Stunning.
MAKE YOU FEEL MY LOVE
Somewhere along my path I have lost a few things. One of them is my inner song. So, in a bid to find it and reinstate it to its rightful place, I've been listening to Adele. A lot. Been playing this one over and over. C'mon you little mind melodies... come on home!
Stunning.
Stunning.
FAMILY
Tidying up Lily & Mitch and visited my FAMILY section... wanted to savour it in a post before I update. Oh my, how things change. Obviously written before Darcy was born so we're talking at least seven months ago... Joseph is now far from 'chilled out' and Carys is far from a 'dream'! T3 is here in the form of our very gorgeous girl Darcy and I have since lost myself all over again and currently scramble to pull together the pieces of me. I will, I know that I will but good gracious, its a hard process.
I threw in a few pictures for good measure down there at the bottom... should you make it that far.
fam·i·ly {/' fam(ə)lē/}
To me, family is all that matters. It's where most of our days start and end and for me, the past three years my family have been the content of my days too. My nine to five and all the hours around. The baby and toddler years are passing me by so incredibly fast, I'm savouring every moment.
Alex :: Oh, that man! When Alex and I first got together and my friends were doing what girls do, asking me the standard 50 questions in one breath, it was then I realised that this one was different. I didn't have the answers. I didn't feel the need to big him up. He was Alex. For me, all I needed was for him to be Alex. He is still that Alex.
Joseph :: My boy. He has been an easy child since day one. Sure he has the odd 'moment' but on the whole, he is totally chilled out. A really happy and contented little boy. I know because he tells me. In the middle of a game, colouring, watching TV, whatever... he'll look at me with the declaration 'mummy, I'm a happy boy' and it gets me every time. Love it. So my baby {'I'm not a baby, I'm a big boy'} will be three in January. He gets funnier every day. He repeats everything we say. Not in that annoying way a seven year old does... but later, even days after we've said something I'll hear him playing with his HappyLand people and I can hear how he makes conversations between them. It will be exactly something Alex or I have said. And the voices. Oh, the voices! He calls to Carys 'c'mon sweetheart, keep up' exactly as I do when we're out walking. Precious.
Carys :: Carys is a dream. I thought Joseph was easy but this little girl trumped him in the easy baby competition. From the day she was born, she made sense of everything. Life got easier. I don't know how that is possible and I can't explain it but that's how it was. I hadn't realised that I had lost myself in motherhood until she was born. I found myself again without even knowing I had been gone. Saying all that, she's a force to be reckoned with. Carys is similar to Joseph in a lot of ways, calm, content, happy to go with the flow but there is a spark in her that will, without warning, cause utter chaos.
T3 :: Oh, who are you in there? This little mover certainly doesn't let me forget they're in there. I can't wait to have him or her in my arms. We've agreed on names and I'm so excited to know which one will be added to our family.
And now...
I threw in a few pictures for good measure down there at the bottom... should you make it that far.
fam·i·ly {/' fam(ə)lē/}
Noun :: A group consisting of parents and children living together in a household.
Synonyms :: noun. kin - house - household - stock - clan - race - tribe :: adjective. domestic - homely - home -familiar
To me, family is all that matters. It's where most of our days start and end and for me, the past three years my family have been the content of my days too. My nine to five and all the hours around. The baby and toddler years are passing me by so incredibly fast, I'm savouring every moment.
Alex :: Oh, that man! When Alex and I first got together and my friends were doing what girls do, asking me the standard 50 questions in one breath, it was then I realised that this one was different. I didn't have the answers. I didn't feel the need to big him up. He was Alex. For me, all I needed was for him to be Alex. He is still that Alex.
Joseph :: My boy. He has been an easy child since day one. Sure he has the odd 'moment' but on the whole, he is totally chilled out. A really happy and contented little boy. I know because he tells me. In the middle of a game, colouring, watching TV, whatever... he'll look at me with the declaration 'mummy, I'm a happy boy' and it gets me every time. Love it. So my baby {'I'm not a baby, I'm a big boy'} will be three in January. He gets funnier every day. He repeats everything we say. Not in that annoying way a seven year old does... but later, even days after we've said something I'll hear him playing with his HappyLand people and I can hear how he makes conversations between them. It will be exactly something Alex or I have said. And the voices. Oh, the voices! He calls to Carys 'c'mon sweetheart, keep up' exactly as I do when we're out walking. Precious.
Carys :: Carys is a dream. I thought Joseph was easy but this little girl trumped him in the easy baby competition. From the day she was born, she made sense of everything. Life got easier. I don't know how that is possible and I can't explain it but that's how it was. I hadn't realised that I had lost myself in motherhood until she was born. I found myself again without even knowing I had been gone. Saying all that, she's a force to be reckoned with. Carys is similar to Joseph in a lot of ways, calm, content, happy to go with the flow but there is a spark in her that will, without warning, cause utter chaos.
T3 :: Oh, who are you in there? This little mover certainly doesn't let me forget they're in there. I can't wait to have him or her in my arms. We've agreed on names and I'm so excited to know which one will be added to our family.
And now...
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| A fairly standard morning scene |
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| Darcy and Sophie la Giraffe |
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| Wearing hangers... as one does. |
THE BLETCHLEY CIRCLE
Anybody watching The Bletchley Circle? Another wonderful, wonderful ITV drama and oh those girls... these girls, in fact. I'm no critic so I shan't pretend to be but, if you love a good TV drama, check it out on ITV Player.
Series One had just three episodes so we aren't looking at a big commitment to get on board with the girls! In a very {weak} nutshell... Bletchley Park WWII codebreakers reunite several years after the war when a series of murders show a pattern that the police have not recognised. Susan, now quite the bored housewife, took interest an in the case, saving newspaper clippings and putting the data together. Ignored by the police after presenting her findings, she gathered the girls and they got to work .
The first of four episodes of Series Two started last Monday and will play out over the month of January 2014. This time, Jean is the driving force rallying the #ladynerds together when a former Bletchley colleague is awaiting trial for murder.
Lucy, Susan, Jean and Millie portrayed by Sophie Rundle, Anna Maxwell Martin, Julie Graham and Rachael Stirling respectively.
Do yourself a favour and catch up here!
Series One had just three episodes so we aren't looking at a big commitment to get on board with the girls! In a very {weak} nutshell... Bletchley Park WWII codebreakers reunite several years after the war when a series of murders show a pattern that the police have not recognised. Susan, now quite the bored housewife, took interest an in the case, saving newspaper clippings and putting the data together. Ignored by the police after presenting her findings, she gathered the girls and they got to work .
The first of four episodes of Series Two started last Monday and will play out over the month of January 2014. This time, Jean is the driving force rallying the #ladynerds together when a former Bletchley colleague is awaiting trial for murder.
 |
| Lucy :: Susan :: Jean :: Millie |
Do yourself a favour and catch up here!
TUTU
I have a tutu weakness. Since there is very litttle chance I shall own one for myself {I said little chance, not no chance... !!} I have taken it upon myself to keep my girls tutu'd up in style for the forseeable future. Carys was given a hand-me-down tutu with inbuilt leggings from her cousin. They were perfect, particularly for the size they were... 9-12months. No issues with her ending up with a big tulle scarf around her neck! I made it last as long as I could but the day came when I had to admit she had outgrown it. Since then, I have been looking and looking and looking some more for the perfect replacement.
There are a lot of tutu's out there. There is also a whole lot of tulle tat out there! Here I have listed my favourites.
Boden aren't tutu shy this year... here's their Wow Tutu that starts at a rather pricey £36.00. Choose grey or pink.
I pinned this little beauty a long time ago. Precious, right? Just the whole ensemble. The hoodie. The boots. The GEESE! Love it. This was a Stella McCartney for Gap back in 2009. This is the one I have been looking for... to me this ticks all the boxes. Great length, sweet bow, perfect layering.
Another one I found via pinterest led me to one of my favourite online stomping grounds, notonthehighstreet.com. I think the advertising on this one tickled me most. The Pettiskirt Tutu by Candy Bows is another winner. In an array of pretty colours and some {not-my-cup-of-tea} patterns, there are lots of options to choose from and starting at £22... well, not bad at all.
There are a lot of tutu's out there. There is also a whole lot of tulle tat out there! Here I have listed my favourites.
First up Boden's Party Tutu {also available in navy}. Beautiful bow detail on this great little party skirt. Starts at £26.00.
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| Boden Party Tutu |
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| Boden Wow Tutu |
Another one I found via pinterest led me to one of my favourite online stomping grounds, notonthehighstreet.com. I think the advertising on this one tickled me most. The Pettiskirt Tutu by Candy Bows is another winner. In an array of pretty colours and some {not-my-cup-of-tea} patterns, there are lots of options to choose from and starting at £22... well, not bad at all.
If you're not all tutu'd out by now... here, my friends, is your reward. I have died and gone to tutu heaven with thanks to an old faithful... good old Next have come up trumps on my tutu mission. My tutu search is over. A beautiful bow, soft eleastic waistband, perfect length, just the right amount of layering and available in so many wonderful colours, it's hard to pick out a favourite. Dusky pink, berry, bright pink, navy, soft pink, black and red. Starting at just £14... well, it would be rude not to!
And the winner is... Next!
You. Are Welcome. N'night.
ELEPHANT
You know when you sit down to do something online and get lost in world wide web wonder... yeah, that. You know.
So today I am having little waves of mild panic for tomorrow is husbands birthday. I'm all a tap-tap-tap online knowing full well that nothing I order will arrive on time. As I wander around t'interweb, I'm planning my mission. A way to save the day. Operation great escape the second he walks in the door. I will of course hollar 'PIZZA'S IN THE OVEN' as I grab my keys and leg it out the door. Still deciding what direction to take once I get there but give me time... it's a plan in the making.
Elephants. What does this have to do with elephants?
This. This is where my clicking led me and stopped me dead in my taps. I just can't get beyond this image. I love it. I'm sort of surprised at my own self. I like animals in a very average way but I'm certainly not at all a gushy animal lover sort. But this, well this just grabbed a little bit of my heart.
I have promised myself that one fine and happy day, when we get ourselves all moved to our new house... yes that house, the one we have yet to find and yet to purchase, I am going to buy this picture and this one and maybe this one probably this one too! I will quite likely struggle not to buy this one too.
... back to The Great Escape mission planning I go. Happy weekend!
So today I am having little waves of mild panic for tomorrow is husbands birthday. I'm all a tap-tap-tap online knowing full well that nothing I order will arrive on time. As I wander around t'interweb, I'm planning my mission. A way to save the day. Operation great escape the second he walks in the door. I will of course hollar 'PIZZA'S IN THE OVEN' as I grab my keys and leg it out the door. Still deciding what direction to take once I get there but give me time... it's a plan in the making.
Elephants. What does this have to do with elephants?
This. This is where my clicking led me and stopped me dead in my taps. I just can't get beyond this image. I love it. I'm sort of surprised at my own self. I like animals in a very average way but I'm certainly not at all a gushy animal lover sort. But this, well this just grabbed a little bit of my heart.
 |
| Baby Elephant :: The Animal Print Shop by Sharon Montrose |
... back to The Great Escape mission planning I go. Happy weekend!
SWITZERLAND :: EX-PAT LIFE
We have just recently relocated back to England after four years in Switzerland. While I am, by no means, an expert, but frequently asked questions prompted me to collate some information. I thought a few links and pointers in the right direction could help anyone who is new to Switzerland or thinking of a move this way.
As with living anywhere, there are a lot of pro's and con's to Switzerland. I am going to try to be like Switzerland here. Neutral.
We lived in Geneva for a couple of years before moving out to the vineyards of Vaud. Personally, I prefered the countryside. Geneva is a nice city but it is small and, in my opinion, limited. Commuting into Geneva from Vaud is a popular option for many an ex-pat.
There is a huge expat community in Switzerland. According to Geneva.Info, Geneva is the most international city in Europe with over 40% of the population coming from outside Switzerland. Thankfully, there are many resources to help make sense of the Swiss ways. Trust me, you'll need all the help you can get!
AngloInfo Geneva covers a huge range of topics from Education, Healthcare and Legal to Family and Community Life.
Glocals is similar but seems to take a more social approach. I have sold lots of stuff via their Classifieds Pages.
World Radio has a great website too with a Guides section. Their Classifieds pages are really good too advertising anything from concert tickets to property! Its also nice to check their News pages for local news in English.
Other sites I'm familiar with are the English Forum and the Know It All Passport. Know It All, supports an excellent book detailing a whole lorra information but it comes with a hefty price tag. To be honest, a second hand copy would do and with the websites having chat forums, getting local information isn't too difficult. Comparis is a great site that compares the best value for money on things like Insurance and Phone and Internet options with . They have a smart Moving To Switzerland section.
If your French is good, you're at a major advantage. If not, Google Translate will be your new best friend! We are lucky to have colleauges and neighbours to help us out when we get stuck. Our neighbours have been a huge help with the 'Swissues' we've had with our Regie {Estate Agent}.
Estate Agents, or Regies as they are called here, will be your enemy. I am yet to hear anyone say anything positive about them. Sadly, we need them. To get a roof over your head, you have submit an application for each property and then the decision is in the hands of the devil himself! Am I being over dramatic? Perhaps. Actually, no. They are a hateful bunch.
Good sites for property searches are Homegate, Immostreet and Immoscout. Each of these sites show properties from different Estate Agents meaning you don't have to trawl through a ton of Estate Agents sites.
It is compulsory to have basic health insurance.
You must change you drivers licence to a Swiss Driving Licence within one year of living in the country. Otherwise you will have to take the Swiss driving test. One persons experience can be found on this Glocals forum chat.
We use Swisscom for our home TV and Internet connection. They have a good British TV package. There is a way to get Sky TV via a UK address. If you go to Jims British Market St Genis-Pouilly shop in France {it's just across the border} on the first Satuday of the month, there is a guy who will help you out.
Bon chance!
As with living anywhere, there are a lot of pro's and con's to Switzerland. I am going to try to be like Switzerland here. Neutral.
We lived in Geneva for a couple of years before moving out to the vineyards of Vaud. Personally, I prefered the countryside. Geneva is a nice city but it is small and, in my opinion, limited. Commuting into Geneva from Vaud is a popular option for many an ex-pat.
There is a huge expat community in Switzerland. According to Geneva.Info, Geneva is the most international city in Europe with over 40% of the population coming from outside Switzerland. Thankfully, there are many resources to help make sense of the Swiss ways. Trust me, you'll need all the help you can get!
AngloInfo Geneva covers a huge range of topics from Education, Healthcare and Legal to Family and Community Life.
Glocals is similar but seems to take a more social approach. I have sold lots of stuff via their Classifieds Pages.
World Radio has a great website too with a Guides section. Their Classifieds pages are really good too advertising anything from concert tickets to property! Its also nice to check their News pages for local news in English.
Other sites I'm familiar with are the English Forum and the Know It All Passport. Know It All, supports an excellent book detailing a whole lorra information but it comes with a hefty price tag. To be honest, a second hand copy would do and with the websites having chat forums, getting local information isn't too difficult. Comparis is a great site that compares the best value for money on things like Insurance and Phone and Internet options with . They have a smart Moving To Switzerland section.
If your French is good, you're at a major advantage. If not, Google Translate will be your new best friend! We are lucky to have colleauges and neighbours to help us out when we get stuck. Our neighbours have been a huge help with the 'Swissues' we've had with our Regie {Estate Agent}.
Estate Agents, or Regies as they are called here, will be your enemy. I am yet to hear anyone say anything positive about them. Sadly, we need them. To get a roof over your head, you have submit an application for each property and then the decision is in the hands of the devil himself! Am I being over dramatic? Perhaps. Actually, no. They are a hateful bunch.
Good sites for property searches are Homegate, Immostreet and Immoscout. Each of these sites show properties from different Estate Agents meaning you don't have to trawl through a ton of Estate Agents sites.
It is compulsory to have basic health insurance.
You must change you drivers licence to a Swiss Driving Licence within one year of living in the country. Otherwise you will have to take the Swiss driving test. One persons experience can be found on this Glocals forum chat.
We use Swisscom for our home TV and Internet connection. They have a good British TV package. There is a way to get Sky TV via a UK address. If you go to Jims British Market St Genis-Pouilly shop in France {it's just across the border} on the first Satuday of the month, there is a guy who will help you out.
Bon chance!
SO HOW WAS YOUR DAY?
It was all ok until I opened the front door...
Raining.
Stuck behind a bus.
Fielding questions from a 3yr old.
'Why is that a bus?
'Why is that a bus?
Late to ballet.
Forgot the cheque for ballet.
Feel like a wally explaining my error to 'Miss Erica'.
Ballet went well.
Late to pre-school.
Forgot a discount coupon for fuel so called home to get it.
Got a bit (a lot) lost.
Petrol light on.
Still raining.
Narrow roads, wide car.
Google mapped directions.
Parked as close as I could. Not close enough.
Still raining.
My feet are already wet.
Carys is asleep.
Pram up.
Darcy clicked on in carseat.
Carys on buggy board. Crying.
Route around supermarket lacked logic.
Fielding questions from a 2yr old.
'what's that? Can I have one of those? I love Marmite. Buy that mummy. I have one of those. What's that noise? Why is that boy crying? There's a lift. Great Grandma! Mummy, there's Great Grandma!
'what's that? Can I have one of those? I love Marmite. Buy that mummy. I have one of those. What's that noise? Why is that boy crying? There's a lift. Great Grandma! Mummy, there's Great Grandma!
'Its not Carys, please stop yelling'
'YES. IT. IS.'
Checkout.
'YES. IT. IS.'
Checkout.
Still raining.
Back to car.
No sign of coupon.
Running late.
Need petrol.
Stop for £12.51 of diesel. No time to pump any more.
Stuck behind a Halfords lorry.
Got to school on time. Just.
Joseph is wearing track suit bottoms.
Joseph does not own track suit bottoms.
Back to the car.
Fielding questions from a 3yr old.
'who's are these blue trousers? Why are my hands cold? Why is it raining? What's weather? Mummy? I want you. Can I sit on your knee?
'who's are these blue trousers? Why are my hands cold? Why is it raining? What's weather? Mummy? I want you. Can I sit on your knee?
Got home.
Still raining.
See wet coupon on the driveway.
Darcy hungry. Crying.
Got everything in.
Got everyone in.
'I need a wee! I need a wee!'
Joseph wee'd on me.
Darcy still hungry. Still crying.
Joseph crying.
Jeans off.
Mystery track suit bottoms off.
Dark wash in.
Joseph only wants to wear his 'jeans with holes'... to bad they're in the wash.
Meltdown. Joseph, not me.
Snack request. Beans.
Two bowls of beans served.
'I need a wee! I need a wee!'
He made it. Just.
Remembered Darcy's jabs are at 4:10.
It's 4:00.
Call surgery to apologise and reschedule.
Appointment was yesterday.
Terrific.
Darcy still hungry. Still crying.
'I need a wee! I need a wee!'
Made it again. Bladder infection?
Feed Darcy (during which... fielding the never ending supply of toddler questions | replying to emails | checking 'notifications' | playing referee to toddler squabbles | type this.)
I still need Diesel.
Alex is out tonight.
I don't know whether to laugh or cry so I'll do neither and just get on with it.
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