Christmas hols

Finally the holidays are here and I've completed my first full term as a trainee teacher!  Just two more to go. It's been really good and I've enjoyed the Friday sessions at Reading uni a lot.  It is however completely exhausting and I have found I value my sleep more than ever.  Honestly don't think I will be seeking a full time position when all this is done but maybe four days a week. Need some time for "me" otherwise I would probably make myself ill with working and looking after the boys.   But when I look back on my old life in sales this job is far more rewarding and although the money is crap I'm not in it for the money these days. 

Teacher Training

First week of teacher training at Reading Uni and it has been pretty full on with lectures about theory, standards, policies and so on. But met some nice people and it's been good to do this part away from school.  It's back to school next week to year 3 for a few weeks. 

I found out that I'll be back at my old school for my placement in January which will be a huge help logistically as no more need for morning breakfast club for a few weeks anyway. 

I can't quite believe how far I've come in the last 3 years and it has been quite revealing as to how unsuited I was to my previous work - I had literally been putting up with it and putting on a face. Acting. For the last 15 years or so.  We were discussing values today in the lecture and had to discuss which values we hold ourselves relating to the teaching profession.   It was interesting but not surprising that the three of us all mentioned kindness, doing to others as you would like done to yourself an the concept of being 'Christian' without necessarily being religious. The need and want to instil a sense of kindness in young children and to just want to help others. To want them to grow up respecting that other people may not share their ideas but not to undermine those ideas or berate them.  The feeling that I had at school in the 70s and 80s was that I adored school. I never wanted to leave.  I want other children to love it as much as I did and to make it fun to come to lessons. 

We also discussed the 8 teaching standards and how we need to show evidence of meeting these over the next six to eight months. 

So I'm slowly getting my head round everything.  The student loan money has come in so as long as I can make it last we should be ok. 

The boys are finding going back to school ok - although mornings are tricky. They don't ask about my day and that is hard sometimes. Not having another adult to come home to and offload to, celebrate successes with etc.  But J is being helpful and it's good to hear D has been enjoying his lessons more now he's in year two.  In two years' time we will be preparing for Joseph to start taking driving lessons - he is already quite sensible and mature in lots of ways but in others he still struggles a lot and meltdowns just happen for smallest things. 

He's been taking the dog out though and it's evident that having Sam around is good for both of the boys.  Benjy too had even started touching noses with Sam! 

Clean Eating

So while I was on holiday with my new kindle in Mallorca I decided to buy Alice Liveing's book to see what all this clean eating fuss is about.  I was inspired by it and have been busy trying out all sorts of foodie recipes since we got back. 

1. Easy avocado and mackerel on sourdough bread.  Score 5/5 for taste. Quite easy to make and full of good fats. Not sure why but sourdough bread and rye feature quite frequently in the book. 

2.  Scrambled eggs with smoked salmon. Again very easy. 

3. Super-easy chicken nuggets with a twist.  I dipped the lean chicken in egg and rolled them in a mixture of oats and Cajun spices before frying in coconut oil 

4.  Sweet potato fritters with egg and avocado. Yum. 

5. Frittata made with salmon, courgette, peppers, onion. These were delicious and ideal for my packed lunch when I wanted a no-bread option. 

Also I've made banana and cinnamon muffins which weren't from the book but I found the recipe online and added oats and used agave nectar instead of normal sugar. And replaced butter with coconut oil. 

So far so good and feels like we are all eating much more healthier. 

I forgot to mention the breakfast!  This is sooo easy and so delicious.  Chopped nectarine and banana fried in a little coconut oil with a dusting of cinnamon, on top of a small bowl of Greek yoghurt and a dash of agave nectar. 

Will write more when I've done a few more recipes as I'm interested to see how I will manage taking a packed low carb lunch to work each day. 

Euro road trip

Last Sunday we drove about 350 miles through France and Belgium to get to Holland where Dylan is going to spend most of his school hols. 

We had a nice day and walked around the lake, had a meal in the hotel and then on Monday J and I drove south to culemborg to meet Diana and have lunch. 

We then went to Antwerp (not such a nice city) and Bruges (a nice city) before heading home. Despite the rain it was a good trip and the new Vauxhall Meriva was good to drive. I like having an automatic! 

Bye bye beetle!

Today I sold my VW Beetle ... :( 

But it was time.  Since having Sam we just needed a bigger car. 

Road trip to Holland and Belgium summer 2016

We have brought Dylan over to Holland to spend a month with Tristan during the school holidays.  The dog has come too and it's been an experience to say the least! We are getting the hang of it though and he seems to be taking everything in his canine stride :)

We had a lovely afternoon all together at Haarlemmermeerse Bos (lake near Hoofddorp) and walked the dog all the way round before having a nice dinner together at our hotel.  

After a rather emotional and weird good bye which was really hard, we got on the road today and drove south towards Utrecht and then Culemborg to meet my friend Diana for lunch. Wow is all I can say. It was the most delicious pasta meal I have eaten. Chicken, Gorgonzola and herbs. Lemon maybe?  Anyway very good indeed.  The building was cool and unusual. It used to be the station house and is now a cafe called Una Volta, which also rents out work space and meeting rooms complete with table tennis - and a swing! The area is called gelderlandfabriek. 

Here are Joseph and Diana 

We then walked around the local area and saw how the local people live in 'hofs': groups of houses arranged around a communal garden where inhabitants each share an interest and responsibility for the gardens' upkeep.  The houses have solar panels and some are built into the ground or have walls made from hay bales. It's meant to make their inside temperature more regulated in both summer and winter. 

We then drove south west towards Antwerp to the Novotel where we are spending the second night of our trip.  It's not a very pretty city but it was on the way and is fairly cheap.

 The dog can stay in the room and since neither of us fancied the dish of the day "Dutch weed burger" we decided I would venture out to Albert heijn and buy food (salads and crisps) and drinks to bring back to the room.  I'm exhausted now and although I know Dylan will have a wonderful time and holiday with his dad I do miss them.  But for now, it's time to have some quality time with J and he is doing so well so far on this trip.  More pics and updates to follow.... 

I passed my degree!

Haven't written on here for a month but am absolutely thrilled to say I have achieved a 2:1 (upper second class honours) in my BA in Education. 

It's been so hard to juggle everything and I've worked long nights and early mornings and nearly gave up at one point last December when I reached my lowest point.  Luckily I decided to extract myself and go to Mallorca alone for a few days' rest and thinking time.  Then I carried on with the course determined to finish it. 

Graduation is 28th October and I will invite my mum and dad to come and see me in my cap and gown. 

Sam the dog

We have collected this lovely little boy, Sam. And he's made such a big impact on us already. He's lovely and "a cute guy" (Dylan)  and we have got both animals under the same roof tonight with no hissing or growling.

  Early days and we are learning to be dog owners but it's all been good fun so far and great for the boys too.  

Look forward to first Parkrun with dog tomorrow - that is, me park run and the boys take Sam to the play area for a run around. 

Marathon Woman!

I have done it!  I've run a marathon. Never thought I'd actually be able to say that but I managed it - on Saturday 4th June from Brighton to Eastbourne in just over 8 hours. 

The route took us through farmers' fields, past sheep, lambs, cows and calves. We dodged cow pats and rabbit poo.  We jogged the slopes and flats and walked up the steep hills - of which there were many.  Seven sisters and Beachy head being very dramatic.  But it's over and I raised over £300 and it's still coming in. 

We got medals and champagne and a tshirt when we arrived back at the red tent where our families were waiting. 

I feel very proud of myself now and although the legs and arms ache like mad, I would do it again! 

New addition to the family

We are all very excited about Thursday this week ... We are adopting a new pet .. Golden Labrador retriever puppy called Sam!   He's adorable and very bouncy but also soft and he's going to be huge company for us all. 

This little chap 'Sam'

Going to see this lovely little boy tomorrow afternoon ...  

Dissertation finito!!!!

Yay! The final piece of work for my 3 year degree is finally done and submitted to college. I can't believe it. I have my life back now :)   

The topic was summer born children in education. I wrote over 10,000 words on 50 pages of A4 and four pages of references.  Whilst having a family, working pretty much full time and managing a split up.  But it is done now and the relief is enormous. 

Well done me. 

I will post the grade I got in July - I'm hoping for a 2:1 or above but I need at least a 2:2 to get into the teacher training course in September.  

I've worked bl**dy hard for this for the last 2 and a half years! 

April craziness!

April has been something of a blur with many changes going on. 

I feel more positive and I don't think it's just the change in season (although it does help that the sun is up before I am and sets later at night and there are leaves appearing on the trees). 

I started April disastrously by missing our flight to Corfu - but we had a good time when we finally got there and it was lovely to get a few days' sun and peace. 

When we got back I started the James Duncan diet having read about it on a blog - it worked. I lost 4lb in 3 days but I developed an aversion to grilled chicken and tinned tomatoes on toast.  May try it again sometime but not for now. 

Jo & I have been training for the marathon in June for JDRF and I have arranged a cake sale at school next month.  People have sponsored me through the justgiving news page too and I have about £150 now. Still a way off target though. 

I approached several local supermarkets as well as local media to spread the word about our fundraising. Not a word so far ! 

I have also been spring cleaning or should I say Spring decorating.  Funked up the living room with some white paint and modern furniture it all looks super calming and spacious now.  There's a bit of a to do list and the stairs carpet desperately needs replacing but we will have to prioritise I think. 

 

Been therapeutic to stand with a paintbrush and make all the walls clean and white anyway.  Put a few more things on eBay and sorting out college work. 

I must knuckle down but it's been hard to do so recently with everything else going on.    I'm off to Mallorca with my sister in August and my god I will have earned it by then! So much to do between now and August and here are the main things; 

1. Finish dissertation

2. Finalise all the entry requirements for Reading uni in September (teacher training year)

3. Stick to a healthy eating plan and lose the extra stone by August!  

4. Run a marathon on 4th June !!! 

5. Draft (and workthrough) a jobs list that needs doing in house and garden.  

James Duncan diet. "Lose a stone in a week" I am up for an experiment!

Well I started this yesterday all motivated but also skeptical about how the diet works.  Essentially I can have neither of the following for the week:  sugar, milk, butter, alcohol, cola.  It is strict. The strictest I have ever been with food. But so far so good. 

Day 1 (yesterday) was a slice of toast with tinned tomatoes for breakfast, fruit for lunch then a salad with hard boiled egg for dinner. 

Today started with a soft boiled egg and grapefruit, grilled chicken with toast and tomatoes at lunch (which I couldn't finish) and this evening will be steak and salad. 

I have had to get used to copious amounts of black tea and coffee, or peppermint tea.  But I have to say that so far so good.  And I have lost nearly 3lb so far.  I am going to try hard not to jump on the scales again until at least day 5 or 6. 

Watch this space!  I have good motivation: a gorgeous bikini and holiday in Mallorca in August to look forward to. 

Corfu

We arrived on Sunday lunchtime - finally! Had a nice walk along the coast from the hotel. It's so quiet here. Very peaceful no shops really just the occasional taverna on the water's edge.  I went swimming in the sea, which was refreshing! Then went for a 3 mile walk to the next village - Petritis - to find a supermarket. Just heard the occasional lizard scuttling back to the undergrowth at the side of the road and passed a few Greek old men on the road. Definitely not touristy at this time of year. But the locals are incredibly friendly and very accommodating, they are eager to please.  

The hotel (Hotel Penelope) in Boukari appears to be a family business. Kostas and his brother run the hotel and restaurant (10 minutes' walk away) between them, the wives do the cooking and the dad oversees it all to check guests are happy. I booked car hire for Monday and J and I headed over towards Benitses, saw the Kaiser bridge and then up the mountain to Achillios palace before going down through several villages and finally arriving at Paleokastritsa on the north west coast.  Such a stunning coast line!

We had lunch in the only place open and then went on the beach for several hours where I swam.  Yes it was cold but after a few minutes it was perfectly bearable. 

Today we have been on a boat trip to Corfu town - we hired a boat with two other girls who are staying in our hotel and went up the coast for an hour then had a few hours to wander round the old town. Had a nice coffee and lunch in an outside cafe and really felt the hot sun on my arms.  Then back towards Boukari again by sea.  Just so relaxing.  J wanted to go back to the room to play on the keyboard (yes. The only hotel I've ever stayed in to have a full size electric keyboard in the wardrobe!)  so I joined the girls for a drink at the local taverna by the sea.  We head home in the morning but it has been a lively few days away and I would definitely return here. Apparently it doesn't get much busier in summer but the sea is warmer. 

Slightly delayed trip to Corfu

So this week I've found out what it's like to miss a flight and have to go to the easyjet customer service desk to get on the next one .. Only trouble was that the 'next one' involved going back home again and coming back 48 hours later. 

But I was determined not to let the disappointment ruin our Easter hols so we got home and I managed to have a very useful day. Spent over 4 hours at the college library doing my latest essay (this one is about comparative education and inclusion in British vs Swedish schools) scintillating stuff - er not.  I've tidied my desk and got lots of college stuff organised as the next two months are going to be hard work and crucial for my degree. 

After that I cooked a delicious chickpea, sweet potato and salmon curry and watched a film (Kingsman) with J. 

The good thing about only having 3 days of sun to look forward to as opposed to 5.. I could remove some of the many items of clothing from the case so it should now be well within the 20kg limit!

I've also spent part of the day writing to local businesses and the council spreading awareness of our marathon we are doing in June for the JDRF charity (against childhood diabetes type1)  hoping to get some localsponsorship and  I've also written to the local press. 

Tonight I am seriously considering sleeping in my clothes as we need to leave home at 2am for gatwick!   Will write more from the other side when we land :)    Need to practise my Greek too ... A Ferrits toe anyone ??!  

Walk around Minley common behind the barracks

Today is such a sunny (if windy) day. Thought the house might actually elevate last night, wizard of oz style - but apart from a few trees down on Vigo lane it seemed we survived.  J and I took a little walk in the sunshine for an hour or so and dodged the puddles on the bridle way behind Gibraltar barracks.  Here are some photos. 

Easter holidays

It's Easter and the clocks have sprung forward at last. Been waiting for this day as I loathe winter. 

I have been painting some more canvases with acrylics. I bought a cheap little set of paints at The Works on Thursday. Not such good quality as the others I had been using but the colours are good. 

We have been to the airport to collect T as he'd been to Holland and back to try and sort out his lodger in his apartment. 

Also I had my hair done yesterday while Dylan enjoyed some time at granny's.  

Tomorrow going to visit my old friend Nicola Taylor in Wotton-under-Edge for the day.   Only 5 more sleeps until Corfu yippee! 

Right I had better get my running kit on. Have to keep up the momentum since doing the half marathon last Sunday! 

Becca runs a half marathon

I did it! 

In 2 hours 47 minutes 56 seconds. 

Hard work.  That's all .... 

 Feeling proud 

Photography Course

This evening I was so pleased to be able to take a photo of the moon. Just what I have been hoping to do. 

Reading Uni!

I went over to Reading University this afternoon to get a glimpse of what it will be like studying there in September.  Met some nice people who are in a similar position to me and got the pre work that I have to do before September.  Like absorbing the whole Primary national curriculum and making a mind map of it whilst highlighting areas I need to brush up on!  Looks like I will be busy this summer.  All in all very exciting though and I can't wait to start the new chapter. 

My longest and furthest run ever!

Today I ran for 2 hours solid, accomplishing over 15km as preparation for the half marathon which is in 3 weeks' time. Lovely conditions albeit a little on the cold side but we ran up behind Hawley woods around the lake down to the M3 junction then back up the slow hill (which was hard) past Gibraltar barracks then down into Yateley again.   Feel so good and realised that at 44 I am the fittest I've ever been!  Ok so my ballet days were strong and probably nice and toned but being able to keep going for 2 hours I'm so chuffed with myself. 

Essay

I got my essay back last night -  scored 68%!  It's a good mark although if I had got 70 that would be a distinction (and a "first" in degree language! 

Anyway another one under my belt. Just 2 more modules to go plus the dreaded dissertation. 

I'm thinking of going away for a week at Easter just to give myself a break from everything but also to take the laptop and maybe sunbathe by day, work by night.  Bit weird maybe but may work for me :)  my skin would like the vitamin d that's for sure. 

Back to school - and an important day at Beavers!

This week we all went back to school after a week off (or rather 11 days, for D and I!)   Monday wasn't too bad - the Tuesday was hugely exciting as we went to watch him getting officially invested at beavers.  Here is a photo of him looking very proud! 

Apart from that... Well some difficult chats this week. Diet chef started and all seems pretty straightforward (for now anyway!). Loved the coconut and sweet potato soup also the red Thai curry and the lasagne.  Must must go running at the weekend though. 

College tonight and got the next essay back. 68% so just off a distinction (and hence it would be a 2:1 as opposed to a first degree). I'm still pushing for the first when I get the overall mark in June July time. Determination fuelled by the thought of a 3k bursary next year! 

Cookies!

We have decided (or should I say I have) to stop buying biscuits from tesco and instead just bake our own. But only once a week and when they're gone that's it! Here is this week's "batch"   

Butter

Sugar

Flour

Fudge pieces/choc chip/ smarties on top

Half term fun: Oxford

Yesterday we had a day out to Oxford by train which was really nice. Even more so as it was a sunny day and we met up with Sam, Orla and Freya at the natural history museum which we hadn't been to before.  Since D is very into Harry potter at the moment he was thrilled to find a wand shop so we went in and, just like in the film, went to the man at the desk and asked to see their selection of wands.  We opted for the cheap version.  But he's very happy with it.  I took lots of photos at the museum.  We hope to go back in the summer.  

Painting

Using the acrylics again. This one is to go with the paint colour in the loo! 

New glasses for Dylan!

Yesterday was a massive day in Dylan's life - the day he got glasses. He loves them which is fortunate. 

We also had a great day out at Bucklebury Farm Park near Newbury and saw sheep, reindeer and goats amongst other animals.   Got back to delicious garlic chicken dinner. 

Another painting!

This time I've used acrylics and am pleased with the effects. 

Ps4

J is hugely impressed today as his new playstation 4 has arrived.  Own money saved up :).   Tonight we have been looking at it and setting up online gaming and I've been feeling very good about my uni tutorial in which she said I am very organised :).  Feeling good now.  And it's half term now. Yay !! 

Photography course!

Yay! Another resolution done. I've gone and booked myself on a digital photography course next month :) 

Good weekend

This weekend it's been just me and the boys and we have packed in quite a lot!

Early morning wet and rainy 10k yesterday with Jo.  Up onto Yateley common towards minley barracks and then back home again. Nice to be amongst the trees and dodging puddles. All in the name of training for our half marathon which is in 6 weeks' time. 

Today I've got all art and crafty. Made a Harry potter sorting hat out if mod roc this morning followed by an oil painting in the style of a New Order album cover and then finished an essay plan, cooked dinner and baked a cake to take to work tomorrow. 

Feels like a nice weekend. The house is tidy the washing done and the school things all ready for the morning.  I'm looking forward to some lighter mornings and getting some time to run before work now.  Tonight it didn't get dark until about 4:45pm :)