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Monday 29 July 2013

THAT Interview Day

I had a job interview last week. Not many people knew as I didn't want to 'jinx it'. In fact only hubby and 2 friends knew. I haven't had a job interview for 12 years, so I was nervous to say the least. It was an interview to work in a school, ideal whilst my two are still relatively young. It all sounded perfect.
The morning of the interview started well... in as much as I got up on time and didn't sleep through the alarm! I had set the alarm a little earlier than normal as I am usually flying out the door 5 minutes before i'm supposed to be at school, yelling like a maniac at the kids.
So up I got, showered, dried my hair, got dressed. Then I had to make the decision whether to straighten my hair or do my make up. It was shaping up to be a hot day, so I opted to sit in front of the fan and do my make up first.
Then it all went wrong.
Make up done, I went to plug my straighteners in and suddenly all power went off. A few texts from friends made it obvious that there was an outage on my road and the estate behind me. Panic! For all you 'Friends' fans out there, just think 'Monica'. For those of you not familiar, I resemble a strange frizzy monster if my hair is not tamed with straighteners.
My interview was at 10.30, but Little Miss had an assembly at 9. Dilemma - miss the assembly in order to find a part of town that still had electric, or go to the interview a mess? I opted to go to assembly and hope it finished early enough that I could nip to a friends house en route to the interview.
I thought things were looking up when we were out of assembly at 9.50, a friend was letting me borrow her electric and her house was 5 minutes from the school I was to be interviewed at. I straightened my hair in record time and left my friends house at 10.15. Just as I was about to get in the car, she said to me I would be quicker walking. I debated for a few minutes - it was getting humid, my amazing straightening skills could be undone on the short walk. But, the traffic in town is notorious and what if I had trouble parking? So going against all the screaming voices in my head, I decided to walk.
I was carrying a folder full of exam certificates, ID documents (for CRB checks) and other such items. To try and keep frizz to a minimum, I used the folder to fan myself on the walk to the school. Despite my best efforts, I still arrived at the school sweating and ever so slightly frizzy.
However, I did my best to smarten up, did the tour of the school, and remained relatively calm through the interview. Next port of call was the office, to hand over my identity documents so they could photocopy them in case I succeeded in getting the job. I opened my folder..... all my documents were missing. My driving licence, passport, birth certificate and a bank statement. To cut a long story short, I retraced my steps, went home to double check I hadn't left them there, I called the police to see if they had been handed in, but they had gone. Someone, somewhere, had all the information they needed to clone me. I found some other documents to give to the school and then went home to phone all the relevant people to get my documents stopped. 
It cost me £20 to replace my driving licence which I had only renewed in March (Photo Card). It cost me £72.50 to replace the passport which had only been renewed last year. It was to cost me £10 to replace my birth certificate, but thankfully I realised I had another copy stashed away, so didn't go ahead with replacing that. 
ONE HOUR after cancelling all these documents, there was a knock on the door. I didn't know whether to laugh or cry as the man handed over all my ID and told me he had been working on a building site and found them on the pavement. They had obviously fallen out as I walked along the road. Unfortunately, once you have blocked these items, you cannot unblock them even if you then find them. I guess it was my fault for thinking only the worst of people. I am so thankful to him for returning them.
Then came the phone call.
I didn't get the job. Apparently I was 'second choice' but hadn't been successful this time. So it had cost me almost £100. To NOT get a job. I should have realised at 7.50 am, when the electric went off, that I shouldn't have even bothered going to interview. 
So it is with this in mind that I am telling you all now.....
I have another interview this week, and I want you all to know about it. As this interview WILL go much better. Wish me luck!

Thursday 25 July 2013

How I survived the first day of the Summer Holidays


So today was the first day of our Summer Holidays. How did I cope?....


** No children were harmed in the taking of this photo!!**

In all seriousness, he did put himself in there and also let himself out moments later, I am not an evil child punisher! Today was a 'chill' day as we had to wait in for an engineer, but tomorrow the fun starts. Wish me luck!

Monday 22 July 2013

Teacher Gifts: Part two - what they will be receiving this year

I must admit, I had no idea what to give the teachers this year. After my creative efforts of last year, I knew it would be hard, especially as both kids still had the same teachers. I started looking on various websites to see what I could buy, but anything that caught my eye seemed to come with a hefty price tag.
A friend linked me to a suggestion, which started an idea. I wanted to do 'something in a jar'. Oddly enough, when I had been food shopping the week previously, the supermarket had a promotion on Kilner jars. So I took this as an omen and went off to buy some. I didn't really 'think outside the box' too much, I simply filled them with an assortment of sweets. However I did make my own labels for them, personalising them with the Teacher's name and the name of my children.
The idea behind it being that the jars are reusable and could be used in the future either in the classroom on in their homes. There's not much else to say about them other than that it is a simple but nice idea that is relatively cheap. I hope they enjoy them!



Sunday 21 July 2013

Teacher Gifts

It's the end of the school year again, which means only one thing. What do I buy the teachers?!
I saw a debate on television the other morning, questioning whether Teacher Gifts should be banned. My first instinct was to think 'Don't be ridiculous' and whilst I still stand by my opinion, I found it interesting to hear the different sides of the debate.
A current teacher was saying he had received the usual gifts at the end of term, but shortly afterwards had to discipline a child. The parents came in and asked him why he was being so nasty to their child, when they had always been so nice to him and bought him gifts! He was astounded to realise they were trying to bribe him with the gifts they had been buying. The other side (a former teacher) said it should be allowed to continue as children - especially Primary age children - love to take small gifts in to their teachers. However, I was amazed to hear that in some schools (although thankfully not ours!), parents were bringing in Tiffany Jewellery (!), bottles of expensive wine and other luxurious gifts.
I do think that is going a bit far, but I know my children love to take a token gift in at the end of term. I don't spend a huge amount as with teachers, teaching assistants and numerous nursery staff to accommodate, it can soon mount up. I asked a local cake shop a couple of years ago if they could make me some personalised cupcakes for the teachers - it wasn't particularly common back then - and she was so pleased with the results that she has now started selling them every year and they are very popular! I have also in the past asked her to make some teacher-themed biscuits, but more recently I have started to make the gifts myself.
I will post again soon with pictures of this years gifts, but for now here are a couple of photo's of last years gifts.


Handmade Bunting with the Teacher's name added to it. 







Hand painted wooden trinket boxes

Thursday 18 July 2013

Today I am mostly.... Planning

Today's task is to plan the summer holidays. This sounds like a simple task, but believe me it is a whole day's work, if not more. With two children who argue constantly, I like to have a diary full of events (preferably free) to entertain the rugrats in the 6 week break.
With a week to go until the end of the school year, I am starting to panic slightly. This time last year, I had a full Excel spreadsheet of activities, places and costings, all planned meticulously. I am quite far behind this year, and it is starting to stress me out.
So what do we find to do and where do we start looking?
My first stop is the local town council. They hold occasional play dates involving bouncy castles, arts & crafts or music workshops. Most are free, or are £2-£3 per child. Next on the list is the library - every year they have a local magician in. It is a ticketed event, but it is free (Which reminds me, I must go and get tickets - he is very popular!) They also run a reading challenge in the holidays that rewards the children with various items, depending on how many books they read - there is fierce competition on the return to school in September to see who has read the most!
We are lucky to be surrounded by a lot of country parks and National Trust sites, so a look on the National Trust website is a must. If the country park near you is not listed on there, then do search to see if they have their own website. I have booked in pond dipping, bug hunting and den making for my two, all for a small charge per child.
Netmums also has a good 'Whats On' section for your local area and is worth looking at. We have a theatre near us that shows films a little while after standard cinema release and charge a lot less than big-name cinemas, so we have two films also booked in. You could also look to see if they are running any workshops for the older children, or if you are willing to spend a bit of money then you can see what childrens shows they are running.
Your local leisure centre is bound to run summer camps, although these will cost a bit more. But if it is all day childcare you are looking for, then you may find something to suit here.
Check out your local church groups. We have one nearby that runs a week-long activity at the end of August, and it is entirely free.
As we are in the middle of three counties, I also look at neighbouring councils to see what they are offering. We have many villages in the area that are involved in a playscheme that sees a lorry full of equipment driving to various village greens and emptying it's contents for the afternoon. They have a bouncy castle, face painter, balls, hoops etc and a number of volunteers and playworkers who oversee the events.
If you put your mind to it, there are plenty of free activities and events. We also go to local parks, splash parks, museums and walks in the woods. I am not saying we go out every single day - as much as I don't want to admit it, there is still housework to do in the holidays. Some days I pop a film on, shut the curtains and pop some popcorn to keep the children entertained whilst I get on with some jobs. It is always reassuring to know though, that I have a diary full of events should we want to get out. Good luck!

Wednesday 17 July 2013

Roll on the summer holidays?

Today has been one of those 'Doolally' days in our household. I don't know if it's the heat, or the end of term tiredness/blues/excitement, but the kids have driven me doolally!
We started at 7.45 this morning. Master Doolally is 4, Miss Doolally is 7 - when they wake up they know they have to get dressed, which they did. I usually make them breakfast and leave them at the table while I get myself ready. Admittedly this morning, I was running late myself, but knew it would all fall into place. 
Until I came through at 8.20 to find that neither of them had touched their breakfast, never mind brushed hair, cleaned teeth, put shoes on etc. That gave us ten minutes to do all that and fly out the door. Needless to say it didn't happen and I was haphazardly spraying them with sun cream as they were getting in the car.
We arrived at nursery a few minutes late, but surprisingly not majorly late. As it was my morning for volunteering there, I passed MissD over to my friend who walks her to the adjacent school on my volunteering mornings. My friend was waiting to go, as it was only 5 minutes before the bell was due to go. Miss Doolally promptly dropped a tub of Jumping Beans on the floor and not content with simply picking them up, she had to sit there and count every single one of them back in to the tub. WILL YOU HURRY UP, THE BELL IS ABOUT TO GO I said in a not-so-calm manner!
When left alone for a few minutes, this is what Little Man
gets up to. I think the cat is dreading the 6 weeks as
much as I am!

The morning went well, I strangely find some sanity in spending the morning in the company of 2 year olds. Before I know it, it's pick up time. MasterD came out in a terrible mood which resulted in a stand-off just outside the nursery gates, all because I hadn't bought his bike for him. Ok, I admit, I bribed him with some chocolate, we've all done it at some point. It worked pretty quickly and off we went to pick up his sister.
Before we had even got back to our house, the arguments had started. I don't really know what started it, but they had a full scale row in the back of the car and as soon as we pulled up at traffic lights, I was refereeing the second stand-off of the day. The third and final one came just before bed time. They had gone upstairs to clean their teeth, but MissD had popped back down for something and thus leaving MasterD upstairs on his own - something he does not like at all. His dulcet tones were probably heard halfway down the street as he protested that he hated his sister. We then spent the next 15minutes encouraging them to kiss and make up and making sure that MasterD knew that he mustn't use the 'H' word for anything, especially his family. 
Am I looking forward to the 6 week break? Judged on today's efforts, no i'm not! Wish me luck....

Tuesday 16 July 2013

Om Nom Nom Nom!

left to right: carrot cake, banoffee pie, key lime pie and
White Choc Cheesecake. Made for our annual
 Boxing Day Gathering
Birthday, Christmas, Easter, Summer, Winter... Do you really need an excuse to bake a cake? Any reason will do! I love making cakes - more about that in posts to follow - but my all time favourite (and very indulgent) recipe is for White Chocolate Cheesecake. This is such an easy recipe and is extremely rich and......... Ohhhh, you really must try it! I save it for VERY special occasions as I dread to think how many calories and fat is in it. The recipe was passed to me by a close friend and I have made it every Christmas since. Even my mum, who is not a lover of anything sinful, does enjoy a  slice or two of this. So here it is... Enjoy!

Biscuit Base:
75g Digestive Biscuits, crushed
75g Gingernut Biscuits, crushed
75g Butter, melted

Filling:
400g White Chocolate  (I use Milkybar, but other varieties are available!) Broken into pieces
65g Butter
1/2 Vanilla Pod
500g Cream Cheese
50g Castor Sugar
180ml Whipping Cream
Strawberries or Raspberries

To make:

  • Combine the biscuits and melted butter and press onto the base of a 23cm springform tin, then chill in fridge whilst making the rest
  • Place the chocolate, butter and vanilla pod in a heatproof bowl, set over a pan of simmering water until melted. Allow to cool slightly
  • In another bowl, mix together the cream cheese, sugar and whipping cream to a smooth consistency
  • Remove the vanilla pod from the melted chocolate mixture and stir this mixture into the cream mixture, Gently stir in some raspberries or strawberries, being careful not to release any juice into the mixture
  • Spoon the mixture on top of the biscuit base and place in the fridge to set for at least 8 hours
  • Decorate before serving with a few whole strawberries/raspberries


Friday 12 July 2013

As one chapter ends, another begins

My youngest is in his last few weeks of nursery. In September, he will be starting Reception Year. Sad times.
8 years ago, whilst pregnant with my eldest, we made the decision that all the while it was financially viable, I would be a stay at home mum. Although it has been a mega struggle, and I have had a few part time jobs here and there, for the bulk of the time I have managed to be at home for both my children. It hasn't been easy; it's not all coffee mornings and lunch with the girls. At times it has been very lonely, but now it is drawing to a close and the world of employment beckons, it is sad to think that this chapter of my life is complete.
But here's to the next chapter! Little man is excited to be joining his big sister at school and although the idea of employment is daunting, it will be nice to have some extra cash for all the things we haven't had over the past few years. But what to do? My previous jobs have been in Accounts and I can't say I would be too thrilled to go back to it. Ideally I will find something within a school so I can still enjoy the holidays with the kids whilst they are still young and as mentioned before, I am thinking of training to be a nursery assistant. I have looked into childminding, self employment, crafting, retraining for something completely different, the list goes on. I guess the right opportunity will come along, I will just have to wait to see what it brings!
Have you returned to work after a career break? Did you retrain or set up your own business after having children? Please do share your stories :)

Wednesday 10 July 2013

In the eyes of a 2 year old...

They say never to work with children or animals, but foolishly a few months ago I thought it would be a wise idea to volunteer at my son's nursery. I can honestly say it was one of the best decisions I have ever made! I found myself put in the room with the 2 year olds and what an amazing group of children they are. In the short time I have been there, I have seen such progression in them and it makes you realise how true the old saying is that 'Children are like sponges'.
I'm under no illusion that it's an easy job if you were to go into it as a career path. Obviously as a volunteer I just see the fun side and do not get involved in paperwork, planning, OFSTED or child protection side of things, but I am currently looking into the option of training to become a nursery assistant. With a group of around 10 two year olds to deal with, there is never a dull moment.
I recall a conversation with one of the children in the first few weeks I was there. The little boy was playing with an action-man type doll and said it was his Daddy and that he was fighting. Now some of the children do come from families that have 'issues', so with a little bit of trepidation, I asked who Daddy was fighting? The little boy replied in all seriousness..... "Spiderman"! Well, who can argue with that?!
When 'work' entails playing with PlayDoh, painting pictures, singing songs and dancing round the room like a lunatic, i'm surprised there isn't more people queueing up to do it ;-)

Monday 8 July 2013

Hello World

I have written blog posts for a number of years, mostly for other people. After a little encouragement from the lovely Joanne at Charlie Moos, I have decided to set up a blog for myself. I have no real aim, you will mainly find ramblings about children (I have a 7 year old DD and a 4 year old DS); about baking as I enjoy making cakes and other nice things; and anything else that inspires me. 

I have been a stay at home mum for 7 years. I have tried various schemes to make a bit of extra cash in that time, the most successful being a cosmetic direct sales company (Ding, Dong!) I now have a substantial area that I cover and am currently the third highest selling rep in my area. This may all change in September, when my little monkey starts full time school. Unfortunately that is my cue to go back into the world of employment.

I'm not ashamed to admit I am not the perfect mum - if we are being honest with ourselves then I doubt anyone would claim to be perfect - and the name of my blog was inspired by a phrase I often use with the kids when they are continually fighting... "You are driving me Doolally!"

I look forward to sharing posts with you and I hope you enjoy reading them
Rach x
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