Yummy Mummy Meme

Okaaayyyyy- yesterday I got tagged in this Yummy Mummy meme by Cakes, Babies and Other Ramblings. Of course, being relatively new to the whole blogging world, I had to then frantically google 'meme' to find out what it actually was, and on the off chance that you're interested, here it is!

 First off, apparently it's meant to rhyme with 'theme', but as I've been happily rhyming it with 'gem' in my head instead, it's only gone and stuck like that. At times like this, I'm very grateful for potentially less embarassing virtual conversations.

 In science, a meme is a self-propagating unit of thought, that is spread from one host to another. Richard Dawkins invented the term as a kind of idea-gene. Like genes, as Memes spread they mutate or die. Only the fittest Memes survive.

 In the blogging world, Memes have become synonymous with internet quizzes, surveys, and novelties that people link to and pass around on their blogs, and popular ones are often interesting and give you an insight into different peoples thoughts and behaviours. And perhaps a little more cynically, they're also about links to other blogs and potentially getting new readers for your blog too! Of course, in my case that could totally backfire..... but here goes nothing!

The Rules
 When answering the questions, give as much detail as possible. It's all about the finer details people! Leave a comment Here  (BusyBee blog where the meme was created).
Tag three or more people and link to them on your blog.
Tweet # yummy mummy when you share on Twitter.


 What is the first thing you do when you wake up?
Much as I'd love to say that I begin my meditation, the truth is I usually cop a feel of a sleeping Loverboy and then stagger to the bathroom to do something about my dog breath. ( TMI?)

  Do you shower daily?Are you an early morning shower or an evening bath type?
Jeez, is that a trick question? Surely the only answer to that is 'yes', otherwise you'll be calling me a right minger. I have to say though that I like to mix it up a bit - when I go for my early morning walk, I shower straight afterwards, although this is generally a speedy affair because our two year old insists on opening and closing the cold shower door on me the whole time. Otherwise, I love a long lazy bath after the kids go to bed- peace, magazines and a glass of wine and I've died and gone to heaven.

 Do you wear make up daily? 
 Mostly yes....except sometimes when I'm sure that only my nearest and dearest will set eyes on my pale and freckly bake. But then that's never the case is it? Sod's law means that as soon as I decide to do a Waynetta, perfectly coiffed and manicured friends pop in unannounced.

 What's in your make up bag?
Right now, I'm mad into BB creams that, to be honest, seem very similar to tinted moisturizers, only Grazia says they're more moisturizing(?) and have better sun protection, and that's good enough for me.  Either way, I look better with them on. That and a slick of mascara and lip gloss for day time.
If I'm going out though, it's time for the big guns. I LOVE my Naked 2 pallet from Urban Decay, all things Benefit and my Lancôme Doublewear lip duos. (I don't mind telling you I was GUTTED last year when they stopped doing my favourite 'coffee' one-I mean why they couldn't have retired the manky coral one instead, I do not know.)

 When you're having a slummy mummy day what do you normally wear?
 Waaaaaayyy too easy!  Jogging bottoms, a sweatshirt and my fleecy pink leopard print crocs. (Yes, you read that right.) Can I just say in my defense, that on these days I DO NOT LEAVE THE HOUSE UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES. Although people do tend to call.(see above) 

Nails - how often do you get them done?

Like this, except with diamonds as well...

Almost never. Funny you should ask though, right now, I really fancy leopard print toenails with carefully positioned diamonds on. I'm currently sourcing a nail technician...because, quite surprisingly,  it turns out that not everywhere does it. But school's almost out for the summer, and I feel the need to fortify myself with fabulous toes- more is more, I say. (And no, before you ask, I'm not getting vajazzled as well.)

 Your top tips for tired eyes?
 Bloody hell- sleep of course! If that's not possible, and it's usually not round here, Benefit Ooh la Lift eye brightening boost is almost as good.

 Are you a Starbucks or Costa Coffee kind of girl?
 Both and all the others as well! I adore coffee shops and would happily set up home there. Free wifi, endless coffee and lots of cake- what's not to love? Now that we live in the country, I don't get my skinny latte (extra hot, extra shot), as often as I'd like, but I suppose that only makes me appreciate it more when I do!

 How many children do you have/want?
 I have five- four boys and one girl and yes, they are all mine and we do have a TV.  But I think that'll do us, thank you very much! 

 Where is your favourite place to shop for babies/children's clothes?
 Mostly online. I LOVE Boden, especially in the sale, but my daughter's getting to old for all the big printed dresses now- booo! Obviously M&S, and Gap too, and Primark's fab for jammies, socks and vests. Having four boys means there's a lot of passing down the line, so I find that the good stuff tends to last longer. Buy cheap, buy twice and all that...

 Flats or heels - everyday shoes are?
Heels, heels, heels! I do love the look of flats on other people, especially the ones adorned with jewels or Converse, but when I put them on,  I feel and look like a farmer. The only flats I wear are the aforementioned crocs, flip flops and running shoes. Otherwise, it has to be a least a wedge. Does that make me a bad person?



 As you can see, I was obviously tagged by mistake, as I'm clearly NOT a yummy mummy but too late! Now, in the spirit of the meme, I have to tag three fabulous ladies and hope they don't give me the cold shoulder...
 Sarah @ http://www.apartyofseven.com/
Another Sarah @ http://www.thevoiceofsarahmiles.com/
Dara @ http://mumofalltrades.blogspot.co.uk/

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!

A little bit country.....

I'm not a country girl, not really. I may live in the country for now, but in truth, it's not my natural habitat. So consequently, and usually when I'm in the presence of the properly countrified, (those who love, appreciate and enjoy rural life and country pursuits), I feel like a bit of an interloper. I find myself listening, slightly detached, to enthusiastic discussions with a mixture of envy and genuine puzzlement, because I just don't get it myself.

For instance, the keeping of chickens in your back garden. Why would I do that? Why? The housing and feeding of scratchy, noisy birds just so that I can get a few eggs? I can buy half a dozen of them, organic, free range for £1.20. (Random related question- what IS the difference between a chicken and a hen? Anyone? If you know, please fill me in because I'm afraid to ask!)

Now that's MY kinda welly!!

Or the hunting thing? With the exception of fox hunting, I'm not claiming any moral high ground here. It's the 'tramping through cold, wet fields for hours just to take out a few ducks or pheasants' part that I struggle to understand. Aside from the donning of a quilted coat and designer wellies, where's the pleasure in that? I don't even LiKE the taste of duck.

Between you and me, and until quite recently, I had long nursed a Jilly Cooper fuelled hope, that horseriding might have been MY particular country pursuit...But alas! After an hour of bouncing around a field, with every horsing accident I'd ever heard of on a constant loop in my head, and my pelvic floors battered beyond belief, I've had to face the fact that this too was not to be. Thankfully,I'm comforted by the reassuring knowledge that my new pony skin handbag will fulfill all of my equine needs from here on in.

Don't get me wrong, there are lots of great things about living in the country- the space around us, the head clearing walks, the tight community, the relative silence...and erm, lots more...just give me a minute to think...I realize that I sound like a walking,talking townie cliche but you've caught me on a cold January day! Ask me in July and I'll have you moving from that three bed semi to the sticks in no time.

A friend who sometimes rather comically, mixes up her sayings, advised me 'to weigh up the prawns and the cons of situation'. But THATs a Pandora's box for another day. In the meantime, I'm off for that bracing walk-who needs Starbucks anyhow?!