New Years Resolution - 2

Quite simply "be healthier" I've eaten far too much cake, drank too much caffeine, been to one exercise class all year, and not touched a skin care routine for so long. And now it's all finally caught up on me. I'm not going to reverse the situation overnight or in a couple of months but if I can look back at the end of the year and maybe weigh a little bit less and my skin looks a little bit healthier then that's the aim.

So 2013 is the year to improve the situation - I haven't got time to cook from scratch every night or go to the gym 3 times a week but I have got time to make small changes and these are what I am going to work on.

So 2013 - 2 short to the point resolutions that hopefully will lead to bigger things. Bye bye cake !!

New Years Resolution - 1

I've thought about next years resolutions and I've come up with 2.

The first one is "Budget", I'm not the worse person in the world with money (good job as I'm an accountant) but this year is going to be an expensive one - if all goes to plan I'll be moving into our proper forever home in a couple of months - there'll be various expenses, plus I want to make sure the monkeys and I continue to be able to have holidays (first one to be booked next week) I do not want to be worrying about money so my first resolution is budget and track. I've downloaded a cash tracker app - got my savings tin at the ready - I'm ready for a financially savvy year.

Me and My Blog

This time last year I had a few resolutions - the main one being I wanted to write a blog. I told my best friend - she laughed - I didn't tell anyone else for a while. I know why she laughed - I stick at nothing- a blog to be updated and thought about well it wasn't going to last longer than the second week in January - and deep down I agreed with her. I'm an accountant - my childhood dream of being a writer was washed away a long long time ago - and I'm not confident in what I write nowadays, I'm too used to dealing with numbers. Still I ignored her giggles - becoming single has given me a different sort of confidence - a sort of sod you I'll prove I can do it on my own confidence that I don't think I had before. I was always confident to a point - but  listened to others and if they thought I couldn't do it then I probably didn't push it or gave up believing them to be right. However now my life is on a completely different track to where it was 2 years ago - and this little blog - is a little record of just how good the last 12 months has been for all of us. My goal was to write it for 12 months - that was my aim and 140 posts later I know I've achieved a good record of 2012. I don't have much time in life, my laptop at home rarely gets charged up (but that will all change next year), I don't carry a camera around with me - but what I do have is my IPhone, I take pictures of everything and I can write a blog post anywhere and at anytime. This blog is not the most technical or inspiring piece of writing on the web but it is my record of a great year.

Roll on 2013 - I'm just thinking about what resolutions to set next year - now I know I can stick at something then maybe my goals should be a bit bigger.

Happy Christmas

What a lovely Christmas day - life is different to how I expected or how I wanted - the monkeys spend time with their Dad and my fantastic Dad is no longer here - but I try my best to enjoy the day and I did enjoy it all.
The monkeys were so excited - pink monkey was ripping open presents screeching "it's mine, it my (insert word), mine" I've never seen her so giddy. Blue monkey was just as excited - he seems to love all his presents but pointed out no hot wheels (I had to laugh - luckily he's got some pennies to spend on his dream track in the sales).
All food was pre-prepared so it just went in the oven - although to be honest the meal wasn't my highlight - monkeys not too bothered and I'd have been happy with something simple. My highlight was spending the day with my 2 amazing children and my lovely mum - I spent the afternoon fitting batteries for the kids and setting up my mums kindle fire. I too was a very lucky girl this year - I've had some brilliant presents off my friends I feel really lucky.
Bedtime now and looking forward to a chilled boxing day.

Party time

It was the big works Xmas do last night - another chance to get glammed up and dance the night away. My lovely mum had the monkeys overnight so I could stay in a hotel and got a little lie in to recover. It was a great night - everyone was in such a good mood. Just feeling a little bit fragile today - and I hope there is no video of me doing my best gangnam style dance.

Very crafty night

Craft night comes but once a month and last night was our last one of the year. We decided to make Christmas wreathes - I used mini baubles to add some colour and K used flowers hers was very pretty (but I forgot to take a photo).
I also had another picture request - this time for a boy so I made one with his initial and his name, I hope they like it.
Finally blue monkey finishes next week for Christmas and I wanted to give his teachers just a little token of our appreciation - they are so responsible for him settling into school so well (he knew no one when he started) and he has made so many friends, he can now write his name and is beginning to read - its been a brilliant few months. I'd seen various hot choc ideas on pinterest and although mine wasn't as good I was still pleased with the end result.
So this week has been very productive - I think all Xmas presents have now been bought, the turkey ordered and now I just have some wrapping to do before Father Christmas comes to visit.

The Xmas Fayre

Today was the Christmas Fayre at blue monkeys school and as I have probably mentioned before (numerous times) I'm on the PTA and ran the cake stall. 4 hours on my feet was worth it as we raised lots of money. The monkeys were happy eating cake, winning chocolate on the tombola and getting their faces painted.
I've spent tonight stamping out hundreds of hearts to finalise the few orders I've got outstanding. Looking forward to getting them finished and wrapped up.

Party time

So the christmas party season has started - yesterday was our wider team event which had us running round Manchester asking strangers to take pictures of us in random places (in fancy dress) then at night it was off out for a meal and plenty of drinks - I had to leave a little bit early to go and celebrate with my friend at her wedding reception. It was a great day although I feel absolutely shattered today so have made the most of being monkey free and had an afternoon kip and am now lying on the sofa watching strictly come dancing and trying to motivate myself to make some food.

Beautiful blue monkey

So the weekend has come around again and we had plenty of things organised. Nanna wanted to take blue monkey to the cinema but blue monkey wanted mummy to take him - so he got the best of both worlds; lunch out and the cinema with mummy (pink spent the afternoon with nanna) then we swapped blue is having a sleepover with nanna and pink came home with me. I took blue monkey to pizza express for lunch - I even treated myself to a small glass of wine - he got an ice cream sundae! Then it was off to the cinema to watch Nativity 2 - it wasn't the best but it was good to get us in the Christmas spirit. I laughed out loud at one point - and he told me to shush no one else is laughing - that made me laugh even more as that would have been the exact same thing I said to my mum (he is def my son).
Tonight I've been baking in preparation for tomorrows Xmas fayre at blue monkeys school - I'm on the cake stall - fingers crossed it goes well.

Just because ...

I had a few bits and pieces lying around, frame, paper and tiles with no plans what to do then I suddenly thought I'll make a picture for the new house. Oh yes because in February (fingers and toes and everything else crossed) we will be moving into our very own permanent home and I cannot wait - this house has been great for the past couple of years but it's been infuriating not being able to make it properly ours but soon we'll be able to do exactly what we want. I know I want a space to make - I'm just not sure where yet - and I think one of my resolutions will be to get my sewing machine out so the below feels very apt for the new house. Just need to put it away now until we move and it can be hung somewhere to make me smile.

From a christening

I was asked to make one of my personalised pictures from my friends little boys christening cards. I knew the room they were going to hang it in so had to mainly keep to a cream and green theme. I also wanted to include some words from the cards that were special to them and him. I'm really pleased with how it's turned out - I hope they like it too.
(my picture taking is rubbish - the finished article looks much better in real life).

Breakfast in bed

Oh my goodness my blue monkey is growing into the kindest little boy. This morning he brought me a bowl of Cheerios in bed - breakfast in bed - he was so proud of himself. I gave him the biggest hug.

Cake pops

Craft night again - can't believe we've kept this up all year. Tonight we made cake pops - E is our cake expert -and she made the cakes and we dipped in chocolate and decorated them. Unfortunately they aren't as smooth as we'd like but we enjoyed making them and the kids will love them tomorrow.
Am so tired glad the weekend has started for me.

Sunday night blues

Another weekend over - I've had such fun with the monkeys, a few times I've caught myself looking at blue monkey and realising how grown up he's getting. Luckily for me he's still small enough to love his cuddles - he even got in bed with me for an aft nap as he said mummy I'm giving you a cuddle I think I was his substitute for his favourite teddy - it was lovely.
Blue monkey asked to go to the pub - i'd like to point out that this is a very infrequent visit and I had to smile that that was his request. Anyway I asked my lovely friend if she had any plans and we all headed out for tea - the monkeys were brilliantly behaved and I enjoyed the adult conversation - I got the monkeys into their pjs at my friends so when we got home it was straight to bed. The end of another weekend. I so wish it could last a few more days.
The pic of blue monkey is him showing us his moustache - that's what he's going to have when he grows up. Very apt as its movember.

Star of the week

I'm so proud of blue monkey he got star of the week at school - for writing his name. When he started school he couldn't write anything - I couldn't get him to sit still for 2 secs to even try but now he loves practising his writing and he's even started to read. I can't believe the change in him in such a short time.

Kick up the bum

I've had a bit of a slump since last weekend - a few nights lay on the sofa feeling like everything was too much hard work. Tonight however I told myself to get my bum up and make something - anything - I knew it would make me feel hundred times better and I was right (I'm always right!) I've got 6 things on my to do list that people have requested and I wanted to get 1 done and finished tonight. So tah dah here's my finished item. All ready for Jane's shop - I hope she likes it - fingers crossed.

Fab Friday

I am lucky enough not to work on a Friday and after dropping blue monkey at school pink monkey and I headed off to buy her some new boots then for a coffee - she is such a grown up at times with her babycino - which she thinks is proper coffee.
Tonight I've been out with Southern monkeys (1&2) and Midlands Monkey (!) for lovely food and cocktails - its been a great night but have to say its been one of the more reserved nights out we've had over the years - although everyone has busy weekends ahead so maybe that's a good thing.
Note to self the town centre tonight proved why people think Internet dating is a good thing ;-)

Woo hoo it's my birthday

Another year older and wiser? Nope just older - and I'm still classing myself as early 30s for one more year. I had to go to work today but actually that was fine - I got presents and cake and we all went to Wagamamas for lunch. I came home to the monkeys and my lovely mum - the plan was to all have tea together and enjoy a few glasses of wine but it went a little bit wrong when first the oven didn't work and then when it did we were so busy talking we burnt the pizzas. It all got sorted and I had a lovely night - we let the monkeys stay up a little bit later as it was a special day and they were both really good.
When we went for lunch we took the below pic - I've had to zoom in on it as P's face is a classic - its like he's thinking H has got a dead octopus in her drink - its actually Jasmine tea incase you were wondering!

From this to this.... Birthday celebrations número UNO

Tomorrow I turn 34 so tonight whilst still definately classed as early 30s I went out for tea and cocktails with the girls from work.
We had gorgeous food at Dimitris then headed across the road for cocktails at Cloud 23 - fab idea Lisa!!
But then something made me think I've not got my house keys - and our posh personas were suddenly shattered as I emptied most (not all) of the contents of my handbag onto the table. I was right though I'd left them in my car and had to stop of enroute home to retreivr them. It was a lovely night a great way to celebrate being a year older.

Fireworks and cake

My friend sent me the below which made me laugh - but it also made me realise I'm still in the good mummy category as we made 2 batches of cupcakes today - 1 the kids destroyed, ops I meant decorated, and a batch I simply decorated for the firework party that we went to with all our baby friends. Hard to believe that pre-kids we'd never met (ok apart from me and southern monkey 2 randomly meeting on a cruise ship in the Caribbean) yet less than 5 years later they are the people who I celebrate so many things with. We started off with 6 little monkeys (one emigrated off to oz with his lovely mummy, daddy and sis) now we are up to 10 - inc one set of twins. All the monkeys loved the fireworks - and there were some big bangs! Fan night, blue monkey will be drawing me a picture tomorrow of the fireworks a well that's what he told me.

New month new car

Woo hoo my lovely new car has finally arrived - I love it and so does blue monkey he was very excited especially about the fact that it's white. I think November is going to be a great month.

A Very Glam Night

Last night was the annual award ceremony at work - another chance to get glammed up, enjoy some free wine and really good entertainment. Last night Vernon Kay was the host, Jason Manford did a comedy routine and Lulu was the singer. Not everyone at work gets invited to this event but last night most of my friends managed to get tickets so it was great to have a dance with the girls. I am feeling delicate this morning but am off to pick up my new car later - so another exciting day ahead.

Date for 1

I've been to watch Bond - Skyfall at the cinema this afternoon and I went ..... on my own. The showing was sold out so I had a seat between 2 families and once I sat down I was absolutely fine. I was so nervous before I went I was worried i'd look a bit of a weirdo going on my own but so what if I want to do things then I have to get out there and no worry about what others think. It was so very liberating and I will definately do it again. The film itself was brilliant, I think Daniel Craig is a brilliant Bond and there were a few twists that I didn't expect. Then I came home to find a surprise visitor up from London had called to see me which was lovely - its been a great Sunday. I am however completely unmotivated to sort the house out - but it'll get done this week and it's not bad - it just looks lived in!

Halloween is coming

It's been an odd week not seeing the monkeys all the time but I know they have has fun with Daddy so all ok. This afternoon their dad wanted to go to football - blue monkey didn't want to go - so they both came home for a few hours of fun. We carved a pumpkin for Halloween, blue monkey practised his letters - I can't believe he can now write his name - coloured in his spiderman canvas I'd got him and pink monkey played on the iPad - that girl is so funny she's really good at getting her way around it and watching all her videos. It was a great few hours - I'm enjoying a lazy Saturday night infront of some rubbish sat night tv.

Ice skating

After taking Blue monkey to Disney On Ice he decided he wanted to go ice skating - the monkeys have spent half term with their Dad, luckily as he lives just up the road I manage to see them both too, and today I had a day with blue monkey and off to the skating rink we headed. It certainly wasn't the gliding experience I imagined, we managed 3 laps round together with me basically holding him up - the first time he stepped on the ice he fell on his bum but after that he clung onto me and we managed to stay upright. After that we headed off to Frankie and Bennys for lunch then onto our friends for a play before Daddy picked him up and I can get ready for a girls night.

And yes blue monkey is wearing odd gloves -I couldn't find a pair so had to compromise ops!

Here we go again

So today we've accepted an offer on the house - 3rd time lucky hopefully! What a great way to start the weekend. Fingers and toes crossed please everyone.

Disney on Ice

Tonight was treat night for me and blue monkey we went to see Disney in Ice, pink monkey also got a treat by having a sleepover at her nanna's. I remember when I was little winning a colouring competition in the local paper for tickets for the same thing so I was really excited to be able to take blue monkey to something I remember loving. We headed into Manchester in time for a quick visit into my office then off for tea at Tampopo - blue monkey loves the chopsticks - not too keen on the food today, he said it was too spicy.
Our friends met us and off we went to find our seats. The show had all the Disney favourites, Mickey and Minnie, Little Mermaid, Peter Pan and a couple I hadn't heard of. I thought it was great - blue monkey enjoyed it but as it was way past his bedtime he really struggled to keep his eyes open towards the end. I love nights like this - he's growing up so fast and we are now able to do more exciting things together.

Overcoming the fear

I have an irrational fear of pigeons - I hate them I am the person in the street who ducks when one flies slightly too close, I can never see that phobia being solved.
However I am also a teeny tiny bit afraid of cats - which then makes my following statement a little bit strange. We are going to get a kitten - 1 maybe even 2 - I really want one so said phobia after getting scratched when little needs to be solved. A visit to my friends house today ended with not 1 but both her cats taking a liking to me and sitting on my lap - one even fell off and used its claws to grab my jeans - even then I didn't bother. So finally 30 years on me and cats are a good combo so I will not be hiding in corners waiting for my cat to disappear - I'm going to turn into a cat lady. Now I just need to find the perfect 1 - this could take some time.

What makes me happy...

Saturday night all curtains drawn, yummy meal from m&s no need to slave over the stove, new lounge wear and slippers, glass of wine, chocolate (low fat) pud in the fridge, Strictly on the telly with Take me Out to follow later and a lovely freshly made bed to climb into later.

All of the above ticked - I am one content girl.

Scrummy fabric

But what shall I make with it?

Look what I've made

2 friends asked me to make them pictures for presents for a birth and a christening and here are the finished items. My camera skills are rubbish - but I am really pleased with how they've turned out. One has already been given and my friend loved it so phew, the other is to be dropped off tomorrow - fingers crossed she likes it too.