Ballet

Ballet debut, the mouths of babes and being on a roll

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ballet 3

So my girl made her debut as a ballet dancer last weekend and I couldn’t have been more proud. She was just lovely up there in her white ballet dress. Lovely and very graceful (unlike me!). I had that ‘mum moment’ when I felt I would just burst with pride watching her up there with her friends. She was gorgeous.

Anyway, enough of my boasting about my lovely daughter. How has your week been? I’ve been quite busy attending the ballet show (which was excellent) and gutting various bits of the house (my study mainly which was in desperate need of being cleaned out). I re-started the baby blanket I was knitting for prem babies. My husband and I also celebrated our nineth wedding anniversary this week (I made hubby home-made kebabs courtesy of the Hairy Bikers fab recipe…we all love it).

In the middle of it all was Mother’s Day. My hubby gave me tea and toast in bed. The kids gave me a lovely necklace and cards. I got lots of cuddles and kisses. Hubby also made lunch and bought in  a curry for dinner, so I didn’t have to cook at all that day, which was a nice treat. Of course, the shine was somewhat taken off the mum glow a few days later when my son, who is seven, was extoling the virtues of hubby as a good dad and then turned round and said to me: “Dad’s always doing stuff for us mum, but I don’t know what you do!” I couldn’t help but laugh. From the mouths of babes eh? My husband thought this was hysterical…he knows I basically run the whole household. Weans!!

Did a training course on social media on Tuesday at the Albany Centre in Glasgow and it was really good. I now know a lot more about Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Hootsuite and more. It was an intense course, but very good. Unfortunately, I’d had very little sleep the night before (I shouldn’t drink tea before going to bed…was up for the toilet) and yawned a fair bit during the day. Hope the lecturer didn’t think it was him! It wasn’t, he was very good.

Anyway, it’s now the Thursday of a very busy week and I’m just taking five minutes to do my blog. Have already done my housework AND (get this) the ironing!! I know – it’s not like me, I usually leave ironing to the very, very last. I’ve also worked out my meal menus for next week (and my shopping list), I’ve made bread in the bread maker and I’ve baked biscuits (admittedly they aren’t working out the way I’d hoped, but they’ll still taste nice…I hope). I am on a roll today! Later today I will probably drop from exhaustion, but just now I’m feeling good.

Right, I need to go now. Got all the ironing the put away. Til next time!

Dawn xxx

Weather for ducks, the Primevals and a ballet stage debut

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mary poppins

It’s been a strange bag weather-wise this week: we’ve had mainly nasty, horrible, cold and wet, blowy and windy weather…you know: the type that makes you wish you were still tucked up in bed all cosy and warm. On a couple of nights the wind was so strong I thought the roof was going to be ripped off our house. I didn’t go outside for fear of ‘doing a Mary Poppins’ – being whisked off to who-knows-where, umbrella up, toes pointing out but without the beatific smile of the good lady, but more a look of horror! Then on Tuesday we had the most stunning day – all sunshine and spring warmth, the birds were singing their wee hearts out and all was good with the world. The weather’s gone potty…I’ve been saying that for a few years now.

Anyhoo…how have you been? What have you been up to? For regular readers, you’ll know I was at two 50th birthday occasions last weekend: lunch with my friend Tracy and a party at Glasgow’s Sloane’s bar on Saturday night for my friend Laurina. Both excellent occasions. The party was excellent. I danced the night away to live bands: the Beat Poets (the original Glasgow band, not the one from Northern Ireland)

The Beat Poets

The Beat Poets

and the Primevals. Fantastic! Spent Sunday recovering from all the dancing (achey body – it’s been a while since I danced my socks off!) and wine. Was so worth it though!

The Primevals

The Primevals

NB I should point out that the last two pics were taken many moons ago and the lads are a little bit more mature but can still rock with the best of them!! When are they next playing that’s what I want to know?

Moving on…

Unfortunately, the girl has been unwell with a sore throat and earache. She got this from her dad who is also suffering and can’t hear out of one ear. His has been going on for a couple of weeks, hers came on on Sunday and she seems to be recovering. She was off Monday and Wednesday and half of Tuesday though…wee soul. She’s away today having declared yesterday that she was bored and desperate to get back to school. My built in mum radar is wondering if there’s an alternative reason other than boredom? Hmmm. She is in the school show (they’re doing Annie) and she does love to sing so that might be it. The boy, however, is well, but extremely put out that his sister has been off and he hasn’t. He’s been cranky and extremely cheeky about it. Some time in the pokey (in this instance his room) soon cured him of that though. Weans!

Am feeling all smug with myself just now. Not only have I got all my housework done, but the dishes and washing is done too. I also had my piano lesson this morning, so have been really busy. I am one of life’s writers of lists so have ticked off a fair few ‘must dos’ off that. Kitchen cleaned – tick. Bathroom cleaned – tick. House dusted and hovered – tick. Piano lesson – tick. Blog written – almost tick.

This is what I'll be knitting for the fish and chips babies.

This is what I’ll be knitting for the fish and chips babies.

Joined a local knitting club this week. It’s a monthly meet and started when some ladies from our local church decided to get together to knit for Africa’s Fish and Chips babies and premature babies in our local maternity hospitals. The group recently advertised in the village for more knitters, so I joined. I thought it would be fun. The ladies all range in age from their 80s (I’m guessing) right down to me and another mum who I think may be about my age. I think we’re the youngest there at 44 (well, that’s what I am). Anyway, I am in the process of knitting a blanket for premature babies and I want to knit something for the Fish and Chips babies, so called because they are sent home from hospital wrapped in newspaper because their parents can’t afford to clothe them. Wee souls. Anyway, I went on Tuesday, was made very welcome, had a good blether and felt good for doing something nice for others. Unfortunately, I knitted my blanket whilst tired and made a few mistakes so had to rip it out and start again. No probs. Am looking to get the blanket, a top and a couple of hats finished by next month for the next meeting.

This weekend looks like it’s going to be a busy one: the girl has her ballet show on Friday and Saturday nights. I’m really looking forward to it. I’m going with my mum – the boys opted out, it’s not their kind of thing. My mum and dad are coming down for dinner first and then me and mum will go and see our wee ballerina strut her stuff. In between now and then, she also has a couple of rehearsals too so I will be taxi-ing her around most days this weekend. On Sunday, though, I will be putting my feet up and enjoying Mother’s Day. We don’t make a huge thing of it in our family. I have got my mum some nice gifts and a really lovely card. My boy has already presented me with a home-made card and apparently the girl has one for me too. I like these the best. I know what I’m getting because I ordered it…a pearl necklace which will go with my 50s dress. I’m really looking forward to a cup of tea in bed on Sunday morning…that’s a real treat for me!

Anyway, must be off. If you’re a mum, enjoy Mother’s Day on Sunday. Am I right in thinking the clock goes forward this weekend? I’ve heard from a couple of places this might be so…will check it.

Til next time!

Dawn xxx

Ballet, piano and Bette Davis

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Well, I’ve gone and voted and once I got to the ballot box I was under no doubt  which way I was voting. The last couple of weeks have been both exhilarating and a bit scary. Independence is a huge step and today is historic. Am waiting with bated breath to see what happens when they announce the result tomorrow.

This week has been overtaken with the Referendum. You just couldn’t get away from it. However, apart from that we’ve seen a few things happening. The boy had a really bad ear infection recently and it’s now cleared up. He also started piano lessons last week and seems to like them…so far. The girl is still in love with ballet. I bought a ballet exercise DVD so we can do something together (the boy and I have piano) plus it will hopefully get me fitter. Over the last five years I’ve put on more than a stone in weight. I don’t eat any more than I did before and I certainly am busier than ever. I think it’s the fact that I’m over 40 and have a sedentary job. Sigh. Anyway, ballet here we come!! Am sure a few plies will sort out my thighs!

ballet 2ballet 1

Hubby celebrated his 51st birthday last week too. Me and the kids took him out a local Chinese restaurant for a meal and various members of the family visited with presents or sent cards. On his actual birthday, I made him a special meal for every meal time. The kids insisted on having pancakes for breakfast, I made veggie tortillas (from The Fussy Eater’s Cookbook by Tana Ramsay) for lunch and we had Hungarian Ghoulash for dinner…yum. There was also birthday cake and custard…lovely.

Bette Davis 1

Am currently reading Bette Davis’ The Lonely Life and it’s excellent. Her voice and strong opinions ring through the book and I’m thoroughly enjoying it. As you know I am a huge fan. All About Eve is in my top ten all time films…she’s fabulous in that. Other fave Bette films include Now Voyager and Jezebel.

Bette Davis 2

While I greatly admire Ms Davis, what else rings through the book is her absolute determination to get to the top no matter the cost. I think she was used to getting her own way. She was a strong woman who didn’t put up with rubbish. Some may call her a bitch. I think she had to be to pursue her dreams. Anyway, she’s very inspiring and her book is full of great stories and truths.

What else has been happening? I took the plunge and bought myself a new sewing machine. My machine was secondhand when my parents gave it to me when I was 11 or 12, so it’s at least 30 years old! It’s not reliable. I’m hoping a new one will be so that I can get on with sewing.

Right, that’s it for this week. I am going to finish up here for now. Until next time!

Dawn xx

 

 

 

 

 

Ballet, Bunnies and Breaking Bad

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The view near Rhu

The view near Rhu

Hello, how are you? What’s been happening? Well this week it’s been back to school for the kids and lots of celebrating for mum!! The kids went back midweek and for the first time in weeks I went home, switched on the telly and was able to hear a programme from start to finish. There was no one to interrupt, ask for stuff or generally make a lot of noise. It was bliss! Don’t get me wrong, I missed them, but it was good to get a bit of quiet in the house.

News from chez Nelson…the girl started ballet lessons today and loved it. She was twirling and skipping and plié-ing with the rest of them, a big smile on her face. Other headline news: our next door neighbour’s cat went missing, but now has been found. I amnot a major cat lover, but I have to say I do like young Maddie who is a little girl cat and is very cute. I was glad they got her back. And we say goodbye to two lady Guinea Pigs and two rabbits tomorrow when my friend comes to collect them. We’ve been looking after them whilst my friend and her family are on holiday and it’s been a hoot. One of the rabbits  – the very cute Albert – is a real character and kept us all chuckling. He’s a very affectionate animal and is always looking for a head rub or a bit of attention. We shall miss then, but I shan’t miss all the mess they brought with them. It’s perfect timing actually because the weather has been getting worse over the last week or so and I’m thinking of moving our Guineas from their external hutch to their indoor cage (which is currently in the greenhouse). I wanted to wait until September when it starts getting colder at night, but it’s been so wet recently that I may bring them in earlier.

Anyway, we’ve not been doing a lot except for getting ready for going back to school and work. I’ve started working on another children’s book – well it’s the one I was working on before, but still haven’t finished. I’ve also been knitting a wrap for myself, which is unusual because I don’t often knit for myself. I’ve been glued to Netflix watching White Collar (am addicted to this programme) and Breaking Bad. Was watching the latter this morning. We’re on series three and oh my goodness it’s great!!

In case you’re wondering what the pic is about at the beginning of this blog, it’s a view from Kidston Park in Helensburgh. Took the kids there last week for a walk along Helensburgh front and then lunch at the great wee café (I forget its name) at Kidston Park. I took the pic of all the lovely boats that are moored nearby at Rhu harbour. It was one of those days which was really sunny to begin with but soon descended into a rain and wind. We managed to get home before it got really bad.

Anyway, I must go. Breaking Bad is calling…Hank’s just been shot! I need to find out what’s happened.

Til next time.

Dawn xxx