Listography - Top 5 songs I grew up to

I haven't taken part in Kate Takes 5's Listography in ages but when I saw the latest link I couldn't resist.

So here's a trip down my musical memory lane. Enjoy. Maybe?!

My list comprises of, in no particular order:

Baltimore - Tarzan Boy A 7 inch single birthday present!

Aha - Take on me My favourite band from the 80s - HUGE crush on Morten Haarket!

Nena - 99 Red Balloons My sister played this endlessly and I loved it, still do.

Chess the musical - I know him so well I've never seen the musical but my sister - again - had the soundtrack and I listened to it over and over.

Whitney Houston - Somebody who loved me Influenced by my brother this time who loved Whitney.

What's your top five?

x x x

Posted with Blogsy

An Olympic Meme

Crank up the national anthem, get out your gold medals because he's back folks. Yes, @SAHDandproud is back with a new blog and already he's out and about tagging for this latest meme sprinting round the block. No list of rules for this one, just a list of Q & As so here goes.

If everyday tasks were an Olympic event what would you get a gold medal in?

Clearly I excel at this motherhood malarkey - stop sniggering at the back - so I deserve a medal for everything that entails. Especially for having the patience to put up with the husband while he 'enjoys' his gardening leave.

As a child, or now even, did you excel at a particular sport?

Excuse me a moment while I pick myself up off the floor from laughing so hard. Actually, now I think about it, I was pretty good at sport as a child. I loved running (?!) and represented the school at cross country and athletics. I even came second in the 200 metres at a Norwich schools meeting! Ha, beat that! Now though I am crap.

Michael Phelps (swimmer) or Michael Johnson (runner) - which sport appeals to you more?

Well, I am a useless swimmer who gets exhausted doing front crawl but also manages to sink doing breaststroke so I would more likely be found lolling around on the poolside with a cold cider. Running? Rubbish at it now but at least there's less chance of my hair getting frizzy.

How fast can you get out of bed and ready to go out the door if you miss the alarm and sleep in?

Sleeping in?! I never sleep in. I have two children and it takes me ages to get ready in the mornings - it's the hair - so I would never, ever, forget to set the alarm.

What fantasy sport would you like to see made into an Olympic event?

Husband housework. Each husband is provided with a mop, vacuum cleaner, cloths etc and put in a regular 3 bed family home. Fastest, and most efficient, husband wins the gold. I do believe that a lot of training will be needed first.

Claim to fame time: have you ever met an Olympian and who was it?

Nope, next question.

What event in past Olympics can you remember most vividly?

Roger Black and co in the 4x400 metres relay (was that the Olympics or World Championships?!) and Michael Johnson running the 400m final in his golden shoes, very pretty.

Tuning in at home or tickets clamped in sweaty palms?

Neither. I might switch on for some athletics as it's always amusing watching men run around in circles in tight Lycra.

Who do you think most deserves a gold medal (any walk of life not just Olympians)?

Brandon Flowers. For proving beards are hot. Fact.

Enough of the drooling, now I have to pass the baton on.

I'm tagging @tattooed_mummy - as she will appreciate the beard - and @thefooltweets as he's super fit ;) - he runs a lot.

x x x

 

The great gig meme in the sky

I've been tagged in a meme that requires a great deal of cranking up of the old brain cells and diving into the box of memories in my head. Musodad started it off with a guest post here and I've been tagged by Mutterings of a fool. It's a great meme as it involves one of my favourite things - live music. I have to tell you about my first gig, worst gig, best gig, last gig and dream gig and somehow add them to a Spotify playlist - I can tweet @musodad to do this for me, phew. So after some gentle cranking here is my list:

First Gig

Sheesh, this took some thinking about to pinpoint my very first gig as I went gig crazy in the early nineties. I am certain though it was EMF at the University of East Anglia and I have a sneaking suspicion they were supported by Carter USM. I definitely saw them play together at some point but am not completely sure it was my first gig. I am annoyed I never kept all of the ticket stubs I collected through my teenage years. Anyway it must have been 1991 and I have clear memories of being very chuffed to get served at the bar - Scrumpy Jack anyone?

EMF - Unbelievable

Worst Gig

I've never been to a gig where I've left thinking 'what a complete pile of tosh' but seeing Oasis play in Boston USA at the Orpheum Theater in 1995 was a bit of a letdown as Liam was a complete tit and stormed off stage. Saying that, I prefer Noel anyway.

Oasis - Champagne Supernova

Best Gig

Simply because of who they are it has to be The Killers at Hyde Park in 2011. It was the first time I had seen them - hopefully not the last - and they were supported by one of my other favourite bands, James, who I saw in the good old nineties too. The weather was crap, they should have played for longer and the volume should have been louder but I don't care as I'm biased.

The Killers - For Reasons Unknown

Last Gig

I'm in shock that my last gig - I'm not including festivals - was last July when I dragged my husband to Cornwall for a mini break purely so I could see Brandon Flowers at the Eden Sessions. This was a great venue for getting a good eyeful of the delectable Mr. Flowers - my husband just about put up with it.

Brandon Flowers - Jilted Lovers & Broken Hearts

Dream Gig

This isn't an easy part to complete as I've seen so many of my favourite artists and when it says Dream Gig I feel it should be someone I am desperate to see or am gutted to have missed. I'm going to trawl through my CDs to see if there is someone blatantly obvious I never got to see or have yet to see. Back in a mo...........

.....going back to the nineties again then I would have liked to have seen Pulp. I don't think they are my Dream Gig though just someone I missed catching live.

Pulp - Babies

So, do you have a Dream Gig? Someone will probably say an artist now that would be mine!

I'm going to tag Mum of One and Cat's Yellow Days as I know the pair of them have enjoyed some pretty fine live music!

Saturday is Caption Day

Happy Saturday to you.

I found the Easter Bunny lurking in my shack last Sunday.

Any idea what Alban and the bunny were up to?

SatCap it for me and make it a good 'un.

Find more at Mammasaurus.

I'm out on a rare day off at OneFest so I will catch up with your SatCaps tomorrow.

Laters!

x x x

 

The Voice Within

Ah, a meme. A meme designed to get into our heads and expose our daily mutterings. The Voice Within asks us to reveal ten things that we say to ourselves / out loud during the day. Adventures of a Middle-aged Matron kindly tagged me in this one so after a bit of thinking about it here is what I splurt on a daily basis.

Oh For Goodness/Gods/F@#k Sake - delete according to mood and who is in earshot. This is probably my top muttering and I have just said it one minute ago whilst trying to highlight some text on here. FYI I said the last choice. *gasp*

Where the hell is it? Book bag, drink bottle, potato peeler...whatever I need at that very moment and it isn't there.

Hang on a minute Usually to the children when they need me to do something. Sometimes, for variety, it is "Hang on a sec"!

Come on Most of time directed to Alban who is one of life's dawdlers. He always needs a minutes head start on everyone else. I forget to give him a minutes head start so am repeatedly getting at the poor chap with that one.

Mummy just needs to finish this 'work' Yes, that's right, mummy 'works' on her computer at home sometimes. (I think we all know what I mean by work don't we?! Shhhh, don't tell my children what I'm really up to.)

Find it yourself Mummy where's my coat? Where's my rabbit? Where's my Octonaut toy? Where are my marbles? Ha!

If you want something done do it yourself One for the husband! Usually after asking for the umpteenth time for a household job to be done. You know what I'm on about.

How many times have I said....? Moan, moan, moan.

Am I the only person who knows how to wash up around here? It seems I am. No one else seems to understand how the taps, washing up sponge and Fairy Liquid combo work. Clearly there is a magic fairy who swishes the dirty plates back into the cupboard.

The laundry bag is right there Yes, right there. Look. Next to your pile of clothes you have just removed from yourself.

Jeez, I have just realised that I am a seriously grumpy cow. I need to find some more positive things to say myself!

I'm going to tag Bod for Tea, Life, As I Know It & Motherventing to see what words of wisdom they spout.

And as for you, dear reader, tell me, what is your most common daily muttering?
x x x

Are you going to Brit Mums Live?!

It's not that long now until BritMumsLive 2012! Whoop-de-whoop!

I would be telling a big fat porky if I said I wasn't a bit shy or nervous about going but luckily I have some other bloggers to hold my hand on the underground - thanks SAHDandproud and Motherventing!

Luckily someone has come up with a fab Q&A meme about the whole event to put us all at ease.

The Ultimate Brit Mums Meme was started off by Claire from A Boy With Asperger's and I've been tagged by the super fit Bod For Tea

Q: What’s your blog title/URL and how long have you been blogging?
My blog is http://www.melkshammum.blogspot.com and I've been blogging since July 2011.

Q: Will Britmums Live be your first blogging conference?
Sort of, yes. I went to Blog Camp Bristol last October and met some of my favourite bloggers but this is my first proper overnighter!

Q: Did you bag yourself a sponsor?
Erm, no. Noone has banged at my blog door offering their money so I'm funding this myself my husband is funding this one.

Q: Are you attending both days?
Oh yes!

Q: What are you most looking forward to about the conference?
Meeting up with Motherventing and The Lovebump again and finally getting the chance to meet SAHDandproud, NotSoSlummy, LagosMum and loads others!!

Q: Are you wearing Branded Clothing (your sponsors brand)?
Erm no. My husband's clothes would look rubbish on me.

Q: What is your planned style for this event?
Style?! Me? *snorts* I will probably arrive in a fluster wearing my work clothes from the morning - so sensible trousers, top & flats. I will be packing more trousers / jeans / flats / flip flops for the Saturday. Maybe a pair of heels and something a bit more glam for the evenings - watch this space.

Q: Are you hoping to be nominated for a BiB award?
I have!!! Squeals.

Q: If so what category?
I've been shortlisted for Fresh Voice if you want to chuck a vote my way x x

Q: Will you be looking to network with Brands?
 I'm not sure really. I'm seeing it more of an experience to learn more about the blogosphere and meet some fabulous people.

Q: What do you hope to walk away having gained from the conference?
An armful of swag. New friendships, fresh ideas and probably a stinking hangover.

Q: Will you be dressing up in the toilets for the Friday night BiBs?
What's your idea of dressing up?! I will put the feelers out to see what everyone is planning to wear so I do not look either over or under dressed.

Q: Are you speaking at the conference and if so when, where and how do you feel about doing so?Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha.......no.

Q: Will you be joining in the early morning bloggercise on the Saturday?
Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha.......no.

Q: What speakers are you most looking forward to listening to?
I really hope get there in time on the Friday to hear Ruby Wax. On the Saturday I will be checking out the Daddy Bloggers!

Q: What workshops will you be attending on the Friday (Day 1)
Probably the Discussion Den: Can you really have it all?

Q: What Workshops being held on the Saturday (Day 2) have grabbed your attention?
Photography, using Facebook and the Daddy Bloggers.

Q: Are you booked into a hotel for the Friday night, if yes which one?
I'm booked into The Hoxton and my roomie is Motherventing!

Q: Will you be looking for after party drinks?
Errr.....yes.

Q: Are you worried about not knowing anyone or being confident and socialising on the day?
Errr.....yes, to the confident bit. I'm a bit scared of how I'll come across in real life as people may have built up some amazing picture of me! Or not.

Q: What are you most likely to be found doing while attending Britmums Live?
Drinking tea before 6p.m. Drinking cider after 6p.m. Giggling nervously. Trying to look confident!

Now here's the rules... basically copy the questions and answer them, link back to A Boy With Asperger's and there is a linky there so we can all find each other and learn a bit more. Then tag a few more people to join in. 

I think loads of you have done this already but I'll try @thelovebump @SAHDandproud @LagosMum

If you see me - I'll be the one with the eighties curls - come and say hello!

x x x
 

My Difficult Dozen

I've been tagged by the beautiful Bluebird Sunshine to join in the rather difficult blogger's dozen meme thingy doing the rounds. For this I have to follow the following rules:

The rules:

1. You must post the rules
2. Post 12 fun facts about yourself in the blog post
3. Answer the questions the tagger has set for you in their post and then create 12 new questions for the fellow bloggers you plan to tag
4. Tag 12 people and link to them on your blog
5. Let them know you tagged them

So, number 1. check! Onto number 2....

12 fun facts about myself
That's fun so I can't tell you anything depressing or negative. Hmmmmm, here goes....

1. I used to go to disco/modern dance class as a teenager and I would happily wear lycra and jazz shoes with neon ankle warmers over the top!
2. I'm a Norfolk gal born and bred and when I speak to my Mum on the phone my accent comes pouring out which the husband finds hilarious.
3. My favourite perfume is Alfred Sung - Forever.
4. I lived in Wellesley, MA, USA for a year when I was 19 - still one of the best years of my life.
5. I make a mean lasagne.
6. I used to go all night clubbing at the Que Club in Birmingham - man, those were the days!
7. I love pear cider.
8. I drink about 4 mugs of Earl Grey tea a day.
9. I have to go to the toilet before a meal regardless of whether I actually need to.
10. If Eric Bana threw himself at me I would cheat on my husband - ditto Brandon Flowers!
11. Avocados are my favourite fruit but I dislike avocado bathroom suites.
12. I love Marmite.

Number 3
Answer the questions from Bluebird Sunshine!

1. What’s your favourite cheese?
It has be a well matured cheddar. You can't beat it on toast, fresh bread, on pasta....

2. Where in Europe would you go, or have you been lucky enough to have been, on a romantic weekend getaway?
Romantic break?!! *guffaws* I still dream of being taken to Paris. I went there as a teenager on school trips but really want to go back as a proper grown up - with the husband I suppose!

3. Do you have a beauty regime, if so what is it?
Not really. Face wipes at night and some moisturiser. Face wash in the morning and some moisturiser. Probably why I look so bloody haggard!

4. What song would you do at karaoke?
The Killers - Mr Brightside

5. Name something you dread doing.
Karaoke.

6. Post your favourite photo, of anything, from any time.
There are so many photos I could post here but this is one I just love.

7. If you suddenly had an extra hour in the day today, what would you do with it?
Drink an extra pear cider.

8. What’s your favourite family tradition?
My family didn't really go in for traditions but I am continuing a tradition from my husband's side of the family and that is.......vol-au-vents with garlic mushrooms and prawns in seafood dressing on Christmas Eve!!

9. Do you believe in ghosts or spirits?
Yes, I have sensed some kind of presence in my house. I felt what I thought was my husband standing next to me so I started chatting to him - he was still out.

10. If you could choose anyone at all to write a guest post on your blog, who would it be?
Brandon Flowers - and I would make him sit in my house to do it!

11. What are your top three girls and top three boys names?
Girls: Edith, Iris & Mabel
Boys: Alban, Arthur & Albert

12. Tell me one thing you really want to do before the year is over.
Get my first tattoo.

My 12 questions:
1. Who is your celebrity crush?
2. What is your tipple of choice?
3. Who was the first musical act you saw live?
4. What was the first car you owned?
5. Where were you born and do you still live anywhere near there?
6. If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be?
7. Can you speak any foreign languages, fluently?
8. What fictional book would you recommend I read?
9. What is your best skill?
10. Facial hair (on a man!) - Yes or No?
11. Marmite - love or hate?
12. Brandon Flowers - Hot or Not?!

Number 4
I now tag.....
@CatParrott
@Mum2babyinsomni
@MascaraAndMud
@TheFoolTweets
@over_a_cuppa
@TheCrumbyMummy
@butwhymummywhy
@stressymummy
@MuddlingAlong
@ageingmatron
@mummyglitzer
@apartyofseven

Number 5
I'm off to tweet them right now!

A collection of Firsts...

That rather splendid chap SAHDandproud has tagged me in this meme where I have to delve into my deepest darkest memories to recall a collection of first events. Some of them I can't even remember, I mean c'mon I can't even remember what I did on Saturday! Good start there then.

So, how many of these firsts can you recall?

Who was your first boyfriend?
My first proper boyfriend - in that we met up regularly, went on dates and had a laugh - was called Paul. I was 17 - a bit of a late starter - and he was lovely. We met in a pub, not far from my house, that had a lot of live music (Iron Maiden secretly played there! Not my musical taste by the way) and would serve us all drinks. He was also a Norwich City Football Club season ticket holder, a match made in heaven really. I dumped him for some reason and felt a bit bad about that as he was really lovely. Oh well. Karma came back to bite me hard later in life!

First person you kissed?
Erm....I think he was called Matthew and I was drunk underage on New Year's Eve. End of.

First job?
In a fish and chip shop when I was doing my A levels. Classy hey?!

First pay packet? What did you buy with it?
From the above job all of my pay packet went on going to away matches to see Norwich City. Those were the days when a ticket was about £6 as was the Club Canary coach fare - bargain!

First CD you remember buying?
I have racked my brain over this one and just cannot recall what it was. I remember my first tape - Aha, bought for me on a day trip to London (my brother chose Dire Straits' Brothers In Arms - why do I remember this??!) And my first 7" single was Aha - The Living Daylights!

First holiday abroad?
Kassiopi, Corfu with my friend Louise when we were 18. Two girls abroad, alone, mwahahahahaha! I behaved myself thank you very much!

What age were you when you moved out of your parents’ home?
I went to America for a year when I was 18, then off to Uni and never returned.

There you go, my series of firsts. You have learnt a little bit more about me.

I'm going to now tag.................... @butwhymummywhy x

#ISpy.........something beginning with Mmmmmm!

This weeks #ISpy began with Alban's favourite treat, then it kind of escalated into other random things beginning with M! How many can you find? I have a huuuuuge prize* for the most found, so get looking!

I spy, with my little eye, something beginning with Mmmmmmmmmm!

*pat on the back and a great feeling of satisfaction x

More #ISpy fun here:



A Cherry On Top!

The gorgeous Super Amazing Mum - I'm not just saying that, she is gorgeous, look here! - has passed the award/meme baton on to little old me! The Cherry On Top Award is what, I think, it's called and here are the rules:

• Thank the person who tagged you
• List 3 things you love about yourself
• Post a picture that you love
• Pass this onto 5 bloggers you love

So, Super Amazing Mum, I thank you for the tag and I hope to meet you one day so you can give me a lesson in red lipstick as I haven't mastered the shade or application! Anyway, moving on to me and what I love about myself.....

Hmmmmmmm.

 

Apologies, have just sat here for a LOOOOOONG time trying to think of something. I could write 3,333 things that I don't love about myself but this is meant to be a happy post with cherries!

Right, be positive, here goes:

1. I love that I gave up my career to stay at home with my scrumptious children. Yes, I've mumbled about this in the past but it was the right thing to do. So well done me. *pats self on back*
2. I love that I am finally trying something new and learning new skills with the use of my sewing machine - with the support of the #pinaddicts girls - and that I am being more confident about meeting new people soon! < some of those #pinaddicts girls and loads of you lovelies at BritMums live! (I'll be the shy one in the corner)
3. I love myself for pushing, quite literally, for a VBAC with my son. Yes, I failed with the inability to turn down the drugs and I was out of it while they ventoused him out, BUT I beat the midwives 'threats' of "If you're not dilated 3 cm by midnight we'll cart you off to theatre" Ha!

Ok, a picture that I love. I have loads, but here's one I really love - a rare one with the husband in it!

This was the summer of 2009 which I spent doing loads with the little ones who were 3 and 1. The three of us went to Cornwall to stay with the in-laws - who have now buggered off moved to a wreck barn in France. We did loads of camping and life was happier and less stressful then it is now. *sighs*

Moving on then. Just Five of the bloggers I love to pass the award onto.....

The very awesome Kerry over at Life As I Know It.

The beautiful haired Jess over at Mum2BabyInsomniac

My future roomie Motherventing

And two bloggers I'm really looking forward to meeting in June, SAHDandproud and JustAboveAverageMum

Go and check them out  x x

#ISpy........something beginning with T

When I first saw that this week's #ISpy letter was T the first things to jump into my head were images that I am NOT putting on this blog. I can however guarantee that someone probably has - naming no names here!

So I am keeping it clean and in fact keeping it green as this week I have recycled some images from my blog that come together to make T.

You can't actually see it, but it's there. In the pictures.

What do you think I'm spying here then?

For more #ISpys just click!

#ISpy.......something beginning with N

This week MumOfOne has thrown the letter N our way in her #ISpy meme. 

It took me a while to come up with something so I trawled through the archives and found this one of my gorgeous girl.

Two things to spy here, one of them looks enormous!

More #ISpy fun to be had here:

Snap Slappers - Week 6

Yikes! I missed last week's Snap Slappers - apologies Mrs Five Go Blogging - but I'm back with lashings of silliness this week!

It's been a week of Christmas shows and parties so here's the boy enjoying his food at the toddler Christmas party:

But what on earth has caught his eye?

Come and join in here:

Christmas Music - What's your favourite song?

Ah, Christmas music. It divides us all. So many genres to choose from; carols, nostalgia, pop, re-hashed classics, modern stuff.... the list goes on. Back in November it began with Wizzard and Boney M et al being piped through the speakers in the local Asda. Last night Justin Beiber was damaging my ears on X-Factor singing some tripe and completely ruining my Christmassy day - I put the tree up don't you know? Look!

I like the Christmas nostalgia of Big Crosby and Nat King Cole but cannot stand it when the likes of Mariah Carey covers some great classics and drives us insane with her incessant warbling - jeez,take a breath woman.

I'm not particularly religious but Christmas time for me is a time to go to church - somewhat hypocritically maybe - but I love a good nativity and have yet to complete Away in a Manger without choking up. My favourite Christmas song though is one I rarely hear but I think it is the best. So moving and just beautiful. You may recognise it from Home Alone when Kevin is all sad and, well, alone.

O Holy Night.

I've also found the lovely Christmassy music Somewhere in my Memory from the same film - take a listen it's really rather nice.

I tag the following ... @thelovebump @mum2babyinsomni @NotSoSlummy @Piglet33 @CatParrott

A huge thanks to SAHDandproud for tagging me.

So, what Christmas song do you love? x x x

Snap Slappers - Week 3

Calling all photofiddlingaholics - you know who you are FiveGoBlogging lady - to join in this photofiddling meme!

Take a photo - post it. Fiddle with it - post it. Simples really.

My name is Melksham Mum and I am addicted to picnik.com. You can do some amazing stuff on it, or you can do something like this:

Before:

After:

Gorgeous isn't he??!!

Go on, link up below!

The Gallery - Something I Am Proud Of

The Gallery is lifting the spirits this week and asking us to think about those things we are proud of.

My contribution is probably similar to many this week as the thing I am most proud of is, my children.

But I am paying particular attention to my daughter, my first born, my special girl.

x

Edith.

I adore her.

She is stubborn.

She is so beautiful.

She is painfully shy.

She is definitely my daughter.

I am so proud of her progress.

Every day she grows in confidence.

She will be just fine.

My Edith.

x x x

I'm clearly not a celebrity but, what the heck, get me out of here anyway!

I've been tagged by the gorrrrr-geous SAHDandproud and Cat from Yellow Days in this 'I'm a Celebrity' inspired meme. Fabalicious! I've always wanted to be a celeb and go to the jungle (lie) and meet Ant and Dec (lie). If you don't know your Ant from your Dec according to SAHDandproud they always stand with Ant to your left and Dec to your right. I, however, remember which one is which as Ant is the one who is, according to my daughter, her dad! See here before anyone sues me for libel.

Right then, onwards to the meme 'interview':

1. What is the one thing about being a parent that makes you scream, 'GET ME OUT OF HERE!'
The fact I can never call in sick. NEVER!

2. What skills, if any, do you have that would be useful in the jungle?
Ummmm. Errrrrrrrr. Hmmmmmm. I can.... nah. None.

3. How are you likely to annoy people if you were stuck with them for three weeks?
With my constant moaning and OCD-like tendancies. The camp will need to be tidy. EVERYTHING has a place.

4. What is the worst thing you have ever eaten?
Kidneys - *barf*

5. What luxury item would you take into the jungle with you?
A vat of Jack Daniels.

6. What is the most daring thing you have ever done?
Having a go at a daft driving instructor for parking like a tool outside my house. I am a real wuss so for me that was really daring!! Or possibly rude?! Oh well, she was wrong and I was right. End of.

7. Who would you miss most if you went into the jungle with a bunch of strangers?
My kiddies - even though I am soooo desperate for a break from them right now.

8. What celebrity, alive or dead, would you like to have with you in the jungle?
Ronnie Vannucci - bearded lovely drummer man of The Killers fame. I would even let him share my Jack Daniels - and my camp bed. Fnar fnar!

9. What would scare you about being in the jungle?
The D grade 'celebrities'.

10. After leaving the jungle, you go to a luxury hotel. What's the first thing you do?
Invite Ronnie to my room. Fnar! Fnar!

I now have to tag someone.
I tag........... @Piglet33

This is where I do it!

By it I mean blog - not the other it, for goodness sake! Anyhows, the lovely Cat over at Yellow Days has tagged me in a meme set up by Bibsey that asks where we all do it. Do we do it in the kitchen, the bedroom, the lounge, al fresco? Me? I do it in the corner:

The corner of the dining room is where it all happens for me. This is my *ahem* office! Spacious no?! This is where my blog juices flow whilst accompanied by a mug of Earl Grey and cake - crucial ingredients for blogging don't you know.

So where do you do it?
I'm tagging....

@mum2babyinsomni
@fivegoblogging
@mascaraandmud

Music Therapy

Hoorah! I have been tagged by the gorgeous MotherVenting and SAHDandproud to take part in the latest meme doing the rounds - Music Therapy. Well, I love music, and although never having been in therapy myself I do find music therapeutic.

The meme Music Therapy asks us to think of three, yes only three, songs that we can listen to over and over and over again, that move us, that bring back shudder inducing memories - I added that last one because I thought it sounds good and that's what music is all about right?

I found this bloomin' hard work as there are so many tracks I love for so many different reasons but I had to think about my children. Yes, they can drive me to tears without the need for musical accompaniment, but there are tracks that when I listen to them it takes me back to specific times.

Ok, firstly, please don't laugh - I really don't know if I should include this as it is going to blow any musical credibility I may have had way out of the water, oh sod it, here goes - Track 1, oh, I also want to say, I am not a huge fan of this group but this particular track was on my iPod when in hospital having my boy. I cannot listen to it now without thinking about him and I do believe that together me and him can Rule The World!!!! So this one's for Alban:

Take That - Rule The World

My second track gives me therapy in that it takes me back to my last summer before children...............

....and I'm back in the real world again! I just love this song as it always reminds of the summer of 2005 - my last summer of freeeeeeeeedom!

Coldplay - Fix You

Finally, you just know who I'm going to have to include don't you?

This last track reminds me of Edith watching the DVD and jumping around like a true fan in our front room. Me and the kiddies always had it on in the car driving down to summers in Cornwall to stay with the Grandparents - who have now moved to France so the associated memories are kind of sad.

So, it is; my favourite band, my favourite singer, my favourite drummer, my favourite song - particularly this version as Brandon is clearly talking about ME at 3:10

Any of you people ever loved somebody?

Sometimes it comes very quickly, very easily.

As easy as the way a beautiful English girl’s hair falls across her shoulder.

And sometimes it disappears just as quick.

You wake up one morning,

the butterflies stop fluttering,

but you want it back and you want to fight for it.

You wanna breathe that fire again.

So you call for it, you call out.

Ah, shudder!

Anyway, enjoy......

The Killers - For Reasons Unknown

I now tag the following to share their Music Therapy:

@madamding

@thelovebump

@owenhants

Liebster Blog Award - I have it!

Last Wednesday I almost cried......as I had won a blogging award!
Wow wee! Things like this do not happen to me, I am overwhelmed and have only just recovered now to tell you all about it!
No, not a MADs award but a.............................

Liebster Blog Award!!!

Sorry? You haven't heard of it? Well it's kind of like winning a Bafta but not the Oscar.

Anyway this award does come with some conditions - isn't that always the way with these blogging meme awards thingys?

So here goes:

1. Thank your Liebster Blog Award presenter on your blog.
2. Link back to the blogger who awarded you.
3. Copy & paste the award onto your blog.
4. Nominate 5 blogs to receive the award.
5. Inform them of their nomination by leaving a comment on their blog.

So thank you to the lovely, beautiful and funny Motherventing - I know all that to be true as I met her on Thursday and she was lovely, beautiful and funny.

You can find some more funny things written by her here.

Here is the fabulous award

I would now like to present the award to:

@thelovebump

@LoveInTheNest

@n76seary

@Over_A_Cuppa

@madamding

I will now tweet them and make their day complete!

Thank you, you can all stop clapping now. Mwah to you all x x x