It's been a week...

I have reached my one week mark in England. It's amazing how easily you can fall into routine.....

The chimes of my alarm are ringing at 7 then it's downstairs for a bit of time with Rudi.  The hand off from Mum to me happens between bites of porridge with Rudi being none the wiser and Belinda now being freed up to tend to the waking George.  She passes me and leaves the room no words are needed as she hands me a cup of coffee, with cream and 2 sugars....just the way I like it.  The morning dance has begun.  We move through the house for the next few hours just prepping for the day.  Rudi and I spend some time speaking of and playing with hoovers, dryers and blenders.  Now, I'm going to pause here and explain the relationship Rudi has with cleaning, cooking and drying devices that make a bit of noise.  It's best described as a love-hate relationship.  He must be well aware of all their locations at all times with occasional viewing just to make sure they are good and in their proper spot.  I think Rudi must feel a bit like Dorthey in the Wizard of Oz but instead of "Lions, Tigers and Bears... Oh My!"  it's "Dryers, Hoovers and Blenders...Oh My!  He does love playing with his kid size Hoover that doesn't make any noise and watching Cebeebies (British Cartoons)...so we stick to that and keep the real things out of site.
Lauren(full time nanny) usally swoops in at some point and starts fussing about in the kitchen.  All the while Belinda and George are getting ready for school.  Once George is prepped and ready we all switch partners again.  Belinda takes Rudi on an outing, Lauren takes George to school and I take off...                

Yoga-Church Court Ally, Richmond

I get afternoons off which start with my new love Bikram Yoga.  I was taken to a class right before I moved and loved it (Thank you to the one who introduced me to this little treasure).  It has fit perfectly here for me and is a great workout.  Its also a lovely walk there and back.  As I am walking home from yoga today I am struck by how things are already looking and feeling familiar.  The great little black door with the bike out front...cross right then left at the round about....Richmond Church...nearly home....Kew Garden entrance...turn right.  These things happen with out even thinking about them.  It's so great I've easily been able to form a routine which makes me feel comfortable and content but also a great reminder that the routine must also adapt and change to include other experiences outside this comfort zone I have found so quickly.  It's so easy to forget that just by taking a new route somewhere you can have a whole different view on things.  We sometimes take advantage of our comfort level and forget to grow.
I am also reminded, as I sit in this little cafe and write, that some of our best experiences can come from being still and observing    

The Little Black Door

the moment.  While playing with Rudi in the garden the other day I was shown the wisdom of a child.....I was doing my best to get him interested in playing with everything in sight..run, jump, bounce, etc.  He totally ignored me, walked over to a stone step, sat down, patted the spot next to him and said " Sar-wa Sit....Listen...Bird, tweet, tweet...Bees, buzzzzz...Shhhhh."  
Oh sweet Rudi...Thank you for reminding me (and everyone reading this) to just be present in the moment you are in and soak it up.
I believe my full days off have come at the perfect time.  I am ready to venture out of little Kew and Richmond for the city. Tomorrow I head into London...the Tate museum and whatever else comes my way....more to come!

Richmond Church