Hello

How are you all? Long time, no see!

Things are ticking along here - busy as usual, but nothing new there.

And for me, things have moved on. I've been accepted on to the four year clinical training for Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy, which starts in September. It's a full-time training - I'll work for the NHS as a trainee up here in Newcastle four days a week and then travel one day a week down to Leeds for all the academic stuff. Eeek! I've worried and wondered and thought and considered if it'll all be too much on top of the family, and I hope it won't. We'll see. It'll be strange to leave teaching behind after more than twenty years.

I'm writing too - in fact I've been Mslexia magazine's guest blogger for the past three months, writing about trying to find my 'inner artist' and unlock the creativity hidden deep inside (!!!). You can read these posts here: Mslexia Blog

Last week I had an operation, and while I'm recuperating and waiting to feel fighting fit again, I've decided to resurrect my blog. I might even re-name it, as my calamity thankfully feels so far behind me now - Hattie was five in May and I'll be five years in remission in January 2014. How very, very lucky am I?

My new blog may focus more on my writing and my reading - but will still have all the family stuff in it: where else will I vent my feelings?

It's good to be back.

Stanley

We're getting a dog. Well, actually he's a small black labrador puppy who smells delicious. And we're picking him up on Saturday. He's called Stanley.

I am spending the week veering wildly between feelings of excitement and intoxication which easily matches the kids' delight, and feeling weak at the prospect.

I'm trying to quell the voice which is asking exactly why we're taking on a puppy when by the end of the day I pretty much already feel at my limit.

By the time I've gone to work, tried to write (ha ha), given evening private tuition, taken the kids to and from school, made tea and dinner, cleaned up, washed clothes, done the shopping, travelled to Leeds once a week in preparation for my psychotherapy training next year....I'm kind of exhausted to put it politely. Although that's not all in one day. I'm being dramatic, right?

But - we've been thinking about a dog for a while. I'm hoping that finding time for a walk every day will do me a lot of good and the happy presence of his whole being radiates joy for life. That's got to be good karma.

I'll tell myself that early in the morning while I'm trying to get the kids ready for school and the puppy is flying around.

And he'll sit still for Coronation Street, I'm sure.

Watch this space.