Vintage 1975

Nope, not vintage cars, wine or clothes…
Vintage 1975 people!
Yup, this is the year I hit 40, and I’m not the only one in my family, or indeed circle of friends! All of my old school friends were older than me, as I was the youngest in my class, actually, I was a year ahead, so most have turned, or will do soon. My lovely boss is only a couple of months my senior, so it’s her time too, and within our family, I have several cousins, and cousins kids hitting the milestone, along with my brother-in-law (BIL) and his wife, my sister-in-law (SIL).
Yesterday was BIL’s turn.
He really isn’t bothered, age means nothing. Yet my SIL is petrified at the thought of turning ,Urgh! 40!!!
Well, yesterday we got lovely food, and a gorgeous cake to celebrate, and SIL had ballooned the place, more for the kids than anything, there were banners up, and cards and presents to open.
He wobbled, yesterday, my BIL. Seeing the ’40’ balloons and cards, the cake with a huge ’40’ emblazoned across the top, he said it sort of hit him that he was ‘getting on’.

How do I feel about turning 40?

Well to be honest, I don’t know! It doesn’t bother me, in fact a great reason to celebrate! I don’t really know how I am supposed to feel at 40. When we were younger, 40 sounded so old!! 40-something? I thought you were ready for the Zimmer frames and bed pans!
Now, I sit here, and quite honestly, apart from now being the mother of 2 kids and a cat, and a home owner, I feel pretty much the same as when I was 30! And even that birthday wasn’t a huge deal to me either.
I am lucky though, most people are shocked when they hear my age, expecting me to be younger, can’t complain! I’ve always had that. It used to irk me at a younger stage, when you desperately want to look mature, and folk would say “You’ll be glad of it later in life!” Well they weren’t wrong!
It’s all about how you feel inside, anyway.
My Pops always says the same, and at nearly 70, you wouldn’t think it. He forgets himself, and I know I have mentioned this before, but when he dances (he’s a GREAT dancer!) he forgets his age and then watches footage back from that day, and says “I look like an old fool dancing (he so doesn’t! Blows away the youngsters!) I felt 21 that day!”
So, I don’t feel old, I don’t feel young, I feel great, healthy and happy.

(Oh, and I firmly believe that ole chestnut…you’re as young as the man you feel… And my Hubby Dearest is younger than me, so I’ll be fine for a good few years yet!!)

It’s Here!

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Our first snow!

OK so finally it’s here!
Our first snow!
So, it’s not quite an inch…
Heck it’s not even a centimetre!!
But it’s here! Yay!!

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Check out the snow 'covered' table...!

And I couldn’t resist…

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Before it melts... A snow munchkin!

OK, so I think it’s cold enough!

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When you get in the car and the temperature guage is showing minus, you know it’s cold…
When you see ice on the INSIDE of the windshield… Who needs a temperature gauge… Its damn freezing!!!
The weather says possible snow thus week… Yay! But NOOOO! Not on Thursday! Not on my Lil Man’s first game day!!!!!!

The 11+ – To Sit or Not To Sit?

It’s got to that time in his life already… We need to help Lil Man make some decisions now, so we can fill in the relevant application forms in a few months time.
He has one year left after this one in Junior school and will then embark on his journey at ‘BIG’ school! Aaarrrgghh! When did he get old enough to do that? I’d love to keep him here, under my watchful eye, wrapped up in cotton wool but that is just silly, I know. The thought of big school and my petite Lil Man is scary enough, without the added stress of where to apply!
There are still Grammar Schools here in our area which children sit the 11+ for. Usually the more academic children go there, are pushed more. These are the kids who everyone expects to do well, go to university etc.
In our Indian culture, academia, studying, passing with flying colours is a great thing. Everyone wants their children to do well, regardless of their capabilities. I have seen, during my work at school, children tutored to to the end of their minds, to pass the 11+, only to gain entry into the hallowed Grammar School, and spend the next 7 years struggling.
But it’s ok, at least the parents can say with pride that their child has gone to Grammar!
This is where I am wondering, am I thinking right or wrong for my son? He is a bright little thing, loves reading and writing, tries so hard in Maths, enjoys the topic work he does, and excels at sports.
The thing is, though his enthusiasm is great, in Maths his actual achievement is not above average, or even average, for that matter. Though he loves what he does, is a little sponge, collecting facts and remembering them, he is not Mr Academic.
I know what Grammar School entails, and unless a switch flicks somewhere in his brain sometime soon, I fear if I push him to sit this test, after tutoring, and he somehow gets in, he will be the one who is at rock bottom in school, for the next 7 years.
Actually I don’t believe in tutoring to pass tests like these. If they need that much extra help, surely that indicates that it is possibly beyond a child’s reach?
I have bought him the home help books for the 11+ test, and I am fully behind him if he WANTS to take it. I’ll help him at home if that’s what it takes, but I can’t and will not force him.
If he doesn’t get to Grammar School who cares? Isn’t it better to go to one of the local schools, and be one of the above average, or average pupils, rather than spend a large chunk of his academic life feeling like he’s the thicko of the class?
I’d love some feedback on what you think…

Hello February!

And so the month of luuuurve has graced us with its presence!

February we welcome you with open arms, and I know we will wave goodbye to you with wallets empty too!

You see, it’s not just the Valentine’s Day we have to contend with in this family, let’s face it, with everything else, Valentine’s Day just becomes another day!

It appears June must be a special month, an extremely love filled month in my in laws family, as pretty much all babies arrived in February!
My BIL celebrates his 40th first, then it is my MIL and Hubby Dearest celebrating theirs together (what a great 21st birthday present my MIL had!) then it is my FIL, who also got a lovely birthday present 7 years ago, as Lil Princess is born on the same day too!

Trying to get cards and presents barely 2 months after Christmas…It’s not easy, but still, a lovely month!

And as for Valentine’s Day, well, I love him every day that we are together, I don’t really need a special day to say “I love you” and neither do I need confirmation from him, just on that one day…

(But I’d never refuse a gift😜!)

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