Small victories

I am tired and it's late (for me!), but I wanted to briefly celebrate some good things that have happened in the last couple of weeks.

I have some extra students up until the exams. AS Level too - my favourite. This means I am busy but I really enjoy my lessons. They really do provide all the positives of teaching without any of the negatives.

I had the appeal hearing for Hannah's disability allowance (previously twice rejected) and she has been awarded middle rate care! This entitles us to other allowances too and will make a big difference financially. But that is less important than the fact I feel vindicated.

Regular readers (*waves to all four of them*) might remember The Great British Gas Saga. (Highlighting my blogging inadequacy here by not being arsed to provide a link to it). After my previous lofty statements about how they would not provide me with one kWh of gas more, I hit a problem. The bill holder. Which isn't me. So I had to give up...or so I thought. Yet today I get a letter informing me of a 25% decrease in our monthly payment. When I phoned the bill holder to let him know about this exciting development, he mentioned that BG had been one of a number of companies in trouble recently about exactly how much of their customers money they currently have. A coincidence....I think not. I will not eat my previous words....as soon as the debit balance is cleared, it is Powergen all the way for us (take note bill holder, I know you are one of the four readers......)

Oh, and the sun has been shining, and I have been gardening....:D

Smiley update

We have booked our holiday for 16th-23rd June - Hurrah! I was worried that since I left it so late that the accommodation we wanted would be booked up. We have not reserved the same bungalow as last time, but have gone for pot luck as an added element of excitement.

Dad is (hopefully - still awaiting confimation) home from hospital, so I will hopefully take the girls round to see him soon.

I equipped Caitlin with new summer clothes yesterday to her unbridled joy. It also makes me feel like a better mother to see my child in clothes that fit her......

The weather has been very summery and as well as the girls having a riot out in the garden - everything from an evil concoction (the POTION) in the empty sandpit to digging up weeds and sliding down the slide a hundred times in succession - I have been enjoying my spring bulbs planted last autumn and been thinking about this summer's plans for it.

There are still 11 days left of the school holiday, and one of them is my birthday :D

In Memory of Mum

It seems like yesterday that you were here
But then one day God called you near
He whispered "June, it's time to go,
Your work is done, I think you know
You’re needed now in heaven above
To share with my angels all your love"

"Lord" you said "Your will be done
I've been tired now for oh so long
I'll close my eyes and go to sleep
And give my soul to you to keep
One thing I ask, my Lord, of you
Comfort my loved ones, help them through."

I watched you go, so much pain in my heart
I couldn't imagine us being apart
I held your hand and through the tears
I softly whispered all my fears
And I thought I heard you say
"I love you my daughter, but I cannot stay"

Although the weeks and months pass by
There are tears in my heart that I cannot cry
I miss you so much every day
A longing to see you, that never fades away
All I can do is to pray to God above
"Cherish my Mum, Lord, and give her all my love"

Keep going...

I'm still tired despite the early night and it meant I missed the update on Dad from my sister. I stopped in for a coffee with Bev on the way back from school this morning and Hannah had fun playing with Alfie. I've been pottering on the computer since then while Hannah has eaten a variety of snacks and watched the TV. It's too close to lunch time now to start a task, so thought I could try and keep the momentum going here.

I'm planning to do some housework and have a nap this afternoon while Hannah sleeps. I don't have work tonight but will be going to visit Dad if he is still in. I should get some time to myself tomorrow as Hannah has pre-school in the morning and the girls go to my sisters for tea. Thursday will be busy. I have the appointment with the Law Centre in the morning to discuss Hannah's DLA application, then toddler group in the afternoon.

One day, I will do some ironing......

Trying to get into good habits

I have discovered the longer it goes the harder it gets, and I feel any installments have to be earth shattering. So without a great deal to say, here goes.....

The weather has been good (I measure that on how effectively my washing dries on the line, so in other words sunny and windy). That always gives me a lift in spirits, and I have managed to stay reasonably above water as a result.

Apparently there is a big ruckus going on at the school about the allocation of nursery places, so will keep my head down about my coveted morning place for Hannah (apart from with my friends (help - am I in a school gate clique????) who also have mornings). Some children have not got in at all as it is oversubscribed for the first time in a long while. Others are unhappy that parents with children already at the school get priority for the morning session. Maybe they don't realise that when our first child went to nursery we were in the same boat and have had afternoons already for them.

I'm looking forward to the Easter holiday starting on Friday. Caitlin is tired and needs a break. Although she loves school, you can see she is getting to the point where she has had enough.

I'm feeling tired now, and planning an early night. I have been so tired, but have found it difficult to sleep the last few nights. There is lots on my mind.

Big discovery of the day - Hannah likes prawns! I have found a new healthy food she likes! Caitlin likes them too, but then she likes most things. Hannah is terribly fussy and won't even try something if she doesn't like the look of it, and protein is a particular issue (can you get all your protein requirements from sausage and ham? I doubt it.), so this is great!