Categories: uncategorized
Date: 26 August 2004 00:20:56
I didn't strangle them today. I managed not to strangle any of them. Success! Mind you. last night's aquafit helped a lot. Bearing in mind I'd only had the children's company for an hour in the morning and twenty minutes in the evening, I was remarkably stressed when I left the house. (They're in rather a silly irritating and attention-seeking mode at the moment and this, combined with Dad needing a bit of extra attention because he had to have the nurse out again, does not work wonders for my stress levels) I was remarkably unstressed when I returned home. Was this the beneficial effects of exercise coming into play? No, it was the sheer pleasure of imagining the foam dumbells we use (known as boueys) were the children as I pushed them forceably under the water or pushed them away from me in turn.
This morning I only had Smudgelet to deal with for an hour of the morning while Tiddles went to visit M to help plan a church service as part of a Scout badge. Apparently he worked hard and had some good ideas, which was a relief as he was still in seriously silly mood when he left home to cycle round there. Smudgelet decided that he wanted to stay for the Young Archaeologist Club day at Fort Victoria - a bit of a blow as, because he's under nine, I had to stay there with him instead of dropping Tiddles off and coming home to get some jobs done. IN fact, I was supposed to stay in the room where the activities were taking place, and join them on their fossilling walk on the beach, but the wonderful wonderful leader noticed my enthusiasm to spend more time with my sons, and suggested I go hide in the cafe with her newspaper. Bless her!
I spent ages in the cafe, feeling very virtuous as I didn't succumb to the temptation to buy a cake, and I ordered salad instead of the very tempting chips and fried egg that people were eating all around me. But as the cafe began to fill, I decided I had better find somewhere else to sit. As I emerged, I bumped into the group heading off on their walk, and was directed to go into the activity room where the adult leaders were all having a go at the activity. You know, we don't spend enough time just playing and creating, do we? It's left to the children, and yet I think the adults enjoy it just as much and benefit from it even more. I spent a glorious hour making a pasta collage on a ceramic floor tile. And a rather good cuttlefish it was, though I say so myself. Instantly recognisable - the boys decided it must be a bank vole as they saw a photo on the wall and the label above it said "bank vole" (referring to the photo above that, I hasten to add).
This afternoon I had a heart to heart with Tiddles about the reason I'd felt stressed and about the trouble that Dad is having. He was great. It's hard not to overburden him with adult concerns, but in other ways it's easier for him to feel that he's not being kept in the dark about things. His response, bless him, was to set to and start doing some of the ironing, despite being tired himself. Between us we defeated the ironing pile!
He also rang M for me to say that I wasn't going to be able to go to aquafit tomorrow as a) I have to take Dad to the hospital for the diabetic clinic and b) I have far too much I need to get done with having been out all day today. She's a wonderful woman - she rang back and informed me that she was going to take the children with her for the afternoon... and that I should drop them off en route to the hospital and she'd give them lunch as well. That's the sort of friend parents need - ones who will offer what you need before you even realise you need it.
Dad's now waiting for the nurse to come again. I wish this would be a bit easier for him. We know when she'll come, though. Just as we're about to set out to the hospital. Hmmm... I wonder if I can get him to the hospital and home again without mislaying him this time?