I'm back!

21st of June! WOW! It's apparently been 3 months since my last post. My blog has been on my "must do" list for a long time now, but life has been busy between travelling every month, work, and studies. For those of you wondering, yes Mum is still alive thankfully, and has passed her "expiry date" given by the doctors!!!!

Lots has happened...I spent the whole Summer Atlantic hopping! I spent 3-4 weeks here at home, and then flew back through London to visit Mum and Dad in Spain for a week. 3-4 weeks here again, and back to Spain again...it was a very busy Summer as you can imagine. After my June trip when I was last on here, I spent another week at the end of July/beginning of August, and another 5 days in Early September once the kids were back in school, but before I was due to start work again. I have successfully seen my parents every month since the awful news in March. I think part of me writing this has everything to do with the fact that October will be the first and only month I won't see her, and it hurts. I did ask, but Mum was able to say that she needed time with Dad which was understandable...despite me shedding lots of tears over it.

I am holding up really well...compartmentalising is a wonderful thing, let me tell you! I see my therapist/counsellor just before and just after each visit, and she has been greatly supportive. There is an underlying concern that I am still not really dealing with the inevitable, but I know they will be there when I decide that's the path I need to go down - right now it's got a "do not enter" sign in front! I'm happy, and I wish to stay that way for as long as possible thanks.

My time with Mum and Dad has been amazing. Mum and I have spent numerous hours crafting together, talking, and watching TV. We have a ritual of Dad going to the beach for the day, whilst I make my mum the same pasta meal (as requested) each time I visit, followed by TV and an orange ice cream! We have fixed a number of items of clothes, and sorted out many drawers in her studio. Definitely a feeling of accomplishment on both sides. Throughout our time together I have found my love of crafting all over again, and managed to make time on a regular basis to continue when I am home...my students are certainly benefiting from this!

Finally the last bit of our news is our newest addition...our little chocolate Cocker Spaniel! Yup, that makes dog #3 in our house! Something positive amidst a trying time, meet Barcley...