Sunday 21 October 2007

Warning: It's All About MEME.

Well, bugger me, I've been tagged. Not electronically, thankfully. Manic Mother of Five (MMOF to her fans) has chased me round the playground and declared that I am "it". Apparently I have some explaining to do, so here goes.

Initially, having spent too many lonely nights with husband working abroad and me suffering the chronic insomnia often experienced by us vintage chicks, one night in the wee small hours I happened upon the blogsite of Wife In The North. I'd read about her in our Sunday paper and thought I'd have a look. From day one she had me hooked. I loved her writing and read her every post, commented regularly, and often at great length (who, me?), so eventually it seemed the only decent thing to do was to start my own blog where I could drone on without clogging up someone else's site. She'd written a post about her husband (who works away a lot of the time) banning the children from watching TV for a fortnight because he'd heard one of them swear, and then promptly clearing off back to work in London leaving her with builders, new baby, children on school holidays, no TV etc., etc. There was some discussion about children, swearing and mothers. Indeed, in the comments there were a lot of mothers, and most of them were swearing, including me, amazingly. I was furious for her and remember saying something like "in solidarity with you, I am going to start my own blog and call it Swearing Mother".

And the rest, as they say, is history.

Being a total technophobe I had no idea how to do it, no one to ask as I didn't particularly want my family to know my guilty secret in case they laughed at me, hence my blog is very plain, I don't have any links, many photos or any fancy gizmos. Just lots of swearing. And the thing is, sometimes I don't even feel like swearing but then how can I go on calling myself Swearing Mother? Maybe we need to change it to I Used To Be Swearing Mother But I Am A Reformed Character Now? Not very catchy.

About Me:

I am very, very old. Or extremely young looking for my age, depending on the amount of maintenance I've undergone when you see me.

I am struggling to find a creative outlet, and would like to write short stories or articles for a magazine or newspaper. At the moment I am an NHS wage-slave with attitude.

I have a small but beautifully formed family (this should have come first really) who mean everything to me.

I am an Olympic standard worrier.

I decided when I was 14 that as I didn't seem to be shaping up to be a stunner, at least I could have a personality. Character, they called it in those days.

I am passionate about stuff, verbal, hot tempered if riled, sensitive about other people, intuitive, a bit of a control freak, obsessive, compulsive, hard-working (most of the time) and high maintenance. I don't have to tell you about my weird sense of humour, you've probably already noticed.

I drink too much, eat too much, and swear too much. But I am trying to cut down on the eating and drinking.

And that's it really.

Oh, one more thing. The response I've had to my blog has really surprised and delighted me. I don't really know what I was expecting when I began, I just kept on going because I enjoyed writing it and reading everyone's comments, visiting other blogs and leaving my comments there. It's become a bit of a way of life, and cheesey though it sounds, I'd miss you guys if we stopped now.



Ooops, nearly forgot to nominate a MEME tagee - I'd like to nominate Laurie (Three Dog Blog) who has been with me from the start and given good advice whenever I've asked for it.

46 comments:

Kim said...

Very interesting stuff. We have quite a bit in common, I'd say. I enjoyed this post very much.

And I'm looking forward to seeing it on Laurie's blog, too. She is one of my favorites.

Swearing Mother said...

Thanks Kaycie, that's lovely.

Laurie is just so interesting, I was a bit concerned she might be too worried about Boscoe to do this MEME, but we'll see.

Thanks for dropping by.

Manic Mother Of Five said...

Bloody brilliant! As ever I chuckle away when I read your posts. On your recommendation I'll visit Laurie too. S/M you are a star and stop going on about being ancient. We don't give a fuck, we just think you ROCK! X

laurie said...

ha! too worried about boscoe to write about myself? NEVER!!!

i'm happy to take up the challenge.

but now i have to read yours first.

stand by...

Swearing Mother said...

MMOF: See what you've started now? And how dare you be so foxy on my post?! If only I could draw a moustache on your picture I would:o) Some people are too damned gorgeous for their own good.

Manic Mother of FIVE??? I don't believe it!


Laurie, that's a relief! Looking forward to your MEME. Read you soon .......

merry weather said...

Coming in here is like a breath of fresh air - I remember hoping you'd start your own blog when I read your long funny comments at Wife's.

Good luck with your writing, you'd be fab in print!

Swearing Mother said...

Those were the days Merry! I still read WITN regularly but tend to leave the commenting to others now. I think I must have taken up more of her blog than she did at times!

laurie said...

ok, i just stole 10 minutes from work time and read this. it's great! and it fits with everything i know about you, except the "really really old" part.

it's so refreshing to meet someone who drinks too much, eats too much, and swears. it's like looking in a mirror.

Swearing Mother said...

Hi Laurie, the "really, really old" bit was maybe slightly exaggerated, just the way I was feeling at the time! Haven't been to the gym for a while, fallen off the diet wagon, been comfort drinking red wine etc., etc., so I'm paying the price at the moment in low self esteem.

Anyway, age is relative I suppose. Me and Sarah Sarenden, we've got it nailed.

Swearing Mother said...

That was meant to read "Susan" Sarenden by the way. Or Joanna Lumley................


Doh!

laurie said...

hey, if you're looking like susan sarandon, you're doing well!

my husband, by the way, looks a little like tim robbins, in certain lights. a friend of mine told him that once at a party, and he just smiled enigmatically and said, "chicks dig it."

The Woman who Can said...

Ooh, lovely post SM! Am back now, too. Will try & post tonight, so you are up to date with goings on.

the rotten correspondent said...

I for one am thrilled that you blog. I think you have one of the funniest blogs around. And I'm all about anyone who eats, drinks and swears too much. My kind of woman.

Your list was great and just confirmed what I already thought. Loved it!

wakeupandsmellthecoffee said...

how did you and laurie find each other? I wrote a post once about tracing all my blogpals.

laurie said...

RC claims that i found her blog and posted on it the day she confessed she has curly hair.

i can't remember how i found it, though. it must have been through following some of her witty comments back to her place. but i am not entirely sure.

Swearing Mother said...

Hiya Laurie, Look like Susan Sarandon, I wish! I can't even get her name right! We're just the same vintage, that's all.

Husband looks a bit like Tim Robbins, eh? Way to go, Laurie.

Swearing Mother said...

Ooh Tina, will be over as soon as dinner guests clear off. Regrowth bothering you yet?

Tee hee.

Swearing Mother said...

Hi RC: Thanks so much for the kind words, I can assure you the sentiment is entirely mutual. Working in the health service, I can really identify with your blog, and have found myself shouting "yes, bloody right" on more than one occasion when reading it.

Fab stuff.

Swearing Mother said...

Hi Wakeup:

Laurie and I met on Wife In The North's site, followed the link and voila! I did the same with her and she's not been able to shake me off ever since. It's surprising who you bump into in blogland, isn't it, and why some people just gel. Good subject for a post there maybe.

She's like the wind said...

You always make me laugh.

laurie said...

ah yes. funny how wife in the north started so many of us down the blog path.... and now i hardly read her anymore.

i still think she's a fabulous writer--it's just that we sort of drift in and out of various blogs over time.

Marla said...

This is the first time I have seen your blog. I linked to it from 'Stinking Billy's" blog. I will be back!

menopausaloldbag (MOB) said...

Another stunning entry as usual!

menopausaloldbag (MOB) said...

Did you know that Stinking Billy has your blog and mine mentioned in his missive today? Fame without the fortune at last!

Swearing Mother said...

Hi SEM: Thanks for dropping by, glad to make you smile :o)

Laurie, Hi. Do you remember the Grocer? The one I used to argue with all the time on WITN? I still read his blog, his wife's just had twins.

Swearing Mother said...

Hello Maria, nice to meet you! glad you've found me, hope to see you again.

MOB: Thanks, Mob, will go over immediately to see what that's all about. Thanks for the tip!

laurie said...

twins! well, that'll keep him busy.

Gena said...

I really love reading your blog! you are so funny, and clever! your writing reminds me a bit of Sue Townsend, creator of Adrian Mole (her latest Queen cammilla is so funny!)I would love to see you get a regular spot in a newspaper!

Mean Mom said...

Hi swearing mother. Thanks for your visit. Wife in the North is responsible for so much blogging. I was inspired by an article I read about her in Prima magazine.

I think your blog is excellent. You remind me of some of the great characters I was lucky enough to know, when I lived in your vicinity. I have met some nice people since living further south, but life can be a bit 'bland' sometimes. I have come across far too many people who are too busy obsessing about what you possess or don't possess, to share a laugh and a joke.

Swearing Mother said...

Gena Hi, and thanks for visiting and thankyou especially for your kind words. Lovely to read you.

Hello Mean Mom, how are you, or should I say "y'am oroight bab"? I definitely know what you mean about the sense of humour around these parts. Wicked, aye it?

Mean Mom said...

T'ay arf, cocka. Tra fer now.

Unknown said...

Nice to fill in the details SM.

Been slack for a couple of weeks, glad you are still upholding the standards.

X

Swearing Mother said...

Only just, Knifepainter. Am having a bit of a slack time myself this week.

Think it's the clocks going back that did it.

FjordLine said...

and you've got me hooked!To the extent that I get impatient when you haven't blogged for a while, like 10 days...more please? mimi not mike

Swearing Mother said...

Sorry Mimi, having a bit of a low moment, but hopefully will be bouncing back soon.

Lovely of you to write, you made me smile this morning!

www.retiredandcrazy.com said...

Let me introduce myself. I am a swearing greatgrandmother. I find swearing is very libertating, as is bunking off work. I used to do that when I worked in the City (of London that is - is there any other city?) in the 1950's! Glad to see that you are keeping important traditions alive. I also get ratassed in the sunshine with my greatgrandchildren to ensure that the legacy continues!

www.retiredandcrazy.com said...

By the way, I AM really old!

Manic Mother Of Five said...

Come on on S/M know you are in a bit of a lull. You can shake yourself out of it - your readers NEED you........

The Woman who Can said...

OK, SM, let's go. I'll do a post now, if you'll do one by the end of the weekend.

Look at how much these people love you. And if you need us, then come & find us, & we'll help you.

Love,
Tina
xxx

FjordLine said...

SM< sorry you're in a low/lull- we miss your posts, mimi not mike

Swearing Mother said...

Hiya, it's me peeping out from under. Thanks for giving me a verbal kick up the backside.... was just feeling a bit offish, dunno why.

Retired and Crazy: You sound totally fabulous, I will be over to your blog forthwith! Great-grandma's who get ratassed in the sunshine are the sort of people I want to spend time with!

MMOF: It's a deal! Just got one on me, it'll pass, and then I'll be back to bore the *rse off you :)

Mimi, you are so nice.

x

Swearing Mother said...

Tina: OK, you're on. Be over to check on you later.

Pam said...

i swear a lot, too lol and last night my husband told me not to talk like that while we were waiting to be seated for dinner. i told him that he is not to tell me what to do and this is how i talk and always have so deal w it lol

Swearing Mother said...

Ciara, too damn right. It's one of life's slightly less innocent pleasures.

wife in the north said...

Why don't you think about a book? You need an idea and a synopsis; e-mail me from my site.
Do I have to swear if I leave a comment? Is it like the price of a ticket. Ok. "Bugger". Alright?

Swearing Mother said...

More than alright, Wife in The North. From now on, I am going to insist that everyone who leaves a comment must also swear if they haven't already done so.

You, however, can be exempt if you don't feel like it - after all, you were my role-model to begin with (the blogging, not the swearing), of course!).