Sunday - sun room!

The Sun room needed one last push to get it finished by tonight..

The room had been out of action for a few days.

Things had been moved and were put on any free surface...

And some not so free surfaces! I came back from shopping yesterday to find the dining room out of action too..

Not sure where it is now but my bed is usually here!!

Time for brunch...

By late afternoon it was taking shape.

Changed things around a little and used existing ornaments to give a fresh look.

Added a couple of new things.

This makes me smile whenever I look at it.

Can't have enough love...

The lobby area has also been finished.

A coat of paint has revitalised the old mirror and coat hook.

The clock was also painted and a new frame is awaiting one of Emily's masterpieces..

Little touches that make things seem like new.

When we designed the sun room area we knew we wanted a downstairs loo, we also wanted to make as much use of the space as we could to live in...

The loo was fitted in to a tight space and in the end we even had room for a cupboard.

Normal doors would have worked but in such a tight space I thought it would be better to cut them in half. Enter my Dad - he and Mum spent time creating these doors from two normal doors.

The doors straight ahead reveal the loo.

  To the side, the cupboard.

Milly flitted in and out and up and down :-)

She spent a good part of the day ( after she woke around twelve!!!) in her room on the lap top and web cam with El.

She spent time with me whilst I dusted all the books - the french doors were opened ( such a lovely afternoon was a shame not to apparently ) and she kept me amused during the tedious job :-) 

She was talking about wanting to read a horror story.We looked at some of the books as I put them away and discussed some books I had read but thought might be a little too scary for her. I remember loving Stephen King and James Herbert. When I mentioned Stephen King she told me about a spoof of one of his books / film they had done on Family Guy - Misery.

She then mentioned Dracula and I said I thought we had it on a set of Classic literature CDs.As it turned out we didn't have that one but she decided she would give Jane Eyre a try.

She had tried one of  them - Frankenstein - when we got the set a couple of years ago ( I bought them as a bargain  from The Book People - with the intention of them being available as she got older - in case she became interested in the classics ) she deemed it boring and has never bothered with them since!! We had a chat about how age could change her perception and that perhaps now she would enjoy them - I did say that if she didn't it would be best to keep an open mind and she might ( or might not )  try them again when she was older.

Milly has just this minute come down to watch TV and exclaimed that Jane Eyre is good! She said she had been listening to it for fifteen minutes :-) I have the book and said I would re - read it ( did it at school for English Lit but forgotten it ) and then we both know the story.

 

Although it has been a full on day Alan and I did manage to fit in some relaxation, on this day of rest  :-)

Alan got up and started early and then woke me later with a cuppa .

I then pottered around - kept him company whilst he painted and - after he had done all the hard work - he watched the rugby whilst I titivated.

Team work at it's best :-)

Specs....

Milly had been wanting some glasses to wear.

An idea borrowed from one of Milly's online friends.Forgot to say Thanks to Angel ;-)

Take one pair of 3D cinema glasses - take out the lenses - you have a new accessory ;-)

A few of Milly's latest interests....

Fashion is still a big interest.

She loves all the fashion dress up sights on the Internet and can spend hours creating outfits.There are sites that have period dress as well as looks from pop stars etc.

I think she has a good eye.

She is into vintage at the moment.

The thing I love is - although she is very interested in fashion and can put together some creative and  individual outfits from her own wardrobe - she is just as happy to be in her 'scruff '.

Makeup goes hand in hand with the fashion I think. She loves to watch pop videos and comments on the different looks created.She has experimented on herself in various ways - usually quite theatrical rather than traditionally made up eyes etc. 

I used make up as a mask growing up - low self esteem meant I rarely went without it.

I think Milly will use it in a very different way - she will use fashion and makeup to express herself...

She has said she wants to be different and have a style that is not easily copied.We have discussed ways we can achieve this.At this moment in time the interest isn't enough for her to go that extra step and spend the time and energy to go around the charity shops or to learn how to customize or make things - many other important things to do :-)  It is a possibility if and when she is ready.

She can explore both areas and practice when she wants to and define her own ' look'. In the mean time I try to buy items that ' fit' her personality and luckily, often score a hit :-)

Sitting in the Osteopaths reception on Monday she picked up Homes and Antiques Mag.She skimmed through it commenting on all the styles she liked. She joked about how she sounded 'old ' going on about which desk style she liked the best or which material swatches she liked ;-)
I asked her if she would like me to get her the latest magazine and she was very enthusiastic about how she could cut out the things she liked and create 'mood ' boards - we talked about storing the images in folders - she liked that idea as well as she could create different ' looks ' with the pictures.

Vampires/werewolves, are still on the list although not just the Twilight genre.

Becoming Human and Being Human are two new programmes she is interested in.

She is dipping into a Vampire book similar to Vampireology .

Friends and Scrubs have provided hours and hours of fun and her sense of humour has become very droll

Droll was the word I wanted to use, but I googled it to make sure it actually described as I had intended and it did - "It means his humor is capricious, whimsical or sophisticated." " Amusing in an odd way." 

Swimming - purely for fun and doing handstands and swimming under water, practising holding her breath seeing how long she can do it for - has sparked an interest in learning to Scuba dive.

She also wants to learn sign language - trying to find ways to facilitate those interests.

She has found her voice and although she is not rushing to do the exercises that D ( singing teacher ) gave her at her first lesson - she is singing a lot and has memorised the words to the song D gave her .Castle on a cloud from  les Mis.She is also interested in accents and likes to impersonate accents - she has been googling to find recordings of the accents she is interested in....

She has a growing library of music on her ipod - mainly chart on there I think but she does enjoy listening to a wide range of music from different era's.

Stories are still massive in her life - whether she is listening to them or telling them :-) 

Computers -  for communication purposes - Facebook chat and skype have been invaluable in her relationships with other home ed girls up and down the country. She continues to expand her computer skills and she will now download music, she worked out how to transfer it onto her ipod without help. She is also working her way around her ipod without my help at all,  finding out how to set up an account to connect to the Internet and such.

She has no fear on the computer and isn't afraid to just try something - she is a very speedy ( with individual style ) typist.

Daily conversations cover a wide range of topics - far too many to document here - many encompass very

 ' grown up ' and philosophical subjects, many are just plain silliness :-)

Her drawing has taken a back seat at the moment, although the small amount of recent art she has produced is showing a progression in her depiction of the various characters she draws.She is trying out different ways to draw facial features and  has a very definite idea of how she wants them to look - as has happened so often in the past -  it naturally moves on after a hiatus.

We talked about setting up a business using her art to make money for some of the things she was wanting to buy. The idea is still on the table and may well happen in the future but it has to be driven by Emily and not me - although I will be right by her side assisting in any way I can. At the mo the idea is sound but the work needed to put it into operation and the disciplined production of art is a step too far for her.She had a huge boost in confidence when we got feedback from people we had sent a thank you card to after Christmas.They all commented her on the professional quality of the image and the fine detail of her drawing.

 Bratz play has wained over the last week or so - she is waiting on the delivery of two Monster high dolls and I am sure it will resume when they come ;-)

There is more of course, but that gives a rough idea of where we are at at the moment.

She continues to build links from all the experiences she has, whether that is conversation - with people of all ages -  film or TV ,  music, Internet, books or story tapes... 

 No academic ' work ' but a great deal of knowledge and real life learning.

And -  most importantly of all - she is HAPPY and absolutley loves her life :-)

Today ( Wednesday )

Home ed group day.We were all set to go....

Woke up aching and feeling like hibernating - Milly keen to go along with the idea and went back to sleep after I woke her - just in case she wanted to go :-)

Jobs - done slowly - research on Ikea website for suitable furniture for the sun room - bath -done slowly :-)

Lunch and facebook.

Plans for the rest of the day...

To take it easy...

Walk Beauty with the gorgeous one.

Lasagna ( already made - leftovers from Monday night ) for tea.

Games Night...

Wii - Mario cart - Wii fit and Wii sports.

Board games.

Film - We have the Italian Job from Love film as a possible. Popcorn with melted chocolate.

Mmmmmm...

Monday...

Out by twelve to the Cranial Osteopath appointment for Milly.

Had a nice chatty time with Judith and she reminded me of the Center for Life in Newcastle.It is a place I have wanted to take Milly and as Judith explained some of the exhibits she had seen Milly was very excited and keen to go! Must check carefully that the one she was most keen on is still there before we plan anything.

Over the last few days plans to visit Flamingo land and stay for a few nights have been talked about with eagerness, as has a visit to Blackpool! Four days apparently. One for the pleasure beach, one for the wet and wild type pool, one to explore and one for the Tower... So nice to have her thinking of the joy to be had on visits rather than the immediate anxiety about travel and proximity to a loo. Those fears are still very much in evidence and we are dealing with them daily, but I believe - handled correctly - they will keep fading until they are no longer an issue.

Lunch at Morrison's and then on to Impact Housing to see if they had any furniture we could use in the sun room. We want more seating - preferably a corner type settee... Nothing today. Judging by the prices they had on some really tatty furniture ( vastly increased on the stock I have seen over the years -

wouldn't mind paying the price if the furniture was half decent but these were nasty )  might be better looking elsewhere.Will keep trying for a while just in case...

Back home and I asked Milly if she wanted to join me in the garden for a cuppa.We had talked about lighting the chiminea but we had got home later than expected and I had a lasagna to make so that wasn't possible. She had put the tele on and I was surprised when she said yes of course!

Blue skies wherever we looked.warm enough to go without a jacket...

Got anything for little ole me?

No! Oh OK.

Pity, I'm hungry...

Milly told me a story about Beauty and we headed in after about half an hour or so.

I expected her to go and watch tele but when I asked if she wanted to cook with me she said yes! Yay...

She started to move the fruit bowl and other bits of the island unit and assumed her usual position to 'cook'.

The story continued as she watched me ;-)

Cat dancing...

Urgh are those going in the tea?

Remember Mum, chopping onions requires a teaspoon in your mouth - yes I know... but it does work!

Shimmy, while checking out the Cd to see what song is next...

Dad home. walk with him and Beauty whilst I finish tea - Dad gets to hear Beauty's story on the walk.

Home for tea - Milly decided to have hers watching TV and Alan and I sat together at the table discussing the day.

Ten minute tickle for Alan and Emily before he got ready to go to Tai chi.

Not too sure what we are going to do with the rest of the evening.Cup cakes were mentioned today and experimenting with butter icing - maybe leave that for Milly and Granny to do together tomorrow whilst I am at my meditation group. I know I have the menus and list to do at some point tonight - going shopping tomorrow night. I will ask Milly if she wants to play, then get my nightie on and settle down I think....

Sunday....

Al got cracking with painting the sun room bright and early and was in full swing when I came down around nine.

He stopped for a cuppa and sat with me whilst I ate breakfast. I've got a thing for seeded bread lightly spread with nutella and peanut butter at the mo :-)

 I then got on with some jobs and made a few calls. Milly surfaced around twelvish.

I made her breakfast - which she took back upstairs and Alan and I had lunch.

Chatted through the options for the day and Milly decided she didn't want to go out at all - offered Crummock or the pool - she was tired and still feeling under the weather.She was happy to stay home and gathered all her books on Egypt and took them upstairs as part of a game she had going on.

There were a few food items we needed so I went to do that and then spent some time at the pool. I have been having ice cold showers after I go in the sauna and steam room and based on this information it sounds a good thing to continue...

Back home and a quick clean round the bathroom and ten minutes with Milly in her room to straighten it after the sleepover.I think Milly 'gets' the idea that little and often keeps on top of things but sometimes it is overwhelming, especially if a really good play session means lots of boxes have been emptied out and it all just snowballs out of control. I tend to offer my services regularly and encourage her to join in for short bursts - works sometimes and she takes me up on it and and other times she declines my offer. Sometimes I have the time and energy to do it myself and surprise her with a tidy room :-)

Started to prep tea and got a surprise visit from my Sister and her husband,bearing three dining chairs and a couple of bags of books for us to look through to see if there was anything we could use. Cuppa and a catch up and then on with the tea when they left for home.

We all ate at the table together, we don't always sit at the table to eat together, it depends what people are doing. When it fits we do sit down together and tonight it fitted ;-) We chatted for a quite a while after we had eaten. Then after tummy's had settled it was tickle time ;-) 

Alan has not managed to complete the sun room but what he has done is looking good. He starts a weeks holiday on Friday. At this time of year we normally go away for a few days - as Emily was so anxious we decided not to book anything so she didn't have to worry about an upcoming event. We decided instead to have a holiday at home and go to the pool - we can take books and spend as much time as we want in there, walk round the lakes, have some meals out and generally just chill out at home. We have decided that the decorating will continue until the Tuesday and then it is down tools and we are all on holiday ;-)

Best laid plans and all that! Saturday....

Girls had a good time last night:-) Kept to the pinky promise Milly had made with Lisa and girls were in bed by 11.30.I went in the bath and read for a while. On my way to bed I popped my head in to make sure they were settling down.All quiet - said goodnight, got into bed and settled down. I find it hard to switch off when I have other peoples children in the house - it's a responsibility you know ;-)

Within a short space of time a little head poked around the door...El and Amy had come to tell me that Milly was crying and felt sick!

She was on the landing so I thanked the girls and asked them to head back to bed and I would help Milly. Nobody likes being sick but Milly 'really' hates feeling sick.I calmed her down and gave her a remedy and after a while she got back into bed. I didn't hear anything else and eventually I dozed off.

They woke around nine and Milly was ok but very pale and although she didn't have a temp she was very clammy.Talked about changing plans as she didn't want to go in the car to Crummock.We decided it would be best if we met Liz at a park in Carlisle and I could give El back and Milly could come with me if she wanted. So that's what we arranged - will get to Crummock at some point - maybe third attempt lucky:-))

About an hour before we were due to set off Milly said she felt ok and would like to come with us.She was anxious but worked through it.

I was very proud of her.

Charlie dog was with Liz and Katherine :-) So a short walk, a play on the park, an ice cream and cola for the girls and tea for the Mum's. After a couple of hours we said goodbye.Was cold but very enjoyable.

Journey back, singing along to loud music with the late afternoon sunshine making for a very pleasant ride home.Milly and El texted back on forth on the way home and then talked on the phone when we got back - Milly got snuggled into bed listening to a story cd and on facebook with El.

Alan had planned to use this weekend to get as much done as he could in the three rooms left to paint. The intention was to paint the ceilings in all the rooms, as that didn't require any furniture to be moved and would mean no disruption in the coming week. I got back and all the furniture in the sun room had been moved and he had put a coat on the ceiling and started to paint the walls! Hmmm another detour from the initial plans. He decided to crack on and try to get the one room finished this weekend....

I had planned to go to the pool.I knew that it would really help with aches and pains but I also wanted to crawl into bed :-) Eventually plumped for the pool and sauna and got there about ten past four. Took my book in and my phone with a visualization meditation on. Swam a little and then lay in the sauna ( Bliss) came out and had a cold shower ( not such bliss - but effective treatment ) I went back through to the pool area - to settle down to read and listen to the meditation  - I noticed the lights in the Gym were turned off! I asked a couple who were on the loungers when the pool closed and they said five o'clock - by now it was quarter to:-( Ah well, I had time to go in the Jacuzzi ( more bliss) and the came home slightly earlier than planned. 

Milly was still snuggled in bed with laptop and story when I got in.

Al has walked Beauty and we are having a very simple tea and plan to chill and watch TV.The way things have been going I won't hold my breath that will actually happen ;-))

Happy Saturday to you. xxx



Friday....

Friends came to play today!

I got up and got vacuumed and then had a leisurely bath and read my book whilst Milly ate and watched Friends on her portable DVD player.I then started cooking and putting things to keep warm for lunch when Liz and the children got here.Milly glammed herself up and looked beautiful...

 

Guests arrived at twelve thirty and although we don't see them often the children breeze in and everyone just starts playing/talking as if it were only yesterday they saw each other! Liz and I also set about talking as I continued to keep one of my brain cells on cooking! So easily distracted and have had too many near accidents lately - however I managed to get the lunch on the table without incident. :-)

The children then went out around the village for 45 minutes and I got cleared up whilst we chatted some more! Milly got changed ( as you do!) Then off to the Pencil Museum in Keswick.

 It is a quaint old fashioned place and the staff have always been lovely.The cafe serves tasty food and they have a small room where you can sit and draw and try out all the different types of pencils ( in the holidays they often have artists demonstrating in there ) they sell - a good length of time could be spent in there.The shop is well stocked with appealing stock. They have trails for the children to do - these are just fact finding questions and I have a child who is not really into that at all and it seemed the others weren't either! To be fair there was a great deal of excitement about being together and I think that played a part. Having said that I took over doing the questions for Milly so she could get the 'prize' at the end and I was bored to tears trying to find the info.Maybe it's just us?

On to The Puzzling place which was a hit. Lots of illusions and holograms. Quite expensive entry for what it is,  but very intriguing.

Just a few examples...

Back home to cobble together a meal. A phone call to Amy to see if she was available to play and yes indeed she was.She came round for an hour and when they walked her back to her house a sleepover was hatched! El asked to stay as well - so we have two extra in the house tonight! They have sworn a pinky promise to L ( Amy's Mum ) that they will go to bed early as she has things to do tomorrow and also another sleepover tomorrow night. I am exhausted so will be keeping them to that promise!

Liz is coming all the way back ( one and a half hours ) to pick El up. We have a dog walk around Crummock planned before they head back home again....

Then on to the pool for a relaxing sauna and chill out with my book for me I think!!

{This moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

More at SouleMama 

Thursday...

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Wednesday.

Plans for a walk round Crummock water with friends were changed this morning :-(

Received a text and M wasn't too keen to go as it was freezing and she has been suffering with sinus problems and thought around the lake would just be too cold. I woke Milly and asked her what she wanted to do. She was still keen to go to the lake but also wanted to see our friends... Dilema!

.M's first suggestion of a park and a hot chocolate in town didn't work for Milly.

I explained the reasons why not to M and began a textathon whilst trying to get ready and

Milly breakfasted :-)

I asked Milly if we could come up with some suggestions of things she would like to do and at that point M  texted back with a number of other suggestions, some indoor, some outdoors.

None of them were what Emily wanted to do ( bearing in mind she had just woken and the trip to the lake was still on her 'want to do' radar ) . I stopped myself from steamrollering her into making a decision and allowed  her to work through the options and why they weren't suitable for her... Eventually she thought the Aquarium might be an option but then quickly decided against it saying she really didn't find the aquarium interesting anymore ( been many, many, many, many, times before!! ) and just wasn't in the mood for that today. It was at this point I got a little frustrated. However, I stopped myself and  thought how marvelous it was that she had worked through the options and decided that none worked for her. She had the strength to say no, this from a girl who so often would go along with what others want, rather than rock the boat!

I knew she was willing to compromise as we had discussed that when I talked to her initially, so she wasn't just 'being difficult'.

So we texted back with a couple of other options and in the end we went to visit M and D and went for a walk that involved a walk, muddy fields, and pooh sticks :-) Pooh sticks never loose their appeal both kids enjoyed it as did the two growed ups ;-)

Back home and TV and computer for Milly whilst I cleared some mail and facebooked.

Al got home shortly after us and I headed off to get some shopping before going to the Doctors.

Living with M.E I have a range of symptoms and am used to a certain level of pain or painful areas.

A few new symptom have cropped up lately and some severe pain in areas that have previously not been a problem.So although I believe wholeheartedly in a more holistic approach I thought it sensible to get things checked out.

On the records on the Doctors computer it showed that the last time I had been was late 2008!

As soon as I had finished with my list of ailments and history over the last few months,she made an immediate diagnosis of Fybromyalgia. 

She suggested a low dose anti depressant as a treatment - I declined and she gave me some print outs and I went to have my blood taken ( to check for thyroid function ).

I could do without having to live with this, but, it could have been a much worse diagnosis and as I have lived for many years with a degree of pain and fatigue I am an old hand at knowing how to live with it :-)

So now, steps to take are -  to research it online to see if there are areas of complimentary medicine I haven't looked at or heard of that might help - to carry on with the holistic approach I have been taking with Homeopathy, massage and healing sessions - to make more time in my life to meditate regularly each day. I know in the past when I have made the time and stuck to it it does really help - to continue with the exercise and sauna etc - seems that both are recognised to have a positive impact on the condition.

Back home and as we cooked tea Alan and I talked about it. Milly stood with Al whilst he read out the information sheet the Doctor had given me.Milly went to get some Ice cream from the freezer as we continued to chat.I mentioned the Doctors prescription of anti depressants and that I would continue to follow the Complimentary route, at this point Milly - who I thought was no longer listening - piped up with 'you're very nice, very very nice'  - it took me a while to click! Complimentary, she knew what I meant by complimentary but made a joke to lighten the moment!!  

Funny girl :-) Had me in stitches!

They say laughter is the best medicine.

Tuesday...

A later start than intended, woke with a bad head and getting out of the warm comfy bed - even to get medication - proved difficult..

Eventually got moving - we had made plans to wake Milly at 10 to tidy her room - she had seen a how clean is your house episode yesterday where they showed a wriggly insect that was living in the detritus of the home being cleaned. Her room is not quite at the same level as that one but it is pretty untidy and there are food items she has left up there! It must have made her think and she requested help to tidy her room... 

As I was feeling so ill and she was snoozing soundly I left her and got on - slowly - with the usual morning jobs.Woke her around 11 and she breakfasted whilst we watched Friends.She is loving the series and I said she might have withdrawal symptoms when all ten of the series are finished - she said she will just start watching them all again if that happens :-)

I got dressed and had my lunch just before my mum and dad arrived at 1.30 ish.They had been to visit my younger sister and her husband at the new shop they have opened in Keswick - Alternative - well worth a visit if you get this way...

We chatted with them and then Kelly (hairdresser) arrived. A marathon session today,cutting and colouring Emily ( dark brown,  almost black, with pinky red chunky streaks ) cutting mine and Alan's. Mum sat with us as we watched her do Milly's hair and we had a wide ranging chat.Kelly trained and lived in London for quite some years and has lived a very interesting life.She has piercings and Tattoos and wears wonderfully funky and individual clothing to go with her red and black hair!

I really enjoy chatting with her - she is very spiritual and we have many things in common. Today we talked about ( the ones I can remember ) piercings, smoking, tattoos and  peoples perception of people with them, her time in London, big city life opposed to country living,  homeopathy, healing, paganism, dreadlocks, Scrubs ( her and Milly both enjoy it ) Silent witness ( another thing they both like ) Holby city ( another common interest ) Another thing they have in common - we discovered a long time ago they were both Aquarians but only realised the last time she was here that they were born on the same day!

Mum and Dad left to go to visit my middle Sister and Nephew who live in the next village.Kelly stayed on leaving around 5ish!

I had planned to go swimming, but the headache was still lingering and tea needed cooking. So I stayed home and we ate together at the table discussing a Yurt holiday - Yes Milly is getting her anxieties under control and is now getting more adventurous.She is keen to go to the place we went last year :-) We will be going in May and will  - hopefully - weather dependant - be able to spend more time living outdoors.

 We all watched Alpha and Omega ( well, we all started watching it - Alan was exhausted and went off to bed about 8.15! ) Then after that had finished , Milly remembered a documentary she wanted to watch was on.  Leahs Dream . A very emotional journey - Milly ended up going to bed before it finished but I watched the whole thing and was reminded again how important it is to take every day as it comes and to make the best of each day no matter what life throws at you... 

Monday....

I set the alarm for 8.30 -snoozed it many times - lot's of thinking going on ;-) Finally rolled out of bed around 9.30.

As usual Emily and I had been late to bed. I had a bath and was getting into bed around 12.15.Slept like a log - unusual - til around 5 ( must have been all that fresh air on the walk ), when the urge to go to the loo became too much,  then the restless legs took over and the dance moves began :-) Poor Alan - not sure I could cope if things were reversed...

Sunny morning lifted my spirits ;-)

Pottered around doing the usual morning tasks and preparing our swim bag. It was so lovely to have the sun streaming through the sun room windows.I put up the mirror I had painted in the lobby and decided it might need another coat - or perhaps ( maybe the easier option ) I will just distress it to give it that shabby chic look ;-) Also realised I would need to take down the coat rack and give that a coat of paint.

Woke Milly around 10.30.We had a cranial osteopathy app for 12.30 and would be leaving about 12, she likes a while to come round and rarely eats straight after waking...

Fed Milly ( who also woke in a good mood ) and we set off in good time.

I had bought Julie of the Wolves in story Cd and we listened to it on our way,we both enjoyed it and Milly had a smile on her face at the descriptions of the Wolves.Talked about getting the book to read to her, as the CD is abridged...

App with Judith went well.Milly in top form, chatty and very funny.We have been going to Judith for many years but Emily has received Cranial osteopathy - on and off - since she was around 10 months old.At that age it was feeding difficulties and reflux.

Milly has had a growth and headaches and aches and pains associated with that are helped amazingly well with this gentle treatment.Have another app booked for next Mon.

Off to do the shopping at Morrison's.Lunch was first on the agenda though.After eating we played with her new Sims 3 game - trying to work it out -  I am not much help with these things and often find she manages to work it out herself!

Milly doesn't like shopping and I rarely ask her to do it ,choosing instead to find other times to do it when Alan is at home. As we were going to be there for lunch today I had said it would save me a trip tomorrow( which would mean more play time )  if we could do it today.

She made a game up where she got a list with three of the items on my list on it and had to find them and I had three things to find and whoever got back first won.She beat me :-) We had good fun and the time flew by.We also managed to get Alpha and Omega DVD ( we had missed seeing at at the Cinema).

We put the shopping in the boot and all the fridge food in the two cooler boxes and headed off to the pool.

Had a really fabulous time.We went in the steam room and the sauna and dared each other to 'ice cube' (cold shower) afterwards.Laughed so much and had the pool to ourselves most of the time. As usual a wide range of topics were covered and conversations included ( amongst many others ) George Orwell's 1984 Big brother and health benefits of a sauna.

Back home by 5.30, tea for Milly and Al. I unpacked the food and managed to get some emails and stuff sorted before having my soup.

We are going to make a chocolate fudge cake shortly before Glee ( I have only seen odd bits of it and Milly has got into it, so will watch with her so I know what she is talking about ) at 9.

Mum and Dad visiting tomorrow and also Kelly the hairdresser is coming to dye Milly's hair black ( it will be a very dark brown that looks black but will not be as harsh and will fade over time) she is also having pinky red, chunky streaks put in, so photo's tomorrow :-) 

Hope your day has been a good one....

Sunday...

The house is getting a new coat of paint inside ( 3 rooms ) and out - later in the year when the weather improves.

 In an ideal world Alan would prefer to clear a room completely and just get on with it.Life tends to get in the way though and the three rooms being painted are the open plan sun room, kitchen, dining room, and back lobby leading to outdoors.Not ideal in the most used areas of the house to have paint and ladders out all day and rooms unusable whilst he is at work.Also, if he focuses completely on decorating, his time with Em is reduced and, as the rooms are quite large,  it isn't a quick job! He would spend all his time off  'busy'. So compromise needed to be reached and a new way of working is being attempted

.

A couple of weekends ago he started painting the woodwork in the lobby and over two weekends did it in stages, this meant we got to spend time as a family and he also got to sit down and watch Rugby:-) Then another day he painted the ceiling and yesterday the walls got a lovely fresh green colour on.

This morning (whilst Milly snoozed ) he put it all back together and did the cutting in on the ceiling of the sun room.I painted the clock ( which had been pine, painted in red ) and the mirror ( which was pine ) white to brighten things up.
This is not the best picture and I will probably take a better one in the daylight and replace it...

When we joined the pool/spa we decided that we would make one Sunday a month a family swim day ( Alan didn't want to become a member but said he would come along with us at times ) and this afternoon was it! However the weather this morning was fabulous.As we painted we thought it would be a shame to be indoors this afternoon and once Milly was up we discussed plans to go for a walk to Buttermere.Since Milly has been feeling anxious about going out we haven't been, although it is one of our favourite places to be.

Initially, when we suggested it she was reticent, however she quite quickly decided we should do it :-)

The sun didn't stay out to play but we had a fabulous time regardless....

 

Milly is looking a little glum in this picture... Alan accidentally broke a branch as he attempted to join her, apparently it was a very important branch - much needed for holding onto when sitting in the tree and also essential when dismounting from the tree:-( Tree-gate ensued, the larger of the two didn't see why an apology was required! Tears and bad tempers meant the next part of the walk was not quite as harmonious as it had been!!

I acted as mediator and thankfully, shortly after, the sun came out in reality and metaphorically as they made peace:-)