Thirty Years of Change

Special K has changed for the first time in thirty years, launching a brand new, more wholesome recipe for their breakfast cereal.  Now made with not two but three grains - rice, wheat and barley - it contains wholegrains with 8 added vitamins and iron and has only 2% fat per portion.  The delicious, crisp flakes deliver a tasty and nutritious breakfast.  It is apparently a favourite of the Queen and Lady Gaga who clearly know how to enjoy a healthy start to the day!  It is definitely my favourite cereal served with almond milk, and the new recipe tastes great.

Yesterday was my 44th birthday so thirty years ago I was 14 years old.  I was an awkward, tall, slim schoolgirl, insecure and unsure of what lay ahead.  How would three decades change me?

Whereas Special K has gained an extra grain, I have gained some extra pounds since 1983 (so I may not be planning to sport that iconic red swimsuit anytime soon). However, like Special K, thirty years of changes hasn't changed what lies at the very heart of me.

What would I have thought had I known that in 30 years time I would be married to that lad from my English class that I had a crush on (and not John Taylor from Duran Duran!)?  That we would five wonderful kids and a gorgeous grandson together!?  That I would be, by choice, a stay at home mum, rather than have a high flying, jet-setting career of my own?!   That I'd escape city life for a rural existence?!  I don't think 14 year old me would be expecting these things in her future.

So many things are so different now.  The world has changed around me.  

I used to keep a written diary in 1983, recording the trials and tribulations of a teenager growing up in the eighties.

Now I run my blog recording the trials and tribulations of being a middle aged mum in 2013.

I used to take photos on my 110 camera and get my films developed, waiting anxiously for the postman to deliver my pics to see if any of the 24 prints were worth keeping.  

Now I use my mobile phone to take pics, edit them on Instagram and upload them all to the internet in an instant.

Back then, Bauhaus, Marillion, Bowie, Blondie and Meatloaf played on my record player, as the needle ran across the vinyl of the 12" LP's.  In my bedroom I'd sing along to my favourite tracks as I imagined myself on stage, performing alongside my musical idols.  

Today I have the same artists on my iPod alongside an X Factor winner, a reformed boyband from the 90s, some Justin Fletcher for the kids, The Killers (my musical tastes have been influenced by my teenager) and some  Andrew Lloyd Webber musical numbers.  I sing along in my car on the school runs. Some self-hypnosis weight loss MP3s are tucked away on there too...not very rock and roll!

In 1983, on our Radio Rentals TV I'd watch Blackadder and The Young Ones as I discovered the joys of the alternative comedians. The Tube introduced me to new bands and I loved it when they'd host the first UK showing of a new music video at midnight and I'd be allowed to stay up to watch it.  Having to tolerate watching Allo Allo, Game for a Laugh and The Paul Daniels Magic Show with my parents was painful, but I secretly enjoyed Blankety Blank!

Nowadays Dexter, American Horror Story, Revenge and Modern Family grace our 55" 3D plasma screen (alongside CBeebies, Nickolodeon and the Disney Channel when the kids gain control of the remote control - which is most of the time).

I used to read James Herbert and Stephen King books, flicking through the yellowing pages of the second hand books I'd acquired.  I still do this...Kindles are just not the same!  

I used to be pretty shy...I still am if I'm honest.  But I now have the confidence that comes with age and experience to carry me through most situations.  I'm not afraid to go for what I want in life and don't worry about what other people think.   

I used to wonder what my purpose was.  Why was I here?  But ever since becoming a wife and mother, and having my incredible family, I have fully understood the meaning of life!

                                    

This is my entry for the BritMums/Special K “How I’ve Changed Linky Challenge” #SpecialK30  

My Teenaged Songstress

I'm the sort of person who loves to jump up on the Karaoke at family parties!  That's not to say I'm a good singer...I'm just keen!!  OK, sometimes it falls into place and I'll rock out a not too shabby version of Total Eclipse of the Heart or Bat out of Hell.  I did a pretty mean rendition of Fame complete with a Flash Mob of dancers for my sister's wedding reception.  (How I wish I could have taken advantage of the open bar before hand to give myself a bit of Dutch courage...but alas I'm tee total and had to do it stone cold sober.  I swear to you I peed a little with the terror of the situation!)  But generally, I'm the one that people laugh at.  I'm the one who cannot hold the notes during harmonies, which is a real problem in my incredibly musical extended family!  My version of Skimbleshanks from the musical Cats has gone down in family folklore as one of my more hilarious attempts at performing.  My niece Liberty who is a Grade 7 pianist could barely contain herself as I sang along to her accompaniment whilst wearing an ELC cat dressing up outfit.  To say it was poor would be a compliment...I was more strangled cat than Andrew Lloyd Webber Cats!  However, laughter is a joyous gift and if my lack of talent delivers this most treasured prize to my loved ones I will continue to sing my heart out whenever and wherever I can!!

With this musically challenged background, one would assume that my children wouldn't stand a chance.  Yet by the wonders of genetics and its wondrous complexity, I have the most talented little songstress for a daughter!  To be fair, my husband is a bit of a guitarist.  He has six guitars upon which he can strum and pluck various pieces including Stairway to Heaven (which never fails to impress me!) but sadly the singing never quite matched up to the finger action. 

So my little Ella, aged just 9 decided to tinker with Daddy's guitars and using a Three Chord Trick book taught herself to play Jolene.  It was pretty good although her little fingers struggled to hold down the strings and chord changes were a little tricky.  By 12, she had taken possession of my husband's guitars and declared them as her own.  She googled chords from songs and learned to play a huge repetoire by heart.  Before long she was cracking chord patterns by ear and correcting tablature.  Then came the songwriting.  Simple little songs at first that made me beam with pride whenever she performed for me.  Quickly they evolved into more complex pieces with a maturity that belied her age.  She can knock up a song in a day and post it on Youtube via webcam.  She is so quiet and shy when introducing her songs but comes alive as soon as the guitar comes into play.  I don't know where this songwriting will take her, but at just 14 years old she is creating her own music.  It brings her such joy and gives her an outlet for her creativity, her emotions and her angst.  I am very proud of my daughter and am so glad she does not take after her mother!!!

My Teenaged Songstress