It’s that time of year again – everywhere you look there are pink hearts, flowers, embarrassed people in card shops trying to buy something suitable and yet at the same time not be seen to be buying anything. Lots of tacky gifts that will be consigned to a cupboard, loft or drawer once the novelty value has worn off but at the same time, when they are given they will be gratefully accepted. It is also a time when people can feel lonely and isolated.
Restaurants, shops and the back rows of cinemas may be filled with canoodling couples but then there are those who have been left alone after relationship break ups, death of a loved one or by their loved one being away for an extended time. I’m not saying we shouldn’t enjoy the day but I do wonder if Saint Valentine would have approved of the large amount of flowers, chocolates, and teddies that will be exchanged in his name. Of course we all like to be spoiled, in my own time I have been known to have a small strop when the day has passed by unmarked!
It did make me think however when Hpops announced she had to make a card, last time we spoke about boys she reacted by hands over her ears, eyes closed and tongue out. Apparently though she wants to send them to her family, which is quite sweet and when I was last in the card shop I couldn’t help noticing the myriad of cards for sons, daughters, brothers, sisters and even cats and dogs. I know if I took pixie into the card shop she would straight away want to buy cards for everyone she knows because she is at the age where she still loves everyone and they are all important to her!
Hpops has her first junior school disco tonight followed by her first girly sleepover tomorrow. I am not sure how they are going to go, she had to be a little persuaded to go to the disco – after all there was the outfit to consider, would it be trendy enough, would she look cute? (where did she learn to apply that word to her own appearance?) and what dance moves would she be expected to perform. I guess I’ll see how that turns out later. The sleepover tomorrow is something she is excited about – she has a ready bed, pj’s and overnight bag all ready and I am just hoping that when it comes to sleep time she doesn’t freak out and need to come home, luckily it is a local party but would prefer for there not to be a 2am call out!
This week marathon training has been hindered, like most other things, by the snow and more recently the ice, whilst the roads are fairly clear the pavements are lethal except in a few places where driveways have been cleared. Many people have resorted to walking in the road but I have decided not to run in the road as I fear a car skidding on ice trying to go round me or injuring myself jumping out of the way of the traffic. I did manage to walk 2.5 miles in the snow on Monday and Tuesday and have been cross training every day so hoping that when I do get back to proper training all of the hard work hasn’t been undone. I am planning on using the treadmill at the gym until the promised big thaw begins.
Half term approached and we are celebrating Mr T’s parents ruby wedding anniversary! As Mr T is going to be around I should get in a full week of training and be back on track by the time the kids go back to school! Pixie swaps so morning school after half term so for the first time I will be dropping all three kids off in the morning, and whilst I have to pick Pixie up at 1130, I will get to train and have a coffee before collecting her. She seems quite excited at the change despite being in the same school and class with the same teacher! I hope she will still be as enthusiastic when she attends all day in September.
So to all my friends, readers whether you be loved up or not a happy valentines day and remember that even if the right one is still hiding in some far flung corner of the world each of us is special and someone somewhere loves you!