The Country Mouse Tales

Project Life Tuesday: Feb 20th - 26th; and the giveaway winner!

2012-02-28T09:00:00.005Z

It just wouldn't be Tuesday without a Project Life link up! I'm so pleased I'm keeping up with it far more this year. Even though this is my first week where I missed a photo (whoops!), I'm being far more organised about the whole thing, and therefore enjoying it more too!

On with the week!

Monday 20th: I was so excited to be back at school....that I completely forgot to take a photo! Ach well, first skip of the year won't do too much harm. It was a day of teaching and maths and silliness and admin. A good day.

Tuesday 21st: Pancake day! After work and my JLL meeting I tootled home to make pancakes with lemon and sugar for Matthew and I. Delicious! I only learned to make pancakes a few years ago, and they are definitely something of a treat in our household.

Wednesday 22nd: The lovely Eileen had been unwell and off work, so I popped by for tea and to bring her cake and chat. It was lovely to catch up as ever and to hear all her exciting news! That blue rabbit mug is my favourite!

Thursday 23rd: Speaking of favourite mugs, this is one of the ones I use at school each day (the others being a Charlie and Lola one which read "But excuse me, that is my mug" and an 'I Love Spreadsheets' one), and probably my favourite. One of my pupils made it for me last year as an end of year gift and it's so me - on the front is a badger, on the back it says "Miss T you are the best! Thank you for a great Year 4!", and the inside of the mug is purple (one of my favourite colours, and the colour I mark in). I love it!

Friday 24th: All the beautiful spring weather we'd been having seemed to call for some flowers! Yellow roses are my favourite. I also did the most popular Friday snack yet with the boys (tied with homemade cake!) - baguette, a selection of cheeses, and fruit. They really enjoyed it!

Saturday 25th: Would you just look at that sky? Such beautiful weather this weekend! Matthew and I are were both around for the whole weekend (who would have thunk it!) and we had so much fun hanging out together.

Sunday 26th: On Sunday we went for a lovely walk in the sunshine, through Primrose Hill and Regent's Park. Oh, it was beautiful! Seventeen degrees and sunny in February. We fed the ducks and saw this very cute squirrel who loved the camera (more pics in tomorrow's post!). Then we had a roast meal at our local before heading home to get ready for the week. Lovely.

I hope you all had a great week too....looking forward to seeing what everyone has been up to!

PS A HUGE thank you to everyone who entered my giveaway to celebrate 1,000 posts! I really enjoyed running it and will certainly do another giveaway before too long! To choose the winner I wrote everyone's name down on piece of paper:

Chopped them up:

Put them in a little box:

Shook them up:

And selected the winner:

Congratulations, Samantha! I will put together a package for you over the next fortnight!

A favourite

2012-02-27T12:00:00.000Z

I love this poem. Always have. There's something about the enthusiasm, the hopefulness, the desire to do good of Ralph Waldo Emerson that has always chimed well with me. I have copies of this poem at home and in my classroom. There's always time and space for some wise words.

Have a lovely week, all!

And the Oscar goes to....

2012-02-26T22:20:00.003Z

The big night is finally here, as Hollywood sets up and sets off for its night of nights - The Oscars! If I lived stateside I would *so* throw an Oscars bash, but alas, here in GMT we are eight hours ahead, and 1.30am is not the time for a party. Especially not on a Monday! So instead I'll tape it to watch tomorrow evening while I do my ironing (the glamour!). I thought It would be fun to blog my picks though, and funny to look back and see which I got right in the cold clear light of day tomorrow.

So.....

Best Picture: The Artist

Best Director: Michel Hazanavicius. Beautiful film, lovingly crafted.

Best Actor: I'd love it to be le Clooney, and I wouldn't rule out Oldman (he's such a don!), but I feel like this is Jean Dujardin's year.

Best Actress: This is wide open for me, so it's hard to choose. But choose I must. I think Michelle Williams will take it (go Jen!).

Best Supporting Actor: I haven't seen any of the movies, so I'm guesisng here....I'm going to go for Jonah Hill, mainly because a) E! were mean about him being nominated; and b) his speech would probably be entertaining!

Best Supporting Actress: I loved both Berenice's and Melissa's performances and would be stoked if they won, but I think the little gold man will go to Octavia Spencer.

Best Song: 'Man or Muppet'. I would love to see Bret McKenzie lift an Oscar!

Best Screenplay (A): George Clooney & Grant Heslov and Beau Willimon for The Ides of March. Awesome film.

Best Screenplay (O): Annie Mumolo and Kristen Wiig for Bridesmaids. Seriously, that movie made me roar in places. Particularly the bit with the gangster car!

I'm going to predict that I've got roughly three right. But which three? What are your picks?

Pinterest: if I ever procreate*

2012-02-25T09:22:00.008Z

And my pinterest obsession just grows and grows....

I love that I can have boards for everything - recipes, decorating, holidays. I now even have boards for things that are so far in the distance that they're not so much a dot on the horizon as a speck on the dot on the horizon! Hence my 'if I ever procreate' board.

Realistically, I don't know if or when we'd even want to try for a family, but pinterest is such a treasure trove I just had to pin some of the great ideas. Add in the fact that I've always had a major interest in child development, and the geekery is strong in this one. And add the final impetus, lots of friends with cute cute cute babies, and the pinning just has to be done! Here are some of my favourite picks.

From: etsy.com

A quilt made from baby clothes! Such a cute idea.

From: andersonfamilycrew.blogspot.com

This idea is so clever for family Christmasses. None of the gifts under the tree are named. Instead, everyone has a piece of wrapping paper stowed in the bottom of their stocking, which gives the clue as to which presents belong to which person. Love the element of surprise!

From: lisashouse.typepad.com

I've long hoped that if I'm/we're lucky enough to have children, that I might be able to homeschool them until 6/7. I think homeschooling is so interesting and I love reading blogs about it. Cute little schoolrooms like this just fuel the fire!

From: amygregson.blogspot.com

Love this Christmas newsletter! Inventive, fun, cute enough to display and quick to read!

Love: summertimedesigns.blogspot.com

Ha! Such a simple and clever idea!

From: pre-schoolplay.blogspot.com

Cut up pieces of pipe cleaner, put in a container, then have kids use a magnet to manipulate them. Genius!

From: megschmitt-neveradullday.blogspot.com

The creativity of the pinterestverse (I'm sure there's a better way to express that, but forgive me, it's the weekend!) never fails to astound me. This chest of drawers is simply darling and would be perfect for any littlies room.

From: lovelylittlesnippets.blogspot.com

I think this list is pretty groovy - lots of great ideas for tempting little eaters!

From: google.com

A photo every month is always such a cute idea - love this way of doing it!

From: etsy.com

A door muff for a baby's room. Just a brilliant, solid idea. As an ex-babysitter, I pretty much shouted 'Eureka!' when I saw this.

From: reavespartyofthree.blogspot.com

"Cute idea . . .Starting at age 3, every year on their birthday you ask the same questions and see how their answers change over the years! Add a pic and make a book out of it."

From: sidebysideblog.blogspot.com

Hahaha! This made me roar with laughter. If I'm ever blessed enough to be a mama, this is such a must!

From: designspongeonline.com

"This is such a cute idea. It's a daily calendar that can be reused each year and gets better the longer you use it. Each day you write the year and something that happened that day like, "(Child's name) took her first steps." I imagine the first year wouldn't be as fun, but imagine how neat it would be in 10 years."

From: anastasiamariephotography.com

How adorable is this? Several of my friends have announced new baby brothers and sisters in really cute ways, and pinterest is full of lots of other brilliant suggestions for announcing new babies.

From: laurenmakes.wordpress.com

What a wonderful idea for a baby shower. I love baby showers!

From: blog.landofnod.com

A bookcase dollhouse! How beautiful! I would have gone nuts for this when I was little.

From: mycottoncreations.blogspot.com

If I am ever lucky enough to have children, I'd really like to be a crafty mama who makes things (in between that very tough job of parenting!). These pyjama bottoms are adorable!

* don't panic, sweetie!

What a lovely Friday!

2012-02-24T21:52:00.002Z

Today had many of the ingredients for potential disaster. I'd been up late at a school event on Thursday, we had a 90 minute rehearsal for our upcoming variety show right at the end of the school day, and at the end of the first week back I knew the boys would be more likely to be tired or fractious, poor loves!

But do you know what?

It actually turned out to be a lovely day.

We started off the day in our normal fashion, chatting and catching up. The boys were suitably impressed with the fact that the quiz team I was on the preceeding evening (a big annual school event, hence the late night Thursday!) came second out of 18 teams - we got 109 points to the 110 of the victors. Always good to have your students think you're at least a little brainy!

Then the day galloped on - maths and English and rehearsals and lunch and life skills, and the boys were as delightful as can be. They worked hard, they were pleasant, we had a real giggle together. And before I knew it it was 3.30 and we all settled down to Friday snack (fresh baguettes, a choice of cheeses and fruit) and a nice end of week chat.

I love my class. I always do. But today they brought it on a whole new level. And as I pointed out to them, they picked the perfect day to do so :-).

How was your Friday?

Happy weekend, all.

Things I Like Thursday, February 23rd

2012-02-23T15:12:00.003Z

Another Thursday and another chance to round up all those things which make life just that little bit better (or a lot better!). There's a linky at the bottom of the post in case you'd like to join in :).

1. The glorious spring day we're having today. This week started out grey and cold and windy....today's it's sunny and blue skied and 16 degrees. Delicious.

2. Spring on the horizon!

3. Comfortable work clothes, perfect for jumping around and dashing after my class of crazy boys!

4. Having such a giggle at Junior League on Tuesday. The JLL girls are so sweet and funny and encouraging.

5. Curling up with my Kindle on long Tube journeys, and getting a few chapters down.

6. Blowing off plans to see comedy last night, and instead making friends with the sofa and watching some of the boxset of How I Met Your Mother. Love that show!

7. Crossing my fingers for potentially exciting news.

8. Drooling over homewares at John Lewis.

9. Making plans with sweet friends for coffee or dinner or a catch up.

10. Pancakes! How did you have yours on Tuesday?

Reminder: my first giveaway (to receive a parcel o'fun containing a DVD, a book, a CD and assorted other goodies) is open until this Saturday, the 25th. For details/to enter, the post can be found here.

Dance with me!

2012-02-22T09:00:00.005Z

Reminder: my first giveaway (to receive a parcel o'fun containing a DVD, a book, a CD and assorted other goodies) is open until this Saturday, the 25th. For details/to enter, the post can be found here.

Is anyone else feeling a little worn out? Does anyone else fancy a good old jump/pogo/dance around the room? If so, please do feel free to join me....

Apologies in advance for the eclectic mix - I felt in the mood for all sorts!

(nearly there! ;))

Ah, that was refreshing. I needed a dance :)

Project Life Tuesday: Feb 13th - 19th

2012-02-21T09:00:00.006Z

Reminder: my first giveaway (to receive a parcel o'fun containing a DVD, a book, a CD and assorted other goodies) is open until this Saturday, the 25th. For details/to enter, the post can be found here.

Yay! It's Project Life Tuesday! Linking up once again with the lovely Jessica :).

Monday 13th: How lucky was I to have Shona to stay for 5 whole days? She's one of my dearest friends, so the chance to spend so much time together was an absolute blessing. On Monday we spent lots of time chatting and reading, went to see The Artist (brilliant) at the movies and Singin In The Rain (lovely) at the theatre (where we walked past Andrew Lloyd Webber! Musical theatre geek excitement!). This pic is Shona goofing off at M&Ms World. We so classy!

Tuesday 14th: ah, Valentine's Day, the day of romance....haha! Matthew was working all day so Shona and I went for a girldate at The Diner before she had to head north once more. In the evening Matthew and I had a lovely chilled time with steak, good red wine and London Underground edition Monopoly. I had a brilliant time - can hardly believe that this year was our fourth V Day together!

Wednesday 15th: My beautiful colleague Emer and I headed to East London for a special screening of Brief Encounter (*sniff, sniff, weep*). The theatre we went to (The Troxy) is a proper old picture house and the whole place was decked out in a 1940s style - usherettes, torch song singers, the whole shebang. A fun, fun evening - and always nice to socialise with the lovely Emer and not just talk about school!

Thursday 16th: Our dinner plans fell through, but after several nights out in a row I was so grateful to stay home and veg! Luckily the person we had plans with (the gorgeous Vick) was free earlier in the day for a coffee, so I got to relax *and* catch up with her. Perfect! Matthew and I had a lovely chilled evening, with Hawaii'an chicken (a firm household favourite!) for supper.

Friday 17th: Matthew and I headed up to Glasgow for the first annual ball for Cahonas, a male cancer charity founded and run by Matthew's hyper-talented friend, Ritchie. It was a wonderful evening full of great company, lovely food, fab entertainment and most importantly of all, lots of money being raised for charity! Matthew broke out the DJ and bowtie....doesn't my boy scrub up well?

Saturday 18th: No sooner were we in Glasgow....than it was time to turn around again! This was our view from the hotel, overlooking the Clyde. Most of Saturday was spent travelling, then a chilled evening at home to recover from the partying/travelling combo!

Sunday 19th: A chilled day before heading back to school. I met Eileen for brunch (come on, it couldn't be a Project Life post without an Eileen girldate! ;)) and curled up with Matthew to watch some football (mainly him, with occasional interjections from me) and read through some Lakeland catalogues (mainly me, with occasional interjections from him!). Then it was time for cakes and tea, and time to get planning for the half-term ahead...

Looking forward to reading up on how everyone is getting on. Have a marvellous Tuesday!

Sad

2012-02-20T13:00:00.002Z

As much as I love Barney Stinson, this is not what I do.

When I was younger, I had a real problem with sadness. I often felt like it wasn't okay to be sad. Years of being the new kid, being the reliable older child, and five years of boarding school life had made me equate sadness with weakness, with not being good enough.

I'm so glad I outgrew that phase.

Now I see sadness as I see any other emotion...one that you have to embrace and deal with and live through. Just as the laughter bubbles of joy or the hot red flashes of anger demand our attention, so too does sadness.

When we're hurt, or lonely, or we've lost someone, or we feel let down, or when we're just sad....

It's okay to be sad.

I'd actually go so far as to say that I'm 'good' at being sad now. There'll be a day, maybe next week, maybe next month, maybe later, when I'll get an attack of the sads. But whereas younger me would fight this, bottle it up, feel guilty, now I actively run into the arms of sadness. I watch a soppy movie, I listen to some power ballads, and I let myself go.

The permission to be sad, whether it's for a minute or a day, is a powerful thing.

So now, I'm an open and out crier. And the tears I shed are healthy and therapeutic and healing. I cried at the trailer for Incredibly Loud and Extremely Close...I cried when I found out my dear sweet granddad had passed...I cried during Matilda. Being able to be sad, to be able to cry feels grown up and helps me to be a happier, healthier person, I'm sure of it.

How do you feel about sadness, friends? Oh, and what's your go-to crying movie, if you have one (mine's Steel Magnolias. Every time)?

Switching gears....

2012-02-19T20:23:00.003Z

And just like that, my half-term break is over.

It's been great - reading, napping, good company, adventures....a change of pace.

And now it's time to get ready for school tomorrow. Time to read up on the Battle of Hattin and remind myself of the gate method of division. Time to doublecheck emails, adjust to-do lists, plan lessons, make worksheets and mop up the last of the marking (it truly is the Forth Bridge of teaching...never over!).

Tomorrow the alarm will go off at 6, and we'll surge headlong into another busy six weeks.

Let's do this.

Have a wonderful week, all!

My 1,000th post....and my first giveaway!

2012-02-18T09:00:00.006Z

One THOUSAND posts. 1,000 times where I've sat down and shared something....moments of sorrow, joy, reflection, hope and wondering. I've made some amazing friends through blogging, I've had some great times because of blogging and have learned so much about myself through this experience too. I'm so glad I started blogging in the first place, and so unbelievably grateful I get to continue to do so!

Thank you to all of you who read, comment and email. Inasmuch as this blog is for me as a record of my life and adventures, it's lovely to feel connected, and to have you along on the journey is both a pleasure and a privelege!

I was having a wee ponder on how to mark this occasion. A party? A song (Scarlet, I genuinely considered this, I know how you love a karaoke moment...)? A poem? All were tempting, but ultimately tricky to pull off. So instead, I am going to do my first ever giveaway!

A PARCEL O' FUN!

As I adore post and mail, it seemed only fitting to include this love in the giveaway!

The one lucky winner of this giveaway will receive a package in the mail filled with some of my favourite things - music, a DVD, a book, and myriad treats! I was going to make a pre-made package, but as my tastes are eclectic I will wait until the winner is selected to tailor make a parcel which I think they will enjoy, full of good things - movies, fun and candy, oh mys!

To secure an entry in this giveaway you can:

1. Leave a comment on this post (please and thank you!)
2. Become a follower of this blog (or let me know in the comments if you already are!)
3. Blog about this giveaway (let me know in the comments if you do so).
4. Tweet about this giveaway (let me know in the comments if you do so).
5. Mention this giveaway on facebook (let me know in the comments if you do so).

(One entry per item, maximum of five entries per person)

My first giveaway....I'm kind of excited! I hope you'll join in and that I can make a really fun package for whoever wins!

This giveaway will end at 9 p.m. GMT on Saturday, February 25th. I will then make up a parcel for the winner and mail it to them by Friday, March 9th at the latest. Bonne Chance, lovelies!

PS A big shout out to the lovely Christy, who hit 1,000 posts just before me. Hurrah for blog twins!

Five Minute Friday: Delight

2012-02-17T07:05:00.002Z

Linking up as ever with the beautiful Lisa-Jo.

This week's word...is delight.

GO.

Delight.

What a wonderful word.

A word full of laughter, joy, beauty glimpsed, moments which lift.

When I think of delight, so many images jump straight into my mind.

A weekend day where neither Matthew and I have plans, so we spend the whole day in our jimjams, eating toast and chatting and making tea and giggling.

Laughing with my girls over old stories and new stories, candles burning low and the clock unthought of.

Dancing around the classroom with my badgers on a grey and rainy Monday afternoon, the low of a wet break forgotten as we boogie on down to some calypso music on youtube.

I love to feel delight, and to feel delighted in. There's something special about delight, something precious, something delicate. It's to be treasured, to be cherished.

It's a rainbow after a storm, autumn leaves on the turn, pale winter sunrises and the heavy drop of snow after days of yellow-skied anticipation. It's a million small moments, words, touches which add up to something more wonderful, more amazing, more holy than the sum of their parts.

I relish delight because I find life delightful. How about you?

STOP.

Things I Like Thursday, February 16th

2012-02-16T18:26:00.002Z

1. Lighter evenings. How delicious to sit having a coffee with Vick at 5 and still see a light sky!

2. Saying no to something, and feeling a giant weight lift.

3. The smell of popcorn.

4. Filling up the diary for March!

5. Musical theatre. After seeing both Matilda and Singin In The Rain (and bumping into Andrew Lloyd Webber briefly!), I'm in a cheesey song kind of mood.

6. On Saturday, it will be my 1,000th blog post!

7. Curling up with my badger and chatting about a million and one different things.

8. Hawaii'an chicken...who knew chicken, peppers, pineapple and rice would taste so good?

9. Swatches.

10. This song, always:

PS Do feel free to link up - I'd love to know what's floating your boat!

:)

2012-02-15T13:37:00.003Z

From: here

Wow.

This quote speaks to me.

It speaks of being more, dreaming bigger, stepping out of comfort zones.

Changing, learning, growing.

I needed this quote today.

PS, on a similar note:

From: here

Project Life Tuesday: Feb 6th - 12th

2012-02-14T09:00:00.006Z

Linking up with the lovely Jessica as we plot our way through Project Life 2012!

Monday 6th: We'd had a lot of snow (well, a lot for London!) so heels weren't a good call. So I wore my walking boots in and out and rocked these heels for parents' evening. I'll never be tall but I'll certainly try my darndest at times ;)

Tuesday 7th: Another busy day, in from school at around 7 (pretty much the average by this point in term, and in fact earlier than I had been for a while). My rosy cheeks make me giggle.

Wednesday 8th: My trusty walking boots. Deeply unglamorous but oh-so-very-useful!

Thursday 9th: I've done pretty well this year, healthy eating wise. In fact I was joking with Matthew that I might stop aiming for five-a-day when it comes to fruit and veg, and instead try the French idea of nine-a-day! But sometimes a girl needs steak, oven chips, peas and wine. Yum! Matthew and I enjoyed this while we were waiting for the lovely Shona to arrive.

Friday 10th: A visit from Shona, the start of half-term break, and tickets to see Matilda? Ooooh, such deliciousness!

Saturday 11th: Such a fun day of hanging out with Shona and Matthew. In the evening Shona and I made a cameo at two of my JLL lovelies' birthday party (a.k.a. Flappercon). There were plenty of cheesy shots of us in costume, but this one makes me laugh the most as we attempt to be serious!

Sunday 12th: A lazy day! And guess who got a slanket as her belated Christmas gift?

Fun times as ever - looking forward to catching up with everyone elses albums!

Music meme, back once more :)

2012-02-13T09:00:00.007Z

I last did this meme a couple of years back and it was really fun (and musically geeky, which totes works for me!). The rules are:

Step 1: Put your music player on shuffle.
Step 2: Post the first line (or a few ;)) from the first 30 songs that play, no matter how embarrassing.
Step 3: Italicise the lyrics and post the details when someone guesses both artist and track correctly.
Step 4: For those who are guessing -- looking the lyrics up on a search engine is CHEATING!
Step 5: If you like the game post your own

Have at it, my lovelies!

1. As the snow flies
On a cold and gray Chicago morn
A poor little baby child is born

In The Ghetto - well done, Siobhán!

2. Yeah I'll tell you something,
I think you'll understand,
When I say that something...

I Want To Hold Your Hand - The Beatles (guessed by Samantha!)

3.I wanna ask you
Do you ever sit and wonder,
It's so strange
That we could be together for
So long, and never know, never care
What goes on in the other one's head?

You Don't Know Me - Ben Folds ft. Regina Spektor (WTG, Christy!)

4. Oh, her eyes, her eyes, make the stars look like they're not shining
Her hair, her hair, falls perfectly without her trying

Just the Way You Are - Bruno Mars (well done, Siobhán!)

5. When I look back upon my life
It's always with a sense of shame
I've always been the one to blame
For everything I long to do

It's A Sin - Pet Shop Boys (well done, Siobhán!)

6. It doesn't matter if you love him or capital H-I-M
Just put your paws up
'Cause you were born this way, baby

Born This Way - Lady Gaga (well done, Siobhán!)

7. I don't get many things right the first time,
In fact I am told that a lot.
Now I know all the wrong turns and stumbles and falls,
Brought me here.

8. Good times, for a change
See the luck I've had, could make a good man turn bad

Please, please, please let me get what I want (well done, Siobhán!)

9. Snow can wait
I forgot my mittens
Wipe my nose
Get my new boots on

10. I'd rather be liberated, I find myself captivated
Stop doing what you
Keep doing it to
I'd rather stay bold and lonely, I dream I'm your one and only

Mulder and Scully - Catatonia (well done, Siobhán!)

11. Uh huh make me tonight
Tonight, make it right
Uh huh make me tonight
Tonight
Tonight

Atomic - Blondie (well done, Siobhán!)

12. Baby when I met you there was peace unknown
I set out to get you with a fine tooth comb
I was soft inside there was somethin' going on

Islands in The Stream - Dolly Parton/ Kenny Rogers (guessed correctly by Accidental Londoner)

13. Your lipstick stains on the front lobe of my left side brains
I knew I wouldn't forget you, and so I went and let you blow my mind

Hey Soul Sister - Train (well done, Accidental Londoner)

14. One, two, three and I come with the redneck style
Because you know I get paid by the mile, like Avis
I pave this, fast save this, everybody smile. . .
And act gracious

Fun Lovin' Criminals - Fun Lovin' Criminals (well done, Del!)

15. Follow through
Make your dreams come true
Don't give up the fight
You will be alright
'Cause there's no one like you in the universe

16. Well, I shuffled through the city on the 4th of July
I had a firecracker waiting to blow
Breakin' like a rocket who makin' its way
To the cities of Mexico

Firecracker - Ryan Adams (well done, Siobhán!)

17. Where have all the good men gone,
And where are all the gods?

Holding Out For a Hero (a.k.a. I Need A Hero) - Bonnie Tyler (well done, Accidental Londoner)

18. This could be the very minute
I'm aware I'm alive
All these places feel like home
With a name I'd never chosen
I can make my first steps
As a child of 25

Chocolate - Snow Patrol (yay Kaz!)

19. Son of Henry, I'm the first in line,
To the throne, smell my mustard Gas,
I slashed swords through your wooden spine,
Well it touched my heart and it broke my hand.

20. She, she ain't real,
She ain't gonna be able to love you like I will,
She is a stranger,
You and I have history,
Or don't you remember?

Rumour Has It - Adele (well done, Goldy!)

21. Lyin' here with you so close to me
It's hard to fight these feelings when it feels so hard to breathe
Caught up in this moment
Caught up in your smile

22. I can sense it
Something important
Is about to happen
It's coming up.
It takes courage to enjoy it

Big Time Sensuality - Bjork (well done, Siobhán!)

23. I still don't know what I was waiting for
And my time was running wild
A million dead-end streets
Every time I thought I'd got it made
It seemed the taste was not so sweet

Changes - David Bowie (well done, Del!)

24. It's crowded in worship today
As she slips in trying to fade into the faces
The girl's teasing laughter is carrying farther than they know
Farther than they know

25. Don't you know, so many things they come and go
Like your words that once rang true
Just like the love I thought I found in you

26. Oh, make me over
I'm all I wanna be
A walking study
In demonology

Celebrity Skin - Hole (well done Kaz and Hannah, who I think both got this one simultaenously!)

27. Pack it up, pack it in

Let me begin
I came to win
Battle me that's a sin
I won't tear the sack up
Punk you'd better back up
Try and play the role and yo the whole crew will act up

Jump Around - House of Pain (well done, Accidental Londoner!)

28. Such a feeling's coming over me
There is wonder in most ev'ry thing I see
Not a cloud in the sky, got the sun in my eyes
And I won't be surprised if it's a dream

Top of the World - The Carpenters (well done, Goldy!)

29. Baby we can talk all night
But that ain't getting us nowhere
I told you everything I possibly can
There's nothing left inside of me

Two Out of Three Ain't Bad - Meatloaf (WTG, Scarlet! I freaking love this song too :))

30. I ain't the kind you take home to mama
I ain't the kind to wear no ring
Somehow I always get stronger
When I'm on my second drink

Good luck, all!

Oh, Whitney

2012-02-12T23:35:00.002Z

Such a sad loss, such a true waste. An epic talent. RIP, Miss Houston.

I heart half-term!

2012-02-11T14:10:00.003Z

There are so many great things about teaching in the UK.

I spend all day with cool little boys who make me laugh and think...often within the same minute.

I have a captive audience ready to soak up stories, anecdotes and jokes, and get to share so many awesome things with them (my love of Tchaikovsky and politics and baking, my large and random vocabulary, my passion for stories and busting a move).

I get to feel like in some small way I'm helping, making a difference, helping these children on their path to the amazing people they're going to be.

I see the results of my hard work and effort, and I get enough thank you notes and cupcakes to make the most timid or self-doubting of people have a pretty decent confidence boost.

I work in the independent sector, where I'm lucky enough to have higher-ups, parents and pupils who trust me and who embrace my many schemes and plans to get the best out of my boys.

I truly, really love my job. Inasmuch as I can find mornings a struggle (I'll always be a night owl, for sure!), I am always excited to see my classes and get into some more learning, adventures, and fun.

That being said, this week heralds the return of one of my other favourite things about teaching in the UK....

...the half-term break.

A whole week off.

A week to lie-in and nap and think and read and plan and catch up with the little jobs that have drifted to the bottom of my to do list during the mania of term (working through a new reading policy I've had my eye on, getting my hair cut, reworking my maths plan, applying for a new passport, following up some new ideas for school I "pinned" on pinterest....).

I still do some work, but the drop from a fifty to seventy hour week to a twenty to thirty hour week is bliss! I love the chance to recharge and relax and see my friends, and I know it makes me go back even more ready to get those little badgers of mine working. And I know the boys come back refreshed and ready too!

Hurrah, hurrah, hurrah for half-term break!

Five Minute Friday: Trust

2012-02-10T08:37:00.002Z

GO.

Ah, trust.

About a decade ago, I can honestly say I didn't trust many people at all. I'd been burned and hurt and let down, and often felt like my life was a house of cards, wobbly and unsure. The bruises and bashes of fall outs and betrayals were raw on the skin, or old and fading, or memories that still ached.

It was not a pleasant place to be.

I'd been let down by friends (like the girl who staged an effect coup d'etat at high school, hitting at my lowest point, hoping to rob me of, effectively, all my friends. It didn't work, thank heavens, but oh how it hurt). I felt let down by teachers (not all, but you always remember the good and the bad, right?) - the one who had called me a failure in front of my English class, famously telling me "you'll be lucky to scrape a C." The ones who machinated behind the scenes. The ones who tried to block my taking a class....then soaked up all the glory when I aced it. I'd lost people to geography, politics, and that most final of things. And oh, how distrusting I was of men. Oh boy. I'd been hurt and broken and beaten down by more or less all the boys I'd ever encountered in the romantic field (bar my lovely high school boyfriend, who kind of rocked).

As I said, not a pleasant place to be.

But that was ten years ago, and I've grown so much since then. And I can honestly say one of the greatest things I've learned to do in that time? Is trust.

Trust is scary and awesome and wonderful and terrifying....but it makes everything better. I trust everyone in my life right now. At times this has involved hard choices, changing plans, and even ending friendships. But the people that remain, I trust implicitly, and I can honestly say they are the greatest people I've ever met.

To quote Charlie Sheen, #winning.

STOP.

Things I Like Thursday, February 9th

2012-02-09T09:15:00.003Z

Linky at the bottom, as ever. Do hope you'll join the fun!

1. Half-term break starts tomorrow. Oh praise heavens - I'm exhausted! :)

2. Window shopping for housey things with my badger. Such fun!

3. The lovely Shona comes to visit tonight, and I have a whole five days of her glorious company! Woot!

4. Pain au chocolat Thursdays - each week on a Thursday we have croissants and pain au chocolat on a Thursday morning. Naughty but nice!

5. Planning my first ever giveaway (to coincide with my 1000th post).

6. Being able to keep up with my friends wedding plans and pregnancies thanks to the delight of blogs, emails, fb and Skype.

7. Days when it's calm enough to actually chat and spend some quality time with my class - I love their stories!

8. Making budget spreadsheets....and keeping to them, pretty much!

9. More snow may be on it's way. I really do like snow. :)

10. Mindy Kaling's book, Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns). It was recommended to me by the awesome Christy and I'm loving it!

Mark Twain tells it like it is...

2012-02-08T09:00:00.000Z

From thumbpress.com

Ever grateful today as ever for the great people who fill my life with joy and spur me on to ever greater things.

Best. Friends. Ever.

Awesome family.

Darling boyfriend.

I'm a lucky girl.

Feeling blessed.

Have a wonderful day, all!

Project Life Tuesday: Jan 30th - Feb 5th

2012-02-07T09:00:00.006Z

Another week down in Project Life. This was about where I stalled last year, so I'm pleased I'm sticking with it! Last week was *very* work-heavy, so I struggled picture wise on certain days, but I hope it gives an honest glimpse into the week as a whole!

Thanks as ever to the lovely Jessica for hosting Project Life Tuesdays - I get such inspiration and cool ideas from seeing what other people are up to. For example, as much as I am loving the digital version I am hoping to do the 'real' version next year, so I can include tickets, cards etc..

On with the week....

Monday 30th: A busy day, and a day where I had lots to do! Thank heavens for the cheeriness of 'badger corner' or I think I would have been feeling a little blue!

Tuesday 31st: The month of January bowed out with some beautiful blue skies. Even writing up a tonne of parents' evening notes seems easier under gorgeous skies!

Wednesday 1st: a.k.a. the day of the Year 4 parents' evening. So my desk ends up looking like this. :( Can't wait to finish conference and reports season and feel back on top of the paper pile, ha!

Thursday 2nd: A long overdue catch up with the lovely Miss Ems. Tapas, Rioja and hours of chat - just what I needed!

Friday 3rd: My hot date for the evening...late nights at school through the week left a giant pile of marking to wade through. Some girls have all the fun ;)

Saturday 4th: London had been warned snow was on the way, and on Saturday it finally arrived, softly floating down from about 8pm to just after midnight. I love how quiet the city can be when covered with a blanket of snow.

Sunday 5th: Girldate with my main girl, Eileen. I had a tonne of marking and prep to do so I was all "let's just grab brunch!" Four hours later I made it home, all the more replenished and ready to work for filling up on food, chat, and giggles. Love our girldates!

Pinterest: Gifts and Giving

2012-02-06T09:00:00.002Z

More splendour from the joy that is Pinterest....

This time the spin is gifts and giving - I love to give presents and little 'loves', and Pinterest raises the bar high and never fails to inspire. Enjoy!

From homemadesimple.com

Such a clever idea for storing those difficult to keep together rolls of gift wrap - a laundry bin!

From stylemepretty.com

A bridesmaids survival kit! How cute is this?

From theidearoom.ne

This would be such an adorable gift for grandparents - pictures of each child & their spouse, plus the grandkids.

From thegunnysack.com

Everything in a jar - some really cute gifts to make and give!

From craftster.org

A '52 reasons' gift - this would be perfect for a good friend or a sweetheart :).

From marthastewart.com

Love the idea of giving a 'housewarming bucket'! I tend to go for the It's A Wonderful Life trio of gifts ("Bread, that this house may never know hunger. Salt, that life may always have flavor."
- "And wine, that joy and prosperity may reign forever!"), but I really like the bucket idea too.

From katherinemariephotography.com

Sending a box of sunshine - what a lovely idea!

From saucysprinkles.com

Such a clever way to package a Starbucks based gift.

From gallery.projectnursery.com

Adorable idea. For a baby shower, assign each guest a letter of the alphabet. They bring their contribution, which then becomes part of the child's nursery. Love this.

From luxeandlillies.blogspot.com

Paper and real ribbons - just beautiful!

From etsy.com

What's better than a bottle of champagne? A bottle of champagne with a badger tag, of course!

What I'm Into....Jan into Feb edition

2012-02-05T09:00:00.003Z

Taking the lead from the lovely Emily, who had in turn been inspired by the lovely Sortacrunchy, these are the things that have been floating my boat recently.

On My Nightstand: I've read a few books so far this year. I just finished 365 Manners that Kids Should Know and am starting/finishing a few others now. I'm a third of the way through A Storm of Swords, part way through Grace Williams Says It Loud, have just started To Hell And Back (The Meatloaf Story). Am really trying to make time to read!

T.V. Shows: The two 'must sees' for me at the mo are How I Met Your Mother and Big Love. Season Five of Big Love is epic, and as it's the final season I'm excited to see how they bring everything together at the end! MTV are also running the entire run of The Fresh Prince of Bel Air, and I'm Sky +ing them all for a Fresh Prince Fest with Eileen. I currently have 64 episodes taped, haha! On a more cerebral note, I'm enjoying the BBC's latest series on the Crusades. I love a good documentary!

Movies: I haven't been to the movies at all this year :(. Will definitely remedy this over the next few weeks though - am so excited for The Muppets!

In My Kitchen: Lots of veggies! We're eating heartily but healthily - lots of soups and lean meat, good fats and all that jazz. Snack wise I am loving my graze boxes which I have delivered to school. I'm not the biggest snacker but it's great to have something healthy to hand when I need it!

In My Ears: Lots of classical music! It's what the boys and I listen to on Spotify in class sometimes, and it really is reminding me how much I love Mozart, Elgar and Tchaikovsky (amongst others!).

What I’m Looking Forward to Next Month (well, technically this month as I'm late with this!): Shona is coming to stay and play, developments, girldates, half-term break, time with Matthew!

How about you?

Nursery Food

2012-02-04T09:00:00.000Z

January always feels like a long hard month at times, and despite the many delicious moments this month has brought (visits, girldates, some great work from my class and the discovery of the best red velvet cake in London), at times the January slump has hit hard. And now February, its partner in crime, has rolled in....

Short days, cold weather, back to work, Christmas done, everyone trying to keep up with their new year's resolutions....there's really only one known cure, a three part prescription, if you will.

1. Good company
2. Early nights
3. Nursery food

Now, fear not gentle reader, I do not mean I've been subsisting on a diet of jarred food and rusks. Instead I refer to the joy of the 'nursery tea'. Plain, simple, yummy food - the kind that mummy/granny used to make you when you were wee.

Dishes liked boiled egg and soldiers. Heinz tomato soup with cheese on toast. Fish fingers and beans. Scrambled eggs on toast.

When you come in late from a long work day and a rainy commute home, greeted by a dark flat and a pile of marking, a nursery tea is totally in order. Cheap to buy ingredients for, quick to make, and fairly small, these meals conjure up nostalgia and are an ideal meal for one (so great for when Matthew has late meetings or social engagements).

Vive la nursery tea!

I'm interested too....what was your favourite meal as a child?