All change

Note: I had this post up very briefly and withdrew it. I'm in a depressive phase and consequently feel rather fragile, and the name change is a personal thing, due to the nature of my reasons. I'm reposting now after a more positive day.

So, it's been noted that I've changed my name. I don't really see this blog as a great confessional, and part of the name-change is about separating myself from my past, but I'll try and briefly frame my reasons.

I didn't have the best childhood and teen years. I don't have the greatest extended family in the world, for a number of different reasons. I've had a very chequered life, and in some significant ways have been a victim. It's almost like my old name was wholly associated with people who didn't care about me, or who treated me badly.

After much thought, I decided to change my name, as a symbol to myself and others that I am a new creation, and while my past makes me who I am, it does not define me. So, I am now Kay, short for Katherine, which means purity. I appreciate it's not a common thing, and might not make sense to you, but those are my reasons.

this week

This week we have started a new homeschool curriculum, which you might understand, has taken up quite a bit of my time and energy. Eden is already happily filling in her workbooks, and I am still doing the necessary reading to begin helping Constance to read next week.

The younger two are happy occupying themselves. As is the way in parenting, I used to feel quite guilty because I didn't provide entertainment for my children all the time. I feel quite differently now, and in fact I'm quite pleased that I have children who are able to entertain themselves.

There has also been sickness in the house, which is invariably the case, especially at this time of the year. It is beautifully sunny today, though, and Autumn sunshine is my favourite kind. I think I'll go and make a banana loaf.

Meez

haven't been able to get on the site for ages, and it is a time-eater, but I could hardly resist this, could I? Me as companion. Allon-sy!

All must win prizes. Especially Obama.

I am mostly not about controversy these days - I'm just not online long enough to really delve into defending my position so I tend to steer clear. But while I sit at my dinner table with my fancy-schmancy new wifi connection, I am positively gripped by the need to say "The Nobel Peace Prize really is a load of old bobbins, isn't it?"

Because seriously, giving it to a man who has effectively just said 'I'm nice, let's chat, isn't peace lovely' just makes an utter mockery of the whole idea (and yes, I'm sure previous winners probably already did that. Al Gore, I'm looking at you. And pointing out ManBearPig just to make you spin around).

What next? An honorary knighthood? The George Cross? Ridiculous.