Let the Gem see the Cherry Tree

Well, it's nearly two weeks since we moved to our new seaside town. It's had ups and downs. A few more downs than I was expecting, to be honest, but I am seeing the glimmer that is the light at the end of the tunnel.

We had a few stressful starts; the car became dangerous to drive, settling the Princess in her new school has taken up some of my emotions, I miss my girls from Berkshire etc. And I am rubbish with change (when Coronation Street switched its viewing times a few years ago, I was at sixes and sevens for weeks. Discombobulated, to quote my lovely mum). So imagine me here, on my lonesome most of the time with two kids and no sense of direction.

The cherry tree shops are teasing me. Dotted around here there and everywhere. I can't bear it. The problem is the Prince has decided he HATES me seeking out cherry tree treasures and kicks off every single time I stick a toe through the door of a shop

But yesterday, I was sick of going cold turkey. I needed to go to some cherry tree boutiques. I needed to pick up a bargain. When I saw this book for 75p, I nearly weed my pants.

It even features a gypsy wagon. Gorgeous.

 I then  found this 1983 funky book for 40p. Can't say no to that.

Ooooh bring it on! Can't wait for summer.

 My friend is coming to stay tomorrow for a couple of nights. We always have a right laugh and the Husband loves her too, so it's always fun. He's off tomorrow as working all weekend so the three of us can have a silly night in.

Will be nice to have some company. There's been a lot of this going on.  Me on the beach taking pics of myself. What a doofus.

 I've been on the beach at 9am most mornings after the school run, just walking walking walking with the Prince. I will work off that Christmas chub if it kills me. But look, it's worth it in the bitter cold for this view.

It's been an interesting day today. I couldn't get up this morning, no change there, but then as I took the pushchair outside, it started folding in on itself. Turned out a screw was missing so in haste, the husband (he who graduated from the School of DIY Crapness) wrapped a lot of parcel tape around it and assured me it would last another day until we could buy a new one tomorrow.

Three minutes later on the school run, it started misbehaving. Then we had to cross the level crossing. Only just made it to the other side of the rail track as the barriers were going down.....S.T.R.E.S.S. By this point the Prince was like a squashed frog in the middle of a pile of folded metal and canvas. Fortunately we were outside a cherry tree shop.

I somehow managed to pull the buggy inside and asked if they had a stroller I could buy. I was desperate. I do a lot of walking here and can't carry the Prince after recently recovering from a slipped disk. The chap (Jim) could only offer me a travel system type pushchair (minus the car seat) for £65.

This wasn't an option and I could feel my blood pressure rising (did anyone ever watch Stressed Eric, the cartoon on Sunday evenings a decade ago? I felt like Stressed Eric, the vein in my temple was throbbing). Now what? I couldn't shell out £65 when all I want is a cheap stroller that will get me through the next 6 months.

But I also had to get the Princess to school and then get to a pre-school for a tour.

Jim saved the day, without asking for my name or number, he said I could have the pushchair for the day until I got a new one tomorrow and then return it. And in the meantime he would store my battered one. What a star.

I've bought him chocolates and I might have to make a promise that I will shop there from time to time. Like that will be hard!!!

I've met three lovely mums at school now. One invited me for lunch today with the others. It was lovely. Very easy, chaotic with loads of kids, and I felt so much better for being in the company of like-minded women. There was another girl there I'd not met before and she was really nice.

Then after school my neighbour invited me over for a cuppa as her daughter is the same age as the Princess. And we got talking and I mentioned my blog. "Oh my best friend write a blog too" she said casually.
Oh? I wanted to know what sort of blog her friend wrote.
Turns out it's ONLY the lovely Annaboo's House, the blog I've been following for ages. She and I were hoping to meet up soon anyway but this was one hell of a coincidence!

And this lovely neighbour is the one who gave me her old stroller. Things are looking up!