An Awesome 12 Months

I can't believe it's almost 6 months since I attended Cybermummy. I still can't believe I signed up to have my photograph taken by Jay and Tara for the Blogger Calendar.  I hadn't even been blogging 6 months at that point so I was in the 'newbie' section.

The calendar has been produced and it's time to bag me one.

So, what's the inspiration for my blog?

In a word, a photographic word that is, it's this:

My little family (soon to be plus another one). 

I took this back in August 2009 (when Mini Cheddar was only 5 months old).  Little did I know that a year and 4 months later I'd dip my toe into the world of blogging, feel the warmth and love and dive straight in head first! 

As a SAHM I felt I wanted somewhere to jot down my thoughts, my feelings, my ramblings, my journey and somewhere to record my experiences with my new family. I never really imagined anyone would even read it, let alone actually enjoy reading it.

Yes I'm coming up to my 1st blogoversary at the very end of this month. I shudder when I look back at my very first blog post 'Three Little Words'...not only because I cringe at how I started my blog but because I've only really achieved 1 out of the measly 3 things I said I was going to do this year. How rubbish am I? Actually, don't answer that.

I've had an awesome 12 months!

I (somehow) made the finals of the MAD Blog Awards for Best New Blog which was totally overwhelming.

My blog also gave me my freelance work which I love so I can keep my CV rolling (and bring in some money) despite being a SAHM.

Blogging has made me laugh, it's made me cry, it's made me excited, it's made me frustrated but most of all it's made me make some amazing new friends, many I've met personally and have all lived up to their blogging personalities.

Since becoming pregnant my blogging has been a bit quieter but it doesn't mean my passion for it has gone, I still adore it so here's to the next 12 months!  Although there will be little 'events' for me this year - I've had to bow out of BritMums Live or Cybher as I'll be up to my eyeballs in nappies and milk.

This was posted to receive one of the fab calendars kindly put together by Jay and Tara. For more info:

THE (yes, THE) Blogger Calendar HAS LANDED

The Blogger Calendar 2012. Want One?

Last Night I Asked My Husband To...

I can't put into words how tired I was last night. When you're in bed by 8pm on a Saturday night you know something is wrong. You also know something is wrong when you're that tired that you say the totally wrong word in a sentence and shock your husband!

So, why was I so tired?

Photo thanks to
Mad Blog Awards
and taken by Lindy 

I'd spent Friday night down in London to attend the amazing MAD Blog Awards where I was a finalist in the 'Best New Blog' category. It was a glamourous evening and I tried my best to scrub up for the occasion thanks to Ellos and the outfit (right) they very kindly gave me to wear.

Did I win?

No I didn't. However, I lost to the person I'd said from the start would win it - the fabulous Lexy aka Mammy Woo. It was fantastic to finally meet her and I was genuinely really chuffed she won as it means the world to her.

Did I meet some amazing people?

Yes, of course. Everyone at the awards was totally amazing. The atmosphere was fabulous and there was no jealousy over the winners at all, that I witnessed, which just goes to show how wonderful all the finalists were. It was also fantastic to spend quality time with bloggers and friends Alex (my room mate) from All For Aleyna, Lou (my travel partner) from Bloggomy and Michelle from Mummy From The Heart. I also got to make new friends with the lovely Clare from Seasider In The City and I met so many other lovely bloggers and talked to so many that I've met before I can't possibly name you all (sorry) but you know who you are!

Did I party like mad?

No, not really. I was drinking orange juice all night! Having my husband knock me up 3 months before the awards ceremony was seriously bad planning. I ended up back at the hotel at 11pm. I didn't sleep though, I spent the first 3 hours going to the toilet (damn that orange juice!) - I actually lost count after the 9th time! I think the whole headache/hospital drama last week had taken it's toll on me a bit if I'm honest. I didn't mingle as much as I would have liked.

Annoyingly I woke up the following morning at 7am with a banging headache. I honestly felt like I was hungover. Then came the sickness. Alex was lovely and looked after me, got me some water and took me for breakfast. I should also mention that later on the Saturday I ate McDonalds for lunch and went to Pizza Hut for dinner - a pregnant lady has to eat...that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it.

Would I change anything about the night?

Yes, I'm going to be totally honest here. Sally and Jen did an absolutely amazing job with the night (and everyone else involved, I know I've tweeted you) - it was fabulous. From the red carpet photographed entrance to the Talk Talk X-Factor singing booth. They really added the glitz and glamour and the fun of the evening. However, there are actually two things I would change and that would be the seating (there wasnt really anywhere to sit down). Maybe it's because I was pregnant and wearing heels but there were lots of people I saw walking shoe-less before 7.30pm.  The other thing I would change would be the people talking loudly whilst the awards were taking place. We were right at the front and we struggled to hear the gorgeous Muireann at times. That's the only thing that let the night down a little for me.

So what exactly did I ask my husband last night?

Even though I managed to catch an hours sleep yesterday when I got back home, I was utterly exhausted. I think because I'd been so ill the week before I was still feeling the effects. I still had my headache.

My husband sat in bed next to me saying he wasn't tired.

"That's good then", I said "You can rub my cock for me".

"WHAT?" the immediate shock and horror in his voice

"My HEAD! You can rub my HEAD for me!"

Needless to say Matt was a little taken aback.

I do have to point out that
a. I do not have a cock
b. I have never had a cock
c. I was not thinking about cocks

It's official. Tiredness really doesn't agree with me.

*For more info on the night and some more photos 

(so gutted I didn't really take any!) visit The Mad Awards Blog*

From Rags To Riches

Some of the more observant of you will have noticed that I didn't do a post for The Gallery this week. It was about time I skipped one.  I have to admit, I did feel a bit twitchy.

Another thing that's been making me twitchy these past couple of weeks is the fact that my parents have been away on holiday so I've been unable to volunteer for Save The Children.  For those of you who don't know, I volunteer in one of their shops one day a week and I love it!

So, what I can do to address the balance is blog about donating to charity shops and Save The Children.

One thing I've learnt from volunteering is that we do welcome all donations.  I know some people won't donate damaged clothes or clothes that are unsuitable for resale but others do.

I would urge you to donate all your clothing items to charity.

Yes, all of them.

Basically we can sell items that aren't suitable for resale straight to a 'rag man' who will pay us by the kilo for the clothing or fabric.  The shop can make a few hundred pounds a month just from old rags!

What is helpful to charity shops though, is if you separate these items into a different bag and mark them clearly as rags as it will save volunteers having to sift through them.  Just check with your local shop that they do sell to the rag man.

I feel extremely passionate about Save The Children and you can read all about my journey by clicking here.

At the moment there's a crisis in East Africa.  Severe drought has struck and millions of children are dying through starvation - the UN are saying that this is the worst drought in 60 years. No child should be born to die.

Read more about the appeal here and please spend a minute to watch the video below.



Please, I urge you to help in any way you can.  If you can't afford to donate cash right now then spend an hour or so going through your home this weekend and donating some clothes and bric a brac to your local Save The Children shop.

Don't forget the rags!