Number Twelve - We Are Fa-mi-ly!

Evening :) :) 

So it's update time again - and this time it's all about my family... wait, it's always about them? Oh! Well, that's because they are fabulous!! heeheehee.

This weekend I finally got to meet my sister, her mum, two nephews and sister in law. It was awesome - I loved every single second of it, and it was all well worth the travelling up to Manchester to make it happen.

I started off Saturday morning on the 280 mile journey, loving every second of getting closer and closer to where my sister Carol lives. I eventually got off the motorway and traveled to her little village - it was absolutely beautiful, all the houses were red brick and white wash, lots of trees, fields and I even had to stop for sheep to cross! Not what I expected at all.  Her house was absolutely beautiful, and we sat in a little half sitting room off her dining room with a gorgeous log burner keeping us warm, and her lovely mum was with us too.

I took a big pack of photos up with me and we spent a good hour going through them and talking all about our childhoods, and then generally about all sorts of stuff. We got on like a house on fire and made each other laugh lots. I met my nephew Andrew - gorgeous looking lad, who like Mathew is less into sorts and more into music, and then got to see lots of photos of when all three of them were small - Daniel the youngest and my Mathew are so similar! Alas I didn't get to meet Dan or Matt as they were at the Manchester City match with their dad - not that I minded, and their team won, so a bonus! Her mum took piccies of us, and I've had no end of comments from people saying about the resemblance - same chin, eye position, nose - I just wish I had her figure!! :D I had planned to stay for an hour but we were enjoying so much I ended up staying for two and a half!

We have said we will keep in contact and intend to meet again soon - I am already so looking forward it is unbelievable  I loved every second with her, and however surreal the whole situation is, I 'm so grateful to have her, and my extended family in my life now.

Off to Denton after the fun of meeting Carol and time to meet my nephew Lee and his lovely mum Donna. Lee and Donna made me feel so welcome, they fed me, showed me lots of pictures of my brother, and of Lee when he was little (sooooo cute). We chatted for around five hours the first evening, and it felt as if we had always been family. They are such lovely people. I took Lee up his Christmas presents early (he is an avid scooterer) so he could get some use from them now, and the lovely happy look and hug I got for it was well worth taking it up early.

Almost midnight and I decided to off to the hotel (long day) and get some beauty sleep, but before that picture time again, and crikey Lee and I are so alike! If I was a boy I think I would look just like Lee! lol - did I mention I traveled by myself? Meaning I had a double bed, that was ridiculously comfy, all to myself, the TV all to myself and a McDonalds and Tesco right next door - perfection!

Breakfast came at 10:30 (heehee LIE IN!) at Lee and Donna's - Donna made me an absolutely awesome fry-up, so lush in fact that I was full until 5:30pm! An absolutely unexpected treat. Monopoly time next - Lee and I had arranged that we were going to play together as we both love it, and that I would beat him as I am the best... two hours later and lee completely demolished me, took all my property, my money and ended up owning almost all of the board! Needless to say next time I need to be more careful on my investments, and not let him get Park Lane and Mayfair at the beginning!!

Poor Donna felt poorly that afternoon so instead of dragging her into Stockport with us, I asked if I could take my nephew by myself, so she could have a break and put her feet up for a little bit. She agreed and off we went! Shopping was fab, Lee got bought another part for his scooter , a cute beanie hat and a dinosaur onesie - his choice :) - and I managed to get three onsies for my boys, all matching - so cute, and crikey so cheap!! Who knew??

By four I was starting to feel shattered so decided to take lee back (not before buying flowers for Donna for looking after me so well), for hugs and kisses all round and make my way home to see my awesome little family.

I'm so unbelievably grateful to Donna for being such a lovely host, and feeding me up! She is a wonderful mum to Lee and I look forward to when we get to meet again, hopefully very soon! Lee is such a sweet thirteen year old, full of smiles and chats, lots of love and hugs too. As I was leaving he shouted 'Love You' which really made my weekend complete.

I have a family everyone - a wonderful, large,kind, generous and happy family. Amaze-balls!

I couldn't be happier, and look forward to the future with so much more gusto now - thanks to all of you for supporting me too, it has been a tough old road finding out all this info, and making contact for the first time with new family, but finally it is all falling into place.

I'll update again soon - promise - but for now, be kind to one another, hug your loved ones, and keep in touch no matter how busy you are!

Lots of love

xxx

Number 22

I am coming to you today from a rather sleepy place, but never the less a VERY happy one.

To Start off - an apology for not writing about the Avengers movie yet, it is on my to do list and I will get around to doing it soon - promise, but for now I want to share with you the amazing weekend I had, away in Cardiff - or The 'Diff ans I am affectionately calling it.

Well Friday night was filled with excitement and nerves about leaving so not much sleep occurred, however I woke fresh as a daisy and finished packing. As I left the house my four gorgeous boys stood at the step and waved me off, blowing kisses and shouting messages of love and telling me to behave. Cute. 

We stopped off initially for a McDonald's breakfast - a road trip staple - it was my first one in months so was   happy to be eating it! The traffic was good and we arrived at about 11:00am to the Dexby Townhouse (which is owned by Marie and James Church, Charlotte Churches parents). We were greeted by Brain the manager and shown to our room - it was beautiful. It was stylishly decked out with flat screen TV, gorgeous bathroom suite, beautiful bedding, patio and plenty or storage. Brian was funny and I'm pretty sure though we were more than friends (Elin and I) which was so amusing, and so we cleared it up asap! We unpacked and had a cup of tea and our complimentary penguin, heehee, then off to the centre for shopping.

We walked through a beautiful park next to the castle, which is on the route of the Cardiff marathon too. The weather held up, except the wind, so no overcoats needed.
I am by no means a fitness guru, I don't work out, run, gym, Pilate's or zumba, but I have been known to enjoy it when I take part - Elin on the other hand loves to run. We went to Run and Become - now I had no idea that there were different running styles or techniques, well Elin needed new running shoes so they measured then got her to run up and down outside so they could assess her style (this was much to my amusement - I even took pictures!). They found the perfect ones and off we went. Next door was an authentic comic book shop - just like off The Big Bang Theory - I noticed it on the way to the other shop then completely forgot about it on the way out - so I will have to go back to go there for sure!
Elin took me then to the shopping centre where all the best shops are. It was like combining Swansea, Carmarthen, Tenby and Haverfordwest all into one area, shop wise. I went in so many and yet there was a weeks worth there I didn't even notice! I managed to get a gorgeous dress in the Debenhams sale for a wedding I have in a couple of weeks - YEY, I also managed to pop into the Disney shop and buy the boys some pressies. 

         

After spending 5 hours shopping and eating (cookies, smoothies) we went back to the hotel in a taxi to primp and prepare for the night ahead.
I had bought before I went up there a jumpsuit - yes I know risky - and I have to say I haven't felt that comfortable or pretty in a very long time. It was a deep purple and a got a 3/4 denim jacket to wear with it - I accessorised with peacock feather earrings and a bangle of the same colouring. Those and my heels and I felt a million dollars - not self conscious or fretful someone would think I looked horrid. I was bang on trend and feeling great.

Off we went to Red Hot Buffet for 7:00pm. Well I can honestly say that I have never been to a restaurant like this one. After being seated you get to go around multiple food stations where you can pick up as much food as you like. There are also stations where you can have dishes made especially for you - noodles, risotto, pasta, Mexican, Indian. It was completely insane, and then once you have finished your plate, the waiters come and remove it and off you go again, as many times as you like. AMAZING! Needless to say I took full advantage - here are some of the things I tried:


Mango cheese tart
Caribbean mango and spinach salad
Crab and cheese stuffed mushroom
Mushroom and chili pasta (made especially for me)
 Crispy duck
Mexican chicken sausage and burger
Stone-baked pizza
Baby potato's marinated in mustard and chives
Brushetta with avocado and sour cream
Slow roast pork with fennel
Lamb kebab
Onion bhaji's
Vegetable samosa
Spring roll
Popadoms




I know this sounds like lots, but almost everything was available as bite sized pieces (although I did have several helpings of certain things). Desserts was a place of absolute heaven. I had a plate with bite sized morsels of 4 different cheesecakes, chocolate and mango mousses, orange sponge cake (the best I have ever tasted) and i can't remember what else. Unbelievable - and all of this is only a fraction of what was available. In total there were well over 150 different dishes. Needless to say I think everyone should go as often a possible - and for £15 you can't go wrong - please go and check out the menu here.



The Old Library was on our hit list next - for a sit down and some drinks - was lovely in there and much bigger than I thought it was going to be! Cheap too.

Tiger Tiger club was our final stop (unfortunately no hunky welsh rugby men to stare at - heehee) - now the dancing and music was brilliant, but the drinks prices wee outrageous - £16 for two. needless to say we had one each. We spent most of our time upstairs in the 60's and 70's disco, grooving along to some classic tunes.

I had such a wonderful time - and Elin is fabulous for coming with me and showing me such a wonderful time. We even called in to McArthur Glen Outlet Shopping Centre on the way back for a spot of extra shopping and munching - did you know there is a Cadbury shop? I was in heaven and bought a handbag full, heehee. 


I missed the boys so much, but felt renewed and so happy when I got home - straight back into mum mode with ease and did the washing up. 


We are planning to go back soon but with our other halves so they can enjoy it too.


So there you have it, probably a bit too much information, but I could of gone on and on, trust me. I'll be back soon and I hope you all had a wonderful weekend too.


Hugs
xxx

Number 10

Hey y'all :)

Let's get straight into it, shall we?!

When I was younger I was always performing in something or other - school plays, concerts, choir performances, eisteddfods and god only knows what else (I remember once having to be a seal and flap about on the floor for a performance art piece... um - WHAT?). 

My mum encouraged, supported and took me to everything, always sat diligently in the many boring audiences, never complaining, and like most of the other parents took hundreds of pictures - mainly for bribery purposes I'm sure. I love to look at them, seeing all the hilarious and embarrassing costumes, remembering the fun and laughter I shared with my friends. My children and family also enjoy looking at them, and taking the mickey, as do our new friends and the old ones that I made the memories with.

The point I am getting at (see I did have one) is that my childhood wasn't censored!

Shouldn't I have second thoughts about posting pictures of my boys?  About sharing the images with strangers? Shouldn't I be more protective?

I have asked myself these questions over and over.

But I am yet to come up with an answer that comprehensively answers these questions, it's not as simple as it looks. But at the same time I haven't stopped me sharing photos of my gorgeous little ones. This is because regardless of all the unanswered questions, I can say with every fibre of my being that I know I am acting within reasonable bounds of care when I share my children with the world. I want to share with you now, why? Why do I post them for the world to see?

I want to evoke the 'punctum' from my pictures. Now I know most of you will have no idea what that is (neither did I when I stated writing), it can be the new thing we learn today, but if you already knew then kudos!

"Robert Barthes, the French theorist, studied many things in his life, one being photography. He distinguished between the studium - elements of a photograph that provoke an interpretive (cultural, social, political) response – and the punctum of a photograph – the element of a photograph that punctures, or wounds. The punctum, in other words, provokes an emotional response in the viewer by establishing a direct relationship between the viewer and the subject of the photograph"

Taken from the blog : Her Bad Mother

The punctum sum's up so well why I share, I want you to feel it from my images, the same way I do with yours.

When I look at your photographs I see them the same as you do - your child through your eyes, and I am punctured by that moment, that fleeting moment - of connection. I then feel that I understand you, as I understand your love for your child. We then share that experience of inexplicable, intense love. I want to share my own experience of that love and so - I share my pictures.

I do not profess to be a great photographer, nor do I own a super duper camera. it is simply me, my iPhone/webcam/adopted digital camera and my family. I take photos for memories, for happiness, for poignancy. I take them to make myself feel better on a bad day, or to remind me of what I have and that they are mine, forever. I take them for you, to show you the wonders that I can't do justice with words. 

I want to make you smile, suddenly, involuntarily - at the positions my children ended up in at a sleepover. 

I want your heart to fill with joy and happiness, the same as Michael felt when he finally became the big brother. 

I want my photos to help you remember the moments you have had with your family - every bubble bath hair-do, every ice-cream smile every momentous first.our own love forograr children.

I hope that you'll see my children through my eyes, know my love for them and recognise it as your own love for your children.

I want you to be punctured!

That felt so good to say. 

xxx