tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37400848.post1966128280794046419..comments2023-12-31T08:43:00.853+00:00Comments on Wife in the North: That Cabaret Lifewife in the northhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15227214647512546906noreply@blogger.comBlogger32125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37400848.post-64046133697114277172007-02-27T11:48:00.000+00:002007-02-27T11:48:00.000+00:00Wifey - does your singing actually bring blushes t...Wifey - does your singing actually bring blushes to your children's faces? As my singing does to my youngest!! My youngest tells me regulary to stop singing because he is embarrassed - he is 8 for goodness sake!<BR/><BR/>I didn't know what embarrassment was until I was about 21.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37400848.post-91120481234905929142007-02-24T19:26:00.000+00:002007-02-24T19:26:00.000+00:00Good grief, this is Northumberland not Novaya Zeml...Good grief, this is Northumberland not Novaya Zemlya! Contrary to southern myths we do not eat our children, there are no werewolves and we even speak the same language! ( Although you may not understand it). As for The Lakes, that is still in the south to me...100 miles to the south exactly. I went to London once, about 30 years ago...<BR/><BR/>S...<BR/>A full blown Northumbrian born and bred. See my blog for some snaps of the scenery all with 10 miles of my house.Stewarthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01985665182124985194noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37400848.post-7968614978540338512007-02-24T18:52:00.000+00:002007-02-24T18:52:00.000+00:00I am completely tone deaf to the point that whenev...I am completely tone deaf to the point that whenever I try to ‘sing’ I am sure I can see little cracks develop in any glass within 5 feet of my voice. This was a great disappointment to my mother who came from a long line of great singers, not to mention anyone unlucky enough to be within range of my singing, however. When I had children of my own it turned out to be a wonderful gift. Whenever the two little darlings would start to cause trouble all I would have to do is ‘sing’. Within a microsecond they would stop what they were doing and plead for me to stop singing. Of course I would comply with their request as long as they behaved themselves. <BR/><BR/>Just discovered your blog and it’s wonderful.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37400848.post-65926424265525313692007-02-23T18:46:00.000+00:002007-02-23T18:46:00.000+00:00Love your blog, I really do... it's great to hear ...Love your blog, I really do... it's great to hear someone being so honest with everything!<BR/><BR/>I love the north 'The Lakes' in particular, but moving up there from london? I don't know if I could do it. <BR/><BR/>Keep writing its brilliant!Savidge Readshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16188492593913938737noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37400848.post-57992701620485216752007-02-23T17:52:00.000+00:002007-02-23T17:52:00.000+00:00You know what I miss the most about my mom? The so...You know what I miss the most about my mom? The songs she sang! Now, being a mom myself, I try to sing and play (the accordeon) as much as I can for my daughter, and how she likes it!Annelies A.A. Vanbellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01545178679504496665noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37400848.post-25016613879870011672007-02-23T17:50:00.000+00:002007-02-23T17:50:00.000+00:00Hi, discovered your blog today, enjoyable read, an...Hi, discovered your blog today, enjoyable read, and very comforting too, being a mom of a lively daughter ;-)Annelies A.A. Vanbellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01545178679504496665noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37400848.post-86999520175497954312007-02-23T17:29:00.000+00:002007-02-23T17:29:00.000+00:00I have just found your blog via the Sunday Times a...I have just found your blog via the Sunday Times and love reading it, it takes me back to when my children were small. However I agree with the people who have suggested that you don't moderate comments, I always wonder if those that have been removed were more interesting than the congratulatory ones! I would agree that you should not accept rude or vindictive ones but is it not possible to block those? I used to read a blog from someone on the other side of the Pennines from you, she was interesting but held very strong views and it was spoilt for me when she removed all comments with even a hint of criticism.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37400848.post-2124198332836015202007-02-23T16:58:00.000+00:002007-02-23T16:58:00.000+00:00My mum sang to Jim Reeves and Perry Como when we w...My mum sang to Jim Reeves and Perry Como when we were young. <BR/>I still remember the words.<BR/>On my eighth birthday I was given my first single - It's now or never' by Elvis.<BR/>The along came Rolf Harris with his 'Two Little Boys'.<BR/>With three youngsters and a hectic life I find it very theraputic to sing at the top of my voice in the house and car. There is often a competition between myself and the kids to see who knows the most words and sings the loudest to the album of the day - whether it's Whistle Down the Wind, James Blunt or High School Musical.<BR/>All confidence boosting!<BR/>Keep at it Wife!BigSishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14578433767821966024noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37400848.post-82452801126841469662007-02-23T15:10:00.000+00:002007-02-23T15:10:00.000+00:00They strngly objected to me singing at the school ...They strngly objected to me singing at the school disco!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37400848.post-4789482622510738622007-02-23T12:52:00.000+00:002007-02-23T12:52:00.000+00:00mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmAmberhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03612203769030683682noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37400848.post-45990027882303817062007-02-23T12:17:00.000+00:002007-02-23T12:17:00.000+00:00Mmm I am having a mid Life crisis as well. IT go f...Mmm I am having a mid Life crisis as well. IT go for it there will be a huge readership of flabby embittered males waiting to be harvestedNewmaniahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11922161971821380803noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37400848.post-26711649295322124232007-02-23T12:09:00.000+00:002007-02-23T12:09:00.000+00:00Tee, hee!My younger daughter's *very first words* ...Tee, hee!<BR/><BR/>My younger daughter's *very first words* were<BR/><BR/>"Stop singing, Mummy".<BR/><BR/>I kid you not.<BR/><BR/>None of that usual dadadada nonsense for her. <BR/><BR/>Hmmm....it did make me self conscious for a while...<BR/><BR/>I did not then know it to be a universal truth that children hate to hear their mothers sing.<BR/><BR/>Maybe that's why Posh Spice gave up her vocals? <BR/><BR/>I expect her sons also tell their father that he is embarrassingly old to be playing football and could he please stop, for their sakes?007and a halfhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07305084144218272877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37400848.post-39048732766958805752007-02-23T11:49:00.000+00:002007-02-23T11:49:00.000+00:00Congratulations on the book deal. Yes, singing in ...Congratulations on the book deal. <BR/>Yes, singing in the presence of ones children can destroy self-esteem,especially if one is singing one part of a 4 part harmony arrangement! My boys always hated me learning my part and dear farmer-husband used my learning cds as the ultimate threat for bad behaviour in the car!<BR/>I look forward to your further installments.<BR/>J.(Near Henfryn Farm)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37400848.post-5352603493184323142007-02-23T11:03:00.000+00:002007-02-23T11:03:00.000+00:00On a different line, Iain Dale, with his finger on...On a different line, Iain Dale, with his finger on the political pulse, is whingeing about women tennis players getting paid the same as the men...<BR/><BR/>After 3 - 'It's political correctness gawn mad, I tell 'ya"...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37400848.post-19837187561367888912007-02-23T09:11:00.000+00:002007-02-23T09:11:00.000+00:00I used to fondly imagine my children & I happily s...I used to fondly imagine my children & I happily singing away together, that's before I actually had any, turned out to be a load of von trapp... I believe that you can sing because I can too and yet my four year old sticks her fingers in her ears, desperately pleads with me to stop and shouts LALALALALA. The baby copies her. This admittedly makes quite a cute picture but doesn't do anything for my self confidence. Also, I've just discovered from Dr. Alice Roberts on TV last night, my brain must be in a shocking state of disrepair. Dr Alice went off to a nice hotel where (for two nights) she only got four hours (four unbroken hours) of sleep. She was wrecked, became less clever and ate more, how we laughed. Explains a lot.<BR/><BR/>I'm loving the blog, first one I've read, suspect it's ruined me for the rest.. and well done on the book deal - but will it be enough to pay the builders?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37400848.post-28660830577187542392007-02-23T08:39:00.000+00:002007-02-23T08:39:00.000+00:00re sarahclark: exactlyre thegrocer: hmm there's a ...re sarahclark: exactly<BR/>re thegrocer: hmm there's a big question<BR/>re istanbultory:"culture shock and mid-life crisis" - don't think there's much mileage there for youwife in the northhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15227214647512546906noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37400848.post-54941508568741487522007-02-23T08:22:00.000+00:002007-02-23T08:22:00.000+00:00Hi Wifey,Your story is an inspiration to us - we a...Hi Wifey,<BR/><BR/>Your story is an inspiration to us - we are 2 expats in Dubai, currently writing our first book (s) after taking time out from the rat-race to GO! Smell the flowers...We're back in the rat race.....but are less rat-like aiming to inspire others to smell their flowers...<BR/><BR/>A crumpled copy of the Times article from 18th Feb arrived today with an encouraging note from a friend who reads our blog....<BR/><BR/>FYI you can check us out at www.gosmelltheflowers.com and www.gosmellthelfowers.com/blog where we've posted your story today! Magic if you could post a comment to inspire the folks of Dubai!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37400848.post-49228715920057757522007-02-22T22:21:00.000+00:002007-02-22T22:21:00.000+00:00Found this site via Ellee.There's nothing wrong wi...Found this site via Ellee.<BR/><BR/>There's nothing wrong with a bit of <BR/>singing whilst you're eating your Weetabix...perhaps you could send them to an after school operatic appreciation club, could be fun. :)Heatherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00509664330575956795noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37400848.post-17777247678184032572007-02-22T20:45:00.000+00:002007-02-22T20:45:00.000+00:00Alas, Mrs IT is not blessed with the best of voice...Alas, Mrs IT is not blessed with the best of voices and is well used to being summarily silenced when ever she begins to speak or sing. Wifey, I am toying with the idea of kicking off a no-holes blog embracing culture shock and mid-life crisis. It might very well be called "Byzantine husband- a cautionary tale". Do you think I could get any mileage out of it? Perhaps the "Bridport Free Advertiser" would offer serialisation rights....Stan Bullhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05955961163910010638noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37400848.post-85114230128515893102007-02-22T20:30:00.001+00:002007-02-22T20:30:00.001+00:00I think if your children condone you singing, it's...I think if your children condone you singing, it's like they are happy with you stealing their domain. Mums aren't supposed to be all singing all dancing in the literal sense - just metaphorically. (Also jugglers, conjurors, chefs, taxi drivers etc etc)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37400848.post-16270351206445466172007-02-22T20:30:00.000+00:002007-02-22T20:30:00.000+00:00You keep on singing! I can't sing very well at all...You keep on singing! I can't sing very well at all, but my two mooselets always want me to sing. "Sing the Beautiful song, daddy" they say. James Blunt is not my style, but they seem to love it.<BR/>From one blogger to another, I have to say I was jealous when I heard about your book deal. Especially as I am on the second draft of my book.<BR/>But I thought I'd pop in and see what all the fuss was about.<BR/>I have to say I like your writing. So good on you. Good luck to you.<BR/><BR/>And if you feel like popping round to mine, sometime, you'd be most welcome.Moosehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15860291631229759586noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37400848.post-36180727681251064082007-02-22T20:09:00.000+00:002007-02-22T20:09:00.000+00:00I know what you mean. I try to sing. It's enjoyabl...I know what you mean. I try to sing. It's enjoyable and allows me unlease my inner diva in the livingroom.(She's been hiding in a small dusty closest). <BR/>Somehow I feel I'm musically educating my 2 year old as well as developing his creativity... It's trying though when, after the 1st few notes I hear a small assertive voice pipping up. "Mummy no. Stop singing". I try to carry on. It's for his own good anyway, and get a more insistant "Mummy stop singing!" and putting his chubbly hands over his ears he runs around the room going "No...noooo...nooooooooooooo.He's meant to like it, I sung all the time I was pregnant.<BR/>So I watch him playing for a few minutes and then, with conviction I hear from his little bubbly lips. "BAL..LAAAAA...MOORRRR.....RYYYYYYYY... <BR/>This my music hating boy. Maybe he just likes the sound of his own voice.<BR/>I know I do.Jadehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09425316598963882463noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37400848.post-56631878014010230752007-02-22T19:07:00.000+00:002007-02-22T19:07:00.000+00:00Off topic, but the delightful Martha Kearney has h...Off topic, but the delightful Martha Kearney has had a promotion, and she will be presenting 'The World at One' - she will be a loss to Newsnight which won't feel quite the same without her.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37400848.post-79255123386675890902007-02-22T19:05:00.000+00:002007-02-22T19:05:00.000+00:00Trawling back in the memory backs, I must admit I ...Trawling back in the memory backs, I must admit I was never a big fan of my mother singing. This was rather tricky, as it would be something she would do a lot of, when practising playing hymns on the piano [she was an organist at the chapel]. I can't pin down why this was. <BR/><BR/>I suspect it may be linked to that phase of life your boys were at, which you mentioned in an earlier post. Boys do seem very protective of their mums at that age. Perhaps they think you will attract the wrong sort of attention ! Or that a passing record company 'A&R' man may want to snap you up for the next 'Girls Aloud'. <BR/><BR/>Maybe there is something more deep rooted - perhaps mothers of our distant ancestors only 'sang' when the fathers were out 'hunting and gathering' and one of those bears your son was worrying about was in the vicinity. Perhaps it makes them feel anxious, and that singing a lullaby is what they are after ??Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37400848.post-55522478267520524892007-02-22T16:06:00.000+00:002007-02-22T16:06:00.000+00:00Both my father and mother sang during my childhood...Both my father and mother sang during my childhood. My mom whistled as well. At her seventieth birthday several years ago, my brother reflected on how comforting he found her whistling as a child. So sing on, especially around your children's friends. Embarrass them as much as possible. You'll leave them with fond memories by doing so.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com