Ingredients:
4 large apples (any kind)
75g butter (soft helps)
2 cups of flour
1 cup of granulated sugar
a sprinkle of brown sugar
a sprinkle of granualted sugar
1. peel and slice some apples, then throw them in a dish with granualted sugar (big sprinkles of it - half a handful!)
2. to mix the crumble rub the butter, flour and cup of granulated sugar together with your fingertips until it looks like breadcrumbs
3. sprinkle the crumble over the top of the apples to cover them and then lightlys prinkle brown sugar on top
4. Put it in the oven for 40 mins at 180deg (medium heat)
(make sure it doesnt bubble over the sides as its a helluver job to clean the apple syrup off the bottom of the oven!)
Showing posts with label Mums. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mums. Show all posts
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Life Moan: Teenagers..
How do you? What do you? Where do you go when you are at the end of your tether? How far does this tether really stretch.. when you're sure its about to snap any moment. How long can we endure? What is the limit? AND when I reach the limit what option is REALLY open for parents like me?
I always thought bad kids were due to the parents.. with little ones maybe its true to an extent, but with teenagers, no matter how hard you showed them morals and the right and wrong way to do stuff, when they want to do something their way there are very few things you can do to stop them.
We reason, we talk, in fact I wrote a great poem explaining how it truly is to be enduring the parent of a teen. And its not a five minute phase they go through, but a really long thing- mine started at 11 with a few things, then the window smashing and a few more things, we've done therapy and boarding school and family holidays, we've tried living back at home now and at nearly 16 I can only say things have escalated in how much he thinks he has a right to do, he has a right to do this and that and to take what he wants and carry on with such an attitude.
Its very hard. We have had a couple of police incidents and a few more that they probably should have known about but we dealt with inside the family. Everybody wants the best for the child but they are so draining - now im finding that everyone's patience is used up. My blog is for the good the bad, the moans and the groans - and after all - This is My LIFE!!
I never thought I would lock up my things or suffer some of the stuff he has been doing - and the problems it causes between the parents when a child behaves like this are unavoidable. The whole family is suffering the teenage curse.
Its hard hard hard. I want help, there isnt really any. In France he is legally stuck to us until he is 18 though he has already tried to leave (at 15). I want some respite and thankfully have some friends who can offer me a weekend here and there to get some sleep and time to think and maybe one normal weekend with my man who only makes it home about one weekend a month).
Hmmmmmm - Life's Tests Huh!
I always thought bad kids were due to the parents.. with little ones maybe its true to an extent, but with teenagers, no matter how hard you showed them morals and the right and wrong way to do stuff, when they want to do something their way there are very few things you can do to stop them.
We reason, we talk, in fact I wrote a great poem explaining how it truly is to be enduring the parent of a teen. And its not a five minute phase they go through, but a really long thing- mine started at 11 with a few things, then the window smashing and a few more things, we've done therapy and boarding school and family holidays, we've tried living back at home now and at nearly 16 I can only say things have escalated in how much he thinks he has a right to do, he has a right to do this and that and to take what he wants and carry on with such an attitude.
Its very hard. We have had a couple of police incidents and a few more that they probably should have known about but we dealt with inside the family. Everybody wants the best for the child but they are so draining - now im finding that everyone's patience is used up. My blog is for the good the bad, the moans and the groans - and after all - This is My LIFE!!
I never thought I would lock up my things or suffer some of the stuff he has been doing - and the problems it causes between the parents when a child behaves like this are unavoidable. The whole family is suffering the teenage curse.
Its hard hard hard. I want help, there isnt really any. In France he is legally stuck to us until he is 18 though he has already tried to leave (at 15). I want some respite and thankfully have some friends who can offer me a weekend here and there to get some sleep and time to think and maybe one normal weekend with my man who only makes it home about one weekend a month).
Hmmmmmm - Life's Tests Huh!
Sunday, November 16, 2008
My Organized Meal Plan Shopping Lists for Busy Moms…
TIPS TO REDUCING THE SHOPPING AND THE HASSLE OF THINKING WHAT SHALL WE HAVE FOR DINNER TONIGHT:
1. Look through the leftovers in the freezer and start the meal plan by thinking of meals to use that stuff up (also saves on how much stuff you need to buy)
2. Write simple meals – do easy quick meals and take-aways on the days we have no evening time or only 15 mins to cook for example.
3. Shop for the whole 2 weeks, only topping up fruit and veg after week 1.
4. Go to the butchers to get the meat – better quality and usually cheaper
5. Go to LIDLs get everything possible – their prices are good!
6. Go to the other supermarket to get anything you couldn’t get yet.
I often find that using this method I get a free week – where I have overcooked or not cooked or find that I have enough excess food to do a whole week without shopping at all…
Week One Menu
Mon - Homemade meatballs and pasta
Tues – (do Pizza for 3 girls after private lesson)
Wed – Fish, wedges and peas
Thurs – Chinese chicken and rice
Fri – Spaghetti bolognaise
Sat – Chicken pie, veg and small potatoes
Sun – Roast beef, veg, rice, roast potatoes – apple crumble
Week Two Menu
Mon – Mackeral in scrambled egg with chips and salad
Tues – (do Pizza for 3 girls after private lesson)
Wed – Seafood pie (prawns and white fish) with mash topping and peas
Thurs – Chicken kebabs with rice and fruity sauce
Fri – Fish chips and sweetcorn
Sat - Beef casserole, carrots, potatoes, celery, swede and rice
Sun – more casserole with rice and roast potatoes
Week 1&2 shopping list example:
Butchers: mince x 2, chicken fillets x 2, beef for the roast, beef for the casserole
LIDLS: bolognaise sauce, pasta, 3 cheese pizza, 2 tuna pizzas, onions, potatoes, lettuce, lemon, garlic, frozen green veg, frozen peas, rice, curry sauce, herb de province, tin of fruit, brocolli, carrots, apples, nectarines, flour, sugar, juice x 12, milk x 6, crème fraische, beer, wine, bread x 4, butter x 3, cake mix, snacks for kids x 2 packets, 6 cokes for son, lemonade x1 bottle, oil for fryer (3l), 2 bags croissants, 2 bags chocolate brioches, 20 fruit corners, choc cereal bars, sandwich bags, cling film, black bags, oven cleaner, cheese x 2, coleslaw, washing powder, carton drinks, ice cream, eggs, hot sauce, frozen white fish (bag of 1kg), fish fingers and frozen chips (backup).
Other supermarket – for anything u could get.
Week Three Menu
Mon – Honey chicken, rice and runner beans
Tues – (do Pizza for 3 girls after private lesson)
Wed – salmon salad and wedges
Thurs – Shelphers pie and brocolli
Fri – Turkey in pitta with crème fraische sauce and salad
Sat – Beef loaf, wedges, peas or veg
Sun – Roast chicken, rice, veg, Yorkshire puddings, roast pots – fruit pie
Week Four Menu
Mon – Tuna burgers salad and chips
Tues – (do Pizza for 3 girls after private lesson)
Wed – Stir fry chicken, beansprouts, peppers, onions, noodles
Thurs – home made moussaka, wedges, brocolli
Fri – curry chicken, pineapple and rice
Sat – fish and chips
Sun – Roast chicken
Week 3&4 shopping list example:
Butchers: chicken fillets, turkey fillets, chicken to roast x 2,
LIDL’s: 2 x cake mix, salmon slices, mince x 2, eggs, chips, crème fraische, brocolli, chilli peppers and hot sauce, rice, potatoes, cucumber, pineapple, tomatoes, lettuce, onions, carrots, frozen peas, apples, bananas, pizzas x 6, brown bread x 4, curry powder, dishwasher tablets, honey, chocolate mousse, snacks for kids, biscuits, butter, beansprouts, tins of tuna x 4, coleslaw, sweet and sour sauce, marmalade, powdered brown sugar, coffee, black bags, 4 x orange juice, 4 x apple juice, muffins x 8, 2 bags of croissants, chocolate brioches x 10, waffles x 1, crisps x 2 big packs, yoghurts x 18, beer, wine, lasagna slices and aubergine for moussaka,
Other supermarket – for anything u could get.
Week Five Menu
Mon – Homemeade apple and beef meatballs with rice
Tues - (do Pizza for 3 girls after private lesson)
Wed – Fish, wedges and salad
Thurs – Spaghetti Bolognaise
Fri – Jacket potatoes, salad and chicken burgers
Sat – white fish with pasta and salad – crispy garlic bread
Sun – Roast chicken
Week Six Menu
Mon – Beef loaf, mash, peas gravy
Tues - (do Pizza for 3 girls after private lesson)
Wed – Chicken stirfry with noodles
Thurs – Kebabs
Fri – Fish n chips and sweetcorn or salad
Sat – Chinese or roast (depending on man’s flight schedule!)
Sun – Roast or leftovers with pasta and bread!
Week 6&7 shopping list example:
Butchers: 3 chicken fillets, chicken to roast
LIDL’s: pizza 2 tuna 2 beef 2 cheese, eggs, butter, chips, potatoes, garlic, brocolli, carrots, cauliflower, caugettes, flour, sugar lumps, coffee, ice tea syrop, cokes, cartons not orange, chocolate spread, marmalade, wine cartons, port and brandy for xmas stock, limous champage (3.99!) frozen baguettes x 2 packs, burger buns, 2 x choco breads, 2 x bags of croissants, 4 x sliced bread, cheese x 2, coleslaw, yoghurts x 20, 8 orange guide, 4 apple juice, 2 any juice, milk x 6, toilet roll x 12 min, toilet duck x 3, crisps, noodles, snacks for kelisse, tin sweetcorn, tin mushroom, cooking oil, olive oil,
Other supermarket – for anything u could get or prefer their brand: mayonnaise, mice, ginger root, frozen peas, black bags.
1. Look through the leftovers in the freezer and start the meal plan by thinking of meals to use that stuff up (also saves on how much stuff you need to buy)
2. Write simple meals – do easy quick meals and take-aways on the days we have no evening time or only 15 mins to cook for example.
3. Shop for the whole 2 weeks, only topping up fruit and veg after week 1.
4. Go to the butchers to get the meat – better quality and usually cheaper
5. Go to LIDLs get everything possible – their prices are good!
6. Go to the other supermarket to get anything you couldn’t get yet.
I often find that using this method I get a free week – where I have overcooked or not cooked or find that I have enough excess food to do a whole week without shopping at all…
Week One Menu
Mon - Homemade meatballs and pasta
Tues – (do Pizza for 3 girls after private lesson)
Wed – Fish, wedges and peas
Thurs – Chinese chicken and rice
Fri – Spaghetti bolognaise
Sat – Chicken pie, veg and small potatoes
Sun – Roast beef, veg, rice, roast potatoes – apple crumble
Week Two Menu
Mon – Mackeral in scrambled egg with chips and salad
Tues – (do Pizza for 3 girls after private lesson)
Wed – Seafood pie (prawns and white fish) with mash topping and peas
Thurs – Chicken kebabs with rice and fruity sauce
Fri – Fish chips and sweetcorn
Sat - Beef casserole, carrots, potatoes, celery, swede and rice
Sun – more casserole with rice and roast potatoes
Week 1&2 shopping list example:
Butchers: mince x 2, chicken fillets x 2, beef for the roast, beef for the casserole
LIDLS: bolognaise sauce, pasta, 3 cheese pizza, 2 tuna pizzas, onions, potatoes, lettuce, lemon, garlic, frozen green veg, frozen peas, rice, curry sauce, herb de province, tin of fruit, brocolli, carrots, apples, nectarines, flour, sugar, juice x 12, milk x 6, crème fraische, beer, wine, bread x 4, butter x 3, cake mix, snacks for kids x 2 packets, 6 cokes for son, lemonade x1 bottle, oil for fryer (3l), 2 bags croissants, 2 bags chocolate brioches, 20 fruit corners, choc cereal bars, sandwich bags, cling film, black bags, oven cleaner, cheese x 2, coleslaw, washing powder, carton drinks, ice cream, eggs, hot sauce, frozen white fish (bag of 1kg), fish fingers and frozen chips (backup).
Other supermarket – for anything u could get.
Week Three Menu
Mon – Honey chicken, rice and runner beans
Tues – (do Pizza for 3 girls after private lesson)
Wed – salmon salad and wedges
Thurs – Shelphers pie and brocolli
Fri – Turkey in pitta with crème fraische sauce and salad
Sat – Beef loaf, wedges, peas or veg
Sun – Roast chicken, rice, veg, Yorkshire puddings, roast pots – fruit pie
Week Four Menu
Mon – Tuna burgers salad and chips
Tues – (do Pizza for 3 girls after private lesson)
Wed – Stir fry chicken, beansprouts, peppers, onions, noodles
Thurs – home made moussaka, wedges, brocolli
Fri – curry chicken, pineapple and rice
Sat – fish and chips
Sun – Roast chicken
Week 3&4 shopping list example:
Butchers: chicken fillets, turkey fillets, chicken to roast x 2,
LIDL’s: 2 x cake mix, salmon slices, mince x 2, eggs, chips, crème fraische, brocolli, chilli peppers and hot sauce, rice, potatoes, cucumber, pineapple, tomatoes, lettuce, onions, carrots, frozen peas, apples, bananas, pizzas x 6, brown bread x 4, curry powder, dishwasher tablets, honey, chocolate mousse, snacks for kids, biscuits, butter, beansprouts, tins of tuna x 4, coleslaw, sweet and sour sauce, marmalade, powdered brown sugar, coffee, black bags, 4 x orange juice, 4 x apple juice, muffins x 8, 2 bags of croissants, chocolate brioches x 10, waffles x 1, crisps x 2 big packs, yoghurts x 18, beer, wine, lasagna slices and aubergine for moussaka,
Other supermarket – for anything u could get.
Week Five Menu
Mon – Homemeade apple and beef meatballs with rice
Tues - (do Pizza for 3 girls after private lesson)
Wed – Fish, wedges and salad
Thurs – Spaghetti Bolognaise
Fri – Jacket potatoes, salad and chicken burgers
Sat – white fish with pasta and salad – crispy garlic bread
Sun – Roast chicken
Week Six Menu
Mon – Beef loaf, mash, peas gravy
Tues - (do Pizza for 3 girls after private lesson)
Wed – Chicken stirfry with noodles
Thurs – Kebabs
Fri – Fish n chips and sweetcorn or salad
Sat – Chinese or roast (depending on man’s flight schedule!)
Sun – Roast or leftovers with pasta and bread!
Week 6&7 shopping list example:
Butchers: 3 chicken fillets, chicken to roast
LIDL’s: pizza 2 tuna 2 beef 2 cheese, eggs, butter, chips, potatoes, garlic, brocolli, carrots, cauliflower, caugettes, flour, sugar lumps, coffee, ice tea syrop, cokes, cartons not orange, chocolate spread, marmalade, wine cartons, port and brandy for xmas stock, limous champage (3.99!) frozen baguettes x 2 packs, burger buns, 2 x choco breads, 2 x bags of croissants, 4 x sliced bread, cheese x 2, coleslaw, yoghurts x 20, 8 orange guide, 4 apple juice, 2 any juice, milk x 6, toilet roll x 12 min, toilet duck x 3, crisps, noodles, snacks for kelisse, tin sweetcorn, tin mushroom, cooking oil, olive oil,
Other supermarket – for anything u could get or prefer their brand: mayonnaise, mice, ginger root, frozen peas, black bags.
Saturday, November 1, 2008
IKEA marseille la valentine
First we Visited the market - a local one, dropped daughter at horse riding and at Plan de Cuques we visited a superb market for clothes, shoes and stuff, reasonable prices, like La Pleine without having to visit centre ville! I will be back and Mum did manage to treat me to one or two things while we were there - great little market. Could do more time next week!
And wow! How easy it is to do a makeover with IKEA - u can think it, look it up, go get it easily and fix it up same day - for peanuts! - I AM LOVING THAT. The whole house has had a makeover except my daughter's room. So, with 2hrs to spare today I took my Mum. I have got to say even for marseille that is the most packed I have ever ever seen IKEA at La Valentine! a wet week, near to xmas, during the holidays, it waas mahem! Still with some determination we managed to find the necessities and a bit more to take the final room in the house to another level and returned to deal with the usual IKEA click clack flip flap furniture that I will finish tomorrow. Can't wait - Tidy house, tidy mind!
I am in it with IKEA, i know the layout the floorplan, where u can get that, what aisle, if u can get it downstairs, i am miss IKEA, so i can rush through or even check the map and do a left to miss out the kitchens, u know u have to be like that if you have kids or limited time! lol. Mum wants to browse and though its nice, before I realise it we are at 1hr to go until child collection and I know the till will be ram! I try to put the pace on, not to lose mum but to speed up somewhat out of browse mode into get it done get out on time mode. We do, but when we get out its 5 on a saturday and the traffic is BAD!, lucky i did get to my daughter ontime and I wasnt really stressin but imagine Mum, I need to give her more of a holiday chilled experience even though she does love to be a part of sorting my life out and making it better - which this is..
And, this week, I AM LOVING MY MUSIC - as an expat I think sometimes u gotta make yourself feel at home and comfortable, MUSIC MUSIC MUSIC is such a healer, for everything - I am really feeling some!
I'm glowing inside, maybe not enough on the outside, I'm really loving my man, I'm really appreciating my music, and most of my life really tho I admit it is tough at times and there are areas that test us more and more, for all of us in whatever way, its a struggle but lets LIVE IT!
And wow! How easy it is to do a makeover with IKEA - u can think it, look it up, go get it easily and fix it up same day - for peanuts! - I AM LOVING THAT. The whole house has had a makeover except my daughter's room. So, with 2hrs to spare today I took my Mum. I have got to say even for marseille that is the most packed I have ever ever seen IKEA at La Valentine! a wet week, near to xmas, during the holidays, it waas mahem! Still with some determination we managed to find the necessities and a bit more to take the final room in the house to another level and returned to deal with the usual IKEA click clack flip flap furniture that I will finish tomorrow. Can't wait - Tidy house, tidy mind!
I am in it with IKEA, i know the layout the floorplan, where u can get that, what aisle, if u can get it downstairs, i am miss IKEA, so i can rush through or even check the map and do a left to miss out the kitchens, u know u have to be like that if you have kids or limited time! lol. Mum wants to browse and though its nice, before I realise it we are at 1hr to go until child collection and I know the till will be ram! I try to put the pace on, not to lose mum but to speed up somewhat out of browse mode into get it done get out on time mode. We do, but when we get out its 5 on a saturday and the traffic is BAD!, lucky i did get to my daughter ontime and I wasnt really stressin but imagine Mum, I need to give her more of a holiday chilled experience even though she does love to be a part of sorting my life out and making it better - which this is..
And, this week, I AM LOVING MY MUSIC - as an expat I think sometimes u gotta make yourself feel at home and comfortable, MUSIC MUSIC MUSIC is such a healer, for everything - I am really feeling some!
I'm glowing inside, maybe not enough on the outside, I'm really loving my man, I'm really appreciating my music, and most of my life really tho I admit it is tough at times and there are areas that test us more and more, for all of us in whatever way, its a struggle but lets LIVE IT!
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Mum's Been to see me
My Mum came to visit me at a busy time.. I loved every minute of her company, could only have wished to have been a little less busy at that time.
I know I managed to give her a good rest from all the usual menial tasks us women have to do, and Im sure she has had a good time.
We had a great week for weather, which pleased Mum as she had spent a lousy week in Spain earlier in the summer and of course she lives in UK, so went back to torrential rain this week.
We visited La Pleine, I have to take everyone there now - its my favourite market in Marseille. We ate out at the Old Port and I took Mum to the beach too.
Apart from that Mum (thankfully) doesnt mind mucking in and living the life I do.. which this week meant buying a car, getting the children back to school and all the normal life stuff...
YES - I bought a VW POLO to runaround in, do the school run, shopping etc etc, its cheaper on petrol than the Jaguar and suits me fine.
YES - Son got into the Lycee I wanted him to, after some administration mess up earlier in the year he had been on the waiting list, but at the last minute he was given a place and will start tomorrow morning.
So I think the next holiday when Mum comes over should be spent at Narbonne, where I am not tied up in everyday stuff and have a bit more listening and sharing time - oh gosh i love my mum.
I was strong at the airport saying goodbye, and waving her onto the xray thing, but when my man gave me a hug as we walked to the car, tears filled my eyes and all I could blub was.. "Thats my Mum, I hate it when she goes..."
Im sure Im not the only one who has to say goodbye to their loved ones.. Im usually pretty good, but Mum and Dad, thats hard... my Mum isnt sick or old, but you just never know when you will see them again if you live in another land.....
LOVE TO ALL THE MUMS OUT THERE!
Best quote from Mum to keep me positive.."Look, I often wonder if your glass is half empty or half full, look around you, you should be saying its full to overflowing!"
I know I managed to give her a good rest from all the usual menial tasks us women have to do, and Im sure she has had a good time.
We had a great week for weather, which pleased Mum as she had spent a lousy week in Spain earlier in the summer and of course she lives in UK, so went back to torrential rain this week.
We visited La Pleine, I have to take everyone there now - its my favourite market in Marseille. We ate out at the Old Port and I took Mum to the beach too.
Apart from that Mum (thankfully) doesnt mind mucking in and living the life I do.. which this week meant buying a car, getting the children back to school and all the normal life stuff...
YES - I bought a VW POLO to runaround in, do the school run, shopping etc etc, its cheaper on petrol than the Jaguar and suits me fine.
YES - Son got into the Lycee I wanted him to, after some administration mess up earlier in the year he had been on the waiting list, but at the last minute he was given a place and will start tomorrow morning.
So I think the next holiday when Mum comes over should be spent at Narbonne, where I am not tied up in everyday stuff and have a bit more listening and sharing time - oh gosh i love my mum.
I was strong at the airport saying goodbye, and waving her onto the xray thing, but when my man gave me a hug as we walked to the car, tears filled my eyes and all I could blub was.. "Thats my Mum, I hate it when she goes..."
Im sure Im not the only one who has to say goodbye to their loved ones.. Im usually pretty good, but Mum and Dad, thats hard... my Mum isnt sick or old, but you just never know when you will see them again if you live in another land.....
LOVE TO ALL THE MUMS OUT THERE!
Best quote from Mum to keep me positive.."Look, I often wonder if your glass is half empty or half full, look around you, you should be saying its full to overflowing!"
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Standard Visit Parents England Trip
Well, that was what I thought it would be, but it actually resulted in me destressing, playing and chatting with my kids AND my parents. No disputes, no stress, no rushing, had a really chilled visit.
I think it was mainly due to me not planning to see lots and lots of friends, I stuck to seeing the mother in law, and my sis-in-law and our mutual friend with kids the same age.
Did all the usual stuff, stocked up on Worcester Sauce, Brown sauce, Jelly and that dried cheese we like to sprinkle on our bolognaise. Couple of pairs of trainers, watches and jeans combined with a MacDo breakfast (something the French don't do) - we were set!
Great to see Mum and Dad, had a good time with Dad asking loads of questions on the PC, and for once Im able to help him - that course I bought for his birthday did him the world of good. And Mum, always my biggest supporter in life, within about a day she has made me feel so much better about some of my biggest worries.
Had a bit of a rememberance to why we left UK when a man in Superdrug cleared off with a whole shelf of deoderants before my very eyes. But overall, the vibe was very chilled, I visited Battersea park for the first time, Hylands, Maldon and the local village park - all superb places to visit in G.B.
Back in France now, was great to be hit by that HEAT!!!
yes it was great, but now hubby back from work early and Brother's family due tomorrow - kind of sorted.. kind of ready.. havent hosted for a bit though!!!
Have a car to see locally and some courses in mind for the coming year - along with WORK ideas ! yes really!
I think it was mainly due to me not planning to see lots and lots of friends, I stuck to seeing the mother in law, and my sis-in-law and our mutual friend with kids the same age.
Did all the usual stuff, stocked up on Worcester Sauce, Brown sauce, Jelly and that dried cheese we like to sprinkle on our bolognaise. Couple of pairs of trainers, watches and jeans combined with a MacDo breakfast (something the French don't do) - we were set!
Great to see Mum and Dad, had a good time with Dad asking loads of questions on the PC, and for once Im able to help him - that course I bought for his birthday did him the world of good. And Mum, always my biggest supporter in life, within about a day she has made me feel so much better about some of my biggest worries.
Had a bit of a rememberance to why we left UK when a man in Superdrug cleared off with a whole shelf of deoderants before my very eyes. But overall, the vibe was very chilled, I visited Battersea park for the first time, Hylands, Maldon and the local village park - all superb places to visit in G.B.
Back in France now, was great to be hit by that HEAT!!!
yes it was great, but now hubby back from work early and Brother's family due tomorrow - kind of sorted.. kind of ready.. havent hosted for a bit though!!!
Have a car to see locally and some courses in mind for the coming year - along with WORK ideas ! yes really!
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Mad Wednesday Schedule
My Mad Wednesday Schedule
On Wednesday’s – when the rest of the parents with primary school age children whom do not have school on Wednesdays get to have a bit of extra time in bed… I’m up – earlier than the rest of the week.
I love my life, especially when its full and busy and at the end of the week or month I can easily see what has been achieved in my life and with my family.
6.45 Peeling mango, chopping pineapple for a fresh smoothie - appreciating sunrise in South of France
6.55 Quick carpet sweep
7.00 Breakfast and chat about what’s happening today with my 5 year old
7.20 Clean the microwave, liquidizer, coffeemaker, kettle, sink, tout!
7.30 Showering us both and cleaning the bathroom
8.00 Tidying up and theatre practice
8.45 Sitting in the chemin outside our house wondering why it takes 25 French guys and three large vehicles (blocking the exit) to cut down just 3 or 4 trees…. Explained I need to come in and out three or four times this morning and they said – sorry they are not there to amuse themselves – slowly they moved the vehicles and I got away at
8.50 Drop Kelisse off at theatre for a final rehearsal
9.10 Arrive back at the house and decide to ascend to the house up a rickety track to avoid the tree men – walk up to check the post box and the certificate of conformity is here from jag, go in and copy it and study it a bit.
9.15 scan sons mock exam results and put them on personal page for hubby to see
9.20 ah coffee and logon – quick email and blog update
9.22 make beds
9.25 contact the Narbonne Marie to check she has sent the compromise du vente
9.30 makeup and video camera check – batteries etc
9.45 leave again (down the rickety track exit) to go see the theatre show
9.55 arrive at Theatre and converse in French about the kids etc for 5 mins
10.00 The show – where my daughter is mother hen (with a fantastic chicken suit mummy made from a sheet and a few other bits and bobs) the show lasts actually 5 minutes and is run 2.5 times due to it not being up to scratch according to the teacher!!
10.50 Quick chat with one of the parents who is building a website for his wife’s hairdressers, mostly in flash but might need some techy advice.. swapped emails
Reminded me a lot of one of T’s friends, and spoke very good English, must make those two link up next time T is back.
11.00 Quick refreshments and change Kelisse’s clothes, run to the hall at the back and set her off into Twae Kwondo
11.15 Drove up to the hill to see the sea and take a few sun drenched photos of the jag. (Just cannot stand the thought of driving down the chemin and disturbing those treecutter road workers (now about 25 in total with big sand pile, i can see as i drive past) twice in twenty minutes no no no... sun and jag photos rock
12.00 Back as parent taxi again, having picked up from Twae Kwondo – yes still using the track (cannot imagine the wear on my 200e/each tyres)
12.37 Flicked on the hotpot for tonight’s dinner
14.20 get 2 mins towards the centre of Marseille and realize that it the greves – the strikes and the whole 8 lanes 2 way motorway into Marseille is blocked with taxi’s… decide its not the best day to head down town and head back home.
I’m happy putting the video clips on, baking for later in the week, cleaning the bathroom, trying to continue my networking and a few other bits…
15.45 Moi decide to clear out my room and have all the ebay stuff out and reorganize it all, whilst popping out to have tea, and chatting with T and my boss once or twice…
16:00General tidy for Kelisse, instructed by me while I did my own tidying in my hotmail and around the house...
16.30 Watch Chronicles of Narnia with Kelisse (and finish up tidying my room in the less scary sections) Popped out a couple of times when it wasn’t a scary bit to clear up etc…
18.30 washed up cleaned the kitchen, let Kelisse watch TV after tidying her stuff (supervised)
19.00 supervised madam to get to bed, wash, brush teeth, etc
19.05 swept the kitchen
19.15 read story
19.30 say prayers goodnight
19.31 clean the bathroom and toilet
19.35 glass of wine and time to have a smoke
19.40 online email checking work, msn everything
19.45 setting what’s on TV Real-time tonight and what do I want to download…
Proposed:
20.00 A quick Porno moment for my hubby then
Laptop and TV – soon Music… music and music and then
21.00 10 mins MSN with son about coming home tomorrow arrangements mostly.
22.30 Tea and Book
23.30 Sleeping….
A day in the life of…Marseille Mum!
You could check hubby’s blog on the link below to see how his hard day\s at work are. not that im in any competition or in any doubt about how us women can multi-task, in fact im sure I have left loads of bits out!!!
Monday, December 10, 2007
Airport Taxi
One of the great things about living somewhere hot if you are english is that you get a lot of visitors which is all good as i miss my friends and family like crazy.. but upon checking my diary I now realise that I have driven to the airport no fewer than 58 times this year so far - YES FIFTY EIGHT- and thats just the trips i noted... no, before you ask i am not a commercial driver, air hostess or a minicab, this to-ing and fro-ing IS just collecting our FRIENDS and FAMILY...
If i was a taxi charging around 50e a time (each way) - i would have earned some 5800euros this year... nearly a new taxi... where is that!??? lol
And coupled with the regular daily school bus and then mr weekender up the mountain.. im due a good 10 grand in fares i believe
dare i even mention the activities schedule - at what age should the children start to chip in for the petrol...??
To be honest - the last couple of weeks i have subjected my daughter to a chilly ride on the scooter to her wednesday activities - a hairy brrrrrrrrr on the 50cc hairdryer as im not brave enought to take the 125 yet, great buzz, child in between my legs, safety sitting at the front(?), and very economical - takes about 4e (2.50 pounds) to fill up the tank and that lasts all week!!!
DO ALL US MUMS FEEL LIKE THIS ABOUT THE TAXI MALARKY???? lol
all comments welcome!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
