Mashed Brain

 

Monday was a Bank Holiday, we had a nice quiet day after a busy weekend. Then Tuesday I was in work again, largely because there was a planning meeting which was to take up the whole morning (otherwise I'd have booked it off). The planning meeting was moved to the afternoon so I filled the morning with other outstanding activities. I got to the afternoon and then attended the planning meeting, but there was only one other person there. So that was cancelled. So I filled the afternoon with outstanding activities, but there was no point going into anything that would take massive brain power because I was off on the Wednesday so I'd lose my thread.

Wednesday morning I got up early (despite the fact it was a day off), to get son ready for school. It was an important day because it was my husbands birthday. But I was actually juggling two different big events, the birthday and also it was son's last official day of school - how did that happen.

As soon as son got ready for school I got tarted up, I was off later in the morning to his leavers assembly. Now I'm aware at these events that every other mum will be judging all the other mum's. Never a good place for me to be. My measure is what percentage of looking worse am I against the other mums. Many of whom do botox and I'm pretty sure have face lifts. In addition, many do not work and spend their weeks going to the gym and going to the beautician. I literally couldn't be more different.

As I had to take the dog for a walk I got completely ready, except for the trousers which would inevitably get covered in mud.

The dog walk was a nightmare. First of all the dog came across a huge amount of fox wee (it can smell it out in a second), it was on the other side of the field and by the time I'd managed to get to her she had been rolling in it for about 5 minutes. I sniffed in the hope that it wasn't too bad, but she absolutely stank.

This meant I now needed to fit a dog bath into my morning before I headed off to Lewes. Then walking back home the dog dropped her ball and it rolled down a bank and under a fence. It just so happens that she's fussy about balls and this ball cost about £20 so I couldn't just leave it. The next thing you know I'm lying on my stomach in mud reaching for the ball. I got it, but this now meant I also needed to change again.

Getting home husband had woken up so I duly sang Happy Birthday and sat with him jovially as he opened his cards. As soon as this was finished I ran the bath for dog and whilst it was running I went and changed my top and put on the trousers I was going to wear.

Bath ran I washed the dog, being careful not to cover my outfit in water, then went downstairs to make husband a special Birthday breakfast (largely involving huge amounts of meat). I also made myself a smaller version of the breakfast. So he didn't feel left out I sat with him to eat the breakfast together. I didn't put the breakfast on the table properly and before you know it the plate had tipped sending the entire meal down my front and onto my lap.

This meant I needed to get changed again!!!! By now I was running out of clothes that I could actually wear. There's only so many smart yummy(ish) mummy outfits I own. Though I did manage to cobble something together. 

All changed I then jumped in the car and headed for Lewes. I parked the car and walked to a coffee shop where I was meeting another of the mums. As per usual I was 10 minutes early - I'd rather that than late and as per usual the person I was meeting was late. 

When they did turn up they went straight into a huge rant about what a terrible week they'd had, they didn't even say hello - or take a breath for about 20 minutes. I just sat there and absorbed what was said. They then started to go on about how we could share lifts for the kids exams, whilst they live close to me they don't live that close, so I explained that I didn't think this would work. She wasn't convinced and I think she thinks its still happening, but I'm going to have a chat with her over the weekend and explain why it isn't. 

If son's friend turns up late I'm going to be in a total stress flap. She's just going to have to organise another route. Normally I'd be totally open to it, but as I'm juggling getting son to school (when he's not on minibus) with driving him to exams, plus working full time AND fitting in a dog walk each day I really can't add to the stress.

We eventually got to the Town Hall where the leavers assembly was going to be and whilst I'd have sat at the back she was keen to sit right at the front. Given the day I'd had and clearly the week she'd had I was happy to just sit wherever she wanted. Actually it worked out well we ended up next to some other mum's that I actually really like.

The leavers assembly was actually amazing. It's a small school. The whole of Year 11 sat in seats in the middle with parents on either side. The Headmaster did an amazing speech all about the year it was really touching. Then each of the year heads who have been with the kids since Year 9 did a speech about the specific class they had been looking after.

It was so touching and so personal, each did a different approach - 2 did a poem, 1 talked about each child individually and what their strengths were. Sadly the only one that was rubbish was the one form head that related to my son and the rest of his form - it was like they didn't even know them. This wasn't just me being precious, son agreed too.

Needless to say, I ended up with a tissue wiping up tears in my eyes it was so touching. 

The Headmaster then went through all the nominees for the awards and the names of those that had actually won them. Hundreds of names. I sat there for 20 minutes without hearing my son's name mentioned once. Then at the end they went through awards that had been nominated by the kids. I'm pleased to say that I did at least hear my son's name once there - though neither of us can remember what the award was for. Also it was one that was nominated by the class, not by the teachers and definitely not academic!

The actual awards will be handed out in July at an awards ceremony. I suspect we'll go, but it will be a lot of clapping for other people's kids...... again.

After all that was over the hall next door was opened for drinks and nibbles. The kids filed out first and the parents followed. I looked everywhere for son. Not easy because I'm armpit height to most people. Above the crowd I could see one of Felix's friends who is over 6 foot. I wandered up to him and asked if he could help me find Felix. He looked around and told me where he was and I headed in the direction.

I walked up to son and said hi. He looked at me. I said, do you want me to go away. He said, yes please.

So I did

At least he said please!

We then headed home, where it turned into husband's birthday again. He had decided he wanted to go for a walk over in Saltdean. So we headed off with dog. The walk was lovely actually, down a cliff path and along the undercliff walk. An area I hadn't been to before. Also there was a huge stone jetty going out to the sea so we wandered along this for as far as we could. Not exciting, but something a bit interesting.

I'm always amazed by the wonderful wild flowers that appear by the coast. Amazed because they have to be hardy, they spend their lives being hit by high winds and salty spray and yet they continue to bloom. This week's picture was a particularly beautiful spot of flowers.

After this we headed home and went our own ways for a few hours, then we ordered a takeaway (gosh there was a lot of food yesterday). After that as a family we all sat down and played Catan together. It was the first time we'd played it. Despite the fact FAR TO LONG was spent discussing the instructions once we started playing we all had a lot of fun. It helped that with all our different skill sets it was something we could play at a level with each other.

And that was it - my crazy crazy day - and importantly husband's birthday. He seemed to enjoy it - which is a blessing.

Back to work on Thursday and Friday - it felt very strange, my work clock is all over the place with all the days I've been off recently. It hasn't helped me not want to retire either. I get so much done when I'm not at work. Work really does just get in the way.

On Saturday we had the final event for husband's birthday - a good old fashioned birthday party. I'd set the table and dining room up with the birthday tablecloth and the stars earlier in the week. So all that was required was to prepare oodles of party food. Mainly meat based because it's for husbands birthday. I'm the only person in the house that doesn't tend to get a birthday party. What's the point - I'd be the one that had to prepare it and spend a day in the kitchen.

Friends came over to join us for the party and it was really nice to see them.

Funnily enough my mobile phone has just sent me one of those photo galleries from years ago, that make you feel like it's your memorial at your funeral. It was of husbands birthday a few years ago. The one when we went to London and then the new king decided to put on a coronation in his honour. Which was nice.......................