To Blog or not to Blog...that's the question.

When I started reading other people's blogs, I thought that they were really inspiring, but I also thought that it wasn't my thing. What the hell could I write about? My life is pretty dull and who would want to read it anyway? As I followed friends' blogs, rather half-heartedly, I realised that maybe it was the blog that was actually inspiring them to get things done in their life, rather than the other way round, if you see what I mean.

Anyway, since starting my blog (3 posts down the line!) I've had a mixed response when telling people about it. Some people have been very positive (mainly fellow bloggers) and encouraged me to carry on. However, I have had comments from others about why I would want to start a blog? Why not use e-mail? And, what's wrong with facebook? Why do you want to publish your life on the internet? People may start to steal your identity or stalk you. Anyway, they are all interesting thoughts/opinions/worries, but millions of people are blogging for some reason and I just feel like this is right for me at the moment. So, I'm gonna give it a go. For my own record, i'm going to list some of my personal reasons now, in the hope that it may somehow trick me into sticking to these plans. And you never know, I may get something out of it! Here goes:

• I'm pretty lazy at heart and I'd really like to motivate myself to do more stuff (yes, stuff. I don't know what that is yet!)...I'm hoping that if I write these things down, I may actually get them done. Things that are currently on my list: More baking and creative cooking, more crafty things with Dylan (i'm useless at this but it's great for kids so I want to give it a go), and generally making the house a happier/better place to live (the table was a great start!)
  
• It's wonderful to have a record of the journey of your personal and family life, I realise  I could do this on paper, but for me it will be much easier to do it on the PC. I use it every day but I KNOW I simply won't open a diary every day!
• I would like my family and friends to see what's going on in my world whenever they have a moment - just to be nosy - I love being nosy and I'm sure other people do too. There is no pressure for this - just when they want!
  
• Since studying for the Diploma last year, I realised that I can write (not well, but I can construct coherent sentences!). As a teacher, I really understand the importance of having a real purpose to write - students perform so much better when they are given this purpose. A blog gives me a real purpose to write as much rubbish as I want, and people can read the bits they want. In the meantime, I can improve my writing skills. This is something I hardly ever get the opportunity to do.
• It forces me to reflect on my life and re-read my thoughts about past events.This is always a good thing for anyone. Especially for someone like me with a terrible memory.

Wow, even writing this has required a large amount of my time and brain power today which must be positive. I now need to get on with daily life. Hair to wash, food to be cooked and loads of never-ending cleaning. So with that, i'll be off. X

Rude Awakening

Last Saturday started off as a normal weekend. Dylan woke up at 7.00 ish (too early) and I went in to lie with him while I woke up. Then he said to me; 'get up mummy'. So, we went to the sitting room, had our brekkie, and sat and watched a bit of morning kids tele - it takes a while to get going on a Saturday. At about 8.45, I decided it was time for Rubén to get to start the day and sent Dylan in to say 'Good morning' (well... to wake him up, really). Closely followed by me and we all got back into bed for a morning cuddle. Dylan then proceded to jump on the bed, his current favourite passtime, which now includes the added extra of diving on top of us. The first one was funny, we laughed together as he fell on top of us and he quickly got up to repeat the activity. This time he launched himself with all his weight(14-15kilos) up in the air and on top of our heads. Immediate wails came from both the boys and I didn't know where to turn. Rubén's cry was much louder so I attended to him but he was too angry (or in pain) to let me look. So, I went to Dylan. He was so shocked, the poor thing, and knew that he'd hurt his Daddy and was inconsolable. The wailing from both continued. I went back to Ruben, looked at his face and realised that his nose didn't look quite right, was it broken? I told him we had to go to the hospital to get it checked out. I returned to wailing child no.1 and tried to get him dressed - impossible - he was in need of attention and found it only possible to tantrum. In the end, Rubén just put his clothes on and went to the hospital alone...thank god.

I sat on the sofa consolling Dylan for a while and then got on with the morning. A couple of hours later Rubén returned with his diagnosis - a fractured nose, poor thing. He's feeling (and looking) much better now that the nurse has told him he'll live. I can already see it as one of those family anecdotes that gets told every time Dylan has a new girlfriend!

Happy Birthday Gram

Unfortuantely, my Gram passed away this year. Today would have been her birthday, so I thought I'd dedicate this post to her. She was a fantastic Gram and family get-togethers, like Christmas, won't be the same without her - she always tried to join in with the party games, even when it came to the Wii last year! Apart from being a great Gram, she was an amazing woman who I will always look up to. Like anybody, she had her problems in life but she surpassed them with her great strength and will to be independant, right until the end of her life. For this reason, she will always be an inspiration to me, and I think of her often. Thankyou Gram for being such a great role model and Happy Birthday!

Our new table

A bit sad for a first post, but it made us happy! On Friday we bought our first indoor dining table - we've been eating on the floor around sofa table for too long now. We found a great table that actually tucks away nicely when not wanted and allows us all to eat together as a family in the Winter. Yipeeeeee. Here are a couple of pics - it does fold out to be much bigger too!