A while ago I posted about how well Katie is doing at school. Since then Sam has had his end of year report and achieved level 6s in maths and Science. English results will be out in September. He had a good report, is 'maturing' and less 'chatty' in class and making good progress in all subjects. A letter dropped on the mat yesterday from the Assistant Head letting me know how pleased they were with Sam's Science and progress. According to the figures released with his report only 3 students achieved a level 7 in science! A good start to his GCSE years!
Meanwhile Katie has been given 5 practice 11+ maths papers to complete over the holidays under test conditions. So far so good, she has done two papers so far and achieved 82% and 93%, but boy does she get herself into a state while doing them. I guess she's a perfectionist like her mother! There was nothing on the papers she didn't know how to tackle, the loss of marks came from mistakes in her calculations and a lack of time to be able to check her work. Fortunately, even though the 11+ test date has shifted from January to November she still has plenty of time to get used to timed conditions.
So once, again, I'm a proud mum.
Back to the packing!
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Sunday, July 29, 2007
Cotswolds
We've just returned from a lovely weekend visiting friends in another beautiful place, Bourton on Water, AKA Venice of the Cotswolds. Luckily it wasn't affected too badly from the flooding although there was evidence that things weren't as dry as they normally are (see photos). We got lucky, the sun came out although it was quite chilly for this time of year (no surprises there then)!
The river Windrush, gushing!
our lovely Kate.
These were some quaint cottages at Stow on the Wold. You can just see a stream at the left hand edge of the photo, it obviously casued some concern, see next photo:
The river had burst its banks at the edge of the Trout farm at Stow.
Sam, enjoying the added water attractions at Bourton!
Us! Not a bad piccie considering I just held the camera at arm's length and clicked!
Watching the fast flowing water at Stow.
The river, breeching the entrance to the trout farm at Stow.
Let's hope there's more sun and less flooding at Coin, Spain next week!
The river Windrush, gushing!
our lovely Kate.
These were some quaint cottages at Stow on the Wold. You can just see a stream at the left hand edge of the photo, it obviously casued some concern, see next photo:
The river had burst its banks at the edge of the Trout farm at Stow.
Sam, enjoying the added water attractions at Bourton!
Us! Not a bad piccie considering I just held the camera at arm's length and clicked!
Watching the fast flowing water at Stow.
The river, breeching the entrance to the trout farm at Stow.Let's hope there's more sun and less flooding at Coin, Spain next week!
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Sad eyes.
One of my fave songs by Enrique, I've been listening to it today and hadn't realised that another of my faves, Bruce Springsteen has sung it too.
Which do I prefer? I think Enrique's. Simply because his voice is far sexier :)
You decide...
Bruce's
or
Enrique's
Not so keen on Enrique's Ping Pong song on the other hand:
Perhaps it will grow on me.
Which do I prefer? I think Enrique's. Simply because his voice is far sexier :)
You decide...
Bruce's
or
Enrique's
Not so keen on Enrique's Ping Pong song on the other hand:
Perhaps it will grow on me.
Busy with photos
I had 8 months worth of unorganized digital photos! They're sorted and baked up now. Took a while, but it was good to look back on the last 8 months. We've had some fun. Here's a quick look at some of the best...
Even the stuffed animals got out and about for some sightseeing from the car window... but Charlie the Chimp got travelsick, just look at his face!
In April we decided to decorate the study, this meant moving everything into the conservatory....
Since then, all it has done is....
Even the stuffed animals got out and about for some sightseeing from the car window... but Charlie the Chimp got travelsick, just look at his face!
In April we decided to decorate the study, this meant moving everything into the conservatory....
Since then, all it has done is....
Sunday, July 08, 2007
Veggies, flowers and digging.
I have a great sense of satisfaction this morning after a hard day's work yesterday. We needed a path to our shed, stepping stones just weren't good enough when it rains (I keep my tumble dryer in the shed). It took me two hours to remove dirt from turf (redistribute dirt into new flower bed and lug turf up to brown recycling bin in the garage)and dig down almost 3 inches ready for Lee to lay the new path (my choice, I like to be outside!). You can imagine how my muscles ache this morning, no need to do any exercise today that's for sure! Once the path laying was underway I had to carry the bricks/stones from the top of the stairs by our garage down into the garden, that was the hardest bit!
Once the path was laid I thought it was about time I put up some photos of how busy I've been these last few months. Here you go... enjoy!
My babies (spinach, lettuce, carrots and spring onions):
My real babies!
(a friend on the left, Katie on the right)
Oh yes, and my final joy, I've now lost 4 pounds since the beginning of May...slow but sure, perhaps that way it will stay off!
Once the path was laid I thought it was about time I put up some photos of how busy I've been these last few months. Here you go... enjoy!
My babies (spinach, lettuce, carrots and spring onions):
My real babies!
(a friend on the left, Katie on the right)
Oh yes, and my final joy, I've now lost 4 pounds since the beginning of May...slow but sure, perhaps that way it will stay off!
Thursday, July 05, 2007
The countdown begins!
Less than a month til we set off to Spain, which hopefully will have alot more sun and alot less rain than here!
My cases are out and half packed (yes, I'm that sad!) with all sorts of loverly new summer clothes and shoes.
I'm a measly 3 pounds lighter than I was when I started seriously trying to lose some weight back at the beginning of May, but I've got a nice hourglass figure now and probably got alot more muscle in my legs, and I'm a whole lot fitter (I can run at 10km/h, the max speed on my treadmill whereas in February 6.5km/h was seriously hard work!). I've done quite a few 5ks on the treadmill and outside and am now training for a half marathon in October! Come and join me and a whole bunch of other joggers/runners.
My home grown spinach,lettuce, carrots and spring onions are deeelicious, but my tomato plants are looking a bit weedy. They're no replacement for the odd treat though... Walls Feast vs homegrown veg...no contest!
My cases are out and half packed (yes, I'm that sad!) with all sorts of loverly new summer clothes and shoes.
I'm a measly 3 pounds lighter than I was when I started seriously trying to lose some weight back at the beginning of May, but I've got a nice hourglass figure now and probably got alot more muscle in my legs, and I'm a whole lot fitter (I can run at 10km/h, the max speed on my treadmill whereas in February 6.5km/h was seriously hard work!). I've done quite a few 5ks on the treadmill and outside and am now training for a half marathon in October! Come and join me and a whole bunch of other joggers/runners.
My home grown spinach,lettuce, carrots and spring onions are deeelicious, but my tomato plants are looking a bit weedy. They're no replacement for the odd treat though... Walls Feast vs homegrown veg...no contest!
Friday, June 22, 2007
Happy Bunny
Hi Bloggers,
Nothing much to say. Still exercising, gardening and learning Spanish. Feeling alot more healthy and relaxed since I packed up work. Perhaps that's why I'm not posting as much, I don't need the therapy :)
Just off into the garden now to separate some tomato plants, lots of dark clouds looming though, probably won't be out there long! Perhaps I'll take some photos of the progress I've made with my planting.
Nothing much to say. Still exercising, gardening and learning Spanish. Feeling alot more healthy and relaxed since I packed up work. Perhaps that's why I'm not posting as much, I don't need the therapy :)
Just off into the garden now to separate some tomato plants, lots of dark clouds looming though, probably won't be out there long! Perhaps I'll take some photos of the progress I've made with my planting.
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
About all the things that are important to me.
Healthy eating and exercise have become my main priority, what with the summer coming :)
Sparkpeople has been a great motivation. It's taken me a while to get used to reducing my calorie intake (I was shocked at how many I had been consuming). Exercise has become a big part of my life now, and I feel alot better for it. I've branched out from treadmilling, to weights, aerobics, and the odd bit of cycling (but it has to be warm outside for that otherwise I get earache!)
I haven't lost weight since the beginning of the year, but something should start happening soon what with the reduced calorie intake and the amount of exercise I am doing.
And because Sparkpeople has become part of my daily life I am abandoning my jogtilyoudrop blog. I log all my food and exercise, as well as my health-related blogging here. I can't be doing with keeping track of it all in more than once place!
Spanish is still important to me too. It was coming along nicely. I was starting to look at the preterite, future and conditional...and then our evening classes came to a halt last week as our tutor returned to Spain to start a Phd. So I need to look for another class, I really need the listening practice. Mum and I try to get together once a week now for a jog then some Spanish. We are also trying to set each other some homework for those times when the kids are off school and we can't get a word in edgeways!
Sam and Katie are enjoying a break from school after working hard at their SATs. Katie did really well achieving level 5s, a level above average for her year group. Proud mum! She deserves it, she is very motivated and diligent. Sam's results won't be with us til July and although he hates homework he knuckles down in class and should have done fine too.
I didn't get a position as an Edexcel script marker this year, but I have reapplied for 2008. In the meantime I'm continuing to test KE308 and KE312. I don't want alot of work, not now that things are running smoothly at home, just something to bring in a few extra pennies so I will keep my eyes open for any opportunities.
Right, I have a pile of ironing to tackle while my herberts are busy (Katie is at a friend's after a sleepover, and Sam has the nieghbours in to play Runescape), I'm off to find me a good DVD :)
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
What I've been up to the last couple of weeks
eating...too much...but trying, again, to get that sorted. Seems being at home is making it much more difficult to resist temptation! However, that is the one and only downside to me being a 'domestic goddess'.
Exercising...not enough, but more than last year! Still treadmilling my way to a clear mind. Discovered a website called Sparkpeople that is a great help in logging what I have achieved (or not!) and getting advice and support from others seeking a healthy lifestyle.
Gardening...my little veggies are growing nicely now. Pictures to follow.
Decorating...our 'den' is almost finished, again, photos to follow. All that needs to be done is to get my OU certificates up on the wall (they're finally framed!) and a few bits of filing put away tidily.
Family...seeing more of mum and dad now that they are permanently home from the seas of the Caribbean. They have become my once-a-week jogging partners, but not this week, mum and I have sore tonsils and are feeling rather lethargic.
Cars...highlight of the month.....we sold your reliable Peugeot 206 and are now the proud owners of an Audi TT. Hub has wanted one for ages and we thought, why not, while we can! Kids don't fit too well in the back, but we're a two car family and the other car is bigger. The Audi is for hub and me, for our 'couple time' when Lee gets time off during the week, when the kids are at school and we get to go out and about for lunch.
On a more sober note, I discovered today that my aunt, who has suffered from bowel cancer for a few years, is finally on morphine and has, at best, 10 days left with us. Particularly terrible for my cousins who also lost their dad to cancer 15 years ago.
Exercising...not enough, but more than last year! Still treadmilling my way to a clear mind. Discovered a website called Sparkpeople that is a great help in logging what I have achieved (or not!) and getting advice and support from others seeking a healthy lifestyle.
Gardening...my little veggies are growing nicely now. Pictures to follow.
Decorating...our 'den' is almost finished, again, photos to follow. All that needs to be done is to get my OU certificates up on the wall (they're finally framed!) and a few bits of filing put away tidily.
Family...seeing more of mum and dad now that they are permanently home from the seas of the Caribbean. They have become my once-a-week jogging partners, but not this week, mum and I have sore tonsils and are feeling rather lethargic.
Cars...highlight of the month.....we sold your reliable Peugeot 206 and are now the proud owners of an Audi TT. Hub has wanted one for ages and we thought, why not, while we can! Kids don't fit too well in the back
On a more sober note, I discovered today that my aunt, who has suffered from bowel cancer for a few years, is finally on morphine and has, at best, 10 days left with us. Particularly terrible for my cousins who also lost their dad to cancer 15 years ago.
Tuesday, May 08, 2007
Enrique....at last!
Enrique has a new album due for release in June, not that I am bored of the 3 other CDs I have, but more would be lovely!
If you haven't heard Enrique, here y'go...
and this is probably my favourite...
Not only does Enrique sing it beautifully but it also reminds me of some very happy times on the road in our campervan.
Lastly, if you're so inclined you can sing along to any of his tunes! I'd like to join you, but when I'm pounding away on my treadmill, the best I can do it mouth the words! Besides, I'd never do the songs justice and would probably upset the neighbours :o)
Monday, May 07, 2007
Where have I been for the past few weeks....
not far, I am still here...albeit noncommunicatively :O)
Been a bit busy of late. Not with work, although I have done some OU testing for KE308 this week, and did one day's casual work two weeks ago when they were desperate and clearly didn't want to pay a supply teacher!
I've been busy looking after my health, more so with exercise than with decent eating, but I'm working on getting back into good habits with food (even made my own chicken and veg soup today and son ate it, so it can't have been too bad as he doesn't, like his father, 'do' soup!)
I've also been busy pottering in the garden. The spinach, lettuces and carrots that I planted from seed are doing nicely. I was given a bit of raspberry plant from my brother in law and that has survived and is looking strong. Spring onions have stems...not sure how they are doing beneath the ground and am resisting the temptation to pull one! Cress was sampled yesterday in a salad, very tasty :o)
I attempted to separate some of the lettuces yesterday, they haven't wilted today so all should be well!
I also had to recover lots of spinach seedlings from the patio because this morning the wind and rain blew over the plastic pot they were growing in! I poked them back into the compost as best I could, it remains to be seen if they survive!
Spanish is coming along nicely, at least on paper, understanding it spoken is quite a different kettle of fish and is going to take time. Don't bother checking out my Spanish blog as I never really got it off the ground, it took much messing around trying to include accents and upside-down question marks!
Quite a few photos to upload to Flickr this week. Mainly of the decorating (the room's finally finished!), the garden and a trip to see my nieces last weekend.
Been a bit busy of late. Not with work, although I have done some OU testing for KE308 this week, and did one day's casual work two weeks ago when they were desperate and clearly didn't want to pay a supply teacher!
I've been busy looking after my health, more so with exercise than with decent eating, but I'm working on getting back into good habits with food (even made my own chicken and veg soup today and son ate it, so it can't have been too bad as he doesn't, like his father, 'do' soup!)
I've also been busy pottering in the garden. The spinach, lettuces and carrots that I planted from seed are doing nicely. I was given a bit of raspberry plant from my brother in law and that has survived and is looking strong. Spring onions have stems...not sure how they are doing beneath the ground and am resisting the temptation to pull one! Cress was sampled yesterday in a salad, very tasty :o)
I attempted to separate some of the lettuces yesterday, they haven't wilted today so all should be well!
I also had to recover lots of spinach seedlings from the patio because this morning the wind and rain blew over the plastic pot they were growing in! I poked them back into the compost as best I could, it remains to be seen if they survive!
Spanish is coming along nicely, at least on paper, understanding it spoken is quite a different kettle of fish and is going to take time. Don't bother checking out my Spanish blog as I never really got it off the ground, it took much messing around trying to include accents and upside-down question marks!
Quite a few photos to upload to Flickr this week. Mainly of the decorating (the room's finally finished!), the garden and a trip to see my nieces last weekend.
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
This week...
Been back from Spain for almost a week now, and the weather here has been better than it was there! I got in a few hours on the sun lounger and devoured two good books, the rest of the time we went out and about as it was too cloudy for sitting around or swimming (although I did brave the 17 degree pool for 2 x 15 lengths).
So what have I been up to?
We continue to do a bit more to the decorating downstairs, got the coving up and holes in the walls filled ready to do the sanding this coming weekend. Planned out how to fit computer desk, pool table (new addition to the room), treadmill, sofa (new adition to the room...will keep the kids away from the 'living' room so hub can continue his zombie-like state betwen night shifts!) and enough shelves to house my favourite books collection of OU books and novels. Not an easy task in a room that is 3.5 x 3.5 m! And not easy even though I have already sold hundreds of pounds worth of books on ebay! Still, it should all fit, and if we treat ourselves to a flat screen on the wall the kids will have a nice den, and I will have a nice area to get away from the rubbish on the TV to read, exercise, or use the internet.
I've discovered green fingers! We have a small corner of the patio that had no use (it's at the top of some steps which now go nowhere - they used to lead up to the dinig room before we added a two storey extension 9 years ago) and I have made it my growing patch! I've planted seeds for carrots, baby lettuces and spinach. I also bought some patio pots and have planted chives, cress and tomatoes. We'll probably get a ground frost now!
Anyone who knows me fairly well will know that I'm not much of a domestic goddess, but I am trying! I do enjoy pottering about the garden with my secateurs (spelling?), now I am doing something a bit more productive and may (or may not!) save a few pennies on the food bill. I'd like to give potatoes, broccoli, and strawberries a go but don't have much space, other than room for more patio pots.
Next, to improve my domestic skills I intend to have a go at some proper home cooking or baking! Sounds more tricky than planting so I am having a think about this one! Grabs a few library books with some glossy pictures of deliciosu looking dishes and am weighing up how easy they look to make, and how much stuff I will need to buy (herbs? flour? loaf tin? flan dish? I only have salt and vinegar in my cupboard,and a baking tray and 2 roasting tins in the oven!!)
Healthy eating got a bit slack in Spain I rediscovered the taste of crisps and chocolate and wasn't very active...I know I've put on a few pounds, so I can't wait to get back on the treadmill. I was tempted by a resistance band in Tesco, well, it was only a fiver, so I got it and have looked up some moves on the Web. I also dusted off my dumbells (had them almost ten years and they've never bene used!) and got another library book on what to do with them!
Practising Spanish also got a bit slack in the lead up to the holiday, but I did use it to order food and drove family potty telling them anything I could translate, from food packets to electoral advertisments! Evening classes start again this week and I really should be looking at the preterite tense, but I have two chapters to test for KE312 by the weekend.
I'd better get cracking then!
So what have I been up to?
We continue to do a bit more to the decorating downstairs, got the coving up and holes in the walls filled ready to do the sanding this coming weekend. Planned out how to fit computer desk, pool table (new addition to the room), treadmill, sofa (new adition to the room...will keep the kids away from the 'living' room so hub can continue his zombie-like state betwen night shifts!) and enough shelves to house my favourite books collection of OU books and novels. Not an easy task in a room that is 3.5 x 3.5 m! And not easy even though I have already sold hundreds of pounds worth of books on ebay! Still, it should all fit, and if we treat ourselves to a flat screen on the wall the kids will have a nice den, and I will have a nice area to get away from the rubbish on the TV to read, exercise, or use the internet.
I've discovered green fingers! We have a small corner of the patio that had no use (it's at the top of some steps which now go nowhere - they used to lead up to the dinig room before we added a two storey extension 9 years ago) and I have made it my growing patch! I've planted seeds for carrots, baby lettuces and spinach. I also bought some patio pots and have planted chives, cress and tomatoes. We'll probably get a ground frost now!
Anyone who knows me fairly well will know that I'm not much of a domestic goddess, but I am trying! I do enjoy pottering about the garden with my secateurs (spelling?), now I am doing something a bit more productive and may (or may not!) save a few pennies on the food bill. I'd like to give potatoes, broccoli, and strawberries a go but don't have much space, other than room for more patio pots.
Next, to improve my domestic skills I intend to have a go at some proper home cooking or baking! Sounds more tricky than planting so I am having a think about this one! Grabs a few library books with some glossy pictures of deliciosu looking dishes and am weighing up how easy they look to make, and how much stuff I will need to buy (herbs? flour? loaf tin? flan dish? I only have salt and vinegar in my cupboard,and a baking tray and 2 roasting tins in the oven!!)
Healthy eating got a bit slack in Spain I rediscovered the taste of crisps and chocolate and wasn't very active...I know I've put on a few pounds, so I can't wait to get back on the treadmill. I was tempted by a resistance band in Tesco, well, it was only a fiver, so I got it and have looked up some moves on the Web. I also dusted off my dumbells (had them almost ten years and they've never bene used!) and got another library book on what to do with them!
Practising Spanish also got a bit slack in the lead up to the holiday, but I did use it to order food and drove family potty telling them anything I could translate, from food packets to electoral advertisments! Evening classes start again this week and I really should be looking at the preterite tense, but I have two chapters to test for KE312 by the weekend.
I'd better get cracking then!
Saturday, April 07, 2007
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