- We have now officially broken the world record in government formation. 249 days and no agreement even on the horizon. The previous record was held by the Iraqis and it amused me greatly to see an item on the news of a couple of Iraqis handing over a trophy to a couple of Belgians. They had come all the way to pass on the honour. Or the shame, really. I'm sure they're glad to finally not be the world's most dithering idiots. It's a pity we now are.
- Cesar Millan is coming to Belgium, to an arena near me. He is my guru. It would make perfect sense if I went to see him at work. Even though I don't have a dog. Even though I loathe dogs. In fact, Babes must buy me a ticket and take me on a day out. He simply must. I have children to raise in a calm and confident manner, you know.
- I have now gone to an Anglosaxon-style mother and baby group twice. I have to say I love it and it's the answer to all my prayers. I meet people who are just lovely and get what I'm doing at home with the kids, and Charlie loves to play with the other babies. The only thing that takes some getting used to is the singing. for five minutes at every meeting, all the mothers sit down in a circle on the floor with their babies in their laps to sing songs together. This was very surprising at the start, and quite awkward, but the children absolutely love it. It took all my strength not to be cynical about this (being Flemish cynicism is pretty much my default setting) but I vowed a while back to stop being cynical, so now I think it's just another lesson from the universe teaching me to go with the flow and not judge everything. It's still weird, though.
- I am 33 and have finally discovered the joys of makeup. Yesterday, I went out "with a face on" for the very first time - ever. I think it was possibly an amateurish face, but I felt very grown up and pretty. Any tips and tricks gratefully received. Especially for getting rid of black shadows all around my eyes (sleeplessness and old age are ganging up on me) and how to pick a good lipstick colour. Oh, and how to do eyeshadow or isn't that the in thing any more?
Thursday, 17 February 2011
World record, life guru, baby cynicism, face on
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glad you like your new mother and babies group - we don't have singing but i have a weekly mummies lot and v much appreciate it.
ReplyDeletemy new make up thing is navy blue eyeliner. a make-up artist friend put me on to it and it's all i need to feel done. better than black, which can look a bit smudgy and gothy on me. can't wear lipstick - i eat too much too often and forget its there and get it everywhere...
oh you must go see Cesar - YOU MUST!!!
ReplyDeleteAs for the singing - I never came across it at any baby groups in Chicago, but it was standard in the UK mum/baby groups. I still harangue the boys with my rendition of "I'm a dingle dangle scarecrow..." They have no recollection and are suitable mortified at their mother warbling at them up and down the aisles in Sainsburys...just getting the practice in early for when you are teenagers, boys!
Ooh - so you're a make up novice. I have to admit - I love wearing a bit of slap. Although mainly it's a bit of tinted moisturiser, powder, mascara and lip gloss. I do glam it up with eyeshadow for 'events' - with varying success. Sometimes I look like a member of Abba, sometimes like a hollow eyed heroin addict. And on the rare occasion I manage to get it just right - I find greys with a hint of sparkle work well for my blue/grey eyes.
I would recommend a 5 min demo at a make up counter...but I have to say all my experiences have been dire, so I really couldn't do that to you.
They were talking about you (no, Belgium, not you, Mwa, unfortunately)on Irish radio at the weekend, and they said that there's talk of a "sex strike", that the politicians wives will, er, refuse to put out until a government is formed. Is this true?
ReplyDelete(Wouldn't work in Italy, Berlusconi would just get someone else)
yea, i'm with u on the singing thing. that's why i could never be religious--too much singing. o and standing too. i hate standing.
ReplyDeleteOMG - I've been wearing makeup since I was like 3 and I am now discovering the joys of being comfortable enough in my own skin (or lazy enough) not to wear it. My advise is stay clear of it, it costs you money time and you are already beautiful :0)
ReplyDeleteI have finally mastered eye shadow (mostly), foundation, lipstick...but eyeliner continues to defy me. It's very annoying. So I'll be watching to see if anyone has any tips for you!
ReplyDeleteI never could get used to the Mom & Baby groups. The singing drove me crazy. Glad you've found one you like though. Have a stiff drink before the singing and you'll be fine!
I used to sing to my son when he was a baby (in the privacy of my own home, though) but when I tried the same on my daughter, as soon as she could speak she said, 'No, mummy make no noise.' So I would rather die than sing in public because my daughter was, is and always will be right on this matter (but don't tell her).
ReplyDeleteHelena xx
I hated singing in a group - bloody awful! Especially when the baby on your lap is loving it so you have to keep doing it.
ReplyDeleteEven worse, when I was chair of the toddler group, I had to LEAD the singing, it was my worst nightmare!
Touche Eclat!! For under eye shadows. Seriously. I've no idea how to pick a good lipstick colour - I'm still trying to figure that one out.
ReplyDeleteMom/baby groups can be the best thing for one's sanity. Glad you've found one you like.
249 days? Craziness!
I am a total cynic on the singing thing too, I secretly hope each week that no-one will remember to do it! It must be the original UK organisers who started it, we certainly never sang in Australia. We can but laugh... and maybe challenge ourselves to find some new stupid songs to share.. though I guess the babies will always just love wheels on the bloody bus ;) Maybe we can change the lyrics? "The politicians in the gov go round and round, round and round"...
ReplyDeleteHang on aren't you letting the side down with this make up malarkey!!
ReplyDeleteBNM
Ooooh, makeup, I wear makeup, I use a dark brown kohl pencil along my eye lashes top and half way along the bottom lashes, then a nice brown eye shadow smudged over the top, mascara, face makeup and a little blush. I use concealer under my eyes (good for your black shadows) and on any red spots on my face. I am rubish at picking lipstick, sometimes I think you are better off using lipgloss.
ReplyDeleteI am going to stay away from the politics for fear of saying something I shouldn't :)
x Sandi
@LK - Ooh I do like navy blue. I shall go and get some. Sounds great.
ReplyDelete@Nicola - I KNOW!!!
I must look up that song on YouTube. Then I can contribute a nice one, too. I do like singing to my children at home, but obviously they're all Dutch songs.
Ah I don't have powder yet. Perhaps that's one for the shopping list. And I also like greys. Mmm maybe I also need a little bag, if I'm going to collect all kinds of things.
I have thought of going to a makeup counter but I am scared of the dirt, the other person's hands, the reused makeup. It's an issue I have.
@tinman18 - Well, it's true that there's talk of it. The politician who suggested it was joking. It did happen for real once in Kenya, and apparently it worked. That's an African country, though. We are a pretty Northern European country, and the main players in this game are a vastly overweight man with four children (how much do you think he was getting to start with) and a gay man (who obviously doesn't have a wife - I'm not sure if there was a call to gay life partners and/or loose contacts to desist also). So, in Belgium it also wouldn't work. The politicians would just watch a bit more TV or have a snack I reckon.
@Darcy - Ah well but I love the singing in church. That's one of the few things I miss about going to church. The standing you're right about. That's annoying.
@Kelloggsville - It's only going to be for special occasions. Maybe once a month or so. But I will take your advice on board. Thank you.
@Maggie - A stiff drink before driving at nine thirty in the morning. Check. Excellent advice! ;-)
@Helena Halme - Oh I also like singing at home. I'm always singing there. It's different if you have to look other women in the eye and do hand signs with your baby at the same time.
@Calif Lorna - HAha! Leading it must be so much worse. I feel better now, thanks. :-)
@Lady Mama - Oooh thank you. I will go find that as well.
@Rhi - Well, I think you do it very well. And I'm not even being sarcastic. I really genuinely think it's a lovely selfless thing to do for the babies. In fact, I have decided to make Jack teach me that English version of that Flemish song I was talking about so that next week I can do it with all the right movements and contribute my own song! I am not joking. x And yes, we can but laugh.
@BNM - I promise I won't do it more than once a month. It's only an experiment, and I'm way too chaotic to do it when I'm not going out to a party or something. Promise! No letting the side down here. Except at parties.
@Sandiart - Brown! I'm so glad you said that. I already had an excuse to buy blue and grey, and now brown as well! I must try them all. x
Make-up? Haven't a clue. But here's the best lipstick I know of- do you guys have Loreal brand over there? Their Endless Color lipsticks are wonderful and stay on forever.
ReplyDeleteNow- as to mommy group- YAY! And the singing would be weird but hell, if the babies love it...
I've just discovered Max Factor do a two coloured eyeshadow crayon thing - beyond easy to pop on and looks good (even if I do say so myself)
ReplyDeleteunder eye circles - benefit erase paste. it blends so well you dont even need to bother with foundation
ReplyDeleteAs for the eyes, dont bother, slick of mascara and your good to go
I hate lipstick. vaseline do a lovely tinted rose lipbalm thats pretty or benefit lip stain, dab it on smudge it a bit and pretty luscious lips
Dont leave all your cynicism behind! especially with all the singing
What is weird about singing? There's something you're not telling us here...
ReplyDeleteWell, nobody ever said having a govt. was a good thing.
ReplyDeleteAs for makeup, I like the kits from Bare Minerals that basically walk you through how to put it on.
I love singing. I think I thought it was weird once, but the memory is all but erased. There must be brainwashing going on at bounce and rhyme sessions...
ReplyDeleteMondays we even sing twice, German in the morning and English in the afternoon, bliss.
I don't believe in make-up...so here are my tips. Don't wear it--if you have to I do a light brown for eye shadow and then a darker brown as an eye-liner on my top lid. I am very Irish (strawberry blond hair, nearly albino) so I use brown mascara and only on my top lashes or else it looks like I have a black eye. I don't believe in lipstick--use lip gloss or lip balm--at the very most you can do a sheer/sparkly gloss-light pink.
ReplyDeleteThere are great products for under the eyes made for women who don't sleep. Put on before your concealer and then put concealer on then powder over it.
You don't like dogs? I'm not sure we can be friends anymore...:(