Tag Archives: memories

Just the two of us

18 Sunday May 2014

Posted by in Family, Motherhood

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Sunshine outside

I used to roll my eyes when doting parents would harp on about their children growing up too quickly. To me then, as a young woman without kids, it all seemed a bit sentimental. I mean, children grow up don’t they? They get bigger and move onto new exciting phases of development – it’s just part of life.

But now, as a mum myself, I can totally relate to that slight tinge of panic that your child is growing too fast.

As we hurtle towards Frog’s fourth birthday I’m reminded of this time four years ago. I was getting ready to go on maternity leave, nervous, excited and more than ready to welcome my baby into the world. We didn’t know if we were having a boy or girl, which – for us – added another element of suspense to what was to come. Continue reading »

Moments that mattered

29 Wednesday Jan 2014

Posted by in Family, Motherhood, Travel

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With my three year old starting school later this year, I’m more aware than ever of time slipping through my fingers.

It may be that I have spent the last two years working and rushing around non-stop, so it’s only now that we’re more settled I can fully appreciate the need to savour all the little moments. This time last year I spent so many of my days exhausted and powering on until bedtime that I’m not convinced I made the most of every second.

It’s a bit of a paradox, this time thing though. When you become a parent you’re constantly told, “Make the most of it, they grow up so fast”. And you can see it yourself, when you blink and your newborn is suddenly a chubby toddler. But at the same time as wanting to savour those moments and feeling them slip away all too quickly, you’re trying to stop ketchup being smeared up the wall and fighting an exhaustion that will only be quelled by sleep. Your days both zoom past in the blink of an eye and drip along in a slow trickle, like a smear of thick treacle.  Continue reading »

The last weekend

07 Sunday Jul 2013

Posted by in Family, Home

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This has been our last weekend in this cottage, in our village in Berkshire, where we’ve lived for the past three and a half years. The place where we made new friends, brought a baby home and started a married life.

Our last weekend has been spent eating ice cream in the boiling heat, berating the lack of a paddling pool (and using an oven cleaning tray instead), packing, packing and more packing, stacking, catching glimpses of the historic Andy Murray Wimbledon victory as we lugged boxes past the living room, shouting the score to whoever was at the top of the ladder, attempting to stop an inquisitive three year old from unpacking everything…

And then giving up the lot and heading to the pub for tea. Continue reading »

Photographs in my head

02 Tuesday Apr 2013

Posted by in Family, Seasonal

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“When I used to work full time, when you girls were young, I’d try to take a snapshot of a special moment and save it in my head to make it last longer.” My mum was trying to cheer me up yesterday, as she detected my dreary mood. Our mini holiday to their place in Devon was at an end. I felt sulky and dark, like a teenager.

It’s been a weekend of snapshots. So many moments I’ve tried to savour and keep. But, as with everything, each one has slipped through my fingers like sand, leaving me with nothing but a delicious memory.

A trip to the beach, an Easter egg hunt, a (few) cold gin and tonics, a hot bath in a rolltop tub, a snooze on the sofa in the middle of the day, a book… these are the things I’m holding tight to as normal life resumes. These are the photographs in my head. Continue reading »

A year to be thankful for

17 Monday Dec 2012

Posted by in Family

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It hasn’t been the easiest year. As years go, there’ve been more tricky times than I care to remember.

I’ve lost two members of my family, worked hours I didn’t think possible and seen my daughter battle hypermobile joints leading to a delay in walking.

But.

But. I have also seen my toddler take those hypermobile joints and give them the middle finger. I have seen her run across sandy beaches and welcome the waves with joy. I have spent evenings lying, exhausted on the sofa and been treated to homemade meals and known there is a reason I married the man I call the (self-proclaimed) Northern Love Machine. We have battled this year together.

I have made new friends and visited new places. I have reached new goals in my work and strived to take them to even bigger things. I have written and written and written and talked a bit and written some more.

Yes, it’s been a thoroughly tough year. But those moments of joy make it all worthwhile. Continue reading »

Decorating without the decorations

21 Friday Sep 2012

Posted by in Family, Relationships

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Review

Living in a rented cottage means painting the walls to “make the place our own” is out of the question. But that doesn’t mean we can’t adorn them will all sorts of pretty things.

We have paintings that my grandma and aunt painted, prints from Picasso and Andy Warhol, as well as a lovely painting given to us as a wedding present.

We also have lots of photographs. Lots and lots of photographs. Continue reading »

The here and now

13 Monday Aug 2012

Posted by in Family, Motherhood, Work

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I had a conversation with my mum the other day. She’s very wise, my mum.

“Live in the here and now. You never know what’s around the corner. Life’s too short,” she said.

She’s right, you know.

It’s so easy to get caught up in the daily grind. The daily struggle and juggle. Daily worries, long-term planning, anxious what ifs. Continue reading »

Childhood

01 Wednesday Aug 2012

Posted by in Charity

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A couple of weeks ago I was asked to think about what childhood means to me.

I thought.

And then I thought some more.

And then I thought again.

Every answer I came up with sounded incomplete and contrite. “Childhood means splashing in puddles”. Nope, not quite right. “Childhood means wallowing in unconditional love”. Well, sometimes – but it’s not everything about the formative years. “Childhood means….”

I mused on the subject during our week away and I drew a blank.

Until tonight, when I was scrolling through my phone for inspiration. For me, childhood isn’t about one thing. It’s about a whole set of things. Continue reading »

These moments

06 Wednesday Jun 2012

Posted by in Family

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Life has a habit these days of rolling along at high speed, threatening to leave us behind, struggling to catch up.

So these moments – snatched with grasping fingers and held close – are ones to treasure forever.

The sense of anticipation on a Friday evening, as a long four day weekend stretches ahead of us. The excitement as we arrive in Devon, on the way to see my parents’ new home, taking in the Jubilee bunting strewn through various villages. Continue reading »

The Diary. Or *cringe*

26 Thursday Apr 2012

Posted by in Family

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Me. Aged 10. Or 11. Or thereabouts.

Remember 1994? When everyone was wearing those heatglo T’shirts you could turn flourescent just by blowing on them? Before owning a pair of GHD’s was the norm and Take That were big the first time round?

Well I’ve been right back there this evening.

I found my diary you see. It contains the thoughts, angst and lists of loves from my Year 6 self. I had just turned 11 and thought I had the world sussed. Clearly, I hadn’t (especially not Maths or boys), but who was I to correct myself? Continue reading »