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 b...

Happy what ever holiday it is.  I want to say that I have reflected on life on the day of the dead but I was just tired and a bit sleepy all day long!  We did some Halloween things, like decorated the house, paint our face and carve pumpkins! I don’t know if you seen my post on Instagram. Have to say doing a pumpkin with a kitchen knife or with a tiny chisel thing from the kit (you know the ones) ... chisel thing is so much easier!    We didn’t go trick-or-treating since we live on the main busy street and well not many neighbours decorated their houses... and well some one didn’t want to wear his consume. Maybe next year! Some folks think it ok to start Christmas season.... well you do you but it is too early! Although one lady at work said she is doing her shopping today to avoid all the rush. Good luck to her! I am just happy the half term is over and it was a good one. Apart from 4am start time yesterday, thank you cat for running around like a mad loony and waki...

Oh summer! I love the hot weather, splashes of water (lake, sea, ocean puddling pool) and I love going to see the family in Russia.  So me and my big guy when for couple of weeks there. After the flight from hell we actually fianlly made it to Chelyabinsk.  Weather was good. Or goodish. Warm and only few days of hot. What did amaze me is that Russian parents seem to freak out and over dress their offspring. Yeah I get it you are worried. But why on earth your kid is wearing a hat and a jacket while you are walking around in shorts?! Oh well nevermind, not my business I guess. Poor sweaty kiddies!  Edgar was allowed to play in the cars in the driver sits... He loved that way too much! And he was also the usual confusing self... Won't do anything fun to start with but then of couse we couldn't stop him. Didn't want to go to sauna ( traditional Russian banya) but then he was in tears when we were taking him away. Same with puddling pool, won't go in...

So job search is ... well get it all out of me. And so far nothing suitable. It's ok when you can work any day coz someone else can actually cover. But Stephen is a chef, unstable hours all week long so I either need a 9-5 Monday to Friday or a part-time work during the week. And I tell you what some people do not understand part-time when they are advertising... muppets!  Oh but this isn't what I wanted to talk about.  We have decided by persuasion of entire family me and Edgar are flying to Russia! Yay! Holidays! It was a bit touch and go on the child's visa but the awesome man dropped it off today and we are flying Tuesday.  I hate the whole visa thing, trip to London, expensive train fare, dealing with grouchy people in visa centre. I supposed Russian's are made jump throw all sort of hoops to stay in the country I see why it is fair in the way... but it should not be so complicated.  Anyway visa is here we are busy packing and happy to go to ...

We are actually away in Russia on holidays. Seeing the family, playing in the snow. Hubby for the 1st time ever seen the real snow if you like. If you are from United Kingdom you know that we, or you, don't do snow. It's all panic and everything stops. Here in Russia we, they, just get in with it. Stephen couldn't get it why my parents weren't excited that it was snowing? He on the other hand had a sparkle in his eye like a small kid at Christmas time second he spotted a snowflake coming down. We just returning back from our 1st time snowboarding! Oh my! This was so much fun. We had an instructor for one hour to explains the basics and show us bits and bobs. Excellent lady by the way called Anna. Imagine the snowboarding girl and you will see her, fresh blond smiley! Considering that a lot of my school mates and my step sister are very keen and always comes winter on the snowboard I never even stood on one.  But now I can tell you blime! I really didn't think it ...

I think it has been about two years since I have been home in Chelyabinsk. Oh that's would be south of Ural mountains in Russia. I missed my family dearly.... I was looking forward to this and was anxious about this break too. But it was wonderful after all! Firstly the travel with 10 month old is tricky. But he charmed everyone and been entertain by the entire plane on the way from London. We also discovered that paper cups make excellent tethers! Yes, who would have thought! Weather was excellent, hot for me and Edgar and cool for our daddy. He and Gramy arrived 3 weeks after for one week.  We spend a lot of time with family and friends and Edgar has been centre of attention! And very spoilt...  I actually got to hang out with my cousin,  we left babies with grandparents and run away for a day!  It was nice, we be been to the cinema (doubt films are something else) but I did enjoy my self. Who knew that it is ok to have beer in the cinema at...

First of all let me make it clear... these are not babushka dolls...   Traditional Russian nesting dolls called Matreshka.  Babushka however is grand mother... or Kate Bush's song... you know this one Now that is clear I can tell you that Edgar's Babushka, my mother, is here in Cardiff.  And it has been wonderful. Egg giggles at her and I get to sleep in the mornings.  She is actually here with the mission to take us to Russia for holidays... Imagine travel on the plan with almost 10 month old active little boy... Yes I cannot either. But then I also worry about the time there. Would little one have a jet lag how does this work in small babies? What if my parented will drive me absolutely mad? What if my friends don't want to hang out. That is not that I have many friends left. It is all very worrying.... But cannot chicken out of this now. We are off to Russia on Friday. And dearies in home town, I do not know yet how busy we will be but ...

here is a pictures of some penguins... Please read the rest. And say thank you to hard working hospitality staff...       We are so busy at work. Worst place and industry to work during holidays season is catering and hospitality. Oh these Christmas parties! Yes, I know you have organised these ages ago and want to have fun but think about the people who are making this happen for you... Just a thought. I wish that everyone took time to say thank you to these amazing people who are smiling and making this party happen for all of you drunks out there... who are usually just creating chaos for us hotel and restaurant staff. And guess what, some of us have to work Christmas and New Year's eve. And it sucks...     So yeah, be nice to your service staff...

So after the longest journey ever I finally got there.... Place where I get to do as little as possible be fed, given booze, treatments and treats! How funny is that shot glass?! And no I did not drink any vodka! I do not do vodka, unless it is in the cocktail. Did things I haven't done in a while... such as been bitten by bunch of mosquitoes and other evil insects! That's country life for you I guess...I also got to pick the veggies from the beds and eat them!! Went for a swim in the lake and in the river. Do not think I ever swam in the river before. It was a rather surreal experience... You swim against the current but the current is so strong that seems that you do not move at all...  I finally saw the place my parents are building. Going to be mahooosive.  And we also went mushroom picking... I haven't been since I was 14 or something like that. I also spend some quality time with some amazing people and animals... I ...