Day 32

Alright, so I've done it to myself again. I had it all planned out tonight. Had a shower at 6:30, was going to write my blog around 8, come upstairs and do my hair at 9, and be in bed by 10. It's now 11:37, my hair isn't done, and I am just writing my blog now. (Obviously). The England game kind of threw everything for a loop. But my goodness we have some good looking men on our team. And in the stands too! Yay for Michael Owen being there! It's a shame however, that I missed out on tickets and wasn't able to sit with him. Anyway, enough babbling, let's talk about my day. Oh but before that...it was requested that I tell you about another experience I had at the grocery store yesterday.

I was standing at the cash, and each item was being scanned. All of a sudden the cashier stopped and laughed. She said "Well I've not seen this before". So I looked up, and she said "It says here that I need to look and make sure the customer is 25 or older". (She had scanned the vanilla extract). I thought she had said 21, so I offered my ID (Good thing she didn't want it). She asked if it was alcohol. I said I hope not! So then she showed me the screen, and sure enough it was telling her to check that I was old enough to be buying Vanilla. How odd.

Anyway, today was GREAT! (Aside from the rude plasterer...but we'll get to that a little later) I didn't have to get up until about 6:20 WOO HOO!!! Got ready and went downstairs. Breakfasts were had. The boys asked to see the chart a number of times, but we don't do that until after their parents go to work. (One of the rules is no bragging, and I just know it would start something). Josh wasn't on his best behaviour again today. He does this thing where he punches air, but as if he's punching you. It really annoys me, but today he decided to use his elbow and actually hit me. Right in my injured rib. It definitely didn't feel to nice, and when we got to school we were early, and it was cold so I asked them to stay in the car and I had a conversation with Josh about how things will not be fun for either of us if he does not behave. I explained that I do not enjoy yelling, and it's not something I want to be doing. I told him it wasn't normal, and talked about the different children I have looked after in the past, and I have not had to yell at them once. He tried to blame it on the fact that he had brothers. I told him of a family of three that I looked after and that his behaviour just did not cut it. It wasn't right, and I didn't want to leave in a year's time with him hating me, so something has to be done. He seemed to understand, and luckily Nathaniel piped up and said he would never hate me no matter what. He said Mommy gets mad at him sometimes but he never hates her. That was truly a relief to hear. I think one of the worst things EVER is hearing a child say that they hate you. It's something I haven't come across before.

We all got out of the car and walked into the playground. Josh gave me a hug and went to his class. Nathaniel, Zach and I waited near Nathaniel's class and played a game until it was time for him to line up. He went in and it was time to drive Zach to Angels. We got in the car and I asked him if he wanted to listen to Mika loud on the way to school. He said yes so I turned it on and turned it up a little. He kept saying louder, louder! So I turned it up as much as I would have it if I had been alone in the car, and the 2 of us sang all the way to Angels. It was great! We parked and I walked him up to the "school". The doors were already shut because Nathaniel's class went in late as usual, so we rang the doorbell and waited for them to let us in. I hung his bag on his hook, got a hug, and off he went.

I returned to the car, turned on the music and headed home. Once I got back, I avoided the plasterer. When he had arrived earlier, he wasn't very nice at all and was full of complaints. He was supposed to come before the school run, and showed up as we were getting ready to leave. So I had 3 boys asking me questions as I was trying to get them out the door, and then I had a grown man acting like an 8 year old. He had rung the front door, so I went around the side to get him and asked him to come in the other door. He had a complaint about that. It was so far away from his truck. (Yes, you're absolutely right, that extra 15 steps might really put you out). He followed me in and asked probably 4 times if I was sure there was no way the front door would open. I told him it did, but I didn't know how. He wanted to look at it. I brought him over and tried to unlock it. When it didn't work, I asked Josh if he knew how and purposely said, "I know your mom said you guys NEVER use this door" and he told me he didn't know how either. The plasterer asked if he could do it so I said sure, and walked away. He kept asking questions on how to do it...but I wasn't very friendly. I had already told him what I thought. He was complaining that he had to carry a bag of plaster, and if he had to carry it all the way around it would be hard, cuz it's heavy. (How much are you getting paid?) Then he complained about having to go up one staircase instead of the other...even though the ones I told him to use were much closer. Anyways, that brings you up to date with that guy.

I was now doing my wii fitness coach and only had so much time, as Zach was only at school until lunch today. Suddenly I hear "Can I have a cup of tea?...Oh you're doing your exercises". But I could hear him hanging around, so I said yes just a second, and came out of the room to find him waiting near the kitchen. He said something about wanting one but not knowing if he could go in the kitchen and he didn't bring anything to put it in...and I was just thinking could you please be quiet! Honestly, I make tea for the plumber, but he never asks, he's just appreciative. And he certainly never interrupts my exercises. Anyway, then this guy proceeds to stand there while I make it. He told me all about how his son is a fitness trainer, and he's got a place rented out in Colchester and his own house, and his dad does all the renovations for him, and he's getting married, and blah blah blah. PAUSE - Now, normally, I wouldn't mind having a conversation like this with someone...but I was in the middle of my work out!!! I clearly just wanted to get back to it! - He then started telling me about his daughter's wedding in cypress, and then that they had some bad news they just found out last week about her having a miscarriage. Now I do have a heart, and I do feel for her and her family...But I must ask...how awkward do you think that made me feel??? Anyway I finished making his tea, handed it to him, and went back to finish my work out.

Once I was done that and changed, I only had about half an hour before having to leave to pick Zach up. I had some tea, and replied to some e-mails. I left with my music playing and in a good mood. When I arrived, I had to wait a while for Zach as usual. I'm not sure why, but he is always one of the last ones out. He took my hand and we walked to the car where he told me about the songs they had been singing at school. I started the engine, he asked that the music be turned up really loud, and we were on our way.

We went to Braintree! I drove!!! Had to turn around a few times and ask for directions, but I did the big round-a-bouts by myself, and was pretty happy to know that I did them right. Ok...maybe not the first one...but the ones after that were fine. Much more comfortable. We got to Freeport (shopping center) and we went into Starbucks. We got our lunch and our drinks and sat in the comfy chairs. When Zach was finished eating, he came to sit on my lap and I watched him play Mario Kart on DS. It was great. Just him and I spending some quality time together. Once we finished there, we went across to a card shop, and then did a little bit of Christmas shopping. Back into the car, and on our way home. Again I got a bit turned around, but I made it! And I was comfortable. Zach had fallen asleep after a few sing-a-longs to Mamma Mia. We got to the Co-Op and I carried him in. He was right out of it. He had woken up long enough to say why are we in this car park? And then fall back to sleep on my shoulder. Still no cranberries :( But an employee picked up a pumpkin for me and put it on the counter. I had to carry it out with Zach still in my arms which was a little heavy, but the task was accomplished.

Next stop was the post office. Zach was still asleep. I parked right in front and despite what I wanted to do, I remembered that Heloise sometimes leaves the boys in the car, and thinking I'd be quick...I locked the door and ran into the post office. SLOWEST POST OFFICE EVER! I had one question but had to wait forever. I kept leaving my place in line to run out and check on Zach, and in the end I gave up and asked the ladies in front of me. They were unsure, but I took their answers anyway because I was not leaving him alone for one more second. I then dropped the letters in the mail bag (because there's no mail box at this post office...), and I jumped in the car. Drove home to drop some things off, and then up to the school to pick up Josh and Nathaniel.

I got Zach out, and as he was still very tired, I carried him to the playground. Eventually he got down, but was stuck to my side, which was nice. I spoke to Brigitta for a bit, and then saw Nathaniel come out of his class. I started walking towards him and when he saw me he jumped up, ran down the stairs and gave me a huge hug! It was awesome. Josh came around after a while, with his guitar, and gave me a hug as well. We hopped in the car, and raced home so that I could make Nathaniel some dinner before Beavers. It was past 3:45 and we had to leave the house at 4:10. Quickest dinner ever I think. We all jumped back into the car, and drove over to Beavers where we dropped Nathaniel, and drove home to have our dinner. I made pasta for everyone and Heloise arrived. We ate, then it was time for Heloise to get Nathaniel, and then him and Josh had to go to rugby. Zach played DS, I sat down to watch some TV. Then he decided he was going to build for me again. This time it was a mansion with a swimming pool. Very luxurious I must say. Although he later told Heloise that this mansion only had 2 rooms. One for her, and one for me. They must have been two rather large rooms.

I went up to have a shower, and when I came back down Zach asked me to watch him play DS. He sat right next to me and played until bed time. He went up, I watched some of Enchanted until How I Met Your Mother started. Then I got so behind in that, (Rewinding and such because of interruptions), that I had to miss the ending so that I could watch the England game. I won't tell you the result of that in case my dad and Stephen haven't watched it yet. Heloise's friend came by for a cup of tea so unfortunately it was difficult to hear.

That ended, I put on "Wanted" and had some good conversations and a laugh with Heloise and Tim. Realized it was much later than I wanted it to be, and I wasn't tired yet...Came up to write my blog, and as soon as I got into bed, I started to fade. Now that I've typed this all out, it is 12:30 and I HAVE to sleep. Good Night xx

OH MY GOODNESS! I signed out and missed one of the most important parts!!!! And so I'm back. While I was checking my e-mail this morning, in that short time I had to myself...Heloise sent me a text. Are you ready for this? Some of you already know, but I'm so excited I'm going to say it again...I AM GOING TO SOUTH AFRICA FOR CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It's going to be amazing!!!!!!!!

Ok...Good Night for real this time. xx