that Friday feeling

This working week went by in a blur.

I have learned how to fold a ninja star from two squares of paper. Alistair absolutely needs ninja stars and I am happy to help. Origami never ceases to fascinate. Who came up with the idea to make a paper ninja star and how to make it? If you are not familiar with ninja stars, fear not. It is only an essential item of survival for preteen boys.

I was cornered by the headteacher this week, when I dropped James' bike of for cycling proficiency after school club. Ok, she didn't corner me exactly but we bumped into each other in the corridor and she had been meaning to call. She is a nice head teacher, she is kind and "her" children are what she cares most about. It may be an obvious thing to aspire to for any headteacher but I can assure you, it is not the case for all. The last one we had seemed most interested in progressing her career. She was also incredibly patronising. But I digress, as I so often do. Alistair needs a bit of extra help with comprehension. He is a good reader but it is mostly mechanical, nothing much sticks. He thinks about ninja stars while reading. The headteacher wanted to ask me if I would mind if she personally would work with Alistair on a daily basis. Hell, no, I am delighted.

The headteacher also mentioned that James and Alistair often get into fights with each other. She is not the first one to notice that. The scout leaders have complained, as have the holiday club leaders and after school club carers. It is one of the big burdens in my life, not doubt because I misbehaved in my past life. They have to be kept separate whenever possible, or have to be closely supervised. Cleaning teeth at the same time? Absolutely not. Going to bed at the same time? Dream on. I am constantly on my guard, making sure they are not within reach of each other for an accidental shove. Brotherly love.

Talking of burdens. It has been a very difficult week with my darling daughter. She is so much like me, she likes things to be just right but just right sometimes has a narrow definition, is unachievable or is based on a world not like our own. The Sims maybe? I remain cautiously optimistic that the end of the dark tunnel is near. Sometimes I can see a light.

I went shopping with Sam. It was an interesting experience, I dare say I even enjoyed it. Sam is not a fashion icon (dress sense is somewhat missing in our family) but he felt that he needed to get some essentials for his new life as a university student. We bought his first branded jeans - ever. Lots of long sleeved shirts to accentuate his sexy forearms (his words) and a SuperDry bomber jacket with a fur framed hood. Indeed. I like to spend time with Sam just now. If only he was a bit less messy in the kitchen! He made a meat loaf yesterday and measured every ingredient into an individual glass, tsp of salt here, tbsp of mustard there.... His approach is that of a fancy TV chef but without the cleaning crew to tidy up. The meatloaf was delicious. The hob was unrecognisable.

I have receptive strain injury in my forearm. I am not sure what the root cause is but I have been mousing much more than usual at work because I have quite a lot of recordings to edit. It might have exacerbated a long niggling pain. Mousing by they way is a word that someone else made up, not me. I heard it on a video about improving the work space environment. If fail on all fronts it seems, although my posture is good because I sit on a ball and cannot slump. I can still sew so all is good.

I have now sewed just under 300 hexagons together. I am not bored yet. Soon I'll reach the half way point, which is always bitter sweet. I have already decided on my next hand sewing project, it is my favourite way to pass time just now. I take a little bag of hexies to work and make myself sit in the cafeteria for 30 minutes at lunch time. It is good for my motivation and wellbeing.

I am running out of things to say. I am ready for a cosy night in. I might even pour myself a gin and tonic, if there is tonic and ice. That Friday feeling, eh? Have a good weekend. xx