They say things happen in 3s .......

well I hope they are right! We've had our fair share in this household recently and are feeling quite sorry for ourselves :(

Last week whilst at mum and dad's Cassia took a tumble down the stairs - a few bruises but otherwise OK, when I think what could have happened ........ Then yesterday morning was a comedy of errors.

We were in a cafe having some lunch, Craig's coffee was bought over, he went to pick up the milk jug to put some in his coffee, it was soooooo hot that his immediate reaction was to drop it so it didn't burn him, scalding milk all over the table and on Cassia's arm. It all happened so quickly you can't take it in. I got Cassia out of the way and stirpped of her cardi, she was howling, cold water all round and of course the magical mummy milk. She settled and was more interested in what was now on the table - her teacake and she was hungry!

However, on looking at her arm I could see it starting to blister so I went in search of lavender essential oil. I always have some at home but of course don't always carry it. If you get a burn it's awesome - after you have held it under cold running water for at least 10 minutes, or longer if there's still heat in it, you can put a few drops of neat lavender oil on it and it helps the burn and generally means there'll be no blistering or scarring. So I walked the length of the high street and went to two chemists and couldn't find any. Headed back to the cafe and everyone was walking so slowly that I decided to run - and did I pay for it? Don't know what happened, probably slippped of the kerb, but the next thing I knew I was falling head over heels onto the pavement! Now putting the pain aside can you imagine? A mid 30s taking a huge tumble in the middle of a busy high street on Friday lunchtime - I wished that pavement would eat me up! However, I was really hurt and couldn't get up for a little while. I landed really awkwardly on my left hand side and have grazed and bruised the whole side - owwwwww - and I cried too! So last night found me parked on the sofa, leg elevated with a pack of pea on it. Happy Bank Holiday weekend!

Bath salts

Last Christmas I decided to make our extended family all of their Christmas presents, with a little help from Maia! The girls, who all received some natural beauty products, were far easier to make for than the boys and as for my Dad I didn't know what to make him. I made the ladies some bath salts and realised that if ever there was someone who needed them it was my Dad so I made him some too. Now isn't it funny how things work? He was the first one to report back to me on them and he LOVED them, and I really do mean LOVED them. Every time he talked to me he mentioned them and he thought I really should sell them (now if you knew my Dad you'd realise how out of character that is!). So it was wasn't too surprising when he returned the jar the other day and asked for some more. MORE? Why certainly sir!

So I have just made them. Whenever I do anything with my oils or natural beauty products I fall in love all over again. The smell in the kitchen is divine and the lemon I used transports you to the Med and the sun and the lemon groves ............... then I look out of the window and see the rain lashing down - again! Today's bath salts were eucalptus (Eucalyptus globulus), rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) and lemon (Citrus limon) in a base of Epsom Salts and packaged in a kilner jar. I also added some dried rosemary to it for visual appeal and would have added some dried grated lemon zest except I had no lemons in the house!

Just pour into the bath whilst the water is running and make sure they are all dissolved before slipping into the warm bath and relaxing. This blend is perfect for any muscular or joint aches and pains and is quite invigorating so wouldn't be one to use before bed, maybe try lavender, frankincence and bergamot for that.

Having just made this and posted I realise I must incorporate more into my life again ....... I feel another post coming on, but I must run and get on with jobs :(

Going into hospital

Maia is going into hospital tomorrow to have her tonsils removed. She sees it as a big adventure and when we went in last week to meet the paediatric nurse and look around she wasn't fazed in the slightest. I think I'm going to have a harder time having never been overnight in hospital - luckily I've never been seriously ill and I had my two girls at home. I've seen books available to help with life changes/big events in children's life and have always wondered whether they are necessary. However, whilst in a charity shop I spotted a book on going into hospital for only 50p so I had to get it.

I'm so glad I did because Maia was really excited when she saw the front of the book and we've now read it every night. Having seen the nurse who told us what would happen, Maia really relates to the story and in fact tells me what's going to happen! She's really looking forward to the porter taking her to theatre on the trolley!

She went with her Dad this morning to pick up her grandparents from the airport, having been to Edinbrugh, for a couple of days, which meant I had time to paint with her sister. Cassia made a beautiful get well card - it took all of a minute before she said "All done".

Along with some books, a DVD, and jelly and ice cream Maia will hopefully not find it too bad - although everyone I talk to remembers it as the most painful thing they've had done (or should I say males say that because they haven't given birth!!!).

So the bags are now packed, the girls are asleep, I've had a beautiful aroma-bath (rose, frankincense and lemon) and now all that's left is for me to get some sleep! We're off first thing in the mornings so wish us luck!