Happy Birthday to me

I write to you as the proud owner of a 45 year old body. And given my increase of exercise I was happy to wake up the day after I turned 45 with a painful hip! The weekend began with a bit of much needed sorting and moving a large piece of furniture which made me very happy, the dining room, although it feels unfinished, does now feel as full as I want it. It's a lovely space to sit and eat, especially as BigA had mowed the lawn and underneath all the dandelions was a lawn of some description. And then we got ready for a wedding reception, and Lauren, a pal we know from Malawi picked us up and we met up with some other friends from Malawi, including the bride and groom. 

Hannah and Nick, who after a year away from Malawi are moving back and stayed overnight with us. It was so lovely to see everyone but I did shed a tear as I said goodbye to each one, not being sure when we will see each other again. 

So to the big day, my birthday. BigA had set off early to Oxford to deliver some training and so I woke up to a quiet house and a present on the pillow next to me. I didn't open it but instead plodded downstairs, made myself a cuppa and sat in my dining room and opened the array of cards I'd been sent. It was lovely to put them all on the fireplace. Then after another cup of tea, A and M got up and we opened all my presents, sat together, on my bed. I felt very spoiled and was so pleased with how well everyone knows me, great gifts. 6 jigsaws in total and lovely face stuff, and a fantastic apron from BigA.A bit later on we had ice cream from an icecream van and a lovely evening meal at a great Turkish place, we ate a lot of food. We also went to the pub where BigA and I celebrated our engagement and our wedding. Lovely memories. 

I  finally caught up with some other pals this week, including wonderful Uma, wonderful chats and hugs. Great to see them all and be reminded of my lovely community of people around me who I love spending time with. I've been good and booked in for a smear test and the kind man at reception also told me that I'm due for some 'you're old now' blood tests so I've booked those in too. Honestly, it's like I'm getting ready to fall apart now I have to tick the 45- 54 years old section on forms. 

I've been recognised by 2 ex pupils this week and happily they were both very happy to see me, one from Park View and one from Southgate, the Southgate one, Lenni was off for a maternity check up with her second child, adding to the feeling of being rather older than I used to be. Given that the students I taught A-level to when I first qualified will be turning 40 this year, means I could easily be teaching some of their children by now! 

A has been on holiday for 2 days with her boyfriend and his family. Making her way on various trains which made me very proud of her for being so independent. This of course left M with just me and BigA for a couple of days. She is very lovely and joined BigA for some frisbee and me for TV watching. Millie also got her IGCSE PE result, because it's through Cambridge. She got a 9 - the best you can get so very proud and happy for her on that. They both get the rest next week. 

I went out with my pal Joanna last night, we drank expensive wine and a cocktail or two, so my head is a little delicate this morning. When we first got to the pub we were rather horrified at the number of children, so many of them and the accompanying pushchairs and noise. It was 6pm and it was with relief that by 7:30 only one child was left and shortly after, the bedraggled parent left, and with them and the balance bike. Phew. We then felt happier with our sweary and more adult topics of conversation.