Truly Inspirational - How a Nine Year Old's Blog is Making a Huge Difference.

This Blog Neverseconds has gone Viral.  It is a fascinating little blog written by a inspirational and intelligent 'Young' lady.  Martha Payne is 9yrs old and has been described as 'The unsquashable school meal crusader'.
                My Grandmother was a Manager of school kitchens in the sixties and seventies.  She had a no nonsense approach to cooking and like many from that era could make an tasty, healthy meal from not much at all.  Quite frankly in the UK school meals need an awful lot of work on them.  Euan enjoys a school lunch once a week.  He goes for 'Roast Dinner Day'.  This was his own idea and he only wants to go once a week, for the rest of the week he takes 'Jam' Sandwiches.
                 Martha had the idea of photographing and blogging her school lunch daily and it has caused quite a stir.  It was really enlightening for me to see the photographs of the typical school meals.  Martha is not rude about her school meals but as you flick through the blog you can see there was much room for improvement and over a few months Martha's school have made considerable positive changes to the school meal provision.  Martha has 'stuck her neck out' and gently challenged the grown ups to make these changes.  Another aspect to her blog is linking globally with other children and students who have photographed their lunch to be featured on the blog.  It is fascinating to compare culturally and nutritionally the differences in content, nutritional value and cultural attitude for each lunch.
                 Martha also has a 'Just Giving Page' where she wanted to fund raise for less fortunate children abroad who do not get school meals or meals at all.  Martha had the goal at aged nine, to raise £7000 to build a kitchen to feed other children.  She has now raised £60 000 and it is rising fast.  Watching the Visitor Counter on her blog is fascinating it changes faster than a digital timer.  An amazing young lady, with and amazing blog, making an amazing difference!  Go and take a look it is truly inspirational.  

Newsy Post!

Helllooooo!  Are you all sitting comfortably?  Then I'll begin.  Look at they new trainers!  This morning I caught the train into 'The Big City' to go to a Running Shop.  They have experts (allegedly) that can advise you on the best damage limitation trainers!  Lord how I need them.  So I have posh new trainers.  The Lady in the shop also gave me a pair of running socks!  Fancy that!  Go faster socks too.   I also have a new boulder holder!  It is rather a snug fit and feels like it is about to 'blow' at any minute.  I went to Starbucks for the first time and took on enough caffeine in a medium Coffee to jog the 16 miles back home.  I didn't say I did jog home. I could have had unlimited refills and not slept for a week!  On my way to the train station this morning my work mate called to say we have had the 'notice' phone call for the 'big' Ofsted inspection.  OFSTED is the Office for Standards in Education and they instill fear into the large majority of teachers in the land!  Even worse HMI are coming too, to inspect the inspectors inspecting us!  So I am flapping, officially flapping until the inspection is over on Wednesday.
I met the Mom of an ex pupil on the train on the way back and we sat together for the whole journey, yapping all the way back to town.  I am good with the kids and their families but not so good at dealing with authority and never have been!  I will survive the inspection somehow but my first and over riding reaction is to eat copious amounts of chocolate to dull down the panic!  I have not touched a morsel yet though.
         I came home and went for a 'Run' stagger, wobble, waddle....and I am not sure if it is my new shoes but I had a totally dead right leg!  I had flash new socks and trainers and pins and needles from my hip to my toes!  I have an MP3 that plays a podcast while you run of hideous music and a patronising lady giving you encouragement,  I suppose she is only being helpful but phew when she tells you that you are doing a great job as you are beet red, huffing and hobbling round the park it is a good job she is virtual and not in person else I would biff her one!  I had to do my warm down 5 minute brisk walk bare foot around the park as the pretty, new, flash, fancy running shoes were crippling me!
        I don't work on Thursdays or Fridays but I went to work today to share in the collective panic.  Then when I came home both boys wanted to go swimming!  Wave machines and water slides later...I am afraid I had to indulge in 'Take Away Chips'.  Henry takes the opportunity to rough house me at swimming, I don't know who he thinks I am!  last week he Rugby tackled me in the water, causing me to snort about a litre, painfully up my nose, this week he chose to carry me across the length of the pool, inspite of my loud protests and cackling laughter, I would not mind but for the last half of the way he had me awkwardly by one leg!  Twas not very dignified for a woman of my age!  This weeks upcoming events at work are going to seriously challenge my diet resolve.  Weight loss so far 18.5lbs and counting!
         Yesterday Euan had a hospital check up for his foot so he was off school.  His foot is looking great a the moment.  I have mentioned before he was born with a 'club foot' and he was in the 4% of children casting and boots and bars don't work for.  He has had several operations on his bones, tendons and muscles and he is likely to need further surgery in the future.  For now though his foot looks fantastic and his mobility is brilliant, there is nothing he can't do.  It is amazing really.  I took some crochet for the waiting room and a lady came and sat by me to chat about crochet.  She has just had two crochet lessons and she was asking me about treble stitch and Granny Squares.  I gave her a little demo.  Shame we didn't have longer.  I really hope to get these silly stressful times behind me and be left in peace to crochet my little heart out again and have some quality time with my spinning wheel.  Five more weeks and then I am on holiday for six whole blissful weeks.  I can't wait!
Hope you are set for a lovely weekend filled with whatever it is that makes you happy :)  

Silk Painting - Clive Garner

Today I went with my Mom to the Birmingham and District Guild of Weavers, Spinners and Dyers.  We were due to have a talk about silk worms.  Sadly the ladies husband was taken poorly and she could not make it, but a Gentleman called Clive Garner kindly stepped in at the last minute and he gave a demonstration and talk about 'Silk Painting'.  Now I can't pretend I can tell you much about it but the results are stunning.  If you click on Clive's name you can see more of his art work.  It is a treat to see.  The above piece is called 'Killarney'.  Isn't it beautiful?  Clive had sample swatches of many different types of silk which was really interesting to 'explore'.   When they are all together in one place you can really compare the weight and lustre of each silk.  The 'paints' Clive used were Acid Dyes.  The colours travel on the silk and merge, you can use Gutta for outlines that fix the cloth to prevent the dye from spreading.  I am definitely not an artist but my Mom likes to dabble a bit with paint.  I like the idea that when 'Silk Painting' you can have a general idea of the effects you would like to achieve but it is not precision art and you can never be too sure of what you will end up with.  I think my Mom would like to try 'Silk Painting' where I suggested I would like to splodge about and make random patterns and exploring colours on a scarf or something.

Clive used wax resist on this silk painting, 'The Wave'.  They are very bold, vibrant works of art.  I was most impressed and learned a great deal about the silk industry, silk and the techniques for painting on silk.  Of course I would like to rush out now and buy lots of silk painting supplies so I could play!  I am so divergent.  I spent my morning spinning some bright blue wool rather like this wave.  While I listened to Clive speak and watched him paint I was busy crocheting another dishcloth!  It felt good to be 'Crafty' again and chat to lots of other 'crafty folk'.  The room is always a hive of activity with people absorbed in their own fascinating projects.
            There isn't another meeting now until September.  One of the more senior members is going to demonstrate how to sort/skirt a fleece.  Watching somebody skilled and experienced is the best way to learn.  As a Guild we have a project to prepare for a gathering of six Guilds in 2013.  We are preparing a display using only 'Shetland Fleece'.  The fleece will get sorted and distributed in September then in needs to get turned into all sorts of niceties.  I need to finish decluttering and get my crafting Mojo back on track!

What a Joker!

Yow yow yow yow YOUCH!  Why didn't somebody tell me?  I waxed my top lip for the first time today!  Jeepers!  That is painful. . . much like childbirth!  I am going to bed with 'Nappy Rash' cream on my face to temper the redness and sooth the soreness!  Gawd!  I don't think I will be doing that again in a hurry.  I am sharing because if it was anyone else but me I would find it hilarious!  Yep that is my sense of humour.
         I am due to go to Weaving Spinning and Dyeing Guild tomorrow. . . face allowing!  I think it may scab!!!  We are having a talk about 'silk worms'. . . they would make interesting pets wouldn't they?  I have always wanted stick insects but silk worms would be cool.
I am long overdue a crafty post I know!  I bet y'all are desperate for me to show you my dish cloths. . .  I was very creative and crafty today and I crocheted a slug. . . I have not quite finished him yet, nor have I photographed him.  He is brown and sluggy and his eyes are on stalks!
        I went for a swim tonight with my boys...they wrestled each other and played Ninjas in the water while I swam for 80 minutes.  The wave machine was broken, which was a bit sad because it reminds me of swimming in the ocean.  I do like the wave machine.
         I hope you are set for a fantabulous weekend.  :) xxx

Billy Bonkers! I Have Lost My Marbles!

I should have got photographs for evidence.  If you are slightly bonkers and it is pouring with rain and the kids are on half term holiday...what do you suggest?   I think my weigh in today went to my head.  I don't get this dieting lark.  I lost 3.5lbs!  Whooo hoooo!  It was totally unexpected and I am convinced Weight Watchers have got their scales on the blink.  Spurred on by my weight loss I suggested me and the kids go for a run!  A bloomin run!  They both looked at me aghast!  They both declined, then I saw my sons exchange glances with each other and they both had a look that said 'Come on, let's go along for the 'crack'!'  Off we went.  It was pouring, I thought this would limit our chances of seeing anyone!  Or more to the point anyone seeing me.  I explained that back in 1981 I ran for my school in a 'District' Cross Country Race, I can run!  I came first that day back then, ok it was 101st but still first!
Well what was I thinking?  The kids both went bonkers sprinting through deep puddles and getting soaked, while I did a mixture of trotting, jogging, waddling, staggering, puffing, panting and lots of walking.  Henry went full on topless and they were both shouting a mixture of encouragement and insults at me!  They thought it was hilarious.  It can only get easier right?  I have looked at a program 'From Couch to 5K'.  I am not sure if it is quite me...I am not even sure if I will do it again.  I am wondering how much I will ache tomorrow.  I came home and had the most delicious 'Cup Cake'!  It was a Cup Cake Bath Bomb in a nice warm bath.  Aaaah that tricked ya didn't it!  I am not a bath bomb kinda girl but it was jolly decadent and it was a cup cake.  I think I am losing my marbles due to calorific deprivation. 

Orrible Mother! Who Me?

Well well well!  What an Orrible Mother I am!  Today was D Day!  I said 'If you don't keep it tidy, it's gonna go!' and I meant it!  Henry said 'but Mom you know he doesn't think you mean it!'  I said 'I know but now he will know that I did!'  Henry was my right hand man!  He felt really bad chucking his brothers stuff away. I predicted a tantrum.  This is a child that is emotionally attached and has a photographic memory for each rock, Lego brick, itty bitty piece of paper he has ever collected. . .We had just unearthed his 'Chocolate Stash'  I don't know where it came from.  Easter I think and I don't think they were all his!   We heard the front door open as Euan came in from playing outside, Henry and I literally froze, sensing the pending outrage. . .   Sure enough ( I know my children so well)  there was a meltdown.  It was not the three large sacks of toys for the charity shop that did it, it was not the two large bags for the bin that did it. . .it was one tiny Lego brick, that he found in the Wheelie bin that I had carelessly not hidden!  One Brick!  He has about 10 000 others.  Howl, yep, he howled like a wolf at full moon.  He was very very cross with me.  I apologised profusely.  We retrieved the brick and then all was calm again (eventually).  It is such a relief to have the 'Den' under his bed clean and tidy again.  After the meltdown he sat and played Lego nicely in his clean and tidy 'Den'.  He has since thanked me and says it is great.
I have been continuing with my mission to try and get organised. . .  Jeepers Creepers. . .how long is it going to take?  The people at the charity shop are starting to look incredulous at me now when I stagger in with more sacks!  All day today I have been on a mission. . .all day!!!  Let me tell you, the house still looks a tip!  Gah!  I have the car loaded ready for the Charity shop again tomorrow.  I even, get this, to alleviate my guilt at throwing my son's belongings out . . .I got brutal with my own, I took three cones of yarn to the charity shop.  My stash is out of hand.  The trouble is those cones are playing on my mind now. . . I might have to go and buy them back in the morning!
I have vacuumed and mopped and cleaned and tidied.  I have even cleaned a window!  The dog got banished outside for making the place look untidy.  She is very happy tonight though as I found her Christmas Present that vanished in December.  It had fallen behind a cupboard so she never got it at Christmas.  She is very happy with her Cuddly Turkey that squeaks, even if it is a bit out of season.
I am hoping when all the clutter has gone to be able to craft in peace again.  To be able to craft, guilt free without thinking 'I should be doing this or that'!  I am also hoping it will help me to be organised and possibly get some projects finished.  I still can not see the light at the end of the tunnel.  Surely if I keep going in the right direction I will get there.  How much stuff can one small house contain?   Tomorrow I live to fight another day.  xxx