My Top 5 Achievements in 2013

I haven't taken part in Listography for a while but I have missed it! This week it's a reflective post on my Top 5 Achievements in 2013. It's been a busy year!

1. Biggest achievement was giving birth to a 10lb 8oz healthy boy with nothing but gas n air and hey, no stitches, need I say more! 

 2. I've survived a year in a new job role which entailed moving councils and working across 2 schools. It was so the right decision for me. I love my job and I've made some really good friends within my workplaces. 

3. I purposely didn't make a resolution last year to diet as that never ends well for me but since giving birth in September, I've lost 3 stone and dropped  2 dress sizes. I have done this through eating clean, healthy, dairy free food and regular exercise. I'm very proud of myself and I look forward to continuing next year.

4. I successfully managed 2 summer holidays abroad with a husband who was in a moon boot with a broken leg and an over excitable 3 year old, all whilst heavily pregnant! 

5. We celebrated our 5th wedding anniversary. We have been together since high school and it was probably seen as one of those 'it'll never last' relationships. But it did and it continues to. It hasn't been easy but nothing worth working for ever is. He thinks I'm an over the top drama queen and I think he's a selfish arse at times but we know each other inside out and still love each other so that must count for something. I've learned a lot about successful love this year and I think that first you need to find love for yourself, I'm still working on this. 

So it's been a productive, hardworking and emotional year. I'm looking forward to watching my boys grow over the coming year and I'm hoping to do a bit of growing myself. Watch this space! 

Hop over to Kate's blog for a catch up and other Listography entries ...

Listography - Top 5 Cook Books

The theme for Listography this week is the top 5 cook books. In our house, the sign of a good cook book is one that you struggle to read because the pages are stuck together or there are stains on most pages. Here is my top 5 . . .

1. My Daddy Cooks - yes I talk about it a lot! I love this book so much. I got a signed copy from Nick when I met him at Cybermummy last year and it was well worth it. I cook from it several times a week.

2. Jamie's 30 minute meals - this is where it all started for me. A year ago, I couldn't cook at all. Short of heating things up in the oven or stirring in a sauce, I was pretty much useless! I got this book for Christmas and decided to Jamie Oliverise my kitchen. I bought lots of new utensils using the list from this book and cluttered up my worktops with spices and condiments. It worked and now I cook most of my meals from scratch, not a ready made pizza in sight!

3. Jamie's Ministry of Food - I love this book. For a person like me who is nervous about opening a cookbook because I have so little knowledge this book is the answer. No complicated recipes, good hearty, family food. 

4. Nigella's How To Be A Domestic Goddess - This was one of the very first baking books I bought. I have always been better at baking than cooking and this book was right up my street. My favourite recipe from this book is and always will be her chocolate brownies. It's like eating heaven from a spoon!

5. Netmums Recipes - I am kind of breaking the rules here as this is not a book but I couldn't not include it as it is my 'go to' place when I want to know how to cook something. It's where I have found my Beef Stew and Dumplings, Chinese 5 spice with honey salmon and my lentil and ham hock soup recipe but to name a few. This site is great as it's recipes are posted up by busy, skint mums like me who are looking for ways to feed their family healthy and tasty meals for as little money and time as they can. You can go to the search facility and type in an ingredient, let's say salmon for example. It will then bring up all the member's recipes they have with salmon in it. There is also notes at the bottom where users review the recipe or add a variation to the recipe.

This post is linking up to Kate Takes 5's Listography linky

Listography - Top 5 Biscuits

Now, I shouldn't really be writing a post like this as someone who is trying to reduce her biscuit intake. Thinking of them just makes me want to eat them. However, I love Listography and I missed taking part last week so I really should do my duty and eat the bloody biscuit   write the post.

1. My number one is most definitely the Chocolate Hob Nob. I'm afraid the average Hob Nob doesn't quite cut it so it has to be smothered in chocolate for me. I love the fact that they now come in these handy travel packs which means I can eat a whole pack of them whilst driving without the packet breaking and crumbs going all over the seat!

2. Followed closely by my second favourite, the Chocolate Caramel Wafer. Not to be confused with the Caramel Log, which I can't stand. A traditionally Scottish biscuit - OK, technically it is a bar but lets not be pedantic about this. If you have it with a cup of tea it's a biscuit.

3. Lotus Caramelised Biscuits - I recently discovered these delicious biscuits and after eating 2 packets to myself, resolved never to buy them again (at least for a few weeks until my willpower caves in). They are truly scrumptious and taste great dipped in tea - don't judge me, you know we all do it!

4. Oreo Cookies are the most moresome of my top five list and again I have to resist buying them. I especially like the 'double stuff' ones you can get now with even more of the delicious filling. I am a little 'OCD' about how I eat them though. I must first separate the two halves, lick the filling clean off both sides, then I eat the biscuits. If I break a biscuit whilst licking the filling then I must start the ritual again until I get it right (this happens a lot). I eat custard creams in a similar manner but I prefer Oreos.

5. Back to Scotland for our last biscuit entry. The humble Shortbread finger. You can't go wrong with a shortbread finger, again dipped in tea. Delicious. My favourite type of shortbread is the 'crumbly, melt in your mouth' kind. I have recently learned how to make my own shortbread much to the delight of my family and friends and much to the disgust of my scales.





Photo Credit


Check out more love for the 'Biscuit' by checking out the other Listography entries at Kate Takes 5.

Listography - 5 Best Things

Kate has given us a broad idea this week of the 5 'best' things. This leaves it quite open to interpretation so I decided to use the same type of 'bests' as Kate.

Here goes . . .

1. Best Meal
I love my food so this was difficult but I think my favourite meal of all time was a pizza in Venice. When I was backpacking I ate a lot of pizza and the Italians (quite rightly) know how to make the best pizzas. But it was probably less about the food and more about the company, the wine and of course the surroundings. One of my best friends and I were on a floating restaurant on the outskirts of Venice drinking red wine and eating a fabulous Quattro Formaggi. Music playing and gondolas floating in the distance. I remember thinking 'this is the best meal ever'.

2. Best Friend
I have lots of really good friends so I am very lucky so I will tell you about my oldest (not in age but as in the friends I've known the longest). Our Mums grew up together and practically lived in each others houses and are still the best of friends today (they live across the road from one another). My 'auntie' Beth had three daughters and I am close to all of them. Leanne (the eldest) has always looked after me and treated me just like her little sister. Michelle (the middle sister) was bridesmaid at my wedding and is closest in age to me. We were always together when we were school aged and we used to have loads of sleepovers together watching scary films and eating junk. She has never forgiven me for telling my mum that she had finished the jar of peanut butter that was found under my bed. She hates the stuff! Then there's The Bairn. She is all grown up and has a wee baby of her own now but Erin (the youngest) has always been 'The Bairn' to me. I hope to see more of my 'cousins' now that I'm living nearer to them. We all now have children of our own and it's likely that Leanne's wee girl Freya and JC will go to the same school to start the 3rd generation of friendship.

3. Best Blog Post
I have no idea on this one but from my stats it looks like THIS ONE is the most popular.

This is actually St Lucia not Dom Rep
but we didn't have a digital camera then!

4. Best Place I've Ever Been
This is a toughie. I have travelled a lot! I think that the holiday I have most enjoyed was the holiday we took to Dominican Republic. It was a beautiful place, the food was amazing and we got engaged on that holiday. It will always be a special place for me.

5. Best iPhone App
Like Kate, I too am a lover of the Instagram app. My most used app would be Facebook because I am never off it. Having Facebook on my phone is just too easy for me so I have become slightly addicted to it.
.

Listography - Keywords

I have been a bit lackadaisical on the meme front lately but Kate's Listography was one of the first memes I took part in as I love writing lists (doesn't mean I always complete what is on them!).

Kate's challenge for this week is to list the top 5 keywords of all time which has driven traffic to my blog. I only recently worked out how to find this out but I have to say I had a little giggle when I discovered it. I am not really into stats and don't follow the 'blog rules' regarding blog titles and labels and I tend to write interesting titles without considering google hits etc.

Excluding my blog name, my blog popped up on Google using these keywords  . . .

1. Supersize - thanks, this is great for my confidence. I mean seriously, you don't need to be so harsh Google! I think this was from when I was discussing the massive portions in America.

2. Zaggora before after - This is because Zaggora, creators of the fabulous HotPants, were my Cybermummy sponsors. Still on the weight theme though - this is supposed to be a parenting blog!


3. Alexander Skarsgard arms - This is probably from one of my previous listography posts when I talked about my obsession with this beauty!








4. Birmingham my photos - I have absolutely no idea! I have never even been to Birmingham so I am drawing a blank on this one!

5. Ella's Kitchen - I have done a few reviews of Ella's fruit packs. It's funny though because when this blog started it was as a way of record JC's progress with weaning using a Baby Led Weaning approach (no purees at all) so it's quite funny that this is one of my top keyword searches!

For more interesting keyword searches, check out the other Listography entries . . .

"/>

Listography - Lessons from my parents

Kate over at Kate Takes 5 has set us the challenge of coming up with our 5 lessons that we learnt from our parents. Here's my attempt . . .

1. Treat other people the way you would like to be treated - or better

I was brought up to treat other people with kindness and respect. I think that I manage to get this right most of the time but I am bound to slip up from time to time. I don't think you can go far wrong in your treatment of other people by using yourself as a benchmark. I sometimes look at people's behaviour and wonder how they can be so cruel and unkind to others without giving it a second thought. I am proud of the fact that my parents brought me up to be tolerant and accepting of others, regardless of who they are, what they look like, what beliefs they hold and even how they treat me. To my detriment at times, I continue to look for the good in people who shit all over me!

2. There's no pockets in a shroud.

This is really from my Dad and at times it has not always served me well as I tend to spend money thoughtlessly at times but I feel the sentiment is worth looking at in depth. He taught me that it is important to live for today. Don't plan your life instead of living it as you never know when your time may run out. You can save your money for a rainy day but that rainy day might never come. So if there is something you are passionate about, spend the money, spend the time and live your life to the full.

3. Everything happens for a reason, just believe.

Over the years life has thrown us some major obstacles. At times it has felt like fate/God/whatever/whoever you believe is writing the script of our lives is really messing with our family. Sending heartache and disappointment at the worst times. However my Mum always stood by her belief that all the horrible things in life have a knock on effect at some later point in our lives which shapes who we being as people, making us stronger or guiding us in directions we may not have chosen to go. I have to admit that the rubbish moments in my life so far have all healed with time and led me down more positive paths.

4. Karma, Baby, Yeah!

Give out ugliness and you'll get ugliness in return. When I was bullied at school I remember my Mum telling me that 'You'll see your own of them' which basically means that the hurt they have caused you will come back to them and in years to come you will be in a much better place and be able to look back at this and laugh. They also taught me that the people you meet on your way up will be the ones you see again on the way down so treat them nicely. There is nothing more annoying that people who think they are a class above everyone else, someone who looks down on others because they are, in their opinion, more fortunate.

5. Don't tell black lies and keep an eye on the white ones

From a very young age I was told never to lie. Even if the truth was hurtful or if I would get into trouble should the truth come to light. I was always encourage to come clean with the truth. I was taught by my Mum  that I would get into so much more trouble if I lie and I am then found out because not only will I be in trouble for the actual deed I am lying about but also for lying. I hate the feeling of being lied to and I like to think I have a bullshit detector installed within me. I actually tell the kids in my class that I was upgraded at 'teacher school' with an internal lie detector and eyes in the back of my head. This is what I call a white lie. One that doesn't really harm anyone not like those awful big black lies that cause so much pain to others. I like to keep an eye on the white lies though so that lying doesn't become a habit.

Check out the other entries ...

"/>

Listography - Inventions

This weeks theme over at Kate Takes 5 Listography this week is inventions that would make my life easier. I am looking forward to meeting Kate in person this week, it'll be weird as I feel like I know her already from reading her blog and taking part in Listography link ups from time to time.

Here is my list . . .

1. Automatic Nappy Changer

Something that will hold my little darling in place and change his nappy for me. I am at my wits end with him screaming and rolling over in an effort to escape me and the nappy. Now that he's crawling it's ten times worse!

2. A free dog walking service for rainy nights  (Hubby would claim that it's him)

image courtesy of  dogercisela.com

We love our dogs but there is nothing worse than looking out the window when you are about to take them out and it's pouring! Dog walkers can be expensive and we wouldn't want one all the time but it would be nice if one magically appeared when it was raining!

3. A Quick Dry and Ironing Machine

Something you could load your clothes into which dries them and irons them. My biggest annoyance when we have weather like this is that I can't get my washing hung out. I hate it when clothes are hanging all over the house in an effort to dry them. I also hate ironing and I do as little of it as I can get away with. Apparently it exists but I don't know if I'd be trusting it not to shrink stuff!

4. An eat yourself thin pill

Wouldn't it be great if you could just pop a pill when you had overindulged and it made you slimmer. No more diets! Eat and drink whatever you like and don't worry about it. Maybe it can automatically tone up your body as well, save time on exercise! Here I am tucking into something that looks healthy but it's actually a calorific caesar salad, yum!

5. Weather Controls

courtesy of adsoftheworld.com

I would like to have more control over the weather. It seems from no2 and 3 on my list that I am a little weather obsessed. It can spoil your day if the weather isn't right and it is something over which you have no control. No more drowned out weddings and festivals, no more loss of crops due to drought and no more flooding. It might be a bit tricky if everyone wanted different weather but hey this is make believe, who said it had to be practical!



For more lists check out . . .


"/>

Listography - Bad Combinations

Kate's Listography this week is quite challenging for my dehydrated brain but I'll give it my best shot.

So what makes for a bad combination?

1. Pregnancy hormones and TV
When I was pregnant I would cry over adverts or TV programmes. The most memorable was when we were watching Band of Brothers and the documentary came on at the end. I cried for about an hour. Not just a wee bubble but full on heart wrenching sobs. Don't ask me what set me off, I have no clue!

2.  Illness and Children
It's hard enough to look after yourself when you're hungover  ill. They squeal, moan and demand attention but your poor brain cannot cope with the sensory overload. Kaiya, my dog, feels like this often but she has the opportunity to nap through the day whenever and wherever she likes.

3. Babies and work/going out clothes
If JC is going to sick he will never puke up on my old trackies and disgustingly grey jumper. Oh no, he reserves that pleasure for Daddy's fresh shirt for work or mum's nice dress.

4. Cleavage and toast crumbs
Kate mentioned cleavage and popcorn which I can second but I find that toast crumbs can be equally annoying in the nooks and crannies.







5. Delivery man and nap time
Picture this . . .  Your delightful child has given in and has just gone down for a much needed nap. You sit on the couch and take a breath, pleased with yourself that you are taking 5 minutes 'me' time. Then the delivery guys rings the door bell like there's an emergency, the dog barks, you trip over the stuff you should have already been tidying away in an effort to shut the dog up and reach the door before he bloody rings the bell again. You open the door and the guy shouts loudly at you 'here you go hen, just sign here!' He tries to make polite conversation with you but you are whispering at him and he looks at you like you are a few sandwiches short of a picnic. You grab the parcel from him and hastily shut the door. You listen, nothing. You smile a relieved smile and then  . . .  MMMWAAAHHH!

The Best Things in Life are Free

Sorry it's late! I've been so busy the past few days that I haven't had time to write this post.

Listography this week is Simple Pleasures. The small things that brighten my day and give me a feeling of contentment and happiness.

1. Belly Laughs - I really enjoyed being in the company of people who make me laugh so much that my sides ache, I can't catch my breath and I resort to snorting. I am well known for getting the giggles especially in the loo after a few wines.

2. Snuggles - You can't beat a good snuggle. My favourite snuggling companion is my dog Kaiya. She smells like buttered popcorn and she always makes me feel loved. She is my best friend.

3. The Sound of Water - I've always like the sound of the sea and running water. I find it naturally relaxing. I focussed on this when I was in labour and I was all Zen like.

4. Untouched Snow - My favourite landscape. I love the snow but I hate being the first person to ruin it by walking on it. Usually my four legged babies get there first as they love it even more than I do!






5. The Smell of Books - I nearly dragged my sister Kate into a bookshop in Edinburgh because I could smell them from outside the door. It's a weird fascination but I make no apologies for it. There is something about the smell of a book that takes my imagination on a journey. Where has this book been, who has touched it, how many readers have loved it and where will it take me? I was reluctant to get a kindle for this very reason but although I now love my Kindle, it will never replace my love of a 'real' book.

Hells Bells Listography

5 Things I'd Change About My Wedding Day

This week over at Kate's listography the theme has gone all thoughtful over our nuptials. I am finding it difficult to come up with 5 things I would change about my wedding day because I really loved my wedding. It was a fabulous day and everything was amazing but I have dug deep to pull 5 out of the bag.

1. Stress - far too much off it

I would worry less and try not to let things get on top of me. I spent a lot of time trying to make other people happy and be accommodating. I have realised since that you can never please everybody so you are better to just please yourself.

2.  Guest List - who do they think they are?

I had recently changed jobs and a lot of people I am good friends with now weren't invited to my wedding. Some of my so called friends at the time who were invited failed to turn up without even letting us know. I actually wanted to send them the bill for their dinner, inconsiderate arseholes.

3. Money and a lot of it

I spent quite a lot of money but in hindsight I could have probably saved money on some things. I was quite impulsive when I was choosing flowers and ended up with amazingly gorgeous arrangements with a price tag to prove it!

4. Wedding Album - an expensive dust collector

I have hardly looked at it and it lives in the loft. I wish that I hadn't bothered and just paid for the digital images. I am more than capable of making my own what with being a primary school teacher and all. I could've just whipped out my pritt stick and double sided table to create my own fandabadosy album.

5. Honeymoon - luxury not included

We had a lovely time in St Lucia but we both felt that the whole Sandals Experience was not all it was cracked up to be. The whole 'Luxury Included' things was a load of rubbish because unless you had paid for concierge service or had hired a suite, you weren't given the time of day. We had some pretty bad service so we wouldn't go back to a Sandals Resort.  

Listography - Laminated List

Anyone who likes Friends will remember the episode where Ross disclosed his laminated list. This was a list of famous women he was allowed to sleep with if the opportunity were to arise. So Kate Takes 5 has set the task of creating our own Laminated List for Listography this week. Here is my list in no particular order . . .

*I should point that I have a very particular type - muscles, tattoos and vampires (and werewolves). I've kept the image size large ;)

1. Taylor Lautner  - Jacob from Twilight. All I can say is Abs! yum yum.

2. Alexander Skarsgard - Best known as Eric the Vampire from True Blood. He would be far too tall for me but OMG he is just delicious.

3. Robert Pattinson - To be fair, it's less about him as an actor and more about the character he plays in the Twilight Saga (Edward). I was in love with this character when I read the book, way before the films came out but R-Patz brought Edward to life for me. Swoon.










4. Ryan Reynolds - his most recent film was Buried. I don't need to say anything about him. Just that I'd like to do my washing on his washboard! Never a vampire but he was a vampire hunter in Blade Trinity!

5. David Boreanaz - most recently he has been in Bones but I fell in love with him as the vampire Angel from Buffy the Vampire Slayer. H, O, double T.