Back from Gallivanting, and Blethering with Patrice Again

I've missed our chats, Patrice. The summer holiday can often be a bit all-over-the-place, and this year was no different. But here we are at the beginning of the Scottish school terms, so that means it's coming close to my break coming to an end too.

I'm sure I'm not the only homeschooling mum who thinks of holiday time as their holiday more than that of the kids'. 

Any of you homeschoolers feel like this? Mind you, although the schools here in Scotland will be opening their doors to pupils tomorrow, we normally don't begin properly until the following week, so our Wee guy still has two or three more days of total freedom.

And I have another couple of days to get organized.

And I can relax on your porch, Patrice, for our wee blether ...



1. Do you have any type of air cleaner in your home?

Yep. It's called opening the windows, Patrice. Opening windows and doors in our climate normally means a rush of wind blowing through the house.

Is it fresh? Yup.

Is it clean? Sure is.

Is it free, and plentiful? Yes to both!


2. What do you do with the spare change you accumulate in your car, purse, pockets etc?

Hah! I've begun keeping any money I find in the pockets of clothes that have been put in the laundry basket. I thought it would make the kids more careful about emptying pockets before dumping their clothes in the wash basket but .... no. However, it has given me some extra pocket money. 

What do I do with it? I'd love to say that I stored it all in a piggy bank and that I'd present it back to the children on a special birthday, or when they were leaving home.

Or even that I kept it in a jar to begin our holiday fund.

Or that I gave it all to a specific charity.

Sadly, it simply goes from their pockets into mine, and from there into my purse and to a shopkeeper from there.


3. What's the one chore you wish you never had to do again?

Umm ... Ooh, Patrice, you've got me there. Is 'cleaning the house' too broad?

Am I allowed to keep the ironing and hand over everything else? 

No? Well, I'm kinda stumped with this one.

Oh hang on, I've got it: I'd be happy never, ever to have to do household admin again. No banking. No paperwork. No opening of mail, or sending of it. 

Yep, that's my choice made. I assume you're able to work this out somehow, Patrice...


4. Are you outgoing, quiet, shy, reserved, or the life of the party?

How is it that I am never able to answer a question with a one-word answer? Or even a one-sentence answer??

I can actually find all of the above in me (though others may not). At home, or in a smaller group, I'd comfortably be outgoing. In larger gatherings, I like to find a couple of other guests, find a corner and get to have meaningful talk with them. 

I tend to find small-talk tiring. And, after a while, tiresome. But I do love to have a really good natter with one or two people.


5. Have you understood your parents more as you've got older?

Yes, definitely.

I actually remember when I had my first child feeling differently about my own mum. I remember thinking, 'I had no idea just how she felt about us'.

And in the years since then - especially as our own kids have got older - there are so many things I understand in a new light. 

(Of course that doesn't stop me saying, 'When my kids have kids, I will never ....'. Often. 

Anyone else say that?! )

*      *      *

It's now almost midnight, Patrice, and there's one chore I have yet to do. I can not believe I didn't think of it when you asked Question 3.

Have y'all guessed it? Yes of course ... bloomin' pieces!