This week has been half term. Definitely not our best. J been ill nearly all week, I hurt my back on Weds and had quite a horrible time (but not as bad as last time) at the dentist yesterday and it has rained a lot.
Yesterday J felt well enough to go to the cinema after my dentist experience. We saw 'Edge of tomorrow' which was good. I just thought the aliens were a bit too nasty looking, sort of almost demonic.
Anyway when we got home and parked the car J said:
'What's that noise?'
'Birds singing? Squirrels chattering? Neighbours talking?'
'No that hissing noise.'
Eeeek - hissing noise was air rushing out of tyre which had a jagged bit of metal stuck in it.
So £300 to get tooth fixed and another £100 for new tyre. At least we managed to get home.
In a couple of days J has an MRI to check inside of his head is totally ok. I'm staying calm and just not thinking about any of the more serious possibilities.
Saturday 31 May 2014
Thursday 22 May 2014
Time to vote
The other thing we did today was voted in the European Election. I always vote because I think of what some women went through just so I could vote. The only time I didn't was the day I was in labour although I was sorely tempted - giving birth in a polling station though...
Anyway I voted Christian People's Alliance. Not that it will probably make any difference because the same party always gets in here, but I feel I've made my point.
Anyway I voted Christian People's Alliance. Not that it will probably make any difference because the same party always gets in here, but I feel I've made my point.
Head aches at the hospital
Talking of doctors J had an out-patient appointment yesterday re his headaches. Doctor wants him to have MRI just to make sure everything ok inside his head. She suggested his headaches might be a type of migraine as it runs in the family - as in me (very occasionally) and both my parents. She said she'd give him 42 Migraleve tablets to try so we handed in her prescription which clearly had '42' on it and waited an hour in pharmacy. I might be missing something but when we opened the bag at home I thought it was quite reasonable to expect there to be 42 tablets in it. Nope. 12 tablets. 2 tablets at start of headache = only 6 headaches worth. Phoned pharmacy 'It's our policy to only give out 12 because if you need more than that you need to see your doctor.' What? This isn't us buying some over the counter at Boots they were prescribed by a paediatrician and she said to have 42. I politely suggested it might have been nice to have actually mentioned it to us while we were there. 'Mmm, I see your point.'
Ok need to be thankful for doctors and medicines, I really do. Anyway he took 2 tablets yesterday and said it helped a bit so that's good.
Ok need to be thankful for doctors and medicines, I really do. Anyway he took 2 tablets yesterday and said it helped a bit so that's good.
Long time at the doctors
Today I was tired, it rained, P invigilated, J did Eng Lit 2 which went well. Poem they studued in revision session after school yesterday came up in exam. was I right to make him go or was I right?
We also took Mavis to the doctor. She had a pre op cataract assessment yesterday and they said her blood pressure was so low she was barely alive. Doctor took it again in both arms and it was a lot higher so it's a mystery. The problem with Mavis is when she gets to the doctors she tells them all her problems, even when the doctor was on the phone sorting out one problem she started telling her the next. Anyway she asked Mavis if they did blood tests at the hospital and she said 'Yes' so she said we could just sit outside while she phoned for the results. We sat outside next to the girl waiting to go in after us who was all smiley and friendly. After 5 minutes doctor came out and said 'They haven't got any results did they actually take blood out of your arm?' 'No, they tested my blood pressure like I said'. So back in, doctor wrote out form for blood tests, discussed Mavis going to 'Falls Clinic' - tried before didn't help, discussed how much tummy medicine she should take, doctor spent ages tracking down Mavis's records at orthotics clinic cos she thought she'd been there 2 years ago but it was actually 6, said she'd arrange another appointment there, did a repeat prescription for some other drugs, then she practically shooed us out. Girl sitting outside no longer smiley and friendly, almost glaring in fact.
We also took Mavis to the doctor. She had a pre op cataract assessment yesterday and they said her blood pressure was so low she was barely alive. Doctor took it again in both arms and it was a lot higher so it's a mystery. The problem with Mavis is when she gets to the doctors she tells them all her problems, even when the doctor was on the phone sorting out one problem she started telling her the next. Anyway she asked Mavis if they did blood tests at the hospital and she said 'Yes' so she said we could just sit outside while she phoned for the results. We sat outside next to the girl waiting to go in after us who was all smiley and friendly. After 5 minutes doctor came out and said 'They haven't got any results did they actually take blood out of your arm?' 'No, they tested my blood pressure like I said'. So back in, doctor wrote out form for blood tests, discussed Mavis going to 'Falls Clinic' - tried before didn't help, discussed how much tummy medicine she should take, doctor spent ages tracking down Mavis's records at orthotics clinic cos she thought she'd been there 2 years ago but it was actually 6, said she'd arrange another appointment there, did a repeat prescription for some other drugs, then she practically shooed us out. Girl sitting outside no longer smiley and friendly, almost glaring in fact.
J takes last minute revision to a whole new level
Me to J: 'Don't you think it's time you did some revision for your exam?'
J: 'Mum it's six hours until the exam, I don't need to start revising yet.'
J: 'Mum it's six hours until the exam, I don't need to start revising yet.'
Wednesday 21 May 2014
What's the point of English?
Have had some seriously sunny weather lately. Sunday was really hot. Our church was meeting in a different room due to Art exams being held in our usual place. I nobly volunteered to sit outside to show people the way.
P's invigilating job still going well.
J's exams going well, he says. Even Eng Lit yesterday was ok. Second Eng Lit tomorrow. He actually went to after school revision session today (one of five in his class to turn up) and said he found it useful. After half term he'll have his biggie English Language exam then (hopefully) it's the end of English lessons for ever! More importantly for me it's the end of listening to moaning about English lessons. Bring it on. I mean, it's been nine years, nine whole years, of J hating English lessons. Nine years of 'I'm not going to school today cos I've got English'. Nine years of 'English is a boring stupid waste of time'. Nine years of 'what's the point of English?' (Always wonder if his Year 2 teacher had handled things a bit better perhaps...)
And what was my favourite and best subject at school? You've guessed it.
Just please pass these English exams J. Not sure any of us could cope with you taking them again.
P's invigilating job still going well.
J's exams going well, he says. Even Eng Lit yesterday was ok. Second Eng Lit tomorrow. He actually went to after school revision session today (one of five in his class to turn up) and said he found it useful. After half term he'll have his biggie English Language exam then (hopefully) it's the end of English lessons for ever! More importantly for me it's the end of listening to moaning about English lessons. Bring it on. I mean, it's been nine years, nine whole years, of J hating English lessons. Nine years of 'I'm not going to school today cos I've got English'. Nine years of 'English is a boring stupid waste of time'. Nine years of 'what's the point of English?' (Always wonder if his Year 2 teacher had handled things a bit better perhaps...)
And what was my favourite and best subject at school? You've guessed it.
Just please pass these English exams J. Not sure any of us could cope with you taking them again.
Thursday 15 May 2014
Chemistry and cookware
Spent the last couple of days testing J on Chemistry. He said the exam went ok this morning but some of the stuff they hadn't been taught and it wasn't in the revision book. How strange.
Last night I went to a cookware party round Becky's. Only us, her daughter in law and 2 others there. The demonstrator made oven-baked risotto and chocolate-orange pudding. Yummy.
Always get a bit carried away at these things and think my life won't be fulfilled unless I have that spatula when in reality I know that's not true and it'll only clutter up our kitchen drawer and I can hardly do any cooking anyway, although did manage to microwave some baked beans today in my nice light microwave saucepan, bought at a previous cookware party. See I knew it would come in useful.
Becky's daughter in law also has ME, not as bad as me but she has a 3 year old and a 5 year old which isn't easy.
This morning felt tired. While P and J both at school (P invigilating) I lay on sofa trying to pray but mostly sleeping. P has been put in charge of two girls while they're doing exams - one on crutches and the other subject to panic attacks, thinks it's because he has first aid training. At least the Chemistry wasn't bad enough to cause a panic attack.
Last night I went to a cookware party round Becky's. Only us, her daughter in law and 2 others there. The demonstrator made oven-baked risotto and chocolate-orange pudding. Yummy.
Always get a bit carried away at these things and think my life won't be fulfilled unless I have that spatula when in reality I know that's not true and it'll only clutter up our kitchen drawer and I can hardly do any cooking anyway, although did manage to microwave some baked beans today in my nice light microwave saucepan, bought at a previous cookware party. See I knew it would come in useful.
Becky's daughter in law also has ME, not as bad as me but she has a 3 year old and a 5 year old which isn't easy.
This morning felt tired. While P and J both at school (P invigilating) I lay on sofa trying to pray but mostly sleeping. P has been put in charge of two girls while they're doing exams - one on crutches and the other subject to panic attacks, thinks it's because he has first aid training. At least the Chemistry wasn't bad enough to cause a panic attack.
Tuesday 13 May 2014
Scooter crash
Just to mention, before I forget, the rather dramatic scooter incident at church on Sunday.
Someone had brought in home-made brownies. Whatever diet I may be following I have the rule that home-made brownies are allowed. I thought I'd only have half a one and share it with P. Trouble was the dividing process made a few crumbs. I bent down to pick them up and the next thing I knew my scooter and I were hurtling across the room, our progress being stopped only by crashing into the drinks machine. Thankfully no harm was done.
What had happened? As I bent down the elastic loop on my hoodie had hooked round the 'forward' lever that's what.
Someone had brought in home-made brownies. Whatever diet I may be following I have the rule that home-made brownies are allowed. I thought I'd only have half a one and share it with P. Trouble was the dividing process made a few crumbs. I bent down to pick them up and the next thing I knew my scooter and I were hurtling across the room, our progress being stopped only by crashing into the drinks machine. Thankfully no harm was done.
What had happened? As I bent down the elastic loop on my hoodie had hooked round the 'forward' lever that's what.
Exams
The GCSEs are well under way now. Art is done and dusted. First parts of RE yesterday and Biology today went ok apparently. First part of Chemistry on Thursday.
P has done several invigilation sessions and enjoying it. A few interesting diversions like a Year 8 boy in a mock exam putting up his hand and saying 'Have I done this sum right Sir?' and a Maths question having been printed incorrectly.
For the last 2 weeks I have been frantically hunting for J's Physics and Chemistry revision books which had disappeared. (Person to whom these books belonged not showing any particular enthusiasm for hunting). Last night I was sitting in the living room conscious that Chemistry was just 3 days away and not able to think of anywhere else to look and wondering why God wasn't answering my prayers and should I spend £12 on getting some new ones. Suddenly something caught my eye - the laptop case lying on the floor a few feet away. I crawled over and opened the side pocket - inside were the revision books. Thanks Lord. I'd asked P if he'd looked in there and he said he'd asked J to look...
P has done several invigilation sessions and enjoying it. A few interesting diversions like a Year 8 boy in a mock exam putting up his hand and saying 'Have I done this sum right Sir?' and a Maths question having been printed incorrectly.
For the last 2 weeks I have been frantically hunting for J's Physics and Chemistry revision books which had disappeared. (Person to whom these books belonged not showing any particular enthusiasm for hunting). Last night I was sitting in the living room conscious that Chemistry was just 3 days away and not able to think of anywhere else to look and wondering why God wasn't answering my prayers and should I spend £12 on getting some new ones. Suddenly something caught my eye - the laptop case lying on the floor a few feet away. I crawled over and opened the side pocket - inside were the revision books. Thanks Lord. I'd asked P if he'd looked in there and he said he'd asked J to look...
Awesome
Had a busy week-end as went to a ladies' get-together at church on Saturday morning, organised by Melanie. I took Becky (well actually she gave me a lift and pushed me around but I bought her ticket). We ate sandwiches and cakes then there was a very thought-provoking talk relating to some fair-trade issues as a result of which we're not buying Tetley tea any more. Apparently some of their workers are so poorly paid that when someone comes along and offers to give them a week's wages to take their daughter off to 'get a good job in the city' they feel they have to accept.
In the evening we went bowling with Family Housegroup (well I sat and watched being incapapable of any of the actions required to take part). I was totally unaware that J was good at bowling but he came joint top in his lane and P won in his. Wow.
Sunday morning was church and a man and his wife with quite a well known healing ministry came to speak. She had this 'word of knowledge' about someone and as she was speaking I just thought 'that's me' and she said all this moving stuff about how Jesus is saying that He came and died to heal people like me and I might be thinking it can't happen but it can and I started crying. There's a wonderfully 'huggy' woman called Mary at our church and she came and hugged me and prayed with me and one of our pastors did too. There was all this pain just coming out. God is awesome, he really is.
In the evening we went bowling with Family Housegroup (well I sat and watched being incapapable of any of the actions required to take part). I was totally unaware that J was good at bowling but he came joint top in his lane and P won in his. Wow.
Sunday morning was church and a man and his wife with quite a well known healing ministry came to speak. She had this 'word of knowledge' about someone and as she was speaking I just thought 'that's me' and she said all this moving stuff about how Jesus is saying that He came and died to heal people like me and I might be thinking it can't happen but it can and I started crying. There's a wonderfully 'huggy' woman called Mary at our church and she came and hugged me and prayed with me and one of our pastors did too. There was all this pain just coming out. God is awesome, he really is.
Italian meal
On Sunday evening we went out for a meal with J and Tim. Adam didn't come because he was too busy revising for the same exam J had the next morning (!). Picture above is what J had and below is what I had - seafood ravioli which tasted a lot nicer than it looked. Yummy in fact.
We had a nice time - apart from the noise level being so bad I couldn't hear what anyone was saying. I'm sensitive to noise but I've also noticed noisiness in restaurants seems to be a trend these days - too many hard surfaces reflecting the sound. Boys enjoyed it which was main thing.
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