the hedgehog's balloons.

themadvix

The leaves are gorgeous at the moment, aren't they? I saw a little girl collecting a lovely handful of them on her way home from school as I was out on my walk - such vibrant colours.

the_cross_rabbit

Our first leaf decorated jar is finished, just waiting for darkness to descend so we can put a candle in it. Totally forgot that DD2 has an aversion to liquid glue but she managed to push through and finish what she started (obviously growing up). Today however she has hit the wall and has asked if we can do school on Sunday as she is shattered. Other than putting the washing out, I'm kind of sat twiddling my thumbs. Its given me chance to sit and think about my future. It is clear at the moment that I will not be returning to work next year as planned. We had hoped that homeschooling DD2 at home would reduce her tiredness. This has not been the case, although her behaviour has improved and is more managable on a daily basis. Hopefully she will go to college next year, but because we never know when the overwhelming tiredness  will happen, I need to be available at all times. So I need to think of something I can do from home. I have no particular skill set that I can think of that would allow me to do this. In my working life I worked with adults with learning disabilities supporting them to maximise their potential, not something I can do from home. Thinking cap on, disguised as a bobble hat as I am trying not to put the heating on at the moment,plus I have bad hair. 
Phone call from DD2 pediatric dr went really well, was so much nicer than us both going to the hospital (we were given the option of a t/c or hospital appointment). I hate going as we have to talk about all the negative aspects of DD2 disabilities which are of course essential. I feel that its not a nice experience for DD2 to have me drone on about her behaviour, toilet habits, weight issues, puberty....... the list goes on and on with the occassional positive highlight. If it was me been talked about like that i would feel like crap by the end. Today however DD2 sat in another room and didn't have to listen to any of it, so self esteem remained intact. Allowed me to discuss up and coming tests that would of reduced DD2 to tears, another positive of phone call.  
POSITIVES
1) wind is doing the work of my tumble dryer
2) Hat hair is better than my current hair
3) The NHS is the best.
CRx

themadvix

Wow, I can totally see why telephone call was an improvement - poor DD2 having to have all that discussed in front of her normally. Will this continue for the foreseeable future? It sounds like it is something that should be considered for all teenagers with disabilities whose parents need to discuss issues with their doctors. (I totally get why these things need to be discussed, but my goodness it must be uncomfortable for the patient concerned!)

No words on wisdom on the job front, except to say that I think the pandemic has definitely made employers see the benefits of home working and flexibility, so you never know what might be out there that might suit.

the_cross_rabbit

Currently sat in the greenhouse at the allotment pulling up basil. Warmest I’ve been all day🤪
CRx

the_cross_rabbit

We are umming and ahhing at the moment as what to do regarding my mum. It would appear that her county maybe going into tier 3 next week, although she is part of our social bubble she won't be able to see any relatives other than us. Our dilema is whether she moves back in with us or she stays at home and continues to travel over. I'm worried about her feeling very isolated (is not tech savvy) but need to balance that with us having our own space. Although it was great when she lived here, towards the end it just became too much. She has left it up to us to decided what to do and is happy either way. I think we'll see what transpires over the next couple of days.
Mum phoned (but I'm not to let on that they have had this conversation as DD2 has trust issues) to say that DD2 has decided she doesn't want to go to Disneyland Paris(DP) next year with my in laws  as she feels that she is too old (she will be 16 by the time they go) for princesses. This is great that she has spoken up but we now have the difficult situation where we will have to have a conversation with my in laws who want to take her. Well we will sort once she tells me herself. She really wants to go to Paris (wanted to go for years) its self and never really wanted to go to DP, but got caught up in the excitment of going away rather than the actual desitination. We have offered to rent somewhere with them as DD2 can be a hand full at times which they have not really experienced. Unfortunatley they were extremely offended that we were suggesting that they were too old to take her( their age or health issues were never mentioned) or couldn't handle her as they have had 3 children, have 6 grandchildren. Our concern was their ability to handle the extreme mood swings she has, even my mum has days when she tries her patience. I'm not sure they fully understand how bad they can be, think its time to roll out the recent 36 hours mood swing story when I next see them (obviously when DD2 is not there).
MSE news - sainsbugs have their 25% off 6 bottles of wine offer, so Christmas wine aquired , they also have their 25% off clothing so additional clothing for DD2 and myself bought. Starting my Christmas cake today using my currant shrub to soak the fruit in. Seed potatoes, onions, vegetable seeds and raspberry canes ordered ready for next year. I'd normally get them from wilko's but this year when I went they had almost sold out of the usual suspects, so its a belt and braces job to ensure I have what I need. Not much else happening except hoping to go to the allotment later if the rain stops.
POSITIVES
1) Christmas wine whooohoo
2) Love the smell of Christmas cake
3) Looking forward to future crops
CRx

the_cross_rabbit

Well the day started off fairly well, but DD2 has crashed and burned at the first hurdle and is now back in bed. We thought it was her hayfever (usually finishes mid Nov), but her medication isn't working and it tipping it down here. She's been looking very pale for the past couple of days so I'm not suprised. Oh well, victoria sponge is off the list today.
She went and saw my in laws with the hubbster yesterday and told them about not wanting to go to DP. They were fine and are pleased she has been honest with them. They are talking about going to Paris instead, the hubbster is yet to tell them about the fact that either both or one of us will have to go with them, but thats a battle for another day. Plus I can't see it happening until late next year or the year after.
My dad came and sat in the garden yesterday to update us on his recent hospital visit regarding his breathing. Apparently he is a medical phenomonon as people with his condition usually have a continual decline in their lung capacity and his is slowly improving from where he was 2 years ago. They are flabbergasted that he regularly rides a bike with his oxygen tank strapped to his back. Yesterday for the 1st time in 2 years he was able to sit and have a conversation not hooked up to his tank. Totally different picture when he moves of course but its all progress.
Just updated our energy accounts and I suspect that our bill will go up as we are definately using more energy with DD2 been home all the time now, but to offset that slighty our petrol/transport bill has come down also. The heating is on all day at the moment as she gets cold very quickly due to lack of movement and finding multiple layers restrictive. In the pre home ed days I'd be sat with my hat, fingerless gloves and a blanket on and no heating. i've also had chance this morning to record all my receipts for the last week. Looking over the last 3 weeks althought the food bill has been lowish the other areas have took a massive hit. Clothing is through the roof but since DD2 doesn't want to walk around naked I thought it best to get her some that fit.
I'm hoping once mum arrives (still coming even though cooking is off the menu at the moment) I'll be able to get up the allotment and pick some more brocolli for tea as we are have brocolli welsh rarebit for tea. Best go as DD2 is up and raring to go (wonder how long it lasts) to finish her wind chime.
CRx

Karmacat

Gosh, CR, there's a lot of health issues you have to take account of.  Well done you for juggling it all.  I can understand you having a good hard think about jobs - anything that mostly uses the phone can be done from home, for instance, employers understand that now.  Keep checking, I'm sure something will sort it self.

Great to hear about the development of the Paris trip, by the way, good for DD2.

the_cross_rabbit

Hi Karmacat thanks for dropping by.
Well that lasted all of 10 minutes she's back in bed again. Think that will be the theme of the day, bed hokey cokey. Oh well gives me chance to get the christamas cake in the oven. Hold on.....think she's on the move again, best go and redirect her to bed and drug her up.
CRx

the_cross_rabbit

Continuing to drug up DD2 who has a sore throat today, MIL dropped of a thermometer as I've still not replaced the one I sent with DD1. She doesn't have temp but thought better to be prepared.
DD1 is looking forward to going for a walk tonight at midnight once their lockdown is finished. She is finding today really slow going and is finding it hard to concentrate on her work, hence a recent phone call. I'm going to see her Thursday for a flying visit as she has a tutorial in the afternoon. I went shopping yesterday and have made her up a cinema night in a bag (lots of goodies to share). They are wanting to watch the extended versions of lord of the rings, which we have. Got some board games out and she has asked for addtional bedding. She also wants me to take bear bear up so she can have secret nose rub and snuggle before I bring him back home again. My mum is sending up a fruit salad! and pringles. I've been asked to make leek and potaoe soup ,so she can have that for tea. It was a very wet visit to the allotment yesterday to collect them.
Erm what else, the house smells of christmas as I finally got round to making the Christmas cake.I'm in two minds whether to make a gluten free one as well, but the last 2 I've made had a rice flour after taste, so will need to investigate another reciepe. We've decided as a extended family to make a donation to a charity this year again but this year the charity won't be chosen out of a hat. We've decided to opt for Newlife https://newlifecharity.co.uk/ which is a charity that supports disabled children and their families to access equipement i.e. wheelchairs that the nhs is unable to fund due to ever tightening criteria. They also offer counselling and advice to said families They partly funded DD2 electric chair, so we would like to donate our christmas money to them, especially as we know that last year one of their biggest donars decided to drop them and fund another charity instead.
Made several phones this morning to a couple of friends, one of whom is waiting for a phone call to tell her the result of a biopsy on a lump they found when she had a mamogram recently. In fact she should be getting the news now and why I'm on here trying to distract myself. My dad's wife has been for her radioactive drink and xray this morning to try and find out why sometimes she is unable to swallow food, so waitingg to hear how that has gone. The other friend is going through a messy divorce and has in the past really struggled but appears to be focusing on the future now. I think once everything is finalised she can move on with her life and put it all behind her. Its phone calls like that, that help put life into persecptive and appreciate what you've got and not get so wound up about what you don't.
MSE wise erm nothing other than our first increased OP goes out today.
POSITIVES
1) Its raining and I have a roof over my head
2) Christmas cake smells mmmmmmm
3) The only big decision I have to make today is do I watch Autumnwatch or bake off first and not do I heat my home or eat today. Our country is in a sorry state when this is still happening, thankfully there are wonderful people out there either giving money or their time to the cause
Take care everyone and stay safe.
CRx.

themadvix

Ooh, I'd forgotten Autumnwatch... think Bake Off first for me as I'm usually at evening class and miss it! (Sorry, entirely not the point you were making, which I couldn't agree more with, but first-world problems!)

Hope DD2 feels better soon. And I'm sure DD1 will love her midnight freedom - and snuggles with bear bear!

The choice of charity sounds excellent