Blighty gets the Boot

Dahlings how are we all?  It's a bit soggy round these parts, and also the snow is melting...

Today is, as usual, not going to plan.

Boys 1 and 2, who in some ways resemble Thompson and Thomson from Tintin, have had another "incident":

source

When Boy 1 went to put his snow boots on this morning,  he discovered that Boy 2 had gone off to school wearing Boy 1's bigger boots (stay with me, it's complicated but so worth it).  Judging by the yells and oaths and muttered threats, I think perhaps Boy 2 should not come home this evening, I had better arrange for a "safe house" for him somewhere..

I have my own boot related woes.  My beloved Ugg boots which I have been wearing non-stop in the house as slippers since buying them under the expert supervision of Lovely B at Bicester Village last Sept, have sprung a hole.  How's that for a First World Problem?  Is there some sort of support group I could contact?

The good news is that I seem to have got my reading mojo back (ha! I just mistyped that as mofo, which is quite different).  There was an interesting article by David Nicholls (who wrote "One Day") in the Telegraph recently about finding time to read; coincidentally Boy 1's English teacher made them read it for homework. You can find it here It definitely rang a chord with me, particularly about repeatedly checking into the same websites...


Currently I am reading this.

Must admit, was a bit daunted what with it being so long and a Booker Prize winner and all, but it's very readable, wonderfully written and the author has made old Thomas Cromwell into a likeable character, which makes a change from all those films and plays where he is evil and calculating and, even worse, a lawyer

I have been putting books I have read on my Pinterest if anyone is interested.


Better go now, have to hire an armoured car to collect Boy 2 in from school tonight..

Killer Knitwear

Dahlings, how are we today? Really?  How on earth did he get it stuck in there?  Awful!*

So Mr B and I have just finished watching The Killing 2.  Always a bit behind the times at Blighty HQ.

Gosh, it was BRILLIANT!  I had heard that it wasn't as good as the original Killing, but I loved it, in fact I think it was even better.

It ticked all the boxes for Nordic Noir:

• knitwear - must admit I was a bit worried at the start as SaraLund (you must run it together into one word to sound authentic Danish) was sporting a plain red number; but my fears eased when I noticed it did in fact have the trad  Scandinavian pattern on it; then later a more familiar jumper reappeared - I gave such a loud shriek in recognition that Mr B thought I had seen a major plot twist.  To be honest, I don't think Mr B is fully on board, knitwear-wise, as his main comment was how on earth could a lowly police officer afford those really expensive jumpers? Remember they gave one to old Camilla Duchess of Charles? The Daily Mail told me they cost a bomb

• gore
• lovely sounding Danish: "Tak!"
• that spooky music (which always speeds up at the end of each episode when they start doing a montage of the different characters so you know it's about to end and you shout "Oh no, it's the end!" and you say "Can't we just watch another episode, it's only 2am and who needs sleep really?"..)



Thomas Buch, considering his next snack option  Source

• charismatic politician : Thomas Buch,  very jolly and amusing and enjoyed eating chocolate, except once when he was a bit upset and opted for a bit of fruit

• about 15 different suspects, each of whom Definitely Did It, till you see the next episode and then you say, of course I knew it couldn't possibly be them all along...

• Brix, SaraLund's boss, looking moody yet strangely attractive and very tall

Brix, looking enigmatic, or possibly a spot of indigestion?
source

• full frontal willy shot - yes ladies, in one scene SaraLund, intent on tracking down an army officer she needs to interview, marches straight into the changing rooms/showers at the army barracks. So refreshing as a change from naked women and probably very Nordic, what with all those saunas and stuff.  I explained to Mr Blighty that this was no doubt a Very Important Scene and that I needed to see it again to search for vital clues...Mr Blighty muttered something to himself, sounded like "TotallPerverte", which I think is Danish for Top Detective?? Tak Mr B.

*don't be disgusting you lot, I was actually thinking of a recent newspaper report about kids getting their tongues stuck inside those metal drinking bottles, poor things had to have an operation to get it out.  After I had read that, I had the most dreadful urge to try sticking my own tongue in the boys' metal bottles.  What can I say, I was that kid at school, who always had to do the ONE  thing we were told not to do...

A bit chilly

Dahlings, how are you?   Really, a kitchen extension with an orangery and water feature? Me?  Oh no, I am very happy with my beige linoleum thank you (right eye twitches).

Here we had a bit of snow yesterday but just a light sprinkling, I have to be honest I wasn't completely happy with the coverage.

I suppose I am a bit like Faux Fuchsia and her Christmas tree coverage - she likes it plentiful and well distributed.  Well so do I, with snow.

By the way, here is a pic of the Blighty 2012 Christmas tree.  It did not have uniform coverage, as Boy 1 of his own accord took it upon himself to decorate it.  So there is heavy ornament application around the front and lower branches.  But I don't mind.  I think he shows great promise - one day perhaps he could be a window dresser for Selfridges.

Selfridges window last year - a tribute to Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama

Right, back to the cold weather.

Luckily I bought some boofy snow boots in the sales.

I also popped on my Alpine style waistcoat number, from H&M.  I bet they all wear them at Klosters.

I also rolled out my new fluffy waistcoat, Mr B bought it for me for my birthday, I must let him know.  It's very soft and stroke-able, like having a cat except it does not bring mice into the house or scratch the sofa, fingers crossed.

Last night I decided I wanted a Korat cat, till I read they were very sensitive and got upset by loud noises.  Hmm, probably not ideal for Blighty HQ then.



source

It is essential to eat properly when the weather is cold.

Nourishing drinks are also vital.

I have been reading in the newspapers that according to the Government and various charities,  it is very important to keep an eye on the elderly in this cold weather and call in on them to make sure they are alright.

Well, it's been a couple of days now since the cold snap started, and I am still waiting for my visit.

I even rang the council, I believe in being pro-active.

I talked to a very nice lady and explained I was an older lady and would very much like a young person to drop by the house, to make sure I was nice and warm.  I said I wasn't fussy, a young man,  6 ft 4, blonde, blue eyes, lightly muscled, six pack preferable....there would be some light duties around the house...

source - hmmm, typical

Gosh, I am feeling much warmer already...

So True It Hurts!

Dahlings, Happy New Year to you all!  Oh, you went to the Caribbean for Christmas? La  la la la (sings to self with hands over ears) - don't wanna hear it,  over Christmas we experimented with a touch of Norovirus (me and Boy 2 aka Team Blurp)  followed up with a dash of flu (Boy 1).  Mr Blighty tried mentioning he was experiencing a slight degree of tenderness in his stomach region but desisted when threatened with more than "slight tenderness" a bit lower down his anatomy...

Just thought I would share with you this fun video by Fiat, "In the Motherhood" which my lovely friend D just emailed me.  Enjoy (and sorry if you have already seen it, things move slowly at Blighty HQ, what with having to go everywhere with a bucket strapped to ourselves).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eNVde5HPhYo

Sprouts of Joy

It's Christmas Eve and we have finally managed to shoehorn Boys 1 and 2 into bed.  Boy 2 actually asked to go to bed at about 5pm, so keen was he to make Christmas come sooner but Boy 1 can always be relied upon to uphold the honour of Boykind and perform the Dance of the Seven Bedtimes.

Now the coast is clear I'm going to tiptoe upstairs and leave this outside their doors....I really am the most horrid mother (cue evil laughter).

Happy Christmas Dahlings!  Have a good one!

Blogger's Headache

Dahlings, again long time no blog! Unforgivable!
So how are you all?  Really?  Dropped off completely? Frightful.
Right, back to me.

A little while ago  Sister Wolf,  whose blog sometimes shocks and unsettles but is never ever boring, as she is ferociously clever and possessed of  a mordant wit, asked which two words her readers hated most. Sister Wolf  listed "fiscal cliff" and commenters came up with equally excellent ones such as  "now trending" and "gangnam style".  At the time I could only think of "ironing board" which I felt was not quite up to scratch.

But now I feel able to contribute:

DRUM KIT

 Yes, Boy 2 has taken up the drums.
Quelle joie!
Ooh, another two annoying words - I'm on fire!

Isn't Negligee French for Neglect?

Dahlings, how are you all?


Right that's enough about you, back to me.

Went to a Daphne4Boyz Mother's Power Lunch yesterday.
Discussion of vital issues including the horror of rugby (Swollen Parts and How to Deal With Them), what happens when you pack your 10 year old's boxer pants by mistake in husband's case for business trip (Swollen Parts and How to Deal With Them) (husband uncomplainingly goes commando) and Most Important of All:

Do we need to Raise our Game in terms of Nightwear in view of our Advancing Years?

To be honest, my heart sank.  I thought bed was one place were I could let it all go and happily crawl into my tatty pjs and washed out sweatshirts. And as Mr B is usually at work till all hours "trying to get something out" (always thought he was referring to a new draft of legislation but now wonder if I should check he has right underpants on) he never actually sees me in daylight anyway, let alone notice what night garb I am wearing.

On the other hand, only the day before I had been checking out the Marks and Spencer nightwear as I am in the market for some news pjs, having reluctantly parted company with one pair which had mysteriously developed holes after only 15 years..so this topic was of  great interest.

Instead of comfy Mummy pjs, should I get myself an elegant La Perla type night dress with matching gown? 

La Perla; "Your dinner is in the dog Mr B"

 But feel I do not have the lifestyle to go with it - when would I actually put on the gown?  These days I am either comatose or up wrangling Boys 1 and 2, there is no in between lounging around dipping strawberries in champagne ...And I can't have any drapey silk getting underfoot as I chase the boys around the house (Elf and Safety issues). I suppose Cruella de Ville managed ok, but then she had help.

Also if Mr B did come home early enough to catch sight of me decked up like this, he would probably think he was in the wrong house and go next door looking for his supper...

La Perla; "Darling be a dear and take the bins out would you?"...(hey, I am starting to get the point of this fancy sleepwear idea, just need to hire a body double and some antique furniture)

Vita e Passioni d'Emira silk-georgette and lace robe

Rosamosario £520  from net a porter

 Rosamosario Venetian Love lace-trimmed silk-crepe kimono

£695 from net a porter

       

Us Daphne4Boyz Mothers also discussed the fashion for All in Ones- I mentioned how unsettled I was to see these on offer at M&S for Grown Ups.

From M&S on-line

 Apparently lots of young girls wear these at boarding school to keep warm while doing their prep.  Best left to the young I feel - also the likelihood of my toppling over and knocking myself out when trying to extricate myself from said garment in middle of the night to have a wee is too high....do not want to be found unconscious with babygro round my ankles.... (What's that Mr B?  Wouldn't be the first time? Ha ha Mr B, ha ha).


The only good look I've seen involving a onesie recently (apart from babies who of course look adorable in them) is this:

found this on pinterest, not sure who took the pic in first place, happy to attribute if anyone knows

 Who knew that the whole issue of night clothes is so fraught?

And why are those coat thingies called negligees?  When they are so obviously the exact opposite of Letting Oneself Go?   Answers please ready for next Daphnes Mothers Power Lunch. No pressure. A full Powerpoint presentation and Excel spreadsheet of different sleepwear option price points is also required.