Raisie Bay

Raisie Bay’s Series of Unfortunate Events, (and some good ones.)

Well, it’s February already and it’s cold! But…we haven’t had any snow, nope, none of the white stuff here.

It Started Well

Last week turned out to be pretty busy with the girl’s parents evening and the visit to the school’s SENDco. I really don’t like going out when it’s cold, but popping from the car into the school isn’t too bad.

The week passed okay until we got to the weekend. Saturday was fine, the kid’s had a good day with very limited laptop time. I am worried about the amount of time they spend on their laptops on the weekend, so we’ve decided to ration it. They helped with the housework and cooking and played with toys, read books and watched a little television. Boo is really into Lemony Snicket’s Series of Unfortunate Events. Oh my, it’s so dark, those poor children having to fight off the evil Count Olaf’s schemes every episode. Even the website states ;


All of the stories about these three children are unhappy and wretched and will most likely fill you with deep despair

She is wanting the books to read now, I’m divided on whether you should read books before watching the series or film, but I guess it’s too late for Boo now. I’ll get her the first book and see how she gets on.

Then the Sickness Struck!

On Sunday, Star was feeling under the weather, just laying around, not doing much. As the day wore on she became really hot and felt ill. I sent her to bed with some paracetamol and she managed to sleep through until about 5am. Then she got into bed with me, something she’s not done in many years. We got up at six on Monday and it was obvious she wasn’t well enough for school. She had a really awful day, and I had to change my hospital treatment to another day as I didn’t want to leave her, and I didn’t want to risk transferring the sickness to other vulnerable patients at the hospital.

Then Boo came home from School and went straight to bed because she felt ill. The pair of them are off school today, Tuesday. I’m just hoping the Little Man has avoided it. I’ve kept him away from his sisters but you can’t really stop these bugs once they start. Eldest son has caught it, eldest daughter has been hiding in her room when she’s been home. Graham said he feels unwell. If I get it then I won’t be able to go to hospital tomorrow either.

The Bad Tooth

I went to the dentist 3 months ago and she said I needed a filling in one of back teeth. She put in a temporary filling and made me an appointment in 3 months to have it filled properly.

The temporary filling came out at Christmas time while eating a crisp. It didn’t hurt, it hadn’t hurt before the filling was put in.

Then last week it started hurting. I think I had some food in it because it felt better after flossing and cleaning. But the pain came back and I’ve been counting the days until my appointment.

I went back to the dentist and she took a look. Apparently the tooth is so bad now it needs removing, as does the tooth next to it! Then she told me she couldn’t do it because I’d have to be monitored with the anaesthetic because of my medication. So now I have to wait for an appointment at the dental hospital. She did put another temporary filling in though, so I’m only eating soft food until it’s sorted. I hate tooth pain, isn’t it unbearable?

In other News

I finished the blanket I was making with a ‘Crochet Along’ Each month we were given a different pattern to make a square (or two) and then last week it was time to sew them all together and crochet the border. It’s not perfect but it’s so colourful I love it. And more importantly, it’s incredibly soft and cosy. Here is Boo modelling it, she was feeling poorly at the time, but said it was okay for me to take a photo while she pretended to sleep.

Little girl sleeping on sofa covered with a patchwork crochet blanket
CAL Blanket

I’ve also finished the Dragon Hooded Scarf that I was making, and now I have to decide whether to start another blanket or get on with the axolotl pattern.

In the meantime, I’m hoping the sickness bug passes quickly and that I don’t get it so I can go to hospital tomorrow.

Thanks for reading x

Debs Random Writings

Cats, A Birthday Bash and Mc Donalds to the Rescue

Ash and Sabrina

We’ve introduced our new kitten to our old cat and it hasn’t gone too bad so far. First we bought Ash, the kitten, down in his cat carrier and although Sabrina wasn’t overly concerned about him she did give him a little sniff. Once loose, Ash started following Sabrina around, he seemed so keen to be friends. Unfortunately, Sabrina was not so keen and did hiss at him. They’ve been in the same room together a few times now and although the hissing has continued, she hasn’t really got any worse towards him. They have even touched noses without incidence.

Ash is a loveable little fella though and I’m sure he’ll win Sabrina over eventually. He is very interested in being friends with her, but he doesn’t pester her constantly.

He’s a lot like having a new baby, he’s kept me awake at night a few times now, and he craves attention all the time. I don’t mind though, he’s so adorable.

The Birthday Bash

It was my brother’s birthday on Friday and we all went out for a meal. It was great catching up with family and having a couple of drinks. I decided to take my sticks and walk in the pub restaurant, the wheelchair was in the boot just in case though. I thought we might need it when we couldn’t find a place in the car park close to the pub. My walking is very restricted so it has to be only a short distance. Then we spotted a place on the road right by the entrance. So, I walked in, much to the surprise of my family inside. The only problem was, they had sat the furthest away from the disabled loos, so I couldn’t drink too much!

The kids enjoyed playing outside and the adults did a lot of catching up. I made my brother’s birthday card myself and I was a bit worried as making cards is something new to me. He loved it though, so I was relieved. I drew a picture of him out with his pug and his drone. If you knew him, you’d know this was exactly him!

 

Home Education

The Little Man is doing well with his home education and his folders are already filling up. It’s hard to get him started and it’s hard to keep him going for very long, but in between the hard parts he’s working well. I do actually enjoy teaching him but I do miss having time to myself. Even teaching him for three hours a day is a massive chunk of my time. I do hope we will find a nice school for him soon, or for September when the new school year starts.

Mc Donalds Saves the Day

As I said, we went out on Friday and I did have a couple of vodkas, okay, double vodkas. I didn’t feel drunk, even tipsy, I even managed to walk out of the pub, which is more than I can say for some. I only drink vodka because I have never had a hangover with it. So, imagine my surprise when I woke up Saturday morning with what felt like a massive hangover. I had a headache, felt sick and was even more wobbly than usual. I didn’t feel any better as the day wore on but I tried to hide it as I knew Graham was going out on Saturday night and I didn’t want him to feel he had to stay in because I was hungover.

Unlike a hangover, I got worse and worse as the day wore on and when it came to dinner time, Graham had already left, and I felt awful. My eldest said that he’d buy us a take out to save me cooking, which was great, but I usually still end up cooking for the kids as the only take out’s they’ll eat are ones that you have to pick up, Mc Donalds, KFC, chips shop, and Graham had the car. Then I remembered a flyer that had been put through the door that said our local Mc Donalds now delivers. So I put an order in for the kids and 20 mins later the kids were tucking into their Happy Meals, while the grown ups enjoyed a Chinese.

After dinner I had an early night, going to bed the same time as the kids.

Sunday morning, I woke up still feeling ill, so it wasn’t a hangover after all. I had a restful day and, thankfully, by Monday morning I was feeling okay again.

 

Debs Random Writings

Word of the Week – Bad

I can bet there is not one person in this country that has not been disturbed and saddened by the terrorist attack in Manchester this week. It’s been a very sad week and it’s hard to focus on other things, especially when the media will have the events pushed down our throats at every opportunity. My only hope is that something good will come of this, the country is on alert and the scum being dragged out of hiding. We need to find them and deal with them properly, make an example of them, let them know that we won’t be terrorised by them, we will find them and we will stop them. Then we need to find ways of stopping them from getting into our country. If someone comes under the radar and then leaves the country for places like Libya or Syria then they should be stopped from coming back here, the intention seems obvious to me. Then we have to find a way that will lead to peace in our land. I’m not with the let’s retaliate by bombing them and see how they like it tribe. It’s been proven that it just doesn’t work. We have to look closely at what caused the unrest and why they are targeting us and stop it. I believe it can be done. I believe that we have been doing it wrong.

Back to my week. I have been having problems with Star again. I sent her to school on Monday even though she protested she wasn’t well. Then she was sent home again after being sick. So I kept her home for two days sent her back when I believed she was well and she was sent home after being sick again. I do believe she has had some sort of sickness bug because I caught it too. This is the first time I’ve been sick since my illness and it was awful. Imagine not being able to bend over the toilet properly (ok maybe that’s too much information) but not only that, every time I was sick my stomach muscles contracted and stayed contracted for ages afterwards in spasm which was really painful. I’ve had a couple of early nights this week feeling very very sorry for myself.

The weather has been bad too.. Ok,  the weather has been hot and sunny but it’s bad for me. I can’t cope with the heat and have found it difficult to keep cool, apart from my feet which I’m sure are dead as they are constantly like blocks of ice no matter how hot it is. I’ve had a burning sensation not experienced before all along my spine and down my legs. It’s like I’m constantly on fire, apart from my feet. The sun has also brought out the neighbours, my peaceful days are interrupted by loud music from all directions interrupted only by several lawnmowers.  I can’t escape, even with the doors and windows shut, which causes me to cook slowly.

From today things are going to change, things are going to be good.
Today I am going to buy my new power chair with the money I’ve collected from some fantastic donations. I’m so excited, I will have some freedom to escape.

And escape is the next thing on my mind because on Monday we are off on a short break to the sea side. I have been worried about it but with my new power chair it should be a fantastic break. I won’t feel like a burden, I will be able to get around by  myself. We will have the chance to chill and relax and the kids will have fun. I can’t wait to gulp in some sea air. The sun won’t bother me at all!

So this week has been bad, but next week is going to be so, so  much better.

The Reading Residence

When Plans are Abandoned

We were looking forward to the last week so much, we had lots planned and it was Star’s first week without her halo. We were not going to let a little thing like the weather get us down, and bank holiday Monday, despite the rain we ventured off to the Malvern Hills. Malvern is not really that far away from us and I can remember visiting lots when I was young, but I haven’t been for many years now.

I’ll be honest, we were not really planning on walking the hills, although that is a lovely thing to do, we were actually visiting friends who are lucky enough to live there. So the rain was no bother as we knew we would be inside. When we got there we were also met by a big blanket of fog which meant that I got lost on the hills! It didn’t take long for our friends to rescue us and we were soon in the comfort of their lovely hillside home. We couldn’t enjoy the hills but we did enjoy their hospitality and a lovely afternoon tea.

Our best view of the day, I took this while we were lost!

Then the BUG struck! The Little Man caught it first and I spent Monday night nursing him through. We couldn’t go out on Tuesday and cancelled our trip on Wednesday too, just in case. We were due another day out at the Adventure Farm on Thursday but couldn’t make it because me and ED caught the BUG, closely followed by Boo. Friday was a blur! I’m feeling a little better today, but we are only four out of seven of struck with the BUG so far, so there could be more to come.

As Wednesday was the only day that the BUG wasn’t taking over our lives we decided a quick shopping trip was in order and popped off to a local supermarket. While in there Star wasn’t feeling too good (oh no!, but luckily, it wasn’t the BUG) so Daddy took her outside. When we went out them they were really excited because they’d found a lovely stream behind the shop. We put the shopping in the car boot and went for a look.

Then we spotted a little bridge

So what do you do when you find a little bridge across a stream? Play Pooh Sticks of course! The Littlies dropped their sticks in on one side of the bridge and ran to the other to see who’s came first.

Then the Little Man needed a rest!

So our shopping trip turned in to a fun afternoon in a place we’d not been before.

Country Kids from Coombe Mill Family Farm Holidays Cornwall

Painting a Cross on the Door

That’s right, keep out, we’re all sick in here! That’s one of the problems when you have such a big family when illness strikes it gets us all, knocking us all down like pins at a bowling alley. Last week Boo came home from church and fell asleep on the settee, she was burning up and once awake started throwing up. Next it was time for the Little Man to get the lurgy. Monday morning arrived after a sleep deprived night and presented us with another high temperature, this time from Star. School was phoned and we began one of those hazy days where you forget what the time is and just keep mopping up the mess. By Wednesday things were looking good for the girls but the Little Man was still suffering. Sadly I was too busy with the kids to hear the Dad moaning about his ills. Thursday morning arrived and I was all prepared to send the girls back to school. What I wasn’t prepared for was for me to be struck down with illness. Dad had to get up and take them in, and pick them up.

The weekend arrived and we were all feeling a little better, it looked like No1 Son and Eldest Daughter had escaped. The came Sunday and I woke with a migraine. Yes, one of those can’t turn your head to the side otherwise the pain will make you throw up type of migraines. Heavily doped I got through the day, I even managed to  cook a roast (ok, frozen veg, frozen roast spuds and even frozen yorkshire puds, but I did make the gravy myself from the meat juices) No cake or dessert this week though 🙁

As Sunday wore on it seemed that No1 Son hadn’t actually escaped the Bug as loud moanings could be heard all around the house. Sunday evening I took my migraine to bed at the same time as the kids. The night was not good, disturbances went as follows; Little Man, No1 Son, Boo, Little Man, Boo, Dad, No1 Son, Little Man, Dad and finally Star my little alarm clock with her 6am call.

At present the girls are at school, No1 Son is still suffering and has in fact been diagnosed with his first ever ear infection, and the Little Man is still not eating properly but is still properly snotty!

Tomorrow, I’m going to disinfect the entire house and banish the bugs.
At least until the next round arrives.

A little Note About Positive Reviews on Raisie Bay

A little Note About Positive Reviews on Raisie Bay

Some people only write reviews when things go wrong with products, which is good because it lets people know that there could be potential problems. I’ve also seen negative feedback with say things like, I had to return this item because the colour did not suit me…is this useful?

I write reviews on most items I buy because I like to give genuine feedback. If I have a genuine problem with a product I will write my review in the appropriate place.

I write reviews on my blog too, but they are mostly positive. Why? Because I only write reviews for the things I’ve loved. If I don’t love them I let the person who sent me them know with details why and then let them decided if they would rather me write a negative review or not write one at all. It’s always the latter.

This is my blog, my place and I’ll let you know about the things I love. If you want to find out what other people have hated about the product then you will need to look elsewhere.

My reviews may all be positive, but they are still genuine.

Where to next?