My little life

   

On Monday I was expecting to be home early as SLT was postponed to Tuesday and relishing the chance to spend time with family. A phone call before lunchtime changed that as the school got ‘the call’ from ofsted.

Meeting back on, preparations afoot for the visit the next day, and possibly Wednesday, I had to be in for a 7:30 meeting and retreated to my office for solace and lit a candle for some calm. 

The chaps were going to see the Star Wars film and Nina and I had a dinner date – much shortened by my tardy arrival. I think we had 40 minutes, but at least we enjoyed our meal at Harry’s Bar! 

Two further consecutive late nights ensued and we await the published report. 

I even had time for ofsted nails! 

 We have been waiting for almost two years for the call and whilst you know it’s coming, it’s still a shock when it does.

On Friday we laid on breakfast and cakes at break time for staff and the week certainly seemed longer than the five days!

A beautiful sunset was captured on my way to the farm shop on Friday night and a lie in on Saturday was de rigeur! 

   

I was glad to have a quiet weekend and the chance to visit my dear friend Sian, who has been awesome and shown such courage in her cancer battle. I feel very humble in her presence and to witness the love, care and support her family shower on her was wonderful to see.

The visited prompted me to look through some old photos and in doing so brings back such memories of when the kids were small. What, at the time, you think is good, or funny can after the passage of time look baffling, with the question why, but these things are of their age and all part of life’s rich tapestry!    

   

  

So this morning I had cards to make. One of my 2014 resolutions was to make all cards for family and so far I have kept it!

I made 8 and that is up to March! 

 

Housework is beckoning and Kevin is busy with financial wizardry!

 

 

 
I’m not going to lie, I struggled after the festive break to get my mindset right to go back to work. But, I did and in a flash a week has passed. 

 

 
The decorations are down and routines become familiar once more. I had  to decide whether to apply for a job and after a bit of soul searching, decided that the change I am seeking is more from within and so that is where I am at.

I have booked myself on a coaching and mentoring skills course for April, and hope that it will provide me with some insight into encouraging staff and students to be the best they can be. I also hope along the way that it will allow me to both personally and professionally develop. This in turn will effect a change in me.

I have also taken the decision to follow dry January and so far so good, not that I drink that much, despite photos of various glasses of prosecco and cocktails littering my Facebook!

I am awaiting the better sleep patterns and glowing skin, this occurs around day 17. Until then I am enjoying green tea, coconut water and a variety of alcohol free libations! 

 

 
One week in with a few more things to look forward to arranged, including another Lords afternoon tea in April. February and March is pretty full on, and a trip to Scotland will be squeezed in too.

Here’s hoping week 2 is as fulfilling as winter takes hold! 

Where did 2015 go, it seems to have gone in a flash. I have many wonderful memories, most documented here, so no need to  cover the same ground.

Yesterday I had the start of a head cold, which just appeared from nowhere, so I admit to languishing in bed longer than I should have. When I did stir, I found I had a refund for the cost of my journey home from Scotland in December, Georgina had a win from the Old Ruts 200 club, and at last I was getting somewhere with an issue mum and dad had been having regarding a refund due to them.

I felt buoyed by this and dosed myself up to see me through the day!

Kevin arrived home, we enjoyed a meal, and we received an unexpected call from Andrew in Melbourne, whilst he was walking home from his NYE revellery. It was lovely to speak with him and we had a glimpse of  his and Lis’s plans for 2016. With Lis securing employment from February it will be great to see them plan things and starting to live a little! I have nothing but admiration as to how they have supported each other over the last few years.

Then we were off to do our NYE recent tradition of a trip to the cinema. Most enjoyable and home by 9pm. I took some more medication, watched some of the drivel they put on TV, and drifted to sleep.

I woke up about 11:20 and Kevin and I drove to Brentwood to where Joe,Jay and Nina were working. Kevin and I had a couple of drinks and had the opportunity of seeing the NY in with them. Precious time! 

  

  

  

 We left shortly after 1:00am, they returned home about 4:00 am, only to be up and away by 11:30 for NYD lunch and dinner service. They have worked really hard over the last five weeks so spare a thought for those in the hospitality industry at this time of year!

I wish all my friends and family a great 2016. Health, happiness and love to all. 💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕

For some there will be highs and for others lows. There will be a mixture of both for many and if I can help and support anyone don’t be afraid to ask! 

Nor to share in your happiness and joy!

This year my plans are to follow the 3 C’s. To make a Choice to take a Chance, and not be afraid of Change! Or in any other order!

I have a few trips already booked and will  document these on here! 

  

Christmas 2015 has been a strange one. Never eaten out on Christmas Day, but this year we had the opportunity and it meant at least me, Joe and Kevin were in the vicinity of Jay and NIna as they had to work. Waking up seeing posts on Facebook and pictures of families, and friends, were at odds with two getting ready to go off to work. No festive drinks, no opening presents. 

Cheeky Christmas jumper

 
We spoke to Andrew and Lis enjoying the end of their day in Tasmania. Thoughts always wander to if we will ever have a family Christmas together in the future, always something I struggle with, it isn’t good to linger, instead to make the most of precious time with who we are with as many have no choice or hope of being with their loved ones.

   
We arrived in good time for our dinner and had a cocktail to start. The food was delicious, well presented and plentiful. Joe was keen that we had a bottle of chateauneuf de pape, but wasn’t too keen on stumping up the £63.50, so a modest Malbec was ordered. 

Porn star martini

  

Tian of prawn, crab and avocado

  

Smoked goose

    

Roast pheasant

  

Orange mousse in a chocolate collar

  

Mulled wine pear

  

Baubles!

 
We returned home and had a drink and Kevin had a nap, obligatory for every occasion! 

 
A text was received to say Jay and Nina were on their way home, so we eagerly awaited that after their almost 10 hour day!

Nina, still in her elf costume, bounded in and after a quick change Christmas could begin: drink, food and presents. Everyone seemed pleased with their array of gifts, with a few surprises too.   

 After doing very little, I went to bed, exhausted as I spent most of the day quite emotional. It was lovely to see so many family moments posted on social media, and FaceTime with the Ramsay, Bentham clan was short but sweet.

I am about to get up to start our Christmas dinner on Boxing Day, so while others are kicking back, relaxing with leftovers, i’ll be in the thick of it-just how I like it! We will raise our glasses to absent family and friends and belatedly have a very Merry Christmas! 🎄🍾💕😃😃🎉

 

A very busy few days have elapsed in Scotland. I’ve enjoyed good food, alcohol and precious time with my parents. 

 I did manage to buy a few gifts, and also a cardigan, dress and blouse! To be honest a struggle to get it all in my case. 

   
I have caught up with a few relatives, not as many as I had hoped, but in two days, with people having busy lives, that was always going to be a struggle.

  For me Arbroath isn’t the same and it’s such a shame to see some areas falling in to disrepair. The Abbey, on a sunny day, is a sight to behold. The harbour, or marina, as it is now styled, is so quaint.

I always remember my extended Ramsay and Dora families and despite Arbroath changing I am always uplifted by memories. 

The journey home is delayed so an extra couple of hours with mum and dad.  

 I’ll be exhausted, good job only a week till school breaks for Christmas!  

   

Today I am making the journey north to the place of my birth, Arbroath. I am doing a cheeky pre Xmas visit to my parents, Andrew and Celli. I love this trip by train, evocative of so many childhood memories – the coast line , cities of York, Doncaster and Berwick.  

It’s comforting that even with so much change in my life there are still things that remain the same. 

I am enjoying first class treatment and looking forward to my few days with my parents.  

I hope to provide a bit of Christmas cheer, buy their presents, drop in on some family and relieve a bit of driving duty off my Dad. No doubt I will go to bingo, a highlight of many a trip!

I am very fortunate that whilst both octogenarians, my parents health is fairly robust and I can still enjoy spending some precious time with them.  

 

Dad in his nelson Mandela phase! 😜

This week another week of highs and lows. Jay home from hospital, then back to hospital, then home again! Great news about Lis securing employment from February.

She is so humble and absolutely brilliant, I’m sure she’ll make a real difference to those young lives and their families facing heartbreak and possibly their greatest challenge. Andrew and Lis are enjoying a much deserved break in Cairns and it was lovely they called to share their news.

My dad has been diagnosed with gout, and I have had good news from the doctors today.

I started writing this blog last night before the Paris terrorist attacks, where overnight we have learnt how  terrible they were. Loss of life, devastating injuries, lives and families shattered.

So this brings me to my title of consequences but from a different perspective from where I had begun.

As we go through life we are all faced with decisions and choices, and someone’s decision or choice can have a massive impact on our lives and our loved ones. That should never deter us from chasing our dreams and following our hearts.

I try to let all those I love be in no doubt of that and I hope that Kevin and I have given our children the confidence to make good decisions and choices, to follow their dreams and to treat people with respect, as they want to be treated.

As a global community we need to find a way to be tolerant of others choices to live in peace. I’d say history proves that this is an idealistic view as the human race can talk the talk, but human nature is such that it can prevent walking the walk.

We must indeed pray for Paris and solace and comfort to those affected.🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🗼

Last week certainly threw a curved ball with Jay, nina’s boyfriend and Jane, Elaine’s spouse in hospital. Both share the same birth date, just a coincidence I’m sure! 

   
As we waited for news it was good to see the well wishes received for their swift  return home. Jane was home by friday, Jay on Sunday.

Nina was really upset by the enforced separation but to her credit she coped admirably, and with her new job, no mean feat.

It always strikes me how people cope in difficult circumstances. Some can take a positive from it, others fall to pieces. But I find that it’s not what happens but how you deal with it that is important and being surrounded by those that love you and you love in return can sustain and fortify you through difficult, challenging times.

I know that I have a loving and supportive extended family, that pull together offering comfort, even if it is only a phone call or text.

Sometimes it is the smallest gesture that can work wonders, laughter can quite often be the best medicine.

I’m sure Jay and Jane will recover quickly and soon, safe in the knowledge that we are always here for them. Sharing lives together is through the bad as well as the good times and having that special someone definitely helps to face up to difficult challenges and see light at the end of the tunnel.
I am so proud of Jay and Nina and how they have coped this week, together.🤐💕👏🏻👏🏻

This evening Kevin and I went to see the film ‘suffragette’, no need to explain what it was about! 

Watching the film, albeit a sanitised version, and after decades of women battling to get equality, I found myself thinking how fortunate I am to have been born when I was. 

 Whilst there are still barriers to be further broken down and glass ceilings to go through, I can’t imagine what it is like to live in country where you are a second class citizen.

I have enjoyed so many freedoms, choices, and opportunities in my life time, so it is difficult to comprehend not following your dreams, having a good education, poor healthcare, the possibility of endless pregnancies, and not being able to have a say in how the country is run and in the laws that are passed.

Would I have had the courage to do what those women did, would I have gone to prison for my principles, would I have coped being ostracised by my community, family, perhaps losing my home and not seeing my children? I just don’t know, as in the main I have always tried to conform to what has been expected of me, only now am I doing more of what I expect of myself!

  
At the end of the film they showed a list of other countries and where women won the right to vote and was stunned that in 1944 France gave them the vote, Italy following in 1945 and in 2015 Saudi Arabia could be the next country to follow.

It’s struck me just how much I take for granted the family I have, what I do, the home I live in, and I thank all the women who struggled and suffered to give me the privileged life I lead today!

The last year has in some ways been a challenge for me both physically and mentally. It’s been a year in which I have realised that I have a wonderful husband, children, family and friends. Those are more precious to me than money, possessions or status. I have made a conscious effort to have at least one thing a month to look forward to, from travel to visiting friends or family, or having them visit me. 

 
It started last November in earnest with  our second trip to Australia. We visited friends in Perth, Andrew and Lis in Melbourne and Lis’s amazing parents in Tassie. We even had a cheeky few days in Singapore. 

Christmas was a very small affair, but no less enjoyable because of it! 

 
2015 arrived and we had a rare old time at the Burn’s supper at school! February saw a trip to Paris for Scotland v France. A wonderful fun filled weekend with my friend Debbie. March saw us wave off Nina and Jay to Australia a mixture of joy, envy and sadness   
Luckily i had another six nations match in Edinburgh, with also a chance to meet up with my parents. Highlight of the weekend though was meeting Gavin Hastings! 

April was brilliant as we celebrated my mum’s 80th, my mother in law’s 75th and nina’s 21st  all in the space of 12 days. Jay took Nina away to Barcelona. And she was thoroughly spoiled!

Phew – May, and Elaine and Jane got married. Just a few people to see the legal deed done, followed by a fantastic meal and to see Romeo and Juliet at BOAT; very British in the pouring rain.

  
We surprised mum and dad when we turned up in Majorca in June. A real tonic staying in a lovely hotel on the pine Walk. Will definitely go back.

  

My birthday in July was fantastic with mum and dad and Joe visiting. We dined at Mason’s where we were treated like royalty, great food, lots of laughter and the usual Micky taking! 

 
August provided the opportunity to catch up with friends, this involved a few cheeky afternoon teas, cocktails and food. Again with the usual banter lots of laughter and I enjoyed the break from work. We had a visit to the sky gardens, followed by a meal at Madison near St. Paul’s.

  
I’ve already written about the wedding in September – always joyous occasions full of love, hope and promise. As Kevin and I celebrate our 33rd wedding anniversary next week, that pretty much is the twelve months and I have done what I set out to do. I still struggle with a few demons, but these moments, memories sustain me.

  
Already got trips, visits etc planned up to March, no September, next year……..

I just can’t believe that 5 years have passed since we waved off Andrew and Lis to their life in Australia. In many ways it doesn’t seem that long, in others it seems longer! 

  
I remember being picked up from school and we drove to Heathrow where we had a drink and then had to face the goodbye scenario – I’ll never get used to that.

I remember Andrew going through security saluting  just as he passed out of sight. 

Georgina and I were in the car driving home together with tears flowing. We put the radio on and the song playing  was ‘Airplanes’ by BOB ft Hayley Williams – even more tears!

In the last five years we have visited twice, and only visited a small part of Australia, but also taken the opportunity to go to Tasmania and Singapore. I’m not sure we would have done that if they weren’t there. I plan for us to go onto NZ at some stage and there is Bali, Fiji, Vietman,Thailand, and Dubai to fit in.

   
 
Georgina has visited in 2013,14 and 15! So well versed in Aussie slang by now. 

  
We are lucky that there is Skype and FaceTime and we use both regularly, possibly talking more frequently than if they lived nearby. It doesn’t replace a hug, a smell, a family gathering but until we are all together again we make the most of it. As usual there is plenty of self deprecating humour, laughter and the occasional tear, but hopefully we will be together soon!

Settling in Melbourne, they have a home, Andrew has a burgeoning career, and Lis is in her final year of her Masters. Next year will see a whole spectrum of opportunities and change open up for them, which no doubt they will grasp and begin making their dreams into reality.