Thursday the 13th of December
Okay, so I haven't been on here in a while...
Sooo many things happening right now. I'll need the next few days to catch up, and I'll be sharing all the things I'm grateful for and all the amazing things that have been going on these last few months.
They won't necessarily be in order day to day, but a mish mash of all that's been going on in the last few months :)
I think what I am most grateful for at the moment, is my life coach !! An old friend, who was a foe for a while who agreed to help me along my journey and write the new pages with me ! If you have a second to check out her page she's here : http://www.helloglowcoaching.com .
If anyone has ever asked themselves what a life coach is about, or if they could benefit from working with one, the question has answered itself with a huge YES !!!!
I'll also be sharing the things that my life coach has aided me to get into motion and the motivation she shares and gives to me every session :)
ciao for now x
Thursday, 13 December 2012
Tuesday, 9 October 2012
Being reached out to, Guitar lessons & cyber time
Monday 8th October
A friend reaching out makes me feel really honored and special - and you know what, behind the fear and unsureness I al starting to believe that I can do this - THANKYOU x!!!
I took the plunge today and asked a friend ( a guitar & accordian teacher ) to give me a hand in learning the guitar.. My last teacher didn't manage to find my way of thinking or working.. Fab turns up with a few notes written on manuscript paper and we get cracking !! YES, he know's how I need to work... This time I'm motivated and even get in another 1/2 hr practise before going to bed - sore fingers ^_^
I have started to realise just how much time I can waste away on Facebook, twitter and alike, (after telling myself that I didn't have the time to write this blog anymore ) and have decided that I'm going to limit my internet time... I think this blog is far more constuctive than FB or any other cyberspace time swallower ...
Music is a good metaphor for many, many, many things in life.. Relationships, feelings, and even the weather.. I'm so glad to have so much music in my life, and am going to work towards making the melody a FANTASTIC one ....
A friend reaching out makes me feel really honored and special - and you know what, behind the fear and unsureness I al starting to believe that I can do this - THANKYOU x!!!
I took the plunge today and asked a friend ( a guitar & accordian teacher ) to give me a hand in learning the guitar.. My last teacher didn't manage to find my way of thinking or working.. Fab turns up with a few notes written on manuscript paper and we get cracking !! YES, he know's how I need to work... This time I'm motivated and even get in another 1/2 hr practise before going to bed - sore fingers ^_^ I have started to realise just how much time I can waste away on Facebook, twitter and alike, (after telling myself that I didn't have the time to write this blog anymore ) and have decided that I'm going to limit my internet time... I think this blog is far more constuctive than FB or any other cyberspace time swallower ...
Music is a good metaphor for many, many, many things in life.. Relationships, feelings, and even the weather.. I'm so glad to have so much music in my life, and am going to work towards making the melody a FANTASTIC one ....
Thursday, 19 July 2012
Happy girl, lovely boy & Agora PIZZA yum :)...
Wednesday 18th July
I wake up to Elina chatting in her bed and calling for me.... No crying, no tears WOOOO HOOOOOO !!! From the word go this morning she is a changed little girl, she's back to being my little girl full of life, laughter and happy, happy, happy .....
An afternoon at the lac de Passy with some friends and their little ones.... Swimming with Elina in the Lake, then letting her do her own thing... the others leave and it's just the 2 of us, no rush to get home... We take our time to walk back to the car and Elina stops and stairs at people sunbathing, people playing bat & ball, people playing football.... it's almost imposible to get her attention off a group of young boys who are playing beach bat... I try to attract her attention but to no avail... One of the little boys come over, takes her by the hand (which she gives willingly and gazes up at him in awe), and walks with her, chatting, some of the way towards the car... He gives her a kiss says bye bye and goes back to his game... what a lovely little boy :)... it's a shame that adults seem to loose this spontanaity.... my heart was warmed by this little boy - thankyou .....
To top off the day we decide to grab a pizza for diner... Not any old pizza mind, the BEST pizzas, from the Agora restaurant here in Les Carroz... With a side portion of chips of course, just to add a cherry on top... Yum yum yum .....
I wake up to Elina chatting in her bed and calling for me.... No crying, no tears WOOOO HOOOOOO !!! From the word go this morning she is a changed little girl, she's back to being my little girl full of life, laughter and happy, happy, happy .....
An afternoon at the lac de Passy with some friends and their little ones.... Swimming with Elina in the Lake, then letting her do her own thing... the others leave and it's just the 2 of us, no rush to get home... We take our time to walk back to the car and Elina stops and stairs at people sunbathing, people playing bat & ball, people playing football.... it's almost imposible to get her attention off a group of young boys who are playing beach bat... I try to attract her attention but to no avail... One of the little boys come over, takes her by the hand (which she gives willingly and gazes up at him in awe), and walks with her, chatting, some of the way towards the car... He gives her a kiss says bye bye and goes back to his game... what a lovely little boy :)... it's a shame that adults seem to loose this spontanaity.... my heart was warmed by this little boy - thankyou .....To top off the day we decide to grab a pizza for diner... Not any old pizza mind, the BEST pizzas, from the Agora restaurant here in Les Carroz... With a side portion of chips of course, just to add a cherry on top... Yum yum yum .....
Nits - yeugh, animal sounds & liberation...
Tuesday 17th July
Jade stayed over last night as the boys had band practise for their other group... We have breakfast and I set to work on her head lice infested mop of hair that she hasn't combed in 2 weeks !!! She's unlucky, as she seems to have hair that attracts nits... this morning she doesn't complain and we spend 2hours treating, combing, re-treating and getting those horrible creatures out of her hair... I manage to give some life back to her hair (after taking a load of living creatures out of it), and it's back to flowing, glowing locks :)...
Another tour of the lake and we spend time in the cabin looking out for different fish, ducks and other water birds... Elina loves looking at the "fishies", and saying "quack" to the ducks... Jade decides that the english have got it right this time, as ducks say "quack-quack" and not "coin-coin", which leads to a discussion in animal noises... people probably think we're completely mad as we finish the rest of the walk talking to each other (Elina too) only in animal sounds... and do you know what ?? I soooooo don't care what others think right now....
Infact, I'm starting to let go of the self-doubt and looking at others for approval or reactions.... it's liberating to be able to put more importance on how things make me feel rather than what others may think about what I'm doing or saying... I am a free spirit,- let me fly !!!
Jade stayed over last night as the boys had band practise for their other group... We have breakfast and I set to work on her head lice infested mop of hair that she hasn't combed in 2 weeks !!! She's unlucky, as she seems to have hair that attracts nits... this morning she doesn't complain and we spend 2hours treating, combing, re-treating and getting those horrible creatures out of her hair... I manage to give some life back to her hair (after taking a load of living creatures out of it), and it's back to flowing, glowing locks :)...
Another tour of the lake and we spend time in the cabin looking out for different fish, ducks and other water birds... Elina loves looking at the "fishies", and saying "quack" to the ducks... Jade decides that the english have got it right this time, as ducks say "quack-quack" and not "coin-coin", which leads to a discussion in animal noises... people probably think we're completely mad as we finish the rest of the walk talking to each other (Elina too) only in animal sounds... and do you know what ?? I soooooo don't care what others think right now....
Infact, I'm starting to let go of the self-doubt and looking at others for approval or reactions.... it's liberating to be able to put more importance on how things make me feel rather than what others may think about what I'm doing or saying... I am a free spirit,- let me fly !!!
Family ties, dancing & Lac des illettes....
Monday 16th July
Vinz drops Jade at ours before he heads to work.... She's been at her Grandparents for 2 weeks, and Elina is so sooooo happy to see her... I am happy to have her for the day as she is like a sister to Elina, and has been a special part of my life for a long time now... Family ties are not only made of blood...
Ice cubes seem to ease Elinas pain in her mouth... She goes over to the fridge and asks for some "croc croc" ... We make the most of the moments when the parecetamol kicks in and make up a choreography to a few songs, dancing and singing around the lounge, even Thomas joins in...
It's baking hot so we head down to the lake... Cumba is happy running like a crazy thing chasing her ball and finding any Tom, Dick or Harry to through it, Elina plods along and throws a few stones in the water, whilst Jade and I catch up on what she's been upto on holiday and how she feels about certain things... I realise that what I say and how I act influence her a lots more than I thought... I'm glad to have her back...
We decide to pop by the doctors on the way home as I don't feel that it's just Elina's teeth that are hurting her this much... the doctor confirms my niggly feeling and I feel a bit better knwoing that there is light at the end of the tunnel, and that she should be getting better each day from now ^_ ^ ....
Vinz drops Jade at ours before he heads to work.... She's been at her Grandparents for 2 weeks, and Elina is so sooooo happy to see her... I am happy to have her for the day as she is like a sister to Elina, and has been a special part of my life for a long time now... Family ties are not only made of blood...
Ice cubes seem to ease Elinas pain in her mouth... She goes over to the fridge and asks for some "croc croc" ... We make the most of the moments when the parecetamol kicks in and make up a choreography to a few songs, dancing and singing around the lounge, even Thomas joins in...
It's baking hot so we head down to the lake... Cumba is happy running like a crazy thing chasing her ball and finding any Tom, Dick or Harry to through it, Elina plods along and throws a few stones in the water, whilst Jade and I catch up on what she's been upto on holiday and how she feels about certain things... I realise that what I say and how I act influence her a lots more than I thought... I'm glad to have her back...
We decide to pop by the doctors on the way home as I don't feel that it's just Elina's teeth that are hurting her this much... the doctor confirms my niggly feeling and I feel a bit better knwoing that there is light at the end of the tunnel, and that she should be getting better each day from now ^_ ^ ....
Friendship, potential and light out...
Sunday 15th July
Jade isn't back from her grandarents 'til tonight, so we ring Vinz to see if he want sot come to ours for a spot of lunch... Mashed potato & courgette with spicey chicken and a few bottles of red wine leads to some deep conversations about each of us and our group... It feels good to get real and chat openly with real friends without any bullshit... and to feel appreciated...
Before he leaves to pick up Jade the 3 of us are in a buzz of excitement for the future... I don't think we've ever been this close as a whole group and our potential is not a dreamed up blue sky version, it is REAL...
There's nothing on the bow tonight, so Thomas & I hit the sack early and read... It's been a long time since we've done that and I feel like I'm back on holiday in a tent with my parents waiting for the "lights out" ....
Jade isn't back from her grandarents 'til tonight, so we ring Vinz to see if he want sot come to ours for a spot of lunch... Mashed potato & courgette with spicey chicken and a few bottles of red wine leads to some deep conversations about each of us and our group... It feels good to get real and chat openly with real friends without any bullshit... and to feel appreciated...
Before he leaves to pick up Jade the 3 of us are in a buzz of excitement for the future... I don't think we've ever been this close as a whole group and our potential is not a dreamed up blue sky version, it is REAL...
There's nothing on the bow tonight, so Thomas & I hit the sack early and read... It's been a long time since we've done that and I feel like I'm back on holiday in a tent with my parents waiting for the "lights out" ....
Kevin, Rio & cuddles all 'round
Saturday 14th July
Kevin stayed at ours after our concert last night, and Elina's face lights up when she comes downstairs and sees him sleeping on the sofa bed....
Elina's favourite cartoon film at the moment is RIO, and I must say it's not bad... Loads of bright colours, music and singing (the closest I can get to musicals in this house when Thomas is here as he hates them lol)... Even though she's still not feeling very well at all, she manages to sing and dance along... Properly speaking real words - wow, she really is growing up too fast...
It's great to have an extra pair of hands, and Elina just LOVES her tonton Kevin, so the cuddles are shared 'round this afternoon....
Kevin stayed at ours after our concert last night, and Elina's face lights up when she comes downstairs and sees him sleeping on the sofa bed....
Elina's favourite cartoon film at the moment is RIO, and I must say it's not bad... Loads of bright colours, music and singing (the closest I can get to musicals in this house when Thomas is here as he hates them lol)... Even though she's still not feeling very well at all, she manages to sing and dance along... Properly speaking real words - wow, she really is growing up too fast...
It's great to have an extra pair of hands, and Elina just LOVES her tonton Kevin, so the cuddles are shared 'round this afternoon....
Friday 13th, fireworks, magic, calm and foxes...
Friday 13th July
I wake up with a smile today just knowing that it's Friday the 13th... Some people are scared of today, but not me, I love the special feeling that anything can happen.... Plus 13 is my favourite number...
A difficult day with Elina as she really doesn't feel well, and isn't even eating... Maximum dose of cuddles, kisses, cartoons and she finally falls asleep in my arms like when she was still a wee baby... Thomas is out doing a few chores, and we have a duvet day, just Mummy and Elina ....
Theres' something about fireworks that is just magical... I love the way the sky lights up with sparkling colours, loud bangs and whizzing noises...
Our group plays 2 hours later than scheduled, and it's pissing it down with rain, but I appreciate the calm... and the fact that so many people still stay to see us play, and buy a load of our Cds at the end ^_^ even if I have no idea what to write when they come backstage to ask for us to autograph each CD haha...
The drive back home up the mountain in the pouring rain and fog makes me think that anytime now some mythical creature could pop up in the middle of the road... We don't even see a fox or a rabbit, which is unusual at this time of night... But I'm spolt once I've dropped Vinz at his - 3 gorgeous big foxes cross the road infront of me... One even stops and looks at me before continuing on his way... I LOVE these special moments with nature...
I wake up with a smile today just knowing that it's Friday the 13th... Some people are scared of today, but not me, I love the special feeling that anything can happen.... Plus 13 is my favourite number...
A difficult day with Elina as she really doesn't feel well, and isn't even eating... Maximum dose of cuddles, kisses, cartoons and she finally falls asleep in my arms like when she was still a wee baby... Thomas is out doing a few chores, and we have a duvet day, just Mummy and Elina ....
Theres' something about fireworks that is just magical... I love the way the sky lights up with sparkling colours, loud bangs and whizzing noises...
Our group plays 2 hours later than scheduled, and it's pissing it down with rain, but I appreciate the calm... and the fact that so many people still stay to see us play, and buy a load of our Cds at the end ^_^ even if I have no idea what to write when they come backstage to ask for us to autograph each CD haha...
The drive back home up the mountain in the pouring rain and fog makes me think that anytime now some mythical creature could pop up in the middle of the road... We don't even see a fox or a rabbit, which is unusual at this time of night... But I'm spolt once I've dropped Vinz at his - 3 gorgeous big foxes cross the road infront of me... One even stops and looks at me before continuing on his way... I LOVE these special moments with nature...
Saturday, 14 July 2012
Poorly baby, droopy flowers, perched cockrel...
Thursday 12th July
Elina's poorly today, a few back teeth pushing through, snotty nose, dribbly, and unconsolable... Thomas pops out and grabs some more Doliprane (childs paracetamol) and I cake on the dolodent (Bongela) immediate relief and her smile comes back for a while... there's something very precious in having my baby in my arms all cuddled up looking up at me crying "maman", hoping that I'll be able to take the pain away, and finally being able to do it...
Looking at the wiltered flowers on my balcony I realised that it'd been a while since I'd watered them - whoops... I get the jugs out and give them all a nice soaking.. A few hours later they're already perking up and looking a lot healthier and livelier... Maybe it's time to give some of my dorment ideas a good watering, to get them back to life ?
As I take Cumba out for her wee wees before bed I look across the sky which is marked with skattered black clouds in the darkness.. From the angle I'm standing, the cockrel on the top of the church looks like it's perched on the mountain opposite me...
Looking at the wiltered flowers on my balcony I realised that it'd been a while since I'd watered them - whoops... I get the jugs out and give them all a nice soaking.. A few hours later they're already perking up and looking a lot healthier and livelier... Maybe it's time to give some of my dorment ideas a good watering, to get them back to life ?
As I take Cumba out for her wee wees before bed I look across the sky which is marked with skattered black clouds in the darkness.. From the angle I'm standing, the cockrel on the top of the church looks like it's perched on the mountain opposite me...
Dresses, seeds cosy night....
Wednesday 11th July
With Elina at the crèche for the day, Thomas & I do our banking, and a few bits and bobs... We pop into our friend's shop and I'm secretly hoping for inspiration on a dress for a few weddings I've got coming up.. I've already been to Annecy and a few other big towns here, but to no avail as of yet... Suprise, I try on, 1, 2, 3, 4--- 5 dresses, and actually have to chose between 3 of them, that NEVER happens, they all fitted and kinda suited me... I chose one, and Thomas said, hey, I'll get you the other one as it'd be a real shame not to see you in it again :) ... Small things ^_^
On our dirve back up the valley later on that day I spot a sycamore tree seed spinning, it's a double one, and it's huge...
Thomas decides he's not up for practising with his second band tonight, so we have a bonus extra snuggley night...
With Elina at the crèche for the day, Thomas & I do our banking, and a few bits and bobs... We pop into our friend's shop and I'm secretly hoping for inspiration on a dress for a few weddings I've got coming up.. I've already been to Annecy and a few other big towns here, but to no avail as of yet... Suprise, I try on, 1, 2, 3, 4--- 5 dresses, and actually have to chose between 3 of them, that NEVER happens, they all fitted and kinda suited me... I chose one, and Thomas said, hey, I'll get you the other one as it'd be a real shame not to see you in it again :) ... Small things ^_^
On our dirve back up the valley later on that day I spot a sycamore tree seed spinning, it's a double one, and it's huge...
Thomas decides he's not up for practising with his second band tonight, so we have a bonus extra snuggley night...
Tuesday, 10 July 2012
Human, Mixed emotions & butterflies
Tuesday 10th July
Yay, I wake up this morning feeling human again ....
I open my new book and read the first few pages... It feels like this woman actually wrote the book for me, and can feel my emotions welling up as I turn the pages... Maybe I am a stay-at-home-mum with an identity crisis ? I've a mixture of feelings, as I'm excited about getting stuck into this book and learning more about myself and my goals, yet I'm also a bit scared about what I'm going to read ... But I am ready....
As I stand on the balcony gazing up at the clouds and daydreaming, a butterfly catches my attention and perches on the flower just infront of me... A couple of lovely quotes I have always loved spring to mind, and I know there's a reason that butterfly came to visit me....
Yay, I wake up this morning feeling human again ....
I open my new book and read the first few pages... It feels like this woman actually wrote the book for me, and can feel my emotions welling up as I turn the pages... Maybe I am a stay-at-home-mum with an identity crisis ? I've a mixture of feelings, as I'm excited about getting stuck into this book and learning more about myself and my goals, yet I'm also a bit scared about what I'm going to read ... But I am ready....
As I stand on the balcony gazing up at the clouds and daydreaming, a butterfly catches my attention and perches on the flower just infront of me... A couple of lovely quotes I have always loved spring to mind, and I know there's a reason that butterfly came to visit me.... A lie-in, teddy bears & a book....
Monday 9th July
After a weekend, no a week of music, madness and partying I wake up feeling exhausted and worse for wear.... Thomas treats me to a lovely lie-in...
Elina wakes me up with a load of her teddy bears which she gives me to cuddle in bed as she climbs up and lies next to me stroking my hair - my fairy princess...
Just before going to bed I pop downstairs to check the post & a nice package is sitting waiting for me... I rip it open and it's the book I ordered "The Firestarter Sessions"... I'm sooo looking forward to starting to read it in the morning...
After a weekend, no a week of music, madness and partying I wake up feeling exhausted and worse for wear.... Thomas treats me to a lovely lie-in...
Elina wakes me up with a load of her teddy bears which she gives me to cuddle in bed as she climbs up and lies next to me stroking my hair - my fairy princess...
Just before going to bed I pop downstairs to check the post & a nice package is sitting waiting for me... I rip it open and it's the book I ordered "The Firestarter Sessions"... I'm sooo looking forward to starting to read it in the morning...
Leaking tent, BBQ & jamming...
Sunday 8th July
My pillow is soaked when I wake up.... Think we'd forgotten just how much our tent leaks ! I'd even left my bag inbetween the inner and outer tents, so that was drenched too, but luckily everything inside it was dry - phew !
We get to Fab's Dad's house to pick up Elina, and get roped into Fab's birthday BBQ... I was feeling pretty fuzzy headed, and pretty bleugh to be honest, but a few rosés later and I was right as rain...
We spend the afternoon with Fab & Cindy's families along with Kevin & Vinz singing along to the guitar and accordian in the glorious sunshine.... reminds me of sitting at home at Le Porte after the Splash on a Saturday night jamming with my Jersey friends, or Sundays at open mike.... Only the beach and all my special Jersey peeps were missing....
Thomas take Elina home to bed and I'm allowed to stay out and continue the festivities.... it's not very often that I'm the one who stays out the longest, and it feels great ....
My pillow is soaked when I wake up.... Think we'd forgotten just how much our tent leaks ! I'd even left my bag inbetween the inner and outer tents, so that was drenched too, but luckily everything inside it was dry - phew !
We get to Fab's Dad's house to pick up Elina, and get roped into Fab's birthday BBQ... I was feeling pretty fuzzy headed, and pretty bleugh to be honest, but a few rosés later and I was right as rain...
We spend the afternoon with Fab & Cindy's families along with Kevin & Vinz singing along to the guitar and accordian in the glorious sunshine.... reminds me of sitting at home at Le Porte after the Splash on a Saturday night jamming with my Jersey friends, or Sundays at open mike.... Only the beach and all my special Jersey peeps were missing....
Thomas take Elina home to bed and I'm allowed to stay out and continue the festivities.... it's not very often that I'm the one who stays out the longest, and it feels great ....
Playing nicely, child free & Vaches Folks Festival...
Saturday 7th July
The boys don't get home 'til 6am, and the girls wake up at 9am, but I'm thankful that they didn't wake up any earlier...
They spot my bag of percussion instruments and start playing the glokenspiel, marakas and tambourine whilst singing their own songs (la la la la) and dancing... Although I'm feeling pretty shattered it's soooo lovely to see the 2 of them playing so nicely together... Not sure kevin apreciates all the noise whilst he's trying to sleep, but thomas seems to be able to sleep through it.....
Tonight's concert is at the "Vaches Folks Festival" at Divonne les Bains, about an hour from here... Cindy comes to get Lily and we all hit the road... We're all a bit tense as we found out yesterday that there was no time for us to do a proper sound check, and that we were going to just have a quick line check before playing... We sit and have a few beers once we've put our tents up and Cindy's Mum comes to take the girls back to her's for the night... I love my baby, but it does feel nice to know that I'm child free for the whole night, and that for once I don't have to drive anywhere after the concert....
Our line check goes smoothly and the concert is WICKED !!! One of our friends Sim has come a long way to see us, and as always Aziz is jumping and singing like a looney just infront of the stage... A few guys we've never even met pay us beers and even a bottle of wine on stage whilst we're playing... There are young children, adolescents, teenagers, adults and even elderly dancing to our music and that feels awesome ^_^ We sell all of the CDs we bought with us again - YIPEEE !!....
Two of my dear friends are getting married today and they're in France.... I can't make it as we'd already said yes to play in the concert, but I smile as we start playing and I think of them & send happy vibes their way, even though I am sad not to be able to be there... I know they'll be having a whale of a time & that many adventures and amazing times lie before them...
The boys don't get home 'til 6am, and the girls wake up at 9am, but I'm thankful that they didn't wake up any earlier...
They spot my bag of percussion instruments and start playing the glokenspiel, marakas and tambourine whilst singing their own songs (la la la la) and dancing... Although I'm feeling pretty shattered it's soooo lovely to see the 2 of them playing so nicely together... Not sure kevin apreciates all the noise whilst he's trying to sleep, but thomas seems to be able to sleep through it.....
Tonight's concert is at the "Vaches Folks Festival" at Divonne les Bains, about an hour from here... Cindy comes to get Lily and we all hit the road... We're all a bit tense as we found out yesterday that there was no time for us to do a proper sound check, and that we were going to just have a quick line check before playing... We sit and have a few beers once we've put our tents up and Cindy's Mum comes to take the girls back to her's for the night... I love my baby, but it does feel nice to know that I'm child free for the whole night, and that for once I don't have to drive anywhere after the concert....
Our line check goes smoothly and the concert is WICKED !!! One of our friends Sim has come a long way to see us, and as always Aziz is jumping and singing like a looney just infront of the stage... A few guys we've never even met pay us beers and even a bottle of wine on stage whilst we're playing... There are young children, adolescents, teenagers, adults and even elderly dancing to our music and that feels awesome ^_^ We sell all of the CDs we bought with us again - YIPEEE !!....
Two of my dear friends are getting married today and they're in France.... I can't make it as we'd already said yes to play in the concert, but I smile as we start playing and I think of them & send happy vibes their way, even though I am sad not to be able to be there... I know they'll be having a whale of a time & that many adventures and amazing times lie before them...
Assdeath, giggles, baby talk....
Friday 6th July
It's the boy's turn on stage tonight at MES on the smaller stage with their group ASS DEATH... Thomas is really stressed out but the weather seems to be holding out...
Elina actually accepts wearing the headphones - flourescent pink ones - thanks to Lily who has hers on as she arrives... they both dance like crazy things infront of the stage and Elina is all excited to see Papa & Tonton on the stage again...
Elina tries to do a rolly polly, or a headstand (not quite sure which) and pushes up hard with her legs on the tarmac... she falls flat on her face and starts crying, but as I pick her up and start dancing she forgets that she's hurt herself and giggles and dances with me... if only it was that easy once we get older....
I take Elina & Lily back to sleep at ours so that Cindy can carry on the fiesta with the guys ( who keep partying 'til 6am )... I soooo wish I could understand their conversation in the back of the car as it seems to be hillarious with all the laughing going on...
I get the girls ready for bed and they walk up the stairs side by side.... Give each other a goodnight kiss and get into bed.... by the time I get back down the stairs they're both sound asleep....
It's the boy's turn on stage tonight at MES on the smaller stage with their group ASS DEATH... Thomas is really stressed out but the weather seems to be holding out...
Elina tries to do a rolly polly, or a headstand (not quite sure which) and pushes up hard with her legs on the tarmac... she falls flat on her face and starts crying, but as I pick her up and start dancing she forgets that she's hurt herself and giggles and dances with me... if only it was that easy once we get older....
I take Elina & Lily back to sleep at ours so that Cindy can carry on the fiesta with the guys ( who keep partying 'til 6am )... I soooo wish I could understand their conversation in the back of the car as it seems to be hillarious with all the laughing going on...
I get the girls ready for bed and they walk up the stairs side by side.... Give each other a goodnight kiss and get into bed.... by the time I get back down the stairs they're both sound asleep....
Sleeping beauties, the weather on our side...
Thursday 5th July
I leave the boys sleeping and sneak out to collect Elina.. She's still asleep when I arrive... I open the door to the bedroom where she's sleeping and she sits up and shrieks "Maman"...
A cup of coffee a millions kisses and cuddles and we head home to bring coca cola and breakfast to the sleeping beauties ...
How lucky are we to have had birght sunshine for our concert last night.. this evening it's pissing it down with gale force winds and thunder... I feel for the groups who are playing this evening, but feel content at home with my baby and my man...
I leave the boys sleeping and sneak out to collect Elina.. She's still asleep when I arrive... I open the door to the bedroom where she's sleeping and she sits up and shrieks "Maman"...
A cup of coffee a millions kisses and cuddles and we head home to bring coca cola and breakfast to the sleeping beauties ...
How lucky are we to have had birght sunshine for our concert last night.. this evening it's pissing it down with gale force winds and thunder... I feel for the groups who are playing this evening, but feel content at home with my baby and my man...
Musique en Stock, huge stage, caricature, and massive crowd !!
Wednesday 4th July
Today's the day ..... Thomas drops Elina off at Mymie's and heads up to collect Vinz & a few bits and bobs from our studio whilst I grab a shower and get everything organised to go... Actually feels good being home alone for a small while to gather my thoughts and shower without being in any rush...
We get to the centre of Cluses where we're playing & actualy see how big the stage is - WOW !!!... I'd been avoiding going through the town centre for about a week so as not to freak myself out whilst the stage was going up...
http://www.musiques-en-stock.com/index.php?id=programmation2012
We are shown to our loge which has our name & photo on the door and are greeted by a huge caricaure of our group as we step inside - I feel like a real pop star ^_^
We open the festival at 7.15pm and to our surprise there are loads and loads of people we know who have never come to see us on stage alongside our usual fans.... Stoked doesn't even come close... We play for nearly an hour ( whoops instead of the 45 minutes we're s'posed to play ), but the time just wizzes by.... By half way through out set the crowd is enormous, cheering clapping and singing along with us... At one point we even stop singing and the crowd sings instead... What an amazing feeling...
We get to the centre of Cluses where we're playing & actualy see how big the stage is - WOW !!!... I'd been avoiding going through the town centre for about a week so as not to freak myself out whilst the stage was going up...
http://www.musiques-en-stock.com/index.php?id=programmation2012
We are shown to our loge which has our name & photo on the door and are greeted by a huge caricaure of our group as we step inside - I feel like a real pop star ^_^
We open the festival at 7.15pm and to our surprise there are loads and loads of people we know who have never come to see us on stage alongside our usual fans.... Stoked doesn't even come close... We play for nearly an hour ( whoops instead of the 45 minutes we're s'posed to play ), but the time just wizzes by.... By half way through out set the crowd is enormous, cheering clapping and singing along with us... At one point we even stop singing and the crowd sings instead... What an amazing feeling...
D-Day minus 1, last run-through & great idea :) ...
Tuesday 3rd July
It's Musique en Stock tomorrow and I wake up with a huge knot of excitement & stress in my stomach... We head down to the lake for a stroll with Elina & Cumba and the water and fresh air do me wonders...
A final band practise before tomorrow's HUGE concert ??? Why not .. We meet up at the local pub and wait for everyone to arrive - for once we're not the last & we're not even late..... The atmosphere between us all is buzzing, and our spirits are high even before we have a couple of drinks... We see the moon glowing orange from the carpark...
A quick run through our set, and Thomas has an idea..... "L'Oignon" was taken out of our set, but one of our fans and a great photographer set up a petition on FB for us to play it tomorrow night... We managed to insert the chorus into one of our other songs and BOOM !! .....
It's Musique en Stock tomorrow and I wake up with a huge knot of excitement & stress in my stomach... We head down to the lake for a stroll with Elina & Cumba and the water and fresh air do me wonders...
A final band practise before tomorrow's HUGE concert ??? Why not .. We meet up at the local pub and wait for everyone to arrive - for once we're not the last & we're not even late..... The atmosphere between us all is buzzing, and our spirits are high even before we have a couple of drinks... We see the moon glowing orange from the carpark...
A quick run through our set, and Thomas has an idea..... "L'Oignon" was taken out of our set, but one of our fans and a great photographer set up a petition on FB for us to play it tomorrow night... We managed to insert the chorus into one of our other songs and BOOM !! .....
Boursin, potato stars & book ordering.....
Monday 2nd July
Well the fridge & cupboards are empty so I drop Elina to the crèche and head to the shops... in Lidl I come accross some fish burgers, Cod, and Salmon and some yummy Boursin.... It's been a while since I've bought Boursin, so I decide to grab some crispy toasts and spoil myself...
I'm always on the look out for special offers when I'm doing the weekly food shop - must take after my Mum - and this week in Carrefour I discover some scrumptious star shaped rosti potatoes !! Elina is fascinated by stars & Rostis make a nice change... I was spot on as she is really excited when she sits up for diner and sees stars on her plate that she can actually eat ....
I decide to follow my friends lead and order "The Firestarter sessions" off the net.... I feel pretty chuffed to have finally ordered it, and feel that this is a first step to actually getting somewhere... I also ordered "50 shades of Grey" just for the contrast ha ha....
I'm always on the look out for special offers when I'm doing the weekly food shop - must take after my Mum - and this week in Carrefour I discover some scrumptious star shaped rosti potatoes !! Elina is fascinated by stars & Rostis make a nice change... I was spot on as she is really excited when she sits up for diner and sees stars on her plate that she can actually eat ....
I decide to follow my friends lead and order "The Firestarter sessions" off the net.... I feel pretty chuffed to have finally ordered it, and feel that this is a first step to actually getting somewhere... I also ordered "50 shades of Grey" just for the contrast ha ha....
Wake up with music, lazyness with no guilt...
Sunday 1st July
Elina & I get up & head back to the place where the wedding reception was held to join the guys for breakfast ( as they all slept there )... Nearly the whole party is still in bed.... Elina jumps up & down on Thomas' bed in the van as she's so happy to see him this morning....
Still no sign of the others so Thomas grabs the guitar amongst the sleepy heads (drunken sleepy heads).... Fab wakes, grabs the guitar and starts singing johnny - hillarious...
Cumba loves all the attention and goes from one person to another so that they throw her the ball.... Must say I'm relieved that she is shattered before we leave so I don't have to take her for a walk.... and I don't have to feel guilty about it...
Elina & I get up & head back to the place where the wedding reception was held to join the guys for breakfast ( as they all slept there )... Nearly the whole party is still in bed.... Elina jumps up & down on Thomas' bed in the van as she's so happy to see him this morning....
Still no sign of the others so Thomas grabs the guitar amongst the sleepy heads (drunken sleepy heads).... Fab wakes, grabs the guitar and starts singing johnny - hillarious...
Cumba loves all the attention and goes from one person to another so that they throw her the ball.... Must say I'm relieved that she is shattered before we leave so I don't have to take her for a walk.... and I don't have to feel guilty about it...
Croissants, dancing bride & grease
Saturday 30th June
Thomas slept in the van after the concert last night.... He comes home this morning with fresh croissants and a rose de sable ( chocolate cornflake cake ) yum .....
Vinz's brother is getting married today & we're playing at his reception... We all get there tired yet ready to play... How funny to have the bride dancing around and singing to "Svetlana", or even worse "l'Oignon"...
After playing & eating lots the disco starts, Aurel' and I do a great dance to the Grease re-mix and can't stop laughing....
Thomas slept in the van after the concert last night.... He comes home this morning with fresh croissants and a rose de sable ( chocolate cornflake cake ) yum .....
Vinz's brother is getting married today & we're playing at his reception... We all get there tired yet ready to play... How funny to have the bride dancing around and singing to "Svetlana", or even worse "l'Oignon"...
After playing & eating lots the disco starts, Aurel' and I do a great dance to the Grease re-mix and can't stop laughing....
Home, sieste & ice cold beer ....
Friday 29th June
We get home 'round 7am, and boy am I glad to get out of the car, open our front door and flop on the sofa...
Elina soooo wasn't up for going straight to bed when we get home, so we chill and watch some cartoons, have a snack for lunch and then head for a siesta just afterwards which lasts 3hours - Wow, and soooo needed :)
As soon as we wake from our siesta Thomas heads to Thorens-glières to set up for tonight's concert... I stay with Elina and wait for Vinz & Jade ( and of course the babysitter Christelle )... Christelle arrives with an ice cold beer each which we sit on the balcony and enjoy before getting back in the car and heading to the concert.... Sometimes there is nothing better than chilled beer in the sunshine to get you in the mood & ready to get up on that stage...
We get home 'round 7am, and boy am I glad to get out of the car, open our front door and flop on the sofa...
Elina soooo wasn't up for going straight to bed when we get home, so we chill and watch some cartoons, have a snack for lunch and then head for a siesta just afterwards which lasts 3hours - Wow, and soooo needed :)
As soon as we wake from our siesta Thomas heads to Thorens-glières to set up for tonight's concert... I stay with Elina and wait for Vinz & Jade ( and of course the babysitter Christelle )... Christelle arrives with an ice cold beer each which we sit on the balcony and enjoy before getting back in the car and heading to the concert.... Sometimes there is nothing better than chilled beer in the sunshine to get you in the mood & ready to get up on that stage...
Monday, 2 July 2012
Spag Bol, Eiffel Tower, Lightening show
Thursday 28th June
We were hoping that Mamie was going to be let out of hospital today (so was she), but she's being kept in... Not only that, but this morning she was taken back down to the emergency departement - due to lack of equipment apparently?... Thomas goes to see her in A&E, but with Elina not being allowed in I stay at the house & wait for news.... luckily she's put back into her original ward and we're able to go and see her, looking a whole lot better and less stressed, at the end of the afternoon before hitting the road and starting the long journey back to the mountains....
Papi fancied Spag bol for lunch and went to hunt out a jar ?...... I stopped him in his tracks and got down to making a whole batch of Becca style bolognaise sauce... The result was yummy, and the guys seemed to enjoy eating it...
It doesn't take long for Elina to nod off in the back of the car, and the journey starts smoothly... I spot a couple of signs telling us that one of the exits around Paris is closed.... We check on our GPS and decide that it's after we will have already left the ring road... WRONG !!! We end up at a stand still in a whole load of traffic at midnight, cars driving down the emergency lane, motorbikes weaving in and out of the cars etc etc, for 1 & 1/2 hours... Good job it was Thomas's turn to drive... Elina was chilled and slept through it :) ... We followed the diversions and our frustration quickly dissipated when we realised that we had a really good view of the Eiffel Tower... Well worth the detour ......
Finally out of Paris, a quick Coffee stop & it's my turn to drive. Thomas falls asleep next to me as I have a front row VIP amazing lightening show.... No rain, just some crazy fork lightening, and some fab cloud displays...
Papi fancied Spag bol for lunch and went to hunt out a jar ?...... I stopped him in his tracks and got down to making a whole batch of Becca style bolognaise sauce... The result was yummy, and the guys seemed to enjoy eating it...
It doesn't take long for Elina to nod off in the back of the car, and the journey starts smoothly... I spot a couple of signs telling us that one of the exits around Paris is closed.... We check on our GPS and decide that it's after we will have already left the ring road... WRONG !!! We end up at a stand still in a whole load of traffic at midnight, cars driving down the emergency lane, motorbikes weaving in and out of the cars etc etc, for 1 & 1/2 hours... Good job it was Thomas's turn to drive... Elina was chilled and slept through it :) ... We followed the diversions and our frustration quickly dissipated when we realised that we had a really good view of the Eiffel Tower... Well worth the detour ......
Finally out of Paris, a quick Coffee stop & it's my turn to drive. Thomas falls asleep next to me as I have a front row VIP amazing lightening show.... No rain, just some crazy fork lightening, and some fab cloud displays...
Living the moment, little hippy, the magic of innocence...
Wednesday 27th June
Mamie and Papi enjoy spoiling Elina and this time they've bought her an outside swinging chair... We sit outside in the courtyard nattering (not that I could understand everything she was saying lol), and swaying backwards and forwards with a slight breeze blowing through our hair... I feel captured by the moment...
until i try and attach her to the swinging chair by herself, and sooooooo didn't get how the ties worked.... the straps were crossed over and tight and nearly strangling the poor thing... thomas comes out the door and almost wets himself laughing at my poor effort, and then does the straps up in & second......
Another afternoon at the hospital, but this time Elina is a little less weary of the place.... It's hot so she's in her summer dress, and I haven't put her shoes on (she's very much like me & seems to prefer being barefoot)... I don't really think anything of it until one of the nurses tells me that she should have shoes on, and that I have to carry her to Mamies room.... Ahhhhh, my little hippy...
Tonton bought elina a fab toy... it's an elephant with a huge plastic trunk that blows out butterflies, which you then are s'posed to catch with a net.... Elina holds onto her net and stands looking up in utter amazement as the butterflies fly out the end of the trunk....
It's a shame that as adults we take the magic out of most things by looking for explanations.... I'm going to try and be more like Elina and just enjoy the magic of the moment when I can.... To try to stop over analyzing situations, comments, gestures.....
Mamie and Papi enjoy spoiling Elina and this time they've bought her an outside swinging chair... We sit outside in the courtyard nattering (not that I could understand everything she was saying lol), and swaying backwards and forwards with a slight breeze blowing through our hair... I feel captured by the moment...
until i try and attach her to the swinging chair by herself, and sooooooo didn't get how the ties worked.... the straps were crossed over and tight and nearly strangling the poor thing... thomas comes out the door and almost wets himself laughing at my poor effort, and then does the straps up in & second......
Another afternoon at the hospital, but this time Elina is a little less weary of the place.... It's hot so she's in her summer dress, and I haven't put her shoes on (she's very much like me & seems to prefer being barefoot)... I don't really think anything of it until one of the nurses tells me that she should have shoes on, and that I have to carry her to Mamies room.... Ahhhhh, my little hippy...
Tonton bought elina a fab toy... it's an elephant with a huge plastic trunk that blows out butterflies, which you then are s'posed to catch with a net.... Elina holds onto her net and stands looking up in utter amazement as the butterflies fly out the end of the trunk....
It's a shame that as adults we take the magic out of most things by looking for explanations.... I'm going to try and be more like Elina and just enjoy the magic of the moment when I can.... To try to stop over analyzing situations, comments, gestures.....
Surprise visit, fondue and public displays of affection....
Tuesday 26th June
We spend the morning hoping that Mamie will be sent back to Vire... We get a phone call at 2pm and head straight out the door to the hospital... Mamie breaks into tears when she sees us and says that we shouldn't have come all that way to see her, she's fine, we shouldn't be worried etc etc etc.... We tell her that it's a bit over the top to put herself through all this just to get us up here to visit her.... and we all end up laughing...
After an afternoon at the hospital we're all feeling a bit drained, and I'm still worried about her.... We cook up a delicious fondue Bourguignonne yum yum... Heaps of beef and chicken.... And I nearly polish off the jar of aioli sauce - I must get myself a good recipe to make my own, as I just love it !!! .....
Elina has settled back in here as if we've never left.... She is stuck to tonton, and looks at his girlfriend kinda funnily when they're being all touchy feely... hmmmm young love and public displays of affection...
We spend the morning hoping that Mamie will be sent back to Vire... We get a phone call at 2pm and head straight out the door to the hospital... Mamie breaks into tears when she sees us and says that we shouldn't have come all that way to see her, she's fine, we shouldn't be worried etc etc etc.... We tell her that it's a bit over the top to put herself through all this just to get us up here to visit her.... and we all end up laughing...
Elina has settled back in here as if we've never left.... She is stuck to tonton, and looks at his girlfriend kinda funnily when they're being all touchy feely... hmmmm young love and public displays of affection...
Contentement, visits, sleepy day, relief...
Monday 25th June
We arrive at Papi & Mamies in the early hours of the morning... Elina is soundo in the back of the car... Papi, tonton and his new girlfriend have stayed up to wait for us... Elina wakes up as I gently lift her out of the car and is just so, so happy to see where we've driven to... She gives everyone a kiss goodnight and I take her up to bed... It's been nearly a year since we've been here, but she is all smiles as we enter her bedroom and I lower her into her bed...
We're not allowed to take Elina up to see Mamie in Caen, and she doens't know we're here, so we decide to visit some of the family in Vire...
It's a sleepy day, and the weather feels sleepy too....
The operation went well, and Mamie is recovering nicely....
We arrive at Papi & Mamies in the early hours of the morning... Elina is soundo in the back of the car... Papi, tonton and his new girlfriend have stayed up to wait for us... Elina wakes up as I gently lift her out of the car and is just so, so happy to see where we've driven to... She gives everyone a kiss goodnight and I take her up to bed... It's been nearly a year since we've been here, but she is all smiles as we enter her bedroom and I lower her into her bed...
We're not allowed to take Elina up to see Mamie in Caen, and she doens't know we're here, so we decide to visit some of the family in Vire...
It's a sleepy day, and the weather feels sleepy too....
The operation went well, and Mamie is recovering nicely....
Cooking, packing for a long drive...
Sunday 24th June
I wake up full of beans and after reading, colouring and rolling around on the rug with Elina I put her up for her nap and get busy in the kitchen... A quiche and a yummy tuna, mozarella, cucumber, tomato, sweet corn, peppers and mixed cereals salad later I sit down with Thomas, pretty impressed with myself and chillax ;)...
Wow, our group has been on the tele twice this week since our concert at the atelier....
Once on France3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pSyWZpEPigU&feature=relmfu ,
and again on
CanalC: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFrsmE3NqYQ ...
We're really chuffed and Thomas rings his parents to tell them to turn the tele on quickly to see us on the news... Bad news, speed packing and we hit the road... All this time Elina stays Zen, and is excited to be going to see Mamie and Papi...
We had spent the morning also trying to decide what to do this afternoon as it was sunny and warm, but not hot enough to go swimming in the lake.... We're actually really lucky the temperature has lowered, as 10 hours in the car is long enough without it being too hot...
I wake up full of beans and after reading, colouring and rolling around on the rug with Elina I put her up for her nap and get busy in the kitchen... A quiche and a yummy tuna, mozarella, cucumber, tomato, sweet corn, peppers and mixed cereals salad later I sit down with Thomas, pretty impressed with myself and chillax ;)...
Wow, our group has been on the tele twice this week since our concert at the atelier....
Once on France3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pSyWZpEPigU&feature=relmfu ,
and again on
CanalC: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFrsmE3NqYQ ...
We're really chuffed and Thomas rings his parents to tell them to turn the tele on quickly to see us on the news... Bad news, speed packing and we hit the road... All this time Elina stays Zen, and is excited to be going to see Mamie and Papi...
We had spent the morning also trying to decide what to do this afternoon as it was sunny and warm, but not hot enough to go swimming in the lake.... We're actually really lucky the temperature has lowered, as 10 hours in the car is long enough without it being too hot...
Selling, splashing, shining - STOKED !!
Saturday 23rd June
Thomas heads of to play in the small village of Thyez at lunchtime... I couldn't find a babysitter, Vincent was at Jade's school fête, Aurel' was working & Quentin was playing with another group in Carcassonne, so it's Thomas, Cosette & Fab representing the Marmottes ... Thomas rings just after they've finished playing and tells me that everyone seemed stoked watching the 3 of them play and that they sold a load of our CDs... I'm really happy for our group, but even more so for Thomas as he'd been stressing all morning about having to play without the rest of us...
It's a gorgeously sunny day and Cosette's friend's birthday so we're invited to his for the afternoon.... I arrive with Elina to join the festivities.... 2 mins later I'm in the pool with Elina... A fab afternoon of swimming, playing music, chatting and chilling out...
Thomas & Cindy pop to the shops to buy some armbands & rubber rings for Elina & Lily as we just can't keep them out of the water... As Cindy is gone Lily decided to go to the bottom of the garden and do a massive poo on the paving stones... I spot her squatting and run to get some kitchen roll and a plastic bag to clean it up before anyone stands in it... As I get back Lily is spreading her poo out with her hands and tells me that she's cleaning.... A mission to clean Lily and the poo whilst Elina is being occupied thankfully by tonton Papou... it's pretty yeugh, but I just can't help but laugh at Lily's innocent face, wash her up and have a big cuddle...
I was a bit worried that Elina wouldn't last all that long as the music and fiesta kept on going well past her bedtime... She sat infront of tonton to play the djembé (tam tams), and spent the evening dancing and singing... She seems to have a really happy, positive glow about her.... even whilst giving the eye at a few of our male friends... a charmer already... It was actually me that said stop and decided we should head home when I realised it was nearly 11pm....
A fantastic day all round for everyone .... :) !!
Thomas heads of to play in the small village of Thyez at lunchtime... I couldn't find a babysitter, Vincent was at Jade's school fête, Aurel' was working & Quentin was playing with another group in Carcassonne, so it's Thomas, Cosette & Fab representing the Marmottes ... Thomas rings just after they've finished playing and tells me that everyone seemed stoked watching the 3 of them play and that they sold a load of our CDs... I'm really happy for our group, but even more so for Thomas as he'd been stressing all morning about having to play without the rest of us...It's a gorgeously sunny day and Cosette's friend's birthday so we're invited to his for the afternoon.... I arrive with Elina to join the festivities.... 2 mins later I'm in the pool with Elina... A fab afternoon of swimming, playing music, chatting and chilling out...
Thomas & Cindy pop to the shops to buy some armbands & rubber rings for Elina & Lily as we just can't keep them out of the water... As Cindy is gone Lily decided to go to the bottom of the garden and do a massive poo on the paving stones... I spot her squatting and run to get some kitchen roll and a plastic bag to clean it up before anyone stands in it... As I get back Lily is spreading her poo out with her hands and tells me that she's cleaning.... A mission to clean Lily and the poo whilst Elina is being occupied thankfully by tonton Papou... it's pretty yeugh, but I just can't help but laugh at Lily's innocent face, wash her up and have a big cuddle...
I was a bit worried that Elina wouldn't last all that long as the music and fiesta kept on going well past her bedtime... She sat infront of tonton to play the djembé (tam tams), and spent the evening dancing and singing... She seems to have a really happy, positive glow about her.... even whilst giving the eye at a few of our male friends... a charmer already... It was actually me that said stop and decided we should head home when I realised it was nearly 11pm....
A fantastic day all round for everyone .... :) !!
Fête de la Musique, thunder, buzzing...
Thursday 21st June
It's the fête de la Musique in France today... We were supposed to be playing on one of the stages in the beautiful town of Annecy, and I'd been looking forward to playing all day... Our babysitter arrived and it was absolutely pissing it down with rain, with a few flashes of lightening & claps of thunder.. We checked the web to see if it had been cancelled in Annecy, as it had been in quite a few big towns up North, but no, it was still going ahead !
Vincent was late getting to ours, and we were starting to get a bit impatient and worried as we watched the sky getting darker and the thunder storm getting thicker, (the sky doing its own little concert for the fête de la musique) but when he finally arrived and we hit the road the sky got clearer....
We got to Annecy and fown where we were going to be playing - a pretty nice spot the "Place d eNotre Dame"... Found a small pub and had a drink before heading back to the stage and getting all the materiel out of the car when the heavens opened again... Full on power-cut on the stage !!... We try to keep the crowd amused and play a few songs in accoustic... The organisers tell us that it's not going to be possible to play on the stage tonight... The whole group is in a kind of buzz under the raindrops and we decide to keep playing in accoustic in the rain... The crowd stays and gets bigger and bigger... I thought there were probably about 30 people, but seeing a photo the next day shows that there were well over one hundred all gathered around us as we sang and danced like mad people haha..... We sold all the Cds we bought with us - which is pretty cool :)
We play until the police arrive to ask us to shut up at about 1am - and sing them our song aimed at the police.... They don't get mad, and actually have a smile and tell us to go and play by the lake as there are no houses 'round there - result !!... A whole load of people follow us and we keep playing 'til 'round 3am !!...
It's the fête de la Musique in France today... We were supposed to be playing on one of the stages in the beautiful town of Annecy, and I'd been looking forward to playing all day... Our babysitter arrived and it was absolutely pissing it down with rain, with a few flashes of lightening & claps of thunder.. We checked the web to see if it had been cancelled in Annecy, as it had been in quite a few big towns up North, but no, it was still going ahead !
Vincent was late getting to ours, and we were starting to get a bit impatient and worried as we watched the sky getting darker and the thunder storm getting thicker, (the sky doing its own little concert for the fête de la musique) but when he finally arrived and we hit the road the sky got clearer....
We got to Annecy and fown where we were going to be playing - a pretty nice spot the "Place d eNotre Dame"... Found a small pub and had a drink before heading back to the stage and getting all the materiel out of the car when the heavens opened again... Full on power-cut on the stage !!... We try to keep the crowd amused and play a few songs in accoustic... The organisers tell us that it's not going to be possible to play on the stage tonight... The whole group is in a kind of buzz under the raindrops and we decide to keep playing in accoustic in the rain... The crowd stays and gets bigger and bigger... I thought there were probably about 30 people, but seeing a photo the next day shows that there were well over one hundred all gathered around us as we sang and danced like mad people haha..... We sold all the Cds we bought with us - which is pretty cool :)We play until the police arrive to ask us to shut up at about 1am - and sing them our song aimed at the police.... They don't get mad, and actually have a smile and tell us to go and play by the lake as there are no houses 'round there - result !!... A whole load of people follow us and we keep playing 'til 'round 3am !!...
Wednesday, 20 June 2012
Songs, sense, sirens, struggle & starry solace ....
Wednesday 20th June
Today could have been one of those days..... But I decided from the minute that I woke up that I would not stay in that 'I want to stay in my pyjamas' mood... I peeled & cut up some apple and banana for Elina's breakfast & sat with her singing & dancing at the table (I know, how naughty am I to sing at the table ha ha)...
After dropping Elina at the crèche I went 'round to a mates to collect his rent... 2hours, a cup of tea, a cup of coffee and a great conversation later I'm feeling even stronger.... We always have intriguing chats, but this time he really started opening up about himself even more than usual, and I find myself having a really open conversation... Is it really that difficult to be open & honest about the way we're feeling ? I think a lot of barriers and worries we have about ourselves and others views of us are actually built by ourselves.....
Thomas wasn't feeling on top of the world today either, so once we'd had a spot of lunch I suggest a walk in the sunshine (after the down pours of this morning).... We head to a lake for a change (I need the water), and have a refreshing stroll.... We can hear an alarm from one of the factories nearby and it sounds exactly like the noise at the end of the ghost train, which accompanied the bat that used to fly down and spray water at you, that used to be at Fort Regent....
We can't be in 2 places at the same time, and unfortunately I am going to miss something that I really do not want to miss... I see that more & more people who I would like to see are going to be there and feel that familiar pang of jealousy.... But, I take the time to sit back and say to myself that everything happens for a reason, and that if I can not be there then the reason is out there somewhere.... The burning, stifling, smothering feeling subsides and I realise that I am getting somewhere :)
Today could have been one of those days..... But I decided from the minute that I woke up that I would not stay in that 'I want to stay in my pyjamas' mood... I peeled & cut up some apple and banana for Elina's breakfast & sat with her singing & dancing at the table (I know, how naughty am I to sing at the table ha ha)... After dropping Elina at the crèche I went 'round to a mates to collect his rent... 2hours, a cup of tea, a cup of coffee and a great conversation later I'm feeling even stronger.... We always have intriguing chats, but this time he really started opening up about himself even more than usual, and I find myself having a really open conversation... Is it really that difficult to be open & honest about the way we're feeling ? I think a lot of barriers and worries we have about ourselves and others views of us are actually built by ourselves.....
Thomas wasn't feeling on top of the world today either, so once we'd had a spot of lunch I suggest a walk in the sunshine (after the down pours of this morning).... We head to a lake for a change (I need the water), and have a refreshing stroll.... We can hear an alarm from one of the factories nearby and it sounds exactly like the noise at the end of the ghost train, which accompanied the bat that used to fly down and spray water at you, that used to be at Fort Regent....
A message out of the blue reminds me how lucky I am to have my fairy princess.... A very special person who I have never met but who was there through my 2 miscariages.... Her journey to motherhood is an ongoing one, but one that is looking more and more positive and having some unlifting results.... I am sending her heaps of positive vibes and a truck load of that oh so special fairy dust that helped me have my Elina..... And hope that she will look up and see her own shooting star *~
Provisions, piggy & play den
Tuesday 19th June
I didn't do any shopping last week as we were spending it as residents at the Atelier thus our cupboards and fridge are empty !!!.... I put Elina down for a nap and head down the valley to do some essential food shopping... Sometimes it's a chore, but today it felt pretty liberating wandering 'round the isles and picking up this and that... even though it is less fun when you're on a budget ....
After a month or so of Elina not being keen on food, she has soooo got her appetite back... Lunch was chicken or ham & goats cheese wraps and she seems to LOVE it.... I'm relieved and happy that she's back into tasting and liking pretty much EVERYTHING.....
The plan was to get stuck into the house work after lunch, but as I took the duvet off the sofa Elina lies down on it and I roll her into a sausage.... this turns into hours of fun making the duvet into a play den and just playing like a child myself... Heaps of laughter, cuddles and just plain enjoyment.... I just love her soooooo much .....
After a month or so of Elina not being keen on food, she has soooo got her appetite back... Lunch was chicken or ham & goats cheese wraps and she seems to LOVE it.... I'm relieved and happy that she's back into tasting and liking pretty much EVERYTHING.....
The plan was to get stuck into the house work after lunch, but as I took the duvet off the sofa Elina lies down on it and I roll her into a sausage.... this turns into hours of fun making the duvet into a play den and just playing like a child myself... Heaps of laughter, cuddles and just plain enjoyment.... I just love her soooooo much .....
Monday, 18 June 2012
Lie-in, lunch, bruises....
Monday 18th June
The days starts with a lovely lie-in 'til 10.30am - Wow, thanks Elina ...
A spot of lunch and a good old natter with a friend... Must be something in the water, or maybe to do with being in our 30's, as it seems that lots of friends and people around me are asking themselves the same questions, and searching...
As I get home I turn on the computer and the first thing I see as I sign in to my FB is this quote which makes me smile... Isn't it funny sometimes how we fall upon quotes, or a book or a saying just after having discussed it .....
The days starts with a lovely lie-in 'til 10.30am - Wow, thanks Elina ...
A spot of lunch and a good old natter with a friend... Must be something in the water, or maybe to do with being in our 30's, as it seems that lots of friends and people around me are asking themselves the same questions, and searching...
As I get home I turn on the computer and the first thing I see as I sign in to my FB is this quote which makes me smile... Isn't it funny sometimes how we fall upon quotes, or a book or a saying just after having discussed it .....
My bruise is looking pretty unattractive and damn big today... It looks like someone has been beating my thigh with a baseball bat... guess I should try and play the tamborine a bit softer lol ....
happy blues & loooong siesta .....
Sunday 17th June
We pick Elina up from her sleep over at Mymie's... Her face lights up as we walk through the door.... She rushes 'round the lounge picking up one toy after the other to show us, before coming for a big cuddle & kiss, then heads to the door saying goodbye, and pulling me by the hand....
The blues kick in... Our group coaching is over.... I miss the guys, although have no voice left after last night's concert... people put some lovely comments and messages on facebook, some sent texts just to let us know how much they enjoyed the concert etc etc... I'm happy they took the time to tell us what they thought & to thank us.... Some people don't realise how much that actually means to me ....
We spend the afternoon chilling, and have a massive 2 & 1/2 hour sieste.... that feels soooooooooo good, and we soooo needed it.....
We pick Elina up from her sleep over at Mymie's... Her face lights up as we walk through the door.... She rushes 'round the lounge picking up one toy after the other to show us, before coming for a big cuddle & kiss, then heads to the door saying goodbye, and pulling me by the hand....
The blues kick in... Our group coaching is over.... I miss the guys, although have no voice left after last night's concert... people put some lovely comments and messages on facebook, some sent texts just to let us know how much they enjoyed the concert etc etc... I'm happy they took the time to tell us what they thought & to thank us.... Some people don't realise how much that actually means to me ....
We spend the afternoon chilling, and have a massive 2 & 1/2 hour sieste.... that feels soooooooooo good, and we soooo needed it.....
D-Day, smiles, release & music
Saturday 16th June
Our first run through of the morning is a bit of a catastrophe for me.... I don't know why, but my speaker wasn't right and I just couldn't sing properly with it... I can feel the stress building & building, with a big lump in my throat blocking any voice from coming out... I walk off the stage and sit in the bathroom for 2 minutes and let the tears roll.... I feel instantly relieved, get back onto the stage and we manage to sort the speaker out phew !....
The boys decide to shave off their beards and leave only their moustache for the concert.... hmmmmm, not a good look, but oh so funny....
We stand hidden in the curtains at the side of the stage waiting to walk on one by one.... We take a peep to see if there are many people in the audience..... Feels like I'm back at primary school, about to perform our end of year or Christmas play....
The concert starts and it's and explosion of lights, dance, music and energy from start to finish for an hour... It felt like we'd only been playing 15mins... Time flies when you're having fun...
Saturday, 16 June 2012
Joy, lights & deliverance
Friday 15th June
Elina woke up full of beans this morning.... We had an hour to get ready and drop her to Mymie's for the day whilst we continue our last few days of group coaching... A lovely no fuss breakfast, and ready to go with no hitches... I love it when everything runs so smoothly.... We even got to the Atelier early for once ...
The guy doing the lights for our big concert tomorrow night asked if we had any ideas of the sort of lighting we wanted for the show.... How funny is it when you try and explain the ideas in your head without having any idea of the technical language used.... And I wasn't the only one...
We got the slip back from the post to let us know that the letter had been recieved.... A moment of closure for Thomas, and a big relief for the both of us... the pressure dropping...
Elina woke up full of beans this morning.... We had an hour to get ready and drop her to Mymie's for the day whilst we continue our last few days of group coaching... A lovely no fuss breakfast, and ready to go with no hitches... I love it when everything runs so smoothly.... We even got to the Atelier early for once ...
The guy doing the lights for our big concert tomorrow night asked if we had any ideas of the sort of lighting we wanted for the show.... How funny is it when you try and explain the ideas in your head without having any idea of the technical language used.... And I wasn't the only one...
We got the slip back from the post to let us know that the letter had been recieved.... A moment of closure for Thomas, and a big relief for the both of us... the pressure dropping...
Somfy, singing & sunburn
Thursday 14th June
Just before lunch we we asked to go and play a gig for one of the companies who sponsor Music en Stock.... After all the rain of the last few days, the sun was out and blazing.... As we were playing outside the weather really was on our side...
Yesterday we decided to change our play list, and take out one of our songs "l'oignon", but it's one that always seems to work well when done in accoustic and amongst the crowd.... We had the employees clapping in their hands and singing the chorus with us.... Am sure they had the song wizzing 'round their heads and their offices all afternoon haha ...
Home, tired, Elina in bed.... The outline of my top had been traced by the sun, and I must admit, I'm feeling a slight heat on my shoulders... The fatigue and mini sunburn actually feel good - the result of a days hard work singing, dancing & playing music :) ...
Just before lunch we we asked to go and play a gig for one of the companies who sponsor Music en Stock.... After all the rain of the last few days, the sun was out and blazing.... As we were playing outside the weather really was on our side...
Yesterday we decided to change our play list, and take out one of our songs "l'oignon", but it's one that always seems to work well when done in accoustic and amongst the crowd.... We had the employees clapping in their hands and singing the chorus with us.... Am sure they had the song wizzing 'round their heads and their offices all afternoon haha ...
Home, tired, Elina in bed.... The outline of my top had been traced by the sun, and I must admit, I'm feeling a slight heat on my shoulders... The fatigue and mini sunburn actually feel good - the result of a days hard work singing, dancing & playing music :) ...
Wednesday, 13 June 2012
Music, adieu and easy meal ...
Wednesday 13th June
For the last couple of years a cultural centre over here that holds concerts etc (the Atelier), has chosen different groups to be followed, coached, and prepared for the biggest free festival in the Rhone alps. This year we are really lucky as our group the "Rage Against the Marmottes" was chosen.... Today is the first of our last few days to enjoy this experience, get ready for the concert on Saturday & then Music on Stock !! We got up nice and early this morning with that buzzy feeling of excitement despite not getting much sleep....
I took Amy to the train station at lunchtime so she could continue her travels... I was sad to say goodbye, but also ready glad to have been able to spend the last few days chilling, chatting and just being together.... We won't leave it so long next time :) ....
I didn't have the energy to make anything for diner when we got home, but sometimes it feels good just to bung something frozen in the oven..... Tonight it was Salmon & Spinach feuilleté ....
I took Amy to the train station at lunchtime so she could continue her travels... I was sad to say goodbye, but also ready glad to have been able to spend the last few days chilling, chatting and just being together.... We won't leave it so long next time :) ....
I didn't have the energy to make anything for diner when we got home, but sometimes it feels good just to bung something frozen in the oven..... Tonight it was Salmon & Spinach feuilleté ....
Magic kisses, odours and pyjamas...
Tuesday 12th June
Woke up feeling pretty yeugh.... Think I must have caught some sort of tummy bug, cramps and all round not good.... Elina seems to sense that I'm not feeling great and comes to give some me some lovely cuddles and magic kisses to make me feel better...
We decided to go to a restaurant anyway, one we've been to a few times and always have scrummy food.... I really like this restaurant, when you walk in it smells like my Grandma & Grandad's house in Jersey...
The drive back home after lunch seemed really long with stomach cramps and feeling generally not well... I felt relieved when we got home, got our pyjamas on & put on a good film, even though I went to bed half way through....
Woke up feeling pretty yeugh.... Think I must have caught some sort of tummy bug, cramps and all round not good.... Elina seems to sense that I'm not feeling great and comes to give some me some lovely cuddles and magic kisses to make me feel better...
We decided to go to a restaurant anyway, one we've been to a few times and always have scrummy food.... I really like this restaurant, when you walk in it smells like my Grandma & Grandad's house in Jersey...
The drive back home after lunch seemed really long with stomach cramps and feeling generally not well... I felt relieved when we got home, got our pyjamas on & put on a good film, even though I went to bed half way through....
Tuesday, 12 June 2012
Annecy, raindrop dodging & goodies ....
Thomas took Elina to the crèche and Amy and I headed to Annecy for a girlies shopping day... I haven't had a whole day shopping just for me since i don't know how long... Amy kept making me try on loads of stuff that I'd never usually think of trying on, and most of it looked ridiculous, but made us laugh... And for once, I actually found a few tops, and a pair of jeans - RESULT haha ....
Our day was framed with real down pours of rain, but we were really damn lucky... It was raining whilst we were driving to get there, stopped when we arrived & walked 'round the old part of Annecy... The heavens opened pretty much the minute we sat down for lunch (outside, but sheltered), and the sun put it's hat on and pushed the clouds away for some blue skys after lunch.... We'd just got into the car and driven out of the underground carpark when the huge black clouds rolled back in and torrential rain battered the car windscreen...
Amy is a bit finger happy taking photos left right and centre with her phone - and I love the pics and effects she gets on them straight away, they look like postcards, or olds photos... She got a nice one of the huge cookie I got to tide myself over 'til lunch, and of an oversized pain au chocolat that she regretted not getting once we'd left.... Not to mention all the meringues and other delicious goodies in the boulangerie window (that look yummy, but that I don't like, luckily enough for my waistline ^_^) .......
Sunday, 10 June 2012
No hangover, no snakes, no map....
Sunday 10th June
Woke up with NO hangover, after a really good night's sleep woo hoo ... Even though it was an early wake up call at 7am with Elina singing :) ... Sat and watched the jungle book with Elina whilst Jade & Amy were still in the land of nod...
Managed to persuade ourselves to get out into the fresh air even though we were all pretty tired... Took Elina's bike and walked 'round the Lac de Passy... Re-discovered the hilarious notice stating that no snakes allowed - can you actually imagine anyone bringing their snake to the lake with them for a walk ? Or a swim maybe haha...
Do we ever really know if and when we're on the right path in life ? Surely the most important thing is to be on a path that is going somewhere... Then to have the courage when you get to that T junction to chose left or right, or to that cliff edge and be able to jump knowing that things will turn out okay, and that destiny will lead the way ...... It's funny how we have been contemplating the same things at the same time, even after being away from each other for so long and leading different lives...
Managed to persuade ourselves to get out into the fresh air even though we were all pretty tired... Took Elina's bike and walked 'round the Lac de Passy... Re-discovered the hilarious notice stating that no snakes allowed - can you actually imagine anyone bringing their snake to the lake with them for a walk ? Or a swim maybe haha...
Do we ever really know if and when we're on the right path in life ? Surely the most important thing is to be on a path that is going somewhere... Then to have the courage when you get to that T junction to chose left or right, or to that cliff edge and be able to jump knowing that things will turn out okay, and that destiny will lead the way ...... It's funny how we have been contemplating the same things at the same time, even after being away from each other for so long and leading different lives...
Ding dong, fajitas and long chats...
Saturday 9th June
The church bells didn't do their long wake up call until 8am this morning (the church is pretty much opposite our appartment) ... And Elina didn't wake up until 8.15am, I could hear her chatting away to her teddy bears... I wonder what stories she was telling them..
We went to do a bit of shopping in Sallanches for a few veggies and bits and bobs - and wine... I feel really lucky to be able to park in a carpark with views of Mont Blanc and her mountain range...
An afternoon stroll through the forest, to a clearing which leads to a cliff where we can see a bird's eye view of the valley... The winding river, bridges, houses, roads lakes and fields remind me of the picture on a rug one of my friends used to have in his van... Made me giggle...
The boys out, Jade at a dance gala, Elina in bed, Amy & I sit down for some yummy veggie fajitas, scrumptious guacamole, a bottle of wine each and a wicked evening of catching up... Has it really been 7 years ?.... No subjects are taboo... Feels great to laugh & listen... Don't think I've even spoken English during a whole evening for a long time ha ha...
The church bells didn't do their long wake up call until 8am this morning (the church is pretty much opposite our appartment) ... And Elina didn't wake up until 8.15am, I could hear her chatting away to her teddy bears... I wonder what stories she was telling them..
We went to do a bit of shopping in Sallanches for a few veggies and bits and bobs - and wine... I feel really lucky to be able to park in a carpark with views of Mont Blanc and her mountain range...
An afternoon stroll through the forest, to a clearing which leads to a cliff where we can see a bird's eye view of the valley... The winding river, bridges, houses, roads lakes and fields remind me of the picture on a rug one of my friends used to have in his van... Made me giggle...
The boys out, Jade at a dance gala, Elina in bed, Amy & I sit down for some yummy veggie fajitas, scrumptious guacamole, a bottle of wine each and a wicked evening of catching up... Has it really been 7 years ?.... No subjects are taboo... Feels great to laugh & listen... Don't think I've even spoken English during a whole evening for a long time ha ha...
Saturday, 9 June 2012
A friend to stay, music & shepherd's delight...
Tonights gig went pretty well... Had been trying to find new ways of singing the chorus' etc without Aurel' as she wasn't going to be able to come, but whan I arrived to do the sound check she was there :) Ours voices are richer together than alone... I pulled off the vocalisations I usually only manage (or have the courage) to do in the car, and at home with Elina... They just worked, even the really high ones yay ....
The sunset was a rich red this evening... The sky had been prettily decorated, a welcome present for my friend ?... Hopefully the sun will be out in the morning...
Thursday, 7 June 2012
Pollination, purée & pensées
Thursday 7th June
We decided to head to a private lake not far from us this afternoon, for a walk.. the heat was hot & prickly, felt like a storm may be brewing... Elina was super excited and stopped every 2 seconds to pick up a stone "caillou", and throw it back down on the floor, or in the water... Cumba was being her usual mental self running and swimming for the ball... As I stood watching the 2 of them it started snowing dandelion seeds...
There is nothing cowardly about saying "no, stop this is not the road I want to be taking", it doesn't mean you've given up... Sometimes if something isn't working as you want it to be it's better to walk away than to just keep going for the sake of it... As long as you've given it your best shot, there's no need to feel ashamed... I had realised this a while back, and today it seems that 2 people very dear to me had been mulling over the exact same thing & have been strong enough to make the decision & the change they needed .... It's good to feel on the same wave length....
Wednesday, 6 June 2012
Cats and Dogs, dancing clouds and retrouvailles...
Wednesday 6th June
It was pouring it down this morning, which made me think, wow it's raining cat's and dogs... What a strange expression really... I spent a few minutes looking up into the sky which was thick with rain, and imagining cats and dogs actually falling out of the sky, tiny miniature cats and dogs ... I prefer that image than the French version il pleut comme vache qui pisse ( hmmmm a massive weeing cow ) .....
The rain lifted just after lunch but the clouds came down really low ( at the top of the mountain, opposite my window ).. They started thinning out & seemed to be almost clinging to the trees as the wind coaxed them away. It was like a form of dance, a sensual moment of exchanging caresses. I could almost hear the music to go with it in my head...
I wondered whether it was the trees or the clouds who didn't want to let go ? ...
Cumba waits outside when I go to pick up Elina from the crèche... I love, love, love Elina's shriek of excitement everytime she comes out the door and sees Cumba by the gate.. Then Cumba's funny noises and tail that wags wildly as she runs circles 'round Elina... Pure delight after a day appart ....
It was pouring it down this morning, which made me think, wow it's raining cat's and dogs... What a strange expression really... I spent a few minutes looking up into the sky which was thick with rain, and imagining cats and dogs actually falling out of the sky, tiny miniature cats and dogs ... I prefer that image than the French version il pleut comme vache qui pisse ( hmmmm a massive weeing cow ) ..... The rain lifted just after lunch but the clouds came down really low ( at the top of the mountain, opposite my window ).. They started thinning out & seemed to be almost clinging to the trees as the wind coaxed them away. It was like a form of dance, a sensual moment of exchanging caresses. I could almost hear the music to go with it in my head...
I wondered whether it was the trees or the clouds who didn't want to let go ? ...
Cumba waits outside when I go to pick up Elina from the crèche... I love, love, love Elina's shriek of excitement everytime she comes out the door and sees Cumba by the gate.. Then Cumba's funny noises and tail that wags wildly as she runs circles 'round Elina... Pure delight after a day appart ....
Starting somewhere - the beginning
Okay, I'm trying to get the knack of how this blog thing works...
It's not as easy as it looks, but hey, I'm giving it a go :)
My page looks a bit too busy and hard to read, but I'll get to grips with it soon..
Have been wanting to start this gratitude blog since my friend inspired me with hers, so I've got to start somewhere...
So here it is, my blog ^_^
Enjoy x
It's not as easy as it looks, but hey, I'm giving it a go :)
My page looks a bit too busy and hard to read, but I'll get to grips with it soon..
Have been wanting to start this gratitude blog since my friend inspired me with hers, so I've got to start somewhere...
So here it is, my blog ^_^
Enjoy x
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