Somebody turned the heating off!

The month of August has decided to behave like November and with howling wind, rain and quite chilly temperatures, the girls summer holidays have become the indoor equivalent of a winter break. Anna had locked down in her room and is playing endless 'Fortnight' with the expressed purpose of working her way through enough levels to gain the 'Groot' skin. One very excited young lady! I have to agree with her and have quite a soft spot for Marvel's Groot! Lucy is hunkered down under her duvet fully dressed trying to warm up with the occasional teenage grunt of conversation coming distantly through the door. Why we expected anything less for the upcoming bank holiday weekend I do not know, with another storm and weather warning in place! 😩There were calls in the Hammond house last night to put the heating on. Being the tight bastard I am, I asked that hoodies and extra blankets were used! We continue our rehabilitation back into the big wide world tomorrow with our first family meal out in a restaurant since February and lock down began. Really excited. A little bit of 'normal' on the horizon 😊 It is a simple thing, going out to eat with your family and one we have taken for granted up to now. Life has truly changed..

Beauty and personal grooming are a necessity in a pandemic!

Definitely needed as the world returns slowly back to normal. Order of the day in the Hammond house is some much needed personal grooming! Anna and I headed to the barbers, Mrs Hammond to get her nails done and Lucy got to have the next piercing she had been craving for months. It looks great even if my old fashioned self screams out inside 'no - that's my daughter!!!' It's really important for us as parents to start reintroducing these kinds of things into our children's lives. I know in the grand scheme of things they are not important, but to the well being of my children who have been through so much in recent months, they are at the top of the list and would always embrace that. Today marks the last day of my break and holidays. I do feel a bit rested and it has been nice not to work, but it has not been the time off I needed and tomorrow I'm back to the grind. In introducing slowly things back into the lives of our family, the days out I had hoped for have not come. We are not quite ready and Mrs Hammond is still struggling with her knee 😟 Consultants appointment on Tuesday, so fingers crossed. Although she has admirably ditched the crutches! One day, one week and one month at a time and we can change family life slowly back to where it needs to be. In the meantime, I will put on my big boys pants, knuckle down and that proper break and holiday will come next year. Cornwall anybody?!?

Missing a bit of birthday swagger....

And then I think I might have found it. Plagued by my usual insomnia I woke up on my birthday and rose before 5am. I have to say I was not feeling the birthday love. Somehow after these last couple of years these kinds of days do not quite feel the same without Grandma. I pulled myself together, wiped away a few tears and remembered what I have in my life and how grateful I am for those people here with me today and sharing life's journey. I have spent the last few weeks feeling completely sorry for myself, struggling and feeling isolated and alone in terms of a wider family. Kicking myself in the early hours of the morning I focused solely on Amy and the girls and realise how lucky I was. My birthday has been one of simplicity and family joy, coupled with friendship that warms my heart. We have had a stunning Norfolk day today, delicious food cooked by Amy, visitors in my oldest friend Kate, recovering from a surprising stroke, well and truly kicking everyone's arse at croquet, lovely messages from so many people and time with my girls. The duplicate card to an 'old fossil' I got made me titter! I have more than made the best of a day I was not looking forward to if I am honest, made the best by Amy's efforts and being with the ones I love. It's pretty much all I need really. The sugar free cake that Amy made me drew me to tears. I can't tell you what it meant to me. Love the masks Kate, going to scare a few people in the community moving forwards with those doing the shopping!!!! Forty six years old. I wonder what this year will bring. I am hoping more simplicity, less complication and challenges please!!!! Bring it on!!!