Take a Monday Moment!

When we went to see 'Frozen' with the kids over Christmas, I was blown away, most especially by the music. Maybe this had to do with my really low expectations as I had read absolutely nothing about the film beforehand.  All I knew was that it was a U Certificate, the holidays were long and I might get a nap-if only every decision were this easy.

But since then, the kids have looked up and sung along to all the songs on U tube- in fact, three year old Luke now sings 'Do you wanna build a snowman?' in its entirety, including the talky bits, in a very believable American accent.

Then last week, I came across this Mummy's version of  'Let it Go' and it gave me a much needed laugh, so I hope it does the same for you. And remember, peeps,  it may be Monday, but Spring's just around the corner.
Laters, Emx

Friday Quicktakes

1. Peeps, it's March- doesn't just hearing that warm the little cockles of your heart? Between that and M&S doing their £1 a bunch daffs, it would appear that Spring has officially sprung! Of course, for me, a less welcome sign is the first slurry spraying of the season, which even after seven years living in the country, is no more endearing. It certainly doesn't help matters that our house is surrounded entirely by fields, so no matter which way the wind's blowing, we get to enjoy maximum potency. Honestly, between the slurry on the fields and the potty training in the house, I'm feeling like a bit of a shit magnet at the moment - other women attract flowers and jewelry, I attract faeces. Does that make me special?

2. Tenuously staying on the slurry/country theme, I've a little piece of news for you. Scratch that, I'm just being coy, because it's actually an enormously massive piece of news- we're putting the house on the market in the next few weeks and moving back to the city! Yep, it seems that despite my very best efforts, you can take the girl outta Belfast, but you can't take Belfast outta the girl.
I have to tell you, it's taken an enormous amount of soul searching, and I've honestly never worried more about any decision EVER, so I really, really hope we get it right. But let's face it, given the current economic climate, we could be here for a good, long while yet and that's completely okay- we've finally reached a decision, the wheels are in motion, and when I'm not fretting about it, I'm quietly excited. Footpaths, other people's chimney pots...I've missed the oddest things.
Of course, like everything in life, it's never black and white, and as a wise person once told me (in all seriousness), you've got to weigh up the prawns and the cons, and that's just what we've done....So now I'm hoping and wishing and praying that it works out... wish me luck!

3. On a much more trivial, but  nevertheless diverting and entirely fabulous note, I just HAD to show you my latest little shoe bargain. Even better, it's almost entirely guilt free because of my recent inspired and prolific venture into eBay- the flogging of my own 'preloved' and 'gently used' footwear gems.
 These babies are by 'Poetic Licence', which are made by 'Irregular Choice' - they're red leather, with suede accents and sport the most striking textured leopard print wedge heel! More is more, I say! Oh, and their original price was 99 quid.
 I know, I know,  you want to know what I paid, don't you? Well, if  I were chatting to you now, I'd make you play 'Guess how much?', which incidentally, is a game Loverboy is no longer allowed to play because he refuses to follow the very simple rules. These are
a)start high with your guesses and
b)express incredulous surprise every time the words 'No! Even lower!' are uttered. I mean, how hard is that!?
So even though it's not as much fun for all concerned, I'll just cut to the chase and put you out of your misery-  these little beauties cost me *drumroll please* £23 delivered and all!!!!.....I KNOW! (Take a minute if you have to.)
AND if that wasn't fabulous enough, they perfectly match the gorgeous bag the lovely Glenavy girlies bought me for my 40th, AND the vavavoom scarf my friend Jen gave me a few weeks back! It's as though they were meant to be mine.....predestined almost......written in the stars... (Okay, I'll stop now.)

4. Mothers Day is the 10th March - just a timely reminder if you want to get cracking on your 'gentle hint dropping'- some of us have already started. Go and check out my Mothers Day competition to win that gorgeous crown necklace too- who doesn't love a freebie? Especially one as lovely as that,  so get on it!

5. Finally, here's this week's Car Seat Boogie- Luke and I REALLY enjoyed this one...and it brought me right back too. Along with Irene Cara's 'Fame' it was the first record I ever chose myself, waaaaay back in 1982! I think it was were my early taste for the denim dungarees/cap combo originated too! Enjoy and happy Friday, happy March and happy Spring, my lovelies!

Slurry- What's not to love?

As you may have gathered by now, I have something of a seasonal relationship with rural life. During the Winter, I grow increasingly homesick for the city, so inevitably by February Country Livin' and I are on the rocks -'This isn't working anymore, we're just too different. It's not you its me!' Then, Spring creeps in and seduces me all over again with it's longer days, it's daffodils, it's frolicking lambs, and its new life everywhere, and suddenly I remember the good times, and the fun we had together, and then I'm falling in love again...at least until September.
Yes indeedy, this renewed Springtime lovein would be just about perfect if it wasn't for the annual Slurryfest that ramps up about the same time. I must admit, that when we moved out to the sticks six years ago, I was such a townie that I didn't even know what slurry was! I remember this all too well, because shortly after we moved in, a local farmer,(who was renting the few acres that surrounds our house on THREE sides, called at our front door. He asked me in a friendly,chatty manner if I'd mind if he went ahead and spread slurry on the land. Flattered that he would call to discuss his farming plans with little old me, I warmly encouraged him to go right ahead. (Work away, my good man!). But later on that night, I bitterly regretted my lack of agricultural knowledge, as I wept, dry heaved, and called that pleasant farmer every name under the sun, vowing our immediate return to Belfast.
In hindsight, perhaps my virginal city nose WAS unprepared for such a violent assault, but just last week I was 'forced' to scupper the slurry plans for our field because we had a bouncy castle booked and friends coming round. This is 'Country entertaining 101' right here People -'Under no circumstances host a party downwind of a recently slurried field.' But Loverboy, guilty at the veto, overcompensated to my horror with 'Next week is fine though, just come on over and let her go till its knee deep!' ...and he bloody did too.
To be fair though, over time I've learned to cope with the foul stench. For instance, I know now to keep all the windows and doors closed, breath in as little as possible, light the fragranced candles throughout the house and NEVER EVER hang freshly laundered clothes out on the line. But I certainly haven't stop noticing it as some claim to, or more preposterous yet, to actually appreciate it!? Let's just be clear here, we're not talking about a fine wine and this is not an 'acquired taste'. Despite this, I've been encouraged on many occasions to 'breathe in the good country air!' Pardon? Are you shitting me?(Sorry!) For never was the expression 'you can't polish a turd' more apt- the gallons and gallons of fermented animal waste sprayed with gay abandon in fields all over the countryside- is absolutely gag- tastic. And just so you know, I DO understand it's importance- shit happens and it has to go somewhere, it's part of the cycle of life and growth, blah blah blah, but it still puts me in a bad mood every time. As an added sweetener, it often ends up on the roads as well thanks to leaky slurry tanks. Only yesterday a good friend had to go and get the wheels and underside of her car washed because she didn't want to end up with it all over her driveway. Apparently her poor daughter was green by the time they got home.
But where were we? Oh yes, the beauty of the countryside in Spring, which has now tragically been overshadowed by my slurry rant. On the upside though, I definitely feel much better getting that off my chest and, right now, it's a gorgeous day out there and there's not even a whiff of the dreaded slurry in the air, so I'm off to live dangerously and hang out the washing.

The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse

Oh dear, how I hate January! Despite the fact that I'm definitely ready for Christmas to be over when it rolls around, I always wish that I could just  fast forward to the first week in February, and thus bypass the whole January buzzkill completely .
For me, along with the extra muffin top and the school runs in the dark, my annual country vs city struggle inevitably reaches it peak right about now. It tends to build momentum as November closes in, is temporarily sidetracked by Christmas, and then returns full throttle in the New Year. Oh yes, as you can probably imagine, Loverboy just LOVES me in January! I know that he grits his teeth as I do my nightly online property search, scouring suitable houses within the city limits ( OK then-it's mostly BT9,) for our tribe to move to. Unfortunately though, unless I plan on selling a kidney, or a couple of children, they're few and far between.

My favourite magazine.....no, not really!

Out here in the country, we're lucky enough to have lots of inside and outside space- a real necessity with a big family. What we DON'T have is proximity and convenience to pretty much everything and I find that a real drag. Growing up in the city meant that I took for granted being able to walk to chic shops, numerous restaurants, gourmet cafes and friends' and family's houses. Our previously unplanned decision to move to the country six years ago, was driven by a house sale falling through and our fourth child's imminent arrival. (Oh and for the record, I don't believe that Loverboy has ever REALLY appreciated the depth of trauma suffered, on moving here a short month after Starbucks opened at the end of our street - just saying.. )
I think it's probably what you're used to-what you grow up with, I mean- because I remember years ago, on first contemplating a move to just outside Washington DC, several people here cautioned ' Are you sure you want to move to the murder capital of the world?'  Then, when we got there, and folks learned we were from Belfast, THEY shook their heads and sympathized 'I'm sure you're glad to be out of war torn Belfast!' Similarly, but less dramatically, when we mentioned that we were moving from the city to the country, shocked Belfast people clucked reassuringly, 'Don't worry, it's not forever', while country people congratulated us on getting out of the dirty old city!
I suppose that everyone wants to believe that where they live is the best. And maybe it is...for them. As a city girl, I HAVE found aspects of the transition tough. (Really!? I hear you say disbelievingly!) I find that I miss silly things like footpaths and chimney pots and horns beeping.... and family. But thankfully, as February creeps in and with the promise of Spring just around the corner, I begin to notice and appreciate again all the really great things about living here. The wonderful school, the best of  friends, the real sense of community, the idyllic childhood our children love, the space around us, the changing of seasons...and as for the rest-well, a diesel car, a good taxi firm and filling our lives and home with friends and family all helps.

I'm getting me one of these bad boys..

You see, I'm only too aware that it's not just all about me, me, me-there are six others living here as well, and we DO have a good balance for now. That will naturally change over time, and if I'm honest, I know that we won't be here forever - as the children gradually migrate from our little corner of the world, I'm pretty sure we'll follow. But in the meantime, during the winter, and most especially in January, I'm sucking it up, knowing that Spring is a-coming and anyhow, I know how to make a skinny extra hot latte even better than Starbucks!