Hopefally I wont have to do this to de-stress!

It's been a while since I have written - grossly due to the fact I was away and then I went straight into a string of night shifts, therefore spent all of my free time sleeping in between. So to update:

Salsa was excellent. Although we didn't learn much more than we had during the previous classes we had been to, the teacher was just hilarious in a 'I don't care if I make a fool of myself' kind of way. Mostly women attended so there was plenty of drink, innuendo and laughter. Would definitely go again!

The night away in a hotel for our anniversary of when we met was just perfectly timed - a revelation for our relationship. Champagne and wine meant we could talk properly and freely for the first time in ages, and this was of course a chance to 're-awaken' the sexual side of things! We had definitely been in need of some time to concentrate fully on each other without distractions. I didn't even worry too much about Ali we were having such great fun. And a proper bed! Not just a mattress on the floor! Two double beds actually! So a choice - not that either were used much!

Then of course a run of three night shifts, just to dampen the mood. The first two proved deadly dull, being mainly breastfeeding support and feeding/winding babies all night. But last night -bloody hell, talk about busy. Not one midwife got a drink, any food, any kind of a break last night, and most of us were there until late this am trying to complete notes we had been unable to maintain to ensure the women had basic care. I mean I am talking some midwives having up to 3 women in labour, several trips to theatre and pulling two midwives from another ward to try and handle the workload. I was pooped by the time I got home - I couldn't even stay awake while having breakfast with D and Ali. And I think I have injured my leg because it feels like I have pulled a muscle, but when I was trying to sleep today I had unbelievably painful cramp. It was like a battle to decide whether I should get up and walk around or if I even could move at all I was so tired. Stupid, unfit body.

So two days off now. Rest, recuperate and recharge the batteries for the next batch of shifts. Also to try and spend some quality time with Ali and D, without being snappy and course!

While learning to live with the fact that there is no way I will get anywhere near 'First chance' 'Home and Away' this evening given the fact that Scotland happen to be competing in some kind of football event on TV at this moment in time; I am revelling in the fact that for once my day has been kind of good. Today I had the fabulous news I had been waiting for - my contract has been made permanent, so finally some job security! Of course today has also been the first day I have felt even remotely normal since last Thursday when I first developed 'the bug', so although exhausted I haven't felt so ridiculously crap. But the absolute icing on the cake is that tomorrow me and D celebrate four 'glorious' (puke - not quite) years together since we met and we are staying overnight in a hotel. Evening meal, champagne and chocs, presents, spa, alone time......need I say more. And of course we get to 'SLEEP IN' - oh my god the joys - I don't even know what that means anymore. A 'sleep in' used to be until lunch time for me, now it's like 8-9am. However, the infinitely, unbelievably, fantastically, wonderfully, brilliant, 'cherry on the top' news, is that, duh duh duh - I am going to the Bruce Springsteen concert in December in London!!!!!!!! So decision was to pay way, way, way over the odds (with a little help from my Dad) for a ticket to see Brucey as this was really the only option. Who was I trying to kid, trying to convince myself that it wouldn't be worth it! Jealous aren't ya!? Bring on that champers!

Germs!

No doubt those of you who are regulars may be wondering where I have disappeared to. Well, I have managed to pick up some dreadful bug which has had me in horrendous pain and upset my digestive system big time over the last few days! Still trying to recover while eating next to nothing is proving difficult, however I at least have a valid reason for giving up on the ironing because I can hardly stand up! I am supposed to be going to a salsa & merenge dance evening on Tuesday but have been having visions of fainting in the arms of someone! Of course this may not be a bad thing if it's a gorgeous guy!












Of course tonight I was rostered on for a night shift but I could not have physically got myself to the hospital never mind looked after other people and babies for 12hours. And then there's Thursday and Friday, when me and D go away for the night for the anniversary of when we met - nice hotel and restaurant - I think it may well be vegetarian or fish dish, very plain with no sauce or heaviness! Here's hoping I can get rid of the little beasties! I think my stomach is hoping so too!

Seahouses to reality

Well that's my holiday over now. Two days back at work and I am already moaning again! We didn't do anything in particular for our second week off, but it was nice to just all be together. Saturday proved to be a gorgeous day so we drove up the coast to Seahouses to play on the beach. My family and family friends used to holiday there during the Easter breaks in the past so I have a wealth of good memories there too. I saw some of the houses we had stayed in and did some of the things we used to do, like having an ice-cream, looking in the gift shops, playing in the arcades, looking among the rock pools on the beach for crabs, building sandcastles, playing frisbee, paddling etc. Too much to do and too little time. I think I was more excited than Ali at times. She seemed tired and even tried to sleep in her towel on the beach. Luckily she slept the journey's so we didn't have and toilet training battles like those endured to and from Scotland.

But now it is back to reality with a bump! New ward, even busier, but much more dull. Quite repetitive. Trying to be positive.

To Bruce or not to Bruce?? That is the question.

I have a dilemma. Mr Bruce Springsteen is touring with the one and only E-Street band, probably for the last time I am guessing given his age (last time with the E-street band, I wouldn't dare to presume he would quit altogether as I am sure he is still in his prime!); and he only has one UK (London) date in December to the value of £150 for a ticket! So you see my problem!

Main arguments for:

- May never see him with the E-Street band again

- It was his work with the E-Street band which I love

- He may retire before I get the chance to see him at all

- I missed Tina Turner Live before she retired, which I have always regretted

- The only one of 'the greats' I have managed to see so far was Rod Stewart

- Life is too short to miss out on absolute spine tingling, hair raising music because of lack of funding

- Welcome break to the monotony of working life as would require an over night stay down South

- Much needed self prioritising = fulfilled

Main arguments against:

- Price + of travel and accommodation

- Will likely just be a dot on a stage anyway due to the size of the venue

- Ensuring childcare/babysitters

- Getting time off work???

- Finding someone to go with who is also prepared to pay their way (although my dad is interested!)

- Is just before Christmas when money is tight anyway

- Have already spent more than I have on our anniversary this October

- Will miss Ali as have only been away from her for one night since her birth and that was awful

So what would you do? Very hard decision to make!!!

I just think this is so gorgeous!

I wish I had something arty done while I was pregnat with Ali (daughter Ali now). You can have casts of your bump made, nude portriats painted/drawn and gorgeous natural looking photography. Why it would seem you can even have your bump painted. This is so 'celebrating woman', 'celebrating nature' and 'celebrating motherhood'. Mind you, she is not exacltly the beached whale I was while pregnant, and there is not a stretch mark in sight! Still, I guess they could have been painted over!

Here are some more images from the website www.embody.org.uk/gallery.htm Take a look, some of the designs are breathtakingly beautiful! There are also some fabulous painted 'bump casts' at http://www.rockabelly.co.uk/gallerycolourbelly.html

Ali Antics

Enjoying my holidays muchous muchous! (Is that even a language?) Doing not much at all is just fabulous. Spoke to my friend in France this evening which was just great because we haven't caught up in - well - too long. After much talk of a friend whom she is starting to become attracted to and how his grandfather is rich so consequently he is quite rich too, she tells me she has to go because its 2230 and she has to go out to get a mirror?????? Apparently someone nearby had put out a mirror as if they were going to get rid of it, so she was going to get it, but now at 2230pm just in case she was wrong about the 'getting rid' part! Not only this but she was in her pyjamas! Mental images of my friend creeping about in her pyjamas in the black dark, trying to discreetly move this mirror from someones back yard to her flat had me in hysterics! Shortly after this I have an instant message from her saying 'god its absolutely huge!'. My reply - 'what, the grandad or the mirror!' (well I thought it was funny) - No seriously, the next thing I know she has the web cam on trying to show me this mirror - which as it happens is massive when I decipher it among the furniture and reflection - and she proceeds to tell me she flirted with some guy on the street to get him to help her carry it up to her fifth floor flat. Now Ali has always been the care free one while I was the sensible one, but I had to say that she was really asking for it inviting some random stranger to her flat in her pyjamas, with a huge mirror! (kinky!) Poor guy probably thought his luck was in! Apparently she put some jeans on - so slightly better. Believe me I could start a whole new blog entitled 'the antics of Ali in France'.

Note: Apologies for any spelling mistakes. (Wine)

Note 2: Watched both 'Memoirs of Geisha' and 'The Constant Gardener' recently. Both very good films indeed - recommend them.

Note 3: Received photo of mirror from Ali so have included it!