I was up at 5am this morning. I didn't intend to get up and stay up - in fact when I've done this I MUST go back to bed and rest,at least for a bit. I came down having woken with a whiff of something dog related - and not a little untoward - if you get my drift - reaching my nostrils. The old dog of the house our beloved 15 year old Border Collie Rufus doesn't usually. Seth our adored 4 year old handsome lurcher left me a big gift yesterday in the middle of the kitchen floor and the baby, 11/12 month old little poodly/terrier Nemo, recently arrived from Lanzarote (that's another story) - otherwise known to us as the Spanish terrorist (specialising in sofa wrecking and yapping at Seth's heels) or little shitster for obvious reasons) is still getting used to his new surroundings and has been known to do one or two things inside as opposed to out.

Anyway - after all that - no mess. But I was down - and in the lovely peace of the early morning, nothing I like more than getting a few jobs - folding washing, bit of admin - done and out of the way before the day starts and the young people are up and about. I am NOT a child, 14 year old Georgina tells me. She has a point. She's edging ahead of me height wise - and as for the quick crosswords we do in the Guardian - she's all there with her onions I tell you. And don't get me started on Dylan's computer skills. My 12 year old son frightens me sometimes with his wizardry at the pc, watch out world, you have been warned.

It's been a manic week. Busy busy busy. I have to remind myself a lot. To stop. Breathe. Psalm 46.10. Be still and know that I am God.

Monday I zoomed 130 miles up and then back down the motorway to Hayton near Carlisle. The memorial service for my dear friend Sara's parents who died within weeks of each other earlier this year. Mark and Roma Andrew. What a special, amazing couple, what a life they had. Met in Africa when they were working for the guides - and scouts. What an incredibly interesting, intelligent, different couple. What an honour to have known them so closely pretty much all my life. And Sara - my beloved friend, now an only child after losing her brother so tragically in a car accident way back in the 80s. She hasn't had an easy time of it. So I wanted to go and be there for her and for my friends Mark and Roma. It was a mad rush - walk dogs, make chicken curry pie and leave for Dorian and kids for tea...then jump in car, set off too late. It was further than I thought. No 'sat nav' just my route planner print out - heading up the M6. Boy I love those hills as the scenery opens out through the Lake District. Racing racing and made it by 2.15 (service began 2pm) - just in time to go and stand beside Sara - I felt the urge to go and hold her hand - as she - bless her - struggled to hold back the tears, talking of her parents. She managed though. She did a great job. It was a lovely informal service in the beautiful little village church. Then the sun shone warm and kind on us as we stood in the graveyard and their ashes were put beside Roma's parents, her sister, and Roma and Mark's lovely son William. May they all rest in peace.

The rest of the week was taken up with doing PR for the wonderful artworks in Halifax and the fantastic Ralph Steadman show which opens next week. #excited, it's going to be #amazing.

There was also some time with my sister in law Kim, who I run our church home group with. We met on Wednesday night for some prayer and planning before our group on Thursday. Group was great. So special and essential to carve out that time to be with spiritual brothers and sisters for fellowship and sit in the presence of the Holy Spirit. Totally reviving and restoring in the midst of the hecticness.

Another mad day of PR, dog walking, artworks, and kids on Friday. Errr that's it. My week. Sunday today. 'Planning' a quiet day. Please Lord. On that note I'm heading back to bed before girding my loins for the forthcoming week. Let the Lord direct my steps and make my way straight. Thank you. Amen