All last week I was rushing from one activity to the next. And when I wasn't rushing, I was sitting at the computer emailing replies to book customers. I was getting up at 6.00am, my usual time, and falling on the sofa at about 7.00-8.00pm. As Jamie was working lates and wasn't around to wake me up and pack me off to bed, I managed to sleep on the sofa until the cat jumped on me or the kids came to say goodnight or someone screamed on the tv. Then I'd get up and drag myself upstairs. I don't like my life much at the moment.

A major part of my stress and busy-ness is the stuff I do for other home-educators. I moderate several home-ed discussion groups and I organise some classes and events. All of this takes time. I've started to try to cut back and hand over the work to others, but this is incredibly difficult as every home-ed mum likes to believe that she is the only one who is really busy. I'm sure they think I enjoy it too, which I do when I'm not feeling overloaded.

Monday
A very difficult meeting with the Youth Pastor from church. We had lots we wanted to say about the way the youth team is run, what we believe about teenagers and how disappointed we've been with the church's response to Grace's dx and lack of inclusion for her. Of course, I cried at one point, despite praying I wouldn't and even letting myself cry in the shower earlier to get it out of the way(thanks for that trick, Liz) which is NOT the best way to express your self, especially to a man. {sigh} I don't think he appreciated much of what Jamie and I said and I have to put that down to him being so young (young enough to be my son, in fact) and inexperienced as a parent. (He has one baby.) Though he did try to understand and has a very good heart. Jack went to his small group in the afternoon and then to a Christians in Sport evangelism training camp in Oxford in the evening.

Tuesday
We worked so hard. The kids caught up with schoolwork and chores. Jamie was around in the morning to help them with Maths (Yay!) I managed to cook something nutritious for lunch while Jamie was home then he was off to work and we scurried about furiously tidying up. The kids watched Night in the Museum. I wrote down book orders and ferretted around the house finding all the books.

Wednesday
Drove for an hour to get to the sports centre. Kids had their swimming lessons, sports group, gymnastics, while I did my weekly grocery shop and a few other errands. I got back to the centre in time to grab some lunch and take them off to kayaking at the lake. The instructor has double booked us (again) and didn't have enough equipment for both groups. Jack and another girl had some weird boat that wasn't even a kayak! The mothers sat huddled under a parasol at the cafe, steaming, expecting me to do something about it. It was raining. I was tired. I didn't have the energy for a confrontation with Pete. We drove 1 1/2 hours home from the lake stopping at various charity shops to buy suitable books to sell. We also stopped at the christian book store and the kids listened to music and I browsed. The highlight of my day. Back home to organise books.

Thursday
Whipped through schoolwork and chores, answered a few book emails, cooked some soup and went off to the base to see Windy. We are always having lunch at her house and I feel guilty about that so I took lunch with us this time! {g} We had a nice chat, about our churches mainly and, inevitably curriculum. Windy described her latest (unwise) purchase. I've made a few of those in my time! We planned a trip to the British Museum next week! Back home (with some fabulous brownies from Windy!) to cook dinner and take Jack to Athletics. He's been picked for a competition on Sunday which he won't be able to go to. That was a hard decision. Jamie and Grace out all evening to go to a music rehearsal.

Friday
I was glued to the computer all day weighing books and emailing people about their orders. Windy came over with our new All Age Bible Study. (Will post about that later!) Took Grace to her singing lesson. Had a nice chat with husband of singing teacher. It was their daughter's 3rd birthday and she was so exhausted from their trip to the animal park that she was sleeping! Lucy has Downs Syndrome and I usually play with her during the lesson. She looked so sweet sleeping in her Daddy's arms. Took Jack and various neighbour boys off to the church youth club and just remembered to pick them up again later. Jack had won some competition again. I wonder if this boy ever gets tired of winning stuff? In the afternoon I took some hay fever meds and immediately felt tired. I couldn't decide if it was the meds or just tiredness. I had some coffee and decided I was OK to drive after all! {g}

Saturday
Finished this round of emailing book customers and did some packaging for the Post Office. Did mountains of laundry and got it dry outside. It was sunny and blowy. A 'Good Drying Day'! Jack to Gymnastics. Jamie to the car boot sale. Lots of gardening and housework in the afternoon. I cooked a chicken spaghetti dish based on the Pioneer Woman recipe. I'll post it, with my modifications later. Had our Shabbat meal and watched Dr Who! Jamie practiced the songs they're singing tomorrow with Grace. She and he were singing worship songs/playing guitar in one bedroom, while Jack practiced heavy metal bass songs in another bedroom. I had to call a halt at 9 o'clock. Our poor neighbours!

I wonder if any of this is of any interest to anyone?
Please do leave a comment if you think I should continue to post this daily life stuff!