Gratitude Project - 16th April

Today is my half brother's birthday, he's turned 14. It has made me feel wistful.

I've been doing a lot of remembering/thinking recently about my teenage years. Mostly the range and depth of emotions that were in constant turmoil.

I'm excited for my brother to be going through this stage of life (though he is a much more level headed kid than I ever was!).

First crushes, first heartbreaks. The devastation of a broken friendship and the joy of mending it.

The desire to fit in, the desperation to be unique.

The sheer delight in being alive. 

He is finding his way through teenage-dom and coming out the other side, as a young man ready to make his mark on the world.

As a young girl, I never felt like I was the right age; I had always felt 16, even when I was 11 or 12.

Then when I turned 16, I finally felt like I was where I was supposed to be (age wise!). I sometimes think I've never really moved on from that age - I can stray into immature and puerile humour at any time! Which is not really helped by my paternal side of the family having a penchant for toilet humour!

I miss the newness of life as a teenager. Experiencing so many firsts. Learning how to be grown up, but knowing that I didn't have to be just yet; that's what parents are for!

And now I have two children. Crazy!!

I my mind I still feel 16. Mr M can still evoke in me similar feelings of being a teenager in love... 

These days I tell people that yes I am an adult, but I have no intention of being a proper grown up! :)

Things I am grateful for today:

1. Sunshine! I was starting to get bored of the rainy days. 

2. Bedtime snuggles as I read bedtime stories - my babies won't be small forever, I'm trying to make the most of it!

3. Exercise. I didn't want to go today (my workout buddy has been out of the office all week). But I made myself go, and did a 30-minute weights session. I love the feeling afterwards, that good sore pain that proves to me that I've worked hard.

Did you enjoy being a teenager? What's your favourite joke?

The first blog

So this is it. I’m taking the plunge; I’m setting up a blog.

I’m going to lay my life out there for the scrutiny of the world… and I’m scared. What if it’s boring? What if I think it’s funny, but nobody else does?
Or worse still…. WHAT IF NOBODY LIKES IT??!

I follow a few blogs – every one offers me something; a snippet of advice here; a pearl of wisdom there; a delicious recipe that I will talk about, but never get around to making; and always a good giggle.
I would love to be able to offer the same to people who may read this blog, but my advice and my wisdom come from others; my cooking skills are mediocre; my sense of humour is not always mainstream….

I guess the first thing I need to do is to think about is what do I want from this blog – do I want this to be a roaring success where I can create a business from it?
Hmmmm, probably not as:
a) I’m a procrastinator (it’s taken me almost 12-months to get this initial blog written!) and
b) I don’t even know what I want to be when I grow up!!

Ooookaaay then, so let’s start a little smaller – what will this blog be about?
Well, I want a place to share some of the things going on in my life; the wonderful things my little Monster says or does that make me smile; the things I love, the things I don't; the journey that I’m on as I try to balance my life as a Mother and Wife, whilst still trying to maintain a shred of my Self.
And if I happen to make some new friends from it, then that is a bonus  J

Right, that’s it. I’m going with “I want this blog to be my outlet; a journal of what goes on in my (often) mundane life”.

Hey, it’s a starting point, and as a good friend of mine said – I can always start a new blog if this one doesn’t work out  J

So everyone…

WELCOME TO MY BLOG!