August ....ing
It is August and we are well past the halfway mark of this year already.... The nights are getting longer and the other day we woke up to mist. I am not sure if I am ready for this.
Enjoying the colourful flowers in my garden. My dahlias are not as lush and vibrant as Sarah Raven promised but one at least is flowering. An unusual variety at that and I don't remember ordering it but that is probably a reflection of my tired brain. The rudbeckia are just starting to open and the orange crocosima is at its best. It does feel like late summer, that's for sure.
Taking a deep breath - just two more days of school holidays. To be honest, I am totally knackered. I am so done with the holidays. I was working four of the last six weeks and I am lucky to be able to work at home but it is not fun to be there and not present as a parent at the same time.
Struggling with being a confident parent. Don't ask, just too much crap in that corner. For example, my older children think they know best how to bring up the younger ones. The believe in firm discipline, which is rather funny considering the relatively flexible boundaries which they themselves have so enjoyed. I am trying but failing to bring across the message that discipline does not equal humiliation. And so it goes round in circles....
Worrying about James, who is starting secondary school on Wednesday. He is anxious and excited in equal measures, maybe with a sprinkle of panic. It has not been an an easy few months for James but we are finally getting some much needed support. I need to remain optimistic that his confidence grows with time and all falls in place for him. Not helping is the above of course...
Feeling excited for Sam - he found a flat. Fingers crossed all works out. If all goes well, next weekend he'll be staying in his own place. He is currently reading through the 70 page contract, or so he says. I am not sure how I feel about Sam moving out but I am sure I'll miss the unexpected smell of curry/bacon/chocolate cake at random times during the night.
Beavering away on Sam's leaving home quilt. The proportions are epic and the colour scheme not my choosing but I am starting to like it despite the lack of my usual colours. It is coming along quickly. I cut fat quarters into two equally wide strips and then cut these in random length. I am sewing these together without much thought, the only "rules" I am following are that I evenly space the yellows and that I don't sew two pieces of one kind together.
Celebrating Annie's National 5 exam results. She has surpassed her own expectations and is now planning for the future.
Knitting a second Polaris jumper. I wear my first one all the time. I am working my way through my small yarn stash at the moment. This powder pink Drops Alpaca yarn is the last yarn I have a significant amount of. I bought it years ago, on sale.
Loving my couch to 5k programme. I am in week 7 and my knee is holding up. The feel good vibes of slow running are coming back and I know I am on the right path because I feel a bit grouchy when I have to reschedule a running date with Sanjeev Kohli, who is making the pain more bearable. I am finding it quite hard, it is very hilly around here.
Finding new appreciation for the luxury of having a shower room. It was pure joy this morning when I took the first shower in a week. The new shower produces a pleasant jet of water. We also have a rain function through a second shower head but I haven't quite figured out how to use this. The shower room renovation was a success and I am looking forward to the end of this week, when it will be painted. Might sneak in a little trip to Ikea to get some bits and bobs. I am sure Sam will ask to come along :-)
Still waiting for my contract renewal for September. At the moment, only two days of five are in place (I am funded through two different streams). With all that is going on, I am finding this a bit stressful but it is of course not an unusual situation (I have worked at this institution for 20 years with one short term contract after the other).
Looking forward to our October holiday.
Thanks for stopping by and saying hello. It is lovely to see you. Have a lovely week xx
Enjoying the colourful flowers in my garden. My dahlias are not as lush and vibrant as Sarah Raven promised but one at least is flowering. An unusual variety at that and I don't remember ordering it but that is probably a reflection of my tired brain. The rudbeckia are just starting to open and the orange crocosima is at its best. It does feel like late summer, that's for sure.
Taking a deep breath - just two more days of school holidays. To be honest, I am totally knackered. I am so done with the holidays. I was working four of the last six weeks and I am lucky to be able to work at home but it is not fun to be there and not present as a parent at the same time.
Struggling with being a confident parent. Don't ask, just too much crap in that corner. For example, my older children think they know best how to bring up the younger ones. The believe in firm discipline, which is rather funny considering the relatively flexible boundaries which they themselves have so enjoyed. I am trying but failing to bring across the message that discipline does not equal humiliation. And so it goes round in circles....
Worrying about James, who is starting secondary school on Wednesday. He is anxious and excited in equal measures, maybe with a sprinkle of panic. It has not been an an easy few months for James but we are finally getting some much needed support. I need to remain optimistic that his confidence grows with time and all falls in place for him. Not helping is the above of course...
Feeling excited for Sam - he found a flat. Fingers crossed all works out. If all goes well, next weekend he'll be staying in his own place. He is currently reading through the 70 page contract, or so he says. I am not sure how I feel about Sam moving out but I am sure I'll miss the unexpected smell of curry/bacon/chocolate cake at random times during the night.
Beavering away on Sam's leaving home quilt. The proportions are epic and the colour scheme not my choosing but I am starting to like it despite the lack of my usual colours. It is coming along quickly. I cut fat quarters into two equally wide strips and then cut these in random length. I am sewing these together without much thought, the only "rules" I am following are that I evenly space the yellows and that I don't sew two pieces of one kind together.
Celebrating Annie's National 5 exam results. She has surpassed her own expectations and is now planning for the future.
Knitting a second Polaris jumper. I wear my first one all the time. I am working my way through my small yarn stash at the moment. This powder pink Drops Alpaca yarn is the last yarn I have a significant amount of. I bought it years ago, on sale.
Loving my couch to 5k programme. I am in week 7 and my knee is holding up. The feel good vibes of slow running are coming back and I know I am on the right path because I feel a bit grouchy when I have to reschedule a running date with Sanjeev Kohli, who is making the pain more bearable. I am finding it quite hard, it is very hilly around here.
Finding new appreciation for the luxury of having a shower room. It was pure joy this morning when I took the first shower in a week. The new shower produces a pleasant jet of water. We also have a rain function through a second shower head but I haven't quite figured out how to use this. The shower room renovation was a success and I am looking forward to the end of this week, when it will be painted. Might sneak in a little trip to Ikea to get some bits and bobs. I am sure Sam will ask to come along :-)
Still waiting for my contract renewal for September. At the moment, only two days of five are in place (I am funded through two different streams). With all that is going on, I am finding this a bit stressful but it is of course not an unusual situation (I have worked at this institution for 20 years with one short term contract after the other).
Looking forward to our October holiday.
Thanks for stopping by and saying hello. It is lovely to see you. Have a lovely week xx
love reading about your "ings". I'm knitting, using a bunch of 4 ply you posted down under to me probably a couple of years ago now - it's a sock wool blanket and is great brainless knitting around 60plus hours of being a first year teacher!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous photos of your flowers. I love how you've captured the water droplets. Unfortunately work is a horribly necessity; how I revel in my occasional days off. I'm trying to catch up on my crochet. Best, Jane x
ReplyDeleteYour garden is doing very well.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a full life. It's hard when they fly the nest but it's what parenthood is all about - bringing them up to lead their own lives. You will miss him though!
ReplyDeleteNice blooms, Christina, and may be hard to imagine them being gone in a few weeks. Lots of changes going on with Sam getting his own place (hopefully with flat-mates) and the younger ones back to school. Kudos to Annie on her exam results. Nice to hear the new shower room is working out. We have used rain shower heads in hotels when we've traveled and they are very nice. A trip to Ikea is always looked forward to in this household, even if we don't need anything...always fun to poke around. Happy August to you and hope you hear good news soon on the contract renewal.
ReplyDeleteI hope all goes well for James and that the transition isn't too much for him. My Michael has another 6 months until he starts secondary school and is already freaking out. We've got amazing support and special transition days lined up for him but he doesn't cope with change very well so things are very up and down here right now. Your garden is looking wonderful! xx Susan
ReplyDeleteI’d love too your garden! You have so many beautiful flowers. 😊
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to Annie on her exam results. Sam must be really excited to have his own place. I hope James’ first day of school goes really well.
Have a wonderful week. XX
Enjoying your lovelies, the flowers and the quilt. Empathising with you over childcare and grown up children! Hope the flat move and new school go well. Well done to Annie. B x
ReplyDeleteWell done on your Couch to 5k. I have tried several times and can't get beyond Week 4 before my knees begin to object. Out of action totally at present since I am nursing a broken wrist. Congratulations to Annie and good luck to Sam. X Doris
ReplyDeleteYour flowers are all so pretty! I have to say that I'm ready for autumn and longer evenings.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love your quilt. I have kept a copy of the photo for inspiration. Julie
ReplyDeleteWhat gorgeous flowers. How exciting for Sam. The quilt is perfect. I hope all goes well for James. I love being a mother but oh the worries it brings.
ReplyDeleteHi! It is weird but I tried to describe that shaped dahlia to Andy last week and he looked at me blankly - your photo put that one to bed. Exciting times for Sam and the quilt is lovely, in fact Heidi has asked for a navy/mustard/grey one too for her new room at the new house - us oldies have to get with it! Hope you can get settled back into a routine. We are off to South Wales for a few days tomorrow. Hoping for some knitting time. Jo xxx
ReplyDeleteIt's a busy old month and the weather has definitely taken on an autumnal vibe (and I'm not ready for that just yet!) I'm glad you're finding joy in amongst your worries. Your quilt and knitting are lovely.
ReplyDeleteThe parenting advice is amusing until it becomes tiresome. I'm sure it comes from a well meaning place. X
Your summer flowers are bright and cheery even if there is a whiff of autumn in the air. It is hard enough parenting without trying to work from home at the same time thats a lot of balls being juggled. I like Sam's chosen colours for his leaving home quilt, it will be cherished forever for sure. That moving out phase is always a transition for everyone. And how's Jack is he still being adorable?!
ReplyDeleteHappy quilting!
Wren
Good to catch up with your news. Beautiful flowers, I like Sam's quilt, very modern looking. I always enjoy seeing what people are knitting or crocheting, I need to get on with my cardigan. Take care Cx
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