Thinking Day, Doris and other such things!

 World Thinking Day

We celebrated 2 days early on 20th with a service at OLOL with al the Beavers, Cubs, Brownies and Scouts. It was a lovely evening and 3 of our girls made their Brownie Promise.

Its always lovely to see such a wonderful group of like minded young people - catching up with past Brownies who are now all grown up and finding their way in life.

Tuesday was spent at work - walked but realised quite a way into my journey that I had forgotten my phone and Smart card. Walked back and ended up catching the bus.

Just as well, as Diny called, sounding dreadful. Nothing else to do, but call an ambulance.

They reassured her and gave her some oxygen. I wonder what the future will be?

She perked up though and was back to her usual self by the afternoon.

The day was busy - full of travel, babies, yoga and then off to see Tass for dinner before choir.

Outstanding meatballs!!

Wednesday was pent reading at school in the morning and was then supposed to help at the Dementia UK club. Diny called to say that Patrick from NLH team was coming at 1, but he came at 4.30. Worth the wait though and I fully realise the work load they have.

I have messaged Lisa to say that its proving difficult to commit to every week, but I will come when I can. She was happy about that I think and is already looking for someone who can commit more regularly than I can at present.

Thursday saw Storm Doris - it sue was a very blustery day!

Bins littered the streets and we had fun with the hashtag WEWILLREBUILD  :-)

Brownies was fun and informative. Suggestions for meals on Brownie holiday proved to be hilarious!!!

Mack Roneybeinga a favourite!!

We started work on learning about the internet and how to use it safely.

The girls were engaged - interesting differences in the rules at home.

After Brownies I went to collect 3 disappointed boys from Wembley - a loss on aggregate against the lesser known team of Gent.

Friday  was off to Hobby craft and then onto Crews Hill for a wander around the craft shops with Diny and Doff,

Cheeky Chinese in the evening, fun playing games with Doff, Ray, Diny, James, Amy and Izzy and the good news that Doff has been awarded carers allowance!!

The boys have safely arrived in Holland and spent the afternoon making a good start on my revalidation process. Not so bad once you get started!

Kim and Gabriella broke the afternoon up - coffee and a natter together!

Dad and Anya have come up with this idea for the hare field fundraiser!!

Awesome Anja and her 3D printer!

Saturday - lazy start to the day and enjoyed painting these pebbles for Athena to sell at her University for Red Nose Day!

Also making a start on green mandalas for Shays fundraiser.

The Pebblefairy was super excited to see that the pebble Jennie hid at Agra has been found and will be winging its way to Katmandu!

I love my hobby :-)

Celebrations were the flavour of Saturday night - Tracey's 50th birthday!

Lovely to catch up with old friends - bit of a playground re-union!

Lovely!

Kim and Rob and some else's celebrations!

 Sunday morning was off to Lauderdale House for the last day of Patricia's exhibition - what a great project to be part of!

Elena helped me hide a pebble.

I'm guessing its chilling at the carnival in Tilburg!

Stones and snow!

Hectic is how I would describe the last couple of weeks!

We went to see Peter Landi (aka Pete Graham) in The House. I thoroughly enjoyed it and came away with a slightly better understanding of how the House of Commons works - pairing etc.

It was nice to see Pete, although Damian's face in this photo would make you think the opposite was true!

Classic Kate!

It was Jane's 55th birthday and Amy made this deliciousness!!

Mmmmmmm - peanut brittle :-)

We were late to the celebrations as Mr Landi was diagnosed with a kidney stone :-(

He is obviously good at hiding his true feeling in the photo's in this weeks blog.

10/10 on a pain scale and still smiling.

The staff were kind, thorough and efficient (once we got to see somebody!)

The waiting room was full - not sure what people's complaints were, its not always obvious to tell what is going on in peoples lives.

The NHS is certainly under the cosh and struggling to meet the ever growing demand.

It has never let our family members down though - and we have used more than our fair share of the service.

We went home with pain killers and D was feeling very much better.

We thought the worst was over, but thought too soon.....

Back the following night - more painkillers and muscle relaxants, then off to work for me.

A hectic day, but starting to find my groove and feeling more confident.

Luckily choir was cancelled - would not have managed to stay awake!

I think it was sometime on Wednesday that the little stone made its way out - D described it as a pip.

Brings tears to my eyes!

Great timing though as I am not sure how we would have managed the pain up a mountain in France. 

Friday morning was spent at Cherry Green Trees and then we went for delicious cream tea's at a lovely little farm shop!

Everyone was happy - including me. It doesn't take much sometimes to make a little positive difference in someone's life.

I did manage to find an hour on Thursday to paint these mandalas.

There may be a commissioned work coming my way!

Maybe I could do some chakra based colours?

Eliane, my Yoga teacher has an enquiry from a friend who is opening a yoga centre in Portugal!

The bottom is travelling kindness pattern and the top is one of my own designs! 

Get me!

We went skiing!!!!!

With our fabulous friends and their children. Missed ours very much.

While The Pebble fairy was great at hiding painted pebbles around the ski resort of Les Menuaires, her alter ego was having some difficulty in getting down the mountain with confidence :-(

She suspects that she may have spoilt the skiing bit of the holiday for D, but was happy to join in the lazy evenings, reading aNd watching TV and then eating, drinking and laughing together.

Happy memories made!!

Got down a blue run in one piece!

Valentines day - Chris was on the Naughty Step!

I'm going to see Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers in July :-)

Whoop whoop!!!

I got my hair cut while the others were skiing

I my not be an able skier but I totally love the beautiful views, the spectacular mountains,

the apres ski, the fresh air and spending time with this one!

We had a Jack Suey in the car park!

Other news......

Katie missed her flight, the airport was chaos, Amy is back into the swing of working life and went to Mariel's party, James watched football with Dad and JJ and all is well with the world. All is well at 383 and Diny is doing OK.

House cleaned, several loads of washing done and ready to get back on the wheel of everyday life.

Can't even manage weekly!!

I need to get my act together - this daily gratitude blog is turning into nearly a monthly one!

This weekend was fab and bad all at the same time. fab that I was with my fam and rocking to great music, but bad because the wine witch made an appearance and this woman guzzled her way through several glasses of red wine- not clever not fun. She also munched her way through  large bowl of nacho's. I bet my kids  were proud of me - NOT!

Our room was lovely and earlier in the day we enjoyed a swim and playing HEADS UP in the bar.

While we were rocking it up at Glaonbury7, Dad and JJ were re-uniting with the Petherwick clan!!!

The bands were great (the one's I can remember at least) and the pebblefairy got busy hiding again :-)

This picture sums up how I feel about alcohol........

I was thinking of writing a blog about my quitting experience, but can't manage this one so quit that idea. I hope quitting alcohol will be as easy as that!

Enjoyed a 6 mile walk home, listening to the Bubble hour and reminding myself that I am not alone. My main motivation though is to be a better role model for my kids. I am not a blackout drunk, but I know that one is not an option for me these days and as Damian says, its diminishing returns. Best to stop at least for now.

Found this random heart on the walk home <3

This is what tired, dehydrated Karen looks like! 

Monday was spent at Cherry, cleaning the lodge and  making spiders homeless (what a bitch!) and trying to make use of the soil turned up by the moles. I have a plan to grow veggies this summer.

Re-united with my bank card!!!

This one was left in a shopping trolley at marks and Sparks!

Grandma has an echo at North Mid while Ray has a nosebleed fixed at BGH

Glad to report that both are doing well :-)

Why did the baker have brown hands?

Because he kneaded a poo!!!!

Thank you Izzy!

Oh yes, and Marnie is still bonkers!

James has started his work placement at Wood green District Nurses and Amy is mainly making cakes!

Damian is on the work football team and scored - he still has it! Hope no injuries before skiing next week though 

In summary - grateful for learning from others who have trodden similar paths, for the NHS in so many ways, for being for enough to walk and for my crazy family!

Namaste  and much love x