Hello everyone! Gosh this thread is moving fast!!
Had a lovely day in the sunshine planting seeds yesterday and then felt brave enough to tackle a new driving route (half the inhabitants of this city depart during school holidays leaving the roads beautifully clear). Then dd had the opportunity to try out a new choir which she loved (hopefully an opportunity for new friendships given recent events). They sang songs in Gaelic, Hungarian and Singhalais (sp?) which reminded me of the benefits of living here!
But I felt really unwell in the evening having suffered another wierd gastric 'attack' of whatever it is is causing attacks and ended up lying on bathroom floor (have to have exploratory op but keep putting it off which is stupid I know but phobic about hospitals/plus ridiculously panicky about leaving dd because dh is always having to jet off somewhere at last minute). Need to get a grip [she says trying to sound confident] [whimper] but still feeling ropey today and doc away for a week's holiday.
Alice (would love to have something bigger to get stuck in to like proper veg patch) but we have a small town garden which is in half shade; so most of the stuff I grow from seed is destined for containers/pots on the (sunnier) terrace. I've had a break from it for a couple of years because garden walls all need attention like everything else in this house and so will have to be pulling all plants up at some stage to do that: which is a bit demotivating.
However, dd (having shown very little interest at all previously) is just at age where she is very excited about growing things so going to plant runner beans and courgettes for her, plus try and grow humungous pumpkin but it will mean a battle with slugs and rabbits first! Planted nicotinia seeds yesterday (love the scent) and lobelia (pendula varieties) for flower pouches high on wall which cannot be "explored" by hungry furries. Also intending to grow miniature carrots, toms and radishes in containers. None of it costs very much. If you are interested look at this site and there are special sections for container gardening.
When you are going through such a difficult time (and your dh sounds incredibly insensitive talking about his "new family" in front of the boys) and you are stressed yourself and worried about your dc, I second what Swan says - gardening can be incredibly therapeutic. If you want a few tips on how to start (no worries if you understandably have other priorities atm) then do pm me! I'm no expert but wd be happy to pass on the basics. There's loads of info available on line too, some examples here and here Good luck with everything x
Hope you are feeling better today blueandwhitelover!
Dizzy Impressed by your 7 hrs in the Science Museum and love the sound of your dd mud-surfing, although not so great doing the washing afterwards!
Sorry you had such a stressful Sunday morning Swan: sensory diet, ABA, music therapy etc all sounds very challenging on top of everything else (when do you fit it all in?) but v. worthwhile. Love the sound of that gardening bk, and the chicken pie! All this school stress is madness isn't it? I'm absolutely dreading having to make dd's secondary school choice. Sounds as if you made a v. good one though.
Happy birthday to your dh Toffee I hope he is well enough to enjoy it. (If it's any consolation, you may remember that my dh chose to celebrate his 50th birthday by deliberately booking a wisdom tooth extraction on the day which made celebrating, er, a little difficult!!). Not nice when it is not your dh's choice to be ill though. Hope you are not going down with it too.
Agree about medals for mothers patiently shivering in playgrounds!!
Peanut did you get out for that well deserved piece of 
yesterday?
Just congrats on getting rid of tree!! And dealing with irate neighbours (as if you haven't got enough to do already)
Engels arf at Ninja toddler - glad he has recovered! And that you enjoyed your trip to Blighty. Hoping to get there ourselves this week (also half term) and have similar veg cravings upon return!
Waves to Ellie, glad to see you are taking it steady! And great news about your ds and school choice and (I imagine) to have that weight off your mind!
Thinking101 I'm so sorry you were feeling so low today 
but glad you are feeling a bit more positive now. I can really identify with what you say about staying up late to get some time alone. Don't be so hard on yourself - I think groundhog day chores are intrinsically depressing. I think (but don't always manage to carry it out) that the only solution is to ring-fence time in which you do something for yourself which gives you fulfillment/satisfaction and DON'T feel guilty about doing that. After all, if you are happier/more fulfilled then everyone else benefits from that too. So keep at the baby steps little and often - accept that it takes time to sort stuff out - but keep consistently doing bit by bit. And in the meantime, studiously ignore the rest of what needs doing and do something for yourself instead! It will give you energy to tackle the other stuff. Bloody hell wish- I could follow my own advice sometimes-- 
Also, how are your vit D levels? (Although confusingly, med advice keeps flip-flopping about this but I feel better for taking it if that's any help.)
Many congratulations on running the half marathon Merry hat's off to you. Great cause too!
Cybermam Good luck with your busy day and hope PTA goes well!
Hemlock that sounds live a v. heavy schedule you have there - hope you can ring-fence just a bit of time for yourself too
Big waves to Castlelough (how's the horse?)
Hope you can catch up on sleep tonight Bitchy (but know projs such as Blanketgate can get totally addictive). Must remember that line next time JW's come to the door! 
Goth arf at pro'craft'inating And thanks for saying "it" 
Great to have you back Jdub been wondering how you were getting on! Glad flying rubbing off on your dh too!
Big feathery waves to Whoknows Blue Feetheart Honu PA Pushme Nicknacks and everyone else I've missed!