Summer Solstice Sensation

maman

:T:T:T:j:j:j

That's great news LL, Iwas almost afraid to open your post in case it wasn't what you wanted to hear. You must all be feeling so elated and what a wonderful service from your local SS, especially in the current climate. I'm delighted for you!

I think you've been coping magnificently when you consider how many people will be coming in to cover what you've been managing on your own. Hopefully a lot of the stress will go now and you can grab some more time for yourself.

Don't worry about the diet at the moment, that will come and I think it's hard to really focus on too many fronts at once. Moussaka sounds good. I remember going to Crete many years ago (almost 25) and DH and I hit on a lovely little taverna, family run, where they did the most glorious moussaka. It was done in individual ovenware dishes and I remember it had a good layer of potato in the base which soaked up all the lovely juices.Mmmm! As an aside, it was a last minute booking, our first sunshine one without the DDs and I had no time to shop for any 'beach holiday' clothes. Instead I borrowed stuff from DD1 who was 17 at the time! Great that I fitted into her clothes then and now I can again!:rotfl:

Thanks for your traditional curry recipe MrsW, I have most of those ingredients (except curry leaves) so will give that a go. I tend to do a big pot of curry and freeze in portions so when the current stuff runs out I'll give that a whirl.

Good news here today too. DD1 has put in an offer on a house and had it accepted:T I know it's still early days but we're really pleased for her. Hopefully, I'll have more to tell as it unfolds.

Hope you sleep better tonight LL. 'night all.

lessonlearned

Hello Ladies and Lurkers

Here we go again

Thought I'd make a few enquiries about care homes for respite for OH today. I thought I had an idea of what I was letting myself in for but oh boy did I underestimate just how difficult it is going to be.

Firstly followed up a recommendation OH's care manager made. Is the man mad? I phoned yesterday to book an appointment and was unimpressed - it sounded like a scene from Bedlam over the phone. Anyway, I popped along this morning to take a look - didn't even bother to set foot in the place.

I know you shouldn't judge a book by its cover but honestly it looked like a squat, peeling paint, filthy windows, overflowing bins, gardens (ha) choked with weeds. No thanks.

Picked up some info from the library re care homes and hit the phone this afternoon. Two hours and got nowhere. Although one kind man took pity on me and explained a little bit more about how the system works. Apparently we need a nursing assessment first - care manager forgot to mention this:mad:

So much time, effort, energy and ultimately, at least for all the professionals concerned, money wasted. No wonder the councils and the NHS are so strapped for cash - such incompetence beggars belief.

If the care manager doesn't know the system how on earth is the poor user expected to know.

I feel like I'm trying to navigate my way through a maze wearing a blindfold.

It's official - I am now old, decripit and senile

After I had checked my books out at the library - the charming young man behind the desk enquired ever so politely "Would you like me to carry your books out to the car for you?":eek: Oh my, I must look worse than I feel, a right decripit old hag. :rotfl:

Anyway despite all my fears I've lost 1lb this week (10.5 in total), so the day wasn't a total write off.

I would just like to say a big thanks to you all for your kind words and warm wishes this last few days. I'm really touched - you've helped me more than you can know.

Maman Great news about your DD1's offer being accepted. How exciting. Do keep us posted. It's nice to be able to borrow your daughter's clothes - I can't borrow from my sister because she is about 4 inches shorter than me with no bosoms to speak of.:rotfl: I always used to love wearing my OH's jumpers though, especially when he worked away from home and I was missing him - I liked the way they smelt of him. Daft I know - just call me an old romantic.

Thanks for the curry recipe Mrs W - must have taken you ages - I will definitely have a go, it sounds really good. Like the extra tips too - didn't know the potato trick.

Anyway time for bed - G'night all x

lessonlearned

Hello Everyone

Had a really nice couple of hours pottering about in the garden today whilst OH went out with his PA. Salad leaves now ready - lovely so much nicer than shop bought.

Have made an appointment to visit a nursing home on Monday, remembered that my friend T who had Fredrich's Ataxia spent time in this one so gave them a call on the offchance. So ...........a little bit of progress made.

Other than that, nothing much happening.

Too tired to exercise - lots of gardening.
Treatment - mini manicure to sort out my gardeners hands.

Hope you are all well - have a fab weekend.

maman

So glad to hear you've come you've with an idea to pursue for the respite care. Will you be visiting on your own or can one of DSs go with you?

I've had a really busy week with my voluntary work, something on every day except one and then I ended up doing some associated paperwork. It's a bit confidential so can't really post much about it but it can be stressful so in many ways it's been a bit like being back at work, but without the salary!!

Things progressing well with DD1. DH went with her to see a mortgage advisor today just to explore options and she's been offered an affordable deal. She also has offers from a couple of High St banks so that's something else sorted on the way. She just has to choose.

Tomorrow we're going to lunch at DD2's. It was SIL's birthday last weekend but we were both busy so we're meeting up this weekend instead. I had hoped it would be warm enough for a barbecue as meat and salad are good for SW but it's more likely to be an indoor buffet given weather forecast. She always puts on a really good spread but I'll do my best to steer away from crisps and pork pies!:rotfl:

I don't know whether I've mentioned it but DH is into genealogy in a big way. As part of his research, he's been in touch with people all over the world, a number of whom we've met when they visit the UK. On Sunday we're meeting up with a distant relative and taking her around the villages where her ancestors lived before emigrating (these were voluntary not transported:D). Another lunch in a country pub planned!

I've not been saying much about pampering lately but I am making an effort although I tend to keep quiet as I'm not very mse in that department.:o I had my hair cut ready for holidays. Nails looking good but I'm not doing them again before holidays as there's a lovely beautician I know in Turkey that I plan to go to visit week. Plus I will definitely fit in a Turkish bath and massage. I'm also being much more careful and organised with make up but will be glad to get some sun on my face! Also been wearing far more colour not just black from head to toe and that has been a little mse as many of new tops have been CS buys.

Sorry this post has been a bit 'me, me, me'. Hope everyone else is OK and enjoys the weekend. x

lessonlearned

Hello ladies and lurkers

Well it's only 10 days now till the Solstice - the day when a beautiful butterfly was supposed to emerge from the chrysalis - still feel like a drab caterpillar. Fabness is still a long way off:(

Today I feel particularly tired and low and the elephant looks huge. Will just have to keep going. Snapped at OH a few times and now feel as guilty as hell.:(

Needless to say didn't manage either exercise or beauty treatments today.

Sorry for such a depressing post. Tomorrow is another day.:o

Maman - Don't apologise - I enjoyed your chatty post - it was interesting - not like my doom and gloom offering today.

Nice to hear that the butterfly in you has emerged into a riot of colour.:rotfl:

Hope everyone is having a nice weekend - the weather is a bit hit and miss here and it turned really cold tonight.

G'night all x

maman

So sorry to hear you feeling down LL. It must be so hard with everything up in the air at the moment. I know you've had positive news from SS this week but the extra support will take a while to kick in so you're not feeling the benefit yet. I also think that while the extra support is welcome and much needed, it must be very saddening for you to have it confirmed IYSWIM. (Wow, my DGD would be amazed at my knowledge of textspeak!!;)).

Don't worry that you might not emerge from your chrysallis by 21st! It's not a race and you have achieved lots already. The summer weather is taking its time so why shouldn't you??

We've had a good day with DD2. The barbecue did happen although we ate indoors as sun kept clouding over making it a bit chilly outdoors. I ate reasonably sensibly although did nibble at a few 'naughties' (crisps, olives, sausages) but they were only small tasters. Mostly I had chicken, salad and kebabs with veg. Met up with my SIL's mother who I've not seen since Christmas time. She was very complimentary about how much weight I'd lost and then all flustered as she didn't want to suggest I was big before!!!

Tomorrow promises to be wet and cold so not ideal for touring the countryside with these Australians but we'll do our best.

Take care.x

lessonlearned

Hi Everyone

Thankfully a much better day - no tears - feeling much more cheerful:D

I think you're right Maman once the new care regime gets going things will be easier. I'll just have to be patient.

Anyway did a pile of ironing and worked my way through some paperwork, decluttering as I went. Have quite a to do list paperwork wise but at least it's been sorted out now, ready to go.

I've also got my jewellery stuff out - hoping to get going again in the next day or so.

Have been reading a great book by Duncan Bannatyne entitled "How to be smart with your time" - ostensibly about time management but a deeper thread running through it is about setting goals and how to get what you really want out of life. Good book - if like me you tend to procrastinate sometimes. It has made me realise that I've been drifting a bit again - so it's to get back on track.

I always used to my tell my boys "Good things don't just drop out of the sky and land in your lap - you have to make them happen". It's time for me to heed my own advice.:rotfl:

Maman Not quite sure how Slimming World works but as far as WW is concerned 10 olives relates to 1 point, so I would think fairly low cal and not too much of a problem when dieting. 10 is quite a lot of olives in one go.:rotfl: They are good for you though.

I adore them and had 10 green ones with my lunch then added some black ones to our Morroccan chicken tonight. I also added home grown coriander leaves and mint - its so nice using stuff out of the garden.

Next door has blackcurrants ready. They don't eat them and they insist that I pick all I want. I usually make them a pot of jam as a thank you - so I'll need to get cracking on that next week.

Excuse my ignorance but what does IYSWIM. Must keep abreast with modern life, textspeak, technology etc.

Anyway off to make DS2's packed lunch, tidy kitchen etc and then bed.

G'night all x - Hope you've all had a good weekend.

maman

I remember seeing a book called 'Teach your Granny to text' which made me laugh and have since picked up quite a few acronyms etc from DGD1. It's easy when you get the hang if you see what I mean.

Good to hear that you're feeling a bit more positive LL, getting on and doing something is always helpful, even if part of that something is ironing:rotfl:I always feel a sense of acheivement when the basket is empty. These days I tend to let it go until it's getting really full and then have a session clearing it. It's so much easier than when both DDs were at school and DH wearing at least one formal shirt a day, then it seemed like I was on a treadmill every weekend. Also lately (I've stopped ironing duvet covers). One day recently, I brought some in off the line and folded it and it looked ok and I thought, why bother? So that's saved a lot of work.

You're right that olives are good for you and I think it's about 8 for 1 syn and at an allowance of 15 syns a day the 3 or 4 I had yesterday aren't a major problem. It's just that I try to keep away from syns to save them up for my wine at weekends:o.

Thoroughly miserable weather here today. It's rained, non-stop ALL day. We met with the Australian couple and their darling little daughter. They were about our DDs age and the little one was just short of two (they have four other daughters left at home with grandparents!!). We managed to visit all the villages and had a pub lunch and a good chat but it was disappointing that we weren't able to stroll around because of the horrid weather!! It was 9 degrees earlier and I've had a jumper on all day (plus a fleece and a waterproof when we were out!). I think I'm feeling the cold more since losing so much flab but for June, it's ridiculous. But I'll be warm in Turkey!!

I'm off to bed soon. Hope everyone has a good week.

lessonlearned

Hello Everyone

Proof of the pudding ....

Went to see the care home today, took OH with me - wanted him to be part of the decision making process not just me taking over. Also took his PA because she would be able to cast a professional eye over things. It seemed ok but as OH so succinctly put it - "The proof of the pudding is in the eating".

There is really only one way to see if it comes up to scratch and that's to try it. We've booked him in for the last week in June which is when his PA is on holiday, on the strict understanding that he is to let me know if he's unhappy in any way. I will drive over and pick him up straight away. I will also make one or two unscheduled visits to double check he is ok.

Also took OH to dentist - poor lamb needs a load of work doing - as if he doesn't have enough on his plate.:(

Other than that not much happening - when we got back from visiting the care home I fell asleep on OH's bed whilst he sat in his chair drinking a cup of tea. I am so tired at the moment I could sleep and sleep. I think I'm just emotionally drained.

DS1 staying over again tonight - bringing some more stuff to store - so that will be nice.

Weather a bit better today - it was dreadful here yesterday too. At least your Aussie visitors can say that they experienced a typical English summer's day:rotfl: - cold, wet and miserable. Had to have the heating on yesterday - during the day too - not just to take off the evening chill.:eek:

Not managed any exercise or real treatments for a few days now - never mind - a few days isn't that bad in the grand scheme of things.

Don't feel guilty about your pampering treatments Maman. I know I do a lot of my own - it's only because I can. However, I still like having them done by someone else occasionally.

My dear old dad wants to treat me and my sister to a couple of nights in a hotel or similar whilst OH is away - part of our birthday treats - mine is July, hers is August. There are a couple of nice Spa Hotels within reasonable distance from here so going to have to investigate and see what's what. A bit of serious pampering would be heaven.

Either that or a trip to somewhere like Bath or York - can't decide at the moment. I don't want to go too far away from OH - just in case.

In the future - if things work out OK - then I will consider going away a bit further - possibly abroad for some sun - but for now I'm just going to take it one step at a time.

OH and I are used to being apart - he did for many years work away from home during the week. However, that's not the same as being stuck in a nursing home. As you can tell I do feel rather ambivalent about the whole thing - I appreciate the necessity but deep down hate that it has to happen.

Anyway time to start thinking about dinner etc.

Hope you are all well and still on track. Bye for now x

MrsWoolfe

Hello all!

Hope everyone is doing ok, been a bit "meh" for a couple of days, mostly tired I think, maybe the inevitable slump after being away...still lots of good things to plan for still- my best friend is getting married in a few weeks- they are having a pagan blessing in some lovely woodland in sussex, it's a whole weekend "wedding festival" and promises to be a lot of fun, with acrobats and fire dancers, campfires the main meal is themed around the Mad Hatter's Tea Party and they have asked that instead of gifts guests perform/do something at the festival...cue major panic for me

I love her to bits and we have been through so much together that I want to be able to do something great, I am a singer and once upon a time I sang for the National Youth Jazz Ensemble etc...but it has been a really really long time, I'm way out of practice and there just doesn't seem to be a lot of time to get things together...but I am determined to try!

Panic number 2: They have asked me to perform the blessing- which I'm honoured to do- but we are 3 weeks away and no decisions yet as to what sort of thing they want and I'm getting a teensy bit nervous...sounds like I'm being all "me,me,me" about it, I don't mean to, I just want it to be amazing for them. I think we don't often get the chance to show the people we care about how much they mean, and how much we love them and this seems like the perfect opportunity....argh am probably over thinking, and making it worse than it is....and i still need to find something suitable to wear...any suggestions for performing the blessing at a pagan ceremony in the woods/Alice in wonderland themed/wedding festival/in potentially muddy woodland???? The normal "dressy" dresses really won't look right and I think anything knee-length/ short won't fit either...need to find something soon though!

no pampering recently just too tired to think about it! right I think I'm going to go and get dinner sorted so I can get an early-ish night...

hope you are all well
MrsWoolfe