29.6.24 - Almost there

Yesterday was pleasantly busy. After Irish and computer time, I went for a run then swim... then I got some fruit and veg at The Secret Market in Holywood. After that myself and Ghin went to have Cuban sandwiches. We chatted and laughed, as usual, and I called into No Alibis to get the Norse Mythology book from Neil Gaiman, which is a suitably censored for 10 year olds. Along with the Hound of Ulster, by Rosemary Sutcliff, this will form the basis of our literacy next year. I will tell the story and then we will read it. And from the text we can do comprehension again. It will be very glorious. Like the myths.

As I read the Over Nine Waves by Heaney, it occurs to me that even the mythological cycle isn't very mythic at all. It is very different from say, the Hindu myths, which really are like fucking old. I was also wondering of the Formorians were actually the English and not from Tory Island, as we always thought they were. There is no way that Tory Island could amass the number of boats, etc. I do wonder.

Well, anyway, I got home and then went to bed - it was my first sleep of the day, 3 pm - but not before I started reading the Norse myths, then after that I sorted Forest School things. After this I will sort the food part of the Forest School things. Then I cooked dinner for Ghin, and after that, I changed the sheets and he then went to bed. I continued organising the forest school things, very excited for next year... the adrenaline from the last few days is still coursing through my veins.

I am so excited. I also booked a hair appointment. It has been such a blast really.

What else is there? Well, of course, how amazing I feel. I think that at a certain point, it would be a good idea to give up on alcohol. I have always loved drinking, and from around my 20s and now, there have been times when I did not drink. I still remember them. Harapan. When I was pregnant with the boys. Every now and then, like last year when I went on my 20/4 fast for 2 months, longest two months of my life. When I did drink, I did often go overboard, but really the bad habits emerged during the pandemic. Specifically after my 50th birthday when everyone could not come.

I finished off 12 bottles of wine by myself. in a few weeks, but it was the START of the drinking. By the time I arrived in December last year, I was secretly wondering if I was now an alcoholic - high functioning, if at all, but still... not good, of course. The December 25th rolled round and something did happen - which would make me decide, enough is enough. But it was also Oisin saying to me, just give it up. Which he had been saying for a few months now. So I thought, yeah, why not? And I thought, Dry January. And it followed... February, March, April, May and June. I did have a bottle of Prosecco on the 22nd of June, but immediately regretted it the following day. I was tempted on Friday to have something, but yesterday I was glad of it. Not drinking has saved me so much money. By the end of this year, it could be just over £1000. Isn't that mad?

I think when you are young your body can handle it. As you get older.... especially if you have lived to see your 50th birthday, it's time to call it a day. And I am so glad I have. I have had the BEST six months because of it. It is completely related, the feeling great, being a good teacher and not drinking. Once again, Steiner was right. AGAIN. No drinking if you are a teacher. I don't know where he said it, but I remember when I was told that, thinking, YEAH RIGHT.

So, today - clean up art and food area of Forest School now, go for run, in fact I may do that first THEN do the clean. Head to school to do first clean through, i.e. clean and throw rubbish out. Serve at Christian community, come back and do more cleaning and putting away. Oh yes, I must cancel my dinner with Ruth cos Ghin can't make it. Then as a treat, my last swim before I leave around 6. And then come back and relax. Start folding laundry and putting stuff away in the house. I must also drop things off to Jemma. What a freaking year.

And I deserve it. Completely and utterly deserve it. I deserve it.

Tomorrow things may be crap. But for today - only joy.