Groovy mums

My blog has been non existent over the past month other than 1 post last week where I said I had been seriously thinking of giving up on the blogging for the simple reason of time. Its only due to time and there not being enough hours in the day that things spiralled and built up to the point I was sinking and a few things had to give, one being my blog. Infact for the whole Christmas week, I did nothing. I made myself take a step back and I didn't miss any of it to be fair. Its only been in the last week or so that I have been really missing the blogging community and this link up.

I am gutted I have missed quite a few of them because up until mid December I took part in everyone from the beginning and really found them helpful, they really made me focus on me and see positives in me, and these little challenges that Kate sets are really helpful - so this weeks challenges / questions to think about are as follows and my responses:

Do you feel like shaking things up a bit?  Here are some challenges that might help you to try new things, think in different ways or just have a sense of personal revival.

1. Body - How are you sleeping?  Do you qualify as sleep-deprived?  Are you a mum to a baby who just isn't sleeping through yet?  What toll is that taking?  Do you have older children creeping into bed with you?  What does your bed look like?  Is it comfortable and supportive enough?  Could you give your bed a makeover in some way perhaps with scented pillows or a colourful bedspread?  Could you have a nap at some point in the day?  How can you ensure you get better quality sleep?

Now I love my bed, it is one of my favourite places in the world! A few years ago we bought a new King size bed and with it got a proper pressure relieving mattress and it is sooooooooo comfy. When we sold our house in 2010 it got fully redecorated and I obviously wanted to make it look the best, so I did the bedroom in cream with the wall behind the bed in a pecan colour. I then themed our bedding to be mainly cream with the a small amount of the same pecan/chocolates in it, and got one of those sets with the spread for the foot of the bed and matching cushions.

Our room in the new house has not been decorated since about 1970 I think and before Christmas we choose our new colour scheme (cream and a deep plum this time) and started the awful job of trying to strip 50 year old woodchip off the walls without removing the plaster. We are still only half way through this. The new bedroom furniture is still boxed in my office, the current chest of drawers has all but collapsed (the bottom 2 drawers are off the runners and don;t shut properly now), there is a pile of dustsheets in one corner and every time I go in there I hate the room more but again time is a problem and actually finding the time to devote to it is proving impossible. This is one mission - I am determined to try and get it done by the end of Feb.

However despite having the nicest, comfiest bed in the world - sleep HA HA HA, my children think sleep is for the faint hearted - who needs that? My eldest son didn't sleep for his first 4 years and I clearly remember being in and out of bed like a yo yo and actually thinking 'my god, I've had 2 hours solid sleep, things must be improving', on average I was surviving on 3 hours of broken sleep. A sleep diary showed him getting up over 46 times on a regular basis. Sedatives from the consultant had no effect and when I say we tried every sleep technique going, I mean it. Even the doctors gave up in the end and usefully said 'he obviously doesn't need much sleep'. No shit Sherlock, however mummy does! Mini Man was a very poorly baby and fed during the night until he was about 2 as he couldn't eat very much at one time. Although both boys now sleep pretty well and 7 o clock is now the time to rise, I am now so sleep deprived that I feel no amount of sleep will get me out of that tired feeling. Since January though I have set the alarm on my mobile to go at 10.45 and when it does I go to bed now and most nights it works. 8 hours sleep is something I haven't had for years and although I have yet to feel the benefit, I am enjoying it!

2. Mind - Our children have reward charts and get stickers when they do well?  Could you play with this idea and create your own chart or adapt a child's one?  What are those things that you know you should do but don't seem to get around to?  How can you motivate yourself?  In my continuous attempt to get mums to say good things about themselves, why not tell me what you deserve a reward for?

The things I should do more of is housework!! I should also take more time out for me and I am trying to do this with my running. I also got a kindle for Christmas so I am trying to read a bit more.

3. Spirit - Is the spirit willing? You can respond to this one in whatever way you see fit.

Not quite sure I understand this one (sorry I am a bit dim!) - If you mean my spirit yes it is willing and is fighting to get out!

4. Blogblogger event?  Have you met any bloggers in the flesh?  Would you like to do?  Why is that?  I am speaking at Britmums Live so I hope some of my lovely Groovy Mums will be there to hold my hand.

I have only met one blogger in the flesh and she is the one who got me doing this in the first place - thanks BareNakedMummy but we go back to Uni days. Other than BNM no-one else knows I blog so I haven't done any events or met anyone else.

5. It is the creator of Winnie the Pooh's birthday this week.  So, as a bit of fun, why not work out which Winnie the Pooh character you are most like and why?  It might help you to discover what is great about you and also the things that you could usefully change.

I think I would actually be Winner the Pooh as he is described as a 'bear with little brain' which is quite apt for me! I have little common sense and people sometimes stare at disbelief in some of the stupid things I say (like thinking an sir strike was the same as a bus or train strike and not getting it meant bombing - durhh). However, I am a very loyal and always think of others, I also think (hope) most people would describe me as friendly and thoughtful.

6. The Big Question - How is your sex life?  Oh, I know we are not supposed to talk about religion, sex and politics but you know me, I like breaking the rules.  So how are things in the bedroom (or your venue of choice)?  Has sex become a chore? Do you find it difficult to make time for sex?  Are you too exhausted for sex? Have you managed to spice up your love-life?  Be brave and reveal all on your blog or just do some quite reflecting on this issue.

Ah well hem, yes all of the above. Strange that this one should be asked as I was only contemplating this the other day - when it does happen it is good, but its not the same, it sometimes just feels so same-y and we do need to do something to change it, make a difference - thing is what (without feeling like a complete prat and getting all self conscious). I hold my hands up in saying I am not at all confident in the bedroom department which doesn't help.

As for other things to help get my groove, next week I am going to Rome for a meeting and have booked an extra night so I can see some of it and I am very excited. Then I have also been asked yesterday if I would like to attend a meeting in Miami!!!!!!! I will probably not have time to go outside the hotel which is what happened when I went to Vancouver but even so, I am very excited. A big bonus and the main driving force for me taking these trips away is also the money aspect!

I think that is enough, think I have made up for the last months of missing this as I have said so much!
 Pop over to Kateonthinice if you fancy taking part or just reading how everyone is getting on
http://kateonthinice.wordpress.com/how-to-be-a-groovy-mum/