Geek Mama

I know I was supposed to come and do a photo post from the weekend, but I need to resize the photos to post them here and I’m terminally lazy.  I’ll definitely get round to it soon, I promise!

I don’t know if I’ve mentioned this here before, but a couple of months ago I was asked for ID in my local “friendly” Co-op while buying a bottle of wine with my shopping.  To put it mildly, I was absolutely raging!  I have been in that shop almost daily for the past year, and have bought many a bottle of wine there (hic).  The old hag woman who served me is the same woman who has served me every day for the last year, but suddenly, on one cold windy day in September, decided that I look under 21 and was not to be served alcohol.  I left my shopping on the checkout and walked out, and went to Sainsbury’s instead.  I fired off a total stinker of an email wondering why every other day I must have looked every one of my 32 years, but now I’ve suddenly lost at least 11 of them?  Anyway, I calmed down after a few days, and have never been asked for ID since.  UNTIL TODAY.  Same old hag woman, “do you have any ID on you love?” ARGHHHHHH.  I virtually threw my passport at her (the paranoia the last IDing incident caused has not left me, and I carry it everywhere now) and spat out that I’m still 32.  I am so angry at this stupid woman, she knows I’m over 21, absolutely knows.  Her bosses and supervisor serve me no problem when she is standing right next to them, my friend just started working in there a couple of evenings a week, and actually said to her about it (in a jokey way, of course), and still, she asks me for ID today. I really am taking it quite personally.  Not a happy bunny today about that at all.

And breathe.

Here’s a Callum-ism to balance things out.  I have a new mobile phone which The Boy is not allowed to play with, so I normally put it up on a high shelf so he doesn’t get his grubby wee mitts on it. I had been transferring some MP3s to it last night so it was lying on the table beside the laptop, and he was hanging around me looking really uncomfortable. (I actually though he needed a poo!). He eventually piped up with “Mummy can you put that phone in your pocket please?”. I asked him why, and he said “Because I really really want it and I might pick it up, put it in your pocket so I can’t get it”.
After the howling laughter from me subsided, I was actually quite impressed with his willpower.  He knew he wanted to grab the shiny gadget and play with it, but knew he wasn’t allowed to.  He knew his limits and that he wouldn’t be able to resist it for much longer, so wanted me to take temptation out of arms reach for him.  He really is an incredible wee boy, he amazes me every day.  (I did let him press the button to take a photo while I held it as I felt so sorry for him after that).

I’ve just had the best weekend that I’ve had in a long time.  I am shattered and in dire need of some sleep, but I will be back tomorrow with an update and photos of our girly weekend of dinner, drinks, shopping, SingStar and Starbucks.

I’ve been ill AGAIN since Saturday night.  Bloody sinuses.  It’s finally lifting again, but I’m not holding my breath that it’s gone for the year.  I was contemplating drilling a hole in my face on Sunday night just so I could breathe, it was horrid.  Then the dizziness came.  *sobs*.

Anyway, am feeling alot better today, so can take The Boy to nursery.  My friend took him for me yesterday, so I’ll give her a call and offer to take her wee girl today to give her a break.  It’s “sponsored wheelie” day today in nursery, so they have to take a wheeled vehicle in with them so they can do laps of the playground.  At the moment it’s between his tractor and his scooter, but he can’t decide which to take.  I’m hoping he chooses the scooter, as it’s less for me to carry when he gets bored after 2 minutes.

I have loads to do this week.  I need to get my eyebrows waxed, make a hair appointment and buy a new bag/tights/accessories for Saturday.  I also need to buy my Christmas tree (yay) as I was ill on Sunday so never made the shopping trip.  I also missed a farewell dinner out on Monday night for my friends who were over from Oz for a month.  They left yesterday, and should be in Dubai at the moment waiting on their connecting flight.

Speaking of Christmas trees, I need to decide on a colour scheme.  Is it really poncy to have a theme that matches your room’s accent colour?  I’m thinking it is, but there is some little colour coordinated design freak in me that keeps being drawn to the turquoise baubles in Sainsbury’s. Turquoise would REALLY go well with my new cushions. Sensible me says go for deep red and gold. Go traditional. It’s timeless.  But it doesn’t match. Hmmm.  I was talking to friends the other day and saying that I wish I was organised (and rich) enough to have seasonal decor for all year round.  As autumn dawns I’d just pull out the rich orange and brown coloured cushions and candles to match the outside weather, and as winter draws in I’d swap them for deep reds ands sparkly things.  I should have been born into gentry, I’m too stylish to be poor.

It’s been a while, blogland.

I never know whether to do an update or not when I return from a blog-rest.  It feels a bit rude to just start rambling on about something or other without explaining my absence.  Not that there is an explanation, I just couldn’t be arsed LOL.

Anyway, The boy is still loving nursery.  He had his settling in report before the half term break which was glowing.  Apparently he’s an angel between the hours of 1pm-4pm, Mon-Fri - who’d have thunk it?

I love the “Callum can need reminding to tidy up” part.  Glad to see he’s not just giving me the runaround at tidy up time.  I’d love to be a fly on the wall at nursery for a day.

I’m loving the icy weather we’ve been having, if only for the fact that it means there is less rain and general dampness around.  I’ve not been thoroughly soaked twice a day for at least 2 weeks now.  The walking to nursery and back lark lost it’s appeal quickly, I dread it every day and long to be able to jump in a nice warm car instead.  On the up side, my legs are getting less flabby, as my looser than normal jeans and boots that easily zip up will testify. Still though, a car (or chauffeur, or daily taxi) would be preferable.

Now that Halloween and Bonfire night are over, I’m allowed to talk about Christmas without the humbugs whinging that “It’s only October!” “It’s not even Halloween yet” and “The leaves are still on the trees!”.  I adore Christmas, it’s my favourite time of year, and I’m especially looking forward to this year because we won’t need to travel any considerable distance before and after - meaning I can buy Callum whatever the hell I like without having to think about baggage allowances and bulk.  Last year we were in Australia for Christmas, and the 2 years previous to that we had to go back to Bristol afterwards, so we have always had to curb our present buying.  I’m really looking forward to just being able to buy what I want for him and not have to think if it’ll fit in a suitcase or take me over the blasted 20KG limit.  I’m going late night shopping this evening to make a start on it actually.  I’m buying Callum a Singalong CD player from the ELC, (complete with microphones, one for him and one for me his friend) and they have 20%  off it at the moment, so I may as well buy it early and save myself £7.50. I’m buying my tree and decorations this weekend too, oh it’s all so exciting.  Santa arrives at our  Town Centre on Saturday morning, so we’ll be taking The Boy to watch the grand entrance.  He’s still terrified of Santa, so that will be fun….

Next weekend I have some good friends coming to Glasgow for a girls night out.  We’re going out for a lovely meal, followed by drinks, then we’re all going back to (poor) Kelly’s house for some Singstar and more drinks, and a sleepover.  In addition to the 5 of us who all live in the Glasgow area, we have 2 girls flying up from London, one coming on the train from Dumfries, and one coaching it down from the Highlands.  I’m so looking forward to it, it’s going to be such a great night, I can’t wait to see everyone again, sans kidlets! I’ve been trying to find something new to wear, but it’s proving difficult, so I think I’ll be wearing a dress I already have, and will treat myself to a new bag, and perhaps a coat if I can find one I like.

I think I’m all caught up now, and normal blogging service has resumed, honest!

Oh, how could I forget, I’m going to see TAKE THAT in June, HOW EXCITING.  Watch out Mark Owen, I’m coming to get you!!!!!  <3

I’ve been rubbish at blogging lately, been a bit stressed and feeling a bit blah with all the rain we had, then I was ill, the boy was ill and time went on…

Am feeling alot better now, the sun is shining most mornings and lifting my spirits, and there has been no snot in my life for 3 days.  I think it’s time to start blogging again.  I shall return tomorrow with a proper update - until then here’s a gratuitous photo of my very own little superhero on friday.

This week could do with being rubbed out and drawn in again.

It all started on Monday morning when I awoke at the ungodly hour of 7.15 with the rain pattering against my window.  15 minutes later the “rain” sounded more like a tap, and it dawned on me that it was coming from my bathroom (next to my bedroom). On inspection, I found that there was quite a great deal of water pouring in through my ceiling.  Wonderful.  A couple of nights before my bathroom lights had gone, and I hoped it was just a coincidence that 2 bulbs went at the same time, but no, there had obviously been a leak there for a couple of days.  *sigh*  Anyway, the upshot of it meant I was knocking on my neighbour’s door at 7.15 informing her that the contents of her bathroom pipes were actually in my flat.  Luckily, it was repaired that morning, so there was no lasting damage from the water.  The electrician came about lunchtime to repair the lights, but as it was still damp around the fitting, disconnected them and should hopefully be out tomorrow to re-connect them.

The boy has also been ill this week.  He had his first ever significant temperature which scared the crap out of me, and I ended up having to medicate him, which I really hate doing.  I hate that the thought of giving his wee body drugs that may mask symptoms of something serious, but the thought of febrile convulsions (note to self: don’t google child temperatures again) over-rode my hate of infant suspensions, and I administered baby nurofen type stuff a few times, which brought his temp down a bit.

He’s certainly alot better tonight, but is still milking it for all it’s worth with a “mummy I’m not feeling well, I think I need to sleep in your bed”, which worked of course, for the 4th night running.  He just fell out of my bed around an hour ago and when I went in to pick him up and put him back together again he wasn’t hot at all, so fingers crossed the fever has passed.

Earlier in the week we went to my friend Jen’s house to see her new puppy.  It’s a teeny border collie, only 5 weeks old and just beautiful.  It was a rescued runt from a farmhouse litter, and has a few breed related problems, but my friend is such a softie she decided to save it from certain death instead of taking a “perfect” one.  Well, Callum just adores her.  He would not leave her alone, and made such a fuss over this little ball of fluff.  It was so lovely to watch.  He was carrying her around like a baby (ok, like a bag of spuds, but a very fragile bag of spuds), and taking her over to her water bowl, bringing her toys and trying to put her to bed.  My heart was melting, and as a result I’m thinking that, as lovely as our goldfish is, it’s not really up to much in the pet stakes.  I’m seriously considering a kitten.  I’m giving myself 3 months to think about it, because if I don’t I’ll have one by the weekend, such is my love of cute fluffy things.  Need. To. Be. Sensible.

I don’t think I have much more to report, No nursery yesterday due to strike action (and the award for the worst timed pay-rise related strike goes to…..), no nursery today due to ill child, and no nursery tomorrow due to Scottish September weekend.  We have my best friend’s wee boys 4th birthday party on Saturday afternoon and a christening on Sunday, so a busy weekend ahead.  Please let us have no more illness and some sunshine.

xxx

I submitted my blog to blogged.com to be reviewed, and this was my result:

Not bad for what is mostly incoherent personal ramblings and dodgy music videos.  I want to get it up to over 9, but I suspect I’ll need to update more, and as I’m terminally lazy, I doubt that’ll happen any time soon.

I have this obsession with this guy, I don’t mention it much, (mostly because the insane laughter that ensues shortly afterwards is unnerving) but I think he’s fabulous and have done for over 10 years.  So my obsession, it’s still there, and still real, still laughable….  (and I must be serious as I let the coma that is Sheryl Crow into my blog on his behalf)

Blatantly ripping off a recent post by Splodge, who posted photos of where she blogs from, I decided to do the same.  I’m insanely jealous of people who have an “area” all to themselves with all their junk important things around them.  I used to have a great little office in my old flat just for me.  My poor boyfriend had to have a desk in the corner of the bedroom while I got a great room just off the kitchen with a huge corner desk full of my treasured belongings.  Bliss.

Anyway, these days I live on my own with my little boy, and my bedroom has fitted storage which really limits space, so I can’t even have a desk in there. I could fit one in the main living room, but it would look just awful, so my desktop PC is currently residing under my bed, and I use my beloved 10 month old laptop for blogging/work/browsing. While it’s great for comfort it’s not so good for posture and prolonged sessions of work/play.  I’m normally found sitting with the laptop on a cushion on the side of the sofa.  Anyway, on to the pics!

This is where I usually sit to blog.  Note the obligatory glass of wine (only on weekends and Desperate Housewives nights!), the mobile and landline phones, and the remote controls.   There is often a pot of hummous and some pitta on the small lamp table, but I’m trying to cut down my late night eating these days.  The folder on the dining table is the only work related thing I keep in this room, it’s just some policy notes and some research stuff I like to keep handy. All my other office-type crap is kept on the floor to ceiling bookshelf built into my hall, in various ikea boxes and baskets.

This is my normal view.  Luckily I’m great at multi-tasking, so browsing/telly watching/munching things from the far too handy kitchen all at the same time holds no problem for me.  Sometimes there is a small boy and 3 billion toys in this view, but not tonight.

That’s it, not very exciting I’m afraid, but I did promise to do it!

xxx

Lots and lots of rain.

I have been rained on every single day since The Boy started nursery.  Today it absolutely poured down all the way there, and all the way back.  It’s still pouring now, and will probably still be pouring down when I have to go pick him up.  It’s doing my head in.  A complete waste of straighteners.  Callum, of course, loves it.  He jumped in every single puddle on the way there this morning, and despite wearing wellies and his raincoat, needed a complete change of clothes when we arrived at nursery, even down to his socks and pants.  Here’s hoping he doesn’t have any accidents as he has no spare change of clothes now.  I neeeeeeed a raincoat, as I’m sick of wrestling with an umbrella, a 3 year old and his paraphanelia, and my own bag every day.  I may buy this one:

Am I daft for even thinking about paying £25 for what is essentially a pac-a-mac?  Even if it makes me feel about 5 again?