A Poorly House

Hello, I hope you have all enjoyed a good if not very cold weekend. It's been very cold here in Bucks. The thermometer hasn't moved above freezing all day, if fact I think it was still around -2 at lunch time.

We had a very light sprinkling of snow yesterday morning but that's about all. I think snow is forecast for the South East later in the week.

It's been a very poorly house here this week. Daisy only managed a day and a half at school this week as she has been struck down by a really horrible flu like cold. She has been really off colour poor thing. She still looked really under the weather today, so I'm not sure whether or not she will go back to school tomorrow.

Alex seems to have escaped the flu/cold but has instead opted for the see how many times it is humanly possible to be sick in one day competition. The poor mite has been so sick this afternoon and evening. He was even retching in his sleep. He has never been good when sick, once he starts to vomit it seems to take him forever to stop. He will be off school now at least until Wednesday as school have the 48 hours at home policy to try to stop the spread of these bugs. I do really hope we don't come down with it too. I have been flashing the bleach around like crazy to try and kill the germs!

I picked my new car up on Friday morning but unfortunately my clutch problem on the old car got worse on the way to the garage and ended up costing us an extra £200. It is so lovely to have a new and very clean car that is so quiet to drive. I haven't really had a proper drive yet due to poorly children but what I have seen so far has been good.

I need to get my act together this week and really get on with my Christmas crafts, I have so much still to do. I fear a lot of late nights are on the cards in order to get everything done on time.

I received my advent swap from the lovely Pene and can't wait to start opening on Wednesday. That reminds me, I really need to buy the little ones their advent calenders before then too.

Well it's only a quick post this evening with no photographs either, there really hasn't been anything worth capturing this week. It really has been a stay at home and nurse the poorly sort of a week. By Saturday I really did have a bad case of cabin fever.

Oh yes Saturday, how could I forget, I had a lovely day in London with my friend Sue yesterday. Mr P stayed at home with the poorlies whilst I gadded about in London. We did a spot of Christmas shopping in Covent Garden, had a gorgeous lunch in Wagamamas, a cup of tea and a cup cake in the Primrose Bakers (think Hummingbird Bakery but cheaper) and then headed off to see Dirty Dancing at the theatre. It was fab, I loved the dancing, singing and the fast pace of the show. We really did have a wonderful day out. I then caught the train back home to sickville and came back down to earth with a bump!

Here's hoping for a healthy week with the littleones getting better soon. I hate it when they are ill and all the worry that goes with it. I really don't think I can bare watching anymore Disney Channel whilst administering cuddles and calpol!

Till next time.

Alison
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Hello, almost another weekend over! Not sure where the time is going at the moment it just seems to be rushing by at break neck speed.

I am glad to report that my Mum's funeral on Wednesday went really well. My friend from church took the service, which was lovely and she said some really fitting and meaningful words in her address. Everyone turned up and behaved impeccably which was a massive relief. The weather was even kind to us with no rain or gales. I felt absolutely awful on Monday and Tuesday, but by Wednesday I had calmed down a lot and was ready to face up to the funeral and all that was necessary. I feel that I can start to comes to terms with my mums death now in my own time and start to focus on life once again. I still feel very up and down but things feel a lot better since the funeral.

I managed to do a bit of crafting this week, its really good therapy when you aren't feeling yourself. I had started a patchwork cushion the previous week but needed to buy some wadding and some calico. Well here it is, my first ever attempt at patchwork. Its not perfect, I am a devil for rushing things and wanting that feeling of instant gratification rather than taking my time and not rushing but I don't think it's too bad. What do you reckon to my Amy Butler fabric patchwork cushion?





I helped out at Alex's Victorian day the previous week, here is a rather rubbish picture of him, taken by Daisy, which may explain why they were all a bit blurred. Here he is the toothless wonder looking very cheeky chappy in his over sized cap.




The Country Living show last Saturday was worth a visit, I managed to buy a few more Christmas presents and a couple of little bits and pieces for myself. Daisy had a fab time, she was totally spoilt by her Nanny as per normal and came home with various bits and pieces.

We made our Christmas cake today, we did the cake in a bag by Delia from Waitrose. It was so so easy, why hasn't someone thought of this before. It smelt delicious too whilst it cooked and it looks fab if I say so myself. Just need to keep feeding it and then ice it just before Christmas. Here is Daisy giving it a big stir.




I still have lots of Christmas bits and pieces left to make so I really do need to get my skates on a bit. I have finished my advent swap for Pene and just need to post it out to her. I am worrying a bit that she won't like what I have made or bought for her. I really hope she does though.

I have made the decision not to use my car this week which if I'm honest is a bit of a pain in the bum. I am getting a new car on Friday morning and don't want to drive my old car as we are trading it in. We aren't getting a fortune for the old car but knowing my luck I will have a crash before Friday or the long standing minor problem with the clutch on the old car will turn into a major problem and will need fixing! I am determined to survive four days without driving. I have ordered my shopping this week online and have access to the local shops which are all within walking distance. I do find I use my car all the time when often it would be better for me and the environment to actually walk.

I am really looking forward to having a new car its been a long time coming! My old freelander has definitely earned its keep over the five years we have had it. The little ones haven't been kind to it either with all their muddy feet and food. I am determined to take better care of my new car!

Well I had better go, the laptop needs charging.

Till next time.

Alison
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A Quick Catch Up

Hello, just thought I would pop by and post a little update. Firstly, thank you for all your kind words and thoughts, they have made a very difficult time that bit easier to deal with and have been greatly appreciated.

I have spent the past week making the necessary funeral arrangements and I think all is now arranged. The funeral will take place a week today and to say I am dreading it is an understatement. I know it has to be faced up to but I feel so nervous about it all. I am not sure if my brother is coming (he hadn't spoken to my mum in 17 years and also whether my mum's companion will turn up drunk. He seems to have a drink problem which always escalates when he is stressed/upset. I have written to him and specifically asked him to respect our wishes and not to drink before the funeral. I guess alcohol is his way of coping and I try not to judge him for it but it is very difficult at times.

Emotionally I have been very up and down, which I guess is to be expected. I have tried to carry on with the every day things which definitely helps take your mind off things.

I have felt a bit under the weather today been suffering with a very sore head and achy glands, so I decided to spend the day at home in the warm, and managed a fair few hours of crafting which to be honest was just what I needed. I made my final item for my advent swap (obviously I can't show you that) andI had a go at crocheting snowflakes. They turned out fine and I even bothered to block and starch them. My project for this afternoon was a quilted patchwork cushion cover as per the pattern in Kirsty's Homemade Home book. I enjoyed cutting and sewing all the squares although I must admit my patchworking is a bit off, and some of the squares didn't line up perfectly but it wasn't bad for a first attempt. I am going to buy some quilting fleece and quilt the front of the cushion. I used some of the Amy Butler fat quarters that I bought at the Stitching and Knitting show last month. I love the colours they are so fresh and bright.

I have decided to have a go at making some tea cup candles. I have an abundant supply of vintage china, and will use some of my least favourite cups for candle making. I ordered a small starter kit from the Internet this evening. It will be something new and I am looking forward to having a go. Mr P also seems very keen to have a go (he has always had a minor obsession with anything flamable!)

Tomorrow is Alex's Victorian day at school, I offered to help out in class which should be fun. All the children have been asked to come into school wearing Victorian costume. Alex is going in as a street urchin, with flat cap, waist coat, grandad shirt and tatty trousers.

It was my birthday last Thursday and I made a conscious effort to try and have a good day and deliberately avoided making any funeral arrangements on that day. I had coffee with one friend straight after droping the little ones at school, was taken out for lunch by my good friend Julia and enjoyed a day of nice presents and being spoiled. Mr P treated me to a lovely Orla Keiley bag and purse and I got Kirsty Allsop's Homemade Home book from the little ones. I also had some lovely roses from a dear friend at school. My In-laws bought me a lovely necklace and earings and a very lovely birthday cake too. Thursday was a real highlight in what otherwise was a pretty awful and difficult week.

I am going to the Country Living show at the weekend with my MIL and Daisy. It sort of feels wrong going what with loosing my mum only last week, but it will definitely take my mind off of worrying about the funeral. I am also going out for a belated birthday meal on Sunday with my family which I am looking forward to also.

Sorry for the lack of pictures, I will photograph all my swap makes and show them off once they have been received and opened by Pene.

Till next time.

Alison
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Mum

My fears were realised on Saturday night when I got the dreaded phoned call from the nursing home to say that my mum had died.

Yesterday was spent in a emotional haze, informing her few remaining relatives and liaising with my sisters and brother and various friends.

The next few days will be spent arranging her funeral and dealing with the mountain of paper work that needs sorting out.

Having visited her on Friday and realising just how very ill she had became, the phone call on Saturday was not unexpected. It's just very hard to get my head around the fact that she is no longer here.

I feel that I am on an emotional roller coaster, feeling desperately sad one minute, relieved that she is no longer suffering the next, feeling very guilty for the fact that we have had a very distant relationship at times. I am so very glad that I saw my mum regularly over the last two years and that she did have meaningful contact with her family once again during that time. I have come to realise and accept that you can't change the past but when you get older you can see things more clearly through adult eyes and perhaps understand situations with more clarity which in turn can allow for forgiveness.

As I mentioned in my last post my mum's life wasn't the happiest, she had to endure a very destructive illness which unfortunately damaged her relatinship with her family greatly. I just truly hope she has gone on to a much happier place where she can find true peace and happiness. Rest in Peace mum x

Alison
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