Somebody told me this week that I’m like a swan – calm on the surface but paddling like crazy underneath. It’s a good description of life right now – there’s a lot of things going on under the surface but on the outside at least, I’m doing my best to hold it all together and be there for those around me who need me to be calm and supportive right now.

I’m thankful that I do have people around me who are supportive when I need it too. I’m not always so good at asking for help but knowing that I have that support network there does help.
Rehearsals are also now ramping up for Calendar Girls as we get closer to show week. There’s less than three weeks to go until opening night and I’m really looking forward to getting on stage. I love the buzz of performing and I love the escapism of it – the way I get to be someone else for a while.
I’m doing okay. There’s a lot going on, but we’ll get through it.
What I’ve been grateful for this week:
- Day 269 – I am grateful for a lovely evening at the theatre seeing The Great British Bake Off: The Musical
- Day 270 – I am grateful that Strictly Saturdays are back!
- Day 271 – I am grateful for memories popping up on my social media with beautiful little moments captured of my girls having fun together. They had such a beautiful bond. I wish they could have had more moments to share and the joy of both being big sisters together with Thomas. But always so grateful for all the moments that were shared and captured on camera.
- Day 272 – I am grateful that Sophie got into the junior ensemble for the panto again – oh yes she did!
- Day 273 – I am grateful for a quiet evening at home.
- Day 274 – I am grateful for a lovely sunrise making our early morning start more bearable!
- Day 275 – I am grateful for Thomas’s gorgeous giggles while being tickled.
Other things that have made me smile this week:
- Having my first organ lesson back after the summer break and being told that my playing has improved over the summer.
- A post from Action Medical Research sharing Jessica’s story for World Heart Day. Always so lovely to see Jessica’s face popping up in my social media feed.
- Sophie getting her new glasses. She’s very happy with them.

Joining in with Raisie Bay for Word of the Week.


Asking for help is such a hard thing to do; sometimes, you are not exactly sure what help you need, but it’s so helpful to know you have a good support system in place.
Well done to Sophie on the Panto part. I can’t believe we are already coming into panto season.
Best of luck with the Calendar Girls show; it seems to have come around quickly.
Have a lovely weekend x
You do seem like a swan. You always seem so calm even when you have lots going on! I am glad you had a good support network!
How exciting to be so close to the opening night of the show.
I am so happy Strictly Saturdays are back too. I am loving it!
Congrats to Sophie for getting into the panto and her new glasses look fab! x
Love Sophie’s glasses 🙂 and well done to her for getting in the panto. That’s us mum’s all over isn’t it? Paddling like crazy but not wanting to ask for help. I hope you get to just glide for a while soon x
Well done to Sophie to get into the panto. She looks cute with the glasses.
I also think it is wonderful that Jessica’s story is told and that she is remembered. Sending you virtual hugs. xx
Huge congrats to Sophie with the pants, she looks so grown up with those new glasses. I’m rubbish at asking for help, especially when I do ask for help and get a no in response, so I stop asking, it sucks. I hope the rehearsals are going well, can’t believe how fast the show has come round.