Chatting, ranting and some stepping! Come in and have a brew with us.

[carrotsandcelery]

A place to have a blether, and a . All chatters are welcome, stepping or otherwise.

Come inside and settle down on the sofa.

I suppose my pile of untidy paperwork and clutter resembles what my head is like!
School and nursery don't help matters either. They keep sending home various letters and bits of information. Then people stick more junk mail through the letter box.
I know I am the only one who can sort it all out but there's a rebellious child somewhere inside of me that is fighting against doing it all! I so wish I could sort myself out!

Someone come and give me a good talking to! Please!

Lack of sleep doesn't help though, does it!

Here is DD to sit on my lap so I guess my playtime will be over!

and about your german measles "experience" Scout!

Cats- I can really identify with what you are talking about! Have you ever tried any counselling. It is really helping me sort through things in my head. I think you have to find the right type of counselling for you though. I haven't found CBT too helpful, but find Gestalt counselling really good!

I've spent most of the morning at the hospital. So now I have been officially diagnosed as having fibromyalgia! Feeling really weird about it, especially as the advice is to do more exercise which I am already finding nigh on impossible to do! Also the painkillers I have been taking that have actually helped me, may be causing me to have high blood pressure, so I may have to stop taking them!!

Just a quick update. Turns out I've had boosters recentish (since being in the UK) and I knew Toddler was up-to-date. Because of that we're protected. And because we're protected we can't transmit/carry to other people because you need to be infected to transmit it to others.

HUGE relief.

I know I overacted and was admitting it last night. But I was angry at not being given the choice to protect myself and Toddler and I was trying to protect the vulnerable around me.

Scout that is such a relief. Phew! I was anxious for you for so many reasons. Thank goodness some people, at least, are responsible.

Cats I know exactly what you mean. Totally and 100%. I know what I need to do but I don't want to do it - not today anyway I found hypnosis, which I did for other reasons, clarified lots of things I didn't know about which were going on in my head. It is all rebellion based after a very strict upbringing. I found it really helpful as now I understand why I do what I do (or don't do as the case may be).

Arti that sounds a bit of a shock for the system. Even if you expect a diagnosis you still reel a bit when you get one. Are they offering alternative pain relief? Would accupuncture or herbal remedies be any good. One of our local doctors gave my mum herbal remedies for arthritis for years and years and they were very effective. Try not to stress about doing it all at once. Put it on your list and decide what matters the most to you and take one thing at a time, as bessie suggested a while back.

I am rebelling today and making some jewellery for a friend. It is the hardest pattern I have done so far and I keep having to take bits out but I am determined to crack it. If I manage I will post a pic on my profile. I imagine it will take me a few days. Eeeek!

I have put a photo of the butterfly bead weaving on my profile I think, if anyone is looking for a reason to procrastinate!

What token "gift" should I get my friend and her two children (TS's "big friends") for babysitting him most of the afternoon (tomorrow) on short notice (this afternoon)? I'm not sure how these things work. I had Mars Bars for friend who was originally supposed to watch him (those are her favorite) but she can't now so I'm not sure what's appropriate/etiquette over here.

If it is a friend I would give a small bunch of flowers or box of chocs or bottle of wine and return the favour sometime. I think the important bit is to return the favour. It doesn't have to be like with like but a favour to her at some point when she is in need.

Do you have a hospital appointment Scout?

I am worried sick. It has potential to kick off again here.

Ds was mucking about in the changing rooms with another boy. The other boy fell and banged his head. The mother went a bit frantic (understandably) but then asked her ds what had happened and the boy blamed my ds for hiding his shoe.

What she didn't ask was what he had done to my ds before my ds hid his shoe, which was hide all of his stuff, knowing that he can't see in there without his glasses

The mother had left by the time my ds came out and the other boys who were all shouting about how the other boy had hidden my ds's stuff.

This is one of the three mothers who ganged up and bullied and scapegoated ds so much in the past that we ended up at the psychologist in the first place.

I feel sick. I want to defend him and there is no way to other than sending her a snippy text clarifying the situation which is just as likely to set her off again anyway.

Carrots - try not to worry.

How about setting down all the facts of the situation as you see them on paper, just to get it all out of your head. It also means that if there is any comeback ( was this a school situation or something out of school?) you have the information clearly set out. If it was to do with school, maybe you could pass a copy onto the head with a "just in case things flare up again you know what happened" type comment?

I normally wouldn't bat an eyelid about an event like this but given the history with this mother I am very anxious.

I am tempted to write down what happened, with a cover letter, for the headteacher, just incase another campaign begins. We have a different head now so hopefully she will be more unbiased. It all sounds so childish I know, but in the circumstances...

Well - why not write it. You can then decide whether you want to give it to the head!

Carrots I agree with arti. I was told it is good to write things down even if you don't do anything with what you write down. It gets it out of your head and helps you think a bit clearer.

DD fell asleep on my lap just before 7 so I may be in for an early morning tomorrow.

carrots, I agree with arti and Cats.

Cats, I'll trade you one sleeping DD for one wide-awake, I think might be trying to leave his room Toddler?

Ds was desperate to get to bed tonight because he has a new Famous Five cd to listen to from the library. The psychologist had sought advice from a sleep nurse who had suggested using a cd player (which we had been doing for ages but the psychologist had advised taking away!) so he has his cd player back.

I will write it all down just to clarify my thoughts. Hopefully I am getting uptight about nothing but I don't really blame myself for being jumpy given what happened before.

Oh, The Famous Five! I'm on book 13 from the box set that I gave to MrScout and Toddler as a joint present for Boxing Day. I had never read them.

I think Toddler's given up the good fight. He got out of bed a couple of times, but I think it was more to see where I was/have a cuddle because then he went right back to bed. I've been listening to him "read" to Bunny and friends.

carrots, yes, I have a hospital appointment tomorrow. Having an MRI or I'd have taken Toddler with me like I do for normal consultant appointments.

I can see that you can't take him with you for that Scout. I hope it goes well. I will think of you and send you "lie still" vibes.

I have lots of Famous 5 and Secret 7 and Malory Towers and Trebizon etc books in the loft. I know which corner they are in but there is a wall of crap infront of them now which has built up in the last 4 years since I last tried to empty the loft. I will have to be brave and dig some out.

Thanks, carrots. I've found that since I take Toddler with me to most all of my appointments (whether a nurse's appointment at the GP or the blood specialist (and that's like five appointments in one with all of the people I see and places I go) or the cardiologist (again, that's like four appointments with all of the tests and people)) he seems very calm in the GP surgery and at the hospital, even when he's the one having a check. (He's been to the hospital a few times, to check to see if he as any of my issues and will be under regular though not frequent cardiologist care.)

Well, I've had a lazy old day and thoroughly enjoyed it. Too much running back and forth yesterday, have to do the same tomorrow, I decided that today was mine.

cats

I hope you can get a few things sorted, reduce the size of the pile. Do you have a place you could put school stuff seperate? Maybe the side of the fridge, don't know how you feel about novelty fridge magnets? My OH hates them, I'm not overly keen but they keep my papers were I can find them. If not then how about a folder, put new papers in front and move to the back, with a divider, once dealt with.

I'm currently drowning in To Do bits of paper, I've started using notes on my phone instead. And the school has stopped sending home paper, which means less stuff here but I have to remember to check their e-mail system a few times a day. They send an e-mail to tell you there is a message on their server for you to read.

Right I'm on tooth fairy duty tonight, so I best get on with it.

PROUD MUM ALERT!!

Morning all, DD slept ALL NIGHT!! YAY!! YAY!! YAY!! She just woke up at 6.00am.
I was so tired last night I went to bed at 7.30pm. DH put DS to bed. I woke up at 1 till 2 but then slept till 4 when DH got up then went back to sleep till 6.
Feeling like this ----> so far this morning and DD seems quite cheerful too!

Arti I do get counselling. I am about half way through so hopefully things might start to improve soon.

Scout I hope today goes alright for you.

Good luck with DS and school today carrots.

Cats Yay!!!!!! Congrats!!!!

Scout good luck today.

Carrots I would write it down and hand it in as a pre-emptive measure. I got this at work, my manager was dropping me, the team leader, in it for little stuff he'd messed up. I went to HR with a couple of examples and said I didn't want it to happen when the shit really hit the fan and it came my way. I'm glad I did cus he did something very major and nearly illegal and tried to pass the buck. He ended up getting sacked for a) doing what he did and b) trying to get me blamed for it. You've got nothing to lose and if you can get a few of the boys names who were backing you up, even better. The woman has form, nothing wrong with protecting yourself and your DS.

Adora those are the best days, aren't they? :)

Scout thinking of you today (((hugs)))

How are you feeling today, carrots?

Yay Cats!!!

Oooh, Adora, The Tooth Fairy! How much does the Tooth Fairy leave where you are? (About for those British Tooth Fairies out there? What do your DCs receive?)

My appointment isn't until mid-afternoon so I need to be ready by 2 to take Toddler to our friends', go to hospital, collect stuff for Seniors tonight, collect Toddler, go to Seniors, come home.

Mr Scout isn't home tonight so at least after Seniors, when Toddler collapses into a sleeping bundle in his bed (he usually does immediately after Seniors and I think after an afternoon of playing with his friends then running around outside at Seniors he definitely will) the evening is mine. I'm going to make tacos for one and watch The Apprentice in peace. I just have to get to that point first!

Hello!

Scout so glad you've been reassured re the GM, I understand why you were angry, I would have been too. I came under huge pressure from my MIL to not vaccinate my DDs, the mind boggles at some people's ignorance and selfishness.

The Tooth Fairy is a complete rip-off here, DDS were informed by a lawyer and a Dr that a healthy tooth is worth 5,000 Chilean pesos, between £6.50 and £8 depending on exchange rates. My DDs are not allowed to spend their money, as Tooth Fairy money is for saving, certainly at those rates. Some people do toys and even sweets instead of money but we have more than enough tat in the house and I'm working on reducing sugar intake, not the other way around.

I'm kind of reading and running, I'll be back later to catch up.

I want a pair of roller skates, it's been thirty years since I've used a pair so it'll be interesting, to say the least, but I'm going to try and get some at the weekend. DDs got some last weekend to replace roller blades which are too small now and OH has roller blades too.

I love the idea of roller skates. A friend of mine does a lot of keep fit on roller blades. You need the right surface for it really though.

Scout I hope it is all over and done with now. I have been thinking of you.

The tooth fairy here leaves £1 for a normal tooth and £2 for each big front tooth.

A friend of mine lives abroad and the tooth fairy leaves £10 or £20 per tooth which I was and a bit disgusted by tbh. That adds up to a lot of money over the whole mouth!

I have been vistited for coffee, taken out for a birthday coffee and taken out for lunch! I have done nearly no housework either. I know I will regret it but it has been great fun so I won't regret it too much!!!