Stop feeling guilty, small rant (BENCHLAND) (Part 1)

[JCJ]

You grab Katy by any available extremity, FF; I’ve got her by the scruff of the neck. Together we’ll keep her above water! x

 

Miserable, drizzly day today and absolutely manic at school. Y6 teacher has planned an exciting day out in the woods tomorrow, with our Y6 and those from our sister school - but she forgot to tell me, or the children, until this afternoon! I’ve just looked at the weather forecast for tomorrow. Oh dear!! We will get VERY wet and muddy! I’m hopeless when it’s muddy and slippery underfoot so I’m dreading it.

 

I was being observed this afternoon - immediately after teacher dropped the above bombshell - with a small group of children. I THINK it went ok, despite them being rather over excited (it was the Easter disco after school too, today, which always winds them up!) Not had any feedback yet though and I’ve thought previous obs have gone ok!!

 

Just done the supermarket shop - seem to have “accidentally” bought a lot of hot cross buns for school (I’m in charge of the tea/coffee/squash/biscuits purchasing) Hope everyone likes them. Or I’ll just have to bring them home. What a shame?

 

Had lovely roast beef “Easter Special Roast Dinner” in the supermarket café. Yum. And a mugatea and hot cross buns after I put all the shopping away.

 

I have labelled a map of Wales with half a dozen post its marking potential holiday places. Now waiting for OH to decide. I’d be happy to stay in any of them. Two of them even have hot tubs! Such decadence? 

 

On the k****ered bench now. Two. More. Get. Ups. I. Can. Do. This.

[katytc]

Thank you girls as always:smileyhappy:

Head above water again, felt a bit headless chicken yesterday:smileyfrustrated:

Had a good long chat with Mum today and felt as though we made a breakthrough hurrah.

Think I was being too “naggy” with her and if you are a stubborn person, someone else nagging is just going to annoy rather than help. 

 

Hope you have very positive feedback JCJ and enjoy your walk??? Yellow wellies must be worn.

Glad you have found suitable places, when are you going?

Docs were pretty amenable but really good to know FF, thank you:smileyhappy:

Went into town today, didn’t have to run around so much more relaxing.

Am on the hunt for a plain black pair of trousers but can’t see any in the style I like, have only looked online so suppose will have to venture into the shops, arrrrrrrrrrrrgh.

Hot cross buns glad they didn’t fall into my basket…fudge and wine gums did though hee hee xx

 

 

[foxyferret]

So glad you’ve had a good chat with Mum, Katy.  Gentle persuasion perhaps coupled with how worried you are… could work better.  

If our children started telling us how to behave, would we take it well?  I, for one, wouldn’t :smileyhappy: 

 

Son and DIL were introduced to my new wacky glasses on Sunday.  DIL loved them, Son thinks I’ve lost the plot. Do I care?..NO!

 

Noooo! not yellow wellies!  Pink wellies with green spots on JCJ.  Hope you get a good report and also hope your OH chooses one of the options with a hot tub. :smileyhappy: Enjoy your holiday wherever you go.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[katytc]

Hahaha FF, you are right:smileyhappy:!

Thought bossiness may work but should have known better.

Forgot to say she is 82, spoke to her this morning and all sounding very good, new plan is to make sure doc is aware and ready to sort out meds, they are def the problem, so instead of grumpy to Mum will be grumping to doc.

Yellow wellies were from ages ago a tongue in cheek “if you didn’t wear yellow wellies you would be guilty of causing BC”, this was when it was your weight, deodrants, air freshners, alcohol, obesity were all to blame, blah, blah, blah…Absolutely refuse to have any GUILT whatsoever, gosh still makes me mad…

At home today, hurrah, just hovering around the “CBA” bench.

Am also hovering around the “grrrrrrrrrrrrrr” bench still no electrician for broken light switch, will wait another hour then will phone xx

[JCJ]

Glad your mum is speaking to you, Katy. You are right, FF, I certainly wouldn’t want my “children” bossing me around! (The reason we don’t see ES was that OH tried to tell him what to do - he got short shrift!)

 

Didn’t wear yellow wellies. Went for walking boots instead. Less slippery. Managed not to land on my a**e in the mud. Phew! Rain was nothing like as bad as forecast - ie not heavy downpour continuously for 3 hours, just a couple of short showers. 46 children building ‘shelters’ in the woods. They were fire lighting (heavily supervised), on the school playing field, this afternoon, but I had to teach the Y4/5 class so I wasn’t involved with that.

 

The holiday is booked! Yey! OH picked one of my post its. Initially, I was slightly disappointed because, although in a scenic spot, it looked like the property was surrounded by other houses and I really wanted a scenic garden to pretend I was camping - like last year. Then he said, "No, I don’t think it’s that one, I think it’s the one near there. Look again at map. Look up bookmark in tablet. Yeh! It’s one with a hot tub and an amazing view from every window. Rather more expensive than the others but what the … That’s the first 2 weeks of August sorted! 

[foxyferret]

Now you’ve reminded me Katy, I remember about the yellow wellies.  Keep grumping on at her Drs. they are supposed to be looking after your Mum.

 

JCJ - Glad that your OH has picked a hot tub and lovely views, sounds great. I might smuggle myself into your luggage :smileyhappy:

On a school trip recently one of my teachers managed to fall on her a*** in the mud.  Cue children laughing hysterically and they couldn’t wait to tell me about it when I got to school.

Me : Did you have a nice day out?

Kids:  Miss C fell over in the mud! Ha ha ha!

No mention of the canoe rapids, climbing wall, zip wire or anything else they had done!  I’m so glad you avoided that.

 

School a mess tonight, overtime done. Painting of Easter cards for the parents, paint on the cards, the tables, the chairs, the floor, the doorhandles, the wash hand basins, the soap dispensers, the taps, the walls…But lovely cards for the parents…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[JCJ]

No more get ups! 17 days without the pesky alarm going off. Hurrah!  I am thoroughly confused though, because we never break up midweek so in my head it’s Friday. Was all excited for chippies then realised it was only Thursday: not only was it not chippy night but I had to go swimming! Not even sure if chippy is open tomorrow as it’s a bank holiday! NOOOOO!

 

Another mile+ accomplished despite several ladies determined to get in my ***** way! *Walking* up and down the pool for goodness sake! Arghh! “Accidentally” bought some charity choc nuts & raisins and scoffed the lot. Oops!

 

Had feedback from observed lesson today. It was good. Phew!

 

Met Office weather warning for snow on Monday. Hopefully by then they’ll have changed their minds. At least I shan’t have to worry about getting to work and we’re not going to the Peak District until next Friday, so it should all be gone by then. 

[foxyferret]

Charity chocolate nuts and raisins contain no calories, so no worries there JCJ… Why have I never seen or heard of charity chocolate nuts and raisins?  Is it because I live in the back of beyond  i.e. the South West?

 

I could go on a rant about the South West receiving less government money for education, roads, NHS, and an awful lot of other things but I won’t because it’s a waste of my breath.  But…are we being deprived of charity chocolate nuts and raisins too? 

 

I have no idea what day it is, only know I didn’t have to go to school.  Tomorrow I need to go food shopping, tonight’s dinner was a bit of “what can you make from lefovers?” It was actually delicious.

 

Glad you feed back was good JCJ.

 

My weather forecast is for rain, rain and more rain.  Yellow warning for flooding.

 

 

[JCJ]

Charity chocolate nuts and raisins, and my other occasional accidental purchase, chocolate peanuts are made, along with lots of other sorts of sweets and flapjack, by a company called Snack Aid. Our swimming pool sell them,  a percentage of the price going to The Children’s Air Ambulance. I don’t quite know why children need a different air ambulance, but it seems like a good cause, and an excellent excuse to eat chocolate!

 

I opened up the met office website on my tablet tonight (usually use the app on my phone but it was too far away from the CBA bench, charging) and, weirdly, it gave me the forecast for YOUR town, FF! I kept putting in my location and it kept reverting to yours. How odd.

 

Tonight I find myself back on the trying not to panic bench. Yesterday, I discovered a small patch of flaky skin just under the nipple on the ‘mutilated’ side. Not sure if this is the “rash or redness” we’re advised to look out for. I’ve put Sudocrem (other…) on it and am hoping it is just dry skin and I’m going to give it the two week test. If it’s still there in 2 weeks I’ll see a doc. Or should I go straight away and risk looking a complete fool? Of course, I keep prodding at it so the whole, already tender, boob is now sore which is increasing the worry.

[katytc]

We don’t have them either FF…

Enjoy your days off:smileyhappy:

May just be the weather JCJ or the pool, or an irritation???

Sometimes things just appear from nowhere, do what you are doing but if you are too worried contact doc sooner than the 2 weeks. Why make things more stressful? Have been told to come in sooner many times, so make an appt asap, you are not at work and if you can arrange an appt before you have your break that would be good, no point in worrying when you are away. Just do it!

 

We now have online system, it’s brilliant have an appt booked for next week after weeks of trying to book an appt, woo hoo! 

It’s sooooooooo cold and grey here rained all of yesterday, yuck.

Have both GC today, an overnight stay, so will be busy.

Am tired already haha.

When where and how long are you off for JCJ, cottage, hotel?? xx

 

[foxyferret]

Make an appt. JCJ, and then when the patch of dry skin has got better with whatever creams you use, you can cancel it.   Or keep it if it has not got better.  But whatever you do STOP prodding it. That is not going to help, which ,of course, you already know.:smileytongue:

 

Well, that explains it, we don’t have a children’s air ambulance so no need for charity nut and raisins.  Our children have to go in our only air ambulance which I do support but don’t get any chocolate rewards for, only a feeling of doing my bit.  

Obviously the met office feels you need to know the weather down here, as you can see yours out of your windows!

 

Easter egg hunt at Daughter’s tomorrow has been cancelled as both her girls are poorly. Have no idea what Son is doing, no answers to messages. it’s looking like a very quiet Easter here.  

 

[JCJ]

I’ve never seen a children’s air ambulance here. Would I know it if I had though? Is it just like a normal air ambulance but flying out of the children’s hospital? I don’t suppose it’s smaller? maybe it doesn’t really exist - it’s just a con to get us to buy chocolate?

 

Talking of chocolate and cons: OH asked if I wanted anything from the paper shop this morning, so I asked for my favourite chocolate bar, in lieu of an Easter egg (because I refuse to pay more £ for lb than I would for gold!!) He returned with the huge sized bar of C*****y’s fruit & nut saying they didn’t have any smaller ones. I cracked it open tonight and the squares are half the thickness they used to be. Rip off!

 

A good plan, FF, but I can’t make an appointment until at least Tuesday because of the bank holiday, and as the “rash” is already subsiding, by then I probably won’t need to. If it’s not completely better, I’ll do as you suggest, although we are off to the Peak District (to a cottage, Katy, to answer your question) on Friday for a week. I got myself into a bit of a state last night - probably just overtired. I was imagining going back through all the BC process again, only this time RT wouldn’t be an option because I know they don’t ‘do’ the same area twice. I wasn’t in a very happy place!! Feel much more rational now. Thank you both for your support as always. What would I do without you? Certainly don’t want to worry OH about it, he can’t cope with himself never mind my panics!!

[JCJ]

Special Easter dinner tonight girls! Rump steak in a mushroom, onion, red pepper, garlic and red wine sauce with broccoli, cauliflower, peas and mini roasties followed by chocolate pear cake and chocolate sauce. Help yourselves. I’m stuffed and can’t move off the FB bench!

 

Good job we went for a walk this afternoon before consuming all that. Grabbed the chance while it wasn’t raining because the forecast is dire for tomorrow! 

[katytc]

Aaaaah JCJ, it is scary, any difference?? anywhere?? Don’t really think it will ever leave us, do go to doc you have Tues, Wed and Thurs. Really why wait? It is so easy to speak on here than worry everyone else.

 

GC have gone, we were busy, painting, playing, walking, eating in that order haha.

My Mum gave them some money for Easter, GD bought drawing materials, she loves drawing, and GS bought a large dinosaur and truck, it was in the sale so he had enough pennies. The dinosaur maybe a mistake it’s eyes light up and it roars, a very loud roar that lasts for ages, a tad irritating…haha.

Tidied up after they left then went to supermarket for Mum, delivered small amount of groceries then arrived home, am now on the “oh my sooooooooooo washed out” bench.

Weather was actually nice albeit a bit chilly, so heating on and soon to be feet up on the sofa.

What you have to do regarding choc sizes now, is to eat two bars haha.

What’s for dinner tonight please JCJ, cannot even think about cooking.

Holiday sounds nice, are you in the middle of somewhere or on outskirts?

FF, a quiet day is a welcome day, hope your GC are feeling better xx

 

 

 

 

[foxyferret]

So glad that your rash is subsiding JCJ but if doesn’t completely go away, see your Dr.   

STEAK for dinner, I just love steak and the rarer the better.  In fact the old joke of "just cut off the horns and wipe it’s a*** is me. :smileyhappy:  Sorry girls but unless my steak drips blood then it’s overcooked.

 

GC are better today, might be going to visit with Daughter tomorrow after a phone call to see how they all are.  I have Easter eggs to deliver.  The Easter egg hunt has been re-arranged for next weekend when hopefully everyone is ok.  Son’s children caught the lurgy from Daughter’s children as they’d been together over last weekend. 

 

I’m having a lovely time just reading, watching tv and pleasing myself.  Nice not to have bother about anyone else…think I would have made a good hermit in past days…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[JCJ]

Rash virtually gone. Bit of redness still loitering, which is to be expected when the skin was peeling off a few days ago?  I’m not worried any more. Not enough to to take up a doctor’s time to show him/her what isn’t there any more! I will make a docs appointment if it comes back and will mention it to onc at my annual check up in June - I feel very grateful to have that safety net still; glad I took part in the trial!

 

Spent most of the day on the reading & knitting bench. Latest creation is nearly finished - just his dungaree strap to knit. Just been out for dinner and film at a lovely little cinema that does a 2 course meal and film for £25.95. I had steak in red wine pie, wedges and peas followed by chocolate fudge cake with chocolate sauce and *yoghurt ( *pretending to be healthy! :)) Oh yes, and the film was Phantom Threads. The 2 hours+ passed quickly so it must have been fairly good. Daniel Day Lewis was superb in it and at least that cinema doesn’t assault you with the volume cranked right up like the big multi screen places do. I hate that.

 

Shall I knit that strap or shall I go to bed? Decisions decisions. Probably still too windy after that meal to lie down yet anyway *picks up Kindle and knitting*. I LOVE not having to get up at silly o’clock in the morning!

[katytc]

Yes def do that JCJ, as long as it’s clearing…

That sounds like a lovely evening, menu yum yum:smileyhappy:

Nice for you to have quiet time, just doing what you want when you want!

Hope all GC are on the mend too FF.

Am just waiting for the man to come and fix bathroom light, hurrah, had a small lamp fixed up so I could actually see, when GD was here she tipped over said lamp and we were back in darkness again. Bought new bulbs and as I was putting one in, I dropped it, back to square one again, grrrrr. Another bulb carefully placed and I have light again.

Am off to other city today regarding BMS, so cannot be bothered…know there is nothing much that can be done, so it’s actually a very long day, won’t be home till after 5 boo hoo! xx

 

[JCJ]

Bobby and her new big brother, Buster.

 

[katytc]

Aaah so cute JCJ:smileyhappy:

Hope your rash is still disappearing??

 

Well, yesterday was actually worse than imagined, hopped on train, other city had torrential rain, wind and was freezing, jumped into a taxi, had appt all ok, asked lady what these little white spots were in my mouth?? they are to do with ageing, WHAT???, walked down the road sat in station, jumped back on train, teeth chattering, arrived home at almost 6, took absolutely ages for me to defrost and for me to get over the fact that I am OLD:smileyfrustrated:

Today pouring with rain and snow, had to nip into town, tried to hang off but it was not subsiding so drenched again, grrrrrrrrrrrr hate this weather!!

Mum has had almost all of her tabs changed, woo hoo, am soooooooooo pleased!!

Was in a well known supermarket today and their creme eggs had been reduced, 5 yes 5 fell into my basket, shock, horror.

Had an email today stating it’s 70 days till my holiday, hurrah xx

Can’t come soon enough xx

 

 

 

 

 

[JCJ]

All packed up and ready to go tomorrow. Beautiful sunny day here today. Probably won’t see any more sunshine for the rest of the holiday!

 

I’m impressed with myself that I went swimming too. I’ve passed the half way point in the loch. Swam past Inverbeg tonight. 

 

Earlier, I was sitting with one cheek on the FF bench and the other on the smug bench. OH and I did our bit for the Great British Spring Clean and took the litter pickers and some bin bags up the lane (a continuation of our road that turns into a track and then a footpath). We filled FIVE black bin bags with assorted litter. A lot of it was dog poo bags. WHY do people do that?? Why bag it if they’re just going to leave it there??! Revolting! Disgusting! I hate people! :smileymad: 

 

Hope you’ve dried out, Katy - and calmed down, you’re only as old as you feel! (Which makes me about 90 at the moment?!) Where are you going on your holiday in 69 days? Do you know?

 

Rash gone - I think. Not sure if the residual redness is just what it normally looks like (not a place I can see without pulling myself about!) I thought to myself this evening, whilst changing after swimming, that I should’ve taken a photo to show onc. Then I thought: a) it’d be a bit weird (and possibly job threatening?) to carry a t*t pic about on my phone and b) if it’s anything to worry about it won’t have gone away by June and she can see it for herself “in the flesh” - literally!!