Stuff stuff

Tara had a good time at the Prom. Lots of happy pix on her FB.

Tara - all dressed to kill!

Life's difficult at the moment. Lots of things need sorting.

I need a new job but there isn't much going now, especially in teaching. I suppose one good thing that happened was that I got an interview at Haverigg even tho I didn't get a job. They were so disorganised. They didn't seem to know what I should have brought with me. Left me at the gate for 20 minutes before fetching me. Not even a drink of water. As for feedback, I am still waiting.

The JobCentre have put me with this company called A4E who are supposed to help me get the skills required to get back to work. The woman looked at my CV and basically said there's not much I can do to help you and I don't know why you haven't got  job yet. Still, she offered to make an appointment for me with the enterprise manager who might get me funding for my proofreading website.

Think I will need to move out soon. Running out of money. Not sure there is anything much cheaper for a 3 bedroom house. Bit depressing.

The BBQ was great. Beautiful day. Everybody who came along had fun and ate lots. So relaxed. R said it was the most relaxed BBQ she had ever been to. C helped get the BBQ going and then Hari took over. Robert arrived an hour or two later and the two of them sat there nattering and cooking with their drinks and lots of food. Most of the food was cooked already and just needed a bit on the BBQ for the charred look - and taste! People brought along salads and I had lots of soft drinks. Two of Tara's friends turned up on bikes and another was brought by her mum. They just chilled on the blankets...... Adam had a couple of friends too. They played football, swingball and boules (!). They did disappear into the house to play computer games for a while (quelle surprise, as they say....) but mostly ran around having fun. Just a very pleasant afternoon.

Me......

Tara and friends......

Boys doing man stuff....

oh well, why not?

Time for a natter......

My neighbour, R and Farmer J

Landlord wrote asking to visit, but I said I was busy and suggested another couple of dates. However he turned up anyway and looked around the outside. Then he wrote a stinking letter through the letting agents, saying I had denied access and there was rubbish everywhere. Not sure how he made out that I denied access and the rubbish was recycling and all bagged up to be taken away so..... I was a little annoyed. Considering that they ignore my comments and suggestions about what needs to be done and the lack of action when things need to be done, I think he has a nerve.

Kids came to see me before setting of for three weeks with their mother. Adam was ill Wednesday night and Thursday - gastroenteritis the doctor said - but feeling happier today. They both looked as miserable as I felt. Hopefully we can keep in touch via phone and maybe they will have some internet access.

Hari and I will be looking after the dogs over the next 3 weeks. Get the garden tidy and maybe get rid of stuff to tip or charity. Make it easier to move. Hmm, August or September?

Looking forward to Leeds Music Festival but the dates clash a bit with Tara's results, though she may come with friends. Should try some sightseeing too. Any ideas?

Last Fortnight

It has been stunning weather here. The days have been warm and sunny, the nights cool with clear skies. I managed to clean the house with a little help from my little friends.... Garden is looking tidy. Killed loads of dandelions near the path.  Need to do more weeding and thinning out. The beds are green and full of flowers. Had a ton of rhubarb which I took over to Anna, who is going to make crumble and chutneys from which I might benefit. Yay! I think I should do crumbles myself - or get Tara to do them. She does them well. Hari makes a mean cheesecake - and very spicy chili! At least, he will never starve...... The house inspection went okay, except there's a big messy nest in the guttering.

Hari got back on the 30th. The kids have been on half term but we didn't do much. Lazed around. Tara was revising - or so she claimed! We had supper at Sanah's on 31st which was excellent. We were the last ones so she was fussing over us. She was going gooey over Tara, whom she doesn't remember visiting her stall in Market Square. It's worth going to but she is only open on Fridays. She has a great chef! The kids watched him cook as we were the last ones - well the kitchen is in the room anyway. Had a big tandoor - clay oven - out of which he was taking big naans. The kids were on good form, especially Tara. Hari went back to M's to look after the dogs. M was in France for the weekend.

Saturday was the Bentham CARnival but the kids were not interested. There were rides and dances etc but...... Wray Sports was also on Saturday. Adam decided he wanted to go, so I took him there. He won the U12s 100m race. The other races were in the 11 - 14 category so the older boys won those. He decided to go and play with Nick Wacquers while I sat and worked, and chatted with Jenny, in the Institute. Tara and I got a few bits from the coop, the Tara spent some time with Rachel, while she did the garden! Tara was in a good mood and got on well with Rachel.

Hari spent Saturday and most of Sunday on the Xbox with Rob.

Sunday was quiet apart from having the dogs. Ole is a pain in the butt. Such a spoilt, whiny dog. Late supper of noodles and chick peas - how do you eat noodles with chop stick? Carefully!

Miserable Monday..... but we had pizza!

Tuesday was a busy day. Had to go sign in but they were on strike so I was turned away at the door! Do I get my expenses back? Went and swore at, I mean with, a solicitor. 25 words, one signature, 2 minutes, £5! Woohoo, I wish I was a solicitor. Collected my glasses. Tried to see Hari at his work experience but he was busy. He was supposed to start on Monday but things got muddled between the Library and his Uni. Got tank filled at ASDA when I went in. Bought some books at the Samaritans. Lovely stew for supper! Took Jill out for a late night walk. Beautiful night. Didn't fall asleep till 2.45ish. :(

No jobs to apply for this fortnight. No interviews offered. Surprising. Not! My ads have been published in the Bentham News. Hope something comes from them. Been working on Conference with my sister. Going there today (5 June). I feel fat. Hope I can fit in my clothes. Need to be smart. "Tip top" as Gulshan said. May get some marking. So I will get a few bob...... Need more regular work really.

Big decisions to make regarding jobs and house. Also, relationships.

Not finished with this yet. Will upload some pix later.

Update on my life......

I thought I would do an update about life so far since my last bog about family related stuff.

Melissa and I are officially divorced. She married Charles, who was a family friend. He had had a stroke a few months earlier. He died a few weeks later, leaving her a house and money. His daughter Lauren set up a memorial thing for him. http://www.justgiving.com/remember/28179/Charles-Brocki ... if you feel like giving.

Hari is in his second year at Aberystwyth University, enjoying life - a bit too much, if his results are anything to go by... Seems to be heading for a lower second at best.

Tara has had a tough time but she is improving and coping better now. She is just about to finish her GCSEs, which should be a mixture from A* - C, nothing spectacular. That's fine. A levels next. She's off to Germany for a week or ten days, staying with friends. She seems to have a facility with languages. Wonder who she gets that from then?

Adam has had a good first year at QES. Got into a few scrapes but basically seems to have settled in well and is enjoying it. He played for Craven Wanderers' U-12 football team.

I haven't got a job yet. I have applied for 12 or 15 teaching jobs, 5 or 6 teaching agencies ( see post about them) but no luck. Nothing for proofreading or tutoring either. No response even for minor things. I am too old and well qualified.

I am doing voluntary work at the Looking Well. Thinking about doing stuff at the Library.

Might have some marking to do - MA assignments. Also, doing some work with my sister.

The JobCentre / Benefits people are giving me a hard time, claiming I have savings. Lol. Then in the next breath, they say I may have used them up for expenses. When I tried to reason, they told me, in varying tones and volumes (like that would make a difference) "We must be vigilant". I was accused of delaying sending in financial stuff, which I had already sent in twice and been visited by a Compliance Officer to check it out, cos I was hiding something... The Housing Benefit people don't want to hear I have more than one child I need to house. "You only get child benefit for one..."

Anyway, I need a job soon.

Met a really nice woman but she lives in the US... I like doing things the easy way obviously.

Sometimes I feel really angry about everything. Then I kind of think I love my kids and I should be grateful for that. I am still in a better place than a lot of other people.  It will get better. I will get a job soon. :)