Oh yes, and I finished the dolls dress and added a bow for effect and a pair of bootees. LOL.
https://trademe.tmcdn.co.nz/photoserver/full/410572925.jpg

grizzly4 - 2015-09-15 06:55:00

Oh that is cute. I'm envious. Lol. I'm so tired from the early starts etc. I drop K6 at school at 8.30. By that time I've cleaned the house and hung the washing. Then I drive back home 15 to 20 mins. Let my dog out for a run while I race around throwing my washing on. Drive for another 20 mins to my sons. We packed all his books today and carted them home. Drove back up to the beach to pick up K from school . Stopped at his house to let his dog out for a run, checked on my sons cat , drove home again. Cooked tea, bathed K, read his story, listened while he read me a story and tucked him into bed. He was asleep in 5 mins. After checking my emails for all the legal shenanikins , I washed the dishes, cleaned up and dropped into my lazy boy ho ho. I'll get a few rows of crocheting done before I flop into bed. Crafting seems to be on the back burner at the moment.

makerealbany - 2015-09-15 21:00:00

I'm not surprised! How are you feeling these days?
I am so brassed off with one of the schools we provide after school care for. After 13 years service they are considering a proposal from another organisation! I've been given 7 days to respond. I have a 2 page letter drafted LOL outlining history, current performance etc. Just running past another couple of people at work today before emailing it through. So much for loyalty! I had a meeting only a month ago with the principal and he invited us to be more involved in the school events. N issues with our services apparently. I think the proposal has come from a business rather than a not-for profit community based organisation.

grizzly4 - 2015-09-16 06:49:00

Busy, busy, busy. Just not enough hours in the day! Didn't finish work till 7.30 last night and couldn't raise the energy to pick up the needles when I got home. Two of my main supports at work are away next week so going to have to make sure things calm down some how. Mind you it's always a bit frantic at the end of school term leading into the holiday programme.
Just trying to keep my head down and focussed on tasks despite other one-off stuff that comes up. I really need to get back to organising that new spreadsheet stuff, now another month has gone by. Sigh.

grizzly4 - 2015-09-17 06:45:00

I know that feeling lol. Was up at 4 the busy, busy, busy ha ha. I think every bone in my body is aching. My daughter feels the same way. Even with gloves our hands are dry . We put hand cream on and it is absorbed in a second. I sat here tonight sterilising my sons briefcases and bags. Then I polished a collection of his Silver boxes. Mainly very old cigar boxes. He has collections of all sorts ha ha. We are still cleaning the house, then we have to rip out the carpet so it can be replaced. The Ex refuses to help pay for the new carpet and curtains. The carpet should have been replaced when they bought the house. She never cleaned a window or blind. Never cleaned anything else for that matter. Grrrr. The blinds are falling apart. I bought us tea from the Roast Shop tonight. We were too tired to cook. I had to duck into Farmers and get a Bench Top Stove. They were reduced by $130 so I was happy. My bottom element went in the last one and it cost nearly $100 to send to Aussie for the Part and for them to put it in. No thanks ha ha. They only last 8 years. Still worth it for the convenience . I'm off to bed. My eyes are complaining ha ha.

makerealbany - 2015-09-17 22:27:00

I assume he's selling the house? I guess her share will reflect what he's put into it now to sell it. Down here it would probably be snapped up with no carpet in at all LOL. We've had lovely weather the last few days although yesterday didn't get to the high expected. Such a shame it's not going to last over the weekend. Always the way when I need gutters cleaned out still and want to start on the vege garden. If I don't keep moving I'll waste the days off by napping in the chair. LOL. Such a waste.

grizzly4 - 2015-09-18 06:34:00

Yes the house is being sold. I took a break from it today. Napping is good ha ha. It took me ages to get my new bench top stove out of the box duh. I should have waited until A came over but I needed the box ha ha. I picked up K6 from After School Care and they said he had been upset talking about his Dad. As soon as he saw me he raced over and the tears started falling. I had to give him lots of hugs. Sometimes he just longs for his Dad. It's so hard. He was only looking at pictures yesterday of their trip to India and I guess he thought about him. I'm taking the three of them to Lollipop Land tomorrow so their Mums can work at the house. My weeds are like trees ha ha. They will start work next week building retaining walls. Most of the gardens will be affected. Well those that still exist that is. I'm off to bed. Just can't keep my eyes open.

makerealbany - 2015-09-18 22:46:00

Poor K! My heart goes out to him and you trying to console him. How long is going to take to complete the walls, do you think? Do you get any help repairing your poor gardens? As predicted it's raining here today and very cold. Such a shame after a beautiful week. I will have to find indoor jobs to keep me busy today. LOL. Or maybe I will just knit more dolls clothes. LOL. L8 and his parents will be over today so we will be watching the Despicable Me DVDs.

grizzly4 - 2015-09-19 06:56:00

I have no idea how long it will take. This week we had roadworks on the street just outside the property. The Water Co moved the Fire Hydrant up the street further. Even though they replaced the old pipe and anchored it. Water is still seeping onto our property from the road above because the storm water pipes are useless. They are trying to rectify the problem but A steps out of her car into a puddle. No the gardens will be dug up when the new walls go in. I'll save as many plants as I can. Kids loved Lollipop Land. It is so noisy there. Up here it's a Cafe Business really. They make their money by selling over cooked food ugh. There are big signs up saying you cannot take any if your own food in. Blah, blah. I'm not going back again. 3 children , $36 entrance, $30 lunch, $12 ice creams.
A gave me $50 but it costs far too much. M7 and I are meeting the Ex for morning tea so we can see E3. It's the only way we can see her. Until all this legal stuff is over. It's darn awkward too knowing she's trying to cheat me of my interest on my investment. I'm not discussing any of that with her. I'm just going to focus on E.

makerealbany - 2015-09-20 07:09:00

All of that sounds like a bit of a nightmare! Daughter is in one of her own currently as well. Just been tested for Whooping Cough and waiting for results and now we have heard that one of our relatives house- sat a couple of weeks back for her friend that apparently owns the house behind where S's ex lives. She was mortified hearing the amount of yelling and verbal abuse coming from the ex's house during the week she was there. We have worked out that B7 would have been with his Dad that week! And I feel sick thinking about what environment he is in. S is going to contact the relative directly and get the details. We are going to step up the monitoring now and get the school involved again as well. She is also stressed trying to sort out the different parenting styles with her new partner. I have been asked to have B overnight when she goes to a concert even though her partner's not going so she must be quite concerned. I hate this stuff! Why can't people just be kind and fair to children?! We had a pretty open discussion that she has to be honest with her concerns with the new partner and that she may have to leave him for Beren's sake!. Will be devastating to go through that. But needs must!

grizzly4 - 2015-09-20 09:50:00

Very quiet day yesterday and cold and wet. I opted to sit in the warm and knit. Too much going on in my head. S's tests came back negative for Whooping Cough but she has Pneumonia. She has talked to the house-sitting relative and to B himself about how he is feeling about the changes lately. He said he doesn't want to talk about what makes him sad 'cos it would upset his Dad. A bit telling, I thought! She is going to seek some advice and maybe a counsellor for him so he has somewhere to take the stuff he's thinking about. Hopefully the high decile school he goes to can help with that.

grizzly4 - 2015-09-21 06:42:00

We always have drama in our lives .Dont we? I feel for B. My grandson J is coming up for the holidays. He misses his Dad so much. Had a nice play date with his little Sister. Same Dad different mothers. I was very polite except when she commented on the house grrrr. Told her straight it is taking ages to clean. Her and her commercial cleaners ugh. Anyway yesterday we started painting and that is very good. I'm off up to K6s now so gotta run. Pneumonia is not nice . Stress doesn't help .

makerealbany - 2015-09-22 04:15:00

Drama's with family, drama's at work. Thank goodness for knitting! My stress levels are way too high at present, not sure what I'm going to do about it. Definitely not having much fun.

grizzly4 - 2015-09-22 06:45:00

Off to a café in Lyttelton with the Women's Group this morning. Had initially planned a visit to a miniature horse stud but they pulled out and the second contact I have hasn't returned any of my phone calls. Quite disappointing really. And it's still pouring with rain so the views of the harbour won't be as spectacular as the last time I was over there. I've been using up bits of merino baby wool by knitting baby socks and tiny teddy jerseys. I hate throwing out the leftovers when you think of how much each ball costs these days.

grizzly4 - 2015-09-23 06:40:00

You are so right. Wool is so expensive. Right about dramas too ha ha. Rush, rush, rush, sigh. School Holidays soon. I don't mind them so much now. Break time ha ha. No rushing to school. Haven't knitted a stitch. Still painting the house. Don't know we we are going to store all this stuff but well cope. I'm off to bed early again.

makerealbany - 2015-09-23 20:50:00

You are off to bed early!! And I thought when you were really sick that family had arranged that you weren't going to be doing so much childcare stuff in the future?? You are well and truly back into the thick of things, LOL. I don't know how you do it. I am so tired these days, it's like I'm getting up 5 minutes after getting into bed. So much going on at work. I know there's no going back but I so loved just being the administrator. The responsibility of knowing what to do is exhausting and the dealing with new things that come up, to. I can't remember the last time I could just sit at my desk and get on with my accounts.

grizzly4 - 2015-09-24 06:53:00

Yes being in charge is exhausting. Rather you than me ha ha. I'm so mean. I took the dogs to get groomed today. They love it ha ha. K6 had to come with me to drop them off and pick them up. He was fascinated by the whole process. He was as bright as a button this afternoon so I took him home. He's off to school tomorrow lol. I have been relaxing tonight and crocheting yah. Mums legal stuff is dragging on a bit. My brother is being a little pain. Dad always used to say" That boy needs to grow up" Poor Mum started saying it years ago as well. Now I'm saying it. Duh. History repeats it's self. Some of my other sisters have always made life far too easy for him but I refuse to. He never did a jolly thing for Mum. My BILS did more for Mum then he did. Now he's living in her little place and he expects them to repair things for him. Ugh. Two of my sisters are standing firm with me but the other two are indulging his whims. He doesn't pay any rent so he has to pay the rates. I got a call asking me to help pay the rates. No, no, no. He's on Super and has it easy. I'm a very mean older sister ha ha. I can even feel my ears burning. I'm off to bed early again. Getting used to it ha ha.

makerealbany - 2015-09-24 21:46:00

Some people have an overwhelming sense of entitlement don't they? Sigh. I've somehow tweeked my back this morning so not feeling very flash at present. We were supposed to go ten pin bowling with the family event at work tonight but no way I can do that now. I bet the weather clears for the weekend now and I still won't be out in the garden. Typical. Hopefully the neuromol I've taken will kick in soon.

grizzly4 - 2015-09-25 06:49:00

Hope your back has improved. Im amazed that my back is ok what with everything it's had to endure lol. We are off early to paint. My grandson has painted the three bedrooms and they look great. A has painted the kitchen cupboards. We are doing the lounge tomorrow. The jumbo bin is full already. May need another smaller one. Need to weedspray around the decks and paths so hope it stays fine. I've never used Nuromol. Fingers crossed it's working for you. Just relax and knit.

makerealbany - 2015-09-25 22:04:00

Relax and knit you said? Didn't happen! I had to go into work to sign cheque for event last night. Thought I would also do an easy job of taking a photo frame back that disintegrated when I opened the wrapper. 10 minute wait for refund in Warehouse Stationary, an agonising walk to the back of the Warehouse to find a replacement and a 15 minute to pay for it. Back to the office where I decided to get some funding accountability done while I waited for 2 staff to arrive that needed to see me. All good thought I would be able to get home after that but of course not. The young staff member one our satellite programme was having a panic attack and needed to be sent home, children had already arrived and Supervisor was on her own so it was me there with her till 5.30. I certainly slept well last night, I was exhausted with all that and being in pain. This morning I'm standing a little straighter which is promising. Fingers crossed it keeps improving. I'm not looking forward to vacuuming lounge before family gets here.

grizzly4 - 2015-09-26 06:45:00

Omg I would have rung the family and told them I was unwell and didn't want visitors. Well at lest in my dream I would have lol. We painted again today. I lent my grandson my car yesterday because the Alternator went in his car. He had to drive back to Hamilton and have his son for the night. So I have been driving both my daughters cars. T had all three children for the afternoon. I took A's car, raced home, had a shower, let the dogs out for a run, then drove up to T's. She had showered and fed the children. I drove home and by that time A and S had arrived home and had a shower. I gave M and J to their parents and collapsed in my lazy boy. I've had a drink but too darn tired to cook so I'll have a sandwich and go to bed. Feeling my age lol.

makerealbany - 2015-09-26 21:08:00

It's not that long ago since you were so sick!!!! I lost the plot when DIL stayed on the couch while I played with the boys all afternoon, organised lunch and dinner. She finally got up to help with dishes! Trouble is I only vented to poor I. We watched the 'Warhorse' DVD last night. Beautiful movie and I cried buckets. LOL.

grizzly4 - 2015-09-27 11:26:00

That Dil of yours is lazy and inconsiderate duh. What does your son say. Why can't he help? Sometimes men are inconsiderate as well. One of my son's is always helpful preparing meals and cleaning up. The other two are now useless what with their problems. Another day of working. My Ex Sil came up from Hamilton and started the lounge which he will finish painting today. My grandson came back up last night and he will be there to finish the hallway and kitchen. I worked in the little gardens. T painted the back fence and A water blasted the house. S had to stay at home and mind his children lol. Tomorrow the new carpet goes In. Then we have to move some furniture home and clean the garage. The darn garage door opener won't work sigh. I'm over this business I can tell you. On the plus side I crocheted for two hours last night. Woke up at 4 even though I didn't have to. Drat it. Ha ha. Poor I. I've started venting at the person who is annoying me now. I think it's this house business. Every time I started a job it seems like a certain someone would say things that annoyed me . I put up with it for the first two times but after that I blew my stack. I felt much better afterwards ha ha. Now they just leave me alone. Ha ha. After all experience has to count for something right. When something doesn't work out even though you tell them it's not wise to do it in the first place, they moan and carry on. The stories I could tell of dumb know it alls indulging in their narcissist methodology would have you in fits of laughter. I get riled when I have extra work to do because of it. Ah well another day but certainly not another dollar. Dad used to say that as he went to work. Miss him and Mum.

Edited by makerealbany at 5:28 am, Mon 28 Sep

makerealbany - 2015-09-28 05:26:00

Up to race down to the house. Boys finished painting except for a small part in the kitchen. I have to Hoover and tidy up so guys can come in and lay the carpet. What a mission but we are nearly there whoop whoop. I finished the gardens there yesterday . Garage will be the last thing I hope. Skip still not picked up Grrr. They ran over the lawn when they delivered it and we have a mess to level. Idiots. My grandchildren reminded me yesterday that I am using the word a lot lately lol.

makerealbany - 2015-09-29 06:20:00

I'm not used to you being up same time as me. LOl. I had to leave the computer yesterday as this darn chair is really hurting my back! I feel like I'm racing through this before it spasms like it did yesterday. I was in agony getting ready for work afterward. Over it now. I'm over work too, maybe I should come help on the house and you come down here and practice venting. LOL.

grizzly4 - 2015-09-29 06:30:00

Oh you poor thing. Yes come up and well sit on the chairs I restained today and well have a cuppa and admire the garden. We can watch all the people and their dogs in the park through the fence. Carpet looks great. I also cleaned the shed and started cleaning the walls if the garage. Skip was picked so we will still have two loads for the Dump( such a good old word ). After all my hard work today I am at home all day tomorrow as I need to reorganise my Pit. Ha ha. I have just stacked boxes and containers in my lounge and the only chair free is my Lazyboy. Hope I do not get any visitors. I can vent really well these days lol. Going to have a shower and sit with my crochet hook.

makerealbany - 2015-09-29 20:27:00

I'm glad you have tomorrow to yourself. Today is going to be a bit of a hurdle. I've really been looking forward to the coaching around our strengths that 4 of us at work are doing but now it's being muddied by having to deal with a staff member that may or may not turn up for work. It's been like this since we employed her (undiagnosed mental health issues involved) but it's starting to really tell on the rest of the team so I'm going to have to have a difficult conversation today. If she turns up, that is. Had a good catch up daughter S and B7 yesterday. New partner is always around these days, sigh. I think there are similar control issues as her ex-husband. Such a shame if she's made the same mistake.

grizzly4 - 2015-09-30 06:32:00

Gosh I'll say it is sigh. It was nice you had time with just the two of them. What a problem to have at work. I had a day of cleaning and shifting stuff around in my cottage. Now I can find things again lol. I'm stressing out about one of my sons cats. My daughter T has one. He went happily but the other is more timid and is scared of dogs. We have to catch him and out him in a cage to get him home. Tried to get a home for him but no luck. I will not have him put down so I'm going to try and keep him with me. J my old cat lives at A's house now. Teddy my granddaughter's dog is a cat chaser but we are spraying him with water when he does and then he's locked up for Ten minutes and told off. He knows he's not allowed to. Talk about retraining. Ha ha. I'm off to bed.

makerealbany - 2015-09-30 23:29:00

Poor cat, I hope it works out having him with you. So many things to take care of for family aren't there? I'm hoping the employment issue at work has been resolved, I'm just waiting for a letter from her today. Other staff have been amazing stepping up to fill gaps in roster over the holiday programme now. And for next term as well. Finding part-time staff is always a huge problem. Really struggling to knit at night this week. Still very sore and we've had visitors as well. Sigh. I'm knitting the smallest of dolls clothes and it's taking me forever to get it done. LOL.

grizzly4 - 2015-10-01 06:37:00

Oh I feel for you girl. There are so many people out of work and yet it's still difficult getting good part time staff. Makes you think doesn't it? I had a lazy morning with my grandchildren. They were tuckered out with all the goings on. J watched TV with his head on a pillow and snuggled up in a blanket. Got up to eat and drink but resumed his position lol. M read a book and lay on my bed. When their Dad came home I drove to my son's house to take A some tea. We spent two more hours there and came home. I did a bit of crochet but wasn't really into it tonight lol.

makerealbany - 2015-10-01 23:12:00

Speaking of pillows.... We have just bought a set of the Bambillo pillows advertised on tv. The seem so big only used one last night but it was really comfortable. I was only up once during the night instead of 3 times and didn't have to keep adjusting it for comfort. I will put the others on the bed tonight and we will see how we go. Considering their size we still got them into normal pillowcases. Bonus. If helps my stiff necks in the morning I will be rapt. One staff member down already, one on leave and now one of sick. Sigh. I have to work on the programme myself today. Not sure if my back will like that especially as they are going to mini-golf. LOL.

grizzly4 - 2015-10-02 06:38:00

It was actually a good day yesterday with all the kids. Such a great bunch to work with and so are the staff. Thank goodness it's the weekend, though. It was hard getting up early this morning. It's going to be another lovely day so stripping the bed this morning to do sheets and duvet covers etc. Might even pack away the extra blanket and risk that winter is finally over. LOL. I finally finished the little dolls's outfit. Can't believe it's taken nearly a week.

grizzly4 - 2015-10-03 06:31:00

Day started off well yesterday, spending time with son S and L8. Then daughter S arrived with B7 seeking respite from the anger at home. It's just like her marriage all over again. I so need her out of there but...........I can't force her.......... yet.

grizzly4 - 2015-10-04 10:08:00

Omg poor S and poor B7. Poor you as well. It's awful when your kids keep picking the wrong partners grrr sigh. I know!!!!! I got on late last night. Started to post and IPad went flat. That's what happens when you don't charge it lol. Today we finished the house yip yip. Got the tip, some furniture to move and I deck left to paint. The inside is looking fabulous. It's been over a month of every day nearly. I'm not going near it for a few days now. The girls and I did the last jobs in the house today. So peaceful without men trying to boss you around whilst getting in the way ha ha. We had J4 and K6 with us. They played with Lego, studied K's Dinosaur teeth as well as his Fossils and decided on what everyone should buy J for his fifth Birthday. They loved the new carpet and rolled all over it. They were really well behaved. I took Plunger Coffee, lots of fruit and sandwiches. T and A both brought food so we were well fed.
I have some lovely Lavender Pillows T got me. So comfortable. It makes a difference alright. I'm going to have a shower and crochet.

makerealbany - 2015-10-04 19:46:00

I'm guessing the crochet is another blanket? LOL. Your family is going to be so cuddly next winter. Had a lovely day yesterday and got the last of the blankets washed and dried. Just my duvet inner to go next weekend, weather permitting. It's lovely having everything freshened up after the winter. I get so motivated with a bit of sunshine and I just love being warm. I am knitting a blanket in weird wool with pom poms along the strand, knits up really soft but I'm a bit bored with it now. LOL. It's pink, apricot and white variegated so hopefully will look ok.

grizzly4 - 2015-10-05 06:29:00

I'm sure it will look great. I'm getting bored with blankets ha ha. I did loads of washing today. Great drying day.forgot to bring my work up here tonight but too late now lol. I'm off to bed.

makerealbany - 2015-10-05 22:32:00

I've finished the blanket, but don't like it. Will put in shop next week at a low price just to get rid of it. First time in ages I've felt like that about something I've made. LOL. Won't buy that wool again. Gone back to 4ply merino and I've started a baby crossover cardy set.

grizzly4 - 2015-10-06 06:33:00

Ha ha can't help laughing. I've done the same myself. I've still got this darn cough. Irritated by the painting and dust. It has got really bad today. I've just baked J5s Birthday Cake and I had to run out of the kitchen to cough. Grrrr. It's hard to believe that J had all that trama with the Kawasakis but he's sturdy now. Psychologically it shows at times when he gets anxious about strangers and new places. He's ok if we are with him but we are concerned about him starting school. They are going to do a slow transition. Well I'm off to bed as it's a 4am rise for me mmmmmm.

makerealbany - 2015-10-06 22:10:00

So you'll be well and truly on your way to where ever by now then. LOL. Still got dramas with sick staff and juggling the roster. So behind with my own work trying to sort this out. What do think the legalities are around a worker who has panic attacks regularly and my requirement for an appropriate staff ratio with children? I thought she might resign to sort herself out but no. Huge difficulty finding relief staff on an ongoing basis. I've checked online for additional stuff on termination around illness but there's nothing that helps. Consulting an employment lawyer will cost us heaps.

grizzly4 - 2015-10-07 06:39:00

I'll think on it and consult my daughter( the Employment Specialist) sticky but not impossible to sort. If she cannot do her job you cannot comply with your contractual obligations. I'll get back to you on this matter. We are all off to the Zoo tomorrow. Watch out world the 5 year old boys are about to descend lol. Should be a fun day.

makerealbany - 2015-10-07 22:43:00

Thank you for that. The zoo sounds like fun! Poor Jinx, our ginger cat, was locked up in the laundry all night. We are feeling so guilty. LOL. Not the most comfortable place for an old lady to sleep. We have to feed her shut away from the other 2 as she bullies them but when we gave her supper we forgot to open the door again. She is making us pay this morning. LOL.All 3 are nearly 17 years old but she is the one who is aging the fastest. She is unable to lick her coat anymore so at this time of the year it mats really badly. The only way I can fix it is to cut the bad bits off but luckily it grows back in a few weeks. She hates me brushing her, too, which doesn't help. She is not finding old age pretty at all. The other 2 are great, running around after ping pong balls, not bad at their age. LOL.

grizzly4 - 2015-10-08 06:37:00

How was your trip to the zoo? I spent the day on accounts. Very satisfying. LOL. All going well staff wise I will do the same today although I'm doping the late shift on the programme, 3.30-5.30. At least the worst of the traffic has gone through town by the time I'm driving home at that time. The school holidays have flown by and I've enjoyed having everyone based on the same site. It's good for them too to be part of a bigger team. One more term and then a month off, I am so looking forward to it.

grizzly4 - 2015-10-09 06:37:00

Everything ok? Thank goodness it's the weekend, although lots to do round the house. L8 is staying over tonight so we'll see if he's up for some jobs, too. Will probably have to make it worth his while. LOL.

grizzly4 - 2015-10-10 09:36:00

Omg talk about drama again. My Internet kept dropping out. Apparently the storm water pipe from the road goes down our property to the gully way below us in two places. They had to search because map was wrong grrr. It comes down our drive goes across and under my cottage. The elbow had split so water was seeping out . So they had a machine to track it. Anyway they now have to divert it. Also the one above the house that burst has now been moved up the road a bit because that land is unstable. The Water Company have had so many meetings with A but they have come to the party and Have agreed to pay all extra costs to get property back to its original state including all the new necessary Council required retaining walls which will cost another 100 thousand so all up the total cost is close to the 450 thousand dollar estimation. The kids are pleased and now the work can begin. It's been a long frustrating affair.
The Zoo was great and all the children had to be dragged home lol. J11 had a lovely time up here and he didn't want to go home either. I still have this hacking cough so I'm going to GP tomorrow. Have tried to overcome it without meds but it's not working ha ha. I haven't spoken to A yet about the Employment issue but will do so today. We got a couple of good Appraisals for my sons house so we are putting that on the market. I haven't done any crocheting or sewing for awhile maybe tonight. How's Jinx?

makerealbany - 2015-10-11 06:10:00

Wow! That is huge drama and I hope the work goes ahead without any further stress on you all. It will be bad enough having people working on your property for that time. Yes definitely get that cough seen to, although doctor's are saying down here it's the 100 day cough again. What an easy out that is! My friend has lots of medical issues over the past 4 months which has included severe upper back pain - has had no answer about that, ear surgery which ended in a major infection, blood tests have ended up with a colongraphy but nothing has happened since then after the results show the need for further investigation, an additional mammogram has shown a growth to be removed but hasn't heard any thing else and she has been treated for thrush for 4 weeks in her mouth and elsewhere before tests came back saying it wasn't thrush!!! They told her Friday to stay off all treatment for 7 days!!!!! so they can do more tests. Can you imagine a woman doctor telling another woman to go through that! They gave her no treatment for her mouth why can't they test that? She is going through living hell, I feel so sorry for her. Jinx looks awful and hasn't been well for a couple of days last week but patience will tell once she starts shedding her coat properly. This time of the year seems to affect all 3 of them with changing eating and sleeping patterns etc. Weird.

grizzly4 - 2015-10-12 06:23:00

I feel for your poor friend. It's awful not knowing what the hell is going on. I'm back on the heavy meds. Lung infections driving me nuts lol. My oxygen levels are ok so that's good. It's sad when our animals get old sigh. One thing after another. Thought about your worker. Panic attacks can impact on work of course. I would meet with her and explain the contractural obligations and the impact of her absences. Does she start work and leave or does she call in sick. I would address all the issues and ask her what treatment if any she is undertaking to overcome her Panic Attacks. You may have to come to some arrangement for leave so she can get treatment . Sometimes I would have a worker on a three months sick leave without pay and then do a return to work programme but however this was not for Panic Attacks. I would not be impressed if she was not getting any treatment and just expecting you to cover her whenever she has an Attack. The safety of the children is a priority and you cannot just get A worker in whenever. It's hard but I would arrange a meeting ASAP. Document, document. As long as your Process is as required by Law it's the best you can do for the Worker. You must have your Teacher, children ratio and that is the priority. What kind if contract is she on?

makerealbany - 2015-10-12 22:30:00

That was great information, thank you both so much. I'm pleased to say the meetings you suggested happened last week and I asked those very questions. She has chosen to go on unpaid sick leave for this term, she is waiting to see if Sickness Benefit is approved so she won't have to work at all. The bit that annoys me the most is how she is too busy to return my calls!! Grrr! Oh well at least I can move on in the mean time and deal with the next drama which involves one of the schools we operate out of. That meeting happens on Friday afternoon. Sigh. I can't say I enjoy the responsibility of all this. I need stronger input from our governing body but it is so hard to get volunteers from the community these days. Especially ones with the skills and/or experience we need.

grizzly4 - 2015-10-13 06:42:00

How true that's why when we are volunteers we get worked to death ha ha. Seriously though it is a problem for Non Profit Organisations. People with the skills are working longer to keep the wolf from the door. Document each time you have rung. Time and date. Funny that. Yes I did not enjoy the responsibility at times although I did enjoy a lot of the challenges. What are you knitting. I decided to make my nieces blanket bigger lol. T will take it to Aussie ina week or so.

makerealbany - 2015-10-13 20:39:00

Ha! Sent an email letter yesterday confirming the agreement we had come to and lo and behold she resigns 5 minutes later! I couldn't believe it after all the work that has gone into supporting her. Sigh. Now I have the same old grind of finding staff for the new year at both programmes. Volunteers are scarce and so are part-time workers. Would be perfect for women at home raising families if it wasn't for the time of day. LOL. I finished the crossover cardy and did bootees to match. Decided to do another dolls matinee jacket to use up a very pretty ball of variegated pastels. It's acrylic and full of static electricity. LOL How many more blankets to go for you, do you think?

grizzly4 - 2015-10-14 06:43:00

Don't know but having a break on blankets after this one lol. I went into Spotlight and I could not believe the prices of wool. Omg my stash is worth a fortune ha ha. Joined a Destash Group on Facebook and still can't get over the prices they are getting for wool.
Well That's that then. Yes it must be hard getting Appropriate Staff for your Programmes. Part time workers are running around madly up here trying to get work. I have some of that wool full of static electricity. It's weird. I see some people are dying wool and selling it. I might dye some for fun ha ha.

makerealbany - 2015-10-14 22:26:00