Last week we had a ‘vision day’ at Church; a kind of prolonged period of prayer, presentation and reflection that meant that the building was open for most of Saturday. Now, the thing I love most about doing this sort of stuff in an architecturally beautiful, historical building is that people do just wander in…
The Availability Factor
Those who followed the Lockdown Diaries may remember a whole series of events through which God challenged my felt uselessness with an instruction to ‘be available.’ As a project-driven extrovert, I found many of our bubble-restricted days in limited locations difficult, and thought ‘availability’, aka loitering without intent, a sorry excuse for a vocation! Then…
A Brief History of Summer
Dear regulars, I’m sorry it’s been so long. Truth is, there’s been far too much to say and far too little time in which to process and then say it. Which is a bit of a novelty now, post lockdown, isn’t it? Anyway, rather than just reappear after a few months and dump the heavy…
“Very Nice Shoes”
Short and sweet one over here- much like me, according to the lamp post I sat next to at dinner yesterday. “You can’t possibly have eaten enough,” he says, passing the tray of fancy food over my plate again. “You’re about the size of a hamster!” Of course, when he eventually stood up and made…
The Sweet Spot
A couple of years ago I was at a church community meal that Husband was unable to attend. Breastfeeding a young baby in one arm, cutting up food for my two year old with the other and keeping half an eye on my four year old from across the room, I noticed another lone mother…
Life as we Know it (May 21)
Yesterday, my parents travelled home after a 7 day sleepover at our house. The UK rules changed on the 17th of May and that was the day they arrived; not only viewing our “new” home for the first time (we moved in last August!), but also staying with us overnight for the first time in…
The Jab
For the first time since turning 35, I celebrate the fact that I am over 35! (Until roughly three days later, of course, when they offer the vaccine to anyone over 32. Hey ho. 3 days, 3 years… who’s counting?!) Husband has informed me that the vaccine centre is really hard to find and so…
Shout to the Lord
I don’t have much to say this week, except that we spent a few hours cleaning out the toy cupboard ready to reopen Toddler Group; during which the Youngest became quite attached to a stuffed nativity prop of the Baby Jesus. She took Baby Jesus home, where he enjoyed scrambled eggs for lunch and then…
This Liminal Phase
A few weeks ago, right before the Easter holidays, something groundbreaking happened in our family. The Boy, our second-of-three, learned to ride his bike independently. He had been on two wheels for quite some time, but still needed a push off and someone to run alongside him; which is fine, except that it made taking…
Diary of ANOTHER Lockdown: #12
Wow. When I finished the last Diary of a Lockdown series, I did not imagine getting to week twelve of ANOTHER lockdown- exactly a year after the last one began. Did you? Anyway. After last week’s rather gloomy offering, I have resolved to ensure this week is more uplifting. I am purposely seeking to keep…
Diary of ANOTHER Lockdown: #11
Saturday Husband seems to be working alot more this weekend. Either that or, now that the kids are back in school, the lack of family time is even more noticeable. (Or, even more probable, the fact he went to bed exhausted at 8pm last night when we were supposed to be ordering a curry is…
Diary of ANOTHER Lockdown: #10
Saturday It’s a Bubble-free day and the last weekend before the kids go back to school. They request a ‘lazy day’ and, as we have nowhere to go and no one to see, I am more than happy to oblige. So much so, in fact, that I see absolutely no reason to get dressed. We’ll…
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