The Gallery - Shoes

I have quite a few *cough* shoes. Heels mainly, lots of them. In fact, until I was pregnant with Mini Cheddar I didn't own a pair of flats apart from some flip flops for holiday.

Today it's a different story. I very rarely wear heels. Most of them are now in boxes collecting dust in the bottom of my wardrobe. I think something happened when I became a mother to trigger off a reaction to wearing heels. No longer can I spend hours drinking and dancing the night away...give me a pair of slippers and I'm happy.

I'm almost 37, not 77, I promise.

However, I do have one trusty pair of heels that will always be with me and always get an airing. A pair of Kurt Geiger peep-toes that have been with me for years. I love them, they are part of me.

My beloved 'Kurties' to my friends and I.

Even now when we arrange a big night out my friends will say "Are you wearing your Kurties, Heath?"

These shoes have been with me through all sorts. I've got drunk in them, I've eaten in them. I've walked in them, I've danced in them. I've laughed in them, I've cried in them. I've been sick in them (not literally). I've fallen down stairs (and cracked a rib) in them and I've even had sex in them!*

One thing's for sure though, I'll never part with them.

*If I end up wearing these to the Mad Blog Awards later this month, please ignore this!


Now head on over and check out all the other entries...

The Gallery - Black And White

I haven't got a lot of time at the moment so I'm going to try and make this a brief Gallery entry and try and let the photos speak for themselves as much as they can (I have ended up with 3 this week, sorry!).

They were all taken in Vancouver so, once again, I appear to be dragging the 'travel theme' through the weeks.

Under The Boardwalk

Waiting For Master

The Search

If you'd like to know more about these photos, have a look at my Flickr stream.

Normal service will resume next week, I promise!



Now head on over and check out all the other entries...

The Gallery - Water

I've not joined in with The Gallery since the 'Travel' theme. I've been brave and missed a couple of weeks so, although I felt incredibly twitchy missing my first week, I now know I can do it.
*curses Tara and her addictive link-up*

I've ummed and ahhed about which photo I could use for this weeks theme of 'Water'. I have some cute pictures of Mini Cheddar in the paddling pool.  I also have countless images of lakes, rivers and seas - some of which I've already shared but this week is going to be a different take on the theme. It also ties in with the Travel theme so is a good way to get back on The Gallery train.

On our last trip stateside, Matt and I spent some time in Seattle. Before we went we pre-booked a window table at the top of the Space Needle for dinner.

We expected it to be really cheesy as the restaurant rotates 360 degrees so as you dine you get to soak up the views of this amazing city and the beautiful Puget Sound (was so close to using a photo of this). However, it wasn't cheesy at all. The meal and champagne were fabulous and we loved seeing the city so clearly as we chatted and ate.

Then I went and ruined it all.

I ordered their signature Lunar Orbiter dessert.

Now let me explain... this is gourmet ice cream served with melted chocolate sauce and strawberries. Nothing extraordinary there? No, but it's served on a large bed of dry ice! When it arrives at your table the waiter pours hot water on the dry ice and you can imagine what happens.

Matt hates attention and the whole restaurant was looking at us as we disappeared in the massive ice fog. Eventually the dessert cloud lifted, we were able to see each other again and I was able to capture a photo.

The thing I love the most about this photo is you can see how red and embarrassed Matt looks. He's just trying to discreetly tuck in to his crème brûlée.

It never ceases to make me smile.

You can also see the beautiful Puget Sound out of the window. If you like, you can have a nosey at my other Seattle pics here and see the Puget Sound in all its watery glory.



Now head on over and check out all the other entries...

The Gallery - Travel

I almost whooped when I saw the theme to The Gallery this week.  I adore travel so I'm VERY excited to look through the entries this week.

I've been lucky enough to have been to some fabulous places in the world and have already blogged about seeing the Northern Lights in the Arctic Circle (The Gallery - Green) and travelling the path of Route 66 across America.

Ah the good old US of A.

I have a great love affair with that place, have travelled over there a few times now and it even featured a couple of times in my Top 5 Places I've Visited (one of my very first blog posts).  I find the country so vast and so different from state to state - I think I've visited about 17 of the 50 states so far - and I have quite a few relatives over there too which is always a bonus!  We've travelled to the major tourist spots such as New York, Las Vegas and Los Angeles and also been off the beaten track in places like Amarillo in Texas and Yukon in Oklahoma.

Then there's it's sister Canada.  Again, I love that country (I do SO wish I'd added it onto my list).  The scenery is stunning and the people are lovely.  My husband and I spent our 1st wedding anniversary at Chateau Lake Louise which was just amazing.

So, it's only right I dedicate this post to my favourite photos from my trips to both those beautiful countries.  I've not been out there since BMC (before Mini Cheddar) but I'm hoping to get back there someday soon to notch up some more states and provinces.

I think these photos sum up the diversity of the countries perfectly.

An icy Lake Louise, Banff, Alberta

Peyto Lake Lookout, Banff National Park, Alberta

Reflections of Patricia Lake, Jasper, Alberta

Night time in Vancouver, British Columbia

Dusk over Shuswap Lake, Salmon Arm, British Columbia 

The Space Needle, Seattle, Washington

Pike Place Market, Seattle, Washington

Sunset in Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii

Hotel view over Waikiki Beach, Oahu, Hawaii

Capitol Hill down Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington DC

The Grand Canyon, Arizona (see the people on the cliff edge on the left)

Navy Pier, Chicago, Illinois

'The Bean' (Cloud Gate), Chicago, Illinois

Just off Broadway, NYC, New York

If I haven't bored you already and you want a nosey at my other photos then most of them are in my Flickr stream.

Now head on over and check out all the other entries...

The Gallery - Grandparents

I was unsure whether or not to join in on this weeks Gallery theme of 'Grandparents'.  Simply because I've already blogged about my grandparents who have passed away but this gives me the chance to talk about my parents - Mini Cheddars Grandparents.

My parents are wonderful Grandparents to her and she loves them both dearly.  She always talks about "Going to Grandma and Grandad's house on Friday" - they look after her every Friday so I can do my volunteer work.  I'm so lucky in the fact they are both retired and they live about a 10-15 minute drive from my house.  Mini Cheddar squeals with delight whenever she sees them.

I know a lot of people don't have any support from their parents, they have passed away or they live far away.

So each day I try to remind myself just how lucky I am.

Taken by me March 2010

I hope in years to come that I can be as wonderful to my Grandchildren as they are to Mini Cheddar.

"Grandchildren are the dots that connect the lines from generation to generation" 

~Lois Wyse

Now head on over and check out all the other entries...

The Gallery - My Weekend

As Tara is lazy nosey busy, she's chosen a simple theme for The Gallery this week - My Weekend.

I should imagine more than half the entries this week will contain photos of conference halls, booze, Sarah Brown or dildos.  Blimey, I never thought I'd use Sarah Brown and dildos in the same sentence but there's a first time for everything!

Yes it was CyberMummy this weekend.  THE parenting blogger event of the year which was much hyped and talked about for many months and I'm glad to say I got to go.

I had a blast!

It was a whirlwind day and I didn't take my camera - just my iPhone and I'm actually gutted as I could have got so many great pics.

I deliberated over which photo to choose for ages but eventually I decided on this one, which sums up the weekend nicely.  I'm actually surprised there was any left after Jane's repeated visits to Rowan's table of delights!

I have (ahem) already taken advantage of the £40 off and I have 6 large bottles of beautiful prosecco that have just arrived on my doorstep.

Cheers! *hic*

For more on my CyberMummy experience you can read these posts:
I Laughed, I Cried, I Ate, I Drank...I Went To CyberMummy
Silent Sunday #24


Now head on over and check out all the other entries...

The Gallery - Dads

The Gallery took a holiday last week which was very lucky as so did I!  How lucky am I that, as yet, I've not missed a gallery (lucky or sad)...I only got off the plane from Italy at 5pm yesterday so it's been a bit of a scramble to get this post prepared.

I didn't want to miss this as it's 'Dads'.

I could write about what a great Dad my husband is to Mini Cheddar but I think that I've talked about that a few times.

So this is a post dedicated to my Dad.

My Dad is a great man.  He's done so much with his life and I'll always be proud of that - he's run local committees, been a local councillor and a core member of the community, he's even been to the Queens Garden Party (oooh get him!).  He has strong opinions and can sometimes be set in ways but he's the first to admit that and I love him for his honesty.  I love the fact he loves his golf and has himself a hobby that keeps him fit and active.

He has always worked hard and looked after his family financially.  Mum and Dad always went without when we were younger and they didn't have much money to splash about.  Now my parents are financially secure and they are loving their retirement...and I love them.

He's also the perfect Grandad to Mini Cheddar and she loves him dearly.

If I'd known about the Gallery theme before today I would have easily captured the perfect moment yesterday at Liverpool airport.  Dad came to pick us up and 10 nights without Mini Cheddar seeing her Grandad sent her into squeals of excitement and stamping of her feet and then a mad run towards him for a big cuddle.

Sadly, I didn't capture the moment but I'll share with you one of my favourite pictures I took of Mini Cheddar when she was only 6 months old and her Grandad - my wonderful Dad.  It's not exactly highlighting my photographic skills, far from it, but I love it for the look on my Dads face and the touch of Mini Cheddars hand on his face.

Now head on over and check out all the other entries...

The Gallery - I'm Grateful For...

As our blogging friend Chris over at Thinly Spread embarks on her epic journey in Mozambique for 'Save The Children' this week, it's time for The Gallery to reflect on the things we are grateful for.

But before you do anything, if you haven't already done so head over to the Save The Children website and sign the petition to plug the funding gap for vaccines for children across the world.

Thank you!

There are a lot of things I'm grateful for in this life, such as the health and happiness of my family and I'm grateful for the lovely home and things we have to fill it - although material things pale into insignificance compared to the love and happiness that's inside the walls.  I know that sounds naff but it really is true when you sit and think about it.

For me though, there is one thing that stands out that I'm grateful for.

I'm grateful for my family and my friends.  I don't know what I would do without them.

I'm grateful that I found an amazing husband and that we were able to have Mini Cheddar together. I've already mentioned on this blog that my parents went without when my Sister and I were younger so we could have things we needed or wanted and I've be forever grateful for what they did for us and how they continue to love and support us even now we are in our 30's.  I'm grateful for my older Sister who is like my best friend and she is a brilliant Aunty to Mini Cheddar.  I'm also grateful for the fact I got to have 4 Grandparents in my life for such a long time.

I'm also grateful for my extended family, even though they are a strange mixture of characters sometimes!  I'm grateful for my young Brother-In-Law (pictured below) who makes me laugh and Mini Cheddar adores him - he is fantastic with her.

I'm grateful for all my beautiful friends who I've known for years and who have supported me through the good times and the bad. I love them all dearly for various reasons.

So thanks to my family and my friends I'm grateful for the love and happiness that fills my life.

I'm grateful for a lot.

Now head on over and check out all the other entries...

The Gallery - My Backyard

Blimey, is it Wednesday already?  Where are the weeks going?

I know I've been saying the past couple of weeks that I wasn't going to join in with The Gallery but this week was definitely going to be the week. Yeah yeah, I failed again.

By the way...did anyone else snigger childishly at the theme of 'My Backyard' (metaphorically speaking)? Just me then? Moving on...

I wasn't going to join in this week as my backyard is not that exciting.  Basically I'm no Alan Titchmarsh (I would say Charlie Dimmock but I wear a bra) and I really dislike gardening. My fingers aren't in the slightest bit green. We have a fairly large back garden but it's mainly just grass and patio. Oh and the 'den'.  I have a few pots with some crappy flowers in it but that's about it.

So, I ran out in the garden yesterday afternoon and snapped these. At least I joined in and I can sleep at night (damn you Tara for causing my Gallery addiction).

Now head on over and check out all the other entries...

The Gallery - Mustachioed

Now this definitely was going to be the week I didn't join in with The Gallery...but I failed. I don't know what it is but I'm totally addicted to it...it's like a drug. *shakes fist at Tara yet again*

Such a totally random theme this week - mustachioed. Gee, thanks Tara.  Although I probably should blame Laura at Are We Nearly There Yet Mummy for the idea.

Thankfully I can delve into the archives and share this with you...although exactly WHY I'm sharing this is anyones guess.  I think I'm just used to embarrassing myself on my blog now.

One of my closest friends had one of those Murder Mystery Nights at her house a good many years ago. It was a 60's theme and we were all given our characters beforehand and told to dress appropriately. There were lots of wigs, fake eyelashes and plastic dresses (and that was just me!). It was great fun and lots of hilarity ensued - we had a sit down dinner for the 10 of us and it all started out so civilised.

Then, as usual, too much alcohol came into the equation.

Another of my friends decided to pinch her husbands fake handle-bar moustache (mustache for my American friends) and we ripped it up into little pieces.

Alcohol + fake moustache = stupidity

(obviously)

               

 

If I ever divulge my blog to my friends, I really hope this one forgives me for posting this. Oh and I'm sure you will have guessed but that's me on the right with the dodgy blonde wig.


Now head on over and check out all the other entries...

The Gallery - Chilled Out

I really can't believe it's Wednesday again and time for The Gallery - where did the last week go?  I only checked the theme out late on Monday night and have been running around taking a couple of pictures for todays post.  So, the theme this week is 'Chilled Out'. What's chilled out?  The way the year is passing me by I sometimes wonder.

For me though, chilling out is simple - whether it's snuggled up on the sofa with my husband watching a film, watching some comedy or reading a book or maybe having a natter with friends over a few glasses of wine.  I've been taking a lot of time out over the past few weeks to chill and it's been lovely.

There are also a few other ways I like to chill out.  Believe it or not I can be most chilled when I'm simply watching my daughter, Mini Cheddar.  She can be sleeping or even playing, it doesn't really matter. Sometimes I feel most relaxed and contented watching her seeing the world, learning and absorbing information.

I also chill out by taking photographs.  Nowadays these mainly involve Mini Cheddar but I'm hoping to pick up my photography again and maybe sell my old Nikon D40 and upgrade.  I'm hoping that Mini Cheddar will also enjoy photography when she's older....although she loves messing around with my Mini Diana already.

Finally, the ultimate chill out...red wine and chocolate.  My husband has gone away to London for a few days so I had the Chianti already poured last night and the Minstrels already opened (oops, how did that happen?).  A bit of Absolute 80's station on the radio in the den and hey presto!  Chilled out to the max.

Now head on over and check out all the other entries...

The Gallery - April

I have to admit, when I saw the The Gallery prompt this week I was in two minds if this was going to be the first week I'd skip it as nothing immediately sprang to mind for April.  

However, the more I thought about the prompt the more I knew what I could do and I knew I wanted to include a top tune. So if you fancy being lifted a little on this Wednesday morning then feel free to click play...

You see, April for me has been somewhat a turning point in my recent mood in life.  April has brought with it good weather which always helps but lately I've come to realise what really matters. 

Those who know me know that I adore my friends and I'm extremely loyal to them - not just my best and closest friends but all my friends so when one let me down last year it hurt. 

A lot. 

Someone I thought was a good friend turned out to be someone else - she wasn't the friend I thought she was and I've really struggled to understand it all.  I don't think a week or two went by since last September/October where I hadn't thought about how she hurt me.  

Then April came. That was the month for me.  The month where I realised I'd dealt with it, a whole month where I didn't even spare 'her' a single thought. 

I believe that looking up and seeing that glorious blue sky in the past month has something to do with making me appreciate what I've got. I now realise that the good friends, the honest and trustworthy ones, are the ones that really matter in my life and that's what I should focus on.

So Hello Mister Blue Sky...

Many people will walk in and out of your life, 

but only true friends will leave footprints in your heart

- Eleanor Roosevelt

And for those without sound:

Sun is shinin' in the sky

There ain't a cloud in sight

It's stopped rainin' ev'rybody's in a play

And don't you know

It's a beautiful new day hey,hey

Runnin' down the avenue

See how the sun shines brightly in the city

On the streets where once was pity

Mister blue sky is living here today hey, hey

Mister blue sky please tell us why

You had to hide away for so long

Where did we go wrong?

Hey you with the pretty face

Welcome to the human race

A celebration, mister blue sky's up there waitin'

And today is the day we've waited for

Hey there mister blue

We're so pleased to be with you

Look around see what you do

Ev'rybody smiles at you

Mister blue sky, mister blue sky

Mister blue sky

Mister blue, you did it right

But soon comes mister night creepin' over

Now his hand is on your shoulder

Never mind I'll remember you this

I'll remember you this way

Mister blue sky please tell us why

You had to hide away for so long

Where did we go wrong?

Hey there mister blue

We're so pleased to be with you

Look around see what you do

Ev'rybody smiles at you

Ba ba ba ba ba ba ba ba ba

Ba ba ba ba ba ba ba ba ba ba ba 

Now head on over and check out all the other entries...

The Gallery - My Blog

That Tara is a pesky lady.  She tries to stump us last week with the 'Tomorrow' theme and promises us an easier week this week.  What does she do?  She goes and picks the hardest theme yet *shakes fist at Tara*  I will NOT be beaten...WILL NOT I tell you! 

So....'My blog'.

I had no idea when I started blogging at the beginning of the year where it would take me. I didn't realise there was a whole world of 'mummy bloggers' out there and just kind of stumbled across British Mummy Bloggers (aka Brit Mums) when I saw the badge on another blog - I joined up and hey presto, I was thrust head first into the lovely world of blogging.

Two weeks after my first ever blog post I discovered Jay's Silent Sunday and indeed The Gallery.  My passion for photography lead me to not miss a week of these link-ups yet!

So this is the photo which I think sums up my blog:

My daughter, Mini Cheddar, is the main focus of my blog.  I started my blog because I wanted somewhere to document my journey as a stay at home mum with her - for her.  Like an online diary. I never expected anyone to read it but it's rather lovely that it does get readership and I've made some fabulous new blogging friends.

As I've already mentioned, I have a mild passion for photography which sees me owning 3 cameras plus my iPhone camera (I took this photo with my iPhone).  There's my trusty Nikon DSLR, my Canon 'point and shoot' and my Diana which Mini Cheddar is kindly modeling.  Taking part in Silent Sunday and The Gallery is now part of my weekly routine.

My blog is also about me but I decided not to appear in the photo because a) I look like crap at the moment and b) It would involve me having to get my photographically challenged husband to take the photo.

Oh and some of you may have noticed the stuffed toy dog in the nappy.  That's because I couldn't mention my blog without mentioning that post now could I?

Now head on over and check out all the other entries...

The Gallery - Tomorrow

Blimey, Tara stumped me a bit this week.  The theme she gave us on Friday for The Gallery was 'Tomorrow' and I sat at my laptop with a blank look on my face - an expression I've perfected over the years!

I toyed with talking about anxiety and the hope that tomorrow was a better day but I didn't want to get too deep on your asses. How wrong does THAT sound?

So I used one of the first 'tomorrow' songs that popped into my head from one of my favourite TV shows from my childhood (yes, I'm showing my age) and my daughter.  So come and join me for this rather lame (but cute) 'Tomorrow' Gallery...but hey, this week it has sound ooooooh!

Click play to complete your gallery experience!

She has this LittleLife turtle backpack we bought for her when she was 1 and she loves it.  It's the cutest thing.  She still wears it now and I always refer to her as the Littlest Hobo.

Yesterday she took our dog, Betty (yes, she's still with us) for walkies around the back garden.  The Littlest Hobo takes The Hairiest Hobo for a walk...

Maybe tomorrow they'll get to venture outside the confinement of the garden fence eh!

And for those without sound...sing along in your head...all together now:

There's a voice that keeps on calling me
Down the road, that's where I'll always be.
Every stop I make, I make a new friend,
Can't stay for long, just turn around and I'm gone again 

Maybe tomorrow, I'll want to settle down,

Until tomorrow, I'll just keep moving on. 

Down this road that never seems to end,

Where new adventure lies just around the bend.

So if you want to join me for a while,

Just grab your hat, come travel light, that's hobo style. 

Maybe tomorrow I'll want to settle down,

Until tomorrow, the whole world is my home. 

So if you want to join me for a while,

Just grab your hat, come travel light, that's hobo style 

There's a world that's waiting to unfold,

A brand new tale no-one has ever told.

We've journeyed far but you know it wont be long;

We're almost there, and we've paid our fare with this hobo song. 

Maybe tomorrow, I'll want to settle down,

Until tomorrow, I'll just keep moving on. 

So if you want to join me for a while,

Just grab your hat, come travel light, that's hobo style. 

Maybe tomorrow, I'll find what I call home, Until tomorrow, you know I'm free to roam.

Now head over and view all the other Tomorrow entires, I can assure you they'll be better than mine...

The Gallery - Mother Love

With it being Mother's Day on Sunday just gone, Tara has given the prompt of 'Mother Love' for The Gallery this week and also dedicated entries to World Vision's Mother's Day Campaign which is asking for people to share their best 'mother' moments that make them smile.

It was actually my Mum's 66th birthday on Mother's Day so it made it even more special and the reason I've chosen my Mum as the theme for The Gallery.

It's hard for me to pinpoint the thing that makes me smile the most about my Mum.  I think just knowing that despite having had breast cancer twice she's still here with us.  I'll always be so thankful for that.

This photo of my older Sister, my Mum and myself was taken on my daughters 1st birthday just over a year ago.  Since then my Mum has been going to Weight Watchers and has lost well over 3 and half stone. I'm so proud of her, she's looking fantastic.

Mum is the mother of two daughters and I am the mother of one (so far) and I hope that my daughter and I have as much of a bond as my Mum and I do.

Even though I don't say it all the time, I love my Mum so much.


Now head over and view all the other mummy moments...