Apart from a blistering headache all day, today has been much improved, in large part due to my discovery of Chambord Black Raspberry Liqueur, which is very nice indeed with a little soda water, a lot of ice and Tulameen raspberries dropped in it. The drinking didn’t happen until the sun was well over the yard arm, so I can be a little fuzzy headed and entirely guilt free. Now I cannot feel my head to know if it hurts, so it’s a big thumbs up from me.
The house cleansing continues at a more leisurely pace today. I have top brownie points from Jason because I was in when the scaffolding man came to take the scaffolding away, and I took all the bags that were cluttering up the garage to the charity shop. There was an entire car full, and more to follow. I also entertained the children all day, ruthlessly tore apart two bathrooms and various other squalid areas of the house, and cooked two meals, so I am back on track for my housewife of the year award. I shall be too mentally scarred to collect it, or care, but you can put on my grave stone: ‘At least she made an effort.’
The house viewing was irritating, as it was at an awkward kids tea/bed time. We busted our chops to get rid of the last vestiges of dinner time and sent the kids to the garden to play, then escorted the people up hill and down dale for half an hour, only for them to finish the viewing by confessing that their house wasn’t on the market, and they weren’t entirely sure whether they were ready to move yet. Thanks for that.
Still I have the cleanest bathrooms I have ever had in my life, and the children’s rooms are unrecognisable. I should be grateful.
But I’m not.
This morning we finally managed a get together with the lady across the road and her three girls. She is absolutely lovely, and we are shockingly anti social neighbours. I bumped into her in the supermarket a few weeks ago and we got chatting. She mentioned that she home schooled her daughters and when I told her about Tilly, offered for me to come over and pool resources. This was a lovely way of saying come over and steal all my ideas, as I have next to no resources to pool. Anyway, then life took over and I haven’t managed to see her since.
Yesterday we bumped into the girls on the street and invited them over to play this morning. The off the cuff approach worked for all of us, and the kids had a delightful morning together while we grown ups sat and chatted about text books and websites and resources and she gave me details of what sounds like some amazing art classes. It was really, really nice and she could sympathise with my housing trials and tribulations. She and her husband have been renovating their house for six years, and living in it, with their kids. She is more than a little bit fed up now, but she is way more patient than me. I’d have been in a hotel at least three years ago.
Not only was it nice to meet them properly, but the whole support with home schooling/pooling resources thing was a huge weight off my mind. There’s only two and a half weeks to go now until school starts again and I have to take on the mantle of teacher. I have been doing great at blocking out the whole thing up till now, but there have been a few sleepless nights recently when I have allowed my thoughts to drift that way. Now at least I have someone I can run across the road sobbing to.
We’re off to mum and dad’s tomorrow for a few days. I’ve got meetings in town all day for work, and they’re babysitting the kids for me, which is a huge help, so I am repaying them by helping them clear out a small room upstairs in their house they call ‘the leap’. I have no idea why it is called the leap. Even when it is empty you certainly wouldn’t be able to leap anywhere in it, it is too small. Not that size makes any difference at the moment, as it is so full of stuff you have to whip the door open and stand back to wait for the crash as things spill out all over the place. Maybe that is why it is called the leap, it is you who have to leap out of the way. Anyway, blogging will be sporadic to non existent once more. Apologies for the lapses in service recently. I blame the children. That is why I had them after all, so I could blame them for everything.
It’s only fair.
That Chambord liqueur is lovely. I poured a large slurp into the last lot of mixed berry jam I made, BB had most of it with scones.
Meeting up wit the home schooling neighbour was fortuitous indeed, and even better that the second meeting went so well. One less weight to burden your poor over-worked brain at night.
Bet it takes ages to clear out the leap as it is bound to be full of ‘lost’ treasures. Not at all sure you are the right person for the job although after your marathon sessions at home perhaps a small ruthless streak may emerge.
Re disposing of books, we donated hundreds before our big move to both of the boy’s schools and our local library. The library staff said they would pass on anything they couldn’t use to local charities or care homes. I felt a bit happier about that.
you should definitely blame the children. it is only fair. after all, later in their lives they’ll blame *you* for everything.
Sharon
I’ve nearly finished my bottle, which is shameful. It is delicious though. I am much more ruthless with other people’s stuff. However I seem to have inherited many of the things I made them throw out which will not please Jason one whit.
Bronxbee
True. I am just evening up the balance.