SHAME

Last night, for the bonfire, we all wore our thermal underwear. It's November. What are we going to do in December and January? On the radio today the DJ was saying 'I wish we could hibernate until May'. MAY? I don't remember winter being so long last year?

I was sitting reading the newspaper this morning (Small and Huffle gone), I had a phone call (before 9am), telling me that the house that is due for demolition has activity going on there today. I said I had Smallest with me today and we agreed it was not a place for a child to be. I said I would drive past later and they asked if I would honk my horn. Smallest and I had our breakfast, he had a bath while I had a shower (yesterday we had a note home saying there were nits about again), I checked his hair (clear) and then we played on the Wii. Then we had a game of Prehistoric Park (still a favourite). Smallest won.

We got ourselves dressed for outside and went out in the car. First we drove past the old house due for demolition.

Apparently they have left it abandoned and unloved for twenty years. The people demonstrating there (we stopped to talk to them) said it was hard to get people fired up about a derelict house, but the history of this place is amazing. I explained to Smallest what it was all about. At first he said it would be good to have an airport nearby so we didn't have to drive all the way to the airport to pick visitors up, but when I pointed out the beautiful countryside that would have to go and the lovely trees and all the amazing creatures that lived there, he soon decided he was against it. He mainly felt sorry for the worms that would lose their homes!

We left the demonstrators and honked plenty as we went past. We then drove to a supermarket and picked up something for dinner for the next few days and came home for lunch. In the supermarket the lady at the checkout said "oooh women would die for your hair". He said in a bored voice "yes I know, lots". She said "you have the kind of hair girls would love to run their hands through - when you're older". At this Smallest's face dropped and he looked horrified. I told him not to listen. She said "you'll love that when you're older!". poor Smallest, he is fed up with people talking about his hair, his accent and his 'cute as a button!'. The woman said we should sell his hair. Smallest said "I'd like to get rid of it all".

Smallest sat in front of the TV with his while I emailed, blogged and caught up with some crocheting.

Yahoo skyped us. She had a lovely little chat with Smallest and then we had a good chat (when she wasn't hanging up on me while she spoke to more important people!!).

Smallest and I played on the Wii again (we are dedicated to Mario Bros) and he got stomach ache, so bad that he couldn't stand up. I made him lie down for a while and then he was fine. So we carried on playing and then it got bad again. He went and put his Taekwondo suit on and laid in front of the TV. He said it was still bad, so I rang the school and asked them to tell Small to get on the bus and come home as Smallest was poorly and wouldn't be doing Taekwondo today. Five minutes later he was fine (I'm convinced it was wind!) so he got his clothes back on (I made him change into something comfier), and we ran to the car. I left a note for Small telling him to stay put and I would be home in five minutes (just in case he came home before I got to school). We pulled into the car park, just behind the bus that small was on.

One of the teachers saw me, looked at the bus, pointed to the bus as if to say "do you want me to get Small off?" I nodded and jumped out of the car. They just managed to get him off the bus before it was leaving. Small shouted "I was told to get on the bus!" I KNOW I KNOW BUT YOUR BROTHER HAD A TUMMY ACHE AND THEN HE DIDN'T, LETS GET INSIDE BEFORE WE MISS TAEKWONDO". We were in time for the lesson. Small took his homework but I'm not sure how much of it was done as he was too busy watching Smallest. Their Master was talking to them about the importance of reading. smallest put up his hand and said "my brother is reading The Hobbit". "Good" said the Master. "But what are you reading?" "Oh something very hard" he said.

At the end of the lesson I handed Smallest his clothes and asked him to get dressed and I was holding his belt with his four 'power clips' on. (They get given paper clips for good work and behaviour, once you have a certain amount, you get a black power clip and then ten power clips and you get a badge). Anyway, I dropped the belt and when we went back it was gone, I hope someone picked it up for us.

We had a chat with Small's teacher from last year - lovely lady. Then we drove home. I made dinner with the help of Smallest while Small finished his homework. Huffle came home and I went and walked with Drew. We checked in on The Royals house and all was good. We had a good walk and a good chat.

When I got home all of the boys were in the basement playing Mario Bros. The kids were very excited because they were on a new bit and they needed my help. Huffle wanted me to take over from him as he is not happy playing this game - it confuses him! Huffle cycled over 5 km's. I did 5 km's too today. We are working on being able to cycle to our local town which is 9km's away (apart from the fact that our basement is flat and the road to the town is very hilly!). We got to a new part and then our dinner was ready so we left the boys to it.

They watched a tiny bit of TV and went to bed. Smallest is recovering really well but I still haven't heard back from the doctors - not impressed, I don't think they've even sent the swab off! Small is now complaining of a sore throat so I sent him up with salt water and he is gargling with it before he has some pain killer. He says some blood came up but that the gargling made him feel better. "REST AND SLEEP IS WHAT YOU NEED". "Ha" he says, "that's just what Daddy said!" Ah it must be true then!!!!!!

Huffle still hasn't got the results back yet from the air conditioning report - should be the end of the week.

 

 

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...and is that covered under the Warranty?

Smallest woke in the night after a bad dream about witches (Hocus Pocus film?). He crawled into bed with us and just as I was falling asleep, he asked if I would take him back to his bed.

Temperature today 1* but cold and trying to snow. Normally I wouldn't show photos of me but had to show this one today.

Me walking from the Toyota garage through ticky tack and up to the Consignment Shop and Toys are Us

Smallest felt well enough to go to school. So I packed them both off. Had a quick breakfast and tidy. Undid a few cupboards and painted those tricky bits between the brackets and the door - painstaking but worth it as the brackets will not be all paint smeared! Yesterday I stuck my dressing gown to the drawer I had just painted, today I stuck my hair in it. Look like I hair grey white hair now, but only discovered it five minutes before due to be out do the door. Oh well! I went out in my car full of warning lights!

I went and got Smallest's other bottle of medicine (could only tie me one at the weekend as ran out of bottles), picked up a few bargains for Christmas including a gorgeous reindeer holding a Cranberry candle - my treat. Went to Post Office and posted a couple of items, one of which is a parcel for Australia which they said wont get there in time for Christmas. I didn't want it to get there for Christmas, it was supposed to be there for November 1st - damn the Post Office and their extortionate prices.

Also popped to the bank and banked the two cheques sent to me by TASCO for the cooker I never got. Thank you very much (I won't be thanking them though!). Then I made my way to the Toyota Garage to have my warning lights looked at (that incidentally went out on the way there), the recalled problem to be sorted and an oil change that was due over six months ago but they seemed to have forgotten to contact me. I was told I would have to pay $105 plus tax for the computer to be plugged into my car to see what the problem was. IS THIS DIAGNOSTIC TEST COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY. ahhh we don't know until we have done the test, and when we find out what the problem is we will be able to determine if the diagnostics is covered? (SOUNDS DODGY). We will also do your oil change and filter for you but that will cost $41 plus tax NO I THINK YOU WILL FIND THAT IS FREE AS PART OF DEAL OF PURCHASING THE CAR IN THE FIRST PLACE oh yes that's right. and we will do the faulty thing that it was recalled for for free of charge. When we find out what is wrong with the diagnostics we will be able to tell you whether your warranty covers everything. RIGHT. sit down, make yourself comfortable and we will call you in an hour. NO THANKS I AM GOING FOR A WALK.

I walked for about half an hour and came to the Consignment Store where I like to see what folk have brought in and how much things will be if I wait a month or so. My lovely Green Rocking Easy Chair was still in there, still a few weeks to go before it is at the lowest price possible and I am guessing as it hasn't sold yet,it won't, so I will get it (hopefully if Huffle likes it too). There were also two lovely sofas (not leather which is what Huffle really wants - two boys who spill stuff plus him who drops bits of Chocolate in the evening and then sits in it and melts it into the fabric!!!). Also saw a nice shelf which I might buy to go in the loft for some of the craft stuff. I didn't buy anything there and then but I did enjoy myself. I went into toys are Us and bought a few Christmas things. Then walked back to the Garage. They weren't ready for me so I helped myself to a Coffee and Banana and then, because a man said I should, I had a small butter tart which was amazing. They called me and said they had good news and Bad news. The bad news is that the diagnostics test was not coved under your warranty so you owe us €105 plus tax, the good news is that the warranty does cover the problem which is an oxygen problem................AND WHY CAN'T THE DIAGNOSTICS TEST BE COVED UNDER THE WARRANTY TOO. He didn't really answer that So I shall look at the paperwork later and check that out.They did the oil and filter change. They did the work necessary for the recall and I asked if it was likely to be recalled again (twice since I have owned it in less than a year). Yes most probably.......something to do with an arm!! So then I had to book it again for another hour for Thursday. Oh Joy, I love spending a good few hours at the garage. (At least they have free bananas and coffee).

I came home, had some lunch, painted some more, moved some other brackets, dropped Small's favourite pencil in the paint pot, cleaned it, dried, good as new (hopefully, shhh don't tell him).

The boys came home, we skyped Grandma and the boys showed her what they had been doing at school.

The kids dancing to my music

The boys played on the Wii (I played a tiny bit) while I made dinner for them and a lovely Butternut Soup for Huffle and I. The boys ate their dinner. Huffle was late home.

We had our soup and then we all got ready to go to the Beavers/Cubs Bonfire.

There was lots of silliness. A game called sardines where one person hid and the others had to find them, but quietly and then hide with them. They played Zombie statues. We had a bonfire (well a fire pit) and toasted Bannock and Marshmallows and then saw some fireworks, of which some were a little too close!

I like the Mousse on the fire pit

Smallest warming himself

Whhheeeeeeeee

The kids watching the fireworks

Everyone smells of fire, there is marshmallow stuck to Smallest's gloves, Small has really bad hat-hair, Huffle and I are going to sit in front of the home fire now and warm our toes.

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Remember Remember the 5th November (tomorrow)

TEMP 0* : lowest -4* (Brrrrrrrr - time to get out snow stuff).

Lovely long sleep for everyone. Once Huffle and Small were sent off to work/school, Smallest and I had our breakfast and then I called Toyota. Yesterday I noticed some warning lights on my car. I thought it was telling me to put oil in but then the 4WD light and VSC light came on. I looked them up in the manual and it said 'return vehicle to dealer immediately'. Oh No! What now. I have an appointment to take it in tomorrow mid morning and it will cost me $105 plus tax for them to plug it into the computer to find out what is wrong. In the meantime I'm not to drive too much in it as they are not sure what the problem is. It turns out it wasn't an oil light on but an engine light indicating there is a problem with the engine.

Smallest seems a lot brighter today. Eating better and his voice is slightly noisier. While he watched some TV, I painted the edges of the doors and one drawer (which was silly because it is in the way and I have already stuck my dressing gown to it, reaching for the toaster!).

Smallest had a bath. He read a book to me with some very difficult words, he is doing very well. We played on the Wii for a while and I cycled at the same time (lost count though how many km's). We had lunch and watched Toy Story.

While The Royals are away, I have been having their newspapers. They are thrown onto their drive in a plastic bag and the bag is great for putting on Small's arm when he has a shower or bath. I have to admit, I don't always go everyday so Drew picks them up for me. So after lunch we went and picked up one from the Royal's drive and two from Drew's porch. Too many papers to read. We also picked up our post. We had a lovely Thank you from Aunty Miaow and Uncle Tuc, a cheque from TASCO for the Inspection - yaaayy, a letter from Toyota recalling my car because of a faulty switch. So I rang them again and asked if my visit to them tomorrow called include the recall. It can. Well thats something. Talking of The Royals, (I think we were at some point), we had a photo of Charleston where they are now.

They actually tried to Skype me but our Internet has been playing up today. We skyped Moo when we mended it. She watched Smallest play on the IPad and he showed her his sock puppet.

Just had an interesting phone call. A man asking me about our fridge that we bought. The warranty is almost up on it and he wanted to know if we wanted to buy more warranty. NO THANK YOU. Can I ask why not? BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO PAY ANY MORE MONEY. ahh but it's only....... NO THANK YOU. Are you sure? YES IM SURE. well do you have a Heating system YES WE DO. Do you have warranty for that? I DON'T KNOW. would like to buy a warranty for it? NO THANK YOU (IM CHUCKLING NOW) can I ask you why? SAME REASON, LOOK MY HUSBAND DEALS WITH WARRANTIES. oh okay, have a nice day then. THANKS YOU TOO. At least he made me laugh.

Smallest and I played Hide and Seek in the house, played Guess Who and then he did some writing and drawing while I got some dinner ready. We thought we were going to a bonfire night tonight for the Cubs and Beavers but it turns out it is tomorrow night instead. Small came home and did his homework and Smallest carried on Colouring in his new Lego magazine.

Smallest being a floor angel

They had their dinner and Huffle came home (early). Huffle has had some issues with the Air Conditioning at work. He is constantly tired and we are hoping it isn't connected! The results of an air conditioning test is due to come through very soon.

I rang the doctors to ask for Smallest's test results but they were still pending.

I walked with Drew, not as much as we normally would because of my foot and she is still getting over a bad cold/cough. it was really cold. We had hats, gloves and scarves on. When I got home Small was just going in the bath and Smallest was running from the bathroom to us to send messages. I think Smallest is definitely feeling better. Huffle and I had a good chat. Huffle went and washed Small and Smallest and I played on the Wii and it wasn't long before Small joined us too. Huffle went on the bike and cycled 6km. We'll be doing the Tour de France soon.

Huffle put the boys to bed, I tidied the kitchen and made a lovely pot of tea. While I was making the tea, I read the paper. This story jumped out at me.

It's the fact that they have to mention that they weren't playing cricket. Is that necessary? Slightly hilarious though.

 

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How am I supposed to know?

We forgot put the clocks back last night. Luckily, Small got up later than normal anyway and Smallest stayed asleep for ages and ages. Huffle and I got up, changed the clocks everywhere and then we all had breakfast. Smallest is still feeling poorly and sounding like Phyllis from Coronation Street (alright Percy) and the Old Grandad from Only Fools and Horses. Bless him.

We watched a lovely video from a talented Australian singer called Sarah Blasko.

(I actually found this on a talented lady's blog I read ages ago). Am now waiting for the album.

After breakfast we all went down to the basement and played Mario Bros on the Wii and we got to the next level. Huffle and I rode 5km each today. When everyone was wii'd out we came up and got washed and dressed.

Smallest writing a note to Small again because he wasnt nice to him (whilst watching the Sarah Blasko video - he loves it).

We popped to the 'Tire' and purchased oil for my car (because it is low again). The kids checked out all the cheap Halloween stuff.

Huffle and Smallest chatting up a young lady

This costume is brilliant - Yoda for a small person - brilliant!

Me in a few years

Smallest as Marilyn Manson (Bo Selecta styleeee)

Small older

Poor old Huffle

Old Smallest

In Bulk Barn I asked the lady in there which flour you used to make Pasta (we would normally use an 00 fine flour). She said, I would use a whole wheat flour. I told her I need a fine flour. She said "oh I don't know". Does anyone else here know? "I doubt it?" And with that I put down my wares and flounced out of the shop. Honestly, get someone in with a bit of baking knowledge for goodness sake. Anyway, I looked it up on the Internet and it said you could use Semolina so I sent Huffle back in because I didn't want to look silly. We also bought a big hunk of chocolate to make Chocolate Mousse later.

We all came home. Started one lot of pasta using the semolina but it didn't work. So we used Bread Flour instead - it worked a treat. The boys took it in turns to roll the pasta through the machine.

We had a lovely meal of fresh homemade Tagliatelle in a pomodoro (tomato) sauce with pesto and hand rubbed garlic bread. Yummy yumm yumm.

We also made a chocolate mousse.

Small split the eggs and Smallest whipped up the egg whites till I put it over his head to prove he had whipped it enough.

Everyone ate loads (including Smallest). He is feeling a little better (still a strange voice). We ate our Mousse in front of Despicable Me. brilliant.

I made the boys scrambled egg (because we broke a few while trying to split the eggs) and they played Table Football with Huffle.

While they watched the Flinstones, Huffle and I put all the cupboard doors back on. All ready for me to paint them now.

A rare moment of togetherness

Edit (apologies to CousinPest)

 

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At least we get an extra hour in bed.....*

Everyone slept well last night. It snowed in the night and the roof had a light covering. Smallest still had no voice when he woke up, he looked pale and tired and said it still hurt to swallow. We decided we would get his antibiotics and not wait to see what his results were, we can always stop giving him them if he doesn't need them.

We got up a bit later than normal which was nice. Huffle and Smallest were playing table football when I came down. Small was watching TV. We all had breakfast and then before we got dressed (ie in our PJ's - disgraceful) we sat and played on the Wii. Huffle and I cycled 4km each (hey we are going further everyday). The kids and I played Super Mario Brs and got to the next world - we have been on the same world for about two years now so it was nice to finally get off and see something new.

We all got changed. Huffle and I cleaned and tidied the pantry because I could smell something I didn't like and we couldn't find it. It's gone now so we must have cleaned it up. Small and Smallest carried on playing on the Wii. Smallest came home the other day with a handwritten note from a girl in his class saying "sorry I hit you". So when Small hit Smallest for whatever reason today, we made him write a note to Smallest. (He did a lovely job, drew him a smiley face, said he wouldn't do it again and then spelt his name wrong - silly billy). Then Smallest wrote him one back which was lovely, he used his own spelling which were different but a nice thought.

Small and I went out to get Smallest's antibiotics and take his lightsaber back. We took the lightsaber back and the lady said we couldn't get a refund on Halloween things but if we could find another one, we could replace it. When we bought it at Halloween, it cost $14 and Smallest and used his own money and not been able to use it for Halloween because it wouldn't open! We found some more but they had been reduced to $3.44, so I picked up two to see if I could get some deal. The woman was really nice and said "I am going to refund you as it was faulty and then I will sell these to you at the discount less tax (it was a no tax day - wahoo). We went back to the Halloween stand to see what other bargains we could find for next year. We picked up a mask for Huffle (a werewolf), a hanging skeleton thing, a spiders web and spiders, two axes and they didn't really cost us anything because of the refund. Cool. Most of the things were priced at cents and not dollars so there was a massive saving.

Ooooh Huffle you look sooooo ...... Hairy!

We picked up Small's prescription, grabbed a baguette and went home. Huffle and Smallest were playing games. While we were out they played Table Football, Guess Who, Prehistoric Park, Operation, Snakes and Ladders, and Huffle hoovered in between.

We had lunch, tidied up. Skyped Grandma and Madamme Courvoissier and established that my Turkey Stew was better than Grandmas (only becuase of the dumplings, nothing to do with the taste!). Huffle carried on with his hoovering and computing and the boys played on the Wii and I escaped for a while into my craft room. I made a present and started to cut out some Christmas bunting. It was cold up there, so I came down to get warm, made a cup of tea and then we started on dinner. We had Salmon, jacket potatoes and peas. Smallest went upstairs to bed and missed dinner. He came down briefly, had a bite of potato, a cuddle with Huffle and then went back to bed. We went to check on him and he was snoring. I woke him, made him clean his teeth, change into Pj's, gave him some medicine, read him a story and out him back to bed. Huffle went up to kiss him and he was nearly asleep already. Bless him. He needed that medicine.

Small watched TV. Huffle looked for places for us to go to for a few days, potentially on our own, when Moo is here (sorry I haven't told you yet Moo, wonder if I can tell you before you read this?).

Small went to bed. We are reading Harry Potter to him at bedtime and he is reading The Hobbit at home and Narnia at school. Is that getting complicated? I'm surprised he isn't having strange dreams!

Huffle and I watched Edward Scissorhands and played Scrabble (we're so rock n roll).

The clocks go back an hour tonight so we are back to five hours behind the UK again......

At least we get an extra hour in bed......except we don't, because we have children and they don't care whether the clocks change, stop or go backwards. They still get up at the same time and come and wake us to see when we are getting up. Pah, I thought we had escaped the clocks going back by moving to Canada, but no, they do silly things like that here too!

 

I have some photos I forgot to post when Huffle was at work for Halloween. H's secretary (who totally does not DO Halloween took them).

Ooooh scary

Eeeeek put the mask back on!

 

 

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Poorly Smallest

A terrible night's sleep. Smallest woke several times. An 'accident'. His sore throat. Bad dreams. I was hot one minute and then cold the next. Small burst in at 7:45 shouting "quick get up get up" which woke Smallest again. I put him back to bed in our bed and went down and got Small his breakfast and made his lunch. Smallest came down and couldn't speak, so I put him on the sofa wrapped him in a blanket, gave him some Smoothie and put the TV on. He will not be going to school tomorrow.

I cancelled my morning coffee with my friend, cancelled the knitting group and prepared to have a day in the sick house. I did do my exercises on my foot last night and again this morning. I am planning on going for a walk this evening if Drew is available.

Then, as I was putting the recycling out (it was cold 1*), it started snowing. BRRRRRRRR.

I had an email from The Royals a few days ago and forgot to add their report. So here goes...."Well here we are in beautiful Nova Scotia. New England stops were cancelled so we went to Newfoundland instead. We have had great weather . Not sure where we are going next its all a magical mystery tour". How exciting.

Aunt Pear skyped us and we had a good chat but bad Internet connection halted the call. Smallest and I drove to the walk-in clinic and we saw the same nurse as yesterday (in facts he wrote on the notes about me coming in yesterday - probably think I am some doctor loving nutcase!). They swabbed Smallest's throat and he has a bit if Strep Throat but they have sent a swab away to check it. If it comes back positive in 48 hours then we have a prescription to get him some antibiotics. He is hoping it will just be a cold and go away after the weekend. Poor Smallest has a birthday party to go to on Saturday afternoon and he is upset that he might not be ale to go.

Anyone who has a cough, sore throat or flu like symptoms has to wear a mask in there. Look at his poorly looking eyes.

We came home and sat on the sofa and watched Beauty and the Beast (our favourite film to watch when Smallest is ill). We had lunch. (The doctor prescribed him ice cream and ice poles!).

I skyped Moo and she told me all about her trip to Leicester. Then I started to make our dinner (Turkey Stew and Vegetable Stew) and skyped LizzieDotDot. We had a good chat. We arranged for Small to Skype Bomberdill when he got home from school. Small came home and skyped him.

Mrs Chappo skyped me and we had a good chat too. I think the last time we skyped was Christmas Eve as we were walking in the forest. We thought we should do that every year. While I was talking to her Yahoo tried to Skype me. I skyped Yahoo when I finished talking to Mrs Chappo and we put the world to rights.

Yahoo's Lovely Halloween Little Tators

I had a lovely email from my friend 'SJill'. I had a lovely message from NoCustard and Mrs Burlington. i had a nice chat with Drew. Everyone has been so very nice. I NOW KNOW HOW TO GET YOU LOT TO SKYPE, MESSAGE EMAIL ETC. I CAN'T BELIEVE IT HAS TO TAKE ME TO HAVE A MELTDOWN TO SPEAK TO YOU. Only joking, it was lovely to see, speak and hear from you all.

Huffle came home and we all had dinner together. Small tentatively ate all his stew (a mix of veggie stew with gravy), Smallest said he couldn't eat his, he didn't like it, but we made him eat as much of it as possible. Then they had ice cream (as prescribed by the doctor).

The boys and I played on the Wii. I cycled 3km on the bike and Huffle cycled 4km and then put the boys to bed. Small has started reading The Hobbit in preparation for the film coming out. Poor Smallest didnt want a story tonight, he has hardly any voice, he has a honky cough and it hurts to swallow. Should I get his antibiotics before I get the results. Can he wait until Monday? Hopefully he will sleep well tonight.

I put some of the kitchen doors back on. Then we sat and drank tea and watched TV.

I am fine now. It's the weekend. It was just a blip.

 

 

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Tough Day

IF YOU DON'T WANT TO READ ABOUT ME BEING MISERABLE AND FEELING SORRY FOR MYSELF PLEASE DO NOT READ ANY FURTHER.

I have no photos today.

Well things have been good for a while but all of a sudden we are all finding it a bit difficult. My foot is giving me such problems that at certain times I can't even walk on it. So I set about finding a doctor today. First two numbers I rang were both answer machines. So I rang a podiatrist who told me that if I needed Orthotics that I would have to pay $500 initially and that I couldn't get an appointment until Mid December. I rang Huffle (in tears as feel so frustrated when I don't know how to do simple things like find a doctor!!!). He found me a name of a Doctor in our local town who was taking new patients. I rang them, yes they were taking new patients but there was a waiting list, what did that mean? It meant that it would take about a week to process the registration and get an appointment. But when I tried to register the whole family they said I could only register if I lived in the actual town. But we live in a small village with no doctors, what do we do? She didn't know!

I feel isolated. I feel sorry for Huffle. I feel I have no-one to go to when I need help, (apart from The Royals or Drew and I don't want to bother them all the time). I don't feel I have my normal network of friends and family to call upon. Although they are on Skype and mostly available, if they are not online (or at work) what do I do? I phone Huffle. Poor Huffle who has to take it from all of us as well as deal with his own stressful job. (And now he has just rung me while I am sobbing uncontrollably and is on his way home). I don't want to put any extra stress upon him. I feel awful.

I worry about Small. In England he was popular and did well at school. Last year, here, he was in a class he liked with lots of friends, was popular, possibly didn't do great in every subject but we put it down to being new in the school and in Canada. This year he has been put in an 'advanced' class with none of his friends. He is doing better academically but has no friends (maybe just one) and seems to be being targeted by certain boys in his class. Things like this have been said "why do you have to be in this class?". At lunchtime they have to eat in their classes and the kids in there won't always let him play with them. A boy pushed another one onto his thumb and then laughed and didn't say sorry. Various little things that probably wouldn't matter but we don't want him to be a constant target. We worry about him. His spelling, which used to be excellent (and he did the year above spellings) is slipping. His writing suffered at first but is now back on track. He argues with me constantly. Thinks he knows it all.

Smallest this morning came down with a sore throat. He seems to be getting on okay at school. In fact we are very impressed with his improvement. He likes his teacher. His only problem is his friends too. One minute he is friends with someone and the next he isn't. Or someone said something nasty to him or wouldn't let him play. Is this just normal five year old behaviour?

And Huffle. He hasn't got any real friends here. Everyone needs friends. We never go out together, we never spend any time on our own.

Huffle came home, rang a couple of numbers. One was at lunch for ages and ages and another one couldn't take new patients until January. We went on the exercise bike and cycled 3km each. I cheekily played on the wii while cycling (made it much easier). Both had lunch together (nice to have time together despite the reason he is home).

I got on and did some more painting and Huffle looked for more doctors and then went out and cleared the leaves (just like his Dad). He stayed out there until it was time for me to pick the kids up.

While he was out there, I carried on painting the cupboards, skyped Moo and had a good moan to her and then skyped LizzieDotDot. I probably wasn't much company to her, I will have to ring again when I am more normal. She showed me photos of her Halloween boys. They couldn't have their usual face paint this year as they school photos were the next day - bad timing. Someone cocked up there (school!). They also trick or treated the Vicars house (which I find hilarious) and were given a chocolate cross and a lecture on All Saints Day. Even more hilarious. Well done DotDot boys. I went and picked the kids up. Smallest was feeling worse and looked a little pale. Small and I decided to go to the walk-in doctors with our feet and I dropped Smallest off with Huffle. (Though maybe I should have taken Smallest with me too). They cuddled on the sofa and watched TV and played a few games.

Small and I didn't have to wait too long. We saw the nurse who took our details. Then a really nice doctor saw us. He diagnosed Plantar Facilitis (just what my friend S said). He has given me some exercises to do morning and night and told me to carry on walking if I want to. If it is no better in two weeks, to go back and see him (he told me what days he is there). He also gave me a name of a specialist who can check it out for me for free and if I need any orthotics, will refer me back to the doctor who can prescribe something so we can get it through the insurance. I asked if he knew of any doctors as we were struggling to find one and he said "yes, me, but not for one or two years". What a shame. He said he didn't want to just send me to a Podiatrist as he wasn't sure about them all! He said he would only refer people to specialists he knew! He looked at Small and said he didn't want to do anything with him at the moment, he wanted to leave it for three weeks and see if he improved and if he didn't, we were to come back. He checked both of our chests and my throat and told us to go. Wish he could be our doctor but I don't think we can wait two years!

We went next door to the supermarket, picked up a pizza (yes another one) and drove home.

Smallest wouldn't eat much, Small ate too much and Huffle and I had a couple of pieces. We sat in front of the TV and watched Hocus Pocus. Huffle ironed his shirts (he's a good boy!).

I feel a bit better. At least my foot has been diagnosed (although I knew what it was). At least I don't have to worry about Small's feet (yet). Hopefully smallest will feel better tomorrow (he is supposed to be at school). I should be having coffee with my Welsh friend and then going to my knitting group. We'll see!

 

Please don't use my photos without asking first. Posted with Blogsy