Domesticali

October Mosaic

It's a bit of a cliche to see this month as all about orange and hallowe'en, but it does make for some of the best photo opportunities...

Half term halloween

Fourteen day half term, absentee husband, dismal rain, caged beast children.

Baking is usually the answer. Bludgeon them into submission with sugar.

But there is a broken oven to add into the mix. So shop bought gingerbread men and icing in squeezy bottles had to suffice. Fun all the same.

A parallel universe

Life has always seemed to me to be a series of compartments. Probably as a result of having a very itinerant childhood, when every three or so years our family would move countries and begin again - different house, different friends, different routine. Each phase has a box of its own in my mind. 

But for the past couple of weeks, it's as if someone opened a couple of the boxes of my life onto the floor and gave them a good jumble.

Twenty five years of life later - so many changes and yet much that is fundamental and constant.

It is taking a while to process, but I have reached some conclusions.

• Having your school room mate back in the UK for a visit is exhausting. 

• Growing up with someone gives them total carte blanche to wade in and mother your children, in spite of never having met them before (and their reaction is extremely funny to watch).

• My thirteen year old son, who allowed himself to be cuddled in front of his entire school rugby team and bore it with a smile and good grace, is an exceptional human being.

• Parenthood undeniably makes  you more cautious and responsible.

• Friends from your formative years will know you in a way that is totally different to friends made later in life.

• I am a quieter and more introverted person than I once was and I need some time alone each day in a way that I never used to. 

I am trying to pack up this crazy week or two and pop it back into an appropriate box on the shelf in my mind, but it is proving to be harder than I thought.  Are you still the same person you were 25 years ago?

September Sampler

September - always the fullest and most fruitful month of them all, it seems to me.

They please me greatly, these little snippets of each month. Memories of good moments. And also, making use of the photographs which otherwise sit on my hard drive. Easier to enjoy them like this, isn't it?