Well, if last week we were all on fire, this week there has barely been a spark! I was beginning to fall apart at the seams due to a lack of a space to call my own (ie a bedroom) and a general lack of organisation in our little home school. I am atrocious at organising anything, except home schooling. I take that so seriously, I am exceptionally organised. But not since the builders moved in. They’ve left now, but my home still isn’t back to normal and I am often left having no clue where something vital homeschooling wise has disappeared to.
By Tuesday I had snapped and left the land of the sane. I needed a space I could call my own, y’all! I rarely shout, at anybody, and almost never at Gary. But I lost it. Utterly and completely. I sounded like some self absorbed mad woman. But in the space of about two hours, and with everyone chipping in, Gary and I were the proud owners of a bedroom:
Granted it only had a bed in it, but really that’s all one needs to become sane again. And I did. Become sane, that is. The utter pleasure of having a space to call my own, to retreat from the world to and to be as introverted as I want in was almost worth the agony of not having one for two weeks. Almost. I wasn’t particularly proud of how I behaved, although, to be fair, Gary and Thomas spent most of the time laughing at me! And, y’know, that was all I needed….not! Anyway, I ate huge amounts of humble pie the next morning. And talking of eating…I also weighed myself and saw that I had put on ten pounds. Ten pounds!! In two weeks!! I am SUCH a stress eater, but honestly, how can one person eat the calories required to put on ten pounds?
So this is a quick precious moments.
Thomas
Thomas has done what is required of him, no more no less. We had fun watching him ballet dance on stage during our performing arts class, and he has been doing an enormous amount of skate boarding and scootering, whilst Lillie takes lots of photos:
He has hated every moment of English and can not wait until he does not have to do it ever again 🙂
Lillie
This whole week has been spent trying to get our heads around the level three photography course she is doing. It is MUCH harder than the art and design and seeing as she has only just started using her camera over the summer, it is really quite hard. Her images have turned out beautifully, though. She is already very behind and we are only in week three. She managed to turn in part of unit on, but the pressure is one. Have a look at some of her photography though:
Charlotte
Charlotte has been my knight in shining armour helping out with the little ones. She did a fabulous writer’s workshop with them which they enjoyed SO much:
She also wrote me an incredible poem and posted it on her blog. It made me cry my eyes out, because let’s face it, I was not going to win any prizes for good mothering this week. But I needed to hear those words of hers and I think she knew that.
A9 and B6 have been busy with their work this week, but because of me, haven’t been nearly as productive as normal. The last couple of days have been busier and more like I want them to be. The poor things. Their teacher went AWOL on Tuesday……
Next week’s another week, and hopefully we’ll be back on tract and mother won’t have any more breakdowns 😉
Everyone is allowed a meltdown, I’m glad you got your relaxing space. I do admire how you make time for each of your children and their individual interests as well as manage to do everything else.
It’s so stressful to have one’s home under construction! I think it’s amazing you made it as long as you did without cracking! Congrats on your new room! I love the color. Hope things settle in quickly for you all!
Love, love, love everything about the room. Beautiful color, fabulous windows that I would love to have, lovely comforter. Yay for you, Claire!
Oh, I do think we all end up having a breakdown at one time or another don’t they?! Glad yours was over with quickly and you room does look lovely! The photos are lovely; I particularly love the one with the rose and all the water droplets.
Construction is the worst for keeping organized. We all loose our grip now and again. Lillie’s photos are wonderful.
Blessings, Dawn
You have so much going on, I’m amazed you manage to keep all the balls in the air any of the time, never mind ALL the time! It must be wonderful to have your space back. Remember, your children are also learning how to deal with life and recognising one’s need for quiet time, a place to retreat to, or indeed for stimulation and people, is a crucial thing to learn. You’re doing a great job both teaching that to them, and demonstrating it yourself 🙂
You’re braver than us! I desperately want new carpet in the house, but can’t fathom the disarray. So, we don’t do it because it’s a want not a need – yet. Your bed looks lovely and I hope you are enjoying your private space.
Your new room is lovely, and one melt down won’t break your homeschool! You are a trooper, and so is your family. That’s a sign that you are a fabulous mother–not a monster.
My oldest feels about math the same way your boy feels about English. 🙂
I can definitely relate to the lack of personal space due to building work! Hope all is back to normal soon 🙂
I’d go crazy too if I didn’t have a space to retreat to.
And as an unbiased observer I think her photography is lovely, and shows talent.