Back from holiday

We had an amazing week in Wengen and it was good to spend time with my brother and his boys. The children loved skiing which has really improved this year after 3days of lessons. They even went down a black run. Harry ( middle name danger ) was fearless and sledged down some of the ski runs. I did worry when he was on some of the runs and during a snowstorm he went ahead of us and managed to get lost. His phone was out of charge so we couldn't contact him. We learnt some lessons that day.

The snow followed us back through Europe and as I write this it is snowing heavily. Yesterday was spent recovering from the 15 hour drive home. We got home at 2am. I washed and mended school uniform for the boys including blazers and trousers and Rosie's sweater had a hole around the neck. The children went back to school today but I am waiting for a phone call from the school to say it is closed due to the snow!

Must be more disciplined when on holiday as I have let my bible readings slip by one week. I will catch up over this coming week, but I am easily distracted when not in my usual routine. I must endeavour to make more of an effort next time we are away.

Looking forward to the coming week. I plan to follow-up the children's centre letters with a visit or phone call and have a two day training course on NVivo which help me with my data analysis. We are going to a quiz on Friday to fund raise for Charlie's World Challenge trip and both Rosie and Harry have parties. Our home group resumes on Saturday morning after a break for half-term which should be good.

Holiday

So looking forward to going to Wengen today. A full week in the snow! The children will be skiing and we will be sledging. We are going with my brother and his two children which is good for the children to spend time with their cousins. A friend is coming to house/Lily sit for the week and I'm spending the day packing. We aim to leave when the children get home from school.

I've had a good week with a positive supervision session and a seminar in London yesterday. More snow here this week but the days are getting longer now. the flowers are budding in the garden and it won't be long before the daffs will be out, a sign that Spring is round the corner.

Week-end

I've had a much better week and feel fully recovered. Haven't heard from the GP about my blood results so hoping they're ok. I even went to the gym once this week. So, I thank God for my health this week.

Much of the week has been taken up with the children and school. Both Rosie and Charlie had parents evenings and Harry had a music competition last night. I also went to a ladies event at church which was good.

Work is slowly progressing. I have written to over 40 children's centres in an attempt to recruit participants and have analysed the data from the pilot study. Supervision next week and then we are off on holiday on Friday to Switzerland for a week. So looking forward to it.

Graham has gone to a men's breakfast this morning and later on today we are going out with another family for a meal.

Have felt tired and sluggish all week-end. After looking up my symptoms online I realised that I have all the hypothyroidism symptoms so made an appointment to see my GP today. I then went to the local hospital to have some blood taken and I'll find out the results at the end of the week. I then went to Carers Bedfordshire and spoke to someone about my project who will advertise it for me.

Trying to do a bit of work interspersed with housework before going to collect Rosie from School

Fatigue

Don't know why but I am so tired today, which is unlike me. I need an energy boost. I went to the gym this morning but came home after seeing my pale reflection in a mirror in the changing rooms. I also have a headache, and again that is unusual. The weather is grey and overcast which appears to suit my mood today. Perhaps the planned lunch today with two friends will help.

Isaiah 40

29 He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.

30 Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;

31 but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.

My bible readings are always so apt.

Wednesday 27th Jan

Was reminded yesterday twice, in fact, once from my bible notes and once on the radio that as Christians we have been chosen! How amazing is that, and why would God choose little old me, I don't know.

I've had an interesting week so far with a trip to London on Monday where I incorporated a visit to the Royal Academy to see the Van Gogh exhibition with a gerontology seminar at King's college. I had a great day but unfortunately it left me shattered. I didn't get home until 8.30pm and then I felt unwell yesterday and stayed in bed until lunchtime- haven't done that for over a year. Still, I'm feeling better today and am thankful that I haven't come down with any viruses as I thought I might be doing yesterday. Today I have been to work and spent the morning writing letters to children's centres.

Tomorrow I'm attending a Word expert course which I so badly need. Hopefully this will help to improve my IT skills.

Lost another 1.5lb last week. It's slowly coming off, although haven't been to the gym this week.

Thursday 21st January 2010

Having a long week. Feels like Friday today. I had supervision this week and we talked about my pilot study. I still need to do some more analysis on it but otherwise ok. Plans are to actively start recruiting my participants which means trips to Age Concern, Carers Bedfordshire and Children's Centres in Bedfordshire and emails sent to many support groups and caring agencies.

Charlie has finished his exams and is tired after games and rugby training yesterday. Harry said he prayed aloud yesterday in his Christian Union meeting at school. I am so proud! Rosie has been selected to run in an inter-school cross country event today, which she really doesn't want to do. I'm hoping that she will enjoy it.

It is a beautiful day today, almost Spring-like. I can see a bed of crocuses in the garden which are starting to shoot already. Amazing, considering the bad weather we've had recently.

My thoughts have been dominated by Haiti this week and we just continue to pray into that situation and particularly that aid will get to where it's required.

Looking forward to the quiz on Saturday night at church and a trip into London on Monday. I'm hoping to visit the Royal Academy to see the Van Gogh exhibition which starts this week-end before attending a seminar.

Healthy eating plan going well, although thought I would have lost more than 1.5lb when I weighed myself on Monday. I am also back at the gym and gave been twice so far this week.