The British Homemaker - One day at a time

What? It’s October? Sheesh! Who moved September then? Is that how you feel to? I think the whole of 2012  has whizzed by. I’m sure it was only last week we were about to sign for the keys for this house, enjoy a stress free Christmas {probably the only one ever !} and looking forward to re-creating a home for us all again. Now, as I plan for Halloween and Christmas I can’t help but cast my mind back to the wonderful things that have happened this year. I know this is a pre-mature kinda post but bare with me, all will be revealed... * January saw us in our new home, hardly able to believe we were on the way to becoming settled again. It also saw us ill {3 weeks for me!} There is nothing in the world that prepares you for being homeless, no matter how it comes about, but more than that, nothing prepares you for the time you know you can lay your hat again and allow the inside unfold...it took quite a while for us all to deal with th...

One week to go till school starts. One week to go till Kirsten starts college. Life will not only return to a normal routine but it will require some serious planning and preparation for the latter part of the  year now.  There are 5 things I am actively working towards... Bailey turns 2 Having a rather large doll house off my sister means Bailey gets a rather large doll house for her birthday....only Kirsten and I are decorating in inside and out as well as furnishing it. Reminds me of when I was a kid, I loved my dolls house! Charley turns 8 a week later ...

Time flies eh? So many plans were scheduled for this 6 week period but with the loss of my little Billy-Norman life has taken a couple of twists and turns I didn’t expect. The alternative hasn’t all be bad though, just unplanned! Taking up bike riding to replace the car has been fun {so far} Charley loves our night time rides out where he can just chat, chat and chat some more. Having this time with him has been priceless, listening to him talk about his day, his friends and see how he’s developing his opinions and boundaries is refreshing. The dude is totally my kid! So using pictures and a few words, here’s a little how it all went.... Kirsten doesn’t do well in the heat but she does enjoy being in the garden so this little ‘tent’ was ideal for her and Jake to chill out....odd pieces of fabric, a few canes and plenty of cushions made for a happy teen! Of course, Charley had to follow suit but he wanted something a little less ‘made up’, if I could have made a cave...

A couple of years ago I had to go on medication for a stomach complaint, the side effects were migraines and weight gain, well they are the ones that affected me. After the course finished and my issue settled I was left with extra, unwanted poundage. Being the other side of 40 means unless I become a workout freak I have to work extra hard to lose it again. But I’m a lazy a$$ when it comes to working out, yeah I’ve given a few workouts a go, the best one being Jillian Michaels . However, now add in a knee injury that isn’t healing and you have a physical oxymoron!! See the beagle cheeks going on there?   I’ve never really had a weight problem, I’ve been lucky in that way, though saying that, it took my marriage breaking down to loose the weight a year after having Charley! I do not recommend the divorce diet! Losing 2 and a half stone in 6 weeks is not the way to go, but darn I looked good!!   Being 5’2” doesn’t do me many favours, having a small frame but bein...

Meet Lillie-Mai… Who came into the world on Thursday 5th April 2012 @ 2.28am weighing a whopping 9lb 11oz! A younger sister to the funny Bailey Boo… Who loves her baby sister soooo much! But she sleeps. and sleeps. and sleeps. For now!

I got to spend a whole day with my gorgeous lil granddaughter, Bailey this week, she is such a happy, fun and contented child that I just can’t get enough of her! Just like her doting auntie Kirsten…. The second she sees a camera the smiles come out, the bottom wiggles and she pitches the perfect pose!! I so love my lil Bailey Boo!!   Debs

I forgot to share my before and after Christmas tree eh? Well here it is now, better late than never, as they say. Before: After: I sprayed it with snow spray (which I don’t recommend because it smells awful for a couple of days after) then only added homemade decorations. Between sewing, hot gluing and paper crafting we decided to not over do it this year. There are 4 sets of lights on there but erm, they seem to have gone shy! ;) Well, it’s now almost 6am and Santa has been. This is how I know: ended up as this: I also found a half eaten carrot in the hallway! ;) Charley will love the fact that all his chosen goodies were eaten, Santa remembered to bring the key back indoors and he even has  a letter and chocolate coins from the man himself! Steal! Jay, Tara and Bailey managed to get here as planned on Wednesday, I can even begin to describe how chilled and happy my gorgeous granddaughter is. She laughs, she giggles, she watches and she takes it all in. I love t...