Friday 29 July 2011

A moving experience

The packers are here and half our stuff has been boxed up. The rest will be done tomorrow and then away they go to Scotland with our lives safe in bubble wrap, paper and cardboard. We will follow on Sunday.
It's going to be fantastic living under the same roof as Mr Plummy Mummy. We have all missed that a lot.
Last week, tot finished at the excellent Greenslade nursery. Her teacher and the assistants are the loveliest people. I'm going to miss the parents at the gates in the mornings as [mostly] they were such a down-to-earth normal lot. Tot is very excited about going to Scotland but I am sure there will be tears next week when she realises we can't just pop round to see L (boy), A (girl), L (girl), I (girl), O or I (boys) or down to the woods with P (boy), G (boy) and C (boy). All gorgeous kids who we will both miss like mad.
Talking about kids, a unplanned surprise happened this week as I saw the magic Clearblue words "Pregnant 1-2 weeks". Even hubby, who hadn't been keen in the past, was happy. But the joy was ridiculously shortlived as I began to miscarry on Wednesday. We went through this two years ago though that time, the pregnancy was slightly further along and we felt a lot sadder. Don't get me wrong, we are realistic about age and our chances, but it still sucks. The move is keeping us distracted for now but when the dust settles, the tears will flow.
Our time in the borough feels shortlived too as we weren't ready to move but circumstances dictate that we must. We live on a friendly cul de sac - some of our neighbours popped in today thinking we were going as the van is outside.
So many great things are happening in Greenwich and it's been wonderful to see the improvements in Plumstead.

Thank you for popping by to read this blog. I'm keeping the name for now as frankly, I love it. The writing won't be about Plumstead but this blog was never just about that - instead it will be about the next chapter in the Plummy Mummy household and whatever else takes my fancy so it's goodbye but just for now - up, up and AWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY!!!!!!!!!!!

Friday 15 July 2011

Progress

Was just pleasantly surprised to read:

Transport for London have cancelled the weekend closure planned for 9pm Friday 15 July, until 5am Monday 18 July, as works are progressing ahead of schedule.

Now I can travel to North London without the stress of driving back before the deadline. Mind you, we often take the city route and my little one loves to sing "London Bridge is falling down" as we cross. Much as she likes to shout Fire, Fire!! when we are in public museums. Thank goodness her voice doesn't travel much.

One person's rubbish is...

I'm a bit behind the times with this but I did my first Freecycle interaction today. It felt really good to be able to give something away that in all honesty, would have just been taken the recycling centre.
I joined the local group a few weeks ago. At first, I was shocked to see what people ask for as my parents always taught me to never expect something I couldn't afford to have - but as the old saying goes "if you don't ask, you don't get" and in these days of credit crunching and recession, people need things they can no longer afford.
Around the same time, I've also put some items on Ebay to sell for the first time...Again, I'm late to that party. I admit one has been hanging around in my wardrobe for around 4 years waiting to go on Ebay. It took me nearly 2 hours to do the listing from taking photos to writing a description.
As this is all new, I have not yet learnt the tricks and tips that would make my items sell more successfully - if you are a veteran, please can you share some of your knowledge.....for free?

Friday 8 July 2011

the moving finger writes

The moving finger writes; and having writ,
Moves on: nor all your Piety nor Wit,
Shall lure it back to cancel half a line
Nor all your tears wash out a word of it
--- Omar Khayyam
One of the things I'm looking forward to once we move is writing to friends and family in London. Although I am a fan of the Internet, use Facebook and twitter I still like to send and receive post. And whilst I don't have the most marvellous penmanship, I like to write by hand. I think it is such as shame that these days, we only get handwritten missives inside birthday, anniversary and Christmas cards - though I love reading the yearly roundup of news. Now with our move, I'm looking forward to searching out postcards and writing of our little adventures - after all though a picture may say 1000 words, an actual personal word or two brings a smile to the face too. And it's a good way to encourage our child to write and read - result all round.

Things to do

Just noticed some friends have "liked" this site. It's got some useful information about activities for kids:
Greenwich Kids

Other useful sites I've used in the past are:
Netmums' what's on
Family days out with kids
London toilet map (very useful if you are just potty training)
Time Out kids page

Saturday 2 July 2011

Nature at LesNes Abbey

A friend and I took our kids along to the playground next to Lesnes Abbey yesterday and then went for a walk around the ruins. This park always amazes me as it's beautiful, hardly has any visitors and is gorgeous to walk around. I was particularly impressed with the wild meadow area and the planting arrangements. Just wish I had had a proper camera with me.
Does anyone know what the fruit is?