Forgive me whilst I indulge myself in a little grumpiness whilst I recount the thrilling 48 hours that was  my weekend. It's all Tara's fault. Whilst pretty much every English Blogger on my G Reader was at Cybermummy, my weekend went a little something like this: Saturday 6.30am local time: get up, shower, pack last bits into suitcases. Make coffee. Consider taking a second shower as Mallorca is ridiculously hot at 7am. Get children up, … [Read more...]

These hands, tanned and cracked and dry, in desperate need of some TLC and a little polish. These hands that have washed up in hot soapy water the detritus of the day. These hands that have changed nappies and emptied potties, that have mopped up sick and given Calpol. These hands that hold my growing babies close when they cry as the nurse pricks them with needles, takes blood, innoculates. These hands that mix and stir and blend and … [Read more...]

The weather held for PDs Birthday party, which made my life so much easier. After an hour of party fun inside, making bears and icing cakes, I opened the back doors and released a dozen children into the wild. The garden is the primary reason that we bought the house: it's a worthwhile compromise for living on a busy road. There's a big patio which house barbeque, table and 8 chairs, canopy garden umbrella, sandpit, flower pots and other … [Read more...]

will you curse my name for leaving you to deal with life by yourself? will you question everything about me? will you replay over and over the times that I didn't listen to you? Didn't help you? Didn't support you?   If tomorrow never comes will you remember the feel of me, even when the dent in the bed has gone? will you smell the bottles on the bathroom shelf and conjure up an image of me? will you hear a song on the radio and weep … [Read more...]

I don't have that many pictures of my mum when we were growing up for the simple reason that she was always the one behind the camera. It doesn't matter that she's not always in the shot though, because she's always a part of the memory of that moment. That's something I always carry with me: the knowledge that my Mum is always there, whether you can see her or not.   A rare shot of us with Mum   One of the books I most enjoy … [Read more...]