british weather

We've only been away at Easter once in living memory. It was a few years ago. We went to Majorca. It rained all week. Well, it rained in Majorca. It didn't rain at home. At home they had record-breaking temperatures with sunstroke and surfing and multiple photos in the paper of people packed like sardines on Bournemouth beach.
(I know this 'cos we're one of those families who like to buy an English newspaper everyday whilst on holiday. Just to keep up to date with current affairs you know. And photos of Bournemouth beach.)
Anyway we're not going anywhere this Easter. Which is why the weather forecast is for gale force winds, torrential downpours, unseasonably low temperatures and snow on high ground. 
Yay!

girls weekend

Woohoo! I am up to date with all my work! For the first time. In. Like. Forever!
So to celebrate I'm going on my annual girls weekend away. To the seaside and everything! We've got a fancy cottage near Whitby. Next to a spa hotel. We go tomorrow. Just enough time to shave my legs and paint my toes then...

home sweet home

At the risk of sounding like a miserable old git I would just like to say that I am really excited about this weekend cos we have nothing planned and I can just stay at home. Must be getting old.

daylight

Anyone noticed it's light on a morning when I haul my ass outta bed? And light on a night till at least 6 o'clock? Oh yes baby. It's defo spring. Yay!

mother's day

Happy Mother's Day x

my books

Prepare to get excited people!
My books are published this month. I got my copies this week and they look fab :)

I've been working with the lovely people at Make Believe Ideas since last summer and these are the first six to come out....and there are loads more to follow! Woohoo!! It's so exciting!

They have my name on them and everything! I'm like this proper book illustrator!
Ha, who would've thought it!!

For anyone who cares these are the books....

This one is my fave....

and this is how it looks inside....

Then there's one that I did loads of sewing for...

And four touch and feel nursery rhymes.... cos one is just not enough!

I need a new book shelf to keep them all on now :)

february 15

The good thing about February is that it's only short. And March is practically Spring. 
So see ya laters February.
Hello Spring....

cardi time

Whenever I go shopping lately all I seem to buy is another new cardi. I've bought 3 in the last couple of weeks! I don't mean to. I just get to the shops and don't really fancy anything else.
I think I'm at a problem age. Too old for young people clothes. Too young for old people clothes. So I just buy a cardi. 
Oh and today I bought some neon yellow converse. The kids are mortified. Clearly they think I'm too old for neon yellow and should just stick with the cardies...

my stuff in mothercare...

....go purchase!

chinese new year

Is it the year of the sheep or the goat? Both apparently, they share the same word in Chinese!
Excellent, two for the price of one!
Kung Hei Fat Choi everyone! 

half term happiness

I'm loving half term cos I HATE waking up early. Especially when it's dark. And cold. So this week the alarm is turned OFF. And my lovely kids are sleeping late. 
Happy days :)

spread the love?

Valentines Day actually gets on my nerves. Its obvs a money making scam, taking advantage of the ones with another half and totally pissing off the ones without.
But hey. It's the only day of the year that I get flowers. So I'm not moaning.

  

that Friday feeling

In the olden days I used to go out with my mates on a Friday night. The other half used to go out with his mates. We'd meet up and come home together. All very lovely.
Then we had kid number 1. 
So we got a babysitter and carried on as normal.
Till we had kiddo number 2. And the babysitter had a kid of her own. She didn't feel the need to look after our kids any more. So I stayed in. 
And the other half carried on as normal.
I was proper pee'd off for a while but then I realised that staying in on a Friday night is actually ok. 
I'm in control of the tv remote. I have a few drinks. Nice food. I can do what I please. And I don't feel the need to work so much. It's my chill out night.
All very lovely. 
If anyone invites me out now I give them the NoBabysitter excuse. Who can be arsed going out on a Friday night?!

So imagine my utter dismay at the news that after half term the little one is ready to move up from Cubs to Scouts. 
That would be Scouts that is OnAFridayNight!! Till 9pm! 3 miles away! 
Noooo!! :(
Seriously! Friday night?! Whose idea was that?!
I'm hoping he hates it. 

january 2015

Well that was January.
It was mostly cold. And dark.
When the kids are old enough to look after themselves I'm out of here in January. I'm going somewhere warm. I can work anywhere. I don't have to be in un-sunny Yorkshire. Give me some wifi and I can do the job on a beach. With a mojito.

january blues

This week:

I took on far more work than I should have...resulting in general household chaos.
It snowed. Again.
AlbertFromNextDoor cleared his drive several times and sniffed disapprovingly at our lack of shovelling.
I spent all day Wednesday at a funeral.
My car had a meltdown and had to have an overnight stay in the garage.
Followed by a large bill.

Guess my mood...