A good "to do" list

I love a good list.

So does my sister, who adds things on, just so she can cross them off again.

But writing a list, does keep my thoughts together and I believe keeps my stress levels in tow.

However the book I am reading, suggests that we should stop creating the "To do" lists and instead, start writing "To be" lists.

Now that does make me stop and think.

What on earth would I write?

Be calm

Be bold

Be beautiful

Be kind

Be generous

So if you were to start writing things on your "To be" list, what would they be?

Sheer happiness

In the three years I have been blogging, I dont know if I have had one called "happiness". It is possible but I am not sure.

Even if I have had one, I want to name this one "happiness" 

Honestly my heart could explode with the emotions that I feel today.

For those of you who know me, you will understand.

As context, for whatever reason, I carry the burden of the family's health on my shoulders. It weighs heavy. Its not that we are stricken with health issues, but the ones we do have I carry with a heavy load. It's my thing.

One of those is the well-being of my eldest daughter. She has some mild things going on, which impact her ability to learn and socialise. As a consequence, she does not have a lot of friends.

In fact, as parents, our hearts have been broken a number of times on this issue.

Today, those broken hearts were repaired and even inflated. 

Today she turned 12. For her birthday she invited one person for a sleepover. It was risky, but a risk we were all up for. Now all I can see is that this was one of the best decisions we could have taken.

They built up a tent, chatted til midnight and were up at 7 doing more of the same. They laughed over a movie, went bowling and were given 20 francs for lunch at McDonalds which they were allowed to get themselves. They hung out in the garden and tickled each other, whilst splitting their sides laughing. They visited their friends mum and brought her letters and flowers and best of all, they decided that the sleepover would go on for another night!!!

They are off playing badminton as I type and the day is not over yet.....we have sausages on the open fire, nail varnish and smoothies at 4 and another movie to come!

 

My hubbie and I have been in awe of their beauty today. In awe of our daughter being happy. In peace at our daughter having fun. It has been a moment for us both. Such a wondeful day.

Her birthday has been so simple. Yet so magical.

My heart is so full of emotion and I am so greatful for this day.

Good Friday is a religious day on the calendar. I won't try to draw any paralells, but for us this day now has a new meaning and a new memory.

(oh and yes I get to eat meat and chocolate very soon too!!!!!!)

Exposing the bald bits

Each time I get a little braver in the changing rooms. You see having alopecia, or should I say, being bald, in public changing rooms is hard.

I live in a country, where people have no problem with nudity. People prance around changing rooms butt naked and even hold conversations whilst standing and facing you with absolutely nothing on. I tell you, I sometimes really don't know where to look.

Despite years of being out of the UK, I still hold on to my prudish tendencies and cover myself up only revealing what I have to.  So having a bald head is also like showing my bum, namely I don't do it. (Yes for those of you who know me for MANY years, I have been known to do this whilst a little inebriatated!)

However whilst quickly getting changed into gym clothes and later on out of them, it is my personal challenge not to bare the head. As a reminder I don't wear my hair in the gym, as it is very hot and uncomfortable, instead I wear a little fleece cap, which does the trick perfectly. 

A few years ago, I would have gone to lengths to hide my baldness and gotten changed in a place of complete privacy, yet over the years of changing in the gym, I have migrated to being swift and efficient, and staying in the main public space. (Note there are no cubicals in my gym)

However I am the ever practial gal, and if any hiding or cover up, takes time and effort, I am gradually shifting to the mode of just getting the job done.

So nowadays, I even find myself walking from the shower to my locker spot, often without my hat on. I often dry my head and leave it exposed whilst I put on my clothes.

I am very quick to do all this, as I do feel very awkward and odd in these moments, however I am moving towards acceptance and none humiliation.

In short it is starting to become like my other private parts of the body, you just keep them to yourself, but if for a short time they are exposed, you just get on with it and focus on the task.

I tell you, this is progress. It only took 10 years!