Snow, snow, snow

 

We have snow...Not tons of the stuff but about an inch where i live...G went off to school no problem...Well i don't know when he arrived there as the road they take was nose to tail and at a standstill according to news on local radio...M's school is closed <sigh> ...Late last night on teletext they said they had gritters out and on standby...Lots of them including 2 jcb's have they gritted round my bit...Have they heck...Now i don't give 2 hoots about my street today as there is roadworks on it anyway...But the main street i live off of hasn't been gritted either...When i was listening to the radio for school closures there had already been several accidents due to the ice & snow on the roads...So where are these gritters i'd like to know...Snow better disappear before friday...So am stuck in today LOL...Don't fancy taking the car to the gym anyway...Can't go into town to get last few bits n bobs for the weekend...Glad i went out yesterday and paid money into account to cover bills tomorrow...M is hogging the remote control and i can't be bothered doing anything...I have managed to get an appointment to have my hair chopped...It needs a good 4-5 inches chopped off it...Hmm coffee time again IF we have any milk left...Actually am going to go clear the path outside the front door first then have a coffee

ttfn xx

This 'n' that

Weekend was alright...Well the rugby was brill LOL and perked me up for a bit...Still need to get my act together and get in better frame of mind...So far over the last 14 years i have managed to not have GP put me on anti-depressants and i want to stay that way...You can tell probs that i hate to admit that i can't cope at times and let the boys get to me...Guess i wouldn't be human if they didn't but hey ho...They went out with andy yesterday for last time as him being care worker :o( ...He promised it won't be the last we hear from him though :o) ...Next home footie match the boys can't make as we'll be picking up K from uni...But the one after that then hopefully they can all manage to go...I haven't got him anything yet as i am stony broke from having to pay for the car...Will give him something next time they go to footie instead...I reckon he's going to miss them as much as they'll miss him...G would rather he still takes him out for his first pint in 2 years time when he turns 18 <bless>

G got his school report home on fri...It was a really good report...Well it was good cept for Mrs P's comments <sigh> ...I am going to take what people offline have said onboard and try to treat her with a pinch of salt...His guidance teacher said he's pleasant, hard working and has yet again recieved a very positive set of reports :o) ...He said he's on course to achieve at the highest level in most of his subjects...He has well dones, very well dones, highly competents, works hard and works independantly all over the reports from the different teachers :o) ...Then we come to Mrs P <sigh> She has said his report reflects his hard work throughout the year...PE she said is pleasing to see him do well in a subject considered too 'socially orientated' for the base pupils...Now see it's bits like that there that cheese me right off...Cheese is not what i said LOL...It's like she's getting a dig in because he can do something that she believes he shouldn't be able to do...Geography she is going to ensure he goes to the revision club...Hmmm gee thanks, making it out like her idea he does that...She wrote a very nasty page n' half in his home/school book about the geog revision before his prelims...Telling ME off for arranging something without HER permission...that any revision he needed to do he would do in the base with them...Then she goes on about how they have to fit in and not appear to be *different* <sigh> ...She's a right contrary mary so she is...After his parents night and the geog teacher telling all the parents about the revision club i phoned the base...Told Mrs P's 2nd in command (she was off ill) about it and i'd signed the form and thought it would be a good idea...She agreed with me but when Mrs P came back i was in the wrong...I have to try and give up as it is making me physically and mentally ill :o( ...English she was pleased to see him getting good general pass as it is so hard for ASD pupils unless their obssession...Hmmm has this woman in all her years of dealing with ASD kids not learnt yet that not everyone with an ASD has a specific obsession, doesn't look like it...Does she not know that anyone who is particularly good at maths & sciences generally don't do so well in english...Don't think so...Does she not realise at end of the day they are still individual human beings with different strengths and weaknesses...She seems to think because G is so academic that he should be great at everything across the board UNLESS it is something SHE decides ASD kids cannot do...If she feels it's necessary to justify him being in the base then she should <expletive> well deal with the reasons he went their in 1st place...But no she passes them on to other people to do...He's there because he couldn't handle the idea of moving from class to class...He can't wear uniform like a lot of the schools have because of his button phobia...He needed help for learning to tie shoelaces and improve the legibility of his writing...He did not go there because he needed help academically nor because mainstream school had failed him in the past...Those were not issues...Most kids who went to the base before G were there because mainstream had failed for them and SEN was not suitable...Thing is she is going to get more kids like G starting at the base in the future...She needs to get her head out of all the books she reads and start to look at them as individuals...That was whole point of the base to start with...Anyways sorry going off on a rant again...She just makes me so angry and she tries to make out am stupid and i am NOT

Boys have just been to footie training and i handed their application for trying out curling over easter to the sports officer there...Fingers crossed they get a place...IT's snowing again now :o( ...I like snow but i don't want any this week...Am going away on fri lunchtime for the weekend and can't have snow...If there is snow and it's bad the boys will be off school and the airport will be closed...I wasn't wanting to go last week but am kinda getting back into the mood for it...If for no other reason than i am in dire need of the break from the boys...Everyone i know who is going to same thing seem to be wearing posh frocks...Well am not am wearing trousers and a top (the one in the pic)LOL...The boys are going to stay at my best friends :o) ...Fingers crossed that works out all right LOL...No parking in the street hardly as block next door someone is getting in gas so they're digging up the road...Top of the street on main road also has roadworks...Worse than usual nightmare trying to find a parking place...Coffee to warm up again time methinks and to tell myself i must stop brooding so much and get bouncy again.

Toodle pip tc xx 

Ohhhh i forgot to say the result LOL

Whoops forgot to put the score in 

18-12 for Scotland <gggg>

Had several IM's from english friends saying they're not talking to me anymore or words to that effect...One has a new away message on his IM's saying Hibernating from Jocks LOLOLOL

 

WOOHOOOOOOO!!!!!!!

Sorry i know most of my readers are not scottish but WOOOHOOOOOO what a RESULT this afternoon...Rugby 6 nations against england if no-one knows what am on about LOL...After all the media being biased and saying Scotland would get a right drubbing i do hope they are all eating massive slices of humble pie and drinking plenty bitter ale <gggg>  Sorry am i being biased meself YOU BET I AM....I can be hypocritical with the best of them LOL...Hope you like the music if i can get it to work <ggg>  Oh boy has this cheered me up this week :o) sorry to the non scots...It was a good game

Toodle pip tc

Scotch Pancakes Recipe

Ok as promised my mums recipe for pancakes...Scotch pancakes as i think they're called elsewhere LOL

Scotch Pancakes   ingredients   2 eggs 8ozs self raising flour 1oz sugar 1 tablespoon syrup ½teaspoon baking powder pinch salt 1 cup of milk & water (approx)   method   mix all dry ingredients together. Add syrup & eggs and half the milk and beat for several minutes until smooth and add more milk and water until like thick cream. Then beat again for several minutes. It may be left standing in a cool place or fridge for an hour or more (don't have to) Cook on a greased HOT gridle or hot plate until you see the bubbles appearing. when bubbles appear turn over and cook the other side. Place on a dish towel immediately to absorb the steam.   If you want to add any extra ingredients like K did then just add them when mixing the dry ingredients together...If you wanted to make treacle ones then i think do half treacle & syrup...Am going to make some cinnamon ones this week as i think G may like them...Well he likes my cinnamon scones :o) If he doesn't like them then i'll eat them all myself LOL   ENJOY!!!!  If you get food poisoned dont' blame me <ggg>

Nowt really

                                              

I know i come across as confident, in control, competent and a strong person...Am not really at all...I am actually quite shy, doubt everything i do, and admittedly put myself down a heck of a lot...I can be strong for the boys when i need to be and the way they are has forced me into being a stronger person...Emotionally they can really drain me out and i guess this week has been one of those times when i feel washed up and drained about them...Well not guess i know LOL i just hate admitting it to anyone...Psychiatrist thinks am laid back and calm YEAH RIGHT...Well that's what most people think to be honest as that's what i let everyone see...Having both the boys reviews so close together which has never happened before has thrown me into turmoil more than i would like...I am very proud of them both...They are both far exceeding any expectations i had for them when they were younger :o) ...But that nagging doubts still remain at back of my mind...Autism can change at click of a finger and i remember vividly something the head of the scottish society for autism residential school saying way back when G was 3 and newly diagnosed...They take children in from age 5 (i think) right through until they are 18...The difference and improvement in most of them over the years was fantastic...Then it came for time for them to leave that safe, secure sanctuary they knew...And quite a few of them reverted back to what they had been like when they were young and just started there...G is 16 in 2 weeks time and legally could leave school in may after his exams if he wished to...M is 15 in may and could legally leave school a year later...I am beginning to worry about life once school is over and what it will hold for them...Ok i did worry about it for K too but that's a different kind of worry...G is extremely highly intelligent and he will have and can obtain qualifications needed to hold down an extremely good job...The social skills to get through an interview to obtain the job are lacking

G when he was diagnosed was far more severely autistic than M has ever been...His progress has been amazing and now he would be classed less severe than M...What i said about their reviews M probably came across better than G but that is only because his school have such a different attitude...G does lack confidence in his abilities...He never used to until the last year and a half...It's the head of his base who is eroding that confidence and she can't see that it is HER fault...Sometimes i think because he is so capable academically that she needs to justify why he needs her...She rarely points out his good points and always seems to try and find something to pick on in his reports...It's not fair and i really don't know what to do...The current educational psychologist he has is a bit rubbish to be honest...I have had her before several years ago for M and she was rubbish then too...It's like no-one should argue with the base and point out faults...I know i am NOT the only parent who has/had issues and we're made to feel like we are in the wrong and should be grateful we have that facility here...Well yes i am grateful we have the base...But 2 more have opened in the city now and they don't treat the kids at those ones the same as they do in G's...If i could move him i would but he doesn't want to change schools...Also when he leaves if he does get into uni or college then uni the base will make out it was all their doing and take all the credit...Hmmm yes they played a part but it will NOT be all because of them...I know that i have invested most of my time and effort in both my sons to get them to how they are now...My marriage broke up, K really didn't get all the attention she deserved, i don't get ME time as such...G himself has adapted and changed and learnt to cope and deserves more credit than the base LOL

Hmmm sorry i am moaning and ranting and i shouldn't...I had somesome round from VSA on wed afternoon to talk about a new worker(s)...Actually me and her have known each other for over 20 years since we were at college together...We did different courses like, she was on same course as my flatmate...See i had to tell her how M can be and what is needed in a worker for him...She did have a female worker we could have temporarily but even though the boys know her and she is young i said not really...Well okies for a stand in but not permanent...M really needs a male, just for simple things like beingaccompanied to the toilets etc...I don't want him to keep using disabled loos, i'd like him to use the gents...It was hard telling her how his temper can be and saying how he can physically hurt me and i did cry a little bit...Now that is only because i know her i have told the pyschiatrist and the social worker but not cried...Having to talk about them so much over last fortnight has got me down...Am away next weekend and to be honest am not in the mood for going but i have to...Can't back out now LOL...Just all my plans for going away have been falling apart at the seams...Anyways am offski to the bakers for something bad but nice to have with a coffee...Don't worry please as i'll be all back and bouncy probs laters today LOL...Oh don't want any symp or hugs or anything like cos this is just life how it is and you cope :o)

Toodle pip tc xx

Testing

Hmmmm anyone getting Alerts for my entries at all????

M's review :o)

 

Well what a difference M's review was to G's...Far more upbeat and positive :o) ...M got the praise he deserves :o) ...It was his Future Needs review today which is one where the careers advisor takes part and we discuss preparations for leaving school and the future...His report was brill...He's doing well in communication & language (english), well in maths, well in his class topic work...Well lets just say he's doing well in everything :o) ...PE teacher said he showed good skills in the canoeing they did recently...Music teacher is very pleased with him and he's making very good progress on the drums especially...The head teachers comments at end of his report were following:

This is an excellent report and M is demonstrating an increased maturity across all areas of the cirriculum. His performance in the Christmas Show was exceptional and it is good to see his increased confidence in school

The autism outreach teacher for the school was there and she is looking at working on certain skills with him...Like learning to cope with losing at things...Learning to adapt to different things that can happen...Learning to cope with *failure* ...Basically learning to cope with stuff that will happen in the big bad outside world we live in

Social worker was very positive about him :o) ...She will be deeming him 'disabled' under the terms of the Disabled Persons' (Services, Consultation and Representation) Act 1986...G had the same done last year...As i said before this is to protect care etc he may need when he is an adult...she also mentioned that i wondered about the possibility of M being able to do any standard grades somehow...Now his class teacher, head teach and educationals psychologist were surprised i was thinking about music...They had been wondering about him doing maths at the mainstream high school they liaise and work with...So it is being looked into and we'll see what happens but i do think he will be doing same as one of his friends soon :o)

The careers advisor met M recently for an interview...As usual M didn't tell me about it LOL...She discussed his progress at school and what he would like to do in the future with him...He told her about his swimming, football and athletics and how he is aiming to get to the special olympics in 2009 <bless> ...He spoke to her a lot about working in media television...She was surprised how much technical stuff he knew about behind the scenes...We spoke about the link course to the local college and how he will probably do that...The access course at the college covers a wide variety of subjects and does include life skills too...He'd like at some point to do work experience at the local TV station LOL

As i said what a difference between the schools...M's head teacher, class teacher and everyone else there are so positive about him...They give praise where it is due but at same time they say he has to learn to cope with failure...Now see G's base are supposed to teach this but instead they have started to mollycoddle them instead...As a parent i do protect my kids as much as possible...I have probably protected the boys even more so but at same time i do not hide from them what life is like and about how you need to cope with outside world

Anyways as you can tell am really pleased with how today went and i am so hopeful for the future and how he may progress :o) Oh does anyone want scotch pancakes recipe as i will put it on here laters if you do

Toodle pip tc xx

 

Chuffed but wee bit angry too

Well the boys are off school today for half term...Up here they only get 1 day half term :o)  They had friday off as in-service as well so been a long weekend...One of their friends has just come round for the afternoon so that's all 3 of them sat in the boys room playing on the PS2 LOL...It is sunny here but also very chilly so am not taking them out anywhere at all...I've been out already to pay my bill to the garage <eeks> That's me broke for the week now i sometimes wonder why i bother having a car...All they do is drain money out of you...I do need one really though for going to visit my family...Also as G's school is 6½ miles away i need one to pick him up if he's sent home sick...That is far to frequent for my liking, the base send them home if they have the mearest sniffle <sigh>

I was pleased about the tennis at silly hour in the morning LOL...I like watching tennis and i used to like playing it although i was utter rubbish...Murray has shot up the rankings again to no47 in the world...Beating the current no3 in the world and no11 in the world must have been such a boost for him :o) ...I did have to laugh at the commentators, they kept going on about him being young and fearless...Then they rounded on hewitt and started saying how old he was and maybe fading a bit...The poor lad is only in his early 20's if that's old then am well over the hill <ggg>

Got a call from the social worker i saw last week and week before...She had good news for me which am really really chuffed with...She is now our NAMED social worker :o) ...It's been almost 2 years since our last named social worker left...As i kept saying i know they're short staffed and i know other people have higher priority...However having 2 with special needs makes it a nightmare dealing with different duty sw's all the time...Having a named worker who i don't have to go through and huge long explanation with anytime i need to phone them makes life a heck of a lot easier...I really like this one she's nice, she listens, she knows her stuff and she gets things done that I want done :o) ...Am still waiting for a call from the woman at the vsa though about a new worker...Need to chase that up on wednesday.

Am fuming with edinburgh postal service...The friend we stay with when we go down to see K posted a card for me on 11th feb and it still hasn't arrived...K posted a card to me last wed and it still hasn't arrived either :o(  Am angry about both of them and especially K's as she made it for me...I know post goes missing all the time but it's infuriating and it's not first time this has happened with edinburgh area post...K was saying last night that she had seen a flat online that is 4 bedroom with 2 toilets near hollyrood in edinburgh...She said it sounds more like a house than a flat as way they'd read it it was over 3 floors...It's also reasonably priced to rent...This letting agency charge each person individually rather than for whole flat then have to divide up the cost...They want to go and see asap as it sounds too good to be true and want to know why it's so cheap LOL...I do wish i had the finance to buy a flat for her to stay in and get friends in but hey i might win the lottery one day NOT <ggg> ...For any parents who have to contribute towards their offspring being at uni then buying a place seems to be cheaper than paying rent for them nowadays...If they do go for this flat and get it i hope the 4th person is another girl and not another lad...K is a bit like me and seems to get on better with blokes as friends than females but that can sometimes have drawbacks...Like having to clean up after them all the time etc...I know that's sexist but so what <ggg>  Offski for a coffee now as it's so cold

Toodle pip tc xx

 

Woohoo

                    

I know it's late and this is just a very short entry...Just watched the tennis live on eurosports and Any Murray beat leyton hewitt to win his first ATP tour title :o) Great match and was won on a tie break in 3rd set...Best thing is he's Scottish WOOHOO!!!!!

 

Saturday bits

                                

 

Well me and G slept in slightly this morning...M was up but didn't bother to waken either me or G LOL...Got a text from andy saying he'd be half an hour late as he'd slept in <ggg> ...So i got my gym kit ready and went to the gym whilst the boys went tenpin bowling with andy...Didn't have as long to swim or sit in jacuzzi though <sob> ...I'll make up for that tomorrow and sit in jacuzzi until am a wrinkled old prune...No comments that am one already :oP ...Bowling was alright except the lane broke down and they had to finish having only done 7 ends...No part refund either as the girl andy spoke to said she'd have to wait and ask her supervisor who wasn't on duty for anohter couple of hours!!!...The boys were beating andy when they had to stop LOL...Dropped him off in town and he's taking them out next saturday so plenty time to get a card and pressie <phew>

Boys went to club this afternoon and i went for coffee whilst they were there...Her son is going to come round here on monday afternoon for a while as they are all off school and she has college...I was thinking of taking them to the cinema but there's not anything on that they like...They'll be happy enough playing games and will just see what the weather is like on monday...If it's not so cold then might take them out somewhere...Off to watch rest of dancing on ice and the winter olympics now and maybe have something to eat...the boys have already eaten i just can't be bothered LOL...Feel like garfield above and just sleeping for the next couple of days

Toodle pip tc xx

Fridays

       

 

 

Well today i feel a bit like Taz LOL...Woke up this morning with mega bad headache so went back to sleep...The boys being off school kept coming through and asking for stuff and i just grunted 'whatever' at them...When i was able to lift my head i found they'd both had 3 lots of brekkie and goodness what else...Oh well they're off today for in-service day and off on mon for there half term day...Tomorrow they're going out with andy and i need to go buy something for him and a card...He had to cancel today last night as he got told he was being taken out for a meal at a posh restaurant for leaving the job he had at the uni...Headache put paid to me going anywhere today but i can drag the boys to 24 hour asda's laters...I still have no idea what to buy him as a leaving pressie...Usually i get him a voucher for a local music shop that he likes but don't want to this time...Maybe a bottle of whisky or vodka...Hmm is it ethical for a 14 & 15 year old to give that to someone as a pressie LOL

I really feel like a headless chicken today and am waiting for a call about some technical help to fix an intermittant problem i have with my computer...Am rather sad and looking forward to the call from the sexy voiced man again <ggg>  We watched the Brits and M was peeved that Robbie didn't win one...To be honest we knew he wouldn't but M was living in hope...He was pleased that Coldplay won 2 though...He does like them...I thought the best performance of the night came from Prince...Great to see him back on stage strutting his stuff again...It did mean i missed watching the winter olympics mens free programme in the figure skating...I did watch it laters though :o) I know stuart was saying snowboarding and what was the point LOL...Well i watched the womans snowboarding cross country thing today and it was full of thrills and spills...The competitors are all okies but it is fun to watch the falls...Ok i have a sadistic streak in me but don't we all <ggg> ...It's brill that team GB have won a medal in the games...I'd love to have a go at that skeleton bob...Mind you i'd love a go at the luge and the bobsleigh as well...I have dropped hints for more years than i care to admit to for my family to all club together and send me down the cresta run LOL...That would be so much FUN...M keeps telling me it's dangerous and i can't go do it (spoilsport) ...Must say i find the winter olympics more fun to watch than the summer ones...Oh i'd like a try at the ski jumping too but am petrified of heights...In saying that i did use to dive off the highest diving board when i was younger...Anyways everyone have a lovely weekend

Toodle pip tc xx

Social workers visit

                            

 

 

Yesterday i had the social worker round again...I really like this particular social worker and am hoping when she has space on her books we get her as named worker...We were discussing M's Future Needs Review which will happen next week...When they reach 14 up here they get this type of review...He's also being classed disabled for once he's 18...That way instead of leaving child services and having no-where to go he automatically gets transferred to adult services...This helps to protect any things that are already in place and also protects anything he may need in the future...The SW had been into his school on monday and talked to both M and his class teacher...She got a rave report on him LOL...The wee toerag didn't tell me he's seen her on monday <sigh> His school are very pleased with him and say he works hard and does have high intelligence...SW hadn't realised he'd been at a different SEN school and had only been at this one for 3 years...It does cheese me off that if his previous school had acknowledged the fact he has a brain then he'd be further on than he is now...But that can't be changed and he will get there just a bit slower than his brother or sister did...I do want to talk to his music teacher to ask if she thinks he could manage to do the music standard grade...I know there isn't much written work in it and it is mainly practical...Practical he excels at in music so worth a try...They are talking about him staying on at school until he is 18 or maybe 19...With SEN schools in scotland they can stay an extra year until they are 19...It all depends on how he copes over next couple of years...Then they are talking about possibility of him transferring to local college to do standard grades or some other kind of qualification...I know that M would love to work in media studies somehow...Wether that is possible with his high functioning autism or aspergers i dunno...Mind you he did tell the SW he wanted to be the next robbie williams <ggg> Anyways it was a really good chat and i know that this review next week i won't come up against obstacles like i did at G's last week...SW did agree that i was being backed up last week and that Mrs P just contradicts herself etc :o)

Today i have been to the gym and feel much better for it...I have cards to make for birthdays that are soon so have to do them tonight and post tomorrow...Tonight M was supposed to be going to the theatre which i had already paid for but he's changed his mind...He wants to watch the Brits on tv...Actually he's been really good and not looked up the results in advance LOL...I would tape them for him but a) my video i can't get to record and b) it would mean i'd be subjected to watching them over n over n over n over again and again and again (get the picture LOL) ...The boys have been looking at the sports programme for the easter holidays that is run by the local council...This year they're only letting kids try ONE taster session so that more kids get a chance to try something out...Both the boys want to try curling...It's not the one that is specific for SN kids but they can try it if they want to...I'll phone the sports officer tomorrow to talk about it with them...We have a new curling rink up here that got built last year...It replaced the old one that had been around for donkeys years...It was either someone from the ladies gold medal winning team from salt lake or world champion winning team from couple of years ago or both that came from here...Hence the new curling rink LOL...Suppose at least the council take things like gold medal winners who come from the city and put in place facilities to encourage more to be the same LOL...So tonight card making and watching the brits...Now am bad as i did sneak a wee peak at some winners and am pleased a band i like won 3 brits :o) Better go make some nice healthy tea so's not to cancel out my gym workout <ggg>

Toodle pip tc xx

 

Catch up :o)

                          

Well am playing catch up on blogs and entries on here today...Saturday the boys didn't manage to go out in the morning but did go to club...Went for a coffee with another mum from club and part way through i panicked thinking was it 4.30 and not 6.30 i had to pick up my friend from the airport...As you do LOL...We finished the coffee and came here so i could check the email...It was 6.30 <phew> ...So we went and picked up our kids and i just dropped the boys at home and left for the airport...Went into asda quickly on way there...Got to the aiport in plenty time so i thought...Her plane was 20 mins early so she had just got off the plane when i went in...She'd brought wine and voddie with her <ggg> ...We were really bad on sat night and polished off whole bottle of vodka between us LOL...I don't actually drink very often anymore and we were up to 4am just nattering and listening to music...Neither of us had a hangover either <smug>

Sunday we asked the boys if they would be okies for a couple of hours and we went into town...Met up with my best friend and her wee daughter :o) I got a purple velvet military style-ish coat for something am going to in march so was pleased...My pal got pressies to take home to her kids too :o) ...In the evening we just sat and chatted and watched some of the olympics on the telly...

Yesterday we went to go for a drive out of town once the boys had left for school...Well as i said my brakes went on the car :o( ...I was actually very very lucky...Was coming up to a pedestrian crossing so was going really slow as i saw people waiting to cross...Lights did change to red i went to put on the brakes and the pedal wasn't right...We did stop JUST...The people crossing were coming from the other side so <phew> ...Drove down and turned round next opening in dual carriageway bit and went straight up to my wee local garage...I got the car back this afternoon...It was £173.83 to fix which included labour and the VAT...Plus all the parts which weren't just new brakes & brake pads...When i went to collect it the mechanic showed me on a different car what had gone on mine...It's some small cylinder inside the wheel...If it bursts then basically your damn lucky not to have an accident and you have no chance at all...On the bright side as they had to check all my brakes to see what had gone wrong then i know they're all fine and in working order for the MOT next month...So ain't much really to go wrong for MOT <fingers crossed>  Last night we had another quiet evening with a few drinks and me on phone a lot as my family were all calling me...K phoned in the afternoon :o) I'll get a pressie from her when she comes home for easter but i really am not bothered just seeing her and having her home for a few weeks will be enough for me...I got money from my mum and my older sis...I got a lovely bag from my friend who was staying with me...I got another lovely bag from friend we met for coffee yesterday...G went into town when he got home from school and got me guylian seashell choccies and a gorgeous blue dragon to add to my collection from him and M :o) ...I got lots of lovely cards too...Birthday wishes on one of the message boards i frequent online...A huge thank you to everyone here in J-land wishing me a happy birthday as well :o)  You're all so so nice and lovely...Am NOT using my birthday money towards the brakes LOL...I have bought clothes and just need trousers or maybe (very teensy maybe) a skirt LOL

My friend went back home to england today :o( ...Sods law ain't it that just 15 mins after we ordered a taxi for her to go to the airport i get the call saying car is ready...Was too late to cancel the taxi...Never mind i will be seeing her again in march so will buy her several drinks instead...It was great having her to stay and we did have a great weekend in spite of the car being a pain...Do hope she has arrived safely as she should be home by now...Will phone laters to find out...G is off out to the friends that MrsP doesn't like LOL...So just me and M here...Going to watch Quantum Leap which i love and is being reshown on ITV3 now...Diet is seriously back on track from today as i have been an utter pig over the last few days...If not then i'll be like garfield at top of this entry again <ggg>

Toodle pip tc all xx

 

Monday blues

I am still alive JUST...Me and friend who's staying went wandering around town and i ended up buying a purple velvet coat :o) ...We went to go for a drive today and ended up putting the car into the garage as my brakes went :o(  ...So just had a call from the garage and it's going to be £178 to fix <ouch> ...It's the back breaks and somethings contaminated something else so need not just brakes but some cylinders or other...So we ended up visiting one of my pals up here, then into town and meeting up with someone else...I did manage to find a top to wear when am away next month...Just need trousers now...Anyways was just a wee entry today, boys can't get to footie cos got no car...Not going to WW for same reason and it's my birthday today and i refuse to go to WW on my birthday...Will catch up on everyones journals soon

Toodle pip tc xx

Calmed down LOL

                                        

 

Well after lots of coffee i did manage to calm down last night LOL...Would have prefered some voddie but what i had for lunch disagreed with me so alcohol wouldn't have been a good idea...Never mind i feel fine today so will have a drink or maybe 2 or 3 or 4 tonight LOL...Am still angry just calmed down...Don't think that woman likes me because i stand up to her...As one of my friends said last night well she has to justify him being in the base...True he's in the base NOT because of academic reasons but social reasons and to learn everyday skills...One of which they have now passed the buck on to occupational therapy...And others they are only JUST beginning to look at...Erm he's now in his FOURTH year there...Relaxation and de-stressing exercises etc was one MAIN reason for him being in the base and only now are they going to address it...This is when they have known he eats his clothes or self harms himself to de-stress all this time...I've tried that's why i needed professional help...Oh well i am calm now, i know she doesn't like me <shrug> ...She's not been told she'll be reported by any other parent, just the other parent who was considering it moved her son to a different school...At the end of the day the thing that makes me angry about this woman is she tries to pigeonhole all the kids and put them in the same box...Well everyone is DIFFERENT no matter wether they have a disability or not...No 2 people with the same disability are the same and to me it's dangerous practise to say they are or try and make out they are...It's also a reason the base was started in the first place...To get away from pigeonholing and to treat them as INDIVIDUALS...G knows that i am proud of him, our family is proud of him and our friends are proud of him...He also knows his actual class teachers are very pleased with how well he has done...That's a lot of people to cancel out some daft woman who has the attitude that you expect from mainstream with no understanding :o)

It is freezing cold here still...When i went out earlier to the corner shop the air felt like we should be getting snow...The boys have club soon thank goodness as they are chittering at each other and doing my head in as teenagers are apt to do...Going to have a coffee then tidy living room again and do the hoovering...Then take boys to club and go pick up friend from airport laters

Toodle pip tc xx

Apolgies it's a rant about review

                                                

Hmmm am ever so slightly hacked off about the review...I am at a complete loss as to what G has to do to please that woman to be honest...At least the social worker was there to back me up...Also the actual headteacher of the school backed me up LOL...So according to the base G is coping well within maths!!! They also commented on his presentation saying he should use an eraser...As i pointed out in the actual exam you have to use a PEN you're not allowed to use a pencil...The headteacher pointed out that he was doing EXCELLENT in maths and he got glared at sideways by the head of the base <sigh> ...Headteacher is correct i mean how better can you do than top grade!!!...So on to English well so far he does have the grade 3...The english teacher has offered that he can do the credit paper again but i don't think so...What the head of the base had written about english was a load of codswallop and i looked at it and though to myself WTF!!!...Headteacher asked if G had been changed from doing credit to int2 english...He hasn't so goodness knows why that was what was spoken about on the report...So more grumpy looks from Mrs P...Geography they said he did quite well in the prelim...HEad asked what grade he got...Mrs P didn't know!!!...Now she is head of the base, she only has 10 pupils in her care, she SHOULD know what grade he got...So i told him he'd got a credit level 2...Headteacher again said excellent...Am sure she tries to gloss over geog and ignore it as i insisted he got to do and he's proven Mrs P WRONG...Don't think she likes being wrong at anything <sigh> ...Graphic Comm and Tech Studies he has a 1 overall for both subjects...The section in each subject that he got a level 2 in he doesn't need to do much to get a 1 instead...Anyways at end of the day a Credit Pass wether it be a 2 or a 1 is as high as you can get...What he has to do to get some praise where it is damned well due from the base i do not know :o(  It makes me so angry that she holds him up as being star pupil to any professionals yet can't give him praise or praise him to me...That contradicts everything she keeps banging on about increasing his confidence in himself...Surely some credit where it's due would be the right thing to do???  He got a report from PE even though he's not doing that as a standard grade...He's a deadly indoor footie goalkeeper apparently...I am trying to encourage him to try again ti join in footie at lunchtimes with his mainstream classmates...They trust him to defend well and to make saves when he's in goal...If he's that good i have tried to tell him he should try out for the school team...He was put off from doing this last year and year before because one of the kids who did it always took the mickey out the kids from the base :o(  ...I kept telling him to tell someone and it could be fixed quite easily...The headteacher will not stand for any attitude like that towards the kids from the base...I was rather pleased that the headteacher for the school said he was doing excellent...G's actual guidance teacher happens to think he is doing excellent too...It's just that woman who is head of the base that is a pain about it all...I did ask when do they chose subjects to do next year for Highers...That school don't chose their options until after easter although obviously some of the kids are already speaking about what they'd like to take...I did stress that G does NOT want to continue with english...Forgot to say i was sat right opposite Mrs P...She glared at me but i ignored her <ggg> ...I did say he doesn't need Higher English to go to college or uni to do courses he's interested in...I did get backup there from the careers woman, educational psychologist and the head teacher...There is no point in him continuing on with a subject that really stresses him out and we were all agreed on that except for Mrs P...Have you got that feeling yet that i don't like her much ROFL...It's not so much that i don't like her...She was the one who set up the base originally and she does do an excellent job most of the time...I just think, and i know am not the only parent who thinks it, that the longer she has been there the more she mollycoddles them...The more autistic in her thinking she gets...The more she tries to control every aspect of their lives...Now that last bit is what really riles me...She has no right whatsoever to try and dictate what he does and doesn't do outside school or who his friends are...Oh and whilst we're on about that bit...The base are trying to keep G away from his friend who used to be in the base...Because this kid has only one topic of conversation...Erm yeah they talk about PS2 and gameboySP games...Like duh!!! They're both interested in that so obviously they're going to talk about them...The base want him to talk to his intellectual equals!!!...How snobby is that??? ...Like a bunch of teenage lads are going to sit around talking about maths, tech studies etc etc...Don't think so...So i do wonder if it was a mainstream lad that he was talking about games, films etc with if she'd have same problem...I actually seriously doubt it...She has a major problem with this other kid full stop...Oh she also doesn't seem to like G going out with his brother!!!...When i mentioned that sometimes they both go out with their worker she shook her head at me...Well they're brothers...They fall out, the next minute they're best buddies, erm normal sibling behaviour if they want to go bowling together, swimming together, footie ogether, down the pub together when they're old enough TOUGH <ggg>...Right rant over for now LOL

Just had a call from my friend who is coming to stay...She was calling from the airport...The daft moo got the dates wrong LOLOL...It's tomorrow her flight is not today...Her hubby is going to have such a laugh about this LOL...Oh well she can be excused after all she's blonde <ggg> ...Off to have a coffee and a right good giggle now

Toodle pip tc xx 

Last 2 prelim results :o)

                         

Grrrrr i spoke to soon yesterday...G did not get back to school today...His headache came back with a venegence yesterday evening...M is back at school and wether he should actually be there am not sure...He's got a terrible cough now but he was adament he had to go as he had a meeting...Can't remember if i said last wednesday he was at a meeting up at the LEA offices...Apparently a conference about education is being organised in the exhibition centre for march...There was pupil representatives from several schools at this meeting and he was one of two as a rep for his school...So whilst he has been poorly he's been reading some leaflets for the meeting today...I've no idea why he was chosen as there are older kids at his school and i'd have thought the reps would both have come from older class...He does seem to like and take well to having this kind of responsibility and organising of this type of thing though...Wish he would apply the same to tidying up around the flat <ggg>

I phoned G's school and spoke to the woman who is 2nd in charge at the base...He's been anxious to know the other 2 prelim results he was waiting for...So in Geography he has got a Credit Level 2 :o) ...In Graphic Communication he got a 2 for the knowledge & interpretation side and for Drawing he got a 1 :o) ...What that counts as overall in this subject we don't know but G thinks it is weighted towards drawing which would mean a Credit Level 1 overall...Either way it doesn't matter as he's got Credit which is highest level :o) ...Now i am just going to have a wee gloat here about the geography <ggg> ...Two years ago i had to stamp my feet and insist in his review that he got to do geography as he wished to...The head of the base (Mrs P) insisted that he wouldn't manage it...I asked why not...She was adament that children with aspergers struggled with geography due to the ambigious nature of language used in the subject...She said that no-one who had been through the base had coped with doing geography...So me being me i got on my high horse and said that G could be the first to cope and prove her wrong <ggg> ...End result after a small arguement me and G got our way and she didn't LOL...And here we are him doing extremely well and getting Credit Level marks <weg> ...I just hope that now she doesn't use him as an example to other parents and kids going through the base...Everyone is individual wether they have a disability or not...I along with other parents are fed up of OUR children being compared to a lad who left the base 2 years ago...That lad did exceptionally well and is now in 2nd year at university studying psychology...I don't want to hear on friday that G could be the next JC but i know i will...Am sure that JC's parents would probably be horrified that he is being held up as shining example to other parents and this is what their children should be able to achieve...However at least G doing so well in a subject they insisted he couldn't cope with will mean that her attitude towards geography may have changed...At the time when G was chosing his subjects the wee toerag held me up as being a shining example who could help him is he was stuck...I did o'grade geog and way back then in 1979 me and a lad in my year were told by our school we were the 2 top pupils in scotland for it that year with over 98% in our exam...Sadly the following year i went on to get a C at higher and that lad ended up a junkie addicted to heroin within 1 term of being at uni :o(  Right time i went and cleared up the living room again as social worker is coming round at 3.30pm and i must go to asda and get some food

TTFN xx

Ta and sorry for the rant below :o)

                       

Ta for the comments last night...Am not poorly just M decided to lash out physically at me again and ended up punching me in the throat...Not quite as bad as last easter in that i wasn't gasping for breath but still painful...He calmed down after about 10 mins after flouncing off to his room...It's hard and as i told him if he'd been my boyfriend or husband he'd be out the door...He did say sorry and i know he meant it even though to anyone looking on they wouldn't have thought so...Much later in the evening he said he doesn't like feeling how he is just now and it made his head all jumbled up...When i say he very rarely gets ill that's only the times i actually know about...For all i know he may be ill but just not saying...Many people with autism have an extremely high pain threshold...He is one of them but i also heard a different theory on this last march...It's not that they have a high pain threshold as such...Just that they think people should automatically know how they are feeling inside because they know it...Now that makes sense to me from what i know of autism...If i had 1p for every time i have said to the boys over the years 'you have to tell me out loud as i am not inside your head and don't know what you are thinking' then i'd be very rich indeed LOL...Autism like other mental disabilities puts a massive emotional strain on the family and those who care for them...To be honest if i had the choice i would prefer that my 2 had the classic type of autism where they don't speak and are huddled away...Obviously it would still be emotionally difficult but i don't think quite so hard as having 2 boys who can get so confused because although they can speak they can't communicate how they percieve things...It's a very black & white literal world for them and they have to be taught how to see the shades of grey we take for granted...I have to count to 10 and stop myself being frustrated with them and i had to learn how to phrase things towards them...G has been taught in the base how to tell little white lies so as not to hurt someone's feelings...He's been/being taught expressions of speech...example being 'raining cats and dogs'...In cookery he had his recipes written literally step by step and with things like tbsp (tablespoon) written out in full...Gradually he is learning to cope with stuff like that...He is extremely intelligent academically but his chances of gaining employment are not very high :o(  Interviews will be a social nightmare for him...Being fully independant and living in his own place is something that worries me more as they get older...This is why although to the outside world G appears like any other teenage lad and not disabled in any way he is being officially classed disabled in order to get access to stuff he will need and be entitled to...He may in the future surprise us all and become an academic of some major standing LOL or invent something marvellous LOL...M on the other hand is learning through his school about applying for jobs and being interviewed and how to deal with those situations in a small way...Any *jobs* at school like being a prefect they fill in an application form...Then they get interviewed for the job...They don't always get the job they applied for so they learn to deal with rejection letters...It is kinda role playing stuff but at same time in my opinion very good practise within the school...Anyways i digress and have gone off on a rant again sorry :o)  I did have a mini breakdown last night but am okies now...The psychiatrist am seeing did say i was very cool and together last time i saw her but am not...I do have my moments of cracking up with it all just no-one really gets to see them as such anymore...I will be telling the social worker when she comes round to visit tomorrow...Tomorrow is going to be hard as andy will be telling them he has to leave as he has a new full time job...Am dreading how they are going to react but they do know that it wouldn't be possible to continue forever...We've just been incredibly lucky that he stayed so long which is better than having different people every few months...He is going to stay in touch and he's going to emphasise that to them...Anyways they're BOTH going back to school tomorrow and i have a pile of washing to put in tumble drier and more loads to put in to wash so better go and get that done...Am alright today last night i went and had a laugh in one of the chatrooms on here with a pal and K came on AOL via one of her friends laptops and joined us...Hmmm that wasn't so good as she kept embarassing me by calling me MUMMYKINS grrrr

Toodle pip tc xx

:o( and a teensy bit of :o)

Had a really crap day since tea time...Put on 1lb this week goodness knows how as i have been sticking to the diet and going to the gym...Must be going back to gym lots again...Well i know it is but had a <insert whatever here> time with M around tea time so was feeling down already...He totally lost the plot again for first time in ages...no idea what triggered it apart from he is poorly and not coping with it at all...Must be that change he can't get his head round...I know i can't really blame him as such it's his autism...But i loathe and detest it when it makes him get angry and then lashes out physically at me...Oh well i've now joined the sore throat club but not for same reason as the boys...Was sent an interesting article by someone i know that i wanted to post here...Crikey it may even persuade me to vote tory ARRGGHHH LOL   

  Guardian Unlimited | The Guardian | Cameron hits out at disability services

Might be good to have someone with proper first hand experience of just how lacking services are for adults and kids with disabilites and their families and unpaid carers in the UK...Will be back when i have some bounce back LOL

 

phonecalls and ITV news

Social work have just phoned back and she's coming to see me on wednesday afternoon :o) G's review is on friday so we'll mainly be discussing it...She'll come back next week to talk about M's future needs review :o) I like this duty social worker she is really nice, listens and had lots of info she could give me last year...It was this one that told me that it could be possible for G to leave home like K has to go to uni...He would get to live in supported accomodation...She told me that in glasgow (if he went there) one of the colleges/uni's has a specific accomodation unit for students with aspergers...They can stay there regardless of which uni or college they are going to in glasgow...It's supported in that there is workers to help them to look after themselves and get them organised etc which is brill...G at the mo would prefer to stay at home if he was going down the path of uni or college...I know the robert gordons university up here have some great stuff in place for students with aspergers...They spoke to the local carers centre about what they could do to help disabled students and specifically ones with aspergers/autism...Maybe more universities should have that approach...I know the other local uni doesn't :o(  I also just managed to speak quickly to the coordinator from the VSA (voluntary services aberdeen) ...She's an old uni friend that i haven't seen for years LOL...When our worker spoke to her on friday she told him to shoosh as he was making her feel old by saying how old my 3 are now <ggg>  There is one worker that they have just taken on that may be suitable but she is female...I would prefer a male worker but she is someone the boys may know as she has worked at their saturday fun club in the past...There is a male worker who does some occasional work for the link workers scheme that may be also be suitable...Our worker has said he will want to  meet a new one first and tell them what he does, what the boys like, how they are etc...I think that is actually really good of him as he doesn't have to do anything like that :o) Am getting a call back on wednesday afternoon to discuss it all and fingers crossed a) the boys will like the new worker b) the new worker will like the boys c) the transition goes relatively okies...One thing i said is a defo must and that is the new worker is into sports.

Did anyone see the ITV news at lunchtime??? The part of the lunchtime news they call the Pulse is about Carers this week...ITN are starting up a campaign to get better treatment, provision, benefits etc etc etc for carers...They would like someone appointed as a Carers Czar to oversee everything and bring it all together...Just now within the government there are about NINE different depts that carers come under and often they contradict or conflict with each other...I did email The Pulse and am going to send another email off to them laters...When i have time to sit and write the essay it will be LOL...For anyone reading who is a Carer or is someone who is being cared for and would like their carer to write in then they have a specific email addy to email...It is:- Whocares@itv.com  They are talking about the approx 6 million unpaid carers like me and sara and other bloggers relatives who save this country a heck of a lot of money every year...Nearly 200,000 of that figure are young carers who are under 16 :o(  Those are just the KNOWN figures there are countless others who aren't known about who probably don't even realise they are a carer...I could rant on and on an on an on for several days about my views but i will spare you all that reading <ggg>  One thing that does piss me off big time is Carers Allowance...It was brought in by the tories back in the 80's as an income to replace the average weekly take home wage...Now i have been recieving it since 1993 and it was around £32 per week back then...Now it's £42 per week...If you're earning over approx £86 per week then you can't claim it...Sorry i do think that is wrong...Just because you are out say at a part time job doesn't mean that you're not being a carer once you're home from work & during the night & all weekend for over the 35+ hours per week required to get it...I know people who's job is the ONLY respite they get from caring...You should get carers allowance as long as you are caring for someone no matter wether you are working or not...As long as you do meet the required hours...I'd like to be working myself but after school care for teenagers is zilch let alone teenagers with a disability...Anyway the odds of trying to find an employer who'd be happy enough for you to take time off work to go to psychiatrist appointments, clinical psyh, speech therapy, etc etc are few and far between...Ooops promised i wouldn't rant am going to shut up now LOL...For any of you reading that this affects then do go and email itv...It's about time someone took up the cause and got us unseen 2nd class citizens a voice to be heard

monday blues

                      

Both the boys are off school poorly in bed...M has a sore throat and blocked up nose and coughing like mad...He could barely speak this morning so he went back to bed and i phoned his escort to cancel him being picked up...He's asleep in bed just now...G has not been able to get rid of his headache at all, even migraleve didn't work so took him to the docs this morning...His throat is a bit inflammed and his glands are slightly swollen...The headache is most likely coming from sore throat and not an actual migraine...So he's now back in bed and asleep and on paracetamol and ibuprofen...I do hope they kick in soon as that is what he's been taking since fri and not made much difference...I have a ton of stuff to do that i now can't :o( 

Phoned social work and the one i want is going to do M's future needs review...So if i can't see her before it that's not too bad although i would prefer a home visit next week before the review...At least she has met us and does know us a wee bit...I've been trying to get the coordinater at the VSA to talk about a new worker but she's not in...I know she will be in today as our worker has a meeting with her...I am going to try and get her laters and if not then i'll have to leave a message on her answering machine...I hate doing that as usually they take ages to get back to you grrrr...Going to go have a coffee and see if i can get anything done today that i was going to try and do

ttfn xx

Sunday stuff

                                   

Both boys went to playscheme today although G said he still had a headache...He did take paracetamol and i put some up there for him just in case...We went to macdonalds when after i picked them up so they got something to eat...Also went and bought some more migraleve for G and they're not making any difference...He looks awful so no school again tomorrow and am phoning docs to get him seen...He's not even looking white but that yukky yellowish colour when you're ill...After i dropped off the boys i headed down to the gym and got a call just as i arrived there...Was my friend who had the accident asking if i could take her back to casualty...Some radiologist thought he'd seen something on her x-ray and they wanted to check her out again...She's fine though <phew>

As you see i've been playing with a 3D text maker LOL...That above is one of lots of things that K keeps coming out with...Too many clouds here the last few days i want a rainbow soon <ggg> Actually there is one on the horizon as i have a friend from online coming to stay next weekend :o) Will be good to have some adult company for a few days...We've met before and she's a really good laff :o)

I did get to the gym just later than intended and boy can i feel it now...Went down to B&Q to look at anaglypta (sp?) style wallpaper but wasn't that keen on many they had...I'll go look in homebase and other places tomorrow...Am going to borrow a friends steam stripper and strip the other room i want done and the hall...Then i'll just spend several days wallpapering them all...After that at some point i'll paint them...I was just going to use lining paper as the walls really aren't suitable to just paint straight onto...Decided the other type will hide any lumps and bumps :o) Then i'll have to save up and get new flooring...I did want to get a double bed each for the boys but for now they can make do with the bunks seperated into single bed each...I am going to keep K's high sleeper loft bed and it will be used as a spare in the room the boys share just now...The desk and shelving, whoever is left in that room can use...That way they can then have friends to stay over which they'll be pleased about...What i would love to do is to close off the walk in wardrobe in my room...Then open the cupboard in the hall into it...Make it all one big storage space...Am too scared to get a quote for a price to do that though...I know it won't be a problem to do as that's the side of flat that the 2 flats above have their bathrooms...My flat was originally 2 seperate flats and the people who i bought it off bought them both and knocked them into one...At the side where my bedroom and the boys room is they made the walk-in wardrobe and a display cupboard in the hall...I'd just love to have more proper storage space...My room is large enough to put a free standing wardrobe in it without feeling squished...Before i go off for the night i may put my mums pancake recipe here sometime this week...I think in england they're either know as scotch pancakes or dropped scones...They're not those thin crepey things anyways LOL

Toodle pip tc xx

Recipe as promised

Right got a wee story first as written by my mum in book of recipes she wrote for me and my younger sister several years back...The one i am still copying out for K...Below is my mums words

'There are two ideas about how sea pie came about...My gandmother told me it was a way to make a tasty soup at sea when the fishermen ran out of vegetables

Another is:- In the early days before fishermen had ovens onboard this was how they made their pies'

Sea Pie

Ingredients

½lb of steak

1 onion

potatoes

Method

Cut steak into small pieces, chop the onion and put both into a soup pan with water and swimmer for about ½ an hour. Peel and chop the potatoes and add to the soup (about 2 for each person) Bring it all back to the boil again. Meanwhile make a dough using recipe below and form it into a round like a donut instead of balls. Put this into the pan on top of the soup and simmer for a further 15-20 mins. Season to taste.  This serves approx 6 people which would have been the size of a crew on a fishing boat.

Here's the recipe for the doughballs that Stuart put on his journal last month and one you need for the above soup

Doughballs

Ingredients

4oz self raising flour

1oz marg

1/4 teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda

salt & pepper to taste  

Method  

Rub marg into the dry ingredients. mix with water to make a not too stiff dough. form into balls and roll in flour. makes 4-6 depending on size. simmer in the mince for 10 mins or more. longer you cook them the more golden they get   Do hope if anyone tries it they don't end up with food poisoning LOL...Ally i don't think this time we will have the spooky happening from the cullen skink one <ggg>    

 

Bad news :o(

                                      

M went out with their worker late this morning to go bowling...I didn't give them a lift or go to the gym as i had a splitting headache and didn't feel up to driving...When they came back he had bad news for me...We went into the kitchen so the boys couldn't hear us talking...Their worker has got a full time job so is having to give up the outreach :o(  They will miss him loads as he's been taking them out for almost 4 years...He will still take them to the footie on wednesday and he'll try and take them out until they can find a replacement...I'll miss him too as he has been brill with them and for them...He's been like an older brother and he'll be very hard to replace...But i knew this point would be coming up at some point and we have to move on...I did say that if he still was able to he could still take them to footie this season...Think he will as well and he is going to stay in touch :o)

So the boys went to club and i went to the gym whilst they were there...M has decided again that he is resigning from the club LOL...For reasons i can't divulge then he can't quit yet...Besides by next weekend he'll be wanting to go anyways...My friend who was injured yesterday had quite a bad night and is just staying in bed or on the sofa...The painkillers they gave her are working though and she isn't getting side effects for once...I've put one of my autism ribbon siggy tag on my sig for message boards now :o) I know that having pics on boards may be a problem but no more so really than any on profiles...The offensive ones will be removed anyways and i don't see any harm in having a pictorial tag...Decided to have a play with one of the free 3D text making sites again hence the sat at the top...Going to have a quiet night and a nice long soak in the bath...Boys are at respite tomorrow so will go to gym and B&Q then.

Toodle pip tc xx

Fridays woes

Not much to say today really...Yesterday i got a call from best friend saying she was off work with her daughter who was poorly...So went round to visit and we went over to tkmaxx for a wander...Couldn't find anything i liked or that would fit and i need something for march...I did end up buying a really good sports bra that was a fiver instead of £25...Always wanted one of this kind but refused to pay £25 -£30 for one so am pleased enuff with that...Going to have to go out and trail round town next week to find something now...Today i had every intention of going to sort out M's concession bus pass then heading to the gym...Got a call just as i was about to leave from friend asking me to meet her up at casualty...She sounded awful and said she'd been in a bit of a car accident...Well i got there at just the back of 10am and we didn't get out until about 1.30pm...I didn't get in to see her until 12.30pm :o(  Of course by this time i was up to 'high do' as we say up here...Some daft woman had been behind her going to the vets with her cat...She was looking behind at the cat and went straight into the back of my pals car which then went into car in front...Pal was shoved forward and has whiplash...Her rear bumper is broken and front numberplate is broken...The car in front was fine it was his tow bar she'd been shoved into...The woman who's fault it all was had smashed headlight but pal wasn't sure what other damage...A&E here was busy this morning with quite a few being admitted by ambulance...They took so long to treat my pal because there was at least 3 who had to be resucitated and i do pray they are okies...Whiplash can be right nasty though and especially when you have mega bad arthiritis like my pal...I took her down to get her car and we went in and sorted M's bus pass out...Then we went to asda's so she could just stay in bed or on sofa tomorrow...G's been off school again today as he was sick again :o(  As he was fine yesterday i've no idea why he's been sick twice...I'd blame my cooking but he's not really had much to eat as such...M's supposed to be going bowling tomorrow morning with their care worker, i'll need to phone him and check it's still on...Might do that other recipe later tonight if not i'll put it up tomorrow

Toodle pip tc xx

A link

Ohhh just got sent this and it's cool...It's a moving jigsaw LOL

http://www.brl.ntt.co.jp/people/hara/fly.swf

Cullen Skink

Now this is recipe for a world famous soup that originated in the village i am from :o) There are variations to it in some of the posh restaurants but this is the proper recipe for it and has been handed down my family for donkeys years...It's the way most people from my village make it

Cullen Skink

Ingredients

½ or 1 whole smoked haddock each (filleted & skinned)

1 onion

approx. 1 pint of milk (depends how many you're making for)

knob of marg or butter

salt & pepper to taste

Enough potatoes for everyone

Method

Stew the fish and diced onion in a little marg or butter for about 20 mins...Then add the milk and season to taste and bring to boiling point over a low heat...Once boiling remove from the heat as the milk might curdle...At same time peel and boil the potatoes in a seperate pan...Serve the soup straight away with the potatoes added to it.

Now sometimes my mum would mash the tatties and add them to the soup that way and as that made it thicken up really quick she had to add more milk...Mum was also really nice and put the onion in whole as i can't eat onion because it gives me migraines...It's a very simple recipe that i have seen made complicated by putting leaks and other veg in as well <sigh> It tastes delicious the way it is so why spoil it LOL...The fish itself is already salty enough so you really need either no salt added or very little...The best smoked haddock to use is not the bright yellow dyed kind but proper pale smoked haddock.

I'll put another recipe of mums in another day...It's a weird one and called sea pie but it's another soup and not actually a pie LOL.

Enjoy xx

 

wednesday

Well G was sick not long before his taxi was due to arrive so he went back to bed...M tried to say he was ill but i told him he'd miss kayaking so had to go...He was out of bed, washed, deoderised and dressed quick enuff after me saying that <ggg> Funny how most experts and people say autistic people can't tell lies...My 2 can fib with the best of them, not very well but they can fib...When i phoned the school to say he wouldn't be in i spoke to the head of the base...I mentioned about what the english teacher had told G...Turns out his credit paper wasn't that great and he'd basically failed it...She didn't want to rock his confidence so told wee white fib saying she'd mislaid it...Hmmm not sure if that was the best policy but not for me to say anything...Well i did but i got the teacher had been teahcing for many years and was an excellent teacher...I don't care actually as getting the top grade you can in the general paper is a mjor achievement for G :o) English is a subject many who are on the autistic spectrum seriously struggle with...Our language is a bit too complex and convoluted for them to deal with...Now what may seem strange is that i know quite a few on the spectrum who manage to do other languages and speak in them easier than they do english...But it does make sense as most other languages don't have several words that sound the same but mean something completely different and are spelt differently as well...I can only imagine it must be an absolute nightmare for them as they are so literal in how they percieve things and usually in how they speak...Anyways as i said i am still really chuffed to bits he got the grade he did in his prelim and the base are going to work on the bits for credit he struggled with and i got told that it's not too much he needs to get his head round to possibly get a 2...Also for uni if he does go there he won't need higher english to do any of the science or engineering courses and also because he has special needs them to make allowances.

Phoned my friend to see if i was needed this morning only to half wake her up...Her lad said he had a dodgy tummy so wasn't at school...Her daughter has some really nasty, highly contagious virus that people at her school are dropping like flies with...Not good as their prelims for the 5th and 6th years are in a couple of weeks...Friend said she has what lookslike hives but on roof of her mouth and around where her tonsils would be if she still had hers :o(  Sounds nasty and we're avoiding them until she's better...So apart from going to asda my day has been just tidying up and doing not a lot...Hponed mum yesterday and she's come down with that nasty sore throat etc that i had the other week :o(  She's been given stuff by the docs and i do hope she's caught it soon enuff that she doesn't end up same state as me and most people i know were...Going to put a recipe of hers on a seperate entry now for anyone to try if they want to LOL

Toodle pip tc xx