My mother and stepfather are visiting, so has been a busy week, between work and seeing them every night. The children are loving it. It is so nice to have family around us. 2 weeks ago

It was nice. Though seven children together = chaos. 2 months ago

Birthday party to go to tonight. Let there be dancing! 2 months ago

Before you think I’m underage, I hasten to add, that it is the parents of school children and PTA members I was thinking about for my social life.

That probably helps explain why my social life is so bare, or sparse.

Aaah kids, they do take up a lot of time, emotion and money. Which is all good, I’m up for that, but a little bit more grown up time, and people who don’t call me so-and-so’s mum would be good.

Some long-term friends have moved out of the country (three in one year!) so time to rebuild our social life and circle.

I like this goal 3 months ago

Dear friends,

I am sorry I’ve been such a shit friend over the past year or two (or three, or…?) but FINALLY I’ve reached a point where I don’t feel I have to prioritise studying to the point that you all think I’m ignoring you. I’m not, and I hope going forwards we can not ignore each other a little more up close and frequently!

Thank you :)

As a ps, I saw a bloke in Starbucks this afternoon who looked like a younger, less intimidatingly-super-hot-but-still-very-cute version of Ben Browder. In real life. Wowzah. Alas, I’m not that brave (and I was also with my dad – sure as I am that he’d like to see me happy, over-awkward doesn’t quite cover that!) but… well, there are attractive guys out there who maybe aren’t utterly out of my league, and it’s really getting time to stop ignoring that social life…! o_O 7 months ago

....by reconnecting with a few long lost friends from waaaaaay back in the day. Its honestly kick-started this growth phase I am in now as I perceived getting back in touch to be a a risky move. In my head I had abandoned these people and I imagined they would be irate at me when I reached out to them and instantly reject me.

But they weren’t.

They were happy.

Obviously some people from your past should stay there, but these people were essentially my family at the time we were close.

So next phase is to find some new people to add to the mix. I have been told I should join a class or volunteer, and honestly at first I found this advice to be a little twee and obvious. But, given my current situation, it is starting to make a lot of sense. 8 months ago