Trying to get back to the old routine

It is always difficult to get back to the old school books after any holiday. Arran's mind is on other things, mainly the new Transformers figures that he got for Christmas. He is all chat chat chat about them which is great but not when you are trying to get him to focus on other more boring facts ( according to him)

He is now the proud owner of some new storage for his bedroom so he can finally display his figures in date order and organise them as he wants to. I was sure that we had plenty but he already has two boxes that he isn't displaying.

I am trying to get him into buying and selling them online so he can make money. We try to think of the future and what he could end up doing. He is fourteen soon. Time is ticking on but I know he will find his niche.

The local authority home education guy did not visit us personally this year so we frantically spent the last few days of the holiday typing up our diary or should I say I did as Husband is very good and does it as he goes along. Anyway. We sent it off so don't have to see anyone till the summer now for the meeting on Arran's special educational  statment etc. They always seem pleased that we make the effort to keep a detailed diary but it is a record of Arran growing and learning as well so nice to keep.

We have decided to start on a new combined topic between myself and my husband. Last time he did a massive one on  WW2 but as we both love the countryside and indeed all nature we decided on Phonology. This can be split into what we are both interested in. I want to do fungi, butterflies, hibernation and types of trees. He will do migration, seasons. and more of the science. Some will of course overlap and I will incorporate some of my art into the topic. I love the changing seasons so will enjoy seeing the wonderful changes that take place around us.

Arran went off for a walk with husband to look at some of the old trees that are around us and measure them to determine their age. One such one is on the Essex way and they have worked out that it is approx 270 years old . What it has seen in its life time so far! Nice to see that the local wildlife use it as well as it has a nice hollow in the bottom.

Hollie is back at college and we had another glowing report from her tutors.Gigs coming up so lots of drumming practise to do. She decided on a change of image as well. She has been on and on about real dreadlocks but a friend suggested she try wool ones first and so after five hours work this is the result. I think they look great. The great thing is that if she wants a change she can take them out and even wash them and re use them. I don't think it has put her off real ones though.

I am madly painting six hundred bobbins for a big lace fair . I have completed quite a few so just hope that I have enough. I spend most evenings hunched over the table.

I am still selling on Etsy and have also put some on E bay. I must admit I feel more comfortable on Etsy though. I can't wait to get a web site up and running.

Well. Back to the painting.