More random than usual....

Hooray - I have something to say!

I've never had serious bloggers block before... but for the last 2 weeks I've had NOTHING to say. Not a single thing. That and the fact that I keep meeting myself coming backwards...and it's not a pretty sight!

So, this week I discovered 2 things, the irony of which won't be lost on you.

No 1: Zumba for the XBox. 

Oh yes - I am one hot salsa dancer.  

(In my head)

I actually can't believe how hard it is - after the beginners session I'm needing oxygen and sweating like the 

fat lass I've become. 

But it's fun!

No 2:  toasted Soreen! 

I've always been a fan of the fruit loaf (fruit, loaf, what's not to like?) 

but last week Granny recommended toasting it and OMGoodness - it's a whole new kind of tasty treat. If you haven't tried it, and even if you think you don't like fruit loaf, give it a try.  

If you do three Zumba sessions you can eat the whole loaf (Dietary experts may dispute this...)

Now,  when I'm not eating loaves of fruit I've been busy with a mixture of the end of school whirlwind and plenty of chipper nelly orders and commissions.

...this next one is going to some special friends who are loving their new life by the beach! (we miss you)

 

Loving Cleggys new wall stickers - his business is called ABC Does....because his initials are ABC and because he is in education! 

I've also got around to placing some of my birthday gifts - and this was one I didn't want to photograph until it was hanging, for obvious reasons. 

It's another of Cleggy's gifts....I know, ABCDoes NOT know the meaning of the word budget! (unluckily for him I do!)

 

 It's made by an artist called Cindy, who has an Etsy shop called Marys Granddaughter, which you can find here . I LOVE the way our hearts are joined together - so true. Cindy's work is beautiful and I will treasure this piece forever.

And finally a tale of tears and laughter! I've very briefly mentioned before that when our #2 son Kenzie was little he had a rare form of cancer - and gallantly taught us all a lesson in courage and braveness. He underwent chemotherapy for 2 (long!) years and had long and frequent stays in the marvellous, if antiquated Pendlebury Childrens Hospital.

The whole time he was poorly, and for some time afterwards, his favourite film was Monsters Inc. Thankfully we liked it too - since we must have watched it together at least 2000 times. His favourite toy was called Little Mikey, a replica of the bear that Mike Wazowski had in the film. I've no idea where it came from (think it might have been from your house S & A?).

Anyway - here's the sad bit... during one such visit to Pendlebury we LOST LITTLE MIKEY! No one knows how...when we arrived we had him, when we left we didn't. Everyone was upset - I'm guessing things were pretty emotional at the time! (I was also heavily and unexpectedly pregnant - you can imagine the scene!)

We searched everywhere - we sent letters with a picture of Mikey, every time we visited the hospital we had a search, but to no avail. We tried to find a replacement but these were rare toys (bloody typical!) and they weren't EVEN on Ebay! years later I still looked sporadically and recently found out that Cleggy did too!

The happy ending is that Kenzie eventually beat the disease (he was given 50/50 so it was some battle!) and is now, as far as we know, well. He has a few weird hangovers too tawdry to go into - and may well have some health issues later on - but he is here, and for that we are unbelievably grateful.

Now, I was reading a blog post by lovely Gem a couple of weeks ago where she lamented the loss of her son's Noo Noo. I laughed out loud when she said she was going to look on google earth! (here's the link to her post - our comment convo still makes me laugh!) So, it reminds me of Little Mikey - and I have another look on Ebay. Yep - you've guessed it I FOUND one! exactly the same. Naturally, as he is flamin rare, I had to pay over the odds for what is effectively 3" of velveteen. And to make it even more ridiculous, Kenzie doesn't even remember the thing!!!

Little Mikey arrived this morning - I was beyond excited - and will now be seeking the perfect shadow box frame to keep him safe forever.

If there's anyone still with me (!) we have some more news in the shape of new ducks! But I'm whispering because Geordie Boy has requested a guest post to show and tell. Now, there was a lot of love for Kenzie's guest post about Ned - and GB has high expectations....so please don't let me down!!!

fee x