checking-in




Oh my friends, it has been one busy week. Yes, I am always busy but this week it really felt busy. You see, the new academic term is approaching and the demands of work have increased dramatically. There is so much still to do and I am not sure when to do it. I am also not sure when I last brushed my hair. I will brush it on Monday, I have to give a webinar and don't want to frighten any potential fee paying students. The house has been neglected because I was too tired to care. There is was (see below) a light crunch under my feet when walking through the house. Seriously, it is was dirty, quite possibly not microbiologically safe.

Anyway, I thought I'd squeeze in a little blog post with random news of the week.

I started off the week with a nice dinner out (work, unusual). I missed yoga on that night. Even I can't be in two places at once (although it sometimes feels like it).  I had cullen skink for starter and shallot tarte tatin for main. It is a shame that the chef sprinkled lots of chopped coriander on the cullen skink. Why anyone would want to spoil a classic Scottish dish is beyond my grasp.

I had my performance and development review at work. I have been in post for six months only so was spared being rated but my line manager and I set objectives for next year. I really like her, she is so supportive and also realistic.

I emailed our human resources department to find out why I had so few days of annual leave left. It turns out that I have not 6 days of leave left but 14. Yes, 14. HR had forgotten to credit me with leave not taken when I moved from one contract to the next. I could have had more holidays over the summer! I won't be able to take much time off until December because it is term time.

I managed to squeeze in two training runs. My plantar fasciitis is finally under control and I started jogging again. I have signed up for a 5 k race on Halloween. I am fit enough to start with week 4 of my Zombies, Run training app but I want to go slow and gentle to avoid a flare up and started with week 1

James and Alistair have been a complete pain in the butt. They argue and fight so much that I can see no other solution than to keep them apart. The cub scout leader complained, too. I decided that from now on, they have to take turns going to scouts. Maybe they'll get the message. I remain hopeful. The older teenager has also been a pain in the butt. It is like he poops mess wherever he goes. You know, like a snail track, painted in litter rather than slime. At least he got his act together and went for an open day at University. I signed him and my mum up for another one next week. I have yet to tell my mum. I am sure they'll have fun. Annie on the other hand has been a delight. We only argued first thing in the morning and only because she changed her routine and clashed with me in the kitchen.

I have not done anything crafty at all. I have a finished single sock waiting for a twin, a quilt top with no backing and lots of discounted jersey that beckons to be transformed into tops. I hope I can squeeze some knitting in next week. At least it has been payday so I can buy some batting for the quilt. I cannot tell you how exiting this is.

I have not read a single line for fun.

I haven't read a single blog post all week, just the 'headlines' and I have withdrawal symptoms.

Jack rolled in something unmentionable this morning, with his dog pal Rudie. Both were covered in poo. I had to drag the beast into the shower. He wasn't keen, preferring eau de poo over dog shampoo fragrance. I barely dared to breathe, he stank so much. Jack was shampooed twice but managed to shake a fine spray of soapy poo water all over me. I considered drowning him but I am glad I didn't because I love him so much. The shower cubicle was sprayed with bleach and then scrubbed. My mother called just as I was going to get myself sanitised. I think I may have had a small tantrum. I smell like a bottle of bleach.

The shopping is done.

I had a chat with Richard, who is in Colombia for work. He mentioned another trip to Brazil later this year. My next conference is in Glasgow. Lucky, eh?

My mother is arriving tomorrow to spend a week with us. Wish her luck, she will need it, it is riotous in this household. Mind you, we'll be out of the house for work and school so maybe not too bad. I hope she has plenty of books in her suitcase. Her imminent arrival was a good incentive to clean the house this afternoon. I rounded up the troops to help. I can tell you in confidence that they were not happy and there was a lot of shouting. To be fair, it was mostly me doing the shouting, but the house is acceptable now, which is good, and most of the laundry is done.

On that note, I am off to put sheets on the beds, send the boys to bed and then I'll pour myself a gigantic gin & tonic. Sleep well! xx

P.S. My heart just broke. ,James' best friends rang the bell on the way back from the playground.  That late? Not to ask James to play but to have an urgent pee (in my freshly cleaned bathroom). James was in bed playing his Nintendo and I hoped he'd not notice. But he did.

Second P.S. I removed the 'follow by email' feature from this blog. There was sudden increase in followers (by and order of magnitude, from 39 to over 600). Most email addresses had a whiff of spam. I am sure there were quite a few genuine followers and I sorry if you are affected by this. Can I suggest you follow using bloglovin, or the blogger feed? Thank you.


Comments

  1. Oh my! I know I shouldn't be laughing but I'm practically wetting myself. You write so well Christina and I felt I lived every trauma of your week. Well done on the good news and commiserations on the children...hey ho it can only get better :). Hope your mum has a wonderful week and I'm glad your house is now clean. In my books that means no more housework for at least a month. Enjoy the G and T and good luck with the running. B x

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  2. You have such patience dealing with 4 children, I barely survived one. Neither she nor I was a morning person so I'd fix her breakfast and we'd eat in separate rooms. Less sparking at each other. Too bad the little ones aren't getting along. Hope your Mom enjoys her visit.

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  3. Arguing boys here too, sigh. They just LOVE to wind each other up to breaking point. Sorry about the doggie, I am braced for the day Bertie does such a thing. He is keen on cow pats but I've managed to grab onto him before the roll so far. He's covered in burrs tonight but he's not keen on the comb or the brush so we've come to an agreement. I'll put them away and leave him alone and he'll carry on as he was. Hope it's a good week and that you enjoy your mum's visit. CJ xx

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  4. Arh bless you Christina. You never fail to bring a smile, not that I delight in your suffering, of course not! As Coastal Ripples said - you write so well. I'm just getting into knitting socks - very addictive. Hope things ease up a bit for you. Have a good week. Cathy x

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  5. Sorry but OMG to your mother arriving, that would finish me off completely (if it was my Mum I mean, I'm sure yours is delightful).
    Night night,
    Jillxo

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  6. You write so well and interestingly about day to day life! Hope you all enjoy having your mum to stay :)

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  7. I wish I was right there next to you drinking a gin and tonic and talking about our week. I worked more patients this week than I have in my life, that includes driving 2 1/2 hours a day. I made myself so ill by Thursday I had a huge migraine and have not recovered yet. This is my first venture into blogland this whole week. I did read a few lines but did not progress on my sweater. I thought about sewing again then laughed myself silly at the prospect of wasted time and money on something that will never work for me. Must be my scrambled brain talking to me. Hope your Mom will rescue the situation and put all to right. Be kind to yourself my dear friend, motherhood and working is not for sissies.

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  8. I remember those days so well, it does get better eventually, when they move out! I am joking of course! Have a great week with your um staying.

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  9. Goodness.. your pace of life rose my blood pressure just reading it.. LOL! I'm so glad I'm retired and have given up on the dream of a tidy house.. hehe. But I admire you greatly for keeping all those balls in the air as you juggle it all so expertly. Enjoy your mom's visit! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  10. I went to have a g & t last night but there was only flat tonic. I obviously need to drink more! I love your writing - it makes me laugh (kindly of course!). Hope you get some knitting time in. I'm knitting during my university time..... eeeeeekkkkk

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  11. What a week! The way you have written about family life and its challenges here is brilliant. Better than any how to parent guide because it's so real. Our dog also has a penchant for poo. Worst scenario was they day he decided to stick his whole face in a rather runny one on a walk. Lovely!

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  12. Goodness me, I'm out of breath reading this, I think I need a g&t now. I hope your week/children/life settle down a little, it sounds like you need it!

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  13. You write beautifully! I hope the pre-school rush settles down soon.

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  14. Oh wow, you have had a hell of a week, haven't you. How do you manage it all. =) Dogs and poo, why oh why do they feel the need to smother themselves in it. Hope you have a quieter week. Enjoy your visit with your mum.

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  15. Whenever I'm feeling really sorry for myself, I exaggerate the problem - "and then I had to walk the dog in the rain. With no shoes on. Over shards of broken glass. I may never walk again" - until it makes me laugh and then I feel better. I hope that writing down your tumultuous week was cathartic and made you smile as you realised that you are in fact Wonder Woman and you're still alive (and so are your kids!). I think that every parent in the country is now counting the minutes until the school doors open again and you'll hear the collective sighs of relief next week like an audible breeze! :) xx

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  16. You're so funny, Christina. I love reading about your daily life. I hope you were able to get some quiet time in the evening after all was said and done. I'm changing beds and washing bedding today and it's not my favorite chore but it seems like the whole house is cleaner after it's finished. It's better than clean bathrooms, even. So at least I have that going for me. :)

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  17. Oh Christina, sometimes the chaos and disorder just win but it is good you can laugh about it... although probably not at the time. You do make me laugh. At least the house is now clean and you've got your Mum there. Hoping this week is better xxx

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  18. A cracking blog post which I really enjoyed reading. I identify with the coriander, not keen on it myself, and am whooping at your return to running. Dogs rolling in poo is a weekly occurrence here. They go in the bath. They don't like it. Hope you have a calmer week 😆 X

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  19. Goodness Christina, you are busy! I feel out of breath just reading this, but I know that in a few weeks time I will be feeling exactly the same. Please PLEASE try and make a little time for yourself, somewhere, anywhere. I hope you had a moment of two this weekend.

    And as for the coriander, on Cullen Skink...why? I love coriander, but parsley would surely have worked better if the chef really felt that they had to scatter something green over a dish.

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  20. Oh, I bet that G&T went down a treat! Well done on all the running in such a busy week and allowing access to the freshly cleaned facilities. Not sure I'd have been so accommodating.

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  21. There's nothing quite like reading about someone else's life and you do make us feel that we are right there with you, Christina.Thankfully, juggling home, work, and battling children is not in my daily activities, but that doesn't mean I don't enjoy reading your recaps. Too bad about Jack (and you too) and wonder why it is that dogs revel in rolling in poo?

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Thank you for visiting and leaving a comment, I love to hear from you, I really do. I sometimes reply by email but I am not all that reliable... Christina xx

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