Wednesday 6 November 2013

A Catch Up

This Year



Life has really speeded up for us over the past year. I think I was pretty naive going into this building project. I thought we'd sail through it with no problems and it'd all be over and done with in 6 months . I am pretty organised and resilient , but instead of this making the process easier I think it has made it harder to cope with. I have struggled with living in total disorganisation, not being able to plan ahead with meals , having people constantly in my house and the noise , the noise. I have often taken my little girl down to the park and sat with a cup of tea on a park bench whilst she played, just to escape the noise for an hour! In all of this though I have learnt to let things go a little more. To be more flexible and spontaneous. I have realised that the world will not end if the children eat pasta three nights in a row.

On top of all of this of course life goes on. My return to teaching continued and I am  regularly in working two or three days a week. The half term break was meant to be a time to relax and rest, but all the children came down with bugs and my eldest is still recovering from a nasty stomach bug. I wont go into details, but I was a little worried for a bit there. It brings what is important into sharp focus when those close to you are suffering. Hence the lack of blog posts - again. I am learning priorities!

My middle boy had decided to sit the 11+ exam to try and get into the school his eldest brother is in. It is a selective grammar school . They take 120 pupils each year and around 400 sit the exam. His grades are higher than his brothers were at school at the same point and he studied hard, but didn't get in. We were disappointed for him, but had always felt he would better suit the local school where he can continue with his tennis academy which is next door. I find the decision of secondary schooling a really difficult one, especially because the children now have strong opinions of their own! All his friends are going to the local school so he is now happy, although was disappointed at first.

My Dad continues to be settled and happy in his home. I could not have wished for anything better for him. I visit as often as I can and my Step Mum brings him home some weekends so we can take the children to visit him. 

So , as we near the end of another year I am glad to see the back of the changes this year has brought. I am grateful to be the other side of the extension work ( or nearly) and having made the decision about schooling for son number two. I think 2014 will bring more change, but I have learnt about myself that I need my home to be settled and organised to be able to deal with the ups and downs that life throws at you. 

I have another bit of news regarding a decision I have made that is a bit exciting, but I will wait until it is certain - fingers crossed!

I am taking pictures this weekend of the kitchen to reveal on the Blog next week. I just wanted to wait until we had doors in and it looked a little more finished! 

So hopefully with the kids recovering and the house almost done I should get back to some more regular posting!




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13 comments:

  1. Looking forward to the photos Claire and so glad your dad is doing ok:)
    ~Anne xx

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    1. Thank you Anne - out of everything it is the one thing I am most relieved about. X

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  2. I can honestly say that I know exactly where you are coming from on the subject of building work on your house. I too found the presence of others in my home 6 days a week incredibly unsettling and intrusive, in spite of their very best efforts to be considerate. It does make you appreciate the sanctity of your home and how important it is as a retreat from the outside world. Soon you will have it completely back to your selves though and I am sure that your lives will be greatly improved by it as ours have been. I must admit that time has dimmed the memory somewhat. I look forward to seeing your reveal of the finished work. How lovely to have your first Christmas in your new kitchen. Exciting.

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    1. It is lovely knowing we are coming near to the end. I am so ready for some peace and quiet! x

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  3. All mine took the 11+ so I know how stressful it is. Don't rule it out for future though, you can always reapply in Year 8 or appeal for this year if wish x

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    1. Very Stressful! He seems happy now, but I dont like the process. He is top of his class by a country mile so will do well anywhere. x

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  4. It's good to have you back Claire (I feel like we need a proper catch up)! What a shame the kids were ill over half term - glad your eldest is on the mend now. Good to hear that your Dad is settled too. I struggle with changes in my routine so I know exactly where you're coming from - I need to be more flexible and easy-going about things (domestic or otherwise)! Can't wait to see the kitchen and hear your news! xx

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    1. Me too Jen - I feel a bit out of touch! I'm the same - I do need my routines back - it's my security blanket for sure. x

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  5. I have 3 children at 3 different schools & we had to make a decision to have 1 at a fee paying school just because it suited him best - the children are fine with this but I have really struggled with the unfairness of the decision. I hope it all works out well in the end, and I'm looking forward to the big reveal!

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    1. I agree - every child is different . What is right for one won't be right for another. We would have sent our eldest to private if he didn't get in to the grammar school as he wouldn't have coped with the large comprehensive, but my middle one will thrive there! x

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  6. Hi there! I enjoyed reading your catch up post for the year, sorry to hear your kids were unwell and I hope they are better now-my two boys suffered really bad ankle injuries recently and it's been quite a frustrating time. Hopefully your kitchen will up and ready to go soon too. Thats great news about your dad too. Wishing you a good weekend xx

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    1. Thank you Sharron - boys are an ongoing round of injuries aren't they!! xx

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  7. Glad that your Dad is settled and sorry your son didn't get in to the school but like you say the tennis academy is next door and who knows what this will bring! Looking forward to seeing the big reveal and can't want to hear about your exciting news! x

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