..::Riandave::..

Avast Me Hearties.

2007-08-25T18:58:00.001+01:00

We went to a Pirate Party at our friend's, Karen and John's today.

There were lots of children there, but Mini Mint was the second youngest, so couldn't join in all the fund that the bigger kids could. There was a bouncy castle, a trampoline, and a pirate ship - and loads of food.

Mini Mint is a very tired toddler now, and is ready for his bath.

Daddy's Shoes.

2007-08-20T15:21:00.001+01:00

Daddy's Shoes.
Originally uploaded by tillymint

I heard clumping and banging in the hallway, and popped my head around the door, to find Mini Mint in his daddy's cycling shoes.

He loves dressing up.

Coco's Playbarn

2007-08-20T15:20:00.001+01:00

Coco's Playbarn
Originally uploaded by tillymint

Mini Mint was invited to our next door neighbours' birthday party, (Owen - 1 and Aiden - 3). It was held at Coco's Playbarn in Frodsham, and was really pretty fab.

They played 'pass the parcel', and MM won one of the layers.

Circus School.

2007-08-20T15:19:00.001+01:00

Circus School.
Originally uploaded by tillymint

Our council had a 'Party in the Park' last weekend, with lots of different attractions. Mini Mint loved the circus school, as it was 'hands on', he hates sitting round looking at stuff!

Southport

2007-08-20T15:18:00.001+01:00

Southport
Originally uploaded by tillymint

We took a trip to Southport, it was a beautiful day. 'im indoors persuaded me to take a boat ride, despite the fact that I'm terrified of boats.

He let Mini Mint 'drive' the boat for most of the time, so we kept making really scary right angled turns.

Sand Pit

2007-08-20T15:15:00.001+01:00

Sand Pit
Originally uploaded by tillymint

Mini Mint loves playing in his sandpit - I put a parasol up, to make sure he was in the shade... this was actually one of the rare sunny days this summer.

Play group.

2007-08-20T15:14:00.001+01:00

Play group.
Originally uploaded by tillymint

Mini Mint made the crown himself, put the glue where he wanted, and selected his own shapes to stick on.

He insisted on wearing it all day - and kept saying he was a Little Princess

Llangollen

2007-08-20T15:13:00.001+01:00

Llangollen
Originally uploaded by tillymint

We took a trip to Llangollen with Mini Mint's grandparents, primarily to take him on the steam railway.

Unfortunately the weather was vile, and we could only go two stops, as the line was flooded. MM wasn't that impressed anyway, and kept asking to get off!

Mini Mint

2007-08-12T10:20:00.001+01:00

Mini Mint is a funny fellow. He's 2 years and 2 months old, and sometimes I swear he's been here before, he just seems so wise for his years.

Yesterday, I didn't bother getting dressed before going down for breakfast, as I intended to have a shower straight after. We were sitting down, eating our Weetabix, when Mini Mint gasped, and put his little hand on my arm before saying 'Mummy? Where are your glasses?' He sounded so shocked, it was funny.

He's also taken to calling my 'babe'. As in 'Can I have a biscuit please, babe?' and 'I'm tired, going to bed babe'.

He insists on counting as he climbs down the stairs. All the way from one to 'eleving'.

When he asks where his dadda is and I tell him he's gone to work he always replies 'Dadda's got a big hammer'. No idea where he has gotten that idea from...

While I was ironing earlier, he walked upto me and said 'Mummy? I have a cuddle please?' How can I refuse such a request!

He still loves his nanna and grandad, and gets excited at the thought of visiting them - he's a cracking little boy, a pure joy to be around.

Having said that - there are some days that I think 'uh oh, we've hit the terrible twos'. He will just whinge and whine for apparently no reason. Things that he usually loves will send him into screaming fits, and then he'll be as sweet as ever two minutes later.

We went to a local park on Saturday, the council had set up all kinds of activities for the kids, scateboarding competitions, a circus school, bidrs of prey, a few bands etc. He hated having to stand and watch other people doing stuff, but LOVED being in the circus ring, trying to spin plates and walk on little bucket stilts. He has to have his mind stimulated all the time - very hard work.

Unfortunately, he was pushed over (accidentally) by and older child, and literally bounced his head off the tarmac, I nearly threw up I was so shocked. He's got a horrible graze and bump on his head now. Poor little fella.

Splashathon 2007

2007-06-25T14:49:00.001+01:00

Mini Mint took part in Tommy's The Baby Charity's Splashathon again on Friday, the babies had to swim under water (with their parent) and retrieve a fishy thingummy; and swim two widths of the pool, using a woggle as a float under their arms.

He raised £300 last year, but that was when I was still officially employed, and I pestered my colleagues for funds, this year it was only us and his grandparents who sponsored him, so not so much money!

Like Father Like Son

2007-06-23T10:04:00.001+01:00

I'm probably going to go to hell for posting this - but what the hey.

'im indoors and Mini Mint enjoying some 'quality time' together.

Father's Day

2007-06-23T10:03:00.001+01:00

Mini Mint bought 'im indoors a HUGE bar of Thornton's chocolate for Father's Day. We wrapped it up and left it on dadda's chair in the living room, ready for when he got home from climbing.

I spent half an hour or so tidying Mini Mint's room, while he watched TV. This is what I found when I went back to the living room.

His first ever taste of chocolate.

Mini Mint and Thomas

2007-05-28T15:42:00.001+01:00

Mini Mint and Thomas
Originally uploaded by tillymint

How spoiled is Mini Mint?! We went to the inlaws on Saturday, to celebrate their anniversary, and they'd bought a present for Mini Mint... his very own Thomas railway.

The picture on his face was priceless when he saw it. I can see long summer days spent in the garden with Mini Mint playing train driver.

Mother's Day

2007-03-19T17:38:00.000Z

I hope all you yummy mummies out there had a fabu day yesterday, and that your offspring showed suitable appreciation for all you do - or that at least daddy remembered to get you a box of choccies on their behalf!

I went to a bead fair in Chester with 'im indoors (Mini Mint went to church with nanna and gan-gan). I was very good, and kept well within my budget - although having a 'budget' for beads is a bit nuts. At the moment I seem to be buying more than I'm using, which is not good, but they're just so pretty - I can't resist.

I got a lovely surprise yesterday from 'im indoors. Namely a gorgeous, pearlescent pink laptop!

Yes - I have a pink laptop, and tis a beautiful thing. I intend to connnet to t'interweb via Wi-Fi, so I'll be able to get on line any where in Tilly Towers - or in the garden if I want, come the summer. Which will be much nicer, and handier with a Mini Mint.

Another Birthday under my belt

2007-03-11T11:33:00.000Z

3rd March heralded my 38th birthday, which thankfully went without too much of a fanfare - I did receive a call from my mother, but I ignored it... I haven't spoken to her since November 05, and I don't intend to start any day soon.

I got lots of lovely pressies, including:- flowers, three CDs, chocolates, a beadworking book, the QI book and a bead shop voucher - not a bad haul at all. I'm blessed.

I also received yesterday, a big box of chocolate from my 'candyswappers' partner. Ay carumba, but there was some good stuff in that box. There was a ginger/dark chocolate bar that I ate in one sitting, it was truly scrumptious. I've managed to save some of the other stuff for tonight/whenever. It was hard going though. :o)

Choco-ma-late

2007-02-28T20:32:00.000Z

I joined a 'candyswappers' group AGES ago on yahoo, but it was pretty dormant, and there weren't really any swaps going on.

Recently somebody new took up modship and has sorted out our first swap, I am about to post a parcel full of lovely Thornton's type goodness out to a total stranger, and it's killing me.

I wants the chocolate, I wants it all.

The cheek of it!

2007-02-27T16:23:00.000Z

Mini Mint and I have just been to a mum's and tot's group in a church hall near 'im indoors parents. We go there every week, and then drop in on nanna for a cuppa and a chat.

As we were leaving 'im indoors parents, I noticed that my car was blocked in, and was about to grumble when someone popped his head up and said: 'Do you need me to move that for you? Oh, stupid me - of course you do, you're a bloody woman driver.'

I was too stunned to say anything.

Cheeky sod.

I do not like this woman.

2007-02-23T15:44:00.000Z

I've recently (i.e. last week) started a group therapy session for women with Post Natal Depression, while the group itself is 'confidential', and I certainly wouldn't discuss anyone else's problems on t'internet, there is one woman who is driving me nuts.

Last week, the first week, she told us about twenty times that they have a 'Disco' (Land Rover Discovery) and a Peugeot, and that her husband has been driving the Disco so that she can have the Peugeot - I thought she was boasting but put it down to nerves.

Today! Today, the first thing she says as she walks in is 'The bloody Sat-Nav sent me a different route to last time, I told Michael that we needed to update it'.

Then she tells us how they've been so busy, redecorating their house, which is 'only three years old, and built to our specifications'.

Ooh, and she's going out Friday night, she's got to go and get something to wear, she knows she's got 'thousands upon thousands of pounds worth of clothes' in her wardrobe, but she MUST have something new.

Then she expected us all to comiserate with her because her mother is visiting tomorrow:- 'I mean, I don't MIND her visiting but I have to TELL her to do everything! She won't see a pile of laundry and put it in the machine, I have to ASK her to do it. And she never washes the dishes unless I ask her to, and then she never does it the way I like....'

It took all my powers today not to shout at her.

Grrr. OK - thank you, I just needed to get that off my chest.

Mini Mint 8

2007-02-01T18:54:00.001Z

Mini Mint 8
Originally uploaded by tillymint.

Mini Mint 1

2007-02-01T18:54:00.000Z

Mini Mint 1
Originally uploaded by tillymint.

I don't know...

2006-10-22T14:07:00.000+01:00

... where the time goes. I used to have something to write about every day. Yeah, it was mostly boring stuff, but it was enough to get a hundred words or so out of.

These days WEEKS pass before I realise that I haven't written anything up here.

My life is pretty much all about Kendal these days. And while he's always doing things that are 'new', they don't make for very exciting news to anyone else.

The college course is OK - nothing earth shattering, but it gives me a bit of 'me' time, which is a bonus.

Dave is also in college (Thursday nights) doing a Psychology A level - he's not quite sure what he wants to do with it yet i.e. whether or not to use it as a foundation and take it further - I guess he'll know by the end of it.

Kendal is over his bronchiolitis, but will no doubt catch the cold that I've got at the moment - and we'll be worried about him all over again.

He's at church at the moment with nanna and gan-gan, he loves going, lots of singing and running round afterwards with the other toddlers. He always comes back shattered!

Of course, it being Sunday I've had ironing to do, it's the only time I can get it done safely. If Kendal is around he always tries to pull the iron off the ironing board, or decides to crawl or stomp all over the clothes I've just ironed - bless him (Grrr.)

Sorry for the absence...

2006-10-09T14:06:00.000+01:00

... we've been on our ollerdees. We only went to Spain, visiting Paul and Paula (Dave's brother and his wife). Just for 8 days. It was a nice break. Boiling hot though - not good weather for a little 'un, though we managed to stop him getting sunburned thanks to factor 50 lotion.

We bought a video camera during a day trip to Gibraltar - tis a lovely thing, and takes pretty decent quality video too. Our old one seems MASSIVE in comparison.

We have returned home with a poorly baby - again. He has only just got over Gastro enteritis (sp?) and has now caught bronciolitis. Gah! I can't believe how he seems to catch everything that is going round. I guess that's babies for you.

Back to the grindstone anyway - I have a mountain of ironing to get through, I managed to get half of it done yesterday while Mini Mint was at church with his nanna and gan-gan, but god knows when I'll be able to get the rest done. Ironing sucks! I miss the days when I brought home a wage and paid someone else to do our ironing. Now that we're down to one salary I can't really justify it though. Shame.

So - what did I miss while I was away? I haven't had a chance to check out all of your shenanigans yet.

'im indoors, Mini Mint and Uncle Paul

2006-10-07T13:45:00.000+01:00

'im indoors, Mini Mint and Uncle Paul
Originally uploaded by tillymint.

In the pool at Uncle Paul and Auntie Paula's appartment, in Spain.

Mini Mint taking a walk with Dadda.

2006-10-07T13:43:00.000+01:00

Mini Mint taking a walk with Dadda.
Originally uploaded by tillymint.

I know you can't see much of him, but I love this picture of Mini Mint. He looks so grown up and confident. He's taking a walk with his dadda in Nerja, Spain.

Ouchies

2006-09-19T14:20:00.000+01:00

Ouchies
Originally uploaded by tillymint.

Look at what my cute, little 15 month old son did to me while I was on the phone!

New website.

2006-09-17T19:50:00.000+01:00

Rather than posting piccies of my jewellery stuff here, I've set up a new website, where I hope to be able to show and sell the jewellery from.

You can access it by going to:-

www.dementedhousewife.co.uk

If I make anything particularly fabu, I'll let y'all know.

Poor baby

2006-09-17T12:56:00.000+01:00

Mini Mint has been poorly since Wednesday - projectile vomitting and nasty nappies. He seemed OK for a couple of days, but yesterday it was back with a vengance. He threw up quite spectacularly in a lift in Manchester, we had to buy him a new set of clothes and try to wash his pram down.

Lots of nappy changes yesterday too, and then last night he woke us up at about 23.30, coughing and crying - I knew he'd been sick, so ran in to his room. He'd been sick in his cot, and rolled around in it. Lovely.

Had to wash his bedding and shower HIM as he was in such a mess. I slept in his room last night - well, I didn't do much sleeping, but you know what I mean.

He's fast asleep on my bed now, after having some water and toast for his lunch.

He gave his lurgy to all of us too - whatever it is. Me, 'im indoors and nanna and gan-gan were all throwing up on Thursday. The men were the worst. Of course.

I phoned our doctors yesterday and they got someone to phone me back - apparently it's a virus (as usual), and we're doing the right thing already in giving him water and bland food. But still. Poor baby.

Another Sunday

2006-09-10T18:17:00.000+01:00

... and more ironing. I got up at stupid o'clock again (5.15), did the ironing then made m'self a bag for my ollerdees, using an Alexander Henry pinup fabric (tis cute).

Then got Mini Mint up, and ready for church with his nanna and gramps.

Decided to go back to bed for a bit.

'im indoors rang me.

Next door's alarm went off.

The dogs started barking.

Obviously not meant to have a lie in, so pottered. A day to myself and I spend it bloddy pottering.

Gah!

Can't wait to start this college course next week - it starts on 12th, will be nice to associate with adults again, adults who don't talk about babies all the time (hopefully).

Actually, I'll very probably still be a baby bore.

I have also run out of things to buy on ebay! Shock Horror.

I bought some findings this morning, but couldn't think what to browse for, and went away feeling almost deflated.

Bindweed

2006-09-05T18:16:00.000+01:00

How the bloody, buggery do you get rid of the stuff, and stop it choking all your pretty plants?

Lady of Leisure

2006-08-29T18:16:00.000+01:00

As of this coming Thursday, I am officially a lady of leisure - because I have received notification from my employer that I have been successful in my bid for voluntary redundancy.

Yay me.

It seemed like a good idea at the time. But there seems to be open jaws of boredom awaiting me.

Where has my enthusiasm gone to?

Bank Holiday

2006-08-28T18:15:00.000+01:00

Even though it's a bank holiday Monday, 'im indoors has to work, and won't be home till around 19:00 this evening.

I have been to a car boot sale with the inlaws - didn't buy anything.

Then went to a DIY store and bought some BRIGHT pink metal paint, as I'm going to repaint the garden furniture (everything is currently standard issue dark green).

But I'm bored. Playing with a one year old isn't all it's cracked up to be.

Mini Mint in hospital

2006-08-27T17:52:00.000+01:00

Mini Mint in hospital
Originally uploaded by tillymint.

Mini Mint was taken into hospital with suspected croup, it was a bad infection. The bandages on his arms and legs were because they had to put anaesthetic on all of his 'vein points' as they wanted to administer antibiotics introvenously (sp?). This is taken after the first bout of pain killers kicked in, and he was a happy bunny again.

My (not so great) scarf.

2006-08-27T17:51:00.000+01:00

My (not so great) scarf.
Originally uploaded by tillymint.

Have started knitting a scarf with some 'eyelash' wool. I'm using large needles, as I actually don't like anything too warm around my neck.

Rocket Rascals quilt

2006-08-27T17:49:00.000+01:00

Rocket Rascals quilt
Originally uploaded by tillymint.

Quilt I made today, for Mini Mint's buggy, now that the weather is getting a bit cooler.

Baddanna patchwork bag

2006-08-27T17:48:00.000+01:00

Baddanna patchwork bag
Originally uploaded by tillymint.

Two bags that I made today.

Click pictures for bigger and description.

Poor babba

2006-08-23T12:46:00.000+01:00

The last couple of days we thought that Mini Mint was teething. He kept crying and putting his hand in his mouth. We tried to keep him calm and finally gave him some Calpol on Tuesday afternoon.

However, he became inconsolable, crying and crying and hitching for breath - for five hours, before I finalla decided to take him to the doctors.

She examined him and then called an ambulance, believing he had severe croup.

Gave him some steroids in the ambulance.

Got to the hospital, more examinations and medication - they were going to give him antibiotics introvenously (sp?), but eventually after Mr. ENT took a look at him, decided that he could have oral antibiotics.

It's not croup - he has a cluster of ulcers on his tonsils, that have become infected.

So - antibiotics, aneasthetic spray, two different types of painkiller, and they let us take him home, with all of the above to be administered at regular intervals.

Poor little puppy.

Next time (please god there isn't a next time) he cries like that, I'm taking him straight to the doctor. He's not a 'crying' baby. He's usually so placid, he's never ever cried through the teething of his 12 teeth.

He's a little soldier.

Helping Mummy

2006-08-19T17:51:00.000+01:00

Short movie of Mini Mint 'helping' mummy on laundry day. First footage of him toddling around.

I appeal to the hive...

2006-08-16T06:59:00.000+01:00

I have a meeting in work today, about my request to be considered for voluntary redundancy.

I was quite excited about it, thinking that they were certain to say 'yes', but then I realised that the only other person in the company who's qualified to carry out my work (and who has been covering for me whilst I've been off) has already been granted redundancy.

D'oh.

So - I appeal to the hive to send me lots and lots and lots of positive thoughts, to make the bleepers lay me off and give me lots of money.

Partay!

2006-08-13T07:43:00.000+01:00

Mini Mint was invited to his first proper party yesterday, with a proper, written invite. I was so excited - have stored the invitation away for future blubbering.

I volunteered to do the face painting, even though I'd never done it before - but being an old goth I thought that I was more than up for the job. All of the boys were too cool, and didn't want to do anything so babyish. All of the girls wanted butterflies - which was a shame, as I'd researched all kinds of animals!!

The family had hired our local sports hall, and there was plenty of space for the young 'uns to run around and dance, and scream. There was a bouncy castle, and as we were early, Mini Mint got to play on it by himself for a while, and loved it.

Photos: (click for larger and description)

We're thinking of booking the sports hall ourselves for a party in between Hallowe'en and Christmas, if you're in the North West, you may be getting an invite!

Fabric Sale

2006-08-10T09:27:00.000+01:00

Ideal for goth / rockabilly / vintage lovers.

Clicky picture for listings.

Blood and sand!!

2006-08-08T18:23:00.000+01:00

Blood and sand!!
Originally uploaded by tillymint.

I gave Mini Mint his morning bottle of milk - ran upstairs to the loo, came back down... and found that he had crawled out of his high chair onto the dining table, and emptied my bag out. He had the car keys in his mouth!

If I was a second later, he might have fell off - onto the slate floor below. I wouldn't mind, but he had his lap belt on, and had shimmied out of it. MUST remember to fasten the shoulder straps next time.

Scally Mini Mint

2006-08-07T16:08:00.000+01:00

Scally Mini Mint
Originally uploaded by tillymint.

Mini Mint says: I'm havin' that!

Quick update

2006-08-06T20:08:00.000+01:00

Last Monday, Mini Mint and m'self went to our regular playgroup session - except this time it was in the park. We had to play musical instruments, (tambourines, maracas, drums etc) while marching round the pond, singing. In the rain. It was actually quite fun, and we went back to the Children's Centre afterwards to dry out. Mini Mint had his face painted, as (my favourite) a skull.

Tomorrow (Monday) sees us at ANOTHER park - (probably raining again) doing more of the same.

Fridays now see me attending a Jewellery Making taster course. There isn't a great deal of supplies, but it's still good - and it's getting me used to using the tools. I'm planning on enrolling at our local college for a 'proper' course starting in September. The bad thing is - I've spent A FORTUNE on beading supplies from ebay. I could tell 'im indoors that it's a symptom of my illness, (which, technically it is) but I don't think he'd buy it.

Mini Mint has started to walk. Only little bursts of a dozen steps or so - but he's nearly there. And he's also started to mimic whatever we say. His first PROPER word was 'book', while holding his 'Thomas the Tank Engine' book. That's a nice first word.

Mini Mint's new swing.

2006-07-17T17:42:00.000+01:00

Mini Mint's new swing.
Originally uploaded by tillymint.

One of the mummies at the Children's Centre said that she had a swing going spare if anyone wanted it. I was first in line - though I wasn't really expecting much.

It's fab. Mini Mint loves it. Just the right size for him.

Light room

2006-07-17T17:39:00.000+01:00

Light room
Originally uploaded by tillymint.

One of the mums at the Children's Centre (who, coincidentally I work with) had booked the Light Room for her two little 'uns for an hour after the coffee morning, she invited Mini Mint and m'self along... MM LOVED it. He was squeeling, and panting with joy.

Mini Mint and Kelly.

2006-07-17T17:34:00.000+01:00

Mini Mint and Kelly.
Originally uploaded by tillymint.

We went to the Children's Centre again today - Mini Mint was slightly more happy, though he still got upset, and the staff at the creche had to come and get me from the meeting room.

At lunch time he sat with his new best friend, Kelly - and they shared some fruit and curry.

Yumminess

2006-07-17T17:30:00.000+01:00

'im indoors and m'self are on an economy drive. Mostly because of my idiotic spending (see PJ post below for evidence).

We didn't buy any food last week, but decided to use up whatever was in the fridge/larder.

We had a very 'student' type diet. Beans on toast, omelettes, egg on toast etc. I've just used up the last to make us a chick pea and lentil curry. (It's nicer than it sounds).

However - we were invited to a BBQ at the inlaws on Saturday, which was attended by alot of people from their congregation, and then we were also invited round for Sunday dinner.

We stocked up.

Am going shopping tomorrow!

Soccer Mom in the making

2006-07-14T17:29:00.000+01:00

I manned the cake stall at a FUN DAY at our Children's Centre today. HUNDREDS of cakes made and sold. Literally. They started off at 20p each, which is quite the bargain, and just so that I didn't have to 'do' anything with them at the end of the day, I gradually decreased the price to 10p, then 3 for 20p and finally 5 for 20p.

They (obviously) all went - and we made 37GBP for the centre.

Unfortunately, I didn't manage to make any cakes m'self this time - because I was roped in at the very last minute.

But - given that a couple of the kids who go to the centre, Mini Mint included - (and our coffee morning organiser) are milk intolerant - I *am* going to make some dairy free biccies and scones for a future event.

Underwater Mini Mint

2006-07-14T14:41:00.000+01:00

Underwater Mini Mint
Originally uploaded by tillymint.

This photo was taken during an underwater photo shoot a couple of weeks ago - he looks so different underwater - almost like a little boy, rather than a baby.

The second photo:

Was taken by me, today, and shows Mini Mint swimming underwater, towards his daddy, with his instructor, Alison. He looks much happier - knowing that his daddy is smiling right in front of him.

Soft play room

2006-07-10T14:41:00.000+01:00

Soft play room
Originally uploaded by tillymint.

I gave Mini Mint another try in the creche, once I'd calmed him down. But they had to come and get me again 10 minutes later. I was told I could take him with me to the coffee room.

After I brought him into the 'coffee room' , the staff said that I could let him play on teh soft play area, which was at the side of the room. HAPPY LITTLE BUNNY. In one way, I'm happy that he missed me - but in another I'm gutted that he didn't get to enjoy his time away from me.

Mini Mint in the creche

2006-07-10T14:38:00.000+01:00

Mini Mint in the creche
Originally uploaded by tillymint.

I took Mini Mint to the Children's Centre for the first time. There was a mummy's coffee morning, and you could leave your little ones at the creche for an hour ro so. He seemed to love it - toddled off to his group of new friends, without sparing me a second look. 20 minutes later they called me back because he was inconsolable.

Mini Mint swimming through a hoop

2006-07-09T19:03:00.000+01:00

My name is Tilly, and I'm an addict.

2006-07-08T11:31:00.000+01:00

Some of y'all might know that I collect snow globes of 'places'. They must have a place name on. I thought it would be kind of cute to own these Nick and Nora PJs, with US State Snow Globes on - so I bought 'em, round about March.

Along with these:

and these

and these

and these

And then, this morning, I took delivery of THESE:-

AND THESE

AND THESE

AND THSE

I have lost the bloody, buggery plot!

Mini Mint on a bronze effalump.

2006-07-06T19:17:00.000+01:00

Mini Mint on a bronze effalump.
Originally uploaded by tillymint.

We went to Chester Zoo yesterday, Mini Mint loved it - thought it was pretty, pigging hot. Half of the animals were in hiding.

rocket rascals

2006-06-25T12:29:00.000+01:00

rocket rascals
Originally uploaded by tillymint.

Am selling 20 FQs of this on ebay, if anyone is interested.

What a difference...

2006-06-18T10:06:00.000+01:00

What a difference...
Originally uploaded by tillymint.

What a difference a year makes.

Mini Mint 20 minutes or so after he was born - and the second taken on the morning of his first birthday.

/huge sigh of relief that we made it.

We made it!

2006-06-17T09:54:00.000+01:00

Despite early indications - we made it. Kendal's first birthday arrived - without us dropping him on his head, and with Dave and m'self still together (with neither of us having murdered the other).

Kendal amuses and delights us every day. He's a happy, funny little fellow, and cute as christmas to boot!

Kendal's adventure

2006-06-14T18:38:00.000+01:00

PLEASE ignore my horrible 'hickory dickory dock' type scouse accent.

Kendal's Splashathon

2006-06-10T18:08:00.000+01:00

Kendal's Splashathon
Originally uploaded by tillymint.

Kendal completed his splashathon challenge yesterday, and managed to earn 300 pounds sponsorship for www.tommys.org in the process.

He's a star, as are all of his sponsors.

Thank you.

Ladies Loos Picnic

2006-06-04T18:06:00.000+01:00

Ladies Loos Picnic
Originally uploaded by tillymint.

Click picture for bigger and description.

2006-05-27T13:16:00.000+01:00

Free child's meal at TGI Friday's...

Just received this voucher via email, and thought I'd share.

Free kids meal with every adult main course.

http://www.tgifridays.co.uk/promotion/may_halftermkids_73549/?source=email

Cookie bouquet

2006-05-23T22:25:00.000+01:00

Cookie bouquet
Originally uploaded by tillymint.

Cookie bouquet I made for my inlaws. Nanna, Grandad and Mini Mint bears, with love hearts and stars.

wagvoucher_final4

2006-05-22T07:56:00.000+01:00

wagvoucher_final4
Originally uploaded by tillymint.

Genuine two for one deal at Wagamama's.

Satan

2006-05-22T07:51:00.000+01:00

Satan
Originally uploaded by tillymint.

Click for larger and description.

Casts

2006-05-21T19:06:00.000+01:00

Casts
Originally uploaded by tillymint.

Click for bigger and description

Family mosaic

2006-05-21T18:36:00.000+01:00

Family mosaic
Originally uploaded by tillymint.

Click for bigger and description

2006-05-21T09:21:00.000+01:00

Blimey O'Reilly...

We found out on Friday what Mini Mint's challenge is going to be for the 'Splashathon'. He has to do two underwater swims, then he has to sit on a floating platform, jump off into the water, turn round and hold onto the platform. And for the piece de resistance, he has to swim underwater, through a hoop!

Hell's teeth!

2006-05-20T19:24:00.000+01:00

What an exciting week I've had ...

... my employer has now stopped paying me any wages/sick pay at all, and has sent me a form that I have to take to the benefit office for Incapacity Benefit.

First time in side a job centre!

So, I catch the bus, take my form along - and am told that I have to phone a number, and fill in a form on the phone, they will send it to me and then bring it back to the job centre.

Go home. Do that.

Form arrives a couple of days later, fill in LOADS of pages of it, bring it back to the job centre.

It's not the day for processing those forms. They take the form anyway, and my phone number and will phone me when they want me to come in.

Sheesh.

Also - went to our local 'Council Link' centre, which is a 'one stop shop' for anything pertaining to the council.

I wanted to apply for some of hte 'sure start' baby safety equipment.

Queued up in a winding, snakey queue, got to the front, they checked the computer - 4 of the six items I wanted were out of stock, and they didn't know when they'd be getting them. I said I'd take the two items they DID have. They gave me a ticket, and told me to wait in the next queue until my number was called.

Did that - get to an advisor, who tells me that they have NO safety equipment at all. She should know because she's the 'Safety Equipment Coordinator'. I explained about the woman at the reception area, checking the computer, blah blah. She trundled off to reception - came back and confirmed that the original woman was wrong - she'd been looking in the wrong column (?). They have ONE item in stock - a video lock. I tell her I'll take it.

I get given another ticket, and told to go over to ANOTHER counter, pay for the lock, and then return to the advisor and she'll give me the lock.

FOR BOB'S SAKE!

Do that - return, am given a receipt, leave to meet my mother in law. And then realise an hour later that I've left the lock.

Go back, queue at reception is HUGE - think I'm not standing in that again, and I walk through to the desk where the advisor is... she tells me that the lock is in an envelope in reception with my name on, I tell her I'm not waiting in the queue again with a grizzly, hungry baby, she walks back to reception with me, so that she can get it for me - all the while complaining about how I shouldn't have jumped the queue, and she could have called security!

Woah - I'm obviously not used to this whole 'bread line system'. I crapped m'self.

2006-05-17T11:35:00.000+01:00

Freecycle...

I loooooooove Freecycle.

Just this month, we've managed to pick up a load of builders sand and hardcore, which FINALLY made 'im indoors pull his finger out and get started on our garden. We've lived here for two and a half years, and after virtually rebuilding the interior of the house - the garden was the last thing on our list.

And I've just dropped off Mini Mint's moses basket and some clothes and other stuff to a lady who's due to give birth in three weeks, and didn't have much at all.

Really made me feel like I'd actually helped someone out.

Everything is good with the world. For now anyway.

Mini Mint, enjoying Daddy's chair...

2006-05-14T12:50:00.000+01:00

Mini Mint, enjoying Daddy's chair...
Originally uploaded by tillymint.

Click for bigger and description

Upset...

2006-05-08T19:04:00.000+01:00

Upset...
Originally uploaded by tillymint.

Click for bigger and description.

Sunshine

2006-05-08T19:03:00.000+01:00

Sunshine
Originally uploaded by tillymint.

Click for bigger and description.

Our Day out in Manchester

2006-05-06T21:00:00.000+01:00

Our Day out in Manchester
Originally uploaded by tillymint.

Click for bigger, and description.

Larger photos can be found at my flickr page.

Swimming buddies

2006-05-01T13:20:00.000+01:00

Swimming buddies
Originally uploaded by tillymint.

Click for bigger and description.

Today's crafty stuff

2006-04-23T16:39:00.000+01:00

Today's crafty stuff
Originally uploaded by tillymint.

Click for bigger and description

2006-04-23T16:22:00.000+01:00

Conversation with Dave...

I was playing with Kendal in his room last night, while Dave was in the bathroom.

Kendal was waiting for his bath, and getting quite stroppy.

"Ooh," says I, "you're just like your daddy, you grumpy thing."

Dave pipes up:- "I'm not grumpy!"

I couldn't resist, I replied, "No, you're Dopey."

His response? "Let's leave this right here shall we? Cause you're hardly Snow White"

Wah? How terribly wounding!!

Customised sun dress

2006-04-22T20:02:00.000+01:00

Customised sun dress
Originally uploaded by tillymint.

I bought a five pound sundress from Asda, with the intention of 'customising it'. So, I made some transfers and this is what I got.

Click for bigger and description.

Transfer clothing for Mini Mint

2006-04-22T20:01:00.000+01:00

Transfer clothing for Mini Mint
Originally uploaded by tillymint.

I printed some clothes for Mini Mint - click for bigger and description.

Kendal's day at the beach

2006-04-21T17:53:00.000+01:00

We took Kendal to Formby yesterday, to the red squirrel sanctuary - and the beach. It was his first time crawling round at the beach and he LOVED it - click the image for a movie.

Get this thing off me!

2006-04-19T09:17:00.000+01:00

Get this thing off me!
Originally uploaded by tillymint.

Happy Easter Y'all....

2006-04-16T19:42:00.000+01:00

Happy Easter Y'all....
Originally uploaded by tillymint.

The stupidest craft thing I've ever done?

2006-04-04T17:23:00.000+01:00

The stupidest craft thing I've ever done?
Originally uploaded by tillymint.

Dairy Free bikkits

2006-04-04T17:22:00.000+01:00

Dairy Free bikkits
Originally uploaded by tillymint.

Chick Pea Curry

2006-04-04T17:21:00.000+01:00

Chick Pea Curry
Originally uploaded by tillymint.

I made a chickpea curry for our lunch today (Mini Mint and m'self ).

'im indoors and Mini Mint

2006-04-04T14:42:00.000+01:00

'im indoors and Mini Mint
Originally uploaded by tillymint.

Matching Hat for mummy

2006-04-03T10:06:00.000+01:00

Matching Hat for mummy
Originally uploaded by tillymint.

Click picture for bigger and description.

Tilly Milinery

2006-03-31T08:45:00.000+01:00

Tilly Milinery
Originally uploaded by tillymint.

Click for bigger and description.

I done baked a cake!

2006-03-28T21:41:00.000+01:00

I done baked a cake!
Originally uploaded by tillymint.

Click picture for recipe (Nigella Lawson)

Me - Mother's Day 2006

2006-03-27T17:21:00.000+01:00

Me - Mother's Day 2006
Originally uploaded by tillymint.

ANOTHER bag!

2006-03-27T17:13:00.000+01:00

ANOTHER bag!
Originally uploaded by tillymint.

My three favourite guys

2006-03-27T17:11:00.000+01:00

My three favourite guys
Originally uploaded by tillymint.

Mini Mint, 'im indoors and one of our pooches, Tyler, taken in Mini Mint's room.

2006-03-27T16:34:00.000+01:00

Bleugh...

I phoned my health centre for some advice, they put me through to the Triage nurse, told her my symptoms and she booked me an appointment with the doctor (this is the fastest I've ever got an appointment there!)

My stomach was KILLING this a.m. I was literally lying on the floor in Kendal's room groaning. I phoned my MIL and asked her to mind him for a couple of hours while I went to the doctors, she's taken him all day - 'im indoors will pick him up tonight.

Anyway, seems I have a 'viral thing', I have to take a poop sample up to the hospital, and have some bloods taken, and go back to the doctor on Wednesday.

Tummy isn't hurting quite as much at the moment.

2006-03-26T18:49:00.000+01:00

Feel like cack...

... have some kind of stomach bug, which has been plaguing me since Wednesday, nasty tummy ache and violent bathroom visits.

Am also sweating like a very sweaty thing, and am not happy.

I have tried making myself sick, as it feels like that would alleviate things, and all I've done is given myself a sodding sore throat. Grrr.

Tried fasting for 24 hours, but had to run to the loo as soon as I had my brekkie this a.m.

Someone has suggested it might be gastroenteritis(sp)if I'm still poorly tomorrow, will phone doctor for advice.

I need choklit.

2006-03-23T20:12:00.000Z

More Bags...

I've got another bag to make this weekend, then I'm going to start on making some hats! Eep. This is great, my 'addiction' is hats and bags - this way, I've found m'self something to do, and I'm saving m'self some money!!

Have already sold two bags to friends, they say they liked them, but they might have just been trying to be kind...

Chilli Bag:

Chilli Bag
Originally uploaded by tillymint.

Click picture for bigger and description.

Bling Kitty:

Bling Kitty
Originally uploaded by tillymint.

Click picture for bigger and description.

Toy Tub:

Toy Tub
Originally uploaded by tillymint.

Click picture for bigger and description.

Mini Mint in his room...

2006-03-22T09:37:00.000Z

Mini Mint in his room...
Originally uploaded by tillymint.

Click for bigger and description.

New bag!

2006-03-16T18:22:00.000Z

New bag!
Originally uploaded by tillymint.

Click for bigger and description...

Mini Mint - helping...

2006-03-14T19:06:00.000Z

Mini Mint - helping...
Originally uploaded by tillymint.

... when I was working, I always wished that I could take the dogs into the office with me, and have them sitting under my desk while I worked. Today, I was sewing in Mini Mint's room, while he was playing, and it was perfect - with hime rattling round under my feet. Pure bliss (though a little scary, trying to stop him from pulling the sewing machine down on top of himself!

Mini Mint getting comfy...

2006-03-14T19:05:00.000Z

Mini Mint getting comfy...
Originally uploaded by tillymint.

... Mini Mint chilling out in his cot, with the mobile that he pulled down while I wasn't looking!

'im indoors.

2006-03-14T17:29:00.000Z

'im indoors.
Originally uploaded by tillymint.

Clicky for bigger.

Teeth!

2006-03-14T10:04:00.002Z

Teeth!
Originally uploaded by tillymint.