Nick's Carol

As I am in the habit of posting my family's work, I will link you to this little short story.

Verse 2 here.

Written by my husband.  He has 2 more parts to write before Christmas.  He has wanted to write a story for years and the dead-line has spurred him on to get it finished.  This is one of many he has swirling around his cranium.

Baby blues

 There are some days when I miss the fact that my children are no longer small.  I miss that I missed nearly 2 years of my eldest daughter's life.  I hate that there is another mummy she thinks about.  I miss the babies I lost.  I miss the fact that I didn't have a birth child.  I miss the fact that none of my friends have babies that I can cuddle.    Sometimes, it just plain hurts. 

Back in the day when I adopted my two girls I naively believed these thoughts and feelings would fade away to nothing; and thank God for the most part they don't plague me.  Just today.  I was at the school play yesterday and saw a tiny baby and that longing came back.  I know that it will be there for a while and will go again.  It hurts though. 

I have two beautiful ragamuffins to keep me busy.  I work in a school and am surrounded by children.  So I am blessed.  So I will take a deep breath or two and wait for this to pass.  And I will long for heaven when these thoughts will never plague me again.  To quote my daughter's favourite verse:  He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.  There is hope.

My youngest Christmas Play 2010

My youngest Christmas Play 2010

"Act 1:  Is it real?
Please can you tell me, is the Christmas tree real?  (Taps her chin.)
Shall we go exploring?  (Waves arms up in the air.)
Yes, then! Let’s do. 

Song 1 - Joy to the World

Scene Change - Set in the Park

Act 2:  Looking for trees.
Look here’s some trees.  (Pointing to the trees.)
Oh, these look real so maybe the Christmas tree is real.
We need to go and find some more trees.
So come on.

Scene Change - A different part of the Park

Act 3:  More trees.
Oh look over there, there is loads.  There is about 50 trees.  (Waves hand in a big arch.)
Ummm, I am not sure, that is real. 
Ah, that is a good idea, go and tap the tree trunk.  (Taps the tree trunk.)
It feels wooden. 
I am not sure that is real.  (She scratches her head.)


Song 2 - We wish you a Merry Christmas (with dance)

Scene Change - At the beach

Act 4: Moss On the beach.
Look over there, I can see some moss.  (Points to the distance.)
Oh look out, here comes a car.  (She ducks.)
Phew, the car has gone.  (Wipes her brow.)
Feel the moss, it feels soft and furry.  (Touches the moss.)
Oh look, here comes the parents, now we can sing our song.

Song 3 - Silent Night

Scene Change - The field

Act 5: Grass looks like tree leaves
I have just discovered that grass looks like tree leaves.
Ummm, lets pick some grass and put it next to a leaf.  (Puts next to a leaf and compares.)
Well, it doesn’t look like a leaf after all.
What do you think?  Do you think it looks like a leaf? 
Oh look it looks exactly like a Christmas tree leaf.  It long and thin.  (Pulls grass with hand.)
It looks like winter to me.  There is snow everywhere.  (Waves her hand.)
Right, lets pick up some snow and have a snowball fight.
Great idea!  Oh look up there, a bird.
Lets attract it into the window by the Christmas tree.  If the bird comes than the tree might be real because birds like trees.

Scene Change - A field of cows

Act 6: Why does a cow eat Christmas trees?
Look the bird has gone into the cow field.  It has perched on the tree.  That means that soon we might find out if that is a real Christmas tree. 
Lets go and feed the cows a bit of the Christmas tree.  It eat it so the tree must be real.

Song 4 - The First Noel

Scene Change - Home

Act 7: Finding out what Christmas is about.
So we know that a Christmas tree is real because the cow eat it. 
Oh but what is Christmas about?  We discovered the Christmas tree is green so maybe that is important.
Maybe a light on the Christmas tree means that a light came to the world on the very first Christmas.
Lets go and ask Mum.

Song 5 - Go tell it on the Mountain

Scene Change - In the kitchen

Act 8: Asking Mum.
Mum, please will you tell me what Christmas is about. 

This is the whole story.  Mary and Joseph travelled many miles to their home town Bethlehem to pay their taxes.  Mary was to have a baby.  Mary rode on a donkey and Joseph walked.  There was no room in the Inn so they rested in a dirty stable.  (Holds her nose.)  Mary had a baby at night.  There were loads of animals in the stable and they crowded around when the baby was born.  The baby was Jesus and the Christmas tree light reminds us of the light Jesus.

Song 6 - Hark the Herald Angels sing


Bow


The End."


I was told what to type.  Occasionally, I gave suggestions which were not always taken!  Stage directions are in italics!

That girl is a hard task master as she was very specific.  I am not sure where we are getting the scenes from or even where this play is to be performed.

Nostalgia

This weekend is the 25th Anniversary of our Church's existence.  We were not here in the beginning.  We were a long way away in a far off land (well the next county along).  We hadn't met each other.  In fact, we were just weird looking kids with really bad hair and terrible dress sense.  I know it was the 80s but imagine that and then some!  Any photographic evidence is hidden away at our parents homes.  So please take my word for it.  My ambition was to get to the end of my school days alive and Alan was going to be a hermit living in a wardrobe somewhere up a mountain.  Thankfully, I survived school days breathing and Alan decided that the inside of a wardrobe was only good if it led to Narnia.  So he choose Bible College and Church Ministry instead (or rather God called him along that path.)

We started going out in 1987 and have been together ever since.  This weekend we are having our own time of Nostalgia.  The "Some Kind of Wonderful" soundtrack has been sprung from its box and we both know the lyrics off by heart.  I think I look good wearing Alan's future (well, the CD collection that he sold to buy my engagement ring!)  Another of our favourite films was "She's Having a Baby". 



Back in the day it was lovely to spend hours together doing nothing and having no responsibility; having my younger sister sit between the 2 of us when we tried to spend a minute or 2 together!!  I have my suspicions that she was a spy from the family firm but I can't prove it.  Time spent in the Church Crypt listening to music on the old juke box; even now certain songs can transport me back to those days.  (I should explain that we weren't that weird but our youth club was held there.)

Looking forward to the next 25 years of the Church and also life with Alan.  One day this period of my life will fill me with wistful Nostalgia. I prepare the powerpoint for church and have inserted small pictures of things from 1985.  Not very mature but it was good fun doing it!  Our Church celebrates 25 years along with 'Back to the Future', 'Calvin and Hobbes', 'Live Aid', 'Elmo' and many more.

Nostalgia is good and leaves a warm fuzzy feeling but it will not get the cakes made for the Anniversary tea.  So I must away to the kitchen and start baking.  And at the party tonight to celebrate 25 years for the Church me and my girls are planning to whoop everyone in the guess the baby photo competition! 

Dedicated to my husband.

This post is dedicated to the man who has put up with me for a very long time. 



Because the original is one of his favourite songs!!!!!  Whahaha.  Oh so funny.  J/K.


Here is one he really likes:



Let us grow old and slightly crazy together.

Not my daughters?!

I am sorry Mrs .... but yes you can hear your daughters having a (at the top of their lungs) conversation with some of the other neighbourhood children describing in graphic detail their respective sicknesses.  Yes, in great detail.  They just don't get this quiet and decorum bit yet at all.  Oh brother, I ask you?  What will I do with them?  Swiss Finishing School, methinks.  Aren't girls supposed to be delicate and dainty - sugar and spice and all things nice?  Why do mine sound more like the opening 20 minutes of the first Shrek film?

Prayer

I really wish I could say I was a prayer warrior.  Someone who took all and everything to God in a never-ending conversation.  I am afraid I can't tell you that.

Just recently at a Bible study I go to I shared how I find prayer really difficult.  In fact, I told the ladies that sometimes I find prayer scary.  I am afraid of what the answers may be and how I will react to them!  I look back at some of the big prayers I have prayed and still can't work out why I got NOs.  Some of my biggest struggles with prayer are in regards to my family.  Being a wife and a mum was a large part of my desires when I was a little girl.  Family life has not always been easy for me (I really can't explain all here as I am just too British: Stiff-upper lip and all that).  I thought having children would be a piece of cake: after all miscarriage and having problems with child-bearing are genetic right?  Umm, no.  I prayed some specific prayers but still got the answer NO.  After 8 years of various struggles I had my 2 girls.  And being a mum has been full of things I would never have dreamed of: good and bad.

I still pray.  Although, sometimes big stuff I am reluctant to bring to God.  The answers scare me.  So I will keep going on and one day I will be able to trust fully again.  Christians tell me that God has my good at the centre of His thinking (which in many respects I know and believe) and then they spend hours worrying about small things, sometimes to the point of inactivity. I am afraid Christians can be glib sometimes.  I know I have btdt many a time.

Having said all that.  I came home and wished I hadn't been so open.  Now these ladies know something that I haven't shared with anyone (except my husband); at least not to the extend I told them.  I am a PK and a PW so prayer should be easy for me!?!?!  Later that day I was surfing the internet and I came across a website that has really helped me.  Someone else understood how I think sometimes.  My thoughts on infertility, not being able to be pregnant, bear a child, losing a few months of your child's life etc etc.

I read this article.  Story a little different but someone understood.  Maybe, if I can understand that my feelings in this are perfectly normal then I will be able to untangle my problems with prayer and trust.

Tightning the Purse Strings

Not that I own a purse with strings you understand.  This week the UK Government have announced cuts and lots of them.  As a Nation we owe a lot of money.  The good times are about to stop rolling it would appear.  I have tried to find out what the cuts mean for me and my family budget but can't make sense of the specifics. 

However, I realise that I don't fall into any category of thinking on this subject.  I think that we all need to accept the cuts.  For instance, Welfare will be seriously hit.  I am in agreement if the person could find another way of making their money, if they see benefits as a way of income for no valid reason etc.  I am not in favour of drawing benefits for life and believe in constant review.  I have seen too many people claim benefits for the most flimsy of reasons.  And then I hear (anecdotally) of the 73 year old lady who cares for her 40-something son.  He can't work due to a stroke a few years ago.  They are not entitled to any help at all.  Not a penny.  He has paid tax and National Insurance for years.  So I am in favour of a complete overhaul of our Welfare system.

I also like the idea of this. 



Surely, both aspects of cuts are needed to reduce the debt that this country is in?

Adoption

I have been affected by adoption in a myriad of ways.  As a Christian I believe that through Jesus and His death and resurrection I have been adopted into the family of God.  I have lots of brothers and sisters that I otherwise wouldn't have.  A spiritual connections with people from across the globe (and the internet brings some of them close.)

My 'here-on-earth' children were brought to me by the adoption system of my country.  Some of the people I rub shoulders with would like that fact to be erased from history, and hint that the mere mention of the word is somehow wrong.  On the other hand, others would like me to believe that adoption is the only thing our family is defined by.  I know the impact it has is different on any given day; how my children feel, how I feel, etc etc.  My children have very different opinions on their adoption and all the issues that spring from it.  The other day I was amazed as they tried to explain to each other their diverse thoughts on this complex subject.  If I didn't have a self-imposed ban on photos of them on my blog I would post a picture here.  Please imagine 2 rapidly growing girls with pale freckled complexions and red hair.

I assume this video is doing the rounds as I came across it in 2 separate places this morning and thought I would share it here.  I found it a good reminder.


Isaiah's Story from 31Films on Vimeo.

Big Girls

I am of the firm belief that all females needs a Big Girl in their life.  In our previous church my children were almost magical; the children that came from nowhere.  They were loved from the very first with a fast and deep affection by young and old alike.  The older girls took to them and for the 5 years after adoption we were at that church they played with them, allowed them to be honorary members of their clubs, shared sweets with them, trusted them with their mobile phones to take pictures after the service etc etc.  These girls were from the age of 9-15:  my daughters loved them.  They still have the collage of photos on their wall which was presented when we left.  My eldest daughter still misses her favourite Big Girl and we have been here for 2 years.

We arrived at our present church and adopted children are 2 a penny here.  They were no longer the special children who just arrived but part of the general crowd.  It was hard for their mummy.

They play wonderfully with the children at church and a girl slightly older than them is part of that mix but she is so close to their age she doesn't really qualify for the Big Girl Status.  (I think they must be a good few years older than my daughters).

A few weeks ago a family joined.  They had a daughter and a son.  My girls were drawn to this Big Girl like Bees to a Honeypot.  She was bubbly, warm and friendly with them.  The other night we were having a girly time and somehow, we got talking about this subject.  I asked the girls 'Who is your Big Girl here?'  Without missing a beat my youngest daughter gave the name of this girl.  I hope this family stays.

They asked me 'Who is your Big Girl mummy' and I was glad to be able to name a wonderful lady in our church.  She is great, and good fun to be with. 

In my humble opinion every girl needs a Big Girl.  And I would like to be so bold as to suggest that the Bible agrees with me.  Read Titus 2.  So today I would say, find your Big Girl and be one to someone else.

I dunno.

I like this song.  I ask a lot of questions and I could have written this song. 

Hard-nosed Cynicism or the gift of Discernment?

As I get older I find the 'Grumpy Old-Women' on TV increasingly funny.  I couldn't tell you why really.  Maybe, it is the manic way some of them talk, or the droll view they have about life.  Whatever, it is great.  I quiet enjoy a dose of their cynicism once in a while. 

I think that I am turning into one - a Grumpy Old Woman I mean.  I have a hard-heart. Every now and again an inspirational email finds its way into my inbox.  I am sure I am supposed to be uplifted by them and take the message with me during the day.  (If they have a Bible verse on them I will take that and ponder on it during my day.)  I have to admit that some of the most heart-wrenching stories make me laugh.  You know the ones that are send around purporting to be a true story about some heroic man, woman, child or even animal.  Often my first response is to go to Snopes to check the veracity of the yard that is being spun story being told.  I don't really mind receiving these emails because they cheer my day but not, alas I am afraid, in the way they are supposed to.

I am female - I should feel my eyes filling up whilst reading this stuff but I don't.  I am a Cynic or in Christian cycles I could say that I have the gift of Discernment.  The latter sounds so much better but then I am not sure if there is much difference between the two really; just that the gift of Cynicism doesn't have quite the same ring.

Puzzled

I recently heard a news item about US Immigration and it left me a tad confused.  I must point out that I am not American, don't listen or read a lot of American news and only have a scant knowledge of American history.  What puzzled me was the force of the article against the people trying to enter America in order to get a better life for themselves and their families. 

The Continent of the Americas had been held in fascination for many centuries by Europeans.  Many travelled across to the seas to find it.  The 1400 and 1500s are full of daring adventures; Columbus discovered the West Indies in 1492.  I suspect that with this in mind many of the people aboard the Mayflower left the shores of my (sometimes not so delightful country) to escape Religious persecution; to start a new life for themselves in a new land.  After a long and arduous journey they landed upon the country we now know as America.  The country was already occupied by indigenous people.  It could be argued that the introduction of many Europeans was not good for these people; many were wiped out by European diseases for which their immune systems were not strong enough to fight.

As news of the new country spread more and more people from the European Continent chanced their arms to travel and discover a better life for themselves and their families.  Settlements were set up, towns were built and States were organised.  Eventually, after much history and war against the Brits Independence was declared on 4th July 1776.  A new country was born.

All the while the Indigenous people were being pushed back and out of their land.  The settlers were taking over; all to get a better life for themselves and their families.  Unfortunately, the Indigenous people of America didn't have a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to help them stop illegal immigrates coming into their country and taking over their land and livelihoods.

I could go on but I think I have made my point.  I would love to know why the people coming to the US and trying to make a better life for themselves are seen in such a negative way by a few Americans.  Why is history not remembered? 

And then again, maybe I am sticking my nose into business that really doesn't belong to me.  I am puzzled, that is all.

Life begins at 40!

I am told it does anyway.  This year leading up to my 40th birthday I have taken up running, picked up the knitting needles again and taught myself that skill and put myself behind the wheel of a car for the first time since I was 20.  I am waiting for the confidence with the latter before I take my test.  Once that is mastered I can work on getting myself into a plane; not to fly it you understand but to conquer my fear of not being grounded.  I have to do this as I have places to go and people to see.

Anyway, back to my 40th birthday.  What seems like an age ago now, my husband asked me what I wanted to do to celebrate it.  I didn't want a party as I joined him on his.  I asked if the 2 of us could go away together and get someone to look after the girls.  I was asked many times through the months 'What are you doing for your 40th?'.  I could honestly say that I didn't know and that my husband was sorting it all out.

Fast-forward to last week.  I had sort of imagined we would go away to a local town over night and my parents would look after the girls.  Last Tuesday they turned up on the doorstep!  It transpired that my mum had persuaded my husband to take me away for 3 nights.  So on the Wednesday we drove to Bath; a city we both love.

We stayed here:

 We visited here:

Yes folks, I managed to encourage my husband that a Spa would be good and for the most part he enjoyed it.  The swimming pool in the picture is on top of a roof and gives views of the city of Bath.  We had a great time.

We eat at the Spa and the following places over our stay:

Las-iguanas

Greenpark Brasserie

The pictures are from Green Park Brassiere where we eat whilst listening to a live Jazz Band.  It was a lovely evening.

We managed to fit in shopping, Coffee Shops and a visit to the American Museum. 

I had a wonderful birthday.  I have to confess that on the outward journey my stomach was in a knot at the thought of leaving the girls for 3 whole nights but the experience was wonderful.  The next big thing is our 20th Wedding Anniversary in 3 years time.  I must get my passport for that and start praying now.  :)

Thanks to my husband for all the secret arranging that he put into this fantastic break. 

My Grumpy Old Women moment

No post, I changed my mind about hitting the 'Publish Post' button.  I do that sometimes. 

Some posts are best left in the recesses of my mind.  I don't want to scare the children.

Operation Cost Cutting

A few weeks ago George Osbourne announced the first budget of this Parliament.  He made cuts.  It inspired me to go through our finances and see where I could make savings.  (My mother has been urging me to do this for years but I am stubborn and fought against it).  I was shocked when I calculated how little money we had left at the end of the year when all our outgoings (including children's clubs etc) were taken off.  The money left was theoretically  to provide clothes, holidays and treats for a family of 4.  It would also have to cover any unexpected costs. 

So Operation Cost Cutting was launched in our household with vengeance.  As Chancellor of the household I have implemented some changes.  We have separate monthly budgets for food, petrol and extras.  I had to relent a little when I saw the confused and terrified look on my husband's face; so this system isn't as hard and fast as was originally planned. 

My husband was dispatched to the phone to find the best phone and Internet package.  This nearly caused him a coronary but bless him he has secured us a good deal.  Well, we think it is good but time will tell.  Oh and the TV is going completely.  We watch a lot but purely because it is there.  The programmes that we follow are very few and far between so the monthly cost is not warranted neither is the yearly licence.  As long as we don't watch things live we can get most of what we want on the Internet (we made sure we got a larger monthly download limit for this purpose.)  We may have to sweeten the girls with a DVD box set of the A-team series. 

It is my job to see what I can save on the Gas and Electricity bills.  Some of the deals require the money up front which seem a little odd so I will keep looking into that. 

So readers if you have any ways of saving money then please let me know. 

Have a laugh on me.

Well actually I came across this video on Sally Lloyd-Jones blog.  It made me laugh so I thought I would share it with my many blog readers.

The Competition

A few conversations got me thinking.

Conversation one:
I was having a chat with Lady 1 and she was just a little overwhelmed by the circumstances she was facing.  Lady 2 came over, noticed the tears and asked what was wrong.  Lady 1 gave a brief explanation with the tears still flowing.  Lady 2 gave the following words of comfort: "Welcome to my world."  I am no counsellor but I somehow don't think that helped.

Conversation two:
At the end of a church event after everything was tidied away I was chatting to 2 ladies.  Lady 1 was explaining about her busy week and that the next 2 weeks were for preparation of a camp she was helping at. Lady 1:  I am waking up so early each morning and that is making me really tired.
Lady 2:  Oh I am waking up early and going to bed so late.  I am just so tired.
I fought the urge to tell them that I wasn't busy, that I was going to bed at a reasonable time and waking up at 6am by choice.  I don't think they would have appreciated my input.

I them remembered a sketch that I had seen performed at a Talent Event at our previous church.  I attempted to find the sketch myself on you tube.  No joy so I asked the one who would know.  So, Ladies and Gentleman I give you Monty Phython.

Whew, that's a relief

Well, it is World Cup season.  England had us worried there for a bit.  They didn't play well in their first 2 matches.  I feel they were too generous to the other teams!  Thankfully, Jermain Defoe managed to score a goal in the first half.  I didn't see it as I was otherwise engaged.  My girls and I watched the 2nd half but didn't witness any other goals.  We were nearly going to win the group right up to the wire until the USA scored a goal against Algeria.  Sunday we get to play Germany. 

I shall not be holding my breathe but perhaps our team may produce another miracle from the bag. 

In other sporting news:  I am fascinated by the longest ever Tennis match between John Isner and Nicolas Mahut.  Their game has spanned two days and the score last night was 2 sets all with 59 score a piece.  I think they will be relieved when it is all over but both should get a prize for their physical and mental endurance.  Amazing stuff.

'It's an Abstract Painting, Mummy.'

My children's school has an Arts Week every year.  They choose a painting and base all Arts work on the type and style of that Artist.  Last year it was Renior's Umbrella. 

This year the girls was full of excitement because the REAL picture had been loaned to the School and was now in the Hall.  I promptly disbelieved the girls; the nice and considerate mummy that I am.  I soon stood corrected when a letter from School informed me that the picture had been loaned from a local Art Gallery.  This year the painting is called 'Parrot's Idea No 2' by an artist called Alan Davie.  I have never heard of him or the painting.

As Art is something both my girls love and do well in their is great excitement in our house this week.  My eldest has gone to School this morning dressed in black and white to be 'part of the swirly bit', as I was knowledgeably informed.  She told me he painted Abstract Paintings and that she rather liked them.  So, there we have it.  I am completely unsure of Abstract Paintings as I am the type who would probably hold them up the wrong way but from now I can ask my in-house Art Critic.  She will put me straight.  Or swirly.  But always the right way up.

Diet conundrum

We have a problem in our house.  We all love food and will try many different varieties of it.  I love cooking and baking.  This week I finally got around to redoing my menus in order to make shopping easier (and thus spend less money!)  I have a whiteboard strategically placed in my kitchen; ready for the list of food items which need replacing.  I hope my menus turn out to be a careful balance between meat, fish and pulse dinners that satisfy each and every family member. 

But I digress slightly as that is not the problem.  The problem is this:  I have worked hard this year and am extremely proud of my achievement in losing weight.  This has been down to exercise and slight changes in diet.  Unfortunately, the same has happened to my husband (not the exercise but the weight loss).  Last year he was proud of his achievement to get more weight on him!  He has been told to watch his saturated fat intakes due to a slight excess of cholesterol.  So therein lies our conundrum. 

How do I get a good balanced diet which keeps me the weight I enjoy being but doesn't allow my husband to lose all his?  For those few of you that read this blog.  If you have any good healthy weight-gaining snacks that my husband can partake, please let me know.  What about exercise that he might be able to do to. Before my husband becomes a shadow.  Thanks.

These are a few of my pet peeves.

I come from a family who are good at pet peeves, in fact almost everything can be a pet peeve, bee-in-your-bonnet, a subject to really get under my skin; if you just try hard enough.  We are good at it.  In fact, if we are not careful that is all we are about.

Anyway, I thought I would blog a few for the few readers I get.  Blogs are often 'pink and fluffy' and a kind of ethereal world that may or may not really exist (you could say that is a pet peeve of mine).  So for you dear readers an insight into the things that 'get my goat.'  (As an aside:  What on earth does that mean?  Perhaps, I could have that as another blog - "The sayings which you hear that don't mean anything at all")

• People asking me how am I and then not listening.
• People who are passive-aggressive and don't tell me straight what on earth I have done wrong.
• Idiots who ride around on motorbikes without their helmets on, and for good measure have their very young children on the bike with them.
• People starting sentences "I am not racist but ....".
• Prayerful concern.  If I can't help the situation of another person don't tell me.  I don't want to know.
• Busyness competitions.  The sooner you all realise that no-one is busier than me the better.  Got that.  Good.
• Christian tradition being confused with Christian theology.  Lets sort out together on the things that are really important and allow differences in the rest.
• Amateur Counsellors, especially people who are just plain weird themselves.  If you can't look me in the eye when you talk to me why should I refer others with problems to you?
• Having a sense of humour that puts others down.
• 'Uriah Heep' type humility.

Oh, the list is obviously endless and I could go on but I think that will suffice.  Maybe, one day I will post a few of my favourite things.

Photo which made my youngest daughter laugh most of the week.

OK, so only Harry Hill fans will get the joke.  It is a slot on a TV programme we watch.  We think it is funny anyway.

I sometimes use my phone camera just because I can.  I am like a kid messing around with it.  So today I needed a pair of shoes that weren't going to make my feet get to hot so I put on some white canvas lace-up boots I bought ages ago and have never worn.  My husband says they are very (David Tennant) Dr Who.  No folks, I am not digressing I am giving you background to the photo.  We were driving to the Church Club and for some reason (and if I don't know what it is nobody else will) I decided to put my feet up on the dashboard and take a photo.  I showed my girls and the youngest howled with laughter. 

It is good to know that I can still have that effect on my girls.  Long my it continue.  Although, maybe she was just laughing at the complete silliness of her mummy.  Perhaps, we should explore our daft sides together. 

I got rhythm

Well actually I haven't got much at all.  The girls should be at their swimming lesson tonight but for 2 reasons they are not.  1) Our youngest got a rather nasty whack on the head on Saturday which required glue and tape to fix and we have to keep it dry until tomorrow and 2) the girls got an opportunity to go and make music with a Symphony Orchestra.  They were both excited about it so we let them go (can't go wrong for £1.50!) 

They are learning instruments.  We are paying for them to have lessons through the school and this is a trial year to see how well they practice.  Well the practising just isn't happening.  I devised a scheme where by they both did about 10 minutes a day which worked for a bit until the sun started to shine; and then they wanted to play in the garden.  Fair play to them it could rain for the next 6 months here.

The thought went through my mind about all us girlies joining the local town band but unfortunately it clashes with the church club.  I don't think it would go down well if we left the latter and the band aren't going to move for us, so that idea is out.  Bummer, I say I was really looking forward to that.



Edited to add:  The girls loved it so much they have asked to sign up for regular music 'jamming' sessions.  So after half-term they will attend them every Thursday after school for 2 hours.

Indecisions abound

So we voted yesterday (unless of course, you were the several hundred who were turned away because it was too late!).  As a country we have given a clear indication of what we don't want but can't really tell anyone what we do want.  Most of the seats across Great Britain have been counted, their results declared and it is official: we are to have a hung Parliament.  What is not clear is the type of coalition we will have.  The Conservatives are going to have talks with the Liberal Democrats later today to see what they can come up with.  Our current Prime Minister has not told us what he is going to do, eg whether he is going to try and hang on or resign.  We will wait and see but please don't hold your breath as they can take as long as they like to decide.  As long as it is by the 25th May.

In other news:  I just don't know what to do with myself.  I resigned my job and it made perfect sense at the time but not so much now.  I now need to know where I go next.  Do I stay where I am as a sort of Supply Nursery Nurse?  Do I apply to another Nursery where a little bird as told me there may be jobs with less hours?  Do I volunteer at the school and see where that leads?  Perhaps, like certain political parties, I need to be taken out and put out of my misery.




Ho hum. However, I am pleased to report that the sun is shining and that bodes well for Flora Day tomorrow.  If I get a chance I will post about that then.

An over-developed knee muscle

I think I will get one.  At the moment in my driving lessons I am learning Clutch Control.  I have discovered it may be a little easier if I don't have my foot on the floor whilst trying to use the Clutch.  You have to understand I have to master this in the area I live which is full of hills, small lanes, tight corners etc.  So today the muscles around my left knee got a good work out.  I may walk a little lopsided but the theory of Clutch Control is becoming a little more real. 

I will master driving, pass my test and then I will have the difficult task of deciding which type of Beetle to buy.  New

 Or Classic.

Which one will suit my surfing-type lifestyle?  I can imagine packing up the suit and boards in the back, tootling along the road to the beach for a quick ride of the waves and finish off with a long leisurely Barbecue on the beach.

Or maybe not but a girl can dream, can she?

Surf board to the ready.

OK, so it is only a body board and I am not sure that it will take the weight of an adult.  BUT: we now own a body board and wetsuits for the girls in this family.  We asked a family from church who we knew to be water babies where they buy their wetsuits.  They told us of a place that sold reasonably priced middle of the road gear.  They then told us that they had a variety of different sized suits in their loft which were on standby for the visitors that came to their abodes.  They then realised that those visitors 1) had grown and wouldn't fit the suits and 2) had their own.  Would we like them?  Well, yes please. 

All 3 of us managed to find something that fitted.  As I have no full length mirror in my house I don't know if I look like an overstuffed sausage, albeit a blue and yellow one.  My children and husband didn't fall about laughing when I put the wetsuit on so I took from that it is OK for me to inflict myself in it on the unsuspecting public. 

It only remains for us to go to the seaside and try out our new acquisitions, skilfully surfing the waves.  I have decided that the my one-time youth leader is NOT going to give me those lessons promised so we will muddle on and see if my inner surfer makes an appearance.  (I realise that an alternative name for this post could be Midlife crisis and sea foam.)

 

Disclaimer:  This photo is not me  ............................................................................ yet.

These are a few of my favourite things.

During a recent period of bleakness I was given this advice from a friend.  "Make a list of at least 10 things about each of your girls that makes you smile, makes you proud, makes your heart sing. That way, when you get frustrated with them you can reflect on your list and consider the positive instead of dwelling on the negative."  Some days that could be incredibly hard due to my nature (nearly always looking at the negative things) and also the sometimes extremely difficult behaviour of one of my daughters.  Here is my effort:


Eldest daughter

1. She has the most beautiful coloured hair of anyone that I know.
2. When she smiles it lights up the whole room.
3. She is incredibly good at coordinating her outfits and knows instinctively what will work together.
4. She loves music and will listen to an eclectic mix.
5. She enjoys food and will try anything once.
6. She loves history and can retell great swaths of her favourite periods.
7. She has a terrific imagination which is apparent in her games.
8. She loves reading or being read to and gets wrapped up in the stories.
9. She enjoys church and learning about God despite the big questions she has about the whole thing.
10. She is sociable with young and old alike and will talk to anyone that will listen.

Youngest Daughter 

1. She is incredibly inventive and makes all sorts of things out of virtually nothing.
2. She loves her big sister with an incredibly deep love.
3. She is deeply affectionate and loves her cuddles.
4. She turns negatives to positives on a regular basis.  (She doesn't let the beggars get her down.)
5. She loves art and craft.
6. Her collection of small creatures only stops at spiders.
7. She has a wonderful Shrek-like humour which makes us all laugh.
8. She always has a plan about how to work things out.
9. She knows her own mind.
10. She has a good grasp on things about God.

I wish I could post a picture of them here but I have an unwritten rule that I don't post many photos of them on the open Internet.  So imagine two rapidly growing redheads with faces smothered in freckles.  One is brown-eyed and has a delicate frame.  The other is blue-eyed and is more solid.  They are not daughters of birth but they are most definitely daughters of my heart. 

Belly fat is my friend

I have been exercising and eating better fairly consistently since the beginning of 2010.  Some mornings I exercise with the energy of a Tasmanian Devil and afterwards look like I am about to shuffle off my mortal coil.  But I continue on.  I have lost a good amount of weight and also inches from the various parts of my body.  I haven't officially weighed and measured for a few weeks as finding out I was putting myself through torture each morning and not losing became demoralising (I hit plateau). 

This week I visited my parents and as you do on these occasions I stepped onto their scales.  I was pleasantly surprised to find that the little arrow stopped on a lower number.  However, even with all the weight loss I still have my friend around my middle - a little fat store (not sure for what but it is there).  I have never had a perfectly flat stomach and because of this have never worn a bikini.

My Challenge this month is Plateau Busting so I am trying to do exercise morning and evening.   All the videos I exercise along to tell me that 'a six-pack' is on the way if only I do this exercise a gizillion times each week but so far there is no sign. I enjoy exercise.  I enjoy being a smaller me.  I enjoy the health benefits that the experts tell me I am receiving. 

If only I could get as enthusiastic about the housework ................

Beauty in a Modern World

I found this link on a friend's facebook page.  The little girl at the beginning reminded me of my 2 beautiful daughters. 

Easter

I can't believe we are in April already.  Today, I will attend a Good Friday Service with my family.  Over the next few days we will reflect on the death and resurrection of Jesus and what that means for us and the world today. 

Hopefully, over the next few days we will spend time with friends and neighbours as well.  My girls and I planned on having a cooking fest which will include chocolate nests (if I can stop them from eating all the mini-eggs), a simnel cake and some Hot Cross Buns.  We shall see what we manage to make but I am looking forward to spending some time with them which doesn't involve instructions on how they should 'hurray up!', 'get your shoes on', 'are you not ready yet?' etc

So God Bless you this Easter and may you find time to contemplate the Saviour of it.  May you find time to slow down and spend time with your loved ones.

Why do I bother?

I want to change my blog look again but I never can manage to do it right.  I copy the HTML and then try and add my own widgets but it comes up with an error.  So I will stay with this look until I can figure out where I am going wrong.  If anyone can help then please let me know.

Some Light Relief

I have someone incredibly important to me who thinks I need to lightened up a bit - I think she has a very good point.  A lot of the time I have my 'serious head' on and it isn't necessary.  Life can be deep but it can also be hilarious, frivolous and just down right daft.  So here remembering the times of lunacy I have shared with my special person (aka my sister) I post this video.



Love you loads and am looking forward to our holiday together.

A thought for this week.

This week has not been a good week for me in lots of different ways which don't need writing out publically.  If you want to know please ask.

A thought that I have read a number of times this week is: 

"Never question in the dark what God has shown you in the light."

It is time to keep on plodding on and do some good old-fashioned preaching to myself.  The trouble is I don't like what I am telling myself to do but wallowing in misery isn't an option either.

 I have managed to keep up with the exercise and feel better for it.  I am reading Oswald Chambers and find the thoughts good for me at this time. 

I am off to a Conference for the weekened and am looking forward to balm for the soul.

New Challenge

Last week in order to take care of my Emotional Health I blogged.  This week the Challenge is to get my sleep routine sorted.  Nowadays, I fall asleep really quickly after years of desperately struggling for nearly one hour.  This is down to a combination of more physical exercise, putting worry to a lower place in my list of priorities and reading before I drop off.  I need to get to bed earlier and make my sleep longer.  I get up at 6am most mornings and getting off to sleep after 11pm is just too late.  So hopefully, I will manage to go to bed a lot earlier which would mean turning the light off earlier.  We will see.  Now I am older I do need more sleep; I used to be able to burn the candle at both ends but alas no more.

I am really enjoying these Challenges, it is good for accountability.

Day 6 & 7 - Success from failure?

I work up this morning and did 20 minutes work on my Abs; I really felt them working.  Walking will be the only Cardio I do today.  That and housework!

Dinner is made and eaten.  We had Bulghar Wheat Salad (it lasted a few days), raw Spinach and BBQ Chicken Drumsticks.  I didn't have any complaints from any member of the family.  It is lovely to see the way my children eat and we find there isn't much they don't like.  Except that is the Cornmeal Mush I experimented with this morning, that didn't go down well even with sugar and honey in it.  I was with them on that one though.  Oh well, maybe the Prairie Life isn't for us after all.

It is strange how all my reading can come together and which then fires my grey cells with a lot of thoughts.  Yesterday a friend posted on their Facebook Status this: Sir Winston Churchill said: "Success consists of someone going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm." But, if you think about it, that's also the definition of an airhead.  Interesting.  Today, I read an article on Spark People about Abraham Lincoln which explained how he battled on with life through many disappointments and failure.  It got me thinking about how I cope with the trails of life.  I have a tendency to attend amazing pity parties with a guest of one.  How much more could I  achieve if I  use the set-backs as fuel to carry on?  Since my MIL died I have been trying to do that.  Life will throw up junk as we are in a broken and yucky world.  A verse in the Bible says "More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us."  I need to get this way of thinking into my very being and see what I can achieve.

Day 5 - Who let the grump out?

Today, my alarm went off at 5.55 am as usual.  I got up, collected my things in the same order I do every morning, walked along the landing and then realised that I needed to go back to bed.  Spark People and Exercise TV did not get my presence today as I had a small little lie-in.  I told myself as I snuggled back under the covers, just because you missed it once does not mean it has to become a habit.

It was my last day at work for this week and I am glad.  I did not feel that happy at all. My tiredness made me a little on the grumpy side; and also the thought of a driving lesson.  Thankfully, I finished work on time which meant I could come home and take a breather before the lesson started.  My Instructor stopped the car for me to take the controls very near my house.  I was as nervous as anything but I felt more in control of the car.  We drove a long way from home (well it seemed like that) and I had a variety of road conditions to deal with: Lots of bends, a wonderful straight section of road, hills (there are an awful lot of those near where I live), cars overtaking me and a myriad of Lorries.  At the end of the lesson I felt exhausted but the Instructor thought I had done a good job and I have booked 2 more lessons.  So I feel better about this (until next week that is.  LOL)

I have been pondering about my place in our church.  I am not sure that I am contributing with the skills I have; not sure if there is anything for me to do.  It is beginning to make me feel useless but I was reading today that God Himself is what is important.  Of course, I must look for ways to use my abilities but that must not be what defines me.  At the moment I need to carry on with the little I already do and work on my Hospitality and befriending of people. 

Off to put the final touches to dinner (Salmon and Bulghar Wheat Salad) and we will see if the others like it.

Day 4 - Unremarkable Day

Today was just like any other day really so I will not bore you with the minutiae.  Please humour me as you read the following 2 quotes.

John 221:17 - Feed My Sheep.  "Peter now realizes that he does love Jesus, due to the revelation that came with the Lord’s piercing question. The Lord’s next point is— "Pour yourself out. Don’t testify about how much you love Me and don’t talk about the wonderful revelation you have had, just ’Feed My sheep.’ " Jesus has some extraordinarily peculiar sheep: some that are unkempt and dirty, some that are awkward or pushy, and some that have gone astray! But it is impossible to exhaust God’s love, and it is impossible to exhaust my love if it flows from the Spirit of God within me. The love of God pays no attention to my prejudices caused by my natural individuality. If I love my Lord, I have no business being guided by natural emotions— I have to feed His sheep. We will not be delivered or released from His commission to us. Beware of counterfeiting the love of God by following your own natural human emotions, sympathies, or understandings. That will only serve to revile and abuse the true love of God."



Oswald Chambers by 'My Utmost for His Highest'.  

Question:  What sort of sheep are you?




"I wish I could be like one of the old Vikings.  I'd have the deacons carry me in and lay me down at the foot of the communion table, and then torch the old ship, and it and I would sail into eternity together.  Though in fact I hope they will save the table.  Surely they will."

Gilead by Marilynne Robinson

I am not sure whether I am supposed to laugh at this quote but I did and a few others from Gilead.  I am thoroughly enjoying the whimsical trip through the thoughts of John Ames his son. 

Day 3 - A Comedy of Errors

Today was a funny old day.  I got up and felt much better than yesterday, so I did 30 minutes of kickboxing plus my Strength training exercises.  The school 'getting ready' section went really well and nobody had to sit on the stairs (including me!)  I had a lovely few minutes with my eldest daughter on the way to school as the youngest went to her Physio appointment.  It was great just to be able to have that 1-on-1 time and she loved it as well.

Work, however, was just one of THOSE days. Everything was all tickity-boo until I cut my finger with a knife whilst cutting up apples at snack-time.  It was a classic example of 'more haste less speed'; the clean-up operation took a considerable amount of my time and that of another work who had to bandaged me up.  It was a good job I had already done my activity for the day.  For the rest of my day at work I had to work with a rather Heath Robinson-style dressing but even that could be turned into a puppet to entertain the children.  I also looked like I was doing a Masonic-type hand-sign as I held my hand in an awkward position in order for the finger to stop bleeding.  Apart from that,  the Deputy had to show a new member of staff around, show the Nursery to a potential new parent and their baby and we had a visit from Rentikol just as we sat the children down to lunch.  And to top it off a child was sick at the end of Lunch-time.  Thankfully, I was able to smile about it.

After school the girls had their annual Opticians appointment.  I was one proud mummy when she told me that I had very good girls who sat and did as they were told.  I am thankful that they have never been much bother on visits to the Medical Establishment. 

I  will have to leave the world of the Net to go and do something more realistic like catching up on my work paperwork.

Day 2

So I am doing a Challenge this month and for this week I am to write a blog about how I feel.  It may go on but I haven't read that far.  I was supposed to start yesterday but didn't.  So here goes.

Today was Monday, back at work.  I work up as usual to do my exercises but could only manage a small amount of Strength and Cardio.  The rest of my morning routine went well and I managed to get the girls to school on time, come home and read my bible and then be at work on time.  Over the weekend I hadn't managed to catch up on my work paperwork so wasn't prepared to start this week.  Thankfully, I managed to think up an activity.

I have an ongoing issue that is causing me stress but thankfully today I was able to talk it through with my husband and work it out in my own head and I can see a way around it.  I need to now act on some of the conclusions I have come to.

I have been feeling generally a little tired all day and have felt incredibly hungry but am pleased to say I didn't grab the easiest snacks in the house; instead I eat fruit, veg and healthy snacks.

I am way behind on my planning for work but managed to get one section of it finished and that felt good.  I also sorted out the mountain of paperwork that had grown on my kitchen table.  So today was a good day for Admin.

Tomorrow is another day.

Busy Bees

My youngest daughter has been home from school for the past 2 days.  She suffered Pneumonia over the Christmas Holidays and started again with a temperature, wheezy chest and sniffles last weekend.  I took her to the Drs on Monday who advised a day or 2 off school. 

As she is not debilitated by her illness we have been quite busy.  Yesterday we made phone socks for all the mobile phones; the colours and pattern on the fabric were carefully chosen to fit the personality of the recipient.  I also got out a ball of wool, some needles and reminded myself the basics of  knitting, all went well until I attempted moss stitch.  My technique obviously needs more practice and some refinement.

Today, we have been busy making clothes for the large Teddy Bear she was given whilst in hospital.  I was dispatched to make an African-style dress and my girl worked on the other items of clothing.  She found an old pillow case which she cut holes in the correct places, made a scarf out of some floaty material and fashioned a veil from an Alice-band and some more old material.  Her methods were completely unconventional but the finished result was great and we had fun working together. Looks like my old sewing machine will be seeing the light of day a lot more in the days to come. 

Tomorrow, we will most probably be back at school and work. 

Random jottings of a deranged mind.

I realised I haven't blogged for a little while now.  Perhaps life has just been too busy, although maybe not if the quote I read this morning is anything to go by.  "Don't say you don't have enough time. You have exactly the same number of hours per day that were given to Helen Keller, Pasteur, Michaelangelo, Mother Teresa, Leonardo da Vinci, Thomas Jefferson, and Albert Einstein." — H. Jackson Brown Jr.    Umm, interesting.

In the past month I restarted Driving Lessons after a 18 year break!  I am nervous but they are going OK; yesterday I got to drive on the open road.  I pray that the fear will go and I will actually enjoy the experience.  And as the Veggie Tales once sang maybe this will be my theme song for 2010 and beyond:  On the road again, just can't wait to get on the road again, the life I love is makin music with my friends and I can't wait to get on the road again.

I also decided to dye my hair- I had lost any tinge of red that I had.  I took the plunge and went to the hairdressers.  However, me being me and not having a clue what I was doing ended up with a dark reddish colour and not the copper that would have lightened up my barnet.  Never mind, I like it and can try for a different colour next time.  (Please, if I start talking about getting a tattoo or a body-piercing take me out and shoot me!) 

Alan and I are going to our first Ball on Saturday night.  It is for a Charity that is close to the heart of some of our friends.  I have managed to borrow a dress, scarf and bag but have had to buy the jewellery to go with it.  I will hopefully get a pair of suitable shoes this afternoon.  If not, I could always wear my Dr Martaens with the dress!

Last year I read through the Bible from beginning to end and wanted to something different in 2010.  I am reading Oswald Chamber's 'My Upmost for His Highest' and am finding it good so far.  I still need to find something that will make me think more but this is a good book to start with. 

So what else has this year brought so far:  More exercise, healthier meals (which have led to their being a little less of me), a more relaxed approach to life and not so much worrying, 2 daughters who are growing well in every aspect of life and a deeper appreciation and love for my husband. 

I love receiving parcels

Today, we received a parcel.  It was exciting as we have been waiting for it.  I managed to contain myself and eat some lunch before I opened the box.  Inside were a precious cargo of books which complete our collection of 'Laura and Mary' books.  I can't wait to read them as a family.  We read books together and my husband and I take turns in choosing the books.  'Silver Lake' needs finishing up then my husband gets his turn (Dr DooLittle) and we can then start working through the rest of them. 

I collected the girls from school and we spent the nearly 10 minute walk home playing a 'Guess what the parcel' is game.  They didn't guess but were as excited as I was when they saw the contents of the box.

If anyone has recommendations of any good family books then please let me know.

And thanks to my friend who so kindly gave us this lovely present.  All 4 of us (and that includes my husband) can't wait to find out what happens.  Maybe, one day (Mr T-like) I will get on a plane and visit the museums etc connected with these books.

Family Time

We have had a great weekend.  Yesterday, we spent the money my parents give us for Christmas.  It went a long way.  We got an annual membership to a localish event, a meal and a session of Ice-skating.  We enjoyed the whole day.  The Ice-skating was fantastic but much too short a time.  I really remembered how to do it.  It was interesting to observe how differently my girls faced this event.  The eldest held on to the side for a lot of the time and only very tentatively tried skating in the open rink!  The youngest took a more dare-devil approach.  She spent a lot of time on her bottom because of it.  She also, took my husband and myself down with her at different times.  I am going to investigate Ice-rinks near us and maybe go more often. 

Today, we have had a great day.  Dinner was ready in the slow-cook as soon as we came home from church, all that was needed was to crack open the packet of Doritos.  The weather here has been beautiful and spring-like so we went for a walk along a local cliff and down to the beach.  It was good.  The girls got a little wet as they misjudged the speed of the tide coming in.  When we got home the girls started to build a Knex set with their dad as I got caught up with emails.

It has been one of those great weekends that we don't always get.

My 2010 Regime

I have started to exercise and eat more healthy.  In fact, I am part of a Bootcamp (Spark People January Challenge) which gives exercise and Challenges every day.  I have found it so helpful as I have to log the exercise I do.  I did try logging the food I eat but I couldn't keep up.  So I make sure that I eat healthy and enjoy the food I am eating.  I write down what I eat and drink.  I am drinking a lot more water and fluids in general.

I have lost weight and inches and am pleased about it.  It has also helped me be more organised about other things.  I have changed my routine a little and things seem so much better.  I am reading my bible more regularly as well.

I am nearing the end of my 3rd week and we shall see how long I can keep it up.  I have found a website that has free exercise videos and will give that a go tomorrow.

And that is nothing like good poetry.

It was my husband's 40th birthday party yesterday and his birthday today.  I was planning on producing a marvellous all singing and dancing powerpoint with pictures from babyhood upwards.  For a whole variety of different reasons that didn't get done.  My dad put one together from his perspective and a friend found an old youth camp video from when he was first a church worker.  So there was enough stuff to cause great hilarity.

I wrote this poem yesterday morning at speed.  I am not giving up my day job.

There was a young man from Devon
Who didn't know six from his Seven
Books, poems, CDs and obsure DVDs
Were all his joy and his pleasure.

There was a young man from B'for
Who took a sick day for a walk
With a pretty young girl called Lizzy
Who still makes him crazy and dizzy.

There was a young man from Devon
Who came to believe in heaven
3 years of hard slog in Bryntirion
Showed him the things he was serious on.

There was a young man from B'ford
Who wanted to learn and serve God
He studied, read, debated theology
For hours with is friend, Alan Dodd.

There was young man in the Balck Country
Who still couldn't count more than three
But our girls they did come and add more
And he was content to become four.

There was  young man move to Cornwall
Who barely could do the front crawl
Roskillys, sea, pasties and rain
He encountered again and again.

There was a young man who read Herbert
Who like to dabble in Sherbert
Keller, Lewis and Milton; books that he read
But only has this Limerick instead.

There was a young man who turned 40
Who happily married a shortie
So Sincere thanks on and all
For attending his ball. 

A Tale of Two Videos

This is a very cheesy video clip




This one, on the other hand is of a more serious nature.

Necessity is the Mother of Invention

Our youngest daughter couldn't make a snowman outside today so she used the Butler's Sink (in our Utility Room) as her base and here is what she made.

We don't have coal in our house so she found the nearest thing to it: mini chocolate bars!  The nose is a piece of junk she found lying around and the gloves are held on by old toothbrushes we usually use for cleaning.

To make sure her hands didn't get cold she put washing-up gloves over her ordinary gloves.

She has plans for more indoor snowman tomorrow.

Its snowing

So we were told it only snows in our part of the country once every 10 years.  Someone must have got it wrong because has snowed 2 years in a row.

My children were really excited.  The eldest one got the day off school and was allowed to happily play in the snow on and off all day.  The youngest is off school anyway recovering from her hospital stay.  She wasn't a happy bunny when she was only allowed in the garden for a very short time.  I had a job (in fact, the penny finally sunk in at about 3.30 pm) trying to explain that she had been really poorly last week, and spending hours in the cold and wind wasn't going to help recovery.  I am hoping the lesson has been learnt for the week and we don't have a repeat performance tomorrow or Friday.

I feel sorry for her but I am hoping all her disappointment is now cried, schemed and whined out of her.  Boy, it is exhausting being a mummy sometimes. 

But now, they are asleep they do both look so lovely and cute.

The Good Old Days

Just to let you know why I love the age I live in.  We had a Christmas to remember on lots of levels.  In a less technically and scientifically advanced age it could have been a lot worse.  A significant member from our extended family may have not been found if the Police were unable to trace his mobile phone signal.  Mobiles may be an annoyance of modern life BUT in this case they saved a life.

Medical advances meant my girl could be seen by a Dr a few hours after we were concerned for her health.  She was able to go in an ambulance with a supply of oxygen and then was able to be provided with antibiotics which knocked her infection on its head.

So if you want to go back to the Good Old Days please give up all conveniences of 2010, be my guest but don't ask me to join you.

In the light of our Christmas ...

... maybe this should be my attitude to life.

2010 should be the year of getting up and doing things and not just talking about it.