Lookalikes

Charity Ball

I am in a state of extreme excitement!

I am like a kid on Christmas Eve

The reason for this is that we are off to our annual Charity Ball in support of The Anthony Nolan Trust

It is a fantastic night and I love getting all dolled up with my ballgown on!

The Trust do an amazing job and we are proud to be part of it.

We are involved through my friend, Brodie, whose sister, Johanna, unfortunately was diagnosed with leukemia 12 years ago at the age of 16. She lived such a full life from that point on and never once let the illness rule her life. Despite receiving 2 transplants and feeling horrendous for quite a lot of the time she achieved so much.

She set out on a trip of the world but unfortunately contracted lung disease whilst in Australia. She flew home after receiving medical treatment in Oz but sadly couldn't recover and passed away last year.

She was an inspiration to everyone she met and just how many peoples lives she touched was evident at her funeral.

Brodie is now fulfilling her sisters dream of travelling the world and is half way through her trip.

So we do everything we can to support the charity and the Ball is the highlight of the charity's fundraising events.

Its an amazing night and Johanna absolutely loved going to it!

Brodie wont be with us this year as shes still travelling but she is in our hearts and minds, as is Jo, and can't wait to hear all about it

Shall let you know how it goes

ROLL ON SATURDAY!!

Just a Mum?

I saw this recently on madmums and it made me smile!

JUST A MOM?
A woman, renewing her driver's license at the County Clerk's office
was asked by the woman recorder to state her occupation.
She hesitated, uncertain how to classify herself.
"What I mean is," explained the recorder,
"do you have a job or are you just a......?"
"Of course I have a job," snapped the woman.
"I'm a Mom."
"We don't list 'Mom' as an occupation, 'housewife' covers it,"
said the recorder emphatically.
I forgot all about her story until one day I found myself in the
same situation, this time at our own Town Hall.
The Clerk was obviously a career woman, poised,
efficient and possessed of a high sounding title like,
"Official Interrogator" or "Town Registrar."
"What is your occupation?" she probed.
What made me say it?
I do not know.
The words simply popped out.
"I'm a Research Associate in the field of
Child Development and Human Relations."
The clerk paused, ball-point pen frozen in midair and
looked up as though she had not heard right.
I repeated the title slowly emphasizing the most significant words.
Then I stared with wonder as my pronouncement was written,
in bold, black ink on the official questionnaire."Might I ask," said the clerk with new interest,
"just what you do in your field?"
Coolly, without any trace of fluster in my voice,
I heard myself reply,
"I have a continuing program of research,
[what mother doesn't)
in the laboratory and in the field,
(normally I would have said indoors and out).
I'm working for my Masters, (first the Lord and then the whole family)
and already have four credits (all daughters).
Of course, the job is one of the most demanding in the humanities,
(any mother care to disagree?)
and I often work 14 hours a day, (24 is more like it).
But the job is more challenging than most run-of-the-mill careers and the rewards are more of a satisfaction rather than just money."
There was an increasing note of respect in the clerk's voice as she
completed the form, stood up and personally ushered me to the door. As I drove into our driveway, buoyed up by my glamorous new career,
I was greeted by my lab assistants -- ages 13, 7, and 3.
Upstairs I could hear our new experimental model,
(a 6 month old baby) in the child development program,
testing out a new vocal pattern.
I felt I had scored a beat on bureaucracy!
And I had gone on the official records as someone more distinguished and indispensable to mankind than
"just another Mom." Motherhood!
What a glorious career!
Especially when there's a title on the door.
***************
Does this make grandmothers
"Senior Research associates in the field of
Child Development and Human Relations"
and great grandmothers
"Executive Senior Research Associates"?
I think so!!!
I also think it makes Aunts
"Associate Research Assistants".
******

I think its important for sahm's to be recognised for the job they do!

Innocence

Over the past couple of weeks death has been a subject, unfortunately, that has been hovering over our family life.

We lost someone very special to us all and it got me thinking of all the different ways it is dealt with.

Some cry, some lash out, some drink and others pretend it hasn't affected them in any way. Denial I think its called.

Due to what has happened in the family I had to have a chat with my daughter to explain what had happened. She is young and doesn't really inderstand why people die and why they can't ever come back. But instead of dealing with it the way an adult would (see above) she asked simple and innocent questions, "Will the fairies look after her?", "Will God give her some food to eat?"

These questions made me cry at how well she had dealt with the loss of someone very close in such a beautiful child like way.

When did we all grow up and why can't we sometimes have the childlike mentality when dealing with things

So now instead of crying when she thinks of her, E simply picks up a picture of her and kisses it saying that the fairies are looking after her now.

So beautiful and innocent

Planet

YOU ARE FROM VENUS

You love all forms of beauty. You love dressing up and anything luxurious.A social butterfly, you're incredibly popular and a great host.You're known for your fairness and affection. And as a frind to all.Careful though! You're desire to please may make you too willing to conform.Be yourself. Focus on what matters to you. You'll be all the more popular for it.

What Planet Are You From?

Madmums

When I was pregnant for the second time I came across a website called Bounty that was for parents/mums to be etc. I joined and posted many threads on there gradually getting to know the other mums a lot better.

After a while it got a bit bitchy and cliquey. I felt we were on a game show to see who's child was the best at things! Not a very nice place to be.

One day while browsing the threads I noticed a mention for another website called www.madmums.com - now being slightly mad and also a mum I decided to take a look. That was over a year ago and today I am pleased to say I am a manager on the site. I have made so many new "virtual" friends and have had the pleasure of meeting up with a few.

Isn't it amazing how the internet can bring you together with people you probably wouldn't have met otherwise.

Madmums means a lot to me and I know its a place I can pour my heart out and will not be judged for it. The girls are all from such different backgrounds and have all a lot of knowledge in varying subjects.

I thought it was funny how I was drawn to some people straight away even without meeting them. I am a fairly good judge of charcter I would have said and I just knew the people who I would be able to bond with.

We have our ups and downs on the site but on the whole we all support each other through anything even though the majority of us haven't met.

Why is it we can sometimes divulge our innermost thoughts to a stranger yet can't to those closest to us?

Maybe its being safe in the knowledge that they don't have prior knowledge of us and therefore wont cast things back from the past.

I don't know the answer but I have done it and feel all the better for it too.

Getting Old?

I am 27, married with 2 children. I sometimes wonder what my life would be like if I had never met my husband and it scares me to think what I would be doing just now.

I have a few single friends and they are still at the "trying to find a bloke" stage and go out every weekend with the small glimmer of hope that "Mr Right" may be out there somewhere.

The majority of my friends are now settled and some are even married but I sometimes think I am old before my time.

At 27 is it wrong of me to sometimes decline an offer of a wild night out in favour of a cosy night in front of the telly??

I work hard all week and raise 2 girls at the same time - my priorities have changed. A couple of hours doing nothing is now classed as luxury.

Don't get me wrong, I do love a good night out and guaranteed I'll be the wildest/drunkest out of all of us but because its not a regular thing I tend to build up to it and REALLY look forward to it. Whereas BC (before children) it was just a normal occurance and it was getting very same old!

I had my children at a relatively young age so by the time they are out clubbing etc I will only be in my forties - thats still young in my eyes

I love my girls and my husband more than anything else and wouldn't change anything I have done.

I guess having written this I may be getting more boring but I am happier than I have ever been and I suppose thats what is most important.

Day 1 Of The Unknown

Ok so this is all slightly new to me. Having read a few peoples blogs now I attempted to start one a while ago for the benefit of family and friends abroad. I have really neglected it though and the sad story of only 3 posts since last year kind of tells me its over.

I decided today that I would start again, this time it being my own blog and obviously there will be many many mentions of my family life but I can also post non-child related items etc and not feel so guilty.

Lets be honest I am the only person that is probably going to read this - so i can say what i like - right?

Anyway in case I am not the only person to read this I'll introduce myself. I am Fiona, more commonly know as Fee and I live in this wonderful country that is Scotland. I am married to D and and have 2 little ducklings E & L.

Mainly this blog will be a way of documenting what is happening in my life and maybe in years to come I can look back and laugh at events which don't seem so funny at the time.

So thats me and mine - we live a relatively quiet life (until I get let out on good behaviour!)