Friday Quick Takes

Works for me!

1.  So, Valentine's Day- how was it with you? Romance central or did you rise above all the overpriced, guilt induced commercialization of it all? Well, I'm afraid you'll have to excuse me while I eat my words from the other day, because I DID receive my card, complete with a 'Perfect Wife' badge,(which I'll be casually wearing next time the M&S bill comes in), AND a rather large bouquet of flowers as well. Ahem.
Well if you MUST know, they were long stemmed roses beautifully wrapped in silvery muslin. Colour? Alright ALRIGHT! They were red!

I'll say no more!

Which meant that although totally blown away when I discovered them on the bed, part of me also realised that, darn it-I was duty bound to out this Valentine cliche on here, while also clocking the fact that Loverboy clearly wasn't the avid reader of my blog I'd assumed him to be! Ah well, sure they're absolutely gorgeous and I'm not thinking AT ALL about the fact they'll be 70% off today. (Oh God- I'm turning into my Ma).

2. Lent. I'm over it already and it's only just started! You see, for some annoying reason I've decided to take it seriously this year-as in to do stuff that tests and strengthens me as as a person, and not just stuff to help me lose a few lbs for Easter. So even though I'd assumed that I'd go off chocolate, in truth, I'm not a MASSIVE chocolate fiend, (one nightly little Lindt ball with a cuppa), so its not a huge sacrifice really.  And anyway, I'm already doing 2 fast days a week, so I reckon I'm pretty much covered in the food deprivation department.

All set for Lent!

Yes, I could go off wine during the week, but by default I don't actually drink wine during the week-too busy making lunches and checking homeworks-so that's hardly a stretch. And I know, I could go off wine altogether and that WOULD be tough, because there's nothing quite like that Friday glass or two at home, or the Saturday night out with friends, but childishly I justify that I've paid my dues with the ten year pregnancy/baby stint so I've a lot of catching up to do in that department!  Maybe I'll rethink circa Lent 2025.
Then I heard  that my good buddy Bronagh was giving up Facebook for Lent, as she also did last year, and I made the snap decision to join her, and seriously- for me, its a biggie! Between my blog, the craic and sheer nosiness of it all,  I do enjoy Facebook....maybe even a bit too much...so I know this is gonna hurt! Once I made the decision though, I quickly deleted the app from my phone and  went cold turkey- I knew that there could be no looking back and no long goodbyes!

As a family, we're also eschewing all electronic devices from 6pm during the week. That means no Leap Pad, DS, computer, IPads or internet of any kind from Monday to Thursday. Considering I watch TV at night while surfing Ebay/Amazon/Facebook on my iPad, this one's a challenge...but again, possibly a positive one? Finally I'm 'strongly encouraging' regular Trocaire donations from all family members (Intimidation anyone?) and attending a weekly series of Lenten talks. Phew! And if I manage to do all that I'll be doing well....watch this space!

3. Staying on the Lenten theme- Bless me Father for I have sinned, I went through my sky + box and deleted the entire series of 'Africa'. I mean what kind of person deletes David Attenborough and saves Gok Wan? It's SO wrong but what can I say?  I didn't like the look of my percentages and once I started hitting that yellow button and feeling that heady excitement as I watched those numbers creep up, I couldn't stop 'til I'd done the lot. And to be completely honest, although I loved the first episode, I found the second a bit 'ho hum' and the kids kept making excuses about homework and piano practice every time I suggested watching it, so unfortunately it was just a question of when. Still I'm not proud of it so that'll be 10 Hail Marys and a Glory Be for me. 

4.  Our 'Carseat Boogie' this week? Well, this song came on the other day and immediately I was transported back  20+ years, watching Otis and the Elevators, (a local 'Blues Brothers' Tribute band) with a pile of friends in a crowded bar. Tassle skirts and DMs, cider and black and White Musk, sneaky fags and cheeky snogs. Good times ....lost in my reverie, I then happened to glance into the rearview mirror and there was Luke, oblivious to me, boogying away in the back, eyes closed, totally lost in the music. Hope you like it too.....Happy Friday loveliesxxx


PS If you haven't already I'd be most grateful if you'd take a wee minute and nominate me in the MAD (Mum and Dad) Blog Awards 2013.( The closing date for nominations is February 18th and just pick whichever categories you think are suitable).
Thanks a million, Emxx

My Not So Guilty Pleaure

I'm completely and utterly addicted to Desert Island Discs. (Now there's a sentence I never thought I'd write!) In case you don't know, it's that programme on Radio 4 that my Ma listens to. The one where someone outstanding in their field has to choose the 8 records they would take with them if they were to be cast away on a desert island, and the reasons for their choices. Along with Women's Hour and The Archers, she's been urging me to tune in for years.
 Now, I'll be honest with you- I've kinda always resisted, desperately clinging to the fantasy that Radio 4 was too old for me. Oh yes, I may have quietly left Radio 1 years ago, sidestepping seamlessly into Radio 2, but Radio 4? Surely not.
I've been known to turn it on occasionally. Usually in response to a pinging text message from Herself, brusquely ordering me to 'Turn on Women's Hour right now!'. Then afterwards, she inevitably follows up with a phonecall to see what I thought/check that I was listening. Winging it is not an option. Recently she rang me saying 'Put on Desert island Discs, she's that gay one on you like, that one who tells you what to wear naked!' Turns out it was it was Gok Wan. (and I  DO so so love him)
But then recently, my good friend Jennifer, who used to live in Glenavy, but now lives in sunny California (I simply can't understand why!),confided that SHE  loves D I D and downloads the lot as podcasts. Well, I could deny it no longer- she's actually a few years younger than me, terribly smart and generally all round cool- so wasting no more time, I popped onto the Radio 4 website and downloaded my first ever podcasts....and I'm absolutely LOVING them.
Usually on my morning walks, or on the rare occasions I'm in the car alone,  I listen to my iPod playlists (such as the imaginatively named like 'Emma's Music to weep quietly to' and 'PMT Songbook' )whereas now, I'm  hearing all sorts of interesting people talk about their lives and listening to their (much better!) music choices. This week alone I've heard Alfie Boe, Martin Clunes, Craig Brown, Mary Berry, Martina Navratilova, John Bishop, Tim Minchin, Sir David Attenborough, Brian Cox, Bear Grylis, Tom Jones and Cath Kidson. And whether I'm a fan or not, I take something inspirational away from every single one.
And just between you and me, I think I may have developed a bit of a girl crush on the show's presenter Kirsty Young- that deep voice, her calm way of drawing someone out, the way she's clearly done her homework on each and every one, that deep voice....
So it looks like I'm a born again Radio 4 convert, doesn't it? Next thing you know I'll be extolling how the Archers is much more sizzling than the new Dallas. (Erm, on second thoughts, possibly not...) But now I'm afraid it's time to love you and leave you... Martin Sheen and our Kirsty are waiting, you know!