Life really is short.

We've heard it a million times, from friends, well wishers, in the words of a song, or in a line from a movie. But it is true.

Life is short.

Most would agree that when we were younger, we couldn't wait to grow up, get 'out there' to live our lives and fulfil our dreams. Money was never an issue when we imagined ourselves doing what we wanted to do. Ambitions were re-lived each time the lights went off and the headphones went on. We danced and ran in slow motion. Life was set to music.

Then suddenly. Fast forward to years later. Somewhere between arguing with a call centre about an error in the gas bill, and wondering which size pyjamas to buy your first born; between figuring out what to cook for dinner today and worrying about how to get that report to the boss on time, we suddenly wonder what happened to our life and why the music stopped.

Assuming I live to be seventy five, (if I'm lucky), and deducting the years I've already lived, it's plain to see ... Life is short. All the old clichés come flooding back. This is not a rehearsal, life is happening now.

There are no bench marks, there are no rules, there is no competition, there is just Life.

Appreciate it...
Live it...

Win it...

Ideas, ideas and more ideas.

Isn't it amazing that a child with a reasonable collection of toys wants nothing to do with them, just when you need her to play with them the most?

I can't wait for today to end. I know I don't sound like Warrior-Mum, but I had a bad night with Tara tossing and yelling with a blocked nose. Worse than that, my neck muscles have seized up or whatever you call it, and I'm in a lot of pain. Oh yes, there is my sore throat too. Bad timing.

I would have resorted to the TV or computer, but since Tara had been complaining of headaches earlier, I didn't want to go down that road when I'd kept her off school to rest. The good news is that since she woke up this morning, there were no more complaints of body ache or headache. The bad news was that she didn't want to play with any of her usual toys; and the sun refused to shine forcing us to stay indoors. If she did pick a toy, there was no chance of self play today. I was expected to participate fully in all manner of play, including talking in squeaky voices, and making toys/dolls hop around the room being part of bizarre adventures. My neck is really killing me so I need to think fast.

So first I sat her down on her desk to do a bit of school work. She agreed after I promised her some fun afterwards. Think, think, think. I have to come up with ideas. Tara finished her work with remarkable speed compared to her usual standards.

I had loads of papers to file, so I decided on 'new fun activity no. 1'. I asked Tara to punch holes in some papers while I filed them. This way my participation would result in something being achieved. Tara took to it like duck to water and we punched lots of holes for a long time....on all four sides on some papers too. Not sure if The Husband will appreciate that, but it's a risk I'm prepared to take. It was going exceedingly well but all good things come to an end.

So I moved on to 'new fun activity no. 2'. I had a pile of papers to shred. Yes I am one of those people who worries that strange folk may rifle through my bins and steal my identity. Anyway, I shred and my funny little girl took a spade and flung the bits all over herself yelling 'snow! snow!' Once she was fed up with that, she made a  pretend nest where she laid plastic ball eggs. There are by the way, a 100 balls in the bag so this bird was busy for a while.

This took care of most of the morning. Then we took out some paints and painted. Lunch time was easy. I made pasta in tomato sauce with cheese and veggies on the side, finishing with fruit. It went down a storm. The appetite is back...Yay for small mercies..

We played hide and seek in the house. It was a good idea as I could take a good amount of time to find Tara as she hid giggling in fabulous places like the clothes hanger.... with no clothes on it. A bit more playing of some fairy games, then bath time where I made her inhale some steam while she played in a warm bath. Then a hearty dinner of some chicken and vegetables. Now winding down time so some stories on audio cds while Mummy has a cup of tea.

A couple more hours and I can tuck her in ready for school tomorrow. School was created for a reason -- to preserve parents' sanity. And it's good that the kids get educated at the same time :-)

I love my Tara. She is the reason I don't crave love, money or material things. All I want is for her to be healthy and happy. I know the next bug is around the corner somewhere. I just need a couple of weeks to face it. I'm going to try 'new fun activity no. 3' which involves devoted daughter massaging Mum's aching neck and back. Sounds like a good idea to me. Not sure if Tara will buy it.

Update to previous post

So far, so good. There have been no complaints about headaches over the last few hours. Tara says her nose doesn't feel so good. I have decided that Tara will not go to school tomorrow, The Husband disapproves as he packs his stuff to get back to work.

My Mum used to say there was no better cure for a cold than rest, and lots of it. Tara's been ill over a month and now again over the weekend. I feel giving her one more day at home might help her body rest and restore itself.

It's just another theory, but hey.. I'll try anything.

Now for the difficult part, how do you keep a four and half year old child entertained, while making sure she rests? 

Not again!

Tara has only recovered from her illness a week ago. I was happy to hear my daughter's voice free of congestion and sounding normal. Best of all, she slept beautifully and calmly with no signs of struggle or discomfort.

It was one week...one glorious week, now it's finished. Yesterday she was constantly rubbing her eyes and nose and saying she was tired. On Saturday she was hyperactive and talking a lot. Then she complained of a headache at bedtime. The Husband said to give her Calpol but I decided not to. For the first time I was wrong. She woke up at 11:30 pm holding her head saying it hurts. So out came the Calpol and I patted her to sleep.

Two things are different this time. Both of which probably have nothing to do with Tara's condition. First, I bought a new night light that is behind Tara's bed. It emits a while light instead of the usual golden glow. Could that have started the headaches? It doesn't explain the sniffles and sneezes. The second thing is, I did allow Tara extra computer time on Friday, and we watched a DVD over the weekend too. That could have caused a headache but still doesn't explain the sneezes and sniffles. Either way, I feel so guilty.

It could just be that Tara caught a new bug at school.

The Husband and I have divergent views on medication. He whips out Calpol and Neurofen at the drop of the hat while I don't believe in medication unless it is absolutely the last resort. I got it wrong yesterday but I hold my ground. The difficult part is not denying medication, but disagreeing with the Husband who clearly wants any relief for his little girl. There are long term, possibly unknown consequences of using medication. As a parent, I don't want to see my daughter suffer when she is ill.  How would I feel if Tara had long term damage to her body as a result of spoonfuls of medicines that she could perhaps do without? Not good would be the obvious understatement.

But for now I begrudgingly have to whip out all the tonics, honey and natural remedies to give Tara. They didn't stop Tara from falling ill the last time, but made me feel like I tried.

I have to run. Tara is now complaining of headache and earache. Pray for me somebody

What day is it today?

Any day can be a good day or a bad one depending on who is living it.

For years I didn't believe in celebrating any particular day, having a view that I didn't need to mark one day in a year to tell someone how wonderful they are. From my point of view we should remember and appreciate our loved ones every single day. Then one day my brain got bored with all the logical and politically correct theories it was spouting and said, "If a particular day is important to someone you love, just join in and celebrate with them." In this day and age of troubled times, economic pressures and horror stories, why look for a reason not to be happy?

Seize the day I say! Bring all the days on!

Men's day, Women's day, Birthday, Mum's day, Dad's day, Plant a tree day, Tickle the cat day, Hug the postman day... all are welcome.

Much love to all ! Consider yourself hugged.