Sunshine!
26/03/08 22:49
What a beautiful day today was. We we're all up early listening to the birds singing. I started loading the washing machine and the instruments got played.
After music practise we did maths, english and science followed by spellings and Pea's dyslexia book. She's really into trying this out to get her spelling where it should be. I'm proud of her for giving it a go.
The children then dressed up as Jedi warriors and went out into the garden where they stayed for about 3 hours playing. I did the ironing with the windows open listening to them play. It was so lovely. I put the ironing away and sorted out the boxes of playmobil-including throwing out a large pile of unidentified bits. The knights get it next!
I had plans of going to the park and library but they were so happy we stayed put. Boo made sausage rolls for their lunch which they made into a picnic with fruit, drinks and yogurt which they packed up into a basket and ate in the garden. It finally felt like spring was here!
They all had Shinies singing at 4pm, I sat in the moved around shop (Tony went in at 7am this morning with half the staff and it has taken all day for them to move it all around) and chatted. I was tired. Yesterday I'd felt terrible and today just really tired.
Left singing and dropped Pea at dancing then took the little two swimming. It was busy today but I did 46 lengths. Cross with myself as I could have made 50 today but I started chatting and then my time was up. Was really pleased with myself though as it seemed easier today despite being so tired. Boo and Buzz did 8 lengths each as well as playing CEO warriors (whatever that is!) which involved pinching my bottom at every available chance LOL.
Collected Pea and came home to make dinner. Corned beef hash (noodles for Boo) and sausages for them and risotto for me. Nice to eat together (another mission of mine that had fallen by the way side) and chat about our day. Seems the meeting with website people did something and it seems much quicker this evening. The children went off to play and get ready for bed, I did the dishes and Tony cleared up. Domestic bliss
Bedtime and I nearly finished the book I have been reading to them. This has been one of the major challenges to get back into. They tend to go to bed so late and I'm so worn out by then that stories at bedtime fell away a couple of years ago. As part of the effort to help Buzz deal with certain things I wanted to get it back. We are all REALLY enjoying it, some nights I want to say no but instead I just read less. It's good. I finished reading, kissed them goodnight and Tony came up and did prayers and love lines.
We watched The Apprentice and shouted at the twat who got sacked (thank goodness). Tony then fell asleep and I've watched Desperate Housewives. It's time for bed now as we have to be up like normal people tomorrow for a Shinies trip to Chartwell.
After music practise we did maths, english and science followed by spellings and Pea's dyslexia book. She's really into trying this out to get her spelling where it should be. I'm proud of her for giving it a go.
The children then dressed up as Jedi warriors and went out into the garden where they stayed for about 3 hours playing. I did the ironing with the windows open listening to them play. It was so lovely. I put the ironing away and sorted out the boxes of playmobil-including throwing out a large pile of unidentified bits. The knights get it next!
I had plans of going to the park and library but they were so happy we stayed put. Boo made sausage rolls for their lunch which they made into a picnic with fruit, drinks and yogurt which they packed up into a basket and ate in the garden. It finally felt like spring was here!
They all had Shinies singing at 4pm, I sat in the moved around shop (Tony went in at 7am this morning with half the staff and it has taken all day for them to move it all around) and chatted. I was tired. Yesterday I'd felt terrible and today just really tired.
Left singing and dropped Pea at dancing then took the little two swimming. It was busy today but I did 46 lengths. Cross with myself as I could have made 50 today but I started chatting and then my time was up. Was really pleased with myself though as it seemed easier today despite being so tired. Boo and Buzz did 8 lengths each as well as playing CEO warriors (whatever that is!) which involved pinching my bottom at every available chance LOL.
Collected Pea and came home to make dinner. Corned beef hash (noodles for Boo) and sausages for them and risotto for me. Nice to eat together (another mission of mine that had fallen by the way side) and chat about our day. Seems the meeting with website people did something and it seems much quicker this evening. The children went off to play and get ready for bed, I did the dishes and Tony cleared up. Domestic bliss
Bedtime and I nearly finished the book I have been reading to them. This has been one of the major challenges to get back into. They tend to go to bed so late and I'm so worn out by then that stories at bedtime fell away a couple of years ago. As part of the effort to help Buzz deal with certain things I wanted to get it back. We are all REALLY enjoying it, some nights I want to say no but instead I just read less. It's good. I finished reading, kissed them goodnight and Tony came up and did prayers and love lines.
We watched The Apprentice and shouted at the twat who got sacked (thank goodness). Tony then fell asleep and I've watched Desperate Housewives. It's time for bed now as we have to be up like normal people tomorrow for a Shinies trip to Chartwell.
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Lost in Time
28/02/08 09:40
THURSDAY
Spent the morning pottering around at home, changing bedding and letting Boo relax. We went to the noodle bar for lunch then collected my parents from the station. Popped to see Tony then went home for a couple of hours. Dropped parents to the pub and went to the festival. We had two hours before Boo was due on, so we got her ready and I did lots of girls make up. My hand was very shaky though so some of the eye lines were a little off! Terrible run to the evening though as the lights all failed and the sound system destroyed two tapes. I'd have run away! Boo went on and danced to perfection. She had been a little off during the week but this night she was amazing. Crazy judge though who placed girls for their tutu's and the music. Boo got third, she was happy to be placed but she knew she had done well and should have got first. Never mind.
We didn't get home until gone 10pm! Far too late for little ones to be dancing.
FRIDAY
Collected the babysitter at 8.45am, the children were on the sofa under duvets My parents, Tony and I headed off to London. Met up with family over from Ireland and went to see my other Uncle as it was his 70th birthday. Meanwhile kids were walked into town to meet up with babysitter no. 2.
We had a lovely lunch, with lots of laughter. Left my Uncle and headed to the West End, mum, my aunt and cousin were going to see Mama Mia so they wanted to collect their tickets, we walked them all through China Town and Soho as my cousin had never been there. We then went to a pub for too many hours where my brother and sister and their partners joined us. The children were now with babysitter no.3.
We walked toy the theatre, left those going there and went to find a hotel to sit in for a little bit of quiet for my Uncle who was finding things difficult (it was his wife who died earlier this month). A couple of hours there followed by a tiny pub behind the theatre and most of us (not me!) were really drunk! Back to the theatre then the hotel.
SATURDAY
Family breakfast then we split up with the intention of meeting up later in Whitechapel. Tony and I jumped on a tube with the intention of going to the National Gallery. We jumped of at Nottinghill Gate and did the Portobello Road Market instead. I loved it! Have started saving for a hand made pair of cowboy boots! Had a nightmare trying to get back into the centre of London though, so many lines were closed and we kept getting on the wrong train and ended up going round in circles so we decided to walk. Had a lovely walk though Hyde Park/Kensington Gardens. Walked past Harvey Nichols so went into Wagamama's for lunch. The children had been to the cinema to see National Treasure.
We decided then to go home. We were both tired and Tony wasn't feeling too good. The children were at a party and decided to stay another night at Jackie's. So we called the dog sitter and asked her to keep Kessie another night. We went to the gym and did a bit of a workout and lots of swimming.
SUNDAY
I collected Kessie and Tony collected the children. He then went of to work and we stayed at home. The children swept the drive and front steps, Boo made coffee cake, Buzz made chocolate muffins and I made chicken pie and roast potatoes. Mum and dad came back and we all had dinner. Dad and Tony went to the pub.
MONDAY
I took the children to London with Tina and her children. I didn't want to go as I'd had a migraine through the night and still felt rubbish. We went to the Natural History Museum and had a great time. I tried to buy some mints but they didn't have any so the lovely guy at the counter gave a piece of his gum The children were all really interested and I was taken back to when I last visited it when I was 9! Two little bottles of red wine over lunch helped everything
My parents flew home.
As it was Luke's birthday treat we then went to The London Eye as he really wanted to go on it. I love going on it and never tire of the wonderful views. He was suitably impressed. We left their and went to Wagamama's at Victoria Place. Tina had never been and I know the children will happily eat noodles so thought it the best option. It was! The best thing about this location is the huge area outside for the children to run around on-enabled us to drink a bottle of wine.
We then popped into Lush- again a first for Tina! I needed shampoo and conditioner and the children needed shower gels. I love that shop.
We caught the 19.47 train home. Really worn out but happy and sat chatting to a lovely lady called who manages Lush in Crawley Lots of tips from her on what products to get!
Home and we all fell into bed. Tony was home about 10 minutes after us from karate.
TUESDAY
We did some project work on China, this hasn't quite gone to plan this month with one thing or another (read deaths). So it was nice to gather some of what we knew in our heads and create a poster, we shall finish it today. Pea refused to do any maths or music so I didn't do it with any of them.
Boo went to a friends to play at 11.30am and we went to see Tony. Home and Pea did lots of bead and necklace making. Buzz played, drew and made Luke a chocolate birthday cake.
At 2.30pm I took Pea and Buzz to the gym for a swim Yes I went in and enjoyed it! I did 20 lengths. Left there and dropped them to the bowling alley for Luke's party. Collected Boo and went to the party ourselves.
Took Boo to ballet at 5.45pm and collected the cake. Collected Boo and went to Tina's. Tony went out with his brother.
WEDNESDAY
We joined the school run! We were at Tina's for 8am to take Summer and Luke to school. Tina had to go and collect her mum who finally came home for good! Dropped them at school and drove to Crawley. Drove around and around lost looking for the Crematorium. Scattered Granny's ashes, which was a lovely and simple affair with somehow much more meaning than the dreadful service.
Stopped for coffee at Wyevale Garden Centre (what a useless dump!) then headed home. Tony drove his cousin to Worthing Art College.
He got home and took Pea to meet Rod's brother, returned from New Zealand, to finalise the funeral arrangements. Pea plans to read Daffodils at the service.
I had planned to take the little two into town for final ski stuff but as we were leaving and Boo was putting the pets away she remembered Bob. Now Bob is next doors hamster who is staying with us whilst they are in Florida. Pea had placed Bob in Buzz's castle complete with food and water bottle tied to a turret. Hamsters can climb and we have this added thing called a dog.
Cue major search! I did the dressing room as I'd emptied all of Pea's clothes into the middle of the room the other day when she was complaining of having nothing to wear! Buzz packed all small toys up and Boo went around the edge of the rooms, moving things and picking up crud along the way. She found him under her bed. We continued our tidying and left an hour and a half later. So only had time for the library to return some books and the alternative medicine shop for some Arnica for bruises.
We then went to Shinies Singing. Pea was there already finally smiling! In her arms she had Teddy Weddy. A teddy bear given to her by Uncle Rod, she used to take it back to Rod's for little holidays. Now she has it back she has settled. She has also been given Rod's Sax and grand piano! She has the sax in her room and wants to play it today. We are going to store the piano at the shop for when we move. So nice to see her happy.
After singing Pea went to dancing, Boo stayed with Tony and Buzz and I returned Luke's DS. Home and a dinner of fried potatoes and fish fingers for the children. Tony collected Pea and she had her dinner. I did the ironing, Boo did some beading and they all went to bed. Tony finally got through to Ryan Air after two days trying to change our flights.Tony and I watched Grand Designs Revisited ( I drooled) followed by Kitchen Nightmares. Bed for us!
TODAY
So far I've done nothing more than fiddle with the blog. Pea is still in bed! The little two are playing K'nex and watching Blue Peter on Sky+. I plan to do some maths with them and finish the China stuff. We have to get to town to buy Buzz a ski jacket and to the library to get some books out as we ran out of time yesterday!
Spent the morning pottering around at home, changing bedding and letting Boo relax. We went to the noodle bar for lunch then collected my parents from the station. Popped to see Tony then went home for a couple of hours. Dropped parents to the pub and went to the festival. We had two hours before Boo was due on, so we got her ready and I did lots of girls make up. My hand was very shaky though so some of the eye lines were a little off! Terrible run to the evening though as the lights all failed and the sound system destroyed two tapes. I'd have run away! Boo went on and danced to perfection. She had been a little off during the week but this night she was amazing. Crazy judge though who placed girls for their tutu's and the music. Boo got third, she was happy to be placed but she knew she had done well and should have got first. Never mind.
We didn't get home until gone 10pm! Far too late for little ones to be dancing.
FRIDAY
Collected the babysitter at 8.45am, the children were on the sofa under duvets
My parents, Tony and I headed off to London. Met up with family over from Ireland and went to see my other Uncle as it was his 70th birthday. Meanwhile kids were walked into town to meet up with babysitter no. 2. We had a lovely lunch, with lots of laughter. Left my Uncle and headed to the West End, mum, my aunt and cousin were going to see Mama Mia so they wanted to collect their tickets, we walked them all through China Town and Soho as my cousin had never been there. We then went to a pub for too many hours where my brother and sister and their partners joined us. The children were now with babysitter no.3.
We walked toy the theatre, left those going there and went to find a hotel to sit in for a little bit of quiet for my Uncle who was finding things difficult (it was his wife who died earlier this month). A couple of hours there followed by a tiny pub behind the theatre and most of us (not me!) were really drunk! Back to the theatre then the hotel.
SATURDAY
Family breakfast then we split up with the intention of meeting up later in Whitechapel. Tony and I jumped on a tube with the intention of going to the National Gallery. We jumped of at Nottinghill Gate and did the Portobello Road Market instead. I loved it! Have started saving for a hand made pair of cowboy boots! Had a nightmare trying to get back into the centre of London though, so many lines were closed and we kept getting on the wrong train and ended up going round in circles so we decided to walk. Had a lovely walk though Hyde Park/Kensington Gardens. Walked past Harvey Nichols so went into Wagamama's for lunch. The children had been to the cinema to see National Treasure.
We decided then to go home. We were both tired and Tony wasn't feeling too good. The children were at a party and decided to stay another night at Jackie's. So we called the dog sitter and asked her to keep Kessie another night. We went to the gym and did a bit of a workout and lots of swimming.
SUNDAY
I collected Kessie and Tony collected the children. He then went of to work and we stayed at home. The children swept the drive and front steps, Boo made coffee cake, Buzz made chocolate muffins and I made chicken pie and roast potatoes. Mum and dad came back and we all had dinner. Dad and Tony went to the pub.
MONDAY
I took the children to London with Tina and her children. I didn't want to go as I'd had a migraine through the night and still felt rubbish. We went to the Natural History Museum and had a great time. I tried to buy some mints but they didn't have any so the lovely guy at the counter gave a piece of his gum
The children were all really interested and I was taken back to when I last visited it when I was 9! Two little bottles of red wine over lunch helped everything My parents flew home.
As it was Luke's birthday treat we then went to The London Eye as he really wanted to go on it. I love going on it and never tire of the wonderful views. He was suitably impressed. We left their and went to Wagamama's at Victoria Place. Tina had never been and I know the children will happily eat noodles so thought it the best option. It was! The best thing about this location is the huge area outside for the children to run around on-enabled us to drink a bottle of wine.
We then popped into Lush- again a first for Tina! I needed shampoo and conditioner and the children needed shower gels. I love that shop.
We caught the 19.47 train home. Really worn out but happy and sat chatting to a lovely lady called who manages Lush in Crawley
Lots of tips from her on what products to get!Home and we all fell into bed. Tony was home about 10 minutes after us from karate.
TUESDAY
We did some project work on China, this hasn't quite gone to plan this month with one thing or another (read deaths). So it was nice to gather some of what we knew in our heads and create a poster, we shall finish it today. Pea refused to do any maths or music so I didn't do it with any of them.
Boo went to a friends to play at 11.30am and we went to see Tony. Home and Pea did lots of bead and necklace making. Buzz played, drew and made Luke a chocolate birthday cake.
At 2.30pm I took Pea and Buzz to the gym for a swim
Yes I went in and enjoyed it! I did 20 lengths. Left there and dropped them to the bowling alley for Luke's party. Collected Boo and went to the party ourselves.Took Boo to ballet at 5.45pm and collected the cake. Collected Boo and went to Tina's. Tony went out with his brother.
WEDNESDAY
We joined the school run! We were at Tina's for 8am to take Summer and Luke to school. Tina had to go and collect her mum who finally came home for good! Dropped them at school and drove to Crawley. Drove around and around lost looking for the Crematorium. Scattered Granny's ashes, which was a lovely and simple affair with somehow much more meaning than the dreadful service.
Stopped for coffee at Wyevale Garden Centre (what a useless dump!) then headed home. Tony drove his cousin to Worthing Art College.
He got home and took Pea to meet Rod's brother, returned from New Zealand, to finalise the funeral arrangements. Pea plans to read Daffodils at the service.
I had planned to take the little two into town for final ski stuff but as we were leaving and Boo was putting the pets away she remembered Bob. Now Bob is next doors hamster who is staying with us whilst they are in Florida. Pea had placed Bob in Buzz's castle complete with food and water bottle tied to a turret. Hamsters can climb and we have this added thing called a dog.
Cue major search! I did the dressing room as I'd emptied all of Pea's clothes into the middle of the room the other day when she was complaining of having nothing to wear! Buzz packed all small toys up and Boo went around the edge of the rooms, moving things and picking up crud along the way. She found him under her bed. We continued our tidying and left an hour and a half later. So only had time for the library to return some books and the alternative medicine shop for some Arnica for bruises.
We then went to Shinies Singing. Pea was there already finally smiling! In her arms she had Teddy Weddy. A teddy bear given to her by Uncle Rod, she used to take it back to Rod's for little holidays. Now she has it back she has settled. She has also been given Rod's Sax and grand piano! She has the sax in her room and wants to play it today. We are going to store the piano at the shop for when we move. So nice to see her happy.
After singing Pea went to dancing, Boo stayed with Tony and Buzz and I returned Luke's DS. Home and a dinner of fried potatoes and fish fingers for the children. Tony collected Pea and she had her dinner. I did the ironing, Boo did some beading and they all went to bed. Tony finally got through to Ryan Air after two days trying to change our flights.Tony and I watched Grand Designs Revisited ( I drooled) followed by Kitchen Nightmares. Bed for us!
TODAY
So far I've done nothing more than fiddle with the blog. Pea is still in bed! The little two are playing K'nex and watching Blue Peter on Sky+. I plan to do some maths with them and finish the China stuff. We have to get to town to buy Buzz a ski jacket and to the library to get some books out as we ran out of time yesterday!
Sunday
17/02/08 10:59
It's a sunny day.
I lay in bed, it's some terrible hour to still be in bed and I am once again in that world of a teenager The curtains are open and I can see the beautiful blue sky, she sparkles from the sun are dancing on the branches and on the first leaves of the clamatis under my window. I'm fooled into summer.
The radio plays love songs and I smile at stories of love and friendship of thanks and praise.
The children wander past my door, Boo brings tea and Buzz brings cold feet and a naked bum to squeeze. I love bums. Pea comes to ask top use the phone.
Now they are outside, wrapped up in coats and hats, a knock from next door chased together from the TV and now they play. I can't see them but I can imagine the play. The smile from being on the rope swing, the heart racing from hide and seek, the whisperings and the planning of games. I can remember childhood even though for me it's long since gone.
My world is one of chores, of mother and lover. I lay in bed and I'm a wife, the gold of my wedding band seems bright this morning. Tony has phoned twice since he's been at work. From my bed I can see chores to be done. The sock drawer overflows and needs to be paired, the ironing board is up and littered with yesterdays toils. Coats and scarves, ballet shoes, needle and thread, a dance programme and a photo of my beautiful Boo in her tutu. The washing baskets are overflowing with clothes worn and lived in, each one with it's own story and memory waiting to be washed and pressed for it's next role.
The phone rings, it's mum with talk of Friday when we'll all meet in London, she still cries over her sister but doesn't want a reply just an ear.
My life, my happiness, my world.
I lay in bed, it's some terrible hour to still be in bed and I am once again in that world of a teenager
The curtains are open and I can see the beautiful blue sky, she sparkles from the sun are dancing on the branches and on the first leaves of the clamatis under my window. I'm fooled into summer.The radio plays love songs and I smile at stories of love and friendship of thanks and praise.
The children wander past my door, Boo brings tea and Buzz brings cold feet and a naked bum to squeeze. I love bums. Pea comes to ask top use the phone.
Now they are outside, wrapped up in coats and hats, a knock from next door chased together from the TV and now they play. I can't see them but I can imagine the play. The smile from being on the rope swing, the heart racing from hide and seek, the whisperings and the planning of games. I can remember childhood even though for me it's long since gone.
My world is one of chores, of mother and lover. I lay in bed and I'm a wife, the gold of my wedding band seems bright this morning. Tony has phoned twice since he's been at work. From my bed I can see chores to be done. The sock drawer overflows and needs to be paired, the ironing board is up and littered with yesterdays toils. Coats and scarves, ballet shoes, needle and thread, a dance programme and a photo of my beautiful Boo in her tutu. The washing baskets are overflowing with clothes worn and lived in, each one with it's own story and memory waiting to be washed and pressed for it's next role.
The phone rings, it's mum with talk of Friday when we'll all meet in London, she still cries over her sister but doesn't want a reply just an ear.
My life, my happiness, my world.
Well it's half way gone
12/02/08 22:08
I have been thinking about posting since the start of Feb- I'm crap I know.
Life has this bad habit of running away with me, I rush here there and never end up where I want to. I could promise to try harder and I will but come 11pm, I have a marriage and blogging isn't at the forefront of my mind. Time before then is sparse. So I'll try really I will.
Today has not been the best. Boo is so highly strung about the festival that starts on Saturday she's making us all walk on eggshells. I'm almost as bad over the sodding tutu and worrying for her that she won't get placed. I think I need to work on my stage school mom persona. The whole thing is costing me a fortune and now we are searching for drama classes and flippin' agents! How did I end up so middle class?
The other two are fending for themselves in the wilderness of life. The are having their own lessons but their passions are contained and satisfied with an hour of tuition here and a set of reeds there.
Amidst all this drama (pardon the pun) I have made a promise to up the education side of life. I have planned the year month by month with targets to be met each month. Mostly low key but having it pinned to the notice board (including trips) is keeping us all on on our individual tracks. I'm happy as I feel they are doing something (I'm old school and need paper proof), Boo is happy as she has a timetable, the others are happy as they are rubbish as self guidance! This month is China (well a tiny tiny bit of it).
On Sunday we went to London to the Chinese New year Celebrations. I'm soooooooo naive , there was I thinking a few hundred people would turn up when actually a few million people did! We saw so little! Lots of fat arses and stupid stupid women moaning about the lack of organising for people with pushchairs. F***wits. I so hate new middle class mums.
Anyhows, Boo cried most of the day. I wanted to run away and join a convent (one of those where they don't speak or see anyone or whatever). It's got better around 4pm. Food and toy shops helped, though not buying anything did NOT help. We headed home around 8pm and they fell asleep, thank goodness. I've promised Boo not to drink any alcohol until she says so so, so I went to bed and didn't sleep as Buzz came to join us and Tony snored all night.
So that was so much fun!
The highlight of life just now is that Boo has a friend. A real friend, made all by herself, nothing to do with me, or Pea or anything. A friend for her, she lives around the corner and she is wonderful. Her family is wonderful and I am so happy about it all I could sing for the rooftops. This is the first time this has happened. It's special.
Buzz now needs the same. It started and someone stepped on his toes.
HE feels like it is going through one of those changes it does every now and then, just like life. The older ones are thriving on work at home and freedom outside, they love going to Shinies again and have some really cool friendships going on. I love what is happening there just now and is really covering my worrying about the freedom school would offer. They talk to me. Pea talks to me (she has her first crush!!!!! shh) and is happy. I hope it continues as it is- I want them to talk to me and I want them to have their own time.They already don't get the parents who are with their child all the time. By guiding (very limited as it's important it's from them!) them at this age I can feel them taking control. Okay I know it may change but we're in the moment, the only place to be, with a raised eyebrow to the future (because I'm human, a mum and a natural worrier).
So far this year I haven't desired to be pregnant or to want a baby. This is a huge step. My cousin whom I saw at the funeral is fostering a wonderful little girl (they have two boys of their own). This has moved my feeling on to where I think they should be. Happy with what I have got and the need to help others. Who knows when or if this will happen but I'm happy to be where I am with it all.
I would really like to do daily (or most likely weekly) updates so that's where I leave and hope to continue.
So this is now out of date, our server wouldn't recognise itself (or summat). Reading it back I sound sad. I'm not I'm just mindful and placing areas of my life.
Life has this bad habit of running away with me, I rush here there and never end up where I want to. I could promise to try harder and I will but come 11pm, I have a marriage and blogging isn't at the forefront of my mind. Time before then is sparse. So I'll try really I will.
Today has not been the best. Boo is so highly strung about the festival that starts on Saturday she's making us all walk on eggshells. I'm almost as bad over the sodding tutu and worrying for her that she won't get placed. I think I need to work on my stage school mom persona. The whole thing is costing me a fortune and now we are searching for drama classes and flippin' agents! How did I end up so middle class?
The other two are fending for themselves in the wilderness of life. The are having their own lessons but their passions are contained and satisfied with an hour of tuition here and a set of reeds there.
Amidst all this drama (pardon the pun) I have made a promise to up the education side of life. I have planned the year month by month with targets to be met each month. Mostly low key but having it pinned to the notice board (including trips) is keeping us all on on our individual tracks. I'm happy as I feel they are doing something (I'm old school and need paper proof), Boo is happy as she has a timetable, the others are happy as they are rubbish as self guidance! This month is China (well a tiny tiny bit of it).
On Sunday we went to London to the Chinese New year Celebrations. I'm soooooooo naive , there was I thinking a few hundred people would turn up when actually a few million people did! We saw so little! Lots of fat arses and stupid stupid women moaning about the lack of organising for people with pushchairs. F***wits. I so hate new middle class mums.
Anyhows, Boo cried most of the day. I wanted to run away and join a convent (one of those where they don't speak or see anyone or whatever). It's got better around 4pm. Food and toy shops helped, though not buying anything did NOT help. We headed home around 8pm and they fell asleep, thank goodness. I've promised Boo not to drink any alcohol until she says so so, so I went to bed and didn't sleep as Buzz came to join us and Tony snored all night.
So that was so much fun!
The highlight of life just now is that Boo has a friend. A real friend, made all by herself, nothing to do with me, or Pea or anything. A friend for her, she lives around the corner and she is wonderful. Her family is wonderful and I am so happy about it all I could sing for the rooftops. This is the first time this has happened. It's special.
Buzz now needs the same. It started and someone stepped on his toes.
HE feels like it is going through one of those changes it does every now and then, just like life. The older ones are thriving on work at home and freedom outside, they love going to Shinies again and have some really cool friendships going on. I love what is happening there just now and is really covering my worrying about the freedom school would offer. They talk to me. Pea talks to me (she has her first crush!!!!! shh) and is happy. I hope it continues as it is- I want them to talk to me and I want them to have their own time.They already don't get the parents who are with their child all the time. By guiding (very limited as it's important it's from them!) them at this age I can feel them taking control. Okay I know it may change but we're in the moment, the only place to be, with a raised eyebrow to the future (because I'm human, a mum and a natural worrier).
So far this year I haven't desired to be pregnant or to want a baby. This is a huge step. My cousin whom I saw at the funeral is fostering a wonderful little girl (they have two boys of their own). This has moved my feeling on to where I think they should be. Happy with what I have got and the need to help others. Who knows when or if this will happen but I'm happy to be where I am with it all.
I would really like to do daily (or most likely weekly) updates so that's where I leave and hope to continue.
So this is now out of date, our server wouldn't recognise itself (or summat). Reading it back I sound sad. I'm not I'm just mindful and placing areas of my life.
Hello
29/01/08 23:02
Welcome 2008!
Here we are nearly into the second month of the year and I've remained silent. Wonder's will never cease!
I'm finding HE a strain just now, 6 years in and it's rather a lot. Take it from some perspectives and it's 11 years in. I need to cull my blog reading of all those with young kids as it just doesn't match where we are. Even with Buzz we are on a different planet. Instead of this amusing me it's just pissing me off and finding me screaming at the screen! I am so understanding the extended early years at home approach and then sending them to school from 11. Maybe if I was anti school I would see things differently.
ANYWAY!!!!!
Had a FANTASTIC holiday! Main plus point to HE.
Not at all relaxed but going crazy with jetlag and exhaustion.
Have much to say but not sure if I can be arsed. It was fun, we drove many miles, we spent all our savings, the kids laughed and cried, smiled and kicked the shit out of each other. They are not perfect I don't think they are even close to being so.
We went to some great places and we went to some crap places. We didn't let them have gifts everyday but I took too many photos. We had some adult time and we had some child time. I found myself crying at their excitement, I found myself crying at other children's excitement . At times I stood and just savoured, the pure joy of childhood, of seeing Mickey Mouse and smiling so wide I thought their mouths would split. Of walking past gift shops and them not even thinking of going in. Of dancing in the waves with jeans and knickers wet, not caring, not thinking just being. I think of going to sleep as I hear them whisper, 'thank you mummy thank you daddy'.
They want to go again.
Since our return, we've slept, we've watched TV and we've returned to work time. Our bodies are messed up and we still wake at odd hours. We try to create structure and we are winning the battle. We caught colds on the plane which we haven't had for over a year. We've eaten well and they are gone. Eating well in America isn't easy.
Buzz is tired and cuddly I have to stand my ground.
Boo is eager to dance she has missed it to the point of pain.
Pea is floating high above the clouds and I wonder will she ever return.
I'm tired and grumpy, so much to do. Is there space for me?
Tony had plans, he has worries, he has us.
We lost Granny. Sad but happy. Too difficult to file. The service wrong so wrong, we have had our time.
The month is nearly over and so new begins, I see a dawn with my name.
Here we are nearly into the second month of the year and I've remained silent. Wonder's will never cease!
I'm finding HE a strain just now, 6 years in and it's rather a lot. Take it from some perspectives and it's 11 years in. I need to cull my blog reading of all those with young kids as it just doesn't match where we are. Even with Buzz we are on a different planet. Instead of this amusing me it's just pissing me off and finding me screaming at the screen! I am so understanding the extended early years at home approach and then sending them to school from 11. Maybe if I was anti school I would see things differently.
ANYWAY!!!!!
Had a FANTASTIC holiday! Main plus point to HE
. Not at all relaxed but going crazy with jetlag and exhaustion.
Have much to say but not sure if I can be arsed. It was fun, we drove many miles, we spent all our savings, the kids laughed and cried, smiled and kicked the shit out of each other. They are not perfect I don't think they are even close to being so.
We went to some great places and we went to some crap places. We didn't let them have gifts everyday but I took too many photos. We had some adult time and we had some child time. I found myself crying at their excitement, I found myself crying at other children's excitement . At times I stood and just savoured, the pure joy of childhood, of seeing Mickey Mouse and smiling so wide I thought their mouths would split. Of walking past gift shops and them not even thinking of going in. Of dancing in the waves with jeans and knickers wet, not caring, not thinking just being. I think of going to sleep as I hear them whisper, 'thank you mummy thank you daddy'.
They want to go again.
Since our return, we've slept, we've watched TV and we've returned to work time. Our bodies are messed up and we still wake at odd hours. We try to create structure and we are winning the battle. We caught colds on the plane which we haven't had for over a year. We've eaten well and they are gone. Eating well in America isn't easy.
Buzz is tired and cuddly I have to stand my ground.
Boo is eager to dance she has missed it to the point of pain.
Pea is floating high above the clouds and I wonder will she ever return.
I'm tired and grumpy, so much to do. Is there space for me?
Tony had plans, he has worries, he has us.
We lost Granny. Sad but happy. Too difficult to file. The service wrong so wrong, we have had our time.
The month is nearly over and so new begins, I see a dawn with my name.
Where did it go?
29/12/07 16:21
I've looked in all my handbags (which is no mean feat!), under the bed, down the back of the sofa and even ventured into the Boy's room but I cannot find December.
I have been saying day since my last post "I must blog", but nothing has appeared. Maybe I should invest in a telepathic provider?
Anyway December was a good month, it wasn't the month I'd planned but since when did my life go according to plan? Answers on a postcard please! Two main things happened causing plans to be lost in time, my mum deciding to pop down for a bit (2 weeks) and my boobs. Now the later was all my own doing. 6 years in the planning and I decided to do it 15 days before Christmas. I like to work under pressure
My arrived on the 10th and we spent a week driving to various classes, smiling and glowing with pride at the kids in the final lessons of the year. The girls danced their legs off and Buzz swam 200 meters. Did you get that 200 meters! Which was 8 lengths of the pool. Mum went to London for 3 nights to stay with my sister and then brother. Cinema and lunch out with Shinies on the Wednesday.
We chilled and stopped eating. The thing with my mum is she likes her food, really likes her food. Always has done and has always been a size 6-8. Those things most of us use to get us around the shops and for pressing pedals in the car , er what do you call them? Ah legs! Yes legs, she always used them, walked miles and miles. But now she can't walk more than 20 meters without stopping and when she stops her hand creeps to a pocket for another chocolate... Now I couldn't care less that my mum is now fat, so what? She's 63 in poor health so who cares. Well she does. She spent two weeks moaning about it and asking me for exercises she could do. Er, stop eating? Apparently she hardly eats a thing LOL! I think it's really funny. Anyway, we needed a break from full cooked dinners so turned to some salad
Mum came home and I went to hospital. Very pleased with new boobs Kids had a whole different kind of education!
Boo had her modern exam on the Wednesday, followed by terrible lunch in Debenhams but a wonderful visit to Father Christmas.
Friday mum went to London for lunch with Cliff and Eve, we had Shinies annual talent show, which was just lovely with lots of real talent finally coming through! Saturday the kids sang with Shinies at a Christmas show.
Saturday evening we went to Hastings with Shinies friends for a complimentary viewing of the Pantomime.
Mum went home on the Monday and I took Pea to London with some other HE'ers. Tony and the others decided to stay home instead and do other stuff, they took mum to the airport and spent money on more Xbox games (Tony's habit instead of drugs). We went to Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park, where we refused to spend money and froze our arses off. We then tubed it the O2 which was also cold!
We looked around the Tutankhamun exhibition. I rather enjoyed it though I had something in my eye for three hours, my boobs were hurting and I needed bed. I was probably miserable company! I really enjoyed the train journey home where the kids played spin the bottle and entertained the other passengers with their dares LOL!
Tuesday we stayed at home and did nothing. I needed to stop, I hadn't since the op and was feeling the consequences. The children watched TV, ate junk and played. I did nothing. I went to Tina's at 4pm and had my hair done, needed to also catch up on missing gossip We then went to meet Tony and staff for dinner before The Music School Showcase. This was really cool! Adults and kids playing on stage for their families, really sweet and inspiring. No I did not kill anyone's ears with my awful guitar.
Wednesday and Thursday we shopped and sorted the house out. We viewed a house for the second time and made an offer, they refused and didn't come back to us. We knew we'd offered low but they haven't played the game. I cried. I think they are taking it off the market. I'm viewing it as fate taking us back to Audrey's. Who kows they might call us next week and the rollercoaster may start all over again. The children did some baking and drawing. Summer and Luke came to sleep over.
Friday was Shinies party which was perfect. Loud, wild and happy. Lots of full fat food. I did lots of face painting- no bloody butterflies it's Christmas stuff only! Cue crying no I didn't back down. She got a snowman. I don't they'd let me join Nature/Nurture somehow. We left there and battled Sainsburys, I wish we'd had the light sabers! Absolutely mental! Had a lovely chat with Steve and Anne just moved form Brighton. Spent about half an hour chatting to them, never met them before and doubt I'll ever meet them again but it was lovely, inspiring and heartwarming. I've been feeling a lacking this year and those two filled the hole.
Left there with cries of 'we're late!', the kids just rolled their eyes at me Home to sort the house out, I'd made a goulash that morning which was slow cooking, Tony had done the chilli before he went to work, so I made a veggi curry and a delicious squash and parsnip soup (oh and mulled wine!). The dining table got covered in craft stuff including glitter Guests arrived just after 4 and continued throughout the evening, music was played, the house trashed, lots of singing, chatting and general Christmas with The Screams fun. Last guests left at midnight.
Saturday, so started the annual tidy up! I always really clean as I do this tidy up so I only did downstairs in the five hours I had, the kids started to tidy up the nightmare that was their rooms LOL! I just find this part of the fun and love when I hear other kids say 'why don't we ever have parties like this?'. So long as nothing is willfully broken it can all be sorted out. We popped into town and dropped Pea to work for a few hours. Home and I finished the downstairs, made sausage, yorkshires and sauteed potatoes for the children's dinner. Tony and Pea returned and then the shock of the year- I had an hour to get ready!!! It was bliss, I had a shower and straightened my hair, I did my makeup at home! In my bedroom in front of a huge mirror! I even cleared up my bedroom of the numerous outfits discarded.
Great night Got cross with Tony for not taking any photos of me! Nipped home at midnight to see Buzz who wasn't very well, just excitement so I went back to the party!
Sunday, Tony worked and I finished the house. The kids bathroom was disgusting. Enough said about that I think. Dropped the kids to the shop I went to town for some secret bits.
Christmas Eve, we pottered at home. Kids went to the shop and I went into town bumping into an old friend and chatting for about an hour So nice not to be nagged at to move! Shop closed the girls went to the cinema with friends to see St Trinian's. We sorted the shop out for the sale then Buzz came out with Tony and I for dinner.
Home and alcohol, tiny bit of wrapping, girls home and relaxing began. they went to bed at 10pm.
Christmas Day started at 8.15am. Fun and happy times for all.
Yesterday was spent at home putting things away, then we took the children to Brighton with fellow HE'ers to do some ice skating. Bumped into our partners from the shop Had a really good time which was much need after the news of Tony's Granny. The children went home on the train with friends and we drove to Redhill to see Granny.
Tony had been up the night before when we got the call to say she wouldn't last the night. She was awake this time, I sat and held her hands, stroked her head and talked to her. I looked into her eyes and told her she was loved, I remembered all I could about our times together and what she had told me about her youth. She tried to talk occasionally but the words don't sound right and we can't follow much. 'No' is clear as we're about 3 other words. I fed her half a teaspoon of soup and a teaspoon of ice cream. She hates being there, she hates hospitals. She tried to pull at her tubes and her legs were agitated. She kissed me goodbye and pulled me back for another. I told her it was ok to go, we loved her and we we're grateful for all she had done. I told her if she wanted to go to Alf then she must go. She smiled.
Tony and I left feeling drained and shell shocked. I needed to lift our spirits and to feel life around me. A ward full of people dying is just so sad, my hands smelt of it all even though I washed and washed them. Life should not end that way.
We went for some dinner and talked about us, about our memories and of our plans. Tony has such a small family, he is struggling to deal with this, he can't bear to see his Granny like this. I can do no more but hold him and care for him.
The children slept out.
Today we have stayed at home. I collected the children at 9am. It was tough getting up. I really couldn't do it everyday LOL! They broke out some art kits and found the painting box received last year (still hardly touched). Some beautiful painting occurred. It was so nice to be in the house without TV or gaming going on. It's banned tomorrow. Jack form next door came round about 11.30am, he's still here. I've made pancakes for them all and sorted the house. I scrubbed the sodding deep fat fryer. I HATE that thing. I even cleaned the oven and scrubbed the roasting tin. Kessie got a bath and washing got done. I have Flickr chatted and had a really nice day.
Now I shall make chicken pie. We have two of the children from next door who have decided to watch Robin Hood here. Anna has chicken pox so is sulking at home
Tony is on his way home after his first day back at work.
And so that is where December was hiding, right in front of my face, I have been to busy to notice it.
I have been saying day since my last post "I must blog", but nothing has appeared. Maybe I should invest in a telepathic provider?
Anyway December was a good month, it wasn't the month I'd planned but since when did my life go according to plan? Answers on a postcard please! Two main things happened causing plans to be lost in time, my mum deciding to pop down for a bit (2 weeks) and my boobs. Now the later was all my own doing. 6 years in the planning and I decided to do it 15 days before Christmas. I like to work under pressure
My arrived on the 10th and we spent a week driving to various classes, smiling and glowing with pride at the kids in the final lessons of the year. The girls danced their legs off and Buzz swam 200 meters. Did you get that 200 meters! Which was 8 lengths of the pool. Mum went to London for 3 nights to stay with my sister and then brother. Cinema and lunch out with Shinies on the Wednesday.
We chilled and stopped eating. The thing with my mum is she likes her food, really likes her food. Always has done and has always been a size 6-8. Those things most of us use to get us around the shops and for pressing pedals in the car , er what do you call them? Ah legs! Yes legs, she always used them, walked miles and miles. But now she can't walk more than 20 meters without stopping and when she stops her hand creeps to a pocket for another chocolate... Now I couldn't care less that my mum is now fat, so what? She's 63 in poor health so who cares. Well she does. She spent two weeks moaning about it and asking me for exercises she could do. Er, stop eating? Apparently she hardly eats a thing LOL! I think it's really funny. Anyway, we needed a break from full cooked dinners so turned to some salad
Mum came home and I went to hospital. Very pleased with new boobs
Kids had a whole different kind of education!Boo had her modern exam on the Wednesday, followed by terrible lunch in Debenhams but a wonderful visit to Father Christmas.
Friday mum went to London for lunch with Cliff and Eve, we had Shinies annual talent show, which was just lovely with lots of real talent finally coming through! Saturday the kids sang with Shinies at a Christmas show.
Saturday evening we went to Hastings with Shinies friends for a complimentary viewing of the Pantomime.
Mum went home on the Monday and I took Pea to London with some other HE'ers. Tony and the others decided to stay home instead and do other stuff, they took mum to the airport and spent money on more Xbox games (Tony's habit instead of drugs). We went to Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park, where we refused to spend money and froze our arses off. We then tubed it the O2 which was also cold!
We looked around the Tutankhamun exhibition. I rather enjoyed it though I had something in my eye for three hours, my boobs were hurting and I needed bed. I was probably miserable company! I really enjoyed the train journey home where the kids played spin the bottle and entertained the other passengers with their dares LOL!
Tuesday we stayed at home and did nothing. I needed to stop, I hadn't since the op and was feeling the consequences. The children watched TV, ate junk and played. I did nothing. I went to Tina's at 4pm and had my hair done, needed to also catch up on missing gossip
We then went to meet Tony and staff for dinner before The Music School Showcase. This was really cool! Adults and kids playing on stage for their families, really sweet and inspiring. No I did not kill anyone's ears with my awful guitar.Wednesday and Thursday we shopped and sorted the house out. We viewed a house for the second time and made an offer, they refused and didn't come back to us. We knew we'd offered low but they haven't played the game. I cried. I think they are taking it off the market. I'm viewing it as fate taking us back to Audrey's. Who kows they might call us next week and the rollercoaster may start all over again. The children did some baking and drawing. Summer and Luke came to sleep over.
Friday was Shinies party which was perfect. Loud, wild and happy. Lots of full fat food. I did lots of face painting- no bloody butterflies it's Christmas stuff only! Cue crying no I didn't back down. She got a snowman. I don't they'd let me join Nature/Nurture somehow. We left there and battled Sainsburys, I wish we'd had the light sabers! Absolutely mental! Had a lovely chat with Steve and Anne just moved form Brighton. Spent about half an hour chatting to them, never met them before and doubt I'll ever meet them again but it was lovely, inspiring and heartwarming. I've been feeling a lacking this year and those two filled the hole.
Left there with cries of 'we're late!', the kids just rolled their eyes at me
Home to sort the house out, I'd made a goulash that morning which was slow cooking, Tony had done the chilli before he went to work, so I made a veggi curry and a delicious squash and parsnip soup (oh and mulled wine!). The dining table got covered in craft stuff including glitter Guests arrived just after 4 and continued throughout the evening, music was played, the house trashed, lots of singing, chatting and general Christmas with The Screams fun. Last guests left at midnight.Saturday, so started the annual tidy up! I always really clean as I do this tidy up so I only did downstairs in the five hours I had, the kids started to tidy up the nightmare that was their rooms LOL! I just find this part of the fun and love when I hear other kids say 'why don't we ever have parties like this?'. So long as nothing is willfully broken it can all be sorted out. We popped into town and dropped Pea to work for a few hours. Home and I finished the downstairs, made sausage, yorkshires and sauteed potatoes for the children's dinner. Tony and Pea returned and then the shock of the year- I had an hour to get ready!!! It was bliss, I had a shower and straightened my hair, I did my makeup at home! In my bedroom in front of a huge mirror! I even cleared up my bedroom of the numerous outfits discarded.
Great night
Got cross with Tony for not taking any photos of me! Nipped home at midnight to see Buzz who wasn't very well, just excitement so I went back to the party!Sunday, Tony worked and I finished the house. The kids bathroom was disgusting. Enough said about that I think. Dropped the kids to the shop I went to town for some secret bits.
Christmas Eve, we pottered at home. Kids went to the shop and I went into town bumping into an old friend and chatting for about an hour
So nice not to be nagged at to move! Shop closed the girls went to the cinema with friends to see St Trinian's. We sorted the shop out for the sale then Buzz came out with Tony and I for dinner. Home and alcohol, tiny bit of wrapping, girls home and relaxing began. they went to bed at 10pm.
Christmas Day started at 8.15am. Fun and happy times for all.
Yesterday was spent at home putting things away, then we took the children to Brighton with fellow HE'ers to do some ice skating. Bumped into our partners from the shop
Had a really good time which was much need after the news of Tony's Granny. The children went home on the train with friends and we drove to Redhill to see Granny. Tony had been up the night before when we got the call to say she wouldn't last the night. She was awake this time, I sat and held her hands, stroked her head and talked to her. I looked into her eyes and told her she was loved, I remembered all I could about our times together and what she had told me about her youth. She tried to talk occasionally but the words don't sound right and we can't follow much. 'No' is clear as we're about 3 other words. I fed her half a teaspoon of soup and a teaspoon of ice cream. She hates being there, she hates hospitals. She tried to pull at her tubes and her legs were agitated. She kissed me goodbye and pulled me back for another. I told her it was ok to go, we loved her and we we're grateful for all she had done. I told her if she wanted to go to Alf then she must go. She smiled.
Tony and I left feeling drained and shell shocked. I needed to lift our spirits and to feel life around me. A ward full of people dying is just so sad, my hands smelt of it all even though I washed and washed them. Life should not end that way.
We went for some dinner and talked about us, about our memories and of our plans. Tony has such a small family, he is struggling to deal with this, he can't bear to see his Granny like this. I can do no more but hold him and care for him.
The children slept out.
Today we have stayed at home. I collected the children at 9am. It was tough getting up. I really couldn't do it everyday LOL! They broke out some art kits and found the painting box received last year (still hardly touched). Some beautiful painting occurred. It was so nice to be in the house without TV or gaming going on. It's banned tomorrow. Jack form next door came round about 11.30am, he's still here. I've made pancakes for them all and sorted the house. I scrubbed the sodding deep fat fryer. I HATE that thing. I even cleaned the oven and scrubbed the roasting tin. Kessie got a bath and washing got done. I have Flickr chatted and had a really nice day.
Now I shall make chicken pie. We have two of the children from next door who have decided to watch Robin Hood here. Anna has chicken pox so is sulking at home
Tony is on his way home after his first day back at work.And so that is where December was hiding, right in front of my face, I have been to busy to notice it.
Being a Family
11/11/07 21:31
Feel I should blog the week away last week but don't really know what to say! I enjoyed it, there were moments of sheer joy and excitement
and there were also moments that almost had me in tears with frustration. I loved just sitting and watching the children play, they would wander around until someone or something caught there attention and then would join in. I watched my own children laugh and interact with other adults and peers, some of whom they had never met before. I enjoyed the humour lots and being the brunt of a few of the in jokes really tickled me. At school I was often laughed at so I still get a silly buzz to be part of the joke. The location was the best and made me long for a house in the country again LOL!
To wake up and watch the sheep and horses idle their days away would be lovely. I didn't miss home too much, I took my mug, my own food and of course my own pillow. Little things to keep my head in place. The children took a mountain of toys for them to have something to escape to when they needed time out.
I think my photos might have to do the rest.
Friday I helped my brother and SIL move from Romford to Berkhampstead. Hard work as they lived on the 5th floor with no lift. They now have a lovely little cottage. I ended up staying the night after we decided we should introduce ourselves to the pub opposite
I left there early Saturday and headed for home. I met the children at the shop where they were having music lessons. Buzz showed me how he can play Hot Cross Buns! We all dragged Tony out to lunch. Felt like ages since I'd seen or spoken to him.
We then spent two hours buying curtain material. I was going off my head never mind the children! Home and the children played and I cut up all the material.
The evening passed in a happy blur of family life. Pea watched the Remembrance Service with Tony and I which lead to a large number of questions covering WW's, POW's and lots about Japan (including their bizarre choice in TV programmes).
Yesterday morning Boo had a modern lesson at 9am. On a Sunday! FFS! Tony took her on his way to work, I stayed in bed cuddling Buzz. We collected Boo and went to the Memorial Roundabout for the Remembrance Service. The children were respectful and understanding. We stood in the rain with the many others that had turned up and as always I cried silent tears.
We then did some shopping, finding Pea a coat for £10 which made her day! Dropped Pea to the shop to work the afternoon and took the other two home. They mainly played in the garden with the neighbours. I tidied up again and made a start on the mountain of curtains.
Tony and Pea came home and an XBox fest took place. We moved it from Buzz's room as it was never used and they all enjoyed a few hours with Tony playing every game we own! Tony cooked them all dinner of leftovers and I went to the gym for the first time in months. I really noticed a huge drop in my fitness level so need to get my arse in gear (literally).
Today has been education involving pen and paper. They have done maths, Verbal and non verbal reasoning, english, Famous People Project (today was Kylie pmsl!), music and reading.
I've quit guitar until after Christmas. My car is in the garage today which means I'd miss another lesson. So I've rang the teacher to say I'll start again after the holiday's. Make that the end of January then as we are in America for 2 weeks mid Jan. Feel sad yet somehow inspired to practise LOL! My head works in strange ways.
Buzz has drawn loads of pictures and Boo has started on some designs for the Newsletter competition. Buzz is still as crazy about castles as ever and has made one from the Jenga pieces (must get him giant Jenga for Christmas) and is now working his way through a roll of sellotape making a 3D one from paper Oh yeah, think I might call him a reader now!
I'm bored. I was making the curtains and the needle snapped- I know I have more but can't find them. Walked into the village to buy some more but they don't have them. Phoned Tony to cry as it's been a bad day for me and he sent his sister out to get them for me. I'm waiting for him to drive them up on his way out to see a customer and I can get started. Making curtains has been giving me ideas for presents so I think the machine will stay out for a while yet
Mum wants to come for Christmas. I think I can cope with that, and can just about manage to find beds but it also means my brother has to come. I hate people sleeping in the lounge over Christmas (especially here as were already on top of each other) so that's out. Mum probably won't come now and I feel guilty. The joys of family life.
and there were also moments that almost had me in tears with frustration. I loved just sitting and watching the children play, they would wander around until someone or something caught there attention and then would join in. I watched my own children laugh and interact with other adults and peers, some of whom they had never met before. I enjoyed the humour lots and being the brunt of a few of the in jokes really tickled me. At school I was often laughed at so I still get a silly buzz to be part of the joke. The location was the best and made me long for a house in the country again LOL!
To wake up and watch the sheep and horses idle their days away would be lovely. I didn't miss home too much, I took my mug, my own food and of course my own pillow. Little things to keep my head in place. The children took a mountain of toys for them to have something to escape to when they needed time out.
I think my photos might have to do the rest.
Friday I helped my brother and SIL move from Romford to Berkhampstead. Hard work as they lived on the 5th floor with no lift. They now have a lovely little cottage. I ended up staying the night after we decided we should introduce ourselves to the pub opposite
I left there early Saturday and headed for home. I met the children at the shop where they were having music lessons. Buzz showed me how he can play Hot Cross Buns! We all dragged Tony out to lunch. Felt like ages since I'd seen or spoken to him.
We then spent two hours buying curtain material. I was going off my head never mind the children! Home and the children played and I cut up all the material.
The evening passed in a happy blur of family life. Pea watched the Remembrance Service with Tony and I which lead to a large number of questions covering WW's, POW's and lots about Japan (including their bizarre choice in TV programmes).
Yesterday morning Boo had a modern lesson at 9am. On a Sunday! FFS! Tony took her on his way to work, I stayed in bed cuddling Buzz. We collected Boo and went to the Memorial Roundabout for the Remembrance Service. The children were respectful and understanding. We stood in the rain with the many others that had turned up and as always I cried silent tears.
We then did some shopping, finding Pea a coat for £10 which made her day! Dropped Pea to the shop to work the afternoon and took the other two home. They mainly played in the garden with the neighbours. I tidied up again and made a start on the mountain of curtains.
Tony and Pea came home and an XBox fest took place. We moved it from Buzz's room as it was never used and they all enjoyed a few hours with Tony playing every game we own! Tony cooked them all dinner of leftovers and I went to the gym for the first time in months. I really noticed a huge drop in my fitness level so need to get my arse in gear (literally).
Today has been education involving pen and paper. They have done maths, Verbal and non verbal reasoning, english, Famous People Project (today was Kylie pmsl!), music and reading.
I've quit guitar until after Christmas. My car is in the garage today which means I'd miss another lesson. So I've rang the teacher to say I'll start again after the holiday's. Make that the end of January then as we are in America for 2 weeks mid Jan. Feel sad yet somehow inspired to practise LOL! My head works in strange ways.
Buzz has drawn loads of pictures and Boo has started on some designs for the Newsletter competition. Buzz is still as crazy about castles as ever and has made one from the Jenga pieces (must get him giant Jenga for Christmas) and is now working his way through a roll of sellotape making a 3D one from paper
Oh yeah, think I might call him a reader now!I'm bored. I was making the curtains and the needle snapped- I know I have more but can't find them. Walked into the village to buy some more but they don't have them. Phoned Tony to cry as it's been a bad day for me and he sent his sister out to get them for me. I'm waiting for him to drive them up on his way out to see a customer and I can get started. Making curtains has been giving me ideas for presents so I think the machine will stay out for a while yet
Mum wants to come for Christmas. I think I can cope with that, and can just about manage to find beds but it also means my brother has to come. I hate people sleeping in the lounge over Christmas (especially here as were already on top of each other) so that's out. Mum probably won't come now and I feel guilty. The joys of family life.
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.
