Well, the children went back to school yesterday after a lovely three week holiday. We explored our new county, had cousins to stay and old friends from Gloucestershire. Amber and I shopped. The males played golf. We all played tennis (some of us very badly) and a good time was had by all.
I went off to a Yoga class yesterday morning and stretched parts of my body that I didn't know I had. It was hard work (because I haven't done any Yoga for twenty years) but definitely worth it. Then, keeping with the 'I must lose weight and take exercise before it's too late' mood I went for a brisk hour-and-a-half's walk this morning with a friend. We met at school and walked through the fields and along a disused railway line and it was so lovely. The bluebells were just coming out, the sun was shining and there was a slight chill in the air. It was bliss. Are you impressed? Bet you wouldn't have been if you'd seen me afterwards slumped on the sofa with my feet in a basin of lavender water.
It's funny, Amber has been asking me what sort of Mummy I'm going to be this time. Apparently I was an earth/waldorf/crafty Mum in Gloucestershire and she thinks I should reinvent myself here. She thinks I should go out more, have more dinner parties, glam it up a bit more I suppose. Maybe I'm going to be a fitness fanatic! (I've decided to see about tennis lessons as we have two courts over the road and it seems to be a good way to exercise plus it's a sociable sport).
On another note, do you remember aeons ago that Amber was given a book called 'Knitting for Peace", in which was mentioned the Mother Bear Project? Well, I made a couple of bears for it ages ago and got some Mums to join me and so far I've collected about half of them (the others are being finished off by various parties).
Here are the ones I have so far:
There are about twelve here and I'll be posting them off to Minneapolis in the next few days. From there they will go to orphan children in Africa. If you take a look at the link above you can see just who gets these bears and why. It's a great idea and a great project to support and I'm really pleased that we were able to participate in it. If you have any spare wool hanging around why not have a go yourself - the bears take hardly any time to knit (the pattern is on the website I believe).
oh i am impressed - good for you. i have come home with resolutions along the same lines but am still settling in! (my excuse anyway) i did however, buy some mascara while i was away. me who wears no make up. i bought a few lovely things including the mascara from a range called benefit. i ended up sitting on a makeup stool in macys - i have never done that before! its kind of like the anti-makeup. prairie was so impressed. heres to glam simmy!!! xxx
Posted by: louise | April 15, 2008 at 08:05 PM
The children look so happy holding their bears on the Mother Bear Project site. It is such a worthwhile cause. With regards to re-inventing yourself; maybe you could be a keep fit guru!
Posted by: Simone | April 15, 2008 at 08:12 PM
Ah, the opportunity to re-invent oneself. Every teenager's dream.
Posted by: Ali | April 15, 2008 at 10:00 PM
Wonderful bears! What a fantastic idea. I can't believe the contrast between your last post and this post. was that really only a week or so ago that we had all that snow! AMAZING! Love your forget me nots! I love it when the bluebells are out. They are so lovely and you know that when they appear spring is well and truly here! I think every woman should keep re-inventing herself periodically, kind of like Madonna. Keeps the men on their toes! ;-)
Posted by: Marie | April 16, 2008 at 03:32 PM
Dear Simmy,
The bears are beautiful! I wish I could knit well enough to make one! So glad that you and Amber were inspired by that book. We are working away on our prayer shawls -- we've made and given away 50 to date -- and the shawls have been a blessing to both the knitter and to the receiver. Happy also to read that you have an exercise partner. Sue and I are going to yoga tomorrow morning! Miss you and please keep in touch. Love to all,
Wylie
Posted by: Wylie | April 16, 2008 at 07:27 PM
Thanks for the links Simmy!
Posted by: Stacy | April 16, 2008 at 11:22 PM
I love the bears!! Yeah for you... Good job.
Posted by: Gena M | April 17, 2008 at 03:06 AM