house and home
Hit the bottom
23/08/08 09:39
A week of wondering and head shaking this week. So much happening and little headspace to filter it through which tends to frustrate me.
I've started running. Haven't done much yet but I've enjoyed it so far. I should be doing it now instead of on here but yesterday I spent the time thinking about blogging and never got here. So I'm trying this first today.
So what's in my head that's getting too full?
House
Can't stop thinking about it and making plans, it's only a week from being ours which is even more frustrating than it being a month away. So near I'm letting myself get excited and plans are coming together in my head fro rooms. Instead of feeling good about this I'm just annoying myself as I really want to get there and do it! Stupid I know.
HE
This isn't causing any kind of frustration, I've just started to get my head back into education mode ready for a couple of weeks time. I'm going to have to be really organised so I can do that in the mornings and have time to do house stuff in the afternoon before clubs start. I'm rather enjoying the thought of all this as it's making me plan better and think wider than before.
Summer is going to be home educated as of September and she'll be with me all day Thursday's. This will be good for some projects that work better in a group so have been thinking about opening up our time to some other kids to create a mini group for learning certain things. I think the girls would enjoy this.
Money
This is going to be really tight. We've been comfortable for a few years now but that's all going to change again. I'm not lolling in self pity here as it's something we've taken on ourselves. I'm just hoping we manage to adjust and that it doesn't last for long really. What's the point of having a big house but no money to enjoy life? I'm also worried that we won't have the money to do the place up never mind buy the shopping with...
Shinies
This is my biggest headache just now. It's had me in tears of frustration and moments of real anger. I've been part of Shinies for 7 years. I am one of the original members and have seen it go through changes good and bad, growing from 3 families to the current amount of about 50. Some things have gone on during this time that I haven't liked, haven't joined in with and at times have had me questioning why I'm there at all.
For the past two years each summer we've held a fun day to raise money. One of the main attractions of Shinies is the never ending pot of money we have. It's very nice. But it doesn't appear by magic. Two members work really hard on getting funding from causes such as the National Lottery. I'm rubbish at askign for money as I don't feel it's my right so don't get involved in this. Stupid on my part I know. To compensate in my mind for this I help get money in other ways. So here comes in the fun days. They are long drawn out in the planning and begging other members to get involved in any way shape or form. Of course there are those members who are always there and always helpful.
Last year pushed me to my limits. I ran around like a crazed woman, driving the van here there and everywhere, collecting this and delivering that. The night before I got home at 10pm and made cakes. I sat in my lounge on the packing boxes before climbing the stairs gone midnight to sleep on the mattress on the floor. At 5am I was up again and out of the house to start the morning off. Setting things up and driving around some more. From start to finish I painted faces, I had one drink, my back ached and I shook with tiredness. I helped clear up and went home. I then helped Tony move house. The removals company had double booked so they didn't turn up until 3.30pm. I met them at the new house at 5pm to help unload. The van wouldn't go down the drive so we had to carry everything. We all worked long and hard.
We returned to Stafford House and fell onto the mattress. We spent the next day moving more stuff and unpacking.
I'm not typing this for a medal or praise I'm typing it to remind myself what I did and what I'd do. I can't list it all. I did it all because it needed to be done. Shinies is an important part of our life. It's our community , our HE world. Through Shinies our needs are met, friends are made, support is offered and fun is had. We have good times, we learn good things, we get opportunities that I couldn't do home alone.
Every Friday we meet in a hall for 3 hours, each family pays £3. This covers the hall, drinks and the ret goes in the never ending pot of money. During the time in the hall, activities are on offer. These activities are provided by individual families, some are large some are small. Some are toys and board games. ALL are appreciated and VERY MUCH needed. Without them there is nothing for the children to do and they get bored. When they get bored they get up to no good and problems arise. Over the past six months, less and less has been brought to the hall. Obviously this has led to problems. At the end of May whenb we stop meeting in the hall, I'd decided not to return to Shinies in September. The girls had had enough, they had been picked on and been called 'pricks' once too often and I couldn't see the point any more.
Over the summer I've thought more about it and talked to the children. We'd come up with a plan. We spent the summer arranging play dates and meet ups. Building up their security again and testing our feet as to what to do. We'd decided to go to Shinies every two weeks ensuring we'd take at least two activities and one of them being for over 9's only. As part of this plan I thought I'd get a task force togetehr of like minded parents and create some sort of rota to guarantee at least 5 activities each week.
I'd promised Tony that I wouldn't do the fun day this year and would put the money we would normally spend in that day in the never ending pot anyway. At a meeting I didn't attend it was decided that instead of a fun day we would do bag packing at a supermarket instead. This was a cool idea, no planning and only 1.5 hours commitment from each family. The first set of dates came out and it's when I'm in Cambridge at the Petites party. I sent my apologies and reasons. They were accepted.
But the offers of help from other families just didn't come in. Three or four families said yes. An email went out asking for more support, pointing out that in fact the never ending pot is actually just about at it's end and there is no funding from elsewhere this year.
Cue outrage and abuse from certain families about how they shouldn't have to do x,y or z. No they shouldn't have to do it but to get the money in to do all the things they want to do then the money has to be raised. it doesn't just fall out of the sky. One woman posted that she joined Shinies for the cheap trips not to have pressure put on her to organise things. But the cheap trips don't happen without the money!! The online forum has got nasty, people have left and it's all turned out horrible. I'm not going to leave but I;m not going to support and fund these kind of people any more. I'm very well aware we all have other commitments, we all have different values and beliefs, we all have different amounts of free time and money. BUT we all have a commitment to our children and to the group. You can't just join and do nothing but expect it all in return. A small offering is appreciated so much more than nothing at all.
I'm fuming about it all. I've kept out of all discussion online as I'm so angry but this here is my space and I can do and say what I like on here.
So all that aside how's life at The Screamteam?
Not bad actually. The children are happier than they've been in a long time, they are spending the summer playing and enjoying their childhood. I never ask them to do work during the summer, I have wonderful memories of long hot summers playing and having fun. They haven't got the heat but they have everything else! My garden is full of home made tents from bamboo canes and material. As I sit here and type I can hear them in the garden. Today they are making a film. They are having a good childhood, they are good people.
I've started running. Haven't done much yet but I've enjoyed it so far. I should be doing it now instead of on here but yesterday I spent the time thinking about blogging and never got here. So I'm trying this first today.
So what's in my head that's getting too full?
House
Can't stop thinking about it and making plans, it's only a week from being ours which is even more frustrating than it being a month away. So near I'm letting myself get excited and plans are coming together in my head fro rooms. Instead of feeling good about this I'm just annoying myself as I really want to get there and do it! Stupid I know.
HE
This isn't causing any kind of frustration, I've just started to get my head back into education mode ready for a couple of weeks time. I'm going to have to be really organised so I can do that in the mornings and have time to do house stuff in the afternoon before clubs start. I'm rather enjoying the thought of all this as it's making me plan better and think wider than before.
Summer is going to be home educated as of September and she'll be with me all day Thursday's. This will be good for some projects that work better in a group so have been thinking about opening up our time to some other kids to create a mini group for learning certain things. I think the girls would enjoy this.
Money
This is going to be really tight. We've been comfortable for a few years now but that's all going to change again. I'm not lolling in self pity here as it's something we've taken on ourselves. I'm just hoping we manage to adjust and that it doesn't last for long really. What's the point of having a big house but no money to enjoy life? I'm also worried that we won't have the money to do the place up never mind buy the shopping with...
Shinies
This is my biggest headache just now. It's had me in tears of frustration and moments of real anger. I've been part of Shinies for 7 years. I am one of the original members and have seen it go through changes good and bad, growing from 3 families to the current amount of about 50. Some things have gone on during this time that I haven't liked, haven't joined in with and at times have had me questioning why I'm there at all.
For the past two years each summer we've held a fun day to raise money. One of the main attractions of Shinies is the never ending pot of money we have. It's very nice. But it doesn't appear by magic. Two members work really hard on getting funding from causes such as the National Lottery. I'm rubbish at askign for money as I don't feel it's my right so don't get involved in this. Stupid on my part I know. To compensate in my mind for this I help get money in other ways. So here comes in the fun days. They are long drawn out in the planning and begging other members to get involved in any way shape or form. Of course there are those members who are always there and always helpful.
Last year pushed me to my limits. I ran around like a crazed woman, driving the van here there and everywhere, collecting this and delivering that. The night before I got home at 10pm and made cakes. I sat in my lounge on the packing boxes before climbing the stairs gone midnight to sleep on the mattress on the floor. At 5am I was up again and out of the house to start the morning off. Setting things up and driving around some more. From start to finish I painted faces, I had one drink, my back ached and I shook with tiredness. I helped clear up and went home. I then helped Tony move house. The removals company had double booked so they didn't turn up until 3.30pm. I met them at the new house at 5pm to help unload. The van wouldn't go down the drive so we had to carry everything. We all worked long and hard.
We returned to Stafford House and fell onto the mattress. We spent the next day moving more stuff and unpacking.
I'm not typing this for a medal or praise I'm typing it to remind myself what I did and what I'd do. I can't list it all. I did it all because it needed to be done. Shinies is an important part of our life. It's our community , our HE world. Through Shinies our needs are met, friends are made, support is offered and fun is had. We have good times, we learn good things, we get opportunities that I couldn't do home alone.
Every Friday we meet in a hall for 3 hours, each family pays £3. This covers the hall, drinks and the ret goes in the never ending pot of money. During the time in the hall, activities are on offer. These activities are provided by individual families, some are large some are small. Some are toys and board games. ALL are appreciated and VERY MUCH needed. Without them there is nothing for the children to do and they get bored. When they get bored they get up to no good and problems arise. Over the past six months, less and less has been brought to the hall. Obviously this has led to problems. At the end of May whenb we stop meeting in the hall, I'd decided not to return to Shinies in September. The girls had had enough, they had been picked on and been called 'pricks' once too often and I couldn't see the point any more.
Over the summer I've thought more about it and talked to the children. We'd come up with a plan. We spent the summer arranging play dates and meet ups. Building up their security again and testing our feet as to what to do. We'd decided to go to Shinies every two weeks ensuring we'd take at least two activities and one of them being for over 9's only. As part of this plan I thought I'd get a task force togetehr of like minded parents and create some sort of rota to guarantee at least 5 activities each week.
I'd promised Tony that I wouldn't do the fun day this year and would put the money we would normally spend in that day in the never ending pot anyway. At a meeting I didn't attend it was decided that instead of a fun day we would do bag packing at a supermarket instead. This was a cool idea, no planning and only 1.5 hours commitment from each family. The first set of dates came out and it's when I'm in Cambridge at the Petites party. I sent my apologies and reasons. They were accepted.
But the offers of help from other families just didn't come in. Three or four families said yes. An email went out asking for more support, pointing out that in fact the never ending pot is actually just about at it's end and there is no funding from elsewhere this year.
Cue outrage and abuse from certain families about how they shouldn't have to do x,y or z. No they shouldn't have to do it but to get the money in to do all the things they want to do then the money has to be raised. it doesn't just fall out of the sky. One woman posted that she joined Shinies for the cheap trips not to have pressure put on her to organise things. But the cheap trips don't happen without the money!! The online forum has got nasty, people have left and it's all turned out horrible. I'm not going to leave but I;m not going to support and fund these kind of people any more. I'm very well aware we all have other commitments, we all have different values and beliefs, we all have different amounts of free time and money. BUT we all have a commitment to our children and to the group. You can't just join and do nothing but expect it all in return. A small offering is appreciated so much more than nothing at all.
I'm fuming about it all. I've kept out of all discussion online as I'm so angry but this here is my space and I can do and say what I like on here.
So all that aside how's life at The Screamteam?
Not bad actually. The children are happier than they've been in a long time, they are spending the summer playing and enjoying their childhood. I never ask them to do work during the summer, I have wonderful memories of long hot summers playing and having fun. They haven't got the heat but they have everything else! My garden is full of home made tents from bamboo canes and material. As I sit here and type I can hear them in the garden. Today they are making a film. They are having a good childhood, they are good people.
|
House
12/08/08 17:07
Saw it properly this morning. Inside and EVERYTHING- well not everything as the tosser is still in the flat. Actually we saw him and he was overly friendly. Wanker. I'd be all smiles if someone gave me 5 grand for being a sponge. He makes me break my swearing curfew.
Anyway! It's beautiful, thankfully not as big as I'd feared and will less work then we'd both put in our heads. It'll still take years and loads of money but we'll be able to make a fair number of rooms easily livable until the money is there for them. We tested the 9 pianos and earmarked the ones we'll be keeping. We also marked the furniture we'd like. It's all to be sold or dumped so the solicitors are keen for us to have what we can. Some beautiful pieces that are needed in the house. sadly most of the fireplaces have been blocked up so that'll be one of the first jobs we'll do so we can enjoy one of our dreams.
Walking around it today still didn't feel real. It was the first time we weren't rushed or having to be polite. We were there as the new owners with a very nice chap urging us to take this and that. He referred to it as our house all the time but it doesn't feel like it yet. Maybe when we next go there and everything has been removed. We I can stand alone in a room and shout for joy, the kids running up the stairs and sliding down the banisters, maybe then it will feel like mine. It does feel right though, like it's meant for us.
Anyway! It's beautiful, thankfully not as big as I'd feared and will less work then we'd both put in our heads. It'll still take years and loads of money but we'll be able to make a fair number of rooms easily livable until the money is there for them. We tested the 9 pianos and earmarked the ones we'll be keeping. We also marked the furniture we'd like. It's all to be sold or dumped so the solicitors are keen for us to have what we can. Some beautiful pieces that are needed in the house. sadly most of the fireplaces have been blocked up so that'll be one of the first jobs we'll do so we can enjoy one of our dreams.
Walking around it today still didn't feel real. It was the first time we weren't rushed or having to be polite. We were there as the new owners with a very nice chap urging us to take this and that. He referred to it as our house all the time but it doesn't feel like it yet. Maybe when we next go there and everything has been removed. We I can stand alone in a room and shout for joy, the kids running up the stairs and sliding down the banisters, maybe then it will feel like mine. It does feel right though, like it's meant for us.
Inclination there, time lacking
11/08/08 21:34
I fancy being a daily blogger. I spend much of each day filing bits in my brain for later release when I get to the computer. Somehow that time doesn't come. It seems something else has to wait for me to have this time, that isn't normally something that can wait.
This week I'm a mummy to one. The girls are away at MoTB. We dropped them off yesterday, excited and they pushed us down the drive after about an hour as it was time for them to have fun! Felt odd as always but also I'm jealous- that place is really cool! We followed Bob back to the campsite to see Joyce- so good to see after far too long! They have the most adorable dog in Maisie. I didn't think I'd like her much ( pre-concieved ideas about poodles!) but I was so wrong, poodles are lovely and don't feel at all as I imagined.
I'm looking forward to my time with Buzz and being able to have a bit of time for myself. My batteries really need charging and I'm obviously run down as I'm still coughing after 5.5 weeks. For someone who never normally gets the slightest cold I'm going potty with myself coughing and coughing. A huge downside of the girls being away is that I've promised to take Buzz to Legoland on Wednesday. What was I thinking?
So in this time alone with Buzz I've been doing some thinking about him and where he is in his little world. He's a pretty cool kid actually and one I'd like to be mates with. He's too easily led for my liking and would probably be the class clown if he were in school. Like his eldest sister he likes to entertain and amuse. He's naturally bright without being full on about he. he gets most things quickly and in an unassuming way. His reading is brilliant but he hates reading to me so we do very little of this, but today he was reading The Times to me as I was driving along. He's not 100% perfect but pretty damn impressive. Shame I can't take the credit again
He's number crazy. He sees patterns in them every where and is always working things out in his head and suggesting things to me that I wouldn't even think about. At the moment he's going through a times table phase, a few weeks ago it was time and wore his watch obsessively (quoting the time almost every 2 minutes!).
His drawings are cool, very intricate. Never copied and rarely of a film or TV character. Last week he draw about 100 drawings of camping, different people camping from different periods in time and all that they might need. He likes drawing our home and garden with him playing with his friends or toys. Today he has made paper airplanes with notes for me written on them. He's cute.
I have taken a break from sewing and have been knitting some hats for friends. Knitting really gives me problems with my fingers though which makes me worry about developing arthritis like my mum who can no longer knit.
Exciting news today is that we'll exchange on The Dream House on the 29th!!!! I can't begin to say how amazing this feels to finally have a date, to be able to know that no more crap will get on way! Watch this space for me moaning about all this shit that will come with owning an old house with everything needing doing on it! Please feel free to remind me of my fight to get it!
So it seems I'll be even further down the lack of time path in the coming months.
This week I'm a mummy to one. The girls are away at MoTB. We dropped them off yesterday, excited and they pushed us down the drive after about an hour as it was time for them to have fun! Felt odd as always but also I'm jealous- that place is really cool! We followed Bob back to the campsite to see Joyce- so good to see after far too long! They have the most adorable dog in Maisie. I didn't think I'd like her much ( pre-concieved ideas about poodles!) but I was so wrong, poodles are lovely and don't feel at all as I imagined.
I'm looking forward to my time with Buzz and being able to have a bit of time for myself. My batteries really need charging and I'm obviously run down as I'm still coughing after 5.5 weeks. For someone who never normally gets the slightest cold I'm going potty with myself coughing and coughing. A huge downside of the girls being away is that I've promised to take Buzz to Legoland on Wednesday. What was I thinking?
So in this time alone with Buzz I've been doing some thinking about him and where he is in his little world. He's a pretty cool kid actually and one I'd like to be mates with. He's too easily led for my liking and would probably be the class clown if he were in school. Like his eldest sister he likes to entertain and amuse. He's naturally bright without being full on about he. he gets most things quickly and in an unassuming way. His reading is brilliant but he hates reading to me so we do very little of this, but today he was reading The Times to me as I was driving along. He's not 100% perfect but pretty damn impressive. Shame I can't take the credit again
He's number crazy. He sees patterns in them every where and is always working things out in his head and suggesting things to me that I wouldn't even think about. At the moment he's going through a times table phase, a few weeks ago it was time and wore his watch obsessively (quoting the time almost every 2 minutes!).
His drawings are cool, very intricate. Never copied and rarely of a film or TV character. Last week he draw about 100 drawings of camping, different people camping from different periods in time and all that they might need. He likes drawing our home and garden with him playing with his friends or toys. Today he has made paper airplanes with notes for me written on them. He's cute.
I have taken a break from sewing and have been knitting some hats for friends. Knitting really gives me problems with my fingers though which makes me worry about developing arthritis like my mum who can no longer knit.
Exciting news today is that we'll exchange on The Dream House on the 29th!!!! I can't begin to say how amazing this feels to finally have a date, to be able to know that no more crap will get on way! Watch this space for me moaning about all this shit that will come with owning an old house with everything needing doing on it! Please feel free to remind me of my fight to get it!
So it seems I'll be even further down the lack of time path in the coming months.
House and Home
07/04/08 23:05
We need a place to call home, a place that's ours, a place to love. We put Stafford House on the market 20 months ago. We lost the house we really wanted to buy and have viewed 24 other properties. We have been hanging on waiting for the Dream House to go through probate and goodness knows what else. We adore this house, it's location and it's grandness. It doesn't fulfill why we put our house on the market all those months ago though. Our aim was to have a simpler life, with land and animals, a sanctuary away from work and routine. This house gives us all that. It doesn't give us room space (though it has plenty of them!), it doesn't give us the ease to town and work we have grown to love here. It is much cheaper than Audrey's despite needing work (we'd convert the garage into the lounge), as Audrey's needs about 250K on it (which will take years to afford). We try and listen to our heart and it wants both so we try to listen to our head and it wants both. We're seeing the solicitor on Thursday to sort out our wills, maybe fate will step in then. We don't want to make the wrong decision.
Domestic Goddess
15/11/07 14:46
Life
12/10/07 22:07
The education of.
That's what we've been doing recently. Too busy for anything else it seems! Much time spent with friends at the park, beach and generally playing and chatting. Kids are happy and so am I
Enjoyed being in Reading last weekend with friends- kids thought it was great too!
Had a fantastic adult night at The Savoy scooping Retailer of the Year award and getting more than tipsy on Champers.
Lost Kessie today! She was in the garden and when I called her she didn't come in. Cue frantic run up the drive and name calling. Jumped in car with kids and called Tony as I drove around the block. He raced home and joined the search. A neighbour spotted him and told him a school girl had found her and had her in her house down the road. Tony raced off and I followed. I walked into the house to find the schoolgirl wrapped in a towel straight from the shower and looking nothing like I did when I went to school! She'd called the pound.
£25 and a lecture later Kessie returned home. What a horrid experience.
Tony has fallen in love with a house which I'm not head over heels in love with. Getting so bored with it all and I still want the dream house so have told him to just buy it. I know it will be fine and it has a wonderful room that I can have for a little future plan
Nothing confirmed as yet though.
Have put Pea on vitamins and woman essence for her hormones. They were getting beyond a joke and this seems to have calmed her down lots. Her skin is terrible though so have decided today to remove all sorts from her diet for a little while to see what happens.
Shinies is being lovely atm which is such a huge relief after the whole summer dreading the return. The children are really enjoying it and I have organised myself with activities there until Christmas. I figure if I'm busy and have a focus whilst I'm there all will be well. So far it's working and the kids seem to be really enjoying what I'm doing!
That's what we've been doing recently. Too busy for anything else it seems! Much time spent with friends at the park, beach and generally playing and chatting. Kids are happy and so am I
Enjoyed being in Reading last weekend with friends- kids thought it was great too!
Had a fantastic adult night at The Savoy scooping Retailer of the Year award and getting more than tipsy on Champers.
Lost Kessie today! She was in the garden and when I called her she didn't come in. Cue frantic run up the drive and name calling. Jumped in car with kids and called Tony as I drove around the block. He raced home and joined the search. A neighbour spotted him and told him a school girl had found her and had her in her house down the road. Tony raced off and I followed. I walked into the house to find the schoolgirl wrapped in a towel straight from the shower and looking nothing like I did when I went to school! She'd called the pound.
£25 and a lecture later Kessie returned home. What a horrid experience.
Tony has fallen in love with a house which I'm not head over heels in love with. Getting so bored with it all and I still want the dream house so have told him to just buy it. I know it will be fine and it has a wonderful room that I can have for a little future plan
Nothing confirmed as yet though.Have put Pea on vitamins and woman essence for her hormones. They were getting beyond a joke and this seems to have calmed her down lots. Her skin is terrible though so have decided today to remove all sorts from her diet for a little while to see what happens.
Shinies is being lovely atm which is such a huge relief after the whole summer dreading the return. The children are really enjoying it and I have organised myself with activities there until Christmas. I figure if I'm busy and have a focus whilst I'm there all will be well. So far it's working and the kids seem to be really enjoying what I'm doing!
Filling You In
02/10/07 08:53
I'm enjoying our days atm but not inclined to blog them LOL! Typical after I harped on and on about getting a new blog
We are doing small pockets of formal work throughout the week, I'm trying to up the game of the big two without making a huge deal about it. All seems to be going rather well though and they are all loving the French we have been doing. Buzz is doing great at his reading. I'm strict about when I say they are 'readers' I'd say he was about 70% there with Horrid Henry books. Boo still hates maths though i don't know why as she's perfectly capable. I think it's some sort of mental block.
They are really loving their new piano lessons. Uncle Rod (maths and sax already) is doing a fine job and they no longer spend weeks on a piece. One per week and then the structure of music around that. Boo has started violin and her teacher is a dream and teaching exactly as we believe music should be taught. She can't wait to get to her lessons each week.
Last week the girls and I went to London to The Globe theatre to see Loves Labours lost. This was a trip organised through the newsletter I make for families HEing in Sussex. We really enjoyed it and I would highly recommend it. The attention to detail was amazing and the girls sat in awe at the beautiful dresses the ladies wore. They were highly amuse and a bit shocked at the willy flash
We have also been to Amberley Working Museum with Shinies. Took 2.5 hours to get there because of the traffic at Lewes but it was a great day. Terrible workshop, where the woman provided no information and seem eager to leave us! Bizarre. All of us spent the day dressed up from the past and enjoyed traveling on open top buses, old trains and marveling at dial phones. The kids would have spent the whole day playing with the phones that interconnected.
Kessie had her operation- so no babies for her. She hates me now. She is sad all the time, hates when I put her guard on her to stop her licking her wounds and is generally depressed.
Pea is struggling with life big time. She cries so much and has huge blow outs over nothing. Poor baby. She had a treat trip to London yesterday with Tina and Summer. Summer had an audition with Sony for their new game console. They asked Pea if she wanted to have a go but she declined. She cried for about an hour when she got home because she'd wanted to but felt she couldn't as it was Summer's chance! Next time she'll have a go!
Housewise we're no further on and I'm fed up of it all. Our offer was declined and we are currently sitting about 20 grand apart in negotiating. This really is only about £150 per month so nothing major and we could pay what they want but it's the fact that this means we have to find a further huge chunk of money for the deposit etc. Complicated. I'm still trying to get The Music House and have told Tony to contact our solicitor and push harder.
Today we have a play date (hate that expression), then a Hamlet workshop in Hastings, followed by tap and ballet for Boo.
We are doing small pockets of formal work throughout the week, I'm trying to up the game of the big two without making a huge deal about it. All seems to be going rather well though and they are all loving the French we have been doing. Buzz is doing great at his reading. I'm strict about when I say they are 'readers'
I'd say he was about 70% there with Horrid Henry books. Boo still hates maths though i don't know why as she's perfectly capable. I think it's some sort of mental block.They are really loving their new piano lessons. Uncle Rod (maths and sax already) is doing a fine job and they no longer spend weeks on a piece. One per week and then the structure of music around that. Boo has started violin and her teacher is a dream and teaching exactly as we believe music should be taught. She can't wait to get to her lessons each week.
Last week the girls and I went to London to The Globe theatre to see Loves Labours lost. This was a trip organised through the newsletter I make for families HEing in Sussex. We really enjoyed it and I would highly recommend it. The attention to detail was amazing and the girls sat in awe at the beautiful dresses the ladies wore. They were highly amuse and a bit shocked at the willy flash
We have also been to Amberley Working Museum with Shinies. Took 2.5 hours to get there because of the traffic at Lewes but it was a great day. Terrible workshop, where the woman provided no information and seem eager to leave us! Bizarre. All of us spent the day dressed up from the past and enjoyed traveling on open top buses, old trains and marveling at dial phones. The kids would have spent the whole day playing with the phones that interconnected.
Kessie had her operation- so no babies for her. She hates me now. She is sad all the time, hates when I put her guard on her to stop her licking her wounds and is generally depressed.
Pea is struggling with life big time. She cries so much and has huge blow outs over nothing. Poor baby. She had a treat trip to London yesterday with Tina and Summer. Summer had an audition with Sony for their new game console. They asked Pea if she wanted to have a go but she declined. She cried for about an hour when she got home because she'd wanted to but felt she couldn't as it was Summer's chance! Next time she'll have a go!
Housewise we're no further on and I'm fed up of it all. Our offer was declined and we are currently sitting about 20 grand apart in negotiating. This really is only about £150 per month so nothing major and we could pay what they want but it's the fact that this means we have to find a further huge chunk of money for the deposit etc. Complicated. I'm still trying to get The Music House and have told Tony to contact our solicitor and push harder.
Today we have a play date (hate that expression), then a Hamlet workshop in Hastings, followed by tap and ballet for Boo.
All Settled
09/09/07 22:47
So we moved. It was a manic few days with the move happening on the Friday rather than the Tuesday as the removers could no longer do any other day. So Thursday we raced around and finished the packing as well as a karate session in the woods where Tony got lost for 40 minutes with 15 kids...
Friday Tony woke at dawn despite not expecting the removers until after lunch, he dismantled the trampoline and boxed up the garage. They arrived at 3.30pm, knackered. We were their third job of the day and they did not want to be there. Great. I left and went to sort out drinks for the fun day and install the fridge before returning to the rental house. They turned up but couldn't get the van down the drive and we live in the upstairs flat. They were really fucked off. I worked my arse off helping them lug boxes and belongings down the drive and into the house where everything was just dumped anywhere. Jackie turned up with the kids and they joined in. Two more van loads of removal men turned up to help and try and move boxes into the right rooms. I left them at 7pm to collect tables for the fun day and when I returned at 7.30pm they were finishing their beer before crawling home. We then returned home. I went via Sainsbury's for food stuff for cake making, Tony took the children for a chinese. We hadn't moved the kitchen or a couple of mattresses. I made scones, fairy cakes and labeled the jam. Tony came home and fell into bed with the kids. I made a display and some safety disclaimers for the fun day.
Saturday I was up and out for 6.30am, I collected Clinton and headed to the seafront to start setting up. A really beautiful fun day. The next few hours was spent driving around collecting things and setting up, my nerves calmed and by kick off time all was well. It was a great day, I painted faces and beaded hair all day. My legs killed when I fell into bed! It was wonderful to see everything come together. More driving around returning things to their rightful places before ending up in Pevensey with friends at a pub watching a band in the gardens. Pea went home with Tina.
Sunday we moved the kitchen and garage and spent our last night at Stafford House, we also managed to unpack most of the rental house.
I can't remember much after that as I ran out of energy at some point and lived on auto pilot. We had a party in the park on the 2nd which was a welcome break, maize maize on the Thursday which was fab and the adults were last LOL! Last week I had some moles removed from my face which I've had forever, I hated them and love the fact they've gone!
The girls spent 4 days last week doing their bike proficiency test. It was great and they really enjoyed it, passing with flying colours and plans to do the next level.
Shinies returned on Friday and it was good. I don't like some of the new changes, I don't think they work and neither do lots of others but I'm the only one who says this out load so nothing will change there! I did a self portrait art session which I really enjoyed and I plan to do similar each week I attend, I shall also be bringing a simple cookery item the children can do themselves. I have planned until Christmas already! I figure the only way for my children and I to be happy there is to make it how we want it.
Pea slept at Jackie's on Friday night and then birthday shopping on Saturday. Sam stayed here Friday night and came to Davies party with us. Buzz had his first piano lesson on Friday and I had my first guitar lesson on Monday! I'm still nervous and rubbish.
We're very settled here, we love it and have decided this is the area we would like to live should we not get the Dream House (problems there), it's so very sad it's in planning to be knocked down. Tomorrow I'm trying to return to normal life, we return to work time and clubs resume.
Friday Tony woke at dawn despite not expecting the removers until after lunch, he dismantled the trampoline and boxed up the garage. They arrived at 3.30pm, knackered. We were their third job of the day and they did not want to be there. Great. I left and went to sort out drinks for the fun day and install the fridge before returning to the rental house. They turned up but couldn't get the van down the drive and we live in the upstairs flat. They were really fucked off. I worked my arse off helping them lug boxes and belongings down the drive and into the house where everything was just dumped anywhere. Jackie turned up with the kids and they joined in. Two more van loads of removal men turned up to help and try and move boxes into the right rooms. I left them at 7pm to collect tables for the fun day and when I returned at 7.30pm they were finishing their beer before crawling home. We then returned home. I went via Sainsbury's for food stuff for cake making, Tony took the children for a chinese. We hadn't moved the kitchen or a couple of mattresses. I made scones, fairy cakes and labeled the jam. Tony came home and fell into bed with the kids. I made a display and some safety disclaimers for the fun day.
Saturday I was up and out for 6.30am, I collected Clinton and headed to the seafront to start setting up. A really beautiful fun day. The next few hours was spent driving around collecting things and setting up, my nerves calmed and by kick off time all was well. It was a great day, I painted faces and beaded hair all day. My legs killed when I fell into bed! It was wonderful to see everything come together. More driving around returning things to their rightful places before ending up in Pevensey with friends at a pub watching a band in the gardens. Pea went home with Tina.
Sunday we moved the kitchen and garage and spent our last night at Stafford House, we also managed to unpack most of the rental house.
I can't remember much after that as I ran out of energy at some point and lived on auto pilot. We had a party in the park on the 2nd which was a welcome break, maize maize on the Thursday which was fab and the adults were last LOL! Last week I had some moles removed from my face which I've had forever, I hated them and love the fact they've gone!
The girls spent 4 days last week doing their bike proficiency test. It was great and they really enjoyed it, passing with flying colours and plans to do the next level.
Shinies returned on Friday and it was good. I don't like some of the new changes, I don't think they work and neither do lots of others but I'm the only one who says this out load so nothing will change there! I did a self portrait art session which I really enjoyed and I plan to do similar each week I attend, I shall also be bringing a simple cookery item the children can do themselves. I have planned until Christmas already! I figure the only way for my children and I to be happy there is to make it how we want it.
Pea slept at Jackie's on Friday night and then birthday shopping on Saturday. Sam stayed here Friday night and came to Davies party with us. Buzz had his first piano lesson on Friday and I had my first guitar lesson on Monday! I'm still nervous and rubbish.
We're very settled here, we love it and have decided this is the area we would like to live should we not get the Dream House (problems there), it's so very sad it's in planning to be knocked down. Tomorrow I'm trying to return to normal life, we return to work time and clubs resume.
The Big Move
23/08/07 09:48
Busy Week
20/08/07 21:32
In between battling solicitors, the people buying (supposedly) our house and trying to get everyone and everything sorted for Shinies Fun Day we have been fairly busy. As if that wasn't enough!
Went to the theatre twice to see the same thing The shop leant some instruments so we got some free tickets and I loved it so much I took the girls and Joel a few days later. Hope to join the girls to the workshop and show next year.
Lots of time on the seafront watching Airbourne. I love this every year!
Time with friends. Dinner and laughs. Summer and Luke sleeping here and tonight Pea sleeping there.
Making jam- about 70 jars!
Karate on the beach and in the sea.
I'm tired, the kids are tired and Tony is tired. We're pulled in too many directions, the kids are having too many late nights. The business is going through a big exceleration which is great but time and energy consuming. The move isn't going at all well, in fact it may well crash around our feet tomorrow as we still haven't exchanged. I'm not even bothered. Shinies as everyone knows is draining me. This past year has taken it's toll. I love it so much but i find the whole politics and the whole apathy of most of the group so frustrating. Roll on September when my head should be clearer in every department!
Booked a week in Spain in October.
Went to the theatre twice to see the same thing
The shop leant some instruments so we got some free tickets and I loved it so much I took the girls and Joel a few days later. Hope to join the girls to the workshop and show next year.Lots of time on the seafront watching Airbourne. I love this every year!
Time with friends. Dinner and laughs. Summer and Luke sleeping here and tonight Pea sleeping there.
Making jam- about 70 jars!
Karate on the beach and in the sea.
I'm tired, the kids are tired and Tony is tired. We're pulled in too many directions, the kids are having too many late nights. The business is going through a big exceleration which is great but time and energy consuming. The move isn't going at all well, in fact it may well crash around our feet tomorrow as we still haven't exchanged. I'm not even bothered. Shinies as everyone knows is draining me. This past year has taken it's toll. I love it so much but i find the whole politics and the whole apathy of most of the group so frustrating. Roll on September when my head should be clearer in every department!
Booked a week in Spain in October.
Packing
13/08/07 08:18
I actually enjoy moving house and the new ideas and way of life this brings- yes even this time I can see the silver lining! We have paid 6 months up front on the rental house and if the dream house is still wrapped up in legal issues by Christmas we are going to look elsewhere.
So the past few weeks I have been slowly packing the house up. i have enjoyed going through drawers, cupboards and boxes. Sorting, throwing and clearing. Freecylce has been really useful! the charity shop well stocked and even the tip has benefitted- I also discovered the tip shop!
When we first went on the market almost a year ago I went through the loft and boxed everything up in there for permanent storage. Finding my wedding and birth boxes were emotional and a few wasted hours crept by as I read notes and ran silk stockings through my fingers.
I kept a diary for Pea from 6 months pregnant until she was 5.5. Boo until she was 3.5 and Buzz for about a month! Bizarre reading parts of them back and who knows if I'll ever give them to them. Made me realise the potential of this that I don't use. Need to get into the practise of remembering the day better.
The house is emptying of contents and filling up with red and white boxes. Yesterday I did Pea's room. her and Boo sat and sorted dolls, Barbies, soft toys and books. They really enjoyed it and got into it. I enjoyed spending time with them. We lay on her bed and looked up at the heart mural trying to count how many and talking about times spent in that room It's a fantastic room. The view from the window goes for miles and it's lovely to just stand looking and dreaming.
We ran out of boxes so today we have to go get some more. then we shall do Boo's room and the kitchen. Then it's done. I think we are exchanging today so shall get the keys to the rental house. I plan to move the kids small boxes of toys (that won't stay packed) plus the garden and garage stuff before we actually move. Hopefully this will make the move easier for us and also the movers! I'm also going to paint our new bedroom and probably the dining room which is dark pink atm and really dreary.
Part of me is looking forward to leaving a minimal life as we shall not be unpacking the majority of our belongings. Will be interesting to see if we actually miss anything!
So the past few weeks I have been slowly packing the house up. i have enjoyed going through drawers, cupboards and boxes. Sorting, throwing and clearing. Freecylce has been really useful! the charity shop well stocked and even the tip has benefitted- I also discovered the tip shop!
When we first went on the market almost a year ago I went through the loft and boxed everything up in there for permanent storage. Finding my wedding and birth boxes were emotional and a few wasted hours crept by as I read notes and ran silk stockings through my fingers
.I kept a diary for Pea from 6 months pregnant until she was 5.5. Boo until she was 3.5 and Buzz for about a month! Bizarre reading parts of them back and who knows if I'll ever give them to them. Made me realise the potential of this that I don't use. Need to get into the practise of remembering the day better.
The house is emptying of contents and filling up with red and white boxes. Yesterday I did Pea's room. her and Boo sat and sorted dolls, Barbies, soft toys and books. They really enjoyed it and got into it. I enjoyed spending time with them. We lay on her bed and looked up at the heart mural trying to count how many and talking about times spent in that room It's a fantastic room. The view from the window goes for miles and it's lovely to just stand looking and dreaming.
We ran out of boxes so today we have to go get some more. then we shall do Boo's room and the kitchen. Then it's done. I think we are exchanging today so shall get the keys to the rental house. I plan to move the kids small boxes of toys (that won't stay packed) plus the garden and garage stuff before we actually move. Hopefully this will make the move easier for us and also the movers! I'm also going to paint our new bedroom and probably the dining room which is dark pink atm and really dreary.
Part of me is looking forward to leaving a minimal life as we shall not be unpacking the majority of our belongings. Will be interesting to see if we actually miss anything!
