Friday 18 April 2014

Unplanned break.

I have been absent from the blog for a while as life just became a little too much! Every time I came back to write I couldn't face it and for me this is optional, something I do because I enjoy it. So I took a break and spent it with my family.

Work continues to be all consuming, but I am loving it. I have to be careful that I don't let other things slip in my passion for what I do. Full time is a bit brutal, but we have some help set up for this term so things should be a little easier.This great trolley has become my trusty steed for walking to work at 7.30 every morning.


I treated myself at the end of term to a new bag - LK bennett in clay. Love the coral tag. I think I worked for this!

LK Bennett bag 

The work on the house continues. We have now removed the old kitchen and are in the process of converting this into an office for hubby - carpet is going in soon. We can then reclaim our lounge. Photos soon!

The aim is to get everything done by the end of the summer. It will be a real novelty living in a completed house.

I continue with the revamp of my children's room. My oldest boys room is just about done. We have decided to move a wall in between the other two children's bedrooms as they are very unequally sized at the moment! That will be another month of dust and debris - I am getting used to this!

I am enjoying ordering items to dress the rooms we have finished - at the moment I am trying to decide on a budget sofa that looks great for our kitchen. Despite my hubby's reservations I am thinking of grey so I can change up the accessories according to the season.

We had a lovely weeks break in Cornwall last week. The sun shone. We surfed and walked, slept and ate. Lovely family time.


Polzeath cliff tops


My dad is still hanging in there, but this final journey is oh so hard. He does not recognise us anymore. He  cannot walk or talk and is losing his swallow. He had his birthday this week which was bittersweet. We all sat with him, but I am not sure he knew why. It is the most painful and drawn out way to end your life. He is so brave.

I wish you all a very happy Easter with those you love. Enjoy the sun and the chocolate!

xxx

20 comments:

  1. Hi Claire lovely to see you back. I've taken a blogging break a good few times over the years, it gets you like that sometimes and I am full of admiration for those who can afford to take it up full time. I realise how hard it is working full time with a young family but the fruits of your labours are the work on the house, your lovely bag and trips to the seaside. Have a lovely Easter and I hope and pray your Dad isn't in any pain, it will be a happy release but a heart breaking one. Much love xxx

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    1. Thanks Sharron - I have enjoyed having some treats this Easter ! Definitely worth the hard work, which I am lucky enough to love too! XX

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  2. Keeping you and your dad in my thoughts. I agree on the grey couch I like to change my cushions in the winter and summer and it changes the look of the room.

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    1. Thank you. I ordered the grey couch today!! X

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  3. My heart goes out to you, especially at a family time like Easter. My Dad passed away 6 years ago this weekend, and like your Dad, it was a very, very long goodbye! But I do think, although you feel your Dad can't sense you there, I am 100% sure they can? When my son spoke to his "Grandad" about a book he used to read to him, my Dad whom we had nothing from weeks, suddenly his eyes flickered and he smiled! So I knew he could feel us there, and I am sure Dad in his final days gained some comfort from that! xx

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    1. Thats comforting to hear as I find it hard to know. Sometimes there is still a flicker of recognition or a word that I think is a name, but I don't know..... so hard. He is just a shell, but hanging on and on. X

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  4. I'm sorry to hear about your Dad. I went through similar with my mother, so I understand how awful it is. Sending hugs! On a lighter note, I adore your grey bag and am glad that you had a break and good time with your family in Cornwall.

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    1. Thank you - it is a rocky road and very emotionally draining! X

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  5. Claire - how lovely to 'hear' from you again! I've been wondering how you are and wanted to email you. Had a feeling you were up to your eyes and ears in it. Sorry to hear about your dad - I feel for you I really do. Hope you manage to get some rest for the remainder of the holiday. Take care xx

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    1. Missed you Jen and reading the blog! Just kept away from everything as life was overwhelming with work and Dad etc! Thank you for thinking of me though! Had a great holiday and hoping to keep the energy up for a while again now! Hope you are doing ok? XXX

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  6. Welcome back! Thanks for the update. Given all that you have had going on, it's not surprising blogging has been on the back burner. Happy Easter to you and yours xx

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    1. Thank you! Happy Easter to you all too! XX

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  7. Lovely to hear from you again Claire. Glad mostly things are going well.
    I feel for your dad's struggles. Hang in on there.

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    1. Thank you - day by day with Dad I think! XX

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  8. Lovely to see you back. Sorry to hear about your dad its so heartbreaking when your folks get frail. Happy Easter to you all x

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  9. Hello! Was a lovely surprise to see your post. I think when you blog it is done from the heart and if your heart isn't in it you need to listen to it. I'm not surprised you have been away a lot, young children, renovations, full time work - I'm glad you have some help planned! I hope you manage to relax and replenish this Easter, thinking of you as you care for your Dad, I agree with other comments about your Dad being able to feel your presence and hear as you talk, hard as it is talk about the happy times....& laugh to if you can, but you know all that! Heartfelt virtual hug and love, Vikki, XxXx

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    1. Thank you Vikki so much for your e.mail too - meant a lot! I just needed to stop for a season to regroup I think! Day at a time from this point on and certainly not saying no to any help ! XXX

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  10. Hope you had a good Easter Caire :) Sorry to hear about your dad being so ill.You can definitely only take each new day as it comes!
    ~Anne xx

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    1. Thank you Anne I did - lovely family time and lots of rest. Some retail therapy too which was much enjoyed! My new moto is taking a day at a time! xx

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