Year: 2021

2021: a look back

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Hi, Like the year before, 2021 seems to have been an odd fellow. We seemed to have a brush of normality, and yet, COVID never seemed far away. The long shadow of Xmas Before and the long winter that followed. As a family, we’ve kept up with mask wearing in shops and in public places. Yes, I’ve not been as rigorous at Chams, but – and let’s skip any jokes about cheese & wine it’s-not-a-party umm ‘events’, sorry business meetings – with there being a small number of us, and by keeping social distances, we have remained okay. The good news this year is that while the Ever Lovely Mrs J’s health took a bit of a dip, her changes […]

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One size

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Hi, Having had the luxury of an extra week off before Christmas, we’re very much enjoying the second week off. As much as being a grown-up brings certain responsibilities, it does not include homework. Child 2.0 has a few items set and they’re doing their best to get them out of the way With that in mind, the old phrase school days are the best days of your life hauled itself out of the depths. Okay, maybe for some, but listening to the Ever Lovely Mrs J, a few friends, and my own experience, really, things got a lot better when we were out of it. So, for anyone currently in school reading this, it does get better and no, […]

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Happy holidays

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Hi, Well, the Jones family have now retreated to their respective caves and there’s just myself and two hounds on the sofa. After a very pleasant walk in a nearby country park, the final push on the wrapping up, and the now traditional cheese board tea, we’re coasting beautifully into Christmas Eve. At this time of year, even with the COVID situation, Christmas can be quite the pressure cooker. Please remember, it’s just a day. It doesn’t need to be perfect and it’s absolutely okay to retreat to apply self care if required. We’re all human, even [insert famous person’s name you don’t like] 🙂 If possible, get outside if you can – alone or otherwise – and try not […]

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Slow time

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Hi, This week the Ever Lovely Mrs J and I have been trying to slow down and be kind to ourselves. The internal less than friendly voice that nags me – Major Panic? – does not seem to like this. So, I’m doing what I can to just kick back and drift gently into Christmas. Perhaps it’s hangover of the now-now-now of work culture that needs to jog on for both of us. Sure, there’s wrapping to be done and we do need to get a few items in food wise. With the kids being teens and neither Mrs J nor I feeling in need of anything in particular, I think this year’s wrapping activity may be thankfully low. Both […]

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…and breathe

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Hi, The out of office button’s been pushed, the timesheet goblin fed, and I can close the laptop lid until next year. Oh, that feels good to write. Due to a spot of luck around holidays, I’ve managed to save some days back to match the Ever Lovely Mrs J and the kids’ break too. Not that I imagine the teenagers will surface before Mrs J and I are back from our morning walk 🙂 I am planning on slowing down and taking a break from the busy-busy of work. I was talking to a friend last night and indeed work colleagues have said similar, in that November and December really seem to have hammered people’s energy levels. I would […]

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Not quite blue

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Hi, Last month I was sorting out my closet and having a bit of a tidy up. The half height built in cupboard – or skyscraper if you’re from The Shire 😉 – doubles as my main store for Lynn clothes (we will ignore the tall ‘dress cupboard’ and half cupboard for tops 🤭) and also impromptu storage for Christmas presents. My hand fell to an old wig that’s been resting at the back, unworn since before COVID was a twinkle in a patient zero’s eye. I had bought it years ago and while it was not quite me, it was a lovely ‘do. Pre restyle it was shoulder length (see Xmas Do of yesteryear) and after Steph recut it […]

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