Louise, The Dogs And The Words

A sniffle and a snuffle A cough and then a wheeze My nose is oh so runny I think I'm going to sneeze My sinuses are throbbing My ears are very sore I've run out of tissues I need to get some more My nostrils are not working My head is feeling stuffed My eyes will not stop watering I've really had enough It hurts when I swallow My ears - they need to pop My throat is really tickling How I wish that it would stop I do not like this cold How I wish there was a cure Go away you horrid virus I don't want you any more

I don't think the universe intends me to be wealthy. No matter how hard I try, how much I save or any gifts I am given the universe always finds something that I need to spend it on. A prime example of this was when I drove to the bank to take in a cheque that was inheritance from my grandma. A speeding taxi went through a red light and rammed into the side of me. As there were no witnesses and no cameras on the light and I was the one turning the insurance companies blamed me. The inheritance went on a new car. This month I've finally managed to get in front and lo and behold the washing machine has now decided that spinning is for losers. Back to breaking even again. I suppose I should be grateful,  there are many who struggle much more than me. At least I'm lucky enough to have savings. Recently I was made aware of a friend's struggle. Long story very short her husband has been ill and been receiving Statutory Sick Pay for quite some time. They have just abou

One of the reasons I set up this blog was to talk about things that aren't normally comfortable talking points and help them to become less uncomfortable topics of conversation. When my good friend Rebecca contacted me to say it is coming up to Baby Loss Awareness Week (9th-15th October) and she had written something about her experience she would like to put on my blog I, of course, said yes. If you are in need of support the charity SANDS is a useful starting point. Two Rainbows In Three Children By Rebecca Willis I have experienced five pregnancies, but I only have three children.  Two of my pregnancies ended in miscarriage around the 8 week mark. Even though it was 11 years ago, I still remember my first miscarriage.  I remember how I felt when it started (I was at work), how it felt to lose my child and not be able to do anything to stop it.  I remember the despair, the grief and the pain, both physical and emotional. I remember being sat at home as my sister t

The one thing I've realised since having the time and inclination to properly tidy my house is: someone needs to have a serious word with McDonald's about their use of plastic. And no, I don't mean straws. I mean bloody Happy Meal toys. They're usually made of plastic, are to do with whatever kids film is showing in the cinema and are frequently a load of old shite that get played with for 15 minutes and then disappear behind the sofa, under the bed or into the bottom of the toybox. I have two children, which means that every time we go to McDonald's we get two copies of the exact same useless toy. Before everyone starts whinging about how a good mum would only ever cook wholesome, organic, nutritious, vegan food to their kids I'd like to say the following: I'm tight so we go once a month unless it's the school holidays when it's as many times as necessary to stop the incessant moans of "I'm bored" Sod off.  Yet the fact still

Tidying round my house I often come across old notepads. Yesterday I found one from an old job. In it are random notes about stuff I had to do, scribbled semi-legible phone messages now long-irrelevant and doodles that I did while bored, in between tedious admin tasks. The problem with me in employment is I'm very hardworking, very efficient but terrible at making myself look busy. While some colleagues always looked busy but weren't I was the opposite I'd be very busy, do what I needed to, then sit bored waiting for someone to go "here do this" often asking for more to do, much to the annoyance of everyone in the office and my boss. I remember one morning, in a quiet moment between organising an awards ceremony for 200 pupils and invoicing 6 schools for a year's worth of courses, I was sat doodling teddy bears while nursing a cuppa. This was fine until my boss walked over saw an a4 sheet full of bears drawn by a then 25 year old woman. She looked at me li

My thumb is throbbing.  I've just taken the very tip of it off while chopping a chilli pepper. I have not handled this well. A plaster has sorted it yet here I am on my sofa having a cry. I think it was a case of the straw that broke the camel's back. Plus chilli juice really bloody stings. I've rung my mum, the Oracle, to check I'm not going to bleed to death (it was over an hour ago and I've not yet bled through a plaster but still... best to check). Now I'm sat, there was so much I wanted to do but it's all been bumped down the priorities list below 'sit and feel sorry for myself.' This always happens when I'm overwhelmed with change and emotion and that's definitely how I've been feeling this week. With my youngest running off to school and loving it I'm happy and proud but now I'm still lost and the house is beyond quiet. I'm sure I'll get used to it. Until then it's time to slow down, take a bit of time f

The world is my oyster I'm one lucky girl But is it an oyster Containing a pearl? As my youngest child merrily made her way to her first day at school I'm struck with the realisation I have free time for the first time in 7 years. I'm faced with options. Many, many options.   Financially it's tough but we're coping so there's no immediate rush to grab any old job. So here I am at a crossroads, except it's more like the spaghetti junction. I could do anything I wanted. It's exciting, it's scary. It's overwhelming. What do I want to be when I grow up? Shouldn't I know by now? It was strangely quiet in the house today. I didn't really like it. I've been at a young person's beck and call constantly for 7 years. It is beyond strange to just be able to do what I want uninterrupted. I'm not sure I like it.  I'm sure I'll get used to it but for now I'll busy myself with household chores and coffee with frie