Category: expat

What is she saying?

- Californian Mum in London 2 Comments


I am starting to have trouble understanding my daughter. I blame the fact that she is in her second year of school. Moozles spends so much time with British people. Most of her friends and teachers. Her father. It does not matter that I was her primary influence for the first four years of her life. It does not matter that I am her favourite person in the world. She still talks bloody funny. She talks all Britishy, with a funny accent. She doesn’t open her mouth and articulate like an American. Like me. I love the kid, but sometimes I want to shake the British accent right out of her. Um, is that wrong?


*Please note that there were no half-British/half-American children harmed in the making of this post.

Violeta from Mango

- Californian Mum in London Leave a comment
A couple of months ago I received an email from Mango about their new range of plus-size clothing, Violeta by Mango. I was excited since Mango seem to have very few of their clothes available in size XL and I am still carrying the baby weight. Today I received an email from Mango. I was excited to check out the collection, which has clothing from size 14 to 24. Here are the some cute looks that I would wear:
 
Slim-fit Royal jeans Striped slub cardigan Tencel shirt dress
 
Although there were a few pretty items, for the most part the collection was quite bland. I had assumed the clothes would be for a similar age bracket as the regular Mango clothing. But it looks like some of the clothes are for older ladies. I’m no spring chicken at 38, but these clothes would age me twenty years. And I don’t know many 58-year old women who want to look 58. These are three looks that are neither fashionable nor flattering:
  Paisley shirt dressBelt flecked cardiganPolka-dot blouse
If you want affordable, stylish plus-size clothing, I suggest checking out ASOS Curve or New Look Plus Size.

Healthy Living Progress, Week 1

- Californian Mum in London 14 Comments
It has been one week since I started healthy living. I’ve walked the school run at least once a day (total of 40 minutes of walking, whilst pushing a buggy). I’ve reduced carbs and dairy and mostly cut out sugar. I also haven’t had a drop of booze since the 31st December 2013. I did have a Cadbury Creme Egg last week when I got my period, but I’m only human.

Yesterday I returned to the world of Pilates, though Husband calls it ‘stretching’. I began a weekly Pilates Reformer course. All the muscles in my legs and arms are aching today, so I know it’s working. Considering I spent the last five months of 2013 recovering from my broken toe, I have been ridiculously active this past week. But it feels good to be helping myself towards a healthier lifestyle.


The toughest part of my new healthy lifestyle is not having chocolate, cake or biscuits every day. I miss having a yummy Digestive biscuit with a cup of tea in the afternoon, not to mention a nice pudding after dinner. But I think my chocolate/sugar addiction was contributing to problems getting to sleep, which was leading to being tired and needing sugar to pick myself up during the day. I have been sleeping much better this week so I know it’s working, which is helping me fight off the cravings.

Have you made any resolutions for 2014? How is it going? Have you had any stumbles? 


Mother.Wife.Me

Yes, I have endometriosis

- Californian Mum in London Leave a comment
I’ve known that I have Endometriosis since my mid-twenties, despite not having a professional diagnosis. I had horrendous menstrual pain and heavy bleeding as a teenager. My doctor prescribed me birth control pills when I was 18 after I passed out in a department store bathroom during one particularly bad episode. Until then, I think my parents assumed I was exaggerating the pain to get out of school. 

After years of struggling with pain, I was told I had Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. A perusal of the internet made me believe that I had Endometriosis instead. Years later another GP told me that my symptoms were more in line with Endometriosis. But she added that laparoscopies did little to help and that having a baby would ‘cure’ the Endo. I went to a new GP, but they wanted to treat my symptoms rather than referring me to a gynaecologist.

I know I am lucky that I did not struggle with getting pregnant. But two babies later, I definitely wasn’t cured of the Endo. I still had the pain and heavy bleeding. And I refused birth control pills as they gave me horrible mood swings. We moved in February of this year and when I saw the GP at our new practice in May, I was immediately referred for a scan and appointment with the gynae. I had a laparoscopy/hysteroscopy yesterday.

They saw the endometrial scarring and burned it off. They also said inserting a Mirena Coil would help. Because I have a septum in my uterus (like a little wall dividing my  uterus in two), they ended up putting two coils in. This still seems crazy to me, but I’m hoping it helps. Only time will tell. It’s just nice to finally have a diagnosis and to feel that I’m on the road to wellness.