The Seasons

 Looking Forward to Spring

I do feel like Christmas passed me by in a bit of a blur . The last few weeks of term had been full of poorly children and I had hung on by my finger tips dealing with a lot of other issues as well. I had a rumbling sore throat which I steadfastly ignored, like us Mums do, until Christmas Eve, when the stress of having my inlaws around seem to finish me off. I spent Christmas day in a bit of a blur with a bad throat and a temperature. Boxing Day I spent in bed with no voice and feeling so weak.  I am hardly ever ill like this, but I think things had just got the better of me. It took me the week to recover. My hubby managed to put work aside for a few days and hold the fort ( husband style) until I felt more myself! C'est la vie.

I am looking forward to getting on with 2013. Some fresh challenges. The lighter evenings. Planning a holiday. Getting on with our extension. Looking forward instead of back. The Christmas decorations are back in the boxes ready for next year. Now I can clear up the mess and cobwebs, throw open some windows and get some fresh air through the house. Spring is just around the corner here in England with the promise of lighter evenings, some warmer weather, a glimpse or two of sun.

 We did manage a few wintery walks along the seafront where I got to play with my new camera...........

New Year's "Resolutions"

Do they work?

Maybe. No, not really. Sometimes. Never!

Well, they certainly lift our resolve for a while....

The Blogosphere is full of it at the moment - everyone setting themselves new goals and targets for 2013. 

Things they would like to achieve. 

The person they would like to become. 

Some are simple and achievable, some are ..."Wow, good on you , rather you than me"  type of resolutions.

I love reading about resolutions. Probably because I have slight OCD tendencies and like order and discipline in my life. It draws me in like a pot of cream does a cat, but too much is not a good thing! We spend so much of our time trying to achieve these goals, we forget to enjoy the here and now. I know also that if we wrap ourselves up with so many unobtainable goals we will  start the year just feeling like we have failed yet again. 

So this is my approach.

I am just going to continue with some of the practical things I have started and try and improve on them further:

• Work on budgeting our household expenses.
• Look at more ways of cutting back on our spending.
• Bring more variety in planning our meals - look for more recipes.
• Create a schedule that involves the children doing things for themselves.
• Try and stop running around after the children so much - encouraging them to be more independent ( difficult if you are a control freak like me).
• Create some space to have time for myself and for me and my hubby together .

I am also going to tackle some new targets when I have the time to :

• Attend a photography course - this will not be hard!!
• Develop some better money saving strategies for us and the children.
• Improve the way I take care of my health  - look into some natural remedies. 
• Explore healthy eating again - we have slipped somewhat over the past few weeks.

Not any life altering, earth shattering resolutions here. If you are looking for a life changing revelation, you are reading the wrong blog! I don't think I am an earth shattering sort of person :(

But ....I am kinda happy with my lot. I have 3 incredibly exhausting, but wonderful children who I learn something new about every day. I have a husband to share this with who I may joke grumbles more than Victor Meldrew, but has the kindest of hearts and is unconditional in his love for me. I live in a safe haven of a house and am surrounded by friends and family every step of the way. My life is overly busy and full, but I wouldn't have it any other way.

What more could I ask for?

 I have to remind myself this when I feel frustrated or blue. 

2012 hasn't been the easiest of years for us, but for now......

I am in a good place.

So 2103 ?

Bring it on!

Happy New Year

Looking Back

The Year that was 2012

Thats all folks!

Happy New Year!

See you in 2013. x