B is for Ballerina

This year I decided not to tie myself to a theme.  I wanted to do something that felt more like writing rather than composing posts.  I didn’t want it to be a story that had to be followed from start to finish so what I’ve ended up with are: “Conversations in my Head”.

Psst it’s 7 am is that ok?

Only if there’s tea.

I’m a muse not a maid.

Then leave me alone until hubby brings me tea.

But I want to remind you of how you wanted to be a ballerina.

That was a long time ago.

But that’s how all the best stories start…..Once upon a time, a long time ago….

Hey stop with reminding me of the age thing.

But you looked so pretty as a ballerina.

I was too skinny.

Really?  Wouldn’t know it now.

I thought you were supposed to give me good ideas not make me feel bad.

Just making an observation.

You’re saying I’m fat.

No just not skinny and you are a bit vertically challenged too.

Oh so now I’m fat and short!

Being short can have its advantages.  You’re never going to hit your head as you go through a door.  Although you might struggle to reach things on top shelves. 

Well I was very skinny as a child.  Turn me sideways in a leotard and I almost disappeared.

Hmm, I know that feeling but I bet you enjoyed wearing a tutu though and pretending to be a fairy or a princess?

It was lovely yes but there was the slight problem of bunions.

Onions?

No bunions!

Oh.

That’s made you quiet.

Well it’s hard working out a fun way to put a spin on bunions.

They definitely were not fun.  I had great trouble getting shoes to fit.

Didn’t you have a lovely pair of white boots for a while?

They were plaster casts after I’d had corrective surgery.

Really?  But you walked on them.

I did.

Oh.  It sounds painful.

It was and it meant no pointe work for me so no chance of being a ballerina.  Although I did manage to carry on with dancing and actually qualified as a teacher of Tap Dancing but I didn’t keep it up once I left school and started work.

Hmm I don’t think I can put a good spin on this at all.

Fine muse you’re turning out to be.

Perhaps we should try baking cakes instead.  I love a good tea party.

I’m sure you do but it might not end well!   Although with cakes it might be safe, just don’t mention jam tarts!

Spoilsport!

 

19 in 19 - March update

If you landed here looking for the A post of the A-Z Challenge it's here.

April is here so time for a review of how March went for my 19 in 19.

1. Be more organised, plan ahead and waste less time
I think I'm doing better.  We're enjoying having Hello Fresh meals 3 times a week so that helps with meal planning.  We're also co-ordinating our diaries more often.  It's hard establishing habits though when you get extra requests for Grandsitting.  March was a hectic month.

2. Work on the garden
I haven't done much but it's looking good.  (I cut the grass again today but doesn't count because it's April.)  I bought some new solar lights and my bulbs have producted some lovely daffodils and tulips and with the profusion of Helibores I have it's a nice display of colour.

3. Plan a lunch date/date night with Nick once a month (theatre/cinema/meal/outing)
I'm not sure we managed anything with just the 2 of us this month but we did have a weekend away with all his siblings which was lovely.

4. Eat at 6 new-to-me restaurants
Does eating at a different couple of pubs on the weekend away count?  No I didn't think so either as we're not likely to revisit anytime soon.

5. Complete the A – Z blogging challenge
Well my first post is up and I have just over half of them scheduled to post.  Not as well prepared as I'd like but other years have been worse!

6. Family weekend away for my birthday - in June
Accommodation is booked but I need to start thinking about the details.

7. Look after my health – eat well, sleep well, play well
I think I'm sleeping better.  We're eating better with the Hello Fresh meals but I need to work on the play well bit.  The weekend away was good and I have been trying to up my step levels.  I don't aim for 10,000 a day - my goal is at least 7500 and no less than 5000 per day.  March statistics were better than February's so going in the right direction.

8. Visit my brother
At some point!

9. Visit the beach
When it's warmer!

10. Complete my reading challenge (52 books for the year)
Still on schedule for this although I'm plodding through "A Widow for one Year" by John Irving at the moment.  It's long!

In March I read:

Because we are bad - OCD and a girl lost in thought by Lily Bailey
Surprise Me by Sophie Kinsella
Origin by Dan Brown &
Day of the Accident by Nuala Ellwood

As always, details and reviews can be found on my Goodreads site.

11. Keep a journal
I need to establish a time for this.  It's not happening at the moment.  Before bed is probably a good time but I've been falling into bed and going to sleep most nights lately.

12. Blog at least once per week (plus regular memes)
March was not a great blogging month.  I didn't even do all the memes but hopefully April, with the A-Z Challenge will be better.

13. Organise/Take more photos
I took photos while we were away and I remembered the camera on Nathan's birthday!

14. Update my clothes/accessories/make up etc regularly
No change here. (I'm planning on sorting out some of my summer clothes in the next month or so - I have several pairs of trousers that need shortening.)

15. Do more crafting – move the sewing machine!
And no change here! (We've moved the sewing machine! It's a start. Although the room it's in is a bit of a dumping ground for the stuff I've earmarked to donate/dump. Two steps forward one back for now.)

16. Try out a new recipe or do a bake each week
Apart from the Hello Fresh meals I think I managed one new meal in February.  Weekdays seem to fly by with Grandsitting and we've had a few busy weekends as well.

17. Visit/see Grandson Noah every month
We saw him twice in March!  We went up to Nottingham and stayed overnight earlier in the month and then Noah was here this weekend for Nathan's birthday.

18. Make progress on the house plan
Hopefully the roof works will start next week so moving forward.

19. Lose 19 pounds 
I think this aim will definitely fall by the wayside or at least be made more attainable.  I know I'm not great at resisting sweet treats but even when I've had what I think has been a good week - no real binges and more exercise - the weight doesn't seem to be shifting.  Maybe I should just opt for not putting on any more weight!

I'm beginning to feel I might have been over optimistic with this list.  March was a good month in lots of ways.  We got to see Grandson Noah twice, we had a weekend away and we celebrated Grandson Nathan's 2nd birthday.  It was also a hectic month - I had lots of days of Grandsitting for at least part of the day and one week I did 4 full days back to back.  That's not something I will be doing again if I can help it.  But actually I love being able to help the kids out when they need it.  As I approach a big birthday this year I'm reminded that I'm not getting any younger, we never know what's around the corner and I don't want to miss the milestones the Grandchildren are hitting.  I want them to have good memories of us as Grandparents.  Family is more important than ticking things off a list. (But I'm still going to keep trying!) 

I might also celebrate that this is my 900th post here on blogger but instead I'll show you some pics.

These were from Nathan's party yesterday.  We struggled to get a good one of all three of the Grandsons together!

A is for Alice

This year I decided not to tie myself to a theme.  I wanted to do something that felt more like writing rather than composing posts.  I didn’t want it to be a story that had to be followed from start to finish so what I’ve ended up with are: “Conversations in my Head”. 


Psst. Wake up!

 
What?

Wake up. It’s the 1st April and you have to get me posted.

 
Umm ok, and you would be…..?

I’m Alice, your muse.

 
My what? I don’t have a muse. I’m not a writer.
 

You can’t have forgotten me already. Don’t you remember me planting the seed of an idea for this year’s A-Z Challenge back in September? We’re writing a story.
 

Nope, that nightmare dream must have slipped my mind. What time is it?
 

6 am
 

What?! You’ve woken me at 6AM? Me who does not do mornings? Me who has not had a cup of tea yet? Are you mad?
 

Well yes I am mad. As in angry. I wanted to get going at 5 but you wouldn’t lift even one eyelid let alone both.
 

Because it’s still night time!
 

Are you always this grumpy in the mornings?
 

Always. Leave me alone.
 

Oh dear readers. This is going to be a long month. It’s hard enough when Wendy is awake as she tends to do a lot of waffling. I’ve got my work cut out here just trying to get her up let alone writing any entries that are going to make sense and I have such a lot of ideas floating around in my head.
 

Well while Wendy’s asleep let me introduce myself. I’m Alice. And I’m definitely her muse. Her alter ego. I’m her fun side. Yes she’s a bit of a good two shoes, stick in the mud but thankfully she has me. I like to abseil and do acrobatics and lot of other things she’d never do a) because she finds them too scary and b) she’s getting too old. She’s a Grandmother 3 times over and spends a lot of time with her Grandsons. It’s clear she’s lacking in adult conversation sometimes so perhaps not so surprising she waffles. She once had a thing she calls the “Toilet Demon”. What kind of thing is that? Definitely not a good thing. Not a word inspiring thing. Although she could talk about if for hours if you’re prepared to listen.
 

She definitely doesn’t like to take chances. She also doesn’t like trying new things, like listening to me and writing great blog posts.
 

I heard that! Just remember if I don’t co-operate it won’t matter what mad antics you get up to no one is going to hear about them.
 

Oh goody you’re awake. Can we get started now?
 

Not sure. I think I’ve fallen down a rabbit hole.
 

That’s my line!
 

Nope. All lines are mine, including the waffle.