Month: September 2019

It’s been a long, wet week, the first part of the week was hard but fortunately my week ended happily as I started my Uni course and enjoyed a new parkrun.

1. Cubs helper

It was my turn on the parent rota for cubs this week and unlike last time when I was totally out of my depth on knots, I enjoyed a great session making apple crumbles.

2. Paddington 50p

A few weeks ago I received a 50p coin in my change featuring Paddington bear at Paddington station. I loved it and kept it as a simple thing to make me smile. I was delighted this week to get a second Paddington 50p with him at the Tower of London. I haven’t checked if there’s a whole series to collect but like the excitement of checking my change carefully now!

3. Homework

Little Miss is getting into the swing of homework and this week had to create a shield for her family with a motto. She chose Together Forever which meant a lot to us as a family created through adoption. We’re always telling her that we’re here for her forever and ever and to see it as her motto was very special.

4. Uni day

I had a strange mix of excitement and apprehension on starting my Uni course this week. When the course materials came through I did start to question my academic skills, as it’s now 23 years since I wrote my last PGCE essay and to go straight back in at Masters level made me a little anxious. I was well prepared and had done all the day 1 prep work as well as buying new stationery and choosing an outfit carefully as I needed to feel confident. It was a fantastic day, a beautiful setting and lots of lovely people on the course too. It’s going to be very hard work but I’m ready for it and am so pleased to be given the opportunity to do this course. There was a stunning rainbow 🌈 on my journey over and it seemed perfect symbolism for a new start.

5. parkrun

I know parkrun often gets a mention but today’s was run in warm sunshine, T-shirt weather and given the week this was a real Brucie bonus. Little Miss and I also travelled to our NENDY (parkrun abbreviation for nearest event not done yet) so we could go shopping after in the nearby shopping centre. I’m quite impressed that I’ve managed 4 different venues in my first 10 runs. This parkrun is big, far bigger than any we’ve attended before and very well organised to cope with the numbers. There are a lot of fast runners who do the run regularly and I even spotted a running ‘celebrity’ whom has inspired me over the years. It was the flattest parkrun I’ve done and again Little Miss got a PB, she’s quickly catching up with me, she’s knocked off nearly 3 minutes in just 5 parkruns.

It’s been an ordinary week but even during ordinary times there are always those little things which brighten up your day!

1. Hay Bales!

We’re definitely enjoying an Indian summer and it’s been such a hot and sunny week. On Sunday, the four of us walked up to the country park and were enthralled by the tractors making the hay bales! It’s a great little process and we were amused by the bale rolling out of the machine.

2. An evening walk.

Little Miss and I often walk in the evening to help talk things through. Wednesday night was such a warm evening that on our stroll Little Miss enjoyed a paddle. It helped lift her mood, whilst I simply enjoyed the last rays of the day’s sunshine and the view.

3. Baby cuddles.

Whilst my and our friends’ children are growing up quickly I’ve had an unexpected treat in the last year with 3 very special babies being born to friends. There’s been no little ones in my life for the past few years so it’s lovely to have baby cuddles again. I got lots of cuddles on Thursday when I met a friend for lunch (al fresco ☀️) and as well as cuddles I got to sing all my favourite action songs and rhymes too! Nothing can beat the smiles, gurgles and giggles of a baby and with twins, I got double the pleasure and joy.

4. Saturday afternoon shopping.

On Saturday with Little Man at a party on the outskirts of the county town and it being too far to drive back home I had a little shopping trip on my own, what a luxury. It was a lovely afternoon to potter around in the sunshine (such a theme this week) One of my favourite shops is the tea emporium and I have a few new loose tea blends to enjoy.

5. Bohemian Rhapsody

I was disappointed to have missed Bohemian Rhapsody at the cinema but finally got to watch it this week and what a film, I loved it, a great soundtrack and a strong storyline. As a consequence a few Queen songs made it to my running playlist this week!

6. Strictly Come Dancing

Strictly returned this week and my weekly dose of glitter and sparkle is back. This is my happy show and the perfect antidote to the autumn evenings. My favourites last night were Kelvin, Karim, Dev and Will, fingers crossed for another amazing series!

After the novelty of the first days of secondary school and a new job in the Sparkles household, this week was all about our routine as clubs retsarted and we began our new ‘normal.’  It means an earlier start for me at 6am, but with a staggered set off and return from school, it does seem more relaxed at certain times of the day.  Here are some of the things which have made our week sparkle.

1.Harvest

Last Sunday Mr S picked some of the last fruits and vegetables from our garden for this season, runner beans and the tomatoes which have finally ripened.  Mr S and Little Miss as our resident gardeners have had a successful garden allotment this year and have tried a few new crops too.  There is nothing as tasty as homegrown veggies.

Whilst Mr S tidied the garden, I took the children to pick some blackberries in the fields near our home.   It was a hot and sunny afternoon in the meadows and there is something just very wholesome and healthy about being in fields with bundles of hay, picking berries.  The children insisted that I took a photo of the butterfly which was fluttering around the bushes.  We collected lots of berries and at home, made an autumn fruits crumble adding appples from our neighbour’s garden, before freezing the rest. There was such a beautiful aroma in our kitchen when I was preparing the crumble, the warmth of the spices and caramelised fruit, complemented by my orange and chilli pepper candle.

2. Cubs

Little Man adores cubs and is a very commited member of the pack. He finds school lessons tough but is able to do everything at cubs as its so outdoorsy and practical, I think he feels an equal at cubs, rather than school where he has a 1:1 TA and has to go intervention groups.  This week he was made seconder of his six and was beaming with pride and happiness.  I was lucky enough to be in the hall when this was announced and it was one fof those magic moments to treasure to see his reaction.  Now, I just have to sew it on and all the new badges he received last week.

3. Student

At the grand age of 46, I’m off to university again as a mature student .  Its a part time professional course which work are financing, and is fortunately based at the local agricultural college and not the Univeristy of Exeter which is nearly 100 miles away. Its a course I’ve wanted to do over the past few years and I am so excited to be finally enrolled.  And of course, a student needs lots of new stationery eh!

4. A day off

Officially I don’t work Thursdays but life is very busy at work and recently I’ve done a lot of overtime.  This week I didn’t and had such a lovely day, doing a 4 mile run after the school run, catching up with emails and household tasks and then meeting my fantatsic friend for a lunch to celebrate her 40th.  It reminded me I should try and make that time for myself.

5. An autumn beach day!

At this time of year a little challenge emerges, how long can I keep wearing my shorts and flip flops.  Today, Saturday was stunning weather, we had perfect running conditions for parkrun (and another PB for Little Miss) and then we spent the afternoon on the beach, the children in the sea with their boards and me reading on the beach.  Somemtimes life is pretty perfect.