Remembrance Day ... an opportunity

What a busy week that ended with Remembrance Day.  I didn't have time to blog this week

I love days of national importance and history.  The kids have so many opportunities to learn.  All that needs to happen is a little Google Research on my behalf.

I really should finish packing up the sets.  Avoiding them and sitting in the PJ's this late on a Saturday is just too much fun.

The count down to the end of the years is on.  I hope all the govies across Australia are enjoying the closing moments of the year.

Monday Magic ... when no nagging is needed

Some Mondays are a pleasure.  Kids are happy, helpful and don't need to be nagged.

This is one of those days.  I came into the schoolroom feeling slightly behind schedule, I now have finished all the annoying jobs and I am just waiting for the marking to come in.

When the kids are well rested and get to bed early on a Sunday night you notice the difference in a week.  Instead of getting behind on a Monday.  Hounding the kids all Tuesday.  The kids feel pressured and rebellious on Wednesday.  Everyone is tired and grumpy on Thursday.  By Friday we are grateful it is all over.

This week we will get through all Mondays work with a happy attitude in the classroom.  Plenty of laughter and everyone chatty.  The quality of work is a lot better.  The handwriting is less rushed.

There is much research about kids and sleep, while I am not going to quote links I am going to tell you that kids need  10 to 12 hours.

For example ... 

• Wake Up at 6am  - Bedtime 6pm to 8 pm
• Wake Up at 7am  - Bedtime 7pm to 9 pm

I know it can be hard on a property to get the kids to bed early and maybe that is why as a child my mother made us have 1 to 2 hours resting on our bed until we were 9 years old.  We could read but we couldn't talk and had to lay down.

Some other families and govies I talked to the other day actually let the kids have a 40 minutes rest in a big comfy day bed in the schoolroom.  The govie would sometimes practice relaxation techniques where you get them to close their eyes.

Isolating, living in the outback ??? I'm in desperate need of a quiet weekend

I had a great weekend and thought I'd share some of the joys of outback life.  I can't show to many pictures as only a few are appropriate. So I have put together a snapshot of various weekends. 

Life is what you make it ... I have never found like in the outback isolating or lonely and I have worked in some very remote corner of Australia. Often I have found myself looking for a quiet weekend.

Governessing can have a fantastic social life, it is just what you make of your time...

A couple of years ago I went out for 8 weeks straight to all different types of activities

• sometimes to a local event; gymkhana, rodeo, races
• the pub in a town
• a weekend out on the station camping or with the bosses at the nearest lake
• road trip with the govies sightseeing and having fun
• weekend at a govies cottage

The list could go on.  

If you don't have a car then share costs with a govie or worker and jump in their car.  I am lucky enough to have a car and enjoy picking up govies on the way

Sometime the weekend may be a spontaneous weekend in which the bosses and locals head to the nearest lake.  BBQ, sunburn and drinks are the order of the day.

 

Other time you head out on a planned weekend with other govies and station staff to an event...

 

Meeting each other and road tripping together

 Swags at the ready ...

Nibbles and drinks on the nearest tailgate

 

Ready to dance up a storm in the dust or mud

 Some drinks fall victim to the fun and laughter but all will be rescued and consumed.

 Sunday brings a big bottle of water

 AND swags to roll up

 

Some weeks end up in a pub in town devouring cocktails by the jug

 

Leaving your belongings at the door of the motel as you rock back in the early hours of the morning.

Sometimes a weekend at one of the govies cottages on her property

Plenty of nibbles are required...

  

For a relaxed weekend catching up

Eating is not cheating because life it about stayers

Nothing better than a sunrise after staying up all night

2007 Birds Nest

Found these pictures of a ground loving birds next under a tree for a couple of years ago.  Pretty amazing adventures when you are on outback property.  

I think from memory it is a bower bird nest.