And It Continues

Pip has recovered, Benedict started non stop vomiting this afternoon, I feel sick and Dave stumbled into bed with flu like chills and MS hassles as a result.  Here's hoping normal service will resume shortly :-)

Bad Luck

They say that bad luck comes in threes, but we've had a double dose this week :-)

On Monday as I was heading out to a hospital appointment with Benedict, one of the  valves blew on my car and so I limped home with a flat tyre and a cancelled appointment.

On Tuesday a "Trojan" by-passed our anti virus software and infected the computer and just like the gardeners nemesis, "convulvulus" it grew until there were over 1800 articles causing mayhem on the system.  It is still not completely right and I am currently typing on Sara's old computer, which we found in the caravan :-)

On Wednesday, Pip whilst changing out of her school uniform, knocked the iphone clean out of my hand and it went kapput, it is now on its way to the insurance assessors to see if it can be repaired or needs replacing.

On Thursday I developed an eczema on my legs which I have only ever had when pregnant with Benedict or Pip ... I am definitely not pregnant so I guess my hormones must be currently whacky at the moment.

On Friday the waistband on a pair of jeans rubbed several tiny holes in a brand new top, bought two days previously :-(  I now have to take said jeans back to the shop with the ruined top as proof of damage, the jeans will then be sent for product design testing.  I wouldn't mind but I hardly ever by a new clothes!

On Saturday Pip suddenly began with stomach flu and is currently in bed as I type. The house is very peaceful as in the kids are not scrapping but what a way to garner peace and quiet eh?!

I am off now to catch up with friends in the blogosphere and to sit with my knitting.  Here's hoping for a better week ;-)

Hope and Loss

Lisa Copen shared about this group on the invisible illness facebook page and I decided to join in.  Each day is accompanied by a prompt and the interpretations are as varied as the differing illnesses and difficulties faced by those of us within the group.  We are refusing to be disempowered by pain or a set of symptoms and the sense of community even in such a short space of time is tangible.  Here are my responses from yesterday which was the start date and today, my hope is that they will be a blessing to anyone who might drop by and read :-)

 Hope ~ This book reconnects me with the island in my memory.

Lindisfarne in Northumbria is one of those sacred places and despite the howling winds and the storm tossed sea, there was a peace in my heart that, I am not alone and all will be well:

"For I know the plans I have for you says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a hope and a future" Jeremiah 29 v 11

 

 Loss ~ I am a graduate from the university of life.

  This bear represents not only my loss in being unable to complete my degree course but for those precious family moments where I am conspicuous by my absence ~ kids birthdays, special church occasions, the first day of school, dance recitals and school pantomimes.  After a while the kids stopped asking or expecting me to show up.  Chronic illness runs to its own particular timetable.

 

Inspite of those lost years I refuse to dwell on the what ifs and should have beens and a quote that I read today sums it up beautifully:

"What lies behind and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us"  Ralph Waldo Emerson.

If you are having a bad day today, take strength from what constitues the core of your being x

Spring Break Snapshots

Pip finally returned to school this week after a two week Easter break.  We have had a busy time and managed to accomplish a variety of activities despite ongoing health problems.

 Pip and Benedict attended two full days at the local Mad Science event.  They had a great time, learned loads and enjoyed being around the other kids.

 When Pip attended an Easter camp at a local church with my friend Sallie, Benedict and Roland had a back garden camp, complete with fire bowl and provisions provided by mum!

 I finally took part in an art assignment  My friend Meg using the assembly line art challenge as a chance to organise a live google hang out on drawing a mandala.  The time chosen would have meant my getting up at 2am!  So I joined in a few hours late and Meg very kindly linked my work on her tumblr page.

 From Friday to Sunday there were only three of us at home as Pip went to stop with big sister Kathryn and Mary.  On the return journey home we stopped off for a yummy iced treat :-)

 Pip won a local easter egg competition organised by a local supermarket and linked in via her rainbow unit.

 Pip's treat that she shared with the rest of us!

 When it was time to collect Pip I met Kath and Mary at a half way point.  Sara and Tom joined us and we enjoyed coffee, cake and a play in the park. We even saw the helicopter in the background, take off as part of a scheduled service in the lake district.

 Would you believe it!  The shop is almost up and running.  Dave and Benedict were busy today uploading pictures and descriptions.

 A friend turns fifty on Friday so I made her a bag as a treat.  It is made from two pairs of old jeans, an assortment of odds and ends and a whole heap of non stop sewing!

 Beach huts and bunting.

 For some reason picasa and blogger were being awkward with this picture!  This quote from St Columbas forms part of the internal pocket of the bag.

Hoping to be popping in a bit more regularly, now that we have settled back into out "normal" routine :-)

The Kindness Of Kids

We have still been working on thinking about others and blessing folks where we can; however the last few days of the 40 Acts series have been more difficult to implement and I didn't manage any last week due to the icon workshop.  Benedict and Pip have taken the challenges to heart and so I thought I'd post some of their independent efforts here:

 A pop up cafe.

 Only a Lego mad kid could work out his own unique way of apologising and the really cool thing is that the pieces were all interlocking :-)

 

 A chocolate treat for Mother's Day on Laetare Sunday, which marked the midway point in Lent.  I cannot believe we are now in Holy Week.

Icon Workshop

Just over a week ago I spent a precious three days in the icon studio and was blessed in so many ways:

 Peter helping Brenda with her icon.

 Sr Mary Stella working on her icon in the far corner.

 Peter demonstrating how to work with gold leaf on Jan's icon.

 My St Michael almost finished.  I have to paint in his staff and add more definition to his hair. 

 I am very pleased with him and my progress as he is only the second icon I have completed.  Since I was unable to attend the first two days of the course, I did not guild the background or the halo of my image, instead I used another perfectly acceptable method of floating the paint on to the board, thus adding depth and definition.

Beatrix Potter

We have had another round of very busy days, so I thought I would start with today's main event and hopefully I will add the others at some point!

We kept our trip out a secret and only told the kids once we were on our way.  Sara and Tom had arranged to meet us in Kendal and it was here that we deposited Benedict.  They had lunch and then spent the afternoon at Games Workshop painting figures and watching other kids play role playing board games.  Benedict met another few lads his own age and they had a great time chatting about various interests.

Whilst the three of them were occupied we took the opportunity to take Pip to the Beatrix Potter Museum in the lake district.  The last time we were here Pip was only this big  She enjoyed following the trail but I definitely think there was something magical about taking her when she was a lot smaller.  Regardless we did actually manage a trip out of the house, other than visiting people's houses and that was certainly an achievement!

 "Hey, mum I'm taller than Peter now!"

 Straight from the oven gluten free seeded rolls and a yummy cream of tomato and sweet potato soup.

 Decaff lattes, one chocolate brownie and one berry and almond slice, both gluten free.

 Filling in the first box on the quiz.

 Peter Rabbit and a cheeky robin.

 Neat Writing.

 A blurry picture of Dave deftly hiding his walking stick ... "I don't need a walking aid!"  Who is he trying to con?!

 

 Gorgeous colour on a very wet, dark and windy day.

 Pip watching Mrs Tiggywinkle hanging the washing to dry.

 The old lady herself.

 Looks like Peter is receiving a scolding from his mother!

 Peter's nemesis, Mr MacGregor!

We had an extra passenger in our car on the way home, a very large Peter Rabbit!  I wonder what Mary Grace will think of him when she next visits!

A Big Ol' Catch Up!

We did not fall off the face of the earth :-)  These past few weeks were more crazy than usual and by the end of each day I was too tired to log on line.  

Kathryn started a new job just over two weeks ago and her training has necessitated a trip across the border to the big city an hour's drive north from here, so we looked after MG whilst she was at work.

 Playing with the jigsaws before bed ~ I did have to referree one or two minor spats!!

 Helping Grandad with the laundry!

Pip is finally back at school for morning's only.  Her health is slowly improving but her return has not been without some difficulties.  Every morning for the past two weeks she has been very upset and angry about having to go to school.  I know that when she started school we always knew the time might come where she would want to be at home. 

 In an ideal world I would remove her from school and teach her at home but we don't live in an ideal world.  Our house is stretched to the limit with health difficulties and other needs and I know that we would struggle to meet her need for social interaction and getting out each day.  Still it is quite distressing to see her in such a state.  I have a meeting with her teacher next week and will be raising our concerns including the dreaded "star of the week" rewards programme, the link is not for Pip's school but the premise is just the same. 

 Since the New Year Pip has obsessed about why she hasn't had the star of the week as she works hard, completes all her home work and tries her best each day.  She has become demoralised and her confidence has been shattered and I think this is one of the reasons for her unhappiness.  I am all for genuine praise for kids but I do not agree with this motivational carrot. Needless to say these past few weeks have been more tiring than usual and I am at a loss as to how to help her.

Benedict has also had some whacky blood sugars and as always the diabetes keeps me on my toes.  My sanity saver has been the icon painting at Hyning and I will be in the workshop for three days next week as part of the intermediate course led by Peter Murphy 

 Homework!  Prepping the St Michael icon for the course next week.

We have done a pretty good job at keeping up with our 40 Acts challenges and so here is a rundown of the past week:

 Love Letters, either on paper or by text.

 Blessing a stranger ~ I bought the chocolates whilst shopping on Monday.  I had the opportunity to bless the cashier with them as she was looking worried and so I stepped out of my comfort zone and handed them over.  She was thrilled and shared with me that she was worried about an up and coming house move, so that nudge from God was spot on!!

Sending some treats to some green parent mums who needed cheering up.

 Thursday's challenge was to think of the marginalised and I am grateful that we were able to make a subscription to this organisation, who in turn will bless a prisoner in need.

The 40 Acts project has given me a focus outside of myself and the immediate family and this has helped enormously during those difficult moments.

It is Mother's Day here in the UK tomorrow.  Debbie and the boys are visiting so the kids and I have a different afternoon treat planned from our usual chocolate twirl bars!

Thanks for popping by :-)

#40 Acts ~ Tick Tock

I was too tired to post yesterday's challenge here on the blog but I did upload my picture and the enclosed commentary on the facebook and instagram page:

 

Bang on time!  Punctuality could be my middle name and I get totally stressed if I am running late.  Today's post got me thinking about how easy it is for some to manage time keeping and for others it is an all round nightmare.

The post mentioned that habitual lateness can sometimes mean an inability to put others needs before your own but it can also mean that a person has a recognised disability such as dyslexia, dyspraxia and dyscalculia.  So the next time you are hanging around waiting at a bus stop or feeling a lemon all alone at a restaurant table, spare a thought for those trying to make sense of the chaos inside their head.

As a result of my posting on FB a lady left a comment stating that as a result of reading my post she had decided to be more charitable towards some of her friends that are consistently late when meeting.  So my post had done its job in encouraging others to think of other possibilities beside an uncaring or selfish attitude.

  Benedict himself has all three of these difficulties and I witness daily how these impact not only on everyday life but also on his management of the diabetes.  Whereas most kids his age with diabetes are off doing their own thing, Benedict needs constant monitoring over and above the norm. He often forgets to check his bloods or give himself insulin and working out the maths behind each morsel of food is a major headache.

All of these conditions are hidden and it is only when a very able child is falling further and further behind does it become apparent that other factors are at play.  Knowing what I do know has helped me work out the best way forward for him and following set curriculums with copious amounts of writing and notetaking are a non starter.  We are working with a home made package of mainly practical work with the odd work book thrown in!  It is a case of mother and son working together, looking at the problems and trying to find the solutions.  It is not an easy journey but it is certainly an interesting one!

Farm Visit

Here are the pictures from our farm visit last week, which I had intended to post on Sunday but was too tired.

 Feeding the goats.

 Holding a silky bantam...

 ... and stroking a very large rabbit!

 A roaming emu.

 Feeding a hungry horse.

 A mummy sheep and her newly delivered lamb.

 Colouring before lunch.

A great day out!

The theme for today over at 40 Acts was generosity.  I am still pondering a way of blessing another person with one of my possessions and since I have just recently had a massive clear out, the charity shop option was not an option today!  If you are interested in today's challenge then click on here

 

#40Acts ~ Thankyou

Today's challenge was to say thankyou either verbally or written, so I decided to send this card to my brother-in-law and his partner:

They have been a great support over the years and this card says it all!  #40Acts  #sayingthanks

 

#40Acts ~ Giving Thanks

Our family challenge today was to give thanks.  Benedict's list included food(naturally!) warmth and a treat in a local cafe.  My list is as follows:

1. Thanks for Benedict and Pip.  These two keep me on my toes, they make me laugh, cry and every emotion in between!

2.  Four loads of laundry washed, dried and put away.

3.  A productive day in the home school.

4.  A decaf fairtrade latte and a shared fruit slice after a not so great diabetic appointment :-(

5.  A roaring fire on a very cold and rainy day.

Today's challenge:  Fair and Square

#40 Acts ~ Love Bomb

Today's challenge was to surprise someone and so we decided to love bomb our neighbours with chocolate rice krispie cakes!  It was great fun making them and then organising them into assorted sizes depending on the number of folk in the household.

Benedict came with me to distribute the treats and it was an opportunity to explain a little more about our challenge and the info on the packet would enable them to search on the internet if interested.

 

Of course the best person in giving surprises is God!  In fact Fr Gerry Hughes SJ wrote a book about a "God Of Surprises."  Even though we have only been following the challenges for just a few days, it is amazing that we have been able to bless others and provide support, friendship and encouragment at just the right moment, "It is in giving that we receive."

 

Take a look at today's video if you can, each day they get better and better and this one brought a tear to my eye, God is good!  Surprise!