...Where did I leave off? Senior moments are coming on faster and faster and I just read that walking every day is supposed to help grow a certain part of the brain that helps with memory...I already walk at least 3 miles a day up and down hills, how much more do I need to walk in order to preserve my memories, I mean memory???
Yesterday I not only walked the daily 3 miles, but I also pulled a shopping wagon up the hills full to the brim with food. I had 2 kilos of lamb, 2 kilos of gammon, assorted vegetables, crackers, and fruits. How much memory stick do I get for that effort?
This week has been half term so Zelda went to Sunshine club on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. She has been home the other days as my In-Laws arrived on Wednesday night and will stay until Monday. They are getting more bang for the buck now that their other son has moved here too with his kids and wife. Last night we ate at Molly and Phils. Molly made a beautiful chicken stew. I had 3 helpings! The cousins all played together and then we settled onto the couch to watch Toy Story 2. It was a very nice casual and intimate gathering. We will be repeating it again tonight, but with a gammon joint and boiled veggies.
Yesterday was a truly gorgeous Spring day. It was warm and sunny with just a light breeze, ok wind, but it was still nice and springy! The birds were all out singing in the yard. Zelda played with her grandparents and cousins card games. I enjoyed the scene.
I was again filled with joy by the spring air and the birds in the garden. I hung out with Zelda most of the morning and afternoon. We played games and snuggled and then ate a nice lunch together.
At 3pm we walked to her best friends house and we all went in the car to the Broom Hill Farms, an organic farm that has a butcher, cafe and large playing field with hay stacks, castle, tractors and adventure trail. The area is in the middle of the country side and is as green as green can get with lots of farmy shades in between. We saw huge pigs and baby pigs, sheep, lamb, goats, chickens and geese.
It was starting to get colder and we adults were starting to freeze up, but not the girls, they wanted to keep running around and moving hay from one area to another, run up and down the huge farm field and giggle and hold hands. It was a perfect sight to be part of. Perfect freedom of body and spirit!
Friday, 25 February 2011
Tuesday, 22 February 2011
Tuesday
6am wake up call to the BBC radio classical station followed by news of an on going political uprising situation, this time in Lybia, while drinking my coffee. 6:50 and I went into the shower. Afterwards, I dressed in the same clothes I had been wearing since Sunday and went downstairs to make lunches for both my husband and daughter. It eerily felt like Ground Hog Day!
We all left the house together and skipped into town with the grey cloud mist settling on my glasses. The air was warmish and I once again enjoyed the aspect of the Cathedral provided to me this morning in the grey haze.
Zelda happily went to sunshine club and I set off to run the errands in town. I struck out. I could not find the requested red underpants Zelda had asked for, nor could I find suitable knee socks in her size. She has decided to bare her legs like one of her friends from school in the cold of Winter. Perhaps this was a good thing that I wound up empty handed.
A stop into Tesco to buy some food and then the quick paced walk up the hill down the hill, up the hill and home.
10:30 and I was home. I made a cup of coffee and ate the left over cherry pie. Much needed reinforcements for the house cleaning a head. The in-laws are coming tomorrow and I needed to clean all the mould that has been squatting in the shower. I cleaned three bathrooms, one kitchen including an oven, made up the guest room, which included getting into a tackle with a 2 tog king sized quilt and quilt cover. I have saved the vacuuming for tomorrow.
The phone rang at 2:30 and I ran down two flights to get it. It was my best friend in New York calling and we talked for over an hour. It was wonderful to hear her voice and she and her husband will be visiting in the summer. We had not spoken in almost 5 months. Time has passed so quickly since moving here in September. When you are happy, you stop counting the minutes.
I picked Zelda up and we had a slow and painful walk home. All that cleaning and I pulled out my neck. Once home I made her dinner and she watched her programs while I tried to read the New Yorker. Then it was time for her to have a bath and we played rainbow ponies meet the mermaid whale!
While walking over the bridge today, I saw the same view I always see and felt the same feelings I always feel, relief, happiness, and lightness of being. It still felt perfect.
We all left the house together and skipped into town with the grey cloud mist settling on my glasses. The air was warmish and I once again enjoyed the aspect of the Cathedral provided to me this morning in the grey haze.
Zelda happily went to sunshine club and I set off to run the errands in town. I struck out. I could not find the requested red underpants Zelda had asked for, nor could I find suitable knee socks in her size. She has decided to bare her legs like one of her friends from school in the cold of Winter. Perhaps this was a good thing that I wound up empty handed.
A stop into Tesco to buy some food and then the quick paced walk up the hill down the hill, up the hill and home.
10:30 and I was home. I made a cup of coffee and ate the left over cherry pie. Much needed reinforcements for the house cleaning a head. The in-laws are coming tomorrow and I needed to clean all the mould that has been squatting in the shower. I cleaned three bathrooms, one kitchen including an oven, made up the guest room, which included getting into a tackle with a 2 tog king sized quilt and quilt cover. I have saved the vacuuming for tomorrow.
The phone rang at 2:30 and I ran down two flights to get it. It was my best friend in New York calling and we talked for over an hour. It was wonderful to hear her voice and she and her husband will be visiting in the summer. We had not spoken in almost 5 months. Time has passed so quickly since moving here in September. When you are happy, you stop counting the minutes.
I picked Zelda up and we had a slow and painful walk home. All that cleaning and I pulled out my neck. Once home I made her dinner and she watched her programs while I tried to read the New Yorker. Then it was time for her to have a bath and we played rainbow ponies meet the mermaid whale!
While walking over the bridge today, I saw the same view I always see and felt the same feelings I always feel, relief, happiness, and lightness of being. It still felt perfect.
Monday
"I love you daddy, I love you mommy, I love all of you and I love myself" These words were spoken by my soon to be 5 year old daughter. For some it takes a life time to realize and put into practice what she has already come to feel. For others, it never comes. To know that she loves herself made my day perfect.
Nothing more be said.
Nothing more be said.
Sunday, 20 February 2011
The Weekend
over indulgence and too much fun leads to hibernation and slightly ill feeling, but other wise it has been a great weekend!
Wednesday, 16 February 2011
Wednesday
I woke to rain.
I left the house in mist.
I arrived at the train station and the sun was shining.
I walked to the BALTIC and the river air smelt of sea.
I drank a delicious espresso while gazing out at the Millennium Bridge.
I worked on day three of the Pin Hole Project with a great group of students.
I felt really appreciated by the artist leading the workshop.
I was given the opportunity to explain and demonstrate to the students how to develop their film!
I developed many "black" photos. Perhaps there is beauty in over exposures?
I picked up Zelda and we had a lovely walk home in the moon shine.
I made dinner and snacks and more snacks for Zelda to eat.
We had a meeting with the builder.
I did not put Zelda to bed, but her daddy did.
I have not made dinner yet, perhaps a delivery of Curry is in order?
I had a great day and feel inspired by the weather, the people, the activities, my family and myself.
Perfect.
I left the house in mist.
I arrived at the train station and the sun was shining.
I walked to the BALTIC and the river air smelt of sea.
I drank a delicious espresso while gazing out at the Millennium Bridge.
I worked on day three of the Pin Hole Project with a great group of students.
I felt really appreciated by the artist leading the workshop.
I was given the opportunity to explain and demonstrate to the students how to develop their film!
I developed many "black" photos. Perhaps there is beauty in over exposures?
I picked up Zelda and we had a lovely walk home in the moon shine.
I made dinner and snacks and more snacks for Zelda to eat.
We had a meeting with the builder.
I did not put Zelda to bed, but her daddy did.
I have not made dinner yet, perhaps a delivery of Curry is in order?
I had a great day and feel inspired by the weather, the people, the activities, my family and myself.
Perfect.
Tuesday, 15 February 2011
The weekend and then some
...time flies when you are having fun, and I have been having some.
A wine and cheese party given by one of the parents from Zeldas school kicked off the weekend on Friday night. I went by myself, but was certainly not lonely. The hosts were a very lovely couple who owned a most magnificent Victorian row house with high ceilings, roaring fireplaces, enormous rooms you could get lost in a lovely garden. One forgot that we were in the center of the city!
All the guests were parents and there must have been at least 75 people! The table was set with 20 different types of cheeses and wines of every color. I wore my favorite Cop Copine Dress, it stood out and I received lots of compliments. I talked all night long to all kinds of people. Before I knew, it was almost midnight and I was one of maybe 5 people left. I finally took a cab home and crawled into bed around 1am!
Saturday was Zelda and I day. I took her to the kids club cinema at the Gala theater. We saw Gnomeo and Juliet. A funny animation based on Romeo and Juliet, but with garden gnomes. After we went for a drink and then walked home. Once home we played games the rest of the afternoon. For dinner Zelda and I made the best bolognaise sauce together. We enjoyed it as a family.
Sunday was spent with extended family. We had tea at my brother in laws house. Zelda played with her two cousins and the adults congregated in the kitchen and talked. It felt really lovely. We went home around 6pm and put Zelda to sleep. It was the end to a perfect weekend.
Monday I began my work at the Baltic in Newcastle. I learned how to make a pin hole camera and develop film. The students we worked with were very nice. It is a great change to working with infants. I am really enjoying working with older students. My accent, which they seem to detect quite quickly and easily seems to make them at ease with me, giving them something to talk to me about.
In the evening, I made a valentines day salad...(beets, rocket, radish, dried cranberries, clementines, goat cheese) dressed with a red chili dressing, smoked salmon bruschetta on Irish soada bread with capers and venison burgers. A bottle of Chianti to wash it all down.
Today, I had my second day at the Baltic. the group we worked with were year 10s and they were gifted and talented! I did not really notice that about them, but they were very nice, polite and thoughtful. The workshop went very well.
I picked Zelda up from Sunshine club and ran into our babysitter, who walked back home with us.
Right now Zelda is singing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star to Ian playing the guitar. An absolutely perfect way to end the day!
A wine and cheese party given by one of the parents from Zeldas school kicked off the weekend on Friday night. I went by myself, but was certainly not lonely. The hosts were a very lovely couple who owned a most magnificent Victorian row house with high ceilings, roaring fireplaces, enormous rooms you could get lost in a lovely garden. One forgot that we were in the center of the city!
All the guests were parents and there must have been at least 75 people! The table was set with 20 different types of cheeses and wines of every color. I wore my favorite Cop Copine Dress, it stood out and I received lots of compliments. I talked all night long to all kinds of people. Before I knew, it was almost midnight and I was one of maybe 5 people left. I finally took a cab home and crawled into bed around 1am!
Saturday was Zelda and I day. I took her to the kids club cinema at the Gala theater. We saw Gnomeo and Juliet. A funny animation based on Romeo and Juliet, but with garden gnomes. After we went for a drink and then walked home. Once home we played games the rest of the afternoon. For dinner Zelda and I made the best bolognaise sauce together. We enjoyed it as a family.
Sunday was spent with extended family. We had tea at my brother in laws house. Zelda played with her two cousins and the adults congregated in the kitchen and talked. It felt really lovely. We went home around 6pm and put Zelda to sleep. It was the end to a perfect weekend.
Monday I began my work at the Baltic in Newcastle. I learned how to make a pin hole camera and develop film. The students we worked with were very nice. It is a great change to working with infants. I am really enjoying working with older students. My accent, which they seem to detect quite quickly and easily seems to make them at ease with me, giving them something to talk to me about.
In the evening, I made a valentines day salad...(beets, rocket, radish, dried cranberries, clementines, goat cheese) dressed with a red chili dressing, smoked salmon bruschetta on Irish soada bread with capers and venison burgers. A bottle of Chianti to wash it all down.
Today, I had my second day at the Baltic. the group we worked with were year 10s and they were gifted and talented! I did not really notice that about them, but they were very nice, polite and thoughtful. The workshop went very well.
I picked Zelda up from Sunshine club and ran into our babysitter, who walked back home with us.
Right now Zelda is singing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star to Ian playing the guitar. An absolutely perfect way to end the day!
Friday, 11 February 2011
Thursday
One minute she is a tiger, the next minute a cat, a kitten, a dragon, monster and of course princess cum sleeping beauty.I never tire of morning snuggles from my metamorphosing daughter.....this particular morning she bared her sharp teeth and gnashed at us behind giggles and smiles, I guess she was a happy mommy and daddy eating monster.
We all ate breakfast and then Zelda walked to school with her daddy as I was looking after my 12 year old nephew for a few hours while his parents went to fight for a place in the best comprehensive school in Durham. H helped me make red lentil and ham soup and then he read his book. I paid bills and organized the filing that needed to be done.
At 2:30 I went into town to pick up Zelda and then we went to the after school coffee club at the church. After ingesting massive amounts of chocolate and playing and reading we walked home. I got he dinner ready and she ate ( not much, due to chocolate !) while watching her favorite programs. We snuggled and then got ready for bed and books and snuggles again in her bed.
Our snuggle sessions at bedtime have been fantastic lately. There has been no resistance to falling asleep or turning off the lights. She willingly closes her eyes and curls up next to me and with in 5 minutes is breathing sweetly. I feel immensly connected to her. I have been feeling sad though, as I can feel that as she gets older this kind of thing will happen less and less. I recently realized that I can no longer carry her and pick her up like a small child anymore. Our hugs are no longer forever lasting as I can not hold her for more than a minute at a time. I now know what people mean by it doesn't last long so enjoy it while it does. Soon I will be too big to sleep next to her. I guess I will have to buy her a double bed!
After Zelda fell a sleep I curled up on the couch in front of the fire and watched bad TV while waiting for my husband to come homeas he was working late. .I felt like a good mother and wife. I felt good inside, I felt satisfied. I felt like every thing was perfect..
We all ate breakfast and then Zelda walked to school with her daddy as I was looking after my 12 year old nephew for a few hours while his parents went to fight for a place in the best comprehensive school in Durham. H helped me make red lentil and ham soup and then he read his book. I paid bills and organized the filing that needed to be done.
At 2:30 I went into town to pick up Zelda and then we went to the after school coffee club at the church. After ingesting massive amounts of chocolate and playing and reading we walked home. I got he dinner ready and she ate ( not much, due to chocolate !) while watching her favorite programs. We snuggled and then got ready for bed and books and snuggles again in her bed.
Our snuggle sessions at bedtime have been fantastic lately. There has been no resistance to falling asleep or turning off the lights. She willingly closes her eyes and curls up next to me and with in 5 minutes is breathing sweetly. I feel immensly connected to her. I have been feeling sad though, as I can feel that as she gets older this kind of thing will happen less and less. I recently realized that I can no longer carry her and pick her up like a small child anymore. Our hugs are no longer forever lasting as I can not hold her for more than a minute at a time. I now know what people mean by it doesn't last long so enjoy it while it does. Soon I will be too big to sleep next to her. I guess I will have to buy her a double bed!
After Zelda fell a sleep I curled up on the couch in front of the fire and watched bad TV while waiting for my husband to come homeas he was working late. .I felt like a good mother and wife. I felt good inside, I felt satisfied. I felt like every thing was perfect..
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