Kids are checklists

I have just realised that my kids are checklists (and of honesty at that!). Now those of you who really know me, will know that I adore lists. It's just how my day/week/life unfolds without actually unfolding (the unravelling kind of unfolding I mean).

So it was with keen interest that it suddenly dawned on me that my kids actually provide these checklists. Now I don't mean provide as in create - because as a parent I know that indeed they (and their Father) are the greatest creators of tasks for me to do. Endless at that. Feed, tidy, play with, water, wash, feed, toilet, feed...well it's as infinite as a straight line is long!

But, really, this is how it sounds being recorded:

Please carefully note: It ALWAYS starts with "Mama". ALWAYS. Really, always.

I shan't translate it into my list because I'm sure you can see where it's going, what it requires. If you can't...email me!


And you know how we (read that as 'I') always complain that time is not enough. I can never get anything done in the time I have. That times passes too fast and before we know it we've run out....for chores, for being on time, for getting the toddler to the toilet in time (okay luckily I basically didn't have this problem but I understand this one and was making reference in support), for LIFE.

Well I have discovered over the past two weeks that time is my friend and the more I relax the more time I seem to have to manage things. Like lists and list of lists and kid lists.

Just look at this embracing the celebration of time:

But then when it comes down to it the throwing back and forth of verbal lists is very regularly interrupted by something that always demands an immediate answer. A response that flows naturally off the tongue and immediately quells all qualms, queries, questions, and provides faith and security in this ofttimes faithless and insecure society called 'the world'!



I love you two. The End.

Cherry Brandy

Cherry Brandy

2 cups fresh cherries, pitted
1/2 cup sugar
1 litre brandy

Pack cherries into a sterilised jar. Add the sugar. Pour over the brandy to the top, ensruing cherries are completely covered. Seal the jar and then turn jar upside down to dissolve sugar and dislodge any air bubbles. Store upside down for one week. After this, turn the jar the other way every so often to move the cherries about and release more flavour.
After one month, strain through a sieve and rebottle without cherries.

The cherries are perfect (and perfectly potent) in cocktails, sauces, cakes and as an ice-cream topping.

The syrup is perfect for drinks.

It makes a delicious spritzer flavouring. Add to soda water as a refreshing summer afternoon drink. Or add ice cold water and ice cubes, crushed mint leaves, and a long handled teaspoon and you have a lovely sharbat drink.


I shall be leaving mine for a few months to see how it macerates. I know that these can be left for a year or more and are incredible!

Shall post again about this upon sampling my batch!

Have you ever made this, or have you a good recipe for it? I'd love to hear from you!

Treadmill or clothes hanger?

that is the question (I ask myself on a daily basis).

I have come to the conclusion that I am old, well getting old anyhow. I seem to be losing my get-up-and-go, my oompf, my 'yeah baby let's do it' (no not that, that's private and I promise something never to be discussed (though I can't promise my birth stories won't be filled with a little nudity (ha no not mine of course....my babies'))). Just as they don't come with an instructional manual (dammit to heck) they also do not come fully clothed and ready to go (dammit....though I do enjoy choosing and buying their clothes so that's lucky)! You see? I have, I mean have a mama's brain because they are now invading my post about my beautiful new (pre-loved though I think more in the loved-to-look-at sense rather than pre-loved used sense - yay for me!) treadmill! Which was incidentally bought because my lower half decided that it would pudge-out whence babies were created! I'm not too fond of pears so it's such a shame that I have to resemble one (here I am below mid-treadmilling, and before you ask...no I am not green per se, it was my full body suit (you know...for encouraging sweating and thus greater weight loss) btw for those interested, the pink headband - following my eighties comeback trend - is from Nike :p)!

I must create a page about my experiences with weight gain and loss (and 'again' again :p) because it really has been rather interesting how I have felt about and experienced weight gain and dealt with loss. But also about my body image. Something I have always considered and of course like most women I know I have always cared for and maintained my health engine and fitness as best suited me. But to face what so many women face, accept, struggle with, or embrace, has been quite a strange and humbling, and at times very much a debilitating experience for me!

So my darling TM (treadmill) greets me every morning (as I pass by on my way to shower!!!). I pat her (she is a her because I only have experiences with female weight and exercise dramas of which she is apart of) and promise to spend some undivided attention with her later. Luckily for her, but not always for me, I tend to stick to my word because most normally my decision-making and will-power are unremitting - yup basically I, as a physical being, have absolutely no power over me, who makes the mental decisions (double dammit). Still I suppose it is useful to be stubborn!

Anyway, I endeavour to return to my beloved TM once a day for between 20-30 minutes. I haven't had her long and have not had any regular set exercise aside from running round after Master 5 and little Miss 2, for a few years, thus I am taking it easy. Taking it slow. Breaking in the babe bod (okay not babe just bod) slowly. Building up my momentum so to speak. Finding my exercise feet isn't easy - by the way do not, I repeat do not try to actually look at your feet, or close your eyes for that matter, while treadmilling. Apparently this is a no-no. Not that the warning labels actually state this! Endured owie on my ankle bone last week from thinking that was possible!

As usual I digress (in terms of me digress means brain wanders away, way, way ahead, way, way too fast and thus I am left at a loose end until I catch up! Okey dokey....caught now!). I have Sundays off, not because it is the 'big guy's' day of rest, but because there are too many beings around to interrupt or appear needy as soon as they hear the purr of my TM's engine! That also happens when I am trying to work, take a shower, or a relaxing bath (yeah like that ever happens) or watch my favourite programme (haha yeah like that ever happens either). I haven't had a favourite programme in years! Though I do enjoy Brothers and Sisters and Drop Dead Diva, oh and The Mentalist (sigh) - and sometimes I actually watch them (no, not really....rarely).

So while I do exercise almost every day, I face the persistent question from TM of 'will she love me today or not?'.

Yesterday I finally found my cell phone headphones (I am so tidy and efficient that I efficiently tidied them so as not to be able to find them in order, I must subconsciously have decided, that I could not once again leave them laying on the bench!) and managed to enjoy treadmilling so much more with good music in my ears. Pretty sure I couldn't treadmill to Bach or Chopin but lord do the eighties make the most perfect treadmill music ever ever! Here I am to the left multitasking as only women can do so amazingly well - it always amazes me how a cartoonist can sketch me without seeing or knowing me...pure genius! I'm not sure where the yellow bottle was bought but the red one is a Camelbak one (another pure genius invention).

Today I was enjoying myself so much and feeling a little sleepy as I used TM that I contemplated closing my eyes (okay I actually did again - even after last week's lesson of no closing eyes on treadmill ever again) and taking a nap. Not. Recommended. At. All.

Ed. loves TM.....TM 4 Ed. (tomorrow is a new (sweaty TM) day).

And after weeks of lovce and hate...wait for it...the treadmill became a clothes hanger! But I suppose at least it wasn't just a dust ledge!