Sunday 1 June 2014

Summer Term

On the day before we return to school for the last half term of the academic year there is always a mixture of emotions running through my household. Nerves, excitement, intrepidation, disappointment. This year it is intensified as my role has changed. 

We are looking forward to the summer together, the extended evenings, the BBQs, the hope of better weather, but wedged in between stretches eight weeks of term. Yes EIGHT weeks. It is a long haul this year.

We have had fun during this half term break and over Easter together. We got away to Cornwall for a family break and have spent time chilling out and recovering from having a house full of builders for months on end. Here are some snapshots of our time off.......








Life is settling into a pattern and we are becoming more accustomed to being a household with two parents working. However, everything hangs by a thread which is easily broken when a child is sick or a parent away or over worked. The ideal certainly would be for one of us to be part time to hold the fort at home a little better!
I am so fortunate in that I love my job - it is a vocation to me. I get engrossed in it, so much so that I have to stop myself from becoming too involved at times. I have to set a time to go home and stick to it as the job is never done, ever!

We have just finished the home office for my husband. The carpet goes in tomorrow so we can move him out of the living room! This means we can claim back another room in our house. I can't wait. Although we have paid someone to do this room I have been painting again and have taken before and after photos for you to see the transformation later this week. Slowly we are re gaining our whole house. By the summer things should be almost normal again.

I can't wait!


22 comments:

  1. I genuinely know how it feels when you've had builders in for a prolonged period and it does take a little while for your house to feel yours again after building work, but I agree that it is a great feeling when you do.

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    1. It was a long haul - I'd not do it again in a rush I must admit!

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  2. Sounds like you had a wonderful trip! Can't wait to see how the office turned out!

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    1. It's looking good - just been finishing off the window sill and door thresholds tonight ready for the carpet tomorrow!

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  3. I've said it before but I do envy you enjoying your job so much Claire - I couldn't get engrossed in mine if I tried! I don't like this last term - feels like things are coming to an end again and makes me sad - silly I know! Can't wait to see your pics! xx

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    1. It does tend to consume me though which is not so good - I need to learn balance! I get sad too at the end - especially this year as my middle son is leaving primary and going to secondary- end of an era! Doesn't take much to get me weepy I must admit though!! XX

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    2. Same here Claire my youngest is leaving primary this year - dreading it as I cried buckets when my boy left. Definitely the end of an era - I remember their first days like yesterday! Must engage in some mind over matter control and a good run-proof mascara! xx

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    3. Shame we are so far away - we could have wept together at the end of July!! I shall also be stern with myself, but will be weeping anyway!! XX

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  4. Looks like you had a great half term Claire:) I could only imagine how busy it gets with twp people working full-time! Delighted you are enjoying the job though:) Have a good week!
    ~Anne xx

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  5. Good to have you back and so glad the job is going well. Those feelings are really weird for me as a parent, I get a weird knot in my stomach, another child another year older and the wonder of what the next academic year will hold for my child even though I love having him off for summer, I know how quickly a child grows up, my eldest is 25 next week and gets married on the 27th. The bag you commented about is a Givenchy tote honey xx

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    1. My eldest turned 13 this year and I felt sad that time was flying by:( X The bag was gorgeous - Ive been on the hunt for a black tote - I thought it'd special knowing you and your good taste in bags!

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    1. Hes hanging in there, but can;t talk, walk or feed himself anymore. Its a slow decline and painful to watch , but I know he will fight to the end! He doesn't really recognise me anymore, but I'm sure he registers something when I visit. Thank you for asking - it's a hard road to walk . XX

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  7. I firmly believe us working Mum's get so much more done....because we have too? I find I also really make the most of my days off too, and try to have a little 'me' time if I can? And we have more in common.........Oyster Bay, my favourite!! xx

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    1. You are so right - I just plough on as I know it wont be done otherwise! Oyster Bay is a great remedy! X

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  8. Sounds like a good half term break, with lots of my favourite things judging by the photos!
    It's hard being a working Mum, I know - have a good week!

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    1. It is indeed! Am hoping for part time at some point!! X

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  9. Cake and oyster bay we have similar tastes

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    1. I must admit to buying the cake at a school fayre!

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  10. Lovely pictures and glad you had a good half term. I can really relate to your other post and when I went up to four days things were just unmanageable at home...I was behind with everything, too tired to even organise anything. Now I'm back at three but cleaning is slipping and I have just decided we are getting a cleaner!! Hats off to you full time my love, it's hard work xx ps often think of your dad and wonder how things are

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    1. It is almost impossible to keep up! I will also keep my cleaner if I go part time next year as I get no time off at all otherwise. I am working a 60 hour week at the moment - it is brutal!! X

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