The Golden Gate Bridge

Despite the fact that it seems I never get much done, I seem to not stop for very long, but I never seem to be doing anything really productive. So it seems.

A woman I know is very efficient and extremely house proud.  She has two teenage children  and she works 4 days a week. I am in awe of her sometimes as everything is in order, and she is a stickler for keeping to her routines.   The complete opposite of me.

Yesterday morning I decided to write a list, from booking dentists and hair appointments, meal planning, laundry, type letters, post letters, make phone calls  - these were just a few things on my list, including typing a post on this blog as this is my "me" time as I find it relaxing and fulfilling.  Of course while I tackled the list, I still had to look after my 5 year old, and help my older two with their work.

Looking back on the list I  realised that each job was one of a bitty kind, nothing major, each one probably taking a few minutes each, the kind where until you have ticked off every job on the list, isn't very fulfilling. Also by the time you have ticked everything off the list, lots of other little jobs have built up again.

The woman I mentioned previously always tackles big projects, and is usually able to see the job through from start to finish without any interruptions and usually with help from her kids. Also her children are older.

I for instance, have just had to put the laptop down to go out to the kitchen to sort out a broken glass incident, then Danny wanted help starting his ICT, and to not go into too much detail, James is having toilet problems.

This is the kind of thing that happens on most days.

So I am glad that I always have a book on the go about raising families, as I re-read them and some times certain things surface from the muddle of my brain and make me think - a little:-

This is a chapter from Don't Sweat the Small Stuff with Your Family by Richard Carlson

Think of taking care of your home like painting the bridge.

"An architect once told me something that truly amazed me about the amount of work it took to maintain the Golden Gate Bridge in San Fransisco Bay Area.  He said the bridge is painted every day of the year.  In other words, by the time the work is done, its time to start over.  Its never done!  Instead, it's literally an ongoing process.  Furthermore, in the absence of this constant care, the bridge would be in jeopardy of expensive wear and tear as well as more cosmetic consequences.

One day it dawned on me that taking care of a home is much like painting this extraordinary bridge.  And thinking of it in these terms has been an enormous relief in my life.

Like most people, I used to get overwhelmed about the care and maintenance of our home.  If something was in need of repair or disorganised, it would make me nervous and frustrated.  Looking back, it seems that I was frustrated most of the time, because it seemed like something was always wrong with our home - a sink needed repair, a room needed paint, the attic needed cleaning, the dishes needed to be washed, a closet was a mess, weeds needed to be pulled, and so forth. It was as if I felt that  there would come a time when it would somehow all be done.  And, I fantasised, when it was finally finished, I'd be able to feel relaxed and satisfied.

Well, several years later, the house is till "in process".  the weeds still need to be pulled, the attic still gets messy, dishes are still in the sink and my daughters rooms need paint once again! In a way, its exactly like the Golden Gate Bridge,.  Its never done - and it never will be.  The only difference is that now I understand and have accepted this fact about having a home.

Looking at my home in this way has been a tremendous relief. Now, instead of panicking or overreacting when something isn't finished or needs to be done, I'm able to keep it in much better perspective.  I'm not suggesting that I don't work hard to keep things in good repair and orderly -I do, only I'm not nearly as attached to completing the project.

My guess is that if you look at your home in this way it will be a tremendous source of relief.  In all likelihood, you ll have even greater appreciation for the things that do get finished and less frustration over those things that dont."

Well, I am off now to paint my bridge x

Back on Blogger

Finally I am able to post - had problems with Google and other sites, so after having scanned and downloaded and deleted I am finally able to get back onto blogger.

It has been almost a month, so a brief update:-

Having the older two home has not been that much of a difference, since they were home during the holidays. Getting into a routine for their learning during the day has been a bit harder, mainly due to Mike starting a new job and starting new shifts.
This week starts a regular shift pattern so we have come up with a new routine (over at My Home Education Diary Blog ).

We have been to the "Not Back to School Picnic" at Dawlish Warren Beach - quite a wet and windy day, but we all enjoyed it.

The Rugby season has started. All going well, played 3 won 3 with Danny scoring a Try at the last match. At the first match a few weeks ago it was boiling hot, the next match a bit colder, last Sunday it was freezing cold, with wind and rain.  So it looks like we will not be getting the Indian Summer we first thought,

So I have finally put all the summer clothes into storage, and am now in the process of getting the children sorted out for winter. Becky was first on the list, having one jumper for winter, and not even a winter coat. After searching the shops for a coat that is suitable for her height, we found a lovely duffle coat, bright red. 

Now, I never thought I would say "lovely" and "duffle coat" in the same sentence.  Having had a hideous brown duffle coat when I was a child, which I hated, I have kind of had a phobia against this type of coat since.  But as my winter coat ripped last year, it maybe that I will be seen once again, 33 years later, wearing a duffle coat.

(just a quick note as my mother reads this blog -  it didn't ruin my childhood, and it was warm, and everyone had to wear one whether they liked it or not - it was the seventies after all) (still have issues about being made to eat faggots though).

Moving on.

Home Ed Group today, looks like it is a rough old day out there, but guess we will brave it.

Louise

Not Back to School

For any of my children.

Now Danny has made the decision not go back,

To say I am pleased is an understatement.


So - have spent the last few days organising stuff for him, and at James's request worksheets for him too.

I sent the de-registrations letters off, and I emailed a copy to the Head.  He has replied today, acknowledging my request, and to ask if I would like to discuss with him why I have made this decision.  Quite happy to fill him in on a few things.

Anyway.

Today we all went on our first Home Ed Trip since the last time all my children were home educated, around a year ago.

Teignmouth Park

Hot Hot Hot - thankfully they had a splash zone there to cool down, oh and a beach, but we were not equipped for that, although Becky did go for a paddle in her jeans.

Photos from today

Lovely day x

James is recovering well from his Chicken Pox Virus - only has a couple of scabby spots left.  Also he had sinusy virusy type thing on top of his two types of Pox, but he did really well - especially well as he did not have a seizure - which of course is brilliant.

I did have quite a relaxing time during the first week of his illness (apart from the worry of course, but that never stops no matter how relaxed I am) as he was just too ill to do anything, apart from watch TV, whilst cuddling into me, Mike or his brother or sister - which meant of course that I wasn't running around after him as much as I normally do - he really is like a whirlwind my little boy.

Danny has been to Rugby Camp this week, had a good time, but got sun burnt.

Becky told us a couple of weeks ago that she wanted to be Home Educated again, and after many many discussions with her about it, the decision has been made to Home Educate her again. We have accepted that she is not going back (hurrah) and so our task to start her on the way to studying for exams begins.

I do not really want to say much on here about the reasons behind her decision, as my son is still at the school, and I am not sure where I stand if I go into to much detail about the school itself, but she said in simple terms that she liked being HE'd before, she wanted to try School for a year, she has done this, and out of the two she prefers to be Home Educated, and as long as we are OK with this, this is what she would like to do.  She wants to be a Nurse, and has already researched what qualifications she needs and what she would have to do at college. 

We are happy with her decision.

Danny is actually looking forward to going back, probably because he gets to play Rugby and Football every day in the breaks with his mates.

Of course little James will continue to be Home Educated, in the laid back, unschooling, Child Led way which worked so well with my eldest two.

Have to say how well Becky did at school, and she ended up being put in the top sets for Maths and English, and exceeded her target level for most of her subjects.

Also to mention that she has grown again during the summer and is now 5ft 10 - 3 inches taller than me! 
And gorgeous.

What have we been doing:-

Got in to see Exeter Chiefs - cheap tickets for a pre-season friendly, so Mike and I took Danny and James, all for under £20.  Funny that Becky didn't want to come as well.

Next day we used up our Tesco Clubcard Reward Tokens and went to Exmoor Zoo

Weather has still been mainly grotty, but we did have a day of sunshine.  So blackberry picking in the garden,  afterwards Becky and James made Blackberry Crumble, then  a trip to the park and a splash in the pool. 



Other news

Mike has got a new job - starts in a few weeks as a Health Care Assistant - much better hours and more suited to him.

He has had this week off and has been working really hard on the house.  Now we are staying here we are tyring to do the best that we can to repair and re-decorate where necessary.

Off now to search for worksheets for Becky, look at study guides, GCSE costs etc - and so it begins again :-)

Heat Wave, Wild Birds, Football,Olympic Games,Wales, Dannys Birthday and Chickenpox (amongst other things)

The Heatwave

Which seems so long ago now - bucketing down out there now.

Spent the week in the garden - couldn't quite face the beaches as we knew how packed they would be, and we were all quite happy staying cool (ish) in our own back yard.

In the Pool

Surfing

Gardening

Dancing

Playing Cards

Also found some cool stuff on the net for James to do,  First one bubble snakes found at Roo Mag

James also made, with my help of course, well I made it as he got bored after 5 minutes - a marble maze box - just from a shoe box and straws.

Lots of lazing around in the garden, with laundry being the only housework type thing going on.

Eventually though it had to change, good for James as he had his Football session and it was a lot cooler.  He enjoyed himself, his team won 3-0 but he was peeved at not scoring a goal, despite setting them up.  He did however give away a penalty, which was saved- think he was bit over zealous lol.

The evening saw us trying to keep an injured bird alive - young thrush.  Bought it inside, fed and watered it then made a nest in a box out of toilet roll.  It survived the night, but sadly died the next day, very peacefully though.

Bloody cats.

This Week

Mikes week off, having not  booked anywhere due to us supposed to have been moving, we decided at the last minute to take a trip to Wales.

Caerphilly Castle -  It is the largest castle in Wales and the second largest in Britain

 The East Leaning Tower - It's actually a steeper angle than the more famous leaning tower in Pisa, Italy. If I recall correctly, the tower was fractured by some exploding gunpowder during the English civil wars

CwmCarn Forest Drive -

Giants Court - Various of 

sculptures from the Welsh legends book The  Mabinogion.

Land of the Tylwyth Teg - Play area with a Fairy Tale Woodland Walk

Windy Ridge - Views of

  The Brecon Beacons - no photos here, basically I was too scared to get out - it was very windy, the car was blowing a bit and we were on the edge of what felt like a very high Mountain Ridge.  So while Mike was driving slowly along telling us to look out at the lovely views, I just screamed at him to drive on - and yes, I may have swore.

Madoc’s Place - with Welsh inspired Sculptures

 

Golyfga Y Mor wit - views of Newport and the Bristol Channel

Cardiff

First of all brekky at Eds Diner - really cool American Diner in St Davids Shopping Centre.

James had great fun in the Lego Shop and spent all of his holiday money in there

We then jumped on a bus (as it was pouring with rain) and went to Cardiff Bay - to the Dr Who Experience

It was brilliant, and James got to "fly" the Tardis - and he told my Dad that we were "literally in space" bless him.

Afterwards we went and had a quick look at The Millennium Stadium, where there was an Olympic Football Game - Japan v S Africa women's.

We had a great time in Wales, but it was good get home

Land of Hope and Glory and all that.

Danny's Birthday was on the 1st, and he did exactly what he wanted - played on his XBox for most of the day.

12 years Old - taller than me already with size 10 feet

Since then James has been a bit under the weather, and all of us, but mainly Mike, having been helping with DIY and decorating around the house, and of course watching the Olympics.

James loves Usain Bolt

Yesterday Mike had an interview, and he dropped us off first to Cafe Reed at Exeter University - where my Mum is the Manager

James had great fun helping her out with little jobs

Discovered why James has been feeling unwell, he has Chicken Pox, well two types actually - the lower mild form, beginning with M which I cant remember the name of - he has very very tiny blistery spots, which he has had for a few days which is what we booked the Docs appointment for - this is the lower form.  Prior to our appointment we noticed bigger blistery spots, two on his back and one on his head, which we recognised as Chickenpox.  

He isn't feeling too bad, and he slept well last night.  Unlike the rest of us - Danny woke us up at 3am.  He got up to go to the lav when he saw a Blue Tit perched on James's Darth Moor Cardboard Cutout life size figure. It then flew into Becky's room.  Mike had to go up and try and get the bird out - you can imagine the hoo-hah it caused.  Eventually the bird flew out.

So we are housebound for a while, which isn't too bad at the moment, raining again, and also lot of Olympic events on.  Also the weather looks like it is about to change and we could have some nice garden weather to look forward to.