mumjones

Where are my gym shorts?

Elizabeth asked me to write a note for this morning because she couldnt find her gym shorts. Here is what I wrote.

We are moving to another house in Stromness. The house's contents are in chaos in the move. Somewhere roaming in the surreal realm of boxes and bags, somewhere between or in North End Road and Graham Place is Elizabeth's gym shorts, wondering "where is home?" We don't know where they are asking this question so they are unable to appear at gym class today.

Sorry, :-Z

Debbie Jones

I left out of the note that our deadline for moving out of North End Road is this Monday nite because we are jumping on a ferry to a plane to america for a month. I have cried repeatedly wondering how this is to happen, can we get it all done in time?

Last night we went to the church. I didn't want to go because I was busy but the kids pleaded and Emma showed up to go with us so I went. Started up almost crying into my tea dumping on some nice ladies nearby. After we spread out our textiles on the floor, I was a little too creatively active and felt like, and acted on it, singing and dancing to the music that was being practiced next to us. What can I say, the proper balance of utter exhaustion, good company, creativity and worship, I was drunk on it all. I am still drunk on it all this morning ( a better kind of hangover). So now I am tired, confused and gitty. Feel pity on those I rub shoulders with today.

Sorry, no time for images.

Netball

I am helping out with Netball. What is Netball, you may ask? It is English Baskeball or I call it "Basketball with manners". My girls love this game. Anyway, I am probably the most unathletic mum in the school and I am helping with an afterschool sports team. Go figure. Just because a friend is the coach.

Carrie is the coach and she rocks. She is amazing at this. noticing what's going on in about half a dozen places at one time and obviously planning what happens next. Figuring out who should play each position all the time.

The first week I was a pretty pathetic lump in my skirt sitting on the sidelines.

Second week I put on my most sporty clothes, drawstring trousers and a t-shirt and participated more. I think I found my thing in this. Encouraging the underdogs. I had fun noticing how hard some of the kids were trying and noticing subtle improvements.

"I have noticed each time you try for a basket you get a little higher and closer to the hoop".

"I see you are trying really hard to do what Carrie showed you, well done."

"Wow, you have lots of power you just need to try and work a little more on aim."

I don't think it is hypocritical helping them make baskets when I think I would probably make one in a hundred.

Trying to work on the names now. Alot of new names to remember. I don't know how school teachers do it.

Found out that I will need to get a police check done to continue to work with the kids. I was told to expect the police to come around soon for a chat and they will check my record. I know there is no wierdness for them to discover but it is still a nervous feeling waiting for the police to come and call.

Standing and Grunting

Things are beginning to look up right now. Starting to see the future. I think part of my problem with moving about is that I feel this is the time to settle for us. Now, with my conservative, traditional background it is hard to say this but I feel that God said "I am going to settle you in here, real deep, for a while". So what is this feeling like the land wants to spit us out business. The people are wonderful, amazing but there is this "thing" trying to keep us from settling and it isnt God. Something to push against and yell at and stand strong against. Some days I am strong enough to stand and grunt and sometimes I feel like crying. Today I am standing.

Well, things feel like they are beginning to shift. First of all, we found a winter let. Yeah! Went out walking with Miriam through Stromness. Prayed a bit, knocked on a few doors, talked with a few friends and there it was. It is a 2 storey flat above everybody's favourite Stromness restaurant. Very cool, laid back landlords. We will pay about half the rent we are paying now and get it month-to-month. Still don't know what to do with our army of wardrobes and the lounge suite, but, dang, well, you are right Kristen, It is only furniture. I know it is sorta wierd, It is just old junky stuff but there are certain things I really miss because I have done without these so much. These things would probably be, a sofa, washing machine, vacuum cleaner, a dresser or wardrobe for each person in the family.

Actually had some very good days. After finding the flat gave the Czech florist a few of our army of czech books and he gave me a huge bouquet of lillies, really nice smelly ones. Next day went to Kirkwall and decided to finally get that ball of "Ronaldsay Wool" I had been staring at for a while and it was half price, the only thing in the shop that was half price. Few moments later was chased down the street by a woman who wanted to give me a few boxes of sewing patterns as the shop decided not to carry them any more and she wanted to give them to me. I want to teach more people to sew.

Anyways, things looking better today. More permanent options are looming on the horizen.

Other family news, A strange little black cat seems to think we are home. It seems to think we are a stable home. It has been either following Tamara or being carried by her since yesterday. Jumping in the window everytime we put her out the door. That makes 3 cats, I dont think so. We will go out looking for her home today. First stop, the house down the street that we affectionately call "the haunted house". Big old, dark house with lots of trees, overgrown weeds, too many cats to count and a nice old man. Am I stereotyping saying that a black cat probably comes from a haunted house? Hmmmm.