Postscript

Half an hour after writing my last post I have just heard that someone died at the end of the half marathon today. No one I know, but still it feels poignant after my last entry. Unbeknown to those watching or the person running someone we cheered past was in their last moments of life. Today for us was good, for an other family their world will have suddenly turned upside down, and I feel for them. I am reminded again of the thread by which we all live, and how nothing should be taken for granted. Make the most of your days. Jane

Marathon

To-day was half marathon day. Before you faint- no it wasn't me running, we were there to support my very disciplined other half, and a few friends along the way.
It's always an adventure going to support; firstly you have to get your car inside the road closure zone at a stupid early hour on a Sunday morning. Once inside the zone we wander to a friends house, where bacon rolls, coffee and cake welcome us, perfect.
Then the waiting starts by the side of the road. First a few runners speed past, then we wait some more. Finally, you hear the patter- the sounds of many feet hitting the ground and the crowd comes before you, wave after wave of runners going past in to what becomes a blur. There are the serious, the fun runners and the ridiculous (who would run as an apple?) but we stand, watch and clap.

Finally, we break the rules in the car going through the back streets to get to the stadium for the end. The elation from those that finish pass to those who have watched, the silver foil wrapped round the runners at the end sparkles in the sunlight.
It is a sunny Sunday, and re-united we walk slowly back as times are compared between friends. I will never run a half marathon, but to-day it has been a good day to share with those who have worked so hard through the winter months to get to to-day. And to whoever was wearing that mankini; there is only one question to ask- why??

Jane

Out of the Ordinary

As you may have picked up from some of my posts I spend alot of my days dashing from thing to thing, with little chance in my day to stop. Time or lack of it is something I continually struggle with, and strive to have more of. At the start of this week work was crazy, everyone seeming to want a piece of me, and my brain flitting between to do lists and making an appropriate response.
Today the world turned upside down and I started jury service. Suddenly there was time. I sat in a waiting room, with no option to leave for 3.5 hours. No one came and demanded of my time. I had no work emails that I could answer. Instead there was acres of space. This afternoon there was more. I'm not great with space, and the contrast to earlier in the week was huge. Today was an out of the ordinary day, of learning how to accept space, of waiting.
In yet, both yesterday and today I have had unexpected conversations, where people have landed unexpectedly in my day, and the conversation has quickly got to a deeper level. These are the moments that life should be about, the connection with others, the point where you can be there for someone in their moment of need. I am struck again how these conversations take you by surprise, how they arrive when you don't expect it. I like that. It takes away from the routine.
So, on my out of the ordinary day, I am less tired, but most of all thankful for those connections that can occur no matter how you spend your day.

Jane

saturday

saturday was a great. the sun was shining. weekend jobs were put off. a jaunt was called for. i went record shopping with a friend. bliss. that might not be everyones idea of fun. but. to me, it is. i am an old school girl. i remember the glory days of vinyl. the days where i used to save up my pocket money to go to the local record shop (the one that wasn't woolworths) to buy a record. as the local record shop has long since gone a trip to hmv was called for. again old school; i like to buy the cd. i know it's all about downloads now. but. there is something great about actually going to a shop and having the instant gratification of the record in your hands. no delivery to wait for. that to me will always be better than the tracks appearing on your computer screen. you never have the artwork in your hands. i'm way too sentimental for that. it makes me sad to think that one day it will be downloads only. my storage space will be freed up. but give me visually stimulating artwork any day.


so what did we buy? music i had never listened to before. in this day and age when you can check out online prior to buying with the likes of spotify or we7. i did neither. i listened to the radio. the actual radio. in my office the radio is mainly background music. every now and then tracks get through the quiet and arrest you. that's what happened with michael kiwanuka. his track i'm getting ready stood out. when i heard him do a live lounge performance. that was it. he was the winner of the bbcs sound of 2012. judging by this record. i am not surprised. brilliant. 

(of course the artwork might also have helped the impromptu purchase).

my second choice was emeli sande our version of events.  this voice came through the tv screen whilst flicking channels.

what a voice. what a talent. this girl trained to be a doctor before starting performing herself. she writes songs for others too. the sleeve note thanks read like a whos who. she also won awards this year; the brit awards critics choice. parts of this record bring to mind massive attacks blue lines. to me. that is no bad thing.

i bought both records blind. i am not disappointed.

my friend opted for records old and new. the old was saint etienne. the best of.  

(i quite like the packaging of this one too).

the new was broken bells.  i had been told about the project. found it unlikely. we listened on spotify. loved it. he bought it. on second listen i remembered a lot of the tracks. i love that. that's when you know you have good songs. the singalong factor at the second listen. when it happens at first listen, you know you have a keeper.

finally. thirty one. this was the reason for the record shopping trip. a birthday voucher to spend. this was the record that was selected to be the present. i was happy about that.

thirty one has been put together by the factory foundation in manchester on behalf of CALM (campaign against living miserably). it is a charity that aims to help reduce the suicide rate amongst men under the age of thirty five. i would urge you to buy this record not just because it has good tracks on. but. because it will help others. 

records purchased. car journey home. sun still shining. french doors flung open. glass of wine poured. now the marathon ripping of cds commences. and. scanning of barcodes into databases. (thats the sign of a modern record buying person).  the music and conversation continues late into the evening. musically stimulated. happy. content. i was glad i put the jobs off until sunday.

Emma 

seven day snapshot

a birthday cake. first time. nigella never lets me down. a trifle. first time. "it was the best trifle i have ever tasted" said steve. lorraine pascale a new heroine. big fat tipsy trifle. click through the link and try it for yourself. you will not be disappointed. i guarantee. word of warning; it takes longer to put together than she says. at least the first time. it's worth the effort. mothers day. and the youngest nephew is smiling. and laughing.  

Emma

Meet the new addition

This is Patchy. Amid much excitement he joined our home on Monday evening. He is very lovely, and likes his wheel. We are getting used to the sound of a squeaking wheel all night. He sleeps all day. Fun times.


Jane

tribute

reading janes post about mothers day brought tears to my eyes. i remember barbara well. jane and i have been friends since school. growing up in the 80's amongst other strikes we remember the teachers strike. during that time we were not allowed to stay on school premises at lunch time. jane lived near our school. each lunch time for what seemed like months (although i cannot remember actually how long) we went to janes house to have lunch. each day barbara would appear with drinks and offer us whatever she had baked that week (flapjack and parkin were the favourites) to accompany the packed lunches we brought with us.  after janes dad died i became the friend who jane would call and ask to pop in and check on her mum if she was worried about her.  that was the time i got to know barbara well. up until that point we hadn't got past the polite conversation you have with a good friends mum. the more i popped in to check and report back the more we built up a rapport that resulted in me being just as cheeky to her as i am with my own mum. the laughter came easy. when she became ill i was happy that i could be someone to visit her in reading who reminded her of her beloved north west roots. i know how much jane misses her. i know too what a fantastic mother jane is. she exhibits touches of her mum; she bakes, she walks, she loves nature. whilst remaining her own independent soul. moulding and challenging the young lives she has care over into the man and woman they will be become. i know barbara would be proud. i have no doubt. 


as i read the post i realise that i take my own mum for granted. i am guilty of thinking she will be around forever. when the truth is we do not know what is around the corner for anyone. janes post made me realise that i need to embrace some time with my mum. for that prod i will be eternally grateful. we did celebrate with her yesterday. my sister, her family and myself. mum is now grandma. as such is shared around further. to her children she is known as magic madge. to her grandchildren grandma magic. really she is just mum. and i love her. 


Emma