The Last Post

This is a peculiar post to write.

In fact the title gives it away.

"The Last Post"

There's no getting away from it. Indeed it is. Well around here anyway.

After two years of blogging about pre-schoolers and young kids, I've arrived at the realisation that they're growing up and are preparing to leave me home alone.

One day soon, they'll go to school kissing their Mummy and come home shouting "Mum".

But I'm not sad.

Because while they are changing, I am too.

And I'm about to start a new adventure.

This may be my last post here, but it won't be my last post ever.

You see, I've got a new blog....to chart the next chapter in the life and times of 21st Century Mummy...except I'm changing my name... to Almost Mrs Average. In fact some of you might recognise it as my alter-ego which I've been using for some time.

So I'd like to thank you all for sticking around over the last few years and joining in the tears and the laughter. In this very short time many of you have become really good friends and I have truly appreciated your company. I just hope you will follow me to my new blog, where I promise there'll be lots more fun.

Here's a glimpse of what you can expect. Just click on the image and come and say hello.




Remember, it's not really goodbye. It's just au revoir. xxx

Hope to see you soon at www.donttearyourhairout.com.

My Dad has Wings

So here it goes. Feeling in a muddle this morning and not in the mood to write or indeed do the housework, I grabbed a cup of tea and flicked on the TV. . .to indulge in a little bit of This Morning.

I am now in tears...

...because what I didn't expect when I switched on the television just now was to be transported back to my four-year-old self - to the moment I'd been told that my dad had died in a traffic accident.

It all came flooding back and I am now sat at the laptop with my fingers tripping over themselves, trying to pour out all the words I can, but not really knowing what I want to say. The sense of childhood disbelief, and the desparate longing for it not to be true. The thoughts that perhaps he had just run away, or had simply forgotten his way home are as fresh as they once were. Anything to see Daddy again.

But he didn't come back.

And after he'd gone, there were the tears.

My mother's tears and her sobbing. Why couldn't I make her better? Why couldn't I make her smile again?

I wanted her to be happy. I wanted us all to be happy, her, me and my little sister. But most of all I wanted Daddy to come home.

But he was never coming home.

Never.

That's what death meant.

The one thing that defeats hope!

And then there was school, where everyone else had a daddy, who did daddy things on birthdays, Christmas and just normal everyday occurences like visiting the playground.

So what's a 40 year old woman doing, getting upset over something that happened 36 years ago?

You'd think that after all this time, I'd have got over it wouldn't you? I know a death is hard to take, but we're talking decades of having lived with it.

But maybe I have never really got over my grief. I still miss my dad. I missed him when I was growing up. I missed him at my wedding and I miss him being a grandfather to our small children. I have a step dad but a step dad is different.

And I dread the same thing happening to our small family.

But the tears that are flooding over my laptop today are not just tears of sadness. They are also tears of hope, because when I switched on the television this morning, the most wonderful woman was being interviewed, Jude Coupland, who two years ago lost her partner and father to her four children. Another family who had to cope with childhood bereavement.

Nobody bereaved in such a way can know how to deal with things, but Jude's story is highly uplifting. She was so inspired by the wonderful way in which her children dealt with the news and spoke openly about their daddy after his death, that she has written a book that can now help other families.

Called My Dad has Wings, it is full of gorgeous illustrations that can't help but raise a smile and a chuckle, the kind of things that a child needs to lift their spirits when dealing with the tough times.

So if you know of anyone who has experienced a sudden loss of a parent in the family, please tell them about this book. It can be found at www.mydadhaswings.co.uk. And it's not just for little children...I think I know a big kid who might find it useful too.

Polar Bears on the River Thames

Well something had to bring me out of my hidey-hole and this was it, a video of the beautiful, yet sad sculpture of a Polar Bear and her cub, stranded on the River Thames.

The sculpture was specially commissioned to mark the launch of the new Natural History Television channel Eden, which features programming including Planet Earth and Attenborough Explores Our Fragile World. Broadcaster and eminent wildlife conservationist, Sir David Attenborough says: “The melting of the polar bears’ sea ice habitat is one of the most pressing environmental concerns of our time. I commend Eden for highlighting the issue; we need to do what we can to protect the world’s largest land carnivores from extinction.”





Eden is available on Sky Channel: 532 and Virgin TV Channel: 208. A programme schedule can be found at www.exploreeden.co.uk

How old will you be next year?

Do you remember the days as a child, when apart from marrying a handsome prince and owning all the toys in the world, the only other ambition was to celebrate another birthday and enjoy being another year older and the experience of growing up.

When I was 5, I so wanted to be 7. It meant graduating from Infants to Juniors.

At 7 I longed to be 10 and enjoy a later bedtime.

At 10 I wanted to be 13. The anticipation of becoming a teenager.

But it didn't stop there. Once I turned 13 I couldn't wait for my 16th birthday, then the 18th and my 21st.

And in the rush, I would always enjoy the New Year's Day game that would help birthdays speed along at a faster pace. A simple trick of the mind, but one that I always relished.

Do you wanna play? It's simple, and will work as long as you already haven't had a birthday this year and is even more effective if your birthday is at least three months away.

Just answer these two easy questions...

How old are you right now?
And how old will you be next year, on your birthday in 2010?

I tried it on my eldest boy, who is currently 7 but was delighted to hear that next year he'll be 9.

Problem is when you're 40, the last thing you want to hear is that next year you'll be 42.

Oh well...according to the Hitchhiker's Guide to The Galaxy, at least 42 is the answer to life the universe and everything. But really I'm in no rush to get there. For once I'm happy that I'm still only 40.

Growing up eh? Now who'd want to do that?

The Cover Up

Can you believe it. He's only 4 but he's got a mind of a master villain with the evil laugh to go with it.

Take Wednesday. Whilst having breakfast at a posh hotel in Bristol my four year old strategist piped up.

"I need my teddy".

I said "No".

"I want to go back to our room for Bear"

Again, I said "No".

We then sat in peace enjoying our breakfast.

15 minutes later he cried in desperation "Mummy, I need a poo...and I need it now."

So I grabbed the keycard, excused ourselves from the breakfast table and left the dining room, almost bumping into hollywood movie star Mickey Rooney on the way out. We dashed to the lift and made it to the second floor bedroom....phew...just in time.

On entering the room, he headed straight for the teddy bear, then said "Let's go back down to see Daddy".

"But you need to use the toilet first" came my very controlled reply.

"It's alright Mummy, I don't need a poo. I only said that because you wouldn't let me come back to get Bear - Ha Ha".

er...err....errr....SPEECHLESS!

Hmm...this week it was Mummy and the bear, next week it's the world.....Mwahahahahaha!

So Happy New Year all. And while you're celebrating new beginnings please keep your eyes peeled for a four year old stroking a fluffy white cat.

And at the beginning of 2009, I remain truly grateful that no veteran movie stars were injured in the proceedings.

My festive stocking fella

What a fantastic year and I've been so lucky to have met so many wonderful people. Thanks guys and gals for being such great sports and hanging about over here from time to time.

All that's left for me to say is Merry Christmas to you all and wish you the very best for the new year.

And if you want to witness my latest mad moment, with some extra special Christmas wishes, pop over to www.therubbishdiet.blogspot.com.

It's Chrrrrrrrrrrrrrriiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiisssssssssstmas! Hooray!

Introducing my friend Tracey Smith

She's mad but I am so glad I know her and love her to bits. And if you're a Woman's Hour listener, you'll hear her on Wednesday talking about NACOA, a charity that supports children of alcoholics, of which she is a trustee. This particular Chinterview introduces her other project...The most wonderful Book of Rubbish Ideas, a must-have book for slimming down those overflowing rubbish bins.

Something to show your children

Happy Mondays

It's a rainy Monday in Suffolk, but I'm feeling a happy bunny this morning in a zippadee-doodah kind of way.

Not only have I got a man in the kitchen cleaning my oven but the lovely Tara Cain over at Coventry Telegraph has invited me to do a guest feature on her excellent blog From Dawn till Rusk.

If you're not already bored of reading about the book deal, pop over to Tara's blog for the inside story and when you're finished, have a gander at some of her other posts.

And if you're wondering about the man cleaning my oven, don't worry, this doesn't happen every day. Just a once-in-a-while special treat.

Hotel Dramas

Location: Posh hotel, somewhere outside Southampton, about 180 miles from home.

Act 1 Scene 1

Room 343, somewhere on the 2nd floor.

Yours Truly (on the telephone): "Hello, my four year old has locked himself in the bathroom, would it be possible for someone to help get him out".

Receptionist: "Yes my dear, we'll have someone with you straight away!"



Act 1 Scene 2

Checking out at reception desk of posh hotel, crisis over!
Meanwhile, 21st C Dad has gone outside with the children to pack the car.

Receptionist: "I'm glad you enjoyed your stay, are you ready to hand over your room key?"

Yours Truly: "Ah yes, I'll just get it for you, my husband has got it"

(runs to car)

Yours Truly: "Darling husband, do you have the room key?"

21st C Dad: "No, I gave it to the boy who locked himself in the bathroom."

In disbelief, Yours Truly looks at the boy who locked himself in the bathroom. He appears to be empty handed.

Yours Truly: "Darling son, what have you done with the room key?"

Boy who locked himself in the bathroom: "I left it on the stairs!"

Yours Truly: "Which stairs?"

The family treks up, treks down, up the grand stairs, down the back ones, no key to be found, not a sausage, zilch, nothing.

A stranger passes in the grand hall. He looks over and smiles.

Stranger: "Are you looking for a key?"

I nod but how did he know it was us?

Stranger: "Panic over, I found it behind the chair in the corner."

Yours Truly: "A CHAIR?"

The Receptionist smiles.

We leave.




Act 1 Scene 3

Closing the hotel door behind me, I take a deep breath and sigh with relief that the boy who locked himself in the bathroom had been rescued and that the key he had lost had been found.

I gaze in his direction and shudder and gasp.

He is no longer empty handed.

His left hand may be empty.

But in his right hand...

...is another key.

It isn't a hotel key. Good grief, no!

THIS TIME IT'S THE KEY TO THE BLOODY CAR!

Your's Truly: "Oh hell!"

Am I losing the blogging plot?

Once upon a time there used to be email, Friends Reunited and texting.

Then came Facebook

Then I got a blog.

Not happy with one I created another, wanting to protect readers from my other ramblings. Many many ramblings.

And along came Twitter, Flickr and You Tube.

The comments, the pokes and video responses.

And of course the book, my book, with words, chapters and sections.

And the pile of washing up, the quick meals and the mess.

Just like my days in the office.

So busy, hardly ever home, so little time.

Then I had a cleaner.

Not just a hoover, but a woman who does.

I think I need another woman who does, plus a cook, a gardener and a nanny.

I may be always home, but I'm hardly ever "here".

I'm elsewhere, looking at words and writing even more.

Thousands of words between breakfast and supper.

Ah, I've now realised what's missing.

Damn, forget about the husband, the cleaner and the growing list of servants!

What I really need is a wife!

Hmm...I'm now wondering if my husband's thinking the same!

Chuggington...chugger chugger chugger chugger Chuggington

Well something had to drag me out of hiding! I've been spending far too long in the bins over at The Rubbish Diet, so it was about time I let my hair down and have a bit of fun.

And what fun indeed.

While Little J went off to a party yesterday, Little T and I excitedly boarded the train from Bury St Edmunds. Destination London, where we met up with the gorgeous Jo Beaufoix and her family for the very first time. Now that was exciting enough, but no sooner had we said our first "hellos", we all jumped on the Underground and headed off to a gathering of other bloggers at the Movieum of London in County Hall.

We'd been invited to a very special event, an all-expenses-paid private screening of Chuggington, where we were introduced to Wilson, Brewster and Koko, a really cute set of trainee engines called “Chuggers”.



Chuggington episodes are already being screened on BBC2 during the early morning Cbeebies schedule but in January they will hit the CBeebies digital channel, where the series is tipped to become the next big thing in children's entertainment.

And I can see why. Having watched two episodes yesterday, Little T became immersed in the adventures straight away and didn't even dare look away from the screen to eat his sandwiches. Even as an adult it was easy to fall in love with the adventurous spirit of Koko and the eagerness of Wilson balanced by the dependable nature of Brewster.

Ludorum, the show's creators have worked hard to create content that will appeal to both parents and children alike. As well as entertainment, it's the learning, sharing and enjoyment that are at the heart of Chuggington, and embedded within each story are important developmental messages centred on social-emotional development, reinforcing the life skills that are needed in today’s world.


Little T, already has his favourite character, the green and purple bullet train called Koko, who stopped to help others in a race during the first episode and who was proud to have the job of looking after a pregnant giraffe during the next story.

I must admit I like her too.

The other exciting part of the day was the chance to meet up with other bloggers during lunch. So while Little T munched on his sarnies, I managed a brief moment to say hello to the people behind A Modern Mother, Frog in the Field, The Potty Diaries and the Thames Valley Mums before going on a tour of the Movieum with Jo Beaufoix et famille.

So after a really fun day out, I'd like to thank Ludorum and Wolfstar for making the event possible. More of these please, especially if it involves a red carpet for bloggers in Leicester Square (nudge nudge, wink wink).

The only thing I would say is I now can't stop singing that song, you know, the Chuggington theme tune....

Chuggington, chugger, chugger, chugger, chugger, Chuggington

Chuggington, chugger, chugger, chugger, chugger, Chuggington

So, while I'm caught up in theme tune madness, why not discover the series for yourself. If you'd like to catch up with the adventures of the Chuggers, the great news is the new series start on Monday 3rd November and can be seen every week day on BBC2 at 8.45am. If you miss it, you can always check out BBC i-player or YouTube.

More information can also be found at www.chuggington.com.

Taking responsibility

Today my four year old asked if he could have some cheese.

I said yes and asked if he could get it from the fridge.

And he did.

He then asked if he could have his little knife.

I said yes and asked if he could get it from the kitchen top.

To which he replied.

"Mummy, you've got legs, Why don't you get it?"

Humph! Now where did he get that one from?

I've been tagged

Well, I've busy writing about rubbish for the last few days, it's just nice to come up for some fresh air, which is a good job really because I've discovered I've been tagged, by a new blogger in my life called notsupermum. I know how she feels, given the state of chaos in my house at the moment.

So before I get the calling to do this morning's washing up....I'd better get on with the tag.

Here goes, are you ready?


1. Where was I 10 years ago?

Settling into a new job in Soho, London. (No, it's not what you think), working for an online music database company in Golden Square. Virgin radio also overlooked the square where Chris Evans and his team would get up to some really silly stunts. I remember seeing a sofa being driven around on one occasion, a rather exclusive floral number, which came fitted with its very own standard lamp. With only a month to go until my wedding, it was an interesting time to start a new job. Have I ever said we had the reception in a zoo?



2. What's on my to do list today?

Erm...writing more stuff for the book...and er remembering to take my eldest to Beavers. That was Monday's list too, including Beavers. Oh how I cried, when I turned up and realised it was the wrong day.


3. What if I was a billionaire?

Get my bike fixed then boost the local economy by hiring a cleaner, housekeeper, nanny and gardener. I'd build a new wing for my hair stylist to move in, buy my mother a new house. I'd be sorely tempted to buy a chunk of land in Moreton Hall and give people bigger gardens and some interesting leisure space.


4. Five Places I have lived

Treharris in South Wales. (4 houses)
Nottingham (8 houses)
London (1 house)
Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire (2 houses)
Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk (2)

....I'm so tempted to say Paris, London and New York, but you'd wonder who I was trying to avoid.


5. Snacks I like

Strawberries
Bananas with home-made yoghurt
Chocolate.
and
Quavers..oh dear...just the mention of them makes me crazy. I want some now....!



7. Who am I tagging?


Well, I've got some catching up to do, so I think it will have to be the gorgeous Jo Beaufoix, the lovely Picklesmum and the ever delightful Grumpy Old Woman.

Look out ladies, I'm coming to get you.......

The stuff that's on my mind

It's the 2nd September and I've paused for thought and I thought I'd share a few.

1. I've not blogged here for a while. Been busy, blogging elsewhere. Feel I should apologise to all who visit here but not there. Thanks for sticking with me and I will try to do better.

2. My youngest boy started school today. When I started blogging he was two, then he turned three. He's now four. WOW!

3. My blog visits are beginning to blur into a haze, with so little time to visit, but I still think of you and do my rounds whenever I can and lurk without comment when I find a minute or two.

4. I'm writing a book. I've read that all authors have peculiar habits, so I've joined the trend and only eat banana sandwiches when I write.

5. I still miss Ruby who has left Bury St Edmunds. I have also decided to join the WI. I wonder if they are connected. I suppose I'll never know.

6. I have a spider on my ceiling. It gave birth last week. It's still on my ceiling as are the little blighters. I *must* do something before they grow up.

7. I need a cleaner, but I need to tidy up before I get a cleaner. 21st C Dad has suggested a housekeeper. But I am the housekeeper. I hope I'm not sued for negligence.

8. I need chocolate.

9. I realise I've not replied to the last comments...oops, apologies to all...and on that note am dashing over the last post to leave a few words.

10. But before that, I promise I'll be back soon. xxx

On the radio

Following all the excitement over the book deal, there's even more excitement coming up.

This morning my fabulous blogging buddy Ruby and I will be popping up at Radio Suffolk as Lesley Dolphin's sofa guests.

We are indeed very excited and I have a sneaking suspicion there will be much talk of Blogging, Bury and Bins....hmm, Blogging Bury Bins...now there's a novel idea.

Even if you don't live in Suffolk, you can still listen live. We're on between 12.30 and 1.30. And if you miss it, there's always Listen Again. There's just no getting away from us is there ;-D

Cue Drumroll

At last, it's official, my news that is.

I must apologise for keeping you all on tenterhooks, but I could never keep that kind of excitement to myself.

It was far too exciting.

But I can now reveal all...

But you have to click here to read it ;-D

I'm even more excited now!

At this moment in time I should be packing my cases to go on holiday but I am just too excited.

I'm always excited about seeing my sister and her family and I love going to visit them in Switzerland, which is where I will be in a few days time, but at this very minute, there is something else that's getting me all whoopie woo.

You see, today I received an important contract and I pulled out my lovely silver pen to sign it....or rather searched hurriedly through my five or so handbags to find it!

It was a very special document so it needed a special pen.



I put it (plus the two other copies) in a secure envelope marked PLEASE DO NOT BEND.



Then took it to the local Post Office, to arrange for it to be sent by recorded delivery.



So as I write it should be winging its way to London, where tomorrow morning, with the help of the Royal Mail, it will appear on the desk of someone who is very important in my life at the moment.

And that is what I am very excited about. I wish I could tell you the whole story...and I will...but only when the other person has signed their bit and it all becomes official.

So sorry to keep you on tenterhooks but at least there's clue and you don't need to be a detective to find it. I hope to reveal all when I return from my visit, which won't be long.

See you soon xxx

Forty eh! What's it all about then?

There I was thinking that forty was the new thirty... entering a new age with bells and whistles, but keeping my youth, humour and brain...

...until...

today...

when...

this morning...


ONE: Not only did I fall flat on my face in the garden...and I mean FLAT on MY FACE, resulting in a grazed upper lip for all to see...I think I tripped over a fleck of dust!

TWO...I later drove UP a DOWN ramp in a multi-storey car park that I've used many a time!

THREE...I somehow managed to buy jam for my four year old, which I later noticed is heavily laced with Claret.

What's going on?

Someone help, please?

I had thought I'd ask my new friend from Australia. Edith's her name. Edith Wise!

She knows a thing or two about aging!

But I'm not sure she'd remember who I was...

I suppose anything's worth a pop!

Birthday blogging

Well the girl is doing what she loves doing best...well almost...blogging live in the Lounge on my birthday. Shhh...don't tell 21st C Dad, who's hard at work at an AGM today. With a jam packed social agenda over the weekend I should be food shopping and cleaning the house.

But today is my fortieth birthday so I will avoid it as much as possible, then make up for my sins tomorrow morning.

So FORTY eh! When did that happen? How come 1968 feels so far away. Geez, back then nobody had even landed on the moon!

But so far, being forty is great. I celebrated with the lovely Ruby yesterday, in London no less, will be celebrating with 21st C Dad and the children this evening and have a whole weekend of celebrations booked in with friends.

So it's non-stop partying. That's what turning forty is all about.

But what else does it mean? Well for me it's about...

Friendships with people I've "collected" over the years.
Opportunities that are around the corner.
Relationships with those dear to me, my husband, family and friends.
Thankful for two beautiful children.
Youthfulness, no matter what age I am.

And that's it in a nutshell! I could have included much more, but ran out of letters! Funny that, with such a milestone you'd think there would be more. I suppose I'll have to wait until I'm hundred for that delight.

Anyway remember the bit about the moon? Who would have guessed back in 1968 that forty years later I would be able to see the moon up close...and I don't mean the familiar scene from outside the window.

No, my special 40th birthday treat is that 21st C Dad and family have bought me my very own telescope. A point and click one, where I can tell it to show me the moon, Jupiter or Mars and it will find it. Perfect for a girlie beginner like me.

So, if you don't hear from me for a while, you'll know that I will be lost somewhere in the galaxy, watching the stars.

But I haven't forgotten my excitement...the one that is keeping us all on tenterhooks....I will be back with news very soon.

And on that note...I'm off to get prepared for tonight's full moon. No rude comments per..lease!