Embracing the new family dynamics and looking forward to the future with optimism

Savvy_sewing

pollyanna_26 said:

ETA Autumn is my favourite season too followed by Sring. I'm just a short walk from the beach but the last few years it's been far too crowded  and peoplehave been lighting fires, leaving still hot dispoable BBQs on the sands  and oing many things bannes on a protected over 20  mile coatline with rare flora and fauna along with red suirrela the whole thing  has been mayhem with broken bottles and lots of rubblsh all over the sands and in the woods. Some light fires and leave them burning- fires are banned.

I really dispare about the disrespect for people and places, the planet etc 

pollyanna_26

GhibliFan said:

You used to feel a bit low in the winter, I remember, as the days got darker.  S.A.D. I think a lot of people do though, the lack of sunlight must do something to our brains. Thank goodness it only lasts 12 weeks (sounds better than 3 months 😄).

I’m glad to hear DS is getting on well, I think the last time I was regularly on here he wanted to be a Blacksmith.  Good news. 

I'm now wondering if the Forge is still at Savvys.VitaminD tablets or capsules can help a lot with SAD. My youngest is immunesuppressed and has to wear big sunglasses on sunny days whatever the time of year to protect her eyes from sun damage  and musn't stay outdoors too long..

Vit D is the sunshine vitamin and that compensates for the lack of natural sunshine. We both used to suffer from SAD in darker , shorter days but Vit D helped and we rarely do now as the shorter days arrive.

pollyx

Savvy_sewing

Yes the forge is in the garden but it’s a wilderness up there, and it’s rusting away. 

I am trying to get help to get the garden cleared. 

It’s my left hand as I too am left handed in everything except writing although I can write with it if necessary. 

I use gels, and gloves too. 

pollyanna_26

I despair too Savvy coastguards and lifeboat men were run ragged the last few years rescuing toddlers drifting out to sea on inflatables while their parents sat a long way away on the sands drinking, smoking and stuffing themselves from the banned Barbie.

It really escalated during the pandemic even in lockdowns, there  were fights and all sorts  going on and Police and Ambulances were run off their feet. There was one day when although  they were having to deal with emergency situations as were the ambulance men and the police helicopter and the air sea rescue one looking for children drifting out to  sea or missing from the beach  when the Police brought in the horses they have a long standing relationship with the police officer on their bqck built up over the years and would defend that person to the death;

I was following the local news feed and oh how I laughed. No hurling bottles, cans or anything they could  lay their hands on at the police or the normal physical attacks.

Most of them were leaving the beach ; You don't take on a Police horse they have many different roles but when the going  gets tough they're needed.

pollyx

pollyanna_26

It's taken until now to notice fibro brain had me thinking you were driving all the way to Florida! That seemed a massive challenge. Disney used to be Florida but now is also Paris and it doesn't take much to confuse me.

Very Autumnal here now. Lots of falling leaves, acorns and conkers which my children used to collect from under the trees in the lovely public gardens along our very long high street,

Spring we'd be watching for the first snowdrops etc to appear.We haven't been in those gardens since the start of the pandemic so I really appreciate all the bulbs. flowers ,flowering trees and shrubs I planted over the years.

I'll need to remember to put the clocks back an hour Sunday morning. I usually do it before I go to bed so I don't forget. There are four clocks here which don't change automatically and I do worry changing them if my hands aren't good.

The one I wouldn't like to drop is the bone china Brambly Hedge wall clock. I'd collected the Brambly Hedge books by Jill Barklem and my children loved them . I began collecting the china. tiny cups , saucers and plates thimbles and other things. Adult size crockery was added over the years and large Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter plates;

All of them have survived so far although the much missed Ollie Mog used to climb the shelves of the Welsh dresser so he could lie behind the top cornice and I 'd be catching things as he climbed.

Jill Barklem died too young and Royal Doulton produced The Harvest Mice wall clock in her memory in 1989. I have no idea how that clock survived two generations of children but it has.

pollyx

Savvy_sewing

We are in Paris Disney. I hurt all over from walking all day. But the grandkids are happy. 

pollyanna_26

Just noticed your post Savvy I managed to damage my ribs and am only just functioning.; Schools will be going back later than usual here. Staff shortages.

It sounds as though there will be lots of happy memories for all the family.

Not sure when you're heading home but hope the return journey will go smoothly with no delays.

You'll need your bed after all the driving but at least the memories will remain.

Take care

Pollyx

Savvy_sewing

I’m home, bone weiry, but I think everyone had some very good experiences. 

It was hard work with all the mental health issues of some and the special needs of others. But we had some great moments. But the senses are still reeling. We got back at 11pm last night. Today I have struggled to function. Aches and pains from all the walking and hours of driving. Luckily there were no problems just long distances. I am glad to be home now.
savings depleted and so it’s going to be a few No November challenges and a few frank conversations with adult children.
school for the boys tomorrow and it’s roll up my sleeves and change the house from Summer to winter proofing etc. closet clearouts and the usual replacement of gloves etc.
 I found some magic gloves in the charity shop for £1 a pair for the boys just before we went away. 

The Christmas meat hamper has been bought months ago. 

I am planning on taking us all down to the Caravan for Christmas before the park shuts on 2nd Jan until March next year.
going to be one present they want, one they need and something to read this year.
 I have come to bed early as I am so tired, but I have a sore throat and a cold sore started, so I am getting the dreaded lurgy from twin2 after all.
oh the joys of winter. 

I hope you feel better soon Polly sore ribs really affect everything you have to do. 

Sending healing vibes xx

pollyanna_26

I'm glad you're all back safe and sound and hope you've had time to recover. Hope the boys settled back in to school. They'll have lots to talk about and that always helpsI was one of those mums who sewed tapes or wool cords on to mitts and gloves as I was fed up with one coming home and the other missing. I do remember when Magic Gloves went on sale way back theyseemed quite a revolution one size fits all so I used to buy the same colour for each child in packs of four or six and they seemed to last forever.

You're organised with your meat hamper. It should save you a lot of money because over the months everything seems to be more expensive and there's no sign of that changing.

Brilliant idea taking everyone down to the Caravan for Christmas. Hopefully thatwill save fuel costs this winter.

I hope you're beginning to feel a little better and Twin2s lurgy hasn't spread to anyone else.

The ribs are beginning to heal thank you but I keep forgetting to take care. Lifted my sewing machine out of thr cupboard yesterday and  couldn't straighten up.

Need to give it a bit more time.

I hope all is well with your mum and your brother. Does she still get the winter illnesses? I remember when she was in hospital and used to wonder how you managed herding the hordes and looking after her.

Hope you manage to avoid anymore lurgys though it's unavoidable with youngsters in education.

Look after you.

pollyx

Savvy_sewing

We’re all on the road to recovery. dgs2 was only at school Monday then he was sick, about to send him back and he was sick again Early hours of Thursday. So hopefully back to school tomorrow. Dgs1 was sent home Tuesday with a headache and went back reluctantly on Thursday. 

DGD managed to miss a day with a headache on Tuesday, but managed the rest of the week. Twin2 and I have coughed and spluttered our way through the week. Several afternoons I have ended up having a nap as Dgs1 has been waking me at 5.38am! One night he slept in my bed he managed until 6.50 which was a bonus of sorts. We haven’t had a very good week with him though. 

I have taken on more sewing as the emergency funds are pretty much gone. Making a few more cooking bags, and enquires for 10 came in today. So hopefully that will lead to sales. 

I have been enjoying making the dog accessories. Need to get them out on sale next.
dgs2 had a birthday party yesterday so I made trousers and a draw string bag for the birthday gift. 

I exchanged the €80 we had left over into £s and have managed to shop only with cash and only what was needed this week. 

Managed a no spend day today as well. 

I think I am going to withdraw the equivalent cash this week and only use that for the shopping again this week. Saying No-November is going to continue as much as possible. 

I have several alterations coming in tomorrow so hopefully I will have a good working day ahead of me. 

Mum is doing Ok Polly, she hasn’t been anywhere since March which worries me, but she’s managed to stay safe and covid free. 

DS has finished his training at his new job and is now out on the roads recovering vehicles that have broken down or crashed. 

He seems to enjoy it anyway.
Biggest had to replace her car the day before we went away as the other one gave up the ghost. So it was touch and go at one stage if we were going to get away. 

Unfortunately she took ill on Monday and turned out to be Covid, so she’s had a tough week. 

Fingers crossed everyone will be 100% tomorrow. 

Now I have to think about Christmas gifts for those who I can make things for.
thinking about a waistcoat for DS, infinity scarves and possibly hats for the many girls. 

Batman shirt for DGs2, and possibly a sweatshirt or something for Dgs1, that I can also personalise. 

I want to get a few books too. 

Hopefully I will sell my makes for enough to then get toys for the boys. 

It’s definitely going to be a scaled down version of Christmas in our family.