The Photo Lottery

I have been tagged by The Musings of a geriatric Mummy and I am sure someone else too, to do the Photo Lottery Meme, the rules are:

1. Open the first (oldest) photo folder in your computer library
2. Scroll to the 10th photo
3. Post the photo and the story behind it
4. Tag 5 or more people to continue the thread

OK the oldest digital photographs I have on the laptop are from 2003 and our trip to South Africa. This is the tenth one and not all that stunning in its imagery, but as a part of modern history it is just beyond my comprehension.

For this is the cell that Nelson Mandela occupied for approx 18 years during his imprisonment on Robben Island. He was finally released only 13 years before this picture was taken on 11 February 1990 (he didn't spent the last part of his sentence on Robben Island).

The whole tour of Robben Island was very emotional, as we were shown round by an ex-prisoner and oh my it was certainly an eye opener. The hardships that these people endured. The hard labour where they were forced to work in a Lime Quarry and were refused a lot of basic medication.

We were amazed by South Africa when we visited and had the best holiday ever. You have to remember that this is a third world country, with such a mixture of first and third word, that it is mind boggling.

The people we friendly, the hospitality excellent, the food was outstanding and the scenery well out of this world. One day we hope to be lucky enough to take our boys and show them.

Plus I am very envious of anyone who is going to the world cup. They will have a fantastic time, in a beautiful country that has come such a long, long way since the days of apartheid, but still has a long way to travel.

I need to Tag 5 other people to do it too and I am going to tag some of the new people I have been introduced to via The Gallery

Mums gone to....

What's happening at my house

Barefoot in the Kitchen

Freckles family

Kelloggsville


Now if you have tagged me recently, please can you drop me a line, as the flu has fried my brain and I can not find my notebook where I write all these things down - doh, I am having a homer moment as we call them.

Young at Heart Photo Albulm

I was tagged by the lovely Linda at You've got your hands full for the Young at Heart Photo Album and I was overjoyed, as I now have a new to me scanner and I want to use it!

So this is me (I am the one with the red shoes on, in case you were wondering) and the wonderful Rupert the Bear posing at Peasholm Park in Scarborough in what will have been the mid 1970's.

Back then I adored Rupert, almost as much as I adored my Dad and Grandad and here we will have been on holiday in our touring caravan, me, mum, dad and Grandpa.

I had an idyllic early childhood, my Grandad lived at home with us and although we didn't have lots of spare cash, we had lots of love and we went on lots of holidays in the UK in our great trailer tent, which was upgraded this year to a touring caravan.

My Dad and Granddad worked together, lived together and also holidayed together and I was always sandwiched between the two.  We visited most places in the UK and it was brill.  I remember brown curtains, sideburns, getting washed in a bucket and lots and lots of giggles.  It was a different time, a more innocent time and in some ways it is what me and MadDad are trying to reproduce with the minimads.

Now on to my taggee 

She is sat on her very favourite ride on orange rabbit and actually appears to be all fringe. She has obviously been hard at work doing something as she is sporting a lovely Noah's Ark apron.  What else can I tell you about her well she has a lovely baby boy, loves penguins and Cornwall and can not be categorised.  She is wonderfully creative and a great baker.  Have you guessed who she can be and where she is hiding yet?

Have you guessed who it is?   Find your way to her blog where she’ll post her contribution and name her own tagee soon. All she has to do is include the meme name Young at Heart Photo Album in her post so Tara can follow it as it winds its way through all the lovely blogs out there…

What is in my handbag Meme and an award

I have been tagged by Emily at Babyrambles to show you what is in my handbag, so all for keeping it real, here is what is in my great fatface bag (which was a great bargain in the sale for £15 with my Christmas money). Firstly a need a washable bag, secondly it is great now I no longer need a nappy bag woohoo.

In the front pockets, I have my iphone, in its cath kidston case and my coin purse

In the bag I have:

Organised mum diary

Bright ideas note book

Shopping list book

Camera

Tissues

Colouring pencils

3 pens

purse

aromatherapy oil

2 lip glosses

Spare Specs for Mini

mini sewing kit

painkillers

Glasses wipe

Leather gloves

Woolly Hat
Groceries pouch

So there you go, nothing out of the ordinary, well apart from the fact that there is no sweets in my bag, so I am going to tag 5 others and get them to show me what is in their bag.  Over to:

Heather from Notes from Lapland - I was wondering is she had to carry de-icer in her bag!
Michelle at Mummy from The Heart
Tasha at Wham-Bam
Penny at the HenHouse
Beci at the Ramblings of an everyday mummy

I have also been awarded a lovely sunshine award from The Moiderer, Michelle at Mummy from the heart, Silent Beauty at American Mom in England  and Magic Mummy at the Diary of a Frugal Family which is great and I will pop in my side bar for all to see.

I am supposed to pass this on to 12 people, but you all bring sunshine to my life dear readers, so if you don't have it already, consider yourself tagged, add it to your side bar and I will add you to this post.

Giving and Receving

I have said it before and I will say it again. The Internet, the WWW, the blogosphere, it has been wonderful to me. It has kept me sane on the dark nights when sleep has refused to blanket me with it warming cocoon, it has kept me company whilst sitting in bed waiting for healing to start and it has made me giggle in my darkest moments.

With this is mind, I am always more than happy to give when I can to fellow bloggers.

 

First off, a small piece of fabric for the lovely Mary Poppins, Mary is making a curtain and this will be used in it, Mary and I have a thing, we both understand the horrow of a child with a chest condition.

Secondly a bag of selvages for my wonderful friend Abby over at Mutterings from the Moor, Abby made my fantastic birthday present, a super duper bear and she also makes them out of old children's clothes and even wedding dresses for all of you wondering what to do with your dress. If you want to know about her need for selvages see here.

 

And finally, but not least, a number of pin cushions, stuffed with lavender in a heart theme and a mother of heart button heart for LizzyLou. Lizzy is holding a craft stall in aid of The British Heart Foundation. 

 

 

Speaking of giving, Magic Mummy over at The Diary of a Frugal Family, has awarded me with an Inspirational Blog Award and I am more than pleased to receive such a lovely award. Please do visit Magic Mummy, who is doing the best she can to live a frugal lifestyle.

It is now down to me to pass this on to 3 blogs which inspire me too, so I am going to be passing this on to:

Cathy at NurtureStore. She is another mummy, who loves to do lots of crafty things and I just love, love, love her ideas.

Melitsa at Play-activities, again another mummy who inspires me to play everyday with the mini's.

Stephanie at Bah to Cancer!, this lady never fails to inspire me, she is just well one of a kind and more than that when she dances she just gets everyone on the dance floor with her and I for one am so enjoying boogieing round my handbag with her

Welcome MeMe

I have been tagged my Sally over at Who's the Mummy, she is the wonder-woman who compiles the Tots 100 index and also edits The Great Toy Guide.

I especially like this meme, as is to give new bloggers a great big welcome in to the wonderful world of the Blogershere, which I joined 6 months ago.

Since then I have thrown myself in at the deep end and I love it. I have a pretty full google reader, but I am always on the look out for new blogs which are inspiring, an interesting read, peak my creativity or just make me laugh.

So here are Sally's rules

Visit the new blogs I've introduced you to. If you like them, subscribe!
Recommend three new blogs you've discovered and loved 
Tag three other bloggers and ask them for three new blog reads.
 Yummy Mummy Number1 - I was following her on twitter and she has decided to join the blog world, she a stay-at-home mummy. who's days mostly comprise of seemingly never-ending school/nursery runs and as much coffee and cake as she can possibly fit in in between - sounds good to me!

Smiffy's Blog - I was introduce to Smiffy, by fellow blogger Bad Penny, as Sue is the first blogger who is bring visited by Ernest the chicken, need I say more, anyone who lets a soft toy eat as much chocolate as she has is well worth a visit

Musings of a Geriatric Mummy - Now I have very selfish reasons for introducing you to this blog, the lovely GM is currently going through the turmoil of IUI and needs all the positive thoughts and prayers she can get, not only that but she is full of information on being and staying healthy.

Natural Mummy - I was hooked as soon as I read her bio and I am sure you will be too. "No-one would describe me as a 'natural' at being a Mummy at all,  I do struggle with this role sometimes. I earnestly wish for more simplicity, to live a green life, and to have a greater connection to the natural world way of living- in short to be a 'Natural Mummy'. Join me in my journey to the outdoors... "

So now who to tag, I would like to pass this on to Sandy at BabyBaby, Karen at Cafe Bebe and Kelly at A Place of My Own

Stories and Songs MeMe

I have been tagged again (January must be the month of tags) by Fraught Mummy from Brits in Bosnia for her Stories and Songs me me.  Now there is no way I could single this down to one song.  I love music almost as much as I love photo's and I actually categorise times of my life by certain songs and music.

So here goes:

Courting MadDad - The WonderStuff, Hot Love now 1994

1994 was a wonderful year for me and MadDad. We decided to get together in February and a whirlwind romance followed, where we did all the festivals and spent the year camping at weekends and visiting parts of the UK that we fancied, whilst deciding to get married.

It was a perfect year, well it seems that way when I reminisce, all our camping gear in the back of the Citron AX, hot sunshine, windows down, radio or tape on at full blast and this song just typifies it for me.  We saw them live at Phoenix and it was a blast!

It wont let me embed the video, but play it loud!

One memory that really sticks with me from this time, is don't make love in a tent with the light on inside, especially a tiny two man done tent [blush]!!

My Dad Dying - Moving on Up, M People 2001

My dad loved M People, he though Heather Small was wonderul and had a fab voice. This was his favorite song and infact me favorite song ever.

We played it in the church at his funeral and just listening to it makes me smile.  It used to make me cry, but with time that has changed and now it is just perfect.

MaxiMad -  Wires, Athlete 2005

I often wished there was a song for Maxi's birth, but I had a terrible time in the hospital for a week before it and then a crash section, so have kind of blocked it all out.

But he was very unwell when he was 4 months old and we nearly lost him and this song says it all really.  I love it and hate it in equal measures

We bought their album Tourist in the February when I was pregnant, but this song didn't hold any meaning until that fateful day and it was playing in the car, as we rushed him to the hospital with the on call GP in the car with us (there wasn't time to even call an ambulance).

MiniMad 2006 - Chasing Cars, Snow Patrol 2007

Again I had a pants week in hospital and section for mini, but we were a little more prepared this time and Eyes Open their album was playing in the theatre and specifically chasing car was playing.

it was also the first song that played when we put him in the car to bring him home!

Now I could go on and on and on, but I will leave it there.  Believe it or not I have already picked the music that will be played at my funeral too!!

Now for passing it in, Fraught Mummy said anyone can do this one, but I will pass on to:

Sandy at Baby Baby
Geriatric Mummy
Overflowing Family
Penny at the Hen House
Rosie Scribble
Being a Mummy 
Littlemummy
Sew Scrumptious

Anyone else that gives it a go, let me know and I will add you too.

My 10 Favorite Things MeMe

Baking Mad Mama, yep a girl after my own hear, who loves to bake has tagged me to list 10 of my favorite things that are free, so here goes:

1. Waking up in the dark to find one or two little bodies snuggled in asleep next to me.  The mini's always start the night in their own beds, but don't always end it there, I don't mind, I can not see them sharing with us at 15, so I am making the most of it!
2. The boys getting into Star Wars, it is great they are turning into little nerds and geeks and they now too know that Jango Fett is Bobo Fetts Dad!
3. The smell of solvents/fuels.  Strange I know, I used to hate them, but whilst pregnant with minimad I developed a love of them and would offer to go and fill up the car with fuel just to have a good smell.
4. Tea, good tea.  I am a Tea Monster and love real tea.  I have my own tea cup and saucer and have blogged about my love of tea before.
5. Clean sheets, crisp, freshly ,laundered and ironed.  I need the duvet to be in the cover correctly, no spare fabric at the top, but it is worth the effort.
6. Living by the sea, I grew up by the sea, it is my internal compass, it always guides me home and when we were landlocked for 10 years, It was one of my most missed things.  OK we don't live right next to the sea, but you can just see it from the study if you are on tiptoes
7. Saturday Mornings, MadDad lets me have a lie in and the joy of not having to get up, to be able to sleep or just lie in that half asleep, half awake zone.  I am able to get dressed at a leisurely pace, I don't dress the boys or get their breakfasts, bliss.
8. Sunday Mornings, MadDad gets a reciprocal lie in on a Sunday and I used to not like being forced up in the cold with the boys far too early, but I have come to love watching the sun rise with them, curling up under a blanket watching starwars, staying in our PJ's having quality mum and boys time.
9. My wonderful husband, he is just wonderful, he brings me a cup of tea in bed every morning.  After nearly 15 years of marriage he knows me better than I know myself sometimes.
10. Being told that I am doing a good job bringing up my children.  Feedback, well positive feedback is great.  When you are employed you always get told us you are doing a good job or not, you have appraisals, recognition and rewards.  This is what is missing in motherhood, every one is keen to tell you what you are doing wrong "I would do it this way", but so few people let you know you are doing a good job, so that when they do I feel wonderful.

I think this is a great Meme, so I am passing it on to:

Sew Scrumptious, Louise is a very talented sewer and has a great giveaway on at the moment.

The very clever Tia at Who Ate My Crayons, she also has a giveaway on too, but just go and take a look at her geeks valentines cards, they are beyond cool.

Pink Milk is yummy, who takes uber cool photographs whilst being a mum to two little ones

Suzie over at Itch 2 Stitch, now she may only blog once a week, but it is always a great read and wow this lady can create.

Penny at The Hen House, who has had a bit of a blog wobble, she is a mum of two with a artistic side, with a menagerie of animals.

Abi at Mutterings from the Moor, again a very clever sewer (she made my birthday bear, dontcha know!), who has hens and takes great photo's too.

Anyone else who hasn't been tagged, consider yourself tagged by me, just give me a holler and I will add you to my list.  Have fun.

My Favorite Photograph Meme

I have been tagged by Peggy at Perfectly Happy Mum to complete Tara from Sticky Fingers Favorite Photograph MeMe.

With the issues with my Laptop, I have been thinking about this and to narrow it down it is going to have to be from the last 4 years from when we went digital, as we don't have a scanner.

That does narrow it down somewhat, but that still leaves in excess of 5000 photographs taken by me.  I know this as I thankfully transferred them all to the external hard drive MadDad bought me for Christmas just before the laptop went terminal.

I love photographs I always have, they are the most wonderful prompts, they trigger memories, emotions, feelings and capture the perfect moment in time. 

So here is a perfect moment captured in time, the reasons being:

• I was so happy at this time, It was taken in April 2009 just of out hospital after the sepsis and fill of the joys of spring.
• It was taken at one of our favorite beeches - Sandsend in North Yorkshire
• The boys adore the sea and were having a whale of a time and stayed in til they turned blue and then had ice cream sat in the boot of the towels in the car.
• A wonderful day with my wonderful family and just so you know those wet suits are in the car, along with towels, spare clothes and lots of other provisions for that just incase moments like the above.
• 3 of my 4 favorite things all in one photographs, Mini, Maxi and the sea.  All that is missing is MadDad.
  

So I would like to pass this on to the following, please let Tara know when you have posted as she, well that should be Erica will be producing a gallery.

The Musings of a Geriatric Mummy

The Overflowing Family

The Hair Dog Chronicles

The ramblings of an everyday mummy

The Hen House

Now I am sorry if you have already received this tag, but as I have been offline, I am way behind the time.