Legally Blonde

Heaps of little things I should’ve mentioned the last couple of days.

Fabulous Friends who helped out during the washing machine crisis – many many thanks.

Unbelievably busy time at Work – it’s good feeling indispensable useful again, but also a bit mad trying to fit two jobs’ worth of work into one of time, as well as fit in Baby time (it’s not fair on him if I work late and days off too often or we have no real together time).

Ramblin’Folkie came home it was v v g to see her again, although we’ve left real catching up for another day. Also lovely to have a cuppa and natter with another ex-Swampea resident here on a flying visit.

I’m justifying the later than planned night by the extra hour in the night – don’t know how the BB body clock will react to BST–>GMT, or how many people aiming for the 9.30 (Family Service) will catch the last little bit of the 8 am (Prayer Book HC) by mistake! Sleep well, all.

I’m sure there’s more – I keep thinking to myself “blog that later” then when I come to blog I can’t remember the half of it. I’ll know what I meant to say as soon as I’ve shut down the machine!

Ten years ago
I’d finished School and had just started a secretarial course (the logic being if I couldn’t get decent A levels and go to University then at least I’d be able to type fast, temp and support myself). At the time it was hell on earth but in retrospect the most useful thing I’ve been through. It was also before James, but not by long.

Five years ago
I’d just moved to Bologna for the year abroad part of my Italian degree. October was very difficult – there was little or no support from the University in finding accommodation etc which meant the first couple of weeks in expensive B&B’s and on uncomfortable friends’ floors. Once settled and sorted, though, it was the most fantastic experience. No pressure either – if I did better than my average at Swampea, the Italy modules would count towards my degree. If not, not. Also, only 14 hours of lectures a week meant lots of time to explore parts of Italy I hadn’t before. It was before James left, but not by long.

One year ago
I was 7 months pregnant. Baby Blonde had already changed my life beyond recognition, and would continue to do so (starting two months later by being born!). Christmas was already organised and wrapped; the flat, though, was damper than ever and covered in plaster dust. So much anticipation and excitement – and terror.

Five yummy things
Apples, steak, home-made proper pizza, Wood’s lasagne, broccoli

Five songs I know by heart
They exist, but either no-one here would possibly have heard of them, or I only remember I know them when I hear them. Sorry, cop-out answer. May edit later!

Five things I would do with a lot of money
Invest it for Baby Blonde, pay off loans, travel, get involved in amazing project of Ramblin’Folkie’s, finish Masters.

Five places I would to escape to
Italy, Wells, a secret special place on Gower, my room, my imagination

Five things I would never wear
Shell suits or similar, Nike (or most labelly stuff), huge furry boots, funny little half cardigans that seem to be all the rage, blue eyeshadow

Five favourite TV shows
Ally McBeal, Without a Trace, University Challenge, Rugby Internationals

Five things I enjoy doing
Spending time with Baby Blonde, being with friends, cooking, singing, Church

Favourite toys
Edward Bear, Pink Cat, Meccano, BB’s cube and kissing bears

Five people who get this
Moog, Strawberry, Jo, Jack, Dee
(would’ve said Sarah, Nessa nd Lem but think they’ve already been hit!)

Apologies – most of you will have No Idea what this means or why it’s significant.

But it’s a Good Thing. and I am a Happy Blonde.

(Sorry. No explaining!)

I know I’m supposed to be making more effort with proper cooking and eating well, at a sensible time of evening not night, and the theory’s sunk in and makes sense, but the practice is a lot more difficult. Not at all easy to motivate myself to proper cooking for only me (and B, but he’s sleeping). It’s strange, ’cause I do love proper cooking and meals etc. but food makes so much more sense with company, fellowship etc. So I’ve been grazing lots on toast, fruit, cereal – not bad for me, but not really brilliant either. If you came to supper, I’d do proper cooking – lasagne, risotto, meats and veg, all the things I can do, enjoy doing, do well – but don’t seem to when it’s only me I’m feeding. Please?! (but let me know a little bit before you come)

These are the reason my Washing Machine didn’t want to play.

It’s much happier now, thank you!

Now I am going to tackle the flood in the kitchen. In order to find the above, and extract them from the filter, I had first to release 19 pints of smelly water. Having the baby and house is fantastic. Having the scary grown-up responsibility that go with? sometimes slightly less so.

It's been a mad and v busy day… already. Yes,that is the time!

Currently on the blink are:

* Washing Machine (trust me, you don’t want to know about half-washed nappies!)
* Hoover (new filter ordered but not yet arrived/collected)
* Shower (don’t get me wrong, I love a good soak in the bath as much as the next girl but occasionally speed and water bills are considerations!)
* Brain (or at least the time-keeping, food-eating and house-cleaning parts!)

I suspect I might be heading for a big hurt again. I recognise the signs. Too often I read too much into something somebody says, and look forward to something, disproportionately, and if/when it doesn’t come to pass, I plummet. I may have misinterpreted again. I’m trying to be reasonable and ready myself for disappointment so it doesn’t floor me so completely when it comes. I know I overreact. There’s little I can do.

(Sorry can’t be lots more specific; people involved read here!)

Pizza doesn’t make a particularly good mouse-mat.

Funny, that.

I had another Chat with the Vicar at the weekend. I still have no idea really, but am a little less scatty and preoccupied about it all now, if that makes any sense. Che sera’ sera’ and all that, and trying to trust and hand it all over. I know I’m (and it’s) in His hands, and must just pray lots and be less of a control freak about wanting to know what’s going on, when and how.

I wasn’t working today but went into work on the way back from town this afternoon (it’s half way home, and a good loo stop, specially with weather like today’s! and I never see the other half of my job otherwise), and my Boss was very grateful and complimentary about somethings I’d done. I wouldn’t usually mention this, but there’s an awful lot going on at the Clinic at the moment, and it all has to be done by the end of half term, and it’s rather like trying to fit a quart into a pint pot, timewise, so I was there for a couple of hours at the weekend while the Babe was sleeping, and was very productive, but I wouldn’t have expected him to notice, let alone mention it, let alone Thank me (and pay me a very timely and much appreciated little bit extra!) so that was all very good too.

God often seems to have a way of showing Himself when you need it most – I’ve been feeling a little invisible lately and while of course I don’t need noticing it is quite nice and apposite occasionally.