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January 30, 2026

5 on a friday - sickness, planning, shopping, and shopping

5 Quick things during twin nap:

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This week the vomiting bug moved from Aubrey to Clara, who suffered from Wednesday onwards.  Aubrey has been tired and off her food, Clara has been sick... it's a bit of a sickness house.  Thankfully our fabulous nanny has been watching them in the day, although I did decide she had gone above the call of duty when Clara threw up on her so finished work early to take over.  There are lots of nice things about having a nanny - I came downstairs to find Clara cuddling her on the sofa.  She didn't seem sad, or like she needed me.  Having additional emotionally available caregivers for kids is great.

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On Thursday I was supposed to be in London for a leadership meeting.  I left the house at 6am, got to the train station, and the car park was full.  This has never happened to me before.  I went to another train station but the next train was delayed and I realized at that point I wasn't going to make it to London in time for the meeting.  at 7:30am I got back to the house, to the surprise of everyone.  Andy was particularly happy because poor Clara had a nappy blowout in the night and required a bath and full clothing change.  I was sad to miss the London day, but next time I'll take a taxi or a bus or park at my local station.  It just means an even earlier start.

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When getting dressed for London I realized that nothing I own fits me right now.  I'm going through a... less trim phase.  Also, I'm 41 now.  Maybe the dresses that suited me 5 years ago just... don't.  I did some research on workwear and decided I needed a few new pieces to sort out my wardrobe.  Mostly - a blazer.  I have a black blazer but it's very "interview" and I do not work at "interview" job.  Everyone is pretty casual, but I like to dress a bit more business when I go into the office.  Fun fact - when I first met Kyria (on my way back from the office) she said "oh you look like a grown up" which I love because that is the aesthetic I am going for in work.  Someone who is a grown up.

I've ordered these to try:

I also need some new work shoes, because I'm not super into my ballet flats anymore.  I'm not sure if these will look grannie on me or smart professional, but I am hoping it's the latter

I also am excited to announce that I own some sweatpants (or Joggers, as is British) now! I am very happy to have added soft fuzzy trousers to my rotation.  For a person who spends as much time at home with toddlers as I do it seems insane that I did not own "soft trousers" (as Ezra calls them)

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Today was week 4 of 2.5 hours nursery for the twins on a friday and the potential for 2.5 hours of Rachel time!  Just to recap
Week 1 - did not make it to nursery due to very bad morning trying to get kids out the door
Week 2 - Twins went to Nursery while Andy and I did home stuff
Week 3 - Clara was ill (fever)
Week 4 - Clara was (recovering from vomitting bug)

I'm not having great luck with Rachel Days, but Clara did watch me try on clothes and sort laundry so that was nice.  
We also went to the big Sainsburys and bought wrapping paper and boxers and toilet bowl cleaner, so that feels like a big accomplishment.

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Today is Best Laid Plans book launch day in the UK! I know it's been out for like a month elsewhere, but I am excited and hoping it will be the kick I need to sort my planning system out so my brain stops being overfull all the time.  I actually did a "brain dump" today and there's just... a lot.  But also, what am I supposed to do with this brain dump? Keep working on things? Some of it is to do, some is thoughts, some is... just randomness.  

I generally don't use Amazon but I got a voucher for participating in an inclusive design study about mobility and access to public spaces with twins. I didn't realize I would get a voucher, I was just excited to participate. But then I used the voucher to pre-order Best Laid Plans so it was a win win win win.

8pm EDIT: Amazon drivers work late! So do Waitrose grocery delivery drivers.  Time to enjoy a super classy Friday night...

Organize 365 had an awesome podcast today about mental load and memory.  I am currently loving Lisa's podcasts.   

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And the twins are up!  This weekend is a funny one, it feels like there's not much scheduled but also not much me time.  Not sure where to go with that.  On Saturday we have Tennis in the morning (and I get a 30 minute Rachel coffee and walk!) then I am taking Lily to the pool with her best friend and then having the friend and parents over for pizza dinner.  On Sunday I have just Clara all day and no car, so I'm not sure what we will do.  We could take a bus! or a train? I don't really have a great idea for entertainment, but if all goes well I'll have a 2 hour nap of Rachel time to... do Peloton? blog? read? finish photo albums (currently 2 months behind)? Take a nap? Plan? read Best Laid Plans?  The world is my oyster... in a very time limited way.

What are you up to this weekend?  What would you do with a 2 hour twin nap on Sunday? Any workwear style advice for me??

4 comments:

  1. My only wardrobe advice as someone who found herself in a "less trim" phase in my mid 40s is that the sooner you buy bigger clothes, the less crappy you will feel about the situation. Feeling less crappy = potentially being able to get to a smaller size if that's what you want. Or just getting on with life in my case. Welcome to the world of soft pants! I still wear hard pants in the outside world, which is my version of being a grownup.

    It's still brutally cold here, so our weekend plans are to continue to hole up in the house.

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    1. Thanks Birchie - I am trying to just buy clothes that fit now because if I change shape later I can always buy close that fit that shape. I mean is it the cheapest? No. Is feeling comfortable in the clothes I'm wearing important? Yes. I think I spent too much time being pregnant and uncomfortable in work clothes to spend any time being uncomfortable while not pregnant in work clothes.

      I wear leggings on Friday and Saturday and otherwise try to commit to hard pants on regular days, evne when working from home.

      I don't know how you cold world people survive. It was 32 degrees F here for a few weeks and I am so over it now that we're back to low 40s.

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  2. Sorry for all the sickness, I really hope it doesn't spread any further. How did you find your nanny? Would be really interested to know where you advertised, how you figured out who'd be best for the job etc. Also pls keep sharing your shopping here. I am already planning an M&S trip after your success with jeans and now I'm also thinking about blazers. Thanks!

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    1. Thanks Nina! We honestly really lucked out with our Nanny. I just kind of googled and looked at a facebook group and interviewed. We did have one nanny that didn't work out which was really stressful and hard. There aren't many nannys working where I live, I think it's much easier in London. All the usual stuff applies, like asking for references. But also, if I had to do it again I would probably have looked into hiring from Norland or advertising for a Norland NQN (first year nanny) although it is eye wateringly expensive.

      I just posted links to the blazers and shoes, they're also from M&S. I just did an order from Crewe but am not going to photograph my joggers or pyjamas. I'm not sure if any of it will work or look good on me, but I am tying to harness my effortful energy right now.

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