Kate's Blog

Follow me if you will as I try to navigate through the ups and downs of my world.

I'm writing this blog to help me make sense of all that has happened - from my diagnosis with non-Hodgkins lymphoma while pregnant with my third child in May 2008
, through to my reflections on chaotic family life as I try to pick up the pieces of my life again.


The kids are so small, and I'm working hard to keep us all safe and to stay in remission.

Stay with me - it won't be all doom and gloom I promise!



Wednesday 29 February 2012

New Plans

I've got a first interview on Friday for Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy training- a career change if I can manage it! - and then another next Friday. If I can get a place, it will start in September, full time in September! But Hattie starts school then, and if I can juggle all the elements of work and family, it will mean good things for the future.

Frankly, I can't see myself still in the classroom, teaching as I approach retirement. Something has to change. And until I win the Booker prize....

P.S. New fitness plan approaching....watch out!

Tuesday 14 February 2012

Happy Valentine's Day

Does the day move you? It doesn't really move me..... but Rog did present me with a beautiful heart shaped tea-light holder, which was extremely unexpected to say the least!

And 9 years ago today, I found out that I was pregnant with Ed. And that's got to be good.

I'm lucky.

Thursday 2 February 2012

I'm trying not to moan but...

I feel so exhausted - all the time.

I'm working flat out - it's a busy time of year in the teaching world: lots of pressure to achieve those exam results and hit targets.

And at home, things keep rolling on - the kids need clean uniform, packed lunches, (not to mention attention and love) and I just feel pulled in all directions. Somewhere,in another life I'm wanting to write, read and sleep if at all possible. Maybe even go to the gym once in a while.

I'm working every evening, after the kids are in bed, on marking and preparation before I tidy the kitchen, make the lunches for the next day and fall into bed so tired that I never seem to have enough sleep before the alarm clock goes off at 5.55am. I leave for work at 7.10 in the morning - still dark and cold and horrible.

Things feel a bit joyless I suppose. I suppose it's the time of year, partly at least. But it's other things too. Our financial situation is not great - I can't even comfort myself with retail therapy. And that on-going worry about making ends meet is a bit of a grind. I'm considering trying to find a weekend job, but quite honestly I'm too tired to contemplate it. Rog works full time and late into the night, every night - there's no space and time anywhere, or that's what it feels.

I need to write that novel... I need that fabulous money-making scheme which I can do from home so I don't need to pay for any childcare. Any ideas? (Ha ha!!)