tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58209388454743173862023-11-16T05:03:05.475-08:00Journal of a new discipleAlison Marstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00844377389538789029noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5820938845474317386.post-54825892181811941542012-10-26T14:16:00.000-07:002012-10-26T14:16:13.736-07:00Honesty<!--[if !mso]>
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<![endif]--><span style="font-size: small;">Honesty has always been important to me. I hate being lied to. I can’t stand it when the kids do it<span style="font-size: small;">.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">I’ve lost friends to dishonesty in the past; being of a mind that “if they lied to me about that; what else don’t I know?” The deep-rooted trust issues that I contend with make forming relationships very difficult.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Yet I’m a hypocrite. I skirt around issues, refuse to open up and show all the guarded traits that would make me run a mile if other people exhibited them. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">But being honest is hard. And I'm not talking about the day to day decent, truthful, “yes, your bum does look big in that” kind of honesty. I’m talking about being truly open; nothing hidden, nothing suppressed. Because when you do that you are making yourself fragile and vulnerable around others.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">I had a secret. I don’t anymore. For the past eleven and a half years I’d held it inside, locked in a box and hidden from the world. I was safe with it there. If no one could see it, no one could talk about it and it couldn't hurt me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Or so I told myself. The truth was that by locking that box inside my head I was keeping the secret safe. Not letting the world tarnish it, not allowing anything good in my life to diminish it in any way. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">I made a decision a few weeks ago to let people in. To open up. It was one of the scariest and hardest things I have ever done. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Being me; I chose email as the means of communication. If there’s ever a way to avoid saying things out loud and to put them in writing instead, I’ll take it. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">It’s cheating but it means that I can think longer about what I want to say. I can change my mind halfway through and edit sentences; I can chicken out completely (even after getting it all out) and delete the whole outpouring before it ever reaches the intended recipient. I did that a few times!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Eventually though, I took a deep breath and pressed ‘send’. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">I wish I could say that I immediately felt relieved. That there was a weight off my shoulders after finally unburdening. But the truth is I actually felt worse. Despite receiving a reply pretty quickly and being assured that things were going to be ok, I was safe etc; I couldn't shake the feeling that I would have been better off keeping that box locked up. It’s taken more than two weeks since for me to feel even remotely comfortable that my secret isn't secret anymore. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">But I’m over the first hurdle now. And I can move forwards. For the first time since I started coming to church I feel like I’m really supposed to be there. I’m not an imposter. I no longer feel like I’m hiding part of myself. By opening up - even the little bit that I have - I have made a huge space in myself that was quickly filled with God’s love and compassion. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">I can’t thank Richard and Becca enough for their support. Pastoral care via email and text message - brilliant! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Honesty involves learning how to express openly to another person the fullness of inner experience, by setting aside all psychological defences. And to do that, the emotional pain that caused those defences to come into being in the first place has to be reconciled. The original pain may have been long in the past but social interactions and everyday experiences can lead to resurfacing of the pain. The essence of a therapeutic relationship is to confront the pain directly, without running from it, so that it can be healed and transformed.</span></span></div>
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<b>ARTICLE WRITTEN FOR NOVEMBER 2012 MAGAZINE</b></div>
<br />Alison Marstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00844377389538789029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5820938845474317386.post-15848191267342825482012-10-26T14:08:00.003-07:002012-10-26T14:13:04.002-07:00Holding On<!--[if !mso]>
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<span style="font-size: small;">I should have written this a couple of weeks ago when I was in a better place. Hindsight is a splendid thing… I could have written all about how great it is to finally have a job and be spending time with adults; feeling productive and open to all sorts of future possibilities.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">But I didn’t write it then. And now I’m struggling. The last few days I’ve been finding it hard to cope. To be honest that’s rather an understatement.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">I hate the way my head works when I’m like this. No matter what the situation I can’t help but focus on the negative; often finding one where it doesn’t exist.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Everything becomes a chore. From getting out of bed in the morning, to holding conversations; even just being around people is hard. All I want to do is get away from everything. Go for a long walk. Preferably to not come back.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">It is at times like this that I am incredibly grateful to my friends. For putting up with me when I can’t stand myself. For reassuring me of their love and support. For not letting me hide away. Distracting me with jobs or by simply being there, quietly, allowing me time to sit and breathe and try to refocus.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Fj8zsvAg8SF14zEVTllYLLWDiq9XUdMxf4-ZX2YaU75mm4ztRcKQzisM-LAH5T6OdvObP3oaNUFL9K8fPhpAQkTkyFahZwnhwlCIDillDgmTHrpLAXgRF1Ln2jRCjqaZ46wj58RZ2QIm/s1600/CROSS.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Fj8zsvAg8SF14zEVTllYLLWDiq9XUdMxf4-ZX2YaU75mm4ztRcKQzisM-LAH5T6OdvObP3oaNUFL9K8fPhpAQkTkyFahZwnhwlCIDillDgmTHrpLAXgRF1Ln2jRCjqaZ46wj58RZ2QIm/s1600/CROSS.gif" /></a><span style="font-size: small;">“When it seems hardest to pray, that’s when we should pray the hardest”: I was reminded the other day. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">It <span style="font-style: italic;">is</span> hard to pray when I’m feeling like this. I bought a holding cross at Greenbelt this year and that’s helped a lot. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">At the back of my mind I always know it’s there; and being able to take it out of my desk drawer at work, or from my pocket while I’m waiting for the bus – that’s meant that prayer has been a more obvious option than it used to be, as well as coming easier. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b>ARTICLE WRITTEN FOR OCTOBER 2012 MAGAZINE</b></span></div>
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Alison Marstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00844377389538789029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5820938845474317386.post-75175747185346376682012-07-27T09:42:00.001-07:002012-07-27T09:42:26.160-07:00Time's up<!--[if !mso]>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span>As I write this, I have just four days left until I start work.<span> </span>Four days.<span> </span>It doesn’t seem like long ago that I was thinking I had a month to go; time just vanishes.<span> </span>Chances missed; free time frittered away…<span> </span>I’ve spent so much of the last month focused on what I will be losing when I start work rather than focusing on the positives.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span>Reading Richard’s letter made me think: how many rocks have I not bothered to pick up over my life, thinking they were worthless?<span> </span>How many more diamonds am I going to miss?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span>I need to grasp this opportunity and make the most of it.<span> </span>At the back of my mind there is still a voice telling me there’s been a mix-up in the recruitment process and they’ve mistaken me for another applicant.<span> </span>I need to ignore that voice and remember that I got here on my own merit and I AM capable of doing well.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span>After not working for over six years the change in my whole life is going to be immense.<span> </span>I am going to see a lot less of the kids; by the time I get home they’ll be tired and grumpy and that’s going to be hard.<span> </span>I won’t see my friends so much; I’ll miss them a lot.<span> </span>Leaving the house every morning at a time that I’ve grown accustomed to still being in bed; ouch!<span> </span>Spending all day in an unfamiliar environment with a bunch of strangers; I’m shaking at the thought…</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span>But I’m going to be meeting a whole new group of people.<span> </span>I’ll be able to have adult conversations throughout the day.<span> </span>My brain will get used more effectively again.<span> </span>I might even enjoy myself!</span></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span>“God can change our circumstances, but sometimes He waits for us to show real desire for change as well as our faith in Him.”<span> </span>I guess He knows I’m ready for this, even if I’m feeling apprehensive myself.<span> </span>I find a lot of reassurance in that!</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span><b>WRITTEN FOR AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2012 MAGAZINE </b></span></span></div>Alison Marstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00844377389538789029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5820938845474317386.post-66763867399985543612012-07-01T12:29:00.000-07:002012-07-03T13:25:49.214-07:00Changes<div style="color: #cccccc; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #cccccc; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">I’ve never been a big believer in destiny: when your life is full of ups and downs (with not many ups), it is hard to see how that can be God’s plan. Was I really supposed to be in this situation? Single mum, struggling financially, in and out of depression… I had to trust that God knew what he was doing; sometimes that was pretty much the only thing stopping me from running away from it all.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Lately though, things have been coming together in a way that I guess it’s easier to accept as His will. And as things improve, it becomes more comfortable to look back and appreciate the necessity of events and hardships that have shaped my life.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #cccccc; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Those of you who were in church that day (and many that weren’t) will be aware that Sunday 3<sup>rd</sup> June was the day I led the service. I don’t think I’d been that nervous since standing up to give testimony when I was baptised last July. Once I started though, a strange kind of calm came over me. The nerves were still there, but it was like I felt I was in the right place, doing the right thing… Hard to explain really. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Thank you to everyone for the positive comments following the service. All the support meant a lot. I’m not saying it is something I am now itching to do every week; but the experience has added a considerable amount of weight to my feeling of being called in at least a Local Preacher-y direction. We’ll see…</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #cccccc; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">After being a stay-at-home-mum for the past six years; I applied for a job this month. In my mind I just saw it as good practice at filling in application forms; intending to start looking properly for work in September when James is finally at school full time. So when I got an email offering me an interview, it came as somewhat of a surprise. An interview… More nerves, panic, sweat (it was a HOT day!) but somehow – don’t ask me how – I ended up being offered the job the next day.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">For something that I only did for practice, it has all come together so easily. There’s still obstacles in the way; I need to pass a medical, wait for references (and pray that Richard’s nice to me in his…) and do a CRB check (nothing to worry about there, at least), but I’m looking at a start date somewhere early in August.</span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #cccccc; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Right now I feel comfortable with my life. Church has played a big part in that. Since joining the congregation last January, I think I have definitely found a home at High Street. Being able to get involved in things and contribute to church gives me a boost of self-worth that I struggle to find elsewhere.</span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #cccccc; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">And now other aspects of my life are starting to reflect on the comfort and security that I feel from church, and it’s not a coincidence. If I hadn’t joined High Street, I wouldn’t have known of a job opening at the council. Without the Longs and Byasses, we wouldn’t have enjoyed three lovely camping weekends in the past year. Friends from another church have just informed me this morning of a lovely house that we might (possibly… God willing) have a chance of moving to in a few months.</span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #cccccc; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">As hard as I still find it to accept that God plays a role in the ups and downs of our lives, I can appreciate how the shaping of my life can be attributed to His hand. If my life hadn’t taken the ‘wrong’ turns that it did, if I hadn’t made the mistakes that I made, then I wouldn’t have ended up in a place where I felt so lost and alone that Church seemed almost like a last resort. I never dreamed my life could change in so many little ways or that one BIG change could feel so natural.</span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;">ARTICLE WRITTEN FOR JULY 2012 MAGAZINE </span></b><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
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<br /></div>Alison Marstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00844377389538789029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5820938845474317386.post-65208585990772621872012-05-24T05:42:00.001-07:002012-05-24T05:44:02.667-07:00Taking the next step<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">How do you even begin to describe yourself in a positive way if most of the thoughts in your head are negative? How do you make a few boring interests seem … well … interesting?</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">I’m joining an online dating site. Or at least I will be once I can figure out how to describe myself in such a way that won’t make anyone reading my profile run a mile. I’m asking friends for help with that: I like to think I’m pretty good with words most of the time but when it comes to talking about myself my descriptions tend to be rather negative.</span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Online dating… Part of me wants to run a mile: the thought of meeting people through the internet just doesn’t sit right with me. That’s probably mostly the twelve-year old inside me remembering all the warnings given at school when a lot of girls in my class spent their lunch breaks sitting in online chatrooms.</span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Five years. That’s how long I’ve been on my own. The idea of sharing my life with someone is completely alien to me. But I <span style="font-style: italic;">know</span> it’s what I need. I don’t do well on my own. It’s all too easy to shut myself off when I don’t have another adult to be accountable to.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">I spent a long time thinking that I could cope on my own. That I was meant to be alone. That I was happier that way. And when I got lonely or unhappy I felt that I deserved to be in that state. The way my brain works is ridiculous. It’s like the emotional parts and the logical parts just cannot communicate with each other. I <span style="font-style: italic;">know</span> that I deserve to be happy but I don’t <span style="font-style: italic;">feel</span> that I deserve it.</span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">I do sometimes feel like people judge me for being a single mum. As though it is my fault I’m in this situation. That there’s something fundamentally wrong with me that means that any men that might show an interest quickly change their minds. I’m starting to get passed that. I picked the wrong men. I settled for convenience rather than waiting for someone who would actually be good for me. And then when things went wrong, as they were bound to do in that situation, I blamed myself.</span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">But punishing myself further by shutting myself off and not trying to better my situation: that’s just stupid. I have trust issues: I don’t trust people to like me and certainly not to keep liking me. But humans are made to be in relationship. Social relationships, romantic relationships and relationship with God. I’m learning to accept God’s love; I’m slowly developing social relationships and opening myself up to people. But I don’t even know where to begin with the other...</span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">I’ve chosen a Christian dating site as I think one of the most important things to me now is to find someone who shares my faith. Other than that my list of ‘requirements’ are pretty basic. There’s a few fickle things: I’d like ‘him’ to be taller than me and slightly older, I want to find someone with a good sense of humour, a love of books and the ability to argue intelligently. That’s not too much to ask for is it?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">So now I’m praying for the ability to articulate who I am, for the courage to put myself into a vulnerable situation and for the wisdom to know a good thing (man) when I find one. </span><br />
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<div style="text-align: right;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;">ARTICLE WRITTEN FOR JUNE 2012 MAGAZINE </span></b></div>
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<br /></div>Alison Marstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00844377389538789029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5820938845474317386.post-2637774485930398572012-04-19T13:35:00.000-07:002012-04-19T13:35:06.472-07:00"Does darkness exist?"<div style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The question posed to us by Richard during his service on Good Friday. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">The scientific answer is that darkness does not exist. Darkness is simply the absence of light. Light we can study, darkness we cannot. Darkness cannot be measured; light on the other hand can. How can we tell how dark a certain space is? We measure the amount of light. A simple ray of light can break through darkness and illuminate it. Darkness is simply the absence of light.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">But that’s physical darkness. What about emotional darkness? The feeling of isolation and numbness that I am all to familiar with. Does that exist? </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">I’d love to be able to say no; but like I said, it is all too familiar. However, like physical darkness, this emotional state can be overcome through the introduction of light. It’s a little bit harder than flicking a switch though.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">A song that I listened to a lot when I first started out on my Christian journey (and that I still turn to regularly when the darkness threatens), is ‘Light’ by the Proclaimers. It is probably my favourite of their songs: pretty much every word of it resonates with me. (Lyrics reproduced on page 16 for anyone who is interested.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">"I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." (John 8:12)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">When I started writing this, I was in a positive place. I can remember that; sort of. At least, I remember feeling like a double-page of the magazine would be pretty easy to fill. But now…? </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">The light is really hard to see when my mind just feels full of nothingness. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">People ask me if I’m okay and the automatic response is to say that I’m fine. I read somewhere recently (but cannot remember where) that ‘fine’ is an acronym for ‘Feeling In Need of Encouragement’. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">That’s certainly true for how I am right now. </span></div>
<ul style="font-family: inherit;">
<li><span style="font-size: small;">I keep turning to my Bible for help. But my bible knowledge is pretty poor so I either spend a long time randomly flicking pages or I go back to familiar passages. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">I hate being on my own but I go out of my way to avoid being around people. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">I can’t stand silence so I turn the music on really </span><span style="font-size: small;">LOUD</span><span style="font-size: small;"> to overcompensate for the emptiness in my head. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">I long for physical contact with someone but push the kids away if they want a cuddle. </span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-size: small;">I’m a mess.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">My heart is open to Jesus and His light but it’s like there’s a wall in my head casting a shadow over everything. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">When I focus, I </span><span style="font-size: small; font-style: italic;">know</span><span style="font-size: small;"> that all this is only temporary. That the shadow will pass soon and I’ll be back to ‘normal’. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">All I can do is keep praying for that to happen soon. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>ARTICLE WRITTEN FOR MAY 2012 MAGAZINE</b></span></div>
</div>Alison Marstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00844377389538789029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5820938845474317386.post-66918643664546340972012-04-10T14:41:00.001-07:002012-04-10T14:41:48.111-07:00This month has been a weird one for me.<div style="font-family: inherit;">
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span>I made a decision that some may view as premature, foolish, downright stupid…<span> </span>To be honest I had enough doubts of my own but deep down inside, what I was doing felt right in a way that nothing has for a while.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span>I stopped taking the anti-depressants that my doctor had prescribed to me.<span> </span>I’d been thinking about it for some time.<span> </span>The pills had kind of helped at the start but it had got to the stage where I just felt numb to everything and, to be honest, I kind of missed the ‘high’ part of my up-and-down-ness.<span> </span>I wanted to feel like </span><span style="font-style: italic;">me</span><span> again.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span>I should have discussed my feelings with the doctor, but (that aside) something told me I was making the right decision.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: italic;">“It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.”</span><span> (Psalm 118:8)</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span>A couple of years ago, if someone had said to me that they were going to stop taking their medication and rely on prayer and faith in God to keep them going, I would have wanted to slap some sense into them.<span> </span>But now my perspective has changed.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: italic;">“With God all things are possible.”</span><span><span> </span>(Matthew 19:26)</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span>Consistent prayer is finally helping me get my mind into the right place.<span> </span>I have built more structure into my daily (and weekly) routines; I figured that if I am going to call myself a Methodist I ought to have a bit more structure to my life!</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span>I’m not saying that I know what I am doing, or that I know it is going to work – but it feels like this is what I </span><span style="font-style: italic;">should</span><span> be doing.<span> </span>It feels more than comfortable.<span> </span>Feels right.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span>I know how it sounds.<span> </span>I’m still waiting for someone to try and slap me.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span>But I’m not doing this on my own.<span> </span>I have the best help anyone could ever get.<span> </span>L. B. Cowman said: “It is such a comfort to drop the tangles of life into God’s hands and leave them there.”<span> </span>That’s exactly how I feel: comforted.<span> </span>He is much better at untangling my mess than I am, or a doctor is.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span>This past month has been weird, like I said.<span> </span>I’ve been constantly waiting to see if a depression would hit me; but whereas before I would be waiting with trepidation, now I’m waiting with a smile on my face, seeing every day as the gift from God that it truly is.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: right;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;">ARTICLE WRITTEN FOR APRIL 2012 MAGAZINE</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<br /></div>Alison Marstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00844377389538789029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5820938845474317386.post-62203919868101763942012-04-10T14:38:00.001-07:002012-04-10T14:39:14.609-07:00“‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the LORD Almighty.”<div style="font-family: inherit;">
</div>
<span style="font-size: small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">"It is a directive, not a judgement. Stop trying to cope, stop being independent; rely on God. Only God. That is all!”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">A bible quote and some sound advice to go with it that were much needed the other day.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">I struggle. All the time.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Every day something I’ve done a million times before takes on new meaning because I realise God’s role in it. With good things that’s easy. But when things go wrong…</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Having grown up outside of the Church I’ve always done things my own way. Usually badly, but I’ve got on with things. I’m stubborn and independent and that’s one of the things I really struggle with in my faith. Giving away that independence. Letting God handle my problems. Being able to stand back and let His will be done.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">When I was baptised last summer, I spoke in my testimony about my struggles with depression and how I had come to realise that it wasn’t a miracle cure that I was looking to God for; but the strength within myself to seek help. It is a continuing struggle and I often despair that I’m going round in circles, getting nowhere. It is at these moments that I want to be stubborn. I want to shut myself away, bang my head against a wall, ‘cope’ in my time-trusted way. But that’s where faith comes in. By seeing my struggle as God’s will, I am slowly (in a very circular, meandering way) beginning to realise that throughout and despite the despair and the ache and the numbness I am finding myself growing. I have found the strength to ask for help. I am forcing myself into situations that I would like to run away from. I am becoming, step by step, better.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">One thing that I have always found helpful when I am feeling low though is to keep myself busy. Preferably around people, but not necessarily ‘with’ them. I do friends’ housework, freeing up time for them to get on with other things. I’m pretty handy at DIY jobs so seem to have become the ‘go-to’ person for all those sorts of things. It’s good, but it’s not ideal. I want to grow as a disciple and to do that I think I need to find a more specific way of spending my own time. As much as I love helping friends there’s more that I could, and should, be doing. But I need to stop beating myself up and feeling like a waste of space just because I haven’t found my path yet.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">I’m going to try to curtail my stubbornness, limit my independence; rely on God’s spirit to guide me. I’ll find my way.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>ARTICLE WRITTEN FOR MARCH 2012 MAGAZINE</b></span></div>Alison Marstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00844377389538789029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5820938845474317386.post-37407593257259739592012-04-10T14:30:00.000-07:002012-04-10T14:56:06.109-07:00Starting Over<div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">It's been months since I last posted on here. A lot has changed in that time, but so much has stayed the same. Lately I've been getting more involved in church; in little ways that are comfortable for me. Think I've found a little niche that I can fit into, where I feel safe and secure but at the same time be able to do little things that can help other people. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The main thing I've been doing is the church magazine. To start with I enjoyed the challenge of bringing the magazine up to date, making it look more professional and just generally feeling like I was doing something small to help out. Then I started writing articles for it. On the whole, these articles are pretty basic: 250 words on the story behind Valentine's day; encouraging people to come to house group; how eggs and bunnies can still point towards Jesus... Two months ago I wrote an article with the title "Journal of a New Disciple" that spoke a bit about my personal struggles and how I am overcoming them with the help of my faith. I wrote a second article for the April magazine. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Feedback that I have received has been really encouraging. I must admit I didn't really expect anyone to actually read the articles, let alone get anything positive out of them (especially enough to come and talk to me about it). It's made me think and reassess why I even wrote the first one. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">I have the thought in my head, getting stronger day by day, that I want to do more. Local Preacher is definitely something I want to pursue. Who knows what else in the future. I have my doubts about my ability, but not about the feeling that it is what I should be doing. And slowly the voice in my head saying: "who would want to hear what I have to say?" is quietening. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">If what I am writing for the magazine can touch even one person in a positive way; help them in their own faith, then I'm doing something good. And I want to keep that up. So my new idea is to try and post something on here once a week ish, and then when it comes to writing my article for the magazine I can either draw from that or write something new (and then post that to the blog). </span></div>
<div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Knowing my past history of blogging I'm probably going to post the two articles I've already done and in six months come back with a new idea of what to use this blog for. But right now I'm feeling optimistic. Writing more often will give me more focus anyway - even if no one reads it!</span></div>Alison Marstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00844377389538789029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5820938845474317386.post-29870489028182295092011-09-10T13:54:00.000-07:002011-09-10T14:23:13.390-07:00It’s been a while...<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><object classid="clsid:38481807-CA0E-42D2-BF39-B33AF135CC4D" id="ieooui"></object> <style> st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } </style> <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--><span style="font-size:100%;">I won’t start making excuse as the list would be as long as my arm.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>So instead I’ll list a few things that stand out in my memory from the last six months.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>No particular order: just when they come to me.</span> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;">July 3<sup>rd</sup> I was baptised.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I can’t even begin to describe how I feel about that.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It was the culmination of 6 months’ worth of discovery and </span><span style="font-size:100%;">the climax of many weeks of pent up anxiety<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Right up until the last minute I was terrified that it was all just a big mistake; that there’s no way God really wanted me.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The nerves all melted as soon as I stood up to give testimony though and the day was absolutely am</span><span style="font-size:100%;">azing.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Sophie turned 5.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>My little girl is so grown up.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>There are times when she is a complete teenager: screaming at me and slamming her bedroom door in my face – but I love that girl to bits.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I don’t always feel like the best mother in the world (far from it!) but every day I am so thankful that I have her, as she has the ability to bring out the very best in me.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I am so proud of the person she is becoming and can’t wait for each new development in her life.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg52I-z1O1r6ie_Erfb-rxYScnksZsoRVJUsbYts1yEhposIjehjkPlxKbMNteaZsSYOG6zEeDkPaJJmAjjncenlZB-Wx2PReD9yrDxEKJtT8fbWr-UPR7U31_P96gB7XRmqHJra8y7ASFr/s1600/GB11.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg52I-z1O1r6ie_Erfb-rxYScnksZsoRVJUsbYts1yEhposIjehjkPlxKbMNteaZsSYOG6zEeDkPaJJmAjjncenlZB-Wx2PReD9yrDxEKJtT8fbWr-UPR7U31_P96gB7XRmqHJra8y7ASFr/s320/GB11.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5650844142633490130" border="0" /></a></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Went to Greenbelt with some brilliant friends.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Bit of a wobble the first ni</span><span style="font-size:100%;">gh</span><span style="font-size:100%;">t </span><span style="font-size:100%;">a</span><span style="font-size:100%;">s</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span><span style="font-size:100%;">e</span><span style="font-size:100%;">ven in my panic nightmares a couple of nights prior to the trip I hadn’t fully appreciated the eff</span><span style="font-size:100%;">ec</span><span style="font-size:100%;">t</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> my claustrophobia would have when I was faced with the prospect of sleeping in a tent</span><span style="font-size:100%;">.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span><span style="font-size:100%;">All was dealt with though and the weekend was fantastic.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Can’t wait to go back again next ye</span><span style="font-size:100%;">ar.<span style=""> </span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> loved being outside, the ‘safeness’ I felt by knowing I had such good friends right there, the whole atmosphere of the place was incredible.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;">My birthday.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>If anyone had said to me last year that I would go to three different Churches on my birthday, out of choice, and have a great day; I would have laughed.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>But</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> that’s what happened.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Having it fall on Good Friday meant that my birthday this year was rather busy.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The evening itself was rather tame: couple of good friends at the snooker club – but getting older isn’t all that bad really :)<br /></span></p>Alison Marstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00844377389538789029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5820938845474317386.post-79347901941830122912011-03-19T05:32:00.000-07:002011-03-19T07:05:26.541-07:00Lost...?<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal">I love sunny days.<span style=""> </span>I can have a beer in the middle of the day without feeling particularly bad about it.<span style=""> </span>As long as I drink it in the garden.<span style=""> </span>That’s my strange philosophy.<span style=""> </span>If it’s warm enough to sit in the garden and drink a beer then the fresh air counteracts some of the bad effects of the alcohol.<span style=""> </span>I do usually stick to just the one.<span style=""> </span>Especially if it’s not really all that warm and I end up pretty much downing the bottle before running back into the warmth of the kitchen…</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Having not written anything for nearly a week I would feel guilty ending this after the above paragraph.<span style=""> </span>So I’ll continue on for a bit.<span style=""> </span>Hopefully without mentioning alcohol.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">This week I’ve had a lot on my mind and not been sleeping particularly well.<span style=""> </span>Things are different though.<span style=""> </span>Much improved.<span style=""> </span>I’m still not 100% comfortable talking about things but I’m so much better than I was.<span style=""> </span>Depending on the situation anyway.<span style=""> </span>Certain people make me feel more comfortable talking than others do.<span style=""> </span>But not necessarily the people I would have expected…<span style=""><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="">Still feeling a bit lost though. Not sure what my next step i</span><span style="">s and until I figure it out I feel as if I'm going round in cir</span><span style="">cles.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8G8sP2J0Qpt69YlGF9iNBcjQPjsufzjRdEVRWzFUDANspFiL33utasc-SyXRt8NnfaFsqTnDmp3f3PsniblMsBu73SvV90Sz5y2cDyrKWCV5GljsEJnn81VRnrffE3puj8ScEbb3a0kKm/s1600/sign2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 271px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8G8sP2J0Qpt69YlGF9iNBcjQPjsufzjRdEVRWzFUDANspFiL33utasc-SyXRt8NnfaFsqTnDmp3f3PsniblMsBu73SvV90Sz5y2cDyrKWCV5GljsEJnn81VRnrffE3puj8ScEbb3a0kKm/s320/sign2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585791512432877586" border="0" /></a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /><span style=""></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=""><br /></span></p>Alison Marstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00844377389538789029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5820938845474317386.post-27133209755638891592011-03-13T13:57:00.000-07:002011-03-13T15:12:35.571-07:00Exponential IncreasesHow is it that the noise made by kids grows exponentially with the number of kids present?<span style=""> </span>When Sophie’s at school and it’s just me and James in the house it’s relatively peaceful.<span style=""> </span>Never quiet; but peaceful.<span style=""> </span>When she’s home it gets pretty loud pretty quick.<span style=""> </span>And when we have children visiting: well…<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8SEnlRj6D-KKqVWHK0iVN-D0ebIqP2O7jZ7ep4aEGWEGkuRL3vFwU2cb_J6VFKgbDKG4xsKscq5iEkGOIKhJbtFpKBSvcF62v1_rRC8suvzW8VgaiBD6tW6WIl5v2RrHf7gr8nFdDBwj_/s1600/New+Picture.bmp"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 193px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8SEnlRj6D-KKqVWHK0iVN-D0ebIqP2O7jZ7ep4aEGWEGkuRL3vFwU2cb_J6VFKgbDKG4xsKscq5iEkGOIKhJbtFpKBSvcF62v1_rRC8suvzW8VgaiBD6tW6WIl5v2RrHf7gr8nFdDBwj_/s320/New+Picture.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583690723837295170" border="0" /></a><br /><br /> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=""> </span></p>Alison Marstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00844377389538789029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5820938845474317386.post-11093037009437129762011-03-12T14:51:00.000-08:002011-03-12T14:58:20.572-08:00Limerick<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal">I just spent my evening watching the BBC film <i style="">The Edge of Love</i>, which reignited my love of Dylan Thomas’ poetry.<span style=""> </span>I looked up a few online, surprised at how many I remembered.<span style=""> </span>Really ought to get a book…<span style=""> </span>Anyway, I came across one that I’d never heard, as I <i style="">know</i> I’d have remembered this:</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p style="font-style: italic; text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">There was an old bugger called God,<br />who got a young virgin in pod.<br />This disgraceful behaviour<br />begot Christ our Saviour,<br />who was nailed to a cross, poor old sod.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">[It might not have actually been written by Dylan, but he certainly loved to quote it!]</span></p>Alison Marstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00844377389538789029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5820938845474317386.post-19050600955906594782011-03-11T13:05:00.000-08:002011-03-11T13:06:44.777-08:00Wedding Dance<p class="MsoNormal">Got a lot on my mind today, for once not my own issues…<span style=""> </span>Gonna keep this short and sweet and just post a video I came across this evening.<span style=""> </span>I’ve so got to do this if I get married <span style="font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="">(",)</span></span></p> <iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/6qd_j98-y-M?fs=1" allowfullscreen="" width="480" frameborder="0" height="295"></iframe> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Wingdings;"><span style=""><br /></span></span></p>Alison Marstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00844377389538789029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5820938845474317386.post-62298957387517780332011-03-10T08:43:00.000-08:002011-03-10T09:47:25.791-08:00Poor Judoon :(Ok.<span style=""> </span>After yesterday’s post I think I ought to try writing a bit earlier before the temptation of alcohol kicks in.<span style=""> </span>Or rather, before the alcohol itself kicks in… <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Today’s been … good.<span style=""> </span>Good conversation, good food, (good glass of sparkling rose), good behaviour from the boy.<span style=""> </span>I could go on listing ‘good’ things but I shan’t.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Instead I am going to write about something I’m thankful for on many occasions as a result of living with small children.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">PVA glue.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Before I had kids I hadn’t realised quite how versatile PVA is. In the last four years I’ve used it to re-hem curtains (I suck at sewing and had run out of wonderweb), reattach torn wallpaper, seal doors on toy cars (thus preventing small boys pulling them off and losing them) and to generally add that extra bit of ‘stick’ when needed to a number of things around the house.<span style=""> </span>That’s not to mention the fun we have with it when doing craft.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Today it saved the life of a Judoon Captain.<span style=""> </span>His leg had been torn off during a battle with a Dalek and Mickey Smith.<span style=""> </span>He’d been left alone to die; his right leg unceremoniously hidden down the back of the sofa.<span style=""> </span>With just a small drop of glue and a long enough recuperation/drying time he should make a full recovery.<span style=""> </span>Although, as I had to use a fine file to roughen up the joint a bit before applying the glue, his right leg is now slightly shorter than his left…<span style=""> </span>Sorry Captain!</p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.denofgeek.com/siteimage/scale/500/1000/90954.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 331px;" src="http://www.denofgeek.com/siteimage/scale/500/1000/90954.png" alt="" border="0" /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p>Alison Marstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00844377389538789029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5820938845474317386.post-67461296284702306432011-03-09T13:29:00.000-08:002011-03-09T13:33:16.674-08:00Red Red Wine<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.dnddelivery.com/images/red_wine.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 165px; height: 247px;" src="http://www.dnddelivery.com/images/red_wine.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal">Today I’m liking how the short-term effects of wine drinking include making problems seem insignificant.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">I also quite like how drinking the wine quickly makes the room spin when I stand up too fast.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Tastes pretty damn good too.</p>Alison Marstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00844377389538789029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5820938845474317386.post-84217696042593964222011-03-08T14:41:00.000-08:002011-03-08T14:50:13.796-08:00Yummy!<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal">Things that made me happy today:</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <ul><li>Getting woken up just 5 minutes before my alarm</li><li>James riding his new bike</li><li>Realising I have more money this month than I thought</li><li>therefore being able to order ice cream (and Port) as part of my tesco delivery</li><li>Mini nature walk with a special 2 year old</li><li>Yummy lunch with brilliant friends</li><li>Pancakes<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/content/recipes/features/shrove-tuesday/indexLarge.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 325px; height: 229px;" src="http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/content/recipes/features/shrove-tuesday/indexLarge.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a></li></ul>Alison Marstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00844377389538789029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5820938845474317386.post-81690158049030921572011-03-06T10:06:00.000-08:002011-03-12T15:40:46.778-08:00Lost dog...<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal">Skipped yesterday as I felt crap and went to bed early.<span style=""> </span>Don’t know why I bothered though.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">James spent his first night away from home last night (stayed at Grandma’s).<span style=""> </span>Apart from being cross that I wasn’t there to cuddle him when he woke up at 4am he was fine.<span style=""> </span>I got loads and loads of extra squeezy cuddles today: think maybe he missed me a bit <span style="font-family:Wingdings;"><span style="">J</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Took the kids to the park this afternoon.<span style=""> </span>Didn’t stay for long as James needed a poo (brilliant timing – such a man!) but in the time we were there Sophie managed to ‘lose’ her new dog.<span style=""> </span>She’s adamant he was in the seat on the back of her bike when we got there (I’m pretty sure she’s right) but he was gone when she got back on her bike to leave.<span style=""> </span>Very proud of Sophie though: instead of dissolving into tears when she realised her newest toy had gone she managed to reason that if anyone thought he was special enough that they wanted to take him, he’d be really well looked after now.<span style=""> </span>She’s getting so grown up!</p>Alison Marstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00844377389538789029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5820938845474317386.post-33957798859354835082011-03-04T14:43:00.001-08:002011-03-04T14:46:12.408-08:00Aaaarrrrgggghhhhh!<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal">Skipped a day yesterday, struggling with motivation today too.<span style=""> </span>Been told to “just start writing and see what comes out” – here goes:</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Erm…<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpXhB0SyybUFheHYxdDm9DcfIkU5ZR7duuPGO8lZ_TixpRr8N2JqNGxtPsVjJDeesiU0LwyzHHHekj9j9A0FFzMMfkXmU0KtGG8jEfMsoS7ssf51_4aYbrgZos6s7kOfUfyFZloZ9FenSF/s1600/writersblock.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 286px; height: 255px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpXhB0SyybUFheHYxdDm9DcfIkU5ZR7duuPGO8lZ_TixpRr8N2JqNGxtPsVjJDeesiU0LwyzHHHekj9j9A0FFzMMfkXmU0KtGG8jEfMsoS7ssf51_4aYbrgZos6s7kOfUfyFZloZ9FenSF/s320/writersblock.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580359290695018706" border="0" /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Ok, seriously, why am I struggling with this?<span style=""> </span>I’m happy.<span style=""> </span>I’ve had a good day.<span style=""> </span>I’m just not in the writing ‘mood’.<span style=""> </span>I certainly hope that’s not gonna turn out to be linked!<span style=""> </span>If I can only get my mind focused on writing when I’m feeling low then I really need to reconsider my future plans.<span style=""> </span>I certainly don’t want to go back to feeling like I did, but to have to consider getting a ‘proper’ job long-term..?<span style=""> </span>That’s depressing :-(<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Try harder woman!</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Erm…</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">The park: yes!<span style=""> </span>The park was fun.<span style=""> </span>Took Jimmy to the park this afternoon and he had a great time running around with his friends.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Oh, and I’m talking. Might not sound like much but I’ve always struggled to express myself verbally.<span style=""> </span>In writing I’m fine, but out loud…<span style=""> </span>This week though I’ve actually surprised myself on a number of occasions by both the nature of the conversations I’m having and the confidence in which I can hold them.<span style=""> </span>It’s all good!</p>Alison Marstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00844377389538789029noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5820938845474317386.post-9241079832512017582011-03-02T10:49:00.000-08:002011-03-02T11:04:01.036-08:00Favourite Toy<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Zv_7P73p5RZ-njpZr7JxT0VbdckZNXE75RFj4orU4Cr5RY8xAqi_ujv4eZwlthQdxZcZUV406EiAZX92mjujNQJrXIJGY9awrvx0bz7KjlJddi3nDxkd-7Vi3dkFWD6YH6WaXkl0PFZC/s1600/blog.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Zv_7P73p5RZ-njpZr7JxT0VbdckZNXE75RFj4orU4Cr5RY8xAqi_ujv4eZwlthQdxZcZUV406EiAZX92mjujNQJrXIJGY9awrvx0bz7KjlJddi3nDxkd-7Vi3dkFWD6YH6WaXkl0PFZC/s320/blog.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579560215987827730" border="0" /></a>I love my kids.<span style=""> </span>They drive me up the wall and make me want to tear my hair out sometimes (not as often these days though) – but I wouldn’t change them for the world. <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Sophie’s had a bit of a stroppy afternoon but she ended her day by giving me the biggest cuddle I’ve had in a long time, telling me that she loves me so much and thanking me for not getting cross with her when she was whingey.<span style=""> </span>Actually says a lot about how things have changed in our house over the past few weeks. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">James’ current bedtime routine involves me having to ask him set questions (at the right time, in the right order) before he’ll be ready to settle.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">“Do you want your music on?” </p> <p class="MsoNormal">“Are you taking any toys to bed with you tonight?”</p> <p class="MsoNormal">….</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">That’s as far as I got tonight.<span style=""> </span>He grabbed me and said he was keeping me as I’m his favourite toy.<span style=""> </span>Took a while to escape: he’s getting really strong!</p>Alison Marstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00844377389538789029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5820938845474317386.post-35191634548673215032011-03-01T23:51:00.000-08:002011-03-02T10:49:12.606-08:00Friends<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal">Spent a lot of last night writing a long email so didn’t even think about blogging until I was in bed.<span style=""> </span>Quick post this morning then to make up for it…</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Spent a good portion of yesterday thinking about how blessed I am by friendships I have.<span style=""> </span>I don’t have many friends but those that I do have are certainly special.<span style=""> </span>The last couple of weeks have reinforced that fact in my mind.<span style=""> </span>Whether they are friends that I have known since school or ones I have made in the past year or so; they mean the world to me.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Had James’ parents’ evening yesterday too.<span style=""> </span>Everything positive – pretty much what I expected if I’m honest.<span style=""> </span>He’s getting referred for speech therapy though, hasn’t got the hang of his ‘s’ and ‘t’ sounds in particular.<span style=""> </span>Anyone who doesn’t know that his sister is called Sophie would be completely stumped if he tried to tell them… </p>Alison Marstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00844377389538789029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5820938845474317386.post-22327249490790021742011-02-28T11:06:00.000-08:002011-02-28T11:25:49.787-08:00Superstar!<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal">Still not used to this happy feeling.<span style=""> </span>Part of me seems to be constantly on edge; looking out for whatever it is that is going to bring me crashing back down to ‘normality’.<span style=""> </span>I’m ignoring that feeling as best I can though.<span style=""> </span>Want to enjoy the happiness as much as possible.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">So…</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Somehow I negated to mention yesterday that <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">JAMES ATE ALL OF </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqIvZZ7RhI9SF2s_PF5azYO5aLJQNq0oHkpbL8mB-vxtXCWK_84wQ1-w86qYuWazFXt1W1P83xoOL9UFBVIW6CyuZIvrTQZGD8Rrsqcr6AYgw5u9cuFvBkm_5SMiYas1IFpJWspRju4NaR/s1600/superstar.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 172px; height: 151px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqIvZZ7RhI9SF2s_PF5azYO5aLJQNq0oHkpbL8mB-vxtXCWK_84wQ1-w86qYuWazFXt1W1P83xoOL9UFBVIW6CyuZIvrTQZGD8Rrsqcr6AYgw5u9cuFvBkm_5SMiYas1IFpJWspRju4NaR/s320/superstar.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578823700032395106" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">HIS DINNER</span>!<span style=""> </span>To anyone who doesn’t know James and his eating habits (or lack of) this is<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> a huuuge deal. It’s only been a few weeks since I really started trying to get him to eat anything (apart from pean</span>ut butter sandwiches) and he’s done so well.<span style=""> </span>From someone who wouldn’t touch anything that was different he’s now able to list chicken, sausages, pasta, potatoes, carrots, peas and sweetcorn (have I forgotten something?) as his favourite foods.<span style=""> </span>Only thing he’s tried so far that he’s adamant he doesn’t like is broccoli.<span style=""> </span>Fair enough.<span style=""> </span>Anyway; he ate all his dinner again today, and I put considerably wore on his plate.<span style=""> </span>Superstar!</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Went ‘walking’ with Becca this morning.<span style=""> </span>With periods of jogging thrown in.<span style=""> </span>I don’t mind walking.<span style=""> </span>I actually rather enjoy it.<span style=""> </span>But jogging?<span style=""> </span>I never know what to do with my arms.<span style=""> </span>I don’t feel comfortable going slowly.<span style=""> </span>And I needed to pee. <span style=""> </span>It’s all good though, need to get fit.<span style=""> </span>Always feel better after exercise too :-) </p>Alison Marstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00844377389538789029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5820938845474317386.post-148236304259694392011-02-27T15:58:00.000-08:002011-02-27T16:02:42.139-08:00These bottles are green, please recycle them.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtQ7H8ulJ8N_wXSe6d1btblwlQqiZuXtUb2d1Z44vWGjg3ogUUjf80iKOieM9u2BnKLfjO5XIrSyz6F-1XgluKb8RWTENGhAQdi8icN_YJ_l_KL-t_ZCRt8hAaBW9S-Nuan1vCBPyQq5-k/s1600/grolsch_bottle_lager.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 126px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtQ7H8ulJ8N_wXSe6d1btblwlQqiZuXtUb2d1Z44vWGjg3ogUUjf80iKOieM9u2BnKLfjO5XIrSyz6F-1XgluKb8RWTENGhAQdi8icN_YJ_l_KL-t_ZCRt8hAaBW9S-Nuan1vCBPyQq5-k/s320/grolsch_bottle_lager.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578523632409227778" border="0" /></a>So what’s made me smile today? <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">It’s Sunday which means the new week starts tomorrow.<span style=""> </span>I love Mondays.<span style=""> </span>This week, with the kids back to school after half term, Monday means seeing friends who I haven’t seen for a week.<span style=""> </span>So that’s something to look forward to.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Cake.<span style=""> </span>I’m happy because I have cake.<span style=""> </span>Ems made a gorgeous carrot cake which is calling to me now from the kitchen to come and eat another slice.<span style=""> </span>I will resist!<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Can’t forget the beer!<span style=""> </span>I ran out of beer at least two weeks ago (feels like months!) and finally bought some more yesterday.<span style=""> </span>Beer is good.<span style=""> </span>As long as I’m in the right mood when I drink it and don’t drink too much.<span style=""> </span>Tonight I am happy and had two bottles. Perfect<span style="font-family:Wingdings;"><span style=""> :-)<br /></span></span></p>Alison Marstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00844377389538789029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5820938845474317386.post-19589931693579854222011-02-26T09:58:00.000-08:002011-02-26T10:16:54.157-08:00Mud, Mud, Glorious Mud...You know how sometimes things seem to happen in slow motion?<span style=""> </span>To me those times usually involve one of the kids crashing into something or falling over, with me powerless, too slow to prevent the inevitable.<span style=""> </span>Well today wasn’t like that.<span style=""> </span>One moment James was running full-pelt across the grass towards the bus stop, next thing I knew he was on his back in a muddy mess.<span style=""> </span>Literally caked in the stuff from his boots to his shoulders (kept his head up so no mud in his hair).<span style=""> </span>He didn’t hurt himself, was just a bit shocked so once he got over that he found it incredible funny.<span style=""> </span>Only problem was I now had a very messy boy and two buses to sit on before I could get him home and changed.<span style=""> </span> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">From the front he looked fine, but from behind…<span style=""> </span>I managed to persuade him to kneel at the window on the first bus so he could see out, by the second bus the mud was dry enough that I was sure it wouldn’t weld itself to the seat if he sat down.<span style=""> </span>The looks we got from other passengers though: you’d think he was covered in blood, not mud.<span style=""> </span>Come on: he’s a boy, he’s three – he does pretty well at staying clean most of the time. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Trousers and coat are currently soaking along with yesterday’s clothes he got filthy at the park.<span style=""> </span>‘Most of the time’ he’s clean – honestly!</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Beautiful sunset tonight:<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp2gdn3hdEOQdVa5xwkrArZdaVFyWiP59YIzWBs1GUV8UMdkHJ3fn1ogM5Gp0UfogUSKzFVwftnM996n20DK6yzgRL81ObYo6lsLI0nFUp6Iyxc-Mp0lU5snDnSH_Nd-yNNVdGkEiNNpPa/s1600/sunset+001.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp2gdn3hdEOQdVa5xwkrArZdaVFyWiP59YIzWBs1GUV8UMdkHJ3fn1ogM5Gp0UfogUSKzFVwftnM996n20DK6yzgRL81ObYo6lsLI0nFUp6Iyxc-Mp0lU5snDnSH_Nd-yNNVdGkEiNNpPa/s320/sunset+001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578063683013579490" border="0" /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p>Alison Marstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00844377389538789029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5820938845474317386.post-24444587325121928292011-02-25T12:54:00.000-08:002011-02-25T13:29:24.205-08:00Noisy Frogs<span class="eysobld">Becca made me do it.</span> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="eysobld"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="eysobld">Ok, so ‘made’ is probably a bit of an exaggeration; but I’m not sure I want to incur her wrath if she gets back at the end of half term and I haven’t started this.<span style=""> </span>I bruise like a peach and she can hit hard!</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="eysobld"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="eysobld">Anyway, this is supposed to be a positive, life affirming blog wherein I can record things that make me happy, events that excite me, generally joyful thoughts.<span style=""> </span>Best get sta</span><span class="eysobld">rted then…</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="eysobld"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="eysobld">Speaking of life affirming: my back garden is full of the noise of frog mating ca</span><span class="eysobld">lls.<span style=""> </span></span><span class="eysobld">My pond is a local breeding ground and it’s that time of year again!<span style=""> </span>The kids love seeing all t</span><span class="eysobld">he hundreds (literally: counted over 200 last year before giving up – it’s only a tiny pond!) of frogs crawling over each other in an attempt to … well … the kids aren’t asking too many que</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAyzFgFsZs9njuoNR9thvdjNXGD6GnbIHd5NYRTOtZa7OQ6LXyD-jUGG_DfJg7VXU3jY-grvhyphenhyphen-DiwelW6eYlb7e85HN4LSMj7TCjK9D_pM3UVmQt-iPuFWpEOD_m_C7snqpKouV094PYj/s1600/cropped.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 233px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAyzFgFsZs9njuoNR9thvdjNXGD6GnbIHd5NYRTOtZa7OQ6LXyD-jUGG_DfJg7VXU3jY-grvhyphenhyphen-DiwelW6eYlb7e85HN4LSMj7TCjK9D_pM3UVmQt-iPuFWpEOD_m_C7snqpKouV094PYj/s320/cropped.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577741701816026482" border="0" /></a><span class="eysobld">stions on that front yet.<span style=""> </span>The frogs are all just so happy to see each other!<span style=""> </span>Anyway, frog-mati</span><span class="eysobld">ng is a sign that spring is really coming.<span style=""> </span>That and the fact that I hung washing outside again to</span><span class="eysobld">day.<span style=""> </span>Fresh, line-dried sheets on the bed tonight: bliss….</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="eysobld"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="eysobld">Yesterday I took the kids down to London for the day to visit a friend.<span style=""> </span>This </span><span class="eysobld">meant travelling on the underground…<span style=""> </span>I get claustrophobic; not too badly but enough that I wa</span><span class="eysobld">s rather dreading that part of the day.<span style=""> </span>Having the kids with me though, I saw the whole tube-journey experience through new eyes.<span style=""> </span>I’m not saying I enjoyed it, but the excitement on James’ face and the mix of fear and thrill on Sophie’s; definitely took my mind off my own apprehension.<span style=""> </span>Travelling with kids in London is stressful, but a lot of fun at the same time.<span style=""> </span></span></p>Alison Marstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00844377389538789029noreply@blogger.com0