You can make a difference!

A few weeks ago I heard the following quote on the radio: "If you think you're too small to make a difference, you've clearly never been in bed with a mosquito!"

Really made me think. It's very easy to feel insignificant in the big world we live in and I find myself reminded of this frequently - whether it be stuck on the motorway with hundreds of other cars or travelling on the tube in London, wandering round the shops or even looking at the number of people who blog!

I was then reminded again this week of the importance of following through with beliefs and convictions and the wider difference that can make, when I read the story of Edna Wallace, who sadly died last week at the age of 89. Along with her husband, she changed military history and made a difference to the lives of thousands of people.

Edna's second son was 17yo when he died in 1965 while on duty with the Royal Anglian Regiment, three days after beginning a posting in Yemen. Edna and her husband, Jack, received this news via a telegram which told them that their son was presumed drowned after a swimming accident and to find out more, they could contact the War Office between 10am and 4pm Mon-Fri.
The couple were advised that the funeral would be held within hours. No consideration that the family may have wanted to be present at the funeral. They did however gather the money together for a flight and made sure they were present for the funeral.

When they returned to the UK after the funeral, they focussed their energies on changing the way the war dead and their families were treated. After a campaign of thousands of letters and an appeal to the Queen, in 1967 it was announced in the House of Commons that in future, news of a soldier's death would be broken to the families by a senior officer from the regiment and that soldier's bodies would be brought home.

Then later, during the Falklands War, Edna also wrote to Margaret Thatcher, reminding her of the law change following the then Prime Minister's declaration that soldiers killed in conflict would be buried on the island.

What an amazing woman! One who stuck by what she believed to be right to ensure a change. We could do with more people like her in the world and I hope in some small way, some day, I may be able to have a positive impact that will benefit others.

Rest in peace Edna

The Only Way is Up / I Want to Break Free / You Raise Me Up

It is August since I last posted on my blog. It seems a long time - too long.

It was also in August that the mine collapsed in Chile - trapping the 33 miners since 5th August. Their incarceration is about to end. What they must have gone through in these last weeks is unthinkable.

I find the media circus incredible but thinking about it, this is a story of disaster turned to hope and - we all wish for - ultimately a successful rescue. I am sure that in a few years there will be a blockbuster film but in the mean time, the experience of these 33 men and their families is being played out for the world to see. They have been shoved into the forefront of international media through no choice of their own. There are 1000 members of the international media gathered around the rescue shaft - what a sight for the miners as they are freed!

I also find the attitude of the President of Chile incredible - the rescue attempt is not to start until he is personally present and this is all timed to coincide with the main evening news in Chile.

The strongest miner is to come out first - hopefully paving the way for his colleagues to follow within the next 30 hours. On the 5th August, these men were ordinary miners and they will now emerge to the world as some of the biggest celebrities of 2010. Let's pray for a successful rescue and adjustment to their new lives back up on the surface!

Kitchen Extension

Well we are now about half way through the building works that will result in our new kitchen :)

The blocks are up and the roof is almost complete. Windows still to be fitted and then the floor to be done and the actual kitchen units and gadgets to be fitted!

This is what it looks like at the moment:

The range, fridge-freezer and microwave are ordered and so are the oak units, sink and worktop. I just can't wait to have it all completed!

Couch to 5k

I've decided to have a go at doing couch to 5k.
It's a running programme that gets you to gradually build up the amount you can run over a period of 9 weeks until you can run 5k. See here: www.c25k.com
I've also managed to download an iPhone app that times the runs and gives the odd word of encouragement.

I'm only on week 1 so far which consists of three 30min sessions (Mon, Wed and Fri) where you walk briskly but at 90 sec intervals run for 60 sec. It doesn't sound that taxing but for the completely unfit (like me!) it gives a good balance of being achievable whilst feeling like you have done a bit of a workout.
So far I've done Monday's and Wednesday's sessions and should complete the week's requirement on Friday. Next week, it shifts up to running for 90 sec at a time with 2 min walks inbetween; week 3 is run 90 sec, walk 90 sec, run 3mins, walk 3 mins and repeat all of that twice.

I'm embarrassed to say that at the moment I don't know how I'll be able to run for 3 mins at a time but I guess by week 3 I'll be a lot more used to the programme. The gradual build up means I should be able to run 5k in approx 30mins by 19th July!

I'll keep you updated....

Sunny Sunday!

We had a lovely day yesterday. It was a gloriously sunny day and very warm so I decided to go into town and buy Owen a paddling pool. I had resisted up until now as I didn't know whether it would survive with the dogs but it was so warm yesterday that I didn't care!

I found a lovely little one with a shade over the top and , as you can see, Owen loved it!

I also bought him a bike seat which he loved! He went for a short ride behind Declan and I ran alongside taking photos!

My favourite photo of the moment though is this one as he and Declan set off, he waved good-bye to me!

It's the simple things in life...

So much over the last few weeks has been focussed around the General Election and - for me - the current restructure at work, but yesterday I had one of those moments that puts it all into perspective.

I took Owen to the park to play on the swings and found some dandelion clocks by the side of the path. I picked one and blew the seeds off and Owen wouldn't stop giggling at it! I did the same with another half dozen and for some reason he thought it was hilarious which then made me laugh :)

How wonderful to appreciate nature from the perspective of a 12month old :)

As an aside, he had a fantastic 1st birthday on Sunday. We are so grateful to all our friends and family that helped make his day a special one. He was an absolute star and despite not sleeping much during the day, remained sociable and happy throughout.

The General Election - A vote for the common good

This is the advice from the Catholic Bishops of England and Wales. I think any right minded person would try and use their vote for the good of their community, constituency, country and beyond.

The question is, who is deserving of that vote?!

On Sunday, I emailed the 3 candidates for the main parties the following:
"With less than a week to go, I am an undecided voter.
Could you tell me, if you were elected, what your priorities would be as MP for Reigate? (I don't mean the priorities of central government, I mean the priorities in representing the people of the Reigate constituency.)
Also what would your party do to tackle poverty, both here in the UK and around the world?"

So far I have only had a reply from the Labour candidate but I guess he has next to no chance of getting in and so probably has more time on his hands...

Anyone reading this, tell me who you think should get the vote for the common good?
I'm determined to vote but still undecided!

So what is a "blended girl"?!

The word "blended" came up in a discussion with friends a few weeks ago. Many of us were trying to work out how to juggle a baby or toddler with going back to work and fulfilling all the different roles we have.
We all have many different roles in life. some of mine include mother, wife, daughter, friend, pharmacist, catholic, football fan, musician and so the list goes on!
One of the challenges I've found is switching from one identity to another (I'm not schizophrenic really!). The idea of being "blended" is allowing the identities to merge into one and enable even more multi-tasking.

A blog is something that I've been thinking of doing for a few years now and with a busy life as a working mum, I think it will be a good thing to do - to take some time out to reflect and share bits of my life with the web. I look forward to continuing to share :)