General Chat

He only has one working hand Ann and that is his left.He was always right handed and he was always an awkward old sod so nothing much changes there.

No doubt the hair decorations have brighened the day of some African child,just not the one you thought.
It is difficult to know what to send to Africa,or even how to send it but it sounds like the mission has let you down a bit doesn't it?Are you going to ask them about it?
Better go and see what he is up to.His friend is here today so God knows what might be going on.

Mary, is it worth taking up with the mission office. Presumably they want contributions to continue which theyw on't if it gets a bad 'press'.

Poor Sarah, so frustrating for her when she is doing something she enjoys. Is that the problem? Does she have a sizure when she is excited?

Sharron, it really is like having a naughtly child in your house isn't it? Hopefully he will have learnt his lesson although I doubt it! I suppose his hands are more shaky than he realised.

Hi Sharron, what she's been doing was sending the parcel to the office of the mission, about 30 miles from here, and one of their directors goes over 2 or 3 times a year and takes all letters and parcels with him. The last parcel had a lot of hair products, clips and ribbons and Megan had enclosed a note suggesting the child share the accessories with her friends. We will never know where the items are now I suppose. I am mostly upset about the effect this has had on Megan, presumably the mission benefitted in some small way by the monthly donations. I just feel very let down, betrayed even.
It is still very cold here, I dread going out, but had to pick up Sarah from Guides tonight, when she had a seizure during their meeting, poor kid, so pale afterwards and wanting to sleep.
Long day tomorrow, Gareth has an appt an hour away with a neurologist, and has to arrive at 830am so it will be an early start for everyone.
Night all,
Mary

I was at college with African students and I am quite surprised the parcel even arrived there.Somewhere in the Central African Republic is a postman with alovely pair of shoes and somebody in Namibia is quite well supplied with Christmas cards.

The old man has surpassed himself.The carers came in yesterday lunch to find him sitting in his wheelchair with blood pouring from his face.I was kind of expecting it too.His electric razor has broken down so,rather than tell me while the sales are on,he persuaded his mate to buy him a packet of disposable razors but don;t tell Sharron.Luckily he did tell Sharron but I couldn't do anything about it as he is a grown up. Silly old sod had tried to have a shave and he is on Warfarin so he bleeds well.
As his mate can't be trusted with a secret I had already ordered a new electric razor.
I don't know why I was not supposed to know,I don;t spend all the money that comes in on feminine fripperies.There is a bit put by for occasions such as this.

minus 15 degrees Mary, that is soo cold, I can imagine how it affects your glasses.

How terrible about the little girl in Sierra Leone I hope you can get to the bottom of it. I am not sure what will be the better solution, Hopefully that the child has not disappeared. I suppose it would be easy to run a scam like that, but very callous to take advantage of people's goodwill. what a good job your friend made a visit anyway, will stop good money going after bad, but poor Megan.

Carole yes, we stayed in Kissammee in the past, very convenient.

Bl****y hell Mary thats awful. What if there was a child and something happened to her. And your poor friend having to bring you the awful news.
Her own story too is so sad.
Funny about your glasses, but I know I shouldn't laugh!
Our snow has gone and I for one am glad to see the back of it.
Good idea having those stickers on the van. Where did you find them?

Thanks Carole, yes I get very tired of being stared at, snooty disparaging looks, obvious disgust when Gareth especially misbehaves in public, rudeness from waitresses, store clerks etc etc. I have now ordered stickers/decals for the vans, which state "Child with autism,may not respond to verbal commands". Having already had the police think that Sarah had a head injury because she couldn't voice her name, I thought that in an accident that might be an issue, so this is protection for the kids, and reassurance for the driver.
Carole I have stayed in Kissimee as well, nice town, this last time we stayed on-site at Disney, which was MUCH easier with the kids. I would love to be able to take them all, but this year I am hoping to fly over the pond myself. wish I could jet around like other people but it's just not in the cards at present.
For what it's worth I am sporting a wobbly halo today, having spent 2 days sorting papers,in between other 'duties' and yes, opening envelopes (my nemesis). Everything to do with income tax is now in one place, ready for further sorting and submission as soon as the last statements come in. I am not going to be months late this year LOL. Hey Liz - are you proud of me - you identify with me and my envelopes I know.
It is flipp[ing cold here, the high today was minus 15 degrees, frigid wind, I had to walk to the shop today because the cold make my glasses painful to wear,being metal, so I took them off and then couldn't drive. I understand now why it;s the law the clear the path in front of one's house, it wasn't easy stumbling through snow mid-calf depth, very unsteady was this old lady!!

Megan had an awful shock this week. As you may remember, she has been 'fostering' a girl in Sierra Leone for nthe past year. Thinks of this child as hers, has sent her letters and small parcels etc, and often expresses the wish to adopt her and bring her here. We developed our interest in Sierra Leone when I became friends with a co-worker, a young widow who had fled after her policeman husband was killed in front of her and their 3 children, by rebels. She is so strong and so positive despite everything,that we continue to try and help her as she tries to support her family - older Mum, sister and brother and nieces and nephews - in Sierra Leone. With great financial effort she managed to take a trip home over Christmas and returned this week. While in Sierra Leone, she promised Megan that she would try to visit "her" child at the orphanage. Imagine Megan's distress when Adama returned to Canada with the parcel Megan had sent. Seems she did visit the orphanage and nobody knew a child of the name we had been given. Megan is devastated, worried about "Her Josephine", disappointed, and I am furious. I am waiting for a response from the mission who we trusted to arrange the fostering, not sure if we have been scammed, is something has happened to the child, or if in fact she ever existed. Megan has huge issues expressing emotion verbally, so this has really hit her hard. Worried about the child, where her monthly money has gone, where have her letters and parcels gone etc etc. Sad to feel so helpless when all she wanted to do was help a child.
Sorry, once again to ramble, hugs all round.
Mary

We fly to Orlando but are staying in kissimmee. We stay at a Best Western (Lakeside) there, on the 192. It's close by all the parks, shops and eateries.

Mary I know just how you feel. Rem gave me that feeling when he was younger. But luckily he doesn't have the other problems Sarah has. You feel peoples eyes on you when you are out with them don't you. I used to see what they were thiking on their faces. But it's heart breaking to wonder what the future holds. And asking your self if they will ever be self sufficient. And for Gareth to be taking so many medicines when he should be out playing with friends it breaks my heart .

I need new glasses it's such an expense, I have been putting it off for a while. But I must get some new ones, I am sometimes struggling to read with the ones I have. I'm ok driving. But when we were covered in bright white snow it was more difficult. The iced over rain is very frightening Mary. Look forward to spring, and even better summer x

I hope it soon warms up at least a little for you Mary. Also hope the new meds helps Gareth's anxiety poor lad.
Is there any chance that there will ever be a breakthrough with Sarah's speech? It must be so frustrating for her, and of course for you and her Mum.

Have a great trip Carole, absorb some warmth for me, it is SO cold at present, so much so that my shower pipes froze last week, working again now but spring will bring some re-insulation of walls in the bathroom. It backs onto an 1885 chimney which is no longer used, and the cold seems to come down the chimney, even though the top is now sealed. suppose I can blame myself for buying an older house.LOL. I got a quote to remove the chimney which was about 10 times higher than I'd expected, so the chimney stays.
I can handle driving in snow, but the freezing rain is too treacherous for me, at least there are no Christmas trees being transported at this time of year. after my van was attacked by one before Christmas, I am hyper-vigilant about the loads carried on other vehicles. Paranoid one might say LOL. Just want to hibernate.
Took a big step this week and went for my annual eye exam, 5,6,7 years late . . . surprise,surprise, there's a huge difference in the distance part of the prescription, no wonder I can't read so easily, can't cope with night-driving, etc etc. The exam was covered, but the new glasses set me back
a few weeks LOL. Never mind, the new frames are apparently bringing me more current . . . .
Sir Gareth is now on another new med, this time for anxiety. The ADHD med has helped enormously at school, better able to focus, but the anxiety remains an issue, very OCD type behaviours, hopefully this will help him. Sad that a 9 year old must receive psych drugs,poor little chap, but he is MUCH more verbal now.
Sarah breaks my heart, such a loving child, who 'speaks' with her eyes, rather than her mouth, the older/bigger she gets, the more sadness I feel. What her future can possibly hold is beyond me. I am always ready to offer encouragement to others, and voice it to my daughter, but inside I am crumbling.
Going to make the gluten free bread now since our supplier is no longer available (Megan's employer), now it has become my job, so Sarah,Gareth and Emlyn have bread to eat, who can afford $5 for a small loaf when it's gone in one meal????
Have a good day everyone.
Mary

Very nice Carole, Orlando or on the coast? We liked Clearwater and that area, stayed in Dunedin.

We are going back to Florida. Our favorite place. Ten days of warmth and blue sky we hope x

Deanna, of course we can't manage without you, roll on the warmer days when you don't freeze while you are typing.

Carole, where are you jetting off to?

Booked a holiday we fly on my birthday, can't wait. It will be warmer than here. I need a rest ! Anyone want a dog for 10 days ? : ) We haven't told him yet x

hello everyone, hope you are all well.

Mary, that sounded like a very common tale to me, the absence of a father.
How do men, or indeed women, do that to a child?
When they are so small and vulnerable you are punishing yourself by not seeing them. Don't you agree?
I have not been around myself for long enough but I'm sure you managed without me.
The weather is becoming warmer so I Will be able to sit here more often... and longer.

I have a lot I now want to do on my tree but can't.
I need to find someone with an American interest who will help me search .

Anyway folks, tea is ready, so I am off again.

Stay warm and happy all of you.
Lots of love to all,
Deanna XXXX

Well,we have the seed potatoes.Went out and bought them last week.Mentioned to the old man that they needed dealing with,Much protest like why did he need to deal with them.Simply because I will kill them.
Left them until his mate turned up and was sent to get some seed trays in.Anyway,the seed potatoes are now in their trays ,the right way up,at the apropriate distance,chitting under the table with proper supervision.

I thought we might be able to use old pop bottles as little cloches to bring seedlings on.Asked him and he really was not interested,probably a silly idea.
This afternoon I was told not to throw that lemonade bottle away.

With a bit of luck I have his mind back on gardening and off women for a while!

Hope he doesn't leave the clearing up until you get there hoping you will do it Carole!! Also hope you get your cheque OK.
Thanks for news of Gail, glad she is OK, I do miss her on here.

What a sad story Mary. The poor lad is having a tough time.

I emailed Gail, I know Australia is a huge place but I couldn't help but worry about her with the awful floods there. She is okay but feeling very sad at the destruction there with floods and fires in other parts.

I phoned the PO yesterday to chase up Dads account which had to be closed and I needed to claim the money in there for Mum. Since I had filled in the form and had it back saying they couldn't process the claim as some documents were missing. I had to find all the relavent paperwork for dates and ref numbers etc. Told the story to the girl who answered, she put me on hold and another lady answered, so I had to go through it all again. To be told the cheque was put in the post yesterday. Funny isn't it, they have always sent anything yesterday!! So hope thats another piece of the jigsaw sorted out.

Took Mum out for the day to Doncaster Lakeside outlet. Hayley came too. We had lunch at a Toby carvery, it was lovely. Today we are going to see Rem's new house that he is sharing. He had a party last night so he'll be busy clearing up before we get there. (I hope) .

Poor you Mary with more snow. Roll on spring!! Just very dark and dismal here with occasional rain and cold winds. No snow though thank goodness.I hope somebody can step in to take the young lad in care (do you have the equivalent of our Social services or will he be left to his own devices?) Hopefully if they do he may be weaned off drugs. What a waste of a life, or two if he carries on.

We are in the middle of a blizzard, oh how I hate snow. It's already knee-deep from the past 3 days and now more. No peace for the wicked I suppose.
The dogs love it,, Ginny has her leg cast off now and is back to bounding through the snow piles, just took a week to regain the use of the leg. Rosie prefers to push her nose forward, creating a trough through which she skirts the whole back yard, those short corgi legs leave her near the ground LOL
For some reason this year I am acutely nervous about walking or driving in this weather, about the risk of falls etc. My back is still healing from the bad tumble before Christmas, the lump is much smaller, and pain much less. Now if I could throw off the chest infection all would be well.
My precious little great-nephew will be 2 next week, still no language bless him, but a very happy little boy, no heart issues thank goodness, as is so common in Downs syndrome, but has compromised vision, he looks so darling in his glasses. His parents are amazing, whatever potential he has will be reached through their efforts.
Someone please spirit me away from the cold. My quiet house now has the addition of a flute, miniMary's latest exploration of talent. I am apparently destined to live a life which is anything but peaceful. I suppose I should be grateful it's not a tuba or french horn such as her mother tried for a couple of years, at least the flute will fit in the car LOL.
Saw an amazing video on U tube this morning of the flash flood in Toowoomba, frightening and devastating for those involved, how fortunate I am to be able to hide indoors from natures current snow/wind-attack here. remembering those also devastated in Brazil, there's been lots on the news too about Haiti - a year later, some people certainly seem to receive more than their share of tragedy.

A friend here lost their daughter age 47 this past week, another life destroyed by drug abuse, found dead by her 14 year old son, who now has nowhere to go, grandparents are only relatives and can't cope with him, as he also has joined the drug ranks, thanks to his mother's history. Sad for the grandparents, they are good folks just can't cope physically with any more. Grandad is disabled from a stroke and grandma is recovering from a knee replacement revision.
Seems another young life is being wasted unless someone can intervene.

Gareth is now on the maximum dose of his medication for ADHD, I had the joy of giving him the med this morning, oinly took an hour to get 1 spoonful into him, with tiny licks of a drop at a time, and multiple twirls round the room. Once he has swallowed the lot, it is effective, not perfect but much better,
Have a new contact for the SWORD part of our tree, but still unable to find a marriage for Robert Sword and Isabella Craig, probably in Kirkintilloch, Glasgow area. Frustrating to say the least.

back to work now, stay warm and safe.
Mary