Island Life - October 2007

This has to be one of the most beautiful islands known to man but sometimes it feels like a severe case of cabin fever. Now and again you need to get off the rock but man is it expensive to do it. You got the cost of your ticket and then the cost for cold food on the ferry is just crazy. Isn't it about time they built a tunnel so us islanders don't all go crazy being stuck on this glorious rock????

What a horrible day outside. Its wet and very gloomy. Worse than that I'm trapped in the house with two very hyper kids that have to much energy. One of them is very whingy cos he has teeth coming in and wont stop crying regardless what I try to do to pacify him! The joys of being a full time mum (not that I would change it for the world!!) Hubby has got some sanctury at work but he has to come back some time!!! Think we will just have to put on the waterproofs and brave this lovely weather. I don't know why I am complaining we have been out in far worse. Howling gales, snow and the occasional sunshine. The dog wont mind much either.
We moved here not that long ago so we are still settling in. Thankfully all the boxes are finally unpacked, well apart from a couple but I will get round to them at some point! We used to stay in the middle of nowhere on this lovely rock now we live closer to civilisation. Its very handy but I do miss certain things about where we stayed before. The house was more roomy although this one has more storage, which never goes amiss with two kids! The garden was lovely this one will be by the time we are done but its trying to get the motivation to actually get going thats the problem. Never mind it will get there!!
Well I suppose I should go and try and do something to this wee man to make him wheesht for a minute or two, although any time I go near him he seems to cry louder and harder!! Think its just going to be one of these days!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Just wanted to say a big thank you to everyone who gave advice on teething. I really appreciate it!! My wee girl took ages to cut her teeth in too but my wee man seems to be taking a lot longer. He just screams such a high pitched scream cos he is obviously in pain and then I get cranky with him and then that makes things even worse cos then I really do feel like a bad mum. Its such a vicious cycle!! Thanks again tho everyone and hopefully there will be some progress on his pearly whites soon!!!!!

It is such a cracking day today. The sun is shining although its windy its really warm in the sun. Days like this make it worthwhile being on the rock. Managed to go for a lovely two hour stroll with hubby and the kids. Managed to eventually run some steam off our wee girl! The wee man slept for quite a bit in his buggy which for him is very unusual he normally only catnaps - just like his sister - I am sure they have confabs about how best to wind mum up!!
Went out for a meal last night for our anniversary with another couple although they have an extra 30 odd years on us! It was lovely to get away from the kids for a while and actually have an adult conversation. I just about managed it I think although topic of conversation did veer towards the kids once or twice. It was even nicer getting home though and getting such a big hug from them both - you would think I had been away for months!! It makes it all worthwhile though.
Think the rain is back for tomorrow its really howling outside just now - there is nothing more warming than sitting listening to the wind whistling down the chimney when your as snug as a bug in a rug!!
Well think I have probably bored enough of yous (don't think that is very good english) for just now, might come back tomorrow yet though x

I am a young mum trying my best to bring my kids up to have respect for others and to be polite but it is very frustrating when elder people treat kids like they are invisible. We went to the local shop the other day to get some basics and there were two old calliachs in front of us. I have a toddler and a baby so I had one walking beside me and the other in the buggy. The shop is not the biggest of shops but it is big enough. These two old biddies made us follow them the whole way round the shop while they spent an age deciding which bread etc to get. Why could they not have been polite and let us pass instead of keeping us back? Also if my wee girl touched anyhting she would get scowled at by one or both of them. I encourage her to get things off the shelf for me, kids do need to learn how to be independant don't they? Then to top it all off after standing behind them patiently for what seemed like an age in the queue, one of them cleared off to the magazines. So when the cashier said 'whos next' my wee girl quite rightly went up and put her sweetie up on the counter and I put the shopping up. My what a mistake. These two old biddies threw a look that could have made the strongest mans legs wobble! Then started whispering insults about how I had no manners and should teach my kids better and blah, blah, blah. WE DID NOT JUMP THE QUEUE SHE LEFT IT. But did anyone bother saying that to her? No! Silly things like this really make my blood boil. If it had been a youngster that acted like this they probably would now be in receipt of an asbo. But since it was an old caileach she automatically was right. What she was was very rude and selfish and stubborn. I know it takes all sorts to make the world go round but really manners cost naff all.
So what do I now teach my kids? Respect your elders or to give respect respect has to be given?? Respect definatley has to be earned in some situations but I am sick fed up of my kids being treated like some sort of third class citizens. Oh they are fine when they are being perfect little quite angels but if they dare make a sound heaven forbid! They get looked at as if they have suddenly grown horns! Yes I might be a young mum (in my early twenties) but I am married, don't cause anyone any problems and yet at times I feel like an outcast. My crime? Having kids that I try to show right from wrong, try to give them morals, try to teach them to be independant, try to teach them to be polite and show consideration to others..... It can't be right can it??????????? Maybe its because I dared to hang washing out last sunday since it was such a beautiful day!! Perhaps I am marked in some way now and thats what the attitude the other day was all about!

Well its actually been a lovely day on the rock today. The suns been shining and its been pretty windy but thats the best kind of day eh? Will have to make a trip up to the big city soon to sign a petition FOR the sunday sailings. I'm sure that will rock another few boats!! It will be just like the sunday flights though. Nobody even notices anymore. I personally don't see what all the fuss is about - if you don't want to use it don't. Whats so difficult about that? No doubt as well the usual hypocrites will use the service once its up and running (hopefully), all the 'good' living folk - many of whom will smile at you on the sunday, stab you in the back first thing monday! There are very few true christians anymore. If there was there wouldn't be such a lack of freedom of choice on this island. I thought one of the key elements was something along the lines of he who is without sin can cast the first stone, or something to that effect. Anyway I have completely veered off track I wasn't meaning to start some religious debate! Each to their own if you ask me.
Had to explain to my wee girl yesterday about death - man that was a difficult conversation to have with a two year old. Especially a very on the ball two year old. She seemed to take it on board though, she had a wee cry but told me she doesn't want to tell me about it just now. Nobody tells you when you have kids how heartbreaking it is to see your kids suffer at all. When you can't take away their pain - when you can no longer shield them from the big bad world. You sometimes wish you could just wrap them up from all the bad stuff. Guess thats life though. She is having a few days up with her grandparents in the big city so hopefully that will cheer her up a wee bit and then we will pick her up once the funeral is over and done with. We will actually be completely childless tomorrow - now that will be strange - no doubt we will be twiddling our thumbs before long!!
Hopefully the weather will be as good tomorrow as it was today. Don't think its on the cards though. Never mind can't be good all the time, it would pobably get boring if it was good weather all the time. Before long we'd be begging fo rain - well maybe not!!
Anyway must go just now try and get the grumpy wee man to go back to sleep. These horrible teeth are still giving him a right hard time, poor wee soul! Hope you all have a good weekend folks

My goodness what a windy night it was last night - I thought we were all going to blow away off the rock! But after some more howling and some nasty showers its turned into a beautiful day. The sun is shining but there are some clouds starting to roll in. The kids are busy playing in a tent/tunnel sort of thing, its keeping them extremely amused! So I actually have some 'me' time!!!!
Sent for a prospectus from the local college which I got yesterday. Can't seem to find the course I'm looking for though. I would love to be a primary teacher but looks like if I want to do that it means a move off the rock at least for a few years. As much as I would love to do that don't know if I can put the kids through such an ordeal! For all the things this island may be its relatively safe compared to many places. Yes there's the odd murder and stabbing but everywhere has these - right?! Usually the only re-occuring problem here is drunks. For some very strange reason the mentality over here can be 'you'll never guess how much I drunk at the weekend.....' and thats something to be proud of seemingly. Could never quite figure the attraction of getting so sloshed you can't remeber what you did or said. And what a waste of money. Don't get me wrong I enjoy the occassional drink but to the state of oblivion - nah I just don't get it!!
Man I veered off track there. I had started saying I was wanting to go back to college and then I started rambling about drinking. Maybe its because the last time I was in college I was doing a health degree. Didn't quite finish it got half way through and then ended up pregnant - don't know how that happened!!! So college had to go on the backburner for a while and well then kiddo number 2 came along and I don't like the thought of someone else bringing up my kids. So right now my life is on hold bringing them up till they start school and then I can concentrate on me again. Hubby has to do all the breadwinning just now. I thought I could maybe start studying online but I can't find anything to do with teaching available. Yes gaelic teaching but not english, and well I only really know all the bad words in gaelic and the odd phrase here and there. I used to be fluent in speaking and could read and write it but no-one at home could so I kind of lost it when I left school.
Don't really have anything else to say now my mind has literally gone blank and I thought I had a lot to say!! Maybe some would say I have already said too much. Think the tiredness is kicking in. Theres been to many sleepless nights in the last while. I think I'm turning in to a robot. Any other nightshift work has the day off - why does that no work for mums and dads???? Can't remember the last time I actually slept ALL night with NO interruptions.........

Both kids are absolutely chocked with the cold. Now hubby is coming down with it too - thankfully he's not normal (well he is really) and he only gets a cold not manflu!! Its me that complains more when I have a cold. Touch wood though there is no sign of it yet! So as you can imagine we are going through a mound of tissues, kleenex will be in business another day at least. Even made a head blowing curry last night to try and clear some tubes. Seemed to have worked for my wee girl but she still has a really bad cough. It sounds like she's been a smoker all her wee life!! Maybe with the way they grow up so quickly these days I should start checking her pockets lol! The wee man seems a bit better tho they are both playing/beating each other up just now so hopefully the worst of it is over.

In my madness yesterday I decided to have a change about in the kids room. They share a room and have that many bleeding toys they overflow into every room in the house. And then the garden is full of toys too. Really must invest in a shed. Kids thought it was hilarious watching me put stuff away as they pulled it all out again. Think all the hard work was worth it though. They seem to have a bit more room for moving about now. Well that is till Santa makes his visit! I forgot how much stuff we had got them. Thats what we get for being so organised this year. Its even wrapped!! And its hubby thats the virgo. I'm not meant to be oganised since I'm the fiery sign Sagittarius. Think we have a bit of role reversal! I say 'we' have got christmas sorted. By that I mean I have bought everything for everyone, wrapped it etc etc and he says 'yea thats really nice' or words to that effect. Although this year he actually bought part of his mums pressie - maybe next year he might get for two people!! Think its a man thing.

Was going to go out and try and get some fresh air into these kiddies lungs and to run some energy off them but it is absolutley howling and really cold out there. So seen as they both are chocked thats maybe not such a good idea.
We will all just have to suffer a bit of cabin fever. Even the poor dog took one look out the door this morning and promptly did an about turn back up to hide under the bed. The cat has braved it though - silly old moggy that she is!

Well going to have to go just now the wee man is starting to grumble again time to find the trusty calpol! Hopefully they will be better tomorrow for everyones sake..... The house is even less normal when they aint well. Its different in some way. Quiet. Well in between the grumblings. And this house aint normally quiet so it can be quite unnerving.......