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My 2020
In January, I turned 51..
I'm liking my 50s even though they don't feel much different to my 40s
My baby, my youngest turned 18... I successfully raised 4 children to adulthood without killing any of them (accidentally or deliberately)
18 years as a #SingleMum
In January, I turned 51..
I'm liking my 50s even though they don't feel much different to my 40s
My baby, my youngest turned 18... I successfully raised 4 children to adulthood without killing any of them (accidentally or deliberately)
18 years as a #SingleMum
#Menopause symptoms hit 
(damn the raising awareness and speaking out we did through the @WHN_BfdDistrict)
#Covid19 hit the news, it started getting close
Work got busy, I bloody love my job!
Between now and March, planning for #IWD2020 at work and with #WomensHealth network
(damn the raising awareness and speaking out we did through the @WHN_BfdDistrict)#Covid19 hit the news, it started getting close
Work got busy, I bloody love my job!
Between now and March, planning for #IWD2020 at work and with #WomensHealth network
#coronavirus got closer, work got way more hectic, scary times
#IWD2020 happened, so many happy, happy memories made with so many amazing women, I can't thank you all enough
Work went full on crazy
#lockdown happened
Working from home, how will this work, will it work?
#IWD2020 happened, so many happy, happy memories made with so many amazing women, I can't thank you all enough
Work went full on crazy
#lockdown happened
Working from home, how will this work, will it work?
It worked!
I was blessed to be working with so many amazing colleagues from across the #VCS and #NHS
It worked!
Thank you
My baby struggled, his school and routine had gone and they have always been so important to him
My daughter and 2nd son both got #Covid19
I was blessed to be working with so many amazing colleagues from across the #VCS and #NHS
It worked!
Thank you
My baby struggled, his school and routine had gone and they have always been so important to him
My daughter and 2nd son both got #Covid19
I couldn't fix it!
I'm superwoman, I've always fixed things, I couldn't make my babies better.
Son recovered well, daughter tried working through it...
Bad move, she ended up being taken to hospital
Scary times...
Eldest son and grandchildren came back for lockdown
I'm superwoman, I've always fixed things, I couldn't make my babies better.
Son recovered well, daughter tried working through it...
Bad move, she ended up being taken to hospital
Scary times...
Eldest son and grandchildren came back for lockdown
Work
OMFG!
The day we went into lockdown was the 1st day I cried (damn menopause turned me into a total hormonal baggage
)
Then I kicked my arse and got on with it!
Lockdown came and went
Summer came and went
Lots of prep for my baby going to uni
#ALevel results...
OMFG!
The day we went into lockdown was the 1st day I cried (damn menopause turned me into a total hormonal baggage
)Then I kicked my arse and got on with it!
Lockdown came and went
Summer came and went
Lots of prep for my baby going to uni
#ALevel results...
Applied for a new job, funding insecure on previous role
My boy got A*s in chemistry and maths, As in physics and further maths
Proud, proud mum!
Got the new job, first permanent role for 20+ years, no more fixed term contract
My boy got his 1st choice uni (of course)
My boy got A*s in chemistry and maths, As in physics and further maths
Proud, proud mum!
Got the new job, first permanent role for 20+ years, no more fixed term contract
My boy got his 1st choice uni (of course)
I've been mum for 33 years, my children are my greatest successes in life and I thought I'd prepared for #EmptyNest to kick in...
WRONG!
I cried, again
Now what?
From mum to a life that was work, cats and crochet (I learned how during 1st lockdown)
WRONG!
I cried, again
Now what?
From mum to a life that was work, cats and crochet (I learned how during 1st lockdown)
Number 1 son and his family had moved back 'darn sarf', new restrictions meant we couldn't meet up to say goodbyes...
I cried again, a lot
But mostly with pride in everything my children have achieved
I cried again, a lot
But mostly with pride in everything my children have achieved
Menopause didn't help...
Brain fog! I can recall data and stats but forget the name of the thing in the kitchen that keeps my phone chilled when I put it away with the shopping
Add in...
*Hot flushes
*Night sweats
*Lack of sleep
*Dry skin (like a snake shedding)
Brain fog! I can recall data and stats but forget the name of the thing in the kitchen that keeps my phone chilled when I put it away with the shopping
Add in...
*Hot flushes
*Night sweats
*Lack of sleep
*Dry skin (like a snake shedding)
*Feet that are freezing all day then start burning around 7pm
*Bloating
*Aching joints
*Tired, unbelievably tired
*Emotions
That last one is the toughie!
I've always been in control of me...
Now I can be reduced to tears by an Andrex advert
*Bloating
*Aching joints
*Tired, unbelievably tired
*Emotions
That last one is the toughie!
I've always been in control of me...
Now I can be reduced to tears by an Andrex advert
My family, my babies have always been number 1
I'm so fortunate to have had jobs that I love but me, my career always came last...
Up there in 2nd place has been my passion, working with and for women.
And often I got paid for it, paid for my passion
I'm so fortunate to have had jobs that I love but me, my career always came last...
Up there in 2nd place has been my passion, working with and for women.
And often I got paid for it, paid for my passion
Apart from my role with @WHN_BfdDistrict
That was voluntary, a labour of love
For four years I've been blessed to chair this amazing network of women, see it grow from day 1 to now, this network of women who share this passion to make a difference for women
That was voluntary, a labour of love
For four years I've been blessed to chair this amazing network of women, see it grow from day 1 to now, this network of women who share this passion to make a difference for women
So it was tough to make the decision to step down but I know it's far greater than any one woman, that's its strength.
I worked damn hard to make sure every woman felt heard and valued and I know it's in safe hands
@Laila_CNet @Simmons_Vic @HelenBfdCCGs
I worked damn hard to make sure every woman felt heard and valued and I know it's in safe hands
@Laila_CNet @Simmons_Vic @HelenBfdCCGs
And I still get to be involved as the lead for the new women's staff network (what can I say, mischief keeps finding me 
)
Too many fabulous women to list but I thank you all, with all my heartfor your support, friendship and love
)Too many fabulous women to list but I thank you all, with all my heart
for your support, friendship and love
And finally, my babies @TheAlixMann @mtaylor1994 @Emmalmtaylor and mini munchkin
(fuck single mum living in social housing stereotypes, 3 graduates, grown and flown, happy with careers they love with youngest at the start of uni life)
My lights
my loves
#HappyNewYear
(fuck single mum living in social housing stereotypes, 3 graduates, grown and flown, happy with careers they love with youngest at the start of uni life)
My lights
my loves #HappyNewYear
