Skirtember

I am taking part in a FB challenge called Skirtember, which is pretty self explanatory, to wear a skirt or dress every day in September. I have heard of Frocktober and Dressember, but this is the first time I have wanted to play. Why? Well, it stops me wearing the same exhausted pair of denim cropped trousers every day. It's making me re evaluate my wardrobe. And it's making me laugh for a couple of reasons. Firstly, I'm tracking the change from summer to autumn in the outfits I wear each day, because I take a photo and post it to the FB group. Secondly, I cannot take a self portrait to save my life. I tried cleaning the mirror today, but it didn't help. See here

Summer (Sept 4th)



and autumn (today)



An interesting way of thinking about what you wear and why. :-)

Wedding bells

SIL is tying the knot in September and excitement is mounting. Back in the dim and distant past, SIL was out with me as I tried on 'the dress' (well, the one I could afford to get copied by our local seamstress, I was less fussy about ethics back then).

I have been entrusted with the task of buying four matching shirts from Monsoon, three for my boys and one for our nephew on the Tiffin side. We'll be fine, as long as Jack doesn't grow too much, being the oldest, he could possibly size out of his top between now and then and he is in the largest size Monsoon do. I might keep my eyes open for something similar just in case.

Sports day tomorrow. Please don't rain! :-)

Gratitude

I have been composing a very grumpy, whining blog post in my head all morning, but having hopped round a couple of my favourite blogs, I have decided to try and turn my frown upside-down instead. (Oh dear, that phrase is no better in writing than it outloud. Oh well.)

In no particular order, things I am grateful for

1) My best friend took 4 days off work and travelled a very long way by train to come and keep me company while Tiff and Jack were at Beaver camp this weekend. It was fantastic to see her and catch up, even if she is a dreadful influence.
2) It's my birthday tomorrow and I am having lunch with my Mum and sister.
3) Although it involved embarking on a mad and complicated diet, I am very excited to have another avenue to explore to reduce my nasal polyps and aspirin allergy.
4) It's nearly half term and we are off on holiday with some friends.
5) It looks increasingly as though the SSOH will still be in work this autumn, even though he is still on notice of redundancy for now.
6) Although I thought Harold Camping was misled at best, he did give me a little opening to talk to some people about what I believe.
7) Dan didn't wake up in the night last night and is having a good sleep now.

Actually, I think it's working. :-)

He's back!

Somewhat belatedly, but nonetheless delightedly, I am pleased to tell you that Tigger is back!

Last seen 14th Feb, home again on April 28th. It turns out he was three roads round, skulking in a very kind lady's garden. She had been feeding him and winning his trust until she could stuff him a carrier and take him to the vets. The vet scanned him and thanks to his microchip, was able to put us in touch.

He is going back to Mum's shortly though. Dan LOVES him, maybe a bit too much and his life is spent fleeing from a short person shouting "Igger!".

I need a new header

I have put off posting about it because somehow it makes it true, but mum's cat (also my cat) has gone missing. Last seen on Feb 14th, I can only hope he has rehomed himself somewhere else - I did feel he was getting a bit fed up with Daniel's constant attentions, but if he's too dim to get on a window sill, or in his deliberately out of the way basket, I couldn't do much about it. We have done everything we could think of to locate him and I still haven't given up hope, but the feeling of "I wonder if he's there" everytime I come into the house is getting a bit miserable. Be happy, Tigger, wherever you are.

First shoes

Dan got his first shoes. I wasn't putting it off exactly but three kiddos in shoes is expensive, especially when one of them is Luke. Dan's feet are a 4G, the same as Luke's were (I think) but unlike Luke, he had an epic meltdown in the shop. As he lay on the floor thrashing about and screaming the sweet shoe shop lady asked if I wanted her to take the first shoe photo that they offer. We both looked at him and decided it probably wasn't a moment to immortalise. I kind of wish I had now, of course.

The following day, he was beyond thrilled to sit on the stairs with his brothers and get his shoes on with Daddy. :-)

Valentines Day

I find it very hard to know what to get the SSOH, but this year I am thinking about trying to get a picture framed for him. It's of his current work project, of which he is very proud. Good idea, or bad idea? I suppose the first thing would be to get a quote...