“The time to relax is when you don’t have time for it.“
Sydney J. Harris
Thanks, Spidey!
Did you know I haven’t posted for 4 DAYS!
That is a big thing for me.
I haven’t taken part in any creative challenges, blurted my thoughts out onto screen – NOTHING.
Because I realised that I had to stop, step back and relax up a little.
The quote above is so true.
I am at a crazy time in work, nearing the end of the year, writing reports, preparing for the new cohort who will join in September, Governor’s duties, fundraisers for my School Council and House Captains.
At home, the kids’ demands are increasing.
I need to start my rewrite of the novel. All feedback is in. It has been really good, and productive, but there is big work to be done.
So stepping back from the blog, writing at least, has been good, so far, and I think I need a bit more time away.
I have been physically exhausted, falling asleep way earlier than usual. I needed a break in some part of life, and since I can’t stop working, or being mum, this was where my opportunity came in.
Do you know what I have been doing in the time I’d usually be writing posts?
Mainly… NOTHING! Not even reading, because I fall asleep mid page.
But also being with my children more, and most recently, I have been binge-watching the series Black-ish. Hilarious! I can’t believe I have never watched this before! Nearly finished all 21 episodes of the first series… 3 more series to go!
Recognise when you need a break Peeps, and take it!
Pops is turning 72 today! So please wish him a very happy birthday! I am sharing an old post from when he turned 70. He really is a wonderful dad, and I couldn’t ask for a better one . ❤
It is a very special day today for me.
My precious Pops is turning 70!
It’s pretty unbelievable that he is now a septuagenarian! ( I think that’s what you call them!)
Humble to a fault, with a heart bigger than the universe, that’s my Pops.
He’s been my guide, my inspiration, my support since, well, forever.
Born to a farming family in Kenya, the youngest of multiple siblings, Pops popped out a ready-made uncle! He had nephews and nieces to play with as a youngster and was always called Kaka, which means baby, as he was the youngest. Pops lost his own father very young, but his mother and brother brought him up.
He wasn’t the biggest academic in school, loving sports and dancing, but wanting to do the best he could, he pursued Dentistry and went to Wilson College in Mumbai.
Here he is with some of his High School athletics trophies!
Javelin
Breaking records in high jump!
He held a high jump record at his college which was only broken relatively recently!
He was a pretty cool dude. Check him out here!
That’s him, white shirt and sunnies on!
And here is one of the photos that convinced my mum to marry him…
Smooth!
Look at the happy couple!
Marriage and a few years later, along came me!
Love these photos!
Then my brother…
Selfie mode!
Years pass so fast and he is now a father-in-law and a grandpops to 3!
He was a dentist for many years until heart problems and arthritis meant he had to take early retirement.
Did he sit back and let retirement take over him?
Nope! He started practising yoga which gave him a new lease of life, so then in his mid sixties, he became a yoga instructor and started spreading the message out there to many people about how to improve your health naturally. No charging. This was his community service to the world!
Then he was asked to film his own TV programme which airs every day on a channel here!
Very Proud of my TV Star Pops!
All through this time he has been not only a most amazing Pops, husband, and grandfather, dentist and yogi, but ask all those who know him, family and friends, and they will all agree that he is there for them no matter what. Surrogate granddad to so many children, brother, uncle, everything. Nothing is too much hard work for him. He will be there.
And he still hasn’t stopped dancing! He says to us that when he dances, he feels 21. He can beat all the youngsters in a bhangra dance off, then when he sees a video, he says “What is this silly old man doing?!” I only wish I had photos of him in his bhangra performance days! Mums are amazing! She pulled a few old photos out for me and sent them, in her own special way!
But the reality is he is brilliant! And all who know him will agree!
So I just want to wish my Precious Pops an amazing 70th birthday. May there be many, many more to come! Love you!
Saturday the 19th of May took it’s time to arrive, but equally, it sped its way here, if you know what I mean!
The Annual Blogger’s Bash is one of the pinnacles of my year (I can’t say THE pinnacle… family might object lol!) and I always look forward to it immensely!
This year we were in a lovely venue, the George IV in Chiswick, and the weather was glorious!
Of course, we also shared the special day with a couple of other minor events, such as the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan (congrats!) and the FA CUP final, and my best friend’s daughter’s first birthday… certainly chose a popular date!
There were a few notable absences, where certain folk were either unwell, or caught up in the ridiculous traffic that clogged the roads and trains.
But there was a healthy turnout of both familiar faces as well as some new ones (to me, anyway!)
We chatted, mingled, networked, asked questions, gave advice, ate drank and were merry!
The committee was up there, introducing, presenting and generally making merry!
My nerves when I was speaking were evident, as I physically shook when I started, but once I got my groove, all was well! There were even questions at the end, which I’m told is a good thing!
Sacha’s presentation about mailing lists was really enlightening too! I may even start thinking of starting one!
Awards were handed out periodically through the day, as were book prizes for a raffle that had several draws… And I won one of those prizes!
Gotta love a book prize!
And I was also asked to be part of the panel discussion, where I felt just sitting and smiling through would be sufficient, but I did input a little!
And I am honoured to say I was awarded Third place Runner up for Best Overall Blog 2018. There was some tough competition, but what an honour, to get some recognition!
Thank you Voters!
There will be a much better one of this shot out there, but my long-suffering Hubby Dearest, who accompanied me, took a sneaky couple of all the attendees!
I am really grateful to Sacha, Geoff, Hugh, Suzie, Shelley, Graeme, Helen and Adam for taking so much time over the last year, organising such a fantastic get together!
The Fab Committee!
Thank you to all the Committee for creating such a wonderful event for us to be a part of.
Congratulations to all the Winners, Runners Up, and Nominees! You are all stars!
The awards are fun, but the Bash itself, and meeting other bloggers out there – priceless!
I'm a working mum of 2, wife to a great hubby and generally like to talk too much, so waffling on my blog is probably a good idea as I can talk/write and if you wanna listen/read you can, if not, scroll on!
Recent Comments