Heimweh

You may not know that I lived and worked in Germany for a year in my late teens. I’ve wanted to return for ages, particularly to show my husband and boys where I lived so they can understand and picture that part of my life. We’ve finally made it here, as part of our summer holiday.

Some things are almost exactly the same as they were, so much so it hardly feels possible that fifteen years could have passed! Smells especially evoke such strong associations and bring back particular memories. Other things have moved on, especially many of the people I knew back then, which makes it strange and unfamiliar at the same time as feeling like I’ve stepped back into my old life.

Either way, I’m so glad we came here. I’ve had a lovely couple of days showing the boys around, rediscovering the local area and enjoying the peaceful surroundings. I’m so glad I came back, but I’m happy to be leaving again tomorrow. I feel like I’ve sated the desire to return, told the story to my boys and can turn the page again.

It really is beautiful here though!

Advertisement

Summer

Having struggled to fill it in previous years, this summer seems to have ended up packed full of activities and away time.

Shopping with friends for cardigan buttons and other goodies.

A little DIY in the kitchen and the saucepan lids have a new home.

A return to the family ranch is always good for the soul.

The tomatoes are coming along well and we have a pumpkin that has continued growing beyond golf ball size.

There’s also been lots of reading (Swallows and Amazons with Pumpkin is wonderful!), lots of sewing and still a few name labels to go! Lots of fun at the park and meeting friends, cinema, theatre, TV, Scrabble, all sorts! The summer isn’t over yet and there’s plenty more fun to be had.

Hope you’re enjoying yours!

Fruition

Today, I am breathing a deep sigh of relief. To cut a long story short, after 4 different applications involving 6 different schools and 2 different local councils, 9 months of waiting and commuting, and 2 years of it occupying an insanely large amount of head space, we finally heard the very welcome and long awaited news that Pumpkin has a place at the same school as Pickle for September.

I can’t tell you how relieved and happy I am and how much lighter I feel. Physically lighter, like a huge weight has lifted. I can finally stop wondering and worrying and waiting! Two years of thinking and questioning, planning and hoping and just waiting and waiting has finally come to fruition.

Its funny how things happen all at the same time though isn’t it?

After four unsuccessful auditions, my fifth one finally resulted in a casting! I didn’t get either of the roles I went for, but I’m very happy to be a member of the ensemble for this one. It’s with a company I’ve not worked with before, so a foot in the door is a great start.

And as these things seem to go in threes, I’m also happy to report that my tomatoes have finally made their own move towards fruition and have at long last started to ripen!