Five on Friday - the rushed edition
I think I have moved into a different time continuum from the rest of the world, I don't seem to be able to keep track of time at all!
I thought I'd write a quick Five on Friday post to capture what has been happening in our lives. Just in case the alternative time continuum traps me permanently.
:: Catching up with an old friend last weekend reminded me of the importance to take care of my friendships more and make sure they do not dwindle. I used to have a weekly coffee with at least one of my friends but these days with full time work and a workplace that is off the beaten track, this is no longer possible. I miss a good chat. Having said that, the coffee has been replaced with a weekly dog walk with one of my good friends so not all is doomed.
:: The extension is now resembling the architect drawings. I worry continuously about something or other but try to tell myself that at this stage I really have no control over anything other than paint colour. We are going to loose the last of our temporary kitchen next week. This is to pull the remaining internal wall down. I am not that worried about a lack of kitchen but the lack of a washing machine terrifies me.
:: I survived another Halloween. I am a complete Halloween Grinch (before he was a reformed man that is). I just can't stand it. Richard takes the kids guising, which is fine by me. For years I have been guilt tripped into being the one opening the doors for the trick or treaters with their terrible jokes and sticky fingers. This year I couldn't bear the thought of it. I put all the treats in a big bowl and placed it next to the pumpkin on the front steps, together with a big note saying 'help yourselves, the master witch is out'. Then I retreated to a dark room and watched Star Trek Voyager re-runs on my computer.
:: Exciting development are happening at work and I may be still in employment this time next year.
:: The children are really awful. Actually, it is largely Annie and James that are awful, as Alistair pointed out yesterday when I was having a breakdown at dinner time. The two middle ones bicker and fight and shout and slam doors. Not just with each other but with everyone one else, too.
:: and because life cannot always be summarised in five points, here an additional noteworthy 6th. Richard and I went out for dinner. I can honestly not remember the last time before this. We went to Shilla, a Korean restaurant on Argyle Street. I can highly recommend it if you are visiting.
Sounds like you were ready for that meal out...phew! Glad to hear you are a Trekkie fan too. You would love our tv viewing...totally trekkies since the year dot. Hope the lack of a washing machine doesn't send you over the edge. Hopefully the weekend will be better :) B xx
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your prosecco. You sound like you need it!
ReplyDeleteChristina put your feet up and enjoy some me time, sounds like you need it. Thrilled to hear that your job looks to be continuing, always a bonus to be employed. It does get easier as they grow up, or maybe it got worse before it got better...LOL one thing is for sure you will laugh about all their antics eventually.
ReplyDeleteThe kitchen goes well, so the family has squabbles, it's always one thing or another. Good news about your job. Siblings will get on each other's nerves. We had n only child and she swore I liked the cat better than her.
ReplyDeleteI hope you get some time for yourself soon. You sound stressed out. I'm sorry about the middle kids bickering so much. I find arguing, even when I'm not involved, to be very nerve-wracking. Hopefully you all have a calm weekend ahead.
ReplyDeleteChildren much the same here. I have one who sometimes randomly shouts answers in my face to any question I may have asked. There has to be DRAMA. He has faces he does as well for added effect. "Wounded, unable to speak to you", "Furious, unable to speak to you", "You don't understand me, I am therefore unable to speak to you", oh, you get the picture. I had some texts with a friend last week who said, "We never see you any more". It was all a bit sad. I used to have coffee with six friends once a week. But now no time. I shall make an effort. Glad your job is looking positive. Wishing you a good weekend. Don't worry about the washing machine - friends and launderettes will save you. CJ xx
ReplyDeleteOh dear what a week! Children can be quite tiring, great idea to leave the treats outside and let them help themselves. Great leafy photos.
ReplyDeleteHi Christina, your lovely post had me smiling and nodding in sympathy. My children are 'ok' at the mo but have been awful and I, too, hate halloween. I don't own up to that often because everyone else seems to love it. I'm glad to have found a fellow grinch. Friends - yes, very important :-) I hope you have a lovely weekend. Staying in with a drink sounds great but I've got the tap dancing run to do then birthday drinks for an acquaintance in a pub later. It's pouring with rain and I'd rather stay at home. See - I am an all-round grinch. Oh dear! Sam x
ReplyDeleteLOL. We've done that with the sweets before. Seems easier especially since we live on a hill and very few people want to walk up it! I didn't participate this year - bah humbug.
ReplyDeleteHappy Five on Friday
Did leaving the candy outside work out? I had guests for dinner, so I put my bucket right in the middle of the top step. They still rang the doorbell and then no one would be there. Guess they were just saying "thank you". Anyway, we took turns going to the door. Thankfully, the diningroom is right off the entryway, so it all worked out.
ReplyDeleteHey Christina,
ReplyDeleteYou are not alone in the dislike of Halloween or having awful kids. Both Alf and Olly have frankly been vile this week. In fact I had to get my sis in law round on Tuesday morning to sort Alf out. I could no longer cope. I haven't written a blog post for an age, and am still searching for that laugh. Enjoy that Prosecco; you thorough deserve it.
Leanne xx
Oh I'm sorry to say but I absolutely loved hearing about how awful the children are. It's so refreshing to know that I was not alone. Mine were awful too. I had 2 of my own and 3 step-children in one quite small house. They were all teenagers and it was terrible. The only thing I enjoy about Halloween is seeing the children trick or treating and we don't get any here at our house so.....
ReplyDeleteTake heart, I'm sure your children are not always awful ;) and they will be better in time...lots of it.
Take heart the children will not always be awful
I meant to say as well that your autumn photos look much like the autumn around here near Boston.
ReplyDeletethe help yourself sweets is great idea. no endless interruptions.
ReplyDeletehurray for the going out for dinner.
I feel your terror at the lack of washing machine.......
So recognisable, Christina; I'm not particularly good at maintaining friendships either. And I totally hate Halloween! XXX
ReplyDeleteYour outside world looks quite similar to ours here in the Pacific Northwest but your indoor life is quite different as we are a lot older than you and our three kids live in their own homes. It is generally very quiet around here. I remember those days when all were underfoot. Hope you have some quiet in your weekend and all goes well with your renovations.
ReplyDeleteI am a Christmas Grinch that has never been reformed. In fact I feel a panic attack coming on just thinking about the damn holiday. As for Halloween, I LOVE it, sticky fingers and all!
ReplyDeleteOn the Halloween front, we had a lot less this year, but probably because it was a school night so they couldn't stay out late. I'm one of those people 'if you can't beat them, join them' and actually enjoy opening the door now. My two have bickered and fought for so many years I can't keep track. The one thing I have learned is not to get in the middle of the fight as it just ends up that they gang up on me! Have a hopefully peaceful Sunday x
ReplyDeleteMy washing machine has been broken for the last 4 days, and I am climbing over the piles of laundry in the kitchen. The engineer is coming tomorrow and I will be running down the path to greet him with outstretched arms! Hopefully the teenage fighting is just a phase, hard to live with though, when my two go through a similar phase I just feel like weeping every day. X
ReplyDeleteI hope you opened that Prosecco and enjoyed it without any interruptions. Your post made me chuckle and I feel the same way about Halloween and put the sweets on the doorstep too!
ReplyDeleteI love this honest post - sometimes life isn't all cozy with rose. Children can be aggravating at times. I hope you had a good weekend, with some time to yourself.
ReplyDeleteOh dear, you sound fed up. I am sorry. Bickering kids and building work would grind the cheeriest person down. We don't go in for Halloween either. We turned off the lights at the front of the house and didn't answer the door. Luckily there are no trick or treaters on our road (too old). The bell only rang once, and it was the window cleaner trying to collect his money.... xx
ReplyDeleteThank goodness for your refreshing honesty. I too loathe Halloween (we stayed away an extra night because of it) and hate the way it has superseded Guy Fawkes night, which was always fun. Our village didn't hold its annual bonfire night this year because of health and safety concerns and I really missed the coming together of the local community. Looking back at my children's teenage years (through rose-tinted specs of course!) the good and the bad used to go in phases and you learn to appreciate the calm peaceful weeks knowing that any day all hell will be let loose once more. It is ridiculous how much we all depend on our washing machines but you mustn't fret - if you have a local laundrette you will be fine and you can do a week's washing in one easy go.
ReplyDelete