Time for Myself

On Thursday I ventured out with 2 of my close friends to Truro for time on my own, well time on my own with good company!

I'm not hugely fond of places with lots of people but equally I can cope and I always love coming to see the Cathedral. I usually go in whenever I'm visiting but I didn't on this occasion. I still made my friends wait while I took photos of bunting and the beautiful building.

We visited Pennyworths Sweet Shop which is next to the Cathedral and full of goodies. I didn't purchase anything because I only had my card on me but next time I know I can take the little ones there and bring some pennies with me! We went to collect a parcel and I picked up some awesome pink headphones.

We stopped at a place called Vanilla where we had a bite to eat. I enjoyed a strawberry and raspberry with cracked black pepper drink which was nice but not really my thing so next time I'll try something else. I had a huge Cornish smoked mackerel salad which was really, really delicious and very good. There isn't much option for free from eaters but I was happy with this. After paying the bill we headed home.

I ended up picking Little A up from the train station and we headed home to chill out together. He's really come a long way with his reading and I really love it when he gets excited about stories at bedtime.

So I've taken some time out, just a short space of time which was nice. This weekend I'm off to see family and my boyfriend which is really exciting and has been something to look forward to for ages. I'm hoping I come back with a clearer mind, a lighter soul, some positivity and a bit of healing.

Cupcake Mumma

Date Day!

Since becoming parents of two lovely children it's been harder and harder to grab some time to ourselves as partners, not just parents. I can't remember the last one Mr B and I had a date night or set aside something decent for during the day. Over the last few months I have made bookings for hotels not too far from home but they have had to be cancelled due to work or other commitments Mr B has made. Last week though Mr B was determined to be the successful date organiser and thinking outside the box (which I'm not so great at because I'm more dine me then take me to a lovely hotel with a massive bed with no kids in and a huge tub I can lie in for an hour..) Mr B did have plans for a nice hot meal in town but first he had something much more spontaneous in mind...

Yep. We went skating baby! Now my Husband is not the smallest man in the world, he's built more like a rugby player and carries a few extra pounds (who doesn't these days!) you'd expect him to be all over the place right? Well I thought he would be but no, I'm yet to find a sport related activity or form of extraordinary exercise that my husband is rubbish at. I was awesome at blading when I was a pre teen so thought I'd be a natural at this 4 wheels on the feet lark. I wasn't, I fell over within 5 minutes, the second time I stacked it so bad I had to hang my head and go and get wrist and knee supports that were oh so wisely offered but turned down by myself. When I returned it took me 15 minutes to fall again, I very nearly had a paddy I can tell you this, there were six year olds' doing better than me! I lasted another 20 minutes I suspect before heading to the slushie machine where we both decided enough was enough. We both had loads of fun, Mr B was really good at skating so was obviously banging on about going again straight after we left the building! He was however squeezing his feet into a pair of size 12 boots when he is a 13 so taking them off was quite a relief to him too! I'll be getting 4's next time, I mean obviously I was so rubbish because I was wearing 5's..... *ah hem*

We mooched around the market but that was a let down so went into the supermarket to explore the free from aisle (it's a habit I have) I got some new bits and some other items I find irresistible like lemon wafers, rice milk chocolate, peanut and coconut cookies and these Nakd salted caramel fruit pieces.

We headed back to town where we both enjoyed a sit down (myself rather gingerly) to eat a nice cooked meal. I stuffed my face with chips, sausage, egg and beans. I wasn't disappointed. We then headed home to enjoy the peace and quiet of the house before the children tumbled in an hour or so later from Grandmas house where they had seen Great Grandma, helped in the garden and popped over to see Pops and play for a bit.

We all had a great day out actually but it was so wonderful to spend that quality time with my husband after not having done properly for a long time. He wants to skating again... I've suggested swimming, cinema and of course a hotel stay but I'm thinking I might not get my way (skating then hotel to ease my pain perhaps?)

When was the last time you enjoyed some me time or time with your partner? What did you get up to? If you're in need of some, I hope you get some soon!

Cupcake Mumma

Do Not Disturb!

You see this? I don't know why I made it because it doesn't do sod all. Neither of my children can read well enough to take on board a single word and let's face it, even if they could they'd completely ignore it and waltz on in.

I hang this sign on my bedroom door when I fancy a little mid afternoon nap. Not sure why I think I'm going to get away with it because I never do!

I hang it on my bathroom door when I need one of those long soaks in a hot bath covered in bubbles. I can't lock the door in case we have a 'I NEED a wee' situation so I have to keep my fingers crossed that no one notices I have slipped off...Except that doesn't happen because both my children are of course programmed from birth to sense my want for solo bath times and my Husbands bowel has seemingly been programmed in much the same way.

I've been foolish enough to hang it in the kitchen too. I thought maybe I'd get to sneak a few of those tasty biscuits I'd been eyeing up all day. Fool. You should always wait until bedtime! My children are there in a flash, my homemade sign flying in the air behind them as they rumble their greedy Mother and spoil my secret face stuffing moment.

So you see, I made one Of these signs and I'm not sure why..A part from joining in with the ever fabulous Story Of Mum I guess i was feeling optimistic for the future of my alone time?
What would your sign say? Would anyone take any notice?

CupcakeMumma

Fitting It All In

'There's always time, you just have to make it..'

You know when there are so many things you want to do and yet there feels like there's no time at all to do it? That feeling you get when you walk around your home and see the laundry pile that is crying out to be folded and put away, the children's room is a mess and your rooms are all cluttered...you start eyeballing everything, contemplating chucking it all away. At least then you could do what you really want to do.

I really need to exercise. At the same time I need to eat dinner and run up and down the stairs at least 6 times to get my children to nod off. After all the washing up, laundry tasks, popping to the shops (all the day to day stuff) I really just want to pop my feet up with a hot chocolate at the end of the day.

I also want to craft. I love taking part in swaps and I want to make my own Christmas cards this year. Then there's studying which is a priority really. Not that I've picked up my books in 2 weeks...Naughty, naughty..I don't think I have too much to do. Not really. It's just that I want to do all the fun things all the time and all the crappy stuff gets in my way! Not to mention my quilt and sofa are much more appetising than walking around this drafty house doing chores!

How do you 'fit it all in'? Do you? Do you sacrifice those boring chores in favour of a quick crafty session? Or do you feel you have to get everything done before settling down to projects, dinner and work outs? I'd love to know!

CupcakeMumma

That's NOT What I Meant By 'Me Time'

I dropped Midge off to school this morning feeling slightly anxious. My stomach was doing a few flips but we chatted all the way about what she was going to do today and all the fun she'd have learning some new things.
I kissed her goodbye as I had to be somewhere. For once I wasn't going back home to my Husband and Little Man to sort out the house. Nope, I was going to be alone. For at least 40 minuets. How wonderful to have 40 minutes all to yourself you might say...it would've been great if it wasn't TO THE DENTIST.

Now I hate the dentist. I mean I love my actual dentist he's very friendly, talks you through the whole process and he's Canadian (and we all know how much I love anyone who's Canadian or American. I'm sorry, I can't help myself. The accent, the places I don't know. I guess a lot of them like us good old British folk with our strong, well pronounced accents..well, those of us who can still manage that..)

Anyway I digress...Sure, I got to sit in the waiting room for 20 minutes because I was really early. I figured there was no point going home only to come back out again. I got to read Cosmopolitan (which was dated May 2012) no matter, I never read an in date magazine at home anyway. Then my name was called.

I was only there for a further 30 minutes in which I was poked, prodded, stabbed* with a needle (twice), had cotton wool and horrible molds put into my mouth before leaving with one real and one temporary filling. My first proper fillings. Not bad for nearly 23 really, just something that happened. I shall be more vigil with my tooth brushing now. I should floss apparently, which I hate but I'm not going through that again!

I'm now sat home, anaesthetic wearing off and my gums returning to normal. They sting a bit and I feel so, so hungry. I have another hour before I can eat anything but my porridge is all ready to go! Nothing better than porridge to fill you up and keep you warm on a chilly Autumn day. I think I may also pop out later and do some early Christmas shopping with my newly arrived Park vouchers.

I should be grateful i got out without 2 children screaming at me, saying they're bored or just whinging for the sake of whinging. I got to read a bit of a magazine (granted, it was old but who cares?) But I would much rather my next spot of 'me time' is more relaxing. Although, I did like being called 'Mrs Brooker,' makes you feel rather grown up this 'Mrs' business!

CupcakeMumma

*May be an exaggeration....May be...

Catch Up

Hello I haven't been blogging for a couple of days so thought it was time for a little catch up of my weekend! On Friday myself, Other Half (can't wait to write Husband so much easier!) Little Miss and Little Man went for a very civilized messy lunch at Wetherspoons. It was pretty packed but we got some comfy seats near other families so as to not spoil any OAPs peaceful, non-messy and very civilized lunch!
We managed to get Little Miss to actually eat something other than a tea cake, she tucked into two very fat and juicy sausages, demanded an egg with her crunchy chips and even tried pinching some of mine! Unfortunately this new found food love only appeared to last for that one afternoon..damn.

Little Man needs no encouragement and wolfed down his peas and sausage while Other Half and I enjoyed our usual. I even sneaked some of my new dairy free herb and garlic soft cheese- absolutely delicious with chips and salad! After our lunch we quickly left (despite my best efforts the surrounding area of the highchair always looks like I've brought pack of animals to dine not a one year old..) and went to the good old sweet shop. I bought some hard gums (yummy) and was taken in by the new American treats that have landed! I can't eat half of them but I'm a bit taken with our fellow neighbours and their sweet choices! Weird huh? I like watching those programmes like 'Dives, Dinners and Drive Ins' or something like that, the food across the land never fails to amaze me (and sometimes disgust me if I'm truly honest it's the portion sizes!)

On Saturday I went out to do some photography. I did indeed do this but I also did a bit of sneaky shopping! Nothing exciting but I shall share my finds anyway. The park was lovely and sunny  not too cold and not too packed. I stuck my earphones in, blocked out the world so it was just me and nature- bliss. Here are some shots from my day out:

 As promised here are some of my finds of the day. I also bought myself a new top, leggings and some much need under crackers for myself and Little Miss!!

This lovely dressing gown was reduced to £3.50!

Socks from the charity shop they're lovely and fit both Little Miss and myself! Together with a new bodysuit for T this cost me a £1

And a new diary. I am in need of positive thinking and come June I can start writing in this bright new journal. Yey!

We also went to my Sister in laws on Sunday but I'm going to do another post on that. It was a pre birthday party and meal, a lovely day had by all. I'll post all this up later after real birthday celebrations and the first day back at school is over!

Cupcake Mumma