Days 27 - 31

It really didn't take long this year for me to fall behind did it? I must admit, even I didn't anticipate the happenings in my life this early in a year that was supposed to be so much better than the other three! I am hurting, confused and struggling at the moment.. but I have a wonderful set of friends, and especially Kim, who keep reassuring me that I can do this and I will try. That is my promise to myself. 

I did take my photos despite all the happenings... And I think that is one sign that I am starting to work through some of the issues and learning to survive and even live through this whole thing.

Silver linings have been hard to find, I think I need to realise that they don't have to be big, shiny, you can see them from a mile off kind of slivers of happiness, but even just little moments. With that in mind: On Tuesday, I stayed calm even though my world fell apart and I embraced the support the kids, their friends and Cooper gave me to carry me through a horrible night. On Wednesday, I had Kim "stay" with me all day and talk me down and through and around all sorts of real and imagined problems. On Thursday, I was a little bit stronger than the day before and reached out to find some help for myself (even though I pulled out at the last minute in a panic). On Friday, I took time out, I paid the bills (I even went into an office and made a personal payment without having a meltdown) and I went to see Kim for a coffee. I saw the funny side of being stuck in major traffic on the M6 and enjoyed 21st century living by playing "I spy" with Kim from my iphone. I had some lovely peaceful talks with the kids and we just had a generally chilled evening. And today, we will see what my silver lining will be today I guess but I am sure there will be one.

Day 27 - A group of flowers I made
Day 28 - Boring... shopping
Day 29 - Inside my laptop
Day 30 - J is for Jelly
Day 31 - Spaghetti Junction a cultural part of Birmingham

As for the Lucky7s challenges, the view prompts I constantly stumble over.. I really don't know what it is about "view" that makes me go all blank? I guess the thought of showing our back "garden" makes me shudder as it is a complete mess.. the view out of the front window is dismal (with an old, neglected factory building opposite us) and I'm struggling with going outside.. I am ok letting Coops take me for a quick trot, but taking photos while being walked by him is out of the question. I did however just remember that I snapped a couple of photos on my way back from Kim's house on Friday, so maybe those will be acceptable?

Family AND Friends... me and the middle child

This season's favourite meal.. nothing like a KFC to cheer you up.

Day 26 - Perfect

There isn't much that is even close to "perfect" in my life at the moment, but I dare say I am not the only one who has that problem and yes, I know there are people out there who have it far worse. Don't worry I am not going to bore you all to sleep with my personal woes :) 

I think I can pat myself on the back for still finding my photos though... and to remember to take those few minutes out for me. I know it doesn't seem like much, but five minutes of not thinking is a reprieve from this mess.

So, to just get this on the blog and over and done with now... here are my perfect little bubbles I found floating around my water and my world in 7 pictures.

                                     

Day 25 - Small

Well, the last three days have completely gone awry. It has been another stressful weekend, and, honestly, I don't know how much more I can take before I lose last bit of sanity.
I tried to keep up with photo challenges, but taking photos really was not a priority.. not even a number 253 priority.. just surviving, hanging in there and breathing was hard enough to do. I don't know how to make sense of this chaos called family life, I don't know how to fix something that keeps getting destroyed by the very person who is supposed to help me REBUILD it all. And when he then gets reinforcements, while I have to fend for myself.. it gets tough. I don't know where 2014 will lead us all, but the happy beginning is certainly over and we are right back to the pains, trials and tribulations of last year. 

I managed to get a couple of photos for small... Remember that BBC1 advert with the tiny hippos swimming? People told me it was NOT real... I beg to differ, I have proof right here that tiny little hippos exist. And I couldnt resist the weather report either :D it said small hailstones on there.. let me tell you, they were anything but small! They were big enough to hit me on the head on make me go "Ouch"!

I am going to cheat to for "My world in six words" ... it just wasn't going to happen with everything that was going on and me feeling so down. I realised though, that my "Heavy Thunderstorms With Small Hail Willenhall" summed up what my world was like (both literally and figuratively speaking!)

While I am at updating and catching up, I suppose I had better think of my silver linings, which is an almost impossible task... over the weekend it has, yet again, become evident just how closed knit a unit the kids and I are. In times of crisis it really does look like we're the four musketeers: One for all and all for one. They certainly have my back, no matter how horrid they can sometimes be. I guess, I need to keep in mind that I have three allies there I can count on. 

Day 24 - Your Family

I am experimenting with different times of day to blog for the next few days, maybe I will eventually find "the right time"... though, 18.30 probably isn't the best of times, as I should be making dinner!

I got myself stuck with Family, it seems that the kids feature a lot in my photos anyway, but my choice of photo makes me feel like i "cheated" a bit. I chose to show an old, old family photo I was given by my mum. It shows her side of the family, back in 1932! I don't know most of the people in the photo, I can name a few and have remember a handful from my childhood. There is a long history to our family and one of the women in the photo is a Jewish aunt. My grandmother and grandfather hid her and her children during the war and my grandfather was subsequently executed in a German concentration camp as a "traitor to the Reich"... hiding his Jewish relative wasn't his only act of defiance to the regime though.. he openly told a recruiter that "he wouldn't fight for a pig like Hitler" and uttered some other obscenities before being arrested and marched away. Needless to say, this caused hardship on my grandmother and her remaining 10 children. I regret that I never got to meet my grandfather, I cannot even begin to understand how much courage it must have taken to stand up like that for his beliefs. And I also admire my grandmother, who lost her one and only love and remained unmarried throughout her life. I never met the Jewish aunt or any of her children, though my mother says that two are still alive today, she even remembered Rebekkah, the youngest of the girls.
The stern looking gentleman in the middle was apparently the nicest man you could wish to meet. My mum is the baby in the bottom right, on my grandmother's lap, my grandfather is next to her with one of her brothers and in front of them are three more uncles of mine. The Jewish aunt is the lady on the far left with the baby on her lap. And the pair in the middle are my great grandparents, my grandmother's parents.

As for the Lucky7s "my world in five words" .. I give you CHAOS!

But, that's only one word I hear you all say, just bear with me on this one :) 

I suffer from a very common ailment, I am sure that many of you will be able to relate:

It is called "Can't Have Anyone Over Syndrome" this is mainly due to the state of chaos this house is normally in.. I give you all a small, embarrassing sneak peek

Day 23 - Road

I really need to find a better time to do this "blogging thing" because 23.24 is most definitely NOT the best time of day to be doing it. After yesterday's events, I decided that it was probably safest not to venture too far from home, who knows what would have happened!

I had a good excuse to stay in anyway as I was waiting for my first time ever delivery of Project Life goodies, with another lot due tomorrow. Today I received some lovely filler cards and tomorrow's parcel will have the albums, page protectors and more paper...
I really will not have any reason left over to not document 2014! Especially not when keeping in mind that the husband has been providing me with plenty of material to include in the first few weeks of this year.

Today's dailysnappers word prompt was: Road (I really do not recall putting that word down in the google calendar, my tiny little brain is as surprised every day as you all are) As I didn't go anywhere interesting, I took a quick snapshot of "our road" with a weekly weather forecast included, courtesy of instagram!

Someone (I think it was Viv) asked if my husband was hurt... I can assure you, not while he fell through the ceiling, however  had I gotten my hands on him, there would have been pain involved. The hole is now covered with some plasterboard and hopefully a skim and then a textured paint will do the job. If not, I shall go back to those calming thoughts of possible death for him!  

It is honestly really hard to come up with my "silver lining" for the last couple of days, I think I am going to have go outside of the box for a while... something I am not particularly good at. Let's see, I guess for yesterday I could be thankful that it was "only" a hole in the ceiling and not a "whole" ceiling and today I should be thankful to my husband's friend, who came to his rescue once again. I am also quite thankful that the husband has managed a day without causing chaos and mayhem.

There was something else I was going to keep a record of via this blog, but I cannot remember what it was! I'm currently still trying to read "A discovery of witches" ... I started that before Christmas, thinking that vampires, witches, daemons, magic is right up my street but I am having a hard time "getting with the book". I know the views on the book are very divided, and I certainly wouldn't liken it to "Twilight", but I am still on the fence about whether I like or dislike the book.

Oh, I almost forgot... Lucky7s photo.. funny that today was the only day that is posing a problem. I'm all set for 5,6 and even 7. But 4 (although one of my favourite numbers due to it being even) was a tough nut to crack so I went with the age old "a day in my world in four words" cheat or rather 1 day in my world (see what I did there? number 1 is numerical therefore does not count as a word).. Another sink, ironing pile (which isn't too bad at the moment), critter food and tumble dryer photo. I must have taken 100s of those over the last three years. 

I'll leave you with my ramblings and photos :) 

Day 22 - Swirly

I'm really not in the mood for blogging tonight, but I know all too well where that route will lead.. so I will put "something" on here for today.

Today's dailysnappers word prompt was actually quite fun to come up with.. well, the FIRST photo was anyway.. I had tons of fun playing around with water and other stuff to make a swirly pattern. I had just happily sat down at my PC to blog the said, succesful experiment, when the loudest crash could be heard from the boys' bedroom. I figured it was child2 falling off his chair or breaking his bed (again) so was in no hurry to go and examine the damage. Until the point that said child2 came blundering down the stairs to inform me that "the ceiling had fallen down".. What?? That's impossible child2.. no, really he has fallen through the ceiling. So I make my weary way up the stairs to find that, yes indeed, the husband had fallen through the ceiling. It really beggars belief how ONE single human can be THIS accident prone. Anyway, after all of that, my poor brain has gone into a swirly round about of emotions... I'm sure one day we will laugh about this, but right now.. I'm finding it hard to see the funny side of things.

As for the Lucky7s photo for the day, well, that was easy... my world in THREE WORDS.. child1, child2 and child3 :)

Day 21 - Lying around

Ok, so another late post.. I took my photos just didn't get around to hopping on here and writing about them. I made myself laugh though as I found my own word prompt difficult, who knows what went through my head when I randomly filled a google calendar with words. Anyway, I had my Lucky7s photo pretty much as soon as I got up then eventually managed a dailysnappers photo at around 6pm!!

I was also going to keep track of my little "silver linings" each day, maybe to incorporate in PL at a later date or maybe just to look back on when the going gets tough :) Again I was pretty stuck to start with and all I could think of was that it was a fairly quiet day and nothing much had happened. Then, at about 10pm, I finally took the plunge and put some of my crochet things up for sale in a Facebook group! So I was thankful that I finally had the courage to put them out there, the worst that can happen is that nobody will like them and I won't sell any right? 

So, here are my photos:

Coops lying around in the middle of the hallway, making it impossible to navigate around him. Our GAL's are going to be parents again, I found 100s if little eggs lying around in their house and dd's shoes, yet again lying around where they shouldn't be.

And my world in two words... Well I can't face my world (or any other for that matter) until I've had a strong coffee

And, while I'm here... These are little crochet hearts I whipped up, they're so cute but I have no idea what I'm going to do with them all :D 

Day 20 - Cosy

This must be an absolute first: I'm updating my blog in the middle of the afternoon, of the right day! Today's word was quite easy to be honest and my fleecy top and steaming mug of coffee were an obvious choice. And throughout the day, Cooper has provided me with several "cosy" photos as well.

The Lucky7s challenge this week is going to be.... interesting! I *think* I have today and day 5 sorted... not entirely sure yet .. though if I get really desperate, it will take the form of "here are 4 coffees, here are 5 coffees and .. here are 6 and 7 coffees". My world in one word is: HOME (even if it doesn't feel particularly cosy today!!!)

And in other news: My laptop has decided to work again, after having a fit when Becks managed to get diet coke all over it. (Yes, i know it is really my fault for leaving a glass near the laptop on the table, how silly of me to presume that that was a safe place to put a glass)

Day 19 - Favourite Thing To Wear

I had all these "great" ideas for photos today.. and each time I went to upload it, someone had already beaten me to it. From the obvious boots, via perfume, jewellery to onesie and even as remote as bare feet (though that would never be an option for me), the girls got there first. Until just now, yes, I just managed to think of something favourite and not shown yet! Once I glanced downwards, it was actually quite an obvious "favourite thing to wear", as without these, I would be cold and miserable ALL day long. I have a whole drawer full of them, in all different shapes, sizes, colours, patterns, for different occasions and different events (stop it... no I'm not talking about something as personal as THAT).. I give you: MY SOCKS!

And for the Lucky7s word... I think my idea is pure genius :) a SURPRISE inside

Day 18 - Today

Today was a typical Saturday in our house, busy busy with kids coming and going all day long! At one point there were ten of them in the boys' room, but they soon regrouped in the living room to watch some movies and consume obscene amounts of food! I guess I'm a strange parent, I rather have them all here and safe than roaming the streets, possibly getting into trouble.

I almost forgot about the Lucky7s word, but managed to run out and snap a quick picture! Otherwise I could have fallen back on an archive photo featuring the lovely Clawdeen!

                      

                      

                     

    

   

Day 17 - Positive

I'm trying to be more positive this year! I look for something good in every day and believe me that has been quite a task on some days! But I have come up with the smallest, silliest positives every day so far.. I guess I should have included them in my posts so that I remember them! Anyway for the dailysnappers prompt, the only thing I kept coming back to was the positive end if a battery, so I just went with that. And I didn't check out the Lucky7s word properly so I'm cheating and using one of yesterday's Clawdeen photos inside the Mander Center  in Wolverhampton!  

Day - 16 Fun

I am not entirely sure if today was actually fun, but I took Clawdeen on a tour round Wolverhampton ... I sure hope SHE had fun!! She turned out quite a helpful little visitor and helped out with the cooking and even wanted to do some baking! She clambered inside my cupboard and had fun looking through my baking goodies. I'm real tired because I'm still not sleeping well so it's a two in one photo :) 

Day 15 - Drink

Today turned out to be a surprisingly NICE day.. despite the weather being typically british (read that as wet, grey and cold). I spent a couple of hours catching up with Kim, being spoiled and having a posh (albeit tiny ) cup of coffee  at costa's ... which caused quite some hilarity, but Kim wouldn't have any of it when I suggested that surely that cute, tiny little cup was included in the extortionate price she paid for it! 

I then had the dubious joy of introducing ds2 to Allo! Allo! and the fallen madonna with the missing booby... and, yes, being that I AM german, i am allowed to take mickey out of my fellow countrymen (and women). Nothing politically incorrect going on in this household.

And in other news, I have received Clawdeen, she is spending a day or so here with us and then she will be off to her next adventure. If you want to know more about Clawdeen, you can visit her blog, I should add that Clawdeen's UK and European adventure has been entirely made possible by our very own, lovely Michelle, who went out and purchased the European stunt double.

I even managed to get an "inside a machine" photo just in time for today, as you've already seen my washmonster, I thought I'd introduce the tumble dryer next.

Day 14 - Ordinary

Thankfully turned out to be an entirely ordinary day, I like ordinary. In fact, give me ordinary every day! I happily went about my day, capturing snippets of this mundane, nothing special happened, I'm quite content with that day. 

Yes, ordinary usually means at least 2 big loads of laundry, hundreds of cups, glasses, mugs and plates needing to be washed, the door going every 15 minutes with some of the kids' friends coming or going, cooking, sweeping floors, taking care of the critters but it is predictable. 

There is a calming order to all those things. I suppose being ASD means that I don't like my routine being upset (unless I am the one upsetting it), but I had never given it much thought in the past or thought I achieved much in an ordinary day. 
Writing it all out, I think my days are pretty full... I am still working on the "me time" thing, taking a few minutes each night to post here and keeping up with our dailysnappers all count though, so it's off to a good start in that department for me.

And, of course, doing TWO photo a day challenges and still keeping up is pretty good for me as well.. I normally would have given up on at least one by now!

I tried to come up with something creative for today's "inside" prompt.. but failed spectacularly, yet again. So here's one shot showing what is currently in my "everday" handbag and one showing what is in my ribbon jar

Day 1.3 - Bag

Ok, I totally and utterly admit it... I'm so fed up with today's date, I won't even write it down properly. .. I never liked uneven numbers, but last year has most definitely given me  Triskaidekaphobia on a whole new scale!!! 

As hiding under my duvet wasn't a feasible option, I had to come out and brave the day, which so far, has gone by without any major upsets. Watch it all go downhill from here on in ....

Over in our little facebook group DailySnappers the girls were showing off their flash handbags, needless to say, rather than suffering from serious handbag envy, I braved the Bermuda Triangle (which is also known as the cupboard under the stairs) and dug out my very special, only take out on very important occasions to very special places Louis Vuitton bag. I think I've taken him out exactly TWICE!! I know, I either need to get out more to those special occasion, very special places or get over myself and just use the handbag already. Anyway, I tried to show Louis II off in his best light, which is a task and a half in our midterrace, dark and dingy living room. So, yet again, no creative or even remotely interesting looking shots from me. And while I was at it, I also took a picture of our now rather bare looking living room. I cannot remember where I put all the little bits and pieces that usually clutter up the top shelf after taking down the christmas decorations.. but if you look closely you may spot TWO decorations that I totally forgot and that now have to stay there all year. Today was a horrid, wet, grey and windy day so I spent most of it inside.

Day 12 - Up

Since I can't sleep (again) I may as well do something useful and upload my day 12 photos. The dailysnappers word was up and the Lucky7 word was brown.

I played around a little bit, trying to get a more creative, interesting shot but gave up after a while as I just don't seem to have a talent for photography... There has to be a hobby out there for me, I just haven't realised what it might be. I tend to be mediocre at most things I try, but it sure would be nice to shine at something now and again. 

Anyway, here are my mediocre snippets of a mediocre Sunday

     Love it when the water bubbles up!!

The little brown cupboard I was given by Kim was finally put up.

I played around with brown chocolate buttons before they were all eaten up

Day 11 - Carry

Despite the latest downs, I'm determined to stick with the challenge! And I'm managing to take 2 photos at the moment, they're not "bowl you over, fantastic, creative" shots ( and you would have thought that after three years I'd have learned something) but they are little snippets of my life! 

Our dailysnappers word for today was carry ... So here I am, carrying the shopping basket

And the Lucky7 colour is pink, not so very long ago, I could have given you 1000s of pink things, but it seems that nowadays my pink crocs, pink polka dotted pjs and pink monsters on my socks is all I can easily locate

Day 10 - look out of your window

I'm taking it easy for a couple of days.. So here are my photos for today, including black

Day 09 - Face

What a day! This year is getting worse rather than better... Tonight I got a phone call from CJ saying he's at the police station... He got threatened to be stabbed unless he hands over his phone! Now one face I would like to get hold of is the little punk's who did that to my kid! Luckily the police apprehended a "male fitting the description" and are pretty confident it is him. Despite this, I took a couple of minutes out and quickly took a photo for today's words.

Here are a couple of faces

And this is something white

Day 08 - White

Well, here we are on day 8 and things aren't looking much better... But at least I'm taking my photos and keeping up with that!!! 

Today I waited patiently for Dom's chef whites to be clean and dry :) not the best or creative of photos... But he got a merit in his exam so worth making a note of! 

And as a bonus... I give you something green as well... Meet Carl the fire belly toad