Look What I Made

I'm thinking about making this a regular feature, however my flashes of inspiration come so infrequently I would have to fill in loads of gaps.

I bought this dress off Ebay and when I got it I though it needed a little something. Hence the embroidery. Which was all done on the sewing machine, so it's a little shaky, but I think that adds to the piece. (Hee hee- see the designer bullshit in there...?) The dinos have sequin eyes. It's all linked up, which is why the dinos are going around the dress. It's quite cute, really.

Voting Day- Hmmmm....

Okay, maybe Labour are the best option, but I cannot make myself vote for someone who sends out this kind of publicity. We even had the Labour people come around last week and say:
"Who do you think you will vote for?"
Me: "Well, I would vote Green...."
Old guy: "There isn't a Green candidate, though."
Me: "I know, but there is an Independent candidate who promotes green issues."
Old Guy: "We both know that person won't win, and if you vote for them, then the Tories will get in again. It's a wasted vote."


I would have seriously thought about it, however about two minutes before he showed up at the door I had been to the end of the drive to get the garbage bin, with Mae on my back. Obviously struggling, I see a gaggle of these canvassers coming up the street. Not one of them offered to help. So bite me.

And on the subject of new pictures in this blog, here is a beautiful watercolour Mae did at school last week.

And a couple of rationed cute kid photos. With obligatory message....miniactivisto.

And random thought for the day?

'Poo is in the air' (sillage spreading time, methinks. the only downside of living in a rural area)

Hope that ticked a few boxes.

it's a comin'

blogs- sometimes there are only so many kids parties, cute children pictures that you can blog, then you hit a wall.
Something else is needed in this space.
Now that it's spring I may be inspired.
Keep watching this space.

The Beck Story

The best thing about Mae's birthday today? That her friend Beck (seen here at last years' party) insisted on wearing a shirt and tie, to mark the occasion. I love that kid.

Birthday Bonanza Begins

Well, we went to Edinburgh last weekend to begin the celebrations. I cannot believe it was four years ago when Mae was born! In fact, it was just about now that I started going into labour! How nutso is that?

Not soon until she is driving (oh my god.)!

We went to the Edinburgh Climbing Centre for an open day for under 5's and it was terrific! Its a huge disused quarry that was regenerated into this huge facility with loads of climbing walls, a freaky aerial assault course, children's play area, classes of all descriptions, etc etc. Mae really enjoyed herself, although wasn't old enough for the big walls, she tried the little one in the play area. We will take her back very soon, I am sure!

We also had a birthday celebration with Lilian and Ross, and Mae was pleased with her fabulous cake that Lilian made, as well as her favourite food, Sausages!!!

Here's the nutso blow up gerbil roly poly that they got her for her birthday- she loves it and we will use it this weekend for wacky races during her party. The only problem is with the static- did you know that if your hair is this long and staticky, it is a mess of tangles afterwards? Me neither. Oh well.

And guess who used another of his nine lives? Yep, Rumpole. We were all ready for his last day last Tuesday, unfortunately he picked up just in the nick of time, and is now back keeping me awake at night as usual, with the added bonus of sneezing on me.

And how cool is this? I joined Facebook again (don't despair, Dana!) in order to show my support for the Free Tibet groups- and I wrote a message to Isabel Losada, the author of For Tibet, With Love (see October 22, 2007), and she has written me back a lovely message and now I am her 'friend'! Cool!

Eighty six pounds

That's 169 bucks, to you Canadians (at today's rate, let's hope it plummets in time for our holiday.)

Now, we blew that amount of money today. What do you think we got for it?

A. Two pairs of shoes for me. Nice ones, one for work and one for a nice night out. Both black, but investment shoes, as they say. Will last for a long time.

B. Giant sub woofers for my car. I am in the process of 'Pimping my Ride'

C. Worm tablets, toothpaste and antibiotics for Rumpole, plus blood samples taken, as he has been barfing loads lately, mostly on our beds.

Whoever gets the answer right first can expect a 15 year old, on his last legs, furball, fleabag, stinkin cat in the post. Second class post. Surface to Canada.

Gold Manicure

Geoff got me booked in for a gold manicure- it was a Mother's Day present. I hope it's slightly better than Mae's version.

But does this look right?

Holy hell- two days later and does this look sore or what? Is this right?

Tough grrrls

Mae had two booster shots today. One in each arm. Didn't even flinch. She rocks, that kid.

Hey Croissant!

Well, I hope everyone had a good easter- we were in Nottingham, visiting Helen and Shub, Maya and Jamie, but mostly just Helen as Shub's dad died unexpectedly and he had to go to India- we are glad we got to see him, though and hopefully our visit didn't take too much of a toll on Helen!!
Actually the kids played really well together, so we didn't have to do much parenting, which was really refreshing! They basically took care of themselves!!

We also had a tram ride to downtown where everyone but me had a ride in the bigwheel (see above. Maniacs- don't they realise the dangers!!?)

Then we had a visit to the Robin Hood exhibition in the museum, but the kids enjoyed the seaside playroom the most.

My favourite bit....? Thinking of doing laundry all the time, which is my most hated chore- this went some way to ease the pain. It was really funny though, because Mae didn't like it at all! We scarred her for life. Poor thing. Here's a bonus photo of her sucking lemons. With all the pictures detailing her suffering in life, you won't be surprised that I would love to take the camera to the doctors tomorrow for her booster shots. Alas, I am a slightly better mother than that, John Reid!!

PS- the reason for the title is that we stopped in Stafford on the way home and ate at Bella Italia. The service was very slow and we told Mae to call 'garcon!'- so she turned around and loudly shouted 'hey Croissant!'

Please help

Please everyone, start sending letters to your MP's as well as the president of the olympic commitee, Jaques Rogge to about the crackdown in Tibet.
Even if you are not interested in Tibet, or the Olympic Games, this is a human rights issue. I know everyone who reads this blog and that you all would stand up for that.

Mae and I went to Samye Ling yesterday and one of the Tibetan women there was telling me she has no contact with her family. She doesn't know if they are dead or alive, and may never know, due to the lack of information. Please help these people.

Ow ow Fuckety ow

The funniest line in Juno, which we went to see last night. Hilarious! Go see it!!

That line was while Juno was in labour. Everyone was surprised that I didn't swear when giving (or trying to give) birth. I only said damn it, just at the end.

Today is Women's Day- a big smooch to all my girlfriends!!

Rachel, why couldn't I find a picture of you?? Happy Women's Day!!!

Here we go a-spurning

There's something funny going on in Dumfries and Galloway.

Mae and I found these roses yesterday, thrown (in despair? Let's get poetic) under a hedge by the riverside. 8 perfect roses, all closed yesterday, now flourishing in a loving environment.

what the heck?

Mae also found some roses cast aside in a cave at the beach a few months ago.

Either there is a serial rose giver or there's a lot of dramatic people around here. I'd say the latter.

And look at what I made! Inspired by Sharon, these anti-spag bol (that's spaghetti bolonaise to you, mom) covers for the chairs. Not bad.

Lack of Judgement, Part Two

Well, actually, it was part one.

I went to an Amnesty meeting last November and stupidly agreed to be the 'China person'- what I thought would be to collect and disseminate information. Not realising that I am the lead on action for the Olympics.

Any ideas what action we should be taking in Dumfries? There are only a handful of us. I am meant to come up with ideas. As most of you know, I am not an ideas person. This is going to be difficult. At least they will be humane....

Lack of Judgement

I told Geoff I wanted to blog this story, and although I promised not to take the proverbial, he came up with the title.

Owing to the fact that when, walking home, wearing his nice MarksandSpencerwithcashmere jacket, he decided to take a short cut over muddy grass on a steep hill.

That's just about all I can say without incriminating myself. By blogging this I have promised to take said article to the dry cleaners. If they asked me what happened, all I will say is 'Lack of judgement'

Happy Birthday Jiun May

This isn't a picture of her- although I have seen her dressed like this once or twice!!!

And thanks all for your thoughts about my grandfather.

Ode to my Pop

well, it's actually a Robert Burns poem, but my grandfather died today and I think this poem sums up it all:

An honest man here lies at rest
As e'er God with his image blest;
The friend of man, the friend of truth,
The friend of age, and guide of youth:
Few hearts like his, with virtue warm'd,
Few heads with knowledge so informed:
If there's another world, he lives in bliss;
If there is none, he made the best of this.

There must be another pink pony up there somewhere, I hope he has his mints with him....

I wonder if can I do it?

I got this diary which, if you can't read the type, is called Books They Tried to Ban.

Out of 53 titles, (well, the weeks of the year aren't all exactly Monday to Friday) I have read 11. Do you think I can read the rest this year? Hmmm- most look slightly interesting, but it's not made up of current banned books, so we have softies like Peyton Place, and Animal Farm.

Unfortunately The Da Vinci Code has been banned in some countries. Really don't want to read that one. And American Psycho has no appeal either. But I will give it my best shot.

I am starting off with Wild Swans, then onto Stick Out Your Tongue by Ma Jian which looks interesting. My bookshelf is Tibet heavy at the moment. I am ashamed that I didn't ask Mae's school to celebrate Tibetan New Year instead of Chinese New Year- that is my mission for 2009 (Sharon put it on your calendar- it's January 27th)

But it's a reading time of year, huh?

We don't all get lovely snow, you are right, Bethanne.

And, please note my new web banner- cool, huh? I am officially a technophile, even tho' I can barely spell the word. This will lead onto my next blog, which will be asking everyone who reads this blog (all three of you) for your help with my Amnesty work (what have I gotten myself into....!!)

Disturbed

Two definitions of the above word:

1. What happens to Jennifer's sleep when Mae wakes up with a nightmare, and compounded by Rumpole's less than human understanding that it is not time to get up.

2. The fact that Mae described a dream about losing a loveheart on the computer when she was making me a valentine as a nightmare. And screaming and crying about it.

Read the above definitions then tell me who is the MOST disturbed.

Excitement

Nothing has been going on so far this year, and I mean nothing. Well- until this!!!

I bought Mae some new socks the other day, got them home and guess what! They fit both of us! Will that save us money, so you think, or will I just be buying all the cutest kids socks I can find...?

But when I went to download that photo, I realised I hadn't blogged our weekend with the Reids back in January- the highlights being when Mae was left for the afternoon watching Claire (well, do you really think she's getting an allowance?)

And yet another vehicular themed museum to add to the list. So will she be a nanny or a mechanic? Hmmm....