Island Life

Can anyone tell me how I can take my photos from some of my blogs here over to the new island blogging website? In really simple terms!!! Like an eejit I didn't save the photos anywhere else and wouldn't like to lose them forever!

Also a huge HAPPY CHRISTMAS to everyone and I hope 2009 brings everything you wish for :-)

I am sure I am not alone in screaming in absolute dismay and heartfelt agony WHYYYYYYYYY must island blogging come to an end??
I had to go check the calendar to make sure it wasn't April and someones cruel, twisted idea of a joke. But nope its November and the reality is very harsh. Island blogging as we know it is going to be no more as from the end of January 2009, as far as I can make out.
I only stumbled across IB by accident about a year an a half ago - but what a wonderful world I found. A world in which I was accepted no questions asked and was made to feel like part of a big, happy family, where theres always an ear to bend. Always someone there to pass the day with and discuss anything and everything. It is a marvellous place to let of steam, to share our highs and lows, to share the laughter and the tears. Some of the blogs have had me in tears and some have had me raoring with laughter. And what a privelidge to be invited into these peoples lives and share snippets of their lives here and there.
I was in a bad place and IB became my vent. Somewhere I could be completely myself and not just wifey and mum.
I met some amazing people - complete strangers who would spend some of their time reading my blog - some giving some real words of wisdom/support - constructive critisism - and what a difference that wee bit of thought could do. Some of these comments got me through the darkest of days. Lifted me up. Or simpy gave me a different perspective on things. IB in simple terms was my lifeline to the outside world and something that stopped me cracking up (completely!!)
I just don't know what I'll do without it. Its as if I'm losing a much loved friend. Not knowing how I'll be able to keep up with all the fellow bloggers of whom I have really enjoyed reading their blogs. Its a part of my life in all honesty. Reading someones blog and knowing exactly where they are coming from. Finding common ground with people that I would never have encountered had it not been for IB. Where else would you find such genuine people like Squidgy or Tws, to name just a couple?
I really hope that the beeb rethinks this terrible decision that some eedjit has decided to make. We could all live with the dodgy spam filter (we have anyway haven't we?!) I definately would prefer some missing comments opposed to NO comments.
Life without Island Blogging just doesn't bear thinking about...
Me thinks a major protest is in order!! Or we could set FC on them..Or Soaplady..who could say no to either of them?? Some of their comments have made me sit up and listen, on mine and other blogs. No offence is meant there but they both know how to use words, if you know what I mean. It makes sense in my head!!

What do we want?
ISLAND BLOGGING TO STAY
When do we want it
NOW

After all what else would poor Carol do if she was monitioring us lot? There's more arguments FOR IB staying than going. Its certainly not the start of the New Year I was looking forward to.

Already the questions have started! But mum why can't we put up our christmas tree the shops have them!! It all looks lovely but do they really have to start so early?! For weeks now there has been christmas stuff flashing past our eyes. The kids are too little to have any concept of time. My wee girl thinks two minutes is a lifetime when she's waiting for something!!
I have to admit though I'm very excited about christmas this year. It will be the first year that both kids are going to realise whats going on. Seeing my wee girls face light up last year when she saw the gifts round the tree in the morning was just brilliant. Then when granny and grampa and her aunties arrived for lunch she was just in her element. The house was just full to bursting point but thats what its all about isn't it.
Its also very handy because we have a wee elf that sits up on our chimney listening to see who's been good and who's been naughty, so he can go tell santa...
Its quite scary to think that thats another year nearly over. Since having the kids time just seems to fly by so quickly. Day by day they are growing that little bit more independant and telling me more often 'no mum I can do it myself'. I used to yearn for that little bit of time by myself through the day. Now they go up to their room and play together and I don't know what to do with myself! Already I'm wishing I could slow down time or even turn back the clock at times just to hold onto these precious moments for just a little bit longer. The kids are sick of us constantly taking photos of them but I want them to be able to share some of the most happy memories that we have thanks to them. Although there are some really hard days when it all just seems too much, and to be honest I can see them far enough, the majority of the time its bliss. Theres no better job in the world than being a mum. Yes at times you feel so unnoticed and taken for granted but then something happens and you realise that you really are just as important to them as they are to you. Or they come and give you a big cuddle 'just because'!
My wee boy has had a horrible bug for the last few days but today seems much better. No one else in the house has it so far but the poor wee thing has just been miserable. He managed to eat a wee bit of breakfast today so hopefully thats the start of him getting over it.
Its a beautiful day here today. The sun is shining and theres lots of wee birdies in the garden waiting to be fed. And lots of washing waiting to be sorted out too!

My all time favourite time of the year is here! I just love autumn. Already there is lots of crunchy leaves to walk through - although the last few days they've been blown away to goodness knows where. Its a bit calmer today though. Not that I mind a good old hoolie. Its just when it starts raining too and you have to compete with the wind and rain when out walking. Don't like that much!!
Went for a lovely stroll with mutt a few nights ago. It was a crystal clear night and the stars were just amazing. I spent more time looking up at the sky than the pavement I was walking on, lucky I didn't end up getting squished for not paying attention to where I was going. I did get quite a few odd looks from cars passing by - but hey I normally get these anyway!!!
The local shops are starting to shut up earlier since the tourist season is more or less over. Its very handy when they open to eight opposed to six but the locals obviously aren't important enough for them to do this! Maybe a boycott should be organised...
Some poor soul got knocked over by a car at the weekend too. He's seemingly in quite a bad way but going to recover. Must be a terrifying thing to go through. There's lots of stories flying about about what 'really' happened ranging from it being a drunk driver to a hit and run. I tend to take eveything I hear with a pinch of salt as you tend to find that everyone adds their own spin on things and pretty soon its a case of chinese whispers! The guy that was driving, reagrdless of the circumstances, probably aint feeling to chirpy either. I know I wouldn't if it had been me. I feel terrible if I squish a suicidal rabbit on the road! Quite often I get shouted at by hubby for slamming on the brakes or swerving so that I don't hit the poor bunny!
The October holidays are officially here now. Two whole fun filled weeks of the kids being at each others throats. Oh the joys! They definatley need some time apart through the day! Both of them are going through their own 'stage' just now and when the two get mixed together its utter carnage. I've decided that I'm either invisible or I talk really really quite because it doesn't matter what I say/do/shout I just get ignored! They will be at each others throats one minute, but then if I have to tell one of them off and they start crying (as they invariably do!) the other goes straight to their defence and I'm the baddie (again)! Really wish this whole parenthood thing came with an instruction manuel - or even better the kids came with an off switch...
Should be going up to Stornoway at some point over the next few days and we're going to take the kids to the Grounds to look for conkers and brambles. I used to do this with my mum and dad as a kid and absolutley loved it. Brambles was mums department and conker finding was dads! Then we'd take the conkers home and dad would put them all on a string and we'd have hours of fun. And with mum we'd bake a bramble and apple pie - yum! I want my kids to have memories like that to look back on when their older, and not how long they used to sit infront of a tv or computer. We have them out and about as much as possible and they love sitting drawing or painting or gluing or something. Although my wee girl can be a bit of a tv addict if we don't watch her! The wee man has no interest in it at all - apart from the theme tunes to Thomas! My wee girl absolutley loves doing jigsaws - I think thats probably her all time favourite thing to do, that or reading. I'm a bit of a book worm myself and she definately takes after me as far as that goes. The wee man is starting to get into books - as long as they have a car/lorry/train on them somewhere!
Well its getting close to bed time so its time to take mutt out for his last stroll of the day. Then have a nice cuppa and go to bed. And hopefully be ready for another, what's sure to be, funfilled day!

Isn't it good when you get something unexpected? A lady came to the door today with a bunch of flowers for me just because I went to see if she was ok.

You see her dog was out barking and whining in the wee hours of the morning and I got concerned that maybe something had happened to the dog or maybe even her owner. She lives alone and kind of keeps herself to herself. Not being that confident I was pretty nervous sneaking out of the house in the wee hours of the morning, so as not to wake the whole house, and went to see if I could find the dog. After finding the dog fine and well the house was in complete blackness so my mind went into overdrive. What if the owner was lying unconsious somewhere or worse? I didn't know what to do. So I took a deep breath and walked up to the door and knocked. Nobody answered so I opened the door but couldn't hear a sound, except my heart thumping! Then the dogs owner appeared - sleepy eyed but thankfully fine. I apologised for waking her but said that I had been worried that maybe something had happened to her. She apologised for the dog making a noise - she had run off and she couldn't find her. So after a bit of awkwardness I said goodnight and left to come back home.

All day yesterday I wondered if I had done the right thing. Worried that maybe the lady just thought I was being nosy and interfering. But then this morning there was a gentle knock on the door and there was the dogs owner with a beautiful bunch of flowers. Just to say thank you! I felt so sorry for the lady though as she said 'its not like people to worry about me' and she had tears in her eyes. I told her not to be silly and that she was welcome to come and visit anytime.

It definately goes to show just how much human nature can vary. Although from now on she needn't worry that nobody cares because I do. And I'll make sure I make the extra effort now to speak to her etc, and not just walk on by just because she doesn't speak. I might even find out her name...

My goodness what happened to the midges here? They've become even more ferocious since the last time they were about. I swear they wait round the side of the house and wait till we go out for a walk then pounce on us in their swarms! Needless to say the walks have been a bit shorter over the last wee while. Even in the wind the wee blighters manage to come out. What is the point of them? Why were the ever invented? Horrible little creatures!
Life has been pretty hectic over the last while with one thing and another. My wee girl has reached another milestone. No more nappies!! I honestly thought for a while there she was never going to get out of nappies. Then one morning she got up and said 'I don't like nappies anymore' and she hasn't looked back since. Kids really are pretty amazing eh? And she's started recognising numbers when their written. She just seems to have grown up so much over the holidays!
The wee man is even more boisterous than before. I didn't think that was possible!! He's still being stingy with his teeth but it doesn't stop him munching through anything and everything. He looks like he's got some kind of exotic disease just now with all the red spots he's got from midge bites. I think he dislikes them more than I do! He's had a growth spurt over the summer so has needed a whole new wardrobe more or less. Soon he'll be looking down on me!!
We had the police at the door last week as there's been some vandalism in the last while. Some cars and vans have been scratched while they've been parked by some unknown(s). So they wanted to know if we'd seen anything etc etc, since we knew one of the persons involved. What do people get out of doing that? But the police were also saying that tourists cars have been getting damaged, and that the new 'thing' they have just now is throwing bottles full of stones at passing cars. Why? Who knows! Also the community hall was broken into and a local shop. I hadn't heard anything about any of it so just goes to show you don't always hear about everything in Harris! (Although I did eventully - och you know what I mean!)
We had some vandalism done at the front of the house - some distateful etchings - is probably about all I can say without being too graphic. But to be honest we're not sure if it was done before or after we moved in as we only noticed it a few weeks ago. I just don't understand the point in it.
There's also a lot of broken glass all over the place. The amount of times that we've taken the kids out and spent most of the time picking up broken glass is unreal. Just because these people don't care surely they can spare a thought for kiddies that might be playing about and might fall on the glass left behind. Especially since some of the places that we've found the glass is in designated areas for playing. The other day we picked up about twenty beer bottles down by the pier. Only a couple of them were broken but thats not the point. Why should others have to pick up other peoples rubbish, especially broken glass? Needless to say all the glass is empty booze bottles of one sort or another. But I suppose the flip side of it is people will keep doing it because others pick up after them. But I for one can't walk past stuff like that and just leave it. It's pretty pathetic when even a three year old knows better and has even picked up some unknowns rubbish and put it in the bin. Just madness!
Apart from all that life is pretty much the same madness! The weather isn't as great today but it looks like its trying to clear up. Some normality should be back next week because the schools go back. And also there doesn't seem to be quite as many tourists about. I think everyone coming here should get a 'lecture' first about single track roads and what passing places are for. Mind you some of the locals could do with that too...

Where has all the good weather gone? Summer must be near! Although the kids are loving getting their wellies on and going out to splash in all the muddy puddles - oh to be a kid again at times!
Lifes been pretty quiet over the last few weeks. Kids have been chocked with the cold (again) so haven't really been able to do very much. We're all really excited though because we're getting a new kitchen table! The last one fell apart so eventually we found one we liked and that we could afford. So we sent for it last week and its on its way!! Wayhey!! Can't say enough how much we've all missed having a table to sit round and have our meals at together. And its always handy for sitting the kids at for drawing/painting/playdough, whatevers on the menu that day!
But thats about all the happenings here over the last while. Harris is Harris. Tourist season is well under way so back to road rage on single track roads :) Some people really need to realise what passing places are for.
One of the schools is having its last week this week as its closing due to lack of pupils. A wee school out on the Hushinish road - Sgoil Chliasmol. I think there were only going to be two there after the holidays. Its a lovely wee place but pretty much out of the way unless you have your own transport. Although I'm sure there would be regular buses, don't think I'd like to be all the way out there with no car. And its a horrible road. The further on it goes the worse it gets. You could easily get sea sick on it!!
Well just thought I'd pop in and say hello so thats about it I'm afraid...Does anyone know where King Gog of Gog has gone? He seems to have disappeared...

Been feeling pretty lost lately. Feeling like I'm not quite sure if I'm coming or going and feeling a bit stuck in a rut. For a while now we've been toying with the idea of moving to the mainland. A complete new beginning. Its beginning to seem a bit more real now and more likely like thats whats going to happen. Although I don't think my folks will be too impressed. Thats all thats held me back in the past. And to be honest the only doubt I have now. I know they will miss the kids but we always seem to be putting someone else before ourselves. I don't want to look back in ten or twenty years time and say 'I really wish we had grabbed the bull by the horns and moved when we still had the chance'.

The only thing is I really feel like I'll be letting my family down if we do move. By my family I mean my parents and siblings, not my family if you get me. I constantly feel like I need their approval and that if I go against them it will be the end of the world. Away from them I am confident and speak my mind but around them I feel like I have to do/say what they want me to say.

I sit and listen to them for hours about whatever may be bothering them or whatever, but I can't speak to them about any of my problems. Its no secret that I've been battling with depression but my family won't open their eyes to it. Or the fact that I have m.e. Yet if its anything to do with them its like deaths knocking at their door or something. I don't want pity or anything like that just a bit of support now and again when things get a bit rough. Like being able to ask them to watch the kids for a bit. Or turning a blind eye if there's a couple of dishes in the sink - instead of the constant critisim that there seems to be. Or just a shoulder to cry on now and again.

Don't get me wrong I love them all to bits but at the same time I fear them and their disapproval. Not that I'm doing anything wrong. Well I don't think I am anyway. All I do is be mum to the kids and wife to hubby. I cook and clean all the usual boring stuff. Not that I'd change it for the world! If everything isn't exactly as they want it to be or think it should be then its wrong - end of discussion. Like I have my way of bringing up the kids and that doesn't involve smacking. They know where the line is and they know the difference between right and wrong but I don't see the point in screaming and shouting at them if they are misbehaving - at times thats very difficult - but they're only kids - they can't be perfect all the time. And they act different when their round my folks - as if they sense the underlying tension. Some days the kids don't even get spoken to by them. Other days their let off with murder. I'm just at the end of my tether with it all.

I suppose moving is a way of showing them that I am my own person and I'm more than capable of being a good mum to my kids without their input. But the bigger part of me wants to do it for the kids. And for me. Hubby's got family on the mainland and thats home to him anyway so I don't think it would be much of an upheaval for him. I want to move but at the same time the idea scares me silly. Its not like it would be happening straight away it would be within the next five years, give us time to sort some stuff out.

I know I need to do whats best for my family but I don't know if I can handle the fallout that that will cause.

Wow what weather there has been lately here! Sun, sun and more sun!! Could get really used to this. Especially the not having to worry about where on earth the hang all the wet washing in the house till it dries - chuck it all out in the morning and by lunch its dry! Fandabby!! I didn't know two little people could create so much washing :)

We've been at the beach almost every day for the last few weeks. The kids have turned into such water babies. Its great watching them running around without a care in the world just enjoying life! Just wish it would help the wee man sleep at night. He's still up a couple of times through the night which is a nightmare. He's no hassle or anything its just a case of letting him know your there and he goes back off to sleep - but its still very disruptive. Oh what I would do for a full nights sleep no interruptions!!

The only one not enjoying all this sun is the poor dog :( But he loves getting to the beach cos he spends all his time in the water with the kids. I think he should have been born a duck!!

Went up to Stornoway for the shopping last week, forgetting that Sommerfield had closed - duh - and had to go to the co-op. Man was that expensive. They should have seats at the end of the checkouts so you can sit when they tell you your bill! Its not even as if we had anything extravagant, just the basics and it cost a fortune. We don't smoke or drink so I really don't know how people that do cope. We used to smoke but when we got pregnant we both stopped for the sake of the baby, and thank god we did! Never mind Tesco will be here soon so hopefully that will ease the shopping bill a bit. I hope they take up some clothes cos their kiddie clothes are absolutely brilliant and great value for money. Such a shame so many things have to revolve round money, no matter how much you wish that wasn't the case!

Might take the kids to the park in a wee bit to try and tire them out a bit. Although the back garden pretty much looks like a playpark - all their missing is a seasaw! Theres a great park over in Scalpay so might venture over that way with them. We were planting seeds the other day and already theres some sprouting happening in one of the pots - just hope its not weeds!! They loved getting their hands dirty, the wee man doesn't need an excuse though! And my wee girl is loving her responsibility of having to water all her plants shes growing inside and out! You never know maybe shes the next Charlie Dimmock in the making!!

Well I hope everyone else is enjoying the sun and all the beautiful sights you can see in this weather - there's no denying the islands landscape is breathtaking especially when the sun is a shining!!

Since it is such a lovely day today decided to go for a walk out 'the glen'. This is on the way out the Abhuinnsuidhe road just before a place called Miavig. It is such a lovely place to go for a walk. Its really tranquil and really quiet. You can leave all your worries behind when you come here cos its like being in a completely different world!

This is the first thing you see when turning off the main road to go the five odd miles to get to the glen:



Pretty confusing names eh?!

Then you pass the old whaling station at Buna





Then theres some of the views you get going out the very bumpy road! The poor wee man wasn't half getting joogled in his buggy but he didn't seem to mind!







Hope in this next picture you can see just how crystal clear the water is



Then on the way home took this shot of Taransay



Then we saw a whole heap of cows with their calfs on the road but this cheeky faced one got my attention the most:



I hope you enjoy some of the sights we saw out on our walk as much as we did!