Decemberish

Hey folks,

I'm sat in the kitchen drinking a gin and tonic. The rain is pelting the windows outside, and the wind is gearing up for another stormy night. Christmas has passed in a blur of wrapping paper, food and socialising. Apart from some horrid twenty four hour bug that felled me, I have mostly enjoyed it all. I love Christmas Eve, and I love the bit in-between Christmas and New Year. The expectation followed by the quiet contemplation. And permission to lounge and loaf. To lie in, and follow a leisurely pace during the day. A bit of topping and tailing around the house, but no more than that.

I've enjoyed the blustery walks along the beaches with the boys, and absolutely loved spending time with them all. We've laughed (and bickered) and watched good (and bad) TV. We've gone to the cinema and been to the shops. Alfie bought me a rather gorgeous mug and Sam a book on foraging for Christmas. Olly bought me a couple of lavender bags. They had some nice things too; clothes, Lego, crafty bits, books, hair products. Nothing particularly out of the ordinary, but it was a treat to be able to dip my hand a little deeper into my pocket with my Ship Shape spoils. I enjoyed filling their stockings with a few extras.

Of course I think I spoil them too much at this time of the year. And my Mum went totally over board with the chocolate, biscuits and Quality Street. And I guess that I could get bogged down in the guilt of it all, and how I get sucked into the commercialism of this time of year. My dream is for a simple affair, but that's more about my feelings at this time of year than anything else.

When I look back on 2017, there has been a lot of stuff happening. Ship Shape of course. But other highlights include our holiday to France, the butterflies and moths spotted, my running progress, Marc's new job that finally saw him settled, little adventures with Olly, Mum moving back to Cornwall, a smattering of writing at the dining table and a slow confidence building within. Not bad, if I say so myself.

I have made a couple of promises to myself. Not resolutions. Small steps forward perhaps. And if I was to choose a word to see me through the new year, it would be 'persevere.' I intend to keep marching forward, looking up instead of down. I intend to do battle with the black dog and win more than I lose. I intend to commit to paper more than I did in 2017. I intend to be the master of the smear free executive shower screen.

I wish for all of you a happy, healthy and exciting 2018. I reckon it's going to be a good one. Thank you so, so much for stopping by and reading what has become a rather sporadic blog. Another intention of mine; to kick start this space. I have so enjoyed connecting and sharing with you all.

With all my love to you and yours,


Leanne xxx