Juggling, Organising, and Holding it All Together - 2011

Triggles

Argh! An annoying piece of expensive admin work to get done tomorrow. DH's picture needs to be updated for DVLA. And it's going to cost £20!!!:mad: How incredibly maddening! Because we have to go to the main post office to get it done, pay for parking, wait forever in a queue, then turn it in. So about £23.00 all told, including parking. :mad: Just annoying....

Appointment tomorrow for DS2 to speak to the GP about whether or not DS2 has asthma. sigh... as if he doesn't have enough difficulties. grrrrrr. But we already spoke to the nurse practitioner and she thinks it sounds like asthma as well.

Triggles

Whew! What a day. I'm exhausted. Went to the high street to do a few errands. Found an adorable "handy manny" dress-up kit at the Disney Store, usually £18 but was on clearance for £5. So picked that up for DS2, as he likes handy manny. He had his GP's appointment, and we were advised today that he does have asthma. So back to the inhalers and spacers and all that again (DD has asthma, but she is an adult and we haven't had to manage her care in years as obviously she takes care of it now). I'm going to have to take some time to process this, as obviously DS2 has other difficulties as well, and this is one more complication.

Thankfully, I have a meeting at the school tomorrow anyway with his teacher, TA, and SENCO to review the IEP, so I can pass along this information about the asthma as well. His TA is very familiar with asthma and the meds, so that's a huge relief to us!

I'm going to go have a drink (non-alcoholic ) and relax for a bit.

Triggles

One of those "trying to avoid having a breakdown" days. The finances have taken a back seat for this week, but a nasty letter from a DCA (on a long disputed unenforceable debt, I might add!) means I'll have to drag all the paperwork out and formulate a reply tonight. I don't think I'm in the best frame of mind to do this, mind, so I may end up sending them a letter that just basically says "get stuffed". :mad::p The original creditor is being wretched and keeps sending it to different DCAs so we never know who has the account - by the time we get a letter from one DCA, it's been moved on to another. Pretty soon I'm going to just start ignoring the DCA letters and start responding directly the creditor and tell them it's getting old.

My father is still in ICU in the states. He's basically in a coma and not responsive. It's simply a matter of time now, and my family there are keeping someone with him 24 hours to make sure someone is there with him when he passes away. I'm not able to go over and help at all, due to finances and circumstances, not even for the funeral. So I'm going a bit spare here over it all. Not coping so well with it.

We're still waiting for the statement to go through for DS2. Someone from the school mentioned that it's rare they approve 30 hours 1:1 (which is what he's temporarily getting right now), so there is some concern about that. The school and paediatrician have both agreed that he absolutely must have it for his own safety, so if it doesn't go through with a full 30 hours, I'll have to appeal it. I absolutely cannot bear to go back to the way it was before he was placed on the temporary set up of 30 hours, worrying about possibly getting a call from the school saying he'd gotten off school grounds and was lost. He got out once, I do NOT want it happening again because someone isn't with him 1:1.

DS2 requested spag bol with garlic bread tonight for tea. It's rare that he requests something specific so I want to make sure we have that. So I'll pop up to the supermarket later to pick up a few things. We have someone stopping over this afternoon to fix up some brickwork on the outside of our house, so I have to be home until they show up anyway. Hopefully they'll be here before the school run!

Our area is going to the new rubbish collection in just over a week, and they still haven't delivered the new food collection bins in our area!! Hope they get it done soon!

Triggles

Hmmm... was gorgeous day outside today. Hung washing (towels) out on line and got them dry. :j So nice to get them dry all at once, rather than doing one or two in other washes and drying them one by one on radiators. But now I'm freeeeeezing downstairs. Upstairs bedrooms are obviously warm - monitors for the boys both reading 21 for temp. I think I'll just pop on the little electric heater to take the chill off, rather than overheat the boys and turn the main heater back on. A cup of tea always warms me up, but I've had too much tea today as I'm buzzing a bit. LOL

We've had both ups and downs at DS2's school recently. IEP review good - I love that they ask me what things I would like them to do as targets and really listen to what I have to say. I understand a lot of schools don't. They did bring up the idea of DS2 going to a special school, saying they have to let me know all available options. I was a bit frustrated, as this has been brought up before, but when I again pointed out that his paediatrician said it was out of the question at this point, as the disruption and upset for him would not only hamper their assessments but it would also be extremely difficult for him, the school seemed fine with that (and to be honest when I directly asked if they were trying to get rid of him they said absolutely not subtle, me? Nope!). His TAs put together a now/then board for us to use at home as he uses it at school with some success and we wanted to keep things similar. They also made us a smiley reward board as it's what they use in class for him.

I managed to get all my ironing done today. Whew! It's like it multiplies when you're not looking!! :rotfl: Tomorrow I want to get some baking in, but not sure I'll be able to. I have an appointment with the consultant in the morning for a routine check. I wish they did phone appointments - you know "how are you doing" "I'm doing fine, no specific problems" and "fine, another check back in 6 months then." :cool: I hate paying for parking at the hospital for a 10 minute appointment.

Interesting information, but I found out our house was built in the 1930s and the kitchen used to be a utility room with a walk in pantry, while our dining room used to be the kitchen! Not sure the remodel is progress though - I would LOVE a walk in pantry! LOL Ah well!!

My father is slowly deteriorating, according to my mother. They are expecting him to pass away most likely tomorrow - they don't think he'll be able to manage much longer. I feel so badly for my mother as tomorrow is also their wedding anniversary. I'm just glad there are other family members there for her, as we can't be.

Picked up a few packs of nappies and pullups at Sainsburys in the 1/3 off sale for baby stuff. I'll stock up proper after DH gets paid. I hate paying full price for anything if I don't have to! LOL

pennywisepoundstupid

Glad things went well with ds at school sounds like the school are very supportive.

Sorry about your dad, sending you hugs.

Triggles

My dad passed away Friday, 25 March, on my parents' wedding anniversary. I'm dealing with this as well as DS2 being quite ill since late Thursday evening, so posting will probably be sporadic for a few days.

On a bit more cheerful note, our niece gave DH the info he needed to finally crack yorkshire puddings that turn out nice. She make them in silicone muffin tins - no oil needed, just straight into the muffin tins and they are brilliant and don't stick to the tin (well, silicone, not tin, but anyway..). DH was quite pleased with how they turned out.

DH just finished watching a scary film. He's now asleep but I can't sleep. sigh...

Triggles

Dad's funeral today in the states. I hate not being able to be there, but at the same time a tiny bit relieved that it means I've missed the viewing and such. I do not cope well with viewings or funerals, and this would be the worst. My mum said she wanted us to remember him as he was prior to his injury 2 years ago, when he slipped on ice and fractured his skull, causing brain damage. He slowly fought back in health over the last 2 years, but still had some memory problems and was unable to do a lot of the things he could do previously. He'd lost a lot, and he knew it and it really upset him. Being dependent on others is a bitter pill for someone who used to be fairly high ranking in the military and was used to being in charge. I think he's happier now.

DS2 finally well enough to go back to school today, although he was all over the place. He'll keep the 1:1 busy, I'm sure! :rotfl: I'm still trying to catch up on housework. I think an easy tea tonight as I'm just not up to cooking, so will pick up something DH can just toss in the oven.

Called about the new brown bins - and it takes them 15 WORKING DAYS to get it delivered to us. Where are they coming from? Indonesia?? Ridiculous! I hope the date of service (paid for!) is from the date of first pick-up, and not from when we order - don't like paying for 3 weeks where there's no bin. :mad: I will have to ring back and ask them about it. Had a bit of a go at them yesterday as our collection for the new food bins starts Monday and we still haven't gotten ours yet. Annoying.

Sorry, think I perhaps may be spoiling for a fight. Maybe best not to ring anyone today. LOL

pennywisepoundstupid

HI honey, just wanted to send you a hug and my thoughts are with you, i'm so very sorry about your dad, but as you have said he is in a better place and no longer suffering, i found for the first couple of weeks after my dad died i was just numb with shock, you go through so many emotions and sometimes feel like you are going mad , but believe me it does get easier, the pain never goes away but i can now 2 years on talk and laugh about my dad with out breaking down, take each day one day at a time, cry when you need to cry, scream when you need to but most importantly laugh about the good times you shared because these are what he will want you to remember.

Hope i hav'nt upset you, pm me if you need to talk and take care of yourself.

Triggles

pennywise - thank you so much. I do find that my emotions have been somewhat erratic. But I've found denial works well and so does keeping busy - at least during the day when I have school run and errands and such. I can't stand breaking down in public - so embarrassing! So I tend to push it all aside until the evening. As silly as it sounds, I've found the shower is a good place to cry it out a bit - the boys can't hear it (so they're not upset) and it's private.

Sorting through some more paperwork today. CCA for loan came back unenforceable, so need to send a letter to them about it, requesting a correct copy of the CCA. Still waiting for response about our request for reimbursement of mis-sold PPI from another account - hopefully that will be positive. If so, we will work on full and final offer for the balance from the DCA and go from there. We're on a payment plan for the overdraft that has been agreed on that we can afford, so very happy with that for the moment, although once we've sorted other things out, we're hoping we can pay that off as well. We're hoping to get rid of at least 3 more debts by Christmas. :j

Bit of a headache today, but thinking it might be the weather and sinus issues. I got a bit spoiled by a few days of lovely weather, and now it's rainy again. It looks, however, like it might be clearing up now, and I'm hoping the wind will stay - then I can wash some towels and hang them out!!

Oh - a lovely friend of mine is giving us their slide for our rear garden! They are not using it, and it's perfect for DS2 as he's outgrown the smaller one we had (although DS3 is just getting big enough for that one!). Looks like we'll be a "2 slide" family for awhile. :cool: I'm tempted to test a couple of the branches on the tree in the rear garden and see if we can't put a swing from one. It'd save room - as no swingset needed - and money as it's cheaper to buy a swing than an entire swingset. :rotfl: Plus - I love a tree swing - it's lovely and old-fashioned - we had one at my grandmother's house when we were young.

Food bins finally arrived. :j And hopefully between the regular recycling and the food bins, our regular rubbish will be much less, as it now goes to every other week for pick up. :eek:

Hmmmm... I can hear a small voice calling "mummmmmyyyyyy" from upstairs, so I'm guessing DS3 is awake from his nap. Guess it's time to go and do some cleaning upstairs for a few minutes.

Triggles

Eeeek! Okay, I've braved the weather and hung out clothing on the line. Fingers crossed it doesn't rain!! But it's such a lovely strong wind, it'll dry the clothes quickly - if it doesn't downpour on them of course! LOL

DS3 is happily nibbling on apple slices while I am going through more paperwork. Big pile of shredding still - I think another "glass of wine in the evening in front of the chiminea in the rear garden whilst burning shredding" is in order. Best way to get rid of shredding that we've come up with anyway.

I have 3 recipes that I'm debating over right now. One is my mum's recipe for rhubarb muffins. The other two are MIL's recipes for sponge cake and tea cake. I'll have to pick one tonight - but leaning towards the rhubarb muffins. I've got tinned rhubarb at the moment, but hoping this summer that DD's rhubarb will be yielding well, so we can get some fresh rhubarb from her. Yummmmmmmmm! :j