...but it was a good day, anyway.
Dylan had the day off school yesterday as the teachers had a training day. We thought it would be a great day to take the kids to the Doncaster Dome. They love swimming there, and Dylan very rarely has a day off with Martin.
So we drove all the way to Doncaster, with a stop in Scunthorpe on the way, only to discover that the swimming pool was closed. They'd had to drain it the day before. It was filled again, but the water hadn't heated up enough to swim.
So we quickly formulated a new plan. We took the kids to the on-site pub for lunch, because they had a soft play area. It was a big hit. Then we took them to the cinema to see "A Monster in Paris." We really enjoyed it--sort of. Edith cried because she just wanted to go to sleep. Martin got her calmed down, and she did enjoy the film. But Dylan whined every time there was a slightly suspenseful bit. ARGH!!!
Both kids were asleep within minutes of getting in the car to drive home, so Martin and I enjoyed an old Podcast of "Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me." It's a news quiz on N.P.R. in case you don't know, and it made me a wee bit homesick. I love the British sense of humor, but I really miss the American sense of humor sometimes.
Anyway, we got the kids home and I made some dinner. It was too salty and the kids really didn't eat it. Another fail.
Martin got the kids bathed and into bed while I went to Aquafit. Apparently, Edith cried for about 45 minutes before she went to sleep. And I discovered while I was getting changed into my swimming suit that one of the kids had peed on me at some point. I put my t-shirt on clean, and there was a urine-reeking stain on it at the end of the day.
Awesome!
So it should have been a crappy day, right? I totally went to bed happy last night though. There's really something to be said for never having a dull moment.
It really helps that the house is nice and clean. Having spent 5 hours cleaning up for an unsuccessful house viewing, I have decided that I need to keep on top of it. So right now, the house is tidy and the laundry is completely caught up (including the ironing). I also changed all the beds and scrubbed the front room carpet.
Tomorrow, I'll be bleaching the grout between the floor tiles in the kitchen.
Oh yeah, that's the way I roll!
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Saturday, January 28, 2012
I'm a bad parent...
Does it make me a bad person that I find my son annoying?
And not just a little annoying, either. A LOT annoying! He's loud, and he boasts and brags when he wins something. He bosses people around and shouts at his sister when she does anything that he doesn't approve of. And, worst of all, he bloomin' IGNORES ME!
Don't get me wrong-I love the kid. He's smart and beautiful, and very affectionate. But when I'm tired or unwell, I really can't stand to be around him. So today, with the house to prepare for a viewing, it goes without saying, well...do I really have to say it?
KID DROVE ME NUTS ALL DAY LONG!
But the viewing went ok, I think, and the house is as spick and span as it can be with two young kids running around the place. And they got McDonalds as a special treat for being so good.
I wasn't annoyed with him when I tucked the kids into bed tonight.
And not just a little annoying, either. A LOT annoying! He's loud, and he boasts and brags when he wins something. He bosses people around and shouts at his sister when she does anything that he doesn't approve of. And, worst of all, he bloomin' IGNORES ME!
Don't get me wrong-I love the kid. He's smart and beautiful, and very affectionate. But when I'm tired or unwell, I really can't stand to be around him. So today, with the house to prepare for a viewing, it goes without saying, well...do I really have to say it?
KID DROVE ME NUTS ALL DAY LONG!
But the viewing went ok, I think, and the house is as spick and span as it can be with two young kids running around the place. And they got McDonalds as a special treat for being so good.
I wasn't annoyed with him when I tucked the kids into bed tonight.
Thursday, January 26, 2012
I know it's not very sensitive, but...
I was doing some shopping in Scunthorpe last week and saw a woman wearing a hijab. Not unusual for Scunthorpe, where there is a fairly large Muslim population (for white bread Lincolnshire, anyway). I hadn't had a chance to wash my hair that day, and I seriously thought to myself, "Wow, I'll bet that comes in really handy when you're having a bad hair day."
Martin accuses me of being a bit of an anarchist. Funny, how closely anarchy resembles a belief in small government. Our political views very rarely match up. I don't think the government should have as much control as they do, and Martin likes being more "protected." Interesting, when you consider that many political discussions with my dad (Cook, not Bowcutt) ended with him snorting derisively and calling me a "bleeding heart liberal."
That could be a post all on its own. Maybe one for another night.
Anyway, one of the many things Martin and I disagree on is the wearing of the burka. Although it might make me seem anti-feminist, I have no problem with people wearing it. I don't think anyone should be forced to wear a burka, but I believe they should be able to choose to wear it if they want. Martin thinks it should be banned as it hides peoples' faces and poses a security risk. He also thinks that wearing a burka isolates women from the world around them. We could fight--er, debate--for hours about this topic.
I was shopping in Claire's Accessories a few years ago, and they had a really good clearance rack. A woman in a burka and hijab was standing at the clearance rack and looking at some earrings that I really liked, so I asked her where she had found them. She looked around the shop, saw that there were no men present, removed the veil covering her face, and talked to me for a few moments about the jewellery we were looking at.
This was one of the most memorable moments of my life. I will never forget that woman's smile. I felt like she had let me into her life in such a personal way, and it was like a little gift. She wasn't isolated from the world. She was just choosing who to let in. And she chose me, even if it was just for a few minutes. Amazing!
Anyway, using the hijab to cover up your greasy hair. Good or bad idea? Discuss:
Martin accuses me of being a bit of an anarchist. Funny, how closely anarchy resembles a belief in small government. Our political views very rarely match up. I don't think the government should have as much control as they do, and Martin likes being more "protected." Interesting, when you consider that many political discussions with my dad (Cook, not Bowcutt) ended with him snorting derisively and calling me a "bleeding heart liberal."
That could be a post all on its own. Maybe one for another night.
Anyway, one of the many things Martin and I disagree on is the wearing of the burka. Although it might make me seem anti-feminist, I have no problem with people wearing it. I don't think anyone should be forced to wear a burka, but I believe they should be able to choose to wear it if they want. Martin thinks it should be banned as it hides peoples' faces and poses a security risk. He also thinks that wearing a burka isolates women from the world around them. We could fight--er, debate--for hours about this topic.
I was shopping in Claire's Accessories a few years ago, and they had a really good clearance rack. A woman in a burka and hijab was standing at the clearance rack and looking at some earrings that I really liked, so I asked her where she had found them. She looked around the shop, saw that there were no men present, removed the veil covering her face, and talked to me for a few moments about the jewellery we were looking at.
This was one of the most memorable moments of my life. I will never forget that woman's smile. I felt like she had let me into her life in such a personal way, and it was like a little gift. She wasn't isolated from the world. She was just choosing who to let in. And she chose me, even if it was just for a few minutes. Amazing!
Anyway, using the hijab to cover up your greasy hair. Good or bad idea? Discuss:
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
So you're feeling like you're 40...
My body seriously feels like it's falling to pieces. Specifically, my hips and pelvis. I'm hobbling around like an arthritic old woman at the minute.
Of course, I still went to the gym this morning. The cross trainer was hard, but I made it through. I think I'm actually getting slightly addicted to the gym.
Hmmm, maybe that's why my body is falling apart.
Anyway, all this time at the gym is giving me a lot of time to think about various things:
A while back, someone I know told me that she is bulimic. It was strange, because she is so tiny and has such a great body, and I've always been more than a little bit jealous. Finding out she has an eating disorder kind of makes me feel like she's been cheating all this time. And it makes me sad, that she'd be willing to destroy her body for the sake of making it look good.
Lately, Dylan has been incredibly loud. It's like he only has two volumes--asleep and deafening. It's driving me crazy, and I don't know what to do about it. Seriously, it's like he's shouting all the time. He gets so excited about everything, and when he gets excited the volume goes up. Any suggestions would be welcome.
Edith has hit her terrible twos with a vengeance. She screamed for nearly an hour and a half last week because I wouldn't read her a second bedtime story. That kid is stubborn as a mule, and she certainly knows what she does and does not want. It's just a phase, but it's one of those phases where good parenting is incredibly difficult. It's so much easier to just give in to her whining demands. But if I give in now, it will just make my life harder in 10 years time. I'll take the hard work now rather than when she's a teenager, thanks.
We have a house viewing on Saturday. We were supposed to have one two Sundays ago, and we had a special fast for it. That may not seem like a big deal to you super religious people who do it all the time, but it's a HUGE deal for us. So imagine our chagrin when the viewing was cancelled--especially since I spent my entire Saturday night cleaning the house for it. Thanks to my new year's resolution, a lot of stuff has been getting done. But it was still hard work. So maybe this is the one--the answer to our prayers.
Martin just had a week off work, and it was fantastic. He is nearly finished with our kitchen cabinets. He was finished, but there was a mistake with one of them and he has to re-do it. But I don't care that much about the cabinets. I care about having my husband at home, and it was wonderful! How sad, that hanging out and playing Guitar Hero with Martin is more fun than anything else I could do. I'd also forgotten how much easier it is to get the kids into bed when Martin is home. Half the work is BLISS!
He's back at work now, and I'm lonely even though I'm happily catching up on all the telly I missed while he was home.
So yeah, full week ahead, in pain, missing Martin, Dylan driving me nuts and Edith throwing temper tantrums left, right, and center. That's the update. Now I'm going to post some pictures.
Of course, I still went to the gym this morning. The cross trainer was hard, but I made it through. I think I'm actually getting slightly addicted to the gym.
Hmmm, maybe that's why my body is falling apart.
Anyway, all this time at the gym is giving me a lot of time to think about various things:
A while back, someone I know told me that she is bulimic. It was strange, because she is so tiny and has such a great body, and I've always been more than a little bit jealous. Finding out she has an eating disorder kind of makes me feel like she's been cheating all this time. And it makes me sad, that she'd be willing to destroy her body for the sake of making it look good.
Lately, Dylan has been incredibly loud. It's like he only has two volumes--asleep and deafening. It's driving me crazy, and I don't know what to do about it. Seriously, it's like he's shouting all the time. He gets so excited about everything, and when he gets excited the volume goes up. Any suggestions would be welcome.
Edith has hit her terrible twos with a vengeance. She screamed for nearly an hour and a half last week because I wouldn't read her a second bedtime story. That kid is stubborn as a mule, and she certainly knows what she does and does not want. It's just a phase, but it's one of those phases where good parenting is incredibly difficult. It's so much easier to just give in to her whining demands. But if I give in now, it will just make my life harder in 10 years time. I'll take the hard work now rather than when she's a teenager, thanks.
We have a house viewing on Saturday. We were supposed to have one two Sundays ago, and we had a special fast for it. That may not seem like a big deal to you super religious people who do it all the time, but it's a HUGE deal for us. So imagine our chagrin when the viewing was cancelled--especially since I spent my entire Saturday night cleaning the house for it. Thanks to my new year's resolution, a lot of stuff has been getting done. But it was still hard work. So maybe this is the one--the answer to our prayers.
Martin just had a week off work, and it was fantastic. He is nearly finished with our kitchen cabinets. He was finished, but there was a mistake with one of them and he has to re-do it. But I don't care that much about the cabinets. I care about having my husband at home, and it was wonderful! How sad, that hanging out and playing Guitar Hero with Martin is more fun than anything else I could do. I'd also forgotten how much easier it is to get the kids into bed when Martin is home. Half the work is BLISS!
He's back at work now, and I'm lonely even though I'm happily catching up on all the telly I missed while he was home.
So yeah, full week ahead, in pain, missing Martin, Dylan driving me nuts and Edith throwing temper tantrums left, right, and center. That's the update. Now I'm going to post some pictures.
Friday, January 20, 2012
Thirty three
Ouch! I turned 33 today.
It has been a great day though. Good upper body workout, great swimming session with Edith, haircut, Turkish baths at Harrogate with my husband, and now waiting for him to come home with a big bucket of KFC chicken. He's promised to watch Twilight with me.
Getting older is kind of pants, and I've decided that the reason you give gifts to people is to soften the blow. I got some cracking presents--my favorite so far is from my sister Velecia, who sent me "The Neverending Story."
Oooh, Martin is home with the food. I'm outie!
It has been a great day though. Good upper body workout, great swimming session with Edith, haircut, Turkish baths at Harrogate with my husband, and now waiting for him to come home with a big bucket of KFC chicken. He's promised to watch Twilight with me.
Getting older is kind of pants, and I've decided that the reason you give gifts to people is to soften the blow. I got some cracking presents--my favorite so far is from my sister Velecia, who sent me "The Neverending Story."
Oooh, Martin is home with the food. I'm outie!
Friday, January 13, 2012
I hated someone today...
Not anybody I knew, either. Just some random woman who had taken her kid to the Fun Forest in Brigg.
I didn't hate her because her kid was undisciplined and mean to one of mine. I didn't hate her because she was a terrible driver and cut me off or nearly caused an accident in the car park. She did absolutely nothing to me.
You're dying to know why, aren't you?
It was because of the way she looked.
More specifically, it was because she was thin, well-dressed, and well-groomed. Her hair was perfectly styled, sleek and glossy. Mine is frizzy and in desperate need of a trim (and a style). Her clothes were new and trendy in a grown up and understated way. I have been increasingly shabby looking since Dylan was born. And let's not talk about the way my empty baby bag hangs off the front of me, despite my diligence in attending the gym and watching what I eat.
How shallow was that?
It's a good thing I didn't run into anyone I know there. I probably would have ended up hating them, too.
Really need to work on my bad attitude lately. And maybe do my hair a little more often and wear some lipstick...
I didn't hate her because her kid was undisciplined and mean to one of mine. I didn't hate her because she was a terrible driver and cut me off or nearly caused an accident in the car park. She did absolutely nothing to me.
You're dying to know why, aren't you?
It was because of the way she looked.
More specifically, it was because she was thin, well-dressed, and well-groomed. Her hair was perfectly styled, sleek and glossy. Mine is frizzy and in desperate need of a trim (and a style). Her clothes were new and trendy in a grown up and understated way. I have been increasingly shabby looking since Dylan was born. And let's not talk about the way my empty baby bag hangs off the front of me, despite my diligence in attending the gym and watching what I eat.
How shallow was that?
It's a good thing I didn't run into anyone I know there. I probably would have ended up hating them, too.
Really need to work on my bad attitude lately. And maybe do my hair a little more often and wear some lipstick...
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Resolved...
I don't really do new year's resolutions.
That being said, I've made some this year.
I am going to stop expecting Martin to do stuff on the house, and just get it done myself.
So I've painted the front room.
I'm nearly finished--just about a third of the last wall to go, but I actually DO need some help with it as it requires me to move some serious furniture. And today I sorted out a new number plate for our car (ours was stolen) and bought and fitted some new hinges on our secretaire (Martin did end up helping me with that, but not because I needed him to or asked him to). This is one of the reasons that I've not updated the blog for so long!
I've also resolved to be less controlling and demanding. Not with the kids, mind you. They need to be controlled. Especially Edith right now. Proper little madame, her. No, I'm trying not to be as controlling with my husband. I'm trying not to demand his time and attention, and instead am waiting for it to be volunteered.
Of the two resolutions, the second one is definitely harder. But I think it's important.
Happily, my resolutions don't involve exercising more or going on a diet. My workout routine is firmly established and diets don't work.
That being said, I've made some this year.
I am going to stop expecting Martin to do stuff on the house, and just get it done myself.
So I've painted the front room.
I'm nearly finished--just about a third of the last wall to go, but I actually DO need some help with it as it requires me to move some serious furniture. And today I sorted out a new number plate for our car (ours was stolen) and bought and fitted some new hinges on our secretaire (Martin did end up helping me with that, but not because I needed him to or asked him to). This is one of the reasons that I've not updated the blog for so long!
I've also resolved to be less controlling and demanding. Not with the kids, mind you. They need to be controlled. Especially Edith right now. Proper little madame, her. No, I'm trying not to be as controlling with my husband. I'm trying not to demand his time and attention, and instead am waiting for it to be volunteered.
Of the two resolutions, the second one is definitely harder. But I think it's important.
Happily, my resolutions don't involve exercising more or going on a diet. My workout routine is firmly established and diets don't work.
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