The Goose and Carrot Pub Thread

We have pack of butter but that's the whole pack like a supermarket pack. Always had that as a child too.

Plumber in at 8am. Just helped DH put the worktop in place and I cleaned the floor in there. Hope 8am isn't going to be too early for DS but am keen to get it done tomorrow. Electrics quote in and accepted for fitting jacuzzi bath and they also said we need a new consumer unit so getting one of those. Bath due around 22nd.

A pat of butter is usually 8oz in the uk. (Though possibly shrinkflationed now). It is “patted” into shape when you make it by hand.

A pat of butter now is the tiny things served in gold wrappings (rarely butter). A pat of butter is the gorgeous butter slapped with paddles into a shape. I have a butter curler that scrapes off of a pat it is very satisfying. I haven’t used it for years. This is my sign to get it out again.

We watch the same 2 tv programmes every week day to carve up the day. The Chase and House of Games. Always catch the final lot of the auction in between switching channels. A set of fruit cutlery was sold today. DD said she would like to be a person that has time to get the fruit cutlery out. Me too.

I make butter fairly regularly (it’s cheaper and I’m home anyway so…). I think a curler might be very pleasing.

Here, a block of butter is 250g (hard stare at you, Anchor, who thought they could reduce it to 200g for the same price and we wouldn't notice). A pat of butter is the 10g portion that you get in a cafe. A curl of butter is the fancy pants restaurant display.

How do you find it cheaper to make @Zzzzzs ? I love making butter but cream is £3 for 600ml right now and that would only make 300g butter. A block of butter is only £1.85. If you have a cheap way I'd love to know!

DD2 was feeling poorly last night. Her temperature went to 37.9°c but I put my fingers in my ears and closed my eyes because a fever is 38°c <gavel>. The fever passed and I managed to get her to bed. I'm doubtful that she'll be fit for college. Today is her long day and she's not been feeling well.

I've emailed the school head about DD3. I'm getting mixed messages from the teachers. One emailed to say they couldn't do the sport BTEC because it's a 2-year course. Then another has messaged to say that DD3's baseline tests in Science are really good and he'd like to do the science GCSEs with her but she'd have to do it over two years, so what do I think? I've written to the head and said we really need to have a plan ASAP. I think it would be better for her to stay and get her 5 GCSEs so that she can move on to a level 3 course at college. She won't cope with something that's low level. DD2 is finding her level 1 course frustrating because of the level. It would kill DD3.

@OneInEight

Congratulations to DS. I did try and scroll back but my brain’s struggling so I missed that. Fantastic news.

@Violasilkie

Everything sounds like it’s coming together nicely. You have worked so hard.

I’m familiar with pat, curl, knob, pack (as it comes from the supermarket) and stick if in the US. Some butter covers all bases fot me.

I feel like I’ve crawled to Friday on my
knees. I can’t explain what’s happening with me at all. I’m so incredibly fatigued and just feel like a robot going through the motions. I have completely lost myself. Anyone relate or have any survival tips?

Sorry you are feeling exhausted and like a robot @Fififizz and thanks so much for your kind words.

You are doing well that DS has got this far, this is the toughest part of the year gone.

For yourself I would say if there's any way possible take times to do things for you, even if its a nice day out once a month or if that's not possible could you do something nice for you during the school day sometimes. I found swimming helped and trips to the coast for the days out like to see the seals in Horsey at Christmas or the puffins in spring or to the spa. I spent years before fighting for DS full time and needing to stop work which was a big mistake once we moved here at start of secondary and it made me ill, suspect the stress gave me cancer, and was soul destroying.

I also do DIY and the garden as a distraction as well as because DS seems to respond to them and do it with DH and we can chat about DS if out of earshot. Plumber in just arrived and DS has left downstairs bathroom open. DH was hard to wake up and not really awake when he woke up - he tried to put 3 pairs of trousers on, and I had to point out he already had a pair on.

I always assumed a pat of butter was like a 10g portion.

It’s always been my belief that mothers of children with SEN, develop serious health conditions due to the stress. It’s why we go walking in the countryside - the complete opposite of our desk job. However, it’s not stopped the march of time!

I’ve just had a look at how to make butter, i never knew. Satisfying kitchen tools have got me thinking is there is a way forward for more independence. The cheese scraper and wire cutter probably need bringing back out too. I used to love hosting.

@Fififizz it’s cumulative, it’s taken many years to wear you out. @Violasilkie is describing the best and only way to get stronger. You have to do things that are just for you daily.

Electrician now booked for next Thursday as we apparently need a new consumer unit for all these electrics and some of our wires are 60 years old.

Plumber is working away he has asked DH if we need a washing machine this weekend. DH told him he doesn't but DS and I might do so he said will do temporary solution if not done today. I thought would be all done today.

Countryside walks is great @LathkillDale and agree with you about health issues, its hard to prove but the stress is immense with SN. Never found DS stressful, its all the dealing with LA / unhelpful schools etc. I also found it got a lot worse when I stopped work which seems counterintuitive but work was a distraction, a source of enjoyment and confidence and I was treated so much better when working.

The silkies are objecting to the noise of the plumbers but are adding to the noise with their complaint.

I did make butter at school but never did it since. I never remember term pat being used at all but would associate it with a small handmade one if it did. We had blocks of butter, that's more handmade big block, and packs like supermarket ones. The gold small ones are just portions of butter.

Its so difficult for DD2 @Lougle presumably she needs to stay infection free for operation as well which is difficult with schools especially this time of year. Don't know if you phone them and say you'll take last minute cancellations if you can they can get date moved forward.

@Violasilkie couldn’t agree more about the system being the biggest stressor of all.

I’m getting tired from doing paid work and late nights. Study is in flow which is fantastic but the daily support to get traction is very wearing and none of the usual daily practical support has gone away.

Could you have Covid? I read today, the American strain Stratus is going around again? It can be so mild, it’s just a runny nose and fatigue, possibly with gastrointestinal symptoms in some people.

@roaringdragon sorry it's been hard overnight. I'm glad the op went well though, I was thinking of you as I drove home from clinic today and wondered if you had a date.

@roaringdragon It’s good, it’s done. I know recovery is hard, with a DC with SEN. Hopefully, the long term benefit will work out?

@roaringdragon glad the op went well wishing DS1 a speedy and smooth recovery.

Glad the op went well and its done @roaringdragon

Loving all the butter chat I’ve never made it maybe I should. A pat for us is those small gold things in cafes and a block on the side.

Hope the recovery for DS1 is smooth @roaringdragon and your meeting achieves the result it needs too.

Glad works are continuing & hopefully washing machine isn’t out of use long @Violasilkie

Yes juggling work when the caring demands do not lessen I struggle with a lot @PurringTiger but I hope work gives a positive break in other ways to be you.

@OneInEight great news for DS I hope the job works out well.

Hope DD2 can have her op soon @Lougle to ease the symptoms & move on with her college. Great that kayaking has been inclusive for DD1 too.

@Fififizz the fatigue is real & justified when you have been living in fight or flight mode for so long caring. But I’d echo the others you have to be selfish & carve time for yourself too. It’s the only way to keep going. I find just 20mins on my yoga mat daily plus a dog walk really help me process & breathe. Your body has survived on cortisol & adrenaline and needs to find ways to calm. I’ve also started reading a book at 6am instead of doom scrolling when I wake up it’s helping me.

Just had my flu jab so hoping no ill side effects over the weekend as was already feeling very fatigued from the week of work stress. the end of month & qtr always brings more demands. Plus lining up two post16 options for visit in the next couple of weeks. Along with stressful exam revision support for DD2.

@roaringdragon

Glad the operation is over and done now, that’s a massive thing in itself. I hope the meeting goes ok and that you can take a brief breather beforehand and now DH has stepped in.

Thanks everyone for your kind words and ideas.

@LathkillDale I’m pretty sure it’s not long COVID but think it’s an accumulation of ongoing stress and post menopause symptoms and autoimmunity hypothyroidism really does mess the system up as well. I definitely agree the ongoing stress causes all sorts of illnesses, including cancer.

Unfortunately DC is prickly and hard to manage as well as the system. I have over compensated over the years and just got on and done things and taken on much more than I should have. But when you’re in the thick of things and life and stuff just needs doing it’s hard not to just try and soldier on in some fashion. I know you all understand this.
DH leaves it to me as he’s trying to run a business which is all consuming too and so I’ve carried the all EHCP stuff and all the meetings, assessments, medication stuff, general running the home etc etc and often with an unaccepting and difficult DC.

At times I do wish I’d worked as it would have demarcated something but practically I don’t think that would have been possible.

I definitely need to focus on refilling my cup. I actually feel like the system is designed to break us and not support us at all.

Well it’s been a busy week but the last appointment is done. God I need the weekend.

@Lougle I get about 12oz from a big thingy of double cream. So probably equivalent rather than truly cheaper BUT Christmas Easter etc cream is discounted (as it is at the end of the day) plus out of date stuff from the fridge and sometimes cheaper from the farm shop here means I usually save about 25%. Old cream (not mouldy!) makes better butter. I’m just naturally ridiculously tight.🤣🤣🤣
I try to make yoghurt too but I’m weirdly bad at it for months and then fine for months so it irritates rather than pleases. Making mozzarella (from cows not buffalo!) is fun too. I read far too much little house on the prairie as a child.

DD2's still in pain, temperature is back up to 38.1°c and her heart rate is 125 <sigh>. I've told her to take paracetamol and diclofenac, then I'll see what that does. We have open access to SAU until tomorrow evening, so I might have to call them if she doesn't improve.

@Lougle has it worked?