Are we in a Credit Crunch?

Are we still in the credit crunch? The media is still full of ideas to reduce your spending, get a better deal, make a homemade meal!  We have been led to believe that the world is going into financial meltdown.   I can’t help thinking that with or without the financial meltdown a trip back to basics would do body, soul and society the world of good? 

 I am a single mother living on a limited income, the current financial difficulties are mainly passing me by – I don’t have a mortgage, My credit cards deserted me about the same time as my well paid job (which begs the question why did I need credit cards with a healthy salary?), my car is economical by financial necessity rather than some great sacrifice to the environment and after feeding eight children savings are a nice idea, but falling interest rates will not interrupt my beauty sleep!  In reality  people are now questioning the price of their lifestyles, they are asking themselves whether they actually need that new TV when the old one is not only working but not yet out of warranty and empty pubs and restaurants reflect the rise in home cooking.   Obviously what we spend and the credit we take is a personal decision made in the most part in good faith, but a pact with the devil does spring to mind!

I was a teenager in the eighties and it was great, my grandmother made me sit and watch our first female Prime Minister elected, anything was possible.  Yuppies were born, shoulder pads became penis substitutes and phones became mobile (if you had a big enough handbag!).  Was that the start of the downfall of society? There are those who say it was, in my humble opinion I think that we have come a long way in the right direction, society is still there, but we may be a bit off centre in our definition of happiness and what we need to achieve it. 

It has taken me a long time and some hard knocks to get my priorities in the right order, but my children and I are happier now than ever.   Having spent some time feeling like the underdog I am now waiting for society to catch up with me and my very happy lifestyle!  Why not try it for yourself and if you would like to know how to feed your family on less than a pound a head knock on my door the kettle is always on ………………..

This is me

I am 39 years old,  I am a single mother,  I have a brain and happy well adjusted children.  I know!  Who would have thought it?  It surprises me  too. 

Although, I could be forgiven for leaving my brain at the bottom of a Gin bottle and giving up on independent thought altogether.   

I do feel that I should qualify my situation, with a tangible excuse for my last statement.  So here goes;  I have  8 children, from 16 months to 19 years,

7 boys and 1 baby girl.  My eldest is a Soldier and about to be deployed to Afghanistan, my youngest (daughter) was until very recently oxygen dependant. 

In between I have 3 other teenagers, a 12 year old and two more at 8 and 3.   I juggle this lot with earning a living as a writer, my first and only love.  Oh and

did I mention my grandson, a gift from my 17 year old son, who proves it is possible to be a great father at any age.

In my life, time is a luxury and any time that I do have usually gets filled very quickly by my children, how daft is the question “are you busy mum?” when I quite clearly have my head in the washing machine.  It is then followed, without waiting for a reply, with “could you just….”’ well actually I am busy and after I have finished being busy, I quite fancied trying to maintain my mental health and stress levels by having a few moments alone, perhaps even finish the book that I started 3 months ago, catch up with the 100 hours of TV that I have recorded or just staring into space!  But true contentment is realising that the life of a teenager supersedes everything else in the universe and I am but a simple soul with a driver’s licence and a bank account.

Of course, the idea of being alone is much better than the reality that sees me mooching around that house pinning for the noise.  Several weeks ago I got fed up with being the go between for my children, called a family meeting, made them swap mobile numbers and instructed them to talk directly to each other.  This plan has been successful in all ways but one.  I feel left out and I have absolutely no idea what is going on!

Do I really need trainers ?

Is it wrong that I don’t have a pair of trainers?  Can one function without a pair?  Well 10 years ago I was 30 and the last time I owned a pair of trainers was 1986 the year I left school.  It was about this time that I read an article about Marilyn Monroe in which she stated that she only wore Chanel No 5 to bed.  Well I was hooked, I started wearing Chanel and became a Glamour Puss,  ah no, wait, that was a dream.  I have never felt the need to own a pair of trainers, just as I have never felt the need to run anywhere.  I have a watch, a car and  I am always on time, therefore  no reason to run and in turn trainers are not needed.  What about Fashion and comfort?  I hear you say.  Firstly, I am a woman I have given birth comfort is not in my vocabulary.  Secondly, Fashion? I am stylish not fashionable.  I got that last bit from a quote although I can’t remember who said it or the full quotation…

 I have lived my life without trainers and I refuse to buy a pair now, I refuse to give up my Chanel and my pretty shoes.  Did you wonder where this is going?  Surely I wouldn’t just write a blog on why I don’t have trainers?  I might do!

The fact is I got involved with a charity, a good one helping veterans of all ages, Danny is sweet the cause is next to my heart, and he has a bright idea. 

What kind of mad person organises a 131 mile walk across country?  What sort of person participates?  Well dear readers that would be me.  I will walk to honour my son, my brother the colleagues that they have lost and in the process find my inner athlete and of course raise a huge amount of money.

If you would like to know more please visit www.forcesmarch.org.uk

I am off to the training shoe shop

MOTHERS

 

MOTHERS

Real Mothers don’t eat quiche; They don’t have time to make it.

Real Mothers know that their kitchen utensils Are probably in the sandbox.

Real Mothers often have sticky floors, Filthy ovens and happy kids.

Real Mothers know that dried play dough Doesn’t come out of carpets.

Real Mothers don’t want to know what The vacuum just sucked up.

Real Mothers sometimes ask ‘Why me?’ And get their answer when a little Voice says, ‘Because I love you best.’

Real Mothers know that a child’s growth Is not measured by height or years or grade… It is marked by the progression of Mummy to Mum to Mother…

Priceless?

 

Recently some of Audrey Hepburns dresses have been auctioned.  The one she wore in the film ‘How to steal a million’ by her favourite designer Hubert de Givenchy sold for £60,000.  I can’t believe it especially when New Look have a half price sale!  I am actually a huge Hepburn fan, my favourite being ‘Breakfast at Tiffanys’ and my glib comments mask my jealousy of the person who found that amount of money for a second hand dress.

Also in the news today is the auction of two paintings, a Rembrant and a drawing by Raphael, which sold for a collective £79 million.  Don’t get me wrong, I do appreciate art and enjoy a wander around art galleries, but I don’t understand how they are worth so much money.  Take the Mona Lisa, for instance: a very small, and in my opinion, very ugly painting, but its value is literally priceless.  The Mona Lisa is not insured, but does enjoy the most expensive security money can buy.  Now being a single mother, the latest work of art in my collection came from Wilkinsons and cost just under £5, it is insured along with my other irreplaceble tat!  But I know more than most that insurance can’t replace everything.

A little while ago we had a house fire and lost almost everything, apart from what we stood up in (we were not in the house at the time).  Its at times like this when true perspective is gained.  I had spent years and many pounds on my litttle collections of collectables.  My clothes all had labels, I had a lipstick for every day of the year and more shoes than I could wear; in the space of 1/2 hour none of that mattered.  We were able to go in and salvage what we could.  Although my family decided that it was best if I didn’t go in, they did find the bag of photographs behind a wardrobe, undammaged.  To me those tatty photos recording our family life and images of relatives and friends past and present were truly priceless.

Wear Red with Pride

This is not my experience, but sent to me – now I have stopped crying, I share it with you

“Last week at a London airport, several people began to clap and cheer.                                                                                                                 
 The writer immediately turned around and witnessed one of the greatest acts of  patriotism I have ever seen.                                     
                                                                            
 Moving through the terminal was a group of soldiers in their uniforms, as 
 they began heading to their gate everyone (well almost everyone) was      
 abruptly to their feet with their hands waving and cheering.              
                                                                            
 When I saw the soldiers, probably 30-40 of them, being applauded and      
 cheered for, it hit me. I’m not alone. I’m not the only red blooded Briton
 who still loves this country   and supports our troops and their families.
 Of course I immediately stopped and began clapping for these young  unsung heroes who are putting their lives on the line everyday for us so we can go to school, work, and enjoy our home without fear or reprisal.          
                                                                            
 Just when I thought I could not be more proud of my country or of our 
 service men and women a young girl, not more than 6 or 7 years old, ran up to one of the male soldiers.                                              
                                                                            
 He knelt down and said ‘hi,’ the little girl then asked him if he would   
 give something to her daddy for her.                                      
                                                                            
 The young soldier didn’t look any older than maybe 22 himself, said he 
 would try and what did she want to give to her daddy.                     
                                                                            
 Suddenly the little girl grabbed the neck of this soldier, gave him the   
 biggest hug she could muster and then kissed him on the cheek.            
                                                                            
 The mother of the little girl, who said her daughters name was Courtney, told the young soldier that her husband was a Corporal and had been in  Afghanistan for 5 months now.                                             
                                                                            
 As the mum was explaining how much her daughter, Courtney, missed her father, the young soldier began to tear up.                               
                                                                           
 When this temporarily single mum was done explaining her situation, all of the soldiers huddled together for a brief second.                         
                                                                            
 Then one of the other servicemen pulled out a military looking walkie-talkie.                                                            
                                                                            
 They started playing with the device and talking back and forth on it.    
                                                                            
 After about 10-15 seconds of this, the young soldier walked back over to Courtney, bent down and said this to her, ‘I spoke to your daddy and he told me to give this to you.’                                             
                                                                            
 He then hugged this little girl that he had just met and gave her a Kiss on the cheek.                                                             
                                                                            
 He finished by saying ‘Your daddy told me to tell you that he loves you more than anything and he is coming home very soon.’                      
                                                                            
 The mum at this point was crying almost uncontrollably and as the young soldier stood to his feet he saluted Courtney and her mum.                
                                                                            
 I was standing no more than 6 feet away as this entire event unfolded.    
                                                                            
 As the soldiers began to leave, heading towards their gate, people resumed their applause.                                                           
                                                                            
 As I stood there applauding and looked around, there were very few dry eyes, including my own.                                                   
                                                                            
 That young soldier in one last act of moment turned around and blew a kiss to Courtney with a tear rolling down his cheek.                           
                                                                            
 We need to remember everyday all of our soldiers and their families and thank God for them and their sacrifices.                                  
                                                                            
 At the end of the day, it’s good to be an Englishman.                     
                                                                            
 RED FRIDAYS                                                               
                                                                            
 Very soon, you will see a great many people wearing Red every Friday.     
                                                                            
 The reason?                                                               
                                                                            
 Englishmen and women who support our troops used to be called the ‘silent majority’.                                                                
                                                                            
 We are no longer silent, and are voicing our love for Country and home in record breaking numbers.                                                  
                                                                            
 We are not organized, boisterous or over-bearing.                         
                                                                            
 We get no liberal media coverage on TV, to reflect our message or our  opinions.                                                                 
                                                                            
 Many English people, like you, me and all our friends, simply want to recognize that the vast majority of  Britain supports our troops.         
                                                                            
 Our idea of showing solidarity and support for our troops with dignity and respect starts this Friday and continues each and every Friday until the troops all come home, sending a deafening message that every Briton who supports our men and women afar will wear something red.                  
                                                                            
 By word of mouth, press, TV — let’s make Great Britain on every Friday a sea of red much like a homecoming football team                           
                                                                            
 If every one of us who loves this country will share this with acquaintances, co-workers, friends, and family, It will not be long before Britain is covered in RED and it will let our troops know the once ‘silent’ majority is on their side more than ever, certainly more than the media lets on.                                                            
                                                                            
 The first thing a soldier says when asked ‘What can we do to make things better for you?’ is…’We need your support and your prayers’…          
                                                                            
 Let’s get the word out and lead with class and dignity, by example; and  wear something red every Friday.                                          
                                                                            
 IF YOU AGREE — THEN SEND THIS ON                                         
                                                                            
 IF YOU COULD NOT CARE LESS THEN HIT THE DELETE BUTTON.                    
                                                                            
 IT IS YOUR CHOICE.                                                        
                                                                            
 THEIR BLOOD RUNS RED—- SO WEAR RED! —                                 
                                                                            
 Lest we Forget”

Good Men

My eldest son is currently preparing to be deployed to Afghanistan. I have very little words for the enormity of my feelings on this, but I do have a favourite quote; EVIL THRIVES WHERE GOOD MEN DO NOTHING. It brings me comfort to know that every young person who joins the forces does so because they want to make a differnce. Until recently I had no idea where the quote came from. Edmund Burke is the man responsible for this and many other insightful quotations. He lives in the 18th century and was regarded as the father of modern conservatism. History records that his quotation has been valid throughout time. In 2009 we are surrounded by ‘evil’ ‘injustice’ and the need for ‘good men’. We need more people to fight for an alternative for our children and to say no to injustice. It is within us all. Shout and someone will hear you, people will join you and changes will be made.

Our children need new role models

The latest statistics reveal that as many as 1 in 5 16 to 24 year olds are not in work or education.  This is the highest rate in 14 years and should be a huge concern to all of us, not just those with children.  The government have made some effort and by 2013 the school leaving age will be raised, meaning that young people will have to be in education or training until they are 18.  This is a step in the right direction, but will there be training programmes available?  We are already hearing that colleges and universities are loosing funding and places on apprenticeship schemes are still very limited.  By failing to invest in children we fail to invest in society.  I believe that the current climate of celebrity has to take some responsibility.  The front pages of newspapers and the glossy pages of magazines are full of so called celebrities doing things that we would rather not see our children doing.  These people have become role models to our children.  A generation ago if you asked a 10 year old child want they wanted to be when they grew up, they would have said; doctor, nurse, fireman, traindriver, teacher.  Today they are most likely to say “I want to be famous”.  Famous as what?  The scientist who cured cancer? No!  They want to be plastered all over the tabloids falling out of nightclubs and buy fast cars that they will inevitably drive into a tree.  We all buy the celebrity magazines, the purfumes, the autobiographies and spend Saturday nights voting for the next person who will be hurled in to a world that may ultimately destroy them.  We need to take a stand.  Aneurin Bevan, was a labour politician at the beginning of the 20th century, he said Political tolerance is the byproduct of complacency….  It does go on as a speech against the ruling classes, but we we could apply it to ourselves today.

Katie Price

Today it has been reported that Katie Price has been nominated for Mother of the Year.  As this is voted by the public, I have to say that this is a damming reflection of our society.  Ms Price maybe a sucessful business woman, who has enough money to give her the freedom to do what she wants, but what price do her children pay?  In the months since her marraige break up she has played a game which at some time in the future will come back to haunt her children.  Who are the people who have made this nomination?  Are they mothers themself?  I would say not.  No mother would consider the behaviour of this woman to be the best for her children.  I can only summise that some young women are aspiring to a life where children do not get in the way of their social lives.  The ‘you can have it all’ attitude is misleading.   Living your life in the public eye as they do is very dangerous, there are no bounderies.  Katie’s mother must recall in horror every time she sees a newspaper and in time so will her children.

Hello I am Rosie

Hello I am Rosie Day, freelance writer, online editor and blogger.  I am 39 years old and live in the south of England with 7 of my 8 children.  My eldest son is a Grenadier Guard and is currently preparing to be deployed to Afghanistan.  I live by the old adage ‘if you want something doing ask a busy woman’!  You can also find me at www.rosieday.co.uk or www.rosiegoesshopping.com or www.rosiesday.com  Please come and say Hello at these websites.  I plan to use this blog to give my opinion on just about everything!