I’m Nicola, I am 34, from the mighty fine County of Durham.
I’m a recovering travelling fanatic (mostly Asia), moral crusader (I don’t eat pigs because I like them) and an avid fan of all things Orla Kiely. In fact, my cat is called Orla Kitty!
I am Mum to RLT, who was born June 2016. When I’m not being a mum I work in a place of education in the business support section. My partner, Mark, runs newspaper websites. We’ve been together since 2013 – we met a week before I turned 30!
I am aunt to Millie (6) and Teddie (3) and I have one brother who is 15 months younger than me. My parents have recently separated after 34 years of marriage, which is pretty bloody sad and hard to deal with regardless of your age.
I cut all of my hair off when I was seven – it was so uneven that I had to have a grade 1 all over to even it out – quite the talking point as a girl when you have just started a new school! Messing with my hair is something that has stayed with me at times of anxiety – which as I have got older is something that has become quite pronounced.
I am taking part in Donna from What the Redhead Said‘s Living Arrows – which is a celebration of childhood!
We could all do with a little more celebration in our lives!
To quote Donna, “The project originally took it’s name from a poem by Kahlil Gibran,
“You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth”
and every Monday we share a moment from our week and invite others to do the same as part of this linky.”
Week 41
Another busy week of work but spending the weekend as a family this week – familiar theme. We went to a local beach. Little man has no fear and would have liked nothing more than to run into the sea with all of his clothes on. I put his hand in it as I thought he’d be phased by the cold temperature of the North Sea, nope, made him more determined. I love his adventurous spirit.
I was disgusted at the amount of litter on the beach, I can’t believe people just leave beer cans and things like that for children and animals to find. I thought I’d taken a lovely picture until I noticed the can of Red Stripe. People infuriate me.
Little man is getting so good at communicating what he wants these days, the copies what you say, but then you ask him to say it again and he won’t. Except for one word ‘CHEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE’ when you’re taking a photograph. He started saying it on Sunday evening when I was trying out my new waterproof camera during bathtime (he loves to drench us). He has been so camera shy for around six months now, apparently that only exists for phone pictures as taking them with an actual camera seems to be fair game. I am going to have to make an effort to charge my SLR I think!
I am taking part in Donna from What the Redhead Said‘s Living Arrows – which is a celebration of childhood!
We could all do with a little more celebration in our lives!
To quote Donna, “The project originally took it’s name from a poem by Kahlil Gibran,
“You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth”
and every Monday we share a moment from our week and invite others to do the same as part of this linky.”
Week 39
With being at work all week and Blogon all weekend, this image comes courtesy of Dada on Sunday whilst I was in Manchester. Dada spent his first night looking after RLT on his own, he was really looking forward to it, which made me feel bad for having no life and not leaving him to bond with his son earlier. They seemed to have a great time! The house was in one piece when I got back and I had a roast dinner waiting for me, he really puts me to shame with his domestic skills! If only he could be a house husband!
Welcome to my brand spanking new guest post series, Mums and Music! As many of us don’t have the time to be going out disco dancing much anymore, this series is to give us mums the opportunity to reminisce about songs we may have forgotten, have a laugh at what we used to think was cool and take some time out to listen to something other than cbeebies theme tunes! This week I am very pleased to support a brand spanking new blogger – Jen from Life-Milk. Jen is so new that her blog hasn’t even launched yet, so I am honoured that she has taken the time to guest post for me as she must be very busy preparing her own site. I’m so glad that she did… she’s got a Maxwell tune in there. Oh how I loved that fella during my college and uni years, it has taken me back and made me think about happy memories – exactly as I had intended for the series! Over to Jen!
A Little Bit about Jen
Hellooo, I am Jen over at Life-Milk, which is FINALLY launching on 1 st Oct, double yay! I am 28-year- old single mother, living in Croydon and currently working in corporate services for a council. I have an 8-year- old daughter called Kourtney and together we are two peas in our own little pod. I am so pleased to be a part of this guest post opportunity as I am not only a mother but a huge fan of music too. I am a horrific singer but it has never stopped me from belting out my favourite tunes from a very young age.
A song from Jen’s childhood
Spice Girls – Say you will be there
Born in 89 of course, my favourite band was the Spice Girls – they were shaaaamazing. I was obsessed with all their songs and went to many of their concerts. I genuinely loved every single song but I think my favourite would have to be ‘Say you’ll be there,” because it was very catchy, powerful and the video was wicked. I lived in many different houses as a child and this song, in particular, reminds me of a house I was able to call home for 5 years which was a record for us. Everyone had a favourite Spice Girl and mine was definitely, baby spice aka Emma Bunton. Despite, Spice Girls no longer being in a band, I still regularly listen to their tracks and my daughter is now a fan.
A Song what makes Jen happy
Meghan Trainer – All about that Bass
I feel happy when I listen to this song, as it is so bouncy, pop video with a great message. I loved the video because it was bright and quirky. Every time I hear this song, I act as if I am literally in the video. Not only was it a fabulous song but I loved that Meghan Trainer was confident enough to release a song about curvy girls (for once.)
A Song that psyches Jen up
Mark Ronson Feat Bruno Mars -Uptown Funk
A song, which psyches me, would have to be Mark Ronson feat Bruno Mars “Uptown Funk,” because anytime it comes on the radio, at children parties or pops up on my playlist, I shamelessly start TRYING to dance. I am so bad, that I cause major embarrassment for my daughter – so much so that I see her face fall when the song comes on! The song is so bloody lively and fun, how can you not enjoy it? I think it is a brilliant song, so hats off to Bruno Mars and Mark Ronson.
A song that makes Jen sad
Maxwell – This Women’s Worth
This song is such an emotional one for me as I always think of my loved ones that I have lost. The lyrics are deep and meaningful, so much so it moves me to tears, almost every time. I think the song,
was beautifully written and cleverly arranged. I am such a sensitive soul and this song always without fail, moves me.
Jen’s Favourite song from a film
Prince -Kiss
Pretty Woman is my favourite film of all time and I absolutely adore when the beautiful Julia Roberts is in the bath; looking almighty HOT, singing along to it. Prince was iconic and has left a legacy behind and I will forever have great joy when the watching that particular scene.
Jens favourite theme tune from a TV series
Eastenders
My favourite theme tune would probably have to be EastEnders, sad as it maybe. However, it is so catchy and whether you watch it or not, I think everyone knows the tune. In addition, we all know when the tune slightly changes; somebody is leaving – proper fan! Please do not judge me but it is my guilty pleasure.
I hope you have enjoyed getting to know me a little bit more and if you would like to converse, or collaborate, then please contact me on any of the below.
Social media links:
Blog: Life-Milk.com (launching 01/10/17)
Twitter: LifeMilk2016
Instagram: LifeMilk_
