I do apologise for going rather quiet for a while. My life is divided, when the kids are at home, I'm full time Mum. That, sadly, did not mean that the kids were willing to share their Easter Eggs with me. Back at school, for Beth, the youngest, the last term ever at primary school, and I now need to make the most of the next three months before I stop for the summer. Back to work, and time for a quick blog.

I have noticed since I turned forty, that my picture of old age has changed. I always quite fancied myself as a roly poly Grandma with soft, downy cheeks. Now I see a tough old bird who can bite the tops off beer bottles and then spit them a good distance across a room. I think Mike prefered the first vision, but I suppose I feel the need to be strong and prepared, because ageing might not be the easy ride I'd once imagined.

We are lucky. We are healthy (diabetes apart). We are not genetically disposed to develop anything nasty (diabetes apart). We should be heading towards a fun retirement; but it is all a bit scary, and much like the time when we were first expecting Ellen, we need to know everything there is to know so that we are as prepared as we can be.

There is a nagging thought at the back of my mind, which I've been ignoring for a while. It's not just Mike. I'm going to have to be fit too. It's actually not enough encouraging him to go to the gym, telling him how important it is to look after himself. I need to be strong too. Damn. I hate excercise. Hmmm.

Jane