Family

The first week of the year…. check!

Pottery painting http://rainbeaubelle.com

My gin collection http://rainbeaubelle.com

The first week of the year is over and it seems to be going ok so far *touch wood*. I didn’t make any real resolutions – more like reminders to live a certain way and not be too hard on myself, to try to make 2016 a little easier than 2015.

I’m not into self-deprivation this year, more self-preservation, so thankfully giving up alcohol for a whole 31 days is just not happening in my house. I mean I’ve weaned myself off the Christmas excess where a glass of wine at 11am is perfectly acceptable, but I’m certainly not going cold turkey with a dry January.

I find a gin and tonic is a great addition to the parents’ tea, bath and bed routine, don’t you? But seeing as it’s January, I did get round to cleaning the top of my fridge where the drinks are kept, getting rid of a few old bottles of sherry and olive oil and realising just how many bottles of gin are stashed up there. After sharing the above photo on my Facebook page, it seems there are many gaping holes in this line-up which need to be put right this year! Enter Hendricks, The Botanist, Bathtub gin, gin with champagne…

The non-resolutions I did make are more like lifestyle changes, like trying to live more in the moment, go a little easier on myself and try to make time for a bit more breathing space.

Trainers http://rainbeaubelle.com

One of the ways I’ve managed this this week is by going for a run. It was my first run in about 12 months and you know what? It felt good. Armed with a pair of new trainers and the new kit Rog bought for me last Christmas, I was that newbie runner along the prom, just like I was last January. Last year, life took a different turn and there was just no room for exercise, but this year I’m hoping it will stay around a bit longer.

I’m not a natural runner at all but I love getting out and having that bit of alone time, and as I told my friend who came to look after Flo while I ran, I may not be any good but at least I looked the part!

My parents are visiting this weekend and they took Sam out to the cinema today while I had a quieter afternoon with Flo, bike riding, pottery painting and cuddling up on the sofa. It was her first time at our local painting cafe, and as she’s still a bit young for it I helped out with most of it – giving her ceramic princess slightly mad eyes in the process.

Pottery painting http://rainbeaubelle.com

I’ve also been listening to lots more music this week than I have in ages. For so long now I’ve mostly just put the radio on rather than choose an album to listen to, and I was starting to feel like I needed a change. I’ve also been playing music in the house more, and not only have I found it chills me out (maybe because I can’t hear the kids so much?!) but I’ve realised I have many more ideas when I’ve got some music on.

Thanks here for my friends who have offered to – or have already – made me some new compilation CDs, it really is making me feel a bit nostalgic for the old mix tape! Showing my age here – shouldn’t we be sharing playlists on iTunes? Can you even do that?

So there you go – first week of 2016, it wasn’t perfect for the reason you’ll all know, but really, I suppose it wasn’t all that bad.

x Julia

Paiinting pottery http://rainbeaubelle.com

Hoylake beach http://rainbeaubelle.com

Previous Story
Next Story

You Might Also Like

17 Comments

  • Reply
    Mini Ventures
    January 9, 2016 at 9:44 pm

    Lovely to read this. Get that running bug! I got it when I was running away from being at home when the twins were tiny and it was too hard! But like run forest run!
    Mini Ventures recently posted…The Ordinary Moments #2My Profile

    • Reply
      Rainbeaubelle
      January 9, 2016 at 11:04 pm

      Exactly! I have had it on and off for some years but more off than on lately! Maybe I’ll aim to run to your house! X

  • Reply
    Donna
    January 9, 2016 at 10:23 pm

    When I started running, just like you – not being very good but looking the part, my friend said to me ‘You have all the gear but no idea!” and it’s stuck with em since. So true! I haven’t run in a few months but will be back at it as soon as the weather dries out down here.
    Loving your gin line up too! x
    Donna recently posted…Munchkin LATCH Giveaway!My Profile

    • Reply
      Rainbeaubelle
      January 9, 2016 at 11:03 pm

      Loving that quote, that is totally me! I’m hoping to go again in the morning, weather permitting! I’m a bit of a wimp. May need a gin after 🙂 x

  • Reply
    Tim
    January 9, 2016 at 10:34 pm

    Sounds like a pretty good week to me. (He says, sipping a very pleasant Riesling as he types this.) Funny what you say about music – I’ve started to lose touch a bit with contemporary music and have a tendency to seek refuge in either existing playlists or Absolute 80s. Yeah, I know. I’ve become *that* old git …
    Tim recently posted…Podcast #21: The Dad NetworkMy Profile

    • Reply
      Rainbeaubelle
      January 9, 2016 at 11:02 pm

      Absolute 80s! You’ve been outed! Haha. I love a bit of Spandau Ballet tho…

  • Reply
    Carie
    January 10, 2016 at 1:36 am

    Well that is one fabulous line up of gin! And yay for getting out running – you could end up not running a step and the fresh air and time away from full on parenting would still be a good thing 🙂
    Carie recently posted…2/52 {The 2016 Portraits}My Profile

  • Reply
    You Baby Me Mummy
    January 11, 2016 at 10:13 am

    I am glad the new year is easing itself in quietly for you and that you are finding the time to run. I can’t run (my back is too knackered) but I always think it would be a wonderful release. On the subject of music have you heard Mindy Gledhill? If not have a listen, one of my current obsessions 🙂 xx
    You Baby Me Mummy recently posted…Baby Ballerina; The Proudest MomentMy Profile

    • Reply
      Rainbeaubelle
      January 11, 2016 at 1:49 pm

      Oh no I haven’t Aby, thanks, I’ll look her up! X

  • Reply
    Katie @mummydaddyme
    January 11, 2016 at 3:38 pm

    Sounds like the first week of 2016 wasn’t too bad for you at all Julia. I got the running bug about 2 years ago now, I never realised how much it would take over my life. I love it and competed in a fair few races. I am not running at the moment, being pregnant and all, but I can’t wait to get back into it once I have recovered from my c-section. x

    • Reply
      Rainbeaubelle
      January 13, 2016 at 7:55 am

      I know, once you get started it is addictive isn’t it. My main problem is getting out of the house and getting someone to look after the kids! That has stopped me this week so far. Might have to do a lunch break sprint! x

  • Reply
    Natalie
    January 11, 2016 at 7:47 pm

    Happy New Year. I used to love a good old miz tape! Sounds like some good resolutions you have made. No dry January for me either, I need a strong drink more than ever in January! X
    Natalie recently posted…The Terrible Twos – The Ordinary MomentsMy Profile

    • Reply
      Rainbeaubelle
      January 13, 2016 at 7:52 am

      Definitely need a drink to get through the dark January nights! Hee hee x

  • Reply
    Lizzie Woodman
    January 11, 2016 at 8:23 pm

    Yep, there’s definitely room for another bottle or two of gin in that line-up! This Christmas we enjoyed my sloe gin and also rhubarb gin, which was a new one for me! I have recently started running too and it’s definitely getting easier each time I go out. I’m not a natural runner, but I’ve stopped turning puce coloured now and have found a pace which works for me! I am enjoying using the (free) Runkeeper app which is helping to motivate me.
    Lizzie Woodman recently posted…My WeekMy Profile

    • Reply
      Rainbeaubelle
      January 13, 2016 at 7:52 am

      Oh rhubarb gin, I had the idea for that when I read about Caro’s rhubarb cordial on her blog The Twinkles Mama, and she mixed it with gin. Lush! I’ll check out runkeeper thank you! x

  • Reply
    Christina
    January 14, 2016 at 11:42 am

    Sounds like you had a lovely afternoon with your Daughter-Mummy” date. I think every princess should have some creative eye makeup. I dislike running but enjoyed training for sprint triathlons in the past so I attempted it. Thank you for sharing your week with us. #TheOrdinaryMoments
    Christina recently posted…Fire Station Activity Book and Playset by Parragon Books #ReviewMy Profile

  • Reply
    sarah christie
    January 17, 2016 at 11:29 am

    I so need to get back into running Julia but keep putting it off because it is too cold so wrap up and walk Toby instead, and no dry January over here either x
    sarah christie recently posted…My Sunday Photo And SnowMy Profile

  • Leave a Reply

    CommentLuv badge

    Read previous post:
    Home update http://rainbeaubelle.com
    Homes wish list – Peris and Corr, Twinkles papercuts and copper sparkle

    Never mind the January sales, I always find they encourage me to shop and then I end up browsing and...

    Close