Day 3 Diary - Living in a Homeless Shelter

Well, last time was again eventful. Musical beds started early, sorry we weren't even in bed! Buy Casey woke up due to a night fright and took 20 minutes to settle down. We finally settled when I went to bed with him.

A little later Taylor was up and Steve was going to bed, so I went in Taylor's bed and Steve slept with the children.

This morning we were up at 8am and Steve went back to bed in Taylor's bed. This meant I was really stressed as by now it was 8.30am and Taylor had to be at her Gymnastic Play Day at 10am. By with only an hour before we leave and breakfast yet to be eaten, things were manic. But at 9.30am Steve got up and looked after Casey whilst I walked Taylor to Gymnastics.


Its very hard for Steve on shift whilst here, because when he gets home at 2230 he just wants to relax, well I need to sleep and of course I sleep in the lounge. Sometimes he gets home very late like 1am and of course the children are up between 7am and 8am and it such a confined space its impossible for him to sleep.


Steve is on a late shift this week, so does not start until 2pm. Not sure which shift I prefer, they both have the advantages.

Anyway off to Gymnastics we go, Taylor goes on her bike, which means I carry it half the way, but never mind.

Taylor loves her Gymnastics and has been attending Epping Forest Elite Gymnastc Club since September 2008. She would have started earlier if she had her way, but firstly I did everything to put her off, as I was a competition level gymnast and retired due to overstretch posterior crucitate ligaments and I had to wear a knee brace for 3 years. I also have overstretch ligaments posterior cruciate ligament But in the end I gave in and she is very good. She has just gone up to an 1 1/2 hour a week class and she is the youngest to do so.


Secondly, she had to want until she is in full time school to attend, which is a set requirement in this country.


She is very petite, strong and determined, so all I can do is support and guide her as we have been told she has great potential. But today is not about the Gymnastc really, its a playscheme run at the Gymnastics during the holidays and cost £15 ($20) for 6 hours which is great value in comparison to other playschemes which are run. They have great time turning tricks on the all the appartus, drawing and watching a film during lunch and then at 3.45pm the put on a show for the mums and dads. She has a great time.

Whilst she was at Gymnastic, Steve got to relax and Casey and I went off to meet my mum, who is off work this week.


My mum and dad brought a van for their small business last year and since being in the Shelter we have used the van so Steve can get to work as I need our car to ferry Taylor to and from School.


Steve works in Hertford, Hertfordshire which is the completely opposite direction to Waltham Abbey where Taylor goes to school and due to Steve's shift we have to rely on 2 vehicles to make in all possible. We could do without the extra petrol expense, but when needs must!


So, today Casey and I had to take the van to my mum's work which is in the middle of no-where in Broxbourne, Hertfordshire as someone tried to break into recently and had broke the handle off the back doors.


Casey has never been the front of the van before and is a nightmare, touching everything, throwing pooh bear and then the nappy bag goes everywhere, thankfully we make safely to Broxbourne and we won't be doing that again in a hurry!

Whilst waiting for the van to be fixed, off we go to our local Tesco Superstore, this is the size of Walmart's I have been to in the US, so mum brought us lunch and while in their I need buy a present for my nephew.

Later in the day after return with Taylor from gymnastics the children all come and play in our room whilst waiting to have dinner. The weather is lovely today, but for whatever reason the children wish to play inside.

Whilst having dinner we have a visit from the mother of another family who lives in the Chalets, this family started their bidding for a house last week and and had decided to bid on a property in Epping. They had been able to find out exactly where the house was, went to look at it from outside and had got very excited about the prospect of moving there, only to be informed today that there were two families in front of her, one currently in a battered wife's shelter and another in temporary accommodation, so they did not have a chance.

The disappointment in her face was evident and your heart went out to her. Is this how it is going to feel when its you? Are you going to be bidding in hope you will get a property in an area you really want, only to have your hopes dashed On speaking the family said they would never get their hopes up again and just hope they are fortunate enough to geta property in a nice area.

At present there are 4 families in the chalet, two at either end of the complex and the other 6 are empty. These are currently being refurbished while there are not many families in the Shelter and in the main house there are 34 contained rooms for families.

The children and are now bathed, had their ice cream and a sleep in bed finally and its 9pm. I am going to sign off now as I would like to do a Wii Workout, Ironing and then have a bath. Having a bath is the only way to relax properly round here with a good and no to disturb.

So see ya tomorrow!