Category Archives: Family

Turning 30

April 22, 2013 By in Family Tags: , , 43 Comments

You Look Good Just the Way You Are

I have a birthday later this week.

I’ll give you a clue. It’s not 20, and it’s not 40, but it’s the big one in between.

To be honest, I’m not really a fan of birthdays. I already eat cake pretty much every week without needing an excuse… and the things that make me happy in life are usually experiences rather than ‘stuff’ so I don’t get excited at the thought of presents. As for standing there blushing like an eejit while people sing Happy Birthday to me *shudders* well, let’s not dwell on that thought.

This year’s a bit different though. While I’m still not looking forward to the day itself, I am quite looking forward to turning 30. Continue reading →

Dear DorkySon…

April 3, 2013 By in Family Tags: , , , , , , , , 13 Comments

Painting The Rainbow Old Jack's Boat

Dear DorkySon.

Now you are four!

Didn’t we have a grand old birthday weekend? A night in a lovely hotel on Friday, and a walk round central London on Saturday. We saw the duck boat on its way to the Thames but decided it was too cold to get on one ourselves. You gave a big cheery wave and a hello to every policeman that we saw, but didn’t like watching the guards changing over outside St James’ Palace because you thought their guns and big heavy boots were too scary.

Then home, for your proper birthday; far too many presents from all your generous family and friends – including this wonderful painting of Old Jack’s Boat by DorkyGranny – and so, so much food.

It amazes me, that tummy of yours. It seems you can always fit a little more in… especially if it’s roast potatoes or chocolate cake on offer. But then seeing you constantly running around – climbing under one thing and jumping over the next – it’s no surprise that you need a lot of energy to fuel the engine. Continue reading →

Live in the Now: March

March 18, 2013 By in Family Tags: , , 18 Comments

I know I’m a little bit biased, but I do think that DorkySon is one of the loveliest boys in the world.

We walked past a shop window the other day that had a huge Victorian doll’s house on display.

“Ooh,” I said. “What a pity we don’t have room for that in our house.”

“I know,” said DorkySon. “It’s such a shame. But come here and let me give you cuddle to take your mind off it.” Continue reading →

International Women’s Day 2013

March 5, 2013 By in Activism, Family Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , 20 Comments

It is International Women’s Day on Friday.

Last year, I marked it on my blog with a post about Save the Children’s campaign to give women around the world access to reproductive health care.

This year, my thoughts have stayed a little closer to home, and I’ve decided to acknowledge some of the many incredible women who have had a direct impact on my life.

I started the post thinking I would just mention one or two, but as I started writing I found myself overwhelmed – in a good way – and I couldn’t even begin to narrow it down like that.

Women get a lot of stick sometimes, for their cattiness or for being seen as too competitive. True enough, there are some rotten ones out there… but there are also some incredible communities of women who support and nurture each other, and they are far more worthy of our attention. I count myself very lucky that in my life so far the good eggs have outweighed the stinkers by far.

Continue reading →

My Winter Survival Kit

March 4, 2013 By in Family, Harpenden Tags: , , 10 Comments

Guess what? I think we did it. I think we survived winter.

DorkyDad is much better at winter than I am. All those years he spent living in the woods of Idaho have paid off, and cold weather seems to put him in touch with his inner cave man. He’ll head outside to shovel snow off the road even though we don’t have a car, and tell stories about the times when he had to cut down trees and chop logs for firewood.

DorkySon and I are not so keen. We hate the hassle of all those layers of clothes; hate getting up in the morning when there is ice on the windows. We prefer to snuggle up together under soft blankets, sipping hot chocolate and dreaming of summer.

Continue reading →