The Fabulous Kate, over at Kate’s Life, is hosting Five Question Friday in Mama M‘s absence!

1. What’s the the last thing you bought for yourself?

I got a Kindle for Christmas, so the last thing I bought myself was some books for it.  It’s just too easy using the one-click payment on Amazon, straight from the Kindle!  Before Christmas I bought myself some clothes to wear over the festive period.

2. What is your favourite meal on a cold winter day?

Mmmmmm…. Something like a stew or casserole done in the slow cooker, served with buttery mashed potatoes.  You can’t beat good old mince ‘n tatties at this time of year!

3. Have you started looking at swimsuits for this year, and do you buy a new one every year?

No, I haven’t even thought about looking at new swimsuits.  I’m looking to lose some weight before the summer so I might have to invest in some new swimwear!… However, I did buy a couple of new bikinis last summer, so if they still fit me I’ll not bother looking for anything new.

4. If you could be any candy what would you be and why?

Hmmm…probably a Minstrel – a hard exterior, but soft centred.  Actually, I sometimes describe my eyes as a couple of Minstrels cos they’re dark brown and shiny!

5. What are you most passionate about?

Apart from my family, I’d say The Internet!  I love everything from blogging, blog-hopping, online shopping, social media and web design!

Since Mama M is away this week there’s a BONUS question!

** What is your favourite thing to “pin” on Pinterest?

I’ve just recently been introduced to the world of pinning and I must say I LURVE it!!  :) On looking at my boards, it seems that I mostly pin items for the home or furry friends!  :)  If you’ve not discovered Pinterest yet then please view my Pinterest boards here, and follow me!…

You can join in the 5QF fun over at Kate’s Life.

Happy New Year, everyone!!  Mamma’s back!!    Did you think I’d run away and left you all?? 

I haven’t been blogging very much since the beginning of December, what with the stress of Christmas, and a very busy period at work.  Then, come the Christmas Holidays, I simply wanted to sit back, relax and enjoy some family time.

Since the New Year, I’ve been busy working on my all new website (more about that later….), and so neglecting my little ole Mamma Kerr blog!  Sorry! 

Since I didn’t participate in last week’s WMW, I’d like to include one of last week’s prompts this week.

Balancing work and family life is tough! VERY tough!!  I know for a fact that I would not be able to work my 37 hour week if I had to commute to Glasgow or Edinburgh every day!  The travelling time would just push me over the edge!!

I am so grateful to live just a two-minute stroll from my office!  I can walk the girls to school every morning and then walk to work.  Plus, I can go home for my lunch break!

I am also extremely lucky to be able to work flexi-time (no set core hours), meaning I can work around family commitments, childcare arrangements, school events, etc.  This allows me to walk the girls to school every day, as well as being able to attend school shows, assemblies, nativities, etc.  It also makes it easier for me to take my girls to hospital appointments.

Okay, so I just wanted to stress how lucky I am compared to some working mothers – NOT to gloat!! – I just wanted explain how I am able to work FULLTIME!

My “Super Mom” tips are actually pretty simple:

• Prepare packed lunches in the evening.
• Set out school uniforms before bedtime.
• Mark important dates and events on a calendar where the whole family will see it.
• Pin appointment cards, invitations, tickets and forms to the fridge using magnets.
• Always carry wipes, handgel, tissues and plasters (band aids).
• Involve the children in household chores, and try to make it fun!
• No matter how busy and stressed you are, always make time to talk to your children about their day.
• Make sure your children have a good bedtime routine, which should include some time for a bedtime story.

You can join in the Working Mommy Wednesday fun with Rachel over at Occasional Boredom.

WMW Prompts for 30 November:

1. So, did you get sucked into the excitement and drama of Black Friday? If so, what deals did you snag?? And for our international gal (that’s ME by the way!!  lol), has our shopping madness spread to your area?
2. Four day weekends are nice but the transition back to work can be challenging! How are you doing with the transition?

BLACK FRIDAY DEALS

Last Working Mommy Wednesday I bemoaned the fact that we do not celebrate Thanksgiving in the UK.  However, I am happy to say that your Black Friday Deals are actually starting to penetrate the UK market!  I spent most of last week watching Black Friday deals on Amazon in particular!  Unfortunately, most of the best deals were only available during my working hours, but I did manage to bag a funky brushed metal photo frame clock for half price!     The UK Apple website was also offering Black Friday deals!  However, much as I was tempted, I resisted the urge to bag some Apple products!

There are actually LOTS of sales on at the moment on the High Street and online here in the UK.  However, I’m not sure whether that has anything to do with the US Black Friday influence, or whether it’s to do with the bleak economic climate.  I suspect it has more to do with the latter!  People just don’t have the spare cash to go mad on Christmas shopping this year! 

FOUR DAY WEEKENDS _ TRANSITION BACK TO WORK

I might not have had a four-day weekend, but I’m having a four-day working week this week!  Today I was on strike, taking part in industrial action to protest about proposed changes to my Local Government Pension Scheme. I’m fighting to protect the pension that I’ve been paying into for 20+ years! I used to be guaranteed a lump sum, but now I’m not! I was led to believe I could retire after 40 years service in a full pension, but now they want me to work into my seventies!! They want me to contribute MORE every month, work LONGER and receive LESS when I retire!?! NO WAY!! It’s outrageous!  Here’s some background news on the public sector strikes.

The strikes meant that the schools were closed so, rather than joining a picket line, I spent the day at home with my girls.  We had a lovely lazy day at home, while the weather was miserable outside.

You can join in the Working Mommy Wednesday meme over at Occasional Boredom.

1. Do you have a go to song that always puts you in a good mood?

• B.E.P. “(I Got a Feeling) Tonight’s Gonna Be a Good Night”
• David Gray “Babylon”
• LMFAO “Party Rock”
• Shakira “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)”

2. Are you a real Christmas tree kinda person or do you go with a real fake one?

• I like the idea of a real one, and I think they usually look better, but we have an artificial tree which we’ve been using for the past six years, and Hubby wants to make sure we get another few years use out of it!

3. What are you thankful for?

• Family
• Friends
• Health
• Home
• Job

4. Which fashion fad from the past do you wish you could wear today?

• I’d like to go waaaaaaaaaaaayy back to long before I was born and wear the fashions of the 30s & 40s when women looked VERY glamorous!!

5. Do you wait until the “low fuel” light comes on before you fill up the gas tank?

• Yes!  Much to my Hubby’s annoyance!  He keeps telling me to fill the car right up and then refill when it’s at the half-way mark, but there’s always some excuse why I can’t refuel:
  • I’m in a hurry!
  • I don’t have enough money!
  • There’s no petrol station en route.
  • The nearest petrol station is waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaayy too expensive!
  • I’m waiting until Pay Day!….
  • There was a queue!

It’s Wednesday!  Hump Day – the mid-point of the working week!  What better way to celebrate being half-way to the weekend than participating in one of my favourite blog memes – Working Mommy Wednesday!!  This fun meme is hosted by the lovely Rachel over at Occasional Boredom.

Unfortunately, I was too busy last week to join in any of my favourite blog memes!  However, I would like to play catch-up and respond to last week’s WMW prompt, as well as this week’s… 

Prompt for November 9th:

• Share a cause you enjoy supporting.

This Friday the BBC hosts its annual Children In Need charity appeal. All round the country groups and individuals, celebrities and ordinary Joes will be raising money for the appeal.

“BBC Children in Need is the BBC’s UK corporate charity. Thanks to the support of the public, they are able to make a real difference to the lives of children all across the UK.  They provide grants to projects in the UK which focus on children and young people who are disadvantaged.” – BBC Website.

We are having a Cake Sale at our office, so tonight I will be baking a dozen vanilla cupcakes and a dozen chocolate cupcakes. I’ll decorate them tomorrow evening and then take them into the office to sell on Friday…

I’ll post some pics of my finished masterpieces later in the week… 

Prompts for November 16th:

1.  Are you excited about Thanksgiving?  What plans do you have?

And because I am from the UK (where, unfortunately, we do not celebrate Thanksgiving!), the lovely Rachel has assigned another WMW prompt, especially for me!  How delighted am I!?!  My very own WMW prompt!!! 

2.  Let’s talk about toys!  What toys are you excited to purchase for your little ones for Christmas?

My twin girls are now seven and a half so they don’t want (or need!) many toys this year!  We’ve bought the girls Acer netbooks for Christmas!  We’ve bought them each the same model in a different colour and they look pretty cool!!  I can’t wait to see their wee faces on Christmas morning!!  They’ll be over the moon!…  They love using my laptop at the moment, so it will be great for them to have a mini one each of their own!  It’ll come in really useful for their homework and class projects!…

Now we just need to get them some stocking fillers, which will include a few games for their Nintendo DSis and the Nintendo Wii, as well as a few books, CDs and DVDs.  I also intend to buy them a few board games such as the new cashcard version of Monopoly and my old favourite – Operation! 

I’m glad the girls are now at the age when their toys are less bulky and noisy!  We don’t have the room for much more toys in our household!

If you are looking for inspiration on toys to buy for your little ones this Christmas, then may I suggest you check out my friend’s blog – www.jamesspence.net – James is an official Toyologist for Toys R Us, and he has lots of fantastic toy reviews and giveaways on his site.

(Oh, and interestingly, re WMW prompt #1, although he lives in the UK, James’s wife, Tiffany, is American, and so they celebrate Thanksgiving!)

Happy Thanksgiving to all my American friends for next week!!…

You can join in the Working Mommy Wednesday meme over at Occasional Boredom.

1. What movie do you love to quote?

There isn’t one particular movie (or quote) that springs to mind!  Here’s a few of my faves:

Mamma always said, life is like a box of chocolates.  You never know what you’re gonna get. ~ Forrest Gump.

Show me the money! ~ Jerry Maguire

You had me at “Hello!” ~ Jerry Maguire

You complete me. ~ Jerry Maguire

Frankly, my dear, I don’t give a damn! ~ Gone With The Wind

Damn! We’re in a tight spot! ~  O Brother, Where Art Thou?

Well, I don’t want Fop, goddammit. I’m a Dapper Dan man. ~ O Brother, Where Art Thou?

Them syreens did this to Pete. They loved him up and turned him into a horny toad. # O Brother, Where Art Thou?

I’ll be back! ~ The Terminator

Hasta la vista, baby! ~ Terminator 2

Nobody puts Baby in the corner! ~ Dirty Dancing

Ditto! ~ Ghost

To be honest, I quite often quote from The Simpsons, rather than films!  The Simpsons has produced hundreds of awesome quotes of the years!  Here’s some of my faves:

1. Homer: I’m normally not a praying man, but if you’re up there, please save me, Superman.
2. Homer: Save me, Jeebus.
3. Homer: You don’t like your job, you don’t strike. You go in every day and do it really half-assed. That’s the American way.
4. Chief Wiggum: Can’t you people take the law into your own hands? I mean, we can’t be policing the entire city!
5. Homer: Weaseling out of things is important to learn. It’s what separates us from the animals…except the weasel.
6. Homer: Kids, you tried your best and you failed miserably. The lesson is, never try.
7. Troy McClure: Hi. I’m Troy McClure. You may remember me from such self-help tapes as “Smoke Yourself Thin” and “Get Some Confidence, Stupid!”
8. Homer: Donuts. Is there anything they can’t do?
9. Homer: I’m going to the back seat of my car, with the woman I love, and I won’t be back for ten minutes!
10. Bart: I didn’t think it was physically possible, but this both sucks *and* blows.

2. Have you ever ridden a motorcycle?

Ha!  I can’t even ride an ordinary pushbike!!

3. What’s your favorite thing to do on a rainy day?

I love to snuggle up on the sofa with Hubby and the girls in our jammies (PJs) and watch films!

4. Do you prefer a bunch of small gifts, or one really big, (expensive) gift?

Oh!  Can I not pick a bunch of really big expensive ones?!  No?  Oh okay!  I’d say one really big expensive gift!  Anything from the following list will suffice:

• A new laptop
• An DSLR camera
• The new Kindle Fire (once it comes out!)
• An iPod Nano

5. Do you ever lose track of days and show up somewhere wrong?

Yep!  I’ve turned up for dental appointments, hairdresser appointments and beauty salon appointments on the wrong day!  I’ve also turned up for a meeting at work on the wrong day!!  :O

1. How was your Halloween?
2. Show photos of autumn in your area.

Fresh crisp Egyptian cotton sheets are my preference.

I am from Scotland, UK, and so therefore my time zone is Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).

3. What is your favourite part of the holiday season?

I love seeing the magic of Christmas in my daughters’ wee faces, when they have Christmas parties, when they visit Santa in the shopping mall, when they take part in their school nativity service and when they see their presents on Christmas morning!

4. What is your favourite “wintry” drink? (It doesn’t have to be an “alcoholic” drink!)

When I was younger, my Grandpa used to make ginger wine at Christmastime.  It was non-alcoholic, sweet and very nippy, but I LOVED it!  Nowadays, I enjoy a glass or two of mulled wine during the Christmas season.  It is alcoholic and quite potent!  It’s best enjoyed with a hot mince pie!  Yummmmm!!! J

Well, there’s a few candidates that spring to mind:

• Chiropodist / Podiatrist – I HATE feet!!!  The only feet I can tolerate are children’s feet, particularly tiny soft little baby feet!!  Adult feet are disgusting!!  Hard skin, bunions, corns, fungal infections, calluses, etc!!  Need I say more?… *Yuck* :S
• Dentist / Hygienist – Looking in peoples mouths would not be much more fun than looking at and touching their feet!!  *Bleugh*
• Plumber – Smelly blocked drains and toilets?  No thanks!  Getting stuck into someone’s U-bend?  No thanks!!
• Beauty Therapist – Think this is a glamorous job?  Think again!  You’d have to wax people’s ‘bits’!  *shudders* You’d have to do pedicures on above-mentioned yucky feet!  *boak*  You’d have to massage and tan big wobbly sweaty bodies!  *cringe* Not to mention the perverted men looking for “extras”!! *gasp*  (I have heard first-hand from several beauty therapists who have been propositioned by a sick perverted client!!) *shivers* Absolutely no thank you!!

It’s Working Mommy Wednesday! Today’s prompts are:

1. Does being a mom cause your co-workers to think of you as the “office mom”?
2. Children’s books can be, boring – have you found any that are fun to read over and over?

Have I found any fun children’s books which we can read over and over?

I sure have!!  In our house, we all love reading our huge collection of Barefoot Books together!

I joined Barefoot Books as an Ambassador in April 2008, and enjoy displaying and sharing the beautiful books at events, parties and fundraisers throughout Central Scotland.

My daughters have a whole cupboard full of beautiful Barefoot Books that they love to read alone or with Mummy. Some of the books also include an audio CD with stories, songs or rhymes! I like to give these beautiful books as gifts to friends and family, and my ‘special box’ (as the girls call it!) is a frequent source of inspiration for last-minute gifts for children’s parties!
Here’s a few of our favourites:

• The Gigantic Turnip
• The Parrot Tico Tango
• The Barefoot Book of Princesses
• Mama Panya’s Pancakes

Here’s some Halloween fun from Barefoot Books:

Read my WMW Part 1 post from earlier today: Working Mummy But Not Work Mum

Join in the WMW fun over with Rachel over at Occasional Boredom.

It’s Working Mommy Wednesday! Today’s prompts are:

1. Does being a mom cause your co-workers to think of you as the “office mom”?
2. Children’s books can be, boring – have you found any that are fun to read over and over?

Am I the Office Mum?

A couple of years ago, a sixteen year old boy came to work in our office as a Skillseeker (modern apprentice).  When he first arrived, I was suddenly struck with the realisation that I was old enough to be his mother, and it kinda freaked me out a little!!  What freaked me out even more was that I later found out that his mother is actually younger than me!!!  :O He sat in the desk opposite me, and I suppose I did take on the role of Office Mum and I couldn’t help but mother him!!  I advised him, checked up on him, stood up for him, chastised him, etc… all the things us mums do to our kids!

He is now 19 years old and he still works in the same organisation as me, but he now works in a different team.

Thankfully, I no longer feel like the Office Mum, as my current colleagues are all closer in age to me, and I am also no longer the only parent!!

I will answer the second WMW in a different post later… so come back soon and see my pick of children’s books!!…