just another morning here

We’ve had a fairly quiet weekend. Steve was working on Saturday and after doing a bit of work at home, the rest of us went to join in with Robyn’s 6th birthday party, which was pleasant – a bouncy castle and a few small girls, an Easter egg hunt and hide & seek in the garden.

Today – more work this morning, Riona came over to spend the day with Abbie, we had a rather delicious spaghetti bolognaise for lunch, then drove down to somewhere near Ivybridge to visit our friends Nic & Ady who are staying there at the moment. They’re WWOOFing their way around the country this year, in a camper van called Willow. I’m incredibly envious, I must admit, as the idea of leaving the ratrace does seem very appealing at times. Josiah was shown around the farm by D & S, and we sat around drinking tea and chatting, on a beautiful sunny afternoon, looking out at a fabulous view across the moors. Simply idyllic. Fitted in a quick cache on the way home

We were due to set up for this year’s church holiday club this evening but the caretaker didn’t turn up, so it’s going to be a very efficient job done in very little time in the morning.

Another very lazy day here, though we are gearing up for home, a little bit anyway. This morning the children tidied up their rooms and all the things they’d played with, and we did a bit of laundry.

This afternoon Steve took the children into town, and I spent a couple of hours working. I haven’t really got all the things I need to work effectively so abandoned it after that and have decided to go into school to get it done on Sunday instead.

When they got back the kids settled down for a film, while Steve & I had a walk down through the village to find a cache which was by the Longstone of Minchinhampton.

I didn’t bother climbing over the gate to see if I could feel any vibes though, and I didn’t really think I needed to stick my arm or leg through a hole for healing either

Lovely walk, we like looking at houses etc., and just nice to grab some child-free time too. We went to the sweet shop on the way back so the kids were pleased to see us when we got back

Tonight Abbie is cooking her favourite meal – baked potatoes with tuna & sweetcorn, baked beans, and grated cheese on top. Ice-cream for pudding. And tonight will be our last relaxing evening so we’re planning to make the most of it. This has been a really lovely week. Anyone fancy a house swap in May half term?

Another non-stop weekend here for all concerned – we really need a quiet one soon! Nothing much to report from the week that’s just gone, although there were some highlights:
On Monday I went out caching in the evening. Not quite sure what came over me but I spotted some new listings on Haldon and just fancied going for a walk instead of working, so I did. Ten ‘first to finds’ and a fiver prize made me happy! Joe spent it on a Simpson’s comic and some sweets, I think it stretched to a cream cake for me too – we have a weekly treat on the way to violin lessons

We had Josiah’s parents’ evening on Thursday, that termly visit where the teachers tell us about this wonderful child that we don’t quite recognise the description of! Glad he is getting on well there anyway. In the same evening I managed to squeeze in a night out with friends from work and doing a risk assessment for a school trip – quite impressive all in one evening, I thought!

Work has been slightly better this week, still incredibly challenging though, and I still feel completely out of my depth, but hey ho. Small improvements are good – and it’s only two weeks until half term now.

Anna went away to Dartington on Friday night for the weekend (more on that later). Abbie went out with the panto kids to watch a video of their summer performance, so Josiah chose a film and we relaxed a bit with that, plus additional wine, hot bath, etc.

Saturday morning was school (their open day) for Abbie, work for Steve, orchestra for Josiah (on time for once, as it’s his free weekend from choir commitments), and the orchestra AGM for me. While I was off sorting out an upset child they managed to re-elect me as chair for another year! Hmmm. I didn’t really want to give it up though didn’t think I could carry on – too late now! Still, it is the only activity that all three of my children are involved in, so I like being part of the committee there rather than anywhere else, hopefully I will manage to hold things together despite the added pressure of work this year.

From the AGM I met my sister and we made a mad dash up to Oxford for a church event – honouring Barney Coombs who has been the international leader of our group of churches – and then the official commissioning of my Dad into that role. It was a special afternoon, so glad I made the effort to go – but it was also very long so glad I made the decision to leave the kids behind!

At home Josiah had a much needed haircut, and Steve took both children in to visit his Grandad, who is very ill in hospital at the moment

I got home around 9.30ish and ate soup while watching the end of X Factor.

Today I’ve been fitting in all the things that I didn’t have time to do yesterday; the usual laundry and school work, plus my 700th geocache, which was a 5/5 for difficulty/terrain, so will be a memorable one I had to do one for the 10/10/10 challenge! Abbie cleaned out the guinea pigs and Steve did the food shopping, I ironed shirts then washed the kitchen floor.

After that we had to go to Dartington to collect Anna, and watch the first act of the Whaletone Opera. She’d accessed this weekend workshop via SWMS, and it contained lots of improvisation and composition, so it was very good for her. All a bit strange and modern for my taste but very well executed, and the dance group who joined the SWMS musicians were excellent. Anna had a brilliant time there, anyway.

Now home, had tea, watching The Cube and X Factor with the kids while doing a bit more work … I have a horrible cold and feel rubbish

We’ve had a busy old weekend – though with plenty of nice things in it. Saturday morning was orchestra as usual – busy, with new kids starting and lots to do; all good though I really don’t want to give it up, though just not sure I have time to do it justice. Dithering!

On Saturday afternoon, Josiah went off to evensong, and I took the girls out to Creative Stitches. They were incredibly lucky that I’d just been paid and was feeling in need of retail therapy! We had a nice time – it wasn’t as expensive as it could have been, either. They both came home and got on with their new arty stuff while I cooked dinner – my favourite Cottage Pie … comfort food! Steve came first in his class at the new hillclimb at Manor Farm so he came home in a good mood too.

Today I was up early to take Joe to his morning services – then came home and worked (huge ironing pile plus school work) while the girls did more arty bits and bobs. After picking Josiah up we rushed off to Charmouth to watch the hillclimb – it’s the last race of the season and the first time we’ve managed to go and spectate! The venue brought back happy (and some not-so-happy!) memories of Hesfes, and actually it was a good hillclimb venue too – not too steep, and not a long hike from the paddock to the spectating area! Not as much fun to watch as Wiscombe though, although Steve said it felt fun to drive. (nb turn speakers off before watching video otherwise Abbie’s annoying cheering voice will grate somewhat – I did tell her not to do it but she thought I was joking, apparently )

Anyway, after the race we stood around chatting for a while, then went down to the town for a cache, then to the beach for an earthcache where we had to find fossils, something the kids love doing. Steve found a whole ammonite which looks like we could polish it up – so have been googling that this evening – anyone know anything about that?

Now home and trying to fit too much ‘finishing off’ into one evening – there’s ironing to finish, school work to finish (all four of us schoolies have some!), not to mention a shopping list that needs making and other general tidying up …