10 rounds in the ring

Some days I feel like I've done ten rounds in a ring with Mike Tyson. 


Having CFS is a lot like being in a boxing ring with a very unpredictable opponent. And some days when that bell rings to signify the end of the match, the hand the ref holds up to signify the winner - certainly isn't mine.


Wednesdays are usually a day when I feel like i've done at least 10 rounds in the ring, and am definitely floored.


Some days I take the fight slow and steady, with plenty of breaks when you sit in the corner with the towel around you neck, with a pep talk from the coach, other times I fight just a teensy bit too hard in round one, so by rounds 4, 5 and 6 there is little fight left in me.


But I'm getting better in the ring, knowing a few sneaky tricks to help me beat my fierce opponent, do come in handy !


Other times I just have to lie there, floored again, with my trusty coach reviving me for the next time we go head to head. 

Have to say I'm not a fan of boxing.

See it snap it love it

This week's theme for 'see it snap it love it' is 'Water' thought i'd drop in an entry. I don't very often join in on the whole blogosphere thingies like this, but was sorting through some photos and thought i'd pop this one on. My cute girl about this time last year in the sink. 

I think if you click on this 'badge' below you get to see other entries too ! 

A year ago

I was putting my 'week in pictures' together and realised that I didn't really have many photos. So had a look back at last year, and this my friends, is just how warm it was !

And I'll leave you with a few from this week.

The cost of being a revolutionary.

There are many people who would be classed as 'revolutionary' - some very ordinary, some who have done it on a huge scale. One of these people who has caught my attention in the last few years is
Aung San Suu Kyi.
Now this woman is truly an inspiring one. Even if you don't like her, you have to agree she is inspiring. She has sacrificed so much, so so much. She missed out on seeing much of her children's growing up. And has suffered with ill health and other problems i'm sure we don't know about.


Thinking about her raises questions for me though. How much is ok to sacrifice for a cause ? I don't presume to know her children, but can only summise that there would have been times when they would have given anything for their mum to be with them a little more. So is democracy in Myanmar (burma) more important than her children ? I don't have an answer or to be honest even an opinion as I'm too divided in my thinking on this one.


To me, bringing up my little girl is my first priority right now. And even if I was in full health, I wouldn't give that up for a political cause. I just wouldn't. But maybe that is due to the fact that I live in a country with democracy. Where she is safe, fed and has the right to a fair vote, education and freedom of speech. If she didn't, would I feel differently ?  Would sacrificing see her grow up, and providing that oh so important love and care to attempt to change an oppressive regime which she lives in, I don't know if I would.


But a woman like An yan su chi, no matter what the outcome of the elections will for certain be one who makes political history of some kind. She is a revolutionary in the true sense of the word.


I guess I am thinking lots at the moment about family and being a parent, and whenever someone is bought to my attention, I so often think about their family and what it has cost them. But the fact remains that without these people who have made such huge sacrifices personally and on behalf of their families, our country and world would be a very different place.


I can be so quick to criticise someone's choice, yet happy to benefit from the result of their actions. 


What do you think?

Ten on Tuesday

1. 'Play house envy' has set in, this is our next door neighbour's play house. Yes, we have a very very lovely playhouse which was kindly given to us. But look at this wooden, pink, scandinavian looking abode - I want that house !

 2. On the topic of domestic bliss, we have a new kitchen...........no it doesn't have self closing doors, but check out that toaster..........Can't buy one like this in Magnet kitchens let me tell you.

 3. Ready, steady...........Blow !

It was Aunty Nicola's birthday at the weekend, so candles were to hand, thus it was a birthday lunch at our house today !




4.  I am carrying a lot of 'eco' guilt at the moment. Since my teenage years I have been a bit of a tree hugging type, and have spent the last 15 years or so, educating myself about how our crazy planet is being treated, and the people it affects as we in the west slowly consume and throw things away til we ruin everything completely. But at present my levels of caring for our planet have reached an all time low. I have thrown away plastic this week cos it was easier than putting it in the recycling, I have used far too many new plastic carrier bags out of laziness in not taking one with me, I have ditched the eco balls cos I like the smell of chemically fresh washing, and use baby wipes like they are going out of fashion - cos a flannel is a faff....................................................Yes I know, this puts me along with most other parents in this country, but that doesn't make it good now does it !? 


Sometimes I wish I knew less about eco issues, nutrition, and Fair trade etc - ignorance can be bliss.




5. Having shorter hair has given me a cold neck.




6. Living opposite a retail park is testing my self control at the moment.




7.  Here are the lovely £1.50 purchases from this week's bargain isle. 

8.   Need to get new curtains for Little Tike's bedroom, I know what I want in my head, but can I find it...... NO. 




9. Today I took Little Tike to the library, got there and realised I hadn't put her shoes on......good job it was carpeted ey. 


Note to self, small child needs to wear shoes, must remember EVERYtime we go out.




10. It will be May soon, and I'm hoping that it's as warm as it was last year - pleeeeeease. 






Linking in with the other 'ten on tuesday-ers'.


theadventuresofbobbyandgeorge


familyjamesfive


yeastandwest


thethingsiwanttosayblog

Deal of the day

Today I found a wetsuit for my little tike for £1.50. Brand new, reduced from £15 on the clearance isle in tesco.
So I bought one in every size to fit her til she's 9 ! A little overboard maybe, but 5 wetsuits for £7.50 isn't bad, and seeing as Deane family holidays usually involve the British coastline and a bodyboard they will get plenty of use !


This was our little bundle of swimsuit and rubber ring last year, this year she'll be running round the sand chasing the waves. ( can't wait !)

Beautiful little feet

Beautiful feet, that's all.