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Sunday, 29 September 2013
Sunday, 22 September 2013
A Letter to Amy
My dearest darlingest ...
You went to Italy, to Spain, all over the place with us, our bella bambina! oh the adventures we had, the fun in St Marks Square, the chicken pox in the Balearics, but oh, how everyone loved you. You have climbed a volcano and swam in Oceans with me, you even phoned me once from the top of the Eiffel Tower.
"What can you see?" I asked.
"Everything," you said.
Which is what I want for you.
You were always a strong, intelligent personality. I have too many tales to tell to praise you. You absorbed information, the alphabet, colours, numbers. But you were a little reticent at Reception stage and your horribly inexperienced teacher didn't recognise your talents. She didn't last long at that school. By Year 2 you achieved Level 4 Literacy SATS. You have always been an amazing writer. Every Christmas I ensure I buy you a page -a - day diary and you write every day and have done so for at least 5 or 6 years now maybe and probably more.
You performed on stage for the first time aged five. I gave you a little bouquet; I will never forget your face when you saw those flowers. Are those for me ?
When it came to Secondary School I instinctively knew you needed to stretch your wings , stretch yourself; I wasn't wrong. Eleven years old and you got a train and got yourself to school miles away. And then you grew, musically. Personally. Made lifelong new friends, and no it wasn't at all easy but my goodness, you were amazing.
Then you needed an operation on your spine. RNOH Stanmore. A six hour scoliosis and kyphosis op. A term off school as a result. Again, you were the better person, even at the age of 14, on morphine, in pain; you taught me how to be be strong.
Fast forward, how many people have been a leading lady in a musical ? Especially a musical they love ? You have. How proud am I ? I would give anything to watch you as Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors one more time.
You are an amazing young woman. So beautiful and so strong and witty and ...and ...
I will miss you very much. I love you more than you know.
I hope you have a wonderful time and just like your first day at nursery school, I know that when we drop you off next Sunday, that you won't look back x
All my love
Moz
To my wonderful Amy.
You are about to leave us for University life. You're going away. Yes, only 50 miles, it could have been further. I am grateful for that. I really am.
You have no idea how much I love and admire you, young lady, you really don't.
You were due to be born on your dad's 30th birthday but there was no way you were ever going to share the limelight, and you rocked up 4 days later, on a sunny October Sunday. You were the first baby the student midwife had ever delivered solo and you were so pretty she cried.
You are about to leave us for University life. You're going away. Yes, only 50 miles, it could have been further. I am grateful for that. I really am.
You have no idea how much I love and admire you, young lady, you really don't.
You were due to be born on your dad's 30th birthday but there was no way you were ever going to share the limelight, and you rocked up 4 days later, on a sunny October Sunday. You were the first baby the student midwife had ever delivered solo and you were so pretty she cried.
I didn't know for sure I was having a girl - they didn't tell you the gender in Redbridge back in those days- but at the same time, I knew I was having a girl. The walls of your room remained the pink they were when we moved in and I only had one name for my unborn baby - there was no doubt to me that you were female: Amy (after Amy from Little Women - much as I admired Jo's stoicism, it was Amy, in my favourite childhood novel first read aged 9 and beloved ever since and to this day, who was the strongest, most successful March girl...I wanted you to have those traits ... you did ... you do).
You went to Italy, to Spain, all over the place with us, our bella bambina! oh the adventures we had, the fun in St Marks Square, the chicken pox in the Balearics, but oh, how everyone loved you. You have climbed a volcano and swam in Oceans with me, you even phoned me once from the top of the Eiffel Tower.
"What can you see?" I asked.
"Everything," you said.
Which is what I want for you.
You were always a strong, intelligent personality. I have too many tales to tell to praise you. You absorbed information, the alphabet, colours, numbers. But you were a little reticent at Reception stage and your horribly inexperienced teacher didn't recognise your talents. She didn't last long at that school. By Year 2 you achieved Level 4 Literacy SATS. You have always been an amazing writer. Every Christmas I ensure I buy you a page -a - day diary and you write every day and have done so for at least 5 or 6 years now maybe and probably more.
You performed on stage for the first time aged five. I gave you a little bouquet; I will never forget your face when you saw those flowers. Are those for me ?
When it came to Secondary School I instinctively knew you needed to stretch your wings , stretch yourself; I wasn't wrong. Eleven years old and you got a train and got yourself to school miles away. And then you grew, musically. Personally. Made lifelong new friends, and no it wasn't at all easy but my goodness, you were amazing.
Then you needed an operation on your spine. RNOH Stanmore. A six hour scoliosis and kyphosis op. A term off school as a result. Again, you were the better person, even at the age of 14, on morphine, in pain; you taught me how to be be strong.
Fast forward, how many people have been a leading lady in a musical ? Especially a musical they love ? You have. How proud am I ? I would give anything to watch you as Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors one more time.
You are an amazing young woman. So beautiful and so strong and witty and ...and ...
I will miss you very much. I love you more than you know.
I hope you have a wonderful time and just like your first day at nursery school, I know that when we drop you off next Sunday, that you won't look back x
All my love
Moz
Monday, 2 September 2013
Life Audit
It's the start of a new school year this week. Once the training days (I will be re-educated in CPR and recovery positions by this time tomorrow) are over , the kids will be back and I will have if all goes to plan, a new role as a TA, which I've been tentatively excited about.
I read a couple of blog posts today , initially the lovely
http://plasticrosaries.com/life-audit-september
I read a couple of blog posts today , initially the lovely
http://plasticrosaries.com/life-audit-september
but also her inspiration-
http://www.brocantehome.net/life-audit/
http://www.brocantehome.net/life-audit/
A Life Audit - what a brilliant idea.
So here's mine for September 2013.
TODAY I AM...
...quite frankly in a bit of a tiz. It's back to work tomorrow after just short of 6 weeks off school (I do not get paid for this time as just a lowly TA by the way!).
I am going to miss my time off. The weather's been on the whole, just lovely, and my early morning meetings with 'Frasier' and coffee and a wander to the shop before it gets busy, and just well, having to time to just be on top of the washing and ironing pile for once - it's the freedom I'll miss.
I'm not sure I won't feel like I am having some sort of out of body experience tomorrow when I actually have to concentrate on anything other than what to read on my Kindle in the garden ...
FEELING...
...trepidatious (is that even a word? ) I have this tendency to want to just be home, safe, I've always been that way, I am amazed I made it through Uni to a job to a husband and family to be quite honest ! The idea of going to work not just tomorrow, but the day after that and the day after that until late October without a day off (the weekends are catch up time, not time off!)
At the same time I should be starting a new TA role this term; I don't yet have my timetable but I have been excited at the prospect; I hope things haven't changed in my absence.
I am also feeling nervous and yet cautiously hopeful. We are hoping to re-jig our finances and it is FINGERS CROSSED (I can't say that loudly enough) set to happen on 30th September. One more month of stressing and then...well...things should be better.
So here's mine for September 2013.
TODAY I AM...
...quite frankly in a bit of a tiz. It's back to work tomorrow after just short of 6 weeks off school (I do not get paid for this time as just a lowly TA by the way!).
I am going to miss my time off. The weather's been on the whole, just lovely, and my early morning meetings with 'Frasier' and coffee and a wander to the shop before it gets busy, and just well, having to time to just be on top of the washing and ironing pile for once - it's the freedom I'll miss.
I'm not sure I won't feel like I am having some sort of out of body experience tomorrow when I actually have to concentrate on anything other than what to read on my Kindle in the garden ...
FEELING...
...trepidatious (is that even a word? ) I have this tendency to want to just be home, safe, I've always been that way, I am amazed I made it through Uni to a job to a husband and family to be quite honest ! The idea of going to work not just tomorrow, but the day after that and the day after that until late October without a day off (the weekends are catch up time, not time off!)
At the same time I should be starting a new TA role this term; I don't yet have my timetable but I have been excited at the prospect; I hope things haven't changed in my absence.
I am also feeling nervous and yet cautiously hopeful. We are hoping to re-jig our finances and it is FINGERS CROSSED (I can't say that loudly enough) set to happen on 30th September. One more month of stressing and then...well...things should be better.
READING......looking at a first draft by my amazingly talented friend Ian Ayris
http://www.ianayris.com/
Be warned his stuff isn't politely phrased but he's an amazing writer who has had me in tears (in a good way !) ; highly recommended. And no, he's not paying me ...
While in Tenerife I caught up with an old friend who is thinking of making the Santiago di Compostela pilgrimage next year and in support I am ..well... reading Tim Moore
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Spanish-Steps-ebook/dp/B003XVYF0O/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1378126500&sr=8-1&keywords=spanish+steps
He's my favourite travel writer by, well...miles.
EATING...
...apple crumble. Mum in law brought some cooking apples over and although I am a rubbish dessert cook, I have to say my crumble wasn't too shabby.
While we were away we had many lovely meals out (we chose self catering as although we knew we probably couldn't afford it - and we couldn't! - we love eating out, and we only ever do that on holiday). A highlight was a lunch at a beachside restaurant - gorgeous grilled sardines with Canarian potatoes and fabulous sauces. I can't cook that one to my disappointment... but one meal we had was a pork Mexicana. I have managed to replicate that one successfully at less than £5 for four people. Yay me, eh ?
PLANNING ...
...this is something that teachers do for lessons. I daren't plan ahead, not further than my next group of kids, or payday. Maybe if we get ourselves straight I can do that more?
The nearest I can come to planning is thinking about Girl's departure to Uni on 29 September ...
...but I can't. Not yet.
DREAMING OF...
...a time when money isn't an Issue. And I can treat my family as much as I want. This is on-going.
COVETING & WISHING & DREAMING ...
...see above.
WORKING ON ...
...at home - a few cross stitch projects, and still aiming to not be scared of that sewing machine !!!
At work - I am compiling a dyslexia/phonic handbook with links to a particular piece of software, for my colleagues. This makes me happy.
GRATEFUL FOR ...
...all of the above. My family. And yes, they deserve more from me. But I am trying really, really hard, my lovelies.
Gosh this audit was a good idea !
TOMORROW I WILL BE ...
Positive. No, really. I will be all Carole King - look up 'Beautiful' - I don't think there's an original version on YouTube but the Tapestry LP means a lot to me.
ON MY TO DO LIST THIS MONTH!
Getting to payday without going broke!
Supporting Girl as she leaves home for University
Getting a grip back at work without being completely useless
Thanks for reading this far !
http://www.ianayris.com/
Be warned his stuff isn't politely phrased but he's an amazing writer who has had me in tears (in a good way !) ; highly recommended. And no, he's not paying me ...
While in Tenerife I caught up with an old friend who is thinking of making the Santiago di Compostela pilgrimage next year and in support I am ..well... reading Tim Moore
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Spanish-Steps-ebook/dp/B003XVYF0O/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1378126500&sr=8-1&keywords=spanish+steps
He's my favourite travel writer by, well...miles.
EATING...
...apple crumble. Mum in law brought some cooking apples over and although I am a rubbish dessert cook, I have to say my crumble wasn't too shabby.
While we were away we had many lovely meals out (we chose self catering as although we knew we probably couldn't afford it - and we couldn't! - we love eating out, and we only ever do that on holiday). A highlight was a lunch at a beachside restaurant - gorgeous grilled sardines with Canarian potatoes and fabulous sauces. I can't cook that one to my disappointment... but one meal we had was a pork Mexicana. I have managed to replicate that one successfully at less than £5 for four people. Yay me, eh ?
PLANNING ...
...this is something that teachers do for lessons. I daren't plan ahead, not further than my next group of kids, or payday. Maybe if we get ourselves straight I can do that more?
The nearest I can come to planning is thinking about Girl's departure to Uni on 29 September ...
...but I can't. Not yet.
DREAMING OF...
...a time when money isn't an Issue. And I can treat my family as much as I want. This is on-going.
COVETING & WISHING & DREAMING ...
...see above.
WORKING ON ...
...at home - a few cross stitch projects, and still aiming to not be scared of that sewing machine !!!
At work - I am compiling a dyslexia/phonic handbook with links to a particular piece of software, for my colleagues. This makes me happy.
GRATEFUL FOR ...
...all of the above. My family. And yes, they deserve more from me. But I am trying really, really hard, my lovelies.
Gosh this audit was a good idea !
TOMORROW I WILL BE ...
Positive. No, really. I will be all Carole King - look up 'Beautiful' - I don't think there's an original version on YouTube but the Tapestry LP means a lot to me.
ON MY TO DO LIST THIS MONTH!
Getting to payday without going broke!
Supporting Girl as she leaves home for University
Getting a grip back at work without being completely useless
Thanks for reading this far !
Sunday, 1 September 2013
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