Solstice :: Birthday :: Christmas

 On Solstice eve Ben and I sat around the fire pit with a mug of hot tea in hand:

Pip was twelve on the 23rd and I made it home from collecting our Booths Chicken and Veg Box order just in time for the usual, Pip was born here birth photo:

Our present to Pip was a grey desk for her bedroom and both her and Ben had fun constructing it, I must take a photo to share as they did a fab job.

In the afternoon we met Beth and her family outside and enjoyed a very cold, socially distanced catch up and picnic :-)  Beth and Pip took a walk along the canal and fed the ducks.

The Number 12 with more smarties added later, couldn't let them go to waste!

Hot Vimto drink, "Cheers!"

Cosy Christmas Tree Lights

"Happy Birthday To Pip"

No pictures from Christmas Day as I fell on the ice outside the back kitchen door.  Not only did I land flat on my back but I also hit my head and had a cracking headache for the rest of the day.  The Government changed their minds last minute, due to the new Covid variant sweeping through the country and you were only allowed to meet with one other person outside your family.  We were blessed to have a short visit from Fr L and so we sat in the kitchen with our coats on and the door open!  

Hope you have had a blessed Christmas regardless of the restrictions :-) x 

Waving :-)

 An early start (unintentional) has meant a chance to access the computer and share a long overdue update.

  Dave came home on the 23rd November and although it is lovely having him home it is not without some considerable challenges.  For the first fortnight I didn't know if I was on my head or my feet, we had extra disability equipment delivered and rehab assistants twice daily watching him walk with a frame.  I often joke that he might be disabled but I'm chronically sick which means Dave is pretty well, it's just his legs that don't want to work properly.  I on the other hand live on a knife edge regarding my health and it doesn't take much to tip me over.  The stress of being thrown back into a full on caring roll triggered a really bad IBS and fibromyalgia flare which is still ongoing four weeks later.

Despite the cronky health we all soon settled into a rhythm and it was a good job too as I began my Doula training with Red Tent Doulas UK from 30th November - 16th December.  It was a case of now or never and since all the sessions were via Zoom and in smaller increments I knew I would manage.  I have wanted to train since Pip was small but previously I would have had to travel and be away for an entire weekend.  It was a real confidence boost being back in 'the classroom' and the other girls on the course were just lovely.  In order to qualify I have a self paced series of tasks, an essential reading list and a final piece to submit.  My plan is to do a little each day and hopefully it won't take too long to complete.

During the second week of training we had the downstairs bathroom converted into an accessible wet room for Dave and it was not without considerable challenges.  I was very relieved when everything was completed on that Friday evening and the workmen have done a lovely job.  The next major building work is replacing the kitchen door and installing a ramp at the back of the house. 

All my original home school plans went out the window way back in September, we have just about managed to keep up with some English and maths but everything else was shelved.  Pip did however complete her John Muir Discovery Award with Beacon Fell and received a certificate for all her efforts.  She kept a very detailed diary of each field trip and submitted a poster entitled "Access All Areas ... but not during a pandemic." 

 Pip mapped a low level route that in theory should have been accessible with Dave's mobility scooter but in reality was not feasible.  Normally Dave has access to the off road vehicle at Beacon Fell, but as the visitor centre is shut this is not currently an option.  As it so happened the ranger team were around for the presentation and they took a keen interest in some of her suggestions for making the fell more accessible. 

I'll leave with you some photos of Dave crossing the threshold for the first time since July and Pip's thank you card for the Sue Ryder staff.  Thank you for all your prayers and encouraging words these past months they really are appreciated x 

Hooray for being able to hug Dad :-)

A very special gift given to Dave by another fellow inmate - a really lovely young woman the same age as Emma and Kathryn.
 

A Big Ol' Catch Up

 Lakeside Motor Museum

Our first car was an MG Midget but not this version!

A Rehab Birthday and Dragon Bread

'Drat, Drat, Double Drat ... sorry we cannot be with you on your birthday love Ben and Pip.'  Dave and I were big whacky races fans in our youth and since growing a beard, I've nicknamed Dave 'Mutley' after the famous dog!  Pip very obligingly put her artist skills to use in making the card and ornament.

One of the Sue Ryder staff bought this icon for Dave and the kitchen staff cooked a special birthday lunch complete with gluten free cake.

Pip also had fun making and decorating our yeast free dragon bread.

Levens Hall and Gardens

We met with Mum H just over a week ago at this place which is a halfway point between both houses.  It was lovely to be out in the fresh air and admire the gardens.  We had a lovely picnic lunch followed by a coffee and hot chocolate treat in the cafe.

Beacon Fell Adventures

Two weeks ago we attended our first Beacon Fell Homeschool group since the lockdown in March.  Pip has really missed her regular activities and it was so lovely for her to spend time with Phoebe, since Arts Award is still not running.

A Solo Anniversary

We celebrated our 32nd Wedding Anniversary last Sunday, it's the first time we have ever been parted on this day.  It made me think of those who have lost loved ones or those serving in the forces and are away from their families.  We did get to have our usual WhatsApp catch up in the evening and that was lovely.

Breaking News ...

... Dave walked with a frame last week, the first time since July!  On Monday he walked 2x3m, on Wednesday 2x4m and on Friday 2x5m, so with a bit of luck he could be home on the 19th November as planned :-)

Rest In Peace Dad

 My lovely Dad died at 8:30 am yesterday morning.  I spoke with him on Sunday and he was his usually chirpy self saying that he was sure he would be home by the end of the week and would enjoy reading the blog from his phone in the hospital.  Sadly on Monday he had another heart episode, which necessitated sedation and shock treatment and due to the sudden collapse he also bashed his head quite badly.  A CT scan showed a fracture on the skull with an accompanying small bleed on the brain.  Due to the uncertainty of his condition my brother Col and I were allowed to be with him.  I arrived at the hospital at 8pm Monday evening as Col had arrived a few hours before me.  A priest was called and Dad was given the Sacrament of The Sick.  Since he was fairly peaceful due to the sedative Col and I returned to Mum and Dad's house at 11pm only to be woken by a telelphone call from the hospital at 1am.

It was a long night and Dad's heart and oxygen rate kept dipping and then he seemed to rally but as the night turned into day his heart became really irregular and we knew it wouldn't be long.  Just before he died the sedation had worn off slightly -enough for him to open his eyes and recognise we were with him and that was a real comfort.  Col and I had prayed with him and for him during the night and at the very end we were able to encourage him to make that step in to eternity - a very painful and humbling priviledge.  

Dad it hurts not to have you here and you have left a massive hole, may you rest in peace, San xx 

Last Week

Another school year and a ...

... not back to school silly car selfie and our first coffee stop since March.  We dropped off some items for Dave and our usual route home was blocked so we made it home via the motorway and a pitstop at Costa as a treat.

Elderberry Foraging

On Friday we went foraging for elderberries with Nanna.  Not only were they thin on the ground but small in size probably due to a combination of a very dry spring and a poor summer.  With a bit of luck we might manage to make one jar of elderberry syrup from our meagre pickings.

Crochet

I finished the blanket for my customer and she promptly placed an order for another one, this time in blue.  I have all the necessary colours which left over from the coast colourway bunting so I cast on immediately and have made good progress.

Hospital Number Three

My lovely dad was admitted to the High Dependency Unit late on Friday night. It was a grace of God that my brother and his wife were staying for the weekend as he had to administer CPR whilst waiting for the ambulance.  At one point there was some concern regarding a stroke but thankfully the CT scan was clear.  I spoke with Dad's nurse yesterday morning for a progress report and once Dad had his phone dropped of yesterday afternoon, I had a quick chat with him at the tea time.  The cardiologist in the local hospital will be speaking with Dad's cardiologist at Blackpool at some point today.  He does have heart failure but with careful monitoring and a possible change in medication he should hopefully be home later this week. 

 I will not lie, I had a jolly good cry yesterday morning whilst watching online mass.  I think the whole situation with Dave, trying to support the kids, my own health and concern for my parents just got on top of me. God is a very good listener and so He listened whilst I blubbered!!  I do miss mass too and I'm trying to find a way to attend, I think I'll speak with Fr Geoffrey our priest about the best day to visit. 

Update

 Dave was transferred to the Sue Ryder Neurological Rehab Centre a week today.  Pip and I were allowed to see him the day before his transfer as we were unsure whether we would be allowed to visit at the new place.  We can visit once his seven day quarantine is over which ends to today providing his second Covid test is clear.

He has settled in well and has a lovely ground floor room with an en suite bathroom. All the staff are not only very competent but very caring and at least four of the clinical support workers are Catholic/Orthodox so contact has been made with the local Parish Priest regarding Holy Communion.  Dave is now thankfully on the correct diet as a result of a visit from the dietician and head chef; not only is the food nourishing it is well presented and appetising. Most importantly of all however Dave is now accessing intensive physio rehab five times a week with additional occupational therapy support of at least twice a week.

The kids and I are bumbling along.  I won't lie my health is pretty rubbish right now and I'm using disability aids in the home and outside to help me get about.  Ben is majorly stressed about a return to college, (we have this every single year but this time it is much worse as a result of Covid)  and activities that Pip would normally attend, are either not running or it is tricky to access due to my own health inadequacies.

 My lovely friend Eva wrote a thorough and detailed list of a home school plan and I had intended to put the suggestions in place over the summer break.  Well that old saying "If you want to hear God laugh tell him your plans" certainly heled true this year!  I have however signed Pip up for a Year 7 English class courtesy of Oxford Home Learning so at least we have Maths and English sorted. Little by little we'll get there :-)

First time seeing Dad in five weeks

A room not only with a view but a place ...

... to dine al fresco!

Wildflower meadow on the estate :-)

Sarah who took Dave for a tour around the grounds yesterday :-)