What’s top of my mind: Half the house is painted!

It took 5 days and they’ve finished my half of the house. I’m really pleased with how it looks – and I’m even more pleased that I wasn’t the one doing the work. PLease excuse how the room looks – it has the back half of the house crammed into it while the painters finish the job.

You can see how the wall behind my Harndorff painting is the same as the vase in the painting. It took me ages to settle on a colour and I’m so relieved that it looks great.

Once the plantation shutters go in, it’ll look incredible.

Yes, last week I was waiting on the quote for the shutters. Everyone says how expensive they are, so I was expecting a quote anywhere from 12K – 15K. Instead, it came in at $6,700. I was so happy.

Life here has been hideous, though. I’ve discovered I’m a grumpy old woman if I can’t sit on my couch or have everything where I like it to be. I was so happy on Sunday when Ryan28 and I were able to move everything back in.

Then on Monday I came home from work to find that all of Ryan28’s stuff, plus everything from the laundry, bathroom and Man Cave was now in my space.

Ugh.

Where I’ve been: Living in the guest room.

I’ve never slept in the guest room or guest bed before. I’m pleased to report that the bed is comfy and the view outside the glass sliding door looks lush and green. The dogs and I had early nights because, without heating, temperatures in Melbourne plummet. We spent 4 nights curled up under the doona, watching Netflix on my laptop.

Wasn’t too bad, actually.

Where I’m going: to work to avoid the disruption at home.

Turns out I’d rather be out earning money and dealing with the shenanigans of teenagers rather than sit among piles of my son’s belongings.

What I’m reading: One of the best books I’ve read in a month of Sundays.

‘Here be Leviathons’ by Chris Flynn is a collection of short stories by an Australian author. He lives just down the road on Phillip Island, apparently. It’s one of the most original things I’ve ever read… and you people know that I read A LOT.

It was random chance that I even picked it up. I was racing out the door on my first day of term and I realised that I didn’t have an eBook to take to class for wide reading. I fired up the iPad and dove into Borrowbox from my library. I was in a rush and this was the first book that looked enticing.

WHAT A FIND! After getting into the first story, I was tempted to make all 48 minutes of every class I taught become wide reading, instead of just the first 10 minutes.

What I’m watching: The Blues Brothers!

Izzy has never seen The Blues Brothers. Can you believe it? So we set a date and on Monday night she and David29 came over to watch it with us. The lounge was stacked with everything from the other side of the house but we all crammed in and made it work.

What I’m listening to: Evan26 telling me about France and Colown College.

Last night Evan26 rang from France and we had a lovely 20 minutes or so catching up on all the goss.

You know, it’s lovely when one of your adult children enjoys something as much as you do. Travel is something that I’m sure Evan26 will be doing more of.

What I’m eating: Medication to hopefully make my chronic cough less severe.

I’ve had a cough for the last 8 years or so. A couple of weeks ago I went back to my ENT guy. Turns out I could’ve been taking these pills for a while now. Better late than never, I guess.

What I’m planning: Things to do in the UK.

Scott, Deanna, and I have been sending links to various things between each other. Doesn’t look as if I’ll be bored while I’m there.

Who needs a fist bump: My Painters.

I’ve been meaning to hire a handyman to fix some doors and do a couple of other minor repairs around the place. The painter has fixed them all. Saved me a bit of money and aggravation.

I’m really happy with their work. Those straight lines! Those smooth doors!

What has made me smile: My new walls.

I love them; even the colours that we chose in a rush. Such a relief! My house has a totally different feel now that it’s not all beige.

Dad joke of the day:



What’s top of my mind: A lot can happen in a week.

Look at my breakfast out on the back verandah. It’s calm and peaceful. Did I choose to have breakfast out here of my own free will? No. I’m here because there’s absolutely nowhere else to go, unless I want to have breakfast on the guest bed. And for overseas people, yes. That’s Vegemite on my bread roll.

During this past week, I’ve hired a painter and he and his dad are on their second day here. Everything from my half of the house has been either moved into the Man Cave or is wrapped in plastic to avoid paint splatters.

I won’t lie – I hoped that the quote would be lower. But then again, don’t we feel that way about any tradie job we have done? Painting the interior of my 4 bedroom, 2BR, 2 living areas house is $9,600.

I hoped my 8 weeks of 3 days’ work would have covered it, but sadly, no. I’m thinking that my work in term 1 will MORE than pay for my upcoming trip to the UK, so I’ll dip into that to pay for the painting in full. (Of course, I don’t have to earn the money for projects like this. But I like to do it – I find it motivating – except when my alarm goes off each workday.)

Where I’ve been: to Bunnings.

So I hired the painter on Sunday. He said that he needed the paint colours by Monday night.

Jesus! It took me 6 months to decide on the duck-egg blue for the lounge/kitchen/dining area. I was in a state of panic.

After work on Monday, I raced to Bunnings and grabbed paint chips. I decided that seeing as I was going with a bold colour in the main part of the house, the rest of the place should be neutral.

I came home to find emptiness. It looked like we’d been burgled. Ryan28 had been busy moving everything he could out into the Man Cave.

I showed him the paint chips. Turns out he’s MUCH more decisive about colours than I am. Within 5 minutes he had it all sorted.

When the painter turned up on Wednesday to begin painting, he suggested that if I was going to replace door handles, I should do it now. Back to Bunnings I went!

I needed 10 sets of door handles and I wanted them all the same. Bunnings only had one type available with 10. They’re similar to the ones we already have, so I bought them.

Ah well. It’s only money. A day’s work will pay for them.

I can see my CRT days stretching out into the future as I speak…

Where I’m going: to the library.

I’ll wander up later and return some books and grab some new ones.

What I’m reading: Graham Norton.

I’m reading through his novels at the moment. Obviously he’s got the gift of the gab, as we see on his talk show, but this means that he’s a very good writer as well. I’m enjoying his books a lot.

What I’m watching: NOTHING.

We gave our second tv in the Man Cave to David29 and Izzy. When I came home I saw my tv swathed in plastic. No real hardship. I was really tired after talking with Evan26 at 4 in the morning, so I curled up in the guest bed with a book and was lights out by 9.

What I’m listening to: snoring dogs.

The dogs absolutely refuse to curl up and go to sleep if I’m not in the same room with them. We’re all on the bed in the guest bedroom and they’re finally relaxed.

It’s very flattering to have velcro dogs but sometimes it’s a pain. The piteous whines coming from the guest room as I was talking with tradies was a bit embarrassing.

What I’m eating: Anything that doesn’t mess up the kitchen.

It’s amazing how conscious I’ve become about how many things we use, now that most of them are out of the kitchen and are shoved in the Man Cave and laundry.

What I’m planning: Plantation Shutters.

The guy from a Plantation Shutters company just left. He’s measured every window in the place and will send me a quote this afternoon. He tried to upsell me to get the back toilet, laundry and bathroom windows done as well, but I wasn’t going to budge on those. I never look at them, after all!

They quote on the square meterage of each window. Lucky me to have 3 MASSIVE floor-to-ceiling windows! The prices go up depending on how quickly you want them delivered. I have outdoor shutters, so I said I wasn’t in a rush. Anything to help keep the cost down is fine by me.

I’m still going to need a cup of tea and a little lie-down when I see the quote. Everyone who has shutters says that they adore them, but they felt a bit queasy when they had to actually pay for them.

Who needs a thumbs up: Evan26 for FINALLY contacting me about Clown College.

Sometimes I wake in the middle of the night and grab my laptop if I can’t drop straight back to sleep. Two nights ago, there was Evan26 on Messenger, sending me a series of voicemails. It was terrific!

He’s obviously having the time of his life. He raved about his classes, told a couple of stories about the grumpy old Fench clown teacher and said that learning French for two years in secondary school has come in handy. He’s the guy who orders everyone’s drinks at the pub.

He’s in the morning class, which is fortunate because the afternoon class has SEVEN people out with covid. He said that they’re avoiding them like the plague, except for one guy who had lunch with a covid+ person. and Instagrammed about it. (An American, of course.) Now everyone is trying to avoid getting too close to that person. I mean, why on earth would you risk losing time out of a once-in-a-lifetime experience?

What has made me smile: Seeing those drop sheets go down.

After my shower this morning, I came out of Ryan28’s bathroom to see the drop sheets down and that painting had commenced!!

I asked how long they thought they’d be and was told that they should be finished with my side of the house by Saturday or Sunday. Two days to get all the furniture rearranged and then they’d be back to get the second half of the house done.

Quicker than I feared! Definitely a lot quicker than I would have done.

Dad joke of the day:

What’s top of my mind: Good friends are wonderful.

Long-time readers of my personal blog will know that when I went to the UK and Europe in 2015, my excellent friend Scott, who used to work with me until he and his husband upped stakes and moved to England, travelled around with me for much of the time and planned my itinerary for me for the whole 9 weeks.

It was the BEST holiday I’e ever had. Well… Antarctica??? No, it’s unfair to compare the pair. they were both so different.

Anyway, now that I’ll be back in the Uk for 37 days in September/October this year, we’ve arranged to spend the last week together, touring around Essex and looking at all THE HISTORY. (I love how I wrote “we’ve” arranged. Scott is the organised one.) We left it to the end because he was booked on a Rhine River cruise when I was due to arrive.

Anyway, last night, just as I was about to close the laptop after a frustrating stint of Spider Solitaire and go to sleep, I receive a message from Scott, asking if I’ve organised any activities with Corinna from Antarctica during the weekdays I’m in London.

No, I replied. We’re going to Windsor Castle on the Saturday so I can stand on Henry VIII’s grave, and I think we’re seeing an interactive art show on the Sunday night, but that’s all we’ve booked in.

Then I get this message:

I scrambled out of bed and grabbed my itinerary, because I had an awful feeling that I was arriving in London on the day after. But NO! Because we in Australia are living in the future, by jumping on a plane on my birthday and travelling to London, I get to have TWO birthdays.

I was so excited. In fact, I still am. We’re going to have a sumptuous lunch and do a sightseeing activity (unknown as yet. Gee, if only I knew an organised person who knows the sorts of things I like to do and see…haha!)

While I was messaging Scott on the laptop being all excited, I was frantically scrolling through Whatsapp on my phone to find my conversation with Corinna, because I had an awful feeling in the pit of my stomach that I might have told her I was arriving on the day after I actually am.

As it turned out, yes, I did. WHAT an idiot I am. I hastily messaged her. She’s coming back from Italy either the day before I arrive or the day of. So I might not get to see her in the morning when I land, but that’s ok. Scott suggested I stash my bag in a luggage thingy at the station before we head off for the day.

I was having a bit of a ‘down’ day yesterday, which is unlike me. But this perked me up big time! Good friends are the best thing on earth.

Where I’ve been: to the throat specialist.

I’ve had a chronic cough for the last 7 or 8 years. Just before my trip to North Korea in 2018 I went to the best throat specialist in the state and he sent me off to a speech pathologist who gave me some exercises to try and de-sensitise the nerve in my throat that is giving me grief. They didn’t work.

So I’ve been soldiering on since then, coughing hundreds of times each day, sipping water (drops of peppermint oil in it when I’m having a bad day) and chewing gum. When one of the assistant principals at work heard me coughing and came rushing around the desks to see who was choking, I decided I had to go back and see if there was anything else that could be done.

Turns out there is. Yesterday I was given pills to disrupt the nerve that is sending the cough signals to my brain all the time. I have to wean myself on them, but hopefully by the time I go on my trip, my cough should be pretty much under control.

Where I’m going: To Mornington to pick up the title to my house.

I paid for The Best House in Melbourne years ago, but I left the title at the conveyancer. Lazy, I know. I’d put “Get the title” at the back of my mind until someone at work said that they couldn’t find the title to their house when they wanted to sell it and it cost them 1K to get a replacement.

OMG.

Suddenly it sped to the top of my ‘to do’ list.

What I’m reading: The Far Land – Presser.

This sounds really interesting. It’s all about what happened during the mutiny on the Bounty and then how the mutineers lived on Pitcairn Island. It’s non-fiction but written like a story, so it’s easy to get into.

I was seized with a desire to go to Pitcairn Island but when I read that you have to be there for months before the next ship comes by, I decided I could live without seeing it.

What I’m watching: Poppy, Jeff and Scout sleeping on the couch.

It’s freezing, so I turned on the split system and the dogs are happily snoozing away. Jeff has positioned himself directly under where the warm air comes out. I always say that he’s as dumb as a box of bricks, but maybe I’ve misjudged him…?

What I’m listening to: Mum’s Boppin’ Bangers.

After living in silence for a week and a half during the holidays, I’ve reached the stage of wanting to hear noise during the day again. Spotify is such a nice little luxury!

What I’m eating: a roast dinner.

David29 and Izzy are coming over tonight for dinner, so they can have a look at the photobook I ordered from Snapfish of their wedding. Izzy is lactose-intolerant and a roast is the easiest way to feed them a hearty meal without making her feel queasy.

What I’m planning: to hire a house painter.

ARGH.

I’ve done the first coat of paint in my ensuite and I HATED doing it. I was utterly miserable and since then I haven’t been able to bring myself to lift a brush or roller.

The woman across the road gave me the number of the painter she used and was very happy with, so I’ve given him a call and he’ll pop around to give me a quote.

If his prices are reasonable, I might even bite the bullet and get him to do the whole house. The paint job that the previous owners did to sell the house is WELL past its use-by date.

I felt really guilty about deciding to spend the money on a painter. After all, painting isn’t hard. But the last time I painted was over 20 years ago in the old house. I guess time has moved on…

Who needs a good slap: ME.

For not looking at my itinerary correctly the first time. Again – WHAT an idiot!

What has made me smile: Seeing my sister’s Airbnb apartment.

For months, my sister and brother-in-law have been changing the second floor of their beautiful house into a self-contained apartment that they plan to rent out to holiday-makers. Kate has put so much work into this project and it’s looking amazing. Only a few more finishing touches to do and then it’ll be open for business!

Dad joke of the day:

What’s top of my mind: Evan26 is on his way to Clown College!

Yes, as I type this he and his friend Will are in the plane on the last leg of their journey. They broke their flight in Vietnam, of all places. I’ve never heard of that before. Singapore and Dubai, yes, but Vietnam?

I really hope that they have a rewarding and wonderful couple of months.

Where I’ve been: on Ryan28’s massage table.

Remember when I took Scout to the Guinness Book of Records attempt and she refused to walk? Turns out I pulled a ligament in my right shoulder by carrying her around. After a week of pain, I got Ryan28 to look at it and he was able to put it back in place.

So no painting has been done, but on the bright side – I’ve read some terrific books!

Where I’m going: Nowhere.

Thank God. I’m just wanting to sit here in my own house with my own dogs and chill.

What I’m reading: The Running Club – Lowe.

This book is excellent. I read it in a day – I couldn’t leave it alone. This is the second novel this author has written and they’re both really good. Highly recommend.

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society – Shaffer

Yes, yes, I know I’m REALLY late to the party with this one. It’s one of those books you hear about but never quite get around to picking up. (Or is that just me?) Anyway, I really enjoyed it. As soon as I finished it, I watched the movie (on Stan, for Aussie readers.) It isn’t as good as the book – it particularly rushes the beginning – but it was ok.

What I’m watching: Black Mirror series 6.

I finally finished ‘Z Nation’ … what a stupid show that ended up becoming… and rather than jump straight into the ‘Walking Dead’ sequel, I decided to catch up on some Black Mittor action. I’m enjoying it.

What I’m listening to: The dishwasher.

Since I got the PowerPal thingy from the state government that measures your electricity use in real time, I’ve been making much more use of my solar panels by running things during the day when at all possible. I never would have guessed, for example, that an Eco-Wash on the dishwasher that takes 3 hours to run is far cheaper to pay for than a quick 60 minute wash.

Now that the cost of gas and electricity is soaring, we’re doing the experiment of using our split systems to heat the house during winter, rather than using the gas ducted heating that heats the entire house. I’m interested to see if we come out ahead from the previous years’ costs during winter.

What I’m eating: Not enough. I’m hungry.

Now that I look at the time, it’s just about lunchtime.

What I’m planning: A wedding book.

David29 and Izzy got their photos back from the wedding. I’ve downloaded enough to put into a wedding album on Snapfish. A woman I’ve “known” for years from the Simple Savings forum (Hi Sandra!) put me onto them.

As a welcome to Snapfish signup, I also have the offer of 50 free prints. This s great, because Mum wanted some photos but was worried about how much they’d cost. She’ll be happy when I tell her that they’re a freebie.

Who deserves a high five: Ryan28 for fixing my shoulder.

It’s handy to have a remedial masseur in the family!

What has made me smile: Going through the wedding photos.

You know, try as I may to avoid it, I can’t help feeling fond of my boys and the partners they’ve chosen. Seeing David29 and Izzy so very happy and so much in love makes even this hardened old heart melt a little.

Dad joke of the day:

What’s top of my mind: Travel to North America.

Corey, one of the teachers at work, knows that I’m thinking about going to Canada next year. He told me that as of yesterday, airfares had dropped from 3K to 1.8K.

I have no idea when I want to go, but I’m thinking that maybe I should get organised and book a ticket???

Where I’ve been: Evan26 and Jenna’s place.

Yesterday Ryan28 had an appointment in the same street that Evan26 and Izzy live, so I thought I’d go with him and drop in for a coffee while I waited. I tried to contact them the day before, but they didn’t answer their phones.

When I got there at 9:30AM, no one answered the door. In the end, I sent a photo of their front door to them both and waited in the car for Ryan28 instead.

Turns out that they were at a wedding in Healesville and the guests’ phones had all been taken off them!

Where I’m going: David29 and Izzy’s place.

All of us are going over to the apartment for dinner to watch the wedding video and see the photos.

Mum wants me to order a photo to put in a frame for her, and I’d like to have one of those too.

It’ll be lovely to have us all together, particularly as it’s the last time we’ll see Evan26 before he flies off for Clown College in France.

What I’m reading: Tales from the Cafe; Before the coffee goes cold – Kawaguchi

I picked this up at the library from the ‘Quick Reads’ shelf, which is a selection of popular books that you only have 2 weeks to read – no extensions! It”s a collection of short stories, all set in a cafe in Tokyo where, if you are very lucky, you can travel through time from.

As the title suggests, you only have the duration of when your piping hot coffee is poured until it goes cold. I thought this was a stand-alone, but it turns out that it’s the middle of three. I’ve ordered the other two, happy that I’ll get to spend more time in this world.

What I’m watching: A class of year 9s working in silence on a poem.

They have to write a 16-line poem, using at least 5 poetic devices and relating it back to a poem they’ve studied in class. They then have to do an oral presentation on their poem, reading it aloud to the class and then talking about why they’ve chosen the words they have.

I used to teach this unit when I was a real teacher and some of the poems the kids came up with were extraordinary. Definitely a favourite Learning Task for the year 9 course.

What I’m listening to: ‘Fight Like a Girl ‘by Clementine Ford.

I’m late to the party with this one. This is the first book written by Ms Ford, a feminist content creator from Melbourne. It’s fair to say that she’s known for not taking prisoners and definitely for not putting up with patriarchal crap.

I’m about an hour into this audiobook so far. Am I enjoying it? I’m a little on the fence. She undoubtedly has extremely valid points to make. I’m just a bit worried that it’s going to be a bit repetitive. Anyway, time will tell!

What I’m eating: Takeaway pizza.

Apparently, this is on the menu for tonight.

What I’m planning: London activities.

Now that I’ve stopped working so much, I’ve started thinking about what I’m going to be doing on my trip away in a couple of months. I’ll be spending a couple of days on my own in London while Corinna’s at work, so I’m starting to mull over what I could be doing.

Who deserves a thumbs up: This class I’m in front of.

They are almost totally silent, working away. This class was one of the ones I taught Geography to last year, when they were naughty little year 8s.

Maybe maturity has started to settle in?

What has made me smile: I got my Wool& dress yesterday!

Ryan28 and I came home from a morning away and there it was, waiting by the front door! I was so excited, and a little bit nervous. This is the one outfit I’m planning to take with me to the UK and I was petrified that it wouldn’t fit properly.

Thankfully, it all looks good. I’m now deciding whether or not I’ll do the 100 Days Challenge or not. If I do it, I’ll have to start on July 1 in order to finish it on the day I get back from the UK.

I chose the Sierra dress in grey. I figured that it would be easier to dress in such a neutral colour when I was away. Anyway, nobody cares what I wear, anyway!

Dad joke of the day:

What’s top of my mind: How I’m smashing the ‘Earn my rates’ challenge.

Have a quick look at the sidebar. I haven’t even got my rates notice yet – it’ll arrive in August – but I’m already more than halfway towards paying it. Using the public library for hundreds of hours of free entertainment is a retirement superpower.

Where I’ve been: To Mitre 10.

You’d think by now that I’d know how many bags of sugar cane mulch I need to buy to get the front yard/orchard ready for winter, but clearly, I don’t.

A punnet of cos lettuce happened to jump into the trolley.

Where I’m going: To the UK in September.

Gee, have I mentioned that yet???

Haha!

What I’m reading: Wrong Place, Wrong Time – McAllister.

This is an interesting premise, and as I like things playing around with time, I picked it up. It was a slow burn at first, but then it grabbed me – especially when I was caught by surprise by something in the plot that I didn’t foresee. I’m going to track down more of hers.

The Money Club – Fiona Lowe.

I could barely put this book down! Instead of watching zombies after dinner, I sat and raced through this book until I needed to go to bed… and then I read it some more. This author has written some cracking good reads.

What I’m watching: My gardens slowly getting squared away for winter.

One of the big downsides to working so much is that things get neglected here at home. Since I’ve stepped back from doing so much CRT, I’ve been able to pick up the sack here. After starting to paint the lounge room, I decided that I needed to get my gardens squared away first.

I’m not growing anything much over the winter, just some celery, lettuce, garlic and spinach/silver beet. Everything else has now been pulled out, chopped into little pieces and dropped onto the garden beds to slowly rot down and return the nutrients to the soil.

I add some animal or chook manure, some mushroom compost, some autumn leaves and any coffee grounds and teabags that I have lying around, then cover it all with a thick layer of pea straw. Some years I get lucky and peas sprout from the pe straw, so I get free peas. (Free is my favourite flavour.)

When I received the money from the sale of the old house, I spent an absolute fortune on landscaping. I knew that numerically, I’d never grow enough food to cover the cost. But it’s certainly ‘free’ entertainment. I was out there all day, listening to Mum’s Boppin’ Bangers on Spotify and contentedly getting my garden ready for Spring.

It’s very satisfying to include ingredients for dinner that have come from your own backyard.

What I’m listening to: The sounds of school.

Yes, it’s Wednesday s I’m back at school. This week I’m at the main campus, which is lovely because I get to see some of my old students and the general atmosphere is a lot calmer. Main has a lot more space for people to move around.

I’ll be working next Wednesday as well, which I’ll probably put towards paint and curtains for my revamped lounge room.

What I’m eating: Shrimp pasta.

I’m using up a bag of frozen shrimp that’s been in the freezer for ages. As an experiment, I made our usual vegetarian pasta sauce (with our home-grown garlic, silver beet, zucchini and basil) and popped a couple of big handfuls of the shrimp into the steamer basket in the thermomix.

It was delicious!

What I’m planning: Painting.

How and when I’ll be getting this job done. I’m not exactly feeling the love for doing it, but I’ve finished the gardening so I have no real excuse.

Who needs a high five: Ryan28.

He’s been helping me out in the garden by tackling a really big job that I wouldn’t have been able to do. It’s been nice, both of us working away, sometimes talking, more often not, just companionably working away. Every now and then Scout will leave a ball suggestively close to one of us. The Cavaliers are usually asleep on the couch under the verandah, though sometimes they’ll come to check out what we’re up to.

What has made me smile: A conversation I just had with a kid.

I was happily typing away and a kid said, “Fuck this stupid program!” to his friend.

His friend said, “Miss, did you hear that?”

“Yes,” I said. “But I don’t know what that word means…”

The kid looked at me, smiled and said, “I think one of us is lying, Miss.”

Dad joke of the day:

What’s top of my mind: How lovely it is to have days to myself.

After weeks of whiney posts about having to go to work again, you’ll be relieved to hear that I only worked one day last week and (so far) only one day this week.

It’s been so good to get stuck into things that need doing here at home. The garden has been kicked along, while on Monday I got up and suddenly decided to use the sample paint pot I had to start cutting in around the doors and windows. No sense in wasting good paint!

It took from period 4 to the end of period 5 (including lunchtime) to use up the paint. Ok, I wasn’t earning money but I’ve got to tell you – I felt far more productive during those 3 hours than I’ve felt sitting in a classroom!

Where I’ve been: out in the garden.

After painting on Monday and then a heap of ‘chop-and-dropping’ in the late morning yesterday, my legs were feeling it. But a glance at the weather forecast told me that we’re in for a tonne of rain today. I knew that if I didn’t bed the orchard down with sugar cane mulch, I’d be looking out of a classroom window at the rain teeming down and I’d be kicking myself for not getting it done.

So I dragged myself out and put two bags of mulch out there. I underestimated what I’d need, but most of the ground is thickly covered and the rain will bed it all down beautifully. Pretty happy with that.

I got Ryan28 to make dinner though. I was pretty tired by the end.

Where I’m going: to work.

I’ve been booked for every Wednesday this term, so I’m back at the new campus today. The VERY good news is that today is the day that I’ve officially earned the money for Evan26’s Clown College in France.

I do love ticking off a goal.

What I’m reading: The Book Eaters – Dean

I finished this a couple of days ago and how I loved it!

What I’m watching: Ted Lasso season 3.

Ryan28 and I are watching it. It’s our latest mother/son bonding program, first started when we watched ‘Breaking Bad’ together.

What I’m listening to: My son’s podcast.

While I was eating breakfast I skimmed an article about the 50 best life hacks. One of them was to listen to audiobooks and podcasts at 1.2X speed, to get through more content faster.

I can’t do that! I love hearing Evan26’s voice as I drive. If it was sped up it wouldn’t sound like him.

What I’m eating: I have no idea.

Ryan28 is cooking dinner tonight, because I’ll be home late. Who knows what he’ll decide to make?

What I’m planning: What I’m packing for my trip in September.

Yesterday I ordered a merino dress from a company called Wool& from America. (I looked at the Aussie brands, but they were very exxy.) I’ve decided that I’m going to take only one outfit for my trip, which will be this dress, and I’ll have the merino long-sleeved tops that I bought for Antarctica to layer underneath for warmth.

Autumn in the UK is bound to feel like winter in Melbourne on some days. Given this, I’ll be taking the fleecy jacket that I also wore in Antarctica as my coat. I won’t be terribly fashionable, but the beauty of being Frogdancer Jones at this stage of life is that I don’t care.

I’m definitely taking 2 pairs of shoes – my beautiful boots and a pair of white runners. I learned the hard way about the importance of NOT having sore feet when I was last in London in 2015. Scott and I had to go shopping for runners on the third day when I was nearly crippled by the sandals I was wearing.

** The Wool& company has a 100 day challenge, where if you wear the same dress for 100 days, you get a $100 credit towards a new dress. I worked out that if I start the challenge on July 1, I’d be finished by the time I get back home after my trip. I’m thinking about doing it.

Who deserves a high five: Me.

I’m really pleased that I’ve earned the money for Evan26’s trip.

When I left work I definitely didn’t expect to come back. But after a year’s total break, this CRT gig has helped out nearly all my boys with big life goals, as well as paying for my upcoming holiday.

That’s not bad.

What has made me smile: OMG! There’s a ‘Walking Dead’ sequel coming to Stan in a couple of weeks!!!!

We all have our guilty pleasures and (one of) mine is The Walking Dead.

I love watching a zombie apocalypse.

Currently, I’m watching ‘Z Nation’ on Netflix and it scratches the itch a bit, but it’s just not the same as the original.

Dad joke of the day:

What’s top of my mind: I’m having the CRT day from hell.

I suppose it had to happen sooner or later.

The day at school is divided into 6 periods. Today I’ve been put onto 3 periods of sport (YUCK), 2 periods of Maths (also YUCK), and 1 period of sex-ed with one of the worst classes on campus.

To add insult to injury, I was also given yard duty at the canteen for the first half of lunch, when the kids are hungry and feral.

I’m starting to wonder what on earth I did to upset the Daily Organiser…

Where I’ve been: rethinking my life choices.

Do I really want to earn Evan26’s Clown College fees??? Today has been absolutely no fun.

Where I’m going: England and Ireland in September.

I’m keeping this trip in front of mind today. I need something to look forward to!

Last night Corinna messaged me about a stage show we’re hopefully going to while I’m in London with her. It seems so far away, but before I know it, I’ll be stepping onto that plane.

What I’m reading: Elektra by Jennifer Saint.

I finished this novel on Saturday night. I couldn’t put it down. I snuggled up on the couch with the dogs, a shiraz in hand and enjoyed the peace and quiet of the house as I galloped through the story.

I only had the haziest idea of Elektra’s story before reading this. I really enjoyed the way Sant entwined the perspectives of Cassandra and Clytemnestra as well as Elektra in her retelling of the ancient myth. Ever since reading The Firebrand when I was in my teen, I’ve had a soft spot for Cassandra. SUCH a good book!

I’ve also been reading Tricia Stringer’s books. They’re easy to read, family saga-type books that I can listen to when I commute, or pull up on my iPad if the class I’m in front of is quiet and doing their work and I don’t have to watch them like a hawk. She must be popular – my local library has a heap of them available!

What I’m watching: my life dwindle away.

I have just one more period to go. The Maths kids are doing a test, so the room will be quiet and miserable, just the way I like it.

What I’m listening to: Kids doing revision for their test.

It’s some kind of algebra and they seem to enjoy competing with each other to get the right answer the quickest.

It would be my idea of hell, but this group seems to enjoy it.

What I’m eating: What’s left in the meat drawer of the freezer.

Later this week I’ll be stocking up on meat again, but for now, we’re eating what’s lurking in the meat drawer. We have some prawns, some salmon and some chook carcasses that I make into stock for the chicken and veggie soup Ryan28 and I like to have for lunch on the weekends.

Last night I made a simple pasta sauce and threw some prawns in. Delicious!

Every now and then, it’s a good idea to eat down what I’ve stored in the freezer. It’s too easy to just keep stocking it up, but then it ultimately leads to things getting freezer burn and being wasted. It’s strange to see so much empty space in that drawer, but soon it’ll be full again and the ‘Ma Ingalls’ part of my brain will be happy again.

What I’m planning: my wardrobe for my trip.

I’m only taking carry-on for my 5-week trip in September, so I’m beginning to think about what I’ll be taking with me. It’ll be autumn in the UK, so things will be getting a bit wet and chilly. I’m starting to look at merino clothing, like I did for Antarctica. There’s a lot to be said for merino as part of a travel wardrobe.

Who deserves a thumbs-up: a young PE teacher.

He used to be a student at the school and he knows full well that I’m not cut out to take a double period of soccer on the oval. He conflated our two classes and ran the double, while I mopped up things around the edges. If he hadn’t stepped in, that double period would have been an absolute shit show.

I said that I owed him one, but he said he was just paying me back for teaching him some great drama games that he uses when he needs to keep kids occupied. Those lessons would have been nine or ten years ago!

Sometimes, I guess that teachers DO get their reward here on earth.

What has made me smile: lunch at Evan26 and Jenna’s place yesterday.

It’s handy having weekdays off. Ryan28 and I went across town to organise a medical thing for him, and after that, we dropped into the kids’ place for lunch.

We don’t get to see a lot of them, as they live on the other side of town, so it was lovely to loll around on their couch, stuff ourselves with dips and crackers and just talk.

On Sunday we went to spend some time with David29 and Izzy. Married life seems to agree with them.

It’s a fine thing to see your adult children so content with their partners. 🙂

Dad joke of the day: