Sal left me this:

If you comment on this post:

1. I'll respond with a random thought I have about you.
2. I'll tell you what song/movie reminds me of you.
3. I'll pick a flavor of jello to wrestle with you in.
4. I'll say something that only makes sense to you and me (or so we think).
5. I'll tell you my first memory of you.
6. I'll tell you what intoxicant you remind me of.
7. I'll ask you something that I've always wondered about you.
8. If I do this for you, you must post this on your blog.

I did it on her blog and I liked it. So, if you would like to participate, please comment. Hell, comment anyway, as I like to say hi to the people who pass by...

Had a real "blue funk" weekend where I just felt tired and under the weather and generally out of sorts - spent a lot of it lounging around on the sofa, surfing silly sites and checking messageboards. It's not really what life is all about. I need to get off my ass and be productive - I feel OK in the week, the working day seems to centre me and get me going. Weekends are so lazy, that I immediately get into a downward spiral and it's a bit depressing really. So, tonight, I'm unearthing my address book and calling a few people and arranging a social life for us at weekends, we a re normally so busy, but there's been a real January feel to the last few weeks (really? No way!) Well, it's not January after Wednesday, so I'm getting out of January mode. Plus, I think I'm finally shaking off my cold, which helps. And surely to God there's some lighter mornings on the way soon????

Baby is very enthusiastically moving around all the time, which is nice. There's a whole tranche of mums at school having babies that will be in the same school year as this one, and two have very recently given birth, and both of them brought their babies for me to see today - it made me feel quite scared that there is only 16 weeks to go - and I really don't feel very organised. I need to

• choose a pram
• arrange for it to be bought
• decorate the spare room
• move A in there
• redecorate A's room
• refit as a nursery
• get some nappies, sacks, cream, a steriliser
• check that the baby monitor works
• hand over to as yet unappointed replacement teacher

So not too much yet

Friday Shuffle - the Scarlett's got new songs on edition

Late again - ach so

1. Libertango - Kirsty McColl
2. The Time is Now - Moloko
3. The Butcher Boy - Kirsty McColl (Scarlett is clearly as obsessed as me!)
4. Don't Think of Me - Dido
5. Crazy Love - Paul Simon (Scarlett, have you actually acknowledged the new tunes I have loaded onto you, or are you simply a lady of habit? The good news is that the enthusiastic response in my womb to every song so far means that the baby also shares our taste)
6. Let's Go - New Order (see, I told you I had loaded some new stuff!)
7. Hand In Glove - The Smiths
8. Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want - The Smiths
9. Original Of the Species - U2
10. Good People - Jack Johnson

Three friends have lost babies in the last week. All in the first trimester, but very sad for all of them. For one, my oldest friend, it's her second miscarriage in the last five months. For another, a lost fallopian tube, and for the third, an unexpected, but not at all unwelcome "last chance" at 40. I know how lucky I am to have come through so far and to be unscathed. I also feel guilty, especially for the latter two who have to see me frequently, a constant reminder of what they have lost. It also makes me feel guilty for feeling crap, worrying about the future. And crap for thinking about other things that I can't have.

In the spirit of me doing what everyone else was doing ages ago, here is the meme of the soundtrack of my life

Opening Credits: I Don't Want to See Caroline - Kirsty McColl. Clearly it's going to be the story of me stealing someone else's man. I don't actually think I've ever done that, although there was an incident with a man who was separated from his wife.
Waking Up: Ruined in a Day - New Order. Not a good start for me here - I must be a bit sad waking up today
Falling in Love: I'd Wait for Life - Take That. Quite romantic really
Fight Song: Champagne Supernova - Oasis
Breakup Song: Swim - Madonna
Making Up Song: High - James Blunt
Life’s Okay Song: Angel of Harlem - U2
Mental Breakdown: I Can't Stop Killing You - Kirsty McColl
Driving: Candy Perfume Girl - Madonna
Flashbacks: When Love Came to Town - U2
Happy Dance: Vertigo - U2 (will I have to pay them a lot to do all these songs on the soundtrack??)
Regret: In My Arms - Snow Patrol
Final Battle First of the Gang to Die - Morrissey
Death Scene: River - Joni Mitchell
Final Credits: Sky Fits Heaven - Madonna


Well, I'd buy the sound track - wouldn't I!

Belated Friday shuffle

And I forgot last weeks, not very good at this!!

1. Under African Skies - Paul Simon
2. Wooden Boat - Take That
3. Skin - Madonna
4. My Lover's Gone - Dido
5. River - Joni Mitchell - yay!!!! One day I will sing this at karaoke
6. England 2 Columbia 0 - Kirsty McColl
7. She will be loved - Maroon 5 and Buena Vista Social Club (-how great is the midsection of this shuffle???)
8. Killing me Softly - Omara Portuondo
9. Goodbye My Lover - James Blunt
10. Dancing Shoes - Arctic Monkeys and Buena Vista Social Club

There's a cuban theme to today's shuffle....

Something I always wanted to do last year when this meme was doing the rounds - answer the questions with the answers from your iPOD. So I am doing it now, and I don't even care if I'm not with the kids!!!

Put your music player on shuffle.
Press forward for each question.
Use the song title as the answer to the question even if it doesn't make sense.

1. How am I feeling today? Bring it Back - Moloko
2. Will I get far in life? Out of My Mind - James Blunt
3. How do my friends see me? I Know what I Know - Paul Simon (heh heh)
4. Where will I get married? Patience - Take That
5. What is my best friend? Homeless - Paul Simon (jeez, I hope not!)
6. What is the story of my life? All You Want - Dido
7. What was high school like? Mambo de la Luna - Kirsty McColl (a dance of the moon? really??)
8. How can I get ahead in life? Shanti/Ashangti - Madonna (I should do yoga? )
9. What is the best thing about me? Thank You - Dido (I am very polite)
10. What is today going to be like? Shine - Take That
11. What is in store for this weekend? Wonderwall - Oasis
12. What song describes my parents? Some Might Say - Oasis
13. To describe my grandparents? Substitute for Love - Madonna
14. How is my life going? I'm No Angel - Dido - ha!ha! ha!
15. What song will they play at my funeral? Ex Factor - Lauryn Hill (so beautiful)
16. How does the world see me? You're Beautiful - James Blunt
17. Will I have a happy life? Honestly OK - Dido
18. What do my friends really think of me?In These Shoes - Kirsty McColl
19. Do people secretly lust after me? Don't Let Him Waste Your Time - Jarvis Cocker
20. How can I make myself happy? Little Star - Madonna (which is of course, Alfie's song)
21. What should I do with my life? Pure Pleasure Seeker - Moloko (Scarlett the iPod has spoke, I must obey...)
22. Will I ever have children? Only Wanna Be With You - Hootie and the Blowfish
23. What is some good advice for me? Lola's Theme - Shapeshifters (The main lyric is "I'm a Different Person/turn my world around")
24. How will I be remembered? Morning Glory - Oasis
25. What is my signature dancing song? Doo Wop - That Thing - Lauryn Hill
26. What is my current theme song? She's Electric - Oasis
27. What does everyone else thing my current theme song is? Yes - McAlmont and Butler


Lots of fun and some lovely tunes - I do need a greater variety on Scarlett though...

Odds and sods

Had my latest scan this week (I am 21 weeks) and all is well - I have to go back in four weeks to check the chambers of the heart, but that isn't a problem - everything is fine. It was lovely to see my little one, and the scan was very clear, things have progressed even since A was in utero, and it seemed that I could practically see his/her face. I've got some nice pictures which I will try and get on here, but you know how technologically challenged I am...

It's been an odd week because I have been on my own - M has been working away, so it has been work/pick up A/home/tea/housework/bed. Plus the dishwasher has packed up, which is GREAT timing. I have felt a real crappy mother as it has all been rush, rush, rush, with lots of telly when we get home, and last minute spelling homework and reading, not to mention some very scrappy evening meals. I keep telling myself it would be different if it wasn't winter or if I wasn't pregnant, but I get so tired by the end of the day, I can barely wash up! However, I have found it difficult to sleep as I'm not used to being alone in the house in charge of one and a half children. So, it's been a wierd week. I'm sure I'll get used to it and it looks like I'm going to have to! Anyway, M came home early and surprised me on Thursday (I had already locked up the house!!!!) so he took A to school yesterday, rang the dishwasher man and did the housework in the afternoon, so that was nice. I took A to his swimming lesson and felt a bit more back to normal.


Apparently it is International Delurking week, so if you come here and never say hello, please will you? And if you come here and often say hello, please will you too?

New Year

Happy New Year!

Had a nice time last night - quiet but nice. Can't believe this is the year I have TWO children! Bought the bebe two romper suits and two babygros today after panicking that I had made no progress in preparation. Also bought A some tops as he has had a real growth spurt over the last couple of months. And two tops for me. And some jewellery (in the sale - £5).

Have spent far too long on the computer today (although some of it is work related), BUT did end up having a lovely chat with Becks on her private blog - it was so lovely to "meet" you Beckie, and we did have a giggle!