Raise your glasses

Talking of the Royal Wedding and non sequiturs, I just have to mention at this point that it seems I have been nominated for the MADs awards in THREE categories. Not only Best Writer, and Most Inspiring, as I've already said, but also "Best Blog for Family Fun". I do believe in fun, so thank you to whoever nominated me in that category.

We've all established that England is the place to be if you want a darn good royal event. But I have a question for you. Is it the place to be if you have a 13 year old in need of glasses?

We are coming to England in 3 weeks time. 13-yo needs new glasses, and they're a bit overdue, honestly. It's been more than a year since his last eye test, and he says he's sure his prescription has changed. So now I have a choice. We could try and get an appointment, and choose some new glasses, and hope they arrive in time. But I know what getting an appointment with an opthalmologist can be like. Or we could leave it till we get to England, and get him fixed up over there.

What I need to know is this? Is there going to be a significant saving either way? Has anyone any knowledge of this? Glasses: cheaper in the US or the UK? I'm also wanting to ask if he can get an eye test and/or glasses on the NHS - but I don't want to expose myself to sniggering and chortling. Am I hopelessly out of date even to ask?

Advice please.

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The MADs awards 2011

Oh, you lovely, lovely peeps. You've nominated me for the MADs awards 2011. I am in the list of nominees for the categories "Best Writer" and "Most Inspiring".

I didn't actually check ALL the categories, so if you nominated me for my extensive food writing, or my numerous craft ideas, then please do let me know. And if you nominated me as "best small business blog" or "best pregnancy blog", then I strongly suggest you get some new reading glasses.

Thank you, bloggy friends.

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It's a MAD dad world

I am guest blogging today over at Fertile Feminism.

When she addressed the English troops at Tilbury, Queen Elizabeth I inspired them with a speech that began:

"I know I have the body of a weak and feeble woman; but I have the heart and stomach of a king, and of a king of England too".

I'd like to say something similar. I know I have the body of a trailing spouse and a stay at home mum; but I have the heart and stomach of a feminist... I suppose I could add ...and a feminist of England too, which would sound very splendid, but I'm not quite sure what it would mean.

Feminism has a bad press, but honestly, how can a woman NOT be a feminist. All it means, when it boils down to it, is that you are someone who believes that women are equal to men, and should have the same rights and opportunities as men to make of themselves what they want. I flinch a little, if I see a reference in the mummy blogging world to mums who have jobs as being 'good role models' for their children. Yes, I suppose I'm a little defensive. We stay at home mums can't help it, from time to time. But I feel I might just be a 'good role model' for my children, because I chose not to work when they were little, and because I'm grappling now with the consequences of that (which I foresaw, incidentally).

I sense this is turning into a blog post in its own right, when all I wanted to do was to send you over to Fertile Feminism. It's a website that was set up by Noble Savage (she who has been blogging since 2005), and you can read about its aims here. For me, reading this blog is the way I keep a small toe dipped in feminist water. So I'll stop now, and if you want to see me sporting my feminist garb, head on over.

It's a post about why there are so many Daddy blogs in the finalists of the MADs awards.

Election fever

Voting opens. History is in the making. The British public consider their choices. Will they vote red, blue or yellow? Or... Blogger Green!

Bloggy Friends. What can I say? Well, to my American readers, it's yay! and a hug, and maybe a small shriek of delight. To my British readers, it's a mumbled thank-you-very-much-you-really-shouldn't-have, and a look at my shuffling feet, before moving swiftly on to ask about the weather.

You lovely, lovely people. You have voted me into the position of Finalist in the MADs awards, sponsored by Butlins, in the category of Best Writer. Best Writer, for heaven's sake. Those of you who know me, will know how very much and what very deep pleasure that gives me. It is the greatest compliment you could have paid me (though a big thanks too to the people who nominated me as most inspiring, funniest, or best overall blogger - that last one, thanks Mum). Bloggy Friends, you are the best. (Is there a category for that? Can I vote for you?)

So as the country goes to the polls to vote in the (probably) more important matter of choosing members of parliament, let me reflect back with you on my own election campaign. It's been just the best. I haven't slogged through years of local party activity, stuffing envelopes (or whatever the 21st century equivalent of that is) in dingy back offices. I haven't had to sit in front of any intimidating selection committees. I haven't had to toady up to party officials. I haven't had to knock on doors, or be heckled by angry members of the public. I haven't had to kiss babies (though I'm always up for kissing babies). Three years ago, I started a blog (could someone hit the 'play' button on 'Land of Hope and Glory' at this point? I'd like it to be playing in the background as you read this). Yes, three years ago I started a blog, and since then I've splurged my splurges, rambled my rambles, ranted my rants, whinged my whinges, pondered my ponderings, wittered my witterings... (do you spot a theme developing here?) In all, I've just been doing what I love doing - writing, reading, commenting - and look at you, lovely people. You went and nominated me Best Writer. Best Writer, for heaven's sake. Those of you who know me, will know how [Shurely shome way of making her stop now. Ed.]

Then I did this thing where I said "vote for me, I need cheering up". I feel a bit bad about that. It's the blogging equivalent of having a pregnant wife.

Now, a bit about the voting in this final round. First, you have a month, so don't just whizz over and vote straightaway (though I do still need cheering up... obviously...) There are 9 categories, with 5 finalists in each, so that's a lot of fab blogs to have a look at. It's a sign of how big the blogosphere has become, that I have to confess to not knowing even half of the blogs up there (and I've read a lot of blogs). So this is a chance to go out and about from our own small corners of the blogosphere, and see what everyone else is excited about. The MADs organisers aren't going to be putting on any live TV debates for you, so you're going to have to get on out there, and do the reading yourselves before casting your vote (but don't lose sight of the 'cheering up' aspect of things.)

And thank you so much to Childsure, who not only offer private health insurance for kids, but have also sponsored the Best Writer category of the MADs awards.

Now, let me go and kiss some babies.

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