Well almost my first week done :o)

Well this week has turned into a very pleasant whirlwind

The three children - posing here on holiday in Devon - unusual to get a really good one of all three of them without one making bunny ears behind anothers head or pulling a face! - are all back and settled well into school.

Despite our reservations the two youngest are coping brilliantly being in the same class - I suppose with 35 children it isn't too difficult to find space away from each other when necessary.

DD1 is starting her big two GCSE years and finding it all a bit daunting, tears, strops and gentle lack of self-belief have surfaced this week - lots of encouragement, empathy and pep talking from us parents been happening and will no doubt continue for a while

Personally I can't remember any of that self doubt - too damned cocky for my own good probably - but I'm sure there is much more pressure on kids to do well these days and I'm not sure if we, as a nation, have actually pitched the approach to that at quite the right level. Still all you can do is go with the flow, encourage and empower, and provide a fun relaxing home and out of school environment to ease their way into adulthood. Nobody tells you any of this at ante-natal classes though do they?

My job seems to have started well, of course it's early days, but having a four hour day with minimal travelling is really lovely as I can fit in chores like hanging out washing and preparing tea around it. I feel like a complete novice and in some ways I am as my experience is limited but the school is aware of all that and took me on on that basis. They are encouraging me to ask for all the help I need and letting me go on any course I find that is relevant so what more can you ask for?

The lady I share the office is an untidy monkey - and that's being kind - this will gently have to change but she's a really nice person, seems totally amenable to being organised and appears to welcome any gentle overtures I've hinted about reorganisation so again what more can you ask for?

The fabric I've pictured above is four fat quarters of hand dyed cotton I picked up at the craft fair on holiday. They were in a basket of at least 50 different pieces and had I not had the Ober-leutnant of Capital Expenditure breathing over my shoulder I could have easily have brought the lot home!

The colours of these four don't match at all and I've no idea what I shall use any of them for but they were just so delicious I don't care and will be happy to get them out and just stroke them from time to time until inspiration kicks in :o)

I particularly love the orange/yellow and could have bought a bolt if it had been there - I'm never usually a citrus colour person but this really did appeal

Quilting wise it's been very quiet over the past few days - last weekend saw me complete any machining I shall do on my Ostrich. This is as big as it gets! But there is lots of applique to do and I can pick that up in dribs and drabs in an evening chipping away at it gradually - the picture's a little distorted as my little elves are at school and the wind wasn't playing ball but you get the drift :o)

Right I'd better put out that second load of washing before I get changed and go to work - day off tomorrow and Monday - Yippee!