This is Me

I went into get Aedan this morning and got the SHOCK OF MY LIFE - he was out of the cot!!! He was sitting on his toy tractor, playing away, happy as anything! I don't know how he managed it. He obviously got out very carefully (he's quite a cautious child) because there was no noise annd he definitely didn't hurt himself.

Gaaaahhh! I need to find a way to keep him in his cot - and get window guards in case that doesn't work! (He probably wouldn't climb out the window, but why take the risk?)

I know I could convert the cot to a bed, but I think that would be a bad idea at the moment. He tends to play himself to sleep and if he can get out I'll *never* get him to bed! I'm glad we keep his door closed though, at least he was contained!

Oi.

Title: Mad as a Hatter
Author: Tuxedo Elf
Rating: G
Beta: Eni
Summary: Gildor has lost something and he thinks he knows who to blame...
Series: Wandering Home

( Mad as a Hatter )

I'm rather surprised, since I'm hardly prolific these days, but I have two fics in the MEFAs this year. :)

Thank you to keiliss for nominating Time and Tide, a young Gil-galad fic.

Thank you to rhapsody11 for nominating Field of Flowers, a Celegorm fic.

I'm looking forward to having lots to read!

Well, Aedan's fever seems to have broken, he's been a lot better since yesterday. He's not eating his usual amounts yet, but he's getting there. Big relief! We still don't know what caused it - just one of those things I guess.

Yesterday evening I went to a talk with enismirdal on Druids and their magic in ancient Ireland. It was absolutely fascinating and I learned a lot as well as gaining an extensive 'to read' list! :P I've never been to anything like that before but I'd definitely go again.

I also finished reading 'The Elf and Shoemaker'! I'm going to put spoilery ramblings behind the cut... *don't* click if you haven't read it yet and plan to.

( My thoughts )

There's nothing more depressing than a sick child. Aedan very suddenly came down with a fever today. He had been fine until lunch... active, playing, eating... and then within minutes he was hot, cranky and sleepy. We had him checked out by a doctor (Mum's doc is nicer than ours too) and it looks like a virus. So we're just keeping his temperature under control with calpol and letting him sleep as much as he likes until it passes. But I wish there was more I could do - I hate not being able to make it better.

Well, happily my fish is looking lots better. I think he was just constipated and will be adding a pea a week to his diet to hopefully stop it happening again. I'm going to name him Argon, since he needed to pass gas. *Snerk*

Yesterday I finally got to do something I haven't done for years - I went to archery! First time with a bow in three years! I didn't do too badly, all things considered, though I tired quite quickly. Going to have to build the right muscles up again. The bow is still ok too, despite all that time in storage. Needs a bit of tuning is all - just like me!

Next week Neal is working at Ascot race course and will be home to sleep and that's about it. Since this isn't a whole lot of fun for Aedan and I, we'll be spending the week with my parents. Should be nice. :)

Don't you just hate it when you can't find an icon to fit your post? lol.

I got a stunning new betta on Friday. Imported, halfmoon line, pure red. Tonight I fed him... just a tiny pinch of betta flake... and now he's bloated and struggling to stay upright. :( I don't know how it happened... I was so careful with how much I gave him. I hope he gets better. :(

Title: The Elf who came to Dinner.
Author: Tuxedo Elf
Rating: G/PG
Beta: Eni
Summary: Orophin meets Gildor for dinner. 5th in the series.
Series: Wandering Home

( The Elf Who Came To Dinner )

My Nan came over today.

Nothing quite like an afternoon of having your parenting critisised.

I love her, and she's good with Aedan, but I was hard pressed not to tell her to sod off today.

Oi.

So I got busy in the kitchen... I was intending to make a sponge cake, put my cake pan was far too big for the amount of mixture and it didn't rise enough. So I improvised.

( Sponge Stars, Cupcakes and Chocolates )



Am seeing Star Trek tonight, yay!

Neal is taking Aedan away this weekend, as he's literally not seen him all week. He's been going out too early and coming back too late. So I have some time to myself... I'm thinking of going into central London for a wander and a cupcake... been a while since I was there.

Also planning to write, bake and sleep.

AinA fic now two pages... and still no plot. lol. But the main characters have almost met - that's a start, right? ;)

Oooh remember the cat I mentioned previously, the one who was attacked? Well, she's ok! I saw her yesterday and couldn't believe it! There's a shaved area on her paw, from a drip needle by the looks of things, but otherwise she looks great! Happy. :)

I leave you with some random Aedan picspam.

( Three Pics )

Title: Always There
Author: Tuxedo Elf
Rating: G

**********


It had been one of those days. A long patrol, with endless small skirmishes that had left him feeling tired, dirty and world-weary. He just wanted to sleep, but was reluctant to go home – Lindir was probably still angry with him. He hadn’t meant to spill his tea that morning, but he had been rushing and had knocked the cup over, sending the hot liquid directly over a newly written sheet of music. The ink had run everywhere, the work utterly ruined.

Lindir had been furious and Rúmil had left in a hurry, preferring the borders to his lover’s wrath. Yet now the day was over, he was unsure of what to do with himself, especially since his brothers were both still on duty.

He deliberated for a moment before changing direction and going down a path some distance away from his own talan. Climbing up a tree rather taller than the one he lived in, he came to an old, large talan. He knocked briefly and then let himself in, going directly to the main room and sinking into an old, but soft and comfortable chair.

A woman appeared from the kitchen and looked at the grimy and dejected figure sitting there. Wordlessly she went back into the kitchen before returning a minute later with a large mug of tea and a generous slice of apple cake. She set them on the table before Rúmil, who reached out eagerly and took and took a large bite of the cake before washing it down with the tea.

He let out a long breath then, and settled back into the chair. She sat next to him and wrapped one arm around his shoulders before giving him and affectionate kiss on the cheek. “Better?” she asked softly.

Rúmil smiled and returned the gesture, so grateful for her always being there. “Much better… thank you, Mother.” Reaching round, he hugged her tightly and said the words they both knew but rarely said. “I love you.”

END


Happy Mother's Day! It's not Mother's Day in the UK, we had ours in March, but there's never a bad time to celebrate mothers, says I! ^_^

Hubby has been annoying in the extreme today, so I indulged in a little therapy-baking once he'd gone to bed.

Chocolate cupcakes with peppermint icing and sprinkles. Chocolate sprinkles would probably have been better, but I didn't have any.



Tired now. Bedtime.

The Ardour in August signup is done.

Confirmed.

Finalised.

*Meeps*

GAAAAH it's been one of those weeks!!!

Aedan teething like crazy and is *constantly* whinging. It's driving me nuts because I can't keep him happy! I hope it passes before I go insane. >.<

Lappy acting up, it keeps bluescreening on startup. Am hoping it lasts a while longer though because a new computer is unlikely to happen. Hoping to get an external HD for my birthday so I can at least back everything up. Assuming this thing lasts another two months.

Accidentally killed a fish... it got stuck under the ornament when I put it back after cleaning it. Feel horribly guilty about that.

Neal has been grouchy all week. He's stressed at work, but I wish he wouldn't bring it home with him! It's not *my* fault his collegues are total pricks.

Cat lovers... good thoughts needed for a local kitty... she had kittens two weeks ago and was attacked by a dog on Monday. She hasn't been seen since. :( fingers crossed that she's ok. I am FURIOUS with the dog's owner who *knows* his dog goes after cats and *still* lets the damn thing wander without a lead. Makes me worry about Smudge too.

In other news...

Am actually seriously consering doing Ardour in August. would be my first swap since 2005. Haven't decided for certain, but I'm definitely leaning towards giving it a go.

Mum coming over later and we're off to get clothes for Aedan and fish supplies. So that should be nice at least.

Yesterday I took Aedan to a play centre. We've been there before but not for a while - he wasn't walking last time! It was a lot of fun and he got into everything! he especially liked the little tykes car... though he kept trying to climb in the side without the door! We went on our own because none of the other mums could be bothered to come along it seems. Well, whatever - it's their loss. I refuse to just sit at home... which is why we're also going swimming and to toddler group each week. :)

I love seeing Aedan exploring and having fun... and he's at that wonderfully sociable age where all kids are friends. I asked him to give a ball to another little boy and he walked right up to him and handed it over - awwww!

Now the play centre has a wonderful bonus of being close to *two* large aquatic centres! *Grin* I got some moss balls in one and went into the other in hopes of getting another couple of lampeyes. Unfortunately they'd sold out but while wandering round I came across a betta in a tank packed full of cories and neons. This poor fish could hardly move without being battered by cories and my heart went out to him. He's now enjoying sharing 30 litres with 4 lampeyes. I named him Duilin. :D

Picspam below the cut.

( Pics... mostly Aedan and one fishy! )

I've been having very strange dreams lately, though fortunately nothing as disturbing as the Orophin one. No Elves at all actually, though Craig Parker showed up the other night.

Then last night I was chasing Smudge around New York. How very bizzare.

Others I can't quite remember, but still leave me feeling vaguely confused when I wake up.

I wonder what tonight will bring...

Well, we finally made it home by Wednesday afternoon. We gave up on the ferries and got the Channel Tunnel instead. All I can say about that is - it was the most expensive train ride of my life and the travel insurance had better cover it!

But on to better things! The trip was well worth the issues we had getting home! Düsseldorf is a beautiful city and I had a great time going aroubd it with luin77. :) Below the cut is lots and lots of picspam of some of the things we got up to! And plenty of Aedan too, of course!

( Düsseldorf 2009 )

We had a FANTASTIC time with luin77!!! It was a much needed break and we got to go sightseeing, to nearby Cologne for some shopping, visit an Aquatic zoo/museum and take a boat ride! Full update with lots of pictures to follow in a day or two. A big THANK YOU to luin77 for having us, especially since you had to give up your bedroom to do so!

I also managed to get luin77 addicted to the High School Musical movies. Um, oops? lol.

So, generally I am a pretty happy bunny. There's just one little thing...

Right now, I should be at geuzegirly's. But I'm not. I'M STUCK IN BLOOMING FRANCE!!! Why? Well, it seems the French fishermen have decided to strike again.And they don't only stop working when they strike, they block all the ports too! >.<

We waited at the port as long as we could, but eventually it got late, Aedan was tired, hungry and fed up, we were almost as bad, so we gave up and booked into a hotel. Sigh. Hopefully I'll get home tomorrow! France is a nice place, but it's not where I wanted to be tonight!

I am currently at geuzegirly's where we are staying overnight, before I head off to Germany tomorrow to spend easter with luin77!

Therefore I will be largely absent until next Wednesday, though I'm sure I'll be checking email and LJ- old habits die hard. :P

Am very excited, I haven't been away in ages! It will actually be Aedan's first time out of England. :)Picspam undoubtedly to follow!