A fortifying breakfast seemed to be in order, having almost fainted in the shower this morning.
I gave blood yesterday for the first time since having the boys. It's something I used to do regularly, but what with pregnancy, birth and babies, I've only just got myself together to go back. I've never had any problems donating in the past, so this morning was a bit of a shock. I suppose you have to expect some changes with (cough) age (cough). Oh, and the fact that my children are bleeding me dry every waking minute of the day. But let's not go there.
Johnny's favourite song on the radio at the moment is Bleeding Love by Leona Lewis. But I don't think he has grasped the subtle art of metaphor.
Johnny: Mama, if she keep keep bleeding, she gonna be dead!
You gave blood? And you thought I was brave with that frog!!
It took me years to pluck up the courage to donate blood and then I finally went, only to be told they couldn't accept my blood - WOO HOO!.... I mean 'oh no'. Heh.
Oh and I shall give the cafetiere cover a go AND I really want to hear about King Kong. :)
Posted by: Caitlin - Bridget's Flame | 06 February 2008 at 23:51
Dang, that looks like some good breakfast! What is it??
Posted by: Paige | 07 February 2008 at 00:20
I am not allowed to give blood over here in the states. Apparently us Brits all have mad cow disease in our blood!! or at least that's what is thought.!!Silly rule,don't you think?
Posted by: natasha s | 07 February 2008 at 02:17
I can't seem to give blood anymore either. I used to be able to, but the last time I gave, it took me SEVEN HOURS to recover just laying there weak and woozy on the couch. After that time, unless there's a serious emergency need for blood, I've taken an... extended... hiatus.
I found your blog today via Amy's Creative Mom Podcast. I'm a fellow 365 Project participant. Your photos are so nice and you're doing a good job at avoiding browns and greys! ;)
Posted by: Nicole | 07 February 2008 at 02:56
I too am unable to donate blood here due to living amongst your mad cows! That song is also Lucinda's fave and even Daph sang along with in the car this morning!!
Posted by: Louise | 07 February 2008 at 03:51
I think you need chocolate to make up the donated blood.........I'm sure I read that somewhere!!
Posted by: French Knots | 07 February 2008 at 08:03
You are a good girl giving blood, I am impressed but concerned about you feeling faint the next day .... that doesn't sound right perhaps you should go to Docs, maybe you need some extra iron or something similar (feel like my granny saying this!).
I can't give blood here in Singapore & like some of the other comments its because of the mad cow rubbish in UK a few years back. Haven't they noticed the UK hasn't turned into a zombie movie, people are giving/receiving blood and we all are doing ok???
Breakfast looked good though - you've been on that breakfast blog again haven't you? I'm having a Ready Brek moment at present after finding a box in an expensive deli which imports food for the expats - would never have thought Ready Brek would ever gain such dizzy heights as a place in a posh deli/market in Singapore. Life is too ridiculous at times...
Posted by: Victoria | 07 February 2008 at 08:17
Well done Ali! I hope the side effects don't last too long and that the porridge does the trick :)
xx
Posted by: Lesley | 07 February 2008 at 08:30
I'm not allowed to give blood because I once lived in Britain. Honest truth. And Johnny's right, you know. She'd better see a surgeon.
Posted by: Megan | 07 February 2008 at 09:27
Good old porridge! And I love Johnny's observation! Lucy x
Posted by: Lucy Locket-Pocket | 07 February 2008 at 10:31
Good grief! I've had problems with them getting my slow-as-molasses blood out of my veings which would make me feel slightly ill but I never knew anyone to have a reaction a day later. Are you okay; should you see a doctor?
Posted by: June | 07 February 2008 at 11:17
Oh no! Poor you - did they give you a sweet biscuit and a cup of tea? LOL at Johnny - maybe Leona's singing about giving blood. x
Posted by: Kitty | 07 February 2008 at 11:34
Have past for lunch. With red wine. My grandma used to say that 'red wine makes blood'.
Yeah right.
Posted by: Monica | 07 February 2008 at 12:17
Ooh dear- good thing you had some yummy porridge to keep you going and at least you were home! I gave blood early one morning and later that evening I went to the local yarn shop (they have a knitting circle) and as the kind woman was showing me how to ... plop! down I went. Well I haven't been back since!!
Posted by: Lindy | 07 February 2008 at 13:03
Om my gosh I used to want to be a nurse (blame it on Angels on the telly in the 70's) but now I can't bear a needle near me.
Brave you ........
Posted by: Simmy | 07 February 2008 at 16:07
Good for you, saving a life. I'm a dedicated giver of blood and am nearly on my silver award. I watched soooo many bags being hung up by Splodge's bedside over the years, I felt it was the least I could do.
I've never felt faint though, make sure you mention it next time...if there is a next time!
Posted by: Dragonfly | 07 February 2008 at 16:48
Well done you! Am sure it's nothing to do with age...maybe you just needed more chocolate...x
Posted by: Florence | 07 February 2008 at 17:06
I am so shocked that Brits in other countries cannot give blood becuase of mad cow disease that i have forgotton the comment i was originally going to make!!! Well done Ali
Posted by: Joanna | 07 February 2008 at 19:28
I salute your bravery Ali (even the thought of it gives me shivers - serious needle phobia). So you definitely deserve your yummy looking breakfast along with a nice restful day and a few glasses of red wine - apparently good for fortifying the blood! Your wee Johnny is the cutest little chap!
Posted by: julie | 07 February 2008 at 19:34
Good for you for going to donate. I went again this year for the first time since having the littlies. I was OK - I'm sorry you weren't :-( But presumably you weren't anaemic or they wouldn't have taken your blood - so maybe it was just one of those things? Better luck next time - if there is a next time!
Posted by: dottycookie | 07 February 2008 at 21:40
I just started donating blood again too. In fact, I'm gonna do it again next week!
Posted by: beki | 08 February 2008 at 13:30
Good for you Ali! Even though you feel a bit knocked sideways, it's worth it for the nice warm fuzzy feeling you get from doing something good :)
Posted by: Lisa Lam | 08 February 2008 at 22:40
Good for you, Ali! And I'm sure at some point we will relax the rules here in the US about the UK dwellers being ineligible to donate here. There was a time in the mid-80's, when AIDS was relatively new, that you couldn't donate if you had been to Haiti. So I was deferred for about three years because of a couple of business trips, until they changed the rule.
Posted by: Ginnie | 09 February 2008 at 04:11
hope you are ok now. I had low blood pressure during my second pregnancy, and always got dizzy really easily. thought it would go, but no I still can't spin around without almost falling flat on my face.
doesn't pay to get old I guess!
Posted by: tiel | 10 February 2008 at 05:44
oh bless him! haha
Welldone for giving blood!
Posted by: Bev | 12 February 2008 at 16:43