Thursday 28th February 2008

Yesterday was a strange day. Rosie announced at the breakfast table that she woke up in the middle of the night to see her bed shaking. She couldn't decide whether it had happened or whether it was a dream. I reassured her by saying that of course it was a dream. Graham then appeared saying he had just heard on the radio that there had been an earthquake Apparently it measured 5.2 on the richter scale, being the biggest one in England since 1984. We slept through the whole thing which lasted 10 seconds apparently.



Harry forgot his games gear so I quickly popped into the office before going home to collect it and take it to school before driving to Ampthill for ' Safeguarding Children' training. Driving to work I saw the person who I have mentioned previously who has turned back to alcohol and is now homeless. She was walking along the road with her partner. They both were carrying large plastic bags and her partner looked like he was carrying a couple of sleeping bags. I felt very sad. On the way home I then witnessed an accident. A car crashed into a man on his bike and he was lying on the ground in the middle of the road. I was stuck in a traffic jam but strangely enough stopped outside the surgery on Pemberley Avenue. There were lots of people around so I knew somebody would have phoned for an ambulance. Anyway I jumped out of the car and ran into the surgery and ran up to the reception to the front of the queue and asked if a Dr could go to the accident scene. A receptionist said that someone would so I got back into my car. I then saw a Dr saunter out of the surgery, not exactly running but walking towards the man on the ground. The traffic still wasn't moving so I turned round and went another way home but still had to pass the top of the road where the man was lying inert on the ground. As I drove past I became upset as I concluded that he was either dead or the people who were stood around staring at him were completely heartless as the poor man was lying there on his own. There was nobody on the ground with him holding his hand or reassuring him.



I dropped Harry's bag off at school and then drove to Ampthill. I spoke to a friend on the phone for most of the journey, particularly as I felt I needed to off load about what I had seen. She also knows the homeless woman.



I was late to get to the training and had to walk into a room full of people. The training was excellent despite not being able to concentrate on it for the first part of the day. On the way home I spoke to my Mum who had woken up in a shaking bed due to the earthquake. She was so scared but knew it was an earthquake so was able to get back to sleep quickly.



Graham was back early but didn't want to go to Cell group as he had to get up at 4am to catch a flight to Brussels. I went along and I was the only person that turned up (they knew I was going)! The three of us had a good time though and talked about God's grace and Paul's recent awesome sermons. We prayed for some time and I was glad that I went.



Today has been a great day. I went swimming and swam a mile first thing and then had a coffee with a friend. I then went to Cornerstone and made Mother's Day cards and finished my pin cushion mouse at the craft table. It was good to talk to some of the clients which is easier to do when sat at the craft table.

I then went to a friend's for lunch. I haven't seen her for ages so it was good to catch up with her. Two of her children are in the same classes as Charlie and Harry and are good friends. It was also useful to compare notes about them and the school. She made some fantastic brocolli and stilton soup for lunch. By the time I arrived home it was too late to start any housework so I just sorted out the washing and checked my emails before setting out to watch Rosie in her first cross country run. I arrived at Newnham school where schools from all over Bedfordshire were taking part. It was great to see 3 mothers of children that were at toddler group and playgroup with Rosie. We were all so pleased to see each other. Rosie and one little boy were Mary and Joseph in the playgroup nativity when they were 3 years old. Rosie was also racing against her old best friend from Lower School and hadn't seen each other since last year as they are now at different schools Rosie did really well in the girls race and came 36 out of 128. Her school won the competition and all the girls who took part received a medal and had their photo taken. I felt very proud of her.

Harry had had a bad day at school, mainly because he was told he needed his hair cutting by the head of year. His hair is quite long now as he likes to think he is a bit of a hippy. I'm now not looking forward to the weekend as there will be much misery when he has it cut. It is also his birthday party on Saturday so he feels the day will be ruined by a haircut. Charlie has had a good day at school and has been picked to play football on Saturday.

Tuesday 26th February 2008

I was so determined to be positive today and to shine for Jesus today. The day was beautiful to begin with and so warm and sunny. I thought of the scripture 'This is the day the Lord has made and be glad and rejoice in it' (Psalm 118:24) as I was pulling into the car park and all was well with the world. Then out of the corner of my eye I saw the homeless couple again curled up asleep in a door way covered by a sleeping bag. I wanted to speak to them again but didn't want to wake them up so I walked to my office.

My first visit had cancelled as she wanted me to visit when her partner could be present which is next week. It was just as well really as I was very busy. I was on the way back to my office in the afternoon when I received a phone call from a colleague who had just seen one of my clients in her clinic. There are major child protection concerns which meant I had to make a phone call to social services and was late to collect Harry from school. We then went to collect Rosie who was late back from seeing Hamlet at the Derngate theatre in Northampton. Graham appeared after flying back from Prague so he was able to take Rosie to her swimming lesson which meant I could get on with some ironing. I have just changed the bedclothes in Rosie's bedroom and have finally sat down. I'm thinking about tomorrow and deciding whether I should go on my prearranged 'safeguarding children' training or stay in the office as I will be expected to attend a CP conference if one is arranged. I have just finished reading 'Whatever happened to the Ark of the Covenant' by Nick Page which was very well written, informative and very amusing too. Just found his website:http://www.nickpage.co.uk/

Well I'm off to bed to read

Monday 25th February 2008

Yesterday was great. I took Rosie to her first netball match. I was absolutely mesmerised by the whole thing. I have never seen so many girls at any one time. It was a huge tournament with teams from all over Bedfordshire taking part. Rosie's team lost all the five matches they played but she still enjoyed it. I had to go and collect Harry from church after the first match. I can't believe we have added something else to our Sundays! Charlie also lost his rugby match but wasn't bothered by it. Graham was on the door at church so we went early. The service was amazing again with another excellent sermon on Grace from Paul. We can now download the sermons so we must work out how to do that.

After church we went round to a friend's to give her her birthday present. We stayed for a drink and then came home. A lot of rushing around ironing and getting things ready for school and work followed and I just had enough time to sit down and watch Lark Rise. Yet another good episode. I think it must be the last one next week. What will I do with my Sunday evenings then!


Monday


Went to the gym after the school run. Did 50 mins of aerobic activity and felt good afterwards. I am feeling fat today though and don't appear to have lost much weight since Christmas! I had coffee with two women one whom I know from the gym and another from the village. I then went home and read some more of Exodus and did some housework before driving to The Horse and Jockey to meet a friend for lunch. Graham keeps teasing me about all the socialising I am doing at the moment and meeting up with friends for lunch! It is no wonder I'm not losing weight.

After lunch I went to Tesco and then met Rosie from school. The boys walked home. Tonight has been the usual Monday night activities. I'm off to bed soon so I can read. Work tomorrow.

Saturday 23rd Feb 2008

Can't believe how quickly today has gone. Took Charlie to football. He was playing in the B team against Bishops Stortford. They won so he was really pleased. He then went into town with his friends. We took Harry to the music centre to buy him a new guitar for his birthday next week. We bought him an electro acoustic Washburn. It was expensive but we feel money worth spent as he plays the guitar so much and is not into playstations or electronic games at all. He was grinning from ear to ear and made everybody lunch when we came home including Rosie's two friends.

I then took Harry to his friend's from school who lives about twenty minutes away. Rosie and her friends were collected by a friend's mother who took them to the cinema to watch Alvin and the Chipmunks. I then went back into town and to John Medhurst's to buy a friend a nice present for her 5oth! Can't believe she is 50. I bought her a silver chain with an unusual pendant. I also saw the Pandora bracelets which are lovely. They are inexpensive ( well the silver ones are) and the charms vary in price. As it is Mother's Day next week I may drop some hints! I don't have much jewellery at all. My wedding ring and engagement ring are my most precious and valuable which I wear always.

We had invited friends round tonight but they couldn't make it. It is nice to have an evening in. Graham and Charlie are now watching France versus England rugby on the television. I am going to do a spot of ironing then sit down with a glass of Spier sauvignon blanc. I may pick up my knitting if I have time.

Pandora silver chain with merano glass and silver charms

Friday 22nd February 2008

I feel totally chilled after such a relaxing day. Graham took the day off work and we met up with friends. We had such a laugh together. We swam and drunk coffee and ate a fantastic lunch together- all healthy stuff as it was a health farm we were at. Graham had a massage and did a spinning class. He feels so less stressed which is great.

Rosie has a friend here for a sleep over, Harry has just returned from church and Charlie is still there and will be brought home later by his friend's mother.

Today I am thankful to God for the following:

My health- how I appreciate being able to swim and exercise. My foot is on the mend, although I still can't walk on it properly.

My husband and children and family- I am so looking forward to spending the weekend with them

My friends- I love spending time with different friends. The friends we were with today we have known for years. We first met at our old church in Cambridge when we were expecting our first children. They live about a 45 minute drive away from us now but we still keep in touch and are going to Center Parcs with them over the Easter break.

My bible notes for today are about building strong characters and relying upon God's word and not the wisdom of the world. How true is that! Almost finished Genesis. I never tire of creation. Reading about the creation of this beautiful world and Noah's story got me thinking tonight about how much I appreciate the beauty of creation, and particularly mountains and lakes. We still haven't booked our holiday this year. We have been to the same part of Switzerland for the past 18 years as we love the scenery and walking in it so much. However we are thinking of doing something different this year, but can't decide. There is so much of our beautiful country to see and I feel the children are growing up without visiting some of our country's finest places.

Lovely Interlaken

Thursday 21st February 2008

A much better day today although I woke in pain from my foot. I noticed signs of infection around the toe which had spread from the cut so I made an appointment to see the nurse practitioner at the surgery. I went swimming beforehand and managed a mile. The nurse practitioner turned out to be one of my clients who was a participant in my research project. It was nice to see her. Anyway she confirmed my foot was infected and prescribed some antibiotics for me.

I then went to the drop in centre. The two girls who were doing the life shapers course have dropped out which is very sad as they were making such good progress.

I then went to meet a friend for lunch at The Park. It was good to catch up with her. Back at home I phoned my Mum who seems well and didn't have any time for housework (shame) before collecting the children.

Once back at home I struggled to give the children something to eat before having to leave early to drop Harry and Rosie off at friends before taking Charlie up to school for parents evening. I was really cross with Graham although it wasn't his fault but his flight back from Paris was delayed so he missed the whole thing! He was really upset as well. Anyway it was Charlie's best parents evening ever and a complete surprise as I was expecting the worst following his awful report before Christmas. It appears that he has started to work hard and take part in lessons which has resulted in some really good grades. I felt very proud of him and most importantly he was really pleased with himself.

Graham is off work tomorrow so we are meeting our friends at Henlow Grange where they are members. So it should be a good day.

Wednesday 20th February 2008

Have had a couple of busy days at work. I felt really low yesterday and so tired. I went to bed at 9pm and read but was asleep by 10pm. My foot is very painful from where I trod on something sharp last week which ripped through my sock and caused it to bleed. I don't know what I stood on, but I have have had a good look at my foot and can't see anything stuck in it. Nevertheless it is very sore and I am having problems walking on it. Work is stressful again. I don't know whether it is because I had a week off last week and I'm catching up with stuff or the demands of the caseload are getting to me again. A family I have supported for some time may go to child protection as the situation has deteriorated. I also have to visit a same sex partnership next week who have just had a baby. I pray that God will give me the grace to cope with a situation I do not condone.

Today I found out we may be moving office again! I can't believe it. I am going to try to forget about work until next week.

Anyway I have finished work for the week and am looking forward to the drop in centre tomorrow. One of my colleagues is going to call in to see what we do with a view to referring a client. She told me today she was a Christian which was great to hear and very encouraging. I told her about our early morning prayer meetings. She is also in work early so would love to join us. After work Rosie and I popped round to our neighbours who have just had a baby with a card and present. He is gorgeous.



I looked at the house on Monday-definitely not for us.