Well - a lot has happened since the last post.
My FIL was discharged from the psychogeriatric unit to an EMI residential home between Christmas and New Year. It became apparent on the ward that rather than improving things or even stabilising them he was deteriorating. We looked at all the homes nearby before Christmas and then I took MIL to those that weren't too dreadful. She chose an old manor house out in the countryside that was in 3 acres of grounds and we moved him there 3 weeks ago. Sadly he died on Sunday from pneumonia which came as a bit of a shock but is a merciful release for all of us but especially for him. MIL and OH are understandably upset. The boys are dealing with it in their different ways - the eldest doesn't want to talk about it, the youngest wont stop. When my Nan died 2 years ago the eldest did the same then fell apart a few weeks later so I am looking for the fall out all the time now.
Yesterday I spent the day at the house going through all his financial papers trying to work out what was where. It was sad going through them watching the deterioration over the last few years - by the end he was filing away envelopes and advertising as well as the important stuff because he couldn't work out the difference. This afternoon I may go back to wade through files of electricity statements. We are still waiting for the death certificate to be issued so there's really nothing else we can get on with at the moment. Hopefully this afternoon we might be able to book a funeral. Then comes the issue of what to do as he was born a Hindu but was not really religious and ahs family in India who may want things done for him..
On a green front - the log burner came into its own over the Christmas period. The oil boiler has been making a funny noise but the repairman couldn't get to us in the snow. At least we had a reasonable back up. The veggie patch had a bit of a dig but then it snowed so I couldn't get on it. The snow also meant that the car couldn't get off the drive so we avoided using petrol and walked across fields instead. That's about it for now!
Tuesday, 19 January 2010
Tuesday, 8 December 2009
8th December
Where has the time gone?
FIL is currently still an in-patient on the psychogeriatric unit. I haven't seen him for over a week now as I had flu and didn't want to share it with him or the others on the ward but he is apparently still not sleeping at night and confused during the day. He started asking to go home as well which is tough on whoever is visiting when they come to leave. We are still waiting for a date to discuss discharge with him.
I felt so rough with the flu that I had to stay off work and cancel my Beaver and Cub meetings. I could probably have just about managed but I had to work at the hospice for the weekend so needed to conserve my energy for that. I managed to get the downstairs of the house tidy - for at least 2 days -so I was proud of myself although a weekend at home has put paid to that now.
Mum came up for the weekend. Supposedly to collect her Christmas cards but really just to visit which was lovely. She and I went into Horsham to get some Christmas presents - mainly a watch for Con- but we had a good mooch around the shops and chat at the same time. This morning she and I have helped out in year 5 which was fun and now she has gone home. This week I have the keystage 1 nativity to watch on Thursday and next Tuesday is the keystage 2 effort - both boys are kings/dancers. Con will be singing in a trio. He had auditioned for a solo part but didn't get it. I was just impressed with him auditioning. Good man I say.
Having been ill I've not done much in the garden lately. I did get about 1/2 the veggie patch dug over and covered with cardboard or chopped up bike waterproofs but its been so wet since I've done nothing. I did prop up the fence a bit better - I can push the bamboo canes in far more easily since its rained - but that's all. On Sunday I finally found the energy to feed the birds so I've done something for the planets inhabitants at least but they don't seem to want it at the moment.
My sister texted us this morning to say she's arrived in Singapore - she's away until 29th December visiting friends in Oz and New Zealand. The trouble with working out there for a year is that you have good friends a long long way away. I think Liv uses up all my airmiles and I plant the trees for her!
FIL is currently still an in-patient on the psychogeriatric unit. I haven't seen him for over a week now as I had flu and didn't want to share it with him or the others on the ward but he is apparently still not sleeping at night and confused during the day. He started asking to go home as well which is tough on whoever is visiting when they come to leave. We are still waiting for a date to discuss discharge with him.
I felt so rough with the flu that I had to stay off work and cancel my Beaver and Cub meetings. I could probably have just about managed but I had to work at the hospice for the weekend so needed to conserve my energy for that. I managed to get the downstairs of the house tidy - for at least 2 days -so I was proud of myself although a weekend at home has put paid to that now.
Mum came up for the weekend. Supposedly to collect her Christmas cards but really just to visit which was lovely. She and I went into Horsham to get some Christmas presents - mainly a watch for Con- but we had a good mooch around the shops and chat at the same time. This morning she and I have helped out in year 5 which was fun and now she has gone home. This week I have the keystage 1 nativity to watch on Thursday and next Tuesday is the keystage 2 effort - both boys are kings/dancers. Con will be singing in a trio. He had auditioned for a solo part but didn't get it. I was just impressed with him auditioning. Good man I say.
Having been ill I've not done much in the garden lately. I did get about 1/2 the veggie patch dug over and covered with cardboard or chopped up bike waterproofs but its been so wet since I've done nothing. I did prop up the fence a bit better - I can push the bamboo canes in far more easily since its rained - but that's all. On Sunday I finally found the energy to feed the birds so I've done something for the planets inhabitants at least but they don't seem to want it at the moment.
My sister texted us this morning to say she's arrived in Singapore - she's away until 29th December visiting friends in Oz and New Zealand. The trouble with working out there for a year is that you have good friends a long long way away. I think Liv uses up all my airmiles and I plant the trees for her!
Monday, 2 November 2009
2nd November
What a half term!
I drove the boys down to mum's after work on Friday morning. We got there at about 5 with both boys moaning because they hadn't had a McDonalds - I usually buy one about half way at 5:30pm if we go after school so that we can eat without stopping. Not buying that food if I don't have to. When we arrived my sister was there already so the boys got to spend some time with her before her boyfriend turned up.
During the week we went to Clarks village in Street to buy new school shoes for Tad. I always try to get them there as they are cheaper but Tad didn't fit any of the shoes in the cheap shop so I had to pay full price. :*( He's chuffed though as they have scuff guards on them. I got some new walking boots - half price. We also went swimming twice, to the cinema to watch Fantastic Mr Fox - not great if you know the story and 10-pin bowling. That was great fun.
Last Saturday we had Christmas dinner. On halloween! So we had pumpkin soup for a starter (complete with carved pumpkin on the table), roast chicken, sprouts, red cabbage and stuffing followed by christmas pud and mince pie. Delicious. Can't wait to cook the real thing - with duck this time - in December.
I have put on lots of weight while away for reasons I don't fully comprehend but probably to do with wine. Need to start all over again now.
Still boys back at school so I have time to exercise during the day. Swimming with them is not as conducive to exercise as it is on my own.
I drove the boys down to mum's after work on Friday morning. We got there at about 5 with both boys moaning because they hadn't had a McDonalds - I usually buy one about half way at 5:30pm if we go after school so that we can eat without stopping. Not buying that food if I don't have to. When we arrived my sister was there already so the boys got to spend some time with her before her boyfriend turned up.
During the week we went to Clarks village in Street to buy new school shoes for Tad. I always try to get them there as they are cheaper but Tad didn't fit any of the shoes in the cheap shop so I had to pay full price. :*( He's chuffed though as they have scuff guards on them. I got some new walking boots - half price. We also went swimming twice, to the cinema to watch Fantastic Mr Fox - not great if you know the story and 10-pin bowling. That was great fun.
Last Saturday we had Christmas dinner. On halloween! So we had pumpkin soup for a starter (complete with carved pumpkin on the table), roast chicken, sprouts, red cabbage and stuffing followed by christmas pud and mince pie. Delicious. Can't wait to cook the real thing - with duck this time - in December.
I have put on lots of weight while away for reasons I don't fully comprehend but probably to do with wine. Need to start all over again now.
Still boys back at school so I have time to exercise during the day. Swimming with them is not as conducive to exercise as it is on my own.
Thursday, 22 October 2009
Thursday 22nd
Happy birthday to my mum.
So - survived Beavers and Cubs last night. We had a great time - apple bobbing, followed by trying to get maltesers out of flour (lovely). We finished with eating a doughnut without using hands. The kids loved it. I think the part they most enjoyed was getting the malteser out whilst getting covered in flour. I wish I'd taken the camera now. Maybe next time.
Today I have cleaned the house from top to bottom, managed 2 loads of washing, packed for 3 of us to go away for a week and then gone to school to help with swimming, paid money it at 3 banks, paid for a library book we've lost, picked the boys up, had time at the in-laws then gone back to school for karate. We had fish and chips for tea :*) - living 5 miles out of town means we don't have take away often. The boys watched the tail end of Quantum of Solace and are now in bed although judging by the noise they are far from sleeping.
At least it is now half term. Work tomorrow morning then we head off to Somerset for a week. I can't wait. I need to top up on my dose of the South West regularly. We are having 'Christmas' at the weekend as well. Not sure what we will eat but there is a fantastic butcher and fishmonger near mum so it should be good.
So - survived Beavers and Cubs last night. We had a great time - apple bobbing, followed by trying to get maltesers out of flour (lovely). We finished with eating a doughnut without using hands. The kids loved it. I think the part they most enjoyed was getting the malteser out whilst getting covered in flour. I wish I'd taken the camera now. Maybe next time.
Today I have cleaned the house from top to bottom, managed 2 loads of washing, packed for 3 of us to go away for a week and then gone to school to help with swimming, paid money it at 3 banks, paid for a library book we've lost, picked the boys up, had time at the in-laws then gone back to school for karate. We had fish and chips for tea :*) - living 5 miles out of town means we don't have take away often. The boys watched the tail end of Quantum of Solace and are now in bed although judging by the noise they are far from sleeping.
At least it is now half term. Work tomorrow morning then we head off to Somerset for a week. I can't wait. I need to top up on my dose of the South West regularly. We are having 'Christmas' at the weekend as well. Not sure what we will eat but there is a fantastic butcher and fishmonger near mum so it should be good.
Wednesday, 21 October 2009
Wednesday 21st October
Wow - a couple of busy weeks there not to mention a post yesterday which went missing. Argh!
I have worked 4 out of 5 days for the last 2 weeks so trying to keep up with everything has been hard. At least working 3 days at the hospice made me feel I belonged and knew what was going on for once rather than just being the weekend doctor. It will be interesting to see how I feel when I go back on Friday after a weeks absence. Obviously one of the problems with the hospice is that people sometimes leave faster than you expect so just catching up can be a trial.
Other than that I have helped out at school on Thursday afternoon helping year 1 change for swimming -that's fun - not. At least I get to see Tad swim if I help. I also help in year 5 on Friday afternoon and am getting better and better at laminating, cutting, sticking, guillotining and mounting. Helping there lets me see Con in class and gives us something to talk about on the way home. Last Thursday after swimming I went in to the parallel year 1 class to talk about bones which was entertaining. A few weeks earlier I'd done the body for Tad's class complete with why we wee and poo. One little boy stuck his hand up and told me in all seriousness that he knew a fact I hadn't told them - if you watch too much tv your eyes go square. I didn't know where to look.
Last Friday was a difficult day for Goat and I. His dad has been getting progressively more and more confused. He's been investigated at the hospital and sadly its not Alzheimers but just general non-specific dementia so none of the medication will improve him. He's been having hallucinations for a while but on Friday morning MIL rang to say he was verbally aggressive and had been up every night this week. Goat arranged via the GP to do some tests top amke sure it was nothing infective (it wasn't) and he is now on a night time sedative to give them both a rest. He still has the hallucinations during the day but they're not stopping him from sleeping now. The daytime ones seem to be less threatening as well and he is quite entertained by them. So far he has slept well 5 nights out of 6 so fingers crossed it will hold for a while. I went over to babysit on Saturday with the boys - MIL took them out while FIL and I had a nice chat. At church on Sunday I dropped out of the St Vincent de Paul society as clearly if I am going to visit any-one at the moment it should be family. It was my first Mass since September and I realised how much I miss going really. At the end I got chatting to the undertakers wife and we have worked out how I can manage to fulfill one of my ambitions - to watch an embalming. Watch this space!
On Sunday I got the boys outside after Mass. We wnet egg hunting. Goat had founf 17 in the pampas on Saturday and I found 5 more near a compost heap. At least we aren't feeding the chickens for nothing now although I am sure they are moutling - the garage is full of feathers. We could almost make pillows now! While the boys plyaed around I also managed to dig over some of the veggie patch. The ground where the taties were was lovely so I will grow even more this year just to make my life easier. Picked about 20 caterpillars off the brussels and purple sprouting in the hope that we get something from them. Last year the broccoli was eaten in the space of 24 hours. This year I still have 4 plants left so we should get a garnish at least!
We finally succumbed and lit the boiler as well 2 weeks ago.The smell of wood smoke and cooking food is wonderful as you come into the house. I love it.
On Monday I went with year 5 to the Mary Rose - brilliant. I can highly recommend it. Next year in February half term mum and I will find a hotel for a night and go back with the boys for a whole day. We can see the Victory too.
Today - after getting in from work I have been lazy. Now I am in a rush to get off to beavers having faffed all afternoon but I needed it. Tomorrow I need to wash, pack and get ready to go to Mum's for half term. We are having Christmas on Saturday with my sister who will be in Oz visiting friends in December. Lucky thing.
I have worked 4 out of 5 days for the last 2 weeks so trying to keep up with everything has been hard. At least working 3 days at the hospice made me feel I belonged and knew what was going on for once rather than just being the weekend doctor. It will be interesting to see how I feel when I go back on Friday after a weeks absence. Obviously one of the problems with the hospice is that people sometimes leave faster than you expect so just catching up can be a trial.
Other than that I have helped out at school on Thursday afternoon helping year 1 change for swimming -that's fun - not. At least I get to see Tad swim if I help. I also help in year 5 on Friday afternoon and am getting better and better at laminating, cutting, sticking, guillotining and mounting. Helping there lets me see Con in class and gives us something to talk about on the way home. Last Thursday after swimming I went in to the parallel year 1 class to talk about bones which was entertaining. A few weeks earlier I'd done the body for Tad's class complete with why we wee and poo. One little boy stuck his hand up and told me in all seriousness that he knew a fact I hadn't told them - if you watch too much tv your eyes go square. I didn't know where to look.
Last Friday was a difficult day for Goat and I. His dad has been getting progressively more and more confused. He's been investigated at the hospital and sadly its not Alzheimers but just general non-specific dementia so none of the medication will improve him. He's been having hallucinations for a while but on Friday morning MIL rang to say he was verbally aggressive and had been up every night this week. Goat arranged via the GP to do some tests top amke sure it was nothing infective (it wasn't) and he is now on a night time sedative to give them both a rest. He still has the hallucinations during the day but they're not stopping him from sleeping now. The daytime ones seem to be less threatening as well and he is quite entertained by them. So far he has slept well 5 nights out of 6 so fingers crossed it will hold for a while. I went over to babysit on Saturday with the boys - MIL took them out while FIL and I had a nice chat. At church on Sunday I dropped out of the St Vincent de Paul society as clearly if I am going to visit any-one at the moment it should be family. It was my first Mass since September and I realised how much I miss going really. At the end I got chatting to the undertakers wife and we have worked out how I can manage to fulfill one of my ambitions - to watch an embalming. Watch this space!
On Sunday I got the boys outside after Mass. We wnet egg hunting. Goat had founf 17 in the pampas on Saturday and I found 5 more near a compost heap. At least we aren't feeding the chickens for nothing now although I am sure they are moutling - the garage is full of feathers. We could almost make pillows now! While the boys plyaed around I also managed to dig over some of the veggie patch. The ground where the taties were was lovely so I will grow even more this year just to make my life easier. Picked about 20 caterpillars off the brussels and purple sprouting in the hope that we get something from them. Last year the broccoli was eaten in the space of 24 hours. This year I still have 4 plants left so we should get a garnish at least!
We finally succumbed and lit the boiler as well 2 weeks ago.The smell of wood smoke and cooking food is wonderful as you come into the house. I love it.
On Monday I went with year 5 to the Mary Rose - brilliant. I can highly recommend it. Next year in February half term mum and I will find a hotel for a night and go back with the boys for a whole day. We can see the Victory too.
Today - after getting in from work I have been lazy. Now I am in a rush to get off to beavers having faffed all afternoon but I needed it. Tomorrow I need to wash, pack and get ready to go to Mum's for half term. We are having Christmas on Saturday with my sister who will be in Oz visiting friends in December. Lucky thing.
Tuesday, 6 October 2009
Tuesday 6th October
Its raining!
Boy is it - its making up for lost time. It rained pretty much non-stop yesterday and its worse today. It is so nice to see green for a change but amazing how quickly the grass improves with a little water.
Anyway - last few days have been a bit odd. The old chickens, one in particular who is now called black bum, are bullying the new girls. One of the newbies has a large bald area on her chest and also on her shoulders. We shut her away on Sunday and yesterday I put her to bed in the broody area of the hen house to protect her from the others. Despite that there were feathers everywhere in the garage yesterday. Black bum seems to go out of her way to peck the new ones and doesn't let go straight away either. If she continues I may have to separate her from all the others and if that doesn't work - chicken soup any-one?
The egg yield has dropped off markedly too - either they are hiding them somewhere or maybe they are moulting but whatever the bullying has to stop!
I was on call over the weekend and only had 1 call! Sadly at 1am on Monday morning so I was not at my sparkly best yesterday when I worked at the hospice again. This time I worked with some-one I had previously only spoken to on the phone so it was nice to put a face to a name. Got home at half one and wasted the afternoon on the computer.
Tesco's delivered a load of food at 9pm - its supposed to be greener but having heard the mileage he'd clocked up prior to my delivery I'm not so sure it is outside of town. At least we got a load of tins and milk delivered which saves me lugging them home in the car. I now need to sort out the shed where we keep all our food but might leave that until tomorrow.
Today I have been quite busy. Dropped the boys off at school - we walked 15 minutes from the top of town to school as I didn't need to get to work. Luckily it was only drizzling when we walked. I do like them to walk as far as possible but living 5 miles from school means they have to drive most of the way. Got home, had a cuppa, planned Cubs and Beavers on the computer then played a game for an hour before being motivated to - tidy and hoover the living room, tidy and hoover the dining room and play area, deconstruct and put away several lego-like toys (about 5 big ones), strip and polish the table, tidy the kitchen surfaces, sort through paper work. I have also sorted out the scouting accounts and sent invoices out for subs. Not bad eh?
Lettuce soup for lunch so I am feeling virtuous!
Boy is it - its making up for lost time. It rained pretty much non-stop yesterday and its worse today. It is so nice to see green for a change but amazing how quickly the grass improves with a little water.
Anyway - last few days have been a bit odd. The old chickens, one in particular who is now called black bum, are bullying the new girls. One of the newbies has a large bald area on her chest and also on her shoulders. We shut her away on Sunday and yesterday I put her to bed in the broody area of the hen house to protect her from the others. Despite that there were feathers everywhere in the garage yesterday. Black bum seems to go out of her way to peck the new ones and doesn't let go straight away either. If she continues I may have to separate her from all the others and if that doesn't work - chicken soup any-one?
The egg yield has dropped off markedly too - either they are hiding them somewhere or maybe they are moulting but whatever the bullying has to stop!
I was on call over the weekend and only had 1 call! Sadly at 1am on Monday morning so I was not at my sparkly best yesterday when I worked at the hospice again. This time I worked with some-one I had previously only spoken to on the phone so it was nice to put a face to a name. Got home at half one and wasted the afternoon on the computer.
Tesco's delivered a load of food at 9pm - its supposed to be greener but having heard the mileage he'd clocked up prior to my delivery I'm not so sure it is outside of town. At least we got a load of tins and milk delivered which saves me lugging them home in the car. I now need to sort out the shed where we keep all our food but might leave that until tomorrow.
Today I have been quite busy. Dropped the boys off at school - we walked 15 minutes from the top of town to school as I didn't need to get to work. Luckily it was only drizzling when we walked. I do like them to walk as far as possible but living 5 miles from school means they have to drive most of the way. Got home, had a cuppa, planned Cubs and Beavers on the computer then played a game for an hour before being motivated to - tidy and hoover the living room, tidy and hoover the dining room and play area, deconstruct and put away several lego-like toys (about 5 big ones), strip and polish the table, tidy the kitchen surfaces, sort through paper work. I have also sorted out the scouting accounts and sent invoices out for subs. Not bad eh?
Lettuce soup for lunch so I am feeling virtuous!
Saturday, 3 October 2009
Saturday 3rd
Work yesterday and today at the hospice. Didn't go into school yesterday afternoon to conserve some energy for the weekend. Cooked lemon chicken for tea with pak choi. Told Tad it wasn't chinese which meant he ate it. If he thinks its chinese food he wont.
After work this morning I took the boys into town for their karate grading. It was Tad's first go so he was quite nervous but excited. He passed easily - to be honest it seems as if they just turn up and they get it for the first few belts. His friends passed too.
Con got a level 3 which is a plain pass. He is used to a good pass - level 2 - and said his grade was really hard this time. They had to do their kata in pairs with 2 examiners watching. The other child with him failed. At least he passed and has realised its not going to just be a walk in the park from now on - he will need to be ready for the grading. At £12 a go I'm reluctant to take him if he's not sure of passing.
This afternoon we've played poker and built things out of a sort of lego as well as watching The colour of Magic video. Excellent stuff.
Diet still on track - helped by not being able to drink this weekend. Grrr.
Breaking news - I have just bought the tent I was thinking of getting for next year. I'm glad I've waited. I was going to pay £499 and I've just found it for £380 so I've saved nearly £120. That will pay for a few trips out or maybe go towards a holiday in February. Tee hee.
Despite trying to do the green thing I am wondering about a flight somewhere just so that the boys experience it once. Having said that my sister is thinking of working in Oz for a year so we would have to fly out to see her. It does go against the grain to try to walk/cycle everywhere, use solar energy, wood energy, keep an old car (185k on the clock, 15 years old) and recycle as much as we can then to blow all that good work on a flight to somewhere I could drive to. So probably we will wait to see if Liv goes down under or not.
After work this morning I took the boys into town for their karate grading. It was Tad's first go so he was quite nervous but excited. He passed easily - to be honest it seems as if they just turn up and they get it for the first few belts. His friends passed too.
Con got a level 3 which is a plain pass. He is used to a good pass - level 2 - and said his grade was really hard this time. They had to do their kata in pairs with 2 examiners watching. The other child with him failed. At least he passed and has realised its not going to just be a walk in the park from now on - he will need to be ready for the grading. At £12 a go I'm reluctant to take him if he's not sure of passing.
This afternoon we've played poker and built things out of a sort of lego as well as watching The colour of Magic video. Excellent stuff.
Diet still on track - helped by not being able to drink this weekend. Grrr.
Breaking news - I have just bought the tent I was thinking of getting for next year. I'm glad I've waited. I was going to pay £499 and I've just found it for £380 so I've saved nearly £120. That will pay for a few trips out or maybe go towards a holiday in February. Tee hee.
Despite trying to do the green thing I am wondering about a flight somewhere just so that the boys experience it once. Having said that my sister is thinking of working in Oz for a year so we would have to fly out to see her. It does go against the grain to try to walk/cycle everywhere, use solar energy, wood energy, keep an old car (185k on the clock, 15 years old) and recycle as much as we can then to blow all that good work on a flight to somewhere I could drive to. So probably we will wait to see if Liv goes down under or not.
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