Hannah’s catch up

Hello! We’re finally emerging from the shadow of this virus. I’m going to do a bullet point update while I wait for the washing machine to finish.

• All three of us have been poorly with this cold/virus
• The munchkin’s temperature went up to 40.4 (104) on Sunday and wouldn’t come down
• We ended up at the NHS walk in centre
• Saw a nurse who couldn’t say anything so we had to wait even longer to see the out of hours GP
• He just said it was a virus and to keep dosing her up with paracetamol and ibuprofen
• Come Monday morning the munchkin was feeling a lot better and well on the way to normality
• However that was my worst day and Mr H had to work from home as I couldn’t look after the munchkin on my own
• I burst into tears when I couldn’t get a nappy out of the packet easily!
• I’m still coughing but feeling much more human today
• Mr H has been fighting to work each day as the new project is quite demanding and he has loads of meetings
• It does mean he’s tired and a bit grumpy in the evenings when he gets home
• Roll on the weekend and a chance for him to rest
• Thanks to me being poorly the house is a tip, I’ve managed to keep on top of the washing and dishwasher but very little else
• It’s going to take a while to get the house back to how I want it
• I’d been gradually training myself to keep the house nice and I’ve only just realised how much I’d changed and how I now get annoyed by the mess
• Having got out of the habit of sticking Cbeebies on the TV for most of the day this past week has blown that out of the window, the munchkin and I hve been too tired to do much more than cuddle up together in front of it
• I’m not trying to put the radio on instead again
• One success from the last week is that the munchkin no longer says ‘Da’ for please, but ‘Peas’
• She’s very good at it now
• I admit we did bribe her initially
• She was given chocolate (a big treat) when she said it over the weekend
• Since then she’s had almost anything she asked for (even a bath) if she says ‘Peas’
• She’s not taken advantage of that though and only asked for things we’re happy to give her normally
• The munchkin has even said ‘Peas’ when I asked her if I should change her nappy!
• I haven’t looked at my bloglines for a week, I’m hoping that there’s not too many posts on there when I look when the munchkin naps
• I’m hoping I’ll actually stop by and comment at a few
• I know I’ve been fairly useless at that lately…..sorry
• Just checked…I’ve got 363 posts to read! Argh!
• Anyway, the washing’s done so I need to go
• Happy Thursday everyone!

 

Where did that come from?

‘That’ being the sudden motivation yesterday to clean the kitchen.

It’s not been as clean since we moved in. Floor, cupboard fronts, surfaces, hob and sink all got a thorough clean. But why? I have no idea. I even carried on and cleaned the dining room floor too.

I know my New Year’s resolution was to keep the house tidier, but I didn’t have a lot of energy yesterday, Mr H and I had stayed up late talking (well after 1am) and then we were woken by his alarm at 7. Neither of us had much motivation, though he got masses of work done. The atmosphere at work still isn’t great so that combined with the risk of snow (where we live, the whole area grinds to a halt with less than 2cm snow) meant he decided to work from home yesterday. He worked almost solidly from 9-5:30 with just half an hour for lunch and the occasional hug from either me or the munchkin. He felt so much better about it afterwards. His boss was impressed with what he’d sorted out too. He’s back in work today, though he didn’t leave here till 9:10! He had been planning to get in by 8:30 but didn’t get up very promptly at all today, thankfully he has no meetings until this afternoon.

I’ve not had as much motivation this morning, though that may be partly due to the fact that I didn’t get up till 9 and the munchkin didn’t wake until I woke her at 9:15! Not quite sure why that happened with her, but I’m not complaining, I feel better for a long night’s sleep.

I need to get myself going properly again now though, we’re out most of the afternoon at toddler group and then going shopping so I need to get on with moer fo the housework…the washing is calling me! Bye!

 

Happy New Year!

What a busy fortnight since I last posted (though that was somewhat predictable).

Firstly thank you for my happy Christmas messages! I hope everyone had a good Christmas (I’ve not managed to even start to catch up on blogs since I got back yet so I’m just hoping at the moment).

Our Christmas was good, though sadly snow free, we didn’t even have any frost up in the north of Scotland last week, the week before we went it was so cold and frostly up there there was sea ice on the beach! It was definitely tiring though, it took a while for the munchkin to settle into a routine and we had a few very restless nights before she slept properly.

Christmas day itself was spent in the morning at church, followed by sherry and mince pies in the bishop’s house (he only became bishop this year, having been the rector of that church so returned for the Christmas services). The munchkin napped while we opened our presents, then when she woke she opened hers and we all went for a walk on the beach while D (Mr H’s sister) finished off cooking lunch. We finally sat down to eat at 4:30! I think Mum (who cooks Christmas dinner on Boxing day) has the right idea, we were all so hungry by that point that I, at least, didn’t enjoy the food as much as I might have done.

The rest of the time up north was good, we managed a couple of short walks. I spent much of the Thursday at home alone with the munchkin so that Mr H could go for a proper mountain walk with the others, something he loves doing and doesn’t get the chance to do much.

The flight back was hard work, it was rather delayed after faults in the plane before it’s flight up, and then we were delayed again once we were on the plane while they checked the engines and got the plane set up for a take off in cross winds. It was a turbulant flight as well which left me with head aches for a couple of days (that often happens when I fly). The munchkin was very good, though got a bit upset when she saw I wasn’t feeling well. She loves all forms of transport so thoroughly enjoyed watching the planes at the airport.

Since we came home we’ve been trying to get back on top of the washing and generally getting the house tidier again. With all the stress of Mr H’s redundancy as well as going away for Christmas it’s all a bit of a tip. Mr H has done a lot to help get it back in order but now he’s back at work it’s all down to me. One of my New Year’s resolutions is to keep the house much tidier and with fewer piles of ’stuff’ around the place. We’ve made a good start I’ve just got to keep it going and get myself into a proper routine.

Another resolution for me is to get my diet back under control. I’m very much a confort eater and I’ve been eating lots of junk over the past 2 months, I’m going to try and get myself back doing the Slimming World thing and see if I can get my weight (and dress size) lower.

Well, that’s my catch up, I’m going to go and try and catch up on all your news now, according to Bloglines I have 400 unread posts so it may take some time!

 

Mini maid!

It always amuses me how much enjoyment the munchkin finds from helping me do the chores, especially the things I loath. We’ve just worked together to load the washing machine (the washing is the chore I hate the most), and she took such joy from putting the clothes I gave her into the machine. Given half a chance she’ll help me fill and empty the dishwasher as well, which due to the sharp knifes in there we won’t let her help. She loves watching me clean and particularly loves it when I get the hoover out. I suppose it should encourage me to keep on top of the housework more….but somehow it doesn’t! I do need to do some sorting today if I’m going to get the rest of the decorations up.

I’ve got a fibre optic tree I want to have in the dining room and I’d like to get some lights up at the kitchen window, and we still haven’t finished the main tree as Mr H hasn’t founf any silver tinsel in the shops, they only seem to be selling gold or multi-coloured tinsel this year. I finally got the Christmas letter written yesterday afternoon, I just need to get Mr H to check it through and probably correct my appalling grammar (I have no idea how I managed to pass my literacy test first time before getting my qualified teacher status – I’m sure you’ve noticed on here that my grammar isn’t great). I need to write out a list of who we’re sending Christmas cards to today so that I can work out who’ll get the cards I’ve made and who’ll get shop bought ones. With R staying I didn’t get as many made as I usually do, so I’ll have to be selective.

The munchin and I have already been out for a walk this morning so there’s not much need for us to go out anywhere later on. She insisted I put her shoes on at 9:30 and then stood by the pushchair and shouted until I got our coats out. I did make her walk to the shop though rather than take the pushchair. She managed to walk most of the way there and all the way back for the first time today, though I think the mini milky bar I bought her when I got myself a paper may have helped matters though! It was cold out, I know that the cold here this morning is nothing compared to the ice storms in some of the US and the weather in other parts of the world, but we felt chilly out there, and there was still frost on the ground and some frozen puddles from the night.

I’m going to go and try and get the kitchen clean before cooking some lunch for us, take care everyone!

 

Looking up!

I was a little worried about my friend coming to stay this week (she basically invited herself) and after a couple of weeks of us being poorly and trying to get back into a routine I thought that it’s be hard work, but it was great. I last saw her at our mini college reunion in the spring and it was great to see her again. We didn’t exactly do much but just relaxed and for her it was a change of scene (what I think she needed after a busy term at school). I cooked us a full roast dinner on Tuesday which was yummy (except the vast quantity of washing up a roast leaves behind) and Wednesday was spent pottering around the house and then shopping in the afternoon. She left yesterday morning for her train back up to the distant north (she’s almost a Geordie ).

Yesterday was a lovely day. It was Mr H’s birthday and hence we had a cooked breakfast before he went to work (nicely timed also to set my friend up for her journey home) and cake later in the day (which was why we had to go shopping on Wednesday as he wanted a chocolate caterpillar cake – he’s 26!!! – made by M&S bu they didn’t have any in stock). We also had a visit by the health visitor. The mucnhkin is doing incrediably well for her age in everything except her speech, but that’s near enough that she’s not worried at the moment. Her vocabulary is increasing (exponentially at the moment) and she’s starting to string words together. The health visitor was very impressed by the munchkin’s builing skills, she got out a little pile of bricks expecting her to make a tower of 4, the munchkin used all 7 and then looked for more I’m not sure how she does it but she’s very good at making stable towers, maybe she’ll be an engineer like her father!

A definite benefit of having R staying with us is that we have a babysitter on hand (not that we used her before last night). Mr H and I went out for dinner and then on to the cinema as a spur of the moment extra (dinner wasn’t great – Wetherspoons, get your food descriptions accurate and have the currys in stock on curry night! Neither of us could have our first choice of curry, and mine was no way a mild curry, I supposed it serves us right for not going to a proper curry house but we’re skint!). We saw Ratatouille, and it was fantastic. One of the best films I’ve seen in ages (ok, so I haven’t been to the cinema for at least 2 1/2 years, but we’ve bought DVDs in that time), almost, though not quite, on a par with Shrek. We loved it. Definitely one I’d recommend (ok, you get the idea!)

We’ve got a reasonably busy weekend ahead (Mr H helping with recabling the church PA tomorrow, then church morning and evening – I’ve been offered a lift and achance to sing in the worship band in the evening, something I’ve wanted to do for ages), but we have got the house to ourselves as R is away for the weekend at a wedding. It’s nice to be just the three of us for a bit. I still haven’t set up bloglines, hopefully by Monday……

 

It’s been a while…

..since I did a proper post about what’s been going on for the H family, but for a range of reasons I can’t sit in front of the computer for long so I’m going to do a bullet-point update.

• The munchkin has 2 teeth coming though at once so is getting us up in the night and producing some incredibly evil nappies…anyone want any chemical weapons?
• It’s also making her more clingy and short tempered, she won’t settle to playing on her own for more than 5 minutes and gets even grumpier if things aren’t going how she wants them to (reason number 1 that this is a quick post)
• Mr H was so tired at work on Thursday after his trip to the States that one of his colleagues followed him home in the car to make sure he got back ok (why he didn’t use public transport I’m not sure!)
• My diet is going better than last week, though I’m still not completely back on track…why did I buy some scones in Sainsbury’s last night?
• The exercise idea was going really well, but I’ve pushed myself too much and strained some muscles in my back (reason number 2 this is a short post), I can’t stay in the same position for long or bend over comfortably
• My sister’s last set of chromosomal results all came back normal so it’s just a wait now until her next scan (next week) to see what’s happening with my nephew
• My dad should be getting his brain scan results today, we’re torn between wanting something to show up so we know where we stand and possibly a prognosis and wanting it to be clear
• I’ve discovered that while Facebook is fab for keeping up with friends there are some odd people who add you as a friend because you share interests but then getting clingy and very moody if you don’t say hello frequently!
• FlyLady has flown away…the house is a mess partly due to my back and partly due to me getting out of routine when my friend was staying last weekend….hopefully I’lll get that back on track again soon too.
• I’ve got two more friends coming to stay on Sunday, I really need to tidy up before then…they have offered to baby-sit for one of the two nights they’re here so that Mr H and I have a night off in our anniversary week (4 years next week ).
• The munchkin’s god-mother is also coming over on our anniversary to give us a night out then, we haven’t had two nights out in such a short space of tine for I don’t know how long
• Mr H has agreed to start trying for baby #2 again in October He’d rather wait longer, but he understands that I think the munchkin will cope better with the arrival with a brother or sister before she turns 3 (plus the fact I’m ridiculously broody at the moment)
• I’m really looking forward to the final Harry Potter book coming out tomorrow, we haven’t pre-ordered it and aren’t planning on going out at midnight to get it, just hoping that one of the supermarkets will have some in stock tomorrow morning

That’ll do for now, I’ve typed this in several short bursts and I’m going to have to give up for now. Bye!

 

Flying visit…

Mr H got back safely at 7:45 yesterday morning, the munchkin wasn’t even awake so it was lovely for her to have her Daddy get her up. He had a good time, but is very tired now. He couldn’t find a present for me (apparently!) so came back with a pen, some Empire State Building mints and some chocolate for the munchkin (which had melted as it was so hot over there), he did buy me some flowers when we went shopping yesterday though.

I’ve got a busy couple of days ahead. One of my best friends is just back from the US and comes down tomorrow for a couple of days, I’ve got so much to do to get the house straight before she gets here, I got a bit behind while Mr H was away.

I haven’t had two minutes to even glance at anyone else’s blogs all week, it’ll probably be next week now before I come by to say hello to anyone. Take care everyone. Bye!

 

Higgledy Piggledy Days!

I realised this morning that I haven’t posted much for a little bit so I thought I’d make an effort to say something….

I’ve had such a week of not knowing whether I’m coming or going. I’m finding it hard to get my thoughts and housework in order if I have something happening that changes my normal routine. It sounds stupid but after going out to church yesterday morning to help get things ready for tomorrow’s garden party I found it so hard to get the motivation to do anything. I did the bare minimum but didn’t get things done that weren’t essential so I now feel like I’ve got lots to do today. Grrr… I’m going to give myself some time now (I’ve already done the washing up and loaded the washing machine and dishwasher so I’ve made an ok start) and then once I’ve posted this and had a quick look at some of my blogroll I really need to get on. I’m still trying to follow the whople FlyLady thing and it is helping as despite my low this week the house still looks reasonable and I felt ok enough about it to be able to invite a friend from church over for a drink after church.

The other downside of yesterday’s low was my diet….I’m very much an emotional eater and yesterday ended up going out and buying (and then eating) lots of malteasers…ooppss…. I’m going to have to be so good over the weekend to make up for it. I have lost 10 1/2 lbs in the last 9 weeks and I don’t want to destroy all the work I’ve done already

I had to head over to Chelmsford on Wednesday to see the allergy specialist. He decided to do skin tests to check the status of the latex allergy and also common things like grass pollen and house dust mites while he was at it. I didn’t react to the latex there (though I had a small reaction to the dust mites) but he has advised me to get referred to the dermatologist at my local hospital as my reaction appears to be a contact dermatitis and is worth getting checked out to find out exactly what I’m reacting to in adheshives.

I’ve got to head into the next town on this afternoon to meet Mr H and do the shopping and I’m hoping that by then I’ll have got the kitchen and dining room back under my complete control and maybe even have done a little bit of crafting (something I haven’t touched in weeks…).

 

Shine your sink…

A good few months ago I started looking at the FlyLady routines and beginning to follow her baby steps towards getting a tidier and organised house. When my depression took hold it all fell by the wayside. I’ve now decided that I need some help to get my housework and general organisation back under control. So I’m turning back to FlyLady.

I know the system has worked well for the wife of one of Mr H’s college friends, someone who’s a bit like me in some ways. So I’m going to give it a really good go this time and keep at it, I didn’t even manage to finish working through the baby steps last time!

The first thing we ‘FlyBabies’ are asked to do is to shine our kitchen sink every day. It’s a great start for me it’s a challenge….when we moved into our house we inherited a fairly nice kitchen, reasonably well installed with nice enough units and tiles but with a horrendous cream plastic sink. Now, if anyone knows a way of making a cream plastic sink shine I’d love to know….. I give it a good scrub (a pan only has to touch the sink for it to get black marks and ’scratches’ on it), but there’s no way to get it properly clean.

Mr H and I have talked about getting a new steel sink, it’s the only thing we want to do to the kitchen. I think I’m just going to have to work on him a bit more….he really likes it when I’ve got the housework well under control as there’s less for him to do when he gets in from work in an evening…..a sink I could actually shine would help me stay more motivated to keep going with the whole FlyLady thing. I think it’s just the expense that’s bothering him at the moment, a new sink isn’t cheap, plus we’d need to buy new taps as well. Mr H would definitely be able to install it himself though. I let you know if I manage to persuade Mr H to let me get a new sink.

Are there any other FlyBabies reading this? How do you find the system works for you?

 

We’re back!

Hello!

We had a lovely time away in Scotland. The weather held out most of the time and we all managed to get a little rest. Mr H spent a lot of time with his brother in law, G, climbing, cycling and chatting in the pub. G has since described Mr H as the brother he’s never had. He’s an only child and isn’t close to most of his cousins. I spent a lot of time with the munchkin and Mr H’s sister D.

I did get rather frustrated at one point about the amount of time Mr H was spending out with G. In the first 3 days he spent far more awake time with G than he did with me and the munchkin, I had to point out to him that I was on holiday too and wanted to spend some time with him as well. D and G were very good about baby sitting and let us go out for an afternoon and evening which was fab. We definitely needed the time out, I don’t know when we last had time to ourselves without worrying about the munchkin or listening out for her. Sadly however the munchkin was a complete nightmare for D and G and refused to eat her dinner or drink her milk so she went to bed with an empty stomach. She’s got two molars coming through and they’re being difficult.

The munchkin had her first experience of the beach and the sea and loved it, though the water was rather cold, she didn’t spend much time paddling, but loved playing in the sand (so did Mr H!). I’ll try and upload some pictures later this week, they’re all still on the camera at the moment.

Another bonus of the week was that D and G are both following Slimming World as well, so with the moral support from the three of us we’ve all stuck to it rather well, albeit using the vast majority of our sins on alcohol! I’ve got a bit more inspiration and motivation now and really hoping to keep it up. I’ve learnt a few new recipes and today cooked cous cous for the first time! It was yummy!

We called at Mum and Dad’s on the way back form Scotland. It was the first time I’d seen Dad since he’s been ill and it was a bit hard at times. He’s still pretty much in denial that he has a problem with his memory, though he can’t deny the blood pressure and eye sight issues. He’s seeing the opthalmologist tomorrow and hopefully there’ll at least be some answers to the eye problem there. While we were up he completely lost the keys to church and home, as well as forgetting to change the altar frontals front white to red, despite having been reminded many times and mentioning it himself just before he left on Saturday night to prepare church for the Sunday services. I’m finding it really hard to be at all positive about the long term, my mind is constantly going back to the idea that this all could be a brain tumour….I’m really hoping it’s not, but I can’t seem to help it.

Now I’m back I’m determined to really get on top of the housework. It’s fallen a little by the wayside and I really want to get the house tidy and more organised. I’ve had a good start by attacking the bathroom sink which gets really limescaley thanks to the crummy water around here. It’s not quite shining, but it’s as good as I can get it at the moment. Tomorrow I want to clean the bath and shower and get rid of the limescale there.

I hope you all had good weeks, I’m going to try and catch up with your blogs over the next few days, it may take me a while, especially if I do manage to get he housework under control…..