11th Aug 2017
Well a few things have happened this week. Henry is officially job hunting and has started applying for new jobs. He’s very excited at the prospect of a new challenge, but more importantly he can’t wait to be able to spend more time with Polly. The last two weeks he has been off in the middle of the day between milkings (he milks cows- not sure if I’d mentioned that!) and he’s loved spending more time with her. Particularly as she’s developing an awesome personality. I know, I know, I’m going to say that as I’m the one who birthed her and is raising her. But honestly, she is hilarious to be around and is so cheeky- I know I may regret writing this in 3 years when she’s giving me sass about not being allowed a kinder egg every time we go shopping.
This week she also discovered the magic of puddles! 
Sadly, as we changed car I also had the joy of changing the details on our car insurance. Gotta say, I could think of better things to spend 2 hours of my day then being sat on the phone listening to stupid music and the stupid recorded message of “We are busy (no shit!) and are doing everything we can to answer your query.” Polly did enjoy dancing to said music and I even managed to multi task in the extreme when I put her down for a nap (story time and all!) while still on hold! So, I have to say after the 2 hour nightmare where I spoke to most people in the call centre including the cleaner, I was slightly delighted to get a feedback survey through the next morning where I could have my little rant even though I know it’ll probably find itself on the cutting room floor.
Some other writing that I hope doesn’t make it onto the cutting room floor was also written this week. Yes, I’m writing again! I hadn’t written anything for almost a month so was pleased to find myself taping away on the laptop. It’s the same novel I’ve been plodding away at for years. The rate I’m going I’ll be about 70 when it’s ready to go to a publisher! But even if I never get to that stage I love being able to just flip the laptop up and start writing. It’s my story, all mine and I love being able to write it.
The other thing that happened is quite big in my personal life. I’m not going to name the person as that’s not fair. Someone who I’ve known for as long as I can remember opened up about the difficult journey she’s been on. It’s a journey that I didn’t even realise she was going on at first. A journey I played no part in (well no positive part) when we spent a year not talking. I’m not going to make this about me as it’s not about me. It’s about her. I’m not going to list of a huge apology as that won’t help the matter. Instead I’m going to write about it. I’m going to make sure I raise my children with openness and honesty where they can come to me with anything (I hope). I’m going to do practical things to raise the issue of depression and other mental illnesses. Anything else would be an insult to her. We let her down, everyone who knew her. I don’t want to see anyone else being let down, so if anyone ever does read this blog, please, if you think someone is acting out of character, being off for a reason you can’t pinpoint… don’t make assumptions. Don’t judge them. Don’t tell them off. Most importantly, don’t make it about you. Just let that person know that you’re there, ready to listen and learn, whenever they are ready. And don’t be offended if they confide in someone else and you don’t find out for ten years. It’s not your journey, it’s theirs. Lastly to the person this is about, who knows exactly who she is and who I know will read this- I love you and I’m proud of you. And to the person who rescued her, who she could confide in- thank you for altering the course of her journey into a more positive one.