Time to spare? Some ideas to fill time

I am almost officially house bound. Whilst some time out may sound appealing to some, let me assure you that I am bored. Out of my skull. Shopping is out and I think I've reached the end of the internet. Naturally, I've already resorted and filed our entire home office, re-organised all the storage in the house and cleaned all the places that you always put off until you have more time. Apparently, that time came.

I have had no choice but to find some alternatives to fill the time. These have included:

1. Getting into House. This programme is bloody brilliant - Hugh Laurie is a genius and makes you proud to be English. Apparently it's the most successful programme in the world, ever - if you use the measure of most watched programme. Good-o.

2. Knitting. Don't laugh too hard, but I am loving a bit of knitting. My Grandmother taught me when I was little, but I haven't done it for years. I bought a couple of Debbie Bliss books, some needles and wool and voila! Baby items galore. 

3. Make soap. I promise I'm not adding making jam to this list. But ever since I saw Kirstie do it on Kirstie's Homemade Christmas (which was a brilliant programme by the way) I've thought 'how hard can it be?' It takes quite a while to do, but it's very therapeutic - although I won't be able to sample the results for another four weeks. When the time comes, I'll report on whether it was worth it, or whether I should have just gone to Lush instead. 

4. Attempt to master wordpress. This is very traumatic. And is ongoing. I don't want to talk about this any further. 

5. Get ridiculously excited about Halloween. I never used to be into Halloween, but last year we had a party and it was great fun decorating the house and carving pumpkins. I'm planning on doing the same this year - without the party, but with more cupcakes. I can't decide when it's acceptable to put the decorations up - I'm thinking this weekend should be okay.

6. Plan for Christmas. Presents, cards, food - the full works. I love Christmas and now the shops have started to stock their seasonal goodies, I feel no further excuse is needed. 

If there's anything you feel I'm missing, do let me know - any inspiration gratefully received right now!

The key to success is...

...organisation. I admit it. I'm a list maker. But it really is true. Today, I had a 'good day'. Last night, for the first time in a while, I made a list of everything I wanted to get done today. Mainly boring chores (like sorting Elder Martini's clothes that he's grown out of to go into storage) that have been hanging over me for a while, but despite the fact I'm not working still don't seem to get done.

All but one item was successfully ticked off the list - and that item (buying Mr. Martini's birthday present - it's not until the end of November, but I'd like to have it sorted before Mini Martini makes an appearance) is top of the list for tomorrow. Also on the list is drawing up the Christmas list. I love Christmas, so this isn't really a chore - I starting my shopping a while back and was actually waiting for the shops to stock cards. I was surprised they arrived as early as they did (is it like this every year and I just missed it?), but I was first in line. Even the shop assistant raised an eyebrow when I took them up to the till. 

So, make a list. Hell, make two. If you're like me, just making the list will help make you feel better. Organised? Check. Relaxed? Check. Job done? Check.

8 down, 1 to go

Tomorrow it will be one month exactly until the baby is due. Thank God. I know I'm not the best at being pregnant, but I really am done with the whole malarkey. It's painful to walk, this baby is HUGE and I'm permanently uncomfortable and the indigestion is making me feel so ill, I can't even enjoy cake (okay, so there is one upside - I'm not putting on weight at the speed of light). But enough of the joys of making life. My main concern is that we're not ready. At all. I know we have a moses basket, but I probably should prioritise finding it fairly soon. And some new born nappies would probably come in handy - Elder Martini's (formerly known as Baby Martini) size 5s might be a bit on the large side. 


Apparently the time is also right for me to pack a hospital bag. I remember this well from last time. And I won't be falling for the con - what a total waste of time. A quick google search provides the following necessities (I love the way there are four sections):


For the labour:
- maternity notes (fair enough - I'll give you that one)
- birth plan - don't bother. I can remember it. Get to hospital, get drugs, get baby, get home. Straightforward.
- slippers - okay, although I don't plan on hanging about
- socks - seriously? All that pain and you'll be worried about cold feet? I think not. Besides, I can't even see my feet. 
- Old nightdress to give birth in - believe me, you won't care if you're wearing nothing at all
- lip balm - oh yes, because between contractions you'll definitely want to touch up your make up. A small mirror might come in handy too...
- snacks and drinks. Really? I'm sure all hospitals have shops and canteens that you can send your other half to if necessary - but it's not a picnic, for goodness sake - I didn't want to eat or drink anything
- a hairband (see lipbalm)
- pillows - not actually as ridiculous as it sounds. At St. Thomas', you get one. That's not enough. But I'm just throwing some in the back of the car ready for the occasion
- TENS machine - waste of time. Bring on the drugs
- toiletries (see lipbalm)
- music to listen to - I don't know who comes up with this stuff, but it isn't a bloody rock concert. Any ideas that your child will be the next Mozart because he's born to some classical CD will be drowned out by your screams (and quite possibly, your partners)


For the birth partner (oh good, I'm glad he gets a bag too):
- water spray or handheld fan - I'd say dangerous, because it's likely to be thrown back at him
- comfortable shoes - because the ones he goes into the hospital with won't be comfortable? I'd suggest changing them before you go there
- a change of clothes - nice idea. Won't happen.
- watch with a second hand to time contractions - he'll either be wearing it, or won't have one. So doesn't need to be packed
- swimwear - Christ, now it's a swimwear party. I think the idea is he might like to jump in the birthing pool with you. First - I can't imagine that it's very pleasant and second, how big exactly is this pool? Can you do some laps between contractions? Maybe some aqua aerobics to the music set up you've taken with you? Maybe you could give a class to kill some time?
- Camera - if there was a camera anywhere near me at the time, it no longer exists
- address book / mobile phone numbers - now is not the time to be writing to your penpal. Anyone who goes anywhere without a mobile phone is a very rare commodity indeed - chances are, you'll have your own anyway
- snacks and drinks - I suppose he might fancy joining your picnic


For after the birth - remind me, exactly how big is this bag? Is it, in actual fact, a suitcase?:
- a going home outfit - again, nice idea, but it's not a wedding. No one is going to see and no one is going to care
- nursing bras - good idea
- maternity pads and breast pads - yes, agree, these are worth having
- nightshirt - okay, I'll give you this too. Better than the awful hospital gowns
- hairdryer - WHAT? Good luck. If you can get into the shower, it will be an achievement. The chances of sitting around preening yourself are gone. Forever, actually, but that's another story
- arnica tablets - it's unlikely you'll care or remember about them at the bottom of your bag
- ear plugs - err, no. You won't be sleeping anyway, so what's the point?


And some stuff for the baby too - but you will actually need that, so fair dos. 


You'd better hope that your birthing partner is strong - this lot is more than I'd take on holiday!