I got a text from Sam's dad last night, saying he had hurt his back so couldn't drive to bring Sam back to me. I agreed to go over to Boston to fetch him, but on pulling up outside his house I somehow managed to burst my front tyre, and dent the wheel. No spare. Crap! Not a lot of mobile wheel replacers around on a Sunday evening :( Ultimately decided that the only option was to phone Lis and Alan, Lis was in the bath but Al, being the wonderful man he is, drove down to fetch Sam and myself. We spent the night with them - Sam slept like an angel, while I spent the time stressing about a) leaving my poor Beattie in the roughest part of town (see here) and b) how I was going to contact the educational psychologist who was due to make a home visit first thing this morning.
This morning saw an early start, and Al got us down to Bush Tyres for 8am, meaning the manager could send the mobile recovery van out to me before it started on the day's tasks. Excellent :) Things were starting to look up. Meeting the fitter at the car, he reckoned that although I would clearly need a new tyre, the actual wheel was only minimally damaged and could probably be hammered back into shape. He duly fixed the wheel and changed the tyre, during which time I received a phone call from the Ed Psych's secretary, saying she's ill and would have to rearrange the appointment. With no rush to return to Lincoln, we went back to Lis and Alan's.
Lis was due at the doctor's so we all went up there, and I suggested that while we were there we could nip into the travel agents. Just to look, of course.... We left above an hour later, with a holiday booked! Turkey, in June - I can't wait. Last year I fulfilled my dream of visiting Vesuvius and Pompeii, this year it will be Troy and Ephesus!!!
We spent the afternoon relaxing in the garden, and today ended on a much more positive note than yesterday. But my poor bank account won't know what's hit it, what with a holiday and new tyre...oops!
Here's hoping that the rest of this week is rather calmer. Lilly and I are off to Leeds at the weekend, to see Example, supported by Wretch 32. This year is a social whirl :)
S xx
Showing posts with label Shopping. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Shopping. Show all posts
Monday, 30 April 2012
Thursday, 19 April 2012
Leave my baby alone!
Really wish these germs would leave my little man alone. Sam was sent home from school again today. He'd been out of sorts this morning and choking as if he would vomit but he didn't do, and wanted to go to school, so I sent him in; but by 9:30am I had the receptionist on the phone asking me to go to fetch him. Poor little thing was pale, limp, and bursting out in tears at random intervals. So I rushed home with him (I'd been waiting in for a delivery between 7am and 1pm, figured it would be typical if they showed up during the few minutes I was out!) and we settled down on the sofa. Pretty quickly he got his lunchbox out of his bag, and soon perked up after a bit to eat and drink.
As it turned out, the delivery hadn't happened while I was out and the guy soon turned up with our shiny new television. So this afternoon I have done some rearranging of furniture, setting up of the new television, and now we have a TV in our living room instead of separate living room and TV room. The living room is the one to get all the sunshine, so if we ever get any I am very excited about spending more time in this room (without the ongoing fight over whether or not to watch CBeebies...).
Sam took himself off to bed at 16:45, refusing dinner or even a drink, so I figured that rather than causing an argument I would just accept it - we'll have the argument in the small hours of the morning, if necessary! Sam's in bed, I've moved some sofas around, and am now relaxing in front of my posh new TV! I'll be early to bed, ready to deal with whatever tomorrow throws - I assume that Sam's illness is still the same germs / virus that has been pestering him for the last month or so. I just don't understand how anything can have survived the huge dose of antibiotics he was given!!
S xx
As it turned out, the delivery hadn't happened while I was out and the guy soon turned up with our shiny new television. So this afternoon I have done some rearranging of furniture, setting up of the new television, and now we have a TV in our living room instead of separate living room and TV room. The living room is the one to get all the sunshine, so if we ever get any I am very excited about spending more time in this room (without the ongoing fight over whether or not to watch CBeebies...).
Sam took himself off to bed at 16:45, refusing dinner or even a drink, so I figured that rather than causing an argument I would just accept it - we'll have the argument in the small hours of the morning, if necessary! Sam's in bed, I've moved some sofas around, and am now relaxing in front of my posh new TV! I'll be early to bed, ready to deal with whatever tomorrow throws - I assume that Sam's illness is still the same germs / virus that has been pestering him for the last month or so. I just don't understand how anything can have survived the huge dose of antibiotics he was given!!
S xx
Wednesday, 4 April 2012
Pretty things :)
Well what a lovely day I had yesterday - there were smiles, there was laughter, and there were tears. I went wedding dress shopping with my best friend Helen :) The wedding isn't until 2014 but she wanted to just see what was out there - as it happened, she absolutely fell in love with "the one", and my goodness did she look beautiful. We've been friends since we met 16 years ago, and it's so good to see her life come together so perfectly. I won't describe the dress or post a photo, just in case word gets back to the groom (I don't think he reads my blog, but it's really not worth the risk!), but she looks so stunning in it that I had a little weep!
It was a lovely girls' day out with the bride, the mother of the bride, the mother of the groom, the bridesmaid, the bridesmaid's mother, and myself (the maid of honour, wahooooo!!!). Helen tried dresses, then we went for a lovely pub lunch (thank you Carolyn!), followed by a return to the shop to try on a few bridesmaid's dresses. Didn't imagine we'd find the right ones for myself and Alice, but actually one I tried fits in perfectly - it suits me and my style, and also matches the style and theme of the wedding, as well as looking great next to Helen's dress. Result! Now we've got two years to wait before going shopping again for Alice's dress - she's only 10 but will be nearly 13 by the time of the wedding, so her figure will change so much that we can't even make a decision on style at the moment. Mind you, she fell in love with one and was very reluctant to take it off!
She was also beside herself looking at the tiaras, and tried on at least two different tiaras with each dress, just to see how they looked :) I must confess, when she put one on me my smile did get a bit bigger and I felt almost like a princess, and I'm secretly very very excited about the prospect of maybe wearing one on the big day (well, if Alice gets one then I want one!!!)
I also now completely understand those girls who get swept away with the details of a wedding, and almost forget about the marriage itself! Dresses, jewels, it's all so amazing and beautiful. If I ever get married, I don't think there's much chance of it being a low key affair!
Whilst we were prancing around and feeling pretty, Sam was having a day with Nanny and Grandad - and from what I can work out he very much enjoyed himself :) He's learnt all sorts of new words, and is finally eating again. His thrush has nearly gone, and even his cold is improving at last. We're currently chilling out - everytime I suggest something to do, Sam says "No Mummy, go to sleep" and lies down! Ah well, I don't mind having a quiet afternoon :)
S xx
It was a lovely girls' day out with the bride, the mother of the bride, the mother of the groom, the bridesmaid, the bridesmaid's mother, and myself (the maid of honour, wahooooo!!!). Helen tried dresses, then we went for a lovely pub lunch (thank you Carolyn!), followed by a return to the shop to try on a few bridesmaid's dresses. Didn't imagine we'd find the right ones for myself and Alice, but actually one I tried fits in perfectly - it suits me and my style, and also matches the style and theme of the wedding, as well as looking great next to Helen's dress. Result! Now we've got two years to wait before going shopping again for Alice's dress - she's only 10 but will be nearly 13 by the time of the wedding, so her figure will change so much that we can't even make a decision on style at the moment. Mind you, she fell in love with one and was very reluctant to take it off!
I also now completely understand those girls who get swept away with the details of a wedding, and almost forget about the marriage itself! Dresses, jewels, it's all so amazing and beautiful. If I ever get married, I don't think there's much chance of it being a low key affair!
S xx
Friday, 16 March 2012
Aaand breathe
Well, what a week.
Sam was out of sorts when he arrived home on Sunday night, but we kept busy visiting family and then he had an early night. Lis joined us on Monday morning for a day of shopping, and Sam's mood didn't improve much but he was snuffly so we dosed him up with Calpol and that seemed to help. While he was at school on Tuesday, Lis and I had ANOTHER (very expensive) day of shopping, successful but exhausting, and I also did some painting in the kitchen. Tuesday evening saw a shattered Sam, who still refused to eat and went to bed very early, waking a couple of times in the night but happy to go off to school on Wednesday. Once Sam was at school Lis headed home, and I went to bed for a four hour nap!! I just can't take the pace anymore ;) Anyway, dinner out with my Dad on Wednesday night and then bed.
Thursday I planned to catch up on all the housework whilst Sam was at school: what I didn't plan was to get a phone call just after 9.30am saying Sam had a rash that was concerning them, would I come and fetch him please. So drive across town, collect Sam, and take him straight to A&E. I defy any parent to not react to 'non-blanching rash' with 'OMFG meningitis'. Expected triage nurses to say he was fine and send him home, but no. The rash coupled with his lethargy, refusal to eat or drink, and general ill health was enough to get the doctor worried, she contacted the paediatrician who demanded he be admitted straight to a ward. On the ward, blood cultures were requested - inserting a cannula into an unanaesthetised wriggly four year old is HARD. I went with Sam into the treatment room initially, hoping my presence would calm him, but after multiple attempts in both hands from two paediatricians, a time out was called. Sam and I went back to his room while a more senior consultant came down to help. This time I asked the nurses to take him in, while I sat in his room and sobbed. Eventually one came back to tell me they had succeeded if I wanted to go in - such a relief to see my little man relaxed in the arms of a nurse, cannula safely in hand. The blood stained fingers poking out from his bandage were testament to the difficulty faced though.
So with the cannula in and the rash getting worse, antibiotics were started, as well as paracetamol to bring down his temperature. Then onto a saline drip, little man was clearly very dehydrated. But what a change as soon as the IV started, he suddenly woke up and became aware of what was going on. And then the news that the blood cultures take at least 48 hours in the lab, plus transport time, so we would be transferred to a different ward as we were in the day unit which closes at 9pm. Oh god, a night in hospital.
Still refusing to eat or drink, Sam chilled out with CBeebies on his personal TV whilst my Dad visited, and a couple of brilliant friends brought pyjamas and colouring books for Sam, and chocolate for Mummy :) Once Sam was asleep Grandad stayed with him, while I nipped home for overnight clothes etc. Realising at 9pm that I hadn't eaten since 5pm the day before, I discovered a sandwich in the bag of goodies from Lilly and Joy :)
A bad night ensued, with babies who didn't stop crying, nurses who didn't stop checking Sam's blood pressure, and an IV drip which didn't stop alarming all night - even the nurse was sick of it, and she wasn't trying to sleep!! But this morning brought better news - Sam woke up much brighter, and even had a drink. His IV fluids were about finished so they weren't renewed, and he ate a bit of breakfast. Then came some fantastic news - although the results weren't back to rule out meningitis or septicemia, all the doctors thought he was greatly improved and as the rash was now improving, he could go home as long as we return first thing tomorrow for the next lot of antibiotics, and possibly Sunday morning too. The nurse tried to give him his antibiotics IV before we left but his cannula had become bent, no wonder after the hassle of getting it in, so tomorrow he will have them injected instead. In a way this is a pain, as after the stress of the cannula we will now have to go through the stress of injection too, but it does mean he can have a bath tonight, and I won't need to be on constant high alert to make sure he doesn't tug at the lead!
So, now we're home. And he seems alright - although 24 hours semi-naked has convinced him that he shouldn't ever have to wear clothes, and he is currently sitting on the sofa without so much as a nappy (I'm trying to stay calm....)! The rash has calmed, his is rehydrated, and he has eaten a little bit this afternoon. Hopefully he will have an early night tonight and get a good sleep, and so will I! Much calmer now, and not overly concerned about the blood cultures as I think they'll be negative, but my goodness that was more stress than we needed or wanted yesterday. All serves to reaffirm the fact that my little man is an absolute angel, so brave and patient (unlike his mother, or father). As ever, nurses were sorry to see him go, what a twinkling little star :)
Mummy loves you Sam Sam!
S xx
Sam was out of sorts when he arrived home on Sunday night, but we kept busy visiting family and then he had an early night. Lis joined us on Monday morning for a day of shopping, and Sam's mood didn't improve much but he was snuffly so we dosed him up with Calpol and that seemed to help. While he was at school on Tuesday, Lis and I had ANOTHER (very expensive) day of shopping, successful but exhausting, and I also did some painting in the kitchen. Tuesday evening saw a shattered Sam, who still refused to eat and went to bed very early, waking a couple of times in the night but happy to go off to school on Wednesday. Once Sam was at school Lis headed home, and I went to bed for a four hour nap!! I just can't take the pace anymore ;) Anyway, dinner out with my Dad on Wednesday night and then bed.
Thursday I planned to catch up on all the housework whilst Sam was at school: what I didn't plan was to get a phone call just after 9.30am saying Sam had a rash that was concerning them, would I come and fetch him please. So drive across town, collect Sam, and take him straight to A&E. I defy any parent to not react to 'non-blanching rash' with 'OMFG meningitis'. Expected triage nurses to say he was fine and send him home, but no. The rash coupled with his lethargy, refusal to eat or drink, and general ill health was enough to get the doctor worried, she contacted the paediatrician who demanded he be admitted straight to a ward. On the ward, blood cultures were requested - inserting a cannula into an unanaesthetised wriggly four year old is HARD. I went with Sam into the treatment room initially, hoping my presence would calm him, but after multiple attempts in both hands from two paediatricians, a time out was called. Sam and I went back to his room while a more senior consultant came down to help. This time I asked the nurses to take him in, while I sat in his room and sobbed. Eventually one came back to tell me they had succeeded if I wanted to go in - such a relief to see my little man relaxed in the arms of a nurse, cannula safely in hand. The blood stained fingers poking out from his bandage were testament to the difficulty faced though.
So with the cannula in and the rash getting worse, antibiotics were started, as well as paracetamol to bring down his temperature. Then onto a saline drip, little man was clearly very dehydrated. But what a change as soon as the IV started, he suddenly woke up and became aware of what was going on. And then the news that the blood cultures take at least 48 hours in the lab, plus transport time, so we would be transferred to a different ward as we were in the day unit which closes at 9pm. Oh god, a night in hospital.
Still refusing to eat or drink, Sam chilled out with CBeebies on his personal TV whilst my Dad visited, and a couple of brilliant friends brought pyjamas and colouring books for Sam, and chocolate for Mummy :) Once Sam was asleep Grandad stayed with him, while I nipped home for overnight clothes etc. Realising at 9pm that I hadn't eaten since 5pm the day before, I discovered a sandwich in the bag of goodies from Lilly and Joy :)
A bad night ensued, with babies who didn't stop crying, nurses who didn't stop checking Sam's blood pressure, and an IV drip which didn't stop alarming all night - even the nurse was sick of it, and she wasn't trying to sleep!! But this morning brought better news - Sam woke up much brighter, and even had a drink. His IV fluids were about finished so they weren't renewed, and he ate a bit of breakfast. Then came some fantastic news - although the results weren't back to rule out meningitis or septicemia, all the doctors thought he was greatly improved and as the rash was now improving, he could go home as long as we return first thing tomorrow for the next lot of antibiotics, and possibly Sunday morning too. The nurse tried to give him his antibiotics IV before we left but his cannula had become bent, no wonder after the hassle of getting it in, so tomorrow he will have them injected instead. In a way this is a pain, as after the stress of the cannula we will now have to go through the stress of injection too, but it does mean he can have a bath tonight, and I won't need to be on constant high alert to make sure he doesn't tug at the lead!
So, now we're home. And he seems alright - although 24 hours semi-naked has convinced him that he shouldn't ever have to wear clothes, and he is currently sitting on the sofa without so much as a nappy (I'm trying to stay calm....)! The rash has calmed, his is rehydrated, and he has eaten a little bit this afternoon. Hopefully he will have an early night tonight and get a good sleep, and so will I! Much calmer now, and not overly concerned about the blood cultures as I think they'll be negative, but my goodness that was more stress than we needed or wanted yesterday. All serves to reaffirm the fact that my little man is an absolute angel, so brave and patient (unlike his mother, or father). As ever, nurses were sorry to see him go, what a twinkling little star :)
Mummy loves you Sam Sam!
S xx
Thursday, 4 August 2011
Busy week...
I'm having such a busy week! And it's unusual for me, I'm generally looking for things with which to fill up the days. But after a typical day on Monday, I spent the evening packing up a picnic ready for our trip to Rand Farm Park on Tuesday with Nanny, Grandad, Grandad's brother (visiting from NZ), and Sam's cousin Wills. Lovely day, at the end of which we brought Nanny home to stay with us for a few days, while Grandad and Uncle T are away up north somewhere :)
Wednesday started with a visit to Wisteria Patchwork - small barn at a farmhouse, filled with lots of lovely fabrics but too many to really get an idea of any of them. Still, I managed to spend a fair bit! Time for lunch, then a bit of shopping. Home, dinner, and then to ICU to visit my grandad who is recovering from a gastrectomy to remove a cancerous tumour.
Today has been more shopping (I bought a new dining table and chairs, very excited about them ariving tomorrow!), and lunch out. Once home I baked a batch of fairy cakes (official Sam rating: "okay"), then unpacked some shopping before heading off to the hospital again.
Tomorrow is another busy one with hospital appointment first thing, taking Sam to his dad's, going out for dinner (hen party part one). Then Saturday is hen party part two. Sunday must must must see me writing my next assignment! Oh yeah - got exam results from my Latin exam, 94%!! Combined with my 99% overall on assignments, that gives me a (very) clear distinction. Very pleased about that.
When life calms down a bit, I have a few projects lined up from my purchases over the last couple of days:
1. re-cover my great grandmother's nursing chair (including all new seat pad etc.)
2. make cushions for above chair
3. make skirt for myself
4. make quilted centrepiece for new dining table
5. do shopping for more fabric!!
This week has also seen me eat the first tomatoes from my garden (actually, we split the very first one three ways between myself, Lis and Sam), and I took some to my grandmother who was very jealous about mine being ripe before hers! On the topic of the garden, my darling child went out to play this afternoon, as the rain finally decided to ease off for a while (it has been very wet today, but warm). Off he goes, presumably to get his ball, but no - splash! In the paddling pool, shoes and all, looking proud as punch! Photo here :) Lis had been keeping an eye on him, all I heard was as Lis's title suggests 'Oh boy, I'm going to be in so much trouble now'! I just had to laugh, a lot!
S x
Wednesday started with a visit to Wisteria Patchwork - small barn at a farmhouse, filled with lots of lovely fabrics but too many to really get an idea of any of them. Still, I managed to spend a fair bit! Time for lunch, then a bit of shopping. Home, dinner, and then to ICU to visit my grandad who is recovering from a gastrectomy to remove a cancerous tumour.
Today has been more shopping (I bought a new dining table and chairs, very excited about them ariving tomorrow!), and lunch out. Once home I baked a batch of fairy cakes (official Sam rating: "okay"), then unpacked some shopping before heading off to the hospital again.
Tomorrow is another busy one with hospital appointment first thing, taking Sam to his dad's, going out for dinner (hen party part one). Then Saturday is hen party part two. Sunday must must must see me writing my next assignment! Oh yeah - got exam results from my Latin exam, 94%!! Combined with my 99% overall on assignments, that gives me a (very) clear distinction. Very pleased about that.
When life calms down a bit, I have a few projects lined up from my purchases over the last couple of days:
1. re-cover my great grandmother's nursing chair (including all new seat pad etc.)
2. make cushions for above chair
3. make skirt for myself
4. make quilted centrepiece for new dining table
5. do shopping for more fabric!!
This week has also seen me eat the first tomatoes from my garden (actually, we split the very first one three ways between myself, Lis and Sam), and I took some to my grandmother who was very jealous about mine being ripe before hers! On the topic of the garden, my darling child went out to play this afternoon, as the rain finally decided to ease off for a while (it has been very wet today, but warm). Off he goes, presumably to get his ball, but no - splash! In the paddling pool, shoes and all, looking proud as punch! Photo here :) Lis had been keeping an eye on him, all I heard was as Lis's title suggests 'Oh boy, I'm going to be in so much trouble now'! I just had to laugh, a lot!
S x
Sunday, 24 July 2011
Faith restored
I've had what for me is a very busy weekend. Friday's dinner plans have been postponed for a week as my friend had to work late, but Saturday saw my friend L collecting me ready for a shopping trip to Meadowhall. Long day! Very wisely we had cake-on-arrival, and a ncot for me, before hitting the shops. We had a plan - just keep turning left, then we can't miss anything. Do downstairs, have lunch, do upstairs. And it worked, we covered every square inch of that shopping centre! Unfortunately the one thing we couldn't control was the goods on sale, and they were disappointing. So six hours later, having just bought some CDs, we headed back to L's house, to start getting ready for a night out with mutual friend C.
So off we went, having had a few drinks to start us off. Great night - involved laughter and dancing, always a good combination for me! I even managed to find myself a very sweet 19 year old who spent the evening pretending to be my 27-year-old husband of 5 years (his idea, not mine!), in order to keep annoying men at bay - it is beyond me why men assume that if I'm dancing it must be for them....err no, I just enjoy dancing! And I do NOT want your number, never mind to go home with you! Anyway, home at 4am with aching legs.
After a lie in this morning I've very much enjoyed reaffirming that actually I am a fully grown adult, by getting out in the garden and cutting the grass, staking up my tomatoes, creating more growing room for my beans, and cropping some potatoes, beans and onions. Much as I enjoy the occasional night out on the town, I'm happy that they are getting less frequent as I think I'd actually prefer to have dinner parties, if anyone would come!! I guess I'm caught between my grown up, child-centred life, and the young free single lives of my girlfriends. I love having the best of both worlds, but I do feel a bit of a fraud when I go out anywhere without Sam, I want a plaque saying 'I have a child, I'm proud of this'! Mind you, maybe I just need to keep C with me - as I got chatting to this guy last night (Chris, for the record, no surname!) she rushed in with 'You know she's got a three-year-old, right?'!
S x
PS: RIP Amy Winehouse - I hope she finds more peace in death than she did in her troubled life. We've all heard of 'live fast die young', but it's such a shame when someone with a talent as outstanding as that has so little regard for her own life, or for those who love her. Everyone has to do what makes them happy, I just find it hard to comprehend that she really could have enjoyed living like that.
So off we went, having had a few drinks to start us off. Great night - involved laughter and dancing, always a good combination for me! I even managed to find myself a very sweet 19 year old who spent the evening pretending to be my 27-year-old husband of 5 years (his idea, not mine!), in order to keep annoying men at bay - it is beyond me why men assume that if I'm dancing it must be for them....err no, I just enjoy dancing! And I do NOT want your number, never mind to go home with you! Anyway, home at 4am with aching legs.
After a lie in this morning I've very much enjoyed reaffirming that actually I am a fully grown adult, by getting out in the garden and cutting the grass, staking up my tomatoes, creating more growing room for my beans, and cropping some potatoes, beans and onions. Much as I enjoy the occasional night out on the town, I'm happy that they are getting less frequent as I think I'd actually prefer to have dinner parties, if anyone would come!! I guess I'm caught between my grown up, child-centred life, and the young free single lives of my girlfriends. I love having the best of both worlds, but I do feel a bit of a fraud when I go out anywhere without Sam, I want a plaque saying 'I have a child, I'm proud of this'! Mind you, maybe I just need to keep C with me - as I got chatting to this guy last night (Chris, for the record, no surname!) she rushed in with 'You know she's got a three-year-old, right?'!
S x
PS: RIP Amy Winehouse - I hope she finds more peace in death than she did in her troubled life. We've all heard of 'live fast die young', but it's such a shame when someone with a talent as outstanding as that has so little regard for her own life, or for those who love her. Everyone has to do what makes them happy, I just find it hard to comprehend that she really could have enjoyed living like that.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)