1983. Prehistoric times. My children ask me if it was colour by then (they’ve swallowed their father’s tale that the world was black and white when he was growing up).
The answer is barely and gloriously.
There were four of us. We weren’t actually fuzzy or sepia, but we didn’t have fantastic digital cameras back then.
Summer lasted forever. Holidays were at the beach in a caravan, or on a farm. Or at home – days spent on the moors with a pack of children, a large dog, and no adults. No screens, next to no electronic toys – I had a Merlin that played nine games I think, including noughts and crosses? And I had a ZX81. With the velcroed on 16K ram pack.
(Can’t quite imagine letting my children wander off in similar circumstances to play in canals far from adult eyes. Which is not precisely a positive change.)
I’d like to say that back then I wasn’t aware of appearances and judgement, but actually I knew full well that I was different, that I didn’t like to wear skirts, that I much preferred trousers and freedom. (Even in that picture you can see my shirt is a boy’s shirt, no frilly neckline for me.) I remember that my mother was always on a diet. I remember cottage cheese and ryvita, and assuming that you had to be an adult to like it.
News flash. I’m an adult. Still can’t see the point of cottage cheese and ryvita.
Cereal. I like cereal. I always remember special K as being like a lighter version of cornflakes somehow. The new recipe however tastes more like a lighter version of frosties. Were they always that sweet? Or have my taste buds changed over the years? I’m sure that the new recipe will be slightly better for you as it’s now got three grains, but it’s still a touch on the over processed side.
Obviously, I haven’t changed a bit. I’m still gorgeous.
Although, now I’m gorgeous with children.
No, more children than that. How do I not have a picture of me with all four of them??
That will be rectified. I think it’s partly because I *am* (still) going through a body crisis at the moment. I think it’s natural. I’m putting my baby days behind me. My body has carried me through 7 pregnancies and 4 births. I’ve run 10k in memory of the little sister who won’t ever reach her 30th birthday, and won’t ever worry about grey hairs. And I have a stomach that does rather more than wobble. I can’t fit in my pre pregnancy jeans. My back hurts all the time.
None of those problems (and they are problems, back pain due to shot stomach muscles after four babies is a problem folks) will be fixed by starving myself though. I *am* trying to cut out the casual chocolate biscuit, but more because that leads to mood crashes when the sugar wears off. Eating sensibly (and I don’t mean cereal twice a day to fit into a bikini) and exercising makes me feel better in myself. Running in particular does all sorts of good things for me, although I have to be careful not to stress my knees or weak back.
What causes me more problems are the idea that if only I tried hard enough I could be the same shape I was in my 20s. I’m never going to be 20 again. My hips are never going to be that size again – for pity’s sake, my pelvis expanded to let children pass through it, and it’s not going back where it came from. So while dp enjoyed the special K we were sent to try, I can’t see me stocking it very often – we’re pretty much an Aldi no brand cereal house here these days.
I started out to write this post for the BritMums/Special K “How I’ve changed Linky challenge”. I *really* want to win an iPad mini. But given that the “Winners will be chosen on how closely post and picture(s) fit the theme, originality, use of humour and professionalism of presentation of post.” I don’t think somehow I’m going to win this time. What do you reckon? Did I sell you on Special K? Answers in the usual place please.
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