Dear Reader : A Letter From Me To You

Last month I took part in a Blog Every Day in May blogging/writing challenge....

Day 27 was entitled "A letter to your readers" and for this particular challenge I thought I would wait until this week, in order to put to together a thought or two.

So, here goes....

Dear Reader

I began my blog in May 2009, four years ago....AND this is my 1000th post.

I started so timidly with this little post, not really having a clue as to what I was going to create or write about....and so my journey began.

Blogging has been a complete joy for me....

four years on, I still have some of my first followers 

(and I still follow them too, there's a lot to be said for loyalty!)....

and some 13,932 comments later, I've only had one vaguely negative comment.

It's been a journey of which every blog-post, image, event, opportunity, meeting, contact & exchange has been a complete pleasure - as well as a surprise, since when I started out as a blogger I had no clear plan of where it would take me, but I certainly didn't expect to be where I am today with it.

My blog began as somewhere for me to share things that I love & that inspire me....

and actually, it is still that. 

What inspires me has changed, grown, evolved....through blogging, I have discovered new styles, amazing bloggers, great writers & photographers & just learned so much.

It's something of a cliche to say that I've been on a personal journey too, but it's true and so I have to say it.

It's made me more confident, it's made me challenge myself, I've discovered new things about myself....

it's made me ponder & consider all sorts of things....

before I never felt creative, now I feel my blog is my own little creation, something I love & am really proud of.

I love being a blogger....

although like many bloggers, it took me some time to even share with the world that I had a blog!

All bloggers have their own personal style and I am no exception, I have a very clear idea of what my blog is about & what I want to see on it....

the other thing that I always keep in my head is a sense of my own voice.

My favourite blogs all have their own voices & that is what keeps me coming back to them....

be authentic, be you, always write what YOU feel.

Blogging has been the most amazing experience, I completely believe that you get out of it what you put in & I've had nothing but kindness, support, wisdom & positivity.

I've always tried to be the kind of follower on other blogs that I'vé been fortunate to have here on my blog. 

I would recommend blogging to anyone, it's a wonderful way to explore & learn so much about yourself & the world around you....

I can guarantee that you will surprise & discover things about yourself that you possibly never knew.

Blogging leads to so many exciting and wonderful things....go on, you should try it.

From the bottom of the ironing basket, thank you

Simone xoxo

Day 31 : "A Vivid Memory"

I still have one more day of the Blog Every Day in May challenge to go back to but today's 

post (Day 31, yippee!) is

"A Vivid Memory"

my earliest memories....

my brother being born when I was 2 years/2months old

the ivy covered tree in our second house in Wales

a large yellow toy plastic saucepan which had a long handle for a nose, we loved that pan!

the dress my mother's friend made me for the party I had when we left Wales for London

travel memories....

my first trip to Paris....and the flowers at the Georges V hotel

St Peter's Square, Rome at night

Venice in November

first sight of the Manhattan skyline driving in from JFK airport

the August heat in Miami

white washed cottages arriving from Athens on the ferry at the island of Poros

the sight of Balmoral Castle and the countryside, lochs & mountains around it....stunning

the beaches of the Gower Peninsula, Wales

the Coliseum, Rome

Michelangelo's David, Florence

Eleuthera beach, Bahamas

food memories

  pretzels, bagels, cheesecake, Vong, The River Cafe, Carnegie Deli in NYC

any pasta & all ice cream in Italy

La Coupole in Paris

paella in Spain

fresh bread & pastries, lavender ice cream & seafood in the south of France

my husband's Zia Lina's pumpkin stuffed ravioli

my mother in law's mushroom pasta & trifle

happy, wonderful memories 

the proposal....Central Park

finding out both times that I was expecting a baby 

my children being born

our first home together

Day 17 : Share A Favourite Photo of Yourself

For Day 17 of the Blog Every Day in May challenge, we had to share a favourite photo....

I wanted to wait to collect these from my mother, she'd found them again a few weeks ago....

this is me aged 18 months having photos taken at a local department store by a professional photographer, they are from a proof sheet of 12 photos.

I have no recollection of them being taken....although they're not as old as they look!

The photos are sepia/black & white.

I absolutely love these, it's fascinating to see my range of expressions....

and interestingly, I look incredibly like one of my grandmothers in these photos, the resemblance is very strong, although I've never really noticed it so much before.

I no longer have the curls but those chubby cheeks never seem to have left me :)

Five Favourite Pieces of Music....

Listening to Stevie Wonder makes me happy.....this is him closing Glastonbury in 2010, an absolutely amazing performance.

He actually sings two songs here "Superstition" and "Free" 

So hard to choose five favourites for Day 29 of the Blog Every Day in May Challenge, I could have written this post many times over....

I've chosen some songs that I love to listen to anytime......enjoy!

 
I love Simon & Garfunkel so it was hard to choose one song, this is one of my favourites

The Smiths always remind me of Uni and my lovely friend Ali in particular 

this is just a gorgeous spine-tingling piece of music

my husband loves The Beatles so we often have them playing in the car, my son loves this song 


I really like Florence & the Machine & this is a song for Friday-night-kitchen-dancing

Day 28 : Only Pictures....

It's raining buckets in London town, this is my day....

Only pictures today & no writing.....

time to do some admin and to sort out my internet issues before insanity takes over me completely....

how can it be so difficult to get a good provider/good service/good customer service - and one that's competitively priced - in the middle of a city of 10 million people??!!

Although I'm sure I heard someone stating on the radio the other day that you are more likely to get good service in the countryside than in the city....

I can't remember why although it made sense when they explained it!!

I need a new internet provider and BT Vision comes pretty highly recommended, I just wish it wasn't so daunting - and time consuming - contacting these companies.

BT Vision allows, I believe, you to combine TV, broadband & your phone for a really competitive price....I'm sure my husband will be thrilled about the option of access to more sport, since they appear to offer access to special sports channels.

They also have some fantastic movie channels and as I have been thinking of signing up to a service like LoveFilm or Netflix, a really good movie channel/s might be just as good - my children will be very happy with this!

Our local Blockbuster finally closed last month and even though I am a regular cinema-goer, not all films appear to reach our local cinema - plus, there is presumably an option to catch up on box-sets of series such as the first series of "Homeland" which I still haven't seen.

Right, off to call them right now, wish me luck....please let it be straightforward! 

Me & My Worst Traits....

Day 24 of The Challenge :

"Your Top 3 Worst Traits"

What does it say about me that I cannot think of anything bad about myself??!!

I think it says that

a) I am a mother and therefore spend more time thinking about others than thinking about myself

b) I feel that acceptance of yourself is paramount

c) I grew up in a "challenging" family, I regard myself (as do others) as the "normal" one, I'm all good !!!

d) I've had a long time to justify any odd or terrible traits to myself, if I have them I don't even notice! 

in the interests of the challenge, here are a few things about me though ;)

* I'm very organised & tidy but I'm not the world's best cleaner....

you wouldn't be able to tell but I clean as quickly as is humanly possible & firmly believe that a little dirt is not going to kill you. Life is too short....

* I can be a little bossy, within my family that is  - growing up with 2 younger brothers who don't allow you any say in anything whatsoever will do that to you.

On the other hand, outside my family I'm possibly not assertive enough, I'm very easy-going.  

* It is impossible for me to eat just one biscuit/cookie/piece of toast.

But I see that as a good thing....see, justifying myself as usual ;)

* There is quite a lot of "stuff" that I just don't know how to do - mainly "techie" stuff which I admit that I am completely useless at.

* I don't know that I necessarily believe in star signs but everything that I've ever read about Taureans is pretty true....I can be stubborn, am not always fond of change, I like comfort & I like in security in everything.

* TV.....I can watch home improvement/extreme makeover shows all day long. 

I don't but I could.

* I probably could handle criticism better

* Every single day #withoutfail, I intend to go to bed early - I never do.

I need to carry through with my good intentions.

* I love adventures & new things but am also a real creature of habit....

there is a lot to be said for knowing what you like.

* I am a good friend, who is fiercely loyal & would do anything for those I love....

but cross me at your peril, some things can never be undone.

Things I've Learned That School Didn't Teach Me....

Day 23 of The Challenge :

"Things You've Learned That School Won't Teach You"

if you're not happy it just isn't worth it....in love or in life

don't be afraid to say no. Equally....don't be afraid to say yes

at 18 you might not know what you want to be.....

by 30 or even 40, you still might not know....that's okay.

You will have go along many paths, you will learn something from them all (even if it might not feel like it at the time) and eventually you will find your thing

some people are not meant to be your friends forever....

people do change, you will change

sometimes it's okay to move on. it happens.

the people that are meant to move on with you, do

just because you were a sad or unhappy child does not mean you will be a sad or unhappy grown up. life does get better 

if you get the chance to travel or to have an adventure, always always say yes. always.

good grades & university degrees are wonderful things

so are kindness, thoughtfulness and respect

things don't stay the same, change is good, it's healthy

there is a special place for mean people

they might seem to get away with the bad behaviour now but you wait & see.

it's called karma   

  

do not spend your time focusing on pleasing others....

it's a waste of time & chances are they won't notice anyway.

it is YOU that needs to be happy with your decisions or your work

life is short, make the most of it....

everyone tells you that, it's so true

if you love them, tell them....

friends, parents, children, boyfriends, husbands

do not wait until the time is perfect, you have all your ducks in a row, the right amount of money in the bank or are the perfect weight....

that time will never come.

if you are already thinking about it, then now is the time you should be doing it.

if you feel it's wrong or it's not for you, then it most probably is....

our instinct is rarely wrong, trust it

it might seem that everyone else in the world has it all mapped out, but believe me, they really don't. if you went back and talked to those girls at school who seemed to know everything, you'd probably find that they were just as scared and unsure as you, they thought & worried about the same as you.

it will be exactly the same throughout life....most people have the same hopes, dreams & fears.

it is NOT just you....

Seriously??!!??.

Day 22 of The Challenge : 

Rant about something. Get up on your soapbox. Share your pet peeves

1 People who don't respect other people's personal space - and this coming from someone who travelled on the London Underground for years at rush hour. 

Even when standing like a sardine there is a way of creating personal space!

2 The incredibly selfish commuters who won't give up their seats for those who are pregnant, old or just in need.

Very easy on a packed Tube to pretend you haven't seen the pregnant or old person....

don't pretend, give up your seat.

I travelled on the Tube throughout both my pregnancies....

I was sometimes offered a seat when there wasn't one already available, but many times I wasn't....

I stood up on a semi-packed train the whole of my 30 min journey home just four days before my daughter was born.

I also vomited into my hands (way TMI I know - sorry!) whilst 6 months & clearly pregnant on a rush-hour train heading for work - and still no one gave me a seat!!!! 

Naming & shaming you Northern line!!

3 Ignorance, rudeness & lack of respect

4 Hoarding....you don't need as much as you think you do, you can't use it all & if you can't use it then recycle it or give it to someone who will.

Also on my list are....

checkout assistants who appear to want to attempt to get through a whole transaction with me without engaging in eye contact or uttering a single syllable

mobile phone companies & their customer services, it doesn't seem to matter which company, they're all equally frustrating, I will do anything to avoid having to call them

males who wear their trousers halfway - or even underneath - their backsides.... 

what is that about?!? 

I'd like to say it's just teenagers but I've seen "grown" men sporting this look, including an H&M sales assistant.....seriously, you look RIDICULOUS!!!?

women who do their make up or their nails on the Tube. only made worse when they then glare at you if you find yourself staring at them....

you are on public transport, doing something that most of us do in private

the only thing worse than this is cutting your nails on a train whilst seated next to someone,

i've seen this happen more than once.

completely gross. if you do this in public, goodness only knows what you are like in private.    

people who talk very loudly on public transport whilst on their phones....

if you do get a call, make it quick since the whole bus really does not want or need to hear an entire verbatim account of your lunch plans/next deal/last date/last doctor's appointment/your s*x life. 

Believe me.

And finally....bad manners.
How hard can it be to say please, thank you and add a smile?   

Okay, rant over!!

(Be glad that I no longer travel on public transport every day, I'm sure those that do have even worse tales!)

Whilst we are on the subject of ranting, my broadband & internet connection over the last few months has been woeful, it's driving me nuts. I know that I need to find another option but, as always with phone companies, I dread the phone call to the operator.....
you're on hold for ages, transferred around only to then be invariably told that they can't help you/you're tied to your contract/there is no better option.
It can be the very definition of frustration.

I am sure there is a better option but I can't seem to find it!
I think what I probably need is something like BT Superfast Broadband but need some more details ....another one of those situations when a fabulous, super-competent PA seems like the best option, wouldn't that be lovely, someone to come in & sort all that technical "stuff" out?!

  

  

Day 21 : My Favourite Blog Posts

Day 20 (yippee!) of the challenge is 

"a list of some of your favourite posts in your blog archives"

About Me

Where I Live

Be Brave....Say Yes

What Are Your Non-Negotiables? 

Trip to Italy : London to Costageminiana 

Tell Me Something....

If There's One Thing I Know For Sure....

My Life in Summer Holidays

New York City Girl

This Parenting Gig

Beautiful Things & Inspiration

Dream Home : Tribeca, NYC

Window Love

Pantry Storage

Room With A View

Nora Ephron : "It Was Like....Magic"

Kitchen Love

Dreaming of....New York City

London's Best Cupcakes

Dream Homes : Costa Brava, Spain

Enjoy!!

Day 20 : What I Struggle With....

Day 20 of the Blog Every Day in May challenge is about 

"sharing what you are struggling with right now".

Truth be told, I struggle with very little....

I am assured in my decision making processes, don't often doubt myself & once a decision is made, I don't look back. It's unusual for me to worry.

To me, struggle suggests a really hard time, hard work, an almost insurmountable difficulty....

something that may never change....

and I would hate to exaggerate by claiming I have a really hard life.

I looked up the definition of the word struggle.... 

1. To exert muscular energy, as against a material force or mass

2. To be strenuously engaged with a problem, task, or undertaking

3. To make a strenuous effort; strive

4. To contend or compete

5. To progress with difficulty

So, instead of thinking of my struggles, I thought instead about my daily challenges....

the issues that are on my mind these days. 

1. getting enough sleep

2. drinking enough water

3. eating right

4. having enough hours in the day

5. being a patient parent

6. exercise (a severe lack of at the moment)

7. giving my daughter advice whilst also letting her find her own way

8. trying to stop worrying thinking about my daughter all day long

9. thinking about returning to working outside the home & wondering if it's the right decision

10. wondering what & where i will go & what i will be next, what is my next dream?

11. wondering if I am doing enough?

12. being a good parent, getting it right. 

Day 16 : "My Lot in Life"

Day 16 of the Blog Every Day In May challenge
"Something difficult about your "lot in life" and how you're working to overcome it...."

My lot....

eldest child, eldest grand-child
2 brothers, no sisters
married for almost 15 years
two normal pregnancies
two healthy & beautiful children
i live in a comfortable home
i live in London, one of the best cities in the world
i have a passport
i have a bank account
i can vote
i have travelled - by air, by boat, by train, by car
i speak French & some Spanish & Italian
i have many really good friends
i am healthy & happy
i already have a lifetime of wonderful memories
i have books on my shelves and bread on my table

i love & am loved

I am a huge believer in appreciating whatever you have in life. of making the best of it and of always being aware that there is always someone much worse off than you.

We all have our own journey & our own battles....
if I've learned anything, it's that no one's life is perfect.

I remain positive & determined and I always look forward.
We create our own luck & our own lives. 

I had a moment in my life, years ago, when I realised I was totally my own person & only I get to define myself - no one else does.

I became aware that I am the way I am in spite of my family & other challenges, not because of them.

My lot in life is a good one & I have much to be thankful for, I cannot possibly complain.

"Ten Things That Make You Really Happy...."

kate winslet

Day 14 of the "Blog Every Day In May" challenge is "ten things that make you really happy"....

so many things make me happy, so it's a case of narrowing it down....

1. reading a book that you simply can't put down, the kind that keeps you up til 1am

2. waking up to sunshine

3. walking on Hampstead Heath

4. planning a trip

5. going to the cinema

6. music, I have it playing 80% of the time & it instantly lifts my spirits

7. sunday night dinners, our longest meal of the week & the one time we are all together

8. time alone....I find this essential

9.  a good milky latte

10. my bed, specifically that moment when you first get into bed & exhale....

and think "why didn't I do this an hour ago?!"

"What Do You miss?"

Day 12 : What do you miss?

Blog Every Day In May Challenge

Most material things can be replaced so for me, it's people & places....

* my in-laws, such lovely & good people who met both my children but did not have enough time with them. I'd love them to see the people they are growing up to be.

I miss my mother in law's kindness, her pasta, her support, her care, her Christmas trifle, her amazing ironing skills, her support, her shyness.

When we returned from our honeymoon, my MIL had washed, ironed & made our bed so beautifully that I actually thought she'd bought us new bedding.

It's never been ironed as well as that before or since!!

The thought of that still makes me smile....

* my maternal grand-parents....

my grand-father was the nicest man in the whole world, always always smiling.

I spent many of my summer holidays with them in Wales, just me and them, they are my happiest childhood memories.

I would love to have had them in my life for much longer & for them to have met my children
I can always remember arriving after the long trip from London and they'd be waiting at the gatepost as we turned the corner into their street....and when we left, my grandma would wave & wave until we were out of sight.

As for places....Welsh beaches & countryside and NYC in the autumn & winter

and a few other, much less important things....

* the days when buying a Mars Bar & the Abba magazine on a Saturday morning felt like the most exciting thing ever

* the days when a Mars Bar cost only 13p

* the days when beauty treatments were scheduled like clockwork & on a regular basis into my working diary

* the days when my closest Uni friends all lived in & around London & we were able to see each other much more often

* the days when I had a lunch-break

* the days when Saturdays were for shopping, meeting friends, going to the gym and sleeping in

* the days of working in town

* the days of having a "work wardrobe"

* dare I say it because I use them & they are convenient in so many ways, but the days before texting, Twitter & Facebook

* the days before the media reported every single insignificant detail of a so-called celebrity's life

* the days of....Friends, early ER, NYPD Blue, early Frasier
* in a funny kind of way, the days of only 4 channels on TV  - it meant everyone watched the same stuff, sometimes you felt as though the whole country had watched a particular programme
* community spirit - we need more of it! 

* the days of a good night's sleep

 

"Sell Yourself In 10 Words Or Less...."

I took a raincheck on Day 11 of the Blog Every Day In May challenge....

it was "share your most embarrassing moments".

Whilst these days I have - thankfully - very few of those, 

I've certainly had enough in my time & have carefully locked them away in my memory....

so deeply that I can, almost, pretend they didn't actually happen ;)

For Day 12, we have to "sell ourselves in 10 words or less...."

definitely a challenge for me, since I never use one word where twenty will do.

Anyway, here goes....

"kind positive happy tea-lover....walker, talker, dancer, Londoner, smiler "

aka

"a girl needing much more sleep than she actually gets" ;)

aka

"you have chocolate? then i think we can be friends" ;)

Does that sound like me....hope so!

 

Day 9 : A Moment of My Day....

a beautiful orchid from the lovely people at Liz Earle

denim & stripes

praise at school for my littlest one

gorgeous new iPad cover and tea   

Today's Blog Every Day in May is "a moment in your day...."

Active Family Month Blogger Fitness Challenge : Four Go Cycling in Hyde Park, London

Sunday afternoon found us in London's Hyde Park as part of our May "

"Active Family Month" Blogger Fitness" challenge.

The theme for this week is wheels....so cycling was our unanimous choice.

I've never cycled in central London (but always wanted to) & as Hyde Park is full of cycle lanes, it seemed perfect.

We took my son's bike with us in the back of the car but my husband, daughter & I rented "Barclays Bikes".

This has always seemed such a fun idea & something recommended by friends.

The bikes are available all over London (check their excellent website for all details) & Hyde Park itself has 12 pick-up points for the bikes.

It was a brilliant idea & we can't wait to do it again.

Before we left home, I went online & booked an access code for 3 bikes.

When we got to the park, I entered the debit card that I'd booked with into the card machine at the bike pick-up point & my ticket (with release code) was printed out immediately.

All we had to do then was unlock our bikes - such a simple & quick process

Hyde Park is London's biggest park and on Sundays it's full of people but we had no problem at all cycling around the many cycle paths & were able to go as fast or slow as we wanted.

We cycled round the Park Lane side of the park to Speakers Corner and then back around, ending up in Kensington Park Gardens.

It was a sunny day & the park was full of skaters, cyclists and runners.

We saw baseball, rounders, football & rugby matches going on....

my children absolutely loved it, they now want to go there every Sunday! 

I have grown up in London and love the energy of the city - cycling around the green heart of the city filled me with happiness & pride - and I loved the fact that my children were able to cycle along the wide paths confidently whilst getting a sense of the city at the same time.

There is something about cycling which connects you with your childhood....

it's such a freeing and happy activity....

going out yesterday definitely made me feel I want to do more. 

I can't remember the last time we cycled together as a family & the children loved us all being out together....they can't wait to go again. 

Nor can I, I had forgotten how exhilarating cycling is!

Cost : bike rental £2 per bike for 24hr access (during which time you can use the bikes as many times as you wish) 

 + £6 per bike for the 2 hours that we used them 

(as we were only spending time in the park, 2 hours was perfect - it was both a good work-out & fun).

You can pick up & drop off the bikes wherever you like around the city & if you are only using the bikes for 30 mins or less, it's free.

It's a great way of seeing the city, we will definitely be doing it again & I would recommend it to anyone.

(The bike seats are adjustable & are very sturdy & comfortable.

Bikes can be rented on a casual basis or for as long as you like ie, a week or more, it's totally flexible).  

This month my family & are taking part in the 

Mark Warner "Active Family Month" Blogger Challenge....

we have pledged to participate in one activity per week as a family. 

The Mark Warner campaign is focusing on families to get fit together whilst participating in fun activities.

(all photos my own)

Blog Every Day in May : Day 7 "My Fears"

Day 7, Tuesday: The thing(s) you're most afraid of

(The Blogging Every Day in May challenge)

Aside from the obvious answers of losing my children, my husband, my family & my friends.....

I'm not really afraid of much.

When I thought about it, I came up with : Lifts, Spiders & Hills

I'm not mad on confined spaces....I can handle a lift/elevator if there are just a couple of people in there but when it's packed, my pulse does quicken slightly and the thought of what would happen if it stopped between floors starts playing on my mind.

I get the same thought when I'm on the London Underground, the carriage is packed solid, I'm squished up against someone....and the train stops in the tunnel.   

That has happened to me many times over the years but I still get a moment of anxiety each time it occurs.

Snakes or large spiders....I can deal with medium sized spiders in my home if I have to, but the large ones (the name of which I cannot even type!), I could not even contemplate being in close proximity too.

My son went to an "animal" party last year  & I had to arrange for someone else to collect him because I knew one of these particularly large spiders would be there....eeek!!

My strangest fear is hills, specifically driving up them!!
Muswell Hill, where I live,  is surrounded by hills so it's pretty difficult not to have to drive up them really....I have only driven up the steepest of them once when I absolutely had to since I had a friend in the car and I was too embarrassed to admit that I was afraid of the hill....
it's completely ridiculous I know!!

I think my fear is stopping on the hill with some kind of brake failure or rolling backwards down the hill....
both highly unlikely to happen but there you go....