Monday 13 August 2012

Put down your laptop and have fun

Now.

We used to be serial fixer-uppers. Buy a place, fix it up, move on. We worked really hard, and then worked some more at painting, planning and so on at the weekends. And then we had kids. We really don't want to spend precious time in front of a laptop or holding a paintbrush when we could be with Poppet and Treacle so we are making a real effort to plan weekends and holidays that we can all enjoy together.

This weekend we went to Croyde Bay.



It's a surfer's paradise, and a lovely beach for families too! We had a great time on Saturday but the weekend really didn't go to plan. A four hour journey turned into seven; there was no surf; Treacle came out in chicken pox. Fortunately the journey home was quicker but it did cut our weekend short, and Treacle is suffering badly.

So you see what I'm saying? Have fun whenever you can because you never know when you have to change your plans!

And you never know what's around the corner.

A good friend of mine is currently being treated for secondary leukemia. He needs a bone marrow transplant and while they have found a suitable match for him, there are others who may not be so fortunate. Take a moment, before you put down your laptop and have some summer adventures, to consider joining the stem cell donation register (this used to be called bone marrow donation and was more invasive - these days it's a saliva sample to register and little more than blood donation to donate).

Friday 3 August 2012

Olympic fever

In huge contrast to the health of our British Olympic team, my poor little Poppet's been quite unwell. We had a large dose of chicken pox* just as Poppet was about to start at a new nursery, and now, just as she's getting over it, she's got tonsilitis. I feel so sorry for her. And guilty. Of course the tonsilitis was preceded by some major tantrums and arguments between us, like always.

While that's been going on we've been juggling childcare and getting Treacle settled into nursery and hosting visitors. Oh yeah, and watching the Olympics!

My parents were our main visitors as we live closer to Eton Dorney which is hosting the rowing events. My parents were fortunate to see the first British Gold of the Olympics! They had a fabulous time and were pretty hoarse by the time we collected them from the train station at the end of their second day at the river.

I'm completely absorbed by Olympic fever. Watching sporting events has always been a big deal in my family, even though none of us are particularly good at sports in practice! We've been watching on TV, listening on the radio and in preparation for our trip to the Olympic park to see a women's hockey semi-final, I've purchased a team GB t-shirt (and cap!).

And I've bought some London 2012 stamps. I could be accused of being a merchandiser's dream but I prefer to think of myself as being "in the spirit".



*we don't immunise against it here in the UK.