Poorly House

Oops, sorry for the gap, we have all been ill for the last week or so. Oscar is sick for the 2nd time. Ah well, in lieu of a real post here are some pictures of things I have made.

knitted fairy lights

a fairy mouse

yarn for some knitted baubles

a festive cushion

a small table runner

And some other bits which are gifts so need to be shown later.


The latest round of soiled bed clothes have just finished spinning in the machine, so its time for me to sort the laundry, drink some herbal tea and possibly eat a mince pie for elevensies at 9am.
Things can only get better?

Cosy Days

My day off today. It was productive in short bursts, interspersed with down time manifesting as pain and tiredness. I saw my GP today who agreed my new medication for my bone condition is not working. Since the side effect of the medication can be stomach ulcers we made a joint decision to cease. I have to go for a round of blood test next Monday, go for some scans and then book in for injections (into the soles of my feet gulp!). To be honest, if it takes the pain away I would probably let them inject my eyeballs (probably!).

I had visitors in the afternoon and almost burned the soup destined to be my lunches for the next couple of days, but managed a miraculous save.

lentil tomato and jalapeno

I had planned on making breakfast muffins but by the time my guests left and I made dinner (stir fry vegetables, singapore noodles and tuna fish), I was too tired.

Oscar had a long bubble bath and came out over tired and grumpy. I had promised him play time so even though it was almost 9pm I had to relent and allow 10 minutes of play. But look at what play thing has caught his attention again (after a year and a half).

Oscar was bundled into bed with bible stories and buttered toast and cosy milk, and I ran a detox bath for myself of sea salt, eucalyptus and aloe vera gel. It was lovely and warm and very soothing on the limbs. I also managed to read a chapter of a book.

I have only read the first chapter which tells the story of the woman caught in the act of adultery. The story is from the woman's point of view and went as far as it could to give mitigating circumstances for this woman's behavior.
Having my husband whom I adored do this to me makes it a difficult sin to deal with. I understand however that it is not me he needs to be sorry to, it is the Lord our God. I am in no position to judge another's sin. 'Let he who is without sin cast the first stone'

And on that note, its my turn for hot toast and butter and a warm drink, before I get a good and peaceful nights sleep.

Oh Christmas Tree

And its finally up ! My friend had offered to take me for a real one after work tonight but I had already decided, and bought this one from Argos yesterday.

Oscar was more interested in the mince pies than the tree decorating, which I suppose is a sign of him getting that little bit older. He did tell me it was beautiful though.

Next weekend is a full one so my plans for this Saturday night are to snuggle up under the twinkly lights and relax.

Show Night

This was a busy day with work and shopping and out for dinner, after I had dropped Oscar off at the theater for his 2 hour rehearsal right before his Christmas show.

No photo's of the show allowed of course so here is a wee picture of my boy and his certificate.

He was very nervous my little thespian however he seemed less nervous than previous years. I of course was biting my nails every time he was on stage.
The Stage School owner informed us that they have something 'special' lined up for next years performance, so I am wondering what it will be.
Oscar chatted all the way home in the car, asked to watch a movie when we got in (about 10.30pm) and promptly fell asleep.
I am so proud of him, for what he does and who he is.

Busy Winter Days

Ten days already! How did that happen? Two weeks left until Christmas Eve. Being involved with church means that this can be a busy and fairly social time of year. I have my evening dresses and pearl choker dusted off in readiness.

We were babysitting for friends after school and although I am quite happy to help I was not at all sure I was up to the challenge of 4 kids at once, especially when one of the brood has extra care needed. Anyway as it turns out bless his little heart he was tired and cosied up beside me for most of the time. As for the other 3, some very expensive toys or computer games could not have kept them more occupied than some cardboard boxes.

After that we went to my Mum's for dinner, and since it was totally, totally, totally freezing outside we were extremely pleased to find hot mince and tatties ready for us when we got in.

Oscar was watching 'Home Alone' for the first time here

I finally made a decision on the Christmas tree and went to Argos after work and bought an artificial tree. No time to put it up tonight or tomorrow though, so its going to be Saturday evening at the earliest.

When we got home Oscar and I put on our onesies (his is Scooby Doo and mine is pink and white polka dot), got in to my bed and cuddled up with a Christmas story.

This is a lovely book, not least because it actually tells us that Jesus Christ is the Light of the world and we are all free to have The light shine inside us forever. I cant fail to see that light shining from my little one as we cuddle up with sweet stories on a cold winter night.
Valerie

Pinkie Pain

Well, its been a funny old kind of day. I knitted some Christmas baubles (pics to follow) at work, and was very pleased with the results. In general my mood was quite low though. I was recently diagnosed with a bone disorder which causes me an enormous amount of pain. I am taking 2 kinds of medication to alleviate the  symptoms some what, but the efficiency of the medication is not the same every day and today was a not very efficient day.

It would have been sensible to go home and lie down, but I very rarely choose the sensible thing (where I am concerned, not anyone else), and decided I had had enough of white walls in every corner of the flat.

before

after

Oscar came home crying and Muma had to get the first aid kit out.

He shut his finger in the heavy school gate coming out of after school club.

I didn't dare say it at the time but there is a very high possibility of that little nail coming off.

Luckily it was his left hand that was hurt because his homework was to go on a 'wintery walk' and draw or photograph what you saw,

the city lights and the moon reflected in the sea

Tonight is night 4 of Hanukkah and its still very lovely lighting the candles and saying the blessings. I had intended to make some Latkes tonight, but with one thing and another I never managed to get to it. I had eggs cooked in oil, does that count I wonder?

I have a busy few days/evenings coming up again and although I love this time of year I really dislike being run off my feet. I haven't decided on opening times during the Christmas break, but I cant see Oscar wanting to hang out in the shop with me, I guess we will struggle muddle through as best we can.

I am exhausted (and sore) now, and I had planned to eat my fudge and read my new book, from the comfort of my cosy wee bed, however the fudge seems to have gone missing??? I am 99% sure I haven't eaten it already.

Ah well never mind, there is still mint ice-cream.

Valerie

ps, I wish the kitten wasn't so interested in the Menorah, its an accident waiting to happen.

Thank Goodness Its Bedtime

Have you ever had one of those days where everything goes wrong? I don't want to rake over the ashes now, but lets just say I am glad it is bed time. Still no tree, but we did fit the Hanukkah candles between showering and then bed.
Oscar is crashed out, with MLP playing in the background! Yes, not my first choice either, but when tempers are frayed its just not worth the fight.
Ok positives of the day

• A friend offered me a new bread maker
• I manage to whip up a pasta tuna and sweetcorn dish for dinner in 15 minutes when dinner plans fell through
• It didn't rain too much
• I got a really lovely green cowl
• There is mint ice-cream in the freezer should I need it. 
• My little boy is the most precious gift I have

The Festival Of Light

Happy Hanukkah and Merry Christmas.
This is our first year celebrating both religious events. Oscar was pretty impressed with the Hanukkah stories, especially when he got to take the shamash and light the first and second candles in the Menorah.

I think tomorrow we are going for the tree (a real one this year for sure), but in the mean time there is always the advent calendar to be opened.

I am not sure how much of the Faith based aspects the kids take on board, apart from the baby Jesus being born. But no matter, it will come in time as they become much loved and long used traditions.


Enjoy the festival of lights dear chaver's and chavera's

Birthday Party

What can I say? The party was wonderful with lots and lots of guests, family and friends, old and new. Oscar had a wonderful time, he had other kids to play with. We had a music quiz and the guys team won, we ate a tonne of party food (anything you can shove on a cocktail stick), and I danced my wee red leg warmers off.

Its good to be home, I am comfortable in bed with a low lamp on and the soft sighs of Oscar's breathing. Tomorrow/ today is the Sabbath, and so we can rest in the Word.
Valerie
xxx

Welcome To December

The day started with Oscar opening his Advent Calendar. I do the chocolate thing, but the same as last year I found M&S do a Nativity Scene one, which is exactly how I think it should be. Barbie, Peppa Pig and Spiderman are all well good, but the more we can bring our Savior into our celebrations the better.
And speaking of celebrations, we are going to be trying a little bit of Hanukkah this year. I have ordered a simple Hanukkah kit from Amazon (due tomorrow) and for Oscar, this lovely little book.

What I like about this book is that it covers both Hanukkah and Christmas. I find a lot of the Jewish customs very comforting for some reason. Perhaps its as simple as feeling closer to our Lord, and trying to understand the world he lived in. Slightly off topic but our women's group intend to celebrate Passover in 2016 so that will be a new and exciting first for me.

Anyway, today was a work/school day so not much to say on that front, except I made myself a skirt at work. Its somebody's birthday this week (me, me, me) and I am being given an 80's themed birthday party (and why not?), pictures to follow.

After  dinner (chili, rice, sour cream and tortilla chips), we got to work on some artwork for the party.

Oscar, of course was covered in paint, and his school clothes are rolling around in the washing machine right now. Its very rare for us all to craft together these days and honestly, despite having a numb bot from sitting on the floor, I really enjoyed myself. We had an 80's music play list on in the background and we were all singing along.

We were late for a week night coming home so after some cuddles on Mama's bed Oscar went off quite happily to bed (tonight's bedtime story was Samson and Delilah. A good bible story if ever there was one and a welcome change from Noah's Ark 73 nights in a row (I may have exaggerated that a little)

And finally I can report that my bed is getting in to the festive spirit.

Super cute, right? I bought this bedding set for a few £'s in the sales last January (from Asda). And I am off to test it out right now.
Night night and thanks for reading Blogmas Day 1
Valerie

Hey ! Its Been A While

When I was a stay at home Mama I thought a lot about blogging, and if anything 'blog worthy' had happened that day. Often I would take a photo 'just' for the blog. Nowadays, I simply forget. Spending most of my day away from Oscar means I often haven't much to write about, except dinner with a tired grumpy 6 year old followed by a very reluctant boy thrown in the shower, some computer time, usually followed by a melt down right before bed, and then my little guy crashed out later than I would like.

I am willing to accept this is a 'season' of our lives, I couldn't stand it if this was the new normal. I haven't been doing ANY baking of late (except for 2 Betty Crocker cakes for a baptism), and my creative pursuits have not been for leisure, rather all geared for the shop.

I hope to change this pattern and being more conscious of it is surely one way to identify where we can change things.

We have a house guest for the next week and partly because of this a very full calendar, with either invitations out or people for dinner almost every night of the week.

I have a few projects in mind for the new year (including learning a new language, gulp!), and I already have a to do list as long as my arm. Next year is going to be an exciting year on a personal level, and I hope also for my little household. I would like to be able to record our journey here for all posterity (or until I change my blog name, again!).

Today in church one of the Brother's asked, 'what does the Gospel mean to you?' and I answered,
'Ask any mother what is the most important thing to you, and most of them will tell you its her children. I would be hard pressed to split a knife between the importance of my children and the Gospel. They are tied in very tightly. My children are my world, however its the Gospel that dictates how I raise them and how we survive the highs and lows as a family'. Life without purpose, work, eat, sleep, would be a life severely lacking in the joy that only children and loved ones can bring.

I started this blog as a documentation of our life, and I have felt sad its gone into decline. So, for December I am going to try a post a day. It will be difficult, since I haven't even managed a post a week lately. But I know that in a few years time I will be thankful for the evidence I have laid down the Christmas Oscar was 6.
Thanks for the messages saying you missed us, I wondered if anyone was actually reading !

ps. we have settled in to the flat well, the view is not as dramatic as a grave yard, however its not bad.

Valerie

Get Thee Behind Me Oh Hideous Week

This week has been a total stress pot from start to finish, the highlight of which saw Oscar pulling a refrigerator shelf out by accident and spilling full pots of cream, yogurt and sour cream onto the kitchen carpet (who thinks kitchen carpet is a good idea!). It in itself would be fairly stressful, however since it occurred the night before our flat inspection the stress levels hit the roof.

We are in need of a good tenant recommendation because the landlords have decided to sell and we need to move out (by November 10th). It is a nightmare property hunting here because there are so few places available. On the day we got our notice the local paper headline said 'No New Properties Built In The Last 3 Years, Despite 7000 Families On The Waiting List'  

I have spent the week trying to give my kids, my flat, my shop, my family, my friends, my church and my God a fair share of my attention, and really I feel spread too thin. Throw in a parents evening with one parent absent, and a no show (or as it turns out late show and incomplete), amount of child support, the constant battle of bed times V's video games/Facebook/Skype/You Tube/messenger, and I am done.

Here I am now, lying on my bed in my work clothes too tired to even get undressed.

Not yet totally defeated however, I am still able to dig deep and count some blessings,

• an excellent parents night report
• Aimee has a job interview
• I got trendy new glasses for next to no cost
• I had freezer meals made to cover the gap
• I saw a potential flat
• the landlords said the flat 'seemed ok'
• the kitten survived her holiday at my sister's
• and on checking my phone I found Oscar had taken some pictures after dinner at my Mother's house

And if you are a member of MY CHURCH then you will be like me and looking forward to General Conference weekend.

Have a great week END.

50 Q's

For want of a better subject.

1: What would you name your future daughter?

Estelle

2: Do you miss anyone?

My Dad

3: What if I told you that you were pretty?

I would say thank you

4: Ever been told “it’s not you, it’s me”?

Unfortunately yes

5: What are you looking forward to in the next week?

my new business opening

6: Did you go out or stay in last night?

Stayed home with the family

7: How late did you stay up last night?

Until after 1am

8: Honestly, has anyone seen you in your underwear in the past 3 months?

yep

9: What were you doing at 12:30 this afternoon?

Eating a chicken salad

10: Have you ever told somebody you loved them and not actually meant it?

No

11: Could you go for the rest of your life without drinking alcohol?

I certainly hope so

12: Have you pretended to like someone?

Not exactly

13: Could you go the rest of your life without smoking a cigarette?

Definitely

14: Is there one person in your life that can always make you smile?

Several

15: Is it hard for you to get over someone?

Its easier than anticipated

16: Think back five months ago, were you single?

Sort of

17: Have you ever cried from being so mad?

Yes

18: Hold hands with anyone this week?

Yes

19: Did your last kiss take place in/on a bed?

Nope

20: Who did you last see in person?

Oscar

21: What is the last thing you said out loud?

"You went to the beach last night"

22: Have you kissed three or more people in one night?

Yes

23: Have you ever been to Paris?

Yes

24: Are you good at hiding your feelings?

Nope

25: Do you use chap stick?

Nope

26: Who did you last share a bed with?

Oscar

27: Are you listening to music right now?

Nope

28: What is something you currently want right now?

My knee to stop hurting

29: Were your last three kisses from the same person?

No

30: How is your heart lately?

Healing

31: Do you wear the hood on your hoodie?

Only indoors

32: When was the last time a member of the opposite sex hugged you?

Yesterday

33: What do people call you?

Valerie

34: Have you ever wanted to tell someone something but didn’t?

Yes

35: Are there any stressful situations in your life?

Yes

36: What are you listening to right now?

my own mix tape play list on You Tube

37: What is wrong with you right now?

I have a sore knee

38: Love really is a beautiful thing huh?

Yes

39: Do you make wishes at 11:11?

? no

40: What is on your wrists right now?

a red hair band

41: Are you single/taken/heartbroken/confused/waiting for the unexpected?

no comment

42: Where did you get the shirt/sweatshirt you’re wearing?

ebay

43: Have you ever regretted kissing someone?

yes

44: Have you hugged someone within the last week?

yes

45: Have you kissed anyone in the last five days?

yes

46: What were you doing at midnight last night?

watching vintage Coronation Street

47: Do you miss the way things were six months ago?

Not at all

48: Would you rather sleep with someone else or alone?

That Depends on who

49: Have you ever been to New York?

No

50: Do you live in a city?

No, by the sea

A Sunday

Our Sundays are pretty much the same, week after week. We get up early(ish), breakfast, shower, dress, and go to church. Oscar is becoming quite the little man in his suit and tie, and dare I say it, he actually enjoys church.

After church we take a nap (me), and play video games (Oscar), have dinner and mentally and physically prepare for the week. Today however, I decided to blow off the laundry and after putting a lovely korma in the oven to heat, we headed out to the beach.

It may not be sunny or indeed particularly warm but that is irrelevant to us hardy Scottish folks.

We found shells and played in the sand.

And one of us jumped around like crazy.

Even when the sky became dark with clouds, we played and played

Until our grumbly tummies took us home.

Oscar

My darling Oscar, 

how patient with me you are. What a long and arduous year we have had you and I. Becoming a single parent family was really not what either of us had expected.  Things have changed so much for us. We moved house, gave your puppy a new home, started school, began the harrowing ordeal of Saturday visiting from an absent parent, opened a new business, turned 6, lost lots of teeth and got a new kitten.

We have come through it though my brave big boy, and even though our living quarters are cramped to say the least, and you have had to embark on after school care, we are muddling along somehow. I started this blog as a record of your life, and indeed a record it is.

This summer has seen you develop hay-fever and it has been a real downer for you. But on the plus side, it hasn't stopped you learning to whistle and blow huge bubbles with bubblegum.

I hope that with all my heart, you can look back at this time with some fond memories, although I know that's going to be hard.

In the mean time my darling boy, just know that you're Mama loves you, all the way to the furthest star and back. xxx