I surrendered my driving license at the beginning of 2014 as I’d experienced too many near misses from falling asleep at the wheel. Factoring in naps during my day was difficult and nodding off in the company of others was embarrassing. Fighting the overwhelming need to sleep is so difficult, once the eyelids start to get … Continue reading
These past 18 months have probably been the most ‘normal’ that I’ve experienced since being diagnosed. Apart from a couple of manic highs and one short-lived low, things have been constant and manageable. I’m less worried now about people’s reaction to my bi-polar. Mental illness doesn’t have the stigma it used to have thanks to … Continue reading
It’s been some time since I last posted on my blog and quite a few entries should have appeared before this one, but I couldn’t resist sharing this celebration in the Hewlett household – Charlotte turning 5. “Mummy, am I actually 5 today? Is it really my birthday?” Charlotte whispered in my ear on her … Continue reading
Although it’s not even been a month since moving into the caravan, I’m pleased to say that we are still really enjoying it (although that may be different once the novelty has worn off!) There are a number of things that we’ve had to overcome or learn about, for example: Too many appliances cause the … Continue reading
It has been rather an emotional roller coaster this term with sad news effecting a couple of ladies linked to our group, leaving many of the mummies in shock and feeling rather numb. Our thoughts and prayers continue to go out to these ladies, particularly as we approach a time of year that is focused … Continue reading
I used to go out several times a week BC (before children) and definitely on the weekends for a good ‘session’, whether that be an enjoyable meal with close friends or a crazy girls night out in town. However, nowadays it’s a less frequent event, I think I’ve only been out a handful of times this year! … Continue reading
Charlotte was awake before anyone in the house, well apart from Grand-dad who always wakes early. By half past seven we were wondering where our usual ‘morning call’ was and decided to get up, thinking Charlotte may even be having a lye-in! Har, har, no such luck, she was patiently waiting with Grand-dad for her … Continue reading
Today was the end of an era for a number of mummies and children at our lovely church toddler group. It was Charlotte’s last day, along with half a dozen other boys and girls, who will be starting school or pre-school in September. Today was an opportunity to say goodbye, present a gift and have … Continue reading
After organising the most complicated trip of the year, a group of mummies and friends from our lovely Tots ‘n’ Tinies group ventured to Paulton’s Park, Romsey. It wasn’t as much of a wash-out as the trip last year, at least there was some blue sky today! Fortunately, I managed to take a few photos … Continue reading
Although it wasn’t quite the same as stepping across the Channel, the France Show 2012 at Earl’s Court London was a great experience. Our main reasons for attending the exhibition were to give us a chance to spend the whole day together without the children and to see Sally from Les Bons Voisins, LBV. We … Continue reading
We know Sue and Matt from our old church in Eastleigh, they now live in Baud, just south of Pontivy. It lovely to catch up (we’d not seen them for several years so had plenty to talk about). We were treated to some wonderful home-cooked food and had a chance to discuss LBV as Sue … Continue reading
This was a day packed with viewings around Moncontour. Each house was better than the last and Cassady, the estate agent, showed us a number of properties that I’d actually discarded for one reason or another. In fact the property we felt was most suitable was one I’d not even shortlist but actually ‘felt’ quite … Continue reading
We had such a lovely time at Finkley Farm in Andover. It was a beautiful Autumnal day and there was hardly anyone about so the children had the run of the place. I’d never been before and was really impressed with the wonderful play area and the opportunities to hold the animals. Charlotte and Sophie … Continue reading
What have you been up to this summer? For us, August was a jam-packed month, full of fun and laughter. Charlotte played dressing up at the Harper household, William had a kip in the swing at the Kittows, they both slept well in the same room while we house-sat a friends place, Charlotte scoffed the … Continue reading
It only seems like yesterday when I first met my baby girl, I remember so well the moment she was placed in my arms; so tiny and new, completely helpless and fully dependent on me to love, nurture and care for her. Then again, on the other hand, so much has happened in those 3 … Continue reading
This was our third attempt at camping and this time we stayed at Conwy Touring Park. On arrival we were met by a very friendly and helpful receptionist who kindly showed us which plots were still available, she enthusiastically said that we could pick any we liked. Despite having requested a pitch near the park … Continue reading
Today has been rather strange; it consists of 5 oxymoron’s and 1 tautology (oxygenius!) Today’s Oxymoron’s: Too much sleep A successful weigh-in A relaxing toddler birthday party Lots of dry washing Quiet afternoon tea with a mummy friend A blessed trip to A&E Today’s Tautology Answer to prayer I woke with a splitting headache, probably … Continue reading
We all had a lovely time on holiday with the Kittow family at the Haven “Resort” in Weymouth. Wouldn’t quite call it a “Haven” though, as the caravan we had was rather yuk, but overall the “resort” was perfect for children. We went swimming every day and visted Abbotsbury which was lovely and Weymouth beach … Continue reading
I can not believe that William is 1 already, it has been a roller-coaster of a year, but one thing has remained constant and that it my little boy makes my heart melt. He is such a cutey and his character is developing daily, when he looks at me he looks deep and long into … Continue reading
Following the recent news about Catherine Zeta-Jones suffering with bi-polar disorder, I felt it was time to share my story in the hope of helping others with mental health problems. My struggle with bi-polar disorder began when I was about 10 years old (although it was not diagnosed until much later). It escalated at about … Continue reading
The Easter Egg hunt was a great success, it was a lovely Spring day and Ruth (the Easter Bunny) had hidden little chocolate eggs and nests around her lovely garden. It was so nice watching the children run around the daisy-filled lawn, skip between the blossom-filled apple trees and hurry to open their prizes around … Continue reading
Those of you who know me will also know my dislike of doing craftwork and my poor cookery results in basic home economics. For me, craft is way too messy and takes far too long, all the effort that goes into making a greeting card when you can buy one for under a pound, is … Continue reading
It’s been a while since I went out in the evening. Usually, once the children are in bed I have only the energy to sit on the sofa and eat dinner in front of the TV. What a slob! However, last night a group of mummies from our church Tots ‘n’ Tinies group met up … Continue reading
In our house we are (I am) thinking of ways to be more frugal. Times are hard for everyone so I would like to start gathering ideas, hints and tips to save money wherever I can. It is unlikely that I will ever be a keen gardener, so growing my own fruit and veg like Barbara … Continue reading
I’m not sure if there was something in the air today, but Charlotte and her friends Sophie and Daniel were a little disruptive and disobedient, to say the least. Trampolining was not fun for me, Helen and Elbrie but the children seems to enjoy misbehaving with zeal! It was hard to know how to react, … Continue reading
Yesterday morning I woke with a splitting headache, not sure if it was to do with drinking wine on an empty stomach the night before, or the fact we had another broken nights sleep with the little ones. Charlotte got out of the wrong side of bed in the morning, she was crying A LOT and couldn’t calm … Continue reading
It is tradition that we meet up with Sue and Simon for a meal on our birthdays. Sue and Jez share a birthday and this year we went to a Turkish restaurant in Eastleigh. When the place opened a couple of years ago it was really great, the decor, atmosphere and food was fantastic, the … Continue reading
A week before I was diagnosed with bi-polar disorder I received a healing from God. It was a healing that lasted just 7 days, a big reminder that we live in a fallen world and a glimpse of “the age to come”. Although it was only temporary, the healing installed me with hope and joy, … Continue reading
Charlotte was 2 in August 2010, William was 3 months old and I was not very well (see Bi-Polar). However, I managed to throw together a party of some sorts involving party food and party bags. Originally it was going ot be some kind of pool-party, I had visions of all her friends and … Continue reading
It’s December and we can finally move in. The atmosphere here between us and Mum and Dad is still quite tense but most of the rooms are now habitable and we can’t keep paying to live in rented accommodation. Some of our friends from church have been over and helped with decorating, it’s so lovely … Continue reading
We have nearly finished renovating the Ancienne Gendarmerie, we have water, electric, heating and hope to have windows soon. I love our home in France and we are making plans to live here but need to allow God to work in our lives and show us the path we are to take. This summer we … Continue reading
We have met some wonderful people in the Ariege, and been party to many a soiree and fete, in fact we have been treated with the utmost respect and generosity of friendship. I do not know how many people we have met but there was only one occassion where we were not made to feel … Continue reading
My 30th Birthday was one I’ll always remember. We spent it in Sentein and a few of my friends flew over to join us which was lovely. The highlight of my birthday was that the entire village had organised a ‘surprise’ party for me. Almost everyone we knew was there and in the mood to … Continue reading
Crazy Christian Mummy 