Friday, 11 November 2011
T.G.I.F.
Is it me or has this week gone really fast? I don't know, I seem to go to bed Sunday night and the next thing I know it's Friday. Must be an age thing as the children reckon it's going too slow for them :-)
This morning as we were trying you get out the front door for work/school, madam decided to play up. We had an exchange of words and she told me that she didn't need me anymore.
Fair dos I thought. So I told her she could walk to school then. Now being the lazy minx she is, she decided to get one over me by taking the car keys and sitting in the car. Suddenly, she came back in the house as she'd forgotten one of her school books and ran up to her bedroom with my keys in her hand.
I had a plan. All of the sudden I felt like a naughty school girl and I knew there would be consequences but I just couldn't stop myself.
I picked up the spare set of keys and legged it to the car, started it up and waited for her to appear at the door. The front door opened and she stood on the doorstep - staring at me in the car. With that, I put my foot down and shot off down the road., without her but with her school bag. The look on her face as I drove by was priceless.
Now, I know it was a very childish thing for me to do but sometimes you just gotta do what you gotta do.
Obviously, I parked at the end of the road and waited for her to get in the car, and got a mouthful of abuse but today it didn't matter.
She's fine this evening about it but I still have a little giggle as I remember the look on her face!
Have a great weekend.
Sue x x x
Monday, 7 November 2011
Farewell old friend....
This weekend was spent at our caravan as it was time to shut it up for the winter. We left home Saturday afternoon, although we had hoped to leave earlier but Becky put a stop to that...again. She was all up for coming with us Friday eve but come Saturday morn it started again.
"Don't think I'm coming with you"
"I'm staying here, I'm 15 now, you can trust me"
Unfortunately, we can't trust her, so we arranged for to go to her Grandma's. After 2 hours of refusing to leave her room she decided she would come with us after all. I had a feeling we would pay for this somehow and I'm proud to say she didn't let us down. She was a right little minx, awkward as hell.
We spent a few hours at the clubhouse for the farewell party in the evening but because Becky wouldn't come with us and as our part of the site was deserted and most of the street lighting had been turned off we decided to head back to the van around 9.30pm. Neither of us are big drinkers, and to be honest I was so cold all I wanted was a cuppa. Boy was it cold in the van. I went to bed with my trackie bottoms on, a tee-shirt, socks and a hoodie and I was still freezing!
One of the couples (Ian & Emma) that we are friendly with thought it was terrible that she wouldn't come out with us, so I said well what can you do she's 15 now. So on went this debate about how we are too soft on her and that we should punish her. I said we did and explained that she would loose time on the Internet at home but they thought we were not hard enough on her.
This got my back up but I decided to bite my tongue. Ian is the step dad to Emma's14 year old daughter and feels that it is right to punish her over what I judge as petty things - she lost her mobile for a month for being cheeky to her Mum. What 14 year old isn't cheeky to their Mum! He was implying that it was our fault that she behaved the way she did. So, I explained that I felt that as she is in the final year at school, revising for her 10 GCSE's and getting excellent grades (last batch 5 x A* and 4 x A) that now was not the time to make an enemy of her and that she needed us to be there for her, not against her. She plans to go to College and has even picked out the Uni in London that she wants to attend to become a surgeon. They are also not aware of the spate of self harming that we had to deal with earlier this year.
But what really got me was the fact that his 8 year old (aka the Princess who is both of theirs) can't do anything wrong in Daddy's eyes.....in fact the sunshine's out of her backside.
I know that it is up to the parent how to punish their child for bad behavior, and maybe I am a bit soft. I grew up with being smacked/hit for bad behavior. My older sisters would get the belt, I would often get the slipper. This all made me very fearful of my Dad and didn't really help our relationship. If I'm honest it probably caused the start of my own confidence/body issues as a teen that triggered my eating disorder. So because of this I am always very careful with what I say and how I say things to Becky. Dad would call me 'Big Tits' or say I was fat. He said that he was only saying these things to prepare me for the big wide world as sometimes people say upsetting things, needless to say I have not taken a leaf out of his book.
So Sunday morning, we packed up the car with all our belongings and pretty much said farewell to our old friend, the caravan. We've handed total ownership over to Wayne's Mum and Dad and they are prepared to keep it on for themselves. Obviously, if we want to we can stay there for a holiday but I think that is going to be unlikely now. The children have outgrown it, got bored with it and to an extent so have we. We've had 6 years of fun from it but it's now time to move on.
Any how changing the subject completely.....we only had flipping maggots in our wheelie bin on Friday - November... can you believe it, just shows how mild it was last week.
Hope you all have a great week
Take care.
Sue x x x
"Don't think I'm coming with you"
"I'm staying here, I'm 15 now, you can trust me"
Unfortunately, we can't trust her, so we arranged for to go to her Grandma's. After 2 hours of refusing to leave her room she decided she would come with us after all. I had a feeling we would pay for this somehow and I'm proud to say she didn't let us down. She was a right little minx, awkward as hell.
We spent a few hours at the clubhouse for the farewell party in the evening but because Becky wouldn't come with us and as our part of the site was deserted and most of the street lighting had been turned off we decided to head back to the van around 9.30pm. Neither of us are big drinkers, and to be honest I was so cold all I wanted was a cuppa. Boy was it cold in the van. I went to bed with my trackie bottoms on, a tee-shirt, socks and a hoodie and I was still freezing!
One of the couples (Ian & Emma) that we are friendly with thought it was terrible that she wouldn't come out with us, so I said well what can you do she's 15 now. So on went this debate about how we are too soft on her and that we should punish her. I said we did and explained that she would loose time on the Internet at home but they thought we were not hard enough on her.
This got my back up but I decided to bite my tongue. Ian is the step dad to Emma's14 year old daughter and feels that it is right to punish her over what I judge as petty things - she lost her mobile for a month for being cheeky to her Mum. What 14 year old isn't cheeky to their Mum! He was implying that it was our fault that she behaved the way she did. So, I explained that I felt that as she is in the final year at school, revising for her 10 GCSE's and getting excellent grades (last batch 5 x A* and 4 x A) that now was not the time to make an enemy of her and that she needed us to be there for her, not against her. She plans to go to College and has even picked out the Uni in London that she wants to attend to become a surgeon. They are also not aware of the spate of self harming that we had to deal with earlier this year.
But what really got me was the fact that his 8 year old (aka the Princess who is both of theirs) can't do anything wrong in Daddy's eyes.....in fact the sunshine's out of her backside.
I know that it is up to the parent how to punish their child for bad behavior, and maybe I am a bit soft. I grew up with being smacked/hit for bad behavior. My older sisters would get the belt, I would often get the slipper. This all made me very fearful of my Dad and didn't really help our relationship. If I'm honest it probably caused the start of my own confidence/body issues as a teen that triggered my eating disorder. So because of this I am always very careful with what I say and how I say things to Becky. Dad would call me 'Big Tits' or say I was fat. He said that he was only saying these things to prepare me for the big wide world as sometimes people say upsetting things, needless to say I have not taken a leaf out of his book.
So Sunday morning, we packed up the car with all our belongings and pretty much said farewell to our old friend, the caravan. We've handed total ownership over to Wayne's Mum and Dad and they are prepared to keep it on for themselves. Obviously, if we want to we can stay there for a holiday but I think that is going to be unlikely now. The children have outgrown it, got bored with it and to an extent so have we. We've had 6 years of fun from it but it's now time to move on.
Any how changing the subject completely.....we only had flipping maggots in our wheelie bin on Friday - November... can you believe it, just shows how mild it was last week.
Hope you all have a great week
Take care.
Sue x x x
Wednesday, 2 November 2011
Take it or leave it I say.......
As I mentioned in a earlier post, we have really pushed the boat out next year and booked an all inclusive foreign holiday for us all next July. So we now need to think about saving for it.
Today, hubby decided to go down to the high street to open a holiday savings account. We printed off the application forms and both completed the required information.
First stop, Santander aka Abbey aka The Abbey National (now I'm giving my age away!) . The sign on the door says open at 10am. It's 10 to 10, so hubby decides to wait in the queue for it to open. 5 past 10 and it's still not open. Suddenly someone appears and decides to open the door - no sorry for keeping you waiting or anything like that. Hubby gets in the queue again to see a customer advisor. At last he's seen but told that she can't help him and he needs to see another person. So, he waits for this person to come onto the floor.
He comes over and askes hubby what he can do for him, he explains that he would like open a savings account. He asks hubby if has an appointment. Hubby says no, and explains that he has completed all the relevant paperwork. He tuts and says that he really needs to make an appointment for these sort of things and tells him that he'll have to sit down and wait and he'll see what he can do but he's very busy.
My husband is a patient man but this really rattled his cage. You'd think in this current financial climate any bank would welcome a customer with a wad of notes in their fist wouldn't you. With this, hubby stands up and tells the young advisor that he has decided to take his money elsewhere and leaves to go across the road to the Nationwide aka used to be a building society but now dabbling in banking but still a small fish.
He goes in to the branch and is greeted by a huge smile and a hello, how can I help you today. She was more then happy for him to complete the paperwork then and there, he made a deposit and left with his brand new savings book in hand. A statisfied customer.
It's the little things in life that make a difference isn't it. It annoys me that the 'big boys' just assume you'll go to them and they are not prepared to make the effort. Many moons ago when I worked in retail for a large department store it was drilled into us that 'Customer is King'...sadly it appears nowadays that this is no longer the case.
Have a great week.
Sue x x x x
Today, hubby decided to go down to the high street to open a holiday savings account. We printed off the application forms and both completed the required information.
First stop, Santander aka Abbey aka The Abbey National (now I'm giving my age away!) . The sign on the door says open at 10am. It's 10 to 10, so hubby decides to wait in the queue for it to open. 5 past 10 and it's still not open. Suddenly someone appears and decides to open the door - no sorry for keeping you waiting or anything like that. Hubby gets in the queue again to see a customer advisor. At last he's seen but told that she can't help him and he needs to see another person. So, he waits for this person to come onto the floor.
He comes over and askes hubby what he can do for him, he explains that he would like open a savings account. He asks hubby if has an appointment. Hubby says no, and explains that he has completed all the relevant paperwork. He tuts and says that he really needs to make an appointment for these sort of things and tells him that he'll have to sit down and wait and he'll see what he can do but he's very busy.
My husband is a patient man but this really rattled his cage. You'd think in this current financial climate any bank would welcome a customer with a wad of notes in their fist wouldn't you. With this, hubby stands up and tells the young advisor that he has decided to take his money elsewhere and leaves to go across the road to the Nationwide aka used to be a building society but now dabbling in banking but still a small fish.
He goes in to the branch and is greeted by a huge smile and a hello, how can I help you today. She was more then happy for him to complete the paperwork then and there, he made a deposit and left with his brand new savings book in hand. A statisfied customer.
It's the little things in life that make a difference isn't it. It annoys me that the 'big boys' just assume you'll go to them and they are not prepared to make the effort. Many moons ago when I worked in retail for a large department store it was drilled into us that 'Customer is King'...sadly it appears nowadays that this is no longer the case.
Have a great week.
Sue x x x x
Monday, 31 October 2011
Happy Halloween....
I reckon if he did come back to life tonight....he'd probably look like this too!
Have a great week.
Sue x x x
Wednesday, 26 October 2011
Black is the new black you know..........
As I sit here typing this post, fireworks are going off all over the place. I know it's not Nov 5th yet but around our way we have Diwali Celebrations in full swing this evening. My cat is crapping himself poor thing, every year it's the same. He hates the noise, bless him....and just as he thinks it's all over we have Guy Fawkes night to deal with!
Have been a busy girl this week. Becky has decided that she no longer wants her room lilac and silver but instead wants it black.
Yes, I said black.
We've just about managed to compromise on a black/cerise wallpapered feature wall and the rest being painted grey.
So, out goes her wardrobe, set of draws and bookcase to make way for a new black set.
Black, I just don't know who she gets it from I really don't!
So, we have had a major clear out of all her old toys/games/dolls and made the lady at our local charity shop very happy with it. She's not like me at all. She's a messy moo. When I was her age and even up till I had my children, I was a tidy freak. Oh well, she is what she is I guess. I can't really moan at her too much as she has been doing lots of revision this week for her exams next month.
It was a very draining week last week at work. Ofsted came and went, and we now have to wait till next month for the outcome. To me this rings alarm bells, as last time they came we were told the outcome on the second afternoon. But we all did our best and what will be, will be.
Alex, is making nosies about being unloved as I'm spending too much of my time with his big sis. So as punishment for my crime I'm being forced to go and see Tin Tin at the cinema with him. Is it me, because I really don't get Tin Tin at all. I didn't get him first time around and I definitely don't get it this time.
Hope your week is going well.
Sue x x x
Have been a busy girl this week. Becky has decided that she no longer wants her room lilac and silver but instead wants it black.
Yes, I said black.
We've just about managed to compromise on a black/cerise wallpapered feature wall and the rest being painted grey.
So, out goes her wardrobe, set of draws and bookcase to make way for a new black set.
Black, I just don't know who she gets it from I really don't!
So, we have had a major clear out of all her old toys/games/dolls and made the lady at our local charity shop very happy with it. She's not like me at all. She's a messy moo. When I was her age and even up till I had my children, I was a tidy freak. Oh well, she is what she is I guess. I can't really moan at her too much as she has been doing lots of revision this week for her exams next month.
It was a very draining week last week at work. Ofsted came and went, and we now have to wait till next month for the outcome. To me this rings alarm bells, as last time they came we were told the outcome on the second afternoon. But we all did our best and what will be, will be.
Alex, is making nosies about being unloved as I'm spending too much of my time with his big sis. So as punishment for my crime I'm being forced to go and see Tin Tin at the cinema with him. Is it me, because I really don't get Tin Tin at all. I didn't get him first time around and I definitely don't get it this time.
Hope your week is going well.
Sue x x x
Monday, 17 October 2011
D Day........
Well, it looks as if our so called Indian summer has finished 'cos boy was it nippy this morning! It warmed up throughout the day but again this evening the temp has dropped. Yes, the central heating is now well and truly on.
Been very busy at work over the last few days as we have Ofsted in tomorrow for two days. Four of our teachers are NQT's (newly qualified) and bless them are feeling very anxious about their first encounter. Everyone has put 110% effort in to help support our acting headteacher and we are hoping and praying for a positive outcome for our school.
At home the children have settled back into school very nicely and can't wait for half term to come. We plan to stay at home next week, neither of them to keen to visit the caravan. We have only spent around 4 weeks in total there whis year and to be honest I haven't really missed it.
Jake my beloved 16 year old cat as been a poorly boy over the last few weeks. He has arthritis in one of his legs that flares up every now and again but also had an ulcer on his gum and 2 badly infected teeth. So we are now £500 lighter in my purse but I can't really grumble as he has not cost us a bean over the years. Just a shame that at the same time we had to spend over a £1000 on our cars. So, I did what any girl would do in my position.
No, not that...what do you take me for!
I raided my jewellery box and sold some gold jewellery. Nothing special, just some old rings, necklaces and bracelets that I no longer wear. Of course I kept all the good stuff for Becky, she made sure of that!
But it now means we still have our heads above the water...just about.
It's a big year for us next year as Becky finishes her GCSE's and leaves High School to go onto college to do her A levels, and Alex leaves Primary school to go on to High School. So, we thought we needed to do something as a family to mark this occassion. I must have caught hubby at a weak moment because yesterday we booked a 2 week holiday to Tenereife all inclusive in a very nice hotel for us for next July. This will mean probably only 1 week away at our caravan next year but the children seem to have outgrown it now so I reckon it's probably run it's course for us. Can't grumble we've had 6 years of fun from it.
I hope you all have a good week, take care.
Sue x x x
Been very busy at work over the last few days as we have Ofsted in tomorrow for two days. Four of our teachers are NQT's (newly qualified) and bless them are feeling very anxious about their first encounter. Everyone has put 110% effort in to help support our acting headteacher and we are hoping and praying for a positive outcome for our school.
At home the children have settled back into school very nicely and can't wait for half term to come. We plan to stay at home next week, neither of them to keen to visit the caravan. We have only spent around 4 weeks in total there whis year and to be honest I haven't really missed it.
Jake my beloved 16 year old cat as been a poorly boy over the last few weeks. He has arthritis in one of his legs that flares up every now and again but also had an ulcer on his gum and 2 badly infected teeth. So we are now £500 lighter in my purse but I can't really grumble as he has not cost us a bean over the years. Just a shame that at the same time we had to spend over a £1000 on our cars. So, I did what any girl would do in my position.
No, not that...what do you take me for!
I raided my jewellery box and sold some gold jewellery. Nothing special, just some old rings, necklaces and bracelets that I no longer wear. Of course I kept all the good stuff for Becky, she made sure of that!
But it now means we still have our heads above the water...just about.
It's a big year for us next year as Becky finishes her GCSE's and leaves High School to go onto college to do her A levels, and Alex leaves Primary school to go on to High School. So, we thought we needed to do something as a family to mark this occassion. I must have caught hubby at a weak moment because yesterday we booked a 2 week holiday to Tenereife all inclusive in a very nice hotel for us for next July. This will mean probably only 1 week away at our caravan next year but the children seem to have outgrown it now so I reckon it's probably run it's course for us. Can't grumble we've had 6 years of fun from it.
I hope you all have a good week, take care.
Sue x x x
Friday, 30 September 2011
What to do.......
Well, we have now been back to school and work for a month, and I can't believe how quick the time has gone.
For the last couple of weeks we have been looking at secondary schools for Alex. I have to say, I am really getting stressed out over the whole process, to the extent that I am not sleeping very well at night and in the day I am like a pan of simmering milk that every now and then goes on the boil - mostly for no reason at all.
It was so easy when we looking for my oldest. The school she is at suits her needs very well and she is excelling there. Alex's needs are a different kettle of fish.
Today we had his annual statement review at school. He seems to be benefiting from the additional support he's been receiving over the last year, and we really can see an improvement in many areas. So I feel very proud of my little boy today.
We have to decide on the secondary school that we want him to attend in the next week or so so that the local authority can liaise with our choices to see which school is going to be best to accommodate him. We have 6 schools in out borough that he could go to, we've so far looked at 2 of them and pretty much discounted both of them. We have another booked for next Tuesday, which has a good SEN dept. I'm even considering looking at schools in the next county too. I would really like for him to go to the same school that his friends will be going too as I know he will be really upset if he gets separated from them but at present I don't really have a lot of confidence in it.
Decisions, decisions Sometimes being a parent can be so darn hard :(
Have a great weekend, enjoy the heatwave in the UK.
Sue x x x
For the last couple of weeks we have been looking at secondary schools for Alex. I have to say, I am really getting stressed out over the whole process, to the extent that I am not sleeping very well at night and in the day I am like a pan of simmering milk that every now and then goes on the boil - mostly for no reason at all.
It was so easy when we looking for my oldest. The school she is at suits her needs very well and she is excelling there. Alex's needs are a different kettle of fish.
Today we had his annual statement review at school. He seems to be benefiting from the additional support he's been receiving over the last year, and we really can see an improvement in many areas. So I feel very proud of my little boy today.
We have to decide on the secondary school that we want him to attend in the next week or so so that the local authority can liaise with our choices to see which school is going to be best to accommodate him. We have 6 schools in out borough that he could go to, we've so far looked at 2 of them and pretty much discounted both of them. We have another booked for next Tuesday, which has a good SEN dept. I'm even considering looking at schools in the next county too. I would really like for him to go to the same school that his friends will be going too as I know he will be really upset if he gets separated from them but at present I don't really have a lot of confidence in it.
Decisions, decisions Sometimes being a parent can be so darn hard :(
Have a great weekend, enjoy the heatwave in the UK.
Sue x x x
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