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Summer sun

I'm sitting here typing on the iPad while hooked up to my IV fluids, in my pjs and wearing thick fluffy bed socks. Just thought I would share that with you. It's a lovely image isn't it? And yes, I know it's 25 degrees outside but I get cold feet. Alright?

Talking about the heat, it's bloody killing me. I love the sun and think that everyone is happier when the sun is shining but the last few days have dehydrated me almost to the point of collapse. But I'm not complaining because last year I didn't get a summer at all, so I'm determined to make this summer a fab one. 

Yesterday was the kids sports day and their house won overall so they were pleased. It was one of those stupid non-competitive 'sports for all' sports day. The school was divided into their 4 houses and then into teams within the house. Each team had a child from each year so they ranged from 4 years old to 11. The events (and I call them events in the loosest possible sense) included the egg and spoon race, riding a tricycle (imagine the older kids trying to do that!), going through hoops and some other stupid things. The aim is that everyone enjoys themselves, I'm ok with the concept so far, and that there are no losers. Ahem! Isn't life about winning and losing. How will these kids cope with job interviews where everyone is not a winner, or other competitive life events? And if a child isn't particularly academic but is athletic, sports day is their opportunity to shine and they are being denied that. I also think it's important that kids are taught to be gracious losers. I do worry that we are raising a generation of kids that are completely pandered to, lose at nothing and believe the whole world revolves around them. Goodness knows what they will be like as adults. My 2 included!

Anyway, sports day moan over. It was actually quite a reflective day for me. Last year when I went to sports day I was dreadfully ill, could barely walk and had to sit for most of it. Any walking I did do was supported by hubby. So being there yesterday brought back all these memories and made me realise how far I had come. Some days I get frustrated that I'm not able to do this or that but then when I think how much had happened in the last 12 months and what a difference place I am in now health wise, I realise just how well I'm doing. And how lucky I am. 

Yesterday afternoon I packed a picnic so when I picked the kids up from school they played on the park for hours. We are so lucky that the park is right next to the school gate and has a play park, a fishing lake where they can feed the ducks, a golf course with a club house for the mums coffee and chats in the morning and acres of country parkland. Hubby then joined us when he finished work and we walked thorough the country park and had the picnic, they played football and I lay there thinking that in that very moment I couldn't wish for anything more. I was with the 3 people I love the most and doing such an ordinary thing, but something we have been unable to do. It really is the little things that are so precious. So if you're reading this feeling like your life is like a hamster wheel and you just can't get off, take a moment to kiss your kids, or your loved one. Look out the window at the sun, the clouds, the moon, the stars and be grateful for the day. For your health. For your friends and family. For what you have. Because there is always someone worse off than you. 

Deep and meaningful moment had, now then this picture will make you laugh! Being in the sun for sports day, then having lunch in the garden and a picnic in the park until 7.30pm resulted in this!



I didn't realise that I wouldn't tan through the dressing that covers my Hickman line. Looks like I will be sporting a rather odd shaped tan this year! I can't even cut it as it's a sterile dressing and if I cut it, then it will no longer be sterile. Oh well, it's just one of those things. Better to have a strange tan line and be at home than to have no tan line and be in hospital. That's what I keep telling myself. Plus it makes for interesting reading on here ;)

NB x

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