World Book Day (or how to cause unnecessary angst for working mothers day)

 

Firstly, a disclaimer - I am sure World Book Day causes as much angst for non-working mothers as myself. I sit in neither camp, as a mother I have both been at home, worked from home, worked part-time and now am full-time.  All these scenarios are fine and dandy with me and I wouldn't want my angst at getting costumes sorted to offend you and your working arrangements in any way.

But seriously, I have little no free time it seems.  So when good old World Book day rolls around I get a bit stressed.  I spied it on the calendar when I flipped it over prematurely this weekend.  For those of you who have been spared this  fiasco heart-warming event, children are asked to dress up as their favourite book character for school.  The flaw in this request is that most of my kids dressing up box relates to disney or tv characters. Yes I know I could probably get away with it, but the parents at my little ones school tend to go the extra mile.  Or the extra 10 miles.  

I have sent Yoyo as Lola (from Charlie & Lola) for the past three years (mainly because Lola has a huge inspiration on my choices for her wardrobe) and she is now deep in protest at having to endure another year of peter pan collars and ditsy prints.  Oh my, my little girl is growing up.

Are you still with me? This seems to be taking ages to describe my feelings on the matter.  A reflection of my stress levels around this subject perhaps?  

Well we had a good plan, Yoyo and I.  She is very fond of the Katie Morag stories, lovely gentle tales about a little girl who lives on an island in the outer hebrides.  Worth a look at if you need 7 year old girl reading inspiration.  Katie wears a kilt and a jumper with a blue zig zag stitch around the top.  After putting the word out for a kilt by text to my friends (secured within 5 minutes - don't you love modern technology), we set about the plan for the top.  Blue bias binding sewn onto a plain white t-shirt. I have sewn it on by hand so I could drag it around with me this weekend (and show off my Cath Kidston needlecase to the fellow spectators at the swimming pool - they didn't seem that impressed). 

Here it is below still in progress with the final row of bias to be sewn on along the bottom.

And whilst the ensemble probably won't win any prizes, I feel rather smug. 

Because at least I've tried, and as long as you've tried that's all that counts.  Yoyo's little brother however will be going as Luke Skywalker, with a plastic lightsabre (which will more than likely be confiscated upon arrival at the classroom door).  

Because two handmade carefully thought out costumes may show the other mothers up!

Found

I made a lovely discovery today.  I haven't worn my engagement ring for years and years (three kids later it no longer fits) and it had been sitting abandoned on the key rack for several months.  I decided a few months ago that I'd really like to get it resized, and after suggesting it as a Christmas pressie idea to The Queen of Clean (for me of course, not him!), I went to retrieve it from the key rack and take it to our local jeweller for a quote.

Well could I find it?  It had been right in front of me for months every time I went to grab my keys, taunting me that I couldn't wear it anymore.  But it had vanished.  My first thought (and I am embarrassed to admit this now) was that it had been stolen - we'd had plumbers and window fitters in the house this summer and I couldn't recall seeing it since then.  Somehow though it just didn't seem possible that those guys would take it, surely I would have noticed? Also months had passed, what could I do?

So, I tried to forget about it, and push it to the back of my mind.  After all it wasn't an expensive ring (we were busy saving for a cot when we got engaged!), and not worth claiming on the home insurance for, but it was so sad to lose something that means so much to me, particularly when I'd just resolved to get it resized.

And yes, I know the key rack wasn't a great storage place for something so precious.

Well you know how this story ends.  Clue in the title and all that.  I was following 365 Less Things (great blog, check it out for decluttering inspiration) 'mini missions' where each day you are given a small decluttering task.  The day's task was to sort out your jewellery box.  Well mine was awful - old buttons for clothes I no longer own, corsages from bridesmaid dresses, tangled necklaces and.................tucked in a corner and truly hidden my engagement ring!  I had looked in there on my original search, but obviously didn’t see past the nonsense that had taken residence in there.  I don't know how it got there, or when, or who put it safely back where it belongs.  I guess it was me on some late night unconscious tidying session.  So it is back now on the key rack, just until I can get it to the jewellers on Friday.

So a simple act of decluttering bought so much more than I expected.  Wonder what I’ll uncover on my next mission?

Chocolate Roses

So much more fun than the real thing (especially when you are a seven year old girl).

Happy Valentines Day xxx

Transition

 We are in a state of transition round here - still uncommitted to our new colour choice for the living/dining room and tackling it wall by wall.  It is a slow process, but it's gradual nature is somehow easier....as I look at that colour in different lights, whilst we're getting on with the important business of living in that room, well,  I'm getting used to it. 

The curtains aren't really working any more, which is a shame.  Think I will need to get some new ones (which wasn't in the budget at all).   

Goodness knows when we will eventually finish it.  Things take a while round here (as you have probably already realised).  Our rooms tend to evolve rather than have any set plan.

But thought I'd give you some progress shots.

What do you think?