Where Have I Been?

I suppose I should have read my last entries to see where I was last time I posted but actually I believe it was going ON and ON about my health. Although not really because I am anxious about talking about it too much because I worry that If I am REALLY ill then no one will listen.........you know that story.

But just to say that I just talked to a lady who I know of who works in our local wool shop and she has had the same chest infection and been just as fatigued and my spirits are lifted because I am not the only one. I didn't want to post too much about being ill because it's got to be depressing to read especially when its really not that serious it's just that in the past I have had no ailment that lasted more than a working week so I am extremely lucky.

So two sets of antibiotic on, a skin reaction and a trip to A&E plus a two hour nap with the toddler every lunch I think I might be coming round the other side and here are my comforting tips for anyone coming down with a nasty chest cold.

Steam inhalations - just water no eucalyptus - 4 times a day and in the night if necessary
Drink these in any combination - Hot Water Ribeana, honey, lemon, ginger.
Wear a scarf no matter how sunny it is outside.
See the doctor on Thursday or Friday if you think you might be in for a rough weekend
Cough sweets - Glycerin Fruit for at night - Anesthetic and antibacterial for leaving the house
Manuka Honey last thing at night
Thermos mug filled with lemon and honey for waking in the night
Pain killers - but go easy I felt like I had just had too many by the end of the week
Fresh Air - Lots of it

and for loss of appetite and general well being Jewish Penicillin

Here is the best recipe

Chicken Fowl for boiling is best but otherwise use normal chicken. It just goes a bit tougher.
I used boned and skinned thighs as only wanted to make a small amount
Peel and chunky chop up a carrot and a parsnip and peel a whole onion, don't chop it up.
I did this
All in a saucepan cover with water
I used the biggest family pan for the smallest amount of meat
I added too much water which became apparent later on
Bring to the boil and cover. Simmer until chicken is cooked and veggies are tender 40 mins to 1 hour
or cook it in a pressure cooker.

When cooked remove the onion - if you leave it in the soup will "go off' quicker
I got so excited at this part having never removed an onion from anything before
Skim the fat and rubbish off the top of the clear soup
Season with salt and pepper serve with or without veggies
Can also be served with noodles
I bought these they go A LONG WAY and everywhere!

You can chill it and reheat 2-3 times

The lady that gave me this recipe offered to make it for me and bring it over with Matzo Balls!.
She is about to have a baby and is still working in a position that is so valuable in our community and looking after her own family and I can't thank her enough along with every one else that gave to my list of comforts and found five minutes to send words of encouragement as I panicked and whinged.

Here is a pic of P who as well as her sister also has chesty coughs. Spending the morning getting tired and lunch sleeping it off.

It's dinner time so off to make the magic happen.
Stepped in the shower yesterday, brain is on the shake again,  we all know that you start at the top and work your way down but I started washing my body first and then cleaned my face with shampoo.

Oh dear
CM

A Weeks Catch Up and a Little Film

This has been a strange week or so, it's like it's morphed into a bulge that won't budge.

School for T has been great. Safe to say duck to water and she has made it easy for me emotionally but I am still finding it odd.
My good friend tells me its getting used to a new routine.
I have made her lunch boxes for preschool and got her dressed most days for five years but there seems to be more pressure in the prep for every day, of course her uniform is clean but I just keep going over and over everything in my head.
When I was younger I never used to walk next to the edge of our pool (another story) because this invisible force appeared to pull me close to the edge and I didn't like it.
This new routine feels like that.
Could be a sign of failure

I now have a chest infection and antibiotics and I could cough for Queen and country. I feel like I have a small piece of apple just stuck at the back of my throat, Dr. says not the case. I have felt rubbish for what feels like weeks now. The anxiety that comes with it is awful and tears that occasionally flow because I am not able to perform my duty as the mother that I had hoped I would be the at this most exciting time.

Today I am feeling a lot better and brighter from inside my congested bubble.

So this weekend she wanted to tell stories. With lots more content. I think she is already bringing her school day home.

She starts her story
Once a poncer a time
How cute is that?
Then she goes on to say how the unicorn is locked away by the evil donkey but it pokes it's horn through the bars and stabs the donkey in the neck.

There is also a teaching assistant. According to T his name is Han Ham or Hand. I hope he doesn't mind that she doesn't call him Mister Han, Ham or Hand.

The other night I came upstairs for a blanket and she was still awake and sparkly and she told me how happy she was at school, it's was so good swimming and she was so excited that she could cry and she loved it so much and then she put spit tears under her eyes!

I sung her a song and told her to go to sleep, which she did whilst looking at me as if I was the best mother anyone could ask for.
I had the warm fuzzy feeling different from a temperature!

ANYWAY. BOOKS!!

I thought that a lot more might get done this week but it didn't, but I have not done to badly, just a bit at a time with lots of rest. (I do normally have a lot more get up and go when I am sick, really!) But our book shelves need a sort especially as P like to look at them all without their dust jackets on.

I happened to find this beauty on YouTube and it such a nice little piece that I am sure even the most minimalist amongst you might give in to a little clutter.

Remarkable quality. To be watched with a cuppa I think.
Off to the kitchen for more hot blackcurrant because I am so done with honey and lemon.
My ears just popped finally.

CM

Is It Summer?

What a week, I thought I would be way ahead in the ankle and moving about department but sadly no, its all very stiff and rather painful.
The good ankle is now so sore I can't tell you, it brought me to tears last night, it's like the bad one has to get better as the good one needs a break but its not happening quickly enough and about 5 yesterday the good one said NO MORE! and I am struggling.

And feel like I am loosing a bit with all the things that make me happy, clean house, cooking for my family, taking the girls out in the sunshine.

Here are some pics from last year, as we cleaned up the garden at the end of the summer, the garden was at its fullest but now its overgrown with the death of winter and I am unable to fix it properly, the girls are desperate to get out and explore so we have done out best by putting some toys on the decking and I just have to stand back and let P eat dirt.

 

 

G tells me that in three weeks I will be able to walk, as that is what Mr Hatrick expects so I should focus on that. I shouldn't moan it is only a broken ankle that will fix and i will get better, but I am struggling with the wishes to do more, and I am extremely grateful for the love and support that I am getting. I just wish to do more.

And I am very well aware that there are more out there worse off than me

aarrrghhhh!!!!!

CM

Cast Off Monday

So Creative

Got my mum to come over and look after the girls, whilst I went into have my cast removed, she came over at 09:30 for my 11:00 appointment which turned out to be at  1:30. Long day.

Last week Monday I let T draw on the cast, and activity that I thought she would take her time with, no she filled it with pics of cats, thunder and rain within 5 minutes of picking up the marker.

As a child you always "big up" the idea of how they take the cast off, it really is no big one just as everyone says. It tickles unbearably. Take a peak!

The fracture clinic took ages, about 3 hours, cast off, x ray, see the consultant and then another temporary boot fitting, which I can take off for baths and resting. I can't tell you how happy I am about that. But its mighty uncomfortable and I need to check myself that I don't moan too much.

For those of you concerned about how hairy the leg was going to be really it doesn't matter because the size of my scars are more of a concern, none of which you see here. I also asked when all of this was going to go away, Mr Hatrick said never, and that I would always know that I had done it.

So now it time to make it the best leg and ankle ever, vitamins and minerals and oils and exercise etc, I don't want this haunting me in old age.

Anyway, we are all shattered and I have a head ache.
I don't think that I am ready for it to be summer yet.
There are a lot of people walking around not wearing many clothes but with too much jewelery on.

Night CM