Saturday, August 25, 2012

Summer 2012

I can hardly believe that this summer is nearly over! I have to say that this has been the best summer yet. Last year was a total washout. Weather wise it wasn't great. Kids were bored. Nobody was around. Holiday was, well, hard to endure. But this year has been great! Kids have played out lots and lots although there has been buckets of rain here and there. We have visited tons of people and been on several mini trips which has worked out brilliantly.



One day we headed up to Formby for a trip to the seaside and it was lovely. Golden, sandy beach. Hot sun. Buckets and spades. Warm sea. We could have been abroad.



One weekend we headed up to the Lake District for a mini trip and, once again, the weather proved glorious. We stayed in this lovely place in Eskdale. The food was great and staff were helpful and friendly.





We walked the kids up Irton Pike (one of the smaller mountains) and went to the beach and just crammed so much into 2 short days. It was wonderful. Just being together as a family and doing family things was refreshing and did everyone the world of good.

Wastwater views




View from the top of Irton Pike



A little spot of fishing in the river



Husband has been away a lot again and during one of his latest trips to Japan, I decided to do the four hour drive to South Wales to go and stay with some friends I haven't seen in a few years. It was just like visiting old relatives. They made us feel warm and welcome and it was a relaxed and restful time.

Llandovery in the evening


It is a beautiful part of the country and as our host's Uncle owns a lot of land and farm land down there we took ourselves off for a little visit.

There were plenty of dogs and puppies to go around and the children enjoyed the Quad bike rides and tractors!








Goodbye folks. Thanks for a lovely time. See you soon.



In between all the holidaying, we have visited Lyme Hall park, Staircase House (oldest house, now museum, in Stockport - well worth a visit) and Larkhill Place (victorian street and museum in Salford - free and definitely worth a visit). So, all in all, we have had a fun filled holiday and I am looking forward to getting us all back in to a routine.

Going back to work is going to be a major change for all of us this year. Daughter is moving to my school and son is just starting school as well so we will all be travelling together in the mornings. I am so looking forward to starting back to teaching. I have loved every minute of being a stay at home mum for the last eight years but I have a definite need to be doing something that takes me out of the home environment. I have developed a lack of confidence and insecurity and dependence on staying at home all the time. I became almost reclusive or was verging on it. This job opportunity has definitely come at the right time and has given me the kick up the butt I needed to move out and move forward in life. It is honestly God given and I feel well and truly blessed. It is a Christian school, which reflects all the values I want my kids to be taught, the staff are so supportive and it feels so very exciting. Am I prepared? No, not quite but getting there. Am I kitted up with uniform, children and myself? No, that'll be next week's job. Am I nervous? Oh yeah. Am I happy? Most definitely. A lot has happened to me this year but I can honestly say things are on the up and up.

So, it's onto pastures new and although I will do my very very best to keep up with stitchy and crochet projects, I think my posts will not be as many as they have previously been. I do hope though, that you will join me in my new ventures as I let you all know how it goes. I'll be back very soon with some crafty finishes. Thanks for the friendship and all the smiles.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

29 comments:

moleymakes said...

Looks like you all had a wonderful break, Hazel.

Well done on getting a new job. I do hope that it all works out well for you :)

Ruby x

Julie said...

Sounds like you have made the most of the school holidays Hazel. Wishing you well in the new job and hope all goes well for the children in their new schools.

Jackie's Stitches said...

Hazel, it sounds like you've all had a glorious summer! I loved the photos that you too. I have no doubt that your re-entry into the work force is going to be smooth and that you're going to love it.

Margaret said...

Your summer looks so wonderful! Such beautiful scenery and wonderful places and friends. Good luck with your new job. I know what you mean about staying at home. It's nice to be home with the kids, but somehow it really does tend to make one reclusive and less confident. I'm the same way. Perhaps I'll find a way to get back into working sometime too. Hope it's a wonderful success for you.

Rachael said...

What a wonderful summer you have had, I totally agree about losing confidence when you are a SAHM, I am trying to gain mine back through volunteering.

Vickie said...

ooOoo! Hazel, the Inn at Eskdale looks just like the homes in Greendale. That is where we lived here in Wisconsin for 10 years. My most favorite place to live on all the earth. What wonderful pictures you have shared with us. How wonderful to be teaching again in a Christian school. =)

Catherine said...

What wonderful summer memories!! Good luck to you on the next part of your journey!

Chocolates4Breakfast (Terri Malinovich) said...

It sounds, and looks, like you had a grand summer, Hazel! I wish you luck in your new job, it sounds just perfect! I'll be watching for your next post to tell us all how it goes!

Rowyn said...

Beautiful photos Hazel. It looks like you have all enjoyed a wonderful summer.

Congats on the new job, I hope it goes well.

cucki said...

looks like you all had lovely holiday time..
well done on getting the new job.
lots of love for you
with all my best wishes xxx

Maggie said...

Such lovely photos, I think that we forget sometimes that stay at home holidays can be just as much fun and more educational that holidaying abroad, it sounds and looks like you all had so much fun :-)

Good luck with the new job, it's always scary starting something new but i'm sure you will be fine, i hope you manage to keep up with stitching and crochet, and to post about them too, i love seeing your lovely crochet creations :-)

Have fun!

Mrs Twins said...

Hi Hazel
Nice to hear from you. The butterflies are really addictive once you've made the first one. I feel like a Butterfly collector at times. Thank you and I hope you enjoy your new job love Sue x

Grammy Braxton said...

Congrats on the new job. I know you will do fine.
What a wonderful summer you have had. I like mini trips. It seems you can do so much more.
Looking forward to hearing about your new job when you can. Good luck.

Kara @ Petals to Picots Crochet said...

Beautiful pics!

Nicola said...

Good luck with the new job Hazel!

Cheryl said...

I enjoyed reading this post and looking at all your pictures. You sound happier Hazel. I cant believe your son starts school though!! Where did that time go?!
I can totally relate to the staying home thing. Im technically on mat leave still but having taken voluntary redundancy not having a job to go back to for a few days a week kinda freaks me out. Good luck with your new job, you'll be great im sure :)

manda's challenges :) said...

hey my lovely good to see you having fun fun fun xxx ;)

Lesleyanne said...

Sounds like you have a great summer. Your pictures are gorgeous. Good luck with your new job.

Lesleyanne said...

Sounds like you have a great summer. Your pictures are gorgeous. Good luck with your new job.

Christine said...

Glad you've had such a wonderful summer. Good luck with the new job

Valentina said...

Good luck with your come back to school!

Louise said...

Hazel,
I absolutely loved all your pictures! I felt like I was along for the trip.
The scenery is absolutely gorgeous !
I know it will be good for you to be back out in the world again, and you will be such a blessings to the little ones you teach!
Your children have grown so fast, where have the years gone? But..they are still young enough to be home for many more years..enjoy every minute. It does go all too fast.
I wish you multiple blessings on your new endeavors!
Louise xx

Shirlee said...

Gorgeous photos ... I enjoyed seeing them all! You most certainly did have a lovely summer : )

jane said...

It sounds like a lovely summer Hazel,with lots of memories to look back on.
Good luck with the new job, I am sure you will be great!

Chris said...

It looks like an amzing summer. You must feel so refreshed.
Thanks for sharing the beautiful pics.

Carol said...

How lovely to read about your summer and about your upcoming job, Hazel... Lovely photos from Wales and the Lake District, too!

I went back to work 16 years ago after being home with my children for 10 years. It was the best thing I ever did! I felt like a better mom since I had my own "non-mom" life again and new responsibilities and challenges. I know you'll love it and I wish you the very best :)

valerie said...

I'm so glad to hear that you had a fantastic summer and you're in better spirits! Family time has done a world of good. Best of luck to you and the kids at the new job and the new school. I hope you enjoy it!

Maureen said...

Gorgeous pics of your summer - thanks for sharing. Good luck back in your new job, how exciting!

Brigitte said...

Wonderful holidays, Hazel, and wonderful pictures. Thanks so much for sharing.