Sunday 19 September 2010

Overwhelmed {Don't you just hate that feeling?} Catch up...

If I let it get the better of me it'll cripple me; really hinder my process...so I'm trying just to overcome it. I have my new computer up & running now & quite a few layout photos uploaded now & text all in place, ready to cut/paste & publish so hopefully it will be a productive week on the bloggy front. I hate looking through my archives & seeing 2, 3 or 4 posts so prepare to be bombarded this week as I play catch up! It's been just fantastic to sit here for HOURS going through all your blogs, pouring over all your new work & photographs & again I am just soaking up the blessing that is blogland & thanking Stacy Julien for filming us at the SA Convention in 2007, on her flip, and saying she was going to upload it onto her blog...

I had no idea what she was talking about but was determined to find out & so began my hunt into cyberspace. I often think, if I hadn't gone with that at that very moment, my life would be so much less dimensional as a result. But I have also realised, this 3 weeks off the computer, that my real life pretty much rocks too. I have really bonded with all my kids & got so involved on every level, with the goings on in this household, whereas before sometimes I would feel a bit detached from it, even though of course I go through the motions on a daily basis.

I haven't dare open up my e mail yet. I have been trying to keep up through my phone & know that there are hundreds in there, and now that I am on Windows 7 Microsoft Outlook I am also nervous as I am used to XP Outlook Express. I'm not very good at just diving right in & pussy-foot around new things for a while before I get to grips with them! So tomorrow will be the day for some show & tell. Today is just a "testing the waters" kinda post, catching up with you all & letting you know that I am back here at my li'l desk at long last.

On the family front I have been running around like crazy for Chelsea, who has decided now that she would finally {at the very enth hour} like to have all her options open when she graduates in a couple of months, and, with tertiary institutions needing all documentation in by end September generally, it really is last minute. [I have been trying to motivate her for 2 years...] I'm gobsmacked at what these establishemts require, from testimonials, to work-experience log-sheets, to specific assignments, really...I think it is all too much...and on top of it all she had to write another 10 hour {national benchmark} exam yesterday. Relieved though that finally she has realised that what she studies after school is actually going to determine the course of the rest of her life...hallelujah!

Jack is struggling to focus fully at a Model C {quasi-government} school, where numerous teachers are generally not bothered what gets done & what doesn't, and at 15 it is difficult to stay focused when there are no immediate consequences if you are NOT. He is popular & has made a great friend, who is full of fun, and for that I am grateful, but unfortunately in class this boy is a distraction & it is so tempting to have fun as opposed to study, especially when there is so little teacher control that it is possible to do so! Despite this he has scraped a merit {above 80% average} yet again, which Chelsea assures me is because the curriculum is FET as oppposed to IEB {more difficult apparently} based. {Her being at a private school & him not...} but we have little option to change things - bar sending him inland to board which we are loathe to do. Thankful for the relationship we have which has resulted in him admitting that he is not giving of his best & his desire to change.

Reilly is finally pulling himself together at 12. Focusing more & pulling off inovative & creative projects, but being held back by the dreaded concept of TEAMWORK. Together We Achieve More - sounds like a sensible slogan - but at Junior school, believe me, together they achieve less!!! Had his market day recently, which is meant to teach them entrepreneurial skills, but doesn't teach them anything, because mum & dad have to shell out for the raw materials & kids think that turnover = profit! What really gets me is we always think of sell-out concepts then have to split the turnover with his partner while the partner is left with half the stock & takes it all home! I would prefer to cover my costs but would accept stock rather than nothing at all. Funny how it never occurs to the other parent to hand over half the non-sold stock but they are always happy to keep half Reilly's profits...gggggrrrrrrr....

Cami is stepping out! At 10!! She has finally pulled her nose out of her Princess Poppy books {having read every single one available here} & has had a whirlwind weekend of social engagements ;-D The cats are relieved to have finally got some sleep {she insists on waking them up continually & carrying them around the house - often in varying degrees of fancy dress}. This weekend alone she has been out for pizza, to see a movie, had a sleepover with a friend & gone to a "Murder in the Dark" party dressed as Miss Scarlett!! Go Cami ;-D It has been strange for me not even having my youngest by my side like a little limpet & as a result I actually managed to cook a full roast dinner, complete with crunchy roast potatoes & delicious salty crackling yesterday!

Thank Goodness for "Simply Complicated" {the movie} as I always think of that when I feel sad at the thought of my kids leaving home - slowly but surely, starting pretty soon if Chelsea gets accepted into University in another province...

8 comments:

CathQuillScrap said...

Glad you're back up and running... enjoy coming to terms with your new pc... it's my turn later in the week!

Cindy Lee said...

yeah...i hate that feeling too. i was overwhelmed with stuff that sometimes i feel like not doing aything and just relax :)

tania said...

ahh you back!! happy to hear from you!!
what a mouthfull:)
glad everything is going so well with your kiddies and that chelsea is coping well with her studies.
can't wait to see your layouts;)
your dinner sounds delicious!

Diana said...

Hmmm that dinner sure sounds yum!
Great update. Glad you're back!

Bernadine said...

Welcome back. Just to let you know I am fine. The stress is over. :)

Ella Swan said...

Whoa wasn't expecting to find any comments in here just yet - you girls rock! Cindy I've spent too much time just relaxing lately now that summer's here - that's the problem! Now I need to find some energy after work again instead of vegging out reading mags ;-D Yup I even surprised myself with that dinner but I got out my Delia Smith Book & stuck to it to a T - which is not how I normally cook at all...could explain why it was a lot better this time lol...

Shayne said...

I left a long comment earlier and it appears it wasn't saved - what a pain!

Wanted to say it's good to have you back! Good luck with the million emails - i have thinned mine out a stack by cutting my name on a million sites notifications - definately helps.

As for Cami - Polly is crazy about Princess Poppy. We only ahve 2 books so far but we have to read read and reread. So time for me to get more! Glad that she is finally coming out of herself (and that she feels the confidence to do so) and starting to socialise more. You'll not know yourself without your 'limpet' at your side!

And as for spending time at the pc, i've learn't whilst often it's easier to just sit here and while away the time, family relations take a back seat which is not what we're after is it?

Have a good week helen and thanks for the feedback on my blog - much appreciated. I did sit and talk to her, and have also ordered a Judy Blume book that deals with the topic for her. Watch this space!

Desire Fourie said...

Loving the new look of your blog with the category tabs at the top, very cool. It was great catching up again with your very busy family's life. Always liked your writing style and interesting way you share your every day life with us in blogland. Glad you could book Dean for a shoot. I am sure you are going to be over the moon with the end results ... cant wait to see.
Hugs
Desire