Day 262: Let the Fun Begin

 

Today I am on babysitting duty. I have Monsoon and Hurricane while my daughter takes Graceful to her eisteddfod. I also have Flit and Coco (the dog). while my niece and sister are at a craft show. Hurricane has ADHD, and Flit is on the autistic spectrum. Then there is Monsoon who is happy enough to copy whoever she is with. 

My day is going to be loud, because for a majority of it, they will have to be inside (too hot outside). There will be yelling and then there will be tears. because these three even though they love each other... they fight like you wouldn't believe.

Wish me luck... I think I will have to take my strong headache medication just to cope... LOL.

Day 261: Last Day of Term

 

As of after awards ceremony, Hurricane and Graceful will officially be on school holidays. Two weeks of having all three kids home 24/7... Hopefully, they can take that time to help clean up... No. I wouldn't wish that on myself, their helping is going behind us and pulling out everything we've just put away.

At least during these school holidays my niece's stuff will be going from our garage; then it's a matter of rearranging the shelves ang that will be another room done.

I need to write a smaller list of chores that have to be done before my daughter and the girls go for their weekend at the beach... Plus, Graceful also has an eisteddfod in the at some stage. Actually, I think that one is tomorrow.

The mozzies are bad again tonight. the kids were covered in red dots. At first, I had a mini panic attack that they had chicken pox or the measles... took me about ten minutes to realize they were mozzie bites. I felt like a right royal goober then.

Day 260: More Chores

Today the two older girls had speed soccer at school. Hurricane came home with a medal... their mum went to watch them. I had Monsoon and we built a big plastic storage tub (from Bunnings hardware) that the girls are going to use to store all of their outdoor toys in. Hopefully it will stop them from leaving them scattered all over the ground.

Still washing the household bedding, but with six people (six beds) that's a lot of doonas, sheets and pillowcases. Plus, all the knee rugs we had been using.

I've noticed there has been a shit-ton of mozzies in the house every night. Going to have to fix the holes in the screen doors.

I'm starting to feel worn out again. I still occasionally have my cough. It's annoying as hell, and my nose is still sore on the inside. My headache is a constant... I think I should just shut today down and go and read.

Day 258: Chores & Random Thoughts

 

Really starting to heat up. You can tell Summer is heading our way. I can already tell that it's going to be a bloody scorcher.

Chores today were slow going. I had Monsoon helping because her mum was at work and then she had to take Graceful to dance and then Jui Jitsu. Monsoon talked all bloody day long... and if you didn't talk back to her, she'd grab you by the face and ask... "Are you listening to me?" I was hoping she would nap, but no such luck. At least when Hurricane got home from school she had someone else to focus on.

Monsoon and I washed... there was more bedding to get through and some more clothes for the op-shop. I still think they have way too many clothes. Possibly some can go to their dad's house.

Had to watch Megamind three times with Monsoon today... it could have been worse. It could have been Captain Underpants again

Day 239: Another Slow Day

 

Mum had to go for her dental appointment today. So, I killed two birds with one stone and made sure I dropped a load of stuff into the donation bins for the op-shop... 5 bags gone.

I came home and put on some pasta sauce. I made enough so we can freeze it in batches for future uses. Easier that way.

The pantry is annoying me, so I rearranged it again, and hopefully for the last time. I hate not being able to find things when I need them. I also hate it when people just shove things in and don't place them in their correct spots, and then they wonder why I get cranky at them.

I also managed to wash mum's bedding before I had to sit down and rest for the afternoon,

Day 226: More Washing

 

Just as I finally reach the end of the washing in the laundry. Monsoon in her oh so delicate way, up ended my full cup of coffee and her cup of drink into a basket of knee rungs and sheets that I had just finished folding up. Now they will all have to be washed again. She just looked at me with big sad eyes and went, "Sorry, Mar-Mar." now how could I get mad at that. I think I was more ticked off that I had only had one sip out of my coffee.

Day 222: EKKA Show Holiday

 

Meaning the kids all have the day off from school. Not that our kids are going to the show. everyone gets sick at the EKKA, and we have enough sickness in this house to last us a lifetime without bringing anything new in. But I bet we all come down with something anyway, I'm still coughing from the last lot.

I'm going to wrangle the kids into cleaning up the yard for me so it can be mowed. I hate running over things with the mower, Mind you, it will be my daughter out there mowing. I'm the one who usually mans the whipper snipper.

If I make a game out of it, they usually don't mind helping me get the job done, Maybe I'll just bribe them with an ice block if they help me.

Day 219: Busy Day

 

Mum is back at the doctors for a check up on her leg. It seems to be healing fine. My daughter took her before she had to go to work. I had Monsoon until her dad came and picked her up.

I cleaned out the pantry, but it's still not working for me. I'm going to have to talk with my daughter and see if we can come up with a better solution. It's just that we have a small pantry. Well, there is two, but the second one has to be used as a linen cupboard... there is just not enough cupboard space in this house. we have turned our garage into a secondary butler's pantry (minus and sinks). We do have shelving... fridges... freezers... surplus storage boxes... the dryer... our tools... our outdoor gear... and it's where we keep the kitty litter box and the cat feeding station. the car didn't fit. So, we decided to use it for other things.

The good news is I found my asthma pump. I can finally stop looking for it. Now if we can only find where the hell, we put my daughter's smart watch and my black denim jacket I'd be happier than a pig in mud.

Day 218: Suck it Up Princess

 

Today I have to pull up mu big girl panties and get stuck back into the washing. Whenever I think I have finally caught up with it all. My daughter goes yeah about that. I just found all this that needs doing, and it's like another four loads.

My daughter is in her 30's and has ADHD... which makes it difficult to get her to stay on task when it comes to getting jobs done. Honestly, it's frustrating as hell. I feel like everything is basically left up to me to finish. I know she's trying, and I have to admit she is getting a hell of a lot better. Now I give her deadlines of when we have to get each task done by.

She was always complaining that her and the kids had no clothes. Now that I've found and washed nearly everything (including bedding and towels) she's realized just how much clothing they have between them all. Because I stopped folding it and just dumped it all on her lounge chair and bed. Though I am going to have to help her fold it or it will still be sitting there when 2027 rolls around.

Day 210:

 

Hurricane is back at school today. Graceful is still sick, and Monsoon is on the mend. I'm also on the mend... still coughing and everything hurts from coughing... even things that I never thought would.

As I feared, the washing is piling up, and I now have to get it back down to normal. I fear for the poor washing machine.

My daughter went out to do the household groceries, I'm too tired to leave the house. now that I'm starting to get better, I need to try and get my head back into the clean the house game. I still have so much I want to accomplish before the end of the year.

Day 209: Everyone's Sick

 

The whole household is sick to some degree. I did manage to get out of bed and get some washing done. If I didn't it would build up and become unmanageable. between Kids with Gastro and vomiting (thankfully, I haven't had that yet), we are going through sheets, towels, and blankets like you wouldn't believe. The poor washing machine has been running overtime.

Living together is both a blessing and a nightmare, but at least it's easier to look after everyone while we're sick... instead of moving between two houses.

At least with everyone sick, the house is fairly quiet. the kids are all mostly sleeping or just lying there watching TV. the only noise is when they are deciding what to watch.

Day 202: 1st Jiu-Jitsu Class

 

Hurricane and Graceful went to their first Jiu-Jitsu lesson today, and they loved it... their stepbrother B went as well... so they all had fun. I looked after Monsoon, because she's too young to join in and do anything.

I also did 3 bouts of whipper snipping and washed 1 load of clothes... I also folded any dry washing so my daughter could put it away.

I'm not feeling the best today, but I still had to get my jobs for today. I know I'll be taking advantage of my pain killers today

Day 199: Taking It Easy

 

Today everyone has their own things to do. So, mum and I basically have the house to ourselves... The girls have swimming lessons and dance; then they are going to spend the night at dad's house. My daughter is going to a work colleague's birthday party. I'm either going to have a very quiet and early night. or insomnia because there aren't any family noises going on.

I'm going to work on reading through Elsewhere Realms and making notes on where to take the story. Make changes on what's already written.

I'm also making lists for all the jobs that I still have to get done around the house. We all know I work better from a list. I feel like I'm accomplishing something when I mark done jobs off a list.

Day 197: New Tyres

 

Well Murphy's Law struck yesterday. I just got done and booked my car in for its service. when I get a frantic phone call from my daughter. she had a flat tyre... so I had to postpone my car service so I could go and help her out... Turns out not only was her tyre flat, but she needed to get 4 new ones as hers were bald. Luckily the mechanic is able to squeeze me in next Wednesday.

I'm still in putting up curtains' mode. I think the house looks so much cozier with curtains at the windows.

Also found a chest of drawers (okay they were ugly ones that my daughter was going to throw away) there are 8 drawers in it so I'm repainting them and going to use them for Hurricane, Monsoon & Graceful to put their school clothes in so it's easier for me to find them in the morning... yes Monsoon gets her own drawers as she is a big girl now and just got a place in kindy for next year.

I'm still whipper snipping... I'm trying to get a certain portion done before we get in the slashing guy. It's taking me a while, but I know I'll eventually get it done.

Day 193: More Washing & Sickness

 

Just having a day of rest where the only job ahead of me today is washing. I'll get at least four loads done. Well, hopefully I will. All depends on how fussy the kids are.

Graceful is coming down sick. Looks like she won't be okay to go to school tomorrow. I feel for the poor little thing. Hurricane is eager to go back to school. She is making sure all of her stuff is ready... Only drama is she can't find her hat... They have about four of them, but suddenly they are all missing. Monsoon is ticked off that she isn't old enough to go to school.

Making spaghetti bol for lunch. At least I know this is something the kids will eat and enjoy, and they will eat all of it. I know there will be no leftovers.  Graceful only ate a little, but at least she ate something.

I'm tired as hell today. Maybe I'll be able to rest tomorrow.

Day 188: Another Busy Day

 

Today I'm trying my hand at touch up painting. if it goes well, I will be done in a jiffy, if it goes badly, I might be repainting the whole interior of the house. Not that I would mind either way... the only problem is its still school holidays.

I also have to go and book my car in for a service at some stage today. I'll be happier when it's been done.

I also have to work out with the neighbour when he and his dad are coming to collect all of the stuff from the yard and taking it away for us (this will be the last of the major jobs); before I organise the carpets to be cleaned and the paddock to be slashed.

We (and by we, I mean my daughter) have two rooms to go (her room & Hurricane and Monsoon room). Other and that it's just the general tidy every day. I'm getting everyone joining in on the whole cleaning routine (well, everyone except mum). I make a game out of it for the three kids. the 7-year-old complains a bit, but the HDHD one and the youngest one love it... it might take ten times as long, but it gets done eventually... at this stage that's all I can ask for.

Day 181: Still Cleaning

 

Today we concentrated on the garage and got most of it done. The skip bin is already two thirds full. I'm happy I have at least gotten the shelving problem solved.  Now it's just the problem of the mess on the dining room table and the kitchen bench. I swear every time I clean them off; I mess them up again. It didn't help that I had to look after the three girls while their mum was at work. the two younger ones tried to help me, but were more of a hinderance than a help. Hurricane wouldn't know what an inside voice was if she tried. Hopefully tomorrow I'll get more done.

Day 174: Still Sick

Miss Graceful is still sick, so she's having another day off school. I feel so sorry for the poor little thing, but also secretly glad it isn't me. Her mum is at work today. I have both Graceful and Monsoon... Hurricane decided she needed to go to school = too many sick people at home. Gotta love the way her mind works.

I got yesterday's house inspection rescheduled. I couldn't have some poor person coming through the house with a child with bad gastro. I wouldn't wish that on anyone. Anyway, it's now rescheduled for two weeks' time. It will give me time to finish unpacking fully.

As you can guess there is a ton of washing to be done because of Graceful being sick. I'll concentrate on that today, and whipper snipping around the tank as they are getting someone out to look at the hot water system. Meaning there is no hot water. It doesn't get past tepid.

Also today, I'm going to finish setting up my room. there are just a few things I need to put away. and rearrange some clothes; seeing as I have a closet in this house and can hang up my skirts. On that note I will away for the day and get sh*t done.

 

Day 173: Sickness

Miss Graceful woke up in the early hours of the morning with both vomiting and gastro. This is a child that has trouble pooping at the best of times. So, on top of being ill, the poor little thing is freaking out because her bowels don't usually work like this. She had to stay home from school and dance.

I'm still in the midst of merging two houses into one. I forgot how daunting a task this was. I have about 1/3 of the house sorted. It will be less stressful once the skip bin is here, and I can throw away all the unneeded stuff.

I'm also puppy sitting today for a few hours while my niece is off running errands in Ipswich. At least it's a quiet little thing and not barking.

Okay, I better get back to the cleaning.

Day 159: Windy

 

I work up all ready to get to work in the yard, but it was too windy to do anything. So, I had the day off, because I needed the damn rest. I'm not feeling well today. Though, I did have to take the girls down to their swimming lessons. Just to top off an already awful day. I couldn't get a car park; so I had to park right at the back of the lot and wrangle Monsoon and Hurricane on the walk from the car to the swimming centre. The problem wasn't the wrangling. It was that I can't move as fast as a 3 and a 4-year-old. feeling poorly and I had to chase the two of them all the way to into the building.