We got an invite

(source) *

Not to the royal wedding**!

But we are heading north this weekend to go to a wedding. To the top of the country where we'll catch a boat that will take us further north to a collection of islands I've never visited.

Where we will whirl and burl and get sore feet.

Hope you all have lovely plans for the weekend

(**As we're spending the day driving I won't be able to watch. I'm sure I'll be able to catch up though)

*Of the huge amount of wedding memorabilia that I've seen I thought I'd be able to get behind Lego. But this just freaks me out - they've not got faces!)

The eyes have it. (part 2)

See part 1 here

My sister did me a huge favour in 1994 by getting married. I was 13 at the time and was still wearing fairly hideous glasses – they had by this point at least become a tortoiseshell brown colour however they were still big and round. So when #1 announced her engagement and asked #2 and I to be bridesmaids there was a serious discussion to be had about glasses. I’m not the only one in my family who is short-sighted we all are. #1 at this point already had contact lenses. I think #2’s eyesight was still good enough to get her through the day. I on the other hand was going to be stuck with the huge glasses. 

After some moaning and whining on my part I was taken to the opticians to get a trial pair of contact lenses. Owwwwwwww. At first it feels like you are sticking great big stones/twigs/100 eyelashes in your eyes. My advice to anyone who is thinking of getting contact lenses is to do it in winter and go outside a lot. The cold weather stimulates your tear ducts making the lenses a lot more comfortable. We persisted, my prescription was tweaked I guessed which was the darkest the red or the green (I hate this part of the eye examination - I don't know!) and eventually on #1’s big day I made it through without the glasses. I haven’t looked back since and have continued to wear contact lenses a lot.

I’ve had to move onto toric lenses which take into account the funny shape of my eye. I tend to wear my contacts while at work and then give my eyes a break at the weekend. I get monthly disposable lenses. Still I’m no expert, I went three or four days ignoring the fact that my right eye was giving me a lot of discomfort before finally popping into my optician on the off chance someone could have a look for me. The response – no wonder it hurts you’ve got a slit in the middle of the lens was not what I expected. The oh bugger don’t rip it fully, give it back I need to drive home was not the response they were expecting.

As I’ve been getting older (*sob*) I’ve noticed that my eyes are drying out and I can’t keep my lenses in for as long. The large chain optician’s solution was to change my contact lenses to the most expensive pair that they offered – this didn’t help. Then I overheard a colleague talking about a new optician she was trying out who had given her lenses that she could sleep in. I’ve no real requirement to sleep in my lenses (no longer being a party girl staying out until all hours of the morning at strange boys’ houses – yup your right I was never that party girl) but I figured if people can sleep in them then surely I can keep them in for longer than 8 hours.

After one failed attempt (bright red bloodshot rings on my eyes - attractive), we finally got the material and prescription of these new lenses correct. I also now take Omega oils to improve the comfort. I never sleep in the lenses but I don't immediately want to rip them from my eyes as soon as I get home.

Wedding bells

(source)

Wishing the lovely littlewifelittlemama an amazing wedding day.

All the happiness in the world on your wonderful day.

If you don't already go and read littlewifelittlemama's blog and follow on twitter.

Give Blood

Welcome to the blogger blood drive.


The excellent Emma and Fiona gathered some like minded bloggers together and asked us to spread the word. 

I love giving blood, not in a vampire esk masochistic way but in a I'm doing my bit sort of way.


Just to reiterate

If you are ever feeling down, glum or think the world is a horrible place then go and give blood. In a blood donation centre people are there of their own free will. They make the conscious choice to go and help their fellow man with no hint of a reward other than a free cup of tea and a biscuit (a huge reward if ever there was one). They sit and queue with the utmost patience.

It warms the cockles. 

I've donated blood less than 10 times. I was a late starter and I'm not really sure why but I've since seen the error of my ways. O got a badge for donating 10 times and I'm close to getting my own badge. My Dad used to donate platelets (he takes too much medication now) when we were young he used to take us to the donation centre with him, it was just across the road from his office. #1 and #2 both donate. Apart from when #2 travels to exotic places that involves immunisations. My Mum is the only member of the family who doesn't give blood. She is however the only member of the family who has received a blood transfusion. After my Mum gave birth to #2 she suffered a severe haemorrhage and had to be given several pints to pull through. She would not be here and hence I would not be here if it were not for the blood donations of other people.


So why do I give blood? A small part is of course is to give thanks for even being here. The main reason is of course that it makes me feel good to be a lifesaver! And every three months I get to eat Tunnock's teacakes without feeling any guilt.

I was shocked to learn that only 4% of the population donates. People who can not donate fall into two main categories; because donating might effect their health or if there is even the slimmest possibility that their blood might transmit disease to the very ill person that will receive their blood. But apart from the people that cannot donate there are still plenty who just don't. Why not?
It is painful? Well it isn't really, I find the most painful bit the prick of my thumb to test my iron levels. There is no denying it is a little uncomfortable but it isn't for very long. Giving blood is not like having a blood sample taken at the doctors - believe me I've had my arms scraped, stabbed and bruised plenty of times by a practice nurse. The men and women who work for the blood donation centre take blood hundreds and hundreds of times they are the experts. 
You're squeamish? Let me make a suggestion - don't look. If you ask nicely the staff at the blood donation centre will put up a screen round your arm so you can't see. You won't know that you are too squeamish unless you try. If you faint too many times you'll be politely asked not to try to donate again.


Give giving blood a go.

For more information and to find your nearest donating centre:

In England visit Give Blood
In Scotland visit Scotblood

Go and visit the other lovely people taking in part in this campaign. Read their stories about why they donate or support those who donate:

Tattybojangles Vintage Hen House

Plans & Presents Wedding & Event Planning

Anna and the Ring

All Wrapped Up Wedding & Event Planners & Coordinators

Emily Jayne Image Consultancy

Fiona Kelly Photography

Mission 2 Wed

Boho Weddings & Events

Hannah Dornford-May Photography

Source Images Photography                                                         

Purple & Pearls

Aisle Rock

Tamryn Kirby

Bride and Chic

The Honeymoon Project

Cake for Breakfast

The Wedding Reporter

moo coos

(source)

SPRING!!

This weekend we headed north. There were baby highland coos, baby sheep and baby nephew.

Random Stuff: Size Matters

(1, 2, 3)

Size matters when it comes to towels.

I have to have large towels. I’m an average sized person but I seem to have a requirement for towels which are a step up from those most people (e.g. #2) have and most hotels supply. The size of towel that most people use for their body is the size of towel I use for my hair. I have a lot of hair and the smaller towels always fall off too easily. 

p.s. O can't make a towel turban on his head - is this all boys or just mine?