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Another year older and another break due! So here’s a cake to fill the time between now and when we are back from our break!
I’m clearly on a roll here. Thought I’d jot down a few reflections on a brilliant two part documentary on BBC2 I managed to catch most of: The trouble with working women. Managed to pull off the neat trick of wading into hugely controversial waters, remaining light and entertaining, and raising really important thought-provoking issues, even if ultimately I’m not sure they were the ones the programme makers thought they were raising. It turns out that the trouble is less with working women, and more with working mothers. To conclude, as they did, by reflecting on whether women can ‘have it all’ and concluding it was all about women multi-tasking where men focused just on career seemed a step back from the level of reflection they’d actually achieved during the documentary, where one of the most acute questions posed was why female surgeons seemed to rise to the top of their profession at the expense of a family life, whereas the top male surgeon they interviewed spoke candidly about the anti-social hours he worked yet had a large family. The unspoken answer to the question seemed to be ‘yes, you can have it all, as long as your wife is prepared to run around like a headless chicken keeping all the balls in the air while you do it’.
The whole thing was full of suprising convention-challenging moments. The things that stayed with me were one of the founders of Spare Rib noting that they got it badly wrong because none of them had children; the suprisingly reactionary founder of the women’s refuge movement asking why we’re obsessed with senior executive posts when trying to evaluate whether we have equality in society or not; and the female executive of a small business stating tat she wouldn’t hire women of childbearing age because they’re inherently risky- likely to disappear on maternity leave, and that business would fight paternity leave provision tooth and nail because they need men of that age to continue to be predictable at being in work irrespective of having a family.
I was left wondering if the real issue was parenthood and why it is that women are socially conditioned to be the ones left holding the baby when the music stops. Can things change? Yes, with enlightened employers like the one they showcased, which basically takes the line that their staff are their prime resource and selling point to the customer, so staff retention is a high priority. On that basis they offer 9 months paid maternity leave, encourage flexible working, reduction of hours to work around childcare commitments, and do all of this with no negative impact on promotion prospects. The female executive they spoke to said when she was promoted to her current post she was pregnant and working part-time. Now if only we could encourage the church to put it’s money where it’s mouth is and follow best industry practice…
And as with the fight for equality for women within the church, I suspect focusing on top jobs and glass ceilings really misses the point. The issues that effect most women are bullying and harrasment and institutional issues connected with maternity leave and childcare. Counting how many women bishops there aren’t misses the point.
Mark
After spending our holiday listening to Winnie the Pooh as read by Alan Bennett the boys are rather taken by the idea of Bumble Bees. Jude has also been learning Rhymes and songs about them and making them at Nursery this week. So it’s all rather appropriate that I feel I’ve got the sensation of being a very busy bee myself this week. I’ve got so much to catch up on and so very little time. Argh! The good news is that the computer is back and had a big repair. Apple Mac’s don’t have major software issues but when the hardware goes- yikes! Thank Heaven for warranty! From Monday I’m going to be at the diocesan clergy conference…perhaps I’l blog my way through that a little. I’ll certainly be tweeting my way along.
In church terms things are going all right- the APCM went smoothly at least. I’m going to buzz off now and get ready for this mornings meeting.
Buzzzzzz!
We’re taking a week away from the computer (happens to be broken!) so enjoy some seasonal cake to celebrate our Blogging Birthday whilst we are offline! Can’t believe I’ve been blogging 2 years now.
See you soon- Ressurexit Alleluia!
Maria, who is a Priest in the Church of Sweden (Lutheran) named me as one of her 7 favourite blogs! Thank you Maria for reading my rambles and for bearing with me during this huge transition.
So what are my own seven favourite blogs…..
Made by Petchy- Solveig is just SO creative and I love what she does visually. I am often inspired to do creative stuff not just at home but also in church by solveig’s fab blog.
A Wonderful Exchange- Kimberly
RevRuth’s Rantings- Another Scottish Blogger
msReverendornot- the blog of an Episcopalian Clergywoman. What more can I say but Shoes…and I’m inspired by her 50 books in a year aim.
anyday a beautiful change- I particular favourite Katherine’s blog for this sermon.
Soulemama- The Blog of another inspirational craftswoman and mother.
Finally there is a friend who I’d love to link to but she doesn’t really blog..and I miss her dearly so I am reserving this space for her. She’s a great mum, really clever and fun to be with! So I hope this might just encourage you to blog sometime!
So The Idea is that you link back to me…and nominate 7 favourite blogs!
Just a quick note to say there will be a pause in this blog whilst we move house. Rev’d jones and knittingvicar and hobbitvicar will be back by All saints- we hope!
Chocolate Count: gaaaaaaaah.
Alcohol: None but I also failed miserably to drink enough water in glorious sunshine at Belsay Hall and have now developed an awful headache.
Hours spent in fervent prayer: Two- Well, I am improving!
Sleep: It was better but I really do find getting up for the 8am Eucharist difficult. Even weirder that I managed it when I was not on duty and under obligation to do it! Feeling extra Holy for my achievement.
Money spent: some but hopefully I’ll get to post a few pictures to illustrate it was £ very well spent.
Despite the ups and downs of the met office weather report this last week today has been a glorious sunny day. We have much enjoyed being at Belsay Hall. Thunderbird one had slight aversion to camera but was pursuaded that camera was alright as long as it was a game of hide and seek. Same child was obviously having a worrying day when he focused on possible presence of dragon in quarry garden and castle. Dragon did not appear. Shame, that would have been interesting!
Got the BBQ out for the first time this year and had lovely meal also. Unfortunately it seems Thunderbird 3’s worrying day may have been because he wasn’t feel so good…2 sets of bedding changed already. ick. Nobody tells you about this part of being a mother.
*sigh*
Chocolate Count: why do resturants (or spa’s) put chocolate puddings on menu’s? do they not realise that Chocolate needs to be in starters, main courses, desserts and of course served with coffee and ones bill. Need i say more? chocolate was neccessary today.
Alcohol: Having been out for meal with group of women and yet again escaped the grasp of Satan, aka been the desingated driver one needed to reward oneself with a small glass of white. Rev’d Skywalker says glasses are ‘enourmous’ so small glass = large portion.
Hours spent in fervent prayer: One- not too little, not enough.
Sleep: Glass of wine helped..wish thunderbird 3 would have some similar assistance. It appears he is trying to teeth, walk and understand the word ‘No!’ all at the same time and is trying to do all of the forementioned 24 hours a day. ugh.
Money spent: more than one has but then the insurance claims should all be through this next week.
Have painted nails and spent wonderful relaxing evening with some friends and friends of friends at Serentity Spa Seaham. Was refreshing to spend time with women without feeling the need to compete and hot spas outdoors in the cold/rain are wonderful. such a shame pre-installed Hot tubs are a) pricey and b) known for reducing the value of ones property hugely.
Was awoken by thundebirds crying after having second helping of breakfast confiscated. Blowing bubbles and spitting food accross table whilst trying to kick each other is not the best illustration that one is still hungry and needs another bowl. Not a good start to the new day. New day proceeded to go downhill when Rev’d Skywalker got all pannicky about removing old sofa bed to the rubbish disposal centre. I wonder why it is that he simply can’t feel comfortable doing something like this and would rather I did it. Sometimes I think he’d rather I did everything myself. ugh. After much huffing and puffing it was done (I have no idea what Skywalker thinks the huffing will achieve) but after Rev;d Skywalker loaded the rubbish into the car I had to drive to the recycle centre and lift the metal and mattress out on my own as he is still nervous of drving the new car. Annoyed at silly man! Need. more. chocolate…raid kids biscuit box and then chastise oneself as a bad mother.
Afternoon tea calls- someone else’s baked cakes, Rev’d Skywalker may put some much needed weight on, children will make mess…maybe there’ll be alcohol present… tea might not be enough.
Chocolate Count: Zero…hurray I am triumphing over the powers of Satan!!
Alcohol: Breastfeeding and cosleeping mean that this vice is well and truly conquored…that and the fact that I can’t reach the alcohol because I am vertically challenged.
Hours spent in fervent prayer: oh dear Lord! I am so embarrased (but it is only 13.38 so there’s time yet)…
Sleep: sleep?
Spent last night worrying about new car. Shiny new silver car which was delivered yesterday following previous house burglary and theft of car keys, car, wonderful designer bag that was a gift to self on being appointed to a new job and the they drove the car like lunatics and wrote it off. Anyway slept would be a joke. Went to bed about midnight. Worried about if I remembered to lock car- got up, car still there, phew. Couldn’t get back to sleep so wrote some correspondance for Back to School, um, I mean Church, Sunday. 2.30am decided must try to sleep. Rev’d Skywalker (my husband and star wars geek) was restless and proceeded to get up and check all possible entrances and exits in and out of the house and locate all sets of keys. Evil Rev’d Skywalker then decided to wake Rev’d Jones and ask about contents of wallet emptied out in search earlier. No chance of sleep now- paranoia all round. Thunderbird 3 (youngest son) then proceeded to pick up on anxiety of parents and be quite wakeful for the rest of the night. *sigh*
had.to.get.out.of.bed to call in and collect some things from the Parish office. Miss Money penny was in good form assisted by Q (it’s M’s day off) and I achieved all in speedy time and made my get away with Thunderbirds 1-3 to b&q.
oh money spent: too much…but that little red bus keyring was just soooo mine after loosing my keyring of 15 years in the burglary.
if you haven’t got it yet this is my attempt to stimulate myself into blogging having just re-read Bridget jones Diary…….
Well I have joined a few blog rings and technorati and things like that but I never expected to log on after a few days to find that my blog had been linked to by Dave Walker over at the Church Times blog.
For my non churchy readers friends the Church Times is the main newspaper of the Church of England. It holds articles on faith and current issues, interviews, cartoons (yay Dave!) and appointments and resignations, obituaries and then a classified section with jobs in it. They have a high readership, even of clergy, who stalk their mail boxes on a Friday for the next installment ( or not!). In recent years it has become possible to stalk the website at 11.55pm for the new installment (don’t ask, I’m sad!).
Well, I must say that I did pannic a little on my discovery. Afterall my blog is very varied. The quality of my posts and knitting (!!) depend on my time and on the children. What would a seasoned Church Times online reader make of my typos and rushed posts? Would I come accross as the type of woman that vindicates their potential opposition to my ordination? So naturally I have started doing what any house proud blogger would do in the circumstances- I am going back through all my old posts and correcting the typos! Can’t do much about the quality of knitting but at least the casual reader will now be under the illusion that I am not completely reliant on a spell checker.
I have to say that my own slight pannic must be nothing in comparison to my collegue from theological college’s reaction when she found herself listed as a potential first woman Bishop the day after the vote!
Anyway, if you have found me (us) recently- welcome.
knittingvicar
hobbitvicar
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