front and all that relieves it is lying down, and that is not ideal!!





The only thing that seems to be helping is heat, so into a hot shower i have jumped 3 times so far this morning.

Apron and Daisy's Dress

The top picture here is a dress that I made for Daisy to wear to school on April 28th - They were asked to wear red, white and blue to celebrate the Royal wedding - quick, easy and cheap!

The bottom picture is an apron I made to go with a cookery book Daisy chose as a present for her friend. I hated the fabric initially and tried to sway her but it is perfect!!

Isobel's Birthday

I had been instructed by my daughter that she wanted to give her friend from school and apron and a cookery book. So today I set about making this happen!

I bought 40cm of fabric from my fav shop and squirrelled it back home and then sat and had a think about it. I wanted it to be useful but pretty too. The fabric is a large ice-cream print in reds and pinks and all sorts which sounds hideous but is perfect for the apron now it is made. Daisy picked it out - despite my suggestions of alternatives! I guess the girl has taste!!

It was super simple to make and took just about an hour - but this included time that I was checking on the baby, chatting to Beth online, and eating crackers and cheese!

The bib part was a square with the corners rounded off,then faced with the same fabric, I sandwiched the straps between the 2 layers and sewed it inside out. Then I made the skirt part up - large square rounded off, then gathered.

The fiddly bit was making the two parts join neatly - but I am very proud of what I created this evening.

Here's hoping the birthday girl likes it too!

And I shall try and upload a pic too!

New Nephew!

Today I got a new nephew - He is apparently small and perfect in every way!

Tomorrow I hope to go and cuddle this tiny new person.

Congrats Ant and Chrissie on the arrival of Oscar!

I finally finished my new dress for work this week and wore it in on Thursday - It is this pattern - http://www.colettepatterns.com/shop/crepe I made it in a dusky plum fabric with a creamy polka dot on it - with contrasting pockets and belt. I got a lot of positive feed back about it - both from my reception staff colleagues and one of the doctors - no one believed that I'd knocked it up myself. I think it may be the perfect pattern - I already have plans for a more casual summery one. :)

We got an email today that pleased me - the Aspergers peeps are speeding it all up - we will be seen sooner than anticipated.

And this coming week is Half-Term - roll on baking, gardening and summer fun times (dependant on weather - as it's currently COLD and I have the heating on in nearly June!

Friday Fun Times

Today I was supposed to go and speak to the practise manager - but he didn't come and ask me to meet. I am hoping this is a good thing! The Senior partner where I am was chatty and lovely today - we talked about music, skirts and clothes and cake. :) I took Jammy Donut Muffins to work - sucking up to teacher!!

The Boy had a good day at school. Did all he was asked and complied. Why can't he do that everyday? D had her Raindrop assembly at school today too, G went along with Noo. She got it for always being happy and cheerful and a sheer joy to teach. It's lovely. :)

Tomorrow is another day - D has ballet and then we are cleaning house.

Rant!

Oh this week how well you were going - and now - Thursday - You suddenly suck!

The eldest has been BAD at school again. We don't have a definitive diagnosis so we can't get serious help with him and it's becoming an issue at home and school - we can't get him to take care about his hygiene 0r responsibility for anything.

Any ideas would be great!

And tomorrow I get together with the practise manager to see if he still wants to employ me.

Today on a good note though, I wore my Colette Crepe dress to work and all the ladies LOVED it.

Wednesday Evening

I love Wednesday almost as much as I love Tuesday.

It's the evening of stretching and dancing with the grown ups - it's fun and games and laughter.

Though on the negative side the Boy has been naughty at school - No homework being done - it is frustrating for me to not know if there is anything wrong with him or if he is just badly behaved - If it's the former then I'd almost rather not know - if it's the latter then a stricter parenting is needed.

Ho hum - tomorrow is another day,

I Heart Ballet!

Every Tuesday I wake up and remember just why I love Tuesday!

Hello Ballet-time! I feel very fortunate to be able to spend several hours a week doing something I love so much. I really enjoy the challenges of a whole bunch of little girls who want to be ballerinas!

But I am also looking forward to Half-Term next week - peace and quiets and calms and chilled!

Yay for Tuesday!

Mondayitis

Today has been good in the main.

Work was easy and calm and I got told I looked very smart! This is a good thing! And I got put onto the rota for September for a Saturday shift so they aren't planning on firing me this week.

Also I just got the reports for the exam pupils - they were very good in the technique department :) need to work on that musicality though!!

I have also just through the powerful medium of the interweb applied for Disability Living Allowance for D - She has permanant hearing loss in both ears and I have been told I should so I have.

More negativly - I can't get the sewing machine to sew properly. :(

Sunday

Today feels like a busy and positive sort of day - I have laundry on the line already - the big boys are out selling junk at the car boot sale, there is a tiny bit of washing up to do, and Noo is playing beautifully with his toys. :)

Nanny came by yesterday to garden and we had some fun times - we have planted potatoes, tomatoes, strawberries, green beans, peas, cauliflowers, salad, carrots, radishes and spring onions (I think that is it!) and all I have to do is keep on top of it! The garden is starting to resemble a garden, the kids section in the middle is tidy and cleaned up and Nanny and Grandad are doing a great job.

G and S are car-booting a whole bunch of stuff they neither want or need anymore - at 7.30am they'd already made a bunch of cash. Hurrah!

And I shall try and get a photo uploaded of my new dress I have made for work (possibly) - It's Colettes Crepe pattern, and I LOVE it!

First results!

I have been absent from here for a long old while - :) but since then much has changed...

But more importantly - My first set of Primary ballet pupils have taken and passed their exam!
G got 81 - distinction as did L and M got 77 - merit. I am really proud of them and all their hard work.

In other news - I have changed jobs, G changed work arrangements, S has been initially diagnosed with Aspergers, D was given hearing aids for xmas, and my new boss accused me of being Bohemian - I can't win! :)

Time to get focused my self Lady H!!