After all the angst I have had with the new job I started in September, I had a phone call this afternoon to say that as of tomorrow, I have been promoted to a senior researcher! Whoo-hoo! That means that they don't listen in to my calls so much and they don't check up on the notes I put through to the garages any more - they go straight off! Best of all, I get paid an extra pound an hour......
I am really chuffed about this, and relieved to say the least. I had believed that I wouldn't promoted for at least another month, and that the powers that be would be doing a live time and motion study on me for an hour before they put me through - and I was really worried about that, because there is nothing like being "watched" for making me nervous and more likely to do things wrong. Whether they did it without me being aware of it or not, I don't know, but at least I am over that hurdle now.
I've also been on a bit of a roll this morning and got most of the service for Sunday ready! That is unprecedented - for me to be this ready so far ahead is strange, but very good....Remembrance Sunday is a big responsibility for me, but I have done it before so I know how it works here in our chapel. I even have an activity planned for any children that come along, and if there aren't any, the adults will have to have a go because it is an integral part of the service.
I'm off now to see if I can have a cuppa and put my feet up for half an hour. Hope you are all snug and warm now that the weather has turned chillier.
Thursday, 6 November 2014
Wednesday, 5 November 2014
Aspirations
Last night at the school in Peterborough was a very interesting experience. The school was founded by Henry VIII in about 1540, I think, and is hugely prestigious. There were lots of little darlings there with their mummies and daddies, and it was fun to look around and see who was there!
It is like the private school I attended in Cambridge, in many respects, and they have very high expectations. However, they are completely oversubscribed every year, as they only admit 50 extra sixth formers. The YFG is of the "I haven't a hope" mentality, but I know that it is worth filling out the application form and giving it her best shot! It would be very good for the YFG to go there, so all good thoughts her way please...
Today I have had a rummage in the freezer and pulled out the soup and bread roll for UJ's tea, along with some potato scones I made a while back. They will go down very well with some jam for pudding for him and the YFG tonight. I also grabbed some bacon lardons that I had portioned up and we can have those in the risotto that is definitely on the menu today.
I have just spent a while on the phone with the EFG and on the computer on The Train Line website, working out train times and prices with her. She had bought a standard advance return ticket for the 20th December, but it now turns out she can come home on the 18th, so we set to and looked for other tickets. By a stroke of luck, I found singles that come to £40 less than she paid for the return. She will have to pay a £10 admin charge to change the ticket, but she should still be £30 to the good. She is hotfooting it down to the station now, with a print out from the web site, in order to try to secure the cheaper tickets. I do hope it all works out, as two extra days with her are a bonus!
It is like the private school I attended in Cambridge, in many respects, and they have very high expectations. However, they are completely oversubscribed every year, as they only admit 50 extra sixth formers. The YFG is of the "I haven't a hope" mentality, but I know that it is worth filling out the application form and giving it her best shot! It would be very good for the YFG to go there, so all good thoughts her way please...
Today I have had a rummage in the freezer and pulled out the soup and bread roll for UJ's tea, along with some potato scones I made a while back. They will go down very well with some jam for pudding for him and the YFG tonight. I also grabbed some bacon lardons that I had portioned up and we can have those in the risotto that is definitely on the menu today.
(image from theguardian.com)
I have just spent a while on the phone with the EFG and on the computer on The Train Line website, working out train times and prices with her. She had bought a standard advance return ticket for the 20th December, but it now turns out she can come home on the 18th, so we set to and looked for other tickets. By a stroke of luck, I found singles that come to £40 less than she paid for the return. She will have to pay a £10 admin charge to change the ticket, but she should still be £30 to the good. She is hotfooting it down to the station now, with a print out from the web site, in order to try to secure the cheaper tickets. I do hope it all works out, as two extra days with her are a bonus!
Tuesday, 4 November 2014
Looking around for the next move
The YFG is thinking hard at the moment - and it seems to give her headaches! We have to make decisions soon about Sixth Form applications. Does she want to stay where she is, head into Peterborough or trek into Cambridge? Those are the three basic options, and we have to look into the options, see what each place has on offer and consider the pennies too.
Staying where she is will be the most comfortable option: the same bus into school each day, some of her friends still there, and familiar teachers and environment. Peterborough will be completely different in that it is a faith school, she will have to wear a uniform into the Sixth Form and it is a new place to her. Cambridge will be somewhere in between - no uniform but a new place and new friends to make. Either of the last two will also involve a much longer day - she would leave here at 7.15am to do the Peterborough thing, and the Cambridge trip would be a similarly early start!
And the pennies? There'll be a uniform to buy for Peterborough but not for the other two options, but then she would probably need more of her own clothes after wearing uniform for the last five years. Train fares would be needed for Peterborough and either bus or train for Cambridge - all to be considered.
The final decision will be a case of which place offers the courses, and the combination of courses she wants to do, and at which we feel she will achieve the most, in the happiest way!
Staying where she is will be the most comfortable option: the same bus into school each day, some of her friends still there, and familiar teachers and environment. Peterborough will be completely different in that it is a faith school, she will have to wear a uniform into the Sixth Form and it is a new place to her. Cambridge will be somewhere in between - no uniform but a new place and new friends to make. Either of the last two will also involve a much longer day - she would leave here at 7.15am to do the Peterborough thing, and the Cambridge trip would be a similarly early start!
And the pennies? There'll be a uniform to buy for Peterborough but not for the other two options, but then she would probably need more of her own clothes after wearing uniform for the last five years. Train fares would be needed for Peterborough and either bus or train for Cambridge - all to be considered.
The final decision will be a case of which place offers the courses, and the combination of courses she wants to do, and at which we feel she will achieve the most, in the happiest way!
Monday, 3 November 2014
In the kitchen this week
The freezer is getting a little jammed up with home made ready meals, so the YFG will need to eat a few servings of those this week to allow us to get to see what else is actually in there!
She's having a portion of lasagne, which is her undisputed favourite, tonight: I shall probably have some vegetable risotto - I have had it on the menu for the past two weeks and not got round to enjoying it!
The rest of the week holds all sorts of mysteries - I have got to get out there and have a rummage! I know that there is a portion of spaghetti sauce out there which the YFG will also enjoy with some pasta, but I shall have to think of something else for myself for that night because I know I put some onion gravy granules in the sauce, which means I can't eat it.
I have a bag of jacket potatoes languishing under the sink in the kitchen cupboard, so I know jackets will be on the menu at least once this week. An easy supper with a tin of beans or tuna, and not too much washing up!
I shall give UJ a portion of home made tomato soup for his tea on Wednesday, accompanied with a beautiful home made miniature cottage loaf bread roll which I was given last night. There is a wonderful baker at the church I was at last night, and he gave me some bread rolls to bring home, but the YFG thought that the rolls were too substantial for her lunch box, but they will go down well with some soup. I have popped them in the freezer to keep them fresh, but I know UJ will enjoy them. And that will be another plastic container out of the freezer on Wednesday!
I didn't get my sweet and sour chicken last week, but the YFG isn't keen, so I may not get it this week either.......unless I have it one night, freeze a portion or two. She could have scampi whilst I have that. But hey! That would be another pot going back into the freezer and defeating the objective for the week.......can't win, can I?
I know that there is some lovely stewing beef in there, so I shall probably get that out for tomorrow. We shall have a long day as we are going to Peterborough for an open evening at a school which the YFG might consider for Sixth Form, and we won't be home early, so that could be a good idea to fire up the slow cooker.
I'll see how it all turns out!
She's having a portion of lasagne, which is her undisputed favourite, tonight: I shall probably have some vegetable risotto - I have had it on the menu for the past two weeks and not got round to enjoying it!
The rest of the week holds all sorts of mysteries - I have got to get out there and have a rummage! I know that there is a portion of spaghetti sauce out there which the YFG will also enjoy with some pasta, but I shall have to think of something else for myself for that night because I know I put some onion gravy granules in the sauce, which means I can't eat it.
I have a bag of jacket potatoes languishing under the sink in the kitchen cupboard, so I know jackets will be on the menu at least once this week. An easy supper with a tin of beans or tuna, and not too much washing up!
I shall give UJ a portion of home made tomato soup for his tea on Wednesday, accompanied with a beautiful home made miniature cottage loaf bread roll which I was given last night. There is a wonderful baker at the church I was at last night, and he gave me some bread rolls to bring home, but the YFG thought that the rolls were too substantial for her lunch box, but they will go down well with some soup. I have popped them in the freezer to keep them fresh, but I know UJ will enjoy them. And that will be another plastic container out of the freezer on Wednesday!
I didn't get my sweet and sour chicken last week, but the YFG isn't keen, so I may not get it this week either.......unless I have it one night, freeze a portion or two. She could have scampi whilst I have that. But hey! That would be another pot going back into the freezer and defeating the objective for the week.......can't win, can I?
I know that there is some lovely stewing beef in there, so I shall probably get that out for tomorrow. We shall have a long day as we are going to Peterborough for an open evening at a school which the YFG might consider for Sixth Form, and we won't be home early, so that could be a good idea to fire up the slow cooker.
I'll see how it all turns out!
Sunday, 2 November 2014
Warts and all
Never let it be said that I only share the good things!
This is my first attempt at a sock........and it has instantly been christened "Dobby's sock" by the YFG, because that is what it reminds her of, from the Harry Potter stories. It's a bit too long and pointy....
and my mattress stitch appears to leave room for improvement too.
But hey, I'm half way to a pair of serviceable bedsocks for myself, so I shall continue!
Back together
The little bird is roosting here again! Have to say that I shall be very pleased to have the bigger bird home again in seven weeks' time, too, and have all the wee flock back here.
The YFG has had a long trip in terms of distance, and she was quite tired last night. She ate some lamb and veggies and then flopped out in front of Dr Who and Sherlock - back to her old favourites! I heard a little about the trip, but I dare say I shall hear more. The washing machine has been in action already......
My stepson's girlfriend went to the prison to see him yesterday and reports that all he has to complain about is the food, so he's doing OK. I think he will get his head down and do his time sensibly. I'm going to have a chat with her this afternoon and find out a bit more. It is a relief to know that she has seen him.
Today's a busy day with two services, but I really hope to get back here tonight with a little "ta-da" moment and show you my latest knitting project. It is an unusual way to make this item, and it is only half done, but I hope you'll see what it is.......I know, I'm teasing a little!
The YFG has had a long trip in terms of distance, and she was quite tired last night. She ate some lamb and veggies and then flopped out in front of Dr Who and Sherlock - back to her old favourites! I heard a little about the trip, but I dare say I shall hear more. The washing machine has been in action already......
My stepson's girlfriend went to the prison to see him yesterday and reports that all he has to complain about is the food, so he's doing OK. I think he will get his head down and do his time sensibly. I'm going to have a chat with her this afternoon and find out a bit more. It is a relief to know that she has seen him.
Today's a busy day with two services, but I really hope to get back here tonight with a little "ta-da" moment and show you my latest knitting project. It is an unusual way to make this item, and it is only half done, but I hope you'll see what it is.......I know, I'm teasing a little!
Saturday, 1 November 2014
Homeward bound
The YFG and the rest of the family will be coming home today, and I can't wait until the YFG is here again tonight! Peace and quiet is over-rated at times - a day or two is lovely, but by Thursday evening, I was ready to have some noise again........
I want to see the photos that I am sure she will have taken on her phone; I want to hear the stories, about who said what and who moaned about who: there's bound to have been some muttering about something or other! I'm keen to find out the YFG's opinion on how she thinks that the EFG is doing, and whether that particular flat that they stayed in would be a good place to use again?
I'm looking forward to listening and asking questions - but I am guessing that a good chunk of the story will have to wait until tomorrow, because when the YFG gets tired, she doesn't want to chat!!
I know that there will have been a huge difference between the hills and mountains of Scotland and the flat, wide open spaces of the Fens, and I am interested to see whether she has noticed the difference, whether she is as aware of her surroundings, and what she feels about Scotland now. I wonder what she thinks about Aberdeen and whether there is any temptation in her mind to want to study there herself.......
I'll let you know tomorrow, folks. Tonight will be about reconnecting with the YFG xx
I want to see the photos that I am sure she will have taken on her phone; I want to hear the stories, about who said what and who moaned about who: there's bound to have been some muttering about something or other! I'm keen to find out the YFG's opinion on how she thinks that the EFG is doing, and whether that particular flat that they stayed in would be a good place to use again?
I'm looking forward to listening and asking questions - but I am guessing that a good chunk of the story will have to wait until tomorrow, because when the YFG gets tired, she doesn't want to chat!!
I know that there will have been a huge difference between the hills and mountains of Scotland and the flat, wide open spaces of the Fens, and I am interested to see whether she has noticed the difference, whether she is as aware of her surroundings, and what she feels about Scotland now. I wonder what she thinks about Aberdeen and whether there is any temptation in her mind to want to study there herself.......
I'll let you know tomorrow, folks. Tonight will be about reconnecting with the YFG xx
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