Bit of a change

After spending a great night with my friends I walked away realising that maybe I needed a bit of a boost and a little bit of a pamper - I didn't want to be the knackered friend (but I think that's what I looked like the other night). So i booked a hair appointment - plan was just to get it tided up but my hairdresser had other ideas - and I'm so glad she did. Funny how things turn out - it was the boost I needed. Now if I could just lose a stone as easily....

Twitter

This is my little spot on the World Wide Web - I gave up FB years ago and had never ventured onto twitter - but not any more I've signed up and I'm enjoying finding my way around. Already I've tweeted4atable - a new dining concept at work and tonight the girls got a yummy free tea and enjoyed a glass of fizz sat on the balcony after work. I look forward to finding out what else twitter has to offer.

Making choices

For the past 6 years I've had the same job, I've turned into the person I used to look at and think why don't you move onwards and upwards I was I admit a little bit smug. I thought I'd always be moving forwards, grabbing the next opportunity but then life changed. Firstly I had the monkeys 2 lots of maternity leave in 2 years, dropped down to 4 days (part time working at its best - 20% less pay 0% change in workload!) and then I became single - I still work really hard the majority of the time I love my job and I am still career driven. This week though I had to make a decision - there is an opening in the role above, the job is brilliant, the money would be fab, BUT it's full time that 1 extra day in the office (and its managing a team). I made my mind up I was going for it - CV written, chats had, positive feedback got, my kids wouldn't really mind mummy working that 1 extra day - it wouldn't bother them. But deep down I knew it would bother them and it'd bother me - I would end up not happy at home not happy at work - the bank manager would probably be the only happy one. So I pulled out of the race - and I feel relieved. My job works for me and it works for the monkeys - so for a while longer I'll be the person I never thought I would be - but then again does anyone really understand the impact of kids pre-kids? 

I haven't got the perfect work life balance but as a family we seem to be doing ok - and that's all that matters to me.

Holidays

Being single with 2 gorgeous but incredibly mischievous monkeys means that I've holidayed with my Mum and friends in the past it's meant we've been able to go away and I've had the adult company and also help with them both. But relying on others can make you feel a little bit rubbish at times - it's a difficult one to explain - and it's certainly nothing to do with those people I go away with we have a fab time. Sometimes being a single parent is just a bit hard - you can feel like the odd one out dragging 2 kids behind. Anyway I've taken the plunge - a massive leap into the unknown and booked the 3 of us into a caravan in Devon for 5 days - no friends or mum in the room or caravan next door. Just me and them - I'm not sure if this is a genius idea or pure madness but there's only one way to find out. I hope this proves we can do it alone - I'm looking forward to it just the 3 of us - roll on August.

Dairy Free Baking

I love making cakes for others - I couldn't possibly eat everything I bake (although I'd give it a good go). I take cakes into work but my manager complains as she can't eat dairy so this weekend I thought I'd try something that she could eat. I found a dairy free raspberry and coconut muffin recipe online. They were so easy to make - I've tested one (just incase they looked good but tasted bad) but if I say so myself they are yummy.

Sunshine

As soon as the sun comes out everything seems better and nicer. I've had an extra couple of days off work this week and we've made the most of the sunshine. We've done a lot of walking and park visiting. Today I even encouraged blue monkey to walk up Holcombe Hill - although he did say never again Mummy. 

I had my friends round for takeaway over the weekend and then they treated us to brunch out on Sunday which was really nice.

My new dining table has arrived - and I love it. I can now fit 6 people easily - oh and if I want more then no problem I can extend it. I can't wait to host my first big dinner party for my friends.

Gifts

Today we've been gifted a trampoline and not only that a man to come and build it for us. I have 2 very happy monkeys - I'm hoping the sun will continue to shine and they'll use it lots.