And then it was gone

The snow has almost gone which means that the children should be back to school tomorrow. They were essentially off over Thursday and Friday, though my daughter did have school for a few hours on Thursday. And while there was a lot of snow yesterday, which meant no cycling for me then, it was clearing and today most of it has gone here.  What we did though yesterday was to have another snowball fight.  And once again, both kids ganged up on me.  Due to the weather, the snow was more compact compared to what it had been before, which meant that the snowballs were easier to make, and travelled further.  And yes, both kids got me in the face again.

Today we did go for a walk in Castle Park and this involved a walk down a very ice ridden path. My son was not too keen on this, but to be fair to him, he did what his sister wanted, which was to walk down the path.  She in turn let us spend some time to do a Pokémon go raid, something she appears to hate now.

Anyway, the kids are in bed, and now I have to sleep after watching the final episode of Requiem.

My kids were mean to me today

It was a snowed in day today.  I had intended to work from home today anyway, but it turned out that due to the intensity of the snow, that the schools were shut today.  This meant a day looking after the children and helping them with enjoying the snow after ringing in to take the day off work.  Years ago, Father Christmas had given them some sleighs which they have only used on one occasion before today.  Despite it snowing before, they have not had the chance to use them, other than one year when I dragged them around in the garden.  I had intended the take them to use them today though, taking advantage of the weather and I had intended to take them both early.  While they initially agreed, my daughter changed her mind and wanted to play in the garden instead.  And while my son and I were going to go out, we changed our mind and played with her, the intention to leave to use the sleighs, or as I was just taking the one child, sleigh.  But instead we went out into the back garden (the picture is of the back garden of another house along our street).  And that is when they were mean to me.  Two against one, they both ganged up on me.  The aim of my daughter was lethal, and she got me with several face shots when it came to the snow ball fight. My son was just as deadly sneaking up from the side of me to again, get me in the face.

I did get away when the kids were in the warm to take my wife into town, but got stuck when trying to park when back at home.  Fortunately, thanks to passing friends, two pushes allowed us to get the final few metres to home.  The kids went out again, and that involved another snowball fight, this one ending in tears, but this quickly resolved and over all, they kids loved the unexpected day off from school.  The odds are that they will probably be off tomorrow, but I will be back at my main job so will not be able to take the day off work.

Why I am part of a union

There has been interesting discussions about unions.  Some say that they are against people being in work. Well, let me say, that considering they depend on people who are working joining them, that is an insane argument.

I have noted in my job, that when seeing people with work induced stress, people who are members of a union are treated better than those who are not.  Management appears to be more careful in treating a member of a union compared with those who are not in one.  Although the same laws apply to those who are or not in a union (due to the work of the unions), due to the advocacy that workers in a union get, employment law appears to be followed better in these cases.


I however had joined a union before I saw (in my job) how unions had helped others.  And by being part of a union, in one of my jobs, our employment rights, which had been bent by our employer, were followed when challenged.  We had tried to discuss this matter without the help of the union, but we got no where, but when our union was involved, they told us what we needed to do to bring about the change we asked for, and once we did that, our employer had no choice but to accept that they were not following employment law.


My union has not always been successful in bringing about change, but I know that like other union members across the planet, I have more security from being in a union, compared to not being in one.

I am not sure which is worse, the loss or the gloating Scum fans

I am not sure which has been worse today.  I have seen loads of Scum fans (Spurs/Tottenham to those who did not know) who have had to mention the match yesterday.  And my manager who supports 'that team' has had a huge grin on his face all day as well. 

It could have been worse, but we play them again on Thursday.  I am fearful of the result. 

Diversions

Today was a lot busier than we had planned.  After getting out of bed late (my daughter had woken early), we had a few things to do.  My son's school shoes had come apart and needed to be replaced, which meant that we were going to see what shoes were on offer in Braintree as we also needed to get items for my son and his birthday cake, this meant a trip to Lakeland in Chelmsford.  So we went to have breakfast at The Bungalow Diner before heading to Freeport.  Once we got the shoes, there were clothes for the kids, and a check for winter shoes for the kids.  So we ended up spending a few hours there.  After this, it was to Chelmsford to prepare for cake and then, home.

Well, that was the aim, but my daughter let us know (today) that she needs photos of landscapes for later this week.  So we took a diversion, a big one to get some photos.  We went to Chappel to take a few, and then to Bures.  But the family decided to have tea, so it was a further trip, this time to Lavenham.  Sadly we arrived too late for afternoon tea but still relaxed there.  But one advantage was that I missed the thrashing of Arsenal in the cup final.

Anyway we are home and resting now.

Apparently I am crazy

Apparently I am crazy.  Well according to my daughter.

Last night, my wife had some friends round, and I was working late, very late,  So I was not too willing to get out of the warm bed this morning to cycle to a course to learn about hips, shoulders knees and toes.  But I did, and the cold wind that was blowing certainly woke me up on by bike ride.  The course was a good one and I hope put my new knowledge to use soon.  And the view was great with the sun being out.

On getting home, my wife was not feeling too well so while she rested in bed, the rest of us went out to get some shopping (and forget one item).  While in ASDA though, the kids convinced me to buy them some chocolate brownies.  When I asked about helping them eat them, I was told by my son that this was not an option for me as I have a weight problem!

Later (after the kids ate the food), while my daughter stayed at home, my son and I walked round to a friends house and then later, into town.  There was an event for Pokémon Go, but sadly, when we got into town, my son and I realised that we had missed this.  He made the most of this with a trip to the playground where he had fun, and my wife had got better with rest and drove into town to collect us, something we appreciated as it was freezing.

After a trip to the supermarket again, to buy the milk that the rest of us had forgotten, it was back home to eat and relax before watching The Voice.  And it was over this time that my daughter, after over ten years disclosed her view that I am crazy.  Not sure how she came to this conclusion though...

Requiem

We have been watching Requiem.  My wife, has not been scared by it. Though this may have something to do with her playing Panda Pop while it is on.  I on the other hand have found it scary.  When my wife realised this, she decided to scare me more.  I now have to ensure she sleeps otherwise I am sure she will wake me up by scaring me later!