Week away at my Mums Part 2

Wednesday

So Wednesday we went swimming at the Nantwich swimming pool (http://www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/leisure,_culture_and_tourism/leisure_facilities/my_nearest_centre/nantwich_swimming_pool.aspx), it’s one of the only brine pools in the country (Although we did not go in the outside brine pool!) and it is pretty decent however expensive for swimming! It cost me £4 and Joshua £3.20… he enjoyed it however, then after lunch we went to funky monkey (http://www.funkymonkeycafe.co.uk/) the website is pretty rubbish but the place is ok. They have a little play area (soft area) and toys, but they go everywhere. I suppose it’s because some parents do not teach their kids manners, so they are unable to tidy after themselves or treat toys with respect. It is free though, unless you buy a cup of tea which cost’s £1.70. Then that night Joshua went to the football – Crewe Alexandra (http://www.crewealex.net/) they are my home team and I use to get dragged to their matches when I was younger. Joshua however loves going, he wants to be a footballer and is already has an idol – Steve Phillips (Although Joshua calls him Steven). Check out the photo below just to see how happy Josh is to have his picture with him!

 

Thursday

My dad finally starts speaking to me again, not properly until the evening but he got over me snapping at him. In the day Joshua spent time with his cousin Georgia and we all went to snugburys (http://www.snugburys.co.uk/). I adore the ice cream here and they do many flavours but my favourite is Dutch chocolate – I always get it. I so recommend if you are near Snugburys you go no matter what the weather because the ice cream is to die for and it’s the best I have ever tried! I am not an ice cream fan but you put Snugbury’s in front of me and I will eat it. Then Thursday night I went with my sisters to Mecca bingo in Crewe (http://www.meccabingo.com/) I had a blast and even won some money as did my sisters – we split the money between us as well so we all came out with more money than what we went in with! I recommend bingo to anyone, its fun and when you are waiting for that one number you are bobbing in your seat!

Friday

I popped to Home Bargains (http://www.homebargains.co.uk/) to get some bargains, I love this shop and wish there was one here but there sadly isn’t! It’s cheap and has allsorts; I guess it’s like the modern Woolworths. Then after lunch we headed back home and got stuck in lots of traffic, so not fun! But I can say my week was eventful, not always good but eventful.

Out for now

A week away at my Mums Part 1

Saturday

I drove down to my mum’s in Nantwich, which is a small town in Cheshire – it’s quite lovely but a bit boring at times. Tom (my partner) always says it’s where the old people live and I guess it’s true in away but who can blame them. It takes me about 2 hours and a half to get there which is ok but I struggle due to an ankle injury which causes it to stiffen up and hurt. I didn’t do anything this day, although this was the day I found out my brother didn’t want to live anymore and attempted to take his own life…

Sunday

I went to a pub call the Peacock (http://www.pub-explorer.com/cheshire/pub/peacockhotelnantwich.htm) with my sister’s Carrie, Amber, Matt (Amber’s partner), Jodie (Matt’s daughter) and Josh (my son).We spent most of the time outside so the kids can run round in the play area which is more designed for 2-3 year old and seems completely pointless! Amber, Matt and Carrie all ordered their dinner (I had mine) they had a sharer which went down well and no issues there. Then we went inside where the kids got ice cream and we all got dessert, I had a chocolate fudge cake which was lovely! Some of the staff were lovely however there was a rude gentleman behind the bar which irritated me when I was ordering.

Monday

I went up town with my Mum, Dad and Josh however got into an argument with my father over Josh to which my dad stormed off because I would not allow him to speak to Joshua the way he did. So my Mum, Josh and me went to the sweetshop (http://nantwich.cheshiremarkettowns.co.uk/food-and-drink/mr-simms-olde-sweet-shop-p110571) best sweet shop in the world! Good value for money and a pick a mix what more could you want! Then we went to get Joshua so astro turf trainers and shoes from wynsor shoe store in Crewe (http://www.wynsors.com/) it’s cheap and they have lots of choices.

Tuesday

Joshua and myself went up town to meet Nic Nic (Joshua’s Godmother and my lifelong friend) we went Chatwins for lunch (http://www.chatwins.co.uk/) which wasn’t too expensive but can be if you are eating in. I had a meat and potato pie which had a bit too much pepper in for me but I do not like seasoning, Joshua had a sausage roll which he didn’t eat but this normal for him so nothing to do with the sausage roll. After Nicola went, mum, Josh and me went to the candle factory (http://www.cheshireworkshops.co.uk/candle_workshops.php) which is great, you can paint models, make a badge, make a candle, paint a candle holder and more! It’s fun for the kids but the costs can add up if you don’t get an offer. We paid £11 for 4 items which is a good offer! Joshua enjoyed it and I recommend it for children. There are items for sale too, quite a few actually like the candles made my professionals which are quite fancy!

That’s it for today, I will update again tomorrow.
Out for now.

Who are you thankful for?

I have been reading quite a bit, whether it’s a news article, blog or even a book. I have realised a few things on my way, to a point where I find certain reads frustrating and pointless, yet I still read. What I want to discuss is the fact no one hardly ever says thank you anymore, or give credit to the people that have helped them. I am not saying I am perfect I reckon I have forgotten a thank you in my time or said wow gee that’s really nice of you, you didn’t have too.

Tom – my partnerAs much as we get on each other nerves, been through rough and calm – we are still here. I struggle sometimes to express my feelings, that are normal but he should know that I do love him. He is always there for me (although he doesn’t bring me a cuppa when I am poorly), but he does clean the house, do the dishes (even if it includes a dishwasher) and he is SO good with Joshua (our son). He wants to work as well, he does but he does not get the thanks there he deserves. Some people might disagree with that but he works damn hard and he loves his job.

My Mum My mum is not my best friend, I don’t have that sort of relationship with my mum, she is my mum. She gives great advice, always willing to help where she can and spoils Joshua (and my soon to be baby). My mother does not have a bad bone in her body, she puts up with us all through all our faults and no one thanks her for what she does. I love my Mum, I wouldn’t change her for the world nor would I change my upbringing.

My best friends I am lucky to have at least two best friends in my life right now, one I have known for ten years if not more and one I have known for a while but we have been very close now for a few years. Hollie is the one I have known for years, she always listens to my craziness and is sometimes crazy with me! Bee is the one who I have come close too, I rant to her too and she gives great advice, we have funny chats and she is always so thoughtful. I couldn’t ask for better best friends, they each get me and I love going to see them. They do little things for me, which is always unexpected (Like getting tulips on Valentine ’s Day as me and my partner don’t celebrate this – we don’t care for it). The never get enough thanks for what they do and they have both done a lot in their part, present and most likely future.

Lastly but never least

Joshua and my soon to be babyI will never be more thankful than I am to have Joshua or the baby I about to have, Joshua although has his moments, is a well behaved child and so polite. I hope his baby brother will follow in his footsteps (but avoiding our Joshua food issues) and I am sure that Joshua will be a great big brother!

Thanks to all those I know and love.

Pet peeve's of the day

I thought I would be one of those people who would not use this blog to rant but more to say my opinion on trivial things, but today I feel a lot has gotten to me and I need an outlet. I can't post everywhere and plus the people that I know won’t know about this blog.

#1. People thinking Mothers who don't are "cop" outs!

Firstly I am a WORKING mother; I have a full time job and have one child then another on the way. But seriously, do these people have ANY idea, kids ARE a full time "job" (I say "job" because they are our love and joy so we class it as life and would do it regardless) We are with them 24/7 pretty much, we wake up at 3 o’clock with them, clean them up if they are poorly and pretty much run ourselves mad doing stuff for them! I know single mums and mums with partners (father of the child and not). To put a child in Nursery full time (normally 8 - 6 since most people work 9 - 5ish) it costs £600 - £700 and if the government help (if you don't earn too much) it cost about £500. Imagine that, and then rent, bills, food, petrol, clothes, shoes etc. - can you honestly say some of these mums are better off working?!?! I would rather not work on occasions because I miss my child - some people don't understand that some people CANNOT work because it's just not affordable especially if you are on minimum wage!

 #2 People who say they are broke yet spend shit loads on crap

"Oh, I am so broke... but look at this cute dress I brought from Debenhams - it was a bargain only £35" £35 is A LOT! For Christ sake I can live off £17 for food, if you are broke don't spend your money on shit for you! That includes a "bargain" - it is NOT a bargain if you don't need it. If you say my kid has grown out of the shoes and I have no more pairs - YES it's needed but if your kid has a couple pairs of shoes that fit and aint wrecked, you do not need it! That includes stuff for you, there is WANT and NEED. Wanting is something you don’t need and needing is what you cannot do without like toilet roll!

#3 finding out something when really you should have known 18 months ago

Found out my brother has been on anti-depressants for 18 months then the other day decided to put a bag over his head in an attempt to kill himself, I can’t stand people who commit suicide because to me it’s selfish but I do understand it’s a mental problem – I just struggle to apprehend something like that because of the impact it has on the kids and family. Like the impact it’s having on my sister-in-law and their 3 kids who are old enough to understand what suicide is. I am not the one who needs to know that but it would be nice for my dad to have been in the loop so I didn’t have to see him cry! (He has only ever cried two times now, once at my Aunty Jean’s funeral and the other day finding out his only son is suicidal)

 #4 Sandwiches (or anything along that) that have mayo in and not say on the package

I HATE mayonnaise (not as much as one of my friends because I can scrape it and she can’t) so why the hell if it says “Just chicken” do they then put mayo on it. It should be chicken sandwich with mayo – some people DO NOT like mayo! Give them side pots or sashes of mayo so they can add it, I rather that than taking a bite out of a yucky mayo infested sandwich!

I do have a LOT more pet peeves but they are just the ones I want to moan about today!

Out till next time

Toddlers & Tiaras

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So recently, I have found an odd addiction of watching a programme on DMAX called Toddlers and Tiaras, it’s based in the USA. I have no idea why I have started to watch it nor if I like it, I find it strange that it fascinates me. It maybe the differences that USA has to the UK which is why I find it strange so please do not take offence, each to their own and all but it’s not something I would do.

 These kids are dressed up like dolls, with fake eyelashes, tans and even fake teeth to look “pretty”. The ages range from baby (I would say 6 months) to teenagers, they are pretty naturally but putting them in these strange outfits with all the makeup they seem too old for their age. They are taught routines of how to pout, blow kisses and “shake their bootie” at the judges, who judge their outfits and how they look! I may be wrong but I find that this will just lead to children growing up too fast and worrying about how they look when they have no need too. To be honest, the costumes are not to my flavour either, bright colours with lots of jewels that it reminds me of something of my fat gypsy wedding!

The kids on the show seem to love it but others don’t seem fussed, neither would I with what they have to go through! Getting their eyebrows wax (crying about it), fake tans which make them squeal and then dressed up/down several times like a Barbie doll. It’s very rare you see the child be nice to their mothers as well, they scream, kick and hit until they get what they want – basically like a spoilt brat with an attitude of someone twice their age.

 Another thing I have noticed, how do they afford it? One mother mentioned they spent over $50,000 on their first year for the pageant and they can only win something like $1000. The dresses alone cost about a $1000 unless you rent it, that is also probably the cheaper range of dress but on top of that the kids have manicures, spray tans and fake something on them!

 I haven’t just watched on episode, I have watched a few and see the different ranges of people who do this and it amazes me that someone can put a child who does not want to do it through the pain of it all. If your child wants to do this – go ahead but I would not recommend it. I would not want my child to grow up with insecurities that they will get when they turn into a teenager anyway except it won’t start at the age of 5 and who do you think will have a harder time? Why dress your child up to “enhance” their beauty when we should be setting the example that they are beautiful already. I just hope that these kids don’t form something more serious like over plastic surgery use to be beautiful/perfect or anorexia!

 This is just my opinion, other people may share my views but this is mine and mine alone.

 Out for now

Welcome

Welcome to what I hope will be first of many blogs, this first one is not to compare or review anything. Just really to say hello and a little about my life (very little!), I just hope people can read this and forgive me for the poor spelling/grammar or anything which involves writing!

So HELLO! (First part done )

About me – I am 25, with one 5 year old and another one on the way (23 weeks pregnant and counting!) They are both boys, well as long as the “little sausage” the midwife saw is still there (her words not mine; I do not refer to male parts as sausages). I work in a call centre, it’s difficult at times but I do enjoy it (some of the time) and it does pay really well! I am not and never will be a cold seller – I actually try to resolve faults with broadband or phones lines, plus whatever else they want me to do!

My likes consist of a variety, I have no particular fondness of one particular thing and nor do I have a trend to what I like. I suppose I am quite girly (I love the colour pink) but I would also say I am like a big child – I adore sweets and chocolate! Music is not my strong point, I enjoy random songs and it can consist of classical or rock. Books – I will attempt to read almost anything, I love reading but I do tend to go for an easy read. TV I enjoy watching and it ranges for kids programmes (not JUST because I have kids but because I am still a big child) to documentaries. Films I am particular about, I cannot watch horror but love comedy.

I am going to stop now because I know that if I read a long post – I get bored and skim! If you ever want to know my opinion anything I will happily tell you (as long as I know what you are talking about) but I will also gladly read or watch something new to tell you what I think!

Out for now