So I am sitting in the lounge- and it is cold. We are out of gas and I am waiting for James to get home so that I can go and get into a nice hot bath. This remains one of my pleasures in life. If people were really honest when describing their interests on their CV's you would see things like hot baths and sleep. Well at least on the CV's of mommies. I can't believe the embarrassing crap that I used to put on my CV's- horse riding and hiking and dancing. Snort. I'm allergic to horses, have been hiking all of twice and like any prospective employer gives a shit about whether or not you like to dance. Unless it's dancing like a trained monkey to whatever tune they happen to be playing. We are going away with friends this coming weekend and I am so looking forward to it but also so nervous about my little guy. This morning as I was making the bed I had to laugh at him, holding his asthma mask over his face and staggering around doing a Darth Vader thing. He started walking on the 25th June and it is so adorable. But anyway- back to going away. We have not been away in forever- but this could not be turned down- a totally free weekend at a game lodge with our own chef and driver and game ranger. So a Short week for me as we leave on Friday morning. In preparation, I have Christopher sleeping in his "tent"- a little travel bug that folds up into a compact little 4kg bag- much easier and lighter than carting around a camper cot. I was quite impressed tonight- I made it all snugly in there and only had to go and comfort him a few times. He's in our room so we will be creeping around. He has eventually fallen asleep clutching his teddy with his face pressed up against the net. It was bookclub at Francesca's yesterday. I cannot believe how much little Alessandro has grown. Saw the first sign of jealousy in Christopher and it made me smile- I was holding little Alessandro and Christopher eventually decided enuff was enuff and that I should rather hold him. I also learnt something- Brusccetta- is not pronounced brushetta- it is pronounced- brusketta. Francesca is Italian. Lucky cow is off to Italy for 3 weeks. Also- I think Christopher has a crush on Tamzin- it is so cute to see- he could not stop smiling at her yesterday and generally he is quite picky about who he wants to go to but he really seems to love her! So Yay- books are all stocked up again- even James scores as Sally brings books specially for him. Watched The Reader last night- what a sad and thought provoking film. Went grocery shopping earlier. Hell's teeth- can food get any more expensive??? I feel all rusty at writing- I can't seem to get into a routine- especially as I am just so buggered these days.

"Can Spring be far behind?" - Shelley

Well that was a weird one. I had enabled transliteration into Hindi thinking that this would allow people of the Hindu persuasion to read my blog. Nope- as I typed it started turning everything I wrote into Hindi. Very pretty but pretty confusing for a blonde like me. What is the old song- bewitched, bothered and bewildered? That about sums my life up right now. Had a laugh at work when I showed my colleagues that I am so distracted at the moment that I had without knowing it managed to put 2 watches on (the same wrist) and only noticed it hours later when I pulled up my sleeve. Talk about clock-watching... I have had so much to write about but also had the energy of a sloth on rhino tranquilisers. Christopher had his first birthday party and was so spoilt but that is the topic for another day. He has been sick this whole week and I am kinda getting used to the whole bleary eyed pre-dawn drill which generally ends up in me being barfed all over for my efforts. Change outfits- his and mine, administer drugs and love, fall back into bed and battle to fall asleep again. Wake up to alarm and wish my cellphone would self implode and leave me to sleep for another half an hour/day/month/start of world cup soccer. So far we have had a mild winter- but as per the title of this blog- I am longing for spring. Winter is not my favourite season that is for sure. Saw the first frost on the ground this morning as I travelled to work. Thankful that I just flick a switch to remove the frost from my back wind screen and that I don't have to shovel my driveway or any such thing, because then I think I would turn to drink (well...more than usual anyways). So now it is time to go and shower and fall into bed, until my young slave driver summons me again to the Barfarama Midnight festival of fun. As MargaretThatcher once said- "Sometimes you have to fight the same battle a few times before you win it" or something like that.