Checking in again

I'm not sure quite why blogging drifted off recently... maybe life's just been a little too busy. It's a shame really, as I've missed recording some fun times:

- 4 days in Warsaw visiting family and exploring the city at the beginning of May

- a lovely relaxed meal out with A's family for his birthday

- afternoon tea in a country house hotel beside Ullswater for our 11th anniversary

- replacing the pebbledash on the front of our house (we've had scaffolding and everything)

- busy times at work, including a successful inauguration event where I did a short presentation (2.5 minutes) as part of the dignitaries' tour

- and I've started trying to get fit using the couch to 5k programme. Yesterday evening was run 3 from week 2. 

Families

We're blessed to be connected to some lovely families, and have spent recent weekends as fun times.

Last weekend we looked after 2 small godsons, and it was such a privilege to be trusted with them. We had a precious time with them. Today they gave us a beautiful bunch of tulips to say thank you.

This weekend we enjoyed having some long-standing friends to visit. It felt good to be able to just relax together without needing to rush anywhere... We enjoyed walking around Buttermere on Saturday (with regular stops for lunch, ice-cream, tea and cake), and I feel privileged to be the consultant for a 9-year old's secret knitting project.

Tomorrow we start our trip to visit Poland when we'll be meeting up with family not seen for some years. Looking on Facebook this evening I can see that my cousins are growing up fast! I'm looking forward to seeing them and exploring the city.

Feeling better

1. I woke up with a sore throat, developed a very achey tummy by lunchtime, felt quite sick, went home and felt a lot better. It's still a bit achey but that could be Pilates muscles now...

2. The amaryllis is looking quite pretty now.

3. I had a bubble bath to relax before an early night.

Flowering!

Our amaryllis Christmas present is finally flowering. It's going to look fab.

Spring, safe, stretching

1. There are still lots of daffodils coming into flower, and we're also getting primroses in the back garden. I love that the birds are busy too: I've see blue tits, sparrows, magpies, crows...

2. I was the first car behind a car accident on my way out this evening. Thankfully no-one was injured, although at least one of the cars had a squashed corner. Someone else called the police so I left after 3 squad cars arrived with flashing blue lights.

3. My first Pilates class after 4 weeks. I think I'm going to ache!

Gardening, baking and soaking

1. Another 20 minutes or so clearing weeds in the back garden. This time I pulled a few bramble roots and a couple of nettles, but I'm guessing it won't take long for them to grow back... It's the furthest I've reached yet though.

2. He made his first loaf of bread - very nice! (With a hint of rosemary worked through for extra flavour)

3. A bath to relax at the end of the day.

Family weekend

Back to work tomorrow, after a short change in routine...

• Mum arrived last Wednesday lunchtime for a short visit, and we enjoyed a bite of lunch in Cockermouth before coming home to be joined by A's parents for tea (or dinner if you're not from the north of England!)
• It's been nice to have her visit, even though I was at work during the days.  Only a short visit though...
• We drove back north yesterday and both took the chance to visit my gran (Dad's mum) in hospital.  She's recovering well after falling and breaking her hip in February but I guess there's still some way to go.  At least she can get around with a zimmer now though.
• I was staying with my other gran for one night, and was happy to find her in good spirits.  She offered me tea and biscuits when I arrived which was a lovely surprise.
• I took them Mum and Grandma to church this morning, and was touched by how they're being looked after there.  They're given lifts to the Friday lunches and for church on a Sunday, communion is brought to them at their places so they don't need to walk to the front, and there's a cup of tea waiting for each of them at a table in the church hall afterwards. 
• I had lunch with Dad and his wife before driving back home.  So it was only a short visit (with no time to catch up with my brothers) but I'm glad I was able to go.

And it was nice to come home to find A had also got back safely from his travels.