Thursday, 30 December 2010
Favourite Photos of 2010
Today I was thinking about the passing of the year 2010 and thought I would gather some of my favourite photos in one post. These are the ones that I particularly like, or which bring back memories of a certain moment in time.
Wednesday, 22 December 2010
Montreux Christmas Market - Merry Christmas Freddie Mercury
We headed to Montreux today to take my parents to the train. They were traveling with the Goldenpass Express to Gstaad then onwards to Bern. The children and I took the opportunity to wander around the Christmas Market and check out the Freddie Mercury statue.
When we arrived in Montreux today we parked at the railway station and walked down the stairs to the Christmas Market to be greeted by some friendly faces - and that was just the animal sculptures.
The mulled wine was already warming in the marmite.
Freddie Mercury statue on the lakeside, where there are always flowers from fans.
There is a Wishing Tree - where visitors can write a letter to Pere Noel.
Monday, 20 December 2010
Being a Stay At Home Mum - My Choice
I discovered this blog today through Twitter. Retro Woman Revolution, which I hope she will not mind me linking to as it is seems a good starting point.
To be honest, I am a bit confused by the post - being a working mum means I would be a cold, emotionless shark but being a Stay at Home Mum turns me into a vacuous, easy manipulated zombie. Is there a third option?
For our family, several factors contributed to the decision that we made. I am at present a Stay at Home Mum (SAHM) but that may well change in the future.
Having time to spend with my children is fine and good but I must admit to missing the cerebral challenges and, if I am honest, the social contacts of work.
Working mums (WOHM) are not cold, calculating barracudas. They are loving mothers who either have to work to support their family or wish to work so as to further their career. Should they be berated for this? For seeking to use the education that they have studied for, for not giving up the position that they worked hard to achieve, for doing their best to juggle career and family.
Sure, there are a few women who put their career above their family - I am certain there are, but it is truly unfair to condemn millions of working mums for the failures of a handful of selfish women. And these women would be selfish if they were working mums or stay at home mums.
In the same way that there are good SAHMs and bad ones. If motherhood can be measured in terms of "good" and "bad". We have good days and bad days, we make mistakes, we are human, not emotionless robots.
I take exception to the assertion that SAHMs are "excitable lunatics" - or is that just MN we are talking about? - obsessed with cleaning and keeping our children safe. Perhaps a quick glance at the Mumsnet website would give that impression but there are enough of us who would refute that suggestion. My husband would laugh like a drain if he were to read that I am seen to be a cleaning obsessed housewife.
For me, feminism is not about equality but about choice.
The choice to say, "I am quite happy being a SAHM" or to say, "I want to work".
I am fed up of the way in which women are constantly berated and made to feel guilty. We are smothering our children, or neglecting them. We are career-crazy bitches or needy, neurotic homemakers. We are damaging our children by working or by staying at home. Bad enough that we are criticised by men for this, but when we start to attack each other, no one wins.
One only has to have a peek at the Mumsnet threads on SAHM vs WOHM to see how heated the debate becomes. Particularly on parenting websites, this debate is impassioned as it is rarely a theoretical debate - when posters feel that their lifestyle has been attacked then it is difficult to remain neutral and objective.
Why can we not celebrate the fact that we have the ability to choose how to lead our lives, and applaud the feminists of the past decades who have made this possible.
Feminism is not dead, it is alive and evolving, but it means different things to different people.
So if you want to be a WOHM, a SAHM or even a Retro-Feminist I will respect that decision.
In return, I request that those who have chosen a different road to travel respect my decision and neither ridicule, berate nor abuse me for making the choice that is the best for me and my family at this time.
To be honest, I am a bit confused by the post - being a working mum means I would be a cold, emotionless shark but being a Stay at Home Mum turns me into a vacuous, easy manipulated zombie. Is there a third option?
For our family, several factors contributed to the decision that we made. I am at present a Stay at Home Mum (SAHM) but that may well change in the future.
Having time to spend with my children is fine and good but I must admit to missing the cerebral challenges and, if I am honest, the social contacts of work.
Working mums (WOHM) are not cold, calculating barracudas. They are loving mothers who either have to work to support their family or wish to work so as to further their career. Should they be berated for this? For seeking to use the education that they have studied for, for not giving up the position that they worked hard to achieve, for doing their best to juggle career and family.
Sure, there are a few women who put their career above their family - I am certain there are, but it is truly unfair to condemn millions of working mums for the failures of a handful of selfish women. And these women would be selfish if they were working mums or stay at home mums.
In the same way that there are good SAHMs and bad ones. If motherhood can be measured in terms of "good" and "bad". We have good days and bad days, we make mistakes, we are human, not emotionless robots.
I take exception to the assertion that SAHMs are "excitable lunatics" - or is that just MN we are talking about? - obsessed with cleaning and keeping our children safe. Perhaps a quick glance at the Mumsnet website would give that impression but there are enough of us who would refute that suggestion. My husband would laugh like a drain if he were to read that I am seen to be a cleaning obsessed housewife.
For me, feminism is not about equality but about choice.
The choice to say, "I am quite happy being a SAHM" or to say, "I want to work".
I am fed up of the way in which women are constantly berated and made to feel guilty. We are smothering our children, or neglecting them. We are career-crazy bitches or needy, neurotic homemakers. We are damaging our children by working or by staying at home. Bad enough that we are criticised by men for this, but when we start to attack each other, no one wins.
One only has to have a peek at the Mumsnet threads on SAHM vs WOHM to see how heated the debate becomes. Particularly on parenting websites, this debate is impassioned as it is rarely a theoretical debate - when posters feel that their lifestyle has been attacked then it is difficult to remain neutral and objective.
Why can we not celebrate the fact that we have the ability to choose how to lead our lives, and applaud the feminists of the past decades who have made this possible.
Feminism is not dead, it is alive and evolving, but it means different things to different people.
So if you want to be a WOHM, a SAHM or even a Retro-Feminist I will respect that decision.
In return, I request that those who have chosen a different road to travel respect my decision and neither ridicule, berate nor abuse me for making the choice that is the best for me and my family at this time.
Wednesday, 15 December 2010
Dressing for Success - Swiss Style
"A flawless appearance can bring inner peace and a sense of security"
All over Switzerland bank workers are thanking their lucky stars today if they are not employees of UBS.
They know that UBS workers are being mocked all over Switzerland, indeed all over Europe. Worldwide mockery is only a matter of time, in these days of internet news.
They only have themselves to blame. Or rather, the writers of the Dress Code Manual that is being tested in five Swiss branches.
Taking micro-management to an all new level, the manual includes tips not just on how to wear your blouse, which "must neither be tight on the bosom, not gape open" but also the underwear to be worn beneath it - unobtrusive skin coloured bras are recommended. I was a bit concerned about the advice on undies, "Your figure should not suffer from the way you wear your underwear", which could be a warning about avoiding double boob-age, I guess.
Women may wear seven items of jewellery, compared to mens' three items - a watch is de rigeur "he who wears a watch conveys trustworthiness and great concern for punctuality" but should not compromise personal safety.
While we may laugh at these strictures, there is something slightly creepy about a company that advises it's employees when to button jackets (when standing and travelling, but not when sitting) and gives recommendations on the correct fit of the said jacket - choosing a jacket with too wide shoulders gives the impression that one's head is too small, and the jacket should completely cover the posterior.
Some of the advice is similar to that given in many offices and shops - too gaudy spectacles or wearing sunglasses on top of the head do not project a professional image but when we go into details such as the jewellery should match the metallic colour of the glasses frames, then the authors of the dress code bible go too far.
Saying that, I do admit to nodding in agreement at this part of the guide: "Tattoos, piercings or anklets are outdated and do not look professional".
Even the application of scent is advised upon - not too much and ideally applied after a hot shower, when the pores are open. This part of the guide reads more like a Cosmo article, "your skin should not be too dry. Therefore, you should always first apply bodylotion to your skin. It is important that this lotion is fragrance free or smells neutral, because even if it is pleasant, when mixed with the perfume it could clash and be too harsh".
The advice on avoiding dishes made with garlic and onions during the week sounds like dating advice, but is from the section Personal Hygiene - dealing with unfortunate body odours.
My husband would be good at the shoe advice section - always use a shoe horn, have the shoes heeled regularly, completely unlace shoes after use and allow the shoes to rest for at least one day to let the leather dry out. They missed, "Line up all your shoes once a week and polish them - you can ask your children to help you with this task".
He would also score top marks in the tie wearing advice column as he always unties his tie and lets it "rest" for a day. Any man who does not already follow this piece of advice, should not be allowed to dress himself alone: "The tip of the tie should under no circumstances enter your pants".
Employees of the bank are also told, "Do not wash, nor ever iron your shirts yourself", which is either a welcome boost for the dry cleaning industry of Switzerland or the suggestion to palm this off onto a wife or mother. Knowing Switzerland, the latter is more likely.
All over Switzerland bank workers are thanking their lucky stars today if they are not employees of UBS.
They know that UBS workers are being mocked all over Switzerland, indeed all over Europe. Worldwide mockery is only a matter of time, in these days of internet news.
They only have themselves to blame. Or rather, the writers of the Dress Code Manual that is being tested in five Swiss branches.
Taking micro-management to an all new level, the manual includes tips not just on how to wear your blouse, which "must neither be tight on the bosom, not gape open" but also the underwear to be worn beneath it - unobtrusive skin coloured bras are recommended. I was a bit concerned about the advice on undies, "Your figure should not suffer from the way you wear your underwear", which could be a warning about avoiding double boob-age, I guess.
Women may wear seven items of jewellery, compared to mens' three items - a watch is de rigeur "he who wears a watch conveys trustworthiness and great concern for punctuality" but should not compromise personal safety.
While we may laugh at these strictures, there is something slightly creepy about a company that advises it's employees when to button jackets (when standing and travelling, but not when sitting) and gives recommendations on the correct fit of the said jacket - choosing a jacket with too wide shoulders gives the impression that one's head is too small, and the jacket should completely cover the posterior.
Some of the advice is similar to that given in many offices and shops - too gaudy spectacles or wearing sunglasses on top of the head do not project a professional image but when we go into details such as the jewellery should match the metallic colour of the glasses frames, then the authors of the dress code bible go too far.
Saying that, I do admit to nodding in agreement at this part of the guide: "Tattoos, piercings or anklets are outdated and do not look professional".
Even the application of scent is advised upon - not too much and ideally applied after a hot shower, when the pores are open. This part of the guide reads more like a Cosmo article, "your skin should not be too dry. Therefore, you should always first apply bodylotion to your skin. It is important that this lotion is fragrance free or smells neutral, because even if it is pleasant, when mixed with the perfume it could clash and be too harsh".
The advice on avoiding dishes made with garlic and onions during the week sounds like dating advice, but is from the section Personal Hygiene - dealing with unfortunate body odours.
My husband would be good at the shoe advice section - always use a shoe horn, have the shoes heeled regularly, completely unlace shoes after use and allow the shoes to rest for at least one day to let the leather dry out. They missed, "Line up all your shoes once a week and polish them - you can ask your children to help you with this task".
He would also score top marks in the tie wearing advice column as he always unties his tie and lets it "rest" for a day. Any man who does not already follow this piece of advice, should not be allowed to dress himself alone: "The tip of the tie should under no circumstances enter your pants".
Employees of the bank are also told, "Do not wash, nor ever iron your shirts yourself", which is either a welcome boost for the dry cleaning industry of Switzerland or the suggestion to palm this off onto a wife or mother. Knowing Switzerland, the latter is more likely.
Wednesday, 8 December 2010
Twitter Magic Moments
Here is my latest attempt at a short story for the Writers' Workshop. What do you think?
* downs Sangria in one gulp*
UKMum Sat. 5th June 2010 at 7:42
So excited about our holiday. Off with the family to sunny Spain. Two weeks of sun, sea, sand and...
UKMum Sat. 5th June 2010 at 6:50
UKMum Sat. 5th June 2010 at 6:50
@UKMum have fun, enjoy the s... sangria
Tunnockslover Sat. 5th June 2010 at 6:52
Tunnockslover Sat. 5th June 2010 at 6:52
@UKMum don’t forget to bring me back some sun, hope you have a fab holiday.
Shouldbeironing Sat. 5th June 2010 at 6:55
Shouldbeironing Sat. 5th June 2010 at 6:55
Checking in. Massive queue. Could do with that sangria right now. Daughter being a pain, is tired and fed up.
UKMum Sat. 5th June 2010 at 7:30
UKMum Sat. 5th June 2010 at 7:30
@UKMum *offers glass of chilled Sangria*
UKMum Sat. 5th June 2010 at 7:42
@UKMum @Dogwoner ooh, share some of that Sangria
Shouldbeironing Sat. 5th June 2010 at 7:44
Shouldbeironing Sat. 5th June 2010 at 7:44
@UKMum @Dogowner@Shouldbeironing *holds out glass for Sangria* *offers olives*
Tunnockslover Sat. 5th June 2010 at 7:51
Tunnockslover Sat. 5th June 2010 at 7:51
@UKMum @Dogowner @Tunnockslover *eats olives* *drinks Sangria* I could get used to this. Good start to the day.
Lol, thanks guys. Order restored. Ready for boarding, daughter playing on iPod. *snogs Steve Jobs*
UKMum Sat. 5th June 2010 at 8:00
UKMum Sat. 5th June 2010 at 8:00
Arrived safely in Spain. Where is my Sangria? .
UKMum Sat. 5th June 2010 at 10:55
UKMum Sat. 5th June 2010 at 10:55
At the hotel. Room is fabulous, check out the photo of the bathroom with spa bath. *photo*
@UKMum.Wow, looks fabulous.
Tunnockslover Sat. 5th June 2010 at 11:59
Tunnockslover Sat. 5th June 2010 at 11:59
@UKMum @Tunnockslover Bathtub looks like a great place for se... Sangria
Doglover Sat. 5th June 2010 at 12:05
Doglover Sat. 5th June 2010 at 12:05
OMG. OMG. HELP. We have lost daughters Bunny. She is inconsolable. What can I do?
UKMum Sat. 5th June 2010 at 12:06
UKMum Sat. 5th June 2010 at 12:06
@UKMum Where did you see it last? Did you leave it in the taxi? In hotel lobby?
Tunnockslover Sat. 5th June 2010 at 12:07
Tunnockslover Sat. 5th June 2010 at 12:07
Don’t know where we lost it. Cannot remember seeing it since we left London. She is crying buckets.
UKMum Sat. 5th June 2010 at 12:08
UKMum Sat. 5th June 2010 at 12:08
@UKMum Can you phone the airport? Where did you fly from?
Tunnockslover Sat. 5th June 2010 at 12:09
Tunnockslover Sat. 5th June 2010 at 12:09
@Tunnockslover Heathrow. Don’t have the number.
UKMum Sat. 5th June 2010 at 12:11
UKMum Sat. 5th June 2010 at 12:11
@UKMum Telephone no for Heathrow enquiries: 00 44 9118 140 894
Tunnockslover Sat. 5th June 2010 at 12:13
Tunnockslover Sat. 5th June 2010 at 12:13
@Tunnockslover Thanks, doll. Am on to them now.
UKMum Sat. 5th June 2010 at 12:14
UKMum Sat. 5th June 2010 at 12:14
Ok. Heathrow no use. What can I do? 3yo distraught. Tried distracting with ice cream and beach, but she just wants her Bunny. Crying now too.
UKMum Sat. 5th June 2010 at 12:35
UKMum Sat. 5th June 2010 at 12:35
@UKMum @Dogowner @Tunnockslover Just seen this, UKMum. What did Heathrow say?
UKMum Sat. 5th June 2010 at 12:38
UKMum Sat. 5th June 2010 at 12:38
@Dogowner @Tunnockslover Heathrow lady very nice but Bunny not handed in. If it is found she will contact me but could be days.
UKMum Sat. 5th June 2010 at 12:39
UKMum Sat. 5th June 2010 at 12:39
@UKMum you could put a shout out on Twitter, ask for help.
Dogowner Sat. 5th June 2010 at 12:41
Dogowner Sat. 5th June 2010 at 12:41
UKMum HELP. Anyone at HEATHROW AIRPORT? 3yo daughter lost her white BUNNY before BA flight to Spain. Can anyone help us? Pls RT
UKMum Sat. 5th June 2010 at 12:43
UKMum Sat. 5th June 2010 at 12:43
RT @UKMum HELP. Anyone at HEATHROW AIRPORT? 3yo daughter lost her white BUNNY before BA flight to Spain. Pls RT
Tunnockslover Sat. 5th June 2010 at 12:44
Tunnockslover Sat. 5th June 2010 at 12:44
RT @UKMum HELP. Anyone at HEATHROW AIRPORT? 3yo daughter lost her white BUNNY before BA flight to Spain.? Pls RT
Dogowner Sat. 5th June 2010 at 12:44
Dogowner Sat. 5th June 2010 at 12:44
RT @UKMum HELP. Anyone at HEATHROW AIRPORT? 3yo daughter lost her white BUNNY before BA flight to Spain. Pls RT
Shouldbeironing Sat. 5th June 2010 at 12:44
Shouldbeironing Sat. 5th June 2010 at 12:44
RT Tunnockslover RT @UKMum HELP. Anyone at HEATHROW AIRPORT? 3yo daughter lost her white BUNNY before BA flight to Spain. Pls RT
HappyLad Sat. 5th June 2010 at 12:48
HappyLad Sat. 5th June 2010 at 12:48
RT HappyLad RT @UKMum HELP. Anyone at HEATHROW AIRPORT? 3yo daughter lost her white BUNNY before BA flight to Spain.Pls RT
Londoner Sat. 5th June 2010 at 12:52
Londoner Sat. 5th June 2010 at 12:52
@UKMum @Londoner Hi. My husband is a baggage handler at Heathrow. Can we help?
Mumplusbump Sat. 5th June 2010 at 13:10
Mumplusbump Sat. 5th June 2010 at 13:10
@Mumplusbump Oh, thank you so much. Could you ask him to check out the BA desk. Flight BA 2398 to Spain at 8:25am. White Bunny, green ears.
UKMum Sat. 5th June 2010 at 13:15
UKMum Sat. 5th June 2010 at 13:15
@UKMum Ok, he is on his way to BA desk. His shift finished 5 mins ago, lucky I caught him.
Mumplusbump Sat. 5th June 2010 at 13:20
Mumplusbump Sat. 5th June 2010 at 13:20
@Mumplusbump You are a star, and so is your husband.
UKMum Sat. 5th June 2010 at 13:22
UKMum Sat. 5th June 2010 at 13:22
Thanks everyone for the RTs. Hopeful that @Mumplusbump’s husband will find Bunny
UKMum Sat. 5th June 2010 at 13:25
UKMum Sat. 5th June 2010 at 13:25
@UKMum Fingers crossed
Tunnocklover Sat. 5th June 2010 at 13:28
Tunnocklover Sat. 5th June 2010 at 13:28
@UKMum FOUND BUNNY! Was waiting behind BA desk to be taken to Lost Property.
Mumplusbump Sat. 5th June 2010 at 13:45
Mumplusbump Sat. 5th June 2010 at 13:45
@Mumplusbump BRILLIANT. Thank you so so much. Daughter so happy. Can he hold on to bunny till we get back?
UKMum Sat. 5th June 2010 at 13:46
UKMum Sat. 5th June 2010 at 13:46
@UKMum Husband talking to BA manager. Trying to persuade him to fly Bunny over on next flight.
Mumplusbump Sat. 5th June 2010 at 13:48
Mumplusbump Sat. 5th June 2010 at 13:48
@Mumplusbump Wow. That would be great. First class, I hope? ;-)
UKMum Sat. 5th June 2010 at 13:51
UKMum Sat. 5th June 2010 at 13:51
Hurrah, well done Twitter, and well done @Mumplusbump
Tunnocklover Sat. 5th June 2010 at 13:52
Tunnocklover Sat. 5th June 2010 at 13:52
@UKMum BA Manager agreed. Bunny coming out on next flight. Here a photo of husband and bunny *photo*
RT Mumplusbump @UKMum BA Manager agreed. Bunny coming out on next flight. Here a photo of husband and bunny *photo* look!
Mumplusbump Sat. 5th June 2010 at 13:59
@Mumplusbump That is fantastic. Daughter loved pic.
UKMum Sat. 5th June 2010 at 14:01
UKMum Sat. 5th June 2010 at 14:01
@UKMum Pic of Bunny boarding plane. Note First Class seat. And champagne *photo*
RT @Mumplusbump @UKMum Pic of Bunny boarding plane. Note First Class seat. And champagne *photo* << Bunny travels in style
UKMum Sat. 5th June 2010 at 14.56
@Mumplusbump Daughter very excited that Bunny is on plane. Wants to let him know that he should wear seatbelt.
UKMum Sat. 5th June 2010 at 14:58
UKMum Sat. 5th June 2010 at 14:58
@UKMum We have LIFTOFF! Bunny ETA 17:45
Mumplusbump Sat. 5th June 2010 at 15:20
Mumplusbump Sat. 5th June 2010 at 15:20
@UKMum @Mumplusbump Hope Bunny is not too drunk on champagne, the lush.
Tunnocklover Sat. 5th June 2010 at 15:25
Tunnocklover Sat. 5th June 2010 at 15:25
@Tunnocklover @UKMum What if he gropes a stewardess when sozzled? They should offer coffee to sober him up
Mumplusbump Sat. 5th June 2010 at 15:31
Mumplusbump Sat. 5th June 2010 at 15:31
@Tunnocklover @Mumplusbump You know what they say about rabbits...
UKMum Sat. 5th June 2010 at 15:34
UKMum Sat. 5th June 2010 at 15:34
Right. Off to airport again to pick up Bunny. Have eaten massive ice cream No Sangria yet.
UKMum Sat. 5th June 2010 at 17:00
UKMum Sat. 5th June 2010 at 17:00
@UKMum Good luck. Hope he has behaved himself
Mumplusbump Sat. 5th June 2010 at 17:08
Mumplusbump Sat. 5th June 2010 at 17:08
Walked up to BA Arrivals Desk. Bunny sitting on counter with pilot goggles on. Daughter squealed in delight. Everyone smiling #weeps
UKMum Sat. 5th June 2010 at 17:55
UKMum Sat. 5th June 2010 at 17:55
@Mumplusbump Thank you and your husband so much. Will bring back case full of Sangria for you both.
UKMum Sat. 5th June 2010 at 17:58
UKMum Sat. 5th June 2010 at 17:58
@UKMum Brilliant, glad we were able to help.
Mumplusbump Sat. 5th June 2010 at 18:08
Mumplusbump Sat. 5th June 2010 at 18:08
Pic of daughter and re-united Bunny. *photo* Thanks Twitter. #magicmoment
UKMum Sat. 5th June 2010 at 18:15
UKMum Sat. 5th June 2010 at 18:15
Wednesday, 1 December 2010
Snow in Geneva
Remember the photos that I posted this morning? Look how much more snow we have had since then. It has not stopped snowing all day.
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