Blog- Just Bring the Chocolate

The waiting room

Published on 19th Apr 2012 by Renata

Being in a hospital waiting room is like being stuck at an airport waiting for a delayed plane, although without the promise of a holiday at the end of it. Dominic and I usually sit and while away the time staring at a small screen, me on Facebook him on the DSi. We're generally happy enough, occasionally talking and occasionally checking out the other families who spend the hours biting their bottom lips, fishing desperately in the bottom of deep handbags for rice cakes or other such things to try and persuade their children to agree to wait patiently as ...

Easter is just about the chocolate, right?

Published on 14th Apr 2012 by Renata

It was Easter Sunday last week, and my Facebook page was littered with people reminding me to remember the true meaning of Easter which apparently has nothing to do with chocolate. How disappointing. Although to be fair, for the most part, in our family it kind of isn't anymore anyway. It is not, however, because we are Christians, with the current exception of Lilia who is willing to subscribe to any organisation who manages to combine presents, chocolate and time off school with significant religious dates. I have always told my children that they are free to follow whatever religion ...

The Hardest Post to Share

Published on 7th Apr 2012 by Renata

They say that life changing events change you for the better. But nothing healthy or good has emerged from coming so close to losing Dominic. It has broken me and scarred me. It just made me so very sad, so very scared and so very lonely. But finding my way out and learning to accept that I could never have my ignorance back, that once you have felt the pain of saying goodbye you can never win back the peace that other parents seem to take for granted all around you has become part of my journey. It’s something that has woven itself into the way I see the world, see my family and ultimately see myself. It is part of everything, so it is undoubtedly part of my normal daily life.

The One Where I Embarrass Two out of Three of my Children

Published on 2nd Apr 2012 by Renata

I thought that perhaps my days of being able to surreptitiously gather ammunition for free and guiltless use against my children when they morph into grunting, fridge-clearing Neanderthals teenagers were all but over. Certainly my oldest (who is 9, but shows signs of precocious development of the evil genius trait earlier than I had originally prepared for) has started to realise what I'm up to, and so photo opportunities are now few and far between. However, it turns out if you leave three children in a room together, one of whom has a giant makeup case and two very irritating ...

A Freak Like You

Published on 1st Apr 2012 by Renata

It's been a strange old week. First I found out that you lovely people have nominated me for an award despite my British reserve and lack of confidence having prevented me from asking anyone to even consider me. I have since added the badge that is meant to encourage you to vote: if you look to the right you'll see it in all its pink glory. Seductive huh? It's almost teasing. No, I'd go so far as to say it's daring you to click on it isn't it? Don't fight your urge, really it's ok to succumb to the badge, ...