A Slice of Sanity - 154/366

It's been an awful few weeks, hence the lack of blogging and 366 posts this week. There's been tears and tiredness and a whole lot of heartache but I won't elaborate on it at the moment if you don't mind! I did manage to escape the madness for some afternoon tea with my good friend Alana whose chat and witty humour drew out some semblance of sanity. Well, she is a clinical psychologist so who better to ease my mind! 

Tea, Cake and Company - 22/366

As I mentioned in my Reasons to be Cheerful post I went for Afternoon Tea today with Alana, one of my good friends. Despite running late (as usual) we arrived in a beautiful little cafe/restaurant called The Birdcage in Musselburgh, Edingburgh. It was a really pretty setting and the staff were friendly and welcoming. We were served with Prosecco and a cake/sandwich platter. I'm sure the cakes were nice but they barely touched the sides because I was starving!

We had a lovely few (JC free) hours where we were able to catch up on her Honeymoon adventures and the goings on in both our lives. It was a really nice opportunity just to chat and I had forgot how easy it was to be in her company. I think that is the mark of a true friend, someone who, after you haven't seen them in a while, still makes you feel totally at ease and the conversation just flows like you see them everyday. I am very thankful to have her in my life as she has been such a huge support to me over the past few years with 'big things' like my wedding, JC's arrival and my struggle recently with Post Natal Depression. We celebrated her wedding last May and she has just qualified as a Doctor, I am very proud of her. JC has just learned to say her name. He is calling her Anndana, very cute!

I do have reasons to be cheerful - R2BC

I had a bit of a rough day yesterday and found it hard to muster up some cheerfulness but after a good nights sleep I am feeling more positive today. So better late than never . . .

1. I am losing weight. I told you it would happen and it is. I'm not dieting but I am eating better. I am feeling more confident that the weight will start to shift now that I am in control of what I'm eating. I have booked into classes at my gym next week and I am really looking forward to becoming active again. I haven't really managed any proper exercise since JC was born.

2. I am going out with one of my good friends tomorrow for Afternoon Tea. We don't see much of each other and we haven't had good quality 'chat time' in a while. There has been so much change in both our lives recently that I doubt there will be a second of silence. I am looking forward to catching up and of course enjoying the delicious tea and cakes (in moderation!).

3. JC is talking! He is starting to anyway. He is 17 months now and understands a lot of language, probably more than we realise but he is a little bit insecure about speaking out. He tends to whisper words under his breath or he does this strange ventriloquist thing by speaking with his mouth closed. Over the last week we were hearing a least a couple of new words a day. He was also singing Happy Birthday after hearing it being sung to a child at his childminders. I try not to get too hung up on stages of development as all children are different but I am happy that he is walking and now starting to talk. I guess if he is anything like his mum there will come a time that I wish he would be quiet!

Check out the other cheerful posts on Michelle's linky and add your own to take part in her anniversary giveaway!

April - Phew!

The theme in the Gallery this week is April. We had a pretty busy time of it this April hence the blog silence recently so here are some of my favourite snaps from the past month  . . .

My Birthday - I spent the day with family as my hubby was away to the Gadget Show in Birmingham. My Mum and Step Dad made me this delicious cake! If you look closely, the pink flower at the bottom is missing a petal. An eyewitness claimed to see JC eat but there was insufficient evidence to bring charges!

JC's first holiday - Brno, Czech Republic to visit my Dad. We spent lots of time chilling in the sunny garden and visiting the park. The weather was beautiful and JC was very well behaved. The Grumpinator did come come at night a few times but was kept at bay on the plane which was my main worry!

I love this picture of my two boys. 

JC's first visit to Brno Zoo. He loved the tigers and bears. 

Alana's Hen Weekend - My good friend Alana is getting married in a few weeks. I had a lovely time at her Hen weekend. The Friday night was a twilight themed night full of games and 'organised fun'. The Saturday was a Hawaiian theme with cocktails in the garden, hot tub fun and out for a lovely Italian meal at night.  

My lovely friend Jemma took me out for a spa day at The Scotsman hotel in Edinburgh as a birthday treat. My had a relaxing morning in the jacuzzi, sauna, steam room and pool. Finished off the morning with a manicure and some bubbly.







After the spa morning we went to Hotel Du Vin for a fabulous afternoon tea. The cakes were delicious and the whole spread was so filling that we had to take home a doggy bag as we couldn't finish it!

What a wonderfully busy and exciting April! 

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