Long time no see

Life seems to have got in the way of everything. Working full time (in a job that I love but that is energy sapping), husband that works away, three growing kids (going to bed later and wanting to have conversations rather than just 'talk'), a dog, a cat and various other small creatures leave little time for me to reflect. Some days I don't sit down until gone ten. 

I was remembering previous years at  yesterday's sports day - I could look back at them on here. It made me sad that the memories from yesterday would just drift away....so kick up the bum into action!

Anya (minus plaster) was allowed to compete in last ever primary sports. She's a master thrower - must come from all the slamming around she does at home!  

Patrick was might pleased with himself for one getting picked for the relay and two winning it (went too fast for a photo!!)

Euan came last in his race, mainly because he was too worried about what everyone else was doing and waving, but smiled the whole way.

Good job he's going to be a blacksmith when he grows up - no need for running fast. 

Moving words

To keep with tradition I'm late to Ali Edward's One Little Word party.  Every January she invites people to start listening, looking, and being open to the possibilities of a new word.  You live with it. You invite it into you life. You let it speak to you. You might even follow where it leads. 

The words I've lived so far are:

2012 - Play

2011 - Reflect

2010 - Enjoy

2013 is going to bring huge changes - I won't be able sit back and relax - so this year is the year of

Before I got together with the current Mr Overtired I had very few significant others and not many that I would want to become reacquainted with. But a tune on the radio today did remind me of one that got away.

Years ago lost loves could be peered at through rose tinted glasses. They would be forever young, or at the very worst young looking with a few silver streaks. A bit like this :
Teenage memory












Twenty years later



By the magic of modern day google I could and did search out my lost one. Turns out he's more like this:
Teenage memory












Twenty years later









(but soooooo much wider too so more like this)

The moral of the story is that memories are generally better than an up to date fat middle aged bald golfing reality and that it's much better to enjoy what you've got rather than hanker after the past. Things are never as good as you remember.

Finding the power

This is my baby all prepped up for his first hospital experience - Grommets.  We found out recently that his hearing was pretty poor due to glue ear (average reading for hearing is 10dB on a good day his is at 50dB).  Thanks to his personality - being bossy, insistent and stubborn, most people haven't even noticed that he has a problem but it must be hard work for him. 

Unlike most children, Euan has been really excited about going to hospital.  It's all to do with the marketing, being Star Wars obsessed I explained that he was having special powers being put into his ears.  They would put magic cream on his hands (see above), so that he would have the force on them and not be able to feel anything.  They they would use a mask to put the force into him and make him go to sleep so the doctor could put the power into his ears.  There were no tears at any point and he was happy with every part - as he was going off to sleep he asked if the doctor could make him look like Yoda and give him a 6 pack. As a mother, I'm glad to say that my 4 year old doesn't look like an 800 year old man with a 6 pack but has got special hearing!

His only moan about the whole experience was not being able to eat for the whole morning, this was made up by eating biscuits, cakes and sweets (see above - the chocolate eclair from the hospital bakery caused six kinds of jealousy from big brother!!).  I was a bit worried about his hearing when he woke up, I turned the tv on for him.  He asked if "the sound is on this tv?", as it was on full volume I wondered if they had damaged his ears!  Again he asked "Can I watch the sound?" - OK, damaged his brain too?  Then he added "the programme with the turny red chairs".  Ah-ha - that would be the Saturday night talent show 'The Voice'.  Was I relieved!!  

I didn't realise his hearing was so bad until he got home and has been asking 'what's the noise' constantly. The most surprising one - he's got a music box I've wound every night since he was born, to play a lullaby to go to sleep.  The first night after grommets, he asked where the music was coming from, he'd never heard it before!

SkyWatch Fridayish - sweet times

With that much chocolate in one place the sun must surely always shine over the Cadbury Factory?

I'm sad to admit, that by the end of our visit I was ready for a bag of crisps.  Walkers factory next week!!

Go and see some prompt Friday sky watching at: SkyWatch Friday

Getting the chop

My two Karate Kids were extremely excited to get their official outfits.  Tonight they were meant to be practising their moves against each other - they took their moves slightly too seriously and weren't too worried about causing bruises so had to be split up - What have I started?!

I got home to find this bit of doodling on the kitchen table.  No-one would own up to it but I have my list of suspects!

SkyWatch Friday - The folly on the hill

So, following my resignation from my current job and prior to starting my new job, I've got 5 weeks leave to take.  The best bit about this so far has been the weather, clear blue skies going on forever.  Putting the weather and my time off to good use (and avoiding cleaning) I managed to squeeze in a local Geocache (google it - you'll thank me!!).  The cache is at the top of a hill on the Estate I walk the dog on, I've never been to this corner before.

This monument is called the Triumphal Arch.  James 'Athenian' Stuart modelled this monument on the Arch of Hadrian at Athens (according to wiki!). Work began in 1761 using stone from the Tixall quarries. Admiral George Anson of Shugborough died the following year and it is possible his brother, Thomas Anson, decided the arch should become a memorial to his brother.

It looks like the local youths have been looking for something interesting to do for quite a long time - hoping that my kids initials don't find their way onto here!!

I got carried away by these skies - go and get carried away around the world at SkyWatch Friday.

My own personal super hero

While we were out a few people said hello to Superman.
Superman whispered to me "how do they know my name?" 

Charlie bear comes to stay

I'm Charlie the Class 1 Bear and this week I have been to stay with Euan and his very loud family.  I was very lucky to have some time to myself as Euan's Mummy kept forgetting to take me with the family on their trips (too many people and as I'm only little and very quiet I got left behind). 

We found a lovely Charlie Bear bag when we were getting some new school shoes. I will be putting that on my Christmas present list!

We had quite a bit of snow, Euan and I thought it was a bit cold and wet and didn't really enjoy playing in it. We loved the hot chocolate to warm us up though!

Euan and I made a huge Lego city, I was careful not to go too close to the Lego dragons as they were a bit scary.

Euan was very kind and let me try all sorts of lovely food. He even shared his milkshake with me!

Euan's favourite film is Star Wars, he talks about it ALL the time.  I watched it with him and I'm hooked too. When I grow up I want to be an Ewok and Euan is going to be Yoda.

I enjoyed going to Euan's swimming lesson, he let me borrow his goggles so I didn't get water in my eyes.  

I had another great week of adventures and I'm looking forward to meeting the next person from Class 1.

SkyWatch Friday - it's what's on the inside that counts

This week has be brought to us by the colour 'GREY'.  No rain, no frost, no snow, no ice but also no sun!  So here's a taste of spring from valentine flower (picked up by me at the supermarket!).

Get some colour in your life at SkyWatch Friday.

PS Euan's impossible questions of the week "What are dogs made of?", "Why do grown-ups have Mummy and Daddys?"  and "Does Yoda like God?" (this last one comes from the obsession with Star Wars and the current school topic!)