I have all the time in the world. Well, kind of. I’ve got just under two glorious weeks stretched out in front of me without a single plan. A blank diary, no entries apart from reminders of birthdays and a couple of tradie appointments to sort out the leaky shower. When I started writing thisContinue reading “All the time in the world”
Author Archives: Paps
One week in.
One week in Reefton (four days since moving into the cottage) and I feel like I’m on holiday. I’m floating around feeling relaxed and chilled, wanting to (and doing) little more than pottering around and sitting in front of the fire with a glass of red and a book. Oh, and a bit of unpackingContinue reading “One week in.”
Moving Day
I stood in the background, looking nervously at the van. ‘It’s quite small, isn’t it?’ I said to Bruce. ‘Well, it is a bit smaller than I imagined.’ He looked at me. ‘I’m sure it will be fine though,’ he said, trying to reassure me. We spent what felt like 10 hours (it was aboutContinue reading “Moving Day”
Cortisol hormone high
I’ve spent the last few weeks high on cortisol. Oh yesssss, my body’s main stress hormone has been a little elevated while I navigate myself through the New Zealand house buying process, which is quite different – and therefore strange and unfamiliar – to the UK. It’s like walking barefoot through a room full ofContinue reading “Cortisol hormone high”
Happy birthday houses
Oh hiiiiiiiii. It’s been ages. So much has happened, yet as I go to write about what that was, my is blank. Oh, I changed my hair colour which is a nice change. But I guess the main thing is probably that I turned 41 since my last post. Like most years, I feel noContinue reading “Happy birthday houses”
Having your shit together
A couple of people have commented recently about how I’ve got my life / shit together. My instant thought was to say ‘oh hell no, no I haven’t, no one’s got their shit together’ but that reaction felt like a deflection of a compliment, and as soon as I thought about saying it, I couldContinue reading “Having your shit together”
Tales from lockdown revisited – author’s note
Well that’s it folks, the final Tales From Lockdown – Revisited has been published. What an absolute JOY it’s been to chat again to these people and tell more of their life stories. Nearly two years have passed yet the first conversations seem like only yesterday. So many different things to talk about, I hopeContinue reading “Tales from lockdown revisited – author’s note”
Babies and back to work
‘We last chatted in May 2020, so it’s been nearly 2 years since we last spoke,’ I say to the screen. ‘How’s it been for you?’ Natalie looks at me and laughs. ‘Well, this,’ she says, holding up the cutest little baby in a pink babygrow. ‘This happened! We’ve been pretty busy, it’s been aContinue reading “Babies and back to work”
My 40th year – April (month #12)
Well it’s been quite the year. I started it terribly burnt out and am ending it feeling much better. Slightly battered and bruised, but much, much better. I’d known I was burnt out, I’d already spent months trying all sorts of things to keep a handle on it. Float pods, reflexology, exercise, you name it,Continue reading “My 40th year – April (month #12)”
The Paps Life 