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Its raining, its pouring....

Oh my goodness it is raining and its seems like it will never stop.  According to the news this is the wettest winter for some 250 years (to the extent its possible to tell this), and it certainly feels like it.  Everywhere you go at the moment there is flooding and the worst area to have been hit is Somerset.  The Somerset Levels have been cut off now for over a month and the rain just keeps coming.  The news is full of pictures of flooded land, rivers bursting their banks and houses full of water.  People are asking what can be done but its so hard to do anything other than hope it all stops soon. Thank goodness Mum and Dad have been OK so far but we worry about them everyday and the girls ask every time we speak whether its all still dry.  Abi is at the age now where she understands some of the impact this can have.  We watched a video together of flood pictures and as she rightly said "this makes me sad".  I just hope it is a wake up call to the powers that be to sort the flood strategies out for the future.

Against this backdrop we are feeling blessed that our new house appears to be holding up well against the storms and rain and the garden, while completely soggy, has no actual standing water.  As a family we have learnt to make the most of the few dry spells that occur and get outside regardless of the weather. Yesterday was one such day - we decided to brave the wind and rain and go for a walk and I had to take my hat off to Abi and Izzy (not literally, it was too wet) - their sense of humour in the pouring rain was far better than mine!  I guess when you are that age you don't see rain but just endless puddles and mud to play in - its all about getting a positive perspective.

As the girl's reading and spelling improves we are having fun with words, sort of... I nearly lost it this week when Abi ran upstairs saying "Sorry I've been a few minutes Mummy, I've been yanking Daddy's plaster off!" Unfortunately 'yank' was spelt with a 'w'; and so to the tricky conundrum of how to correct her pronounciation without reinforcing the word she actually used, all while trying not to cry with laughter?!?  This was followed today with her comment "Daddy said a rude word Mummy".  I answered innocently "really?" "yes" says Abi - "I'm not allowed to say it, can I spell it for you?" quickly followed by her spelling out 'arse' very accurately. Hmmm - good spelling Abi, mental note to self, must not use such words in front of them!

I'm getting into the stride of having some down time as I find a new job and loving having more sleep, more space to think and do, and mostly more time with Glenn and the girls.  The decision as to what is the right type of job to try and move into now is a difficult one.  I want a stimulating role so it will inevitably have some compromise with how much time I then have to spend at home.  I know I wouldn't be happy marking time just to be close by so I have to accept the balance and make it work as I always have done.  At least there appear to be a number of opportunities out there for me so hopefully something will come good soon.  In the meantime I have a kitchens and bathrooms to plan - bliss!

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