dottyspots

The Noble Princess

You are just and fair, a perfectionist with a

strong sense of proper decorum. You are very

attracted to chivalry, ceremony and dignity.

For the most part you are rather sensible,

but you are also very idealistic.

Role Models: Guinevere, Princess Fiona (of Shrek)

You are most likely to: Get kidnapped by a stray

dragon.

What Kind of Princess are You? - Beautiful Artwork (Original Music is BACK!!!)
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I’ve spent the past couple of days wanting to blog but not quite getting around to it……

I went to renew my First Aid Cert. yesterday (I go again next week as it’s a 12 hour course) with Ned in tow. It took a bit of effort to find a course that would allow me to bring a newborn with me (people muttered about insurance etc.), but apparently it wasn’t a problem on this one, although it appeared no-one had asked the tutor, who was a little surprised but then spent part of the day cuddling Ned whilst I breathed various numbers of breaths in various sizes of dummy.

I’m fairly sure I had other *interesting* things to say, but right now they’re all escaping me, I’m not even wonderfully sure of what I’ve done over the past couple of days (save for sitting on the sofa holding a poorly Nin). Rik’s been cooking because it’s been easier that way. There has been very little done on the HE front because R. still isn’t feeling on top form so has spent the past few days reading Harry Potter 1 & 2 in bed. I bought some yarn from Ebay and *still* haven’t got around to trying to design a shawl despite a few attempts at getting the ‘good’ crayons down to do it with.

I’ve another pic. of Ned, modelling (of course) another cardi knitted by moi - I should really get cracking on some larger sizes for him and have a go through Nin’s clothes to see if she needs anything (which TBH I don’t think she does as very kind family members keep sending her presents). I’ve also printed off a pattern from Knitty to make a felted bag to use up a load of grey wool I have. Anyway, picture of Ned:

So I’m counting down to Ned and I feeling awful too That’s one of the problems with numerous children, once one is ill, they all come down with it.

I’ve had a bit of a book splurge and bought the Gruffalo board book with a Gruffalo toy (from good ole’ ebay), Knitting over the Edge, Hats, a Knitter’s Dozen (which has some rather funky hats in, as I’ve promised the boys I’ll make them something a bit ‘different’), Crocheted Hats (yes I know I can’t crochet - but I can learn!), Spiritual Tasks of the Homemaker which I may need to read a few times…… and the first two Harry Potter books.

In addition I ordered some books by Prudence Mapstone (her website is here). I really must have a go at this, I’ve been feeling a bit ’stuck in a rut’ of late, due to the extra weight I’m carrying around - although atleast I’m not still wearing maternity jeans, so there’s hope yet that I might be loosing steadily whilst breastfeeding rather than staying pretty much the same weight (which is what happened with Nin) and not being able to wear what I’d like to wear. I’ve always prefered to *stand out* a bit and need to inject a bit of colour into me again (and loosing weight will mean cheaper knitting as I won’t have to buy so much yarn! LOL

Anyway, do visit Prudence’s website - I spent hours over the weekend following links etc. and learning loads!

Oh and I also treated myself to one of Sheffield’s finest, the Artic Monkey’s album - which is great - any album with a song on it called Mardy Bum is bound to make me smile! Anyway, if you liked the 2 singles they’ve released, you’ll love the album

Ned’s just started crying so I’m going to have to go.

Knitted Elvis wig - this made me laugh (me thinks that I still have far too much time on my hands…….)

Thank you for all the good wishes! I’ve finally got round to posting a couple of pics from not long after he was born.

And some other good news….. I spoke to the Clerk to the Parish Council and I’m 3rd on the allotment waiting list, but should go to the top as there are 2 plots to allocate (apparently they should’ve been allocated in December but the meeting was postponed) and should the 2 people ahead of me want them then I go to top of list :0)

I know it sounds a bit sad, but I’ve wanted an allotment for a few years now and this is the first time we’ve ever lived close enough to plots for it to be a reality (as I can’t drive, so any plot has to be within easy walking distance). In addition there’s a bit of a pile of cardboard boxes (ok a large pile of rubbish) in our back garden and the boxes would be great to cover part of any plot (as chances are it’ll be a mess and need clearing) - plus a couple of old chairs and a table which would provide a valuable resting place :0)

Our back garden is a bit of a mess, but I’m a little tied there as we’re planning a conservatory this year so I don’t want to go ahead with any other plans until that’s built and the resultant mess is cleared. I plan for the raised bed by what will be a patio to become a herb garden and I want to train a couple of fruit trees against the fence as it’s a lovely sunny spot. The back bed will be for some soft fruit - but much of what I want to do needs to wait until the conservatory is built (which will be our craft and play room).

So I’m all excited now as the allotment seems to be coming a couple of steps closer……

little Edward Amund, who was born on 10th January at 00.53 and weighed 9lbs. Will blog more when I have some spare time (and post some pics!)

Just a quick note (as Mum’s visiting and I don’t want to spend too much time on the PC). *Still* no baby! Apparently I’m 3cm so something has been happening, but baby isn’t really showing any signs of making an imminent arrival!

No the baby hasn’t arrived yet…….

I’ve added a couple of photos to the photos page (ones that have been on the blog already though - I really must get the photos on the PC organised).

Sarah & Co. came round for a visit today. Dino disappeared upstairs with R. and Mimi brought her doll and pushchair so she and Nin had great fun pushing their dolls around, going ’shopping’, etc. and playing with the farm animals. Sarah and I chatted about ’stuff’ (notably how to expand on our respective businesses and our perfect ‘home’) and generally putting the world to rights. Had a taste of bread from her new breadmaker (which was very nice) and some German gingerbread biscuits covered in dark chocolate which for just a second Sarah had R. believing was only for over-18s. Nin was so exhausted she was asleep with a few minutes of them leaving.

Erk went back to school today (I’m finding it hard to believe he’s not even had 2 weeks off!) and I had an argument with R. (again). I’m a bit torn as to what to do but am getting to the point where I think we really do need a bit of a break from each other (working both ways). School in not an option - and I don’t think a Special school is either - both would probably cause all sorts of difficulties for him.

Once I get some regular work in I might consider trying to find a childminder to take him for a day a week to give us both a break, but if I’m honest I don’t think that’ll work either, he certainly wouldn’t be happy there (he probably wouldn’t even try) - so it leaves me with a bit of a dilemma - as unless he knows someone he can be very difficult to talk to and if he doesn’t want to be somewhere will be doubly difficult and TBH I think I’d struggle to find a childminder who I would be comfortable leaving him with (and that’s speaking as a registered childminder who knows some fantastic childminders but thinks that any contract would be shortlived - bearing in mind I used to work f/t and R. had a thoroughly miserable time of it!) Still that avenue may work and give us some much needed ‘time apart’.

Hopefully the re-referral to CAMHS will come through soon and that might throw up some other options. Problem is I’m a little sceptical of them too as I worry I might come across a rabidly anti-HE keyworker/ASW, which considering the behaviour of the LEA wouldn’t surprise me a bit!

I really want HE to work, but it does have to be a two-way thing and ATM R. just isn’t very motivated. He still has some huge ‘hang-ups’ (which isn’t the best word to use because he is justified to a certain extent) about other children (especially children of his own age) and *school* in general, which even 3 years later is still having an impact. Still, I’m trying to hit 2006 with a renewed motivation for the both of us (will have to see how long it lasts……….)

I’ve started knitting a throw to go on the cotbed out of bits and pieces left over (but then realised I’ll still need to buy some more wool to finish it how I like it!) It’s chugging along well enough as it’ll be composed of differently patterned squares - I’ve got a lovely book of knitted throws and blankets and so got my inspiration there! I’d love to make a huge one for my bed - or maybe a throw for the sofa but would probably need a second mortgage to afford the wool!)

R. has continued knitting a present for my Mum (who arrives on Friday so he’s now cutting it a bit fine considering he then needs to felt the piece and embroider/bead it etc.) Still it’s looking good

Nin seems to have had a mini-spurt and whilst she doesn’t quite have long enough legs to fit the jeans she was bought, many of her tops seem a little short for her now, so I think I’ll need to have a sort through - a good excuse to knit some nice new cardis for her I could still do with learning to crochet though………..

I had an appt. with the consultant today - but actually saw a m/w (I’ve never met the consultant) - who tried to do a sweep but couldn’t reach (I’ve tilted backwards so it can make exams a bit difficult for some people!) I think this baby is very comfortable………

Oh and Dawn, I wish I looked so elegant naked (don’t think the boys would be too impressed if I swanned around naked covered only by a few flowers