Dear So and So - Welcome October

The West Lawn at my home

Dear Jesus,

Thank you so much for healing my knee. There I was last Wednesday ready to cry and in pain. My knee felt strained again like it was back in June and I was hobbling around. Gutted that I needed to cancel my weekend trip to Blog On Win and out of pocket to the tune of £55.

As much as I wanted to go I knew being sensible and staying home was a far better idea. Well how chuffed was I that after some considerable prayer I awoke Saturday morning to have a nice long bath and no pain in my knee. I'm again walking well and I pray this continues.

Thanks again mighty healer,

Love you, Mich xx
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Dear So and So - Body, I'm sorry you're falling apart!

Oh Mich,

Come on girl, we have had this conversation so many times. You have to change, you must eat differently. I know it sounds dramatic but you are slowly killing yourself. Do you get that?  Killing yourself. Yes that is what I said and you need to take notice. It is not good to be your size.

Why do you think your knee joints hurt and when you get up after a couple of hours on the sofa you can hardly move? It is not normal for someone of 42 to move about like they are 82. It will be the excess 8 stone you are carrying. That is, after all, the weight of a small woman.

There are so many routes available to you and frankly it does not matter which way you go but you just need to do something and dramatically cutting down on what you eat (particularly the junk) will make a really good start.

Stop being so busy with everything else please and just get to it. Carve some time out and give yourself space to exercise, sleep enough, drink more water and eat healthier.

You are worth it Mich, you need to start treasuring yourself in the same way you do others.

From your exasperated self
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Dear So and So - La Español Edición

Booooon diumenge!!!!!! #incostabrava

A photo posted by Costa Brava Pirineu de Girona (@costabravapirineu) on Sep 19, 2015 at 10:55pm PDT

Hey Mich,

Who would have guessed it? After a 30 year break since you last tried to speak a foreign language you are back in the classroom and shock, horror - you enjoyed it!

Those lies you told yourself for the last 30 years - that you are rubbish at languages and don't have an ear for it, well they are just that - lies!  You are a very capable and well educated woman and you can do anything you put your mind to. This includes learning a second language.

Now you need to keep practising - reading, online, games and most importantly talking. You are in a very unique and privileged position because you live with lots of native Spanish speakers, so make sure you make use of them and try your hardest.

I have faith in you Mich, next summer when in Spain you'll be able to chat to the natives!

Mich x

Dear So and So - The Random Musings

OK, uneasy Feeling,

You can bog right off. I hate you. There is no need for me to have this sense of dread, this worry that something might be wrong. Yes there are a few little niggling things but none of them are important and none of them need to take up excessive mind space.

Whenever I feel like this, I have learnt that I have to acknowledge that my equilibrium is off and then I need to be really conscious to acknowledge what is troubling me and work out the worst case scenarios. At this point I know it is all manageable and I refuse to allow the devil to steal my joy.

So there you go, bleur feelings. You've had your marching orders. Time to leave Mich alone as I won't be succumbing to the downward spiral that you would love me to embark on!

I remain in control and God is the only one I answer to!

Michelle

Dear So and So - The Back to School Edition

Dear JJ,

Love you big boy. I know you are now at the age where you think it is quite embarrassing that mum wants to give you a hug or kiss you goodbye, so I'll respect that you are now a secondary school student and let you be.

I'm so glad your first days at your new school have gone well and I hope you continue to enjoy learning there. I also pray that you make some good friends and find some interesting extra-curricular activities. It is not all about maths and Minecraft JJ, remember that.

Standing with you always, Mummy xx

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Dear So and So - The #Ashburnham2015 Edition

Dear New Ground,

Wow, you sure know how to put on a great weekend away. Your planning and organisation is seamless and my family have had such an amazing time. Thanks so much, we really appreciate all you have done to make this happen.

I sure hope we still live here in 2017 when the next mass gathering of New Ground churches will be.

Very happy to be a member of one of your churches, Michelle
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Dear So and So - A Relaxing Summer

Mich,

Do you know what summer is for? It is for enjoying, for making the most of. For spending time with those you love, for making memories.

Let me give you a few ideas of things you can get up to whilst you are breaking the norms this summer -

• sit on the bench outside your door on an evening and enjoy a cool glass of rose
• wiggle your toes in the sand when you visit the beach
• read a book in the park whilst the kids all play
• enjoy three flavours of ice cream in one cone (that's right, push the boat out - all three together!)
• enjoy a moonlit stroll with dh on the seafront
• play tennis (badly) at the park with the kids
• make some cards so you have a stock for future birthdays
• make progress with your tapestry
• bake with the kids
• spend time with friends and make an effort to be sociable!

Dear So and So - Happy 8th Birthday Girlies

Dear Twinnies,

I truly cannot believe you are eight. Where have those years gone? You have grown so big and in some ways are wise beyond your years. In the last year we have really seen your relationship blossom and I am so glad that I persevered and insist you have to be friends. it is great to see you play together and stick together when you need to.

I had to laugh when we went out Saturday as a family to celebrate your birthday only for you not to be able to agree on a film at the cinema, so half of us went to Jurassic World and the others to Minions.

Oh well, we all got to eat our KFC together and share the car journey!

Love you both, Mummy xx

Dear So and So - Great Customer Sevice

Happy Customer Sign from Shutterstock

Dear British Rail,

I think you often get a bad press. People moaning about delays, cancelled trains, leaves on the track and I know that sometimes they are right but I've been super impressed with you just recently.

OK it didn't start so great when one of your operatives sold me the wrong ticket and it all could have ended up quite badly if your ticket inspector on the train hadn't believed me but he was great. He sold me another ticket and explained the situation patiently and he understood that I was going to complain.

So I used your on line complaint form via your web pages and within a few days you had come back to me. No questions asked, you offered an apology and you refunded me for the additional ticket I had to buy. Way to go British Rail, I was super impressed and I want everyone to know how fair you have been.

A very happy customer, Mrs Pannell

Dear So and So - I'm 1 in a Million!

Dear ONE,

You are such an amazing advocacy and campaigning organisation and I'm really pleased to work with you. It is you who has shown me that everyday people like me have power. When we come together things can and do change.

Your Poverty is Sexist campaign that you launched back in March this year was provocative and pioneering but it is working. Thanks for updating me and letting me know that over 1 million people have now signed the petition and said that there must be equality between the sexes. It is not OK that millions of girls are denied an education, that hundreds of thousands of young girls are pushed into early marriage, that women cannot own the land they farm nor that so many lives are ruined through gender based violence or FGM (female genital mutilation).

I am so proud to be involved in the tireless work that you do. Thanks for believing in this small-time blogger.

Mich xx

Dear So and So - A Bloggy One

Dear PR person,

I know it is your job and I am sure you are very lovely so I don't want to be unkind to you, but do you realise that because I've been blogging such a long time now I get about 50 emails a day asking me to tweet, post, share etc and I just cannot do them all? In fact I don't even want to do them all even if I had infinite time as my readership would be bored to tears!

I'm a busy woman with three kids, a husband and three voluntary jobs, as well as my campaigning and paid writing work. I have no spare capacity to read all your press releases and then to promote your products for free. I won't be rude to you but at the moment I'm struggling to respond to every email, so please do not chase me 2 or 3 days after your email if you've not heard from me.  Just know that I can't do it right now but leave me on your mailing list and next time I might be able to help.

Thanks a lot,

Michelle (not Mummy from the Heart as so many people love to address me! grr)
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Dear So and So - Britmums Live 2015

Dear Clare,

Thanks for being my roomie yet again but sorry the Travelodge was so hot that you didn't get any sleep and I got very little. We really must try to be more classy next year and stay somewhere else! Anyway I had a fab time with you, particularly on the Friday when we both had a little too much booze and enjoyed dinner with some epic ladies, even if that Jessup really was quite rude to me and Stef revealed things to the whole restaurant that she might have regretted the next morning.

It was good to know that throughout the conference I could easily find you in your comfy courtyard chair crocheting a granny square.

Love you bloggy bestie, Mich xx

PS - I love this picture of us, it is probably my favourite picture of me in years 

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Dear So and So - The Race for Life Edition

Dear girls,

Thanks so much for being my companions at the Race for Life on Sunday. It was such a privilege to do this with you and whilst we only walked it, I think it was more important that we raised money, championed a cause and took part together than our time of 1 hour and 1 minute.

Love you both, mummy xx

PS - Yes when you are teenagers you can do it on your own and run the race and half my time *sigh*
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Dear friends,

Thank you to so many of you for sponsoring us, we raised just over £200 and I think that is marvellous.

You all rock, Mich
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To Brioche Pasquier,

You make some seriously great little brioches that my kids adore for a breakfast treat or in their lunchbox and I think your new chocolate chip seeded brioche is tasty too, sadly only one of my children agreed with me but then the other two hate seeds so it was too be expected. The girls and I loved being part of your Race for Life team and I was proud to wear the t-shirt (which thankfully stretched to my size!) 

It is fab how you Champion the Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life 2015 series. Last year you raised £20,000 for Cancer Research UK through your Raise Some Dough promotion and this year you offered 400 free entries for Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life series and hosted the fabulous Share a moment giveaway. You are doing a great job! 

Thanks also for the £50 you donated to our fund raising efforts, I know it will be put to good use..

Thanks a lot, the Pannell family
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Thank you God,

The weather you provided for our walk (I can't really call it a race when we were not being competitive at all) was fabulous. No rain, warm but not too hot.

Thanks for always looking after us, Mich x
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Dear body,

You found that a real struggle didn't you? It's to be expected I suppose, you are carrying about 7 or 8 stone in excess weight. It is no wonder really that your knees hurt and you feel completely exhausted after the 12 km that you walked Sunday morning.

I'm going to try real hard to treat you better as things can't go on like this, I understand that.

Thanks, your owner, Mich x

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Cancer,

We all hate you and one day I pray we see an end to you. You have taken hold of too many people that we love and I pray they have gone to a better place to be reunited with you. RIP Nanny Mary and Granddad Jack, loved you both so much.

Michelle
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Uncle Derek,

It was so pertinent to have your funeral just a few days before we took part in the Race for Life and I felt privileged to read on behalf of your children.

Thank the Lord you are in pain no longer.

Michelle

NOW OVER TO YOU

If you fancy linking up a letter/ notes post then please do and I'll come comment and share and why don't you take a moment to comment on a couple of other posts in the linky please.

We tweet with the hashtag #DearSoandSo and feel free to use the badge below so people can find the linky.

Thanks a lot, have a fantastic week, Mich x


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Dear So and So - Random Musings June 2015

Dear Readers,

Good morning, I hope you are well and looking forward to a good week ahead. I'm sorry I'm late with this today, I have no excuse, I just totally forgot until I was on my way back from the school run!

Whoops, imperfect Mich!
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Dear Home,

I love you. You make me very happy and I must get out and enjoy your grounds more. Last week as I lay under this tree for 3/4 of an hour and prayed, it was the happiest and most serene I have been in a long time. I need to make more time for being outside and being with God.

Mich x

Dear So and So - Delightful Devon

Oh Devon,

We only saw such a small part of you on our whirlwind three night trip over the weekend but how I love you. So lush, so green, just like a massive patchwork quilt spread before us as we drove along. I adored being up in the hills and taking the roads down to Sidmouth or Exmouth. You literally took my breath away as we cruised over the summit and saw the views across the fields and down to the sea. Simply stunning, I'm sure we will be back.

Gratefully, The Pannell family
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Dear So and So - Yay for Half Term

Whoop, whoop it is half term and I absolutely adore having the kids off. No having to get up at silly o'clock and lots of time having fun!

Dear JJ,

I'm so glad you had a wonderful weekend at Scout camp, we knew you would but we also knew you would come home and be as grumpy as anything. I am praying you get a fabulous nights sleep so that I get my nice boy back tomorrow and don't have to confiscate that iPad!

I mean it, pop a smile on your face! Mum xx
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To all volunteer Scouting leaders and helpers,

Sincerely, thank you so much for all you do. It makes a real difference to so many children's lives and I know at times it feels as if you are an unpaid babysitting service and as if no-one appreciates you but we do. I really do and I know JJ and the girls do too. I think they have possibly joined the best scout group in the country and I'm not just saying that as dh is one of the leaders. Although that sure makes it fun for all the kids when they are young. I was very proud watching the girls being invested on Tuesday night.

A grateful mummy

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Dear So and So - to my JJ

To my most gorgeous boy,

In a few short months you will be twelve and starting secondary school. I am so proud of you and how far you have come. From the giant 5 year old who started school and lacked any kind of empathy or relationship with other children, who also dribbled constantly and had no sense of coordination or balance to the well-rounded lad you are now. In the last seven years you have bloomed and grown so much and I'm so glad to have been a part of your journey.

Of course at times it has been hard, there have been tears, there have been discussions, deep discussions, oh so many discussions about what is acceptable and appropriate behaviour and how to read people and to know when an apology is required or a kind word appreciated.

Dear So and So - The General Election

Dear UK residents,

I'm really proud to live in a free country. A country where we can speak out about the things that are important to us. Where I can shout it from the rooftops that I'm a Christian and that my relationship with Jesus is the most important thing in my life.

I understand that after last weeks election some of you are dismayed and upset with the result but I refuse to be dictated to by you. Yes there are things that need fixing in our country but money is finite and tough decisions have to be made and someone has to do it.

Democracy means that we all choose who we vote for and then I believe we should respect each others opinions and agree to not agree if that is the case. We each make choices based on our realities, and what it real to me is not real to you and vice versa. Just because one person votes Conservative, UKIP, Green, Labour, Lib Dem or something else entirely does not make them evil or mis-informed it just makes them different to you.

I'm so pleased that most people I'm friends with are completely reasonable and see the logic in this, even if they vote differently to me.

Thanks, Mich x
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Dear So and So - Bank Holiday Weekend Edition

Dear School,

I'm so pleased you choose to have an inset day on Friday, meaning that we got a four day weekend. It has gone in a flash but that chilled first day really set the kids up so they could then have three full-on busy days.

However, I could sincerely do without them being off on Thursday for the election. It does bug me that I can't take them out for one day to have a long weekend away but you can close the school for the election when there is a perfectly good village hall down the way!

Sincerely Mrs Pannell

Dear So and So - The Girlie Day in London Edition

Dear Kate,

It was so fabulous to spend the day with you Saturday, I can't believe it is nearly two years since we have last seen each other. That is when you can tell a great friend, when you can just pick up and act as if we last caught up yesterday.

Uni pals rock, Mich xx