elizevdmerwe - Accountability while taking a bit of a break

[Tanktimus the Encourager]

Are you keeping the challenge here in the battle logs or posting a new challenge thread?

[Mrs Van]

3 hours ago, Tanktimus the Encourager said:

Are you keeping the challenge here in the battle logs or posting a new challenge thread?

I'm not sure. Might as well start a new challenge?

[Tanktimus the Encourager]

2 hours ago, elizevdmerwe said:

I'm not sure. Might as well start a new challenge?

That is my recommendation.

[Elastigirl]

I'm glad we were able to give you some perspective. You work really hard, and accomplish a bunch. And you care for your mom, which is energy draining as well as time involved.

 

Nice challenge.

[Mrs Van]

25 minutes ago, Elastigirl said:

I'm glad we were able to give you some perspective. You work really hard, and accomplish a bunch. And you care for your mom, which is energy draining as well as time involved.

 

Nice challenge.

*Hugs* Thanks EG. Don't know what I'd do without you guys.

[Mrs Van]

To end off this ... session... yesterday was a bad day ...
 

Spoiler

 

w.r.t. my mom. She complains so much about her pills (because they changed), her health, her eyes, name it! That I eventually (after another fight) gave in last night and said I'll cut time off the kids' school Wednesday morning and take her to the clinic (which is fully booked and said via the phone they can't see her till next year) to have her eyes tested. She isn't going to rest until she is there. She has this thing in her head that she HAS TO GET A NEW PAIR OF GLASSES every 2 years, and it is now 2 years.

Yesterday was not good w.r.t. Serenity either - I got a fright with how she was driving and went home instead of to the boot shop to have things fixed. Now we have even less time and a funny driving car, until I can take her again on Wednesday. Brandt wasn't impressed but he understood because he's warned me so many times that "if you hear this, feel this, you don't drive the car..." So at least he knows I listen to him.

I got to the point where I realised we just won't be able to finish the last one or two lessons of some subjects, and we will just have to tuck it on to the start of next year, and it isn't the end of the world. See it as a review after school holidays. But my inner perfectionist/person who doesn't want anyone to point fingers at us saying "you can't even finish your kids' school lessons in a year" is howling unhappily. I've pushed the boys hard to get everything in we have to do, with all the time we had to take off. They are tired, they are rebellious, and not listening/concentrating anyway.

 

but today, and tomorrow, and the day after

WILL BE GOOD DAYS!

 

 

I refuse to go down. I'll be fighting the positive fight here...

 

 

[Mrs Van]

Back to the Battlelog for a little bit.

Just wanted to drop in and say, "Hi! Miss you all," and also add what's been happening around here.

 

We still have on and off electricity problems. More cables are stolen than the municipality and Eskom (power supplier) can keep up with replacing or fixing. We seem to be playing musical chairs with loadshedding (rolling blackouts), with no one knowing whether we are on or off, or off because so many places have been off (stolen or vandalised cables) thus not overuse of electricity... We just check the 'schedule', and then sigh with relief when the electricity stays on. Then of course it catches you unawares as they sometimes tend not to keep to the schedule.

 

It has also been reported by various police stations across the country that thieves are again becoming very aggressive. They are breaking into homes, almost always - think they said 95% chance - carrying a weapon of some kind. Pangas (machetes) seem to be the weapon of choice. There were near instances here (our city, and specifically our neighbourhood) where the would-be thieves tried to break in, were shot at either by the people living there, or police who happened to live close. Several cases all over the country, most of them on farms. Huge increase in farm attacks. And this past weekend a horrific attack in Sabie, where mother-in-law lives. Close to her actually. She was shaken, shocked, when she let us know.

 

Another day in Africa.

 

I took two weeks off from schooling, first because we needed a break, and second I needed time to paint the window frames (among other things). Due to Goldilocks weather (either windy, too hot, or too cold) I haven't been able to do much painting, but... one thing lead to another (more discussions between Brandt and myself) and I ended up reading a lot about difficulties the boys have been having with learning. After an online assessment through a reputable lady's website (Dianne Craft), we realised the boys are definitely mildly dyslexic. And this was the cause of most of their memory, reading, or math problems. Also discussed it with a homeschool mom I knew of, who is a qualified OT, and got her advice, which was that we didn't need drastic measures, but needed to do something.

 

More on the schooling and what we decided to do w.r.t. the dyslexia...

Spoiler

 

As God would have it, three homeschool moms I haven't had contact with for a long time, all contacted me via Facebook within days of each other, with regards to a new curricula (Thinking Tree Curriculum) which has become available in South Africa recently; with huge discounts on the books (if you order to have it delivered) and pdf's too! Of course their main product is dyslexia books focusing on written mid-line crossing exercises. So after a long chat with Brandt, as the pdf's were still going to work out pretty expensive, we decided to buy the middle series of the dyslexia books specifically. God is good, people. We received a bonus book for Bible copywork with the series, and because of the discount I was able to buy an extra math book (Mine Craft themed) to help Adam as well.

 

Of course when Adam saw the printed Mine Craft Math bundle his first reaction was, "You've ruined Mine Craft for us!" When he and Rocco actually got to do some of the pages, and also had to build a hobbit house (with very specific parameters and number of building blocks), he decided that it wasn't so bad, and I've made a good choice. *I want to roll my eyes so hard, something I've picked up from him...* Teenagers!

 

We've started with school again this week, and first thing we do are physical mid-line crossing exercises, followed by four pages from the main series, then a copywork page from Bible work, another two pages from the math book, our Afrikaans reading (reading only for now, no language arts) and once a week computer lessons. It is a lot less than we used to do (for now), but brain intensive. I'm joining the boys in the exercises and page work, and you definitely need a break in between sessions. The lady said if the boys showed remarkable improvement after a month of work, we can bring Zoology back in, and when they've finished the main dyslexia series, we have various options to consider.

 

I love these books! You have to do them in order, and you have to complete the series. It doesn't seem like a lot of work, but it makes your brain work! And yes, the Dyslexia comes from my side of the family. It is genetic and passed on from generation to generation. This brought back a lot of memories of teachers showing me different ways of doing things, staying after school to learn things (I remembered I had to stay after school, couldn't remember what I had to do). Hearing or not hearing certain sounds... but I've obviously overcome a lot of things, finding compensating ways. We'll have to wait and see how this works for the boys. So far they actually really like it, and have asked whether they couldn't do more school work this way. Which is possible...

 

 

With regards to my Copy-editing and Proofreading studies: I've just completed Module 7 (of 10) this morning. I'm learning a lot about sentences, spelling, punctuation, etc. which of course, I'm applying in turn to the school work I do with the boys. I'm also up to date with finances, and seem to have things in hand, but keep feeling that I'm forgetting something. My own exercise has flown out of the window with this two week break though.

 

I also did a Covid Compliance 'online course' for fencing, to help the coach when she starts up again this Thursday. More detail about that...

Spoiler

 

She needs someone to help screen the trainees (measure temperature, spray hands, make sure there are no socialisation taking place, that the whole area is disinfected before each class... *roll eyes*) when they arrive for lessons, and then also keep the parents in their cars, or at least make sure that proper social distancing is adhered to. No one offered to help, and without someone to be 'compliance officer' she couldn't start training again, so I offered. Yes, I want to kick myself too, but she needs the help, and Rocco needs to get out and do something else.

 

There will only be two training sessions (she lost a lot of students), and Rocco will be in the first session. So I'll clear his group, wait in the car (keep an eye on things) for the hour lesson, then clear the second group, making sure no one socialises between groups (need to take photos of no socialisation taking place *roll eyes again* - which need to be sent to Fencing federation, and from them to government authorities). Coach will finish things off with the last group, cleaning after they've done, so I can leave after screening them in. Otherwise I will have to wait for another hour. The venue is too far away from our home to go back and forth.

 

 

We've stopped the boys' swimming lessons for now because of all the forms we have to fill in every single time early morning well before they go, and again when they arrive at the pool, etc. Not just forms, but the excessive sanitising, not allowed to use bathrooms, so boys will have to wear wet costumes back home, and just a whole lot of other red tape. Lego will only start again at end of September. The coach hopes to finish up their current course (Machines and Mechanics), then will continue with some solar powered machines, and if all things work out they'll start with elementary Robotics in January 2021.

 

Hope you are having a better time of it. How are things going on your respective sides of the pond?

I'm going to 'start the day' now, seeing as it is almost 7am. I've already been up since 4h30, first to study, and then to chat to you.

Miss you all.

XXX

[Loveable_Bouncer]

Let me put this here....

Seriously during a pandemic and world chaos your able to help your kids get ready for the unexpected world...

It sounds like you are worried but thankfully you have many step stones to get them ready for all their education. 

 

I hope the fencing demands ate doable!

 

----

Here in the U.S. the count down to November election is happening with the chaos (many eyebrow raises and new awareness being brought up for me). 

 

Also may your studies quickly come up with positives!

 

 I'm happy to stay in my bubble of getting through my list of getting school done by this time next year. Also having an incentive to invest in my nf goals by buying coaching. 

[Elastigirl]

Glad to hear from you.That's great that you found a way to help your boys. It sounds like a good program. Yikes, that sounds like a headache being the fencer socialization guardian. You are a great mom to take that on so your son can take fencing lessons. And you will do a good job, being kind about it, and not being power trippy and rude. like some might.

 

One of the guys from our church works on the software for the Minecraft education program. He was homeschooled

[Mrs Van]

On 8/19/2020 at 8:59 AM, Bouncer_the_Lovable said:

Seriously during a pandemic and world chaos your able to help your kids get ready for the unexpected world...

It sounds like you are worried but thankfully you have many step stones to get them ready for all their education. 

 

I hope the fencing demands ate doable!

Thanks *blush* Not supermom, but trying to do what is needed for all of us.

I was very worried about the dyslexia, as my s.i.l. who is a spec.ed. teacher told me years ago that she thought the boys were just "late bloomers", meaning late readers, writers and developmentally (remembering things and brain development) just 'blossom' later. Usually that is around 12yrs of age. And it can possibly be. On the other hand there are clear signs that they are struggling with something that we can't just leave to sort out by itself, and the stress from the last while, especially after the fight Brandt and I had, was hard on the boys too (some things they've said when Brandt was away).

I joined a special needs group for Easy Peasy specifically, and of course the group for Fun Schooling/Thinking Tree Curriculum, and the moms there gave me a lot of advice and calmed me down. It is just all the changes and the feeling of not quite being in control that is throwing me. Again... something it seems that God wants to teach me: take each day as it comes, trust in Him, and don't try to control everything.

 

With regards to fencing: it was postponed again! The kids weren't registered on the international fencing group. And yesterday the coach let me know that parents have to personally register the kids now. She offered to help me through the process at that point, but I was busy painting outside and didn't want to stop as I had just gotten into a roll and made some headway. This morning she asked parents on the whatsapp group who wanted to be first to register their child. My mornings are busy, so I'll just wait till this afternoon. I'm also just so tired I can't really think.

 

On 8/19/2020 at 8:59 AM, Bouncer_the_Lovable said:

Here in the U.S. the count down to November election is happening with the chaos (many eyebrow raises and new awareness being brought up for me). 

 

Also may your studies quickly come up with positives!

 

 I'm happy to stay in my bubble of getting through my list of getting school done by this time next year. Also having an incentive to invest in my nf goals by buying coaching.

I'm trying to keep one eye on your elections as it has a huge impact on the rest of the world.

Hope you can stay on top of your studies and that it all works out. Luckily you had some good teachers who helped last year, and I'm sure they'll be there if you need anything. My studies are going well. I only study three mornings a week (4h45-ish to just after 6h00) which is enough time to finish a module. I'm done with 7/10 now, but haven't received marks for either 6 or 7 yet. Brandt and I talked only a little bit about me doing work for payment and he isn't keen, mostly because he says I'll overextend myself and burn out again. Which is a possibility. There is also the little bit of fear of putting myself out there again and having all that responsibility on me. And of course then the boys' schooling... I'll just have to take it as it comes.

 

On 8/20/2020 at 5:50 AM, Elastigirl said:

Glad to hear from you.That's great that you found a way to help your boys. It sounds like a good program.

It is actually brain intensive, but without all the cards, all the drama, etc. There are quite a number of parents who had stopped all the extra 'coaching' and help from specialists and only continued on with Dyslexia Games and they said the changes in their kids were astounding. It also comes down to helping your children to learn in the way that suites them, their strong points (very visual, pictures, music, emotion, movement...right brain strengths), rather than doing it the 'normal' way with writing, just listening, summaries, or lots and lots of worksheets, writing, papers, repetition... I can definitely say that the four main pages we are doing in the morning is tiring: I've been doing 'mom work' with them and I am ready for that 15-20min break afterwards! We'll see how it goes at the end of September. I'm really learning a lot from the parents on the support groups as well, even though my two aren't nearly struggling as much as some other families.

 

On 8/20/2020 at 5:50 AM, Elastigirl said:

Yikes, that sounds like a headache being the fencer socialization guardian. You are a great mom to take that on so your son can take fencing lessons. And you will do a good job, being kind about it, and not being power trippy and rude. like some might.

Thanks! It was postponed again, and now we each have to register our own kids, but we'll see how it goes. Rocco is becoming very negative and not interested in doing fencing anymore. Hopefully after a good lesson his interest will pick up again.

 

On 8/20/2020 at 5:50 AM, Elastigirl said:

One of the guys from our church works on the software for the Minecraft education program. He was homeschooled

Interesting! The world is small. Mine craft is just one of the best programmes that were created, in my opinion. I received another book free of charge from the group, this time " 7-in-1-science", and also Minecraft themed. It definitely teaches the kids to work more independently, where they have to choose at least four books per subject (physics, geology, chemistry, botany, meteorology, zoology, and technology), choose some educational videos (YouTube counts too), do experiments, and write about it in the book. It is almost like a journal/notebook leading you in how to work on your own. I also love the fact that they have four careers in each type of science, which the kids have to look up, see what it is about, write about it, think whether they would like to do that, why they would, or would not. It makes them think for themselves. There are sections where they advise the parents to check this, discuss this, etc. but it is more focused on interest-based learning. Which is also kind of scary in a way for me, because I keep thinking will the boys really be learning? Won't they slack off? Then I think about all the videos that Adam followed on animals and all the things he's learned without me every asking him, telling him, teaching him, the same with both boys w.r.t. history. They had a lively discussion last week with Brandt w.r.t. Russian wars and fighting! Brandt was actually amazed at how much they knew. So I'll see how that works out.

 

-----------------------------------------

Brandt was out most of the weekend again. He marshaled at a kart race Saturday and Sunday. I managed to paint more window frames (outsides mainly, except of the windows that can open). Two big windows and two small windows done. Started on the bathroom window. That one has to be finished, then another bathroom window, then the huge kitchen window, and three medium sized windows (garage and outbuilding). If I only paint over weekends, I'll be done somewhere in September. If I paint most of every weekend. Which I haven't done. I was tired so slept in really late over the weekend. Well, got up around 5am to see Brandt off (pack him lunch), then got back in bed and only got up around 8h30-9h00 Saturday and Sunday. I'm still tired as I haven't been going to bed early enough these last three weeks.

 

Going to start with the exercises now, then on to school work, etc. Hope you all have a good, safe week.

[Mrs Van]

What a week and it isn't even over yet.

There was another attempt on Steam to scam Adam out of game items. And he nearly fell for it again! Luckily he asked me how to spell a word, and another word and I asked him what he was writing about. He told me and I nearly blew a fuse. Stopped the chat right there, looked through the comments this guy made (using a child-friend of theirs' profile - so we suspect the profile was compromised). Long story short, Adam had already started responding to the 'Valve employee' who is supposed to 'validate' his stuff, but I told him that we'll do nothing until he proves his position and credentials. He threatened to delete Adam's account if I don't give him our profile name, upon which Adam nearly started crying and just wanted to do what he said, but I told the guy I had proof of our innocence and I'm reporting him to Steam. Yeah, I openly admit I was aggressive in my stance. He never answered back. I made screen prints of his profile, the profile that contacted us, reported both, and less than two hours later we couldn't see the former's profile anymore. He had either blocked us, or were busy changing things, or removing himself. The next day that profile was gone.

Steam has also updated their reporting comment to include that they use the reports to try and create a database of M.O.'s and they will in all likelihood not get back to the person who report the incident, due to the number of reports they receive. But now we know that everything, right from the person telling you that they had "accidentally reported you as having duped items, etc.", right to the person responding as the so called Valve employee, are scammers.

 

This scamming thing had me join a new course (Thursday and Friday mornings) on hacking, scamming and general computer safety.

 

Then on Tuesday I bought another pdf book/curricula with another discount voucher that the lady had sent through email. I had some login issues, finally had to log out and buy anonymously, but also had trouble with the transaction not going through, and sort of hanging. That evening there was a message on the Facebook group about how disappointed she was with some people who received discount vouchers but bought more than one book, when she specifically said that it was only to be used on one book. How she was disappointed with 'these people' and how it came down to people stealing from her. I chatted to Brandt and he said that the issues that I'd had could definitely have added to the book sales count, so I explained in another comment what had happened to me, stating that it could have happened to a number of the other people as well, and that I know for a fact that I only bought one book. I only downloaded that one book too. But she, and the other women just went on about how 'these people who received discount vouchers (not everyone got a voucher) stole', how 'disappointed they were in the people they associate with in home schooling, etc. There were a number of other ladies who supported my comment, stating that they'd had the same kind of issues for most of the day, but eventually the majority made such a fuss that I actually started feeling guilty as if I had stolen something, or tried or was guilty, when I know that thought hadn't even crossed my mind.

 

And fencing finally started today. Everything went well, and luckily the guy from Fencing Federation did not come to do an inspection. G and I were a bit nervous, and I had to tell one parent that if the guy from FF did come, she and the other person chatting from their respective vehicles, would either have to stop, or move the conversation to outside the actual church property boundary (we used the covered porch of the church as practice area). I explained to the lady that it was unfortunately my job to tell them the rules that G has to abide by, otherwise she wouldn't be allowed to coach.

 

I'm emotionally exhausted.

[Tanktimus the Encourager]

That's a rough day. The lady complaining on FB is really out of line, it's her fault if transactions don't work right. 

[Elastigirl]

Ugh sounds like a rough day. Yeah, agreeing with Tank, the lady was wrong. 

[Mrs Van]

On 8/27/2020 at 6:32 PM, Tanktimus the Encourager said:

That's a rough day. The lady complaining on FB is really out of line, it's her fault if transactions don't work right. 

 

On 8/27/2020 at 7:07 PM, Elastigirl said:

Ugh sounds like a rough day. Yeah, agreeing with Tank, the lady was wrong. 

It has been a rough week but luckily finished much quieter. Brandt also said that if the lady from the website and her husband didn't want to go into things and set up their site properly, then they have to take what happens. I just felt so bad about it; probably because my first thought usually is that problems are my fault. The way that everyone carried on, not acknowledging that technical issues with the site could have caused miscalculations, was very hurtful.

 

----------------------------------------------------

Brandt's gone to a dirt rally on a sugar cane farm today. His second rally, third race, with Skedonk. I have to mention that there has been a huge change in him since the fight. His one colleague came over one afternoon (about a week or two ago), to ask Brandt for help with stuff, and he asked me jokingly what I've done because Brandt's attitude has changed so much. Brandt gave me a quick look, then looked away, but I just told the guy that a wife never shares her secrets. He probably took that way differently than it was intended to be... *shrug*

 

We also received emails from the immigration agents in NZ stating that 'our' visa has been locked again and not to expect anything to happen before next year. She advised Brandt to build more links, to network with companies and get his name out there. That is basically the picture worldwide. You are extremely lucky if you can get in somewhere, but with airlines shut down internationally, it is also difficult to know when you might be able to fly to the 'new' country, etc. They only book flights every now and again. Well from and to South Africa that is.

 

Our spring weather is finally moving in. The jasmine is flowering and giving off a heady scent; it is a lot warmer, and we are seeing rain fronts moving in. Haven't had any rain yet, but it's forecasted for tomorrow. I have to make some covers for four new cushions for the chairs at the school/dining table, otherwise continue painting the window frames, and just relax.

 

Hope you have a good weekend.

[GregT.]

I am glad you are all still here.  Elize just keep going, it will all work out.  getting upset over things that people do on FB or other social media platforms will not be helpful to you or the other person.

 

 

   I am looking forward to coming back and following you all again.  I am finally repatriating this week, and I have really let things go.  I am so happy to see so many of the folks from the past.  \

 

Are you still going to the range and practicing?  Have you started competing again?

[Mrs Van]

On 8/29/2020 at 4:01 PM, GregT. said:

I am looking forward to coming back and following you all again.  I am finally repatriating this week, and I have really let things go.  I am so happy to see so many of the folks from the past.  \

I hope these plans all work out. Brandt's one colleague mentioned to him that two people he know, who specifically moved back (I think to UK and USA) from China, lost their wives in the process! Apparently both wives refused to move out of China. Don't know how that will work out. It's hectic.

On 8/29/2020 at 4:01 PM, GregT. said:

Are you still going to the range and practicing?  Have you started competing again?

Nope not at the moment. I never took part in competitions, only in the monthly club shoots, but that was until last year around October.

 

We've had a lot of issues here in SA. First our only factory producing gun powder blew up last year. They only started making gun powder again in June 2020, and most of the handgun powder first available were sold to police and security services. After that they concentrated on producing enough gunpowder for rifles and the like. We can't buy any gunpowder (to load our own bullets), except at almost triple the cost. That is either from businesses who had stock left, or being imported from USA. The shops we buy from were told that there might be 9mm powder available from end of the year, and their licenses limit them on the amount of gunpowder they are allowed to stock.

Luckily we had about half a canister left, so Brandt could still load bullets for us personally. Because of Covid we weren't allowed to practice until end of June. Then the range was opened again. The club isn't allowed to hold club meets, and there are only two or three people allowed on the range at any given time. It is also far out of town, and we can't take the boys with. As woman I'm also not allowed to go alone, as it might attract unwanted attention from a group of people who have 'occupied' some land close by (and they cannot be moved - farmers and police are working on it). There's been incidences.

 

We found a small shooting range in town where Brandt and I take turns to practice. I had to replace my magazines in July, so I went to practice there, to make sure the new magazines are feeding right, etc. That was fun! The man in charge was very impressed, and I have to admit, I impressed myself . We'll take turns to go, as again, we can't take the boys, and due to criminal activities becoming bad, we don't want to leave the boys alone at home, at any time of the day. But at the moment our powder is up, Brandt has loaded all the bullets we have, and we need to keep most of it to keep our magazines full, so we don't have a lot to practice with anyway.

 

Due to Covid, and only now moving down to level 2 lockdown, we are still not allowed to do some activities, except if you jump through hoops and go through a lot of ridiculous sanitization and other admin formalities.

 

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Busy with the last module of my Copy-editing and Proofing course. We've had nice soft rain (but very little), the last two days, so it has been icy cold. I'm up to date with our finances, even the provisional tax, and even managed to make four foam cushion covers (1x inner permanent cover, and 1x outer cover, so it is actually 8 covers). Another window frame painted too. So now I'm back to 'cruising' through the days. Taking it as it comes and doing what needs to be done, no more.

 

And a monkey came literally into our house yesterday afternoon, took an apple from the fruit dish about 2m (2yards) from us, then casually walked out, sat down on the stoep wall, and proceeded to eat the apple. We all, including the dogs, only stared at him at first, but when we got up... He ran!

[Loveable_Bouncer]

Hope the month of October does you well! Hope you have had laughs within all the stress.

[Mrs Van]

I'm going to start here seeing as I'm in the middle of an NF challenge, although this is the start of my little challenge for October.

 

News:

I've passed (99.95%) and have a Diploma in Proofreading and Copy Editing. I'm not increasing my work load at the moment, but looking at maybe taking on one other author a month whose work I'll proofread.

I stopped the computer security videos I was going through because two 'courses' (the computers one is unofficial), at that time, were too much. I'm having a re-look at what I want to learn about, but I have a burning want to learn about white hat hacking/security. It more than tickles my curiosity. I have no idea what I'll do with the information.

Home schooling is still continuing - the boys have started their fifth of eight books in the DyslexiaGames series and I can already see a huge improvement in both spelling, vocabulary, reading and basic math memorisation of facts. I'm so relieved. We've stopped the mid-line crossing exercises (written and physical).

I have nearly finished painting our metal window frames, but stopped to take a breather. Almost done with kitchen, then garage, and two outbuilding window frames. Then it's time to paint the outside of the garage door. Had to stop as I was very tired (blood donation says it is because of low iron levels, most likely because of high stress levels), and I'll only be painting or doing DIY jobs over weekends.

Otherwise everything is about same old same old. Rocco is continuing with Fencing and I'm continuing to help out. She's roped me in to helping with timing and writing up those times, etc. and I'm actually enjoying being a sort of "assistant". Our country is down to level 1 Corona, which means almost normal, except wear your masks in public, sanitise in public, etc.

 

Exercises:

Mornings - Mondays and Wednesdays (with the boys):

• Jumping Jacks 30x
• High Knees X Elbows  for 1min. (mid-line crossing but it actually works our legs and abs)
• X-Bend Toes Touch for 1min. (see above)
• Basic Burpees for 1min. (yip, back to basics, that is how unfit we are)

Afternoons - Tuesdays and Fridays (boys have other exercises):

• Jumping Jacks 30x
• Walking Lunges 10x +-15m
• Tire Pulls 10x 7.3kg (increasing with 2.5kg next time)
• Tire Flips 10x (increasing to 15x next time)
• Jumping Jacks 30x
• Sit-Twist Stretch

I'm taking the week of 5-9 October off from school work, but will continue with the normal household stuff, catching up on finances, etc. I'm basically only going to report on exercises at the moment.

 

[Mrs Van]

Monday 28 September 2020:

• Jumping Jacks 30x
• High Knees X Elbows  for 1min.
• X-Bend Toes Touch for 1min.
• Basic Burpees for 1min.

Tuesday 29 September 2020:

• Jumping Jacks 30x
• Walking Lunges 10x +-15m
• Tire Pulls 10x 7.3kg (increasing with 2.5kg from Friday)
• Tire Flips 10x (increasing to 15x from Friday)
• Jumping Jacks 30x
• Sit-Twist Stretch

 

[Mrs Van]

On 9/29/2020 at 3:39 AM, Bouncer_the_Lovable said:

Hope the month of October does you well! Hope you have had laughs within all the stress.

Sorry your message ended up in spam folder of gmail for some or other reason. I only found it now.

 

October was a good, stressful, relaxing, busy, eventful, yet quiet at times month It was a bit of everything.

I wanted to start the new challenge this week, but this turned out as one of those "on the run" weeks, and I'm only on Tuesday. I'll eventually get there.

Hope you had a great October, and that your November will be even better!

[Mr_Willes]

Good to see you posting Elize!

 

We will be waiting for you!

 

[Loveable_Bouncer]

4 hours ago, MrsVan said:

Sorry your message ended up in spam folder of gmail for some or other reason. I only found it now.

You are not alone! 

 

Glad for your update, I myself am working on getting through this last semester. It started snowing earlier than usual here, so reminding my brain it isn't winter break has been a struggle... May your warmer time of year be kind to your family!

[Mrs Van]

On 10/27/2020 at 12:48 PM, Mr_Willes said:

Good to see you posting Elize!

 

We will be waiting for you!

 

Thanks Mr. Willes. I've started a new challenge.

On 10/27/2020 at 4:54 PM, Bouncer_the_Lovable said:

You are not alone! 

 

Glad for your update, I myself am working on getting through this last semester. It started snowing earlier than usual here, so reminding my brain it isn't winter break has been a struggle... May your warmer time of year be kind to your family!

Good luck with your studies. You've got snow and we've got high temps. I threatened to run through the garden sprayer today. Might actually do it tomorrow as they say it's going to be even warmer! At the moment there is a storm still brewing and the wind is interfering with the electricity. Our neighbourhood's electricity is going out every couple minutes. It is currently out (hopefully not longer than 5 min.), and this is the third time within an hour. Luckily our computers and internet is on UPS' and battery.

 

The link to my challenge:

Updated the link to my challenge as there was a bit of a mix up.