Present shopping?

Have you started yet?

No, I haven't really either, apart from a few stocking fillers.

But I have found a perfect website with gift ideas for those people (ie my dad and Neb's parents) who are hard to buy for. And I was very lucky to be sent this recently to review:

A lovely decanter with an oak stopper which Neb received as a bonus birthday present. He thinks that its a magical decanter as the wine bottle he poured into it seemed to never end. I just think he was drinking slowly (but hey it may be magical!- it does only actually hold 2 litres).
The decanter (which sells at £24.95) is just one of the many gifts featured on The Handpicked Collection. The gifts are all handpicked by an expert panel who help find stylish and great value presents (I know that I will be using them again to get some Christmas presents!).

The Handpicked collection - a great shopping experience for busy mums!

BNM

I was sent the decanter to review and all opinions given on the decanter and the company are my own.

Cartoon Capers

This morning while watching Scooby Doo with the kids I had a thought - (bear with me it was Saturday morning) and this is the way it went:

Since having kids I've noticed that some cartoons have stood the test of time (i.e since I was little). You can still watch Scooby Doo, Tom &Jerry and even the random programmes like Thundercats are still on TV. I even saw Smurfs on telly a while back - you know the original one , not the movie! But, how have these managed to make it? Why can we not see things like:

Duck tales



Gummibears


The Lost Cities of Gold


Dungeons &Dragons

or Around the World with Willy Fog

Who is it that decides what our children should watch on TV. I can't be the only one who can't stand to watch those dancing thingies on the island on CBeebies. Why not bring back Fraggle Rock instead?



Tell me I'm not alone in this - bring back the best kids TV there was!


BNM

Goto read a classic

Image: Surachai / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

I've said it before my best ever classic book to read is Jane Eyre ( I love it love it love it, but never to watch they always get the main characters wrong, normally too good looking) and while reading with Bel tonight at bed time I wondered when I could start her on the classics.

Which classics would a 7 yo like - a 7 yo who has poo pooed the Secret Seven! (apparently it was too boring)

So, while searching the web I made this list:

• Huckleberry Finn -contains drunk fathers, boy who fakes own death
• Treasure Island - pirates galore, may include rum
• Black Beauty - horses, cabs and dying
• Watership Down- rabbits, mixametoses and dying

Bit deathly aren't they.

Do your kids read the classics? Any suggestions?

BNM

Let's talk about sex

Its happening, I know it is, Bel is growing up.

More so, I think she knows about SEX. Mostly about the fact that Mummy and Daddy do it. And, how do I know this - well she hasn't walked in on us yet, thank god!

Now, I know because over half term (which seems eons away now), while Neb's family was up - I overheard a conversation (I couldn't really help it) between her and Neb's brother (Uncle D).

Bel was explaining Dr Who to Uncle D. He asked who River was and she explained that River was Amy and Rory's child. Uncle D then said "Oh, I thought she was Amy and the Dr's child". Bel replied with a "No, Amy and the Dr don't do things like that, not the things that mummy and daddy do". I looked at her, astonished and thanked god that Neb as usual was talking sixteen to the dozen and that his mum didn't hear it.

So, I guess, this means I'm going to have to have THE talk with her. You know that one, that I never remember having with my mum. Oh god, what do I say - I mean she kinda knows (basic terms) about babies and that they come out of bellies (one good reason for having a 3 year gap between her and Car) but do I go further.

Please, if you've had the talk with your children, then let me know, otherwise I'm going to have to go down this route:

Tired and energyless

 Yes, that is how I'm feeling these days.


That also gives you an idea about why I haven't been on here much.

Work is sooo busy and yes I know I've said that before, and before it was fine but now I have had enough. After moving offices I don't seem to be in the same position that I was in before where the students would readily pop into see me, now I seem to be overwhelmed by paperwork. More and more paper seems to be landing on my desk, the help that I was meant to be having though as a shared responsibility has not yet appeared (even though the job has been given apparently they can't start with the help yet!)

Too be honest, I don't think I love my job anymore, I know am not the only one feeling the stress in the office, but I don't know how much I can give and not get appreciated. I have been told of another job in the university where I work at coming up and if its on a full time contract then I'm going for it. I will not be any one's doormat and I'm fed up of coming home, like last night, and worrying about Monday! (on a Friday, jeez!)

Car seems to have turned into a mega handful and all I've had this afternoon is I want, I want, I must have and the loudness of it all is just aaagh!!

Bel is fine, a bit surly and stroppy at times but mostly good - I also feel for her as I know that Car is annoying her too!

And, Neb in all this, well today (and still) he is in work - I've told him how I feel about work, but sometimes all I get is, let me at them, if they annoy you I'll hit them - you know normal caveman kinda thing.

Anyway, I will try and blog more next week, because there are some stories I just gotta tell, but first I need to feel less bleugh, less tired, more calm and more happy!

BNM

Spit, Spat what was that?

Hello, yes I'm still here - sorry got waylaid recently.

Things have been a bit busy here, what with Neb's 40th (we had great party, lots of alcohol was drunk, cakes were eaten,I sang .....), work being chaotic (no it doesn't change does it ever, whatever you do SAHM or WM it never changes), Car being ill (bad cough, high temperature, vomiting at sleepover!),my GMail going tits up (it works now, only after trolling the forums something to do with my ad blocker- don't ask me I did something and now great!) and me just you know being normal ( watching TV, playing with kids, washing, tidying...) blah blah.

Anyway it seems that there may have been something going on in the blogging circle that I missed (just because several of the blogs I read mentioned something or other) but as I don't really know all I can surmise is its something to do with toys being thrown out of prams!

Image credit

BNM

Remember them

I do not know your name

I do not know your name, but I know you died
I do not know from where you came, but I know you died

Your uniform, branch of service, it matters not to me
Whether Volunteer or Conscript, or how it came to be
That politicians' failures, or some power-mad ambition
Brought you too soon to your death, in the name of any nation

You saw, you felt, you knew full well, as friend and foe were taken
By bloody death, that your life too, was forfeit and forsaken
Yet on you went and fought and died, in your close and private hell
For Mate or Pal or Regiment and memories never to tell

It was for each other, through shot and shell, the madness you endured
Side by side, through wound and pain, and comradeship assured
No family ties, or bloodline link, could match that bond of friend
Who shared the horror and kept on going, at last until the end

We cannot know, we were not there, it's beyond our comprehension
To know the toll that battle brings, of resolute intention
To carry on, day by day, for all you loved and hoped for
To live in peace a happy life, away from bloody war

For far too many, no long life ahead, free of struggle and pain and the gun
And we must remember the price that was paid, by each and every one
Regardless of views, opinions aside, no matter how each of us sees it
They were there and I cannot forget, even though I did not live it

I do not know your name, but I know you died
I do not know from where you came, but I know you died.

Kenny Martin
© 2003

Could I?

Before you read this post, please understand that I'm writing something that may not happen. Something has arisen that we may or may not help with but I need to get it out of my head and ask for some help to understand it.

I love my kids. I love them as only a mother can even when all you've heard through the day are shouts of MUMMY!

But could I love another as my own. I don't know.
Could I care for a baby in need. I don't know

Let me tell you a story about a baby boy. Born 8 weeks ago into this world to a mother with mental health issues and to an older father. A father who took early retirement because he could. Now, scroll back to last week and the baby had to be taken into hospital as he had not gained but lost weight since birth. The reasons being that the mother was determined to breast feed him but because of the medication she was on, and for so many other reasons, that I don't know, she couldn't produce enough. The father was determined that the baby be given some formula as he weighed less than the bottom percentile. She refused, he called the H/V in. So baby boy went to hospital were he has since come out of and in the last week alone (on formula) has put on 13 1/2 oz.
Switch to now and the father has been dedicated primary carer. The mother has been told that she will not be able to visit her son unless she had a psychiatric nurse with her. She hasn't been to visit.
The father is doing a great job but being in his early 60s it is taking his toll on him. Baby boy wakes up every 15 mins for a feed being a hungry chappy!

The father is a close friend of Neb's and has been on the phone several times in the last week for a chat and support. He is doing a great job but its tiring. He mentioned last night that there was a hearing at the end of the month to decide whether he could continue to be the primary carer. Then he asked whether we would babysit next week. Then he said or you could just foster him.

Now Neb said this comment was off the cuff but he knows that his friend meant it.

So the discussion we need to have is could we, would we, should we. I have never thought of fostering at all before because I thought we were happy with our two girls. But I know that Neb is worried about his friend, and I know his friend would rather see his son with us than with strangers. But there are so many ifs and buts that I don't know.

As mentioned at the start of this post, this may be something that doesn't happen but it may be something that may be needed. If you know of anyone who has done this, or anyone who can help us please let me know.

BNM

Letting go

The attic is full.

There is no more room.

Our small house is bursting at the seams so it may be time to let the clothes and paraphernalia go.

So why is it that I feel sad. My girls aren't babies any more and with Neb turning 40 on Saturday, I know we won't be having any more. In fact, I've said so myself but why do I feel sad.

There is a sale in the local town this weekend so I know I should sort the big items out. But somehow, I am holding on to the large things. The Graco Travel system that though not a four wheeler we went up a forest track with. The inflatable baby bath that we used when Bel was young to wash her at friend's wedding. The steriliser that has a hole in the side when I left the iron on! So many things, not needed.. yet...still there, hanging on to my emotions!

I'm sure am not the only one who feels this way though!

BNM

The Dummy Elf

I've spoken before about how Car and her dummy are unseperable. It's a bit like this week's comic from The Monkey and The Mouse in our house.

But we have now managed to get it down to only at bedtime and soon we need to get it down to never. We were meant to be doing a star chart but Mummy forgot and Car decided to make it harder by screaming and am sure hoarding them!

So, this morning in a Mummy magic moment (cuddles in bed with Car), I thought up the idea of The Dummy Elf. The Dummy Elf is one of Santa's little helpers who comes and gathers up all the old dummies and takes them away to the new born babies in the world. Car was enthralled by this idea and with 8 weeks until Christmas Day I am hoping to enforce the idea.

Here's hoping anyway

BNM

Firework Food

Are you ready?

Have you got your fireworks ready or are you going to some event?

We're having them in the back garden as usual, its something to do with Neb and man+fire thing (probably some caveman inherited genetic thing!)

And as I know the kids get cold, standing outside aahing and oohing I've made some scrumptious supper:
Chili for the grown ups and Spag Bol for the girls.

Followed by @Cheshire_Claire's great idea of chocolate sparkles and then some yummy millionaire squares.


Remember . remember the fifth of November
We're going to fill our Tums
Food, then Fireworks Fun For all
......


OK, so my inspiration ran out so why don't you have a go!


BNM

Phone Sex - the BNM way

I've just got off the phone to my hubs. It's lunch time and he rang to berate me for hiding the sausage rolls.

I told them they were in the fridge. He argued back they weren't. I told him again they were in the bottom and then he told me off for putting them in the salad drawer (well the fridge was full)

Anyway whilst talking to each other I couldn't stop yawning. Friday comes and I turn into a yawn pot, guaranteed that at one point tonight I will be asleep on the sofa dribbling...


So Neb told me that he had a great idea for keeping us occupied.. wait for it

Image: Danilo Rizzuti / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

PHONE SLEEP - the new PHONE SEX - ideal for parents of small children.

He then told me that I had to imagine lying there head on desk, while sleep softly swept over me (saying all this can I add in that M&S advert voice)

I had to put the phone down I was giggling so much, bless the man!

BNM

Yes, I do realise that typing Phone Sex into my blog is going to tip the SEO over the edge but as most people find the blog by typing in such randoms as "almost naked firemen" and "Boobies" it ain't going to be much different!

Kindle my fire

Yes, I've done it!

All her fault you know. And me because I love trying new things!

Anyway, if you have a Kindle

you can now read this blog on it. You could keep me in the way I want to get accustomed to. Or, you could read me the normal way, its all up to you!

I'm still trying to find an interesting picture to go on the side so bear with. But if you wanted to be stars you could even review my blog on it. So that other people now how fab I am (or not however you feel!)

BNM

Looking too young, feeling old

On our monthly shop on Monday, we popped into our local Morrison's. We filled the trolley up and joined the endless queues. As always, we tried to get one near the bench so that the girls could sit down. Joining the queue we unloaded the shopping and wine onto the counter (i know there's a word for it but my brain has died!).  The lady before us paid up and I went to start packing.
I was in a world of my own when the assistant asked for ID. I blustered and went why? Apparently the supermarket have a policy of being over 25 before buying alcohol. I can understand this but I'm 35! When I answered that I didn't have any ID (I don't drive so no driving licence to show), I said that Neb had ID. But, no, he wasn't allowed to show his because I may be under the legal age. I got a bit angry until a store manager passed and she asked him if I looked over 18. He said yes and I luckily was allowed to bring the wine home!

So after that moment of looking younger than my age (I honestly feel about 40 most days and thought I looked it too!) why is it I feel old.

Bel came home from school yesterday and got changed deciding not to put any socks on. The sight of her bare feet, and the weather drawing in sent shivers up my spine. Maybe its a sign of old age seeing bare feet. Or is it just me.

I feel cold just looking at this - better go and fetch a jumper, slippers and a woolly hat!


BNM

Time Travelling Fun

Bel has said she'd like to be a time traveller when she's grown up - or as she knows now a historian/archaeologist unless they could just invent a proper tardis. She loves loves LOVES all thing historic and loves going round castles, abbeys, random ruins etc. Which is a good thing really as we do lots of it (being members of both the national trust and English Heritage).

I've mentioned before about the girls becoming members of the Time Traveller's Go Club - a special events club just for kids. Well on the weekend we popped over to my in laws in the midlands and visited another event (yes this is the reason why we went to theirs after they'd been to ours).

Can I just say (and I'm not being paid for this!)  that we had a whale of a time. The girls enjoyed every minute of it, even Car.

The event was a Time Traveller's Go Ghost and Ghouls at Kenilworth Castle and armed with their passports we headed in. At the ticket desk the girls got given their new sticker, and as it was their second they were also presented with medals and posters. I was a bit worried at this thinking that if they'd got them now maybe they wouldn't take part in anything but how wrong was I.

There were many events held during the day and as we'd arrived with 5 mins to spare we joined the Ghost Walk. Taking the walk were two fabulous actors , Sarah and Tobias. They were dressed as Victorian Ghost Hunters and took a crowd of children (and parents) around the castle to different places to 'see' if they could get anybody there. The characters, became possessed by the ghost and would then tell the story. All of the ghosts featured weren't from Kenilworth Castle but laughs were had. I was very shocked by how well behaved Car was and she seemed to get more and more into it as they went on.

The tour went on for about 45 mins and ended in the Graveyard. The graveyard tour then began. The tour focused on stupid deaths through the centuries (yes we all sang the song from Horrible Histories) and both the girls got to pick a death, Car picked the one about the Boston Molasses Flood while Bel picked Franz Reichelt's story.

The tour ended just as the heavens began to open so we legged it to the tearooms. The tea drank by all was very warming and then as we were all so tired we ended the day with the usual visit to the shop.

Another great day out and being the keen beaver that I am, I have already (fingers crossed as it is half term and one of my busy weeks) planned the next time traveller's day out -Knights and Princesses next year.

If you are looking for something to keep the kids occupied during the next school holidays then why not check out and see if there's an event next to you. We, at the BNM household reckon its a good idea and so much fun!

BNM

I have not been sponsored to write this post it was just such a great day out that I wanted to share it with you!

 

Meal Planning ahem Monday

Yes, its not Monday, I know that. But you know, new open plan office means I can't write blog posts in work anymore (not that I did that you know but if I did ahem)

Monday Last night - Sausages, Chicken, Rice, Chips and homemade Barbecue Sauce

Tuesday 1st November - Pasta and tuna for the kids, and I had curry (homemade chicken saag from the freezer)*

Wednesday 2nd November - Toad in the hole, Mashed Potato, Swede and Carrot, Sweetcorn and gravy

Thursday 3rd November - Bacon, Egg and Chips for the kids and Oven Baked Risotto for us grown ups**

Friday 4th November - Baked Potatoes, Cheese, Beans

Saturday 5th November - Another spaghetti and Chili night (spag bol for kids, spaghetti for us)

My meals have definitely changed with the weather, more warming and homely.

* Tuesday's Neb has Welsh lessons and pool so I eat it all!

** Neb has Welsh lessons again on Thursdays so the Risotto can be cooked whilst I relax.

I'm off to add this to Mrs M's blog and  then think its time for a glass of wine before bed!

BNM

Forever talking about nits - Review

It seems that my blog is becoming nit combat central. Again the girls have got them, and school hasn't even restarted again! Buggers!

But I guess they didn't know that I had a new secret weapon up my sleeve:

Linicin shampoo, works in just 10 minutes to effectively treat head lice and nits, and there’s no need to wash it out with further shampooing – it works just like a normal shampoo.
It went on easily, though according to Bel looked like frog spawn. It has no chemically smell and too me smelt faintly of licorice. You add it to damp hair, then leave it in for 10 mins. Plenty of time for me to let the kids watch some telly while I get the bath on.
With the kids in the bath, I washed it out easily. No worrying about greasy residue (though I did give their hair a quick shampoo afterwards as Bel's hair can be quite tangly without shampoo!). As soon as the kids finished their bath, I combed through and the headlice came out - dead! Not one wriggly little thing alive in there. Fantastic.

As a self considered pro on all head lice treatments now, I consider this the best one yet. The fact that there is no endless shampooing until the hair resembles normality and not some greasy rug is great. The fact that there is no smell is great. The fact that they died is great. Now all I need is for someone to design a nit hoover so that my girls with their fine hair do not have to out up with me combing nits out.


BNM

I was sent some Linicin to review. After we get rid of these head lice, I'm going to be using the preventative spray to stop anymore coming back. All opinions given in this review are my own!