It's been a tough couple of months.
Marie has mostly been very anxious or depressed or sick or any combination of those three. I have been primary carer to our two children during the school holidays, while coping with the day-to-day running of my business at a peak trading time, dealing with the negotiations and logistics in the acquisition of another business and trying to solve complicated legal issues around the purchase of a small, neglected property. As if all that wasn't enough, we hosted two pairs of Austrian students attending an English language summer school.
I'm exhausted.
But there were lots of good times too. Happy family times. Lots of love from my little children and amazing support from my three older girls. Incredible assistance from my staff. I'm a lucky man.
And...
.......................just this week...
...Marie started to get out and about again, driving her car, walking short distances...
The worst is over, school starts again next week, Marie's rising from depression and we're all looking forward to better times.
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We had pretty good weather this summer, so we spent as much time outdoors as I could manage. Here we were sharing an al fresco tea with the first pair of Austrian students. Soon afterwards, they were playing football - quite well! - with Joseph, Orla and me. Marie took the photo.
Even wet days didn't dampen our enthusiasm for the outdoor life - as long as it was warm. We even had a family party and barbeque on a showery afternoon. It was a brilliant afternoon for all!
We visited Lilstock Beach Hut several times. There's a blog about it at...where one can learn more about this.
I took the Austrian students here and they were fascinated!
Beautiful, warm, sunny evenings encourage one to stay at the beach until sunset. The Austrian students loved it!
Orla and her niece Elisha have birthdays in July only 13 days apart. It was logical, since Jenna, her husband and Elisha were on a very rare (and very enjoyable) visit to us in July, to have a combined birthday party. It proved to be a good decision!
