Pregnant and can't sleep!!

So it is exactly 4:05 am on my laptop here and I've not been able to get much sleep. This has been happening for a while now.Tonight though, takes the cake. Between feeling like the size of a house (I'm just hitting 8 months) heartburn and general anxiety (appointments to attend, things to do, nursery to sort etc) I am resembling something from zombie apocalypse. I would normally blame my tea addiction, but I figured that it cant be that, since I've been on decaf for the past 8 months.
  I'm not sure what the point is to this post exactly, possibly just an excuse to moan. I thinkI will attempt moving back between the covers now, wish me luck :)

Ten discoveries I'm loving right now:

1. Peplum tops.
2. Chihuahuas
3. Autograph eyeliners by M&S
4. Shiraz
5.Candles
6.Jumpsuits (still in search of the perfect one for a hen night)
7.The idea of dressing up as freddy K for haloween
8.Ankle boots
9.Having the fire on in the evenings
10.Homemade soups, stews and hotpots!

To-do list of the day:

Apply for a 9-5 job (yes I have one in mind)
Laundry
Ring Glee club reg.cousins hen do
Text cousin Lou about bridesmaid hair trial and free day next week for dress alterations
More laundry
Get dinner on the go
Go swimming tonight

Shift work versus Nine to five......

My mind is doing back-flips lately, as I lie awake at night (or during the day when I'm on nightshifts) trying to work out what the ideal work pattern is. I appreciate that many  people in general just hate work, don't exactly want to read a blog that is work-related, but the harsh reality is  that we spend so much of our lives trying to earn a crust doing hours we resent and tasks we dread that I think it's a pretty important factor in our happiness, to at least make a decision on the right hours for us. I've made a list for the pros and cons of both the 9-5 and shift rotating lifestyle, to try and help myself decide.

9-5:

Pros: Weekends off, generally bank holidays off including Christmas, being home in the evening to stay tuned with the soaps / go to the gym / have family dinners, always knowing when your going to be off and so able to plan ahead better, possibly a healthier lifestyle due to routine, Sunday roasts and Saturday nights out, the "Friday feeling", generally able to attend weddings and weekend events without too much fuss, Friday after-work drinks with work colleagues, just being free in the evenings to have an early night or catch up with friends, just generally being in touch with the rest of the population.

Cons: The Monday blues, the Tuesday slump, rush hour and road rage, not being able too watch This Morning, lack of flexibility for personal appointments durng the week, regular early mornings, a set routine which can get mundane, the dreaded feeling on Sunday evenings.



Shift work:

Pros: A mixture of lie-ins and flexible hours, able to make plans in the week-days, not having the Monday blues every week, holidays at cheaper times of the year, not being restricted to a set routine, option for extra pay when doing anit-social hours, more days off if doing longer shifts, more scope for overtime, being able to book off birthdays.

Cons: Often away from home when relatives off, working weekends, tiredness due to lack of sleep or having to sleep during daytime, no exact routine, feeling obliged to "cover" on days off, working on bank holidays, not being allowed to book holidays over christmas period (if applied to job), not knowing shifts more than a few weeks ahead, missing out on family events, going to work when everyone else going to sleep.


So I suppose everyone has to ask themselves what's important to them and what they would rather do. I think people should ask themselves (if having the choice) if they are morning people, if they value routine over flexibility, if they really value family time, if they have times of the day where they feel most motivated, if they respond to routine better when it comes to eating healthier and having more exercise. Personally, I think 9-5 sounds better, just because I'm a home and family centred person, and just lately am feeling that it's going to be another christmas either working, rcovering from or dreading a nightshift.....

My perfect list for an autumn night in!

I love Autumn, I think it's actually my favourite season. As much as people winge about the increasingly cold weather and darker nights, I have to say I it doesn't bother me at all. As you start to ponder the location of christmas dinner (and don't lie, you do have time to think about it) your starting to carve your pumpkin already and check out where the best firework displays are going to be. All the while your cwtched up (yes, I'm Welsh) in a chunky knit or three, just feeling generally all cosy and contented. The cosy nights in definately to wonders for my mind, so below I've listed what I think make up an all-round great autumn night in:

1.The cosiest pair of pjs / onesie you can find.
2. Soft and snuggley socks.
3. A roaring hearth (an electric flame effect one will do).
4. Some lovely autumn-scented candles (I love Yankee candles Pumpkin Pie and Autumn Fruit).
5. A good film or two (I'm inclined to say at least one horror, being halloween almost n all that).
6. Your favourite bevarage of choice, be it a hot chocolate or glass of wine.
7. Some yummy munchies.
8. A blanket to hide under if the horror film is getting super scary.
9. A friend / boyfriend (optional).
10. A cushion or pillow (also helps at scary horror film moments).

A nail varish that doesn't chip!

It's been like, 28777654 years since I painted my nails last. I think the last time I finally gave up because I'd lost faith in the pretty formulas that graced the shelves of make-up stalls everywhere. The chipping just became too disheartening, because let's face it, we just want our nails to stay perfect for at least a week after you grab a precious 3o minutes to re-vamp them.

  Anyway. one of my almost forgotten purchases a week ago came out of the bag three days back, this being Kate Moss Salon Pro Nail varnsih. I have to say, in comparison to tohers, this has not disappointed. It' still as glossy as ever, and the chipping - well, it hasn't happened yet, unlike others I had tried had begun to flake off within 24 hours.

So, I think my faith in nail varnish has been restored so far, since I'm pretty sure it's going to make the one week expectation. A few more colours now wouldn't go a miss.