June 2022 Reading
I do a monthly round up for everything we’ve read each month. Himself focuses on science articles and forums and news, so he’s not getting a section – books only! Large boy Dragon Mountain, Dragon Legend, and Dragon City by Katie Tsang Oh this boy does love a series. He sped through all these ones… Continue reading June 2022 Reading
Small boy is 7
It’s time to look back again and wonder, baffled, how small boy has arrived at another birthday. It was the same last year and the year before. The years seems to be flying past, it feels like no time since he was the baby who would only sleep wrapped in a fleecy blanket in my… Continue reading Small boy is 7
5 Reasons not to go running
I recently wrote a post about 6 reasons to get into running. The lovely One Dot Short of a Smarties Box pointed out that I made it sound like “those of us in the latter category have some puzzling glitch that needs to be fixed”. Sorry! So here’s a list of reasons not to go… Continue reading 5 Reasons not to go running
Exciting and much scarier
Last year, I wrote a series of posts about an exciting and scary mentoring opportunity at work. That came to an end in February, eventually unproductive but very interesting. Then, just over a month ago, something much scarier happened. The beginning It started with an email from the HR training lead for Europe. Now, emails… Continue reading Exciting and much scarier
Another year passed
Here we are again, June 17th. This was the date in 2019 that boy3 was scheduled to be born by caesarean section. So even though it’s four and a half months after his actual birthday, today remains an unforgettable date for us. We’ve just made it through another holiday where we seemed to be surrounded… Continue reading Another year passed
My Garden 2022
I love growing veggies. I’ll never forget the first year that I grew 5 courgette plants in a sun blessed garden and a friend gave me 8 tomato plants. Himself took a long time to come back round to considering courgettes acceptable on his plate after 3 months of me sneaking them into almost every… Continue reading My Garden 2022
Le Mans 24 Hours 2022: Our Picks
The Le Mans 24 hours race takes place at the Circuit de la Sarthe this weekend (11-12 June 2022). The experience watching from home is rather odd – no crowds, no smoke from the campsite barbecues wafting around, and of course the whole atmosphere is missing. We managed to get invested in 2020 and last… Continue reading Le Mans 24 Hours 2022: Our Picks
No post today
We’re on holiday. It’s beautiful and hot and we’re having a lovely time, so there’s no post today. Probably not on Friday either. Also because I need to write a guest post for TBC. Normal service will be resumed next week. Have fun everyone. Xxx
May 2022 Reading
I do a monthly round up for everything we’ve read each month. Himself focuses on science articles and forums and news, so he’s not getting a section – books only! Note: terrible light weight reviews this month, sorry. Large boy Against All Gods by Maz Evans Large boy was very pleased to find this at… Continue reading May 2022 Reading
6 Reasons to Get into Running
I was out running and thinking about why I run, about why other people run and why they might not want to. If you’re in that last category, maybe these reasons will inspire you. 1. Outrun others when the zombie apocalypse comes Or outrun any other disaster. Indeed, I have a couple of tee shirts… Continue reading 6 Reasons to Get into Running
End of an era
Well that’s it. Large boy has had his last meeting at Cubs. It’s been a strange experience for him (not that he realises this). He joined in February 2020, made his promise and promptly went into lockdown. Our Cubs pack didn’t do anything virtually for a long time, then they took part in weekly Zoom… Continue reading End of an era
7 Things to do in Kent
At Easter (2022), we spent a week exploring Kent. Here’s a quick round up of our favourite things that you should do if you visit the “garden of England”. 1. Explore a seaside town Kent has a lot of coastline, it’s all sticky outy at the East end of the the South coast of the… Continue reading 7 Things to do in Kent
Kids TBR piles
We do a monthly reading round up, but what’s in the kids’ TBR piles at the moment? Bearing in mind that some of the books in these piles have been there for quite a while, there still quite tall. Mine is less substantial and, besides, mostly on my Kindle. There’s no pretending we aren’t all… Continue reading Kids TBR piles
Year 2 SATs
Small boy, mainly obliviously, is doing his year 2 SATs at the moment. I’m rather sad for him. Not because of the testing, not because he doesn’t enjoy them. But because he’s only “mainly oblivious”. When large boy did his, we didn’t even have any idea. School made so little fuss about it that the… Continue reading Year 2 SATs
My running playlist 2
I haven’t blogged about running for a while. There’s a reason for that, as I’ve mentioned on my Instagram feed lately. #smellysockscantrunanymore I had a dreadful cold in February – himself had COVID, I was testing daily and negative throughout. One false negative I might understand, but not 7 in a row while I felt… Continue reading My running playlist 2
I’m going to work
Not that interesting? Well, I’m actually going to work at work. In the office. In Cambridge, 150+ miles away. For the first time since November 2019! (I think, I can’t really remember) I’m both excited and kind of anxious. I can’t wait to see everyone, and the drive doesn’t worry me. But, I have no… Continue reading I’m going to work
What happens on Cub camp
I was a Girl Guide and a Brownie before that, then a Young Leader. Guiding and Scouting were a big part of my growing up, I don’t think I realised it at the time or really even thought about it until I had kids. I certainly didn’t realise how it affected me until quite recently;… Continue reading What happens on Cub camp
April 2022 Reading
I do a monthly round up for everything we’ve read each month. Himself focuses on science articles and forums and news, so he’s not getting a section – books only! Large boy A Pinch of Magic by Michelle Harrison The three Widdershins sisters had to go back in time and stuff to get magical items… Continue reading April 2022 Reading
Snatched moments
Snatched moments A few minutes of company Pleasure in easy companionship Mundane chatter about nothing Twenty minutes of a return to before Being friends is no longer an everyday pastime Long lunches distant memories Yoga classes no more Because Children change everything And, most days, it’s a fair exchange I managed a short lunchtime walk… Continue reading Snatched moments
7.30am on a Sunday
Seriously, who voluntarily sets their alarm for 7.30am on Sunday morning? And why? Sleep Surely it’s just not a sensible move. I mean, once upon a time anything before 10am on the weekend was “early”. Then kids happened and now any and all sleep is precious. Even six and three quarter years since small boy… Continue reading 7.30am on a Sunday
Lessons in Loss 19: Virginity
I don’t really remember how I came across Rachel’s blog at Musings of the Mind. Rachel is from Trinidad and Tobago, a far flung distant dream for me. But that distance represents, to me at least, the real value in blogging – bringing together people from all over the world who wouldn’t otherwise meet. Rachel… Continue reading Lessons in Loss 19: Virginity
Our Easter Break
This is just a bit of a round up post as I return to the blog after a wonderful, chilled out Easter break for 2022. Friday 8th April The boys and I had a busy day. First off large boy needed new school shoes, PE trainers and a summer waterproof. So we went to a… Continue reading Our Easter Break
Taking an Easter Break
We’re off for a little UK holiday for the next week, so I’m going to take a break from the blog to enjoy some fabulous adventures with the family. Wishing everyone a lovely chocolate holiday full of eggs and fluffy bunnies and free of vomiting, over-chocolate-filled children.
A maturity landmark
Large boy has just hit a landmark in his growing up path to adulthood and independence. He’s 10 and a bit, relatively sensible most of the time but also capable of being a prize plonker in the company of his best mates. What’s going on? This is the first week of two weeks of the… Continue reading A maturity landmark
March 2022 Reading
I do a monthly round up for everything we’ve read each month. Himself focuses on science articles and forums and news, so he’s not getting a section – books only! Large boy The Finisher by David Baldacci It was about somebody who lived in a village surrounded by darkness filled with monsters, before TVs were… Continue reading March 2022 Reading
Overwhelmed
I’m having one of those days or weeks where there are just too many things going on. I knew what I was going to write a post about, but here I am at 5.30pm the day before publishing and I haven’t started it. I refuse to let the blog be one more pressure on me.… Continue reading Overwhelmed
Lessons in Loss 18: Miscarriage (Three Years On)
Molly is one of my absolute favourite bloggers. Her blog is Lovely Local Indie, with a focus on food, days out and places to stay in and around Derbyshire, UK. She’s quite local to me so there’s always something for me to store away for use one day. The boys are particularly excited to visit… Continue reading Lessons in Loss 18: Miscarriage (Three Years On)
Springtime 2022
I’m totally loving this beautiful weather lately. OK so it’s still pretty cold in the morning, with a bit of frost, but the blue skies and sunshine are making me happy. So I wanted to share some pictures I’ve taken out and about recently. What are you looking forward to as the days get warmer… Continue reading Springtime 2022
Practical social media inclusivity
I think most people agree that inclusion and the absence of exclusion are very good things. If you want some tips on how to be more inclusive in day to day real life, maybe have a read of Inclusion – a how to. Last year I read A Brief History of Everyone Who Ever Lived by… Continue reading Practical social media inclusivity
Exciting and scary: the end
So about a year ago an exciting but scary opportunity presented itself to me at work. There was some progress and then a bit more. Now we’re at the end. I’d been trundling along with the same general activities for quite a while, there are challenges and long term projects running all the time and… Continue reading Exciting and scary: the end
Lessons in Loss 17: Friendship
I think I first met Pepper though the lovely Bill’s weekly round ups over at A Silly Place. We’ve commented on each others blogs for ages and I think we have a lot in common, we certainly have many shared attitudes and values. I highly recommend her blog at Pepper Valentine for posts on travel… Continue reading Lessons in Loss 17: Friendship
Outdoors etiquette
Some of the content in this post was originally published in April 2020, Lockdown exercise etiquette. Back then I was a learner runner, but already I’d noticed some strange behaviour when sharing roads and footpaths with other people. Since then I’ve had innumerable negative encounters as well as many positive ones. The UK highway code… Continue reading Outdoors etiquette
February 2022 Reading
I do a monthly round up for everything we’ve read each month. Himself focuses on science articles and forums and news, so he’s not getting a section – books only! Large boy The Serpent’s Shadow by Rick Riordan “I really enjoyed this of course, it’s Rick Riordan what do you expect?” Yep and it’s Thursday… Continue reading February 2022 Reading
Dealing with the news
Random thoughts time. Apologies if I’m going off on an odd tangent. I might be a bit ranty, please don’t be offended or feel like I’m directing it at you. So here’s the thing with handling the news at the moment. Things are bad. Really bad. So bad that lots of people are feeling the… Continue reading Dealing with the news
Lessons in Loss 16: Promise of a New Day
Today’s post is from Molly at Transatlantic Notes. Molly and I have been following each other for a while now. We have a real common sense of what’s right and a shared desire to live a better life of equality and fairness. Molly’s blog discusses issues to do with mental health, equality, politics and food,… Continue reading Lessons in Loss 16: Promise of a New Day
You know you’ve got the running bug when… Part III
I might have mentioned it before, maybe more than once? (see Part I and Part II) I have the running bug. It’s gone from a minor ailment, to a chronic condition and is now really quite serious. On top of all the previous symptoms, here are some more. 1. You read What I Talk About… Continue reading You know you’ve got the running bug when… Part III
Be Unapologetically You
The very lovely Michelle at Boomer Eco Crusader tagged me for this lovely tag. This tag is all about sharing your genuine and authentic self. Like Michelle who tagged me, I’m really bad at hiding my feelings or being political or being anything other than just “me”. The tag was originally created by Izzy Matias… Continue reading Be Unapologetically You
Getting by
So I have about four half-written blog posts and several ideas in my head but nothing in a state to share today. Add to that the rather hectic last two weeks because himself was isolating after getting COVID, meaning that I was doing all the taxi duties for the kids, me getting large boy’s evil… Continue reading Getting by
Lessons in Loss 15: Losing Touch
This post is from Jamie. I’m not sure how we “met”, but we’re been exchanging comments and tweets for a while now. I feel like we’re on pretty much the same wavelength and his blog is an excellent source of giggles, book reviews and lovely poems. Plus he has an actual, real book! The Fathers,… Continue reading Lessons in Loss 15: Losing Touch
RED January 2022 Review
Well RED January is over again. Last year was the first time that I participated in an effort like that, I did some in 2020 but not officially and didn’t run every day. I quite wanted to look back and reflect on how I coped and what I achieved. My efforts Date Distance Time Notes… Continue reading RED January 2022 Review
January 2022 Reading
I do a monthly round up for everything we’ve read each month. Himself focuses on science articles and forums and news, so he’s not getting a section – books only! Large boy The Red Pyramid and The Throne of Fire by Rick Riordan He says they were good, all about Sadie and Carter Kane who… Continue reading January 2022 Reading
Waves of grief
Trigger warning: miscarriage I feel like I’m treading water in my grief. I know we don’t always have to be moving forwards, that backwards is OK too. Maybe it’s not even like I’m treading water because that’s an active attempt to keep afloat. I’m rather effortlessly and aimlessly drifting. I don’t know where I am… Continue reading Waves of grief
Lessons in Loss 14: Nothingness
This post is from the very lovely Monty Vern. I first met Monty when I wrote about “A Surprise Called Nick” for our mutual friends at T.B.C. Monty created some fabulous and fun artwork for that series. Then when T.B.C ran another series about first times he blew me away when he captured absolutely the… Continue reading Lessons in Loss 14: Nothingness
It’s not about you
Right, so here’s the thing that’s annoying me lately. Self-centredness. Is that even a word? I think so. I mean people who forget that there’s anything outside their little world or that other people have different experiences, needs, abilities, finances and so on. Like what? Like those who don’t want to vaccinate because the vaccines… Continue reading It’s not about you
Our favourite board games
During our winter break we had a full day dedicated to board games and a few extra afternoons too. The boys almost always get a board game or card game or something for their birthdays and Christmases. Here are our favourites from winter 2021-22. Catan We’ve had Catan Junior for several years and it’s one… Continue reading Our favourite board games
Running Review 2021
At the start of 2021, I did a round up of 2020 and included some running stats. Over the last year though, my running has got a bit more serious I suppose. So I’m dedicating a whole post to look back at what I’ve achieved. Total Stats Active days: 278 Total time: 239 hours Total… Continue reading Running Review 2021
Lessons in Loss: Restart
Back in November 2020, I started a series of collaboration posts about how we cope with loss. I think about loss from time to time, as you probably know if you’re a regular reader over here. I’ve discussed recovery from loss of a baby and other people’s reactions. But, we don’t only struggle or grieve… Continue reading Lessons in Loss: Restart
Feeling weepy
I’m feeling weepy at the moment. Hormones. Anniversaries. Seems like so much is going on, even though it’s no more than usual. May be I’m wearing myself out with RED January. Could do with a bit of a boost of cheer and energy, that isn’t chocolate-based. That’s all I’ve got today.
Reflecting on 2021
A year ago I wrote a post looking towards (not forwards to) 2021. And, well, 2020 had certainly been a rollercoaster but it wasn’t as painful as 2019 was for us. For 2021, I knew not to make resolutions or think about specific goals. Instead there were some general things I wanted from 2021, and… Continue reading Reflecting on 2021
December 2021 Reading
I do a monthly round up for everything we’ve read each month. Himself focuses on science articles and forums and news, so he’s not getting a section – books only! Large boy The Day the Screens Went Blank by Danny Wallace One day when a family were all sitting on the sofa watching different TV… Continue reading December 2021 Reading
This time next year
Bill over at A Silly Place passed on this pondering question – where will I be this time next year? He’s got some clear ideas about the inevitable and some general goals for himself this time next year. However, he generously shared the challenge with some other folks, including me. I’ve had to have a… Continue reading This time next year
Taking A Festive Break
Wishing everyone a very merry Christmas. I’m taking a few days off to enjoy some cuddles, laughs, and lots of food with my family. I might be back on 28th or I might not. I hope everyone has a joyful and peaceful few days. But I know Christmas can be awful for some of us… Continue reading Taking A Festive Break
My Christmas Wishlist 2021
There are lots of lovely lists I’ve seen lately, recommending gifts for our loved ones. Rather than a general list, I’m going to share my personal wishlist…. Any links in this post are not sponsored.I won’t be compensated if you click on them. Foodie Books I’m not much of a chef, neither ambitious nor sophisticated.… Continue reading My Christmas Wishlist 2021
Christmas Prep: Nut Roast
This recipe was first published in my 2020 Christmas Treat Recipes post. I’ve made some edits and added some pictures. In the December when I was 9 I decided I wanted to be vegetarian. My amazing mum is a saint and let me get on with it, supporting me by preparing all sorts of different… Continue reading Christmas Prep: Nut Roast
Get to Know Me Festive Edition
The lovely Molly from Lovely Local Indie tagged me in her post about festive personal facts. I’m not sure where this tag came from, but I do love to learn more about my fellow bloggers in the community, so I can’t resist passing it on. Thank you! First of all, a big thanks to Molly… Continue reading Get to Know Me Festive Edition
You look tired…
OK, so potentially debatable opinion: I hate Zoom. Work has just switched to Zoom for conference calls and that means more video calls. I’ve managed to avoid them so far for the most part – himself almost always interrupts my regular Wednesday group meeting and I’ve started making him wave at the other participants in… Continue reading You look tired…
And now he’s ten
This time of year always brings a nostalgia trip for me. I think back to the surprise of my waters breaking at 36 weeks and then spending another four days waiting to meet large boy. Remembering that induced first labour, my body completely ignoring my plan. The jaundice, the reflux, the exhaustion, the sore boobs,… Continue reading And now he’s ten
November 2021 Reading
I do a monthly round up for everything we’ve read each month. Himself focuses on science articles and forums and news, so he’s not getting a section – books only! Large boy He’s deigned to help write some more considered and worthwhile reviews this month, thanks large boy! Hollowpox: The Hunt for Morrigan Crow by… Continue reading November 2021 Reading
A Christmas Poem
As someone who usually refuses to think about getting festive until mid-December, you might be getting the impression I’m rather excited this year. I’m not. I’m actually finding life more than usually difficult. Baby boy3 is on my mind a lot and it’s not easy for me to understand why. So, to try to focus… Continue reading A Christmas Poem
Review: Worm World
Small boy was very pleased to receive My Living World Worm World for his sixth birthday, back at the end of June 2021. He’s always loved being in the garden and getting dirty, forever turning over plant pots to see what’s lurking beneath. He was sticking his hands in the soil before he was one… Continue reading Review: Worm World
Advent Calendar Activities
For the last couple of years I’ve used a beautiful fabric advent calendar that my mum made to plan out a set of activities for the boys. Of course they never all go quite as planned, but we have a great time not eating chocolate. Previously I was more organised and bought them each a… Continue reading Advent Calendar Activities
Christmas Prep: Light bottles
Ahem, there are some empty gin bottles in the house. Well, that’s not quite true. There are lots of half-full and some almost-full gin bottles in the house, much of it homemade. But there are also quite a few empty bottles, mostly from my Craft Gin Club subscription that delivers a treat package every three… Continue reading Christmas Prep: Light bottles
Exciting and scary: more progress
Edit: If you want to see the end of the story, here’s the conclusion. So a couple of months ago an exciting but scary opportunity presented itself to me at work. I’d been trundling along with the same general activities for quite a while, there are challenges and long term projects running all the time… Continue reading Exciting and scary: more progress
Christmas Prep: other people’s ideas
So I’ve written a few posts about how I’ve been preparing for Christmas and of course all the gin, jam and chutney heads in that direction too. However, I’ve also been enjoying reading about lots of other people’s preparations. I’ve asked to share some here, hope you enjoy. Vegan Clementine Curd by The Grumpy Olive… Continue reading Christmas Prep: other people’s ideas
Top 10+ tips for Edinburgh
We recently spent half term in an AirBnB in Edinburgh – our first family trip there and our first time using AirBnB (which was excellent, by the way). Here are our top ten favourite things to do or places to eat with primary school children in (and around) Edinburgh. Note: Edinburgh Castle and the Royal… Continue reading Top 10+ tips for Edinburgh
Making stuff 20: Chutneys
As well as all the other culinary efforts producing stuff in jars this year (gin and jam, and mincemeat), I’ve also been in the chutney production business. This isn’t unusual. In 2019 it was courgette chutney after a glut. I’ve done normal chutneys before as well in previous (pre-blogging years). I hadn’t really planned on… Continue reading Making stuff 20: Chutneys
Halloween (boo humbug)
OK, confession time…. I do not like Halloween and I really don’t like dressing up. We didn’t do Halloween when I was little, it seems to be an adopted, imported event from elsewhere. It’s not a holiday or a celebration. It’s just an opportunity to fill kids with sweets (“candy”! Eugh!), pour more money down… Continue reading Halloween (boo humbug)
October 2021 Reading
I do a monthly round up for everything we’ve read each month. Himself focuses on science articles and forums and news, so he’s not getting a section – books only! Large boy The Creakers by Tom Fletcher Large boy is being concise again. He says it was good, same as any old Tom Fletcher. He… Continue reading October 2021 Reading
Taking an Autumn Break
We’re off to Edinburgh today for half term. As in, actually going on a holiday! Away! So, to make sure we all really enjoy this opportunity for adventures and fun, I’m going to just put the blog down for a week. Especially since I felt so good after doing that when we went to Whitby… Continue reading Taking an Autumn Break
Brainstorms Award
The Brainstorms Award was created by Nabeeha Jameel over at Brainstorms. This award is basically for all those bloggers out there, new, or old, who do a lot of work to keep their blogs alive and an interest for other people! Brainstorms Rules Thank the person who nominated you. Tag your post with #BrainStormsAward and… Continue reading Brainstorms Award
Making stuff 19: gin and jam 2021
I think we’ve established by now that my only claim to any goddess-like levels of domesticity is my habit of making gin, jam, and chutney. Last year (2020) featured a ridiculous 6 gins but just one jelly. The year before (2019) I just did a couple of gins and three jams. This year, the focus… Continue reading Making stuff 19: gin and jam 2021
BLAW: What does coping look like?
I’ll be honest, not much has changed for me in terms of my reaction to Baby Loss Awareness week since last year. I’m not going to be active on Twitter or Facebook or Instagram talking about miscarriage and baby loss. All I want to say on social media is that I don’t want to…. Instead,… Continue reading BLAW: What does coping look like?
What happens when you blog less?
So, earlier in the year I decided to take a little break from the blog while we went on holiday. It was lovely just enjoying some family time and not doing any promotion – either through Twitter threads or Facebook groups. When we came back I decided not to return to the way I’d been… Continue reading What happens when you blog less?
Christmas Prep: Roast Beef
As I said a few weeks ago, we’re hosting Christmas in 2021 – my parents are free to travel at last (after my Gran died in April, previous years they always stayed at home so that she could visit them for the day) and my brother and his wife have booked a room in a… Continue reading Christmas Prep: Roast Beef
September 2021 Reading
I do a monthly round up for everything we’ve read each month. Himself focuses on science articles and forums and news, so he’s not getting a section – books only! Large boy Large boy re-read a whole bunch of David Baddiel books this month so that he could do Accelerated Reader quizzes and got points… Continue reading September 2021 Reading
Any advice for entering a new phase?
I can’t even figure out what to call this post, I’ll come back to it. [I came back to it and titled it with my final thought.] So I started my blog a bit over two years ago, to have an outlet for my thoughts and feelings that I’m not comfortable sharing in real life.… Continue reading Any advice for entering a new phase?
Veggie harvest report 2021
I do love to look back on how my veggies have gone each year (well, I did in 2020 at least). After my progress report a couple of months ago, the subsequent reset, and as we’re nearing the end of vegetable growing season for us, I figured its time for a report on the harvest.… Continue reading Veggie harvest report 2021
Christmas Prep: Mincemeat
I might do a bit of a series of how I’m preparing for Christmas – I might not, this might be the only thing I can think of to write about. We’re hosting Christmas in 2021 – my parents are free to travel at last (after my Gran died in April, previous years they always… Continue reading Christmas Prep: Mincemeat
2021 Holiday Highlights: Lincolnshire
The last couple of years have been varied holidays and I’ve managed to keep lovely diaries of what we got up to (see 2019 and 2020) as well as during our break in Whitby in May 2021. This summer though, I didn’t try to do that. I didn’t want to be blogging in the evenings… Continue reading 2021 Holiday Highlights: Lincolnshire
RED 40: running for forty days
There’s no hiding from it…. I’m 40 now. For what it’s worth, I don’t much care and I don’t feel any different – what’s all the fuss about? Why is thirty-nine one thing, and forty another? Given that a big party seemed unreasonable, foolish to plan in case of some disaster unthinkable in the before… Continue reading RED 40: running for forty days
Memories of Grandad
The very lovely Michelle over at Boomer Eco Crusader asked me if I had any stories to tell for her beautiful series of Clutter Tales. I’d recently had to deal with some clutter, so my Grandad easily came to mind. The Clutter Tales series is a set of responses that various people have to coming… Continue reading Memories of Grandad
August 2021 Reading
I’ve decided to do a monthly round up for everything we’ve read each month. Himself focuses on science articles and forums and news, so he’s not getting a section – books only! It’s a bit late this month as I got distracted by all the back to school fun and games. Large boy Cookie and… Continue reading August 2021 Reading
Back to school 2021
Back to school 2021 is different again, and that’s when even 2020 wasn’t quite the same as 2019 was. It’s been sort of normal, at least it’s only been 5 weeks away from their friends compared to the 20 or so last year. Here’s how we prepared for R-day, returning to school. R minus 6… Continue reading Back to school 2021
Running without Headphones
Soundtrack silenced Senses heightened Birdsong and blowing leaves an accompaniment To the rhythm Of trainers tapping on tarmac. Yeah, so that’s what happens when you don’t charge your Bluetooth headphones before a long run and their battery dies half way through. I stuck them in my pocket, enjoyed the birdsong and the security of hearing… Continue reading Running without Headphones
Crafty Kids – August 2021
Ah the joys of holiday club (summer camp)! Since we got back from our summer 2021 trip to see family, the boys have been in a holiday club at a different school two or three days a week. After last summer when they spent weeks and weeks in the house, being quite while mum and… Continue reading Crafty Kids – August 2021
2021 Holiday Highlights: Scotland
The last couple of years have been varied holidays and I’ve managed to keep lovely diaries of what we got up to (see 2019 and 2020) as well as during our break in Whitby in May 2021. This summer though, I didn’t try to do that. I didn’t want to be blogging in the evenings… Continue reading 2021 Holiday Highlights: Scotland
Le Mans 24 Hours 2021: Our Picks
The delayed Le Mans 24 hours race takes place at the Circuit de la Sarthe this weekend (21-22 August 2021). We missed it in June and the experience watching from home is rather odd – no crowds, no smoke from the campsite barbecues wafting around, and of course much more racing in darkness in August… Continue reading Le Mans 24 Hours 2021: Our Picks
House fantasies
Himself won’t move house locally. He hates moving and throwing money on taxes and all the legal stuff and the moving and all the disruption. I get it. But I also don’t like my garden, it’s too small, and my feelings about the kitchen in this house have built from mild inconvenience to strong dislike… Continue reading House fantasies
Old Friends
Well, not old as in they themselves are old. More, long-standing…. While I was at my mum and dad’s during our summer holiday I managed to meet up with three very long-standing friends who I’ve known for very many years. Two who I met while we were in reception (kindergarden) and one who I’ve known… Continue reading Old Friends
Fenland Beauty: a prelude
I’m planning on writing something much more substantial than this, describing why I love the fens so much. In the meantime, I just wanted to share some photos I’ve taken recently of the vast skies and endless fields that make the fens so beautiful.
Forty
Hmm, so I just turned 40. Honestly, so far, it feels just the same as 39. I could write lots of things about how I was when I was born, when I was 13 or 18, 21 or 30. But, from my point of view, all those milestones are artificial. In fact, why am I… Continue reading Forty
I Believe….
A little while ago the lovely Bill from A Silly Place asked some folks about what we believe. It was a really interesting exercise in examining what I fundamentally hold to be true. Each person who wrote something for Bill had something different to say, each one individual and reflecting a unique perspective. We’ve all… Continue reading I Believe….
July 2021 Reading
I’ve decided to do a monthly round up for everything we’ve read each month. Himself focuses on science articles and forums and news, so he’s not getting a section – books only! Large boy His reviews are getting briefer and briefer. Sorry about that. The Boy Who Grew Dragons by Andy Shepherd He really enjoyed… Continue reading July 2021 Reading
Holiday Time 2021
You know that feeling when you’re on the cusp of going on holiday and the relief and anticipation are both running high? Well, that’s where we are right now. I’ve been winding down at work all week, packing, planning, himself has been booking things, and just preparing ourselves to get away. We are all SO… Continue reading Holiday Time 2021
Veggies progress report 2021 – part 2
I love growing veggies. I’ll never forget the first year that I grew 5 courgette plants in a sun blessed garden and a friend gave me 8 tomato plants. Himself is only just coming back round to considering courgettes acceptable on his plate after 3 months of me sneaking them into almost every meal. Since… Continue reading Veggies progress report 2021 – part 2
School’s Out 2021
Wow, that’s it. The last day of school for the 2020-2021 school year. And what a year it’s been! From the countdown last September, through an almost-immediate COVID scare, Christmas and another round of home learning, more school holidays in lockdown over February half term, and then back to in-school learning (thank goodness). The boys… Continue reading School’s Out 2021
10 Things to do in Whitby
We had a week in Whitby at the end of May 2021, we got up to loads of fun activities and I wanted to shared our favourite ten (or so). 1. Boat Trip Around the harbour there are several opportunities to take a short trip out of Whitby harbour or a longer excursion to fish… Continue reading 10 Things to do in Whitby
Different is Beautiful
Some time ago I wrote a post about beautiful imperfections. Recently, my thoughts are travelling along a similar path. There are some fairly well-defined traditional ideas about what is beautiful: blondeness, being thin with big boobs, sunny days, lush green grass, orange sunsets, spotless cars, rhyming words, clear skin, a straight nose, big blossoming flowers,… Continue reading Different is Beautiful
Exciting and scary: some progress
Edit: If you want to see the end of the story, here’s the conclusion. So a couple of months ago an exciting but scary opportunity presented itself to me at work. I’d been trundling along with the same general activities for quite a while, there are challenges and long term projects running all the time… Continue reading Exciting and scary: some progress
Turning Away
Some time ago I was feeling upset about the idea of being judged by other mums – you know the way we do sometimes. I told my lovely friend S (I’ve mentioned her before) and she said something that’s always stuck with me: “If they don’t like what they see, they should turn away.” Her… Continue reading Turning Away
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Smelly Socks and Garden Peas 