Creative moments

Hello lovelies - I'm back from my little break and catching up on everyone's posts. I'm glad that I decided to have a week off as although I've missed this little space I needed to get my head in gear. As you can read here, a very good friends sister passed away in France last week, which hit me incredibly hard and I needed to sort things out in my head. It still doesn't make sense and it's made me re-evaluate what I'm doing but I'm glad to be back.

I got the inspiration to write a post last Wednesday so went with it, only to realise that my daughter hadn't charged my iPad and it died before I had saved the main bulk. It was then I decided to leave here for a week, I need to run with my creativity when it arrives and I've felt lately that I've been forcing it at times, which has lead to frustration and some not so good work. So now, I have taken next week off from the museum to spend time with Megan on her school holidays and to take some pressure off. I have work to do at home but when an idea comes to me I'll be at home to roll with it, even if it hits me (as quite often it does) when I'm lying in bed at night, I won't need to worry about getting up with the alarm the next day. How do you work? Can you switch on your creativity or do you have to roll with it when it arrives?

Amy

xx

Paris with a heavy heart

It's common knowledge in these parts that I adore Paris. I love the beauty, architecture, the food and lifestyle. Most importantly, my memories in the city have been made possible by the most wonderful friend that a girl could have. I never turn down an opportunity to visit yet this is one trip that I wish wasn't necessary.

I've debated hitting delete on this post as it's not the cheery one that I wanted to post today. However this blog is supposed to represent my life and life isn't all sunny and rosy and today, as although the sun is out and it's beautifully warm already, my heart is breaking for my dear friend Henri and his family, as his beautiful sister who lost her fight with cancer on Sunday night. She was courageous and dignified until the end and fought with all that she had to stay with her family. Life is so cruel, a husband has lost his wife, my sweet friend and his brother have lost their beloved sister. A parent should never have to bury their child and two young children should never have to grow up without their mother. 

I frequently struggle to make sense of this world and this is one of the hardest things to accept. Their family are good, decent people through and through, not a bad word is spoken by any of them. My friend is the sweetest, kindest soul, who has helped me down many a difficult path, without judgement and without question he has welcomed me into his home and has grounded me when needs be. Nobody deserves this, but in particular, she did not deserve to leave this earth so young. This family do not deserve to be grieving as they are.

My heart broke when my phone went off late Sunday night. It was one of those times when you feel sick to your stomach when you see who it is because you know what awaits when you answer it. So now, it is my turn to step up to do what he has done for me so many times. How you help someone through something like this I am not sure, but I know that this trip to Paris will be my most important and emotional.  

I can't even contemplate how she must have felt knowing that she was leaving her beautiful children behind, the thought of leaving me daughter to grow up without me doesn't ever bare thinking about. All I want to do is hold her and Tim close to me and never let them go. Make sure that you tell those around you that you love them, the sad reality is that you never know when the chance may be taken away from you.

Repose en Paix Anne, tu êtes enfin sorti de la douleur. Gros bisous xxx

I will be back soon with a more cheery post, but please bare with me as I help my friend through this devastating time.

Amy

xx

Supercalifragalisticexpialidocious

This weekend consisted of cake, cake and more cake! Both my daughter and niece celebrated their birthdays. Megan turned 12 and my niece Olivia turned 4.

While we were at it, my partners birthday was last Tuesday, but as he is away during the week he thought he'd gotten away with it! But alas, he was surprised with a cake by my sister and also had to endure a rendition of 'Happy Birthday' by everyone at the restaurant!

Megan had decided that this year she wanted to make her own cake and that she did! The heart shaped zebra-striped number was all the work of my gorgeous girl!


I'm still trying to come to terms with the fact I'm the mother of a 12 year old! Many of you will know that she has ASD and makes me so proud with what she overcomes and achieves every day.


My handsome nephews with their big cousin.

Sunday was the turn of my beautiful niece Olivia. She is a born star and makes us laugh so much. My sister is a singer and studied musical theatre at university. This little one is a chip off the old block and loves nothing more than belting out a number from Wicked, Frozen or her all time favourite Mary Poppins. She knows all the words, dances and does all the the accents and I'm so glad that she loves this film as it's one of my favourites. Her birthday cake was a masterpiece and made by one of my sisters friends. It was worth every single penny as she was delighted! The theme continued with a custom made Mary Poppins dress and a plush doll bought by moi!

I'm so proud of all our children (and of Tim who does his best to stay out of the limelight - the photo above is very rare!).

What little that was left of rest of the weekend was spent cuddled up on the sofa, watching the F1 and films. We're all exhausted now but it was most definitely worth spending time as a family. Due to Tim's job, time together is short and precious and he's not usually able to attend family days / evenings out.

I hope you all had fun aswell! :)

Amy-Louise

xx

Linking up with Leanne & Jess

Happy Birthday Baby

I'll probably get in trouble for this as my man doesn't like much attention on him. I took this photo a couple of weeks ago, he still doesn't know that it exists and he'd probably like this day to pass unnoticed!

On the other hand, I was upset to discover that I wouldn't see him on his birthday. We're apart during the week and in his line of work there was no chance of taking the day off. I'm incredibly proud of everything he does, how hard he's working for our future, how much he wants to provide for our family but I wish at times he would slow down a bit.

To say he's changed my life is an understatement. He's brought me out of myself again, given me the confidence to go for what I want and the support and love that I've craved for so long. He's been there when things have been tough, not only standing by me but has lifted me up when I've been at my weakest.

source here

We may have taken a long time to get here and things may not be as we want them to be at the moment, but I'm so happy that I get to spend my life with my best friend. So, Happy Birthday babe. I can't wait to see you this weekend to celebrate. I love you.

Amy-Louise

xx

Linking up with IBOT and Random Wednesday