We interrupt this blogging hiatus

 

'Woman at her toilet' Jan Havicksz  (www.riksmuseum.nl)

 

To bring you unprecedented news, this morning my wonderful children got dressed, independently in their own rooms which meant that I was allowed to get dressed, ALONE in my own room. No inquisitive remarks about the state/size/colour of bits of my body, no stealing my bra and putting on the dog, no long stream-of-consciousness discussion of the latest Sponge Bob plot. It was nice, quiet and almost relaxing, five minutes just for me that I had so often craved when they were toddlers and hanging off me like baby gorillas.

 

 

(image from igcp.org)

(Baby gorillas! So beautiful.)



 

 Maybe if I am really honest a teensy bit too quiet. It is every Mothers dilemma isn't it? It is our life's work to prepare our little ones to become able and independent adults but little by little the wee caring tasks that mark babyhood then childhood, like feeding, holding hands when walking, tying shoelaces and the like slowly diminish. The rhythm of family life adjusts and while we are lucky enough to feel that fierce pride as we seen them growing up, it is a somewhat bittersweet journey, deep underneath we experience the acute loss of their early childhood.

 

In other news I am pleased to report that I went out for a run this morning and did not experience an agonising stitch in my side! I am still running the first week in the couch to 5k plan, as my running has been interrupted regularly, firstly by sore feet, then writing up my last essay for the OU and then a low-level virus that made me feel wiped for a couple of days.  I am feeling more confident though so hopefully, I shall be moving on to the slightly more strenuous Week2 plan next time.

 

As I jogged up the last hill towards home, myself and Rosie bumped into Mr E whose black Labrador Benjy is very fond of our Rosie so we had to stop for a sniff and a weather update.

Almost but not quite managing to supress his astonishment at the unexpected sight of my breathless, puce-faced lycra-clad self;  Mr E -after cheerfully delivering the doom-laded news that the week-end was going to be a wash out, softened the blow by leaving me with this jaunty riposte, 'Sure we are not doing too badly so far, are we?' Thanks, Mr E, we are doing just fine!

Hope all of you are too.xxx



See you on the other side!

 

Hello! I have been away for so long I am feeling guilty for neglecting my poor wee blog. Mind you that is not the only thing that has been neglected around here. Last week I set aside a few hours to have a 'girly day' with my darling E and she was so grateful I felt like the worstest Mama ever! Yes, with the return of some great weather comes the hardest part of the academic year. Trying to summon up the energy to finish my last long essay and start revision for my final Open University exam. I am finding it so hard to be disciplined and concentrate on my work, I am surrounded also by unfinished knitting, crochet and sewing and the garden looks so tempting...I have many half-finished blog posts and little snatches of writing jostling for attention in my mind, it is so distracting! I have managed to acquire these two characters that are writing their story in my imagination, why they did not appear months ago when I have time to concentrate on their narrative, I have no idea! So, I am going to take a little break from blogging and just concentrate on the bare essentials for the next five weeks. I hope you all are well and I hope to 'see' you soon for a cup o' tea and a chat soon. xxxx

Ohh, I also wanted to update you on the Couch to 5k attempt, well the Easter week I did three runs and must have walked around 40k while out and about with the kids and Mr S, so my poor feet and ankles were just wrecked. On the Monday after the holidays I was in such pain I had to turn back from our morning dog walk after only 2k, a very disgruntled dog looked at me as if I just wasn't trying after she worked out that yes, we were going home early! I have got to admit I was quite depressed with the level of my mobility. So, after ignoring the pain in my feet that has been present for at least the last year, (well before I started running) I had a good rest for a week and then got fitted for insoles that will allegedly support my distressingly flat feet and bring all my muscles into alignment. And, you know so far so good -I am quite impressed with both the insoles and the fitting service provided my local sports shop. Hopefully, I will get out tonight for a pain-free run. All the very best!
Love,
Shauna.xxxx