Starchild Searching

2010-09-10T00:13:00.000-07:00

So summer came and went. Wasn't much of one really. The minute a hose-pipe ban was declared, it was mostly grey clouds. I could really do with a holiday after our failed camping trip but will have to make do with staying home as the budget doesn't quite stretch. as usual!

Anyhow, A got her GCSE results. She did really well. An A in Sociology and a B in Biology. She has now registered for 3 more GCSE's at evening/day college and they are all FREE!! She has also enrolled onto the National Diploma in Performing Arts at a college in the city. She only has 2 full -long days and a half day per week so should still be able to fit in all her socialising. It is weird when she is at college as it is a long time to go without seeing her which is something I am having to adjust to. Most people probably go through this when their children start school at 5, at least I got to wait till she was 16.

I have been helping D with her future plans which involve GCSE's as well. I think she will sit Maths next year then do 2 the following year as well as a first diploma at college - this bit I need the LA's help with so am in contact with them. It is weird having to think so far ahead but needs must.
It is getting harder to do some GCSE's via distance learning and many places offer IGCSE's but the exam centres for those are more spread out and expensive.

I am in a bit of a trough at the moment and struggling with the direction I feel my life should be going in. It seems I move forward then get knocked back big style, crushingly, then have to re-build myself and start again. I am crushed right now and struggling to pull myself together but I will. I contemplated and searched for a part time job thinking I can fit that round the home-ed for a few afternoons a week. If something comes up then it is meant to be, if not I will go self-employed. On many days this is the preferred option as I don't want to leave my kids really, but having some income to be able to do anything would be lovely. I am praying a lot on this as well as for many other things.

In fact it feels like I spend more time praying than living right now.

TO DO......

2010-07-29T05:29:00.000-07:00

It is August, it should be my chilling time but I am about to blog here things that need doing between now and the end of September, mainly as a reminder to myself.

1. One hour a day where possible hacking back Ivy, brambles and other horrible plants in the garden and the removal of grass where it is not supposed to be.

2. De-clutter and sort, small kids bedroom, front and back rooms. Essential purchase for this is IVAR shelving unit, approximate cost:
5 shelves £20, one side unit £10 and back brace £2, totalling £32. Whilst at IKEA I really do need 3 kitchen chairs so will have to gather about £65-£70 before heading there.

3. Decorate at least one of the downstairs rooms - always a big job but needs doing badly. I will probably do the back room first as I am claiming this as my room with no kids stuff in there, that will all be in the front room which I only sit in if I am watching TV though it has a decent sofa. The back room is more Japanese style..ie. sitting on the floor!

4. Plan what I am doing with M and J come September.

5. Sort out GCSE work for D and juggle money to see about purchasing 4 for her.. eeek, that'll be approximately £280 deposit with 8 installments of £140 then....

6. Look through Adult ed brochures and sort out any courses A wants to do.

7. Sort out my OU course.

8. Clear and sort out shed - need sunny day for that which is not very forthcoming at the moment...

9. Keep looking for part-time job that I can fit around the kids and still home-educate - I will not put them in school but would like 16hrs work a week as I reckon I could juggle it. I pray on this so am not stressing, just trusting.

I think that should keep me busy then, as well as running the kids to various over summer activities and sorting them for holidays. I am also planning a day trip to a beach in Wales to make up for our lost holiday. I have about 8 weeks to get all that done so better crack on!

2010-07-14T01:41:00.001-07:00

Summer is here but you wouldn't currently know it. It is about 15 degrees which means I feel cold.

We have got through A's GCSE's... just got to wait for the results now. I still have to ring OOL as I have not received a form from them that I should. I also have to pay for the exam she took at the local centre. We did well getting her Sociology for free. I am proud of the fact in 8 months I managed to pay for A's biology GCSE which cost about £330. The problem is D wants me to buy 4 for her to start in September which will mean 8 monthly payments of approximately £140... I will have to find it though but it will make for a tight Christmas...again!
A is going to college in September, she has plans for the future that may mean she only does a year there. I have no problem with what my kids choose, I have always said to them I am happy as long as they have some kind of plan/goal/drive. I could not bear them to just sit on Facebook all day - though A knows this winds me up and makes jokes about being a NEET for the future!

We are supposed to be going camping with a group of people tomorrow. After much deliberation though, I have decided to cancel. The forecast is awful. 17 degrees warmest temperature. Rain nearly every day. I have camped in these conditions but just can't justify spending money on doing it now. It will not be a holiday so I have told the kids we aren't going. The youngest are sad and are hoping their Dad will take them. I would like to take them in August if and when the weather gets back to being like summer. It's a shame because until recently it was lovely and warm here. Our area is under a current hosepipe ban - the first for 14 years - as water levels have plummeted due to lack of rainfall.

I have had some amazingly happy and some difficult times recently. The happy due to events I can't really share on here which is odd. The sad because a friend was diagnosed with breast cancer. She recently had to have a double mastectomy and has further surgery to go through. It has shocked me and made me change the way I look at life. I think this is a good thing.
I have decided to be more free and spontaneous.. I'm even going to sort out my passport. I am planning some trips next year without the kids. I will always make sure they are taken care of as I am their Mother, but life is so short and I want to enjoy it so am looking for ways to create a bit of adventure for myself. I will keep you posted. The teenagers think I am having an early mid-life crisis..... rofl

Here are some recent pics:
A and I appeared on BBC Radio Manchester, speaking about youth hostel holidays for youngsters. It was short but we had a fun time!

When it was sunny we had a barbecue and invited folk over - mostly teens :-)

There you go, photographic proof that we did have some sun. Now if I could just find the solar powered marble run that I put in a safe place, before the summer is over, it would be a good thing!

Time for some photos I think.....

2010-06-13T04:24:00.001-07:00

Not got much time to blog due to exam deadlines and madness,, so here are some pics.
Growing season is under way, hampered by a current lack of sun....
J watering the potatoes

These are our potatoes for schools competition. Soon ready to harvest.

At the end of April, J had his 8th birthday, here he is opening his pressies.

M recently celebrated her 11th birthday so we went 10 pin bowling as a family and chose a day before the schools broke up. It was so empty and such fun we will be doing it again! I lost badly but then I was recovering from a dislocated ankle... well that's my excuse anyway.....

There are so few photos of me because it is me taking them all the time. This is a self done shot at bowling, with 2 of my girls!

This is a usual scene on this sofa, many children gathered round a screen! Till I think they have been on it enough and I encourage them out into the fresh air!

The only male, apart from J, in this house, my lovely cat Ebb.. just do not touch him unless it is between 11pm and midnight as for some reason he turns into a softy then. Before that, you will be clawed!!

Back with a longer update soon....

Planet Aimée

2010-05-16T04:41:00.001-07:00

I just had to write this as we have had such a laugh today. Molly and Jude were doing a presentation about planets. When they had finished, Aimée jumped up and presented her planet.

Here it is:

PLANET AIMÉE

The planet Aimée is the 3rd planet from the sun - same as the earth.

Planet Aimée is an over-active living organism. The planet is often known as the lonely planet as it enjoys the company of other planets, at all times.

The planet Aimée is the most beautiful planet with it's bright pink hazey glow.

Planet Aimée is made out of a delicate substance and is filled with a gooey centre.

Aimée is the smallest planet in the entire solar system.

Today is the day

2010-05-06T02:47:00.000-07:00

Today I shall be voting - for a party I have never voted for before. The whole fight the home-educators have had to endure over the last 2 years has meant I have learned a lot about the politial process and studied politics in more detail.I have shared what I have learned with my kids as I would like them to know more about how our system works and more importantly what you can do as an individual to help change policies or prevent bills being passed.
So I shall be sleeping infront of the tv tonight waiting as the results come in to find out who wins and then calculate how long it may be before we have to put on our home-ed armour again and defend our rights to educate our children as we choose.
A right that currently seems so fragile......

Eyjafjallajökull - You're doing it wrong!

2010-04-21T02:20:00.000-07:00

It is a lovely sunny day and M is supposed to be going swimming with 2 friends. But she is still in her pyjamas and making no effort to change that, despite me saying she may not be able to go if her lift turns up.

I have made no plans today which is not a good start at all. Must try harder...

I have some top trump cards the younger two made on planets that I need to laminate.
I am going to look up some information on Iceland as I am quite interested in the country now and wonder what it is like to live there. This will no doubt be shared with the kids.
Late last night we stayed up late trying to learn how to pronounce Eyjafjallajökull. We found this video which had us in stitches and we still haven't cracked it, but are getting there.

We have been looking at flight path of planes which has been interesting as they opened the air space again. Although this prompted some fear in my dd as she asked whether a plane would come down on us in the night.....

We have also been looking at volcanoes and watching every day the Icelandic Met office page for any news on whether Katla is going to blow, which would have severe consequences for the UK.

As well as all the geography related stuff we have also been looking at and discussing politics. Using the BBC site and others it has made us aware of the lack of democracy and how although we have a vote each, we are pretty much powerless to change anything. Here it is a safe Labour seat, though the borough is Tory. Thus we have had no campaigning by LibDems.
I have now got a book on politics so we read up on hung parliaments, structure of government, Quangos etc. As a family, we watched the live TV debate together and discussed psychology.

Basically learning all the time, even though I feel not much is happening!

2010-03-10T04:16:00.000-08:00

I am sat eating all the snack food my kids have taken out with them today to the local home-ed social, namely fruit winders and crisps. Must at some point get a sandwich or the health police will be knocking at my door.
Since my last post on schedules a lot has happened and it was only 2 weeks ago!
M didn't want to go back to school after the half term. We discussed it and she seemed convinced she had had enough. I rang the school on the Tuesday and arranged to take in the de-reg letter. The head teacher was lovely and fine about it all. He handed me her books...and she is free again.
A week later I received a letter from Trafford, nicely asking to come and visit me at home with an EWO and the schools improvement officer...I think that is his title. It seems most LA's have a different title for the person in charge of contacting home-edders.
I politely declined the home visit but said I would meet at a local venue if it was deemed necessary, though I was capable of asking for help on anything. The thing is they state the support the LA can offer home-edders, but really what support is there??? What has anyone ever been offered?? Except home-visits and checklists?
He asked if I could send a brief educational report which I have so I am awaiting a reply. He seems a nice guy but not terribly efficient so that may be the last I hear of him.

I would like to contact him to see about home-ed kids having access to this but the funding comes through schools, so ideally I would need a school to put my dd's name on the role but not attend EVER. Not sure I can see that happening. Course I could see about getting a grant from somewhere.......

So once again I am re-jigging our days and routines. We are quite relaxed really. It seems colleges have a blanket MUST HAVE MATHS + ENGLISH statement so if a kid wants to go to college at 16 it would be worth enduring those. Tricky for my eldest though who is dyslexic and possibly dyscalculic...... but I am not sure where she is heading yet.
I do know for me, this journey has been extremely tough, heart wrenching and often lonely. I don't share my worries or fears amongst my home-ed friends. To be honest they mostly seem to be doing well and their kids not particularly struggling and few people share their journeys openly, so I am not sure they would understand, or would possibly judge me somehow. I do enough of that for myself.

Of course as I type that last section, I secretly hope no-one is reading this. I often blog stuff thinking no one is out there but maybe some day someone pops over!

2010-03-03T00:55:00.000-08:00

The Abuse of Children in Care Settings

Facebook has banned this map so I am posting it on here!

For further info click here.

2010-02-18T01:50:00.000-08:00

I am currently trying to re-schedule my day... but countless cups of tea get in the way.

When I was young, I used to like making schedules of what I would do and when, though my sister was better at drawing up hers, particularly for revision. Some people can't stand schedules and that is fine for them. I however like to use them, not to make myself feel guilty if I don't achieve it, but as a guideline or a little nudge of what it would be a good idea to be doing.
I had written out a schedule I was using, that included one to one study time with each kid, each day. But now M has gone to school I need to completely re-jig it. The morning school run means I am often not home before 9.30am, later if I have shopping to do.
I also am getting no chill time early in the morning. I long to sit with my brew but often I am making sandwiches whilst drinking it. So that is my mission for the next few days.

I will write up alternatives for days we have home-ed stuff on, though I am not getting to as much as the kids Dad likes taking them to the social groups, while I stay home. We also seem to be doing more after school activities so we are in more during the day. I am trying to make it fun for J though, as he has lost his playmate for a few months.

I think M is still enjoying school. I don't think she loves it nor does she hate it but I suppose it is different so she is still happy to go back after this half term. I will have to start waking her earlier though over the next few days. She struggles to get up at 8am and there is no way I could get her up any earlier than this or she would just fall back to sleep.

It is a good job I am here to get anyone up actually. I think in the summer I will experiment and see what time people naturally rise. I had to wake A up yesterday at 11am - which she was not happy about - as she has some GCSE work to complete. She has practically finished the course and I know she finds it boring but after all, she did choose this.....

I can't believe how much of my time is taken up with he kids stuff. A while back, I had time to read for an hour a day, now when I get to bed, I am lucky to manage 5 minutes. I don't think the schedule will improve this much as A needs a heck of a lot of help with her work due to her dyslexia so that takes up any free time I did have during the day but I am her parent so needs must. This won't improve much in September as D starts 3 GCSE's then, well that is the plan!

I have had many struggles with the whole GCSE thing and now realise colleges cannot think outside the box so if a very intelligent home-ed kid applies without having taken any, they will not only not know what to do with them, but most likely place them at the bottom. IMO there is no point in this but they may as well stay home and access the courses that are available to them for free at 16. Of course, when compulsory education age is raised (when is this?) it will once again make it harder for home-ed kids.
Gah, if I had the funds, mine would be doing so much more qualification orientated work than now, but that is the sacrifice you make when choosing this path. I have thought long and hard about whether to put them in school at 14 so they can sit them for free, yet my conclusion for this family is that the reason I object to schools is still there if they went at 14 and it would change our family. Yes my kids may not have the same number of qualifications but they are intelligent and we have a strong family. You can't put a price on that.

Snowy pics of 2010

2010-01-13T02:56:00.001-08:00

2010-01-13T02:15:00.000-08:00

Day 3 of experiment school.....
Well M has been on a school roll for 8 days now but today was her third day due to the school being shut because of the snow and M being ill. She was a bit nervous about going yesterday after a weeks break but it is always her choice. I dropped her off and when she got home later, she seemed to have had a good day because they had done art which she loves. She doesn't talk much about the work they do which is odd but I leave her to that. She did mention how she has to write about the rain forest today. I asked her had they taught her anything about it and she said no, she is just supposed to write about it!! She also mentioned how she got "told off" because a girl asked her a question while the teacher was talking and she answered! I have told her she can stay at school as long as she wants and when she has had enough to let me know. I did explain though that I am planning some trips out which we would have to do twice at weekends so she can come.
This morning I had overslept due to teenagers keeping me awake so it was rather rushed to eat, dress and get out in 20 minutes. The pavements are slippy ice now so walking to the school takes nearly half an hour. I am enjoying the ritual of an early morning walk, grab a paper and brew when I get home, but am also finding my morning whizzes by really quickly because of the hour taken up by school drop off. Oh well, I see it as a learning experiment and have the de-reg letter saved up should I need it soon!

On Monday it was D's 14th birthday. We had an arts award session at my house in the morning, which means there are no more sessions now before they have their files moderated at the end of January. Eeeek!
D mostly got cash which she may decide to spend at some point. We ordered Chinese take out and had tooo much food that evening lol. We bought cupcakes and put candles on and I got some lovely photos on my phone of her.

She has also had 2 sleepovers here and has plans to go to the cinema today and maybe shopping later. Ah, the chilled life of a 14 year old!

I have put off phoning the exam centre I am trying to arrange for A to sit an exam at, as it always seems really complicated when I call, yet I must do it today as I HAVE to book a centre. I also have to e-mail a survey A has done for people to respond to for her Sociology. I bought myself this with the idea I can make a daily list, over my brew each morning so I don't forget stuff I need to do but I am currently out of sync due to the horrible virus I had over Christmas - which may have been swine flu but didn't do a test to find out. Consequently my energy is very low and I am having trouble getting myself into gear. Hoping that improves soon.

2010-01-07T02:08:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year!

2010 sees the streets here with up to 30cm+ of snow. I can't actually remember now when the pavements were not covered in snow or ice. The snow is preferable as at least you can walk on parts of it, but in a few days after frosts every night it will again become difficult to walk. All the main roads here are kept clear but that is tricky if you can't get your car to access the main roads. Also on the news last night it appears the council here has 5 days of grit left and this weather is set to continue longer than that so it looks like a bad situation.
If we had snow like this yearly I think we could cope because we would have snow chains and snow gear. But because it is freakishly rare everything comes to a stand still. I have enjoyed all the phone calls this week cancelling the kids activities meaning we haven't had to leave the house in the evening. I don't mind attempting it in the day when things have thawed a bit. Although saying that at some traffic lights the other week, my brakes locked on ice and had there have been a car in front I would have crashed. It was scary but worse was I hate the feeling under your foot as it happens. I wasn't even driving fast but having no brakes there when I need to stop is not something I want to repeat.
I have had to head out daily to the shops to buy things like milk as I can't get my Mum's car out of our roads. Today's plan involves shovelling the snow in the hope the car may be able to be used again. Not least because I don't want my Mum walking to the shops. To get to the local shops you have to go up a hill then down a hill and subway, fine if you have a snowboard or skis mind!

Anyway we had a nice Christmas, marred by a virus we have all had. Symptoms ranging in severity but when I was ill with it I was worried it was swine flu and still don't know for sure it wasn't. I am on the mend now after over 2 weeks of cold, then awful cough, then high fever, aches, pains and shiver. J has had fever for his 3rd day now and M still has the choking cough but not much fever.

M actually did one day of school this week. She was excited about trying it out, I think thinking it would be like a holiday club. When I collected her she wasn't happy and I realised when I got her home, she had not eaten or drunk ANYTHING all day. The children have to leave lunch bags outside so her food and drink was too cold and left untouched. I think she will try school again but it has since been closed because of the snow, but I was keeping her off anyway as her cough is awful and exacerbated by the cold weather.
On the walk to the school we looked at some fab icicles I took a photo of, so we had done science before we even got there!

That brings me onto schools. I have a confession. I DON'T LIKE SCHOOLS.
I used to worry about saying that but now I don't. I know most people will never be able to understand my objections to it. I mean it is after all a lovely place for kids to be, where they are excited and learning all the time and socialising aren't they. Well NO actually they aren't, but my kids however, living in the REAL society with REAL opportunities are.
In fact whilst thinking about this the other day, an analogy came to mind.

If a seeing person was trying to describe colour to a person who has never had sight, although the blind person may have their idea of what colour is in their minds, they can never really truly understand what blue is, or red is. I have realised this also applies to home-educators and parents who don't. I can explain home-education and learning etc to a non home-educator, but unless they have actually experienced it for themselves they will never TRULY get home-education, they just won't.

This year is a powerful one for me. I have decided against tiptoeing around peoples feelings about me home-educating, namely my friends who don't. I am actually going to refuse to answer anymore prying questions about it as I don't pry into why they make their decisions that way yet because I do something different, somehow it is seen as okay to grill me. I also hate the awkward air feeling if you mention anything about home-education. Well I am fed up of it now and not going to play the game anymore. I am out and proud :-)

2009-12-23T00:28:00.000-08:00

2 sleeps till Christmas and the ground is covered in snow...wonder if it will last and how much money the bookies are going to lose if it does lol.
The downside to the snow is how high I am having my heating turned up. I have now brought fleece blankets downstairs for when it all gets too chilly. The kids have spent lots of time playing in the snow which is great, particularly J who IMO needs to get outside and burn energy off, is doing so well now we have snow. Our road is inches thick in compacted snow and ice so the kids have taken to running up and down it with a sledge. I tried driving in the snow on the first day, down the main road before it was gritted. You couldn't even see the road markings and there was points where the car was sliding so it was not enjoyable.

Last Friday the girls performed their arts award challenge pieces in front of a small crowd. D did her dance and A did her radio play. A is particularly happy as she submitted her play to the Royal Exchange and it has been accepted by the young people's theatre group and will be performed there in May. She gets to oversee it and is looking to forward to it. If she sets her mind to it, I can see her doing really well in performing arts, she just is natural with it.
D has not been dancing for a few weeks as she seems to have a run of bad health. Not long ago she had a terrible eye infection that nearly resulted in IV antibiotics. Last Friday I took her to the doctor as she couldn't breathe and needed antibiotics again for a chest infection. She doesn't do well at this time of the year so I am off today to buy more vitamin C and echinacea.
J has had his share of ill health as he developed terrible exczema. I used some cream from the doctor to clear it up and he has since had a visit to the homeopath where he was issued tablets from a remedy that has only just been created - exciting stuff.
I also caught D's cough and cold but although it has affected my asthma slightly I am on the mend. I have recently taken up jogging 4 times a week and am happy that if I go slow enough I can do a circuit that is approximately 3/4 of a mile but could be more. I am glad the snow has co-incided with my cough so at least I have 2 excuses as to why I can't run.

Anyway, back to arts award. It will be finished and moderated by the end of Jan so the final push is on now to get all the info in the files. The girls have done the practical stuff but need paperwork in files to prove it, this they find hard yet I do not understand why. It has created stress as they sit on Facebook while I moan about putting effort in and getting results out. They are not result motivated and yet they need to be in some way or I am unsure as to what the future will hold. It is those days I find my choice to home-educated hard, but I won't go into it too much here, there isn't any point.

On Monday I had my annual Christmas party. There was about 10 adults, 20 children that all had an enjoyable time. Everyone brought food to share so we had lost of nice goodies.
Yesterday I took M,J and a friend to see Spaceship 87 at the Royal exchange. It was an enjoyable kids play but has yet to beat the Man Who Planted Trees which we just adored.

Off out shopping for milk and last minute stuff shortly. I am at the Lowry again tonight so it will be a late one as I am on sales for White Christmas so won't be in bed by 11 which Is what I need, then it will be CHRISTMAS EVE..

HAPPY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE

2009-12-12T00:34:00.001-08:00

So many blogs, so little time!

I went to an amazing event on Tuesday evening. It was a Copenhagen rally run by the DECC. Ed Miliband, the leader of Manchester council, Friends of the Earth Manchester and a chap from the co-op as well as a journalist from the Guardian were on the panel. They received questions for 2 hours about climate change and Copenhagen and it was really very interesting. I must admit, to not knowing it all as well as I feel I ought, but when statistics produced the other day saying more than half of the population don't believe in climate change I suppose I am one step ahead. I was amazed at how posh the event was, yes there were some eccentrics and a few woolly jumper types but on the whole it was quite an event. I didn't stay around afterwards for wine etc. as I wanted to get home, despite enjoying myself.

Further joy was to be then had because at about 10.45pm. Myself and my 2 daughters watched the parliament channel and the presentation of petitions against the Badman review. It beat any previous record in parliament for the highest number received on a single issue.... I still don't think it will make much difference though. Our numbers are comparatively few and the majority of the UK population will never get home-education or believe we aren't damaging our children. Because of this I do think the government will be able to bring in new legislation. I remember doing my sociology A level that when a sub-culture like ours got too noticeable and large it had to be reined back in and this is what I think they are doing, well that and making it too hard to actually do, which is another story!!

End of term shows:

J did his Junior Strings production on Wednesday. His Dad has been taking him each week, so it was lovely that I got to go this time as I watched him do his show. He performed a couple of songs and 2 basic violin pieces with his group. He is always nervous beforehand but is fine once they are doing it. I love the fact he has this opportunity that is subsidised enough that I can afford it. He now has a few week break.

Yesterday I watched M in her end of term drama production, a Santa play. The group has increased in numbers and worked really well together. The last Friday performance this year will be the girls who have their silver Arts Award showcase challenges to perform next week, then I am finished on a Friday till the 8th Jan. In fact I have from 24th December till the 8th Jan with nothing on and no-where to go which will be great. Lots of reading, sorting and planning going on.
I am however always reluctant to allow all day screen usage during term breaks, as the kids find it hard to turn them off during screen time. In fact our Freeview box seems to have lost a lot of channels but I really don't mind. I would say the computer is more popular but with 5 people sharing one machine, it can be a juggling act!

I am going to get evryone up now as the girls still ahve dancing and I potentially have firemen in UNIFORM calling round. Exciting for a Saturday!!

2009-12-05T01:10:00.000-08:00

I haven't got round to putting up a Christmas ticker and it probably isn't worth it. I am feeling very unfestive, probably due to lack of funds which means Christmas will again be a frugal one. I did sit through a showing of White Christmas the musical last week though as I was working the shift. I got a nice quiet door right at the top and only a couple of very late late-comers. I do like musicals but found myself getting a bit bored with this one. 2 hours long with obviously lots of dancing ad music. Aled Jones who is in it was very good though. I wondered how hard it was for him to learn all the dance moves as I am not sure he trained as a dancer.. but I could be wrong!

The girls activities here are plodding along. A is up to date with her Biology. She is also doing Sociology at college. I have discovered though that she is probably dyslexic which until she knew she had this she was fine but now seems angry about it. She is angry about lots of things at the moment and that is another to add to the list. I cope by removing myself from the house occasionally otherwise it drags me into it and I need to be able to keep a certain distance or I am no use to anybody!
The arts award that the older girls are doing is coming to an end yet we still have lots of stuff to get organised. This weekend I shall be writing them large TO DO lists as I want it completed. They have finished their part one challenges. A wrote a radio play and D choreographed a dance. For part two they are running workshops. A is running a writing one and D a choreograph your own dance one. They are scheduled for the 9th Jan - which is dragging me into 2010 before we are even there yet.

In fact I have to purchase next years calendar because I have dates that need to go on there now. In theory it would be easy to choose a calendar but I need one that has a column each for us. In previous years I have used this one

However I am now bored with this one so have been looking at others. Don't think I quite qualify for the Yummy Mummy one rofl, so I may be going to get the Organised Mum's calendar. At least I may feel organised of the calendar says I am :-)

Last week we travelled to Blackpool to visit my friend Libby who has just had her 8th bundle of wonder. Baby Tegan is now about 4 weeks old and was flying out to Bulgaria with her Mum and older sisters to join the rest of the family for the first time. They left last Thursday so on Monday we all headed to their Blackpool home to stay over and do lots of baby holding. She is sooo cute and laid back. I miss holding babies so it was nice to have a cuddle with her. J got to hold his first baby and was smitten. The girls had a great time as they stayed up with their friends watching movies and playing charades at 4 in the morning!! It was worth it though as they are such good friends and now won't see each other till summer next year. Some pics below :

2009-11-11T08:02:00.000-08:00

Last night, M, J and I met SIMON KING!!!! I was sooo happy to meet my wildlife hero. We went into Manchester to the big Quaker building in the centre and waited for him to arrive at 7pm!!
We then listened to a question and answer session with him followed by a book signing where I also got a photo of the event. He is such a warm genuine, lovely guy and I will treasure the memory.

Hello again!

2009-10-18T05:57:00.000-07:00

I am still here :-)
I won't bother trying to update what has happened since I last blogged as it will all be too much waffle!

A is now 16 (yesterday)!!!
Last Saturday she had a big birthday party with about 30 people here of various ages. They all had a lovely time and most of them had gone home by midnight. A couple stayed over and there was not even too much mess to clean up. A has since been researching new things she can do now she is 16, we were particularly excited by the fact she can now sell scrap metal..... that will be especially useful! On her birthday, I had to work for a few hours (at a pub car park, joy of joys!!) but then when I got home, we headed into Sale together. We got some crisps, dip and birthday cake then sat in a cafe for a while. We carried on the celebrating later on by ordering pizza - which is something we rarely do. It was a very nice day and I don't even feel any older!! We also found out on that day that my friend had her 5th baby!! I have seen the photos and she is soooo cute. It is also A's best friend's new sister so that date in future will be full of celebrations for 2 families :-)

As my life just gets busier I have come to the decision to let go of my allotment. I just can't fit it in and often feel stressed that I haven't been. I don't really have enough time for the garden here so I am letting someone else have a go. I will one day again get an allotment but probably when I am no longer needed so much for the kids. Even though they are older I seem to be spending more time ferrying them to and from places. I suppose as it gets darker now, earlier, I don't like them catching buses alone so am just flowing with it!

We have new added activities now too. A does a writing course on a Monday at the Royal Exchange. She is also doing a Sociology GCSE at a college on Tuesday evening. A and M now have viola(A) and guitar lessons (M), on a Friday which has made Friday the busiest day of the week.
I don't mind being so busy but it does mean my days fly by which is not so good. I am still trying to get up earlier but not managing the 7am I would like. I attempt to go for a 20 minute jog/walk each alternate mornings which always wakes me up. I am considering having my iron levels tested as I do feel tired a lot. Something for the near future anyway!!

2009-08-06T02:15:00.000-07:00

The swifts are still here so it must still be summer. Today actually feels like it because the sun is shining for a rare change. Although when I came out from yoga the other night it was getting dark which made me think how winter is drawing in already!
I have baked potatoes cooking in the oven, A and D are at a friends, M and J have a friend round so there is lots of card and electronic gaming going on. I may tempt them out to the park or playing field later, I fancy stretching my legs. I am really into gardening at the moment as it is in dire need of weeding. My green bin is full though and only emptied every 2 week, I may start making a pile instead.
I probably need to phone the agency as there is a tile that has come of the roof that is hanging in the gutter. If it falls it could injure someone, but I need to tidy down the side of the house first. My ex has some scrap metal he dumped there which I may well try and take to the tip tomorrow. I asked him if he would do a tip run, he came round, spread the old inflatables etc over the tidy garden then left so today's job is to re-sort that.
I have a burning desire to learn some DIY as I hate when things need doing but I can't do them. The cupboard doors all came off in the kitchen but need wood screwing to them inside the cupboard before being re-attached as they chipboard has no strength to hold the screws now. But I worry about drilling into pipes... maybe I shall get shorter screws!

Summer term is here so the kids activities are quieter. J finished Junior Strings and will start with a violin in September. Fortunately they have moved his day so he can still do beavers on the Thursday which I am really glad about. D quit her Monday dancing so I have been able to go back to yoga.
Last week, M, A and D did the Lowry summer school where they helped write and perform their own musical. I really enjoyed the show at the end of the week and they had a great time, although getting up early to be there for 10am every day was something I think we would struggle with for many weeks of the year!
On Monday M did a day of percussion and dance with a friend. Theolder girls are booked in for a behind the scenes- technical workshop- at the same venue in a week.

A and D have been hanging out with their home-ed and their church friends separately. They have such a good time but we still have to fit in their Arts Award. I am struggling to make contact with a choreographer or a script-writer for them. We send off many e-mails and mostly don't get a reply or if we do it is a no. A challenge indeed which it is supposed to be!!! A is supposed to be writing and performing a radio play, and D choreographing and performing a dance. Not much work has been done on either and they are supposed to be done for Mid September... time yet as they keep telling me!

This week I took A here and she needs to go back and have some weekly treatments. I am also taking her to the Children's hospital for a heart check-up after some tachycardic events! Fingers crossed.

Right off to sort out those inflatables :-)

2009-07-03T12:30:00.000-07:00

Another month has passed by and we are now officially in summer. It has been sooo warm the last few days that I have struggled sleeping even with a fan on me all night. Possibly not helped by the water bottle - that is J- that lies next to me lol. But then we are also getting lots of heavy showers so it is probably ideal weather for plants - especially the brambles, bindweed and thistles on my allotment!
I only seem able to get there about once a week at the moment and spend a good 40 minutes each time pulling the bloomin things up! I enjoy weeding the beds but it is the paths which need more wood chip on that they keep springing up from. I seem to have been a bit late in getting things in but I can still sow some mixed lettuce, radish and the like. It is the process I enjoy though, as much as anything I just wish I could get down there more often. Currently the kids have an activity on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday evenings. I am having to go to yoga now on Wednesday and pay for it now as D moved dance classes. Sometimes I nip to the allotment when she is dancing so I may start taking her earlier so I can get more time there.

A few weeks ago I went on a wildflower ID day course which I loved. I am so at home doing that kind of thing.... maybe when I am knowledgeable enough I can get paid for doing it! As you can see I am still trying to rack my brain on how to be self-employed or more accurately what can I do??? I have no particular skill unlike all my friends so it is challenging me and taking up my thought time. I have to have something I can do self employed as leaving the kids for 16 hours a week and home-educating will just be too much. I'm sure it will all work out some way. It has to!!

Yesterday the girls went to a science event at Liverpool university which they enjoyed. I am trying to get into the habit of recording the things they do each day so I have awritten record for the LA when they contact me but it is not something I am used to doing so it will take some time I have no doubt. They enjoyed Liverpool and A came home - as she does- with a Liverpudlian accent. She is very good at accents and it is quite entertaining lol. The house is currently quiet though as the older girls have gone to a friends gig in Marple and aren't due back til later when they will probably stay up late on Facebook. They have some new friends as they went on our church's youth weekend away and made lots of new mates. They have spent much of this week, texting and on Facebook. It is nice but I feel there is always a balance to be struck which can be hard.
They have to do regular work on their silver arts award which I think is interesting yet they are often reluctant to get going on it. Still, they want the end result which is the qualification so I guess they will have to put the work in. They have their last drama class next week when they have a small play to out on for the parents. I am looking forward to the summer break! I expect I will have a house full of kids playing which is nice though. I am planning on painting M and J's bedroom and hopefully the back room while over the summer break. I managed to paint the hall and landing with about 8 children playing in and out so the other rooms should be a doddle!
It is amazing though, how even though we home-ed we still seem to run to terms - I blame all the extra curricular stuff the kids do lol but they do enjoy it.

Anyway , quick post, now supper for the younger two needs doing. I have an early start tomorrow as am at a breakfast and 2 of the girls are dancing.
I must post some pics of our new pets soon!

2009-06-10T08:13:00.000-07:00

Well I seem to get on Facebook more than here and yet we are doing lots in life.
Today I slept in.... which I enjoyed but also lost time, which frustrates me. I had woken at 6.30 after a horrible dream of A having piercings done and screaming in pain and me crying. Gah!!!! She doesn't want piercings so not sure what that was about but it disturbed me. After dozing off, M ran in saying there was buzzing in her room so I checked for bees but couldn't find any. I dozed off again then til 9.30!!!!
I had requested some screen free time today so other things were done including trying out some drawing techniques, Ki-nex, Quizzmo, reading. The older 2 made a start at the Silver Arts award looking at reviews. They then navigated back to bloomin You Tube til they did some Maths from a WH Smith book. J did some reading to A. Not sure what I did, other than try and keep the peace.
I had planned a lot of gardening but am hampered by the weather which saw torrential down=pours here.
I need to start de-cluttering the back room but have to try and do one shelf at a time or I will not achieve anything.

Yesterday we had a big gathering here. Various teens hung out and went to the field to play girl v boy rounders, the girls won lol. I went into Manchester to return some stuff for A. While I was there we popped into a Christian bookshop which was just lovely and had a big ground floor with cafe. We shall definitely be going back. The price for a cup of tea was £1.10 which for the city is VERY cheap!!!!!
2 weeks ago M had her 10th birthday. The week before that I had run a joint games party for her and J (who is now 7). We had 24 kids of all ages playing games on our local playing field then we came back here for a brew. It was busy but lovely. Unfortunately our beloved guinea pig died on M's birthday which we all sobbed over as she was a much loved member of our family. We buried her that evening :-(
On a plus side we received a precious gift of 3 baby guinea pigs a few days later who are called Lilo and Scruffy. They are gorgeous and now live in M and J's room as it is the only room with a door the cats can't get through. In there we also have the 2 hamsters lol so it is like a private zoo. We have animal handling each day to make sure they all get some attention!

On Sunday my children were dedicated at our church and A and I had full submersion baptisms which were just AWESOME! I will post the video when I finally get them up-loaded off D's phone.

I am nearing the end of my accounts and book-keeping level 1 course. I have the exam in 2 weeks but haven't studied yet. It isn't really hard though so I reckon I will be okay.
There are lots of changes going on here and life always seem to go in the direction you least expect it but at least it keeps you on your toes!!!

2009-04-22T10:43:00.000-07:00

Hiya :-)
Well a blog post is obviously very overdue. I have managed to get to the computer but usually I go on Tribalwars to check our villages/send out troops/upgrade buildings. I do this first thing in the morning and last thing at night. Then if I go on Facebook I usually end up chatting with a friend. Or I change my status on Twitter. All these things are bitty and don't take up too much time but usually then there is a child queue waiting for their turn.
I am now grabbing my diary to blog what we have done in April!!
On the 1st April, A and D had a go on the cycling track at the Velodrome in Manchester. They were a bit nervous about it but after the hour were really happy and excited to have done it. Especially when I explained our gold medallist Chris Hoy had trained there and they had cycled on the same track! I hadn't booked M as her cycling is not up to that really. They don't do a lot of cycling mainly because I can't as Jude doesn't so M never really gets her bike out much!
On the 2nd J's beavers group were having a trip to a local fire station. As I had never been in one I decided to attend (and I took M). Can I point out my interest was purely educational and had nothing whatsoever to do with fire-men-rescues and pumps! It was fab and all the kids had a great time looking in the pumps and playing with the hose.

M has been to 2 fab birthday parties this month. She is friends with twins who had separate lovely parties so M has been to Tatton Park Farm and Stockley farm. Each time, when I collected her from the girls' house, I took J who then got invited in to play in their amazing garden that has a sunken trampoline and purpose built adventure playground at the bottom of it. We hung out there for many hours and I got numerous cups of tea made for me which was lovely as normally nobody here makes me a brew!

On Friday 3rd we went to a family fun event at our church which was great. We teamed up with another family and then competed in various different quizzes eg. guess the ebay buy it now price, label the UK counties, guess the celebrity face! We didn't win but had a really great time and got some chocolate eggs too!

Easter holidays were quite quiet for us so it is weird to be busy with all kids stuff again. I managed to get in making 200 paper pots and sowing approx 120 plants. I did lots of digging both here and at the allotment. I have now planted two big potato beds. M and J helped plant rows of red onions and today I did a bed of white ones. I still have one bed ready for carrots. I bought some fleece from the pound shop as I will NOT lose them to the carrot root fly this year! Seeds wise, in pots we have got sugar snap peas, broad beans, mangetout, beetroot, parsley, squash, sweet pea, wallflower. I can't remember what else off the top of my head lol. Productive growing month anyway!

M went away for a brownie pack holiday from Friday to Monday over Easter. I was worried she would be hungry as she is so fussy but she chose to go so I figured she'd either be hungry or eat lol. She had a great time though but looked exhausted when I collected her. She earned another badge for her sash :-)

April has been the month of hair! J had his long-ish hair cut really short which he loves and yesterday I got my roots done and a cut too. M is due to have hers done next week
Kids have been busy having fun. The latest craze here is making animations which I will post as soon as we have put them together.

The girls have their drama moderation on Friday for their arts award where they will find out if they pass - eeeek! Am sure they will though. Then we are heading into Manchester to see our friends who leave our country for Bulgaria (for ever, sob) in a few days time.
Things are always changing, it keeps one on ones toes for sure!

APRIL PICS:

We did Earth Hour- turn your lights off!:

the girls did another Live Radio show (with home-ed friends) and created a facebook page:

Was that enough of a round up then? :-)

A bit of light relief!

2009-03-24T02:22:00.000-07:00

You know you live in 2009 when...

1. You go to a party, sit down and take MySpace pics.

2. You haven't played solitaire with real cards in years.

3. The reason for not staying in touch with your friends is that they don't have AIM/LiveJournal/MySpace/Facebook.

4. You'd rather look all over the house for the remote instead of just pushing the button on the TV.

6. Your evening activity is sitting at the computer.

7. You read this list, and keep nodding and smiling.

8. You think about how stupid you are for reading this.

9. You were too busy to notice number five.

10. You actually scrolled back up to check if there was a number five.

11. And now you're laughing at your stupidity.

12. Put this in your profile if you fell for it.
You know you did =D

2009-03-17T01:44:00.000-07:00

Hasn't the weather been nice the past couple of days. I hung some laundry outside which was a real novelty. Today seems bright but cloudy. I had been meaning to do some gardening on Sunday. I was planning on weeding my strawberry plot but for some reason I felt exhausted and spent 3 hours that afternoon in bed and still managed to go to sleep before midnight that night. I think being so busy catches up on me so I am trying to go to bed as early as I can. Ideally lol this would be at half 9 but before I know it, it is 11pm! Where does time go???

A has a busy week this week as it is her last week at the Royal Exchange with 3 performances for the paying public on Friday and Saturday. Link for her play here. So she will be there every night now from 5-9pm. She is looking forward to it but it will feel like the end of an era for her. She has finally quit the Garrick - her Saturday drama as she was not enjoying it nor making any friends there. She has met a few people from the Royal Exchange. She went to see one boy who lives a short train ride away, on Saturday. His Mum drove her back home and came in to chat. She home-edded one of her sons for 2 years and was full of praise for it even though they are both in school now. It was refreshing!

I am taking D to have her hair cut today. I was A's turn last week. It shall be my turn next month after we have got through the expensive dentist trip due next week! Haven't quite worked out how to pay for it yet but am seriously looking into dental insurance.

The kids Dad has no job at the moment so is offered no help whatsoever. not that we get much when he is but I occasionally manage to squeeze some money out for the dentist. He has started seeing his ex again who lives in Hereford. He would like to live there I think so I am gently encouraging. The kids can have trips there whenever they choose. He is planning to go there on Sunday but so far only M is possibly going but she isn't too keen. Gah! Sometimes it was so much easier when he couldn't be bothered with them. Now he turns up when he feels like it and I never know when that will be. If he is in Hereford he couldn't do that... I think!!

Last night I stumbled on this conference I would LOVE to go to. It is in July so I wil see if anyone I know is up for going. I think the teens would love it too though not sure of the younger ones.

2009-03-14T02:35:00.001-07:00

Please click on the light switch in the top right hand corner. I think it's pretty groovy :-)

2009-03-02T01:12:00.000-08:00

Yippeeee! We are finally in March and spring is springing. The shops of full of seeds and gardening supplies. I managed to get to the allotment and do an hours weeding. I love it when no-one is there and I can just kneel and weed. Such bloomin good therapy! The weeds were not too bad but my poor kale has been happily munched by slugs. Oh well, not much I can do about that!

There has been lots of gaming going on here both on screen and off. We seem to be playing lots of Uno and Go Fish. It's great fun as we all join in. The latest screen craze is this one:

which Jude found and I started playing to help him out. It can be quite advanced as you have to attack villages and work out strategy and how many men to send in. Looks fun but I spend all my time building up my defensive wall and reserves. Probably says something about my life lol.

I am off to college later today. The girls are doing their live radio broadcast at 2pm. Click here to listen. I have asked a friend to come round with her kids to mind M and J (as the girls normally do it) which has worked out well for both of us.
Off to rouse kids who need to practice for their radio show now!

Photo time!

2009-02-20T02:25:00.000-08:00

The Twins!

The Girls

The Boys

2009-02-20T02:14:00.000-08:00

I don't know about you but the blooming review seems to have taken up all my spare time. I didn't want to respond until I had read enough other responses. But yesterday was my deadline and I sat there filling it in. I finished by midday and was response number 1315. Funny to be given a number. Reminds me of the fact we are all numbers in a system!

Anyhow, I am back to near full health now. I have had a problem with my arm but I think it is nerve related and it seems to be getting better. Was worried I was going to have to miss the yoga/pilates/ju-jitsu I was doing but I think I will be okay! Phew! Of course having 4 children in the house, at least 2 of them are now a bit ill with minor colds although A has been displaying signs of man flu - yes it crosses genders!!!!

It has been half term week so a few activities have not been on. My sister came to stay for a few days so that was fab. I would not let her leave til someone had taken a nice photo of us together as we are rarely in the photo at the same time but we have succeeded! Hurrah! I shall post them in another post.
Squash has been on daily so we have been trying to get there. If you walk from our house it is approx 1.5-2 miles (at a guess). When my sis was here, my b-i-l took the small kids and we cycled there. Yesterday we walked but D cycled. On a bike it is so quick yet on foot it took me, M and J about 30 mins. Today I have the use of a car so it should be okay. I do encourage them (and not in the way the DSS encourages!!) to go to things like squash as it is good fun and involves lots of running around. I want my kids to be aware of exercise and it's health benefits and also because when you have done it it does make you feel good. Why do you think I do 3 classes a week lol.

Today's plans include re-bounding, a paper-round, sending off a bank account form for Trailblazers, some accounts home-work and some shopping. I think that is enough to be going on with don't you!!

2009-02-10T02:09:00.000-08:00

I am a bit under the weather at the moment. I could tell I was fighting a chest infection. I am okay but I have a bit of a cough so it altered my weekend plans. I was going to go on a 2 hour birdwatch then walk home (approx 90 minute walk) but it was really cold out and I didn't think my chest would benefit from that. Cold air does affect my asthma unfortunately - so I have also had to halt my running programme but plan on resuming it as soon as my cough clears. I am even struggling to get to my exercise classes. I missed ju-jitsu on Sunday as I wasn't up to it and my friend was skipping it. I have also joined a study group that meets alternate Monday's which is my yoga night. I have tried to do about 30 minutes at home today but it is not enough to keep me fit. I am going to try and arrange with the kid's Dad if he can run them to guides on Friday's so I can get to an ashtanga class then. We shall see. I want to do more exercise, daily ideally. I do try and walk a lot but I crave more.

I decided to walk to college yesterday. The bus costs me nearly £3 return and I knew I could easily walk it in 45 mins max. So I set off and stomped there. I timed myself and it took about 25 minutes so unless the weather is appalling I will do that each week. It actually takes the same time as getting a bus because I always get to the stop early anyway.
So we did 2 hours of cash books yesterday. The other women were saying how our tutor spends most of his time out of the class. I think he explains stuff than leaves you to it but is fine if you ask him stuff. I actually prefer this as I like doing study myself but I suppose if you are used to being taught everything it is hard. I have this book(but an older version) my friend lent me so I am using that for reference and actually find it enjoyable. We have no college next week as it is half term. This is fab timing as the girls have a radio session next Monday so I won't have to sort out any childcare till the beginning of March now. It also gives me time for the small amount of homework we have lol.

On Saturday I met with some friends to have a look at a local market that we will hopefully get a stall on, we then had a business meeting and have an appointment with an adviser to ask any questions to on Thursday. It is all picking up speed and we have to roll with it. We don't want it to slow down as we all have to be self-employed this year. I haven't got the will or the energy to fight for an exemption due to lack of suitable childcare. Even though there is a lack, I really just want out of the DSS IS/JSA system. I am heading to new paths and am fine with it. I think I find it easier as I have support of a few women who are all doing this together.
While wandering round the town and market, M and J were delighted we finally found a newsagent selling go-go's so they got some each. At least they were a bit happier then as they were bored of walking round a town and sitting with me at a meeting. They then went off to R's for a few hours. Apparently D likes going because they have a fire lol and our house lacks that cozy aspect!!!

Today the kids have squash, A then goes off to her theatre group. We then have a slight change of a Tuesday plan as I have managed to get tickets to see Horrible Histories WW2 (4 for £10!) so we are off to see that tonight instead of dancing and brownies. A can't come as they are getting close to their performance next month so she can't miss the session. Oh well, sometimes we have to make difficult choices!

2009-02-06T09:45:00.000-08:00

CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS AND HOW TO HELP

Monday!

2009-02-05T02:19:00.000-08:00

On Monday the girls headed off to do their live radio show. They were a bit nervous but prepared. Their friend R, who was doing their slot with them, had stayed over the night before so they could all have a run though. Apparently when they got there though, the guy who was supposed to be doing the technical stuff was ill and it looked like they would not be able to go live!
My friend J, who was there, offered to supervise as she is CRB checked so this was given the all clear and the 8 kids and 2 watching did a live one hour show. They were really chuffed at succeeding as they had to do the technical stuff themselves! I have yet to hear it though as I was at college at the time. Their friend in Warrington e-mailed in for the quiz and the kids Dad rang in for the home-education phone in. Everyone was definitely glowing afterwards!
D had at first said she didn't want to do the next show so I thought well okay as I need to sort out childcare for me going to college, at least if one of the older girls is home it'll be okay. Now of course, she had such a good time she wants to do it. Great! Well, I am happy she wants to do it but determined to finish this 16 week course come what may.

I had my first college session on Monday. I made sure there was packed lunch stuff in for the big girls. Then I coated up M and J and we headed off on a bus to my friends who was having them for the afternoon. When they were delivered I headed home for a quick lunch before catching another bus to college.
Turns out or first session was an induction, therefore very short. If I could describe the tutor it would be similar to Mike Reid when he used to be in Eastenders!!! I think the classes will be amusing to say the least.
Basically we were handed a 20 question maths test but we could use calculators. Then we were asked to write half a page about anything. Lots of people couldn't think what to write but I reeled off over half a page rant about the latest consultation lol. I had to stop myself. I wonder what the tutors reaction will be to that when he reads it?? I am sure I will get some comments as he doesn't seem the quiet type!
He explained how the course has a 100% pass rate and there is an extra 1hr class for those that want extra help. We have to do a 2 hour exam!!!!!!
He then took us on a tour of the college and showed us the cafe which is a blooming Costa one so expensive prices! I got him to enquire whether they had fairtrade tea and coffee lol. Apparently he said it is rainforest! This meant nothing to him but I was pleased anyway!
So I will be back there next week. I have decided to save the bus fare and walk though as it will only take me about 30 minutes and at least I can choose what time to arrive. If I get a bus I end up really early or really late. Walking means I get fit and can listen to music whilst doing it. It is weird being in college but I think I am going to enjoy it!

LISTEN UP TODAY!!

2009-02-02T00:56:00.000-08:00

Just a quickie (as I have to go out ... in the snow-hurrah!!) but if you listen live at 2pm today to allfm you can hear the home-ed kids do their show :-)

2009-01-29T06:30:00.000-08:00

Oooh I discovered this site today. Not come across it before!

2009-01-29T00:53:00.000-08:00

Well the big girls have just left for Playgroup. Lol it sounds funny saying that. Of course, they are helping out at playgroup (not attending it to play!!) ... but are probably playing as well, albeit with small children in tow! They love going but getting up at 8am knocks them out for the rest of the day. No stamina like myself who can ignore the tired feeling I get and keep going!! But they are younger and not as experienced as myself. While there, they play with the kids, do crafts with them and they take it in turn each week to be in the kitchen chopping fruit and brewing up for the adults. A good bit of work experience I think.

Yesterday we went to our local home-ed social. The kids all had a good time playing magic cards, pool etc. I got to chat about business plans with 2 of the women involved in the new group we have set up. It is important we keep the energy fresh IMO and strive for the next step. I am hoping then by October this year to come off IS as that is when they will want to start making me transfer over. At least I have this year to sort it out. I also count myself lucky that there are 4 of us working together on this with a view to helping others long term. I am thankful that I have older children who can help out with younger ones if I need to be out. It must be so hard if you are a lone parent , home-educating a child who is 7 and you don't have the support network.

Today I aim to be more organised! I have to take J into Manchester at 3pm then to his Junior Strings then hop on a bus to his Beavers. Last week even though I felt organised we ended up leaving too late to get the bus. We got the tram instead which meant we had to walk 10 minutes down the busy road upto the University. I actually prefer that though as travel time on public transport is less. I will just quickly compare costs:
Option 1:
Bus to Manchester
Cost: £3.30 adult ticket and 7op child. Total: £4
Journey time: approx 30 mins.
Afterwards then:
Bus to Chorlton, J ticket 70p.
Total Cost : £4.70

Option 2:
Tram to Manchester
Cost £2.20 adult ticket and 90p child. Total £3.10
Journey time: Tram 12 minutes, walk 10 minutes.
Afterwards then:
Bus to Chorlton, adult £1.70, child 70p.
Total cost : £5.50

Hmmmm so there is less than a pound in it but this is far outweighed by the tram being quiet and not full of school children who are very LOUD in the city (which Jude in particular hates).

Okay so the tram wins. It also means we don't have to worry abour missing our bus or it not turning up as the trams are every 6 minutes.
Cool!

2009-01-28T09:00:00.000-08:00

Oh my gosh you have to read THIS article about the attack on home-education - though he uses the US word Homeschooling. It is a good read but at the same time I am too angry to write much about it just now!

2009-01-26T01:17:00.001-08:00

Gah, learning html is not easy. I have this book which is great but I don't understand it lol. I am trying to get on the computer and try bits out but I feel like I am learning a new language and not understanding what is being said or what I am writing! I seem to remember Gill using this book so not sure if that would be easier???
I will carry on though!!
Today's plan (one of many) is to phone my local college as I want to enrol on a book-keeping course but I need to know how much it will cost before I head down there. They didn't seem to know last time I phoned so I am going to try again. It will be on a Monday 2-4pm which is the best time for a course. Not too early in the day and yet not in the evening (of which I only have 1/2 free a week anyway).

The girls are off to do a radio run through today. I had fun helping them come up with ideas for their 20 minute slot and then I tweaked and padded out their script for them last night. I really enjoyed it. I used to do radio myself - I wanted to be a dj till I met some nasty ones at (what was then) Piccadilly in Manchester. It put me off as you had to be super tough mentally and I was only 15 at the time and a gentle soul lol. Radio has changed a lot since then though. When I volunteered at the local hospital radio we had to use vinyl and wind back the record to the start. We also had no scripts so I think today's dj's have it easier. All computer done with producers and scripts. They can just turn up and read it out. Hmmm maybe I should go back into it lol.

We have a day at home today so I plan on doing some stuff with the kids, reading some more html, attempting a bank account form and fitting in 1 hour birdwatching as I didn't get round to it this weekend. We have lots of feeders out in the front garden - 2 of which M made at a bird event a week ago. I hope we have lots of little visitors to them.

Oooh and I must not forget most importantly right now, to do some reading about the latest consultation! That should keep me busy then!!

2009-01-23T14:48:00.000-08:00

Latest UK attack on Home-Education

2009-01-22T02:03:00.001-08:00

2009-01-21T01:30:00.000-08:00

I am just sooooo cold. I don't have my heating on really hot so obviously I am a little on the chilly side most of the time but gotta keep those bills low!
What have we been up to?
The older girls had to go to a new radio station last week to do some more training for their live show. The local-ish one they used to go to had lost it's funding so they have to go to one on the other side of the city now. They had a great time there though and have been planning stuff to take to a run-through next Monday. It is great that they are independent at travelling. I provide them with bus/tram fare and off they go. I must sort out under 16 passes though.

We had our first trailblazers meeting. I am going to set up a blog to record the stuff we do there though. I have plans for it and am sure to be able to fit it in and the creation of self-employment. I am going to lobby the government to create a brand new 24 hour day in the week so I can get more done. I mean they added a second at new year so it should not be a problem should it??

The girls and I had fun the other evening watching the snooker final. It led to googling after midnight on what snooker balls and snooker cues are made from. Then last nights discussions were of America's new president, slavery and what the word allegiance means etc. Never a non-educational moment here. I was even walking down the main road in Manchester the other week trying to explain the Gaza conflict to J(6)- who asked me about it as there was a loud demo going on outside the BBC. Sometimes I love this city so much. Amazing things are always going on.

The girls are off to a new event tonight run at the RNCM- which is a new group doing musical theatre. No auditions/skill level required just enthusiasm. It also coincides well with everyone elses activities. M is the only one that has anything tonight which is a half hour swimming lesson. I am then hopefully off to a meeting about our social enterprise we are creating - or planning to.
I am also checking out the local college for short courses that might be useful.
Not been doing as much on the computer training as I would like. I have also been trying to teach myself touch typing on the kids BBC website but then was ousted from the computer as all the children wanted a go.

So lots of regular stuff going on and not a dull moment. I am trying to work up the enthusiasm now to fill in yet another consultation on home-education. I think it will be a late night job though as that seems to be my best time to fill them in. Knowing me though it will be done near the deadline but you never know. I will definitely do it though!

2009-01-14T02:42:00.000-08:00

I would like to share with everyone our hectic Tuesday afternoon and why I am grateful for my travel mug!!
Here goes:
At any time after half 2 I start preparing drinks bottles and snacks to take out while shouting instructions to kids to find socks, coats, ds's etc.
I usually then do one of two things: usher A and D out of the door at 2.45pm to walk the mile and a half to the leisure centre or I drop one of them there in the car (only if weather is bad) while the other stays home and waits with the younger ones.
I then pile 2 or 3 children in the car and drive to the leisure centre for 3.20pm. We have to leave here before the school on our cul-de-sac comes out as the traffic lights only allow 5 cars out each turn and everyone seems to get collected by car from the school.

Squash for older kids starts at 3.30pm while M and J sometimes join in with the warm up or play on ds's.
At 4.15pm older kids squash finishes and M and J get their go. I then leave D watching them while I drive A and another boy to the tram station. A then heads into Manchester for her drama group.
I drive back to squash.
Squash finishes at 5pm-ish. I then take D,M and J home - 5.20pm.
I place the oven on low and put veggie burgers in whilst requesting M finds her brownie outfit. D gets dance gear on.
At 5.30pm we leave to drop D at dancing.
Home again at 6.10pm when we eat burger on buns.

Out again in car at 7pm to drop M at brownies. From there at 7.10pm J and I drive straight to collect D from dancing.
Home for 7.45pm.
A texts me when she is on tram on way home and I walk and meet her at tram stop at about 8pm.
At 8.20pm I get back in car to collect M from brownies.
Finally home at 8.50pm with all 4 children and myself back under one roof!!!

It used to be even more complicated as M had swimming at 6pm but I have moved that to Wednesday. I also have to leave D waiting at dancing which is fine as she actually finishes at 7pm but I am dropping M at brownies then.

A is doing her last term of drama as the group only allows each child to do it once as it is heavily over-subscribed so this will be different in March when she finishes.
As you can see I am grateful for my travel mug as I am always taking brews out the door with me and having sips when it is safe to do so.
Food is eaten at different times by different people as and when they can fit it in.

This is definitely the busiest day lol. Thursday used to be hectic as J has junior strings then beavers and I then had pilates/yoga but it is only J who has something on I have to organise now.
I always congratulate myself Tuesday evening when everyone has been to and delivered home from their activities. And no-one is late for anything as I am fantastic at time-keeping.
Go me!! ;-)

The Black Eyed Peas - Where is the Love MUSIC VIDEO

2009-01-11T12:13:00.001-08:00

Very significant at the moment.

2009-01-11T12:09:00.000-08:00

D has posted this photo on our desk-top. J and I adore it and keep looking at it. It probably only appeals to animal lovers though!!

2009-01-11T11:52:00.000-08:00

Ooops, a belated happy new year everyone :-)
Today is D's 13th birthday. We have had a nice day of chilling and eating. D has spent LOTS of time playing with her new phone and this eve we are ordering pizza. Back to the new year exercise another day lol

We had a sociable evening last night as we went out to a late new year party. J stayed home as he was a bit off colour but he seems okay today. Consequently I had a lie in this morning till nearly 10am. I don't feel any less tired for it though which means it makes sense to set alarms to get me out of bed early. Back to my earlier alarm tomorrow as I have many projects that need attention. I was supposed to be at ju-jitsu tonight but have skipped it. D is happy though!

I have had to swap my yoga to Monday night now which works out really well as I no longer have such a rushed Thursday and can do the papers earlier. It all seems to be plodding along nicely and things are falling into place .
All the children's activities have started up now. M has moved up to full lengths of the big pool. She lacks confidence yet has the best technique. Her teacher is a darling though and so good with the children and M likes him.
A wants to do more physical stuff so I bought her and D an adult skipping rope and have been encouraging her to walk my Mum's dog. I have also located a free yoga class on Friday's too. I have a a plan to hire a sports hall and invent a game of non-contact rugby that we can all run around and play - all ages. I reckon the game already exists so it shouldn't be hard to work out.

Recently I set up a new older kids home-ed group. I am going to open a bank account and apply for funding so they can do fun stuff like archery, sailing. horse-riding etc. I shall try anyway.

Now D wants to go back on so I will lastly blog a photo of the birthday girl :-)

Some festive pics :-)

2008-12-26T02:48:00.000-08:00

All I Want For Christmas is You (Black and White)

2008-12-23T02:08:00.001-08:00

I have been singing along to this A LOT!! It's one of my favourites. Join me ! :-)

2008-12-19T00:34:00.000-08:00

I can't believe how quickly 2008 has gone. I expect because we are so busy. But boy have I enjoyed it. My mission today is to write an xmas letter for some cards I still have to send. I have my annual party on Monday so we are getting ready for that but still have a shift at the Lowry on Saturday and A singing in her Christmas concert on Sunday. Our rest really begins on Tuesday 23rd and will continue til about Jan 6th. I might try and fit in some hall painting then.
A week ago A, D and I went to Blackpool. A and I went to see the Kooks - who were awesome!! It was a bit scary as we started off at the front but I was being crushed alive - and I mean really crushed so I headed further back where there was room to dance as well. D stayed at my friend L's house who lives in Blackpool. The kid's Dad had M and J for the night but I relented and let him stay here with them as they were both really sad about it. Our home is so homely they don't like going to his!
After the Kooks when A and I returned back to L's we had such a laugh and a water fight ensued between L's husband and the older girls. We were up til 2 laughing. It is always so good to see them as the kids are all lovely and all get on so well together. They are planning on moving to Bulgaria in May so I am hoping to fit in some more trips before then!

Last weekend A and D travelled with my parents to visit my sister and their cousins. The car journey was stressful but they had a great time. Though I think D sometimes gets really Mum-sick (not home-sick, it's different!) as she phoned me several times each day. The day after they got back, A spent the night being sick - I think from exhaustion. This was tricky as we had our annual home-ed Christmas partythe next day and she was in the drama play there but she managed it and had picked up as the day wore on.
The party was fun but tiring. I suppose it is different when you help organise something. We ran a raffle to raise money for a memorial bench for our friend. There were about 30 families there but it all went smoothly and we were home for 5pm.
A then went off with my Mum to find us a Christmas tree - pics to follow! I love having a real tree - the smell is gorgeous! The girls' friend stayed over that night and we rounded off the eve by all playing who wants to be a millionaire. We allowed ourselves the use of books and rang many people - it was a real laugh. We even won the million! AND we now know Van Gogh's only painting to be sold during his lifetime was "The red vineyard"!!!!!

Yesterday a big group of home-educators went to see a fantastic puppet play called "The Man Who Planted Trees". The best show I have ever seen and I highly recommend it. We were even chatting with a guy on the tram on the way home as he was asking us about it. I'd like it on dvd so I am looking to source that.

So we have also had lots of carol singing and I have done very little shopping - I will probably finish it on Tuesday. We really have a small christmas here but we are all still happy. Best way to be really :-)

2008-12-02T01:46:00.000-08:00

I feel I should start a Christmas ticker but it will be here before I blink and I am not regular enough at blogging so it may still be on here in summer so I won't bother.
Back-tracking in no order ....
J has shingles! I saw a bad rash that was blistering on his right hip on Saturday. By Sunday it was spreading fast, he had a temperature and was very pale and in pain so I took him to a+e. It was really quiet and we were in and out in 2 hours. The doctor cam in and looked familiar. Turns put he is our GP! He wasn't sure what it was and gave us anti-biotics after discussing it with the paed registrar.He asked us to come and see him in the surgery on Monday. So J and I went back there yesterday. The rash was still getting worse so the ab's are not much good as it is obviously not bacterial. He was still unsure so sent us back to a+e to see the registrar. Well what a mess followed next!
After waiting at a+e which was very busy, the reg came and absent mindedly took us to find a curtained area. "I think this one is clean" she said. Gulp! I bloomin hope it is clean. I couldn't understand her English and frankly she was vague and eccentric. She confirmed shingles and I think implied she was going off to get a prescription - after asking IMO irrelevant questions eg. was his birth normal (he's 6 1/2 and has shingles .... relevance????) ages o my other kids ..... What happened next really upset me. We were int he end curtained off area in a 3 curtain room. They start wheeling someone in and shouting for resuss. We can hear someone suffocating/choking and see their feet shaking as they are rushed in to the curtained bed next to us. J was really uspet and hid his face in my belly and kept saying "Mum can we go now". I was so upset I took his hand and we upped and left. I don't know if the reg was coming back, she has my phone number if she needs me.
Now I know it is shingles I am dosing him up with homeopathy, vit C and echinacea. It is so sore and painful for him though but we just have to wait it out. I didn't realise kids get shingles but now I know a bit more about it.

Because the older girls had their lie 1 hour radio show yesterday they took M with them on the bus and minded her. They are great in a crisis at helping look after siblings. I had to get the bus to the hospital and back and so spent about £7 on bus fares yesterday. I am going to see my doc tomorrow and ask as the paed reg was there on Sunday why did they not look at J then to save us the trauma and waste of money yesterday!!

A has just finished another term at the Garrick. J and I watched her do her monologue, which was very entertaining. She still has a few more weeks at the Royal Exchange and the girls choir.
Lots of activities finish next week till after Christmas so our schedule will quieten down a little. I am looking forward to that.

My energy is a bit low as I got very ill last week with a violent stomach bug. I slept for about 36 hours and completely ignored the pots lol. I feel I am just coming out of it a week later. I rarely get ill other than migraines so I was not very impressed. Oh well if it doesn't break you it makes you stronger.

I was going to apply for a housing association house that is being built around the corner from here but they have closed the lists because the wait is over 10 years lol. I don't want to move from here but the rent is £600 a month so I hope when I go self employed they still help with it.
Yes I have some vague plans ......

To finish off for today here is a photo my niece took of J!

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince Trailer

2008-11-12T11:30:00.001-08:00

2008-11-11T03:07:00.000-08:00

I used to blog so often but we have got so busy that I have to choose to do tidying or computer time. That also depends on who is queuing here lol. At the moment J is playing on Pokemon, M is upstairs in a darkened room (she is averse to opening curtains lol) and the older 2 have gone off ice skating.
What have we been up to?
Usual activities! D and M have been taking their twice yearly dance exams. M had her tap and ballet on Sunday. D did her first slowdance (like modern dance - not ballroom!) exam. Next Sunday D then has her tap, national, ballet and stage exams. On the remembrance Sunday when the girls were doing their exams, A was singing at the Manchester cenotaph with the Manchester Girls Choir. She is loving it and is happy that they get to perform. She loves performing :-) Later this month they have a gig at the Cathedral then in December at the Royal College of Music. A may not have any formal qualifications to her name but she is filling her time with other stuff!

Last week A and D went along to our church playgroup to help out. They had a great time and plan to go each week. They will take it in turns, one in the kitchen chopping fruit and brewing up for Mum's, the other helping the kids do crafts and playing with them. Obviously because they are home-edded they can help out with things like this in the day. It all adds to a rich social experience IMO.
A wants me to sort out work experience for her. I need to post on some lists about that.
A and D have been busy doing their arts award folders ready for assessment in January. That and planning their next live radio broadcast.
It does seem A and D do a lot which I suppose is normal as they are the older ones. M and J get to home-ed stuff and drama as well as brownies, beavers, junior strings, swimming and dance so it is not as if they have nothing.
A has been discussing college again. It is a difficult issue which I may blog on the other blog when I can lol. It is interesting to see the stress and pressure kids will put on themselves because of society and peer expectations and outcomes though. I used to thing teens had a great life an they do but there are always struggles.
My life is pretty good. I love my ju jitsu but worry about the injury rate lol. I am learning I have quite a high pain threshold though.
I had been contacting colleges about me doing s degree but I really don't want to do it before J is 11 and so am going to somehow go self employed when the DSS removes me from IS in the next 2 years. I am trying to flow with it as resistance is futile lol.
Lastly here is what D has enjoyed doing recently. Spending hours altering photos on their pc. Here is one she did for Aimee which I think is pretty fab!

Chrissy Murphy

2008-10-24T15:52:00.000-07:00

A dear friend and home-ed Mum, Chrissy Murphy passed away a couple of weeks ago. Our local group is looking to raise money to have a bench placed at a beauty spot Chrissy, her husband Robert and their teenage son Deiniol visited often. If you want to donate please visit this webpage or feel free to pass the link on.
Chrissy was an inspiration to all those that met her and is greatly missed.
Many thanks.

2008-10-24T14:16:00.000-07:00

I am so looking forward to Monday evening ....... here's the reason why (cue huge grin!!!!)

2008-10-22T02:59:00.000-07:00

I really want to get into the habit of blogging more often. But then I also want to learn the guitar. And I NEED to trim all the hedges in my garden, weed it and vac the whole house ....... I like a challenge!

Yesterday I sent off my consultation response on no-one written off. It took me a while as it was the first time I had looked at the 118 page document and the deadline is today so I wanted to do it last night or I may not have managed it today. I am going to sit down later and read through info on the CME consultation. I actually think I will check the web page each week and respond to as many consultations as I can so at least I feel we are living in a democratic society!

The Birthday Girl!

Last Friday it was A's 15th birthday. We had a lovely family trip to the university museum. On the way there A, caught up in the student atmosphere (busy as freshers week has just been) declared how she wants to go! She is already talking about going to college in 2 years at 16. Her friend has started a performing arts diploma that A is very keen on. I have been explaining their options for some time now. I am not bothered about them cramming GCSE's in before 16. It is their choice and there is always a way if you want to do something. I have mentioned though,it may be useful if you are aiming for college at 16 to be doing some English and (A's dreaded) maths before then as I know the students are tested on both of those. It's all in the "might" stages and I don't want to rush our lives away but at least we are all aware!
Talking of studying, I have been looking at colleges and university. As I am aware my time of just being allowed to be home with my kids is nearing an end. When I am moved onto JSA in (maximum) 2 years I need to have something in place. I contemplated self employment but struggle to think what I could employ myself as! I have no drive for a career try as I might to locate one! I do however fancy being a student but need to look at the financial implications of that. If I still get rent and council tax I would go for it. I would need to do a one year access course then my dream is to do this degree! I suppose I like my older kids have to have a vague plan in mind now. That plan will involve the older ones looking out for the younger ones when I need to be out but they are all aware we have to do what we can to keep our family together. Nobody is saying "okay Mum, we'll all go to school then" - which I am very glad about :-)

The Kooks

2008-10-07T02:25:00.001-07:00

I just love the Kooks. Aimee and I are going to see them in December!!!!!!

Excuse my rambling post!

2008-09-21T10:25:00.000-07:00

I am sat here with a brew after having eaten my Sunday dinner listening to the chart show on the radio (currently at Madcon - good groove!). All the kids have nipped out for an impromptu game of tennis at the park. I think, looking over my shoulder despite some strange clouds there is going to be a nice sunset! Well that has set the scene here lol.
In an hour I am going out to do week 3 of a free self defence ju-jitsu course. It is good fun but I don't particularly like falling. I suspect there is a correct way to do it and I'm not sure I have quite got it sussed.

I had sorted out my computer again after thinking it had died completely. My friend thinks it's hard drive doesn't have long left. We shall see.
What is new here ... hmmm. The big thing this term (gah! schooled society/head...) is that J has started 2 activities which unfortunately both are on Thursday. This means I take him to the RNCM in Manchester for 4.30 where he takes part in the junior strings project. He had his first session last week. I told him I wouldn't watch (as was unsure if he would join in if I was there) but would be in the building. He was so brave. He went in, took his shoes off and when I went back over an hour later he was in the circle clapping, singing, joining in and he really liked it. The first year is based on music and movement and then in the second year they get given an instrument which he is excited about already! We then ran out of the building across the road and hopped on a bus to get him to beavers which he started last week. He is really happy with his new activities and asks when they are on again. I have told RNCM we would like to move to Weds as it is so much on a Thursday. After beavers, my Mum (who has done pilates in the same building) then takes him home while I do yoga there. This means we leave the house at 3pm. J gets back at 7.45pm and me at about 9.30pm.!!!!!!!
Because Thursday is so busy we have had to stop French which A is sad about but I explained sometimes we have to quit things for a while.

In fact I am going through an interesting phase right now. I want more time at home and less stress about structured work. I think we shall de-school again ..... until I notice all my autonomously educating friends are no more. But that is why if I stay in more and hang out with my kids which I find most enjoyable I am less likely to stress about reading ability, kids learning etc away from outside pressures. YES!!!!

A and D keep coming up with different ideas to make themselves famous. It is very entertaining. They are trying to teach themselves the guitar at the moment and writing songs. They haven't started on their drama arts award which has to have bits done by Friday so we will have a go at that this week.
My treat to myself this week is to leave the kids here and go off to the cinema alone to watch the new movie with Colin Firth in. I always feel weird going out alone if it's a school day but we are NOT a school family so their bloomin terms should be irrelevant to me. It is amazing how deep that stuff goes.

A had decided she only wanted to buy clothes from charity shops, car boots or ebay so she got some nice jeans for herself off ebay. They both need some shoes so I will take them to Soled Out as they have some good offers on. Can't face TKMax but would brave it if someone was minding M and J.

I plan on doing "a day in the life" in photos this week. I challenge my other blog friends to do it too. I might try and do one every month because it is very enjoyable. Or is it only me that thinks that? ..............

2008-08-27T04:54:00.000-07:00

It has been a strange summer. It has whipped by so quickly with IMO not much sun. As I type the sky has that overcast white/grey look that tells me winter is on it's way. I don't mind really. I actually like all the seasons but struggle with the adjustments. I must however get outdoors as much as possible in whatever season as it really lifts my mood. I think sometimes one can sit inside thinking it is gloomy but when you step out it is brighter than you first thought!

I am back-tracking with my calendar to pencil in events we have done! I am still not in the habit of blogging enough of what we do but I forget to write it down. I am too tired in the evening and should be in a habit of doing it over my cup of tea first thing....
Anyway, the girls attended the YHA holiday and had a fab time, climbing, kayaking, doing high ropes, team challenges etc. They actually could have gone away this week to another one but they both seem a bit under the weather from exhaustion and as they are doing 4 hours this week (an hour a day) of swim camp (stroke technique, diving, life saving) I suggested we had enough on! Well they do anyway.

While the girls were away, M, J and I went to the science and industry museum and had fun going on the steam train there. We bumped into another home-edder in the experiment kids area which was nice. We treated ourselves in the cafe to tea and cake. We tried to explore the underground (false) sewer but it really was very creepy. They have noises playing of horse hooves and scarey looking life size dummies stood near coffins and stuff. There was no-one else in that (underground) bit so we headed in and back out very quickly. I pretended not to be bothered but admitted to M and J when we came out how it had scared me too lol!

A couple of days later we went to the art gallery to see the Lauren child exhibition but it had been invaded by toddlers so we couldn't really get to much of it. I plan on going back next week when the schools go back as the exhibition finishes shortly after. We also want to go back to the Manga exhibition at Urbis. So much to do.....

We have been attending free squash sessions at a local leisure centre a couple of times a week over the summer. J has got to the point where he will join in too. The coaches are really young - about 17 and very nice with the children. I even got to join in which was a bit embarrassing when the kids I were with were almost semi professional rofl.

A has done another session of radio training and the next live broadcast will be in October now.

I had my 6 monthly work focused interview the other day. For a change the woman was lovely but she is leaving to do teacher training and thinks you can learn everything through drama. I liked her so much I rang back a couple of days later and took her contact details for our home-ed drama group. She was also a single parent and said if we need any advice on anything to ask her! My next step is to book an appointment for myself and another home-ed single mum to see our mp Beverley Hughes.

I have my niece here this week. It is so lovely to have her. We have some fab photos of her which I will blog when she gets home and e-mails them to me. She has had a busy week with lots of shopping trips. Today we are having a hoe-down/barbecue complete with line-dancing - the girls' idea lol.

Today we went to an organic grocery and went up on the roof. It was fantastic as they have a green roof with plants growing in the gravel. The best bit was the big pond they have built. All funded so they can attract the black redstart which thrives on brown field sites. Here is a lovely shot of one (not taken by me but from google!).

and some pics from the roof:

2008-08-14T03:39:00.000-07:00

I am avoiding something I want to do be doing by blogging rofl. Actually for a VERY rare couple of hours I am ALONE in the house! I have had a bath, next a brew then I WILL do the exercise dvd I am putting off. I want to get my heart pumping as I can feel myself getting sedentary. Yoga has finished this month and weeding on my knees doesn't get me breathless so I am trying to do a dance workout of the girls lol.

Last week A, D and M took part in the Lowry summer school that was based on musicals. They were there every day 10-5pm and where absolutely exhausted by the end of the week. They had a fab time again and J and I watched the end of week show.

A and D had Saturday to recover and then on Sunday they went off to Leicestershire for a youth hostel activity holiday. I have heard bits from them as they cal me and tell me about zip wires, high ropes, sharing bunk barns with 15 girls! There has been a bit of trouble from one girl (who when found out they don't go to school) was saying that Aimee's parents shouldn't raise her like that blah blah. I think she is coping though. I will find out tomorrow as I collect them both at 3.

I have been doing some harvesting at the allotment. My carrots were beautiful but unfortunately the carrot root flies also thought so, damn them. Here is a photo of bits.

I still have sweetcorn, beetroot, cabbage, cauliflower, more beans, chard, spinach, lettuce to harvest from. I am soon putting in some winter crops of cabbage, kale and corn salad. All my beds are not in use. I have 11 so far of varying sizes and plan to have at least 16 done by winter. I will then cover them and maybe throw some manure on some if I can get round to it. I do enjoy weeding though. But only the kind where I am on my knees weeding a bed. Not the hack it all back in a field type. It is good therapy which let's be honest we all need!!!

2008-08-02T00:26:00.000-07:00

I have returned and just about recovered from camping. Fun was had by all and we had only a tiny drop of rain the whole 5 days. So much sun we look like we have been abroad for 2 weeks. I can't remember the last time I had a tan but then when you spend summer at home it is easier to keep out of the sun. Not that you have that problem in Manchester where it is currently raining!!!

Some camp photos:

taking down the tent

some beach shots:

and tree girl:

This week my 3 eldest did 4 hours of cycle training with Bike Right and completed levels 1 and A and D also level 2 of Bikeability which is the old cycling proficiency. A and D now cycle to their friends but I prefer not to watch them on the busier roads lol!

Well I have updated for now. I will try and take some allotment photos for my next post. I am still slooooowly building beds. Hope I get them done for winter lol.

2008-07-18T10:53:00.000-07:00

You see I spoke too soon about it all winding down .... I have decided this morning that I will go camping on Monday taking myself and 6 children on the train to Wales. My floor is covered in sleeping bags and camping cutlery. I have been out today purchasing gas and camp pillows. It is a lot to organise with only 2 days to go but I am enjoying the challenge and the children are all very excited! Photos to follow when we return!!!

2008-07-17T01:57:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone! I think I have sorted the computer with a different modem. Well I can get on-line now but haven't blogged.
Life is busy here though winding up for the summer. So french, drama, AP, singing stops for a few weeks.

So far A+D have lined up for the summer weeks:
cycle training
Lowry theatre summer school
YHA holiday
Possibly another summer school if I book it next week
swim camp/squash
M is doing the Lowry summer school and wants to do the other one too.
Jude will be spending all his time with me moaning cos his sisters aren't here lol.

A has carried on doing the local radio with friends. D has given it a miss. In November they will both be starting the arts award for drama which is like D of E but within the arts.
Talking of D of E they want to do that as well and A is doing her Baden Powell award through guides.

I think I need to fill my time with exciting stuff. I am still gardening/doing the allotment. We had a tour round a friends allotment last night. I came away with globe artichokes, onions, shallots, lettuce and we ate evening primrose flowers and berries. I then went to my allotment and planted some of said lettuces, mixed leaves and leaf beet. So far I have been harvesting runner beans, radish, peas and rhubarb but everything seems to be growing so sloooowly this year.

We have the girls friend here again this week. The older girls are plotting to tag along to a friends camp next week. I was invited to this one but have neither the energy nor cash for it. I really want a holiday with the kids but August is ruled out as it is too busy. So I plan to down size my tent that month and go somewhere in September. We may get on the camp in September that all my friends go to but we are on the waiting list for that one. Either way I will have a camp ready in reserve even if it is just my family but we would invite the girls' friends. I would like to run a not back to school celebration camp. It would have to be North Wales (as we want beach nearby) and accessible by train as we are without car.

My summer plans are to paint some rooms and sort out my garden and allotment. I suppose I can paint if it rains and garden if it doesn't lol

2008-06-28T11:45:00.000-07:00

Still haven't sorted the computer, it is getting very complicated and I have given up for now. I just access the web from other people's houses instead lol. Tonight A and her friend from Blackpool are heading up the road to my Mum's to have a night of music and msn while the house is empty as they are missing the internet!

This evening I have dropped M and D at their big annual dance show held at a boy's school. They are there from 6-10.30 tonight (the same yesterday) and 1-5.30 tomorrow. They are in classrooms next door to each other which I am glad about. I chaperoned the first show last night. The show went well but the noise of being stuck in a stuffy pokey classroom with 18 girls aged 10-13 all excited was terrible after a few hours. D was not well towards the end of last night and is very pale today. But she has still gone to perform tonight. I have mentioned it to the staff so she can have quiet time if it all gets too much. M loves it as she in a classroom with her friend from the dance school and they are all so happy to do this show. There is probably also the novelty of being in a classroom. Both my girls are in maths classrooms so maybe they will learn something from the wall displays rofl. Must mark that down for the LA!! I am going to watch it tomorrow with A. I feel bad as A's friend will have to stay home alone tomorrow as the show is sold out. I didn't know she was coming till the day before she arrived so I couldn't plan it in advance. These tickets sold out very quickly.
Bev Hughes was watching it last night. I should have took her to one side to ask about lone parents and their income cuts!

So it has been lots of performing, both on radio and in dance shows, recently. I on the other hand have been down to the allotment. I built a really big raised bed last week and sowed some rocket, dwarf beans and mixed lettuce leaves. I have also harvested some peas. I am so happy pottering in the earth. I wonder if I could get paid for working 16 hours a week on my allotment???
As you can see, thinking of how/what/when questions relating to my impending employment status once the white paper is issued on lone parents welfare reform is occupying a lot of my thoughts. Sometimes it stresses me and I find myself shouting more at the kids which then makes me more stressed. Sigh, gotta role with it and breathe more.
Lottery ticket anyone?

2008-06-23T01:59:00.000-07:00

I am tired of blogging!

We had a day the other week when lots of "educational" things went on but I never made a note of them and now I can only remember bits. This is something I want to work on sorting out. I think it is a shame to feel I have to make a note of everything educational that just happens. Work books and schooling are so much easier in many ways. It is the things discussed that I forget.

Someone once said that even though autonomously educated children are chatting about educational topics, living life, doing days out etc, that so are schooled children AND they are doing academic work too.

I no longer class myself as autonomous - well maybe part time but I have been doing structured stuff with the kids. Autonomy doesn't work for us it just leads to a life of more struggle. I can honestly say if I could go back I would either purchase a curriculum or design one myself. I have done too many things out of guilt and reading the autonomous propaganda about letting kids play, they learn anyway. Well they do learn - maybe the exact channel and time of Hollyoaks every day and the plots of said soaps, but that is in my mind not an education.

I wish I had read autonomous articles that state to be successful you have to take every opportunity you have to teach, teach, teach. If you come from working class routes as I do that isn't part of your natural make up and you have to make it become so. This is why most autonomous middle class educators say they don't teach but that is because they don't think what they do naturally is teaching but it is. I will write this up as an article and send it to some newsletters as I wish to help other newbies that think if you are available and have a rich environment your kids will just want to read/write/play with maths etc because it just is not true.

Ok off my soap box now.

My modem is not working so I am hardly getting on-line. I am at my Mum's but am off home shortly to do some reading instruction and workbooks with my kids.

The older girls are broadcasting live at 3pm today on All FM. I am looking forward to that!

2008-06-02T01:21:00.000-07:00

Everything is going swimmingly here and busy as usual.

Recent activities:

i) M had a go at kayaking in the rain with a home-ed session. She had a wobbly lip before entering the water but I encouraged her and she absolutely loved it. She was a little cold but happy at the end.

ii) The girls are still continuing radio training and enjoying it. They broadcast live on the 23rd June and have the option of a regular show if they wish. They have been practicing with the help of a baby alarm and a box with levers on that they created!

iii) A, M and J had a session of squash the other day which we had not done before. I ended up coaching J as he got frustrated. M beat everybody including the coach, he couldn't believe she hadn't played it before. She might go this Tuesday to have another go at the club.

iv) M turned 9 on Thursday and we held her a birthday party on Saturday. The theme was nintendo so the kids dressed up accordingly. M had made a big pikachu painting and the kids had to pin the tail on. Bless her! With my 4 there was a total of 10 which seemed enough. The weather was nice for it too.

Along with these and the regular dance/drama/french/singing just to name a few, life is good. I'll update again soon lol!

2008-05-13T01:38:00.000-07:00

I think I'll have to resign myself to monthly blog updates from now on. I spend so little time on the computer now and am really very busy.
I find myself wishing for more days in the week. Don't get me wrong there are quiet moments then there are also moments of dashing to one thing, home again and back out. The beginning of our week tends to be relatively quiet. Then we have outings on Weds, swimming, french, dance; Thurs, drama, papers and guides on Friday. Weekends fly by especially as A is working towards the end of term production with her drama group, and D and M working towards the end of year dance show, so Sunday afternoon tends to be my free time when I walk the dog along the river for an hour or so. I would do longer and may do as it gets lighter in the evening.
I was talking to some home-ed Mums I know and one was saying she had cut back and is in 2 days a week now. In fact round here it is a good week if you have 2 days at home lol, but of course usually there is shopping to do as well.

I have been having a hard time emotionally this past month or so. I won't go into it but it involves heavy family stuff. I have reached real lows yet I am carrying on.

I had my sisters 2 lovely children (she has 3 but my eldest niece stayed home to revise for her upcoming GCSE's!!)come to stay for just over a week. A and D were great with the entertainment and I provided all the motherly stuff lol. It was a pleasure to have them here and reminded me how J at 6 is challenging yet a 3 year old is so much more demanding. I love kids but am glad not to have to do all that stage again!!!!

J has had his 6th birthday. M's 9th is on the 29th of this month. I shall then have a 6,9,12 and 14 year old and I only feel 21 myself rofl. Hmmmmmmm, what else???
M and D have just sat there twice yearly dance exmas. D has one more to go. It was great because D has learned to do a bun in her hair and M's is too short so I just have to clean everything and hand it to them now!

I have purchased our first GCSE! Yes we got on that train! I have ordered an English pack for A from Little Arthur. Not sure when she will sit the exam but we are going to see how it goes. She wants to go to college so we are aiming for the English an Maths and maybe one or two more, finances and planning dependent! She and D have been doing hours off maths tutorials on a cd rom we have and managing it. D asked if she could do the maths GCSE now (she loves it) but I explained I personally won't be paying for any until each child is at least 14. I have to budget!!!!!

I hope the photo at the beginning inspires you to look up into the sky. For me there is nothing like hearing the summer swifts and seeing them flying overhead. Truly magical.

2008-04-21T01:47:00.000-07:00

Well my computer now mostly works with bits of freezing. It is better than it was but still not perfect.

The past week has been taken up with bouts of illness. The kids all have had a virus the symptoms of which seem to be loss of appetite, chesty cough, exhaustion and fevers. J's temperature reached 104 last Tuesday. They are mostly recovering now but spend huge amounts of time lounging around in pyjamas. They have been going to a few activities but then come home exhausted. I am fighting it myself. I have the heavy chest and cough and feel a bit spaced out and my eyes hurt. I am trying to take it easy but I still went for an hour walk along the river yesterday - I love that too much to give it up - the dog was very grateful too!
I did also manage to get to the allotment last week and spent hours weeding. I find it very therapeutic sitting in the sun with a trowel, weeding away. I still need to sort out wood to line my plots with. I am making slow progress but never mind, I'll get there.

A and D are starting a 6 week (2hrs weekly) radio training course today with a group of friends. That should be fun. We are also looking to join in with home-ed cricket starting up soon as we don't do much sport and yet we do enjoy bat and ball type games.

Hopefully this week the weather should start to feel more spring like. It was so cold here yesterday I had my heaviest winter coat on! I think we all need a good summer to boost our immune systems. I don't think mine have built themselves up completely from the whooping cough yet. I am off out to buy more Vit C, echinacea and acidophillus today. My cupboard is really like a pharmacy now.

2008-04-02T07:25:00.000-07:00

I am still without computer which is liberating. I do need to unsub receiving e mails from lists though as it is filling up my inbox.
I come to my Mum's, check my mail then delete history before I leave which strangely seems to be enough.

So recently we have been doing all our usual stuff.

We had a nice trip to the cinema on Monday. The older girls saw step up 2 and the younger 2 with me saw Horton Hears a Who which we just thought was fantastic. So I am looking into more dance classes for the girls inspired by their movie!

Yesterday was D's friends birthday so they came over to our house and we had a birthday buffet lunch and much DS gaming went on. I have to sort out getting J one for his birthday at the end of this month. Then I can get mine back and game away on AC!

I have been getting on with the growing. My peas are doing well and other seeds are starting to come up now. I had a great time in y Mum's grrenhouse sowing all my seeds : parsley, fennel, cauliflower, cabbage, chard, spinach, beetroot, basil, squash, borage, calendula. there was more but I forget now! I love gardening but only when it is not really cold out!
Today I spent 2 hours in the garden, weeding and trimming back a bush. It was lovely being outside and was very mild. I may borrow my Mum's car and nip to the allotment this evening. I like going in the day when it is quiet but as my Mum's car is only free in the evenings that will have to do. I won't mind once my plot is sorted but everyone else's are and mine is still a work in progress - due mostly to the fact it is a 10 minute drive from here. Still I have found the rent will be approx £13 for a year which is very cheap so I am happy with that. It is small compared to others plots but I need it small to be manageable.

Right, well I'm off to take M for her swimming lesson soon.
Tomorrow we have french and dancing then yoga for me! After that most home-ed activities start running again. We are off to the police museum next week. I'll let you know how it goes!

2008-03-26T14:30:00.000-07:00

Just a quick post to say that I am without computer for a while. It is not running properly and I don't know how to fix it! I am typing this at my Mum's where I have come for an hour to check my e-mails. I miss my computer .... it is a lifeline in our house.
I plan on doing research here and playing around to see how I can fix it! I shall keep you posted ... or start blogging again in which case you will know it's sorted.

For those with computer know how it takes about 10 minutes to get a page up each time. It has always taken 15 minutes to load all the stuff up when first switched on but it is now rebelling. So if you know anything that may help, please let me know!! Thanks xxxxx

2008-03-18T10:40:00.000-07:00

Well what a beautiful day it was today and I managed to spend quite a lot of it outside.

I decided to make nettle soup for lunch so I went for a stroll through our local cemetery. The sun was shining on me, there was hardly any breeze and there is just a riot of beautiful birdsong at this time of year that just lifts me.
I collected the nettles from a wild area then headed home to make lunch. Of course only I ate the soup. A won't eat any green soup, D just looked at it but it was very yummy and I have some left for tomorrow. I took a (blurred) photo of it before it was cooked and blended - you get a smoother end product than what you see in this photo lol.

After lunch we headed to the allotment which was really busy. I think the kids were disappointed as they are used to it just having a couple of people there but there was a tree pruning course happening and both the plots either side off mine are now being worked and their owners were there along with many others.

I met one of my new "neighbours" called Mike. He has had the plot for a month and already all his beds are professionally built from scaffolding planks and ready to plant. It put my scrap wood, un-level ones to shame but as long as I get to grow some stuff I'll be happy. I dug in a square bed and managed to nearly finish my longer one. I say finish as it is quite un-level so I will adjust that when I next go back. I'm not too fussed about it being level really though. Nature isn't level and immaculately tidy. I'd like to keep that theme going with my plot.

I managed about an hour and a half there and the girls planted 12 potato plants so it is a start. The kids then got bored so we headed home. Next time I might go alone and with a flask and maybe my wind up radio.

There is some really good stuff on Radio 4 isn't there! I want to listen to this about Dyscalculia tonight!

2008-03-17T01:52:00.000-07:00

We have now added home-ed French to our weekly routine. We love it. It is run by a Mum who is French and she mixes all ages and has us repeating things in French, singing songs, and doing a run around warm up with instructions in French. It is an hour long on Thursdays and I find it is helping me brush up on my school French.
Consequently with swimming, lunch, French, then me taking D to dance then out to Yoga, I have to be very organised on a Thursday. Last week I had a bad migraine by 9pm as I had just not had enough to eat. I am getting bored with food as I end up cooking what the kids want and eating a bit but it is not really what I want. I plan to resolve this by writing a menu for me from my cookbooks today.

On Friday I clocked up about 3 hours driving as I dropped a group of 6 kids at a pool 40 minutes from here for their friend's birthday. I then drove back to Manchester and repeated the whole thing an hour later. The girls both had fun and the friend's Dad presented me with a big piece of cream cake when I arrived to collect them. That fuelled me for the drive home lol!

Spring is definitely in the air now, hurrah!
Yesterday the girls helped me make lots of little paper pots with this (borrowed from a friend and now on my wishlist lol). Today we plan on sowing the beans and peas and I await my other seed order from the organic gardening catalogue. I hope to get some potatoes in on the allotment but have not discussed borrowing the car from R so fingers crossed on that. I have also been building more sides for beds for the allotment so I hope to bed those in ('scuse the pun!). I ran out of one nail though so am off to the shops in a moment as I don't like unfinished jobs.

Other than that the girls are planning their summer holidays. Well we did see the sun briefly yesterday so that must have set the whole thing off rofl!!!

2008-03-03T01:32:00.000-08:00

Okay, so it's official I am now 35!!!! I had a nice quiet birthday and love my new radio. I invited 2 local friends over and they came with their kids and we sat at a table of nibbles for most of the afternoon chatting. I have photos but will upload them later as they are still on my Mum's camera. I made a nice vegan chocolate cake and sang to myself lol - well why change the habit of a lifetime.

D had a bad knee injury last week when she fell over outside. She has had to miss dancing again. The poor girl is rather accident prone as her drama teacher pointed out. She has been using a crutch but after nearly a week can bend her leg a bit and walk again. She wants to go ice skating tomorrow but I'm not sure that is a good idea.
In fact now we have stopped doing the home-ed trampolining we are going to the home-ed ice skating tomorrow instead. The beauty is we won't do it weekly it will be dependant on the finances.

The girls all had a go at making vegan sushi last Tuesday. They were running the Brownies' thinking day and were doing Japan and USA as their countries. So my kitchen appeared to have sushi rice all over and boy is it sticky. I still keep finding bits. It turned out rather well and I tried some. I loved the nori sheets but then I love seaweed - fab stuff. We are definitely going to make some again.

Friday was extra busy as we had drama in the morning and animation in the afternoon at a different venue. It went well. The young ones were making short animations and the bigger kids were mixing plasticine to make models they are going to animate. That is a slow process, slower then the animation as it takes so long to even get the stuff slightly warm.

I saw a great show at the Lowry on Saturday night by these guys. It was all about global warming. It certainly drew an interesting crowd as well which always makes for a fun night.

Other than all that we have been having sleepovers, guests, singing, quick draw art workshops etc. This week looks set to be as jam packed. I think I should just accept we now have a very hectic lifestyle and run with it!!!

2008-02-23T02:25:00.000-08:00

This week has again zipped by and I can only remember chunks of it. I do know that I had a bad migraine on Monday or maybe Tuesday. Fortunately they are rare and I am okay now.

I managed to get out in the garden in the week and build 4 sides of a raised bed for the allotment. Unfortunately I won't have access to a vehicle next week to get them there but hopefully I can build some more sides here instead. I had started out measuring the beds but now to save wood I am building the sides determined by the length of wood. It is all scrap wood I am using donated by my friend. It has been quite rewarding sitting in the garden hammering and sawing. At one point J stuck his head out of his bedroom window and asked if I could hammer more quietly ....erm, NO!! lol!

A an D went to a book signing at the Trafford centre on Wednesday for an ex tits model who now has her own show. I think you know the one I mean!!! Don't want to mention her name on here as then goodness knows who will find my blog by googling her name.
Anyway they queued from 2pm even though the signing was for an hour at 5pm. The queue ended up massive with hundreds waiting (WHY????). A was very disappointed as said woman turned up 45minutes late and then hurriedly signed books without even glancing up/talking to/interacting with the people who had queued for hours. Apparently Billie Piper had been much more friendly. I explained to A that sometimes the fantasy is better than the reality. But they had wanted to go and had done it so there was some (strange) sense of achievement!

We had a great day yesterday as a home-ed Dad ran an editing/animation workshop for the kids. It was fab. M and a boy spent ages sat photographing toys and moving them a fraction. Windows movie maker (free!!!) was then used to animate it. The older one also had fun filming the same kind of thing only using themselves instead of toys. We were there from 10.30 til 2.30 and when I got home I downloaded Pivot for the kids to have fun with. M again made an animation last night that was very creative.

A and D went to watch a guides/scouts gang show in Altrincham last night. They didn't get back til nearly 11pm and said it was fantastic. They are all out now as I type at dance/drama. I was looking forward to a free Sunday tomorrow but the dance school has started scheduling extra dance classes to fit in show work as well as exams so my 2 children have 5 hours of classes there tomorrow as well as nearly 4 today!!! That should keep me busy lol.

All in good time to relax for my birthday on Monday :-)

2008-02-18T02:54:00.000-08:00

I saw this on one of Gill's blogs. Funny how I consider myself a night owl (by default as kids keep me awake I should mention, otherwise who knows?) and yet I am an early morning time.
I like doing these little random quizzes. I always find it a bit hard though as sometimes none of the answers fit so I have to pick the one most likely.

Before I forget .......

2008-02-14T07:17:00.000-08:00

I watched an absolutely fantastic programme on TV the other week. It was Dave Gorman America Unchained. I highly recommend it.
There is information about it on his website.

2008-02-14T07:16:00.001-08:00

Wow, my energy is all over the place at the moment. Mostly I feel good but then the flip side is bouts of tiredness brought on by my own actions. I really seem to be doing too much so am looking at ways of structuring my week so I have more down time which sounds like a contradiction I know.

Today has been rush, rush, rush. We have had D's friend here since Sunday. The poor girl got homesick so wanted to go home today instead of Friday.

Firstly today, I had planned on going to the allotment to build some more beds with the kids help. I needed to do it there as I didn't know what size I had marked out. Now I know, I can do all the sawing and hammering here as the ones I am working on are about 1m square.
Anyhow the girls did a good job of hammering old nails and new nails into the bits of wood. As time was limited - we had less than an hour - we managed to get all 4 sides of a bed built but not bedded in yet. That will be next weeks job.
The other kids did some more moving woodchip for our path. These new allotments are constantly getting delivery of woodchip so we are stockpiling it for our plot. I don't think I will end up with so much room I can't manage. I calculated about 6 big beds (approx 2 x 1.5m each) and 4 one metre square ones. It won't make us self sufficient but we will be able to grow some stuff. I also want to join in on the home-ed one at the same site so we can get stuff from there too.

We rushed home after the allotment, the girls headed out to the shops and I boiled pasta! As soon as they arrived back from the shops and had eaten a bowl of food we rushed out for D's hair appointment .... which wasn't essential but she seems happy!

The plan for afterwards was for A and D to take D's friend to the train station from the mall... but then I remembered D has dance at 4 so A went on her own, bless her. I have pots to wash then will take D dancing. If A is not back then I will drop the little ones at my Mum's till she returns ... well if she is home, otherwise they will have to come with me.

It is all this logistical planning that I find quite draining!!!! But that is the reality of single parenthood and 4 children!
I now do yoga for 2 hrs on a Wednesday and Thursday evening which means being super organised and making sure food is cooked/nearly cooked before I leave at 5.30. Tonight it is baked potatoes, hotdogs and veg as the kids can manage not to burn this if they have to dish it up!

I will blog about my DWP interview on the other blog tomorrow!

ps sorry for spelling errors as Blogger spellcheck keps playing up on me - damn it!!

2008-02-05T11:23:00.001-08:00

Hmmmmm,
do you think if I went to the DWP and told them I wanted to train in NLP and EFT and offer it free they would pay for me??? Rofl!

2008-02-04T15:18:00.000-08:00

It is all very quiet here. This is normal for most average households but here there is usually activity at this time of the evening, not least the girls grabbing food. However A and D went to stay at their friend's house in Blackpool on Sunday so their absence is very noticeable. They will be back on Friday but I am not sure how and when, the details will become clearer when I speak to them later on this week.

I have just watched wife swap on channel 4 on demand. I wanted to watch it as it was a homeschooling eco family that lived in Spain on a boat. I must admit that kind of low impact living really used to appeal to me (without the animal useage/killings of course). But really it doesn't any more. I do like some mod cons : my washing machine (though it is currently broken), running tap water, internet access, cooker that I can turn on quickly, electricity etc. though I am aware how privileged I am to have all that. Yes I am concerned about the environment and do what I can. I would love a more eco house with a wood burning stove that heats water, solar panels, wind turbine, rainwater flushing toilet etc but those are not things at my disposal right now. I can just about manage that kind of living when we are camping but it is then always such bliss to come home!

M, J and myself are having a quiet week with some social outings planned. Today they came to get some shopping with me which we just about managed thanks to the purchase of a veggie sos roll and a cheesestring. If I provide them with regular nibbles we can just about go anywhere!

Yesterday we went to a local water park and had hot chocolate and ice cream- their choice of course. Tomorrow we are going to an indoor play area for a couple of hours then on Wednesday a home-ed walk round a different water park. So a good combination of fresh air and play for all of us.

I have been doing lots of reading the past few days. I am reading this : to M and J as and when they will listen and this :to myself. Bliss, especially when done with a fresh brew and some chocolate!

2008-01-29T07:54:00.000-08:00

A decided to host a poker party here last night. Well she decided on Sunday I think. I left it to her to arrange and invite people. I went and got my haircut that day and when I returned I realised I would be hosting 5 other teens that night! D went shopping with her friend and stocked up on olives, cookies, chocolate and pizza as you do.

My friend arrived in the afternoon which was nice. She left one of her kids here, then 2 friends of my youngest turned up for an hour or two. When their Mum collected them she dropped of a teen for the night by which time all were gathered in the back room complete with goodies and poker chips.
I provided sleeping bags and they sorted out the floor sleeping arrangement which meant they all managed to fit in one room. I could still hear them at 1.30am. I had said I didn't want cooking after midnight - mainly so I didn't have extra pans to wash the next day, and I do worry about safety. A is very prone to forgetting about food and has yet to complete the cooking of pasta without me returning back to a pan of disgusting over cooked white mush lol.

All girls were up and out of the house this morning for Ice skating. They left at just after 10am so I reckon they will be exhausted just about now. I am!!!
At the ice rink one girl banged her head on the ice, then D sprained her ankle on the way home running down some stairs. She now can't get around the house very well. We are off to a home-ed meet tomorrow and were buss-ing it so she will probably have to stay home, poor thing - but she likes that sometimes.

I have one extra child here now. I will drop her off later and combine that with some shopping and re-cycling. First I have to do a frugal menu plan and sew some brownie badges on a sash.

2008-01-26T03:57:00.000-08:00

I am going to do lots of little blog posts so that I can remember the details better. I seem to only manage to blog about twice a month at the moment but that is fine. A spends evenings on here, or I am out so I only get chance in the day and even then not for very long.

The river Mersey was placed on flood alert just over a week ago. I have never heard of this in all my life here. We went down to the nearby playing fields - which if you cross, brings you up to the river bank. Here is what we saw :

We reckoned if we had a dinghy we could boat on it but alas we haven't. We tried a rubber ring on a plastic float but the kids just sank lol.

It was at least over the girls' knees at it's deepest part. My Mum's puppy loves swimming in it though: (erm, you will have to turn your head to view it, sorry!!)

She will really miss it when it drains away. We have had a couple of dry days here but it won't take much rain to bring it back to that level as the ground is saturated. I keep meaning to cycle up to the river to get a photo of it, so I will make that a priority!!

2008-01-13T10:57:00.000-08:00

Oooops I haven't blogged since last year. Well Happy 2008 everyone xxxxx

One if the reasons of my lack of blogging is my sister and family have been here since December 29th so the house is full and lively. We had a lovely new year's eve together with laughter, dancing and singing. We were like a bunch of crazy happy people but there was no alcohol involved!
Since then all the kids have been hanging out. There have been quite a few shopping trips with another one planned tomorrow.

Last Friday it was D's twelfth birthday. She is about five foot four now, size 7 feet and no longer fits children's clothes!!! We had another mini party on her birthday and then she went off to guides in the evening.
The next day I was up very early to take A to her first new drama class. It is about 7 miles away and we were there for 9am. I was really pleased to hear that she enjoyed it and is happy to go back next week. D and M also started back at dancing. They are having to learn new dances for the show in May followed by exams a week later so there is lots to remember.

Today I again had to get up very early as the girls were helping out at local stables and then getting a free riding lesson in return. I dropped them there for 9am and they were finished for half four. It mostly went okay and again they are happy to do that weekly. So our weekends have become very busy once more but the kids are happy.

A couple of home-ed events start up next week. We have a social meet up and drama class. The big girls have said they may not continue with the drama as most of the stuff is geared for the younger children. But we'll see how it goes.

I am looking forward to taking the children to see the stage production of the Snowman at the Lowry next week. I managed to get some free tickets and M in particular really wanted to see it so that will make a nice evening out. I am also looking forward to the return of my yoga teacher so I can get back to my classes, I am feeling a little out of shape right now and am considering joining the sports centre gym.
Talking of exercise, A in particular was looking to do some more so helping at the stables is great as they have to trot round the ring leading children. I am also looking at signing them up at the leisure centre gym as there is a children's section. But for now they have been doing lots of walking helping their Dad deliver 700 BT phonebooks with another 700 to do next week. Tis all go here!!!

2007-12-28T01:54:00.000-08:00

Well Christmas came and went. Christmas day was nice if very tiring. My usually up late kids were waking me at 7.30!! They did relent and then give me till 8 though. Bear in mind they hadn't gone to sleep till nearly 2am!
We came down and they opened their pressies. An assortment of DS games, books, dvd's etc. J has not put my DS down since he loves Pokemon Pearl.
My Mum and Dad popped in for a brew and some cake and we all said Merry Christmas to my sister and family on the webcam.
After our veggie meal there was lots of TV viewing as is customary!! R came round to see the kids from 3pm onwards but it didn't spoil my day.
On boxing day R took the kids to his sister in laws where they saw some other family members. He has just recently took them to see his family so they are getting a bit familiar with them. All this after 14 years!! He mentioned the other day he'd like to take the older 2 girls to Spain some time in the spring. His Mum has an apartment there. I am just relieved he doesn't want to take the younger 2 as that requires too much trust. At least I trust A and D to look after themselves/each other.
So on boxing day I had a couple of hours of me time, very nice.

Now it is all back to normal! I went food shopping and the shops were not too busy. Hurrah!
I popped in to say hello to a friend yesterday and took the kids. A stayed here transforming her bedroom and putting her dismantled bed back up. I think D is planning to do the same today.
While at my friends house D managed to link her DS up and get extra fruit for our animal Crossing. If you play the game you will understand how exciting that is lol.

We are all getting ready for the arrival of my sister and family at the weekend. Good times ahead indeed.
Before then I am reading this book so then I can lend it to my sis. Must plod on with that then.

A right 'ole festive humbug!

2007-12-24T15:34:00.000-08:00

Erm, that's me.
This season does not in any way make me feel jolly. I do not understand the mass hysteria and gluttony that takes over people. Why must they stack trolleys full of excess food? The shops are shut for 2 days! Just 2! Surely a loaf of bread and some extra potatoes is enough to keep people going.
D and I hit the mall at 9 this morning as my money only went in today. At that time it was busy enough but not heaving as it would have been later on. I got a few items to tide us over. I haven't really got anything special for Christmas day other than a quorn roast. On the way home we bumped into our neighbour who gave us a lovely tin of organic shortbread. Yummmm!

We have been slightly festive in that we have made Christmas cookies and the kids had fun decorating them yesterday. We have also made a cake and iced that today. Having little money means we bake more so the kids never really feel like they are going without. They don't have an excess of presents either but have about 5 each which means my house doesn't get needlessly cluttered lol!
Christmas tv has been good but tomorrow I think I am only looking forward to Dr Who.
The children's Dad has invited himself to our meal as he paid the £2 for the quorn roast. I plan on escaping to my bedroom for a bit. I hope the kids have a good time.

Merry Christmas everyone xxxxxx Joy and blessings to you xxx

2007-12-19T02:06:00.000-08:00

I wonder if my ticker will show how many days to the next Christmas on boxing day ........ Must change it then lol.

Well we are preparing for Christmas. I made my first ever vegan Christmas cake. I made some mini ones too, to try them and they are very nice indeed. The girls have been shopping for presents. I haven't done much shopping but I may nip and do some on Friday. I will probably have to get our food on Monday as that is when I get my money.

Yesterday was our last trampolining of the year. I even got to have a go. I thought we were having to get the bus but my ex dropped the car off at the last minute. I have been managing okay without his car. I borrow my Mum's in the evening or we get the bus/tram. Each trip out either costs £6 for the bus or £3.50 for the tram. It's a matter of budgeting for that. I haven't been to the allotment for a couple of weeks, but I need some wood to make some more raised beds first. That will be my new year project.

We had our home-ed Christmas party. It went fine but was a bit too busy for my liking. I think 50 max would have done but there were more than that. J coped okay because he enjoyed the card making table. We also had badge making and a talent show. The older girls did some parachute games with the younger ones. I have decided I don't feel up to having my annual open house - mainly cos my house is open all year anyway!
Today is the last official activity. We have a home-ed meeting and M's last swimming lesson. We really do have nothing on then. Oh except A who has a few babysitting shifts booked.

More recent stuff, M and D got their dance exam results yesterday. M got commended and highly commended and D got Highly commended and also honours in her tap and national. They have both moved up classes now and the list of things I need to buy is increasing. They need new leotards and tap shoes with double taps. I am going to sit down and make a long list of stuff I need to plan for and do some financial planning, especially as my electric has gone up to £69 a month! It should however be a bit cheaper now my washing machine has packed in. It is a good job my Mum lives at the top of the road as I am nipping there daily with laundry. I'm sure she will get fed up of that pretty soon though! I could always try washing everything by hand in the bath. My neighbour does that. Maybe I could turn it into a home-ed project .... life before useful machinery.......

Nativity

2007-12-15T06:53:00.000-08:00

A home-ed Dad asked the older kids if they wanted to help him install a nativity village at the city's cathedral. So the past week or so, many days have been spent there, painting, creating and helping out.

We all went yesterday (except D who is a bit poorly). J and M spent 3 hours in the cathedral and helped P(the artist) collect grass for the stables. One of the loveliest bits was listening to Chetham's school of music's rehearsals for their carol concert, complete with live music. All for free. We had a lovely day. The pictures are not fab quality but it reflects the nativity anyway.

Woooooohooooooo!

2007-12-08T02:48:00.000-08:00

A week ago I took A for an audition at a local(ish!) theatre to join their performing arts academy. She said she didn't think she did well and forgot her lines but the guy there told her he thought she had done very well and they know auditions are hard.
Today they rang offering her a place. Yippppeeee!
Now I have to work out the money side as I don't know yet how much it costs but I won't let that stand in our way!!

2007-12-08T02:07:00.000-08:00

Wow, it is December and I have not blogged!!!!!!!

We have been busy as usual. I managed with my Mum's help to paint my kitchen. Before it was a dirty magnolia, now it is crisp white (because it's cheap!!). Next week I am painting my lovely boxroom lilac!

The girls have been doing their usual drama/dance/guides etc.
Last Monday A went to a medical lecture with the guide group. It was all about gasses and she found it really interesting. I would have gone but it was my one free night/day so I didn't want to go out. I actually find it very hard to motivate myself to go out once it goes dark. I just want to stay warm indoors instead. D didn't go as she was in a - for want of a better word - reclusive or one could say creative stage. She stayed in her room, drawing, creating and sewing for days. She is struggling with A's companionship a A has fallen into an evening pattern of sitting on the computer/talking on the phone for hours each evening. Of course this is boring for D but I kindly explained sometimes we have to learn to like our own company. She does get company of others in the day and dancing in the week. She has also started up at guides again. This week they did Christmas crafts and made candles so so far she is enjoying it.

Last Friday was the big drama group production. The girls were there all day but all enjoyed it. M is so shy though so it was a big thing for me to see her on a stage. She doesn't have much confidence so I am hoping the drama will help with that!
Drama is now finished for the year.
Amazingly before the year is out though, we still have a last brownies/guides session, dance classes, 2 trampolining classes, Home-ed Christmas party (120 people!!!), singing session, swimming lessons (must re-book by 14th!) and a home-ed social meet to which as it is cold and wintry I am taking a big pan of soup to share!!

My older girls have spent the last 2 days here helping an artist (home-ed Dad) construct a model of Bethlehem village for a nativity display. They have been painting and plastering and having lots of fun. I am going there next Thursday to take some photos of the finished result (or if I have the energy I will do it on Wednesday as there is a Christmas sing-along we might attend!!) which I will then blog.

The rain is not stopping here so yet again A and I will be soaked whilst doing the papers. I'd like to say I will wait till it stops but having grown up here I know when the day starts very grey and rainy it usually sticks in for all the daylight hours. I just have to resign myself to getting VERY VERY wet!!

Harry Potter Puppet Pals

2007-11-24T11:31:00.001-08:00

We love this and watch it very often!

2007-11-24T02:15:00.000-08:00

I have been having a big sort out of the house. Consequently there are 8 bin bags in the hall for the charity shop so I am hoping to find one that collects. I won't ring them till I have done my kitchen cupboards as I reckon I can get another half a bag from that too! It will look good when I finish but the bit that is taking time is my paperwork and 2 boxes of miscellaneous small bits, play money, marbles etc. I also have plans within the next month to paint my kitchen and bedroom. I think I am doing the kitchen next week. I have decided to just paint it white because it is cheap and when it gets mucky easy to just paint one wall, the one near the bin usually needs that the most.

A and D have been busy with rehearsing their play they are performing next Friday at a local theatre with the home-ed drama group. They have another rehearsal on Monday then the event next week. I am trying to make M a mole mask this weekend for her play (performed first at the same place) and sort out something for A who is a Lion/Human! It will be in a proper theatre so I hope they enjoy it.

M has been doing lots of magic tricks, her favourite thing at the mo. Especially as I found all the bits for her kit though I think she has mislaid the cards again.
J's favourite thing is gaming on Pokemon and playing chess. I played my first ever game with him last night which I won with a bit of help from him (my 5 yr old!!!) explaining how to castle and why. He loves chess and I heard him telling a home-ed Dad yesterday how that was his favourite thing!

I am supposed to be doing papers today so am not very impressed it is raining. In the nearly 3 years we have been doing them we have rarely had to do it in the rain but I think today may be one of those days.

2007-11-21T01:56:00.000-08:00

I think I'll just blog about yesterday as it was very busy and my mind doesn't seem able to stretch back beyond that.
I was up very early (for me) as I had to drop M at a friend's house for 8.45. My friend was taking her into Manchester with some other home-ed kids to the Royal Exchange theatre to do a behind the scenes tour and workshop. By taking her in it meant I didn't have to squash on the tram at rush hour.
The older girls were doing the same workshop in the afternoon so they came into Manchester with me at 11. We wanted to get under 16 bus passes but we couldn't find a passport photo booth anywhere. The one at Woolworths didn't work. I think I will try and print something off and post the applications instead.
My friend from Blackpool was travelling into Manchester yesterday for a meeting so I met up with her and we went to the Art Gallery cafe for a brew and a natter. That was very nice! J, bless him sat there patiently while I chatted which I later thanked him for.
We headed the girls off to the theatre for their workshop. They were travelling back home on the bus with friends so we could do our own thing. J, M and I had a quick wander around the Christmas market but to me it mostly looked like lots of beer houses and sausage stalls so we didn't stay long. J was also freaked out by the singing moose's head on a stall. LOL!!!

I collected the girls later from their friends house and brought 2 extra back here. The older ones all ate and complimented my curry, WOW! I then took M and her friend to brownies, did our tetrapak recycling and headed home.

When I had all kids back later on I was showing them centile charts for height. A then measured all the kids and I plotted them on the chart and worked out their predicted adult height.
Basically all mine are at the top end of the chart on height. I was explaining how these charts are not that accurate but it was fun seeing what height they might grow to . J's was 6ft 2 1/2. M's was 5ft9, D's 5ft 9 1/2 and A was 5ft7. I actually expect them to be taller than that as they just keep shooting up!!! We also spent a lot a lot of time using an online converter to convert cm to ft and inches. A then rang her friend who was also looking at the charts. I last heard them discussing weight charts!

The last thing I did last night was watch J play on his PS2 Incredibles game. I had a quick go on it but my attempts were very amateur compared to his. He is VERY good. So is M apparently.
Oh and I also watched M do some magic tricks. She loves doing them so is getting this for Christmas.

More later xxx

2007-11-15T04:44:00.001-08:00

I had a friend and her children come and visit on Monday so that totalled 8. Then on Tuesday a different friend and assorted children came round and that was 11. Tee hee, mostly a house full which makes quiet moments rare but happiness plentiful.

D sat her 4 dance exams over the weekend and seemed to enjoy doing them. She took her bronze tap which since she has never done the lower grades and only started that in April, I think she has picked it up very quickly. I think M's exams may be this weekend. She only has 2. Then it will be time to replace the shoes and leotards as they have grown ... again.
In fact whilst ordering the girls some jeans they are both now too big for most kids clothes so I had to order women's jeans. D is only 11 but the height of a 14 year old with VERY long legs, so the adult length is fine for her. I don't mind buying them as they mostly wear jeans and have 2 pairs each and being adult sizes should last a while - I hope!

Last night I took D, her friend and my Mum to watch Falstaff opera at the Lowry. I got free tickets which would have cost £35 each!!!! It was fun except when a grumpy old man turned to D and R, pointed to them and said "shut up"!!!! How rude. They weren't even talking but may have rustled a sweet wrapper. I didn't find this out till after the show which was a good job for that man I say. I hate disrespectful adults. Children are people too and should be spoken to with kindness and respect IMO. Pity he didn't realise that.

The older two walked the mile and a half to the local baths at 9am this morning to meet their friends for swimming. Not bad seeing though they had kept me awake til 2am!!!! They didn't make it back but have de-camped at a friend's house where they want me to collect them when I can get hold of a car. The younger two are playing noisily and happily with geo-mags.
I am about to attempt operation kids bedroom armed with binbags in a mo. Must take my allergy spray as that kind of thing always sets me off sneezing.

Learning all the time (High Quality 2)

2007-11-15T02:56:00.001-08:00

This beautiful video makes me smile and well up at the same time. It is how childhood should be. It was first posted here : http://differenttakefilms.blogspot.com Thanks Georgie.
Enjoy ;-)

2007-11-08T03:06:00.000-08:00

Did you see his face light up when he spotted the wild boars??? Gosh I LOVE that man!!!
Yes I am of course talking about Simon King. Do you know he has no qualifications but got where he is because of a passion for what he does, truly inspires me that does.

I have been thinking about nature stuff recently. I adore all things natural and want to broaden my knowledge so spend time collecting and ID'ing. I was very pleased when we attended a Make A Difference day event a week or so ago. There were 4 trees with leaves to identify and I got them all correct. I know they weren't especially difficult ones but I was happy none the less!
My kids like certain events that are run outdoors but I want to find ways of letting kids do activities that are really fun for them. Unless nature is your passion, seed collecting and coppicing etc. can be hard work and boring. So I am digging out my woodcraft book and Earthways to see if I can come up with some fun ideas. A bit of browsing the web will be fun too. I would do that for a living really. Getting kids playing/creating outdoors. All kids like to play but my sister did a giant art attack of a fox with autumn twigs and leaves and I think that would appeal to lots of kid. Gives me stuff to ponder anyway which is always good.

My niece has finally gone home. My sis and family popped up to collect her and they stayed for a couple of nights. The girls - my 2, their cousin, D's friend and E's friend all headed into Manchester on Saturday then came back here so their room was full for the night. 5 in one room. Unfortunately that night D vomited all over her bed (YEUCCCCH!) at half 3 so I was shifting kids around, clearing vomit, spraying vinegar, lighting incense and cursing. I think D was super tired after having been away for 2 days then staying up late here. I also think she had over indulged on Halloween and all this resulted in her being sick then sleeping for most of the next 30 hours. She bounced back and was well for her last stage class on Monday though. Her exam is on Saturday and I am working so will arrange a lift for her there.

A went off to Blackpool to see her friend on Monday. She is coming back today. Meanwhile today, D went swimming and is at her friend's house now. M has gone to see Angelina Ballerina Ballet with my friend for a treat so it is just J and me for a bit. He is waiting for his Dad as when they collect A from the station they are popping into a games shop ever hunting for bargain games for him. That is his highlight to the day.

I have felt groggy the past 3 days. I suffered from my severe dog allergy on Monday and spent quite a bit of time in bed. I have then had headaches for the past 2 nights/mornings which is not pleasant. It is only made bearable by my 4-head which I would be lost without. I recommend it if you suffer from headaches. Often that is all I need to knock it on the head!!! without taking ibuprofen. It is good stuff.

Well a quiet moment means I should probably tackle last nights pots and laundry! It's all fun here!!

2007-11-03T06:18:00.000-07:00

Maths club on Monday, the kids did some (a very teeny amount) of work using a number line. Mine didn't take part but I was fine with that. Maths taught in that way on paper sat at a desk is NOT the best way my kids learn. I had mainly gone to collect spare keys for that place from the caretaker. I didn't make it to the allotment as a friend popped round to visit in the afternoon. She helped me sort the top drawer of my filing cabinet out. Only the jam packed bottom one to go. I really need 2 days in to do some sorting but I think Sunday is the only free day next week. By that I mean tomorrow. But we may pop into family choir? or not! Whilst I enjoy singing I'm not sure my girls do. The woman who did our family choir yesterday runs an adult only one on a Wednesday that I would quite like to try. Other than that I shall carry on singing in my kitchen instead!

After trampolining on Tuesday (A nor D went) I left the 2 younger ones at my friends for the afternoon. Rick had put D on a train to Blackpool to stay with a home-ed family and her friend there whilst I was at trampolining. She had gone by the time I got home. I then took the big 2 (one of them being my niece) to have their hair done. Needless to say the 2 teen girls loved this and spent a lot of time photographing themselves and posing! No change there then lol.

On Halloween we had our home-ed social meet in the afternoon then headed to a hall we hired and had a small party. We had made a banner for it and took food to share. Was good fun. A then went babysitting whilst the younger 2 went trick or treating round at my friends. I have never seen so many kids out dressed up as I did on that night. We only got 2 groups here so I handed them some chocolate eyeballs - as you do.
Note to self, buy pumpkin a week in advance next year so can get a big one for 99p instead of a small one for £2!!!!

Thursday spent all day with M at hospital having suspicious bruising on her legs checked out with blood tests and trauma. Was okay in the end as everything came back clear. HARD DAY.

On Friday at Drama my niece presented the play she had spent hours writing. It has been accepted for the kids to perform so she is very happy. She deserves it as it is a good script, I think she is very talented. She goes home tomorrow and it will seem a big empty space when she is gone. I hope she will be back before too long but her family must have missed her too!

I am working a shift tonight and have been doing dance runs on the bus and am feeling a wee bit tired so may sneak half an hour rest this afternoon - after a bit of housework.
Must blog more but teens have discovered msn again and I can't get on here!!

Just so I remember ....

2007-10-27T11:58:00.000-07:00

Next weeks schedule:
Monday : Maths club, allotment, dance class
Tuesday : Trampolining, play date, girls haircuts, Brownies.
Wednesday : AP, swimming lesson, Halloween
Thursday : Swimming, yoga/pilates
Friday : Drama, family choir, papers, guides.
Need to fit in a pizza night and one last shopping trip with my niece (Thursday morning/ Tuesday night?).
Yeah I'm sure we can squeeze that in somewhere .......

2007-10-24T10:48:00.000-07:00

What I have noticed from blogging is how much we actually go out and do! Rarely a quiet day but we enjoy them when we get them.

Yesterday I called our day of culture.

We just had the best day. We drove to Hebden and had lunch there next to the river to the sound of a buskers tin whistle.

Then we headed on to Howarth where we saw the Bronte parsonage and visited ye olde sweet shop. The kids especially liked that bit!

Their best memory was us all pushing the car in Hebden to jump start it as it has a dodgy battery.

Mine had to be driving over the moors with the sun shining and us singing "Wuthering Heights" loudly.

We topped the day off by going to watch the RSC perform Comedy of Errors at the Lowry. It was soooo funny and fantastic to watch. And I was sat next to a hunky actor who we chatted to.

A brilliant day indeed....

2007-10-23T01:40:00.000-07:00

On Friday our home-ed drama group had a trip to the Bradford Media museum. We all went on a coach for the first time together. The teens were singing at the back, the boys playing in the middle and parents sat scattered throughout. It was a fun day.
We spent about 4 hours there and there was lots to see and do.

We still have my niece with us and I think she is enjoying herself. With another teen in the house you certainly notice the constant music and singing but I sing along too. If you can't beat them.....
They spend time learning the dances from High School Musical then they get my sis on webcam and get her to watch. I should try and film it, see if I can blog it.

On Sunday I got to go round the Mind Body Spirit exhibition in Manchester. It was very interesting. I enjoyed watching a guy doing a brain gym with the audience he had. Movements that work both sides of the brain. I'd be interested in finding out more about him.

Yesterday a friend from Bristol popped round. I haven't seen her in 6 years so we had a lovely time chatting. She had never met J and I hadn't met her 2 year old. Her son is 13 and nearly 6 foot ...and I thought my girls were tall lol.

We do have plans for this week, including a home-ed french club so I shall blog those if and when they happen.
But for now, hurrah the sun is shining....

2007-10-17T13:07:00.000-07:00

It is non stop activity and fun and madness here as usual. Many songs (mostly high school musical 2) are to be heard bellowing out of different rooms. This is not a brilliant house for an introvert but I manage to get a bit of quiet if I need it. I just have to pick my time. 7pm seems a good one right now lol.
On Monday we headed to see Flushed Away for free at a local cinema as part of NSFW. I love the fact as home-educators we can just book for our family and turn up. If I was organised I could see one film a day but I only book films we will all sit through and ones that are local.
We enjoyed the film, it really was very funny. A friend turned up after half an hour as they had got stuck in traffic. We got a few looks from the 3 small school groups that came but hey they probably wonder who we are, why there are so few kids with us, of mixed ages and without uniform. Maybe we should hand out leaflets rofl.....

Yesterday my 2 eldest headed to a private girls school to sit their LAMDA exam. They said it went well and had a nice time waiting in a private office with their friends. Another thing to put in their files then. They get the results in the next 6 weeks. Neither of them appear to get nervous almost to the point of being blase about the exam but I really don't mind. I think they gained as much from the process as the end result anyway.

Today my eldest is 14.
She has had a good day (I think). My niece has made her a cheesecake which at 9.15pm we haven't touched yet! I am awaiting their return from a big shopping centre that I am happy not to have had to trawl round. They are good fun to be with though - they make me laugh.
Today at our home-ed meet up they were filming their own version of the Oprah show in between blaring music and dancing. High energy stuff. They should sleep well tonight then!

2007-10-12T14:20:00.000-07:00

I have to actually look at my calendar to remember what we have done.

On Wednesday we had our monthly green team meet up. We did some coppicing and others did some planting and weeding of our flower bed. I will take my camera next time so I can post photos. M had her swimming lesson straight after that but first we had to drop all 40 tools back to the industrial estate. When I got there I had to cart them all into the office as the main guy wasn't there. I felt I had done a big work out that day.

On Thursday the girls went swimming and then we went to Urmston. I returned a faulty clothes airer then we went to a local park. We were told there were lots of fly agarics there and we found them. It is amazing that most people must just miss them and walk past. Even my kids who tolerate my nature madness like finding fungus.

We then headed into Manchester and collected my niece who had travelled up on the train. She is here for 2 weeks and this morning they were all sat round the table doing maths at 9am!! I'm afraid my brain was still a bit foggy to help them out at that time. The only bit of maths I seem to like is working out patterns. I groan at everything else.
It is very lively with another teen here, I like it! I have asked if they will all help us blitz the house this week. I may even get my bedroom painted, that would be good!

Today I traipsed round shops while the girls were at drama looking for kids shoes. I didn't find any though so will have to keep looking. We also managed to do all 3 paper rounds. I roped in D and her friend to do the big 210 one which took us just under an hour.

I am going to slob and watch some telly now. I am part way through my consultation draft but I do too many typos at this time of night so will crack on this weekend.
I had a go at someone on a blog today (not in a nasty way, honest!) and that has helped clear my head and for some reason made me more positive about it all.
It will all work out okay I believe .... but I just don't know how ... yet ;o)

I copied this from the EO list

2007-10-10T09:55:00.000-07:00

The Department of Work and Pensions is currently consulting on proposals to get parents off benefit. From next year you would not be entitled to Income Support when your youngest child is 12 but would have to look for work and receive Jobseekers Allowance. From 2010 the age lowers to 7. This effectively makes it diificult to home-ed if you are a lone parent not earning a wage.

EO Campaign site has put together a few links on this

http://www.freedomforchildrentogrow.org/update.htm

http://www.freedomforchildrentogrow.org/walkdwp.htm

The walkthrough( second link ) includes 2 sample responses. We hope to upload more.

This is what it says on LATEST page

Tuesday 9th October
Department Of Work & Consultation On Changing The Benefits System The DWP is currently running a consultation about the best ways to get parents off benefits. The proposals will particularly affect Lone Parents on Income Support and also parents of disabled and SEN children. The consultation ends on October 31st.

EO Government Policy Group and EO Disability Group will both be making a full official response to this consultation on behalf of Education Otherwise.

However as we have seen with other Government consultations, officials have to sit up and take notice of home educators if a sufficient number of us also respond individually.

Unfortunately there isn't an online interactive form where you can just type in your answers as thousands of us did with the Guidelines Consultation, so we have written a Walkthrough. [ on the campaign site this is a hyperlink ]

If you have any difficulties responding to this consultation please send feedback to:

Roger Pugh
Department for Work and Pensions,
Consultation Coordinator, Room 2A,
Britannia House,
2 Ferensway,
Hull HU2 8NF 01482 609571
roger.pugh@ dwp.gsi.gov.uk

2007-10-09T11:53:00.000-07:00

On Monday a friend offered to have my 2 youngest while I sat with the girls at their last LAMDA class. M and J were very happy playing with her 2 and it was weird going off without them!

I offered to pick up my friends 2 children and take them to LAMDA. Poor said friend J has (we think) got whooping cough for the third time!! She seemed quite poorly with it and had spent the previous night coughing all night. She and her kids only had it 4 years ago so I am amazed she has contracted it. Her homeopath mentioned that she was seeing quite a few cases in vaccinated people. Could the bacteria mutate so the vaccine is no longer effective? Does this mean we could effectively catch it many times in the future.

It has been 6 weeks since Jude has coughed nightly. Some nights are better than others but we are all well otherwise!

Anyway, after the drama class I headed to our allotment with all 4 children. We managed to lay a central woodchip path with me digging it out to create soil for the raised beds. I am chuffed with what I have achieved and have only been 3 times. The kids did more forraging and brought me this tray of delights.

I have frozen many of the raspberrries (the girls counted 177!! lol) and am baking the rest with some apples and making a crumble. But that'll be tomorrow's project as I haven't got on top of the washing up yet and it's 8pm already!

Today we have done leaflet delivering to earn some pocket money, slightly tedious but we don't have a choice as it is sprung on us by our newspaper network and the leaflets have to be done separate from the papers. We probably will only get about £4 for doing that. Which as it takes nearly an hour is not a huge amount but the exercise is very beneficial!!

I did some reading reflex with Molly. I can't say she enjoys it as she spends time yawning and saying her arm hurts etc. I didn't bother with Jude as he said he didn't want a reading lesson. I didn't ask Molly but just called her downstairs. I reckon if I gave her a choice she'd say she was very happy just playing with Jude on the PS2 game they borrowed from the library.

Finally here is a photo of our beautiful Pup Pip that we look after lots even though she lives at my Mum's.
Aint she sweet!!

2007-10-06T14:22:00.000-07:00

Ooooh the highlight of my week was watching Kate Rusby at the Lowry on Friday night.

I had been on her website that morning and was alarmed to see she had cancelled gigs on Wed and Thurs as she had lost her voice. I spoke to someone at the Lowry and they said "as far as they know" she was going to be on that night. Turns out she was and it was great. She was struggling a bit near the end and coughing, poor woman but it was good stuff. 1400 people watching and singing some bits! I treated myself to a KateRusby t-shirt - a very happy bunny was I!

I went to the show alone. I bought a ticket for me and some people including family think it is sad or weird to go out alone but I honestly like it. I would equally like company but only if you liked her already would you spend the £19 on a ticket and no-one I know would do that. I did spot my friend and her husband down in the stalls so chatted to them briefly afterwards. But the guy on my door is a volunteer I haven't seen for some months and we get on well so I spent the interval with him. Then another woman came over that I sat with at the training so we were all chatting together.

I had cancelled my shifts recently due to wondering if I wanted to carry on there. I do enjoy it but it is so much effort to organise the kids and childcare before I come out. Last night as A was at guides, D walked the younger 2 down to my Mum's where they watched movies for the 2 hours I was out. This is a rare thing though and not something I am happy with on a regular basis. It all went well anyway and I had a great time and it helped me decide I do still want to carry on there as it is some sort of a social life at least rofl!!

2007-10-03T01:00:00.000-07:00

We had an extremely busy day on Monday. I dropped the older 2 for their LAMDA drama class for 10 am at a community centre. They have one maybe two more of these classes before they take the exam on October 16th. I have to get them to a private girls school where they will sit it lol. A is doing Anne Frank. She knows the story but someone gave her the dvd and she doesn't want to watch it. I don't blame her. I cried just listening to her doing the dialogue. I wish she could have done the railway children instead but she is fine with it.

Whilst the older 2 were doing drama I left the younger two there with my friends and I nipped off to buy food for our lunch. We had lunch there than had our monthly session of family choir. Only A joined in but there were quite a few families there so we made a good noise.

A and D were delighted that one family in particular was there as their Dad is Japanese, so they were chatting with the 7 year old and asking about Japanese pronunciation. The little girl wrote their names in Japanese for them. I couldn't get them away when it was time to go!!

It took ages for people to leave and I was a little stressed as I was planning on going to the allotment and was running out of time but as key holder I had to wait for the building to clear. Then the caretaker turned up so I finally got away.

We wanted to go to our allotment plot as someone told me it had been cleared. Hurray! It has a few ground weeds but is quite good. So we spent an hour there on Monday. I marked out the plot and 3 small beds and started digging out the path to provide top soil for the beds. The kids loved it there. About 1/3rd is allotment, the rest, orchard and wild space so they played around. They found a huge old apple tree laden with apples. So in the hour they were there they picked about 60 and the are eaters - cox's I think. So we won't have to buy organic apples for weeks. They have since been devouring them daily and juicing them!!

We headed back there yesterday and the kids all helped carting woodchip to our plot for the path. We made a pile of it too as last time we missed out on the woodchip as anyone can take it. It is amazing how much we have achieved in such a short time. The girls found a lovely big log that they placed at the back. They want to carve their names into it. We are also going to put a bench there and a (willow?) screen behind it to stop the weeds encroaching. A wants a pond so I said we have an old cat litter tray we can bury into the ground. Just have to look at what to put in it now. I plan on us having one day a week there, whenever it is dry enough. It was actually too hot yesterday. But of course as I forgot to bring the laundry in last night it has since rained and looks set to be a grey one today. Oh well we are off to a home-ed group meet and there will be cameras there for the kids to do filming. They love that kind of thing and are very creative.

I need to go and buy cat food now as I have run out and one of the cats is not very happy lol!!