Purple Dragon

I made something a bit different for lunch today. Rachel is starting to get in a rut with what she eats, and it is driving me nuts. You know how kids can be. They find something they like, and won't eat anything else. Drumboil's youngest wouldn't eat anything but fish fingers for about a year. Drove her potty!

Anyway. Rachel's 'thing' has been toast. Sometimes she would let me put peanut butter on it, sometimes just butter. I don't reckon toast every day in life is particularly good for you, so today I decided to offer her noodles with a sauce on.

My mistake was the sprinkle of parsley. She got about half way down the bowl and then spotted it.

"MUMMY!! I can't eat this! It's got grass in it"

She wouldn't have it that it was parsley, and good for her.

Oh, well. Toast, tomorrow, then.

I've had a busy morning, even though I have been tired.

I am determined not to let whatever this illness is to get the better of me. I am not overdoing it but I am not spending the whole day in the chair, either.

I got all three kids in bed with me this morning, about 6.15. They were fighting over who got to lay next to me, and who got to lay in the middle. They'll fight over anything, my kids. I got up and jumped in the bath early, in the end. A bit of peace

The Boy refused to attend school unless I went in and spoke to the Head teacher about his difficulties. I only found out about them last night, and wasn't really sure this wasn't a 'take time off school' ploy. However, we sat down with the HT and I gave the Boy the floor. The HT heard his problems out, and promised to fix them. Then, the Boy went to class and I stayed and discussed the problems he has been having with his teacher. He feels the teacher just gives him work and doesn't explain how to do it, so the HT is going to address that as well

Spent the morning tidying the downstairs and vacuuming. I love it when the living room is all tidy, nothing laying about, and the floor is clear of debris. It never ceases to astonish me just how many bits get on the carpet with the kids and dogs just passing thru here. The carpet desperately needs washed, but I am waiting till Angus is completely house trained, then I will do it.

Do I really want another dog. Even more - another puppy?
Angus still isn't house trained, still doesn't do as he is told.
He only knows 'sit' and 'come'.
I suppose I could train them both at the same time.

I'm so tired today. Yesterday really took it out of me.

Perhaps that is why I am having second thoughts.

I need to be SO completely sure this is the right move.

Just came back from Lala's dance lesson to find a chicken wandering about upstairs.

Well, I had a Body Shop at Home party this morning. One of the Mums from Playgroup is a consultant.

I spent yesterday evening tidying up and vacuuming the downstairs, making sure the downstairs loo was in acceptable condition (it will never look nice in there - horrible room!). The kids were desperate to stay home from school and 'help' at the party, but I think they got the wrong end of the stick - they thought it would be dancing and stuff. Bless.

I invited 10 people along, invited the folk on NEEPS who were local,
and put on open invitation to the Mums at playgroup, but only 5 people turned up in the end. I was nervous about lots of folk arriving, not having enough cups, enough nibbles and so on, but as it turned out, that was not a worry.

The consultant brought her two year old with her, and she disappeared for a wee while, then turned up covered top to toe in Sudacrem. My en suite toilet seat and bowl is covered! Her Mum was mortified.

Anyway, I rather had fun. It was nice to have some grown ups round to talk to and have a laugh with.

The consultant gave me a wee pressie for holding a party, which was a papaya shower gel and a big bar of Galaxy chocolate. I didn't tell her I get migraines from Galaxy chocolate LOL It was a nice gesture.

They were here for about 3 hours in the end, and now I am pretty knackered. I feel a bit zoned out and have a pain in my chest.

I still have to take Lala to her dance class, and the Boy to his gymnastics class, but I am already ready for my bed.

It is funny how you run on, I suppose, adrenaline or something. When everyone was here, I was chatty, laughing, up and down with coffees and cakes and biscuits. Almost as soon as they left, I flagged. I loaded the dishwasher, and now I'm sitting here, zonked. I wish Rachel was in Playgroup this afternoon - I oculd do with a nap!

Got sent this today, and it is amazing. I'm so glad that wasn't my van parked below it!

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/worldnews.html?in_article_id=518541&in_page_id=1811&ito=1490

Himself phoned me this morning in a bit of a temper over this morning's news about anti-depressants.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7263494.stm

He has always disagreed (as I do) that my health problems are to do with stress and has never liked the idea (as I don't) of me taking anti-depressants to 'fix' the problem.

Well, this morning's news has confirmed his suspicions that they are both a waste of time and money, and he wants me to go back to the Dr and tell him what to do with his pills.

This does kinda confirm what the Dr said to me last time - "You have to really believe that this treatment will work, or it won't." Which kinda implies that it is me and my belief that is making me better, rather than his pills, which should work whether I believe they will or not.

Looks like we will be getting another member of the family in a few weeks.

A Dalmation puppy!!

I'm so excited I could burst!

Got an reasonably early night last night - 9.30 - but I tossed and turned until about midnight. I just couldn't get comfortable. You know when the pillow is all wrong, and I couldn't work out what to do with my legs. This is an every night thing, and it is driving me nuts. I am going to bed so tired, but unable to get to sleep.

Oh, well. It is the pills the Dr has me on that is doing it. Normally I sleep really well.

Got up late, and ended up dropping the kids at school after the bell. Poor kids. I hope that doesn't reflect on their attendance record. Not that they are 100% or anything, but I don't want them getting in trouble because I can't get my fat arse outta bed.

Decided that, as I wasn't feeling too bad today, that I would drive thru to Inverurie to Tesco. It wasn't very busy, and I bumped into a woman I know thru NEEPS. She has 5 children, under 8 years old, and she home schools. Amazing. She is always smiling as well, and never looks harrassed.

Tesco had a 'buy £50 worth of stuff in the store and you get 5p/litre off petrol' offer, which I took advantage of. The unleaded was 105.9p - petrol prices are just a joke nowadays!

Drove back home in time to meet the postman who was dropping off my council tax bill . There is an article in the Sky magazine about Sawyer from 'Lost', which I am looking forward to having a read of.

Now I am sitting in the chair in a bit of a heap. I felt okay when I was out and about, but when I sat down for a cuppa and a bit of french stick and butter, the tiredness overtook me, and I now feel leaden. My chest is really sore.

Oh, well, apart from the laundry and vacuuming, I don't have much to do this afternoon, so I might have a doze...

Our phone bill was quite massive this time, so we had a look at the calls list and found that I was phoning his mobile and running up a massive blether bill.

So. The solution?

We have bought mobiles that talk to each other for free.

We have Blackberrys. Mine has a phone (of course!), a camera, I can retrieve my email on it and it also has GPS.

Now I have to learn to use the flippin thing.

I had my old phone for 5 years or so, and I still don't utilise all the facilities on that.

Yesterday, I was bored solid. I felt too ill to actually get out of the chair and do anything, there was nothing for sale on eBay that I wanted, and no one was posting on Blog.

I chose one of my friends and picked the person on their friends list who was top right. Then I read that blog, then chose their top right friend, and so on.

I ended up on the blog of a very nice woman, who was quite interesting, who Iended up inviting onto my friends list. She hasn't replied yet LOL

An amusing exercise, and one I shall probably repeat.

Good grief - it is so cold!!

The kids were off last Friday, then Monday and Tuesday, and the weather was cracking. They played outside the whole time.

They went back to school on Wednesday and the weather turned to the worst. Yesterday, the wind picked up and today it is gusting against the front of the house like a ban sidhe at the door, pelting the windows with horizontal sleet. I jest you not - I am watching the sleet coming across the driveway and it is horizontal.

Thankfully, the weather was not like this when the kids were off, or they would have been going stir crazy!

I have two t-shirts and a big roll neck sweater on, and I still feel chilly. I think it is a mental cold though, rather than a physical one, because Rachel doesn't say she is cold. I think it is just looking out at the ghastly weather!

My man comes back tonight Yippee! I miss him. It was so great having him home for a few weeks between contracts, but it always makes me miss him more when he gets a new contract and goes off again.

You know, I think it is actually snowing out the back.

Yep. It's snowing out the front now, too.

Brr!

Baa!

1. What was the last thing you cooked?
Fish fingers, fish cakes, potato croquettes

2. What was the last thing you tried on?
The new pair of jeans that I am now wearing

3. What was the last thing you purchased on credit?
I don't buy things on credit.

4. What was the last thing you put a postage stamp on?
A birthday card

5. What was the last thing you took a photo of?
One of my kids

I got tagged by Sminchin

I. You have to look up page 123 in the nearest book to you.
II. Look for the fifth sentence.
III. Then post the three sentences that follow the fifth sentence
IV. Tag five people to do the same.

Body and Soul by Anita Roddick (founder of the Body Shop)

"I have never been able to separate Body Shop values from my own personal values. I also accepted that we should be prepared to put our money where our mouth was, particularly in the area of animal testing. We offered financial support to two important groups - the Fund for the Replacement of Animals in Medical Experiments (FRAME) and the Skin Treatment and Research Trust (START), which had made a major breakthrough by growing reconstructed human skin in a test tube. "

Excellent book, and one I recommend to anyone, particularly women looking for some feminine empowerment.

So - who to tag?

Umm, AJ, Avrilo, Jenray, Lindow, Drumboil (which might just make her post!)

1. I’m too much of a sheep not to do this list along with everyone else
2. I’m the luckiest woman alive, to be married with my Man
3. I have three kids, and I couldn’t be prouder of any of them
4. I think I have the maths version of Dyslexia (Dyscalculia)
5. I would rather be messing about on Blog than vacuuming my living room
6. I collect books
7. I can’t play snooker or pool
8. I am rubbish at ball games because I have no coordination
9. I cant draw
10. I love my cats more than I love my dogs
11. I eat too much chocolate
12. I get a migraine from Thorntons chocolates and Galaxy
13. I love where I live and feel really lucky to get to live here
14. I’m English but wouldn’t live in England again coz there are too many folk
15. I used to be a Christian but the Church of Scotland (Presbyterians) talked me out of it
16. I love the smell of candles when they are just blown out
17. I hate taking baths and would much rather shower
18. I like getting involved in things and then get bored once they are running fine
19. I’ve never held a job for more than 18 months
20. I was bullied at school and got kicked in the head and knocked out one time
21. I’m half an orphan – my Dad died nearly two years ago
22. I am the youngest of two children – my sister is 2.5 years older than me. There would have been a boy between us, but Mum miscarried him
23. I might not have been here if she hadn’t
24. I can’t bear wearing tights (pantyhose) – I feel like I’m being strangled
25. Diet juice gives me stomach ache
26. I am trying to learn to play the drums
27. Two different folk have tried to teach me to crochet, and I can’t catch the knack
28. I miss my mother in law more than I can say
29. Sminchin’s mother in law has a lavender garden that I want to copy out the back of my house
30. I keep chickens
31. I will never breed chickens again
32. We have a boat, although we can’t sail (yet!)
33. I think that being nice is better than being rich
34. Although I wouldn’t mind being rich as well
35. I spend too much time browsing eBay
36. I couldn’t ride a pushbike till my early teens
37. I am often shocked at how bigoted some people can be
38. I think political correctness is a load of shite
39. I lived in Australia for a while when I was little
40. I have no bad memories of living there at all
41. I can’t even remember it raining once
42. I don’t like grapes even though I have a grapevine in my polytunnel
43. I would love to run an animal rescue centre but I would keep all the animals
44. I would love a horse or pony, but am too lazy to look after one properly
45. I am dreading when my littlest child starts school, because I won’t have anything to do
46. I would love to run my own company but I’m not smart enough
47. I hate that my hair is going grey and thinning out
48. I have three warts? veruccas? on my foot that won’t go away, no matter what I treat them with
49. I love weeding – I find it restful and therapeutic
50. Every night I read at least one chapter of a book before I go to sleep, to help me wind down
51. I often get a new hobby, buy all the stuff to support it, and then quit
52. I am addicted to ‘Lost’ even though it is annoying me
53. I don’t trust anyone with my secrets, apart from my husband
54. I buy my kids too much stuff
55. I used to smoke, and now I can’t stand the smell of it
56. I rarely get drunk, because I don’t like not being completely in control
57. I often get it wrong and either overdress or underdress for an occasion and then feel a complete twat
58. I feel physically sick if I think I have upset someone
59. I am afraid of flying
60. So we never go abroad on holiday
61. I would love a week, somewhere warm and restful, where I can chill for a while – just me and my man
62. I am desperate for a professional massage
63. I wish I had got married in front of everyone instead of just going away with two witnesses
64. I wish I had worn a ‘proper’ wedding gown
65. I wish I had thrown a big reception for all our friends and family
66. My littlest girl nearly died and it was the most scared I have ever been
67. I can’t be bothered to learn computer/video games
68. I got my motorbike licence before I got my car licence
69. I’ve been married twice
70. My first marriage was a total mistake
71. I wish I was good at DIY
72. I would like to learn to be a car mechanic
73. Telly adverts annoy me so much, I want to write in about them
74. Everybody wanted to be like ‘Rachel’ but I prefer ‘Phoebe’
75. I never knew how important it was to have siblings until I lost my sister
76. I can keep a secret
77. I can’t sing a note
78. I can’t play a musical instrument
79. I hate arguments
80. I quit kickboxing because I hated people throwing punches at me
81. I don’t ‘fit in’ with social cliques
82. I have a weird dress sense that most people don’t like
83. I think ‘low fat’ food is a waste of good food
84. I don’t eat most of the foods I like because my family don’t like them and I’m too lazy to cook for one
85. I always wanted to be glamorous but I’m too clumsy and flaky
86. I am totally sexist and think women should stay home and watch the kids while her man goes out and earns the money
87. I think a wife should help make the decisions, but ultimately it is the husband’s place to make major decisions for the home and family
88. I kill houseplants
89. I am a good driver but sometimes don’t pay enough attention
90. I can’t even think of a good retort even hours after the argument
91. I wanted to be either a journalist, a lawyer or a teacher when I left school.
92. I’m none of the above
93. I can’t walk in high heels
94. I am an unimaginative cook
95. I would love to travel to Egypt and Peru
96. I want to walk the Ridgeway
97. I believe in fairies
98. My Mum is amazing
99. I have never, nor will ever, sing on a karaoke machine
100. I can’t swim

Dropped the kids off at school this morning, and the little one at Playgroup, met up with my pal, and we went to a craft morning being held at another friend's house.

I took along my portable loom to thread so that I can get started on some table mats. I haven't woven on a portable loom for years and years and I had forgotten how boring it is, threading one. Mind you, it left my mind free for blethering

Thoroughly enjoyed myself, sitting drinking tea and eating biscuits with my pals, with no kids about. It is very relaxing not having to worry about what they are getting up to/into all the time.

By the time the two hours was up, I was weary weary. My arms felt leaden and my energy was spent. Went and collected Rachel from Playgroup, then nipped across to Strichen to collect a wee chair from a FreeCycler, and then we came home for lunch.

I've been sitting on the recliner chair with my feet up, writing out party invitations for the small Body Shop party I am having next Wednesday. I hope I'm not too tired.

The damn puppy keeps leaving dog logs about the house. He goes outside for ages, then comes inside to do it. He was in serious trouble this morning when he did it, and he sure knew he was as well. Dunno what his problem is.

This afternoon, Lala goes to dance class and then the Boy has gymnastics. We have a gymnastics AGM tonight, which I am not looking forward to because I shall have the girls with me.

Looking forward to my bed tonight, for sure.

When Tesco arrived this morning, I was unloading the shopping when I noticed that I have lost a diamond from my engagement ring

I'm gutted

First my wedding ring breaks, then my engagement ring loses a stone.

Looks like I need some new jewellery.

This good weather is fabulous!

My kids are totally loving it. They have been off school on mid term break since Thursday (they go back Wednesday)and they have had lovely weather every single day.

I've barely seen them. They have been out in the garden from the minute they get dressed, in for lunch, then outside till teatime. They are absolutely filthy and knackered when they get in, but I love it. All the fresh air and imagination they are using.

They are currently building a 'clubhouse' with the doors we took off the interior of the caravan when we gave it to them as a playroom (to stop potential finger trapping).

They must have been on the trampoline yesterday for at least 4 hours in total.

Ah, the joys of being young and fit

Have you ever noticed, on Freecycle, how folk always feel they need to explain why they are giving stuff away?

Weird.

Don't bother reading this - it is way too moany for anyone to read.

These bloody pills the Dr has me on are really bringing me down. They aren't making me better at all.

The first week I started not being able to get to sleep and also losing my appetite. My Mum was here, so she made me eat, but it was a struggle and I went down a whole notch on my belt.

This is the 2nd week and I have suffered headaches. Saturday I spent the afternoon in bed with a migraine. It eased a wee bit - enough to come down and get some toast in the evening, but then I was back in bed by 8pm. Had the sore head all day Sunday, was okay yesterday, and today my headache is almost a migraine but fortunately not bad enough that I can't function. I feel sick as a pig though, and I'm struggling to eat my tea. Also down another notch on my belt.

I had a nap this afternoon because I am still so tired all the time, and the pain in my chest goes from 'just there' to 'bloody sore' with no let up. Actually, that isn't true. I had one day where I didn't have the pain at all. One day.

I am actually starting to feel emotionally bad as well. Before I started taking these pills, I just felt ill and fed up with it. Now I am feeling ill and depressed about it. I can recognise the symptoms of actual depression because I've had it before (which is why I think the Dr thinks that is what is actually wrong with me now) and I didn't feel depressed before I started on these pills. I'm not succumbing to it though.

I see the Dr again on Thursday morning, and I am going to tell him to keep his pills. I think I would rather have the continual pain than this.

Our last remaining rabbit spent the winter in the garage. Not much fun for a rabbit, I have to say, although it is warmer than outside so he was less likely to freeze to death in the sub zero conditions we often have up here.

Today the weather is so cracking that I have pulled his cage to the front of the door to let the light shine into his day quarters, and he is loving it. He doesn't knowwhich side to bask in the sunlight first!

One I have the outside run repaired and ready for the summer, I can get him out in that and onto fresh grass. He'll be beside himself with joy I can imagine

Do you have moles in your garden, or in your locale?

The folk at Molewatch are doing a survey, and would be grateful if you would record your moles at

http://molewatch.org.uk

Go on! It's interesting

This terrifies me, completely

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vuBo4E77ZXo

I've talked about the RFID chips before, and how we are being forced into a corner, where every move we make, everything we buy, every interest we have, is monitored and tracked.

It used to be that if you were 'the red under the bed' you had a file. Now everyone has a file.

What sort of person feels they need to control people, control the whole world?

It makes me mad. And it makes me feel helpless.

I recently joined FlyLady because I feel so overwhelmed by the state of my house. There is just everywhere, and the place needs cleaned quite thoroughly, but FlyLady walks you thru Zones and tasks, and makes it all seem less - overwhelming.

She calls it CHAOS (Can't Have Anyone Over Syndrome) and that is exactly it - I hate it when folk come round because the place is such a flippin pit!

Anyway, I have been a member for a week now, and my kitchen looks fab! This week is the family bathroom and utility room. Today's task in the utility room is something that I do anyway, so I have already achieved that. Which is excellent because it makes you realise you aren't such a slut after all

I don't fancy today's task in the bathroom though. The wiping down all the horizontal surfaces is fine, but it is also wiping round the outside of the toilet bowls. Any readers with boys in the house will know what a lovely fun experience this can be.

I've been recommending FlyLady right and left to my IRL pals and they reckon they are going to check it out. I don't like the 'God Breezes' (I'm not a godly person LOL) or the Testimonials (who cares what some other woman has done in her bathroom today?) but I just delete them and deal with the actual cleaning stuff.

Got up this morning to a seal barking in the next room. Turned out to be No2Child with a nasty cough, and when I had a look down her throat - it was red raw. Phoned NHS24 and got an appointment with the out of hours Dr in the afternoon.

Got a phone call from the local pharmacy - Lala's prescription was in! I hadn't ordered anything! Then I thought about it - I had put a modification in for the things she didn't like, and they must have thought I wanted to order the other things. So I now had her FULL script waiting for me at the pharmacy.

What to do with all the stuff? My freezer is already full to the gunnels, as we hadn't long had a script filled. The spare freezer is in the back of the lockup with a car and loads of winter storage stuff in front of it. So - we don't use the under counter fridge in the kitchen, so I went to the local electrical shop and bought an under-counter freezer with drawers. Shoved it in the back of the car and brought it home, and it is now full of Lala's food.

The problem? My 'white goods' in the kitchen (big fridge, big freezer, dishwasher) now look cream instead of the white they were when they were new.

When we were at the hospital seeing the Dr about Lala, Ger phoned to say that the butcher was on the phone to say that her gluten-free sausage was ready for collection. You have to order it in specially. He makes it to order. So we had to collect that as well.

No2Child has tonsillitis, a temperature and a croup in the chest (hence the barky cough). She has been given antibiotics and I have been told to steam her. It's a shame, because she feels absolutely rotten.

I ended the day (well - mid afternoon) having to go to bed myself with a bloody awful migraine. Went to bed around 4pm, got up again around 8pm, had some toast and went back to bed. I still have the headache, and I think I might take some more pills, just in case it blossoms into another migraine. I so don't need one ofthem with a sick kid.

My littlest one went to see The Singing Kettle in Aberdeen today with playgroup.

It is the first time she has gone on a school trip without me. It was hard. For me. She was fine. She had a slight wobbly moment when she realised I wasn't going as well, but she soon perked up when she realised all her playgroup friends were going and her playleaders (school ladies, as she calls them).

She came back completely knackered. She did a lot of crying over silly things, typical tired-3-year-old - and when I put her to bed (at her request) she was out like a light within a minute or two.

Bless.

Got a phone call from my sister's care home this evening to say she had been taken into hospital by ambulance with chest pain. Spoke to the hospital, and they think she has an inflamed sternum, have given her a course of antibiotics and sent her home.

When the home called me, I told them to call me back, any time of the day or night, to let me know any news. She was discharged from the hospital at 8.15. It is now almost 9.30 and I have heard nothing. The hospital is about 15 minutes drive from the home.

Well, not for me, really.

Himself is between contracts, and has been looking for another one. Yesterday afternoon, he drove to Glasgow for the first of three interviews. Then as soon as he left Glasgow, he drove straight down to Kent, and stayed in a bed and breakfast. The B&B was (in his words) 'surreal' because it was the cheapest one I could find, and yet when he turned up it was a stately home arrived at down a long half mile private driveway. He thought I'd gotten the price wrong.

From his morning appointment in Kent, he drove across country for an afternoon one in Bristol.

He is now driving back home, with a short stop over at the Borders to collect something we won off eBay.

He's gonna be knackered when he gets back.

oh, and he was offered the Glasgow and the Kent contracts - he hasn't heard anything about the Bristol contract yet.