#armyleave

It’s been a fun week in this household, obviously we haven’t been on holiday but we have had some fantastic days out together which is just as good but without the stress of packing cases and all that. Many of my close friends do ponder why we don’t go away but in fairness, we have an old dog to think about - there is absolutely no way on this earth in would put our old boy into kennels and his health is deteriorating sporadically that if anything happened whilst we were away well, I would never forgive myself. We have done everything a grockle would do in this seaside town from a boat trip to the fairground and it hasn’t stopped yet. Tomorrow the boys are off to a motor museum and us girls are off for lunch and a bird zoo! (Please do not have chickens for sale as Erin is back to the £14.99 chicken thing) She has made my mum a gorgeous little cake so before our girly fun starts, we are visiting grandma with the dog. Mum has had another medication ordering blip today and was not in a good way earlier in the day. Cue husband to the rescue who promptly hot footed up to the home to smooth over the inevitable fall out. (Albeit a little late for one of the staff!) I will see what occurs tomorrow!

I try to stay calm but it is difficult when so closely involved. Anyway to vent my anger I do the martial arts, today I am sporting a little injury from running? I caught my toe and it blooming hurt but I carried on as last night Erin and I were the only girlies training and I wasn’t going to let the female side down. Today my toe is a weird shade of purple and a little mishapen….eeeek. I stay on for the ‘adult’ class but I have to say that the 18yr old (very very skilled 18yr old I might add) Sempai was taking the class, as our usual Sensei was off (pleeeeease come back) He was good but his ‘you need this fitness for your brown belt’ left me pondering if ever…lol!! (No I’m not really laughing out loud) I kept going but Erin had gone home with Dad which left me being the only female in a class of around ten men (well, four 13-16 yr olds) Hmn..one word - competitive! I paired up (as told) with a man who I have only met twice; where we are told to piggy back carry each other to the other side of the dojo. Now don’t get me wrong, I have no issue with male contact but I was not letting this man carry my heifer weight anywhere and in all honesty after two children and symphysis pubis dysfunction in pregnancy, I knew my hips were in no state to carry him either; I’m ashamed to say I had to decline this bit! Perhaps I will stay at purple belt from this day forward, after all. I have enquired about ‘ladies kick boxing’ this week so maybe this might be the way forward!

It is week three for having the husband/Dad home and I have to say it has been just lovely (aside from the snoring, floordrobe, recyclables, lack of tip run etc) but you get my drift? We have all settled into having him home. We only have a few days left of this blissfulness before the children go back to school and he goes back to base on Sunday. It is going to be a very difficult ‘Sad Sunday’ I fear, as I feel both Cory, Erin and myself (possibly him) are going to feel quite weepy. Personally the only good thing to come of this sad day will be a whole nights sleep and quite hopefully a few pounds lighter! (Thinking positively about yesterday - the 50 press ups, sit up and lunges may have benefitted me) He does like to dominate the kitchen (I am soooo not arguing) but the result of his leave is lazy days, alcohol, BBQ’s, dinners out and the rest so I could probably do with the break away from lard ass foods! I really need whole meal sandwiches again!

I was reliably informed, a few weeks ago on a day out (quite arguably a regular line I hear) that one of “my friends, friend of a friends friend was in the army and they divorced three weeks after he came out - couldn’t live together” listen up friends, we have got this! (maybe a flat for me is a possibility) No one knows what is ahead of us, whether you live together every day of the week and get bored with each other’s company and reside to sitting in separate rooms because you get on each others nerves; or you spend your whole days passing eachother by because you both work - we don’t. We make every day count - that’s what makes us work, we don’t take each other for granted (we try not to anyway). In fact we get on much better when we are together, being apart is the hardest bit for us. Life is too short guys; be with someone who makes you feel loved and secure.

Talking of limited time; today I went to support a dear family as they said a final farewell to their Mum. This little lady; well, we had the pleasure of being a little part of her family when we lived in Bridgwater. She was funny, cheeky, hilarious; but serious all rolled into one. I have photos somewhere of her and her husband pushing a 2yr old Cory around the garden in a wheelbarrow and the order of service today had a great photograph at the back of her laughing, and yes, sat in a wheelbarrow! (I think she had a thing for them!) I didn’t know anyone but immediate family and I’m ashamed to say my links with Bridgwater have faded over time, life just continues in different directions for us all. This little lady captured a little of my heart years ago with her zest for life and her dedication to her children and grandchildren. May she rest in a wheelbarrow, is all I can say and continue making people smile even while we remember her. As I sat on my own not knowing anyone, I was looking at the montage of photos put together with a quote from one daughter remembering a conversation (I’m sure we can all relate) which went something like: “What’s that perfume you wear it’s lovely - Euthanasia?” “No Mum it’s Euphoria” And that; dearest friends, is how I will remember!

Dear Ann, don’t rest, keep giggling eh? A line from one of the songs indeed struck a chord….How do you catch a moonbeam in your hand? Indeed, how do you? She would have given in a good go that’s for sure.

Tonight, hug the ones you love a little tighter.