Today I’m joining the growing band who pause and record a moment from their day, around the middle of the month, with Alexa at Trimming the Sails.
I look out through the french windows and the sky is grey. It’s unseasonably cold for June. I consider what will be next on my list of chores this morning and plump for the ironing, thinking that it might warm me up a bit. I set up the ironing board and while I wait for the iron to reach its optimum temperature, I turn on the TV and scroll through the Lovefilm menu, for an episode of The West Wing. Something to make the task ahead of me a little more diverting.
I grab a shirt from the basket and it occurs to me that I will only need to do my daughter’s today. I glance at the clock, 10.10am, my boy will be just over half way through his Maths exam. Nearly there now. Geography this afternoon and his GCSE exams will be over. Eleven weeks of freedom and no more school uniform.
I wonder how we will get along together, during the next few days. The transition from term time to the holidays is a tricky one at best. This time there will be the added complication of a younger sister getting up and heading out to school every weekday morning. His day will need to have routine and structure. Not for him the staying in bed until lunchtime, favoured by many of his peers.
Suddenly I realise I have no idea of the skillful political manoeuvring that is occurring among the characters on my screen. I think I may have to rewind. My stomach growls and I check the clock again. My bowl of porridge has kept me going since 6.45am. Time for coffee and a banana. Jed Bartlet for president, anyone?
PS If you missed it on Friday. There’s a free class on offer at Jessica Sprague next week. More details here, along with some examples of what I achieved under her excellent instruction.
Always assuming that you can register with the website. It keeps telling me that the captcha was entered incorrectly which is very strange as there isn't one to enter..... I gave up
ReplyDeleteYes, it's the same here..that readjustment to a different routine can take a few days. I think it's that capturing of a shared experience I enjoy about these posts :)
ReplyDeleteIt hit me when I saw an advert for money off school uniform and realised I never had to buy any again. Now that was strange. Mine has disappeared out for a BBQ to celebrate. I wish I had her social life x
ReplyDeleteIt has been lovely to iron along with you! I am tickled pink because I to have reached for the ironing when I am cold (which is often!), love the West Wing and would readily vote for Bartlett! And you do have to concentrate :). Touched by your musings on the transition for your son and for you, and hope the next few days go smoothly for you both. And thank-you so very much for joining in and linking up :). (And your ironing is superb. You can do mine anytime!).
ReplyDeleteFinny hoe the everyday mundane stuff can yield such poignant thoughts. I'm sure that after the transition, you'll settle into some sort of routine...i seem to remember learning quickly to stop stressing about chronic untidiness and then we stopped arguing!!
ReplyDeleteOoh...someone else who irons! Though my ironing basket would tell a different story, I actually enjoy ironing.
ReplyDeleteThere's the progress...the "to be ironed" pile shrinks in direct proportion to the freshly pressed hung and folded items.
And, as you note, there's the opportunity to catch up on missed TV.
I love that your moment is about ironing. Something most of us do but don't necessarily think about. Hope your son's exams went well.
ReplyDeleteI enjoy these moments in time
ReplyDeleteI'm so happy we had no school uniforms. I gave up ironing years and years ago and won't buy anything that requires ironing to wear it! Wash and wear baby! But at least you had West Wing and your thoughts to keep you company.
ReplyDeleteHi Fiona
ReplyDeletethat was a very thought provoking post, but I guess that's the point. I hope the summer goes well, just enjoy the special time you have together.... they grow up so fast
janet
Hope the transition is as smooth as possible for the whole family, Fiona
ReplyDeleteLisa
xx
Enjoyed the peek into the thoughts of another mom trying to navigate parenthood while doing laundry!
ReplyDeleteRinda
I have to admit, that we seem to adjust to the slowing down lots faster than we adjust to the speeding up when school starts again. But the lovely thing for me is that I get more help around the house and so I get more blog time to catch up around the web. Thanks for sharing your moment. PS I've been through the entire West Wing series at least 4 times - it does make for good ironing!
ReplyDeleteI too iron to warm myself up and I have to have something to watch on the tv. Hope the transition goes smoothly. Thanks for sharing your moment.
ReplyDeleteA fabulous moment and I hope the transition from school to early holiday goes OK for you all. Who knew you were a West Wing fan too - I LOVE it! I want to be CJ in my next life! Something we can discuss next year at MB maybe ;-)
ReplyDeleteI only iron on a need to basis these days. I found that it was a thinking time, some days good some days not so good. I also echo Rinda's comment. Lovely moment and I hope you are warmer today.
ReplyDeleteI too used to iron to get warm - - but now I rarely iron anything! I do smooth and fold and stack on the Rayburn - - hope all goes well with your transition - - and that your son does well with his exams. J x
ReplyDelete