On Tuesday it felt like I had yet another catarrh waterfall down the back of my throat and my cough returned with a vengeance, especially after trying to talk to anyone for more than a few moments. That evening I got really cold. By the time I went to bed I was shaking that violently I could have whipped cream with no voluntary effort on my part. A got me a hot water bottle to add to the double layer of blanket over a heavy duvet, as well as a nightie and socks. It still took over an hour to stop shaking.
During the night I warmed up so discarded many of the extras. The next morning I had REALLY warmed up - to 102 F! Not good. Plus my appetite disappeared (really not good), and family had arrived the previous day for the festivities. One of them has chronic obstructive pulmonary disease so me being laid up with something yukky was seriously not a good idea. Hence I spent the day in bed doing a lot of sleeping and drinking just enough lemonade to stop A nagging at me about dehydration. I was coughing, blowing my nose, drowning in catarrh, going hot and cold yet maintaining the 102 F, couldn't have eaten a crumb, it felt like my eyes were being squeezed out of my head, and my poor leg joints were in agony. Just what you need on Christmas Eve! Mum said it sounded like the flu and to stay in bed. Well I certainly wasn't in any fit state to argue.
Christmas Eve night was a disaster, sleeping maybe 45 mins to an hour then spending the same again awake coughing and trying to get comfortable (oh, and I discovered that too much coughing gives you stress incontinence - hope it goes away just as quick). Needless to say I was a zombie come present-opening time and just mindlessly unwrapped anything passed my way (including one that should have been for my Mum and Dad, sorry Bro). I went back to bed to sleep till lunch was ready. It was more in hope than expectation that I put some food on my plate - it looked and smelt great! Unfortunately 3 bites later (1 roast potato, half a chipolata and a small piece of turkey) that was me full, so back to bed.
Later that evening I was sweating even more. A took my temperature to find it had climbed even more, to 104 F! Half an hour later I got my Mum to give me a tepid bath because, by then, it felt like it was climbing even more and I was beginning to feel a bit panicky. During the night I slept better, though I woke up once and found the pillow and the upper part of the duvet soaked with sweat.
This morning my temperature was pretty much back to normal. Today I have begun to eat again. I managed to play cards for a while this afternoon. I'm back in bed now with my trusty laptop whilst the family get up to their last night of festive frolics.
So, sorry I haven't been online wishing you all Season's Greetings. Hope you all had a good time. I'll be back in circulation over the weekend, fingers crossed.
Friday 26 December 2008
Friday 12 December 2008
The Lofty Ideals of Youth
My two have never been fame-obsessed, preferring to be in the crowd than stand out from it. D, however, has always fancied the idea of coming up with an accurate (note, not perfect) way of predicting earthquakes and/or volcanic eruptions. This would probably make him famous amongst geologists and people whose lives are regularly affected by such things, but his name wouldn't be on the lips of all and sundry. Today he was talking about coming up with a safe, alternative fuel to hydrocarbons (oil and coal to the rest of us).
K, who normally shuns the limelight even more than her brother, has decided it would be cool (her word) to discover a cure for a disease and has decided to work really hard at college and earn a place at Oxbridge.
Either something will happen to shatter their dreams or I have given birth to two future Nobel Prize winners. And then I'll be famous too. (EEK!)
K, who normally shuns the limelight even more than her brother, has decided it would be cool (her word) to discover a cure for a disease and has decided to work really hard at college and earn a place at Oxbridge.
Either something will happen to shatter their dreams or I have given birth to two future Nobel Prize winners. And then I'll be famous too. (EEK!)
Wednesday 3 December 2008
College Interviews - round 2
This time last year D was having interviews to choose where he wanted to go to college. He happily settled on the one that was the furthest from home but, as they had let him in to do Adult Education 2 years too early, I was ok with that.
This year it is K's turn. Yesterday she had an interview at D's college. They were quite rigid in their requirements that K would need 5 GCSEs to do A-levels or she would have to do a BTEC instead. Neither option really appealed to us. If she opted for another GCSE then she would have to get the coursework in by February as well as working like a slave to get the syllabus covered. If she opted to do an IGCSE instead (no coursework) then she would have to be ready to sit the exam during April/May. Again, these courses are supposed to be for 2 years so the workload would be crazy. K had it in her head that somehow BTECs were second-rate compared to A-levels and didn't want to do it. You know how intractable she can be about some things.
Today we went to a different college, one that was at the top of her list to go to. They were more than happy to let her do her choice of A-levels as long as she got at least Grade Cs in her GCSEs/IGCSEs. She has already passed 2 of them so it should be fairly easy for her to meet this requirement. K has now decided that she is definitely going here and can't wait for September.
This year it is K's turn. Yesterday she had an interview at D's college. They were quite rigid in their requirements that K would need 5 GCSEs to do A-levels or she would have to do a BTEC instead. Neither option really appealed to us. If she opted for another GCSE then she would have to get the coursework in by February as well as working like a slave to get the syllabus covered. If she opted to do an IGCSE instead (no coursework) then she would have to be ready to sit the exam during April/May. Again, these courses are supposed to be for 2 years so the workload would be crazy. K had it in her head that somehow BTECs were second-rate compared to A-levels and didn't want to do it. You know how intractable she can be about some things.
Today we went to a different college, one that was at the top of her list to go to. They were more than happy to let her do her choice of A-levels as long as she got at least Grade Cs in her GCSEs/IGCSEs. She has already passed 2 of them so it should be fairly easy for her to meet this requirement. K has now decided that she is definitely going here and can't wait for September.
Thursday 27 November 2008
Oh for a simple life
I'm STILL coughing and I'm not overly impressed. It's now just over 3 weeks since I got this virus and if I wake up tomorrow with no symptoms at all it will not be a minute too soon.
I haven't heard anything from the full-time trainee international shipping clerk interview I went to. As far as my hazy recollection goes (all that excess catarrh production gummed up the memory banks) I was supposed to hear at the end of last week. My referees haven't been contacted so no news is bad news.
I did go for another interview last Friday as a part-time media lab assistant at Southampton's General Hospital. This would see me making batches of algar, ordering supplies and checking them off the files as they are delivered, etc. There is no chance of any promotion to something more technical. And don't get me started about parking! Oh alright then, I'll get started. There is NO parking on site for staff, only doctors and patients/visitors. Underlings have to find a parking space where they can in the surrounding area. Most of the streets have a maximum parking limit of 2 hours so that's not much use. From where I live I would need to catch 2 buses each way, adding a total of about 4 hours to my working day - not a chance! Fortunately I didn't get that job either.
On Tuesday I found an advert for a Trainee Legal Executive with the County Council, paying £18K - £21K. Now that is what I call a starting salary! You only need a minimum of 4 GCSEs and a willingness to take ILEX (Institute of Legal Executives) qualifications so you can lose the Trainee tag. So far so good.
On Wednesday I spent a good proportion of the day at a local Special School, the one that I put myself through the Great South Run for. The headmaster had organised a Vision Day where he, the staff and the therapists could discuss the school's needs and aims for the future. Friend A & I were invited to attend as we have been asked to fundraise the megabucks needed to bring some of this into fruition. Unfortunately friend A couldn't make it so I went alone, armed with a big notebook. The wishlist was divided into 'Short Term', 'Medium Term' and 'Blue Sky' (aka what you'd like if there was a blank cheque book involved). Let me tell you that there was a lot of consensus in all three categories and none of it was particularly cheap. Primarily the school needs more storage space. The size of the equipment that some of the pupils need is huge and there's just nowhere to put it. A good proportion of the attendees would like to knock the building down and start again. This building has been up since roughly the 70s, but wasn't designed with children with mobility issues in mind. Looks like we're going to be busy raising money, which is going to be interesting given the current financial climate.
Today I was having a good think about the Trainee Legal Exec. job. With it being 37 hours per week and studying on top there certainly wouldn't be enough time (or sanity) left to help the school. Husband A had already said that jumping straight back into full-time work after 17+ years as a housewife/mother might be a bit much, and he didn't want me to overdo it. He likes the starting salary for this position (and who wouldn't) but he agrees that I would be beyond exhausted by the end of the week, and that is not good for family harmony.
I suppose it sounds like I'm running from a challenge, and maybe I am. But A's original suggestion to me was to find a part-time job, so obviously a salary below £10K is acceptable to the family budget. This would then leave me time and energy to devote to raising funds for the school, as well as the usual housework/shopping/supervising K's education/etc.
This evening I found another job, part-time, wanting administrative support for the Children's Services team. These have a lot of dealings with children with special educational needs (SEN) and the knowledge I would gain there would certainly be helpful in my fundraising capacity.
Decisions, decisions.
I haven't heard anything from the full-time trainee international shipping clerk interview I went to. As far as my hazy recollection goes (all that excess catarrh production gummed up the memory banks) I was supposed to hear at the end of last week. My referees haven't been contacted so no news is bad news.
I did go for another interview last Friday as a part-time media lab assistant at Southampton's General Hospital. This would see me making batches of algar, ordering supplies and checking them off the files as they are delivered, etc. There is no chance of any promotion to something more technical. And don't get me started about parking! Oh alright then, I'll get started. There is NO parking on site for staff, only doctors and patients/visitors. Underlings have to find a parking space where they can in the surrounding area. Most of the streets have a maximum parking limit of 2 hours so that's not much use. From where I live I would need to catch 2 buses each way, adding a total of about 4 hours to my working day - not a chance! Fortunately I didn't get that job either.
On Tuesday I found an advert for a Trainee Legal Executive with the County Council, paying £18K - £21K. Now that is what I call a starting salary! You only need a minimum of 4 GCSEs and a willingness to take ILEX (Institute of Legal Executives) qualifications so you can lose the Trainee tag. So far so good.
On Wednesday I spent a good proportion of the day at a local Special School, the one that I put myself through the Great South Run for. The headmaster had organised a Vision Day where he, the staff and the therapists could discuss the school's needs and aims for the future. Friend A & I were invited to attend as we have been asked to fundraise the megabucks needed to bring some of this into fruition. Unfortunately friend A couldn't make it so I went alone, armed with a big notebook. The wishlist was divided into 'Short Term', 'Medium Term' and 'Blue Sky' (aka what you'd like if there was a blank cheque book involved). Let me tell you that there was a lot of consensus in all three categories and none of it was particularly cheap. Primarily the school needs more storage space. The size of the equipment that some of the pupils need is huge and there's just nowhere to put it. A good proportion of the attendees would like to knock the building down and start again. This building has been up since roughly the 70s, but wasn't designed with children with mobility issues in mind. Looks like we're going to be busy raising money, which is going to be interesting given the current financial climate.
Today I was having a good think about the Trainee Legal Exec. job. With it being 37 hours per week and studying on top there certainly wouldn't be enough time (or sanity) left to help the school. Husband A had already said that jumping straight back into full-time work after 17+ years as a housewife/mother might be a bit much, and he didn't want me to overdo it. He likes the starting salary for this position (and who wouldn't) but he agrees that I would be beyond exhausted by the end of the week, and that is not good for family harmony.
I suppose it sounds like I'm running from a challenge, and maybe I am. But A's original suggestion to me was to find a part-time job, so obviously a salary below £10K is acceptable to the family budget. This would then leave me time and energy to devote to raising funds for the school, as well as the usual housework/shopping/supervising K's education/etc.
This evening I found another job, part-time, wanting administrative support for the Children's Services team. These have a lot of dealings with children with special educational needs (SEN) and the knowledge I would gain there would certainly be helpful in my fundraising capacity.
Decisions, decisions.
Monday 17 November 2008
Been for an interview OR Don't judge a company by the building they work in
Gosh! Two posts in one day! Don't get excited, it won't last.
My bright idea about signing on now I am job hunting has bit the dust. Because I haven't paid any NI contributions (and my Home Responsibilities from claiming Child Benefit don't count) for the past 2 - 5 years (try over 17) I can't claim contribution-based Jobseekers Allowance (JSA). Because of A's salary there's no way in hell I'd get means-tested Allowance.
To claim either of the JSAs you need to apply for at least 2 jobs per week, use the Job Centre's database to find jobs twice a week, plus buy the local papers on Thursdays when the Jobs section is in. And you HAVE to take the evidence of this in when you go to sign on.
It was whilst I was waiting to find out if the Government were going to sponsor my job hunting that I applied for a full-time position as a Trainee International Shipping Clerk. Now, full-time is not really what I am after at the moment but, having previous transport experience (albeit out of date) that it intigued me. Imagine my joy when they offered me an interview.
I was concerned to discover that the office was upstairs above a shop in the main shopping street. Not the big haulage yard I was expecting. However, all my worries evaporated once the interview started. The job is varied and definitely enough to keep my brain out of mischief. I won't have time to die of boredom, that's for sure. I would start out on the export side of the business, preparing the necessary paperwork, keeping the customers informed of expected arrival dates (and grovelling when the smelly hits the whirly). There is so much to it that I didn't absorb all of it. Everyone is on first name terms with everyone else. Everyone does their share of tea-mashing and running to the post office. The directors in head office are quite happy to chat to whoever answers the phone (the company has offices/warehouses in various cities nationwide).
The salary's not bad either - £15,000. There are pay rises, bonuses, profit shares, performance related stuff, etc to go on that. Plus after a period of time there is private healthcare and a company pension scheme where the company pays in 5% of your salary and you aren't obligated to pay any more in, unless you want to.
I should find out by the end of the week if I've been lucky.
My bright idea about signing on now I am job hunting has bit the dust. Because I haven't paid any NI contributions (and my Home Responsibilities from claiming Child Benefit don't count) for the past 2 - 5 years (try over 17) I can't claim contribution-based Jobseekers Allowance (JSA). Because of A's salary there's no way in hell I'd get means-tested Allowance.
To claim either of the JSAs you need to apply for at least 2 jobs per week, use the Job Centre's database to find jobs twice a week, plus buy the local papers on Thursdays when the Jobs section is in. And you HAVE to take the evidence of this in when you go to sign on.
It was whilst I was waiting to find out if the Government were going to sponsor my job hunting that I applied for a full-time position as a Trainee International Shipping Clerk. Now, full-time is not really what I am after at the moment but, having previous transport experience (albeit out of date) that it intigued me. Imagine my joy when they offered me an interview.
I was concerned to discover that the office was upstairs above a shop in the main shopping street. Not the big haulage yard I was expecting. However, all my worries evaporated once the interview started. The job is varied and definitely enough to keep my brain out of mischief. I won't have time to die of boredom, that's for sure. I would start out on the export side of the business, preparing the necessary paperwork, keeping the customers informed of expected arrival dates (and grovelling when the smelly hits the whirly). There is so much to it that I didn't absorb all of it. Everyone is on first name terms with everyone else. Everyone does their share of tea-mashing and running to the post office. The directors in head office are quite happy to chat to whoever answers the phone (the company has offices/warehouses in various cities nationwide).
The salary's not bad either - £15,000. There are pay rises, bonuses, profit shares, performance related stuff, etc to go on that. Plus after a period of time there is private healthcare and a company pension scheme where the company pays in 5% of your salary and you aren't obligated to pay any more in, unless you want to.
I should find out by the end of the week if I've been lucky.
Germs everywhere
Three days after the South Run I started feeling a bit peaky. By the following Sunday evening my throat was dry, my nose was sniffly, but otherwise I felt reasonably ok. Monday was a repeat. Monday evening I looked in the mirror - and found that someone had decided to drizzle white stuff all over my tonsils!!!!! The rest of the week was spent on antibiotics, whilst the viral side of the cold got worse. I had to cancel a Girls Night Out because it was taking all my effort to stay awake and civilised.
Last week I started to improve. This week the coughing has almost stopped, which is more than I can say for D who has been full of germs for just as long. K has had similar symptoms to me but hers have been around for a few days longer and are taking a little longer to go away.
Even now one side of my throat feels bruised when I swallow - no yasty white stuff now. Tonight my nose has started filling up again. Round 2 or continuation of the last 3 weeks?
Last week I started to improve. This week the coughing has almost stopped, which is more than I can say for D who has been full of germs for just as long. K has had similar symptoms to me but hers have been around for a few days longer and are taking a little longer to go away.
Even now one side of my throat feels bruised when I swallow - no yasty white stuff now. Tonight my nose has started filling up again. Round 2 or continuation of the last 3 weeks?
Tuesday 28 October 2008
My baby is 10 and other breaking news
Scooby celebrates his 10th birthday today. Regular readers may remember back in May (I think) that our vet suggested he might not make it this far and most likely wouldn't make Christmas. Well, he's intent on proving her wrong. Today is a sunny day so he's full of life, energy and bounce. On wet days it's an effort to do anything.
Also today saw the first frost of the coming winter. It's all gone now but at 7.30 this morning the roofs were white and the car windscreens were iced over.
Speaking of cars, I now have a Vauxhall Corsa 1.2 with a tiptronic gearbox sitting on my drive. It's my courtesy car till my Merc is returned all shiny and new. This Corsa is a 58 plate with a mere 400 miles on the clock!
K & D are off sailing with Explorers this week. Had the leader on the phone at 8.30 this morning saying K wanted to come home. I told him, and her, that I couldn't come and fetch her as I was waiting for the garage to fetch my car and bring me a courtesy car. The leader has transferred her to the smaller boat for today to see if her stomach will settle. Otherwise we face a long trip to Lymington or Poole to fetch her this evening. I did state that I would prefer her to finish the week out but we'll see.
Also today saw the first frost of the coming winter. It's all gone now but at 7.30 this morning the roofs were white and the car windscreens were iced over.
Speaking of cars, I now have a Vauxhall Corsa 1.2 with a tiptronic gearbox sitting on my drive. It's my courtesy car till my Merc is returned all shiny and new. This Corsa is a 58 plate with a mere 400 miles on the clock!
K & D are off sailing with Explorers this week. Had the leader on the phone at 8.30 this morning saying K wanted to come home. I told him, and her, that I couldn't come and fetch her as I was waiting for the garage to fetch my car and bring me a courtesy car. The leader has transferred her to the smaller boat for today to see if her stomach will settle. Otherwise we face a long trip to Lymington or Poole to fetch her this evening. I did state that I would prefer her to finish the week out but we'll see.
Who ordered the rain on Sunday?
Whilst I don't mind running in the odd shower, I draw the line at constant drizzle. However I was in the Great South Run for a good cause, so I got on with it. I managed to run almost all of the first mile without stopping - a long way for me. Think that was about the time Paula Radcliffe was crossing the finish line.
Taken before the start with our other halves.
My feet behaved themselves for the most part until blisters started forming at about 7.5 miles. By 8 miles my hips were protesting, but I was at walking speed only (and slow at that) by then. The last two miles were along the seafront from Eastney to Southsea Common by the Pyramid Centre. There was a cold breeze blowing constantly, which made you very cold very quickly. Foolishly I'd handed my fleece over to A at 6,5 miles because I was so hot and sweaty I was sure I wouldn't need it. Note to self for next year - keep the fleece!
Yes, that's right. D & I are already planning to enter next year's event.
By the time I crossed the finish line my arms were red and almost completely numb. My fingers were like lumps of flesh with a mind of their own - not good. I managed to collect my goody bag and quickly found A & D. Then I burst into tears - I had had enough and wanted to go home. A got me back into my fleece and waterproof coat then stood hugging me to try to get me warm. We walked slowly back to some friends flat where a hot shower and a mug of tea soon perked me up a bit. Then we came home. I think it took me till yesterday (Monday) to be properly warm again.
Here are the finishing positions and times (will fill in the blanks when I can):
I (friend K's sister) 4455
C (friend with flat) 4461
Friend K 10201
D (my son) 10985 2:09.04
Me 11486 2:39.35
Friend A 11530
Taken before the start with our other halves.
Saturday 25 October 2008
They're letting blind people drive!
That's the only conclusion I can come to for how someone can totally miss a silver Mercedes E-Class estate and drive into it. We were coming round Segensworth roundabout, a large but well-marked and signed effort near to our house. A was driving, I was in the front passenger seat and K was sat behind her Dad (and nearest to the impact point).
The muppet decided that, instead of following the wonderful markings, he would stick like glue to the inside lane of the roundabout before launching across 3 lanes to the exit he wanted, which was one before ours. We were in the correct lane for the exit we wanted, and it would have been the correct lane for muppet too if he'd been in it.
K was ok at the scene but is developing whiplash. I've given her the icepack and painkillers/anti-inflammatories. She's going away tomorrow, sailing with sea scouts, till Friday. A & I are fine although our tempers are a little frazzled. The car will be repaired within two weeks by the insurance company appointed repair shop. I will get a courtesy car, which I expect to be some poxy 2 door Ford Ka or equivalent and of little use to me whatsoever.
The muppet decided that, instead of following the wonderful markings, he would stick like glue to the inside lane of the roundabout before launching across 3 lanes to the exit he wanted, which was one before ours. We were in the correct lane for the exit we wanted, and it would have been the correct lane for muppet too if he'd been in it.
K was ok at the scene but is developing whiplash. I've given her the icepack and painkillers/anti-inflammatories. She's going away tomorrow, sailing with sea scouts, till Friday. A & I are fine although our tempers are a little frazzled. The car will be repaired within two weeks by the insurance company appointed repair shop. I will get a courtesy car, which I expect to be some poxy 2 door Ford Ka or equivalent and of little use to me whatsoever.
Saturday 18 October 2008
Lots to tell you
It's been a while - again. Sorry, life keeps getting in the way.
D is a happy soul. College is definitely suiting him. He has now decided that he may like to do a degree in Geology and/or Chemistry rather than Maths and Computing as he his having so much fun in the science lessons. He's nursing a strained joint where his right-hand pinky finger joins the hand - basketball injury. Hopefully it'll be better by next weekend.
K has been in need of attitude re-alignment this week. All that typical teenage angst has been flying around, and I'm the one on the receiving end. Well she got her re-alignment on Thursday and it seemed to work, but today she decided that my 'no food in your bedroom till it is tidy to my standard' rule could be forgotten. So I removed all PC/PS2/Wii/TV privileges. Guess who is now making in-roads into that tip she calls her personal space (trade descriptions act could be used there)? Voluntarily too! Edited to add, she's just taken the hoover upstairs!!!!!
A is fighting off yet another cold. This must be the third in 2 months. He's been working longer hours so we are wondering whether it is down to the air-con system at work. Lots of people there are sniffly and coughy. His car is now working again, touch wood, fingers crossed, etc. But we are still looking to change it in for something smaller. Then he will have my car for work and I will have a tiny runabout.
I am crocked - again! My running was doing really well and I found a new burst of stamina. Then the achilles and plantar fascia in my left ankle/foot decided they weren't happy and I'm back to walking. The physio I saw last week has suggested that the Great South Run might be too much for me but I'm doing it. Sponsorship is inching ever-closer to the £1000 mark.
I didn't get the part-time admin job at a local Sure Start centre. Part of me is disappointed but part of me is ok with it. After a lot of thinking I've decided that basic office work would be boring. I enjoy a bit of variety and would prefer to be really interested in what the place I work at does. Anyway, yesterday I found a job in a Traffic Management Office. The blurb on the job website suggests it is like I used to do many years ago as a despatch clerk/typist but with more general admin as well. I'd really like to apply for it but the downside is it's full-time. A is pretty sure that jumping straight back into full-time work after 17 years off might be too much. K isn't ecstatic about being left to fend for herself each weekday but says she'll get used to it and be fine. So what do I do?
D is a happy soul. College is definitely suiting him. He has now decided that he may like to do a degree in Geology and/or Chemistry rather than Maths and Computing as he his having so much fun in the science lessons. He's nursing a strained joint where his right-hand pinky finger joins the hand - basketball injury. Hopefully it'll be better by next weekend.
K has been in need of attitude re-alignment this week. All that typical teenage angst has been flying around, and I'm the one on the receiving end. Well she got her re-alignment on Thursday and it seemed to work, but today she decided that my 'no food in your bedroom till it is tidy to my standard' rule could be forgotten. So I removed all PC/PS2/Wii/TV privileges. Guess who is now making in-roads into that tip she calls her personal space (trade descriptions act could be used there)? Voluntarily too! Edited to add, she's just taken the hoover upstairs!!!!!
A is fighting off yet another cold. This must be the third in 2 months. He's been working longer hours so we are wondering whether it is down to the air-con system at work. Lots of people there are sniffly and coughy. His car is now working again, touch wood, fingers crossed, etc. But we are still looking to change it in for something smaller. Then he will have my car for work and I will have a tiny runabout.
I am crocked - again! My running was doing really well and I found a new burst of stamina. Then the achilles and plantar fascia in my left ankle/foot decided they weren't happy and I'm back to walking. The physio I saw last week has suggested that the Great South Run might be too much for me but I'm doing it. Sponsorship is inching ever-closer to the £1000 mark.
I didn't get the part-time admin job at a local Sure Start centre. Part of me is disappointed but part of me is ok with it. After a lot of thinking I've decided that basic office work would be boring. I enjoy a bit of variety and would prefer to be really interested in what the place I work at does. Anyway, yesterday I found a job in a Traffic Management Office. The blurb on the job website suggests it is like I used to do many years ago as a despatch clerk/typist but with more general admin as well. I'd really like to apply for it but the downside is it's full-time. A is pretty sure that jumping straight back into full-time work after 17 years off might be too much. K isn't ecstatic about being left to fend for herself each weekday but says she'll get used to it and be fine. So what do I do?
Wednesday 1 October 2008
Have an interview!
A few weeks ago I applied for the post of Admin Assistant at a Sure Start centre attached to a local-ish secondary school. It's 25 hours a week flexible between1 - 8pm. I got a letter a couple of days ago asking me to attend an interview on Friday 10th at 11am and to bring my ORIGINAL exam certificates. Does anyone know where their certificates are after 25 years?! My house is going to be the tidiest in the country. Or, of course, they're still lurking in a box at one of the parents houses. Serves us right for moving so many times.
Wednesday 24 September 2008
At last!
Amazing what can happen in 24 hours. D has come home today with all the bumpf needed to do Stats 2 in Further Maths! Now all he has to do is get on with it, which shouldn't be an issue.
Yesterday he sat in on an AS Geology class. He sorted it out himself with the teacher, and is going to sit in on a couple more before getting it added to his timetable.
Today he received a letter from college - no, it doesn't make sense to me either seeing as he's there all day - asking him to attend ICT Key Skills workshops to work towards Level 2. Umm, the boy is studying A-Level Computing. I hardly think that his ability to file handle and make Office do its thing is going to be sorely tested here. This is the boy who, at 6 years old, was rescuing his primary school teacher's files and folders from wherever she'd hidden them on the class PC. Ah well, the hoops we have to jump through just so the boxes can be ticked.
As a total aside to all this, my daughter loves me! What did I do to bring this about? I made lasagne for tea, a whole load of it. Then she promptly invited a friend over to help make a big dent in my hoped for freezer supplies. Now A will be taking some to work tomorrow for his lunch so I may be lucky to get 3 portions frozen. Not bad for 3lbs of mince ;-)
Yesterday he sat in on an AS Geology class. He sorted it out himself with the teacher, and is going to sit in on a couple more before getting it added to his timetable.
Today he received a letter from college - no, it doesn't make sense to me either seeing as he's there all day - asking him to attend ICT Key Skills workshops to work towards Level 2. Umm, the boy is studying A-Level Computing. I hardly think that his ability to file handle and make Office do its thing is going to be sorely tested here. This is the boy who, at 6 years old, was rescuing his primary school teacher's files and folders from wherever she'd hidden them on the class PC. Ah well, the hoops we have to jump through just so the boxes can be ticked.
As a total aside to all this, my daughter loves me! What did I do to bring this about? I made lasagne for tea, a whole load of it. Then she promptly invited a friend over to help make a big dent in my hoped for freezer supplies. Now A will be taking some to work tomorrow for his lunch so I may be lucky to get 3 portions frozen. Not bad for 3lbs of mince ;-)
Monday 22 September 2008
What would you do
D has settled well into college. So far the work isn't stretching him and he is considering adding AS Geology to his timetable. Our biggest gripe is that he hasn't had a Further Maths lesson yet.
Why? Well it seems that the first module they do for the AS is Statistics 1. D has done this, and passed with an A, for his A2 Maths (Maths and Further Maths are two different courses, although the modules available are interchangeable). Now college have known he would be starting full-time there since November. They knew in February/March that he would be sitting the Stats 1 module in June. They've known since the middle of August that he got an A. They've known since 29th August exactly what his finalised course choices are. YET THEY HAVE YET TO DECIDE WHAT MODULE HE CAN STUDY INSTEAD!!!! They don't want to have this issue next year for the A2 so they need to decide what they will be teaching next year so that D can choose something else instead. Wouldn't you be a bit peeved that here we are two weeks into the year and he still has to do any maths?
I've told D that when he sees his tutor, who happens to be his Further Maths teacher, on Wednesday he is to tell him to sort it or I will lose patience and be in to see him - and that it won't be pretty if I do.
Why? Well it seems that the first module they do for the AS is Statistics 1. D has done this, and passed with an A, for his A2 Maths (Maths and Further Maths are two different courses, although the modules available are interchangeable). Now college have known he would be starting full-time there since November. They knew in February/March that he would be sitting the Stats 1 module in June. They've known since the middle of August that he got an A. They've known since 29th August exactly what his finalised course choices are. YET THEY HAVE YET TO DECIDE WHAT MODULE HE CAN STUDY INSTEAD!!!! They don't want to have this issue next year for the A2 so they need to decide what they will be teaching next year so that D can choose something else instead. Wouldn't you be a bit peeved that here we are two weeks into the year and he still has to do any maths?
I've told D that when he sees his tutor, who happens to be his Further Maths teacher, on Wednesday he is to tell him to sort it or I will lose patience and be in to see him - and that it won't be pretty if I do.
Thursday 11 September 2008
Did you miss me?
It was the summer holidays and not much was happening here in Dark Corner. The kids were quite happy to bask in the afterglow of their exam results. K got back into studying last week and is making inroads into Maths, Chemistry, Latin, French, ICT, and Ancient History. She only plans to sit exams in the first two, the rest are to build up a portfolio to impress college ready for next year.
Speaking of college, D has had his first day today. It was an orientation day - to meet their tutor and the other students in the tutor group, to sign up for some extra-curricula activities, sign up for a NUS Extra card and bag lots of discounts at various places, sign up for the gym, get a library card, check out the college cafes, grab a locker, etc. He's really hyper. He's made a couple of friends, one of whom has almost the same timetable as him, and signed up for basketball and archery. The NUS team gave him a free UV anti-theft marker to write his postcode on all his valuables, so he's been busy finding things to mark. His timetable has plenty of gaps in it so he has room to do most of his homework at college. In fact, he hasn't shut up since he got in. Long may it continue.
I have a few possibilities on the job front, all office-based. Fingers crossed one of them comes up trumps. A is working hard, as usual, and liaising with D on which nights D will need a lift home from college.
Speaking of college, D has had his first day today. It was an orientation day - to meet their tutor and the other students in the tutor group, to sign up for some extra-curricula activities, sign up for a NUS Extra card and bag lots of discounts at various places, sign up for the gym, get a library card, check out the college cafes, grab a locker, etc. He's really hyper. He's made a couple of friends, one of whom has almost the same timetable as him, and signed up for basketball and archery. The NUS team gave him a free UV anti-theft marker to write his postcode on all his valuables, so he's been busy finding things to mark. His timetable has plenty of gaps in it so he has room to do most of his homework at college. In fact, he hasn't shut up since he got in. Long may it continue.
I have a few possibilities on the job front, all office-based. Fingers crossed one of them comes up trumps. A is working hard, as usual, and liaising with D on which nights D will need a lift home from college.
Thursday 21 August 2008
Tigger is still in da house!
A lot has happened since my last post. I went back up to Nottingham to finish FIL's front room, so that was me absent Friday - Tuesday. K came with me and we had a great time.
On the Thursday before we left we all went to college to collect D's A-level Maths result. My 16 year old boy got a Grade B! Despite getting an E in one module! Is he satisfied? Is he heck! He wants a Grade A. To be fair all the universities he'd like to go to want an A so he really should try again on a couple of modules.
Today we went into Portsmouth to pick up D and K's GCSE results. D got a Grade D in Geography. He's a bit disappointed but didn't really like the subject so is not too upset. Hopefully college won't hold it against him - bet there aren't many students doing 3/4 A-levels with only 3 A* - C GCSEs. K got a Grade C in Biology. She was quite upset as she was hoping for a B. So she is planning to resit over the next year. If she wants to do A-level Biology she needs the B.
All in all not a bad haul for them. K has proved she CAN cope with exam pressures and do a sterling effort into the bargain - something I didn't think would happen this side of college.
Looks like Home Education hasn't done them any harm.
On the Thursday before we left we all went to college to collect D's A-level Maths result. My 16 year old boy got a Grade B! Despite getting an E in one module! Is he satisfied? Is he heck! He wants a Grade A. To be fair all the universities he'd like to go to want an A so he really should try again on a couple of modules.
Today we went into Portsmouth to pick up D and K's GCSE results. D got a Grade D in Geography. He's a bit disappointed but didn't really like the subject so is not too upset. Hopefully college won't hold it against him - bet there aren't many students doing 3/4 A-levels with only 3 A* - C GCSEs. K got a Grade C in Biology. She was quite upset as she was hoping for a B. So she is planning to resit over the next year. If she wants to do A-level Biology she needs the B.
All in all not a bad haul for them. K has proved she CAN cope with exam pressures and do a sterling effort into the bargain - something I didn't think would happen this side of college.
Looks like Home Education hasn't done them any harm.
Monday 11 August 2008
Tigger is in da house!
The last week or so has been spent in nervous anticipation of when the IGCSE results would be published. They usually come out earlier than A-Levels and GCSEs. The I stands for International. These are the exams sat by other countries or private schools. As far as I know state schools are not allowed to offer them, which is a shame as most are quite a bit more rigorous than their GCSE counterparts. If you're interested in reading more try http://www.cie.org.uk/qualifications (IGCSE is listed in the 'Popular Qualifications' box on the left) or http://www.edexcel-international.org/home and click on qualifications. Scroll down the list on the left-hand side and click on IGCSE. Finding somewhere to sit the exams can be quite tricky but we found somewhere in Bristol willing to support my two with extra time and PC access (all signed for by Educational Psychologists).
Anway, back to the story. The nice man from the Exam Centre phoned this afternoon to say the results were available. Both D and K got grade Cs!!!!!! D entered the Extended Tier (Higher Tier equivalent). He needed a C or better to avoid all that English Lit. stuff at college for the next year or so. K entered just to see what it was like and she did the Core Tier (Foundation Tier equivalent). Grade C is the highest grade on that tier. She ran round the house crying and squealing "I got a C!" with a grin a mile wide all at the same time. (I've checked the windows and none of them have shattered).
A & I are a complex mix of relief (at D's), shock (at K's) and joy (for both of them). We promised D a meal out if he passed so we're heading for the Indian buffet restaurant on Thursday evening for a fixed price pig out! FIL is staying for a few days and he is just as chuffed as we are.
For those of you who don't know D & K, a grade C is one heck of an achievement for them. D has always hated writing and creative writing in particular. His school books (from when he went to school) were full of comments along the lines of "Scruffy work. Be neater next time." to "Lazy boy! I know you can do better than this!". Hence his hatred of the subject was very well entrenched. He didn't do any formal English for nearly 2 years after leaving school. In that time we found that his handwriting speed was appalling (4 words per minute average) but his typing speed was better (14 words per minute). He still balked at creative writing. Thanks to the care, talents and, above all, patience of three ladies at our local HE group he learnt the tricks needed to get the marks. By Easter his essays had much improved and I dared to hope he could get a C. He did!
K has issues with understanding and using language, particularly when she has to assimilate a lot of it at once. She doesn't qualify for a diagnosis of semantic/pragmatic language disorder but certainly exhibits some traits. We entered her this year (a year early, she's not 15 till tomorrow) just to see how she would do and to give her a taste of what the English exam is like. She didn't attend half the lessons that D did at our local group as she found the workload too much. However one of the Mums said she would mark any work that K did out of the text books. I wasn't allowed to see any of it! Obviously this was the way to go.
So we are all bouncing off the walls like Tigger!
Anway, back to the story. The nice man from the Exam Centre phoned this afternoon to say the results were available. Both D and K got grade Cs!!!!!! D entered the Extended Tier (Higher Tier equivalent). He needed a C or better to avoid all that English Lit. stuff at college for the next year or so. K entered just to see what it was like and she did the Core Tier (Foundation Tier equivalent). Grade C is the highest grade on that tier. She ran round the house crying and squealing "I got a C!" with a grin a mile wide all at the same time. (I've checked the windows and none of them have shattered).
A & I are a complex mix of relief (at D's), shock (at K's) and joy (for both of them). We promised D a meal out if he passed so we're heading for the Indian buffet restaurant on Thursday evening for a fixed price pig out! FIL is staying for a few days and he is just as chuffed as we are.
For those of you who don't know D & K, a grade C is one heck of an achievement for them. D has always hated writing and creative writing in particular. His school books (from when he went to school) were full of comments along the lines of "Scruffy work. Be neater next time." to "Lazy boy! I know you can do better than this!". Hence his hatred of the subject was very well entrenched. He didn't do any formal English for nearly 2 years after leaving school. In that time we found that his handwriting speed was appalling (4 words per minute average) but his typing speed was better (14 words per minute). He still balked at creative writing. Thanks to the care, talents and, above all, patience of three ladies at our local HE group he learnt the tricks needed to get the marks. By Easter his essays had much improved and I dared to hope he could get a C. He did!
K has issues with understanding and using language, particularly when she has to assimilate a lot of it at once. She doesn't qualify for a diagnosis of semantic/pragmatic language disorder but certainly exhibits some traits. We entered her this year (a year early, she's not 15 till tomorrow) just to see how she would do and to give her a taste of what the English exam is like. She didn't attend half the lessons that D did at our local group as she found the workload too much. However one of the Mums said she would mark any work that K did out of the text books. I wasn't allowed to see any of it! Obviously this was the way to go.
So we are all bouncing off the walls like Tigger!
Tuesday 29 July 2008
Not much happening
Just thought I'd check in.
The kids are off on camp till Sunday - peace and quiet reigns.
Scooby is on antibiotics again. This recurring superficial pyoderma is a pain. His appetite will go and it will be 'interesting' trying to get all his pills down him - the ones that go on his food will be untouched otherwise.
Thank goodness today is a little cooler. This hot weather is not doing my sense of humour any good. I have lumpy skin but it's not glaringly obvious like it usually is at this time of year.
Gammon, egg and chips for tea tonight.
The kids are off on camp till Sunday - peace and quiet reigns.
Scooby is on antibiotics again. This recurring superficial pyoderma is a pain. His appetite will go and it will be 'interesting' trying to get all his pills down him - the ones that go on his food will be untouched otherwise.
Thank goodness today is a little cooler. This hot weather is not doing my sense of humour any good. I have lumpy skin but it's not glaringly obvious like it usually is at this time of year.
Gammon, egg and chips for tea tonight.
Friday 18 July 2008
A little less tax for the Government to mis-spend
As with everything else these days the price of booze is going up. Why should I pay £5 - £10 for a bottle of wine when I can make six of my own for £8. That's right, each bottle will cost £1.67! Yippee!!! A return to the days where I can get seriously off my head for under £2. (Not that I would, you understand).
I used to make my own wine when we lived in Ferndown, Dorset, and I still have a lot of the equipment. So I set to cleaning and sterilising everything I would need to convert this can of elderberry concentrate to wine. The demijohn is now sitting upstairs in the airing cupboard and fermentation is underway.
I really must have a good look for my old Winemaking books. Mum used to make her own too and I remember the tea wine and the mixed fruit wine - as in raisins, currants, etc. I've got the urge to make them so just need the recipes.
It'll take about a month for the results to be bottlable and they suggest leaving them to mature for another 3 months! Somehow I don't think ALL the bottles will last that long ;-)
I used to make my own wine when we lived in Ferndown, Dorset, and I still have a lot of the equipment. So I set to cleaning and sterilising everything I would need to convert this can of elderberry concentrate to wine. The demijohn is now sitting upstairs in the airing cupboard and fermentation is underway.
I really must have a good look for my old Winemaking books. Mum used to make her own too and I remember the tea wine and the mixed fruit wine - as in raisins, currants, etc. I've got the urge to make them so just need the recipes.
It'll take about a month for the results to be bottlable and they suggest leaving them to mature for another 3 months! Somehow I don't think ALL the bottles will last that long ;-)
Wednesday 16 July 2008
Race for Life
This was on Sunday 13th. K, friend A, and I all finished within 5 minutes of each other. A & I were pleased for K, but kind of put out that we had been doing all the training and K hadn't - yet she almost kept up with us. Gonna have to train harder now.
Where I disappeared to
I went back up to Nottingham on 5th July to sort out FIL's garden. My Dad had offered to help. It was decided that I would tackle the inside instead so I spent the week making things more manageable in the kitchen, chucking nearly 2 years worth of newspaper, and making a start on decorating the front room. I have bruises, now fading, on my knees from gripping the stepladder so hard. I'm not really a ladder person but the ceilings are quite high, it being an older house.
A couple of years ago FIL had some work done by a charity/agency. They sorted out the damp-proof layer, fitted new windows to the front of the house, modernised the electrics and found that for all these years there'd been no earth for the house, and put in a new boiler for his central heating. Unfortunately their attention to detail and finish on the plaster front was pretty dire. So eventually we'll have to get the walls reskimmed.
I did the best I could in the time available but I really need to spend a few continuous weeks up there (and a few thousand in money - fat chance at the moment) to do a proper job. FIL has chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and the amount of dust I'd have to kick up wouldn't do him any good.Hopefully a solution will pop into my head before 14th August when I go back up to finish off the front room and take stock on the next job.
A couple of years ago FIL had some work done by a charity/agency. They sorted out the damp-proof layer, fitted new windows to the front of the house, modernised the electrics and found that for all these years there'd been no earth for the house, and put in a new boiler for his central heating. Unfortunately their attention to detail and finish on the plaster front was pretty dire. So eventually we'll have to get the walls reskimmed.
I did the best I could in the time available but I really need to spend a few continuous weeks up there (and a few thousand in money - fat chance at the moment) to do a proper job. FIL has chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and the amount of dust I'd have to kick up wouldn't do him any good.
Wednesday 2 July 2008
If only I could do that every time
Last night was bowling night. My handicap has been as 'low' as 58 this season but it's currently back at 60. My bowling of late has been dire. Some games I have struggled to make 100! I've discovered and then lost the art of bagging corner pins for spares.
The first game last night started reasonably well with 67 scored in 4 frames. I then went on to get 7 strikes in a row to make a final scratch score of 226 - my best ever! Unfortunately the game had to end. The second one was pretty awful, of course. I just about managed 112 - not much difference, eh? The third game was better but not as good as the first, giving me an overall scratch series score of 471 (an average of 157 per game). This is still way better than my season average of 132 but I was disappointed after the excellent start. On the positive side my name now graces the pole position for the ladies scratch and handicap games (226/286). Should be a little bit of prize money coming my way in August.
The first game last night started reasonably well with 67 scored in 4 frames. I then went on to get 7 strikes in a row to make a final scratch score of 226 - my best ever! Unfortunately the game had to end. The second one was pretty awful, of course. I just about managed 112 - not much difference, eh? The third game was better but not as good as the first, giving me an overall scratch series score of 471 (an average of 157 per game). This is still way better than my season average of 132 but I was disappointed after the excellent start. On the positive side my name now graces the pole position for the ladies scratch and handicap games (226/286). Should be a little bit of prize money coming my way in August.
Sunday 29 June 2008
One of life's lessons
My two have been to the beach today with a couple of friends. One of the friends parents did taxi duties, otherwise the kids were left to their own devices for the day. They took towels, sun cream and a packed lunch.
Apparently they all had a great time. Mine now have a better idea of how much sun cream is enough and that they should re-apply it every 2 - 3 hours. My after-sun supplies are taking a heavy hit.
Me?! Laugh?! As if.
Apparently they all had a great time. Mine now have a better idea of how much sun cream is enough and that they should re-apply it every 2 - 3 hours. My after-sun supplies are taking a heavy hit.
Me?! Laugh?! As if.
What we did on our holiday - part 2
Before we discovered the aforementioned urban jungle we spent the day at Skegness, taking MIL with us for a day out (MIL and FIL are not together). It was a lovely day and, once again, my kids proved why whisking them off somewhere exotic is a waste of time. All they want is a sandy beach, then they create their own fun.
This was taken at just after 4.30, and it was still pleasant. MIL and I were sat out of that bracing breeze that Skeg is famous for. A pity we didn't take the kites really.
We also got D on a rollercoaster. He's worse than me for not wanting to get on one so we were somewhat shocked when he agreed. A had only asked him in fun.
We bought the kids wristbands for the funfair and they certainly had their money's worth out of them. The dodgems were the favourite. I think each child notched up at least a dozen drives.
Foods is also cheap in Skegness. A double-coned whippy ice cream with a flake cost £1. Five hot meals and drinks came to under £25. All of these were bought right next to the beach.
All in all a good day. The kids are already planning next year's East Coast invasion.
Saturday 28 June 2008
Passing through, or what we did on our holiday - part 1
We've been away visiting family in Nottinghamshire. Did you miss me? Nope, thought not. So to make your heart grow fonder I will be off again next weekend for another week.
FIL's garden is doing a good interpretation of a tropical rainforest. Dad and I are going to sort it out - or, at least, that's the theory.
Hopefully it won't cause me too many aches and pains for the Race for Life on 13th July.
Wednesday 18 June 2008
Where are we supposed to find the money?
Petrol/diesel is at an all-time high. Everyone is feeling the pinch from this. It affects all of our lives. The wholesale prices of goods goes up as it costs more to get them from the manufacturers/producers to the retail outlets. Taxi and bus fares will rise, if they haven't already.
Mortgage rates are rising. The deals that were around at Christmas just aren't there anymore. Prices are beginning to fall. Anyone coming to the end of a mortgage deal is going to find the new monthly payment a shock, if they can find anyone prepared to offer them a mortgage at all. If your house has dropped in value since you took out your last deal you will struggle to find another lender willing to offer you a big enough mortgage to cover what you owe. And don't get me started on Council Tax!
Today we are warned that gas and electricity prices could rise by 40% this winter. No, not £40, 40%. If your yearly bills come to £1000 now, you could find they rise to £1400 by this time next year! On top of all the other financial squeezes above a lot of people are going to suffer.
Pensioners are on a low fixed income. Where are they going to find that sort of money? The same goes for those on the various Carers/Disabled allowances. Even those of us who have, until the last few months, been ok are going to find it hard.
As people start spending less in the shops, then some shops and businesses are going to fail. Their employees will lose their jobs, adding to the numbers of those who have to decide whether to have a hot meal or enough hot water for a wash!
I've been complaining to friends for a while that in the last 5 years my food bill has doubled. The contents of my trolley haven't changed that much. Yet the government would have us believe that inflation has been below 2.5%! So I've been investigating where it gets its figures from.
The Office of National Statistics publishes the Retail Price Index (RPI) each month. There are different versions of the RPI depending on whether you want mortgage interest payments and/or indirect taxation such as that on fuel/cigarettes/alcohol etc. The relevant link is
http://www.statistics.gov.uk/CCI/nugget.asp?ID=21 or to find out what is included and why go to http://www.statistics.gov.uk/elmr/04_07/downloads/ELMR_April07_Wingfield.pdf
I don't have time to read it and give you the summary today. I'll come back to it soon.
Mortgage rates are rising. The deals that were around at Christmas just aren't there anymore. Prices are beginning to fall. Anyone coming to the end of a mortgage deal is going to find the new monthly payment a shock, if they can find anyone prepared to offer them a mortgage at all. If your house has dropped in value since you took out your last deal you will struggle to find another lender willing to offer you a big enough mortgage to cover what you owe. And don't get me started on Council Tax!
Today we are warned that gas and electricity prices could rise by 40% this winter. No, not £40, 40%. If your yearly bills come to £1000 now, you could find they rise to £1400 by this time next year! On top of all the other financial squeezes above a lot of people are going to suffer.
Pensioners are on a low fixed income. Where are they going to find that sort of money? The same goes for those on the various Carers/Disabled allowances. Even those of us who have, until the last few months, been ok are going to find it hard.
As people start spending less in the shops, then some shops and businesses are going to fail. Their employees will lose their jobs, adding to the numbers of those who have to decide whether to have a hot meal or enough hot water for a wash!
I've been complaining to friends for a while that in the last 5 years my food bill has doubled. The contents of my trolley haven't changed that much. Yet the government would have us believe that inflation has been below 2.5%! So I've been investigating where it gets its figures from.
The Office of National Statistics publishes the Retail Price Index (RPI) each month. There are different versions of the RPI depending on whether you want mortgage interest payments and/or indirect taxation such as that on fuel/cigarettes/alcohol etc. The relevant link is
http://www.statistics.gov.uk/CCI/nugget.asp?ID=21 or to find out what is included and why go to http://www.statistics.gov.uk/elmr/04_07/downloads/ELMR_April07_Wingfield.pdf
I don't have time to read it and give you the summary today. I'll come back to it soon.
Sunday 15 June 2008
More Governmental U-Turns
The Irish voted a big fat "No" to the Lisbon Treaty, meaning that the Treaty was dead in the water. The legislation surrounding the treaty stated that it HAD to be ratified by all 27 member states. The Irish are the only Europeans to be given a referendum on this, thanks to it being written into their constitution. So you'd think that, thanks to the Irish vote, the Treaty would be finished.
Within hours members of the French and German governments were saying that they would be investigating ways to continue with the Treaty and come to some 'legal' accommodation with the Irish. In other words, they're going to continue with it anyway. And politicians wonder why nobody trusts them.
Yesterday's papers reported that Gordon Brown had already spoken to these members to confirm that the UK's ratification process would continue. Today's papers say that Gordon Brown is going to tell the EU that the Treaty cannot be ratified.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article4138792.ece
I don't suppose there's any chance of us being given a referendum, as we were promised in the last election campaign? Thought not.
Following my rant about not being able to supplement your NHS cancer treatment with privately bought medicines (which aren't available on the NHS) imagine my surprise to read this in today's Times
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/health/article4138315.ece
Yes, our government has once again made a knee-jerk response and then U-turned under the weight of public opinion. You'd think by now they'd learn to think a little.
Within hours members of the French and German governments were saying that they would be investigating ways to continue with the Treaty and come to some 'legal' accommodation with the Irish. In other words, they're going to continue with it anyway. And politicians wonder why nobody trusts them.
Yesterday's papers reported that Gordon Brown had already spoken to these members to confirm that the UK's ratification process would continue. Today's papers say that Gordon Brown is going to tell the EU that the Treaty cannot be ratified.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article4138792.ece
I don't suppose there's any chance of us being given a referendum, as we were promised in the last election campaign? Thought not.
Following my rant about not being able to supplement your NHS cancer treatment with privately bought medicines (which aren't available on the NHS) imagine my surprise to read this in today's Times
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/health/article4138315.ece
Yes, our government has once again made a knee-jerk response and then U-turned under the weight of public opinion. You'd think by now they'd learn to think a little.
Saturday 14 June 2008
This week's round-up
I thought I'd write one long post instead of several smaller ones.
D's last GCSE exam was on Thursday afternoon. Technically he is now finished with compulsory education, even though the official leaving date for Yr 11's is 30th June. He's planning to spend the next 3 months being lazy - apart from the two weeks work experience next month - but he can plan again. I've told him that he is going to be improving his domestic science skills.
Sea Scouts had invited D along last night to give it a go. I must stop calling it sea scouts though as it's really Explorers. During the day K decided she'd like to try to, so at 6.15 yesterday evening we were down at the quayside. I introduced the kids to one of the organisers and that was the last I had to do with it till they came back at 8.15 ish. K was ecstatic - she'd been allowed to helm the boat - and had a dreamy expression on her face. D came back with a broad grin. Malcolm (organiser) had taken them out in a Wayfarer and introduced them to the art of sails and rudder - many thanks Malcolm. K accidentally crashed into a wooden piling but blamed the boys for not telling her it was there. No damage was done. They both can't wait till next Friday evening.
The results of my patch-testing were a bit of an anti-climax. I reacted quite well to balsam of peru - no I'd never heard of it either - and fragrances. The suncream set were normal! So it seems I can slap it on with gay abandon, making sure it is fragrance-free - no more tacky coconut-smelling gunk. This morning I took the dog a walk and slapped some suncream on my face and arms. So far, so good. No redness, itching, runny eyes. Yet this same product (as in it's the same tube) made my face go all hot and red last year. Confused? Yeah, me too.
I have an appointment for January to see Mr Arden-Jones, my wonderful dermatologist, to schedule another session of 'medical microwaving'. A and I have discussed this and decided that, for now, the benefits outweigh the risks. I get a P(M)LE rash every year but I may never get malignant melanoma, even though my chances are somewhere around 1-30 to 1-40. Apart from a little outbreak in May my rash is behaving itself quite nicely this year. You watch, now I've jinxed msyelf and will look like a bad measles outbreak till October.
Almost forgot to tell you about the compliment I was paid by friends on Thursday. Bearing in mind my skin issues, particularly on my face, and the fact that only use water on it - no make-up, no cleanse/tone/moisturise - I was pleasantly surprised to be told my skin is looking really good. Apparently I am glowing with health and they can tell I've lost weight.
D's last GCSE exam was on Thursday afternoon. Technically he is now finished with compulsory education, even though the official leaving date for Yr 11's is 30th June. He's planning to spend the next 3 months being lazy - apart from the two weeks work experience next month - but he can plan again. I've told him that he is going to be improving his domestic science skills.
Sea Scouts had invited D along last night to give it a go. I must stop calling it sea scouts though as it's really Explorers. During the day K decided she'd like to try to, so at 6.15 yesterday evening we were down at the quayside. I introduced the kids to one of the organisers and that was the last I had to do with it till they came back at 8.15 ish. K was ecstatic - she'd been allowed to helm the boat - and had a dreamy expression on her face. D came back with a broad grin. Malcolm (organiser) had taken them out in a Wayfarer and introduced them to the art of sails and rudder - many thanks Malcolm. K accidentally crashed into a wooden piling but blamed the boys for not telling her it was there. No damage was done. They both can't wait till next Friday evening.
The results of my patch-testing were a bit of an anti-climax. I reacted quite well to balsam of peru - no I'd never heard of it either - and fragrances. The suncream set were normal! So it seems I can slap it on with gay abandon, making sure it is fragrance-free - no more tacky coconut-smelling gunk. This morning I took the dog a walk and slapped some suncream on my face and arms. So far, so good. No redness, itching, runny eyes. Yet this same product (as in it's the same tube) made my face go all hot and red last year. Confused? Yeah, me too.
I have an appointment for January to see Mr Arden-Jones, my wonderful dermatologist, to schedule another session of 'medical microwaving'. A and I have discussed this and decided that, for now, the benefits outweigh the risks. I get a P(M)LE rash every year but I may never get malignant melanoma, even though my chances are somewhere around 1-30 to 1-40. Apart from a little outbreak in May my rash is behaving itself quite nicely this year. You watch, now I've jinxed msyelf and will look like a bad measles outbreak till October.
Almost forgot to tell you about the compliment I was paid by friends on Thursday. Bearing in mind my skin issues, particularly on my face, and the fact that only use water on it - no make-up, no cleanse/tone/moisturise - I was pleasantly surprised to be told my skin is looking really good. Apparently I am glowing with health and they can tell I've lost weight.
Thursday 12 June 2008
One down, one to go
My little boy, D, sat his last GCSE this afternoon. He's now technically finished compulsory education, though the official finishing date for Yr 11s is 30th June.
I've already warned him that although he has no studying to do, he needn't think he's lying in bed till lunchtime or playing on the computer all day. I'd like to be kept in chocolate brownies and muffins, he can help in the garden and do chores, oh and he can keep dipping into the relevant A-level books on the shelf in the dining room. And if he can find himself paid employment he's excused all of the above.
Evil? Moi?
If you asked D how he thought the Home Education had gone for the past 4 years and whether it was worth it, you'd get a resounding yes! He's a happy soul and ready to face whatever the world throws at him. Tomorrow he's going to Explorers (Sea Scouts for older kids) and is planning, subject to him earning the money, some sailing holidays in the next 12 months - without parents.
I've already warned him that although he has no studying to do, he needn't think he's lying in bed till lunchtime or playing on the computer all day. I'd like to be kept in chocolate brownies and muffins, he can help in the garden and do chores, oh and he can keep dipping into the relevant A-level books on the shelf in the dining room. And if he can find himself paid employment he's excused all of the above.
Evil? Moi?
If you asked D how he thought the Home Education had gone for the past 4 years and whether it was worth it, you'd get a resounding yes! He's a happy soul and ready to face whatever the world throws at him. Tomorrow he's going to Explorers (Sea Scouts for older kids) and is planning, subject to him earning the money, some sailing holidays in the next 12 months - without parents.
Self-experimentation
Yesterday I had all my sticky patches removed - talk about a free NHS back wax! There were a few possibly/maybe pink patches of skin but nothing raised or itchy. In fact it itched most where the sticky stuff had been.
The upper section of patches that had been UVA blasted on Tuesday lunchtime are refusing to react. So this evening, being the inquisitive mare that I am, I decided to slap some of my sun cream on the right hand side of my face. It's been on for 45 minutes now and I've spent maybe 4 - 5 minutes standing in what is left of the day's sun and it just feels slightly prickly. NO streaming eyes, NO red, hot skin! Think I might have to try again tomorrow and make sure I get plenty of rays on it. It's only last year that my face would react quite quickly to sun cream.
I should be happy, but it was because of this problem that they had me in for patch testing in the first place! AArghh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The upper section of patches that had been UVA blasted on Tuesday lunchtime are refusing to react. So this evening, being the inquisitive mare that I am, I decided to slap some of my sun cream on the right hand side of my face. It's been on for 45 minutes now and I've spent maybe 4 - 5 minutes standing in what is left of the day's sun and it just feels slightly prickly. NO streaming eyes, NO red, hot skin! Think I might have to try again tomorrow and make sure I get plenty of rays on it. It's only last year that my face would react quite quickly to sun cream.
I should be happy, but it was because of this problem that they had me in for patch testing in the first place! AArghh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tuesday 10 June 2008
Forgot to add, yesterday
Two weeks ago I went for an eye test at Tesco. I am long-sighted apparently, hence why things get more blurred as the day progresses. Yesterday they phoned up to say my specs were in so on the way to the hospital we called in to collect them.
I tried them on and boy was it weird! Everything close up seemed clearer, things slightly further away seemed magnified. The chap who was making sure all was well started rattling on about general wear, to which I replied that these glasses were only for close work - reading and computer screen. A was disturbed to realise that I could still see him quite clearly 10 feet away, slightly magnified but clear nontheless. Apparently he should have been very blurred (he has glasses for the same thing). Then this chap checked the notes on my card with the strength on the ticket that came with the glasses and discovered that some muppet had made the lenses too weak! So now I have to wait even longer.
Grrr!!!!!!!!!!!
I tried them on and boy was it weird! Everything close up seemed clearer, things slightly further away seemed magnified. The chap who was making sure all was well started rattling on about general wear, to which I replied that these glasses were only for close work - reading and computer screen. A was disturbed to realise that I could still see him quite clearly 10 feet away, slightly magnified but clear nontheless. Apparently he should have been very blurred (he has glasses for the same thing). Then this chap checked the notes on my card with the strength on the ticket that came with the glasses and discovered that some muppet had made the lenses too weak! So now I have to wait even longer.
Grrr!!!!!!!!!!!
Monday 9 June 2008
Make sure you have a clothes peg....
.......if you see me this week. Why? Well, today I have started my patch-testing sessions at the dermatology unit. My back is awash with micropore holding down swathes of allergen-coated metal discs. I am not allowed to have a shower till at least Friday night and with the weather being as seasonal as it is I'm going to stink to high heaven by then. Hence the need for a clothes peg for your nose if you have the dubious pleasure of being in the same postcode as me.
Also I'm not allowed to do anything which may cause me to sweat - which rules out pretty much everything whilst it's this warm! I can't do anything which would involve lifting or twisting the back so that I don't dislodge the micropore and introduce air/moisture to the patches. It's a good job my kids are domesticated. K made a delicious curry for tea tonight. All that was needed was for A to show her how to do rice when we got back from the hospital.
I caused great anarchy at the hospital. In my defence it was a case of left hand not talking to right hand. I had told the head derm that the sunlight causes a fair number of skin reactions with suncreams and perfumes, so I would have thought that someone would have picked up on the fact that photo patch-testing would also be required. This IS the NHS so, of course, no-one had. Fortunately the ladies who run the light treatment room remembered me and, after asking how I was doing after my sessions in February/March, bent over backwards to fit me in.
One stayed later this afternoon for my test session. It being a hot day I had gone in in t-shirt and capri pants with sandals. So this nice nurse fetched a pair of blue scrubs and a large roll of elastoplast and, along with a couple of towels and blankets, proceeded to mummify me - apart from my face (protected by UV goggles and a clear welders mask) and a small spot on my right buttock that got zapped by the UVA. I was a little put out to hear I was going to be zapped for 7 minutes! I'm not claustrophobic as such but do prefer not to be enclosed for that sort of length of time, especially in a mummy outfit - BTW, my arms were inside the scrubs top as there was no real way of covering them up. Somehow I made it through and became a bit sweaty, which isn't allowed is it?! Then tomorrow I get to go back (12 noon) and have some allergens applied to an arm, and then be zapped again (legngth and strength of zap to be determined by how today's test session reacts) for up to 7 minutes.
On Wednesday I go back at 3pm to have all the micropore bits taken off and my back decorated with indelible marker - to mark where the patches are so that reactions can be seen. I hope it doesn't take as long as today as I'd really like to be out before rush-hour kicks in. You see, on Wednesday Bon Jovi are playing at St Mary's football stadium which is less than a mile from the hospital (no, I'm not going, it's too expensive), AND Hampshire have their first 20-20 cricket match at the Rose Bowl that same evening. Some genius somewhere deserves a medal - NOT! The most popular junctions of the M27 for St Mary's are 5, 7 & 8, whilst the Rose Bowl is smack against junction 7 and it's Park & Ride scheme is at junction 8. Total gridlock will be the most likely outcome, so I am planning to return home via Fair Oak and Wickham.
I get a hospital day-off on Thursday (so far!) but D has his last GCSE paper in Portsmouth in the afternoon. I think we'll use the train.
On Friday it's back to the derm people at 3pm so they can assess what has caused a reaction. Hopefully they will tell me all about it at the same time. It'd be just my luck for them to say "We'll send for you in a couple of months when we've analysed all this". That'll be another summer down the pan, not knowing what suncreams I could try.
Then it's a nice long shower and hairwash, followed by taking D to sea scouts to see if he likes it. Seeing as the leader has told me to make sure he wears old clothes that can get wet and to take some spares I think D will be getting out on the water.
Anyone want to trade places this week?
Also I'm not allowed to do anything which may cause me to sweat - which rules out pretty much everything whilst it's this warm! I can't do anything which would involve lifting or twisting the back so that I don't dislodge the micropore and introduce air/moisture to the patches. It's a good job my kids are domesticated. K made a delicious curry for tea tonight. All that was needed was for A to show her how to do rice when we got back from the hospital.
I caused great anarchy at the hospital. In my defence it was a case of left hand not talking to right hand. I had told the head derm that the sunlight causes a fair number of skin reactions with suncreams and perfumes, so I would have thought that someone would have picked up on the fact that photo patch-testing would also be required. This IS the NHS so, of course, no-one had. Fortunately the ladies who run the light treatment room remembered me and, after asking how I was doing after my sessions in February/March, bent over backwards to fit me in.
One stayed later this afternoon for my test session. It being a hot day I had gone in in t-shirt and capri pants with sandals. So this nice nurse fetched a pair of blue scrubs and a large roll of elastoplast and, along with a couple of towels and blankets, proceeded to mummify me - apart from my face (protected by UV goggles and a clear welders mask) and a small spot on my right buttock that got zapped by the UVA. I was a little put out to hear I was going to be zapped for 7 minutes! I'm not claustrophobic as such but do prefer not to be enclosed for that sort of length of time, especially in a mummy outfit - BTW, my arms were inside the scrubs top as there was no real way of covering them up. Somehow I made it through and became a bit sweaty, which isn't allowed is it?! Then tomorrow I get to go back (12 noon) and have some allergens applied to an arm, and then be zapped again (legngth and strength of zap to be determined by how today's test session reacts) for up to 7 minutes.
On Wednesday I go back at 3pm to have all the micropore bits taken off and my back decorated with indelible marker - to mark where the patches are so that reactions can be seen. I hope it doesn't take as long as today as I'd really like to be out before rush-hour kicks in. You see, on Wednesday Bon Jovi are playing at St Mary's football stadium which is less than a mile from the hospital (no, I'm not going, it's too expensive), AND Hampshire have their first 20-20 cricket match at the Rose Bowl that same evening. Some genius somewhere deserves a medal - NOT! The most popular junctions of the M27 for St Mary's are 5, 7 & 8, whilst the Rose Bowl is smack against junction 7 and it's Park & Ride scheme is at junction 8. Total gridlock will be the most likely outcome, so I am planning to return home via Fair Oak and Wickham.
I get a hospital day-off on Thursday (so far!) but D has his last GCSE paper in Portsmouth in the afternoon. I think we'll use the train.
On Friday it's back to the derm people at 3pm so they can assess what has caused a reaction. Hopefully they will tell me all about it at the same time. It'd be just my luck for them to say "We'll send for you in a couple of months when we've analysed all this". That'll be another summer down the pan, not knowing what suncreams I could try.
Then it's a nice long shower and hairwash, followed by taking D to sea scouts to see if he likes it. Seeing as the leader has told me to make sure he wears old clothes that can get wet and to take some spares I think D will be getting out on the water.
Anyone want to trade places this week?
Sunday 1 June 2008
More Labour absurdity
Did you know that if you are receiving NHS treatment for a medical condition and you decide you would like to privately purchase some medication not available on the NHS to improve your chances, you would then be unable to access ANY treatment for that condition on the NHS?
Scandalous, isn't it?!
This is becoming a big issue in the treatment of cancer. If you hear of a drug that may prolong your life, but NICE (National Institute for Clincial Excellence - what a misnomer!) decide that the costs outweigh the benefit and don't approve it for the NHS to use, you would then have to decide whether to forgo this drug and keep all the other NHS treaments and drugs; OR you could scrape together enough money to supply this drug and find that the NHS will no longer provide you with any treatment related to your condition.
Labour do not want to create a two-tier health system. Someone should tell them that there has been a many-tiered health system in this country for years. Private healthcare has always been around, even before the NHS came along. And on the NHS you have the postcode lottery - where you live decides what treatments you get for various conditions. Even when NICE give the go-ahead to the NHS to use certain drugs, not every PCT (Primary Care Trust) will prescribe them (usually citing cost).
So you get into the ludicrous situation of one PCT willing to prescribe drugs for Alzheimer's but not drugs that would greatly improve a terminal cancer patient's life expectancy, and another that would do just the opposite. Neither condition, Alzheimer's or terminal cancer, will be cured by the treatment. The drugs are just for palliative care, to make life more comfortable for the sufferer and their loved ones as they would all have more time together.
A group of NHS doctors are preparing to take on the Department of Health over this. Have a look at their website http://www.doctorsforreform.com/.
There isn't enough money in the NHS to pay for all the new drugs that are available, especially with all the managers and admin staff they're having to employ to monitor the PCTs compliance with all Labour's targets. Co-pay, as part-NHS and part-private treament is called, will soon be the only way forward. France operates their health-care in this way. The patient pays the bill in full and is then reimbursed, receiving somewhere around 70% of the cost. The French also pay about 20% (in some cases more), which is taken from their gross salary in much the same way as we pay National Insurance (NI), that goes into the pot to pay this 70%.
The French system is not perfect, especially seeing as it is about 6 billion euros in debt, but I don't think any health-care system is. The NHS can no longer afford to treat everyone for every illness. We are either going to have to pay more NI or contribute towards our treament as and when we need it.
Scandalous, isn't it?!
This is becoming a big issue in the treatment of cancer. If you hear of a drug that may prolong your life, but NICE (National Institute for Clincial Excellence - what a misnomer!) decide that the costs outweigh the benefit and don't approve it for the NHS to use, you would then have to decide whether to forgo this drug and keep all the other NHS treaments and drugs; OR you could scrape together enough money to supply this drug and find that the NHS will no longer provide you with any treatment related to your condition.
Labour do not want to create a two-tier health system. Someone should tell them that there has been a many-tiered health system in this country for years. Private healthcare has always been around, even before the NHS came along. And on the NHS you have the postcode lottery - where you live decides what treatments you get for various conditions. Even when NICE give the go-ahead to the NHS to use certain drugs, not every PCT (Primary Care Trust) will prescribe them (usually citing cost).
So you get into the ludicrous situation of one PCT willing to prescribe drugs for Alzheimer's but not drugs that would greatly improve a terminal cancer patient's life expectancy, and another that would do just the opposite. Neither condition, Alzheimer's or terminal cancer, will be cured by the treatment. The drugs are just for palliative care, to make life more comfortable for the sufferer and their loved ones as they would all have more time together.
A group of NHS doctors are preparing to take on the Department of Health over this. Have a look at their website http://www.doctorsforreform.com/.
There isn't enough money in the NHS to pay for all the new drugs that are available, especially with all the managers and admin staff they're having to employ to monitor the PCTs compliance with all Labour's targets. Co-pay, as part-NHS and part-private treament is called, will soon be the only way forward. France operates their health-care in this way. The patient pays the bill in full and is then reimbursed, receiving somewhere around 70% of the cost. The French also pay about 20% (in some cases more), which is taken from their gross salary in much the same way as we pay National Insurance (NI), that goes into the pot to pay this 70%.
The French system is not perfect, especially seeing as it is about 6 billion euros in debt, but I don't think any health-care system is. The NHS can no longer afford to treat everyone for every illness. We are either going to have to pay more NI or contribute towards our treament as and when we need it.
Wednesday 28 May 2008
A sign I'm getting older
For some time now I have noticed that my vision gets a bit blurred when I'm tired. Last Thursday I went for a 3 mile or so walk with a friend and we 'accidentally' finished it off in the pub. I was 6 feet away from the wine bottles and I couldn't make out the grape varieties on the labels! (And this was before I'd been served, let alone drank a couple of glasses).
So, today I went to the opticians at Tesco as they had an immediate appointment. I am now £149 lighter but have 2 pairs of glasses with anti-glare tint. They'll be ready sometime in the next couple of weeks. I have to use them for close-work - like being on here, or reading - but not for day-to-day activities (though I suppose that will come eventually).
So, today I went to the opticians at Tesco as they had an immediate appointment. I am now £149 lighter but have 2 pairs of glasses with anti-glare tint. They'll be ready sometime in the next couple of weeks. I have to use them for close-work - like being on here, or reading - but not for day-to-day activities (though I suppose that will come eventually).
Monday 26 May 2008
Slugs and snails
We've all been busy in the garden.
D likes to grow tomatoes but gets annoyed when the slugs eat the plants. This year he's planted some tumbling tomatoes in hanging baskets to try to beat them, along with planting some French marigold to dissuade the aphids. He also found some hanging basket strawberries - now all he has to do is work out how to keep the birds off his fruit (when we get some).
I've planted some herbs in my new border. A word of warning here - the Curry plant is rather pungent and the smell clings to you, even after a nanosecond of contact. My car smells like last night's take-away. They're all in the border now so we'll see if the slugs leave me any.
I don't enjoy planting things only for pests to destroy them. Because of Scooby I can't use slug pellets. I've tried saucers of beer but they seem to prefer my green offerings instead. Why can't they munch their way through weeds instead, there's plenty of ivy that could do with eating up!
D likes to grow tomatoes but gets annoyed when the slugs eat the plants. This year he's planted some tumbling tomatoes in hanging baskets to try to beat them, along with planting some French marigold to dissuade the aphids. He also found some hanging basket strawberries - now all he has to do is work out how to keep the birds off his fruit (when we get some).
I've planted some herbs in my new border. A word of warning here - the Curry plant is rather pungent and the smell clings to you, even after a nanosecond of contact. My car smells like last night's take-away. They're all in the border now so we'll see if the slugs leave me any.
I don't enjoy planting things only for pests to destroy them. Because of Scooby I can't use slug pellets. I've tried saucers of beer but they seem to prefer my green offerings instead. Why can't they munch their way through weeds instead, there's plenty of ivy that could do with eating up!
Thursday 22 May 2008
Noooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It had to happen, but it's still not fair. My darling daughter is now taller than me! I haven't been the shortest in the house for over 16 years - and it doesn't really count when it's just you and your hubby so that would really be 19 years.
Sigh!
Sigh!
Monday 19 May 2008
Big changes are afoot
I went to the big Sainsbury's at Hedge End today. I used a small trolley, not much bigger than a basket. It was beginning to overflow by the time I got the checkout. Imagine the shock when the bill came to just a smidge over £77!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! There was no alcohol in that and it wasn't even a full week's shopping. If food prices keep climbing like this the obesity epidemic will be over fast - no-one will be able to afford to eat!
Petrol is now £1.14 + per litre and that's at the supermarkets, traditionally the cheapest place to fill up. We haven't been hard-up since before the kids were born but we're certainly feeling the pinch now. And of course the odd unexpected expense keeps happening. A's car needs two new tires, Scooby goes to see a physio tomorrow, I really need to see the osteopath (next week now), etc, you get the picture?!
So A has decided that if I could get a job he would appreciate it. I've offered before, many times, but he's always said that it wasn't necessary. Now it would come in handy. He's going to ask around at his place to see what clerical/admin jobs are going. I'd prefer part-time for a start as K will still be home educated for another year, but she's big enough to be left and can do basic housework - no, she won't be doing all of it, she needs to study more than I need a housekeeper.
I have enjoyed being a stay-at-home-mum and full-time housewife. We are such rarities these days. However, duty calls.
Petrol is now £1.14 + per litre and that's at the supermarkets, traditionally the cheapest place to fill up. We haven't been hard-up since before the kids were born but we're certainly feeling the pinch now. And of course the odd unexpected expense keeps happening. A's car needs two new tires, Scooby goes to see a physio tomorrow, I really need to see the osteopath (next week now), etc, you get the picture?!
So A has decided that if I could get a job he would appreciate it. I've offered before, many times, but he's always said that it wasn't necessary. Now it would come in handy. He's going to ask around at his place to see what clerical/admin jobs are going. I'd prefer part-time for a start as K will still be home educated for another year, but she's big enough to be left and can do basic housework - no, she won't be doing all of it, she needs to study more than I need a housekeeper.
I have enjoyed being a stay-at-home-mum and full-time housewife. We are such rarities these days. However, duty calls.
Thursday 15 May 2008
Change of plans
Tomorrow I should be going up to Nottingham for the 25th anniversary of leaving school. A was going to take the kids to Bristol for their English exam. Instead I'll be doing Bristol and not going to the party.
Why? Well I'll have to take Scooby with me and although he travels well he doesn't like staying away overnight. In fact he's ready to come home half an hour after we get there. It doesn't take long for him to stop eating properly. As most of his pills need food/are served with food, he needs to eat. Also the cost of petrol these days is getting silly. And K is sitting her first proper exam tomorrow and is quite likely to need lots of emotional support. A can do it but he's not as intuitive. So, my job is to be here.
Why? Well I'll have to take Scooby with me and although he travels well he doesn't like staying away overnight. In fact he's ready to come home half an hour after we get there. It doesn't take long for him to stop eating properly. As most of his pills need food/are served with food, he needs to eat. Also the cost of petrol these days is getting silly. And K is sitting her first proper exam tomorrow and is quite likely to need lots of emotional support. A can do it but he's not as intuitive. So, my job is to be here.
Exam season
Today was the first of the exams for my two. D was well-prepared for it, having scored 92%+ in all his practice papers. He came out of it quite unfazed. He said he found a couple of bits slightly difficult but once he'd worked out what it was asking him it was easy enough.
He resat his C1 module from AS maths. He sat it the first time in January 07 and got a C. This was his first AS paper and he didn't do much revision. Yes I nagged but got nowhere so left him to sink or swim. By his standards he sank. Since then he has revised well for each module and done plenty of practice papers.
He needs a grade A overall (AS + A2) to do a Maths and Computing degree. Fingers crossed he does as well as expected in C4 and S1 in the next few weeks. He should, as he is getting 90%+ in practice.
Tomorrow is the dreaded English IGCSE. I'm expecting D to get a B or C. I think K will probably get an E. She can always resit - she is a year younger than her brother so there is no rush and no panic.
He resat his C1 module from AS maths. He sat it the first time in January 07 and got a C. This was his first AS paper and he didn't do much revision. Yes I nagged but got nowhere so left him to sink or swim. By his standards he sank. Since then he has revised well for each module and done plenty of practice papers.
He needs a grade A overall (AS + A2) to do a Maths and Computing degree. Fingers crossed he does as well as expected in C4 and S1 in the next few weeks. He should, as he is getting 90%+ in practice.
Tomorrow is the dreaded English IGCSE. I'm expecting D to get a B or C. I think K will probably get an E. She can always resit - she is a year younger than her brother so there is no rush and no panic.
Sunday 11 May 2008
Ah well!
I suppose it was too much to hope that my polymorphic light eruption rash would stay gone for the whole year. I thought it might be making an appearance but my skin can be lumpy and bumpy anyway, so I was hoping that's all it was. Alas, this morning's run in wall-to-wall blue skies and hot sunshine has pushed me over the edge.
Now I have to hope that the patch-testing next month (unless the NHS decides to move it again) shows what it is in sunscreen that makes my face react. I don't get much reaction on the rest of me, except when it dries out after an hour or so and makes me itch. My face goes red, itchy, hot, and feels puffy, and if it gets near my eyes they start to run.
When you are doing exercise you absent-mindedly rub your face with your hands so I can't just use any on my hands. Anyway, who wants to have to bath themselves in suncream just to hang the washing out! I think I'll have to search for UV-reflective gloves.
Now I have to hope that the patch-testing next month (unless the NHS decides to move it again) shows what it is in sunscreen that makes my face react. I don't get much reaction on the rest of me, except when it dries out after an hour or so and makes me itch. My face goes red, itchy, hot, and feels puffy, and if it gets near my eyes they start to run.
When you are doing exercise you absent-mindedly rub your face with your hands so I can't just use any on my hands. Anyway, who wants to have to bath themselves in suncream just to hang the washing out! I think I'll have to search for UV-reflective gloves.
Saturday 10 May 2008
Why I hate hot nights
It's now officially too hot to leave the bedroom windows closed. Unfortunately that means that I get woken up, frequently, by people coming home from the pub/nightclub. I have enough difficulty sleeping in hot weather as it is without being roused from my slumber by shrieks and giggles or one-sided mobile phone conversations.
I'm not ecstatic about hot days either but at least I can take refuge in front of a fan. I need peace and quiet to sleep so have to turn them off at night.
Going off at a tangent - I can't decide if my hands/arms are reacting or not. The skin isn't smooth at the best of times so it isn't always obvious if new spots are UV related or just a coincidence. Fingers crossed it's the latter.
I'm not ecstatic about hot days either but at least I can take refuge in front of a fan. I need peace and quiet to sleep so have to turn them off at night.
Going off at a tangent - I can't decide if my hands/arms are reacting or not. The skin isn't smooth at the best of times so it isn't always obvious if new spots are UV related or just a coincidence. Fingers crossed it's the latter.
Thursday 8 May 2008
Proud Mum Moment!!!
D has performed a major miracle! For the first time ever he has been given a B for English. He managed to do it for a mock exam paper too. He's playing it down and feeling embarrassed about it - typical teenager. He reckons that no-one else needs to know because then he can't use the excuse that he's bad at English. I reckon the whole world needs to know as he was pretty much written off in that subject when he was at school.
Geography, however, is going to be a skin of the teeth pass - if the wind is in the right direction.
Geography, however, is going to be a skin of the teeth pass - if the wind is in the right direction.
Monday 5 May 2008
Out of the mouths of babes and children
Yes, that includes my 16 year old son. He's told me to get my own stopwatch as I run too slowly for him! This is the boy who needs coercing out the door to do any exercise in the first place. He says he's not going to log any of the runs he does with me till I get my own watch as it's not a true reflection on his performance.
Kids! Who'd have 'em?!
On a plus point I have more energy. A & I went into Southampton today and I ran up and down some stairs in a shop!
Kids! Who'd have 'em?!
On a plus point I have more energy. A & I went into Southampton today and I ran up and down some stairs in a shop!
Sunday 4 May 2008
Nothin' doin'
It's a bank holiday weekend and I'm being lazy - apart from getting abuse from the Wii Fit. Life is plodding along without anything noteworthy happening. Hampshire were getting stuffed in the Sunday League last time I looked, A is watching the snooker final - yawn!
Oh, and I've been lured on to Facebook.
Oh, and I've been lured on to Facebook.
Saturday 3 May 2008
Girly Time
A & D are out all day today. I dropped them off at the bowling alley at 7.50 this morning and I'll probably see them again sometime between 10pm and midnight. D is part of a team from here that are entering the Junior National Championships. A is one of the coaches at the club.
I'm not sure how well they'll do as all the team can have their bad days. Fingers crossed it doesn't go totally pear-shaped.
I'm not sure how well they'll do as all the team can have their bad days. Fingers crossed it doesn't go totally pear-shaped.
Wednesday 30 April 2008
Woo Hoo!
According to my GP I'm normal! That's a first, I've never been normal in my life - and who would want to be. I'm not diabetic, my liver & kidneys are doing their job, my cholesterol is 4.77, and my blood count is normal. My thyroid is 9, normal is between 7 and 20, so it's a little low but nothing to worry about yet. My mum has hypothyroidism and her sister has Hashimoto's thyroiditis, so both are on thyroxine. My GP said it would be a good idea to be tested again in the future.
My manky toes are fungal - like you need to spend years at uni to work that out. So I have a prescription for lamisil tablets, which can cause the feeling of butterflies in the stomach. The chemist is out of stock but should have some in later today.
I now have NO excuses left to get out of the Great South Run or the London Marathon (if I get through the entry ballot in October).
My manky toes are fungal - like you need to spend years at uni to work that out. So I have a prescription for lamisil tablets, which can cause the feeling of butterflies in the stomach. The chemist is out of stock but should have some in later today.
I now have NO excuses left to get out of the Great South Run or the London Marathon (if I get through the entry ballot in October).
Monday 28 April 2008
It's true - an apology
Those of you who know me well know that I'm a listless sort. I'm a couch potato where possible and am always feeling tired. The GP is always telling me that taking more exercise and losing a couple of stones will fix it. How on earth are you supposed to get more active when your get up and go got up and went years ago?
In the last week I have made a concerted effort to try harder. I've been on walks with K, as Scooby is not up to them any more, and we have the Wii Fit which I do every day for at least 20 minutes. Today I feel so alive and bursting with energy. I've paid for my entry into the Great South Run and at the moment I feel that I'll be able to run it all - 10 miles!
So it's true, exercise can make you feel less tired. To all the GPs over the years who have told me to get off my backside I apolgise. It seems you do know what you are talking about after all.
In the last week I have made a concerted effort to try harder. I've been on walks with K, as Scooby is not up to them any more, and we have the Wii Fit which I do every day for at least 20 minutes. Today I feel so alive and bursting with energy. I've paid for my entry into the Great South Run and at the moment I feel that I'll be able to run it all - 10 miles!
So it's true, exercise can make you feel less tired. To all the GPs over the years who have told me to get off my backside I apolgise. It seems you do know what you are talking about after all.
My New Blog
A few days ago I wrote about entering the Great South Run this year. Well, I've parted with the necessary money to do this and have started a separate blog to post about the ups and downs of getting me fit and ready to attempt this.
Look in the Blogs link further down on the left.
Look in the Blogs link further down on the left.
Saturday 26 April 2008
Fit to drop
Yesterday I got the Wii Fit. I brought it home, along with 2 friends. Surprise, surprise, A chose to finish work at lunchtime - well it was Friday! - so the queue of people waiting to use the Wii board and show off their fitness (or lack thereof) was quite big. I'm not going to embarrass anyone by detailing their BMI or prowess but the audience was usually in hysterics.
During all this our osteopath friend arrived to give K & I a cranial session each. We then convinced her to have a go or three. There were a few aches later.
Today K & I had another 20 minutes each on it. That flipping Step Aerobic bit is HARD! Either that or I am just not co-ordinated. However I am the best skiier by over a second. My only gripe so far is that the beginners press-ups section also has side lifts. I can't do press-ups so I was hoping it would start with half press-ups, where you kneel on all fours and lower your top half to the ground. This wasn't the case so I scored a big fat zero on that section and got a slight wrist-slap from my virtual personal instructor.
At £65 it is cheaper and more fun than the gym. We have been swapping Wii codes with our friends so we can track each others progress/record point scores. I foresee a lot of healthy competition coming up.
During all this our osteopath friend arrived to give K & I a cranial session each. We then convinced her to have a go or three. There were a few aches later.
Today K & I had another 20 minutes each on it. That flipping Step Aerobic bit is HARD! Either that or I am just not co-ordinated. However I am the best skiier by over a second. My only gripe so far is that the beginners press-ups section also has side lifts. I can't do press-ups so I was hoping it would start with half press-ups, where you kneel on all fours and lower your top half to the ground. This wasn't the case so I scored a big fat zero on that section and got a slight wrist-slap from my virtual personal instructor.
At £65 it is cheaper and more fun than the gym. We have been swapping Wii codes with our friends so we can track each others progress/record point scores. I foresee a lot of healthy competition coming up.
Thursday 24 April 2008
He's back!
D is home and back on dry land again. Unfortunately he's left his balance and vertical hold back onboard. He'd stumbling round the house like a toddler learning to walk. Hopefully it'll be gone by tomorrow.
He had a GREAT time! By the time we got home (25 minutes, thanks to a small delay for traffic) my ears were crying out for silence. I learned that he and another teen had made vegetarian curry for 18 people on Monday evening. He enjoyed cleaning the head (toilet to us landlubbers). He knows quite a bit about sails - names, which mast they go on, what different bits of the sail are called - and can haul on the ropes to raise or lower them. He's steered the boat, navigated it, cleaned it, done all sorts. In fact, the only thing he didn't do was get time to be bored!
He passed his RYA Beginners Certificate and can't wait to go again to work on his Competent Crewman Certificate. Sounds like a really expensive hobby in the making. EEK!
I gave K a scare whilst we were fetching D. Some of the other teens wanted his e-mail address and, of course, I had to give it to them because he couldn't remember it exactly. I had my feet on the pontoon and leant across a couple of feet of water to lean my elbows on the side of the boat. K did NOT approve - at all! She was panicking about me slipping and falling in - no chance, I was hanging on far too well. When I stood back up again she grabbed me and told me off for being irresponsible and then wouldn't let go till I promised to behave.
He had a GREAT time! By the time we got home (25 minutes, thanks to a small delay for traffic) my ears were crying out for silence. I learned that he and another teen had made vegetarian curry for 18 people on Monday evening. He enjoyed cleaning the head (toilet to us landlubbers). He knows quite a bit about sails - names, which mast they go on, what different bits of the sail are called - and can haul on the ropes to raise or lower them. He's steered the boat, navigated it, cleaned it, done all sorts. In fact, the only thing he didn't do was get time to be bored!
He passed his RYA Beginners Certificate and can't wait to go again to work on his Competent Crewman Certificate. Sounds like a really expensive hobby in the making. EEK!
I gave K a scare whilst we were fetching D. Some of the other teens wanted his e-mail address and, of course, I had to give it to them because he couldn't remember it exactly. I had my feet on the pontoon and leant across a couple of feet of water to lean my elbows on the side of the boat. K did NOT approve - at all! She was panicking about me slipping and falling in - no chance, I was hanging on far too well. When I stood back up again she grabbed me and told me off for being irresponsible and then wouldn't let go till I promised to behave.
Wednesday 23 April 2008
I must be mad
During today's jaunt with my friends Ann mentioned that she is raising a team to do the Great South Run in October. This is to raise funds for her youngest child's school. It's a special school, and it has just had all it's outdoor play equipment condemned.
The Great South Run is 10 miles! I can't even run 10 feet without puffing. This is going to be interesting. I'll be touting for sponsorship nearer the time. My first 'race' will probably be The Race for Life in July - a mere 5km.roughly 3 miles. Look on the bright side, I now have the necessary motivation to get fit, and as K has also said she wants to do both events she will get fit too.
All I need are some volunteers to have oxygen/alcohol waiting for me at the finish line. Wonder who I can pressgang into that?
The Great South Run is 10 miles! I can't even run 10 feet without puffing. This is going to be interesting. I'll be touting for sponsorship nearer the time. My first 'race' will probably be The Race for Life in July - a mere 5km.roughly 3 miles. Look on the bright side, I now have the necessary motivation to get fit, and as K has also said she wants to do both events she will get fit too.
All I need are some volunteers to have oxygen/alcohol waiting for me at the finish line. Wonder who I can pressgang into that?
Sunday 20 April 2008
Spreading his wings part 2
D is going away for a few days tomorrow - ON A BOAT. He's going to learn how to sail, along with 11 other young people, on a boat run by the Ocean Youth Trust http://www.oytsouth.org/
I will be handing him over at 2pm tomorrow and collecting him at 12pm on Thursday. The sailing forecast seems to be fairly gentle so seasickness shouldn't be a problem. They also have RYA handbooks with details of all the awards that are available and what you have to do to earn them. The OYT staff sign each bit as you achieve it and if you get all the relevant bits signed you get a certificate.
Hopefully his teamwork skills will improve and he will achieve some of the stuff in the beginners section. D is looking forward to it. All I have left to buy are some thick socks to pad out his wellies.
Yes, I know he will miss 4 days of 'school' but what he will learn onboard will serve him better in the long run.
I will be handing him over at 2pm tomorrow and collecting him at 12pm on Thursday. The sailing forecast seems to be fairly gentle so seasickness shouldn't be a problem. They also have RYA handbooks with details of all the awards that are available and what you have to do to earn them. The OYT staff sign each bit as you achieve it and if you get all the relevant bits signed you get a certificate.
Hopefully his teamwork skills will improve and he will achieve some of the stuff in the beginners section. D is looking forward to it. All I have left to buy are some thick socks to pad out his wellies.
Yes, I know he will miss 4 days of 'school' but what he will learn onboard will serve him better in the long run.
Anyone seen my appetite?
It's gone off again. I'm full of catarrh. Instead of a full Sunday roast, which I smelled cooking all afternoon and felt gaggy, I had macaroni cheese out the freezer.
I'm wondering if I have hayfever - which would fit in just fine with everyone else here. The lilac tree is blossoming, I've been out in the garden, I've started sneezing but only occasionally, my eyes have itched for a few minutes. Roll on 30th April when I go back to the GP to find out if the blood tests showed anything. Not that I'm expecting any earth-shattering revelations, I think I'd have had a phone call by now if anything serious had showed.
I'm wondering if I have hayfever - which would fit in just fine with everyone else here. The lilac tree is blossoming, I've been out in the garden, I've started sneezing but only occasionally, my eyes have itched for a few minutes. Roll on 30th April when I go back to the GP to find out if the blood tests showed anything. Not that I'm expecting any earth-shattering revelations, I think I'd have had a phone call by now if anything serious had showed.
Thursday 17 April 2008
I've been tagged
My friend B (see Blogs I Like, as I haven't worked out how to make words into links yet) has tagged me. The rules are as follows:
1) Link to the person who tagged you.
2) Post the rules.
3) Share six non-important things / habits / quirks about yourself.
4) Tag at least three people.
5) Be sure the people you tagged KNOW you tagged them by commenting what you did.
Six non-important things/habits/quirks about yourself (Only 6?!)
1. I have to use the same coloured pegs on one garment. This is not as bad as my Mum who makes sure her pegs are a contrasting colour to whatever she is hanging out.
2. I bite my nails.
3. I used to make my own wine, and if the taxes on it keep going up I might have to start again.
4. I love maths, and am plodding through a maths degree with OU.
5. I'm good at putting my foot in it. (This might qualify as important).
6. I don't like big or frequent social occasions.
Now I have to find 3 more victims, I mean friends, to tag. And the lucky winners are Deb, Sue, and Hannah.
1) Link to the person who tagged you.
2) Post the rules.
3) Share six non-important things / habits / quirks about yourself.
4) Tag at least three people.
5) Be sure the people you tagged KNOW you tagged them by commenting what you did.
Six non-important things/habits/quirks about yourself (Only 6?!)
1. I have to use the same coloured pegs on one garment. This is not as bad as my Mum who makes sure her pegs are a contrasting colour to whatever she is hanging out.
2. I bite my nails.
3. I used to make my own wine, and if the taxes on it keep going up I might have to start again.
4. I love maths, and am plodding through a maths degree with OU.
5. I'm good at putting my foot in it. (This might qualify as important).
6. I don't like big or frequent social occasions.
Now I have to find 3 more victims, I mean friends, to tag. And the lucky winners are
Tuesday 15 April 2008
Green fingers!
Early last week K & I, or rather K with a little supervision from me, planted some seeds - Livingston daisies, trailing lobelia, sunflowers, snapdragons and lavender. The sunflowers poked through on Saturday. Over the weekend the others showed signs of life and by today we have plenty of each. Lavender is notoriously hard to grow from seed so the fact that we have 8 seedlings through, with a few more potential ones to follow, is great!
This weekend D planted his hanging tomatoes. These seem to be low maintenance compared to standard ones - no pricking out, negligible chance of the slugs getting to them, good crops - apart from needing regular watering. I hope I'll be making lots of tomato puree come August.
This weekend D planted his hanging tomatoes. These seem to be low maintenance compared to standard ones - no pricking out, negligible chance of the slugs getting to them, good crops - apart from needing regular watering. I hope I'll be making lots of tomato puree come August.
'Normal' Service being resumed
My parents came down to visit on Saturday and went home this morning. Hence my lag of blogging. My Dad needs something to do - he's not one for sitting down - so we started a project in the garden.
A & I have been planning this for a while. We used to have a shed in the top right corner of the garden. Unfortunately this shed rotted away in places, and plants made inroads through its walls in others, so it had to go. A & D had a wonderful time with hammers and saws one afternoon 3+ years ago dismantling it and loading the detritus into a skip. They left behind the base mainly as a weed suppressant till we could decide what to do with it.
Eventually A & I settled on turning it into a raised herb bed. Unfortunately that patch doesn't get enough direct sunlight to make a good place for herbs, particularly the Mediterranean types that we love to use in the kitchen. So we're making a two tier border to link the top border with the right-hand border. The herbs will go into the top border once I've got it cleared - for me, read my friend Jan, with James and Neal.
There will be photos once I've got them uploaded - too tired right now and bits of me ache that I didn't know existed. I've been lifting slabs, breaking slabs with a hammer and bolster chisel, edging the lawn, shovelling sand, and dodging the rain.
It'll look great once it's done
A & I have been planning this for a while. We used to have a shed in the top right corner of the garden. Unfortunately this shed rotted away in places, and plants made inroads through its walls in others, so it had to go. A & D had a wonderful time with hammers and saws one afternoon 3+ years ago dismantling it and loading the detritus into a skip. They left behind the base mainly as a weed suppressant till we could decide what to do with it.
Eventually A & I settled on turning it into a raised herb bed. Unfortunately that patch doesn't get enough direct sunlight to make a good place for herbs, particularly the Mediterranean types that we love to use in the kitchen. So we're making a two tier border to link the top border with the right-hand border. The herbs will go into the top border once I've got it cleared - for me, read my friend Jan, with James and Neal.
There will be photos once I've got them uploaded - too tired right now and bits of me ache that I didn't know existed. I've been lifting slabs, breaking slabs with a hammer and bolster chisel, edging the lawn, shovelling sand, and dodging the rain.
It'll look great once it's done
Thursday 10 April 2008
Catching Up
I've been a bit busy of late, sorry.
The strange creature in the previous post is a bee-fly! Thanks to my friend Z for the information.
K found her key! This is a major miracle as normally once she's lost something it stays lost forever. She was so relieved she was in tears.
Scooby is still wobbly but still happy, apart from being on 'house arrest' on vets orders.
D is spending most of his holidays at Games Workshop. He's a happy bunny now we've bought his posh shoes and shirts ready for his interview next week and work in July.
A is working too hard and is a bit grumpy. The grumpiness is how I know. Sometimes I wish the 'experts' who decide the timescales for projects could see the effects their idiocy has on the worker bees.
I've lost some more weight! In January I weighed 13st 12lbs. Now it's 13st 5lbs, a whole half a stone. I've just started walking a bit more. K & I have decided that a good walk in a morning is a great way to start the day. Coming back to a glass of ice cold orange juice is even better.
After some negotiations - okay, disagreements and re-thinking - we're finally going to sort out the top corner of the garden where the old shed used to be. I did want a raised herb bed but A & I couldn't agree on the height or the building material. So instead we're going to use log-roll to make a square-ish bed that links the top and right borders. Plus most of the herbs I want to grow prefer plenty of sun and the top corner doesn't get as much as the top border so I may re-arrange them. I've always fancied growing my own medicinal/culinary herbs. Watch this space.
The strange creature in the previous post is a bee-fly! Thanks to my friend Z for the information.
K found her key! This is a major miracle as normally once she's lost something it stays lost forever. She was so relieved she was in tears.
Scooby is still wobbly but still happy, apart from being on 'house arrest' on vets orders.
D is spending most of his holidays at Games Workshop. He's a happy bunny now we've bought his posh shoes and shirts ready for his interview next week and work in July.
A is working too hard and is a bit grumpy. The grumpiness is how I know. Sometimes I wish the 'experts' who decide the timescales for projects could see the effects their idiocy has on the worker bees.
I've lost some more weight! In January I weighed 13st 12lbs. Now it's 13st 5lbs, a whole half a stone. I've just started walking a bit more. K & I have decided that a good walk in a morning is a great way to start the day. Coming back to a glass of ice cold orange juice is even better.
After some negotiations - okay, disagreements and re-thinking - we're finally going to sort out the top corner of the garden where the old shed used to be. I did want a raised herb bed but A & I couldn't agree on the height or the building material. So instead we're going to use log-roll to make a square-ish bed that links the top and right borders. Plus most of the herbs I want to grow prefer plenty of sun and the top corner doesn't get as much as the top border so I may re-arrange them. I've always fancied growing my own medicinal/culinary herbs. Watch this space.
Monday 7 April 2008
What is it?
I found this near the patio doors this lunchtime. It seemed 98% dead, barely moving, so after I took it's picture I pot it outside on a dandelion flower. It wasn't there later so either it had recovered and flown off or had been blown off by the wind.
It looks like a bee but the legs were more thin and elongated, like a mosquito. At the front there seemed to be either a very stiff tongue or a stinger of some sort. It's wings had either gained or lost pigmentation, and the fur down it's back was patchy - bee coloured round the sides but bare black down the middle.
Any ideas?
Sunday 6 April 2008
Wow!
I staggered into the bathroom at 7.45 this morning, looked outside and thought "What a miserable looking day". It was misty and the ground was wet. So I went back to bed.
A wandered in bearing a cup of tea at 9.00 and told me he'd had to clear off the hot tub lid. I asked him if it was still raining, and he said he'd cleared 2 inches of snow! He got my attention straight away.
A built a snowman with Scooby's help. Scooby shouldn't have been out in it really, but this may be the last snow he sees and he loves to romp around in it.
Strangely enough the kids were up, dressed and out very quickly this morning. D has gone into Southampton to Games Workshop. K went out for a snowball fight and came home at 12.15, minus her door key which fell out somewhere - she's going back out soon to find it.
Now, at 12.50, it's cold but the snow is melting fast. It never lasts long here :-((((
Friday 4 April 2008
Vindication?
A few weeks ago D had to go to for an Educational Psychologist's assessment. He first had one 2 years ago as his handwriting is slow, laborious, unreadable and he does as little as possible of it. Back then he was given permission for extra time (slightly slow processing speed) and either a scribe or a laptop to do the written work. I rang the Ed Psych who did this assessment and asked if I needed a new one for this year's exam-fest. Apparently the reports last 2 - 3 years so she just sent me a covering letter basically saying carry on as before.
The college where D goes on Wednesday evenings for his Maths A2 classes - yes he's only just 16 but you can't keep a smartie-pants down - decided they'd like their own Ed Psych to have a look at him. And they didn't even offer to charge me for the privilege - as D is under their usual age remit they would have been within their rights to (£300 +).
The report came back yesterday. His handwriting speed has improved from 4 words per minute (wpm) to 10 wpm. His typing speed has improved from 9 wpm to 19 wpm. 19wpm is the average HAND writing speed for his age so the report said that access to a laptop/PC for exams was a definite must. She also saw first-hand how he needs time to sort his thoughts out and put them in to some semblance of order, so he can still have extra time (up to 25% extra). Also his spelling, although better than the majority of his peers, is slightly down compared to his other cognitive abilities - all above average of highly able.
All the way through his school career, which finished 4 years ago thanks to me showing some guts to home educate, he was constantly admonished for shoddy writing and feeble output - it would take him all lesson to write a few sentences. A & I weren't too bothered by the scruffy writing - have you seen ours?! I wish that we had pushed for some form of assessment or that school had mentioned that it might help. Instead we weren't too concerned and they seemed happy to accept that.
My son is no longer the nervous wreck he was 4 years ago. He is no longer too scared to talk to anyone he doesn't know (he used a bit of humour with the Ed Psych lady this time and I was banned from going in with him), he is no longer shouted at for being lazy or not trying hard enough and he has blossomed.
This is the college he is going to in September. D has 2 GCSEs from 2 years ago (Maths - A; Chemistry - B), a pass at an OU short course (S194 - Introducing Astronomy), a pass at CLAIT Dreamweaver (web-site builder thingy), and a B at AS Maths. This summer he is finishing his A2 Maths, GCSE Geography and IGCSE English. This college has accepted him to do 3 more A Levels - Further Maths, Chemistry and Computing - and if he fails his English he can have 2 years to do the GCSE instead of the usual one!
They are also offering free access to the Study Support Unit to help him organise his studies and make sure he's up to speed on all he's supposed to be doing. They're going to give him a laptop for the 2 years he'll be there and provide scribes for his lessons to take notes as D can't cope with doing that and listening to the teacher at the same time. They are putting him into the Gifted & Talented stream and will make sure he gets lots of extra-curricular experience.
They have a University Admissions Co-Ordinator who will make sure he applies to the best universities because he's obviously very bright (their words 5 months ago). D has decided that he fanices Oxford, followed by Nottingham. Not bad for the boy who, 18 months ago, wasn't going to college full-time (adult education classes were it), wasn't going to Uni (Open University instead), couldn't contemplate mixing with his peers at all, and was scared to go out once the schools let out for the day.
So if there's anyone out there who is considering home education for their child(ren), it is no barrier to post-16 education. Nor does it mean that you can't reach for the stars.
The college where D goes on Wednesday evenings for his Maths A2 classes - yes he's only just 16 but you can't keep a smartie-pants down - decided they'd like their own Ed Psych to have a look at him. And they didn't even offer to charge me for the privilege - as D is under their usual age remit they would have been within their rights to (£300 +).
The report came back yesterday. His handwriting speed has improved from 4 words per minute (wpm) to 10 wpm. His typing speed has improved from 9 wpm to 19 wpm. 19wpm is the average HAND writing speed for his age so the report said that access to a laptop/PC for exams was a definite must. She also saw first-hand how he needs time to sort his thoughts out and put them in to some semblance of order, so he can still have extra time (up to 25% extra). Also his spelling, although better than the majority of his peers, is slightly down compared to his other cognitive abilities - all above average of highly able.
All the way through his school career, which finished 4 years ago thanks to me showing some guts to home educate, he was constantly admonished for shoddy writing and feeble output - it would take him all lesson to write a few sentences. A & I weren't too bothered by the scruffy writing - have you seen ours?! I wish that we had pushed for some form of assessment or that school had mentioned that it might help. Instead we weren't too concerned and they seemed happy to accept that.
My son is no longer the nervous wreck he was 4 years ago. He is no longer too scared to talk to anyone he doesn't know (he used a bit of humour with the Ed Psych lady this time and I was banned from going in with him), he is no longer shouted at for being lazy or not trying hard enough and he has blossomed.
This is the college he is going to in September. D has 2 GCSEs from 2 years ago (Maths - A; Chemistry - B), a pass at an OU short course (S194 - Introducing Astronomy), a pass at CLAIT Dreamweaver (web-site builder thingy), and a B at AS Maths. This summer he is finishing his A2 Maths, GCSE Geography and IGCSE English. This college has accepted him to do 3 more A Levels - Further Maths, Chemistry and Computing - and if he fails his English he can have 2 years to do the GCSE instead of the usual one!
They are also offering free access to the Study Support Unit to help him organise his studies and make sure he's up to speed on all he's supposed to be doing. They're going to give him a laptop for the 2 years he'll be there and provide scribes for his lessons to take notes as D can't cope with doing that and listening to the teacher at the same time. They are putting him into the Gifted & Talented stream and will make sure he gets lots of extra-curricular experience.
They have a University Admissions Co-Ordinator who will make sure he applies to the best universities because he's obviously very bright (their words 5 months ago). D has decided that he fanices Oxford, followed by Nottingham. Not bad for the boy who, 18 months ago, wasn't going to college full-time (adult education classes were it), wasn't going to Uni (Open University instead), couldn't contemplate mixing with his peers at all, and was scared to go out once the schools let out for the day.
So if there's anyone out there who is considering home education for their child(ren), it is no barrier to post-16 education. Nor does it mean that you can't reach for the stars.
Wednesday 2 April 2008
The beginning of the end
Over the past week or so we have noticed Scooby's rear legs have developed a mind of their own. We all laugh at Tom & Jerry when their legs are all over the place, but it's not so funny when it happens in front of you. He suffers from hip and elbow dysplasia, arthritis, iffy skin, degenerative disc disease, and possibly degenerative myelopathy. The latter has no diagnosis, it's just what is left after unsuccessfully treating whatever else it might be. I am hoping against hope that he's just tweaked something and will improve over the next week or so, but realistically A & I are preparing ourselves for the worst.
The vet has said that making it to Christmas is expecting a lot. She is going to contact the orthopaedic/neurological specialist who did Scoob's dorsal laminectomy two years ago. This operation involved removing part of on vertebra and all of one ruptured/protruding disc. He recovered well from this, the only lasting side effect has been his tail hanging slightly off centre.
Back in October Scooby had some more x-rays and MRIs done. These showed that scar tissue is forming at the operation site and he has another pinch point developing in the spinal column up near the neck. At 9 he is too old to go through that sort of surgery again. Plus the bill for the last operation, inlcuding all the diagnostics, was over £4,000. Needless to say the insurance company have said no more spinal/hip/nerve coverage - is fair enough really, our premiums will never amount to the £4,000.
So my boy is growing old disgracefully. At the vets there is a wallchart for dogs ages. It's not 7 dog years per human year. This is just an average. Small dogs age more slowly than big dogs. Scooby's 9.5 years make him nearly 85. When you think of it like that, his lifespan doesn't seem so bad.
It hurts like hell to think about though.
Monday 31 March 2008
Stiff in all the Wrong Places
Today I took my car to the garage to have the wash-wipe and the headlight flash looked at. Neither bits were working - not good if you have a dirty windscreen or need to flash someone.
From the garage I walked down to the Co-op and then home. At lunchtime the garage phoned to say the car was ready so I dragged D with me for the walk back.
All in all I must have walked between 4 and 5 miles today. AND I KNOW ALL ABOUT IT!
Of course the hot tub was emptied and refilled yesterday and it's being a bit awkward about balancing. Fingers crossed it's sorted for later.
From the garage I walked down to the Co-op and then home. At lunchtime the garage phoned to say the car was ready so I dragged D with me for the walk back.
All in all I must have walked between 4 and 5 miles today. AND I KNOW ALL ABOUT IT!
Of course the hot tub was emptied and refilled yesterday and it's being a bit awkward about balancing. Fingers crossed it's sorted for later.
Friday 28 March 2008
More Rain and Other Random Thoughts
Yesterday wasn't too cold, unlike the rest of the week. It was fairly sunny with a breeze - ideal to hang washing out in but I didn't have any to do.
Today it's raining and windy. Today I have some washing to do. It figures!
Yesterday I felt fine with just a slight sniffle. Today I feel out of synch with the world. Is it another cold, or is it my nose is fed up of being squirted with Flixonase? The darn stuff only works for 30 minutes at most then I'm back to snuffly. Maybe it's not an allergy, maybe I do have a chronic sinus problem. Maybe I'm just going insane instead.
I'm still getting my words a bit jumbled. It causes a bit of hilarity and some confusion, especially when I am trying to explain something to K. Alzheimers or early senile dementia?
Today it's raining and windy. Today I have some washing to do. It figures!
Yesterday I felt fine with just a slight sniffle. Today I feel out of synch with the world. Is it another cold, or is it my nose is fed up of being squirted with Flixonase? The darn stuff only works for 30 minutes at most then I'm back to snuffly. Maybe it's not an allergy, maybe I do have a chronic sinus problem. Maybe I'm just going insane instead.
I'm still getting my words a bit jumbled. It causes a bit of hilarity and some confusion, especially when I am trying to explain something to K. Alzheimers or early senile dementia?
Wednesday 26 March 2008
Life goes on
Have I really not posted since Saturday?! Must be all that chocolate addling my brain.
Nothing much has happened since then. I have threatened to spring-clean the bedroom over the upcoming 'Easter' break (stupid idea to give us a long weekend, two weeks back then two weeks off) and have suggested A might like to put up the wallpaper we chose for in there over 5 years ago!
I've lectured the kids on the fact that pocket money/allowance is not a right. The chores that they are given to do have to be done properly - the FIRST time - in order to merit reward. If they wish to keep their current income levels they need to apply themselves to household tasks willingly, promptly, correctly, and preferably without nagging. Yeah, right! They're teenagers. Methinks a few weeks of being unable to fund activities might concentrate their minds a little, though K's only real expense is her phone and she can make £10 credit last her 2 - 3 months. We will see.
Nothing much has happened since then. I have threatened to spring-clean the bedroom over the upcoming 'Easter' break (stupid idea to give us a long weekend, two weeks back then two weeks off) and have suggested A might like to put up the wallpaper we chose for in there over 5 years ago!
I've lectured the kids on the fact that pocket money/allowance is not a right. The chores that they are given to do have to be done properly - the FIRST time - in order to merit reward. If they wish to keep their current income levels they need to apply themselves to household tasks willingly, promptly, correctly, and preferably without nagging. Yeah, right! They're teenagers. Methinks a few weeks of being unable to fund activities might concentrate their minds a little, though K's only real expense is her phone and she can make £10 credit last her 2 - 3 months. We will see.
Saturday 22 March 2008
Spreading his wings
D has just got back from spending an afternoon in Portsmouth. Up until now his wanderings have taken him as far as Southampton on Sundays to play Warhammer at Games Workshop. Today he's been wandering the shops with a few friends from our local Home Education group. I think plans are afoot to do it again.
Some of you might think "So what. He's 16." D is not your typical teenager. Since he came out of school he has been wary of people his own age (isn't bullying wonderful!), so this is a milestone for him. And I'm proud of him.
Some of you might think "So what. He's 16." D is not your typical teenager. Since he came out of school he has been wary of people his own age (isn't bullying wonderful!), so this is a milestone for him. And I'm proud of him.
Friday 21 March 2008
Am I Getting Better........
.......or is this just a bit of good appetite before the return of the 'bleurghs'? Last night I managed to eat some curry! First time in ages. I used some pre-cooked beef (topside), a couple of dollops of home-made curry paste, chickpeas, butter beans, spinach, peas and tomatoes. It was lovely and I cleared my plate. As usual I made too much so the rest went in the fridge for tonight. When the time came I didn't fancy it so A ate it. He added some Madras paste to give it a bit more zing. The smell really turned my stomach, but not enough to put me off two slices of said beef and chips.
The nasal spray the GP gave me works for about an hour. After that I don't notice any difference in the snuffliness of my nose. Today I had to weaken my tea even further because it tasted too strong. It's now so weak you can see the bottom of my pint mug through it! Tonight I have given up and returned to weak hot juice. The kids have been threatened to leave my bottle alone - they have other flavours in the cupboard that I don't like.
The nasal spray the GP gave me works for about an hour. After that I don't notice any difference in the snuffliness of my nose. Today I had to weaken my tea even further because it tasted too strong. It's now so weak you can see the bottom of my pint mug through it! Tonight I have given up and returned to weak hot juice. The kids have been threatened to leave my bottle alone - they have other flavours in the cupboard that I don't like.
Mummy Kudos
I am riding the wave of love being showered on me by my family. The reason for their undying - at least for the next hour - devotion? I spent the afternoon in the kitchen turning cooking chocolate into wonderful food.
I made a standard Victoria sponge, filled with chocolate butter icing and topped with chocolate icing. There's now half of it left. We have yet to properly taste the Double Chocolate Hot Cross Buns, though ours are triple chocolate. I got the recipe from the latest Sainsbury magazine - the one with the yummy chocolate cake on the front. We don't like currants/raisins/sultanas so the shop-bought ones are no good to us. I'll let you know in the next few days how good these are.
I made a standard Victoria sponge, filled with chocolate butter icing and topped with chocolate icing. There's now half of it left. We have yet to properly taste the Double Chocolate Hot Cross Buns, though ours are triple chocolate. I got the recipe from the latest Sainsbury magazine - the one with the yummy chocolate cake on the front. We don't like currants/raisins/sultanas so the shop-bought ones are no good to us. I'll let you know in the next few days how good these are.
Wednesday 19 March 2008
What's Yours Mean?
| What Lisa Means |
 You are light hearted and accepting. You don't get worked up easily. Well adjusted and incredibly happy, many people wonder what your secret to life is. You tend to be pretty tightly wound. It's easy to get you excited... which can be a good or bad thing. You have a lot of enthusiasm, but it fades rather quickly. You don't stick with any one thing for very long. You have the drive to accomplish a lot in a short amount of time. Your biggest problem is making sure you finish the projects you start. You are the total package - suave, sexy, smart, and strong. You have the whole world under your spell, and you can influence almost everyone you know. You don't always resist your urges to crush the weak. Just remember, they don't have as much going for them as you do. You are usually the best at everything ... you strive for perfection. You are confident, authoritative, and aggressive. You have the classic "Type A" personality. |
For Sale - One Body
Reasonable condition. One careless, oops I mean careful, owner. Plenty of miles left on the clock (I hope). Regular maintenance required to keep running.
For the last 6 months or so I've been under the weather. It all started with an outbreak of catarrh in September which left me with a smoker's cough and retching first thing in a morning for a few weeks. I wasn't ill for more than a couple of days and, seeing as how I knew other people similarly afflicted, didn't think much of it - apart from no longer being able to drink tea with milk in it. I managed to shake that off only for it to return a couple of weeks later - more catarrh, sneezing, snuffling. Again, others were up and down with colds so it never bothered me. And so it has continued all winter - never quite shaking off one set of sniffles before the next lot started. Occassionally I have needed Beechams Capsules or Eucalyptus Oil but not that often.
During this time my digestive system has joined in. Now I'm a curry girl at heart so you can imagine how I've been feeling when the smell of curry makes me want to throw up. Poor A is beginning to think I'm passing judgement on his culinary prowess (wonderful), as more often than not I look at what is being cooked and turn away saying "I can't eat that".
And before anyone mentions pregnancy, forget it - it's not physically possible. Mind you it would explain the constant slighlty nauseous feelings.
I went to see the GP today fully expecting the usual litany of "lose weight and take more exercise" - that seems to be the cure for everything these days. I have a nasal spray to convince the catarrh to take a hike. He also thinks the catarrh is what is upsetting my stomach and taste buds - fingers crossed. However, to make sure all the bases are covered, I've also got to visit the dracula squad (aka blood taking clinic) to donate an armful (4 tubes). He's getting my cholesterol levels checked whilst the needle's in place (bless him!). Oh, and it's a fasting test so nothing to eat or drink apart from water from 10.30pm the previous evening till after they've got their deposit.
And I HATE NEEDLES, so cue much feeling faint during and immediately after the whole procedure. My veins seem to pick up on my anxiety and bury themselves deep in my arm. Last time I had a blood test it took a couple of gos in each arm before they hit paydirt!
So what am I bid for this pile of flesh and bones?
For the last 6 months or so I've been under the weather. It all started with an outbreak of catarrh in September which left me with a smoker's cough and retching first thing in a morning for a few weeks. I wasn't ill for more than a couple of days and, seeing as how I knew other people similarly afflicted, didn't think much of it - apart from no longer being able to drink tea with milk in it. I managed to shake that off only for it to return a couple of weeks later - more catarrh, sneezing, snuffling. Again, others were up and down with colds so it never bothered me. And so it has continued all winter - never quite shaking off one set of sniffles before the next lot started. Occassionally I have needed Beechams Capsules or Eucalyptus Oil but not that often.
During this time my digestive system has joined in. Now I'm a curry girl at heart so you can imagine how I've been feeling when the smell of curry makes me want to throw up. Poor A is beginning to think I'm passing judgement on his culinary prowess (wonderful), as more often than not I look at what is being cooked and turn away saying "I can't eat that".
And before anyone mentions pregnancy, forget it - it's not physically possible. Mind you it would explain the constant slighlty nauseous feelings.
I went to see the GP today fully expecting the usual litany of "lose weight and take more exercise" - that seems to be the cure for everything these days. I have a nasal spray to convince the catarrh to take a hike. He also thinks the catarrh is what is upsetting my stomach and taste buds - fingers crossed. However, to make sure all the bases are covered, I've also got to visit the dracula squad (aka blood taking clinic) to donate an armful (4 tubes). He's getting my cholesterol levels checked whilst the needle's in place (bless him!). Oh, and it's a fasting test so nothing to eat or drink apart from water from 10.30pm the previous evening till after they've got their deposit.
And I HATE NEEDLES, so cue much feeling faint during and immediately after the whole procedure. My veins seem to pick up on my anxiety and bury themselves deep in my arm. Last time I had a blood test it took a couple of gos in each arm before they hit paydirt!
So what am I bid for this pile of flesh and bones?
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