Social

I feel as though I haven't been out drinking for a LONG time. My boyfriend pointed out the other day that I hadn't had a drink for 15 days. Since then I've had a bottle of wine over 2 days.

This week - tomorrow pals are coming round. Thurs I have rehearsals. Friday - housewarming... So the social life is picking back up!

Pack Holiday

Well I am alive, the girls are alive.... so it's a success.

We went for a Spongebob theme. They arrived, I did rules and safety, they unpacked then we made this:



The girls slept in the Pineapple and ate in the Krusty Krab. We did a Jelly fishing game, t-shirt painting, bookmarks, made Spongebob models from sponges pipecleaners and paper. They walked to the Loch and around the campsite. They played outdoor games and had a campfire in their PJ's with torches. I'll post a few photos.



I passed my test... so as soon as I find my certificate for first aid and get the bill for the minibus I'll hand it all in and get my pack holiday license.

Brownies in the newspaper

OK from the top: This year our pack is big and we have a large intake of Rainbows plus a couple of independant newbies.

Two weeks ago my assistant booked a last minute hol to Florida handily leaving and returning on Tuesdays... She was adamant that she would be at Brownies on the 2nd Tues though (last night) as she needed to find out and pick up forms for Pack Hol. Actually I had a few things I'd been hoping she'd help with because she's good at craft etc.

As a Guider I'm fairly strict. Usually.

This term I have not really been up to much as I've started a new job which is tiring me out as it's fairly full on and has a hefty commute. I love it - but I'm still working the routine out.

This week particularly I felt soooooooooo tired (still feeling grotty) so I had been hoping my assistant would pick up the slack. Only she had bloody jet lag! Should have known that'd happen!

At the beginning of our meetings last night the Evening Times photographer turned up to take pics of the Guides and Brownies for an article they're doing. The girls loved it and watching them primp and fluff their hair as they lined up in a mottled half uniformed crew was very amusing.

After the photo though it all went downhill! They had a whinge about washing up on Brownie camp so I made them listen to the Brownie Story (loads of new kids - needed doing at some point). They were really good.

Then I let them loose - and they became LOUD. They got to sing, sit in a tent indoors, have marshmallows round a pretend campfire, play games. And their behaviour was appalling. They took ages to do everything because they were all in diff groups talking and chatting and getting NOWHERE. And all I could do was hold my arm up because I can't breathe well after this flu bug.

So next week we will write pack rules and practise the One Arm in the Air Stop Talkin Right Now GirlGuiding move.

Fever

oh fever.. fever all through the night...

I have a temperature. The weekend before I take the Brownies away for my Brownie Pack Holiday test camp. Aagh. I have tons to do and really haven't felt up to it.

Still it makes me feel less bad about not wanting to see people this weekend!

bother

I hate lying.

Got a few cash flow problems in the TC house this weekend, caused by us (and car repairs) but exacerbated by friends visiting and making us pay to go on an outing with their kid tomorrow. I want to see them but don't want to pay.

I suggested a free option (park and animal house) but I think my friend may be scared of snakes though she's blamed her daughter.

We are having to lie to them (hope they don't have this blog address!) and say that boyfriend is working because we can't afford entry for 2 adults.

It is also a pal's birthday this weekend and he has changed from an in town few drinks to an out of town party at his house.

You might think for skint folk this would be better - but in fact:
- we have to drive there so need to pay for petrol £5minimum,
- we need to take something to drink so we will be taking fizzy water
- we feel as though we ought to be bringing something for the birthday boy but we are going to apologise and feel a bit bad that we can't. We do have a card.

Had it been in town we would have walked, bought him a drink, politely chatted for a while then walked home again. Total cost £2.50. Still more than we actually have.

I have been back at school for a few weeks now and have picked up my first kid lurgi. A stinking chesty cough. Bloody children.

This is making me iritable, and I have just fought with my boyfriend because he partially cooked turkey drummers for lunch then when I pointed out they weren't cooked just threw them away - so now we have nothing. Brilliant.

Hope you lot are having a better time of it!!! I think sleep would cheer me up.

soooooo many things

I don't know where to start at the moment.


Exciting things that have happened: none.
Not exciting things that have happened: loads.

I left my mobile at home today. When I retrieved it I had 7 missed calls, 3 texts and 5 voicemails. How popular I feel!


Tonight I have found tickets for a holiday at October half term but my friend who wanted to come with us is not answering his stupid mobile. Twathead.

Grr.

New starts

I have a new job - I have a day or so more teaching. This is great - it makes up for the hours I lost in the credit crunch.

It also means I am learning how to manage another school system. So please excuse my reticence in blogging but there's a fair bit going on in my head at the moment and I am doing my best to keep on top of it all.

Congratulations to Bond on his wedding to Nancy! I hope you are very happy. Otherwise I'm a bit behind with the blogosphere but will catch up this weekend.

piss head

OK OK OK........... I have a glass of wine. It is my fourth. I am happy. I deserve it.

Today we had the launch of the GirlGuiding Centenary at HQ in Glasgow. I had a fanfare composed for the occasion and played it from outside in the street. During the 58 second piece a taxi drove by and hooted whilst waving and grinning...

If you smile when you play the trumpet your accuracy is reduced somewhat. I split 1 note... which is pretty good considering the cold, rain and taxi!!

Anyway - I thought I'd share it with you as it made me smile.

Busy busy busy

I have started HUNDREDS of new pupils this week, and have successfully kicked off our Brownie Year... but we're totally over-subscribed. I have taken everyone who turned up because I was expecting around 27 girls but it turned out (when I got home and checked against the record the Rainbow leader had provided) that we will have 30 if they all come together.

That is 2 more than our maximum as the ratio is 1:8. We have 3 leaders now regularly, and we have a parents rota. Our hall is also FAR too small for this many kids.

We have 3 that I was going to put up to Guides at Christmas. I spoke to one and her Mum after Brownies and asked if she would be happy to go up to Guides now.. she said Yes. I have 2 more to speak to. Fingers crossed... I think 1 might say no.

We could always try to get the 2nd pack started back up - we used to be (before my time) 310th A and there was at one time a 310th B pack too. But they'd need new leaders.

Wait and see - half of them might hate it and never come back. Esp since all I got them to do last night was name badges and sticking crepe paper to card for a display before In & Out the Dusty Bluebells because they're showing the Guides how to do it next Tues.

I did hear one say 'It's a bit like school but more fun' which I found amusing.