On my desk

I am a complete on my desk failure as once again there is nothing of great interest.

I have moved the laptop from the office to the dining room table so that I can (hopefully) get on with some work while Aislin plays - it seemed cruel to shut myself away in the office leaving her all alone. This way she can see me and chat to me and I can keep going - that's the theory anyway.

I've been juggling appointments so my diary and appointment cards are here....

And some entertainment for the invalid.....

I am also messing with the online component of my business, writing a report and uploading an 'sign up' box to website.

But really all I want is to be lying here sipping a Daiquirí with not a child, appointment book or laptop in sight.

Lest we forget

Behind that long and lonely trenched line

To which men come and go, where brave men die,

There is a yet unmarked and unknown shrine,

A broken plot, a soldier’s cemetery.

There lie the flower of youth, the men who scorn’d

To live (so died) when languished Liberty:

Across their graves flowerless and unadorned

Still scream the shells of each artillery.

When war shall cease this lonely unknown spot

Of many a pilgrimage will be the end,

And flowers will shine in this now barren plot

And fame upon it through the years descend:

But many a heart upon each simple cross

Will hang the grief, the memory of its loss.

"A Soldier's Cemetery"

by John William Streets (killed and missing in action on 1 July 1916 aged 31)

What happened next

When I titled yesterday's post 'Unexpected' I hadn't yet realised the full significance of this turn of events. Last night was fairly smooth, Tom was here and when Aislin needed help to get somewhere (not having quite mastered the crutches yet) he was able to pick her up and carry her wherever she needed to be. I can do it if I have to, but he's taller and stronger than me and it's effortless to him. To me...well...she's heavy and all arms and legs - difficult to wrangle.

This morning she woke up at 6am and needed to go to the toilet. I could hear her struggling with the crutches so I jumped up and went through and as her need was urgent I carried her there. She was wide awake by then and I asked if she wanted a drink and she did so we just got up even though we could have safely had another hour in bed (sigh). Then there was a flurry of the usual morning activity, breakfast, getting dressed, making sure Hannah had all her swimming gear and so on. All the time giving Aislin extra help because everything is more of a challenge for her right now, carrying her down the steps from the front door, lifting her into the car etc. We took Hannah to school and Aislin waited in the car reading a book while I dashed in to tell the teacher what was going on. We came home and I lifted her out of the car and back up the steps. It was only 9.05 and I was buggered.

She wanted me to play a game with her, I looked at the pile of work I had to do and settled down resignedly to play several games of Junior Scrabble. Then we did two (big) jigsaws. It went on like that all day with supervising her practicing on her crutches as an added extra.

This afternoon we went to pick up Hannah, I had a pile of library books to return and I planned to drop them off on the way to school, we got to the library I looked at the books, looked at Aislin and discovered the flaw in my plan. I couldn't carry the books and help her. So I gathered up the books, and made a dash for the return chute leaving Aislin in the car in a public car park. Something I hate doing. It was only a couple of minutes and I could see the car (which I'd locked) the whole time but it felt bad.

After we picked up Hannah I remembered I needed to go to the supermarket - we were nearly out of some essentials that couldn't wait. Again I looked at Aislin and wondered how I'd get round the supermarket with her...she's not ready for a marathon effort like that on crutches yet. In the end (you should thank me that you're not getting the full version here....stuff happened) I squeezed her into the tiny toddler trolley seat - not easy with a gangly 5 year old with a gigantic left foot. After we'd done the shopping (all the while listening to 'Mummy, this seat is hurting me...) we got back to the car, unpacked the shopping then tried to prise Aislin back out of the trolley....there was a while there that I thought we were going to just have to bring the whole thing home with Aislin still in it and wait until Tom got home so he could take it apart and set her free using his angle grinder. Fortunately it didn't come to that.

This is hard, but I'm not complaining because I know it is NOTHING compared to what some carers are doing 24 hours a day, every day of their lives, for people much bigger and heavier and more seriously disabled than Aislin is right now. I'm just saying that it is much more challenging than I realised it was going to be....not the carrying so much as the logistics of doing anything with someone who isn't fully operational.

This week is going to be fun...I have an appointment with the hairdresser, a doctor's appointment (where I also have to see the nurse for an injection) and Aislin's specialist appointment on Thursday.....how am I going to negotiate these? Oh don't worry...you're sure to hear all about it.

Unexpected

So last night when I posted the children had gone to bed and I was going to have a glass of wine and perhaps watch a movie. What I hadn't mentioned was that earlier that evening there had been an incident in which Aislin, feeling exuberant, had leapt from an armchair onto the floor. Now there were three problems with this 1) leaping from the furniture is strongly discouraged in this house (but she's 5 years old and they do love to leap) 2) this particular armchair temporarily held all the coats and jackets and various odds and ends from the pageant adventure that I had just unpacked from the car and 3) Aislin had left a piece of cellophane on the floor after unwrapping something a moment before. As she leapt her foot caught on a jacket and she fell awkwardly, this was exacerbated by the piece of cellophane on the wooden floor upon which she then slipped. Then the screaming began, Hannah ran out of the front door at this point - she hates it when anyone hurts themself and often runs off in distress.....I hope she doesn't consider a career in nursing.

Anyway, afer much calming down of the hysterical Aislin (while Tom fetched Hannah back) I iced and elevated the foot and administered some Childrens' Panadol. She was in some pain and there was a little swelling and the start of a bruise, she couldn't walk on it very well but she said it was ok and a some time later went off to bed quite happy.

Then I did my blog post, I didn't mention the incident because frankly if I blogged every little accident my children had there would be hardly a day without an injury report, there's always someone bumping their head or falling over or scratching themselves on a bush. I'm told it's normal. Also, I was very distracted by that clown.

So anyway.....they were in bed, I'd dutifully done my blog post so I settled down with a movie and my wine ready for a relaxing hour or so with my feet up. About an hour later Aislin came hopping through in tears, the pain in her foot had woken her up, I looked at the foot, it looked the same, I checked the time, it had been 4 hours since the Panadol so I gave her another dose and she had a drink and fell asleep on my lap. I carried her to bed and she slept soundly for the rest of the night.

This morning she was bright and happy but couldn't put any weight on the foot. It was still swollen and the bruising was more obvious. You can see where this is going can't you? So she and Tom went off and spent some considerable time here....

....and came home with this......

She's broken her foot. This is the temporary cast and we see the specialist on Thursday and he will decide what sort of cast she needs for the rest of her recovery.

She was supposed to be having swimming lessons at school every day this week. Yesterday we went and bought a new swimsuit and goggles. She's devastated. She also thinks the cast is ugly and she refused to be wheeled around in a wheel chair at the hospital.

She has crutches and she doesn't mind those...as long as she's not expected to actually use them. I can just tell this is going to be fun.

I had the presence of mind to do a quick pedicure for her before she left for the hospital, a girl needs some comfort, especially if a bunch of strangers are going to be looking at your feet. The nurses loved her toenails and so does she.

By the way, don't think you're getting out of reading the pageant post....it has only been postponed temporarily.

It's not Sunday yet

By my reckoning I still have 3 hours and 10 minutes to get this post in without ruining my NaBloPoMo credibility.

Well. We went. I have been up since 4.45, it's been a long day and I'm exhausted - seriously, it has been non-stop. I've just (finally) put the girls to bed, I read them a story each and Aislin was asleep in about 45 seconds flat. Then I tidied the kitchen and loaded the dinner dishes into the dishwasher. I was just about to have a well deserved glass of wine and a mince pie (yes, I know mince pies in November, it's obscene) and put my feet up when I thought 'Holy crap I still have to do an effing blog post' 'oh! I must remember to do a blog post'.

So here I am.

Did I mention it's been a long day? Yeah, thought so.

So the Pageant. We got there at 6.15 and still didn't get a front row seat. However we did get a second row position and we had some very nice and considerate people in front of us who were actually aware that they weren't the only people that wanted to see it (unlike other years) so didn't block the childrens' view or wear big hats or erect 5 room tents right in front of us (hey, it could happen!).

I have things to report but not tonight, I'm making lots of typos and keep having to rewrite incoherent sentences ('what's new?' you cry). So tomorrow I shall write a lengthy report on today's events.

Here's a teaser....

Oh and in case you're wondering, yes there were a few clown moments. Only one ended in tears (yes, mine....I'm not proud of being a big baby) but am I the only person that can see these unholy abominations for what they truly are....you look me in the eye and tell me this thing isn't on the attack......{{shudder}}....

I'm going to have nightmares about this one tonight. And I'm home alone.....eeep!

Friday Fever

Woohoo! It's Friday!! The weekend! I'm delighted. We're having Sushi for dinner tonight, then when the girls have gone to bed Tom and I will relax, perhaps watch movie and have another glass of wine (to follow the one we'll have with the Sushi).

There is only one little blot on the otherwise crystal clear horizon that is my weekend and that is....... The Pageant. I hate the Pageant. Some of you may remember this post from last year. I like the idea and I love doing that kind of stuff with the girls but for me, with 'the phobia' and the whole having-to-get-up-while-it's-still-dark-drive-35k-then-sit-waiting-for-4-hours-with-a-bunch-of-clowns-tormenting-me, I'm frankly not keen. I don't know what to do. The girls want to go, they're not making a fuss which kind of makes it worse. I feel like the worst the mother in the world for even contemplating not taking them. Also, if we decide to go I'm going to have to spend a considerable amount of time this evening packing provisions and chairs and entertainment into the car (you need something to do during the LONG wait). I just don't know if I can take it in my already fragile emotional state. Tom suggested we go every second year, but since we didn't tell them that it seems a pity to spring that plan on them now.

Am I being selfish? Probably.

It's not like it's the only Pageant they'll go to, there is the small local one which they are actually participating in, but it is small. And kind of lame compared to THE PAGEANT!!!! I personally prefer the small one because parking is easier, there are loads of cafes open because it's not 6am and one year Santa was drunk. So cool. And funny. What? The kids didn't know, they just thought he was slapstick-falls-over-a-lot-Santa. They liked him.

Then of course there's the other thing about The Pageant. It officially marks the start of 'The Christmas Season'. It's just something else to fill me with woe because you see....and now I'm really opening a can of worms, but here goes......I don't like Christmas. There I said it. I have my own reasons for not liking it which I may talk about at some point but the fact is I could happily do without it. For me it is utterly meaningless. Bah humbug.

However I have children, they love it and they want to go to The Pageant....come full circle haven't we?

Tomorrow's post may or may not have a photo of a clown and perhaps one of me being administered oxygen...or Last Rights...one of the two.

Oh God is it only day 6? and 'on my desk' (late)

Still here...no raids but I'm pretty sure some notes have been added to my already bulging ASIO file.

Well I'm loving this NaBloPoMo...ahem...nothing gets a girl through the day like the irritating, nagging, little thought that you haven't done today's post yet (I blame you for this Cathy). In my 'excitement' yesterday (wow! sarcasm twice already) I forgot all about On My Desk Wednesday!! What an oversight! The only guaranteed blog fodder I have all week and I forgot about it!

Here it is.

On my desk today I have... Mini Sharpies...I'm a stationery addict and these feed my habit....

....a magnifying glass......because I HATE wearing my reading glasses and want to pretend I don't need them.....

....and an Alumni membership card.

Ooh, this is like a game isn't it? Like those I spy books. 'What does this all mean?' I hear you ask. What strange project is she undertaking that requires these items?

Yeah, well sorry....nothing. They have no relevance except that they have been used sometime in the past week and no-one has put them away. Because the truth is that on my desk today there is no work, there are no projects and nothing of the remotest interest to anyone. Sorry.

This is an insult to the great institution that is 'On My Desk'. and will go down in history as the lamest post of my blogging career.

Which reminds me, speaking of careers...I'm a bit disappointed that there haven't been more suggestions for my future. Dave came up with a marvelous idea that I should become a navigator on a starship. This appealed to me enormously (I love Sci Fi) but in the end I just can't do the tight spacesuit I'm afraid.

So come on, what else is there...there will be prizes....ok, there won't be prizes but I need all the help I can get.