HELLO From New Zealand

chevalier

Thanks for your reply Hoglet. I would love to be able to make money from that sort of thing, but sadly I have zero artistic talent, and I only have enough patience for my own kids so baby sitting is out too! And with working nights, most of the time it wouldn't be practicable.

So we have been plodding on. The bank balance has slowly been going the correct way, enough that we can risk coming home at Christmas as my mum is 80 just after and I want to be able to celebrate that with my other siblings. But it will cost best part of $8000 to come back, so that is a bit :eek::eek:.

My bosses boss has now changed AGAIN. This will be the 4th one in just over a year! Hopefully this one will stay for a bit as he seems quite approachable and has made a good impression on my fellow night workers - except my actual boss, who got a good talking to about not being nasty. Can't go into details but to be quite honest my boss got what was coming to him. Unfortunately the change in demeanour only lasted 48 hours before he was being a d!ck again.... Sigh.

Had good reports from boys at school. Don't think they are being stretched enough but ho hum, that is just the school they are at. We are exposing them to other ideas at home.

OH well. I don't know he is ok I suppose. He still doesn't like having to help out round the house, and getting the boys to help too. But I am not crippling myself by working 10.5 hour shifts and then doing all the housework etc on top. As it is the house is a flipping mess, but there are 4 people living in this house all of whom are able to put a hoover round. At a minimum, so I am not going to stress about it.

Best news is that I am going to start a course in September which will formalise my admin skills, so hopefully I will be able to get a decent job not on nights by this time next year. Of course this isn't what I want to do, but the Environmental Science stuff will have to wait - again.

chev

VeronicaMars

Great news re your course! Fingers crossed you can get a nice admin job with a nice boss!!! My boss is leaving and he is the NICEST boss EVER!!! I've also had horrific bosses and appreciate how miserable it can make going to work! I am terrified with who I may end up with!

Yeh, not ideal having to do everything by yourself! Try and be firm with getting the others to help as the stress and exhaustion can really affect your health!

I considered sides jobs etc over time and have decided that I don't want to work anymore than I already do so have now went down the route of cutting back! I'd rather cut back and work less!

Although there are times I need to remind myself of this when I can't be bothered making lunches or coffees etc!!!

HappyNow

Hi Chev, I'd been waiting for you to update your diary . Your post is a bit more up-beat than your last one, although you sound more resigned than enthusiastic! Soon be September and you will be on your course - hopefully you will make some good friends there and it will lead to great things. I'm sure working long night shifts can't be good for you, so fingers crossed this time next year you'll be all sorted . And a trip to England in our winter weather will remind you why you left

chevalier

Things are starting to go the right way....
Saturday OH gets a phone call, the sort that makes him sit down on the stairs. We are very involved with our local scout group him as leader and me as Secretary. They are lovely boys and girls.

Anyway our Venturer unit was going away, and they had a crash. One of the venturers passed away at the scene and 2 others injured, plus the adult driver. He was such a nice young man - they all are actually. We are all absolutely heartbroken for the boys family.

And of course this is the first death that either of my boys have known about. Ie of someone that they knew and worse is only a couple of years older than them. They are handling it OK, but we haven't done the funeral yet. I think that they should attend because it will help them see that is is OK to be sad about it, and that they are not unique in feeling this. I am pretty sure there won't be a dry eye in the church on Monday. But my oldest isn't sure about it.

So big chats over the weekend about it and then all the prosaic stuff like getting smart black trousers for them and shoes.....

Flipping heck this sucks big time
chev

kirtsypoos

Hi Chev,

I've been reading through your diary slowly since I joined the site, as my OH is from NZ and would like to move back there so I've been very interested in your story, and hoping you had got somewhere with a better job search.

So sorry to hear you've had such sad news, it always seems worse when it's someone young. I'm a firm believer in children being allowed to attend funerals - I was allowed to when I was younger if I chose to and I really appreciate the fact I wasn't shielded from the sadness.

Hope all goes as well as it possibly can.

K x

kitten

That's horrible, so sorry to hear about it x

chevalier

So we have decided that the boys will go. I think they may regret it if they don't. Not going to be a fun weekend
chev

mary_hinge

Such sad news Chev :grouphug: I think your right about the funeral and as hard as it will be for the boys it is part of the healing process.

Good news on your course :beer: and a healthier looking bank balance!

Take care

Mrs H x

*Robin*

Dear Chev, I was so sorry to read your update; what a tragedy and a shock for everyone concerned with the scout troop.

Fwiw, I think you're right to encourage your boys to go to the funeral to say goodbye to their friend; experiencing the rituals of death is part of growing up which will stand them in good stead later, and they will get a lot of support from feeling included even though the day itself will be upsetting.

(((hugs)))
Rx

chevalier

Thanks guys.
Well we watched the match this am and then went and did the requisite clothes shopping so that the boys and OH looked proper for Monday. I found I I have dropped at least 2 skirt sizes, which is nice, but means I have only 1 black skirt that still fits. Lucky there is one left.

chev