Blogs

As part of our publicity for the forthcoming West Coast Eisteddfod we will be releasing press releases from time to time . Our first such release has been posted today and can be found here:- http://americymru.net/profiles/blogs/an-interview-with-paul-child-1

Please, if you can, spare a minute to check it out and help spread the word . The more it's viewed the more prominent it becomes .

Diolch :)

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The Dylan Thomas Centre, Swansea


By Rhianne Griffiths, 2011-03-28

Hot off the BBC news:

The Dylan Thomas Centre in Swansea

More than 200 writers, artists and supporters of Swansea's Dylan Thomas Centre have signed a letter expressing concerns about its future use.

Dr Who writer Russell T Davies, Cerys Matthews and Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy are among the names calling for it to be run by trust.

Swansea council is looking lease the centre to the city's universities to open a "creative industries hub."

It said the centre would not close and the permanent exhibition would remain.


The city is surely going to look a little bizarre, to put it mildly, in the eyes of the wider world if it is seen to have abandoned the Dylan Thomas Centre ~ Supporters' letter


The letter states since the centre was opened 17 years ago by former US president Jimmy Carter it had delivered a programme of literary and artistic events "unparalleled for its variety and excellence by any other arts venue in the United Kingdom".

It adds: "The centre has celebrated the literary arts of Wales, in addition to music, drama and the visual arts, and has attracted to Swansea a panoply of internationally renowned writers who, returning home, have burnished the renown of Swansea and Wales in all parts of the world."

The signatories, who also include Hollywood actor Michael Sheen, theatre director Michael Bogdanov and Thomas's son Colm, say with the 100th anniversary of the poet's birth in 2014 a trust would be the best way to safeguard its future.

"Plans are currently being laid, locally and nationally, for celebrations of the 100th anniversary," they added.

"The city is surely going to look a little bizarre, to put it mildly, in the eyes of the wider world if it is seen to have abandoned the Dylan ThomasCentre on the eve of this major national and international celebration."

Russell T Davies, Michael Sheen, Carol Ann Duffy and Cerys Matthews
Writers, actors and musicians have signed the letter.

Last year Swansea council and universities revealed plans to transform the centre into a "cultural and enterprise hub" for creative industries.

But in response to the letter the council said it was "making serious and significant preparations" for the anniversary with the Welsh Assembly Government and other partners.

"The Dylan Thomas Centre is not threatened with closure," said a spokesman.

"A joint venture alongside the University of Wales will allow us to secure its future during these difficult economic times when finance is limited.

We are working very closely with our partners to make sure that the Dylan Thomas exhibition is refreshed and improved ~ Spokesman Swansea council

"We are working very closely with our partners to make sure that the Dylan Thomas exhibition is refreshed and improved.

"The current proposal is that the exhibition will remain at the centre permanently although we are jointly working with the University of Wales on the fine detail.

The spokesman added that the centenary of Dylan Thomas' birth was a "fantastic opportunity for Swansea to celebrate his life and works".

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This Blog can be viewing in its original format with picture at www.crapwifeblog.co.uk or http://craphousewife.blogspot.com/2011/03/diary-of-crap-wife-regaine-refrain-and.html

It was my first day of being 28 yesterday.What a shitty age, dont get me wrong, I know Im not entering my twilight years or anything, and realistically, I know its not old, but still, if the last 28 years have only taken this long, then at this rate soon all Ill have to look forward is Marisota and a slack bladder.


Twitters not helping. Ever since I started this blog, Ive been trying to get round Twitter and I still dont understand it. From what I can gather, its like faceboo

k with only status updates Im totally stumped- what the hell am I supposed to write on t

here? I have had more people follow me around the pub to tell me Ive got loo roll

hanging from my leggings than I currently have on Twitter, and it takes me 20 minutes to decipher what people are saying.


The lack of vowels people use, owing to the character count, had me thinking for the first week that Id stumbled upon Polish Facebook. Its making me feel old and out of touch. Granted- being sat in the garden writing this with a tartan blanket over my knees isnt helping matters, but still, I blame the technology.


Speaking of which, the laptop has 100% got Aids now.This morning it coughed as I booted it and started making noises like Chloe Mafias dildo, I fear the end is near so if you dont hear from me for a while its because Im burying it (maybe Ill ring Gary Mole.)


Theres little to report on the campaign to break him at the moment, after the awful cock-money fiasco I feel that the only way to succeed is to plan something major that he cant ignore/rise above/turn on me.


I will keep you posted.


In the meantime, I have created what I believe to be a fool proof plan which should really hit him where it hurts- his hair.Husband has been going bald for about 6 years now and has for a long time been shaving his head.The introduction of Regaine onto the marketplace has offered him a glimmer of hope that he thought was long gone.Im pleased for him as his bald spot becomes highly reflective under the halogen spots in the kitchen.

His Regaine has been left unopened in the bathroom cabinet for the last week has hes been too busy to commit to the routine involved. This has worked in my favour as he doesnt yet know what to expect from the solution. In this time, I have transferred the follicle enhancing elixir into an old jam jar and replaced it with a mixture consisting of 60% water, 30% hair removal cream and 10% Johnsons Holiday Skin. Im hoping, after a twice a day application over the coming months he will be left with a dome like head that looks like one of Jordan's tits. I couldnt give a shit if he doesnt like it, Ill give him some cock-money to buy a hat.


YOU CAN ADD CRAPWIFE ON FACEBOOK BY SEARCHING FOR Daily CrapWife OR FOLLOW ON TWITTER@CrapWife


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This blog can be viewed in its original format with pictures at www.crapwifeblog.co.uk and http://craphousewife.blogspot.com/

Yesterday was a mixed bag. As it was my birthday I adopted the doing nothing because its my birthday stance and because of this, the day was much like any other. I awoke with the usual birthday feelings- bollocks thats another rung on the ladder to thirty, but still, at least therell be cake.

As Ive already babbled on about, the garden is well on its way to completion and the overall effect is stunning- Ive started viewing the pond as a fabulous water feature and stopped thinking of it as a failed hole, this has been very liberating, and although still not zen-like, Im happy and content.
The break neck speed at which the garden is being tackled is mesmerising, by the time Id decorated my wellies the beds were already down and edged. Mother in law charged me with the very important job of counting seeds into piles, which Husband couldnt be trusted with. Maybe theyll make a gardener of me yet?
Not known for my dedication to a task I was bored quickly and decided it best to get to the Post Office to send the Blue Peter letter.
This is where the day turned to shit. One thing guaranteed to piss me off on a sunny afternoon is old biddies tutting. Im sure that when a woman hits her late sixties shes whisked away to a weekend retreat, probably in the Lake District, where shes taught the lost arts of tutting, sighing and causing injury with a wheeled shopping basket. Ive no real proof of what these women keep in these gaudy looking contraptions but I imagine it to be pilfered sugar sachets, tenna lady and the souls of under 30s theyve tutted to death.
The pissy knickers brigade was out in force, the queue at the Post Office smelled of urine, biscuits and parma violets. I dont think it was pension day so they were probably posting letters to long lost relations who had the good sense to emigrate or writing to Terry Wogan about sexy adverts and the news. Either way, they were all in the Post Office as I popped in to post Husbands pictures to Blue Peter.
I should point out at that this is the first time Ive ever written to the show; I always hated it as a child and felt that the extra 30 minutes of learning they tried to disguise as entertainment at the end of the school day was both unfair and transparent. They also gave us Anthea fucking Turner. Because Ive never written to them before and am unsure of protocol, I make the error of deciding to send the letter by recorded delivery.
By the time I reached the front of the queue, I had a tidy coven of biddies filing behind me tutting and clucking about the price of stamps and kidney stones.
It wasnt until I pulled out a twenty with a massive black cock drawn onto it that I realised my mistake. Never, ever leave the house without checking for Acme traps.
Pol Pot the postal worker loudly informed me that:
The Currency and Bank Notes Act 1928 says If any person prints, or stamps, or by any means impresses, on any bank note any words, letters or figures, he shall, in respect of each offence, be liable on summary conviction to a penalty not exceeding one pound.
The penalty was changed to 25 pounds in 1977 (Criminal Law Act, s.31) and to 200 pounds in 1982 (Criminal Justice Act, s.46).

Who died and made her the fucking money police?
She shouted loudly about youngsters who watch too much Dirty Sancho (San c hez who I like)and Jackos (Jack ass, who I don't) and think its funny to play practical jokes.

It took me fifteen minutes of back peddling, denial and a 20 charitable donation to the RNLI to calm the situation.
By this is time, the tutting brigade were in fine fettle clicking their tongues like a visiting African Tribe. My patience had melted away and there, in amongst the stationary and wrapping paper, stood a seriously mortified Crap Wife. (Of course I accept no responsibility for the failure of this prank and fully blame the person who suggested cock-money via facebook.)
I dont know if the defaced money had been an act of deliberate sabotage on Husbands part, there is a chance that he hadnt looked at the notes before putting them in my purse- either way, I have had a taste of what it feels like to be on the receiving end of one of these pranks. I would love to say that this has encouraged me to drop my campaign of terror, but it hasnt. As soon as his mother goes home, hes dead.
YOU CAN ADD CRAPWIFE ON FACEBOOK BY SEARCHING FOR Daily CrapWife OR FOLLOW ON TWITTER@CrapWife

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Like Canaries in a Mine

I return an hour later and as I approach the front door, I smell something a little off, but do not register that it is emanating from our house untilI open the door to find a houseful of thick, black, acrid smoke

and a dog with his tail between his legs. I quickly run through the smoke and briefly assess the situation--no flames, but floor is charred--and open the back door to let the dog out and catch a breath of fresh air.

At that moment, my front door bursts open and it is our neighbor who had been raking leaves in his back yard. He is yelling for me. I tell him I am fine, briefly explain what I know so far and go out the front to breathe again. A former volunteer fireman, he immediately noticed the smoke billowing out the back door when I opened it and with the fumes blanketing the neighborhood, thought I might have been down for the count inside.

Back inside, I quickly check the floor, see the paint stripper melted to the tiles and conclude that this was an Act of Dog. Dog, in this case, having accidentally stepped on the paint strippers switch, engaging the heat, igniting the cardboard box and scorching the floor. I open more windows and doors and then check to see if the floor is still hot. It is warm, but I feel confident the fire is out. I note the cord to the paint stripper has burned in half and think that that is a very good thing, as it probably is why we still have a house and dog and bird. Omigod, the bird!

It has probably been an hour since I returned home before I think of our cockatiel, Larry Bird, and I am afraid of what I will find in his cage in the living room. Visions of canaries in mines dance in my head as I run to check. Larry actually appears fine and I think I should move him out of the main smoke-filled areas. I decide on the basement, having been taught that heat (and therefore smoke) rises, I assume the basement would have the best air. It is too cold that night to put him outside. I open the basement door and more smoke billows out. Guess Larry wont go down there. But I do, thinking that I could have been wrong about the fire being out. Now I am thinking it burned through the floor to the basement ceiling or worse, to the area between ceiling and upper floor. I do a quick inspection in the laundry room and see no evidence of fire, just smoke.

I decide it is time to get Leonard on the phone and get him home from work.

I am spending my time going between the backyard for air (stinky though it is) and continuing to monitor the house. Before Leonard arrives, I notice that the can of paint thinner is all of one inch from the edge of the scorched flooring and the bottle of rubbing alcohol only a few inches away from that. Once again I am grateful to have a house.

We do not call the fire department. The fire is out and we are airing the house. My asthma has hit the big time by now and I have a headache. I keep telling Leonard, "You should have smelled it an hour and a half ago, if you think this is bad!" By this time, I located two fans and have them blowing smoke out the back door and the bedroom window. The temperature in the house is dropping and by bedtime it will be about 40 degrees inside. I sleep with the blankets over my head, not just for warmth, but to act as filters. In our heart of hearts, we know we should never have stayed in the house and I shudder to think what our lungs look like. Never having been smokers or coal miners, I still figure someone will be writing "lung cancer" or "black lung disease" on our death certificates some day.

Leonard takes the rest of the week off from teaching drivers education and we work at cleaning up. It eventually becomes obvious that we are making no headway. The more we clean, the more soot we find. As we dust one item off, soot is settling behind us. The fumes are still toxic and Leonard goes to buy masks. He wears one for a couple of days, I dont, feeling the damage has been done already. Obviously, the fumes affected my rational thought processes. We finally realize the situation is bigger than both of us and call the insurance company. Unbeknownst to us, that is when our troubles will start in earnest.

To be continued

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Wales v England on ESPN2 Tomorrow.


By Lesli ben Jenkins, 2011-03-25

Saw an online interview with Robbie Savage.I think Gary Speed is going for a young new team for the future in making Arsenal player Aaron Ramsey captain at age 20.Most of the rest of the team are young too.We're out of Euro 2012 anyway so build from scratch.Gareth Bale will be the future but for now I think Gary Speed is apeasing Harry Rednap in not risking his player in a no hope game.He's looking to the future again.The bright spot is that Miss Wales will sing the national anthem and she's as cute as Katherine Jenkins and is also going to teach the players how to understand the words and sing with the passion of a rugby player.Wonderful stuuf if it works.

Apparently there are only 3 Welsh players who understand Welsh.Les Jenkins.

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Sing from anywhere in the world!


By Mari Morgan, 2011-03-25
Singer, choral conductor and teacher, Mari Morgan is now accepting voice students from anywhere in the world!
For almost 15 years, Mari has specialized in teaching choirs and singers over the Internet.
Founder and director of the North American Welsh Choir and the Sporting Nations Community Choirs in Argentina, Mari's MP3 teaching song tracks have been used by choirs as far afield as New Zealand to help learn to sing choral and solo songs in Welsh.
Now Mari's teaching studio is virtual!
Take voice lessons as a soloist or in a group class.
www.MariMorganMusic.com (study with Mari)
Get in touch with Mari in Welsh, English or Spanish -- whatever works for you!
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Ebrill 3ydd Sul y Mamau - April 3rd Mothers Day

Cofiwch Sul y Mamau - Ebrill 3ydd.

Cliciwch yma i weld y dewis helaeth sydd ar gael ar gyfer yr anrheg perffaith.

Remember Mothers Day - April 3rd.

Click here to see the wide range available as a perfect gift.

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Cyfle i ennill tocyn gwerth 50 - A chance to win a 50 token

Cwestiwn:
Beth yw enwr trac syn cyfeirio at Mam ar CD newydd Rhys Meilyr ?

Anfonwch yr ateb ir cwestiwn at steffan@sainwales.com er mwyn cael cyfle i ennill tocyn fydd yn galluogi chi i archebu gwerth 50 o nwyddau o wefan Sain am ddim! Cofiwch nodi eich enw, cyfeiriad ag e-bost.

Os nad ydych yn ddigon ffodus i ennill y tocyn, gallwch brynu tocyn nwyddau gwefan Sain fel anrheg wrth glicio yma.

Question:
What is the name of the track that refers to Mam on Rhys Meilyr s new CD?

Send your answer to the question to steffan@sainwales.com and you could win a voucher that will allow you to order 50 worth of goods from Sain s website for free! Remember to include your name, address and e-mail.

If you dont manage to win the voucher then you can buy a gift voucher by clicking here.

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Rhys Meilyr

Albwm cyntaf y canwr ifanc o Fn - Rhys Meilyr . Ond beth syn neud enillydd cyson yn yr Eistedffodau yn wahanol ir rhelyw oi gyfoedion? Wel does dim dwywaith fod ganddo lais arbennig o soniarus a chwbwl unigryw, ond mae ir llais yma rywbeth cyfrin syn mynnu eich sylw or nodyn cyntaf ac yna maen lapio amdanoch fel blanced gynnes, gyfarwydd ac yn eich swyno.

12.98

The wonderful voice you hear on this album belongs to an 11 year old first year pupil at Ysgol Gyfun Llangefni on the isle of Anglesey. Rhys Meilyr has emerged over the last few years as one of the brightest young singing stars in this country where singing is very much a part of the culture. His attractively sonorous voice is a strange mix of innocence and maturity, breathing new life into the songs he sings, which makes one sit up and take notice .

12.98

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Lleuwen - Tn

Tn yw albwm hir disgwyliedig diweddaraf y gantores ryfeddol Lleuwen , a lansiwyd mewn cyngerdd gwefreiddiol yn Galeri, Caernarfon ar Fawrth 13eg. Yr un yw ystyr y gair Tn yn y Gymraeg ar Llydaweg, ac mae Tn yn ffrwyth y bartneriaeth gerddorol gyffrous rhwng Lleuwen ar basydd arbrofol o Lydaw, Vincent Guerin . Maer ddau wedi cyd-gynhyrchur albwm, ac wedi canur holl offerynnau - Lleuwen ar y gitarau, y drymiau ar sither, a Vincent ar y bs, yr offerynnau taro ar ukulele. Maer ddau hefyd wedi ychwanegu nifer o sosbenni ac offer arall or gegin! Mae pedair cn Lydewig ar Tn , tair wedi eu cyfansoddi gan Lleuwen , ac un gan y bardd Llydewig enwog Lan Tangi .

9.99

Tn , the Welsh and Breton word for fire, is the eagerly awaited new album from acclaimed Welsh singer Lleuwen , that was launched in a superb concert at Galeri, Caernarfon on March 13th. It is the result of an exciting new musical partnership between her and the experimental double bass player, Vincent Guerin . They co-produced the album and played all the instruments: Lleuwen on guitars, drums and zither, Vincent on bass, more drums and some ukulele. They also played pots and pans and other kitchen implements!

Lleuwen currently shares her time between Wales and Brittany living in the town of Carhaix (Karaez in Breton) in Central Brittany. Lleuwen and Vincent believe that they really have found something magical together and think that Tn is just the start of a musical partnership that they hope will grow. They have adopted an open, childlike approach to their music making - anything goes! This enthusiasm and freedom of spirit is imprinted throughout the album, which delights the ear from start to finish. There are four Breton songs on Tn , three by Lleuwen and the other by the renowned Breton poet, Lan Tangi .

9.99

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Gwyn Hughes Jones - Canur Cymry, Cyfrol 1

Maer tenor o Fn, Gwyn Hughes Jones yn cyhoeddi ei drydedd albym ar label Sain . Mae Canur Cymry, Cyfrol 1 yn ffrwyth cydweithio agos rhyngddo r pianydd Annette Bryn Parri a bydd y CD ar gael diwedd mis Mawrth ac yn l Gwyn Hughes Jones , bwriad y casgliad yw adlewyrchu neu gynrychioli peth or diwylliant lleisiol cyngherddol sydd wedi llunio traddodiad y canu Cymraeg, traddodiad y tenor Cymreig yn benodol.

12.98

Anglesey born tenor Gwyn Hughes Jones is releasing his third album on the Sain label. Canur Cymry Cyfrol 1 is a collection of songs that are part of the rich vocal culture that fashioned the singing tradition and repertoire of the Welsh tenor including Mentra Gwen; Yr Hen Gerddor; Yr Ornest; Cartref; Gwlad y Delyn; Bugail Aberdyfi; Cymru Annwyl.

12.98

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Al Lewis Band - Ar gof a chadw

Mae rhain meddu ar y ddawn o gyfansoddi caneuon melodig a fydd yn cael eu cofleidio gan gynulleidfaoedd. Mae rhain meddu ar y ddawn o ganu fel eos. Dengys Ar gof a chadw , albwm newydd sbon Al Lewis Band, fod y bachgen lwcus hwn yn meddu ar y ddau.

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Cyhoeddi Ebrill 18 - Ar gael i'w rag archebu ran oddi ar wefan Sain

Some people can effortlessly compose melodic songs that audiences will lap up. Others can sing beautifully with no effort. Ar Gof a Chadw , Al Lewis s latest album proves that some people have it all.

9.99

Released April 18- Available to pre order now from Sain's website

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Steve Eaves - Ffoaduriaid

Casgliad cynhwysfawr gan un o gantorion-gyfansoddwyr amlycaf Cymru, yn cynnwys saith albym a chaneuon unigol amrywiol a gyhoeddwyd rhwng 1984 a 1999. Mae Steve Eaves bellach yn un o eiconau canu cyfoes Cymru. Bun recordio a pherfformio ei ganeuon acwstig a bls ers dechraur 80au, ac maer casgliad hir-ddisgwyliedig hwn yn cwmpasu cyfnod helaeth o recordio gan Steve ai gyd gerddorion. Perthyn Steve , yn ei eiriau ei hun, ir genhedlaeth o feirdd a gafodd eu tanio gan rocnrol a blws a jazz ac ysbryd y beat poets, ac mae ei ganeuon yn llwyddo i gyfunor arddulliau yma gyda barddoniaeth wleidyddol a phersonol, rhywbeth cwbl unigryw ir sin gerddoriaeth Gymraeg.

16.99 - 5 CD

A comprehensive collection by one of Wales finest singer-composers, including seven albums and various tracks released between 1984 and 1999.

16.99 - 5 CD box set

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CF1 - Con Spirito

Dyma ail albwm y cr o Gaerdydd, ac maer cryno ddisg hwn yn gasgliad o ddarnau syn adlewyrchu cyfnod newydd yn hanes CF1 . Yn y bn, criw o ffrindaiu yw CF1 syn llawn ysbryd, egni a brwydfrydedd - Con Spirito !

9.99

This is the Cardiff based choir CF1 s second album, and the tracks on this CD reflect the new phase in their career. Essentially, CF1 is a group of friends who are full of spirit, energy and enthusiasm - Con Spirito !

9.99

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Sain SCD2620

Cn i Gymru

Maer wyth cn a ddaeth ir brig yng nghystadleuaeth Cn i Gymru 2011 ar gael iw lawr lwytho. The songs featured in the final of the Song for Wales competition are available as downloads.
Cân i Gymru

Cynigion arbennig - Special offers

Os yn chwilio am fargen mae na ragor o CDs ar bris o 5.99 wedi eu hychwanegu ar ein tudalen cynigion arbennig! There are even more bargain CDs at 5.99 on our special offers page!
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Cyw

Cynnyrch amrywiol Cyw ar gael - Tegan meddal - 4.99
Jigso - 6.49
Cadw-mi-gei - 5.99
Mwg - 5.99
Crysau-T - 6.99
Babygro - 8.99

Newydd . . . . . . . . .
Bag cefn 7.99
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Papur lapio - 99c
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Pyjamas - 12.99

Cyw merchandise items available - Cuddly toy - 4.99
Jigsaw - 6.49
Money box - 5.99
Mug - 5.99
T-shirts - 6.99
Babygro - 8.99

New . . . . . . . . .
Rucksack - 7.99
Hoodie - 15.99
Wrapping paper - 99p
Magnets - 1.99
Pyjamas - 12.99

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Taflenni cerdd - Sheet music

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Cyhoeddiadau diweddar eraill - Other recent releases

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Friday, 25 March 2011

B log can be found in its original format at www.crapwifeblog.co.uk or http://craphousewife.blogspot.com/

I had a lovely day yesterday. In preparation for my birthday (today) Husband and his Mother are over hauling the garden. Given that I am as welcome to plants as Barrymore at a pool party, Shipman in a pension queue or a double glazing salesman at Josef Fritzls house, Ive been taking a more hands off, advisory approach. (Im not allowed to touch anything.)
If there is a nuclear holocaust in the coming months, I have no doubt that my Mother in Law would be able to replant the planet with a packet of mixed seeds, some compost and a handheld trowel. I am not worthy to hold her wellies.
The End of The World is something that weighs heavily on my mind- not just holocaust, anything that threatens life as we know it, Yellowstones caldera, the peak oil crisis or alien invasion to name but a few. I am nothing if not prepared. I have cupboards full of water purification tablets, tinned fish, vitamin supliments, freeze dried sundries, power supplies and batteries galore.
Im not too stupid to realise that if I stopped watching end of the World films then I may have been able to buy something other than survival kits (for when zombies attack,) but I like the security that comes with a cupboard full of survival gear. My friends think Im mad. I care very little, as when theyre picking the brains out of the caved skull of their next-door-but-one-neighbour, I will be eating nutritionally balanced tablets that taste like lasagne and watching Alan Partridge on a wind up telly.
Husband is knackered from digging and planting and Im finding it hard to think of a way to torture him without just being cruel. This is actually working in my favour, as hes getting twitchy.
As we watched telly this evening he asked if I was alright- Im fine I told him, but this is making him nervous. There hasnt been a major attack in nearly three days, and other than yawn, interrupted hes had a pretty easy time of it.
Are you sure theres nothing wrong, you dont seem yourself he tells me
My knees really bad is all, and Im tired from watching you work in the garden
I think he thinks that something really bad is going to happen.
I dont think Ive mentioned this, but for 6 weeks, Thursday night has been art night. I told Husband that I watched a documentary about relationships that suggested that couples who draw or paint together once a week communicate on a deeper level. Husband, being the supportive spouse that he is, has been going along with this, despite not being able to draw as well as my eight year old, ginger niece. Last night, when Mother-in-Law had retired for the evening, we broke out the paints.
I think we should draw some pictures of the garden, Husband, what do you think?
How long do we have to keep the art thing up for then babe? Is this going to be a permanent thing, or do we do it for while and then stop?
Well if youre going to have that attitude about it then it wont work, its about expressing our love for each other through the medium of art. I strop.
I didnt mean it like that, Im happy to do it if you think its good for us, and anyway, its nice to spend time together around the table isnt it? Bless my Husband.
I decide to draw a lily with the legs of a ballerina and Husband does a picture of him and his Mother gardening. My picture is weird, and his is inspired- I especially like the strip of blue hes done across the top of the page for the sky. I think maybe he should have joined the blue to the green for the grass instead of having a white gap between the two but I dont tell him this because hes super proud.
I think its fantastic that my Husband is willing to take part in weekly art sessions with me to improve our relationship, this is indicative of just how special a person he is. Nothing is too much trouble for him when it comes to me and our marriage, and hes too modest by far. I feel that I should try and reward him in some way, as he definitely needs some form of recognition for all this hard work.
Dear Blue Peter,

My name is ###### and my special friend thinks I deserve a Blue Peter badge because Ive been helping my Mummy in the garden for three days and Ive been really good. I have done lots of digging and lifting, and I cut my thumb on a spiky red bush but I didnt cry once and everyone says Im really brave. Its my special friends birthday tomorrow and we are doing the garden for her as a present and shes really happy because shes got a really bad knee and she makes plants die. I think you should give me a badge because Im a super brave helper and I want to be a gardener. Im a good drawer my friend says, so I have put some of my pictures in for you to see. Theres a picture of a horse, one of the sea and two of me doing the garden with my Mummy. I hope you like the pictures, me and my special friend draw them on a Thursday night when everyones gone to bed and its our little secret but my special friend says it makes us more closer. Thanks for reading my letter and please, please give me a Blue Peter badge.
Love from,
###### in Wales.

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My kids and I found a BBC British history for kids page: http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/forkids/

which is actually pretty cool and materials are also available in Welsh. There are lots of activities on the page to print and do and links to history pages aimed at adults as well. We found this watching a youtube video for a kids show from the BBC "Hands on History."

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