Very Small Feet

December usually busy and well festive... we both work in hospitality and catering and there are also school things... but this year things are different.  For starters there is pandemic. Means we haven’t really seen anyone. Family since August, some friends since before the 1st lockdown in March ....  I am also very pregnant. I do attract small moons and am super uncomfortable in maternity leggings, that’s says something right!  And then there is school drama. All the lockdown rules and regulations are different in UK. Here is Wales there was a 17 days firebreak lockdown.... and well it didn’t work. Or people are irresponsible or maybe both. So the schools been told to shut from 16 December, happy birthday to me... then last week we got message that some of teachers/teaching assistants got symptoms and we have stay home. Think all of us were hoping for 2 more days of school at least... well they tested positive so children have to isolate until weekend. So double happy birthday to me.

So I have never actually wrote about this ... not saying exactly what it is and how is it... and well it’s not easy.  About 2 years ago on a nice summer day we have been told, that my partner suspected and what I was in denial about that our little one has autism.  Everyone experiencing autism differently, and it is different for everyone. Spectrum is wide. Some have extra gifts like music or math, some cannot stand certain things, like wearing certain fabrics or maybe loud noises.... some like Egg don’t really speak.  There is no cure and it’s is not a disease...  There is a lot of learning and understanding to do. We are all getting better at this. Some days are great others not so much.  But he is a loving happy boy. He is now trying to talk and learns new things everyday...  My hubby is excellent at finding all these incredible audiobooks, can’t quiet read about it, on the subject. The best discovery so far was  The Reason I Jump by Naoki Higashida  translated by Keiko Yoshida and

This year has been crazy ... well it’s still crazy and still very uncertain and corona filled (not the beer).  So the general consensus is do what brings you joy and make you happy.... and folks have Christmas trees and decoration out already! Hey I am all up for do what makes you happy.... but I am in two minds.  It’s November! Not even half way in November....  Maybe I am feeling superior because I cannot get to my decorations in the attic by my self?  I get the “influencer” folk need to create content... but some how it feels so early still! Oh and I am totally watching all the Festive DIYs on YouTube and what not. But I am not in the spirit yet. Maybe because I am pregnant and still nesting in anticipation... maybe because we don’t see friends and family and pressure is not on. Which is a nice feeling actually!  So yeah don’t feel pressured into a “prefect” festive look already. Also there is no such thing as perfect. Don’t forget (note to self too) things on internet not necessari

I think I already spoke a lot about the culture and perception around catering and hospitality in the UK. It is seen as unskilled and cheap yet we all want excellent service and food. Well chef’s job is not only physical and physiologically hard and Ratatouille Colette’s rant describes it very well. At the same time waiter (a good waiter) it is also super hard, talk to customers, give suggestion if needed, make sure everyone is happy with everything including you manager that you have “Up sell” enough ... but yet it is still it’s unskilled.  My little rant is over I am actually here to tell you why my chef husband hates one of our son’s favourite cartoon.  With arrivals of Disney + we have watched a lot of Ratatouille a lot. Like a lot. Also the short cartoon is also brilliant. I actually have very fond memories of watching it on the plane back to Russia when British Airways still flew there, when I had choice of what white wine I wanted the Australian or French? Oh I do miss nice flyi

Here is a photo of my cat with her tongue out.  Wales is in lockdown 2.0 and well I feel all the feelings. We are lucky that hubby is on furlough, that schools will reopen after half term for us, so little one will not miss it! But it still is scary. We don’t know if it will last as long as 2 weeks or will it be more.  I guess it’s ok to feel uncertain and scared sometimes. At least in spring summer lockdown it was nice weather and lots of vitamin D that does affect the mood.  Also I am in 3rd trimester of pregnancy and it’s also not clear. If hubby can come. When will he be able to come with me. Will I have to be alone? Or who would watch the big boy?  And all this silliness with only essential items in supermarkets. I get that it’s fairer I guess but what about people who don’t have access to internet to order a book or new duvet?  Oh you get it. It’s strange and scary but we are going to be ok right? So let’s just be nice to each other, wash hands, stay 2 meter apart ... and here is

With pandemic and lockdown looking I have managed to quit my actual work just like a month before the spring/summer lockdown. I just couldn’t anymore. I am not “captain close”, I wasn’ appreciated, especially after we managed to work the entire family so we can both cover the festive season. End of the day it was not worth it... I made new friends and that was nice!  I had 3 interviews and 2 trial shifts when I got one no and no reply after... because next week lockdown came in effect in Wales. But it’s still a bad form not to talk to your potential employees. And the job I didn’t get the only thing was the issue, that I needed to leave to pick up the child from after school club like twice a week early... shameful really. Oh but never mind.  I am pregnant now so it worked out I guess...  Here is me a month ago in preloved outfit. Hawaiian vintage dress form local vintage shop and DKNY jacket form second hand shop in russia.  The little one is a full time job. His extra needs don’t mak

All week I was doing something. Like making time to go to post office, ikea, thrifting for my self and for my Etsy shop...  It was nice to see my friends in the end of the week. And with all this COVID things it was nice to have a bit of normality. But Friday was the best. And it’s been forever since I left the house in the morning and spend all day out.  Currently my days are with just these two. And very very rarely they involve other people... COVID and life raisons really. We are the only ones to have a child out of most of our friends ... so you get it I guess.  So Friday I hopped on the bus and went to different area of the city. We used to live there but business and things have changed so much it was like a trip to different city all together. Plan was to go thrifting. And maybe coffee...  And what’s what they did. Most of charity shops we went into were very good with mask wearing, sanitiser and social distancing. Hats off to all the volunteers! Some people of course think the

If you are following me on social media you might already know that I am growing a human again... It’s a boy again. Means less new clothes!  But maternity clothes and my 5 foot self do not get along well. I am just the wrong height and it seems so wasteful to buy clothes for just a period of time... and it’s different season baby, so most of things that I have from my 1st pregnancy just too cold. And a bit small!  But ...    Again very lucky that some of my actual clothes allow for a bump. And eBay to the rescue! It doesn’t need to cost arm and a leg to be comfortable and cute. I managed to find a bundle of maternity clothes (3 jeans, 3 trousers and a skirt) for like £10.05 with delivery. I just had to shorten some of the trousers. Not all of these fit but I am going to pass them on! And quiet a bit of my clothes are preloved anyway. Like this dress above!  And here are some of these jeans. The top is M&S bigger than my regular size and it was £3.99 from my favourite charity shop.

Do you remember when it was the beginning of quarantine we were only allowed to leave the house for a daily exercise...  We also discovered that wee man needs to go out of the house for a bit to be sane and less bored and therefore in the better mood. So daily walks are now a must and part of routine and life now. We explore. We touch things, like acorns, mosses and pine cones.... We also dance and jump....  And now we have several regular walks around town. We discovered the he really loves running around the hills of Grangemore, we finally found the Wetlands, and the Ely trail is much nicer walk to supermarket.  Today we went for  walk in the rain  Now husband is back to work it’s just me and wee man... walk walk walk and walk. Safe to say I am looking forward to start of school and a bit of change of my routine. I am a bit tired of all the walking. I would love to see if I can still (currently pregnant) go to the gym. And I just miss a bit of alone time...  And my strava app is dail

When I was little my grand and my aunt taught me how to sew, embroider, crochet and knit. I was always drawing or glueing something, later on the same aunt was gifting me amazing craft books, so I can make my own jewellery and basics of macrame, for friendship bracelets.  Later in my teens I made my self skits and bags. But then I stopped. I moved to different country and never had my stash or spare money to get stuff... so it took a while to get back into making.  I was sewing here and there, eye masks mainly. But I haven’t made anything clothes wise in over 10 years... So I have made a trial run pinafore out of the old bed sheet I was going to buy a nicer fabric to made it but then I have discovered I have a bun in the oven!  And then I made Adam shorts... (fibre mood magazine do give them a Google’s and a purchase!) Turns out I m rubbish at cutting out! Also it didn’t help that’s I was reusing old jeans... then I didn’t transfer all the notches and markings but for the 1st try it tu

Did you know that there is trend of tea totalling and general non-drinkers. I think this is super exciting!  Especially now that I am pregnant and cannot have my regular glass of wine... oh Malbec I do miss you a little. Some days more some days I don’t remember you at all... well anyway, I have been exploring the world of alcohol free drinks.  Last time I had a non alcoholic wine it was red and it was disgusting. And it was 6 years ago.  So I have tried this two sparking “wines”. The Nosecco is from Tesco and it was on offer at £3 and the Noughty sparkling Chardonnay from Amazon for £8.99. The annoying thing with Amazon that I had to show my ID at the door.  The Noughty tastes like dry Chardonnay... and it’s alright. The Nosecco I found a bit more artificial in flavour and on the sweet side, I guess a bit like actual Prosecco.  These are nice but I not my favourite yet. Search continues. The non alcoholic are different story and once again for another day! 

Is bee even a bug? Oh no I already in the rumble...  When tv was showing great pottery throw down I was happily attending pottery classes in my local indi coffee shop, last session had to be postponed due to the obvious reasons... and well then summer was mark by amazing season of sewing bee.  Oh I love me some Great British Sewing Bee!  So I thought well I have time... so I dusted off my sewing machine and well started.  Made some sleeping masks. Actually I had to redo them since they turned out too chunky... then I made a pinafore from the old bed sheet. Like a test run. I haven’t been making stuff from the actual pattern in well over 15 years (well not since I was a teenager). I got the bug. I am planning a Christmas themed quilt. I never made a quilt but I found a nice and simple tutorial on YouTube. I also signed up for some fab makers, sewers channels there. And now trying to learn how to sew with stretch fabrics. Plan is to turn some old hubby’s tees into son’s summer vests.  I

I have this pair of sandals. They are very comfortable don’t hurt my feet, they didn’t coast a great deal.  They are by Scholl and I got them inexpensively from my local tkmaxx about 4 years ago. I am a mum to a very energetic child who has all my spare time. I walk places and it’s fair to say that these sandals are worn and worn time and time again. In summer I have the tan lines as is I still have them on.  See what I mean?  This year I am trying not to buys anything new. As much as I can but then again with a growing child...  So my shoes busted on the soles...  But luckily I know a guy. I mean there are Timpson dudes are outside and inside every supermarket but they are a big company and I like my small independent cobblers who you will really build  the relationship with. Well for £14 and a next day my sandals were even better than new I am ready for more adventures.  There is so much information around the fast fashion, the sustainability and such aroun

So yesterday I took wee man to school. He was confused as it was different his teacher looked like an alien with a visor and “beep” thing to take his temperature and it was the wrong entrance. But after being a unsure he had a good day. We are all pleased and relived... and I went to town.  The non essential shops are allowed to open in Wales now. So I was curious what was opened. Oh don’t worry I would put the mask on second I walked into anywhere and used a hand sanitiser after. I was hoping to look for second had treasures in charity shops but that was not to be as the majority is still shut. Could be because of extra steps to follow or to the fact that folks who volunteer are older and perhaps are still shielding.  But town was something else...  River was still and it wasn’t very cold.  Half of the roads in city centre are closed and there are cyclists, and very few people out actually. Well it was early on Tuesday I guess. I needed to get bigger trousers for Egg, he really grew o

I know I was absent from here but you know it’s been well different.  Life has been put on hold. Keeping sane been a priority.  We have been doing some homeschooling, some days better than others but we did it. And we are still doing it. I am also hatching plans on bit more school stuff on holidays. The child seems keen.  I also rediscovered my love for garden. Especially not that it is in full summer mode I m very much looking forward to poppies to start to bloom. I planted them for two years and it’s the 1st year they are out and strong!  And thanks to Great British Sewing Bee I am very into my sewing now too. Still am a bit scared to use actual fabric but the pinafore I made out of old bedsheet is rather lovely!  And next week little man will be going back two school. Only two days a week but it will be nice to do something different.  Hope you all keeping well too! 

So last Friday night I was waking to the kitchen. Next thing I know I almost fall down and the pain.... the pain!  I tripped on the vacuum cleaner “nose” and twisted my ankle.... I have never done anything like this before. The shock the pain. And of course I thought I broke my foot and how would I get to A&E because let’s face it the hospitals are the last place you want to be in current situation...  I am pleased to report that after two days of pretty much just bed. I can walk again.  Yeah foot is all shades of the rainbow and walking to the shop to pick up some recycling bags took it’s toll.... but you know I am sore but I can move. My men folk were super stars and actually left me alone for two days. I had iPad, snacks and wine in bed. But I did have to come out by the evening and feel more social. Kid of course grabbed my foot because well why is it resting on the cushion after all?! I see his point really. But I felt rested. I’m not fully recovered. Sadly it might take anoth

It’s funny how launch of Disney + in UK was around the start of the lockdown. Marketing planning? Did they plant a virus... but all jokes aside we love it!  Unless the internet isn’t working which happens on occasion. But yeah, kid been watching lots is Pixar, I have tried to push Nat Geo animal documentaries but he wasn’t having it. Also we discovered all the short films! Oh my the Float made us both cry and hold little one tight. If husband started with Simpsons I feel into the hole is Star Wars! And there is so much of it and I never even see these before. Oh it keeps me busy when I don’t fancy watching a film or anything (like hubby playing his mine craft)  I guess I was always a fan of fantasy sci fiction fan. I just didn’t have the access to it. But I just enjoy it for what it is, fun escaping and great story telling. I don’t have an issue with new trilogy and with Jar Jar Bings even thought the prequels were well so long and boring.  (Here is my little light things, called Rex a

Lockdown continues. But I have to say we were really lucky with weather and we are lucky to have garden.  And we managed to do all the jobs we meant to do about 2 years ago... like painting, clearing the gravel things (aka cats littler box, all the cats, including ours) And this is only before and after! I actually found it rather calming. Just watch the paint adhere to surface...  We also met some snails... this is Trevor. He helps with homeschooling.  I guess we keep busy, we keep active...  But now I am waiting for everything to grow, flowers, herbs, tomatoes. I even potted some of the forgotten potatoes.  Oh with gravel gone cats now poop on flower bed. Anyone had any advice on that? I am hoping that once the flowers will appear the pooping will stop. But now they are just tiny things rather than full tall blooms.  I did asked the little man to help me with pea potting. He got so excited and shook the pea packed... so I have peas growing form flower bed too. But it’s nice that the

City centre of Cardiff is full of chains... restaurants, shops and rarely you see the independent business. But they will have the nicer space, more unique stuff and well will be like home. But it will be a little more expensive. But with your money you will be paying for a family holiday or a ballet class...  Depends on where you are in the world these businesses wary. But there are online spaces with makers, vintage dealers.  So I try to do my bit. It’s not always I can afford to shop independent but I try.  When the quarantine hit, I realised I am out of craft supply and the famous river named retailer was out too. Down I went to my little local kid shop Honeycomb, I got art supplies, few creative toys that the child loves  And well I couldn’t be happier. Later I also bought another toy from there and the owner delivered it to my door. How great is that! Save time for postie and personal service. And lower carbon emission.  Then some of these small businesses are zero waste. I have

Unless you lived under the rock you know that 2020 is pretty much cancelled... some one sneezed, didn’t wash hands and didn’t think that handles are dirty. And well we have it. The world is on standby the world is social distancing and self isolating... that is a responsible thing to do. It’s scary and uncertain.  But it’s spring.  Nature is waking up and it’s beautiful.  It’s worrying that some of us are off work, kids are off school.... but this too shall pass, like everything else.  It is normal to worry and stress but how often you are in the house with either just yourself of the others? The  opportunity and endless and are only limited by tour of creativity.  And with internet there are so many positive things at your finger tips from cats videos and singing people in high rise Italian cites and news that water in Venice is so clear that the fish came back.  Stay strong, stay positive! I will be too... 

A while ago my friend and former work colleague said that she has been to a pottery class in my local coffee shop.  I though I never did ceramics I would love to have a go... I made a little house-tea light holder. It is wonky. And I really found it challenging. I had to only concentrate on task at hand, it required lost of procedures and well I didn’t enjoy it. So naturally I though I must do this again!  And sure enough this year the new course was announced and I’m stranding some of the classes.  Couple of weeks ago the theme was animals. And you know free building was more enjoyable. Or maybe it is because I leaned to be more in the moment and concentrate on just one thing, making this animal.  Yesterday we were making candles holders... it was a bit different story....  These three guys were made using different techniques and well it was super interring to learn how to and what are the differences. I found the building several from several pieces is harder and requires more atten