Second Time Lucky

amycool

We're looking for a possible FASD diagnosis. We hope with all our hearts that she doesn't have it as the outlook for the future isn't brilliant, but we need to be realistic and give her the support she needs if she does have it.

I have a GP appointment booked for today. Feel sick.

If she does have it, dealing with money is one of the areas that FASD diagnosed people struggle with, so giving her £2000 at the age of 18 probably isn't a good idea.

I did nothing yesterday - I felt really unwell then ended up stuck on the loo! I also ate more than usual but you can't fast if you're ill.

Last Friday I measured my waist and it was 84cm (after 5 days of fasting). Today it is 79.5cm!!!! So I'm under the dangerous size now, which is great. The plan is to continue until I'm happy with how my belly looks. Essentially I don't like it rolling over my waistband. :rotfl: Then I can gradually start eating normally again but I don't ever want to go back to how much I was eating before. This diet is perfect for me. Quick results, I can still eat chocolate, it's a bit of a challenge.

Tonight OH has works drinks so I have a DVD ready and we'll probably have pizza for tea. This term is really dragging - DD doesn't break up until Thursday!

debtfreeoneday

Next Thursday???? Woah that's late!

I just had to google FASD, I hope that isn't the case.. but as everyone says to me, he will have two supportive parents doing their best etc.. I am in no rush to label my child, my take comes totally from a supportive point of view as he is struggling socially and I hate the thought of people thinking he is a toerag!

Well done on the dieting, I have failed miserably this year.. determined though as of 27 or 28 December, I am on it..

amycool

I am so excited now. 6 days to go!!!!

I would have all the gifts wrapped by now but we have a very lazy postman who never even bothers knocking for parcels - just puts the note through!! So one big parcel of gifts is sat waiting at the collection office, which fortunately isn't too far away. OH should be collecting it tonight.

So tomorrow I shall be cleaning out the rats and wrapping all the gifts.

I also bought a few extras for DD...again. Some socks, a Chocolate Orange for her stocking, and a coconut, just to make her laugh. OH once got a pineapple as a birthday gift. Very odd.

We had a very busy weekend in which DD coped much better than expected. A big family lunch, then a big family party - all in one day. Yesterday my Mum came round bearing cake and we all went to a NT property for Christmas fun. We've had some sadness as DD misses those she has lost. It was also a bit sad for me as my grandparents played a video at their 60th anniversary party of old photos with old music in the background. I remember watching it on VHS 25 years ago and laughing at photos of my Mum as a kid, but now my grandparents are so much older (and not very well), I sat trying very hard not to cry. Funny that since then they now have 6 great grandchildren.

I decided since I have reached my goal waist size to reduce the diet to something more enjoyable. I'm fasting from around 6pm to around 12pm the next day, but then I can have lunch and tea. I am trying to eat sensibly but it's getting harder now we've bought loads of Christmas food. I almost fainted when the Aldi checkout lady said, "£70 please"!!! We normally spend around £40. It must have been the coconut. :rotfl: It should hopefully mean we just do a small shop on Christmas Eve.

OH's smartphone has arrived! We are now true 21st century people! I've put £10 credit plus a £7.50 goodybag on it so he can use it straight away, but I really don't get all the options yet. It'll be good to be able to take photos on it.

It's making me think I'd quite like a smartphone too...maybe for my birthday.

debtfreeoneday

It's my one vice in life - my smartphone. we don't drink or go out massively and we both use them soooo much!

Sounds like your build up to Christmas is being lovely!

amycool

It's done! All presents are bought and wrapped and now I can't wait to give them out!!!!:santa2::rudolf::xmastree::xmassign::snow_laug:xmassmile:snow_grin

OH had his present yesterday because he was out of credit and it seemed silly to spend more money.

I pondered getting myself a smartphone but then thought realistically, I use my kindle fire for all the things I'd be doing on a smartphone. The only little thing would be GPS if I ever start running again, but that's not massively likely. Maybe when my kindle dies (it's about 5 years old I think) I'll get one.

I am pondering getting a new fitbit for my birthday. I had the cheaper clip-on one a few years back and loved it before it fell in the loo. I'm thinking of getting the Fitbit Charge HR as some shops have it quite cheap but I'll see what the January sales bring. It'll be interesting to see how much good sleep I get.

The rats are all clean now. I've removed all of the ropes as they stunk to high heaven and I can't be bothered washing rope. Instead they have new stairs and perches. I'm slightly regretting buying the cheaper copy of the explorer cage as it isn't very good quality and we already have rust.

I have an early Christmas present for DD for when she breaks up. It's a big book of Christmas activities that we can do together. I also have a few films taped.

The horrifically expensive ethical gifts came and it's a mixed bag. Some were well worth the money - others less so. I never buy anything expensive so maybe my expectations were too high.

I've just received a card for the dead man who used to live here. It's odd that someone would send a card to someone who died 4 or 5 years ago. Surely they've noticed that they haven't heard from him in a while?

Only a few days left on the playmobil advent calendar and it was well worth the money. DD has played with it every day and now has loads of new playmobil to add to the sets she already had.

amycool

I spent much of yesterday pondering and this is what I came up with:

Things I would like to do for me in 2017 -
Go out in the evening with OH to a show or for a meal
Have a night away with OH (perhaps a little ambitious)
Do some language learning (either build on French or try a whole new language)
Do a course (I'm pondering Latin)
Do some knitting and finish a project
Make more hammocks for the rats - do more sewing
Get a beginner's piano book and re-learn the basics
Go for a family bike ride
Have some nice big walks
Meet up with friends I haven't seen for ages
Lose a little more weight and keep it off

My vague plan for 2017 is to add some structure to the week and set aside times for these things.

January to do list -
Get DD's hearing tested
Buy a bike carrier for the car
Get a fitbit and smartphone for my birthday and download the fitbit and duolingo apps
Get fireplace fitted
Get shelves fitted
Make hearth
Paint tiles
Lay tiles
Clear out glass cabinet and move/sell
Overpay mortgage

February to do list -
Get a company to clean windows, pvc, gutters and conservatory
Buy brother's computer desk and printer and bin the old one
Get going with 2017 goals

There aren't nearly as many local courses as there used to be sadly. Lots of basic IT, maths and English ones, but all the fun courses are the other side of town and there's no way I could get there and back on the bus in time. I have looked at the free OU courses online so I may start there.

debtfreeoneday

Some good goals there Amy!!

Pearla*Merle

Futurelearn.com do an amazing array of free courses

PS. Good luck with your 2017 goals! You've done brilliantly this year (I've been lurking!), so I'm sure next year will be even better xx

amycool

Pearla*Merle wrote: »

Futurelearn.com do an amazing array of free courses

PS. Good luck with your 2017 goals! You've done brilliantly this year (I've been lurking!), so I'm sure next year will be even better xx

Thank you - it looks great and I shall definitely give some courses a go.

amycool

I've just bought an iPhone! I had a £10 voucher on ebay so I got a £38.99 phone for £28.99. I still have lots of credit on my old phone so I'll still use that for calls and texts but can use the iPhone for the apps. It has a 12 month warranty - we'll see how good it is soon I guess!

OH has taken DD out to buy me a small gift (from Morrisons so it will be limited) as I was a bit sad that I have nothing to open!

DD has no notion of time so the run up to Christmas is particularly patience-testing. "is it present time now?" "When are we opening presents?" "Are we opening presents tomorrow?" I even gave her an early present today in the hope it would keep her quiet...but no.

Please send any extra patience my way. :rotfl: