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Reality beckons

It's probably the case that when you have finally got round to the one job you promised yourself you wouldn't duck our of during your extended break, it is about time to head back into the work place. In my case it's clearing out the show cupboard. I know this shouldn't be such a big thing but its one of those jobs I've thought about getting around to for about the last 2 years and can just never sum up the energy. I woke up the other day though and though 'today is the day'. I was so proud of myself (while being a little bit stunned at just how many pairs of barely used football boots we seem to have accumulated -we don't even like football in this family!)

I lined them all up outside and then got everyone to be really ruthless about what they actually wear and what could go. In the end it only took a couple of hours to sort, hoover and replace. After all that procrastination! It did feel very good afterwards and I can start my new job knowing I've made full use of my time off!!

The last 2 weeks have been absolutely perfect. I have relished spending time at home, simple routines, lots of dog walking, yoga, running, time with the kids and then of course Glenn and I had our trip to Rome. Our few days away were just lovely. We had amazing weather, saw many sights we hadn't seen previously (well I did, Glenn limited his tourist activities to a few wanders around the city and a concerted ice cream eating effort).  I made the most of the time, clocking up over 30,000 steps every day and seeing the things I wouldn't go to with him - The Botanical Gardens, Galleries and Museums . I saw more naked renaissance art than you can shake a stick at and I thoroughly enjoyed myself. The girls also had a ball, looked after by Kerrie so everyone happy.

For the first part of half term we had Ben and Laurie come and stay for a couple of nights, as ever causing MAJOR excitement for all 4 kids. They came by train again and all disappeared straight into town for a few hours while I got my hair cut.
 This was a fine idea, except I should have put a limit on the amount of sugar they were allowed to consume as by the time I collected them I think they'd eaten their body weight. This meant they then had a sugar crash which All but Abi handled well - she just dissolved into a heap. Standard practice at the moment so we coped.
After an evening where I seemed to shout a lot and no-one took any notice, on Wednesday we went to the Water Park and they had a ball - definitely not too cool for massive water slides just yet I'm pleased to say. After a trip home where I smiled to hear Ben and Laurie tell Abi to be nicer to me given id just taken them all out, we stopped at the services as apparently they all (well, Abi) needed to eat NOW! We then sat down to watch Bohemian Rhapsody where it was patently clear Laurie had missed a vital part of his musical education. He had no idea who Freddie Mercury was!!! We sadly put them back on the train after too short a trip - they were superstars.

The rest of half term we had the unexpected pleasure of Abi not being away after all. With hormones kicking in she doesn't know what she wants half the time but was quite clear she did want to be close to us and so rather than go to Angie's she ended up staying put. This meant we had a lovely few days and ended up on one afternoon with Abi and I crafting a complete stable block out of a cardboard box (didn't do a bad job if i saw so myself), while Izzy baked cookies and then we all did some drawing. Its amazing how much easier some of this comes when you are completely relaxed!

Today the kids went back to school after an unseasonable warm weekend (sheets out on the line to dry in February!!) and i crashed back to reality with a work trip to London - eek! I'm back again on Wednesday for a day of shadowing Audit Committee and Risk Committee, before starting proper next Monday. I cant believe my time off has come to an end so quickly but I had the best time and so I can happily say I'm heading into my new role rested, relaxed and ready for the next phase.


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