Day 50 Sunday 31st January 2010

What a great day!

Headed out with my boys in search of adventure and cakes and found ourselves at Greenwich again, this time arriving early enough to explore this wonderful place!

We started off at a little cafe, nothing like a glass of milk and a pan au chocolate to prepare you for the walk up to the top, a walk which is well worth it as the view is stunning and there is something special about being in the place where all time zones are measured.

Being the entertainers they are, my two little bears, were happy to pose for photos on the meridian line, not just for me but it would seem that when these two started posing there were a lot of happy snappers. Although I was explaining the importance of where we were the excitement of the red ball dropping at 1.00pm was lost on them, granted its not the same as the crystal ball dropping on Times Square at new year but still very important.

They were however both very excited about the planetarium and learning about space, planets, stars and rockets! Corran was delighted by being able to touch a meteorite, actually touching something billions of years old that has been in space, and he understood, he really understood that this rock had been out there in space.

We finished off our day by visiting the Queens House, which for me was a treat, I was a history student and I love being in a place where Kings and Queens have walked before me, whilst I wasn't a great fan of the art work which was almost entirely war related, not surprising the Queens House did become the Royal Naval College, I did enjoy learning more about the history of the building.

Whilst not the photographer of the family I do love the shot I have taken of the Queens House against the backdrop of Canary Wharf, I love the contrast of old and new in architecture!

Have a good evening

Claire

Day 49 Saturday 30th January 2010

Ever felt lost?

Today has been a bad day and there isn't enough chocolate to deal with it!

I've just read that its important to vent your anger - but sometimes you can't win. If you keep it in, it can build up and if you let it out you might discover that people don't want to hear your problems.

Thinking of breaking plates! see if that helps!

Claire

Day 48 Friday 29th January 2010

My knees are like jelly!

We covered a lot of ground today, me and the boys hit the town taking in Covent Garden, Soho, Leicester Square, Regent Street and the list goes on and on and we done it all on foot finishing at Westminster before heading home to relax.

Well almost we did have tears before bedtime but they seem settled now.

So pigging out in front of the telly

Claire

Day 47 Thursday 28th January 2010

Happy Birthday Martin

Day 46 Wednesday 27th January 2010

I've been left with a really annoying cough, a constant reminder of the bad cold I had in the New Year - I just can't seem to shift it.

I had though tonight's meal might have helped given I accidentally swallowed a chili - my tongue hasn't quite forgiven me and I suspect that I will regret it later - but our impromptu meal out was an early birthday celebration for Martin!

My noodles were followed by a very yummy raspberry and chili pavlova, which, as expected, I had to fight with the two bears to get my share despite the fact that they had already had their ice-cream.

Tonight I am typing from the brand new keyboard on the laptop courtesy of the Dell tech, Ethan had been mimicking me and had destroyed some of the keys in the process but all shiny and new again! The last time we had a dell tech look at the laptop I embarrassed myself by talking about how "cute" he was, certain that he didn't understand English (in France at the time) but on his departure he said his farewells in perfect English and had the cheeky smile that indicated that he had heard and understood our conversation! ooops

Anyways time for a cuppa

Claire

Day 45 Tuesday 26th January 2010

"You know this boogie is for real!"

Peanut M&M's are the best!

Made the mistake of picking up dinner on the way home from work - turned out to be not so fast food when the ten minute wait I was advised upon ordering turned into 22 minutes waiting for some chicken.

I took the stairs at Westminster today, this time running up them with, wait for it..... a rucksack on my back! After everything I have said against rucksack wearing commuters, I needed to take the camera equipment to work and so I was the annoying girl on the train with the rucksack, but to be fair I wasn't travelling in rush hour!

After running up the stairs with the weight on my back my knees felt like jelly and I felt great and skipped along Old Brompton road with Canned Heat on the MP3 which is a great song, "all these bad times I'm going through just dance"

And now I have my peanut M&M's and Jason Stratham, yummy yummy yummy

Sweet dreams
Claire

Day 44 Monday 25th January 2010

Made myself a necklace last night whilst watching the UFC, it was really nice, mixed coloured stones and butterfly's - the necklace that is not the UFC!

Had some nice compliments about it today and a request to make some more - which is always nice! Different from my usual designs but I'm thinking I like the style, I've been doodling a "friendship" range so watch this space for necklaces and bracelets with crystals that promote well being and reduce stress such as Amethyst which is said to remove negativity and reduce pain.

My kids are just bursting with energy these days and their characters are developing, Corran is always the gentle one and Ethan is a very dominant character - we'll have to watch that, hoping to have a little art afternoon as it's someone specials birthday soon!

Anyways time for tea!

Claire

Day 43 Sunday 24th January 2010

Spent the afternoon with Michael Buble, well his voice at any rate, don't think his new fiancee would be best pleased otherwise. But I was happy to just bop along to his latest album.

I read an article today in one of those "lifestyle" magazines you know the kind that try to help you achieve a better life by asking you to pay the £6.00 cover charge to read up on how to improve your life.

The article was a typical "how to make 2010 your best year yet in 10 easy steps" and at number 8 it was advising readers to conduct a "friends audit" with the aim being to rid yourself of people where the "friendship scales" are tipping one way. After reading it I thought it was quite harsh, but when I got to thinking about it, it was very good advice.

There are some people that do not contribute to the friendship emotionally, you are expected to be there for all their big events (birthdays, anniversaries, kids parties etc etc) but they never attend yours, you are expected to have the shoulder ready for them to cry on but in the middle of your heartache they are not to be seen, you have to listen for hours about their awful husband, boyfriend etc etc but if you ask the same in return they deem it "unfair to put this on them" and when they have nothing left you are to help pick up their pieces but when your crisis arrives they "don't want to take sides".

I have had such friends and when I think about it in many ways I have "audited" them out my life without realising it and my life is better for it, and then there are the gems, the ones you can rely on, the ones that make you laugh so much you pee yourself (no really I did), the ones that can just listen and not judge and they will be the best friends through the rough and the smooth and for that we can all be grateful.

Happy Sunday
Claire

Day 42 Saturday 23rd January 2010

A colleague asked me for some relationship advice, not that I am the best person to ask, but I tried to help, sometimes you just need someone to listen and you find that by talking it out the solution presents itself.

In short, she is keen on this guy, who is sometimes keen on her but keeps letting her down! So she gets worked up thinking that he has finally got his "s**t" together only to be let down again.

The only advice I could give was that she should let him know that she is not into playing games, so either get it together or wish him a happy life. That said we've all done it, we've swore we wouldn't let people hurt us like that but we tend to go back for more, but I do believe you live and learn it's just that we all learn at different paces.

Have a nice weekend
Claire

Day 41 Friday 22nd January 2010

Got to Westminster - just missed Jubilee

Got to Canning town - just missed DLR!

Pretty much sums up my stressful Friday!

Luckily I have the perfect solution waiting at home. Martin who'll know just what to say, 2 gorgeous boys with kisses and cuddles and fuzzy who'll plant herself on my lap for the night!

Thank crunchie its friday

Day 40 Thursday 21st December 2010

It's all about the boys today, next day off is eight days away, and when you look at these cute monsters its no wonder its all about them.

So short and sweet, stop what you are doing and play with the kids! Keeps you young and smiling

Claire

Day 39 Wednesday 20th January 2010

Got a new hairstyle today - courtesy of a fellow commuter.

Yep, the guy on the Jubilee line with a back pack the size of a three-year-old child stepped backwards, tangling my hair on the zip and velcro of said pack, and when he tried to get off the train he took some of my hair with him!


(Note to hair fetishists - just ask, and use scissors. It's less painful.)

I get it, really, I do! Backpacks are useful; they can hold your gym kit for going to the gym straight from work, except when Stuart from accounts invites you to the pub after work and it can hold your packed lunch - the one that you'll not eat in favour of Starbucks, Cafe Nero etc etc.

I think people with back packs over a certain size should pay more for their Oyster card; they take up so much room on the tube it just gets so annoying. I saw a guy get nearly knocked off the train tonight by a fellow passenger leaving, again completely unaware of their overall size with the bag on their back. Perhaps we could install bags with reverse activation alarms like the bin trucks!!!

Next rant - able bodied people at Canary Wharf that use the lifts. Those fantastic, magical moving stairs called Escalators....they move for you! Its not like you're expected to climb or descend the stairs and - speaking from experience - its quicker to go down the escalators. You've seen Mallrats? "That damn able bodied woman is playing in the lift again" wait... what??

I am, however, concerned about the Canary Wharf women as they seem to have a built in deflector shield which seemingly protects them from the "Claire Glare" - must investigate and possibly invest in upgraded offensive weaponry :)

Anyways thats my rant over for one night

Claire

Day 38 Tuesday 19th January 2010

So finally shook off that Monday feeling!

I was at the post office today and I found it very amusing, as each customer ahead of me approached the desk I couldn't help but listen in to the exchanges between staff and customer;

"So you need to guarantee the parcel gets there? Well in that case you'll need the blah blah blah"
There was a time where you wouldn't have to purchase extra to guarantee your parcel getting there - this wasn't to guarantee a specific time - this was just to confirm that yes the post office would deliver at some point! Now there is a chance I heard it wrong but I'm not convinced we've all had that instance where something has gone missing.

Tonight I had the awful job of doing the glass test on Corran, the only thing worse than your child being ill is your child being ill and displaying symptoms of meningitis, but he is fine tucked up in bed having had some medicine and cuddling his buddy Pudsey!

Its terrible when they are ill, you would do anything to make them fighting fit again!

Anyways time to relax with a cuppa!

Claire

Day 37 Monday 18th January 2010

Its a Monday!

Had that Monday morning feeling but it soon lifted. Also got an hours with the kids in the middle of the day which was a bonus.

Nothing much to report today to be honest - started investigating Vets and kids clubs today so we'll see how that goes

love
Claire

Day 36 Sunday 17th January 2008

How knew? Just a short hop on the DLR could take us to a wonderfully, almost quaint, village - Greenwich!

It is truly a beautiful place which holds such an important place in history, unfortunately our visit wasn't planned and as such we have only scratched the surface, but intend to go back in a few weeks when Steph comes to visit!

We briefly stopped at the Greenwich Village Market, the boys enjoyed some Portuguese food, Martin opted for Japanese and, not having a huge appetite, I enjoyed some organic pastries before we explored the Painted Hall and Chapel, and wow, it was breath taking.

Its funny how you can overlook the beauty on your doorstep, boast to friends and colleagues about your world travels and the sights you have seen without realising that there is so much to see and do in the most unexpected places.

Cannot wait to go back in a few weeks - obviously I'll update you guys!

take care Claire

Day 35 Saturday 16th January 2010

Odd socks!

That's what the man across from me on the tube was wearing; on his left foot a bright yellow sock and, on his right foot, a bright red sock. I was trying to figure out if this was intentional, you know - a quirky character that wears what he likes or if it was a sign of someone dressing in the dark. I'm gonna go with option one: he looked kinda quirky. He had a brown leather satchel filled with newspapers and his main flaw - litterbug, left his food wrappers on the seat next to him.

Then I saw an abandoned glove at Westminster tube station and wondered if it was lonely without it's partner, you know - a little lost without its other half. So to all the lost gloves out there I hope you find you're missing partner.

Take care
Claire

Day 34 riday 15th January 2010

Busy busy day!

Had a rather slow start to my day off, with the usual noise and hustle of the kids realising mum is not leaving the house (just yet).

After a late brunch we set off to collect my sister from her hotel and safely deposit her in the 15.30 train back to Glasgow, which of course had Corran in tears. Both boys have enjoyed having her around these last few days, ethan enjoys using her wheelchair as a climbing frame and Corran loves his little conversations they have about everything and nothing.

Our trip to Euston wasn't that straight forward, wheelchair, walking frame, heavy suitcase and Corran! But we managed and a kind gentleman helped us off at Westminster which was really nice, I think Anne enjoyed her stay, most folks are very helpful, you get the odd ignorant ******* but you get that everywhere.

From Westminster it was a taxi which didn't take that long and was reasonably priced, the driver even gave Corran some coins as Corran had been explaining his saving plans for his, fast train, slow train and airport, the latter being the most recent addition to his growing list of future purchases! We were held up slightly by the Prime Minister and the 8 extra police cars, I sometimes wonder if he just wishes he could go out and grab a burger?

Now, for those of you that know me well, you will realise a simple task like delivering my sister to a train station would not be complete without a little drama along the way and today it was in the form of a ceiling tile at Euston falling and narrowly missing Ethan, Corran and Martin all while Anne and I visited the ladies!

Once safely delivered to her carriage and Corrans tears stopped (bribed with a cookie) we went home via Canary Wharf to pick up a few essentials.

Looking forward to Steph's visit in a few weeks and Anne will be back down for Corrans birthday in the summer, but we have Ethan's birthday in April first, I feel a party coming on.

Have a good weekend

Claire

Day 34 riday 15th January 2010

Busy busy day!

Day 33 Thursday 14th January 2010

Had another run in with a ruck sack this morning on the tube, I had actually become attatched to the girls huge back pack, and she was departing the train and intending to take me with her it would seem.

And given that my desired destination was not London Bridge I had to de-tangle myself from her bag, just before the doors closed on me. With that drama over the rest of my journey was fairly un-eventful, if only the rest of the day was.

I found myself tackling a 6 ft man (sort of) struggling to get his boxers on (sort of), hanging snowflakes and a "blue screen of death" incident, dizzy spells and a dodgy tummy to contend with.

Anyways just had some really nice pasta and now its time to relax - ha sort of!

love
Claire

Day 32 Wednesday 13th January 2010

What a day! I was up all night being sick - a few nights ago my youngest Ethan was ill and I am guessing whatever he had I have now come down with.

The gentle rocking of the tube tonight did nothing to help the situation and I am now feeling a little fragile.

So I am guessing it will be early to bed for me tonight, Oceans Eleven is on but I doubt I'll see it all as the eyelids are getting a little heavy.

Have a good night
Claire

Day 31 Tuesday 12tth January 2010

Hot chocolate! Its a night for hot chocolate.

Corran and I seen my sister off to her hotel, which meant a later than usual night for Corran but he hasn't seen his auntie for a few weeks! On the DLR back home Corran entertained the other passengers by explaining that he "wasn't tired - just sleepy".

So Corran has recently decided he wants to be a model or a drummer, or a model drummer! He is quite keen to start earning pennies as he wants to buy a slow train and a fast train and a garage!

Sometimes Corran gets mum and dad mixed up so sometimes I am Mummy other times a
I am Dummy and dad is sometimes Maddy.

Well Dummy and Maddy are tired.

Take care Claire

Day 30 Monday 11th January 2010

So we survived London transport yesterday but not sure if London transport survived us!

Today my transport was a little bit easier as it was back to work - that said I still had a bit of a run in with a woman who foolishly believed she could take my place on the jubilee line despite my having waited 27 minutes and having let three full trains go by. But I managed a "claire-glare" despite my tired state and that made the "peach coat" wearing woman step aside when the doors opened.

Just an average day really - started an early spring clean in work and its nice to be at the beginning of a new year and setting new goals.

On my way home half way between North Greenwich and Canning Town, and half way through Jason Mraz' "Please don't tell her" my MP3 died reminding me that I need some kind of night routine to ensure I charge the batteries as an hours commute without the distraction of music is just too much - even on days when I am conducting my "smile" experiment.

Yesterday I had two instances of deja-vu, firstly out and about, when crossing the Golden Jubilee bridge I had, not so much a deja-vu as a flashback, I felt as though I was in New York again...weird

The second instance was later on at night watching American Beauty, not the deja-vu of having seen the film itself but of a conversation, I was convinced I had had the same discussion but my hubby assured me that I hadn't.

Just me losing my marbles I guess. time to relax

Take care

Claire

day 29 Sunday 10th January

3 adults, one in a wheelchair, 2 kids one in a buggy, and lionel - take on london's transport network!

check back later for updates!
Claire

Day 28 Saturday 9th December

Love it - getting up without having to rush out the door, grabbing bag, putting on wellies and kissing kids in one fluid motions. Instead this morning it was breakfast in bed (sort of) toast which Ethan stole and a cuppa.

Followed by a big stretch, isn't that just yummy....a big stretch!!!!!

It is another chilly day but plan on getting wrapped up and getting out making the most of a weekend off.

Will post our adventures later

Claire

Day 27 Friday 8th January

Had a very busy day today and couldn't help but feel that I was in a little world of my own, lost in the Claire bubble. A colleague never recognised me on the phone, claiming that I now sound Australian which is a bit scary! I haven't started talking about "throwing a shrimp on the barbie" yet but am planning an Australia Day celebration so we'll see how that goes!

Our street is like a skating rink, I don't know how many times I nearly fell on the short walk from the DLR tonight and yet everywhere else shows no evidence of the recent blizzards we had. The wellies purchased in Belfast a few years ago are now getting a good workout.

Anyways fuzzy is looking for some cuddle time so I'll sign off or now and catch up with you all tomorrow!

Claire

Day 26 Thursday 7th January

Smash plates, play loud music, punch the walls....Apparently that is the advice following a lengthy survey by Harvard business school, yep the British, or English, tradition of the stiff upper lip, showing no emotion particularly at work, is guaranteed to make you miserable both in work and play.

It does make sense, holding on to anger is a waste of your energy and time, its like keeping the toxins in - so let it out (in a controlled manner naturally). I used to keep it all in and it doesn't work you get bitter and now if I am not happy about something I try my best to communicate it and to improve the situation.

Now conversations with three year olds - entertaining, confusing, amusing.....answers on a post card!

"Corran I am a girl" I said, "no" he replied "you are a mum"

"Corran you are so cute" "I'm not cute I'm a boy! You're cute mum"

"Mum did you make my pennies at work?"

Got to love kids!

Anyways take care
Claire

Day 25 Wednesday 6th January

Had the amazing Persian soup from Jakobs again today which is by far the best food for this kind of weather.

I love the snow it makes everything so clean looking, but it is dang cold.

My hubby just brought me tea and jaffa cakes, and my dog, who most of the time can't sense a cat standing in front of her, is at my side in seconds waiting for her share of the goodies. How does she do that?

Anyways I'm keeping it short and sweet again tonight as I can't feel my toes and need to defrost!

Take care claire

Day 24 Tuesday 5th January 2010

Not much to report today!

Spent afternoon indulging one of my vices - luxury lingerie - didn't spend a penny.

have a good evening

Claire

Day 23 Monday 4th January 2010

Well back to normal after the festive break, back to rush hour traffic, back to squeezing yourself on to the tube to the extent that you are pressed up against the glass and can't help but be very intimate with your fellow commuters (nothing weird just very close).

Its not that I have a problem with my fellow commuters, I don't doubt that they are all really nice people, I am just one of these strange people that is very protective of her space. But I am getting used to the commute and usually get lost in my own musical journey.

Although that did not happen this morning - two stops along my MP3 player ran out of juice (note to self, charge MP3) so I was in that place where you can hear everyone's conversations, little snippets of life. It makes you feel like you are intruding in their lives but cannot be avoided.

It made me really believe that "all the worlds a stage" and that we all act in different ways depending on the situation we find ourselves in. I witnessed this, this morning, a young couple seemed to be lost in a bubble of their own, completely unaware of the other passengers, they were very relaxed and mirrored each others body language that is until her mobile went off and she adopted a different character - her voice changed, her body language created a barrier and there was an element falseness to this new persona, Whoever was on the other end of the line (I am assuming a girlfriend given the exchange) brought out this element of her personality, upon ending the telephone call, her partner seemed very distant and actually said "I wish you wouldn't put on that silly voice"

Ah the things you hear on the way to work.

So what part do you play?

love
Claire

Day 22 continued

Just watched "The edge of love" the complex story of Dylan Thomas' relationships with his wife Caitlan and his first love Vera.
what a strange situation in such a difficult time.

I'm not sure who I felt most sorry for...

love Claire

Day 22 Sunday 3rd January 2010

Had a good day
with the boys, we braved the icy cold winds and ventured out in the city.

Corran and I went on the merry goround, then we had chinese for lunch and then took a leisurely stroll.

glad to be home in the warmth! how was your sunday?

Claire

Day 21 Saturday 2nd January 2010

"Anything could happen with a little pixie dust" just overheard Peter Pan.

Got to get me some pixie dust!

slept in a bit this morning but still got up and running in time, seen a man walk past the window with a large bird on his arm, which seemed strange then I remembered we were two doors down from the vet!

my commute home was fun, listened to the Blue Danube Waltz and enjoyed my favorite pastime - people watching, they were almost moving in time!

time to relax, day out with the boys tomorrow and not much sleep last night - proving that "the devil wears pampers!" Ethan kept us all up last night and even managed to give corran a nose bleed before finally going to sleep!

fingers crossed for a quiet night....

Claire

Day 20 1st January 2010

Happy New Year!

This festive season has been a strange one it just went by very quickly with no drama and distractions. In many ways I am glad its passed, we don't half go crazy for this one week of the year and its sheer madness, the best Christmases I've had is where nothing in particular had been planned and you spend time with family and friends and that is what we had this year.

I seen the bells in, in my PJ's, sipping a really cheap bottle of bubbly that I hastily picked up at Tesco, never took time to choose a particular bottle as the crowds were getting to me, and had one more uber skinny, model type bump into me with her trolley full of food and drink that she probably won't even eat, I probably would have gone mad.

So we sat there watching Jools Holland's Hootenany which was running about 1 minute late (watching it on laptop still no TV till middle of month), Corran having only just gone to bed as he never quite had it in him to stay up for the bells and it seemed the perfect way to close off this year and welcome in the new year.

Today I enjoyed a long lie in bed, which was really nice and appreciated as I know the kids were happy that I wasn't having to dash out the door first thing as normal. We strolled the dog and then hopped on the DLR and headed through to Canary Wharf for a few bits n pieces. Again not an overly exciting New Years Day but a really good one in my book as I spent it with my boys!

I've not made any resolutions this year, I think we put too much pressure on ourselves to achieve unrealistic goals, just try to be the best "you" you can! Its a bit like Valentines day, we all go crazy to declare our love on this one day - why not just demonstrate your love all year and then we wouldn't have to go crazy. I know this sounds like someone who spent years not getting Valentines gifts (which is partially true) but I do really believe it, its like you could spend all year with someone who treats you awful, takes you for granted, shows you no respect but thats ok because come 14th February he'll spend a fortune on a dozen red roses (so obvious) and that means that he really truly loves you.

Sorry hadn't intended on a Valentines rant for at least a few weeks but hey better out than in - well dinner time is approaching in the madhouse!

take care
Claire