I realised that there was some negative stuff going on here at the home of Dotty Red and priorities and life in general had swung out of balance and it was time to draw a line under some stuff that had gone very wrong before it caused even more damage. It was time to work on the things that mattered not that didn't.
It all sounds very serious but sometimes in life you have to reach a low to be able to grow and for the best bits to be given a chance to shine. So with this in mind I scooped my children up and we headed to the East Coast for a few days for some half term family time with no other interruptions but to spend some time laughing, playing in lots of fresh air by the sea and lots of country walks.
We even managed a day in York city, as you know I am so not a city girl by any stretch of the imagination, I like to be in the fresh air and in wide open spaces, but I can stretch to York as it holds precious memories for me, and you know with Cath Kidston and White Stuff next door to each other in the Shambles it was a little spot of retail therapy I actually enjoyed (detest trawling around mindless shops as a rule unless its fabric).
Our home for the week was the sweetest of cottages, not me the fancy high life of hotels, no cute and cosy is more more my thing and the boys loved the miss shaped rooms, the two fires that they eagerly built each day and all the squeaky floor boards plus a garden filled with the most prettiest display a carpet of snow drops.
We laughed so much it was such a wonderful and special time. The sea runs through our veins for sure. To be on a beach with the wind blowing and the sound of the sea lapping up against the sand truly allows my soul to feel happiness to its very core. My teenage son now so grown up from the little surf dude with long hair into a the body of a young man with all the attitude and confidence that goes with teenage years, despite the cold he did 'HIS THING' much the horror of this mama who thought, 'How will he ever warm up again'. But you know he's just in his natural habitat on the beach and I have learnt to trust him.
I happily beach combed hand in hand with a special one and we laughed watching Rosy my doggy play rough and tumble with the big dogs. My heart just filled to bursting, I actually started to cry, with lots of nurturing comments as I have had a few tears of late, my boys laughed at their mama when I confirmed that these tears came from joy...
Time was spent with friends, children and doggies, quality time you just don't seem to have time for in your day to day. My art pad was sketched in and my camera took many pictures capturing those moments I didn't want to lose. I felt so blessed to have such super friends that took the time out to care and spend time with us. (Thank you from my heart).
After the days on the beach we warmed up with Hot Chocolate.
Little hands clasping the cups for the warmth they offered to frozen little fingers. Once warmed up a little snacks to keep us going through the evenings...
Seeing how quick my children are growing and as DOTTY RED grows I am aware of the absolute importance of keeping the balance and holding dear to my heart all the important things and protecting them as only a mother can.
After all the fresh air with full and warm tummies the children soon fell into deep sleeps...
Then it was my turn to rest and chill a little with some pampering...
A little bit of grown up time
As I snuggled up for an evening in front of the fire I counted my blessings, grieved over my losses and let the hurt caused by careless people wash away like the tide and I eagerly looked forward to the next chapter in my little journey through life.
A time for reflection, a time to gain balance and make plans for the future, a time to spend with those I love and I welcomed new people into my life.
So after all this precious time new adventures are a head, re branding of Dotty Red, launching my Spring range (which is already in a couple of lovely shops) a few study business days a head also. So what started out as a week with a heavy heart turned into a healing time of throwing away all the negativity and concentrating on my loved ones and out of that came so many lovely possibilities. It was just one of those weeks that had such an impact on everything around me. I returned home counting my many blessings...
