Catching up....

It seems strange that I haven't written anything here since getting back from New Zealand.

#toomanymmixedemotions.

Back home, catching up, wrestling with major decisions, starting back at school after a long holiday, wonderful Indian summer to make up for a wet August, too much work in preparation for a school inspection... well, there just didn't seem time or energy for much writing.  I kept up with my other blog, recording Bible study discoveries and other inspiration - when I had time - from across the Net.

So now it is half term. And, for the first time in the last couple of months, I have energy for more. More catching up with friends, more tidying up a neglected life, more reading, more thinking....  I've managed to do some of all those things, but not enough.

Important things have happened, though. Flights, accommodation, transport... all organised, the former with some difficulty.  (Who knew that an airline could just cancel booked and paid for tickets with, initially, no alternatives offered?  Well, I do now. We've learnt a lot.  Thankfully, all sorted.)

And wedding preparations continue: marquees are booked, dress is ordered, rings are bought, bridesmaids accessories and shoes bought, junkyards have been visited, gold is spraypainted.... all of this on the other side of the world. I content myself with the odd conversation, a glimpse on facebook or instagram, a glance at a complicated spreadsheet.  And hope that some time over the next week I can give more careful consideration to the bits and pieces of this much looked forward to event.

Meanwhile, we hope and plan to fly over to see Jonny and Adele, then other friends; a good use for a few days off. Then it will be back and into Christmas planning before I know it...

Catching up

After a busy week, I'd really like to catch up with friends and family.
It's just that, from here, it hardly seems possible.

I've had parents' evenings, so I feel talked out.
I've started helping with an Alpha course, meeting new people, leading discussions with great care and caution.
I've had to have a few serious conversations at school which have taken it out of me.

Hmmmm.

This is where I want to put a 'smiley' sad face.

I need some good words in me.

Taking stock

So... finished school nearly three weeks ago. What on earth have I been doing with my time since then?

1. Recovering my brain. Example of brain-mush: prepared salad for supper. Defrosted cooked chicken pieces. Put meal on table. Husband queried absence of protein, seeing only green salad and potato salad. Produced cheese for said protein. Ate meal. Finished meal. Remembered that chicken pieces (original protein element) were still in microwave, unused and lonely.

2. Catching up on desperate jobs: cleaning out email inbox, filing. Clearing out garage. Spring cleaning bookshelves and office. Shampooing carpets. Defrosting fridge and freezer. Result: satisfaction.

3. Catching up on non-essentials: making cards out of recycled bits and pieces.

4. Gardening. And more gardening.

5. The best bit of all: catching up with friends, Renee in particular. Celebrating her birthday.

The time has gone quickly.

Now it's truly holiday - for a while, before I catch up on school work. Richard and I go to New Wine tomorrow,seeing old friends - two lots - on the way. We rarely get to meet up with them these days, so that will be a real treat. There is nothing quite as exciting and revigorating as finding out about the wonderful things God is doing in the lives of those we love. Mmmm.