The best laid plans of mice and men...

Oh dear, I cant believe its almost a month since my last proper blog.
I can explain this lull, really.
The end of term at school was hectic to say the least. Reports and evaluations, parties, proms to attend and the small matter of a talent show featuring the students to organise.
Woooh...I'm glad that's all over.

I began my summer break with the plan to blog more frequently than in the past and I was really looking forward to doing so. Then, horror of horrors my laptop started playing up, well, the fan started playing up and my laptop started to get warm, very very warm. I'm worried that it might blow up on me - or stop working completely so I've not turned it on for a week now (sad face). 
I'm having to use the accountants laptop which is sporadic as he 'forgets' to bring it home from work frequently. When he does bring ot home I then have to fight negotiate for time on it with my Baba.

So, there you are, my plan to be a frequent blogger, blocked by my lack of equipment, never mind, I will persevere and blog when possible.
See you soon, x

Don't Explain

I was reading a blog today about song lyrics and this song was brought to my attention.  I read a couple of lines and it made me smile.   I thought Id post it, maybe it will make you smile too.


Don't explain
It's really not your style
I've had some fun
You really made me smile
Don't look so serious
It doesn't suit your face
Don't explain, don't explain 

You sure know
How to use your hands
But you don't have a great attention span
Don't apologise
Or drop your eyes
Don't explain, don't explain 

I've seen them come, I've seen them go
Boys like you
Their gangster hearts, their dreamy loads
Boys like you 

So take your things 
I won't count the days
Sure you can call on me
If you pass this way
But if one night you're lonely
And I have other company
Don't complain, don't complain


Paul Kelly

This weeks listography at :

 is all about  Top 5 favourite ice-creams   or pops. 

     So here we go...

1. 

"Just one Cornetto!" or two or three, or four please.  Any flavour will do so long as it's a Walls original.

2.  Jubblys! They have to be orange flavour. A classic lolly on a hot day in the garden.

3. Feast.  I love the different layers in these, the nuts, the ice cream, the chocolate. Bliss.

4. Magnums.  They have to be the WORST ice cream ever in terms of calories but I can't get enough of these lollies.

5. Fab lollies. One from my childhood, a lolly that I rarely have any more... maybe I'll get one tomorrow!

Listography - 5 Things I Want To Do This Summer.

Kate Takes 5 is taking a break this week from doing Listography and so it has moved to Keith Takes 5 aka Chronicles of a Reluctant Housedad.


This weeks topic is Things I Want To Do This Summer, so here goes...


1. Get fit/fitter and/or lose weight.

pics taken on my iphone and altered with the fat booth app

the real me is the one on the right!

I am female, therefore it is my right to complain about my weight if I want to.  I have lost weight in the past through determination and hard work in the gym and I believe I can do it again.  So I will!

Given that I work in a school and I am shortly going to have six and a half weeks off school, I really don't have any excuse for not going to the gym.  My plan is to train 3-4 times a week in the gym, take the dog for walks of a decent length every day and I feel like I should throw in the odd swim into the mix as well.

I will blog on my weight loss/get fit campaign later in the summer...only if I am doing well of course.


2. Have a picnic on the beach/park.

My nan used to have a picnic basket very much like the one pictured.  It was in the 80's and had pale blue crockery and cutlery with cream handles.  It must have cost a fortune but I think it was used only once for it's correct purpose, the rest of the time it was infrequently played with by me in the kitchen.
Me and mine very rarely get together and picnic anywhere, let alone on a beach or in a park but maybe,  just maybe this summer I'll get my perfect afternoon:
Family and/or friends, sunshine, Pimms and lemonade, sandwiches, salad, nibbles, a checked blanket and if I find a reasonably priced one, a picnic hamper.  Bliss.




3. Go on holiday.

Pictured here is 'Joan' the van, and 'the accountant', 'baba' and her friend knocking up a washing line on the campsite.

Out of personal choice we send our 'baba' to a very good private school which costs us an arm and a leg.  As a result we haven't had a foreign holiday in six years.  Four years ago we bought our VDub camper (something I've wanted since being a little girl).  We christened her 'Joan' after my late nan and we've had many a happy time in her.  Dependant on point No. 5 we are hoping to revisit West Wales after last years lovely break.  Tenby, St Davids and Saundersfoot are absolutely gorgeous!

4. Make proper evening meals every night.

I love, love, love Jamie Oliver and it's because of him and his array of brilliant books that me and mine eat well...most nights.  I say most because as a working mum I sometimes find it almost impossible to muster up the strength to cook a full evening meal when I get home.  My 'baba' sometimes rustles up a curry, 'the accountant' manages to makes something about four times a year but the brunt of feeding everyone seems to fall on my shoulders.
As I said before, having six weeks or so off work doesn't give me much of an excuse not to cook and when I don't have the pressures of work and time I actually quite enjoy cooking. (Don't tell 'the accountant' that please).

5. Move house.

This is a tricky one because if this happens then all the other things on my list will probably suffer to some degree.  The house we currently live in is rented and the owners are wanting to sell it.  I love this house but living with the uncertainty of how long we can stay here is not great.  I would love to stay here but the idea of de-cluttering and having a fresh start is very appealing.  

Another future blog topic?  Watch this space...