Scary Times. Family Times. Happy Times.

Where does the time go? I had no idea that I last blogged here when we were still on holiday. The hols and the sunshine seem very far off as I sit here in the gloom of 6.30pm in not so sunny Hampshire. I have a cardi on....and socks too as my feet have got so cold. I kid you not.

I need to get my horror of the events last night in Nice out of the way. I cannot comprehend how anyone would think it was a remotely just or right thing to do to drive a large lorry at speed in a congested pedestrianised area after a large celebration where families were enjoying fireworks and fun. To then deliberately target innocent adults and children by swerving along in the lorry in an attempt to cause as much death and destruction as possible for more than a mile is abhorrent.
No-one will ever be able to explain to me how this is acceptable. I can't imagine that anyone would ever try. I just feel scared for us all - for the world and for our children. Who knows where it will end? If, indeed, there ever will be an end to it which seems unlikely any time soon from where I am sitting.
I remember the Dunblane massacre. I had young children at the time. I remember trying to explain to them what had happened as they saw snippets of the tragedy on the news headlines. I felt the same after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. It was impossible to explain to my children then why anyone would want to hurt and kill so many innocent people. I am glad that I don't have to try to do the same thing today. My children are grown, some with children of their own who will ask questions and want answers.

Then, of course, there has been the fallout from the referendum and the decision to leave the EU. British politics is in a state of turmoil that is for sure. A new (female) prime minister, the Labour party bickering amongst themselves, Boris J going to ground after leading the exit campaign and then emerging as a key player in Mrs. May's new government, MP's putting themselves forward in various leadership campaigns only to withdraw due to misconstrued comments, George Osborne being sacked. The world is a scarey place just now.

On a personal note though, and what this blog is all about really, I have had a busy week again.
Last Saturday youngest daughter and I took part in a 5km Pretty Muddy event organised by Cancer Research. I usually do a Race For Life event each year and this year encouraged my newly slimmed down and much more confident girl to try it with me.
I have always wanted to do one of the obstacle course/muddy runs for some reason. Mad, I know.
We both completed the event and had a good time. Well, I did! It was fun and a challenge and I loved it.

That evening two of our granddaughters came to stay for the night and then the next day we had a family barbecue. The weather was dodgy but came good in the afternoon and a good time was had by all, even by my middle daughter who started her Sunday by running a 10km in London raising funds for CLAPA (cleft lip and palate association) in less than an hour. Brilliant!
It was also only the second time that all of the grandchildren have been together so it was a very special time. I have more pics but can't locate them at the moment but when I do I will add them.

Monday morning saw a trip to the eye clinic with the twins as Phoebe had an eye test. As predicted, short sight was diagnosed but I don't think any of us needed a visit to the hospital to tell us that. A referral has been made to Great Ormond Street children's hospital where they, apparently, have much more sophisticated equipment to give a more accurate diagnosis and where Phoebe's health issues can be monitored.

On Tuesday, Phoebe came to stay overnight which was lovely. She was as good as gold. Now that there is no feeding tube to deal with and now she is taking a bottle so well (most of the time anyway!) everything is so much easier. As hubby was away she even had to come with me on the dog walks which was interesting.

All this and so much more besides including sore throats for lots of us, possible chicken pox about, work woes, Pokemon Go, Phoebs being signed off by the community nurses as she is doing well without the tube, the offer of a housing association flat and wedding dress shopping. Never a dull moment. Oh, and both Phoebe and Sam have rolled over too!

I'll leave with you with a few pics of the week.

Take care and see you soon.

xxxxx