Hi
Welcome to any newbies who have joined over the past week!
I've been reading through back posts but there were five pages of them so I haven't been as thorough as I should've been - and could easily miss someone!
The weather was kind when I was away although there was a bit too much sun but I managed with long sleeves and a big hat and plenty of sunblock.
NO WETSUIT Pooh! I did spend an afternoon in a canoe though, which was a whole new experience. I've only ever been in a kayak before.
One night we were meant to camp. The kids had built bivouacs and were meant to sleep in them. As dusk approached - the midges descended or ascended - I'm not sure which and we were being eaten alive and managed to persuade the outdoor education folk to take us back to 'civilisation' (bunk beds in a building) Their bus wasn't big enough for us all so another worker plus two girls and me had to wait in the woods till they dropped the others off and came back. The midges kept biting and the mist got really wet too so we were pretty uncomfortable! We messed around making animal noises and as we had a camcorder we tried to make our own version of the Blair Witch Project.
1 lad got sent home the morning after I arrived for setting fire to his aerosol deoderant and singeing another kid's hair. Two got sent home the following day for bullying, namecalling and urinating in another kids' shoes. (His only pair) Youth workers are taking him shopping for a new pair and giving the receiot to the parent(s)/carer(s) of the perpetraters.
2 girls actively WANTED to be sent home and were pains in the butt all week but not actually dangerous. The others all seemed to have a good time.
Can't say I'm sorry to be home though! I will be sleeping in over the weekend.
My FIL is holding his own and I think will be getting out of hosptal on Monday. Hubby is going up to look after him as his sister is due an op next week and the hospital won't let FIL out unless there is help on hand at home. Hubby is taking the car so I'm not looking forward to bussing it to work. Don't mind the bus but I don't like the walk to and from the bus stop. Not sure how long this will go on for.
Got good news yesterday though. My youngest got her marks from her last year at Uni and is graduating in July with a First Class Degree. It's a nice feeling to know that all 4 kids have been through Uni. Makes me feel I must have done something right even although I felt pretty useless quite often when they were little cos I didn't seem to have the energy a lot of the other mothers had and they were brought up in a really untidy house. I did talk to them a lot though. (and listened)
All 4 are working too and in this financial climate that is lucky too. Youngest has had a part time job at Uni for the last 2 years and they have offered her a 3 year position now that she has her degree. Something to do with project managing funds for university departments.
Anyway - I'm back. I've missed you all! No radio, TV, computer or news for 5 whole days! No phone reception either.
Take care - Scottie
