Emma-Lou - Look At You!

It seems I'm a serious blogger these days, I got invited to a real event and everything; the re-launch of the new menu at Avalanche in Manchester.  I was slightly miffed not to have been papped outside... "OMG it's Emma-Lou, you know her from her amazing blog".  No red carpet or that either... but I am new at this... so maybe next time?
 Avalanche though is the type of place you might spot a real celeb, the approach outside the restaurant is really flash looking, you can tell looking in; it's a smart place to eat.
Anyhow I was chuffed to bits to go along, mostly because, I've not been well, feeling down in the dumps and needed a nice trip out.  Was able to take a plus one... so obvs left husband at home and took my bessie.   We met in Town for a little beer and then headed to restaurant, it's a good central location.  Booth St, near Town Hall (on next corner to Croma).  It used to be Lime Bar; many moons ago, I used to go quite a bit for drin…

I've not been well for a few days, I feel better this weekend but still not 'right'... If ever I am 'right' of course (some would argue).

So, I'm up and about, shopping at Morrisons, picking up kids birthday pressies from Argos, I've hoovered upstairs, I'm not like dead ill.  But I could do with sitting down and resting a bit.  Heading back from a quick family visit; the kids in the back hint strongly that they'd like to go the park for a bit... to make matters worse, that girl of mine, as we're at lights, spots her mate safety-helmeted up in fine fettle riding towards the park.

Usually, I would take them, I really would, I like going, we go swimming, library, ice cream parlour, baby visiting, shopping trips into town, coffee, national trust outings, lunches out, family visiting, miniature train riding; we do it all.  Our weekends are non-stop dropping off/picking up... sleep overs, buying and wrapping kids party presents (looking for the blood…

My very first book review:    Brass by Helen Walsh

This week I've learnt two things about myself!

Coffee doesn't agree with me!  I wish I'd have realised sooner as over the last ten years or so I've probably drunk 5-10 cups a day.  It gives me headaches and causes tummy problems (I'll spare ya the details!).

Green tea isn't so bad when you only dunk the bag in quick quick, anymore than a moment and it turns bitter!  I've always left the bag in (like I do with other herbal types) and I've almost bawked.

So will reverse my beverage of choice, thing is I really love my three coffees in the morning, and I've got a lovely travel coffee mug, which just doesn't suit the green tea...


I might have to start putting gin in it... or maybe I could bin the coffee mug and get a hip flask... yeah one of those would do me!

Enjoy your morning brew, my advice is, there always has to be biscuits....

Emma-Lou xx

1. This crucially is the most important... don't take advice from other mums... well accept of course from yours truly, because like my advice is amazing; and you won't go far wrong if you take heed!   When you do announce being up the duff everybody and his dog has something to advise on! 

2.  This linked to number one... other mums LOVE to talk about their birth stories... the more horrific the better.... "I was in slow labour for 3 days", "I had 153 stitches" "I was screaming at that point for an epidural".  SWITCH OFF, DO NOT LISTEN Being honest, my first labour with my girl wasn't great, but I wouldn't ever turn it into a horror story, it was long, it was gory, BUT it was how I met my daughter... and that's lovely. 

3.  Don't be hung up about the pain relief... have it/ don't have, whatever NOBODY CARES and if you are of the 'only gas and air' disposition... great well done, but you don't get special recognition …

Well it was a surprise to everyone who knows me... the exclaim that me, Emma-Lou could be a girl-racer, couldn't possibly be true, perhaps I should challenge the summons... "I mean really Emma-Louise, can your Honda Jazzy get up to more than 40".... Yes it was me, I was flashed speeding... at the time I thought it was thunder and lightening... and mentioned to the kids to look out and start counting for thunder to strike!  
It was me. the camera caught me, the number plate, time and date all evidenced to convict me of my crime.... dum dum dum... 58mph in a 50 zone!  Obviously I do speed, I can't claim otherwise, I've been caught!  The fact of the matter however is; I do drive slowly cautiously, I like to maintain a nice steady 28mph... if I'm not triply convinced of 40, 50, national speed limit, then I safely bob along in my 28mph! 

For my kidding though, I was mortified to get a speeding ticket in the post, it's all very official looking the letter, and it…