Real Life Calling...

QIUCK BIT Continued

Yum!!

posted by AS @ 12:21 AM 0 comments

QUICK BIT- Absolutely Yummy and Stunning

*ABSOLUTELY STUNNING!!

*Sugar Overload
http://uber-mommy.net/blog/?p=19

*With Photos!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sgcupcake_momma/

posted by AS @ 8:47 PM 0 comments

QUICK BIT - All Things Japanese for Kids...

Hsien Hsien's Play Library features a lovely article on wonderful things for children from Japan. Take a look and Enjoy!...

And I won !!!

posted by AS @ 5:15 AM 0 comments

QUICK BIT - Trek Earth: photos of the world

Trekearth came to my attention whist again playing around in Flickr - that Flickr is addictive. Visit Trekearth and vist the world via photography.

posted by AS @ 10:49 AM 0 comments

Museum of Childhood...

Absoulutely love this concept, The Museum of Childhood is due to re-open in Autumn 2006 following an extensive refurbishment programme and I can't wait. Children will love it and parents and families will love it too. Future exhibitions include Lost in space, and Happy Birthday Miffy. My daughter will really appreciate that. The Museum of childhood gives you the opportunity to explore themes of childhood past and present and it's not just about toys but of course they feature.









Take a look at the kids pages too and Enjoy...

posted by AS @ 3:29 AM 0 comments

Container Pot Gardens - Courtesy of Katrina's Little Gardeners (blog)

I absolutely love this idea posted up by Katrina Mooneyham, Ohio, USA at Katrina's Little Gardeners and will be trying it out with my little one this spring and summer. I've missed gardening having laid off it during my pregnancy and whilst off on maternity leave too. I'll post up pictures of the results as things progress. Would love to see your container gardens too!! send me links and enjoy...

posted by AS @ 10:42 PM 0 comments

QUICK BIT - Toys, what are your favourites...

Whilst looking again at Hsien Hsien Lei's Play Library I'm reminded to post about my absolute favourite toys for my daughter. A combination of money well spent, and every day interest through child and parent play means the wooden bricks and toy buggy get the thumbs up from all of us.

Hsien ask's what your kiddies have built with wooden bricks http://www.playlibrary.com/2006/04/20/toy-creations-wooden-blocks/

I am also biased and just love traditional and wooden toys - so much so that I am hoping to set up a toy library / toy surgery along these lines. However there is always room for the odd electronic digression and again Hsien may have tempted me away with the following:

Picture courtesy of www.amazon.com

Read more about Pleo courtesy of Amazon and Hsien's Play Library Enjoy...

posted by AS @ 5:28 PM 1 comments

QUICK BIT - What to buy 3rd time around mum to be...

Very useful discussion on Mumsnet about what to buy for a new mum 2nd, 3rd or nth time around. Enjoy!

posted by AS @ 1:55 AM 0 comments

QUICK BIT - New addition at *posts I like*

Visit this link http://journals.concrete.org.au/nat/archives/displays_of_creativity/#a000876 or see below.

Enjoy!

posted by AS @ 1:18 AM 0 comments

TOY RECALL AND TOY WARNING FOR MAGNETIX

Following many incidents and controversy about the dangers of Magnetix toys, the company that produces the product have re-called their products. Hsien Hsien Lei details the recall and others detail incidents and dangers of the product also. Namely the swallowing of the magnetic parts presents many dangers, further information can be found at the US Consumer Product Safety Commission. Please take action and let others know. For more information on Hsien's Play Library, see post below or follow the link.

posted by AS @ 11:52 AM 0 comments

BEAUTIFUL - Courtesy of M Sanders @ msanders109 on Flickr...

OH....WOW!!! Courtesy of msanders109 over at Flick, visit here http://www.flickr.com/photos/msanders/ I have both found something I really like and managed to upload my first ever photo to my blog. Whoo hoo!!!

Admittedly it is not one of my own photos nor is this my child, lets be sure about that, but the work is beautiful and worthy of sharing. Do visit the rest of the msanders109 collection it is awesome and features some really lovely shots of premmies, all much more premature that my own little bun who was born at just under 33 weeks, weighing 3lbs 3ozs, with the time at 3.13 p.m. and to mother (me) aged 30 years!!

I'll feature a another photo or two from msanders109 and again congratulations to me on successfully uploading a photo. Phew!!

*fingers and toes crossed that technology doesn't fail me again*

Enjoy ....

posted by AS @ 1:46 PM 0 comments

QUICK BIT - a daddy blog and the online play library

A quick bit to let you know about two of very many blogs and resources I have come across recently: Dad Writes http://dadwrites.blogspot.com/ is written by a *stay at home dad*, very interesting indeed and Play Library http://www.playlibrary.com/ details all things toys for kids and is written by Hsien Hsien Lei http://www.b5media.com/hsien-hsien-lei/ quite a character, a mother, a Singaporean, prolific blogger and data fountain.

Two very parent related links for you to enjoy. I'll add the many others that have come to my attention as soon as I can.

posted by AS @ 12:40 AM 3 comments

Fascinating, The 2006 Bloggies Awards...

The 2006 Bloggies http://2006.bloggies.com/, The Sixth Annual Weblog Awards - Fascinating stuff, announced earlier this week, I have just had a chance to check in on the winners. But just as fascinating are those that didn't win. Haven't identified a parenting focused winner yet - but still looking, though Karen Cheng's bloggie was nominated again this year. I chanced upon http://www.overheardinnewyork.com/ Overheard in New York - hilarious and very politically incorrect but a really good read (Winner of most humourous blog). Not parent related though. Post Secret is very interesting, winning best overall blog and other categories. If you haven't already done so take a look around http://2006.bloggies.com/ Enjoy!...

posted by AS @ 5:08 PM 0 comments

QUICK BIT - A mother's network...

I chanced upon http://www.emothersonline.com/ EMothersonline an international network of twelve or so mums who met via another online network and now contribute to their own site. Drop by and let me and them know what you think. Enjoy

posted by AS @ 1:18 AM 0 comments

Mums discuss working for £0.00 after childcare costs...

"One thing that bugs me is the amount you spend just to be at work. Lunches, tights, collections and those bloody tempting shops you walk past on way to station. I suppose if it was too easy we would be bored."... said one mum recently on Mumsnet, which is one reason I now bring my own lunch to work saving a veritable fortune having spent, in my full time days, over £10 a day on lunch, drinks and snacks - yes over £200 a month!! For more on these dilemmas faced by pt and ft working mums do have a peek at this Mumsnet conversation http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk?topicid=6&threadid=149117 Alternatively let me know if you have any concerns about work / life balance, let me know if you have the balance just right and let me know if you think childcare appears to be very very expensive these days in the UK. Given that mothers are in no way given the same amounts of money (e.g. £40 - £70) per day and per child when they choose or have to stay at home to look after their children, SAHMs are doing the same and *better* jobs as the array of wonderful nursery nurses CMs and nannies out there right? Tell me what you think...

posted by AS @ 1:22 AM 0 comments

One Seedpod gratefully received

http://www.seedpod.com.au/ Today I received my seedpod!! when I know what it is I'll let you know too - if you's like to know the background have a look here...http://www.seedpod.com.au/ Enjoy.

posted by AS @ 11:51 PM 0 comments

David Cameron speaks to Mums in the UK!!

David Cameron - new leader of the Conservative Party (shadow opposition here in the UK) today spoke to Mums on Mumsnet www.mumsnet.com apparently fielding all sorts of difficult questions direct from mainly UK mothers. Questions such as why does our government make it so hard for mums who return to work, yes I'm talking about the £50-£70 per day nursery charges / or £100 per day nanny charges. In the same breath why does the government make it so hard for mothers to stay at home to look after their children?, e.g no tax breaks, inadequate child benefit and so forth. Why is paternity pay and paternity leave so frowned upon? why isn't maternity leave allowed to be shared between parents allowing mothers to return to work if indeed they are the higher earner within a household and want to let dad stay at home for a bit? When will the CSA ever do it's job properly for those single parents out there?, better work life balance??...

So many questions, haven't read all the answers but please take a look to judge for yourself http://http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk?topicid=222&threadid=149477

I'd love to see the day when I can stay at home with my child /children and receive in turn perhaps the very same £50 per day that I currently payout to nursery for three days of child care per week. Don't I provide the very same and better care also. My mother passed away some years ago and everyone else is still working so childcare by a close family member is not an option for me. And I / we work because we have to, I'm not yet in a job where I merrily skip to office as a result of the sheer joy that the working day brings me - on the other hand I do skip home due to the sheer joy that my daughter and partner give me - ah hah!! Been working over 10 years (not including pre and during univerisity) and daughter is only two years old - go figure that!! See what you uncover and see what you think. I 'd love to know if any of the questions or discussion chime with your own views, thoughts and experiences http://http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk?topicid=222&threadid=149477

Enjoy...

posted by AS @ 10:57 PM 0 comments

Sailing forth: Volvo Ocean Race, Clipper and more

I digress again. Can't sail but I absolutely love it, love the idea of it, love everything about it. Have always wanted to and still want to one day take part in the Round the world Clipper race, racing with yatchs for novices who haven't sailed but nevertheless love the idea of it. For all Volvo Ocean race news including great pictures (which I'd love to post here but you know what will happen right) anyway Volvo ocean race here - http://www.volvooceanrace.org/multimedia/gallery/gallery.aspx?type=image&bhcp=1 here http://www.sailing.org/default.asp?ID=j67Fh/6/?&format=popup and here http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/sailing/default.stm

Also amazing to me is the the sucessful but very eventful, even life threatening, return of Ben Fogle and twice olympic champion rower, James Cracknell in the 3000 mile race to row across the atlantic ocean in a 24ft open boat. This is racing on the water at its hardest, these guys rowed all the way, at one point had all their equipment and supplies ruined when the boat capsized, were almost mowed down by a tanker, their water maker broke down meaning they began to dehydrate (it started working again on Christmas Day). Just an amazing feat, not sure I could or would want do do it. They learnt the mind will let you down long before the body will - you must read more about it and can do so here http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/rowing/4652104.stm

And on a similar and final note - promise, - more info here on the *toughest* yatch race, The Global Challenge Round the World Yatch Race, 35,000 miles, 12 yatchs each with 17 man crew all novices and volunteers except for the skipper of each crew. It's around the world but into and against the tradewinds - would love to do something like this, see here for more info. http://www.clipper-ventures.co.uk/plc/index.php Enjoy.

posted by AS @ 8:06 PM 0 comments

Business Mums and Gingerlily

Two things that strike me about mums and / or the parenting game, and that's the resourcefulness, creativity and entrepreneurship that motherhood sparks in women. (err that three things?...) So many women start and create their own businesses or work freelance / part -time once they have children, in my own case it is hands down for the better hours and work life balance. A recent BBC documentary looked at why women now out number men when you count who is a millionaire and who isn't. Amongst other experts and female millionaires who fed into the programme, Nicola Horlick commented that one of the reasons for this is the the spark that motherhood gives to women who want to earn well and even earn more, but not sacrifice the home life with the children (see some of Nicola's books here http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/search-handle-form/026-6721203-5638025)

With all this in mind, the company Gingerlily http://www.gingerlily.co.uk/Content/Home.aspx recently featured in another of my London favourites Homes and Property supplement from The Evening Standard. Set up by Deborah Fiddy and Celina Ong, both mums decided to go into business together *from home* and can and do fit business around the school run and bedtimes for their children. The product is luxurious - silk filled duvets, ultra light-weight, ultra warm in the winter, equally cool in the summer, naturally hypoallergenic, with a children's range now, silk sheets and, silk filled pillows and duvet covers. An amazing product, a successful company and again initiative and drive of mums who want to raise their children and be successful in a way that is in balance with their motherhood. Have a look http://www.gingerlily.co.uk/Content/Home.aspx Enjoy.

posted by AS @ 10:45 PM 1 comments

Out of the corner....

Aforementioned error has just changed her ways. Always the way isn't it.

posted by AS @ 10:34 PM 0 comments

Error I can't fix....yes another one!

The timestamps on some of my posts are doing me an injustice - not only are posts a day out of kilter (posted Saturday - but it says Sunday, posted 8.00 p.m. but it says 1.00 a.m.!!) they also don't appear in the order I post them - I've tried everything, changing from GMT to Euro, London timestamps, the lot - can't fix this one so it will have to go in to corner with can't load photos either. The corner, I suspect, will soon become very cluttered indeed. Lets see how damaging this timestamp is...

posted by AS @ 10:24 PM 0 comments

QUICK BIT - Photo's

Take a look at these - really fantastic photos http://legnangel.livejournal.com/564026.html and here http://bldgblog.blogspot.com/2005/10/foodscaping.html discovered and linked to by Vanillasky http://www.vanillasky.co.uk/blog/ Enjoy.

P.S. also fond them in KarenChengs September Archives - oh well...

posted by AS @ 9:21 PM 0 comments

QUICK BIT - London Fashion Week Feb. 2006

Yes all fashionistas - Everything you want to know about London Fashion Week (Feb. 2006) is here http://www.londonfashionweek.co.uk/ Wonder how Kate Moss got on? Only asking as one 32 year old first time mum to another. Very well I hope. Enjoy.

posted by AS @ 1:00 AM 0 comments

QUICK BIT - In your condition...

An excellent website and small business I picked up on whilst browsing through mumsnet called *In your condition* http://www.inyourcondition.com/ They deliver quality advice and competitively priced products to your door, of need and use to you prior to, during and after your pregnancy. A very nice idea indeed. Hope the business is going well. Enjoy

posted by AS @ 12:32 AM 0 comments

QUICK BIT - Digital photo frames...

A lovely idea I think - digital picture frames that engage a rolling display of your photos in a picture frame - just thing for the desk at work and all those family shots- Marvellous. See some examples here http://www.steelcube.com/acatalog/DigitalPictureFrames.html?campaign=adwords Enjoy.

posted by AS @ 12:26 AM 0 comments

QUICK BIT - Red Hot Chilli Peppers in the UK

I digress, not parent, baby or family related at all.

RED HOT CHILLI PEPPERS tour the UK in June and July 2006. Bet tickets will fly out in seconds - find more information here http://www.redhotchilipeppers.com/news/news.php?uid=123 I love many things in life and this group is one of them. Enjoy.

posted by AS @ 12:22 AM 0 comments

PHOTOS Try try again...

I shall once again try to post some piccies - not least because I have had a welcome comment from Gecko http://samaryn.com/ to try to do so. So for me Gecko, the photos and anyone who may be interested here it goes...

.. Error - website not responding please try again or reload?

Oh dear - and so it goes on. The backlog of photos continues to mount. I had an especially nice (but gooey) shot of my valentine card made for me by Zahra at nursery and the gorgeous flowers I found waiting for me at home from dearest partner. And yes this year strict instructions from me to him not to send flowers to me at work!! No I am not mad - just practical. Can't push pram, having bribed and coaxed very strong minded two year old into said pram - yes, then can't push pram and proudly parade exquisite flowers from one end of town to the other. Someone over at Cowboy Caleb's journal http://cowboycaleb.liquidblade.com/ was amused when I pronounced that we would be staying in this year, having Nando's, watching DVDs, exchanging small gifts and enjoying (more so ) each other's company. Apparently DVDs (pirate) and Nando's indoors on valentines is very Malaysian?

As a result of above errors, promised photo's of Singapore and Bali and anything else I think would be of interest are still no nearer to being published here. However, I have been lost and spending far too much time on other people's blogs again!!. I finally managed to restore a working version of My Profile (look to the right) having deleted it without noticing when playing around with html code in my template (told you I was a beginner). Having restored it I clicked for the first time to see blogs (other) listed under the UK and found Vanillasky http://www.vanillasky.co.uk/blog/ Not only is Vanilla an avid BBC radio 4 listener, but has the greatest photo's, photo links and more to look around. I love my music, but love it more on mp3 at my choosing. I spend most of my time listening to the radio, bbc radio 5 being a favourite but a couple in Hong Kong and Beijing are good listening when I can pick them too. The point being (I digress) that I have found another and a fellow UK blog spot that I am really enjoying. Particularly liked Vanillasky's DILO (Day in the life of...) where anyone is invited to take and post pictures at Flickr (see right again) on a particular day. Vanilla's next DILO is going to be on the 20th March 2006 - previous projects include the 21st December 2005 or Winter Solstice to some. Have a look http://www.flickr.com/groups/adayinthelife/discuss/139911/ but be careful - I did and just got lost in and amongst it all - really absorbing and far too time consuming. Also found fabulous Flickr toys here http://flagrantdisregard.com/flickr/index.php inlcuding mosaic picture maker, magazine cover maker (using own photo's), poster maker, captioner, and more. Probably old hat to you professionals out there but quite fun and new and fresh to me. Also found some references to the *word cloud* I've seen at other blog spots - still haven't worked out how to action that here on my bloggie but I'll get there - promise. I'm on a roll but I'll add a few more bits with separate posts to break this up a bit.

Ciao. A.

posted by AS @ 11:26 PM 2 comments

Birth experiences from your local hospitals...

Quite like the idea behind this - http://www.netmums.com/login/ a collection of experiences by expectant mums / parents, detailing their likes and even dislikes about the hospital and care they received. Given the new patient-led NHS initiative we are in the throws of here in England, this could reflect upon choices being made about which hospital you want to receive your care at. Mine by the way was Kings College - the neonatal is one of the best in the country, but like many just doesn't have enough space and cots to meet real demand. The care I received was excellent when I could get it. You can see my house from the maternity ward of my hospital yet I was tranferred to Essex (really hated it - absolutely dire there) and almost transferred to Cambridgeshire and Chislehurst due to lack of space in the neonatal unit. Many other mothers suffer the same experience due to lack of midwives or consultants. Its a real lottery sometimes and really unfair when if happens. Worth a look if you are interested - or even better share some of your experiences - good, very good, not so good or indifferent - no matter - I 'd just love to hear about them

posted by AS @ 5:20 PM 0 comments

QUICK BIT - hmm..so it's a bit longer this time

Extra ordinarily busy - reading other people's blogs!! This probably explains why I never update and / or do anything with my own blog. I have a world of links to add and favorite reads to post. When I can tear myself away from other people's blogs I shall do just that. Zahra had her second birthday on Friday. We celebrated the whole entire week really - she had a party at nursery on Wednesday - enjoyed very much (reminder to me to pick up disposable camera photos from snappies) and cake, party and food at home on Friday with much excitement in between. See that's the other thing - I've photos galore to post - not gotten round to it. But did just try to post some piccies and the technology failed. Better luck next time. Rants and raves about work to post - no loss if I don't get around to that. Much to impart about Zahra - but one less whosshy parent rambling is not so bad methinks. Travel stories - did I mention Signapore and Bali, just loving Singapore - talk about that soon. And I still think it's worth pursuing what I hoped to gain with this blog / idea - a place for thoughts, discussion and more, inspired by my year off for maternity leave. Just bloody loved that year off!! I am in the office only Mon, Tues, Wed now, leaving the rest of the week for hubby and baby - but still hanker after the blessed year off. And still determined I'll write more regularly - no worries if I dont - no one reads my bloggie. Perhaps because the likes of Mumsnet (www.mumsnet.com) and Netmums ( www.netmums.com ) already host excellent forums for discussion but hey, enjoy.

posted by AS @ 4:15 PM 2 comments

Errors... at least I have an excuse this time

Happy New Year. An attempt to revamp and revolutionise my blog has been thrawted by ERRORS:

001 java.io.IOException: EOF while reading from control connection .

I am neither a techky or a geeky so I don't know how to fix this, so just hoping and waiting until it fixes itself and then the revamp can continue. Anyway New Year - New Job hopefully - we shall see. I have yet to track down my New Year skipping rope which is going to rocket me to the pinnacles of fitness and good health. Also I have yet to choose my new trainers in which I shall run everyday, and again improve my health beyond recognition. Meanwhile absolutely loving these two - hope they are your cup of tea too http://www.karencheng.com.au/ and http://cowboycaleb.liquidblade.com/ and still weigh 7 and half stone despite absence of exercise and a healthy appetitie. Sorry had to say it, as I am always so reserved and quiet and wouldn't say such things out loud - but hardly anyone reads this blog so it can probably go unnoticed.

posted by AS @ 2:37 AM 1 comments